Ratio: Balance Sheet and Financial Results

UVA-C-2332 Rev. Oct. 17, 2012 RATIOS TELL A STORY—2011 Financial results and conditions vary among companies for a number of reasons. One reason for the variation can be traced to the characteristics of the industries in which companies operate. For example, some industries require large investments in property, plant, and equipment (PP&E), while others require very little. In some industries, the competitive productpricing structure permits companies to earn significant profits per sales dollar, while in other industries the product-pricing structure imposes a much lower profit margin.In most low-margin industries, however, companies often experience a relatively high rate of product throughput. A second reason for some of the variation in financial results and conditions among companies is the result of management philosophy and policy. Some companies reduce their manufacturing capacity to match more closely their immediate sales prospects, while others carry excess capacity to be prepared for future sales growth. Also, some companies finance their assets with borrowed funds, while others avoid that leverage and choose instead to finance their assets with owners’ equity.And some corporate management teams choose to not pay dividends to their owners, preferring to reinvest those funds in the company. Of course, another reason for some of the variation in reported financial results among companies is the differing competencies of management. Given the same industry characteristics and the same management policies, different companies may report different financial results simply because their managements perform differently. And last, one other reason is that some industries are more susceptible to macroeconomic conditions than others.This can be true when macroeconomic conditions (e. g. , foreign exchange rates, interest rates, and taxes) are weak and deteriorating as well as when they are strong and improving. Or this can also be true when such conditions are stable versus volatile. Those differences in industry characteristics, in company policies, in management performance, and in responsiveness to the macroeconomic environment are reflected in the financial statements published by publicly held companies. Furthermore, they can be highlighted through the use of financial ratios.Exhibit 1 presents balance sheets, in percentage form, and This case was prepared by Professor Mark E. Haskins, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, and has benefited from collaborations with various colleagues over the years on earlier versions. It was written as a basis for discussion rather than to illustrate effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation. Copyright ? 2012 by the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation, Charlottesville, VA. All rights reserved.To order copies, send an e-mail to [email  protected] com. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of the Darden School Foundation. ? -2- UVA-C-2332 selected financial ratios computed from fiscal year 2011 balance sheets and income statements for 13 companies from the following industries: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? irline railroad pharmaceuticals commercial banking photographic equipment, printing, and sales discount general-merchandise retail electric utility fast-food restaurant chain wholesale food distribution supermarket (grocery) chain Internet retailing advertising agency services computer software development Study the balance sheet profiles and the financial ratios listed for each of the 13 companies as presented in Exhibit 1. 1 Your assignment is to use your intuition, common sense, and basic understanding of the unique attributes of each industry listed above to match each column in the exhibit with one of the indus tries.Be prepared to give the reasons for your pairings, citing the data that seems to be consistent with the characteristics of the industry you selected. Ours is not a perfect world, however, and for our class discussion, it will be helpful if you will also identify those pieces of data that seem to contradict the pairings you have made. Please note that using the data available here, you will find it difficult to identify those companies whose financial results differ because of management policy and competence.Please note in Exhibit 1: OCI = Other Comprehensive Income, CFFO = Cash Flow From Operations, ST = Short Term, and LT = Long Term. 1 -3The ratios in Exhibit 1 are based on the following formulas: 1. ROS (return on sales) = Net income Net sales Net sales Average total assets Net income Average total assets ROS ? Asset turnover Average total assets Average total owners’ equity Net income Average total owners’ equity ROA ? Financial leverage Total current assets Total current liabilities Cost of goods sold Average ending inventory Average accounts receivable Net sales/365 days UVA-C-2332 . Asset turnover = 3. ROA (return on assets) or = = 4. Financial leverage = 5. ROE (return on equity) or = = 6. Current ratio = 7. Inventory turnover = 8. Receivables collection = 9. Revenue growth = This year’s net sales—Last year’s net sales Last year’s net sales Net sales—Cost of goods sold Net sales Cash dividends Net income Research and development expense Net sales 10. Gross margin = 11. Dividend payout 12. R&D ratio = = -4Exhibit 1 RATIOS TE ELL A STORY Y—2011 Selected Financ Data for 13 C S cial Companies (b balance sheet amou are percentage of total assets) unts UVA-C-2332 V

Climate Change and Food Security

Changing Agricultural Practices: Shift of Agricultural Crops Subject to Market or Climate Change- A Study of Meghnath Gorahanna and Aurahi VDC in Mahottari District Climate Change and Food Security Introduction Nepal is an agro-dominated of course rich state. From physiographic facet, Nepal is divided into three distinguishable ecological zones- the Mountain, Hills and Tarai. Each part has its ain biophysical, socioeconomic and cultural differences. Agribusiness is the common business of bulk of population in the state. Almost to a big bulk of 65 per centum of Nepali population are dependent on agribusiness for their supports ( GoN, 2012 ) . The lowland Tarai, is the nutrient basket of Nepal. It is the exclusive part in agricultural excess, providing nutrient grains to the less productive hill and mountain countries. More than 70 per centum of families in Nepal have less than 1 hectare of land and many depend on agricultural lands that are excessively little to run into their subsistence demands ( GoN, 2011 ) . Although agricultural retentions per family are the smallest in the state, this sector dominates the economic system supplying about 35 per centum of the GDP ( CIA, 2011 ) . At present, Climate Change is a large challenge to the planetary environment and the economic system. Nepal has besides identified clime alteration as a cut acrossing issue by virtuousness of its nature and impacts. Despite nominal nursery gas emanation of about 0.025 per centum ( GoN, 2010 ) , Nepal is listed as a state at utmost hazard to the impacts of clime alteration ( CCVI, 2014 ) .According to the regional appraisal of International Panel of Climate Change the most profound impacts of clime alteration in Nepal will be in the sectors of agribusiness / nutrient security, H2O resources and biodiversity. The heavy trust on rain Federal agriculture, limited irrigation installations, and deficiency of H2O preservation and harvest home patterns makes Nepali agribusiness vulnerable to the impacts of clime alteration. The high dependance of husbandmans on monsoon have increased their exposure to rainfall fluctuation. Furthermore, the variableness in temperature have besides challenged the agriculture patterns. At many topographic points the fickle rainfall has resulted into diminution in harvest production. The state of affairs of deficient rain and increasing temperature have accounted for drouth, whereas the happening of intense rain in short period have reduced the land H2O recharge by speed uping overflow and triping inundations. These fortunes have induced negative effects in the agribusiness impacting harvest production and endangering nutrient security. Market whether physical or practical is a topographic point where the dealing of goods and services is carried out. Market is governed by demand and supply state of affairs and determines monetary value of goods and services. In instance of unfastened market topographic point, market is a large initiation factor for merchandises, it determines the monetary value and creates the win-win state of affairs of the purchaser and marketer. Tarai is the part of Nepal with the unfastened boundary lines with India and it implies that the market for the merchandises get wide-opened if proved competitory. Evidence from other parts of Africa shows that procedures of agricultural intensification and productiveness growing are frequently driven by hard currency harvests having the development of interlocked recognition, input, and end product markets ( von Braun and Kennedy 1994 ; Dorward, Kydd, and Poulton 1998 ; Shepard 1999 ) . Owing to the higher return from hard currency harvests husbandmans t hese yearss are more inclined towards hard currency harvest agriculture. At many instances, the local strains of harvest have been replaced by the improved or intercrossed 1s. These intercrossed harvests have higher outputs but at the same clip, they incur immense cost on environment and human wellness. Hybrid harvests fuel the usage of fertilisers and pesticides which causes dirt debasement and increases agricultural disbursals every bit good. Using analytical penetrations from the New Institutional Economics literature, Dorward, Kydd, and Poulton ( 1998 ) have shown that export-oriented hard currency harvests may function to excite smallholder harvest productiveness and income growing, provided that omnipresent recognition market failures can be overcome through institutional inventions in farmer/marketing agent relationships. The intent of this research is to place the factor which is responsible for the alteration in agricultural patterns in the tarai part. This survey aims to analyze the instance of cultivation displacement from staple harvest to hard currency harvest is whether due to climate alteration or market forces. Rationale of the Study Nepal is home to preponderantly rural population. Agribusiness is the pillar of Nepalese economic system which non merely employs two-third of the country’s labour force but besides contributes over tierce in the national GDP. The alteration in agricultural pattern can be due impacts of either clime alteration or market forces. Associating with climate alteration issues, the addition in temperature is likely to do more harm on agricultural sectors in Tarai part compared to the hills and mountains. Tarai part lying at low countries are susceptible to downpours. Monsoon rains, snow thaw, and glacial thaw run downstream from upland parts doing the Tarai the most ataˆ?risk country for deluging. Besides this, the happening of brassy inundations in the fields have besides caused siltation of farm lands and decreased its birthrate. The heavy H2O tabular array and the depletion of groundwater is the another critical job witnessed in Tarai these yearss. This state of affairs has af fected the twelvemonth unit of ammunition irrigation. Owing to fickle monsoon and deficiency of irrigation, rice organ transplant is delayed and therefore the production has decreased. There are besides groundss of switching agricultural form. Thus the impact of clime alteration in tarai can endanger the nutrient security of the full state. There is a famine of literature on the factor- based harvest displacements in assorted parts of the universe. In instance of Nepal excessively this sector of research has been out of involvement. Therefore, to carry through the spread that has of course been built between the topographical disparities based on the harvest displacement will be what the range and principle of this research will warrant. Study Area The survey country will be chiefly based in the Mahottari territory of Nepal which is one of the premier territories among the six territories of Janakpur zone. Though the territory is a premier manufacturer for harvests, it suffers from drouth and it is besides shattered by the inundation during showery seasons. This territory covers 0.68 % of the entire country of Nepal and the population in the territory is about 2.39 % of the entire population of the state ( Mahottari District Profile, CBS 2065 B.S. ) . Though the territory has chances like fertile cultivable land, entree to electricity, forest, rivers and unfastened boundary line to India, the territory has non been able to come on which besides supports the â€Å"Resource Curse Hypothesis† . As sample for the survey, two VDCs of the territory viz. Meghnath Gorahanna and Aurahi will be purposively selected. The VDC Meghnath Gorahanna is located on the cardinal Tarai part of Nepal whereas Aurahi VDC is really nigh to the main road traveling south from the territory. The entire population of the Meghnath Gorahanna VDC is 6077 in 1048 families, with 3135 female and 2942 as male population. And, the entire population of the Aurahi VDC is 8575 in 1638 families, with 4225 male and 4350 as female population. In footings of exposure ranking of the National Adaptation Plan of Action ( NAPA ) of Nepal, Mahottari falls in high vulnerable territory in the exposure index to climate alteration. The intent for choosing these two wards is that in both of these wards husbandmans have shifted the cultivation from cereal harvests to hard currency harvests. Aims of the Research: The overall aim of the survey is to place whether the cultivation displacement from staple harvests to hard currency harvests is climate induced or market driven. To accomplish the above mentioned general aim, the following specific aims will be fulfilled.To place the challenges in the agriculture patterns originating out of clime alteration induced environmental debasement in Meghnath Gorahanna and Aurahi VDCs of Mahottari territory.To transport out cost-benefit analysis of the basic harvests versus hard currency harvests in Meghnath Gorahanna and Aurahi VDCs.To measure the production form of the harvests in the several wards and its impact on the nutrient security position of the part.To warrant the above aims, the undermentioned hypotheses will be used:The cultivation displacement from staple harvest to hard currency harvest is climate induced.The cultivation displacement from staple harvest to hard currency harvest is market driven.Research QuestionsWhat is people’s apprehension of environmental debasement due to climate alteration?What are the challenges in the agriculture patterns originating from clime alteration in the VDCs?What is the production form of the harvests and the value generated by them in the several wards?What is the province of the cost-benefit analysis of the basic and hard currency harvests produced in the several wards?What is the position of nutrient handiness, nutrient use, nutrient handiness and nutrient stableness in the survey country?Methodology The Research Design As clime alteration impacts have multiple dimensions, research on understanding these dimensions requires a methodological analysis uniting the macro and micro range of question, primary and secondary informations, qualitative and quantitative methods and a cross-disciplinary attack. To acquire the holistic image and in-depth apprehension of the research issues and concerns, assorted method attack will be applied for research survey, where triangulation of quantitative and qualitative informations will besides be used for this survey. Primary Data Collection: The primary nature of the research design of the proposed survey is explorative and descriptive. Quantitative and qualitative primary informations from multi-stakeholders in two different VDCs will be collected utilizing study, in-depth interviews, focused group treatment and PRA techniques such as societal function and transect walk ( for physical confirmation ) . To forestall any biasness in the research, approximately 10 % of the entire population, 100 people will be considered as the sample including both VDCs. Besides that, to keep the quality of research, after the questionnaire studies, Key Informants’ Interview will be carried out with School schoolmasters and Agriculture Officer of the part. If necessary, Water tabular array analysis utilizing GIS tools and techniques will besides be carried in order to find the depletion of land H2O. Secondary Data Collection: Temperature and Precipitation informations of Mahottari territory obtained from Department of Hydrology and Meteorology ( DHM ) will be used to find the tendency analysis. District and small town profiles will be referred from Central Bureau of Statistics as per the demand. Datas Analysis: Both qualitative and quantitative analysis tools and techniques will be used for the information analysis. The cryptography and decryption of informations will be done as per the demand. MS- Word. MS- Excel will be used for the written and graphical presentation of the information. Statistical Package for Social Scientists ( SPSS 20.0 ) will be used for the correlativity analysis, arrested development analysis and histogram analysis as per the research demand. RestrictionsLack of temperature and precipitation informations of the specific wards.This research will be carried out in specific wards of Meghnath Gorahanna VDC and Aurahi VDC of Mahottari territory, therefore the research end products can non be generalized.This research will be a sample based research within a limited timeframe, so the research end product might hold diverting consequences for a portion of population.Expected end productsThe research will lend to the concluding study to be developed by Women in Environment ( WE ) on the undertaking Populating with Climate Change: Function Experiences and Adaptation Strategies in the Global South and North ( LCC )This research study will be the foundation papers for the policy preparation sing the factor based cultivation displacement in the tarai part of Nepal.Mentions Climate Change Vulnerability Index ( CCVI ) , ( 2014 ) , Maple croft’s Climate Change and Environmental Risk Atlas, Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //maplecroft.com/themes/cc/ ( accessed 04/04/2014 ) . CIA ( Central Intelligence Agency ) . 2011. The World Fact book. Dorward. A ; J. Kydd and C. Poulton.eds, ( 1998 ) , â€Å"Smallholder Cash Crop Production Under Market Liberalization.† Oxon ; New York, NY: CAB International c1998. Government of Nepal ( GoN ) , ( 2010 ) , â€Å"National Adaptation Programme of Action ( NAPA ) to Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Kathmandu. Government of Nepal ( GoN ) , ( 2012 ) , â€Å"Economic Survey 2011/12† , Ministry of Finance, Kathmandu. Government of Nepal ( GoN ) , ( 2011 ) , â€Å"Nepal Living Standard Survey ( NLSS ) 2011† , Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu. Hem R. Regmi. â€Å"Effect of Unusual Weather on Cereal Crop Production and Household Food Security† ,The Journal of Agriculture and Environment. ( 2007 ) : 24. Von Braun and E. Kennedy ( explosive detection systems ) , ( 1994 ) ,Agricultural Commercialization, Economic Development, and Nutrition, The Johns Hopkins Press Ltd. Maryland, 1994.

Daniel Boone and Kit Carson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Daniel Boone and Kit Carson - Essay Example From a relationships point of view, both Daniel Boone and Kit Carson had a rocky relationship with the natives, always getting in war with the American Indians. Boone for instance gives various accounts of his escapades with the Indians who once captured him and later killed his brother and tried to kill him. Carson made numerous expeditions which made him more experienced and skilled in the trade and also earned him problems with the natives. He was a general of war during the Mexican-American war where many American Indians were killed, and their land confiscated. These two frontiersmen had to contend with unhappy natives who were not happy with the new people acquiring their land. However, while both of them had problems with the natives, they had differing attitudes towards the natives.Ironically, despite the bad relationship with the local natives who were a risk to his life, Boone seemed to have a better attitude towards the local natives (Early America chapter 3). He sure had bad times with them, but from his text, the reader cannot detect any contempt for the natives. His writing of the American Indians is just descriptions of the events which took place. He gives an account of the various wars and battles that were fought between him and the Indians or between the Indians and other frontiers. In giving his account of the time he was in captivity with the Indians, he never seems to show any contempt. In fact, booms own problem with the other settlers was his increased.... His writing of the American Indians is just descriptions of the events which took place. He gives an account of the various wars and battles that were fought between him and the Indians or between the Indians and other frontiers. In giving his account of the time he was in captivity with the Indians, he never seems to show any contempt. In fact, booms own problem with the other settlers was his increased honest and his expectations that they would also be honest too, leading to him being cheated (Bakeless 342). During this time when he was in captivity, his wife thought him dead because she did not believe that the natives could have kept him alive. Yet, Boone came out of captivity alive and well, and managed to resettle his family again in the Kentucky region at a time and place where there were continual infighting between the natives and the settler frontiers who in the Maryland, Kentucky and Miami (great Miami) regions. While Boones account indicates a positive attitude towards t he natives despite the rocky relationship with the natives, the same cannot be said of Carson who actually helped other settler armies in fighting the local natives. Carson was involved in a number of wars where natives were massively killed, displaced from their native land and other crimes committed against them (Boraas 15). He seemed to pledge allegiance to the union. Basically, he was more of a military guy, than he was a settler. His military wrecked havoc wherever he went and participated on war. He did not have mercy towards the local natives and never hesitated on going to fights with these local natives. This was very unlike Boone, who beneath his conflicts with the natives always seemed to understand that the

Canadian history pre-confederation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Canadian history pre-confederation - Essay Example The treaties sought to create peace between the British and the Aboriginal people in the country thus making the country easy to exploit for the British colonial masters and conducive for the habitation of the aboriginals as the discussion below portrays. Between 1700 and 1867, Canada survived on a series of treaties that earned segmented peace to the country and its inhabitants thus enhancing the existence of the various people who occupied the land1. Key among the treaties in pre confederation Canada was the Niagara treaty signed in 1764, the Selkirk treaty in 1817 and bind head treaties of 1836 among many others. A treaty refers to an agreement between two parties involved in a conflict. The agreement provides effective structures for the resolution of a conflict by safeguarding the interests of all the conflicting parties. This explains the numerous treaties signed in pre confederation Canada. The country had numerous inhabitants al of who felt entitled to the land and its resources. This often led to wars and conflicts such as the 1812 war. Such sectarian wars were obvious portrayal of the conflicts in the country as the various inhabitants fought for the resources. The creation of the numerous treaties within such short periods was a portrayal of the weaknesses of the treaties. Treaties are always contemporary and seek to provide short-term resolutions to the prevailing conflicts. As such, the treaties provided short-term ways of sharing the resources among two or more conflicting societies but the parties often rescinded the treaties in case their interests faltered. Signed in 1817, Selkirk treaty was one of the treaties that lasted the shortest in pre confederation Canada. Thomas Selkirk, a British aristocrat wanted to create a colony by purchasing a vast land previously owned by the Hudson Bay Company. The land extended into areas occupied by the Cree and Chippewa nations.

Standardisation versus adaptation (MARKETING) Essay

Standardisation versus adaptation (MARKETING) - Essay Example es to maintain a consistence image across all the markets whereas adaptation offers them better opportunity to reach the target audience and consumers through the communication process. This literature work is being produced to understand various factors of the controversial Standardisation versus adaptation strategy of international communication strategy. In the recent past, economies of various part of world have experienced tremendous change due to the fast changes in technology and socio-economic patterns. These changes have raised various issues. One of them is the international communication strategies for a global company. Standardised communication process among all kind of customers has been criticised. It is on the basis of the differences in the consumer choices and preferences across various consumer groups. There have been various debates on the global marketing mix strategies for the international market. Lots of studies and opinions have been developed. (For example, Ghoshal, 1987; Jain, 1989; Levitt, 1983; Quelch and Hoff, 1986)1 The communication process for the different market focusing on advertising issues, its objectives, message, presentation and various decisions related to advertising has gained attention and interest of most of the researchers. It was early 1960 when the issue of advertising standardization in foreign markets was first discussed. (Elinder, 1961; Fatt, 1964)2 Any product or service is result of needs and wants of buyers and consumers. This is the basic factor of any communication process. The objective of communication can be knowledge, persuasion, purchase, interest and others. All of it is based on the basic factor of ‘need’ of consumer. Various authors and researchers have focused on this factor for the international communication strategy as well advocating the universal advertising approach (Fatt, 1967; Buzell, 1968; Sorenson and Weichmann, 1975; Killough, 1978; Levitt, 1983).3 Cost effectiveness, clarity of

To what extent do the narratives of Polybius and Caesar support Essay

To what extent do the narratives of Polybius and Caesar support William Harris's account of the factors driving Roman imperial - Essay Example An empire can thus be defined as ruling people in a wide territory without their consent. On the other hand, imperialism is the attitudes and process that are used to establish and maintain an empire. This is to say that imperialism is a shape shifting process and dynamic; this is because imperialism changes as the society develops. The empire expanded as a result of military expeditions. In this, the essay discusses on Harris view on Roman imperialism and the extent to which Polybius and Caesar narratives support William Harris’s account of the factors driving Roman imperialism. Different historians have different views on Roman Imperialism. Being one of the earliest historians, Polybius clearly gives a well-defined account of Roman imperialism. He comes up with a theory referred to as â€Å"Cycle of Political Revolution† to explain the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. In his theory, he brings up the cycle of Roman imperialism how a new system in leadership comes in causing the old one to be replaced by the new one (Polybius 238). His account relates to William Harris account because he states that just as the man evolved from an animal into a civilized human being the governance system evolves in the same way. As stated earlier, William Harris states that imperialism in the ruling system is dynamic. In his theory â€Å"Cycle of Political Revolution†, he shows how with the evolution of manpower came in hence the establishment of a monarchy (Polybius 235). In the Monarchy, power is embossed on one individual within the society. To maintain the Monarchies heirs obtained the position of Monarchies from their parents. However, because the system of government evolved as men become more civilized, the heirs rebelled against the existing ruling system and saw the need to implement new ways of ruling the people. As a result of this, Kingship system was established (Polybius 235). In the Kingship system, democracy is practiced and the leader com es down to common person’s level. Because the system is dynamic, the heirs see the need to distinguish himself from the common person. As a result of this the system of governance changes from democracy to aristocracy. In his theory, Polybius blames the heirs for the change in the system of political governance. For instance, he says that heirs take advantage of the people because when they are born they do not face hardship. The heirs only enjoyed luxuries and wealth that they had not labored. The aristocracy was replaced by oligarchy because the heirs enjoyed wealth and luxury life. In oligarchy, people had a say in the governing process. This means that the people worked together for a democratic state. In a democratic state people have a say in the government affairs (Polybius 241). Because of the democracy, there is freedom of speech and expression. As a result of this everyone expresses his opinion on different issues concerning the state and this result in chaos and mi sunderstanding among the people in the state. Because of the misunderstanding among the members in the state, the strongest and outspoken person takes over as the leader. This resulted in the creation of a Monarchy going back to the first stage of leadership. By this, we see that the system of leadership cycles in one place although the systems take a substantial amount of time to move from one season to another. This clearly shows the application of Polybius theory â€Å"Cycle of Political Revolution† in political systems. History defines Julius Caesar as

Factors Affecting Trade of Sugar Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Factors Affecting Trade of Sugar - Assignment Example 70% of this production is for domestic consumption while 30% is traded in the world. Since only a small portion of the production is being traded freely, it is subjected to government policies and production so that any change affects the trading practices of the commodity. These are trade barriers such as quota and bilateral agreements that limits trading opportunities of least developed countries. As 120 countries partake of sugar allocations imposed by importing countries, it is important to understand if trade barriers create equal opportunity. Sugar producers believe that by removing these restrictions and opening of markets, supply is ensured, rational pricing will be maintained, and smaller countries can have an equal share of sugar quota ( GATRL, 2009). The top sugar producing countries in the world are Australia, Brazil, China, Columbia, European Union, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand, and United States. World production as of 2010/2012 estimates is 168,647 metric tons raw value. BraziL has the biggest share of production followed by India and next by China. The rest is accounted for by Asian production (SUCDEN). With a global population of 7 billion, sugar consumption is estimated at 171.4 million tons and a per capita consumption of 21.kg. Per capita sugar consumption is highest in Brazil, Australia, and Cuba. ... 1, and has not changed ever since (Sugarcane.org) Tariff quotas and bilateral agreements limit the free trade of small producing country with the US while farmers support policy is addressed to maintain the domestic farmers. Quota system controls the volume of sugar imports by limiting amount of sugar that enters US on a zero rate tariff rate. The amount set for import must meet the US World Trade organization requirement which is 1,117,195 tons of raw sugar and 22,000 tons of refined sugar. Any over quota export under the system is not advisable since US imposes a higher tariff rate. (Edwards, Chris, 2009). Bilateral arrangement disenfranchises smaller producing countries as they are out on agreements. For instance, the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico gives it a distinct advantage over other countries since US provided them with tariff free and attractive provisions including a guaranteed quota that increases yearly.(Office of The United States Trade Representative, n.d.) For fair treatment, the recent talks of world organizations such as the Uruguay rounds, AEFA, and APEC are all aimed toward trade liberalization. (Economic & Research Services, USDA, 1997) Simulations and five scenarios have been expounded to know effects. The Uruguay Rounds will expand global trade and social welfare of countries and regions, except China. AEFA trade liberalization would increase social welfare of ASEAN in limited way. All APEC members tend to gain in the liberalization since high import protection is eliminated. (See FAO Explanation (Annex 1) Koo, Woo ‘s scenario of trade liberalization of both US and EU, and retaining of sugar subsidies will allow most sugar producing countries to survive. However, if only the U.S. eliminates the program, Koo said all U.S. sugar

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Summary - Essay Example The strontium 90 released into the air is in the form of rain and lodges into the soil and pollutes the plants which are eventually consumed by humans. The effect to humans is diseases such as cancer thus leading to death. The article also talks about the effect of use of insecticides and pesticides including DDT that are used to destroy harmful insects (Carson 9). The insecticides destroy the pests intended and other insects as well thus causing equilibrium imbalance. Argument is that the insects also evolve and develop resistance to the pesticides. The article also talks about the hasty way in which new situations are generated through the influence of humans instead of allowing nature to take its course. An example of radiation is given, and how it has changed from backdrop radiation of rocks, ultra violet light from the sun and attack of cosmic rays to deviant radiation. The deviant radiation is caused by man’s interference with atoms of metals such as copper, calcium and silica making them unstable (Carson 12). The ways in which man uses chemicals has been censured since no proper investigation is done on their effects to water, soil, animals and human being. The environment should be preserved for upcoming generations and other forms of pest control should be used to avoid dire

Mathews Corporation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5500 words

Mathews Corporation - Case Study Example One more labels it produces shields electronic devices by dispersing their temperature or static. A number of labels work in temperatures colder than 50 below zero, others burn or produce sounds in the dark, cover themselves, or still stick to oily or greasy products. So this is the little introduction regarding the company business and production. The key function carry out by company is to run 30 business units and manufacture and distributes its labels from 35 locations in 15 countries on five continents around the world. There are a lot of countries where this company supplies its products. The basic function of the company is to produce the high-performance labels and related industrial safety products. In this system Mathew Corporation takes the order both in the manual and electronic (internet) methods. Then there is prices discussion and dealing on the specific produced. All these functions are functioning good but not efficiently. There is need of total automation of the whole order processing, information management, and strategic decision making system. The domestic market is in a mature stage, while the international market is in the rapid-growth stage. The signs, labels and safe product industry's curve is flatter, showing slow in growth and can be considered to be in the stage of expansion. The signs, labels and safe product industry's sales is expanding and continuously gaining profit from their cash cow products. In this life cycle of the industry, there are some late entrants and are trying to put all efforts to have a share in the market. The leading company in the industry like Mathew's Corporation is separating their product from other lower-cost offering in order to increase volume of sales and gain profits. What are the key processes At present the company is running many processes like order processing, online information management, and new production catalog management. There are 19 separate databases; each comprises its own file servers and transaction software. And these systems could not communicate with each other. Every database unit had its own sales tracking system, reasoning misunderstanding among Matthews' employees and customers. These systems are developed to handle company's different type of product and management system. What are some of the competitive forces at work Being conscious of the activities of the competitors of Mathews Corporation will analyze the possible opportunities of every ventures of their company through differentiating their products and services against their rivals, considering the aspects that indirectly

EARLY CHILDHOOD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

EARLY CHILDHOOD - Essay Example He walked around the table and chair sets which were there for the kids to use. Joey held my hand and showed me the maps, colorful carpets, tiny sofas, bright pictures, funny toys like baby dolls, and a baby calendar hanging on the kitchen wall. I saw him setting tables and chairs, serving his friends lunch using toy food, and playing chef, which showed that he was a social child. Yet I observed that he most often played quietly by himself. Perhaps the reason for this was that his peers found it hard to understand him because he was slow in speech and could not deliver proper sentences. I asked him his name but he kept on offering me toy food. His sense of creativity was astonishing. When he finished serving the food, he picked up the toy broom and started cleaning the kitchen floor to clear up the mess. An interesting thing I noted about him was that he got bored easily and kept switching from one activity to another. I concluded that he was not consistent, tried to be social but ea sily got frustrated when he would discover that others found it hard to understand what he was saying, yet he liked to explore things and occupied himself with activities that interested him. Jean Paige’s early childhood is the second of the four stages of cognitive development. The children between two and six use preoperational intelligence, language and imagination, but fail to use logical operations.

Victoria’s Motorcycle Licensing Program Essay Example for Free

Victoria’s Motorcycle Licensing Program Essay Within the past year, there have been 332 fatalities in Victoria; fourteen percent of this number is composed of motorcyclists, of which only seven percent carry a motorcycle driver’s license, according to the Transport Accident Commission’s most recent annual road toll (2008). The same source lists the following as the most usual causes of motorcycle crash accidents; drunk driving, driver fatigue, and speeding which are violations to the fairly basic road safety regulations that drivers are expected to know before being given a driver’s license. However, in this case, it appears that there is a need to re-assess Victoria’s current licensing program to answer the question: Is the current process for obtaining a motorcycle driver’s license in Victoria effective in promoting road safety? This proposal will be presented according to an Evaluation Plan template (Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology, n. d. ) which lists the following elements necessary in a successful program evaluation: a background of the program; a specification of the evaluation’s purpose; an outline of the limitations, ethical considerations, and decisions which the evaluation would affect; a list of evaluation questions expanding on the research question; and lastly a rationale of the methodology and sampling techniques that will be used. Background In 1938, the rising road toll in Victoria spurred the state to form a separate entity which would govern road safety management it was set back because of WWII but was picked up afterwards. This eventually led to the formation of VicRoads in 1989. At present, VicRoads is in charge of â€Å"Victoria’s arterial road network, implement road safety strategies and programs and provide vehicle registration† and providing the state with a driver licensing service (VicRoads, 2008). According to their website, the following requirements need to be fulfilled in order to qualify for a motorcycle license: 1. must be at least 18 years old 2. has a current learner’s permit for at least 3 months 3. has passed the eyesight test, motorcycle license skills assessment, and hazard perception test VicRoads currently employs 2700 people overseeing these functions. Purpose For the purpose of assessing the efficiency of Victoria’s current motorcycle licensing program a process-based evaluation â€Å"geared to fully understanding how it [program] works† (McNamaran, n. d. ), is the most logical choice. According to Rossi (1999): â€Å"Program process evaluation is a form of evaluation designed to describe how a program is operating and assess how well it performs its intended functions. It builds on program process theory which identifies the critical components, functions, and relationships assumed necessary for the program to be effective (p. 89). † Michael Quinn Patton’s Utilization Focused Evaluation Checklist (2002) would also be used as a guideline for program assessment, evaluator assessment, and identification of users which would also determine respondent sampling. The aim for this evaluation is to address the need for improving the licensing program as a tool for eliminating road risks caused by preventable human errors like driving under the influence coupled with or resulting in speeding and lack of physical control over vehicles. By delving into the process of licensing, program strengths and weaknesses may be specified. Limitations It is recognized that there are other factors contributing to the dangers associated with motorcycle driving. Assessing the licensing program merely gives us a place to start since the responsibility for determining who is fit to be behind the wheel on Victorian roads falls on license evaluators and service providers like VicRoads. It would also be difficult to achieve a completely objective assessment of the program since the methods suggested in the gathering of data will primarily be from observation and survey or interview questions which are largely subject to interpretation. Gathering a sample pool consisting of license test takers, evaluators, and licensed drivers would also be a challenge given the area of Victoria, the number of licensing centers, and the mobility of test takers. It will be of great importance to preserve an objective and unbiased perspective while conducting the evaluation to ensure the greatest reliability and validity possible. A method for data gathering would also be designed to allow other evaluators who wish to test the resulting data to replicate the exact methodology used. Ethics All participants in the evaluation would be promptly informed of the purposes of the evaluation. They would also have the option for anonymity if they wish to opt for such. Personal information would be kept under strict confidentiality. If a respondent wishes to discontinue or terminate participation at any time during the process evaluation, they have every right to do so as well. Details of the methods, expected results, and projected date of completion would be provided to all respondents. Before any interview, survey, or observation takes place, a consent form would be reviewed and signed by the respondent first. Permission for observation and data gathering would also be secured from VicRoads. Process evaluators would be instructed to keep all information VicRoads wishes to keep private confidential and would not be released to the public without written permission and consent from VicRoads. Decisions That Might Be Affected by This Evaluation’s Results Revisions to the current processes might result if the evaluation findings point to inefficiencies to the current processes and procedures or if an apparent dissatisfaction with the program is discovered. Both favorable and unfavorable outcomes are expected. For example, stricter implementations for restricting drivers with debilitating medical conditions might be taken by the community as a discrimination against disabled residents but educating the community against its possible dangers will most probably be taken reasonably. Explaining that an old man with poor eyesight poses a risk to pedestrians and other motorists when given license to drive on the road should be fairly easy to comprehend. It will also be a good venue for researchers and product developers to look into redesigning vehicles which more are forgiving to drivers would certain medical conditions and would enable them to continue driving without risking themselves or the community. Perhaps more frequent license renewal or application for ex-drink drivers and speeders who previously already had their license suspended or revoked should reduce the state’s problems with drink driving and speeding by making it particularly tedious or expensive to regain their right to driving on the road. This should of course be in collaboration with the states penalties for violators who drive without licenses. Evaluation Questions To give more definition to our research question about the effectiveness and efficiency of Victoria’s motorcycle licensing program, more specific questions have been listed below. The process evaluation aims to answer the following questions: 1. Since the implementation of Victoria’s motorcycle licensing program, has the number of the states motorcycle fatalities been lowered? 2. Do the tests and requirements for getting a motorcycle driver’s license prepare prospective drivers for Victorian roads by educating them of the state’s road regulations and road safety rules? 3. Are the current tests enough in screening a driver’s road competency? 4. The current tests are mostly skills assessment, shouldn’t there be a test designed to predict a driver’s emotional and intellectual stability that would screen out would-be drink drivers and speeders? How would license test takers react? 5. Are the tests objective, reliable, valid, and consistent? How does the current process prevent bias from affecting results? Are the same procedures followed for all centers and applied for each individual? 6. Do license test takers view the program as necessary? Do they approve of the process or are there improvements they would like to see made? Methodology Given the nature of the evaluation, the following methods will be used in the collection and gathering of data: acquiring statistical figures, implementing surveys and questionnaires, interviews, and first-hand observation. Acquiring statistical data about the number of motorcycle fatalities since 1989 when the licensing program was first implemented would be interpreted to determine if the program has been effective in lowering the states road toll. It would also determine what percentage of said fatalities is attributable to lack of education or human error. Surveys and questionnaires would be used for gathering personal information from license test takers especially on their opinions of the program’s relevance and effectiveness. It would also be used to ask for suggestions for improvement from the program’s end users. Interviews with the license evaluator in each of VicRoads’ licensing facilities would be done to acquire more insight to the actual process from the clients’ point of view. It also aims to get the license evaluator’s personal experiences and opinions regarding the licensing process. Lastly, on-site observations would be implemented to see the program in action first-hand. It will be used to evaluate the program’s reliability, validity, consistency, and objectivity. It will determine if there are differences in the practice between centers which would greatly affect a license test takers results. It would also try to measure effectiveness and see if the process is implemented as intended. Sample Choosing respondents would be done randomly for the test takers and licensed drivers. For license evaluators, however, since their number is relatively smaller than that of the license takers and drivers, the aim is to correspond with each evaluator in all of the licensing centers or if this is not possible, to interview with as many evaluators as permitted by the resources. Letters will be sent out to randomly selected licensed drivers with survey questionnaires attached. Instructions for sending responses back would also be detailed in the letter. For survey questions where the respondent’s answers are vague or unspecified, a call would be made for clarification. The aim for the sample population of license test takers should at least be thirty percent of the total number of test takers in the same time it takes to complete an application for a license up to the actual claiming of a motorcycle driver’s license. These respondents should be a healthy representation of each stage of the process: those who are about to apply for a license, those who are in the process of acquiring a license, and those who are there claiming their actual license. Survey Questions for Both License Test Takers and Licensed Drivers Not all questions need to be answered. Respondents would be asked to answer only questions which apply to them. 1. How do you rate the requirements needed for licensing? Do you think they are necessary and reasonable? 2. With the preparation you’ve been given before, after, and during the test, would you say you are confident with your driving competency? 3. Were you properly educated of the state’s road regulations and safety rules? 4. How would you react if the state required you to undergo psychological testing to measure your emotional and intellectual stability before granting you a motorcycle license? 5. Do you believe the test is fair and unbiased? If not, what led you to say so? 6. Is the licensing program contributing to the decrease in the number of crash fatalities? What would you suggest for improvements? Interview Questions for License Evaluators 1. How would you rate the program’s effectiveness? Is there anything you wish to improve? 2. How do you make sure that your basis for approving or denying an individual his motorcycle driver’s license is free from bias and is reliable and valid? Follow-up questions depending on the respondent’s answers would also be used to gain depth in the answer. Observation Guidelines 1. Compare the processes from center to center. Enumerate the steps and determine if there are delineations from the prescribed process. 2. Compare the implementation of tests for each individual test taker. Is everyone undergoing identical tests and procedures? 3. Pay attention to the interaction between the test taker and the evaluator. Does their relationship affect the license test result? Timeline The projected completion date for this process evaluation is six months, enough to cover all centers and complete the data gathering. Within the said time frame an analysis of data would be passed along with a prescription for action. The timeline should go as follows: †¢ Definition of evaluation plan and design †¢ State permission and random sample pool †¢ Simultaneous interviews, surveys, and observations †¢ Analysis of data †¢ Prescription for a plan of action References Davidson, E. J. (2004. ) Evaluation methodology basics: The nuts and bolts of sound evaluation. Sage. Retrieved on September 1, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://books. google. com/books? id=ePfuba9tDbECprintsec=frontcoverdq=evaluation+methodologysig=ACfU3U2xBnA9EO2s1nLt8by60FdZmv3y1g#PPR7,M1 Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology. (n. d. ) Evaluation plan template. Retrieved on September 1, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://it. coe. uga. edu ~treeves/edit8350/EPT. html Mcnamara, C. (n. d. ). Basic guide to program evaluation. Free Management Library. Retrieved on September 1, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. managementhelp. org/ evaluatn/fnl_eval. htm#anchor1575679 Patton, M. Q. (2002). Utilization-focused evaluations checklist. Evaluation Checklist Project. Retrieved on September 1, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www. wmich. edu/ evalctr/checklists/ufe. pdf Rossi, P. H. , H. E. Freeman, et al. (1999). Evaluation: a systematic approach (6th ed. ). Thousand Oaks, Calif, Sage Publications Chapter 6

Face recognition

Face recognition Face recognition are processes involved in recognition of faces. Explanations of face recognition include feature analysis versus holistic forms. Remembering and recognising faces are an important skill one applies each day of their lives. It is important to the social interactions, to work and school activities, and in peoples personal family lives. Although most of the research in this area has been undertaken on faces it is in fact rare in real life that we need to identify someone from their face alone. Information from a persons clothes, voice, mannerisms etc, and the context in which we encounter them all help in the identification process Sometimes we fail to recognise someone because they are not wearing the clothes we normally see them in or because they are in an unexpected context. Holistic form theory is an unconventional to feature analysis approach to face recognition. Although features are important in describing faces and therefore do have some role to play in face recognition, dependence only on bottom up processing for such a complex activity is very unlikely. Bruce and Young (1986) proposed a top down approach to face recognition in which they argued that recognising a face is a highly complex process involving stored knowledge of semantic and emotional information and is therefore much more than adding together the sum total of a faces features. According to the Holistic approach a face is recognised as a whole, analysing not just the separate features but also the configuration of the face, the relationship between the individual features, feelings aroused by the face and semantic information about the face. Such an approach is sometimes referred to as a template model (Ellis 1975) whereby we have a stored template or pattern for each person as we k now and when presented with a face try to match this stimulus to our mental template. Several studies illustrate how recognition depends on the layout or configuration of the face as a whole. Young and Hay (1986) demonstrated the importance of configurable processing of faces. They cut pictures of famous faces horizontally and ensured the participants could recognise the two separate halves. Then they combined two separate halves together and measured time taken to and accuracy of, naming the top and bottom halves of the composite figures. This proved very difficult for participants as the composite seemed to produce a new holistic face in which it was difficult to perceive the separate halves. A particularly intriguing find was that if the composite faces were inverted participants could name the to half much better than when the faces were the correct way up, despite the fact that inverted faces are normally much harder to recognise. Similar research involves disrupting the configuration of the faces in other ways, either by scrambling the facial features or by inverting the face. Haig (1984) showed how recognition times increased for faces of famous people where the spacing between features or the configuration of features had been altered. Yin (1969) found that inverted faces are much harder to recognise. Although errors are found when attempting to recognise any object that has been inverted, faces seem to produce particular difficulties. Cohen (1989) suggests that this demonstrates that faces are normally recognised holistically, and inversion destroys the global pattern relationships between features. Thus, such findings could be interpreted as evidence for the holistic approach to face recognition.Mohammad A consensus has developed that the process underlying face identification (meaning the process by which a person recognizes a visual stimulus as being Aunt Bertha, my mail carrier, or Arnold Schwarzenegger) and the process underlying most forms of basic-level object recognition (Meaning the process by which a person recognizes a visual stimulus as being a table, a boat, or a human face) are different. A number of lines of evidence showing dissociations between face identification and basic-level object recognition support this conclusion. For example, faces are more difficult to identify in photographic negatives than are basic-level objects (Bruce Langton, 1994; Galper, 1970; Galper Hochberg, 1971; Phillips, 1972), and faces show greater recognition costs when turned upside down than do basic-level objects (Carey Diamond, 1977;Scapinello Yarmey, 1970; Yin, 1969; see Valentine, 1988, for a review). Additional evidence that face identification and basic level object recognition are accomplished by different processes comes from work in neuroscience. Sergent, Ohta, and MacDonald (1992), using positron emission tomography (PET), found regions of the right hemisphere that become active during face identification that are not active during basic-level object recognition. Further, a righthemisphere advantage for identifying faces is well documented (for reviews, see Davidoff, 1982; H. D. Ellis, 1983), whereas the evidence for hemispheric specialization during basic-level object recognition is far less clear, with some studies finding a left-hemisphere advantage (Bryden Rainey, 1963; McKeever Jackson, 1979; Wyke Ettlinger, 1961; Young, Bion, Ellis, 1980), others finding aright-hemisphere advantage (Schmuller Goodman, 1980), and still others finding no advantage for one hemisphere over the other (Biederman Cooper, 1991; Kimura Durnford, 1974; Levine Banich, 1982). Perhaps the most persuasive evidence that basic-level object recognition and face identification are accomplished by different processes comes from studies of brain-damaged patients showing a neurological double dissociation between the two processes. Farah (1994) found 27 cases in the literature in which patient showed impaired face identification but intact basiclevel object recognition and 16 cases in which a patient showed impaired basic-level object recognition but intact face identification, arguing strongly that different neural subtract underline with two tasks Given that face identification and basic-level object recognition occur through different processes, the next logical question to consider is how the memory representations used for the two processes might differ. The most common speculation in the current literature is that faces use configured or holistic representations, whereas basic-level objects use featural representations. Unfortunately, this method of characterizing the differences in the representations is rather vague, and as OToole, Abdi, Deffenbacher, and Valentin (1995) and Bruce and Humphreys (1994) pointed out, it has different meanings for different researchers. When researchers say that face identification uses Further support for a holistic model of face recognition comes from studies investigating the superiority of recognition over recall. People have been found to be consistently better at recognising faces seen before than they are at recalling them. A study by Ellis et al (1975) illustrates the difficulties involved in recalling faces. Participants were shown six photographs of male faces for ten seconds and then asked them immediately to recall the face so that it could be reconstructed using photo fit materials. When judges attempted to pick out the target face from the photo fit reconstructions only an average of 12.5% identifications were correct indicating that the reconstructed faces did not closely resemble the original stimulus face. It seems that in order to describe a face we need to convert our stored mental representations of that face into words. The fact that this seems to be so difficult and so ineffective as illustrated in this study would indicate that we do store faces as wholes rather than as sets of separate features. According to Bruce and Youngs Holistic model of face recognition there are different types of information that can be obtained from faces, some of which are used for familiar faces and others for unfamiliar faces. When firstly we see a face it is encoded structurally, meaning that we encode the visual information, processing the look of the face. If this matches an existing face recognition unit (FRU) then this will be activated. The FRU contains not just physical information but also semantic knowledge. Activation of the FRU triggers activation of the person identity node which enables access to a wealth of information about the person including their occupation, interests, where we normally encounter them, whether we are comfortable with them or not, whether we have friends in common or not. The final stage in the recognition process allows for name generation. According to Bruce and Young names are stored separately to the FRU and person identity nodes but can only be accessed via the identity nodes. This would explain the frustrating and embarrassing experience of knowing lots of details about a person we meet but not being able to think of their name. Young, Hay and Ellis tested the Holistic model in 1985. They asked participants to keep a diary and record problems experienced in face recognition every day. Out of 1008 incidents there were no reports of naming an individual without knowing other information about them. But in 190 cases the opposite occurred, participants reported knowing information about individuals but could not name them. These findings are consistent with the sequence of events proposed by the holistic model where by names can only be accessed if semantic information been accessed first. Further analysis of the diary data showed that of the 1008 incidents there were 233 reports of experiencing familiarity without any personal information being available. Again this supports the sequential nature of the model as these would be cases where an FRU has been triggered causing the feeling of familiarity, but the identity Node has failed to activate, hence the lack of availability of any further information about the person. Holistic form theory is an alternative to feature analysis approach to face recognition. Although features are important in describing faces and therefore do have some role to play in face recognition, reliance only on bottom up processing for such a complex activity is very unlikely. According to the Holistic approach a face is recognised as a whole, analysing not just the separate features but also the configuration of the face, the relationship between the individual features, feelings aroused by the face and semantic information about the face. There is also another theory called feature analysis theory which is an example of a bottom up theory in which it is suggested that analysis if individual facial features plays a crucial role in face recognition.

Comparing Measurements of the Speed of Sound

Comparing Measurements of the Speed of Sound Finding the Speed of Sound! Group Members: Jesse Jackson, Arian Harrison Abstract: To begin as stated online The speed of sound, or of acoustic traveling waves, is a physical constant for any given medium at a specific pressure and temperature( http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/speed-of-sound). The speed of sound, or of acoustic traveling waves, is a physical constant for any given medium at a specific pressure and temperature. The experiment that was completed uses two methods in order to find the speed of sound. This speed of sound will be compared and contrasted to an accepted value that has been scientifically proven to be correct given the perfect conditions. Our two method results will be compared together in order to see which is closest to the accepted value. The first method being produced is a basic formula which uses basic knowledge in order for it to work. The second methods uses the frequency of the fork which was in this case is 512Hz and the soundwaves found in the formula. They are then multiplied together in order to find the current speed of sound. From the experiments and information given it is shown that the first method gives the more accurate result which is 350.2 m/s +/- 3.28 compared to 352.002 m/s +/- 2.27. This just proves that the first method is the most accurate when comparing to the accepted value of 340.29 m/s. Aim: To compare two measurements of the speed of sound to one accepted value. This will show which method is more accurate. Introduction: The experiment conducted used two methods in order to be able to measure the speed of sound. Both methods will be analysed and compared to an accepted value when measured at different temperatures. At -1 degrees Celsius the speed of sound is 330.4 m/s whereas at 21 degrees Celsius the speed of sound is 343.6 m/s. To begin, the first method of finding the speed employs a short simple formula based on known knowledge of the variables around you. At 0 degrees Celsius the speed of sound is 331m/s and for every degree change over 0, there will be an increase of speed by 0.6m/s. By being able to use this knowledge and the variables found in the lab during the experiment we can then substitute into the equation: V=331+0.6T. After that the second method will be used and be compared to the first one. This method is a test of resonance vibrations. This test involves finding the height in which PVC pipe creates the loudest noise of resonance when a 512Hz tuning fork is vibrating over it. By adjusting the length of the PVC pipe exposed to the water, we can measure the distance when the fork and pipe are vibrating at the exact same frequency. Once the loudest resonance is found and has been measured, based on that length from the surface of the water to the top of the pipe, the wave length can be measured with ÃŽÂ »=4(l+0.4d). Based on this information, the next method utilizes the wavelength equation and answer and also the tuning fork frequency which is 512Hz. This information can be converted into the second equation of V=fÃŽÂ ». Method: The cylinder was filled with water. The PVC pipe was then lowered all the way into the water until there was a 1cm gap from the top of the water to the top of the cylinder. My partner then struck the tuning fork and held it over the pipe as it was vibrating. The pipe was slowly pulled out of the cylinder as we listened for the position with the loudest noise. After finding the correct position the distance from the top of the tube to the surface of the water was recorded. Part A Measure the air temperature of the room. Calculate the speed of sound by using the formula V=331+0.6T. Calculate appropriate uncertainties for final answer. Part B Place PVC pipe into measuring cylinder. Connected boss head and clamp to retort stand. Positioned retort stand next to cylinder. Fill cylinder until there is a 1cm gap between the top of the cylinder and water. Hit the forks and place over the PVC pipe. Lift PVC pipe up gradually until you find the first sound. Stop, clamp it and record as accurately as possible Part C Determine the speed of sound using: ÃŽÂ » = 4(L + 0.4d), where ÃŽÂ » = wavelength, L = closed tube length, and d = diameter of the tube. V=331+0.6T V=fÃŽÂ » Risk Assessment: Equipment Needed: Hazard Details: Hazard Management Measures: 1 Litre Measuring Cylinder Falling/Breaking/Shattering Be Careful 40mm Diameter PVC pipe Falling Be Careful Tuning Forks (512Hz) Be Careful Metre Ruler Splinters Be Careful Vernier Callipers Be Careful Thermometer Breaking/Falling/Shattering Be Careful Clamp, Retort Stand Clamping Fingers Be Careful Results: 156mm +/- 0.5mm11. 156mm +/- 0.5mm 145mm +/- 0.5mm12. 156mm +/- 0.5mm 146mm +/-0.5mm13. 154mm +/- 0.5mm 158mm +/-0.5mm14. 152mm +/- 0.5mm 152mm +/- 0.5mm15. 154mm +/- 0.5mm 150mm +/- 0.5mm16. 155mm +/- 0.5mm 157mm +/- 0.5mm17. 154mm +/- 0.5mm 152mm +/- 0.5mm18. 154mm +/- 0.5mm 155mm +/- 0.5mm19. 155mm +/- 0.5mm 155mm +/- 0.5mm20 156mm +/- 0.5mm 1st Method for finding the speed of sound: V=331 + 0.6T0.5/32 x 100 = 1.5625% V=331 + 0.6 x 32 1.5625% x 0.6 = 0.9375% V=350.2m/s +/- 3.28 The speed of sound from this equation is 350.2 m/s +/- 3.28 when the temperature is 32 degrees Celsius. V=331 + 0.6T0.5/30 x 100 = 1.67% V=331 + 0.6 x 301.67% x 0.6 = 1% V=349 +/- 3.49 349 x 1% = 3.49 For the second day, the temperature was 30 degrees Celsius so it made the speed of sound 349m/s +/- 3.49 2nd Method for finding the speed of sound: ÃŽÂ »= 4(l+0.4d) ÃŽÂ »= 4(155 +/- 0.5 + 0.4 x (42.19 +/- 0.005)) ÃŽÂ »= 4(155 +/- 0.5 = 16.876 +/- 0.002) ÃŽÂ »= 4(155 +/- 0.32% + 16.876 +/- 0.01% ÃŽÂ »= 4(171.876 +/- 0.33% ÃŽÂ »= 687.504 +/- 2.27 687 +/- is the wavelength that was found V = f ÃŽÂ » V = 512 x 687.504 V = 352.002 m/s +/- 2.27 The speed of sound that was found here is 352.002 m/s +/- 2.27 Discussion: The outcome of the experiment supports my hypothesis which states that the first method is the closest result to the accepted value of speed. The results from the experiment were affected by errors and or limitations that occurred throughout the whole procedure. Human error can affect dramatically due to the fact that eye sight is not as effective as a technological reading. There are limitations to using eye site. Next humidity must be taken into account; in humid conditions water molecules are more frequent, where as in comparison to gas is travels a lot slower because the molecules are a lot less frequent. Hence why, if there is more water molecules within the air then the sound waves will travel faster because there would be a lot more water molecules present. This consequently results in a non-exact answer as the humidity is not measured on the temperature thermometer. All of the methods could off had many predicaments as well. For one the tuning forks themselves may have been s lightly off. The 512Hz fork used may not off been 512Hz due to age and wearing. Frequency is the number of times that an event occurs per unit of time. For sound the frequency is often measured by Hertz which is abbreviated to Hz. Its measured from the top of one wave to the bottom of another, per second. Humans can generally only hear from 20Hz up to 20000Hz, while dogs can hear up to 60000Hz and as low as 1Hz. Overall mishearing of the sound could have been a very big setback, this in turn goes with the possibility of false measuring, in the fact that when measuring the distance where resonance occurred the student holding the pipe would constantly move by half a centimetre or so. This means an accurate result wasnt measured and that this would further the errors in the investigation. The final result of the second method was backed up by multiple errors that occurred making the second method the less accurate of the two. There are numerous ways in order for this experiment to be more successful and to minimize errors/failures. As said before instead of having a student move the pipe up and down until resonance was heard, take advantage of retort stands and of course clamps. This would lower the possibility of error when measuring, instead of being out by half a centimetre it may be out by a few millimetres. Tuning forks may not be succinct and should undergo a pre-test to ensure that they are resonating at 512Hz because of its age and wear. This would create more accurate results as you would be finding the correct resonant soundwaves. If these mistakes were not made the errors would be less, and the experiment would have been more successful. Due to mistakes the speed of sound was not the same as the excepted value which is 340.29 m/s at sea level and at 20 degrees Celsius. Theoretically method 2 should have been the more accurate but because of mass errors it was not. The big deciding factor that was found is that humidity isnt taken into account with met hod 2, so no matter how hot, dry, rainy or sunny the weather was, it wasnt affected at all. If all errors stated above, and the temperature and humidity were accounted for then both methods should have been either very close or exact to the accepted value of 340.29 m/s. The speed of sound within water is 1484m/s. This is nearly 4 times the speed of sound in the air. This is why animals such as dolphins and whales can communicate over such long distances. Humans can only communicate at a quarter of the distance that those animals can. Â   Â   Â   Conclusion: To conclude the EI for investigating the speed of sound, it was stated that the first method would be more accurate, and this hypothesis was correct. This was supported by the results as the speed of sound at 32 degrees Celsius was dramatically more accurate than its counterpart, measuring in at 352 m/s instead of 350 m/s. This dramatic change occurred due to the fact that there is a lot more room for error in the second method. Unlike the first second method, the temperature affected the second method dramatically

Kenneth Fearing’s Dirge Essay -- Kenneth Fearing Dirge Essays

Kenneth Fearing’s Dirge Traditionally, dirges are composed in the form of a song or hymn of mourning as a memorial to a dead person. The very definition suggests that the particular qualities of the dead individual deserve recognition. The dirge is not just written for anyone, but for those deserving of glorification, who survive in the memories of the living as testaments to the greater capacities of humankind. It is against this traditional definition that Kenneth Fearing’s poem, â€Å"Dirge†, is working, not only as an overt commentary on the social, cultural, and political factors surrounding the destabilization of 1930’s America but also as an abstraction of the prevalent views of reality: the dehumanization of the human. Fearing superimposes these thematic projects onto the context of the Great Depression, a period of American history often seen as representing overarching society decline, the dull malaise of futility, and the alienation of the individual. Through an exploration o f the structural elements of â€Å"Dirge†, one can find just how Fearing constructs a particular vision of modernism. As a prelude to an inquiry into thematic elements of the poem, it is first necessary to draw out the importance of Fearing’s use of experimental form. Fearing â€Å"adheres† to the conventional use of strophic poetic construction, making use of epigrammatic style, where the seven stanzas separate the lament into isolated combinations and experiments on language and the content suggests each might stand alone as organic entities. Putting these highly-varied units into a single poem reflects on the incoherence of broader theme of death and the response to death, the dirge, as well as the notion that such a broad topic as death contains many sma... ..., the content and form has self-deconstructed, resulting in a meaningless reduction/manifestation of repetition. The primary focus of the poem on the death and memory of a man has been sacrificed, leaving only the skeletal membrane of any sort of focus in the poem. The â€Å"Dirge† which initially was meant to reflect on the life of the individual has been completely abstracted. The â€Å"Dirge† the reader is left with at the end of the poem is one meant for anyone and no one. Just as the internal contradictions in Kenneth Fearing’s poem have eliminated the substantial significance of each isolated concern, the reader is left without not only a resolution, but any particular tangible meaning at all. The form and content of this poem have quite effectively established a powerful modernist statement, ironically contingent on the absence and not the presence of meaning in life.

Essay --

â€Å"He must not take many wive,s or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.† ( Duet. 17:17 KJV) In today’s world many people have had different views and ideas on what polygamy really is, is it morally wrong? In this paper you are going to learn what polygamy is, who practices it, the affects that it has on children, wives and the husbands, risk factors, and most importantly why it is morally wrong. The world polygamy means the practice of having more than one wife. It comes from poly meaning ‘many’ and gamos meaning ‘marriage. Polygamy has been around for many years, and by many years, it’s been around since the biblical ages. In the Old Testament of the bible polygamy was allowed, not only was it practiced or allowed in the Old Testament but other cultures and religions practiced polygamy as well. These religions included Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. The Old Testament gives multiple examples of men being married to more than one wife at a time. The patriarchs Abraham and Jacob are known to be examples of righteous men who had several wives in the Old Testament. It is said that in ancient times when a man had more than one wife or wives and concubines(a woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife or wives) these wives and concubines were segregated by position and authority within the husband’s family. The first wife held the highest position and it was to her first –born son that the husband’s inheritance was given. (www.bibleresearch.org) Although there and many reasons as to why people practiced polygamy, some of these reasons were family reasons, personal reasons, and religious reasons. Practicing polygamy you would share family responsibilities, more freed... ...KJV) â€Å"And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire , both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you ( Lev. 20:14 KJV) The first quote is stating that a man cannot be married concurrently to two women who are sisters, while the second quote prohibits a man taking a woman and her mother as wives, or they will be executed by fire. The quotes both go to show you in a religious way that polygamy was wrong, and still is. In Genesis 2:24 it says â€Å"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother ,and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be one flesh† . Note in that particular verse it says â€Å"wife† not â€Å"wives†, and that’s how it should be. There fore it is morally wrong to practice polygamy, and if one feels that it is not, maybe they should rethink their values, and what they consider morals to really be.

Essay --

I was almost there, just one more turn and a road before I arrived home. When the road was built the turn cut a deep ‘V’ in the hillside, leaving behind prominent walls of dirt on either side of the road. It was a right-angle left turn leading up a steep incline. Being on a road less traveled, as well as being at the bottom of a hill, this particular turn had a lot of accumulated sand left over from the winter. I had forgotten about the sand, since all the main roads had long been washed clean, and went into the turn too fast. As soon as I hit the dirty portion of the road, my front wheels lost grip and caused the car to under-steer straight forward. I was able to catch it a little but knew impact was inevitable. I watched the hillside jump up in front of me and the right corner of my Jeep Cherokee plow into it, as a mountain of new obstacles rose up in my mind. I thought it would be too hard for me to fix it myself and too expensive to have done at a shop. I w as worried about what my parents would say if they saw it. But by the time it was fixed, I had learned a lot about car repair and my own capabilities. Before I crashed I didn’t think I could perform any major car repairs myself, but I learned that it’s not only feasible but quite rewarding as well. I drove the rest of the way home in a calm panic, trying to think straight and form a plan. I pulled my car into the garage nose first, at such an angle that the damage couldn’t be seen from the house if anyone happened to look out and wonder what I was doing. I had an excuse of TLC ready in case someone decided to investigate further than the front window. This was when I did an in-depth inspection of the damage, and it looked bad, really bad. The steel bumper wa... ...f. I fixed up my car on a budget, kept my parents from blowing a head gasket, and picked up multitudes of knowledge along the way. During the course of the project I absorbed copious amounts of information that I will be able to use the rest of my life. I learned many skills and techniques regarding vehicle repair that I can apply to any situation that may arise in the future. Since then, I don’t even know how much money I’ve saved myself, family, and friends by diagnosing and repairing problems in house instead of getting ripped off by mechanics. Before I crashed my car I was limited to doing very basic maintenance only, but after, I felt like I could take on any project. It really sparked my interest in working on my own car. The whole experience was very rewarding and taught me a lot about not only cars but what I was capable of when I put my mind to it.

The Return: Nightfall Chapter 9

When Matt, Meredith, and Bonnie were all on their way, Stefan was left with Elena, now decently attired by Bonnie in her â€Å"Night Gown.† The darkness outside was comforting to his sore eyes – not sore from daylight, but from telling good friends the sad news. Worse than the sore eyes was the slightly breathless feeling of a vampire who hasn't fed. But he'd remedy that soon, he told himself. Once Elena was asleep, he'd slip out into the woods and find a white-tailed deer. No one could stalk like a vampire; no one could compete with Stefan at hunting. And even if it took several deer to assuage the hunger inside him, not one ofthem would be permanently injured. But Elena had other plans. She wasn't sleepy, and she was never bored being alone with him. As soon as the sounds of their visitors' car were decently out of hearing, she did what she always did in this mood. She floated to him and tipped her face up, eyes closed, lips just slightly pursed. Then she waited. Stefan hurried to the one unshuttered window, pulled the shade down against unwanted peeping crows, and returned. Elena was in exactly the same position, blushing slightly, eyes still shut. Stefan sometimes thought that she would wait forever that way, if she wanted a kiss. â€Å"I'm really taking advantage of you, love,† he said, and sighed. He leaned over and kissed her gently, chastely. Elena made a noise of disappointment that sounded exactly like apurruping kitten, ending on a note of inquiry. She bumped his chin with her nose. â€Å"Lovely love,† Stefan said, stroking her hair. â€Å"Bonnie got all the knots out without pulling?† But he was leaning into her warmth now, helpless. A distant ache in his upper jaw was already beginning. Elena bumped again, demanding. He kissed her for slightly longer. Logically, he knew she was a grown-up. She was older and vastly more experienced than she had been nine months ago, when they'd lost themselves in adoration kissing. But guilt was never far from his thoughts, and he couldn't help but worry about having her competent consent. This time thepurrup was one of exasperation. Elena had had enough. All at once, she gave her weight to him, forcing him to suddenly support a warm, substantial bundle of femininity in his arms, and at the same time, herPlease? chiming clear as a finger swirling on a crystal glass. It was one of the first words she had learned to think to him when she'd woken up mute and weightless. And, angel or no, she knew exactly what it did to him – inside. Please? â€Å"Oh, little love,† he groaned. â€Å"Little lovely love†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Please? He kissed her. There was a long time of silence, while he felt his heart beat faster and faster. Elena, his Elena, who had once given her very life for him, was warm and drowsily heavy in his arms. She was his alone, and they belonged just like this, and he never wanted anything to change from this moment. Even the quickly growing ache in his upper jaw was something to be enjoyed. The pain of it changed to pleasure with Elena's warm mouth under his, her lips forming little butterfly kisses, teasing him. He sometimes thought she was most awake when she seemed half-asleep like this. She was always the instigator, but he followed helplessly wherever she wanted him to go. The one time he had refused, had stopped in mid-kiss, she had broken off speaking to him with her mind and floated to a corner, where she then sat among the dust and spiderwebs†¦andwept . Nothing he could do would console her, although he knelt on the hard wooden floorboards and begged and coaxed and almost wept himself – until he took her back into his arms. He had promised himself never to make that mistake again. But still, his guilt nagged at him, although it was growing more and more distant – and more confused as Elena changed the pressure of her lips suddenly and the world rocked and he had to back up until they were sitting on his bed. His thoughts fragmented. He could only think that Elena was back with him, sitting on his lap, so excited, so vibrant, until there was a sort of silken explosion inside him and he didn't need to be forced anymore. He knew that she was enjoying the pleasure-pain of his aching jaw as much as he was. There was no more time or reason to think. Elena was melting into his arms, her hair under his stroking fingers a liquid softness. Mentally, they had already melted together. The aching in his canines had finally produced the inevitable result, his teeth lengthening, sharpening; the touch of them against Elena's lower lip causing a bright flicker of pleasure-pain that almost made him gasp. And then Elena did something she never had done before. Delicately, carefully, she took one of Stefan's fangs and captured it between her upper and lower lips. And then, delicately, deliberately, she just held on. The whole world reeled around Stefan. It was only by the grace of his love for her, and their connected minds, that he didn't bite down and pierce her lip. Ancient vampire urges that could never be tamed out of his blood were screaming at him to do just that. But he loved her, and they were one – and besides,he couldn't move an inch. He was frozen in pleasure. His fangs had never extended so far or become quite as sharp, and without him doing a thing the razor edge of his tooth had cut into Elena's full lower lip. Blood was trickling very slowly down his throat. Elena's blood, which had changed since she had come back from the spirit world. It had once been wonderful, full of youthful vitality and the essence of Elena's living self. Now†¦it was simply in a class of its own. Indescribable. He'd never experienced anything like the blood of a returned spirit. It was charged with a Power that was as different from human blood as human was from animal blood. To a vampire, blood flowing down the throat was a pleasure as sharp as anything imaginable to a human. Stefan's heart was pounding out of his chest. Elena daintily worried the fang she had captured. He couldfeel her satisfaction as the tiny sacrificial pain turned to pleasure, because she was linked to him, and because she was one of the rarest of all breeds of humans: one who actually enjoyed nurturing a vampire, loved the feeling of feeding him, of him needing her. She was one of the elite. Hot shivers traveled down his spine, Elena's blood still making the world spin. Elena let go of his fang, sucking on her lower lip. She let her head drop back, exposing her neck. The head-drop was really too much to resist, even for him. He knew the traceries of Elena's veins as well as he knew her face. And yet†¦ All's right. All's well†¦Elena chimed telepathically. He sank twin aching fangs into a small vein. His canines were so razor-sharp by then that there was nearly no pain for Elena, who was used to the snakebite sensation. And for him, for both of them, there was the feeding at last, as the indescribable sweetness of Elena's new blood filled Stefan's mouth, and an outpouring of giving swept Elena into incoherency. There was always a danger of taking too much, or of not giving her enough of his own blood to keep her – well, frankly, to keep her from dying. Not that he needed more than a small amount, but there would always be that danger in trafficking with vampires. In the end, though, dark thoughts swam away in the sheer bliss that had overcome them both. Matt fished for keys as he and Bonnie and Meredith all crowded into the wide front seat of his rattletrap car. Embarrassing to have to park that next to Stefan's Porsche. The upholstery in back was in shreds that tended to stick to the derriere of whoever sat on it, and Bonnie easily fit on the jump seat, which had a jerry-rigged seat belt, between Matt and Meredith. Matt kept an eye on her, since when she was excited she tended not to use the belt. The road back through the Old Wood had too many difficult turns to be taken lightly, even if they were going to be the only travelers on it. No more deaths, Matt thought as he pulled away from the boardinghouse. No more miraculous resurrections, even. Matt had seen enough of the supernatural to last him the rest of his life. He was just like Bonnie; he wanted things to settle down to normal so he could get on with living the plain old ordinary way. Without Elena, something inside him whispered mockingly. Giving up without even a fight? Hey, I couldn't beat Stefan in any kind of fight if he had both arms tied behind his back and a bag over his head. Forget it. That's finished, however she kissed me. She's a friend, now. But he could still feel Elena's warm lips on his mouth from yesterday, the light touches that she didn't know yet weren't socially acceptable between just-friends. And he could feel the warmth and the swaying, dancing slenderness of her body. Damn, she came back perfect – physically, at least, he thought. Bonnie's plaintive voice cut into his pleasant reminiscences. â€Å"Just when I thought everything was going to be all right,† she was wailing, almost weeping. â€Å"Just when I thought it's all going to work out after all. It's going to be the way it wassupposed to be.† Meredith said, very gently, â€Å"It's difficult, I know. We seem to keep on losing her. But we can't be selfish.† â€Å"Ican,† Bonnie said flatly. I can, too, Matt's inner voice whispered. At least inside, where nobody can see my selfishness. Good old Matt; Matt won't mind – what a good sport Matt is. Well, this is one time when good old Matt does mind. But she chose the other guy, and what can I do? Kidnap her? Keep her locked up? Try to take her by force? The thought was like a dash of cold water, and Matt woke up and paid more attention to his driving. Somehow he'd already automatically navigated several curves of the pitted, one-lane road that ran through the Old Wood. â€Å"We were supposed to go to college together,† Bonnie persisted. â€Å"And then we were supposed to come back here to Fell's Church. Backhome . We had it all planned out – since kindergarten, practically – and now Elena's human again, and I thought that meant that everything was going to go back to the way it wassupposed to be. And it'snever going to be the same again,ever , is it?† She finished more quietly and with a little gulping sigh, â€Å"Is it?† It wasn't even really a question. Matt and Meredith found themselves glancing at each other, surprised by the sharpness of their pity, and helpless to comfort Bonnie, who now had her arms folded around herself, shrugging off Meredith's touch. It's Bonnie – just Bonnie being theatrical, Matt thought, but his own native honesty rose to mock him. â€Å"I guess,† he said slowly, â€Å"that's what we were all sort of thinking, really, when she first came back.† When we were dancing around in the woods like crazy people, he thought. â€Å"I guess we sort of thought that they could live quietly somewhere near Fell's Church, and that things would go back to the way they were before. Before Stefan – â€Å" Meredith shook her head, looking off into the distance beyond the windshield. â€Å"Not Stefan.† Matt realized what she meant. Stefan had come to Fell's Church to rejoin humanity, not to take a human girl away from it into the unknown. â€Å"You're right,† Matt said. â€Å"I was just thinking about something like that. She and Stefan could have probably worked out some way to live here quietly. Or at least to stay close to us, you know. It was Damon. He came to take Elena against her will, and that changed everything.† â€Å"And now Elena and Stefan are leaving. And once they leave, they'll never come back,† Bonnie wailed. â€Å"Why? Why did Damon start all this?† â€Å"He likes to change things out of sheer boredom, Stefan once told me. This time it probably started out of hatred for Stefan,† Meredith said. â€Å"But I wish that for once he could have just left us alone.† â€Å"What difference does it make?† Bonniewas crying now. â€Å"So it was Damon's fault. I don't even care anymore. What I don't understand is why things have to change!† â€Å" ¡Ã‚ ®You can never cross the same river twice.' Or even once if you're a strong enough vampire,† Meredith said wryly. Nobody laughed. And then, very gently: â€Å"Maybe you're asking the wrong person. Maybe Elena's the one who could tell you why things have to change, if she remembers what happened to her – in the Other Place.† â€Å"I didn'tmean that theydo have to change – â€Å" â€Å"But they do,† Meredith said, even more gently and wistfully. â€Å"Don't you see? It's not supernatural; it's – life. Everybody has to grow up – â€Å" â€Å"I know! Matt has a football scholarship and you're going away to college and then you're going to get married ! And probably have babies!† Bonnie managed to make this sound like some indecent activity. â€Å"I'm going to be stuck in junior collegeforever . And you'll both be all grown up and you'll forget about Elena and Stefan†¦and me,† Bonnie finished in a very small voice. â€Å"Hey.† Matt had always been very protective of the injured and ignored. Right now, even with Elena so recently on his mind – he wondered if he wouldever get rid of the feeling of that kiss – he was drawn to Bonnie, who seemed so small and fragile. â€Å"What are you talking about? I'm coming back after college to live. I'll probably die right here in Fell's Church.I'll be thinking about you. I mean, if you want me to.† He patted Bonnie's arm, and she didn't shy away from his touch as she had from Meredith's. She leaned into him, her forehead against his shoulder. When she shivered once, slightly, he put his arm around her without even thinking. â€Å"I'm not cold,† Bonnie said, although she didn't try to shrug off his arm. â€Å"It's warm tonight. I just – I don't like it when you say things like  ¡Ã‚ ®I'll probably die right' – watch out!† â€Å"Matt, look out!† â€Å"Whoa – !† Matt pumped the brakes, cursing, both hands wrestling with the steering wheel as Bonnie ducked and Meredith braced herself. Matt's replacement for the first beat-up old car he'd lost was just about as old and didn't have airbags. It was a miscellany of junkyard cars pieced together. â€Å"Hang on!†Matt yelled as the car skidded, tires screaming, and then they were all flung around as the back end swerved into a ditch and the front bumper hit a tree. When everything stopped moving, Matt let out his breath, easing his death-grip on the steering wheel. He started to turn toward the girls and then froze. He scrabbled to switch on the map light, and what he saw held him frozen again. Bonnie had turned, as always in moments of deepest distress, to Meredith. She was lying with her head on Meredith's lap, hands locked onto her friend's arm and shirt. Meredith herself was sitting, braced, leaning as far as possible backward, her feet stretched to push against the floor beneath the dashboard; her body bowed back in the seat, head flung backward, arms holding Bonnie down tightly. Thrusting straight through the open window – like a knobby, shaggy green spear or the grasping arm of some savage earthen giant – was the branch of a tree. It just cleared the base of Meredith's arched neck, and its lower branches passed over Bonnie's small body. If Bonnie's seat belt hadn't let her turn; if Bonnie hadn't flung herself down like that; if Meredith hadn't held onto her†¦ Matt found himself staring directly into the splintered but very sharp end of the lance. If his own seat belt hadn't kept him from leaning that way†¦ Matt could hear his own hard breathing. The smell of evergreen was overpowering within the car. He could even smell the places where smaller branches had broken off and were oozing sap. Very slowly, Meredith reached out to break off one of the twigs that was pointed at her throat like an arrow. It wouldn't break. Numb, Matt reached over to try it himself. But although the wood wasn't much thicker than his finger, it was tough and wouldn't even bend. As if it's been fire-hardened, he thought dazedly. But that's ridiculous. It's a living tree; I can feel the splinters. â€Å"Ow.† â€Å"Can I please get up now?† Bonnie said quietly, her voice muffled against Meredith's leg. â€Å"Please. Before it grabs me. It wants to.† Matt glanced at her, startled, and scratched his cheek against the splintered end of the big branch. â€Å"It's not going to grab you.† But his stomach was churning as he fumbled blindly for his seat belt fastening. Why should Bonnie have the same thought as he had: that the thing was like a huge, crooked, shaggy arm? She couldn't even see it. â€Å"You know it wants to,† Bonnie whispered, and now the slight shivering seemed to be taking over her whole body. She reached backward to undo her seat belt. â€Å"Matt, we need to slide,† Meredith said. She had carefully maintained her painful-looking bowed-backward position, but Matt could hear her breathing harder. â€Å"We need to slide toward you. It's trying to get around my throat.† â€Å"That's impossible†¦.† But he could see it, too. The freshly splintered ends of the smaller branch had moved only infinitesimally, but there was a curve to them now, and the splinters were pressing into Meredith's throat. â€Å"It's probably just that nobody can stay bent backward like that forever,† he said, knowing that this was nonsense. â€Å"There's a flashlight in the glove compartment†¦.† â€Å"The glove compartment is completely blocked by branches. Bonnie, can you reach to unfasten my seat belt?† â€Å"I'll try.† Bonnie slid forward without raising her head, fumbling to find the release button. To Matt it looked as if the shaggy, aromatic evergreen branches were engulfing her. Pulling her into their needles. â€Å"We've got a whole freakin' Christmas tree in here.† He looked away, out through the glass of the window on his side. Cupping his hands to see better into the darkness, he leaned his forehead against the surprisingly cool glass. There was a touch on the back of his neck. He jumped, then froze. It was neither cool nor warm, like a girl's fingernail. â€Å"Damn it, Meredith – â€Å" â€Å"Matt – â€Å" Matt was furious with himself for jumping. But the touch was†¦scratchy. â€Å"Meredith?† He slowly moved his hands away until he could see in the dark window's reflection. Meredith wasn't touching him. â€Å"Don't†¦move†¦left, Matt. There's a long sharp bit there.† Meredith's voice, normally cool and a bit remote, usually made Matt think of those calendar pictures of blue lakes surrounded by snow. Now it just sounded choked and strained. â€Å"Meredith!† Bonnie said before Matt could speak. Bonnie's voice sounded as if it were coming from underneath a featherbed. â€Å"It's all right. I just have to†¦hold it away,† Meredith said. â€Å"Don't worry. I won't let go of you, either.† Matt felt a sharper prickle of splinters. Something touched his neck on the right side, delicately. â€Å"Bonnie, stop it! You're pulling the treein ! You're pulling it on Meredith and me!† â€Å"Matt,shut up !† Matt shut up. His heart was pounding. The last thing he felt like doing was reaching behind him. But that's stupid, he thought, because if Bonnie really is moving the tree, I can at least hold it still for her. He reached behind him, flinching, trying to watch what he was doing in the window's reflection. His hand closed over a thick knot of bark and splinters. He thought, I don't remember seeing a knot when it was pointed at my throat†¦. â€Å"Got it!† a muffled voice said, and there was the click of a seat belt coming undone. Then, much more shakily, the voice said, â€Å"Meredith? There are needles shoved all into my back.† â€Å"Okay, Bonnie. Matt,† Meredith was speaking with effort, but great patience, the way they'd all been talking to Elena. â€Å"Matt, you have to open your door now.† Bonnie said in a voice of terror, â€Å"It isn't just needles. It's little branches. Sort of like barbed wire. I'm†¦stuck†¦.† â€Å"Matt! You need to open your doornow – â€Å" â€Å"I can't.† Silence. â€Å"Matt?† Matt was bracing himself, pushing with his feet, both hands locked around the scaly bark now. He thrust backward with all his strength. â€Å"Matt!† Meredith almost screamed. â€Å"It's cutting into my throat!† â€Å"I can't get my door open! There's a tree on that side, too!† â€Å"How can there be a tree there?That's the road!† â€Å"How can there be a treegrowing in here?† Another silence. Matt could feel the splinters – the slivers of broken branch – biting deeper into the back of his neck. If he didn't move soon, he would never be able to.