The moon Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The moon - Research Paper Example The parts that fragmented from this impact came together to form what is now seen as the moon (Howell 2014). A recent study by scientists upon a rock drawn from Apollo mission on the moon shows some evidence of this occurrence. The new research shows isotopic differences between the moons rock and those from the earth. The importance of this development is that it shows that a body of different composition must have caused the difference. If the moon came from Theia which is different from the earth, then the composition must be different. The scanning was done on samples from three Apollo missions 11, 12 and 16 with electron microscopes that are way better than what was used in the 60s and 70s when scientists took a first look at the rocks. By then, the microscopes could not allow them to detect any significant differences. The recent findings have it that the moon has 12 parts per million-17 greater oxygen content than that of the earth (Henney 2014). One of the most obvious effect s of the moon on earth is the presence of ocean tides, especially the spring tides which occur when the gravitational pulling of the earth combines with that of the moon to cause the highest rise. The rise of the sea and the fall of the same have major effect of sea life as life is exposed to air and dipped in water in a matter of hours. This shift is thought to be a major influence to evolution. The moon also has an effect on the rising tides of solid bodies on earth.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RATIOS ANALYSIS Assignment

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RATIOS ANALYSIS - Assignment Example The two main financial statements (the Income Statement and Balance Sheet) are going to be analyzed in both cases together with some financial ratios. However, before embarking on the aforementioned task, each of these banking corporations is going to be considered individually in a bid to understand their backgrounds. This is going to be in the order in which they have been mentioned in the introduction part. Flagstar Bank is a banking institution known by the official name Flagstar Bank and Flagstar Bancorp Investment Company acts as its holding company. It is headquartered at Troy, Michigan at the address 5151 Corporate Drive. Its website address is www.flagstar.com and its investor relations phone number is (248) 312-2000 and in case an investor wants to send an e-mail there is a facility on the company’s website to do that(investors@flagstar.com) plus an in case of any suspicion in dealings with Flagstar e-mail abuse@flagstar.com. The stock exchange trading symbol for this company is FBC at NYSE. The current share price is $0.79 and the company’s stock is under Financial Industries and further narrows down to the bank sector of NYSE. According to the 2009’s annual report, there are ten directors of which eight are outside directors and two are inside directors. Outside directors are considered independent when it comes to the company’s management decision making and therefore, mindful of the impact of the decisions’ impact on the shareholders. This is a branch bank and it operates around 175 banking centers. (flagstar.com, 2011) Universal banking refers to a case where banking firms have a network of branches, several firm claims, offers a variety of services as well as taking part in corporate governance upon firms which depend on banks for sourcing funds. Flagstar bank is not a universal bank according to the opinion of the study. (Calomiris, 1995 p1) On the other hand, the

Management, Innovation and New Technology Essay - 1

Management, Innovation and New Technology - Essay Example According to Sonnack, â€Å"3M was found to be in very good shape with respect to fundamental, technology-driven innovation† (Hippel, 1999). 3M’s policy promotes all the employees to dedicate up to 15% of the work time on any one project of choice of the employees. During this phase of work the developers are busy on new ideas as individuals and as informal groups. They try to fetch the project where it can be considered for formal support as a product or service development project. Technology and knowledge are the two approaches of innovation process through which a company can grow and expand. 3M has been able to utilize the technology and knowledge based strategy for innovation of many products. Especially the Post-it note pad was the innovation of 3M in which the application of technical and knowledge based innovation approaches were witnessed. There were lot of research and innovation processes going on with the product and the market. There were initial failures with the technology of the product and with constant knowledge application towards the product development, the company was successful in launching the standard Post-it note pad in the market and achieved success (Berman & Hagan, 2006). But Rhodes and Wield have discarded machine based or technology based innovation in support of knowledge based formation of technological change. The view provided by them was towards knowledge as frequently tactical and not as explicit. Technology is the body of knowledge and not machinery. Almost all the innovations occurred in an applied setting like shop floor. In 3M, all the employees get engaged in one project of their choice and devotes towards the project in making them reality. The culture of innovation environment has made the 3M develop many innovative products and services. Invention is determined appliance of the individual mind that surrenders an innovative conception with the practical application. According to The

Philosophical Ethics - Utilitarianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Philosophical Ethics - Utilitarianism - Essay Example There are drawbacks to seeing things from Mill’s perspective, first of all because Mill lived in a society which was much different and much less global than today’s society. Secondly, there are problems in equating society at the beginning of the industrial revolution, in terms of quality and safety of the workplace. So, many of the early uses of the philosophy have been supplanted by new uses, in which authors like Bentham expand definitions of utility, in two basically positivist representations of utilitarianism by these authors. Mill was famous with a philosophy called utilitarianism. â€Å"An apology is due to the philosophical opponents of utilitarianism, for even the momentary appearance of confounding them with any one capable of so absurd a misconception; which is the more extraordinary, inasmuch as the contrary accusation, of referring everything to pleasure† (Mill, 2010). The author doesn’t go into a lot of detail about this philosophy or the fact that it is rather out of date today, since it enjoyed its most prominence in the Victorian era. However people still do talk about utilitarianism today, and Mill uses a basically utilitarian argument of logic to state that no one should be more or less important than anyone else, in terms of sentient beings. Compared to Bentham, Mill is the earlier writer, and therefore he supplies more of a framework of utilitarianism. He sets out to define the theory as well as defend it, and the document is very insistent that this philosophy should not be conflated with simple hedonism. Rather, it is more of an early attempt at a social capital theory, with generalized terms that would represent the equation of happiness in society. What Mill and Bentham both see utilitarianism as is a moral theory, and this is correct, and therefore the author uses the moral theory to back up their own moral philosophy. â€Å"Jeremy Bentham incorporated the essential basis

The Struggles and the Victories of Modern France Essay Example for Free

The Struggles and the Victories of Modern France Essay Introduction Modern France has been a product of the historical struggles between the then prevailing Catholic Church and monarchy and the rising influence of intellectuals and revolutionaries. Pierre Birnbaums The Idea of France traces the roots of the modern French state and how the current status quo had been influenced by the ideological, political and social struggles that have shaken the country. Essentially, Birnbaum argued that France as we know it today was a product of one of the most important periods in the history of France- the Enlightenment and the French Revolution of 1789. Hence, much of what democracy in France today can be attributed to that period and the succeeding years of struggle to reach its current political stability. The Idea of France France according to Birnbaum has seen its soul as residing in a privileged relationship with reason (Birnbaum, xiii). This hallmarks the principles of enlightenment where reason was the primary tool in governing human activity particularly in the affairs of the state, the individuals and the society. Hence, it was a call to end the prevailing rule of the Church and the monarchy that was the remnants of the Middle Ages which is seen by the revolutionists as irrational and superstitious. Therefore, from the side of the revolution activists, the emergence of the power residing in the people emerged through the National Assembly or the Third Estate which received criticisms and oppositions from the traditionalists composed of the monarchy and the Church. From the oppositions and the struggle for supremacy in the government, Birnbaum argued that these antagonistic forces had served as the birthmark of the contemporary French democracy particularly its emphasis on plurality. While Modern France was built in over 200 years after the Enlightenment period, this era according to Birnbaum marked the time when the future of modern France was first hallmarked. In doing so, Birnbaum traced the origins and the development of the political antagonists and protagonists in order to support and defend the current status quo in an era when monarchy and the belief in the divine power was the norm. The division of France also stemmed from philosophers- those defending the reign of the Catholic Church and the monarchy and those who had been advocating a reform in the current system as advocated by the likes of Tocqueville. Hence, Birnbaum described the Third Republic as fraught with divisiveness reaching its peak in the Bloody Week of June 1871 and the conservatives gaining the upper hand. However, this victory was temporary and the ensuing Liberation and the Fourth Republic was established. At this time, France has already shifted to a parliamentary form of government existing in a coalition. At this time, the changes that were advocated during the French Revolution has been on process and the divisiveness still existed. It was only in the Fifth Republic that the political factions waned and the Republic and the Catholic Church evolved- they no longer exhibited the hatred that once fuelled their ideologies but rather have reformed their principles to change the anti-clericism. In doing so, the French government was able to provide for a pluralistic government as well as a cultural pluralism in the society of France. Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The primary strength of Birnbaums book is its ability to depict the contradictory forces in French history as both protagonists of democracy: it objectively portrayed the Catholic Church and the monarchy was essential elements in the reformation of a modern France. In doing so, Birnbaum avoids the overtly one-sided depiction of French history as nothing more than a struggle between proponents and opponents of democracy. Each had been ancillary to the other. Needless to say, the French Revolution occurred due to these two forces. Second, Birnbaum treated the 200 years and more as a history not only of politics but also of philosophies and of the people. For one, Birnbaum showed the historical context of the Modern France through a careful and thorough analysis of the cultural struggles in the country at the time. Moreover, it included an analysis of how France was able to overcome the multiculturalism at the time in order to give way to a more tolerant and a brand of French culturalism that is unique. Consequently, upon reading the book, one would appreciate the uniqueness of the French society and its struggles particularly in ushering the Enlightenment period. Hence, Birnbaum also showed readers and scholars from all over the world that the role France has played in modern democracies and current governmental structures are important. Third, while most history books would have delved into too much detail hence, focusing more on facts than on the importance of those facts, Birnbaum was able to capture the readers attention by focusing on the latter: the importance of events can only be appreciated if it can be related to what is relevant at the time and in modern times. Consequently, the only weakness of the book has been its inability to thoroughly relate the world events at the time and how it influenced the Frenchs history as well as how France had influenced other societies. While this is not central to the books theme, it would have given the readers the idea how revolutionary and how important the events in French history had been at a time when most governments are governed by the Church. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Guided by reason and a vision that looks at the society and the people as the primary guiding force for the changes in the society, The Idea of France rested on the argument that historical forces are all protagonists in shaping what French society and government is today. The actors primarily the Republicans and the Catholic Church and the monarchy including the opposing intellectuals and the people versus the nobility- all of these had been instrumental in creating the France that we know today. Modern democracies such as that of France springs from a multitude of events- in the case of The Idea of France it had been the increasing dismay of the people on the status quo governed by the Church and the monarchy. Essentially, The Idea of France by Birnbaum aptly captured the struggles and the victories of France in paving the way for a more democratic form of government particularly in establishing a government by the people and for the people. Concurrently, the struggle of France had endured years before it finally established the Modern France that we know today. Essentially, it is during the period of the Enlightenment and the succeeding years after it that the idea of modern France had been crafted and cemented. Work Cited Birnbaum, Pierre. The Idea of France. Hill and Wang. 352 pages. 2001.

Physics project Maglev Trains Essay Example for Free

Physics project Maglev Trains Essay Maglev trains are the means of transport clear – cut for the rapid and modernised society of the 21st century. With top speeds of 500 km/h the maglev trains can travel as fast as passenger aircrafts for a lower cost and with minimal impact to the environment. They are in fact possibly one of the best discoveries and one of the most promising sector in the future travel industry. The Laws of Physics The Maglev train is based on – 1. Magnetism – When two sets of magnets, one on the guide way and the other on the train have like poles facing each other repulsion takes place. It is this repulsive force that drives the train forward. 1. Electromagnetism – The magnets used are no ordinary magnets – they are electromagnets. A solenoid is made using wires and an aluminium core. When current flows through the wires the magnet is magnetised. The speed of the train can be controlled by the amount of current being supplied to the electromagnets. How is magnetic levitation achieved? There are two ways to levitate the train – 1. Electromagnetic suspension where electromagnets on the train body get attracted to the iron rails. After this, constantly switching the electromagnets on and off at a fast rate allows the train to levitate 2. Electro-dynamic suspension where the magnetised coil running along the guide way repels the magnets on the undercarriage of the train. Both these techniques allow the train to levitate 1 to 10 cm above the ground and give the feeling it is floating in air. How are Maglev trains propelled? Once the train has got levitated power is supplied to the coils in the guide way walls to create a unique system of magnetic fields that pull and push the train. The current supplied is AC, alternating current, and thus it keeps alternating to change the polarity of the magnetised coils. This ensures that any one time the magnets behind the carriage are repelling it to push it forward while the coils in front are attracting it, pulling it forward. This push and pull occurs simultaneously. The Newest Technology Maglev trains regularly reach speeds of 500 km/h since they do not need to resist friction. The only resistance is air resistance. This too can be overcome by building vacuum tubes through which these trains would travel and theoretically speaking such trains could even reach speeds such as 3500 km/h making inter – continental travel possible. Performance Comparison Maglev trains are much more efficient than common trains which run on fuel. Firstly, they are faster since they do not deal with friction. Secondly, they are cheaper since no fuel is burnt during the propulsion and minimal electricity is used since only certain parts of the track need to be energised at one point. Thirdly, it is safer since there is no chance of collision or derailment or at least a very minute chance compared to common trains. Lastly, these trains are much more environmentally friendly since they do not pollute the environment by releasing any toxic gases unlike common trains which do so. Bibliography Information Source The Guide Way and the Undercarriages http://science. howstuffworks. com/transport/engines-equipment/maglev-train. htm Future of Maglev Trains http://www. bbc. com/future/story/20120504-the-floating-future-of-trains How do Maglev Trains Levitate? http://www. lanl.gov/orgs/mpa/stc/train. shtml History and Introduction to Maglev Trains http://www. 21stcenturysciencetech. com/articles/Summer03/maglev2. html Magnetic Propulsion http://ffden-2. phys. uaf. edu/211_fall2002. web. dir/Adam_Caswell/page%201. htm Image Pg No. Source Maglev.

History Of The Food And Beverage Management Marketing Essay

History Of The Food And Beverage Management Marketing Essay In this modern age, people dine out for pure enjoyment, to escape from their daily routine, to experience different styles of cuisine and the service the restaurants offer. When going to a restaurant, customers pay attention to the location it is sited in. When choosing a restaurant, customers pay attention to their surroundings and they consider if it is a good area, if it accessible, if it offers car parking or if it is close to a station and if it is suitable for disabled people. Customer that would dine in a restaurant expects warm ambience, high standard service, good customer care and exceedingly good quality food. From the restaurants point of view there are many more aspects to pay detailed attention to, such as: The type of market it is serving, their customer profile, strengths and weaknesses of the operation, Menu, staffing, resources, merchandising, promotions, issues on the macro environment that would effect the business, attention to their competitors, opportunities to improve the business and the threats that could be harmful to the business and the actions to take against it. This report is on the analysis of Boxwood Cafe in Knightsbridge. The reason that this restaurant has been taken in consideration is because there are many fans of Gordon Ramsay. Gordon Ramsay is known for his high level of attention to detail and his high standards of service, which attracts this report to investigate the management of this restaurant. Having said this, it was a struggle to reach the manager of Boxwood Cafe in such a busy environment. It was only possible to gain information on Boxwood Cafe, electronically, with a questionnaire answered by Angela Downes, the operations manager of Gordon Ramsay Holdings. Most of the questions were answered, however, a certain amount was considered to be strictly confidential as she quoted: We do not divulge this information. The amount of questions answered were six out of eleven, leaving out questions about the customers profile, their SWOT analysis of the Menu, questions on staff problems and staff challenges and what their external threats would be. Would you name any four challenges within the management? Angela Downes quotes: We do not divulge this information, which again this shows the secretive nature of the company. Company Information and Location Company information Opened in 2003: Gordon opened the uniquely styled Boxwood Cafà © at The Berkeley, Head Chef Stuart Gillies creates an inspired seasonal menu with emphasis on British ingredients presented with daily market specials Owned by Gordon Ramsay Holdings Ltd Executive chef: Stuart Gilles: Stuarts passion and contagious drive was captured by Gordon who immediately offered Stuart the reins to this innovative restaurant concept. Stuart transcended old classic French dishes into modern Italian at The Connaught. His influences at this time also reflected a year spent in Rome at the Lord Byron Hotel and 3 years in Stockholm, Sweden. Manager: Joeness Amara-Bangali: Joeness Amara-Bangali joined Stuart Gillies and the Boxwood team in January 2005 to manage the busy restaurant and Private Dining room. Previous to this, he was Restaurant Manager at Sugar Reef from July 2001 to December 2004. His approach to service has maintained the informal style that Boxwood has perfected, whilst providing guests with a vibrant atmosphere and fun dining experience. Location The Berkeley, Knightsbridge LONDON: 5 star luxury and  contemporary chic hotel in Knightsbridge Hotels and fashion Brands around the area: Mandarine Oriental, Sheraton Park Tower, Carlton Tower, Lowndes Hotel are the 5 star Hotels we can find in Knightsbridge. Sheraton Belgravia, Rembrandt Hotel, Claverely on Beaufort Gardens, Franklin Hotel and Millennium Knightsbridge are the 4 star hotels situated in this area. The hotels situated around the restaurant are http://widget.criteo.com/sendEvwi=7709106pt1=2i1=181858The Lanesborough, Intercontinental London Park Lane, The Halkin , The Berkeley, The Metropolitan, The Athenaeum, The Park Lane Hotel, The Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel and many more that are luxurious and on top of the class. Hyde Park: Hyde Park is literally across the road from the restaurant and is an attraction to every local and tourist. Thanks to the green surrounding it offers and many water facilities, it is an attraction and relaxing park. Department stores: Harrods, Harvey Nichols: Harrods is one of the main tourist attractions in Knightsbridge thanks to the luxurious variety of products it offers and with their seasonal themes and events in the store. It creates an attractive atmosphere to the customer. Harvey Nichols, another department store in Knightsbridge ,offers another type of atmosphere which is considered modern that would target a younger generation. Competiton:100 restaurants in Knightsbridge (approximately): The restaurants sited in Knightsbridge would include big restaurant chains such as Wagamama, Yo-Sushi , Cafà © Rouge and etc. To mention the restaurants within Harrods,such as The Georgian Restaurant, The Terrace Bar, Caffà © Florian , Planet Harrods, Dim Sum, The Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, The Green Man Pub, Sushi Bar or the Fifth Floor restaurant in Harvey Nichols are more convenient for the customer but would make it harder for Boxwood Cafe to attract the customer. The other direct competition would be the opening of Marcus Wareings restaurant at The Berkeley. As we all know Marcus Wareing was in business with Gordon Ramsay and was a chef patron of Petrus and The Savoy Grill of Gordon Ramsay holdings. After separating and parting from Ramsay holdings Ltd, Wareing opened a restaurant at The Berkeley which hosts Boxwood Cafà © as well. The conclusion is that they know each others operation strategies which may create a direct competition. Customer Profile Demographic Profile Age: 28-50 Gender: Male and Female Occupation: Skilled Workers Salary : £120,000 and over, after tax Lifestyle: Cash rich, Time rich(customers which have the money and time to spend) Geographic Segmentation Local, regional and International customer Psychographic segmentation Smart-Casual social groups: People who would escape from the lag of the highly busy Knightsbridge. Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Strengths Situated in a high class area Owned by a celebrity chefs company: which has its own publicity and would attract customers to have an experience the food that Gordon Ramsay proudly recommends. Accessible Environmentalists Exceedingly good customer care Friendly Staff British Menu Large variety of choice on the Menu Excellence of training staff Weaknesses Price of alcohol very expensive Staff is not aware of the dish served in front of the customer e.g. Blue meat served to customer that requested medium and customer that requested blue was served medium. Too many waiters serving one same table Low advertising Macro-Environment Analyzing the restaurant, we identify the PEST, Political, Economical and Socio-cultural, technological. Politics: (Food Standard Agency, http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry, 2009) Regulation (EC) 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs Regulation (EC) 853/2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin Regulation (EC) 854/2004 laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption The legislation: modernised, consolidated and simplified the previous EU food hygiene legislation applies effective and proportionate controls throughout the food chain, from primary production to sale or supply to the final consumer (from farm to fork) focuses controls on what is necessary for public health protection clarifies that it is the primary responsibility of food business operators to produce food safety Economic: The Credit crunch Gas prices going up Electricity prices Socio-cultural: the evolving of age of the population and the consequences it will have on the market Technological: as technology improves in the industry for equipment used in kitchens, the skills required will decrease, time will be spared, labour costs will be cut down. Opportunities: They can improve their weaknesses as mentioned above Threats: would be the direct competitions that are situated around the area and as mentioned earlier on there are a lot of competing restaurants (approximately 100 according to www.allinlondon.co.uk, 2009) The Menu According to Foskett One approach to sale analysis, which had gained popularity is the technique known as menu engineering. This is a technique of menu analysis that uses two key factors of performance in sales of individual menu items: The popularity and Gross Profit cash contribution of each item. There are four types of categorizations in menu engineering. Items of high popularity and high GP contribution. These are known as stars. Items of high popularity, low GP contribution. These are known as plowhorses. Items of low popularity, high GP contribution. These are known as puzzles on the menu. Items of low popularity, low cash GP contribution. These are known as the worst items on the menu and are known as dogs. Type of Menu Modern British Produce based on seasonality Best selling dish: Grilled Aberdeen Angus rib-eye chop Set lunch  £25 per head A la carte  £50 per head(average) Menu changed frequently Managerial analysis Average spend per head  £50 Average cover daily: 205 Monthly income: around  £310.000 Cover Capacity: 120 Keeping customers loyal Advertisement: Internet Sites. Keeping customers loyal: Voucher cards, phone numbers and e-mails Exceeding customer expectations and Providing high standards of cuisine Recommendations staff should be more attentive to the needs of the customer it is better to keep one waiter serving the table, to reduce the confusion of mixing orders of customers specific requests get rid of the dogs on the menu In order to boost sales, the restaurant must advertise more To keep track of Customers and their details, restaurant could use reward cards.