Minerals essays

Minerals essays Minerals have many different shapes, colors, and they also have many uses. Crystals, metals, and rocks are also minerals just a different kind. Minerals are all over this planet and even in outer space. Living creatures have used minerals in their systems to help their growth. A mineral can also be deadly to living creatures. Some minerals can only form in certain conditions. Certain minerals take long periods of time to create. Crystals, metals, and rocks are all minerals just in some different forms. Crystals have a pure look and they come in many shapes, and colors. Metals have a shiny look, and they also have a softness to a very hard strength. Rocks like limestone has a combination of several minerals. Minerals are classified in 11 different forms. 1. Native elements 2. Sulfides 3. Sulfosalts 4. Oxides and Hydroxides 5. Halides and borates 6. Carbonates 7. Nitrates and oidates 8. Phosphates, vanadates, and arsendates 9. Sulfates10. Tungstates and molydates 11. And silicates. Minerals have more than a thousand different shapes, colors, strength, weight, and their dividing centers. Each mineral has there own specific looks. For example titanium is very hard and has a black-grayish look. But aluminum is soft and has a light-greyish look . There have been 1,500 estimate minerals, but only 200 were identified as common minerals 30 consider frequently enough to be considered as rocks. A crystal is a mineral but looks different from metals. Sometimes crystals and metals will combine into one for example a titanium crystal. Metals are mostly shiny hard useful minerals. Crystals are mainly clear objects that have a crystal look. Minerals come in hardness here are the soft to hardness of minerals from 1 to 10. 1. Tack 2. Gypsum 3. Calcite 4. Fluorite 5. Apatite 6. Orthoclase 7. Quartz 8. Topaz 9. Corundum and 10. Diamond. Crystal comes from the Greek word meaning clear ice. Greek use to think that ice was just another form for qua...

Echinoderm Facts and Information

Echinoderm Facts and Information Echinoderms, or members of the phylum Echinodermata, are some of the most easily-recognized marine invertebrates. This phylum includes sea stars (starfish), sand dollars, and urchins, and they are identified by their radial body structure, often featuring five arms.  You can often see echinoderm species in a tidal pool or in the touch tank at your local aquarium. Most echinoderms are small, with an adult size of about 4 inches, but some can grow to as much as 6.5 feet in length. Different species may be found in a variety of bright colors, including purples, reds, and yellows.   Classes of Echinoderms The phylum Echinodermata contains five classes of marine life:  Asteroidea  (sea stars),  Ophiuroidea  (brittle stars and basket stars), Echinoidea (sea urchins and sand dollars), Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers), and Crinoidea (sea lilies and feather stars). They are a diverse group of organisms, containing about 7,000 species. The phylum is regarded as one of the oldest of all animal groups, thought to have appeared at the start of the Cambrian era, about 500 million years ago.   Etymology The word echinoderm means  comes from the Greek word ekhinos, meaning hedgehog or sea urchin, and the word  derma, meaning skin. Thus, they are spiny-skinned animals. The spines on some echinoderms are more obvious than others. They are very pronounced in  sea urchins, for example. If you run your finger over a sea star, youll likely feel small spines. The spines on sand dollars, on the other hand, are less pronounced.   Basic Body Plan Echinoderms have a unique body design. Many echinoderms exhibit  radial symmetry, which means that their components are arranged around a central axis in a symmetrical manner. This means that an echinoderm has no obvious left and right half, only a top side, and a bottom side. Many echinoderms exhibit pentaradial symmetry- a type of radial symmetry in which the body can be divided into five equally-sized slices organized around a central disk. Although echinoderms can be very diverse, they all have some similarities. These similarities can be found in their circulatory and reproductive systems. Water Vascular System Instead of blood, echinoderms have a water vascular system, which is used for movement and predation. The echinoderm pumps sea water into its body through a sieve plate or madreporite, and this water fills the echinoderms tube feet. The echinoderm moves about the sea floor or across rocks or reefs by filling its tube feet with water to extend them  and then using muscles within the tube feet to retract them. The tube feet also allows echinoderms to hold on to rocks and other substrates and to grip prey by suction. Sea stars have very strong suction in their tube feet that even allows them to pry open the two shells of a bivalve. Echinoderm Reproduction Most echinoderms reproduce sexually, although males and females are virtually indistinguishable from one another when viewed externally. During sexual reproduction, echinoderms release eggs or sperm into the water, which are fertilized in the water column by the male. The fertilized eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae that eventually settle to the ocean bottom. Echinoderms can also reproduce asexually by regenerating body parts, such as arms and spines. Sea stars are well-known for their ability to regenerate arms that are lost. In fact, even if the sea star has only a small part of its central disk left, it can grow an entirely new sea star.   Feeding Behavior Many echinoderms are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of living and dead plant and marine life. They serve an important function in digesting dead plant material on the ocean floor and thereby keeping waters clean. Plentiful echinoderm populations are essential to healthy coral reefs. The digestive system of echinoderms is relatively simple and primitive compared to other marine life; some species ingest and expel waste through the same orifice. Some species simply ingest sediments and filter out the organic material, while other species are capable of catching prey, usually plankton and small fish, with their arms.   Impact on Humans While not an important source of food for humans, some forms of sea urchin are regarded as a delicacy in some parts of the world, where they are used in soups. Some echinoderms produce a toxin which is fatal to fish, but which can be used to make a medicine used to treat human cancers.   Echinoderms are generally beneficial to ocean ecology, with a few exceptions. Starfish, which prey on oysters and other mollusks, have devastated some commercial enterprises. Off the coast of California, sea urchins have caused problems for commercial seaweed farms by eating young plants before they can become established.

The role of National Training Awards in Terms of Improving Employee Essay

The role of National Training Awards in Terms of Improving Employee Development in the Current Political, Economic, Social and Technical Environment - Essay Example As the discussion stresses the NTAs accept competitors from all divisions, industries and regions across the UK and provide with an exclusive opportunity to have individual’s training appraised against the best in the UK. Department for Education and Science has established NTA in 1987 which has been independently administered by U.K. Skills and advocated as the training sector’s adaptation of Oscars. This body merged with People’s Training Awards to establish a single display for training eminence. Games of the XXX Olympiad or 2012 Summer Olympic Games, London will watch the high demand in sophisticated mechanical skills. New opportunities will open up and every major sector will require skill.   These new opportunities and skills will help U.K. to compete with the developing economies like India and China. The main issue of this case study is how NTA helps in improving employee development in the current political, economic, social and technical environment. We will be going through the core aspects of NTA and cite examples to show the achievements and benefits of NTA.   From this paper it is clear that recently certain initiatives have been taken by the donors like the European Social Fund (ESF) and the University for Industry (UfI) who has recognized training and development of retail sector as a primary aim in terms of enhancing economic affluence, competitiveness and employment. In a case study of Thorn Lighting Limited, the main point of discussion was the Spennymoor enterprise in UK, whose objective was to supply the quality products at a minimum cost provided to satisfy customers’ needs. The enterprise hired above one thousand workforces and since 1989 has gone through changes in organizations and culture allowing doubling its share in market.

Logistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Logistics - Essay Example It, in a manufacturing enterprise, consists of raw materials, work in progress and finished products. While the transportation cost of inventory may not be significantly variant, there is a significant variation in the cost incurred in storage of inventory. While some of the costs involved in dealing in and management of inventory are accounted for in the benefits associated with having the inventory, some of the involved costs are considered as wastes. Inventory therefore has its advantages in the form of derived benefits while it is at the same time associated with a number of disadvantages that includes induced unnecessary costs. One of the disadvantages of inventory, and which induces costs is the processes that are involved in the flow of inventory in an organization. Goldsby and Martichenko for example explains the additional costs of managing inventory as a disadvantage that an organization has to endure in order to obtain a set of inventory and finally transfer them to their point of demand. Every set of inventory held by BMW will therefore induce an extra cost to an entity on top of the cost of the goods. The additional costs such as the costs incurred when the inventory is â€Å"received, housed, paid for, and insured† are examples of expenses that BMW is most likely to incur when dealing in inventory (Goldsby and Martichenko, 2005, p. 20). Such costs add up to operational costs, costs of sales and consequently reduce an organization’s profit margin. Maintain an appropriate level of inventory at a particular time is however associated with satisfaction of consumers’ immediate demand for commodities (Goldsby and Martichenko, 2005, p. 20). A stock of goods allows BMW to deliver commodities at customers demand instead of arranging for the commodities after an order is placed. Maintaining inventory is therefore associated with both advantages and disadvantages. Another advantage of inventory that may prompt for endurance of the involv ed costs of its maintenance is the security of continuous supply of commodities to BMW’s consumers. This is because suppliers are not expected to regularly avail commodities in the supply chain. Seasonality or disrupted operations may also cut off flow of commodities from a supplier. Similarly, disruption in supply chain activities such as transportation systems may limit access of commodities down the supply chain. Maintained inventory can therefore allow BMW to be able to absorb ‘short-term’ disruption in supply chain to ensure continuous supply of products down a supply chain. While it adds to the costs on an organization, it also facilitates customer utility by ensuring ready availability of commodities at consumers’ demand (Goldsby and Martichenko, 2005, p. 20). Inventory management through customer relation management and supplier relations management is another process that monitors and influences inventory decisions by establishing reliable links u pon which planning can be made for a continuous supply chain with minimum inventory costs. This ensures that BMW stocks inventory for immediate future needs of its commodities, by the consumers. Similarly, developed relations with both suppliers and consumers identifies needs for value addition and facilitates reduction of costs in distribution through eliminating unnecessary costs (Lambert, 2008, p. 295; Cope and Brown,

Business Environment Essay Example for Free

Business Environment Essay Executive Summary This report provides an overall analysis on the types of organizations and their functions, performance of Superdry limited, market economies, international trade and how UK businesses are effected by the emerging market like BRIC countries. This report comprises 3 major tasks which includes explanation of the types of organizations and their nature. Organizations are mainly divided into 2 categories they are public organizations run under government e.g. public limited companies (plc) and private organizations operated by the private individual’s e. g. sole trader. People who are interested in the operations of the organizations are known as stakeholders e.g. shareholders, employees, customers, competitors etc. It a responsibility of the organization to fulfill their needs and interest if  they want to run the business in its most effective manner. In addition, it is important for large companies like Superdry ltd to have mission vision aims and objective of the business to know why they are existing in the market. A clear understanding of the company and its market provides better knowledge which can be used to operate the business in full potential. The report also highlights on the different type of economic system present in the current economy. Economic system is concerned with how the economy is going to use the scarce resources to gain maximum satisfaction. They are market, command and mixed economic system. For the countries to gain fast economic growth the government implies economical tools like fiscal and monetary policies to achieve macro-economic objective s like sustainable economic growth, price stability, trade surplus, equal distribution of income etc. Furthermore, report also contains about the benefits and drawbacks of the international trade by taking Superdry as an example. International trade is a good way for business to make high profits by selling their goods at wider market. But this depends on whether the people will buy good as the culture and taste of people may differ. Especially in emerging markets, as they have unstable economic environment which can hinder the flow of functions on firm. The reports also summarizes condition about the debt crises of EU and how it is effecting the UK businesses. As EU plays are big role in UK exports and the economy. Introduction Business environment is the study of how the business is effected by the  Economical, Political, Social, Technology by the operation of the business. It is important for business to have a clear understanding of its internal and external environment to take effective decision making and operation. Superdry is a clothing company operating in the UK and international fashion market. The company is well known for its quality and price of the brand. They have been continuously growing ever since they have entered the market. Their aim is to grow in UK and online market and always tried to outperform the competition. There are 2 types of organization in the market i.e. private and public organizations. These organization have unique goals for each. Superdry will have shareholder who must be satisfied at all cost if the company want to run on profit. The report has mentioned about the different type of economic system with characteristics and policies which government can use to balance the economies. Moreover, about the importance of trade internationally, especially in emerging market like BRIC countries. It advisable to conduct research on the market before a firm enter due to different market conditions. Task one 1.Organizations Organization is a group of people collaborating together for achieving particular goal or task (Kokemuller, N. 2014). In a business, organizations are divided in 2 main groups they are public sector organization and private sector organization. Public sector organizations are owned and controlled by government. They are usually nonprofit making organization created to serve the public. While private sector organizations are profit maximizing firms operated under private individuals. Types of organization: i.Sole trader A sole trader is a business owned and controlled under a single ownership. This is the most common form of any start up business. Here the owners will enjoy all the profits and loss generated by the company. The business is relatively easy to set up as few capital is needed to operate the business. Decisions are taken much faster with no influence of outside persons but  only by the owner of the business. The business can keep a good customer relationship as owners can personally keep interaction with customers thus allowing the business adapt to market changes faster. However, sole proprietorship business cannot generate a high profit as much as big companies does. The owners will have unlimited liability, this means the owner is liable for all the debts of the business, even to the extent of selling his own personal positions as there is no separate legal entity, the owner and business are considered to be one. Lack of creativity and innovation will exist as single owner is making the all the decisions and there is no guarantee that all decisions taken by him will result in profitable for the business. Less members in the business also reduces the amount of capital invested furthermore, this also results in more workload for the owner as he/she only have to deal with business activities. Life span of the business will end with the death of the owner. (The times 100. 1995-2014) ii.Partnership A group of people interact together for achieve particular objective or a goal is known as partnership. In here all the profit and loss made by the business is shared among the partners according to the law of agreement made between them. The agreement should be either verbal or written. Some of the things which includes in agreement are the profit and loss sharing ratio, capital invested, roles and responsibilities of partners, partners private information’s. The business must have at least have 2 members and can add up new members up to 20. Decisions are taken after the consulting with the partners therefore, this will slow the decision making process due to conflicts between them. Resulting slow adaptation to market changes. But in partnership they can invest more capital to the business helping to achieve more growth in future. Partnership allow partners to share skills and workload between them thus making them complete work faster. Partners can bring in new ideas into bu siness allowing it to be more innovative and creative. In partnership there will be at least one partner having unlimited liability and one who is having limited liability. (The times 100. 1995-2014) iii.Public limited company (plc) A plc is a large scale operating company issuing shares to the public and is controlled under the shareholders of the business. Before the business becomes a plc it must be registered under the Memorandum of Association specifying the business is public. This type of business is very expensive to set up and many formalities have to be filled before it can gain the license of plc. The shares issued by the company must be at least 50000 pound. Shareholders can enjoy limited liability as it have spate legal entity form its owners. Moreover, as plc is large scale operating company this gives more assurance for the banks and other institutes, that they will pay the loan amount making it easier for the company to borrow loan in big mount and can use that for future expansion of the business. There are some drawback of plc, it is difficult to operate due to more number of shareholders. The company cannot respond to changes in the industry as any decision made by the business is after consulting with shareholders which can slow down business operations. The biggest drawback is that the original owner of the business will lose absolute control over the activities business and the overall profit of the business must be shared among the shareholders which can result in low profit for the original owner. Death of a shareholder cannot will not affect the business operations. (Merchant, P. 2014) 2.Responsibilities of stakeholders in Superdry Stakeholders are group of people having interest in the activities of the business. They can be either external stakeholders or internal stakeholders. External stakeholders are the people who are outside the business environment, e.g. government, social groups. While internal stakeholders are the people who are inside the business environment. They can be directly affected by the activity of business, e.g. shareholders, employees. (The times 100. 1995-2014) Figure 1 Types of stakeholders Customers: Customers are the most important stakeholders in the business. Without them there is no meaning of doing business. When a customer buys a product service the most common aspect they look for is the quality of the  goods/service, reasonable price and customer service. For any business waiting to run in profit, it must satisfy the needs of their customer. (The times 100. 1995-2014) Superdry have given lot of efforts on making their customer satisfied. Better customer service was one main point triggering the success of the company. This includes, fast online delivering, guarantee the quality of products, if any faults occur in the delivering process they will try to solve it as fast as they could. Customers was kept as their first priority, as happy customers will build brand loyalty which in turn create a good image of business and thus increase profit. (SuperdryGroup.plc. 2012) Suppliers: Suppliers are the people who are delivering raw materials or other production materials to the company. A company must have a good supply chain ensuring a smooth inflow of stock in business. As any delay caused by the suppliers will affect the business production. (The times 100. 1995-2014) Superdry have always tried to keep a good relationship with its supplier and takes seriously its roles and responsibilities and aim to ensure that’s their suppliers and manufacturers are following the local and international legislation and use the best practice for ethical trading. The Superdry also uses ‘hands-on-approach’ being actively engage in checking whether the raw products are delivered from responsible business partner. It’s a good practice as this will ensure that the supplier won’t deliver cheap or faulty goods knowingly or unknowingly. As a result this will help Superdry to maintain good reputation and avoid unnecessary problems. (SuperdryGroup.plc. 2012) Employees: Employees are the most important assets of any business. A well skilled and motivated workforce will help the business to maintain a good performance and increase the profit. They can affect growth of the business since their pay levels and their job security will depend on the profitability of the business. Superdry have kept a good employee loyalty by practicing ethical labour practices respecting the rights of their employees. These include independency creation of association, no forced employment, safe and healthy  working environment, no discrimination between employees regarding their gender or religion, fair wages, no physical maltreatment, reasonable working hours, no child labours and given job security as with the agreement made between employer and employees. The company also provides training to its employees to improve their knowledge and skill which in turn can increase the productivity of the business. Healthy workforce will generate more profits and help to sustain its growth in future. (SuperdryGroup.plc. 2012) 3.Superdry Superdry is a company operating in the fashion industry selling their goods internationally. Ever since the company was set up it have outperformed competitions and gained popularity and recognitions throughout UK and internationally. (SuperdryGroup.plc. 2012) The mission of the company was to grow in youth fashion industry of UK and world market by offering premium quality clothing and accessories for both men and women with an affordable price. The company have continued grow its market share throughout UK and internationally by opening new stores and through internet. Since the flotation in London stock exchange in 2010, the business is focusing its strategy on 5 important areas. This includes roll-out of standalone stores in UK and Europe, developing online offer (20% internet growth annually), expanding the international business, extending product range and developing an infrastructure that delivers profitable growth and operational efficiency. They are achieving this by building brand awareness by proving currency websites and franchise roll-outs. (SuperdryGroup.plc. 2012) The group has also had goals of providing better working environment to its employees and have given lot of care to improve their performance. Furthermore, by giving best customer service and offering quality product with reasonable price. (SuperdryGroup.plc. 2012) The group have gained 313.8 million profit in 2012 while 237.9 million in 2011. That’s a growth of 31.9% in the revenue of the company. (SuperdryGroup.plc. 2012) Task two 1.Economic systems An economic system is production and allocation of good and service inside the economy by using it scarce resources to gain maximum satisfaction in the economy. They can achieve this by answering 3 fundamental question arising inside the economy they are, what to produce? How to produce? For who to produce? There are basically 3 main types of economic system found in the economy. (Griffin, D. 2014). They are; Figure 2 Types of economic system Command/planned economic system Command economic system is where the government decide how to allocate resources inside the economy. The 3 fundamental questions in the economy are answered by the state itself. In the modern world, only very few countries like china, North Korea follow this economic system. (Griffin, D. 2014). This economic system is proven to be beneficial as it help to stabilize the development of the economy. All resources in the economy will be fully utilize, thus resulting full employment. The goal of this system is to provide the basic goods to the people and improve their overall standard of living and reducing the occurrence of disturbances in the economy. It balanced economy between rich and poor. Most of the production firms are run under government thus allowing sale of good at lower price which can be affordable to everyone. The government will be more efficient at mobilizing economies resources in a large scale and can carry out big projects much easily to increase the growth rate of the economy. In addition, this also eliminates the existence of self-interest and welfare generating population which can hinder the stability of the economy. However, this system uses strict rules and regulation to control the economy, resulting loss of freedom of individuals. Private individuals are discourage to start new businesses thus reducing competition in the market. Low competition will demoralize firms to become more innovative and creative in their production. People will not get many choices, whatever the government produce they must buy, resulting inefficient allocation of resources. Moreover as the firm is nonprofit making organization, they won’t try to reduce their cost by applying latest production methods, again resulting productive inefficiency in the economy. Mixed economic system In here both the government and the market will decide how to allocate resources in the economy. The 3 fundamental questions are answered by both government and market itself. This mean the economic system will comprise ownership of both private and public sector enterprises. Thus overcoming the draw backs of planned and market economic system. There are many countries following this system e.g. Maldives, Sri Lanka etc. (Griffin, D. 2014). The mixed economy will allow the resources to be fully utilize at its optimum level. Even though private sector play’s major role in the usage and production and provision of goods and service, the government will monitor their movement checking whether the private companies are following ethical practices in production or not. Private firms are encourage to become more innovate and creative at their work providing low price goods due to competitive market. Producers and consumers will have sovereignty of choosing between goods which are more appealing to them. However there may be chances of occurring unethical markets supplying harmful good to the economy. Government then can apply stick rules and regulations to control those unethical practices. Unequal distribution of income may occur as people who own the firms will become wealthier than people who are working under them. In here, the government plays role only by proving goods which are under provided by the private firms, usually unprofitable businesses like providing street light facilities, or building roads etc. Market economic system In market economic system free market allocates resources in the economy. The three fundamental questions are answered by the market itself. In here the role of government is limited and the resources are utilized in its maximum potential. This is most common form of economic system followed by many countries in the world including India, UK and Kenya. (Griffin, D. 2014). In this economic system most of the firms are owned by private individuals. They are is existence of high competition among firm on achieving biggest market. People are having many choices for goods and service. All the firms are trying to reduce their cost as much as they can and provide the goods which are demanded by the consumers if they want to survive in the market, which in turn increases the innovation and creativity of firms. Higher competition will cut down inefficient firms in the economy. Thus resulting  best utilization of resources. However, as firms want to reduce their cost of production they may adapt capital intensive method of production which can reduce the employment level. Relatedly affecting the standard living of people and can widen the gap between the poor and rich. Which is not a good sight for any developing economy as it may drag down its growth rate. Cut down of firms can result in waste of resources as they are now unemployed and unused. In here government plays role only when it’s necessary. Like with the provision of important sectors like military, banking sector etc., which must be run under the state. They also will create laws which must be followed by the firms if they want to operate in the market. 2.Fiscal and monetary policy Fiscal and monetary policies are tools used by government to stabilize the economic conditions of the country. This includes achieving macro-economic objectives like full/higher employment, low inflation, surplus balance of payments, sustainable economic growth and higher standard of living. (Kenny, T. 2014) Fiscal policy is by changing government spending and taxes bring maximum welfare to the economy. Whereas monetary policy influence the spending of saving of people by varying the interest rate concerning with the current situation of economy. (Kenny, T. 2014) Figure 3 Trade Cycle GDP Boom Recovery Recession Slump Time As shown in the figure 3, when the economy is in recession, they will experience high rate of unemployment, low inflation or deflation, low GDP (Gross Domestic Product), unsustainable economic growth, low income and wealth of economy and lower standard of living. As economy is in recession the government can use expansionary fiscal policy. That is increasing government spending and reducing the tax rate of economy to increase the real income of the people (Kenny, T. 2014). Reduction in income tax will  encourage people to spent more thus increasing the demand. The government can also give subsides to firms in order to overcome the high cost and use it for innovation of the product leading to higher efficiency and employment in the economy. Higher demand motivates producers to produce and supply more goods to the economy, which in turn increasing the employment and overall GDP inside the economy. Moreover, government can use monetary policy to reduce the interest rate supporting producers to take on more loans to improve the efficiency of production and so on. Lower interest rate will suppress people to save more and spent less. It also will cause to equalize balance of payment as import will reduce while exports increase. Opposite conditions apply when the economy is in boom period. People are tend have more income thus increasing the aggregate demand. At this stage the inflation is tend to be very high, negative balance of payments will occur as imports are more than the exports. So to stop the economy form over heating government will apply the theory of contractionary fiscal policy. That is spending less and taking more money form the economy (Kenny, T. 2014). Higher tax rate will cause people to spend less on the goods and service. Thus controlling high demand and price of the economy. The government can also apply the concept of monetary policy to increase the interest rate to further tighten the level of pay. Higher interest rate will encourage people to save more and spent less, in addition this will also attracts foreign investors to invest in the economy. Nonetheless, high interest rate can cause people to import more since the value of currency is increased. Before government practice these theories they must be aware of the multipliers in the economy. Incorrect usage of the policies sometimes results in collapsed economy. 3.Effects of fiscal and monetary policies on Superdry Changes in the fiscal and monetary policies can have a massive effect on the overall performance of the Superdry, as it is related with the spending power of both consumers and producers. First of all, for an instance if the government apply expansionary fiscal policy this will help business to gain more benefit. Here, the government will increase its spending and reduce the tax rate. Which in turn can increase the spending power of people thus  leading to higher demand for the Superdry product. Lower corporation tax rate will also allow Superdry to enjoy higher net earnings and spend more on future development of the company. Nevertheless, contractionary fiscal policy will have a whole negative effect on the company. As contractionary fiscal policy will reduce the income of the economy by reducing government spending and increasing tax. Thus leading to lower demand for the company product. Additionally, profit of Superdry will be reduced due to new tax increments, effecting the fu ture development and performance of the company. Secondly, as Superdry is online and internationally operating company, changes in the monetary policy can affect its international trade. Higher interest rate can cause the currency value to appreciate causing the Superdry product to be more expensive, making it be less competitive in the world market. The demand for Superdry product will reduce if the price is high. The price of share likely to increase in the stock market due to higher interest rate. Likewise, high interest rate can make it expensive for Superdry to borrow loan form banks in huge amounts, thus causing to slow down the future development of the company. Nonetheless, low interest rate depreciate currency value which can then make Superdry products to be more price advantages due to low price. The company will be able to take on loans as interest are low. Also lower interest rate will reduce the Superdry share price. Task four 1.Effects of international trade on Superdry International trade is the exchange of capital, goods and service across borders of different nations. Super group business aims itself to establish its presence in wide range of geographical boundary’s through combination of building of stores, concessions, franchises, licenses and the internet. Spain, Greece, Hong Kong, South Korea, Swaziland are some countries which Superdry operates internationally. There are many advantages and disadvantages of international trading for Superdry. (Chand, S. 2014), (SuperdryGroup.plc. 2012) Superdry can gain many benefits by marketing its products internationally. This includes expanding their market by selling  its products to a wider range of people in different nations. If the lifecycle of the Superdry products in the current market are in saturation stage, the company can market its product into a new market before the life of the product is decline. This will help the business to sustain its growth and profit for a longer period. Ad ditionally, this allows the company to use the foreign resources and diversify its risks among the countries. For an instance, if one of Superdry branch makes loses this can be covered up by the profit made by another branch in another country. Thus gaining competitive advantage over its competitors. However there are some drawbacks which Superdry had to face in trading internationally. The most influential factor was the cultural and traditional change of people. Different countries adapt different life style due to culture, tradition, religion, climate etc. it was expensive and time consuming for Superdry to conduct research on each market. Furthermore, the company had to adjust with the law system which can be hard as laws will differ in each country. Some governments don’t support the foreign firms and use higher tax rates and strict rules to protect domestic firms and dive away the foreign firms. The Group overseas performance has achieved a significance growth in the year 2011. After the acquisition of SuperGroup with Europe BVBA (Besloten Vennootschap met Beperkte AansprakelikheidP) the SuperGroup have gain 83% of international growth due to the assistance, knowledge and experience given by them. (SuperdryGrou p.plc. 2012) 2.UK business in emerging markets Emerging markets are developing economies which are having some of the features of developed counties like fast economic growth in GDP, strong financial and physical infrastructure. According to World Bank the BRIC countries are known to be world’s fastest emerging markets. They are Brazil, Russia, India and China. UK is considered to as developed country. (Kuepper, J. 2014). According to corporate council magazine; UK has ranked itself as the work 6th largest economy and trading nation and second in exporting service. For a UK business to enter these emerging markets are tend be far risky. As the economic condition of these countries are unstable. Changes in political and legal environment can disrupt the smooth functioning of the  firm. For an instance a UK firm entering to Indian market have to deal with different traditions and culture. So to understand the market firms have to conduct market research which is both expensive and time consuming. There will be existence of some laws which can prevent UK firms to operate as their government first priority would be to protect and support the domestic producers rather than foreign investors. By applying high entry barriers and tax will discourage firms to operate in the market. High competition can also be a risky factor as Indian firm knows better about the changes in their market and how should they reach to it. Even though there are risk operating in emerging markets, there are many benefits which business can enjoy. UK is known to be more technically advanced. Therefore they can use advanced technology as their competitive advantage to produce high quality good at lower price. Which can then be used to drive off inefficient firms thus reducing competition. The firms also will be able to use the country’s resources and enjoy the low price rate to buy raw materials. Furthermore, these countries are having high rate of unemployment as the countries can’t make as many jobs equivalent to number of unemployed. Thus creating large supply of cheap labour. So there are room for government to support UK firms to operate in market to create job opportunities by gi ving more subsidies, reducing the tax rate and other trade barriers. 3.European Union effects on UK firms European economic and monetary union, commonly known as European Union (EU) is a group of European counties joining together to form a common market. There are currently 28 member countries in EU. Some the features of the EU are free transfer of goods, labour, capital and service among them, and following one currency, i.e., euro. The aims of the EU is to create efficiency, achieve higher economic growth, freedom, equity, application of rules and regulations made for protecting human right and dignity. (Amandeo, K. 2014) In the 2008 the EU have faced with a high debt crisis which had led to European Union economies to collapse. Due to the inefficient use of the fiscal and monetary policy the government have faced with a high debt which they are unable to pay. The year 2008 Greece have faced with a heavy debt. As they didn’t had proper structure for government spending and taxation.  They continuously went on spending on public and reduced it tax rate. Finally resulting a budget deficit. Furthermore, the interest rate was very low encouraging people to spent more and save less. Thus increasing the inflation and causing a negative balance of payment. In order for the government to overcome the budget and trade deficit they went on taking loan form the ECB (European Central Bank) leading to credit crunch. Low economic performance and interest rate have made lenders to think that they will not get their money asking them to demand for higher interest rate. Further worsening the situation. In 2010 including Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy have gone through speculative attacks making the economy to become unstable, increasing unemployment, unstable price effecting the economic and social wealth and efficiency of the economy. This have massively effected the UK economic condition as EU is the main exporter for UK firms. Unstable and low economic performance of EU have led to cut down on UK exports. Thus leading to lower production and high cost. They have reduced number of employment for overcoming the cost. Leading to lower income and wealth in economy. Spending causing the demand for UK firms to reduce. Some of the firms may go out of business as the profit made is not enough to cover up the cost of the business. Conclusion and recommendation After a close evaluation about the organization it can be said that private and public sector organizations exist in the market for varied purposes. Like how public organizations are created to offer goods and service which are under provided by the market mechanism. After analyzing the condition of Superdry ltd, I have found that Superdry have given a lot of effort to satisfy its stakeholders of the company. For example, creating a strong communication, often conducted meetings, information’s are shared openly to all she shareholders, follow rules and regulation of the community and government and taking care of employer needs and emotions. Furthermore, the company has developed its own strategies on how to achieve their mission, vision, objective and goals of the business. Without knowing these the company will not have a clear direction on how to operate. In each economy follow a unique system to use the resources in it optimum way to get fast  economic growth and welfare . There are isn’t any pure market or command economic system existing in the current market. It is best for the country to know the current condition of the market and accordingly react to it. International trade can be beneficial factor for a growing company like Superdry to expand their business and gain economies of scale. Nonetheless, company must face with the different trade barriers like competition, government law which can be a big downturn for business. Moreover counties like India and China who are still emerging the economic conditions are far too unstable. For a UK company to enter these emerging market they must clearly know the PEST (political, economical, social, technological) conditions clearly. Without a risk there cannot be any profit. Finally, the current condition of the EU are tend to be very sensitive. There is a possibility that the economy may collapse. However, there are chances that by redesigning the policy structures the country can cope up. Reference AMANDEO, K. (2014). What is European Union? [Online]. Available from: http://useconomy.about.com/od/worldeconomy/p/european_union.htm. [Accessed: 25.03.2014] AMANDEO, K. (2014). What is Eurozone debt crisis? [Online]. Available from: http://useconomy.about.com/od/Europe/p/Eurozone-Crisis.htm. [Accessed: 26.03.2014] CHAND, S. (2014). The meaning and definition of foreign trade or international trade exchange [Online]. Available from: http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/foreign-trade/the-meaning-and-definition-of-foreign-trade-or-international-trade-explained/5972/. [Accessed: 22.03.2014] GRIFFIN, D. (2014). Economic system types [Online]. Available form: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/economic-system-types-1129.html. [Accessed: 12.03.2014] KENNY, T. (2014) The difference between fiscal policy and monetary policy [Online] Available from: http://bonds.about.com/od/Issues-in-the-News/a/The-Difference-Between-Fiscal-Policy-And-Monetary-Policy.htm. [Accessed: 15.03.2014] KOKEMULLER, N. (2014 ). What is the meaning of business organizations? [Online]. Available from: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/meaning-business-organization-41925.html. [Accessed: 08.03.2014] KUEPPER, J. (2014). What are emerging markets? [Online]. Available from: http://internationalinvest.about.com/od/gettingstarted/a/What-Are-Emerging-Ma rkets.htm. [Accessed: 23.03.2014] MERCHANT, P. (2014). Features of public limited company [Online]. Available from: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/features-public-limited-company-18143.html [Accessed: 10.03.2014] SUPERDRY GROUP. PLC. (2012). Annual report 2012 [Online]. Available from: http://www.supergroup.co.uk/investors/reports-and-publications/annual-report-2012. [Assessed: 11.03.2014] THE TIMES 100. (1995-2014). Engaging with stakeholders [Online]. Available from: http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/primark/engaging-with-stakeholders/what-is-a-stakeholder.html#axzz2xACZ7d4t. [Accessed: 09.03.2014] THE TIMES 100. (1995-2014). The types of business organizations [Online]. Available from: http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/business-theory/strategy/types-of-business-organisations.html#axzz2whhOgm5l. [Accessed: 08.03.2014]

terrorism Essay -- essays research papers

Effects of Terrorism Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. --FBI Definition On Tuesday September 11th, 2001 our Nation was forever changed. Following the single largest terrorist attack ever experienced by this country, thousands are dead or missing, tens of thousands of people in this country know someone who was killed or injured, and many more have witnessed or heard about the attack through the media. The impact of this magnitude of terrorist attack will affect people at all levels of involvement: victims, bereaved family members, friends, rescue workers, emergency medical and mental health care providers, witnesses to the event, volunteers, members of the media, the United States of America, and the entire World. Terrorism takes away a sense of security and safety at both the individual and community level, which effects society. It can challenge the natural need of humans for this world to be predictable, orderly and controllable. Studies have shown that deliberate violence creates longer lasting mental health effects than natural disasters or accidents.1 1 Scott, R., Brooks, N. & McKinlay, W. (1995). Post-traumatic morbidity in a civilian community: A follow-up at 3 years. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 8, p. 412. Consequences both for individuals and the community are prolonged, and survivors often feel that injustice has been done to them. This can lead to prejudice, anger, frustration, helplessness, fear, and a strong desire for revenge. Acting on these feelings and need for revenge can increase feelings of anger and guilt, rather than decreasing them. Society’s ability to naturally recover from traumatic events are strong.2 For people directly involved, fear, anxiety, re-experiencing, and urges to avoid, will gradually decrease over time. Research has shown that those who are most at risk for more severe traumatic stress reactions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are those who have experienced the greatest magnitude of exposure to the traumatic event, such as victims and their families.3 Many surviving rescue workers will also have direct relationships, or indirect exposure to those who are missing or killed, and will therefore be coping with ... ...th chemical or biological agents: psychiatric aspects. American Journal of Psychiatry, 156. North, C., Nixon S., Shariat, S., Mallonee, S., McMillen, J., Spitzanagel, E., & Smith, E. (1999). Psychiatric disorders among survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing. Journal of the American Medical Association, 282. Pfefferbaum, B., Nixon, S., Tucker, P., Tivis,R., Moore, V., Gurwitch, R., Pynoos, R., & Geis, H. (1999). Posttraumatic stress responses in bereaved children after the Oklahoma City bombing. Journal of the American Academy Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38. Pfefferbaum, B., Gurwitch, R., McDonald, N., Leftwih, M.,Sconzo, G., Messenbaugh, A., Schultz, R. (2000). Posttraumatic stress among children after the death of a friend or acquaintance in a terrorist bombing. Psychiatric Services, 51. Smith, D., Christiansen, E., Vincent, R., & Hann, N. (1999). Population effects of the bombing of Oklahoma City. Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, 92. Tucker, P., Dickson, W., Pfefferbaum, B., McDonald, N., & Allen, G. (1997). Traumatic reactions as predictors of posttraumatic stress six months after the Oklahoma City bombing. Psychiatric Services, 48.

Black Death Essay

Around 1330, a horrible plague was reported to break out in China. Trade between Asia and Europe currently was frequent, and in 1347 rat-infested ships from China arrived in Sicily, bringing the disease with them. Since Italy was the center of European commerce, business, and politics, this provided the perfect opportunity for the disease to spread. To the Europeans, it seemed to come out of nowhere and kill everyone in its path. The bubonic plague, as it is called today, continued at 10-year intervals throughout the Middle Ages. It spread rapidly for a variety of reasons. Poor living conditions were probably the number one factor in the passing of this disease. People believed that washing themselves would open their pores and let the disease in, so bathing was rare. This of course, as we know today, only excelled the spread of the bubonic plague. The bubonic plague had extreme effects on the demographics of Europe. The worst epidemic claimed the lives of nearly 25 million people, all in under five years. It took at least two centuries for Western Europe to regain its population. Urban populations recovered quickly, in some cases within a couple years, through immigration from the countryside because of increased opportunities in the cities. Rural population recovered itself slowly, because peasants left their farms for the cities. This time period in which the plague spread and killed so many people was known as the Black Death. The Black Death had major effects on Europe. Wars stopped and trade slowed considerably. People were forbidden to gather in groups and religious services were suspended. Homes of infected people were sealed off to protect others from the plague. Businesses shut down their doors, having a huge impact of the economic aspects of Europe. Many people fled to the country to get away from where they thought was the hot spot for the plague. The bubonic plague changed the political, social, economical, and religious aspects of Europe forever and had an affect on the way things are today. There were many consequences to the increases and declines of population and European society. People fled to the city because everyone around them way dying. So many died, in fact, that it had major effects on the population in Europe, which, in turn had effects on many aspects of society. Farmers who had provided food for people were fleeing and food was scarce. Government, trade, and commerce virtually came to a halt. No aspect of European society was not affected by the coming of the plague and by its duration. The demography of Europe in the late middle ages can be easily related to overpopulation in the modern world. Poor living conditions due to overcrowding led to the rapid spread of the bubonic plague. If a plague was ever to break out in such places like China, Africa, or any other 3rd world country, it would be devastating. In Africa there is a major epidemic or the Ebola virus. It is still running ramped throughout the country, and it is not treatable by antibiotics. Poor living conditions contribute to the deadly position of this virus, and science has no known cure. If it was to ever spread to America the impact would be great and might be similar to the consequences of the bubonic plague in the middle ages. Overpopulation and overcrowding lead to poor living conditions which then lead to the rapid spread of any disease that may happen to come.

How the Human Brain Stores and Retrieves Memory Essay

Memory is the ability to encode, store and recall information. The three main processes involved in human memory are therefore encoding, storage and recall (retrieval). Additionally, the process of memory consolidation (which can be considered to be either part of the encoding process or the storage process) is treated here as a separate process in its own right. Encoding is a biological event beginning with perception through the senses. The process of laying down a memory begins with attention (regulated by the thalamus and the frontal lobe), in which a memorable event causes neurons to fire more frequently, making the experience more intense and increasing the likelihood that the event is encoded as a memory. Emotion tends to increase attention, and the emotional element of an event is processed on an unconscious pathway in the brain leading to the amygdala. Only then are the actual sensations derived from an event processed. Consolidation is the processes of stabilizing a memory trace after the initial acquisition. It may perhaps be thought of part of the process of encoding or of storage, or it may be considered as a memory process in its own right. It is usually considered to consist of two specific processes, synaptic consolidation (which occurs within the first few hours after learning or encoding) and system consolidation (where hippocampus-dependent memories become independent of the hippocampus over a period of weeks to years. Storage is the more or less passive process of retaining information in the brain, whether in the sensory memory, the short-term memory or the more permanent long-term memory. Each of these different stages of human memory function as a sort of filter that helps to protect us from the flood of information that confront us on a daily basis, avoiding an overload of information and helping to keep us sane. The more the information is repeated or used, the more likely it is to be retained in long-term memory (which is why, for example, studying helps people to perform better on tests). This process of consolidation, the stabilizing of a memory trace after its initial acquisition, is treated in more detail in a separate section. Recall or retrieval of memory refers to the subsequent re-accessing of events or information from the past, which have been previously encoded and stored in the brain. In common parlance, it is known as remembering. During recall, the brain â€Å"replays† a pattern of neural activity that was originally generated in response to a particular event, echoing the brain’s perception of the real event. In fact, there is no real solid distinction between the act of remembering and the act of thinking.

The Basic Structure of a Thesis - Proofeds Writing Tips Blog

The Basic Structure of a Thesis The Basic Structure of a Thesis How a thesis should look can vary between colleges, so its always best to check the guidelines youve been given. However, the basic structure of a thesis should incorporate all the sections described below. Cover Page Abstract Acknowledgements Table of Contents Introduction Literature Review Methodology Results, Analysis and Discussion Conclusion Bibliography Appendices Cover Page This will include the title of your thesis, your name and the name of your college. It may also feature your course title and the name of your supervisor. Check with your supervisor if you need to add any extra details. Abstract This is a summary of your thesis and shouldnt be more than 500 words. Acknowledgements This is your chance to thank your professors, friends, family and anyone else who may have helped along the way. Table of Contents This helps your reader navigate your document. If youre using Microsoft Word, you can even add a dynamic table of contents, as well as automatic lists of figures and charts. In addition to looking professional, these can be updated at the touch of a button after making revisions to save time and effort later on. Introduction The introduction should briefly outline your topic and the main areas you will cover in your work without going into too much depth. The key is to give your reader the information they need to understand the rest of your thesis. Literature Review A literature review examines past research in your subject area. Try to explain how the studies you mention have influenced your ideas and how they are relevant to your work. Methodology The methodology section of a thesis should provide a detailed description of how you intend to collect and analyze your data. Results, Analysis and Discussion The results, analysis and discussion sections of a thesis are where you present, analyze and evaluate the data you have gathered. How you do this will depend on your subject area and your schools requirements, since sometimes the results are presented separately from the discussion, while sometimes a combined Results and Discussion section is preferred. Conclusion This should summarize your entire argument and explain its overall significance. You may also want to present recommendations for applications or further research, depending on the subject area. You should not introduce any new information here. Bibliography/Reference List This is where you list every source you have used in your thesis. If in any doubt about how to do this, use a reference generator to check you have included all the necessary information. Whether you need a reference list (all sources referenced) or a bibliography (all sources consulted during research) will depend on the citation system youre using, so remember to check your style guide. Appendices This is where you should put any extra material that cannot be included in the main body of your thesis. This can include interviews, questionnaires or transcripts. Professional Proofreading If youre still not sure about the structure of your thesis, why not send yours to the professionals at Proofed? As well as correcting spelling and grammar errors, we can give you feedback on the structure and flow of your prose, allowing you to make any changes necessary before submitting your work.

What to Do in Budapest 11 Top Attractions

What to Do in Budapest 11 Top Attractions SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips One of the rising stars in European tourism, Budapest’s charms and sights are gaining popularity worldwide. Gone are the days when the Hungarian capital was widely thought of as a drab administrative city, filled only with aging Communist-era buildings. These days, Budapest tourism is rapidly growing and savvy visitors know that it's one of Europe’s great cities with diverse architecture, unique cultural experiences, and some of the most inventive nightlife on the continent. Are you wondering what to do in Budapest? Follow this guide to immerse yourself in Budapest’s history, traditions, and culture. By visiting the Budapest attractions listed below, you’ll find yourself relaxing in opulent thermal baths, paying your respects at moving WWII memorials, admiring the largest Parliament in Europe, and drinking a new cocktail in the gardens of a formerly abandoned warehouse. This list of 11 things to do in Budapest is organized into four groups, based on the location of the sites: Castle Hill, City Park, Parliament and Around, and Central Pest. This organization lets you visit sites near each other, instead of spending your trip running from one end of town to the other. Many people choose to stay in downtown Pest because it has the most accommodation options, but Budapest has a great subway system to help you get from one area to another. You can buy individual subway tickets, day passes, or multi-day passes. I'd recommend that you spend at least a half-day to a full day in each area, and, if you choose to stay longer, you’ll find Budapest has enough activities to fill any itinerary. The Top 11 Places to Visit in Budapest Check out this map of the best things to do in Budapest and then read more about each below. This map can also be viewed online. Castle Hill - Red Matthias Church Fisherman’s Bastion Buda Castle City Park - Blue Szà ©chenyi Bath Vajdahunyad Castle Heroes’ Square Parliament and Around - Purple Hungarian Parliament Building Shoes on the Danube Monument Central Pest - Green Hungarian State Opera House Ruin Pubs Great Synagogue Castle Hill Attractions You can find some of the most famous- and stunning- things to see in Budapest in the Castle Hill area, including gorgeous architecture and historically important sites. Matthias Church Matthias Church is one of the top Budapest attractions, and it’s a center point of Castle Hill. Built in the late 13th century, Matthias Church was the first parish church in Budapest, and it has remained an important symbol of the city. During its long history, Matthias Church hosted multiple royal coronations, was damaged by cannon fire, and spent over 100 years as a Mosque while the city was under Ottoman rule. Even if you feel like you’ve seen enough European churches to last a lifetime, stop for a look at Matthias Church. It doesn’t have the soaring grandeur of larger churches like Notre Dame and Milan’s Duomo, but its unique colors and design make it one of the most pleasant churches in Europe to view. The church was extensively restored in the 1900s, and today it’s popular with tourists who come to see and photograph the Gothic architecture, stained glass windows, and vibrant diamond-patterned roof tiles. The church is also home to the Ecclesiastical Art Museum. The museum (which charges a small fee) begins in the church’s medieval crypt and continues to the chapel. While touring the museum, visitors can view the tombs of 10th century rulers King Bà ©la III and his wife Agnes, replicas of the royal Hungarian jewels, and assorted other jewels and religious objects. Fisherman’s Bastion One of the most unusual sights in Budapest, Fisherman’s Bastion is an elegant, neo-Gothic terrace overlooking the Danube. The site was named for a group of fisherman who defended the city from invasion during the Middle Ages. Walking under gleaming white arches and along staircases and terraces, visitors get sweeping views of the Danube, including a birds-eye view of Parliament. The seven turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion represent the seven Magyar tribe leaders who are regarded as the founders of modern-day Hungary. It may not seem like there’s much to do at Fisherman’s Bastion since the site is little more than an attractive lookout, but many tourists spend far longer than they planned here, strolling from one end of the terrace to the other and taking rolls of photos. When visiting Castle Hill, make Fisherman’s Bastion your first stop (easy to do since it’s very close to public transportation stops). The weather in Budapest can be fickle, and there are times when the terrace and its views are enveloped by fog. It usually clears later in the day, so check back periodically if the weather isn’t cooperating when you first stop by. Fisherman’s Bastion is located next to Matthias Church, and together these two sites make up one the best places to visit in Budapest. Here you can walk along cobblestone streets, look at historic buildings, and grab lunch in one of the numerous traditional cafà ©s that line the streets. Buda Castle Rising up from the southern end of Castle Hill is the imposing, sprawling structure of Buda Castle. The first castle on this site was completed in 1265, and the castle continued to be expanded and rebuilt throughout the centuries. Buda Castle has been a royal residence for generations of Hungarian rulers, besieged by Ottoman armies, taken over by the Habsburgs, occupied by Nazis during WWII, and designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987. Today, the grounds are adorned with numerous statues and gardens, which visitors can admire while walking around the castle. Within the castle are a trio of museums and institutions: the Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery, and the National Szà ©chà ©nyi Library (the museum and gallery both require tickets, but the library is free to visit). Each site is well worth a visit, focusing on the history of the city, Hungarian art, and a collection of rare books and paper, respectively. If you can only visit one museum (visiting all three can make for a long day), my pick is the Budapest History Museum. Far more than a dry collection of artifacts, this museum spans three floors and includes such varied exhibits as recreations of opulent rooms as they looked when used by royals, paintings by Hungarian Masters, and excavated rooms of the medieval castle in the basement. There are no cars allowed on Castle Hill unless you live or work in the area, and the lack of noise and traffic contributes to the feeling that you’ve stepped into the past and are far removed from the bustle of the city down below. City Park Attractions City Park is a large public park that includes some of Budapest's best attractions. Szà ©chenyi Bath Visiting the city's famed baths is one of the top things to do in Budapest. Budapest’s abundant thermal waters means there are numerous baths to choose from, but, in terms of history and enjoyability, Szà ©chenyi Bath is far and away your best option. As the largest thermal bath in Europe, Szà ©chenyi Bath is one of Budapest’s iconic sites. When it was built in 1913, the architecture followed the Neo-baroque style popular at the time, and it’s easy to feel like you’re wading through the private pool of a royal palace as you move between the bath’s 18 different pools. When you arrive, you’ll be given a waterproof key card to a personal closet-sized locker, where you can change into your swimsuit (required) and store your belongings while you’re in the baths. There are both indoor and outdoor pools to choose between in Szà ©chenyi. While the indoor pools have a wider variety of temperatures, as well as saunas and steam rooms, most people prefer the outdoor baths because they are typically brighter and cleaner, and they let you enjoy the cheery, slightly aged exterior of the baths. Szà ©chenyi is popular with tourists, and there will likely be a number of people soaking alongside you, but it remains an institution for Budapest locals. They come here to relax after work, socialize, and play a game of chess on one of the waterproof boards in the baths. At Szà ©chenyi, you can also purchase additional services, such as massages. Ticket prices vary depending on the time of day you visit and if you want a cabin or locker, but expect to pay about 5000 Florin (about $18 USD). Massages are an additional 5000-35000 Florin. The thermal waters keep temperatures warm year-round at Szà ©chenyi, so both the indoor and outdoor baths remain open in winter. Vajdahunyad Castle Vajdahunyad Castle is located close to the Szà ©chenyi Baths within City Park, but many people breeze past this tucked away corner of town without pausing to explore. Vajdahunyad can’t compare to Buda Castle’s immense size or history, but this attractive and somewhat mysterious castle earns major points for charm. The castle was originally built in 1896 as a temporary structure of cardboard and wood to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin. However, Budapest’s citizens were so taken with it that the present structure, made of stone and painted in muted blues, purples, and oranges, was soon constructed. Set back amongst trees and gardens, the castle’s shadowy exterior reveals features from numerous architectural styles that showcase the variety and evolution of architecture in Budapest. Additional touches to the castle include sunken windows, a portcullis, and numerous turrets overlooking a boating lake turned ice skating rink in the winter. A popular spot for photos is the brooding, slightly creepy statue of Anonymus, a mysterious Hungarian notary and chronicler who lived around 1200 AD. Inside the castle is Museum of Hungarian Agriculture (small fee charged), but even if you’re not interested in the museum’s focus, it’s pleasant simply to walk through the castle’s interior and climb to the top of the two tallest towers for views of the park. Vajdahunyad Castle was only built at the turn of the 20th century, but its historical architecture and romantic setting make it feel far older. A short stroll around the castle or a picnic on its grounds beside the lake is an excellent way to take a break from a busy day of sightseeing. Heroes’ Square Another attraction near City Park, Heroes’ Square does not take long to visit, but it’s one of the city’s most important landmarks. Located at the end of Andrssy Avenue, Heroes’ Square is well-worth visiting to get a sense of Hungary’s history. Built in 1896 to celebrate Hungary’s 1000th anniversary, Heroes’ Square is the largest square in Budapest. The focal point of the square is tall column adorned with a statue of the archangel Gabriel. Flanking the base are seven statues representing the seven original Magyar chieftains. Surrounding the column are 14 pillars with statues of other important Hungarian figures. Viewing the square’s statues and plaques is a great crash-course on the history of the country. Among the statues you’ll see famed Hungarian saints, rulers, and warriors. A plaque in the square dedicates the site "To the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of our people and our national independence." During Budapest’s long history, the city was occupied by foreign invaders several times and ruled by a communist regime. Heroes’ Square now serves as a physical monument to Hungary’s dedication to democracy. The square can be visited both during the day and at night, when it is lit up by floodlights. Parliament and Around If you're interested in more recent history, this is the area for you, with monuments to Hungary's tumultuous 20th century. Hungarian Parliament Building The Hungarian Parliament Building is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary and one of the icons of Budapest. Its design was based on the UK Parliament Building, the Palace of Westminster, but the Parliament of Budapest is no mere copycat. This is one of the oldest and largest legislative buildings in Europe, and since the day it was completed in 1904, it has been the largest building in Hungary. Built along the bank of the Danube River, this soaring Gothic Revival building looks surprisingly delicate up close, with numerous intricate details. Visitors can opt to take a guided tour of the building to see sights including the House Chambers, the inside of the dome, the grand entrance staircase, the Hungarian crown jewels, and a small museum. Tickets, which are 5200 Florin for non-EU citizens, must be purchased beforehand, either online or in person. Make sure you view the Parliament Building both during the day and at night, when the entire structure is lit up, its reflection glowing in the river. Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial There are World War II memorials far grander than this collection of 60 pairs of iron shoes scattered along the edge of the Danube, but that doesn’t make this site any less moving. The monument was conceived by director Can Togay and created by sculptor Gyula Pauer to honor the people murdered by soldiers of the Arrow Cross, a national socialist party in Hungary during WWII. Between 1944 and 1945, an unknown number of victims, mostly Budapest Jews, were taken to the edge of the Danube and shot, their bodies falling into the river. Before they were killed, they were told to remove their shoes, which could be resold for a profit. This small memorial, a few hundred feet from Parliament, poignantly pays tribute to the victims. The shoes were designed to accurately represent shoes from that period, and they were created in many different styles to represent the wide variety of victims: men, women, business people, teenagers, and children. The shoes are often adorned with ribbons or flowers left as tokens of remembrance by visitors. Walking along the memorial and viewing the empty shoes strewn forlornly along the Danube’s bank is a powerful reminder of the lives lost in WWII. Central Pest Attractions Central Pest is where many visitors choose to stay, because it offers easy access to all the Budapest sights. It's also home to some of the city's most exciting cultural attractions. Hungarian State Opera House Housed in an elegant neo-Renaissance building dating from 1884, the Hungarian State Opera House is a point of pride for many Hungarians, yet it’s much less well-known than many other European opera houses. For a small fee, you can take one of the regular tours of the opera house. After passing the figures of two of Hungary’s most renowned composers in the entrance, you’ll enter a foyer with marble columns and vaulted ceilings. Like all grand opera houses, this one has a sweeping staircase dominating the entrance, used by Hungarian’s past elite to see and be seen. Other opulent touches include a brass chandelier and vast murals decorating the walls and ceilings. The theater itself is decorated with red velvet and gold leaf. It seats over 2,600, with the royal box in the center of the horseshoe-shaped rows. Many people simply opt for a tour, but the Hungarian State Opera House is one of the best places to view an opera in Europe, particularly if you’ve never been to one before. The opera house often performs crowd pleasers like Carmen and Madama Butterfly, which are a great introduction for opera novices. Additionally, tickets here are significantly cheaper than at most other opera houses; you can often get a seat for less than $10 USD. At many other opera houses, tickets this price are typically for the standing area only, and standing shoulder to shoulder with other guests for several hours is enough to fatigue even opera aficionados. At the Hungarian Opera House, you’ll be able to enjoy the opera in comfort without breaking the bank. In addition to operas, the building also hosts ballets and other performances. The Hungarian State Opera House website has a calendar showing all upcoming events. Operas are subtitled in both Hungarian and English, and opera season lasts from September to July. Ruin Pubs Budapest can be heavy with history, so for a change of pace and to get a sense of how the city enjoys itself, head to one of Budapest’s many ruin pubs, drinking establishments that have sprung up in recently un-abandoned buildings. Rumor has it that ruin pubs first came into existence in 2001, out of a need for a cheap place to drink. No two ruin pubs are alike, but all of them share several characteristics: they’re housed in a formerly abandoned building, the furniture is eclectic and often pre-used, and they show their links to the community by hosting local bands or DJs or having local artists decorate the interior. Most of the ruin pubs are located in Budapest’s old Jewish Quarter, in the streets behind the Great Synagogue. In a ruin pub, you could find yourself in a cozy former home with couches for seating, taking to the dance floor in a large, rambling warehouse, tasting plinka (a traditional fruit brandy) under the glow of old-fashioned lanterns, enjoying beers in a courtyard filled with picnic tables, or learning Hungarian phrases at one of the regular informal classes the pubs host. One of the best aspects of ruin pubs is that you never know what type of experience you’re going to get until you walk inside. The best ruin pub to start at is the original, Szimpla Kert. Occupying a large, formerly abandoned building, Szimpla is filled with mismatched and often antique furniture and decorations. Outside there’s a spacious courtyard which includes an old Trabant car guests can lounge in. Ruin pubs attract a mostly young, international crowd, but you’ll find all types here. Local Hungarians often frequent them, as do older visitors. Ruin pubs may be most enjoyable to visit on a warm summer evening, but they’re open year-round, with outdoor spaces typically closed in the winter. Great Synagogue This massive building, also known as the Dohny Street Synagogue, is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second-largest in the world. It was completed in 1859 in the Neo-Moorish style, giving it a distinct look compared to many other synagogues. Inside the Great Synagogue is seating for more than 3,000 people, as well as the Jewish Museum, which has exhibits on Jewish traditions and the history of Judaism in Budapest. The building is rich with history. During World War II, the site was bombed by Nazi planes, and it later became one border of Budapest’s Jewish ghetto. In the grounds surrounding the synagogue is a graveyard where over 2,000 people who died in the Jewish ghetto during the winter of 1944-1945 are buried. There's also the Heroes’ Temple honoring Hungarian Jews who died during World War I and the Holocaust Memorial. The Holocaust Memorial, also known as the Emanuel Tree, is particularly striking to see. Crafted by Hungarian sculptor Imre Varga, the memorial takes the form of a delicate and intricate weeping willow. The name of a Hungarian Jew killed during the Holocaust has been engraved on each metal leaf. In my opinion, this is one of the world’s most beautiful and moving Holocaust memorials. If you don’t have time to tour the synagogue, you can get a view of the tree through the gate surrounding the grounds. You can take a self-guided tour around the synagogue, but a guided tour (available at the entrance) can help you navigate the large site and fully appreciate its historical importance. Entrance to the synagogue costs 3000 Florin and includes access to both the building and its grounds.

Warehousing and Inventory Management Master Essay

Warehousing and Inventory Management Master - Essay Example This is of importance in case of an accident, where rescue activities can be conducted easily. The big space is also important in that it provides enough space for the workers to do their work without congestion and hence have a comfortable working condition. Edward A Silver, David F.Pyke (1999) Warehousing spacing and planning are of utmost important as long as the storage of goods is concerned. When there is proper planning and spacing is utilized well then there is maximum and economical utilization of the resources. For the warehousing process to be effective, it should involve an effective and an efficient warehousing process. Here it involves project management that involves use of different personnel to perform different tasks with an aim of attaining a common goal in good warehousing planning. It should bring out the use of a schedule showing the different task to be performed by those responsible, the dates on which the task is to be performed and the cost involved. Edward A Silver, David F.Pyke (1999) There should be a clear layout in which the objectives of the warehouse are clearly laid out. The objective should be the one that is going to minimize the cost of warehousing by reducing the expenses that bring unnecessary cost. The cost reducing methods should not affect the maintenance of the customer maintaining services. It should also involve the economic utilization of the available space although it should not negatively affect the operation efficiency. Also the space should be effectively be utilized in relation to the cost of the labor force, the available space and the cost of the equipment utilized. Edward A Silver, David F.Pyke (1999) The planning and spacing process should define the profile of the products to be stored. It should show the products to be stored and their nature such as storing perishable products in a cool place and storing inflammable products away from an area where there is the presence of fire. Storage space should be considered in that a small warehouse cannot be used in storage a large size then its size. Hartman Sadler (2000) The experts involved in warehousing spacing and planning should look deeply in the layout to be laid down when setting up the warehouse .Physical location should be given a significant attention .For example an ideal warehouse dealing with the goods for import is advisable to be near the custom duty offices while the warehouse dealing with the transport commodity such as vehicle should be near roads. Also to be considered is the climatic zone where some product cannot be stored in other climatic zones that may provide adverse condition such as hot climate is not conducive for storage of the fruits. The items that are received together should be stored together for easy handling. Heavy and bulky items should be stored close to the point of use in order to minimize the cost of handling them since they are heavy to transport as they involve use of a lot of manpower and equipment. Also to be involved is good house keeping method where the accessibility of the product should be maximum. H artman Sadler (2000) After the necessary evaluations have been done, a specific layout should be

Cost, Volume, and Profit Formulas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cost, Volume, and Profit Formulas - Essay Example The preferable outcome in most businesses is to sell as many units as possible, thus high volumes are preferable. The selling price is the unitary price of each product. It can be calculated by dividing the total sales by the amount of units sold. If a company had sales of $5,000 and it sold 100 units the unitary price is $50 per unit. There are two types of costs. These two types of costs are variable costs and fixed costs. A variable cost can be defined as a cost of labor, material, or overhead that changes according to the change in the volume of production units (Investorwords, 2011). Variable cost per unit can be calculated dividing total variable costs by the quantity of units sold. The second type of cost is fixed costs. Fixed costs are costs that do not change with the volume of sales. The total amount of fixed costs is the same every month. Some examples of fixed costs include rent, managerial salaries, and depreciation (Moneyterms, 2011). The total fixed expenses component is calculated by adding up all the fixed costs of the company. The sales mix is the relative proportion in which a company’s products are sold (Garrison & Noreen, 2003).