Fire Resistant Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Fire Resistant Design - Essay Example Fires are arguably the biggest hazard in terms of engineering difficulty. With winds, earthquakes and storms, the change is only in terms of the loads upon a structure. The behavior of the structure and the materials in it is mostly the same, thus precautionary measures are easier to engineer and hazard predictions can be made. In case of fires, the material properties themselves change. The major structural materials – steel, concrete, wood and masonry – all lose their structural integrity and strength as temperatures are raised higher and higher and beyond a certain limit, each of these materials is no longer able to sustain the loads that they need to bear. Another important feature that needs to be focused on is that these materials are usually not used by themselves; rather they work in conjunction with each other, e.g. steel reinforcement of concrete pillars. When such a structure is subjected to higher temperatures, the steel and the concrete might be, by themselves, within their usable limit, but the bonding interface between the two materials may cause failure. As more and more complex designs are being made, joining of varied materials is becoming a very important field in itself. Although the joining materials might be stronger than the materials joined at room temperatures, yet th ey might lose their joining ability at lower temperatures than the temperature at which the joined materials lose their integrity. With higher and higher focus on cost reduction, designers and engineers are being pushed to replace fire emergency equipment and repair costs with nothing i.e. they are being asked to use materials which can resist fires without damages. Thus fire resistant design is very important. This paper focuses on the different methods of assessing the high temperature properties of a certain structure, setting up experiments for the assessment, and it also focuses on different case studies shedding light on the properties of

Food and Beverage Essay Example for Free

Food and Beverage Essay Food and Beverage Service is the service of Food made in the Kitchen and Drinks prepared in the Bar to the Customers (Guest) at the Food Beverage premises, which can be: Restaurants, Bars, Hotels, Airlines, Cruise Ships, Trains, Companies, Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Prisons, Takeaway etc Food Beverage Outlets are divided in to the following categories: Restaurants: Restaurants are places where Food Drink is served. There are various types of Restaurants: All Day Dining Restaurants: They are sometimes called as Coffee Shops or Cafe in Hotels. They are usually big in size with many Covers (seats), compared to other Restaurants in the same Hotel. The main reason why they are called All Day Dining Restaurant is because of their hours of operation, as they are open for Breakfast in the Morning to Lunch in the afternoon to Dinner in the Evening. Fine Dining Restaurants: Fine Dining Restaurants are characterized by their elaborate and exclusive menu with special emphasis on the very high quality food they serve. The emphasis being on fresh ingredients and natural flavors or on the type of Cuisine served, or both. Usually the operation of this restaurant revolves around the Head Chef or Chef De Cuisine of this Outlet. Specialty Restaurants: These are Restaurants which usually have a type of National or Regional Character or Cuisine attached to them, for example: Italian Specialty Restaurant, Chinese Specialty Restaurant etc. In some Hotels they do also sometimes have Multi Cuisine Specialty Restaurant, which literally means that Restaurant serves cuisine from more than one country, or the dishes on the Menu at that Restaurant has Food Specialties from many different countries. 2. Lounge: Lounges can be found in different hotels. Their main purpose is to offer Food Drinks in relaxed surroundings with comfortable and cozy seating in relaxed surroundings. There are many kinds of Lounges ranging from a Lounge in a Lobby, Cocktail Lounge and Cigar Lounge to Executive and Club Lounge in special Floors. 3. Bar: Bar is a place where drinks are served. There is usually a small Snacks Menu too. The service is fast and quick. There are various kinds of Bars ranging from Formal bars to Club Bars, Pubs, Pool Bars, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars, Beach Bar to Juice Bars and many more. 4. Discotheque/Nightclub: They are outlets where Music and Entertainment takes priority with the Food Drink. The operation is very fast and the guest numbers are large. Security is an important aspect in these operations. Music and entertainment can range from DJ to live bands playing. 5. Room Service/In Room Dining: Room Service, also known as In Room Dining . It is the service of Food Drink in Guest Rooms in a Hotel or a Resort. Depending on the size and type of Hotel or Resort its functions vary. 6. Meeting and Conference Rooms: Meeting and Conference rooms together with Ball Rooms come under the Banquets Conference section. They are a great source of Revenue in Food Beverage Department usually in Corporate and City Hotels. MICE (Meetings, Incentives, and Conferences Exhibitions) can alone bring much revenue in some hotels in comparison to other outlets in Hotel. 7. Ball Rooms: These are large Function Rooms which are primarily used for Functions and Weddings. The Staffing ration of Full Time Staff in this section is very less as the Function and Wedding Business can sometimes be seasonal and extra staff is usually filled in by the use of Casual Staff. This Section is the most Dynamic section in Food Beverage with the Conference Section, which is more physically demanding and creatively oriented. 8. Delicatessen: Delicatessen or Deli traditionally had been a place where fresh meat and other produce were available. Hotels nowadays use this concept of having a Deli on their premises, where guests can buy fresh produce ranging from Freshly Baked Bread, Cold Meat, Fresh Salads, Cakes, Home Made Ice creams and light and healthy drinks. 9. Others: There are many other Food Beverage outlets ranging from Fast Food Outlets to Food Courts to Snack Bars which are usually stand alone or in a shopping centre. This is just a brief introduction to Food and Beverage. Detailed information on Food and Beverage can be found at Food and Beverage Bible E Book By Santosh Koripella at: www. foodnbeveragebible. com.

Bresson’s A Man Escaped Essay -- Robert Bresson

Evidence of an Auteur: Bresson’s A Man Escaped Robert Bresson’s A Man Escaped follows the confinement and eventual escape of political activist, Lieutenant Fontaine. The movie’s theme is blatantly clear: freedom at all costs. Fontaine must not only save himself from imminent death, but from the fear of parched sanity. Bresson, an â€Å"auteur† by the standards of colleagues and the Cahiers Du Cinema group, creates suspense melded with hope through the scarcity of music and sound, the restricted establishment of setting, the daunting acting of Francois Leterrier, the exposition of time, and the heavy reliance of a narrator. After first viewing of the film, one might be quick to say that the film is completely devoid of music. It is used so scarcely that it appears to make no impact. Yet, it is that scarcity and exclusion that creates the sullen tone of the film. Bresson relies heavily on ambient, diegetic sound that, in this case, is going to be the silence or the rustling of prisoners’ or guards’ feet within the walls of the prison. Careful scraping of the spoon handle on the floor, the creaking of the wooden door as it is pried open, and the light tapping on the cement walls all lend to the solitude and determination of the prisoner. Sound very much plays a role as a symbol; the clinking of the keys against the railing represents not only authority but raises the tension of the film, the viewer knowing that Fontaine’s exposure as an attempted escapee would lead to sudden death. In combination with the random firings from the death squad, Bresson leads the viewer to really f eel the hopelessness and disparity of the situation. Later in the film, during the escape, the train whistle plays parts as both a warning and ... ...war), but in a way that really strove to show the effects of war on one man from his point of view (far more personal and disheartening). Bresson’s other films are made much in the same vein. Though, for example, L’Argent was made in 1983—far from the reaches of the New Wave era—it still has the Bresson-typical ambient sound, tortured main character, and dreariness about it. Jack C. Ellis says that Bresson’s â€Å"search for ever greater clarity and simplicity of visual-aural statement, his concentration on only those themes that most deeply concern him, place him among the very select company with which he is being considered.† So, while some directors may be debated upon continually as an auteur, it is clear from the consensus of historians and critics, as well as his consistent work in his thirteen films, that Robert Bresson has secured his role as an auteur. Bresson’s A Man Escaped Essay -- Robert Bresson Evidence of an Auteur: Bresson’s A Man Escaped Robert Bresson’s A Man Escaped follows the confinement and eventual escape of political activist, Lieutenant Fontaine. The movie’s theme is blatantly clear: freedom at all costs. Fontaine must not only save himself from imminent death, but from the fear of parched sanity. Bresson, an â€Å"auteur† by the standards of colleagues and the Cahiers Du Cinema group, creates suspense melded with hope through the scarcity of music and sound, the restricted establishment of setting, the daunting acting of Francois Leterrier, the exposition of time, and the heavy reliance of a narrator. After first viewing of the film, one might be quick to say that the film is completely devoid of music. It is used so scarcely that it appears to make no impact. Yet, it is that scarcity and exclusion that creates the sullen tone of the film. Bresson relies heavily on ambient, diegetic sound that, in this case, is going to be the silence or the rustling of prisoners’ or guards’ feet within the walls of the prison. Careful scraping of the spoon handle on the floor, the creaking of the wooden door as it is pried open, and the light tapping on the cement walls all lend to the solitude and determination of the prisoner. Sound very much plays a role as a symbol; the clinking of the keys against the railing represents not only authority but raises the tension of the film, the viewer knowing that Fontaine’s exposure as an attempted escapee would lead to sudden death. In combination with the random firings from the death squad, Bresson leads the viewer to really f eel the hopelessness and disparity of the situation. Later in the film, during the escape, the train whistle plays parts as both a warning and ... ...war), but in a way that really strove to show the effects of war on one man from his point of view (far more personal and disheartening). Bresson’s other films are made much in the same vein. Though, for example, L’Argent was made in 1983—far from the reaches of the New Wave era—it still has the Bresson-typical ambient sound, tortured main character, and dreariness about it. Jack C. Ellis says that Bresson’s â€Å"search for ever greater clarity and simplicity of visual-aural statement, his concentration on only those themes that most deeply concern him, place him among the very select company with which he is being considered.† So, while some directors may be debated upon continually as an auteur, it is clear from the consensus of historians and critics, as well as his consistent work in his thirteen films, that Robert Bresson has secured his role as an auteur.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott Essays -- Rosa Parks, civil rights

In the late eighteen hundreds, the Reconstruction by Congress was overturned by the Supreme Court. Segregation or separation by skin color was made a law which was adopted by private organizations, institutions and businesses (loc.gov). Physical violence and mental harassment was imposed upon those whom were deemed inferior in color. Some citizens accepted the law, as is, without question while others believed it was their supreme right to remain separate without modification. Human activists, that opposed this way of living, pursued an extensive battle to abolish racial inequity and segregation from American life (loc.gov). During the nineteen hundreds, many understood this treatment as an offense to human beings and activists began receiving assistance toward this common goal. Support and hindrance, for equality, were both on the rise throughout the Montgomery Bus Boycott. There were also citizens and organizations or groups who neither supported nor opposed segregation. They just wanted some sort of compromise or settlement to put a stop to all the chaos happening in their city. Two groups in particular that attempted to acquire an agreement between Montgomery city officials, the transportation company and protest leaders were the Men of Montgomery and the Alabama Council on Human Relations. The Men of Montgomery, a businessmen’s group, recruited by protest leaders to resolve the issues was unsuccessful in obtaining a consensus to meet the demands of the bus boycott. These men were able to construct a meeting with the opposing sides; however, they did not take a stand for complete humanity. Choosing sides would possibly gain repercussions from either side. City officials were only willing to produce a partial agreement that... ...unity joined together which was not normal among them. Civility was the conquest among boycotters. Montgomery wasn’t ready for the change. They were forced, by the Supreme Court, to accept the terms of the protesters. The long process and struggle finally paid off, integration legally was adopted. WORKS CITED Garrow, David J. â€Å"Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.† Bearing the Cross. William Morrow. New York Quill. 1-82. Interview, â€Å"Montgomery Bus Boycott,† Mrs. Janice Chapital, 09 Apr 2014. Library of Congress Exhibitions. 06 Oct 09. A Century of Racial Segregation, 1849-1850. 22 Feb 2014. Olson, Lynne. â€Å"The Unsung Heroines of the Civil Rights Movement from 1830 To 1970.† Freedom’s Daughters. Murrow. New York. Scribner. 13-17, 87-191.

Push and Pull Factors of Immigration

One country’s flaw could attract a person to another country, people tend to look for certain characteristics in one country that theirs does not comprise of, and one country’s push factor can be another country’s pull factor. Emigration is a personal choice, but defiantly there are reasons for everything, they could be as simple as wanting to experience something new, or they could be more complex such as living the life that one wanted but couldn’t have in their homeland or previous country, due to politics, religion, education or work.Push and pull factors are liable to overlap, the stronger factors that help make the choice for the majority of the people to migrate from one country to another are the political differences, religious freedom, education and the future, as well as labor. For example during the first half of the twentieth century Canada was the most preferable places to migrate to because it evoked more freedom, and opportunity to those wi th a poor life. Very similar to today people leave their homeland for a better life, the conditions in their country could be very pitiful, their present and future are being destroyed, and their life becomes cautious.A push factor which most choices revolve around is the political factor, because politics is the most powerful characteristic about a country, and it controls how we live, people just can’t handle their lives with appalling politics so they are rather being pushed away by it, and another country with a more preferred political view is pulling us. Dictatorship is probably the most controlling type of government, where the population does not play an important role, and have no say in political choices. The country as whole is controlled by one group with fixed power.A simple definition of this political government is Dictatorship is a government that can be defined as those countries prohibited by authoritative, absolute leaders. Some countries with that type of government are North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Cuba, and Iran, just to name a few. So there is this population of people whose voice cannot be heard, especially a country like Korea where there is a population of approximately twenty-three million people, and they do not possess the freedom of speech, instead this massive population is controlled by Kim-Il Sung and his son Kim Jong-il.What happens is that the population, does not like having the same ruler for all their life, they do not like a dictatorship government, where they carry no voice, they are basically a mass of people with very little importance to the government. People living in a country like this date it, they prefer to make a choice on government and give a voice that would count to something, and in a dictatorship country that becomes impossible. So these people start to migrate to much freer countries, countries where their voice be heard such as Canada, the United States, countries that are democratic.Anyone w ould prefer living in a country where they can choose the life which they want, rather than living in a country where you are forced to live a certain life, and so the push and pull factor regarding government becomes very clear. A push factor is a dictatorship where one is being controlled mentally, while a pull factor is democracy where you choose your path, you choose a better life. Another big issue that affects people’s lives majority is war, whether it is genocide, or revolutionary, people have that fear in them.Wars often scare people off to another country, because they start thinking twice about their safety, and the future of the country. It is the weaker countries which we see today such as Afghanistan and Iraq who are being thrown into war, or being attacked, these countries are not attacking back, they do not hold the power to attack the country, or defend their own. People are kind of rushed away from political problems like this, people tend to ask for peace, a nd unfortunately for some they do not achieve that peace.A population would not want their children growing up or exposed to such violence. War plays a big part in a push factor, because after a while the population would start to think about their own future, the future of the country, and how could there be a personal future if the future of a country is destroyed? A country’s leader would typically try to put all the pieces back together after the attack is done and the other country has withdrew from the attack, but it would take a lot of patience to wait for those pieces to be put back nd readjust. People find it much easier to try to adjust to a different country with a hopeful future, which insures safety for their kids. A pull factor regarding politics is with a nation which holds peace or a special relationship with other countries, and does not hold many political problems and disagreements. Countries like that are once again Canada, Australia, alongside some other countries in Northern Europe such as Sweden, Holland or Denmark, where we see are already favorable for people who are looking to migrate.Finally the last effective push factor which kind of comes into play as a force of immigration is persecution. Political persecution would go hand in hand with religious persecution. First off persecution is â€Å"a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs† for example â€Å"the persecutions of Christians by the Romans. † So this is more of a force, and the people are not given the choice.We saw in the past that Muslims were killed by the Christians during the crusades. This factor is more of a threat, people of certain religions could be offended in other countries, where people do not believe in the religion in which some would like to practice, and torture would come into play. So people are feared of this act. Instead they are pulled to countries that are mo re accepting of all types of religions, where equality is a factor.Freedom to practice your own religion is very important to those who are religious, and even for people who are considered to be atheist, or do not follow a certain religious path or believes, immigration is a big choice for them, and it comes to a sense where people are now free to start over, and live the life which they wanted, but could not have because they were threatened. So as stated above in some cases immigration is a choice, but where it is a choice or a force, there are push and pull factors that go along with it, in this case political reasoning is the most effective to people’s choice.And because of politics, people have felt threatened, and scared to stay in their own country, and they looked for a more clear path. We live to pursue our dreams, the future, and fortunately for most of us we have been taught to go after what we want, and that could mean escaping many obstacles and challenging ours elves to go from a place where our dreams and preferences were hopeless to a place where our dreams seem to shine bright.Without push and pull factors we there would be no reason to escape one country to go live in another. Politics, types of government, war, genocide, are all push and pull factors and with out them people would not realize why they are immigrating, and if there were no push factors, people are most likely to stay in their homeland and stick with their own culture and beliefs, and have the life they always dreamed of.

Liquid Phase Chemical Reactors Essay Example

Liquid Phase Chemical Reactors Essay Example Liquid Phase Chemical Reactors Paper Liquid Phase Chemical Reactors Paper It is also used in the laboratories in obtaining design, interpretation of rate of reaction and numerical treatment of kinetics experimental data for different types of reacting systems. The use of a batch reactor for the most part eliminates the effects due to fluid flow on the resulting reaction rates. Consequently, the data reflect the intrinsic kinetics for the reaction being investigated. The objectives of this experiments To find the reaction rate constant in a batch stirred tank reactor for the specification of ethyl acetate with dilute sodium hydroxide. To determine the effect of temperature on reaction rate constant. To find the values of rate constant and Awareness parameters. Equipment used Arm field batch stirred tank reactor A stop clock A conductivity meter Water bath (tank) with a thermostat Funnel A heat controller Two flasks of one liter each and Stock solutions (0. 1 M sodium hydroxide and 0. MM ethyl acetate). The key results obtained include Table showing rate constant, , , in a batch stirred tank reactor. T( Rate constant/ 25 30 To conclude All the objectives where met as the results below shows and from those results there is a clear indication that conductivity is inversely proportional to he temperature also the reaction rate constant is directly proportional to the temperature . From the experiment it shows that in a batch reactor, since there is no inflow or outflow, the reactants concentration reduces with time. For an overall second order reaction (first order in both components) like the one that was done in the lab, the reaction rate is also dependent on the concentration of the reactants unlike a zero order reaction that is independent of the concentrations of the reactants. Conductivity of a solution decreases with time as the solution loses it ions, it will become less conductive. The things that I learnt doing this experiment are What I have learnt from this experiment was that conductivity is used instead of concentration may be since they both directly proportional to each other and affected with the same parameters. Also I have learnt how the rate Of a reaction could be increased or decreased by factors such as temperature. Introduction A batch reactor is used in chemical processes for small scale operation, for testing new processes that have not been fully developed, for the manufacturer of expensive products and for processes that are difficult to convert to continuous operations. The advantage of batch reactor is high conversion which be obtained by leaving the reactant in the reactor for long periods of time but it also has the disadvantages of high labor costs per batch and the difficulty of large scale production. In a batch reactor, all the reactants are loaded at once, the concentration then varies with time, but at any one time it is uniform throughout. Agitation serves to mix separate feeds initially and to enhance heat transfer. Batch reactors are popular in practice because of their flexibility with respect to reaction time and to the kinds and quantities of reactions that can process. The characteristic of batch reactor such as the total mass of each batch is mixed, each batch is a closed system and the reaction (residence) time for all elements of fluid is the same. A chemical reactor is an equipment unit in a chemical process where chemical reactions take place to generate a desirable product at a specified production rate, using a given chemistry. The reactor configuration and its operating conditions are selected to achieve certain objectives such as maximizing the profit of the process, and minimizing the generation of pollutants, while satisfying several design and operating constraints (safety, controllability, availability of raw materials, etc. ). Usually, the performance of the chemical reactor plays a pivotal role in the operation and economics of the entire process since its operation affects most other units in the process (separation units, utilities, etc. ). Chemical reactors usually fulfill three main requirements: 1 . Provide appropriate contacting of the reactants. 2. Provide the necessary reaction time for the formation of the desirable product. 3. Provide the heat-transfer capability required to maintain the specified temperature range. In many instances these three requirements are to complimentary, and achieving one of them comes at the expense of another. A batch experimental reactor is used for slow reactions since species compositions can be readily measured with time. Batch reactors are used widely in industry at all scales. Batch reactors are tanks , commonly provided with agitation and a method of heat transfer ( usually by coils or external jacket) . This type of reactor is primarily employed for relatively slow reactions of several hours duration, since the downtime for filling and emptying large equipment can be significant. Agitation is used to maintain homogeneity and to improve heat transfer. In a batch reactor it consists of a tank, integral heating and cooling system; one or more fluid reagents are introduced into a tank reactor equipped with an impeller which helps to stirs the reagents to ensure proper perfect mixing. Batch chemical reactors are used for a variety of process operations such as solids dissolution, product mixing, chemical reactions, batch distillation, crystallization, liquid/liquid extraction and popularization. Chemical reactors vary widely in size, shape and method of operation; the simple types of reactor are: batch reactor (BRB); based on omelet mixing, plug flow reactor (PR); based on plug flow, continues stirred tank reactors (CAST); based on back-mix flow and laminar flow reactor (ELF); based on laminar flow. Batch reactors are used both in laboratories and industrial process for prod icing chemicals. In the laboratories, it is used in Of kinetics experimental data for different types Of reacting systems. In industries, it is used for small scale production; especially for situations whereby switching from one process or product to another are required; such as in manufacture of pharmaceuticals. It is also used in the production f polyvinyl chloride (involving suspension of popularization) and emotion popularization latex Generally several factors could influence the rate of a chemical reaction. Some of these factors include: Temperature Concentration State of reactants (that is if they are solid, liquid or gas) Order of reaction Theory The overall mass balance for the stirred reactor can be written as: Rate of change within the reactor = Input -?output-Loss by reaction For batch operation, the overall mass balance can be rearranged to: Rate of change within the reactor Loss by reaction I. E. For a material A: Where: CACAO is input concentration of A in the input stream CA = exit concentration of A in the exit stream RA rate of reaction of A. In homogeneous reaction systems, reaction rates depend on the concentration of the reactants. Collision theory indicates a rate increase if the concentration of one or both of the reactants is increased. Conversely, lowering the concentration should have the opposite effect. However, the specific effect of concentration changes in a reaction system has to be determined by experimental methods. Increasing the concentration Of substance A in reaction with substance B old increase the reaction rate, decrease it or have no effect on it depending on the particular reaction. It is important to recognize that the balanced equation for the net reaction does not indicate how the reaction rate is affected by a change in concentration of reactants. The general form of the rate law for a bimolecular reaction is: The reaction to be studied in this experiment for the batch reactor was for the specification Of ethyl acetate with dilute sodium hydroxide. The equation is as shown below: Specification is the name given to the chemical reaction that occurs when a getable oil or animal fat is mixed with a strong alkali. The products of the reaction are two: soap and glycerin. Water is also present, but it does not enter into the chemical reaction. The water is only a vehicle for the alkali, which is otherwise a dry powder. It is commonly refers to the reaction of a metallic alkali such as Lye (A. K. A. Sodium Hydroxide or Noah) with an animal or vegetable fat, or oil to produce soap. In this reaction, two products result: Soap and Glycerin. The equation is as shown below: The structural formula is shown below: Sodium Hydroxide (Noah) is a caustic base or metallic alkali Noah is used in his experiment which means it will result in a hard soap will result. In specification, the metallic alkali, in this case sodium hydroxide (Noah) breaks down the fat with which it is mixed. In soap making, fats used can either be vegetable oils like olive Oil, or animal fats. When the oil Or fat is mixed with the base the process takes place it can be endothermic reaction meaning it absorbs surrounding heat or exothermic reaction releasing heat. In the reaction the rate is expected to depend on the concentration of A and B. The order of the reaction in both components is first; therefore the action has an overall order of two, since the overall order is the sum of the power order of each of the components. Thus, from Equating equation (1) and (2) it gives: However, if the two concentration are made equal from the start, then; Integrating gives the equation 5 below: From equation (5), a graph of against can be plotted which will give a slope that is equal to rates constant Concentration of hydroxide, is the concentration of reactant A in the exit stream at time t is the initial concentration of Noah is the conductivity of the solution at time t is the conductivity Of the solution at the end Of reaction s the initial conductivity at time t = O The relationship between reaction rate and temperature is explained by Awareness equation which is given as: is the reaction rate constant is the universal gas constant (8. 314] mol-K-1) is temperature is the activation energy (k mol-l) is Awareness constant or pre-exponential factor (5-1) for a first order reaction By applying natural logarithm to both sides, equation 7 above can be re- written as shown below: A plot of against would yield a strai ght line graph from which A can be obtained as the intercept of the line at. The activation energy (EAI) can then be obtained from the slope of the graph which is given as. Thus if the slope, S z, then the activation energy can be estimated as: Reactions with low activation energy are relatively temperature-insensitive while those with high activation energies are very temperature sensitive. Therefore, any given reaction is much more temperature-sensitive at a low temperature than at a high temperature. Thus the batch stirred tank reactor allows to measure rates of reaction by observing the change of reactant concentration within the reactor with time. It can also easily change and control the temperature of the system. Experimental equipment 1 Figure 1: Layout of the experimental equipment Description As seen in figure 2, the experimental diagram shows the equipment used in the laboratory practical and the layout. These include: 1. Arm field batch reactor, which was the main equipment that was used for the experiment to take place where the reactants were mixed in; 2. A stop clock for measuring time (in seconds) after start up as the run proceed; 3. A portable conductivity meter, which measures the time dependent conductivity of the solution in the tank. The unit on the meter is Siemens m-l; 4. Water bath with a thermostat, here ethyl acetate and sodium hydroxide were place in other to maintain their temperature; 5. Funnel used to pour ethyl acetate and diluted sodium hydroxide into the batch reactor; 6. Heat controller used to control the temperature for the experiment at the different temperature; 7. Flasks used to measure out 1 liter Of each reactant(ethyl acetate and sodium hydroxide); 8. Water solution used to put the conductivity probe inside while the reactants were poured into the reactor; 9. A thermometer for measuring the water temperature. Experimental Procedure 1 . The reaction temperature was initially set to 25 co on the thermostatic tat. 2. Two 1 liter flasks were filled to the mark with sodium hydroxide solution and ethyl acetate solution respectively. They were then placed in the bath. 3. The reaction temperature was set on the reactor control panel. 4. The conductivity meter was set up and its probe end was placed in the bath to come reaction temperature. 5. The flasks were allowed to reach reaction temperature. 6. The solution of sodium hydroxide (1 liter) was added to the reactor, as well as the solution of ethyl acetate (1 liter) was added to the reactor and the clock was started when ca. 50% was added. 7. After 30 seconds, the ca. 200 ml ample was withdrawn from the reactor and straight after that, its conductivity was measured, noting time. The sample was then returned to the reactor and the probe to the bath. 8. This was repeated every 30 seconds for 10 minutes. 9. The experiment was allowed to run for another 20 minutes, this time taking readings every 3 minutes. 10. The experiment was then repeated at different temperatures of ICC and ICC Observations It was observed that the conductivity readings obtained at ICC, ICC and ICC decreases with time.

Hca 430 Final Assignment Essays

Hca 430 Final Assignment Essays Hca 430 Final Assignment Essay Hca 430 Final Assignment Essay Running Head: JOB DESCRIPTION 1Debra L. ImmelHCA 311 Human Resources ManagementBusiness PlanInstructor: Volante HendersonJuly 22, 2013JOB DESCRIPTION 2Job Description The purpose of an accurate job description is exactly what it sounds like it is. An accurate and concise job description prepared by the well-informed human resource manager would give a prospective employee an idea of what the job would require at a minimum level to fulfill the needs of the specific job. This job description is describing the position of a registered nurse case manager of hospice patients. The following areas will be described are tasks, tools and technology, knowledge, skills and abilities and finally educational requirements. This detailed paper would be useful for high school students in the planning of college and career choices, as its primary function is to increase the understanding of the role described in the prospective job position.Summary Report for:Registered Nurse Hospice Case ManagerThe role of the registered nurse hospice case manager includes administering nursing care to the dying patient, assessing the hospice patients and their family members’ health strengths and weaknesses, develop, assess, implement and evaluate care plans. This role includes maintaining the medical record and provides overall management of the caseload. This position requires a Registered Nurse Licensure in the State of Wisconsin. All candidates will provide a sample for drug screen.TasksMonitor all aspects of the patient’s care, including medications and treatments.JOB DESCRIPTION 3Instruct and educate the patient, caregivers and

Definition Essay Topics Top 15 Best Essay Topics and Ideas of 2017

Definition Essay Topics Top 15 Best Essay Topics and Ideas of 2017 Definition essay explains the meaning of a word or a concept. Its just like explaining a new concept to your friend or acquaintance, with the only difference that its being done in writing. Generally, there is nothing easier than coming up with a definition essay topic all you need to do is pick a concept and try to explain it. While attempting to define or explain a concept, you need to remember that concrete (real world) concepts are a lot easier to explain than abstract ones. Conversely, abstract notions are a lot harder to explain. If you are assigned to write a definition essay, read: How to Write a Definition Essay Here is a list of free definition topics that can be used to practice a definition  essay writing. Definition Essay Topics List 1. Define the meaning of friendship, love, hatred etc. 2. Explain what buoyancy means. 3. Define the meaning of onomatopoeia, assonance, alliteration. 4. Explain the term Thatcherism. 5. Explain the term phase as it relates to homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures. 6. Define the meaning of confidentiality. 7. Define the phenomenon of convergence. 8. Define the concept of influence peddling. 9. Define the concept of culture. 10. Define the term surface tension. 11. Is killing animals humanely? 12. Are carnivorous cannibals? 13. Is acting the same as pretending? 14. Is graffiti really art? 15. Are bananas fruit? There also exists a mix of the definition and argument essay topics. You will need to argue that something should or shouldnt be defined in a certain way. The basic formula for such argument of a definition essay is: Something is/isnt something else or X is/isnt Y. While explaining a given concept you should bear in mind that your actual explanation will vary depending on the academic level you are writing at. For example, if sixth-grade students were asked to explain what friendship is, their essay would most likely start out with Friendship is when†¦Ã¢â‚¬  or simply: It is when†¦ While this verbiage may be ok for a junior school, it is outrageously inappropriate to use it during college years. You need to take into account the level you are expected to perform at and make sure your writing matches those expectations, otherwise youre in trouble. Looking for the definition essay example? Here  are 2 sample definition essays written by our writers: Definition Essay Examples If you need any assistance writing your definition essay, please feel free to contact our support staff and they will guide you through the entire process, ensuring you have learned to cope with this kind of assignment effectively. Place an order to get an instant quote.

Landfills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Landfills - Essay Example This paper includes the history and development of property type of landfills in Australia. The story of how the Australian comes up with this method is also discussed in this paper. The development and application of various methods for this property type is also described. This paper shows the comparison of landfills in Australia with other countries such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand. Graphs and tables are included in this study as your reference about landfills in Australia. The management of wastes is an important environmental issue. Some wastes are toxic and can harm living organisms and their disposal is of particular importance. Other wastes, while not directly toxic, can physically harm the environment. Effective maintenance of waste can help us a lot. Landfills were introduced in England in 1912. It was formerly called as the Controlled Tipping and involves natural fermentation brought about by microorganisms. Waste materials or refuse are deposited in shallow layer, compacted and covered within 24 hours with earth or other chemically inert material from an effective seal. (Britannica, 2006). United States of America and New Zealand are among the countries that use landfills and experienced controversy in using landfills as waste management. Below are some details about the history and development of landfills in both countries. United States of America At the end of World War II, urban growth accelerated. With this growth came increased refuse generation. The impacts of open-burning dumps on public health became a concern. Experience in the military with sanitary fill methods and the interests by some local governments in eliminating open dumps led to increased efforts to dispose of refuse in a sanitary manner, but what prescribed a sanitary manner was unknown. Many local governments that bragged about using the "sanitary landfill" method were actually using modified open dumps. The landfill in 1940 was described in a report prepared by the Sanitary Engineering Research Project of the University of California in 1952.1 The landfill studied in 1949 was described as a refuse dropped and spread out over a large to allow scavengers easy access. At the end of day pigs were allowed on the spread-out refuse for overnight feeding. It is in this year that the landfills made their appearance. Most of the landfills were located on former wetlands. This 1 Sanitary Engineering Research Project. "An Analysis of Refuse Collection and Sanitary Landfill Disposal." practice does not take long and was subjected to change because of obvious reasons. Open burning of refuse created air pollution. Allowing the pig to eat raw garbage was not a sanitary . During this time there were no minimum requirements set as to what constituted a sanitary landfill. Like the landfills in Australia, most of the landfills in USA where also subjected to closure because of the following reasons; it can cause air pollution, the leak is unsafe for the residents that surrounds the area, groundwater contamination and others that affect the health of the people. The commitment of the US Public Health Service (USPHS) to provide national leadership to eliminate open-burning dumps and replace them with sanitary landfills also served as the basis for a broader national strategy to improve the management

ICT and SEN Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

ICT and SEN - Essay Example There are numerous ways in which advancement in information and technology have made human life easier and have provided opportunities for many, among them is an integral role played by information and communication technology to support the need of special education. There are many changes which we experience during the information age on educational system (FLETCHER, 1995).  It helps in providing equal opportunities for everything, the people who are receiving special education. Another important factor is the contribution it has in eliminating barriers which students go through in achieving special education. Special devices are implemented and installed which helps in achieving the educational benefits. ICT implementation and installment helps in supporting education and it plays a very important role (CRIVELLI, 2000).   Using information and communication technologies can play a very important role and they are basically dealing in four ways which includes using assistive IC T, augmentative ICT, remedial ICT and diagnostic ICT. It helps in diagnostic ICT and also helps special people who are facing problem and difficulties in reading, writing material, spelling words. ICT also helps in providing better help to people who are facing and going through visual, emotional along with behavioral problems PAYNE, SEYMOUR, & INGLETON, 2008). It provides help in the field of research which is conducted along with information related to important cases. It also helps teachers and trainers who are working for special education along with people who are managing various details for special education around the world. ICT helps in increasing the impact and role technology have on developing the teacher’s training, classroom assistance and also in developing an educational plan which is very effective (BENTHAM, & HUTCHINS, 2007).   ICT is an important component used today for the syllabus being made and selected along with adding few important tools and resour ces. It helps in designing a program which provides suitable learning process. ICT usage helps the students in getting required information and knowledge along with properly evaluating what the teachers are offering. It also helps in developing a plan for knowing the required level of information which the students hold and possess. It helps in determining level of student and helps in majorly three areas which include the didactic use of the technology, compensation use and the information it gets related to the communication. There is an important need to create conditions and environment for the students with special educational needs (MAGYAR, 2011) There is an important need to provide a technological infrastructure along with providing variety for the course which is offered and providing detail training to specialist who will be using the ICT. ICT usage have many advantages which includes increase in autonomy learning to a large extent along with finding hidden potential which people have specially when it comes to the difficulty they are facing in communication. Achievements of students are demonstrated in a larger detail which is ignored or is not given much importance when the traditional and the conventional method are used. The tasks used are for utilizing the skill set and the qualities which the individuals possess (OORSCHOT, & HVINDEN, 2001).   Some advantages of using ICT include better and easy access to

Separation of Powers Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Separation of Powers - Research Paper Example ght, the method of creating a sense of equal measure and power in which to form a government that serves its people instead of serving power for the sake of power, is indicative of the theories of freedom that drove the framers of the Constitution during its inception. With focus on three specific forms of the checks and balance method of construction, the equality of governance can be examined and assessed. In Article I, Section 8 of the constitution it states that â€Å"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States† which is followed by, â€Å"To borrow money on the credit of the United States;† (United). According to this clause, the legislative branch of government is responsible for the economic health of the state. The following power allows for the ability for this branch to borrow money on behalf of the United States. This power provides a framework for the government to develop its economic interests and act as an agent of management for the financial considerations of the nation. The business of maintaining and running the nation has been put into the hands of Congress, allowing for the decisions that most directly affect the financial well-being of the country to be considered. Without the actions of the Congress, the employees of government cannot get paid, the budget considerations cannot be met, and the expense of running a country would not have administration. By the use of this power, the Congress has the power to create and oversee the budget, while determining the proper use of the available funds to allocate to needs. With this considerable power, the legislative section of the government has the ability to plot the course of the country in regard to the funding of war, the federal grants to the states for schools and roads,

Language Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Language - Essay Example Language and culture are closely related, especially because language is part of culture. When considered individually, however, language and culture have a major impact on national identity. In this regard, Anderson is right in arguing that the mother tongue is the medium through which fellowships are imagined, history is rebuilt, and futures fantasised among patriots1. First, it is important to explore the concept of nationalism since it has a huge bearing on the impact of language. Nationalism is a relatively new concept for most countries; this is because most countries are relatively young. In this regard, it could be said that the oldest countries have the strongest links to nationalism2. For example, it is hardly surprising that terms like Americanism, capitalism, and communism, liberalism, socialism and anarchism are more entrenched in Western societies than in African ones. These isms are not only foreign but also imposed, and language is the vehicle used to facilitate such imposition. However, what differentiates younger from older countries is culture, because culture is rarely dependent on nationalistic ideals. In English in the World: History, Diversity, Change, Seargeant and Swann explore the concept of globalisation and its connection to the spread of English3. Globalisation is often cited as one of the hindrances to nationalism and the development of nationalist ideals; this makes it a prime candidate for the examination of the relationship between struggles over the English language and struggles over national identities. The authors argue that the relationship between globalisation and English is two-way4. On one hand, the greater dynamism in society and the manner in which numerous facets of contemporary life function on an international rather than national level create a need for a standard method of communication that supersedes national boundaries. For example, if an enterprise wants to trade with businesses in other parts of the

Approaches of the Balance of Payment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Approaches of the Balance of Payment - Essay Example Balance of payment is an important section of the national economy of a country. It constitutes a major part. The report will primarily highlight the importance and relevance of balance of payment. Further it will emphasize on one of its approaches and will depict the importance of that approach in the present business environment. However in this respect, the elasticities approach will be highlighted. Similarly its relevance in the present business environment will be discussed. Nevertheless before getting into the discussion a brief overview of balance of payment is presented below:- The Balance of payment (BOP) can be referred to as one of the economic indicators which are mainly used to determine the political and economical stability of a country (Nayak 172). It takes into account the trade balance, financial transactions with the other countries for a specific period of time. Apart from this balance of payment distinguishes all the exports and imports, which embraces all the financial transactions, and it also differentiates monetary differences of the economic transactions. Now in the context of a country, if it has a positive BOP, then it signifies that a country has more funds coming in from the international trade than going out. While negative BOP illustrates that, a country has more funds flowing out than coming in. Elasticities approach is an approach of BOP that tries to predict the outcome after the impact of policy changes on BOP. In order to cite an example, elasticities approach primarily shed light on the impact of exchange rate on the balance. Furthermore, if the balance of payment is in equilibrium state, the elasticities approach assumes that the devaluation can certainly enhance BO (Gagnon, â€Å"Long-run supply effects and the elasticities approach to trade†). However devaluation to perform successfully, price elasticities of foreign demand of import and domestic demand has to

Language Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Language - Essay Example Language and culture are closely related, especially because language is part of culture. When considered individually, however, language and culture have a major impact on national identity. In this regard, Anderson is right in arguing that the mother tongue is the medium through which fellowships are imagined, history is rebuilt, and futures fantasised among patriots1. First, it is important to explore the concept of nationalism since it has a huge bearing on the impact of language. Nationalism is a relatively new concept for most countries; this is because most countries are relatively young. In this regard, it could be said that the oldest countries have the strongest links to nationalism2. For example, it is hardly surprising that terms like Americanism, capitalism, and communism, liberalism, socialism and anarchism are more entrenched in Western societies than in African ones. These isms are not only foreign but also imposed, and language is the vehicle used to facilitate such imposition. However, what differentiates younger from older countries is culture, because culture is rarely dependent on nationalistic ideals. In English in the World: History, Diversity, Change, Seargeant and Swann explore the concept of globalisation and its connection to the spread of English3. Globalisation is often cited as one of the hindrances to nationalism and the development of nationalist ideals; this makes it a prime candidate for the examination of the relationship between struggles over the English language and struggles over national identities. The authors argue that the relationship between globalisation and English is two-way4. On one hand, the greater dynamism in society and the manner in which numerous facets of contemporary life function on an international rather than national level create a need for a standard method of communication that supersedes national boundaries. For example, if an enterprise wants to trade with businesses in other parts of the

Accounting project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Accounting project - Essay Example Accrual basis of accounting assumes that business will be done by both cash and credit. In these circumstances, there might be some unfinished or incomplete transactions at the end of every month or year. For example, salaries to workers are paid every Thursday evening but the present year ends on Tuesday, Dec 31. In such a circumstance, salary from last Friday to this Tuesday (5 days) has been earned by the workers, although we will pay them next Thursday 02 Jan. If we want to provide an accurate picture of the accounts as of Dec 31, we will take 5 days salary as payable up to Dec 31 and 2 days payable in the New Year. This accrual of 5 days salaries as of Dec 31 is an adjusting entry which helps us record salaries payable to workers as of that date. Under cash basis accounting this entry would be unnecessary since no cash would have been paid out till Jan 02 of the New Year (Accounting Coach, 1). From the above, it is abundantly clear about the nature and need for adjusting entries. Adjusting entries are needed to reflect a correct picture of the accounts as of the end of the year (Meigs et al, 153). Since most businesses have Dec 31 as the closing date for the year, this is the date at which their adjusting entries are made. However the accounts may be closed at any other date during the year, June 30 or Sep 30 for example and so adjustments are typically made at that date for these businesses. There may be different types of adjusting entries required. The following are the most usual kinds of adjusting entries that are seen in the business arena: One important peculiarity is that it is often seen that under the double entry system of accounting, where every debit has a credit, of the two accounts used in an adjusting entry, one is typically an Income Statement account while the other will be a Balance Sheet account. We usually have to create one of these accounts to record the complete

Incendiary Fire Analysis and Investigation Essay Example for Free

Incendiary Fire Analysis and Investigation Essay The significance of the damages and losses brought by fire incidents is beyond any expression of human measurement, thus, the fire responders and investigators are always tasked with challenging accountability that begins from the incidence response to the cause investigation. The fire needs to be extinguish, not only to prevent further damages to the property and protect the victims lives, but also to protect the integrity of the evidences that will be use to understand the root cause of the incident, as some fire investigation escalates to civil or criminal charges. While the fire department’s investigation results are assisting the judiciary of the government to conclude the issues brought by the parties involved, the jurys decision is equally improving the fire departments standards and practices towards these incidents, from the initial response to complex forensic investigations. The prevention of the tragedy, though exigent in nature, is the goal and hope of every party involved, even the fire department. The paper discusses the laws and different court rulings that affect the fire response and investigation procedures. It particularly discusses the analysis and investigation methodology employed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology over the collapse of the New York’s 7 World Trade Center in September 11, 2001, including the investigation results and the responses of the government and other interested bodies from the investigation results. Laws and Court Rulings Related to Fire Investigation and Analysis The scope analysis of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution during several court proceedings has found its way to fire incidents and investigations that happened in the past. These amendments have been applied to the responses and investigations of succeeding fire incidents. Among the amendments are the following: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fourth Amendment Governing all searches and seizures of person or of property, this amendment of the Constitution, states that any search or seizure must have a probably cause and must have a support of oath or affirmation about the details of the search or seizure. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2002) While the Fourth Amendment limits the authority of the government over the privacy of the citizen, including his or her properties, even at any cases of emergency, the Fire Department response team are excluded from this law, only during these emergency, better termed as exigent circumstances; thus the responders and investigator are allowed to enter the private premises without any warrant. The exigent circumstance exception spans from the actual response time of the Fire Department until the cause investigation. In 1978, during the Michigan v. Tyler case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled out that the fire department, even without search warrant, has the authority to enter, and remain on, the property under the exigent circumstances until the emergency is over, and even after the fire has been extinguish, within a reasonable time.   (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2002). The Fire Department was given this exception, not only to prevent further loss or damage of life and property, and to determine the cause or origin of the incident, but also to prevent damages to the, or protect the, integrity of the evidences that will be used to understand the cause and origin of the fire incident (Herrera, 2003). While this exception is seemingly advantageous for the   fire responders and investigators, fire departments accountability over this kind of emergencies, and even during the cause analysis and investigations, becomes heavier. The pressure for the fire department comes by controlling the fire intrinsically, for even with the yellow fire tape all ready set up, the emotions, intentions and reactions of other people over this kind of scenario could have significant, and sometimes unexpected, effects as revealed during past fire investigations and court proceedings. The media, the victims, and the other civilians within and near the scene are some of the additional factors that the fire responders need to control. For the involvement of the media in fire incidents, according to the twenty   two year veteran of San Diego Fire Department, Fred Herrera, â€Å"The courts have not defined a clear-cut answer that covers all of the contingencies involved. Differing opinions have occurred at all judicial levels and vary widely from state to state.† In 1999, during the the Wilson v. Layne, the Alabama Supreme court ruled out that the media who accompanied a federal marshal with an arrest warrant violated the Fourth Amendment, while, the Florida Supreme Court ruled out, during the Florida Publishing Co. v. Fletcher, in   1976,   decided that the photographer ride along of a fire marshal into a fire scene did not illegally enter a property (Herrera, 2003). 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fifth Amendment Best known as pleading the fifth, this amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the suspects from self incrimination, thus giving possible immunity to uncover the cause of, say, incendiary fire incidents (Head). Although during the court proceedings for the Lionti v. Lloyd’s Insurance Co. case, in 1983, where an employee, who allegedly had arguments with the employer, whose business was in financial crisis (the arguments were used as the probably cause for the alleged arson), invoked the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, the jury still found the employer’s right of no heavy significance to reach the court ruling, since the court favored the testimony of one of the investigators hired by the insurance company. The private investigator testified that the suspected arsonist, the employee, had told the investigator, outside the courtroom, how the employer was suggested by the same employee how to set up the arson (Murphy, 2007). It is true that the Fifth Amendment could be used as a shield for the suspects or anyone in the courtroom, but the counsel nor the investigators should not lose the resources to dig into the truth behind the fire incidents, for that matter. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sixth Amendment Stating the privilege of a citizen to speedy trial, not in shady manner, including the right to have of counsel from an attorney, and the accused’s right to face the prosecuting witness, this amendments sometimes puts the fire responders and investigators into the test of professionalism and integrity. The fire department’s investigation results will define if a case should be filed, and if so, it will also dictate if the case should be civil or criminal, in nature. From the same report, will the actions of the involved party will be based. In some instances, a third party investigation is being hired to gather more information. For the proceedings of possible arson, the fire responders and investigators would normally be invited to testify their finding before the court. Importance of Fire Analysis and Investigation While for the victims, the extent of the damages and losses due to fire incident cannot be equated to any monetary value, as what is usually being broad-casted on TV, for the fire responders and investigator who acted on those situations, the incidence can equally be life changing. Several court proceedings related to incendiary fire has proven the sensitivity of any actions, from all the parties involved. A veteran of this field can never let his or her guard off to control the situation for all the accountability at hand. It is true that when emergency cases happen, it can no longer be avoided, for the very nature and definition of it, but the lessons from these situations are what the fire investigations aim for. Not only the citizen, but also the government and private companies, depends on the information from these investigations, for learning the root cause of the fire incident is vital formulate actions and countermeasures that will lessen the possibility of the incident from happening.

Warrington Environmental Pollution and Soil Health Risks

Warrington Environmental Pollution and Soil Health Risks Report on the environmental pollution and human health risks of soils in the former industrial area of Woolston, Warrington. 2.Introduction: As a result of rapid population growth followed by intense industrial activity and petrochemical development soils have suffered from contamination with substances of various origins (E.M.Garcia et al,2015).As a result of rapid industrialisation of cities such as Manchester, newly constructed canals were built all over the UK in order to increase trade as well as the exportation of goods. In the 1820s, a new canal was established along the river Mersey with the purpose of shortening the route of navigation through the meandering Mersey. 3.Study site. According to Warrington borough council, the New Cut Canal was opened in 1821. This 2km long canal was built in order to improve the Mersey and Irwell navigation by creating a shortcut for barges carrying goods between Liverpool and Manchester. Historical ordnance survey maps from 1907 show an adjacent chemical works, a large tannery, a slaughter house, a metal works and a gunpowder mill. Sustained industrial activity meant that the canal sediment was undoubtedly polluted by spillages from ships and industrial effluents (Hartley and Dickinson,2010). Following the establishment of the Manchester shipping canal the New Cut Canal began to decline until it was left derelict (Warrington borough council) and eventually the Canal was disconnected from the river and abandoned in 1978 (Hartley and Dickinson,2010). In that year, it was decided that the site was to be used for tipping under emergency procedures to deposit road construction rubble (Hartley and Dickinson ,2010). Following this history, it has been estimated that the site contains 9800 tonnes of polluted anoxic sediment. It is known that this polluted sediment contains elevated levels of TPHs (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons), PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) followed by highly elevated concentrations of metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr and Ni) and Arsenic (As) (Hartley and Dickinson,2010). 4.Methods: 4.1. Methods out in the field. 4.1.1 Soil samples To determine the degree of soil contamination at the site, soil samples were taken at various points along the New Cut Canal site. It was decided that a systematic sampling method would be used in order to record an adequate amount of data for the investigation. This sampling method had been chosen as it allowed one to determine the spatial pattern of contamination whilst limiting human errors (O1). Whilst at the site, transects had been established along the New Cut Canal site. Transects were established along a 700-metre stretch of the canal and each transect had been separated by 70 meters. In total there was 10 transects and along each transect,6 soil samples were taken approximately every 10 meters from the Northernmost point of the canal to the southernmost point closest to the river Mersey. Soil samples from each sampling point were taken just below the surface but in order to prevent large organic materials from interfering with the soil investigations later it was decided that each sample should be taken and the large organic matter (Roots etc.) should be removed. This was done using a measuring tape and a spade. The soil samples had been gathered in plastic bags. 4.2. Conductivity and resistivity values within the soil surrounding New Cut Canal. 4.2.1. Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) using ERT (Electrical Resistivity Tomography) The ERI was used to show the potential mobility of trace and toxic metals within the soil by analysing conductivity data from the ERT and the EM-31. Conductivity measurements were taken using an ERT along a single transect measuring 35 metres between the New Cut Canal site and the river Mersey. The ERT takes conductivity measurements through a series of electrodes which are placed into the ground. Once these electrodes had been implanted and connected to each other via multi core cables a current was then injected into the ground through these electrodes and as the current passed through the soil resistivity measurements were taken. Changes in conductivity reflect variations in subsurface materials and higher conductivity readings are associated with higher metal concentrations in soil pore waters. Figure 1: Below is an image that shows the standard setup of ERT. In this investigation the electrodes were inserted into the ground at distances of 2 meters apart. The transect of electrodes covered an area between the New Cut Canal and the river Mersey and was carried out at an angle of 0 ° (North to South). Image from Terra Dat:   http://terradat.co.uk/survey-methods/resistivity-tomography/ 4.2.2. Geonics EM-31 Ground Conductivity meter ERT maps out the geological variations associated with changes in conductivity (Exploration instruments) as well as the EM-31. Unlike the ERT, the EM-31 gathers its readings by creating an electromagnetic field in the air using a coil wire which is separated from a receiver coil by 3.66 meters. The transmitted energy propagates into the subsurface where a second electromagnetic field is created due to the effect of soil moisture, conductive earth materials and other buried objects (Reynolds international,2011). The EM-31 is useful to this investigation as it can take conductivity measurements below 2 meters of the Earths surface. The data collected by both the EM-31 and the ERT could then be combined to determine changes in conductivity up to a depth of 3-4 meters. 4.3. Soil sample experiments in the lab 4.3.1. Determining total metal concentrations Following the onsite extraction of soils samples, they were then taken to the lab for further processing. Before any more investigations were conducted the soil samples were dried in an oven at 40 °C for 48 hours in order to remove all of the moisture.   Oven drying the sediment is crucial in this type of investigation as one can only compare the dry weight to the Soil Guideline Values (SGVs) (DEFRA, 2002). Once they had been dried, the soil samples were then processed further in order to analyse the total metal concentrations (Pb,Zn,Cr and As), bioavailability of those metals, organic matter content and soil pH. Soil samples were then sieved so that larger particles greater than 2mm in diameter were removed.   After the samples had been sieved, analysis of the bioavailability of metals was conducted. 10g of sieved sediment was then added to a conical where 50mL of 0.5mol acetic acid was added using a measuring cylinder. Once the acid was added the flask was sealed with Parafil m and placed onto an orbital shaker for 30 minutes. Whilst the samples were shaken, 2 30mL universal sample tubes were prepped (2 for every sample) and a Whatman no 1 filter paper was added to each of the tubes. After the cylinder samples had been shaken, they were left to stand for 10 minutes in order for the contents to settle (Beneficial to the investigation as it sped up the filtering process). Following 10 minutes, the supernatant liquid in the cylinder was then added into the universal sample tubes through the filter paper. Once one of the tubes was full the second one was then introduced to the filtering process. Eventually both universal tubes were sealed and then analysis of the metal concentrations was conducted by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). 4.3.2. Determining organic matter (OM) content Secondly, organic matter content needed to be measured, this was done using the loss on ignition method. This process began with the weighing of an empty porcelain crucible (W1). Soil was then added until it filled the crucible and was then weighed (W2). The air-dry weight was then determined by using the following calculation W2-W1. The minute that this was done the crucibles for each of the samples was then oven-dried at a temperature of 105 °C overnight and then placed in a desiccator the following morning. Afterwards, the samples were then measured again (W3). The crucibles were then placed into a muffle furnace and ignited at 450 °C for 8 hours and left to cool on a sand tray. After this, the crucibles were weighed again (W4). This was done to burn off any of the Organic Matter (OM) content. Muffled weight was then determined by using this calculation, W4-W1. The final method involved a simple calculation, shown below: OM content (% of dry sediment) = [oven dry weight (g) muffled weight (g) / oven dry weight (g)] x 100 4.3.3. Determining soil pH To begin with 10g of soil was added to a beaker using a spatula where it would then be mixed with 25mL of deionised water using a measuring cylinder. The beaker was then stirred well until all of the material had been suspended (To allow the contents to mix) shortly followed by a 15-minute period whereby the beaker was left to stand. Following the 15-minute period a pH strip was dipped into each of the samples. Using a pH reference card, the colours recorded on each of the pH papers was noted. 4.3.4. Determining Total (T) metal concentrations using XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy) Finally, 10g of each sample was added into a small plastic bag and then shaken until all of the soil reached the bottom. The bag was then placed onto the test bed and then the XRF machine determined the % values of Pb, Zn, Cr and As. 5. Results 5.1. Figure 2: The table below shows all of the data collected from the field as well as metal concentrations in mg/kg-1 for each of the soils samples. OM or organic matter was measured in grams. Total Chromium concentrations when analysed however the concentrations were too low when measured using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF). SiteID x y OM pH PbT ZnT CrT PbB ZnB CrB A1 363081 389035 4.66 5.50 29.00 199.00 nd 0.01 12.71 0.21 A2 363081 388969 14.81 5.80 15.00 80.00 nd 0.09 1.90 0.20 A3 363087 388919 15.28 6.00 20.00 130.00 nd 0.01 11.95 0.26 A4 363064 388867 6.26 4.70 645.00 417.00 nd 2.44 35.99 0.45 A5 363070 388823 10.67 4.50 40.00 205.00 nd 0.18 5.87 0.17 A6 363079 388737 8.76 4.50 58.00 299.00 nd 1.05 19.16 0.04 B1 363137 389021 23.24 5.00 178.00 32.00 nd 0.41 26.42 0.18 B2 363139 388973 6.83 5.00 79.00 16.00 nd 0.01 0.01 0.18 B3 363140 388941 7.02 5.00 126.00 24.00 nd 0.01 5.37 0.16 B4 363145 388882 13.11 4.70 128.00 27.00 nd 0.01 9.92 0.11 B5 363160 388808 10.16 4.70 96.00 26.00 nd 0.30 10.23 0.15 B6 363186 388731 13.57 4.70 184.00 32.00 nd 0.00 9.57 0.18 C1 363196 388941 9.10 4.70 73.00 21.00 nd 1.55 8.20 0.22 C2 363194 388975 10.60 5.00 107.00 19.00 nd 0.01 11.02 0.31 C3 363185 389022 11.20 5.00 79.00 24.00 nd 0.15 10.72 0.24 C4 363205 388828 13.10 4.70 75.00 20.00 nd 0.01 9.09 0.12 C5 363201 388854 8.90 4.70 93.00 20.00 nd 0.26 11.13 0.12 C6 363187 388888 9.60 4.40 95.00 24.00 nd 0.01 8.71 0.16 D1 363251 388969 7.51 6.10 126.00 298.00 nd 0.69 61.88 0.41 D2 363250 388965 10.55 5.80 111.00 278.00 nd 0.01 17.75 0.20 D3 363256 388999 11.45 5.50 109.00 312.00 nd 0.16 18.38 0.16 D4 363247 388907 12.92 6.10 32.00 45.00 nd 4.75 36.60 0.37 D5 363250 388898 9.32 5.00 34.00 56.00 nd 4.50 25.35 0.30 D6 363252 388887 3.86 4.40 23.00 32.00 nd 4.59 27.91 0.34 E1 363398 388984 7.70 5.50 38.00 298.00 nd 0.52 21.28 0.17 E2 363389 388997 8.90 5.90 55.00 433.00 nd 0.21 25.96 0.22 E3 363380 389003 5.60 5.10 38.00 532.00 nd 0.01 3.60 0.15 E4 363445 388929 11.20 4.50 21.00 56.00 nd 0.11 0.01 0.09 E5 363444 388919 11.90 5.10 19.00 48.00 nd 0.58 0.42 0.09 E6 363447 388907 12.10 5.20 33.00 63.00 nd 1.22 5.42 0.14 F1 363519 388982 9.77 5.80 33.00 225.00 nd 2.01 11.29 0.63 F2 363510 389010 11.16 5.50 22.00 134.00 nd 0.37 16.08 0.35 F3 363512 389029 5.70 6.50 55.00 489.00 nd 0.07 23.22 0.17 F4 363519 388973 6.89 5.00 37.00 220.00 nd 1.75 16.22 0.58 F5 363525 388946 6.18 4.70 21.00 80.00 nd 0.01 0.01 0.14 F6 363533 388923 6.75 4.40 20.00 52.00 nd 0.01 2.59 0.12 G1 363573 389056 21.17 5.80 43.00 287.00 nd 0.00 13.66 0.41 G2 363564 389032 12.76 5.50 45.00 289.00 nd 0.01 10.49 0.44 G3 363561 389022 8.53 7.00 32.00 212.00 nd 0.09 9.90 0.34 G4 363564 389001 8.32 5.00 23.00 176.00 nd 0.07 2.10 0.15 G5 363559 389022 6.67 4.70 21.00 76.00 nd 0.05 2.30 0.17 G6 363569 388965 8.35 4.70 19.00 34.00 nd 0.03 2.10 0.18 H1 363685 389056 6.26 6.50 1047.00 1639.00 nd 16.57 49.79 0.67 H2 363674 389036 2.22 5.50 49.00 1156.00 nd 0.17 38.15 0.22 H3 363669 389016 3.01 5.30 46.00 153.00 nd 8.73 23.47 0.44 H4 363632 388981 4.96 5.00 23.00 77.00 nd 0.24 2.97 0.06 H5 363631 388971 7.34 5.00 31.00 143.00 nd 0.46 6.01 0.11 H6 363632 388959 4.84 5.00 48.00 78.00 nd 2.44 0.64 0.13 I1 363697 389018 21.17 5.80 32.00 819.00 nd 0.74 40.06 0.39 I2 363703 389044 12.76 5.50 51.00 483.00 nd 1.65 32.53 0.60 I3 363694 389078 8.53 7.00 32.00 202.00 nd 2.10 25.27 0.81 I4 363718 388982 8.32 5.00 23.00 91.00 nd 0.48 9.23 0.12 I5 363720 388981 6.67 4.70 19.00 68.00 nd 0.01 0.01 0.05 I6 363723 388978 8.35 4.70 31.00 126.00 nd 0.01 7.46 0.09 J1 363775 389003 6.26 6.50 33.00 224.00 nd 2.22 26.49 0.80 J2 363770 389053 2.22 5.50 24.00 104.00 nd 0.01 0.37 0.13 J3 363767 389104 3.01 5.30 36.00 401.00 nd 0.40 25.69 0.33 J4 363771 388972 4.96 5.00 24.00 176.00 nd 0.01 10.96 0.18 J5 363771 388973 7.34 5.00 23.00 128.00 nd 0.01 11.93 0.19 J6 363772 388970 4.84 5.00 17.00 79.00 nd 0.01 4.30 0.09 Figure 3: The image below shows the spatial pattern of Lead (Pb) contamination across the New Cut Canal site. The image was created using Arc Map software. It is clear that the highest levels of Pb were found around sample site A3-5 and H1-2. Figure 4: The image below shows the spatial pattern of Zinc (Zn) contamination across the New Cut Canal site. The image was created using Arc Map software. Based on the spatial image, it is clear that the highest levels of Zn were found around sampling sites H1 and H2. Figure 5: The image below shows the spatial pattern of pH levels across the New Cut Canal site. The image was created using Arc Map. The most acidic pH readings were located towards the Southwest of the site whereas pH readings in the Eastern part of the sampling site increased to a pH of 5.3 and above. Figure 6: The graph below represents the changes in the Total (T) metal concentrations of various metals as well as indicating how bio available these metals are in the area. Figure 7: The stacked column below allows one to determine the bioavailability of Zinc as a percentage when compared to its total (T) metal concentrations for each of the sample sites. Upon observing the data, it is clear that (in terms of percentage) Zn bioav

Elie Wiesel Essay -- essays research papers fc

Elie Wiesel The book Night opens in the town of Signet where Elie Wiesel, the author , was born . He lived his child hood in the Signet, Transylvania . He had three sisters Hilda, Bea, and Tzipora. His father was an honored member of the Jewish community. He was a cultured man concerned about his community yet, he was not an emotional man. His parents were owners of a shop and his two oldest sisters worked for his parents. Elie was a school boy and interested in studying the Zohar â€Å"the cabbalistic books, the secrets of Jewish mysticism†(Wiesel 3). His teacher was a foreigner, Moshe the Beadle, a â€Å"poor barefoot of Signet†(Wiesel 3). He was Elie's teacher until he was forced to leave Signet by the Hungarians because he was a foreign Jew. After several months Elie saw Moshe the Beadle once again. Moshe the Beadle told his story about his journey that the Jews were forced to get out and dig grave which would become final resting places for prisoners who were killed. Luckily, Moshe the Beadle was able to escape. He pretended that he was dead in order to escape being killed. Not only did Moshe tell his story to Elie, he wanted to warn the Jews of Signet of what could happen to them. However, they only thought it was a vivid imagination speaking from his lips. No one wanted to believe his story and people lived life as usual. It was not until German troops would enter Hungarian territory that life would change for the Jews of Signet. At first the German soldiers did not seem like a threat. During the week of Passover things seemed to be going well. People were celebrating yet, it was not a complete celebration. On the seventh day of the Passover Jewish leaders of the community were arrested. After that rules were set by the Germans. Jews were confined to their homes for three days and they could no longer keep valuables such as gold, jewelry and other objects. The Germans took it all. Elie's father managed to bury the family's savings in the cellar. After the three days Jews had to wear a yellow star. After this more rules were set. Jews could not go to restaurants, travel on railways, go to synagogues, or go out after six o'clock. As if the rules and restrictions were not enough. Soon Jews would be placed in Ghettos. There were two gettos set up in Signet. These ghettos were fenced in with barbed wire and the windows of the houses facing the street were boarded... ...last moments of his life. On January 28, 1945 Elie went to sleep and his father was still alive. When he woke up the next day his father was gone(Wiesel 106). On April 11,1945 Elie was free. The Americans moved in on Buchenwald and took over the camp. The first thing the free men wanted was food. They could not think of revenge or their families â€Å"Nothing but bread†(Wiesel 109). Elie was sick from food poisoning after the liberation, he almost died. However, when he was finally able to get up and look in the mirror after so many years he did not even recognize himself. All he could see was a â€Å"corpse† staring back at him. Elie Wiesel now lives in the United Stated under the name of Andrew Mellon. He is the Professor of Humanities at Boston University. He is also Chairman of the Holocaust Memorial Council. This organization is a nonpolitical organization that was formed to educate people of the crimes put forth on the Jewish people during the Holocaust (Chaimberlin 14). Works Cited Chamberlin, Brewster, and Marcia Feldman eds. The Liberation of the Nazi Concentration Camps 1945. Government Printing Office: Washington, D.C, 1987. Wiesel, Elie. Night . Bantam Books: New York, 1989 .

Critique of The Darling Essay -- essays research papers

For centuries, women have turned and have entrusted in men for advice to fulfill their lives with romance. Some women, even though they had difficulty establishing a satisfactory bond with their spouse, still had a tendency to have a dependency on the male spouse for identity. For a woman to become a "wife" was a defining role in women's lives back then, especially within the eastern European cultures. Sadly, marriage is not always shown to be flowery and romantic as expected. Although Anton Chekov portrays his protagonist character Olga as kind hearted and attractive and favored, she often longs for â€Å"love† from the male gender, and serves as the embodiment of female disempowerment. From Olga’s perspective as the story is told, â€Å"she cannot exist without being love† (Literature and its Writers, 109) and her life only takes on a meaning through a relationship to the men she attaches herself to. In this story â€Å"The Darling,† Olga explores and molds herself into many personalities and interests of the men in her life. For instance, After her father’s death, Olga is left with only material wealth, and again there is an absence of â€Å"love,† that Olga wants. So, Olga first marries a theater owner-Kukin. When married to him, she thinks and speaks only of the theater and â€Å"repeating Kukin’s words to the actors and theater† (Literature and its Writers, 110) also saying â€Å"theater is the most important thing in life.† Her parroting of her husband’s wo...

How can spirituality in the practice of nursing profession?

While spirituality is widely used in alternative medicine today and in some cases careful studies proved their benefits, it has been neglected in the nursing practice. Since the claimed philosophy of practice today is holistic, without the spiritual component the holistic practice will be fragmented. In a study dedicated to spiritual practice in psychiatry the following was sited: â€Å"Practicing nurses today are continually confronted with issues of cultural and spiritual diversity. Although nurses claim to use a holistic approach to patient assessment, the spiritual aspect is often forgotten (Saudia, Kinney, Brown, & Young-ward,1991). Taylor, Amenta, and Highfield (1995) emphasized that â€Å"lack of time, a focus on physical needs, low nurse/patient staffing ratios, and high patient acuity also may interfere with the provision of spiritual care† (p.31). Many of the problems noted by Taylor et al. (1995) could be decreased, if the spiritual aspect of care were viewed by the administration of psychiatric facilities as essential to the well-being of the client. Despite the fact that primary care replaced team nursing in 1960s, the choice between the two modes needs further research since the practice of the profession has changed considerably with the advances of technology.†(McRoberts et al, downloaded on 10 October 2006 from: http://www.graduateresearch.com/mcroberts.htm) In my research I am going to investigate the feasibility of using spirituality in patient care and identify the best approach to integrating the spiritual practice in the holistic approach to patient care. It will also be one of the objectives of this research to identify the training needs of the nursing staff when spiritual practice is implemented. My methodology for this research will be a move from literature review to empirical research applied in the workplace. It might be necessary to experiment in more than one site. However, this will be decided at the research design stage considering practical issues including number of RNs and LPNs   and patients in different wards to be involved in the study. Experimentation will be carried out in different wards using experiment group of patients and control groups who do not receive the spiritual care. The patient’s perception of the nursing image of professionalism, based on the clothing worn by the nurse The uniform worn by nurses is intended to play a number of roles. Firstly it is an identification for the nurse, not only for the patient but for any member of the public who comes to the hospital. In the UK for example people who need to be in the hospital can easily identify the nurses, the sister, the student nurse etc. from the uniforms style, colour etc. The uniform also creates a professional first impression, convey trust and credibility. Moreover it has â€Å"an underlying psychological effect acknowledging that a dress does not have a gender, but denotes attributes of feminity, nurturing and caring, akin to nursing. In the same sense, it enhances and reinforces this image to the public, and in return the public fully support their nurses, a trait often called upon in industrial disputes.† (David and Dee, 2002) Today, may be with the influence of TV programmes, tunics and scrubs are noticeably increasing and are justified by the claim that they are more practical. There is no doubt about the importance of a uniform for the profession of nursing. However, what needs to be studied and investigated is the perception of patients. How are they affected by the uniform and is care influenced by the uniform. In this research I am going to study the perception of the patients about the uniform and how they relate this to the care provided by the nurse, trust in her professionalism and respect of her decisions. The questions to be answered are: a) Does the dress make me distinct from nurses working in other units? b) Does the patient accept me as the trusted caregiver when I am in uniform or without though he can identify me personally? c) Does the uniform cover me from accidental or incidental physical exposure and protect me from avoidable embarrassment? d) Does this dress augment my professional disposition? etc. Methodology of the research will be literature review and empirical research in the work place. Data to be analyzed will be collected by interviews, questionnaires and observation. Practice in Intensive Care Unit and Hospital Wards: Does the differences in Job descriptions justify a difference in working hours? Professional practice for nurses in intensive care units are thought to be more challenging and demanding than in other wards of the hospital. Because of the critical conditions of the patients the nurse on duty in the ICU is always alert and on the run. More importantly decision making in the ICU may be more difficult and stressful. The patient himself is also more demanding (when conscious) and requires special psychological handling. This environment of practice added to the caution needed to avoid lawsuits make the professional practice in the ICU unusual and different to that of the classical wards in the hospital. Therefore, a working schedule of, for example, 8 hours in both places is thought to be unfair. However, all these are observations and personal opinions of people involved. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out empirical research in order to confirm or rule out the hypotheses: Working in the ICU is more stressful and puts a lot of pressure on the nurse that she should not work the usual shift hours. Working in the ICU is almost similar to working in the traditional hospital wards and should not justify a change in the number of hours covered in one shift in the ICU? My methodology will be a literature review followed by empirical research experiments on nurses working in the ICU and those who work in the traditional wards. How to obtain the data to be analysed will be detailed at the design stage.                           

American Barrick Resources Corporation Case Essay

a. Explain the value chain for gold mining firms (how can a mine create a competitive advantage relative to its rivals). What are the factors that may explain exceptional performance of ABX relative to the other gold mines? To create a competitive advantage, a mine has to properly manage its exposure to gold price fluctuations. This is not an easy thing to do since there are so many factors to consider: when, how much, and how to hedge the gold production. Firms in this industry differentiate themselves based on the risk management strategies they implement. Furthermore, mines should also be able to minimize the cost of gold production along with making large sunk costs. Operating in this sector obliges the companies to make huge investments to create the proper infrastructure to dig and process the ore; therefore, they should be financially stable on order to afford investing large amount of money. ABX implemented a gold hedging program that quickly became an integral part of its corporate strategy. This strategy helped it to hedge efficiently against gold price fluctuation. Besides, it allowed it to occasionally sell its gold at prices above those of the market. The exceptional performance of ABX was also due to its annual acquisitions. Luck was an important aspect as well, since gold was discovered in most of its new properties. Moreover, American Barrick generated a lot of cash, which it reinvested to finance its growth. It was also able to cut its expenses in order to enhance its growing profitability. The management of American Barrick wanted to diversify its activities by listing the company in Toronto, Montreal, and the United States among others. The top managers were very serious about keeping a financial stability and a liquid balance sheet by issuing few debts and hedging against risk. All in all, American Barrick attracted a lot of investors because of its risk management strategies, expected future growth, strong and liquid balance sheet, and finally its efficient management team. b. Quantify the nature of gold exposure, that is, in the absence of a hedging program using financial instruments, how sensitive would Barrick stock be to gold prices changes? For every 1% change in gold prices, how might its stock price be affected? How could the firm manage its gold price exposure without the use of financial contracts? If American Barrick wanted to protect itself from gold price exposure without the use of financial contracts, it could use natural hedges. One way to hedge against undesired risk is to match cash flows such as revenues and expenses. In other words, a commodity producer such as American Barrick, which has revenues payables in U.S. dollars and incurs cash outflows in a different currency, will try to match its outflows to its expected inflows in the foreign currency. Another way of hedging against risk is the purchase of insurance to protect against financial loss due to external influences. It is also common to hedge gold investments against fluctuations of the U.S. dollar. It is extremely important for commodity traders to know which currency is correlated with what commodity in order to be able to predict certain market movements; for instance, there is often a negative correlation between gold and S&P 500. c. What is the stated intent of ABX’s hedging program? What are the arguments for managing gold price exposure? ABX wanted to lock in the price at which it could sell its output in order to avoid seeing the expected value of its projects fluctuate widely. It wanted to differentiate itself from its competitor by choosing the right hedging policy. ABX aimed at being financially stable by protecting itself against the dips in the gold price. It vehemently argued that managing gold price exposure would allow it appropriately forecast its cash flows, rise its production, and offers its investors a clear vision of their future earnings. d. How would you characterize the evolution of Barrick’s price risk management activities? Are they consistent with the stated policy goals? American Barrick used to use gold financings. Through this way of financing, investors could benefit from both the increase incurred in the volumes of gold to the trust and the gold price. In 1984 and 1985, ABX used forward sales right after a sharp drop in gold prices. This strategy allowed the company to eliminate its exposure to price drops; however, it also limited its opportunities to benefit when the prices rose. This led it to try option-based insurance strategies that could manage the risk but still allow retaining some of the benefits of rising prices. However, as it needed contracts with a longer maturity, ABX shifted to spot deferred contracts. The evolution of Barrick’s risk management activities is characterized by its wish to be fully protected against price declines and still be able to capture benefit from increasin g gold prices. The risk management strategies implemented by American Barrick were consistent with their goals since its positions grew considerably.   e. How should a gold mine which wants to moderate its gold price risk compare hedging strategies (using futures, forwards, gold loans, or spot deferred contracts) with insurance strategies (using options)? On what basis should these decisions be made? Once a firm has decided on either a hedging or an insurance strategy, how should it choose from among specific alternatives? A mine that wants to moderate its gold price risk should first analyse the differences between the hedging and the insurance strategies. Indeed, hedging allows eliminating risk by giving up the potential for gain. While an insurance strategy requires a premium to eliminate risk but allows retaining the potential for gain. The decision should be made based on the cost of the strategy, the maturity of the strategy, and the degree to which the strategy allows to benefit from potential gains. Once a firm has decided on what strategy to follow it should choose among the existing alternatives of each strategy. For the hedging strategy, the company should take into consideration the particularity of each financial instrument. Indeed, forward sales for instance, are usually for relatively short delivery periods of under a few years. However, a continuous drop in gold prices might negatively affect the opportunity for the firm to sell at higher market prices. On the other hand, spot deferred contracts allow having multiple delivery dates. They enable the firm to profit from increases in the price and yet set a minimum price on its sales. For the insurance strategy, the main problem encountered by the firm is that of the cost. Indeed, the firm should use the premiums received from the sale of calls to purchase puts. That way the cash inflows and outflows cancel out. The firm can also reduce the cost of insurance by adjusting the exercise prices and rations of puts and calls to determine the degree at which it chose to participate in gold price rises. f. What is a â€Å"spot deferred contract†? Explain the mechanics of the contract. Is it an option? A forward contract? Why has ABX chosen to rely on spot deferred contracts relative to other gold derivatives? As defined in the case, a spot deferred contract is a type of forward sale of gold. At the opposite of a forward where the delivery is set on specified day (maturity), SDC’s are characterized by multiple delivery dates. It is up to the seller to choose on which rollover date they would make the delivery. The seller has the choice to defer the delivery up until the end of the contract. In other words, the seller had flexibility as to when they would like to deliver the quantity of gold. ABX preferred SDC’s to other gold derivatives for the simple reason that they allowed it to profit from increases in the price of gold and yet set a minimum price on its sales of gold. Therefore, as years have gone by, ABX found itself using more and more SDC’s at the expense of other hedging vehicles.