2 STORIES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

2 STORIES - Essay Example To me, the two friends’ journey to the new catacomb appeared to be a simple adventure. However, as the two descended into the catacomb, the details inside the catacomb, with its hidden mazes, stacked corpses and the surrounding darkness started to take a hold over me and I began to develop the premonition that something eerie is going to take place. Then the climax came with all its hidden wrath and vengeance. I was surprised and in fact awed to realize that the emotion of hurt and revenge could turn into something so treacherous and at the same time so just. The end filled me with a feeling of fear. But, deep down within me, I was to some extent satisfied that the treatment met to Kennedy by Roger was fare and well deserved, though grotesque. Overall, I found the pace of the narrative, very disciplined, terse and exciting. While reading this story I felt that the writer left many facts and details unanswered. For example, he fails to mention the time and place in which the story takes place? One of the characters is shown as being an Italian and fond of Italian wines. Yet, it in no ways supports the conclusion that the locale of the narrative is Italy. Besides, the writer makes one of the characters narrate the story. Yet, the narrator fails to specifically mention his reasons for inflicting such a cruel revenge on Fortunato. This makes me guess that either Fortunato had committed some grave injustice to the narrator, or perhaps the narrator is mentally sick or psychotic. One more thing that I found inappropriate is that the writer conveys this at the very beginning that Montresor intends to inflict revenge on Fortunato. This stole a great deal of the suspense and apprehension, which I usually expect from such a thriller. The narrator’s understanding of the human nature and weaknesses was very realistic. Overall, I feel that the writer do

Legacy Business Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Legacy Business Project - Essay Example Completing legacy business project on Cliff’s hardware instilled in me clear knowledge about systems and agency or stewardship surrounding family businesses. Completing the project made me realize the family business system is comprised of three mutually dependent and overlapping groups, which include the family, business and ownership. The overlap creates numerous groups within the family business with varying opinions, interests and objectives. Besides family owners, there are family members, family employees, family owner-employees, non-family owner employees as well as non-family employees. For example, we found out that Cliff’s hardware family business is managed by the family members including Martha Asten and Terry Asten Bennett, who has been Cliff’s Variety manager since the 1990s. There are also employees, who are not part of the Asten family. Based on the research, it was clear that the probability of a family business transitioning successfully from the first to the second generation is usually slim and grows slimmer as the business progresses to successive generations. Like in every business, family business is not immune to the issues of stewardship of agency. The interest of the family business must be protected because the overlapping groups with varying interest and opinions try to push for their own ends. A healthy family system is usually advantageous to the family business while a broken family system will negatively impact the health of the family business. Trust is often a critical ownership tool in family businesses. Holding regular meetings is crucial for the growth and survival of legacy businesses because it creates a platform for discussions beyond the confines of boardrooms. For example, in our project during our attempts to reach Martha, a second-generation member of the family business, we were told by Frank, an employee at Cliff’s that Martha and other family

Relationship between prefrontal cortex and antisocial behaviour

Relationship between prefrontal cortex and antisocial behaviour The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is an essential aspect of the frontal lobes in the brain. Executive function is carried out by the prefrontal cortex: where abilities to differentiate among conflicting thoughts and to determine what is good or bad operate. The PFC is connected very compactly with the rest of the brain which allows the PFC to be responsible for guiding features such as memory, emotion, decision-making, planning actions, and attention. If the PFC is damaged and the activity in it is minimal then this affects many things. The PFC could be damaged by lesions or even due to the misuse of drugs or alcohol (Rogers et al., 2010). In turn the damage to the PFC can lead the brain to make irrational decisions; have loss of behavioural control or even have a complete personality change: all of which explain why people may perform antisocial behaviour (ASB). Lesions in the prefrontal cortex have massive effects on decision making. (Manes et al., 2001). ASB stems from the fact that a human being has taken the decision as to whether they should act in a way that is not seen as appropriate in society: therefore, the damage to the PFC may have led them to this decision. Manes (2001) carried out a study to examine this theory. Manes found that out of several different groups he had with lesions in different parts of the brain the group with large frontal lesions was the only group to exhibit risky decision making. This contradicts most other studies: including studies by Benjamin Libet and colleagues which showed that brain activity associated with deliberate decisions can be detected shortly before we are conscious of making the decision. (Libet, 1983) Participants were asked to note when they first felt the intention of making a movement by noting the position of a dot on a computer screen. The participants were first aware of their intentions about 200 milliseconds before actually acting. This is much later than the onset of readiness potential: meaning that the decision to act in a particular way in this study was risky. This experiment was heavily criticised for its accuracy. However, recent research has proven that if anything the actual onset of conscious intention is later. (Lau, 2006). The PFC can not only change the way somebody makes decisions -many studies have proven that lesions in the PFC can cause a complete personality change, where a good mannered personality can be changed instantly to an unpleasant one. (Chow, 2000) This was substantially displayed in the accident of Phineas Gage, (Harlow, 1848) where he survived a horrific accident after a large iron rod went completely through his head, destroying much of his brains left frontal lobe. This accident resulted in a vast personality change of Gage, which raised one of the first discussions as to whether damage to the prefrontal cortex can change a persons behaviour. This then led to even more studies into this issue which resulted in one of the largest studies of patients with brain damage. Grafman (1996) found that the patients that showed an increase in aggression were most strongly associated with PFC lesions in a sample of 279 veterans of the Vietnam War. However, the higher scores were mostly associated with verbal aggression rather than physical. This, yet again, supported Harlows observation of Gage. (Grafman, 1996) The PFC is essential for behavioural control; therefore, this is why PFC lesions lead to ASB. Anti-social behaviour can be described as behaviour that is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to [others]. (Riley, 2007). Many studies have demonstrated the direct effect that the PFC has on determining ASB. Violent behaviour is connected with structural and functional shortages in the prefrontal cortex according to many brain imaging studies. A meta-analysis of these studies was carried out by Yang et al (2009), where 43 structural and functional imaging studies were looked at. Results showed an 11% reduction in PFC grey matter in patients with anti-social personality disorder (APD). From all of these studies it was concluded that there is reduced prefrontal structure and function in antisocial individuals. Anderson (1999) also investigated this he examined the long term consequences of PFC lesions before 16 months in two adults. It resulted in the two adults having severely impaired social behaviour despite basic cognitive abilities and also insensitivity to consequences of decisions. The two patients suffered from defective social and moral reasoning; showing attainment of complex social and moral rules had been impaired. This study explained that early prefrontal damage syndrome leads to syndrome resembling psychopathy. A great deal of empirical research demonstrates that mental illness is higher in incarcerated populations and estimates that as many as 25% of defendants evaluated for capability are medically and legally incompetent to stand trial. (Golding, 1984). With this fact in mind, many people argue that minds are simply what brains do (Minsky, 1948) If this is the case then people are controlled by their brain, therefore have little personal choice as to how they behave. It is clear that the PFC has a huge effect on behaviour of human beings. It can have such an effect that it changes a persons entire personality from positive to negative. Anything that minimises the activity in the PFC can lead to negative consequences. It can make somebody less effective at decision making; make people violent and entirely change somebody as a person. All of these things in turn lead to antisocial behaviour which raises huge debate as to whether people who are antisocial due to minimal activity in the PFC are criminals or are innocently mentally ill human beings. It is certain how important the PFC is to the brain and the research that has been carried out shows that we should not abuse the PFC (alcohol, drugs) as it is very significant to enable us to behaviour in a responsible manner.

Is Anyone Out There? Essay -- Astronomy

Earth is small. Many people find it hard to believe, but when one thinks of earth in its context, amongst billions of galaxies, stars, planets, and an infinite universe, earth is a mere grain of sand on the beach that is space. With this in mind, one may, quite understandably, find it hard to believe that earth is the only planet that sustains life. With today’s advanced technology and science, extensive evidence has been found suggesting a great likelihood of life on other planets. The discovery of life on other planets has huge implications for humankind, as it would likely give a more thorough understanding of what human life is, how it came to be, and possibly even insight into why humans exist. Oftentimes, people ignore rhetoric regarding the possibility of life on other planets. This may be for religious reasons or because many people see it as more science fiction than scientific, but there is a substantial difference between Hollywood’s perception of aliens and what is likely to be the first extraterrestrial life discovered (Borenstein). In all reality, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and a few other basic elements are all it takes to create the miracle of life, and these chemicals could exist in countless places other than earth (Bryson 2). Some life may not even require that, like the microbe found in a lake in California, which was able to survive on arsenic and phosphorus alone (Borenstein). According to Borenstein, the â€Å"life† that scientists are looking for is more accurately described as a life form or microbial slime, much like the microbes that became humans via evolution. Approximately 140 billion galaxies inhabit the universe, with somewhere between one hundred billion and four hundred billion stars in Earth... ...rawstory.com/rs/ 2010/12/08/evidence-mounting-daily-proven/> Bryson, Bill. A Short History of Nearly Everything. New York: Broadway Books, 2003. Print. Cohen, Daniel. The Ancient Visitors: Have Creatures from Other Planets Ever Lived On Earth? Garden City, NY: Double & Comp., Inc., 1976. Print. Kaufman, Marc. â€Å"Reaching for the Stars: It’s Alive Out There! Scientists Seek Out the Evidence.† McClathy-Tribute News Service. 17 June 2011: n.p. Web. 15 Mar 2012. Spotts, Pete. â€Å"In Search of Life, More Planet ‘Candidates’ Are Found. Are Any Just Right?† Christian Science Monitor. 12 Sep 2011:n.p. Web. 15 Mar 2012. "Story of the Universe." European Space Agency, 2011. Web. 15 Apr 2012.

Case Study About Procter and Gamble Company Essay

Procter and Gamble Company Case Analysis This case study analysis focused on Procter and Gamble Company’s marketing plans and strategic options on its light-duty liquid brands (LDL). Procter & Gamble is the world’s largest producer of household and hygiene products. By 1981 P&G operated in 26 countries and sales totaled $11.4 billion with 90 consumer and industrial products manufactured in the United States. The case study provided some very detailed data analysis and reports in terms of the company history and background, organizational structure, key factors to its success in the marketplace, the relationship among advertising, sales, product development (PDD), manufacturing, and finance departments, and its light-duty liquid brands (LDL). Highlight of Company History, Organization, and Key Success Factors * In 1890, Procter & Gamble Company was incorporated with a capital stock value of $4,500,000. The capital allowed the company to build plans, buy new equipment, and develop new products. * Sales volume do ubles every 10 years. * Success factors are 1) dedicated and talented human resources, 2) a reputation for honesty and trust, 3) prudent and conservative management philosophy, 4) innovation in superior quality of products at competitive prices, and 5) substantial marketing expertise. * The company organized its products in terms of 8 categories: 1) package soap and detergent, 2) bar soup and household cleaning, 3) toilet goods, 4) paper products, 5) food products, 6) coffee, 7) Food Service and lodging products, and 8) special products. * Brand group planned, developed, and directed the total marketing effort for its brand through development of the annual marketing plan. * Brand group worked closely with other four lines. Sales department provided important perspective on consumer and trade promotion acceptance, stock requirement to support competitive pricing. * Product development department ensured continued improvement on brand’s quality through extensive consumer and laboratory tests. * Brand group worked with manufacturing department on detailed brand volume estimates. Their interaction was crucial to new product development process. * Based on the volume and marketing expenditure forecasts provided by the brand groups, financial/cost analyst developed and fed back brand profit and pricing analyses as well as profit and rate of return forecasts on new products and  promotion. Using the information, Mr. Chris Wright, associate advertising manager of the Packaged Soap and Detergent Division (PS&D) of the Procter & Gamble Co., was trying to determine how the division could increase volume of its light-duty liquid detergents (LDLs), capture more shares from the market, and increase long-term or short-term profit. The three options that Wright considered are new brand introduction, product improvement on an existing brand, and an increase in marketing expenditures on existing brands. Each option is analyzed as follows: New Brand Introduction: Pros: * P&G’s current LDL played a leading role in the market place. The success of its Dawn brand clearly indicated a likelihood of another new brand with a distinctive benefit could increase further P&G’s LDL Volume. * Wright saw new product potential in all three market segments (performance, mildness, and price brands) * For performance brand, market research indicated that 80% of U.S. households scour and scrub their dishes at least once a week. H-80 invented by new technology as a high-performance product which can fulfill a clear consumer need based on research. The 4-week blind in house use test of H-80 and established competitive LDL, was a strong indicator of its potential success. * For mildness segment, a new brand which differentiates its mildness benefit can help the declining segment recapture the consumers. * Although P&G’s’s price segment had been in decline, it was expected to stabilize at its current share level due to the increasing consumer sensitivity to price resulting from the depressed state of economy. * Wright considered the potential of producing a brand with parity performance benefits to existing price brand competition at a cost that allowed PS&D to maintain a good profit. Cons: * The new brand would require $20 million in capital investment to cover additional production capacity and bottle molds. * The new LDL brand also needs at least $60 million for first-year introductory marketing expenditures. * The introduction of new product would take about two years plus one year if test market was needed. So three years indicated that the profit return would be a long-term investment. Product Improvement on an  Existing Brand: Pros: * Unlike new opportunity, product improvement such as introduction of H-80 formula to one of the current LDL brands would require less investment. It would cost $20 million for the improvement and $10 million as incremental marking expenditures, which was $50 million less than a new brand. * On top of it, Joy brand could cut its cost of goods by $3 million per year if this new formula was introduced. The brand relaunch would cost $10 million in marketing expense with no capital investment. Cons: * Although there is a data supporting how H-80 formula would capture the market, there was lack of data of the introduction of H-80 formula to the existing current LDL brands. * If consumers have already established a certain image of Joy brand group, can the change of formula attract new consumers and retain the existing consumers? * The introduction of new product would take about one year plus two year if test market was needed. So three years indicated that the profit return would be a long-term investment. Increase Marketing Expenditures on Existing Brands Pros: * Since the market has been static with the LDL category, Wright might avoid increasing the capital investment and reduce investment risk. * Wright could expand the overall profits by capturing larger market shares using extra advertising and promotion techniques. Cons: * There was lack of data supporting the increase in marketing expenditures on existing brands could produce the desired market share increase. * For some segments such as price brands, increasing advertising and promotion would not increase sales and market share if the price didn’t decrement accordingly. This was especially true in the depressed state of economy. Recommendations: The recommendation was to go with the combined feature of having both long-term and short-term investment. Introduction of a new product such as  H-80 appeared to be a too costly investment. In such a depressed state of economy, it was not a smart decision to invest $80 million for the new product. Out of $80 million, $60 million was only used to cover the cost of the first year, not to mention incremental cost for the next few years. The product would require 3 years in order to be introduced to the market. Using the cost/benefit analysis, I think the first option of new brand introduction was too risky. We could combine option 2 (product improvement) as a long-term investment with the option 3 (increase marketing expenditure on existing brands) as the short-term investment. Combining these two options could increase the sales volume with very minimum capital investment. In return, it meant less risk for Procter & Gamble. The timeframe with one long-term investment and one short-t erm investment allowed Procter & Gamble the time, resources, and capital to focus on two endeavors strategizing more efficient plans to tackle the charging and competitive market. Especially the case also indicated that increased marketing expenditures could be approved almost immediately if the plan was financially attractive.

Chlorine and Magnesium Lab Introduction Essay

Introduction The purpose of this lab experiment is to determine the atomic weight of magnesium by measuring the amount of hydrogen gas evolved when hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium. The reaction is as followed: Mg + 2HCL ? H2 + Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) In this experiment there is a one to one relationship between the number of moles of hydrogen gas evolved and the moles of magnesium metal consumed in the reaction. Therefore in the finding of the experiment moles of H2 evolved is equal to the moles of Mg consumed, and atomic weight of Mg is equal to the weight of Mg consumed per moles of H2 evolved. Procedure 1st. Obtain a 600ml beaker, add 300ml of water 2nd. add 30ml of HCl (2M) to the beaker and stir 3rd. add 10mg of Magnesium metal to the beaker 4th. Allow hydrogen gas to evolve, all of the magnesium should be consumed. 6th. Record the amount of hydrogen gas evolved using the chemical property dialog. Observations and Results Moles of hydrogen evolved: 0. 000829g (8. 29 x 10-4)/ 0. 000411 moles, (4. 1 x 10-4) Calculated atomic weight of magnesium: ______________ Atomic weight of Mg = weight of Magnesium/moles of H2 Moles of H2 evolved = moles of Mg consumed Atomic weight of Mg= /0. 000411moles During my observation I noticed that when 10mg of magnesium metal was added to the beaker a shaded area appeared on the bottom of the beaker. When the bubbles stopped and the shaded area in the beaker disappeared it showed that the magnesium has been consumed. Discussion Conclusion < Within a few sentences, provide a concluding statement about the results of your laboratory>