Thursday, August 27, 2020

The Alfred Hitchcock Signature in his Films, Shadow of a Doubt and Vertigo :: Movie Film Essays

The Alfred Hitchcock Signature in his Films, Shadow of a Doubt and Vertigo All chiefs of significant movies have explicit styles or marks that they include their work. Alfred Hitchcock, perhaps the best executive ever, has an especially one of a kind style in the manner he makes his movies. Film analyzers group his unmistakable style as the â€Å"Alfred Hitchcock signature†. Hitchcock’s marks fluctuate from his appearance appearances to his depiction of a particular character. Two ideal instances of how Hitchcock actualizes his notorious â€Å"signatures† are in the films, A Shadow of a Doubt and Vertigo. In these motion pictures, various models show how Hitchcock only builds up his creative mind in his movies. One significant property in Hitchcock films is the means by which imaginatively Hitchcock deceives the crowd about the destiny of the characters and the grouping of occasions. Numerous individuals contend that it is a strategy by Hitchcock to shock his crowd so as to expand the anticipation of the film. For instance, in Shadow of a Doubt, the crowd accept that youthful Charlie is a blameless little youngster who adores her uncle truly. Anyway as the film advances, Young Charlie isn't as honest as the crowd suspects. Youthful Charlie, when a guiltless kid, winds up executing her detestable uncle. In Vertigo, a similar Hitchcock guile happens. First and foremost, the crowd has the feeling that the Blond ladies is controlled by another lady who is attempting to slaughter her. The crowd additionally has the thought that the criminologist is a cheerful man who will fathom the homicide case accurately. Not long before the film closes, the crowd understands that the analyst was explicitly r ecruited by a man to slaughter his significant other. The analyst, at long last, is by all accounts the miserable, tragic casualty. In these films, there are likewise marks of Hitchcock that show multiplying.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

How Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Works

How Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Works In the mission for ever-improving eco-friendliness and outflows decrease, an old and promising thought has discovered new life. HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) innovation has been around for quite a while yet has as of late got restored consideration and energy. While the early years saw numerous inconceivable (at that point) impediments whose answers would just come as refined PC controlled gadgets were formed and developed into solid advancements, progress slowed down. Time has, as it generally does, did something amazing and about each issue has been unraveled. HCCI is a thought whose opportunity has arrived with about the entirety of the parts and bits of innovation and expertise set up to cause a genuine to go of it. What is HCCI? A HCCI motor is a blend of both traditional sparkle start and diesel pressure start innovation. The mixing of these two structures offers diesel-like high productivity without the troublesome and costly to manage NOx and particulate issue emanations. In its most fundamental structure, it just implies that fuel (gas or E85) is homogeneously (altogether and totally) blended in with air in the burning chamber (very much like an ordinary flash touched off gas motor), however with a high extent of air to fuel (lean blend). As the motors cylinder arrives at its most noteworthy point (top right on target) on the pressure stroke, the air/fuel blend auto-touches off (suddenly and totally combusts with no sparkle plug help) from pressure heat, much like a diesel motor. The outcome is the best of the two universes: low fuel use and low outflows. How Does HCCI Work? In a HCCI motor (which depends on the four-stroke Otto cycle), fuel conveyance control is of foremost significance in controlling the ignition procedure. On the admission stroke, fuel is infused into every chamber ignition chamber by means of fuel injectors mounted legitimately in the chamber head. This is accomplished autonomously from air enlistment which happens through the admission plenum. Before the finish of the admission stroke, fuel and air have been completely presented and blended in the chambers burning chamber. As the cylinder moves back up during the pressure stroke, heat starts to work in the ignition chamber. At the point when the cylinder arrives at the finish of this stroke, adequate warmth has amassed to cause the fuel/air blend to unexpectedly combust (no sparkle is fundamental) and power the cylinder down for the force stroke. In contrast to traditional sparkle motors (and even diesels), the ignition procedure is a lean, low temperature and flameless arrival of vitality over the whole burning chamber. The whole fuel blend is scorched at the same time creating comparable force, yet utilizing considerably less fuel and discharging far less emanations all the while. Toward the finish of the force stroke, the cylinder switches heading again and starts the fumes stroke, yet before the entirety of the fumes gases can be emptied, the fumes valves close early, catching a portion of the dormant burning warmth. This warmth is safeguarded, and a little amount of fuel is infused into the burning chamber for a pre-charge (to help control ignition temperatures and discharges) before the following admission stroke starts. Difficulties for HCCI A continuous formative issue with HCCI motors is controlling the ignition procedure. In customary sparkle motors, burning planning is effortlessly balanced by the motor administration control module changing the flash occasion and maybe fuel conveyance. Its not about so natural with HCCIs flameless burning. Ignition chamber temperature and blend arrangement must be firmly controlled inside rapidly changing and thin edges that incorporate parameters, for example, chamber pressure, motor burden and RPMs and choke position, surrounding air temperature limits and environmental weight changes. A large portion of these conditions are made up for with sensors and programmed acclimations to in any case ordinarily fixed activities. Included are singular chamber pressure sensors, variable water driven valve lift and electromechanical phasers for camshaft timing. The stunt isnt to such an extent as getting these frameworks to fill in as it is getting them to cooperate, rapidly, and over a huge number of miles and long stretches of mileage. Maybe similarly as trying however will be the issue of keeping these propelled control frameworks reasonable. Focal points of HCCI Slender burning returns 15 percent expansion in eco-friendliness over a regular flash start engine.Cleaner burning and lower discharges (particularly NOx) than an ordinary sparkle start engine.Compatible with gas just as E85 (ethanol) fuel.Fuel is copied speedier and at lower temperatures, decreasing warmth vitality misfortune contrasted with a customary sparkle engine.Throttleless enlistment framework takes out frictional siphoning misfortunes brought about in conventional (choke body) sparkle motors. Inconveniences of HCCI High chamber pressures require more grounded (and progressively costly) motor construction.More constrained force run than a traditional flash engine.The numerous periods of ignition attributes are troublesome (and increasingly costly) to control. Unmistakably HCCI innovation offers prevalent eco-friendliness and discharges control contrasted with the customary reliable sparkle start fuel motor. Whats not really certain yet is the capacity of these motors to convey these qualities reasonably, and, likely more significantly, dependably over the life of the vehicle. Proceeded with headways in electronic controls have brought HCCI to the incline of functional reality, and further refinements will be important to drive it to the brink into regular creation vehicles.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Blog Archive MBA Admissions Myths Destroyed My High GMAT Score Will Get Me In!!

Blog Archive MBA Admissions Myths Destroyed My High GMAT Score Will Get Me In!! So you have taken the GMAT and exceeded even your highest expectations, scoring at the very top of the scale. Congratulations! But please do not assume that earning such a high score means you can relax with respect to the other components of your application. Every year, applicants who have scored 750 or even higher are rejected from their target business schoolsâ€"even when their GMAT score falls within the top 10% of the schools’ range. And many of these candidates were rejected because of a fatal, but ultimately avoidable, mistake: they got overconfident and assumed their GMAT score alone would get them in. “You are more than your GMAT score or the sum of your years of work experience. We may admit students who have lower GMAT scores because they are amazing in all other aspects of their candidacy. We may also deny candidates with very high GMAT scores because they are one-dimensional and are not as competitive on those other important dimensions.” So said Liz Riley Hargrove, the associate dean for admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, in an exclusive interview with mbaMission. The business schools are interested in hearing about your ambitions, accomplishments, leadership skills, teamwork experience, perseverance, motivation, integrity, compassion … and the list goes on. Fundamentally, admissions committees need to be able to determine whether you will be a vital and contributing member of their community, and your GMAT score tells them only that you can do the work. Heed our adviceâ€"even (or especially!) those of you with a 780â€"and commit yourself to the rest of your application with the same enthusiasm with which you approached the GMAT! Share ThisTweet Admissions Myths Destroyed Blog Archive MBA Admissions Myths Destroyed My High GMAT Score Will Get Me In!! So you have taken the GMAT and exceeded even your highest expectations, scoring at the very top of the scale. Congratulations! But please, do not assume that earning a score that high means you can relax with respect to the other components of your application. Every year, applicants who have scored 750 or even higher are rejected from their target business schoolsâ€"even when their GMAT score falls within the top 10% of the schools’ range. And many of these candidates were rejected because of a fatal, but ultimately avoidable, mistake: they got overconfident and assumed their GMAT score alone would get them in. “I joke sometimes that I relish nothing more than rejecting people that have a 780 on the GMAT, because they come with the 780 GMAT and think they’re golden, and they don’t have to worry about anything else on the application. Well, you do. There are all these other pieces of information that we ask for, and you have to make sure that you are strong across the board.” So said Jonathan Fuller, senior associate director of admissions at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, in a recent online chat. Rossâ€"as well as every other business schoolâ€"wants to learn a lot more about you than your GMAT score alone can convey. The MBA programs are interested in hearing about your ambitions, accomplishments, leadership skills, teamwork experience, perseverance, motivation, integrity, compassion … and the list goes on. Fundamentally, admissions committees need to be able to determine whether you will be a vital and contributing member of their community, and your G MAT score tells them only that you can do the work. Heed our adviceâ€"even (or especially!) those of you with a 780â€"and commit yourself to the rest of your application with the same enthusiasm with which you approached the GMAT! Share ThisTweet Admissions Myths Destroyed

Monday, May 25, 2020

Hamlet to Be or Not to Be Soliloquy Analysis Essay

The To Be or Not To Be speech in the play, Hamlet, portrays Hamlet as a very confused man. He is very unsure of himself and his thoughts often waver between two extremes due to his relatively strange personality. In the monologue, he contemplates whether or not he should continue or end his own life. He also considers seeking revenge for his father’s death. Evidence of his uncertainty and over thinking is not only shown in this speech, but it also can be referenced in other important parts of the play. The topic of Hamlet’s soliloquy is his consideration of committing suicide. Throughout the speech, it is obvious that Hamlet is over thinking and wavering between two different extremes: life and death. Whether tis nobler in the†¦show more content†¦The dread of something after death, The undiscovered country from whose bourn No traveler returns, puzzles the will (3, 1, 78-80) and keeps people from choosing death due to the fear of the unknown. His entire monologue compares the two extremes: life and death. He analyzes both situations and thinks very much about the consequences of either action. This occurs not only in this speech, but also later in the play, and demonstrates that Hamlet’s indecisive personality is his fatal flaw. Hamlet does not only have a hard time choosing between life and death. He also can not choose between murdering Claudius or not. Even though Hamlet wanted to kill his uncle, he was terrified of the possible consequences and could n ot make a concrete decision. Consequently, he ended up procrastinating greatly with the murder. Hamlet knows that he over thinks everything. He plans to kill Claudius because of his desperate desire to avenge his father’s death and right the wrong that was committed, but cannot go through with his plan due to his confusion and uncertainty. He says, Whether it be Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple of thinking too precisely on thevent -A thought which quartered hath but one part wisdom And ever three parts coward -I do not know Why yet I live to say this things to do (4, 4, 39-44). He sees himself as either being a coward and as over thinking his actions to delay the murder, instead of killing Claudius when he had the chance.Show MoreRelatedHamlet Soliloquies and Their Analysis1527 Words   |  7 PagesHAMLET’S SOLILOQUIES THEIR ANALYSIS In the course of the play, Hamlet has seven long soliloquies. The first of these occurs before he has seen the Ghost. In this soliloquy, Hamlet reveals the grief that has been gnawing at his mind. He wishes that religion did not forbid suicide so that he could kill himself and be rid of this grief. He feels disillusioned with the world. â€Å"How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, Seem to me all the uses of this world†. He deplores (condemns) theRead MoreHamlet Soliloquy Analysis1404 Words   |  6 PagesSoliloquies in Hamlet Soliloquies are used by writers because they offer the reader or audience the opportunity to know more about the character, his true self and inner thoughts, as well as pieces of information that cannot be revealed through a normal conversation between characters. Shakespeare uses this method with his characters very often to provide a deeper understanding of his characters, and Hamlet speak seven of this, being each one necessary and important for the plot development. EachRead MoreHamlet Soliloquy Analysis968 Words   |  4 Pagesfamous work undoubtedly goes to Hamlet’s â€Å"To be or not to be.† The soliloquy is a speech of despair, anger, and suffering. Hamlet deals with profound concepts and philosophical ideas. Questioning the righteousness of life over death, making death desirable and powerful. The speech covers an idea we all refuse to acknowledge, humans bear the burden and labor of life only to avoid the unknown mysteries of death. For such a powerful sol iloquy, converting it to films needs a brilliant directing; with outstandingRead MoreHamlet Soliloquy Analysis Essay524 Words   |  3 PagesHamlet Soliloquy Analysis As Act I of Shakespeares Hamlet concludes, a conversation between the protagonist Hamlet and the ghost of his deceased father, King Hamlet occurs. In response to the ghosts request for Hamlet to take revenge, Hamlet shares his thoughts with the audience in a soliloquy. Through vows and promises, Hamlets oral reaction to the Kings request exposes his full will for revenge. In addition, Hamlets word-choice begins to exhibit the blind passionRead MoreHamlet Soliloquy Analysis1089 Words   |  5 Pages In Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, Shakespeare portraits the transition from a young mindset to a more mature one in Hamlets My thoughts be bloody soliloquy. (iv.iv 34-69) Shakespeare uses Hamlet to show us the role maturity plays in the human decision making process. The soliloquy can be seen as a call to action, Hamlet shifts from inaction to action and stops making excuses. He was always intelligent but didn’t have the ability to make decisions in proper time. He over thought and frustratedRead MoreHamlet Soliloquy Analysis899 Words   |  4 PagesHamlet’s Soliloquy There are various ways in which an author can target their audience, though in the Elizabethan Era one might do so differently than in present day. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet delivers a speech in which all those who watched could relate to. Before Hamlet was exiled to England he encountered the captain of Norway’s army and learned of their plan to attack a small patch of Poland’s land. The land was worth nothing to neither Norway or Poland yet both took up arms toRead MoreHamlet Soliloquy Analysis769 Words   |  4 PagesIn Act 1 Scene 2 of Hamlet, Prince Hamlet delivers his first soliloquy after formally obeying his mother and uncle’s request to stay in Elsinore. The purpose of this soliloquy is to express Hamlet’s frustration and antipathy towards his mother’s marriage with his uncle, as well as other aspects of torment, ultimately admitting to the distress and upset this marriage has inflicted upon him. The author utilises to ne by word choice to emphasise Hamlet’s anguish, frustration, and anger. In addition,Read MoreHamlet Soliloquy Analysis Essay2074 Words   |  9 PagesThis soliloquy by Hamlet is where he first devises the plan of the â€Å"Mouse Trap† (Act III, scene 2). It begins with Hamlet describing how he has heard that people can be overcome with guilt and remorse of their â€Å"malefactions† that they openly proclaim them, when viewing a scene of a play similar to that of their crime. As a result of this Hamlet resolves to set a trap for Claudius, in which he will watch a play that has a scene closely resembling the murder of Old King Hamlet. Hamlet reasons thatRead MoreHamlet Soliloquy Analysis Essay626 Words   |  3 PagesHamlet, the main character of William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, is one of the most complex characters ever created. His intricacy can be seen in the amount of soliloquies he speaks throughout the play. Each one of Hamlet’s soliloqui es reveals his innermost thoughts and gives the reader or audience insight as to what he is feeling at that time. Hamlet’s quartet of soliloquies illustrates how Hamlet is initially indecisive, but eventually makes a decision to take revenge against his uncle. In Hamlet’sRead MoreEssay on The Use of Soliloquy in Shakespeares Hamlet1175 Words   |  5 Pages A Soliloquy is a dramatic convention, in which the character stands alone on stage, speaking. Originally it was a plot device, to enable a character to tell the audience what he planned to do next, for example, in the course of revenge. But the device is heightened in Shakespeare as it enables a character to reveal the amp;#8216;inner soulamp;#8217; to the audience without telling the other characters. It is usual that one discovers more of a character from a soliloquy than from the action of

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Sample Common Application Essayâ€Topic of Your Choice

Alexis chose option #7 for her Common Application essay. This is the popular topic of your choice option on the 2018-19 application. The question asks, Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one youve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. The other six essay options on the Common Application give applicants so much flexibility that it is rare for a topic not fit elsewhere, but in some cases the topic of your choice is indeed the best choice. This is true for Alexiss essay below. Sample Essay on the "Topic of Your Choice" Option My Hero Harpo In middle school, I took part in an essay competition where we had to write about one of our strongest role models—who they were, what they did, and how they had influenced us. Other students wrote about Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, George Washington, etc. I, the youngest of five sisters and one of the quietest people in the school, chose Harpo Marx. I did not win the competition—to be honest, my essay wasn’t very good, and I knew that, even at the time. I had bigger, better things to worry about, though. I was taking swimming lessons, and was terrified of discovering a shark in the deep end. I was making little hats for my dog Alexa, which she did not appreciate. I was busy working on a clay chess set in art class, and learning how to garden with my grandmother. I’m getting off-topic, but my point is: I didn’t need to win a competition or write an essay to feel validated. I was learning who I was, and what was important in my life. Which brings me back to the Marx Brothers. My great-uncle was a big old-movie buff. We’d go over to his house most mornings during summer vacation, and watch Philadelphia Story, The Thin Man, or  His Girl Friday. My favorites, though, were the Marx Brothers’ films. Duck Soup. A Night at the Opera (my personal favorite). Animal Crackers. I can’t logically explain why I found these particular movies so hilarious and entertaining—there was something about them that not only made me laugh, but made me happy. Now, of course, watching those movies again, I’m reminded of those summer mornings, and of being surrounded by the people I loved, unconcerned with the world outside, that adds another layer of appreciation and joy. The brothers each brought their own unique humor to the pictures, but Harpo—he was perfect. The hair. The wide ties and crazy trench coats. The way he doesn’t have to say anything to be funny. His facial expressions. How he offers people his leg when they try to shake his hand. The way you can see the change in him when he sits down at the piano or the harp. The subtle shift from comedian to musician—not a complete shift, of course, but in that moment, you know just how talented and hard-working he must have been. I love that rather than being a full-time, professional musician, which he certainly could have done, Harpo (known as Adolph off-screen) instead devoted his time and energy to entertain, to make people laugh, to be a big goof with a bicycle horn and a killer whistle. I identified with him—and still do. Harpo was quiet, funny-looking, not the most outgoing or famous performers, silly, and still insanely dedicated and a serious artist. I don’t plan on going into show business. I mean, never say never and all that, but I don’t see myself as ever really getting bitten by that particular acting or performing bug. But the lessons I’ve learned from Harpo (and Groucho, Chico, Zeppo, etc.) are the kind that can transcend careers. It’s ok to fall down (a lot.) Learn to laugh at yourself. Learn to laugh at your family. Making faces is a perfectly good way to express yourself. Wear the weird clothes. Don’t be afraid to show off your talents when given the chance. Be kind to children. Have a cigar, if you want. Make up a silly song, or a goofy dance. Work hard at what you love. Work hard at what you don’t love, but what is still necessary. Don’t shy away from being the strangest, brightest, wildest, wackiest, passionate you you can be. And also carry a bicycle horn with you, just in case. A Critique of Alexis's "Topic of Your Choice" Essay With the topic of your choice essay option, one of the first issues to consider is whether or not the essay should have been presented under one of the more focused Common Application prompts. Its easy to be lazy and simply choose topic of your choice to avoid thinking too hard about the most appropriate fit for an essay. For Alexiss essay My Hero Harpo, the topic of your choice option does, in fact, work well. The essay could potentially fall under Common Application essay option #5 on a realization that sparked a period of personal growth. Alexiss experiences watching Marx Brother movies did lead to an understanding of personal identity and life balances. That said, an essay on comedic actors doesnt quite fit the general seriousness of the option #5 prompt. Now lets breakdown some of the important elements of Alexiss essay: The topic. Harpo Marx is a rather unusual focus for an admissions essay. This can be a good thing, for Alexiss essay wont be a clone of other essays the admissions office receives. At the same time, one could argue that Harpos slapstick comedy is a rather superficial focus for an application essay. This certainly could be true if the subject matter were handled poorly, but Alexis manages to turn an essay focused on Harpo Marx into an essay that is really about much more than Marx. Alexis identifies with Harpo, and she explains why she identifies with him. In the end, the essay is as much about Alexis as it is Harpo. It is an essay that reveals Alexiss self-awareness, analytical skills, and sense of humor.The tone. Many applicants wrongly assume that an application essay needs to shine a bright light on a writers accomplishments while hiding any warts. The reality, however, is that were all quirky, flawed, complex people. Revealing an awareness of this fact is a sign of maturity, and it will often play well in an admissions essay. Alexis succeeds admirably on this front. The overall tone here is conversational and slightly self-deprecating. Alexis identifies with Harpos goofiness and his decision to focus on bringing happiness to others rather than personal prestige. We finish Alexiss essay with a sense that she is reserved, silly, able to laugh at herself, yet quietly confident. The overall impression is certainly a positive one.  The writing. Alexiss language is clear and engaging, and she avoids common stylistic errors. The essay has a strong voice and personality. The essay does, in fact, have several sentence fragments, but these are clearly used deliberately for rhetorical punch, not because Alexis is a grammatically inept writer.  The impact. Its always important to step back from an application essay and consider the big picture: what will a reader take away from the essay? Alexiss essay doesnt present any remarkable accomplishment or impressive tale nt. It does, however, present a student who is thoughtful, self-aware, generous, talented, and quietly ambitious. Does Alexis come across as someone who the admissions folks would want to join their campus community? Yes. Make Your Essay as Strong as Possible If a college requires you to submit an essay with the Common Application, it is because the school has holistic admissions—the admissions folks want to get to know you as a whole person, not as a simple compilation of numerical data such as grades and standardized test scores. Along with extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and in some cases an interview, the essay can plan an important role in the admissions process. Make sure yours is as strong as possible. As you write your own essay, be sure to avoid the bad essay topics,  and follow these tips for a winning essay. Most of all, make sure that your essay makes a good impression. Does it present a dimension of your personality and interests that isnt obvious from other parts of your application? Does it present you as someone who will contribute to the campus community in a meaningful way? If yes, your essay is performing its purpose well.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Anti Divorce - 3362 Words

The Anti-Divorce Revolution: The Debate on Marriage Takes a Surprising Turn Pia Nordlinger The Weekly Standard, March 2, 1998 Town amp; Country, a glossy magazine for the well-heeled, touted a special feature in its January issue: Tamp;Cs Guide to Civilized Divorce. Placed just before photos of society newlyweds in the monthly Weddings section, the guide highlights how to choose the right attorney, minimize costs, and spare the children mental anguish. The 16-page insert even includes a compilation of Americas top divorce lawyers, complete with their professional nicknames: Your Worst Nightmare, The Hired Gun and The Stealth Bomber. Readers of slick magazines may be interested in the mode of divorce, but the rest of the†¦show more content†¦During the 1970s, when more and more states were adopting no-fault laws, the annual number of divorces shot from 708,000 in 1970 to 1,181,000 in 1979, an increase of 66 percent. Even as divorce was becoming commonplace, public opinion remained ambivalent. Between 1970 and 1995, the minority who oppose divorce as a solution to marital difficulty rose slowly from 22 percent to 34 percent, according to CBS News polls. More striking, through the 80s and 90s roughly half the respondents to National Opinion Research Center surveys agreed with the statement, Divorce should be more difficult to obtain than it is now, while the share who thought it should be even easier hovered around 25 percent. Still, the public may not be ready to repeal no-fault. Most attempts to toughen state laws have failed. The notable exception came last July, when Louisiana enacted covenant marriage. Couples in that state now have the opportunity to choose between a standard marriage and a covenant marriage, which includes premarital counseling and, if the marriage should break down, counseling before a divorce can take place. Covenant couples can be granted a no-fault divorce only after a two-year waiting period, four times the standard period. Yet covenant couples may seek a fault-based divorce if there is evidence of adultery, abandonment, physical or sexual abuse, or felony imprisonment. Since Louisianas law took effect, only a tiny fraction of couples have taken the covenant plunge.Show MoreRelatedThe Anti-Divorce Movement: a Persuasion Paper1268 Words   |  6 PagesFor the last two decades, divorce has become ever more prelivant in society. Studies conclude that less than one-third of all marriages end in divorce. The effects of divorce can be very devastating, especially when children are involved. Everyone who has ever listened to the news has heard the dismal statistics of adolescents coming from broken homes. The statistics showing the effects of a fatherless household includes: †¢ 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (U.S.D.H.H.S., BureauRead MoreDivorce Is A Huge Issue Of Concern1622 Words   |  7 PagesDivorce is a huge issue of concern in the UK as in the rate in which couples divorce is rapidly increasing . More than half of the couples in the UK had at least one child aged under 16 in 2007.The number of divorces in England and wales have increased to a total of 118,140 divorces in 2012, which is an increase of 0.5 percent since 2011.Statistics showed that women were allowed 65 percent of all divorces , 9,703 men and 6,026 women aged over 60 got divorced. It has also shown that 42 percent ofRead MoreThe Way We Never Were By Stephanie Coontz Essay953 Words   |  4 Pagesmodern view that divorce rates have never been higher than right now in contemporary society. She explains that throughout history today’s rates are actually pretty similar to those found in ancient Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, as well as among Native Americans. This idea that Christian tradition has always been anti-divorce, mainly enforced due to Jesus’ denouncement of both women and men’s right to divorce, is exposed through descriptions of early Christians being granted divorce by the Church throughRead MoreThe Decline Of Marriage Rates859 Words   |  4 Pagesthe person in a steady relationship. Another portion that resonated with me was the overall divorce section. In this response paper, I will discuss the declining marriage rates, the impact of the past 50% divorce rates, and why these two go hand-in-hand with the millennial generation s behavior that is causing the change in these rates. It may seem strange, but I come from a family where there are no divorces between any of my family members, and I have a very big family. If someone in my family marriesRead MoreHow Parents Handle The Divorce934 Words   |  4 PagesIt is also interesting to note, that the symptoms and feelings described above tend to be present regardless of how the parents handle the divorce. Research has shown that even when a divorce is friendly, children still experience the same things and respond in the same ways (Rappaport, 2013). These initial symptoms and reactions however, do tend to fade over time, as children adjust to their new lives (Rappaport, 2013). It is understandable to see the many reactions described above, due to theRead MorePositive Changes in the Quality of Life for Woman in Morocco1709 Words   |  7 Pagesis recommended to never look a man in the eye and to never take directions from a man- only ask a family or another woman. (Skalli 2011) Even with traditional gender roles remaining popular, divorce came to Morocco with modernity. From the 1960s to the 1980s the divorce rate remained at fifty percent. Divorce rates remained high, until the new Family Code. Before this reform, custody of children stayed systematically given to the mother, who rarely could afford family and basic living expenses onRead MoreFathers Rights622 Words   |  3 PagesSpeech 101 Speech 4 April 6, 2011 Why Fathers should have Equal Rights? Due to problems arising out of bitter divorces, custody, and support battles fathers are ostracize out of their children’s life. Fathers are often looked at as the bad person when things go wrong and being the blame. Fathers are just as responsible for the child being born as the mother. Over the years fathers continue to fight for equal rights, mothers are looked at as the victims and often make false statements aboutRead MoreEssay about Effects of divorce on elementary-school aged children1279 Words   |  6 PagesIn America, divorce rates are at an all time high. A divorce between the parents of elementary students can be devastating in a young child’s life. Divorce causes stress for children not only at home, but also at school. Children of divorced or separated parents often have to commute between houses. Not only do they have to deal with the pain of parents separating, they also may feel as if they caused their parent’s problems. Parental divorce has ne gative effects on children’s academic achievementRead MoreChanging Family Patterns And Family Life Essay1502 Words   |  7 Pagesbarely graduating high school fighting in both World Wars, never to return, women taking over the factories in order to keep up with America’s wartime economy while the men fought for democracy. These changes led to changes in a family a well. The anti-suffragette movement claimed that if women were to have the vote, they would abandon their families and their children to leave their husbands to raise their children. Even now many still believe that women are not meant to hold such positions andRead MorePrevention Plan for Divorce Before Marriage Essay2254 Words   |  10 Pagesessential factors of human life. It creates the basis for everyone to pursue a better, healthier, and happier life. However, it is the fact that there are more and more couples marrying and then ending up with divorce, and this rate is increasing faster year by year . Actually, all the divorce cases are originated from some of the forms of emotional illness that gradually appear in each partner during the time of their relationship. It is good to cure these forms of emotional illness to solve the martial

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Loewen Group free essay sample

This report provides a qualitative analysis of the Loewen case study, starting from the excessive debt policy used in its expansion and ending with huge debt ratios and bankruptcy. The analysis includes the effect of the company’s policy and the financial distress it caused and results of such a financial condition. Method of Analysis: For the analysis we have used the historical financial data of the company, the history of the company and its financing policy, and the financial data of its competitors. The important finding that were gathered are listed below * Debt financing is considered the fastest and cheapest method in financing the growth of a company * Excessive debt financing for explosive growth is not well recommended * Financial distress factors are direct and indirect, and they vary in importance and effect on the overall future of the company * Filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy protects the company from its debtors by allowing it to reorganize their debt structure, which might seem the best option in this case. Options/Recommendations: We found out 2 options that Loewen could undertake. Option 1: selling assets to increase cash position and decrease debts Option 2: file chapter 11 bankruptcy to give the company another chance in Legal time to reorganize its debt structure. Recommendation: filing bankruptcy seems to be the best option that Loewen has at this time, as it will allow it to startup its operations again and try to fix debt problems it faced by restructuring. How was Loewen group able to grow explosively for the first half of the 1990s? What were the advantages of debt financing enjoyed by the company in this phase? The Loewen group started as a family business in the 1950s, and had grown explosively in the late 1980s and early 90s mainly by acquiring small independent funeral homes and cemeteries in densely populated urban markets, and acquired several large established funeral chains. What they did that differentiated them from other big players in the market is that they acquired the bigger share of small cemeteries and funeral homes but retained some of their managers if possible because they thought they would know better about the community they lived in, and they are already known in their areas, which would provide a smoother transition of the business from a family one to a corporate level one. They also financed those businesses for capital improvement and merchandise. Besides acquiring small businesses, a lot of factors helped Loewen grow in such a manner. Anchoring on the factor that death rates are almost constant throughout the years, trying to get a bigger market share was a priority target through these acquisitions. What helped more is the higher entry barriers to this business, due to high fixed costs and high capital requirements during the startup, and lack of social attachment to the society they live in due to lack of history in the local community surrounding them, which is considered a big factor driving the choice of families to do business with one funeral services company rather than another. Moreover, considered as one of the biggest funeral services firms in the United States, Loewen had the power to exert pressure on its suppliers for better reduced prices, in addition to taking advantage of being the first to be called when death happens; they are the first to be contacted, and they can supply everything regarding funerals from â€Å"A† to â€Å"Z† which gives them the power to bargain for higher prices, and at the same time, families will not be in a condition to negotiate due to the condition they are passing through, Loewen would give funeral services to low income or high income families accordingly. Another factor that helped is weak substitutes. Small family owned businesses could not compete with what Loewen offered regarding services, quality and price. Another thing that helped Loewen was its ability to create the â€Å"at need† and the â€Å"pre need† services. The â€Å"pre need† services acted as an advantage, for people who would pay money today for their funeral services in the future. And since the funeral services have almost fixed expenses between today and the future, whatever money Loewen got from this option would be invested in securities and in insurance contracts, thus creating more value, or used as additional cash for day to day operations and investment in the company. Debt financing is considered the fastest and cheapest method of financing growth of a company, however using debt to finance accelerated and explosive growth can have his drawbacks. This shows us that Loewen was too aggressive in its acquistion strategy and in its zeal to compete, it ended up paying far too high a price for these two acquisitions. This is also evident from the fact that after these two acquisitions, Loewen’s debt/equity ratio reached 1. 4:1. At this point SCI realized that Loewen was overvalued and dropped its bid for acquisition. Mississippi lawsuit: Loewen’s downfall can be attributed, in part, to the unfavourable jury verdict in Mississippi in 1995. By reneging on an agreement to purchase properties worth around $10 M, the company was held liable to damages amounting to $500 M at the time of the verdict. The stock price dropped by 15%, and the company posted an interest expense of $165 M for that year. Continued Acquisitions in 1998: Despite clear indications of a crisis, the management at Loewen continued their acquisitions, albeit at a slower pace. They paid $278 M in 1998 to acquire 89 funeral homes and 65 cemeteries. The disadvantage of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it would trigger a domino effect and force them to file in Canada as well. This would be detrimental since Canadian laws were more strict than US laws and this would lead to potential conflicts. Recommendation: File for Chapter 11 bankruptcy This is the only feasible option available to Loewen group in its present condition. Chapter 11 would protect the company from its debtors by allowing them to reorganize their debt structure. Shareholders would lose everything, as creditors have first right over the company, post chapter 11. The company is worth more under operation, than by individually selling off its assets. This also allows more jobs to saved, than by selling off individual assets. This option allows for a new corporate structure which could be successful in turning around the company, and making it profitable once again. Debtors would have the possibility of recovering more in this manner than they would through a chapter 7 liquidation of Loewen’s assets.