Explain what could have gone wrong at GM over the years, with respect Essay

Explain what could have gone wrong at GM over the years, with respect to quality, to have caused this crisis - Essay Example Several factors played a role that resulted to the crisis that led to General motors ultimately losing out its position as the world number one in auto manufacturing. These factors include union relationships that led ion the differentials in payroll between some of the foreign transplants and general motors, legacy in some costs and programs within the job banks. Other factors include poor strategies in management and decision-making in the development of products and the gap issues in qualities between the general motors automobiles and what its competitors produce. Finally, a major crisis developed from the foreign competitors through importation of automobiles from japan, manipulation of currency by the Japanese government and the foreign transplant in the United States (Klein 2000). General motors for many years has made several strategic errors. As it has been noted, general motors builds automobile in Asia, Europe and some south American countries as the market power demanded it, but they resisted in building small automobiles in the united states. The company did not fully come to understand the relative importance of building such automobiles its market. Therefore, this caused the general motors to try to dominate the small segment in the market attributed to the overall cost incurred and the profit margins in building smaller vehicles as compared to the larger ones. Their main competitors who are mainly the Japanese Toyota company were in a better position since they were well prepared to gaining a foothold in the United States market where they were to make significant growth and expand to even more segments in the market. More problems emerged in the nineties when general motors started manufacturing electric cars just to come and completely scrap the project and destroying all of its vehicles since the company felt that the project

Literary Devices in The Woman at the Store Essay Example for Free

Literary Devices in The Woman at the Store Essay There are many different literary devices used in Katherine Mansfields The Woman at the Store, they are used effectively. Regularly Mansfield uses personification, characterization and irony. This short essay will show what the main literary devices are in this story. Irony has a significant literary device in this story; the storys plot is enormously ironic. The reader expects that the womans husband will be coming back soon, but he is dead already, which is ironic. The reader does not expect that the child knows that her mother killed her father. And that this is shown in something as pure as a drawingAnother key literary device in this story is her characterization. She characterizes the characters in this story so realistically that the reader has the idea that he has known the characters for all long time already, and he can visualize them perfectly. For example, when Mansfield writes about Jo: Not once that day he had sung I dont care, for dont you see, my wifes mother was in front of me! It was the first that we had been without it for a month, and now there seemed something uncanny in his silence. With this sentence the reader knows that Jo normally is a happy man, that he likes to sing, that he does not like mother-in-laws and that he now knows that something special is going to happen. Another important literary device is the use of personification. One good example is: the sun pushed through the pale clouds and shed a vivid light over the scene. This describes how the sun found a hole to shine through.  There are many different literary devices used in The Woman at the Store but irony, characterization and personification are some key devices and Katherine Mansfield uses them well but that is what she is famous for.

Chemistry Report on Explosives

Chemistry Report on Explosives Chemistry Report on Explosives What is meant byoxidation and show how oxidation reactions are used to cause explosions. Oxidation is the term used for the combinationof a substance with oxygen, or in general any reaction where an atom ormolecule loses electrons. This can be shown as: C(s) + O2 (g)CO (g) S=solid, g=gas Gunpowderor black powder is the oldest explosive we know. It is made up of a mixture ofpotassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre or KNO3), charcoal, andsulfur in different proportions. When gunpowder is manufactured today, it ismade with the ratios 7.5:1.5:1 by mass (2). Bothgunpowder and dynamite have within them substances which are readily availableto oxidation. The oxygen which is used for the oxidation is an intrinsic partof the mixture, and is held within them in the same manner that oxygen isstored in the chemical potassium chlorate. Whengunpowder is ignited, this oxidation is extremely rapid, and a large volume ofgas is produced. The gasses are under extreme pressure, which causesthem to expand rapidly. Heat is produced causing the gas particles toaccelerate, creating even more pressure. If the gas expands faster than thespeed of sound, this creates a shockwave. The pressure produced by the gassesis what causes parts of the bomb (shrapnel) to be propelled far and wide atvery high speeds(1). Thespeed at which something oxidises is dependant on its potential to interactwith oxygen. The greater number of unstable electrons that a molecule or atomhas to lose, the quicker it will be oxidised (3). b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Give an account of thedevelopment of chemical compounds for use in explosives. Describe theadvantages of each new chemical explosive over its predecessors, and describehow the explosives were adapted to make them safer and more effective. (9marks) It is thought that the firstexplosive discovered was black powder, originating in 10th Century China. Itwas used for ceremonial fireworks. In Europe, 1242 saw the formula for blackpowder being published by Roger Bacon. The refinement of the substance closelyfollowed after the gun was invented by Berthold Schwartz in 1300. Around thistime, black powder was being used for removal of rocks, the teqnique was knownas fire setting, but this was replaced with blasting at the beginning of the17th Century. There are records of blasting in America from 1773 (4). The production of black powderwas rapidly increased during the American Revolution. By the turn of thecentury, the commercial production of the explosive had grown from 25 millionto 100 million (2). In 1846, Nitroglycerin wasdiscovered by Ascanio Sobrero. Nitroglycerin plasticizes collodion which is aform of nitrocellulose to form blasting gelatin. This is a very powerfulexplosive. The discovery of this action led to the advancement of ballistite, thefirst double-base propellant and a precursor of cordite. Alfred Nobel built a factory toproduce it in 1861 in Sweden. An advantage of nitroglycerin was its massiveexplosive power, but it was very difficult to transport as it is a liquid,which used black powder to ignite it. It could also freeze and had toxic fumeswhich caused severe headaches (5). In 1867, Nobel accidentallyinvented Dynamite and he went on to patent his mixture. It was a greatdiscovery, being more powerful than black powder, with a higher detonationvelocity which made it much more effective breaking rock as it not only moved,but broke apart the rock Ammonium nitrate was initially synthesizedin 1659 by J. R. Glauber by blending ammonium carbonate and nitric acid. It wasmostly used for fertilizer and blasting and to replace a portion ofnitroglycerin in dynamite (1). Dupont introduced Nitramon in1935. This was seen as a breakthrough. They had safe handling, were inexpensiveand did not cause health problems. It was known as ANFO (AmmoniumNitrate Fuel Oil) when it was developed in 1955. During its production itcaused a large Texas City explosion. It was easy to load and transport andcheaper than dynamite, it is not a Class A explosive until mixed, but itsaction could be decreased by water. Over 2.2 billion pounds of it were producedin 1974. Water gels were developed from researchto solve the water problem with ammonium nitrate products (early 1940s). Themarket was small though as most applications needed a small product and therewas no economical sensitizer was not available. c)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Discuss, with reference to highand low explosives, the ideal features of an explosive reaction, explaining,with examples, how chemical reactions produce energy and how they causeincrease in pressure. (6 marks) There are three categories of explosives: high explosives,primary explosives and low explosives. Gunpowder is a low explosive so thereaction occurs slowly. Expanding gasses are used to propel, not destroy, suchas bullet propulsion from a gun (3). In high explosives, destruction is caused by the expandinggasses, and the extreme pressure causes a shockwave, if the gas expands morequickly than the speed of sound. The shockwave contributes to the demolitionpower of trinitrotoluene (TNT). Primary explosives are intended to explode not burn. Theyare used for fuses and blasting caps to initiate an explosion. Shockwaves are acrucial factor in explosions. It is a wave formed from a zone of enormously highpressure in a fluid, including the atmosphere that travels faster than the speedof sound. It moves from the point of the explosion carrying energy and has a severedamaging effect on solid objects it bounces off (5). In the chemical reaction of the explosion, compounds are brokendown to form various gases. The original chemical compounds (reactants) have muchenergy stored up as chemical bonds between atoms.When molecules break apart, the products (gases) may use some of this energy toform new bonds. Most leftover energy takes the form of extremeheat. d) Describehow UK methods of manufacture of propanone have changed since the beginning ofthe First World War. (3 marks) Propanone isalso known as Acetone, 2-propanone, methyl ketone and dimethyl ketone. It hasthe chemical formula: (CH3)2C=O. Prior to theFirst World War, it was manufactured by hydration of propene from crackedgases. This was revolutionized during WW1 when the chemist Chaim Weizmann showed that propanone could beproduced by the bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum, this was acontinuation of the studies originally performed by Louis Pasteur showingfermentation was promoted by microbes in the 19th century (2). e) Discuss how attitudes to health and safety in chemicalresearch and industrial chemistry have changed over time. Use examples from thehistory of the development and manufacture of explosives and medicines.(4marks) In modern times, we have a numberof health and safety legislations which govern the manufacturing and use ofexplosives for their various purposes. One example is the 1996 USA Departmentof Commerce directive on the manufacturing of fireworks and explosives (6).There are now very tight regulations ensuring that everyone working in thesector is protected as far as possible. It is also accepted that the companiesinvolved have responsibility to protect their workers from harm and mustprovide safety equipment (3). Historically there have been huge numbers of accidentsduring explosive production. At one gunpowder mill in the early 19thcentury, situated in Roslin, Scotland, explosions killed two men shortly afterthe mill opened in 1805 and three more were killed by 1815. Many more followed.Deaths caused during the manufacturing process would have numbered greatly asthis was just from one of the thousands of mills worldwide during a shortperiod. Old attitudes focused on worker responsibility, were nowresponsibility should be shouldered by the company also. Conclusion Explosions are due to combustionwhich involves the use of the oxidation process. Depending on how available thesubstance is to interact with oxygen will depend on how quickly it is oxidised.The more quickly it is oxidised, the more quickly the gases will expand and themore devastating the explosion will be. References Chang, Raymond, General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts 4th Edition 2004 Kotz, John C., Paul M. Treichel, and Gabriela Weaver Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity 6th Edition 2003 Spencer, James N., George M. Bodner and Lyman H. Rickard Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics 3rd Edition 1999 Infelta, Pierre Introductory Thermodynamics 1st Edition 2005 Smith, E. Brian Basic Chemical Thermodynamics 5thEdition 2004 USA Department Commerce, 009, Manufacture of Fireworks June 2002

Julius Caeser-the Conspirators 2 Kill Him :: essays research papers

CONFIDENTIAL-OBSERVATIONAL REPORT My dear Caesar, my master, you summoned me to record my observations of the people of High Rome. I have gathered information from my many spies and informants and have filed this report. I thought it might interest you of the goings-on of the following citizens. Marcus Antonius- Your loyal subject has stayed true to you and honours you. He poses no trouble to your rule and does not seem persuaded by the other schemers. Cassius-He appears a very tempered person. It appears that he feels that you are too powerful, but this an obvious sign of jealousy. I fear that he is planning a conspiracy against your greatness. He is more practical than Brutus, but poses a great threat to you. My feeling is to terminate his life. Cicero- He is far calmer than the excited Cassius. I feel that he and Cassius are in this conspiracy together. However there is a far more important member of the conspirators. Extermination is still advised. Brutus- He may appear to be your friend Caesar, but I sense betrayal. He is a noble person who is respected by many. He is a Stoic and believes in idealism. However, the respect he receives from others only makes him more dangerous as he is more capable of encouraging others to agree with him. His life must be ceased at all costs. Flavius- I noticed at your celebrations, the actions of Flavius were suspicious. He was attempting to remove your decorations, a clear sign of dissent towards you. However I do not feel that he is a threat to you, but rather a follower of Brutus. I therefore feel that observation is necessary but extermination is not. Marallus-This tribune seems unsure of whether to assist Flavius and seems more concerned about the festival of Lupercal. Artemidorus of Cnidos- I am unsure about this man about whether to believe his letter of warning to you, whether he is trying to take you off the scent. However, from my observations, I feel that you should believe this man. Trebonius- He is quite a sly and sneaky character who must be constantly surveyed. He may be conspiring against you. Cinna the poet- This man is not a problem towards you Caesar but rather, there is a danger towards him. For he may be confused with Cinna, who may be involved in conspiring against you. I suggest that we protect him. Ligarius- Another member of the planned plot against you.

Political Control in South Asia

Establishing political control in South Asia, was something that the British was able to accomplish in the late 70s and early 80s. The British saw certain opportunities that led for them to start trading and commerce from India to outside world. The British had plans for India, which later led to collection of revenues on behalf of the Mughal Emperor, resulting decline of power by the Mughals side. The expansion of the British into newer territories, it was to keep the allies at a distance. As for the Ryotwari system in India that played a role as land revenue systems before-hand, after the British came along. It affected India because the ownership of the land was given to the peasants and the British government collected the tax which demonstrated not fair to the peasants. The revenue rates as per the Ryotwari system were 50% with land being dry and irrigated with 60%. The Zamindars were never the owners of their own land and the rent collectors would not be fair towards them. The British were able to establish political control in South Asia because of confusion created by the decline in power of the Mughal Empire, the compulsion to take over new territories, and the implementation of the Ryotwari system over India. During the 1700s, the Mughal Empire had a significant decline in power, and was unable to directly govern or control its territories. Afterwards, the local rulers, called the Raja's and Sultan's, greedy for power over India made claims to power causing trouble and violence to spread over local territories . This caused confusion within India's government because, the Raja's and Sultans were not able to clearly identify their territories and rules, For example, Bernard Cohn's essay on the Banaras region clearly marked that â€Å"it was precisely because there were always ‘many sharers in the dignity and power of kingship with overlapping rights and obligations that 'empire and ‘state' represented ‘limited political entities in India'† (11). Resulting with no leadership or general politics which were formed at critical movements that highlights the causes of decline and it was important for the structure of the Mughal administrative system. Adding to the British control over the political establishment for South Asia, the peasants and the zamindars from the northern and the westerns part of India were added towards this problem. For the British, it was easier to target the zamindars for collecting revenues, as they show loyalty and mostly were the powerful class of a local populations. The zamindars were enjoying the given power from the British, as they would collect money from the peasants and the British government officials would take money from zamindars. The zamindars would have to pay a fixed revenue towards to the government officials as their fees. The book states, â€Å"The Ryotwari system defined the state itself as the supreme zamindar and vested a ryot with individual proprietary rights in land in return for annual cash payment or revenue assessments to the government (ibid.)† (73). The revenue that was collected by the zamindar was fixed and to be collected from each village. Focusing on empire-building for India, it ended up being under the rule of the British. British took advantage of India in ways of getting everything flushed out. By being in control for their profits from raw material goods and the fact of having larger populations and the diversity towards the markets. Later, after they had settled for some time the British took interest in Indian economy where the focus was to grow. The book had mentioned about Europeans traders to have strong control over the Mughal Empire, and that later on had faced decline and the British took advantage of that decline to make their win other territories within India. Because the British took the rejection of the Mughal empire, India was regulated by the British government and had developed all over India. The successful established of the British within India was the occurrence of these events that took place because India was lacking unity within the political section at that time period. British rule not only took over the political but also the economy, textiles industries, and the import ; export of the products from India to other countries around the world, leading to get more profits and take in-charge of the nation.

Sufficiently demonstrated this through my actions

I would like to state that I am executing this letter to manifest to the creditors and financial institutions concerned that I am an individual of good credit standing and that I am qualified and eligible for the Housing Loan that I am applying for.I am well aware of the fact that recent events may lead some to believe that there may be some concerns with regard to my credit worthiness.   I would like to personally assure the concerned parties that there is no need for such.   In order to assuage the fears of my creditors, I feel that it is best to provide a clear explanation of the events that have recently transpired.The events in question all began in 2003 when I filed for bankruptcy.   This was because I was going through a difficult time in my life as I was supporting my ex-husband and had a number of marital issues to deal with.   I had applied for three (3) credit cards that same time and was given approval for all of them.   Unfortunately, I was not able to settle m y outstanding balance because I was forced to relocate from Colorado to Georgia due to grave threats that my ex-husband had issued.I understand these events do not excuse nor exempt me from any financial liability or obligation that I have with the financial institutions concerned.   In my defense, I would like to make mention of the fact that despite these events and circumstances I have gotten in contact with all my previous creditors and have apprised them of my previous situation.   After my discussion with these companies, I was able to resolve the problems.   Soon after that I was also able to secure a stable job and have really improved my financial standing.I am a person of principle and one of those principles is in settling my debts to others.   I do not only proudly say this but also feel that I have sufficiently demonstrated this through my actions.   I am confident of my financial position at this time and feel that my credit worthiness is not a matter that my self or anyone else for that matter should be concerned about.