Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrandâ€Discussion Questions

'Unbroken' by Laura Hillenbrand- Discussion Questions   Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is the true story of Louis Zamparini, who was an Olympic runner that survived for more than a month on a raft in the Pacific Ocean after crashing his plane during World War II. He was then taken as a Prisoner of War by the Japanese. Hillenbrand tells his story in parts, and these book club questions are also divided by parts of the book so that groups or individuals can discuss the story over time or focus on the areas they want to discuss more deeply. Spoiler Warning: These questions contain details about the end of Unbroken. Finish each section before reading the questions for that part. Part I Were you interested in Part I, which was mostly about Louis childhood and running career?How do you think his childhood and Olympic training helped him survive what would come later? Part II Were you surprised by how many servicemen died in flight training or in planes that went down outside of combat?Superman received 594 holes in the battle over Nauru. What did you think of the descriptions of this air battle? Were you surprised by their ability to survive despite being hit so many times?Did you learn anything new about the Pacific theater during World War II through this part of the book? Part III How do you think Louie survived the crash?What were details of the mens survival on the raft most interesting to you? How they found and saved water or food? The ways they kept up their mental acuity? The lack of provisions in the life raft?What role did emotional and mental state play in Phil and Louies survival? How did they keep their minds sharp? Why was this important?Were you surprised by how ferocious the sharks  were?Louie had several religious experiences on the raft that led to a new belief in God: surviving the gunning by the Japanese bomber, the tranquil day at sea, the provision of rainwater and seeing singing in the clouds. What do you make of these experiences? How were they important to his life story? Part IV Were you aware of how severely the Japanese treated Prisoners of War during World War II? Were you surprised to learn how much worse it was for men captured in the Pacific war than for those captured by Nazis?When Louie is interviewed just after his release, he says If I knew I had to go through those experiences again, Id kill myself (321). As they were going through it, how do you think Louie and Phil survived the starvation and brutality they faced as prisoners?What were the ways the Japanese tried to break the mens spirits? Why does the author focus on how this was worse in many ways than the physical cruelty? What do you think was the hardest thing the men had to endure?Later in the narrative, we learn that the Bird and many of the other soldiers were pardoned? What do you think of this decision?How do you think the men escaped the Kill All order?Why do you think Louies family never gave up hope that he was alive? Part V Epilogue In many ways, Louies unraveling is not surprising considering all he endured. After attending the Billy Graham crusade, however, he never experienced another vision of the Bird, he saved his marriage and he was able to move on with his life. Why do you think this is? What roles did forgiveness and gratitude play in his ability to move on? How did he see God at work throughout his whole experience despite the unimaginable suffering he experienced?From the moment of their rescue through the present day publishing of this book and the movie adaptation, Louie Zamparini has received significant media attention whereas Allen Phillips was treated as a trivial footnote in what was celebrated as Louies story (385). Why do you think that was?Louie continued to have adventures well into old age? What parts of his post-war story were most notable to you?Rate Unbroken on a scale of 1 to 5. Details of the book: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand was published in November 2010.Publisher: Random House496 PagesThe movie adaptation of Unbroken was released in December 2014.

Pentaceratops - Facts and Figures

Pentaceratops - Facts and Figures Despite its impressive name (which means five-horned face), Pentaceratops really only had three genuine horns, two big ones over its eyes and a smaller one perched on the end of its snout. The two other protuberances were technically outgrowths of this dinosaurs cheekbones, rather than genuine horns, which probably didnt make much difference to any smaller dinosaurs that happened to get in Pentaceratops way. Name: Pentaceratops (Greek for five-horned face); pronounced PENT-ah-SER-ah-topsHabitat: Plains of western North AmericaHistorical Period: Late Cretaceous (75 million years ago)Size and Weight: About 20 feet long and 2-3 tonsDiet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Enormous bony frill on its head; two large horns above eyes About Pentaceratops A classic ceratopsian (horned face) dinosaur, Pentaceratops was closely related to the more famous, and more accurately named, Triceratops, although its closest relative was the equally large Utahceratops. (Technically, all of these dinosaurs are chasmosaurine, rather than centrosaurine, ceratopsians, meaning they share more characteristics with Chasmosaurus than with Centrosaurus.) From the tip of its beak to the top of its bony frill, Pentaceratops possessed one of the largest heads of any dinosaur that ever lived- about 10 feet long, give or take a few inches (its impossible to say for sure, but this otherwise peaceful plant-eater may have been the inspiration for the huge-headed, human-munching queen in the 1986 movie Aliens.) Until the recent discovery of  the evocatively named Titanoceratops, which was diagnosed from an existing skull previously attributed to Pentaceratops, this five-horned dinosaur was the only ceratopsian known to have lived in the environs of New Mexico toward the end of the Cretaceous period, 75 million years ago. Other ceratopsians, such as Coahuilaceratops, have been discovered as far south as Mexico. Why did Pentaceratops have such a huge noggin? The most likely explanation is sexual selection: at some point in the evolution of this dinosaur, huge, ornate heads became attractive to females, giving big-headed males the edge during mating season. Pentaceratops males probably butted each other with their horns and frills for mating supremacy; particularly well-endowed males may also have been recognized as herd alphas. Its possible that the unique horns and frill of Pentaceratops aided with intra-herd recognition, so, for example, a Pentaceratops juvenile wouldnt accidentally wander off with a passing group of Chasmosaurus! Unlike some other horned, frilled dinosaurs, Pentaceratops has a fairly straightforward fossil history. The initial remains (a skull and a piece of hipbone) were discovered in 1921 by Charles H. Sternberg, who continued plying this same New Mexico location over the next couple of years until he had collected enough specimens for his fellow paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn to erect the genus Pentaceratops. For nearly a century after its discovery, there was only one named genus of Pentaceratops. P. sternbergii, until a second, northern-dwelling species, P. aquilonius, was named by Nicholas Longrich of Yale University.

Teenage Drinking and Driving Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Teenage Drinking and Driving - Research Paper Example A research conducted by CDC in 2008 revealed that, almost 3,500 teenagers who were between the age bracket of 15 and 19 died because of car crashes. Furthermore, 25% of the deceased teens involved in those accidents tested positive to high levels of alcohol count in the blood system (CDC ). Drinking among teenagers is due of immense peer pressure among the concerned age group. Most of the programs aired in the media tend to lure teenagers into drinking since they fail to highlight on the multiple catastrophes of alcohol. It is therefore evident that drunk driving kills’ people, people become used to drunk driving and people often lose control while driving. One of the causes of teen drinking in USA is the individual’s urge to be rebellious. Most of the accidents correlated to drunk driving are because of teenagers’ rebellion. Some other acts of rebellion manifest through teens staying out past curfew or ditching classes. Universally all teens are famous on their rebellious acts of defying authority (Thompson 16). There have been several engagements targeted at advising youths against alcoholism, but the rebellious nature f the youths have overridden the efforts. Teens have a tendency of swanking of how they manage to drink and drive as long as there are no negative consequences suffered. Although society views drunk driving as a serious social epidemic, teenagers view it as a comfortable way of massaging one’s ego thus molding and directing them to the path of defiance. When in adolescence stage, teenagers undergo a period when a chemical substance in the known as dopamine is in its highest activity. Dopamine is responsible for most of the youth desired experiences like pleasure and feel of reward (Sifferlin). Coupled with poor ability to respond to impulse, teenagers end up indulging in undesired behaviors such as driving while drunk, which they view as pleasure. The second cause for the unnecessary phenomenon of drunk driving among teenagers is their reluctance to stop this epidemic. As teenagers, they themselves play a part in the dominance of this social hardship. Teenagers let it happen; they let the river take its cause. Presently, teenagers have a problem of failing to speak out against drunk driving among teenagers. As compared to the previous generations, teenagers of this era tend to maintain silence even when driven by drunk drivers. A further research conducted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in 2007 alone, almost three out of ten teenagers within the US reported cases of being passengers driven by drunk drivers. Teenagers are exposed to lengthy risks since they are afraid to speak out against drunk driving thus endangering their own lives and the lives of other passengers. Through the actions of teenagers failing to speak up and say NO against teen drunk driving; they are obliquely and inadvertently accommodating the actions committed by the drunk drivers. By acceptin g such social affliction, the teenagers create a dangerous cycle whose epitome is drunk driving among teenagers (Kelli and Traci). Since their peers fail to mention negative remarks against drunk driving, other teenagers tend to assume that driving under the influence of alcohol complies with the social norms set by the society in general. The act of failing to speak against the social affliction is in itself a representation of

Case analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case analysis - Essay Example They were able to develop the Fiji Waters as a high profile drink as they sponsored golf tournaments, sports events and were even able to win endorsements in the movies. The drink that appeared to be exclusive is available in supermarkets and local stores and creates a notion that what is good for the rich and famous is also good for the majority. Green washing is a marketing strategy used by companies to mislead benefits of a product, service, technology, or company practice (Rouse, Margaret, Sept. 2007)). Companies engage in green washing to enhance product’s capabilities and mislead consumers on the true picture of the product for company’s gain. For example, the Fiji Waters â€Å"carbon negative† advertising campaign has been challenged in the US District Court to be misleading. I believe a claim is a green washing when there are many criticisms against it, and evidences or proofs are not rightly presented. The FIJI’s Water Negative campaign is not a green washing because it begins with a measurable target that proposes to offset more greenhouse emissions than were released by its operations and products. It is turning the positive harmful effects of its operations into something negative. Beginning 2008, it will reduce its land use and utilize renewable energy. It did not assume to maintain zero CO2, but rather `a reduction only. FIJI Waters hopes to reduce its CO2 emissions by 25%; 50% from renewable resources, and reducing wastes from production facility by 33%. FIJI Waters is conscious of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and has done efforts to reduce damage to the environment. CSR is one way to be assured of the sustainability of long-range operations that will be beneficial to both the company and to the community. It is a head-turning marketing campaign that will also make people think of its environment. I am concerned that with the way underground water is cons umed,

Business Ethics - The Enron Scandal universal ethics point of view- Case Study

Business Ethics - The Enron Scandal universal ethics point of view- - Case Study Example The accounting fraud that would eventually come to be known as the Enron scandal was a creative, institutional, and systematic plan (Malcolm, 2008). Parties that took part in concealing Enron’s real financial condition were well known to the company. In this respect, the bid to address the underlying situation becomes an institutional process. To start with, the company’s corporate governance had failed. Instead of hiding this failure, stakeholders could have been consulted on ways to foster and enhance corporate governance. By virtue of business operations, shareholders and all other stakeholders for that matter deserved to know the actual direction that the company was taking. Board effectiveness, qualification, integrity, responsibility, and accountability were highly questionable. These aspects only came to light at a time when it was impossible to salvage the company. Given that business operations are profit-driven and that profits can undoubtedly attract unethical practices, there was need to vet and audit board operations from time to time. In so doing, the underlying issues were set to be identified before it was too late. The situation can, therefore, be addressed by taking measures to ensure that the company does not run independent of shareholders and other interested stakeholders. Conflicting interests were highly evident in the Enron case. Arthur Andersen played two roles in Enron; that of an auditor and that of a consultant (Malcolm, 2008). The direct implication is that one role relatively jeopardized the other, given that the same party undertook both roles. This situation stands to be addressed by ensuring that the two roles are handled by two independent parties. Ultimately, the management is to blame. This is because it downplayed the underlying risks of having an auditing firm that still offered consultation services to the same company. Financial entities that maintained an off-book relationship

Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Project Management Plan

Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Project Management Plan Introduction Solar photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity and many solar photovoltaic power stations have been built, mainly in Europe. As of September 2010, the largest photovoltaic (PV) power plants in the world are the Sarnia Photovoltaic Power Plant (Canada, 80 MW), Olmedilla Photovoltaic Park (Spain, 60  MW), the Strasskirchen Solar Park (Germany, 54  MW), the Lieberose Photovoltaic Park (Germany, 53  MW), the Puertollano Photovoltaic Park (Spain, 50  MW), the Moura Photovoltaic Power Station (Portugal, 46  MW), and the Waldpolenz Solar Park (Germany, 40  MW).[1] This proposal is for setting up a 50 MW (10 MW x 5 Phases) capacity solar photovoltaic power plant based on latest High Power Modules using cells consisting of Multi-Crystalline Silicon Technology / Tandem Junction Thin Film Technology, which has been successfully developed for commercial implementation and has been delivering reliable power generation around the world for some years now. The solar photovoltaic power project is proposed to be set up in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, India which is one of the best suited locations in terms of higher annual direct normal insolation (DNI), favourable climatic conditions and land availability Some photovoltaic power stations which are presently proposed will have a capacity of 150  MW or more. Many of these plants are integrated with agriculture and some use innovative tracking systems that follow the suns daily path across the sky to generate more electricity than conventional fixed-mounted systems. There are no fuel costs or emissions during operation of the power stations. AIM This proposal examines the techniques of project management used in development of a solar photovoltaic power plant Project. The background of the project will be described including its planning, Execution, Operation Maintenance and Financial analysis a project; critical success factors for the project implementation are identified presenting an overview of project structure, methods, risks, etc. Objectives The objectives for the project are the successful completion of solar photovoltaic power plant, on budget, on time and safely. The objectives are also to develop world class project management best practices within the solar industry. Research Methodology The PMBOK Guide states that projects are composed of two kinds of process: project management processes and product-oriented processes (which specify and create the project product). Project management processes are further divided into initiating, planning, execution, controlling and closing processes. This proposal mainly concentrates on the core processes of planning, execution and controlling. The project management process groups depicted in figure 1 are initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Initiating defines and authorizes the project or a project phase. Planning defines and refines objectives and plans the course of action required to attain the objectives and scope that the project was undertaken to address. Executing integrates people and other resources to carry out the project management plan for the project. Monitoring and controlling regularly measures and monitors progress to identify variances from the project management plan so that corrective action can be taken when necessary to meet project objectives. Closing formalizes acceptance of the product, service, or result and brings the project or a project phase to an orderly end. Figure illustrates the relative depth, breadth, and interrelationship between these process groups. Planning Planning in organizations constitutes both the organizational process of creating and maintaining a plan; and the psychological process of thinking about the activities required to create a desired goal on some scale. As such, it is a fundamental property of intelligent behaviour. This thought process is essential to the creation and refinement of a plan or integration of it with other plans. It combines forecasting of developments with the preparation of scenarios of how to react to them. An important albeit often ignored aspect of planning, is the relationship it holds with forecasting. Forecasting can be described as predicting what the future will look like, whereas planning predicts what the future should look like. The above scenario is often used to describe the formal procedures used in the creation of documents, endeavour, diagrams, meetings to discuss the important issues to be addressed, objectives to be met and the strategy to be followed. Beyond this planning has a different meaning depending on the political or economic context in which it is used. There are ten core processes: scope planning scope definition activity definition resource planning activity sequencing activity duration estimating cost estimating schedule development cost budgeting Project plan development. The output from these processes project plans makes up an input to the executing processes. A distinction is made between the project plans proper and the project performance baselines. Executing Executing consists of the process used to complete the work defined in the project management plan to accomplish the projects requirements. Execution process involves coordinating people and resources as well as integrating and performing the activities of the project in accordance with the project management plan. The deliverables are produced as outputs from the processes performed as defined in the project management plan. Executing Processes Project Plan Execution performing the activities Complete Tasks/Work Packages Information Distribution Scope Verification acceptance of project scope Quality Assurance evaluating overall project performance on a regular basis; meeting standards Team Development developing team and individual skill sets to enhance the project Progress Meetings Monitoring and controlling Monitoring and controlling consists of those processes which have performed to observe project execution so that potential problems can be identified in a timely manner and corrective action can be taken place. When necessary to control the execution of the project. The key benefit is that project performance is observed and measured regularly to identify variances from the project management plan. Monitoring and Controlling includes: Measuring the on-going project activities. Monitoring the project variables (cost, effort, scope, etc.) against the project management plan and the project performance baseline. Identify corrective actions to address issues and risks properly. Influencing the factors that could circumvent integrated change control so only approved changes are implemented This must be done in an integrated manner at regular intervals, not in a haphazard, arbitrary way. Any significant departures from the budget and the schedule must be reported immediately, because these anomalies affect the viability and the success of the entire project. This will lead to adapting the project schedule, budget and/or work plan as necessary to keep the project on track. The project progress and changes must be documented and communicated to the team members in a consistent, reliable and appropriate manner for each level of the project team. Success criteria for project control Use the project plan as the primary guide for co-ordinating your project. Consistently monitor and update the plan. Remember that quality communication is a key to control. Monitor progress on the project against the plan on a regular basis. Get involved. Adapt the project schedule, budget and/or work plan as necessary to keep the project on track. Document project progress and changes and communicate them to team members. What monitoring should accomplish? Communicate project status and changes to other project team members Inform management (and clients or customers) about the status of the project Provide the justification for making project adjustments Document current plans compared to the original project plan Project Performance must be measured regularly to identify the variances from the plan. Variances are fed into control processes in the various knowledge areas. To the extent the significant Variances are observed. Adjustments to the plan are made by repeating the appropriate project planning process. Project reports should be: clearly state the current status of the project compare actual achievements with the planned target achievements draw attention to critical issues identify problems and propose solutions promote effective management and control Project status reports It is not simply a matter of keeping the scope from creeping, or a matter of completing the cheapest and fastest project; it is establishing the appropriate Scope and delivering the commensurate product, service, or result. All the above processes have been iteratively revealed/implemented during the Proposed Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant project, which was revealed below. Technology The proposed plant shall comprise High Power Modules using cells consisting of Multi-Crystalline Silicon Technology / Tandem Junction Thin Film Technology. Efficiency is varying from 6% 18%. Temperatures beyond 25oC have nominal effect on the efficiency of the modules. White Tempered Glass, EVA Resin and weather proof film along with Al frame is used for extended outdoor use. Lead wire with weather proof connector shall be used for output terminal. Both the technologies are standalone type which needs no external power or water source and hence is most appropriate for desert region of Rajasthan. Small amount of processed water or compressed air is required only for cleaning of the system. Indicative scope of work Electrical Supply, fitting, fixing of Solar PV Modules with appropriate module mounting structures and frames including overall planning and design of the power plant. Supply and installation of Junction boxes of appropriate standards with required protection and isolation system. Design, supply and installation of AC power conditioning units with all protections and controlling arrangement as per specifications to get the desired performance. String monitoring and MPPT features are included as per requirements. Interconnection of Solar modules, PCUs, transformers LT HT sides, LT switchgear, etc with appropriate cables and associated materials including supply of materials. Design, manufacture, supply, installation, interconnection and interfacing of computer aided data acquisition unit as per specification. Supply, installation complete earthing as required for AC and DC power system, PCU, LT switchgear, Transformer, all metallic cubicles, HT switchgear with materials as required as per relevant standards. Providing earth-mat and interconnection of array structures with earth pits in the PV array yard. Design, fabrication, supply, installation of LT power interfacing panel to evacuate power to the grid through PCUs with appropriate capacity circuit breakers, isolators, indicators, metering arrangement with selector switch, CTs, PTs, and copper bus-bars as per requirement in complete. Design, fabrication, supply and installation of plant monitoring desk to monitor the status of all major equipments through remote monitoring system including connection to all major equipments and status to be monitored. Supply of all other BOS parts e.g. cables, electrical, etc as per the Bill of Material (BOM) which is not covered above. Emergency DG Set 15 KVA with battery bank and battery charger. Metering device. Control Room and Others Electrical wiring in the inverter room, control room and array yard with supply of cables and wires, switchboards, switches, Junction Boxes, distribution boards for lights, fans, exhaust fans, power points for both 5 Amps and 15 Amps. Supply and installation of lightning arrestors for inverter room, control room as per relevant standards. Supply, fitting and fixing of CFL lighting fixtures, FL lighting fixtures, LED lighting fixtures for lighting indoor and outdoor various installations including array yard with required accessories. Providing of fire extinguisher and sand buckets complying with national or international safety standards. Civil Works for solar Systems Topographical survey Design and construction of appropriate foundation base for holding the module mounting structure with supply of all requisite materials, excavation, concreting, backfilling, shoring and shuttering, etc. Construction of power plant buildings including inverter rooms, control room as required, office, canteen, etc. Barbed wire fencing of 3m height for complete power plant and sub-station. Cable trenches, drainage, etc. Main gate, side gates and Security guard rooms. Erection and Installation of Power Evacuation Arrangement Erection, supply, installation and commissioning of fifty 0.415/33 KV step up transformers and three 33/132 KV step up transformers, 3 phase, 50 Hz, with associated switchgear comprising of circuit breakers, isolators, LT panels, CTs and PTs, etc including metering and protection like over-current, earth-fault, reverse power protection and controls, etc. Other Fixed Assets Furniture for inverter rooms, control room and administration/office. Pantry equipment, change room lockers, etc. Store racks and cupboards. Standard Mechanical Maintenance tools. Engineering and Project Management Design and Engineering Project Management and construction supervision Material Management Insurance during the project period. Project implementation schedule Based on international practices and technological advancements, it is estimated that first 10 MW capacity phase of the project will be supplied, installed and commissioned from project approval and additional 40 MWp of the project will be installed and commissioned in 60 months from project approval. Executing Executing consists of the processes used to complete the work defined in the project management plan to accomplish the projects requirements. Execution process involves coordinating people and resources, as well as integrating and performing the activities of the project in accordance with the project management plan. The deliverables are produced as outputs from the processes performed as defined in the project management plan. Total project shall be completed within 60 months in 5 (five) stages of 10 MW each from date of sanction of the project. The modules will be ground mounted and tilted 27 degrees to face the sun. The ground mounting will require a flat level surface and will be set into concrete. The modules will require an area that is unshaded from the sun. Any vegetation underneath the modules will need to be kept to a level below that of the modules in order to avoid shading. All the modules will be at least 1.0m from the ground. It is assumed that this is adequate to keep the modules above the height of sand deposition at the site during sand storm. Monitoring and controlling Monitoring and controlling consists of those processes performed to observe project execution so that potential problems can be identified in a timely manner and corrective action can be taken, when necessary, to control the execution of the project. The key benefit is that project performance is observed and measured regularly to identify variances from the project management plan. Monitoring and Controlling includes: Measuring the on-going project activities. Monitoring the project variables (cost, effort, scope, etc.) against the project management plan and the project performance baseline. Identify corrective actions to address issues and risks properly. Influencing the factors that could circumvent integrated change control so only approved changes are implemented In multi-phase projects, the monitoring and controlling process also provides feedback between project phases, in order to implement corrective or preventive actions to bring the project into compliance with the project management plan. Operation and maintenance Whether a solar plant performs well in the long term and remains technically available depends to a large extent on servicing and regular maintenance. This shall be carried out by designated electrical experts in conjunction with technicians from the respective component manufacturers. To keep all components optimally available, an electronic data processing unit in the solar power plant will permanently gather and evaluate all relevant performance data and possible error messages. Using target/actual comparison, data from the power plant shall be continually compared with data from an on-site weather station. Possible errors shall be precisely located and immediately passed on via email, SMS or fax to the relevant service technicians. They can then, from their workplace, conduct fault repair through on-line remote maintenance. Financial analysis Assumptions estimates The assumptions are made that suppliers will abide by the following: Provide Safe Working Condition Consistency of Processes Adhere to Design Standards Adhere to Standard Components Follow the Framework Agreements The proposed Solar Photovoltaic Power Project is of 50 MWp capacity. Estimated cost of the project is INR Rs. 17 Crores per MWp. (2.42 Million Pounds) The total project cost is Rs. 850 Crores (. Gross aggregate electricity generation has been arrived at 83.22 million kWh per annum. The capacity utilisation factor (plant load factor) is 19%. Project cost break-up means of finance Apart from machinery, installation and commissioning cost, interest during construction, financial institution fees and margin money for working capital is part of project cost. Project financial analysis has been carried out considering debt equity ratio of 70:30. Interest rate at debt part has been considered at 14.29%. Project Deliverables The project deliverables are based on the completion of project based on the following: On time On budget No accidents The fulfilment of original quality requirements Develop industry project management best practices that are measureable and repeatable Operational terminal both in the short and long-term Advantages The 89 pet watts of sunlight reaching the Earths surface is plentiful almost 6,000 times more than the 15 terawatts equivalent of average power consumed by humans. Additionally, solar electric generation has the highest power density (global mean of 170 W/m ²) among renewable energies. Solar power is pollution-free during use. Production end-wastes and emissions are manageable using existing pollution controls. End-of-use recycling technologies are under development. PV installations can operate for many years with little maintenance or intervention after their initial set-up, so after the initial capital cost of building any solar power plant, operating costs are extremely low compared to existing power technologies. Solar electric generation is economically superior where grid connection or fuel transport is difficult, costly or impossible. Long-standing examples include satellites, island communities, remote locations and ocean vessels. When grid-connected, solar electric generation replaces some or all of the highest-cost electricity used during times of peak demand (in most climatic regions). This can reduce grid loading, and can eliminate the need for local battery power to provide for use in times of darkness. These features are enabled by net metering. Time-of-use net metering can be highly favourable, but requires newer electronic metering, which may still be impractical for some users. Grid-connected solar electricity can be used locally thus reducing transmission/distribution losses (transmission losses in the US were approximately 7.2% in 1995). Compared to fossil and nuclear energy sources, very little research money has been invested in the development of solar cells, so there is considerable room for improvement. Nevertheless, experimental high efficiency solar cells already have efficiencies of over 40% in case of concentrating photovoltaic cells and efficiencies are rapidly rising while mass-production costs are rapidly falling. Disadvantages Photovoltaic are costly to install. While the modules are often warranted for upwards of 20 years, much of the investment in a home-mounted system may be lost if the home-owner moves and the buyer puts less value on the system than the seller. Solar electricity is seen to be expensive. Solar electricity is not produced at night and is much reduced in cloudy conditions. Therefore, a storage or complementary power system is required. Solar electricity production depends on the limited power density of the locations insolation. Average daily output of a flat plate collector at latitude tilt in the contiguous US is 3-7 kilowatt and on average lower in Europe. Solar cells produce DC which must be converted to AC (using a grid tie inverter) when used in existing distribution grids. This incurs an energy loss of 4-12%. Time Scale Duration/ Period Task/ Milestone Week 1 2 (01 14 Oct, 2010) Assemble common information through explore resources Week 3 (15 Oct, 2010) Research Proposal Assignment 1 Week 3 4 (16 28 Oct, 2010) Organize meetings and cart out reviews Week 5 7 (29 18 Nov, 2010) Gather and compile key Data Week 8 12 (19 Nov 23 Dec. 2010) Lettering and discussion with supervisor Week 12 13 (24 30 Dec, 2010) Review Week 14 (31 5 Jan, 2011) Review and submissions

Means To Tragic Ends (oedipus :: essays research papers

Does man really have free will, or does free will lie within a system of limitations that gradually compose a web of circumstantial fate that ultimately cannot be torn apart? The events in both Oedipus The King and Antigone controversially suggests that man ultimately chooses his own deeds and endures fate and the responsibilities for them. These events brought by fate are unmistakably aggravated by certain characteristics within the characters. Oedipus, from Oedipus The King, Antigone, and Creon, both from Antigone possess such flawed characteristics that lead to their tragic ends.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oedipus possesses a multitude of characteristics, some of them common to other characters, but pride is exceptionally prevalent. This characteristic, which margins with utter arrogance, appears to be one of the dominant flaws that causes Oedipus’ tragic downfall. This is plainly established in the beginning of the play in which he states “I Oedipus whom all men call the great.'; (p11.8). This is strengthened by the Priest’s replies of “...Oedipus, Greatest in all men’s eyes,'; (p12.40) and “Noblest of men'; (p12.46).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  However, pride is not the only characteristic which contributes to Oedipus’ tragic end. There exists his temper, which is initially presented in the argument between Teiresias and himself. After Teiresias speaks the truth as factual, Oedipus replies “Do you imagine you can always talk like this, and live to laugh at it hereafter?'; (p26.367) and then soon after calls Teiresias a “fool'; (p29.433). His temper is also exposed when he threatens to banish or kill Creon after Creon’s attempted reasoning.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another contributing factor is his suspicion for others, this is evident where he questions Teiresias “Was this your own design or Creon’s?'; (p.27.377). He is falsely rationalizing that Teiresias is secretly plotting, in coalition with Creon, to overthrow him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Moreover, Oedipus has an unrelenting pursuit for the truth, which is demonstrated when he finally believes that he is the murderer and that Polybus was not his father. Nonetheless, he continues with his search with an extensive questioning of both his wife Jocasta and the messenger.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Furthermore, Oedipus exhibits self-loathing and a desperation towards the end of the play. After the facts have been voiced, he desperately attempts to rationalize the evidence and states, “You said that he spoke of highway robbers who killed Laius. Now if he uses the same number, it was not I who killed him. One man cannot be the same as many. But if he speaks of a man travelling alone, then clearly the burden of the guilt inclines towards me.

The Dictator Next Door

Eric Paul Roorda’s The Dictator Next Door is an insightful and incisive work of diplomatic history, studying the United States’ dealings from 1930 to 1945 with Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo, for years a foreign policy problem unto himself. It also demonstrates how the Good Neighbor Policy, which claimed to promote solidarity and peace among western hemisphere nations, came to allow dictators in Latin America â€Å"to run their countries however they pleased, so long as they maintained common enemies with the United States: first the fascists, then the communists† (1).The book is essentially a study of how the democratic United States tolerated and even supported military dictatorships in other nations, despite some diplomats’ desire to shun dictators and promote democracy abroad. Roorda’s main argument centers on how the despotic Trujillo presented the Hoover and Roosevelt administrations with problems, because he was no pliable puppet.Difficul t to control and a frequent embarrassment to the United States, Trujillo had few friends in the State Department, but the United States military and presidents backed him because he was neither fascist nor communist, and because the Good Neighbor policy called for supporting standing rulers, regardless of their methods. Roorda traces the history of Dominican-American relations and demonstrates how American influence on the region built for years before Trujillo’s rise.A former Spanish colony, the Dominican Republic was ruled by Haiti until its independence in 1844, after which the military assumed long-lasting control and foreign powers jockeyed for influence there. The United States’ influence increased steadily between 1860 and 1904, and culminated in the United States Marine Corps’ takeover in 1915. During this period, the American military trained Dominican men to serve in its constabulary and army, thus establishing a sort of school for dictators in which R afael Trujillo was its best student.Trujillo received training from the Marine Corps and earned an Army commission during this time, despite a history of criminal activity, including rape and extortion (for which he escaped punishment), and rose to the rank of general. Not the United States’ first choice as the Dominican Republic’s leader, he rallied the army to stage a coup in 1930, three years before the Good Neighbor policy was introduced, and was helped by the Hoover administration’s nonintervention policy, which preferred commerce over militarism as a means of promoting good will.Roorda explains the process in great detail in chapter two and does not spare the American government from sharp criticism. He maintains that Hoover’s desire to redeem the United States’ image in Latin America, as well as the administration’s unwillingness to back his ambassador (who distrusted Trujillo and refused to recognize him), helped Trujillo maintain hi s control.Wary of Theodore Roosevelt’s and Woodrow Wilson’s use of â€Å"gunboat diplomacy,† the Hoover administration recognized Trujillo because he seemed likely to protect American commercial interests and it was more politically expedient to recognize de facto regimes, dictatorships or otherwise. He even states plainly that the savvy Trujillo was able to play the American legation against the American military, which trained and obviously respected Trujillo. Clearly critical of American behavior in Latin America, Roorda states that â€Å"in the history of U. S.relations with its closest neighbors . . . the rhetoric of solidarity and protection against European aggression ran counter to the brutal logic and increasing momentum of U. S. territorial expansion and imperial ambitions† (23). He deems the policy paradoxical from the outset; while it promoted friendship with Latin America (which filtered into popular culture during the 1930s and ‘40s), Latin American intellectuals were less than enthusiastic because it relied on American authority and kept authoritarian regimes in power, Trujillo’s being the most egregious.During the Depression, Trujillo consolidated his power even further despite the Dominican economy’s near-collapse, receiving additional American economic aid, mainly because of his promises to protect American business interests. However, he soon became â€Å"the greatest source of instability in U. S. -Dominican relations. . . . As U. S. officials found out, the benefits of a ‘stabilizing’ dictatorship could be canceled out by an unreliable dictator† (87).Roorda maintains that the Good Neighbor policy itself was an empty, nebulous policy created by Franklin Roosevelt, whom he characterizes as â€Å"a master of innuendo, ambiguity, paradox, and the manipulation of disparate personalities† (91). In chapter four, Roorda characterizes Trujillo as a shrewd, image-conscious ma nipulator of public opinion on a par with FDR, but with total control of an intimidating military that crushed any opposition.Trujillo flouted his authority, renaming geographical features, parks, and even the capital city for himself, surrounding his rule with public spectacle, and assuming total control of the Dominican press in order to glorify his regime and even deify himself. One telling newspaper quote deemed him â€Å"so necessary that [the people] give him permanent power† and somehow dubbed his regime â€Å"super-democracy† (95).The American government, meanwhile, was aware of Trujillo’s transgressions yet played into his hands, even assisting his censorship campaign and public-relations efforts. While the United States was not fooled, Roorda implies, it played along in an effort to heed the Good Neighbor policy’s claim to support national sovereignty and thus allowed Trujillo a free hand. The entire book centers on a single recurring theme: the folly of a democracy supporting dictators.Roorda maintains that â€Å"the reliance on dictators to attain the traditional U. S. goals of stability and cooperation in Latin America meant having to ignore those instances when the strongmen themselves incited unrest and conflict† (147). The American military is partly to blame, since it trained Trujillo and treated him as a favored protà ©gà ©, while diplomats saw through the dictator’s pageantry and disapproved of his methods (Trujillo returned their disdain).Roorda casts a good deal of the blame at the Roosevelt administration, which, in its efforts to avoid heavy-handed intervention, allowed Trujillo to remain in power because he seemed to represent stability even while disrupting Dominican-American relations (with his conduct at home and his occasional bloody attacks against neighboring Haiti). In describing American logic vis-à  -vis Trujillo, â€Å"Dominican stability made him practical to deal with,† eve n if that meant turning a blind eye to the questionable ethics of backing brutal regimes that did not threaten American dominance or prosperity.At times, he argues, this meant that Trujillo was the proverbial tail wagging the American dog, getting his way because Roosevelt lacked the will or the political clout to intervene against him. The book uses ample detail and careful research in describing the United States’ paradoxical relationship with Trujillo, relying heavily on government documents, personal papers, the contemporary press, and a large number of secondary sources.While its assertions are not groundbreaking (recent diplomatic history is harshly critical of American support for brutal dictators), it is well-written, with concise prose and well-constructed arguments, on the whole an excellent diplomatic history. For scholars seeking an explanation of American relations with Latin America, and who do not mind its sharp criticisms of American foreign policy’s et hical lapses and oversights, The Dictator Next Door is well worth one’s while.

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Responce to Barthes Essay Camera Lucida – Photography Essay Free Online Research Papers Responce to Barthes Essay Camera Lucida English In Barthe’s essay â€Å"Camera Lucida†, we see an analysis of the photo in terms of the studium and the punctum. The studium for the most part produces the unary photo, which merely reproduces ‘reality’ or a single uniform idea, whereas the presence of a punctum means this cohesiveness is fragmented, disturbed. This punctum may be something outside the control of the photographer, which escapes the encompassing ‘meaning’ of the photo and adds more to it in our subjective view. The punctum, then, is very personal, and could be different for everyone. So in say Timothy O’Sullivan’s Desert Sand Hills, the punctum is the sets of footprints that lead towards me and signal the presence of the person behind the camera, breaking up the unary ‘reality’ of the photo and bringing the method of its production to the fore the fact that it is not unadulterated ‘reality’ but is a recreation, a representation, carefully set up and staged maybe more than once. It exposes the falsity, the ‘staginess’ of the image, and makes it more interesting, maybe more likeable and accessible, and make s me think or critique, not just observe. Research Papers on Responce to Barthe's Essay Camera Lucida - Photography EssayAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementWhere Wild and West MeetMind TravelIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalBringing Democracy to AfricaEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanThe Spring and AutumnAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of Self

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