Solar Furnace (Font Romeu

Introduction Solar energy remains one of the most under-exploited most yet abundant sources of energy at the disposal of humanity. This aspect often creates the notion that solar energy is a relatively new phenomenon; however, solar energy is among the energy sources that have served humankind for the longest time. As early as the 7th century B.C., people had started to concentrate the sun’s rays into beams that could light fires (Garg 10).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Solar Furnace (Font Romeu – Odeillo, France) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Over the centuries, a plethora of developments in the harnessing and use of solar energy has been witnessed all over the world. However, it was not until the 20th century that the world’s first solar powered furnace was successfully constructed. Under the guidance of Professor Fà ©lix Trombe, the world’s first solar furnace was constructed in the year 1949 in Mont Louis, Southern France (P-O Life Par.1). This project was a revelation especially for its originator because through it, it became apparent that solar energy could be used to power large-scale furnaces that could be used for commercial purposes. About 20 years later, â€Å"Professor Fà ©lix Trombe led the construction of the world’s largest solar furnace in Odeillo, Southern France† (P-O Life Par.1). The furnace stands as a demonstration of the potential of solar energy to the world and it remains amongst the world’s greatest projects especially in the line of solar energy exploitation. This essay focuses on the solar furnace at Font Romeu – Odeillo, France. Solar Furnace (Font Romeu – Odeillo, France) History The world’s largest solar furnace was the brainchild of Professor Fà ©lix Trombe, a French engineer. In the period before its construction, several successful attempts had been made to use solar energy for el ectricity generation and home heating. However, the principle behind using solar energy for electricity generation is slightly different from the idea behind the operation of a solar furnace. Attempts to use the principle behind the operation of a solar furnace date back to the 7th Century B.C. when simple magnifying glasses were used to converge sunrays into hot beams that could be used to light fires (Garg 10). It is also believed that in the 2nd century B.C. Greek Scientist, Archimedes used this same principle to ward off Roman war ships, which were on a mission to besiege Syracuse (Garg 10). Archimedes achieved this feat by setting the ships on fire to stop them from reaching the town. This aspect makes the idea of using reflectors or mirrors to concentrate solar energy into hot beams for different purposes the oldest known use of solar energy.Advertising Looking for essay on engineering? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Pr ofessor Trombe placed the idea under serious scrutiny in 1946 when carrying out an experiment to determine the possibility of attaining high temperatures rapidly and the effect of the high temperatures on different materials in a pure environment using an air defense mirror to converge the light from the sun into a hot beam. In the quest to actualize this experiment under controllable circumstances where different possibilities could be tried out, Professor Trombe built the world’s first solar furnace at Mont Louis, Southern France in 1949 (P-O Life Par.1). This project was enormous as it incorporated 1420 mirrors to form the light converging surface (P-O Life Par.1). The furnace has since undergone massive renovation to make it fit for commercial purposes it serves today. The success of the Mont Louis furnace inspired professor Trombe to build the world’s largest solar furnace a few miles away from his initial project. The solar furnace in Odeillo was an improvement o f the pioneering project that had been 20 years earlier. Since its construction, the furnace remains the largest and most important solar furnace in the world (P-O Life Par.2). This reputation stems from the fact that even though there are numerous other such furnaces across the world, none of them is capable of producing the temperatures that the furnace at Odeillo can produce. Thus, it remains Professor Trombe’s biggest achievement as it continues to contribute immensely to the wellbeing through enabling vital experiments that cannot be conducted elsewhere. Overview of the project This project is located at Font Romeu- Odeillo, in the Pyrenees of Southern France. The location was chosen because it boasts of clear skies for up to 300 days in one year (P-O Life Par.5). The air quality of the region was also considered the most suitable for this kind of project within France. It comprises a large concave mirror (formed by putting together 10,000 smaller mirrors) that is mounte d on an eight-story building. The concave mirror is about 2000 square feet (P-O Life Par.4).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Solar Furnace (Font Romeu – Odeillo, France) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The light that it converges to a focal point, which is the size of a cooking pot, is supplied by 63 heliostats that are mounted on the hillside facing the concave mirror. The heliostats (flat self-adjusting mirrors that reflect light to a pre-determined target) are arranged in eight terraces to allow them to cover the entire surface of the concave mirror. The furnace is capable of giving temperatures of up to 3500 degrees Celsius or 6330 degrees Fahrenheit (P-O Life Par.4). As a result, it is the most appropriate place for research that involves very high temperatures. There are other similar furnaces, but the solar furnace at Odeillo remains the most illustrious among them by virtue of its size and outpu t. However, it is important to note that like this furnace, all other solar furnaces in other parts of the world are majorly used for research experiments. Construction of the Project Solar energy is harnessed all over the world using a variety of technologies for different purposes. These include solar water heating, photovoltaic cells, solar space heating, and concentrated solar power among many others (Garg 213). The idea behind the operation of a solar furnace falls in the category of concentrated solar power systems. In this category, several different technologies can be employed to harness the sun’s energy. These include parabolic troughs, power towers, dish/engine systems, and concentrated solar power (CSP) (Garg 290). Although these systems vary in design and construction, the idea behind their operation is the same. All of them use reflecting surfaces to concentrate the sun’s energy to a desired location. These concentrated solar power systems can amplify the sun’s energy up to 5000 times its original intensity to achieve the purpose for which the particular project is designed (Hinkley et al. 1). Solar furnaces fall in the CSP category where they employ a large parabolic reflector and a set of reflectors. In other words, the system uses sets of reflecting surfaces. The first set of reflecting surfaces collects the sun’s energy and reflects it to the parabolic reflector, which then concentrates it to a focal point that is often a small area (Hinkley et al.1).Advertising Looking for essay on engineering? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This area is only roughly the size of a cooking pot for the world’s largest solar furnace in Odeillo, France (P-O Life Par.3). This kind of system requires strong supply of sunlight throughout the day, thus the first set of mirrors are designed to track the sun automatically at its varying positions during the day to maintain a strong supply of the sun’s energy to the parabolic reflector. These solar tracking mirrors are referred to as heliostats. A heliostat is a device that incorporates a plane mirror(s) that keep changing position relative to sun’s position to ensure that it maintains a strong reflection of the sun’s energy to a predetermined surface (Garg 301). This goal is achieved by ensuring that the reflecting surface of the heliostat is maintained perpendicular to an imaginary line that bisects the angle between the sun and the target of the reflection (Garg 301). The targeted surface is normally a stationary object or surface that does not follo w the movement of the heliostat. In this manner, the heliostat follows the sun, but it keeps reflecting the light to a fixed position on the target regardless of the position of the sun. Older heliostats were controlled manually by hand or by use of solar trackers or clockwork, which enabled them to self adjust in accordance with the position of the sun (Garg 301). However, the old versions cannot be compared to modern heliostats, which are computer controlled and are thus able to perform their function with utmost precision. Since the solar furnace at Odeillo is a CSP system, it needed two sets of reflectors. A heliostat system to collect a greater amount of sun’s heat and reflect it to the concentrator and a concentrator, which serves the purpose of converging the sun’s heat to the focal point where it is used for high temperature endeavors. All the other constructions such as laboratories are supportive, but the facility can operate without them. This furnace employ s one of the two designs that are possible for solar furnaces, viz. the on-axis design and the off-axis design. Odeillo solar furnace is an on-axis design, which implies that the focal point of the parabolic mirror or concentrator stands between the heliostats and the concentrator (Hinkley et al.1). This arrangement has the disadvantage of the focal point unit blocking some of the light and heat from the heliostat. It appears as shown below. Figure 1: On-axis design solar furnace design Source: (Hinkley et al. 2) The Odeillo solar furnace employs this arrangement, but since it is a large-scale project, it comprises â€Å"63 heliostats, which are 24.6 by 19.7 feet, each† (CNRS 2). Each heliostat in turn comprises 180 mirrors each measuring 19.7 by 19.7 inches. They are arranged in eight tiers along the rising hillside that faces the parabolic reflector (CNRS 2). Each of the heliostats has a specific point on the concentrator, which has to illuminate constantly with a strong s upply of solar reflection when the furnace is in operation. This arrangement was thought to be necessary because the parabolic reflector is too large to track the sun in order to maintain the required intensity of solar energy (CNRS 2). The arrangement of the heliostats and the parabolic reflector at Odiello furnace is as shown below. Figure 2: Schematic diagram of Odeillo solar furnace Source: (CNRS 3) The parabolic reflector on the other hand is a large concave arrangement that was constructed from about 10,000 smaller mirrors measuring 17.7 inches by 17.7 inches each (CNRS 2). These give a concentrator that is 130 feet high, 175 feet wide and close to 23,000 square feet in terms of area. It is important to point out at this point that the size of the concentrator and the numbers of heliostats employed are entirely dictated by the power requirements for the project. During the construction of the Odeillo furnace, the mirrors were â€Å"silvered and aluminized by vacuum evaporati on in order to give a reflective surface that could reflect up to 90% of the sun’s energy onto a desired target† (CNRS 4). Other materials such as silver could serve the reflection function, but it was not possible to obtain an optical surface by polishing. The choice of glass over all the other materials has proved itself a worthwhile choice because the facility remains the largest and most important because it 1000 kW capacity is unrivalled elsewhere in the world (CNRS 6). The building that supports the parabolic reflector is an eight-storey building, which also hosts the CNRS research facilities that are based at the site (CNRS 5). Its construction was much like the construction of any contemporary eight-storey building, but the idea of one side being left out for the concentrator had to be factored in during the process. The construction went on amid ongoing research until it was completed because at the time, there was no similar facility except for the smaller fur nace that had been constructed by Professor Trombe earlier on. He was building on the same idea, but on a larger scale using a slightly different approach. The project factored in conventional construction ideas, which are necessary for erecting an eight-storey building. The sampling of the soils of the region to determine the kind of reinforcement that the building needed called for the selection of the right materials, which could bear the stresses and strains that the load of the parabolic reflector would place on them. Material selection needed to be done very carefully because this was the first structure of its kind and it could not be compared to any other structure elsewhere. The framework that holds the parabolic reflector in place entails a network of metals that is capable of providing a strong base for the concentrator, but at the same time, it should be relatively light, which means that the project involved the input of many other specialists apart from Professor Tromb e. The project, having been built in the 1960s and brought into operation in the year 1970, is not much of an ancient project. This assertion is founded on the view that the same idea that lies behind the operation of the Odeillo furnace remains the main idea behind the operation of several other smaller solar furnaces that have been constructed after it. Odeillo solar furnace was among the pioneering projects in the field of solar furnaces, but the technology it employed has been used elsewhere for different solar projects. Heliostats are today widely used for other applications such as major solar electricity plants and solar water heating arrangements among others (Hinkley et al. 2). The solar furnace at Odeillo was constructed at a cost of $200,000 to completion. How it would be constructed today The solar furnace at Odeillo is slightly over 40 years old. The technological landscape has greatly changed within this period. This aspect means that although the furnace is not very o ld, its construction would be approached differently if it were constructed today. The operation principle would remain the same, but the materials and construction methods would be different. The first aspect of the project that would be altered is its design. There are two main designs for solar furnaces namely the off-axis design and the on-axis design. Odeillo was an on-axis design as already noted, but there is a need to improve the arrangement of the heliostats and the parabolic reflector. Since the conventional off-axis design has the disadvantage of the furnace blocking off some reflections from the heliostats to the concentrator because it stands in between the two, it would be a better idea if the design were such that the furnace is away from the path of the heliostat – reflected beams. The figure below shows a hybrid design that may be better that the Odeillo furnace design. Figure 3: On-axis optical design solar furnace design (alternative) Source: (Hinkley et a l. 7) This kind of design has the advantage of all the reflected beams of light from the sun reaching the parabolic reflector without any hindrance in between. It can even be better if this arrangement is duplicated on opposite sides of one building such as the one that holds the solar furnace of Odeillo. This consideration becomes important as the world needs other solar furnaces, which are in the same caliber as or better than the one at Odeillo because over 40 years after its construction it remains the only one of its caliber. This aspect forces scientists and researchers from all over the world to flock to the site for experiments, which require temperatures that only this facility can provide. The double arrangement can accommodate more experiments at the same time and thus enable experimentation and research to be done with ease. However, it can cost more than the Odeillo solar furnace. If an assumption is made that the cost of constructing a furnace similar to the one at Ode illo would be the same as it was 40 years ago due to the development of cheaper materials and technologies, constructing it in this proposed dual arrangement cannot cost double the amount that was used to bring Odeillo solar furnace to completion. It will be in between, probably three quarters of the double cost or so because even with the dual arrangement, only a single building is necessary to hold both parabolic reflectors in place. The heliostats would be slightly different today compared to the ones that were used at Odeillo. The technology behind the operation of a heliostat has slightly improved since the time Odeillo solar furnace was constructed. Today, a heliostat that would be used in a solar furnace is lighter and stronger than it was 40 years ago (Hinkley et al. 6). However, the most important difference that is possible for a heliostat today is that with the advent of computers, all high precision equipment are computer controlled, which is also possible for solar furn ace heliostats. In the past, these gadgets were controlled manually using clockwork or using solar trackers to maintain a steady beam on the parabolic reflector regardless of the position of the sun. Today, heliostats are computer controlled. The computer is supplied with the longitudinal and latitudinal details of the heliostat as well as the date and time of the day. Equipped with these details, the computer calculates the position of the sun and triggers a connected mechanism that adjusts the mirror to the right position with such a precision that could not be achieved in the past (Hinkley et al. 6). The parabolic surface would be constructed using modern mirrors, which are stronger and lighter just like in the case of heliostats. In a bid to achieve the parabolic shape more easily, the arrangement would be composed of hexagonal mirrors rather than rectangular or square mirrors. Due to the dual arrangement, a parabolic reflector the size of the one at Odeillo is a good size. It c an be slightly bigger to deliver more than 1000 kW to enable it serve purposes that could be beyond the scope of the current Odeillo furnace. This arrangement of hexagonal mirrors to form the concentrator has been used in the construction of relatively recent solar furnaces. Apart from serving its intended purpose, it would add to the aesthetic value of the structure, which is important because the Odeillo furnace and the Mont Louis furnace are known to attract tourists. In the current Odeillo furnace, the eight-storey building that supports the parabolic reflector hosts other activities within the available space and the case would be similar in the new construction. This claim is made based on the view that in the design for the new construction, the parabolic reflector needs to be elevated higher and tilted slightly downwards to ensure that it focuses the beams that it receives to a target somewhere below it as shown in figure 3 above. This assertion means that probably the parab olic mirror would not affect the first two floors. The space availed by the two floors can host all the different activities that might be necessary at the site. Alternatively, in addition to the two floors, a basement room can also host some vital activities if the two floors are not sufficient to host all the activities that are ongoing at Odeillo solar furnace. This way, the world can have a solar furnace that would be in a position to serve a bigger number of experiments at ago. Alternatively, since the solar furnace in question is a dual arrangement structure, one side could be dedicated to experimental and research activities as the other side serves commercial activities. Such an arrangement can be advantageous as the challenges encountered by the commercial furnace users will be easily solvable by the researchers more easily and faster as both activities go on in the same facility and any unusual occurrences can be handled right away. Conclusion The principle behind the oper ation of the solar furnaces is an idea that has existed for long and it has been used for numerous purposes. However, Professor Trombe’s move to actualize its large-scale application in a solar furnace was a huge development as no one else has come up with a better way of harnessing the sun’s energy for use in a solar furnace. Many that have been made utilize the same idea albeit with varying designs. In this sense, Professor Trombe remains the greatest contributor to the development of solar furnaces and this scenario is likely to remain so for many years to come. Works Cited CNRS n.d., High temperature solar energy. PDF File. 20 Nov. 2013. https://history.gtri.gatech.edu/history/files/media/other-publications/High_Temp_Solar_Energy_Pamphlet.pdf Garg, Prakash. Solar Energy: Fundamentals and Applications, New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill Education, 2000. Print. Hinkley, Jim, Robbie McNaughton, and Andreas Neumann. Development of a High Flux Solar Furnace Facility at CSIRO f or Australian Research and Industry, Frenchs Forest: AuSES, 2010. Print. P-O Life: The biggest solar furnace in the world Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via 2010. Web. https://anglophone-direct.com/mont-louisfont-romeu-odeillo-via/ This essay on Solar Furnace (Font Romeu – Odeillo, France) was written and submitted by user Zackery Acosta to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Sailmaker review Essay Example

The Sailmaker review Essay Example The Sailmaker review Essay The Sailmaker review Essay These were the optimistic and boastful words of a young boy who was proud of his father and his trade but throughout the play Alecs faith in his father was dwindling down to nothing and by the end of the play it was all but diminished when he summed up his feelings and his fathers life perfectly You were always gonnae fix it up for me. Ye just never did. The play centres around the relationship between a widower named Davie and his son Alec. In the opening scene of the play Davie returns home from the hospital with the dreadful news that his wife was dead. The news broke Alec but he would recover and get on with his life but this was the beginning of the end for Davie, for just weeks before he had been laid off from his job as a sailmaker because there was just no work left in the trade. Davies only way of supporting himself and Alec financially was his job as a tick man going round doors and collecting money, but on the side Davie was a very keen betting man and had several lines on each week, often spending the best part of his weeks wages on them. Davies job alone couldnt suffice his son and his gambling needs, so he soon became buried in debt with both the illegal bookmaker and his brother Billy. With his father being away at work most of the day and then going for his daily wee half at the pub afterwards, Alec was having to become more and more independent just to get through the times. He began to develop a close friendship with his cousin Ian and along with using each other as sparring partners they done pretty much everything together. They seemed joined-at-the-hip as children, always out on the street playing football and reading comics together, but as they grew up, they also grew further apart and began to share less of a common ground with each other. For example Alec decided that he wanted to stay on at school, get good grades, go to university and get a shirt-and-tie job, whereas Ian wanted to drop out of school as soon as he could and follow his father, Billy, into the painting and decorating business. At night when Ian and his friends were out in the streets kicking over bins, smashing bottles, getting chased out of the area with the locals and generally causing havoc Alec was going to Christian Endeavour and the local mission to learn about the god. This showed that Alec was independent and had the will power to do the things that he wanted to do and that were best for him. He also showed that he had a great deal of character, as he didnt succumb to peer pressure from going to different organisations and doing the complete opposite from his friends. By going to all these Christian related activities it appeared that Alec was trying to fill a space in his life with religion. Meanwhile Davies life was going from bad to worse because he got a beating from the illegal bookmakers heavies and subsequently got sacked from his job as a tickman because of it. From this point on I got the impression that Davie just didnt care anymore and that his easy laid back attitude towards life, i. e. First thing themorra morning or Dont worry son. Well work it out, started to affect his relationship with Alec. He constantly put things off until the next day, and then the next day and then they still never got done. A key example of this was the story of Alecs toy yacht, which despite Davies endless promises never gets fixed. Alec had only asked for his father to make a sail for it but the answer was always Ahll fix it up when av got the time or Just wait and see. One day when his Uncle Billy was round at his house, Alec asked him if he could paint the yacht for him. Billy took it away that day and had it back and painted for him within a couple of days. This only highlights the differences in character between Davie and Billy. Billy knew that betting wasnt the way to get through life, it was always his tough optimism and hard work that got him and his family through, whilst it was Davies nonchalant and pessimistic attitude that had turned his life into ruins. To be fair to Davie he had backed a loser right fae the start with the sailmaking trade, with collapsed only months after he received his apprenticeship. Davie was an exceptionally unlucky man, everything he touched turned to waste. During the play his wife died, he had been made redundant from three different jobs, he got tangled up in debt, he was attacked and his relationship with Alec had failed severely. This rejection and overall bad luck must have crushed his confidence and he now thought that he was defeated before he had even begun. In the very last scene of the play, Davie and Alec have to resort to burning half their belongings one night in an attempt to stop themselves from freezing because Davie had gambled with the money to pay for coal and electricity. Whilst Alec was rummaging around the house looking for firewood he stumbled across his old toy yacht buried deep in the glory hole. He sat it to the side and continued burning everything else until they eventually ran out. In a way Alec didnt want to burn the yacht because still liked it but on-the-other-hand he knew he had to burn it to rid himself from his sad memories. So when the last piece of furniture had burned down, Alec wedged the yacht right in the centre of the fire. The fames begun lick around it and in the end he finally got what he had waited his whole life for, his little toy yacht had a sail, only it had a sail of flames.

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The Iron and steel industry CHAPER-IIOVERVIEW OF IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRYIntroduction Steel is crucial to the development of any modern economy and is considered to be the backbone of human civilisation. The level of per capita consumption of steel is treated as an important index of the level of socioeconomic development and living standards of the people in any country. It is a product of a large and technologically complex industry having strong forward and backward linkages in terms of material flows and income generation. All major industrial economies are characterised by the existence of a strong steel industry and the growth of many of these economies has been largely shaped by the strength of their steel industries in their initial stages of development. Steel industry was in the vanguard in the liberalisation of the industrial sector and has made rapid strides since then. The new greenfield plants represent the latest in technology. 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During the first two decades of planned economic development, i.e. 1950-60 and 1960-70, the average annual growth rate of steel production exceeded 8%. However, this growth rate could not be maintained in the following decades. During 1970- 80, the growth rate in steel production came down to 5.7% per annum and picked up marginally to 6.4% per annum during 1980-90, which further increased to 6.65% per annum during 1990-2000. Though India started steel production in 1911, steel exports from India began only in 1964. Exports in the first five years were mainly due to recession in the domestic iron and steel market. Once domestic demand revived, exports declined. India once again started exporting steel only in 1975 touching a figure of 1 million tonnes of pig iron and 1.4 million tonnes of steel in 1976-77. Thereafter, exports again declined to pick up only in 1991-92, when the main producers exported 3.87 lakh tonnes, which rose to 2.79 million tonnes in 1995-96 and 3.3 million tonnes in 2001-02. The growth in the steel sector in the early decades after Independence was mainly in the public sector units set up during this period. The situation has changed dramatically in the decade 1990-2000 with most of the growth originating in the private sector. The share of public sector and private sector in the production of steel during 1990-91 was 46% and 54% respectively, while during 2001-02 the same was 32% and 68% respectively. This change was brought about by deregulation and decontrol of the Indian iron steel sector in 1991. A number of policy measures have been taken since 1991 for the growth and development of the Indian iron steel sector. Some of the important steps are (a) removal of iron steel industry from the list of industries reserved for the public sector and also exempting it from the provisions of compulsory licensing under the Industries (Development Regulation) Act, 1951, (b) deregulation ofprice and distribution of iron steel, (c) inclusion of iron and steel industry in the list of high priority industries for automatic approval for foreign equity investments upto 51%. This limit has been since increased upto 100%, (d) lowering of import duty on capital goods and raw materials etc. Growth of the Indian Steel Sector after Liberlisation Finished Carbon Steel The Indian steel sector was the first core sector to be completely removed from the licensing regime as well as pricing and distribution controls. This was done primarily because of the inherent strengths and capabilities demonstrated by the Indian iron and steel industry. The growth rate in 1995-96 was a phenomenal 20%. During 1996-97, finished steel production shot up to a record 22.72 million tonnes with a growth rate of 6.2%, while in 1997-98, the finished steel production increased to 23.37 million tonnes, which was 2.8% more than the production of the preceding year. The growth rate decreased drastically in 1997-98 and 1998-99 being 2.8% and 1.9% respectively. The growth rate in 2001-2002 was 4.29% with the total production touching 31.63 million tonnes. The production of finished steel during April -December, 2002 has been 23.83 million tonnes, which is 6.3% higher than the production during the corresponding period of 2001-02. Details of total production of finished carbon steel and the share of main and secondary producers in it from 1991-92 onwards are set out in the following table: Production of Finished Carbon Steel (In million tonnes) Year MainProducersSecondaryProducersTotal1991-92 7.96 (55%) 6.37 (45%) 14.331992-93 8.41 (55%) 6.79 (45%) 15.201993-94 8.77 (57.6%) 6.43 (42.4%) 15.201994-95 9.57 (53.8%) 8.25 (46.2%) 17.821995-96 10.59 (49.5%) 10.81 (50.5%) 21.401996-97 10.54 (46.4%) 12.18(53.6%) 22.721997-98 10.44 (44.6%) 12.93(55.4%) 23.371998-99 9.91 (41.6%) 13.91(58.4%) 23.821999-2000 11.20 (41.9%) 15.51(58.1%) 26.712000-2001 12.49 (43%) 16.78(57%) 29.272001-2002 13.05 (42.6%) 17.58(57.4%) 31.632002-2003(Till December,2002)10.38 (44%) 13.45(56%) 23.83(Figures in bracket indicate the percentage share)Pig IronAlongwith the production of steel, the production of pig iron in the countryhas also increased. The details since 1991-92 are as under :-(In million tonnes)Year MainProducersSecondary Producers Total1991-92 1.485 0.102 1.5871992-93 1.679 0.165 1.8441993-94 1.977 0.273 2.2501994-95 2.005 0.780 2.7851995-96 1.735 1.060 2.7951996-97 1.733 1.557 3.2901997-98 1.760 1.687 3.4471998-99 1.354 1.644 2.9981999-2000 1.2 45 1.900 3.1452000-2001 0.970 2.430 3.4002001-2002 1.016 3.055 4.0712002-2003( Till Dec. 2002)0.810 3.075 3.885 Sponge Iron During the early 90s, the sponge iron industry had been specially promoted so as to provide an alternative to steel melting scrap, which was increasingly becoming scarce. The production of sponge iron (Direct Reduced Iron DRI) during the period 1991-92 to 2002-03 was as under:- (In million tonnes) Year Production % increase 1991-92 1.31 1992-93 1.44 9.91993-94 2.40 66.71994-95 3.39 41.31995-96 4.40 29.81996-97 5.01 13.81997-98 5.35 6.781998-99 5.11 -4.48.1999-2000 5.18 1.372000-2001 5.44 5.012001-2002 5.66 3.992002-2003 (Till December 2002) 4.50 - As per the International Iron and Steel Institute, India has emerged as the largest producer of sponge iron in the world in 2001. Production of sponge iron in the country as an alternative feed material to steel melting scrap, which was being imported hitherto in large quantities by the Electric Arc Furnace Units and the Induction Furnace Units, has resulted in considerable savings in foreign exchange. Apparent Consumption of Steel Apparent consumption of steel is arrived at by subtracting export of steel from the total of domestic production and adding the import of steel in the country. Change in stock is also adjusted in arriving at the consumption figures. It is also treated as the actual domestic demand of steel in the country. Details of year-wise apparent consumption of finished steel since 1990-91 are given in the table below :- (In million tonnes)Year ApparentConsumption 1990-91 14.371991-92 14.83 (3.2%)1992-93 15.00 (1.2%)1993-94 15.32 (2.0%)1994-95 18.66 (21.8%)1995-96 21.65 (16.0%)1996-97 22.13 (2.2%)1997-98 22.63 (2.6%)1998-99 23.54(4.02%)1999-2000 25.01(6.24%)2000-2001 26.53(6.08%)2001-2002 27.44(3.39%)2002-2003(Till December,2002)20.65(5.0%) (The figures in brackets indicate the% percentage increase over the previous year. The apparent consumption of steel did not show any substantive increase in 2001-2002 mainly due to slowdown being faced by some of the steel using industries like automobile and engineering industries and construction. With the revival of demand for automobile and engineering goods and general improvement in the economy, it is expected that consumption of steel will increase further. Indias per capita crude steel consumption, as per the latest available figures is 27 Kg, which is far below the level of other developed and developing countries 472.4 kg., 428.6 kg. and 128 kg. in USA, EU and China respectively. With the ongoing economic liberalisation resulting in faster economic growth, steel consumption is expected to increase rapidly. Long Term Demand-Availability Projections of Finished SteelIn order to have a long term perspective to facilitate planning, a Sub-Group on Steel and Ferro Alloys was constituted for the steel sector under the aegis of the Planning Commission. The Sub-Group deliberated upon all aspects including supply-demand projections for finished steel during the period 2001-02 to 2011-12. Considering a GDP growth rate of 6.5% as realistic during the 10thPlan, the Sub-Group has projected the demand of finished carbon steel in the country to rise as follows:- (In million tonnes)Year Forecast of demand for Finished Carbon Steel 2001-02 28.242002-03 30.012003-04 31.912004-05 33.922005-06 36.052006-07 38.222007-08 40.742008-09 43.302009-10 46.032010-11 48.932011-12 52.01 Import and Export of Iron and Steel(a) Import of Steel Import in steel sector has been mainly in plates, hot rolled coils, cold rolled coils and semis. Import of steel (carbon, alloy and stainless ) during 2002-03 (upto December, 2002) was about 0.72 million tonnes. Import of steel (carbon, alloy and stainless) during 2001-02 was about 1.50 million tonnes, which was 17.43% less than imports in 2000-2001. The total import of steel, pig iron and scrap during the last five years and value thereof was as under :- Import of Steel, Pig Iron Steel Scrap (Quantity in million tonnes)(Value in Rupees crores )Category 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03(Provisional)(Upto Jan., 2003)Qty. Value Qty. Value Qty. Value Qty. Value Qty. ValueSaleableSteel1.652 2459.00 2.200 2930.00 1.885 2712.00 1.501 2260.00 1.470 2286.00Pig Iron 0.002 2.00 0.003 2.00 0.002 2.00 .002 2.36 0 .001 1.48SteelScrap0.880 478.00 1.076 584.00 1.512 945.00 1.980 1206.00 1. 225 820.00Total 2.534 2939.00 3.279 3516.00 3.399 3659.00 3.483 3468.36 2.696 3107.48 (b) Export of Steel The general policy and procedures for export and import of iron and steel, ferro alloys and ferro scrap are at present decided by the Ministry of Commerce in consultation with the Ministry of Steel. In a momentous move to push exports aggressively, Government of India has announced several measures in the new Five-year Exim policy (2002-07), which is in effect from 1st April 2002. These include the removal of quantitative restrictions on exports save in respect of a few sensitive items; permission for setting up overseas banking units in Special Economic Zones (SEZ); retention of duty-neutralisation instruments including Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) and other export promotion schemes. The most important move in the new Exim Policy is the reduction of transaction time for exporters by introduction of a new eight-digit commodity classification in line with imports. Under Advance Licensing, the new policy abolishes Duty Exemption Entitlement Certificate (DEEC) Book, a practice foll owed since 1975. The policy also withdraws Advance Licence for annual requirements. Exporters can now avail Advance Licence for any value. The Union Ministry of Commerce Industry has recently gone in for a hike/ revision in the DEPB rates for steel exporters, covering exports of galvanised products, hot rolled coils and cold rolled coils. For HR coils, the rate has been revised to 15%, while for galvanised plain/galvanised coated and cold rolled, the present rates are at 17% and 18% respectively. DEPB Scheme hasbeen made further attractive by including SAD in DEPB with effect from 1st April, 2002. Indias major market for steel and steel items include USA, Canada, Indonesia, Italy, West Asia, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka and Belgium. The major steel items of export include HR coils, plates, CR and galvanized products, pipes, stainless steel, wire rods and wires. With the fall in prices along with depressed domestic demand, India has been increasing exports to overcome the excess supply situation. This has resulted in antidumping actions being taken by developed countries like USA, EU and Canada. The trade action by some countries against Indian steel industry has, to some extent, affected Indias exports to these countries. The Government of India and the Indian steel producers are trying to combat such actions despite such efforts being very expensive and involving time-consuming procedures. Details of the quantity and value of steel, pig iron and sponge iron exported from the year 1998-99 are given in the table below: Item 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03** (Apr.-Dec.02)Saleable Steel 2.400 3.340 2.570 3.300 2.750Pig Iron* 0.276 0.290 0.232 0.312 0.351Sponge Iron* 0.169 Nil Nil Nil NilTotal 2.845 3.630 2.802 3.612 3.101*Source DGCIS ** Provisional Current Global Scenario In the year 2000, the World Crude Steel production was 848 million tonnes, showing an impressive growth of 7.6% over the previous year. The world steel consumption also rose by almost 8%. The international steel trade constituted around 303 million tons or 40.5% of the production. In 2001 and 2002, world crude steel production was 833.70 million tonnes and 886.70 million tonnes, respectively. The following significant developments have been witnessed recently in the global steel scenario: There has been a spate of mergers and acquisitions all over the world in the steel industry. This is a relatively new development in the steel industry and is not confined only to companies within the same country but often involved cross border acquisitions and mergers. China has emerged as the most vibrant market for steel production and consumption. The crisis of excess capacity and prevalence of market distorting practices in the global steel market has induced protectionist measures from a number of steel trading countries. To address these issues a series of high level inter-governmental meetings have been held under the auspices of the OECD. In March 2002, the US President announced imposition of temporary safeguard measures on import of key steel products into USA. In retaliation in respect to the US action, EU has also imposed provisional safeguard measures against import of certain steel products. China, Canada and Thailand etc. have initiated safeguard investigations agai nst import of steel products into their countries. Domestic Steel Sector Scenario The iron and steel sector has been experiencing a slowdown in the last few years. The steel market remained sluggish and price levels of steel and steel products remained stagnant. This stagnancy resulted in steel companies registering net losses. However, steel prices started to pick up from April 2002 and this upturn is expected to help steel companies to reduce their net losses. The growth of steel sector is dependent upon the growth of the economy in general and the growth of industrial production and infrastructure sectors in particular. The major reasons for the slow growth in the steel sector during the last few years include: (a) Cost escalation in the input materials for iron and steel Power tariff, freight rates, coal prices etc. have been under the administered price regime. These rates have been frequently enhanced, thereby contributing to the rise in input costs for steel making.(b) Continuous reduction in import duty on iron and steel After liberalisation, import duty rates on iron and steel items have been gradually reduced over the years. This has opened up the domestic iron and steel sector to international competition. The extent of changes brought about in the customs duty of some of the items of steel since 1993-94 are given below: (Import Duties % Ad valorem )Item 1993-941994-951995-961996-971997-98 1998-991999-20002000-01 2001-02HR COILS 50% 40% 30% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25%CR COILS 75% 50% 40% 25% 30% 30% 35% 35% 35%Plates 75% 50% 40% 30% 30% 30% 35% 35% 35%Bars/ Rods/Structurals85% 50% 40% 30% 30% 30% 35% 35% 35%Measures taken by Ministry of Steel to boost Demand The Ministry of Steel has been making all out efforts to help the domestic steel sector to overcome the problems faced by the steel industry and boost demand for steel in the steel consuming sectors. These include:- (a) Establishing Training cum Service institutes The Ministry has endeavored to promote research and developmental efforts by industry as well as provide technical support and trained manpower to the steel producing and consuming sectors. The following institutes have been set up:- (i) The Institute for Steel Development and Growth (INSDAG), Kolkata (West Bengal):- This is meant to promote usage of steel primarily in the construction industry by producing working designs and updating Engineering College syllabi. (ii) Biju Patnaik National Steel Institute, Puri (Orissa):- This has been set up for providing training-cum-service promotion for the industry. (iii) National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology(NISST), Mandi Govind Garh (Punjab):- This is primarily meant to promote upgradation of manpower in the secondary steel industry. (b) Campaign for increasing demand for Steel The Development Commissioner for Iron Steel (DCIS) has launched a National Campaign for increasing the demand for steel, in non-traditional sectors, particularly in the construction, rural and agro-based industrial sectors. In this connection, a conference was held on 21.9.2002 jointly organised by Ministry of Steel and Ministry of Rural Development for promotion of use of steel in the rural markets. Various measures were suggested to increase the use of steel in the rural areas. It was decided that the cooperation of Ministry of Surface Transport, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Small Scale Industries Agro and Rural Industries, Ministry of Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution and Planning Commission may be obtained for the mission. (c) Reduction in Power Rail Tariffs In order to make despatches of iron and steel material more attractive through the railways, the Railway Board has been requested to consider lowering the classification of steel; give freight discount to bulk users and to bring down freight rates of iron and steel commodities. (d) Reduction in input costs The Ministry of Steel has been able to rationalise the classification of coking coal in consultation with the Coal Ministry so as to reduce the impact of royalty payable on this basic raw material. Import duties on several raw materials used by the steel industry have been reduced steadily over the past 4 -5 years. (e) Strengthening of Anti Dumping mechanism The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping And Allied Duties under the Ministry of Commerce is the ‘Designated Authority to initiate necessary action for investigation and subsequent imposition of anti-dumping duty when there is sufficient evidence of imports being dumped in India. A recent study by the Metal Bulletin Review reveals that in case of flat products, almost every steel producing country has either an anti-dumping case instituted against it or has started a case against exporting countries. As the consumption in India was increasing with the increase of domestic availability, the steel exporters particularly from the Russian/CIS countries have been depressing the Indian market by unduly cheap exports through dumping. India has already imposed anti-dumping duties mainly on HR products imported from these countries. Apart from the flat products, there has been imposition of antidumping duties on certain grades of alloy and non-alloy steel billets, bars and rounds from China and Russia. (f) OECD Meetings The crisis of excess capacity and prevalence of market distorting practices in the global steel market has induced protectionist measures from a number of steel trading countries. To address these issues, a series of High Level Inter- Governmental meetings have been held in which representatives from countries accounting for nearly 95% of the total steel production have been participation. These meetings serviced by the OECD Secretariat are being held in pursuance of President Bushs initiatives for a multilateral steel capacity. These initiatives are being supported by major steel producing nations including the European Community and Japan. Five High Level Meetings have already been held. India has a number of concerns with regard to the modalities of excess capacity reduction and enforcement of disciplines in the steel market. India has not forecast any closure of surplus steel capacity. It has been pointed out that our installed capacity which had reached around 40 million tonnes per annum in the mid to late nineties, is now estimated to be around 33-34 million tonnes against domestic demand of around 29 million tonnes. This is largely on account of closure of units in the secondary sector due to operation of market forces. The other participating countries have, however, forecast closure of excess capacity to the extent of 95-100 million tonnes by 2010 and furnished detailed break down of likely closure by 2005. The Working Group on Capacity, established during the third High Level Meeting, will monitor these market forecasts. Future Prospects With the onset of liberalisation, the steel industry has to gear-up, not only to meet domestic competition, but also the global competition in terms of product range, quality and price. The growth of the steel sector is intricately linked with the growth of the Indian economy and especially the growth of the steel consuming sectors. India has become self-sufficient in iron and steel materials in the last 3-4 years. Exports are rising and imports are taking place mostly in a few specialised categories. Production and production capacities are increasing. The position needs to be further consolidated and issues affecting production and consumption need to be resolved on a continuous basis. At the same time, productivity of our steel plants must be maintained at levels close to international standards. The Ministry of Steel continues to play an active and major role in helping the steel industry to overcome bottlenecks in the growth of this sector. Steel Exporters Forum The Ministry of Steel has set up a Steel Exporters Forum in February 1998 with a view to fulfil the long felt need of the producers and exporters from the iron and steel sector and also to resolve issues, problems and bottlenecks faced by them in exports. The Chairman of the Forum is the Development Commissioner for Iron and Steel. All major steel producers/associations are its members. Representatives of the Ministries of Finance, Railways and Surface Transport are also its members in addition to the Ministry of Steel.

Babe Ruth :: essays research papers

“Your simply incorrigible'; replied Babe’s wife. For years, the great baseball player “Babe Ruth'; has been called this, Yet despite these remarks Babe also possessed a humble heart towards children. Then on the other hand Babe possessed the attribute of being brutal and incorrigible. In this essay I will discuss these so distant characteristics that “The Great Bambino'; owned.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many loved “The Great Bambino';. For several reasons why. Unfortunately only the children saw this good side of him. It was when Babe Ruth stopped by the orphanage to equip the children with brand new shoes that really shocked the children. For not only did the children see a great baseball player but also a fastidious man. But Babe was also abandoned in his life. And that’s what led many to believe why he was such an altruistic man. Many loved the man and a lot hated him but none of that mattered as long as the children idolized him it was worth it. It was also when Babe Ruth was coming home from a football game. That a man burst out of the audience and yelled “ my boy, my boy… he’s dying, just sign this it would mean the world to him'; but not only did he sign the ball but he also visited him in the hospital After a eccentric conversation with Johnny Sylvester. Babe promised to hit a home run for the kid but Johnny Sylvester decline d he didn’t only want one home run he wanted two. So Babe laughed and promised, in the next game Babe did do that for him. And more, after the much-anticipated home run Babe ran to the microphone and told him to get better, and he did.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On the other hand Babe owned the characteristic of being brutal and incorrigible. Many believe that Babes’ lack in common manners were because of his orphanage. “Incorrigible'; and that’s what he was labeled. And he was that, but it was shenanigans such as hanging his coach, Miller Huggings off the end of the train that brought publicity. After a stormy conversation with his wife, Miller burst in his train cabin complaining about cleaning up and paying for all the stuff that he broke and Babe just got tired of it and hung off the end of the train until he said he was sorry. Yet after these shenanigan’s Babe seemed to do the same exact thing time after time.

Culture in a Global Economy

Culture in a global economy is a critical factor in international business. While many business transactions make economic sense, the ability to successfully fulfill profitable relationships often depends on being able to reconcile international differences arising from separate cultures. Understanding cultural differences is an initial step, but managers also need to engage in learning processes to develop international cultural competence. Cross-cultural training enables managers to acquire both knowledge and skills to fulfill the role of cultural agents. Advancing cultural intelligence and international cultural competence is critical to the future success of managers and leaders working in a global context. Culture, as defined in Kroeber and Kluckhohn's classic, Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions, is the â€Å"patterned ways of thinking, feeling, and reacting, acquired and transmitted mainly by symbols, constituting the distinctive achievements of human groups, including their embodiments in artifacts; the essential core of culture consists of traditional (i. e. , historically derived and selected) ideas and especially their attached values† (1952). In international management research, Hofstede defined culture as â€Å"†¦the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from those of another† (1991). Many other definitions of culture are available. Common elements in the definitions are the shared and dynamic nature revolving around norms, values, and beliefs that are expressed in different behaviors, artifacts, and interactions. Within the context of international business, culture involves multiple levels that span from broad to narrow and different dimensions. On a broad level, supranational culture differences span multiple countries and include regional, ethnic, religious, and linguistic dimensions. On a national level, governments create sovereign boundaries to distinguish different nations with political and legal regulatory systems. In the business literature, most research on culture uses the nation-state as a proxy for culture. Other levels of analysis for culture include subcultures, as well as professional and organizational groups. In addition to various levels, culture also involves different dimensions. Four major classifications schemes provide frame-works for identifying international differences in culture. First, anthropologist Edward T. Hall (b. 1914) classified cultural differences along five different dimensions: time, space, things, friendships, and agreements. Second, Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck developed a cultural orientations framework that identified six issues, with variations in each one: relation to nature, relationships among people, mode of human activity, belief about basic human nature, orientation to time, and use of space. Third, Hofstede's framework is one of the most prominent one in international management. He identified four major dimensions of cultural values—individualism-collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity-femininity—along with a fifth dimension subsequently identified as Confucian Dynamism, or long-term orientation. Finally, Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner extended Hofstede's classification with seven dimensions that include universalism versus particularism, collectivism versus individualism, affective versus neutral relationships, specificity versus diffuseness, achievement versus ascription, orientation toward time, and internal versus external control. The four different classifications provide different and overlapping approaches to organize the many complex dimensions that make up culture. A major premise underlying the need for organizing different cultural dimensions is a means to avoid costly mistakes in conducting international business. The different classifications provide a map to make sense of the complex nature of culture. Important caveats to keep in mind are that each classification is not exhaustive and each one originates from a particular cultural perspective. Managers have to engage in learning processes with cross-cultural training to develop both cultural intelligence and international cultural competence. Cross-cultural training for international assignments encompasses a broad range of methods that may include area briefings, readings, lecture/discussions, language lessons, films, self-assessment exercises, role plays, field trips, sensitivity training, and cross-cultural simulations. Cross-cultural training also needs to be coordinated in multiple phases to maximize the learning effectiveness for individual managers and organizational performance. The three phases are predeparture orientation, in-country socialization, and country exit debriefing. The exit debriefing is important for organizational learning, and a knowledge management system can support the capture of the cultural lessons that are learned. Kim and Ofori-Dankwa described four major delivery methods for cross-cultural training: the intellectual model, the area simulation model, the self-awareness model, and the cultural awareness model. The intellectual model involves the traditional classroom approach of general readings and lecture. The area simulation model incorporates culture-specific activities (e. . , working in Japan or Mexico) with games and exercises. The self-awareness training method focuses on having participants identify their strengths and weaknesses in dealing with different cultures, especially taken-for-granted assumptions about intercultural situations. The cultural awareness model focuses on the theoretical foundation for behavioral differenc es across cultures. The key to effective cross-cultural training is the integration of multiple methods that allow a participant to move from simple to complex levels of learning with increasing levels of training rigor. The purpose of using multiple methods in cross-cultural training is to advance the learning process through the learning stages to develop cultural intelligence and international cultural competence. Cultural intelligence integrates the three interrelated elements of knowledge, mindfulness, and behavioral skills. International cultural competence goes a step further with a more complex skill set that integrates cognitive, affective, and behavioral learning to effectively engage in successful cross-cultural relationships. International cultural competence is very similar to intercultural communication competence, which integrates three components: culture-specific understanding of the other, culture-general understanding, and positive regard of the other. Increasing one's ability to work effectively across cultures also provides positive support to address a range of adjustment issues for expatriates who often face culture shock in the acculturation process. Overall, the most important key of cultural intelligence and intercultural competence is the integration of multiple spheres of cross-cultural learning to effectively engage in international business situations. Effectiveness in reconciling cross-cultural differences often leads to creativity, innovation, and synergy for productive workplace performances. Although cross-cultural training supports global managers' ability to be effective, the learning process often moves through different stages of development. The different development stages of cultural intelligence are: (1) reactivity to external stimuli, (2) recognition of other cultural norms and motivation to learn more about them, (3) accommodation of other cultural norms and rules, (4) assimilation of diverse cultural norms into alternative behaviors, and (5) proactiveness in cultural behavior based on recognition of change cues that others do not perceive. Global managers with high levels of cultural intelligence and competence play important strategic roles as cultural agents (c-agents), helping their organizations to span international boundaries. C-agents require both the ability to navigate different cultures and the legitimacy from different cultural perspectives, including organizational and within the local community. Organizations have increasing needs for global managers to fill the role of c-agents because demands of globalization increasingly depend on successful relationships with strategic alliance partners, international vendors, and global customers. Within the global arena, national borders often form the defining entity for a culture. However, analysis of cultural differences needs to account for a range of diversity within a national culture. On a continuum of cultural diversity that ranges from homogenous to heterogeneous, Japan, Norway, and Poland are relatively more homogeneous when compared to India, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Britain, and Canada. The more heterogeneous societies encompass more distinctions between subcultures within the national borders. However, it is important to account for the fact that â€Å"almost no country is entirely homogeneous. The world's nearly 200 countries contain some 5000 ethnic groups. Two-thirds have at least one substantial minority—an ethnic or religious group that makes up at least 10 percent of the population. † In many ways, how a society addresses issues of multiculturalism creates an orientation that enables its citizens to live and work together in a global community. Cultural norms shaped by national government policies will need to avoid and dismantle policies for separation (keeping different cultural identities but not integrated) or assimilation (forced rejection of traditional cultural identity to integrate into dominant identity) in order to adopt new approaches of multiculturalism. Important principles for multicultural policies center on promoting tolerance and cultural understanding to respect diversity, recognize multiple identities, and build common bonds of membership to the local community. In the future globalization will continue to increase the flow and interactions of people across cultures, which surfaces even more international differences. Understanding the different dimensions of culture provides an initial knowledge base to develop cultural intelligence and competence for effective international business relationships. However, global managers require cross-cultural training to advance their learning and growth in cultural intelligence and competence as they take on international assignments. More importantly, organizations will have an increasing need for global managers to become c-agents to develop effective international relationships. In addition, government leaders have opportunities to shape their national culture and support international competitiveness with new multiculturalism policies that promote both the inclusion of multiple cultural identities and the development of local communities in an era of globalization.

Hypacrosaurus - Facts and Figures

Hypacrosaurus - Facts and Figures Name: Hypacrosaurus (Greek for almost the highest lizard); pronounced hi-PACK-roe-SORE-us Habitat: Woodlands of North America Historical Period: Late Cretaceous (70-65 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 30 feet long and 4 tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Pointed crest; spines growing out from backbone About Hypacrosaurus Hypacrosaurus received its odd name (almost the highest lizard) because, when it was discovered in 1910, this duck-billed dinosaur was considered second only to Tyrannosaurus Rex in size. Needless to say, it has since been outclassed by numerous other dinosaurs, both herbivorous and carnivorous, but the name has stuck. What sets Hypacrosaurus apart from most other hadrosaurs is the discovery of a complete nesting ground, complete with fossilized eggs and hatchlings (similar evidence has been found for another North American duck-billed dinosaur, Maiasaura). This has allowed paleontologists to piece together a fair amount of information about Hypacrosaurus growth patterns and family life: for instance, we know that Hypacrosaurus hatchlings attained adult size in 10 or 12 years, far sooner than the 20 or 30 years of the typical tyrannosaur. Like most other hadrosaurs, Hypacrosaurus was distinguished by the prominent crest on its snout (which didnt quite attain the baroque shape and size of, say, the crest of Parasaurolophus). The current thinking is that this crest was a resonating device for funneling blasts of air, allowing males to signal females (or vice-versa) about their sexual availability, or to warn the herd about approaching predators.

bc earthquake essays

bc earthquake essays The settlement of people in the Pacific Northwest is heaviest along the coastline, which is coveted for its natural beauty and warmer winter climate. However, out of sight from the settlements and deep below the earths surface is a ticking, natural time bomb. A megathrust earthquake is not a matter of if, but when and how big. This threat of The Big One is forgotten in the daily lives of the populous. Occasional warnings from seismologists do not convince many to consider relocation as the quality of life and the opportunity for success draws people yearly to the hazard prone region. The risk is very real as there are hundreds of smaller earthquakes every year, but big ones do occur. The biggest earthquake in Canada occurred on August 12th, 1949, along a fault line off the coast; it was recorded at a magnitude of 8.1. Our paper will discuss the geological processes at work off the coast of British Columbia, the scientific and native historical evidence for these catastrophic events within the Ring of Fire. The effects of a megathrust earthquake that occurred three hundred years ago are discussed in relation to Japan. A section is devoted to the technology currently being used to monitor the earths movements and the Provincial governments mitigation strategy. A Subduction-zone Earthquake can be classified into two stages: The first stage is the Interseismic Period or between earthquakes stage, it takes place over hundreds of years. Usually plate convergence is an on-going process, but the two plates in a subduction zone are locked over some width of the subduction thrust fault line. This results in both vertical uplift and horizontal shortening of the overlying plate margin (Figure 4.a). The extent of the deformation inland and the location of the area of maximum uplift are determined by the extent and the location of the locked zone; conversely, the width and...

Risk Management - Critical Analysis Research Paper

Risk Management - Critical Analysis - Research Paper Example In addition, I also focused my analysis on how the history of the scenario contributed to the current state of affairs. I made a conclusion that top managers must be change-oriented to serve the interest of the company, external and internal customers. I also recommended that firm must ensure that change-resisting managers are dismissed to realize the company objective. In this paper, I will showcase how I managed to restore normality based on the risk of employee mass dismissal that led to strike within my workplace. The employee had been complaining about poor working conditions, as well as poor wage packages in our company for a long period of time, but the top management did not take any actions. The situation became worse with time as the manager was rigid and resisted change at all levels. The commandeering style of leadership that he portrayed at the workplace never augured well with the employee who decided to join hand to benefit from a collective bargaining but all their grievances fell on deaf ears. Several peaceful boycotts followed putting the company operations at a risk. Production declined to a greater degree, and the sales volume reduced to a worsening condition with lower employee productivity due to dissatisfaction. The top management ignored the pieces of advice that arose from the emergency and risk department to which I led an d thus it became very difficult to counteract the scenario proactively before it gets out of hands. I tried on several occasions to talk to the executives about the impending risk attached to the employees’ job dissatisfaction ranging from the threats of shuttering the brand image, low sales and even the collapse of the company. However, the executive would never buy any of my ideas as they have more positional power and authority of my position. The results were the company worsened reputation, low sales, massive loyal customers withdrawal with the greater possibility of the company collapse. I will,

Case study on intercultural factors Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Case study on intercultural factors - Essay Example Identify the type of problems that might be due to intercultural differences. How will you pre-empt the discussions and what solutions can you prepare to overcome their concerns and maintain the client relationship.   The term â€Å"International business† revolves around all the business activities which are carried out between two or more countries. This involves a cross-border transaction of goods and services between different countries, regions or nations (Daniels, Radebaugh and Sullivan, 2007). There are different factors that play an important role in determining the success of an international venture in the other country. However, different multinational corporations consider different factors before entering into the global market. These factors include political, cultural, environmental, technological and economical aspects. It has been observed that cultural factors play an important role in determining the success of a business and its acceptability in the society of a particular country (Harrison, and Huntington, 2000). Awareness with the intercultural factors is necessary for two main reasons. Firstly, it reduces the chances of misunderstandings as well as it also minimizes the possibilities of any intercultural mishaps. Secondly, the effective use of intercultural factors helps in maximizing the potential of a business and cultivating everlasting relations with the business partners across borders. Using intercultural differences productively also helps in maximizing business opportunities in other countries (Wiseman, 2003). Skills, knowledge and experience play an important role in determining the success of a business in a global market. However, it has been observed that those companies who fail to understand the cultural awareness in a certain global market end up in absolute failure. Their lack of understanding the cultural differences and similarities of another