Apple Strategic report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Apple Strategic report - Essay Example When one examines the financial figures from the time Jobs returned, the results are truly staggering. Essentially, he brought an organization from the brink of bankruptcy to one annually generating $25 billion dollars in net income and a stock valuation exceeding $500 per share ("Apple," 2011). While Tim Cooke assumed the CEO position after Jobs death the organization has retained its prominence. Currently Apple competes in a variety of market sectors: mp3 players, smart phones, personal computers, tablets, and they are rumored to be entering into the television market (Elmer, 2011). I. Internal Strategic Audit PESTEL Analysis Apple, Inc. competitive position involves a complex array of elements. Within this context of investigation a PESTL analysis has been established as a means of examining Apple’s market position. Political Analysis: To a large degree the organization has avoided significant political restrictions. While the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) readi ly intervenes in large business mergers, the extensive amount of competition at Apple’s level of operations is such that government intervention is not necessary. Political considerations only indirectly affect Apple through DOJ intervention in large-scale telecommunications suppliers competing for spectrum (Velazco, 2011). For instance, the government recently blocked a merger between AT&T and T-Mobile; the impact on Apple is in terms of maintaining overarching low cost services when usage patterns are considered (Velazco, 2011). One also considers the potential of foreign political risks. Currently over 50% of Apple’s sales are international and one considers the potential of such profits being affected by future political shifts related to patent or licensing concerns ("Apple's international sales," 2011). Economic Analysis: There are a number of economic considerations. One notes the macroeconomic recession shifts in both the United States and Europe hold the poten tial for a negative impact on Apple’s continued success. In these regards, one considers that Apple’s success has largely come from sales of quality electronics that necessitate a corresponding high price tag. Recessionary headwinds could potentially create a public shift towards lower cost product design. Social Analysis: In terms of social elements one considers that one of Apple’s greatest assets has been its innovative brand and marketing approach. While quality and innovation has greatly driven net profits a close contributing factor has been Apple’s branding as a chic alternative to dominant culture. While such an approach was viable when Microsoft and IBM remained dominant in the market, Apple has since become the mainstream to which they once positioned themselves. With the death of Steve Jobs one questions if they will be able to continue to maintain this cutting-edge brand. Technological Analysis: Apple’s current position in smart phones as a leading provider is most attributable to cutting edge technological design. The iPhone 4 was accompanied by the iPhone 4S in October 2011 continuing Apple’s commitment to innovation (Brown, 2011). In addition, Apple has recently implemented Siri, a voice activated recognition service. Latest reports have indicated that service providers have experienced tremendous challenges meeting data demands (Browning, 2011). Environmental Analysis: To a large extent Apple has been successful in becoming embroiled in environmental controversy. Still, recent

Fantastic Voyage Battle of the Lung Essay Example for Free

Fantastic Voyage Battle of the Lung Essay Good morning everyone! Signing on, India Hornsby with ASAP Health. I will be reporting live inside Mrs. Frizzle. She has been under the weather for about two days now. A bacterium is invading the lower lobe of her right lung. It’s my job to pilot the invasion and do a live report on what I see. I will enter from the right femoral vein and follow a path to the lower lobe of the right lung via the right pulmonary artery. I will be describing the structures that I pass by and through. Once I have reached the lung, I will describe the structures that I see and discuss how the body fights against the invader. After that I will exit the body cross the alveolar membrane on a path and out the nose. I will enter Mrs. Frizzle body through the femoral vein. The femoral vein is located in the upper thigh and pelvic region of the body and runs close to the femoral artery (Yahoo Health, 2012). It’s one of the larger veins in the venal system (Yahoo Health, 2012). The femoral vein returns blood in the leg to the heart via the iliac vein (WiseGeek, 2012). Continuing North from the femoral vein I will pass through the inguinal ligament. The inguinal ligament forms a band that runs from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubis area of the spine (Yahoo Health, 2012). It serves as a base to the inguinal canal because hernias can form there. The main function of the inguinal ligament is to protect the tissue that is constantly moving in the trunk and lower extremities of the body (Yahoo Health, 2012). From the inguinal ligament still heading north I will pass through the external iliac vein. The external iliac vein is a continuation of the femoral vein above the inguinal ligament. It starts at the groin and runs along the edge of the pelvic area (Yahoo Health, 2012). When it is combined with the internal iliac vein it forms the common iliac vein. The external iliac vein drains the leg and lower part of the anterior abdominal wall (Merriam-Webster, 2012). As I continue on I will pass the internal iliac vein to the East. The internal iliac vein combines with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein. It drains the pelvis, gluteal, and perineal regions (Merriam-Webster, 2012). Next I will be passing through the common iliac vein, which is formed by the external and internal iliac veins. It allows blood circulation from the lower abdomen and legs (Wise Geek, 2012). The hepatic vein carries deoxygenated blood out of the liver and into the inferior vena cava (Wise Geek, 2012). The blood that was used to feed the liver and the blood from the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder is transported through the hepatic vein. From the hepatic vein I will then pass through the inferior vena cava. The inferior vena cava runs behind the abdominal cavity and alongside the right vertebra column of the spine (Yahoo Health, 2012). It carries oxygen depleted blood from the lower part of the body back to the heart. The inferior vena cava empties into the right atrium (Yahoo Health, 2012). Next stop is the right atrium. It’s located on the lower back side of the heart. The right atrium is one of the four chambers of the heart. Blood enters the heart through the two atriums (Yahoo Health, 2012). Oxygen depleted blood enters the right atrium via the inferior and superior vena cava (Yahoo Health, 2012). I will then pass through the tricuspid valve. It forms the boundary between the right ventricle and atrium (Yahoo Health, 2012). The tricuspid valve has tree flaps that keep blood from going back into the right atrium when they are closed. Next I will be moving on to the right ventricle. It is one of the four chambers of the heart, located at the lower left portion of the heart below the right atrium and opposite the left ventricle (Yahoo Health, 2012). The right ventricle is responsible for pumping oxygen depleted blood to the lungs. I will now pass through the right pulmonary artery. It begins at the base of the heart’s right ventricle and is approximately 3 cm in diameter and 5 cm in length (Yahoo Health, 2012). It then splits into the left and right pulmonary arteries. The right pulmonary artery delivers oxygen depleted blood to the right lung. From the right pulmonary artery I have made it to the right lung. Once in the lung I will travel South West to reach the lower lobe of the right lung. I’m finally in the lung. I can finally see what it looks like. I see a structure that looks like a three without leaves. I am passing the right primary bronchi. It is a tube like structure that allow for the passage of air between the trachea and lung (Health Type, 2012). As I move along the right primary bronchi branches off into the right secondary bronchi. Each one of the bronchi serves as an airway to a specific lobe of the lung (Wikipedia, 2011). The bronchi have cartilage plates, smooth muscles, and mucus-secreting gland cells in its wall (Wikipedia, 2011). They contain cilia, which removes dust and debris. Wow! The right secondary bronchi are branching off into very small passageways called bronchioles. The bronchioles are responsible for controlling air distribution and airflow resistance in the lungs (Wise Geek, 2012). They also contain cilia that help move air through the system. The bronchioles are now terminating at the alveolar ducts. They are the tiny end ducts that fill the lungs. At the end of the alveolar ducts are the alveolar sacs. The alveolar sacs resemble a cluster of grapes (Structure and Function, 2008). The walls of the alveolar sacs are made up of numerous alveoli, each of them resemble a single grape (Structure and Function, 2008). To fight the bacterium invasion in Mrs. Frizzle body a group of many organs and billions of freely-moving and trillions of free-floating molecules in different areas of the body work together (Structure and Function, 2008). Nonspecific or innate immunity is maintained by mechanisms that attack any irritant or abnormal substance that threatens the internal environment (Structure and Function, 2008). Mrs. Frizzle nonspecific immunity kicked in when the invading bacterium entered the lung. Pac man-like white blood cells called monocytes and macrophages take action. They then busily recruit a number of other cells including more macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells (Greater Immunity, 2010). All these cells work together to defeat the invader. In the body’s defense, Mrs. Frizzle will develop a fever. The fever is the body’s way of dealing more effectively with the invader. Later, during recovery, lymphocytes become active and create antibodies which will help Mrs. Frizzle deal with that particular bacterium, if she happens to encounter it again (Greater Immunity, 2010). The activated lymphocytes and antibodies become part of Mrs. Frizzle acquired immunity. Specific or acquired immunity includes protective mechanisms that confer specific protection against certain types of invading bacteria or other toxic material (Structure and Function, 2008). Mrs. Frizzle built up specific immunity during her illness. Her memory cells in her immune system learned the illness and remembered how to beat it in the future if it was to occur again. Specific immunity can be natural or artificial. Natural immunity is naturally inherited from the parents. Artificial immunity is immunization. Now that the â€Å"Battle of the Lung† is documented I can return home. I will now cross the alveolar membrane into the alveoli. I will take the alveoli to the bronchioles. From the bronchioles I will pass through the bronchi. I will then take the bronchi to the trachea. Next I will take the trachea to the nasopharynx. Upon leaving the nasopharynx I will arrive at the orthopharynx. I will then take the orthopharynx to my destination, out the nose. This was indeed a fantastic voyage. I hope you have learned just as much as I have. Signing out, India Hornsby at ASAP Health.

The Use of Oils in Sacraments Essay -- Bible Christianity Sacrament Ri

The Use of Oils in Sacraments 'Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit†¦'; Many of the sacraments that are celebrated today involve the use of oil. Baptism and confirmation are the two principle sacraments involving oils. In the Church liturgies, the actual significance of oil is often not known (or at least not fully) to the members of the parish faith community. This paper will examine the meaning of oil, the sacraments in which it is used, and prayers associated with it. There are three oils that are used in various sacraments: Chrism, Oil of Infirm, and the Oil of the Sick. The three oils are all equally important; however, an emphasis of sorts has been placed on the Sacred Chrism and the Oil of Infirm. The first sacrament, which will be examined, is baptism. The sacrament of baptism is most commonly associated with newborn children. The newborns (or adults) are new members of the Church, and new members of the Body of Christ. As with any sacrament, there is a standard procedure to follow when the sacrament is administered. Oil is not introduced in the Rite of Baptism until after the general intercessions, '†¦to introduce either the anointing with the oil of catechumens, or the laying on of hands.'; The oil is one of the most significant items used in the celebration of the Rite. Jesus, himself, particularly encouraged children to be baptized, 'Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'; During the time of Jesus, oil was used primarily used to show royalty; at this point in time, kings were the only 'anointed ones'. 'The completion of the sacrament consists, first, of the anointing with chrism, which signifies the royal priesthood of the baptized and enrollment into the company of the people of God†¦'; . Clearly, Chrism has a very powerful meaning in the celebration of baptism. Two thousand years ago, the Chrism was a sign of royalty and the tradition has carried on to today, where the 'royalty' are still anointed. The Church encourages that baptism be celebrated before the entire faith community. Baptisms usually take place during the Sunday liturgy. During the actual anointing of the candidates the celebrant says: 'we anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ ... ...me form of anointing. The anointing is always to fortify the recipient. Anointing also solidifies the body and soul, which are temples of the Holy Spirit. WORKS CITED Benedict XIV, Ep. Ex quo primum tempore 52: Benedicti XIV -- Bullarium, v. 3 (Prati, 1847) 320. Bouley, Adam, Catholic Rites Today Abridged Texts For Students. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press 1992, 164. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catech. 18, 33: PG 33, 1056. Epistolae Pontificae ad Concilium Florentinum spectantes, G. Hoffman, ed., Concilium Florentinum v. 1, ser. A, part 2 (Rome, 1944) 128. Mark 10:14 Sacramentary - Anointing Outside the Mass, Anointing, 124 Sacramentary -- A, Order Of A Baptism Celebrated By the Minister, 17 Sacramentary -- A, Structure of the Rite of Baptizing Children, 3 Sacramentary -- B, Prayer of Exorcism and Anointing Before Baptism, 50 Sacramentary - Rite of Confirmation Within the Mass, The Anointing With Chrism, 27 Sacramentary - Ordination of a Priest, Anointing of Hands, 24 Sacramentary - Anointing Outside the Mass, Anointing, 124 Tertullian, De resurrectione mortuorum 8, 3:CCL 2, 931. Trent, Unctione, ch. 2: Denz-Schon 1696

Daystar` by Rita Dove Essay

In the poem â€Å"Daystar† Rita Dove uses different stylistics devices and language means to create a message of the poem and appeal to readers emotions. Using stylistic devices the poetess hides themes and motives giving only a slight hint to readers about the symbolic meaning of the objects and words. Rita Dove uses language means to convey the unique message and shape the atmosphere of the poem.   Thesis Dove persuades the readers to think over eternal truths and virtues of a common woman, her daily tasks and routine work typical for every mother and wife. Rita Dove depicts events and life struggle through women’s eyes. The readers feel that it is not a voice of the author, but a voice of the woman who really bears enormous burden of housekeeping. Dove communicates with the readers through the character of a woman. Persona in the poetry is a prototype of a particular person within a class, culture, background, etc. Rita Dove refers to the woman as â€Å"she† underlining unimportance of her social status and background. And as the most important, this stylistic device helps the author to shaped physical reality and psychological state of the woman: â€Å"she was nothing, pure nothing† (Dove). Rita Dove uses connotation and denotation to create tension in the poem. For instance, the phrase â€Å"the little room for thinking† has both connotative and denotative meaning. The desire to escape from the reality creates the feeling of fatality, and for this reason the woman tries to find the place â€Å"that was hers for an hours†. Also, â€Å"the little room for thinking† can be interpreted as both personal freedom and evolution of emotional perception of the world. The title â€Å"daystar† has a double meaning: direct and indirect. On the one hand, it means â€Å"sun† and â€Å"light†, but on the other hand it symbolizes the role of a wife and a mother in the family. The title reflects the main idea of the poem connected with experience of a mother. This title suggests neither positive nor negative experience, but informs readers about importance of her daily duties for the entire family. The readers derive the meaning of this symbol from the context and events depicted by the author: â€Å"the children’s snap†, â€Å"diapers steaming on the line† (Dove). Imagery is another language device used by the author to shape the poem. Rita Dove uses fresh and vivid words to intensify, clarify and enrich meaning of the poem, for instance â€Å"a floating maple leaf†, â€Å"lugged a chair†, etc. It is possible to say that the images thus present an idea in terms of physical sensation. On the other hand, imagery shapes the poem creating feelings of dissatisfaction and cynical indifference. A successful image helps to make the readers feel the writer’s grasp of the object and situation she is dealing with, gives her grasp of it with precision, vividness, force, economy; and to make such an impact on the readers, its content, the stuff of which it is made. For instance, the image of â€Å"building a palace† means dreams of the women and her life hopes. Ambiguity helps the author to concentrate on a hidden meaning of the poem and disengage from traditional interpretation of the mother’s role. Ambiguity helps to look at social values through unique perception of the world typical for mothers. Strength of the work is its deep philosophical meaning depicted through the theme of gaily life of the mother exhausted by her duties. â€Å"Other days she stared until she / was assured when she closed / her eyes she’d only see her own / vivid blood† (Dove). The woman is caught in her social role and cannot go beyond this predetermined status. The symbolic interpretation of the events, comparison and contrast between the meaning of dark and light helps the writer to hold a reader’s attention. The differences are slight, and need special attention of the reader to grasp the idea. The difference in the mood has a particular metaphoric meaning, which adds pathos to the whole poem: â€Å"She would open her eyes / and think of the place that was hers / for an hour, ‘ in the middle of the day† (Dove). The other problem is that the woman tries to escape from her daily tasks in new settings as the only possible way to overcome enormous emotional pressure. â€Å"She had an hour, at best, ‘before Liza appeared pouting from the top of the stairs† (Dove). This is a free verse poem which bears resemble with a short story. Almost every rhyming word has significance in that it is associated with one or another of the main thought-feelings of the poem: daily tasks and role of the mother, despair and tiredness. The diction of the words is one of the essential elements used by Rita Dove to suggest the inevitability of daily tasks and routine work for the woman. Two stressed words put together imitate emotions and feelings of the mother, for instance â€Å"And just what was mother doing / out back with the field mice? / Why, building a palace† (Dove). Rhetorical questions help to shape and give a clarity and edge to the content, to the thought and feelings. Deep human emotions embroil reality and imaginary world of the nameless woman, but Dove leaves it to readers to decide her thoughts and feelings. In sum, the stylistic devices are employed by the author to enliven the narration, make it more vivid and palpable. Dove creates a powerful and true-to-life story about real experience of mothers exhausted by daily tasks. The unique combination of stylistic devices can be regarded as Dove’s style of writing which helps her to create powerful images of the woman and her daily life. Dove’s use of imagery and tone is a profoundly significant part of her style. Though Dove main ¬tains, both directly in his choice of theme and indirectly in his empathetic attitude, an overwhelming faith in love and importance of a mother as symbolized by a â€Å"daystar†. References 1. Dove, R. Daystar. Available at: http://www.ctadams.com/ritadove7.html

Lotus Car Rental Alternative Fuel Assessment Essay

Introduction The creation of a fleet of alternative fuel sourced automobiles would be a wise decision for the Lotus Car Rental Company. There are two major issues that are on the minds of people these days, the environment and money. By creating a fleet of alternative fuel based automobiles the Lotus Rental Care Company can help ease the fears of people in both categories. By having the ingenuity to have a fleet of alternative fuel automobiles; the Lotus Car Rental will set themselves apart from the rest of the rental car companies. Lotus Car Care will be the leaders in environmentally safe car rentals. The following research paper will discuss the background of this topic, the costs of working with alternative fuel automobiles, the technical aspects of alternative fuel, the environmental aspects of alternative fuel as well as discuss some recommendations for the Lotus Car Rental Company. Background The Lotus Car Rental Company is looking into adding a fleet of alternative fuel sourced vehicles to their supply. Alternative fuel sourced vehicles are classified as being resources other than petroleum. A few of these sources are produced here locally and some are derived from renewable sources. They often produce less pollution than does gasoline. (â€Å"Alternative Fuel Vehicles†, 2012). Hybrids are also considered to be an alternative sourced vehicle. A Hybrid vehicle is one that utilizes more than one form of onboard energy to achieve propulsion (â€Å"Edmunds.com†, 2009). Financial Feasibility Several factors influence the financial feasibility of adding alternative fuel vehicles to the fleet: vehicle cost, maintenance, advertising, and return on investment. Additional considerations include: market share, future growth, and implementation cost. The first consideration is the cost of adding hybrid vehicles to fleet inventory. Individual vehicle cost ranges from $23,000 to $37,000 and the models available include Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Lincoln MKZ, and Lexus ES300H (Almeida, 2009). Fleet costs would be less depending on number of units purchased and vehicle upgrades. Lotus Rental Car’s rentals fall into three categories: economy, mid-size, and luxury. Based on a cursory review of Lotus Rental Car’s primary income producers, the number of hybrid vehicles added should fall within the three to five percent range for each category. The initial outlay should equal or be less than the number of vehicles within each specific category that will be retired within the purchase year. For instance, if ten percent of economy vehicles will be retired then five percent of the new vehicles purchased will be hybrid. By timing the introduction of the new hybrid vehicles with inventory retirement the initial cost outlay will be mitigated. The anticipated maintenance costs will be similar to the previous year’s cost and no change is expected. Income from vehicles retired is expected to equal the same percentage as non-hybrid automobiles and will not constitute a negative financial impact. Advertising is a major consideration, although the cost is not expected to increase. Target markets will be in major cities where Lotus Rental Car’s already has a large presence. Urban centers with environmentally conscious drivers are the best place to begin a new hybrid product line. Adding information regarding the new line to existing websites provides maximum exposure with minimal cost. Other markets include environmentally conscious corporate businesses that already have a corporate account with Lotus. Market share and future growth is connected to advertising and return on investment. The implementation costs are minimal. The monthly return on investment is tied to advertising, environmental activity, and rental cost. Advertising includes national campaigns and local markets. The rental market incorporates online sales and local customers. The majority of travelers will book a rental vehicle prior to arriving at the rental company. Pricing will play an important factor in a rental commitment. Up-sale will increase income potential. Economy vehicles rentals begin at $9.99 and increase, depending on the current sales program. The cost may decrease, depending on the number of days booked, special pricing, and additional sale of navigation, XM radio, and infant seats. However, the average rental price for an economy vehicle is $29.99 per day and hybrid vehicles rent from $65.99 to $159 per day. The return on investment per day would range from $35 to $129. It is clear the automotive industry is offering a variety of hybrid vehicles in response to customer demand. The future of the automotive industry includes alternative fuel vehicles of all models. As the automotive industry embraces hybrid sales that increase their market share, so should the vehicle rental industry. Entry into a new product line will have higher costs than non-alternative vehicles until the product becomes well immersed into the market. In the case of hybrid vehicles it is prudent that Lotus Rental Car adds hybrid vehicles to their urban centers and joins the environmental movement along with major vehicle manufacturers. It is clear that as time passes, a portion of new business will gravitate toward rental car companies that offer alternative fuel vehicles. Lotus Rental Car company will lose future market share and the expense of entering the hybrid market will increase if Lotus Rental Car company enters the market after its competitors (Schueneman, 2009). Technical Aspects One of the many advantages of owning a hybrid vehicle is saving money at the pump. Unlike your standard gas running car, this on average would do about 21 mpg highway and city driving. Hybrids on average are doing 30 mpg highway and city. An article written on nationalgeographic.com it shows the actual fuel saving over a year span â€Å"The average American driver between the ages of 34 and 55 drives 15,291 miles annually. Divide this annual mileage figure by 21 miles to the gallon for the standard model, and you will find that you would buy about 728 gallons of gasoline a year. In contrast, if you divide the annual miles figure by 30 for the hybrid, you would determine that the annual gas purchase would be of about 510 gallons. You would save 218 gallons of gas a year with the hybrid. Multiply this by a conservative $3.50 a gallon for a dollar savings of $763. By selecting the hybrid over the standard model, you would make up for the $5,560 difference in sticker price in seven to eight years. Subtract the maximum tax incentive and you could recoup the $2,160 difference in less than three years. Thus, in this example, you would save money either by paying full price and driving your hybrid for more than eight years, or by driving it for more than three years with a tax credit.†(Nationalgeographic.com by Lynne Haley Rose). So although the price tag is little higher on hybrids you will easily make your money back in the gas savings. Most people may think,† Yeah, you save on gas, but don’t get the as much horsepower when you purchase a hybrid vehicle.† The idea of combining electric and gas does seem to leave much room for speed and maneuverability. This assumption is not true; yes hybrids do have smaller gas engines, but they make it up with their electric engine. Coupled with the gas engine, the electric engine can send power to various parts of the car, mainly the wheels. This is a very good advantage over standard horsepower, because it could actually supply more power to the car; which increases its speed. With all this talk about horsepower and speed, we begin to think about maintaining a hybrid car. Once again, just because it’s a hybrid doesn’t mean it’s more expensive. Most of the basic normal maintenance requirements like oil changes and tune ups cost about the same as standard cars. They even have their own perks. A standard car requires an oil change every 3,000 miles; whereas hybrids are every 6,000 miles. One of the most expensive items on a hybrid is the car’s battery; which can run you up to 3,000 dollars. Don’t let this number scare you, because these batteries have no real recorded life expectancy â€Å"a long time† is what I kept seeing in my research. As said in (8 Reasons to Buy a Hybrid Car) â€Å"There’s no difference between a hybrid and the gas-powered car parked in your garage — it can accelerate just as quickly and cruise just as fast on the highway, and it handles just as smoothly. Most important, hybrids are just as safe to drive.† (By Alan Rider Parents.com). Hybrids have come a long way since the first Prius 10 years ago. They’ve excelled in mpg, horsepower and style. There are a number of hybrids out there now and many styles to choose from in the standard and luxury lines. As far a comfortable ride, hybrids and standard cars are the same. Now, of course, if you go out and get a Lexus hybrid you’re going to have more luxuries than if you purchased a Toyota hybrid. Most cars you get know have all of the technical capabilities available and if they don’t they can be added. Technology will not stop growing and with that so will the new age of hybrids. Environmental Aspects Petroleum based fuels can create harmful emissions like carbon dioxide; nitrous oxides, and particulate matter, all of which degrade the environment (â€Å"5 things you need to know about alternative fuel vehicles,† 2008). These methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and other gasses are known as greenhouse gases. When these gasses build up they contribute to global warming. HybridCar.org claims that Hybrid vehicles produce 80 percent less greenhouse gases than conventional fuel based vehicles (â€Å"Hybrid Cars And Pollution†, 2005). Toxicity is another problem with petroleum fuel based vehicles. The producing of some forms of alternative fuels can create fewer toxins than those produced by traditional fuel vehicles. For instance, biodiesel is a fuel that is created from leftover vegetation like corn stalks. Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic which makes it safe for the environment. Noise pollution is also a form of pollution. Car engines can produce 110 decibels of noise, which is twice as loud as a normal conversation.. The noise will come from the fuel pump, pistons and compressors that create the combustion and cycle the fuel. Vehicles with alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen fuel cells will produce no sound or vibration as they require no moving parts to produce fuel. Recommendations The research has shown that a fleet of alternative fuel sourced vehicles would be the best idea for everyone involved. The positive feedback generated by offering this fleet of vehicles would be astounding. The market for rental cars with alternative fuel capabilities is very small and the Lotus Car Rental Company would have the market cornered. The cost of maintain a fleet of these vehicles are no different than that of petroleum fueled vehicles. The consumer that is able to rent these vehicles will also benefit by being able to save more money on energy for the vehicle. The environment will also benefit from this addition to the Lotus Car Rental fleet. The amount of pollution and emissions that can be cut back will be helpful to the surrounding community and the future generations to grow up in the community. Conclusion The creation of a fleet of alternative fuel sourced automobiles would be a wise decision for the Lotus Car Rental Company. After conducting much research, the decision to incorporate a fleet of alternative fuel sourced automobiles would be in the best interest of the public as well as the company. The research has shown the monetary benefits, the technical benefits as well as the environmental benefits of acquiring a fleet of alternative fuel sourced automobiles. The benefits of having a positive company reputation are enormous. Having an environmentally friendly car rental company has the potential of being a lucrative decision. Living a green lifestyle has become an important thing in this day and age. The Lotus Car Rental Company will have cornered the market by having an entire fleet of environmentally friendly automobiles. References Alternative fuel vehicles. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/current.shtml Edmunds.com. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/what-is-a-hybrid-car-how-do-hybrids-work.html Almeida, A. (2009, August 13). Average Cost of a Hybrid Car. Retrieved from CarsDirect: http://www.carsdirect.com/car-pricing/whats-the-average-cost-of-a-new-hybrid-car Schueneman, T. (2009, February 12). Enterprise Rent-a-Car Adds 5000 Hybrids to its Fleet of Fuel Efficient Cars. Retrieved from sustainablog: http://sustainablog.org/2009/02/enterprise-rent-a-car-adds-5000-hybrids-to-its-fleet-of-fuel-efficient-cars/ 5 things you need to know about alternative fuel vehicles. (2008, July). greencar.com, (), . Retrieved from http://www.greencar.com/articles/5-things-need-alternative-fuel-vehicles.php Hybrid cars and pollution. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.hybrid-car.org/hybrid-cars-pollution.html

Battle of Ligny During the Napoleonic Wars

Battle of Ligny During the Napoleonic Wars The Battle of Ligny was fought on June 16, 1815, during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). Heres a summary of the event. Battle of Ligney Background Having crowned himself Emperor of the French in 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte embarked on a decade of campaigning which saw him win victories at places such as Austerlitz, Wagram, and Borodino. Finally defeated and forced to abdicate in April 1814, he accepted exile on Elba under the terms of the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In the wake of Napoleons defeat, the European powers convened the Congress of Vienna to outline the postwar world. Unhappy in exile, Napoleon escaped and landed in France on March 1, 1815. Marching to Paris, he built an army as he traveled with soldiers flocking to his banner. Declared an outlaw by the Congress of Vienna, Napoleon worked to consolidate power as Britain, Prussia, Austria, and Russia formed the Seventh Coalition to prevent his return. Armies and Commanders Prussians Field Marshal Gebhard von Blà ¼cher84,000 men French Napoleon Bonaparte68,000 men Napoleons Plan Assessing the strategic situation, Napoleon concluded that a swift victory was required before the Seventh Coalition could fully mobilize its forces against him. To achieve this, he sought to destroy the Duke of Wellingtons coalition army south of Brussels before turning east to defeat Field Marshal Gebhard von Blà ¼chers approaching Prussian army. Moving north, Napoleon divided his Armee du Nord (Army of the North) in three giving command of the left-wing to Marshal Michel Ney, the right-wing to Marshal Emmanuel de Grouchy, while retaining personal command of a reserve force. Understanding that if Wellington and Blà ¼cher united they would have the power to crush him, he crossed the border at Charleroi on June 15 with the intention of defeating the two coalition armies in detail. That same day, Wellington began directing his forces to move towards Quatre Bras while Blà ¼cher concentrated at Sombreffe. Determining the Prussians to pose a more immediate threat, Napoleon directed Ney to seize Quatre Bras while he moved with the reserves to reinforce Grouchy. With both coalition armies defeated, the road to Brussels would be open. The next day, Ney spent the morning forming his men while Napoleon joined Grouchy at Fleurus. Making his headquarters at the windmill of Brye, Blà ¼cher deployed Lieutenant-General Graf von Zietens I Corps to defend a line running through the villages of Wagnelà ©e, Saint-Amand, and Ligny. This formation was supported by Major General George Ludwig von Pirchs II Corps to the rear. Extending east from I Corps left was Lieutenant General Johann von Thielemanns III Corps which covered Sombreffe and the armys line of retreat. As the French approached on the morning on June 16, Blà ¼cher directed II and III Corps to send troops to reinforce Zietens lines. Napoleon Attacks To dislodge the Prussians, Napoleon intended to send forward General Dominique Vandammes III Corps and General Étienne Gà ©rards IV Corps against the villages while Grouchy was to advance on Sombreffe. Hearing artillery fire coming from Quatre Bras, Napoleon commenced his attack around 2:30 PM. Striking Saint-Amand-la-Haye, Vandammes men carried the village in heavy fighting. Their hold proved brief as a determined counterattack by Major General Carl von Steinmetz reclaimed it for the Prussians. Fighting continued to swirl around Saint-Amand-Haye through the afternoon with Vandamme again taking possession. As the loss of the village threatened his right flank, Blà ¼cher directed part of II Corps to attempt to envelop Saint-Amand-le-Haye. Moving forward, Pirchs men were blocked by Vandamme in front of Wagnelà ©e. Arriving from Brye, Blà ¼cher took personal control of the situation and directed a strong effort against Saint-Amand-le-Haye. Striking the battered French, this assa ult secured the village. Fighting Rages As fighting raged to the west, Gà ©rards men hit Ligny at 3:00 PM. Enduring heavy Prussian artillery fire, the French penetrated the town but were ultimately driven back. A subsequent assault culminated in bitter house-to-house fighting which resulted in the Prussians maintaining their hold on Ligny. Around 5:00 PM, Blà ¼cher directed Pirch to deploy the bulk of II Corps south of Brye. At the same time, a degree of confusion struck the French high command as Vandamme reported seeing a large enemy force approaching Fleurus. This actually was Marshal Comte dErlons I Corps marching in from Quatre Bras as requested by Napoleon. Unaware of Napoleons orders, Ney recalled dErlon before he reached Ligny and I Corps played no role in the fighting. The confusion caused by this created a break which allowed Blà ¼cher to order II Corps into action. Moving against the French left, Pirchs corps was stopped by Vandamme and General Guillaume Duhesmes Young Guard Division. The Prussians Break Around 7:00 PM, Blà ¼cher learned that Wellington was heavily engaged at Quatre Bras and would be unable to send aid. Left on this own, the Prussian commander sought to end the fighting with a strong attack against the French left. Assuming personal oversight, he reinforced Ligny before massing his reserves and launching an assault against Saint-Amand. Though some ground was gained, French counterattacks forced the Prussians to begin retreating. Reinforced by General Georges Moutons VI Corps, Napoleon began assembling a massive strike against the enemy center. Opening a bombardment with sixty guns, he ordered troops forward around 7:45 PM. Overwhelming the tired Prussians, the attack broke through Blà ¼chers center. To halt the French, Blà ¼cher directed his cavalry forward. Leading a charge, he was incapacitated after having his horse shot. The Prussian cavalry was soon halted by their French counterparts. Aftermath Assuming command, Lieutenant-General August von Gneisenau, Blà ¼chers chief of staff, ordered a retreat north to Tilly after the French broke through at Ligny around 8:30 PM. Conducting a controlled retreat, the Prussians were not pursued by the exhausted French. Their situation improved quickly as the newly-arrived IV Corps deployed as a strong rearguard at Wavre which allowed a rapidly-recovering Blà ¼cher to reassemble his army. In the fighting at the Battle of Ligny, the Prussians sustained around 16,000 casualties while French losses numbered around 11,500. Though a tactical victory for Napoleon, the battle failed to mortally wound Blà ¼chers army or drive it to a location from which it could no longer support Wellington. Forced to fall back from Quatre Bras, Wellington assumed a defensive position where on June 18 he engaged Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. In heavy fighting, he won a decisive victory with the aid of the Blà ¼chers Prussians which arrived in the afternoo n.

Is Freedom Really Free essays

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