An Analysis Of Dr. Samuel Mudd - 1773 Words

Mud is a slimy sticky mixture of solid material with a liquid, the most common is soft wet earth. Mud is also known as an abusive and malicious remark or accusation; frequently in the political game, contestants will sling â€Å"mud† at each other to damage their opponent’s reputation and gain the favor of supporters. These political contestants may go as far to say â€Å"One’s name is mud†, which is used to express a strong dislike for a person implying their reputation is no better than the slimy sticky dirt one walks on. This phrase may have been coined from the story of Dr. Samuel Mudd, the physician that treated John Wilkes Booth’s broken leg after his assassination of President Lincoln, who was convicted of conspiracy and later pardoned after three year served. The events that befell Dr. Mudd are true but his name did not coin the term â€Å"one’s name is mud† even though it may be the perfect parable correlating to the expressi on. The truth behind the phase is that it originates from the Oxford English Dictionary which documented its meaning four decades before the assassination along with a book from Britain, A Dictionary of Turf by John Bee, using the connotation of this expression long before the assassination. This type of misconception is the pitfall of history. A historian must be ever mindful of where they gather the information that will form their opinions of past events. The story of Dr. Mudd is like another tale still shrouded in the mists of time. The story is one ofShow MoreRelatedThe Assassination Of Abe Lincoln2130 Words   |  9 PagesAn Analysis Over the Assassination of Abe Lincoln â€Å"Four score and seven years ago...† Abraham Lincoln was our 16th president and had his life taken after the North’s victory over the South; he lives on through these famous words of the Gettysburg Address. Abraham Lincoln was an important leader in the Civil War who helped free the slaves; his legacy lives on today. Although he was assassinated his words and actions are imprinted in our memory still today. This assassination was a major event inRead MoreHistorical Background And Point Of View1973 Words   |  8 Pagesworld are looking for wisdom from him. People are looking for a leader who will fight so, as Lincoln stated in his Gettysburg Address, â€Å"that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.† Rhetorical Style Analysis Title In modern society, people are always looking for excitement in entertainment. The newest James Bond movie will always outdo a documentary in the box office, and characters such as John Wilkes Booth and Abraham Lincoln fall to the side as aRead MoreAnalysis Of Bill O Reilly s Killing Lincoln Essay2636 Words   |  11 PagesBill O’Reilly’s and Martin Dugard’s book Killing Lincoln delves into the events leading up to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the repercussions upon the people involved, as well as a detailed analysis of the ongoing war efforts and the affects one has upon the other. While unraveling the conspiracy and its members, the reader is given compelling evidence and speculative reasoning that leads the reader to believe that the plot to assassinate Lincoln involves additional people, and

Bio Modeling And Stress Analysis Essay - 2379 Words

Chapter 6 BIO MODELLING AND STRESS ANALYSIS Introduction The study mainly focuses on the nanocomposite based coronary stents and their interaction with arteries in which they are implanted and the blood flow that occurs through them. Hence the arteries and blood need to be mathematically modeled in order to use them in analysis software. The interactions between anisotropic hyperelastic materials with non Newtonian fluid blood involve intricate challenges. A lot of non linearities are involved in the models. The mathematical models used to model hyperelastic arteries and non Newtonian fluid is discussed in this chapter. Further the simulations carried out on static stent interactions with arteries and plaque is discussed. As shown in the graphs the responses of a rubber and a soft tissue are plotted in simple uniaxial tension. Need of the Study The interactions occurring between the artery wall and the stent surfaces need to be studied considering the hyperelastic nature of the arteries. Injuries are caused on the artery surfaces due to stent implantation. It can be easily manifested that any external foreign structure implanted in the body can cause harm to the body. Especially the ends of the complicated stent designs may prick the artery walls. Or the interactive stresses acting on the vessel walls may concuss the walls if are beyond the materials bearable properties. It is hence necessary to first study theShow MoreRelatedAn Approach of Designing an Exoskeleton Arm754 Words   |  3 Pagesall dynamic forces and stress of arm .A musculoskeletal arm model is built to simulate the injury symptom in terms of evaluating the muscle activations, by using related commercial design software and also specific biomechanics software is used for analyzing the exoskeleton . A stimulation platform is created by synthesizing a biomec hanical model of human body and the exoskeleton which allows and evaluates the functioning and effects of two models. Results of design analysis and optimization are includedRead MoreTheoretical And Conceptual Of Computer Science1528 Words   |  7 Pagesbioinformatics to mathematical models of systems physiology† (Cannataro, Weber dos Santos, Sundnes, 2010 p. 931), In both of these areas scientific fields are required to maintain governmental and state security regulations and measures. One cannot stress enough how much computer science has become an essential part of life sciences. 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ABA intervention is bases of the behavioral therapy that was introduced by B.F.Skinner, a spokesperson for behavior, who had a high interest in the concept of reinforcementRead MoreModeling Of Engineering And Biomedical Sciences9738 Words   |  39 PagesAtomistic modeling of BN nanofillers: a review Rajesh Kumar* and Avinash Parashar Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee - 247667, India * Corresponding author: E-Mail: rajeshpawar4u@gmail.com, Ph.: +91-1332-284801 ABSTRACT Due to their exceptional mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and electrically insulating property, boron nitride nanotubes and nanosheets have promising applications in the field of engineering and biomedical sciencesRead MoreNumerical Analysis Of Human Head Response2241 Words   |  9 PagesSravan Kumar Muddamsetty K00328532 Vinod Kumar Ponagandla K00327281 Nishanth Kumar Ganta K00329832 Abhilash Darshan H. K00329041 Avinash Niddara K00329524 Date: 12/08/2014 ABSTRACT The aim of this report is to present the numerical analysis of human head response in a car accident in the sagittal plane. This is achieved by making oneself aware of the dynamic loading that arises at the instant accident occurs and the response of the human head to such loading. The response is usuallyRead MoreCard 405- Rough Draft Portfolio1921 Words   |  8 Pagesexposure to the financial aspects of business decision-making. Topics include standard cost systems, budgeting, break-even analysis, and the effect of federal and state taxes on decision-making. Students make extensive use of spreadsheet applications to analyze and provide solutions to the challenges faced by management in today’s Internet-based economy. 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(Sahu, Gupta, 2014), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in anger management is the regulation of anger and then with the acquisition of skills would involve more adaptive alternatives to provocation. (Sahu, Gupta, 2014) When there is stress in the life of a caregiver who is caring for a family member who has been diagnosed with bi-polar the added responsibility can be difficult for the caregiver especially if she works and have children to raise. According to research, up to 9 percentRead MoreAnalysis And Interpretation Of Financial Statements Essay5883 Words   |  24 Pagesconventions and personal judgements. (Maheshwari, 1998) Ratio analysis is one of the powerful techniques which are widely used for interpreting financial statements. This technique serves as a tool for measuring the financial soundness of the business. It can be used to compare the risk and return relationship of firms of different sizes. The term ratio refers to the numerical or quantitative relationship between two variables. Ratio analysis is the process of identifying the financial strength and weakness

Maritime Economic and Shipbroking Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theMaritime Economic and Shipbroking. Answer: Descriptive study of demolish con 2011 Ship valuation or appraisals are normally valuations issued by firms dealing with shipbroking who have plenty of experience in the ship market and ship sales. These valuations are normally in the form of a simple letter consisting of few lines or sentences or alternatively use of a detailed certificate that consists of more particulars with details of the vessel as well as the valuer s disclaimer. The letter and the detailed certificate are viewed as tools for professional expression of opinion. The demolition value of a ship is usually based on the lightweight of the vessel and the demolition price in the market per the vessels lightweight ton. The demolition prices are important as they help in determining the vessels final residual value. A valuer who deals with selling and marketing of old vessels, uses this demolition prices aspect to enable him to determine the vessels lightweight. The valuer of older vessels will also be able to determine the ultimate residual value of a vesse l and pick on prices offered for those ships under demolition yard in several parts of the world. The cost of delivering a vessel to the demolition yard is reached at after the demolition value net. This value is normally under certain circumstances viewed as the lowest value of a vessel at one time. Using these value aspects of a vessel, a valuer is able to determine and analyses on the possibility of further trading and market potential of the vessel. The opposite of demolition value is the new building value or prices. Newbuilding prices offer a guideline for a valuer to view modern tonnage in relation to the replacement cost of a vessel. However, it is not true to say that the contract price of a vessel will determine the second-hand value of that vessel on the day it is delivered. The value of the newbuilding can still go up or down at any time unlike during the heady day of the tanker boom where the newbuilding had contracts that were resold at substantial premiums (Stopford 1 997). Demolition price is therefore the vessels ultimate residual value whereby the vessels lightweight and the price offered for their demolition yard are determined by the valuer and apply in various parts of the world. It is possible for a trader to use the demolition value pointers to make sound analysis when determining the market sentiments as well as the trading potential in regards to the demolition value of a vessel. The contract price of an older vessel or a second hand vessel is not dependent on the low value of the vessel on the day it is delivered. The vessel however, whether old or new building, should be in good sea-worthy condition at all times so as to make it credible and the valuer work in marketing and trading of the vessel easier. Demolition value is majorly based on the vessels lightweight and current demolition market prices per lightweight ton of the vessel. Ship valuation Ship valuations are normally issued by shipbroking firms who possess enough experience on matters dealing with ship sale and ship market. Several persons require ship valuations for different reasons. One of them is the bank where they use the valuations for assessing loan offer where they can propose or make and also in monitoring of their financial exposure regarding the market value of the vessel. Lawyers on the other hand use ship valuations as evidence whenever there is a legal dispute or quantum claim. Insurance and the PI clubs for the purposes of market value of the vessels establishment. The ship owners also require the ship valuation so as to issue to insurers and bankers whenever necessary as well as for internal management information regarding assessment of buying and selling of the vessels. Ship valuation is essentially market valuation on market indicators dealing with sales of similar vessels and other necessary general market activities. Market valuation is important as it is based on assumption that the vessel is sea-worthy and in good condition, well maintained, devoid of damages, sufficiently equipped and transferable. A ships value is determined by future projections on its ability to earn and these projections are what bankers use when lending money to borrowers to see if there is prediction of future earnings from the vessel. Formerly, valuations were underpriced, however, recently the shipping industry has restructured its pricing to become befitting in terms of expertise and responsibilities. The difference between ship valuations and other forms of valuations is the notable fact that in most cases ship valuers do not inspect the ship and instead go by the assumption that the vessel should be in good condition and free of charter. The valuer depends mostly on paper description of the vessel issued by the party commissioning the vessel to determine its valuation. According to Ship sale and purchase (2006), ship valuation is also done whe never a deal of sale is being made between a willing seller and a willing buyer hence reflecting the gross price payable by the buyer before deductions and delivery costs that is the responsibility of the seller. Other factors that are considered during ship valuation are such as quantitative factors whereby the valuer determines the quantitative attributes of a vessel in terms of tonnage, speed, cargo, dimension and also the age of the vessel. The valuer also looks at the value of the vessel in term of worthiness as younger vessels are worthy than older ones and larger vessels valuable than smaller ones. The valuer looks at the qualitative factor of a vessel by issuing a valuation of the vessel in terms of being in good condition and seaworthy as well as being charter free. The valuer considers various factors for valuation of the ship such as; cubic capacity, gear capacity, survey position, boat capacity, flag of registry among other important factors. Valuations are opinions give n in good faith by a valuer based on information acquired at that time. One valuation opinion is never enough and a valuer should consider several valuation opinions to avoid incorrect management decision making. References Ship sale and purchase. (2006). London: Witherbys. Stopford, M. (1997). Maritime economics. New York: Routledge.

Mendelian Genetics Lab Report Essay Example

Mendelian Genetics Lab Report Paper Its also the framework for the modern research that is making inroads in treating diseases previously believed to be incurable. In this era of genetic engineering the incorporation of foreign DNA into chromosomes of unrelated species?it easy to lose sight of the basics of the process that makes it all possible. These were his conclusions: The hereditary determinants are of a particulate nature. These determinants are called genes. Each parent has a gene pair in each cell for each trait studied. The Fl from a cross of two pure lines contains one allele or the dominant phenotype and one for the recessive phenotype. These two alleles comprise the gene pair. One member of the gene pair segregates into a gamete, thus each gamete only carries one member of the gene pair. Gametes unite at random and irrespective of the other gene pairs involved. (Carlson) The purpose of this lab is to teach students how traits of an organism can be predicted with a dibber cross using the recessive and dominant traits. Using a dibber cross given the phenotype and genotype of Fl (parents), the traits f offspring should be predictable with ratios derived from the dibber cross. Materials and Methods: Part A- Materials furnished are containers of green and albino seedlings. Count the number of green and albino seedlings, and add total number of seedlings. Then Calculate the ratio of green to albino seedlings. (stalagmite) Part B- A corn of ear was furnished, the ear of corn contains four different traits. We will write a custom essay sample on Mendelian Genetics Lab Report specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Mendelian Genetics Lab Report specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Mendelian Genetics Lab Report specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Each kernel can be one of two colors purple or yellow, each kernel can either be wrinkled or smooth (purple, yellow, wrinkled, smooth). Then determine the ratios in which each of the character traits is found and also what possible genotypes the parents might be. (stalagmite) Results: Part A- Observed Ratios of Green to Albino Seedlings # of green seedlings #balloon seedlings Ratio of green to albino seedlings 71 18 0. 83. 1, Total: 89 This graph shows that there is a ratio of green to albino seedlings. There were 71 green seedlings, and 18 albino seedlings, with a total of 89 seedlings.

Anorexia Nervosa Research Essays

Anorexia Nervosa Research Essays Anorexia Nervosa Research Essay Anorexia Nervosa Research Essay The mental health problem that I researched was anorexia nervosa. I had always heard about the eating disorder but I learned a lot of new and surprising things. I always thought that close friends and family members would know right away if a person had anorexia. However, I learned that these friends and family members notice that something is wrong as the person develops anorexia. Another thing that I learned is that anorexia nervosa makes people lose more weight than what is considered healthy for their height and age. I knew that anorexia was when a person was underweight compared to the average person. However, I never knew that anorexia was when people were thinner than the average person their height and age. Height and age is an important factor when defining anorexia and I was able to learn the exact definition of anorexia. Anorexia is a deadly eating disorder and is a major issue. People with anorexia are probably constantly afraid and stressed. They are afraid because they fear of gaining weight. They will always be haunted by the hought that they are too fat and have to lose weight right away. Thus, these people will always be stressed out because they wont be happy with themselves and will be pressured to lose weight. People who do not know the exact definition of anorexia probably look down at people with anorexia. These people believe that anorexia is a disgusting eating disorder and can be overcome easily. So they are annoyed with anorexic people who are suffering because they think that it is possible to recover from anorexia easily. However, that is not true. Sometimes if an extremely thin person walks by, some bystanders think That person is so skinny! They should gain weight because they Just look horrible! In reality though, it is really hard for anorexic people to overcome their eating disorder. It takes a lot of treatment, effort, and time. Thus, these bystanders do not even know the hardships that anorexic people have to go through but they say rude comments. If they knew about the eating disorder, they would know that it is a serious illness. It is not something to make Jokes out of or make fun of.

Extermination of Timber Wolves essays

Extermination of Timber Wolves essays The Eastern Timber wolf of North America has been wrongly exterminated; thus, it is time to make this wrong right. As a society we weigh our options on this very controversial subject. There is evidence both for and against this topic; however, we must view our options carefully in order to make the right and moral decision. In any debate there are always two sides of the story; however, one is for and one is against. Pro wolf advocates opinions vary in motives as well as in methods. Wolf fanatics hold many strong arguments on the topic, such as a moral responsibility toward the revival of the animal. Another Major issue is the playing God theory that has often comes up. Lastly and most important of all is the Physical evidence of this harmless creature. On the other hand there are the downsides seen by this ecological rebirth. Farmers have the ever-present fear of coyotes to deal with at the moment; consequently, reintroduction of the wolf could further decimate livestock. Another concern of anti wolf believers is that the environment that these animals are in is not conductive to sustaining this population. Most important is the fact that the wolf that Environmentalists want to return, through d.n.a. testing, is not in fact the eastern timber wolf. Many wolf advocates are just now realizing the great wrong that has been done to this animal. Over hundreds of years this animal was overhunted and killed for no other reason than to be killed. Now scientists realize how out of whack the ecosystem is, and something need to be done. Through reintroduction, the species could mediate the other animal population; thus, making this terrible wrong that was committed right again. The anti-wolf thinkers throw out the controversial playing god theory. The pro wolfers in fact are correct when they say, that humans destroyed them in the first place. This again is an attractive idea to the wolf advoc ...

CCI - Business Plannin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

CCI - Business Plannin - Essay Example â€Å"Lean manufacturing is a manufacturing strategy that seeks to produce a high level of throughput with a minimum of inventory† (Blacharski, 2012). This way, both the direct and the overhead costs of the business are reduced since the products are manufactured and delivered only when they are required and in as much quantity as is required. This not only reduces the wastage of materials but also saves the company the cost of waste disposal. In addition to that, the reduced amount of waste has a positive impact on the company’s image in the eyes of the stakeholders and the public at large. Uncertainty is definite to come with innovation because wherever there is innovation, something not done before is being done. It might take some time for the business to derive the benefits of innovation, but the long term effects are definitely favorable and provide the companies with different kinds of competitive

Mies van der Rohe and Oscar Niemeyer - Structural Grid Versus White Research Paper

Mies van der Rohe and Oscar Niemeyer - Structural Grid Versus White Architecture Sculptures - Research Paper Example He became a master stonemason at nineteen years. He worked at the art nouveau architect and furniture design that belonged to Bruno Paul. He received the first commission to design a house belonging to a philosopher when he was twenty years. He started working for Peter Behrens in 1908. He studied architecture of Karl Friedrich Schikel and Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1912 Mies opened his own office in Berlin. He studied skyscraper and designed two glass towers made of steel-frames for a competition. This foreshadowed his skyscraper designs of the 1940s and 1950s (Wintle, 2002, p 32). Ludwig van der rohe actively participated in several avant-garde groups like ‘Zehner ring’ and the Novembergruppe that championed modern art and architecture. He contributed to major architectural philosophies of the 1920s when he was the artist director of the Weissenhoff project. This was a model housing colony in Stuttgart where he managed to design a block together with other leading European architects of the time. In 1927, Mies designed the German pavilion in Barcelona which became his most famous buildings. The Barcelona pavilion hall was flat roofed with walls made of marble and glass and could be moved around. This brought the first concept of fluid space. Mies met Philip Johnson, a New York architect who championed him to architectural fame in the United States. Philip included some of Mies projects in the MoMas first architectural exhibition in 1932. He became the director of the Bauhaus School between 1930 and 1933 and then relocated to the States in 1937. He headed the department of architecture at the Armour institute of Technology in Chicago, (now Illinois Institute of technology). He designed a new campus for the school using refined steel and glass style (Thomas, 2010). After becoming an American citizen, Mies designed the Farnsworth house. The house was transparent and supported by eight steel columns. The interior consisted of a single room subdivided by partitions of glass. He developed the convention hall in 1953 and later the twin towers in Chicago. The twin towers skyscrapers were a realization of his dream of building skyscrapers using glass and steel. He built other high-rises in New York Detroit, Toronto and Chicago. However the Seagram building in New York was voted as the work of genius in skyscraper design. He achieved the ‘Order pour le Merite’ from Germany in 1959. He was acknowledged with the â€Å"Presidential Medal of Freedom† by the US government. He was invited to Berlin to design the New National gallery. This building was the culmination of his life-long vision of an exposed structure connecting the interior to the landscape. It was also his last design before his death on the 17th August, 1969. Traditionalism to Modernism Before World War I, Mies was a traditionalist who designed traditional custom homes. However, the traditional styles were already under heavy criticism from the progressive t heorist. According to these opponents traditional architecture was first and foremost non-progressive. The emerging technology of the modern time demanded its presence in the lives and architecture. However, traditional architecture was blamed for hiding the modern construction under the shallow

AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE 1865 TO 1900 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE 1865 TO 1900 - Essay Example Nikon and Kennedy was elected president. John F. Kennedy and his vice president, Lyndon B. Johnson took the office in 1961. There has always been a power struggle between the left and right wing of politics, the political left stood up for social policies that would help the working class, the business and industry where as the political right is all for the conservative Christian values and support a free market system. The democrats who had won the election in 1960 were the party at the center; they faced a lot of opposition from the republicans including the most significantone that the elections were rigged and Kennedy falsely won the elections. Posner in one of his article mentioned that when the Kennedy votes suddenly rose by 40,000 in Texas the republicans cried that this was election fraud, he also wrote, â€Å"while he was careful not to put a public imprimatur on the concerted Republican effort to challenge the election results, he privately not only authorized it, but act ively encouraged it† (Posner). After the assassination of Kennedy his vice president Lyndon B. Johnson took the oval office by defeating Barry Goldwater; a nominee of the Republican Party in 1964. After the New Deal Coalition collapsed in the mid-sixties, the riots and the Vietnam War and the opposition of the civil rights movement by many southern democrats the republicans found a way to gain power, this shifted the southern power that Democrats had into the laps of the republicans as many African Americans were now supporting the Democratic Party. This power shift was also due to the Johnson’s increasing interest in The Vietnam war, which leaded to conflicts inside the Democratic Party. And in the election of 1968 the Republican Party won; Richard Nixon defeated Huber H. Humphrey and became the president of United States. It was in the final years of the American Civil War, when congress started to debate for the rights of the former freed

Analyse And Discuss Strategic Issues In Unilever Food Marketing Essay

Analyse And Discuss Strategic Issues In Unilever Food Marketing Essay Introduction Because the market in which the world of business operates is highly dynamic, it is essential for a company performing in this industry to understand its background and structure in order to develop a business strategy. This essay focuses on strategic issues in one of the foods business giants, Unilever Food Division and based on the Porters five forces of competition framework, the aim will be to analyse the strategic positioning of Unilever food division. Porters Five Forces of Competition Framework In order to cope with the competition, it is necessary to understand the rivals and the industry in which the company performs. In addition to the knowledge about competitors, the knowledge about suppliers, customers, potential entrants and substitute products has a major role in developing strategic issues in a company. (Porter, 2006, 2008) In order to analyze and comprehend Unilever Food Divisions strategy, the five forces of competition framework is chosen since it recognizes the main influences in industry. (Porter, 2008, p.80) Rivalry among existing competitors Unilever Food Division has numerous competitors -transnational companies such as Nestlà ©, Kraft Foods or Mars Food which are generally equal in size. All these companies offer a wide range of products to a customer, which leads to an intensive rivalry. The Unilever products are divided into strategic groups: edible fats, ice-cream, beverages, meals and meal components. (Maljers, 1992, p.47) These are represented by brands such as Flora, The Heartbrand, Lipton, Bertolli and Knorr, respectively. (Unilever, 2010) Although Unilever Food Division owns such premium brands, the products of its competitors are in most cases nearly identical, e.g. Maggi, a  Nestlà © solutions brand (Nestlà ©, 2010) or Mars Foods Uncle Bens brand providing ready meals (Mars, 2009). Moreover, for the food products are perishable, there is a relatively urgent need to sell them before their value is lost. Rivalry among existing competitors takes many familiar forms, including price discounting, new product introductions, advertising campaigns, and service improvements. (Porter, 2006, 2008) It can be thus concluded that the competition from established rivals does play a large role and is worth considering while developing a strategy. The bargaining power of buyers The buyers play a vital role in the industry by forcing prices down, demanding better quality or more service (thereby driving up costs), and generally playing industry participants off against one another. (Porter, 2006, 2008) With regards to all the Unilevers competitors, a customer has a wide range of products to choose from. It is to be acknowledged that although one customer might stay loyal to one particular product or brand, the buyers costs of switching from one product to another is not high. This is, however, relative since for Unilever supplies with food retailers such as Tescos or Carrefour, such distributors risk losing their customers (thus decrease in profits) by not providing Unilever food products. In many cases, the importance of the buyers price sensitivity needs to be emphasized. Given that a consumer is offered two similar products of the same quality but different prices, there is a higher possibility that the cheaper product will be chosen. Even though one might stay loyal to the brand, the other can incline to try a rival product. The power of buyers is therefore of high importance. The bargaining power of suppliers Suppliers can exert bargaining power on participants in an industry by raising prices or reducing the quality of purchased goods and services. (Porter, 2006, 2008) Even though every company is dependent on its suppliers, it can be stated that in terms of food production there is a wide range of raw materials providers that Unilever can choose from. In this case, Unilever becomes the buyer. Hence, it is suggested that Unilever has a wide range of substitutes at disposal and a strong bargaining power. Moreover, what Unilever might need in order to perform is office and technical equipment, means of transportation and spaces for production. As previously discussed, Unilever in the position of a large customer can choose and negotiate prices. The emphasis should be instead put on labour suppliers since the workforces in warehouses play a vital role in production processes. Having understanding of the scope of the employment can avoid many complications. Other workforces also play a vital role. In order to develop new tasteful and healthy options of solutions, cooks and specialists are needed. Unilever, in term of its Foodsolutions division trains its people, thus ensuring development of its employees knowledge. (Unilever Foodsolutions, 2010) It is suggested that the bargaining power of the suppliers shapes the strategy only to some extent, given that the price of suppliers drives the price of products as well. However, for Unilever has many substitutes for use, in this case the prices are not driven significantly. Threat of substitutes As stated, a substitute performs the same or similar function as an industry product by a different means.  [1]  (Porter, 2006, 2008) In case of Unilever Foods, one of the possible substitutes would be a homemade product. The customers might use alternates due to various reasons; due to the belief that the costs of e.g. preparing a homemade pasta sauce will be lower than actually buying a Bertolli pasta sauce. (Unilever, 2010) Other buyers might switch to this alternative in order to live healthier. Nevertheless, homemade products do not signify a huge competition to the food giant Unilever. Recently, there is an increasing trend of eating out. Using services can also be considered to be a substitute to purchasing food. The foodservice division of Unilever Unilever Foodsolutions, therefore co-operates with restaurants and caterers, by providing them with its brands and products. In doing so, Unilever benefits from peoples using services. It can be thus concluded that the threat of substitutes to Unilever Foods is not high. Threat of Entry New entrants to an industry bring new capacity and a desire to gain market share that puts pressure on prices, costs, and the rate of investment necessary to compete. (Porter, 2006, 2008) The threat of entry in food industry is, however, low. As already mentioned, Unilever is one of the leading companies in food business. It already competes with other food giants (Nestlà ©, Kraft Foods or Mars Foods). Due to positions of the mentioned companies, it would be difficult for new companies to enter the market. Relatively high barriers to entry will have to be overcome in order to success. Besides restrictive government policies and the need of large financial resources or diversification of products, there will be also lack of tradition, experience and advantages that incumbents already possess. The competition from entrants is thus relatively insignificant. Conclusion Whilst not underestimating the threat of new entrants, the power of suppliers and the threat of substitute products or services, it can be concluded though that mainly the power of buyers and the rivalry among existing competitors shape the strategy of Unilever Food Division.

Retributive Justice Essay

Retributive justice is a very pronounced element in Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist. Common knowledge to the experienced reader, Dickens was a man of sarcasm, who played on words and had a very straightforward, honest way of writing, unlike most of his characters’ personalities. Oliver Twist, who led a twisted lifestyle as a young boy, was influenced by various people: some good, some bad. Like karma, Dickens made sure to give the dishonest, viciously cruel characters what they truly deserved, which may have been just about the only honest thing to happen in their lives. Some of these characters who were treated the way they treated others, or who got what they deserved, were Mr. Bumble, Bill Sikes, Monks, as well as Fagin. Without retributive justice being a key element in Dickens’ novel, its classic success in the world of literacy would be virtually non-existent. One of the novel’s characters, who is most present at the beginning of the story, was a victim of one of Dickens’ swift acts of retributive justice. Mr. Bumble was a self-absorbed, arrogant beadle, who thought rather highly of himself. He was a member of the workhouse in which Oliver was born. He was also a member of a Christian church, who preached about the moralities of Christians, yet bluntly contradicted himself with the manner in which he treated his paupers. He was cruel, the complete opposite of understanding, and showed absolutely no signs of compassion towards the people under his care. Dickens used his great understanding and knowledge in the use of name symbolism in the beadle’s name, â€Å"bumble†, to say that he stings like a bumblebee. Bumblebees may seem cute and fluffy on the outside, but when they sting, they hurt, much like Mr. Bumble’s personality. Dickens demonstrates Mr. Bumbles’ cold-hearted, stinging personality when h e says: Oliver fell to his knees, and clasping his hands together, prayed that they would order  him back to the dark room- that they would starve him- beat him- kill him if they pleased- rather than send him away with the dreadful man. Read more:  Essay About Justice Denied is Justice Delayed â€Å"Well!† said Mr. Bumble, raising his hands and eyes with most impressive solemnity. â€Å"Well! of all the artful and designing orphans that ever I see, Oliver, you are one of the most bare-facedest†. (Dickens 46) He received Dickens’ generous retributive justice when he ran away with Mrs. Corney, the matron of the workhouse, where Oliver was born. Mrs. Corney was basically in charge of the workhouse and put Mr. Bumble in his place when he entered. He decided to try to order the ladies around after seeing them chatting amongst each other and Mrs. Corney wanted none of it. She quickly dismissed his, self-declared power, in front of all the workers. â€Å"I’ll tell you what, Mr. Bumble,† returned his lady. â€Å"We don’t want any of your interference. You’re a great deal too fond of poking your nose into things that don’t concern you, making everybody in the house laugh the moment your back is turned, and making yourself loo k like a fool every hour in the day. Be off; come!†. (Dickens 324) This is an example of one of Dickens’ acts of retributive justice because Mr. Bumble – who’s used to having the authority and power that came with him being a beadle – was quickly and painfully taken away of the power he thought he had gained, by marrying Mrs. Corney. Another example of Dickens’ mischievous acts of retributive justice occurs to Bill Sikes. Sikes considered himself a â€Å"professional† burglar, which wouldn’t be so bad if being a burglar could be considered anything positive. He was brought up in Fagin’s gang and trained by Fagin, himself. Sikes is Nancy’s so-called, â€Å"lover†. He treats this young woman with a rather odd combination of cruelty and envious affection. Sikes gets the real sense of Dickens’ capabilities in his use of retributive justice after he brutally murders Nancy. While trying to avoid an angry mob of people, who have recently discovered that his identity is a match to Nancy’s murderer, he then accidentally hangs himself. Not only does his name imply that Sikes is somewhat psychotic, but he proves this to the readers. While attempting to evade the angry mob, he decides to climb up through buildings, rather than away. He ties a rope to swing to another roof-top, but mistakenly and regretfully hangs himself. Staggering as if struck by lightning, he lost his balance and tumbled over the parapet. The noose was on his neck. It ran up with his weight, tight as a bow-string and swift as the arrow speeds. He  fell for five-and-thirty feet. There was a sudden jerk, a terrific convulsion of the limbs; and there he hung, with the open knife clenched in his stiffening hand. (Dickens 453) Dickens couldn’t have used retributive justice any better. He literally allowed Sikes through his clever writing abilities get treated the way he treated another person. Although, Sikes’ death was somewhat more brutal than Nancy’s he could have easily prevented his own death, had he not chosen to take his â€Å"lover’s† life. Dickens’ didn’t just give the readers two scenes with acts of nemesis. On the contrary, he gave the readers numerous ones, some less apparent, dramatic or damaging than others, yet still present. One example of the less apparent demonstrations of Dickens’ power with retributive justice happened to Monks, whose formal name is Edward Leeford. Monks, who happens to be Oliver Twist’s half-brother through their father’s side, was awarded part of Mr. Leeford’s estate after his passing. Oliver was rightfully entitled to a portion of the estate, but on the condition that the family name’s reputation hadn’t gone wrong. Monks, by concealing Oliver’s true identity, along with his plan to give the young boy a bad reputation, prevented Oliver from being awarded his fair share. When Mr. Brownlow approached Monks about the will, Monks denied everything Mr. Brownlow had mentioned and stated the following sentence: â€Å"’I have n o brother,’ replied Monks. You know I was an only child. Why do you talk to me of my brother? You know that as well as I’† (Dickens 434). In the end though, with the help of Mr. Brownlow, Dickens permits Oliver to be awarded his share of the estate, by forcing Monks to give Oliver his share. A final act of nemesis, or retributive justice on Dickens’ part, occurs when Fagin is hanged for his crimes against the children he trained to be pickpockets and thieves. Fagin, who was a criminal by career, bought and sold, even traded stolen goods that the young children he had trained, stole. Fagin even stated: â€Å"Ah†¦ They- they’re mine, Oliver; my little poverty. All I have to live upon, in my old age. The folks call me a miser. Only a miser, that’s all† (Dickens 90). When Fagin said this, Dickens’ made sure that it was obvious to the reader that he was being very sarcastic. Towards the ending of the book – even though he had rarely committed the  crimes himself – Fagin is awarded his piece of justice that backfired with his previous statement, when he is hanged behind bars. In conclusion, Dickens was probably one of the greatest authors of all classic literature; not only for his novels and other pieces of literature, but also for the various ways he easily incorporated literary components: pathetic fallacy, verbal irony and sensory appeal. More particularly, his use of nemesis and retributive justice in his works such as this novel, Oliver Twist, is what made him such a great writer. From Mr. Bumble to Fagin and all other characters in between, like Monks and Sikes, Charles Dickens didn’t hold back any of his talents. This let the readers truly get involved in the reading of this novel and also keeping them from wanting to put the book down, until they had absorbed every last word of his clever and humoristic abilities.

Ethics and Corporate Responsibility Essay

Abstract PharmaCARE is on of the world’s most successful pharmaceutical companies. This paper will take a look at Ethics and Corporate Responsibility in the work place and the world and how PharmaCare provided insight to their stakeholders CompCare and who takes on the overall ethical and social responsibilities of the organization. The importances of the decisions made by management are discussed as well as the ability to make changes to support a more ethical work environment. The ability to improve operations and turn a profit are explained by discussing management’s requirements to abide by regulations governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Federal Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Equal Employment Opportunity , Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act and other regulatory policies Ethics and Corporate Responsibility in the Workplace and the World Introduction Introduction This paper will examine PharmaCare’s ethical and social responsibility around its operations, products, and obligation to stakeholders. PharmaCare, a renowned fortune 500 pharmaceutical company listed on the NASDAQ is one of the companies that have all these initiatives in place. It is considered one of the most ethical and social responsible companies in the world due to many initiatives it takes to commit to its responsibility to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for millions around the world. In recent years, many companies have managed to become a benefit corporation (B-corporation). This legal form of corporation is to provide legal protection to management that want to both maximize shareholder income and pursue a social or environmental agenda (Andre, 2012). This paradigm shift is due to consumer’s awareness, global warming and globalization in the business world. All global companies have developed ethical, environmental and sustainability policies for their employees, suppliers, contractors and other stakeholders to follow. Key characteristics of Stakeholders within the PharmaCARE scenario PharmaCare has a legal obligation to all of these stakeholders. The Company needs the employees to carry out its day-to-day operation in so doing; they may offer many incentives to keep the best employees. The suppliers are one of the main factors to this chain because they have to provide the machinery or raw material because employees can produce a product. The shareholders, investors and creditors are the parties providing funding for PharmaCare to operate. Human rights issues of the Colberia’s population versus that of its Executives Several firms have faced legal suits due to the manner in which they have treated the public, workers, consumers, and the environment during their business activities. For instance, the competition bureau of Canada found Azko Nobel Chemicals BV guilty and they were charged in the federal court of Canada on August 18, 2003. The company had taken part in a conspiracy to fix market prices for a crucial food additive that was an essential ingredient for an important animal feed and a chemical use that was in several commercial and consumer products. The company was fined $2.9 million by the court (American Bar Association, 2002). Many consumers as well as social interest groups believe that firms should not only aim at maximizing their profits but they also put into focus the social implications of their business activities. Social responsibility has been defined as acting with concern and sensitivity and the awareness of the  impact of your actions on others, particularly the disadvantaged (Entrepreneur, 2014). Some of the very basic ethical and social responsibility issues have been put within the contact of laws and regulations that will encourage business organizations to be in conformity to societal standards, values, and attitudes. The minimum expectation for business managers is that they should abide to and uphold these rules and regulations (Griseri & Seppala, 2010). The majority of the legal and ethical issues that arise are as a result of choices that are deemed unethical, irresponsible, or otherwise acceptable by the society. It is however worth noting that not all actions that the society deems unethical may not necessarily be illegal since both legal and ethical issues are dynamic (Hines, 2000). In this case, the manner in which PharmaCARE has treated Colberia’s indigenous population falls within the definition of unethical practices as well as unacceptable corporate behavior. To start with the company has unfair compensation policies that pay huge salaries to executives and exploit the rank-to-file workers. These workers receive poor salaries and are exposed to harsh and unsafe working conditions. In addition, the company subjects the workers to unsafe working conditions. Recommend at least three (3) changes PharmaCARE can make to be more ethical going forward. Make stronger the connection among the rank-and-file personnel and management. This will allow the corporation to come up with good tactical plan which will boost the company in realizing its missions and goals. Contribute in various corporate social activities. This is though hiring Colberians and compensating them well. They should also work hard to improve Colberians’ standards of living. Follow the laid US laws to the letter, for instance, environmental laws as well as intellectual property la Assessing PharmaCARE’s environmental initiative against the backdrop of its anti-environmental lobbying efforts and Colberian activities. PharmaCARE exposes its workers to unhealthy working conditions. Many of the employees have been falling sick as a result of inhaling toxic substances arising from the company’s laboratories. Even with full knowledge of the situation, the management has refused to take any remedial action and the workers continue to suffer. Further, the company has been accused of supplying an unsafe drug  to the market that has been associated with many cardiac deaths. As a result of these happenings, the company’s purported environmental stewardship initiative will be rendered ineffective especially in the wake of the lobbying efforts against the company†™s operations in Colberia. The company has engaged in acts that may be considered unethical and socially unacceptable. PharmaCARE therefore lacks the moral authority to spearhead environmental matters since its reputation in the public has been seriously damaged. In addition, the company’s alleged mistreatment of its workers subjects it to sabotage of its environmental efforts especially when the workers’ health continue to deteriorate because of the company’s negligence. Would PharmaCARE’s actions be ethical with respect to the indigenous people of Colberia in accordance with the following ethical theories. Utilitarianism- PharmaCare’s uses Colberian intellectual property because it does maximize resources, but does not promote happiness. People in Colberian work so hard but still live in harsh conditions. They have no pleasure and endure pain, which is a clear depiction of unhappiness. In addition, the workers who are members of the Colberian population suffer due to poor working conditions. PharmaCare’s actions were unethical. Deontology – the compa ny has an â€Å"obligation† to be morally responsible as well as provide healthy working conditions to the employees. The company had been informed of the dangers surrounding the drug production but failed to act accordingly to assist in reducing the risk. PharmaCare’s actions were unethical. Virtue ethics- Virtue ethics is person, rather than action based: it looks at the virtue or moral character of the person carrying out an action, rather than at ethical duties and rules, or the consequences of particular actions (BBC, 2009). Though PharmaCare was justified by intellectual property right to go ahead and carry out its duties, the activities were wrong and unethical since the character of company officials was negative. PharmaCare’s actions were unethical. Ethics of care- by analyzing the company’s actions based on ethics of care, the company’s activities emerge as unethical. As an ethic grounded in voice and relationships, in the importance of everyone having a voice, being listened to carefully and heard with respect. An ethics of care directs our attention to the need for responsiveness in relationships and to the costs of losing connection with oneself or with others (Gilligan, 2011). Since the Colberian people’s response was negative by their complaining,  the entire company’s project was unethical. Your own moral / ethical compass- from a personal point of view, PhamaCare activities were unethical because it had the responsibility of carrying out thorough research before administering any drugs, providing decent working conditions to its employees and educating patients about the negative effects of the drug. Therefore, the fact that the company neglected its duties and received negative responses to activities carried out shows that it was unethical. PharmaCARE’s actions with those of at least one (1) real-world company, whose corporate  activities led to ethical, environmental, or workplace safety issues and financial loss. There are many examples of corporations that have been call out by the public on questions of ethics, environmental responsibility, workplace safety an d financial loss. There are six areas in particular where ethical issues arise in the organizations: compensation; conflicts of interest; publications and solicitation; financial integrity; investment policies; and accountability and strategic management (Rhode & Packet, 2009). Some examples of outrageous unethical behavior by corporation the compare to PharmaCare’s actions: References Andre, R. (2012). Assessing the accountability of the benefit corporation: Will this new gray sector organization enhance corporate social responsibility?. Journal of Business Ethics , 110(1), 13-150. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-012- 1254-1 Arenson, K. (1995, June 23). ex-united way leader gets 7 years for embezzlement. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/23/us/ex-united-way-leader- gets-7-years-for-embezzlement.html BBC. (2009). Ethics guide. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/virtue.shtml Entrepreneur, A. (2014, August). Social responsibility. Entrpreneur, 8(19), Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/social-responsibility Fitzgerald, J. (2009, January 28). Treasury gets tough: Eyes financial bailout abuse. Boston Herald. Retrieved from http://bostonherald.com/ Gilligan, C. (2011, June 11). ethics of care. Retrieved from http://ethicsofcare.org/interviews/carol-gilligan//virtue.shtml Griseri, P., & Seppala, N. (2010). Business ethics and corporate social responsibility. Australia: South-Western Cengage Learning. Hines, C. (2001, ). Localisation: a global manifesto. Retrieved from http://www.trabal.org/courses/pdf/localization.pdf Panjabikesan, R. (2010). Stakeholders – characteristics and types. Retrieved from http://toostep.com/insight/stakeholders—characteristics-and-types Rhode, D. & Packet, A. (2009, June). Ethics and nonprofits. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 11, Retrieved from http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/ethics_and_nonprofits Sims, R., & Brinkmann, J. (2003). Enron ethics (or culture matters more than codes). Journal of Business Ethics, 45(3), 243,252. Retrieved from http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/ethics_and_nonprofits

Metal vs. Mettle

Metal vs. Mettle Metal vs. Mettle Metal vs. Mettle By Maeve Maddox At one time, metal and mettle were alternative spellings for the material or substance a thing was made of. Classical Latin metallum had the meaning of mine or quarry as well as the substances obtained from them. Metal is a hard, shiny, malleable material like gold, silver, or copper that is used in the manufacture of tools or artifacts. It’s shiny, malleable, and it conducts heat. The word metal can be used either as a mass noun or as a count noun: Saucepan handles are usually made from wood or plastic because they don’t transfer heat as well as metal. (mass noun) Metals play a critical role in the creation of contemporary jewelry by affecting appearance, durability and cost. (count noun) Mettle derives from the same source as metal and was once used in the same way. Since about the 18th century, however, mettle has been reserved for figurative use. It refers to what a person is â€Å"made of.† Mettle includes character, disposition, and temperament. It is often used with the verbs test, prove, and show, particularly in sports writing: Bruins Marchand shows his mettle Djokovic must prove his mettle against Nadal on clay Young runners test their mettle during Hy-Vee runs Kelso showed his mettle and won by three-quarters of a length. Shakespeare uses the word in Macbeth’s sexist compliment to his wife after she berates him for hesitating to kill Duncan: Bring forth men-children only; For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. –Macbeth, I, vii, 72-74. The adjective mettlesome describes a high-spirited, vivacious, lively person: In The Taming of the Shrew, Kate is Baptista’s mettlesome elder daughter. Mettlesome can also mean courageous: Là ¼ Kuang is fresh from his victories in the west, and his soldiers are vigorous and mettlesome.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œThe Art of War, XI. Applied to an animal, especially a horse, it means â€Å"lively, eager, spirited, frisky.† It can also be applied to an event: [The tennis players] delivered a mettlesome performance from start to finish, bringing the ultimate title under their names. Mettlesome from the noun mettle is not to be confused with meddlesome, the adjective that goes with the verb meddle, â€Å"to interfere.† Hillsdale College Chief Remark Pricks Meddlesome Bureaucrats How to Handle Your Meddlesome In Laws Meddle comes from a word meaning â€Å"to mix.† Meddlesome people mix in where they are not wanted. Mettlesome people are often fun to know. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:85 Synonyms for â€Å"Help†55 Boxing IdiomsHow to Send Tactful Emails from a Technical Support Desk

Research Proposal On Impact Of Oil On Agriculture In Nigeria’s Economy The WritePass Journal

Research Proposal On Impact Of Oil On Agriculture In Nigeria’s Economy INTRODUCTION Research Proposal On Impact Of Oil On Agriculture In Nigeria’s Economy INTRODUCTIONRATIONALE OF THE STUDYRESEARCH OBJECTIVESLITERATURE REVIEWRESEARCH QUESTIONSMETHODOLOGYRESEARCH DESIGNRESEARCH APPROACHDATA COLLECTIONDATA ANALYSISETHICAL CONSIDERATIONCONCLUSIONREFERENCERelated INTRODUCTION Fluctuations of crude oil prices and the crisis of rising food insecurity have always been the main concerns of policymakers worldwide. Since the 1960s when oil was first discovered in Nigeria, oil has accounted for a large share of Nigerias export economy (Daramola, et.al, 2007). In 2000, for example, 99.6% of Nigerias export income came from oil, making it the world’s most oil dependent economy (Akpan 2009). The countrys fortune has increasingly relied on oil for its revenue. Nigeria is currently known as the largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa producing an estimate volume of around 2.413 million barrels of oil per day (AFDB 2005). This makes it the 6th largest oil producer in the world. Despite being amongst the largest oil producers in the world, Nigeria remains home to the world’s poor after China and India with majority of its population living below 1$USD per day (Akpan 2009). This raises a fundamental question: why the high rates of poverty? Could it be because of years of mismanagement of the oil sector or due to its neglect of agricultural sector? In addressing these concerns, this analysis examines the impact of oil on agriculture in Nigeria’s economy. RATIONALE OF THE STUDY Prior to the 1960, agriculture was known to be the dominant sector of the countrys economy. It accounted for nearly 70% of the GDP and about 90% of foreign earnings and federal government revenue (Akpan 2009). However, a notable shift emerged with the discovery of oil at the Niger Delta in 1965 as agriculture was replaced by the oil industry (Sekumade 2009). Today, oil account’s for a large percentage of Nigeria’s export earnings (Lawal 2011). Interestingly though, Nigeria fares much worse in terms of the rates of poverty, with the third highest number of people living in abject poverty after China and India. It is estimated that the population of people living on less than US$1 per day had increased significantly from 36% in the 1970 to about 70% in 2006 (Akpan 2009). Of course, these outcomes coincided with oil discovery in the country. It is in this recognition that this proposal seeks to explore on the effect that oil has had on Agriculture in Nigeria’s economy. The proposal seeks to confirm the hypothesis that Nigeria’s neglect of its agricultural sector and increased dependence on oil was the main reason behind the current crisis in its economy. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES This analysis is guided by the following research objectives: To investigate how the discovery of oil in Nigeria has affected the attention given to, and government spending on agriculture in the economy. To examine the extent to which agricultural exports in Nigeria have been adversely affected by oil. To determine the impact that increased government spending, more attention and policies on agricultural practice; may have on the economy considering the neglect it has suffered so far. LITERATURE REVIEW Since the main objective of this paper is to investigate how the discovery of oil in Nigeria has affected the attention given to, and government spending on agriculture in the economy; as part of the study, we shall review some theoretical and empirical studies related to this core objective. Prior to the oil discovery in Nigeria, agriculture accounted for a lion share of the GDP. It also provided employment and food to the teeming population as well as raw materials for the growing industries (Adeniyi 2008). From the standpoint this standpoint, Ogen (2007) suggests agriculture to have been the lead sector of growth in Nigerian economy during the 1960s. Ogen (2007) notes that Nigeria had, during that period, become the worlds second largest cocoa producer and the lead producer and exporter of palm oil. Contributing to this subject, (Alkali 1997) also points out that besides being the lead producer in palm oil; Nigeria had also become the lead exporter in groundnut, rubber, cotton, and hides and skins. Lawal (1997) also affirmed the positive contribution that agriculture had made to the economy of Nigeria before the oil discovery. Despite the reliance on traditional farming methods, agriculture was the main stay of the economy accounting for over 70% of Nigeria’s exports (NEEDS 2004). But the oil boom of the 1970s led to its neglect of agriculture and increased dependence on oil resources. According to Ogen (2007), by 2004 the contribution of the agricultural sector to Nigerias GDP had declined to less than 5%. Ever since, food insecurity and poverty have remained persistently high in Nigeria. The NEEDS Policy Paper (2004) further reveals that close to two-thirds of Nigerias population live below US$1 per day with most of them situated in the rural areas. The policy paper, suggests that roots of this crisis, which led to a vast number of the Nigerian population living below the poverty index, lies in its neglect of agricultural sector and increased dependence on oil. Contributing to this debate, this proposal provides important insights of how the discovery of oil in Nigeria has affected the attention given to, and government spending on agriculture in the economy. To address this drift and as an important realization of the central role that agriculture plays in development,   the proposal seeks to determine the impact that increased government spending, more attention and policies on agricultural practice; may have on the economy considering the neglect it has suffered so far. RESEARCH QUESTIONS This analysis is thus underpinned by the following research questions How has agriculture been affected by the discovery of oil in Nigeria? To what extent has dependency in oil resulted in a decline of agricultural exports in Nigeria? What will be impact of increased government spending, more attention and policies that enhance agricultural practices; on Nigerian economy? METHODOLOGY RESEARCH DESIGN This analysis will take the form of a descriptive research as it seeks to describe how the decline in agriculture and increase in poverty in Nigeria was a result of an increased overreliance on oil resource, which led to the neglect of the agricultural sector. Descriptive statistics will also be employed to describe the variables in this study. RESEARCH APPROACH A secondary research will be undertaken for this analysis. Because of the nature of the study, which is to investigate on how the discovery of oil in Nigeria had affected the attention given to, and government spending on agriculture in the economy; data that has already been generated will be particularly suited for this type of study. The study draws from and overlaps previous work, especially the work of Akpan (2009) who used a VAR methodology to investigate the impact of oil discovery on agriculture in Nigeria’s economy. His findings are very much in line with our hypothesis which points out that the neglect of agriculture has resulted from the increased reliance on mono-cultural oil based economy. DATA COLLECTION The data on government spending in agriculture and oil sector, and their contribution to GDP will be obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin for various years. Time series data on the amount of federal government expenditure on these two comparable sectors and their contribution to GDP in Nigeria will be obtained for periods between 1970 and 2007. DATA ANALYSIS We will use a VAR approach (a vector autoregressive system) to analyze the relationship between increased dependence on oil in the economy and declining agricultural exports and rising food insecurity in the economy.   This relationship will reveal the extent to which dependency on oil had resulted in the neglect of agriculture in Nigeria. The VAR model incorporates many time series which interact via a few dynamic factors. The variables to be incorporated in this model include: oil price, oil revenue, food insecurity, and agricultural exports. This model provides a framework where in changes to a particular variable, say the price of oil, can be related to changes in other variables and lag in those variables such as agricultural export. ETHICAL CONSIDERATION For any research, there are important ethical considerations that must be considered. With reference to this analysis, the main foreseen ethical issue that is likely to rise is the lack of ethical approval from the original authors. Since this analysis is based on data that has already been generated and draws from previous work; it will not be possible to have ethical approval from the original authors. However, in addressing this ethical concern, the researcher will acknowledge the work of these authors where necessary. CONCLUSION Unlike its neighbor countries, Nigeria has a huge agricultural potential. However, the increasing reliance on a monoculture oil based economy has resulted in its neglect of the agricultural sector. In addressing this drift, this proposal reignites this particular subject and calls for increased government spending, more attention and urgent need for more policies that will enhance domestic production and reduce the overreliance on oil resources in Nigeria. REFERENCE Adeniyi O., 2008. Oil Price Shocks and Nigeria’s macro economy. Unpublished PhD Thesis Post Field Report. Department of Economics, University of Ibadan African Development Bank (AFDB), 2005. African Economic Outlook 2004/2005, Paris: OECD. Akpan, E.O., 2009. Oil resource management and food insecurity in Nigeria. Paper presented at CSAE Conference, Oxford University, Oxford, UK. Alkali, R.A., 1997. The World Bank and Nigeria: Cornucopia or Pandora Box? Kaduna: Baraka Press. Daramola, et.al, 2007. â€Å"Agricultural Export Potential†. In: Collier P. and C. Pattillo (eds.), Economic Policy Options for a Prosperous Nigeria, London: Palgrave Macmillan. Karl, T.L., 2007. Oil-led development: social, political and economic consequences. CDDRL Working Papers. No.80 Lawal, W. A, 2011. â€Å"An analysis of government spending on agricultural sector and its contribution to GDP in Nigeria†. International Journal of Business and Social Science. Vol.2 (20) Lawal, W. A., 1997. â€Å"The Economy and the State from the Pre-colonial Times to the Present†. In: Osuntokun, A. and Olukoju, A. (eds.) Nigerian Peoples and Cultures. Ibadan: Davidson. Ogen, O., 2007. The agricultural sector and Nigerias development: comparative perspectives from Brazilian Agro-Industrial Economy, 1960-1995. Noble World Archives. Nigeria Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy- NEEDS (2004). Executive Summary on Nigeria Agricultural Policy Support Facility (A-PSF). An Agricultural Policy, Research and Knowledge Program to Support Nigeria’s NEEDS. Sekumade, A.B., 2009. â€Å"The effect of petroleum dependency on agricultural trade in Nigeria: an error correlation modelling (ECM) approach†. Scientific Research and Essay, vol. 4 (11), pp. 1385-1391

Can Boeing strategy help in increase the number of upcoming orders Case Study

Can Boeing strategy help in increase the number of upcoming orders - Case Study Example The company has a global customer base in around 90 companies. Talking in regards to the number of manpower and human resource engaged with Boeing, it can be said that the company employs more than 150,000 employees all over the world. The company also has a large network of suppliers, who are located in various corners of the world. It is very important to say that these suppliers plays a crucial role in the entire manufacturing process of the company, by providing various critical and key components that are required for smooth conduction of various production related operations in the global aerospace company (Annual report 2). It is important to mention that after the disastrous attacks on the World Trade Centre in the year 2001, by multiple foreign based Islamic terrorists, it can be said that the airline sector all over the world has undergone a huge change. Various key factors as well as the economics related to supply and demand of passenger traffic and other businesses have started to evolve over the last couple of years. This has resulted in the process of undergoing of significant change in the overall aviation sector. It is utterly relevant to state that major airline manufacturing companies like Boeing and Airbus have as a result designed various strategies to help them retain their competitive edge while maintaining profitability in the changing aviation business environment. This particular commentary will focus on analyzing the issues of strategic plan designed by Boeing to retain competitiveness in the market. For this purpose, the commentary will be done on the basis of data taken from various reliable secondary data sources. Findings It will be relevant to discuss the fact that in the scenario of a dynamically changing business environment, the firms and companies engaged and associated directly or indirectly with that particular sector have to ideate and formulate different strategies so as to cater to the changing and evolving needs of the sector. Talking on this note, it can be said that the airline manufacture of global repute has formulated and designed a new strategy that will help to adapt the company with the changing demands of the airline sector. Change of Capacity Plans A vital part of the new strategic plan of Boeing comprises of the company’s consideration of the need of the passengers travelling long distances all over the world. The airline has realized that passengers prefer to travel in direct flights connecting various long distances rather than travelling through compulsive breaks while switching multiple airlines. This has resulted in the company opting to back down from manufacturing airliners with larger capacities as compared to the already existing ones (Wyans, â€Å"Boeing and Airbus: Strategic Management in the Air Travel Industry†). Global Outsourcing strategy As a part of strategic plan over the long term, the global airline manufacturing company has decided to focus on the proc ess of restructuring its production operations by outsourcing them to various countries and emerging markets around the world (Raghu, â€Å"Boeing to buy products worth $600 mn from seven Indian companies†). It is important to note that by focusing on outsourcing the production of various key components, the airline company has attempted to lower the cost of productions, which will help the company to

Enveloping and PeakVue Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Enveloping and PeakVue - Research Paper Example Due to its high precision, the method is able to detect the emission of stress waves caused by direct contact of adjacent metallic surfaces at an early stage. Generally, through spectral analysis the frequency of repetition of the stress waves is availed. By peakvue, the resonance zones are isolated through use of filters. Capturing the peak values for particular intervals of the selected sampling time is done through the application of high frequency clustering of signals with over one hundred kilo Hertz. The method goes through four stages The initial stage in which the low frequency signals are eliminated by taking the entire signal through a high pass filter. The amplitudes are run through the accelerometer which detects the measurements and is able to classify them according to the initially specified cut-off frequency level. All the measurements reading below the designated cut-off level are classified together. They are effectively eliminated which implies that only the high f requency readings- those above the cut-off level, proceed to the second phase of the analysis procedure. By elimination it means that such values are truncated from the recorded measurements such that their consideration ends at that phase. The second phase that involves the digital conversion of frequency. The high frequency signal is changed from its initial analog form to digital form in order to begin the spectral 0246analysis. Normally, high frequency values will be recorded for particular sections along the surface of the bearing. Therefore whenever the metallic surfaces come into contact during the rotation, the frequencies hit a peak. If special readings were availed at phase two for any specific time duration, it will be analyzed here. If for specified time duration the amplitude levels of the converted signals read beyond a predefined threshold it is then matched to a digital value. The essence of this matching is that it is not always possible to produce signals with equa l frequencies, even when the components are running on a fairly flat or even ground. This could be the result of instantaneous change in the position of the load, continued distribution of the lubricant along the colliding surfaces, and varying positioning of the emerging fault. Therefore, the simplest way to conclude that the frequencies were derived from a ‘certain’ spot along the surface of the bearing is to cluster all measurements within a certain range. These measurements clustered together are then assigned a specific digital value, which identifies them together. The display is rendered once the digital value corresponding to the particular time interval is processed using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm. The FFT algorithm works out the Discreet Fourier Transform and the corresponding inverses. To obtain the Discrete Fourier Transform, a sequence of amplitude values is decomposed to form components of varying frequencies. The frequencies so formed are categorized according to their closeness, that is, according to pre-determined intervals. The classification is done with reference to how often a specific range acquires numerical frequency. For example if the outlier frequency is too scarce, the measurements thus classified can be overlooked and ignored. If there is higher consistency in the numerical frequency of measurements with

Policy analysis about Economics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Policy analysis about Economics - Research Paper Example Due to the disparities of income between the high skilled and low skilled labors, the union advocates for rise in the minimum wages among the low skilled workers. These help to decrease the gap between the high income earners to the low income earners. Through this, they ensure equitable distribution of income in the society that ensures demand is relatively high hence economic growth (Duerrenberger, 2009). The unions usually lobby for strict immigration rules which limits labor supply within the United States economy especially the low skilled workers from abroad. Hence any labor supply from over-sees are highly qualified which is necessary for the general economy as it would ensure quality products that increase revenue to the country. Through these, they ensure higher incomes to the available labor (Duerrenberger, 2009). High wages results in increased consumption that raises demand hence higher productivity leading to economic growth. Unions have also supported the restriction of imported goods and services through the imposition of tariffs and quotas that discourages imports while promoting exports leading to increasing in demand of the domestic products. High demand results in increased productivity which raises the labor demand of the country (Duerrenberger, 2009).As a result, more units of output are produced, raising the sales revenue that increases income to the GDP of the nation hence high economic growth. However labor unions have various impacts on the economic operations of the country. They constantly bargains for increase in the minimum wage rate without an equivalent rise in the production capacity. Increasing wages by firms’ results into high operational cost in terms of salaries.This would otherwise reduce the productivity reducing output leading to decreased sales. As a result, the firms and business will incur loss and may be forced to lay off workers leading to high unemployment rate. High rates of unemployment affect

Results from the Job analysis method Essay Example for Free

Results from the Job analysis method Essay Observation method allows employers to watch and judge how employees perform in their specific jobs. Supervisors or managers would have a better understanding on how the employee performs. They can decide whether the performance from the employees would need to improve or if theyre satisfied with the current progress. However, employees may feel insecure as they are being watched. It can also be time consuming and results gathered may not be accurate as the employees may change their attitude or habits towards their work. Individual interview method is the most accurate and precise form of job analysis. Understanding the job would be clearer and easier. Questions and doubts can be answered and clarified. Information can be gathered quickly and are more likely to be accurate. Group interview method is when an interview takes place in groups of three to five candidates at a time. Like individual interview method, the interviewer and interviewee can interact face to face. Interviewer can get first hand information about the candidates attitude and character. However the disadvantages of group interview is that the interviewers choice maybe bias. Diary method is time consuming compared to the other six job analysis methods. This report focuses on observation, individual and group interview method. We have chosen them because this is the best way to interview them. A job description would give job-seekers and overall idea of what will they be doing, how the job should be done, the kind of conditions they would be working in and what steps are needed to be done in a specific job. It should accurately describe the contents and environment of the job, and the conditions of employment. Such details in a job description would be the job title or position, the essential duties and tasks that are to be performed, and the characteristics of the job, environmental conditions, the authorities and responsibilities of the job-seeker. Job specification specifies the minimum qualifications that the candidate must possess in order to attain the job successfully. Based on the information gathered from the job analysis, the job specification identifies the essential knowledge, skills, education, working experience, type of certification and the abilities needed to possess by the candidate. The applicants must have these basic requirements before they can apply for the position.

The Mask :: Creative Writing Essays

The Mask It had all begun when he was a little boy. One year a circus had come to town. In the morning a big parade was held in main street. He could see the clowns walking around making people laugh. He would watch the clowns` faces as they walked by. The big noses and the funny walks made him feel happy. It was poor times, and his father was out of work. His family couldn't afford any material benefits, but each year his father collected enough money so that he could take his son to the circus. Hand in hand they would walk to the circus, just a couple of blocks away. He would have a big smile on his face, because it was the only time he would feel better than his friends. For a whole year he would dream of the clowns in the circus ring. Imagine their grimace, funny walks and pranks on each other. The tight- rope walker and the elephants were amusing, but they weren't the highlight. He was certain; He would be a clown when he became older. After many years, he changed town and started on a career as an accountant in a big company. Nobody knew him better than by name, and nobody cared. He just sat there behind his desk, working, day after day, week after week. He was an  « every chief's dream. » But he was also a lonely man with no friends who would say; "How are we today?" His colleagues envied him, so they froze him out. He could see the guys meet in a corner. Whispering and giving him looks. He tried to be a pal, but they didn't want him to. He was the average guy, with average pay and an average apartment. But he wasn't miserable. Of course he'd like some friends and a girlfriend to talk with, but since he didn't have any, he thought it was the way it was supposed to be. His job was to earn money and sit behind his desk smiling to everybody. Since nobody cared, they didn't know about his hobby. For a few years ago, a dream of his had fulfilled when he got a week to prove his ability as a clown in the town's circus. He had been a great success in his evaluation period, and was hired at once. Each night he would become the clown "Baltasar". The salary was lousy, but he didn't do it for money. Just the looks on the children's faces was enough for him.

The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove Chapter 21

Twenty-one Gabe and Theo â€Å"This is where I found the aberrant rats,† Gabe said as they pulled into the Fly Rod Trailer Court. â€Å"That's nice,† Theo said, not really paying attention. â€Å"Did I tell you I got the brain chemistry back from Stanford? It's interesting, but I'm not sure that it explains the behavior.† â€Å"Not now, Gabe, please.† Theo slammed on the brakes and the truck rocked to a stop. â€Å"What the hell?† There were no lights on in Molly Michon's trailer. In the empty lot next door, a dozen well-dressed adults stood in a circle, holding candles. â€Å"Prayer meeting?† Gabe ventured. â€Å"It's Sunday night.† â€Å"There was a trailer there last time I was here,† Theo said. â€Å"Just like the one on the ranch.† â€Å"I know. This is the lot where I found the rats with the low serotonin levels.† Theo shut off the truck, set the parking brake, and climbed out. Then he looked back at Gabe. â€Å"You found your rats right here?† â€Å"The six that I could find. But this is where the other ones that were last tracked disappeared as well. I can show you the graphic later.† â€Å"That would be good.† Theo pulled his flannel shirt over the guns in his waistband and approached the circle. Skinner jumped out of the truck and ran ahead. Gabe reluctantly followed. They did, indeed, seem to be praying. Their heads were bowed and a woman in a powder-blue dress and pillbox hat was leading the group. â€Å"Bless us, Lord, for we have felt the stirrings of your power within us and heeded your call to come to this holy place on the eve of†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Skinner drove his nose into the woman's crotch, and she yipped like a bee-stung poodle. Everyone in the group looked up. â€Å"Excuse me,† Theo said. â€Å"I don't mean to interrupt, but what are you all doing here?† Several of the men looked irritated and stepped up behind the powder-blue woman to give support. The woman held Skinner's nose away from her dress while trying to keep the candle flame away from her hair spray. â€Å"Constable Crowe? Is that right?† â€Å"Yes, ma'am,† Theo said. The woman was younger than he was by at least five years and pretty in a Texas Big Hair sort of way, but her dress and manner of speaking made him feel as if he'd just been busted by his first-grade teacher for eating paste. â€Å"We've been called here, Constable,† the woman explained. She reached behind her, grabbed the shoulder of a woman who looked like her clone in pink, and pulled her forward. Skinner stamped the pink woman's dress with the Wet-Nose Inspection Seal. â€Å"Margie and I felt it first, but when we started talking about it after services this afternoon, all these other people said that they had felt drawn to this place as well. The Holy Spirit has moved us here.† â€Å"Ask them if they've seen any rats.† Gabe said. â€Å"Call your dog,† Theo tossed over his shoulder. Gabe called Skinner and the Labrador looked around. They smell fine to me, Food Guy. I say fuck 'em, Skinner thought. But he got no response except a minor scolding. â€Å"The Holy Spirit called you here?† Theo said. Everyone in the group nodded earnestly. â€Å"Did any of you happen to see the woman who lives in that trailer next door?† The pink lady chimed in, â€Å"Oh yes, she was the one to call our attention to this place two nights ago. We wondered about that at first, being as how she is and all, but then Katie pointed out† – she gestured to her friend – â€Å"that our Lord Jesus spent time with Mary Magdalene, and she, as I'm sure you know, was – well – she was†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"A whore,† Theo offered. â€Å"Well. Yes. And so we thought, who are we to judge?† â€Å"Very charitable of you,† Theo said. â€Å"But have you seen Molly Michon tonight?† â€Å"No, not tonight.† Theo felt his energy reserves drain even more. â€Å"Look, folks, you shouldn't be here. I'm not sure it's safe. Some people have gone missing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Oh, that poor boy,† Margie said. â€Å"Yes and maybe some others. I have to ask you all to take your meeting somewhere else, please.† The group looked disappointed. One of the men, a portly bald fellow in his fifties, puffed himself up and stepped forward. â€Å"Constable, we have the right to worship when and where we please.† â€Å"I'm just thinking of your safety,† Theo said. â€Å"This country was founded on the basis of religious freedom, and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Theo stepped up to the man and loomed over him with all of his six-footsix frame, â€Å"Then start praying that I don't throw you in jail with the biggest, horniest sodomite the country jail has to offer, which is what I'm going to do if you all don't go home right now.† â€Å"Smooth,† Gabe said. Make him roll over and pee on himself, Skinner thought. The bald man made a harumph sound and turned to the group. â€Å"Let's meet at the church to discuss the removal of our local law enforcement official.† â€Å"Yeah, get in line,† Theo said. He watched as the group dispersed to their cars and drove away. When the last one pulled out, Gabe said, â€Å"Theories?† Theo shook his head. â€Å"Everyone in this town is nuts. I'm going to check Molly's trailer, but I doubt she's there. Do you want me to take you home to shower and change clothes before your date?† Gabe looked down at his stained work pants and safari shirt. â€Å"Do you think I should?† â€Å"Gabe, you're the only guy I know that makes me look suave.† â€Å"You're coming along, right?† â€Å"Casanova,† Theo said. â€Å"Compared to you, I feel like Casanova.† â€Å"What?† Gabe said. â€Å"It's fried chicken night at H.P.'s.† Steve Steve lay under a stand of cypress trees, his new lover snuggled up to his right foreleg, snoring softly. He let his tongue slide out and the tip just brushed her bare back. She moaned and nuzzled closer to his leg. She tasted pretty good. But he had eaten all those other warmbloods and he wasn't really hungry. When he had been a female, some fifty years ago, and going back another five thousand, he had become accustomed to eating his lovers after mating. That's just how it was done. But as a male, he wasn't sure. He hadn't mated with his own species since he'd become male, and so the instinct to become passive after mating was new to him. He just didn't feel like eating the warmblood. She had made him feel better, and for some reason, he could see the pictures of her thoughts instead of just sending his own sig-nals. He sensed no fear in her, and no need to send the signal to draw her to him. Strange for a warmblood. He lay his head down on the bed of cypress needles to sleep and let his wounds heal. He could eat her later. Somewhere in the back of his brain, as he fell asleep, a fear alarm went off. In five thousand years of life, he had never conceived of the concept of later or before, only now. His DNA had rechained itself many times, adapted to changes without waiting for the life cycles of generations – he was a unique organism in that way – but the concept of time, of memory beyond the cellular level, was a new adapt-ation. Through his contact with Molly he was evolving consciousness, and like the pragmatic mechanism that it is, nature was trying to warn him. The nightmare was about to have a nightmare. Val Is this a date? Val sat alone at a table in the back of H.P.'s Cafe. She'd ordered a glass of a local chardonnay and was trying to form an opinion about it that would reflect the appropriate disgust, but unfortunately, it was quite good. She was wearing light evening makeup and an understated raw silk suit in indigo with a single string of pearls so as not to clash too badly with her date, who she knew would be in jeans or cotton khaki. Her date? If this is a date, how far have I sunk? she asked herself. This tacky little cafe in this tacky little town, waiting for a man who had probably never worn a tux or a Rolex, and she was looking forward to it. No, it's not a date. It's just dinner. It's sustenance. It's, for once, not eating alone. Slumming in the land of the folksy and the neighborly, that's what it is. It's a satirical performance art experience; call it The Bourgeois Fried Chicken Follies. It was one thing to read her journals over coffee in the local cafe, but dinner? Gabe Fenton came through the front door and Val felt her pulse quicken. She smiled in spite of herself as she watched the waitress point to her table. Then Theo Crowe was following Gabe across the restaurant and a bolt of anxiety shot up her spine. This definitely isn't a date. Gabe smiled and the lines around his eyes crinkled as if he were about to burst out laughing. He extended his hand to her. â€Å"Hi, I hope you don't mind, I asked Theo to join us.† His hair was combed, as was his beard, and he was wearing a faded but clean chambray shirt. Not exactly dashing, but a pretty good-looking guy in a lumber-jack sort of way. â€Å"No, please,† Val said. â€Å"Sit down, Theo.† Theo nodded and pulled a chair up to the table, which had been set for two. The waitress breezed in with another place setting before they were seated. â€Å"I'm sorry to intrude,† Theo said, â€Å"but Gabe insisted.† â€Å"No, really, you're welcome, Constable.† â€Å"Theo, please.† â€Å"Theo then,† Val said. She forced a smile. What now? The last time she had talked to this man it had thrown her life for a loop. She found herself building a resentment for Gabe that was usually reserved for relationships that were years old. Theo cleared his throat. â€Å"Uh, can we go on the doctor-patient confidentiality plan again, Doctor?† Val nodded to Gabe, â€Å"That usually implies a session. Not dinner.† â€Å"Okay, then, don't say anything, but Joseph Leander killed his wife.† Val didn't say, â€Å"Wow.† Almost, but she didn't. â€Å"And you know this because†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Because he told me so,† Theo said. â€Å"He gave her tea made from foxglove. Evidently, it can cause heart failure and is almost undetectable. Then he hung her in the dining room.† â€Å"So you've arrested him?† â€Å"No, I don't know where he is.† â€Å"But you've put a warrant out for his arrest or whatever it is that you do? â€Å"No, I'm not sure that I'm still the constable.† Gabe broke in. â€Å"We've been talking about it, Val. I say that Theo is an elected official, and therefore the only way he can lose his job is through impeachment, even if his immediate superior tries to kill him. What do you think?† â€Å"Kill him?† â€Å"Smooth,† Theo said, grinning at Gabe. â€Å"Oh, maybe you should tell her about the crank lab and stuff, Theo.† And so Theo explained, telling the story of his kidnapping, the drug lab, Joseph Leander's disappearance, and Molly Michon setting him free, but leaving out any theories he had about a giant creature. During the telling, they ordered (fried chicken for Theo and Gabe, a Greek salad for Val) and were halfway through dinner before Theo stopped talking. Val stared at her salad and silence washed over the table. If there was going to be a murder investigation, she could be found out. And if they found out what she had done to her patients, her career was over. She might even go to jail. It wasn't fair, she really had tried to do the right thing for once. She resisted the urge to blurt out a confession – to throw herself on the mercy of a court born of sheer paranoia. Instead she raised her eyes to Gabe, who took the signal to break the silence. Gabe said, â€Å"And I still don't know the significance of the low serotonin levels in the rats' brains.† â€Å"Huh?† said not only Val and Theo, but the waitress, Jenny, who had been eavesdropping from the next table and joined the confusion at Gabe's non sequitur. â€Å"Sorry,† Gabe said to Val. â€Å"I thought you might have a take on the brain chemistry of those rats I had tested. You said you were interested.† â€Å"And I am,† Val said, lying through her teeth, â€Å"but I'm a little overwhelmed by the news about Bess Leander.† â€Å"Right, anyway, the group of rats that didn't take part in the mass migration all had unusually low levels of serotonin. The brain chemistry of the larger group, the group that ran, was all in normal ranges. So I'm thinking that†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"They were depressed,† Val said. â€Å"Pardon me?† Gabe said. â€Å"Of course they're depressed, they're rats,† Theo said. Gabe glared at him. â€Å"Well, imagine waking up to that every morning,† Theo continued. â€Å"‘Oh, it's a great day, crap, I'm still a rat. Never mind.'† â€Å"Well, I don't know about rats,† Val said, â€Å"but serotonin levels in humans affect a lot of different things, predominantly mood. Low levels of serotonin can indicate depression. That's how Prozac works. It basically keeps sero-tonin in the brain to keep the patient from getting depressed. So maybe Gabe's rats were too depressed to run.† Gabe stroked his beard. â€Å"I never thought of that. But it doesn't help that much. It doesn't tell me why the majority of the rats did run.† â€Å"Well, duh, Gabe,† Theo said. â€Å"It's the fucking monster.† â€Å"What?† Val said. â€Å"What?† said Jenny, who was lingering nearby. â€Å"Can we get some dessert menus?† Gabe asked, sending Jenny backing across the restaurant. â€Å"Monster?† Val said. â€Å"Maybe you'd better explain, Gabe,† Theo said. â€Å"I think your scientific skepticism will make it sound more credible.† Val's jaw dropped visibly as she listened to Gabe talk about the tracks at the ranch, the mutilated cattle, and Theo's theory for the disappearances of Joseph Leander, Mikey Plotznik, and perhaps Les from the hardware store. When Gabe brought up Molly Michon, Val stopped him. â€Å"You can't believe what she tells you. Molly is a very disturbed woman.† â€Å"She didn't tell me anything,† Theo said. â€Å"I just think she knows something about all this.† Val wanted to call up Theo's drug history to sweep the story aside, then she remembered what Estelle Boyet had told her in therapy. â€Å"I'm not going to say who, but one of my patients mentioned a sea monster in session.† Gabe asked. â€Å"Who?† â€Å"I can't say,† Val said. â€Å"Estelle Boyet,† Jenny said as she came up to get the dessert order. â€Å"Damn,† Val said. â€Å"I wasn't the one who told you,† she said to Theo. â€Å"Well, she was talking about it over breakfast with that Catfish guy,† Jenny added. â€Å"No dessert,† Val snapped at Jenny. â€Å"I'll bring the check.† â€Å"So Estelle has seen it?† Theo asked. â€Å"No, she says she's heard it. She's not the type to propagate a hoax, but I wouldn't put it past Molly Michon. Perhaps that's where the rumor started. I can ask Estelle.† â€Å"Do that,† Theo said. â€Å"But it's not a hoax. My car is smashed. That's evidence. I'm going to Molly's tonight and wait for her. The door was unlocked when I checked earlier and I can't go home.† â€Å"You think it's that dangerous?† Val asked. â€Å"I know it is.† Theo stood and started to pull some bills from his pocket. Gabe waved him off. Theo said, â€Å"Doctor, can you give Gabe a ride?† â€Å"Sure, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Thanks,† Theo said. â€Å"I'll call you, Gabe. Thanks for letting me join you, Doctor. I thought you'd want to know about Bess. I'm afraid I've ruined your date.† I'll say, Val thought as she watched Theo leave the restaurant. A sense of alert exhaustion washed over her like an espresso fog bank. â€Å"He just quit smoking pot,† Gabe said. â€Å"He's feeling the stress.† â€Å"He has a right to. You don't believe any of that stuff about a monster, do you?† â€Å"I have some theories.† â€Å"Would you like to come up to the house and explain them over a bottle of wine?† â€Å"Really? I mean, sure, that would be nice.† â€Å"Good,† Val said. â€Å"I think I need to get hammered and I'd like your company.† Had she used the term â€Å"hammered† since college? She didn't think so. â€Å"I'll get the check,† Gabe said. â€Å"Of course you will.† â€Å"I hope you don't mind having a dog in your car,† Gabe said. I'm not slumming, she thought. I've moved to the slums.