Laguna Art Museum Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Laguna Art Museum - Research Paper Example Roscoe Shrader (painter specializing in post impressionistic landscapes, figures and still life), Sean Duffy (installations), a tribute to Megan Hart Jones (daughter of John Paul Jones,specializes in paintings and ceramic sculpture) and Masterstrokes (members of Laguna Plein Air Painters Association). I was intrigued by the artworks of Megan Hart Jones who died at an early age of 20. Her Soul Portrait was sublime with an essence of ethereal beauty that captivates the viewers by her looks. Her painting was fairly simple in style, color and design (portraits, flowers, cloud studies) but are a beauty to behold. The Pierced Red Square by Suzanne Williams is a painting in oil on canvass appears very simple in design with geometric triangular shapes in red predominantly appearing. Painted in 1998, the painting actually appears timeless due to the utter simplicity in style. Kevin Arcell’s Media Miracle in 1999 combined elements of contemporary subjects in Maverick surf sport and the images of cherubs or angels descending from the sky. The Two Headed Coin by Travis Somerville is a contemporary rendition of oil, oil stick, collage on blueprints, mounted on canvas. The collage had prominent images of a rabbit, an old man, and some shadowed figures in the center. It is unique in its expression and style but not as beautiful as traditional paintings in oil. The Untitled acrylic on canvas by Tim Ebner, created in 1988 was mostly monochromatic with the color green seen predominantly in geometric columns of diverse shades. It does not provide opportunities to highlight the creative talent of the artist. A Piece of Cake by Scott Hess was disturbing in message being relayed by the artist due to the focal point of the painting, a black woman seated and indicated that she was recently raped. The spectators at the party offered her the piece of cake with others curiously appearing to get information from her. Michael

The racist media of America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The racist media of America - Essay Example This is really a big problem not only for the society but also for its future because racism affects every aspects of life. To understand why media always portray African Americans unfairly it is important to understand where this racism came from in the media. Live shows were very popular in American entertainment when there was no film and television long back ago. In 1920s stage shows was the main source of entertainment in America. During that period comedy shows are very popular and mockery of other races by the stage actors is very popular among the white audiences. Generally the white stage performers make the African Americans victims of their degrading jokes. During that period the most famous comedy show was the minstrel show. The minstrel show was started by in 1830s by the white actor, Thomas Dartmouth Rice. He copied the song-and-dance idea from the young African Americans artists who used to perform on the street. In this show the lead actor used to perform the role of "Daddy Rice" after blackened his face with burnt cork. He used to perform "Jump Jim Crow" while wearing tattered clothes. After few years, Edwin P. Christie, a white businessman, marketed the entire show which made the minstrel show more famous. After the laws were changed, the African Americans also performed in the show, but they too had to paint their face black for the show. There were several titles for minstrel shows. These shows are completely based on the stereotypes of African American cultures. Generally these shows are based on lazy African Americans who used to spoke poor English. Often white actors used to perform in a stupid way and audience used to laug h at them. The motion picture was started after the Thomas Edison invented the Kinetoscope 1889 and after the invention of cinema whites again started portraying the African Americans unfairly for their entertainment. The first full length feature film "The Epic Birth of a Nation" was released in America in 1915 in which Klu Klux Klan was portrayed as true American hero whereas blacks were portrayed as inferior and brutal to whites. In this way, the first movie which was made in America shows the brutal racism against the African Americans. In the early days of Hollywood there were many African American actors but almost all of them are portrayed as inferior and stupid servants with low level of intelligence. The minstrel image from the early days of the film and television of America still continue to haunt the media of this country. Men in Black and Rush Hour are the highest grossing films starring African American actors. In the movie Rush Hour Chris Tucker acts as an incompetent joker from the beginning till the end. Chris Tucker is now the highest paid African American actor in Hollywood. He collects over $20 million a movie. In Hollywood there are also serious actors such as Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington who do not perform minstrel roles like Chris Tucker, and both Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington are not highly paid as him. In Men in Black, Wills Smith had performed weird minstrel role and acted like a joker in the whole movie and handles the tiny gun incompetently. In America media plays an important role to guide the thoughts and mind of the people.

Breast Cancer Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Breast Cancer - Research Paper Example The Genesis of a Cancer Cell A normal cell turns into a cancer cell because of one or more mutations in its DNA which can be inherited or acquired. Mutation is sudden abrupt changes that occur in the genetic material i.e. the DNA of the cell. This genetic material is facilitated by various agents called mutagens. Mutagens can be either physical agents such as UV radiations, X-rays etc. or they could be some chemical agents which are capable of producing changes in the cell by reacting with cellular macromolecules. These chemical agents form bond with the cellular macromolecules, thereby alter their normal structures. If they combine with the genetic material, the peptide formation is affected. Thus, these mutagenic agents affect the normal well being of the cell and when such a defective cell replicates the cellular modification is also passed on. These cellular alterations may lead to cancer, where the carcinogenic agents (cancer causing) are capable of altering the cell division le ading to the uncontrolled proliferation of the cell (Alberts, 2007; Chemical Carcinogens). ... These epigenetic factors do not produce cancer by themselves but enhances the likelihood of genetic mutation(s) resulting in cancer (Katzang et al., 2009). These genetic changes are categorized as - A. The activation of proto-oncogenes to oncogenes: Proto-oncogenes are the normal genes present in the cells and are responsible for controlling cell division, cell differentiation and apoptosis. A triggering factor such as a virus or exposure to any carcinogen brings malignant changes in the cell. B. The inactivation of tumor suppressor genes: A cell has the mechanism to protect itself from uncontrolled proliferation and tumor formation due to expression of genes called tumor suppressor genes. These genes possess the ability to suppress malignant changes and are also referred as antioncogenes. Mutation in proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes results in the proliferation of tumor. Thus, a loss of function of tumor suppressor genes can be the critical event in carcinogenesis (Rang et al., 2007; Katzang et al., 2009). More than 30 tumor suppressor genes as well as more than 100 dominant oncogenes have been found to be associated with various types of cancers (Rang et al., 2007). Characteristics of Cancer cells The genetic basis of cancer has been revealed through numerous animal models. The Cancer Genome Atlas aims at methodically differentiating the configurational source of cancer, through recognition of the genomic mutations linked with every cancer form. A corresponding progress and description forms the basis of understanding growth and external appearance of the cancer or tumor called the phenotype of the cancer, is essential for

The racist media of America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The racist media of America - Essay Example This is really a big problem not only for the society but also for its future because racism affects every aspects of life. To understand why media always portray African Americans unfairly it is important to understand where this racism came from in the media. Live shows were very popular in American entertainment when there was no film and television long back ago. In 1920s stage shows was the main source of entertainment in America. During that period comedy shows are very popular and mockery of other races by the stage actors is very popular among the white audiences. Generally the white stage performers make the African Americans victims of their degrading jokes. During that period the most famous comedy show was the minstrel show. The minstrel show was started by in 1830s by the white actor, Thomas Dartmouth Rice. He copied the song-and-dance idea from the young African Americans artists who used to perform on the street. In this show the lead actor used to perform the role of "Daddy Rice" after blackened his face with burnt cork. He used to perform "Jump Jim Crow" while wearing tattered clothes. After few years, Edwin P. Christie, a white businessman, marketed the entire show which made the minstrel show more famous. After the laws were changed, the African Americans also performed in the show, but they too had to paint their face black for the show. There were several titles for minstrel shows. These shows are completely based on the stereotypes of African American cultures. Generally these shows are based on lazy African Americans who used to spoke poor English. Often white actors used to perform in a stupid way and audience used to laug h at them. The motion picture was started after the Thomas Edison invented the Kinetoscope 1889 and after the invention of cinema whites again started portraying the African Americans unfairly for their entertainment. The first full length feature film "The Epic Birth of a Nation" was released in America in 1915 in which Klu Klux Klan was portrayed as true American hero whereas blacks were portrayed as inferior and brutal to whites. In this way, the first movie which was made in America shows the brutal racism against the African Americans. In the early days of Hollywood there were many African American actors but almost all of them are portrayed as inferior and stupid servants with low level of intelligence. The minstrel image from the early days of the film and television of America still continue to haunt the media of this country. Men in Black and Rush Hour are the highest grossing films starring African American actors. In the movie Rush Hour Chris Tucker acts as an incompetent joker from the beginning till the end. Chris Tucker is now the highest paid African American actor in Hollywood. He collects over $20 million a movie. In Hollywood there are also serious actors such as Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington who do not perform minstrel roles like Chris Tucker, and both Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington are not highly paid as him. In Men in Black, Wills Smith had performed weird minstrel role and acted like a joker in the whole movie and handles the tiny gun incompetently. In America media plays an important role to guide the thoughts and mind of the people.

The Searchers Film Themes Essay Example for Free

The Searchers Film Themes Essay The Searchers (1956, John Ford) explores themes of family, community, and morality on the edge of the uncivilized Western frontier. The story takes place several years after the end of the Civil War in a remote region of Texas, where the Comanche are a constant and mortal threat to the few settlers on the thinly populated frontier. The film uses the conventions of the Western genre, but employs notable exceptions to the traditional components of the genre to reshape the audience’s perception of reality. The film begins with a masterpiece sequence of auteur filmmaking, using location, cinematography, evocative music, and nuanced acting to shape the audience’s perception of the story’s universe. The audience observes Ethan Edwards, a nomadic, renegade ex-warrior with a clouded past, returning to the comparative safety and comfort of his family home. His brother is emotionally reserved at Ethan’s return, but there clearly are unspoken and muted emotions between his brother’s wife, Martha, and Ethan, hinting at a hidden past. In one revealing scene of auteur style that confirms Martha and Ethan’s past, Martha takes Ethans greatcoat and privately and lovingly folds it and places it in a chest. The three Edward’s children are excited by Ethan’s return, but clearly do not remember much about him. Ethan is generous to them, giving gifts, including giving his cavalry saber to his nephew, some sort of military medal (as jewelry) to his niece, and giving his brother a small fortune in gold, avoiding his brother’s questions about how he got it. When his brother’s adopted son arrives, Ethan’s demeanor changes and the theme of racism is first introduced in the story. Teenaged Marty is half-white and half-Indian and his very presence evokes a degree of hatred and resentment in Ethan. This is complicated when the audience is told that it was Ethan who found Marty as an infant abandoned on the frontier and rescued him. When Ethan’s brother and his wife and two of his children are murdered and the youngest daughter kidnapped by raiding Comanche, the plot kicks into high gear. Ethan swears to find his niece and goes on a five-year chase, with young Marty, to find her. Their subsequent search and companionship explores the theme of Ethan’s hatred towards all things Indian. Traditional Westerns juxtapose opposites, usually featuring a good guy protagonist and a villainous nemesis, a good community or group preyed upon by social or cultural outlaws. There are horse chases, violent gunplay, and a happy ending with the villains receiving justice and the heroes triumphant. The Searchers deviates from some of these conventions in ways that transform the genre and elevate the film. While it is something of a traditional morality story, the protagonist is a dark, brooding character, full of hate, who has been estranged from his family and community. The wildness of the Monument Valley location is juxtaposed by the comfort and affection Ethan find’s in his brother and Martha’s home. Ethan’s racial bias towards the native Americans is juxtaposed with his growing trust of Marty. Eventually, Ethan   even makes Marty the beneficiary of his will. The drama of the revenge plot is juxtaposed with the humor of the wedding subplot. Perhaps the greatest shock to the audience’s expectations of the film as a genre Western comes when they realize that Ethan doesn’t mean to rescue Debbie from the Comanche, he means to kill her. Later, when he changes his mind, it is a relief when the audience sees that he has grown and has changed his mind about killing Debbie. The opening scene of Ethan being welcomed by his family in the opening scene is juxtaposed with his exclusion in the final scene. All of these simple and clear polarities are hallmarks of the traditional Western that have been transformed by an auteur director to create a unique work of film art. One of The Searcher’s profound deviations from the simplicity of the traditional genre Western is in the complexity of it’s cast of characters. Among these is a character that represents civilization’s key elements of law and order, and religion. He’s both a Texas Ranger Captain and a Reverend named Sam Clayton (Ward Bond), and he has very complicated mixed feelings towards Ethan, suspicious that he may be a fugitive criminal, but respectful of his abilities as a fighter and frontiersman. Another key supporting character, partially comic relief, is Mose Harper (Hank Worden), who had been kidnapped by the Comanche and feigned being crazy to escape. He is apparently actually crazy, but is embraced and cared for by the frontier families. He does, however, ride with the Rangers, Ethan, and Marty, to rescue Debbie and seems to be a fully capable member of the posse. These two characters are examples of the artistic auteur touch of John Ford that elevates this movie above the standard genre. The Searchers reality mode is very different from a fantasy mode such as in The Wizard of Oz. For instance, it uses character differently from Oz. While both films rely on characterization to establish and advance theme, The Searchers is populated by recognizable, realistic genre characters, where as Oz is populated by expressionistic characters, not meant to be perceived as realistic. Oz uses black and white film and color, sound, an exotic cast (oh, the little people!) and a fantasy journey, while The Searchers uses a realistic, if stylized, environment, authentic characters, and other realistic and conventional genre elements to tell it’s story.   We’re asked to define and describe modes of screen reality, which I would define as the cinematic manipulation of screen time, the framing of scenes, the direction of character behavior, and the purposeful craft of camera and sound to create the illusion of reality in which a story unfolds. All genres and many non-traditional film types utilize familiar representational realities, each of which is a sort of short-hand means of clueing in the audience to which movie formula (in the broadest sense) to expect. Movie modes can be reality based – i.e. plausable, such as Saving Private Ryan, expressionistic – i.e. manipulative of conventional film elements such as Psycho, fantasy – i.e. metaphoric, or fantastic – i.e. metaphoric and implausable such as Edward Scissorhands, or cinematic self-reflexive – a creation by internal logic only, such as Animal Crackers.

The MCI Project What Message Is Mci Finance Essay

The MCI Project What Message Is Mci Finance Essay MCI would like to enhance Shareholder value by repurchasing outstanding stock, and send a bold signal to market and manager to stimulate the market price per stock to increase. A share buyback (by investing in themselves) instead of paying a cash dividend or, in other words, increasing a regular dividend, could represent an increase in the value of shares still available, this happens in the case that occurs a reduction in the number of shares of stock outstanding. If earnings remain the same but there is less shares outstanding, we can take for granted that the earnings per share might represent a positive NPV, or if the company reduces their number of shares outstanding, then they could increase earnings per share and also can raise the market value of the shares outstanding. However, if the company decides to authorize a repurchase of shares at the price of the book value per share, arguing that the shares are undervalued, then investors could buy those shares at a very low price. What will be the effects of issuing $2 billion of new debt and using the proceeds to repurchase shares on: MCIs shares outstanding? Assumptions: Shares repurchased at $28,92,Æ’Å“ then 69,16 million shares are going to be repurchased back, leaving 611,84 million shares outstanding. Shares repurchased at the current price of $27,75, Æ’Å“then 72,07 million shares can be repurchased and leaves 608,93 million shares outstanding. If there is no repurchase, then shares outstanding remain between 608,93 and 611,84 million (which are the shares outstanding if they were repurchased) as the repurchase price increases from $27,75 to $28,92 (at a Pre or Post repurchase share price). MCIs book value of equity? According to Exhibit 5: Total Current Liabilities = 4870 Long Term Debt = 3444+2000 = 5444 Deferred Taxes and Other = 1385 Stockholders Equity = 9602-2000 = 7602 Repurchase effect on leverage (using D/E ratio as a measurement, and assuming that D refers to Long-Term Debt): Pre D/E = 3444/9602 = 0,359 Post D/E= 5444/7602= 0,716Æ’Å ¸This is the increase of the Debt-Equity ratio to at least twice 36%. We have to remember that Phillips suggested that MCI would need to increase its Debt-Equity ratio from its current level of around 36% to at least twice that, even at that debt level the companys debt-to-cap would be moderate relative to the industry. Supposing that the debt of $2.000 million is Long-Term Debt (LTD); According to Exhibit 2: LTD/ BV (Book Value) of Pre Equity = 0,359 Then: BV of Pre Equity= LTD/0,359 = 3444/0,359 = 9593 BV of Post Equity= 9593* 609/681 = 8579 The price per share of MCI stock? New market Price= (New VOP Old Debt)/Old number of stocks = ($27.537,26 3.944) / 681= 28,8 These is the Data: Old debt 3944,00 new debt 5944,00 NEW VOP $ 23.537,26 oldà £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬n# of stock 681,00 new n# of stock 611,49 Old share mkt price $ 27,75 NEW MKT PRICE $ 28,77 old mkt cap. Equity 18897,75 new mkt cap.Equity 17593,26 FREE CASH FLOW 2714,21 Earnings per share? EPS= Net Income/ Shares Outstanding Assuming the EBIT keeps stable in 1996: Using the cost of debt of MCI shown in exhibit 3. Loan interest level BBB1 Phones based on the interest level of obligations of A1 Phones =((6,26+6,46)/2)= 6,36 Post EPS= (EBIT (Interest Expense + Debt* Cost of debt))*(1-Taxes)/Post Number of shares = (1118-(181+2000*6,36))*(1-0,4))/609 =485,88/609 = 0,80 Using Income statement of 1995 to get the interest rate: EPS= (Income before extraordinary item Debt *(Interest expense/Long Term debt)*Taxes)/Post Number of shares EPS= ($573 $2000 * ($181/$3444) *0,4)/609= 0,87 Using the estimated EPS in exhibit 2: EPS= Net Income / Outstanding = (Estimated 1996 Year End EPS * Outstanding debt* i * (1-T))/ A- outstanding = (1,75 * 681 2000 * 6,36% * (1-0,04))/609 = 1,83 What is MCIs current (pre repurchase) weighted average cost of capital (WACC)? MCIS current WACC =11,88% (See Excel Sheets for explanation) What would you expect to happen to MCIs WACC if it issues $2 billion in debt and uses the proceeds to repurchase shares? If MCI issues $2 billion in debt and uses the proceeds to repurchase share, the cost of equity will increase and the WACC is expected to decrease. The higher WACC is due to the higher leverage ratio. In the MCI case, the market value WACC will be decreased from its original 11.88% to 11.53%, it also have higher value of cooperation, the increased value of the firm makes the stock price going higher level. The following table shows the relationship between corporatevalues of the firm versus WACC. Would you recommend that MCI increase its use of debt? If so, by how much? Yes, it is recommended. From the below sensitivity test, we can see that the optimal WACC is about 10.79% which means 42.25% debt ratio and 57.75 equity ratio. The debit required is 6381.83million, and the book value of corporate will be increased to 14213.42million. Therefore I suggest MCI issue 2.437billion dollars to increase its debt/equity level and maximize the value and stock price. By old Book value after debt T 40.00% 40.00% 40.00% 40.00% 40.00% 40.00% 40.00% 40.00% 40.00% RPm 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% Rrf 5.70% 5.70% 5.70% 5.70% 5.70% 5.70% 5.70% 5.70% 5.70% wd 0.00% 17.27% 20.00% 25.00% 29.12% 35.00% 42.25% 44.90% 45.00% ws 100.00% 82.73% 80.00% 75.00% 70.88% 65.00% 57.75% 55.10% 55.00% D/E 0.00% 20.87% 25.00% 33.33% 41.07% 53.85% 73.17% 81.49% 81.82% Rd 6.03% 6.30% 6.30% 6.30% 6.30% 7.09% 7.09% 7.09% 8.26% bU 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 bL 1.00 1.13 1.15 1.20 1.25 1.32 1.44 1.49 1.49 Rs 12.70% 13.57% 13.75% 14.10% 14.42% 14.96% 15.77% 16.12% 16.13% wacc 12.70% 11.88% 11.75% 11.52% 11.32% 11.21% 10.90% 10.79% 11.10% Corporate Value 12080.78 12908.83 13050.45 13317.68 13546.00 13680.91 14067.11 14213.42 13814.48 Debt 0.00 2228.90 2610.09 3329.42 3944.00 4788.32 5944.00 6381.83 6216.51

Richard and Iago: Rational, Sensitive, or Vegetative? :: essays research papers

Can humans have three souls? Or are there three parts to the human soul? Most people would say that a person has only one soul. However, the human soul is very complex, which explains why there are so many parts to it. In the Elizabethan period, people understood that there were three â€Å"souls† in a person, or three parts to the human soul. These were the rational, sensitive, and vegetative souls. Both of the plays Richard the Third and Othello by William Shakespeare are examples of this concept. The characters of Richard in Richard the Third and Iago in Othello each are influenced by the rational, sensitive, and vegetative souls as they were understood by the Elizabethans.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the Elizabethan period, the rational soul was understood to be that part of a person that was the closest to God. This soul caused the person to be more rational in thinking and to behave logically. The main characters in each of these plays are not governed by the rational soul. Richard is driven by his desire to be the king of England, and Iago is driven by his hatred of Othello. Richard becomes a ruthless murderer who will stop at nothing to be king. He indirectly kills his brother King Edward the Fourth, kills his nephews who are heirs to the throne, and anyone else who he believes is in his way. Iago is also very cold-hearted. He is Othello's lieutenant, and, as Othello believes, his good friend. However, Iago devises a plan to destroy Othello. By doing so, he must also destroy those closest to Othello, most notably his wife Desdemona. Iago does this simply because he is able to. In this way, the two characters ignore the rational soul and are not guid ed by it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The sensitive, or passionate soul was understood to govern that part of a person that looks past all logic and reason. Iago and Richard are somewhat governed by this soul in that they both are passionate about what they are doing. Richard is driven by his desire to be king. In his pursuit of the throne, he overlooks all logical thinking. Instead, he focuses only on what he must do in order to reach his goal. This shows how good of a planner he is. Iago also does this, although his goal is not as clear. He concentrates on destroying or discrediting the people closest to Othello.