USS Monitor in the American Civil War

USS Monitor in the American Civil War One of the first ironclads constructed for the US Navy, the origins of USS Monitor began with changes in naval ordnance during the 1820s. Early in that decade, French artillery officer Henri-Joseph Paixhans developed a mechanism that allowed for shells to be fired with flat trajectory, high-powered naval guns. Trials using the old ship-of-the-line Pacificateur (80 guns) in 1824 showed that exploding shells could inflict significant damage on traditional wooden hulls. Refined over the next decade, shell-firing guns based on Paixhans design were common in the worlds leading navies by the 1840s. Rise of the Ironclad Recognizing wooden ships vulnerability to shells, Americans Robert L. and Edwin A. Stevens began the design of an armored floating battery in 1844. Forced to re-evaluate the design due to rapid advances in shell technology, the project came to a halt a year later when Robert Stevens fell ill. Though resurrected in 1854, the Stevens vessel never came to fruition. During this same period, the French successfully experimented with armored floating batteries during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Based on these results, the French Navy launched the worlds first ocean-going ironclad, La Gloire, in 1859. This was followed by the Royal Navys HMS Warrior (40) a year later. Union Ironclads With the start of the Civil War, the US Navy convened an Ironclad Board in August 1861 to assess potential designs for armored warships. Calling for proposals for iron-clad steam vessels of war, the board sought vessels capable of operating in the shallow waters along the American coast. The board was further spurred to action due to reports that the Confederacy was seeking to convert the captured remains of USS Merrimack (40) into an ironclad. The board ultimately selected three designs to be constructed: USS Galena (6), USS  Monitor (2), and USS New Ironsides (18) Monitor was designed by Swedish-born inventor John Ericsson who had previously had a falling out with the Navy in the wake of the 1844 USS Princeton disaster which had killed six people including Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur and Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Gilmer. Though he had not intended to submit a design, Ericsson became involved when  Cornelius S. Bushnell consulted him regarding the Galena project. In the course of the meetings, Ericsson showed Bushnell his own concept for an ironclad and was encouraged to submit his revolutionary design. Design Consisting of a revolving turret mounted on a low armored deck, the design was likened to a cheese box on a raft. Possessing a low freeboard, only the ships turret, stacks, and small armored pilot house projected above the hull. This almost non-existent profile made the ship very difficult to hit, though it also meant that it performed badly on the open sea and was prone to swamping. Highly impressed by Ericssons innovative design, Bushnell traveled to Washington and convinced the Navy Department to authorize its construction. The contract for the ship was given to Ericsson and work began in New York. Construction Subcontracting the construction of the hull to Continental Iron Works in Brooklyn, Ericsson ordered the ships engines from Delamater Co. and the turret from Novelty Iron Works, both of New York City. Working at a frenetic pace, Monitor was ready for launch within 100 days of being laid down. Entering the water on January 30, 1862, workers began finishing and fitting out the ships interior spaces. On February 25 work was completed and Monitor commissioned with Lieutenant John L. Worden in command. Sailing from New York two days later, the ship was forced to return after its steering gear failed. USS Monitor - General Nation: United StatesBuilder: Continental Iron Works, Brooklyn, NYLaid Down: October 1861Launched: January 30, 1862Commissioned: February 25, 1862 Fate: Lost at sea, December 31, 1862 Specifications Type: Monitor-class ironcladDisplacement: 987 tonsLength: 172 ft.Beam: 41 ft. 6 in.Draft: 10 ft. 6 in.Complement: 59Speed: 8 knots Armament 2 x XI-inch Dahlgren smoothbores Operational History Following repairs, Monitor departed New York on March 6, this time under tow, with orders to proceed to Hampton Roads. On March 8, the newly completed Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia steamed down the Elizabeth River and struck at the Union squadron at Hampton Roads. Unable to pierce Virginias armor, the wooden Union ships were helpless and the Confederate succeeded in sinking the sloop of war USS Cumberland and frigate USS Congress. As darkness fell, Virginia withdrew with the intention of returning the next day to finish off the remaining Union ships. That night Monitor arrived and took up a defensive position. Returning the next morning, Virginia encountered Monitor as it approached USS Minnesota. Opening fire, the two ships began the worlds first battle between ironclad warships. Pounding each other for over four hours, neither was able to inflict significant damage on the other. Though Monitors heavier guns were able to crack Virginias armor, the Confederates scored a hit on their adversarys pilot house temporarily blinding Worden. Unable to defeat Monitor, Virginia withdrew leaving Hampton Roads in Union hands. For the rest of the spring, Monitor remained, guarding against another attack by Virginia. During this time, Virginia attempted to engage Monitor on several occasions but was refused as Monitor was under presidential orders to avoid battle unless absolutely required. This was due to President Abraham Lincolns fear that the ship would be lost allowing Virginia to take control of the Chesapeake Bay. On May 11, after Union troops captured Norfolk, the Confederates burned Virginia. Its nemesis removed, Monitor began participating in regular operations, including reconnaissance of the James River to Drurys Bluff on May 15. After supporting Major General George McClellans Peninsula Campaign in the summer, Monitor participated in the Union blockade at Hampton Roads that fall. In December, the ship received orders to proceed south to aid in operations against Wilmington, NC. Departing under tow by USS Rhode Island, Monitor cleared the Virginia Capes on December 29. Two nights later, it began to take water as it encountered a storm and high waves off Cape Hatteras. Foundering, Monitor sank along with sixteen of its crew. Though in service for less than a year, it profoundly influenced warship design and several similar ships were built for the Union Navy. In 1973, the wreck was discovered sixteen miles southeast of Cape Hatteras. Two years later it was designated a national marine sanctuary. At this time, some artifacts, such as the ships propeller, were removed from the wreck. In 2001, recovery efforts began to salvage the ships steam engine. The next year, Monitors innovative turret was raised. These have all been taken to the Mariners Museum in Newport News, VA for preservation and display.

Tragedies and Tearjerkers - Top Ten Saddest Plays

Tragedies and Tearjerkers - Top Ten Saddest Plays The following list is a continuation of the Top Ten Saddest Plays Ever Written. You can read the entries #10 through #6 by checking out the beginning of the list. #5 - Medea Heres how Ancient History expert N. S. Gill describes the basic plot of Euripides Greek tragedy: Medea is a witch. Jason knows this, as do Creon and Glauce, but Medea seemed appeased, so when she presents a wedding gift to Glauce of a dress and crown, Glauce accepts them. The theme is familiar from the death of Hercules. When Glauce puts on the robe it burns her flesh. Unlike Hercules, she dies. Creon dies, too, trying to help his daughter. So far the motives and reactions seem understandable, but then Medea does the unspeakable. In the gruesome tragedy Medea, the title character, murders her own children. However, before she can be punished, Helios sun chariot swoops down and she flies off into the sky. So in a sense, the playwright creates a double tragedy. The audience witnesses a tragic act, and subsequently witnesses the escape of the perpetrator. The murderer does not get her comeuppance, thereby infuriating the audience all the more. #4 - The Laramie Project The most tragic aspect of this play is that it is based upon a true story. The Laramie Project is a documentary-styled play that analyzes the death of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student who was brutally murdered because of his sexual identity. The play was created by playwright/director Moisà ©s Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. The theater group traveled from New York to the town of Laramie, Wyoming - just four weeks after the death of Shepard. Once there, they interviewed dozens of townspeople, collecting a wide array of different perspectives. The dialogue and monologues which comprise The Laramie Project are taken from interviews, news reports, courtroom transcripts, and journal entries. Kaufmann and his team of activists turned their journey into a theatrical experiment that is as innovative as it is heart wrenching. Learn more about this play. #3 - Long Days Journey into Night Unlike the other dramas mentioned on the list, no character dies during the course of the play. Yet, the family in Eugene ONeills Long Days Journey into Night is in a state of constant mourning, lamenting lost happiness as they reflect upon how their lives could have been. We can tell within the first few exchanges of Act One, this family has grown accustomed to harsh criticism as default form of communication. Disappointment runs deep, and although the father spends a great deal of time and energy complaining about his sons failures, at times the young men are their own harshest critics. Read more about Eugene ONeills dramatic masterpiece. #2 - King Lear Every line of iambic pentameter in Shakespeares tale of an abused old king is so depressing and brutal that theater producers in the Victorian Age would allow substantial changes to the plays ending in order to give audiences something slightly more upbeat. Throughout this classic drama, the audience wants to simultaneously slap and embrace King Lear. You want to smack him because he is too stubborn to acknowledge the ones who truly love him. And you want to hug him because he is so misguided and so easily fooled, he allows the evil characters to take advantage of him then abandon him to the storm. Why does it rank so high on my list of tragedies? Perhaps its simply because I am a father, and I cant imagine my daughters sending me out into the cold. (Fingers crossed they are kind to me in my old age!) #1 - Bent This play by Martin Sherman may not be as widely read as the other tragedies previously mentioned, but because of its intense, realistic depiction of concentration camps, execution, anti-Semitism, and homophobia it deserves the highest place among the saddest plays in dramatic literature. Martin Shermans play is set in mid 1930s Germany, and centers around Max, a young gay man who is sent to a concentration camp. He pretends to be Jewish believing that he wont be persecuted as much as the homosexuals in the camp. Max undergoes extreme hardship and witnesses obscene horrors. And yet amid the abject cruelty he is still able to meet someone kind, a fellow prisoner with whom he falls in love. In spite all the barrage of hatred, torture, and indignity, the main characters are still able to mentally transcend their nightmarish surroundings at least for as long as they are together.

Latin american history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Latin american history - Essay Example analysis of the political and economic history of Columbia, Cuba, and Mexico, this essay demonstrates that the flawed economic policies of the countries are predominantly at fault. In Latin America, the 1980’s are referred to as ‘Decada de aprendizaje doloroso’ , or the decade of painful experiences. Nowhere were these experiences more evident than in Columbia. According to David Robinson, â€Å"economic problems†¦had a significant impact on the political systems in the region. Elected governments still tend to support their own interests or those of elite groups (Robinson).† The government had increasing levels of foreign debt, which forced them to devalue the currency repeatedly. People from rural areas became poorer. Even the resource-rich Columbia faced internal problems of guerrillas and the drug cartels. According to a May 8, 1990 Time magazine article, kidnapping and murder of political aspirants became a routine affair carried out by the drug cartels, in order to influence the outcome of the elections. According to the magazine, 503 people were murdered and 18 kidnapped in a single week in May. From the United States per spective, Columbia is of national importance because of its geographic location and natural resources Although Columbia is an ally of the United States, 90% of the illegal cocaine in the United States comes from Columbia, which has still not become a safe place. Fighting continues between the armed groups maintained by the drug cartels and the government forces. A United Nations report indicates that â€Å"2 million people have been displaced because of armed conflict in Columbia† this year. Most of the internally displaced persons were Afro-Columbians, who fled because they were frightened of the fighting between the Columbian army and the armed groups operating near the Atrato river in north-western Columbia. Although a determined effort by the government to overcome the drug cartels has resulted in a semblance of order in

Enviroment science lab3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Enviroment science lab3 - Essay Example According to Budyko (1982), anthropogenic activities of man more so industrialization and agriculture are the key contributor to the greenhouse gases. The data clearly indicates that, between 1990 and 2005, there has been an increase in the CO2 by more than 20 mol-1 in the five regions. Anthropogenic activities in the regions of studies in regard to the production of greenhouse gases, which are deforestation to create space for industrial development and agriculture and combustion of fossil fuels, have been on the rise. With this being the trend, is clear that in the last forty year, CO2 emission was lower. This is because industrialization was low and the population that needed to be fed from agriculture was low too. Therefore, deforestation and green gas emission was low making my hypothesis is right (Budyko, 1982). Earth System Research Laboratory: Global Monitoring Division. (n.d.). Retrieved from U.S Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Research web site: http:

Coconut Tree Essay Example for Free

Coconut Tree Essay The coconut tree as a â€Å"tree of life† is characteristically a food supplier as this tree provides fruit and is well-known to be devoid of any anti-nutrient factors and is known as a whole food with 5,000 years of recorded use in food preparation with health benefits.The fruit is edible at any stage of maturity. It provides not only a solid food but a large volume of very safe and healthy drinking water-based juice. The fruit of the coconut palm is the main source of many food products such as coconut milk/cream, desiccated coconut, coconut chip, coconut water, nata de coco, coconut oil, copra, etc. Apart from these, the unopened inflorescence can produce coconut sap or toddy (tuba) which can be processed into high value and nutritious food products. Coconut sap sugar, considered to be one of the best natural sweeteners, is truly a perfect and healthier substitute for artificial sweeteners because it is not a product of chemical laboratories, not an artificial sweetener and not a by-product of sugar cane, not brown sugar nor muscuvado sugar. Coco sugar is good for both diabetic and non-diabetic consumers because it does not induce high blood sugar because it has a Low Glycemic index. Glycemic index (GI) is a numerical system of measuring how much of a rise in circulating blood sugar a carbohydrate triggers-the higher the number, the greater blood sugar response. So a low GI food will cause a small rise, while a high GI food will trigger the opposite. GI is about the quality of the carbohydrates, not the quantity. Coco sugar can be good for weigh maintenance. (Dr. Trinidad P. Trinidad, Scientist II of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology.) It is also rich in various amino acids, vitamins and minerals that are essential for the human body to benefit.

Robert Louis Stevenson was born November 13, 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotlan

Robert Louis Stevenson was born November 13, 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotland Throughout his childhood, he suffered chronic health. A Study of Robert Louis Stevenson’s use of settings, characters and symbolism in ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. Robert Louis Stevenson was born November 13, 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotland throughout his childhood; he suffered chronic health problems that confined him to bed. He lived in constant fear of death and some people believe that this was where he got his grim outlook on life from. The strongest influence during his childhood was that of his nurse, Allison Cunningham, who often read aloud Pilgrim's Progress and The Old Testament, his most direct literary influences during this time. Originally he did not intend to be an author, his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become an architect. He lived in Edinburgh for most of his life; it was split into two, both sides played a part in molding his personality and outlook. On one hand was the New Town, respectable, upstanding, deeply religious, and polite. On the other was a much more bohemian Edinburgh, symbolised by brothels and shadiness. The juxtaposition of the two aspects in contrast to each other made a deep impression and strengthened his fascination with the duality of human nature, later providing the theme for ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’. Throughout the history of the book critics have struggled to choose the genre in which the book falls. The most popular opinion is that it is a Gothic novel and lies alongside Frankenstein and Dracula. Like these books Stevenson put most of the events in the book happening during the night to give it a ‘gloomy’ feel. The part where ... ...pectives. In the beginning chapters to set the scene Stevenson narrates the story as a third person, for example he describes the ‘door which was equipped with neither bell nor knocker,’ of the house in which Hyde lives. The Carew murder case was told as third person, but also had a detailed account from the maid who saw it all out of her window to make the tale more believable. In the chapter, ‘The Last Night,’ Poole the butler gives his account of the Jekyll and Hyde story, which gives the reader an insight into different characters and their personalities. And the final points of view are from Dr Lanyon and Jekyll’s letters. I think that both these letters give the reader a chance to be a ‘detective’ and piece together he two stories and find a constant theme. It also makes it seem more believable and less bias if it is written by two different people.

Disastrous Date Essay

Three years ago my good friend set me up on a blind date, but before going on the date I wanted to get to know my potential date. After talking to him for a couple of weeks and getting to know him we finally decided to have our first date. He was a gentleman he came to the airport to pick me up, opened the door and was polite. Our conversation in the car had no awkward moments of silence as we headed to our restaurant. The restaurant was his pick which was a surprise to me since it was Ruth’s Chris Steak house. We ordered appetizer’s and drinks to start off the date, we talked and laughed over dinner and shared some embarrassing moments over dessert. In my mind I thought is this night too good to be true. We spent over three hours talking and laughing as the night came to an end the waitress brought our check. This is where it gets interesting. As he’s frantically checking his pockets for his wallet in my mind I’m thinking he’s joking with me he did have a sense of humor over dinner. Don’t get me wrong I don’t ever mind paying for dinner, but on a first date â€Å"forgetting your wallet† might be pushing it especially when you’re having dinner at a steak house. At the end I ended up paying for our dinner which wasn’t cheap, we headed out and drove back to his hotel and it turned out his wallet was left behind now I don’t know if it was intentionally left behind, but it was defiantly at the hotel. We freshened up and headed out again to continue our night. Till this day my husband and I laugh at my first disastrous date and what’s even funnier is that my husband is the guy who â€Å"forgot his wallet.† So my bad experience actually ended up turning into a good one.

Hybrid Cultures Essay

The ease of travel and almost universal access to the information superhighway facilitates the massive cultural exchange that goes on in the world today. In 2005, Kwai-Cheung Lo had written extensively on the exportation of Hong Kong popular culture and its strange relationship to China. Hong Kong could be considered one of the best modern examples of a hybrid culture. Settled by the British for 150 years before its transfer back to China in 1997, Hong Kong bears much similarity to the West in terms of economic development and commerce. Its culture, however, is quite different from the mainland and reconciling the two by expanding the definition of what it means to be Chinese is necessary as HK becomes less an independent entity and more of a Chinese protectorate. Today, the vast storehouse of popular culture proves that the sharp lines between different nations are thinning with martial arts films, anime, and panda bears occupy the same space as Western action movies, McDonalds, and pop music. Massive immigration from third world countries to the West, coupled with Western business people consulting with Asian companies contributes to the growing cultural exchange. The Disney phenomenon is a good example of this. Starting as a small theme park in Anaheim, CA, the company had developed parks in Florida, Paris, and Japan. Yet, the Japanese are determined to retain elements of their native culture even as they embrace an American business concept. When sociologists compared the American Disneyland with the Japanese version, they found many similarities and differences. For example, â€Å"Jungle Cruise is arguably the most American. It is a traditional Disney ride that has changed little over the years. TDL (Tokyo Disneyland) has kept the design and narrative of Jungle Cruise while modifying its spiel. Cinderella’s Castle Mystery Tour in contrast is unique to TDL. It is a story of Disney heroes and villains written for and told by the Japanese†(p. 32). References Luo, K. C. (2005). Chinese Face/Off: The Transnational Popular Culture of Hong Kong. University of Illinois Press Raz, A. E. (1999). Riding the Black Ship: Japan and Tokyo Disneyland. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center

Calcium Facts - Ca or Atomic Number 20

Calcium Facts - Ca or Atomic Number 20 Calcium is silver to gray solid metal that develops a pale yellow tint. It is element atomic number 20 on the periodic table with the symbol Ca. Unlike most transition metals, calcium and its compounds exhibit a low toxicity. The element is essential for human nutrition. Take a look at calcium periodic table facts and learn about the elements history, uses, properties, and sources. Calcium Basic Facts Symbol: CaAtomic Number: 20Atomic Weight: 40.078Classification: Alkaline EarthCAS Number: 7440-701-2 Calcium Periodic Table Location Group: 2Period: 4Block: s Calcium Electron Configuration Short Form: [Ar]4s2Long Form: 1s22s22p63s23p64s2Shell Structure: 2 8 8 2 Calcium Discovery Discovery Date: 1808Discoverer: Sir Humphrey Davy [England]Name: Calcium derives its name from the Latin calcis which was the word for lime (calcium oxide, CaO) and limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO3)History: The Romans prepared lime in the first century, but the metal was not discovered until 1808. Swedish chemist Berzelius and Swedish court physician Pontin created an amalgam of calcium and mercury by electrolyzing lime and mercury oxide. Davy managed to isolate pure calcium metal from their amalgam. Calcium Physical Data State at room temperature (300 K): SolidAppearance: fairly hard, silvery white metalDensity: 1.55 g/ccSpecific Gravity: 1.55 (20  °C)Melting Point: 1115 KBoiling Point: 1757 KCritical Point: 2880 KHeat of Fusion: 8.54 kJ/molHeat of Vaporization: 154.7 kJ/molMolar Heat Capacity: 25.929 J/mol ·KSpecific Heat: 0.647 J/g ·K (at 20  °C) Calcium Atomic Data Oxidation States: 2 (most common), 1Electronegativity: 1.00Electron Affinity: 2.368 kJ/molAtomic Radius: 197 pmAtomic Volume: 29.9 cc/molIonic Radius: 99 (2e)Covalent Radius: 174 pmVan der Waals Radius: 231 pmFirst Ionization Energy: 589.830 kJ/molSecond Ionization Energy: 1145.446 kJ/molThird Ionization Energy: 4912.364 kJ/mol Calcium Nuclear Data Number of Naturally Occurring Isotopes: 6Isotopes and % Abundance: 40Ca (96.941), 42Ca (0.647), 43Ca (0.135), 44Ca (2.086), 46Ca (0.004) and 48Ca (0.187) Calcium Crystal Data Lattice Structure: Face-Centered CubicLattice Constant: 5.580 Ã…Debye Temperature: 230.00 K Calcium Uses Calcium is essential for human nutrition. Animals skeletons get their rigidity primarily from calcium phosphate. The eggs of birds and shells of mollusks are comprised of calcium carbonate. Calcium is also necessary for plant growth. Calcium is used as a reducing agent when preparing metals from their halogen and oxygen compounds; as a reagent in purification of inert gases; to fix atmospheric nitrogen; as a scavenger and decarbonizer in metallurgy; and for making alloys. Calcium compounds are used in making lime, bricks, cement, glass, paint, paper, sugar, glazes, as well as for many other uses. Miscellaneous Calcium Facts Calcium is the 5th most abundant element in the Earths crust, making up 3.22% of the earth, air, and oceans.Calcium is not found free in nature, but calcium compounds are common. Some of the most common compounds found on Earth are limestone (calcium carbonate - CaCO3), gypsum (calcium sulfate - CaSO4 ·2H2O), fluorite (calcium fluoride - CaF2) and apatite (calcium fluorophosphate - CaFO3P or calcium chlorophosphate - CaClO3P)The top three countries that produce calcium are China, United States and India.Calcium is the main component of teeth and bones. However, too much calcium can lead to kidney stones or artery calcification.Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the human body. Approximately one third of the mass of the human body is calcium after all water is removed.Calcium burns with a dark red color in a flame test.Calcium is used in fireworks to deepen the color. Calcium salts are used to produce orange in fireworks.Calcium metal is soft enough to cut with a knife, a lthough somewhat harder than the metal lead. People and other animals can often taste the calcium ion. People report is as contributing a mineral, sour, or salty flavor.Calcium metal reacts exothermically with water or acid. Skin contact with calcium metal can cause irritation, corrosion, and chemical burns. Ingesting or inhaling calcium metal can be fatal due to the burns it can produce. Sources Hluchan, Stephen E.; Pomerantz, Kenneth (2006)  Calcium and Calcium Alloys. Ullmanns Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry.  Weinheim: Wiley-VCH, doi:10.1002/14356007.a04_515.pub2Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 0-08-037941-9.

Italian Improper Prepositions - Preposizioni Improprie

Italian Improper Prepositions - Preposizioni Improprie The Italian prepositions ​di, a, da, in, con, su, per, tra (fra), the so-called preposizioni semplici (simple prepositions), perform a variety of functions and are the most frequently used. However, these prepositions have a lesser-known counterpart ones with less variety, but that have a greater specificity of meaning. They’re called â€Å"improper prepositions.† And yes, if you’re wondering, there are â€Å"proper prepositions,† and we’ll talk about those soon. Why must you get to know these? Because they help you say things like â€Å"behind the house,† â€Å"during dinner,† or â€Å"except him.† Many grammarians define these forms as improper prepositions (preposizioni improprie), which are also (or have been in the past) adverbs, adjectives, or verbs. Here they are: Davanti - In front, across from, opposite fromDietro - Behind, afterContro - In front of, againstDopo - After, beyondPrima - First, in front ofInsieme - With, together with, along withSopra - On top of, upon, above, over Sotto - Below, beneathDentro - In, inside, withinFuori - BeyondLungo - During, throughout, along, alongsideVicino - NearbyLontano - Faraway, distantSecondo - On the basis of, according to, alongDurante - During, throughoutMediante - By, through, via, by means ofNonostante - In spite of, despiteRasente - Very near to, very close toSalvo - Save, except forEscluso - ExceptEccetto - ExceptTranne - Except So, which prepositions are proper? Grammarians define proper prepositions (preposizioni proprie) as those that have only a prepositional function, namely: di, a, da,in, con, su, per, tra (fra) (su also has an adverbial function, but routinely is considered one of the proper prepositions). The following are some examples of preposition-adverbs, preposition-adjectives, and preposition-verbs, highlighting their diverse functions. Preposition-Adverbs The largest group is that of the preposition-adverbs (davanti, dietro, contro, dopo, prima, insieme,sopra, sotto, dentro, fuori): Lho rivisto dopo molto tempo. - I saw him again after a long time. (prepositional function)Lho rivisto unaltra volta, dopo. - I saw him again after that. (adverbial function) Preposition-Adjectives Less numerous are preposition-adjectives (lungo, vicino, lontano, salvo, secondo): Camminare lungo la riva - To walk along the shore (prepositional function)Un lungo cammino - A long walk (adjectival function) Participles There are also some verbs, in the form of participles, that in contemporary Italian function almost exclusively as prepositions (durante, mediante, nonostante, rasente, escluso, eccetto): Durante la sua vita - During his lifetime (prepositional function)Vita natural durante - Lifetime (participial function) Among these preposition-verbs, a special case is that of tranne, from the imperative form of trarre (tranne traine). To determine whether a certain term is used as a preposition or has a different function, note that in the previous examples what characterizes and distinguishes the prepositions from other parts of speech is the fact that they establish a relationship between two words or two groups of words. Prepositions are special because they introduce a complement to the verb, the noun, or the entire sentence. If there is no complement, it is not a preposition. Some Italian improper prepositions can be combined with other prepositions (especially a and di) to form locuzioni preposizionali (prepositional phrases) such as: Vicino a - Near, next toAccanto a - Next to, besideDavanti a - In front ofDietro a - BehindPrima di - BeforeDopo di - AfterFuori di - Outside ofDentro di - Inside, withinInsieme con (or assieme a) - Together withLontano da - Away from Prepositions Nouns Many prepositional phrases result from the pairing of prepositions and nouns: In cima a - On top of, at the top ofIn capo a - Within, underIn mezzo a - In the middle of, amongNel mezzo di - In the middle of, in the midst ofIn base a - On the basis of, according toIn quanto a - As for, in terms ofIn confronto a - Compared to, in comparison toA fianco di - At the side of, on the side ofAl cospetto di - In the presence ofPer causa di - Because of, on grounds ofIn conseguenza di - As a result ofA forza di - Because of, through , by persisting thatPer mezzo di - By means of, by way ofPer opera di - ByA meno di - Less than, withoutAl pari di - As much as, in common withA dispetto di - In spite of, despiteA favore di - In favor ofPer conto di - On behalf ofIn cambio di - In exchange forAl fine di - For the purpose of, in order to Prepositional Phrases Prepositional phrases have the same function as prepositions, as shown by these examples: Lha ucciso per mezzo di un pugnale / Lha ucciso con un pugnale. - He killed him using a dagger / He killed him with a dagger.Lha fatto al fine di aiutarti / Lha fatto per aiutarti. - He did it in order to help you / He did it to help you. Attenta! Note, however, that prepositions and prepositional phrases are not always interchangeable: for example, either of the following phrases are valid: il ponte à ¨ costruito dagli operai (or da parte degli operai). But â€Å"la costruzione del ponte dagli operai† is grammatically incorrect, while â€Å"la costruzione del ponte da parte degli operai† is acceptable.

Business Strategy and the Kingspan PLC Group Case Study

Business Strategy and the Kingspan PLC Group - Case Study Example According to this view strategy wraps around trading formulas into an acceptable systems where all or part of the firm's investment portfolio are integrated. This view is governed by rules that do not deviate, based on anything other than market action and it eliminates emotions bias because the systems operate within the parameters known by the trader or an investment firm. The proponents of this view argue it in two ways: firstly where a trader only needs to trade at the beginning and at the end to ensure the payoff and secondly it is applied between the start and the maturity of the derivative where a trader needs to trade more than once to ensure the payoff at maturity. 1 It relies on the collection of economic data which consists of measurable values of prices and changes in prices, for measurable commodities for example the cost of a particular commodity and how much of it is being used, the relationship between the general level of prices and the general level of employment this including the observable forms of economic activities such as money, consumption, preferences, buying, selling and prices. A strategy can also be viewed as a planning process that can allow an organization to concentrate its resources on the greatest opportunities to increase sales and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, serving as a fundamental underpinning of marketing plans designed to reach an organizations marketing goals, policies and action tactics into a cohesive whole. This view may take the form of market dominance where organizations are classified based on the market share or dominance of organization for example, a market leader, a market challenger and a market follower. It may also take the form of the dimensions of the strategic scope relating to the market penetration and strategic strength of the competing firms, where by competitive advantage such as cost leadership, product differentiation and market segmentation can be achieved. 2It also takes the form of dealing with the firm's rate of new product development and business model innovation. It also describes how the firm sh ould grow which is normally done by horizontal integration, vertical integration, diversification or intensification. Another view of a strategy is a process of specifying an organization's visions, initiatives and processes in order to deploy their online assets including: websites, digital audio and video content, rich internet applications, community groups, banner advertisements in a manner that maximizes the business benefits they provide to the organization. This plan is normally presented in three ways:-identifying key opportunities or challenges in a business where online assets can provide a solution:-identifying the unmet needs and goals of the customers that align with key business opportunities and lastly developing a vision on how the assets will fulfil the business and customer needs, goals, opportunities and challenges. The other view of strategy is concerned with geographic direction of state's foreign policy. This describes a foreign policy thrust