Stryker Corporation Case Essays

Stryker Corporation Case Essays Stryker Corporation Case Paper Stryker Corporation Case Paper Stryker Corporation Deciding whether to keep outsourcing or in-source PCBs Stryker Corporation has 3 different options regarding the supply of needed PCBs. Option 1: contemplates the fact of keeping the same suppliers but with significant changes in order to assure continuous supply of PCBs and quality. No investment is needed. Option 2: establishing a partner with a single supplier. This way there would be a sole supplier for Stryker established in a new facility near them, this would give more certainty and control over continuous supply and quality standards. Again, no investment is needed. Option 3: in-source the PCB’s, there is a project for investing and owning a plant for producing their own PCB’s, this way they would assure a continuous supply and have 100% control over quality standards. In this case, there is a big amount of capital that should be invested, which is needed to be analyzed in order to see whether it is viable for the company or not. The case present several information regarding expected production costs for in-sourcing and expected purchases for outsourcing. Since there is no projected information of Income Statement, then the only cash flow analysis that can be made is by comparing the efficiency gained by in-sourcing the PCBS compared to the costs of keep buying the PCBs. The case contemplates the projected comparison from 2004 to 2009 of the costs of buying PCBs from an external supplier and the costs of making the PCBs. What we will analyze is the positive cash flow that is derived from the cost improvement of making the PCBs compared to outsourcing them. The sum of these annual savings should be a positive cash flow for the company via a cost reduction. In Exhibit 2, the case presents the comparison of the costs incurred between outsourcing and in-sourcing the PCBs. The in source cost of production contemplates Depreciation Expense as a part of Fixed Cost, what we will do is subtract out of the Fixed Cost all of the Depreciation Expenses because they are not actually part of the cash flow, Depreciation Expense is only an Expense that is recognized because of the lost of value of Assets as Equipment, but it actually doesn’t imply an outflow for the company. Another thing to consider is the re investment in Assets such as Furnishings and non-manufacturing equipment, and Communication Equipment and IT infrastructure, both are expected to fully depreciate in 3 years, so there has to be a re investment of both assets. We will calculate the NPV, IRR and Payback Period, but we need to see the cash flow, but first we show the depreciation calculus: Cash Flow The payback period is less than 5 years; we can see it in the next graph, where the line crosses the X axis in the point 4. 7, which is the calculated payback period. We can see that the NPV is kind of low, but having control of the supply chain in terms of timing for the materials and the finished goods is a plus, also the quality would be higher as new equipment is more reliable and precise adding the strict manufacturing methods of Stryker Corporation, would achieve these results. About the IRR we can say that it is high compared to the contemporaneous interest rate data for the year 20 03, where the highest interest rate is 6. 8 for Moody’s Baa Long-term investment. This is also a good point for the project. We can conclude that the project for in-sourcing it’s a good option to be implemented as the financial calculation has showed us, Stryker Corporation also has the means to do that investment as 6 million is low compared to the 329 million that the company had in 2002, to avoid sourcing and quality problems in-sourcing is the best option.

Coordinating vs. Subordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating vs. Subordinating Conjunctions Coordinating vs. Subordinating Conjunctions Coordinating vs. Subordinating Conjunctions By Maeve Maddox When I received not one, but three emails telling me that I’d punctuated a sentence with because incorrectly, I decided I’d better write a post about adverbial clauses of reason. Here’s the example that drew the criticism: Incorrect: The famous author lives in a small town, because she doesn’t like the noise of a big city. †¨ Correct : The famous author lives in a small town because she doesn’t like the noise of a big city. Here are the objections I received: 1. Number five conflicts with my 11th grade English teachers rule.  Separate the two halves of a compound sentence with a comma.  Was she wrong? 2. I disagree with #5.  Two independent clauses should be separated by a comma.She doesnt like the noise of the big city. is an independent clause. Remove the word because and you have two sentences that can stand alone. 3. ERROR.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"she doesn’t like the noise of a big city† is also an independent clause, and the comma is required.  This is a compound sentence with â€Å"because† joining two independent clauses. The readers are perfectly correct about the rule for punctuating a compound sentence. Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction are separated by a comma: Polio would have stopped a lesser man, but Franklin was determined to follow his cousin into the White House. The conjunctions used to join independent clauses in compound sentences are coordinating conjunctions. The most common coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. A coordinating conjunction used to join clauses has only one function: it joins clauses of equal importance. Removing the conjunction between two independent clauses will leave two simple sentences whose meanings remain unchanged. They can stand alone as complete sentences. A subordinating conjunction, on the other hand, has two functions: it joins, and it shows a relationship between the clauses that it joins. Removing a subordinating conjunction defeats the purpose for which it exists. The subordinating conjunction because is used to introduce an adverbial clause of cause or reason. The fact that the author doesn’t like the noise of the big city explains why she lives in a small town. Adverbial clauses of reason are also introduced by the subordinating conjunctions since, as long as, as, inasmuch as, insofar as, and due to the fact that. Reminder: When the adverbial clause comes first in the sentence, it is followed by a comma. When the adverbial clause comes after the independent clause, there is (usually) no need for a comma. For example: Since you asked nicely, you may go to the library on Saturday. You may go to the library on Saturday since you asked nicely. Modern business style tends to reject lengthy conjunctions like inasmuch as and due to the fact that. Because, as, and since are the least wordy choices. Some speakers object to using since to introduce a clause of reason because since is also used to introduce clauses of time. Ordinary attentiveness to revision ought to be sufficient to avoid ambiguity with since. Here’s what The Chicago Manual of Style has to say about the objection to causal since: [Since] may relate either to time or to causation. Some writers erroneously believe that the word relates exclusively to time. But the causal since was a part of the English language before Chaucer wrote in the fourteenth century, and it is useful as a slightly milder way of expressing causation than because. But where there is any possibility of confusion with the temporal sense, use because. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Apply to, Apply for, and Apply withTop 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad)55 "House" Idioms

Examine a published research report which has been conducted about Essay

Examine a published research report which has been conducted about police management or management in a related field profession - Essay Example Best Value policing is also bringing in a major change in the daily routines of the forces and would need major organizational change management techniques. It is an acknowledged management concept that implementing new ways of working brings instability and uncertainty among workers if not managed well. The legislation required authorities to review all their services over five years and critically examine whether the service is needed in the first place comparing it with other competitive alternatives. Review findings must be published together with improvement actions and targets in an annual performance plan. The legislation deliberately did not provide what mechanisms and techniques are needed to provide best value but left it to local police and fire authorities along with other public service providers to decide ''how best to establish their strengths and weaknesses, how to benchmark; what consultation methods to use; how to produce and carry forward action plans; and so on.'' Early 1999, the home office working group on police performance and best value decided to develop briefing information on best value policing. There was a recognized need to draw on practical experiences in three formal best policing pilots authorities and on preparatory work in some departments the service. Most forces were at differing stages of their preparations, but it was clear that developments were moving at a very fast pace. Though authorities were adopting different methods of implementing best value, at a point, the approaches and preparedness was broadly converging. Authorities were mainly aiming to build on existing structures, systems and cycles rather than creating radical changes in their set ups. All forces were using the business excellence model in varying degrees though, as a self-assessment tool. Most forces were forming teams to oversee daily best value management details. There were signs that police authorities were developing closer working relationships. Despite these developments, there were some emerging concerns and challenges. Some of these were Forces were feeling challenged about

Games Workshop Group Plc Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Games Workshop Group Plc - Coursework Example There is a significant increase in ROE from 1.51% in 2008 to 14.3% in 2009. The reason behind this huge change is the amount of profits in two years. The company successfully generated ?5,432,000 in 2009 in comparison to ?446,000 only in 2008. Overall distributable profit/ loss from continued and discontinued operations is ?5,550,000 in 2009 and loss of ?446,000 in 2008. This net loss in 2008 is due to the fact that the group sustained loss from discontinued operation in 2008. Extraordinary Items As mentioned in the Note 11 in the financial statements, Games Workshop Group plc discontinued some operations in 2008 for which the group sustained a heavy loss of ? 1,186,000. The revenue from this operation was only ?1,308,000, and the total expenses were ? 2,414,000 excluding tax of ? 80,000. Contrary to this, the group in 2009, not only avoided loss on discontinued operation, but also successfully generated ?118,000 profit from these operations. Operating Profit Margin Operating profit margin has increased to 7.17% in 2009 from 2.31% in 2008. Major reason behind this increase is the boost in profit in 2009. The company earned ?9,014,000 operating profit as compared to ?2,552,000 in 2008. Although the sales have increased by 14% ((125,706-110,345)/110,345=14%), but the increase in operating profit is greater than the increase in revenue ultimately improving the operating profit margin. Gross Profit Margin The group has reasonably high gross profit ratio is both years. It has improved to 71.43% in 2009 as compared to 69.43% in 2008 which represent 2% change. The group has made efforts to control the cost of sales. It is very important to note that, there is a huge decline from gross profit to operating profit. Gross profit declined by 64.26% and 67.12% in 2009 and 2008 respectively and also the company is operating with significantly high operating costs. Group’s operating cost is ?84,244,000 and ?75,798,000 in 2009 and 2008 respectively. Assets Turnover Asse ts Turnover indicates how efficiently the company has used its assets in generating profits. It has increased to 1.79 times in 2009 from 1.63 times in 2008. This is because the sales volume has increased by a net of ? 15,361,000 in 2009 representing 14% increase, while the total assets have increased by a net of only ?2,414,000 which represents 2% increase. Interest Cover Due to improved profitability, Interest Cover has reached 5.17 times in 2009 from 1.55 times in 2008. There is a slight decrease in total finance cost in both years. It has decreased by a net of ?110,000. This is due to the fact that the group has lesser financial liabilities than previous years. The cost of loans and over draft has decreased from ?1,644,000 to ?1, 2,201,000 from 2008 to 2009 because the group has repaid ?5 million for the long term debt during the year. Balance Sheet Gearing Balance sheet gearing describes the degree to which the Group’s business activities are finance by the owner’s equity and the creditors (Ogilvie, 2008). It is good to see that the financial gearing has decreased from 37.6% to 24% in 2009. The reasons for this decrease are the increase in equity due to net profits and other reserves, and the decrease in financial liabilities because the group has repaid ?5 million against long term liabilities. Total financial liabilities decreased to ?12,002,000 in 2009 from ?17,792,000 in 2008. Similarly total equity increased to ?37,991,000 in 2009 from ?29,526,000 in 2008. Current Ratio Current ratio indicates the availability of the current assets to pay the current liabilities when they fall due (Brigham Eugene Foster, 2009). This is one of the commonly used indicators of the liquidity. In both years the group has very high

Games at twilight Essay Example for Free

Games at twilight Essay Both stories had an unexpected ending; in Games at Twilight this had a very sad, disappointing ending for Ravi, due to the fact that he expected to emerge victoriously from the shed after his ordeal, to find that he had not been missed. In Pineapple Cake, a certain twist in the story formed which was unexpected. Throughout the story the writer appeared to focus on Mrs Fernandez watching Victors behaviour in anticipation that he would show her up. I really expected Victor to do something that would have discredited his mother, but when the old man died it gave a twist to the events. I feel that the plot in Games at twilight, builds up an image of Ravi in his dilemma, by describing how he imagined many creatures were watching him, and how he felt about the other children, especially Raghu as he was much more dominating in character. This gave an insight to his feelings and thoughts, which build up his character. In Pineapple Cake, there is a lot of drama towards the end of the story when all the attention focuses from Victor to the old man who has died in the middle of the wedding ceremony. I feel that both these stories have different plots that lead onto the main events. Both stories give an insight into the minds of the children through their actions and observations. Each story is written about children, which includes their thoughts and feelings around the situation theyre faced with. In Games at Twilight, very little is given by direct comment about Ravi, only that he is small. Whilst he is in the shed the writer expressed how he felt by his reactions to the dark, spooky shed. He was frightened of this situation especially the creatures that may be watching him. In Pineapple Cake, Victor was described as being Nervous rather than rebellious child, this was perhaps true because of his bombastic mother who appeared to control him by bribery. Apart from his child like tendencies, I do feel that he was sensible as he demonstrated good behaviour in his mothers presence even thou he knew he may not get is reward. Both stories do have a sad ending. In Games at Twilight, Ravi wanted to make an impression on the other children, especially Raghu. These were destroyed when he came out of the shed and realised his insignificance amongst the other children. In Pineapple Cake, it also ended in a sad event. Victor endured a day in uncomfortable shoes and clothes and in a boring environment. At the end the death of the old man affected him so much that he was no longer interested in his promised pineapple cake. It appeared that Victors father was not present at this event. There is not much reference within the text describing his father, only Had his father brought him here on a Sunday outing, he could perhaps be working or not living with Victor and his mother. She dominated and insulted victor, saying Dont you go and wet your pants, man, This may have caused him to be withdrawn and quiet, but I do think that he is smart because throughout the story his mother promised him this cake and he knew she wasnt very reliable in keeping a promise. Games at Twilight gives little mention of the mother and appears to be centred on the children and their activities, Which is play. This is centred on their mischievous and noisy games and gives Ravi personal experiences and disbeliefs in the other children. In Pineapple Cake, the story is focused on a child and his mother, who are attending this posh wedding. In the whole story she comes across in a boisterous manner towards Victor. She believes she is important and was looking forward to Having tea at Greens, you know. From her attitude and feelings towards Victor, you are able to form a character of a women who was impatient, Well, come along, get dressed quickly yes, yes, and insensitive through the way she had Victors cake after the death and said I think wed better go now. Both stories express the frustrations of each child within the story. The writer does this by showing their inability to control each dilemma theyre faced with. I did enjoy Pineapple Cake, rather than Games at Twilight, as the plot had more humour to it and there was plenty of action. I could also feel an element of suffering for Victor during his stressful day. The end of the story came as a complete surprise to the reader. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Mary Shelley section.

The Benin Bronzes Essay -- Benin Brass Plaques

This essay deals with the nature of a cross cultural encounter between the Benin people and Portuguese traders in the 15th and 16th centuries, which resulted in the depiction of Portuguese figures in Benin brass plaques. It will propose that this contact between people with different cultures was on the basis of 'mutual regard' (Woods, K. 2008, p. 16), and although the Portuguese had qualms about idolatry in Benin it will show that assumptions by Europeans up to the 20th century of the primitive nature of tribal African societies was inaccurate with regard to the Benin people, who had a society based on the succession of the King or 'Oba', a Royal Family and Nobility. The essay will finally suggest that Benin’s increase in wealth following the arrival of the Portuguese led to a resurgence in bronze sculptures and the introduction of a new form, the rectilinear plaque. The plaque under consideration, is of a forward facing man, with an aquiline nose, thin lips, neatly trimmed beard, wearing a sun hat with flaps and looking intently at the viewer. He is dressed in a typical 16th century Portuguese style, wearing a decorated tunic with padded shoulders and tight breeches with short boots. He has a business like manner, carrying in his right hand a brass manilla, the main item of exchange with Benin, and a walking cane in the other. It is significant that he is not armed, clearly indicating he is safe in foreign surroundings. The background is pleasingly stylised with clusters of petals set against a stippled ground imbuing a secure feeling. It seems probable that Fernao Gomes, a Portuguese 'merchant adventurer' discovered the kingdom of Benin in 1474 (Wood, K. 2008, p. 8), seeking trading opportunities and looking for gold. The... ...best case for the retention of the British Benin sculptures is to accord them the unique status they deserve as exceptional artworks and exhibit them appropriately in a prestigious national art gallery, for everyone to appreciate fully. Works Cited Flinders, P. and Holman, K. and others, (2012) AA100 'Tutorial Forum Book 3, Weeks, 1 and 2' – Benin , online at http://learn.open.ac.uk/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=900850, accessed between 4 and 17 February, 2015. Loftus, D. and Wood, P. (2008), 'The Art of Benin: Changing Relations Between Europe and Africa II' in Brown, R. D. (ed.) Cultural Encounters (AA100 Book 3), Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp. 43-87. The Art of Benin, (2009), AA100 DVD ROM, Milton Keynes, The Open University. The Open University, (2008), AA100 Illustration Book (Plates for Books 3 and 4), Milton Keynes, The Open University.

Gatsby, Corruption of Wealth

Cold Cash Turns to Cold Hearts The 1920s’ was a hectic time period for many young and wealthy people living in New York City. Many entrepreneurs took advantage of these economic opportunities and profited greatly. Although, some took their wealth in strife, to benefit others, some people misused their new power. In the novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows how money and power are often abused. Gatsby never understood the genuine value of hard work. While Tom and Gatsby are talking, Gatsby exclaimed, â€Å"After that, I lived like a rajah in all the capitols of Europe† (Fitzgerald 65). Gatsby was constantly living the life of extreme leisure and luxury, having no responsibilities, and no problems. It is almost as if Gatsby is the â€Å"king† of West Egg, with his huge palace and nice cars. As an article states, Gatsby had â€Å"his white suit, silver shirt, and gold tie-his palatial house, his grand parties, his fancy automobile, his hydroplane, and his library of real books. †(Pauly) With endless amounts of materialistic items and fake friendships what is there to live for? Although Gatsby tells people that he had â€Å"inherited† his wealth, Nick believes he made the money a different and immoral way. When Nick and Gatsby travel to the city one afternoon, they meet a shady man who claims to be good friends with Gatsby. At first, Nick mistakes him for a businessman but, Gatsby explains â€Å"Meyer Wolfsheim? No, he’s a gambler†¦ He’s the man who fixed the World Series back in 1919† (Fitzgerald 78). Gatsby appears to be an honest man, but there is a shady and crafty to side to him as well. A quote from an article proclaimed, â€Å"Jay Gatz, whose ill-gotten wealth is acquired solely to gain acceptance into the sophisticated, moneyed world of the woman he loves, Daisy Fay Buchanan† (Telgen). When people picture a sleazy gangster they see someone who is dirty, probably poorly dressed. However, Thomas H. Pauly’s article demonstrates, â€Å"Jay Gatsby effectively overturned the dated assumption that gangsters were lowlifes from the Bowery and replaced it with an upscale figure who was enviably wealthy and fashionably stylish. † Judging someone based on their appearance can have its repercussions. The squalid acts Gatsby would do just to get rich is mind-boggling, the money can bring out the most deceptive people. Some people may speculate that money can buy happiness, friends, and security. However, in the end Gatsby ended up with nothing, when he sadly discovered that money cannot buy true love. When people obtain a large amount of money, they either spend it wisely and profit or â€Å"blow† it, spending on superficial possessions they do not need. Unfortunately, with obvious disregard for morals, ethics and even the law, there is a corruption of wealth and power in the novel The Great Gatsby and in modern society as we know.

Feminism and Misandry in Popular Culture Essay

Feminism is dead. What exactly do I mean? Feminism is meant to be about gender equality, but this is no longer true. Instead, feminism has become synonymous with misandry—the hatred of men. Men are society’s official scapegoats while women are portrayed as victims. Men are often penalized for the collective guilt of men throughout history, and women feel they deserve compensation for this perceived victimization in the past. While the early feminist movement ensured equal opportunity for women, it now serves women’s special interests. Popular opinion portrays men as violent and animalistic, while women are viewed as caring and matronly. This is a misnomer perpetuated by a gynocentric society. According to a 2003 study by the Domestic Violence Research Center, it is estimated that 6 million men are victims of domestic violence in Canada alone, accounting for nearly half of all instances of domestic violence. However, fewer than 100,000 cases of male domestic abuse were reported. While it is true that women make up a larger percentage of rape victims, one in thirty-three men is raped or attempted to be raped by a woman. Even more shocking is that less than 1% of all male rape cases are ever reported. Barbara Kay, a Canadian gender equalist, says that the disparity between the reported cases and estimated cases is†¦ â€Å"Due to cultural norms that require men to present a strong facade†¦ men are less likely to verbalize fear of any kind. † Further discrimination happens against fathers. It is commonly assumed that the best interests of the child coincide with the best interests of the mother, but this simply isn’t true. In the study conducted by Patrick Fagan and Dorothy Hanks published in The Child Abuse Crisis: The Disintegration of Marriage, Family, and the American Community, the most likely perpetrator of abuse to a child is the child’s mother. The father is the parent most likely to be the protector of children, and the same study found that the presence of a father greatly lessens the risk of child sexual abuse. Yet many child custody laws in Canada and the United States strongly favor women. Approximately 70% of all custody cases are awarded to women in Western culture, and this percentage drastically increases in America and in the South. Most significantly, though, is the guilt that men must endure. Masculine traits are considered shameful or low-brow, while feminine traits are viewed as refined or high-brow. Overt manliness is something likened to piggishness or idiocy. Male sexuality is depicted as lustful harassment, while female sexuality is flaunted as beautiful and elegant. The hatred of men has become so mainstream that even Hallmark—known for its politically correct sentiments—features cards reading â€Å"There are plenty of things easier than finding a good man†¦ Nailing Jell-O to a tree, for instance. † or â€Å"Men are scum†¦ Excuse me. For a second there, I was feeling generous. † Hallmark is not the only one making money off of popular prejudice: TV shows, books, comic strips and even the new media all pander to this sexist trend. Western culture is seen as the height of the civil rights movement. Great activists like Louisa G. Anderson and Susan B. Anthony revolutionized Britain, America and the rest of the world. Modern feminism, however, caters to the personal gain and special interests of women. Gender equality applies to men and women alike, despite efforts by feminist elitist to degrade and exclude the male gender. Men endure much of the same injustice as women. Misandry is of equal importance to misogyny, and should be treated with the same intolerance.

NMSQT Test Tips and Basic Information

NMSQT Test Tips and Basic Information The NMSQT Basics You may have heard of the Redesigned PSAT Test with the acronym â€Å"NMSQT† attached. When you heard it or saw it, you probably asked yourself a bunch of questions: What does the NMSQT stand for? Why is it attached to the PSAT? I thought that was just the test that demonstrated how you might score on the SAT. Why should I be concerned about this test? Why does everyone always have to use acronyms for multiple choice exams? If you want to know more about the PSAT -  NMSQT, I’m here to help. If you do not want to read more about it, then go read something else. What Is the NMSQT? The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is the exact same thing as the PSAT exam. That’s right – you only have to take the one test, usually during your sophomore and junior years of high school. So why the extra acronym? Well, this test provides you with two different outcomes: a National Merit Scholarship score and the PSAT score. So, what is the National Merit Scholarship? If the PSAT is qualifying you for it, you definitely should know what the stakes are. How To Qualify for the NMSQT First things first. Before anyone will ever look at your PSAT/NMSQT score, you have to have the following things going for you. Give yourself a point if you are: A U.S. citizen/intended U.S. citizenEnrolled full time in high schoolTaking the PSAT your junior yearCarrying a strong academic recordGoing to complete the NMSC Scholarship application Oh! One other small thing†¦you have to have  scored well on the darn test itself. There’s always a catch. The PSAT/NMSQT Score They Want   In order to determine your NMSQT Selection Index,  your Math, Reading, and Writing section scores (which fall between 8 and 38) are added and then multiplied by 2.  The PSAT NMSC Selection Index ranges from 48 to 228.   Math: 34Critical Reading: 27Writing: 32Your NMSQT Index Score Would Be:  186 A 186, however, would be way too low to qualify for a scholarship from the NMSQT. Each state has a minimum index score for eligibility, which starts at 206 for places like North Dakota and West Virginia, all the way up to 222 for New Jersey and the District of Columbia. So if you’re interested in the benefits of the National Merit Scholarship, you better prepare for the PSAT. The National Merit Process Scholarships usually involve cash, but there’s a process that happens behind the scenes before they’re handed out. Once you’ve taken the PSAT and receive your NMSQT index score back, one of three things can happen: Nothing. You didn’t score high enough to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Congrats. Go crawl in a hole somewhere and cry yourself to sleep.You become a Commended Student. You’re no longer in the running for the National Merit Scholarship, but since you impressed the selection committee with your score and academic record, you can still qualify for other scholarships sponsored by businesses and corporations.You qualify as an NMS Semi-finalist.  You made the cut, and hats off to you, because only 16,000 out of the 1.5 million who take the test actually make it this far. The semi-finalists will then be whittled down to 15,000 finalists. From there, 1,500 finalists will receive special scholarships from corporate sponsors, and 8,200 will receive the oh-so-coveted National Merit Scholarship. What Do You Get If You Receive the NMS? Fame. Maybe not the Brad Pitt kind, but the National Merit Scholarship Committee will release your name to the media for some pretty heavy exposure. You always wanted to be a star, right?Money. You’ll get $2,500 from the NMSC, and other scholarships from both corporate and college sponsors. In other words, your parents may have to find other uses for the gigantic Stafford Loan they just took out in your name, because you’ll have some cash coming in.Bragging Rights. Since only 0.5 percent of the PSAT-takers receive this illustrious scholarship, you can certainly brag about it for a while. Or at least until someone gets really irritated. That’s it. The NMSQT in a nutshell. Now go study.

The Architecture of El Tajin

The Architecture of El Tajin The once-magnificent city of El Tajin, which flourished not far inland from Mexicos Gulf Coast from roughly 800-1200 A.D., features some truly spectacular architecture. The palaces, temples and ballcourts of the excavated city show impressive architectural details like cornices, inset glyphs and niches. The City of Storms After the fall of Teotihuacan around 650 A.D., El Tajin was one of several powerful city-states that arose in the ensuing vacuum of power. The city flourished from about 800 to 1200 A.D. At one time, the city covered 500 hectares and may have had as many as 30,000 inhabitants; its influence spread throughout Mexicos Gulf Coast region. Their chief God was Quetzalcoatl, whose worship was common in Mesoamerican lands at the time. After 1200 A.D., the city was abandoned and left to return to the jungle: only locals knew about it until a Spanish colonial official stumbled across it in 1785. For the past century, a series of excavation and preservation programs have taken place there, and it is an important site for tourists and historians alike. The City of El Tajin and its Architecture The word Tajà ­n refers to a spirit with great powers over the weather, especially in terms of rain, lightning, thunder and storms. El Tajà ­n was built in the lush, hilly lowlands not far from the Gulf Coast. It is spread out over a relatively spacious area, but hills and arroyos defined the city limits. Much of it may once have been built of wood or other perishable materials: these have been long since lost to the jungle. There are a number of temples and buildings in the Arroyo Group and old ceremonial center and palaces and administrative-type buildings in Tajà ­n Chico, located on a hill to the north of the rest of the city. To the northeast is the impressive Great Xicalcoliuhqui wall. None of the buildings is known to be hollow or to house a tomb of any sort. Most of the buildings and structures are made of a locally available sandstone. Some of the temples and pyramids are built over earlier structures. Many of the pyramids and temples are made of finely carved stone and f illed with packed earth. Architectural Influence and Innovations El Tajin is unique enough architecturally that it has its own style, often referred to as Classic Central Veracruz. Nevertheless, there are some obvious external influences on the architectural style at the site. The overall style of the pyramids at the site is referred to in Spanish as the talà ºd-tablero style (it basically translates as slope/walls). In other words, the overall slope of the pyramid is created by piling progressively smaller square or rectangular levels on top of another. These levels can be quite tall, and there is always a stairway to grant access to the top. This style came to El Tajà ­n from Teotihuacan, but the builders of El Tajin took it further. On many of the pyramids in the ceremonial center, the tiers of the pyramids are adorned with cornices which jut out into space on the sides and corners. This gives the buildings a striking, majestic silhouette. The builders of El Tajà ­n also added niches to the flat walls of the tiers, resulting in a richly textured, dramatic look not seen at Teotihuacan. El Tajin also shows influence from Classic era Maya cities. One notable similarity is the association of altitude with power: in El Tajà ­n, the ruling class built a palace complexes on hills adjacent to the ceremonial center. From this section of the city, known as Tajin Chico, the ruling class gazed down upon the homes of their subjects and the pyramids of the ceremonial district and the Arroyo Group. In addition, building 19 is a pyramid which features four stairways to the top, on in each cardinal direction. This is similar to el Castillo or the Temple of Kukulcan in Chichà ©n Itz, which likewise has four stairways.   Another innovation at El Tajà ­n was the idea of plaster ceilings. Most of the structures at the top of pyramids or on finely built bases were constructed of perishable materials such as wood, but there is some evidence in the Tajà ­n Chico area of the site that some of the ceilings may have been made of a heavy plaster. Even the ceiling at the Building of the Columns may have had an arched plaster ceiling, as archaeologists discovered large blocks of convex, polished blocks of plaster there. Ballcourts of El Tajn The ballgame was of paramount importance to the people of El Tajà ­n. No fewer than seventeen ballcourts have been found so far at El Tajà ­n, including several in and around the ceremonial center. The usual shape of a ball court was that of a double T: a long narrow area in the middle with an open space at either end. At El Tajà ­n, buildings and pyramids were often constructed in such a way that they would naturally create courts between them. For example, one of the ballcourts in the ceremonial center is defined on either side by Buildings 13 and 14, which were designed for spectators. The south end of the ballcourt, however, is defined by Building 16, an early version of the Pyramid of the Niches. One of the most striking structures at El Tajin is the South Ballcourt. This was obviously the most important one, as it is decorated with six marvelous panels carved in bas-relief. These show scenes from the ceremonious ballgames including human sacrifice, which often was the result of one of the games. The Niches of El Tajin The most remarkable innovation of El Tajà ­ns architects was the niches so common at the site. From the rudimentary ones at Building 16 to the magnificence of the Pyramid of the Niches, the sites best-known structure, niches are everywhere at El Tajà ­n. The niches of El Tajà ­n are small recesses set into the exterior walls of the tiers of several pyramids on the site. Some of the niches in Tajà ­n Chico have a spiral-like design in them: this was one of the symbols of Quetzalcoatl. The best example of the importance of the Niches at El Tajin is the impressive Pyramid of the Niches. The pyramid, which sits on a square base, has exactly 365 deep-set, well-designed niches, suggesting that it was a place where the sun was worshiped. It was once dramatically painted to heighten the contrast between the shady, recessed niches and the faces of the tiers; the interior of the niches was painted black, and the surrounding walls red. On the stairway, there were once six platform-altars (only five remain). Each of these altars features three small niches: this adds up to eighteen niches, possibly representing the Mesoamerican solar calendar, which had eighteen months. Importance of Architecture at El Tajin The architects of El Tajin were very skilled, using advances such as cornices, niches, cement and plaster to make their buildings, which were brightly, dramatically painted to great effect. Their skill is also evident in the simple fact that so many of their buildings have survived to the present day, although the archaeologists who restored the magnificent palaces and temples surely helped. Unfortunately for those who study the City of Storms, relatively few records remain of the people who lived there. There are no books and no direct accounts by anyone who ever had direct contact with them. Unlike the Maya, who were fond of carving glyphs with names, dates and information into their stone artwork, the artists of El Tajin rarely did so. This lack of information makes the architecture that much more important: it is the best source of information about this lost culture. Sources: Coe, Andrew. . Emeryville, CA: Avalon Travel Publishing, 2001. Ladrà ³n de Guevara, Sara. El Tajin: La Urbe que Representa al Orbe. Mexico: Fondo de Cultura Economica, 2010. Solà ­s, Felipe. El Tajà ­n. Mà ©xico: Editorial Mà ©xico Desconocido, 2003. Wilkerson, Jeffrey K. Eighty Centuries of Veracruz. National Geographic 158, No. 2 (August 1980), 203-232. Zaleta, Leonardo. Tajà ­n: Misterio y Belleza. Pozo Rico: Leonardo Zaleta 1979 (2011).

Human Resource Information Systems Assignment (Please answer the

Human Resource Information Systems (Please answer the following 11questions) - Assignment Example SAP R/3 costs are associated with a number of variables. The timeframe will determine the total costs of maintaining, implementing and training procedures. Another variable is the number of people and hardware which will be required for the entire project. 2. Describe how existing history is extracted and imported to your system at conversion. Batch input is a major method to ensure the extraction and import of existing history. It is instrumental for transferring huge amounts of data (Rebstock & Knut, 45). The primary feature of this method is that it does not require maximum attention. Direct input is another method which is a modification of the batch input process. It helps to ensure efficient extraction and import of history. There are no additional fees related to the process of converting history in the SAP R/3 HR Module. The costs are included in the standard package that includes installation, configuration, and maintenance of the system. 4. Define the historical information your system maintains and how long it is available to your customers. Historical information is maintained in an efficient and effective manner by SAP R/3. This is done by integration with specific databases in the system. It can be used to ensure availability of data to clients for a long period. SAP R/3 has a dynamic employee self-service functionality system. It improves productivity and output while creating a responsive system. Information accessibility has been significantly enhanced through this feature. The organization can reduce costs through the display of relevant and appropriate information. This creates a true paperless environment that eliminates the costs associated with paper (Hernandez, Martinez & Keogh, 56). Personal information about remunerations and bonuses can be accessed by employees. Finally the system helps to streamline and automate the HR systems. SAP R/3 HR Module can