Iorek Byrnison is an armored bear and ally of Lyra in His Dark Materials. Panserbjørne are intelligent, honorable, and skilled warriors. Iorek was exiled for killing another bear, but regained his armor and became king after defeating a usurper. He assists Lyra in her quest and helps Will reforge the thin knife. Iorek Byrnison is […]
Rate cap protects borrowers from interest rate increases between loan application and approval. It’s commonly used in mortgages and allows for floatdowns if rates drop. Its availability varies by jurisdiction, so borrowers should check if their rates are protected and use it to their advantage. Rate cap is a type of provision found in most […]
Psychiatric hospitals treat mental disorders that have not responded to therapy or medication. They can be private or public, and have specialized medical personnel. Patients can be voluntarily or involuntarily admitted, and common ailments treated include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. Modern mental hospitals grew out of asylums, but the Kirkbride Plan […]
A greensman is responsible for maintaining vegetation and landscaping on movie sets, often without formal training. They may also be responsible for creating the scenery from scratch and can learn through apprenticeships or related experience. Finding work often involves connections to the film industry. Greens are the workers on movie sets who are tasked with […]
The Singapore Stock Exchange was established in 1973 after the breakup of the Singapore-Malaysia Stock Exchange, and merged with the Singapore International Monetary Exchange in 1999. The government identified the financial sector as a potential growth area, leading to the exchange’s success despite setbacks such as the 1985 and 1987 crashes. The exchange expanded into […]
Capital outflow is when domestic assets are moved to other countries, causing negative effects on the domestic economy. It can occur due to political instability or other factors. Capital controls can help, but they may also deter foreign investors. Capital outflow is a term that is used to describe the flow of domestic assets from […]
Schadenfreude, a German compound word meaning “joy in harm,” is often the basis of humor and entertainment. It can have negative connotations, but is also a form of perverse justice and karmic revenge. However, it can also reinforce prejudices when applied to broader social problems. There are some German words and phrases used in the […]
The phrase “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” means being alert and ready for anything. Its origin is debated, but it is believed to have originated in America. The phrase is often associated with squirrels, but it can also describe a person’s ability to be alert and adapt quickly. Synonyms include enthusiastic and lively. The phrase has a […]
An underwriting group is a collection of bankers who purchase and sell a certain amount of shares at the public offer price. It provides a larger investor base and ensures profitability for both the issuing company and underwriters. The agreement outlines the number and price of shares acquired, the initial public offering price, and a […]
Ovulation can cause mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations, particularly an increase in estrogen levels. Some women experience positive mood swings, while others may feel irritable or anxious. Hormones such as FSH, LH, and progesterone also play a role in the process. The connection between ovulation and mood swings typically involves hormones. As a woman […]
Base-case planning is a decision-making tool used in business planning, market forecasting, and other types of situations where an important strategic decision must be made. It involves creating a baseline scenario and building variant scenarios to explore possible outcomes if key variables are changed. This allows business executives to prepare for both best-case and worst-case […]
The Montreal Exchange is Canada’s largest source of options and futures trading and was one of the first to convert to an e-commerce system. It also handles the electronic trading system for the Boston Options Exchange. The Montreal exchange is a financial market that is the largest source of options and futures trading in Canada. […]
International trade centers offer practical aid and training to businesses seeking to trade internationally, as well as advice to governments on how to improve trade relations. They also provide spaces for networking and sharing information among trade professionals. An international trading center facilitates world trade through collaborative and educational activities. These centers generally exist to […]
Religious satire uses irony, ridicule, or sarcasm to denounce or mock religious practices with the intent of changing views. It can take many forms and is often sensitive. To qualify as satire, the work must have a larger motivation and intent to expose an issue with the subject being satirized. Satire can incite change but […]
Gender feminism and equity feminism are two terms used to categorize different types of feminists. Equity feminists focus on equal rights and treatment, while gender feminists question traditional gender roles and societal norms. These terms are often used in anti-feminist rhetoric, with equity feminism being portrayed as “good” feminism and gender feminism as “bad” feminism. […]
Subprime loans have interest rates higher than prime rates due to the borrower’s low credit rating. Financial advisors suggest shopping for subprime loans as rates and criteria vary. Some advise against subprime loans due to high interest rates, but they may be necessary in certain situations. The decline in home values in 2006 and 2007 […]
The disengagement theory suggests that as people age, they tend to withdraw from society, but this is controversial. Critics argue that disengagement is often enforced, not voluntary, and can lead to isolation. The theory also justifies barriers to participation in social activities for older people and ignores the history of caring for older people differently […]
Federal government jobs offer benefits and job security, but require specific qualifications and testing. These jobs range from clerical to medical positions and are overseen by the US government. Candidates must meet job qualifications and are placed in a competitive pool for consideration. Once hired, employees may be subject to different levels of employment. Many […]
Profitability ratios are used to predict the likelihood of an investment being profitable. The profitability index ranks investments based on their earning capacity, with a ratio of less than one indicating a poor outlook. Discounted cash flow is used to determine whether an investment is sensible, considering cash inflow and present value. Return indices are […]
A business lien is a creditor’s security interest in a business due to unpaid debts, allowing them to place a lien on company assets. There are two types of corporate liens: judicial and consensual. It is important to research liens before buying a business to avoid legal battles and asset loss. A business lien is […]