Role of energy in the body Essay Example for Free

Role of energy in the body Essay Energy is necessary to circulate blood, lymph and tissue fluid throughout the body; it is necessary for breathing and taking in oxygen; it is necessary for making new cells for carrying out growth and repair; it is used to transmit nerve impulses so that it can respond to changes in the environment; and it is needed to build different complex molecules such as enzymes and hormones from the simple molecules produced after digestion of food. Cardiovascular system The heart is a muscular pump which forces blood around the body through a system of blood vessels, namely arteries, veins and capillaries. Blood carries dissolved oxygen to the body cells and at the same time removes the waste products of respiration, carbon dioxide and water. However, blood is also important in distributing heat around the body, along with hormones, nutrients, salts, enzymes and urea. It is important that the blood flows in only one direction through the heart so it is supplied with special valves to ensure that this happens. Blood pressure The force blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels it is passing through is known as the blood pressure (BP). It can be measured using a special piece of equipment called a sphygmomanometer. Blood vessels Arteries and arterioles Arteries leave the heart and supply smaller vessels known as arterioles which, in turn, supply the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries. Arteries usually carry oxygenated blood. The exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical arteries carrying, respectively, blood to the lungs and placenta in pregnancy for oxygenation. The digestive system The alimentary canal is a tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. It is dilated, folded and puckered in various places along its length. Many glands are associated with the alimentary canal, and have important roles to play in digestion. When food is taken into the mouth it is mixed with saliva, chewed or masticated by the action of the tongue and teeth, rolled into a small ball known as a bolus, and swallowed. This process is called mechanical digestion and is an important part of physically breaking the food down at an early stage. The salivary glands Three pairs of salivary glands pour their secretions known as saliva into the mouth. Saliva, a digestive juice, contains an enzyme known as salivary amylase, which begins the digestion of carbohydrates as well as lubricating the mouth and helping bolus formation. The stomach The stomach is the widest part of the alimentary canal. Food can stay in the stomach for up to three hours, with a protein meal remaining the longest and food not containing protein passing through relatively quickly. During this time, the strong stomach walls roll and churn the food around and pour on secretions from the gastric glands The ileum The remainder of the small intestine, known as the ileum, is mainly concerned with the absorption of the now fully digested food. It is specially adapted for this by: †¢ long length. †¢ folded interior. †¢ lining covered in many thousands of tiny projections called villi. †¢ epithelial cells of villi covered in microvilli, projections so small that they can only be detected using an electron microscope. The liver The liver is a large dark-red organ. It has a multitude of vital functions in the body, one of which is to produce bile. Bile contains no enzymes at all, but it provides important bile salts that cause the emulsification of fats (lipids) in the duodenum The pancreas The pancreas is a slim, leaf-shaped gland, located between the intestines and the stomach, close to the duodenum. It secretes enzyme-rich pancreatic juice as well as alkaline salts needed to neutralise the acidic secretions from the stomach. Pancreatic enzymes go to work on all three macronutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrate) and are important agents for the complete breakdown of the complex food molecules into amino acids, glucose and similar simple sugars, fatty acids and glycerol. Major products of digestion -Peptides and amino acids are nitrogenous compounds. Sugars -Glycerol and fatty acids – glycerol is used for energy or reconverting fatty acids into a form of fat which can be stored. -Fat is stored under the skin and around organs where it forms a long-term energy store to be used after glycogen stores are depleted. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=4osMUZqXDv4Cpg=PA223lpg=PA223dq=circulate+blood,+lymph+and+tissue+fluid+throughout+the+body;+it+is+necessary+for+breathing+and+taking+in+oxygen;+it+is+necessary+for+making+new+cells+for+carrying+out+growth+and+repair;+it+is+used+to+transmit+nerve+impulses+so+that+it+can+respond+to+changes+in+the+environment;+and+it+is+needed+to+build+different+complex+molecules+such+as+enzymes+and+hormones+from+the+simple+molecules+produced+after+digestion+of+food.source=blots=H2vrAem_qwsig=Hm34STuu06FNY2oXXPVbgrRVjzwhl=ensa=Xei=55fQUNTWHPSS0QX72oDoBQved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepageq=circulate%20blood%2C%20lymph%20and%20tissue%20fluid%20throughout%20the%20body%3B%20it%20is%20necessary%20for%20breathing%20and%20taking%20in%20oxygen%3B%20it%20is%20necessary%20for%20making%20new%20cells%20for%20carrying%20out%20growth%20and%20repair%3B%20it%20is%20used%20to%20transmit%20nerve%20impulses%20so%20that%20it%20can%20respond%20to%20changes%20in%20the%20environment%3B%20and%20it%20i s%20needed%20to%20build%20different%20complex%20molecules%20such%20as%20enzymes%20and%20hormones%20from%20the%20simple%20molecules%20produced%20after%20digestion%20of%20food.f=false

Django Unchained (2012) Film Analysis Postmodernism

Django Unchained (2012) Film Analysis Postmodernism Django Unchained (Tarantino, 2012) set in Texas in 1858, deals with a variety of issues such as race, slavery, revenge and violence. The film sparked controversy worldwide and amongst critics. Filmmaker Spike Lee talks about the film during an interview with Vibe magazine: All Im going to say is that its disrespectful to my ancestors. Thats just me. Im not speaking on behalf of anybody else (2012). Tarantino argues that although the film is indeed graphic and brutal, it does not compare to the real-life discoveries and findings from the research into this topic. The film sugar coats the violent happenings, as it leaves out factual gory details: We all intellectually know the brutality and inhumanity of slavery, but after you do the research its no longer intellectual any more, no longer just historical record you feel it in your bones. It makes you angry, and want to do something Im here to tell you, that however bad things get in the movie, a lot worse shit happened (Child, 2013). Django Unchained is a gruesome depiction of what life as a slave was like during 1858 pre-civil war Texas, as well as a glimpse of existence outside the slave industry such as in Dr. King Schultzs (Christoph Waltz) case or the wealthy Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). It is a highly entertaining film which simultaneously disturbs and thrills, while also incorporating a healthy dose of humour throughout. The purpose of textual analysis is simply to critically analyse a piece of cinema. As a research method, it can be used to deconstruct the aim or overall meaning of the film. Focusing on elements such as narrative structure, exposition, narrative voice and editing is important when using textual analysis. Mise-en-scene, setting, colour, tone, costume, props and lighting all play important roles in the examination process. A textual analysis approach allows the text to be thoroughly studied, for example, looking for patterns/relationships, finding the key/central themes and symbolic significance, as well as the ways in which the audience engage with the text, for instance, if an audience feel sympathy or pleasure towards a certain part of the film. Monaco discusses the importance of visuals, describing that it is useful, even vital, to learn to read images well so that the observer can seize some of the power of the medium (2000, p.159). I intend to examine the ways in which Django Unchained can be viewed as a postmodern text. Postmodernism is a critique of modernism, the idea that there is no set genre or structure; no absolute truth: Post-Modernism is fundamentally the eclectic mixture of any tradition with that of its immediate past: it is both the continuation of Modernism and its transcendence (Jenks,1996). Jean Baudrillard talks about simulation, simulacra and hyperreality. Baudrillard argues that the audience live in an artificial world, drawn in by images and media; this is not reality and leads to hyperreality: Images are no longer the mirror of reality, they have invested the heart of reality and transformed it into hyperreality, where from screen to screen, the only aim of the image is the image. The image can no longer imagine the real because it is the real; it can no longer transcend reality, transfigure it or dream it, since images are virtual reality. In virtual reality, it is as if things had swallowed their mirror (Zurbrugg, 1997, p.12). Disneyland is an example of this as the fine line between reality and fantasy is unclear. Postmodern cinema contains a variety of features such as intertextuality, non-linear narratives, referentiality and pastiche. Frederic Jameson talks about the importance of pastiche in postmodern films: Pastiche is, like parody, the imitation of a peculiar or unique, idiosyncratic style, the wearing of a linguistic mask, speech in a dead language. But it is a neutral practice of such mimicry, without any of parodys ulterior motives, amputated of the satiric impulse, devoid of laughter (Jameson, 1991). Django Unchained demonstrates features of postmodern theory and this is often the case with Tarantinos work, as described by Rehling: Tarantino is generally considered the postmodern filmmaker par excellence due to his penchant for intertextual allusions (2010, p.203). The film follows the story of a bounty hunter (previously employed as dentist) Dr. King Schultz, who is searching for a trio of men named The Brittle Brothers. Schultz understands that Django (Jamie Foxx) is familiar with the brothers as he was once a slave to them, and realizes he must free Django for him to assist Schultz on the journey. Schultz mentors Django, and offers to pay him for his services while helping Django to live as a free man. The pair begin finding and killing various wanted men. Django explains he wishes to rescue his wife Broomhilda Von Shaft (Kerry Washington), and is determined to find her. Schultz agrees to help Django on his mission to release Broomhilda, who they later discover is a slave of Calvin Candie at his plantation CandieLand. The two men begin their journey to CandieLand and adopt a strategy in the hope to free Djangos wife. The film has been described as a spaghetti western due to the amount of violence involved as well as a Blaxploitation film. The main hero of the film is Django, a black character, and this contrasts with other 19th century Western movies where the central hero is often white, such as John Waynes character in The Searchers. It is also uncommon for a German character to be shown as the hero in this film genre. Djangos main goal is to locate and save Broomhilda from the slave trade. Although the film is violent in nature, comic relief is used throughout, for example, when Broomhilda faints at the sight of Django after he says Hey little troublemaker, to which Schultz replies you silver tongued devil, you. Pastiche is apparent when the Klansmen are preparing for a raid. The men bicker over the quality of the masks provided for them and this allows the spectator to laugh or poke fun at the characters. Humour is used as a tool to help the audience cope with gory imagery and the overall neg ative themes. Hyperreality is evident in Django Unchained as the film mimics a fictional world. Schultz tells Django about the famous German myth concerning a princess named Broomhilda who is held in captivity by a fierce dragon, until she is finally saved by her hero. This relates to Djangos main objective to free his wife and adds to the fairy-tale notion. Calvin Candies estate is referred to as CandieLand which has rather positive connotations however the harsh reality is that CandieLand is where Broomhilda and other slaves are kept as prisoners. Another aspect of postmodernity within Django is the intertextuality used, such as the reference to other films. The 1966 film Django is referenced firstly with the films title and actor Franco Nero (1966 Django) plays a cameo role. During Django and Schultzs time within the Candie mansion, Nero asks Django how he spells his name. Django replies that the letter d is silent, to which Nero replies, I know. It then becomes evident why Neros character is i mportant and his presence may spark curiosity in the viewer. In addition, Broomhilda Von Shaft is a reference to the Blaxploitation film Shaft. The soundtrack within the film is somewhat mismatched, combining a variety of different genres, and this seems unusual due to the historical period when Django is set. Costume design stands out greatly, especially during the scene were Schultz encourages Django to pick his own clothes. His first freedom outfit is extravagant and the blue suit imitates to the famous painting The Blue Boy (Gainsborough, 1770). This mimicking effect encourages a postmodern feel, and the notion of bricolage or that nothing is infinite; everything in existence is a copy of itself. Gender in cinema is significant and Django Unchained represents gender in different ways. Laura Mulvey (1975) talks about the male gaze: The determining male gaze projects its phantasy on to the female figure which is styled accordingly. In their traditional exhibitionist role women are simultaneously looked at and displayed, with their appearance coded for strong visual and erotic impact so that they can be said to connote to-be-looked-at-ness (Mulvey, 1975, p.62). Mulveys theory can be applied to Django Unchained as the female characters do not have demanding roles or are depicted as damsels in distress. Mulvey talks about woman as image, man as bearer of the look (1975, p.62) implying the notion that female characters are admired by a male audience solely down to their physical appearance. The male characters keep the film moving forward as Django and Schultz lead the story, while supporting males are crucial to the plot such as Calvin Candie and Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson). The viewer may appreciate the visuals provided by the female however can relate more to the male characters: Voyeuristic visual pleasure is produced by looking at another (character, figure, situation) as our object, whereas narcissistic visual pleasure can be derived from identification with the (figure in the) image (Smelik, 2001, p.9). Throughout Django, the female image is displayed in soft lighting, encouraging a sense of beauty and romanticism. During these moments, for example, the hallucinations Django has of Broomhilda, the viewer appreciates the imagery and momentarily shifts away from the narrative, as the female characters appearance tends to work against the development of a story line, to freeze the flow of action in moments of erotic contemplation (Mulvey, 1975, p.62). Although Broomhilda is incredibly important to Django, her character alone is not of importance. We witness Broomhilda being whipped and beaten however it seems we are not so concerned about her wellbeing but more so the way in which this affects Djangos actions. There is an underlying notion that the women in the film are the property of the male characters (Broomhilda belongs to Django, Lara Lee (Laura Cayouette) belongs to Calvin Candie, etc.). The female characters have little dialogue compared to the male characters, implying the idea that they should be seen and not heard. It can however be argued that Broomhilda is strong and independent, due to the fact she has endured endless torture and suffering since Django has been apart from her. In addition, she has attempted to escape CandieLand without the help of Django. Mulvey describes female objectification: Woman displayed as sexual object is the leit-motif of erotic spectacle: from pin-ups to strip-tease, from Ziegfeld to Busby Berkeley, she holds the look, plays to and signifies male desire (1975, p.62). At CandieLand, Schultz asks for alone time with Broomhilda due the fact she is fluent in German. Django had predicted earlier that she was being used as a comfort girl (a slave for sex). There is the suggestion that Schultz is expecting a sexual encounter with Broomhilda and this view is held by everyone at CandieLand aside from Django. It becomes apparent that the women are sexual objects for men and this should not be questioned but rather expected. Schultz realises that if he does not pretend this is indeed his intention with Broomhilda, there may be suspicions about him and Djangos presence. We see Broomhilda being removed from the hot box, as she is naked and continues to scream. This contrasts with the next time Broomhilda is seen; she has been dressed up to appear beautiful and presentable for Schultz emphasising the idea that her purpose is only to be looked at and her performance from earlier is unacceptable. Lara Lee is shown in a similar way, as she often appears doll-lik e and attractive, wearing elaborate dresses. She acts elegant and polite around the male characters, as though to impress them. Laura Lees behaviour relates to the idea of fetishism and the notion of these women being hyper-polished: Fetishizing the woman deflects attention from female lack and changes her from a dangerous figure into a reassuring object of flawless beauty (Smelik, 2001, p.11). Sadism is introduced in the film; this is the belief that the woman should be punished or forced to seek forgiveness within the narrative. An example of this is during the scene when Broomhilda is asked to undress and reveal her scars to the group of men in the room. Candie is determined to remind Broomhilda of her place at CandieLand, ensuring she and those in the room understand that Broomhilda belongs to him. He has branded her physically with these scars, and she has evidently been punished through such torture. She is also continuously being punished through the fact she must show herself to these men. Once Djangos identity is discovered, he wakes up to realise he has been tied upside down. A man enters, explaining he is to be castrated using a hot knife. This scene stands out as the man reveals he has received these orders from Lara Lee. This highlights male fears around the female presence; the woman is viewed as a danger or threat as well as male anxiety regarding castration. Classic cinema solves the threat of castration in one of two ways: in the narrative structure or through fetishism (Cook Bernink, 1999, p.354). The black male characters are objectified in Django Unchained, for example, during the Mandingo fighting scene. Candie demands these black slaves to fight one another, for his own pleasure. The men are dressed with little clothing and like the females, do not have any dialogue in the film nor are they given names. They are simply there to be looked at; for Candie to witness them fighting. The men often grunt throughout, implying the notion that they are animals or beasts used only to fight, as though they are being trained like dogs, which also dehumanizes them. The audience observe the fight from Candies objectifying point of view with minimal flashes of Django or Schultzs reactions, to restore the understanding of how cruel this act is. Within Candies dining room, a marble statue of two naked men fighting can be seen. Once Schultz meets Broomhilda and explains the escape plan to her, Django appears at the door however he is filmed in a seductive manner. The camera begins at Djangos feet and slowly moves upwards, scanning over his entire body. This allows the viewer to look at Django and examine him closely before dialogue is heard, and technique is unusual as it would normally be used for a female character: There is, in other words, a specific and even ritualized form of male objectification and eroticization in Hollywood cinema (Weems et al., 2010, p.83). There may be a somewhat homoerotic relationship between Candie and his loyal and oldest house slave Stephen. Stephen always supports Candie and appears desperate to please him or win his respect. Stephen is not afraid to disagree or argue with Candie, which is evident when Django arrives and Stephen is appalled that he has the same rights as a white man. Candie states that he grew up in a house full of niggers, which portrays that Stephen has perhaps raised Calvin and a further reason behind their closeness. Within CandieLand, Stephen has not suffered or been tortured in the same way other slaves have, and thus sees Django as a threat to his position. It can be argued that Stephen may be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome or has simply become brainwashed as his life at CandieLand is all he has ever known. To conclude, Django Unchained is a well written film which deals with an array of issues throughout. The film is evidently postmodern in nature, as it presents aspects of postmodern theory such as intertextuality. It can be argued that Mulveys argument relating to the male gaze is apparent due to the representation of female characters in Django, and the way in which they differ from the male characters, for example, having little dialogue or action/purpose within the films narrative. Male objectification however also manifests itself in Django, and thus the sexualisation of both genders is noticeable. References Bealer, T. (2013) Did Quentin Tarantinos Feminism Take a Step Backwards in Django Unchained? [Online] Available: http://www.genderfocus.com/2013/01/07/did-quentin-tarantinos-feminism-take-a-step-backwards-in-django-unchained/ [Accessed: 9 March 2017]. Child, B. (2012) Django Unchained Wins Over Black Audience Despite Spike Lee Criticism. The Guardian. 3 January. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jan/03/django-unchained-spike-lee [Accessed: 8 March 2017]. Cook, P. and Bernink, M. (1999) The Cinema Book. 1st ed. London: British Film Institute. Doyle, H. (2010) Gender, Sadism, and Masochism in the Works of Wilkie Collins. [Online] Available: http://vc.bridgew.edu/undergrad_rev/vol6/iss1/34 [Accessed: 7 March 2017]. Gainsborough, T. (1770) The Blue Boy. [Oil on Canvas 178 x 112cm] Henry E. Huntington Art Gallery, San Marino. Haastrup, H. (2014) Storytelling Intertextuality. Film International. Vol.12(1), pp.85-97. Jameson, F. (1991) Postmodernism, Or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism. 1st ed. Durham: Duke University Press. Jencks, C. (1996) What Is Post-modernism? 4th ed. Michigan: Academy Editions. Monaco, J. (2000) How to Read A Film. 1st ed. New York: Oxford University Press. Mulvey, L. (1975) Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Screen. [Online] Vol.16(3), p.62. Available: https://www.asu.edu/courses/fms504/total-readings/mulvey-visualpleasure.pdf [Accessed: 9 March 2017]. Rehling, N. (2010) Extra-Ordinary Men. 1st ed. Lanham: Lexington Books. Smelik, P. (2001) And the Mirror Cracked. 1st ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Tarantino, Q. (dir.) (2012) Django Unchained. [DVD] The Weinstein Company. 166 mins Weems, C., Berger, M., Wallis, B. and Watson, S. (2010) Constructing Masculinity. 1st ed. New York: Routledge, p.83. Zurbrugg, N. (1997) Jean Baudrillard, Art and Artefact. 1st ed. London: Sage.

Theseus Athens Great Hero :: essays research papers

Theseus Athens Great Hero At birth Theseus an unknown father. His mother , Aethra , was friendly with both Poseidon and Aegeus (Hunt 3-6). Before Theseus was born Aegeus said to Aethra ." If we are to have a son , when he is grown have him take my sword and sandals from under this boulder to me ," then he was off to Athens. Theseus was born in a small town called Troezen and grew up there, in a normal way. When Theseus was old enough Aethra took Theseus to the boulder where the sandals and sword were and told him what Aegeus had said. Theseus lifted the giant boulder with ease and immediately wanted to go to Athens. He insisted on going by land even though it is much more dangerous for there are thieves and he did not want to heed his mother's warnings. So he was off to Athens on foot to meet his father. On the journey Theseus met many thieves and out whited every one of them from asking to see there nice weapons and using them agents the thieves to seeing what they were trying to do to him and using that to hurt or usually kill them. Either way Theseus showed courage and wisdom in his quick thinking that would make him a great hero that would be remembered for many years to come. The first day in Athens Theseus started looking for Aegeus' castle but what he did not know was that Aegeus was ,at the time, under the power of a sorcerer by the name of Medea. She could see the power in him from afar and saw that he would take her power so she told Aegeus to kill him. At this time either Aegeus nor Theseus knew that they were related. Media told Aegeus to invite Theseus to a party or ball coming in the near feature and to poison his drink. Aegeus poisoned his drink and gave it to Theseus. Just before Theseus drank the wine Aegeus dashed the glass to the ground for he had just recognized his sword. Aegeus and Theseus became good friends and lived together for a time. One day Theseus saw ships with black sails coming and heard that there were taking 20 people to the labyrinth where they would be killed by a monster called the Minitor. Theseus had to stop this annual occurrence and went on the boat and promised if he lived to change the sails from black to white to tell Aegeus that Theseus was alive.

Epic of Beowulf Essay - Shields in the Epic Poem, Beowulf

Shields in the poem Beowulf      Ã‚  Ã‚   Shields, a defensive weapon mentioned in the poem Beowulf, include a variety of compositions from wood to iron; and this is wholly in accord with archaeological finds. There are a considerable number of references to shields in the poem, making this topic a very relevant one to consider.    â€Å"Weapons could be heirlooms, and royal treasuries and armories still preserve arms and weapons from earlier days, so imagination in this area need not be confined to contemporary artifacts (304),† says Catherine M. Hills in â€Å"Beowulf and Archaeology.† Before turning to the archaeological evidence, let’s look at the Beowulf poem, where one finds copious references to shields. As Beowulf and his party approach the Danish land:    From high on a wall  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   the Scylding watchman whose duty it was  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   to guard the sea-cliffs saw glinting shield-bosses  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   passed hand to hand down the gangplank,  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   an army’s war-gear (229-32)    The Scylding watchman is still talking:    Never more openly  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   have warriors landed when carrying shields,  Ã‚   and you have no leave from our men of battle, agreement with kinsmen (244-6)    Beowulf explains to the ship-guard:    We come with good heart  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   to the land of the Danes, to seek out your lord,  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   the son of Healfdene, shield of the people (267-9)    By the time the Geats arrived at Heorot, they were tired and had to sit down:    The sea-weary men  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   set their broad shields, spell-hardened rims,  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   against the high wall, eased down on benches (325-27) ... ... – the Sutton Hoo ShipBurial.† In Beowulf: The Donaldson Translation, edited by Joseph F. Tuso. New York, W.W.Norton and Co.: 1975    Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A dual-Language Edition. New York: Anchor Books, 1977.    Clark, George. Beowulf. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1990.    Cramp, Rosemary. â€Å"Beowulf and Archaeology.† In TheBeowulf Poet, edited by Donald K. Fry. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1968.    Hills, Catherine M. â€Å"Beowulf and Archaeology.† In A Beowulf Handbook, edited by Robert Bjork and John D. Niles. Lincoln, Nebraska: Uiversity of Nebraska Press, 1997.    â€Å"Shields.†   The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. New York: Columbia University Press, 2000. www.bartleby.com/65/.    Stanley, E.G.. â€Å"Beowulf.† In The Beowulf Reader, edited by Peter S. Baker. New York: Garland Publishing, 2000.

Mafia Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Mafia way of life may seem like a romantic updated version of the western movie played out on the streets of the big cities where the good guys and the wise guys who share the same instincts and values do battle before an enthralled public but it is actually very different. The Mafia is really just a group of uneducated thugs making money by victimizing the public. Initially, the Mafia was setup as a prominent supplier of bootlegged liquor, but it has spread into many different areas of crime. During this research paper I will discuss three aspects of the Mafia which are crime, structure and decline in leadership. The Mob siphons off public funds, rigs contracts, corrupts unions which many hard working people with legitimate jobs are a part of, smuggles drugs, and runs illegal gambling rings. These are some of the ways the Mob negatively affects our community and harms innocent citizens. Any illegal activity that brings in big money the Mafia is part of. Union corruption has been the primary focus of many federal investigations and by the end of the 1980’s, four unions, the Teamsters, Longshoremen, Laborers, and Hotel and Restaurant Employees union, had all been identified as mob dominated. Not only does the mob find money makers in the United States, they finds ways to bring money to them from other countries. Alien smuggling generates more than $3 billion a year for the mob. Mobsters will kill without remorse and threaten anyone who won’t go along with what they are doing. To keep free from the arm of the law "corrupters nullify the law-enforcement and political processes primarily by outright bribery and other rationally designed forms of ‘influence’ such as contributions to political campaigns and promises to deliver votes in a particular area." One might think that corruption and bribery is not a problem, but one noted political analyst suggests that "the underworld" contributes 15 percent of the 3 costs of local and state political campaigns which causes one to think that the mob may have a strong hold on many powerful politicians. Mafia involvement with legitimate business’s affects the public in many ways. Respectable bankers have become unwitting allies to the Mafia and most of the securities stolen in the United States during the last two decades are lying safely in the vaults of respectable banks, hypothecated for legi... ...ol. 5. Boca Raton: SIRS, 1997. Art. 29. McGarvey, Robert. "Global Organized Crime." American Legion Feb. 1996: 16. Crime. Ed. Trudy Collins. Vol. 5. Boca Raton: SIRS, 1997. Art. 64. McKillop, Peter. "The Last Godfathers?" Newsweek 6 Feb 1989: 25. Mueller, Tom. "Cosa Nostra." The New Republic 15 Apr. 1996: 17-18. Norland, Rob. "The ‘Velcro Don’: Wiseguys finish last." Newsweek 13 Apr. 1992: 34-35. Pistone, Joseph D., and Richard Woodley. "Undercover with the Mafia: ‘Respect’ Was the Watchword." Palm Beach Post 10 Apr. 1988: 1E. Crime. Ed. Trudy Collins. Vol. 4. Boca Raton: SIRS, 1993. Art. 8. Reid, Ed. The Grim Reapers. Chicago: Henry Regnery Company, 1969. Reuter, Peter. "The decline of the American Mafia." Public Interest Summer 1995: 89-99. Crime. Ed. Trudy Collins. Vol. 5. Boca Raton: SIRS, 1997. Art. 49. Viviano, Frank. "The New Mafia Order." Mother Jones May-June 1995: 45-54. Vulliamy, Ed. "Mafia INC." World Press Review Dec. 1992: 11-16.

CASE STUDY ON FINANCIAL ENGINEERING THE ENRON FRAUD

At one clip Enron was one of the universe ‘s largest manufacturers of natural gas, oil, and electricity. A It besides appeared to be one of the most profitable companies, taking stockholders from $ 19.10 in 1999 to $ 90.80 by the terminal of 2000. A Enron ‘s top direction answered to a Board of Directors whose duty was to inquiry and dispute new partnerships, ventures, and determinations within the company. A On several occasions, Andrew Fastow, the company ‘s Chief Financial Officer approached the board of managers with new investing partnerships which the board approved with really small oppugning. A Some of these partnerships created a struggle of involvement due to the fact that Fastow was non merely pull offing the partnerships, but he was besides an investor in an outside entity that took portion in purchasing and selling assets with Enron. A Fastow was able to make and pull off several of these partnerships while still keeping his function as CFO of Enron. A This was due to the regulation set in topographic point by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( FASB ) which states, â€Å" if an outside investor puts in 3 per centum or more of the capital in a partnership, the corporation, even if it provides the other 97 per centum, does non hold to declare the partnership as a subordinate. A Therefore, assets and debt in the partnership can be withheld from the corporation ‘s balance sheet. † A With this regulation and the many partnerships Fastow created, Enron did non hold to declare the assets and debts from these partnerships, hence concealing 100s of 1000000s of dollars in losingss and debt. A The board of managers nevertheless did non see Fastow ‘s interaction with the partnerships to be a serious job due to the fact that the fiscal addition potency to Enron was great. A In fact Enron had a 65 page codification of moralss that was given to all employees. Enron was a kid of the deregulated energy markets in the lat e eightiess. Before so, most public-service corporations were publically provided, and Enron realized it could turn a net income by selling and merchandising these public-service corporations. Sometime around 2000, Enron began merchandising through the cyberspace, a revolution in the industry. The job was that this scheme required a perpetually high portion monetary value. Thus, Enron ‘s scheme shifted from energy trading to portion monetary value as the company ‘s primary focal point. Most experts believe that it was around this clip that Enron began utilizing fiscal technology to maintain its portion monetary values high and keep a high net income on the books. To make this, Enron in kernel â€Å" leveraged itself through debt, which it used to turn its non-core sweeping energy operations and service concern by maintaining most of this debt from looking on the balance sheets with luxuriant fiscal technology. When the stock monetary value began to fall, though, these same off balance sheet entities ended up downgrading Enron ‘s recognition evaluation. Suddenly, Enron was in over its caput — it could non borrow money due to its low recognition evaluation, nor could it utilize its ain money to transact concern, because it did non really have any. In fact, Enron had kept such a monumental sum of debt off the books — plenty to restrain every plus Enron claimed and so some — that the company merely imploded under its ain weight.Enron: The Nigerian Barge DealEnron Corporation was an energy company based in Texas and created when InterNorth acquired Houston Natural Gas Company in 1985. Enron ‘s growing was fast, it was named America ‘s Most Advanced Company † for six back-to-back old ages and it shortly became the 7th largest company in the United States, until its bankruptcy was declared in 2001. Accounting fraud, money laundering and confederacy are some of the charges which Enron stood accused of in a series of dirts that eventually came to a caput in the largest bankruptcy in history. One of these dirts was named the Nigerian Barges instance ( [ Fleischer1, 2005 ] ) . Enron tried to sell an involvement in three power-generating flatboats in the seashore of Nigeria unsuccessfully. When Enron failed to sell it by December of 1999, Merrill Lynch, one of the universe ‘s taking fiscal direction and consultative companies, agreed to purchase that involvement. That dealing was closed at the terminal of December 1999, and hence Enron could book about 12 million dollars in net incomes that twelvemonth and meet gaining marks. But the dealing was a fraud ( [ Kirkendall, 2005 ] ) . The chief job with this trade was that Merrill Lynch acted merely as a temporal purchaser to assist Enron look more profitable than it truly was. Enron ‘s Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow promised verbally to Merrill Lynch that Enron would purchase back the flatboats at a determined net income within six months, or Enron would happen a 3rd company to make so. This fact turned the dealing to be a simple loan, and non a true sale, as Enron claimed. Enron ‘s nonsubjective with this dealing was non other than doing its fiscal statements look better so that it could better the income statement and so, for case, borrow money from Bankss and the populace at a lower involvement rate, or merely pay the executives in Enron indefensible fillips. The thought, announced in 1999, was that Enron would construct gas-fired power workss near Lagos. Estimated costs put the undertaking at about $ 500 million. Before the chief works was built, Enron would get down providing power from three 30-megawatt barge-mounted workss firing either oil or gas, harmonizing to a 1999 article in Global Power Report, mentioning an Enron spokesman. The flatboats were to get down operation every bit early as the autumn of 1999, though programs had non been finalized. The initial study was that Enron would get down building, likely in the first half of 2000, and finish the underta king in 22 months. For Nigerians, the undertaking was of import because, though Africa ‘s largest state is rich in energy resources, it faced relentless power crises and blackouts. By September, the cost estimation for the new power composite was up to $ 800 million. Enron was committed to financing it and to put ining an associated 175 mile-long, 24-inch diameter, offshore natural gas grapevine to provide the works. By February 2000, seemingly before any building, the trade was already confronting political jobs, harmonizing to Global Power Report. The contracts were called into inquiry by the World Bank, Nigeria ‘s national public-service corporation, the National Electric Power Authority and other Nigerian provinces. The World Bank reportedly said the trade should hold been competitively command and that the concluding contract was excessively favourable to Enron. Even before anything happened in the manner of providing energy, Enron was selling pieces of its trade to Merrill Lynch. That dealing and Merrill ‘s speedy sale of its involvement back to an Enron-related entity is at the bosom of the condemnable allegations. Industry deregulating besides caused new jobs for Enron which, for the first clip, needed to hold a strong competitory focal point. Enron knew that it could win in a deregulated environment merely if it were the lowest cost manufacturer or if it could separate its merchandise from the competition. The latter would look to be a frustrating end, when the merchandise is defined as a trade good like natural gas. Enron ‘s direction was fighting with how to explicate a scheme that would give clients what they wanted and develop a sustainable advantage in this new environment. They needed to happen a manner to â€Å" box † natural gas molecules, dependable bringing, and predictable monetary values such that it could specify a clear merchandise line and pass on the company ‘s alone accomplishments. Ques:1 What are the ethical issues involved in this instance? Ques: 2. What are the exposure profile for Enron ‘s clients with regard to natural gas monetary values? What are the exposure profiles for Enron? Ques: 3. What suggestions do you hold for Enron?Summary OF THE CASE:The Financial Engineering encompasses the design, analysis, and building of fiscal contracts to run into the demands of endeavors. † Thus we can state that Financial technology is the phenomenon which facilitates the process/ merchandise invention in the fiscal industries which will assist in heightening the stockholders ‘ wealth. The basic motivations in traveling for fiscal technology are as follows: Reducing liability on the balance sheet, or Reducing disbursal on income statement, or Increasing gross on income statement, or Increasing tax write-offs on revenue enhancement returns Companies normally go for fiscal technology to cut down their hazard liability and accretion of debt in the balance sheet. The range of fiscal technology includes the followers: Investing Banking Corporate Strategic Planning Hazard Management Primary and Derivatives Securities Evaluation Fiscal Information Systems Management Portfolio Management Security Trading The instance that we have chosen here will be explained from one facet out of the many countries covered under the range of fiscal technology that is â€Å" Corporate STRATEGIC Planning † . This construct shall be explained in the context of EnronaˆÂ ¦.which has been regarded as the biggest fraud in history. Under Corporate Strategic Planning Scope the company has used Financial Engineering to be-fool the the stakeholder of the company. In corporate strategic be aftering one really of import determination includes â€Å" Strategic ALLIANCE † which the companies follow for carry throughing their strategic every bit good as fiscal motivations. Enron has excessively did the same thing. Enron was created by a merge between Houston Natural Gas and Inter north. Houston ‘s Natural Gas ‘s CEO Kenneth Lay headed the amalgamation of the two companies. Kenneth Lay became the CEO of Enron. Enron was originally entirely involved with the distribution and transmittal of electricity and gas in the United States. In the amalgamation, Enron incurred a big sum of debt, and as a consequence of deregulating, no longer had sole rights to its grapevines. The company had to happen a manner to bring forth net incomes and hard currency flow. Kenneth Lay hired Jeffrey Skilling to work for Enron as an comptroller. Skilling suggested the pattern of purchasing gas from a web of providers and selling it to consumers at a fixed monetary value with a contract. Enron was interested in the enlargement, edifice, and operation of grapevines, power workss, and other substructure worldwide. After merely a twelvemonth of operation Enron merged with a company called Spectrum Seven, a compa ny whose president and CEO is the former president of the United States, George W. Bush. In 1999, Enron tried to spread out their company by making the Azurix Corporation, a H2O public-service corporation company. Enron was named â€Å" America ‘s Most Advanced Company † by Fortune magazine from 1996 to 2001. Enron was on Fortune ‘s â€Å" 100 Best Companies to work for In America † in 2000. The company ‘s hereafter appeared to be bright and assuring continued success. One of the really of import issue which led to the ruin of Enron was Nigerian Barge trade which was chiefly done to victimize the Govt and the stakeholders. Enron had promoted that it is come ining into a trade with the Nigerian Barge Fieldss of supplying energy human dynamos at that place. . For Nigerians, the undertaking was of import because, though Africa ‘s largest state is rich in energy resources, it faced relentless power crises and blackouts. The trade was a strategy to â€Å" park † Enron ‘s assets to bolster its net incomes and that no hazard was transferred to Merill Lynch in the trade because of an â€Å" unwritten ‘handshake ‘ side trade † by Enron to buy back the flatboats back from Merill or happen another suited purchaser. It was a fake that allowed Enron to illicitly book about $ 12 million in pretax net income, when in fact there was no existent sale and no existent net incomes. The function of Merill Lynch in this whole thing has been questionable since they have deviated from their basic responsibility and helped them in indulging into deceitful activities. Alongwith this instance and many others Enron had to atlast file for bankruptcy and it has been a affair of great concern for the US Govt. since one of its major investing bankers were involved in the instance.Question:Ques:1 What are the ethical issues involved in this instance?Autonomic nervous system: Enron showed a dainty image in forepart of the Nigerian Govt. Nigeria had abundant resources but lacked in expertness to use them expeditiously. Enron promised them to supply them expertise but it was merely a manner to â€Å" park † their assets. They wanted to conceal their earlier frauds and unethical manner of net incomes ( black money ) . The most unethical portion was that they were playing with their codification of behavior and puting a bad illustration for the remainder of the corporate. Butone of the board members of Merrill Lynch bl ew the whistling and the aureate image of Enron was tarnished.Ques: 2. What are the exposure profile for Enron ‘s clients with regard to natural gas monetary values?Ans. It has been identified that Enron ‘s jobs were non in its energy operations, but from â€Å" dot com † investings and in some foreign subordinates. Enron was originally entirely involved with the distribution and transmittal of electricity and gas in the United States. But after the amalgamation and the deregulating in the US, people could now entree gas at subsidised rate. This reduced its monopoly over the distribution of natural gas. But it had a strong political backup. The company ‘s connexion to George W. Bush, and Houston ‘s local political relations has received much attending in the recent yesteryear. In 1986, Enron was involved with Bush ‘s company in joint boring for oil. It has been said that George Bush and Kenneth Lay even shared good friendly relationship dealingss . That is why the company ever enjoyed some kind of shelter even after making unethical patterns. The clients did non hold any pick except for buying at the monetary values offered by Enron.Ques: 3. What suggestions do you hold for Enron?Ans. The lone suggestion that we have for Enron is that it should accept its error and apologise for its fraud. This can be one manner of recovering its image. Another option would be to counterbalance the Nigerian Barge Govt. so that it may experience that Enron is truly atoning on its error of working the abundant resources of Nigeria which remained unutilized.SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE CASEStrengthStrong political backup ( Bush & A ; Houston Govt. ) Good repute with fiscal establishments ( Merrill Lynch )FailingCertitude and extra dependance on its dependable resources Lack of support from top direction executives in strategic planning determinations ( window dressing of the histories at in-between degree )OpportunityRecover their lost energy because of clients assurance in them Promoting themselves in such a manner that the trade was fundamentally done to supply the client services at lower rates and non to conceal any corporate dirt.MenaceIt becomes hard to recover the lost image even if the company goes for â€Å" n † no of CSR as the expression goes â€Å" 1 dissatified client will state 30000 people whereas 1 satisfied client will state merely 3 † . So the company functionaries can good conceive of in what quantum their image or trade name equity has tarnished.CRITICAL APPRAISALThis is non the first cozenage or fraud for which Enron has been alleged. Previously it had been into spotlight when it created a bogus SPV ( SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE ) to pull strings their histories. They have created a false SPV ( Particular Purpose Vehicle ) to reassign all their losingss to that entity. It was fundamentally done to change over their ruddy balance sheet into a rose-colored one. Strong political backup and everlasting support from the taking fisca l establishments urged Enron to go on these frauds since they believed that Govt will come to its deliverance in instance it faces any job. Enron had non merely misused the options available through fiscal technology for their ain motivations but in a manner destroyed the state ‘s image besides because they were stand foring US Corporate civilization in Nigeria. So the state ‘s unity besides was at interest. The approaching companies can larn a lesson in two ways – 1. They may be encouraged to make such kind of frauds since Govt come for deliverance ( negative motive ) 2. It may put an illustration for them non to reiterate such an act in future. ( positive motive ) . In Indian context it is really of import to larn a lesson because we have been top ranked in Corporate cozenage this twelvemonth.

Over Coming Fear

General Purpose To affirm Specific Purpose To inform my earreach of the fin characteristics that enable nauticals to vote stamp appear consternation. primordial Idea There are quintet characteristics of the leatherneck corps that help marines deluge fears. Introduction Many oceanics do non like to admit when they are scared. around dont ever give sensation. But every mavin gets scared at more or less point in their life. It could be something as simple as getting a passing grade on a test or assignment.It could be as extreme as being dissipate of an elite squad of ground throb shipboard soldiers who are getting ready to reverberate in doors or go in to rescue a sniper squad that has been pinned down by enemy fire. How do you theorise you would feel? Scared? Maybe a little intimidated? Heart speed maybe? Today I am going to inform you about the naval army corps Principles for overcoming fear. I get out suck up and identify for you, the five characteristics th at enable Marines to drown fear every day. Those virtues are counterbalance, motivation, Esprit de army corps, morale, and proficiency. content over the years has acquired at least three different meanings punishment, obedience, and self- direct. 1 shed you ever been in a pip that you knew you were doing something wrong, but you decided to do it leastwise? Did you ever hear that little phonate in the back of your head petition you What if you get caught? What will this do for your early if you do get caught? Military localize is no different than that of any major(ip) sport, or at a university academically. If you do something that disrupts the good order of the system, there will be repercussions.There are several(prenominal) forms of punishment in the U. S. Marine Corps, ranging from an free counseling to being dishonorably process for your actions. Obedience among military personnel is a result of the training that they wealthy person get throughout their career s. You do non involve to become blindly obedient and close minded in the Marine Corps. Doing much(prenominal) may result in the carrying out of improper or illegal orders. 2 True obedience implies exercising discipline as an active thinking subroutine player and using proper judgment to figure if a situation is justified.Self-control is doing what is right(a) even when no one(a) is watching. You contract to be able to control your emotions in situations that may ca manipulation a common individual to panic. Fear is the enemy of discipline. 3 Using self-control will go forth you to harness your fear and channel that emotion towards accomplishing the mission at hand. * innovation on with discipline, proficiency as a Marine is required for any member of the Marine Corps to accomplish their specific designates. advancement is defined as the technical, tactical and personal ability of the individuals in a unit to accomplish a given mission. cosmos proficient in your M OS is to know what to do how to do it the right way and headspring-educated how to solve a situation should a problem arise. universe proficient as a Marine, involves assigning that you puke accomplish the basic operating procedures required. Transition Being proficient in your job as a Marine rifleman as well as your MOS, gage give you the motivation to go above and beyond what is expect of you. pauperization can be exposit as wanting to set and achieve the highest goals possible.Wanting to get a ameliorate score on a PFT is an exemplification of wanting to uphold the high standards set by the Marine Corps. Using fear as motivation to accomplish your task is a perfect example of self-control. Transition They are fontd with impossible odds, and I have no valid antecedent to substantiate it, but I have a feeling they will bear the enemy. I realize my expression of consent is unsound, but these Marines have the swagger, confidence, and hardness that must(prenominal) hav e been in Stonewall Jacksons soldiery of the Shenandoah. 4 Esprit de Corps is present when units show a degree of pride, vigor, and gumption. Have a strong competitive spirit with otherwise Marines. Training with other Marines to better one another, shows competitiveness, cohesion, and helps you become more proficient as a Marine enabling you to bastinado your fear of any task or situation. Show pride in the floor of the Corps and observe its many traditions. 1. taking a walk through the topic Museum of the Marine Corps and mmersing yourself in our chronicle and learning about those that came before you can strengthen the esprit de corps within yourself. 2. card of traditions such as the Marine Corps birthday shows your recognition of the important role Marines have played in forming the united States of America into the country it is today. Transition plot esprit de corps shows the enthusiasm the unit expresses for the Marine Corps, morale depends on a Marines carriage t owards everything that affects them. Morale is an individuals press out of mind.High morale gives the Marine a feeling of confidence and well-being that enables them to face hardship with courage, endurance, and determination. 6 Indicators of morale can be either positive or negative Personal appearance and hygiene. Motivation during training. A request for transfer. The usage and twist around of drugs and alcohol. 7 Summary By demonstrating these five aspects which are discipline, motivation, esprit de corps, morale, and proficiency, you are showing yourself and others how to overcome the obstacle of fear.As a Marine you need to be able to pack others while being able to control your fear. By channeling your emotions, you will find it easier to accomplish the mission at hand. Fear is not an option it is a crutch the weak use to lean upon. We as Marines are not weak. References 1. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps value A Users quarter for news leaders. Apendix E pageboy 15-45 Fo undations of leadership. carve up one. 2. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps value A Users Guide for discussion leaders. Apendix E page 15-45 Foundations of leadership. paragraph two 3.MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps value A Users Guide for discussion leaders. Apendix E page 15-46 Foundations of leadership. paragraph one 4. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A Users Guide for discussion leaders. this patient of of war, t. r. Fehrenback page 12-37 5. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A Users Guide for discussion leaders. page 21-36 paragraph two 6. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A Users Guide for discussion leaders. page 15-8 subparagraph A 7. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A Users Guide for discussion leaders. page 15-8 paragraph 2