Tom Clancys Genius Essays - Tom Clancy, Novel Series,

Tom Clancy's genius English Tom Clancy's genius The Cold War and post Cold War eras have brought with them many interesting aspects. New technologies initially meant for mass destruction filter down into the civilian world, making current lives easier. One example of this is the anti-lock braking systems of today's cars. Originally designed to slow fighter-planes on landing without skidding, these systems make it safer for parents to take their children on vacation. One less noted advancement the eras brought is a considerable amount of exciting and forewarning fiction. While most authors chose to warn of nuclear and post nuclear holocaust, one significant author chose a different approach. Tom Clancy chose to write of conventional warfare and sometimes unconventional enemies. Between his novel Red Storm Rising and Debt of Honor, Tom Clancy makes evident the changing face of America's enemies and threats, while staying true to issues that keep people interested in his books. Published in 1986, Red Storm Rising is Tom Clancy's second novel dealing with the former Soviet Union as a potential enemy. This was a time when America's finest tank and infantry units went on exercises in Germany fully armed with the expectation that the Russians could attack them at any time. This was also a time when the Soviets did the same exercises with the same amount of live ammunition. Therefore there was reason enough to worry about potential conflicts. Deep within the ocean waters, submarines played similar cat and mouse games with other submarines and surface ships. However some of these submarines were more dangerous then a whole army because they were fully loaded with nuclear missles. These facts were well know to the American public and made Red Storm Rising all the more real when it combined land and ocean warfare in a way that captivated millions of readers. The book begins as the Soviet Union's ability to provide their own oil is cut off by a terrorist attack. Right away it is noted that two very frightening events have just happened. Terrorism, for one, is a major scare tactic that can and does strike fear into millions. This was demonstrated by two suspected attacks in the U.S. recently (Bombing of Flight 800 and the Olympic Park bombing). Secondly, the threat of losing petroleum resources is enough to drive governments to drastic measures. This fact is evident in the world's participation in the 1991 Gulf War. The leaders of the Soviet Union decided that the only way to prevent the total collapse of their economy and country was to seize the oil rich Middle East. They also realized that the countries that make up the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in particular the United States would not stand for this hostile action. Consequently the Soviets determine that it will be necessary to neutralize NATO conventionally; that is to say without nuclear weapons. Of course, throughout the Cold War the many themes of the U.S.S.R. attacking the U.S are presented by various authors. All of these had the same result: nuclear holocaust. One exception is that Red Storm Rising is the first to present it (theme of U.S.S.R. attacking the U.S.) in a non-nuclear scenario. This is very intriguing to examine the possibilities which include all the new technological weapons in the American and Soviet arsenals. Red Storm Rising captivates audiences with its techno-wizardry of smart bombs and satellite guided cruise missles. ?It was like an arcade game. Big, slow-moving blips denoted the aircraft. Smaller, quicker blips were the Mach-2 missiles (Clancy 178).? This was seen by a radar operator who was under attack during Red Storm Rising. However it is not the high tech gadgets that appeal to audiences of Red Storm Rising. There is a personable feel as the reader becomes better acquainted with the characters and sympathizes for them and the decisions they make. This is not the story of machines run by artificial intelligence, these are real people, friends, and neighbors of the reader. Bob Toland was a middle-level analyst at the National Security Agency. He'd left the Navy after six years whey the adventure of uniformed service had palled, but he remained an active reservist. His work at NSA dovetailed nicely with his naval reserve service. A communications expert with a degree in electronics, his current job eas monitoring Sovien signals gathered by the NSA's numerous listening posts and ferret satellites. Along the way he'd also gotten a masters in the Russian language (Clancy 55). The description of Bob Toland could apply to anyone in the Washington D.C. area or any neighborhood across the

Free Essays on Marlyin Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is a true Hollywood legend. At a young age she rose to stardom and is remembered in such movies as â€Å"A Gentlemen prefer Blondes†, â€Å"The Seven Year Itch†, and â€Å"Niagara†. She dominated the age of movies to become the most famous woman of the 20th Century. Born Norma Jean Mortenson on the 1st June, 1926 in Los Angeles, California to Gladys Baker. The identity of her farther is unknown. Due to Gladys Baker’s psychological problems Norma Jean only spent a few short years with her mother and was then placed in fosters homes for most of her childhood years until 1934, when she moved in with a family friend Grace McKee Goddard. Grace loved and adored her and often told Norma Jean â€Å"You're going to be a beautiful girl when you get big...an important woman, a movie star." Unfortunately due to financial problems, Norma Jean was again placed in an orphanage from September 1935 to June 1937. Although Grace frequently visited her, taking her to the movies, buying clothes, and teaching her how to put on makeup. In September 1941, Norma Jean met Jim Dougherty. Grace had found out that her husband was transferred to the East Coast and couldn’t afford to take the 16 year-old with her so she quickly made plans for Norma Jean to marry Jim Dougherty on the 19th June, 1942. Dougherty had soon joined the Marines and was sent overseas. While working in a factory inspecting parachutes, Norma Jean was photographed by the Army to show women on the assembly line contributing to the war. By the spring of 1945, Norma Jean was quickly becoming known as a â€Å"photographers dream† and had already appeared on 33 national magazine covers. In the fall of 1946, Norma Jean had divorced her husband. Now free and on her own, Norma Jean signed a contract with 20th Century Fox Studios. From this point on she would be known by her fans as Marilyn Monroe. After a few minor parts in movies, Marilyn’s first serious acting job came in 1950, ... Free Essays on Marlyin Monroe Free Essays on Marlyin Monroe Marilyn Monroe is a true Hollywood legend. At a young age she rose to stardom and is remembered in such movies as â€Å"A Gentlemen prefer Blondes†, â€Å"The Seven Year Itch†, and â€Å"Niagara†. She dominated the age of movies to become the most famous woman of the 20th Century. Born Norma Jean Mortenson on the 1st June, 1926 in Los Angeles, California to Gladys Baker. The identity of her farther is unknown. Due to Gladys Baker’s psychological problems Norma Jean only spent a few short years with her mother and was then placed in fosters homes for most of her childhood years until 1934, when she moved in with a family friend Grace McKee Goddard. Grace loved and adored her and often told Norma Jean â€Å"You're going to be a beautiful girl when you get big...an important woman, a movie star." Unfortunately due to financial problems, Norma Jean was again placed in an orphanage from September 1935 to June 1937. Although Grace frequently visited her, taking her to the movies, buying clothes, and teaching her how to put on makeup. In September 1941, Norma Jean met Jim Dougherty. Grace had found out that her husband was transferred to the East Coast and couldn’t afford to take the 16 year-old with her so she quickly made plans for Norma Jean to marry Jim Dougherty on the 19th June, 1942. Dougherty had soon joined the Marines and was sent overseas. While working in a factory inspecting parachutes, Norma Jean was photographed by the Army to show women on the assembly line contributing to the war. By the spring of 1945, Norma Jean was quickly becoming known as a â€Å"photographers dream† and had already appeared on 33 national magazine covers. In the fall of 1946, Norma Jean had divorced her husband. Now free and on her own, Norma Jean signed a contract with 20th Century Fox Studios. From this point on she would be known by her fans as Marilyn Monroe. After a few minor parts in movies, Marilyn’s first serious acting job came in 1950, ...

Servant Leader Formation Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Servant Leader Formation Paper - Essay Example The spirit of leadership rises from the leader letting others achieve and improve their capabilities and goals. Servant leadership starts as a feeling before it develops into a leadership attribute (Blanchard, 2001, Pg 352). A servant leader seeks to serve rather than control. Needless to say that their primary goals are more inclined towards human life enhancement. The focus on the less privileged in the society moves the role of a servant leader form an organization but to the society as a whole. Certain imperative characteristics that define and distinguish a servant leader are as stated below. These need to be necessarily communicated to the current and the future servant leaders of the organization to mould future servant leaders. Inculcating and allowing each of the group members to learn the attributes listed below goes a long way in becoming a servant leader. Empathy - The first quality for any strong leader is to stay empathetic. By empathy we mean the ability of a leader to put him, in the shoes of others, to act, react and understand the emotions and actions of his peers or his subordinates. A servant leader works to understand and empathize with others. The ability of a leader to accept people as they are and not reject them as people, though their performance or actions may not be fully accepted is an important attribute to make them a servant leader. Listening - Communication has always been an important attribute for a leader. This is even so true for a servant leader. The ability of a servant leader to inculcate patience and listen to issues and problems of peer and others within the organization plays a vital role in defining his or her success. Servant leaders naturally identify and try to resolve the problems of the group. Their ability to listen to what is being said and not said allows them to stay in touch with the inner self of their peer and assist them in guiding and reacting to their group's problems. Foresight - Foresight is an important characteristic of a servant leader. Servant leaders not only learn from lessons of their past but also from others. Their ability to foresee and link the future to the present allows them to take decisions that have a positive impact on the group and the organization. Their ability to foresee is a consequence of both experience and intuitive mind set. Commitment to group - One of the remarkable characteristics of servant leaders is their ability to look through people beyond their contribution at work or in social life. Being strongly committed to the cause of the group and helping the group work towards achieving it allows the servant leader to reach the personal, professional life of their group. This commitment to a large extent defines an individual as a servant leader. Compromise between individual comfort and group comfort - A servant leader serves the group. In many situations, the chances are that the thoughts of the group may be entirely different from that of the servant leader. Having said so, the servant leader needs to necessarily develop the attitude to compromise on his or her personal comfort or the ultimate goal or benefit of the group. Making dream to reality - An analysis of the servant le

Is it moally acceptable for government agencies (NSA, CIA FBI) to Essay

Is it moally acceptable for government agencies (NSA, CIA FBI) to eavesdrop on domestic phone calls or intercept emails of its c - Essay Example For this exercise to be acceptable by all bodies involved, the bodies conducting the eavesdropping had to obtain a warranty from the United States Foreign Surveillance Court. This could have legalized the whole exercise and no questions could have arisen from the different bodies that raised their concerns (Risen 19). Many laws against this act have been formulated. These include the wireless telegraphy act 2006 and the regulation of investigatory powers act 2000. Although this act of intercepting emails is good for the security of the country, the bodies conducting the interception should look, for a warranty, to do the same. The N.S.A, F.B.I together with C.I.A, argue that taking of warranties will alert the potential terrorists and the search would not be effective. This essay outlines the reasons why use of unwarranted emails eavesdropping is not good (Bamford 145). First is the fact that this is a breach of civil liberty. Individuals are supposed to be covered under civil rights , which gives them freedom to do what is legally right to the extent that they do not interfere with other people’s life (Radden 19). The act of eavesdropping on emails and phone calls is a violation of human rights to expression, interaction, and speech. These laws cover individuals enabling them to interact and communicate freely without others getting concerned about other individuals’ conversation. In addition to this, confrontation of individuals to know whom they were communicating with is a violation of human rights. The security department needs to show proof of a warranty to eavesdrop someone’s emails and a warranty authorizing interviews in regard to the messages intercepted (Radden 64). The act of eavesdropping is a violation of the privacy policy of the company providing the communication (Janczewski and Colarik 128). Companies providing communication services always have privacy policies by which they are supposed to abide. They are supposed to ensu re that no third party individual encounters the contents of the message unless warranted officially by the government. It is the right of an individual to sue any company that allows third party individuals to get the contents of his emails without an official warranty (Radden 59). The act of eavesdropping can as well cause safety issues to the contents of the message. Certain email messages and calls are supposed to be private and confidential. Such emails explaining or having monetary discussions can easily be decrypted, and the information be used in a bad way so that the money is diverted (Bamford 125). This is very possible within the security bodies; N.S.A, F.B.I and C.I.A simply because the agencies have employees of varied nature. Individuals who can use such advantage to divert the monetary value of the emails and calls to his account exist. This can be very disappointing to the individual and all the people associated with the transaction. The fact that the interception o f the emails is not warranted would make individuals have the privilege of going around the issue without fear from court orders and imprisonment (Janczewski and Colarik 91). It can also be difficult to know the exact person that conducted the transfer of the monetary contents from the email. This is because individuals with the capability to intercept emails may have much more technology to hide any traceable information as to where the money went. This is thus a big problem to the company

Geology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Geology - Essay Example This then resulted to the formation of the sun and planets that make up the solar system (Seeds 80). This has been supported by the ratio of the aluminum isotopes found in the meteorites that were formed when the molecular cloud collapsed. The scientists came up with a model that explains the unusual levels that the isotope contained (Seeds 79). They stated that the levels could have been because the isotopes were being fed in the molecular cloud at the time the supernova event was occurring. The seismic waves caused by the supernova event were hot in nature thus when they collided with the cold molecular cloud of gas resulted to it colliding. This consequently led to the formation of the solar system. As it is seen the death of the star that was caused by the seismic waves that were a result of the supernova event made way for the solar system to be formed. This helps us to understand the fact that the solar system came into existence as a result of the death of a star (Seeds

Approaches to Financial Crisis Management

Approaches to Financial Crisis Management LITERATURE REVIEW The following Literature review starts with past studies and researches based on the crisis in general. Different types of crisis are referred and what kind of effects do they cause to businesses and people. Additionally are past studies on management strategies in period of recession and what does a business has to follow, not only old businesses but also new. Furthermore we focus on the new start up businesses that decide to grow in period of crisis. What Past studies and researches found and proved through history, when again in the past there was a recession. Crisis A crisis is an adverse incident with an unpredictable outcome (Campbell, 1999; Coombs, 1999; Coombs Holladay, 2002; Ruff Aziz, 2003). Interestingly, it should be pointed out that there is a wide range of crisis categories, from a basic ‘internal versus external’ introduced by Evans and Elphick (2005, p. 135), to a more complex system proposed by Henderson (2007) who categorized crises into economic crisis; political crisis; socio-cultural crisis; environmental crisis; technological crisis; and commercial crisis. Although there are numerous approaches to crisis categorization, The Pacific Asia Travel  Association (2003) has suggested that crises can be largely categorized into two major types, which are human-made and natural-made crises. It is crucial for one to understand that not all types of crisis lead to the same consequences, differing from one another in terms of the scope and extent of damage caused (Aktas Gunlu, 2005). Different public reactions to both human-made and natural crises provide a clear example of the critical differences in the public’s reaction to different types of crisis. The public normally reacts more negatively to the effects of human-made crises than to those of a natural crisis. While it is generally conceded that organizations have little control over natural crises, human-made crises can devastate the established reputation of an organization. As human-made crises are usually preventable, this type of crisis therefore often receives severe public condemnation (Pearson Mitroff, 1993). Furthermore, different crisis types, particularly both natural and human induced crises, are neither absolutely predictable nor avoidable. This means while crises occur rarely and randomly, it is also true that no industries are unaffected by those crises. In  response to the near certainty of experiencing crises, it is suggested that organizations come up with a plan for minimizing the damage of, and accelerating the recovering from, such crises through the development of crisis management strategies (Faulkner, 2001). Therefore the concept of crisis management is discussed below. Crisis Management Being able to effectively respond to a crisis is critical for the survival of an organization. Whether an organization is prepared or not for a possible crisis usually depends on senior officials and other private operating within organizations. More importantly, studies have shown that organizations with an established crisis management approach are able to effectively communicate and respond in the event of a crisis (King III, 2002). Clearly, it is crucial for an organization to have a crisis management approach in place. In general, a crisis management approach can be viewed simply as involving the  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ4 Rs’ of a four-stage process, which are reduction, readiness, response and recovery (Evans   Elphick, 2005). The Pacific Asia Travel Association (2003) has summarized and described each stage as follows: Reduction. In this phase, an organization’s analysis of strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats (a SWOT analysis) will help the managers to assess a potential crisis and to prepare a contingency plan. After identifying potential crises, organizations need to be prepared by developing strategic, tactical and communication plans. Readiness, the second phase, crisis response and crisis simulation exercises are very important in order to acquire and maintain crisis management skills as managers and staff need to be ready for the impact and stress from crises. Response, the third phase, a contingency plan is implemented immediately after a crisis occurs, as organizations that have a well-established crisis management plan tend to be more successful in handling crises. A crisis communication strategy should be utilized to communicate with not only the customer, but also the stakeholders and the public. Recovery. In the last phase, the crisis recovery could be measured by the speed with which an organization resumes full business operations; the degree to which a business recovers to pre-crisis levels, or the amount of crisis-resistance added since the crisis occurred. Whilst corporate managers are faced with the reality of trying to implement this process (Evans Elphick, 2005), it should be noted that all stages of the crisis management process need to be flexible, which allows for potential evaluation and modification, depending on the nature of the crisis/disaster (its magnitude, scale and time pressure) and stakeholder response to strategies. Although crisis management is a requirement for organizations, and although business leaders recognize this, many do not undertake productive steps to address crisis situations. Managers who do take productive steps however will be in a much better position to respond when a crisis or disaster affects an organization or destination (Ritchie, 2004). So, because a start up business in time of a recession has knowledge of all the stages, it is easier to handle the crisis as they are aware of the consequences a bad economy has on a business. Measurement are been taken before they have any bad influence on the ir business from the recession. Start-ups business and existing business in time of recession First of all, we are going to study past studies that were done during a period of recession and see how they coped during the period. Small businesses in their starting period are responsible for the New England turnaround and the Massachusetts miracle in the early 1980s. Small businesses had the willingness to expand and form and were the reason the economy became so strong (Lamp, 1988). It was found by Birch (1987) that the keys to new job creation are pioneering firms. Stable economies that can offer a proper environment for start-ups and existing firms to expand and grow but on the other hand those that cannnot offer such an environment usually suffer. With the reason that large businesses are reengineering, resizing and most importantly, downsizing, many people are leaning towards small business as a reason of economic expansion. In 1994 Dun Bradstreet anticipated that 3.1 million new jobs would be created with 72.4 percent following up from new firms with less than 100 employ ees. New small firms with less than 20 employees have also been seen as the creators of new markets for large firms and as the nations job creators (Phillips, 1993). As from this example, it is clear that new businesses and especially a small one can survive and also take advantage of the recession, if handled in the right way. Small businesses are considered to add to the local economy and therefore invigorate the economy (Violaris, Harmandas and Loizidis, 2012). When there is an economic recession, it is a period where all firms are struggling for their survival, especially for new firms and start-ups the failing rate proved to be higher compare to larger companies (Latham, 2009 p180-201, Lawless and warren,2005). However, some scholars have argued that smaller firms (start-ups) can have their own unique competitive advantage since they are closer to the market and realize the customers’ needs more easily (Young and Shepherd, 2005, Tavakoli and McKierman, 2009) There are several success factors that new companies can adopt in order to survive the crisis or event to expand in this recessionary environment. According to professor, John Quelch (2012), a success factor during a recession is that the firms should continue spending on marketing and in order to survive a firm should be able to realize how the needs and preferences of customers change in order to adopt their strategies. They should keep 8 factors in mind when making the marketing plans: research the customer, focus on family values, maintain marketing spending, adjust product portfolios, support distributors, adjust pricing tactics, stress market share and emphasize core values. A research of (Srinivasam, 2009) on six recessions that took place in US, from 1969 to 2007, showed that increases in RD (research and development) decreases profits for B2B and B2C, while there is no change for service firms. However, more expenditure in advertising increases the profits to B2B and B2C but not for firms that are in service. Also another research agreed that increases in advertising spending increases returns during recession but disagrees that increases on RD decreases returns (Graham and Frankenberger, 2008). Another strategy for start ups to follow during recessionary environment is a â€Å"Lean start-up† strategy. Many start-ups do not manage to survive because they spend a lot of money and time trying to produce products to customers that they might don’t like and therefore will mathematically drive the company out of business ( Eisenman, 2011). The methodology on start-up businesses is all about avoiding waste in terms of money and time. A good example is through the Toyota Production System (Dennis 2002). Important factors, for the success of small firms, especially in recessionary environment are the role of education, training and prior knowledge and experience. There are evidences that prove entrepreneurs having previous experience in the industry and knowledge of the market will have positive impact on the firms (Harada, 2002). A research that took place by Simpson, Tuck and Belammy, 2008, shows that only one group out of the four( â€Å"the empire builder†, â€Å"the happiness seeker†, â€Å"the vision developer† and â€Å"the challenge achiever†) showed clear evidence that education and training had a positive impact on the success of the business. He found out that motivation and teamwork is a key factor for success. According to Fiol (2001) employees are recognised as one of the most valuable resources to the business in order to achieve their objectives. For some small firms the key point for success is happiness. Entrepreneurs must be happy at wor k as well the employees and the customers must enjoy the experience at the place of work (Simpson, Tuck and Belammy, 2008). Analysts have researched on firms choosing to start during recession by following investment strategies. In antithesis with downsizing, firms like to take recessions as opportunities to innovate, expand and invest into new markets in order to extend or expand in a competitive advantage during the recession. Most of today’s household names had successfully launched businesses during recessions in the past. In the oil and steel industries that were emerging during the 1870s recession Rockefeller and Carnegie took advantage of steel production and technologies and of the weakness of various competitors from the same industry (Bryan and Farrell, 2008), and Edison also established General Electric which is until today a big and successful business (Lynn, 2009). Hershey started up their brand and distribution during the 1893-97 depression. Everybody also know until today Kellogg’s which grew out of another period of depression in the 1920s (Rumelt , 2008). The electrical, che mical and motor industries that were very important to post-war British industry expanded during the 1930s. Also two massive companies today, Microsoft and Apple corporations were also both founded in the 1970s, following from the oil-crisis. A lot of different studies disagree that firms adapt to recession conditions by applying business strategies based on new investment, market diversification and innovation, and a a strategy such as that usually leads to higher levels of business performance. Such examples are :targeting new market niches ,increased marketing spending and new product development (Roberts, 2003; Srinivasan, 2005; Pearce II and Michael, 2006); pricing strategies that centre the value, whereby rich resource firms highlight brand and quality instead of low prices to attract customers, or even, adopting ‘acquisitive pricing’ policies, to control low prices in sensitive markets that are influenced by prices (Chou and Chen, 2004). On a macro-level, quantitative studies of quantities and asset prices show that quantities differ more than prices do over the business’s cycle, including time between the periods of recession (e.g. Bhaskar, 1993; Geroski and Hall, 1995). From the above it is referred that most firms respond to macroeconomic shocks from a recession by prices maintenance, leading to quantities sold eventually to decrease. For a lot of firms, this is more likely to consequent into lower sales and, to extreme cases, exit. Studies like this show important data on the response of firm under financial crisis conditions but offer a small insight on why firms pick to respond in this way or if the price maintenance is advised by efficient measures. For the new business, more recent studies claim that a recession is normally an opportunity, not a threat for them, if handled correctly (Rumelt, 2008; Williamson and Zeng, 2009). The recent recession the whole world is facing is characterised by its nature globally and the risk that companies in rising markets take are becoming more active than expected. But research also show businesses not doing very well. Williamson and Zeng (2009) said that a key strategy business might be adopted to avoid this by focusing on developing what rising markets know to do well by offering value for money. They also suggest that companies should invest in research that is aimed at service and product innovation offers similar purposes but at lower expenses and costs. To sum up, a new business has to have a strategy to begin with. The proof on start up businesses adopting investment strategies to grow through recession is not so clear. Taking on strategies in the beginning and especially in a recession is under risk and most businesses are more likely to be very busy with short-term survival to think correctly about way to innovate and grow. Investments need resources –managerial skills, technical expertise and especially finance –and businesses with no or fewer resources are more likely not to be able to implement them. On the other side, history has proved that companies can adapt competitive advantage though a recession period from innovating into services, business models, products and also by getting into new and growing markets. As seen from previous studies they make very little efforts in explaining the reasons why particular firms do so very well when starting up their business in time of recession. No explanation is clearly given why they take the risk in the first place and avoid the potential risks of attempting such investment. It is consequential from the various researches that when a business adopts investment strategies from the beginning, success without any doubt follows. But the procedures a business has to take to imply these investment strategies and also having profitable outcomes is more likely to be more complicated than just said. However, such suggestions ignore the external issues: if all new firms start up by adopting investment strategies, would all succeed? In such crucial times of a recession, when nearly all customers turn to cheaper products, market conditions may not be able to support a wide range of unique and new innovations or a large number of firms looking for diversity, or new business wanting to grow and succeed. It is known that new business cannot lower their costs as they have more expenses than a mature business. REFERENCES Aktas, G. Gunlu, E. 2005, Crisis Management in Tourist Destinations, in Global Tourism,  3rd edn, ed. W. Theobald, Elsevier Inc., New York, pp. 440-55. Bhaskar, V., Machin, S. and Reid, G. (1993) ‘Price and Quantity Adjustment over the  Business Cycle: Evidence from Survey Data’, Oxford Economic Papers, vol. 45, no 2, pp. 257-268. Bryan, L. and Farrell, D. (2008) Leading through uncertainty, McKinsey Quarterly, online  at: http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Leading_through_uncertainty_2263 Campbell, R. 1999, Crisis Control: Preventing Managing Corporate Crises, Prentice Hall,  Australia. Chou, T-J. and Chen, F-T. (2004) ‘Retail Pricing Strategies in Recession Economies: The  Case of Taiwan’, Journal of International Marketing, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 82-102. Coombs, T. 1999, Ongoing Crisis Communication: Managing, Responding and Planning,  Sage Publications, London. Coombs, T. Holladay, S. 2002, Helping Crisis Managers Protect Reputational Assets:  Initial Tests of the Situational Crisis Communication Theory, Management  Communication Quarterly : McQ, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 165-87. Evans, N. Elphick, S. 2005, Crisis Management: Evaluation of their Value  for Strategic Planning in the International Travel Industry, The International Journal  of Tourism Research, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 135-51. Faulkner, B. 2001, Towards a Framework for Disaster Management,  Management, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 135-47. Geroski, P. and Hall, S. (1995b) ‘Price and Quantity Adjustments to Cost and Demand  Shocks’, Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 185-204. Henderson, J. 2007, Crises: Causes, Consequences, and Management, Butterworth-  Heinemann, Oxford. King III, G. 2002, Crisis Management Team Effectiveness: A Closer Examination,  Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 235-50. Lynn, M. (2009) The new capitalism, Sunday Times, 17 May, p.4.  Pacific Asia Travel Association 2003, Crisis: It Wont Happen to Us, Pacific Asia Travel  Association, Bangkok. Pearce, J. II and Michael, S. (2006) ‘Strategies to Prevent Economic Recessions From  Causing Business Failure’, Business Horizons, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 201-209. Pearson, C. Mitroff, I. 1993, From Crisis Prone to Crisis Prepared: A Framework for  Crisis Management, The Executive, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 48-59. Ritchie, B. 2004, Chaos, Crises and Disasters: A Strategic Approach to Crisis Management  in the Retail Industry, Retail Management, vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 669-83. Roberts, K. (2003) What Strategic Investments Should you make During a Recession to  Gain Competitive Advantage in the recovery?’ Strategy Leadership, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 31-39. Ruff, P. Aziz, K. 2003, Managing Communications in a Crisis, Gower Publishing Limited,  England. Rumelt, R. (2009) Strategy in a Structural Break’, McKinsey Quarterly, no. 1, pp. 35-42. Simpson M., Tuck N., Bellamy S. 2004. Success factors of small businesses: the role of education and training Srinivasan, R., Lilien, G and Rangaswamy, A. 2005, ‘Turning Disaster into Advantage:  Does Proactive Marketing During a Recession Pay Off?’ Journal of Research in Marketing, vol. 22, no. 2, pp.109-125 Williamson, P.J. and Zeng, M. (2009) Value-for-money Strategies for Recessionary  Times, Harvard Business Review, vol.87, no.3, pp: 66-74.

Ohm’s law Essay

An electronics factory needs resistors of 5 ohms and 15 ohms for a new electrical device. My task is to investigate how the resistance of a piece of wire depends on length and to find the length of the wire needed to make the required resistors, using only 4 volts. Introduction/Planning A selection of different wires made from constantan and nichrome and the usual laboratory apparatus will be available for me. Wire A – Constantan wire of approximate diameter 0. 3mm Wire B – Constantan wire of approximate diameter 0. 4mm Wire C – Constantan wire of approximate diameter 0. 3mm A constantan is an alloy whose resistance stays fairly constant when it becomes hot. In fact the resistance changes by less than 0. 5% even when the temperature rises by a few hundred degrees. Nichrome, along with other metals, is an alloy whose temperature does change appreciably when it becomes hot. Before starting my coursework, I have to find the variables in the experiment, safety aspects etc. I found that a number of things affect the resistance of a wire. Below is a list of factors and reasons why they affect the resistance of a wire. From this list of factors I have to make sure that these factors remain constant or excluded from the experiment. We are only investigating length but the other variables may change our outcomes. In electricity, resistance is the ratio of the potential difference (p. d. or voltage) across a conductor to the electrical current, which flows through it as a result. The unit of measurement is the ohm (O), this being the resistance of a conductor requiring a potential difference of 1 volt across its ends to produce a current of 1 ampere. For a given metal conductor at constant temperature the value is the same whatever the current (Ohm’s law), but rises if the temperature rises. Any conductor possessing resistance gives off heat when a current flows through it. Joule’s law describes this effect. Resistance occurs when the electrons travelling along the wire collide with the atoms of the wire. These collisions slow down the flow of electrons causing resistance. Resistance is a measure of how hard it is to move the electrons through the wire. Ohm’s law: The current flowing through a metal is proportional to the potential difference across it, provided that the temperature remains constant. We are going to use metals, which obey ohm’s law, metals which give us a constant value for resistance (gradient). Resistance (? ) = P. d across the wire (V) / Current through the wire (A) Current flows in an electric circuit in accordance with several definite laws. The basic law of current flow is Ohm’s law, named for its discoverer, the German physicist Georg Ohm. Ohm’s law states that the amount of current flowing in a circuit made up of pure resistances is directly proportional to the electromotive force impressed on the circuit and inversely proportional to the total resistance of the circuit. The law is usually expressed by the formula I = V/R, where I is the current in amperes, V is the electromotive force in volts, and R is the resistance in ohms Ohm’s law applies to all electric circuits for both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC), but additional principles must be invoked for the analysis of complex circuits and for AC circuits also involving inductances and capacitances. A series circuit as on page 5, is one in which the devices or elements of the circuit are arranged in such a way that the entire current (I) passes through each element without division or branching into parallel circuits. When two or more resistances are in series in a circuit, the total resistance may be calculated by adding the values of such resistances. If the resistances are in parallel, the total value of the resistance in the circuit is given by the formula: In a parallel circuit, electrical devices, such as incandescent lamps or the cells of a battery, are arranged to allow all positive (+) poles, electrodes, and terminals to be joined to one conductor, and all negative (-) ones to another conductor, so that each unit is, in effect, on a parallel branch. The value of two equal resistances in parallel is equal to half the value of the component resistances, and in every case the value of resistances in parallel is less than the value of the smallest of the individual resistances involved. In AC circuits, or circuits with varying currents, circuit components other than resistance must be considered. If a circuit has a number of interconnected branches, two other laws are applied in order to find the current flowing in the various branches. These laws, discovered by the German physicist Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, are known as Kirchhoff’s laws of networks. The first of Kirchhoff’s laws states that at any junction in a circuit through which a steady current is flowing, the sum of the currents flowing to the point is equal to the sum of the currents flowing away from that point. The second law states that, starting at any point in a network and following any closed path back to the starting point, the net sum of the electromotive forces encountered will be equal to the net sum of the products of the resistances encountered and the currents flowing through them. This second law is simply an extension of Ohm’s law. The application of Ohm’s law to circuits in which there is an alternating current is complicated by the fact that capacity and inductance are always present. Inductance makes the peak value of an alternating current lag behind the peak value of voltage; capacitance makes the peak value of voltage lag behind the peak value of the current. Capacitance and inductance inhibit the flow of alternating current and must be taken into account in calculating current flow. The current in AC circuits can be determined graphically by means of vectors or by means of the algebraic equation, in which L is inductance, C is capacitance, and f is the frequency of the current. The quantity in the denominator of the fraction is called the impedance of the circuit to alternating current and is sometimes represented by the letter Z; then Ohm’s law for AC circuits is expressed by the simple equation I = V/Z. We know that all instruments have an error on its measurement, so the way to work out the percentage error is: Percentage error = (error / measured value) i 100 Conduction in metals In metals, atoms contain protons, nucleus and lose electrons which orbit around the nucleus. Below, I have investigated conduction in metals and how they affect resistance. METAL LATTICE (Electrons move in a random direction. ) METAL LATTICE (Electrons with power pack in a particular direction. ) Variables Length: If the length of the wire is increased then the resistance will also increase as the electrons will have a longer distance to travel and so more collisions will occur. Due to this, the length increase should be proportional to the resistance increase. Thickness: If the wire’s thickness is increased the resistance will decrease. This is because of the increase in the space for the electrons to travel through. Due to this increased space between the atoms, there should be fewer collisions. The number of free electrons changes from one material to another. The size of the ions changes from one material to another, this affects the current and therefore affects the resistance. The arrangement and size of the atoms change from one material to another. So if there is a kink in the wire this will change the thickness of the wire. Temperature: If the wire is heated up the atoms in the wire will start to vibrate because of their increase in energy.

Diabetes Mellitus II

Diabetes mellitus refers to â€Å"a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. † (Mathur, 2009) This chronic medical condition occurs when the production of insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas in order to regulate the blood sugar levels, is absent or insufficient. Two major types of diabetes are 1. ) type 1 diabetes which requires the affected person to be insulin-dependent as his pancreas has been damaged by auto-immune attacks, making it unable to release the hormone and 2. type 2 diabetes which is also called non-insulin diabetes mellitus as the patients who suffer from this disease can still produce their own insulin.As a matter of fact, for the latter, excessive amounts of insulin are produced by the body. This, however, damages the beta cell, the part of the pancreas that releases insulin, and causes the depletion of the production of insulin in the long run. Th is paper will focus on diabetes mellitus 2, the causes of this chronic disease as well as the physiological limitations that it can impose on a person’s exercise program.It will also include the symptoms that a fitness instructor must watch out for when training an individual suffering from type 2 diabetes. This information will be used to create an exercise program for a subject with this chronic disease. In this section, the intensity, frequency, duration and the method for determining how the program should progress will be identified. Any prescribed medication that may affect the person’s performance should also be considered in the creation of this program.Although diabetes mellitus II is coined adult-onset diabetes as it normally develops in adults who are forty years and above, the number of children who have been diagnosed with this disease has also increased in number. Although genetics or complications during pregnancy may play a role in the development of th is disease, obesity is still identified as the major cause of this problem. An individual who has a Body Mass Index (BMI) that is 20% higher than the ideal has a higher chance of becoming diabetic.Other major risk factors associated with diabetes are age, family history, race, a history of previous impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), hypertension, a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and polycystic ovarian syndrome. (Votey & Peters, 2009) In the past, people ages 40 and above are more prone to this disease. But, now, due to the sharp increase in the number of children with this disease, this might as well be considered as a pediatric disease. A person’s family history should also be considered when determining a person’s risk to acquire this disease.People with first degree relatives who are diabetic can have a higher chance of acquiring this disease. They may have acquired the gene that stimulates the production of a protein that inhibits the role of insulin in cellular glucose transport. A person’s ethnic group can also increase a person’s risk of acquiring this disease. Afro-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Asians have a higher chance of becoming diabetic. A person’s blood pressure and cholesterol level can also determine if he is prone to diabetes.People with a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg and above, a cholesterol level of 35 mg-dL-1 or below or a triglycerol level of 250 mg-dL-1 will have a higher risk of becoming diabetic. (McArdle, p. 452, 2007) For people with type 2 diabetes, an increase in glucose levels occur because of relative insulin deficiency or the insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas, insulin resistance or the decrease in the effects of insulin on peripheral tissues, especially muscles, or a combination of these two problems.Of course, insulin resistance, doesn’t necessarily mean that a person has diabetes . This, however, can cause diabetes in the long run, especially if the person’s diet is rich in simple carbohydrates. Because of insulin resistance, glucose is converted to triacylglycerol and is stored as fat. Since fat cells have a tendency to be insulin-resistant due to its reduced insulin receptor density, the person’s insulin resistance can reach a level that exceeds the maximum output of the pancreas.Both resistance and aerobic training can help in the management of these factors by improving insulin are glucagon responses. Since skeletal muscles consume a lot of glucose, approximately 70 to 90% of the glucose present in the body, resistance training which increases muscle mass can increase insulin sensitivity, leading to better glucose control. Endurance training, on the other hand, â€Å"maintains the blood level of insulin and glucagon during exercise closer to resting values. † (McArdle, p. 451, 2007)Ideally, the management of diabetes involves dieting , exercising and taking in the prescribed medication, if there is any. There are, however, some cases when the blood sugar level of the patient is too high and exercise needs to be put off. At the same time, although exercise can be very beneficial to diabetics, it can be counterproductive if the condition of the client is not examined properly. Before a client is given a program, the instructor must first make sure that he has his doctor’s consent.The instructor should also know if the client has the following complications: retinal hemorrhage, increased proteinuria, acceleration of microvascular lesions, cardiac arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, excessive blood pressure during exercise, postexercise orthostatic hyerptension, increased hyperglycemia, increased ketosis, foot ulcers, orthopedic injury related to neuropathy and accelerated degenerative joint disease. The exercise should be adjusted based on these factors.Obese individuals, for example, should be given lesser weight-bearing exercises. At the same time, they should also be given longer rest periods in order to avoid increase in blood pressure. People with heart and blood pressure problems must not be allowed to exercise when the temperature is too high or the atmosphere is too humid. They should also be given ample rest in between sets. They should also avoid isometric exercises as well as exercises that involve raising the weight overhead or holding positions wherein the head is lower than legs.Aside from the risks caused by complications, the instructor should also pay attention to signs of hypoglycemia, especially if the client is taking in insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. Mild hypoglycemia is characterized by trembling or shakiness, nervousness, palpitations, increased sweating and excessive hunger. People with moderate hypoglycemic reactions experience headaches, irritability and abrupt mood changes, impaired concentration and attentiveness, mental confusion and drowsiness.In se vere cases, the individual becomes unresponsive and unconscious and experiences convulsions. For such instances, the instructor must be attentive to these symptoms so that he can react immediately. Since some patients take ß-blocker medication, hypoglycemic unawareness should be expected and it is up to the instructor to make the client stop exercising, measure his glucose level and have him eat some simple carbohydrates like hard candies and sugar cubes if hypoglycemia is confirmed. The client should then be asked to rest for ten to fifteen minutes.After that, his glucose level should once again be measured before allowing him to continue the exercise regiment. Another risk that should be avoided is late-onset hypoglycemia wherein the diabetic’s blood sugar remains low even after four to forty-eight hours has passed. This can happen if the client’s exercise is too strenuous for him. For this reason, high-intensity exercise should not be administered to a diabetic i ndividual, especially if he has been prescribed some insulin or hypoglycemic agents.He should begin with a low-intensity program that gradually increases in intensity. Changes in intensity must be made after a period of three to six weeks so that the individual would be given enough time to adjust. According to Erikkson's study (Janot & Kravitz, 2009), doing some resistance training twice a week is enough to show results. Beginning with this frequency is also advisable as the instructor would be given the time to observe the client's reaction to the exercise. He would also be able to clear him of late-onset hypoglycemia.The study done by Ishii and his colleagues (Janot & Kravitz, 2009) shows that the range of the load given to diabetic individuals should be 40 to 50% of their 1 rep max. They should do around 2 sets of 25 repetitions. And, they should be given 30 to 120 seconds of rest in between sets. Based on the FITT principle, people with type 2 diabetes can have 3 to 5 times a w eek of aerobic exercise. The intensity should be 40 to 60% of the maximum HR and the duration should be around 30 to 60 minutes, unless the person is taking hypoglycemic agents or insulin.

Smoke Disavantages Essays

Smoke Disavantages Essays Smoke Disavantages Essay Smoke Disavantages Essay Smoking causes illness and death, among other disadvantages. It is the most preventable lifestyle factor affecting human health. Smoking harms every organ in your body. Your heart, blood vessels, lungs and fertility are all negatively affected by smoking and the chemicals in cigarettes. Heart and Blood Vessel Health Smoking changes the structure of blood vessels. This can lead to the buildup of plaque that hardens and narrows the vessels, causing a disease called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a common cause of heart attacks and peripheral artery disease. Smoking increases your likelihood of developing high blood pressure. The carbon monoxide inhaled from cigarette smoke interferes with the way oxygen is carried by your blood to organs, including the heart, which links it to heart disease. Smoking also increases the incidence of blood clots, which can lead to strokes. Lung Function The lung is the main target of the smoke inhaled by cigarettes because it has direct contact with the chemicals. Smoking is the most common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, which affects the function of the lungs and how they deliver oxygen into the body. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema and involves a change in the structure of your lung tissue and airways. If you have asthma, smoking can increase the frequency and severity of attacks. Smoking diminishes lung function, so you may experience shortness of breath even with little or no exertion. Effects on Fertility and Babies Smoking contributes to infertility and decreases the chance of conception whether you are a man or woman. Men who smoke are found to have a reduced total sperm count in addition to a decrease in the sperms ability to fertilize an egg. Smoking diminishes the capacity of an ovary to create eggs that are capable of healthy fertilization. If you are pregnant and a smoker, you increase the risk of a low-birth-weight or preterm baby. An estimated 20 to 30 percent of low-birth-weight babies and 14 percent of preterm births are attributed to smoking in pregnancy, according the U. S. Surgeon Generals report on women and smoking. There is a higher chance your baby will have asthma if you smoked during pregnancy. Even some full-term babies will have diminished lung function if you smoked while pregnant.

Why After School Jobs Are Benificail (Pursausive S Essays

Why After School Jobs Are Benificail (Pursausive S Essays Why After School Jobs Are Benificail (Pursausive Speech) AFTER SCHOOL JOBS In a world where getting ahead less of what you know and more of what youve done, I think that after school jobs for students are increasingly beneficial. I dont believe the myths that with a job there is no time for school work of extracurricular activities. I am a junior, I have had jobs since I was 15, I have never had my G.P.A drop below 3.2, and I have always been involved in at least three school activities. A teenager that has a job is more apt to be taught responsibility, learns more about money and gets a jump start on the real world after high school. One challenge that I have had to overcome, but ultimately grown stronger from is that of finding an appropriate time to finish my homework. I no longer take class time to work on my assignments for granted. While most of my friends who dont work usually go home and sit on their sofa for four hours before opening their bookbag, I have found that Friends and ER can still run their show without me watching, something I am afraid many of my peers have yet to discover. And shockingly enough it is possible to go for weeks without watching any television! Having a job has also taught me to respect authority. I have held jobs as a carhop, a waitress, and a grocery checker and sacker. Like most jobs that high schooler have, I am constantly around people. After being yelled at for undercooked steak or smashed bread, it is much easier to deal with rude people in other situations, I am much less likely to lose my patience and I understand that many problems and attitudes depend on circumstance. Many adults are also extremely impressed that is is automatic for me to address people older than me as maam or sir when I have a question or request. I think another positive was that jobs impact teenagers is that it teaches them about money. At the risk of sounding like a codjity old man, kids these days dont know the value of the dollar. I know many kids that are going to be in a world of hurt when Mom and Dad aren't there with their wallet to give them money to go out or buy their clothes and CDs. I now think twice before spending $115 dollars on a pair of shoes when I realize that will cost me thirty hours of working. I also have a better idea of what money buys and what things cost. After reading countless grocery totals everyday I am very aware that if I dont land a job in collage, I will be living off of Raman Noodles and the occasional Always Save hot dog. I look at taxes much different now, before I worked I didnt understand what all of the fuss was about. But after watching my meager paycheck melt away more every week, I understand why sometime the certainty of taxes seems like the more appealing option. After school jobs are great to prepare for life after high school. While I believe it is important to maintain healthy social life during high school, there aren't many collages or jobs that will accept you just because you are involved in every club offered. If you pick jobs responsibly, there is no reason while you cant stay active in school and work. I have not missed a football game yet in high school and I have been in every play put on by the school. Jobs prepare you for the world after school. After being a waitress I know I can find work in virtually any decent sized town in America. Because of my job I know that I cant just wake up in the mourning and go somewhere that I have not planned. Just like in the real world things must be planned weeks or even months in advance. If I need a job I know how to apply; I know how to pass an interview; I know how to impress authority figures, all skills I will need after I graduate. So for all of

M6A2 LTABC Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

M6A2 LTABC - Essay Example Resistance to change is tridimensional in nature, encompassing cognitive, behavioral, and affective human components or attitudes that inhibit the change process (Hammer, 2006). Examples of Resistance to Change in an Organization The organization under study has experienced regular resistance to changes that border on employees’ intrinsic rewards. The organization had proposed changes that would result in redefining of the employees’ tasks and alter their current job positions. According to the resisting employees, any attempt to transfer employees to less interesting, less challenging and less autonomous employment positions would lead to negative change evaluation and erroneous evaluation on employee performances. Cognitively, a decrease in challenges and autonomy would also lead to negative emotional response. According to opposing employees, individual well-being is to some extent influenced by an organization’s ability to satisfy individual intrinsic needs i ncluding self-determination and autonomy (Brown, 2005). Example two Changes in prestige and powers have as well encountered consistent resistance from employees who feel less rewarded in the process. In the organization under study, the power and prestige changes proposed the alteration in power allocation where some people were to be assigned some influential positions while others were expected to be downgraded. Some leadership positions were also projected to get more privileges than others. According to employees, the power organization changes as well as political ramifications were the major causes for negative evaluation of individual performances. Additionally, power relegation was equated to negative impacts on individual’s behavior (Brown, 2005). Comparison of the Two Examples against the Theory on Resistance to Change In his Life Space Theory, Lewin evaluated the interaction between the environment and individual needs. According to his theory, people try to mainta in a balance between their needs and the environment. When this balance is compromised or disturbed, stress is developed and individuals are forced to restore the balance (Schultz & Schultz, 2004). In example one, an attempt to redefine the position destabilized the employees balance with their environment, leading to resistance. In example two, an attempt to deny people their coveted powers and prestige created stresses that required immediate action to restore normalcy with the environment. Additionally, Lewin observed organizational changes as based on three main steps. The initial step is unfreezing step where employees are trained to understand the need for organizational change. Secondly, employees need to undergo a work change training program based on a structured plan (Williams, 2006). The final step is refreezing, which involves the institutionalization of the new behaviors and structures. In the two examples, the organization management did not follow the required steps a s stipulated by Lewin’s theory, advancing change resistance Happenings in the Organization under Study The organization under study does not entirely understand the procedure required in

Bonsai Tree Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Bonsai Tree - Essay Example This means that a bonsai is not merely a piece of horticulture. It is horticulture that is refined to the level of an art form. While a bonsai needs the same ingredients as other trees and plants, like land, fertilizers, water and sunlight, it is the way these are administered to the bonsai that makes it a special form of horticulture. All these essential requirements are provided in order to make the bonsai tree take exactly the desired shape and size, leading experts to comment that bonsais are more art than horticulture. They could be kept indoors or outdoors depending on the tree species, but it is the shape of a bonsai tree that determines the type to which it belongs. Bonsais are traditionally created in the following different shapes: Cascade-full (Kengai): In this type of bonsai, the branches as well as the trunk of the tree are deliberately swept over to a particular side of the container and allowed to hang below the roots. It is designed to look like a tree growing at the edge of a cliff, buffeted by strong winds. Clump (Kadudachi). In this variation of the bonsai, there are several trunks emerging from the same point in the clump of roots, giving it a look of overcrowded natural growth that can be found in forests. Informal uprighFormal upright (Chokkan). This is a rigidly classical bonsai, usually with a very linear and upright trunk. The branches spread out in a balanced way so as to take on a triangular form. Group / Forest (Yose-ue). This is where several bonsais are naturalistically planted and maneuvered on a container, so as to give the impression of a wood or forest. Informal upright (Moyogi). In this form of bonsai, the trunk makes its twisty way through the branches, remaining balanced in form all the time. Like the Chokkan, the Moyogi also has a triangular overall formation. Literati (Bunjingi). This bonsai mimics a tree of mature age, with no branches in the lower two-thirds of its trunk. Raft (Ikadabuki). For this bonsai, the tree is laid flat, and its branches are placed in a sort of group formation pointing vertically. Root over rock (Sekijoju). This bonsai has prominent roots which are maneuvered into place so as to flow over the central rock and then into the container itself. Slanting (Shakan). This particular bonsai is a variation of the Chokkan, where the tree is bent in one direction as if seeking light or swayed by the force of the wind. Twin trunk (Sojo). As the name suggests, this bonsai has two trunks that combine at the base, near the container. All these types of bonsais are fascinating to true enthusiasts. Though the practice of bonsai originated in China, it was Japan that refined it, and some of the most exclusive owners and patrons of bonsai are found there. Some bonsais may have prices running into thousands and millions of dollars, because of their age, history, beauty and exclusivity. They are held in reverence in Japan. But prices differ depending on the keeper, the age, the look and the demand. Most bonsais in the United States are much more affordable, and anyone can start off a bonsai hobby with minimal investment by collecting the tree from nature. From fifty dollars to a few hundred,