Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Xploring Empirical Modeling and web-enabled EM tools Essay
Xploring Empirical Modeling and web-enabled EM tools - Essay Example In this paper, the concepts of EM with web-enabled EM tools will be investigated in accordance with a classic game ââ¬ËBattleshipââ¬â¢. Web EDEN is the first web-enabled version of EDEN introduced in 2007, but there were few potential disadvantages of Web EDEN. However, a newer version of web-enabled EM tools called JsEden, has been developed in 2010. It is based on a JavaScript implementation of EDEN and it eliminated the major disadvantage introduced by Web Eden. This paper will explore JsEden and its advantages. The first web-enabled EM tool is called Web-EDEN, it was introduced in 2007. Web EDEN has several disadvantages. The major disadvantage is load-balancing between client and server. This is because EDEM models run at the clients are sent to the server for interpretation which produces a large network load. Thus the interpretation is slow. However, JsEden has resolved this issue by implementing EDEN with JavaScript, although this is still in prototype stage, but it deals with all the issues of Web-Eden and provides several advantages over Web-EDEN. Given that JsEden is a browser based implementation of EDEN, thus, it addresses the issues of portability and provides capability of cross-platform. JsEden has improved the portability to a greater extent by implementing EDEN using JavaScript. However, portability is addressed by following the principles of EM. In this scenario, the major concepts such as observables, dependency and agency are not machine-specific terms; they are related to experience that comes from interacting with computer during the construction of models. In addition, the traditional implementation of EDEN has relied on invoking procedural actions triggered by observable changes. Additionally, drawing interface in JsEden has to be explicitly programmed and point on the display has to be redrawn to maintain the dependency between internal state and their visual counterpart. Since
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Cetuximab Antibody Production
Cetuximab Antibody Production Cancer has been studied widely for many decades and is a major part of ongoing research worldwide. During the research a new generation of so-called targeted therapies have been produced to target specific molecular processes that promote cancerous tumour growths. The research lead to development of the drug called Cetuximab which is used to treat head and neck cancers and colon and rectum cancers including large bowel. It is produced under the brand name of Erbitux which is produced by Merck Serono company which is located in Dublin 24 in Ireland. Cetuximab is widely produced in US by several pharmaceutical companies such as Imclone, Bristol Myers Squibb and in UK as well. The treatment with Erbitux is very expensive and the reason for that is because it is a chimeric monoclonal IgG1 antibody which is produced in a mammalian cell line by recombinant DNA technology which requires cost expensive labour and ingredients. (http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/12082/SPC/Erbitux+5mg+ml+solutio n+for+infusion/ 2010) One of the widely studied areas is molecular targets such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) which lead to development of Cetuximab which works on these molecular targets. Cetuximab works by inhibiting activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Cetuximab was approved by (FDA) Food and Drugs Administration for the use in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using the combination of radiotherapy and for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) as single drug or in combination with chemotherapy. (Bruno Vincenzi, Gaia Schiavon, Marianna Silletta, Daniele Santini, Giuseppe Tonini, 2008) Cetuximab is a recombinant chimeric human murine immunoglobulin G1 antibody that binds to the extra-cellular domain of epidermal growth factor receptor with a higher affinity than either endogenous ligand. This binding inhibits receptor phosphorylation and activation and it leads to receptor internalization and degradation. Several studies have shown that cetuximab is able to inhibit growth of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing tumour cells in vitro. Moreover, treatment with cetuximab results in a marked inhibition of tumour growth in nude mice bearing xenografts of human cancer cell lines. These results are linked to cetuximab biological effects as inhibition of cell cycle, tumour progression, neo-angiogenesis, invasion and metastatization, as well as increase and activation of pro-apoptotic molecules. Additionally, cetuximab potentiates, in combination, the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in eradicating well-established tumours in nude mice and it may even reverse the resistance to some cytotoxic agents in these xenografts. Moreover, numerous clinical trials demonstrated cetuximab efficacy in different tumour types. It has been approved by Food and Drugs Administration in the treatmen t of metastatic colorectal cancer as single agent or in combination with chemotherapy, in locally and regionally. (Bruno Vincenzi , Gaia Schiavon, Marianna Silletta, Daniele Santini, Giuseppe Tonini 2008) Cetuximab is a chimeric human murine derivative IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds extra-cellular domain of the EGFR. This binding inhibits activation of receptor tyrosine kinase and the associated downstream signalling that includes the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and the Janus kinases (Jak) signal transducers and activator of transcription pathways. Furthermore cetuximab induces antibody-mediated receptor dimerization, internalization and degradation leading to receptor down-regulation. In addition, it can determine antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) that could contribute to its antitumoural effect. EGFR is expressed on normal and malignant epithelial cells and it plays an important role in tumour biology. In fact, it promotes proliferation, metastatization, angiogenesis and inhibition of apoptosis. (Bruno Vincenzi, Gaia Schiavon, Marianna Silletta, Daniele Santini, Giuseppe Tonini, 2008 p. 94) The most common EGFR alteration in tumour cells is its over-expression that may lead to ligand-independent receptor dimerization. EGFR is frequently over-expressed in human tumours including breast cancer, lung cancer, glioblastoma, bladder carcinoma, head and neck cancer, ovarian carcinoma, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. Overexpression of EGFR determines the rate of disease progression and aggresivness of cancer. The rate of expression of EGFR can give an overall picture on diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Table 1 Rate expression of EGFR in different tumour types Tumour type Rate of EGFR expression Head and neck 90ââ¬Å¡100% Breast Up to 91% Renal Up to 90% Cervical Up to 85% NSCLC Up to 80% Colon Up to 89% Ovarian Up to 77% Prostate Up to 47% Glioma Up to 63% Pancreas Up to 95% Bladder Up to 72% EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor, NSCLC: non-small cell lung cancer. (Bruno Vincenzi , Gaia Schiavon, Marianna Silletta, Daniele Santini, Giuseppe Tonini, 2008 p. 95) The mechanisms through which cetuximab expresses its antitumour activity are numerous and not completely understood yet. Different studies demonstrated that cetuximab mediates cell cycle arrest in various tumour cell lines, leading in some cases to apoptosis (programmed cell death). Numerous studies has proven that cetuximab decreases tumour cell production of angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bFGF and interleukin-8 (IL-8). The decrease in angiogenic growth factors, in turn, correlates with a significant decrease in microvessel density and an increase in apoptotic endothelial cells in human tumour xenografts. Angiogenesis is a complex process through which new blood vessels arise from existing vasculature. It is tightly regulated by balance between pro-angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors and it involves autocrine and paracrine signalling. (Bruno Vincenzi, Gaia Schiavon, Marianna Silletta, Daniele Santini, Giuseppe Tonini, 2008 p. 97) Both in vitro and in vivo experiments have proven that cetuximab inhibits the invasive and metastatic ability of different tumour types. Tumour invasion is a complex process that needs active interactions between tumour cell, the extra-cellular membrane (ECM) and other stromal elements Different coordinated events are required for cell invasion: firstly, changes in cellââ¬Å¡ cell and cellââ¬Å¡ matrix adhesion, secondly, degradation of ECM, and finally, cell migration, cytoskeletal rearrangement and acquisition of enhanced proteolytic potential. (Maria Luisa Veronese, Peter J. ODwyer, 2004) Cetuximab has been shown to inhibit the expression and activity of several MMPs (Matrix Metalloproteinase enzymes related to tissue healing/remodeling and cancer cell metastasis) including the gelatinase MMP-9. Several studies correlated this antibody-mediated reduction in MMP production with both a significant reduction in in vitro tumour-cell invasion and the inhibition of tumour growth and metastasis in nude mice. Compared with its inhibitory properties, cetuximab immunologic mechanisms have not been extensively studied. Cetuximab may be trigger an ADCC reaction, leading to an indirect antitumour activity by the recruitment of cytotoxic host effector cells such as monocytes and natural-killer cells. Cetuximab ADCC (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity) activity has been described against several tumour cell lines expressing wild-type or mutant EGFR. (Bruno Vincenzi , Gaia Schiavon, Marianna Silletta, Daniele Santini, Giuseppe Tonini 2008 p. 98) Cetuximab, the medicinal ingredient of Erbitux, is a recombinant, human/mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds specifically and with high affinity to the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Cetuximab functions as a competitive antagonist that inhibits the binding of ligands to EGFR which results in the inhibition of growth and survival of tumour cells that express EGFR. Cetuximab is produced by recombinant DNA technology in a mouse myeloma derived cell line. The manufacture of cetuximab is based on a master and working cell bank system, where the master and working cell banks have been thoroughly characterized and tested for adventitious contaminants and endogenous viruses in accordance with the ICH guidelines. Results of these tests confirmed cell line identity and absence of adventitious agents/viral contaminants. Genetic characterization (restriction endonuclease mapping and copy number analysis) also demonstrated genetic stability of the master cell bank ranging from storage to production at the limit of in vitro cell age. The manufacture of cetuximab comprises a series of steps which include cell culture, harvest, and purification. The purification is performed via a combination of chromatographic and viral inactivation/removal steps. The consistency of the manufacturing process is ensured through defined production procedures, critical quality tests, in-process limits and cetuximab certificate of analysis specifications. Microbial control is maintained throughout the manufacturing process by testing for bioburden as well as for bacterial endotoxins. In-process controls performed during manufacture were reviewed and are considered acceptable. The specifications for the raw materials used in manufacturing the drug substance are also considered satisfactory. The Erbitux manufacturing process consists of adjusting cetuximab formulated bulk concentration and filling into vials using proper aseptic process techniques, and conventional pharmaceutical equipment and facilities. Erbitux is manufactured within the lab which obeys GMP (Good Manufacturing Practise). One-hundred percent of the patients in the pivotal trial experienced an adverse event (AE). Eighty percent of these were grade 3 or 4 in nature. The most commonly reported AEs in order of frequency were asthenia, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and acne. Based on the data from this trial, the AE profile of the combination of irinotecan and cetuximab is the aggregate of the AE profile of each individual agent. There was no evidence that the addition of either agent exacerbated the AE profile of the other agent, nor was there any evidence of frequently occurring new AEs. The most common AEs associated with irinotecan were less frequent than in other trials with irinotecan in CRC. Similar results were observed in the non-pivotal studies. (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-ps/prodpharma/sbd-smd/phase1-decision/drug-med/sbd_smd_2007_erbitux_088225-eng.php 2007) The treatment with Erbitux is very expensive and the reason for that is because it is a chimeric monoclonal IgG1 antibody which is produced in a mammalian cell line by recombinant DNA technology which requires cost expensive labour and ingredients. Erbitux is available in injectable form only and contains 5mg/ml solution for infusion. Erbitux is a colourless solution. Cetuximab is available for injections in different vial sizes: vial of 10 ml contains 50 mg cetuximab vial of 20 ml contains 100 mg cetuximab vial of 50 ml contains 250 mg cetuximab vial of 100 ml contains 500 mg cetuximab Cetuximab is used for the treatment on patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing, KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy. It can also be used for the the treatment of patients with quamous cell cancer of the head and neck in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for recurrent metastatic disease. Patients who receive treatment first time must receive treatment with corticosteroid and antihistamines in order to avoid allergic reaction to the drug and body attacking the drug. It is also recommended to receive treatment with corticosteroids and antihistamines for all subsequent infusions. For all types of treatments Erbitux is administered once per week. The starting dose is 400 mg of cetuximab per m2 body surface area. All subsequent weekly doses are 250 mg cetuximab per m2 each. Cetuximab can be used in patients with colorectal cancer as a single drug or in combination with chemotherapy. For patients with squamous cell cancer of neck and head it is used together with radiation therapy. Allergic skin reactions are very common with Cetuximab patients which occur in more than 80% of patients, the reason for that is because Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody drug. The majority of allergic skin reactions will develop within the first 3 weeks of treatment. These include dry skin, skin rash, eczema, nail disorders, in some severe cases skin necrosis. These skin problems generally resolve once the treatment is ceased. Sometimes Cetuximab can cause skin lesions and patients with sensitive skin may develop superinfections like MRSA, or in other cases cellulites, sepsis, or scalded skin. (http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/12082/SPC/Erbitux+5mg+ml+solution+for+infusion/ 2010) Cetuximab works in many different ways : it inhibits cell cycle progression metastatization and invasion, angiogenesis, increase and activation of pro-apoptotic molecules. When cetuximab is used in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy its effects are synergic. Effectivenes is much higher if when used in combination rather than separately. Cetuximab is relatively new drug and it is not fully understood its working mechanisms and new types of drugs like cetuximab promise effective treatment against cancer.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Hawthornes Characters: Pride Of Intellect :: essays research papers
Hawthorne's Characters: Pride of Intellect Many of Hawthorne's characters wrap themselves in a pride of intellect. The characters become victims of their pride and consequently suffer. Goodman Brown, from "Young Goodman Brown" and Hooper, from "The Minister's Black Veil" are two characters that suffer from a pride of intellect. Their pride causes them similar problems and they end up living similar lives, although they came from different backgrounds. Hooper and Goodman Brown both become isolated from society. Hooper had a revelation, and he feels that he truly understands human nature and sin. However, he believes that he is above everybody else because he has this understanding. This is what causes the major separation between Hooper and society. After Hooper dawns the veil he can no longer function or act as a normal person, because of this feeling of superiority. His perception of an ultimate human isolation leaves him the man most isolated in what Hawthorne describes as that saddest of all prisons, his own heart . . . "(The Minister's Black Veil,228). The veil affects all parts of his life, his fiance leaves him and he can no longer relate to his congregation the same way. "As a result of wearing the veil, Hooper becomes a man apart, isolated from love and sympathy, suspected and even feared by his congregation"(Minister's Black Veil, 228). Goodman Brown suffers the same fate because he also has a feeling of superiority over the rest of the village. He attains this feeling after he sees all the people that he though were good and pure participating in satanic rituals in the forest. He looses all faith in the community and feels as though he is above them because he was able to resist the devil. The lack or trust trusting that Goodman Brown had separated him from the community because he was a strong Puritan and felt as though he could not associate devil worshipers. "Brown, despairing and embittered, belongs neither to the Devil's party nor to the only other life-sustaining cause he knows--that of the Puritan faith and the Puritan community"(Levy,119). Hooper and Goodman Brown's pride of intellect cause them to loose a loved one and their kind and loving nature. Hooper drives his fiance Elizabeth away by wearing the veil. Elizabeth sees how Hooper is separating himself and it scares her away from their purposed marriage. "Hooper's fiancee, seems at first unawed by the veil. To her it is merely a cloth that hides the face she most delights to see. But, like a sudden twilight in the air, Elizabeth suddenly senses the unapproachable inner isolation of the man who wears it, and its'
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Friendship: Meaning of Life and Friends Essay
What is a friend? According to Aristotle, a friend is a single sole dwelling in two bodies. People understand the concept of friendship differently, but there is one common ground for it. It is always built on a mutual sympathy. Friendship plays an important role in our lives, to a large extent. Friends can help you find the meaning of life by helping you overcome challenges. They are people in your life that care for you and they simple add joy and meaning to your life. In some cases it is short and finds its end quickly, while in other cases it may last for many years and grow stronger every year. True friendship is built on trust and mutual support. Your real friend will always find time to talk and try to find solutions to the hard problems you face every day. They are always there to help you and expect the same from you. Friends are psychologically comfortable with each other, and sometimes are emotionally closer than with their relatives. Friends help you overcome challenges you may face at times in your life. A special thing about friendship is that friends have the ability to do different things like simply talking something through and giving advice or physically helping you Sometimes friends find more comfort in each other rather than family because they might have the idea that there family might judge them, and there friend will tell it right. In difficult times, friends make you see things from a different point of view, allowing you to take time to reflect and examine the situation. Doing this it allows you to see another perspective of the situation and find another way to overcome your challenge. Not only do friends help you through situations, but they go about this through love. Friends are people in your life that love and care about you. They will not only help you through something but they are the ones that will always be there for you in those times of need. They care about you and how you feel and that is what makes them a true friend. A friend is someone who believes in you when you have yet to believe in yourself. They help you to find the meaning of life because they let you know that there is someone out there that cares for you and that you are valuable to someone else in this world. Friends are not only there to help you, but they also add fun, happiness and joy to life. They add fun, happiness and joy as you can relate to each other and share the same values about things. Through sharing the same values you are able to laugh and joke about things that you will both find funny as you share the same ideas. They can make you forget about any problems you have by simply having some fun. Friends can be your whole life as you revolve many things around them. You know you can trust them as much as they can trust you. Friends help us to not take everything in life too seriously and have a bit of fun by simply being in each otherââ¬â¢s company. Friendship has great value in the meaning of life. It is one of the richest treasures of life. Friends help you overcome challenges and difficult times in your life, through talking and physically helping you. They are someone who knows you well and cares about you, so that everything they do for you and through love. When the crowd dies down after a crisis, your friends are the ones who are still active. Friends will sit with you in the hospital, be with you while you grieve, be available at a momentââ¬â¢s notice of crisis, come out to help in the middle of the night, stand up for you, lend a hand when there is work to be done, be loyal to you, have fun with you, make you laugh when you are sad etc etcâ⬠¦ and the list goes on. The most important thing about friendship is that it adds meaning and value to our lives.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Social Inequality and Race
Running head: SOCIAL INEQUALITY & RACE Social Inequality and Race Markus Nehlsen ETH/125 Megan Burke April 21, 2012 Identified Group To choose an ethnic or racial group which I belong to can be easy for those who see my physical appearance but it can be difficult for me to decide. The racial group I have always claimed and identified with is White non-Hispanic or Caucasian. To determine my particular ethnic group is unclear because I was adopted; however, I was raised by a German mother and Caucasian father, so I can categorize myself in with German-American ethnic group.As I take look at the choices I can best associate with, I believe the best selection for me is White non-Hispanic or Caucasian racial group. Interactions It is difficult to pinpoint how races interact with each other. Historically in the past and present discrimination and prejudices have occurred against minority groups, like African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. According to Eitzen (2000), the cri tical feature of the minority group's status is its inferior social position, in which its interests are not effectively represented in the political, economic, and social institutions of the society.In this viewpoint Whiteness is the normal or a natural condition. Eitzen (2000) further explains that this is a false picture of race. In reality, the racial order shapes the lives of all people, even Whites who are advantaged by the system. Just as social classes exist in relation to each other, races are defined, compared, and judged in relation to other races. Social Inequalities There are some people that will argue that social inequalities do exist because of race. Eitzen (2000) stated that the United States now faces serious new racial problems.These problems include the increasing isolation of minorities in central cities, growing minority unemployment, and other forms of economic dislocation. The American Prospect (2007) stated that poor African Americans were depicted as especi ally dysfunctional and undeserving of assistance, with an emphasis on violence, poor choices, and dependency. It further explains that the black underclass appears as a menace and a source of social disorganization in news accounts of black urban crime, gang violence, drug use, teenage pregnancy, riots, homelessness, and general aimlessness.For instance, minorities are over-represented in prison cells compared to white people. Not necessarily in numbers, but proportionally. This is argued, that it's because the White race is more protected, they can afford better lawyers, receive preferential treatment by judges, and that that the minority groups are often targeted in drug busts and gang membership arrests more often than Whites. Schaefer (2012) points out that inner-city drive-by shootings have come to be seen as a race-specific problem worthy of local officials cleaning up troubled neighborhoods.Yet, schoolyard shootouts are viewed as a societal concern and placed on the national agenda Racial Prejudice Causes According to Schaefer (2012), racial prejudice is often used to justify keeping a group in a subordinate economic position. Conflict theorists, in particular, stress the role of racial and ethnic hostility as a way for the dominant group to keep its position of status and power intact. Competition is a huge factor in the causes of racial prejudices.Letââ¬â¢s say that one Black nurse and one White nurse are competing for a supervisor position, this competition could lead to racial hostility if one perceives the other being hired before them because of race. It could be that more education gives a broader outlook and makes a person less likely to endorse myths that sustain racial prejudice. If people are in competition, as already noted, contact may heighten tension.However, bringing people together to share a common task has been shown to reduce ill feelings when these people belong to different racial, ethnic, or religious groups. The key factor in reducing hostility, in addition to equal-status contact, is the presence of a common goal. (Schaefer, 2012) Conclusion According to Marti (n. d. ) the majority of White Americans will overlook the distinctive experiences of other racial and ethnic groups because they tend to believe discrimination is no longer an issue.They feel that America is a firmly established meritocracy because prominent African Americans are successful in sports and entertainment and because the outright denial of access to jobs, housing, and public accommodations is now illegal. Race is a social construction, and this process benefits the oppressor, who defines who is privileged and who is not. The acceptance of race in society as a genuine category allows the racial pecking order to emerge to the advantage of the dominant races. (Schaefer, 2012)References The American Prospect. (2007) Inequality, Race, and Remedy. Retrieved from http://prospect. org/article/inequality-race-and-remedy Eitzen, D. Stanley (20 00) Social Problems (8th Ed. ). : Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Retrieved from http://dmc122011. delmar. edu/socsci/rlong/problems/chap-08. htm Gerald Marti. (n. d. ) Racial and Ethnic Dynamics among Contemporary Young Adults. Retrieved from http://www. changingsea. net/essays/Marti. pdf Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed. ). : Prentice-Hall.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Mining uranium in Canada Essay Example
Mining uranium in Canada Essay Example Mining uranium in Canada Essay Mining uranium in Canada Essay Introduction Uranium was foremost discovered in Canada in the mid eighteenth century on the north shore of Lake Superior in Ontario [ 1 ] . However, Canada s first economic U find was located at Great Bear Lake in Northwest Territories, exploited ab initio for its Ra content. Following, major finds were made on northern Saskatchewan and, more significantly, in the Blind River/Elliot Lake country of northern Ontario.Until the early 1980s, most of Canada s uranium production came from the Uranium City and Elliot Lake installations [ 2 ] . Following the closing of the Elliot lakes installation in 1996 due to economic instability in the uranium market and the find of higher per centum uranium oxide, all active uranium production is presently present in northern Saskatchewan, chiefly from McArthur River and McClean Lake ( Fig.1 ) [ 3 ] . Known by its high grade/high per centum of U and the Proterozoic unconformities in the Athabasca Basin as a significant beginning of uranium ores, Saskatchewan is now Canada s exclusive manufacturer of U. This paper provides an debut to the formation and geographic expedition of U in Canada, chiefly the northern Saskatchewan Athabasca basin followed by a drawn-out analysis of the techniques that are used for its extraction and processing. The first subdivision will supply background information about U and analyze the geological formation and types of the U deposits found throughout Canada, concentrating specifically in northern Saskatchewan. The following portion of the paper will analyze the extraction and processing of U from its ores which includes unfastened cavity and belowground excavation. Newly discovered extraction and enrichment engineerings will be besides discussed. The 3rd and concluding part of the study will include environmental concerns that surround the U industry followed by a decision about the importance of U to Canada s energy production and the possibility of minimising the long-run environmental impacts as a consequence of U excavation. Background Information What is uranium and why is it being mined? Uranium is one of the most widespread of all metals. Small parts of U can be found in land, ocean H2O and most normally in stones. It is a heavy radioactive component with an atomic figure of 92. Its two chiefly happening isotopes are U235 and U238. Merely isotope U235 is fissile by thermic neutrons. However, isotope U238 decays to isotope Pu239 called Pu which is more radioactive that uranium itself and can be besides used in atomic fission reactions. Uranium is found in certain minerals such as uraninite and uraninite as ores because it is easy oxidized to organize Uranium Oxide ( U3O8 ) . Little was known about the possible energy that uranium holds until it was shortly recognized that this energy could be harnessed to bring forth electric power and atomic arms. Canada, for illustration, generates an norm of 14 % of its electricity [ 4 ] from atomic reactors. The electricity is generated utilizing Canadian-built reactors called Candu, fuelled in big step by Canadian U. Therefore, the chief grounds behind the extraction of U, apart from atomic arms development, are the coevals of electricity to be less dependent on the usage of fossil fuels and to make a market where the Canadian economic system could profit from. Formation of the Uranium- Geology of Athabasca Deposit. Furthermore, the majority of Canada s known uranium resources occur in Proterozoic unconformity-related sedimentations of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan. These sedimentations host their mineralization near the unconformity boundary in either monometallic or polymetallic mineral groups. Pitchblende, one of the common minerals where U is present in, is found in the monometallic sedimentations whereas uraninite is found in the polymetallic sedimentations. The mean class of uranium scopes from 1 % to 15 % . [ 5 ] The Athabasca Basin, shown in figure 2, lies within the northern portion of the Saskatchewan Province ( Fig. 1 ) . The deposits have been deposited during Late Palaeo-proterozoic to Meso-proterozoic, at about 1.7Ga and are separated from the underlying cellar by a major unconformity [ 6 ] . The Athabasca Group is the major preserved unit of the basin located at its base and it is composed of midst, flat-lying sequences of quartzose sandstones deposited in a proximal shelf environment [ 7 ] . Unconformity-related U sedimentations are located near to the unconformity between an Archean to Palaeo-Proterozoic metamorphic and flinty cellar, and a Late Palaeo- to Meso-Proterozoic sandstones. [ 8 ] Such sedimentations have been discovered chiefly in the 1970s, in the Thelon and Athabasca Basins in Canada [ 9 ] . The Athabasca Basin as shown in figure 2 is the Prime Minister host for such unconformity-type sedimentations. The first uranium deposition phase occurred during a diagenesis event at a temperature of about 200-250 grades Celsius [ 10 ] . In this basin, sandstones host several medium to top-quality uraninite sedimentations such as the elephantine McArthur and Cigar Lake sedimentations as shown in figure 2 [ 11 ] . In add-on the sedimentations of the Athabasca Basin correspond to estimated militias of about 1,250,000 lbs of U3O8, matching to about 500,000 dozenss of metallic uranium [ 12 ] .Due to the highly high class of U, these sedimentations represent the most profitable uranium resources in the universe [ 13 ] . In the Athabasca Basin, unconformity-related U ore sedimentations are by and large located at the intersection of several mistake waies cross-cutting the unconformity, the chief ore-controlling construction being a graphite-rich shear zone shown in figure 3. The uranium ore sedimentations are besides often hosted and surrounded by breccias in the sandstone as shown in figure below. Exploration of Uranium Next, there are several types of geographic expedition that take topographic point on countries of involvement as portion U find. The first type is called Regional Exploration which consists of assemblage and rating of bing information and farther informations acquisition from land geophysical studies to dirty and H2O analysis [ 14 ] . This degree of geographic expedition efforts to sketch countries of uranium resource potency. The 2nd type is called Detailed land Exploration which includes boring, nucleus analysis and most significantly geochemical studies as it provides the concentration of uranium nowadays in the country of involvement [ 15 ] . The 3rd type of geographic expedition is used to measure the uranium recovery rate within the country of involvement [ 16 ] . It uses systematic boring and sampling of surface/underground ores of U in order to find the recovery rate. Extraction and Processing of Uranium Furthermore, while U is in many ways similar to other extractive industries, in certain of import respects it is different. Economically it differs in footings of value and direct income generated by its production [ 17 ] . Uranium is so a really high value metal and accordingly outputs really high incomes and grosss. [ 18 ] Uranium excavation methods are typical to other types of ore excavation which includes unfastened cavity and resistance. Northern Saskatchewan contains some of the universe s richest sedimentations of U. The ore is mined belowground or in unfastened cavities, depending on the deepness of the sedimentation. Open Pit Mining Open cavity excavation occurs where sedimentations are near the surface and have a significant horizontal dimension which is found largely in the Athabasca basin of northern Saskatchewan. Next, unfastened cavity excavation is much easier than belowground excavation. However, it occupies more surface country than belowground excavation. It can typically widen for 300-400 estates and involves blaring and lading onto heavy machinery trucks that transport the U ore to the factory. [ 19 ] Open cavity mines at Cluff Lake, Key Lake and Rabbit Lake infusion ore from really rich, shallow ore sedimentations. First it must be decided if H2O in sandstone must be removed by boring drainage Wellss. Pumping to maintain H2O degrees below the ore zone may hold to go on throughout the operation. The dirt and stone overburden must be removed by mechanical shovels and immense trucks. These same shovels dig out the ore by cutting down in annular benches, organizing a broad funnel-shaped digging [ 20 ] . The ore is removed by truck to the milling works. Mined-out cavities are often lined and used to hive away shadowings. Underground excavation Underground mines are favored when the deepness and physical dimension of the U sedimentations are ill-sorted for unfastened cavity excavation. A good illustration of an belowground mine would be in the Elliot Lake part in northern Ontario and McArthur River in Saskatchewan. The sedimentations at McArthur River are so rich that unmanned equipment and remote excavation methods must be used to protect employees from high degrees of radiation underground [ 21 ] . Typical underground mining operations include such installations as service edifices, a caput frame with lading installation, conveyers, a mine waste heap and a flow of H2O from the belowground sumps pumped to the surface for usage in the factory and concentrator [ 22 ] . The country occupied by the mine above the land may be merely few estates but extends to many stat mis of belowground gaps. Following, both belowground and unfastened cavity mining involves the burden of refinable and fringy U ores and the disposal of big measures of overburden and waste stone. Another new method of extraction that minimizes the burden and disposal procedure of stones is called unmoved leaching. It is done by taking the U from the ores while injected in drill holes or ore hemorrhoids above the land. This method is merely acceptable where U is present in sandstones. In situ leaching is non really practical as most of the U in Canada does non happen in porous mineralization. Other types of remote underground mining include raise-boring, box-hole drilling and remote box-hole fillet. [ 23 ] In decision, mineable ore is by and large 75 % -85 % of ore-in-place for belowground operations and higher for unfastened cavity operations [ 24 ] . Processing/ Enrichment of Uranium Uranium milling operations are similar to chemical extractive procedures such as the bitumen from oil littorals or Fe from Fe oxide ores. A U factory consists of oppressing machinery, having bins and a chemical intervention installation. The ore is crushed into little pieces to let easier and faster fade outing rate of uranium minerals as chemicals are being applied inside the chamber. Furthermore, the solid/liquid solution gets separated and the U is chemically recovered from the liquid solution as a precipitate. This precipitate undergoes powder until it turns into a all right pulverization known as the U308 [ 25 ] . On the other manus, the solid solution, known as U shadowings which consist of unwanted stuff, is so put in slurry of finely land solids which are transferred to a shadowings pool for settling [ 26 ] . This is the end merchandise of the milling done at the Millss in northern Saskatchewan. Today segregation of the byproducts ( shadowings ) of excavation and milling is extremely regulated, and must be done in an environmentally responsible mode. [ 27 ] Further, there are other uranium compounds present in U308 that must be removed at a refinery in a series of chemical separation processes. Initially the Canadian refinery was located at Port Hope, nevertheless, all uranium refinement in Canada was moved to Blind River in 1983 due to environmental jobs caused by the accrued refinery shadowings [ 28 ] . Polishing consists of several stairss get downing with fade outing the U308 in azotic acid to organize a solution incorporating uranyl nitrate. This solution is purified and the uranyl nitrate is eventually reduced to organize uranium trioxide ( UO3 ) . This is the end merchandise of the refinement procedure, which is so shipped to Port Hope for farther processing. Conversion is the procedure of change overing the uranium trioxide from the refinery into uranium dioxide, UO2, for usage in natural U reactor fuel and into uranium hexafluoride, UF6, for enriched fuel. These stairss are performed at Port Hope, the topographic point of the l argest uranium transition workss in the universe. [ 29 ] Uranium Enrichment The aim of uranium enrichment is to bring forth fuels with an increased proportion of U235. Get downing with natural U ( 0.7 % U235 ) one can pattern enrichment procedures in footings of the concluding grade of enrichment and the sum of U235 in the dress suits ( the residuary U, depleted in U235 ) [ 30 ] . For a procedure of given efficiency, the higher the needed enrichment ( % of U235 in the merchandise ) the more natural U is required for a fixed per centum of U235 left in the dress suits [ 31 ] . Similarly, higher enrichment per centums for a fixed sum of natural U and dress suits mean more energy must be expended in the separation procedure. Multiple phases with changing enrichment values for the input and end product watercourses must besides be taken into history [ 32 ] . A measure called the Separative Work Unit ( SWU ) is used as a step of the energy used in enrichment given the multitudes and U235 contents of the provender, merchandise, and dress suits. [ 33 ] The dim ension of the SWU is mass and therefore, it is more right expressed as kg-SWU or tonne-SWU. [ 34 ] Present uranium enrichment methods exploit the little mass difference between U235 and U238 in the signifier of UF6. The engineerings now in practical usage are gaseous diffusion and centrifuge separation. Laser separation is one of the newer engineerings that are being practiced. Gaseous diffusion is the older engineering and the first to go economically successful. It depends on the fact that in a gas of given temperature the lighter molecules of U235, travel faster than the heavier 1s incorporating U238. If a gas flows past a porous membrane that allows diffusion of molecules through it so gas on the other side of the membrane will be somewhat enriched in the igniter molecule. The really little enrichment at each phase means that a sequence of 1000s of such phases, jointly called a cascade, must be used to accomplish U235 enrichment degrees of practical involvement for atomic power coevals. The gas force per unit area must be brought back up after each phase to retrieve the force per unit area loss across the membrane. The compaction used heats the gas which is so cooled. The net consequence is that big sums of electricity are used to pump, compress and chill the gas. Gas extractor engineering, the 2nd coevals enrichment method, was developed in the 1960s and since so has been replacing gaseous diffusion [ 35 ] . The physical rule involved is to whirl uranium hexafluoride in a high velocity extractor, with the consequence that the centrifugal force exerted favours the resettlement of the heavier molecules to the outer radii of the extractor. An axial circulation between the top and underside of the extractor makes it possible to pull off a somewhat enriched fraction at the top of the extractor and a correspondingly depleted fraction at its underside. A important advantage of this engineering is that it is much more efficient in its usage of electricity than gas diffusion. Third coevals enrichment engineering is based on optical maser isotope separation and a assortment of such techniques have been proposed. These rely on the fact that the energy degrees in atoms and molecules vary somewhat with mass, a phenomenon known as the isotope consequence. [ 36 ] Lasers can be accurately tuned to a frequence that selectively excites an energy degree of an atom or molecule containing, for illustration U235, but non one incorporating U238. For case, excitement of one or more such energy degrees can ensue ionisation of one of the isotope-containing species but non the other, leting electromagnetic separation. The SILEX ( Separation of Isotopes by Laser Excitation ) procedure was developed in recent old ages in Australia [ 37 ] . It relies on selective excitement to take a fluorine atom from UF6 to change over it to UF5 to organize a solid. Environmental Risks and Impacts of Uranium But why would a automaton be picking an apple in the first topographic point? Automatons are frequently used in the atomic industry because of the menace to worlds from direct exposure to atomic fuel or waste. Robots may hold to be used to mine the high class U at the proposed Cigar Lake belowground U mine. In the universe of spread outing atomic energy, radiation would necessarily go on to come in into the Earth s ecosystem from the uranium shadowings left at the mines and the atomic releases and the waste from the reactors. The in writing can hence be interpreted as demonstrating that, in such nuclearlized universe, an apple ( typifying the nutrient concatenation ) might go so contaminated that worlds would non be able to safely pick or eat it [ 38 ] Environmentally and socially, uranium excavation is perceived otherwise from other energy industries because of the of import wellness and safety concerns that appear due to the extraction and processing of U. [ 39 ] Extraction of U from its ore below the surface is inherently harmful to our environment because of the very nature of the component and because of the high class of ore mined in Saskatchewan. The greatest hazards of U excavation to the environment are taint of lakes with dissolved radioactive stuffs, ruinous failures of shadowings containment and the pollution of surface and land H2O by chemical pollutants in shadowings, notably heavy metals, acids, ammonium hydroxide and salts. In the short term, chemical pollution has caused by far the most harm. Whole groups of beings have disappeared downstream from some old uranium shadowings countries because of acidification. Unless the shadowings are decently disposed of, these jeopardies can go really damaging to planet Earth if it enters the nutrient concatenation. Next, a complex containment system was late developed for the long-run storage of a big volume of uranium shadowings in the Elliot Lake part of Ontario. Figure 4 illustrates the many degrees of H2O screen separated by butchs and dikes. The H2O helps to forestall the flight of Rn gas into the ambiance. Radon has a four twenty-four hours half life, intending that half of the Rn atoms will disintegrate in four yearss [ 40 ] . The decay merchandises of Rn are solid stuffs, including three assortments of Po. If radon flights into the air from the chasing heap, lead-210 and polonium-210 will be deposited on the flora and will happen its manner into the nutrient concatenation. The different H2O degrees besides allow for solid radioactive stuffs such as Ra to be precipitated out, intending that these solids will roll up at the underside of each pool and will non go through into the following degree of H2O lower down, because of the presence of the butch. In 1979, a new shadowings dike built with the latest engineering all of a sudden collapsed in Churchrock, New Mexico [ 41 ] .The ensuing spill was the greatest inadvertent release of radioactive stuff into the environment prior to the Chernobyl atomic catastrophe. At modern mines in Canada, the short-run environmental impacts are frequently caused by non-radioactive parametric quantities. For illustration, increased degrees of salts may hold caused a displacement in species downstream of one U mine in Saskatchewan. Construction, geographic expedition and route edifice in countries antecedently untouched by industrial activity frequently cause the most terrible short-run impacts. Furthermore, in an enrichment works with lone natural U as input, the lone radioactive stuffs present are those already contained in the provender. No other radioactive stuffs are produced as they would be in a atomic reactor. The dress suits, like the natural U, are merely mildly radioactive and are stored as low UF6, which must be converted for disposal. The chief environmental concerns are chemical wastes caused by the refinement of U. UF6 reacts with H2O to organize extremely caustic hydrofluoric acid, and hint sums of arsenous anhydride and other heavy metals besides need to be controlled. Therefore chemical toxicity instead than radiation is the primary concern, and the safety systems are similar to those used in other chemical workss. For illustration, the environmental impact survey for the National Enrichment Facility in Lea County, New Mexico, found the environment impacts in all countries are at most moderate in a few countries such as transit during building and UF6 waste cylinder disposal [ 42 ] . This undertaking was approved and is now under building [ 43 ] . In July, 2008 a uranium waste leak at Tricastin in France, resulted in 6 three-dimensional metres of H2O incorporating U to be spilled into two local rivers [ 44 ] . Tricastin is the site of France s largest gaseous diffusion works, but it besides has four power reactors that supply electricity to the enrichment works. Port Hope has had jobs with uranium operations for many decennaries [ 45 ] . It has an estimate of 2 million three-dimensional metres of historic refinery wastes assorted with dirt dating from the 1930s to the 1970s [ 46 ] . In add-on, a new undertaking regulated in port hope aims to build waste direction installations for redress of the waste sites, and supply long-run monitoring and care of the installations. Escape from the big UF6 transition installation at Port Hope was found in 2007 [ 47 ] . Uranium, arsenic and some fluorine compounds had been leaking into the dirt under the works, since the start of the refinery. Contamination of the seaport may besides hold occurred from contaminated groundwater fluxing under the works. Extensive redress was undertaken and the works was re-opened in September 2008 [ 48 ] . Finally, important nursery gas ( GHG ) emanations are frequently attributed to atomic power because of the big sums of electricity used gaseous diffusion works which is being generated from coal. A Canadian enrichment works is most likely to be located in Ontario and Saskatchewan due the high favourable sum of atomic reactors. In 2005 Environment Canada calculated CO2 tantamount emanations per kWh of electricity for each state by burdening the emanation per-unit-energy for each coevals engineering by the per centum usage of that engineering in electricity production [ 49 ] . Saskatchewan electricity is produced chiefly from coal and gas and the emanation per kWh is 880g. [ 50 ] Ontario generates about 75 per centum of its electricity from atomic and hydro, and the mean emanation per kWh is 220g. Entire one-year emanations from a Capenhurst-type enrichment works of 1 M kg-SWU size would therefore be about 11,000 metric tons of CO2 for Ontario and four times that for Saskatchewan [ 51 ] . This is a comparatively little sum compared to the 34 M metric tons emitted by the Ontario electricity coevals system as a whole [ 52 ] . As CO2 emanations from all provincial electricity coevals systems are expected to diminish in the hereafter. Decision The building of the refinery and the development of atomic energy is a moral inquiry because it concerns life and decease on this planet. It is non merely a proficient affair refering economic sciences and energy beginnings. The lives of people everywhere are affected by uranium refineries, atomic reactors and atomic arms. Therefore the determinations must be made by all of these people, non by alleged experts. [ 53 ] Is Uranium needed? Uranium is an of import sector of Canada s chief natural resources. Canada s uranium production in 2007 was 11,180 metric tons of uranium oxide of which 9,476 metric tons was uranium metal. This is about 23 per centum of universe end product. About 9 per centum of the universe s U ore militias are present within the Athabasca basin of northern Saskatchewan in Canada. It presently has 22 CANDU reactors operated by public public-service corporations and private companies bring forthing on mean 14 % of the entire electricity. Exploration is still on-going and future mines are being proposed and will shortly come to production such as the Cigar Lake, Midwest Lake and the Millennium basin ( fig ) . This is really advantageous as it greatly expands the Canadian economic system and decreases the ingestion of fossil fuels, therefore deceases C dioxide emissions into the ambiance. However, the waste merchandises that are being produced from the extraction to the use in atomic reactors of U su ch as Pu and low U are so really harmful to the environment. That s why many people believe that the long-run danger to the planet caused by the spread of atomic engineering is greater than any benefit that U has to offer. Therefore, minimising the long term environmental impact of U is a really good proposal for the safeness of the environment/ecosystem and the human wellness. In decision, this could be done by enforcing rigorous environmental regulations where U ore is shipped off from the mine site. The extraction of U should be so taken to a distant topographic point where it wo nt impact the surrounding environment. Finally, if the factory is near to the operated mine, so the radiological jeopardy of the shadowings should besides be collected and treated in order to do it less harmful to the environment by minimising the radiation of the half life. Mentions Books: Holman, G.J. ( 1982 ) . Impacts if Canada s Uranium Mining Industry. Calgary, Alberta. Canadaian Energy Research Institute, 1-6pp OECD. ( 2004 ) . Uranium 2003: Resources, Production and Demand. Moulineaux, France. International Atomic Energy Agency, 97-100pp Harding, J. ( 2006 ) . Canada s Deadly Secret. Saskatchewan U and the planetary atomic system, Fernwood Publishing, Halifax and Winnipeg, Alberta. 118pp Bodansky, D ( 2000 ) . Nuclear Energy: Principles, Practices and Prospects, 2nd edition. New York: Springer. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 201-204pp Lamarsh, John R. and Baratta, Anthony, J. ( 2001 ) .Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3rd edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 176-190pp Internet: Veslud, C ( 2007 ) . 3D mold of uranium-bearing solution-collapse breccias in Proterozoic sandstones ( Athabasca Basin, Canada ) Metallogenic readings. Computers and Geosciences. Quebec, Canada, 97-98pp Jefferson, C ( 2002 ) . Unconformity-associated uranium sedimentations of the Athabasca basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Geological study of Canada. Ottawa Canada. 273-274pp Leewuwen, J ( 2006 ) . Energy from Uranium. Oxford Research Group, Storm and Smith 2005. Oxford United Kingdom 20-22pp
Monday, October 21, 2019
Gender Communication Styles
Gender Communication Styles Free Online Research Papers When we are talking about gender communications is there a difference between both men and women? According to the text men use an instrumental style of communication. Instrumental style of communication for men is to focus on identifying goals and finding a solution. Women communicate in an expressive style. The expressive style involves emotions and having a perspective that is sensitive to how others feel (Ashford, LeCroy, Lortie, 2006). Dr Deborah Tannen wrote the book You just Donââ¬â¢t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. Although gender differences do exist between men the difference is more sexual stereotyping (Ashford, et al.). Because of the differences in communication women are more than likely able to discuss intimate topics and confide in their personal lives than men do. Men seldom maintain an intimate conversation and are less likely to discuss their personal lives in the way that women do (Ashford, et al.). Difference in Communication When men communicate they communicate to report facts and in short phases with little or no details. Women, on the other hand, will communicate to build lots of rapport and a lot of details. First and foremost men want the ââ¬Å"bottom lineâ⬠followed up with more details since they have met their bottom line. This is the opposite for women as they will need to build up to the bottom line, as their enjoyment comes from telling a story (Burress, 2008). The enjoyment of women telling the story leading up to the bottom line often becomes frustrating for men, which often lead into disagreements. In order for both men and women to communicate effectively, it is necessary to change the approach by women changing their bottom line first and men giving the women more details to fulfill the womenââ¬â¢s needs (Burress, 2008). The communication gap between men and women goes far beyond the obvious. On average women use 25,500 words a day while men will only use 12,500 in a day. On average women will maintain eye contact while speaking for twelve seconds while men will only maintain eye contact for three seconds. If men were to change eye contact and words that women need to hear then one will find that there is less disagreements and hurt feelings will be minimal (Burress, 2008). There are studies that indicate that women, more than men, are sensitive to interpersonal meanings that lie ââ¬Å"between the linesâ⬠in the messages they exchange with their mates. The societal expectations of women make them more responsible for regulating intimacy or how close they allow others to come (Torppa, 2002). Men on the other hand, than women, are more sensitive to ââ¬Å"between the lines meaningsâ⬠about their status. The societal expectations for men are that they must negotiate hierarchy, or whoââ¬â¢s the captain or whoââ¬â¢s the crew. These differences between interpersonal vs. status implications of messages will typically lead women to expect their relationship to be based on interdependence (mutual dependence) and cooperation (Torppa, 2002). Women will emphasize similarities between themselves and others, and make decisions that make everyone happy. Men, on the other hand, will more frequently emphasize themselves and others, but often make decisions based on their personal needs and desires (Torppa, 2002). How are these differences seen in marriages between men and women? In ways that both men and women communicate! Women are more relationship specialist while men tend to be task specialist. Women are typically the ââ¬Å"rapport talkâ⬠which refers to the types of communication that build, maintain, and strengthen relationships. Men are typically the experts in task accomplishment and addressing questions about facts. Rapport talk reflects the skills of being competitive, lacking sentimentally, analyzing, and focusing on task accomplishments (Torppa, 2002). Conflicts in Relationships People have conflicts in everyday life and a relationship with frequent conflicts will be a healthier one than one with no observable conflict. Conflicts happen at work, among friends, within families and between relationship partners. When a conflict happens within a relationship this can either weaken it or strengthen it (Bellafiore, 2007). Thus a conflict is a critical event in the course of a relationship. Conflicts can cause resentment, hostility, and even the ending of a relationship. If they are handled well then the conflict can be productive and lead one into a deeper understanding, mutual respect, and closeness. If the relationship is healthy or unhealthy this is dependent on how the conflicts are resolved between relationships (Bellafiore, 2007). Sometimes people may shy away form a conflict, and their reason for this is numerous. People may feel that their underlying anger may go out of control if they start a conflict. Because of this people may see conflicts as an all-or-nothing situation. It will either end up where they avoid it all together or end up in a combative mode (Bellafiore, 2007). Another reason a person will find it difficult to face conflicts because they may feel inadequate in general or in a particular relationship. Some will have difficulty in positively asserting their views and feelings. For children who are surrounded by destructive conflict, when they become adults, they may never participate in a discord (Bellafiore, 2007). People will adopt a number of ways to facing conflict. For one, it is very common to see a person avoid or deny the existence of a conflict. Usually in this case the conflict will linger in the background during interaction between the participants and creates a potential for further tension or conflict (Bellafiore, 2007). Another response style to conflict is that of one person getting mad and blaming the other person. This can occur when a person mistakenly equates conflict with their anger. If anger is used then all this will do is to increase the degree of friction between the two participants, and this will do nothing to resolve the conflict (Bellafiore, 2007). A third way some people resolve conflict is by using power and influence to win at the otherââ¬â¢s expense. They welcome the conflict because it allows their competitive impulses to emerge, but what they fail to understand that the conflict is not resolved and this will cause the ââ¬Å"loserââ¬â¢ to harbor resentment (Bellafiore, 2007). Some people appear to compromise in resolving the conflict, but they subtly manipulate the other person, which in turn, perpetuates the conflict between both parties and will also compromise their trust between them (Bellafiore, 2007). There are better ways to handle interpersonal conflict. In conclusion, no matter what communication style there is both men and women will communicate in different ways. Men will take the approach of instrumental communication style where they want the answer right away and establish their hierarchy. Women, on the other hand, will be more of an expressive style of communication as they will be able to confide to others and are more sensitive to issues than men and they will be able to build, maintain, and strengthen their relationship. There are also different ways in which people try to avoid conflict. They will deny the existence of a conflict, or get mad and blame the other for the conflict. Then there are other people who will influence and use their power to win a conflict. The only way for relationships to endure a conflict is to keep it rational, without yelling, or both parties come to a compromise to end the conflict. References Ashford, J. B, LeCroy, G. W., Lortie, K. L. (2006). Human behavior in the social: A multidimensional perspective (3rd, e.d.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole. Bellafiore, D. (2007). DBR Alternatives, Inc. Interpersonal conflict and effective communication. Retrieved February 9, 2008, from drbalternatives.com/articles/cc2.html Burress, L. (2008). Suite101.com. Bridging the communications gap: Communication differences between men and women. Retrieved February 9, 2008, from http://marital-communication.suite101.com/article.cfm/communication_amongst_the_sexes Torppa, C. B., Ph.D., (2002). Family life packet 2002. Gender issues: Communication differences in interpersonal relationships. Retrieved February 9, 2008, from http://ohioline.osu.edu/flm02/FS04.html Research Papers on Gender Communication StylesThe Fifth HorsemanAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementResearch Process Part OnePersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married Males19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThree Concepts of PsychodynamicRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever Product
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Seasonal Effects in Stock Markets
Seasonal Effects in Stock Markets Read about how the seasons of the year affect the prices at stock markets. Prices in stock markets around the world are mostly driven by rapid changes in relevant information. But certain seasonal and calendar-related trends, and trends that have very little to do with the stocks themselves or economic conditions also influence the prices. The trends are well-known and are anticipated by most investors, so it is debatable how great an effect they really have; however, there are still ways a smart investor can take advantage of them. From a research and analysis point of view, understanding seasonal effects is important because they often explain changes in the markets that are not attributable to prevailing economic or business circumstances, and as such become a significant variable. The January Effect, the December Effect, and Santa Claus Rallies These three phenomena are closely related. The first to occur is the December Effect, which usually happens during the weeks immediately before and after Christmas, in which markets will decline. The reason for this is that many traders will sell off shares just before the end of the year, in order to claim a capital loss for the year and reduce their taxes. The January Effect is a market rally in the first week of January when the shares sold at the end of the year are repurchased. The effect is significant: According to investment advisors, Ibbotson Associates, since 1924 the average monthly returns for stocks in the S P 500 have been approximately half a percent higher in January than in the other 11 months of the year. Sometimes, particularly in years when the December Effect is especially strong or happens a bit earlier in the month of December (typically in years when Christmas Day falls in the middle of the week), the markets will experience a ââ¬Å"Santa Claus Rallyâ⬠. This is a bit of a recovery, though usually not as strong as the January Effect, thanks to share buying by bargain hunters. Read also:à Black Economyà |à Financial Crisis of 2008à The September Effect In the US markets, September is historically a low point during the year. Since 1926, the monthly average return for the S P 500 has been positive for every month except September, even taking into account huge declines in the stock market in 1929, 1987, and 2008. The September Effect is largely an American phenomenon; it does appear in markets outside the US, most often when the September drop in the US markets is especially strong, but not as consistently. The usual explanation for the September Effect is the end of summer, which is traditionally marked by the Labor Day holiday on the first Monday in September in the US. Consumer spending tends to decline in September, and the month is the beginning of the third quarter, historically the weakest period economically in the year. Markets rise again after September, as businesses and consumers begin to prepare for the holiday season in the last two months of the year. Turn of the Month Since at least the 1880s, and possibly earlier, the cycle in stock markets all over the world has been one in which the markets are highest in the few days at the beginning and end of the month, and lowest in the middle of the month. In the modern era, the effect is attributed to the behavior of mutual funds, a large proportion of which serve as investments for retirement funds. Money is usually directed into mutual funds at or shortly before the end of the month, increasing share purchases across the entire market for a brief period of time ââ¬â usually, six to eight days overlapping the end of one month and a start of the next. The effect, however, has existed for much longer than mutual funds have, and so the explanation for it is incomplete. Some researchers have speculated that it is largely a psychological effect; people tend to be more optimistic and active at the beginning or end of a month, and more inclined to spend money. Turn of the Quarter Just as the beginning and end of the month tend to be more active periods in the stock market, the market at the end of the quarter usually advances as well. This is a more modern effect, and can usually be attributed to an activity derisively called ââ¬Å"window dressingâ⬠: Fund managers who report their activities in detail on a quarterly basis will often purchase stocks that have performed well during the quarter in order to make their portfolios more attractive. Because window-dressing involves stocks that are generally already comparatively high-priced, the activity can have a big effect on the entire index. Prices changes in stocks in short periods ââ¬â hours or days ââ¬â move up or down in a logarithmic rather than a linear trajectory, so prices change upward when there is a significant amount of window-dressing taking place actually accelerate. Window-dressing is not illegal, but is generally regarded as unethical; many trustworthy fund managers do not engage in the practice, but enough others do that it has a noticeable impact on the market. Blue Mondays The first day of the work week traditionally is the worst day of the week for stock markets. Since 1885, the average daily return in the US markets has fluctuated between 0.4% and 0.8% during the Tuesday-to-Friday part of the week. The average daily return for Mondays, however, is actually a loss of about 1%. The effect is partly psychological; most people are apparently not enthusiastic about getting back to the daily grind after the weekend. There is also an identifiable cause in the reporting habits of companies, one which can be attributed, oddly enough, to a trend started by Adolf Hitler. Brutal megalomaniac though he was, Hitler was capable of being clever at times; in the last few years before the outbreak of World War II, he developed the habit of making his most provocative political moves over the weekend ââ¬â a time he knew that politicians in France, England, and Russia were likely to be enjoying their days off in the countryside, unable to assemble and react quickly to whatever rotten stunt he was pulling. These days companies that have particularly bad news to report, items such as large financial losses, unexpected changes in key personnel, or other things that would surely have a negative impact on their share prices, tend to release the information over the weekend.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Construction Management Techniques Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Construction Management Techniques - Essay Example Unlike bureaucratic structures, those administrative systems offer every individual to work as a unit of a hierarchy to concentrate only over a segment of work to enhance his capabilities of production as a human resource. Consequently, it becomes the main responsibility of an individual to cope with the other parallel and serial units of hierarchy in a way that provides a smooth workflow throughout the structure and enhances the overall capability regarding quality and quantity of outcomes. This synchronization of individuals depends chiefly on the communication and information modules that individual fulfills. And, resultantly, communication and information framework becomes the utmost important area to be attended by the individuals as well as the administrative authorities. Task 1.b Depending chiefly to the basic framework and applied strategies, measure of companyââ¬â¢s performance is rooted in the fact for how much it can comply with its mission statement that manifests the chief goals set by company. When a company spreads its dimension and transforms from medium to large company, it necessarily requires a metamorphosis of its applied strategies while still being firm to its ground framework which assures that companyââ¬â¢s dealings will serve the continued purposes that had brought the company to a stage offering such transformation. Thus, a transformation from a medium to a large company requires a long term plan that initiates with the formula strategies of the company to the new offering that company achieves with expansions. Mostly, new demands also require building new strategies for specific cases. It is must to be farsighted and preplanned for such expansion which is only possible if a full plan is preset with the possible options and alternatives for tasks upcoming with forwarding and transforming. Task 2 Pre-construction requirements As the construction at Santiago way requires a small portion with two flats and a pair of semi detached ho use, the whole construction will require some earlier steps that will serve as the base strategy of the constructions. First of all, the documentation and authorization will be required to be locked before the site survey and construction planning. It will include a construction certification and council approving. Once the documentation and legal procedures are over, company may lead to site survey that will include an analysis of current and earlier weather, soil and ground condition. Overall pre-construction will finish up with the following steps: Legal documentation and authorization Earlier to site survey, a construction agreement and council permission will be required. Construction may lead to involve in various steps that involves excavation, refilling, noises and temporary hurdling of pathway that will be clearly mentioned in the documentations. Construction environment Survey History of the construction will be analyzed over the standard patterns. Estimated climate condit ions, quality of soil, underground scab, domestic colony development plans, electric and water supply inlets and outlets will be examined and included in the survey. Site survey Regular visit to the site will involve a number of examinations over the elevation of the site and its foundational depth resting of underground layer. Various elevations and earth crust deformations will be mapped to find out how much space, equipments and labor
Friday, October 18, 2019
Discuss the reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes . what were the problems Essay
Discuss the reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes . what were the problems in Athenian society that made reform necessary how did th - Essay Example Additionally, Solon divided society into four classesââ¬âeach of which were based on wealth. The two highest classes were allowed to serve on the Areopagus, which was the highest council of Athens. The third class were permitted to serve on elected councils, and the lowest class was able to take part in the assembly, which brought affairs to the elected council. On the other hand, Cleisthenes developed a constitution in order to make Athens a democracy. Cleisthenes is commonly referred to the founder of democracy in Athens for this very reason. This constitution was loosely based on the ideas of Solon, but Cleisthenes expanded on them. As part of the new constitution, all men aged 18 years and older were registered as Athenian citizens and became members of their village. This was a significant step in the evolution of Athenian society because these new citizens were each allowed to vote, thus giving them power over elected officials. At that time women were not considered citize ns of Athenian society, and because of this they did not have any voting powers. The council that was established worked as the chief arm of the government and had full executive and administrative power. Any citizen aged over 30 was qualified to be part of this council. Each year the members of the council were picked at random. The Assembly had the power to veto any of the councilââ¬â¢s decisions.
Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 183
Summary - Essay Example Theorists expected the opposite to happen i.e. they expected the wealth gap between countries to reduce as a result of technological exchange and globalization. But the wealth gap increased because the rich in the poor countries invested their money in richer countries for security, thus making the poor countries poorer. The rich in any society benefit from new technology the most because of their capacity to absorb the risks it entails. Likewise, richer countries benefit more from technological development compared to poor countries, most of which have a higher rate of population growth than the rate of economic development. Although the wealth gap between the rich and the poor countries has overall increased ever since the Industrial Revolution, yet people generally enjoy a better lifestyle than people did in the past. The human development index computed by the United Nations suggests that from 1970 to 2010, almost all countries have experienced improvement and greater equality wi ll bring further improvement in the future. The vast expanse of the Amazon Forest sustains many indigenous cultures and 20% of the worldââ¬â¢s flora and fauna. The Amazon Forest reduces global warming and contributes to moisture in the atmosphere. The reduction in rainfall caused by global warming will endanger the Amazon Forest. Human intervention has caused many tropical forests as well as many Amazon forests to disappear. The hardwood trees in large number in the Amazon forest are very desirable for domestic and commercial purposes which has led to rapid cutting off of the trees. Not only the depletion of forests in Asia and Africa has increased the load for the Amazon forest, but also the Amazon Development Agency in Brazil has encouraged cattle ranching to facilitate fast-food restaurant business. Although the rapidly reducing land has endangered the indigenous tribes and their traditional economies, yet the idea of
Macro Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Macro Economics - Essay Example 2011, p.204. The central bank of England has a duty to regulate the amount of money in the economy through various instruments at its disposal hence stabilizing economic inflation. These strategies are used by the central bank of England to control the rate of inflation, either by encouraging the public to spend more, or lowering their spending rate depending on the prevailing economic conditions (Joyce, et.al. 2010, p. 176). Central bank applies both conventional and unconventional strategies to regulate the rate of inflation in United Kingdom. In order for the central bank to plan the means they will use to manipulate the rate of inflation in the economy effectively, they should be able to predict the trend of economic advancement at least two years in advance. When the central bank of England increases the amount of money in circulation, they encourage public to spend more, thus pushing the rate of inflation high (Benford.et.al, 2009, p.48). If the central bank decreases the amoun t of money in circulation, they will discourage people to spend more hence reduce the rate of inflation. Asset Purchases financed by Central Bank Money: Quantitative Easing High inflation results to overspending by both individuals and business. This results to decline in saving power of the consumers (Benford.et.al, 2009, p.47). It also affects the lending power of the financial institutions. The central bank of England has mandate to regulate the rate of inflation of the country by playing around with the interests which they charge the financial institutions. During the time of high inflation, the central bank of England will increase the interest rates of the lenders. This high interest rate has an effect of reducing the lending rate so as to lower the rate of spending. The central aims to achieve this by discouraging borrowers from acquiring expensive loans. As the individuals and businesses borrow fewer funds from the financial institutions, the money in circulation
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Housing finance and economics Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Housing finance and economics - Coursework Example Owner-occupation and social renting had taken the place of private renting as people have money and option to buy ownership houses as well as local authorities made construction for occupancy of public. It made drastic change in market. Other factor was rent control system which impedes private landlord to invest further in real estate. Gradually private renting system reduced to a certain limit till 1980s. (Sherman 2008). But it was observed by experts that private renting system was necessary in emerging globalization. In 1980s Conservative Party came into picture. Their aim was shift of house property stock from local authority to owner occupied authority. Owner occupied sector later had been modified as Registered Social landlord. Many houses were transferred from local authority to Registered Social Landlord sector as a result of arrival of Right to buy policy. These houses are maintained by non profit making landlords. These dwellings are later handed over to housing associations known as Local Housing Companies. Thus the system paved the way of low cost living houses. Right to buy and deregulation of mortgage finance encourage common people to incline to buy residence. In addition to this deteriorating condition of housing where they lived and decrease of subsidies result in higher rent which provoke people to own houses rather than rent a house. Top of this the residualisation was a considerab le factor for social rented sector and along with this the poor image of social housing has drifted on this process. (Birchall 1992) During this period the socio economic and political factors have accelerated this residualisation. In the period of leadership of Margaret Thatcher Britain witnessed a great fall in macro economic factors like GDP, industrial output, investment. Most of bankruptcy of company and joblessness had taken place in that time. As a result Government cut down planned spending
Business Communication and ICT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
Business Communication and ICT - Essay Example More so, non-verbal communication enhances ideas and concepts of verbal communication through the application of gestures, body language, tone of voice, and facial expression among other aspects such as symbols, pictures, and icons. However, non-verbal communication relies on personal presentation, audience awareness, and body language. Types of Non-Verbal Communication Non-verbal communications include the haptics, artifacts, and kinesics, which have been used to enhance verbal communications from an individual level to business dealings (Wood, 2010). Haptics is the physical communication that is meant to communicate particular information at a personal level with specific aspects of the body. Physical communication includes the use of aspects such as facial expression, body movements, and gestures that often accompany verbal communication. Haptics is often evident in the social scene where more intimate and close relationships and communications are established. The distance betwee n individuals conversing determines the level of haptics communications alongside cultural aspects regarding interpersonal norms (Wood, 2010, p.131).à Body posture in this case is the speakerââ¬â¢s body position, which may correspond with communication expectations and intention in a particular context. Physical communication often conveys symbolic messages with regards to the oratorââ¬â¢s intentions and attitude concerning the message being communicated (Wood, 2010). Facial expressions on the other hand are dynamic features and sources of emotional communication that often communicate the speakerââ¬â¢s intentions, attitudes, and emotions. In addition, facial expression includes eye movement as a key aspect of facial behavior and displays with regards to eye contact frequency, stare, and glances. Glance, eye contact frequency, and stare may convey a wide range of information, emotions, and intentions of the speaker himself. This is in consideration of the fact that facia l expressions vary continuously during oral communication, and they are therefore monitored and interpreted constantly by the message recipient (Wood, 2010). Artifacts are non-verbal forms of communication based on environmental, cultural, and social artifacts for message conveyance and understanding. The environment generally refers to the physical place where communication takes place while artifacts are environmental objects that provide some form of communication stimulus. The environment of communication and environmental stimulus are basically the concepts of nonverbal communication that affect the changes regarding how people communicate non-verbally. Appropriate non-verbal communication is dependent of the artifacts and the environment in which communication takes place, with regards to giving clues of non-verbal behavior. Environmental factors include aspects such as climate, which influences the non-verbal behavior of individuals and even native residents of a particular c limate (Wood, 2011) Kinesics non-verbal communication on the other hand is the general body language interpretation and message conveyance. Kinesics non-verbal communication relates to movements of particular parts of the body or the body as a whole with respect to the gestures that individuals choose to put in place when conveying particular information. The manner in which the body is held generally constitutes posture and body gestures,
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Housing finance and economics Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Housing finance and economics - Coursework Example Owner-occupation and social renting had taken the place of private renting as people have money and option to buy ownership houses as well as local authorities made construction for occupancy of public. It made drastic change in market. Other factor was rent control system which impedes private landlord to invest further in real estate. Gradually private renting system reduced to a certain limit till 1980s. (Sherman 2008). But it was observed by experts that private renting system was necessary in emerging globalization. In 1980s Conservative Party came into picture. Their aim was shift of house property stock from local authority to owner occupied authority. Owner occupied sector later had been modified as Registered Social landlord. Many houses were transferred from local authority to Registered Social Landlord sector as a result of arrival of Right to buy policy. These houses are maintained by non profit making landlords. These dwellings are later handed over to housing associations known as Local Housing Companies. Thus the system paved the way of low cost living houses. Right to buy and deregulation of mortgage finance encourage common people to incline to buy residence. In addition to this deteriorating condition of housing where they lived and decrease of subsidies result in higher rent which provoke people to own houses rather than rent a house. Top of this the residualisation was a considerab le factor for social rented sector and along with this the poor image of social housing has drifted on this process. (Birchall 1992) During this period the socio economic and political factors have accelerated this residualisation. In the period of leadership of Margaret Thatcher Britain witnessed a great fall in macro economic factors like GDP, industrial output, investment. Most of bankruptcy of company and joblessness had taken place in that time. As a result Government cut down planned spending
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Review Coursework for Rules for monetary policy questions
Review for Rules for monetary policy questions - Coursework Example However, the excessively high level of money circulating in the economy induces inflation. Conversely, the excessively low level of money circulating in the economy kills economic performance and induces deflation. Since the association between the money supply and other economic indicators such as the gross domestic product and prices level or inflation has become irregular, the money growth based policies have been unsuccessful (What is money supply? Is it important?, 2014). Adopting rules for the monetary policy is like suggesting that the economy regulators clearly understand all the variables within the economy and how they affect one another. The center stage for the formulations of rules for monetary policy is the interest rates and the economic output. It is currently clear that the performance of an economy is influenced by the performance of other institutions like the financial market, the capital market, and the financial institutions. These players add to the list of factors to be considered when formulating rules for monetary policy. The regulators have not been able to understand fully how the financial markets affect the economy, thus, controlling an unclear situation could cause damages. Therefore, the policy makers are reluctant to adopt rules for monetary policy (Swanson, 2014). Swanson, A. (2014). What the US could gain and lose from monetary policy rules. Retrieved from
Monday, October 14, 2019
Examining the usefulness of Financial Statement Analysis
Examining the usefulness of Financial Statement Analysis Financial statement analysis involves the assessment of a businesss past, present and future condition. The objective is to identify the weaknesses as well as the strengths of a business. If weaknesses are found, the business can take appropriate steps to correct or overcome them. On the other hand, the business can use its strengths to its advantage. In this way, the business will be able to improve its overall financial situation in the future. As the business owners they are intently interested in how well their business is doing. The most likely way to determine the status of a business is by analyzing the financial data and that means crunching the numbers. The basics of financial analysis usually mean calculating different financial ratios and then coming to conclusions about the how the company is financially performing. Financial ratios here refer to principal tools for financial analysis as they can be used to answer numerous questions regarding the businesss financial well being. Financial ratios are used by three main groups. First is Managers, who employ ratios to help analyze, control, and thus improve their firms operations. Second is a credit analyst, such as bank loan officers or bond rating analysts, who analyze ratios to help ascertain a companys ability to pay its debts. Third is stock analyst, who is interested in a companys efficiency, risk, and growth prospects. Also, the ratios provide useful information to users of financial statements for example investors and analysts to assess and evaluate the operations undertaken as well as being used to analyze its performance and position over time (Al-Ajmi J., 2008). As stated by Al-Ajmi J. (2008), the most important of the users groups to know about financial ratio analysis are investors and creditors because these users interested to read the contents of financial statements and calculate a variety of financial indicators before they want to make any final decisions on credit and investing decisions. To them, they believe that through analyzing financial statement will provide valuable financial indicators and have predictive power. Financial analysis can be done through assessing the financial statement of company. Financial statement in this case focuses on balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement and statement of changes in equity. Financial ratios are generally classified into four main groups liquidity ratios, activity ratios, gearing ratios, and profitability ratios. The liquidity ratios can be used to measure whether the firm can repay its financial obligations on time or not. The two commonly used liquidity ratios are the current ratio and the quick ratio. Next is activity ratios can be used to measure how effectively the firm uses its resources (assets) to generate sales or revenue. This ratio is so called efficiency, turnover or even business asset management ratios. Commonly used to measure activity ratios are inventory turnover ratio, average collection period, accounts receivable turnover ratio, non-current assets turnover ratio and total assets turnover ratio. Third is gearing ratios also called debt management ratios and leverage ratios. This ratio indicate how the firm is utilizing outside funds to finance its assets and whether the firm can pay the interest on the use of these non-owner supplied f unds as well as repay the principal or the original amount of the loan. Commonly used to measure gearing ratios are debt ratio, time interest earned ratio and debt to equity ratio. Lastly are profitability ratios which can measure the end results of the firms ability to produce profits from its resources as well as to measure the companys use of its assets and control of its expenses to generate an acceptable rate of return. The most commonly used ratio is gross profit margin and net profit margin. Knowing the financial ratios of our business is important because by knowing what these ratios mean and being aware of trends can aid the entrepreneur in better managing a business in future. In general this paper is reviewing the literature review on the effect of analysis of financial ratios on business financial performance or financial situation in three different types of industries. Focus on the analysis of financial ratio in service industry, financial industry and higher institutional education. There are different views and different effects when financial ratio analysis going to used to analyze company performance from different types of industry. LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 USEFULNESS OF FINANCIAL RATIOS Financial ratios are said as the most widely used indicators of company. It play a role to value firms, to distinguish creditworthy companies compare to others, to identify acquisition targets and to indicate the process of organizational in completing or the time needed to complete a task (Al-Ajmi J., 2008). The financial analysis model known as a quite helpful tool for executives to measure or predict enterprise bankruptcy or enterprise failure provides concerned decision-makers (authorities) with the possibility or hoping to avoid failures. Also it becomes an early warning system to the corporate management. (Karacaer and KapusuzoÃâÃ
¸lu, 2008). As stated by Karacaer and KapusuzoÃâÃ
¸lu, (2008), the most highest ratios contribution in the analysis regarding the variables whose effect the financial condition of the sample enterprise are ROE, debt ratio, net working capital, acid test ratio, net profit ratio, cash ratio, and current ratio respectively. Among of them, the liquidity ratios are the main element in these ratios. It is observed that all the variables have differing but significant effects on the corporate financial situation. Financial ratios can be used as financial indicators which allow for comparisons between companies, between industries, between different time periods for one company, between a single company and its industry average. Apart from that, financial ratios generally hold no meaning unless they are benchmarked against something else, like past performance or another company and industries. The reason behind that is the ratios of firms in different industries, which face different risks, capital requirements, and competition are usually hard to compare if we have no other things to compare (Wikipedia). As mentioned by Salmi, Timo Roy Dahlstedt Martti Luoma Arto Laakkonen (1988), financial ratios are commonly used for comparison of financial position intra-industry. Also, in financial statement analysis a firms performance and financial status are frequently evaluated in relation to other firms in the same branch of industry or in relation to industry averages. 2.2 STEPS TO EFFECTIVELY FINANCIAL RATIOS As stated by Darrel Hulsey, the basics of financial analysis usually mean calculating different financial ratios and then coming to conclusions and clarification regarding on how the company is financially performing in business activities. There are certain things that must be considered before too many conclusions are drawn. Firstly, understand what comprise different financial ratios before start analyzing companys data. Must take into consideration all financial ratios numbers derived from financial statement comprise of balance sheet and income statement. Balance sheets represent a reflection for a particular point in time. Income statements present a cumulative time summary of performance. For example, year-end financial statements should include a balance sheet that presents how various company accounts look on that particular day at the end of the year, whereas the income statement shows how companys performance over the period Second is evaluating external influencing factors. As with all companies, the financial statements can be influenced by various factors like management or owner decisions and discretionary spending, seasonal effects, legal structure choice, type of industry, customer mix, or a number of other issues. These factors can influence the financial statements and will, in turn, influence the financial ratios analysis. Third is look at internal trends. Always keep in mind is that one ratio alone tells one very little. A clear picture starts developing when one looks at ratios over different time increments. By comparing financial results against prior performance one gets a better idea of what is occurring within the company. Trends will start to develop and can give insight into areas that may need corrective attention or to areas that may need to be reinforced. Internal trend analysis is most likely most beneficial because one is comparing similar business situations over various periods of time. Fourth is compare results to the industry. Comparing your business performance to other similar businesses is a common way to judge how well the business is doing. Even though this is very common, there are limitations to doing so. First realize these comparative ratios represent an average. Averages are simply that and most likely your business will vary somewhat. Next be sure you are comparing your business to other businesses similar in asset size and sales volume. In some cases there may be no suitable comparisons. Try to insure you are comparing apples to apples. There are several sources to get comparative financial data including private companies such as Risk Management Association (RMA) and trade associations that collect data from their members. Knowing what is the average for your industry is important. The averages can serve as a general benchmark for your business. Additionally, these averages are often times used to compare your business performance when you are seeking capital from outside sources such as a bank. Being different may not be a deal killer, but not being able to explain why you are different may indeed be a deal killer. 2.3 THE EFFECT OF ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL RATIOS ON BUSINESS FINANCIAL SITUATION IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES 2.3.1 SERVICE INDUSTRY In measuring the performance of service firms, the most strongest and consistent ratios used are activity and profitability ratios. Obviously, the profitability ratios indicate that small service firms have higher returns to sales than large firms. Specifically, service firms have less liquidity, greater activity, and higher profitability. Interestingly, the small and medium size service firms had higher total debt levels. The short-term debt findings show that service firms used significantly smaller amounts of short term funding. Means that service industry more prefer to finance the business activity through long term debt. On top of that in service industry, the most suitable of ratio to measure business profitability is by calculating return on equity. Apart from that, activity ratio was measured by a primary ratio and a secondary ratio. It refers to sales to assets and sales to inventory respectively (Michael D., John X. and Steven J.). The results found by Michael D., John X. and Steven J. associated with the activity ratios for service firms show a positive and significant relationship an concluded that size of firm very unrelated to productivity of public firms in service sector The growth in air transportation industry gives a picture that performance evaluation is important for executives body to identify and recognize the operating problems arise in market competition. According to Feng C.M. and Wang R.T. (2000), referring to previous study it more concerning airline performance evaluation which only focus merely on operational performance. However, evaluation on financial performance is seems to be ignored. As far as we are concern, to measure the survival prospect of an airline market can be look through the financial performance of the company itself. The absence of financial ratios may lead to biased assessment. There are three main types of performance indicators used in airline industry. The first one is production efficiency, marketing efficiency and execution efficiency which relate to department of production, marketing and management (Feng C.M. and Wang R.T., 2000). As stated by Feng C.M. and Wang R.T. (2000), in making analysis of financial statement of airline industry, assets and capital of the owners equity are classified as the input of financial factors. Moreover debts and expense are classified as the output of the financial factors and for revenue or otherwise losses categorized as the outcome of financial factors. Due to that, the input financial factors characterized by sunk cost which included flight equipment and interest expense, while its output by intangible products. Otherwise its consumption characterized as not-stored services. 2.3.2 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Evaluating the performance and financial condition of the financial service organizations is very critical. The intermediation role of financial institutions in market trading is such that performance in this sector indirectly gives impacts on other sectors of the economy. When performance is good it will contribute a positive effect on the economy but when the financial sector is distressed and got some problems then they will contribute a negative effect on other sectors of the economy (Ibiwoye A., 2010). In the perspective of banks to achieve their aims for institution development was by growing the components of their assets as an alternative of moving to increase the profitability. All of these require the determination and management of several factors, which play an important role in the profitability of banks in the new environment (Halkos and Salamouris 2004). In U.S Banks, to increase investors hope and confidence, they adopt Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS) which provides bank ratings as a forward-looking measure of a banks ability to meet its financial obligations. The DBRS ratio analysis focuses on four interrelated aspects of a banks financial health. First is Earnings Power, it refers to the ability to generate consistent profits and grow capital internally. Second is Asset Quality, it refers to the potential for losses that could impair earnings and capital. Third is liquidity where it focuses on cash resources available to meet short-term obligations. And the last one is Capital Adequacy; it refers to the ultimate creditor protection against future losses (Reid, Lister, Schwartz, and Muranyi, 2005) According to Al-Ajmi J., (2008), the financial indicators that analysts use as basis for decisions are not necessarily all equally useful to them in making any decision. There are no significant differences between credit analysts and financial analysts with respect to 40 of the indicators identified in the study. From the perspectives of 244 credit analysts and financial analysts in Bahrain, they are measured by the ranking of 71 financial indicators and 5 components of corporate governance. Based on the result it shows that credit analysts consider the quick ratio as the most useful ratio, followed by the non-recurrent ratio. For the financial analysts they consider price-earnings as the most useful ratio, followed by the market-to-book ratio. It is also worth mentioning that the efficiency difference between large and small banks reaches its maximum value in 1999. While doing financial analysis it has a positive relationship between size and performance. Besides, through mergers and acquisitions it leads to a continuous increase of average efficiency of the larger banks while efficiency of the small banks is impaired. It is proved that the higher the size of total assets leads to the higher of the efficiency is. It is evidenced from the significant increase in the sum of the total assets employed in the market as well as the increase in the average level of Banks Assets (Halkos and Salamouris, 2004). 2.4.3 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS As study did by Buddy N.J. (1999), it identified a set of financial ratios that summarize the financial situation of a higher education institution in which the ratios helped to analyze the financial solvency and viability of the six higher education institutions in Oklahoma. The study focused on the ability of the institutions to meet current and future financial requirements of the institutions. Therefore financial ratio analysis is the most suitable and known as an effective communication to the mind of users regarding financial situations of universities and colleges to internal and external entities. On top of that, ratios known as excellent tools for facilitating the communication, analysis, and understanding of large masses of complicated, detailed information of the institutions. As what have been found in study conducted by Chabotar, (1989); Cirtin Lightfoot, (1996), they concluded that financial ratio analysis could also serve as a tool to evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of higher institution education as what been done by ratio analysis in analyzing business financial condition. In this case Buddy N.J. (1999) said that financial ratio analysis allows for the evaluation of past performance and for future planning of institutions. By identifying a manageable number of quality ratios, the presentation of financial data may be more efficient and tell a better story and give a better picture of the true financial condition of the institution of higher education. The reduction of a large mass of numbers into a few manageable, easily interpreted ratios will allow both internal and external entities to make better-informed decisions regarding financial position and condition of higher learning institutions. In the opinion of Buddy N.J. (1999), understanding the financial condition of higher education institutions become an important part in view of decision making to respond to any pressures arise. As supported by Chabotar, (1989) where work on financial ratio analysis for higher education institutions has aimed at clarifying and explain the perceptions and making judgments of financial distress more credible. Financial ratios can also have the reverse use, to identify what is unique about a higher education institution. The most frequently cited motivation for financial ratio analysis is the ability to control for the effects of size difference over time and across institutions As mentioned by Buddy N.J. (1999), financial ratio analysis can help both the institutional user and those agencies to make funding decisions. This is due to where the financial ratio analysis could be used to obtain the physical evidence of any deviations of the norms and could also allow management by exception. Also financial ratios recognized as an indicator to whether conditions are getting worse or getting better which may allow management by exception and alerts the institution to the possibility of future financial distress. Besides, financial ratio analyses have a role to identify how and in what ways the condition is changing (Collier Patrick, 1978). Lupton, Augenblick, and Heyison (1976) in their study identified the indicators which include institutional control, enrollment trends, trends in education and general expenditures, current fund revenues to expenditures, academic expenditures to education and general expenditures, freshman full-time equivalents (FTEs) to total undergraduate FTEs, and tuition and fees to student aid revenues. All these indicators determined by using a panel of experts, as well as discriminate analysis, to determine 16 discriminating indicators of financial condition. Whereas, Collier and Patrick (1978) conducted theory-based research and developed a set of dimensions that describe financial condition which comprise of financial independence, revenue drawing power, financial risk, revenue stability, and reserve strength. Same as what being done by Lupton etc., Collier and Patrick also used experts and discriminate analysis to determine the indicators that differentiate between strong and weak private institutions and between strong and weak public institutions. As agreed by Buddy N.J. (1999) the purpose of institutional comparisons is to highlight differences and to raise important questions about past and future policies for internal and external entities. The reason is many higher education institutions differ from comparative peers for good and valid reasons. The argument might be that, when an understanding is reached for why an institution scores differently from its comparative peers, a conclusion can be drawn as to what is unique about that institution as compared to others institutions. Referring to study of Buddy N.J. (1999), he found that many of the measures financial ratios used by higher education institutions are based on what sources financial revenues are earned and for what services expenses are incurred. Based on the result it allows both internal and external entities to monitor institutional effectiveness and efficiency. There are 15 key financial relationships being used by Donald E. Miller (1972) to set forth for business and industry a cause-and-effect ratio analysis based. The reason is higher education institutions will find themselves in a particular financial position because of some cause or causes. The 15 ratios have been applied and tested as a unified system in thousands of business situations demonstrated that, when used together; provide a fundamental financial understanding to the users. The interrelationships that exist among financial resources require a better examination of the institutions total fund structure. A better understanding o f the trends in and the condition of the financial resources is important to the early detection of any institutional distress. Changes in resources are symptoms of those internal and external factors might cause financial pressure or development. A higher education institution with sufficient financial resources can withstand adverse trends and has the flexibility to institute changes at opportune moments to reverse the trends. Resources merely provide the opportunity to be flexible through economic changes and experiment where possible without jeopardizing and impair the institutions future prospect. 3.0 CONCLUSION It is important to analyze trends in ratios as well as their absolute levels. Trend analysis can provide clues as to whether the firms financial situation is likely to improve or to deteriorate. Financial statement analysis involves a study of the relationships between income statement and balance sheet accounts, how these relationships change over time (trend analysis), and how a particular firm compares with other firms in its industry as we called as benchmarking. In addition, financial statements are used to help predict the firms future earnings and divià dends. From an investors standpoint, predicting the future is what financial stateà ment analysis is all about. From managements standpoint, financial statement analysis is useful both to help anticipate future conditions and, more important, as a starting point for planning actions that will influence the future course of events The importance of financial statement analysis should not be underestimated. The understandable format of financial ratios allows virtually any stakeholder and users of financial statement to acquire a basic comprehension of the most critical financial policies of institutions and their financial condition. Chabotar, K. J. (1989). Financial ratio analysis comes to nonprofits. Journal of Higher Education, 60(2), 188-208. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. EJ 389 089) Cirtin, A., Lightfoot, C. (1996). Financial statement analysis for private colleges and universities. The National Public Accountant, 41(8), 29-34. Collier, D. J., Patrick, C. (1978). A multi-variate approach to the analysis of institutional financial condition. Boulder, CO: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. Chabotar, K. J. (1989). Financial ratio analysis comes to nonprofits. Journal of Higher Education, 60(2), 188-208. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. EJ 389 089) Lupton, A. H., Augenblick, J., Heyison, J. (1976). A special report: The financial state of higher education. Change, 8(8), 20-35. Miller, D. E. (1972). The meaningful interpretation of financial statements: The cause-and-effect ratio approach. New York, NY: American Management Association, Inc.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)