Subtle Characterization In A Good Man Is Hard To Find Essays

Unpretentious Characterization In A Good Man Is Hard To Find All through her short story ?A Good Man Is Hard to Find,? Flannery O'Connor utilizes unpretentious portrayal to build up the characters of the Misfit and the Grandmother. While a portion of the qualities in the story are clear and effectively comprehended, others expect one to look underneath the surface. Upon one's first perusing of the story, the person in question in all likelihood accepts that the Misfit is a perilous, terrible lawbreaker, and the Grandmother only an elderly person; however upon closer assessment, clearly, actually, the Grandmother is the genuine antagonist of the story; while the Misfit is a man who feels he has a name to maintain and has learned huge numbers of life's exercises. In the first place, the Grandmother presents the Misfit right off the bat in the story when she expresses, ?That kindred that considers himself the Misfit is aloose from the Federal Pen?(352)?;?I wouldn't take my youngsters toward any path with a criminal like that aloose in it (352).? As of now, the peruser is persuaded that the Misfit should without a doubt be a terrible crook. The Grandmother is additionally described right off the bat in the story. Her grandkids state, ?She wouldn't remain at home for a million bucks. Apprehensive she'd miss something. She needs to go wherever we go (352).? It appears that from the get-go in the story that the Misfit is an awful man, while the Grandmother is only an elderly person who appreciates investing energy with her family. Next, despite the fact that the Grandmother is by all accounts a sweet, elderly person, there are a few occurrences that point to the way that she is manipulative and tricky. Di Renzo says in his book American Gargoyles that numerous pundits have issues with A decent man is elusive in view of O'Connor's detailed comic delineation of the grandma and her family. He proceeds to state that on the grounds that the family is so over the top, so irredeemably tactless and frivolous, that it would be unimaginable for the peruser to feel for them, in any event, when the maverick is slaughtering them. Likewise, while the family is in the vehicle, the Grandmother reveals to June Star and John Wesley, ?In my time, youngsters were progressively deferential of their local states and their folks and everything else (353).? At that point, as they pass by a Negro youngster, the Grandmother shouts, ?Oh take a gander at the charming little pickaninny! (353)? This example demonstrates that the Grandmothe r is a poser. While attempting to advise her grandkids they ought to be increasingly aware as youngsters in her time were, the Grandmother does the inverse. Second, The Grandmother realizes how to control individuals so as to compliment them to get what she needs. She enlightens the kids concerning a house she had once visited simply because she trusts they can convince their dad to visit it again so she can see it. Hence, it is evident that the Grandmother is an incredibly self-assimilated, manipulative lady. Last, there is the portrayal of the Misfit. Despite the fact that he is in actuality a risky man, his isn't generally the existence he needs to lead. The Misfit is a man who addresses presence just as the framework. He states, ?Jesus was the one in particular that at any point raised the dead. In the event that he didn't, at that point it's nothing for you to do except for appreciate the couple of moments you got left the most ideal way you can-by murdering someone or torching his home or doing some different ugliness to him (362).? All through the story, the Misfit never lies. He is brimming with deference, especially for ladies. Amusingly, in spite of the fact that he is a crook, the Misfit is additionally a sort, fair man. At the point when the Family experiences The Misfit, correspondence is exclusively between The Misfit and the grandma. They make exchange between one another following she understands what his identity was. The grandma screamed, You're The Misfit!...I remembered you without a moment's delay to which The Misfit answers, It would have been exceptional for all you of you, woman, on the off chance that you hadn't of reckernized me. Without respect for her family, the grandma considers first herself, crying, You wouldn't shoot a woman, okay? As she banters with The Misfit, she learns of his not too bad guardians and great up bringing, and can along these lines classify

Comparison Of The Health Services In U.S And Brazil Essay

Examination Of The Health Services In U.S And Brazil - Essay Example Also, demographers have had the option to demonstrate that in the course of recent years, patterns, for example, separation and relationships were wandering as per training. Likewise, segment patterns demonstrate an expansion in the old populace, with the pattern in the age structure expected to increment from 40 million out of 2014 to 80 million throughout the following 15 years (Nascimento, 2013). This suggests by 2032, the quantity of individuals beyond 65 years old will be more than the individuals who are underneath 15 years old. Simultaneously, the quantity of potential specialists per retiree will be not many, as the social and money related expenses of the maturing populace will be expanding. With no conduct and strategy changes, the monetary weight experienced by singular citizens and laborers will soar. In Brazil, be that as it may, there has been a decrease in the richness rates in the previous scarcely any years. This has had serious outcomes on the segment example of its pyramid with data gathered demonstrating an expansion in the quantity of elderly individuals. In any case, in spite of this expansion and a reduction in the quantity of kids, the youthful age bunch stays to have a higher extent when contrasted with the US. Thus, Brazil’s segment pattern without further ado will even now have an older populace that is under 10% and naturally, it will be made out of the â€Å"young-old† who will be between 60 to 69 years old. In the US, the newborn child death rate slowed down, setting the US among the most noticeably terrible appraised country, in countries that have created.

Vector And Raster Data In Gis Computer Science Essay

Vector And Raster Data In Gis Computer Science Essay A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a technique for spatially putting away, examining, controlling, overseeing and showing land information. GIS information speaks to genuine articles, for example, streets, streams, urban zones, place names, railroad, spots of intrigue, town names and so on with advanced information deciding the blend. A geodatabase is a database that is here and there referenced to areas on earth. Generally, there are two wide techniques used to store information in a GIS; raster pictures and vector. Weapons Survey Ireland (OSI) information is provided in both Vector and Raster position. In the two cases the information is geo-referenced. VECTOR AND RASTER DATA Vector information is part into three sorts; polygon, line (or curve) and point information. Vector is a strategy for putting away spatial information including doling out directions for every substance; a X,Y, Z for a point, a couple of such focuses for a line and a progression of such lines for a polygon. This technique is helpful for demonstrating discrete physical highlights. Distinctive land highlights are communicated by various kinds of geometry: Focuses A point is a zero-dimensional reflection of an item spoke to by a solitary X, Y co-ordinate. It is ordinarily used to speak to a geographic component too little to even think about being shown as a line or a territory (for example area of a structure from a more minor perspective guide or, for instance, urban communities on a guide of the world may be spoken to by focuses not polygons). No estimations are conceivable with point highlights. Figure 1-Vector portrayal Source: http://www.geom.unimelb.edu.au/gisweb/GISModule/GIST_Vector.html Lines or polylines A lot of co-ordinates that speak to the state of geographic highlights that are too limited to even think about being shown as a territory, for example, district limit lines or forms. At little scopes geographic highlights may have no territory, for example streams or lanes and might be spoken to as direct highlights as opposed to as a polygon. Line highlights can quantify separation. Polygons Polygons are utilized to speak to zones. For example, lakes, park limits or land utilizes and so on. Polygons pass on the most measure of data of the document types and can gauge border and region. Rigaux et al. (2002:p.38) states, A point is spoken to by its pair of directions, though progressively complex straight and surfacic objects are spoken to by structures (records, sets, exhibits) on the point portrayal. These geometries can be connected to a line in a database that portrays their qualities. For instance, a database that depicts lakes may contain a lakes profundity, water quality, contamination level. Various geometries can likewise be thought about and the GIS could be utilized, for instance, to distinguish all wells (point geometry) that are inside one kilometer of a lake (polygon geometry) that has a significant level of contamination. Vector information can be shown at any scale and individual layers (for example streets, structures, and so forth) can be shown or precluded (see Appendix A). Raster Ellis expresses that raster is a technique for the capacity, preparing and show of spatial information. There are three kinds of raster datasets; topical information, phantom information and pictures. Raster information comprises of lines and sections of cells, with every phone putting away a solitary worth. Raster information can be pictures containing singular spots with shading esteems, called cells (or pixels), orchestrated in a rectangular equitably dispersed cluster. Every cell must be rectangular fit as a fiddle, however not really square (Ellis 2001). Every cell inside this framework contains area co-ordinates just as a characteristic worth. The spatial area of every phone is certainly contained inside the requesting of the lattice, not at all like a vector structure which stores topology expressly. Regions containing a similar property estimation are perceived all things considered, nonetheless, raster structures can't distinguish the limits of territories, for example, polygons. Raster information is a deliberation of this present reality where spatial information is communicated as a lattice of cells or pixels with spatial position verifiable in the requesting of the pixels. With the raster information model, spatial information isn't consistent yet separated into discrete units. Ellis expresses that this makes raster information especially appropriate for particular sorts of spatial activity, for instance overlays or territory counts. Raster structures may prompt expanded stockpiling in specific circumstances, since they store every cell in the network whether or not it is an element or basically void space. Extra qualities recorded for every cell might be a discrete worth, for example, land use, a ceaseless worth, for example, temperature, or an invalid worth if no information is accessible. While a raster cell stores a solitary worth, it very well may be stretched out by utilizing raster groups to speak to RGB (red, green, blue) hues, shading maps (a mapping between a topical code and RGB esteem), or an all-inclusive quality table with one column for every one of a kind cell esteem. The goals of the raster informational collection is its cell width in ground units. Any individual who knows about advanced photography will perceive the Raster illustrations pixel as the littlest individual network unit building square of a picture, for the most part not promptly distinguished as an antiquity shape until a picture is delivered on an extremely enormous scope (see Appendix B). A mix of the pixels making up a picture shading development plan will make subtleties out of a picture, as is unmistakable from the generally utilized focuses, lines, and polygon territory area images of vector designs. Flying photos and satellite pictures are instances of raster pictures utilized in mapping. Figure 2 Aerial Photo Digitally examined and ortho-amended raster shading photography. The ortho-amendment process evacuates bends brought about by camera tilt and land highlights to create a scale exact picture. Source: OSI Raster information is put away in different organizations; from a standard record based structure of TIF, JPEG, and so on to twofold huge item information put away legitimately in a social database the board framework. Raster v Vector There are some significant points of interest and impediments to utilizing a raster or vector information model to speak to the real world: Vector illustrations are generally more tastefully satisfying. Raster information will show up as a picture that may have a blocky appearance for object limits (contingent upon the goals of the raster record). Vector information is less complex to refresh and keep up, though a raster picture should be totally duplicated (for example another street is included). Vector information permits substantially more examination capacity, particularly for systems, for example, streets, rail, broadcast communications and so forth. Separations and regions can be determined consequently. With raster information it is hard to sufficiently speak to straight highlights contingent upon the cell goals. Along these lines, arrange linkages are hard to set up. Vector documents require less plate extra room than raster information. Raster information permits simple execution of overlay activities, which are progressively troublesome with vector information. Raster information structure permits straightforward spatial investigation methodology A blueprint of the utilization of vector and raster information by OSI in Ireland is remembered for Appendix C. Non-spatial information Relating the spatial part alongside the non-spatial qualities of the current information for example enumeration figures (see Appendix D) upgrades the clients comprehension and gives new bits of knowledge into the examples and connections in the information that in any case would not be found. Non-spatial information can be put away alongside the spatial information spoke to by the directions of vector geometry or the situation of a raster cell. In vector information, the extra information contains properties of the component. In raster information the cell worth can store characteristic data, however it can likewise be utilized as an identifier that can identify with records in another table. Programming is as of now being created to help the answers for spatial issues being coordinated with answers for non-spatial issues. This will result in non specialists utilizing GIS to coordinate spatial and non spatial measures to see answers for complex issues and to aid dynamic. Information catch The procedures of information assortment are likewise differently alluded to as information catch, information computerization, information transformation, information move, information interpretation, and digitizing. The two principle kinds of information catch are: Essential information sources for example those gathered in computerized design explicitly for use in a GIS venture. Auxiliary sources, computerized and simple datasets that were gathered for an alternate reason and should be changed over into an appropriate advanced arrangement for use in a GIS venture. For vector information catch the two fundamental branches are ground reviewing and GPS. Study information can be legitimately gone into a GIS from advanced information assortment frameworks on overview instruments. Positions from a Global Navigation Satellite System like Global Positioning System (GPS), another review instrument, can likewise be legitimately gone into a GIS. New advancements permit making maps just as examination straightforwardly in the field and subsequently extends are progressively proficient and mapping is increasingly exact. Remotely detected information additionally assumes a significant job in information assortment and comprises of sensors (for example cameras, advanced scanners) appended to a stage which for the most part comprise of airplane and satellites. Most of advanced information at present originates from photograph translation of flying photos. Workstations are utilized to digitize includes legitimately from sound system sets of computerized photos. These frameworks permit information to be caught in two and three measurements, with rises estimated legitimately from a sound system pair utilizing standards of photogrammetry. Photos are gathered by simple or optical cameras before being gone into a delicate duplicate framework, however as top notch advanced cameras become less expensive this progression will be dispensed with. Satellite remote detecting gives another significant wellspring of spatial information. Remote detecting gathers raster information that can be additionally handled to recognize articles and classes of intrigue, for example, forested zones. The drawbacks are that the goals is frequently t

Babylon, the Glorious Ancient Mesopotamian Capital

Babylon, the Glorious Ancient Mesopotamian Capital Babylon was the name of the capital of Babylonia, one of a few city-states in Mesopotamia. Our cutting edge name for the city is a form of theâ ancient Akkadian name for it: Bab Ilani or Gate of the Gods. Babylons ruins are situated in what is today Iraq, close to the cutting edge town of Hilla and on the eastern bank of the Euphrates waterway. Individuals previously inhabited Babylon in any event as some time in the past as the late third thousand years BC, and it turned into the political focal point of southern Mesopotamia starting in the eighteenth century, during the rule of Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC). Babylon kept up its significance as a city for a bewildering 1,500 years, until around 300 BC. Hammurabis City A Babylonian portrayal of the old city, or rather a rundown of the names of the city and its sanctuaries, is found in the cuneiform content called Tintir Babylon, so named in light of the fact that its first sentence means something like Tintir is a name of Babylon, on which magnificence and celebration are offered. This record is a summary of Babylons huge engineering, and it was presumably assembled around 1225 BC, during the time of Nebuchadnezzar I. Tintir records 43 sanctuaries, assembled by the quarter of the city wherein they were situated, just as city-dividers, conduits, and roads, and a meaning of the ten city quarters. What else we are aware of the old Babylonian city originates from archeological unearthings. German prehistorian Robert Koldeweyâ dug an enormous pit 21 meters [70 feet] deep into the tell finding the Esagila sanctuary in the mid twentieth century. It wasnt until the 1970s when a joint Iraqi-Italian group drove by Giancarlo Bergamini returned to the profoundly covered vestiges. However, aside from that, we dont know a great deal about Hammurabis city, since it was demolished in the antiquated past. Babylon Sacked As per cuneiform compositions, Babylons rival Assyrian lord Sennacherib sacked the city in 689 BC. Sennacherib gloated that he flattened all the structures and dumped the rubble into the Euphrates River. Throughout the following century, Babylon was recreated by its Chaldean rulers, who followed the old city plan. Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562) led a monstrous recreation venture and left his mark on a large number of Babylons structures. It is Nebuchadnezzars city that stunned the world, starting with the appreciating reports of Mediterranean students of history. Nebuchadnezzars City Nebuchadnezzars Babylon was tremendous, covering a region of nearly 900 hectares (2,200 sections of land): it was the biggest city in the Mediterranean district until magnificent Rome. The city lay inside a huge triangle estimating 2.7x4x4.5 kilometers (1.7x2.5x2.8 miles), with one edge framed by the bank of the Euphrates and different sides made up of dividers and a channel. Intersection the Euphrates and converging the triangle was the walled rectangular (2.75x1.6 km or 1.7x1 mi) downtown, where the majority of the major great royal residences and sanctuaries were found. The significant boulevards of Babylon all prompted that focal area. Two dividers and a channel encompassed the downtown and at least one extensions associated the eastern and western parts. Radiant doors permitted passage to the city: a greater amount of that later. Sanctuaries and Palaces At the middle was the fundamental haven of Babylon: in Nebuchadnezzars day, it contained 14 sanctuaries. The most amazing of these was the Marduk Temple Complex, including the Esagila (The House Whose Top is High) and its monstrous ziggurat, the Etemenanki (House/Foundation of Heaven and the Underworld). The Marduk Temple was encircled by a divider punctured with seven entryways, secured by the sculptures of mythical beasts produced using copper. The ziggurat, situated over a 80 m (260 ft) wide road from the Marduk Temple, was likewise encircled by high dividers, with nine entryways additionally ensured by copper mythical serpents. The principle castle at Babylon, saved for legitimate business, was the Southern Palace, with a tremendous royal chamber, embellished with lions and adapted trees. The Northern Palace, thought to have been the Chaldean rulers living arrangement, had lapis-lazuli coated reliefs. Found inside its remains was an assortment of a lot more seasoned antiquities, gathered by the Chaldeans from different places around the Mediterranean. The Northern Palace was viewed as a potential contender for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon; in spite of the fact that proof has not been found and an almost certain area outside of Babylon has been recognized (see Dalley). Babylons Reputation In the Christian Bibles Book of Revelationâ (ch. 17), Babylon was portrayed as Babylon the incredible, mother of mistresses and of earths plagues, making it the exemplification of wickedness and debauchery all over the place. This was a touch of strict purposeful publicity to which the favored urban areas of Jerusalem and Rome were looked at and cautioned against turning out to be. That idea commanded western idea until late nineteenth century German excavators brought home pieces of the old city and introduced them in a historical center in Berlin, including the brilliant dim blue Ishtar door with its bulls and mythical serpents. Different history specialists wonder about the citys astounding size. The Roman historian Herodotus [~484-425 BC] expounded on Babylon in the main book of his Histories (chapters 178-183), in spite of the fact that researchers contend about whether Herodotus really observed Babylon or simply caught wind of it. He depicted it as an immense city, a whole lot bigger than the archeological proof shows, asserting that the city dividers extended a perimeter of somewhere in the range of 480 stadia (90 km). The fifth century Greek history specialist Ctesias, who likely did really visit face to face, said the city dividers extended 66 km (360 stadia). Aristotle described it as a city that has the size of a country. He reports that when Cyrus the Greatâ captured the edges of the city, it took three days for the news to arrive at the middle. The Tower of Babel As indicated by Genesis in the Judeo-Christian Bible, the Tower of Babelâ was worked trying to arrive at paradise. Researchers accept that the enormous Etemenanki ziggurat was the motivation for the legends. Herodotus detailed that the ziggurat had a strong focal pinnacle with eight levels. The towers could be move by method of an outside winding flight of stairs, and most of the way up there was a spot to rest. On the eighth level of the Etemenanki ziggurat was an incredible sanctuary with an enormous, lavishly enriched love seat and alongside it stood a brilliant table. Nobody was permitted to go through the night there, said Herodotus, with the exception of one exceptionally chose Assyrian lady. The ziggurat was disassembled by Alexander the Greatâ when he vanquished Babylon in the fourth century BC. City Gates The Tintir Babylon tablets list the city doors, which all had reminiscent monikers, for example, the Urash entryway, The Enemy is Abhorrent to it, the Ishtar door Ishtar topples its Assailant and the Adad door O Adad, Guard the Life of the Troops. Herodotus says there were 100 entryways in Babylon: archeologists have just discovered eight in the downtown, and the most noteworthy of those was the Ishtar door, constructed and remade by Nebuchadnezzar II, and at present in plain view at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. To get to the Ishtar Gate, the guest strolled for somewhere in the range of 200 m (650 ft) between two high dividers enhanced with bas-reliefs of 120 striding lions. The lions are brilliantly hued and the foundation is a striking coated lapis lazuli dim blue. The tall door itself, additionally dim blue, portrays 150 mythical beasts and bulls, images of the defenders of the city, Marduk and Adad. Babylon and Archeology The archeological site of Babylon has been unearthed by various individuals, most eminently by Robert Koldeweyâ beginning in 1899. Significant unearthings finished in 1990. Numerous cuneiform tablets were gathered from the city during the 1870s and 1880s, by Hormuzd Rassamâ of the British Museum. The Iraqi Directorate of Antiquities led work at Babylon among 1958 and the beginning of the Iraq war during the 1990s. Other ongoing work was directed by a German group during the 1970s and an Italian one from the University of Turin during the 1970s and 1980s. Vigorously harmed by the Iraq/US war, Babylon has as of late been examined by specialists of the Centro Ricerche Archeologiche e Scavi di Torinoâ at the University of Turin utilizing QuickBird and satellite symbolism to evaluate and screen the continuous harm. Sources A significant part of the data about Babylon here is summed up from Marc Van de Mieroops 2003 article in the American Journal of Archeology for the later city; and George (1993) for the Babylon of Hammurabi. Brusasco P. 2004. Hypothesis and practice in the investigation of Mesopotamian local space. Antiquity 78(299):142-157.Dalley S. 1993. Ancient Mesopotamian gardens and the distinguishing proof of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon resolved. Garden Historyâ 21(1):1-13.George AR. 1993. Babylon returned to: prehistoric studies and philology in harness. Antiquity 67(257):734-746.Jahjah M, Ulivieri C, Invernizzi An, and Parapetti R. 2007. Archaeological remote detecting application pre-after war circumstance of Babylon archeological site-Iraq. Acta Astronautica 61:121â€130.Reade J. 2000. Alexander the Great and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Iraq 62:195-217.Richard S. 2008. ASIA, WEST | Archaeology of the Near East: The Levant. In: Pearsall DM, editor. Encyclopedia of Archeology. New York: Academic Press. p 834-848.Ur J. 2012. Southern Mesopotamia. In: Potts DT, editor. A Companion to the Archeology of the Ancient Near East: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. p 533-55 5.Van de Mieroop M. 2003. Reading Babylon. American Journal of Archaeologyâ 107(2):254-275.

Application essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Application - Essay Example Learning at a MBA advises an individual regarding the essential things one ought to learn on business organization and the various angles identified with it and furthermore stretches out its effects to the upgrades or refreshed information on the course. The fundamental ideas of business will subsequently be as significant as some other data in this undertaking as much as the techniques may be. What might be generally testing and intriguing in this investigation most likely may be the open door for understudies to work in the field and experience the truth and not simply get familiar with the speculations. By and by, this is probably the best mean for me to gain proficiency with the circles and turns of the business since we come to experience and get in contact with customers and agents as well as realize what they have realized in their work. I comprehend that concentrating in the MBA is extraordinarily requesting a direct result of the necessities to the fulfillment of the course however I accept all the endeavors, time and forfeits spent in this way will all compensation well at long last. Projects in the Masters certificate hone a person’s initiative aptitudes which is generally basic for the person to prevail in his picked vocation.

Darden Restaurants Inc. - Financial Analysis Example

Darden Restaurants Inc. - Financial Analysis Example Darden Restaurants Inc. - Financial Analysis â€" Essay Example > Task: Darden Restaurants Inc. - Financial Analysis Introduction Darden Restaurant Inc. is a Fortune 500 company that operates a chain of restaurants. It is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, U.S. Since it operates one of the world’s largest restaurant chains, the company is dedicated to delivering quality to its customers. This essay presents the company’s financial analysis for five years (from 2010 to 2014) using ratios. The ratios are the current ratio, the return on capital employed and the debt/equity ratio (Darden Restaurant). Return on capital employed (ROCE) - capital employed can be simplified as the total assets minus current liabilities. For this reason, return on capital employed ratio indicates the return generated by every pound invested as capital employed. Concerning Darden Restaurant Inc. , the return on capital employed in the fiscal year 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 is 10.13%, 11.40%, 11.40%, 7.46%, and 5.22% respectively (see table 2). The ratio interpre tation for the year 2014 means that 5.22% of the company’s operating profit was generated by the corporation’s capital employed. A similar argument applies to the rest of the years but with different figures. The trend of the return on capital employed during the five-year period starting 2010 increased, stabled, decreased, and decreased respectively. The trend is attributed to the fluctuations in both the net profit and capital employed (see Table 1). Based on the analysis, the utilization rate of the company’s capital employed decreased for the year 2014. The company should increase the utility rate in order to generate more returns (Peterson and Fabozzi 25-32). Current ratio (CR) - this ratio measures the ability of the business to meet its current obligations using the current assets. It is advisable for the ratio of current assets to current liability to be 2: 1. Concerning Darden Restaurant Inc. , the current ratio for the year 2010 to 2014 has been determined to be 0. 5408 times, 0.5159 times, 0.427 times, 0.54 times, and 1.221 times respectively (see table 2). Considering the ratio for the year 2013, the company had $ 0.54 of current assets to cover every dollar of the current liabilities. The trend for the ratios between the periods shows an increase, decrease, increase and an increase respectively. The increase is attributed to the fluctuations in both the current liabilities and current assets (see Table 1). The ratio clearly shows that from 2010 to 2013, the company was not liquid enough to sufficiently settle its short-term obligations using the current assets. The liquidity levels improved in the year 2014. For this reason, the company should either maintain or increase the cash level. The appropriate strategy of increasing the liquidity level is by increasing the level of cash alongside increasing the investment in marketable securities (Peterson and Fabozzi 25-32). Debt/Equity ratio (D/E) - the ratio indicates the proportion of fixed ch arge capital in the capital structure of a firm and the capability of the company to meet its long run obligations. Concerning Darden Restaurant Inc. , the ratio for 2010 to 2014 has been determined to be 74.38%, 72.68%, 78.92%, 121.20% and 115% respectively (see table 2). For instance, in the year 2010, 74.38% of the company’s capital was fixed charge capital and the other 25.62% was equity. Based on the analysis, the company’s debt ratio steadily increased from the year 2010 to 2013, but, decreased in 2014. The trend is attributed to the fluctuations in the levels of both fixed charge capital and equity (see Table 1). From the analysis, the company’s leverage level is excessively high for the entire period. For this reason, Halfords Group plc faces a high debt risk (Peterson and Fabozzi 25-32). Summary Based on the above ratio analysis, it has been determined that the company’s ROCE decrease toward the year 2014. An increase in the utilization rate of capital employed is advised. Based on the current ratio, the liquidity levels of Darden Restaurant improved in the year 2014. The standard of liquidity should either improve (through investing in cash and other marketable securities) or be maintained. Based on the debt/equity ratio, the company’s gearing level is excessively high, thus, exposes the company to the risk of debt default. The company should, therefore, implement strategies that could lower the gearing level. Works Cited Darden Restaurant 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015. http: //www. darden. com/ Darden Restaurant annual report (2010-14). Web. 12 Feb. 2015 http: //investor. darden. com/investors/financial-information/Annual-Reports/default. aspx Peterson, Pamela P, and Frank J. Fabozzi. Analysis of Financial Statements. Hoboken: John Wiley Sons, 2012. Internet resource. Table 1: the balance sheet and income statement used to calculate the ratios Year 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Current assets ($ m) 1976.4 764.9 757.6 663.8 678.5 Current liabilities ($ m) 1618.5 1416.4 1774.1 1286.8 1254.6 Net profit ($ m) 286.2 411.9 475.5 476.3 404.5 Net assets ($ m) 5482.2 5520.5 4170.1 4179.8 3992.8 Fixed charge debt ($m) 2481.4 2496.2 1453.7 1407.3 1408.7 Equity ($m) 2156.9 2059.5 1842 1936.2 1894 Source: Darden Restaurant annual report (2010-14) Table 2: the ratio calculations Year 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 CR = (Current assets/Current liabilities) 1.221 0.54 0.427 0.5159 0.5408 ROCE = (Net profit/Net Assets)*100 5.22% 7.46% 11.40% 11.40% 10.13% D/E = (Fixed charge debt/Equity)*100 115.00% 121.20% 78.92% 72.68% 74.38% Source: (Peterson and Fabozzi 25-32)

How One Nonprofit Is Reaching Kids through Hip-hop

Hip-hop and mentoring. It doesn't come to mind as fast as peanut butter and jelly, but Hip-Hop University is betting on it being a winning combo. Hip-Hop University, based in North Carolina, is on a mission to improve the landscape of opportunity for local youth, and they do it through positive hip-hop culture. Related: How to make a magazine in 12 steps I had the opportunity to speak with Albert Carter, one of the co-founders of Hip-Hop University, after being impressed by the work of their organization. I was also intrigued by the monthly print and digital magazine they make in Lucidpress. He and I talked about Hip-Hop University's story and the ways they're using Lucidpress to build a great brand that has the power to change kids' lives for the better. The story Hip-hop has been a part of Carter's life since he was young. "Growing up in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Philadelphia, I was in search of an identity that would make me appear cool while still being myself," he writes. "I found comfort in knowing that hip-hop was a place in which I could do just that." So when Carter was looking to start a mentoring program that would be relevant and appealing to youth, hip-hop was a natural choice. With a lifelong background in hip-hop (including work as a rapper and manager) and years of mentoring experience, the combination just made sense. Teaming up with his co-founder Reginald LaRoche, who he met in a mentoring program, Carter established the Hip-Hop University. Albert Carter with a few young hip-hoppers. Today, Hip-Hop University is a successful nonprofit, nominated for Educational Leadership Program of the Year in 2015 and receiving coverage from a number of local news outlets. And that's not to mention all the kids that have benefited from a safe, positive place to learn and grow. The magazine Growing up, Carter read a lot of hip-hop magazines. LaRoche and many of the board members of Hip-Hop University did, too. Naturally, they were excited about the opportunity to make one of their own. But it wasn't just that. Two major goals of Hip-Hop University are to provide mentors and promote literacy. A magazine is a unique medium to do both. Through Hip-Hop University's in-person programs, local mentors work with kids face-to-face. A magazine makes it possible to have what Albert Carter calls "mentors from afar." National hip-hop artists with a positive message can mentor from anywhere in the country when their stories are featured in the magazine. Along with mentoring from afar, promoting literacy happens naturally when kids read the magazine. Sometimes literacy is specifically addressed in the content of the magazine. For example, a recent article titled "Kick the Phonetics" suggests a method in which struggling readers use the lyrics of their favorite hip-hop songs to expand their vocabulary. Albert Carter sums it up by saying, "What better way to promote literacy and talk about hip-hop than through a magazine?" You can check out the first issue of Hip-Hop University Magazine, which was made entirely in Lucidpress, right here. Creating the magazine Hip-Hop University determines what they'll put in their magazine based on the monthly theme. For example, March is Women's History Month and April will be Earth History Month, during which they'll address environmental issues. These themes are covered in articles authored by a combination of staff writers and contributors from around the country. To find great articles from contributors, Hip-Hop University sends out an email blast to Hip-Hop University members nationwide, inviting them to submit content for the magazine. Some articles make it into the next month's magazine and some are reserved for future use. Carter also told me that it's common for hip-hop artists to express interest in being featured in the magazine. Hip-Hop University often features these artists, but their one stipulation is that any artists featured in the magazine have to promote a positive hip-hop culture. That positive culture is a key part of Hip-Hop University's brand, one they're careful to maintain. Once the content is in, Carter logs into Lucidpress to take care of the layout and design. His favorite part about Lucidpress is the templates. "[They're] easy to maneuver," he says. "I love the templates." The audience "Kids love it," Carter says about the magazine. Students enjoy reading about an artist they dream about meeting or one they've actually met through the program. But Hip-Hop University Magazine attracts readers from all age groups. Though their target audience is ages 11-25, research shows that their readership falls more in the range of ages 11-36. Not a bad problem to have. Age aside, Carter describes their target audience as "the mentor and the mentee." They are writing for the students who are being mentored, but also for those who will be doing the mentoring. In this way, the magazine becomes a forum—a community—where artists, students and mentors can have a positive conversation. Mentoring in action. The results Since Hip-Hop University is a nonprofit that measures success based on the positive impact they have in their community, their metrics focus on the kids they're able to help. The topics and articles in the magazine often spark conversations during the program, and the kids enjoy going home and telling their families what they're learning. An impact that Carter feels particularly passionate about is the way the magazine helps homeless kids achieve literacy. Some members of Hip-Hop University's program are homeless and don't have access to books, so the copy of the magazine they receive is one of the few things they have to read. "They keep the magazine and read it at night," Carter tells me. He says it's heartwarming to see the magazine have such a powerful impact. Hitting the right beats Hip-Hop University shows awareness of the key elements of building and maintaining a brand: they know their audience, they use a voice that their audience will relate to, and they put their members first, producing content that will be relevant and helpful to them. They're also careful to make their messages consistent. The magazine is a key way of communicating and promoting these values and their brand. It could be considered "cornerstone content" for them. And like any great organization, nonprofit or otherwise, the ultimate aim of all this is to make people's lives better. For Hip-Hop University, that means kids with better reading skills, a positive place to learn, and mentors who empower them to achieve their dreams. All in a day's work. Ready to design your own magazine? These free magazine templates are a great starting point.