Phenomenological and positivist approaches Essay Example for Free

Phenomenological and positivist methodologies Essay The exploration looks to concentrate top to bottom the Kuwaiti family by deciding the effect of working guardians on the socialization of their youngsters dependent on the impression of the guardians. In doing as such, the exploration looks to distinguish and depict the contemporary characterizing highlights of the Kuwaiti family, as commitment to the more extensive research on the family, being made in various nations. The investigation additionally investigates the kid raising acts of Kuwaiti families with the two guardians working and with one parent expecting the job of a full-time carer. The exploration draws the view of guardians on the socialization procedure of their youngsters with regards to the family structure, with the two guardians working or with one parent filling in as full-time carer, just as on the impact of employing outside babysitters on the socialization of their kids. To accomplish the motivation behind the examination, the exploration procedure uses approaches and techniques chose to help the assortment and investigation of proper adequate and exact information. Research Design The examination utilizes the phenomenological approach, which applies to insightful endeavors to comprehend the points of view or perspectives on chose members with respect to social real factors (Easterby-Smith, Thorpe Lowe 1991; Morris 2006). Understanding the phenomenological approach better requires an examination with the positivist methodology, which lies at the opposite finish of the range inverse of the phenomenological approach. The examination isn't planned to subvert one methodology over the other however to clarifying the phenomenological approach and legitimizing the suitability of utilizing this way to deal with the current investigation. The table beneath sums up the qualifications between the phenomenological and positivist methodologies. Source: (Easterby-Smith, Thorpe Lowe 1991; Morris 2006) The qualifications show that the phenomenological approach is applies to examinations that consider human or social enthusiasm for giving inside and out clarification and inferring significance of marvel as recognized from the positivist methodology of concentrating on realities, speculations or standards, and theory testing. Phenomenology is the fitting methodology of the current examination on the grounds that the reason for the examination is to attract profundity comprehension of the contemporary Kuwaiti family as far as the connection between the working status of the two guardians and the socialization of their youngsters. The examination is abstract since it is keen on the impression of guardians over their working status and the impacts on the socialization of their kids. The exploration procedure is grounded on social intrigue and subjectivity. The current examination utilizes subjective research, which includes the induction of records or portrayals from the members or respondents to give an inside and out comprehension of the marvel subject of the investigation (Creswell 2003). Once more, to comprehend subjective research and to legitimize its proper application to the current examination, the table underneath sums up the differentiations among subjective and quantitative research.

Strategic IT Plan 2016

Question: Talk about the Report for Strategic IT Plan 2016. Answer: Circumstance Analysis An examination is made on Datacom and the business strategies that are followed in the association alongside its crucial objectives too. There are various changes that are being made in the field of Information Systems and the equivalent have been broke down to accompany a reasonable undertaking for Datacom. Association Overview and Business Processes Datacom is a private association that gives IT based administrations and answers for the customers and arrangements in various spaces. It gives IT benefits in different regions as Software, IT Management, Cloud, Data Centers, Customer Contact Solutions and Procurement Services. It likewise furnishes IT based arrangements related with the fields, for example, Payroll HRIS, Local Government, Education, Healthcare Solutions and Enterprise Solutions. The association was set up in the year 1965 and involves in excess of 4000 workers over the entirety of its workplaces and units. It is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand (Datacomgroup, 2016). Crucial Goals Datacom intends to give best quality IT administrations and answers for its customer while keeping up the moral practices alongside upgraded worker fulfillment also. Current Situation Datacom has developed as one of the rumored IT specialist organizations and has extended its business on a worldwide stage by covering nations as Malaysia, Philippines and Australia separated from its base in New Zealand. Distributed computing is one zone that the association to a great extent work upon and utilizations to plans its administrations and arrangements. The association has kept up pace with the changing innovation by adjusting to the change directly from its arrangement. System Proposed IS Project Web of Things (IoT) Web of Things (IoT) is an idea that coordinates the gadgets and applications using web in the everyday exercises. The undertaking that has been prescribed to Datacom depends on the idea of IoT so as to give the IT administrations and answers for the clients. It would permit the association to extend its business by offering most recent types of assistance and answers for its customers. There are different applications that can be created through IoT and the suggested application is related with the medicinal services area that is one of the significant areas that Datacom bargains in. Tele-wellbeing observing application dependent on IoT and distributed computing is the task that has been recommended for the association (Chamberlin, 2016). Enormous Data Analytics Datacom can likewise think of cutting edge data frameworks utilizing Big Data as an innovation for more grounded and propelled information examination. There is a great deal of information that the associations manage and work upon every day. The case is the equivalent with a large portion of the current day associations too. A data framework can be created utilizing the information examination capacities around Big Data with the joining of business insight to think of significant subtleties. Vital Alignment The prime objective and system of the association is to give most recent and quality arrangements and administrations to the customers to increase greatest benefits and incomes alongside upgraded level of consumer loyalty. The venture that has been proposed will totally adjust to the objectives of the association as it would permit an enormous portion of client base to profit by the undertaking and will likewise permit the association to draw in new clients prompting better benefits (Henderson, 2016). The methodology that is followed as far as innovation is to a great extent dependent on the distributed computing strategies and techniques. The task will likewise incorporate similar ideas by coordinating different elements and components utilizing cloud. Hence, the association will have the option to utilize its current assets, procedures and techniques to concoct the most recent in the field of innovation (Mehta, 2016). Basic Success Factors The achievement of the undertaking will be dictated by various achievement factors related with the equivalent. Return of Investment (ROI) Client Feedback Expanded number of clients through the execution of the undertaking Market Value SLA and Security There are various elements that are engaged with a specific venture related with a specific association. The segment covers the Service Level Agreement for Datacom to ensure that the necessary administrations along the entirety of its related subtleties are secured alongside the subtleties on the partners and hazard the executives arrangements. Administration Level Agreement would be required to be marked by all the gatherings before so as to make it viable and adequate. Administration Level Agreement Forming and Control Form Number Date Put together By Affirmed By 1 twentieth October 2016 Understanding Overview The understanding has been made among Datacom and to concur upon the administrations that will be remembered for the task. The understanding will be commonly made and will stay legitimate till the finish of the venture. It will be endorsed by all the partners so as to think of it as acknowledged by all the gatherings. Objectives and Objectives The objective of this understanding is to drill down the administrations that will be incorporated during the venture courses of events. The goals of the understanding are as recorded underneath: Rundown out the partners that will be included alongside the effect that the venture will have on every partner and the job and obligations related with each Spread a significant level extent of the administrations that will be given Spread the administration system that will be applied to all the administrations Partners Partner Job and Responsibilities Existing or Potential Effect of Changes Undertaking Sponsor Datacom The essential job and obligations related with the partner during the venture courses of events would incorporate undertaking reserves, venture prerequisites and particulars Existing There would be joining of new undertaking required in the association and a committed group will be fundamental for the equivalent. All the exercises would request impressive assets also Clinical Equipment Vendors The essential job and duties related with the partner during the undertaking courses of events would incorporate giving the gear important to the usage of tele-wellbeing checking Potential The partner will have the option to procure benefits by drawing in with the undertaking and giving the necessary gear IT Equipment Vendors The essential job and obligations related with the partner during the undertaking courses of events would incorporate giving the product and equipment to creating and actualizing the application Existing The partner will have the option to procure benefits by connecting with the undertaking and giving the necessary hardware Venture Manager The essential job and duties related with the partner during the venture courses of events would incorporate asset the board, correspondence and arrangement exercises, venture arranging and survey of undertaking progress Existing The partner will have new arrangement of duties and range of abilities added to the profile Budgetary official The essential job and duties related with the partner during the undertaking courses of events would incorporate making of the task financial plan and other account related exercises Potential The partner will have new arrangement of obligations and range of abilities added to the profile Specialized Expert The essential job and obligations related with the partner during the venture courses of events would incorporate giving the specialized help and techniques during the undertaking Potential The partner will have new arrangement of duties and range of abilities added to the profile Group Groups The essential job and obligations related with the partner during the undertaking courses of events would incorporate plan, improvement, testing and usage of the application Existing The partner will have new arrangement of duties and range of abilities added to the profile IT Security/Risk Plan There will be various dangers that will be related with the undertaking that has been proposed. The dangers may have a place with different classifications and it is important to deal with and deal with the equivalent by actualizing more grounded security instruments. Hazard Management Phases There will be various stages that will be incorporated to deal with the dangers and improve generally speaking security of the task and the association. Hazard Identification: This will be the principal stage that will be available during the time spent dealing with the dangers. The dangers will be distinguished based on various elements and parameters. Hazard Analysis: The dangers which will be recognized in the past stage will be investigated with the utilization of quantitative and subjective techniques to comprehend the level, effect and probability of the dangers. Hazard Evaluation: The dangers that have been distinguished and dissected will be assessed as adequate or non-satisfactory by the framework. Hazard Treatment: The dangers that will be assessed as non-satisfactory will be given to this stage and a treatment system around the dangers will be made. The treatment of the dangers should be possible by abstaining from, tolerating, relieving or moving the risks.6 Hazard Monitoring and Review: The dangers will be observed based on their status and the use of the treatment methodology on the equivalent. An audit report will likewise be made to record the status of the dangers (Berg, 2016). Hazard Register Hazard Name Hazard Description Hazard Likelihood Hazard Impact Hazard Treatment Strategy Timetable Overrun There might be situations wherein the undertaking group would not have the option to follow the structured venture plan which may prompt ina

What Is Self-Esteem

What Is Self-Esteem Theories Developmental Psychology Print Signs of Healthy and Low Self-Esteem By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on July 14, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on September 30, 2019 More in Theories Developmental Psychology Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Definition Why Self-Esteem Is Important Theories Influences Signs of Healthy Self-Esteem Signs of Low Self-Esteem View All Back To Top We all know that self-esteem sometimes referred to as self-worth or self-respect, can be an important part of success. Too little self-esteem can leave people feeling defeated or depressed. It can also lead people to make bad choices, fall into destructive relationships, or fail to live up to their full potential. A grandiose sense of self-esteem, as exhibited in narcissistic personality disorder, can certainly be off-putting to others and can even damage personal relationships. Self-esteem levels at the extreme high and low ends of the spectrum can be harmful, so ideally, its best to strike a balance somewhere in the middle. A realistic yet positive view of yourself is generally considered the ideal. But what exactly is self-esteem? Where does it come from and what influence does it really have on our lives? Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin What Is Self-Esteem? In psychology, the term self-esteem is used to describe a persons overall sense of self-worth or personal value. In other words, how much you appreciate and like yourself. Self-esteem is often seen as a personality trait, which means that it tends to be stable and enduring.Self-esteem can involve a variety of beliefs about yourself, such as the appraisal of your own appearance, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors. Why Self-Esteem Is Important Self-esteem can play a significant role in your motivation and success throughout your life. Low self-esteem may hold you back from succeeding at school or work because you dont believe yourself to be capable of success. By contrast, having a healthy self-esteem can help you achieve because you navigate life with a positive, assertive attitude and believe you can accomplish your goals. Self-Esteem Theories Many theorists have written on the dynamics involved in self-esteem. The need for self-esteem plays an important role in psychologist Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs, which depicts self-esteem as one of the basic human motivations.?? Maslow suggested that people need both esteem from other people as well as inner self-respect. Both of these needs must be fulfilled in order for an individual to grow as a person and achieve self-actualization. It is important to note that self-esteem is a concept distinct from self-efficacy, which involves how well you believe youll handle future actions, performance, or abilities. Factors That Influence Self-Esteem As you might imagine, there are different factors that can influence self-esteem. Genetic factors that help shape overall personality can play a role, but it is often our experiences that form the basis for overall self-esteem. Those who consistently receive overly critical or negative assessments from caregivers, family members, and friends, for example, will likely experience problems with low self-esteem.?? Additionally, your inner thinking, age, any potential illnesses, disabilities, or physical limitations, and your job can affect your self-esteem.   Signs of Healthy Self-Esteem You probably have a good sense of who you are if you exhibit the following signs:   ConfidenceAbility to say noPositive outlookAbility to see overall strengths and weaknesses and accept themNegative experiences dont impact overall perspectiveAbility to express your needs Signs of Low Self-Esteem You may need to work on how you perceive yourself if you exhibit any of these signs of poor self-esteem:   Negative outlookLack of confidenceInability to express your needsFocus on your weaknessesExcessive feelings of shame, depression, or anxietyBelief that others are better than youTrouble accepting positive feedbackIntense fear of failure

The United States Should Stricter Gun Laws - 2331 Words

The debate over whether the United States should have stricter gun laws has become a major talking point in our society. However, the clear choice that will bring the most prosperity and security to our country is to maintain the current gun control laws as they are the best option for the USA’s modern society. We must not let the rush to judgement after every shooting spree cloud our minds and glaze over all the benefits and lifestyles that guns let us take for granted. Society must also see what the outcomes are for the other options suggested and to not make the wrong choice and have to live with the consequences. We must not let the government enact laws that would place stricter controls on guns. There are many important things to†¦show more content†¦Plus there are the gun storekeepers whose livelihood might come exclusively from their store. However, as stricter and stricter gun laws are passed his or her store could be at risk of going under. Why would the government whose job is to provide the right to life, liberty, and happiness ever take away someone’s job? Lastly some people need their guns for protection. Citizens in Alaska, Washington, and Montana face many threats from wildlife. When these people run into a bear and cannot get away what will they do? They will not stand a chance because their gun was taken away by the government or was confined to only seven rounds and they ran out in the attack. What about bodyguards, how will they protect their employer if they do not have handguns, but an assassin has one gotten illegally? When constructing gun laws one must recognize how it will affect the lives of these people and others. With stricter gun law s American Olympic shooters would not be able to shoot, gun store owners’ businesses would collapse, and people’s protection would be at risk. One main obstacle that gun owners and activists are always facing is stereotypes. By stereotyping people one confines them into categories, negligent of the fact that they might only agree on a singular political issue. This description said by our opponents at the beginning of this assignment shows just how deeply rooted this problem is â€Å"You

Essay On Christopher Columbus - 1530 Words

Hinga, Dinga, Durgen! (Spongebob) We were taught in school the saying, In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, to help us remember when Christopher Columbus discovered America. We learned the Spanish monarchy funded him and he set sail on the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria in hopes of finding a route to the riches that were in the west indies. He landed on an island, and this was how what we know as America was discovered and referenced as the New World. We even have a day set aside here in the United States to celebrate his accomplishment. It is difficult to believe that growing up we were taught history that was so inaccurate. Who was first to come to what we now call the Americas? There are many theories from the†¦show more content†¦He struggled to get funding and supplies needed to explore this theory, and after much rejection, the King and Queen of Spain agreed to sponsor his journey. On August 3, 1492, he sailed from Spain, and on October 12 they finally spott ed land. In a letter he wrote to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of his first voyage, he had reached the Indian sea and discovered many populated islands that he took possession of without resistance, in the name of the King and Queen of Spain. He named the first island San Salvador (Major 2). The natives that lived there greeted him and his crew and offered them gifts. He sent out two of his men to explore the island and to gather information of the natives that were living there. They discovered it was a massive population. In the meantime, Columbus seized some Indians and learned from them that they were on an island (Major 4). He also found that the people that were inhabiting the island were simple, honest, and kind. They would offer up any of their possessions (Major 7). Columbus also mentioned in his letter that he had taken some Indians by force from, the first island...in order that they might learn our language, and communicate to us what they knew respecting the country (Major 9). Bartolome de las Casa was an explorer that traveled with Columbus on his second journey and later became a priest. He noted in his writings of The Short AccountShow MoreRelatedEssay on Christopher Columbus? Or Not Christopher Columbus?1329 Words   |  6 Pages On Columbus Day students across the nation will learn how Columbus discovered the New World and about his fantastic travels to the New World. Children will learn poems, stories, songs and rhymes about his travels and about himself as well on this day. When introduced to Columbus as a young student he is portrayed as a respectful gentleman and as a hero, when in reality he is a selfish man who takes advantage of lesser people and schools should be teaching their students about who Columbus reallyRead MoreEssay on Christopher Columbus1614 Words   |  7 PagesChristopher Columbus Although nearly every phase of any exploration had its good and bad outcomes the benefits of Columbus discovery of the New World far outweigh the negative results of that enterprise; because his discovery stimulated further development of both Europe and the New World. His voyage was an epochal and magnificent discovery in that it confirmed the roundness of the earth and gave new validity to science, expanded trade and opened new markets and led to the industrializationRead MoreChristopher Columbus Essay1097 Words   |  5 PagesChristopher Columbus was born in 1451 at Genoa. Genoa was a seaport that was on the Ligurian sea. His name was Cristoforo Colombo and that was translated into English as Christopher Columbus. Christopher Columbus had two brothers, which he was older than both. Christopher Columbus had little schooling just like most of the people during that age. Genoa was a busy seaport and Christopher Columbus learned much from the sailors. Christopher Columbus’s f ather was a poor weaver. Christopher Columbus workedRead More Christopher Columbus Essay474 Words   |  2 Pagesin search of a direct sea route from Europe to Asia, Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered the Americas. However, in four separate voyages to the Caribbean from 1492 to 1504, he remained convinced that he had found the lands that Marco Polo reached in his overland travels to China at the end of the 13th century. To Columbus it was only a matter of time before a passage was found through the Caribbean islands to the cities of Asia. Columbus was not the first European to reach the Americas VikingsRead MoreEssay on Christopher Columbus1931 Words   |  8 Pagesdeeply held, yet imperfectly understood, beliefs. The role of history in the iconography of the United States is pervasive, yet the facts behind the fiction are somehow lost in an amorphous haze of patriotism and perceived national identity. Christopher Columbus, as a hero and symbol of the first order in America, is an important figure in this pantheon of American myth. His status, not unlike most American icons, is representative not of his own accomplishments, but the self-perception of the societyRead MoreEssay on Christopher Columbus539 Words   |  3 PagesIn 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. But should America really celebrate Christopher Columbus? Was he really responsible for finding America or was he just simply lucky? The real question is, should the American people praise a man who had killed many innocent people? Though Columbus Day is ce lebrated no one really knows for what reasons. Most Americans just enjoy their day off. Would they celebrate Columbus Day if they really knew the facts? Christopher Columbus was an explorer funded byRead MoreChristopher Columbus Essay1310 Words   |  6 PagesChristopher Columbus set out on his voyage in 1942 on the West Indian islands, to find a new world for the Europeans. When he landed on the Caribbean Island the Indian Natives that lived there were at first scared but greeted him in a friendly manner. The conquest and settlement of the Western Hemisphere opened new opportunities for other Europeans such as the French, Dutch, English and Spanish to come to the island and colonize the Indians land. For the Europeans to colonize and move in on NativeRead More Christopher Columbus Essay548 Words   |  3 PagesChristopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. He was named Christofero Columbo, after the patron saint. His father was Donenico Columbo, a weaver and wool dealer. Columbus had two brothers, Diego and Bartolome. Historians are certain that Columbus was not a noble. Columbuss crew on the first voyage were not a bunch of cutthroats. They were mostly hometown boys from Andalusia, and nearly all experienced seamen. Of the four voyages of Columbus, only the crew of the first voyage is completelyRead More Christopher Columbus Essay875 Words   |  4 PagesChristopher Columbus is a very important person in our countrys history. He found the New World, the one we live in today. He started the society that makes us who we are today, the society that allowed our ancestors to come to America and start the life that we live now. This whole world owes their lives to him. Columbus should always be remembered as a very important and very good person in history. Columbus made an especially daring trip when he set sail for the Indies. He knew he was headedRead More Christopher Columbus Essay808 Words   |  4 Pages The skills and qualities required of Christopher Columbus in order for him to lead a safe and successful voyage to undiscovered and unexplored lands weighed heavily on him, as he was initially placed in a headship position in the course of the planning of the journey because he originated and entertained the idea of finding a passage to China through unmarked waters. With his assiduousness and persistence, his appeal and intelligence, he was able to convince the King and Queen of Spain to fund

Bailout Plan Free Essays

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, enacted on October 3, 2008, is a law that gives the United States Secretary of the Treasury authority to spend $700 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities from the banks. The law aims to purchase these so-called bad assets and hopefully restore confidence to the credit market. The law is more commonly known as the â€Å"bailout† since it intends to rescue the major financial institutions of the US from the subprime mortgage crisis that had reached its tipping point by September 2008. We will write a custom essay sample on Bailout Plan or any similar topic only for you Order Now The idea was originally conceived by President George W.  Bush and Henry Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury. Although it is already approved, the plan met several criticism. The main criticism is its effect on the general economy of the United States. For one, the bailout would mean an increase in the US budget for 2009 which already stands at $3. 1 trillion. This would also mean that the annual budget deficit of the US would further increase and may exceed $1 trillion. The bailout is also criticized because it implies that the mistake made by the banks would now be shouldered by American taxpayers. Majority of surveys conducted showed that the American public opposed the bailout saying that it was wrong for the government to use taxpayer’s money to save the banks which caused the problem in the first place. It is interesting to note that the proposal was not only opposed by the public but also by economists and investors. Another problem of the law is the assumption that the securities bought by the government may increase in value sometime in the future and could be sold for a profit. This is a rather big assumption since there is in fact no assurance that it come true. While the bailout may have helped investor confidence and temporarily stop the decline of the US economy, its true effect will likely be felt sometime in the near future. The bailout is still a short-term solution to a possible long-term problem. If the US economy intends to recover from this crisis, it should study the alternatives proposed and see if it is feasible to implement them. How to cite Bailout Plan, Papers

Nitendo Case Essay Example

Nitendo Case Essay ORAL TEAM PRESENTATION 1 Case No. 2 (text page C-17): Competition in energy drinks, sports drinks, and vitaminenhanced beverages. Suggested Questions: 1) What are the strategically relevant components of the global and U. S. beverage industry macro-environment? How do the economic characteristics of the alternative beverage segment of the industry differ from that of other beverage categories? Explain. 2) What is competition like in the alternative beverage industry? Which of the five competitive forces is strongest? Which is weakest? We will write a custom essay sample on Nitendo Case specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Nitendo Case specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Nitendo Case specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer What competitive forces seem o have the greatest effect on industry attractiveness and the potential profitability of new entrants? 3) How is the market for energy drinks, sports drinks and vitamin-enhanced beverages changing? What are the underlying drivers of change and how might those forces individually or collectively make the industry more or less attractive? What key factors determine the success of alternative beverage producers? 4) What does your strategic group map of the energy drink, sports drink, and vitaminenhanced beverage industry look like? Which strategic groups do you think are in the best positions? The worst positions? 5) What key factors determine the success of alternative beverage producers? 6) What recommendations would you make to Coca-Cola to improve its competitiveness in the global alternative beverage industry? to PepsiCo? to Red Bull GmbH? ORAL TEAM PRESENTATION 2 Case No. 6 (text page C-95): Nintendos strategy in 2009 The ongoing battle with Microsoft and Sony. Suggested Questions: 1) What is competition like in the video game console industry? Do a five-force analysis to support your answer. Which of the five competitive forces is strongest? Which is weakest? Would you characterize the overall strength of competition in ideo game consoles as fierce, strong, moderate to normal or weak? Why? 2) What forces are driving changes in the video game console industry? Are these driving forces acting to make the industry more or less competitively intense? Are the driving forces acting to make the industry more or less profitable in future years? 3) What 3-5 key factors determine the success of video game console developers like Nintendo? 4) What is Nintendos strategy? Which of the five generic strategies discussed in Chapter 5 is Nintendo using? What are some of the recent offensive and/or defensive strategies that Nintendo has employed? Have these tactics been successful? 5) Is it fair to characterize Nintendos introduction of the Wii as a blue ocean strategy? Why or why not? 6) How well is Nintendos strategy working in terms of the financial performance it is delivering? Should shareholders be pleased? Why or why not? What 2-3 weaknesses? 7) What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the attractiveness of Nintendos overall situation? Is the companys competitive position as solid as top management seems to believe? Does the company have a competitive advantage? If so, what is the basis for this competitive advantage and is the advantage sustainable? 8) What does a competitive strength assessment (as per the methodology in Table 4. 2 of Chapter 4) reveal about whether Nintendo has a competitive advantage? 9) What recommendations would you make to Nintendo to improve its competitiveness in the video game console industry and to maintain its favorable positioning vis-? ¤-vis Microsoft and Sony? ORAL TEAM PRESENTATION 3 Case No. 10 (text page C-1 56): Research in Motion Managing explosive growth. 1) What are the dominant economic characteristics of the wireless communications industry? What are the distinguishing features of the market for smart phones? 2) What is competition like in the wireless phone industry? Which of the five competitive forces is strongest? Which is weakest? What competitive forces seem to have the greatest effect on industry attractiveness? 3) How is the wireless phone industry changing? What are the underlying drivers of change and how might those driving forces change the industry? 4) What strategic approach has Research in Motion chosen to employ in international markets? Would you characterize its strategy as a global strategy or a localized multicountry strategy? How has it utilized location to build competitive advantage? 5) How important is it for Research in Motion to increase the size of its pool of software developers? What are the different options for substantially increasing its R staff? 6) Which option for increasing the number of software developers should Research in Motion pursue? Explain how your recommended course of action is consistent with Research in Motions resources, organizational capabilities, and management preferences. ORAL TEAM PRESENTATION 4 CASE 17 (PAGE C-270): Adidas in 2009 Has corporate restructuring increased shareholder value? 1 . What is adidas corporate strategy? Was there a common strategic approach utilized in managing the companys lineup of sporting goods businesses prior to its 2005-2006 restructuring? Has the corporate strategy changed with restructuring? 2. What is your evaluation of adidas line-up of businesses in 2009? What does a 9-cell industry attractiveness/business strength matrix displaying adidas business units look like? 3. Does adidas business line-up exhibit good strategic fit? What value-chain match- evident? Prior to its divestiture, what kind of strategic fl ts existed between adidas core business and its Salomon business unit? 4. Has adidas business line-up exhibited good resource fit between 1998 and 2008? What have been the financial characteristics of its major business segments during that time period? Which businesses might have been considered cash hogs and cash cows? 5. Based on your analysis of adidas businesses, did the restructuring undertaken in 2005 and 2006 make sense? Does it appear the acquisition of Reebok International will produce higher returns for shareholders? What strategic actions should adidas top management initiate to improve the companys financial and market performance now that restructuring is complete?

Quick Fixes for Common Legal Writing Mistakes

Quick Fixes for Common Legal Writing Mistakes Lets face it: legal writing is difficult. However, there are many quick fixes that can help you to establish a clear, understandable style. Below are my top 20 tips for improving your legal writing.Defined terms should be consistent. If you tag Bill Smith as the Plaintiff, call him the Plaintiff throughout the entire document, not Mr. Brown, Brown, Billy or whatever other name you think will spice up your brief.If you label something A, there must be a B. If used correctly, headings are a great way to organize your brief and give the reader an overall picture of your argument. Headings and subheading should preview each section of legal text. Further, they should be similar in content, grammar and placement.Avoid conclusory language. A conclusion, standing alone, will not persuade your reader. To build a persuasive argument, you must cite to the specific facts and legal authorities that support your conclusion. You cannot simply tell the reader that the Defendant was clearly negligen t. Rather, you must provide the reader with the facts and reasons necessary for him to conclude that the Defendant was indeed negligent.Avoid superfluous language and use plain English. Although every legal education includes the mastering legal terms, part of becoming an effective legal writer is shedding the archaic, the legalese, and the Latin. Too often, those legal words do nothing but make the text sound like a lawyer wrote it. Usually, there are many more effective, reader friendly alternatives that say the same thing. A good rule of thumb is to use legal words correctly but sparingly, and only when necessary.Avoid colloquialism. Legal writing is formal writing. Therefore, you cannot simply write how you might talk in ever day, casual conversation. Most importantly, slang should always be avoided. For example, it would be inappropriate to write, Mr. Brown kicked the bucket on X date. You should simply write, Mr. Brown died on X date.Avoid being catty, snide or sarcastic. It m akes you look childish, immature and unprofessional. It does not add anything to your legal argument. Moreover, judges despise it!Ensure dates, names and amounts are consistent. This simply requires careful attention to detail. I suggest reading through your draft and checking that all of the names are consistent, i.e. you have not started referring to James Smith as Jim Smith halfway through the brief. Next, check that your dates are accurate and in chronological order, if applicable. Finally, double-check any monetary amounts, paying special attention to any parenthetical numerical amounts and their corresponding written amounts.Triple check references to exhibits and affidavits. As with the above, this is primarily an exercise in proofreading and organization. Although it is often tedious, it can prevent embarrassment down the road. You do not want the judge to have to look through all of your exhibits because you mistakenly referred to the demand letter as Exhibit A when it is r eally Exhibit C.Commas and periods go inside quotations. Commas and periods go inside quotes. Always. No exceptions. Quotation marks are used incorrectly in so much legal- and non-legal- writing that most people arent sure what is in fact correct. To further confuse writers, the opposite is true in British English!Beware of over-chronicling. Some dates are very important, but most are not. When the date of every event is listed, it is difficult for the reader to discern which, if any, are relevant to the merits of the case. So unless the exact date is important and should be remembered by the reader, leave it out.Show, don t tell! In your fact section, include concrete examples and citations to relevant documents. This is far more convincing than your opinion or characterization of the facts.Words like obviously and clearly hurt more than help your writing. If you have to emphasize your argument with these words, chances are your argument is not very strong is the first place. Altho ugh it seems paradoxical, eliminating these words from your writing actually makes it stronger and enhances your credibility.Its means it is. Its means belonging to it. Enough said.Resist the temptation to use a large word when a small one will do. For example, in most situations, the word use is fine and the word utilize is a bit much.Be brief and to the point. You do not want the reader to be exhausted, physically or mentally, by the time he or she is done reading your brief. I have yet to put down a brief and say, I wish that had been longer, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has said.Always give the pinpoint page cite. Should you not give the pinpoint page cite, it suggests to the judge that you are either lazy or that you have accurately recited the holding of the case.Don t be bossy. Avoid telling the court what it must or cannot do. Instead, simply assert that the court should not hesitate to grant the relief your client seeks.The Bluebook is your friend. W hen it doubt as to a legal citation, look it up. The Bluebook is surprisingly user friendly. Never rely on the citations given in published opinions or by legal research tools, as they are not always correct.Save ample time for proofreading. Typographical mistakes, grammatical errors and incorrect citations can harm your credibility. Take the time to carefully proofread your document and do not simply rely on your word processor s spell and grammar check as they miss many errors. If possible, ask a friend or colleague to review the brief as well.Revise and rewrite, repeat as necessary. It often takes several drafts to attain the virtues of brevity and clarity. Even when you think you have arrived at the final product, take some time and then revisit the draft so you can better evaluate it with a fresh eye.There you have it. I hope my perspective helps you to refine your legal writing skill set. Like any discipline, it takes a lot of practice and trial-and-error, but with time you sh ould be able to master these quick fixes.

How Putonghua Is Used in Mainland China

How Putonghua Is Used in Mainland China Mandarin Chinese is known by many names. In the United Nations, it is known simply as Chinese. In Taiwan, it is called Ã¥Å"‹è ªÅ¾ / å› ½Ã¨ ¯ ­ (guà ³ yÇ”), which means national language. In Singapore, it is known as è  ¯Ã¨ ªÅ¾ / Ã¥ Å½Ã¨ ¯ ­ (hu yÇ”), which means Chinese language. And in China, it is called æ™ ®Ã©â‚¬Å¡Ã¨ © ± / æ™ ®Ã©â‚¬Å¡Ã¨ ¯  (pÇ” tÃ… ng hu), which translates to common language.   Different Names Over Time Historically, Mandarin Chinese was called Ã¥ ®ËœÃ¨ © ±/Ã¥ ®ËœÃ¨ ¯  (guÄ n hu), meaning speech of officials, by the Chinese people. The English word mandarin meaning bureaucrat, is derived from Portuguese. The Portuguese word for bureaucratic official was mandarim, so they referred to Ã¥ ®ËœÃ¨ © ±/Ã¥ ®ËœÃ¨ ¯  (guÄ n hu) as the language of the mandarims, or mandarim for short. The final m was converted to an n in the English version of this name. Under the Qing Dynasty (æ ¸â€¦Ã¦Å"  - QÄ «ng Cho), Mandarin was the official language of the Imperial Court and was known as Ã¥Å"‹è ªÅ¾ / å› ½Ã¨ ¯ ­ (guà ³ yÇ”). Since Beijing was the capital of the Qing Dynasty, Mandarin pronunciations are based on the Beijing dialect. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912, the new Peoples Republic of China (Mainland China) became more strict about having a standardized common language to improve communication and literacy across rural and urban areas. Thus, the name of Chinas official language was rebranded. Instead of calling it national language, Mandarin was now called common language, or æ™ ®Ã©â‚¬Å¡Ã¨ © ± / æ™ ®Ã©â‚¬Å¡Ã¨ ¯  (pÇ” tÃ… ng hu), starting in 1955. Putonghua as Common Speech PÇ” tÃ… ng hu is the official language of The Peoples Republic of China (Mainland China). But pÇ” tÃ… ng hu is not the only language spoken in China. There are five major language families with a total of up to 250 distinct languages or dialects. This wide divergence intensifies the need for a unifying language that is understood by all Chinese people. Historically, the written language was the unifying source of many of the Chinese languages, since Chinese characters have the same meaning wherever they are used, even though they may be pronounced differently in different regions. The use of a commonly spoken language has been promoted since the rise of the Peoples Republic of China, which established pÇ” tÃ… ng hu as the language of education throughout the Chinese territory. Putonghua in Hong Kong Macau Cantonese is the official language of both Hong Kong and Macau and is the language spoken by the majority of the population. Since the ceding of these territories (Hong Kong from Britain and Macau from Portugal) to the Peoples Republic of China, pÇ” tÃ… ng hu has been used as the language of communication between the territories and the PRC. The PRC is promoting greater use of pÇ”tÃ… nghu in Hong Kong and Macau by training teachers and other officials. Putonghua in Taiwan The outcome of the Chinese Civil War (1927-1950) saw the Kuomintang (KMT or Chinese Nationalist Party) retreat from Mainland China to the nearby island of Taiwan. Mainland China, under the Maos Peoples Republic of China, saw changes in language policy. Such changes included the introduction of simplified Chinese characters and the official use of the name pÇ” tÃ… ng hu. Meanwhile, the KMT in Taiwan retained the use of traditional Chinese characters, and the name guà ³ yÇ” continued to be used for the official language. Both practices continue up to the present time. Traditional Chinese characters are also used in Hong Kong, Macau, and many overseas Chinese communities. Putonghua Features PÇ”tÃ… nghu has four distinct tones which are used to differentiate homophones. For example, the syllable ma can have four distinct meanings depending on the tone. The grammar of pÇ” tÃ… ng hu is relatively simple when compared with many European languages. There are no tenses or verb agreements, and the basic sentence structure is subject-verb-object. The use of untranslated particles for clarification and a temporal location is one of the features that make pÇ” tÃ… ng hu challenging for second-language learners.

Econ Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Econ - Essay Example However, this policy has some disadvantages worth mentioning. For instance, it can cause a more volatile inflation. It can also create an opposite force in the economy when the Federal Reserve wants to do a monetary policy. Moreover, it can potentially widen the national’s budget deficit. Hence, the proposal on having an automatic trigger for discretionary fiscal policy may not be necessary, since the cons outweigh the pros. To have a better understanding on how an automatic trigger of discretionary fiscal policy can affect the economy, some changes in the basic IS-MP model must be made. At present, since there is going to be an automatic increase in government purchase and decrease in taxes whenever output decreases, government purchase, denoted as G, will be made into a negative function of output and taxes, denoted as T, which is a positive function of output. Hence, if there is a decrease in output that is caused by any shock, then government purchase will increase and the tax will decrease immediately. Thus, this modification can be incorporated into the Keynesian cross diagram. Now, the expenditure function will be: E = C(Y-T(Y))+G(Y)+I(r) This change will affect the shape of the expenditure curve in the Keynesian cross diagram. The expenditure curve becomes flatter as output becomes less responsive. By virtue of this new expenditure function, the new IS curve can also be derived by simply looking at the relationship between the level output and the real interest rate. As a result, the new IS curve will be: IS = C(Y-T(Y))+G(Y)+I(r) Following this equation, the IS curve will be steeper because now, the change in output is less responsive. This change in the IS curve will affect how the economy will behave in the presence of an exogenous shock. By having this new modification for the basic IS-MP model, the AD-IA diagram can also be derived, where the new AD curve is steeper compared to the initial one [Figure 1]. Figure 1. Keynesian Cross, IS-MP, and AD-IA Diagrams with an Automatic Trigger for Fiscal Stimulus. By having the newly modified IS curve, output is going to be more stable if there is an IS or MP shock. This can be demonstrated clearly with some examples. For instance, in Figure 2, it can be assumed that the economy is at the potential output and there is a negative IS shock, such as a decrease in consumer confidence. As a result, IS curve will shift leftward and output will fall, forming a negative output gap in the economy. However, since the new IS curve is steeper, the decrease in output is not as large as when there is no automatic trigger for discretionary fiscal stimulus

David Cole Interviews Dr. Franciszek Piper Movie Review

David Cole Interviews Dr. Franciszek Piper - Movie Review Example The film is effective in showing the inconsistencies among Holocaust evidences. The presentation of the Soviet’s and Polish’s version of the Holocaust story is done in a logical manner. The new information David Cole gathers from the tour guide and Dr. Piper are, then, placed side by side with past evidences. As a viewer, it was easy for me to follow what David Cole is trying to tell without getting lost in the different sets of evidence presented. David Cole uses evidence from books and photographs that seem to contradict what Dr. Piper and the tour guide say about the camp. In addition, the film allows audiences to interpret the Holocaust story in their own. David Cole does not force the audience to believe in his theory, but he allows the evidence to speak for itself. He offers a new interpretation of Holocaust evidence and, thus, provides a new twist to the Holocaust story. After viewing the film, I realized that there is a lot more to investigate in the Holocaust story. It is important to get the facts straight since history itself is at

Strychnine :: Botany

Strychnine Strychnine is a poisonous alkaloid, C21H22N2O2, obtained in colorless or white rhombic crystals. These have a bitter taste and melt at around 290( C (4 p.1). Alkaloids are any class of naturally occurring organic nitrogen containing bases, usually containing one or more of these nitrogen atoms in a ring of atoms called a cyclic system. Alkaloids are primarily found in plants and are predominant in flowering plant species. The function of alkaloids in plants is thought to be simply a waste product of the plants metabolic processes, but current research may suggest a specific biological function. This is evident in some plants as the levels of alkaloid increase just prior to seed formation and then drops off after the seed is ripe. This evidence suggests possible mechanisms of maturation and possible defense, against certain insect species (5 p.2). Strychnine, being an alkaloid, is slightly soluble in water, but is more soluble in alcohol and is released from its salts by alkalis. Many of the commercial alkaloids are found in the genus Strychnos. Strychnine was the first alkaloid to be identified in plants of the genus Strychnos, Family Loganiaceae. Strychnos, created by Linnaeus in 1753, is a genus of trees and climbing shrubs of the gentian order. From the standpoint of biological diversity, it is the most important genus of the Loganiaceae family (6 p.1). The genus contains 196 various species and is distributed throughout the warm regions of Asia (58 species), America (64) and Africa (75). The Strychnos alkaloids were originally classified based solely on their geographic origin. Asian Strychnos was thought to contain strychnine and the American Strychnos were thought to contain curarizing ammonium salts (6 p.2). Plants of the genus Strychnos have opposite leaves and bear cymes of white or yellowish flowers that have a four-lobed or five-lobed calyx, a four-parted or five-parted corolla, five stamens, a solitary pistil and bears fruit in the form of a berry. The seeds and bark of many plants in this genus contain the powerful poison (4 p.2). Strychnine is obtained commercially from the seeds of the Saint-ignatius's-bean and from the nux-vomica tree. Strychnine was first discovered by French chemist Joseph-Bienaime Caenoiu and Pierre-Joseph Pelletier in 1818 in the Saint-Ignatins'-bean (S. ignatii)(1 p.2). Strychnos ignatii is a woody climbing shrub of the Philippines. It was introduced into Cochin China and is highly esteemed there as a medicine. It got its name from the attention it attracted from the Jesuits.

Solving the Puzzle of Jack the Ripper

In August 1888, the dwellers of London’s East End arose from sleep to find their lives a little darker than before. Mary Ann Nichols, a prostitute, had been viciously murdered, nearly decapitated by two cuts to the throat, her abdomen displaying multiple cuts (Begg 46). Over the next three years, ten other women would be murdered in the Whitechapel area. While there is no definitive proof linking these murders to one killer, analysis reveals that six of them display similarly rare crime characteristics: mutilation of genitalia, prostitute victims, and posing of bodies (Keppel, et al. 8-9).Five are commonly attributed to Jack the Ripper (1-2). Though they may not have been well known in life, these women—Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catharine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly—would be discussed for the next hundred years. What is it about these cases that have captured the curiosity of so many people for so long? Crime historian Donald Rumbelow an swers: â€Å"What fascinates people is not the murders themselves. It’s the puzzle. Who? Who did it? Why weren’t they caught? It’s that puzzle that teases everybody† (â€Å"Jack†). During the past century, more than two hundred suspects have been offered as solutions to the puzzle. These individuals come from various professions, ethnic races, social strata, and economic standings. In police correspondence, Chief Constable Sir Melville Macnaghten appears to list three suspects by name, M. J. Druitt, Kosminski, and Michael Ostrog, saying that any of them are â€Å"more likely than Cutbush to be the killer† (Ryder). After analyzing this memorandum, investigative journalist Paul Begg suggests that these names were arbitrarily selected just to show that Cutbush was not a likely suspect (171). This is simply one example of confusion surrounding the identity of the killer. The most likely suspects include Walter Richard Sickert, a Danish artist; Severin Klosowski (also known as George Chapman), a Polish immigrant; and Francis Tumblety, an American quack doctor. It has also been proposed that the speed with which the murders were committed combined with the subsequent evasion of police suggest that more than one person might have been involved. Forensic psychiatrist David Abrahamsen asserts that Prince Albert Victor Edward and James Kenneth Stephen committed the crimes together (104). Keppel’s study of serial killers reveals that the Ripper murders were committed by someone with a high need to exert control over his victims. This was displayed â€Å"through the use of a knife to penetrate the victims’ bodies and desecrate their sexual regions† (18) along with â€Å"posing and mutilation [of the bodies] †¦ leaving them on display in sexually degrading positions with the wounds exposed† (19). In light of this study, Jack the Ripper must exhibit the characteristics of a need to dominate, aggression towards women, and picquerism, which is defined as â€Å"gaining sexual satisfaction from stabbing or blood letting† (Schroeder). Walter Sickert is one suspect who fits this description. In a recent book, popular fiction crime novelist Patricia Cornwell makes a case for Walter Sickert as Jack the Ripper. He was an actor â€Å"gifted at disguise,† a painter, and a writer with a â€Å"penchant for changing his name† (3). Cornwell suggests that Sickert had some sort of abnormal formation of his genitalia, not only leaving him â€Å"incapable of an erection† but also rendering him without â€Å"enough of a penis left for penetration† (5). She claims that Sickert developed an egotistical self-concept and a meanness towards women, qualities which, combined with a seeming inability to feel, above average intelligence, and a penchant to manipulate others, make Sickert a likely suspect (50-2). Cornwell’s study of Sickert’s artwork reveals â€Å"morbidity, violence and a hatred of women† (12). She contends that some of the depictions are all too similar to actual Jack the Ripper murder scenes. Her analysis of letters Jack the Ripper supposedly sent to police and the media also lead her to the conclusion that Sickert is the likely killer. She states that â€Å"handwriting quirks and the position of the Ripper’s hand when he wrote his taunting, violent letters lurk in other Ripper writings that are disguised. These same quirks †¦ lurk in Sickert’s erratic handwriting as well† (14). She even asserts that there is physical evidence linking Sickert to the Jack the Ripper letters. DNA evidence found on the adhesive stamp of a Ripper letter match that on two letters known to be written by Walter Sickert and on items owned by Sickert (13). For Cornwell, this evidence was so conclusive that she had no choice but to write her book (9-10). A second theory points to Severin Klosowski, also known as George Chapman. Severin Klosowski was a polish immigrant and a carpenter by trade. Christopher Morley describes him as having dark hair and blue eyes with a long chin and mouth, characteristics consistent with descriptions of Jack the Ripper. Having immigrated to England in 1887, Klosowski was in London during the time of the murders. Morley also states that Klosowski had some training as a junior surgeon while in Poland. Morley recounts an incident involving Klosowski attempting to kill his wife, Lucy. Interrupted in the act by a customer, Lucy noticed â€Å"a handle protruding from under the pillow and discovered a sharp and formidable knife. † Klosowski was reported to have said to her later on â€Å"that he had intended to cut her head off. † Klosowski’s similarity in appearance to the Ripper, previous attempt to murder, and residence in Whitechapel convinced Chief Inspector Frederick George Aberline that he was Jack the Ripper. A third theory identifies Francis Tumblety, an Irish American quack doctor, as Jack the Ripper. Tumblety lived in London when the murders were committed (â€Å"Jack†). Morley states that he was a strong suspect and under police watch because a shirt covered with blood was found in his home. British author Stewart Evans recounts: â€Å"He was arrested after the Miller’s Court murder, at which time, of course, the murders ceased. He escaped from England in early December 1888 and got back to America and was never arrested by Scotland Yard, despite the fact that they sent a team of detectives to America to try and catch him† (â€Å"Jack†). Morley describes Tumblety as a homosexual whose â€Å"feelings towards women were remarkable and bitter in the extreme. According to Morley, Tumblety gave â€Å"an all male dinner party, lecturing his guests on the evils of women, and proudly displayed his extensive collection of female body parts, which he kept in glass jars. † Further adding to his qualifications as the killer, Evans asserts that â€Å"Tumblety used many aliases† (â€Å"Jack†), a quality suitable to a killer who would give himself a name. Like Evans, others have found it too coincidental for the murders to have ceased right after Tumblety’s arrest for homosexual acts and his subsequent escape to America. Abrahamsen offers a twist in considering the identity of Jack the Ripper by asking how one man can take enough time to strangle and mutilate a woman’s body without being spotted by anyone (94). He suggests that in the murder of Elizabeth Stride, the signature slashings were interrupted, necessitating an accomplice to warn the killer of approaching policemen (89). Abrahamsen also points out differences among witness descriptions of the suspected killer, which he interprets as evidence of not one but two killers (90). He suggests James Kenneth Stephen (J. K. ) and Prince Albert Victor Edward (Prince Eddy) as joint killers. Abrahamsen suggests that Prince Eddy’s absent, womanizing father combined with his overly involved mother created a situation in which he was emotionally stunted (142-4). Prince Eddy also displayed homosexual tendencies which were ripe for exploitation (152). Being â€Å"emotionally and sexually immature †¦ he would have been curious about sex, but could not transfer his feelings into normal sexual desire for a woman† (152). Abrahamsen suggests that J. K. , who was hired to be Prince Eddy’s tutor, assumed a dominant role in their homosexual love relationship (152). J. K is described by Abrahamsen as having all the qualities necessary to be Jack the Ripper: â€Å"rigid [and] inflexible† (113), physically fit (121), â€Å"emasculated by the rejection of his mother† (120), adept at the use of language (118), viewing â€Å"women as evil† (120), possessing â€Å"striking looks and intellectual brilliance† (124). Abrahamsen suggests that the killings began as a result of J. K. eeling that his sway over Prince Eddy was decreasing and thus creating a situation that would â€Å"link Eddy to him permanently† (170). After a century has passed, the evidence and facts of the Jack the Ripper murders are increasingly more difficult to piece together. Though modern investigative techniques, such as the DNA evidence from Cornwell and Keppel’s profiling, have offered new clues, questions remain. Perhaps the only statement that can be made with any certainty is that after one hundred years, the serial killer named Jack the Ripper is certainly in his own grave somewhere and unable to kill or terrorize ever again.

Americium Facts Element 95 or Am

Americium is a radioactive metallic element with atomic number 95 and element symbol Am. Its the only synthetic element encountered in everyday life, in minute quantities in ionization-type smoke detectors. Here is a collection of interesting americium facts and data. Americium Facts Americium was first synthesized and identified in 1944 by Glenn T. Seaborg, Ralph James, L Morgan, and Albert Ghiorso at the University of California, Berkeley as part of the Manhattan Project. The element was produced using a 60-inch cyclotron, although its likely earlier experiments had also produced the element. Although element 95 was discovered by synthesizing it, americium occurs naturally as a trace element in uranium-containing minerals. In the distant past, the element occurred naturally from nuclear reactions as recently as a billion years ago. All of this americium has already decayed into daughter isotopes. The element name americium is for America. Americium is located directly below the lanthanide element europium, which is named for Europe. Americium is a shiny silver radioactive metal. All isotopes of this element are radioactive. The isotope with the longest half-life is americium-243, which has a half-life of 7370 years. The most common isotopes are americium-241, with a half-life of 432.7 years, and americium-243. Americium-242 is also known, with a half-life of 141 years. In total, 19 isotopes and 8 nuclear isomers have been characterized. The isotopes variously undergo alpha, beta, and gamma decay. The primary uses of americium are in smoke detectors and for scientific research. Its possible the radioactive element may be used for spacecraft batteries. Americium-241 pressed with beryllium is a good neutron source. Like many radioactive elements, americium is useful for producing other elements. Element 95 and its compounds are useful portable alpha and gamma sources. Nuclear power plants naturally produce americium as part of the decay sequence from the neutron bombardment of plutonium. A few grams of the element is produced using this method each year. The physical and chemical properties of americium are similar to those of plutonium (the element to its left on the periodic table) and europium (the element above it on the periodic table). Fresh americium is a shiny silver-white lustrous metal, but it slowly tarnishes in air. The metal is soft and easily deformed with a lower bulk modulus than the actinides preceding it on the table. Its melting point is higher than that of plutonium and europium, but lower than that of curium. Americium is less dense than plutonium, yet denser than europium. Americium is paramagnetic over a wide temperature range, from extremely cold temperatures to above room temperature. The most common oxidation state of element 95 is 3, but it can range anywhere from 2 to 8. The range of oxidation states is the widest for any actinide element. The ions are colored in aqueous solution. The 3 state is colorless to reddish yellow, 4 state is reddish yellow, with brown and green colors for other states. Each oxidation state has a distinctive absorption spectrum. The crystal structure of americium depends on temperature and pressure. Under normal conditions, the metal is seen in a stable alpha form that has hexagonal crystal symmetry. When the metal is compressed, it changes to the beta form, which has face-centered cubic symmetry. Increasing the pressure even more (23 GPa) transforms americium into its gamma form, which is orthorhombic. A monoclinic crystal phase has also been observed, but its unclear exactly what conditions cause it. Like other actinides, americium self-damages its crystal lattice from alpha decay. This is especially noticeable at low temperatures. The metal dissolves in acids and reacts with oxygen. Americium may be used together with phosphorescent zinc sulfide to make a homemade spinthariscope, which is a sort of radiation detector that predates the Geiger counter. The radioactive decay of americium provides energy to the phosphor, causing it to emit light. There is no known biological role of americium in living organisms. Its generally considered toxic because of its radioactivity. Americium Atomic Data Element Name: Americium Element Symbol: Am Atomic Number: 95 Atomic Weight: (243) Element Group: f-block element, actinide (transuranic series) Element Period: period 7 Electron Configuration:  [Rn] 5f7  7s2 (2, 8, 18, 32, 25, 8, 2) Appearance: Silver metallic solid. Melting Point:  1449  K  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹(1176  Ã‚ °C, ​2149  Ã‚ °F) Boiling Point:  2880  K ​(2607  Ã‚ °C, ​4725  Ã‚ °F)  predicted Density:  12  g/cm3 Atomic Radius: 2.44 Anstroms Oxidation States: 6, 5, 4, 3