Critical Thinking and Old Man Free Essays

Headings: In complete sentences, answer the accompanying inquiries. Be exhaustive in your reactions. These are basic reasoning inquiries, which implies you should go past what is written in the story†¦you need to INFER. We will compose a custom paper test on Basic Thinking and Old Man or on the other hand any comparable point just for you Request Now Your evaluation will rely upon your astute and canny answers. Answers ought to be at any rate 2-3 complete sentences long. Introduction and pages 3-10 (stop at the reference mark) 1. For what reason does Coelho open with the adjusted legend of Narcissus? How does the new form contrast from the first one? How can it change the myth’s meaning? What may the creator be recommendation about how we see ourselves and the world? 2. The tale opens with Santiago pondering his sheep. What does he see about their reality? In what capacity may the sheep represent the manner in which a few people live their lives? How does his perception that they â€Å"have neglected to depend all alone instincts† portend what may be coming in the novel? 3. How much is Santiago’s father’s perception about explorers (page 9) valid about Santiago? Pages 10 (start after the indicator)- 25 (stop at the bullet) 1. For what reason does the old psychic state that Santiago’s dream is hard to decipher? For what reason is Santiago dubious of her? 2. The elderly person reveals to Santiago a tale about an excavator and an emerald. How can it interface with Santiago’s circumstance? What does the elderly person mean when he says that â€Å"treasure is revealed by the power of streaming water, and it is covered by similar ebbs an d flows? † What does this statement have to do with the narrative of the digger and the emerald? 1) By advising the new form he needs to tell his own understanding of narcissus. The first form is tied in with finding inward magnificence however Coelho’s variant is tied in with discovering significance of life and the life’s reason. The thing that matters is on the grounds that it forgets about how the lake thought about to a lot of its magnificence and less about there individuals. The upgraded one reflects upon the positive results as the first has a negative term. The proposal is made through the book where Santiago needed to perceive what the world resembled and he surrendered a his folks measure and followed his own fantasies regardless. Step by step instructions to refer to Critical Thinking and Old Man, Papers

Should gay marriage be legalize Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Should gay marriage be authorize - Essay Example I bolster the authorization of gay relationships due to their comparability to hetero relationships, are controlled by wild organic powers, and have existed in human social orders through the course of time. Gay relationships are established on almost a similar sort of rules that support hetero relationships. These relationships show the qualities of organization, backing, and love, which are likewise key in hetero relationships. Gay relationships look like typical relationships and just vary because of the association of individuals of a similar sex. As per the individuals who hang on this assessment, marriage should help individuals to change in accordance with the real factors of life and appreciate the organization of one another (Baird and Stuart 50). Gay couples typically demand that they are cheerful in the organization of one another and that they would not wish or try for some other option. With respect to issue of having youngsters, supporters of gay relationships demand th at kids are not principal to the accomplishment of a marriage. They battle that kids could be received if the gay couples truly need them in their marriage. The bonds that hold gay relationships are controlled by wild natural variables. ... They fight they contain a minority bunch in the general public and must be ensured by the ordinary laws that defend the privileges of the minority. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) contends that contradicting or banning their relationships is an encroachment on gay people’s rights and freedoms (Stockland and James 13). The general public must, in this manner, figure out how to endure them and treat them as a component of the social framework. Gay relationships have existed from recorded periods to the present age. They existed during the present hundreds of years and the old world suited them inside their own structures (Eskridge and Spedale 143). Their contention is that gay connections and gay relationships are a truth of life and must be obliged in any general public. As per them, the antiquated world suited gay connections in light of the fact that the social orders around then could draw a line between singular rights and social real factors. They contend that the ge neral public has not had any issues coming about because of gay connections. Insights demonstrate that around 9 million Americans fall inside the classification of gay, lesbian, or different directions that don't fit in with customary profound quality (Wardle 97). Backing for the sanctioning of gay relationships is on the grounds that the high measurements of gay individuals shows that their reality in the general public is a reality that can't be wished away. In that capacity, their privileges must be defended and regarded by the prevailing hetero populace. Notwithstanding, the individuals who restrict the sanctioning of gay relationships contend that these relationships have the limit of disintegrating the social texture. They contend that human activities and conduct must be guided by the nature. Normally, relationships should just be permitted among people. The individuals who

How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Headline

How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Headline How confident are you in your LinkedIn headline? Have you crafted it with keywords and viewer engagement in mind? Many LinkedIn users have not considered either SEO or marketing strategies in their headlines, mistakenly believing that their LinkedIn headline must be the same as their current job title. I frequently see job titles like “Project Manager at ABC Company.” In fact, using your current job title with nothing more will do very little to help you get found on LinkedIn. With 120 characters to play with, you can do so much more! LinkedIn headlines with brief titles such as IT Consultant, Sports Executive, or Sales Professional dont distinguish you from every other person with the same job description in a pool of half a billion LinkedIn users. To stand out in your LinkedIn headline, you must use both keywords and an attention-grabbing statement. Otherwise, you wont appear at the top of LinkedIn search results, and you certainly wont capture your readers attention. How to Identify Keywords for a KILLER LinkedIn Headline Not sure how to choose your top keywords? Here are my top 5 tips for building your LinkedIn SEO: 1. Put yourself in the position of the people who are searching for you. Who is searching for you on LinkedIn? Are they potential clients? Recruiters and hiring managers? Future business partners? Think about what and whom they would be looking for on LinkedIn and identify the phrases they would be searching for. These keywords might include job titles, core competencies, geographical regions, technical skills, soft skills, languages and more. Put the top keywords you identify into your headline. 2. Brainstorm. You know your profession better than anyone, so simply brainstorming commonly used words in your field can reap the perfect keywords. 3. Do comparative research. Another great tactic is looking at the profiles of other people with backgrounds or positions similar to yours. What keywords are showing up in their headlines? You might want to “borrow” them. Do not â€" I repeat do NOT â€" copy someone else’s LinkedIn headline (or any part of their profile) verbatim! 4. Wordle it (for job seekers). If you are a job seeker, you can look at job advertisements for your target position and count keywords by hand that are showing up repeatedly. Or, to save some time and energy, use Wordle.net (Java must be installed, and Safari and Internet Explorer work best). Simply put the copy from a few job listings into Wordle.net/create and generate a word map that shows you what words come up most frequently. Use those keywords! Here’s what I got when I put in some financial analyst job descriptions: And here’s one for a CTO: 5. Featured Skills Endorsements LinkedIn has done a lot of work for you in the Skills section. The items that come up in the drop-down menu in that section are keywords most searched for by recruiters. Scan through the skills that autopopulate there to see what keywords LinkedIn suggests for your profession. Once you have identified your top keywords, use them! Before I knew the power of keywords, my LinkedIn headline read: Founder and Senior Editor, The Essay Expert. Note the lack of keywords in that headline. Now it reads: The new headline has a lot more keywords. When I changed my headline, as well as added more keywords to my Current Job Title, Summary, Skills, and other Job Titles, I went from being almost invisible in searches to coming up first in the search rankings on queries for Executive Resume Writer in my geographic area of Madison, WI. Adding keywords will not only help your SEO within LinkedIn, but it will help you on Google too. Heres a sample Google result: Its incontrovertible. You will get value from including keywords in your LinkedIn headline. So if your  LinkedIn headline consists solely of your job title and company name, go change it now! How to Convey Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) Once you’ve identified your keywords, craft a headline for your profile that tells us what makes you unique while including as many of those keywords as possible. Here are some examples: Frank Kanu Management / Business Consultant ¦ Speaker ¦ Author ¦ Leading Fortune 500 and Small Business Executives Teams Dave Stachowiak Host/Founder of Coaching for Leaders, a Top 10 iTunes careers podcast • Senior VP, Dale Carnegie of Southern Los Angeles Ole-Kristian Sivertsen Senior Vice President Maritime | Global Eagle (MTN, EMC, GEE) | Market Leader in Mobility, Content Connectivity See the advantage over headlines like Consultant or Senior VP? More explicit headlines give spark and color to your profile as opposed to just listing your job title; and they contain keywords to help you appear at the top of search results. They can also hint at your personality, the results you produce, and some of your soft skills. NOTE: Including proper keywords does not guarantee your profile will appear at the top of searches. There are other factors that go into search rankingsâ€"most notably your number of connections and your level of profile completeness. But without keywords, your profile is guaranteed to remain at the bottom of the pile. MOBILE NOTE: When connections search for you on their phones, your entire LinkedIn headline is not visible, so use your most important keywords in the first 50 characters. What if Ive never held the position I want to be found for? If you are seeking a position as VP of Finance, and you have never held that position before, consider creative ways of including the keywords VP and Finance. For example: VP-Level Finance Executive or Available for VP of Finance Position at Growing Company. Of course you need to make sure not to misrepresent yourself, so you might need to say Poised for… or something similar. Note that if you have performed the functions to match a job title, you can put the job title in your headline. I say if youve done the job, you can claim the job title! Should I include a tagline? There is evidence that you will have a higher conversion rate if you include a tagline or unique selling proposition (USP) in addition to straight keywords in your headline. Best strategy: Use keywords to increase the frequency with which you are found in searches; include a tagline or USP to generate interest so people click to read more. In conclusion… More keywords in your LinkedIn headline means you will rank higher in searchesâ€"more people will find you. And with an effective tagline, people will be sufficiently intrigued to read more. An increase in page views means more potential business activity or job search activity for you. Keywords are your key to success. This article was adapted from my book, How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Profile And 18 Mistakes to Avoid. For more on how to add your new headline, what pitfalls to avoid, and secret tips for putting more than 120 characters into your headline, get the book today!

Jane Erye vs. Charlotte Bronte Essay - 539 Words

Charlotte Bronte, born in 1816 at Thornton, Yorkshire, England, is an English writer who is one of three sisters, who are also famous for their writings. Bronte wrote Jane Eyre based on her own life experiences, which is why the novel is subtitled â€Å"An Autobiography†. Much of the romantic appeal in Jane Eyre comes from Bronte’s own personal history. Many critics argue that the novel is simply a reflection of Bronte’s life. Furthermore, there are several ways in which, Bronte’s life is similar to the life of Jane and the events that take place in the novel. Charlotte is described as simple, plain, and petite and the daughter of a clergyman just like Jane. Whenever, Charlotte wanted to get away from her daily life, she would absorb herself†¦show more content†¦Like Jane, Charlotte’s first job was being a governess. She was a governess for the Sidgwick family, until her shyness ruined up her attempts to earn a living this way. Later in 1842 as Charlotte began to travel, she fell in love with M. Heger, who was married, just like Rochester who is also married to Bertha. M. Heger was also the owner of the Pensionnat Heger, which is the school that Charlotte attended and she later became a teacher there. In 1844, she tried to open her own school, but failed, just as Jane failed when she tried to open her own school while staying with the Rivers. Lastly, after all the suffering she caused Charlotte, Ms. Branwell died in 1848 and Mrs. Reed also dies. Charlotte finally got married after being proposed to four times and had a child, but she died in 1855 during her pregnancy. At the end of the novel, Jane also got married to Rochester, after he had previously asked for her hand in marriage and John Rivers also asked for her hand and she had a son, but does not die. Conclusively, Jane Eyre can be said to be an autobiography written by Charlotte Bronte, because many of the significant events that occurred in Charlotte’s life were also happening to Jane in the novel. Jane Eyre is a detailed reflection of Charlotte’s life, from her childhood to adulthood. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Dutton, NY: Everyman’s Library, 1908 Gaskell,

Sociology, Anthropology, By Lewis Binford - 932 Words

Throughout the article, Archaeology as Anthropology, Lewis Binford argues that by looking at culture through a systemic view point our interpretations of the past can become stronger and will improve the field of archaeology and anthropology as a whole. His article is integral to the foundation of ‘New Archaeology’ because it gave a critical review of the short comings of a cultural historic approach, and provides suggestions of improvement that have been applied and even built upon in contemporary archaeology. These improvements are discussed by looking at three major functional sub-classes of material culture, with regard to the processes of change, and then applied in the context of the utilization of native copper in eastern North America. This approach created a new viewpoint with which to understand the past through cultural material and was one of the highlights that brought the field of archaeology to what it is today. Binford discusses the historical-cultural ap proach, by first acknowledging that it contributed to a vast amount of archaeological data that increased the limited knowledge that was available to archaeologists in the past (Binford, 1962). One of the concerns he had with this approach was the fact that archaeologists who were looking at this data, were providing explanations centering on specific events rather than the processes of cultural change and evolution (Binford, 1962). Matthew Johnson clarifies this limitation in his book, ArchaeologicalShow MoreRelatedAnthropology Relation with Other Social Sciences2821 Words   |  12 PagesAnthropology (from the Greek word á ¼â€žÃŽ ½ÃŽ ¸Ã Ãâ€°Ãâ‚¬ÃŽ ¿Ãâ€š, human or person) consists of the study of humanity (see genus Homo). The discipline is a holistic study, concerned with all humans, at all times, in all humanitys dimensions. Anthropology is traditionally distinguished from other disciplines by its emphasis on cultural relativity, in-depth examination of context, and cross- cultural comparisons. Anthropology is methodologically diverse, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as firsthand

Resume Dec Free Essays

Following hospital/unit specific policies and procedures. Providing privacy while performing all procedures and treatments. Providing patient/ family education prior to performing procedures and treatments. We will write a custom essay sample on Resume Dec or any similar topic only for you Order Now Attempting procedure or treatment no more than twice before soliciting advise e from a more experienced care provider. Documenting according to hospital/unit policies. Maintaining patient/family safety. Following hospital/unit specific policies and procedures related to patient/ family safety and confidentiality. Providing orientation of unit and surroundings to patient/family. Maintaining patient/family confidentiality. Knowledgeable about use of equipment/supplies. Documenting appropriate safety measures per unit. Page TWO Demonstrating positive and courteous manner in dealing with patients, physic scans and coworkers. Handling patients and employee information with appropriate sensitivity and safeguarding to ensure confidentiality. Exhibiting flexibility when work assignments need to be adjusted to meet the needs of our patients. Present a professional appearance and approach with patients and staff. Performing Medical Assistant tasks, including but not limited to, vital signs an Keg’s- Preparing patients for physician and practitioner exams. How to cite Resume Dec, Papers

Advertising and Alcohol Essay Example For Students

Advertising and Alcohol Essay Advertising and AlcoholAlcohol manufacturers use a variety of unscrupulous techniques to advertise alcoholic beverages to children. Perhaps the worst example is Anheuser-Busch Co., the worlds largest brewer, which uses child-enticing cartoon images of frogs, dogs, penguins and lizards in ads for Budweiser beer. These Budweiser cartoon characters are hugely popular with children, just like Joe Camel ads. A KidCom Marketing study once found these Budweiser cartoon character ads were American childrens favorite ads. This is no accident. Anheuser-Busch is conducting an advertising campaign to get children to start drinking beer. These Budweiser ads are unconscionable. So are Phillip Morriss Miller Lite twist to open commercials, which are among childrens top 10 favorite ads, according to another study by KidCom. Hard liquor ads on television are equally unconscionable. In June, 1996, Joseph E. Seagrams Sons Co. broke a 48 year old voluntary ban on advertising hard liquor on television. Five months later, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) re-wrote its Code of Good Practice to allow its member distillers to advertise on radio and television. Even if these TV ads are aired only after 9 or 10 PM, they will still reach millions of American children. Alcohol advertising may increase alcohol consumption, including drinking by minors. Based on this effect, various municipalities around the country have attempted to ban alcohol advertising. These attempts have met with mixed results in the courts. This section will attempt to explain how a municipality can legally ban alcohol advertising. Commercial SpeechThe only constitutional impediment to banning alcohol advertising is First Amendment freedom of speech. Alcohol producers and their advertising companies will usually bring suit against a municipality which bans alcohol advertisements, arguing that the ban is an unconstitutional abridgement of the freedom of speech. Advertising, however, is only commercial speech, which is protected by the First Amendment 1. but not to the extent that political speech is protected. Therefore, a municipality can regulate advertising much more than it can regulate pure First Amendment speech. Types of Alcohol AdvertisingAlcohol is advertised on billboards and other signs, in print, and on radio and television. It is also advertised on public transportation, in athletic stadiums, in bars, and on delivery vehicles. Because the Supreme Court believes that some types of advertising have effects unlike other types of advertising, the law regarding each is different. A municipality may not, therefore, simply pass a law saying All alcohol advertising shall be prohibited. This would clearly be an unconstitutional infringement on commercial speech, as well as vague and overly broad. Municipalities must be selective and regulate those types of advertising which they can prove are linked to increasing minor consumption of alcohol. BillboardsBillboards are a major forum for alcohol advertising. Children and teenagers are regularly subjected to these types of advertisements, but parents cannot effectively control their childrens exposure to alcohol billboards. Billboards cannot be turned off like other types of advertising.A municipality probably may ban billboards advertising alcohol, if it can demonstrate that these billboards have an adverse effect on minors. The Supreme Court has found that billboards are a unique form of advertising and subject to extensive regulation. The City of Baltimore recently banned outdoor alcohol advertising and defeated the advertisers free speech argument in court. A federal circuit court upheld the ban on alcohol advertising on billboards as not an unconstitutional infringement of the advertisers right of free speech. Warning LabelsChildren and teenagers are adversely affected by advertising that glamorizes alcohol consumption. Unlike cigarette advertising, alcohol advertising d oes not carry any mandatory health warnings. Federal law regulates warning labels on cigarette advertising, but not on alcohol advertising. The Federal Alcohol Administration only requires warning labels on alcohol containers and packaging, not on pure advertising. Therefore, state and municipal governments have no power to impose their container or packaging warnings. They may, however, be able to impose warning labels on advertising, because federal law does not address this question. .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c , .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c .postImageUrl , .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c , .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c:hover , .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c:visited , .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c:active { border:0!important; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c:active , .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u5b7bec64788a4a8ab2a46d77fc9c1d6c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Sas Institute Term Paper EssayAdvertising increases alcohol consumption, which increases alcohol abuseright? WRONG. There is no solid evidence from either scientific research or practical experience that this theory of advertising is correct. A study by the Federal Trade Commission found that there is no reliable basis to conclude that alcohol advertising significantly affects consumption, let alone abuse. Advertising does not increase consumption. For example, alcohol brand advertising was first introduced in New Zealand in 1992. While advertising continues to increase, consumption continues to fall. WHAT ADVERTISING DOESIf advertising doesnt increase consumption, why bother to advertise? The answer is simple: to increase market share. Alcohol is a mature product category in that consumers are already aware of the product and its basic characteristics. Therefore, overall consumption is not affected significantly by advertising specific brands. Instead of increasing total consumption, the objective of advertisers is to create brand loyalty and to encourage consumers to switch to their brand. Thus, effective advertisers gain market share at the expense of others, who lose market share. They do not try to increase the total market for the product. An example can illustrate why they dont. The total retail value of beer produced annually in the U.S. is about $50 billion. If a producers advertising campaign increases its market share by one percent, its sales would increase by $500 million. However, if the total market for beer increased by one percent, a brand with a 10% share of the market would only experience a sales increase of $50 million. Clearly, a producer has a great incentive to increase market share, but little incentive (or ability) to increase the total market. For this reason, advertisers focus their efforts on established Consumers. They seek to strengthen the loyalty of their own consumers and induce other Consumers to try their brand. One of the main arguments against alcohol beverage ads on television is that they normalize drinking in the minds of young viewers. To the extent that this is true, the ads may be performing a positive role. The commonplace nature of alcohol ads on TV serves not to glamorize the products, as some critics suggest, but to cast them as mundane consumer products, right alongside aspirin, cookies, and alkaline batteries. Thats a constructive way for young people to view them. On the other hand, if we treat beverage alcohol as a dangerous substance to be avoided and not even advertised, we inadvertently raise it up from the ordinary into the realm of the powerful, the tantalizing, and the desirable Big Deal. In so doing, we slip into the familiar, failed pattern of demonizing the substance of alcohol rather than discouraging irresponsible behavior. We should help young people regard the substance of alcohol as neutral neither inherently good nor inherently bad. What matters is how it is used, and we must convey by word and example that the abuse of alcohol is never humorous, acceptable, or excusable. Do alcohol ads portray the products being enjoyed in the most appealing settings and by the most attractive people? Of course they often do no less than do ads for cars, instant coffee and anti-fungal sprays. That normalcy of alcohol ads helps demystify the product which is a good place to begin encouraging realistic, moderate, and responsible attitudes about it. Responsible attitudes toward alcohol are based on the understanding that such beverages are yet another part of life over which individuals have control, like exercise, personal hygiene, or diet. If alcohol beverages are to be used moderately by those who choose to consume them, then its important that these beverages not be stigmatized, compared to illegal drugs, and associated with abuse. They arent dangerous poisons to be hidden from sight and become a subject of mystery and perhaps fascinating appeal. But that would be the message sent if alcohol commercials were banned from TV.

Ephesians Letter Essays - Epistle To The Ephesians,

Ephesians Letter As one begins to read the letter to the Ephesians, he is intrigued not only by the many topics that the letter mentions, but also the fact that there are some major differences between this book and Paul's other writings. The purpose of this essay is to explore the book of Ephesians by commenting on critical issues, such as date, authorship, and setting, major theological themes, the purpose of the letter, and to offer an outline of the book itself. Critical Issues Critical issues include those things such as the date the letter was written, who the letter was written by, and where the letter was written. This section of the essay will identify these elements and mention the problems that come about when one thinks logically about the information presented in the letter to the Ephesians. The letter to the church at Ephesus was written about the same time as the letters to the churches at Colosse and Phillipi. A combination of all of my sources suggests this was somewhere between the years of A.D.60-64. A major problem that needs to be addressed is the question of setting. Was the letter to the Ephesians only written to the church at Ephesus? Most sources suggest that it was not. The oldest manuscripts, such as codex Vaticanus and codex Sinaiticus, do not have the church at Ephesus as the recipient of the letter; this was added into later manuscripts (Donz? et al, 534). Many state that Ephesians was a circular letter, a letter that was meant to circulate among all of the churches in the area and not meant to be specifically addressed to one church. This theory is supported by the fact that there are very few proper names in the letter, unlike the other letters Paul wrote, and the fact that it does not address specific problems of the church, only general statements are mentioned. Also, if the letter were, in fact written solely to the Ephesians, Paul would probably have included some reference to the fact that he was the pastor of the Ephesian church for two years (Ramsay, 454). Instead of doing this, the author uses phrases such as "I have heard of your faith" (1:15), implying that Paul and the people have not been acquainted (Ramsay, 454). These arguments are what lead modern-day scholars to believe that the letter to the Ephesians was not written only to the Ephesians. The problem of setting is not the only problem that arises in the letter to the Ephesians. Another problem is the question of authorship. Was Ephesians really written by Paul? In my opinion, this is the hardest question to answer because there are very strong arguments that come from both sides of thinking. Some say that Timothy, or some other disciple of Paul for that matter, wrote the letter and support this claim with the fact that there are some eighty-two words in the letter to the Ephesians that are found nowhere else in any of Paul's writings. Furthermore, of those eighty-two words, thirty-eight of those are found nowhere else in the entire New Testament (Ramsay 454). There is also the fact that the sentences are longer and more complex than those of Paul's other letters. These facts are what lead some to believe that Ephesians must have been written by someone else and simply signed by Paul. On the other hand, Paul was in jail at the time he wrote this letter. He calls himself "the prisoner of Christ" (Ephesians 3:1), "the prisoner of God" (Ephesians 4:1), and "an ambassador in bonds" (Ephesians 6:20). Being in jail would have given him ample time to read the letter and revise it; he had plenty of time to write a well-constructed letter with words that he would not normally use and longer, more complex sentences than if he was writing a letter in a hurry. Another strong argument that leads one to believe that Paul wrote Ephesians is the fact that there are fifty-five verses that are exactly the same in the letter to the Colossians (Barclay, 72). Now what is the belief? Did Paul write the letter to the Ephesians, or did Timothy? Maybe it was someone else. No one can be totally positive, which is why this is the major problem in this letter. Purpose of the Book The purpose of this letter is to celebrate the fact that, through Christ, God is uniting all peoples in Christ's church (Ramsay, 456). Ephesians is written to celebrate that unity and encourages Gentile

The Grapes of Wrath Importance of the Title

'The Grapes of Wrath Importance of the Title The Grapes of Wrath, a Pulitzer-prize winning book written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939, tells the story of   the  Joads, a poor family of  tenant farmers driven out of Depression-era Oklahoma also referred to as Oakies by drought and economic factors, who migrate to Californa in search of a better life. Steinbeck had trouble coming up with the title for the novel, a classic in American literature, and his wife actually suggested using the phrase. From Bible to Battle Hymn The title, itself, is a reference to lyrics from The Battle Hymn of the Republic, written in 1861 by  Julia Ward Howe, and first published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1862: Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:His truth is marching on. The words have some important resonance in American culture. For example, Martin Luther King Jr, in his  address  at the conclusion of the Selma-to-Montgomery, Alabama, civil rights march in 1965, quoted these very words  from  the hymn.  The lyrics, in turn, reference a biblical  passage in  Revelations 14:19-20, where the evil inhabitants of Earth perish:    And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine press of the wrath of God.  And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the wine press, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. In the Book The phrase grapes of wrath does not appear almost until the end of the 465-page novel: In the souls of the people, the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage. According to eNotes; The oppressed such as the Okies are ripening in their understanding of their oppression. The fruit of their anger is ready to be harvested. In other words, you can push the downtrodden so far, but eventually, there will be a  price to pay. In all of these references from the tribulations of  Joads, to the battle hymn, the biblical passage and Kings speech the key point is that in response to any oppression, there will be a reckoning, likely ordained by God, and that rightness and justice will prevail. Study Guide QuotesThe Battle Hymn of the RepublicQuestions for Study DiscussionJohn Steinbeck Biography

Self steem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Self steem - Essay Example Lauren Slater in her article The Trouble with Self-Esteem tries to make a reply with examination of various scientists’ controversial views. It is relevant to say that there is no common and sole opinion concerning the correlation between self-esteem and felonies. Due to David Long in most cases terrorists and bandits keep a feeling of great dissatisfaction deep inside. Therefore, when culprits break a law, they attempt to compensate own worthlessness with a help of â€Å"significant† actions, so â€Å"the less confidence you have, the worse you do† (qtd. in Slater 44). In contrast to that point of view, Nicholas Emler believes that â€Å"there is absolutely no evidence that low self-esteem is particularly harmful† (qtd. in Slater 44). Moreover, there is an assumption that people with low self-esteem do much better in life and achieve more than people with high self-esteem. On the one part it really makes sense. A person with low self-esteem will always tr y harder, because of his own farfetched inability and weakness to do something properly. And person with high self-esteem will be more passive, falsely believing that everything is possible and achievable for him. But on the other hand these examples may be scrutinized differently.

Why do we accept people who are beautiful Research Paper

Why do we accept people who are beautiful - Research Paper Example Alternatively, one can determine that no matter how other people think or judge, one is going to remain firm in being true to himself. Often when we encounter new people, we can’t help but form a quick opinion of them, going mainly by what they appear to be on the surface. It is not unusual to be wrong in forming an opinion so quickly, without being well informed. However, there is also a psychological explanation for this tendency and that is that many individuals simply do not possess the mental capability to carefully evaluate a new person that they may come across. That being said, there are no short cuts to knowing a person well enough for all his or her strengths and weaknesses, and jumping to quick conclusions hardly ever yields an accurate judgment anyway. Prior to speculating on the myriad aspects of ‘judgmental’ behavior, one such aspect that we will discuss in some detail pertains to physical appearance of people, which is, sadly often, the sole criteria for their being well accepted or not in the society. How often have we heard raving words of praise for beautiful women and handsome men, and how much more do we hear about them other that what they ‘look like’? While there is little doubt that physical beauty is very attractive and endearing, it is surprising indeed that people so often get so mesmerized that sage words such as ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ don’t seem to click at all. It is unfortunate then that people who are good looking are often meted out a ‘preferential’ treatment over the not so ‘good’ looking ones. Let us be clear on one fact – good physical grooming, smart, well maintained appearances play an important role when it comes to appropriate social, professional, or personal interactions. Unkempt hair, gaudy clothes, grim looks reflecting contempt and distaste are far removed from what it takes to create a pleasant company of another human being. But let us suppose that all of the above

Derivatives in Financial Market: Portfolio Management

Derivatives in Financial Market: Portfolio Management Derivative Structures in the Market and Their Place in Corporate Portfolio Management Abstract Derivatives are financial instruments that do not hold independent value, but where instead the value of the instrument is based on the underlying value of a given asset, which can range from financial assets such as stocks, bonds and market indexes to commodity assets such as oil, gold or wheat, to more obscure or exotic assets such as weather or other exotic assets. The four main categories of derivative include forwards, futures, options and swaps, each of which is used for a different risk control technique and each of which has its own unique structure, risk, and potential for return. Derivatives are commonly used in financial firms to balance portfolios and reduce risk by spreading it across the market, or in order to mitigate potential risk by limiting it (for example, placing a ceiling or floor on currency exchanges or purchases). This paper explores the use of derivatives in the financial market, including their use in portfolio management. Following a thorough definition of the derivative, the paper explores the use of derivatives in portfolio management and other banking activities, and offers a substantive risk assessment that addresses the potential difficulties that the use of these instruments may pose as well as a description of the benefits of using derivatives. The paper also explores ways in which actual financial institutions use derivatives through examination of public reports and other available information, in order to determine what current practice is in the use of these reports. The report concludes with recommendations for portfolio managers within financial institutions regarding the use of these instruments for risk management as well as the potential dangers of their use. The study is intended to provide an overview guide to this material and an analysis of existing research that can be used for further research and understanding of the subject material. Chapter 1 Introduction to the Research Project The use of derivatives in corporate risk management has come under scrutiny recently in the news, following reports of credit risk derivatives being used improperly by some firms and banks during the mortgage lending collapse of 2007-2008. However, while these instruments may be misused, they also hold an important role in both financial and non-financial firms in hedging risk and balancing corporate portfolios and investments. Derivatives can be used in a number of different applications. These applications include balancing risk across a number of different investors, gaining access to foreign currency or reducing currency exchange risk exposure, and reallocating loan risk across lending portfolios within or among banks. While these instruments clearly have benefits in terms of balancing, spreading and reducing risk to the individual investor, corporation or bank, there are still considerable risks that must be considered. For example, credit risk derivatives were at fault for revenue losses because they were improperly calculated to be less risky than they actually were. Conversely, a currency option, one type of derivative that reduces the potential for risk in currency exchange rates, could end up being a poor rate if the market does not change in the expected manner. These are just a few of the risks that can be encountered within the use of derivatives in financial and non-financial firms. This paper presents an overview of the types of derivatives available, the risk involved in using the derivative, and other important factors that must be considered in its use. Research Aims The main aim of this research is to explore and identify the derivative structures in the financial market and examine different corporate responses to the changes in the market and uses of these derivatives. The research also examines the impact posed by changes in the market on the corporate portfolio strategy. By first providing an overview of the different types of derivative structures available, and then analyzing corporations in order to identify how they use these structures, the research paper analyzes corporate portfolio diversification as a strategy and explores the potential for derivatives in financial markets. Research Objectives The main research objectives of this project include: Definition of the structure and application of derivatives Definition of the risk posed by application of derivatives in a competitive market Description of the common usage and potential impact of derivatives on the financial institution Examination of the impact of market changes in the corporate portfolio within the financial institution Identification of the limitations and risks of derivatives as used in the corporate portfolio Identification of appropriate risk management and portfolio management strategies Importance of the paper Sustained changes in the financial and competitive environment of industries, increasing globalization and increasing complexity of financial markets has led to an unprecedented period of currency and interest rate volatility worldwide. In order to counter this increase in risk, innovative foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk hedging techniques have developed at a rapid pace. Although these derivatives are intended to assist in risk management and risk minimization, particularly in terms of uncertain cash flows and currency exchange rates, their use has been uncertain, as instruments grow increasingly exotic. This paper will provide a guide to derivatives and their use in the financial market, as well as provide a clear understanding of the risks involved in the use of derivatives and their appropriate application to risk management, as well as discussion of how the risk of the derivatives themselves may be handled. This information can be used by investment risk managers and others in order to guide policies regarding the use of these instruments and allow for an increased understanding of the underlying issues involving these instruments. Methodology overview The methodology that will be used is that of desk research and meta analysis. This method will assemble information from a large number of sources, including primarily secondary research, and organize and analyze it in such a way as to create an understanding of the research material in the general case. This information will be able to be used for description of the operation and formulation of derivatives in a number of markets. Data collection The main data collection technique used in this discussion will be secondary research or desk research. This method was chosen both because of the limited time available to perform the survey and because of the amount of information already available on the subject matter. Secondary information will include primarily a literature review, which will provide background and theoretical information that can be used in order to form an overall picture of the theory and practice of using derivatives and derivative structures. Other secondary data will be used to examine the issues at hand for analysis, including materials such as company reports, journal articles and time series, and previously conducted surveys that address the subject matter. However, it should be noted that derivatives are not ordinarily considered reportable assets, and so may leave little trace on company reports and discussions. As such, generalized information from sources such as the Bank for International Settlements will be used as much as possible rather than specific firm information. Data analysis Following the collection of data using the method described above, the data will be analyzed using a number of techniques. Analysis methods are intended to be both quantitative and qualitative, in accordance with the data available for analysis. Quantitative analysis will be exploratory and descriptive, using data summaries in such methods as charts, tables, and descriptive statistics. Qualitative analysis techniques that will be used will include categorization, development and analysis of relationships, and descriptive techniques. This data analysis will be used in order to create an overall view of the data that can be used in order to explore the research questions. Organization of the paper The table below presents the organization of the remainder of the paper in terms of chapter numbers and contents. Chapter Contents Chapter 2 Literature review and context review Chapter 3 Methodology overview Chapter 4 Presentation of results of analysis, discussion of results and examination of risk and risk mitigation strategies for firms using derivatives Chapter 5 Conclusions and recommendations for further study Table 1 Organization of the paper Summary This chapter has presented an overview of the aims and objectives of the paper as well as the methods that will be used to explore the research objectives. It will provide a guide to the remainder of the paper. The next chapter, the Literature Review, provides insight into the structure and definition of derivatives as well as providing insight into their use in financial markets. Chapter 2 Review of the Literature In order to provide background and theoretical information for the discussion in the following chapters, this chapter presents an overview of the current state of affairs concerning derivatives and their use in the financial firm. This includes a description of the definition of derivative, the varying types of derivatives and what their uses and significance are, and a description of their current use in the banking context in order to examine the overall importance of derivatives in portfolio management. This chapter will also provide an overview of the concepts of portfolio management in order to examine issues involved in the use of derivatives. Definition of derivatives Although there are a number of different definitions of derivatives, the basic principle of the derivative is that it is not, in and of itself, an asset or investment; instead, it is a financial instrument that is based on the value of an underlying asset or instrument (Hunt Kennedy, 2004, p. 1). As such, it should be clear that as a derivative has no independent financial value, it should not be considered to be an investment per se; if the firm wishes to make an investment in the underlying asset, it is more appropriate to do so directly. Instead, derivatives are used to gain potential access to cash flows, risk, currency exchanges or other valuable items or to distribute risks across a number of different users, markets, or geographic areas rather than assigning all risk to a single portfolio or individual (Hunt Kennedy, 2004, p. 3). Derivatives may be based on the value of a wide range of underlying instruments, including stocks, bonds, indexes, exchange rates, interest rates or the prices of commodity such as wheat, oil or livestock (Hunt Kennedy, 2004). More exotic underlying instruments include credit risks of packaged assets and even long-range weather forecasts; however, these exotic underlying instruments fall outside the scope of this discussion and will not be examined in-depth. Underlying concepts There are a number of underlying concepts that must be understood if the idea of the derivative is to be fully described. The first such idea is that of replication. In brief, replication is the portfolio of assets (trading strategy that will pay out an identical amount to the payout of the derivative in any potential trading circumstance (Hunt Kennedy, 2004, p. 3). In other words, the balance of the portfolio, on which option pricing theory is based, is dependent on its ability to mirror the price of the option that it is compared against. The second important underlying idea is that of arbitrage. Hunt and Kennedy (2004, p. 3) defined arbitrage as a trading strategy that generates profit from nothing with no risk involved. Arbitrage opportunities are assumed not to exist in the trading of derivatives; although it is clear that some random arbitrage opportunities might exist, they cannot be counted upon in a trading strategy and should not be considered for the purposes of this analysis. The underlying security is defined as the security involved in an option or other derivative transaction (Chorafas, 2008, p. 36). In other words, the underlying security (or underlying asset) is the security or asset from which the derivative derives its value, like a commodity such as oil, gold or wheat. These underlying securities rarely actually change hands (although it may occasionally occur). As Chorafas noted, while the underlying security may be based in an asset or liability, it cannot be considered to be an asset or liability itself, but is instead intended only to hedge risks from other market areas. Chorafas demonstrated that the relationship between the underlying security and the derivative is likely to be nonlinear; that is, the price of the derivative will not depend immediately on the price of the underlying security, but will instead be offset by other factors. The figure below demonstrates this nonlinear relationship. Figure 1 Nonlinear relationship between the value of derivatives and underlying instruments (Chorafas, 2008) The idea of notional principle amount, or face amount, is the amount of money on which the trade is based; however, this money is never actually intended to change hands, it only provides a basis for such characteristics of the derivative as interest rate calculation or other bases for engaging in the trade (Chorafas, 2008, p. 36). This may be specified not only in currency, but also in any other relevant measurement, such as shares, kilos, gallons, bushels, or whatever the natural means of measuring the underlying asset might be. Types of derivatives There are a wide range of types of derivatives, and custom derivatives are often assembled in order to meet the requirements of the parties involved in the trade that do not easily coincide with the definition of any standard type. However, the four major categories of derivatives include options, forwards, futures and swaps. Each of these types has a different structure and different uses within the market, and each is traded differently within the market. The description, structure and main uses of each of these types of derivatives are described in detail below. Options An option is an instrument that gives the buyer the opportunity (but not the requirement) to purchase a given instrument at a specific time for a specific price (Chorafas, 2008, p. 39). An option may be a call option (guaranteeing the buyer the right to buy the underlying good at the set price) or a put option (guaranteeing the owner the right to sell the underlying good at the strike price) (Kolb, 2003, p. 4). The buyer of an option may decide to exercise it (in which case they take delivery of the underlying) or to not exercise it (in which case it expires); if the buyer does exercise the option (decide to take delivery) the seller must give it to them for the agreed-upon price. The price at which the buyer may exercise the option is the strike price, while the price paid to the seller for the option is known as the premium (Chorafas, 2008, p. 40). The expiration date is the date by which the option must be exercised is the expiration date. The type of option will determine whether the option can be exercised only on that date, at any time prior to that date, or at certain specific times prior to the expiration date. American options can be exercised at any point up to the expiration date, while European options allow exercise only on the expiration date (Kolb, 2003, p. 507). A Bermuda option has set intermediate dates between the purchase and the expiration date at which it may be exercised (Kolb, 2003). There are also a number of exotic options that provide more customized payment, delivery and exercise agreements that may rely on the price of the underlying asset; for example, a barrier options exercise depends on the value of the underlying asset reaching a price specified in the contract, while an Asian option depends on the average price of the underlying security (Kolb, 2003). A so-called plain vanilla option, however, depends only on the current price of the underlying and other characteristics of the option such as exercise price and time until expiration (Kolb, 2003, p. 577). Caps, floors and collars are particular characteristics of a given option, which are intended to limit exposure to upside and downside risk (Smith Walter, 2003, p. 84). A cap, commonly used in an interest rate swap as well as other options, fixes the upper rate of exchange, while a floor similarly fixes the lower rate of exchange; as can be envisioned, a collar fixes both the upper and lower rates of exchange in order to reduce the potential for risk. Options are extremely popular derivatives that are used in both financial and nonfinancial firms for portfolio balance. Forwards A forward, or more properly a forward contract or option, is structured in much the same way as an option; however, rather than the exercise of the instrument being optional at the expiration date, exercise is mandatory at that time (Kolb, 2003). A basic definition of a forward was given by Kolb, who remarked, A forward contract always involves a contract initiated at one time; performance in accordance with the terms of the contract occurs at a subsequent time. Furthermore, the type of forward contracting to be considered here always involves an exchange of one asset for another. The price at which the exchange is set at the time of the initial contracting. Actual payment and delivery of the good occurs later (Kolb, 2003, p. 2). Forward contracts are commonly used in currency exchange operations and other transactions in which the individuals involved wish to reduce uncertainty; for example, in a currency exchange forward, the seller ensures the present value of the trade, as does the buyer. Although the currency exchange rates may fluctuate over the time between the contract and the expiration date, the risk for each party will be reduced because they will be able to protect themselves from changes in the currency exchange (Kolb, 2003). As such, forwards are commonly used for securing access to foreign currency or other underlying assets that an individual will need in the future at a risk-controlled price. In effect, the use of forwards removes uncertainty from the future business climate, therefore reducing risk. Forwards may also be used in order to create a position in the weaker currency when performing interest rate hedging (Smith Walter, 2003, p. 43). In effect, the investor attempts to determine when a weak currency is going to undergo a currency collapse (such as the 1997-1998 Asian market collapse, which began with a weakened currency in Thailand), and then purchases interest rate forwards in this currency, then waits for the interest rate in the country to drop as monetary policy shifts to propping up the currency rather than attempting to slow growth. However, this strategy is not without risk because there is always the potential that the currency may not depreciate or, if it does, that the requisite interest rate drop will not occur, or will not be sufficient to make the investment worthwhile. Futures Futures are an even more specialized form of the option. Futures contracts, which always trade on organized exchanges rather than in over the counter transactions, are a type of forward contract with highly standardized and specified contract terms futures contracts are highly standardized with a specified quantity of a good, and with a specified delivery date and delivery mechanism (Kolb, 2003, p. 3). According to Kolb, performance on a futures contract is also guaranteed with by a clearing house, or a financial institution that guarantees the integrity of the market, and are protected by margin, or security payments posted by traders as a good-faith indication of willingness to trade (Kolb, 2003, p. 3). Futures, unlike other forms of derivatives, trade in a regulated market and as such may not be as complex to handle as other forms of derivatives such as forwards. Futures are most commonly used for trade in commodities, and are often used by nonfinancial institutions rather than financial institutions. Swaps Unlike the other forms of derivatives, a swap is not just a specialized form of option, but is instead a different type of instrument. A swap is an over-the-counter instrument involving the exchange of one stream of payment liability for another (Smith Walter, 2003, p. 75). According to Smith and Walter, this derivative has only developed since the 1980s, with an increasing use of derivatives by non-financial corporations in order to reduce risk and reduce cost of listing on stock and bond markets. Swaps, as contingent values, are also not listed on financial reports, which allow firms to manoeuvre their full investment in a given position if desired (Smith Walter, 2003, p. 76). Common swaps include interest rate swaps and currency exchange swaps. Currency swaps allow firms to exchange their exposure to currency risk (for example, by limiting the amount paid in interest from one position to another) by exchanging currency rates from one to the other. Historical currency swap rates demonstrate the overall growth in currency swaps. The table below demonstrates the growth in currency rate swaps over the top ten traded currencies in 2000. As can be seen, the Euro almost immediately became prominent, with rapidly increasing amounts of currency swaps overtaking the currency as it was instituted. The use of currency swaps is extremely common in financial and non-financial firms that require protection from currency risk. For example, those with operations in multiple countries (Smith Walter, 2003). Currency Notional Amount Traded Per Year (Historical Figures) 1998 1999 2000 Australian dollar 206 365 387 Canadian dollar 594 647 623 Danish Kroner 28 37 40 Euro 4,667 5,981 Hong Kong dollar 89 321 450 Japanese yen 5,319 4,236 4,254 New Zealand dollar 10 6 3 Norwegian Kroner 48 127 103 Pound Sterling 2,512 2,242 2,391 Swiss franc 419 459 456 Table 2 Historical trades in currency swaps, 1998-1999 (Smith Walter, 2003) Interest rate swaps allow for firms to exchange interest rates on funds, often in exchange for future value of a payment stream. As noted by Smith and Walter, these instruments are advantageous because they allow for the transfer of potential immediate interest risk, as well as offering individuals access to funds at lower interest rates. In addition to an immediate swap, a pair of traders may engage in what is called a forward swap, in which payments at some time in the future are fixed rather than immediately exchanging hands (Smith Walter, 2003, p. 83). These derivatives are not commonly used in the financial world, but may take place for example in order to fix interest rates through the duration of a long-term building project or perform similar interest rate fixation. Credit derivatives Of particular current concern is the credit derivative, which protect the lender against loan default in much the same way as a loan guarantee. According to Smith and Walter (85), the major types of credit derivatives include total return swaps (in which the potential returns from a risky underlying loan instrument are exchanged for a lower, but less risky, guaranteed return); credit default swaps (in which an upfront fee is exchanged for coverage in the case of a default on the underlying loan instrument); and the credit linked note (in which the buyer makes a series of payments to the seller, which are returned if there are no credit difficulties during the lifetime of the loan) (Smith Walter, 2003, p. 86). Banks have commonly used these derivatives in the recent past in order to limit their exposure to consumer debt; however, as the recent subprime mortgage crisis in the United States has shown, reckless use of credit derivatives may not be appropriate. Many hedge funds (estimated by Douglas to be a tenth of the total market) specialize in credit derivatives, following a number of different strategies for engaging in credit derivatives trading and arbitrage. The authors noted that of the participants in the credit derivative markets, the majority of funds that specialized in credit derivatives worked in emerging debt markets and convertible arbitrage opportunities, rather than in less risk, but less rewarding, areas such as distressed debt and high yield debt (Douglas, 2007). The risks of credit derivative instruments will be explored more fully in Chapter 3, Data and Analysis. Derivative trading Derivatives are traded in one of two ways. Over the counter derivatives (OTC derivatives) are derivatives that are traded directly between private parties, rather than being traded through an exchange (Smith Walter, 2003). Some of the most commonly traded derivative structures that are traded over the counter include swaps (which are usually custom-packaged in order to meet the needs of both parties involved in the trade) and exotic options and other custom-packaged derivative products (Smith Walter, 2003). These instruments are best traded over the counter because of their custom nature; the OTC sale format allows for customization of the package in order to meet the needs of the purchaser in terms of portfolio balance and risk adjustment (Chorafas, 2008, p. 58). However, this flexibility comes with a cost in risk undertaking, as there is no open market value of the instrument in order to ensure that the buyer does not overpay (Chorafas, 2008, p. 59). Although precise figures on the trade of OTC derivative instruments are difficult to obtain due to the private and non-reported nature of the trades, evidence points to a very large market for these instruments. According to the Bank for International Settlements, the estimated international trade in OTC derivatives as of December 2007 was approximately 596,004 billion US dollars (Bank for International Settlements, 2007). The second form of derivative trading is exchange-traded derivative trading, in which derivatives are listed on exchange for buyers and sellers in much the same fashion as stock or bond markets (Chorafas, 2008). The potential for overpricing that exists in OTC derivatives is not present in exchange-traded derivatives, because the existence of the open market results in the establishment of a fair market value for the derivative (Chorafas, 2008, p. 60). However, many types of derivatives are traded in derivative exchanges; most commonly, interest rate swaps and commodity forwards and futures are available on derivative exchanges (Chorafas, 2008, p. 75). While customization of derivative packages is not possible, for some purposes the use of a traded derivative is entirely sufficient to meet the needs of the portfolio management problem, and should be considered as lower cost than creating a customized over the counter derivative sale. According to the Bank for International Settlements, the exchange trading activity in derivatives during the 2nd quarter of 2008 (March to June) totalled 600,465 billion US dollars, which represented a total trade volume of 2,397 million contracts in total (Bank for International Settlements, 2008). Portfolio management The main use of derivativ Louis Isadore Kahn | Architect Biography Louis Isadore Kahn | Architect Biography Louis Kahn was one of the most renowned personalities of the 20th century Architecture. The impact that he made with some of his works was so remarkable that he was rightly compared with Corbusier and Mies Van Der Rohe. Louis Kahns work made huge impact specifically on the younger generation who were more willing to try out the non-traditional way of designing buildings. Louis Kahn truly believed that all architects should thrive for unparalleled excellence which would help them make an ever-lasting impact on the society, as seen by the works of Greeks and Eygpt. Keeping this goal in mind, Louis Kahn devoted his entire career in seeking perfection and pursing excellence. Louis Kahns best works are located in India, US and Bangladesh and incidentally they were produced in last two decades of his career. His works represent precise integration and assembly of structure, a silent admiration for materials and lights, a dedication to classical geometry, and a great deal of concern for human values. Louis Kahn was considered a enigmatic thinker or more like a philosopher who wanted to bring out change in the field of Architecture. BACKGROUND Born in 1901 in Estonia, Russia, Louis Isadore Kahn is considered to be one of the most influential architects of the second half of the twentieth century throughout the world. Louis Kahn migrated to the U.S. along with his family in his early years (in 1905). After completing his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1924, Louis Kahn started his career as a draughtsman and later worked as head designer in several other firms in Philadelphia. He also worked in the offices of Philadelphias leading architects, Paul Cret (1929-1930) and Zantzinger, Borie and Medary (1930-1932). In the latter half of 1930s Louis Kahn served as a private consultant to the Philadelphia and The United States Housing Authority. His knowledge in modern architecture expanded when Kahn worked with European emigres Alfred Kastner and Oskar Stonorov. In the early 1940s Louis Isadore Kahn associated with Stonorov and George Howe, with whom Louis Isadore Kahn designed several wartime housing projects. K ahn was not only an American architect, but was also an educator and philosopher. Until 1947, Kahn had worked with a series of partners, after which, Kahn set up his independent/private practice. It was during this year, that Kahn also began with his influential teaching career atÂÂ  Yale University as Chief Critic in Architectural Design and Professor of Architecture (1947-1957) and then at the University of Pennsylvania as Cret Professor of Architecture (1957-1974). SIGNIFICANT ELEMENTS OF DESIGN Kahn wanted to redefine the bases of architecture through a re-examination of structure, form, space, and light; since his earlier work abstained from the international style modernism. Earlier works of Kahn had a traditional international style of architecture. However somewhere in the middle of his career, Kahn turned his back on this traditional approach and pursued innovation by redefining the use of structure, light, form and space. Louis Kahn described his quest for meaningful form as a search for beginnings, a spiritual resource from which modern man could draw inspiration. It is widely believed that Louis Kahn, who was then a Resident Architect at the American Academy in Rome, was extremely impressed by the astonishing architectural feats of Greeks, Egyptians and the Romans and this triggered the change in his approach of designing the buildings. Other experts believe Kahn was also influenced by the part of Philadelphia where he grew up. There were many factory buildings with large windows. These brick structures were very solid. This industrial design is apparent in several of Kahns early works. The impact of this European experience can been seen in Louis Kahns latter works. The work undertaken by him in last two decades of his life demonstrated a sincere desire to create a sense of place, showcased the true side of structure, and demonstrated the successful application of Platonic geometry principles. Louis Kahn must be credited for re-introducing various concepts which most of the modern architects had deserted like centralized spaces, using extensive geometric principles and demonstrating solid mural strength. Kahns buildings are admired for outstanding use of geometric shapes and implementing platonic geometry principles which creates magnificent experience for the users. Louis Kahn is credited in re-defining modern architecture in more than one ways. For e.g. Kahn was known to appreciate the appearance and feel of different materials that he used in his work. Kahn is also known to have used brick and concrete extensively and his innovative usage of these materials demonstrated his talent to the world. Kahn realised the importance of sunlight and was highly impressed by its usage in Egyptians and Greek works. Hence Kahns works demonstrates wide-scale implementation of sunlight through different kinds of interesting windows and openings. Egyptian works also inspired Kahn to use extensive geometric shapes and hence we find many of his buildings taking shape of squares, circles or triangles. Louis Kahns vision on how an architect can make difference to his design can be seen from the masters own words. A building is like a human, an architect has the opportunity of creating life. The way the knuckles and joints come together make each hand interesting and beautiful. In a building these details should not be put in a mitten and hidden. Space is architectural when the evidence of how it is made is seen and comprehended. EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS WHERE ELEMENTS OF LOUIS KAHN DESIGN WERE IMPLEMENTED All these elements of design philosophy can be seen in all the works of Louis Kahn starting from his first mature work the addition to the Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, Connecticut, 1951-1953). This is considered to be Kahns first architectural masterpiece where one can see that much prominence has been give to the structural innovations demonstrated by hollow tetrahedral concrete ceiling and floor slab system, which was a mater-piece, a fantastic design of placing the mechanical and electrical systems. Kahns magnificent artistic sense can be seen from the design of the triangle-shaped staircase which sits in a rounded concrete shell, defining the servant space to be distinguished from the served spaces of the building. Richards Medical Research Building at the University of Pennsylvania (1957-1965) and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (LaJolla, California, 1959-1965) demonstrated magnificent use of spaces and is the primarily responsible for the origin of the phr ase served and servant spaces. Kahn applied his principles to create masterpieces, which made a great deal of sense to the usage of space and light. His buildings, like the Yale Art Gallery extension (1951-53) or the Trenton Boathouse in New Jersey (1954-59) or even the Richards Medical Towers in Philadelphia (1957-62), create astonishing effects with the change in light, all possible due to the intelligent use of space and light. As a result, the user gets an entirely different experience of working in the building during different times of a day. By constructing Salk Institute in La Jolla, California (1959-67), Kahn created another masterpiece which had extraordinarily inspiring sequence of buildings. Richards Medical Towers This building demonstrates many key elements of Louis Kahns architecture. All these elements have been used before by other architects but not all at the same time. Through this structure, Kahn demonstrates the application of servant and served spaces, overcomes the problem of in sufficient lighting and more importantly integrates form, material, and process. As stated by Romaldo Giurgola and Jaimini Mehta, Richards Medical Towers represents a significant turning point in contemporary architecture. Salk Institute in La Jolla This particular building emphasizes the principle, Keep it simple and strong. Through this building, Kahn has achieved astonishing use of space, may it be the space available for Laboratories where research is conducted, or may it be the office space where ideas arise. This institute shows a wonderful collaboration of mind and action. The buildings beautiful concrete surfaces ensure precise detailing and magnificent experience. The structure is created in such a way that it takes care of the need to enclose specific spaces and does not rely on a general envelope to cover such specific space. Paul Heyer, described the central court of the building in a very artistic way. The central court, as a typical Kahn-like space of shimmering blue water, a band pointing toward the ocean epitomizing what human endeavour can accomplish at one scale with geometric clarity and authoritative but modest deliberation, to give to the scale less sweep of the ocean, here the Pa cific, a poignant gesture. Louis Kahn was known for his ability to create epic architectural structures that showcased human scale. He predominantly used brick and bare concrete as his building materials and he used highly refined surfaces like travertine marble for reinforcing the textures. (http://www.answers.com/topic/louis-kahn) Beyond its functional role, Louis Isadore Kahn believed architecture must also evoke the feeling and symbolism of timeless human values. Louis I. Kahn attempted to explain the relationship between the rational and romantic dichotomy in his form-design thesis, a theory of composition articulated in 1959. In his personal philosophy, form is conceived as formless and unmeasurable, a spiritual power common to all mankind. It transcends individual thoughts, feelings, and conventions. (http://architect.architecture.sk/louis-isadore-kahn-architect/louis-isadore-kahn-architect.php) Integral to Kahns notion of timeless form in the making of significant architectural spaces is the role of natural light. Louis Isadore Kahn described structure as the giver of light. For several projects located in hot sunny climates, such as the U.S. Consulate in Luanda, Angola (1959-1962). the meeting houses of the Salk institute, the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmadabad, India, 1962-1974), and the National Capital at Dhaka, Louis Isadore Kahn developed visually dynamic sunscreens. Great walls with variously shaped openings shield inner rooms from the harsh light. The evocation of a wall in ruins suggests an ancient part Louis Isadore Kahn s handling of light is a central theme in two unrealized synagogue projects, Mikveh Israel (Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 1961-1972) and Hurva (Jerusalem Israel, 1967-1974) as well as in one of his greatest works the Kimbell Art Museum (Fort Worth, Texas. 1966-1972). In the art museum, light enters through narrow slits in the concrete cycloid vaults and is diffused through the gallery interiors, which are rich with travertine and oak. Kimbell Art Museum This Louis Kahns masterpiece in Fort Worth is a beautiful demonstration of outmost perfection which can be compared only to the works done by the Greeks. Kahn used all the tools and available resources with such flawlessness, that it produced a building which had all the components working in a sychronized way and the system as a whole worked perfectly. It is difficult to find any building that does not utilize the materials properly and this one is no exception. INSPIRATION FOR OTHER ARCHITECTS Louis Kahns philosophy and extraordinary work has had influence on quite a number of contemporary architects. Tadao Ando, in his early twenties, took intiative and travelled throughout Japan, Europe, Africa and the United States for his architectural studies. He never took any formal training in the field of architecture. He would study architecture by observing the actual buildings and reading books of renowned architects such as Le Corbusier, Mies Van der Roher, Louis Kahn, etc. After he had gathered enough knowledge through his journey across different countries, he started his own practice. When asked about defining his style of architecture, Tadao had once said that, To me, walls are the most basic elements of architecture, and in all my works, light is an important factor. The Benetton Communications Research Center (Italy) and the Naoshima contemporary art museum, (Japan) showed that Tadoa Ando was truly inspired and has learned a lot from the works of Louis Kahn. Renzo Piano (born in 1937) completed his graduation in architecture in 1964 after which he worked in his family business. From 1965-1970, Renzo Piano worked in the offices of Louis Kahn (Philadelphia) and ZS. Makowski (London). Along with Renzo Piano, another famous architect who was greatly influenced by Louis Kahn was Richard Rogers. Renzo Piano met Richard Rogers at the Expo70 in Osaka and both immediately realized that they had common interests. One of the most famous projects of Renzo Piano Richard Roger is that of Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris. The building was designed in such a way, as if it were turned inside-out, with the services visible on the exteriors of the building making the inside of the building light and airy. Thus, this building can be said to be made on the similar basic concept which Kahn had applied years earlier in the Arts Centre where because of his theory of served and servant spaces, huge services ducts rose up through the building. Hence, it can be s afely concluded that Renzo Piano and Richard Roger were both influenced by Louis Kahn. Architect Norman Foster is another famous personality influenced by Louis Kahn. Foster happened to study masters in architecture in America at a time when Louis Kahn was designing the extension at the Yale University. Getting influenced by Kahns designs and philosophy, the two architects have also ended up designing the worlds most exciting buildings. For example, Norman Fosters Hongkong and Shanghai Bank project demonstrates Louis Kahns influence on Norman Foster. Another architect inspired by Kahn is James Stirling. Stirling was known for his experimental approach, which meant that he was not committed to one particular style. Also, this approach meant that Stirling was ready to try out new ideas and that definitely reflected Louis Kahns quality of designing. Stirlings earlier projects for Oxbridge stressed more importance to the concept than to the artistic and utilitarian needs. Due to this experimental approach and rigid adherence to concept, Stirling was often criticized for not following architectural principles.

Are Zoos Unethical to Animals Essay

Recently, contentious debates have risen over the ethical dilemma that zoos pose regarding animals’ rights, freedoms and natural behavior. Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion that they are ethical because they help in research, conservation and proper treatment of wild animals. This sensitive topic has induced different reactions and sparked great debates as people strive to do the right thing. According to Tuyl (2008), Zoos are enclosed spaces and cages that abode animals. Hutchins and Keele (2006), argue that, zoos provide excellent conditions for wild animals, as they are liberated from their natural habitats, which are harsh and unforgiving. They argue that wild animals are better placed in the zoos because they are provided with free meals and a life that is free from parasites, and harsh weather and predators. However, there are various reasons that explain why zoos are unethical. This paper explains why zoos are unethical to animals. To confine wild animals in enclosed spaces, denies them freedom and the ability to develop their natural behaviors. In addition, zoos promote the transmission of zoonotic diseases (Tuyl, 2008). Therefore, concerning animal rights and freedoms, zoos are highly unethical and should be banned to endow wild animals with an opportunity to lead lives free from human interferences. It is amoral to keep animals in the zoos because they act as cages that retract the wild animals’ freedom. Various animal rights organizations advocate for the freedom of animals, a condition that is only attainable when they are in their natural habitats. Zoos act as prisons because of their small sizes and restraining the ability as compared to wild jungles, therefore, denying wild animals their freedom to roam and act naturally. It is unethical to keep wild animals locked up in a cage, especially in this era when people have realized that every living being should be allowed to have its freedom. All living beings are entitled to their rights. Wild animals have liberty to live in the jungles because that  is their natural habitat, which is a fundamental right. To take animals away from their usual environment and confine them in cages and enclosed spaces provided by the zoos is a complete violation of animal rights. This denies wild animals the chance to act naturally and engage in the relationships that nature intended for them. Wild animals are unable to lead quality lives when they are taken to the zoos (Jensen & Holmes, 2007). They infringe on animal rights due to restrictions, therefore, causing some wild animals such as elephants to develop depression because of detachment from their herds (Hutchins & Keele, 2006). Human beings should allow wild animals to live in their natural habitats, in the same m anner that no individual would love to be transferred from the comfort of their home and re-located into the jungle. People claiming that it is just to keep wild animals in the zoo have the notion that this action is purposeful for research and the conservation of endangered species. However, appropriate actions can be taken in the wild animals’ natural habitats, therefore, leading to better results. It is unethical for human beings to interfere with the lives of wild animals for research. It is inappropriate to transfer a wild animal from its habitat to study it. The results would be skewed because the animals’ natural behaviors would change with the changing environment. Human interference is also leading to the cause of animal extinction (Tuyl, 2008). Therefore, the appropriate and ethical action to take in the interest of extinction and research is to reduce human interference to obtain the best results regarding both issues. In conclusion, it is not ethical to keep wild animals in a zoo. As indicated in the paper, zoos interfere with the wild animals’ freedoms, rights and the ability to live naturally. Some people argue that zoos are helpful in animal conservation regarding endangered species, but it is also crucial to consider the main problem, which is human interference (Jensen & Holmes, 2007). Zoos are unethical to animals. References Hutchins, M., & Keele, M. (2006). Elephant importation from range countries: ethical and practical considerations for accredited zoos. Zoo Biology, 25(3), 219-233. Jensen, D., & Holmes, K. (2007). Thought to exist in the wild: awakening from the nightmare of zoos. Santa Cruz, CA: No Voice Unheard. Tuyl, C. (2008). Zoos and animal welfare. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.

The Three Religions Essay

The three major religions in the world are Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The largest religion in the world is Christianity followed by Islam. In 33 C.E. Christianity was founded by Jesus Christ. Christianity is more spread around the globe than any other religion. Islam is the second largest religion in the world. In 637-750 Islam was founded by Muhammad. Islam originated in the Middle East, Islam also holds many beliefs and practices that are in common with Christianity and Judaism. Judaism is the twelfth largest religion in the world. Judaism was founded in 586 B.C. The founder of Judaism was either Moses or Abraham. Judaism follow the Ten Commandments like Christianity does. All three religions had and have greatly influenced the whole world. There are many similarities between Christianity, Judaism and Islam. All three of these religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam are known as â€Å"Abrahamic religions† because of their history to the agreement God made with Abrah am in the Bible. One of the comparisons between Judaism and Islam is they have no priest like Christianity does. Judaism and Christianity also share many similarities, their holy city is Jerusalem and they both follow the Ten Commandments. Islam’s holy city is Mecca and they follow the Sharia Law. Both Christianity and Islam believe the moral teachings of the prophets. They all have spiritual beings like, angles and demons. All three religions are monotheistic which means they believe in one God. Just like similarities there are many differences between the Middle East religions. All three, Christianity, Islam and Judaism have different holy scriptures. Christianity has the bible (Old and New Testaments), Islam has the Qur’an and Judaism has the Torah. Their House of Worship is different. Christianity worships in a church, while Judaism worships in a synagogue and Islam worships in a mosque. Judaism and Christianity’s holy city is Jerusalem but Islam’s holy city is Mecca. Each one of these religions believes in something different, Christianity believes in Jesus while Islam believes in Allah. They follow different rules in their religions such as, Islam following the Five Pillars and Judaism and Christianity following the Ten Commandments. There were also different people who found each religion. Muhammad found Islam, Jesus found Christianity and Moses or Abraham found Judaism. . There were many  similarities and differences between Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Their similarities and differences show how each of the three religions were formed and created throughout the decades. Each one of these religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam have there own significances to different people and places. Their significances are carried around all over the world. Christianity, Judaism and Islam started in the Middle East but have spread throughout the world. Not only did Christianity, Judaism and Islam spread around the globe but they have impacted the whole world as well.

Anatomy of the Cerebellum and its Function

In Latin, the word cerebellum means little brain. The cerebellum is the area of the hindbrain that controls movement coordination, balance, equilibrium and muscle tone. Like the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum is comprised of white matter and a thin, outer layer of densely folded gray matter. The folded outer layer of the cerebellum (cerebellar cortex) has smaller and more compact folds than those of the cerebral cortex. The cerebellum contains hundreds of millions of neurons for processing data. It relays information between body muscles and areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in motor control. Cerebellum Lobes The cerebellum can be subdivided into three lobes that coordinate information received from the spinal cord and from different areas of the brain. The anterior lobe receives input primarily from the spinal cord. The posterior lobe receives input primarily from the brainstem and cerebral cortex. The flocculonodular lobe receives input from the cranial nuclei of the vestibular nerve. The vestibular nerve is a component of the vestibulocochlear cranial nerve. The transmission of nerve input and output signals from the cerebellum occurs through bundles of nerve fibers called cerebral peduncles. These nerve bundles run through the midbrain connecting the forebrain and hindbrain. Cerebellum Function The cerebellum is involved in several functions including: Fine movement coordinationBalance and equilibriumMuscle toneSense of body position The cerebellum processes information from the brain and peripheral nervous system for balance and body control. Activities such as walking, hitting a ball and playing a video game all involve the cerebellum. The cerebellum helps us to have fine motor control while inhibiting involuntary movement. It coordinates and interprets sensory information in order to produce fine motor movements. It also calculates and corrects informational discrepancies in order to produce the desired movement. Cerebellum Location Directionally, the cerebellum is situated at the base of the skull, above the brainstem and beneath the occipital lobes of the cerebral cortex. Cerebellum Damage Damage to the cerebellum may result in difficulty with motor control. Individuals may have problems maintaining balance, tremors, lack of muscle tone, speech difficulties, lack of control over eye movement, difficulty in standing upright, and an inability to perform accurate movements. The cerebellum may become damaged due to a number of factors. Toxins including alcohol, drugs, or heavy metals can cause damage to nerves in the cerebellum that lead to a condition called ataxia. Ataxia involves the loss of muscle control or coordination of movement. Damage to the cerebellum may also occur as a result of stroke, head injury, cancer, cerebral palsy, viral infection, or nervous system degenerative diseases. Divisions of the Brain: Hindbrain The cerebellum is included in the division of the brain called the hindbrain. The hindbrain is divided into two subregions called the metencephalon and myelencephalon. The cerebellum and pons are located in the upper region of the hindbrain known as the metencephalon. Sagittally, the pons is anterior to the cerebellum and relays sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellum.