Wednesday, July 31, 2019

A Case Analysis of the Workings of a Third Party Logistics Industry Essay

Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The relevance of Third Party Logistics (3PL) Providers need not be overemphasized.   The logistics industry provides a very good opportunity for industries to focus more on their core competencies and significantly reduce their spending while at the same time improving their systems and customer service aspects.   Since most of the 3PL companies have all the resources that are necessary for effective logistics function on top of their human capital it is always the case that companies will definitely gain a good experience on top of learning a lot of new strategies in dealing with this type of service.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This paper will provide the basic theories on Logistics and Third Party Logistics.   Consequently, it will relate such theories to actual experiences of a particular 3PL Industry leader: Ryder Systems Inc.   The paper will be discussing its core services, values and take into close analysis two of the services that they have provided on two of their major clients.   Similarly, the discussion of some of the risk factors that are inevitable for the company will also be taken into account. See more:  The Story of an Hour Literary Analysis Essay Objectives of the Study   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   First amongst of the few objectives of the study will be the student’s capability to communicate the concepts that are relevant in the industry that he or she is working in.   Second would be to show how big and relevant the market for the logistics industry is.   In relation with this is to illustrate how the company which the author works in (i.e. Ryder Systems Inc) is able to have a significant share in this industry.  Ã‚   Part of such objective would be explaining its book of business, products and services and basic corporate values.   There should also be direct examples to illustrate how is the company is able to maintain its top clients. Significance of the Study   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is necessary to provide a scholarly study on the area of logistics because there has not been a lot of studies are conducted in this type of industry.   Most of the researches that the author have encountered are primarily brief case studies and basic theories that mainly based on the specific corporations that are doing such type of businesses.   Having such, most of the literatures are one sided, that is discussing only the good experiences that were encountered in dealing with specific clients.   It is the author’s endeavor to bring out a research paper that is based on a holistic perspective so that there would be a thorough discussion of both of the positive and negative areas within the logistics industry. Review of Related Literature Logistics Logistics is the process of administering and controlling the course of goods, energy, information and other resources namely products, services and people from a particular company.  Ã‚   It would be very hard to imagine a particular company without proper logistical function or support.   The very rationale of a logistics support primarily lies on proper â€Å"geographical positioning of raw materials, works in process, and finish inventories† at the most reasonable cost, this information is taken from Wikipedia’s introduction part, titled â€Å"Logistics†. Taken from the same reference, Wikipedia categorizes logistics into three types: military, business and production logistics. Military logistics Providing logistical support to the military is more of a matter of life and death.   It is very crucial that soldiers’ supplies of food, fuel and ammunition be delivered in the fastest and safest possible manner if not, such would lead to very serious implications.   Good examples of such cases are the US-Iraq war, American War of Independence and the Second World War. Business Logistics There are two different focuses in which logistics function in businesses: the internal focus and the external focus which â€Å"covers the flow from originating supplier to end-user†.   Part of the business is the assurance of the proper â€Å"coordination of resources in an organization†.  Ã‚   Two forms of logistics in business that are fundamental for the smooth run of the business are the â€Å"steady flow of material through a network of transport links and storage nodes; and also the sequence of resources to carry out projects†. Production Logistics The relevance of logistics within an industry need not be over emphasized.   As industries are constantly changing their machines to achieve â€Å"capital efficiency† and â€Å"customer response†, it is very necessary to make more efficient the logistics function.   For existing plants, the management often find themselves replacing parts ad even machines in order to ensure the quality and rate of productivity.   Hence it is not only the case that timeliness of transporting these parts should be taken into consideration but also the cautiousness that is necessary to guarantee that by the time the machine or parts get to the production site, it is still on a perfect working condition. For the purpose of this paper, the author will concentrate specifically on two types of logistics function, i.e. the business and the production logistics. Third Party Logistics It would be more cost-effective for companies which don’t have a particular specialization on transportation and logistics to outsource using 3PL or third Party Logistics Provider.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3PL is a specialized vendor which takes care of the â€Å"supply management function† of a particular company’s integrated warehousing and transportation, and other services that could be â€Å"made according to customer’s needs prior on market condition and the demands and delivery service requirements for their products and materials.† Few of these services are inventory, material handling and packaging.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to Hertz, and Alfredsson in their article â€Å"Strategic development of third party logistics providers, Industrial Marketing Management† there are four categories of 3PL providers: Standard 3PL provider: this is the most basic form of a 3PL provider. They would perform activities such as, pick and pack, warehousing, and distribution (business) – the most basic functions of logistics. For a majority of these firms, the 3PL function is not their main activity. Service developer: this type of 3PL provider will offer their customers advanced value-added services such as: tracking and tracing, cross-docking, specific packaging, or providing a unique security system. A solid IT foundation and a focus on economies of scale and scope will enable this type of 3PL provider to perform these types of tasks. The customer adapter: this type of 3PL provider comes in at the request of the customer and essentially takes over complete control of the company’s logistics activities. The 3PL provider improves the logistics dramatically, but do not develop a new service. The customer base for this type of 3PL provider is typically quite small. The customer developer: this is the highest level that a 3PL provider can attain with respect to its processes and activities. This occurs when the 3PL provider integrates itself with the customer and takes over their entire logistics function. These providers will have few customers, but will perform extensive and detailed tasks for them.       Ryder System Inc Company Overview Headed by their Chairman and CEO Gregory T. Swienton, Ryder System Inc is one of the best and leading industries in terms of providing logistics, supply chain management and solutions all over the world.   It has been featured in Fortune 500 and has received numerous commendations from its clients and peers within the industry. Few of its customer awards are from Toyota (Best Business Partner of the Year), Mazda (Carrier of the Year), Xerox (Delivery Carrier of the Year), Whirlpool (Gold and Bronze Quality Awards), Alcan (Distribution Supplier of the Year), ARCO (Category 1, Supplier Status), Bombay (Carrier of the Year), Copperweld (Outstanding Supplier of the Year), Domino’s Pizza (Supplier of the Year), etc. Similarly, few of its industry awards came from Forbes, Beacon Council, The Miami Herald, Commercial Carrier Journal, Hispanic Magazine, Logistics Management, Mercer Management Consulting, Internet Week, E Week, Information Week, Centro de Estudos em Logica, Consumer Goods Technology, CIO, National Safety Council, Latina Style, Information Week 500, Business Week, Inbound Logistics Magazine and B to B Magazine. Also, the company has been included in Calvert Social Index since 1990, KLD Research & Analytics: Domini 400 Social Index (DSI), United States Environmental Protection Agency and South Florida Commuter Services: Best Workplaces for Commuters, Governance Metrics International (GMI): Highest Global Rating, Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR): Above and Beyond Award, Network Miami, and World Trade.    In relation with this, Ryder has also been included in â€Å"InformationWeek 500 of leading business users of information technology and InternetWeek’s top 100 U.S. companies for effectiveness in using the Internet to achieve tangible business benefits†. As enumerated in Ryder’s official website the products that the company offers are: â€Å"Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), which provides leasing, rental and programmed maintenance of trucks, tractors and trailers to commercial customers; Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), which manages the movement of materials and related information from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished products to end-users; and Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC), which provides a turn-key transportation service that includes vehicles, drivers, routing and scheduling†. Corporate Values One of the secrets of success of Ryder lies on its very strong recognition of the relevance of diversity in the workplace.   The company focuses a lot on the relevance of the workforce by proving them a whole array of opportunities regardless of color, gender and age. Fleet Management Solutions According to the 2005 Ryder Annual Report on the Financial Statement Section, Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions (FMS) accounts to 62% of total annual revenue of the company, that is equivalent to $57 Billion. FMS allows its clients to focus on their central business and direct their capital to other parts of their business process.   Ryder provides a whole range of products for leasing, commercial rent and contract maintenance solutions. In relation with this, it also had â€Å"value-added fleet support services† like insurance, vehicle administration, fuel services and a wide selection of used trucks, tractors. FMS caters from small to large scale enterprises.   Most of its clients came from the following industries: beverage, newspaper, grocery, lumber, wood products, home finishing and metal. Since FMS is divided to three major regions across the whole United States also adding Puerto Rico, the company holds a huge 137,000 US fleet of commercial trucks, tractors, trailers that are leased or rented.   Each major region is segmented into 8-16 Business Units (BU) and consequently, each BU has 7-15 Branch Offices. The BU are pretty much like a one-stop store because not only that it has a maintenance facility or a shop office, it also provides services for refueling, safety inspections and preliminary maintenance checks as well as a place for preventive maintenance and repairs. Through FMS Ryder is able to provide the most cost-effective business logistics solutions on top of timeliness, quality and superior service. Full Service Leasing The full service leasing program that is still based on the 2005 Ryder Annual Report is a custom made program which caters perfectly to any demand or need of a particular enterprise.   This particular program helps companies to strategize their fleet management function or upgrade their fleet without necessarily having to allocate a specific percentage of their annual capital. Assessing enterprises’ qualifications would depend in their corporate state of affairs, their company’s size, residual size and a balance sheet treatment.   Based on these qualifications, a leasing program will be created.   After such would be the leasing of trucks that are â€Å"custom engineered† relative to the needs of the enterprise and normally would last for 3-7 year. The full service lease of Ryder has very good leveraging since the company has a good buying power since it purchases vehicles in bulk. Other related services include contact maintenance which primarily deals with the repairs of vehicles, predictive and preventive assessments based on the type of the truck and driving habits of the enterprise, and also Ryder can replace any truck which temporarily went out of service. Another additional feature of this program is the contact related maintenance which are additional services that are not within the agreed contract but is however needed by the enterprise. Supply Chain Solutions This aspect of the services provided by Ryder pertains to the â€Å"direct movement of international funds and related information from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished products to end users†. The estimated market for this business is estimated to be $237 Billion and accounts to 29% of the company’s total annual revenue.   There are three categories in which Ryder operates in this particular service.   The Professional Services provided by the company focuses on the classification, analysis, and improvement of its clients’ supply chain solutions in order to assure the enterprise’s consistency, efficiency and flexibility.   This service is comprised of expert consultants who conduct extensive case studies, reviews to create a highly effective supply chain strategy.   Another service provided by the company is Distribution Operations wherein few of the services being catered upon are: warehouse facilities, administering the flow of products, coordinating warehousing and transportation for inbound material flows, handling import and export for international shipment, replenishment of component parts for manufacturing and ., and a whole lot more.   The transportation services on the other hand take care on almost all of the factors that are necessary for an effective and timely transportation network.   From planning and execution, Ryder also makes sure that the shipment consolidation, load scheduling and delivery confirmation are real-time and accurate through the use of various technological and web-based solutions.   Ryder has the best transportation consultants who work in partnership with the Freight Brokerage Department. Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Having a discussed a brief background of the necessary foundations of an effective logistics company and having elaborated on the basic workings of Ryder System Inc, the author would like to have a brief case analysis of two of the long-time clients that the company have served for their logistics solutions: Whirlpool and Philips.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In relation with this, the author would also discuss the risk factors that are inevitable in this type of business. Risk Factors   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The author would like to discuss some of the things that affect the logistics business at Ryder.   One relevant factor would be the financial revenue of the company and its stability.   Some changes in market conditions such as the rental or sale of used vehicles, ability to retain customers and maintain appropriate utilization rates.   It could also be the case that unstable interest rate and currency exchange rate might cause financial instability.   Sometimes occasional labor strikes, sudden changes in fuel prices and fuel shortages could be vital determiners of fluctuations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is also a necessity that new growth initiatives in Fleet Management Systems (FMS) Business segment be a constant endeavor for the company.   By having the company restructure the operational and sales teams, realigning business processes and organizing management it will be assured that the FMS will still be up to date and will still continue to be the biggest contributor for the company’s annual revenue.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another risk factor that the company has to deal with is the residual risks on the value of their trucks.   If the market for buying used vehicles suddenly declines there would be a sure loss on Ryder. In relation with this would be with regard to SCS revenue.   Since a significant portion of SCS revenue came from a small number of customers, many of which are in the automotive industry, it could be possible that failure to retain these clients would result to huge financial loss. One of Ryder’s clients which belong in this category is General Motors Corporation (GM) accounting for 35% of Ryder’s SCS total revenue and 18% of SCS operating revenue.  Ã‚   The loss of any of this customer or a significant reduction in the services provided to on this company could impact Ryder’s domestic and international operations and adversely affect SCS financial results. While the company still focuses on diversifying their customer base both outside and within the automotive industry, the company may not be successful in doing so in the short term. In relation with this is the downward pricing pressure that might come from certain SCS customers could result in low revenues.   For instance it could be the case that since all SCS services are provided under contractual arrangements that are based on certain assumptions regarding the scope of services, production volumes, operational efficiencies, productivity and other factors. If, as a result of subsequent changes in our customers’ business needs or operations or market forces that are outside of our control, these assumptions prove to be invalid, Ryder could have lower margins than anticipated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Attracting and retaining drivers could also be an issue since there has been a really tight competition in terms of their availability.   The company could either opt to increase their salaries or let trucks sit idle, utilize lower quality drivers or face difficulty meeting customer demands, all of which could adversely affect growth and profitability. Ryder’s attempt to continue to expand international operations may result in additional risks. Since the company is committed to meeting customers’ global needs by continuing to grow our international operations in Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America and by entering into new markets such as China. The company’s international operations, particularly in Latin America and Asia, are subject to adverse developments in foreign political, governmental and economic conditions, varying competitive factors, foreign currency fluctuations, potential difficulties in identifying and retaining qualified managers and personnel, potential adverse tax consequences and difficulties in protecting intellectual property rights. Since the company operates in a highly competitive industry it is likely the case that the business may suffer if the company will be unable to adequately address potential downward pricing pressures and other competitive factors. Ryder competes with many other transportation and logistics service providers, some of which have greater capital resources than the company does; some of the competitors periodically reduce their prices to gain business, which may limit the company’s ability to maintain or increase prices.   In relation with this, advances in technology may require increased investments to remain competitive, and the company’s customers may not be willing to accept higher prices to cover the cost of these investments. Ryder operates in a highly regulated industry, and costs of compliance with, or liability for violation of, existing or future regulations could significantly increase their costs of doing business.   The business is subjected to regulation by various federal, state and foreign governmental entities specifically the U.S. Department of Transportation and various state and federal agencies exercise broad powers over Ryder’s motor carrier operations, safety, and the generation, handling, storage, treatment and disposal of waste materials. The company may also become subject to new or more restrictive regulations imposed by the Department of Transportation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency or other authorities, relating to the hours of service that our drivers may provide in any one-time period, security and other matters. Compliance with these regulations could substantially impair equipment productivity and increase the company’s costs. New regulations governing exhaust emissions could adversely impact the business. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued regulations that require progressive reductions in exhaust emissions from certain diesel engines through 2007. Emissions standards require reductions in the sulfur content of diesel fuel beginning in June 2006 and the introduction of emissions after-treatment devices on newly-manufactured engines and vehicles utilizing engines built after January 1, 2007. Each of these requirements could result in higher prices for tractors, diesel engines and fuel, which are passed on to customers, as well as higher maintenance costs and uncertainty as to reliability, all of which could, overtime, increase costs and adversely affect business and results of operations. Case Studies Whirlpool Corporation The dilemma of Whirlpool Corporation primarily stems out to a highly fragmented warehousing and distribution network.   The main warehousing facility of the company is primarily located in La Porte Ind, while having other packaging facilities all over the states.   When vendors ship and deliver the parts needed for production, some are directly dropped in the packaging facilities in which is the ideal situation; however a lot of times, the parts are delivered in La Porte which then requires Whirlpool to cross-dock shipments.   As result of this, the transportation processes of goods are doubled in addition to repeating the strenuous tasks for inventory. Such a case appears to be ineffective, costly and time consuming because not only that the company is doubling its expenses and is not doing well in terms of time management, but also the primary corporate value which is good customer service is highly compromised.   By having late deliveries or goods or merchandise parts, Whirlpool doesn’t appear to stand at its best disposition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Whirlpool’s Financial Managers are very reluctant in having to invest a lot of their capital in improving their warehousing and logistics solution, however, something must really be done in order to resolve their logistic problems, and hence this is when Ryder came into the picture.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In choosing the right 3PL provider for their logistics solutions, Whirlpool assessed three major logistics provider.   They have taken into consideration the contractors’ experience, strategy, capabilities and resources.   Out of all the outsourcing companies assessed Ryder was able to get the contract.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The logistics processing service of Ryder to Whirlpool is conducted in this way: Once the bulk shipments from offshore suppliers and onshore suppliers such as Mexico and the United States arrived at the distribution centers, the goods received by the warehouse management systems and have them bar-coded. After which Ryder then performs â€Å"high volume packaging and kitting within the distribution center breaking down shipments such as large cartons containing 500 water pumps into single-item boxes and polybags†.   In such a manner, Ryder effectively sorts out the parts and labels them so that it would be easier to identify them once delivered to Whirlpool clients. For the sake of quality and protection of the goods, they are assembled in blister-pack kits together with other components and accessories such as for instance a water pump, two washers and an installation brochure.   The process of packaging is very much a holistic process that allows the parts to be ready for delivery.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Once the goods are packed in totes, they are bar-coded and move along the conveyor system.   After which they are subjected on the sortation system wherein their bar-codes are matched with the orders entered in the system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The customers’ orders on the other hand are processed by Whirlpool and enter them into their systems while providing Ryder a nightly file in order to identify and sort out the orders to be delivered the following day.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to monitor their performance, Ryder and Whirlpool follow five Key Performance Indicators (KPI); these KPIs are: â€Å"shipment accuracy, inventory accuracy, service performance/fill rates, order cycle time and budget performance†.  Ã‚   In relation with the KPI, Ryder also follows the Net 5 Whirlpool Program which says that â€Å"every division of operation should generate a net of 5% in cost savings.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In sum, by having Ryder took in-charge of the logistics of Whirlpool the company is able to save a net of 7% in their annual logistics operation.   Also, as evident, their logistics operations became more proficient and they are able to concentrate on their key competencies which are quality products on top of good customer service. Philips Consumer Electronics of North America The biggest challenge that Philips faced in terms of their logistics functions are in terms of inventory accuracy, the timeliness of product delivery, security in terms of warehousing and delivery and also cross-border delays. In 2001, the company decided to fully outsource their logistics function by having more than 20 contractors bid for the service.   Ryder was chosen amongst all of the said 3PL operators because of their relevant past experiences, efficacy in quality control and product management.   Consequently, Ryder’s human resource was also taken into relevant consideration because of its diversity and good account of experience. In order to provide a very effective logistics recommendation to Philips, Ryder made an assessment to Philip’s network.   Results of such are first the transfer of their Close District Center (DC) in El Paso Texas and replace with a new and larger distribution center at Alliance Park near Dallas Ft. Worth.   The reason for such a change would be the bulk of market segments in which high demands of Philips electronics are purchased.   By having the new DC inn Alliance Park, not only those products from offshore sources are received within the earliest possible time but also 80% of Philips’ clients were able to receive their products within 2 days. Cross-border traffics that are often caused by customs are significantly minimized as Ryder has already long-standing relationships with various custom offices all over the continent.   Ryder has established Philips designated carriers’ pick-up station for the freight which usually came from Juarez Mexico.   Sometimes this freight is delivered to the DC at Alliance Park while some are directly delivered to Philips’ customer. The process of dealing with the logistics function of Philips starts with the Electronic Receipt† of shipment delivery which tells Ryder exactly the due date for the delivery of the goods; consequently, the electronic receipt goes straight to the order repository system giving Ryder a 48-hr lead time for the delivery; after such would be the determination of the â€Å"most cost-efficient transportation option that meets the delivery commitment†. Part of the challenge in transporting goods is the diversity of the products that needs to be delivered. From palm sized electronics to wide screen televisions, Ryder has to make sure that on top of optimizing the truck load space, it has also make sure that the goods will be delivered in a very good shape.   In relation with this, there are certain products that are in season because of various factors such as strong advertising campaigns, popularity, etc.   Hence Ryder has made sure that there should be effective â€Å"slotting analysis† in order to make the flow of goods in and out of the warehouses more efficient. Security concerns such as robbery or smuggling of products due to its high product value are also taken into relevant consideration.   Cameras, door alarms, and actual security guards are always in operation. Also, the most expensive products are caged in a special area wherein entrance and exit areas are highly monitored.   Employees are also required to pin their IDs all the time specially when entering highly secured areas.   Another good thing with Philip’s partnership with Ryder is the immediate feedback provided to Philip’s customer service right after the good is delivered to the customer.   Hence such an act provides a real-time inventory and feedback that is very necessary in dealing with customer inquiry and/or complains. Conclusion The logistics industry provides a very good opportunity for industries to focus more on their core competencies and significantly reduce their spending while at the same time improving their systems and customer service aspects.   Since most of the 3PL companies have all the resources that are necessary for effective logistics function on top of their human capital it is always the case that companies will definitely gain a good experience on top of learning a lot of new strategies in dealing with this type of service. Logistics is the process of administering and controlling the course of goods, energy, information and other resources namely products, services and people from a particular company.  Ã‚   Specifically, 3PL is a specialized vendor which takes care of the â€Å"supply management function† of a particular company’s integrated warehousing and transportation, and other services that could be â€Å"made according to customer’s needs prior on market condition and the demands and delivery service requirements for their products and materials.† Few of these services are inventory, material handling and packaging. The research focused on one of the leading providers of logistics function which is Ryder Systems Inc. The company is one of the best and leading industries in terms of providing logistics, supply chain management and solutions all over the world.   It has been featured in Fortune 500 and has received numerous commendations from its clients and peers within the industry. As enumerated in Ryder’s official website the products that the company offers are: â€Å"Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), which provides leasing, rental and programmed maintenance of trucks, tractors and trailers to commercial customers; Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), which manages the movement of materials and related information from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished products to end-users; and Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC), which provides a turn-key transportation service that includes vehicles, drivers, routing and scheduling†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The research has also discussed the various risk factors that are inevitable in dealing with a third party logistics company.   These are the financial revenue of the company and its stability, the need for restructuring the operational and sales teams, realigning business processes and organizing management, residual risks on the value of trucks, SCS revenue, downward pricing pressure that might come from certain SCS customers, attracting and retaining drivers, expand international operations, regulations governing exhaust emissions etc.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Similarly, the research discussed two case studies in which 3PL specifically Ryder has done long-term business with such as Whirlpool and Philips. Literature Cited Hertz, S., & Alfredsson, M., (2003), Strategic development of third party logistics providers, Industrial Marketing Management, (32), 139-149. Sangam VK. (2006). Implementing Third Party Logistics. Retrieved June 22, 2006, from About.com Website: http://logistics.about.com/od/thirdparty/a/uc041805a.htm Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-party_logistics Third Party Logistics. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Wikipedia. Org Website. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3PL About Us. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_home.shtml Management Team. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_cinfo_mt.shtml Customer Awards. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_cinfo_car.shtml Industry Awards. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_cinfo_iar.shtml Product Line Brochures. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_cinfo_brochures.shtml Diversity at Ryder. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website:   http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_diversity.shtml Investor Relations Home. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://investors.ryder.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=108468&p=irol-irhome

Porsche Cayenne Case Study Essay

1. Why is Porsche launching the Cayenne product? a. To leverage its brand across a wide range of product categories 2. What are the benefits and risks of the Cayenne launch? a. Risks i. Cayenne would join a competitive and crowded SUV market ii. Potential for new entrants threatens sustainability of Porsche’s sales forecasts iii. Launching a luxury SUV was an expensive bet for Porsche iv. SUVs were under attack in the U.S. by cultural critics v. Potentially damage Porsche brand and turn away loyal customers b. Benefits i. Will diversify Porsche products for protection against potential declines in sports car market ii. Will combine traditional Porsche styling and performance with off-road driving capability and spacious interior iii. Expected to sell 20,000 units per year iv. Will lead to future growth potential in sales, turnover, and earnings v. Open the way to future product diversification for Porsche 3. Does the Cayenne launch change the overall meaning of the Porsche brand? a. Yes; Suburban soccer mom connotation conflicts with Porsche cool factor b. VW responsible for major aspects of production, with only final assembly to be conducted by Porsche c. Assembly in Leipzig put into question its â€Å"Made in Germany† moniker 4. Who are the Porsche consumers? How would you characterize them? What do they want? a. Upper-class drivers who appreciate and desire stylish cars that are fun to drive 5. Should Porsche engage with the online brand community? Why or why not? a. Porsche should take the valuable information provided by the online brand community into consideration to a certain extent b. However, Porsche should not engage with online brand community because it is a home for Porsche  users, not Porsche makers, and this sense of community contributes to Porsche brand c. For example, a college administration engaging with a fraternity interferes with the sense of brotherhood) 6. What can executives learn from Cayenne that could be planned to future new products? a. Remain closer to traditional Porsche ideals when expanding product line (greater involvement of Porsche in assembly and assembly location)

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

The Blue Sword CHAPTER SEVEN

She woke at once when the man of the household pushed the curtains back from her sleeping-place and set a candle on the low bronze-top table beside her pillows. She stood up, stretched, creaked, sighed; and then changed quickly into her riding clothes and gulped the malak set beside the candle. Narknon protested all this activity with a sleepy grumble; then rewove herself into the tousled blankets and went back to sleep. Harry went outside and found Mathin's dark bay and her own Sungold there already. Tsornin turned his head and sighed at her. â€Å"I couldn't agree more,† she whispered to him, and he took the shoulder of her robe gently in his teeth. Mathin appeared out of the darkness and a pack horse followed him. He nodded at her, and they mounted and rode toward the Hills that reared up so close to the camp, although she could not see them now. As the sky paled she found that they had already climbed into the lower undulations of those Hills, and the camp they had left was lost to view. The horses' hooves made a sterner thunk now as they struck the earth of the Hills. She breathed in and smelled trees, and her heart rose up, despite her fears, to greet the adventure she rode into. They rode all that day, pausing only to eat and pull the saddles off the horses for a few minutes and rub their backs dry. Harry had to find a rock to crawl up on before she could get back on her horse, far from the conveniences of brown-clad men who knelt and offered her their cupped hands, and Sungold obviously thought this ritual of his rider calling him over to her as she perched atop some rock pile before she mounted him very curious. Mathin said, â€Å"This is the first thing I will teach you. Watch.† He put a hand at each edge of the saddle, and flung himself up and into it, moving his right hand, on the back of the saddle, gracefully out of his way as soon as he had made the initial spring. â€Å"I can't do that,† said Harry. â€Å"You will,† said Mathin. â€Å"Try.† Harry tried. She tried several times, till Sungold's ears lay flat back and his tail clamped between his hind legs; then Mathin let her find a small rock that raised her only a few inches, and made her try again. Sungold was reluctant to be called to her and put through the whole uncomfortable process again; but he did come, and braced his feet, and Harry did get into the saddle. â€Å"Soon you will be able to do this from the ground,† said Mathin. And this is only the beginning, Harry thought miserably. Her wrists and shoulders ached. Sungold held no grudges, at least; as soon as she was on him again his ears came up and he took a few little dance steps. They rode always uphill, till Harry's legs were sore from holding herself forward in the saddle against the downward pull. Mathin did not speak, except to force her to practice the saddle-vaults at each halt; and she was content with silence. The country they were crossing was full of new things for her, and she looked at them all closely: the red-veined grey rock that thrust up beneath the patches of turf; the colors of the grass, from a pale yellow-green to a dark green that was almost purple, and the shape of the blades: the near-purple grass, if grass it was, had broad roots and narrow rounded tips; but the pack horse snatched at it like grass. The riding-horses were much too well mannered to do anything but eye it, even after so many days of the dry desert fare. Little pink-and-white flowers, like Lady Amelia's pimchie but with more petals, burst out of rocky crevasses; and little stripy brown birds like sparrows chirped and hopped and whisked over the horses' heads. Mathin turned in his saddle occasionally to look at her, and his old heart warmed at the sight of her, looking around her with open pleasure in her new world. He thought that Corlath's kelar had not told him so ill a thing as he had first thought when Corlath told his Riders his plan to go back to the Outlander station to steal a girl. They camped at the high narrow end of a small cup of valley; Mathin, Harry thought, knew the place from before. There was a spring welling from the ground where they set the tents, two tiny ones called tari, so low that Harry went into hers on her hands and knees. At the lower, wider end of the valley the spring flattened out and became a pool. The horses were rubbed down thoroughly and fed some grain, and freed. Mathin said, â€Å"Sometimes it is necessary, away from home and in a small camp, to tether our horses, for horses are more content in a herd; but Sungold is your horse now and will not leave you, and Windrider and I have been together for many years. And Viki, the pack horse, will stay with his friends; for even a small herd is better than solitude.† Mathin made dinner after the horses were tended, but Harry lingered, brushing Sungold's mane and tail long after anything resembling a tangle still existed. For all her weariness, she was glad to care for her horse herself, glad that there was no brown man of the horse to take that pleasure away from her. Perhaps she would even learn to jump into the saddle like Mathin. After a time she left her horse in peace and, having nothing better to do, hesitantly approached Windrider with her brush. The mare raised her head in mild surprise when Harry began on the long mane over her withers, as she didn't need the attention any more than Sungold had, but she did not object. When Mathin held out a loaded plate in her direction, however, Harry dropped the brush and came at once. She ate what Mathin gave her, and was asleep as soon as she lay down. She woke in the night as an unexpected but familiar weight settled on her feet. Narknon raised her head and began her heavy purr when Harry stirred. â€Å"What are you doing here?† said Harry. â€Å"You weren't invited, and there is someone in Corlath's camp who will not be at all pleased at your absence when the hunts ride out.† Narknon, still purring, made her boneless feline way up the length of Harry's leg, and reached out her big hunter's head, opened her mouth so that the gleaming finger-length fangs showed, and bit Harry, very gently, on the chin. The purr, at this distance, made Harry's brain clatter inside her skull, and the delicate prickle of the teeth made her eyes water. Mathin sat up when he heard Harry's voice. Narknon's tail stretched out from the open end of the tent, the tip of it curling up and down tranquilly. Harry, in disbelief, heard Mathin laugh: she hadn't known Mathin could laugh. â€Å"They will guess where she has gone, Harimad-sol. Do not trouble yourself. The nights are cold and will grow colder here; you may be grateful for your bedmate before we leave this place. It is a pity that neither of us has the skill to hunt her; she could be useful. Go to sleep. You will find tomorrow a very long day.† Harry lay down, smiling in the dark, at Mathin's courtesy: â€Å"Neither of us has the skill to hunt her.† The thought of her lessons with this man – particularly now that she knew he could laugh – seemed a trifle less ominous. She fell asleep with a lighter heart; and Narknon, emboldened by the informality of the little campsite and the tiny tent, stretched to her full length beside her preferred person and slept with her head under Harry's chin. Harry woke at dawn, as though it were inevitable that she awake just then. The idea of rolling out so soon did not appeal to her in the least, rationally, but her body was on its feet and her muscles flexing themselves before she could protest. The entire six weeks she spent in that valley were much in that tone: there was something that in some fashion took her over, or seized the part of her she always had thought of as most individually hers. She did not think, she acted; and her arms and legs did things her mind only vaguely understood. It was a very queer experience for her, for she was accustomed to thinking exhaustively about everything. She was fascinated by her own agility; but at the same time it refused to seem quite hers. Lady Aerin was guiding her, perhaps; for Harry wasn't guiding herself. Mathin was also, she found out, spiking their food with something. He had a small packet, full of smaller packets, rolled in with the cooking-gear. Most of these packets were harmless herbs and spices; Harry recognized a few by taste, if not by name. The ones new to her since her first taste of Hill cooking she asked about, as Mathin rubbed them between his fingers before dropping them into the stew, and their odor rose up and filled her eyes and nostrils. She had begun asking as many questions about as many things as she could, as her wariness of Mathin as a forbidding stranger wore off and affection for him as an excellent if occasionally overbearing teacher took its place. And she learned that he was in a more mellow mood when he was cooking than at almost any other time. â€Å"Derth,† he might answer, when she asked about the tiny heap of green powder in his palm; â€Å"it grows on a low bush, and the leaves have four lobes,† or â€Å"Nimbing: it is the crushed dried berries of the plant that gives it its name.† But there was also a grey dust with a heavy indescribable smell; and when she asked about it, Mathin would look his most inscrutable and send her off to clean spotless tack or fetch unneeded water. The fourth or fifth time he did this she said flatly, â€Å"No. What is that stuff? My tack is wearing thin with cleanliness, Sungold and Windrider haven't a hair out of place, the tents are secure against anything but avalanche, and you won't use any more water. What is that stuff?† Mathin wiped his hands carefully and rolled the little packages all together again. â€Å"It is called sorgunal. It †¦ makes one more alert.† Harry considered this. â€Å"You mean it's a – † Her Hill speech deserted her, and she used the Homelander word: â€Å"drug.† â€Å"I do not know drug,† said Mathin calmly. â€Å"It is a stimulant, yes; it is dangerous, yes; but – † here the almost invisible glint of humor Harry had learned to detect in her mentor's square face lit a tiny flame behind his eyes – â€Å"I do know what I am doing. I am your teacher, and I tell you to eat and be still.† Harry accepted her plateful and was not noticeably slower than usual in beginning to work her way through it. â€Å"How long,† she said between mouthfuls, â€Å"can one use this †¦ stimulant?† â€Å"Many weeks,† said Mathin, â€Å"but after the trials you will want much sleep. You will have time for it then.† The fact that neither Harry nor Mathin could hunt Narknon did not distress Narknon at all. Every day when lessons were through, and Harry and Mathin and the horses returned to the campsite, tired and dirty and at least in Harry's case sore, Narknon would be there, stretched out before the fire pit, with the day's offering – a hare, or two or three fleeks which looked like pheasant but tasted like duck, or even a small deer. In return Narknon had Harry's porridge in the mornings. â€Å"I did not bring enough to feed three for six weeks,† Mathin said the third morning when Harry set her two-thirds-full bowl down for Narknon to finish. â€Å"I'd rather eat leftover fleek,† said Harry, and did. Harry learned to handle her sword, and then to carry the light round shield the Hillfolk used; then to be resigned, if not entirely comfortable, in the short chain-stiffened leather vest and leggings Mathin produced for her. As long as there was daylight she was put, or driven, through her steadily – alarmingly – improving paces: it was indeed, she thought, as if something had awakened in her blood; but she no longer thought of it, or told herself she did not think of it, as a disease. But she could not avoid noticing the sensation – not of lessons learned for the first time, but like old skills set aside and now, in need, picked up again. She never learned to love her sword, to cherish it as the heroes of her childhood's novels had cherished theirs; but she learned to understand it. She also learned to vault into the saddle, and Sungold no longer put his ears back when she did it. In the evenings, by firelight, Mathin taught her to sew. He showed her how to adapt the golden saddle till it fit her exactly; how to arrange the hooks and straps so that bundles would ride perfectly, her sword would come easily to her hand, and her helm would not bang against her knee when she was not wearing it. As she grew quicker and cleverer at her lessons, Mathin led her over more of the Hills around their camp in the small valley. She learned to cope, first on foot and then on horseback, with the widest variety of terrain available: flat rock, crumbling shale, and small sliding avalanches of pebbles and sand; grass and scree and even forest, where one had to worry about the indifferent blows of branches as well as the specific blows of one's opponent. She and Mathin descended to the desert again briefly, and dodged about each other there. That was at the end of the fourth week. From the trees and stones and the running stream, she recognized where the king's camp had stood, but its human visitors were long gone. And it was there on the grey sand with Tsornin leaping and swerving under her that an odd thing happened. Mathin always pressed her as hard as she could defend herself; he was so steady and methodical about it that at first she had not realized she was improving. His voice was always calm, loud enough for her to hear easily even when they were bashing at each other, but no louder; and she found herself responding calmly, as if warfare were a new parlor game. She knew he was a fine horseman and swordsman, and that no one was a Rider who was not magnificently skillful at both; and that he was training her. Most of the time, these weeks, she felt confused; when her mind was clearer, she felt honored if rueful; but now, wheeling and parrying and being allowed the occasional thrust or heavy flat blow, she found that she was growing angry. This anger rose in her slowly at first, faintly, and then with a roar; and she was, despite it or around it, as puzzled by it as by everything else that had happened to her since her involuntary departure from the Residency. It felt like anger, red anger, an d it felt dangerous, and it was far worse than anything she was used to. It seemed to have nothing to do with losing her temper, with being specifically upset about anything; she didn't understand its origin or its purpose, and even as her temples hurt with it she felt disassociated from it. But her breath came a little quicker and then her arm was a little quicker; and she felt Tsornin's delight in her speed, and she spared a moment, even with the din in her ears rising to a terrible headache, to observe wryly that Sungold was a first-class horse with a far from first-class rider. Mathin's usual set grin of concentration and, she had thought recently, pride flickered a bit at her flash of attack; and he lifted his eyes briefly to her face, and even as sword met sword he †¦ faltered. Without thinking, for this was what she was training for, she pressed forward; and Windrider stumbled, and Sungold slammed into her, shoulder to shoulder, and her blade hit Mathin's hilt to hilt, and to her own horror, she gave a heave and dumped him out of the saddle. His shield clanged on a rock and flipped front down, so it teetered foolishly like a dropped plate. The horses lurched apart and she gazed down, appalled, at Mathin sitting in a cloud of dust, looking as surprised as she felt. The grin had disappeared for a moment – quite understandably, she thought – but by the time he had gotten to his feet and she had slid down from Sungold's back and anxiously approached him, it had returned. She tried a wavering smile back at him, standing clumsily with her sword twisted behind her as if she'd rather not be reminded of its presence; and Mathin switched his dusty sword from his right hand to his left and came to her and seized her shoulder. He was half a head shorter than she was, and had to look up into her eyes. His grip was so hard that her mail pinched her shoulder, but she did not notice, for Mathin said to her: â€Å"My honor is yours, lady, to do with what you will. I have not been given a fall such as that in ten years, and that was by Corlath himself. I'm proud to have had the teaching of you – and, lady, I am not the least of the Riders.† The anger had left her completely, and she felt dry and cold and empty, but then as her eyes unwillingly met Mathin's she saw a sparkle of friendship there, not merely the objective satisfaction of a teacher with a prize pupil: and this warmed her more kindly than the anger had done. For here in the Hills, she, an Outlander woman, had a friend: and he was not the least of the Riders. Lessons continued after that, but they were faster and more furious, and the light in Mathin's face never faded, but it had changed from the sturdy concentration of a teacher to the eager enthusiasm of a man who has found a challenge. The heat and strength they expended required now that they stop to rest at midday, when the sun was at its height, even though the Hills were much cooler than the central desert had been. Tsornin would never admit to being tired, and watched Harry closely at all times, in case he might miss something. He took her lessons afoot very badly, and would lace back his ears and stamp, and circle her and Mathin till they had to yell at him to go away. But during the last ten days he was content to stand in the shade, head down and one hind leg slack, at noontime, while she stretched out beside him. One day she said, â€Å"Mathin, will you not tell me something of how the horses are trained?† They were having their noon halt, and Sungold was snuffling over her, for she often fed him interesting bits of her lunch. â€Å"My family raises horses,† said Mathin. He was lying on his back, with his hands crossed on his chest, and his eyes were shut. For several breaths he said nothing further, and Harry wanted to shout with impatience, but she had learned that such behavior would shut Mathin up for good, while if she bit her tongue and sat still, hugging her irritability quietly, he would sometimes tell her more. He told her more this time: how his father and three older brothers bred and raised and trained some of Damar's finest riding-horses. â€Å"When I was your age,† he said bleakly, â€Å"the best horses were taught the movements of war for the fineness of control necessary in both horse and rider; not for the likelihood that they should ever see battle. â€Å"My father trained Fireheart. He is very old now, and trains no more horses, but he still carries all our bloodlines in his head, and decides which stallions should be bred to which mares.† He paused, and Harry thought that was all; but he added slowly, â€Å"My daughter trained Sungold.† There was a long silence. Then Harry asked: â€Å"Why did you not stay and train horses too?† Mathin opened his eyes. â€Å"It seemed to me that a father, three brothers and their families, a wife, daughter, and two sons were enough of one family to be doing the same thing. I have trained many horses. I go home †¦ sometimes, so that my wife does not forget my face; but I have always wished to wander. As a Rider, one wanders †¦ It is also possible that I was not quite good enough. None of the rest of my family has ever wished to leave what they do, even for a day. I am the only one of us for generations who has ridden to the laprun trials to win my sword.† Harry said, â€Å"Why is it that you are my teacher? Were you – Did Corlath order you?† Mathin closed his eyes again and smiled. â€Å"No. On the day after you drank Meeldtar and saw the battle in the mountains, I spoke to Corlath, for I knew by your Seeing that you would be trained for battle. It might have been Forloy, who is the only one of us who speaks your Outlander tongue, or Innath, who is the best horseman of us; but I am older, and more patient perhaps – and I trained the young Corlath, once, when I was Rider to his father.† Forloy, thought Harry. Then it was Forloy. â€Å"Mathin – † she began, and her voice was unhappy. She was staring at the ground, plucking bits of purple grass and shredding them, and did not notice that Mathin turned to look at her when he heard the unhappiness. She had not sounded so for weeks now, and he was pleased that this should be so. â€Å"Why – why did Forloy never speak to me, before I – before you began to teach me to speak your tongue? Does he hate Outlanders so much? Why does he know the – my – language at all?† Mathin was silent as he considered what he could tell his new friend without betraying his old. â€Å"Do not judge Forloy – or yourself – too harshly. When he was your age, and before he was a Rider, Forloy fell in love with a woman he met at the spring Fair in Ihistan. She had been born and raised in the south, and gone into service to an Outlander family there; and when they were sent to Ihistan, she went with them. The second year, the next Fair, he returned, and she agreed to go to the Hills with him. She loved Forloy, I think; she tried to love his land for his sake, but she could not. She taught him Outlander speech, that she might remember her life there by saying the words. She would not leave him, for she had pledged herself to live in the Hills with him; but she died after only a few years. Forloy remembers her language for her sake, but it does not make him love it.† He paused, watching her fingers; they relaxed, and the purple stems dropped to the ear th. â€Å"I do not believe he had spoken any words of it for many years; and Corlath would not have asked it of him for any less cause.† Corlath, Harry thought. He knows the story – of the young foreign woman who did not thrive when she was transplanted to Hill soil. And she was Darian born and bred, and went willingly. â€Å"And Corlath? Why does Corlath speak Outlander?† Mathin said thoughtfully, â€Å"Corlath believes in knowing his †¦ rivals. Or enemies. He can speak the Northern tongue as well, and read and write it, and Outlander, as well as our Hill tongue. There are few enough of us who can read and write our own language. I am not one of them. I would not wish to be a king.† There were only a few days left to run till the laprun trials. Mathin, between their more active lessons, taught her more of the Hill-speech; and each word he taught her seemed to awaken five more from where they slept in the back of a mind that was now, she had decided, sharing brain space and nerve endings with her own. She accepted it; it was useful; it permitted her to live in this land that she loved, even if she loved without reason; and she began to think it would enable her in her turn to be useful to this land. And it had won her a friend. She could not take pride in it, for it was not hers; but she was grateful to it, and hoped, if it were kelar or Aerin-sol's touch, that she might be permitted to keep it till she had won her right to stay. With the language lessons Mathin told her of the Hills they were in, and where the City lay from where their little valley sat; and he told her which wood burned best green, and how to find water when there seemed to be none; and how to get the last miles out of a foundered horse. And her lessons of war had strengthened her memory, or her ability to draw upon that other memory, for she remembered what he told her. And to her surprise, he also told her the names of all the wildflowers she saw, and which herbs could be made into teas and jams; and these things he spoke of with the mild expression on his face that she had seen only when he was bending over his cooking-fire; and even these things she learned. He also told her what leaves were best for stopping blood flowing, and three ways of starting a fire in the wilderness. He looked at her sidelong as he spoke about fire-making. â€Å"There's a fourth way, Hari,† he said. â€Å"Corlath may teach it to you someday.† There was some joke here that amused him. â€Å"Myself, I cannot.† Harry looked at him, as patiently as she could. She knew that to question him when he baited her like this would do her no good. Once, a day or two after Mathin's unexpected fall, she had let a bit more of her frustration show than she meant to, and Mathin had said, â€Å"Hari, my friend, there are many things I cannot tell you. Some I will tell you in time; some, others will tell you; some you may never know, or you may be the first to find their answers.† She had looked across their small fire at him, and over Narknon's head. They were both sitting cross-legged while the horses grazed comfortably not far away, so that the sound of their jaws could be heard despite the crackling fire. Mathin was rewiring a loose ring on his chain-encrusted vest. â€Å"Very well. I understand a little, perhaps.† Mathin gave a snort of laughter; she remembered how grim and silent she'd thought him, he in particular of all the king's Riders. â€Å"You understand a great deal, Harimad-sol. I do not envy the others when they see you again. Only Corlath truly expects what I will be bringing out of these Hills.† This conversation had made it a little easier for her when he slyly told her of things, like the fourth way of lighting fires, which he refused to explain. She didn't understand the reasons, but she was a bit more willing to accept that a reason existed. It surprised her how much he told her about himself, for she knew that he did not find it easy to talk of these things to her; but she understood too that it was his way of making up, a little, for what he felt he could not tell her. It also, as he must have intended, made her feel as if the Hillfolk were familiar to her; that her own past was not so very different from theirs; and she began to imagine what it would have been like to have grown up in these Hills, to have always called them home. One of the things Mathin would tell her little of was Aerin Dragon-Killer and the Blue Sword. He would refer to Damar's Golden Age, when Aerin was queen, but he would not tell her when it was, or even what made it golden. She did learn that Aerin had had a husband named Tor who had fought the Northerners, for the Northerners had been Damar's enemies since the beginning of time and the Hills, and every Damarian age had its tale of the conflict between them; and that King Tor was called the Just. â€Å"It sounds very dreary, being Just, when your wife kills dragons,† said Harry, and while Mathin permitted himself a smile, he was not to be drawn. She did pry something else out of him. â€Å"Mathin,† she said. â€Å"The Outlanders believe that the – the – kelar of the Hills can cause, oh, firearms not to fire, and cavalry charges to fall down instead of charging, and – things like that.† Mathin said nothing; he had marinated cut-up bits of Narknon's latest antelope in a sharp spicy sauce and was now frizzling them on two sticks over the low-burning fire. Harry sighed. Mathin looked up from his sticks, though his fingers continued to twist them slowly. â€Å"It is wise of the Outlanders to believe the truth,† he said. He dug one stick, butt-end, into the ground, and thrust his short knife into the first chunk of meat. He nibbled at it delicately, with the concentrated frown of the artist judging his own work. His face relaxed and he handed Harry the stick still in his other hand. But he spoke no more of kelar. Mathin took no more falls, and by the middle of the sixth week Harry felt she had forgotten her first lessons because they were so far in the past. She could not remember a time when the palm of her right hand did not bear stripes of callus from the sword hilt; when the heavy vest felt awkward and unfamiliar; nor a time when she had not ridden Tsornin every day. She did remember that she had been born in a far green country nothing like the kelar-haunted one she now found herself in; and that she had a brother named Richard whom she still called Dickie, to his profound dismay – or would, if he could hear her – and she remembered a Colonel Jack Dedham, who loved the Hills even as she did. A thought swam into her mind: perhaps we shall meet again, and serve Damar together. On the fourth day of the sixth week she said tentatively to Mathin: â€Å"I thought the City was over a day's journey from here.† â€Å"You thought rightly,† Mathin replied; â€Å"but there is no need of your presence on the first day of the trials.† She glanced at him, a little reassured, but rather more worried. â€Å"Do not fear, my friend and keeper of my honor,† said Mathin. â€Å"You will be as a bolt from the heavens, and Tsornin's flanks shall blind your enemies.† She laughed. â€Å"I look forward to it.† â€Å"You should look forward to it,† he said. â€Å"But I, who know what I will see, look forward to it even more.†

Monday, July 29, 2019

Hardening Computer Networks Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Hardening Computer Networks - Essay Example However, an organization can deal with these security threats by adopting an appropriate security procedure. In fact, there are numerous guidelines and security measures that can be adopted by organizations in order to secure their computer networks (Nash, 1999; Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005; Singhal, 2013). In this scenario, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a well-known organization that establishes and provides effective guidelines for promoting information technology (IT) security. In addition, NIST has established a wide variety of standards for securing all kinds of IT resources such as networks, computers, and equipment and so on (Scarfone & Souppaya, 2009). This paper discusses a standard operating procedure on how to properly secure an enterprise computer network using NIST standards. This paper discusses a variety of mechanisms that organizations can adopt in order to secure their networks. It is believed that the majority of people don’t change their default SSIDs. Normally, manufacturers offer access points with a standard network name like that, default, tsunami, etc. In addition, this SSID is distributed users to let them known about the availability of the access point. This default SSID must be changed upon installation to something that does not directly relate to an organization. It is suggested that an organization should not rename its SSIDs to company name, brand name, company phone number or something else for which company is famous for. So that a hacker cannot guess it easily (Airtight Networks, 2014). Passwords are the most common type of security measures used to protect data, system and networks from un-authorized access. In fact, passwords are used all the way through the organization to access different services and data. In addition, company’s employees need passwords to use their computer or access a network.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

How can we conserve biodiversity on a global scale using evidence from Essay

How can we conserve biodiversity on a global scale using evidence from evolution in deep time - Essay Example Because of the changes in the plate tectonics combined with the fossil remains of the ancient reefs which was formed approximately between 360 to 440 million years ago (Veron, 2004), rock formation that we have today is formed. Aside from the changes in the Earth’s surface, the extinction of each species may also contribute to the formation of a new species. In line with this matter, Fredrickson and Onstott (1996) discussed the possibility that the subterranean bacteria could have been responsible not only in the erosion process of rocks but also in terms of converting the minerals from one form to another. Millions of years ago, the atmosphere was composed of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, sulphur, and nitrogen gases (Brasier et al., 2002; Haynes, 2002). Biologists suspected that the presence of photosynthetic bacteria around two to three million years ago has changed the atmospheric condition we have today by releasing some oxygen into the atmosphere. (Haynes, 2002) The living fossils managed to survived hundreds of million years ago. However, 99.9% of all the species are now extinct (Raup, 1991, pp. 3 – 6). For this study, the past human and environmental factors that can significantly affect the extinction of some of plants, animals, micro-organisms, and the ecosystem among others will be thoroughly discussed followed by reflecting on how we can effectively conserve biodiversity on a global scale based on the identified major causes of extinction. As part of the conclusion, recommended ways on how we can prevent the mass destruction of biodiversity will be provided in details. Human actions can result to a significant change within the environmental. Because of heavy industrialization, the loss of habitat due to heavy pollution or the extinction of trees in the forests are among the common factors that could endanger the plant and animal

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Accounting info system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Accounting info system - Essay Example ults to improve targeting marketing activities that will lead to great impact in the next few months .It can help in a transportation company to identify the best prospects for its services. A bus topology or straight line topology is appropriate since all the computers are connected using a single cable, it involve transmission of packet data to all network nodes on the segment .the network is however cheap and simple to install and can be used by a large group of people Using cloud computing connection of wireless device can be difficult normally when it comes to personal devices .it can be expensive to set up on a small scale cloud computing. Data ownership is a problem when it comes to cloud computing especially when you have a lot of data to deal with This is a protocol where messages are divided into packets before they are sent. Each packet is then sent individually which can even follow different routes before reaching to its destination. After the packets forming the message reach at their destination they are then combined to form the original message. For the company there is the primary data which can be obtained from the ground or within the company its self internally .Secondary data is be obtained from other sources that have not been fully analyzed maybe from externally. The company can adopt the user machine system where both human and machines are involved in the performance of some activities in the accomplishment of a goal .The company can also use open system one that interacts with the environment By the use of database it can be of help in that the management can be able to evaluate historical data and be able to know how product have been manufactured in the company hence achieving in product

Friday, July 26, 2019

Manufacturer Brief Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Manufacturer Brief - Case Study Example Number of employees: According to the data as at 2013, the company has an approximate of 2,000 employees. The number of employees has been increasing for the last five years an indication that the company is growing. Annual revenue: The Company’s annual revenue is approximated to be $150 million. According to the world’s statistic, the company’s revenue has been increasing with 2 per cent for the last seven years. Recent news release: The Company introduced four digital TLM 103D microphones for vocal applications building. The microphones have a little self-generated noise. They also have a clear sound transmission that is clearly heard at a distance. The Company’s interaction with its clients: The Company has an active interaction with its customers. Through the company’s website, clients can submit their proposals and complaints. More so, the company has created a page in social media like Facebook. The created page enables the company to market itself and also to receive customers’ opinions. It has helped the Company produce microphones that meet the customers’ tastes and

Thursday, July 25, 2019

History of Slavery in the Caribbean and West Africa Essay

History of Slavery in the Caribbean and West Africa - Essay Example In the strictest sense of the word, "slaves" are people who are not only owned, but are also not paid, and who have no rights. The word comes from Latin term sclavus, which is thought, was originally referring to slavs, peoples from Eastern Europe, including parts of the Byzantine Empire. However, the current usage of the word serfdom is not usually synonymous with slavery, because serfs are considered to have had some rights. The International Labor Organization (ILO) considers slavery as a form of forced labor. It defines "forced labor" to be "all work or service which is extracted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily", albeit with certain exceptions: military service, convicts, emergencies and minor community services (Slavery). Historically, slaves were most of the time humans of a different ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex or race than the dominant or aspiration ally dominant group; typically taken prisoner because of warfare, capture meant death or slavery if no one paid ransom. Societies characterized by poverty, population pressures, and cultural and technological lag are frequently exporters of slaves to more developed nations (Slavery). In ancient times, Greco-Roman slavery may have been related to the practice of infanticide. Unwanted infants were exposed to nature to die; slave traders, who raised them as slaves, then often rescued these. In many cultures, persons convicted of serious crimes could be sold into slavery. The proceeds from this sale were often used to compensate the victims (Slavery). The Slave life The daily life of a slave was never easy. Slaves either work on the field or in the house for house slaves, all the cooking and cleaning was done by hand. They were often the ones to take care of any children of their master. Although slaves received better food in few times, their working days were longer because of lights in the house. Slaves who work in the fields work from day until dawn. The work was back breaking, and overseers often did not care if a slave was worked to death (Bushong).Until the early 1800, slaves were cheap. If one died, they would just go to the slave market and buy another one.If a slave was thought to be disrespectful or did not do their work correctly, punishment was often brutal. Being beaten or whipped becomes a normal experience for most slaves. One slave girl, who eventually escaped slavery, was hit in the head with something heavy that the overseer threw at her. She nearly died, but recovered after several months. She suffered from terrible headache s the rest of her life. Other slaves were punished with starvation, sold to a harder master, or possibly sent to a slave breaker (Bushong). Conditions aboard the slave ships were even harsher. Slaves were stuck into the hull and chained to one another in order to stop revolts. Only one out of five slaves will survive the journey from Africa to America. Slaves who caught up with incurable diseases such as smallpox will be immediately thrown overboard (Dowling). Those who survived the long harsh journey will face even more pain on the plantations. Many of the plantation owners had returned to Europe, leaving their holdings in America to be managed by overseers who were often unstable or unsavory. Upon arrival, family members are

PHIL 102 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

PHIL 102 - Essay Example Simply, it is assumed to be a moral good in itself. Kant, a deontologist and philosopher, asserts that there are certain things that people are entitled to do, regardless of their repercussions. For instance, he perceives that people have an obligation of always standing for the truth. It is pertinent for anyone to find their moral obligations via the use of hard logic or reasoning. According to Kant, people begin to instill knowledge of the categorical imperative when they start to question and contemplate on the nature of ethics. Moreover, Kant asserts that acting with regard to morals is practically intricate and should not be easy especially in cases when one has a conviction to do something else. This apparently implies that acting morally may encompass people to act within a state of emotional detachment. For instance, reasons why smokers find it hard to quit smoking knowing that it is a morally wrong act, is questionable. In his categorical imperative, Kant states that moral truth is a concept beyond human experience and it is practically intricate to depend on senses to learn its meaning. In addition to moral truths being priori, they aid people to infer what it actually means to act morally and more so, comprehend why doing something or behaving in a certain manner is a morally good thing to do and this is through use of reason. Kant explains that, reason leads for moral actions but does not follow. Kant argues that the contemporary ethical debate starts with an assumption that a person requires free will for them to be morally accountable. Regardless of the fact that one may do good under instruction, Kant argues this to be a moral accident and not necessarily a moral act. Therefore, to qualify in acting in a truly moral manner, someone ought to choose to execute something by themselves. However, for Sigmund Freud, we cannot ever be completely sure of our actual motives. Moreover, it is

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Jurisprudence - Liberal Feminism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Jurisprudence - Liberal Feminism - Essay Example Just as feminism, feminist jurisprudence cannot be explained by any single theory4. It is a family of different frameworks or view-points that are used in the analysis of the desirable or real relationship between gender and law5. In her view, Christine Littleton considers feminist jurisprudence as a collection of various attempts aimed at critiquing, changing and explicating the law for the sake of, and from women’s point of view6. Christine Littleton argues that, feminist jurisprudence aims at explaining women’s experiences and at the same time transforming the law. Despite the fact that feminist jurisprudence is considered by many to be practical, theorists such as Carol Smart borrows from Carl Marx ideology and argues that feminist jurisprudence is both practical and theoretical; it is brought about through the methodology that ensures theoretical insights are reflected in political action and that practical insights are shown on theoretical development7. As far fem inist legal theories and feminist jurisprudence is concerned, there is one thing that stands out; both are aimed at the gender effects of legal practice and rules-particularly, how legal practices and rules affect women, and how law and legal practices define and reflect on gender identities. Additionally, both feminist theories and feminist jurisprudence focus on critiquing and exposure of the masculine nature of methods of law with a goal of changing both the methods and substance of law with respect to the goal of liberating women and feminist rejection of patriarchy. It must, however, be noted that-as had earlier been mentioned-feminist theorists have had different ideologies as to how legal transformation should be achieved and how it should be. Liberal feminism theorists have considered and argued that putting women into legal consideration and looking at them in the same breadth-equally-as men, may be the way to go about achieving the goal liberating women. Today, the debate is not only with regards to gender difference or sameness, feminist legal theorists have gone a step further and are more concerned with how to transform legal values, logic and the perception of justice. This notion of considering law as a neutral system of dispute resolution, regulation and justice,-a stand taken by liberal feminists-has been sharply criticized and rejected by contemporary feminist theorists, who have an issues with the concepts of objectivity, universalism, rationalism, and neutrality. They argue that defining law in the scientific sense without considering the political, moral and social reality is not the way to go; an argument also held by legal realist theorists. Those ideologies held by liberal feminists are disregarded and attacked on various grounds by other feminists. Accordingly, all of them argue that, the legal notions of objectivity and impartiality are just but perceptions that conceal the dominance and bias of the dominant groups-male. The argument is that, if sexes are considered unequal, there is neither un-gendered perspective nor reality8. In particular, the concept of objectivity has been attacked and it’s gendered nature exposed by MacKinnon, who argues that, the dominance shown by the male, is the most obstinate and universal system of power9. Similarly, the concept of impartiality has

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Critical Response to an Analysis of the Tempest by Shakespeare Research Paper

Critical Response to an Analysis of the Tempest by Shakespeare - Research Paper Example Wylie explains how the play shows that the discourses of colonialism and geography were already complex in the early seventeenth century. He calls it the â€Å"foundational colonial allegory† which is narrated by the ruler of the island, Prospero. Prospero recalls how he was usurped by his brother Antonio and King of Naples, Alonso who were shipwrecked but Prospero and his daughter Miranda reach the current island from which he speaks. The island was completely deserted except for one person whom they found, named, Caliban. Although Caliban owns the land, Prospero compels Caliban to start serving Prospero and consider him his master through his magical powers. This is indicative of the fact that the colonial forces always created an environment for the native people to feel obliged towards the settlers from abroad. The island which Shakespeare sketches in the play is probably one of the islands from the late sixteenth century located in the Mediterranean or the West Atlantic w hich shows how colonialism was a matter of history.

Monday, July 22, 2019

Wales Hunt For An Elite Overseer Essay Example for Free

Wales Hunt For An Elite Overseer Essay Wales place are rather popular nowadays because the number of players who are willing to achieve potential competition there is swiftly increasing. The application process for an elite hunt ends in May and the World Cup will take place in September. Instead of applying, Gareth Jenkins, however, decided to continue his career as a national coach. Kevin Bowring, ex-coach of elite hunt, is the head of coach development in Wales and he is satisfied with his new post. Therefore, WRU suggests that Wales team members should come from rugby and other kinds of sport, commercial and business environment. Roger Lewis, group executive of WRU, admits that the goal of coach department is to develop talent of the team, as well as to identify proper players and to nurture them. Elite performance and the national squad are also believed to succeed. The idea is to choose the best players in Wales in order to make them able to deliver the game that will be remembered in sport environment. RFU claims that their aim is to show that elite coaches are able to create highly talented performance of the game. The EPD supports positions taken by RFU noting that EPD will be present on the WRU’s executive board in order to reassure that everything is done to achieve the desired success. Special attention will be paid to whether facilities and resources are available. EPD is expected to on board, though the crucial point is to find the right person, as Roger Lewis mentions. Tete-a-tete conversation will take place between WRU and high-profile individuals in order to realize better the demands and requirements. Background works have been already done and the positive moment is that WRU managed to create detailed job descriptions.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Women in the Criminal Justice System

Women in the Criminal Justice System The Canadian criminal justice system, an outwardly fair system of integrity and justice, is a perfect example of a seemingly equal situation, which turns out to be anything but for women (Gunnison et al., 2016, p. 32). The policies and programs imposed in the criminal justice system affect men and women in extremely dissimilar manners. In particular, both men and women are subject to imprisonment, but little attention has been given to the various needs and problems of imprisoned women as opposed to those of men (PRI, 2012, p. 1). This omission is primarily due to the fact that women constitute a minority in most prison systems that are predominantly designed, organized and administered with the male population in mind (Gunnison et al., 2016, p. 26). As such, women in the criminal justice system face many problems; some resulting from their lives prior to imprisonment, others resulting from their imprisonment itself. In order to understand how gender relates to crime and the criminal justice system, it is crucial to examine the situation of incarcerated women (Williams, 2004, p.6). Therefore, in this critical book review, I will analyze aspects of George Carons, Mouse on a String at the Prison for Women, paying close attention to its strengths and weaknesses, and will consider any emerging themes and connections in relation to the relevant course material. Mouse on a String at the Prison for Women by George Caron is a personal narration of his time working as a warden at the Prison for Women (P4W) in Kingston, Ontario. As the youngest warden in Federal Corrections at the time, Caron gives an inside view of life behind the bars for female offenders during the 1980s through the use of anecdotes, history and recollection. In his book, Caron recalls prison life and justice, as well as the many individuals that were incarcerated at P4W, particularly focusing on an inmate nicknamed Mouse. This memoir is very thorough as it touches upon many aspects of prison life, including drugs, illicit weapons, relationships, violence and sex. Throughout, Caron portrays both the justices and injustices that are present inside the prison, from kind-hearted nurses that do more than expected to inmates abusing the criminal justice system to meet their needs. This book is truly fascinating and intriguing, partly due to the mystery surrounding female prisons, but mostly because of the greater themes that are entwined within the inmates stories. Several common themes that were portrayed include: loss of freedom, compromise, fear and injustice. These themes were clearly evident in the transformation of some of the inmates and their journey towards redemption. In particular, Mary Ann, affectionately referred to as Mouse, embodied most, if not all of these themes as she progressed from a shy and insecure woman inside the prison and emerged as a confident and educated woman on her return into the community. A prevalent concept discussed in the course and mentioned periodically by Carol is the issue of dealing with mentally ill inmates. He states that some inmates entered the prison system and came with deep-rooted psychological and mental health issues and the prison environment was the final depository of those with scarred human frailties . . . (Caron, 2009, p. 177). According to research, female inmates are at higher risk of harming themselves or attempting suicide in comparison to men in prison, due to the higher level of mental illness and the harmful impacts of isolation from the community (Williams, 2004, p.7). Moreover, studies indicate that since a large proportion of women have mental healthcare needs, diverting them to a suitable gender-appropriate treatment program would address their needs much more effectively than the harsh environment of prisons (PRI, 2012, p. 6). This may also explain some of the factors behind the suicide of Ashley Smith, who had mental health issues b ut was placed in solitary confinement (CBC News, 2013, p.1). This further relates to the conflicting dual mandates of corrections, where incarceration should both punish individuals and rehabilitate them. As discussed in class and based on supporting research, prison is not the proper environment for female inmates as they require specialized mental-health facilities and trained professional mental-health staff to adequately address their needs (Gunnison et al., 2016, p. 286). In addition, female Aboriginal offenders are a key course topic that is also discussed by Caron. He mentions how he was saddened to see so many Aboriginal women in prison with backgrounds of poverty, unemployment, poor health, and alcohol and drug abuse (Caron, 2009, p.15). Carons observations are supported by recent research which found that factors like education, unemployment and poor living conditions are directly associated with arrest and incarceration of Aboriginal women in Canada (Gunnison et al., 2016, p. 84). Studies of institutions across Canada found the Aboriginal group to be less educated, more dysfunctional and from more aberrant family backgrounds than the non-Aboriginal group. Moreover, according to the 2011 Statistics Canada data, 22.7% of Aboriginal people aged 25 years and over had not completed high school and that year, the unemployment rate among Aboriginal people was 13.9%, compared to 8.1% among non-Aboriginal people (Scott Smith, 2011, p.1- 2). The vast maj ority of inmates had dependents but no steady employment and considerable prior involvement with the criminal justice system. Furthermore, Wesley (2012) found that Aboriginal women reported more physical abuse and suicide attempts in their lives than non-native women (p. 3-4). Essentially, the needs of Aboriginal peoples, who are systematically overrepresented in all aspects of the criminal justice system, are not being adequately addressed in the traditional prison system (Wesley, 2012, p. 6). Supported by the Native womens suicide in P4W, female Aboriginal offenders needs were not met then and based on recent research, they are not being met now either (Caron, 2009, p.15). All texts carry perspectives and biases, so it is possible that the author of this book already had some preconceived notions about prison and unconsciously or consciously wrote those notions in his book (McCullagh, 2000, p. 39). The author is a young male with a native background and this can affect how he views prison and consequently how his story is written (Caron, 2009, p. 15). Some voices that are missing from the book are the voices of the inmates, as their stories are simply told from the authors point of view. As such, it would be interesting to read some of the inmates own thoughts and beliefs regarding life inside P4W without the authors personal interpretation. Before reading this book, I already had prior experience volunteering with offenders and programs in prison. As such, it is possible that my pre-conceived notions and beliefs regarding incarceration may have impacted my interpretation of the book. Also, I grew up in a culture where it was very rare that a woman would commit an offence, much less be incarcerated. Therefore, I have a very different perspective of female criminality and incarceration than the author. As previously mentioned, this book is very interesting and I enjoyed reading it. I thought that an important component of the book is that the author did not avoid revealing tragic events that occurred and presented the reality of incarceration through the perspectives and stories of different inmates. This allowed a much more immersive and engaging experience for the reader. Some the parts that I disliked were the authors occasional crude description of the female inmates. This seemed to sexualize the inmates as there were repeated comments about attractiveness and breast size. For example, the author describes one of the inmates as a very attractive twenty-eight-year-old woman with long, blonde hair and large, firm breasts. She was a sexy woman who used her assets well (Caron, 2009, p. 60). Nevertheless, I would recommend the book to anyone interested in womens prisons, whether for educational purposes or casual reading, as it gives a good account about the P4W and life behind bars for female inmates. This book had several key strengths that made for a memorable reading. A particular strength is the depth of emotions that the reader is exposed to through the unique writing style of the author. The author wrote in such a way that the reader was emotionally invested in the inmates and could only anticipate what happens to them. For example, Mary Anns background story allowed the reader to have a glimpse into her past and circumstances that led to her criminality (Caron, 2009, p. 48-50). This allowed the reader to sympathize with Mary Ann and understand that while the criminal act itself is wrong, Mary Ann was only a confused and vulnerable woman at the time. This observation is important as it is very common that some matters are depicted as being solely black or white. However, after reading the personal story of Mary Ann, it allows for the possibility of a gray area different apart from the seemingly only two choices available. Moreover, throughout her story, the reader witnessed the immense growth that Mary Ann went through as she acknowledged her mistakes and sought for forgiveness. By the end of Mary Anns story, she had transformed from a mere statistic of female offending to a real individual in the eyes of the reader. Another strength of the book is the many facets of prison life that are mentioned. The author discusses both legal and illegal events that occur inside the prison, allowing for a more thorough understanding of the reality of prison. Some of the actions of the author may be considered as illegal and overstepping his bounds as warden, but the reader is able to clearly see why the actions may be morally appropriate, if not legally. For example, the author arranged for beer to be smuggled inside the prison in order to treat an inmate who was medically ill (Caron, 2009, p. 77). This was illegal as no alcohol was allowed inside the prison, but it allowed the reader to recognize that the prison staff truly wanted to help inmates despite the possibility of punishment. Despite its strengths, this book also had some weaknesses. A major weakness of it was the lack of discussion regarding the incidents that contributed to P4W being closed. During the time period of the book, there were many external complaints and reports written petitioning for the closure of P4W (Arbour, 1996, p. 31). However, despite the significance of these complaints, the author did not mention at all any problems that may warrant the closing of the prison. One would assume that something this important should have been discussed in length or at least mentioned in the book. In conclusion, Mouse on a String at the Prison for Women by George Caron is a fascinating account of life behind bars for female offenders at P4W. Discussing female criminality, one cannot stop mentioning their lives after being sentenced. Thus, it is important to look at incarcerated female offenders as a unique subset of the offending population and should be treated as such. This is why Carons memoir is important as it allows the reader to get a glimpse into how gender intersects with our understanding of crime and the criminal justice system. References Arbour, L. (1996). Commission of Inquiry into Certain Events at the Prison for Women in Kingston (Commission of Inquiry into Certain Events at the Prison for Women in Kingston (Canada), Solicitor General Canada). Ottawa, Ont.: Public Works and Government Services Canada. Caron, G. (2009). Mouse on a string at the Prison for Women. Renfrew, Ont.: General Store Pub. House. CBC News. (2013). Ashley Smith coroners jury rules prison death a homicide. CBC News. Retrieved March 21, 2017, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/ashley-smith-coroner-s-jury-rules-prison-death-a-homicide-1.2469527 Gunnison, E., Bernat, F. P., Goodstein, L. (2016). Women, crime, and justice: balancing the scales. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley Sons. Mccullagh, C. B. (2000). Bias in Historical Description, Interpretation, and Explanation. History and Theory, 39(1), 39-66. Retrieved March 21, 2017, from http://thedailyjournalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Bias.pdf PRI. (2012). Access to justice: discrimination against women in criminal justice systems. Penal Reform International. Retrieved March 20, 2017, from https://www.penalreform.org/resource/access-justice-discrimination-women-criminal-justice-systems/ Scott, K., Smith, K.. (2011). Aboriginal peoples. Retrieved March 21, 2017, from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-402-x/2011000/chap/ap-pa/ap-pa-eng.htm Wesley, M. (2012). Marginalized: The Aboriginal Women s experience in Federal Corrections. Retrieved March 19, 2017, from https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/mrgnlzd/mrgnlzd-eng.pdf Williams, L. M. (2004). Women, crime and the criminal justice system. New York, NY: Feminist Press at the City University of New York.

Triple Vessel Ischemic Heart Disease Treatment Case Nursing Essay

Triple Vessel Ischemic Heart Disease Treatment Case Nursing Essay Mr. MS is a 58-year-old Malay male who was previously diagnosed with hypertension, gout and triple vessel ischemic heart disease. He first presented with chest pain in March 2010 where he was diagnosed with ischemic heart disease. He was unable to complete an exercise stress test and an angiogram done in Hospital Sultanah Aminah found him to have triple vessel disease. He was told angioplasty was not possible due to the severity of the blocks and was counseled for CABG but he was not keen. Meanwhile, he has had angina attacks 2 to 3 times per week every week since his initial diagnosis for the last 3 months, usually relieved by sublingual GTN and was currently admitted for the 4th time for chest pain not relieved by GTN. ECG done 2 hours after onset of chest pain showed ST depression of 2mm at leads I, aVL, V3 V6 and left axis deviation with no Q waves. Trop T was positive (2.75 ng/ml) at 4 hours after onset and other cardiac enzymes were also raised significantly. He was diagnosed with NSTEMI and treated with aspirin 300mg, IV morphine 2.5 mg, sublingual GTN 3 tablets and subcutaneous clexane 60mg BD for 3 days as well as continuing his current medication regime of simvastatin, metoprolol, cardiprin, ISDN, amlodipine and GTN. Following admission, he was well in the ward with no recurrence of chest pain and did not develop any new complaints. He was discharged after 3 days of inpatient treatment with instructions to attend his follow-up appointment at the cardio clinic in HSAJB on the 16th of June 2010 to make an appointment for surgery. Following this episode of chest pain, which he says is the worst so far, he is now quite keen for CABG. 2) CLINICAL HISTORY Chief Complaint Chest pain for 1 day. History of Present Illness Mr. MS is a 58-year-old Malay male who was previously diagnosed with gout, hypertension and ischemic heart disease with triple vessel disease. He was awoken from sleep at about 10pm due to a central chest pain of sudden onset. He described the character of the pain as crushing in nature and radiated to his neck. This episode of chest pain was the most severe since he was first diagnosed with ischemic heart disease. The pain was associated with profuse sweating, body weakness and was not relieved by rest. However, it was relieved by sublingual GTN, of which he has a supply of. His discomfort was made worst by exertion so he lay in bed to recover. Despite this, he had another episode of chest pain 30 minutes later. He took the sublingual GTN again but this time, the pain did not resolve. He was then brought to the emergency department of Hospital Batu Pahat by his son. This is Mr. MSs fourth admission for chest pain since March 2010. Since his diagnosis of ischemic heart disease in March, he has experience angina attacks two to three times per week, especially on exertion such as when straining while passing motion. During these attacks, he uses sublingual GTN to relieve his symptoms and normally feels much better after that. He only comes to the hospital when GTN does not work to relieve his symptoms. Systemic Review Mr. MS does not experience symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, orthopnoea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, epigastric pain, shortness of breath, fever, and had no syncopal episodes. He also does not have loss of appetite or loss of weight. Bowel and urinary habits are normal. His sleep has not been affected until this current episode whereby he was awoken by the chest pain. Past Medical History Mr. MS was diagnosed with hypertension 6 years ago when he had an episode of headache. He has been on medication since and was on regular follow-up with KK Rengit. He was diagnosed with gout 5 years ago when he had a left big toe swelling which resolved after some medication. He is not on long term medication for gout. Mr. MS was admitted for the first time 5 years ago in 2005 when he had bilateral renal calculi. He was subsequently referred to Hospital Sultanah Aminah for further management of this problem and it has since resolved and does not have follow-up anymore. Mr. MS was diagnosed with ischemic heart disease in March 2010 when he presented with chest pain for the first time. Following his recovery, he underwent a stress test in Hospital Batu Pahat but according to him, was unable to complete the procedure due to chest discomfort. He was referred to the cardiology unit in Hospital Sultanah Aminah for further management where an angiogram was performed and he was told to have triple vessel disease. He was also told that angioplasty was not possible due to the severity of the blocks. He was recommended to have Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) but as of yet, no appointment has been made as he was still unsure of going through with the procedure. Following this episode of chest pain, Mr. MS has decided that going for the CABG is the only thing that will keep him alive. His current medications include: Tab Simvastatin 20mg OD Tab Metoprolol 75mg BD Tab Cardiprin 100mg OD Tab Isosorbide Dinitrate (ISDN) 5mg TDS Tab Amlodipine 10mg OD Sublingual Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) PRN He is compliant to his medication regime. Mr. MS is not known to have diabetes or hyperlipidemia. He also does not have any known food or drug allergies. Family History Mr. MS is the 3rd of 9 siblings. His father had hypertension and passed away a long time ago due to unknown causes. His mother and other siblings are healthy. None of them have hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease or malignancy. Social History He lives in a kampung in Rengit with his wife and 5 children. Mr. MS does not smoke nor consume alcohol. He works in a palm oil plantation. The distance from his house to Hospital Batu Pahat is about half an hour. On further enquiry, Mr. MS says that the cost of the CABG is about RM1000, which he can afford. 3) FINDINGS ON CLINICAL EXAMINATION (Mr. MS was examined by me 9 hours after onset of chest pain) Mr. MS was alert, conscious, and communicative. He was not in obvious pain or respiratory distress. He was lying down comfortably on his bed. There were no tendon xanthomata, xanthelasma, pallor, corneal arcus or pedal edema. His JVP was not raised. His clinical parameters are: Blood Pressure : 158/94 mmHg Heart Rate : 94 beats per minute. Regular rhythm Respiratory Rate : 20 breaths per minute Temperature : 37Â °C SpO2 : 97% under room air On examination of the precordium, the apex beat was located at the 5th intercostal space on the midclavicular line and was normal in character. Parasternal heave was not felt and there were no thrills. First and second heart sounds were heard. There were no murmurs or added heart sounds. On examination of the chest, there was no deformity and chest expansion was equal on both sides. Percussion and tactile vocal fremitus was normal and equal on both sides. On auscultation, vesicular breath sounds were heard throughout all lung fields with good air entry. There was no wheezing or crepitations heard. On examination of the abdomen, it was soft and non-tender. There were no masses felt. Bowel sounds were heard and normal. 4) PROVISIONAL AND DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES WITH REASONING Provisional Diagnosis Acute myocardial infarction with underlying triple vessel ischemic heart disease and hypertension With a history of diagnosed triple vessel ischemic heart disease with multiple episodes of angina attacks since the initial diagnosis, it is highly likely that Mr. MS is presenting with an acute coronary event and this should be a priority until proven otherwise. This is evidenced by the presentation of central, crushing chest pain of sudden onset that radiated to the neck and associated with profuse sweating and body weakness which is classical of a myocardial infarction. Mr. MS will require immediate investigations such as an electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes to differentiate the acute coronary syndromes so that the appropriate management may be instituted for him e.g. if he has an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), he will require myocardium-saving thrombolytic therapy to disrupt the ischemic event. As Mr. MS did not present with features such as acute shortness of breath, loss of consciousness and severe palpitations, it seems that he does not have complicati ons of acute myocardial infarction but these developments should be watched out for throughout his admission as complications may arise later. Differential Diagnosis Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism is a possibility that can be considered when a patient presents with an acute chest pain that is accompanied by shortness of breath, hemoptysis, tachypnea, fever and even cyanosis and collapse in severe cases. Furthermore, the chest pain is of a pleuritic nature, of which it is worsened on breathing, and a pleural rub can be heard on auscultation of the chest. However, Mr. MS did not present in such a way. At the same time, Mr. MS did not have risk factors such as a deep vein thrombosis, prolonged immobilization or recent surgery. It is still highly likely that Mr. MS has suffered an acute myocardial infarction, and an ECG would help to differentiate between the two as pulmonary embolism might show the classic S1Q3T3 pattern of right axis deviation or right bundle branch block. Either way, the diagnosis should be made quickly so treatment may be instituted before his condition becomes worse or complications develop. Aortic dissection Aortic dissection presents as an acute onset chest pain that is tearing in nature, and often radiates to the back. It is often confused with myocardial infarction due to its presentation but differences include the lack of profuse sweating, signs of heart pump dysfunction and a normal ECG. Risk factors are usually uncontrolled hypertension, connective tissue disorders or chest trauma. Mr. MS has hypertension, but is under control, and does not have the other risk factors. A diagnosis of myocardial infarction should be the priority as thrombolytic therapy is vital, but if there is any reason to doubt that diagnosis, then further investigations should be performed. 5) IDENTIFY AND PRIORITISE THE PROBLEMS 1. Acute chest pain Mr. MS has acute chest pain with features very suggestive of a classical picture of myocardial infarction as he presents with crushing central chest pain that radiates to the neck and associated with profuse sweating and weakness. Given that he is known to have triple vessel ischemic heart disease and that he has suffered many angina attacks since his initial diagnosis, it is highly likely that he is having an acute myocardial infarction. Without further a due, he needs an electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac enzymes tested to distinguish between the different acute coronary syndromes so that the appropriate treatment protocols may be initiated for him as soon as possible to disrupt the ongoing ischemia. As Mr. MS is having severe chest pain that may overstimulate his sympathetic system and cause further ischemia, he will require immediate supportive therapy such as effective pain medication and oxygen therapy. 2. Triple vessel ischemic heart disease awaiting CABG Mr. MS was diagnosed with triple vessel ischemic heart disease when he first presented with chest pain in March 2010 and has since experienced many episodes of angina. Given his diagnosis and disease pattern, he is at a very high risk of developing a severe acute coronary event that may prove fatal if the infarction is too extensive or if complications develop. As percutaneous revascularization with a stent or balloon was not possible for him, he will require a CABG to both relieve his symptoms and reduce his mortality risks in the long term. He was unsure of going ahead with the operation previously, therefore no appointment date was given for surgery. However, now that he has changed his mind, every effort should be made by both the doctors in charge of him here in Hospital Batu Pahat and in the cardiology unit of Hospital Sultanah Aminah to arrange for his surgery as soon as possible, given the circumstances of his condition. 3. Compliance to medication Mr. MS is on several medications for his triple vessel ischemic heart disease and will require revascularization surgery soon in order to decrease his mortality risks. However, waiting for a CABG in the government setting may take some time, even under dire circumstances due to the nature of the system. Therefore, it is extremely crucial that Mr. MS is compliant to his medication regime while awaiting a CABG to prevent another episode of infarction. He should be counseled to fully understand this and the situation of his ischemic heart disease. It is also the responsibility of his doctors to ensure that he is taking the right combination of medications with the aim to prevent another acute cardiac event. Meanwhile, a sufficient supply of sublingual GTN should be provided for Mr. MS in cases of angina attacks at home. He should come to the hospital immediately if GTN fails to relieve his symptoms. 4. Regular screening for comorbid diseases Mr. MS has not been diagnosed with diabetes or hyperlipidemia previously but these diseases are strong risk factors for the long term implications of his ischemic heart disease. Therefore, Mr. MS should be screened regularly e.g. twice yearly during his follow-up appointments. Early detection of diabetes is necessary so that treatment can start as soon as detected in order to prevent his ischemic heart disease from becoming worst than it already is. As for his lipid control, if his lipid profile is found to be outside the normal limits, the dosage of his medication can be increased as necessary. Following his CABG, he will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle of a good, well-balanced, low-salt and low-fat diet and regular exercise within his limits. 6) PLAN OF INVESTIGATION, JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE SELECTION OF TESTS OR PROCEDURES, AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS 1. Electrocardiogram (ECG) To look for any changes that may indicate an ongoing ischemic event, such as ST elevation or depression and T wave inversion in order to support the diagnosis of an acute myocardial infarction so appropriate treatment can be started. Differentiation of ST segment elevation or depression is also crucial in initiating treatment as thrombolytic therapy is only indicated for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Results: ECG on admission (2 hours after onset) shows sinus rhythm with ST depression at leads I, aVL, V3 V6 with left axis deviation. T wave was present and normal. Interpretation: The ST depression in the leads above indicate an ischemic event at the anterolateral sections of the heart. The lack of ST elevation concludes a diagnosis of either unstable angina or NSTEMI, depending on the levels of cardiac enzymes. There is no sign of old infarction. 2. Cardiac Enzymes To look for elevated levels of cardiac enzymes such as troponin T, creatinine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate transaminase (AST) that will indicate myocardium ischemia and necrosis. If elevated, a diagnosis of NSTEMI can be made in accordance with the ECG changes. However, cardiac enzymes when done too early after onset may not show any rise in levels 1. This does not mean that necrosis has not taken place and the test should be repeated once more at 6 hours after onset 1. Results: Troponin T (4 hours after onset) 2.75ng/ml ↑ (12 hours after onset) (60 hours after onset) Normal Range (U/L) CK 997 ↑ 263 ↑