Lithification Defined and Explained

Lithification Defined and Explained Lithification is how soft sediments, the end product of erosion, become rigid rock (lithi- means rock in scientific Greek). It begins when sediment, like sand, mud, silt and clay,  is laid down for the last time and becomes gradually buried and compressed under new sediment. Sediments Fresh sediment is usually loose material that is full of open spaces, or pores, filled with air or water. Lithification acts to reduce that pore space and replace it with a solid mineral material. The main processes involved in lithification are compaction and cementation. Compaction involves squeezing the sediment into a smaller volume by packing the sediment particles more closely, by removing water from the pore space (desiccation) or by pressure solution at the points where sediment grains contact each other. Cementation involves filling pore space with solid minerals (usually calcite or quartz) that are deposited from solution or that enable existing sediment grains to grow into the pores. The pore space does not need to be eliminated for lithification to be complete. All of the processes of lithification can continue to modify a rock after it has first become a rigid solid. Diagenesis Lithification occurs entirely within the early stage of diagenesis. Other words that overlap with lithification are induration, consolidation, and petrifaction. Induration covers everything that makes rocks harder, but it extends to materials that are already lithified. Consolidation is a more general term that also applies to the solidification of magma and lava. Petrifaction today refers specifically to the replacement of organic matter with minerals to create fossils, but in the past it was more loosely used to mean lithification. Alternate Spellings: lithifaction

Preston Brooks Beat Charles Sumner Over Anti-Slavery Speech

Preston Brooks Beat Charles Sumner Over Anti-Slavery Speech In the mid-1850s, the United States was being torn apart over the issue of slavery. The abolitionist movement was becoming increasingly vocal, and enormous controversy focused on whether new states admitted to the Union would allow slavery. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 established the idea that residents of states could decide for themselves the issue of slavery, and that led to violent encounters in Kansas beginning in 1855. Key Takeaways: Sumner Caned in Senate Chamber Senator Sumner of Massachusetts, a prominent abolitionist, was physically attacked by a slave state congressman.Preston Brooks of South Carolina caned Sumner, beating him bloody in the U.S. Senate chamber.Sumner was severely injured, and Brooks was hailed as a hero in the South.The violent incident intensified the split in America as it moved toward the Civil War. While blood was being spilled in Kansas, another violent attack shocked the nation, especially as it took place on the floor of the United States Senate. A pro-slavery member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina strolled into the Senate chamber in the U.S. Capitol and beat an anti-slavery senator from Massachusetts with a wooden cane. Senator Sumner's Fiery Speech On May 19, 1856, Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, a prominent voice in the anti-slavery movement, delivered an impassioned speech denouncing the compromises that helped perpetuate slavery and led to the current confrontations in Kansas. Sumner began by denouncing the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the concept of popular sovereignty, in which residents of new states could decide whether to make slavery legal. Continuing his speech the next day, Sumner singled out three men in particular: Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois, a major proponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Senator James Mason of Virginia, and Senator Andrew Pickens Butler of South Carolina. Butler, who had recently been incapacitated by a stroke and was recuperating in South Carolina, was held to particular ridicule by Sumner. Sumner said that Butler had taken as his mistress â€Å"the harlot, slavery.† Sumner also referred to the South as an immoral place for allowing slavery, and he mocked South Carolina. Listening from the back of the Senate chamber, Stephen Douglas reportedly said, â€Å"that damned fool will get himself killed by some other damned fool.† Sumner’s impassioned case for a free Kansas was met with approval by northern newspapers, but many in Washington criticized the bitter and mocking tone of his speech. A Southern Congressman Took Offense One southerner, Preston Brooks, a member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina, was particularly incensed. Not only had the fiery Sumner ridiculed his home state, but Brooks was the nephew of Andrew Butler, one of Sumners targets. In the mind of Brooks, Sumner had violated some code of honor which should be avenged by fighting a duel. But Brooks felt that Sumner, by attacking Butler when he was home recuperating and not present in the Senate, had shown himself not to be a gentleman deserving of the honor of dueling. Brooks thus reasoned that the proper response was for Sumner to be beaten, with a whip or a cane. On the morning of May 21, Preston Brooks arrived at the Capitol, carrying a walking stick. He hoped to attack Sumner, but could not locate him. The following day, May 22, proved fateful. After trying to find Sumner outside the Capitol, Brooks entered the building and walked into the Senate chamber. Sumner sat at his desk, writing letters. Violence on the Floor of the Senate Brooks hesitated before approaching Sumner, as several women were present in the Senate gallery. After the women left, Brooks walked to Sumner’s desk and reportedly said: â€Å"You have libeled my state and slandered my relation, who is aged and absent. And I feel it to be my duty to punish you.† With that, Brooks struck the seated Sumner across the head with his heavy cane. Sumner, who was quite tall, could not get to his feet as his legs were trapped under his Senate desk, which was bolted to the floor. Brooks continued raining blows with the cane upon Sumner, who tried to fend them off with his arms. Sumner finally was able to break the desk free with his thighs and staggered down the aisle of the Senate. Brooks followed him, breaking the cane over Sumner’s head and continuing to strike him with pieces of the cane. The entire attack probably lasted for a full minute, and left Sumner dazed and bleeding. Carried into a Capitol anteroom, Sumner was attended by a doctor, who administered stitches to close wounds on his head. Brooks was soon arrested on a charge of assault. He was  quickly released on bail. Reaction to the Capitol Attack As might be expected, northern newspapers responded to the violent attack on the Senate floor with horror. An editorial reprinted in the New York Times on May 24, 1856,  proposed sending Tommy Hyer to Congress to represent northern interests. Hyer was a celebrity of the day, the champion bare-knuckles boxer. Southern newspapers published editorials lauding Brooks, claiming that the attack was a justified defense of the South and slavery. Supporters sent Brooks new canes, and Brooks claimed that people wanted pieces of the cane he used to beat Sumner as â€Å"holy relics.† The speech Sumner had given, of course, had been about Kansas. And in Kansas, news of the savage beating on the Senate floor arrived by telegraph and inflamed passions even more. It is believed that abolitionist firebrand John Brown and his supporters were inspired by the beating of Sumner to attack pro-slavery settlers. Preston Brooks was expelled from the House of Representatives, and in the criminal courts, he was fined $300 for assault. He returned to South Carolina, where banquets were held in his honor and more canes were presented to him. The voters returned him to Congress but he died suddenly in a Washington hotel in January 1857, less than a year after he attacked Sumner. Charles Sumner took three years to recover from the beating. During that time, his Senate desk sat empty, a symbol of the acrimonious split in the nation. After returning to his Senate duties Sumner continued his anti-slavery activities. In 1860, he delivered another fiery Senate speech, titled â€Å"The Barbarism of Slavery.† He was again criticized and threatened, but no one resorted to a physical attack on him. Sumner continued his work in the Senate. During the Civil War he was an influential supporter of Abraham Lincoln, and he supported Reconstruction policies following the war. He died in 1874. While the attack on Sumner in May 1856 was shocking, much more violence lay ahead. In 1859 John Brown, who had gained a bloody reputation in Kansas, would attack the federal armory at Harper’s Ferry. And of course, the issue of slavery would only be settled by a very costly Civil War.

Women in Combat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Women in Combat - Essay Example Since that time female militaries has not provided a single occasion to question reasonability of their involvement in this field. First women enlisted in the military during World War I. Apparently, female soldiers proved their fighting efficiency: in World War II four hundred thousand military women served in the Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Navy, and Air force both in Europe and other states. Since that time female soldiers were took part in each military action conducted by the United States. In the beginning of 1990's women's roles in the Army once more became a subject for discussion. The intense interest to female soldiers was a result of their high-level performance during "Desert Storm" operation in Kuwait. Women's qualified work was highly commended by the Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney: "They did a bang up job.... They were every bit as professional as their male colleagues"2. The Secretary also forecasted further growth of women's role in combat actions as well as the growth in quantity of female soldiers. The war at the Persian Gulf is up to date one of the most successful military operations in the history of the United States, and women's role in that success was very substantial. The total number of women deployed for the war exceeded 41 thousand: female soldiers composed 7 percent of the U.S. Armed Forces involved into the conflict in the Persian Gulf: 26,000 Army, 3,700 Navy, 2,200 Marine, and 5,300 Air Force3. They served as aircraft pilots and were involved into carrying troops, food and equipment supplies; they successfully conducted reconnaissance missions; served as nurses on hospital ships and composed mobile medical units; they served on planes and helicopters. Women militaries directed artillery, drove trucks, served at prisoner-of-war facilities and in port security units. They played important role in military police units and served as perimeter guards at the same time accomplishing a lot of other tasks in communication, intelligence service, and administrative work. At the first glance it seems that all these services listed above do not necessarily presuppose engagement into combat. However, the war at the Persian Gulf was specific due to absence of a line between the actual fighting and non-combat missions. Therefore even units that were not supposed to participate in the combat directly were from time to time engaged into casual fights. As Major General Jeanne M. Holm, USAF (Ret.) remembers, "In the Gulf War there were no fixed positions or clear lines in the sand - Iraqi long-range artillery and especially the surface-to-surface missiles were unisex weapons that did not distinguish between combat and support troops"4. As a result five female soldiers were killed during the war and two were captured by Iraqi troops as prisoners of war. As a result, the Congress repealed the law prohibiting women from performing combat aircraft assignments. Simultaneously a Presidential Commission was established that investigated issues concerning the assignment of women in the US Armed Forces, namely pros and contras of allowing female soldiers obtaining several additional positions in the Army5. After the end of the Gulf War the number of

Fundamentals of Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Fundamentals of Finance - Essay Example Photos: Interior view of one of the master bedrooms showing a spacious area within the room. The outside view of the property showing a cultivated front yard suited with garbage cans and showing spacious distance from one property block to the next. The arrangement of the apartments allows a personal parking lot to the front and a walk through pavement connecting from the main residential interstate roads. Weblink: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41518172.html# Purchasing Price: ?59,500 The annual cash flows expected from the investment target is ?850 per calendar month as the area has competitive rental market given that area is spacious and secluded from industrial zones, hence fore, investors in this area are driven by the market valuation of the properties as well as the location which raises the expected valuation of the property to be higher than the market price. The market price of the same property along the Greater Manchester area is set at ?650 with regards to the proximity of properties and roads, shopping malls, security of the area, and demand and supply of rental properties along the same area. However the expected rental amount from this particular property is ?850 as the property is new, all its features are functional and the seclusion from the industrial areas makes the property higher valued than its market competition counterparts. Therefore, for Mr. Priddin to invest in this property, his annual cash flows are calculated as Annual Cash Flows Expected Investment Target: ?850 Per Calendar Month (PCM) = (?850 x 12) = ?10,200 The rationale of providing rental service for ?850 per month is because; after investigating the rental prices for 2 bedroom flats and apartments around the Little Lever Bolton within the Greater Manchester area, it is found out those property rentals per calendar month range from ?150-700 with regards to conditions and luxury facilities. With regards to the presence of communal gardens and the easy access to ground floor apartments, the prices for these properties are kept higher than the market price at either the threshold of ?700 PCM or above at ?1000. With Mr. Priddin expecting a 6% return on investment, the future value of the property is calculated as Perpetuity = (Rental Price x Months in a year)/r Therefore, If Mr. Priddin is to purchase this property at ?59,500 his annual returns would be Perpetuity = (850*12 months)/r = 10,200/0.06 = ?170,000 Hence fore, the present value of the future cash flows of ?170,000 is higher than the current selling price of ?59,500 and is therefore a good investment for Mr. Priddin to invest in. A) If as a landlord Mr. Priddin would like to keep this property and rent it forever raising the rent at the rate of 4%, is it advisable for Mr. Priddin to purchase this property? Then Using P = Co*(1+g)/r-g his return on investment would be calculated with regards to the purchase price of the property C0 divided by the difference between the return on in vestment and expected less the rate of rent increase per year. P = C1/r-g P = 59500/6% - 4% P = ?2,975,000 With respect to the present value of the future cash flows of ?2,975,000 the purchase price of the property is lower and therefore the property is still worth buying. The difference between the present value of the property and the future cash f

One Machine in Cement Production Industry Essay Example for Free

One Machine in Cement Production Industry Essay The cement packing machine is mainly used for packing cement in bags, or other fluit powdery materials bagging work. Except manual sidekick, baggs cant fall off unless the bulking load reach centain amount. The machine can stop immediately when bag happens to fall of suddenly. It can charge load without compressing air, which reduces the packer damadge caused by damaged pneumatic components. Most of the cement packer is divided into fixed and rotary. The work of running processes 1). Start the operation steps: The circular telegram starts the belt fastener start the packer start the feeding engine to insert the bag to fill installs measurement fall the bag . 2). Engine off step: Closes the feeding engine emptying the cement in the packer switch off the total power source . Entire operation and routine maintenance When the operation appears failure ,emergency stopping maintenance , cutting off power supply, , listing alerts or the specialist care. 6). Packer of grounding protection wants safely reliable,and regularly test ground resistance . 7). When the belt suddenly stop , they should immediately cut off the cement packer rotary power to scratch-resistant package

Sociology: The Study of Culture Essay -- Sociology Essays

Many times I have attempted to comprehend the actions of other people. I always wanted to know why people of different genders, descents, and colors had certain cultural, societal, and religious beliefs. It became apparent to me that all persons are a direct reflection of their environment. In other words, all persons unconsciously, and sometimes consciously, reflect and imitate their environment and the things that they see. Every culture has their own individual stereotypes and belief systems. The reason for this is that people place arbitrary meanings on life's occurrences based upon those of the individuals which preceded them. Thought patterns of an individual are all dependent upon the teachings of others. We perceive and understand the physical and social world based on the meanings we attach to people, things, and actions. To put it simply our minds are all guided by the force of "other minds" that are "more developed" than our own. This is all a part of Sociological study. These studies look at the predominant attitudes, behavior, and types of relationships within a society. A society is a group of people who have a similar cultural background and live in a specific geographical area. but before we get into this however Lets take a step back and look at the field in which these studies derive from. Sociology is a social science that studies individuals, groups, and institutions that make up human society. It is an observation of how people relate to one another and to their environments. They also study the formation of groups; the causes of various forms of social behavior; and the role of churches, schools, and other institutions within a society. Social behavior is studied extensively in the field of s... ...rom all secular practices. This includes watching television, listening to radio or partaking in any activities which is not in reverence of their religion. To a Christian however this practice would seem absurd. Their reality does not carry the same beliefs. Although these are just a few examples it gives you an idea of how a persons geographical location and cultural background can shape their individuals belief. Many of which are not practiced by other cultures. If you wanted to better understand a persons ways or why it is that people of different ethnic backgrounds have different beliefs and practices. It would be best to start with trying to understand that persons culture and their socialization process. Once you begin to grasp an understanding and they way they have grew up then it will be easier to understand why they do things in a certain way.

Hypatia and the Role of Women in Hellenistic Society Essay

From Ancient Greece to the traditions of Hellenistic society, gender stereotypes have been considered as one of the main characteristics present within these civilizations. Most significantly for Hellenistic society, it was the rule of patriarchs that best described the gender orientation of their society. In fact, the role of patriarchs or males were very much emphasized in philosophical arguments, such as Sirach’s Jewish apocryphal literature stating, â€Å"There is wrath and impudence and great disgrace when a wife supports her husband† (Sirach 21-23; cited in Sawyer 40). As far as Hellenistic society was concerned, the roles of women were limited to being wives who provide services to men, home manager, and the weak gender. The perspectives of Hellenism considered females as subordinates to men, which somehow raised men’s role in the society in the pedestal considering that females were deprived with the opportunity to learn and to gain knowledge from subjects like science and philosophy. However, this societal stereotype was thwarted by Hypatia (370 – 415 C. E.) who initiated her efforts to learn the subjects that were previously exclusive to men alone. She became one of the most regarded female scholars in the history of Greece, specifically in Alexandria. Hypatia was one of the earliest gender rights petitioners who focused mainly on education and learning. Within the study, the discussion provides significant emphasis on the life of Hypatia and the various encounters she had during her struggle for her education. With this, the study covers the role of women within the Hellenistic society and the means these women thrive with men. Furthermore, a critical argument between gender roles of the earlier periods of Hellenistic era is incorporated within the study in order to provide substantial evidence on women’s societal significance back in the Hellenistic society. The study also considers the implications and contributions made by Hypatia towards the feminine roles in the society. Discussion Overview on Hypatia Hypatia was born in Alexandria where she spent most of her childhood and adolescence that influenced her identity. According to scholars, the early education of Hypatia came from her experience within the Museums of Alexandria. She was able to convince her father to let her obtain her primary education in Athens where she obtained an award of laurel wreath for her outstanding scholastic performances. According to O’Grady (2005), Hypatia was noted to possess a dynamic personality that was legendary and a riveting, ultimately tragic, biography (235). Hypatia of Alexandria was considered the first woman mathematician who obtained positive inclinations in the subjects of philosophy and mathematics. Considering Hypatia’s father, Theon, was also a well-respected mathematician and astronomer of their time, Hypatia must have acquired her significant skills in numbers through her patriarchal lineage. However, Hypatia was not only limited in these subjects, but she also expanded her reach within the context of philosophy and astronomical studies. The fundamental idealisms that greatly influenced her perspectives were the ideas from Hellenism and Neo-Platonism. From the book of Anderson, Katz and Wilson (2004), they pointed Suidas and Socrates description towards Hypatia’s physical features. According to them, Hypatia possessed a body of rare beauty and grace (47). Ogilvie (1986) mentioned in her book that according to Socrates Scholasticus, Hypatia was not only famed because of her intellect and skill, but also with her beauty, which captivated Synesius, later bishop of Prolemais (104). However, there is a clear agreement between historians that Hypatia never married during her lifetime. Aside from her physique, her intellectual capacity obtained recognition from various fields of sciences. At about 400 A. D, Hypatia became the head of the Platonist school of Alexandria where she taught her expertise, mathematics and philosophy (O’Grady 235). Her Neo-Platonist philosophy was influenced by classical Greek logic and idealism from Plato that was merged with the concepts of Oriental mysticism, which she obtained after she studied at Egypt. Hence, the philosophical teachings of Hypatia revolved in an intensive reasoning through Neo-Platonist perspective. With the vast diversity of culture and religious backgrounds present in Alexandria, the complexities of the political and economic climate did not stop the philosophical ideations of Hypatia. On the other hand, one of the most controversial points in Hypatia’s legacy was her death, which became the point of arguments on whether it contributed to the end of Hellenistic society or triggered the disruption of patriarchal domination (Anderson, Katz and Wilson 48). There had been different theories that explain the death of Hypatia, such as her conflict with Cyril, Alexandrian’s stampede, etc. However, Hypatia’s death can be considered worthwhile due to her contribution to the feminine society. Role of Women in Hellenistic Society Within the patriarchal context of Greece’s city-states and colonies during the Hellenistic era, women had indeed experienced diversity in their roles and views towards their society. Significantly, the women of their time considered being more sheltered and subordinate in their existence before men. Added by Witherington (1990), by Hellenistic and Roman times these views were still in existence, though less strongly held because of the liberalizing influence of Macedonian and Roman occupations (11). Despite of their weak presence within the Hellenistic society, women were still treated with respect and regards from the male society. Although, their fate as wives or married Hellenistic women was not viewed entirely appropriate. The primary roles of women during this era were either for being the males’ wives or concubines. Athenian-citizen women were married usually at fifteen or sixteen years of age, and from this time, their understanding and coherence of the world and their surroundings was not yet established. After the marriage, these women were separated through a guarded chamber, but their freedom was always retained. During this era, concubines were the least feminine class looked upon between legal wives and prostitutes. The role of concubines was even recognized by Athenian law, which comprised the legitimacy and freedom of lineage produced through her. However, with a clear picture, the Athenian law towards these concubines was much more inclined to the benefits of patriarchal society by having their sexual needs filled (Witherington 11). Despite of these limited atmosphere and role diversion provided by the male society to the females, these women were still able to foster their interest in expanding their capacity and placement within the society. In the Hellenistic sense, one of the most historically significant events brought by the feminine gender was their interest for liberation. As supported by Swidler (1979), the conditions of women greatly improved to the point where a woman could in general marry and divorce on her own initiative and even choose her own name (18). From this point, the placement of women exceeded their previous condition of their societal function. They even attained significant minor roles within the realm of education and political affairs. Hellenistic period marked the era of feminine role expansion wherein various opportunities within the society became available for them. With the opportunity to study and educate themselves, the profession that became the greatest threat to male poetic body was women poets. During the Hellenistic period, women, such as Hypatia, obtained honorary recognition for their skills in expressing their thoughts and opinions through poetry. Most of the time, the contents of their literature were related to their desire to possess equal outlook on both genders. The presence of Hellenistic monarchies provided the new outlook played by monarchical wives – the Hellenistic queens. The upper-class women society enjoyed the vast newly opened opportunities since they were the ones who can avail the new places in society, such as education, political career, etc. Spielgovel (2005) mentioned that there had been documents indicating the increased numbers of women involved in managing slaves, selling property, and making loans (93). The immense expansion of women’s role did not only consider careers and personal developments, but rather, they were also given the chance to acquire ownership of their own lands, wealth and significant placement within the quarters of men. However, the expansion did not consider full equality for both genders but only the increase of feminine roles. Hypatia and her Contribution the Hellenistic Regime Hypatia of Alexandria was an example of a pre-historic figure that fought the society’s stereotype for gender discrimination. From her biography, she was able to surpass even the best scholars of her time, a woman of legendary Athene-like beauty and virtue, and a woman who possessed distinct features of martyrdom. Hypatia can be considered as one of the famed personalities in Alexandria during the Hellenistic era. Her contribution to the society paved an example of feminine capacity to acquire development in the fields of education. She was considered as one of the famed Alexandrian poets that contributed to the modern sense of literature. Despite of her womanhood and society’s stereotypes against feminine gender, she was still able to make substantial contributions in the fields of philosophy, mathematics and astronomy. In the fields of science, she was able to discover the early forms of astrolabe and hydrometer; although, this was not taken in regards by the male scientific society and regarded it as lacking of scientific studies (Anderson, Katz and Wilson 387). He provided her commentaries with Diophantus’s Arithmetica, on Apollonius’s Conics, and on Ptolemy’s works but all of her works was lost in time. IN the fields of philosophy, she was able to merge the concept of oriental perspectives to Platonistic views. One of her commendable disciples to this teaching was Synesius who moved within the context of religious philosophy (Kahlos 40). She was able to prove to the patriarchal society that females can also stand their ground and contribute to the society’s welfare if only they can obtain the sense of rightful placement. Her philosophical views under the teachings of Neo-Platonist were considered by the Christian orthodox as an opposition to their beliefs. The Christian society branded her teachings as Paganistic and even considered her as the Pagan martyr. According to Forrest (2001), the Christian orthodox had seen the influence of her philosophical views and, since this threatens the Christianity of Alexandrian society, Hypatia was murdered by an angry Christian mob, which ended the teachings of her neo-platonic views (127). The roles of women within the Hellenistic society expanded giving them various opportunities to acquire proper placement in the society; however, this did not eliminate the gender discrimination and inferior sense towards feminine society. The trademark of Hellenistic era did open the new quarters for female society, but still, the last opinion came from the patriarchal society; hence, limiting the expansion of feminine career and roles in the society. Conclusion In the conclusion of the study, the life of Hypatia was used in order to analyze the systems and the social conditions of feminine roles during the Hellenistic era. Indeed, the functionalities and placement of women expanded during this era, although it did not consider full equality between the two genders. Females were given the chance of education, political participation, material and wealth possession, and significant position in the fields of philosophy and sciences. Hypatia portrayed the Hellenistic woman of their time wherein she established a remarkable educational background and contribution to the fields of sciences and philosophy. However, most of these were either hindered or rejected by the male society. Hypatia was a victim of society’s stigma against Christian Orthodox in which she somehow contradicted with he Neo-Platonic teachings; hence, she was murdered in order to end her influence. Still, with Hypatia’s life portrayal, the Hellenistic women did achieve role expansion but still under societal limitations brought by male society.

Pallister Case Study Essay

Background and Problem Palliser Furniture Ltd. is Canadian second largest furniture company. They currently have production facilities in Canada, Mexico, and Indonesia. Due to increasing competitive pressures from Asia, Palliser Furniture must decide whether to expand into the Chinese market, and if so through which entry strategy? SWOT ANALYSIS Internal Analysis: (Firm) Strengths: 1. Brand Name Recognition: Palliser has high brand name recognition especially domestically in Canada with the majority of its revenues are generated and it is known for its innovation, high quality, and contemporary design. 2. Recruited product managers/designers from all across the world including Sweden, Hong Kong, and Italy. 3. New distribution channel through the dealer-owned stores was very successful. Weakness: 1. Employees lay off at the Winnipeg factory. Downsizing activities such as this often decrease employee morale, impact employees’ perception of job security, and increase turnover rates. External Analysis: (Industry) Opportunity: 1. China’s total furniture output value was $20 billion and accounted for 10 per cent of world total furniture output value. 2. China’s furniture export was growing at an annual rate of over 30 per cent. 3. China could offer Palliser lower labor costs and high-quality workers. Along with minimum income tax and social costs is giving China a solid competitive position. 4. Producing the same product in China was up to 30 per cent cheaper compared to North America. 5. China offered cheaper supplies including leather, wood, foam, and packaging. Threat: 1. Increased Competition: America, Japanese, and Italian firms had established factories in China. Strong competition that will compete for the same skilled employees. 2. Chinese language and cultural barriers. Industry Attractiveness: China has made significant progress in the furniture market and will likely continue to see further growth due to its low labor costs and low tariffs making this a very attractive market for Palliser. Strategic Alternatives A) Maintain status quo (Do not invest in China) Pro: Simple Con: Lost market potential and possible cost savings B) Enter Chinese market through subcontracting with another firm Pro: Lower involvement, requires less financial commitment, and reduces risk Con: Conflict or unable to meet delivery dates, etc. C) Expand Palliser relationship with China through foreign direct investment (wholly owned) Pro: Cheaper labor and allows Palliser to focus on cost leadership strategy. Con: Higher risk, more involvement required Recommendation/Implementation In order for Palliser Furniture to remain competitive it critical for them to invest and expand into China immediately. Palliser should manufacture the motion products in this market due to the possible savings of $130 per product and identity the most effective market distribution channels in order to better achieve its cost leadership strategy. However, before entering this market Palliser should conduct a thorough industry analysis in order to understand any potential barriers such as China’s laws and regulations, shipping, tax structure, and supply of infrastructure in order to prevent any future problems (as experienced in Mexico). References Paperadepts.( 2011). Pallister furniture, S.W.O.T. analysis. Retrieved from: http://www.paperadepts.com/paper/Pallister-furniture-S.W.O.T.-analysis-185519.html Writework (2005). Pallister furniture, S.W.O.T. analysis. Retrieved from: http://www.writework.com/essay/pallister-furniture-s-w-o-t-analysis

Geography of the Worlds Largest Oil Spills

Geography of the World's Largest Oil Spills On April 20, 2010, a large oil spill began in the Gulf of Mexico after an explosion on a British Petroleum (BP) oil drilling rig there called Deepwater Horizon. In the weeks following the oil spill, the news was dominated by depictions of the spill and its growing size as oil continued to leak from an underwater well and pollute the Gulf of Mexicos waters. The spill harmed wildlife, damaged fisheries and severely hurt the overall economy of the Gulf region. The Gulf of Mexico oil spill was not fully contained until late July 2010 and throughout the duration of the spill it was estimated that 53,000 barrels of oil per day were leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. In total almost 5 million barrels of oil were released which makes it the largest accidental oil spill in the worlds history.Oil spills like the one in the Gulf of Mexico are not uncommon and many other oil spills have occurred in the worlds oceans and other waterways in the past. The following is a list of fifteen major oil spills (Gulf of Mexico included) that have taken place around the world. The list is organized by the final amount of oil that entered waterways. 1) Gulf of Mexico/BP Oil Spill Location: Gulf of Mexico Year: 2010 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 205 million gallons (776 million liters) 2) Ixtoc I Oil Well Location: Gulf of Mexico Year: 1979 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 140 million gallons (530 million liters) 3) Atlantic Empress Location: Trinidad and Tobago Year: 1979 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 90 million gallons (340 million liters)4) Fergana Valley Location: Uzbekistan Year: 1992 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 88 million gallons (333 million liters)5) ABT Summer Location: 700 nautical miles from Angola (3,900 km) Year: 1991 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 82 million gallons (310 million liters)6) Nowruz Field Platform Location: Persian Gulf Year: 1983 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 80 million gallons (303 million liters)7) Castillo de Bellver Location: Saldanha Bay, South Africa Year: 1983 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 79 million gallons (300 million liters)8) Amoco Cadiz Location: Brittany, France Year: 1978 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 69 million gallons (261 million liters)9) MT Haven Location: Mediterranean Sea near Italy Year: 1991 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 45 million gallo ns (170 million liters)10) Odyssey Location: 700 nautical miles (3,900 km) off of Nova Scotia, Canada Year: 1988 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 42 million gallons (159 million liters)11) Sea Star Location: Gulf of Oman Year: 1972 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 37 million gallons (140 million liters)12) Morris J. Berman Location: Puerto Rico Year: 1994 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 34 million gallons (129 million liters)13) Irenes Serenade Location: Navarino Bay, Greece Year: 1980 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 32 million gallons (121 million liters)14) Urquiola Location: A Coruà ±a, Spain Year: 1976 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 32 million gallons (121 million liters)15) Torrey Canyon Location: Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom Year: 1967 Amount of Oil Spilled in Gallons and Liters: 31 million gallons (117 million liters)These were some of the largest oil spills to take place around the world. Smaller oil spills that have been equally as damaging have also taken place throughout the late 20th century. For example, the Exxon-Valdez oil spill in 1989 was the largest spill in United States history. It occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska and spilled around 10.8 million gallons (40.8 million liters) and impacted 1,100 miles (1,609 km) of coast. To learn more about large oil spills visit NOAAs Office of Response and Restoration.References Hoch, Maureen. (2 August 2010). New Estimate Puts Gulf Oil Leak at 205 Million Gallons - The Rundown News Blog - PBS News Hour - PBS. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20100805030457/pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/08/new-estimate-puts-oil-leak-at-49-million-barrels.html National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.). Incident News: 10 Famous Spills. Retrieved from: incidentnews.gov/famousNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2004, September 1). Major Oil Spills - NOAAs Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration. Retrieved from: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/index.phpTelegraph. (2010, April 29). Major Oil Spills: The Worst Ecological Disasters - Telegraph. Retrieved from: telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/7654043/Major-oil-spills-the-worst-ecological-disasters.htmlWikipedia. (2010, May 10). List of Oil Spills- Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oil_spills

Is Your Body Language Professional

Is Your Body Language Professional Ever wondered what coworkers think of you? Or how you look to hiring managers? We all have an image of how we think we present ourselves, but sometimes it can be quite useful to check in and make sure we’re not too far off the mark. Check Your Vocal TicsDo you have any annoying vocal patterns? Say â€Å"um† too much? Constantly go up in pitch at the end of your sentences? Ask a friend you trust to tell you every time you repeat one of these things- or better yet, record yourself speaking as you might in an interview or presentation to the boss. You’ll get a much better sense of how you sound to others and will be able to make adjustments.Settle Your HandsDo you constantly twirl your hair or fiddle with your jewelry? Do you always have your hands in your pockets or your arms crossed? Any of these habits we turn to when feeling bored or awkward can be perceived as nervous or aloof and can make a bad impression. We’re not saying you can never touch your hair or put your hands in your pockets, just be aware of how often you are doing it so it doesn’t become a bad habit.Make Sure Gestures Have MeaningWe use our hands when we speak for emphasis and clarity- and sometimes just because we’re used to doing it! Sometimes our hand gestures can be distracting, though, so it’s always best to run through our patterns and make sure we’re using our hands to our best advantage.Try holding your arms open at a 45 degree angle with your palms up to appear more honest and approachable, or touch your fingertips together when you want to express precision. Place your palms firmly down to signify certainty. And practice these so they appear natural and unrehearsed.Move Your HeadPeople can learn a lot from how you hold your head. A tilt can express compassion when someone tells you a sad story. Holding yourself upright and straight can portray confidence in negotiations, by appearing more authoritative and neutral. Start noticing how you move your head and in which situations, so you can adapt if necessary.Flex Your MusclesResearch shows that flexing muscles, any muscles, can actually help improve willpower and confidence. The next time you’re negotiating or trying to articulate a point, see whether flexing a muscle or two imperceptibly can give you an extra boost.

Greek Easter or the American Easter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Greek Easter or the American Easter - Essay Example Easter primarily is the celebration of Jesus' triumph over death and mankind's hope for eternal life. Some of the main features behind the original Easter story are Jesus' execution, his burial and most significantly his rising from death. Christians believe that according to the Scripture, Jesus came back to life three days after his death on the cross, which is observed through the Good Friday, always the Friday before Easter. Through his death, burial and resurrection it is believed that Jesus paid the penalty for his sins and obtained eternal life for all who believe in him. Although it is the celebration of the same truth in history, the methods of celebration differ quiet a bit. In USA the name of this Holy Day is Easter. It is derived from the pagan goddess of dawn, "Eostre". Since Eostre was a pagan goddess, in some churches it is considered inappropriate to refer to this Holy Day with the name of a pagan goddess. However, the word Easter is simply used to refer to this holiday only, with no connotation what so ever with the pagan goddess bared in mind. In most other languages including Greek, Easter is called Pascha, related to the Hebrew word Pesach, for Passover. This is because the early Christians linked this celebration to Passover. Along Along with differences in names there are also differences in the ways this holiday is celebrated. If the holiday is being celebrated in the US, one can expect to see the famous Easter parades. Another famous tradition is of egg hunting for hidden eggs. This became known as the Easter Egg Roll, gaining popularity in the late 1800s. Children rolled eggs on the grounds of the US capitol the congress was not happy about this and outlawed the practice. In 1878, President Hayes and his wife Lucy invited children to roll eggs on the lawn of the White House itself, starting a tradition which still continues today. Another US tradition is the Easter Bunny, in many cultures it is viewed as the bunny as symbol of fertility. The reason behind accepting this view was that centuries ago, Pope Gregory I allowed people to keep pagan symbols such as eggs and bunny as long as they can be recast in Christian terms. In Greece the celebrations truly begin two months before Easter. They start with the festival called Apokria, in which a huge paper mache effigy of Judas is set on fire. The next Monday is called Clean or Ash Monday it is one of the most festive days of the year for the Greeks. Children and parents gather on the hills of Athens and the Greek countryside to fly kites and enjoy picnics and than Lent begins. Holy Thursday is the day when all Greek families prepare dyed red eggs. Tradition says that the Virgin Mother dyed eggs red to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and to celebrate life. This is a big part of the Easter Sunday. On Good Friday flags at homes and government buildings are set at half mast to mark the sorrowful day. Holy Saturday is filled with anticipation of Easter. People gather at town squares and churches and by 11 P.M. the Easter Services start. Large white candles are lit and are carried by everyone. At midnight the church bells ring and the priests announce Christos Anesti (Christ has risen) and fireworks are set off. The celebration contin ues on the Sunday with great Easter feasts. This is brings us