Grand Metropolitan PLC Essay

Company Background and Issues Grand Metropolitan PLC was a multinational holdings company that faced a hostile takeover threat in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The company specialized in wine and spirits. The headquarters for operation was in London, England at the time of this case. The major dilemma at hand is avoiding a takeover. The economy was bad at the time, and the company’s stock price was thought to be undervalued, as their low P/E ratio of 13.3 indicated. Management needs to find out why their stock price is so undervalued. A new strategy of Grand Metropolitan’s was to capitalizing brand value on the balance sheet. Another strategy of management was to divest in low growth areas and invest heavier in projects that meet a certain growth criteria. The CEO stated, â€Å"In addition to brewing, we have continued to exit those businesses whose failure potential earnings do not meet our growth criteria†¦ All those decisions were driven by a thorough analysis of income growth prospects†. Senior management is committed to reducing debt. In 1991 alone the debt to capital ratio fell by 9%. Management has shown to be committed to these goals into the future. One of the issues management will have to face is how to tell which business units are outperforming others. Despite the great performance of Grand Metropolitan as a company during the 1980’s, the stock was undervalued in the early 1990’s. This is the immediate issue management must address to avoid a takeover. Financial Analysis Cost of Capital: Our estimate of the pound-based weighted average cost of capital for Grand Metropolitan was 16.433862%. We used the weights from exhibit 6. The tax rate was given as 35%. We used the weighted average costs of debt and preferred stock from exhibit 7. We then discounted the flow of future dividends to find the cost of common equity. We also used the three strategic business units to find the approximate weighted average cost of capital for each unit. We found that WACC for Restaurant-Retailing came to 12.8876%. The WACC for Food Processing came to 12.12%. And the WACC for Drinks came to 11.5513%. We used exhibit 8 to find the average cost of equity and debt for the comparable companies in each business segment and forecasted it on to Grand Metropolitan. We noticed a high cost of equity for Grand Metropolitan. This comes at a time when the company is trying to reduce its debt. The cost of equity was found to be 16% in the U.S. and about 18% in Great Britain. Cost of Debt: To find our cost of debt we took the market value of debt to capital ratios for each segment, found on exhibit 8, for our weights. Our assumptions to find the cost of debt, since it was not explicitly given, were as follows; we used the bond ratings given under each segment, we then used the yields by rating category chart on exhibit 9 to find the appropriate rates and found an average of the ratings assigned for each segment. Now having found our weights and rates we are able to with the tax rate found within each segment find our cost of debt. Currency rate risk: Due to the diversity of markets that Grand Metropolitan operates within, the company is inherently exposed to currency conversation rate risk. The majority of the subsidiaries of Grand Metropolitan operate within the United Kingdom and the United States markets, which utilize the Great Britain Pound and the U.S. Dollar respectively. With Grand Metropolitan’s headquarters in London, England, they have a large number, 77%, of their Debt currency in U.S. dollars. We think this is due to their ability to access a much lower debt rate within the U.S. market, so they can finance their projects with the cheapest debt available. Market Analysis: Grand Metropolitan’s P/E ratio is noticeably lower when compared to the other companies within its segmented segments. We found that these low P/E ratios combined with increased profits made Grand Metropolitan a potential target for corporate raiders, i.e. takeover risk. RONA: During our analysis of individual segments, exhibit 2, we found that the RONAs for the Retailing and Food were lagging behind that of the Drinks segment. Furthermore, the Drinks segment only has 26% of total net assets, yet it provides 46% of operating profits. Comparing this to the Retailing segment, which utilizes 40% of net assets while only contributing 24% of the total profits, shows a great disparity. The Food segment represents 34% of net assets and 30% of the total profits. EVA: When calculating EVA, our early indications that Retailing was a drain on the company’s profits and growth were further confirmed. Retail had a negative EVA of -137.70. Drinks were clearly the main most efficient segment with an EVA of 135.83, and Food had a -44.04 EVA. We calculated these EVA’s using our segment WACC’s and using Net Assets as a measure of Capital. Tax Rates for each segment were given in exhibit 8, which were applied to operating profit for a NOPAT of each segment. These results show how mismanaged and inefficient the Retailing segment, and to a smaller degree the food segment are. Environmental Analysis: Strengths: The strength of Grand Metropolitan is its drink segment. The operating profit in the United States has been grown from $185 to $517. The UK and Ireland are using only 30% of net assets, but contribute 36% of the operating profit. Weaknesses: Retailing appears to be a weakness for Grand Metropolitan. The return on net assets and operating profit has been consistently lower than the other segments. The company’s capital structure is set up with a heavier than average amount of debt. Grand Metropolitan carries 43% debt to capital, while the average for comparable companies is between 28-34% depending on the segment. Opportunities: Grand Metropolitan has an opportunity to increase profits by investing in current successful brands. The brands that fall under drinks have proven to give the highest return on net assets. Recommendation: From our results we can conclude that the Retailing and Food segments are not adding value to the firm and are bringing down the value being added by the Drinks segment. While Food’s EVA of -44.04 isn’t nearly as bad as Retail’s -137.70, both are bringing down the company’s growth opportunities. These segments are either ripe for a selloff or restructuring. The food segment especially seems like it needs just a management change since it’s close to being positive EVA but return on net assets has dipped in the last few years, leading to the low EVA.

The Effect Of Spatial Form Environmental Sciences Essay

the focal point of undertakings and surveies refering the betterment and upgrading of these informal colonies was on a local graduated table ( within the colony ) and neglected the betterment in relation to the planned countries around and the whole metropolis, particularly when they become a strategic site in the metropolis and acquire an unreasonable addition in their significance. This wider position which back uping informal colony development on the spacial cloth of the metropolis as a whole is of import for metropoliss are planned in an incorporate manner, while these colonies appear to be random in their location and spacial signifier. Therefore understanding the consequence of spacial signifier of informal colonies is indispensable as lending issue in integrating of these countries with a more structured and definable form of spacial development of the metropolis, peculiarly factors of spacial signifier have non gained adequate attending until late for betterment informal colonies. This chapter intends to explicate the background of the survey and discourse several related surveies to place its job statement. Based on these arguments, the survey determines the specific research job. Consequently, the research inquiry, research aims, and research premise will be formulated. Finally, this chapter presents range of the survey, research model, and construction of the thesis.1.2 Research BackgroundRecent urban surveies give an increasing significance to the spacial issues of urban countries, particularly in relation to concept of integrating of these countries in the metropolis. Research workers in the field of urban design and urban planning explain that since the urban integrating has a physical every bit good as a societal significance, the spacial signifier of urban countries demands to be understood as a lending factor in organizing form of integrating and segregation in metropoliss ( Hillier and Vaughan, 2007 ) . The informal colonies are considered as self organized countries in the metropolis which are characterized by illegal inhabiting of the land, inappropriate layout program and un- serviced or minimally serviced land ( Abbott & A ; Douglas, 2003 ) . Informal colonies can be classified harmonizing to location and morphological characters as interior – metropolis colonies and peripheral colonies. UNCHS study ( 1996 ) argued that the peripheral colonies are incorporated to the interior metropolis by urban development. Recife declaration ( 1996 ) when focused on the country of hapless people in the metropolis considered that the critical issue is the integrating of informal colonies into the metropolis, and confirmed that these colonies are built-in parts of the metropolis which represent a physical portion, but the job facing governments and faculty members in this issue is to recognize the factors that facilitate betterment of informal colonies towards the integrating with the urban cloth of the metropolis. Most of the surveies about betterment of informal colonies have been oriented to the disclosure of societal and economic factors that could impact colonies betterment procedure without sing spacial and location factors which have gained small attending in the literature ( Greene, 2003, Sobreira, 2003 and Karimi et al. , 2007 ) . Some research workers such as Mukhija ( 2001, 2002 ) and Sobreira, ( 2003 ) argued in the context of their surveies that the spacial factors can impact the success of betterment procedure of informal colonies. UNCHS ( 2003 ) study besides puts frontward that these factors can help the accommodation of more effectual schemes when seeking to better the status of these countries. the importance and function of spacial signifier is discernible in surveies of urban research workers related to integrating procedure of city`s different urban countries including informal colonies. Nunes da sylva et Al. ( 2001 ) when studied integrating of public infinites as urban countries found that these spacial factors are most critical. : location of the infinite in the metropolis, handiness to the public infinite, the quality of urban cloth where the public infinite exists, the quality of the sites urban design, including its integrating in urban axes. Costa ( 2002 ) examined the integrating of another type of urban countries – new and old seaport areas- during spacial factors. and when he used town and site degree of integrating he concluded that the chief factors are: propinquity and easy entree, continuity of public infinite ; hinder of the urban barriers ; chief urban axes extension. The survey of tall edifice urban countries showed that The part of spacial factors considered as important factors for the integrating within the city`s context, and it is revealed that the location ; spacial demands of environing street infinite and entree to the country affect the integrating procedure ( Ali & A ; Aksamija, 2008 ) . Legeby ( 2008, 2009, 2010 ) argued that handiness to some of public services in residential urban countries ( vicinities ) , considers as a chief spacial factor in integrating procedure which affects the spacial connexion of different vicinities, therefore globally ( at the city`s degree ) integrated residential countries have a better possibility to pull people from outside of the country and more public urban life. Harmonizing Goncalves et Al. ( 2009 ) integrating of vicinities and the urban installations can be enhanced with centrality as spacial factor in the country of transit corridor ; In add-on, a transit system can help handiness and motion between public installations and residential countries. Urban surveies referred to the function of spacial factors in attacks for betterment of informal colonies which occupy different rates of residential countries in metropoliss of developing states, and how these factors contribution necessary to the integrating of these colonies for the betterment procedure. Hillier et Al. ( 2000 ) explained that spacial factors, particularly the layout of the colony and its relation to its urban context, have played a chief function in consolidation of the informal colonies. The critical spacial factors which facilitates for the colony to incorporate within the context of the metropolis are edge commercial land usage, spacial constellation factors – such as integrating to whole system ( planetary ) , connectivity- and location of the colony. Greene ( 2002 ; 2003 ) presented farther factors in add-on of border motion economic system factor, The factors contain the analyses of syntactic features of the parts of the metropolis including the infor mal colonies, the distinction between motion in streets and back streets, colonies location in the metropolis: chief metropolis or older territories and the function of the proviso of urban services. Using spacial informations is indispensable to back up the integrating of informal colonies into the formal metropolis through upgrading procedure ; therefore the informal colonies are required to be operated at a metropolitan degree and at colony degree. At the first degree the impact of the location of the colony is emerged as a spacial component on the broad urban construction, and colony handiness to foreigners which related chiefly with the land usage and interfacing activities.At colony and adjacent countries degree, the soft boundary characteristic demands to be understood and making chief motion corridors as a web if these colonies are to be integrated spatially with the surrounding ( Abbott, 2001, 2002 ) . In add-on, Abbott ( 2003 ) argued that motion and entree as spacial sphere are cardinal issues that have to be introduced for accomplishing spacial integrating into the environing countries during informal colony upgrading. Supplying spacial linkages to the environing countries by utilizing of GIS system play a cardinal function in making a model for integrating. This attack provides formal roads ( i.e. vehicular entree ) along the chief paths already defined organically within the colony. Haferburg ( 2002 ) concluded that within the metropolitan spatial development model, for the socio – spacial integrating of informal colonies, it is indispensable return into consideration the factor of location of the informal colony, in add-on the bordering vacant land, which might work good as a topographic point of shared attractive force for the different adjacent countries. Harmonizing to Mora ( 2003 ) the integrating of informal colonies besides depends on consequence of grid of the colony on building of centrality ; during alterations of handiness of certain countries create strategic locations on the grid for big graduated table commercialism which so can be used as a new signifier of communal centre. In add-on the consequence of the grid of the colony on the integrating of local commercial land utilizations based on formal domestic commercialism located in partly converted houses and the informal economic system represented by street markets. There is major concentrating on the commercial land usage in big informal colony as an extra chief spacial factor for integrating with the surrounding and the urban cloth of the metropolis as a whole. and this related to interplay between commercial land usage locations and street web properties, The big informal colonies with higher grades of consolidation seems to maximise their economic benefit non merely through stores on their outward borders but besides suiting internal markets which links its local economic system to the wider urban context ( Shafiei,2007 ) . The major job in informal colonies rises from the atomization and their internal spacial construction ( street grids ) , and this causes inability to associate to their wider context ( environing countries and urban cloth of the metropolis ) . therefore the focal point should be on the path choice scheme ( route filtering ) as the chief spacial factor of the integrating of a strategically placed cardinal informal countries based on comprehensive survey of street features ( most appropriate breadths and street profiles ) and set of be aftering ushers lines ( land usage, edifice tallness, denseness ) ( karimi et Al. , 2007 ) .1.3 Problem StatementIn recent decennaries a great trade of involvement has been given to the informal colonies in the metropoliss of the developing states. Most surveies on these colonies have focused on procedures and policies related to betterment or upgrading of these countries at the local degree ( within single colony ) , there are small work that looks at t he wider impact in relation with the planned cloth of the metropolis and its vicinities ( Abbott 2001 ) . In add-on Most of the surveies about betterment of informal colonies have focused on disclosure of societal and economic factors that could impact colonies betterment procedure without sing spacial and location factors which have gained small attending in the literature ( Mukhija,2001 ; Greene, 2003 ; Sobreira, 2003 and Karimi et al. , 2007 ) . The job is that there is a spread between the informal countries and their milieus ( planned ) country of the metropolis in many facets including spacial features, which supposed to promote the economical and societal interaction, and every bit good this spread considered as a barrier to the integrating of these informal countries in the urban cloth of the metropolis. Consequently, a demand arises for surveies send oning farther, and concentrate on the relationship of these countries with the environing spatially. Based on research background and the old surveies, the spacial issues play a important function in accomplishing the grade of integrating of urban countries including informal colonies in the metropolis ‘s urban cloth. the old surveies, which are related straight to the informal colonies, presented assorted lending spacial factors in integrating procedure of these colonies with the environing countries. The most of import factors included ( inch commercial land usage, internal commercial land usage, motion web features, location of the colony, surrounding land utilizations, soft boundaries, grid form of the colony, constellation factors, distinction between motion in streets and back streets, making chief motion web, centrality, street markets, path ( chief streets ) choice scheme, outsider entree to the colony ) ( Hillier et al. , 2000 ; Greene, 2002 ; 2003 ; Abbott,2001, ; 2002 ; Abbott,2003 ; Haferburg, 2002 ; Mora,2003 ; Shafiei,2007 ; karimi et Al. , 2007 ) . These surveies were conducted through the procedures of betterment of informal colonies in different metropoliss of developing states including self-improvement attack. It has been observed that the bulk of these surveies addressed the spacial issues in peripheral informal colonies. The surveies mentioned in the background about integrating of urban countries within the metropolis exemplify how during the undertakings of urban planning and urban design these countries can incorporate locally with the surrounding and the metropolis as a whole. These surveies presented assorted spacial factors such as ( Strategic location, Accessibility, The quality of the sites urban design, Proximity and easy entree, web of efficient public conveyance systems to the country, The propinquity to the new centrality, Pedestrian & A ; vehicular motion forms, Public infinite design continuity, Centrality of the country ) which show the significance of these factors in bettering the quality of infinites of these urban countries and increase their efficiency to incorporate with the surrounding ( Nunes da sylva et Al. ,2001 ; Costa,2002 ; Ali & A ; Aksamija, 2008 ; Legeby,2008, 2009, 2010 ; Goncalves et Al. ,2009 ) , therefore this procedure leads to raise the quality of life of the occu pants in the metropolis at local degree ( domestic, vicinities ) and planetary degree ( metropolis, metropolitan ) ( Ribeiro and Holanda, 2007 ) . The survey of theoretical accounts of urban countries integrating during spacial issues assist to obtain assorted spacial factors which contribute in integrating procedure, which support later in finding the factors that had non been addressed in informal colonies surveies. Through treatments of old relevant surveies on the construct of spacial integrating and the influence of spacial facets on the integrating of informal colonies in the metropolis, the following two important constructs have been detected: Most of the surveies about integrating of informal colonies was done on the peripheral colonies, and seldom discussed the spacial relationships of interior – metropolis informal colonies in the cloth of the metropolis, which are wholly different from the peripheral colonies. Harmonizing to ( UNCHS, 1982 ) the interior -city informal colonies are situated near to the most incorporate urban countries, largely present high densenesss, and have reached the bounds of growing. These colonies are normally bounded by roads, which are extremely integrated in relation to the whole construction of the metropolis. These colonies face spacial restraint, and hence tend to show a extremely heavy spacial construction. Besides, the propinquity of cardinal sites to occupation chances makes them a more sensible and engorged site ( Sobreira, 2003 ) . The old surveies on informal colonies have non addressed all the spacial factors that affect the integrating of these colonies, where we see that there is more spacial factors contribute in integrating procedure of different urban countries as revealed in surveies related integrating of different urban countries in the metropolis such as ( existing urban barriers, propinquity and handiness to public installations, handiness to working population, handiness to residential population, propinquity to a new centrality, web of public conveyance to the country, the extension of chief urban axes to the country, the status of next streets, continuity of public infinites ) . In add-on of deficiency of surveies on spacial features of informal colonies and their betterment in integrating with the environing countries, these two constructs act as index to demo that the spacial relationship of inner- metropolis informal colonies with the urban cloth of the metropolis is non clear, despite the multiplicity and assortment of tendencies sing the consequence of the spacial relationship on the integrating of informal colonies in the metropolis. This job is truly obvious In instance of informal colonies of Erbil metropolis, which is selected as a instance survey country, where most of the informal colonies has become interior – metropolis informal vicinities or parts of planned vicinities with using self betterment attack. Erbil city`s urban countries in general has passed through rapid development since ninetieth of last century and the Iraq release 2003 accelerated urban development, enlargement of the metropolis, and fixing maestro programs by taking benefits from net incomes of Kurdistan part oil gross, therefore this state of affairs affected the planning of land utilizations and tendencies of enlargements of the metropolis, These rapid developments lead to a province of decomposition of these colonies with the urban cloth of the metropolis. Based on the job statement, this survey attempts to reply the undermentioned research inquiries: Make the spacial factors assist integrating of inner-city informal colonies with the environing countries? What are the perceptual experience of occupants toward spacial relationship of informal colonies and their integrating in the metropolis? What are the most influential factors which interpret the spacial relationship of interior -city informal colonies with the surrounding?1.4 Research AimsThe aims of this research are as follows: To analyze the spacial factors that influences the integrating of interior – metropolis informal colonies in the urban cloth of the metropolis. To find the perceptual experience of occupants towards the integrating of informal colonies with the urban cloth of the metropolis through a set of spacial factors. To place the strength of relationship between the spacial factors of interior -city informal colonies and the integrating procedure in the metropolis.1.5 Rationale of the surveyThe chief grounds for carry oning this survey are as follows: This survey addresses the spacial efficiency of the inner- metropolis informal settlement`s layout to incorporate into the urban cloth of the metropolis, and therefore it deals with the planning and design of these urban countries in relation with environing planned countries. The spacial issues of these informal colonies requires considerable precedence to be studied, that most of the research workers in this field mentioned that small attending paid to spacial topics in informal colonies. The deficiency of surveies related to informal colonies in Erbil metropolis in general, particularly physical and spacial side, and their province one time considered as inner- metropolis colonies. The urban planning undertakings of Erbil metropolis such as maestro programs and territory plans- including the last Erbil maestro program undertaking in 2007- did n't pay adequate attending to betterment of these colonies and their state of affairs in urban cloth of the metropolis.1.6 Scope of the surveyThis survey seeks to understand the integrating of the informal colonies through the spacial relationships of these colonies with the environing countries. It aims to analyze the influence of spacial facets on the integrating of inner-city informal colonies through a set of spacial factors, this integrating is support the betterment of these colonies on the degree of the adjacent countries and the metropolis as a whole. Erbil metropolis is selected to be the instance survey of the research due to fact that it offers typical instance sing to location of its informal colonies as interior – metropolis colonies, which surrounded with planned incorporate urban countries and streets, so these colonies distinguished by being tangled with the planned urban environment, but with different characteristics of the physical and socio-economic development. It is important to observe that a new characteristic is reshaping the urban environment in Erbil metropolis during pattern urban planning and urban design mechanisms for development and enlargement of the metropolis. These developments which are represented in land usage and transit planning undertakings, made these informal countries inconsistent with the environing planned countries spatially ( Figure 1.2 ) , hence the research is limited to analyze the spacial facets consequence on the integrating of these informal colonies in this planned urban environment of Erbil metropolis. Hydrogen: 5-3s5 ( 3 ) .jpg Figure 1.1 Inner-city locations of informal colonies in Erbil City`s Residential Land Use Map. ( Beginning: Erbil Master Plan Report 2008 )1.7 Structure of the thesisThis research is organized into six chapters as follows: Chapter one is a preliminary chapter displays the background of the research and discusses old related surveies specifically: surveies about spacial facets in different urban countries including informal colonies. It consists of besides job statement, the research aims, principle of the survey, the range of the survey, research model, and the organisation of the survey. Chapter two represents the literature reappraisal, which Consists of three chief pillars of the survey: Informal colonies, spacial facets, and Integration procedure. A theoretical survey of informal colonies will be analyzed and investigated from the facets of the subject of the research. A elaborate survey of spacial facets in urban countries in the metropolis and their characteristics in the informal colonies will be presented. The chapter besides discusses the integrating in urban countries in the degree of environing country and in the degree of the whole metropolis, with concentrating on spacial concerns, the integrating as constructs in attacks of bettering informal colonies. Chapter three intends to specify and explicate proposed spacial factors that affect the integrating of interior -city informal colonies in the metropolis. As good, it surveies and buttockss mensurating tools for these proposed factors. The chapter nowadayss besides the development of informal colonies in Iraq in general and Erbil metropolis in item with concentrating on the selected informal colony Badawa in the survey country ( Erbil City ) and its surrounding planned countries. Chapter four presents the research methodological analysis and explains the type of methodological analysis that will be used in the survey. It shows in item sampling methods, informations aggregation, and in the terminal determines acceptable methods of analysis can be applied in the following chapter. Chapter five focal points on the analysis of the informations aggregation. The application of analysis techniques ( quantitative method ) will be achieved. It presents and discusses the consequences, which lead to the decisions and recommendations in the following chapter. Chapter six includes research decisions and cardinal findings. It discusses the manner in which the survey has answered the research inquiries. The chapter besides shows the scope of part of the research in mensurating the spacial facets consequence on the integrating of interior metropolis informal colonies in Erbil metropolis. The last subdivision outlines the recommendations of the survey.1.8 SummeryThis introductory chapter addressed foremost the back land of the research which dealt with the importance of spacial signifier of informal colonies and integrating with their surrounding within the metropolis context. Furthermore, it focused on the surveies used spacial factors for integrating of different urban countries including informal colonies. Then, the chapter focused on the job statement of the research and explained the grounds of survey the spacial facets in integrating of inner- metropolis of informal colonies, this led to explicating the research aims and inquiries. The principle and the range of the survey were presented which considered the deficiency of surveies related spacial facets in informal colonies, importance of integrating of informal colonies and the deficiency of surveies on spacial and physical side of Erbil city`s informal colonies as justifications. Finally the model and the lineation of the research were presented which consisted of five chapters. This first chapter followed by the literature reappraisal which will concentrate on the informal colonies in developing states, infinites in urban countries including informal colonies, and the old surveies related utilizing spacial factors in integrating of informal colonies and other signifiers of urban countries in the metropolis. Problem Statement Research Aims Research Questions IntroductionThe impact of spacial facets on the integrating of informal colonies in Erbil City, IraqDatas Analysis SPSS Descriptive Decisions and Recommendations Factor Analysis aAnnalysis Key Findingss Correlation Analysis Analysis Proposed spacial factors for interior -city informal colonies affect integrating in urban cloth of the metropolis Literature Review Theoretical survey of informal settee. Spatial facets in urban countries Integration constructs & A ; theoretical accounts ( urban countries & A ; informal. Settle. ) in the metropolisData CollectionQuestionnaire Quantitative Survey Experts Residents Figure 1.2 Research Framework

Chinese Culture and Political Police in China in the Movies Joy Luck Essay

Chinese Culture and Political Police in China in the Movies Joy Luck Club and Not One Less - Essay Example These films mainly about China, driven by means of the modernity’s blinding light, while, at the same time, no longer acknowledging its own children, in addition to its primitive past. In Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, there are four mothers, four daughters and four families whose histories change with the four winds according to the person narrating the stories. During 1949, four Chinese women, who happened to be recent immigrants to San Francisco, started meeting while eating dim sum, playing mahjong, and talking. Joy Luck Club is the name this group united by shared unspeakable loss, as well as hope, they referred to themselves. Instead of allowing themselves to sink in tragedy, they opt to gather by raising not only their spirits, but also money. Forty years down the line, the stories, as well as history persist (Tan 56). Amy Tan explores the sometimes painful, in most cases tender while always deep link between mothers and daughters with wit, as well as sensitivity. As every w oman exposes her secrets, attempting to unravel the truth concerning her life, the strings end up getting extensively tangled, while, at the same time extremely entwined. Apparently, mothers boast or despair over daughters, while daughters roll their eyes although they feel the inextricable tapering of their matriarchal ties. Amy happens to be an astute storyteller, who entices her readers into immersing themselves to these lives of complexity, as well as mystery. In Not One Less, Wei Minzhi who is a representative of an agrarian society, with all her backwardness, together with naivete, exemplifies the humanity that gets rejected by modern man pursuing an industrial civilization. Wei Minzhi is the replacement teacher of 13-years who is bigger than life; although she seems to be primitive, uncouth, silly, as well as immature; she happens to be China’s self-depiction as a third-world country along with a tenacity to modernize when she begins going to the city by foot thereby f inding her student, an act that is foolish yet heroic (Ebert 21). She turns out to be an expediently dumping ground for the pessimistic human emotions of the perfectly educated, which lecture her on rules, as well as etiquettes; with her solid resolution of letting no one be absent from her class, she exemplifies a spirit of the people on a pursuit for equitable growth, along with a more democratic society. She turns out to be a representation of China's resolve of being strong while catching up with the other part of the world. She happens to be courageous since she has a group of children behind her; to the point she is in control, they are capable of accomplishing things like moving numerous bricks to coming up with some money for her to purchasing a bus ticket. This means that, in Shui Quan elementary, there happens to be socialism still at work whereby people tend to share things such as coke while doing things within a collective manner; Wei Minzhi's courage, together with per sonal dignity lie on the continuation of this community. Wei Minzhi encounters the urbanites in the vast metropolis are a symbol of the â€Å"adult† world whereby Minzhi, together with Huike have a lot to learn as â€Å"children†; yet these city folks have suspicious morals: informed but uncaring, urbane but indifferent, wealthy but miserable; the ticket conductor tosses Minzhi out of the bus for not purchasing a ticket with the policeman guarding the television station’

Business research method Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business research method - Essay Example There has largely been a relationship between the development of the social networks and the way it influences the spread of information to the different stakeholders. Based on the previous research, the writer has indicated that there is a positive relationship according to the given references between online marketing and customer loyalty. Customers as stated in the literature do participate in online branding and this helps them develop the knowledge of the product more than they would have done. Therefore there is a relationship clarified as to why the stated relationship should exist. Conceptual models can be made by a collection of other approaches apart from the one used by Jesse. These are: event driven process chain, the Joint Application Development, the place/ transition Net and state transition modeling. A literature review undertakes a collection of uses hence the advantages; first, it helps the researcher to see the full picture as seen from the perspective of other researchers. Secondly, it uncovers new evidence. Once undertaken, it helps review the areas that need further research. This is in line with a review of the existing literature and leaving room for further research. Thirdly, it encourages thinking that is very objective. By relating all the researches by other people, one is able to objectively think about many other issues related to the same matters under research. The joint application procedure is important in that it covers a wide range of other methods and therefore the information collected becomes very comprehensive. Its disadvantage however is that it is so wide that it cannot give very specific information needed for a given section of the piece of work. Moderating variables are the qualitative or quantitative variables that affect the relationship and direction in existence between the independent and

Another Gender Issue that Needs an Immediate Solution. Women groping Essay

Another Gender Issue that Needs an Immediate Solution. Women groping - Essay Example In Sharon Moshavi’s essay titled, â€Å"Groped,† the author recounts her experience when a man who looked decent groped her on the street. Unlike some Japanese women who would stay mum about the issue, Moshavi beat the man as much as she liked. The issue of groping implies gender issues which ultimately challenge authorities to do their share in resolving the problem. Moshavi’s account of the groping experience can be considered an unusual act in Japan. Beating the man who violated her may be heroic to some, and very few women in Japan can do the same thing. Being subject to groping when walking on the streets alone is a gender issue that can be traced in the history and culture of a particular country. Specifically, Moshavi confesses that â€Å"in Japan, I don’t have much opportunity to get angry. People just don’t do it. Yelling and anger are considered immature† (in Rutledge 17). By not expressing anger, women could be misinterpreted by me n. Men do not feel afraid to grope women, thinking that the latter will stay calm about it. On the one hand, the culture of the people can be a significant factor to the problem. Being afraid of the groper is an act that could tolerate the offender because he will not think of the circumstance that would eventually happen. Moreover, as Moshavi mentions, â€Å"I’ve been pawed and pinched from India to Indonesia† (in Rutledge 16) It should be noted that the countries she mentions, including Japan are all located in Asia. This implies a possibility that the incidence of groping could be related to the Asian culture because expressing anger and being furious is not common among Asians, whereas in the US expressing anger is a part of daily life. Addressing the groping problem in Japan, authorities claim that having commuter trains for women is not the solution to the problem. In Paul Jackson’s article which appeared in The Daily Yomiuri Tokyo, an authority claims tha t â€Å"the communication gap between the sexes† (Jackson, â€Å"Women Only: Are train carriages for females an effective solution or effective PR?†) may be part of the frivolous behavior of Japanese men. Japanese men may see their anonymity in commuter trains as an opportunity to get free from the rigid, traditional roles they play in society. Considering this, the problem really points to a cultural issue. Ultimately, the current issue reflects a more serious gender problem for Asian women than for American or other women in the West. Nevertheless, one needs to establish the statistics to prove this point. On the other hand, the problem of groping may not just be a cultural issue. It may imply the current situation of women in media, school, and society in general. Jackson quotes Sanae Tanaka, a lawyer, saying that the increase in the violence against women may be due to the commonality of the issue in social places such as commuter trains. â€Å"It has become far m ore normal to hear people talking about sex and sexual harassment† (Jackson, â€Å"Women Only: Are train carriages for females an effective solution or effective PR?†). People, particularly those in Japan, are getting used to discussing about sex in public places. Likewise, there are men who bring pornographic materials in trains. This observation is not limited to Japan. In fact, many magazines from the West may be considered as pornographic materials easily available worldwide in supermarkets and coffee shops. With this consideration, the problem of groping may be considered a global gender problem. It makes one wonder how come women in magazines are recruited to pose in sexy pictorials if they

The Budget Deficit in Oman Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

The Budget Deficit in Oman - Research Paper Example Overall vote of thanks goes to all people and Oman citizens who have had both directly and indirectly contributed in accomplishment and delivery of this research both real field research and report preparation. Financing team and field directors are not left out due to their special contribution in data collection for actual study. Submission of heartfelt appreciation is to all and sundry. Chapter One: Introduction Aim The goal is to establish the factors that make the budget deficit in Oman and formulation of ways of reducing budget deficit in the country. The research establishes ways of reducing the impact of the factors contributing to large government expenditure which results to large government expenditure. In order to accomplish the research objective, there are various research methodologies used for data collection and analysis. Objectives 1. To establish the causes of the current budget deficit in Oman based on various economic factors such as government spending. 2. To establish the contribution of corruption in oil management to current budget deficit in Oman by questioning many managers and citizens working in the oil firms. 3. To establish long term solutions to the current budget deficit in Oman. The views of different economists about the high budget deficit in Oman are obtained alongside their opinions on ways of resolving the issue on a long term ba sis. 4. To establish ways through which the Oman government can reduce government expenditures in order to reduce occurrences of budget deficits in future. This is achieved by reviewing various government expenditures and formulating mechanisms of reducing such expenditures. 5. To establish the different income-generating avenues in Oman so as to reduce government’s over reliance on the oil market projections. This goal is geared towards establishing other ways through which the Oman government can obtain revenues in order to minimise the governments dependency on

Developing Digital Marketing Strategies for Assignment

Developing Digital Marketing Strategies for - Assignment Example It also focuses on the logo of MLC, the golden egg. Fonterra, however, also posts documentaries, such as â€Å"Food For Thought.† This is a documentary that shows facts and trends on food and lifestyles. The company also provides a four-part documentary on Fonterra. These documentaries provide further information on the nature and extent of Fonterras business. Fonterras Ski Activ can target women and men aged 20 to 50 by showcasing two models in their YouTube ads. One female model eats Ski Activ for fourteen days and has less digestive problems and gets slimmer than the other who does not eat Ski Activ. There should be a separate commercial for male models and one for those in their twenties and another for those in their fifties. This will show the audience that Ski Activ has a broader target market niche. Furthermore, the YouTube ads should have links directing to more information about Ski Activ and what kinds of problems it can resolve. This will entice women to consider testing Ski Activ, especially since it has a money-back guarantee. This money-back guarantee should also be highlighted more in YouTube ads, with emphasis on the idea that consumers have nothing to lose, except extra weight and digestive discomfort. MLC can produce more specified YouTube videos for its target market of 35 and above, males and females, with incomes above $65,000 per year, by focusing on how easy it is to contact MLC financial advisers online or through the phone. The excitement levels for insurance plans that MLC offers can be heightened by using a mix of logical and emotional appeals. Logical appeals will emphasize the importance of insurance to having a more secure future, especially during these economically chaotic times, while the emotional appeals will focus on the happiness and comfort that MLCs wealth management expertise can offer.

An era of globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

An era of globalization - Essay Example Apart from the economic conditions which allowed for the state's generosity in regards to welfare provision, political rationales have also been forwarded as contributory to the rise of the welfare state. The widespread victory of Labour parties in Europe, particularly in Britain, for example, is said to have led to an increase in social policies targeted towards the social and economic security of the working class, the main beneficiaries of the welfare state and the backbone of these parties. (Korpi 2003) Esping-Andersen also articulates another view of the welfare state's "golden age" as a political move to instill social citizenship among the citizenry: "In moral terms, the welfare state promised a more universal, classless justice and solidarity of 'the people': it was presented as a ray of hope to those who were asked to sacrifice for the common good in the war effort. The welfare state was therefore also a political project of nation-building: the affirmation of liberal democracy against the twin perils of fascism and bolshevism. Many countries became self-proclaimed welfare states not so much to give a label to their social policies as to foster social integration." (1997) The presence of several contributory factors accountable for the welfare state's "golden age" precludes the existence also of more than one factor responsible for its decline. As has been stated earlier, the decline of the welfare state is said to be marked by the economic recession of the mid-70s. Beginning from then, the expansion of welfare state provisions which marked the golden age of the post-war decades has grounded to a halt, and in most countries has reversed into a retrenchment. This trend continues to persist, and the factors contributing to it have been a matter of much debate. Demographics, or population characteristics such as age, fertility rates, and the gender composition of the labor force within these welfare states is one of the key factors that has often been forwarded in regards to the welfare state's decline. Changes in the demography of these welfare states, particularly an increase in the number of welfare recipients brought about by an ageing population and decreased fertility rates, is said to exert demands on the welfare state which it cannot meet, resulting in a retrenchment of welfare policies. (Pierson 2001) As the main proponent of this view, Pierson further explains that this age shift in the population structure of these welfare states exerts tremendous pressure since it increases the demand on two key welfare sectors: health and pension, sectors which, in the EU alone, accounted for almost 2/3 of the total spending on social protection in 1991. (2001) Cochrane agrees that demographics do influence the policy-making of welfare states: In the golden age, the same demographic trends exerted similar pressure to the welfare states to increase welfare benefits and services. (Cochrane 2001) The differences in government response then and now, though, indicate the prevalence of other factors which determine what

Bypass the Story of a Road Analysis Essay Example for Free

Bypass the Story of a Road Analysis Essay McGirr takes virtually every detour possible and in doing so seems to suggest that life’s journey is at its most interesting when one strays from the central path. It is in the towns and rest stations that McGirr encounters individuals with interesting stories to tell – stories that give McGirr’s narrative its essential variety and ‘life’. McGirr’s interest is not only in what lies off to the side of the ‘main road’ in a literal sense. He is attracted by the lives of ‘ordinary’ people who are not famous or even particularly successful. Even when relating incidents from his life as a priest he enjoys telling stories that would otherwise never appear in print: attending the wrong wedding reception; seeing a bride answer a mobile phone. He does occasionally refer to famous or powerful people; even here, though, his preference is for the little known incident over the important, nation-shaping decision – such as John Curtin’s midnight pot of tea in a Gundagai cafà ©. In short, McGirr suggests that, although the highway itself is valuable, we must not forget or neglect places and lives that the highway bypasses, for these too constitute the ‘life-blood’ of the nation. And similarly, although the nation’s central story or history is important – that of, say, the Anzacs, the explorers, the two world wars – the stories that lie off to the side of the historical mainstream are equally worth knowing, are equally valuable. As narrator and author of this narrative, McGirr has a lot of control over how he depicts himself. Indeed, ‘the power of the person who gets to tell the story’ (p.19) is considerable, as he notes when discussing Hovell’s power over Hume in that regard. McGirr is depicted as a fairly affable, if occasionally bumbling figure whose decision to leave the Jesuit order after twenty-one years is a life-changing one. The decision prompts him to experience a number of ‘firsts’: he buys property in Gunning; embarks on an intimate relationship with Jenny whom he subsequently marries and has children with; and decides to travel on a bike down the Hume Highway and document his progress. McGirr might come across as something of an ‘everyman’ figure but his life-experiences mark him as someone rather eclectic (unusual). McGirr displays a capacity for droll humour throughout the narrative, and also a willingness to reflect deeply on his experiences and those of others. His reflective tendencies see him discuss his struggle to sincerely uphold the vow of obedience when he was a member of the Jesuit order (p.173), and also his feeling of being alone when he first joined the order (p.229). It might be argued that McGirr is depicted as someone who thinks a little too much: the discussion of his dilemma about buying orange juice with the money allocated to new Jesuits for ‘emergencies’ (p.228) is an example. Fortunately, his capacity for reflection does not make the text too ponderous. McGirr’s accounts of his developing relationship with Jenny and his self-deprecatory asides about his weight (p.31, p.98), snoring (p.227), age (p.32) and tendency to lecture others (p.142) depict him as a jovial, likeable bloke. Bypass, a hybrid work of creative non-fiction is a memoir, travel story, social history, romance and road story. The literary devices used in Bypass enliven and enrich the writing with sparkling wit. For example: ‘Hovell had been a naval captain. On land, however, he was all at sea.’(p 19) ‘They were like fishermen who were prepared to dam their own river rather than let it starve them.’(p 48) ‘A roadhouse is a place where everything that can’t be eaten has been laminated, and not all the food can be eaten.’(p 66) ‘Guerrilla warfare is the opposite of God who, for some unknown reason, makes his or her absence felt even when present.’(p 81) ‘I came to Gunning to hide, but people kept finding me.’(p 97) ‘Sturt went blind trying to see what none had seen before.’(p 170) McGirr’s anger at some social problems is often expressed in blunt metaphors, for example, when discussing gaming machines in Goulburn he writes: ‘They are abattoirs of the human spirit.’(p 90) His love for language is reflected, for example, where the text is an extended reverie on arcane words and their meanings eg panier (p 98), or in his jovial attempt to find a word to describe a group of prime ministers (pp 153-4). Humour is one of the most appealing features Bypass, for example the discussion of caravans with a fellow traveller (pp 110-1). Michael McGirr is masterly in creating punch lines to end his stories. eg ‘I don’t believe in washing your dirty laundry in public.’(p 263) The Hume Highway: The Hume Highway runs for over eight hundred kilometres inland, between Sydney and Melbourne. Early settlers, such as Charles Throsby and Hume and Hovell, made journeys overland that eventuated in the Hume Highway being developed. The road, initially sometimes called the Great South Road in New South Wales and Sydney Road in what became Victoria, has been re-routed, extended and improved over time. In 1928, it became officially known as the Hume Highway. A number of towns originally on the Hume Highway have now been bypassed to reduce both travel times and the amount of traffic (especially trucks) passing through town centres. The meaning of bypass: The term bypass means to go around something; a road bypass normally goes around a town or the centre of a town. There are many such bypasses on the Hume Highway, allowing the traveller to avoid built up areas and suburban streets. However, although Bypass is the story of a journey along the Hume Highway, the title makes it clear that McGirr’s main interest is in how the road goes around places and people, and what the effects of this might be – both positive and negative. For more about McGirr’s engagement with the notion of a bypass, see the section on Themes, Ideas and Values. The main idea in the novel Bypass is the idea of a journey. In literal terms, Bypass: the story of a road tells the story of a physical journey from one point to another: in this case, from Sydney to Melbourne. However, McGirr makes clear that a journey can have qualities that are more metaphorical. The literary references to Don Quixote and Anna Karenina, in particular, suggest very different types of journeys. The quotation from Don Quixote, ‘there’s no road so smooth that it ain’t got a few potholes’, implicitly signals Sancho’s philosophical take on the nature of relationships and life more generally. This attitude towards the vicissitudes of life clearly informs the text as a whole. For instance, McGirr comments about the degree to which his ‘silly adventure’ might impact negatively on his relationship with Jenny (p.137). Likewise, the comments he makes about the truckies whose marriages can suffer from their long hours on the road (p.52), suggest that physical journeys and emotional journeys are closely intertwined. The frequent references to Anna Karenina also signal McGirr’s interest in the romantic and tragic dimensions of life. The flirtatious comments about McGirr’s relationship with Anna Karenina, his predilection for relinquishing (and then recovering) the text from time to time and the inevitable decision to place her in close proximity to a railway (p.260) work symbolically as a comment on life more generally, as well as on the plot of Tolstoy’s novel. After all, Tolstoy’s Anna throws herself in front of a train. McGirr is all too aware of the fragility of life – both on the road and beyond it. In this novel, death and memorial are also an important theme. The ultimate destination in life’s journey is death. McGirr does not shy away from discussing the fragility of life and makes much of the memorials on the Hume Highway. Death is something that cannot be bypassed and, like ‘the road [which] has no respect for persons or status’ (p.158), it comes to us all. As McGirr notes when reflecting on the cemetery in Gunning, ‘even a long life is short’ (p.7). For McGirr the Hume Highway is ‘sacred space’ (p.15); it is ‘lined with countless reminders of death’ (p.178) and memorialises both those who have died on it and those who have died at war. While McGirr is respectful and interested in the memorials dedicated to the war dead, his main priority is to acknowledge that death comes to all and that the lives of all ordinary Australians – including soldiers – are worth acknowledging and commemorating. Indeed, this is clearly conveyed by his juxtaposition of the near-death experience of Kerry Packer (p.40) and the funerals of the Queen Mother (p.255) and the Princess of Wales (p.256) with the experiences of less well-known individuals. Packer’s blunt assertion that there is no life beyond the grave is contrasted with the more positive reflection of a woman who believed that her husband had ‘gone to the great swap-meet in the sky’ (p.41). Similarly, the vast amount of coverage and ceremony afforded the funerals of the Queen Mother and the Princess of Wales is diametrically opposed to the more poignant account of the interment of Anton, a lonely old man whose funeral was attended by three people: the undertaker, Anton’s neighbour and McGirr in his role as priest (p.256). McGirr says of those like Anton, ‘At least God knew this person †¦ even if nobody else did’ (p.256). McGirr’s accounts of death or near-death experiences are most chilling when he considers those who have endured harrowing experiences on the road. His discussion of the murders committed by Ivan Milat (pp.70–4) and by bushrangers (pp.77–83) brings home the fact that ‘the Hume has a dark side’ (p.70). Not wanting to sensationalise – or justify – the actions of these men, McGirr nonetheless provides some background details to depict them in ways that are complex, non-judgemental and at times unnerving. ENTRY SEVEN: PHILOSOPHY IN BYPASS Given McGirr’s work as a priest for much of his life, it is not surprising that this text is largely preoccupied with issues of faith and philosophical ponderings about life more generally. McGirr makes clear his continued belief in God (p.174) but is not heavy-handed in his discussion of faith. The gently humorous and respectful way in which he recounts Jenny’s aphorisms (wise sayings) about life is a case in point. His recollection of Jenny’s remark that he should ‘just accept [the Hume Highway] for what it is †¦ you’ll enjoy it more’ (p.155) is exemplary. His discussion of Jenny’s view that there is a concave (negative and convex (optimistic) way of looking at the world (p.170) – and that he ‘might be right’ (p.170) in thinking that he has a concave approach to the world is similarly light-hearted in tone but relevant to the book’s overall interest in forms of belief. The light-hearted banter continues when McGirr discusses his acquisition of the Chinese philosophical text, Tao Te Ching. Its pithy words of wisdom are for McGirr redolent of the bumper sticker sayings that he has liberally peppered throughout his narrative. At times, McGirr’s discussion of philosophical matters takes on a more earnest tone. His discussion of how, as a priest, he subscribed to the vow of obedience in an effort to ‘make up a sense of purpose which I otherwise lacked’ (p.173) and his related anxiety that he would reach the ‘point at which you can no longer recognise yourself in the things you are starting to say or do’ (p.173) signal his need to be honest with himself as well as with others. His comment that ‘the secret of being human is learning how to enjoy our limitations’ (p.301) suggests that honesty and humility are part and parcel of a reflective existence, McGirr is also interested in the ways in which others concern themselves with spiritual matters. His discussion of the House of Prayer in Goulburn shows how prayer provides respite from the manic nature of everyday life and celebrates those like Catherine who dedicate their lives to helping others in need find peace (pp.85–6). In a very different and secular vein, McGirr recounts the belief Liz Vincent has in ghosts – of people and of the road. Although Vincent does not believe in God, McGirr seems fascinated by her stories and sensitively recounts her belief that ‘the people we love can scarcely bear to leave us and sometimes hang around as ghosts’ (p.59). Perhaps more interesting is Vincent’s claim that the old Hume Highway near Picton has a ‘ghostly presence of its own’ (p.59), appearing before unwary drivers’ eyes and beguiling them into believing that the phantom road they are following is the real thing (p.59). ENTRY EIGHT: THE POLITICS IN BYPASS In some ways Bypass is a book about power – about who has it and who does not. As McGirr writes, ‘Roads are political. Building them is a sign that somebody is the boss’ (p.14). McGirr’s discussion of the impact on Merri Creek of the F2 freeway into Melbourne (p.284), the ensuing court case and the verdict that ultimately endorsed the freeway project, exemplifies the political nature of road-making. The very essence of a bypass, for instance, is a political act and McGirr makes this clear when discussing the difficulties surrounding the decision to create an internal or an external bypass for Albury in the late 1990s (pp.203–6). Concerns about the economic effect of a route directing traffic away from town are weighed up with concerns about the impact of noise and pollution that a new road near or through a town invariably brings. Tussles between federal and state governments, as was the case with the Albury bypass, certainly highlight the political nature of road-making, as do arguments between different interest groups. The issue of the Albury bypass, along with the 1979 truck blockade staged between Camden and Picton on a notorious stretch of road known as razorback (pp.47–51), illustrate power struggles of very different sorts. McGirr also points out that the amount of money spent on roads as opposed to public transport is a political act. He writes that ‘in the last ten years, for every dollar spent on laying rail in Australia, eight dollars have been spent on highways’ (p.92). This pattern of spending is, he continues, ‘a symptom of something deeper because government spending decisions simply mirror the interests of voters’ (p.92). Bypass: the story of a road is particularly concerned with the way the highway has been the backdrop for various well-known and not so well-known aspects of Australia’s history. From Hume and Hovell’s early markings of the Hume Highway, to the increased tea ration bargained for by Jack Castrisson when John Curtin visited the Niagara Cafà © in Gundagai, to Ned Kelly’s exploits, to the antics of the humble, ordinary Australians who travel on the Hume year by year, McGirr celebrates the way aspects of Australia’s history are part and parcel of the Hume Highway’s rich narrative. McGirr’s interest in Australian history is, however, not indicative of a desire to celebrate or endorse conventional representations of Australia’s past. In a number of instances, McGirr wants to query the legitimacy of idealistic views of the nation’s evolution. McGirr challenges the idea that Australia is an egalitarian nation, for example, and claims tha t this view is a ‘myth’ (p.200). He also reminds readers of the fraught relationship between colonisers and Indigenous Australians when he discusses the life and death of an Aboriginal man named Bill Punch who survived a massacre as a baby and went on to fight for the Allies on the Western Front in World War I (pp.246–7). McGirr’s willingness to temper some representations of Australia’s past is underpinned by an appreciation of the power of language. He notes that those who are in a position to write about the past can have more agencies in their lives and also more control of history than those who don’t (p.19). This awareness allows him to ponder on the way bushrangers and explorers have been depicted over time, and how being literate can impact on the type of individual one becomes (pp.77–8). McGirr is attentive to the idea that some histories are not told and that those that are relayed are not always definitive. Bypass: the story of a road offers a quirky exploration of the Hume Highway and the personalities of the people whose lives have been touched by the road in one way or another. At the age of 40, former Jesuit priest, Michael McGirr armed with not much more than a copy of Anna Karenina, some spare clothes and a less than state-of-the-art Chinese built bicycle set out to ride the 880 kilometres (547 miles) of the Hume Highway which links Sydney and Melbourne. While the ride forms the backdrop to McGirrs book Bypass: The Story of a Road, like all good travelogues the ride itself is really just a frame to hang the real story around, which as the title suggests, is the story of the Hume Highway. From its humble beginnings as a rough track across the Great Dividing Range, to its current state as a modern dual carriageway, the Highway continues to serve as the major thoroughfare linking Australias two largest cities. Bypass took me on a wonderful journey covering the history of the Hume, and the politics that helped shape it. Along the way you meet some great and not so great Australian characters that have helped imprint the name of the highway into the Australian psyche. People like the 61 year old Cliff Young (great), who in 1983 won the inaugural Sydney to Melbourne foot race against competitors half his age. And men like Ivan Milat (not so great) who was convicted of the murder of seven young backpackers and hitch-hikers, all of whom he buried in the Belanglo State Forest. Then there are the explorers Hamilton Hume (after whom the Highway was eventually named) and William Hovell, who in 1824 along with at least six others, set of from Appin (near the present day Sydney suburb of Campbelltown) for the first successful quest to reach Melbourne. Through the novel, I also met truckies; the bushrangers Ben Hall and Ned Kelly; and the poets Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson. I attended a Catholic Mass in Tarcutta officially the halfway point between Sydney and Melbourne where apart from the priest and two parishioners, the only other people in attendance are the author of Bypass and his companion Jenny, who has by this time joined him on his ride to Mel bourne. Reading this book, it seemed like I visited almost every country town along the route of the Hume Highway, and learn something about each of them. Towns like Goulburn, famous for the Big Merino and Goulburn Jail (where Ivan Milat is currently serving seven life sentences). I visited Holbrook and learn why the outer shell of the Oberon Class submarine HMAS Otway now sits in a public park in the middle of town. In Chiltern we pass by the childhood home of the Australian writer Henry Handel Richardson, and learn that Henrys real name was Ethel Florence. I learned too, that like other female writers have done throughout history, Ethel wrote under a male nom de plume because at the time it was felt that women didnt have what it took to be great writers. And I also visited the town of Yass, and drop by the Liberty Cafà © for a meal before continuing on the journey, and turning page after page. Across its many short chapters, Bypass also introduced me to some of the thousands of bumper stickers that adorn the rear ends of many Australian vehicles. In fact, McGirr uses stickers as chapter headings to introduce the readers to every aspect of his journey. Thus, the bumper sticker THE OLDER I GET THE BETTER I WAS, allows him to explain some of his own personal story and the reasons for his decision to ride the Hume Highway. In the chapter THE GODDESS IS DANCING, McGirr introduces us to his riding partner Jenny, and in DEATH IS THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL NOTICE, we pause to learn about some of the many roadside memorials that mark the sites of fatal road accidents that line the Highway. To conclude, the book is immensely readable, always entertaining and informative, often surprising, and constantly filled with odd facts and humorous anecdotes. These keep the story moving along smoothly and effortlessly which cannot always be said of Michael McGirrs monumental bike ride.

Testing the Materials and its Importance Essay Example for Free

Testing the Materials and its Importance Essay The history of the development of protective gears worn by fire fighters would not be complete without the discussion of the most important aspect involved in the production, creation and standardization of the â€Å"safe† and â€Å"effective† fire protection gear and clothing for fire figthers. â€Å"A number of standards organizations have tests for the performance of thermal protective clothing when it is new, however there is currently no standard for the continuing performance of this gear (Yarborough, 2005, p. 74). † This is important because brand new equipment, gear and clothing should provide optimum capability for whatever purpose it was designed for. It is quite dangerous, however, that these gears are not subjected to more tests as they age after numerous use, which forces fire fighting organizations to either purchase new fire protective gears after a particular period of time or when they believe that the equipment has already surpassed its usability and efficiency. While some organizations who do not have ample funding from government may opt to make do with what they have even if there gears and protective clothing is in a state of questionable efficiency and usability. This situation may also prove to be a catalyst for the important change in the history of protective gear and clothing used in fire fighting, especially if this particular discrepancy is acted upon with new policies that address the problem of efficiency and reliability of old and used protective gear and clothing. â€Å"As performance of this clothing can deteriorate over its useful lifetime, there is a need to develop methods to determine when fire departments should retire their gear (Yarborough, 2005, p. 74). † But the presence of tests and examinations nonetheless are important points in the manufacturing and use of fire fighting clothing and gears. These examinations and quality tests through the years have become an important aspect in the creation of fire protection clothing and gear. This action guarantees fire fighters and fire officials that what the government regulates its fire fighters to wear are actually proven safe and effective and will contribute to the safety assurance of the lives of the fire figthers during fire fighting operations. These examinations test different protective gears and clothing, submit it to real, brutal and worse case scenario situations to see how it responds and how it affects the person wearing it, at the same time allowing the investigators to see the areas of improvement for these particular fire protection clothing and gear. Without these examinations and measures designed to regulate the design and use of fire protection gears and clothing, fire fighters do not know for sure if what they are wearing and what they are using can actually help them. â€Å"The National Fire Protection Association has published the NFPA Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Fire Fighting which specifies construction and minimum performance requirements for structural fire fighting gear. The standard references a number of ASTM fabric tests for use in the specification of new gear elements (Yarborough, 2005, p. 74). † What is more dangerous is that fire fighters maybe led into a false hope of safety that they are unknowingly putting themselves in harm’s way with the odds heavily stacked against them because they are not as well protected as they thought they were.

Therapeutic Hypothermia for Postnatal Refractory Hypoxemia

Therapeutic Hypothermia for Postnatal Refractory Hypoxemia THERAPEUTIC HYPOTHERMIA FOR POSTNATAL REFRACTORY HYPOXEMIA « A CASE REPORT IN A TERM NEONATE K. Sarafidis1, E. Diamanti1, V. Soubasi1, K. Mitsakis2, V. Orossou-Agakidou1, Bianca Popovici3, M. Moga3 Summary We describe a term neonate treated with whole-body hypothermia several days after birth to counteract refractory hypoxemia due to persistent pulmonary hypertension unresponsive to optimal treatment. This approach was selected to improve oxygenation and protect the brain from the consequences of hypoxemia. In our experience, hypothermia did not worsen pulmonary hypertension, although no beneficial effect on oxygenation was noted. Never ­theless, the favorable neurological outcome of die neonate provides some evidence for neuroprotection against refractory hypoxemia using hypothermia. Key words: persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate, neuroprotection, mechanical ventilation Rà ©sumà © Lhypothermie thà ©rapeutique pour lhypoxà ©mie rà ©fractaire post-natale: prà ©sentation dun cas dun nouveau-nà © à   terme Nous dà ©crivons un nouveau-nà © à   terme traità © par hypothermie du corps entier quelques jours aprà ¨s la naissance afin de neutraliser lhypoxà ©mie rà ©fractaire due à   lhypertension pulmonaire persistante qui ne rà ©pond pas à   un traitement optimal. Cette approche a à ©tà © choisie pour amà ©liorer loxygà ©nation et protà ©ger le cerveau contre les consà ©quences de lhypoxà ©mie. Dans notre expà ©rience, lhypo ­thermie na pas aggravà © lhypertension artà ©rielle pulmonaire, mais il na à ©tà © notà © aucun effet bà ©nà ©fique sur loxygà ©nation. Nà ©anmoins, là ©volution neurologique favorable du nouveau-nà © a fourni des preuves de neuroprotection contre lhypoxà ©mie rà ©fractaire à   laide de lhypothermie. Mots clefs: hypertension pulmonaire persistante, neuroprotection Introduction anagement of late preterm and term neonates with moderate-severe hypoxic- ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) following perinatal asphyxia is, hitherto, the only evidence-based application of hypothermia in neonatology as it reduces mortality without increasing major disability in survivors [1, 2]. Other situations such as perinatal arterial ischemic stroke, neonates with HIE beyond the therapeutic window of the first 6 hours after birth or less than 36 weeks gestation and those with unexpected postnatal collapse could potentially benefit from this neuroprotective treatment, but, at present, only few or no data is available [2, 3]. This case describes a term neonate treated with whole-body hypothermia several days after birth to counteract refractory hypoxemia and protect the brain from its consequences. Case report A female, 3.470 g newborn was transferred to our hospital at 10 hours of life for respiratory distress. The baby was bom at 39+4 weeks gestation after caesarian section due to mild fetal distress. Bag and mask ventilation were given at birth, and the 1 and 5 minute Apgar scores were 6 and 9, respectively. Conventional mechanical venti ­lation was started upon admission to our department while the lung X-ray was suggestive of transient tachypnea. Temporal improvement in oxygenation was noted following exogenous surfactant administration (Beractant, 100 mg/Kg/dose). Thereafter, oxygen requirements increased significantly, despite optimal ventilation (including high-frequency oscillatory ventilation) and supportive management (sedation-analgesia, inotropes). Following X-rays consis ­tently showed the absence of parenchymal lung disease. Car ­diac ultrasound confirmed the clinical diagnosis of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate (PPHN), but inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) at 20 ppm and other adjunctive therapies (oral sildenafil, bosentan) had no clinical effect. Repeat sepsis work-up was negative. Continuing, severe impairment in oxygenation prompted us to apply whole-body hypo ­thermia (Tecotherm Neo ®, target rectal temperature 33.5 ±0.5  °C)for 72 hours starting from day of life (DOL) 6, which was well tolerated. During hypothermia, the respira ­tory failure slightly improved, in the short term, as indicated by the reduction of alveolar-arterial difference of oxygen (fig. 1). Despite refractory hypoxemia, no clinical seizures were obsewed whereas there were no pathologic findings on head ultrasound scans and amplitude-integrated-EEG. Interestingly, the sleep-wake cycle was lost during cooling but normalized after the end of this treatment. From DOL 14 onwards, oxygenation started to improve (although still with variable) finally allowing weaning from the ventilator (DOL 20) (fig. 1). Brain imaging (ultrasound scan, magnetic resonance imaging) were normal at hospital discharge (DOL 36) as was later neurodevelopment (6 months). Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to report the use of whole-body hypothermia in neonates with refractory hypoxemia secondary to PPHN as adjunct to mechanical ventilation and as neuroprotection. PPHN is an important cause of neonatal respiratory failure associated with increased mortality and neurological impairments in survivors [4]. Hypothermia reduces oxygen consumption as well as C02 production [5]. Moreover, experimental animal data show that hypothermia may protect [6] or attenuate the ventilator-induce lung injury mitigating the pro-inflammatory response [7]. Improved gas exchange has also been reported in the latter investigations [7]. Similarly, there is evidence although limited from studies in critically ill adults suggesting an improvement in oxygenation [81 and ventila ­tion [91 with hypothermia. Therefore, this therapeutic technique could potentially be beneficial in our patient breaking the vicious circle of hypoxemia, PPHN and ventila ­tor-induced lung injury. On the other hand, aggravation of Figure 1 Supportive care and serial changes of alveolar-arterial difference of oxygen (AaD02, best and worse) during the first 3 weeks of life (B and C). Initial lung X-rays (A) and snapshot of the a-EEG recording before and during hypothermia (D) are also shown. hfov CMV: Conventional mechanical ventilation, DOL: Day of life, HFOV: High-frequency oscillatory ventilation, iNO: Inhaled nitric oxide PPHN was a possible clinical scenario, given the metabolic response to cold stress (increased catecholamines and pulmonary vascular resistance) [5]. In large randomized controlled trials of hypothermia in perinatal asphyxia, PPHN at randomization was considered as an exclusion criterion [21. It is our clinical observation that a slight and temporal improvement in alveolar-arterial difference of oxygen was indeed observed during hypothermia. However, this could be an oxygen extraction issue. At lower temperatures, oxyhemo globin dissociation curve is shifted to the left resulting in decreased oxygen release to the tissues which in turn have decreased oxygen demands [5]. Nevertheless, the fact that improved oxygenation was not sustained and, also, that coin ­cided with the application of high frequency ventilation does not allow us to support any significant effect of whole-body hypothermia per se on oxygenation. Yet, this trend towards improvement in oxygenation is in line with the most recent relevant meta-analysis, in which hypothermia was found not to increase the risk of PPHN, at least as indicated by the need for Ino [1]. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) could be an alternative treatment to PPHN [4], but no ECMO center was available. Conversely, this invasive intervention encompasses severe risks for the brain. Actually, for this very reason mild hypothermia was preventively attempted for 12 hours in a small cohort of neonates receiving ECMO. Unfortunately, neurodevelopment outcome was not assessed [10]. We applied therapeutic hypothermia as this is a promising means of neuroprotection in neonates. None the less, two facts merit comment in the present case: the lack of any clinical or other evidence of brain injury (normal head ultrasound scan, a-EEG) when cooling was decided and the application of hypothermia several days after birth. So far, hypothermia is only indicated as early as possible in neonates with evidence of HIE following an acute perinatal event, so as to limit the already activated molecular mecha ­nisms of neuronal damage and death [11]. It is impossible to know whether prolonged hypoxemia triggered such a cascade of events in our neonate. However, therapeutic hypothermia has also been tested in neonatal conditions, independent of neuroprotection. Advanced necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants is such an example, where mild hypothermia was applied as an alternative therapy to reduce intestinal injury and distal organ damage [12]. Specific biochemical biomark ers or more sophisticated techniques (e.g., magnetic resonance spectroscopy) could possibly have provided some indications as to the presence of cerebral injury secondary to refractory hypoxemia and the impact of hypothermia. Such techniques, however, are available for use at the bedside only in a few centers [13]. Additionally, our baby-girl was not part of a relevant study and, therefore, no investigations beyond those indicated in everyday clinical practice were performed. Nonetheless, its favorable neurological outcome is encouraging. Since we are not, however, able to know whether and to what extent hypothermia had any neuroprotective effect against hypoxemia related to respiratory failure, this approach needs to be evaluated in large trials.

Reaction Rate Investigation :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

Reaction Rate Investigation Planning I am trying to work out the rate of reaction between marble chips (calcium carbonate) and Hydrochloric acid. This will be my plan of how to carry out my investigation. There are many factors, which I could change in this experiment. These are 1) Concentration. An increase in concentration means there are more particles. More particles means there will be more collisions. 2) Surface Area. Breaking the solid into smaller pieces will increase the surface area exposed to the other reactant. 3) Temperature. Increasing the temperature will cause the particles to move faster. When particles move faster, more collisions occur and the collisions are more violent. This should increase the reaction rate. All of these factors will affect the reaction rate, but I have decided to change the concentration of Hydrochloric acid. This will determine the rate of reaction by measuring the amount of Carbon Dioxide given off. As I will only change one factor, I will have to keep other factors constant. These will be: - 1) The temperature 2) The size of the marble chip 3) The same apparatus will be used throughout the experiment I predict that as the concentration of hydrochloric acid increases and it becomes more concentrated, the more Carbon Dioxide will be given off. As the concentration increases the chip will fizz more violently. When the concentration has been doubled, the reaction will have doubled. The reaction rate can be increased if the concentration of the reactant is raised. As there are more particles to react with in a higher concentration of acid, the chance of an effective collision goes up. I have performed similar experiments and have acquired this equation: Calcium + Hydrochloric Calcium + Carbon + Water =============================================== Carbonate Acid Chloride Dioxide The reaction rate is also known as the collision theory. This is when successfully 2 particles collide with each other and give off a successful product. This is as shown below: For my experiment I will use 5 different concentrations of hydrochloric acid. These are: 0.5M 1M 1.5M 2M 2.

Richard B :: Business and Management Studies:

Richard B The cost of the plant renovation is paid in full on December 31, 1991. 1) Changes to analysis: a. The lost output due to construction should reflect the higher output of the renovated plant (24,075). Thereby the net output for the year corresponds to 10 months of the new output. b. The DDB depreciation should switch to straight-line when straight line is greater. Otherwise the plant does not get fully depreciated. c. The 3.5% overhead on capital for new projects should not be applied for the renovation of existing equipment. The overhead of the existing plant is not affected. Since there is no incremental change in overhead, it should not be included in the analysis. d. The preliminary engineering cost should not be included in the analysis for making a decision to renovate the plant. These are sunk costs and therefore are not included in an incremental analysis. e. A cumulative DCF was added so the payback period is clearly illustrated. The Hawkins' analysis appeared to add the "Free Cash Flow" without discounting to obtain the payback period. The revised payback period is 5.21 years. f. The equivalent annuity was added. The annuity equivalent to the revised NPV of 6.08 million pounds is 0.80 million pounds. This figure can be divided by the number of shares FYE 91 to obtain the average earnings per share of 0.0086 pounds. The Hawkins' analysis appeared to average the "Free Cash Flow" without discounting then divided by the number of shares to obtain the EPS. g. Hawkins should perform sensitivity analyses to the market price of polypropylene, the cost of the renovation, and the efficiency advantage of the renovated plant. (These are shown in Exhibits 2b through 2e). The margins are revised for the new prices keeping the cost of production fixed. Transport Division The cost of the additional capital required by the transport division should not be included in the analysis. Empirical Chemicals is actually helping the transport division by using its excess capacity. Additional capital obtained by the transport division should be paid by all of its customers through transportation fees. Director of Sales ================= There are a number of producers of polypropylene that have higher costs than EC Rotterdam. These producers will be the first to feel

Othello Essay

In Shakespeare’s Othello, we see the protagonist Othello being deceived due to his openness of nature and credulity. When Iago estimates Othello’s character as follows, â€Å"The moor is of a free and open nature, / Those thinks men honest but seem to be so. / And will as tenderly be led by the nose/ As asses are. † (II. i. 387-90). We see that it is this trait of his which strained his relationship with his beloved Desdemona. The great tragedy of Shakespeare, Othello, starts with a marriage which was based on a very strong bond of love between Othello and Desdemona. From the early part of the play itself, it is evident that Othello has a slight feeling about his inferiority in terms of beauty and color. He substantiates this point by telling that instead of loving him for what he is, â€Å"She loved me for the dangers I had pass’d, / And I loved her that she did pity them. † (I. iii. 167-8) We see that throughout the play, Othello is a victim of his own jealousy and Iago’s betrayal. This gives way to a change in attitude towards his lady love- Desdemona. As a result, Desdemona, once the whole world of Othello, became his ‘most loved enemy’ who happened to die by his own hands. Hence we can see that love in their relation reaches the highest point that even the lover’s life is at the disposition of her better half. That too as a victim of suspicious loyalty Desdemona is believed by him to be immersed in an affair with his trusted lieutenant, Cassio. To take advantage of the grains of suspicion in the mind of Othello about Desdemona, Iago sets the stage through her handkerchief. Othello is convinced by Iago that his fears about Desdemona’s disloyalty towards him are beyond doubt by promising that he saw Desdemona’s handkerchief with Cassio: â€Å"By Heaven, that should be my handkerchief† (IV. . 147). It is here that we get the most evident proof of Othello towards his wife as the love for his wife is well conveyed by making it clear that he can not bear to live knowing that his wife has become a whore,: â€Å"Aye, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. † (IV. i. 168). Thus a man, who was hailed for his royal lineage, his skill for adventure, his most efficient soldiership, his openness of nature and credulity, his modesty, and dignity stoops to the level of a murderer without any second thoughts. He did so because he loved his wife so dearly so that whether he lived or died, whether he maintained his reputation or not, nothing was of importance to him compared to his love for Desdemona. Here their relationship turns out to be ironic for it is difficult for a common man to think that one would murder someone for intense unblemished love. On the other hand, we see Desdemona forgetting her very self out of her self-effacing love and devotion for Othello. She idolized him, as she says: â€Å"I saw Othello’s visage in his mind/ And to his honours and his valiant parts/ Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate. (I. iii. 251-3). When she was charged with infidelity, and that her husband could not have done anything more unkind, she could only protest: â€Å"His unkindness may defeat my life,/ But never taint my love. † (IV. ii. 159-61). Her tactlessness that springs from her purity and innocence was what brought about her death. If she had imbibed the worldly maxims, which Emilia dispensed, she might have averted the disaster. She made a capital blunder in engaging herself to solicit for Cassio. She had not the remotest idea that her action might be misinterpreted. She did not realize it even at the visible displeasure of her lord. A woman of the world would have taken the hint, and pressed no more Cassio’s suit. Iago, in spite of himself, meant but the simple truth when he said, â€Å"She is of so free, so kind, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested. †(II. iii. 298-9). Not till the last moment did the truth break upon her mind that she had compromised herself by pleading for Cassio. It is the simplicity and purity of Othello and Desdemona, in all means that is exploited by Iago, who was trusted to the utmost by both, especially Othello. Othello’s life was always lived by faith, instead of right. Moreover, he was a man whose nature was passionate and high, generous in thought and ready in action. He considered all that is subtle and devious as dishonor, and as Desdemona understood about him, jealousy and suspicion was foreign to his nature. His life was always identified with his absolute trust in Desdemona. But when a person who was too honest to him throughout and a good friend full of experience, honor, devotion and delicacy to him, exhorted too vehemently that Desdemona is not at all honest to him and that she is having a very passionate love affair with Cassio, his innocence and purity forces him to believe it. Desdemona too is a victim to the darker shades of finer feelings like innocence, purity and simplicity. She is a saint who always stood firm for love, be it to her father or her husband. She firmly believes that there is nothing in this world that cannot be recovered by true love. Her answer concerning the fatal handkerchief, â€Å"It is not lost; but what an if it were? †(II. iv. 79) shows she, most pathetically and with a childlike innocence, endeavors to uphold the truth of her relation to her husband. If she had tried to reply to the accusation she was in, with harsh words, her angelic stature in the minds of those who loved her might have faltered. A close reading of the play substantiates the fact that Othello and Desdemona are the two most innocent people that ever existed. At first their relationship is romantic to the utmost but it takes a profane hue in course of time due to the lack of a perfect foundation for a relationship, by race, color, temper and character and hence we see an absence of trust, understanding and communication between the two. For Othello, the word ‘battle’ is of foremost importance as he was a perfect soldier. We see him telling about himself: â€Å"Rude am I in my speech, / And little bless’d with the soft phrase of peace; / For since these arms of mine had seven years’ pith, / Till now some nine moons wasted, they have us’d/ Their dearest action in the tented field;/ And little of this great world can I speak/ More than pertains to feats of broils and battle†. (I. iii. 81-7). In sharp contrast to this, we have Desdemona who is totally inexperienced in the ways of the world. It is Othello’s war stories that infatuate her. Once she identifies his virility and manliness, she is taken aback with a mad love towards him. But it should be debated whether that is a solid base on which a relation should be built on. We see that though she speaks so fondly about him, her understanding about his nature is minimum. She defends her newly born love for Othello, in the following words, (among other things), â€Å"My downright violence, and storm of fortunes, / May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdu’d / Even to the very quality of my lord. / I saw Othello’s visage in his mind, /†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ soul and fortune consecrate. † (I. iii 248-253) Hence the whole play shows forth that it is innocence and purity that laid foundation to the failure of the relation between Othello and Desdemona who was renowned for the purity of love between them crossing all the barriers that were ‘built’ by man. These good qualities, undoubtedly, turned fatal in their all encompassing love. We find Anthony Trollope’s Lady Anna an apt sequel to the relationship presented between Othello and Desdemona. In the above-said novel we have Daniel Thwaite, a tailor and his lover, later wife, Lady Anna, who belongs to the aristocracy. There too we have Frederic instead of Cassio. In both these works we see that the people with whom the ladies are accused of having an illegitimate relation are far better and appropriate than their present spouses. This instills a feeling of inferiority in both the men and that is what takes the garb of jealousy and in course of time their intense love to their better halves become too bitter and lead them to much graver mistakes. Trollope, no doubt had Shakespeare’s Othello in mind, while he was drawing his caricatures of Lady Anna, Thwaite and Frederic to make them sequels to Desdemona, Othello and Cassio respectively.

Book Review: Black Feminist Thought (Patricia Hill Collins)

Alexandra Bobet HIST 3119 Spring 2013 Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment (review) Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. Ed. By Patricia Hill Collins. (New York: Routledge, 2000. ii, 336 pp. Cloth, $128. 28, ISBN 0-415-92483-9. Paper, $26. 21, 0-415-92484-7. ) Patricia Hill Collins’s work, Black Feminist Thought seeks to center Black Women into intersectionalist thought, addressing the power struggles that face them not only due to their race but also to the gender.Masculine rhetoric and powerful male leaders such as Huey P. Newton and Eldridge Cleaver have overshadowed Black Women’s stories, both in and out of the Civil Right Rights/Black Power Era. It is an analysis that defines Black Feminist Thought, instead of recycling former White Feminist philosophies and providing interpretations of them. However, she does integrate consciousness raising into the body of work, drawing in from her personal experiences while analyzing the texts of women such as Alice Walker and bell hooks.The second edition of Black Feminist Thought differs from the first in both the complexity and the depth of oppression and empowerment, spanning into a transnational level. Collins breaks down her novel into three parts. Part I: The Social Construction of Feminist Thought, Part II: Core Themes in Black Feminist Thought, and Part III: Black Feminism, Knowledge, and Power. Bobet 2 Part I: The Social Construction of Feminist Thought covers the history of oppression of black women from various sectors.White feminism has failed women which use of essentialist philosophy, which Collins uses in the relationship between Rebecca Felton and Ida B Wells, the former praised by White feminists even though she was an advocate of lynching. Collins touches upon Black leadership and how it has addressed gender, in particular the case of Elaine Brown and the Black Panther Party of Oakland. Among Afric an-American female scholars there has been a concern in the masculinist bias of Black political and social thought.With these mediums of oppression, her first theory, referred to as the Matrix of Domination is brought up. Previous models of oppression were considered additive, or hierarchal, meaning that they must be ranked. Collins uses the experiences of black women to explain that all these modes of oppression, gender, race and class are interlocking and equally important when viewing domination. This bleeds mores into Part II, but the essentials are discussed in this section. While there is validity in this matrix, Collins’s approach is from a group level, and it does not cover how the individual may use the matrix.While it is true that all these modes of oppression are at play, it would be more beneficial for the individual to place a value on these modes. For one individual, race may be more of a factor than gender, for another individual it may differ, and so on. Anoth er critique of the matrix of oppression is how it does not address, sexual orientation, ableism, and ethnicity, among others. Part II: Core Themes in Black Feminist Thought tackles five themes: 1) a legacy of struggle, 2) treatment of the interlocking nature of race, class, and gender, 3) Bobet 3 eplacement of stereotyped images of black womanhood with those that are self defined, 4) black women’s activism, and 5) sensitivity to black sexual politics. The first three themes correlate to black motherhood and living in a binary environment, one in which black people are the oppressed and white people are the oppressors. Images of black womanhood have been terribly distorted to show stereotypes such as the unwed teenage mother and the welfare mother.Black women’s activism, one of the last core themes of the text, has been more of a desire for group survival and cohesion than any political motives, as seen with the story of Sara Brooks and her job as a domestic worker. Her job speaks larger volumes to political activism and the nature of oppression than many political texts, according to Collins. This outlook parallels many of bell hooks’s essays, especially â€Å"Theory As A Liberatory Practice. † This essay addresses the powers of the Sara Brookses of the world and how their actions complement the discourse that is being forged.Part III: Black Feminism, Knowledge, and Power comprises of the edits not found in the first edition. Drawing from experiences from Senegalese, American, and British Black feminists, the matrix of race, gender, and class oppressions are still relevant to all nations, despite diversity. Angela Davis is frequently cited as a champion of this transnational empowerment She encourages Black Women of privilege to not â€Å"ignore the straits of our sisters who are acquainted with the immediacy of oppression in a way many of us are not,† fueling Collins’s core theme of a type of feminism rooted in sister hood and familial ties.Analysis of oppression from a nationalistic point of view is represented, drawing further from her original gender/race/class matrix. Bobet 4 To conclude, Black Feminist Thought is thorough and crucial text because of how vigilantly it attempts (and successfully so) to not be another spin on White feminism. Using the methodological approach of historical materialism, it addresses the concerns that Black women have on the heels of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements.Concerns with the narrative are that while it does explain the roots of consciousness raising and feminist thought in Black Power movements, the overwhelming amount of text is based on the interpretations of writers such as Alice Walker, bell hooks, and Audre Lorde, much less on intellectuals. Collins touches upon the efforts of Elaine Brown, Angela Davis, and also provides a personal account of Francis Beale and her experience with racism in SNCC. Beale’s experiences with sexism, for example influenced her essay, â€Å"Black Women’s Manifesto; Double Jeopardy: To Be Black and A Woman. I found Collins’s assertion of what is a feminist to be inclusionary and not in any way rejecting masculinity, but more how the masculine rhetoric that has oppressed women should be rejected. Black feminist rhetoric created in backlash has centered on community awareness, and a sense of identity through a group. While Collins alludes to capitalism as also being a contributing factor in the oppression of Black women, there was not as much concrete evidence to support that as much as there was racism and sexism. Patricia Hill Collins forms a text that finally draws a map into the complexity of oppression and empowerment.