Economics of Marriage :: essays research papers

Economics of Marriage Nowadays, marriage is hardly a new subject of discussion and is found in every human society. Any marriage involves two individuals each of whom has their own experience of that marriage. Nowadays, the roles and expectations that the families have to fulfill are distributed evenly among the members of the family. What this means is that mothers, who were identified in the past as household wives (since they were responsible with cleaning, cooking and raising children) are granted with more rights such as the right to participate in a voting process or the right to get a job. As oppose to mothers, fathers have always been mainly responsible with working hard to support their families because in most of the situations, they were the main financial providers. As a result, they had to bring money to their families by any means even if that meant getting more than one job. This situation became much more problematic when children appeared in the families. As we all know, children had and will always play an extremely important role and raising them is a big responsibility for thei r parents. Having children and only one member of the family (for instance the father) working is a familiar situation for most families. In this case, the father has to be more realistic than ever that his family relies on his financial support. He has to make sure that his family has the necessary supplies to survive. If this situation is not being resolved due to various reasons such as the husband does not earn enough money or just simply refuses to contribute financially, conflicts and issues may arise which often lead to family separations, and thus, poor living conditions and even death from malnutrition. This is exactly the situation that parents have to avoid. They have to be more responsible and realistic of their own actions, and take the decisions that are in the best interest of the family, the right decisions. These types of marriages are called emotional and financial support marriages. Another type of marriages that are very common nowadays and very numerous on a wide scale are the economic marriages. Economic marriages are essentially those kind of marriages in which money play a tremendous role in the lives of one or more couples. This is often a situation in which one or even both individuals involved in marriage have an unconditional desire and hunger for money.

Project Appraisal And Risk

PROJECT APPRAISAL AND RISKQ1. Risk & Uncertainty is an important part to be considered before any projects investment appraisal. Select the appropriate option which relates to either Risk or Uncertainty. (HA)It is Quantifiable RISK UNCERTAINTYIncreases as the projects life increases RISK UNCERTAINTYIt is difficult to assign probabilities RISK UNCERTAINTYIncreases as the variability of returns increases RISK UNCERTAINTY(2 marks) Q2. Cipher Co. plans to buy a new machine which will produce expected sales of 110,000 units per year. Each unit can be sold for $15 per unit. The project is expected to last for five years. The project NPV is $1780. The company profit tax one year in arrears at an annual rate of 30% per year. Calculate the sensitivity of the new machine to a change in selling price using the cost of capital of 11%.4%4.4%4.7%5%(2 marks) Q3. Calculate the sensitivity of selling price? The following information to be used:Investment in Year 0 $30,000, Sales volume 200 units per annum each costing $200, Variable cost $50/unit & Total Fixed cost $6000 per annum. The project life is estimated to be three years with the cost of capital of 10%. (MCQ)30.5%29.8%25%15%(2 marks) Q4. Select the appropriate strength & weaknesses for sensitivity analysis according to the statements. (HA)It identifies crucial areas for the success of the project STRENGTH WEAKNESSIt provides information which allows management to make subjective judgments STRENGTH WEAKNESSIt is not an optimizing technique STRENGTH WEAKNESSIt assumes that changes to variables can be made independently STRENGTH WEAKNESS(2 marks) Q5. Calculate the sensitivity of contribution? The following information to be used:Investment in Year 0 $60,000, Sales volume 600 units per annum each costing $125, Variable cost $10/unit & Total Fixed cost $4000 per annum, the Tax rate is 20% will only be applicable on taxable cash flows & capital allowances are to be ignored. The project life is estimated to be two years with the cost of capital of 8%. (MCQ)45.4%41.8%33.2%30.6%(2 marks) Q6. Dmitri is contemplating purchasing a machine for $275,000 which he will use to produce 50,000 units per year for five years. These products selling price is $10/unit and variable costs are expected to be $6/unit. Incremental fixed costs will be $70,000 every year for production & $25,000 every year for selling and distribution. Petra has a required rate of return of 10% per annum. By how many units must the estimate of production and sale volume fall for the project to be regarded as not worthwhile? (MCQ)2,8756,4658,11512,315(2 marks) Q7. Zulu Co. is considering to invest in a project costing $20,000, the amount is payable at the start of the first year of operation. The estimated future cash flows & its probabilities are given below: Year 1 The present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities17,500 0.7211,700 0.2(5,000) 0.08Year 2The present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities23,000 0.65(3,500) 0.35Calculate the total expected value? (MCQ) $23,700$14,540$13,725$8,265(2 marks) Q8. An individual uses expected value on the assumption to (MCQ)Reduce risk for a given level of returnMaximize return for a given level of riskReduce risk irrespective of the level of returnMaximize return irrespective of the level of risk(2 marks) Q9. Which of the following TWO are disadvantages of Expected value? (MRQ)Relatively simple calculationIgnores variability of payoffsDeals with multiple outcomesThe answer is only a long-run average (2 marks) Q10. â€Å"Using mathematical models, it produces a distribution of the possible outcomes from the project using multiple uncertain variables.† Choose the appropriate Technique. (MCQ)SimulationRisk-adjusted discount ratesAdjusted paybackExpected value(2 marks)PROJECT APPRAISAL AND RISK (ANSWERS)Q1. It is Quantifiable RISK Increases as the projects life increases UNCERTAINTYIt is difficult to assign probabilities UNCERTAINTYIncreases as the variability of returns increases RISK Q2. ASelling Price = 110,000 Ãâ€" $15 = $165, 0000Annuity Factor 11% (1 – 5 years) = 3.696Annuity Factor 11% (1 – 6 years) = 4.231Discount Factor 11% (Year 1) = 0.901Annuity Factor 11% (2 – 6 years) = 4.231 – 0.901 = 3.33Year 1-5 Tax rate Year 2-6 Cash flow 1650,000 Ãâ€" 30% 495,000 Ãâ€" Ãâ€" Annuity 3.696 3.33 Selling Price after tax 6098,400 – 164,8350 445,0050Sensitivity = (1,780 à · 445, 50050) Ãâ€" 100 = 4% Q3. Years Cash flow ($) Discount Factor (10%) Present value ($)Investment 0 (30,000) 1 (30,000)Sales Revenue 1-3 40,000 2.487 99,480Variable Cost 1-3 (10,000) 2.487 (24,870)Fixed Cost 1-3 (6,000) 2.487 (14,922)NPV 29,688Selling Price = (29,688 à · 99,480) Ãâ€" 100 = 29.8% Q4. It identifies crucial areas for the success of the project STRENGTH It provides information which allows management to make subjective judgments STRENGTH It is not an optimizing technique WEAKNESSIt assumes that changes to variables can be made independently WEAKNESSInformation will be presented to management in a form which facilitates subjective judgment to decide the likelihood of the various possible outcomes considered.It is not an optimizing technique. It does not point directly to the correct decision.It assumes that changes to variables can be made independently, e.g. raw material costs will change independently of other variables. This is highly unlikely. Q5. CYears Cash flow ($) Discount Factor (8%) Present value ($) After Tax Present value ($) Investment 0 (60,000) 1 (60,000) (60,000)Sales Revenue 1-2 75,000 1.783 133,725 106,980Variable Cost 1-2 (6,000) 1.783 (10,698) (8,558)Fixed Cost 1-2 (4,000) 1.783 (7,132) (5,706)NPV 55,895 32,716Contribution = (32,716 à · [106,980 – 8,558]) Ãâ€" 100 = 33.2% Q6. CYear Cash flow ($) Discount factor (10%) Present Value ($)Machine 0 (275,000) 1 (275,000)Contribution 1-5 200,000 3.791 758,200Fixed cost 1-5 (95,000) 3.791 (360,145)NPV 123,055PV of contribution must fall by $123,055 Sales volume must fall by $123,055 à · 758,200 = 16.23% Fall in sales volume = 0.1623 Ãâ€" 50,000 = 8,115 Q7. DYear 1 Present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities Expected value ($)17,500 0.72 12,60011,700 0.2 2,340(5,000) 0.08 (400)14,540Year 2The present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities Expected value ($)23,000 0.65 14,950(3,500) 0.35 (1,225)13,725(14,540 + 13,725) – 20,000 = 8,265 Q8. DThe Expected Value is the weighted average of all the possible outcomes, with the weightings based on the probability estimates. This is specifically used to maximize the shareholder's wealth exclusive of any risk assumptions. Q9.Relatively simple calculation (Advantage)Ignores variability of payoffs (Disadvantage)Deals with multiple outcomes (Advantage)The answer is only a long-run average (Disadvantage) Q10. AThe simulation uses a mathematical model, it produces a distribution of the possible outcomes from the project using multiple uncertain variables.

Culture, Values and Communications

We live in the humanity of demanding worldwide rations. We comprise the aptitude to communicate with the populace thousands miles apart at the flicker of an eye. Though this looks and is, to nearly all, a splendid supremacy to be appreciated, it can be for a few a world bewilderment and aggravation started by their own observations and values. These obstacles to culture assortment subsist because of the ways in which dissimilar cultures ease acuity and values concerning other and themselves.Culture can be depicted as the arrangement through which communication can be invented and sporadic. Culture pacts with the manner people live. Culture is well-read through perception that is shaped in a variety of ways, where we are born and hoisted, the language we study, the people and the surroundings with which we exist and the psychosomatic spur we stumble upon. Reasonably, with the intention of successfully converse with other customs, we should first see the sights to which we pledge to re cognize the ways that we present obstacles distinguish culture variations.Culture usually refers to guides of human bustle and the figurative arrangements that give such actions significance and magnitude. Cultures can be â€Å"understood as classifications of signs and gist that even their maker’s challenge that is short of preset limits, that are continuously in fluctuation, and that interrelate and contend with one another† Culture can be cleared as all the ways of life as well as arts, beliefs and institutions of a inhabitants those are approved down from generation to generation.Culture has been called â€Å"the manner of life for a whole civilization. † As such, it comprises rules of etiquettes, outfit, language, religious conviction, customs, and games, norms of behavior such as law and ethics, and schemes of belief as well as the art. Great societies often have subcultures, or factions of group with separate sets of manners and beliefs that distinguish t hem from a larger culture of which they are a component. The subculture may be idiosyncratic because of the age of its members, or by their race, traditions, class, or sexual category.The traits that establish a subculture as divergent may be artistic, spiritual, professional, opinionated, sexual or a mixture of these factors. Local cultures of the world arise equally by realm and ethnic group and more largely, by bigger regional distinctions. Resemblances in culture frequently happen in geologically close by peoples. Many regional cultures have been prejudiced by get in touch with with others, such as by colonization, trade, migration, mass media, and religion. Culture is vibrant and changes over time.In doing so, cultures attract external influences and amend to altering surroundings and technologies. Thus, culture is reliant on communication. Local cultures alter swiftly with new communications and transportation technologies that permit for better movement of people and thoughts among cultures. An individual and cultural worth is a relative ethic value, a supposition upon which execution can be extrapolated. A value system is a set of constant values and procedures. A standard value is a base upon which other principles and procedures of honesty are based.Values are considered slanted and differ across people and cultures. Types of values comprise ethical/moral norms, doctrinal/ideological (political, religious) values, communal values, and artistic values. It is debated whether some values are inherent. Individual principles develop from conditions with the external world and can alter over time. His reliability in the application of values refers to its permanence; persons have reliability if they relate their values fittingly regardless of arguments or negative fortification from others.Values are applied suitably when they are practical in the correct area. For example, it would be suitable to concern religious values in times of contentment and in tim es of desolation. Personal values developed early in life perhaps opposed to modify. They may be derivative from those of meticulous groups or systems, such as customs, religion, and political party. Nevertheless, personal standards are not widespread; one's relations, inhabitants, generation and chronological surroundings help settle on one's personal values.This is not to utter that the value perceptions themselves are not collective, simply that each individual have a sole origin of them i. e. an individual acquaintance of the suitable values for their individual genes, manners and skills. Values are linked to the customs of a civilization, but they are more broad and conceptual than norms. Norms are set of laws for deeds in particular circumstances, whereas values recognize what should be umpired as fine or awful. Flying the national flag on a festival is a custom, but it reveals the value of loyalty.Wearing dark clothing and emerging somber are normative behaviors at an interme nt. They imitate the values of reverence and sustain of associates and relatives. Communication is the procedure of stabbing to pass on information from a dispatcher to a recipient with the use of a means. Communication entails that all parties have a region of forthcoming harmony. There are aural means, such as speaking, singing and at times tenor of voice, and nonverbal, substantial way, such as body language, sign lingo, paralanguage, touch, eye contact, or the use of testing.Communication is cleared as a procedure by which we allocate and express sense in an effort to generate communal accepting. This procedure needs an enormous inventory of talents in intrapersonal and interpersonal dispensation, listening, examining, communicating, inquiring, investigating, and assessing. Use of these processes is developmental and moves to all areas of life residence, school, society, employment, and afar. It is through communication that association and assistance arise.

Gene Therapy Essay Example

Gene Therapy Essay Example Gene Therapy Essay Gene Therapy Essay Gene Therapy What is it? If genes dont produce the right protein or dont produce it correctly a person can have a genetic disorder. Gene therapy is an experimental technique that involves the transfer of a working copy of a gene into a cell to repair or replace a faulty gene so it is able to produce functioning proteins again. There are several approaches. The most common one is to insert a normal gene to replace the non-functional gene. Another approach is to swap a non-functional gene with a normal gene or the faulty ene could be repaired through selective mutations. Also genes can be switched on and off to a certain degree. How does gene therapy work? A carrier gene, called a Vector brings the normal gene into the target cell. Currently a virus is commonly used for that. The virus infects the target area with the healthy gene and so the cells can produce functioning proteins again. The genes can also be directly introduced to the target cells; this can only used in some tissues though. Also an artificial sphere, called Liposome, can be used which carries the DNA and is capable of passing the DNA through the target cells membrane. Another way is to chemically link the DNA to a molecule that will bind to specific cell receptors. Then the DNA will be passed into the target cell. This though seems to be less effective than other options. Advantages: has the potential to restore health to many who are suffering with the disease Disadvantages: controversy surrounding the medical treatment relative newness of the technology :

Names Epicene and Otherwise

Names Epicene and Otherwise Names Epicene and Otherwise Names Epicene and Otherwise By Maeve Maddox Until very recently, the only context I knew for the word epicene was a T. S. Eliot poem: Along the garden-wall the bees†¨ With hairy bellies pass between†¨ The staminate and pistilate,†¨ Blest office of the epicene. T.S. Eliot’s Mr. Eliot’s Sunday Morning Service I thought the word was just one of Eliots intriguing but impractically arcane terms until I came across it in a mainstream context: a Wikipedia article about naming practices: A unisex name, also known as an epicene name, is a given name that is often given to either a boy or a girl. Cody, Cory, Jodan, and Morgan are epicene names. Epicene entered English around 1450 as a grammatical term for nouns that can denote either masculine or feminine gender. An example in English would be horse, as contrasted with gender-specific stallion or mare. The meaning expanded to mean characteristic of both sexes (1601). It is sometimes used with the meaning of effeminate. It would seem that naming ones child would be a choice left to parents, but some countries have or had until recently, laws to limit names to an approved list. France had such a law until 1992 and that countrys current naming laws make it difficult for people to change a given name once they have it. Since banning Muslim girls from wearing headscarves at school, French authorities find themselves having to deal with a surge in requests from young people with North African roots to change European names like Nadine and Jacques to names like Zoubida and Abdel. French authorities see these requests as a rejection of French culture. Germany requires parents to give children a gender-specific name. If the child has two given names, one may be gender-neutral, but the other must be gender-specific. A girl may not be given a boys name, and vice versa. The only exception is the name Maria which may be used with boys, ex. Rainer Maria Rilke. The name must not be a product name, the name of an object, or any other name perceived as absurd or degrading. In September 2007 Venezuelan lawmakers were considering a law to limit parents to an approved list of 100 or so government-chosen names. Exceptions would be made for Venezuelan Indians and foreigners. Of particular concern was the banning of names that generate doubt about the bearers gender. New Zealand has a law that bans names that may cause offence or lead to bullying, but it doesnt seem to be too stringently enforced. One child got to be eleven years old before a judge stepped in and changed her name. Her parents had named her Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii (ABA Journal). The law did prevent another New Zealand couple from naming their baby 4real. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Dialogue Dos and Don'ts41 Words That Are Better Than GoodHow to Punctuate Introductory Phrases

Zheng Hes Treasure Ships of the Ming Dynasty

Zheng Hes Treasure Ships of the Ming Dynasty Between 1405 and 1433, Ming China under the rule of Zhu Di, sent out enormous armadas of ships into the Indian Ocean commanded by the eunuch admiral Zheng He. The flagship and other largest treasure junks dwarfed European ships of that century; even  Christopher Columbuss flagship, the Santa Maria, was between 1/4 and 1/5 the size of Zheng Hes. Drastically changing the face of Indian Ocean trade and power, these fleets embarked on seven epic voyages under Zheng Hes guidance, resulting in a rapid expansion of Ming Chinas control in the region, but also of their struggle to maintain it in years to come due to the financial burden of such endeavors. Sizes According to Ming Chinese Measurements All of the measurements in the remaining Ming Chinese records of the Treasure Fleet are in a unit called zhang, which is made up of ten chi or Chinese feet. Although the exact length of a zhang and chi has varied over time, the Ming chi was probably about 12.2 inches (31.1 centimeters) according to Edward Dreyer. For ease of comparison, the measurements below are given in English feet. One English foot is equivalent to 30.48 centimeters. Incredibly, the largest ships in the fleet (called baoshan, or treasure ships) were likely between 440 and 538 feet long by 210 feet wide. The 4-decked baoshan had an estimated displacement of 20-30,000 tons, roughly 1/3 to 1/2 the displacement of modern American aircraft carriers. Each had nine masts on its deck, rigged with square sails that could be adjusted in series to maximize efficiency in different wind conditions. The Yongle Emperor ordered the construction of an amazing 62 or 63 such ships for Zheng Hes first voyage, in 1405. Extant records show that another 48 were ordered in 1408, plus 41 more in 1419, along with 185 smaller ships throughout that time. Zheng Hes Smaller Ships Along with dozens of baoshan, each armada included hundreds of smaller ships. The eight-masted ships, called machuan or horse ships, were about 2/3 the size of the baoshan  measuring approximately 340 feet by 138 feet. As indicated by the name, the machuan carried horses along with timber for repairs and tribute goods. Seven-masted liangchuan or grain ships carried rice and other food for the crew and soldiers in the fleet. Liangchuan was about 257 feet by 115 feet in size. The next ships in descending order of size were the zuochuan, or troopships, at 220 by 84 feet with each transport ship having six masts. Finally, the small, five-masted warships or zhanchuan, each about 165 feet long, were designed to be maneuverable in battle. Though tiny compared with the baochuan, the zhanchuan were more than twice as long as Christopher Columbuss flagship, the Santa Maria. The Treasure Fleets Crew Why did Zheng He need so many huge ships? One reason, of course, was shock and awe. The sight of these enormous ships appearing on the horizon one by one must have been truly incredible for the people all along the Indian Oceans rim and would have enhanced Ming Chinas prestige immeasurably. The other reason was that Zheng He traveled with an estimated 27,000 to 28,000 sailors, marines, translators and other crew members. Along with their horses, rice, drinking water, and trade goods, that number of people required a staggering amount of room aboard the ship. In addition, they had to make space for the emissaries, tribute goods and wild animals that went back to China.

Service Quality in University Education Literature review

Service Quality in University Education - Literature review Example 1994, 45). The Literature review attempts to illuminate the available pool of knowledge pertinent to the contemporary Graduate Employability discipline, analyze the works, and identify existing gaps with special emphasis on a University setup. The identification of such gaps could motivate the study to enhance the availability of knowledge on Graduate Employment (Jean, W. 2010, 311). Conceptual Framework The fundamental variables of the study include the students, employers and the University, including the student link and the university lecturers. In particular, the study is predominantly projected to focus on the disparity between what graduates primarily consider fundamental for employment and what employers believe the students actually need (Page, B. 2010, 117). This implies that there is also a lack in correspondence between the skills offered by the University and the actual skills required by the learners. The literature review, therefore, illuminates the 7P’s of qual ity services, the SERVQUAL, GAPs, and the HEDPERF versus SERVPERF Models of Service Quality based on a wide range of both recent and early professional studies associated with Graduate employability and employee-employer interest disparity (Real, S. 2009, 56). Graduate Employability The concept of Graduate Employability virtually alludes to the graduates’ practicality and probability of getting suitable jobs based on the conflict between the skills and knowledge acquired in class and the expectations of the employers. The 7P’s of quality services, the SERVQUAL, GAPs, and the HEDPERF versus SERVPERF Models of Service Quality expansively address the concern (Ray, W. 2009, 47). A series of articles have been reviewed as discussed below. In most establishments today, marketing authorities make use of a business tool known as the marketing mix to limit a product’s offer. This tool incorporates the 7Ps of quality service namely promotion, place, product, price, people , process and physical evidence (Zeal, C. 2009, 118). According to Jalan (2005), a product is any tangible or intangible commodity that meets the needs of a consumer. All products trail a common life progress incorporating the growth, maturity and sale decline stages. To this end, marketing professionals ought to carry out adequate research on the period a particular product would take to reach the decline stage. Similarly, in a University setup, the administrators who are the service-providers in the context must scrutinize all services they provide to ensure that the students, who are the customers in the context, have their demands satisfied. In this realization, all services that appear to be of lower quality than is expected must be dismissed and appropriately replaced by suitable programs. On the other hand, Hoffman and John (2009) suggest that every marketer should take client perceived worth of a product into consideration before setting any price. In this perspective, the u niversity must set service prices including tutorial fees depending on the students’ perception of the services or courses in particular. In addition, the text also encourages effective promotion and distribution (place) of the products. The process of service