Synthetic Financial Products Speech or Presentation

Synthetic Financial Products - Speech or Presentation Example Note that an increase from 1 to 2 is 100 per cent increase, from 1 to 3 a 200 percent increase, and so on. Therefore, a 300 per cent cap would be a rise from 1 to 4 (in case of an index, from 100 to 400.) Analysis: Where So is less than St is less than 400 [initial index value times performance cap 300%]. Here the initial index value has to be 1.333 in order for the performance cap to be 300, per problem statement, considering that ÃŽ · has to be 300, in order to yield 400.[300 x 1.33 = 400] Analysis: Based on the ELN theory, the Face value or principal of the investment -- here $1,000,000 – has to be reduced to its present value (PV), and the difference between the present value figure and the Face amount is the amount available for exposure in the equity index options market. The present value of the amount is held either in a zero coupon bond or another risk-free investment vehicle such as a savings account earnings a fixed return. At 5%, the amount of $216,301 is available to be invested in European call options, as required by the problem. . European options can be exercised only at the end of their contract life, unlike American options which can be exercised at any time prior to expiration date to take advantage of a profitable situation. While the problem statement states otherwise, ELN theory says that only long call options are used, as short positions - - the writing of call options -- is not consistent with the theory. It should also be noted that most index options are American options, and the restriction in favor of European options limits the investor’s decision choices. It is therefore suggested that the writing of options be dispensed with as unnecessary to the ELN concept. Information provided by an annual Dun and Bradstreet publication indicates that the index options market is a cheap way of obtaining an opportunity to profit from the movement of an index such as the OEX

Modern Poetry Comparison Essay Example for Free

Modern Poetry Comparison Essay Over the past few weeks, my class and I have been studying a bank of poems, all of the same theme, they all deal with racist issues in modern life. I have chosen two of these poems to compare, these are, The Negro and Prayer of a black boy. Throughout the coursework I shall be calling Prayer of a black boy Poem A, and The Negro, poem B. Poem A uses imagery contrasting white and black cultures, lots of words and expressions in the poem underlines the wonder and amazement of the Negros natural environment, and the barrenness and unproficness of the white mans. I will be disusing these and pointing out the affects they have. Poem B is in 6 clear stanzas but uses imagery of a symbolic and/or historic kind, and so I will also explain the affects this has upon the poem, and although Poem A is written continuously, it can easily be broken into six stanzas for comparison. Also both poems are written in the first person, we know this because they say I. Due to Poem B being in six stanzas it is very quick and easy to read and understand, so I have split Poem A into six parts as well to make it easier to compare. Poem A tells us that the mans roots are very black, and that he is proud to be Black and that him and his people originated from Africa, I concluded this from the line Black as the depths of Africa. In poem B the man says he is tires of this world, he is saying a prayer, which means he is fed up of the way white people act and live and he wants out, also he says since the cock crew he wandered, this means he is worn out of looking for a better place of peace amongst the white people. Poem A explains that the man in the poem has always been used as a slave and that he has been treated like a second class citizen because of his race. Also he says Caesar told me this means that black people have been slaves for a very long time, even when Caesar was around. But he seems to be proud of what he and his race have done to get where they are now. During the second part of Poem B, the man describes a beautiful scene of where and what he wants to be, but then he thinks about what will really happen, which is that his people are slaves and workers all day then he says they are spat out of the factory in which they work. He also dreams of going back to his own country and living freely amongst his people, but he then awakes with great disappointment to se he is still stuck in a white mans world. In the third part of Poem A the man explains that he worked on ancient buildings as well as very modern buildings, which shows us a sense of time, of which he and his people have been treated with a lower standard from the white people, and over a long period of time. The man in Poem B tells us that what the so called gentleman is, he doesnt want to be, because he can see the real white people and they are not kind and generous as a real gentleman is thought to be. Also he compares his brown skin with the brown sugar bags in the street, which are from his country and makes yet again think of being at home with black people. The forth part of Poem A, tells us that he is a singer, and this shows he is proud of the situation he is currently in. We have a mention that he worked his way up from his homeland (Africa) to Georgia, where he sings ragtime for white people and they like it, and this makes him very proud to be who and what he is, a Negro. In the forth section of Poem B the Negro explains that he really wants to be back where he knows is a lot better place, which is his country, because in this country there is nothing better than his home, Africa. In section five of Poem A, he tells us that he and his race have been victims all their lives, he tells us the horrors oh what has happened in the past to him and his race. They have been treated unfairly and with no trial they are punished. Poem B section five, tells us that the man doesnt want to learn the ways and religion of the white people, he wants to know his own history and practise his own religion, the religion of the black people from his home country. He asks why he should read about things he doesnt know or understand of. The white peoples religion comes from a book, (the bible), whereas black religion is carried through time in stories and songs. The final section of Poem A is the exact same as the first stanza, he repeats how proud he is of where how hard him and his race have worked, and that he is proud of his wonderful country, his wonderful home, Africa. The final section of Poem B isnt the same as its first, in this final part, the black man explains that white people are too sad for his kind, and that his culture are in touch with there countries natural habitat and that the white people are far too industrious. The final line tells us that the white culture needs to lighten up a bit.

Edinburghs Urban Structure

Edinburghs Urban Structure Edinburgh and its urban structure: About 8% of Scotland’s population resides in its capital city Edinburgh. In the recent years, Edinburgh has been seen to be a flourishing city with a perky labor and housing markets and a stable economic growth.[1] For working adults, it has an employment rate that is near the UK average of 74.7%.[2] The financial sector of Edinburgh is exceedingly developed and this has proven to be beneficial to its economy. Another factor that has given benefit to its economy is the fact that the government administration is concentrated in the city and recently the Scottish Parliament was established there. Moreover the Edinburgh Festival, in particular, attracts tourists from around the world. Despite these facts, there are some areas in the city which are poverty stricken that are condensed in council housing estates. However, comparatively this is on a small scale. An additional downside is that manual workers are facing declining opportunities. Important Statistics: The population of Edinburgh rose considerably by 7.1% to 444,624 between 1991 till 2001 and this growth rate is more than any other city in Scotland. It has a high proportion of young adults who are working (47%) and a low percentage of children that are dependent (16%).In 1991 a survey was conducted regarding the population which showed that 97.6% of the population was White which later decreased to 95.9%. Before this census it was noted that one sixth of households moved in Edinburgh and more than half of the population lived in flats or tenements. Out of three only one household had a single adult. In 2001 the economic activity rate was 67% and Glasgow was at 60% while then unemployment was at 4.3%. The jobs in Edinburgh are seen to move away from the manufacturing sector and in 2001 only 7.5% of the workforce was in the manufacturing sector. The professionals form about more than one sixth of the total working population and it was observed that about 12% of the working age popul ation was involved in full time studies. 12.3% of the people have no central heating in the houses and about 40% do not possess a car. The health problem is great with 39.8% informing that they have a long term illness. However this is still lower than Scotland and Lothian as a whole at 57.4% and 49.3% respectively[3] The Council’s Housing Needs Assessment 2000 showed that there is an overall similarity between Edinburgh and Scotland. The housing market has divided the population between areas. Pensioners are concentrated in the South West, North West and South East areas whereas lone parent households are mostly in the South East area only. The Central area houses a high proportion of single adult households (50%) and 54% of the population is between the age group 18 to 34 years. Younger adults are found to be in the Outer Central where 38% belongs to the age group of 18 to 34 years. The Waterfront area has a similar high proportion of people that belong to this age group. The city average of non-White people in Central area is at 6.1% as compared to 3.3%[4] The Edinburgh Economy Population According to the population estimate that has been conducted recently (2002), it is known that Edinburgh’s population has reached 448,000 and this has put Edinburgh up at second in the largest and fastest growing cities of Scotland. This increase of population was a rise by 3% since 1991 i.e. there was an increase of 12,000 residents in contrast to the total decline in the population of Scotland by 0.4%. This increase in growth in the population of Edinburgh was part of a growth trend there. Recent statistics (2003) show that 311,000 people are employed in different organizations and businesses. This figure represents the 14% of all employment in Scotland. Knowing the fact that Edinburgh accounts for a minor part of the whole population of Scotland at 8%, the city provides employment to people beyond its boundaries. Employment rate has been increasing in Edinburgh and especially in areas like Midlothian and West Lothian. Although the number of jobs increased in Midlothian and West Lothian was greater than in Edinburgh as a whole, the jobs at Edinburgh increased approximately by 30,000. In the last 20 years, Edinburgh has emerged out to become one of the most flourishing cities in the United Kingdom. It was observed in 2001 that the GDP in Edinburgh was over a third greater than the GDP of entire Scotland[5] . The same holds true for the average gross weekly earnings of employees working full-time. That figure is greater for the people in Edinburgh as compared to Scotland as a whole. According to an analysis made in April 2002, this was 112.6% of the Scottish rate thus being at  £480.60. Unemployment rates are low in Edinburgh being at 2.2% in 2002 (6,737 people), which was the lowest level and was greatly lower that the Scottish average[6]. Thus Edinburgh has high employment rates as compared to Scotland as a whole and in 2001 it was observed that the service sector gave most of the employment opportunities at 87.6% [7] of all the jobs in Edinburgh. Table 1 explains in detail the employment structure in the city as well as the region by the Industrial sector. Finance and business service sectors are of vital importance to local employment and this is seen to be evident as it has been acting like pillars of strength of the economy of the city and have been potentially growing within the national economy. Table 1 Employment structure, 2003 Edinburgh City Region Scotland Primary Production and construction 8% 12% 16% Distribution, hotels catering 22% 23% 24% Transport and communications 4% 5% 5% Business and finance 343% 28% 18% Public and other services 32% 32% 35% All Sectors 100% 100% 100% Employee jobs (000s) 312 433 2,299 Source: Annual Business Inquiry  ©crown copyright (NOMIS) The increase in the population of Edinburgh is not due to excess birthrates, although the number of births has been known to exceed the death rate, but the increase is mainly because of people migrating to the city. This shows the strength of the economy of the city. The study of the demographic trends in the housing market in Edinburgh is of significant importance. West Lothian and Midlothian have undergone a population increase while East Lothian and West Lothian have also been exposed to a high in-migration. Thus the population of the entire city has been increasing due to both the factors i.e. natural increase and in-migration. Recently conducted estimates (mid-2002) regarding the number of households in the city of Edinburgh show that there are 207,080 households. The period from 1991 till 2002 has witnessed and increase in the number of households that is three times greater than the actual increase in the population of Edinburgh. This holds to evidence as to the social and eco nomic changes that have caused in the formation of smaller households. Projected Population and Household Change, 2002-2016 Analysts have come to a conclusion that these trends would continue in the future. It is estimated that the population of Edinburgh will increase at a rate of 0.4% per year i.e. an increase of 54,700 residents. On the other hand, Scotland as a whole would experience a decline by 0.1% per annum. There are only 11 local authorities in Scotland that are expected an increase in population and Edinburgh is one of them. It is also estimated that the period stretching till 2016 will witness an increase in individual households in Edinburgh would be greater as compared to the population as a whole. Table 2 Population change, 1991-2002 1991 2002 change %change City of Edinburgh 436,320 448,080 11,760 3% East Lothian 84,440 90,750 6,310 7% Midlothian 79,530 80,500 970 1% West Lothian 145,040 159,960 14,920 10% City Region 745,330 779,290 33,960 5% Scotland 5,083,330 5,054,800 -28,530 -1% Source: GROS mid year estimates Table 3 Employment change by industry, 1998-2003 Edinburgh City Region Scotland Production and construction -33% -29% -22% Distribution, hotels catering 22% 27% 7% Transport and communications -7% 5% 7% Business and finance 34% 32% 24% Public and other services 8% 14% 19% All Sectors 11% 12% 6% Source: Annual business inquiry  ©crown copyright (NOMIS) Employment forecasts, 2003-2007 In Table 3 the rate of change in employment by sector in Edinburgh and its region is compared to Scotland. Finance and business services have been the fastest growing sector at the national level. This sector has been growing at a higher rate as compared to other areas in Scotland. The pattern as observed reflects the degree to which Edinburgh is a center for high level functions. The employment rate has increased greatly in the headquarters as compared to the branches spread out. Due to an increase in tourism spending and leisure, Edinburgh has greatly benefited from the increase in employments in Catering, Hotels and Distribution. However, in the ‘employment shedding’ manufacturing sectors, the city has relatively few jobs. There is an expected rise in the employment in Edinburgh by 4% over a period stretching from 2003 to 2007. This shows an increase of 13,000 jobs. Similar steady rates are expected in West Lothian and Midlothian. The pattern of growth however is expe cted to change from the recent past and the increase would mainly be in Distribution, Hotels, Catering and public services. Employment in business services and finance is forecasted to grow but at a relatively lower rate than what was observed in the past. Table 4 gives the data on average earning in Edinburgh. The data is recorded in terms of place of residence as well as place of work of the people in the survey. In 2003 the average earning of people in the city region was  £453 per week i.e.  £23,500 approximately in a year. Comparing this to Scotland, it was found that the average earning of the people in the city region was slightly greater. People who lived in Edinburgh city earned  £481 per week. This was at an increase of about 10% to the Scottish average. An important point to note is that these earnings are given at an average and ground realities show a great variation in the earnings of the residents of Edinburgh. For example, in 2003 it was observed that 10% of all the residents of Edinburgh earned  £220 or less per week as compared to the top 10% who earned more than  £828 per week. People whose workplaces were within Edinburgh were rated to be the second highest average earning in all of Scotland in 2003. These figures make it an obvious point to note that the higher paid jobs were filled in by the people who lived in Edinburgh while the lower ones were occupied by those outside the city commuting to work. The Census data exhibit that (in 2001) the net inflow of people commuting to work in Edinburgh from outside was around 60,000. Table 4 Average gross weekly earnings, 2003  £/week % of Scotland Work-basedresidence-based Work-based residence-based Edinburgh  £467  £481 107% 110% City Region  £454  £453 104% 104% Scotland  £437  £437 100% 100% Source: New Earnings Survey Unemployment rates in Edinburgh are lower as compared to the Scottish average. In 2004 it was recorded that the proportion of the population that were of the working age and were receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance was 2.2% as compared to the Scottish average of 2.7%. If a wider measure is adopted to study this deeply then striking differences are noted. Table 5 exhibits that the proportion of the working age population dependant or receiving state benefits of Edinburgh was much lower as compared to the rest of Scotland. However it is also interesting to note that the proportion of working age population in employment in Edinburgh was lower than the rest of Scotland. This difference is because of the large female population that are of working age but are neither working not claiming any benefits from the state. Table 5 Economic Activity and Benefits Edinburgh Scotland % of working age population unemployed, on Compulsory New Deal or 9.8 13.8 in receipt of incapacity/Disablement Benefits (2002) % of adults and children living in households in receipt of key income 11.8 15.0 benefits/credits (2002) % of working age adults in employment (2003) 66.7 76.6 Source: Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, 2004 An inclusive set of indicators of deprivation in small areas throughout Scotland is brought together in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004 (SIMD04). Various dimensions of factors such as economic and social deprivation, including incomes, health, housing, accessibility, employment and health are included in the index. Information for each data zone in Scotland is collected and each area according to its level of deprivation is ranked. It is seen that Edinburgh has areas of high deprivation however the proportion of the population in these areas is much lower than the Scottish average. 20% of Edinburgh’s population would be living in data zones which would rank in the most deprived 20% in Scotland if Edinburgh had been under similar conditions as the rest of Scotland. As this is not so, only 13% of Edinburgh’s population is found to live in these areas that fall in the most deprived 20% in Scotland. Summary Edinburgh has been experiencing a growth in its population due to the growth in its economic sector. It is also seen that the incomes in Edinburgh are higher as compared to the rest of Scotland. The unemployment rate is lower and the percentage of people dependant on benefits from the state is also low in this city. This city has people traveling into it for work from other regions and thus can be considered as an employment center. Although the business and finance sectors would grow in the future, their rate of growth would be less. However increasing growth will be observed in distribution, hotels and catering due to increased tourism. The economy as a whole seems to be stable and will in the future generate more employment opportunities. Housing Supply and Demand Edinburgh’s housing system differs from the rest of Scotland and has some distinctive features to it. Private rending and owner occupation is high as compared to the Scottish average with a small rented sector. There are a higher proportion of flats as compared to the proportion of houses which is relatively low. Housing issues are complex in Edinburgh due to the fact that while the city is prosperous, there are areas of deprivation. Limited affordable housing with a high demand in housing, coupled with deprivation give rise to complex housing issues. Owner occupation It is seen that 69% of the homes are occupied by the owners out of which 40% are bought with a mortgage and 27% are owned outright. Moreover it is observed that owner occupation as a whole and houses that are owned outright are higher as compared to Scotland. The reason for the high percentage of outright ownership would be accounted for the in-migration of relatively wealthy people as compared to the in-migration in other cities of Scotland. Moreover the presence of people earning high income who would prefer not to purchase through mortgage could also account for this fact. Regardless of the existence of flats and small houses, the prices are high as compared to the rest of Scotland. The average price of a house in Edinburgh in the first half of 2004 was  £165,000. At  £354,000 were the prices for newly built properties in the Rural West part of Edinburgh. This was seen to be the highest mean price. Health needs It is important to use a variety of information to study and analyze the social issues and health needs in a city. High level ‘administrative’ data like that of the Census shows the operation of city partners within. Differences found in health amongst the various groups in a society are known as health inequalities. There are many inequalities in Scotland and JHIP aims to address these issues and eliminate inequalities which are caused by reasons that â€Å"are complex and interacting†[8]. Some of these factors include the physical factors like exposure to poor housing, socio-economic factors, behavioral factors (smoking or drinking) and psychological factors which would include exposure to adverse life events. These aspects are expressed clearly in the data on health provided in the Vision For Edinburgh monitoring reports, ‘Measuring Edinburgh’s Performance’ July 2002 and 2003[9]. One such factor is the low birth weight which is related to ma ny immediate and long-term health risks. In Edinburgh’s community planning process, this is regarded as the key health indicator. This factor is prevalent in areas of social disadvantages rather than in Edinburgh as a whole. In a period ranging from 1991 to 2000, it was seen that the number of teenage pregnancies, who gave birth to a child rather than aborting it, has been four times greater in the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas than in Edinburgh as a whole. Socio-economic factors, life circumstances, genetic factors, lifestyles and factors of place are some of the important factors which affect the death rate. In the same period from 1991 to 2000 the death rate for under 65’s in the SIP areas was higher as compared to the city as a whole. This gap widened more in the period ranging from 1997 to 2000. In 2001 the figures saw a reversal in the trend as there was a reduction in the death rate for under 65’s in SIP areas but the gap still exists. Self-harm and self-poisoning have also been at a high and in the period of 1991 to 2000, this occurred at a higher rate in the SIP areas as compared to Edinburgh as a whole. It should be noted that the occurrence of such events and the gap between the SIP areas and Edinburgh as a whole has been decreasing. The credit for this would be given to the establishment of the assessment unit at the Royal Infirmary which dedicates itself to reduce the number of repeat incidents of self-harm. I t should also be noted that health inequality is not solely linked to the existence of social disadvantage and poverty and it was seen that the flatted accommodation in Edinburgh adversely affected those with reduced mobility.[10] Homelessness applications in Scotland come from all the cities and Edinburgh ranks second in it. However this is about less than a third of the presentations recorded in Glasgow (Scottish Executive, 1999). Voluntary agencies are providing a range of services including hostels, and other facilities for the young people who are homeless and comparatively this is less extensive than the one present in Glasgow and the largest hostel in Edinburgh is Council with 70 bed spaces. The RSI has funded a ‘single access point’ for the homeless people but there is still a shortfall in hostel accommodation, emergency accommodation in particular. A change will come about though after the projects of RSI become functional fully. A ‘Homelessness Liaison Officer’ has been appointed by Lothian and Borders Police for Edinburgh. There was street culture in Edinburgh to a certain extent as well. However, homelessness services in Edinburgh have been enhanced significantly and impro vements are expected in the future. Conclusion: Edinburgh is a thoroughly urban city with all the usual urban problems including unemployment, homelessness and health inequalities. However concrete steps have been taken to counter these problems especially the problem of homelessness that has been afflicting the city’s economic resources. Serious steps need to be taken on city as well as regional level to introduce better housing facilities and to absorb more jobless people into city’s various business sectors. References Bailey, N., Turok, I. and Docherty, I. (1999) Edinburgh and Glasgow: Contrasts in Competitiveness and Cohesion. Glasgow: Department of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow Office for National Statistics (1999) Labour Force Survey Quarterly Supplement, November 1999. London: Office for National Statistics. A. OSullivan. (2002) Urban Economics. McGraw-Hill UK. Footnotes [1] Bailey et al, 1999 [2] ONS, 1999 [3] www.edinburgh.gov.uk -census 2001 information [4] Housing Needs Assessment 2000, The City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Homes, 2002. [5] Source Capital Review, issue 1 summer 2002 [6] Source Capital Review, issue 1 summer 2002 [7] Capital Review, issue 1 summer 2002. [8] McIntyre in â€Å"Social Justice – a Scotland Where Everyone Matters. Annual Report 2001†: Scottish Executive 2001 [9] â€Å"Measuring Edinburgh’s Performance†: Edinburgh Partnership, 2002 and 2003 [10] Figures reported in CEC Housing Needs Assessment 2000.

Third world debt Vs Need for Technology :: Business and Management Studies

Third world debt Vs Need for Technology Background and underlying concepts: Many developing countries have very large debts accumulated since the 80’s, and the amount of money that they owe is quickly increasing dramatically. Trying to pay off these debts has become a serious problem for these countries, as they now owe money to commercial banks and also to organisations like the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, and to First World governments. During the last fifteen years around $1.3 trillion was paid by the third world countries to the developed countries in the form of loan repayments and interest on the loans. Every month around $12 billion is passed on from economically poor counties to the developed countries in debt servicing. In sub-Saharan Africa, some countries spend almost half their national budget on financing debt owed to the rich western nations. This is the reason why these counties cannot invest in technology to develop their own country. The technology market is vast industry that is always changing with time. It is estimated that around 5.5 billion people do not have access to technology such as the Internet, as computer are to expensive for these people. While over half of the UK households are online, only 0.1% of homes in Bangladesh and India have access to the Internet. As this was a huge concern a company based in India produce a low cost handheld computer named ‘Simputer’. The device would only cost around $240. The device would enable people or a village to access the Internet and perform transaction and any other information that would be accessible via the Internet. Villages tended to by these as it help educate the kids within these villages. Current Situation: Figures published by the World Bank shows that the total external debt per country is as follows. * Indonesia $132.2bn * India $104.4bn * Thailand $59.2bn * Malaysia $48.6bn * Sri Lanka $9.6bn * Somalia $2.7bn * Seychelles $560m * Maldives $270m The annual repayment cost for theses countries are as follows: * Indonesia $13.7bn * India $13bn * Thailand $17.9bn * Sri Lanka $653m * Maldives $20.8m In Africa the debt crises is so bad that around 315 million Africans live on less than $1 a day. The G7 minister are planning to cancel up to 100% of the debt owed, this would mean that around 37 developing counties would benefit from this proposed scheme. According to the JDC (Jubilee Debt Campaign), only $36.3bn, or less than 10%, of debt has been cancelled to date. Pakistan has paid off most of its debt that was owed to US. This was done the incentives given by the American government and its allies in

A Short Story Essay

During Maytag’s final surrender to Whirlpool, appliance parts are now in surplus. As a result, the warehouse has been shipped an overabundance of parts. The likes of which we rarely see. Because the market has gone down in flames, the demand for appliance parts is sky-high. Thus we have a beautiful supply and demand ratio between our suppliers and our customers. Since no one has the capital to go out and purchase a brand new washing machine or refrigerator, in spite of Obama’s Energy Star credit stimulus, more and more appliances are being serviced. This allows servicers to keep in business and increase profits. Their increase in business requires that they purchase more parts from us, of which we are consistently replenishing due to the business deals made by our suppliers. Thus the servicer is never thrown into hysteria over a lack of parts. Thus we keep in business. Thus we keep our jobs. We even manage to allocate overtime on occasion. I know all this because the warehouse hides nothing from me. The warehouse needs me. The warehouse is me. Or else I’d like to think. By the end of the shift we are all manifesting the last of the packages that are to be shipped out via UPS and FedEx. The trailers are closed. The semis drive off. The workers go home. I stay to close shop. I print the manifest reports and shut down the computers. I record our shipping quantities and turn out the lights. The doors are locked, the security enabled. I shut the last door before I stroll to the bus stop. The driver sees my monthly pass purchased online at the warehouse’s very own computer, addressed to my own PO box. The driver lets me on. There are a couple of folks onboard. One works at Chili Works not too far from the warehouse. The other is a Wal-Mart employee. We are all considered workers of the underclass. The only difference is that I have approximately ten grand in my savings. Most people are ten grand in dept. Of course, not too many take microeconomics as seriously either. When my girlfriend cheated on me and insurrected herself from our apartment, I decided to take control of my cash. I realized that I was spending nearly six thousand dollars a year in rent money. When the lease was up, I took the capital gained from the security deposit, including the five dollar interest they were required to give, and invested in a bicycle. Of course, I invested in the bicycle after I totaled my Pontiac grand prix. I did this because for the next year I would have to spend three thousand dollars in car payments and two-thousand dollars in gasoline. The insurance forked me four grand. At this point I was a bit of an alcoholic anyway so I decided that the car was an opportunity cost. If I wanted to continue to go to the bars each night and have my juicy burger and tray full of cigarette butts, I would need to sacrifice the Pontiac. This capital was generally inadequate when compared to my personal entrepreneurship. My taverns, my coffee and reading clubs, my model-crafting. I’m getting to the point at which I can sell World War II naval ship recreations for a profit. No one would know my storage cell housed the Battle of Midway. Then there are my books that I buy and sell later to used book stores. It may be cheaper to go to a library, but the city doesn’t give cards to homeless folk. Still, I manage. The only real resources I depend on is my own personal entrepreneurship, my labor, and the permanence of the land. The capital built up over the years is strictly a luxury. Since my supply of bar beverages is at a constant growth, the supply of such beverages usually comes at a low cost. More and more I see laid off engineers and factory machinists come night after night, drowning their miseries away. Winter approaches, so the construction jockeys are hitting Bourbon Street like an army from hell. Meanwhile, the bars are ordering more and more of their stock. More than probably necessary, as I feel they have built a surplus. Everyday I see trucks stocked with Miller products and Coors make dock. By Tuesday night the bartenders are giving drinks away, they have so much. If their bands of laid-off workers don’t make a buck soon, the bars will start to run into a massive deficit without having a stable consumer base. An unemployed man can only spend for so long. Still, I reap the benefits. And if ever there is a time when someone may ask me why it is I chose my life without shelter; perhaps an intrigued lady aroused by such mystery or a confused little boy who was always taught to work with what they got; I shall tell them both that I live in the market of the free. My entire essence is dedicated to what I want and how accessible it is to make such an acquisition. Everything else is simply an unnecessary expenditure. A Short Story Essay The cold hit him straight way, and he turned to the see the appealing glow of the gas lamp that cast silhouettes on the walls, the shadows dancing with each flicker of the small flame. The wind blew quiet but harsh and found its way through the gaps in his woollen overcoat. He turned up the collar and regretted that there was no button to keep it in place. He scurried down the well-trodden path, passing withering plants and whatever else lay in the darkness. Without warning, the headlights of an approaching illuminated him against the darkness of the forest; he threw himself to the hard ground, scurrying towards the relative safety of the undergrowth. He didn’t dare to move, terrified that any shuffle or scratching might give away his position, as the truck stopped at the side of the road. He heard the slamming of doors and the shuffling of feet. The man could see nothing but the very top of the trucks canvas roof, but he could hear their voices. One shouted out to another in German; the reply was a harsh laugh that seemed to pierce the very core of the wildlife; a large bird that has been making its way cautiously over to the man suddenly opened its wings out and took off violently from where it stood with a loud shriek that filled the deadly quiet. The man stopped breathing, covered his head with both of his hands and screwed his eyes tightly shut, willing the other men to go away. He could hear them walking over, their hard-soled boots thudding, again and again, as they made their way closer. He had attempted to bury himself in the plantation, but it was to no avail. A narrow, white torch beam, moved across the perimeter of the forest, and slowly made its way down to his level. He shut his eyes tight and willed them to leave him be, to go away. And just like that, the beam of light vanished, and the footsteps gradually died away. With the slam of two doors, the engine started, and the truck moved off. The man lifted his head slightly, just in time to see the terrifying symbol of the Swastika that would be engrained in his mind for the rest of his life.

Cadmium Facts - Periodic Table

Cadmium Facts - Periodic Table Cadmium Atomic Number 48 Cadmium Symbol Cd Cadmium Atomic Weight 112.411 Cadmium Discovery Fredrich Stromeyer 1817 (Germany) Electron Configuration [Kr] 4d10 5s2 Word Origin Latin cadmia, Greek kadmeia - ancient name for calamine, zinc carbonate. Cadmium was first discovered by Stromeyer as an impurity in zinc carbonate. Properties admium has a melting point of 320.9Â °C, boiling point of 765Â °C, spcific gravity of 8.65 (20Â °C), and a valence of 2. Cadmium is a blue-white metal soft enough to be easily cut with a knife. Uses Cadmium is used in alloys with low melting points. It is a component of bearing alloys to given them a low coefficient of friction and resistance to fatigue. Most cadium is used for electroplating. It is also used for many types of solder, for NiCd batteries, and to control atomic fission reactions. Cadmium compounds are used for black and white television phosphors and in the green and blue phosphors for color television tubes. Cadmium salts have wide application. Cadmium sulfide is used as a yellow pigment. Cadmium and its compounds are toxic. Sources Cadmium is most commonly found in small quantities associated with zinc ores (e.g., sphalerite ZnS). The mineral greenockite (CdS) is another source of cadmium. Cadmium is obtained as a by-product during treatment of zinc, lead, and copper ores. Element Classification Transition Metal Density (g/cc) 8.65 Melting Point (K) 594.1 Boiling Point (K) 1038 Appearance soft, malleable, blue-white metal Atomic Radius (pm) 154 Atomic Volume (cc/mol) 13.1 Covalent Radius (pm) 148 Ionic Radius 97 (2e) Specific Heat (20Â °C J/g mol) 0.232 Fusion Heat (kJ/mol) 6.11 Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol) 59.1 Debye Temperature (K) 120.00 Pauling Negativity Number 1.69 First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol) 867.2 Oxidation States 2 Lattice Structure Hexagonal Lattice Constant (Ã…) 2.980 Lattice C/A Ratio 1.886 References: Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001), Crescent Chemical Company (2001), Langes Handbook of Chemistry (1952), CRC Handbook of Chemistry Physics (18th Ed.) Return to the Periodic Table Chemistry Encyclopedia