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Published on January 28th, 2016, the article Enormous blades could lead to more offshore energy in US highlights the most recent design for gigantic blades. The blades are bigger than two football fields and are useful as they can help bring 50 megawatts of wind turbines offshore to the United States and the rest of the world. Through the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program, the Department of Energy is funding Sandia National Laboratories in carrying out research about the extreme-scale Segmented Ultralight Morphing Rotor (SUMR). The challenge is to design the gigantic blade which requires over 200 meters of rotor blade. Compared to any existing blade in the world, the blade will be two and half times its size. The benefit of this blade is that it is low cost has the power to scale up power output of the current existing turbines by more than six times. Griffith, the lead designer of the project noted that the United States possesses huge potential when it comes to wind energy however because offshore installations are rather expensive hence there is a need to develop larger turbines that capture energy at reasonably priced costs.
In my opinion, the article, without a doubt, discusses the issue at hand in a sound scientific way. This is because the article references details about how the gigantic blade will be of help to the nations. The article delves into the nitty-gritty of why the 50-megawatt turbine will be helpful despite it costing a fortune to create. The fact that the blade will be six times the size f the largest turbines shows that the authors of these articles had conducted a background research before writing it. This shows that the information is scientifically sound as many details are mentioned, which indicates in-depth research. One of the ways this article could have been improved would be making use of more statistics. I feel that the authors did not quote enough statistics in the article, but rather they used many direct quotations instead. I feel that using statistics improves the credibility and reliability of the article.
Honda Accord Hybrid
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Honda Accord Hybrid
A SWOT analysis is a useful tool that companies use in making business decisions. Before any business action is taken, it is essential to try and predict the impact of such an action on the business. The SWOT analysis comes in handy as an object business analysis tool that allows businesses to critically examine internal as well as external factors that form an essential part of their operations. The motor-vehicle industry is no different, and in analyzing different models of vehicles, the companies employ the SWOT matrix to make projections. Honda is a widely-recognized manufacturer of motor vehicles, and the Accord is one of its best-selling models. Honda first introduced the hybrid version of the Accord in 2005 through 2007, and then took a seven-year hiatus before reintroducing it in 2014. The SWOT analysis is a useful tool in analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the hybrid accord, as well as its opportunities as threats.
Environmental concerns are the primary reason why most manufacturers have introduced hybrid models. Emissions from motor vehicles that consume fossil fuels contribute significantly to environmental pollution, and car manufacturers are keen to do their part in mitigating climate change. Some countries such as France have already committed to eliminating automobiles running on fossil fuels in the near future, increasing the need for hybrid and electric vehicles (Doll, 12). Honda is one such company that has taken stock of the current environmental conditions and produced a hybrid version of the popular Accord model. The company released its first-generation Honda Accord Hybrid back in 2005 for two years before halting production in 2007. However, the company re-entered the hybrid market in 2014 with newer hybrid models.
In carrying out a SWOT analysis, strengths and weaknesses relate to internal factors. The first strength of the Honda Accord Hybrid is its fuel efficiency. One can cover more miles with less amount of fuel, allowing them to save on the costs of fuel. In addition to lower costs of fuel, fuel efficiency also has environmental benefits. The main reason for the production of hybrid vehicles is to lower their consumption of fuel with electric features (Olszewski 3). The Accord Hybrid presents fuel efficiency as one of its most attractive factors. Another point of strength for the Honda Accord Hybrid is its roomy interior and a large trunk. These features make the Honda Accord Hybrid especially suited for families who may have to travel regularly with much luggage. The model also offers extra features such as a head-up display and wireless charging. Honda is a popular brand among consumers, and this factor presents the Accord Hybrid as a good choice for customers who are already aware of the Honda brand. Additionally, Honda employs marketing and advertising strategies to position itself strategically in the market, making this another strength for the Honda Accord Hybrid. On the negative side, the Accord hybrid being a hybrid model makes it a bit pricier than other models in the vehicle that use petrol, and the elevated price proves to be a point of weakness. However, when it comes to competition with rival models, the Honda Accord Hybrid proves to have a lower starting price, which is an advantage.
Opportunities and threats present an opportunity for a business to analyze the relevant external factors such as competition. The first opportunity that the Honda Accord Hybrid is Honda’s market presence and popularity. Honda has a market presence in more than 100 countries across the world, meaning it has millions of customers aware of the brand. The Hybrid can harness this market presence for sales (Romm & Frank 72). Given its established presence, the Honda should make access to service for its Accord Hybrid more accessible. This is another area of opportunity for the Honda Accord Hybrid. When it comes to threats, the main one lies with competition within the market. Toyota is one of Honda’s main competitors in the hybrid models, and the company is giving Honda a run for its money. The stiff competition and fight for market share is the biggest threat facing the Honda Accord Hybrid.
For a business to be as successful as possible, it should try to convert its shortcomings into assets. The Honda Accord Hybrid’s weakness is higher prices compared to petrol-consuming models. To change this weakness into a strength, the company should model the Accord hybrid as a car for environmentally conscious, which will help in lessening emissions. As people’s concern for the environment grows, they are likely to view the hybrid as a good choice. Competition in the hybrid market is the biggest threat that the Honda Accord Hybrid faces, and Honda should work on converting this into an opportunity. Given the fact that Honda has been around for many years and serves different industries, it should capitalize on its trusted status and market presence to leverage itself above its competitors.
In conclusion, the Honda Accord Hybrid is an excellent choice for environmentally conscious customers seeking to play a part in saving the environment, as well as cutting down on their fuel costs. In analyzing the model using the SWOT matrix, it has several strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and strengths. Evaluating these four points is useful for the brand’s business model, as well as for consumers in weighing their options for a hybrid model. Honda should look for ways to capitalize on its market saturation to sell more of the Accord hybrid model. Works Cited
Doll, Claus. “Innovation in vehicle technology–The case of hybrid electric vehicles.” DIME International Conference’Innovation, sustainability and policy. 2008.
Olszewski, Mitch. “Evaluation of 2005 Honda Accord hybrid electric drive system.” Oak Ridge Nat. Lab., US Dept. Energy (2006).
Romm, Joseph J., and Andrew A. Frank. “Hybrid vehicles gain traction.” Scientific American 294.4 (2006): 72-79.
Homosexuality and Evolution
Homosexuality and Evolution
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Homosexuality and Evolution
The documentary “Against nature? Homosexuality and evolution” is very educative in understanding human behavior concerning some sensitive topics like homosexuality. I was always curious to know how such queer action comes about. Is it natural? Do other animals engage in such sexual orientations? Based on Darwin’s natural selection theory, many people may argue that homosexuality should be dead, as the approach favors those with many offspring. Until I saw this scene, I used to relate homosexuality as something that came about recently, but that seems untrue since it had existed throughout the ages and cultures. Irrespective of the strict rules that barred same-sex relationships in ancient Greece, homosexuality was somewhat practiced there. Some people would conclude that being gay is something that can be controlled by the persons practicing it. In any case, those individuals are leaning towards making bad choices, and governments should discourage such behavior. On the other hand, people would argue that a person’s sexual preference is biologically determined. Such practices should not be questioned; in any case, gay people should be given protection against their discrimination.
Many studies have questioned how evolution can explain homosexuality, based on how heterosexual individuals produce more children than homosexuals. It is understood that the population of gay people worldwide stands at 350 million, equating 5% of the world’s population. And so, do you think homosexuality is somehow against nature? God made a man and a woman, and the sinned of free will. There are varied groups of people who agree while others disregard and condemn individuals practicing same-sex relationships. It came to my knowledge that in some countries, mostly Arab countries, and Africa, homosexuality is punishable by death. The video tries to elaborate on why many people consider homosexuality as a sin against nature. The late president of Zimbabwe held that homosexuality degrades human dignity and, in any case, it is unnatural. He added that even pigs and dogs do not engage in such acts. Christian Evangelical of USA stated in 1977 that even barnyard animals do not engage in homosexual acts. The Jewish religion holds that homosexuality is a sin against nature. A document from the Muslim faith published in 2010 stated that “even animals cannot do such unnatural sex. Finally, the Hindu religion views homosexuality as a bizarre combination against the rules of nature.
All those objections try to credit animals as better people. Perhaps many people believe, some “immoral” acts are only practiced by humans and not animals. I am surprised that even animals engage in some of what we see as unnatural sexual orientation. Yes, animals are indeed more susceptible to do things that even humans do and find them weird. The features Bonobos displaying their sexual styles similar to what humans do during sex. Isn’t that surprising? Bonobos get bored and tired after engaging in some heterosexual sex, just like humans, and they try to relax and find some other things they can do. I did not know that even bonobos do masturbate like humans. Even more surprising, female Bonobos show some interest in each other and can engage in genital-genital rubbing, and they find it very exciting. Also, the video explains sex between children and with children. Children naturally try to do sex among humans, while some older individuals try or even do sex with children, just like the Bonobos. Do those concepts try to imply that some sexual behaviors are only natural? Perhaps, individuals might insist that those Bonobos are in captivity and easy for them to attempt unnatural things.
Cementing that homosexuality is natural among animals, the video features mountain gorillas of East Africa where two males have sex in the jangle. It is possible to think that homosexuality is rare among animals, but how would one feel about Indian langur monkeys? Those monkeys practice homosexuality daily. That was very uncommon to me. By objecting to homosexuality, some views would be that it comes about because of desperation. However, the video refutes such arguments by featuring two females langar monkeys having sex. There is a standing willing male, but the two females seem not interested in the male’s sex. Some people have tried to associate homosexuality with social behavior among animals. There are two images of homosexual monkeys to object to the argument, some masturbating each other’s, others doing anal intercourse, genital rubbing. They all seem to be overexcited during orgasm. It would be difficult to suggest that those animals are not engaging in homosexual acts. And the sexual pleasure displayed during both homosexual and heterosexual sex is similar, implying that both can be categorized as sex.
Other studies have suggested that animal homo-sex is somewhat bi-sexual and not exclusively homosexual. The video gives examples of some animals that would not engage in heterosexual sex with their opposite gender apart from same-sex gender to disregard such claims. Examples of such animals include flamingos and grey-legged geese. Maybe, homosexual behavior cannot be regarded as homosexual orientation based on giving animals choices not to engage in homosexuality. The video states that 10% of all rams display homosexual behaviors and tend to mount other males even after being presented with a choice. Male sheep love to engage in some same-sex sexual orientation. The video continues by saying that individuals might insist that human homo-sex is cultural. Simultaneously, animals are accustomed to following instincts, but, even in some non-human animals, some homo-sex cultures, for example, the Japanese macaques (snow monkey). In other words, they represent a perfect example of sexual preferences among animals.
I was fascinated to understand why humans and other animals engage in homosexual behavior. Andre Gide insisted that homosexuality is hard to explain from a biological perspective since it is not hereditary based on it have to be passed on through heterosexual sex. Therefore, the urge must be coming from inside the flesh, and in any case, it should be very natural to avoid disappearing. In a study of identical twins, homosexuality has a genetic component concerning the DNA. If one has an identical brother or sister and is gay, 50% of the other twin members have a same-sex orientation. For non-identical (dizygotic) twins, chances are relatively lower as the chance of having the same exposure is about 20%. If one has a homosexual sibling (not twin), there is a 10% chance one can have the same exposure, which seems to be higher than random expectations. The question is unclear if such sexual orientation is associated with genetic components or the brain.
The differences that occur naturally concerning partner preferences can somewhat be linked to brain anatomy variations, not to mention its capacity to synthesis estrogen. Based on the already in the question of male population ingressiveness, the contradicting aromatase levels may be used as evidence of aggression levels instead of sexuality. It is important to note that several studies have suggested that homosexual activities among animals heighten their social bonding and cohesiveness. Also, females might have a mechanism that assists them in living freely in mixed parties, without being affected by contest and scramble competition. Non-human males can establish dominance by copulating their males’ colleagues, eventually giving them access to the opposite sex. The up-bring of personal also plays a significant role in sexual orientation. The video provides an example that females might turn to be lesbians if they fear heterosexual penetrations. The video was very educational, and many things came to my knowledge after watching the documentary.
References
(2020). Retrieved 22 October 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjd7hMhoeAM.