Energy Finance Americas ( Sfs Ef ) - 1621 Words

SFS Energy Finance Americas (SFS EF AM) requests the approval to commit up to CA$50.0 million (US$37.6 million) to Tems Sayamkwu LP’s (TSLP) CA$198 million (approximately US$149 million) fixed rate Construction/Term Loan (the â€Å"Term Loan†). The initial tenor of the Term Loan is seven years (initial maturity date: Nov. 2025) with about CA$176.5 million or 89% of balloon requiring refinancing. The debt financing also includes a CA$13 million line of credit facility and SFS EF AM will not participate in the LC facility. TSLP will construct, own, and operate three separate, run-of-river hydroelectric generating stations (â€Å"Narrow Inlet† or the â€Å"Project†). These three power stations are Chickwat Creek, Ramona Lake and Ramona Creek. All of the†¦show more content†¦Altaqua Renewable Power Corp (10.6%) is a private company headquartered in British Columbia, Canada. Altaqua was the original developer of this project prior to May 2015 when BluEarth acquired a majority ownership. Tsain-ko Blue Run of River Limited Partnership (â€Å"shà ­shà ¡lh Nation†) (11.4%) is a First Nations band located in British Columbia, Canada. The Project is located within shà ­shà ¡lh Nation territory. BER’s subsidiary, BlueEarth Asset Management, Inc. (â€Å"BEAM†), will operate the plant pursuant to a long-term operating maintenance agreement (the â€Å"OMA†). BEAM has over 20 years of experience in the renewable plant operations, including about 25 MW run-of-river and 9 MW of lake storage facility. The turbines will be supplied by Global Hydro, an Austrian company. The Pelton technology has been in use since 1870 to extract energy from moving water. Pelton turbines are mainly used for relatively low quantities of water. Jim Dent Construction Ltd. (JDC) (NR) is the Prime Contractor for the Project. Murphy Project Management Services Inc. (MRMS or the â€Å"Construction Manager†) (NR), under a construction management contract, is responsible for management of work being performed by multiple sub-contractors under individual fixed price, date certain contracts. Please refer to the table on page 4 for a list of contractors and the individual scope of work. The Project will sell the energyShow MoreRelatedNew Term Loan Of Calpine Steamboat Holdings Essay1346 Words   |  6 PagesSFS Energy Finance Americas (â€Å"SFS EF AM†) requests the approval to commit up to $100 million to the proposed refinancing of the existing Term Loan of Calpine Steamboat Holdings, LLC (â€Å"Steamboat† or the â€Å"Borrower†). The Borrower plans to raise about $465.0 million in the new Term Loan (the â€Å"Term Loan†) to repay about $195.0 million of the remaining senior-secured term loan as well as partially reimburse Calpine Corporation (â€Å"Calpine†) (B+/Ba3/B+; SFS Equivalent 7+) for the acquisition related costs

Has Music Changed Free Essays

Over the last century, do you think music has changed from being about artistic expression to being more about money and business? Who owns the record companies and is there any room for indy’s? Yes music has definitely changed, the music industry is a big money making business. Throughout the last century the idea of music has changed for both the listener as well as the artist. In many cases, music is not recognized as an expression of art, but rather music has become a multi-billion dollar industry that is centered on the life style of the rich and famous. We will write a custom essay sample on Has Music Changed or any similar topic only for you Order Now No longer is the expression of music appreciated for how the artist arranges the sounds of music to produce a continuous and orderly composition through melody, harmony and timbre. But rather, within the last century music has become a means of advertisement, promoter of violence and an exploiter of sex drugs and alcohol. In other words, music has become a business adventure for the music artist. It is interesting that the music business focused on sales and marketing like other major corporations.In other words, within the last century the idea music is finding the right artist not much for their talent, but who would most likely produce the most record sales and who can fit the role of today’s music icons. Not only that, the music industry which is controlled by six Jewish companies who control 96% of the world’s media. Warner Music is by far the world’s largest record company, with 50 labels, the biggest of which is Warner Brother Records. How to cite Has Music Changed, Papers

Financial Analysis Statement An Introduction to Concepts

Question: Answer: Income Statement:- In the books of BreathScreen Inc. Income Statement:- for the year ended on 31st December,2013 Particulars Amount Amount ($) Sales Revenue 23,000,000 Other Operating Revenue - Total Revenue 23,000,000 Cost of Goods Sold (8,100,000) Gross Profit 14,900,000 License Fees (3,000,000) - Less: Prepaid Fees (250,000) (2,750,000) Salaries (3,700,000) Manufacturing Overhead Expenses (2,000,000) Advertisement (2,000,000) Depreciation on Machinery (3,000,000) Amortization on Trademark (600,000) Net Operating Income 850,000 Interest Received 200,000 Revaluation Surplus 4,600,000 Earnings before Interest Taxes 5,650,000 Finance Cost (300,000) Profit Before Income Tax 5,350,000 Income Tax Expenses @ 17% (909,500) Net Profit for the Period 4,440,500 Balance Sheet:- In the books of BreathScreen Inc. Balance Sheet:- for the year ended on 31st December,2013 Particulars Amount Amount Current Asset: Accounts Receivable 9,600,000 Cash in Hand 18,690,500 Closing Stock 900,000 Prepaid Expenses 250,000 Total Current Assets 29,440,500 Fixed Non-Current Assets:- Machinery 13,500,000 Add: Installation Cost 1,500,000 15,000,000 Less: Accumulated Depreciation (3,000,000) 12,000,000 Trademark 10,000,000 Technology 2,000,000 Total Fixed Non-Current Assets 24000000 TOTAL ASSETS 53,440,500 Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable 3,000,000 Total Current Liabilities 3,000,000 Non-Current Liabilities:- Loan from Bank 6,000,000 Total Current Liabilities 6,000,000 TOTAL LIABILITIES 9,000,000 Equity Capital: Share Capital 40,000,000 Retained Earnings - Add: Net Profit After Tax 4,440,500 4,440,500 Total Equity Capital 44,440,500 TOTAL EQUITY LIABILITIES 53,440,500.00 Cash Flow Statement under Indirect Method:- In the books of BreathScreen Inc. Cash Flow Statement:- for the year ended on 31st December,2013 Particulars Amount Amount Cash Flow from Operating Activities:- Net Operating income 850,000 Less : Tax Expenses (909,500) Net Operating Loss After Tax (59,500) Add: Depreciation Amortization: Depreciation on Machinery 3,000,000 Amortization of Trademark 600,000 3,600,000 Add: Increase in Current Liabilities: Increase in Accounts Payable 3000000 3000000 Less: Increase in Current Assets: Increase in Accounts Receivable (9,600,000) Increase in Closing Stock (900,000) Increase in Prepaid Expenses (250,000) (10,750,000) Net Cash Outflow from Operating Activities (4,209,500) Cash Flow from Financing Activities:- Issue of Share Capital in Cash 34,000,000 Loan from Capital 6,000,000 Finance Cost (300,000) Interest Received on Bank Account 200,000 Net Cash Inflow from Financing Activities 39,900,000 Cash Flow from Investment Activities:- Purchase of Machinery (13,500,000) Installation of Machinery (1,500,000) Purchase of Technology (2,000,000) Net Cash Inflow from Financing Activities (17,000,000) Net Cash Increase/(Decrease) for the Year 18,690,500 Add : Opening Cash Balance 0 Closing Cash Balance 18,690,500 Bibliography:- Christensen, T. E., Baker, R. E., Cottrell, D. M. (2014).Advanced Financial Accounting. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Deegan, C. (2013).Financial accounting theory. McGraw-Hill Education Australia Horngren, C., Harrison, W., Oliver, S., Best, P., Fraser, D., Tan, R. (2012).Financial Accounting. Pearson Higher Education AU Weil, R. L., Schipper, K., Francis, J. (2013).Financial accounting: an introduction to concepts, methods and uses. Cengage Learning

What is religious fundamentalism

Religious fundamentalism is a focus on differences between members of society on the basis of their subscription or non subscription to a particular faith. It leads to discrimination and divides people into righteous and unrighteous dichotomies. Furthermore, non believers are often the target of blame when problems arise in society. Johnstone (206) affirms that religious fundamentalists reject secularization and insist on adherence to traditional practice.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on What is religious fundamentalism? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Fundamentalism is existent in almost all religions of the world. In Islam, it is manifested when followers oppose writings in books, articles or speeches that criticize the Islamic faith. A case in point was the depiction of Prophet Mohamed in a French newspaper. This sparked riots and violence across various Islamic nations around the world despite the fact that the cartoon was not maliciously motivated. Additionally, several political groups in Islamic nations, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Egypt and Iraq, regard political extremism as a central part of their lives. For instance, the Muslim Brotherhood is just one of the numerous institutions that has brought Islamic fundamentalism back into the political sphere of a Muslim nation. As a consequence, these nations reject consumerism, feminism and several other tenets of the modern era. It is not uncommon to see loggings, mutilations, and female mistreatment in the public sphere within these fundamentalist nations (Coreno 335). In the Christian faith, Protestant fundamentalism stemmed from an early twentieth century publication designed to outline the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Its purpose was to unite American Protestants by clarifying the beliefs that were non-negotiable in their faith. In modern times, Protestant fundamentalism takes the form of reaffirming literal interpretations and applications of the bible. This school of thought moves away from institutional Christianity and the use of sacraments. Instead, it advocates conversion and intimate spiritual experiences. Just like the Islamic fundamentalists mentioned above, Christian fundamentals are also politically conservative. However, their brand of conservatism started in the late nineteenth century. First, a number of them were worried about the effect of science on their followers as the latter phenomenon challenged the Bible’s central claim to truth. In line with this issue was the development of Darwinism, which questioned the authenticity of the Christian creation story.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Furthermore, sociological theories like Marxism claimed that Christianity pacified the masses to protect elitist interests. Johnstone (212) explains that the fundamentalists responded b y focusing on traditional Christian messages rather than on the social aspect. In essence, they were reacting to the disenfranchisement of religion. Evangelical groups now manifest their fundamentalist inclinations through the political sphere, education (in the form of primary and secondary schools), as well as their publications. Several schools are either funded or run by Christian fundamentals. These groups often endorse political parties that support their conservative beliefs. Some of them may lobby against laws that they perceive as secular. Examples include abortion and legalization of gay marriage. In essence, all fundamentalist groups, regardless of which religion they subscribe to, have certain characteristics in common. First, they emerge out of a need to defend religious tradition. Usually, modernization may manifest in one form or another, and thus could be perceived as an attack against the church. Besides this trait, religious fundamentalism is also selective in natu re. It will use an aspect of modernity as well as religion to delineate itself from conventional religion. Cases in point include the use of the internet to spread Islamic fundamentalist teaching and opposition of American Protestants to abortion. Fundamentalists also perceive the world dualistically, in that it is either evil or righteous. Another trait is their propensity towards absolutism. Members must accept their main texts (e.g. Bible or Torah) as accurate and unquestionable. Finally, these schools of thought often have a messianic promise. They assure their followers that they will be rewarded in the end times for their suffering (Emerson Hartman 130). Works Cited Coreno, Timothy. â€Å"Fundamentalism as a class culture.† Sociol. Relig. Journal 63(2002): 335–60. Print. Emerson, Michael Hartman. David. â€Å"The rise of religious fundamentalism.† American Rev. Sociol. 32(2006): 127-144. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on What is religious fundamentalism? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on What is religious fundamentalism? was written and submitted by user Gabriella Becker to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Mussolini and the Church essays

Mussolini and the Church essays During the outbreak of World War I, Italy remained a neutral state, many socialists including Benito Mussolini at the time believed that war was imperialistic and contrary to working class interests. The Italian government intrigued by the territorial lands they would acquire through the treaty of London agreed to ally themselves with Russia, Great Britain, and France. As the country prepared for war, Mussolini changed his stance and supported the call to war initiative, his reversal was justified in the belief that wartime chaos would spark a revolution and encourage nationalistic feelings amongst the citizenry. Feelings he could capitalize on. Such thoughts subsequently earned him dismal from the Italian Socialist Party. When the war concluded in November 1918, Mussolini sympathized with the nations hundreds of thousands of war veterans, many of whom were unemployed and dissatisfied with the liberal Italian state. To rouse their support, Mussolini established a political movement called the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento members of this movement came to be known as Fascists. Initially, youth were organized into armed squads in order to defend Fascist rallies. Later on, these squads would be used to attack and disrupt the rallies of rival political factions such as the socialists. Through this tactic Mussolini effectively integrated wartime tactics into peacetime politics. This paper will briefly outline the historical significance of the affiliation between Church and State, how the rise to fascist prominence in 1922 coincided with its relationship to Roman Catholic Church as illustrated by the constant tension of Mussolinis agreements with the Vatican. In order to gain an understanding of the relationship between Church and fascist Italy it is wise to examine the historical ties between pre-Fascist Italy and the Vatican. As it was in Spain, the relationship was hostile. The State att...

Sentence Adverbs

Sentence Adverbs Sentence Adverbs Sentence Adverbs By Maeve Maddox Not all adverbs end in -ly, but many do. Like all adverbs, -ly adverbs are used to add meaning to verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. For example: Jones deals honestly with all his customers. (adverb modifying the verb deals) The lecture on adiabatic and isochoric kinetics was mercifully brief. (adverb modifying the adjective brief) The concert is over. You have arrived unfortunately late. (adverb modifying the adverb late) Some -ly adverbs can also be used to modify an entire sentence. For example: Honestly, most television comedies are unbearably vulgar. (adverb modifying entire sentence) Mercifully, the blast was prevented by the swift arrival of the fire brigade. (adverb modifying entire sentence) Fortunately, the ship stayed afloat long enough for all the passengers to be rescued. (adverb modifying entire sentence) In each of these examples, the adverb at the beginning of the sentence is set off by a comma and conveys the attitude of the speaker toward the entire thought being expressed. Generally speaking (as opposed to more precise classifications in linguistics) adverbs used in this way are called â€Å"sentence adverbs.† Here is a list of other adverbs that may be used as sentence adverbs: actually apparently basically briefly certainly clearly conceivably confidentially curiously evidently hopefully ideally incidentally interestingly ironically naturally presumably regrettably seriously surprisingly thankfully truthfully Note: Some last-ditch language sticklers reject the right of hopefully to be included in this list. According to these cranky holdouts, the only meaning for hopefully that â€Å"careful writers† should recognize is â€Å"with hope,† as in â€Å"My dog Cash stared hopefully at the treat jar.† They reject the notion that hopefully can also be used to introduce a sentence with the sense of â€Å"I hope† or â€Å"it is to be hoped,† as in this sentence: â€Å"Hopefully, the new millage will pass, and we can expand the library.† English speakers have been using hopefully as a sentence adverb for eighty years at least- possibly longer. â€Å"Careful writers† may continue to avoid its use as they wish, but ridiculing its use by others is bad form. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:15 Terms for Those Who Tell the Future25 Russian Words Used in English (and 25 More That Should Be)Epidemic vs. Pandemic vs. Endemic

Personal Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 7

Personal Statement - Essay Example In order to achieve our goal, we have hosted several events in this quarter, such as the Kickoff, the UPS event, getting students to go to the ALPFA events at UW Foster, and the joint potluck with the International Students Association. The biggest event was a speech from Nancy Koeper, the president of the northwest region of UPS. The event gave me an opportunity to demonstrate my leadership skills. I was supposed to inform all the students in our class of this event. Moreover, I was required to help set up the place where the event took place. Everything went so well, and the event was extremely successful since over 200 students were there to listen to Nancy’s speech. Even though I did not solely contribute towards the success of this event, I felt so proud of myself. I had taken part in ensuring the event was successful. This was a great move towards my future goal of being an eminent leader. Participating in planning for this event enabled me develop skills in different aspects. To start with, I improved on my public speaking skills since I had to make an announcement in classes to let many students know about this event and get them to participate. I had to address the whole class, which helped me get rid of my fear of public speaking. Additionally, I built many valuable relationships with my schoolmates. Before I joined the club, most of the people I hung out with were Koreans. This club activity enabled me to build relationships not only with professors, but also with many other students from different countries. I had more opportunities to be exposed to new cultures, which helped me mingle harmoniously with other students. Most of all, I re gained confidence in myself. Although I had experiences as a member of student council in high school, I lost confidence in myself when I realized I had poor English communication skills. However, my roles in Business Leadership Club have enabled me rebuilt trust in my

What's the Good of Plato's Republic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

What's the Good of Plato's Republic - Essay Example said to be parallel to ascent which is described in the cave parable implying that for all terms in epistemological promotion there exist corresponding different objects or object. Looking at the analogy of divided line, it is worth noting that forms are different from things which are perceptible. Also, accessing epistemic things is not related in any way to intelligent forms. The stages in the ascent of the cave are given as prisoners being chained, prisoners in the cave who are not chained, those who use sun’s light to view things which are perceptible and those who see the sun and understand the power of the sun. States of mind which are four in number are distinguished as for four unique stages using the ascent from the cave as3: The unchained prisoners who are not able to be up the steep which was considered to be steep saw artifacts and fire that casted shadows on walls4. Such prisoners are said to see more clearly and correctly since they were seeing what is closer to real or more real. However, before prisoners grew accustomed to what they saw, they are forced to think the shadows are true as compared with what they were then able to see. The prisoners, who managed to be in the cave via the rough steep wall, are said to be in day light and they are dazzled at the beginning. After the dazzling they saw shadows, reflections and perceptible things in that order5. Afterwards, they saw the sky, the moon and the stars. The prisoners who managed to be out of the cave are said to have seen the real sun or the sun as it is. After seeing the sun itself, they realized that the sun is responsible for the change of years and seasons. Such prisoners are said to have overseen everything in topos of visibility. This group of people is said to have seen all the visible; they have attained the final goal of visibility. The sun is responsible for the provision of light which is used in seeing things. This sun is viewed to be analogous to good6. The term good refers to

Review Questions Essay Example for Free

Review Questions Essay What are some factors (patterns of behavior) that project a company’s culture? List several examples from organizations you work in. The factors that are most important in the creation of an organization’s culture include founders’ values, preferences, and industry demands. A company’s culture, particularly during its early years, is inevitably tied to the personality, background, and values of its founder or founders, as well as their vision for the future of the organization. It is shaped in the early days of a company’s history. When entrepreneurs establish their own businesses, the way they want to do business determines the organization’s rules, the structure set-up in the company, and the people they hire to work with them. While founders undoubtedly exert a powerful influence over corporate cultures, the industry characteristics also play a role. Industry characteristics and demands act as a force to create similarities among organizational cultures. For example, despite some differences, many companies in the insurance and banking industries are stable and rule oriented, many companies in the high-tech industry have innovative cultures, and companies in the nonprofit industry tend to be people oriented. 3. What are three major elements that complicate listening? Give customer-service related examples of each. The three elements that complicate listening comprise the internal, environmental and interactional elements. To start with, internal elements involve the use of words at a level that the hearer can hear, and the most importantly, can understand. Talking loudly and nonsensely or meaninglessly can totally deviate your customers from doing business with your company. The customer services on the phone can result in such scenario if the voice of the customer rep is too low or too loud, or the line is not clear or s/he uses very technical words that the receiver cannot understand. Secondly, the environmental factors â€Å"which determine what we are able to listen to and what we cannot. These factors can impact our individual ability to listen and our organization’s listening capacity, as well. These factors include:   Our individual listening capacity, the presence of noise, and the use or misuse of gatekeepers. † (Timm, Paul, Pg. 43) â€Å"In contrast to the environmental elements of the listening process, the interactional elements concern internal psychological processes that are not as easily identified. Two such psychological elements deserve careful consideration: self-centeredness and self-protection.

Themes in The Old Man and the Sea :: Old Man and the Sea Essays

Themes in The Old Man and the Sea    The Old Man and the Sea is a heroic tale of man’s strength pitted against forces he cannot control. It is a tale about an old Cuban fisherman and his three-day battle with a giant Marlin. Through the use of three prominent themes; friendship, bravery, and Christianity; the â€Å"Old Man and the Sea† strives to teach important life lessons to the reader. The relationship between the old man and the boy is introduced early in the story. They are unlikely companions; one is old and the other young, yet they share an insuperable amount of respect and loyalty for each other. Santiago does not treat Manolin as a young boy but rather as an equal. Age is not a factor in their relationship. Manolin does not even act as a young boy; he is mature and sensitive to Santiago’s feelings. He even offers to go against his parent’s wishes and accompany Santiago on his fishing trips. Santiago is viewed as an outcast in his village because he has not caught any fish for more than eighty-four days and is therefore â€Å"unlucky†. Nonetheless Manolin is loyal to Santiago and even when his parents forbid him he wants to help his friend. Their conversations are comfortable, like that of two friends who have known each other for their whole lives. When they speak it is usually about baseball or fishing, the two things they have most in common. Their favorite team is the Yankees and Santiago never loses faith in them even when the star player, Joe DiMaggio is injured with a heel spur. In this way Santiago not only teaches Manolin about fishing but also about important characteristics such as faith. In the story Santiago’s bravery is unsurpassed but it is not until he hooks the â€Å"great fish† that we truly see his valor and perseverance. Through Santiago’s actions Hemingway teaches the reader about bravery and perseverance in the face of adversity. He demonstrates that even when all is lost and seems hopeless a willful heart and faith will overcome anything. Santiago had lost his â€Å"luckiness† and therefore the respect of his village. Through the description of his cabin we also suspect that Santiago is a widower. Although Santiago has had many troubles he perseveres. He has faith in Manolin, in the Yankees, in Joe DiMaggio, and most importantly in himself. Themes in The Old Man and the Sea :: Old Man and the Sea Essays Themes in The Old Man and the Sea    The Old Man and the Sea is a heroic tale of man’s strength pitted against forces he cannot control. It is a tale about an old Cuban fisherman and his three-day battle with a giant Marlin. Through the use of three prominent themes; friendship, bravery, and Christianity; the â€Å"Old Man and the Sea† strives to teach important life lessons to the reader. The relationship between the old man and the boy is introduced early in the story. They are unlikely companions; one is old and the other young, yet they share an insuperable amount of respect and loyalty for each other. Santiago does not treat Manolin as a young boy but rather as an equal. Age is not a factor in their relationship. Manolin does not even act as a young boy; he is mature and sensitive to Santiago’s feelings. He even offers to go against his parent’s wishes and accompany Santiago on his fishing trips. Santiago is viewed as an outcast in his village because he has not caught any fish for more than eighty-four days and is therefore â€Å"unlucky†. Nonetheless Manolin is loyal to Santiago and even when his parents forbid him he wants to help his friend. Their conversations are comfortable, like that of two friends who have known each other for their whole lives. When they speak it is usually about baseball or fishing, the two things they have most in common. Their favorite team is the Yankees and Santiago never loses faith in them even when the star player, Joe DiMaggio is injured with a heel spur. In this way Santiago not only teaches Manolin about fishing but also about important characteristics such as faith. In the story Santiago’s bravery is unsurpassed but it is not until he hooks the â€Å"great fish† that we truly see his valor and perseverance. Through Santiago’s actions Hemingway teaches the reader about bravery and perseverance in the face of adversity. He demonstrates that even when all is lost and seems hopeless a willful heart and faith will overcome anything. Santiago had lost his â€Å"luckiness† and therefore the respect of his village. Through the description of his cabin we also suspect that Santiago is a widower. Although Santiago has had many troubles he perseveres. He has faith in Manolin, in the Yankees, in Joe DiMaggio, and most importantly in himself.

Hillcrest Case 7 H&P

HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAM Patient: T. J. Moreno Patient ID: 110497DOB: 02/15Age: 44Sex: M Room No. : 502 Date of Admission: 10/09/2013 Admitting Physician: Patrick Keathley, MD Endocrinology Chief Complaint: Left ankle pain. DETAILS OF PRESENT ILLNESS: This is a 44 year old Hispanic male who I was kindly asked to admit by Dr. Max Hirsch. The patient is status post arthrodesis of the left ankle and has newly diagnosed diabetes and hypertension. PAST MEDICAL HISTORY: Pre-op blood glucose was noted to be greater than 200. The patent asked for a medicine consult/admission for further evaluation.Currently he denies chest pain and shortness of breath. No dysuria, or increased urinary frequency. Past history is significant for hearing loss in the right ear subsequent to an assault several years ago. PAST SURGICAL HISTORY: Lower back surgery and a left ankle surgery. SOCIAL HISTORY: Patient admits to drinking beer on the weekends, some tobacco use, but no illicit drug use, is divorced with f our children, is a long haul truck driver, lives with his fiancee. MEDICATIONS: Patient is to provide a list, admits to taking no diabetes meds. PHSYICAL EXAMINATION: VITAL SIGNS: afebrile, BLOOD PRESSURE: 155/98. HEART RATE: 69.In general he is in no acute distress, alert and oriented X4. HEENT: Mucus membranes moist. No facial asymmetry. Left ear : WNL, Right ear: with profound hearing loss. LUNGS: clear to auscultation and percussion bilaterally. CV: Normal. S1, S2 without murmurs or rubs. GI: soft, non-tender, non-distended. No HSM. Positive Bowel sounds. GENITALIA: deferred. EXTREMEITIES: No edema. He has been admitted for left ankle surgery. NEUROLOGIC: intact with the exception on cranial nerve on the right. LABS: CBC within normal range. Pre-op glucose 239. BUN and creatinine of 8 and 0. 5. Pre-op UA with 3+ glucose. (Continued)HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAM Patient: T. J. Moreno Patient ID: 110497DOB: 02/15Age: 44Sex: M Room No. : 502 Page: 2 ASSESSMENT AND PLAN: 1) Status post ankle arthrodesis: tolerated procedure well, will continue to monitor. 2) Diabetes: patient with elevated glucose and blood in urine. We will start sliding scale for now. Likely needs Lantus. Possible candidate for Metformin. 3) Hypertension: We will start lisinopril. 4) Pain: we will continue to monitor pain post-op and provide adequate pain control. _____________________________________________________________ Patrick Keathley, MD Endocrinology PH/xx D: 10/09/ T: 10/10

A Virtuous Woman Essay

Kay Gibbons can be said as one of the remarkable writers during her time. Despite of her past experiences especially during her childhood, remained strong and determined to pursue her dreams and make everything possible through her novels. Gibbons was born in 1960 at Wilson North Carolina. She is the daughter of Charles and Alice Butts. Her father is a tobacco farmer who is an alcoholic while her mother is a simple housewife. Her mother has a bipolar disorder that caused her death. She was first married to Michael Gibbons but after few years, they separated. Despite of the separation, Gibbons had her children namely Mary, Leslies, and Louise. She got married again to Frank Ward who is an attorney, but they separated in 1995. Now, she lived in Raleigh, North Carolina. According to researches about Kay Gibbons’ life, she loved reading a lot. In order to read books, she walked for three miles just to go to the Bookmobile where everything can be read for free. Acknowledging this kind of talent, she started writing her own novel. Her first novel was â€Å"Ellen Foster† in 1987. After a successful launch of this novel, she wrote another novel entitled â€Å"A Virtuous Woman† in 1989 that brought more success to her uprising career. After the two novels, she made another 6 novels – â€Å"A Cure for Dreams† in 1991, â€Å"Charms for Easy Life† in 1993, â€Å"Sights Unseen† in 1995, â€Å"On the Occasion of my last Afternoon† in 1998, â€Å"Diving Women† in 2004, and â€Å"The Life All around Me by Ellen Foster† in 2005. As we can see through Gibbons’ title of her novel, everything is about women. She talks about the weaknesses and strengths of women through her novels. However, she makes sure that women are winner in their duel against men in terms of social situations and relationships. One of the examples of Gibbons’ comparison of men and women’s capability in terms of relationship and love was her novel â€Å"A Virtuous Woman†. The story of Kay Gibbons entitled â€Å"A Virtuous Woman† is about an incomparable love between a couple that has been in love with one another despite of their age gap. Ruby is 20 years old while Jack is already 40 years old when they met each other and fall in love to one another. Despite having their gap, their love to one another bloomed in a lavishing way. Until one day, Ruby died due to lung cancer. Jack became paralyzed emotionally and intellectually because of her wife’s death. He grieved alone after his wife’s death. He also remained strong physically but he could not already utilize his body. This is a love story, plain and simple. It’s the tale of a 40-year-old tenant farmer and a 20-year –old daughter of the gentry, who happen upon each other through fate or by chance. Jack and Ruby alternately tell the story of their marriage, painting a picture of deep and varied color. They speak of the everyday events that shaped their lives, their shard philosophies, and their different approaches to problem solving. This creates a crystal-clear picture of a deep and abiding marriage of both body and soul. But late in the novel, Ruby dies of lung cancer, and Jack is left alone with his recollections and his grief. This audio review shows that Gibbons made a good attack in her novel. She opened a wide variety of perspectives and ideologies within her story. Though it was a simple story, stating everything of the characters’ everyday life and relationship, Gibbons put something into those scenarios in the story that readers could not also express. It means that her point of attack with every chapter of the novel is not the usual content of a story. These are the images and symbolisms in the novel. Readers can see but they could not understand the real meaning for they were showered with abundant conditions of the characters and their conflicts. Because the theme of the novel is love, Gibbons stated different arguments of acceptance, humility, contentment, and happiness. By showing the situation of the relationship of Ruby and Jack, Gibbons also explored the life of a young woman feel in love to an old man. Even if Jack is not that old, their age gap gave definition to the quotation, â€Å"love is blind for it comes in different sizes and shapes. † Her justification and evidence of true love were all stated in the novel. However, the question with this is that Ruby died first while Jack lives longer, why does Ruby became the virtuous woman? It is an amplification of women’s gravity towards men. Despite of her sickness, Ruby still work for her husband’s contentment while at home. Before she died, she preserved all things and foods needed by Jack for the next few weeks. She remained strong before she died. Her life during her first relationship was very tortuous that gave her inoperable tumors. However, despite all of these causes, she opened her life again to jack and gave him the best while she was suffering from her illness. Though Jack knows that Ruby is already suffering from her cancer, he still thought for his own self. As both characters in A Virtuous Woman come to grips with their impending tragedy, the interior monologues that Gibbons has Jack and Ruby voice in the novel propel it forward. Toward the end, Gibbons switches to a third-person perspective as the motivations and actions of other characters involved in Jack and Ruby’s life come into play. Elements of fiction developed the theme through its setting that gives atmosphere and connection between the story and the characters. Another element is the characters. They are the determiners of the story, whether to push each other’s character or to leave one another in vain. Characterization is also important in this theme because characterization moulds the characters into a certain aspect that is connected to the theme of the story. Another important thing to consider in showing the theme of the story is the plot. There must be a convincing conflict, a distinct climax, and a strategic resolution and lastly, the symbolism within the story. The theme of the story mostly manifests on the author’s symbolism whether nature, actions, or words of the characters. All of these things should be stated clearly in order to give its readers the justification to conclude the theme of the story because the author does not state his or her theme in the beginning of the story. Readers should obtain the meanings of the symbols, setting, and characters of the story in order to acquire the theme. When it comes to these elements of fiction, Gibbons stated her setting, characters, symbolisms, plot, conflict, and characterization thoroughly. She characterizes her characters in a simple but significant way. Her setting is also simple but her strategic attack towards every single situation in the story is different. She showered her readers with different symbolisms even if the plot and conflicts are simple. It means that a writer does not need to find strange plot and conflict just to attract readers. In terms of Kay Gibbons’ effectiveness, it can be said that she is an effective writer. She knows how to create imaginative characters with true personality. Once a reader read her novel, it was like a form of watching because the reader cold explore various elements of the characters, the settings, the images, and the whole plot of the story. She can also be seen as a feminist because she made sure in her novels that women are higher than men in almost every aspect. It is maybe because of her personal experiences as a wife and a daughter. As a whole, Kay Gibbons’ creativity and style towards her novels gave an opportunity to other women to show their meanings through their novels. It should not be an autobiography story but a way to show the society that women are not just instruments of men for they have their own identities. Kay Gibbon had learned from all her experiences in life. What she wants to experience with men was stated in her novels because in her novels, she can control men and gave them their weaknesses. It means that Gibbons’ is empowering women to stand in whatever kind of situation they may be. She described women as virtuous for in the society, women are only instruments and subjects. Through her novels, women are powerful and amazing in everything they do. Works Cited DeMarr, Mary Jean. Kaye Gibbons: A Critical Companion. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2003. Gibbons, Kaye. A Virtuous Woman. New York: Vintage Books, 1990. â€Å"Kaye Gibbons. † Contemporary Authors Online. 2006. Thomson Gale. Northeast Alabama Community College Lib. , AL 17 Oct. 2007 . Kaye Gibbons Home Page. 2007. 17 Oct. 2007 . Taylor, Maurice. â€Å"A Virtuous Woman. † Library Journal Apr. 1989. 17 Oct. 2007. MAS Ultra – School

Huntingtons Disease essays

Huntingtons Disease essays Huntingtons Disease is caused by the genetically programmed degeneration of brain cells, called neurons. Symptoms of this include clumsiness, forgetfulness, mood swings, lack of coordination, depression, and involuntary twitching. It causes emotional disturbance, uncontrolled movements like the head, trunk and limbs, and loss of intellectual faculties. Also slowly diminishes ability to walk, think, talk, and reason. As the disease progresses, concentration and short-term memory diminish. Eventually the person is unable to care for him or herself. Becomes harder to walk, speak, and swallow. It is named for Dr. George Huntington who first described and identified it in 1872. Death can happen from choking, infection or heart failure. Huntingtons Disease usually begins in mid-life, between 30 and 45, thought it could as early as the age of two. Huntingtons Disease affects male and females, and all ethnic and racial boundaries. Each child of a person has a 50-50 chance of inheriting the gene. Everyone who carries the gene will develop the disease. Huntingtons Disease is fatal, and is permanent if you carry the gene. Medications are prescribed to help control emotional and movement problems associated with Huntingtons Disease. Most drugs used to treat the symptoms have side effects such as fatigue, restlessness, or hyper excitability. But right now it is not treatable. There are no cures as of right now, but scientists say with the growing study of Huntingtons Disease a cure is forthcoming. Huntingtons Disease was described in 1872, but not discovered until 1993. Scientists are using electronics and other technologies enabling them to see what the gene does to various structures in the brain, and how it affects the bodys chemistry and metabolism. Laboratory animals are being bred with the hope of duplicating the clinical features so researchers can learn more about symptoms and progres ...

8 Most Important Updates for You to Know on LinkedIn †March 2016

8 Most Important Updates for You to Know on LinkedIn – March 2016 It’s hard to believe 6 months have passed since my last  What’s New on LinkedIn update in October 2015. There are a bunch of updates I want you to know about. They may have passed across your inbox, and you might have taken note, or you might not have paid attention. This summary should be all you need to make sure you’re on top of the current features on LinkedIn! Managing your settings – coming soon The â€Å"Privacy Settings† menu is soon going to be easier to navigate. All settings will be categorized into three groups: Account, Privacy and Communications. It will look something like this: Connection suggestions – coming soon LinkedIn will be suggesting more connections to you based on who has you in the contacts they’ve uploaded to LinkedIn. You will also have more control over who sees you as a suggested connection. Here’s what one of those suggestions will look like: Reminder: You can send customized messages via mobile! I mentioned this in my October update and it’s worth addressing again. Be careful when you send invitations via your mobile device. Do NOT click on â€Å"Connect† – you need to find the â€Å"Menu† or â€Å"More† button on an Android or the â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬  on an iPhone. Here’s what that looks like on an iPhone: Next you’ll get a â€Å"Customize invite† option: Click on â€Å"Customize invite† and write your message. Your connections will appreciate you for treating them like human beings not robots. More mobile application changes LinkedIn rolled out a new and improved mobile app in December. You should now be having a better experience with its new 5 core areas, Your Feed (Home), Me, My Network, Messaging, and Search. For more info see Our New LinkedIn App is Here! Making it Easier than Ever to Stay In Touch with the People and Information you Need to be Successful. Insights on LinkedIn job postings LinkedIn has made it easier to find background information about jobs that interest you. Enjoy discovering †¦ What connections you have at a company: Who will work with you if you get the job: Hiring trends at the company (for premium subscribers): This data puts you as a job seeker in a powerful position to understand your viability as a potential employee and to connect with the right people at the organization. Snagajob LinkedIn is providing more resources for hourly jobseekers through Snagajob. One significant implication of this partnership is that having a LinkedIn profile will become important for a wider audience. Snagajob subscribers will also get a 1-month free subscription to Lynda.com where they can take courses to acquire important skills for their profession. Inbox Messaging Honestly, LinkedIn’s Updated Messaging Features have been driving me and many people I know up a wall. Old messages are vanishing like hotcakes. I’m hoping LinkedIn will fix this soon! Introductions In October I highlighted problems with the Request an introduction feature on LinkedIn. I’m happy to report that it is now working properly! If you want to be introduced to a second degree connection, go to your mutual connection’s profile page and look on the right hand side for the â€Å"How You’re Connected† section. Click on â€Å"Get introduced† to be taken to a pre-populated messaging template that can be customized as needed. Enjoy expanding your network with this now functional feature! OK savvy LinkedIn users, have fun with all these changes. As soon as you get used to this bunch, there will be more. And if you have questions about any of these changes or others you are noticing, let me know and I’ll do my best to address them in future blogs and e-book editions!

Critical analysis paper -Womens Philanthropy Board Fall Luncheon to Essay

Critical analysis paper -Womens Philanthropy Board Fall Luncheon to kick off yearlong commemoration of 50 Years of Integration at Auburn University the speaker was Marybeth Gasman - Essay Example Demonstrating her power of speech, her content had accurate facts; her speech seemed well organized with a clear introduction and good conclusion; the manner of delivery was perfect with high eloquence and clear voice as well as keeping the audience entertained throughout. It all showed how well prepared she was (Darlington, para.3). The contents of Professor Gasman’s speech concentrated on the theme of the event and sometimes beyond. She even touched on the need for students to recognize and appreciate efforts made by their respective colleges when they finish their education, expressing alarm over the decreasing number of people registering in alumni. To make her facts accurate, she shared statistics obtained from a recent study based on how African Americans give back to their Universities they graduated from and how they give in general to the church tithes offering and the family members (para.43). This example, however, did not go down well with the African American students in the room and most of them saw this piece of information irrelevant to the topic of the event (para.4). The speech was well organized and seemed to flow from the beginning to the end (para.17). Her introduction focused on huddles faced on the journey to academic excellence in various parts of the world. She made her introduction perfect by paying tribute to the students and staff who lost their lives in the deadly shooting at Connecticut elementary, which made her seize our attention (para.16). The introduction transited smoothly to her main speech of the day where she concentrated on the benefits of integration. She ended her speech by outlining a summary her main points thus making it a strong conclusion (para.46). The speech delivery was very convenient and thorough. She used an effective microphone with good sound quality that never jammed during her entire speech. The microphone made her voice loud enough and we got every detail of her speech clearly

Weather Phenomenons vs. Crop Prices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Weather Phenomenons vs. Crop Prices - Essay Example These elements are composed of what is known as weather phenomena such a drought, hurricane, wind, heavy rainfall, and snow. Drought, for example, tends to destroy crops, thereby decreasing its supply in the market and increasing prices. Other weather phenomena also affect the prices of the crops commodities in different ways, as will be discussed in the paper. Weather Phenomenon vs. Crop Prices Introduction In its literal meaning, weather refers to a state of the atmosphere, to the extent to which it is cold, hot, dry, wet, stormy, calm, cloudy, or clear. In general terms, it refers to the day-to-day temperature and rainfall activities. According to Arnold (2010), weather is associated with a number of phenomena that influence greatly the prices of crops. The phenomena include droughts, prolonged heavy rainfalls (El-Nino), hurricanes, hailstorms, lightning, clouds, snow, and wind. The objective of this paper is to explore the current weather phenomena and their impact on crop prices . Drought Drought refers to a period of a dry spell when there is no rainfall. It is one of the major weather phenomena that affect the prices of crops. This is due to the fact that during a dry spell, crops usually dry up in the farms leading to poor harvest. This in turn, will lead to shortage of crops in the market (Bolling, 2000). When such a shortage occurs, the demand of the crops in the market will likely outweigh their supply. This will result in an increase in the price of these crops, as many buyers will be competing to buy them. Such a situation is being witnessed in the Midwest of the USA, where persistent drought has seen the prices of corn increase tremendously over the past few weeks (Sosnowski, 2012). Johnson (2012) notes that 10-months corn futures and soybeans’ prices hitting unprecedentedly high since 2008 are due to the speculation that the spreading drought currently witnessed in the Midwest of the US will cut the US’s supplies of these crops, as i t is the world’s largest producer of the crops. This was after the meteorological department predicted that the Midwest would experience unusually hot and dry spell in the next 10 days, as occasional light showers would be too little for more than brief crop improvements. Gim Gerlach was reported as saying that the crops are shrinking daily, while prices are shooting up for less available supply of crops for domestic use and export (Johnson, 2012). Statistically, corn futures for December supply jumped 4.4% to close at $7.725 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. The trade market also had hit $7.78 high early on. This general increase in corn and soybeans due to the drought would also probably lead to inflation. Demand and supply curve: Price S2 S1 P2 D2 P1 D1 D Q2 Q1 Quantity Before the drought hit Midwest, production of corn stood at Q1 at S1 supply curve while price charged was P1and demand D1. However, after the drought hit the country, the supply curve shifted to S2 and the quantity supplied moved to Q2, thereby increasing prices from P1 to P2. The price increase in this case was caused by a fall in supply of corn, as people scrambled for the few remains, shifting the demand to D2. Adequate Rainfall Theoretically, farmers perceive rainy seasons as a period of bumper harvest. This is because the proper frequency of rainfalls leads to a good yield (Libecap & Steckel, 2010). The result would be that there would be enough supply of the crop in question to feed the nation and to export. Similarly, the forces of demand and supply would help determine the prices of the crops. Since supply would be high, this means

Drug Use at Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Drug Use at Workplace - Essay Example Additionally, the "meth" epidemic really was not properly categorized at all. Actually, the issue is the use of stimulants, not so much crystal meth. Meth use takes a terrible toll on the mind and body of the user. The devastating physical effects of using this extremely addicting drug range from mildly debilitating to severely incapacitating and potentially lethal. Common side effects for using meth include facial disfigurement, rotting teeth (meth mouth), anorexia, body tremors, convulsions, high blood pressure, and seizures. But it is the destructive psychological and neurological effects on the addict that make meth an issue for the entire workplace. Even short-term meth use can cause severe mood swings, depression, paranoia, and emotional instability in the user, increasing the potential for violence in the workplace. Americans are working harder and longer, and now some people are turning to drugs for a quick boost--with dire consequences. Drugs in the workplace may not be a new phenomenon, but there's a new poison taking precedence: Workplace methamphetamine abuse rose 68 percent in 2003. Meth use and stimulus amphetamine injestion can cause serious damage to employees and the overall work environment. While high on meth, employees may think they're in control, but it's a false sense of security. Employees are not completely aware of their environment and are apt to have more on-the-job accidents. Signs of meth addiction include dizziness, irritability, sudden weight loss, inability to get along with co-workers or supervisors, and a possible tendency toward violence. b) What are the tangible benefits of resolving the problem Sadly, the article does not speak to solving the problem. Rather it readily admits that researchers haven't a clue as to how to treat meth addiction. My own independent research indicates the rampant effects of methamphetamine addiction at work. Clearly there are no tangible benefits to the employer. Tragically, it appears that the main benefit is to protect the workplace from the addict. 4) Describe and evaluate any solutions provided in the article. The article did not offer any solutions at all. It readily admits that there is a paucity of information available on how to treat this latest epidemic in the world of drug

History of Saccos in Kenya

History of Saccos in Kenya A Savings and Credit Cooperative is a type of cooperative whose objective is to pool savings for the members and in turn provide them with credit facilities (UN-HABITAT, 2010). The general objective of SACCOs is to promote the economic interests and general welfare of its members. The ICA Statement on the Co-operative Identity defines a cooperative as an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others (Bibby Shaw, 2005). The 1995 ICA Congress also reformulated seven principles of co-operatives. In summary, they are: Voluntary and open membership Democratic member control Member economic participation Autonomy and independence Education, training and information Co-operation among co-operatives Concern for the community Different SACCOs provide a number of products which include but are not limited to credit services, deposit and savings facility, cheque clearing, bankers cheques, standing orders, safe custody, and salary advances. History of SACCOs The pioneers of modern cooperation emerged in working- class environments in European Industrial cities of the 19th Century. In the 1840s,the first to industrialize countries (Great Britain and France),pioneers of co-operative invented models of the consumer cooperative and the labor cooperative to defend and promote the interests of working-class families in the face of the social disasters caused by industrial revolution. The second generation of the pioneers of modern cooperation emerged, in certain European rural environments in the late 19th century. In the 1860s, these pioneers created the models of agricultural cooperatives and savings and credit cooperatives inspired by the success of the consumer cooperatives formula in Great Britain and based on old traditions of rural solidarity aimed to meet the primary economic needs, which went unsatisfied. Agricultural cooperatives then enabled families of farmers and livestock raisers to organize their own supply systems of agricultural inputs and market their products and no longer depended on merchants and businessmen in the cities. The SACCOs helped them to stop depending on moneylenders and to find the credit necessary to modernize their agricultural cooperatives (Mwakajumilo, 2011) . SACCOs in Africa In Africa, the idea was brought by a Roman Catholic priest, in Jirapa, a town in Ghana, in 1955. Father John McNulty from Ireland had studied in Canada where he learnt about savings and credit co-operative societies. Father McNulty helped the Jirapa villagers to form a Savings and Credit Co-operative. The co-operative assisted the members to address their financial problems which they couldnt individually. Father McNulty trained about 60 people, who were the first successful savings and credit co-operative pioneers on the African continent. The success of Jirapa savings and credit co-operative spread throughout Ghana and by 1968, the savings and credit co-operatives throughout the country came together to form the Credit Union of Ghana , which was set up to promote, organize, service and co-ordinate the activities of savings and credit co-operative in Ghana. (Alila Obado, 1990). According to the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) 2011 statistical report, there are 51,013 credit unions in the world, having a total of 196,498,738 members and a total penetration of 7.8% Penetration rate which is calculated by dividing the total number of reported credit union members by the economically active population age 15-64 years old (World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) , 2012). The largest markets in Africa by number of members as of December 31st 2011 are Kenya (4,183,220), Senegal (2,231,117), Ivory Coast (1,705,712), and Benin (1,597,233) (WOCCU, 2012). History of SACCOs in Kenya SACCOs in Kenya are currently among the leading sources of the co-operative credit for socio-economic development (Alila Obado, 1990).Cooperatives in Kenya were started in 1908 and membership was limited to white colonial settlers. The first cooperative was established at Lumbwa, present day Kipkelion area. In 1944 colonial officers allowed Africans to form and join cooperatives (Gamba Komo, 2012). The initial attempt to encourage African farming co-operatives was initiated by the need to implement the recommendations of the Swynnerton Plan of 1953. The Swynnerton Plan was formulated to improve African farming, specifically the growing of cash crops and is recorded to have encouraged the progress and growth of African cooperatives (Alila Obado, 1990). It was at this point that the recommendation that a registrar of cooperatives be appointed was made. In 1945, a new Cooperative Societies Ordinance was enacted which allowed African participation in the cooperative movement. In 1946, a department of cooperatives was established and a registrar of cooperatives appointed. By 1950 most colonial civil servants began to support and encourage the development of cooperatives and by 1952, about 160 cooperatives had been registered (Alila Obado, 1990). The post-independence era saw the rapid increase the in number of producer organizations and consolidation of the ones that already existed. At this time, the government saw the cooperative movement as a means for African socialism, and strengthening common ties between the people from different regions of Kenya. In 1963 there were about 1000 cooperatives, which rapidly grew in number since then. Today, the co-operatives are an integral part of the Government economic strategy aimed at creating income generating opportunities particularly in the rural areas. The co-operative movement has been recognized by the Government as a vital institution for the mobilization of human and material resources for various development progress particularly in the rural areas where the majority of people reside, earning their livelihood mainly from agriculture. The co-operative movement now contributes well over 45 per cent of Kenyas GDP and it is estimated that at least one out of every two Kenyans directly or indirectly derives his/her livelihood from the co-operative movement. Over the years, the co-operative movement remained predominantly agriculturally oriented. However, in the recent past, the co-operative movement has experienced significant diversification in activities and interests notably savings and credit. Other non-agro-based co-operatives have also emerged and ventured into areas such as housing; Jua-Kali, building and construction, handicrafts, transport, small scale industries, etc. (Alila Obado, 1990). SACCOs are one of the leading sources of rural finance and in many rural areas the local SACCO is the only provider of financial services. While the exact number of SACCOs operating in Kenya is not known, estimates range from almost 4,000 up to 5,000 (Financial Sector Deepening (FSD), 2010). Kingdom SACCO Limited Kingdom SACCO Society Limited was started by the Life Reformation Centre in 1999 with the aim of improving the economic livelihood of its members. It was registered in 21st January, 2000 under the Cooperative Societies Act No.12 of 1997, and it is governed by the SACCO Societies Act of 2008 and its by-laws. The growth of the SACCO has been high since inception a fact attributed to good governance and leadership, staff commitment and effective patronage by members (Kingdom Sacco Limited, 2011) . Figure Membership Growth Analysis. Source: www.kingdomsacco.com Vision To be a model SACCO, empowering the community economically and socially. Mission To promote a savings culture, and provide affordable credit by offering sustainable financial solutions to enhance the economic welfare of our members and stakeholders. Motto Pamoja Twaimarika Core Values Integrity Having been founded by members with a church based background, it was agreed that Integrity is one of the most defining values that the leadership and membership of Kingdom SACCO up hold. Accountability The SACCO strives to carry out all its dealings in an open manner that is agreeable to members and co-operative values. Proactive The SACCO aims at meeting the all members needs by ensuring that it is effecting necessary and desired change to its operations and products as frequently as needed. Team Spirit The SACCO Leadership, management and members view the SACCO as a family unit and as such always aim at working together as a team. Equality All members are treated equally without any favoritism and discrimination Products Offered by Kingdom SACCO Credit Facilities Business Loan Development Loan Emergency Loan School Fees Loan Supa Loan Overdraft Loan Jijenge Loan Rembesha Maisha Loan FOSA Accounts Junior Mustard Account Imara Account Kings Savings Account KSA Corporate Account Kings Fixed Account Other Services Cheque Clearing Safe Custody Bankers Cheques Standing Orders Salary Advance Night Stop Services Problem Statement SACCOs provide a wide range of products, offer loans that are cheaper than banks, provide higher interest on savings and according to a study by FinAccess, a significant percentage of the Kenyan population is unbanked (FinAccess, 2009). This recent study by the Financial Sector Deepening Trust (FSDT) revealed that banks serve 14.2 percent, SACCOs 13.1 percent and MFIs 1.7 percent of the population respectively. This is a big opportunity for SACCOs given that there is an untapped market. Since SACCOs do not raise equity from outside sources, theirstrength lies in numbers i.e. the more the members, the better it is for the SACCO because this means that higher capital is raised. This study seeks to find out how SACCOs are tapping into this ready market, the methods they are using to do this and their effectiveness in reaching this market Purpose Statement The purpose of this study is to examine the expansion strategies employed by Kingdom SACCO Limited. Objectives of the study To identify the expansion strategies employed by Kingdom SACCO Limited To examine the implementation of expansion methods employed by Kingdom SACCO Limited To determine the effectiveness of the expansion methods employed by Kingdom SACCO Limited Research Questions What are the expansion strategies employed by Kingdom SACCO Limited? How are the expansion strategies employed by Kingdom SACCO Limited implemented? What are the short falls/gaps of the expansion strategies employed Kingdom SACCO Limited? Justification of the study The vision held by Kingdom SACCO is to be a model SACCO. This coupled by the fact that its membership steadily increases every year makes it a suitable case to study. By studying the methods Kingdom SACCO uses to achieve a steady membership growth, a resource can be created for other SACCOs to reproduce in the country in order to improve the penetration and impact of SACCOs in Kenya. Significance of the study The results of this study will seek to benefit the Government, the ministries of Finance, and Cooperatives Development in formulating policies concerning SACCOs and other financial institutions in order to improve banking and financial services in Kenya. Kingdom SACCO will be able to identify those expansion strategies that are effective and discard those that are not and so be able to position itself as a model SACCO, consistent with its vision. Other SACCOs in Kenya will be able identify and implement effective expansion strategies in order to boost membership and penetration of financial services in Kenya. Assumptions This study will be conducted under the following assumptions: The respondents will provide needed information objectively and fully All data provided by respondents will be correct and genuine Scope of Study This study will be carried out at Kingdom SACCO Limited. Data will be collected from the top and middle level management at the headquarters of the SACCO in Githurai, Nairobi Limitations and Delimitations Since this is a case study focused on a single SACCO, the results of the study cannot be attributed to a whole industry as generally representative. The researcher also expects that there may be reluctance by the respondents to provide adequate accessibility of information since most businesses prefer to keep such data private. The researcher intends to seek full permission of the SACCO management to conduct this study in order to ensure full cooperation. Definition of Terms BOSA Back Office Services Activities. The branch of any SACCO that provides credit facilities to its members. FinAccess An arm of FSD Kenya. FinAccess has been established as the leading source of reliable data on financial access in Kenya and is widely cited in the media and by Government, the private sector and international development partners. FOSA Front Office Services Activities. A service provided by SACCOs that enables its members to deposit and withdraw cash from or into their accounts just like a bank. FSD The Kenya Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) programme was established in early 2005 to support the development of financial markets in Kenya as a means to stimulate wealth creation and reduce poverty. Working in partnership with the financial services industry, the programmes goal is to expand access to financial services among lower income households and smaller enterprises. It operates as an independent trust under the supervision of professional trustees, KPMG Kenya, with policy guidance from a Programme Investment Committee (PIC). In addition to the Government of Kenya, funders include the UKs Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Agence Franà §aise de Dà ©veloppement (AFD) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. ICA International Co-operative Alliance. The ICA was established in 1895, and brings together over 230 affiliated bodies from more than a hundred countries. In total, the ICA represents an estimated 760 million co-operative members worldwide. KSA Kings Savings Account. A service provided by Kingdom SACCO that enables members to make their savings. It is available for individuals and corporates SACCO Savings and Credit Cooperatives Safe Custody A service offered by Kingdom SACCO for the safe keeping of valuables. WOCCU The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU). Established in 1970 with a membership from credit unions and co-operative financial institutions in 100 Countries, which between them have over 196 million members.

Graduation Speech: Life is a Blank Canvas -- Graduation Speech, Commen

My father always told me that my life is a blank canvas waiting for me to paint my future upon it. As I stand here before my fellow classmates, cherished friends and beloved teachers, I see more than just a graduating class, I see a group of artists waiting to exhibit their art to the world. See, the beauty of my father's analogy lies in the fact that we have all been given the right to choose our own destiny, essentially to paint whatever we want on our canvases of life. Our parents, teachers and friends have taught us all the techniques we need to embrace a bright and beautiful future, and now with this diploma, we stand alone with a paintbrush, palette and a world waiting our arrival. The question now is how do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I don't think there is a universal answer to this question, but I do think that you'll find an answer for yourself once you understand that even though life may appear to be the highest mountain, you can walk over it taking one step at a time. As a painter, you get to determine what kind of day you are going to have, ...

No Plastic Bags: the Influence of Different Factors on Consumer Attitudes Towards an Environmental Initiative

Environmental issues have within the recent years become a frequently debated matter and corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a new determinant for consumers purchase decisions. As a consequence of this, ever more companies have begun to implement different CSR initiatives in order to take responsibility for the environment. The arguments differ among researchers whether it is actually profitable for companies to invest in CSR initiatives. In this study we have based upon the functional theory of attitudes and identified different factors that are likely to affect consumer attitudes towards an environmental CSR initiative and formed a model for this. The model postulates four main factors that are likely to affect consumers attitudes towards an environmental initiative; which attitude a consumer holds towards the actual product (in this case the paper bags) in question, the extent to which a consumer considers environmental responsibility to be important, the extent to which a consumer considers environmental issues to be a threat to her-/himself and the amount of information a consumer receives about the initiative. To test our model we used a quantitative approach and investigated the consumer attitudes towards the initiative no plastic bags at the shopping centre Strompilen, Umea. We found that consumers in general are very positive towards the initiative. We then looked closer into what parts of our model that had significant impact on consumer attitudes towards the concept. The Chi-Square tests showed that three of four parts in the model could be verified. These parts were; the consumer’s attitude towards the actual product (in this case the paper bag), how important environmental responsibility is to a consumer and to what extent a consumer sees environmental issues as a threat to her-/himself. The fourth part of the model; the amount of information a consumer has received could not be verified. Thus the model was modified and was in the end constituted by the three parts that had been statistically verified.

A short History of Maria Montessori

A Short History of DRP. Marl Interiors and her Methods Teaching a two years old child how to be Independent, responsible and confident sounds Impossible, but more than 100 years back an Italian doctor named Marl Interiors made It possible. As she believed â€Å"the study of child psychology In the first years of life opens to our eyes such wonders that no one seeing them with understanding can fail to be deeply stirred. Our work as adults does not consist in teaching, but in helping the infant mind in its work of development. (What is Interiors preschool? By David Khan p. ) Maria Interiors was born on 31st August 1870 in Charitable in Anaconda, Italy. Her father Alexandra was old-fashioned man with military habits; however her mother Reining was an educated woman which was very unusual in those days. They were a middle class family and Maria Interiors was their only child. When Maria Interiors was around five they moved to Rome and a year after she started school there. Interiors wa s an ambitious girl with a strong personality.She was good at mathematics and wanted to be an engineer, but later on she discovered her love for biology and her final decision was to study medicine. Her father was against her Idea of studying medicine since In those days only boys could become doctors. Although she took her flirts degree, she struggled a lot to make her way into the medical university and by that she was the first female medical student in Italy. Maria Interiors thought that this was the end of her struggles but actually it was Just the beginning. She faced difficulties by being the only woman student.The students which were all men were insulting her when she was passing the corridors and they tried very hard to frighten her away but that did not work. She even assisted a dead body in a room by her own, because it was not proper for a girl to dissect a body in front of men. For her that was not a pleasant experience as she said â€Å"there, on the other side, the skeleton – ever more enormous – seemed to move. ‘My God, what have I done to suffer in this way? Why me all alone in the midst of all this death? ‘†¦. A shiver ran through my bones. † (Marl Interiors by Michael Pollard p. 5) On that night she became feverish and her mother told her that she do not have to go back to the university, but the next morning Interiors decided to go back and finish what she started. In 1 896 she graduated and became the first female physician in Italy. After graduation she worked in psychiatric clinic in the university of Rome for â€Å"idiot† children. In the room where the children were there was nothing for them to handle or play with, there were only benches for them to sit on. The children were clean and feed but after meals they throw themselves on the floor to pick up the crumbs of bread.DRP. Interiors thought that this cannot be right, therefore something need to be done to help these children. She went t o Paris and visited the Procurable Institute where she studied a lot of people. The first to study was Jab Marc Gaspers Atari; he was a physician In the Institute of deaf-mutes in Paris. In his late twenties a boy around eleven years was brought to him, he was found In the woods around Everyone. The boy was more Like an animal and scientists from all around the world came to see him. DRP. Philippe Pine an expert in insanity was nothing can be done. Tara disagreed with him and thought that the wild boy needed training, so he took him home and named him victor. His house keeper helped him to train victor, she loved the wild boy and she was helping him to socialize. ‘Tara used trick methods and tried to teach him language, he even isolated his senses. The boy learned only few words Milk and God; therefore ‘Tara gave up on him and took him back to the institute. Interiors was interested in how the wild boy could not learn language even though he was able to hear.She began he r investigation on when children need to learn language and she even took the isolation concept from ‘Tara. The second person she studied was Detoured Segueing a doctor who studied medicine under ‘Tara. Segueing wished to enter the dark world of the â€Å"idiot: children and he accomplished that in a short period. He had an experiment on an â€Å"idiot† boy and he was able to train him by using his senses. After the training the boy was able speak, write and even count. Segueing used gymnastic equipments and tools used in daily life to train the boy.He used beads to thread, pieces of cloth to be buttoned and laced, different sized nails to be inserted in matching sized holes and other tools to help the boy learn the daily life skills. Interiors found what she was looking for after studying Segueing and she decided to study education for the first time in her life. For two years Interiors was training teacher in special methods of observing and educating feeble-mi nded children in Orthopedic School. The children there were sent from elementary schools to asylums as â€Å"idiots†, because they could not function as well as the others.Interiors spent eleven hours during the day observing and teaching the children by using different materials and methods. At night she would write up her notes on what she sees during the day. She worked really hard with these children as she said â€Å"those two years of practice, are my first and indeed my true degree in pedagogy. â€Å"(Maria Interiors, A Biography by Rata Kramer p. 98) Some f the children learned to read and write and they even were able to pass the same exam that was given to normal children in the primary grades. DRP.Interiors thought that the only reason that these children could pass the test is that they were taught in a different way and she wondered why the normal children had these results, as she said â€Å"While everyone was admiring the progress of my â€Å"idiots†, I was searching for the reason which could keep the happy healthy children of the common schools on so low a plane that they could be equaled in test of intelligence by my unfortunate pupils. (Maria Interiors, A Biography by Rata Kramer p. 91) Maria Interiors had an affair with DRP. Montanan, but they never got married and no one knows the reason.Between 1898 and 1901 her son Mario was born and as it was not acceptable for women to have a baby without a marriage Mario was sent to live with a family in the country. Interiors visited him but not often and until he was a teenager he did not know that she was his real mother. After that she gave up work at the psychiatric clinic and went to study philosophy and psychology on her own. She also translated and copied out with her own hand ‘Tara and Segueing works room French to Italian. Few years later in Rome wealthy bankers decided to put money to improve life of people there.They started with a building unit in San Lorenz, the pe ople who were living there were very poor and illiterate. When they went to work their little children were left in the streets and that was the first thing children between two and six years old. Interiors accepted that as she always wanted the opportunity to work with normal children. She was given a room with few furniture, therefore she asks for support from society women to help her collect funds for toys and material. She also found the daughter of the caretaker Candida Enunciate who was untrained and put her in charge of looking after the children.Interiors believed that the women in charge of the children should be someone who lived in the same place. On Jan 6, 1907 the Case die Bambini was officially opened. On the first day the children were scared and they were wearing a thick blue smocks which made them uncomfortable as they could not move freely. Interiors was not there very often, she sometimes visited only once a week to observe the children. One day she brought some materials that were designed by ‘Tara and Segueing and on her next visits she observed some changes in the children. The children preferred the materials she brought in rather than playing with the toys or drawing.There were social changes, their personalities grew and they even showed understanding in the activities they were doing. For months Interiors was observing the changes in the children and discussed that with the teacher. Later on she gradually began creating and modifying the ‘sensory material'. One day when Interiors came for a visit Candida was upset and told Interiors that she forgot to lock the large cupboard that contained all the material and when she entered the mom she saw that the children have opened the cupboard and took the materials out.Candida thought that children were thieves and they had to be punished, but Interiors looked at it as accomplishment. She thought that the children were ready to work; therefore they choose to bring out the materia ls and start working. From here Interiors decided to get rid of the large locked cupboard and replace it with a long low one were the children could take any materials they like to work with and return it back when they are finished. She also changes the tables and chair and got hem in child-size were the children could carry them and move them around easily.Interiors wanted to provide the children with an environment where they can be spontaneous and free. Her aim was to make the children independent and teach them to do thing by their own, as she said â€Å"Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual and is acquired not by listening to words but by experience in the environment. † (Maria Interiors by Michael Pollard p. 33). She soon opened another Children House in San Lorenz for the privilege children. These years that DRP. Interiors spent in San Lorenz and her experiment there, made her famous in Rome.Couple years after her name travel ed all around the world. In the early sass Interiors was asked to be the government inspector of schools in Italy and she was promised by Mussolini his full support for her method. Interiors liked the idea of being supported be a powerful government, but soon things changed. Mussolini's government was planning for a war and asked Interiors to Join all the Interiors schools in his Fascist organization. She did not agree with him, therefore over a night all Interiors schools were shut down and Maria Interiors went to Spain.She stayed in there for a short time as after two years the civil war broke out and another Fascist took over Spain. By that time Interiors was reunited with her son Mario, but still no one knew that he was her was a separation between him and his first wife. Interiors wanted a place to settle with her son who had become her assistant and with her grandchildren which became close to her. She was offered to live with her friend in Holland, soon she settled there with her family. Two years later she received an invitation to go to India. In the same time a war broke in Europe and Interiors went to India few months eater.At that time in India there were a number of Interiors schools and teachers that were trained by DRP. Interiors. The people there respected her and even built her a special village where she could lecture and train her students. She stayed there for around six years and it was one of the happiest times in her life. When the war was over Interiors returned to Holland, but she still was traveling around the continents to give lectures. On May 6, 1952 Maria Interiors passed ways in her friend's garden in Holland and she was buried in a Catholic church at Narrowing-on- Sea, in Holland.She wanted to be the citizen of the world and to be buried where ever she dies. Interiors struggled to be the first female doctor but gained respect from scientists all over the world and her words about peace and education flew from one country to anot her. Maria Interiors a women that did not have a happy personal life and did not have a chance to take care of her own son, touched the lives of others and changed the children's life. â€Å"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world† (Maria Interiors, homeownership. About. Com) that is what she believed.

10 Tips to Avoid Tick Bites

10 Tips to Avoid Tick Bites Finding an engorged tick on your body is never fun.  Ticks  carry diseases, which might make you think twice before your next hike into the woods. You dont have to avoid the outdoors, though. Your first line of defense is avoiding their bites. Follow these 10 tips to avoid ticks- and, more importantly, tick bites- when you head outdoors. Why Ticks Pose a Serious Health Danger   Unlike chiggers, cockroaches, and bedbugs, ticks are much more than a nuisance. They can carry and transmit several serious diseases that, untreated, can be debilitating or, in rare cases, even deadly. Not all ticks carry all tick-borne diseases, but of course, its better to be safe than sorry. If you are in areas with brush or grass at temperatures above freezing, you are at risk of tick bites.   According to the CDC, many different types of ticks located all over the United States carry disease. Tick-borne diseases include but are not limited to: Lyme disease- a disorder that can cause a wide range of serious symptoms ranging from joint disorders to heart issuesHeartland virusRocky Mountain heartland feverTick-borne relapsing feverTularemia Once you have a tick-borne disease, it can become chronic. Even after treatment, many people have residual symptoms from tick-borne diseases. About Anti-Tick Pesticides and Repellents DEET and permethrin are the two most effective pesticides against ticks. In combination with long pants, socks, and long-sleeved shirts, they can help protect you from ticks. Its important to know that: DEET is a completely different chemical compound from DDT. It has been tested and found to be safe when used according to instructions. It is very important, however, that it not be ingested.Permethrin is a potent pesticide but does carry some risks. Typically, permethrin is used on clothing, boots, and other outerwear. It should not be used on the skin.Veterinary products such as Advantage and Frontline can be applied monthly to cats and dogs and do a very good job of minimizing pest infestations (including ticks). Pet shampoos and coat treatments are likely to be less effective and much messier. Tips for Avoiding Tick Bites 1. Use a product with 20 percent  DEET or higher on both skin and clothing. Carefully apply the repellent by hand to your face, neck, and ears, avoiding your eyes or mouth. Adults should apply DEET products to young children, and its important to warn children not to touch their skin. You may need to reapply DEET products after several hours. 2. Apply permethrin to clothing, hiking boots, tents, and camp chairs. Permethrin products should never be used on skin. It remains effective on clothing through several washings. Permethrin is sold under the names Permanone and Duranon. You can use permethrin on your own clothing, but if youre expecting to need tick-proof clothing on a regular basis you may want to invest in pretreated clothing such as the line of gear sold by Ex-Officio. The treatment lasts up to 70 washings.​ 3. Wear light-colored clothing. Youll have a better chance of seeing a dark tick crawling on you before it makes its way to your skin. 4. Wear long pants and tuck them into your socks.   Tuck your pant legs into your socks, and keep your shirt tucked into your waistband. In areas where ticks are abundant, consider using rubber bands or even duct tape to create a tick-proof barrier at your cuffs. 5. Dont forget to treat your pet. Dogs often accompany their humans on the trail, and they are just as likely to attract ticks as you are. Fortunately, once-a-month treatments such as Advantage can keep ticks at bay with relatively little fuss. 6. Stay on the trail. Ticks are usually found in brush and high vegetation, waiting for a passing host. When your leg brushes through the vegetation, the tick transfers to your body. Walk on designated trails and avoid blazing your own trail through meadows or other grassy or brush-covered areas.   7. Avoid tick-infested places. In some places, ticks may be too abundant to avoid, even with the best repellents and long pants. If you venture a few feet into a wooded area or field and find your legs covered with ticks, turn around. 8. Be vigilant- do a daily tick check. Strip down and search all those places that ticks love to hide: in your hair, under your arms, between your legs, behind the knees, and even in your belly button. Remember that some ticks are tiny, so you will have to look carefully. Ask a friend to check your back, neck, and back of your legs. 9. Put your clothes in the dryer, and tumble them on high heat. Research shows many ticks can make it through the washing machine, even when you wash in hot water. Most ticks will die during a cycle in the hot, dry air of your clothes dryer, though. 10. Check your pets and your kids before letting them loose in the house. Ticks can easily drop off of pets and children onto carpets or furniture. Then they can wait there for days for a human being or pet to come along. Be sure to check both pets and children after time outdoors.

Battle of Charleroi in World War I

Battle of Charleroi in World War I The Battle of Charleroi was fought August 21-23, 1914, during the opening days of World War I (1914-1918) and was part of a series of engagements collectively known as the Battle of the Frontiers (August 7-September 13, 1914). With the start of World War I, the armies of Europe began mobilizing and moving towards the front. In Germany, the army commenced implementing a modified version of the Schlieffen Plan. The Schlieffen Plan Conceived by Count Alfred von Schlieffen in 1905, the plan was designed for a two-front war against France and Russia. Following their easy victory over the French in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, Germany saw France as less of a threat than its larger neighbor to the east. As a result, Schlieffen sought to mass the bulk of Germanys military might against France with the goal of winning a quick victory before the Russians could fully mobilize their army. With France eliminated, Germany would be able to focus their attention to the east (Map). Predicting that France would attack across the border into Alsace and Lorraine, which had been ceded following the earlier conflict, the Germans intended to violate the neutrality of Luxembourg and Belgium to attack the French from the north in a large-scale battle of encirclement. German troops were to defend along the border while the right wing of the army swept through Belgium and past Paris in an effort to crush the French army.   French Plans In the years prior to the war, General Joseph Joffre, Chief of the French General Staff, moved to update his nations war plans for a conflict with Germany. Though he initially desired to create a plan that had French forces attack through Belgium, he was later unwilling to violate that nations neutrality. Instead, he and his staff designed Plan XVII which called for French troops to mass along the German border and mount attacks through the Ardennes and into Lorraine. Armies Commanders: French General Charles LanrezacFifth Army Germans General Karl von  Bà ¼low  General Max von HausenSecond Third Armies Early Fighting With the beginning of the war, the Germans aligned the First through Seventh Armies, north to south, to execute the Schlieffen Plan. Entering Belgium on August 3, First and Second Armies drove back the small Belgian Army but were slowed by the need to reduce the fortress city of Liege.   Receiving reports of German activity in Belgium, General Charles Lanrezac, commanding the Fifth Army at the northern end of the French line, alerted Joffre that the enemy was advancing in unexpected strength.   Despite Lanrezacs warnings, Joffre moved forward with Plan XVII and an attack into Alsace.   This and a second effort in Alsace and Lorraine were both pushed back by the German defenders (Map).      To the north, Joffre had planned to launch an offensive with the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Armies but these plans were overtaken by events in Belgium. On August 15, after lobbying from Lanrezac, he directed Fifth Army north into the angle formed by the Sambre and Meuse Rivers. Hoping to gain the initiative, Joffre ordered Third and Fourth Armies to attack through the Ardennes against Arlon and Neufchateau.   Advancing on August 21, they encountered the German Fourth and Fifth Armies and were badly defeated. As the situation along the front developed, Field Marshal Sir John Frenchs British Expeditionary Force (BEF) disembarked and began assembling at Le Cateau.   Communicating with the British commander, Joffre requested that French to cooperate with Lanrezac on the left. Along the Sambre Responding to Joffres order to move north, Lanrezac positioned his Fifth Army south of the Sambre extending from the Belgian fortress city of Namur in the east to just past the mid-size industrial town of Charleroi in the west. His I Corps, led by General Franchet dEsperey, extended the right south behind the Meuse. To his left, the cavalry corps of General Jean-Franà §ois Andrà © Sordet linked Fifth Army to Frenchs BEF.   On August 18, Lanrezac received additional instructions from Joffre directing him to attack north or east depending upon the enemys location. Seeking to locate General Karl von  Bà ¼lows Second Army, Lanrezacs cavalry moved north of the Sambre but were unable to penetrate the German cavalry screen.   Early on August 21, Joffre, increasingly aware of the size of German forces in Belgium, directed Lanrezac to attack when opportune and arranged for the BEF to provide support. On the Defensive Though he received this directive, Lanrezac adopted a defensive position behind the Sambre but failed to establish heavily-defended bridgeheads north the river. Additionally, due to poor intelligence regarding the bridges over the river, several were left completely undefended. Attacked later in the day by the lead elements of Bà ¼lows army, the French were pushed back over the river. Though ultimately held, the Germans were able to establish positions on the south bank. Bà ¼low assessed the situation and requested that General Freiherr von Hausens Third Army, operating to east, join in the attack on Lanrezac with the goal of executing a pincer. Hausen agreed to strike west the next day.   On the morning of August 22, Lanrezacs corps commanders, on their own initiative, launched attacks north in an effort to throw the Germans back over the Sambre. These proved unsuccessful as nine French divisions were unable to dislodge three German divisions. The failure of these attacks cost Lanrezac high ground in the area while a gap between his army and Fourth Army began to open on his right (Map).   Responding, Bà ¼low renewed his drive south with three corps without waiting for Hausen to arrive. As the French resisted these assaults, Lanrezac withdrew dEspereys corps from the Meuse with the intent of using it to strike Bà ¼lows left flank on August 23. Holding through the day, the French again came under attack the next morning. While the corps to the west of Charleroi was able to hold, those to the east in the French center, despite mounting an intense resistance, began to fall back.   As I Corps moved into position to strike  Bà ¼lows flank, the lead elements of Hausens army began crossing the Meuse.   A Desperate Situation Recognizing the dire threat this posted, dEsperey counter-marched his men towards their old positions.   Engaging Hausens troops, I Corps checked their advance but could not push them back across the river. As night fell, Lanrezacs position was increasingly desperate as a Belgian division from Namur had retreated into his lines while Sordets cavalry, which had reached a state of exhaustion, needed to be withdrawn. This opened a 10-mile gap between Lanrezacs left and the British. Further west, Frenchs BEF had fought the  Battle of Mons. A tenacious defensive action, the engagement around Mons had seen the British inflict heavy losses on the Germans before being forced to give ground. By late afternoon, French had ordered his men to begin falling back. This exposed Lanrezacs army to greater pressure on both flanks. Seeing little alternative, he began making plans to withdraw south.   These were quickly approved by Joffre. In the fighting around Charleroi, the Germans sustained around 11,000 casualties while the French incurred approximately 30,000. Aftermath: Following the defeats at Charleroi and Mons, French and British forces began a long, fighting retreat south towards Paris. Holding actions or failed counterattacks were conducted at Le Cateau (August 26-27) and St. Quentin (August 29-30), while Mauberge fell September 7 after a brief siege. Creating a line behind the Marne River, Joffre prepared to make a stand to save Paris. Stabilizing the situation, Joffre began the First Battle of the Marne on September 6 when a gap was found between the German First and Second Armies. Exploiting this, both formations were soon threatened with destruction.   In these circumstances, the German Chief of Staff, Helmuth von Moltke, suffered a nervous breakdown. His subordinates assumed command and ordered a general retreat to the Aisne River.