Business Law in Accounting

Accounting is the system of recording, reporting and verifying financial information for individuals and businesses, including income, expenses, value of assets, and so on. However, Business Law I, takes what is normally known of accounting and moves into another arena, one which includes civil and criminal liabilities, contract law, ethics and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. By establishing the basics in Business Law, accountants are able to understand the risks of their particular profession. Accountants are faced with civil and criminal liabilities which are based on the accountant’s ability to do his or her job effectively and legally. Accountants face civil liabilities when they do not complete the work satisfactorially to what was agreed to. Even â€Å"Codes of Ethics† urge accountants to not agree to do work that they know they do not have the knowledge or time to complete. Competency is a key element to being a successful accountant, and not meeting competency goals can cause problems for young accountants entering the field. By understanding the basics of contract law, it is easier for accountants to find the necessary information to allow them to do their jobs competently. If accountants know that it takes mutual consideration, or a â€Å"meeting of the minds,† to begin contract negotiations, then they can figure if they are reviewing a contract, some type of mutual consideration must have occurred, as well as a proposal and acceptance portion of the conversation. Also, if an accountant knows that the contract is for the sale of goods, then the accountant would know that the UCC Article 2 has to be used, instead of simple contract law. Knowing this would help the accountant understand how the asset or products purchased needed to be accounted for, because without detailed information in the contract, UCC Article I gap filling procedures take place. These procedures are an attempt to take vagueness and give it some detail, but the gap filling detail is not much better than the original, thus the accountant can still be stuck, lost, not knowing how to account for a particular product, and not knowing at which time responsibility and risk for the product exchanges hands. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was signed into law in 2002 by George W. Bush. The original thought behind SOX was to regulate the accounting profession, due to the greed that had resulted in huge economic crashes amongst top corporations such as Enron and WorldCom. SOX assisted in setting up regulatory organizations for each facet of the accounting process. These organizations are designed to ensure that accounting practices and auditing practices are ethical, legal and professional for public U. S. companies. Unfortunately, SOX does not regulate private companies, but private companies cannot create financial hardships for outside investors, so private companies are not in need of these type of regulations. Business Law I helped create an understanding amongst the students regarding what is actually expected of them once work as an accountant begins. A naive accountant would believe that all he or she needed to do was ensure that the data being entered in is correct and if not, fix it through a series of journal entries. However, after taking this class, it is apparent that this is an incorrect assumption. Understanding the civil and criminal liabilities that can be charged due to negligence or fraud, whether intentional or not, is incredibly important to accountants and CPA’s. Without understanding these potential problems, an accountant would not be able to understand the level of the problem, or be able to assess the gravity of the situation, whatever that situation may be. Even though accounting is a financial profession that takes the value of income, expenses, assets, and other items, and reports, analyzes, records and verifies these amounts, Business Law allows for the review of the profession in general. Accountants have to understand what is legally expected of them when working with client’s records and reports, and how these legal expectations can be brought upon them, and what their rights are. Without understanding the responsibility and risk that takes place for a company, an accountant would not understand why it is so important to establish ownership and when that particular ownership exchanges hands. Accountants also must understand what risks and responsibilities their particular profession run as well, and ensure that they are competently performing their jobs so that there is no question as to if an accountant was negligent, or was derilect in the performance of his or her duty.

Aging Workforce in Singapore Essay

Populations in many developed countries are ageing, and Singapore is no exception. The first batch of post-war baby boomers will reach 65 years of age by 2012. The number of seniors will increase from 8.4% in 2005 to 18.7% in 2030 (refer to Table 1). According to the 2010 Population Report,  The proportion of residents (i.e. citizens and PRs) aged 65 and above increased from 7.0% of the resident population in 1999 to 8.8% in 2009. Correspondingly, the number of younger residents aged 15-64 for every resident aged 65 and above (i.e. the old-age support ratio) fell from 10.1 in 1999 to 8.3 in 2009 (refer to Table 2). (Singapore Department of Statistics, 2010, p. 4) Today, one out of every 12 Singaporeans is aged 65 or above. By 2030, this ratio will become one out of five. On January 2011, the parliament has passed down the new employment law of changing to retirement age from 62 to the age of 65 from January 2012. This is a good news to many Singaporeans who felt that they are still capable of working beyond the retirement age of 62 (Nayak, 2011, para. 3). An ageing population brings both challenges and opportunities, having tremendous effect on all parts of our society – individuals, families, communities, businesses and government. Therefore, we ought to prepare early for the challenges of an ageing population to ensure the well-being of our seniors and their families to provide the first line of support. At the same time, we must be ready to seize the economic opportunities that will emerge from the demographic shift. Aging Workforce in the Hotel Industry With relevance to the major demographic trends, aging population, this revolution will change the face of our labour market. Correspondingly, the workforce is not only ageing, but also growing at a much slower pace. Increasingly, companies are facing problems in recruiting replacements for retiring employees. This is a reality that companies have to grapple with and adapt to. Nevertheless, not all companies are being affected equally nor are they moving at the same rate to identify and address how the ageing trend will be impacting their businesses. Impacts In the hospitality industry, service is the factor that differentiates hotels from its competitors. Therefore with a large amount of aging workforce in the frontline, it will bring down the image of the hotel in terms of appearance; a younger worker would look fresher and have a better appeal to guests. As a guest of a hotel overseas, he or she would be preferred to be served by younger workers than people of an old age. As older employees are naturally more prone to illnesses, they would tend to take more medical leaves thus decreasing the manpower. When one gets sick, it affects the employees’ mood to work and thus less concentration when working. This in turn reduces the efficiency of the operations of hotels. In addition, the needs and interest changes with aging workforce. According to the study by Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP) (2010), â€Å"rising health and insurance costs, concern about physical abilities, and adaptability/willingness were ranked as the top three challenges† (p. 3). With the ever changing preferences and needs of the society, hotels have to constantly upgrade their standard of services. However, older employees may not be equipped with latest skills and knowledge needed to achieve the hotel’s competitive advantage. Thus, there is a need to constantly upgrade the skills of their older employees. Older employees are more resistant to changes and improvements. This may be mainly due to their thinking of already having the appropriate experience and knowledge and there is no need for further training, especially in the situation of â€Å"leapfrogging†, where a younger worker is put in charge of a more experienced worker. Many hotels will have an advantage by having a large pool of elderly employees. It is mainly because there are many job positions which young employees would be unwilling to take up. Most time, foreigners would be hired to fill up the rest of the job vacancies that do not appeal to the young employees; however, hotels can have another avenue of recruitment – the elderly workforce. This will give hotels a great advantage to handpick the best candidates out of the pool of elderly workforce. In hotels, there are certain positions that elderly employees occupy, for example managerial positions. Being loyal to the company, they would not want to leave their positions easily as compared to the younger workforce who usually job hops for a better pay. This relieves the hotel’s need to constantly recruit and train new workers, thus helping to cut the costs during the process of recruitment and training. Challenges A) The Human Resource (HR) unit has a challenge to allocate the older employees in suitable positions that is beneficial for both the hotel and the aging workforce. The HR unit also has to ensure that the hotel would maintain a good image and increases their productivity. There is also a need for the HR unit to create a supportive culture for the older workers in order to manage such diverse workforce. B) Keeping older employees motivated at work along with the right attitude is important when serving their customers. In addition, with the older employees being more prone to illnesses, hotels have to struggle with ways to keep their costs low and at the same time provide adequate medical benefits for them. During such periods it is more crucial for managers and supervisors to show them care and patience. C) Values tend to change from one generation to another as well as during different life stages. The thinking of the older generation is more conservative than those of the younger generation. It would thus be a challenge for the hotels wanting the older employees to improve their values in their job scope. With a more conservative mindset and thinking, they would be afraid to try new things and be more innovative. In turn, the hotel will lose its competitiveness if new changes are adopted. Hence, the HR unit in a hotel has to place their older employees in the most relevant training to help them prepare for changes in their current jobs. Besides that, older employees would normally take a longer time to adapt to changes, thus the management has to work out appropriate schedules to help their employees to have a proper balance with their job and trainings. D) Older employees tend to have more skills and knowledge in the industry due to the experiences they have gone through. Retaining this skills and knowledge is critical for hotels to ensure that the younger generation will also have these basic skills and knowledge as a platform for them to have an advantage over their competitors. E) Although there is a need to retain these skills and knowledge, there will definitely be a time when one has to retire. However, the aging workforce is usually reluctant to leave their positions as they are emotionally attached to the hotel. This would be a challenge for the hotel to find ways to recruit younger employees, without resulting in excess manpower and high costs, especially for positions in the higher management. If the hotel were to retain most of the older employees, they may miss opportunities on recruiting young employees who can be a more valuable asset to the hotels which helps to bring their standards to a higher level. Solutions It is time for employers to start responding to the potential consequences of the ageing workforce on their businesses. If not well-prepared, employers may find themselves suddenly faced with labour loss, experience and expertise that will be difficult to offset, given the relatively small pool of new employees. With many companies facing the same problem, competition for new talents is likely to surface. A) Hotels can have interviews to know which areas older employees would prefer to work in and the languages they can speak. With the information gathered, hotels will be able to know their strengths and weaknesses which help to determine where to allocate each individual. With the proper job assignment, hotels will be able to maintain a good image, by reassigning the older employees with language barriers to the backhouse such as room attendant. This allows them to be in their comfort zone and after getting used to their task, the productivity will be maximized in both the frontline and backhouse. B) In order to keep older employees engaged and motivated, it is vital for the HR department to maintain constant communication with the older employees and understand any problems, issues and concerns that they are encountering. By treating their employees like family members, it may be a major job happiness-driver for them and thus motivating them to do better for the hotel. Besides that, communication and treating each other with respect ensures that the spirit of their employees is always high. Through job empowerment, employees will have more decision making responsibilities and hence they will feel more respected as an employee as they are given a chance to handle more difficult situation on their own. As for medical benefits, hotels can pay a certain percentage of their medical fees. For example, the hotels will pay 50% of their employee’s medical fees while the other 50% is paid by the employees. C) Facing the challenge that older generation is more conservative, companies can focus on creating a positive work environment for older employees by allowing flexible hours, more communication and constantly motivating them. Some of the actions can be allowing the older employees to have an option to consider different jobs and different sets of responsibilities. Some older employees may wish to devote their later career years to jobs that allow them to develop new competencies. Others may want jobs that are less demanding, these older employees may be interested in making transitions to different jobs within the company or make lateral moves or even to lower positions with a pay reduction. Other than that, the hotel can allow them to have a choice over the number of hours worked and provide them with flexible schedule for trainings. For example, older employees work on reduced-hours such as part-time or job sharing, so as to schedule the rest of their time for trainings that are a rranged for them. D) To retain the skills and knowledge, the older employees can train and guide the younger employees before they retire to ensure that the skills and knowledge are passed down. After retirement, they can come back and help out by overlooking and having workshops to give further training that is needed. E) To attract the younger people, creative ways are needed. For example, the hotel can come up with a program like the popular show â€Å"The Apprentice† by Donald Trump to search for the best employee. However, we must ensure there is no excessive pool of manpower and costs are kept low. The hotels can allow their older employees to be on-call workers or have flexible work schedules. On-call workers are employees who are called to work only when needed, although they can be scheduled for work for several days or weeks in a row. In days when the hotels need a massive number of employees, the on-call workers will be called back. By providing flexible work schedules, older employees are allowed to plan their work schedules with the choice over the number of hours worked. This will prolong the retirement period for older employees by allowing them to work but at a lesser duration, so that younger employees have the chance to excel and there will not be a surplus or shortage in th e manpower. Case Study: Royal Plaza on Scott The Royal Plaza on Scott is a 5-star leading hotel in Singapore. 50% of the hotel 300 employees are classified under the mature and older category. The company recognized the importance of mature employees and has sets out strategy as Singapore faces human capital challenge of managing a mature and older workforce. According to Fiat (2010), The mature employees are valuable assets to the organization as they are able to share their wealth of experience with the younger employees. The hotel taps on their expertise by pairing the mature employees with the younger generation of new hires to provide guidance and encourage cohesiveness. The hotel also implemented a buddy system where a new mature employee is paired with a younger co-worker or vice versa to work together and learn from each other. For example, younger employees may learn from mature and older employees on how to handle difficult customers while guiding their older colleagues on the effective usage of technology at the workplace. (TAFEP, p. 45) Royal Plaza on Scott has developed recruitment strategies like implementing Flexible Working Arrangements (FWA), where there is a flexible work arrangement which includes flexi-time, part time, job shares and compressed workweeks. Health benefits and programmes will also be implemented including regular health screening, health talk, yoga courses, sushi-making classes and others. This is to encourage for a healthy work life balance. Another great strategy used is to set up a Recreational Committee that was assigned to take care of the well being of co-worker. This committee will be in charge of organizing health awareness events, initiatives to create awareness of healthy lifestyle as well as to bond employees of difference generations (TAFEP, 2010, p.46).

Push and Pull Strategy Essay

Push Strategy A â€Å"push† promotional strategy makes use of a company’s sales force and trade promotion activities to create consumer demand for a product. The producer promotes the product to wholesalers, the wholesalers promote it to retailers, and the retailers promote it to consumers. A good example of â€Å"push† selling is mobile phones, where the major handset manufacturers such as Nokia promote their products via retailers such as Carphone Warehouse. Personal selling and trade promotions are often the most effective promotional tools for companies such as Nokia – for example offering subsidies on the handsets to encourage retailers to sell higher volumes. A â€Å"push† strategy tries to sell directly to the consumer, bypassing other distribution channels (e.g. selling insurance or holidays directly). With this type of strategy, consumer promotions and advertising are the most likely promotional tools. Pull Strategy A â€Å"pull† selling strategy is one that requires high spending on advertising and consumer promotion to build up consumer demand for a product. If the strategy is successful, consumers will ask their retailers for the product, the retailers will ask the wholesalers, and the wholesalers will ask the producers. A good example of a pull is the heavy advertising and promotion of children’s’ toys – mainly on television. Consider the recent BBC promotional campaign for its new pre-school program – the Fimbles. Aimed at two to four-year-olds, 130 episodes of Fimbles have been made and are featured everyday on digital children’s channel CBeebies and BBC2. As part of the promotional campaign, the BBC has agreed a deal with toy maker Fisher-Price to market products based on the show, which it hopes will emulate the popularity of the Tweenies. Under the terms of the deal, Fisher-Price will develop, manufacture and distribute a range of Fimbles products including soft, plastic and electronic learning toys for the UK and Ireland. In 2001, BBC Worldwide (the commercial division of the BBC) achieved sales of  £90m from its children’s brands and properties last year. The demand created from broadcasting of the Fimbles and a major advertising campaign is likely to â€Å"pull† demand from children and encourage retailers to stock Fimbles toys in the stores for Christmas 2002. Difference Between Push And Pull Strategy Push marketing is when you use various activities to get your message in front of your ideal client. The marketer is in control of what the message is, how it is seen, when and where. Marketing activities that encourage your prospect to seek you out and find out whether you have something of value to offer them. Pull marketing activities build relationships and can include blogging, podcasting, article marketing and networking (both on and offline). Pull marketing uses the law of attraction, incorporating all the components of your personal brand to attract and retain these people as your biggest fans. Pull marketing is where you develop advertising and promotional strategies that are meant to entice the prospect to buy your product or service. Some classic examples are â€Å"half off!† or â€Å"bring in this coupon to save 25%† or â€Å"buy one get one free†, etc. With pull marketing, you are trying to create a sense of increased, time limited value so that the customer will come into your store to buy. Pull is not about pulling consumers in; it’s about giving consumers a reason to pull us in. Remember truism #1 – they’re in control; they (not we) decide where they go and what they experience. We’ve lost the right to pull consumers anywhere (if we ever really had that right at all.) Pull means that we to go to them, join their communities, give them reasons to voluntarily draw us into their personal media experiences. We’re not interrupting them. They’re opting into us.

Area of Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Area of Finance - Essay Example It encloses within itself a host of other sub entities which take care of the money markets, the investors, shareholders, bonds, capital markets, venture investments, stakeholders, financial regulations, credit ratings and debts, bullish and bearish trends, etc. Now what a financial manager could do is to understand the basics related with all these sub entities and then choose a particular area where he thinks he would be best suited to have an understanding of that very sub entity. At the same time, he must make an endeavor to learn about the other entities so that he comes to terms with the whole financial ball game and does not feel left behind whilst the comparison is raised of him with his financial fellows. In the end, it is important to state here that a person belonging to the finance fraternity must try his hand at anything which is financially related and try his best to gain an understanding of the different financial terms before proceeding any further. Finance is a vast sea of information and knowledge, which needs a lot of research and patience to have sheer understanding

To what extent is our nation one that is unsettled in its sense of Essay

To what extent is our nation one that is unsettled in its sense of history and culture Is that something to fear, or is this no - Essay Example The typical American is an individualist. Because of this, it would be difficult to come to a precise definition of Americans as a people, aside from the fact that they live in the same country under the same government. In this regard, it is clear that America is still unsettled in its sense of history and culture, two things that are supposed to unite a people and provide them with a common identity. However, this is not something to be feared or loathed. In fact, this is what makes America grow continuously and, with such evolution; this is also what makes Americans achieve progress that will distinguish them from other peoples. Lewis Lapham’s Who and What is American is an article that points out the various theories raised regarding the American character. Lapham manages to accurately identify the misconceptions according to the subjective views of those who wish to come up with a definition of the American character but he does not go to the extent of actually pointing o ut his own alternative concept. Jack Hitt’s Dinosaur Dreams, on the other hand, may discuss about the America’s fascination about the extinct gigantic reptile but it points out the tendency of the American individual to adapt to the situations that surround him in order to seize opportunities that will work to his advantage. Wedded to an Illusion by Fenton Johnson explains, however, that although the nation’s culture can indeed change, the process can be long and tedious considering that there are also powerful forces that will arise as obstacles to such transformation. Despite the fact that the United States has been a country for about four centuries already, it is very obvious that it still does not really have culture that is really commonly practiced by its people and one that it truly American. Nevertheless, certain influential sectors who wish to address the people tend to emphasize on general traits in order to connect with the majority. In so doing thou gh, they also create the misimpression that Americans have really settled with a common cultural characteristic. Lapham explains that Americans â€Å"were always about becoming not, being; about the prospects for the future, not about the inheritance of the past.† (Who and What is American) Through this statement, Lapham puts emphasis on the notion that it is not correct to conclude that the American people can already boast of having a culture that transcends races, genders, ethnicity, classes, or religions. This is because there is even no common history to speak of. American society is becoming more and more multiracial. Even those who may consider themselves genuinely Americans could not come to agree in their interpretation of history due to the fact that they are influenced by prejudice based on their own political, ethnic, class, or religious background. Because Americans are about becoming, to state that they already have a common culture and understanding of history now is a fallacy. Hitt, on the other hand, raises a point that may be considered as supportive to Lapham’s premise. Hitt writes that through the fascination with dinosaurs as seen in the popular culture, â€Å"we sculpt their meaning; like outsized Schrodinger's cats, their existence depends on whether or not we have decided to look at them.†

Top 5 internet marketing strategies and how online businesses can use Research Paper

Top 5 internet marketing strategies and how online businesses can use them - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that since the advent of internet and advancement in the way internet can be used, the number of internet users has been increasing day by day. According to World Fact Book, the total number of internet users as of 31st December, 2011 were 2,267,233,742. The stats even show that during the year 2000, the total number of internet users were only 360,985,492. This shows that the total number of users within a period of eleven years increased by 528.1%. According to Facebook statistics, the total number of Facebook users as of 31st March, 2012 were 835,525,280. These statistics show that internet is a place where businesses can get into contact with millions of users daily and internet itself can be used by businesses to grow larger than ever. When internet and online business was not in operations, businesses had a limited number of clients and their potential clients were mostly people living in their own locality. Even if businesses had to cross borders and gain more customers, they had experience heavy expenditure. This expenditure could only be conducted by very large businesses; today internet has even made small businesses able enough to tap a very huge market and to gain customers throughout the world. Several businesses that have a physical existence have even started spreading their business through internet sources, the art and science of conducting marketing activities through the use of internet is called e-commerce.

EMOTIONS AND HOW COMPANIES UNDERSTAND AND USE IT TO INFLUENCE ON Essay

EMOTIONS AND HOW COMPANIES UNDERSTAND AND USE IT TO INFLUENCE ON CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR - Essay Example Consumer emotional behavior is a mixture of elements of economics, sociology, psychology and social anthropology. It attempts to examine the behavior processes behind decision making of buyers at groups and individual level (Arora 2013, 53). In addition, it studies the characters of individual buyers, for example, their location and behavior changes to understand people’s need and wants. It also assesses the impact family, reference groups, friends and society have on the consumer. The study of customer emotional behavior depends on the consumer buying conduct. The customer plays three important roles: user, buyer and payer. Research conducted by Foxall shows that it is difficult to predict the behavior of consumers (Foxall 2013, 24). Relationship marketing best analyzes the behavior of the customer because it focuses on the importance of the buyer or customer. It emphasizes on customer relationship management, customization, consumer retention, one-to-one marketing and person alization. Social function is divided into welfare function and social choice. One of the most difficult and important task is to understand why consumers make decisions. For example, a teenager drinks Pepsi from Pepsi Company and not Coke from Coca-Cola Company, or the choice to drive a minivan car and not an SUV. In the examples, the product feature (De Cremer 2008) rarely drives the consumer’s emotional choice. The consumers’ choice is deeper than the features of the product, and so marketers need to understand the drivers of consumers at an emotional level in order to create a persuasive message. To understand what triggers this emotional decision, marketers do qualitative research and quantify the result. The method is effective though the managers are asking the researchers what to do to make the consumers buy their products and not wander away. The traditional method fails to analyze what triggers the consumers’ emotions and focus more on the products and their benefits (Saad 2011, 64). The research ends up with a result that is not sufficient because they fail to get what captures the mind and the heart of the buyers. Researchers also employ Means-end Approach method, which applies interview technique. The method uncovers consequences, personal values and emotions that trigger the choice of the consumers. It consists of full-trained interviewers who gather quality data and get it coded for analysis (Foxall 2008, 32). The researchers gets to understand consumer choice and put advertising messages of their brands or products to get their consumer choice. The message is persuasive and drives consumers’ behavior. There are six methods to get customers to buy products. Customers buy products because of their benefits not the features associated with them. Most marketing and sales adverts talk about features leaving out benefits for customers to figure them out. The first way is letting the customers differentiate between a featur e and benefit. A feature is what a service or product does while a benefit is what the service or product means to the customer. The second way is avoiding use of big difficult words. This leaches off emotion. For example, this advert is wrong: Robust implementation of 347986protocol. Something like this is more appealing: One can connect nearly everywhere. The third method is using clear but plain language. A customer is able to recollect the benefits of product if simple strong words that trigger emotions are used. The fourth way is making your benefit concrete .This means making your

How music benefits the lives, both intellectually and socially, of Research Paper

How music benefits the lives, both intellectually and socially, of mentally retarded people - Research Paper Example Music is a medium that can meet people’ s needs for achievement, belonging, significance freedom and fun, since it allows expression of self and is a means of finding meaningful and enjoyable communication with others. The power of music has been recognized for a long time as a means of promoting health and well-being; therefore, music therapy to mentally retarded people is a means of harnessing the power of music for effective and positive change to individuals. Music actively engages people in their development and behavioural change; hence, for mentally retarded people music permits them to transmit musical and non-musical skills to other facets of life, which brings them from isolation into active participation in the world. The act of making music to mentally retarded people and reacting to musical stimuli makes these individuals able to experience immediate psychological and physiological awareness in various levels. The concrete reality of being able to sense auditorial y, tactfully, visually and emotionally brings these persons into the present, which brings immediate results. From mental retardation, these individuals experience the world around them on a subliminal or unconscious level; nevertheless, through music mentally retarded people can experience life at the conscious level, which opens lines of communication because it awakens, heighten and expand their awareness. Music has many positive changes on different levels to mentally retarded people since it has the unique properties of facilitating creative expression within individuals who have nonverbal or face difficulties in communication skills. Moreover, music provides an opportunity for experiences that open the way leading to motivation in learning in all domains of functioning; as well, music creates opportunities for positive and pleasurable social experiences, which are unavailable to mentally retarded people. In addition, music develops understanding of self, others and the surroun ding which improves the working of mentally retarded people at all levels and improves their well-being as well as fostering their independent living (Barksdale, 2003). There are various fundamental reasons to the effectiveness of using music as a curative agent, which include music being a cross-cultural mode of expression with its nonverbal nature making it a universal means of communication. Music sound stimulus is unique in its power of penetrating the mind and the body regardless of an individual’s level of intelligence or condition; therefore, music stimulates senses, evokes feelings and emotions, elicits both mental and physiological responses and energizes the mind and body. Music’s intrinsic structure and qualities has the potential for self-organization in mentally retarded individuals since it influences musical and non-musical behaviour hence it facilitates learning and acquisition of skills. Music is an extremely efficient and aesthetic modality which appl ies to all people including mentally retarded people owing to its interdisciplinary nature. Music improves motor skill, cognitive skills, affective states and adjustment as well as social skills; hence, music’s interdisciplinary aspects supplement and reinforce therapies for mentally retarded individuals (Barksdale, 2003). Music has been successful as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with mental and physical disorders; hence, music has always been recommended combined with treatment policy in order to supplement medical treatment. Music therapy theory suggest music engages the mind, bringing awareness of self and others leading to positive change and as choice theory suggest, thoughts and feelings change in accordance with actions that satisfy the individuals involved, which music invokes (Barksdale, 2003). Musial activities are useful for motion, also motivate conscious reaction, and complete the power of sensory motivation; however, music

Forum Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Forum - Assignment Example The reader hears of his experiences and that of other characters in the story directly. He tells the American, â€Å"It will perhaps be odd for you—coming, as you do, from a country that has not fought a war on its own soil in living memory†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hamid, 2007). Changez reflects on the world and informs the American of the gravity of the situation at home, as compared to America. Changez is unhappy with his American experiences, and on his visit home, he is visibly depressed. He refers to America as â€Å"†¦ a city not of his birth†, because of its unusual environment. He feels familiar at home and seems happy to see his brother, who ruffles his hair with his hand. In addition, Changez uses similes in his comparison of America and his home country, Pakistan. When his mother and brother question him about New York, America, he says, â€Å"It was odd to speak of that world here, as it would be odd to sing in a mosque† (Hamid, 2007). He highlights the cultural differences between the two regions and does not want to present any story that may seem ‘unusual’. He uses the word unusual to characterize the contrast of the two

How Shakespeare Presents Helena Essay Example for Free

How Shakespeare Presents Helena Essay Helena is clearly longing for something to make her like Hermia in hope that Demetrius would see some of Hermia in her. She is also jealous of Hermia’s beauty. It also shows us that she is insecure about her own appearance. The audience would’ve felt sorry towards her at this point as she is clearly devastated about Demetrius. A bit more into the play Helena expresses her confusion and betrayal towards Demetrius. â€Å"For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia’s eyne, / He hail’d down oaths that he was only mine. / And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,/ So he dissolv’d, and showers of oaths did melt. In this metaphor Helena is saying that Demetrius had made so many promises to her like balls of ice (hail stones) but when Hermia came along he made broke them causing Demetrius’s promises to have melted. We feel sympathetic towards Hermia as Demetrius led Helena on, making all of these promises when only later he would break all of them. Desperation is shown when Helena tells Demetrius about Hermia and Lysander’s plan to run away, betraying Hermia in the process. She is so desperate that she betrayed her best friend, Hermia. It was a bit hypocritical of her to betray Hermia and endangering their friendship like that when later on she accuses Hermia of throwing away their friendship when actually Hermia was stating the truth. â€Å"But herein mean I enrich my pain, / To have his slight thither, and back again. † In this quote it shows that Helena has come to the conclusion that Demetrius would never love her. So she would betray her best friend to just be pleased with by Demetrius but this doesn’t seem the case when you read later on in the play that Demetrius gets even more irritated with Helena. Helena is basically saying that even though it would pain her to see Demetrius chasing after Hermia she would still do it. At this moment the audience would’ve felt annoyed and sympathetic. The audience annoyed at Helena because she had ruined her best friend’s plan just to help her in her love life. This would be considered as selfish. However we would be sympathetic towards her as she has completely given up on being loved by Demetrius. However when her wishes are finally granted she doesn’t believe it creating a huge argument: â€Å"Wherefore was I to this keen mockery born? When at your hands did I deserve this scorn? † At this point Helena lets out all the insecurities, anger and sadness she’s ever been feeling. Her life for the last couple of months has been an emotional rollercoaster. â€Å"Is’t not enough, is’t enough, young man, / That I did never, no, nor never can/ Deserve a sweet look from Demetrius’ eye/ But you mu st flout my insufficiency? † The repetition that she uses suggests that she is so angry at Demetrius that she repeats her words; she’s so angry that she cannot think straight. The whole reason she’s angry is that she thinks that they are mocking her as Helena cannot believe anyone could possibly love her as she is so used to being rejected. If Demetrius couldn’t love her, who would? Her low self esteem also appears into her passage and her words. Helena feels confused at how anyone could ever like her and most of all outraged that her friends would mock and make fun of her. The audience feel humoured at this situation as Helena is claiming that Lysander and Demetrius don’t love her when actually they are in love with her to the point of madness. We also feel sorry towards her as she sees herself as a reject. At the end, when the confusion is solved and Helena finally has Demetrius she says some final words. â€Å"So methinks; / And I have found Demetrius, like a jewel, / Mine own, and not mine own. † In this metaphor she compares Demetrius to a jewel like she had been digging for a diamond and had finally found it. It shows how much Helena values Demetrius. At this point she finally realises that Demetrius actually does love her. At this point the udience would be feeling happy for Helena as she’s finally cheerful. However they might think that Demetrius doesn’t actually deserve Helena. In conclusion, Helena is showed as a heartbroken and desperate girl at the beginning then at the end she seems happy. The audience experience a range of emotions towards her, including sympathy, irritation and happiness. At the end of the play, we are likely to feel happy and satisfied because she finally has what she wan ts. Also throughout the whole play she is always depressed, sad or scolding herself.

Energy Efficiency And Household Appliances Construction Essay

Energy Efficiency And Household Appliances Construction Essay A district energy system produces steam, hot water, or chilled water in a central plant. The steam or water is then piped directly to individual buildings for heating, air conditioning or water. Under this system, individual homes do not need their own boilers or furnaces, chillers or air conditioning units. It has several advantages: District energy is energy efficient, reliable, and convenient for consumers, decreases building capital and life cycle costs, and allows for more flexibility in architectural design. Localized systems for heat and cooling production are common in Western Europe and also offer potential for energy efficiency in third world countries. Appropriate policies are crucial to the success of these systems. District heating can easily incorporate renewable energy, including biomass and waste products. They can also recycle industrial waste heat. District heating currently accounts for 30% final energy consumption in Russia and Belarus. Most district heating provi des combined heat and power (cogeneration), a highly energy efficient option. District cooling, which is underrepresented in transition economies, utilizes absorption technologies. According to the EIA, appliances account for 64.7% of electricity consumption in the average US home. However, increasing efficiency for appliances is hampered by the fact that TVs and computers are not covered by federal standards. As a result, the EIA believes that computers and related equipment will be a strong driver of residential consumption and will increase at the same rate as population growth. This a scenario that is likely to be witnessed in the rest of the developed world, as home computer use grows. In the US the DOE funds some state rebate programs for consumers purchasing Energy Star-qualified appliances. Though some states have already closed their programs, many others open throughout 2010 and will continue until February 2011 or when all funding is spent. Additionally, the DOE has recently stepped up their enforcement of appliance efficiency standards Often appliances are labeled to show their energy use and environmental characteristics. The US Environmental Protection Agency offers the Energy Star label, which indicates the appliance has met specific government standards for energy efficiency, performance, reasonable return on investment through reduced energy costs, and other criteria. In China, as populations urbanize and homes gain electricity, use of residential appliances is expected to increase significantly. According to a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) June 2009 report on residential energy use in China, 21% of household electricity consumption in China comes from air conditioners, refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, and televisions, while 9% comes from lighting alone., Clothes washers, air conditioners, and refrigerators are all subject to mandatory efficiency labeling in China,. Efficiency labels range from 1 (55-65% minimum standard energy usage) to 5 (90-100% minimum standard energy usage.) China also has mandatory efficiency standards for a number of household appliances including irons, rice cookers, fans, dehumidifiers, and televisions, and voluntary labeling for microwaves, water heaters, computers, and a number of other appliances, according to the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standard Program. A March 2010 report by the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy found that in the fifteen countries that joined the European Union between 1995 and 2006, sales of televisions rose nearly one-third by 2006. In the twenty-five countries that joined the EU by 2004, researchers estimated that each household would, on average, have two televisions by 2010. The EU has set a goal to have 80% of all households equipped with a smart electricity meter by 2020, and has mandatory and voluntary energy usage standards and labels for several appliances, among them refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, ovens, room and central air conditioners, space heaters and lamps, according to the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standard Program. Smart appliances Smart appliances take another step towards energy efficiency by automatically synching high energy use (such a defrost cycle in a refrigerator) with the time of day energy rates are at their lowest, and going into energy-saving mode when rates are highest, based on signals picked up from utilities. General Electric Appliances and Lightings line of smart appliances include smart refrigerators, as well as microwaves that reduce wattage during peak hours, dishwashers that delay starting cycling until rates are low, and clothes washers and dryers that delay starting until off-peak times. Smart appliances can be wirelessly linked together, along with smart meters, by home automation technologies for maximal efficiency. GE has several smart appliance pilot projects now under way. In the US, the Vineyard Energy Project on the island of Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts is testing management of smart appliances from a central control room. Energy managers at the central location manage the electric load of the appliances in the home, restricting their operation during peak consumption periods when the grid is under strain and electricity prices are high. For example, the central control room might reduce water temperature slightly of home hot water tanks during peak periods through remote communication with the appliances. The program allows 50 consumers to buy, at cost, the smart appliances. GE hopes to see how consumers react to outside management of their appliances and how this changes their energy consumption patterns. GE also has undertaken a smart appliance pilot project in Masdar City in the United Arab Enmities, which is striving to become a zero emissions city. Homes equipped with demand response-enabled refrigerators, cooktops and clothes washers/dryers receive signals from the grid, which simulates peak energy usage periods. The energy manager and smart appliances respond to real-time grid signals and customize the appliances actions to save energy and reduce demand on the grid. Because the appliances measure their own energy consumption, the program will supply a level of detail about energy consumption patterns not typically available. Indeed, traditionally the utility meter measures only overall household energy use. GE also has a smart appliance pilot underway in conjunction with Louisville Gas Electric, a US utility in Kentucky. GE employees are participating and have thus far reported peak energy savings as high as 20% The GE appliances work by receiving a signal from the utilitys smart meter which alerts the appliances when a peak period occurs. The appliances are programmed to avoid energy usage during that time or lower their wattage. Customer have the choice of overriding the program if they want the appliance to operate as if grid conditions are normal and no energy reductions are needed. Transportation technologies have improved significantly in the last several years. Vehicles are being built with increasingly efficient power-train systems and light weight materials. Hybrid electric technologies are growing in market penetration. There is likely to be even greater levels of fuel efficiency in vehicles over the next two decades. In the US, for example, fuel economy will increase by 40% by 2030, according to the NREL. In turn, fuel economy will create consumer savings of about $300 to $500 each year, according to the US DOE. Much of the savings comes from use of hybrid, electric, biodiesel, and other alternative vehicle technologies. Under current technology, only about 15-20% of the energy from fuel is used to move the car down or run accessories, such as air conditioning. The remaining energy is lost to engine and driveline inefficiencies and idling, according to the US DOE. Automobile efficiency can be improved through changes to the engine and the transmission. Several engine technology improvements can affect efficiency, such as direct fuel injection systems that create more precise timing and control of fuel mist, which creates higher performance and lower fuel consumption. Turbochargers and superchargers may allow more compressed air and fuel to be injected into the engine cylinders, generating extra power from each explosion, which allows manufacturers to user smaller engines without sacrificing performance. An integrated starter/generator also can automatically turn the engine off when the vehicle comes to a stop and restart it inst when the accelerator is pressed so that fuel isnt wasted during idling. Regenerative braking can be used to convert mechanical energy lost in braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery and used to electrify the starter. In addition improvements to the transmission can lead to better fuel economy. For example, what is known as continuously variable transmission (CVT)saves fuel by using a pair of variable-diameter pulleys connected by a belt or chain that can produce an infinite number of engine/wheel speed ratios. This replaces traditional gears. Another transmission improvement is automated manual transmission (AMT), which combines the most efficient features of manual and automatic transmissions. Computer chips also have enhanced automotive efficiency by allowing engines to create more power and fewer emissions with less energy. Vehicle manufacturers also can improve fuel economy by replacing steel with lighter weight aluminum, magnesium, and plastics or composites. In the years leading up to 2007, the amount of steel in a light vehicle decreased from 41.4% to 40.3% and advanced materials increased by 0.4%, according to NREL

Frigg Field Case Study

Frigg Field Case Study CUTTING AND REMOVAL OF PLATFORM FOUNDATIONS Callum Toole: 201662274 Antonios Poulis: 201685557 Marinos Mavroulis: 201667892 Abraham Ejiro Ibodje: 201653157 1.1 NORTH SEA Since the first steel piled jacket foundation (SPJF) was installed in the North Sea in 1967 there has been a total of 556 installed and 52 have been decommissioned after operational use. The operational water depth of the North Sea varies as SPJF are split into small and large categories. Of the original 556 foundations 392 were installed in water depths of less than 55m leaving 164 foundations reaching to depths of 190m (Oil Gas UK, 2012) (Offshore-mag, 2000). With oil and gas reserves depleting in this area more and more installations are applying for cease of production (CoP) to begin the decommissioning cycle. It has been estimated that over the next 25 years there will be  £35bn spent on decommissioning activity in the North Sea alone (Decom North Sea, 2014). 1.2 CASE STUDY FRIGG FIELD The Frigg Field is situated in the North Sea with 6 differing fixed foundation structures spread over UK and Norwegian blocks 10/1 and 25/1 respectively. These fixed foundations are a mixture of SPJF and Gravity Based Structures (GBS). For the remainder of this assignment the Frigg Field case study will only consider the cutting and removal of DP2 an 8 leg SJPF which supported a drilling and production platform Figure 2, (Total, 2003). Key aspects of the Frigg Field DP2 to be considered are: Water depth 98m (321.5ft) Production depth 1850m (6070ft) 24 wells drilled in total for production 20 original steel pile foundations (4 external at each corner leg and 4 internal at inner legs) (T Gram, 2011) at 60 diameter (Total, 2003) Jacket recovery via re-float technique after successful installation of buoyancy and cutting of foundations In the North Sea, the selection of the ROV system is vital to its success of the cutting and removal of the DP2 jacket foundations. This is due to the ever-changing dynamic offshore environment that effect cutting, lifting and removal of subsea infrastructure. 2.1 ROV UNIT The Oceaneering Millennium Plus (OMP) 220hp heavy work class ROV was selected for the cutting and removal of the Frigg DP2 foundations due to its operational capabilities. The ROVs working class design allows for front assembled dual manipulators to be interactive with the task in hand. Weighing in at 4,000kg the OMPs dimensions are 3.31.71.9m (LxWxH) (Oceaneering, 2017). The depth capabilities of the ROV exceed the depth needed to fully operate in the North Sea conditions at the Frigg site as it is rated for up to depths of 3,000m. A main consideration of the OMP is its station keeping abilities and dual hydraulic units of 110hp powering 4 vectored horizontal and 4 vertical propulsion units. This allows for 2,000lbs of thrust to be used in the lateral, forward and reverse directions with a vertical thrust of 2,800lbs. 2.2 VISIBILITY TOOL INTERACTION Another main consideration of the ROV selected is its ability to interact clearly with tooling and structures at the water depth. This is made possible by the dual manipulators having 5 degrees of function which is powered by a 24V DC and 110V AC power supply on board. To successfully clear, cut and remove the 20 pile foundations the OMP is versatile enough to interact with heavy duty tools to do the jobs of dredging, cutting and use its manipulators to fit buoyancy cans within 15 mm tolerance for removal operations (Oceaneering, 2017) (Total, 2011). The OMP will be interacting with a standalone subsea dredge and an External Cutting Tool when at operational depths. But also has the ability to be fitted with various skid pans if needed. The ECT selected for the cutting operations of the pile foundations is an abrasive water jet cutting approach due to its multi-dimensional clamp configurations that allow for various diameters form 16 72 pipe to be cut. This is made possible by 8 fully mounted 250W high intensity LED lighting units surrounding the front facing operating area working in conjunction with visuals. The visual output of the OMP comes from cameras which can either be standard, high or 3D high definition (HD) -   3D HD is preferred for the operations due to enhanced visuals allowing for a safer more efficient operation. 2.3 NAVIGATION Automatic controls for the OMP are used via fly by wire systems that allow for station keeping regarding depth, pitch, altitude and automatic pre-programmed headings. To allow for the altitude and headings to be correct a surveying grade gyro and backup fluxgate compass is available on board the ROV. Depth of the ROV unit is vital due to the foundations being at seabed level and to avoid collisions with the seabed and/or cuttings pilings in the area (Oceaneering, 2017). 2.4 LAUNCH AND RECOVERY SYSTEM (LARS) The adaptability of the OMP with regards to different LARS allows it to be used with multiple possible vessels when on site. There are various options available for the OMP: heavy weather over boarding, A-frame, cursor and heavy lift winching. To safely and successfully launch and recover the OMP an A-frame system was selected. This is due to its simplicity, lifting capabilities and cost reduction during mobilisation at a new site or location. 2.5 TETHER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (TMS) During under water operations the OMP can work either free swimming or via a TMS. Free swimming operations are directly connected to the ROV transmitting electrical power, mechanical payloads and optical signal by means of a tether during operations.   A TMS configuration includes the use of a side entry garage or a Top-hat connection where the topside umbilical is connected and then redistributes the power and signals to the ROV via a tethered connection. During this operation at the Frigg Field a Top-hat TMS would be used to guide, control and position the OMP throughout its cutting and removal operations. This is due to strong advantages such as: providing protection to the OMP as it is securely connected during launch and recovery, secure positioning reduces complications at splash zone interaction, the addition of the Top-hat TMS allows for a further working radius from the garage rather than free swimming operations and allowing for greater precision on deployment to the work site. A typical mission for the OMP varies depending on the level of cutting and removal of foundations during decommissioning operations. Regarding the case study adopted for the Frigg Field the typical mission expected would be as follows: Environmental checks would be carried out on the vessel to determine there is safe working conditions for the OMP to operate OMP and top-hat configuration would be connected and moved to launch platform of the A-frame Final checks of OMP before launch Launching and lowering of the OMP (via A-frame) into the water through the splash zone monitoring tension on the line Grounding at operational level of 98m Subsea pressure and containment checks then release from top-hat configuration Movement towards and interaction with dredging equipment via manipulators Dredging work carried out with standalone subsea dredge on completion the tooling would be removed Inspection of pile surfaces to be cut via front mounted cameras Interaction with ECT cutting equipment via manipulators Attachment of ECT cutting equipment to initial foundations monitoring workload from visuals Interaction with buoyancy sections being used for re-float x4 interaction, manipulation, fastening and final checks Final checks of whole system and foundation structure before final piles are cut Attachment of ECT cutting equipment for final cuts x4 carried out Monitoring the floating of the jacket structure and buoyancy module interaction via visuals Final checks of the seabed environment and coverage of unburied foundations Recovery operations via the top-hat configuration and return to surface Checks, assessment and maintenance of the ROV reported Having selected the OMP for the decommissioning and removal of the DP2 SPJF there are various areas that may cause difficulties during the installation, operating and maintaining the OMP. 4.1 SEA STATES WAVE AND CURRENTS In the Frigg field, the average speed of wind between the winter months December to February is about 9.9 m/s. For this wind velocity, waves are most likely to have a maximum height of 2.5m. However, during severe winter storms which occur roughly once per decade in the area, there is a significant possibility of wave average heights from 12.1m and maximum height of 24m. Currents do fluctuate, reliant on the speed and direction of the winds (Total, 2003). With these environmental considerations in the North Sea it was necessary to choose an ROV with high performance thrusters to aid in station keeping whilst operating. The OMP permits this with four powerful vectored horizontal and four vertical thrusters, which allow the system to move in four directions, vertical, lateral, roll and pitch comfortably with 2,000lbs of thrust available (Oceaneering, 2017). 4.2 LAUNCH AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS During launch and recovery operations there are expected difficulties such as: Large waves and high winds can cause the OMP and Top-hat TMS to swing wildly potentially impacting the vessel and causing damage to equipment Difficult deployment and recovery procedures when there a reduced deck space to accommodate the operation On drilling rigs the proximity of the OMP and Top-hat to the vessels hull and thrusters during entry and exit into the splash zone can become complicated Deployed extension cables can be required to reach satellite sites where it was not practical or possible to install via the Top-hat TMS 4.3 OPERATIONAL CUTTINGS Operational drill cuttings can be problematic with the removal of platform foundations due to its chemical makeup and mass surrounding the foundations at the sea bed. With the DP2 platform, 24 wells were drilled in total with an estimated upheaval of contained in an area of 80m x 120m at a maximum thickness of 20cm. Due to the low toxicity of the drilling mud used the cuttings can be removed and treated (Total, 2003). To combat this the OMP is capable of using a stand-alone 12 subsea dredge which can manipulate the suction nozzle aiding in the removal of drill cuttings and sediment surrounding the foundations before cutting operations (Oceaneering DTS, 2013). 5.1 OIL GAS The OMP can be used for different operations in the oil gas industry such as: inspection, maintenance and repair, installation, workover and control system (IWOCS), surveying, dredging, subsea tie-ins, flow assurance checks, assisting in the removal of subsea productions systems, mooring line servicing, cable laying operations, video servicing, acoustic positioning and BOP intervention. Such operations like these can take place in the deep-water environments up to 3,000m maximum operational depths of the OMP. With respect to maintenance, repair and installation operations, the OMP has the capacity of transferring hot tap fittings, pipeline clamps, misalignment ball connectors, swivel-ring flanges, breakaway joints, riser connections and other equipment for delivery, repair and installation. Trenching burial of pipes and cables are operations that are carried out by ROVs that have 200hp and above. The OMP can be considered for these types of laying and burial operations due to its classification and built in features (Oceaneering, 2017). One of the challenges facing operations in the offshore wind farm environment is observation and maintenance of fixed foundation based, cable monitoring, structural integrity checks and seabed surveys, the OMP is well suited to address these issues due to its comprehensive build, mostly in winter and less visible conditions (UnderwaterVision, 2017). 5.2 FRIGG FIELD VERSATILITY During the decommissioning operation of the DP2 jacket it became aware that extra preparation in cutting and removal of pile guides was needed to successfully fit and mount the buoyancy cans for removal. A solution to this was that a bespoke diamond wire tool and buoyancy solution was designed for operations to be carried out by ROV. With the OMP this could be successfully carried out due to its adaptability and tooling interaction (Proserv, 2017). 5.3 OCEAN SCIENCE The OMP can be used for scientific research under water such a sea animal and plants studies in natural environment, Arctic operations, if equipped with various sampling devices. Also, as it is equipped with 3D HD Camera (highly intensity LED) it can operate in extreme environments. Another strong versatile function is that it could be used for underwater interactions documentaries, filmmaking, archaeology projects, e.g. Mystery Mardi Gras shipwreck (Landis, 2017). 5.3 MILITARY The Millennium Plus vehicle optional power/ data interfaces (Ethernet/optical fibre) and other features built in it can be used for naval/military operation, primarily for mine hunting and mine breaking. Neutralizing and retrieving of explosives, moored mines and also inspection tasks like meteorology, detection of environmental hazard, port security, mine countermeasure and maritime intelligence. 5.4 FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE The over exploitation of the North Sea remains a highly-discussed topic to date to combat this there has been a growing market for offshore fish farms. A typical mission would involve the OMP to either help install or inspect and monitor fish inside, inspect netting/cages that have been used for containment. The manipulator operability would allow for heavy cages to be moved into place and fastened securely whilst clearly visual (R. D. Christ, 2014), The OMP can perform a widespread range of activities however there is still the possibility for improvements that may be considered for future development and improved efficiency. 6.1 VISUAL Currently the OMP can be fitted with either: Standard Definition (SD), High Definition (HD) or a 3D HD camera. For improved visibility during decommissioning operations and dredging procedures where the water conditions could be blurred due to sediment, an upgrade to a 4K Ultra HD camera would be beneficial. The light sensitivity and quality of video produced would offer the OMP user a confidence even when the seabed conditions are not clear to operate. The upgraded camera can be fitted with some more technical specifications such as noise reduction, a wider area of view and higher contrast. With these camera upgrades, the user will have less misrepresentations and even better situation and spatial awareness. 6.2 POWER OUTPUT THRUST CAPABILITIES Improving the hydraulic power units on board to 2 x 125hp would allow for an increase in 300lbs of thrust in the vertical, lateral, forward and reverse directions this would allow for the OMP to: improve its station keeping abilities, be quicker during launch and recovery, manoeuvre heavier standalone tools and extra up thrust would allow the OMP to return to the surface with heavier loads more efficiently. 6.3 MANIPULATORS Increasing the manipulators range of motion would allow for more detailed technical operations to be carried out and improve the pilot/ROV interaction. This could be made possible by improving the dual manipulators to have 7 degrees of function and mounting a wrist camera assembly to improve visibility (Oceaneering, 2017). A manipulator that could be considered could be the TITAN 4 with its 7 degrees of motion, titanium material characteristics to reduce weight and titanium wrist mounted camera to increase visibility (FMC Technologies, 2017). Decom North Sea, 2014. Decommissioning in the North Sea Review of Decommissioning Capacity, s.l.: Decom North Sea. FMC Technologies, 2017. http://www.f-e-t.com. [Online] Available at: http://www.f-e-t.com/images/uploads/Schilling_Titan_4_with_Spares_Kit.pdf[Accessed 4 March 2017]. Landis, N., 2017. Naultilus Productions. [Online] Available at: http://nautilusproductions.com/projects/mystery-mardi-gras-shipwreck-documentary[Accessed 4 March 2017]. Oceaneering DTS, 2013. DTS Tooling. [Online] Available at: http://www.oceaneering.com/oceandocuments/brochures/subseaproducts/Oceaneering-DTS-Catalog-2013.pdf[Accessed 4 March 2017]. Oceaneering, 2017. http://www.oceaneering.com. [Online] Available at: http://www.oceaneering.com/oceandocuments/brochures/rov/ROV%20-%20Nexxus.pdf[Accessed 4 March 2017]. Oceaneering, 2017. Millennium Plus 220hp heavy work class ROV. [Online] Available at: http://www.oceaneering.com/oceandocuments/brochures/rov/ROV%20-%20Millennium%20Plus.pdf [Accessed 4 March 2017]. offshore Energy Today, 2012. http://www.offshoreenergytoday.com. [Online] Available at: http://www.offshoreenergytoday.com/tag/ocean-installer/page/2/[Accessed 10 March 2017]. Offshore-mag, 2000. Offshore-mag.com. [Online] Available at: http://www.offshore-mag.com/articles/print/volume-60/issue-8/news/two-part-kvitebjoslashrn-jacket-will-break-north-sea-water-depth-record.html[Accessed 19 Feb 2017]. Oil Gas UK, 2012. Oil Gas UK The Decommissioning of Steel Piled Jackets In the North Sea Region, s.l.: Oil Gas UK. Proserv, 2017. http://www.proserv.com. [Online] Available at: http://www.proserv.com/media/case-studies/decommissioning/frigg-field/[Accessed 4 March 2017]. R. D. Christ, R. L. W., 2014. The ROV Manual A User Guide for Remotely Operated Vehicles. 2nd ed. Waltham: Elsevier. stevo6187, 2017. imagala.com. [Online] Available at: http://www.imagala.com/post/1X5SEdD4ZD[Accessed 4 March 2017]. T Gram, R. K. J. K. M. J. E. K. C. H. A. S., 2011. Decommissioning of Frigg and MCP01 A Contractor View. Offshore Technology Conference, Volume 21708. Total, 2003. Frigg Field Cessation Plan, Stravanger: Total. Total, 2011. Frigg Field Cessation Plan Close Out Report, s.l.: Total. UnderwaterVision, 2017. Underwater Vision. [Online] Available at: http://www.underwatervision.co.uk/services/wind-farms-and-offshore/[Accessed 4 March 2017].

Tuscany & Siena Essay example -- History Historical Tuscany Europe Pap

Tuscany & Siena The central region of Tuscany includes the following provinces:? Arezzo, Grosseto, Florence, Leghorn, Lucca, Mass-Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, and Siena.? The total area of this region is 8.877 square miles. A Chorological History of Tuscany The word Tuscany comes from the Tusci, Tuscans or Etruscans.? Etruria (their country) at one time comprised Tuscany and the northern part of Lazio.? Charlemagne occupied northern Italy in the 8th century AD, at which time the name of Tuscia or Toscana became restricted to the area.? The counts of Lucca then utilized the region as a frontier district.1 In the 10th century, the House of the Attoni of Canossa rose to power.? After this period, prosperous towns began to assert their independence; the rise of communes in Italy had begun.? In Tuscany, the first communes were Pisa, Lucca, and Pistoia, as well as Siena, Florence, and Arezzo.? After Matilda of Tuscany (a decendant of the House of the Attoni of Canossa) died in 1115, a struggle over the region ensued between the popes and the emperors.? As a result, the Tuscan cities further confirmed their independence.2 In the 12th and 13th centuries, Pisa, backed by Siena and Pistoia, was contested by Florence, Lucca, and Genoa.? After being defeated by Genoa, Florence rose to be the leading city of Tuscany.? In Florence, the standard form of Italian was being developed through the Tuscan dialect of that region.3 The Medici dynasty then ruled Florence for most of the later medieval history.? The Medici?s were the most powerful family in Italy, and had gained their wealth in banking.4? Most famous of the Medici?s is Loreno il Magnifico, or Lorenzo the Magnificent.? During his rule, he continued to support the atmospher... ...d.? p. 33. 8 Ibid.? p. 34. 9-10 Italy:? Tuscany. The New Encyclopaedia Britannica.? 15th edition.? 1992.? p. 253. 11-13 ?Ibid.? p. 253. 14-15 ?Ibid.? p. 254. 16 Jepson, Tim.? The National Geographic Traveler:? Florence & Tuscany.? Willard, Ohio:? R.R. Donnelley & Sons.? 2001.? p. 194. 17-18 Ibid.? p. 196. 19 Ibid.? p. 204. 20 Ibid.? p. 194-195. 21 Ibid.? p. 204. 22? Ibid.? p. 10. 23-24 Ibid.? p. 227. 25 Ibid.? p. 232. 26-27 Ibid.? p. 266. 28-29 Ibid.? p. 274. 30 Ibid.? p. 275. 31 Ibid.? p. 49. Additional sources of note: Bethemont, Jacques, and Jean Pelletier.? Italy:? A geographical introduction.? New York:? Longman.? 1983. Hook, Judith.? Siena:? A City and its History.? London:? Hamish Hamilton.? 1979. Schevill, Ferdinand.? Siena:? The History of a Medieval Commune.? New York, New York:? Harper.? 1937.

Dell case Essay -- essays research papers

Case comprehension Dell Computer Corporation was founded in 1984 by Michel Dell, as a result of a growing demand for his pre-formatted hard-disks and upgraded IBM-compatibles. Within a year, Dell introduces its first own-design computer system and in 1989, the company introduces its first laptop. The first laptop introduced did not live up to the Dell standards, and was therefore taken off the market again. Dell had to solve the problem of balancing the production of laptops, desktops and servers. On the laptop market, which Dell was committed to re-enter due to its growing customer base, there were a number of technological problems. Dell had hired John Medica, lead developer of Apple computer’s Powerbook line, and according to him, only one of the laptops being developed would be able to compete on the market. However, it would take some time before it was fully developed, so Dell had to reject their customer’s demand for laptops. In doing so, Dell made the customers understand that it would not take forever. Dell’s way to approach the fact that the company was not able to fulfil the customers wishes, was through honesty. The question was whether this strategy was an advantage for Dell or not. The brand â€Å"Dell? which serves various consumer segments, is efficiently delivering attributes such as good quality computers along with operative support services. Dell takes position in direct communication with customers and delivers build-to-order computers. The value created by using the direct model to sell customized products and by providing on-site service ranked Dell between market leaders IMB, Compaq, HP. It represents good performance machines at a reasonable price as well as unique and distinctive â€Å"Direct Model? while targeting corporate, medium and small sized businesses and home office consumers. The advantage of a strong brand, investment in R&D and direct communication with the customers could successfully lead the company into the laptop market. However, the laptop market differs from the desktop market in a number of ways. For Dell the main problem will be the manufacturing process. When producing laptops, most parts will be delivered by suppliers and Dell just ads the last parts. This limits the degree of customization possible and since one of Dell’s most important distinguishing features is computer customization, the company risks not att... ... company’s desire to experiment without being afraid of taking risks that could bring failure as well. The IT industry is ever changing, and being innovative is a must if a company wishes to be successful. ?Weaknesses - The need to form market share in the laptop market from nothing. - Reentering the market causes further production costs (investments in new technology, new specialized employees, restructure assembly line and etc.). - Lower degree of customization that is possible for laptops and this in turn limits Dell’s ability to produce customized laptops which is its main feature of success. ?Opportunities - Company’s expansion to new market. - New potential customers and the need to redeem lost customers in terms of laptop production keeping in mind previous failure. - Possibility to take advantage in delivering products faster and providing service in competitively effective manner. ?Threats - Facing already well operating and widely spread competitors. - Other companies are adopting Dell’s direct model - Dell is losing its uniqueness. - The threat of rejection to buy Dell’s portables, because some former customers are prejudging Dell as producing low-quality laptops.