Monday, September 30, 2019

The Return: Midnight Chapter 35

Elena felt as if she had been doing nothing in al her life except walk under a shady canopy of high branches. It wasn't cold here, but it was cool. It wasn't dark, but it was dim. Instead of the constant crimson sunlight from the bloated red sun in the first Dark Dimension, they were walking in a constant dusk. It was unnerving, always looking up for the sky and never seeing the moon – or moons – or the planet – that might well be up there. Rather than sky, there was nothing but tangled tree branches, clearly heavy and so intricately entwined as to take up every bit of space above. Was she crazy, thinking that maybe they were on that moon, the diamond bright tiny moon that you could see from the outside of the Nether World Gatehouse? Was it too tiny to have an atmosphere? Too smal for proper gravity? She had noticed that she felt lighter here and that even Bonnie's steps seemed quite long. Could she†¦? She tensed her legs, let go of Stefan's hand, and jumped. It was a long jump, but it hadn't taken her anywhere near the canopy of woven branches above. And she didn't land neatly on her toes, either. Her feet flew out from under her on mil ennia of leaf mold and she skidded on her rear end for maybe three feet, before she could dig her fingers and feet in and stop. â€Å"Elena! Are you All right?†She could hear Stefan and Bonnie cal ing from behind her, and a quick, impatient: Are you crazy? from Damon. â€Å"I was trying to figure out where we were by testing the gravity,†she said, standing up on her own and brushing leaves off the seat of her jeans, mortified. Damn! Those leaves had gone up the back of her T-shirt, had even gotten inside her camisole. The group had left most of their furs behind at the Gatehouse, where Sage could guard them, and Elena didn't even have spare clothes. That had been stupid, she told herself angrily now. Embarrassed, she tried to walk and shimmy at the same time, to get the crumbled leaves out of her top. Final y she had to say, â€Å"Just a second, everybody. Guys, could you turn around? Bonnie, could you come back here and help me?†Bonnie was glad to help and Elena was astonished at how long it took to pick gunk away from her own flinching back. Next time you want a scientific opinion, try asking, Damon's scornful telepathy commented. Aloud, he added, â€Å"I'd say it's about eighty percent Earth's gravity here and we could well be on a moon. Doesn't signify. If Sage hadn't helped us with this compass, we'd never be able to find the tree's trunk – at least not in time.† â€Å"And remember,†Elena said, â€Å"that the idea that the star bal is near the trunk is just a guess. We have to keep our eyes open!† â€Å"But what should we look for?†Once, Bonnie would have wailed this. Now she simply asked quietly. â€Å"Well†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Elena turned to Stefan. â€Å"It wil look bright, won't it? Against this horrible half-light?† â€Å"This horrible camouflage-green half-light,†Stefan agreed. â€Å"It should look like a slightly shifting bright light.† â€Å"But put it like this,†Damon said, walking backward graceful y and flashing his old 250-kilowatt smile for a second at them. â€Å"If we don't fol ow Sage's suggestion, we'l never find the trunk. If we try to wander randomly around this world, we wil never find anything – including our way back. And then not only Fel ‘s Church, but we wil al die, in this order. First, we two vampires wil break with al civilized behavior, as starvation – â€Å" â€Å"Stefan won't,†cried Elena, and Bonnie said, â€Å"You're just as bad as Shinichi, with his ‘revelations'about us!† Damon smiled subtly. â€Å"If I were as bad as Shinichi, little redbird, you would already be punctured like an empty juice box – or I would be sitting back with Sage, enjoying Black Magic – â€Å" â€Å"Look, this is pointless,†Stefan said. Damon feigned sympathy. â€Å"Maybe you have†¦problems†¦in the canine area, but I do not, little brother.†He deliberately held the smile this time so everyone could see his pointed teeth. Stefan wouldn't be baited. â€Å"And it's holding us up – â€Å" â€Å"Wrong, little brother. Some of us have mastered the art of speaking and walking at the same time.† â€Å"Damon – stop it! Just stop!†Elena said, rubbing her hot forehead with cold fingers. Damon shrugged, Stillmoving backward. â€Å"You only had to ask,†he said, with just the slightest emphasis on the first word. Elena said nothing in return. She felt feverish. It wasn't al just straight walking. Frequently there were huge mounds of knotted roots in their way that had to be climbed. Sometimes Stefan had to use the axe from his backpack to make footholds. Elena had come to hate the deep green demi-light more than anything. It played tricks on her eyes, just as the muffled sound of their feet on the leaf-strewn ground played tricks on her ears. Several times she stopped – and once Stefan did – to say, â€Å"There's someone else here! Fol owing us!† Each time they had al stopped and listened intently. Stefan and Damon sent telepathic probes of Power as far as they could reach, seeking another mind. But either it was so well disguised as to be invisible or it didn't exist at all. And then, after Elena felt as if she had been walking her whole life, and would keep walking until eternity ended, Damon stopped abruptly. Bonnie, just behind him, sucked in her breath. Elena and Stefan hurried forward to see what it was. What Elena saw made her say, unsteadily, â€Å"I think maybe we missed the trunk and†¦found†¦the edge†¦Ã¢â‚¬  On the ground in front of her and as far as she could see, was the star-studded darkness of space. But washing out the light of the stars was a huge planet and two huge moons, one swirled blue and white and one silver. Stefan was holding her hand, sharing the wonder with her, and tingles ran up her arm and into her suddenly weak knees, just from his feather-light touch on her fingers. Then Damon said caustical y, â€Å"Look up.† Elena did and gasped. For just an instant her body was completely unmoored. She and Stefan automatical y wound their arms around each other. And then Elena realized what they were seeing, both above and below. â€Å"It's water,†she said, staring at the pool spread out before them. â€Å"One of those freshwater seas Sage told us about. And not a ripple on it. Not a breath of wind.† â€Å"But it does look as if we're on that smal est moon,†Stefan said mildly, his eyes deceptively innocent as he looked at Damon. â€Å"Yes, Well, then there's something exceedingly heavy at the core of this moonlet, to al ow for eight-tenths the gravity we normal y experience, and to hang on to so much atmosphere – but who cares about logic? This is a world we reached through the Nether World. Why should logic apply?†He looked at Elena with slightly narrowed, hooded eyes. â€Å"Where is the third one? The grave one?† The voice came from behind them – Elena thought. She was – they al were – turning from looking at bril iant light into half-darkness. Everything shimmered and danced before her eyes. â€Å"Grave Meredith; laughing Bonnie; And Elena with golden hair. They whisper and then are silent†¦ They plot and I no longer care†¦ But I must have Elena, Elena with the Golden Hair†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Well, you're not going to have me!†cried Elena. â€Å"And that poem is a complete misquote, anyway. I remember it from freshman English class. And you're crazy! â€Å"Even through her anger and fear she wondered about Fel ‘s Church. If Shinichi was here, could he bring about the Last Midnight there? Or could Misao simply set it off with a languid wave? â€Å"But I will have you, golden Elena,†the kitsune said. Both Stefan and Damon had knives out. â€Å"That's just where you're wrong, Shinichi,†Stefan said. â€Å"You wil never, ever touch Elena again.† â€Å"I have to try. You've taken everything else.† Elena's heart was pounding now. If he'l talk sense to any of us, he'l talk to me, she thought. â€Å"Shouldn't you be getting ready for the Last Midnight, Shinichi?†she asked in a friendly tone, inwardly trembling in case he should say, â€Å"It's already over.† â€Å"She doesn't need me. She wouldn't protect Misao. Why should I help Her?† For a moment Elena couldn't speak. She? She? Other than Misao, what other She was involved in this? Damon had a crossbow out now, with a quarrel loaded in it. But Shinichi just went rambling on. â€Å"Misao couldn't move anymore. She had put al her Power into her star bal , you see. She never laughed or sang any longer – never made up any plots with me. She just†¦sat. â€Å"Final y she asked me to put her into myself. She thought we'd become one that way. So she dissolved and merged right into me. But it didn't help. Now†¦I can barely hear her. I've come to get my star bal . I've been using its energy to travel through the dimensions. If I put Misao into my star bal , she'l recover. Then I'l hide it again – but not where I left it last. I'l put it farther up where no one else wil ever find it.†He seemed to focus on his listeners. â€Å"So I guess it's Misao and I who are talking to you right now. Except that I'm so lonely – I can't feel her at all.† â€Å"You wil not touch Elena,†Stefan said quietly. Damon was looking grimly at the rest of the group at Shinichi's words, â€Å"†¦I'l put it farther up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Go on, Bonnie, keep moving,†Stefan added. â€Å"You too, Elena. We'l fol ow.† Elena let Bonnie go some feet ahead before saying telepathical y, We can't break up, Stefan; there's only one compass. Watch out, Elena! He might hear you! came Stefan's voice, and Damon added flatly, Shut up! â€Å"Don't bother tel ing her to shut up,†Shinichi said. â€Å"You're mad if you think that I can't just pick your thoughts right out of your minds. I didn't think you were that stupid.† â€Å"We're not stupid,†Bonnie said hotly. â€Å"No? Then did you figure out my riddles for you?† â€Å"This is hardly the time for that,†Elena snapped. It was a mistake, for it caused Shinichi to focus on her again. â€Å"Did you tel them what you think about the tragedy of Camelot, Elena? No, I didn't think you'd have the courage. I'l tel them, then, shal I? I'l read it as you put it in your diary.† â€Å"No! You can't have read my diary! Anyway – it's no longer applicable! â€Å"Elena flared. â€Å"Let me see†¦these are your own words now.†He assumed a reading voice. ‘Dear Diary, one of Shinichi's riddles was what I thought of Camelot. You know, the legend of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and the knight she loved, Lancelot. And here's what I thought. A lot of innocent people died and were miserable because three selfish people – a king, a queen, and a knight – couldn't behave in a civilized way. They couldn't understand that the more you love, the more you find to love. But those three couldn't give in to love and just share – al three of them†¦'† â€Å"Shut up!†screamed Elena. â€Å"Shut up!† My God, Damon said, my life just lapped itself. So did mine. Stefan sounded dizzy. Just forget about all of it, Elena told them. It's not true anymore. Stefan, I'm yours forever, and I always was. And right now w e've got to get rid of this bastard, and run for the trunk. â€Å"Misao and I used to do that,†Shinichi said. â€Å"Talk alone together on a special frequency. You're certainly a good manipulator, Elena, to keep them from kil ing each other over you.† â€Å"Yes, it's a special frequency I cal the truth,†Elena said. â€Å"But I'm not half as good a manipulator as Damon is. Now attack us or let us go away. We're in a hurry!† â€Å"Attack you?†Shinichi seemed to be thinking over the idea. And then, faster than Elena could track it, he went for Bonnie. The vampires, who had been expecting him to try to get to Elena, were caught off guard, but Elena, who had seen the flicker of his eyes toward the weaker girl, was already diving for him. He moved back so quickly that she found herself heading for his legs, but then she realized she had a chance to throw him off balance. She deliberately went for a headbutt with his kneecap, at the same time stabbing deep into his foot with her knife. Forgive me, Bonnie, she thought, knowing what he would do. It was the same as what he'd had his puppet, Damon, do when he'd held Elena and Matt hostage before – except that he didn't need a pine branch to direct the pain. Black energy erupted directly from his hands into Bonnie's smal body. But there was another factor he hadn't taken into account. When he'd had Damon attack Matt and Elena he'd had the sense to keep away from them while directing agony into their bodies. This time, he'd seized Bonnie and wrapped his arms around her. And Bonnie was a most excel ent telepath herself, especial y at projecting. When the first wave of agony hit her, she screamed – and redirected the pain toward Shinichi. It was like completing a circuit. It didn't hurt Bonnie any less, but it meant that anything Shinichi did to her he felt in his own body, amplified by Bonnie's terror. That was the system that Elena slammed into as hard as she could. When her head impacted with his knee, his kneebone was the more fragile of the two, and something inside it crackled. Dazed, she concentrated on twisting the knife she'd stabbed through his foot and into the soil below. It wouldn't have worked if she hadn't had two extremely agile vampires right behind her. Since Shinichi didn't fal over, she would just have been putting her neck at the perfect level for him to snap cleanly. But Stefan was only a split second behind her. He seized her and was out of Shinichi's reach before the kitsune could even assess the situation properly. â€Å"Let me go,†Elena gasped at Stefan. She was determined to get Bonnie. â€Å"I left my knife,†she added craftily, finding a more concrete reason for forcing Stefan to let her back into the fray. â€Å"Where?† â€Å"In his foot, of course.† She could feel Stefan trying not to laugh out loud. â€Å"I think that's a good place to leave it. Take one of mine,†he added. If you've quite finished your little chat, you might get rid of his tails, came Damon's cold telepathy. At that moment Bonnie passed out, but with her own telepathic circuits Stillwide open and directed back toward Shinichi. And now Damon had gone into offensive mode, as if he cared nothing about Bonnie's well-being, as long as he could get through her to Shinichi. Stefan, quick as a striking snake, went for one of the many tails that now waved behind Shinichi, advertising his tremendous Power. Most of them were translucent, and they surrounded his real tail – the flesh-and-blood tail that every fox had. Stefan's knife went snick and one of the phantom tails fel to the ground and then disappeared. There was no blood, but Shinichi keened in fury and pain. Damon, meanwhile, was ruthlessly attacking from the front. As soon as Stefan had distracted the kitsune from the back, Damon slashed both Shinichi's wrists – one quickly on the upstroke, the other just as fast on the down-stroke. Then he went for a body blow just at the moment that Stefan, with Elena held like a baby on his hip, snicked away another phantom tail. Elena was struggling. She was seriously worried that Damon would kill Bonnie to get to Shinichi. And besides, she herself would not be toted around like a piece of luggage! Civilization had tumbled down al around her and she was reacting from her deepest instincts: protect Stefan, protect Bonnie, protect Fel ‘s Church. Put the enemy down. She hardly realized that in her heightened state she had sunk her unfortunately Still-human teeth into Stefan's shoulder. He winced slightly, but he listened to her. All right! Try to get Bonnie, then – see if you can ease her. He let go of her just as Shinichi whirled to deal with him, channeling the black pain that, back on Earth, had flung Matt and Elena off their feet in seizures, directly toward Stefan. Elena, just released, found that everyone was making a half turn, as if to oblige her, and suddenly she saw a chance. She snatched at the limp form of Bonnie, and Shinichi dropped the smal er girl into her arms. Words were echoing in Elena's brain. Get Bonnie. See if you can ease her. Well, she had Bonnie now. Her own sense split Stefan's two orders with another – get her away from Shinichi. She's the priceless hostage. Elena found that she could almost scream with fury even now. She had to keep Bonnie safe – but that meant leaving Stefan, gentle Stefan, at the mercy of Shinichi. She scrambled away with Bonnie – so smal and light – and at the same time threw a backward glance at Stefan. He was wearing a slight frown of concentration now, but he was not only not overwhelmed with pain, he was pressing forward the attack. Even though Shinichi's head was on fire. The bril iant crimson tips of his black hair had burst into flames, as if nothing else would express his enmity and his certainty of winning. He was crowning himself with a flaming garland, a hel ish halo. Elena's anger at that turned into chil s down her spine as she watched something most people never lived to analyze: two vampires attacking together, perfectly in sync. There was the elemental savagery in it of a pair of raptors or wolves, but there was also the awesome beauty of two creatures working as a single, unified body. The distance in Stefan's and Damon's expressions said that this was a fight to the death. The occasional frown from Stefan or vicious smile from Damon meant that Shinichi was sending his searing dark Power through one or the other of them. But these weren't weak humans Shinichi was playing with now. They were both vampires with bodies that healed almost instantly – and vampires who had both fed recently – from her – Elena. Her extraordinary blood was feuling them now. So I'm already a part of this, Elena thought. I'm helping them right now. That would have to satisfy the savagery this no-holds-barred fight elicited in her. To ruin the perfect synchronicity with which the two vampires were handling Shinichi would be a crime, especial y when Bonnie was Stilllimp in her arms. As humans, we're both liabilities, she thought. And Damon wouldn't hesitate to tel me so, even if al I wanted was to get in one single stroke. Bonnie, come on, Bonnie, she thought. Hold on to me. We're getting farther away. She picked up the smal er girl under the armpits and dragged her. She backed up into the olive dimness that stretched in al directions. When she tripped over a root and accidental y sat down, she decided that she'd gone far enough, and maneuvered Bonnie into her lap. Then she cupped her hands around Bonnie's little heart-shaped face and she thought of the most soothing things she could imagine. A cool plunge at Warm Springs back home. A hot bath at Lady Ulma's and then a four-handed massage, lying comfortably on a drying couch with the scent of floral incense rising around her. A cuddle with Saber in Mrs. Flowers's informal den. The decadence of sleeping late and waking up in her own bed – with her own mother and father and sister in the house. As Elena thought of this last, she couldn't help giving a tiny gasp, and a teardrop fel onto Bonnie's forehead. Bonnie's eyelashes fluttered. â€Å"Now, don't you be sad,†she whispered. â€Å"Elena?† â€Å"I've got you, and nobody's going to hurt you again. Do you Stillfeel bad?† â€Å"A little. But I could hear you, in my mind, and it made me feel better. I want a long bath and a pizza. And to hold baby Adara. She can almost talk, you know. Elena – you're not listening to me!† Elena wasn't. She was watching the denouement of the fight between Stefan and Damon and Shinichi. The vampires had the kitsune down now and were squabbling over him like a couple of fledglings over a particularly tasty worm. Or maybe like a pair of baby dragons – Elena wasn't sure if birds hissed at each other. â€Å"Oh, no – yuck!†Bonnie saw what Elena was watching and col apsed, hiding her head against Elena's shoulder. Okay, Elena thought. I get it. There's no savagery at allin you, is there, Bonnie? Mischief, but nothing like bloodlust. And that's good. Even as she thought this, Bonnie abruptly sat up straight, bumping Elena's chin, and pointing into the distance. â€Å"Wait!†she cried. â€Å"Do you see that?† That was a very bright light, which flared brighter as each vampire found a place to his liking on Shinichi's body and bit simultaneously. â€Å"Stay here,†Elena said, a little thickly, because when Bonnie had bumped her chin she'd accidental y bitten her tongue. She ran back to the two vampires and knocked them as hard as she could over the heads. She had to get their attention before they got completely locked into feeding mode. Not surprisingly, Stefan detached first, and then helped her to pul Damon off his defeated enemy. Damon snarled and paced, never taking his eyes off Shinichi as the beaten kitsune slowly sat up. Elena noticed drops of blood scattered around. Then she saw it, tucked into Damon's belt, black and crimson-tipped and sleek: Shinichi's real tail. Savagery fled†¦fast. Elena wanted to hide her head against Stefan's shoulder but instead turned up her face for a kiss. Stefan obliged. Then Elena stepped back so that they formed a triangle around Shinichi. â€Å"Don't even think of attacking,†Damon said pleasantly. Shinichi gave a weak shrug. â€Å"Attack you? Why bother? You'l have nothing to go back to, even if I die. The children are pre-programmed to kil . But† – with sudden vehemence – â€Å"I wish we'd never come to your damned little town at all – and I wish we'd never fol owed Her orders. I wish I'd never let Misao near Her! I wish we hadn't – â€Å"He stopped speaking suddenly. No, it was more than that, Elena thought. He froze, eyes wide open and staring. â€Å"Oh, no,†he whispered. â€Å"Oh, no, I didn't mean that! I didn't mean it! I have no regrets – â€Å" Elena had the feeling of something coming at them at tremendous speed, so fast, in fact, that she just had time to open her mouth before it hit Shinichi. Whatever it was, it kil ed him cleanly and passed by without touching anyone else. Shinichi fel facedown onto the dirt. â€Å"Don't bother,†Elena said softly, as Stefan reflexively moved toward the corpse. â€Å"He's dead. He did it to himself.† â€Å"But how?†Stefan and Damon demanded in chorus. â€Å"I'm not the expert,†Elena said. â€Å"Meredith is the expert on this. But she told me that kitsune could only be kil ed by destroying their star bal s, shooting them with a blessed bul et†¦or by the ‘Sin of Regret.'Meredith and I didn't know what that meant back then – it was before we had even gone into the Dark Dimension. But I think we just now saw it in action.† â€Å"So you can't be a kitsune and regret anything you've done? That's – harsh,†Stefan said. â€Å"Not at all,†Damon said crisply. â€Å"Although, if it had operated for vampires, no doubt you would have been permanently dead when you woke up in the family vault.† â€Å"Earlier,†Stefan said expressionlessly. â€Å"I regreted striking you a mortal blow, even as I was dying. You've always said I feel too guilty, but that is one thing I would give my life to take back.† There was a silence that stretched and stretched. Damon was at the front of the group now, and no one but Bonnie could see his face. Suddenly Elena grabbed Stefan's hand. â€Å"We Stillhave a chance!†she told him. â€Å"Bonnie and I saw something bright that way! Let's run!†He and Elena passed Damon running and he grabbed Bonnie's hand too. â€Å"Like the wind, Bonnie!† â€Å"But with Shinichi dead – Well, do we real y have to find his star bal or the biggest star bal or whatever is hidden in this awful place?†Bonnie asked. Once, she would have whined, Elena thought. Now, despite whatever pain she felt, she was running. â€Å"We do have to find it, I'm afraid,†Stefan said. â€Å"Because from what he said, Shinichi wasn't at the top of the ladder after al . He and his sister were working for someone, someone female. And whoever She is, She may be attacking Fel ‘s Church right now.† â€Å"The odds have just shifted,†Elena said. â€Å"We have an unknown enemy.† â€Å"But Still – â€Å" â€Å"Al bets,†Elena said, â€Å"are off.†

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Computers Will Soon Replace Books Essay

There has been a lot of talk lately concerning the possibility of computers replacing the position of books in our life. I believe it is truly possible. Many years ago, people used books for everything related to education. In fact, the human’s best source of knowledge and education was the book. But computers have gained popularity in a very short amount of time and everyone at least has one somewhere around their house. We have the need to use computers for everything. All we have to do is give the computer instructions and it does all the hard work for us. I am going to discuss the benefits that computer has to offer to its users. Firstly, computers are much better than books because a modern computer can hold a billion times more information than the average 400-800-page book. If you want to do a research about anything, it would take you at least an hour just to find the right book but by using a computer, you can find the same information in less than 5 minutes. Many people including me use the internet as a dictionary, finding definitions, so this way only takes the time to type the word. A laptop computer equal to the size and weight of a book holds data about any topic you can think of. A book only covers a specific topic. A computer can hold much more types of data than a book. When you carry one computer, you are carrying a hundred thousand books. Secondly, everyone would agree that an e-books cost much less to produce and less to buy than an actual paper books. The information in a digital format can be shared easily by email or by copying the files onto someone else’s computer or simply by transferring it into your USB drive. It is also easier to edit the information. This makes it overall more convenient for students who might not be able to afford one copy of a book each and who don’t want to make notes and underline points. Free information means at least cheap education. Who would not like a cheaper education? There are numerous websites like Google (search free textbooks in your subject area) and Google books, permit students with a limited budget to get what they want without having to spend large amounts of cash. Free e-books make education accessible and cheap thus more widespread. Last but not least, the most obvious reason why computers are making our lives better is by reducing the number of trees that are cut down for the production of books. I agree that an eBook is not 100 percent green and is far from it. But if you are comparing eBooks to other paperback books, eBooks certainly take the lead. According to â€Å"The e-Book Apocalypse† article, twenty-four trees are required to produce a ton of paper for printing books, and twelve are needed for a ton of newsprint. Thirty-five percent of those books printed are destroyed before they are even read. In 2009, eBook readers took off and the latest reading trend began to grow. In 2010, these reading devices became more popular and started sparking the attention of people everywhere. Some of this attention came from the idea that this new was a huge breakthrough in an effort to save our planet, which I find most definitely possible. To conclude, I understand change, whether it is for the good or the bad, is always a difficult and uncomfortable thing. That is the only reason why the whole world has not yet made the shift from traditional books to e-books. Now, there might be few advantages to paper. But I see a lot more advantages to digital. The fact that I now carry about a hundred books with me, wherever I go, that I can read whenever I want, outweighs any advantage a paper book could give me. Digital books are here to stay and there is no doubt that within a few years we will look at paper books as something saved from the past.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Bridging Social Sciences Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Bridging Social Sciences - Assignment Example Some crimes may be committed in the name of honor, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices that have proved harmful to the lives of the women like forced marriages. Some violence against women may be penetrated by the state or state officials for example sexual slavery, forced displacement at workplaces and trafficking of the women for the purposes of sexual and economic exploitations that may result into violation of human rights of women Violence against women is a vice that is collectively an act that is committed exclusively against women. Some times this type of violence targets a specific group of people with gender victims as main motive (Owoh, K., 1998). Violence against women has been a manifestation of unequal power relation between women and men making it to become a crucial social mechanism through which women are forced in the subordinate positions when compared to men. The calculated data resulting from the motivated violence against women by their intimate partners are estimated to have greater impact both on the direct and indirect individual and public costs. These costs are related to suffering health issues, employment cost among very many other issues. The main cause of domestic violence against women has been struggle for power. The consequence of this vice of the domestic violence against women may be both psychological and physical and may be so devastating that to some people it might be seen as some form of torture. Because of the pervasiveness and the prevalence of this vice in almost all parts of the world, domestic violence has become too common that it affects not only women and their children but also affects the entire community As a result of the pervasiveness of the vice of domestic violence against women in almost all parts of the world, the society must consider and react to this vice with a comprehensive

Comparing bluetooth technology with infrared Essay

Comparing bluetooth technology with infrared - Essay Example Bluetooth exchanges information between devices through a globally unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, Medical (ISM) radio bands. It uses 2.4 GHz short range frequency of ISM. Bluetooth Special Interest Group(SIG) develop and license Bluetooth specifications. The SIG comprises of telecommunication, networking, computing and electronic companies (Newton, Harold). Bluetooth can transmit data between devices such as laptops, telephones, printers, digital cameras, mobile phones and video game consoles. It is a wireless protocol made for low power consumption and has short range which is based on low cost transceiver microchips in each device (Bluetooth SIG). The short ranges of Bluetooth are 1 meter, 10 meters and 100 meters and these ranges are power and class dependent. Class 1 of Bluetooth has a maximum permitted power of 100mW and approximate range of 100m; class 2 has a maximum permitted power of 2.5mW and approximate range of 10m; class 3 has a maximum permitted power of 1mW and approximate range of 1m (Newton, Harold). Bluetooth allows communication to be done among devices when they are in range. Because this system of communication uses radio waves, devices do not need to be in line of sight of each other for communication to take place. (Newton, Harold). In order for a device to be used by Bluetooth, it must be compatible with Bluetooth profiles. The most common use of Bluetooth includes wireless communication between handsets and mobile phones, wireless communication between computer input and output devices, file transfer between devices and OBEX, internet access of personal computers and communications in medical equipment. The technology of Bluetooth exists in many devices like Wi-Fi, telephones, and play stations and also in some high definition headsets and watches. This technology simplifies set up of services between devices. Devices with this technology can advertise all their services. It allows much of the security and permission configuration to be automated making its services easier for use as compared to other network types. A personal computer is required to have Bluetooth adapter in order to develop communication with other Bluetooth devices like mobile phones, keyboards and mice. Some laptops and personal computers have in built adapters while in others an external adapter is required. Through Bluetooth, multiple devices can communicate with a computer over one adapter. A Bluetooth enabled mobile phone allows it be communicated with many devices. The Open Mobile Terminal Platform has recently published a recommendation paper which recommends Bluetooth requirements in mobile phones which covers in car usage, printing and imaging. Bluetooth devices can transmit information like device names, list of services, device class and list of technical information on demand. Any Bluetooth device can undertake an inquiry to find other Bluetooth devices to connect to, and any Bluetooth device can usually respond to such inquires. However if a Bluetooth device that is trying to connect to another device knows the address of that other device than other devices always respond to the direct connection requests and transmit informat

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Choose a particular strategy and evaluate it in light of the future Essay

Choose a particular strategy and evaluate it in light of the future aims of Biocote Ltd - Essay Example Market penetration strategies are most effective when a company seeks to expand its product market. The Biocote’s Ltd current market has its limitation and venturing into other markets will benefit the company immensely. This paper will discuss in detail how Biocote Ltd can implement market penetration strategies and evaluate the strategy. Biocote Ltd can rely on price penetration as one of the most effective approaches used by other businesses that pursuing market penetration. Price penetration requires the company to lower the prices of its products, a factor that is likely to attract new customers in the new market. Adopting a cost production approach will allow Biocote Ltd to lower its prices and have a competitive advantage over its competitors. In other cases, modifying the product may justify the price reduction to increase sales later. Lowering prices has often proved to be an effective strategy for companies that need to penetrate into new markets. The executive and marketing team of Biocote Ltd should give this aspect a proper consideration. A second effective approach to implementing a market penetration strategy is through increased promotions. Notably, promotions have the capacity to create brand awareness and motivate customers in a new market to try out the products. Increased brand recognition and awareness translate into increased sales. Therefore, promotions can help Biocote Ltd to establish a strong customer base in the new market. The company should introduce promotions such as trade discounts and other offers when it moves into a new market. However, there is a salient need for Biocote Ltd to be more aware of the dynamics defining the new markets, as well as the customer preferences and dynamics. Such knowledge will help the company design the most effective promotion. Biocote Ltd can register increased sales in both the healthcare

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Program Theory Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Program Theory - Assignment Example To successfully carry out evaluation on this program, data collection was very crucial. The research methods that were applied in the data collection process included observation and use of semi-structured interviews by the research assistants (Chen, Wan & Lin, 1997). These two methods fall under the wider qualitative techniques that are deemed efficient in uncovering the people’s experience to different situations. In addition, the data collection methods did not require many participants hence making it less costly to carry out. The main drawback of the research method is the fact that the participation of only a section of the population (residents of Nei-fu) made it hard to draw statistical inferences to the rest of the country. My program the non-infectious diseases reduction program is derived from the Centers for Disease Control whose main goal is to protect public health. The main aim of this program will be to encourage outdoor sports activities meant to keep a person physically fit and free from lifestyle diseases. Some of the components of this particular evaluation that would be useful in my program evaluation are both the process and outcome evaluation. This will help in the determination of the success of implementation of the program based on the observed outcome. It will only be possible to conduct the program evaluation after a specific period of time in order to establish whether participants of the program have been able to adopted healthy lifestyles or behaviors during their engagement in outdoor sporting activities. Since changing a person’s behavior takes a while, the considerable time to conduct the evaluation is after four

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Radio activity Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Radio activity - Lab Report Example This experiment illustrates that coins can be used in the laboratory to visualize the process of radioactivity. Radioactivity is a terminology used to refer to the spontaneous changes that occur in the nucleus of unstable atoms accompanied by release particles or electromagnetic radiation. In some cases, it is caused by conflict of two strongest in nature. In connection to this, there are several nuclear isotopes. These isotopes emit radiation and are unstable; some of the radiations emitted by these isotopes are gamma, alpha, and neutron emissions. Gamma radiations are photons that are packets of electromagnetic energy. In the electromagnetic energy spectrum, gamma radiations are the most energetic ionizing radiation. They have about 10,000 more energy than the photons that are found in the visible electromagnetic spectrum. In addition, they also have no electrical charge and mass. Since they have high energy, they can travel at the speed that is equal to that of the light and go for long distances without losing their energy. As a result, they are very dangerous and pass through the human body. Alpha particles, on the other hand, have two protons and two neutrons and, therefore, are the same as a helium particle. When an alpha particle is emitted the parent nucleus changes to another element. A neutron particle on the hand has no charge and, therefore, is neutral. Radioactivity is a random process therefore it is impossible to predict the specific time when a particular atom will decay (Cutnell and Johnson 6). Due to the random nature of radioactivity it is, therefore, a probability event that is entirely dependent on chance. In radioactivity, the half-life is the time taken for the number of radio nuclei of a radioactive sample to reduce to half. The randomness of radioactivity process can be compared to the tossing of a coin activity because the chances of a head or a

Monday, September 23, 2019

Employment Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Employment Law - Essay Example This paper focuses on the problems faced by a female employee named Jami Jensen in her workplace. She was hired by a big International Firm with numerous offices as well as a huge employee base just solely in the Western Region. It needs to be mentioned in this context that Jami was a woman of black origin. She was stated to witness certain unwanted attention from few of the male employees who were included in the group of employment selection at the time of her interview. These consequences proved ruining for her as she had to suffer emotional distress along with medical as well as psychiatric help. Sexual harassment is explained as the unwanted sexual approaches, calling for any kind of sexual favoritism or even other kind of physical as well as vocal behavior that is sexual in character and which is made towards a particular employee under certain specifically stated situations. It can be inferred that the sexual harassment was made to Jami on the base of the compliance or denial towards such a behavior was made to make decisions regarding her promotion. In response to the discrimination and the harassment faced by Jami Jensen, she is considered for tort claims under the state as well as the federal law. The damages that can be claimed by Jami for the civil wrong and sufferings caused to her is back pay where the company needs to provide the salary along with the fringe benefits if any to the employee that was supposed to be earned by that employee during the period of discrimination till the trial date.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Federalism Essay Example for Free

Federalism Essay Due to the immense power of our federal government, people often argue that it is too powerful and should be lessened. Since the 1990’s there has been an effort to shift power from the federal government to the states. States’ rights have been an issue since our country was first founded, and even now we can’t seem to please everyone’s requests at equal power. This country was founded with the attempt to separate the federal government and the state government, known as federalism. The goal of federalism is to divide the power of state and federal governments, protect the rights of the state (through the 10th amendment), prevent tyranny of the majority, and have a government that is close to its people. An example of federalism would be the freeways. They are owned and operated by the states, but the federal government sets down some basic guidelines that all states must follow and also provides funding. Federalism has certain advantages to it such as, state governments have the freedom to adopt policies which may not be followed nationally or by any other state. For example, same-sex marriages are not recognized by the federal government but they are given legal status within the states of Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, etc. This is an advantage because this gives the state some freedom from the national government. If the federal government controlled every little thing that the state governments do then the states would riot out on certain polices that they do not believe in. Another advantage is division of work between the central and the regional government’s leads to optimum utilization of resources. The central government can concentrate more on international affairs and defense of the country while the provincial government can cater to the local needs. If the national government was trying to handle everything states would get pushed to the side as less important. State governments know what the state needs more than the federal government. Also, people that are elected into the state government are able to get to know the people on a more personal level that in the federal government. However, there are also disadvantages to federalism as well. An example would be that federalism does not eliminate poverty. Even in New York, there are poor neighborhoods like Harlem with a majority of black population. The reason for this may be that during policy framing, it is the intellectuals and not the masses who are invited by the local government. These intellectuals may not understand the local needs properly and thus, policies might not yield good results. Sometimes there can be overlapping of work and subsequent confusion regarding who is responsible for what. For example, when hurricane Katrina hit Greater New Orleans, in 2005, there was delay in the rescue work as there was confusion between the state governments and the federal government on who is responsible for which disaster management work. This resulted in the loss of many lives. â€Å"I do believe people should have to work or get an education while receiving benefits. Nobody should get to get a free ride through life! Nobody pays my way through life. I have to work for what I get. That quote is the word of a twenty-two year-old female who holds down a full-time job, pays rent, and taxes. Some, like her, may feel contempt toward welfare recipients who do not work for their benefits. The welfare system is a program for citizens who need assistance, but it should be considered a privilege, not a free ride. Everyone wants-or possesses to want-to end welfare as we know it, even though the welfare system is still thriving. The new program on the market, Workfare, is a reform tactic that will get recipients into the work force and eventually off benefits. Workfare is the obligation to do unpaid work in return for welfare. This obligation is in addition to the general obligation when on welfare to seek paid employment. If a person on social assistance is considered employable then participation is required. If not placed in one of the other programs such as employment support and employment placement, the person will be required to look for work and do community service. Along with what the government is already trying to do there should also be a program that teaches people responsibility. Since the welfare system is so often abused people using the system so know how to manage money, look for employment, etc. How do we expect to get people to stop abusing the system if we don’t make them have to follow the rules? It should be if they don’t go to monthly meetings and participate then they can be kicked off. However, if it is the elderly, or mentally ill (mentally ill as in can’t function alone) then these terms shouldn’t apply. There are always certain terms to which every policy should go by, but if the welfare system continues this way then it is going to kill the country. There is not enough money going into it as there is being taken out of it. Federalism is a major part of our nation. It plays a role in everything we do, and there are certain areas in the system that needs to be addressed such as welfare, abortion, gun control, etc. If these issues are not handled they could get very out of hand. Federalism is a separation of powers which is a good and sometimes bad thing. If federal and state governments could work together life for everyone would just be so much easier.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Health Care Communication Methods Essay Example for Free

Health Care Communication Methods Essay As the Communication Coordinator for this well known drug manufacturer, we will now debate and discus how we will get information to the public about the negative effects that our medications are causing the public. Our goal, as a vital asset to the public and medical community, is to convey all concerns to our community in a very sensitive and careful way. Using the power of newspapers, radio, internet, social networking and news related companies. The local news has already reported that a well-known public figure has been effected which goes against the health portability and accountability act. So as communication coordinator it is important to communicate this issue carefully, addressing the proper population, without losing business and the trust we created with our investors and consumers. Today in our meeting, we will discuss very important aspects of our company’s medical concerns and deciding which communication tactic is most suitable for this situation, while sticking to the very important and necessary HIPPAA guidelines. We will start by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using traditional media, to get the news out to a significant number of the population. Recent reports of negative effects caused by one of the company’s medications need to be addressed. News reports have alleged that one of the individuals is a well-known public figure. Traditional media can include magazines, newspapers, radio and television. There are some great advantages on why these media outlets would be great in reaching our audience regarding this health scare. Two great methods are newspaper and magazines; they can help because we can be precise and explicit when discussing our issue. Additionally, these methods will provide use with a permanent record of the manufacturer attempt to reach the public (Advantages and disadvantages of written communication, 2012). Two other good methods are television and radio. These methods are beneficial because they are cost effective. It allows the communication coordinator to reach the audience directly, while showing attentiveness, emotion and oncern about the negative effects caused by our medication. All these tactics seem like they will work however there are disadvantages with sticking to traditional media outlets instead of using social media or electronic sites. Some main concerns the coordinator will have with using traditional media is that it can only reach a limited amount of people and the company is restricted to a small scope of listerners and readers. According to the national center for education statistcs the U. S. reads between the 8th and 9th grade reading levels. (NCES, 2003). The lack of education and the advancement of technology will minimize the effectiveness of radio, magazines and newspapers. The communication coordinator will continue talking about the different methods of communication. By discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using electronic media, to get information to the public without breaking any HIPAA laws. Some advantages of electronic communication, is that the media tends to be very fast, cost-effective and convenient. Electronic communication will let the coordinator combine numerous media; text graphics sound and video in a single message. This will also give the coordinator the chance to set up a website to give good credible information directly targeted to the population that is effected by the medication, with less chances of interfering with the laws set in place by the HIPPA act. This form of media can result in far more meaningful communication tailored to the population effected by the national drug manufacturer medication. Increasingly doctors are communicating with other practitioners, hospitals, clinics and patients via portable devices. However these attributes contains disadvantages. The technology that enables health care providers and the rest of the nation to keep in touch can also invade privacy. The main disadvantages of using electronic communication, is security. Computers can be hacked, and affected with computer virus. Communication electronically in this particular scenario can also make it difficult, for all affected to understand the message the same. The speed at which the messages are transmitted, often, changes the structure of the message which at times, can be misinterpreted. False or Phantom sites are also a concern. Some foes of this company or medical manufacturing companies may release false or exaggerated negative reports. This could cause the public to lose trust in our efforts to give valuable information and hinder patients to trust products. Electronic communication will lack the human touch. Now we will talk about the disadvantages and advantages of social media facebook, twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn are social networking platforms that are set up and created by web developers. Public internet and social networks can enable communication, collaboration and information collection and sharing. The advantages of using social media are because, â€Å"About one-third of Americans who go online to research their health currently use social networks to find fellow patients and discuss their condition† (Elkin, 2008). As communication coordinator a social network can be used to reach out and receive feedback from the population, and bring awareness about the drug. Social network is where individuals have control on releasing their private information about the drug and the consumer will not be breaking any HIPAA laws. The disadvantages of using social media, is that all information may not always be credible. This method of communicating can also open up the possibility for hackers to commit fraud and launch virus attacks. Social networks increases risk of people falling prey to online scams. The hugest risk using social media such as facebook, YouTube or twitter, Is the inability to control the conversation. The effected population may say a lot of negative things about the company true or not that can damage its reputation. Improper descriptions or discussions of a patient’s case on social media could violate a patient’s privacy, even if no names are used and no harm is intended. As communication coordinator for the national drug manufacturer, in conclusion, all methods of communication have their advantages however the disadvantages outweigh the smartest of the decisions. Majority of the methods will affect the HIPAA law by releasing to much information about personal health. Traditional media, electronic communication and social media sites can be all used in moderation to reach out to the effected population. Traditional media such as newspaper and magazines should be very brief in the information it voices. This method will be used to have record of the company showing some sort of concern about news reporting negative effects of the drug. As the coordinator I feel the best form of communication will be provider and patient’s direct contact. It may be difficult to reach each individual affected however it will be the safest.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Errors And Failures During Oil Well Drilling Engineering Essay

Errors And Failures During Oil Well Drilling Engineering Essay This paper provides a general overview of errors and failures during drilling and tripping operations in the oil industry. The overview is presented in a tabular format for quick and easy reference. The work makes a clear distinction between errors and failures and how errors may possibly lead to drilling failures. A classification of drilling failures with their signs and symptoms as well as the possible causes of these failures is included in the overview. The overview may help during a thorough audit of failures that are encountered during a drilling operation. Developing a list of possible failures during drilling with a description of basic observatory signs and symptoms of their occurrence is the crucial first step in minimizing Non Productive Time (NPT) during drilling operations. Keywords: Drilling, Error, Failure, Tripping 1. Introduction The oil industry is unarguably one of the most complicated industries which face so many challenges yet functions as efficiently as possible. This assertion is true because the primary object of interest to the petroleum engineer cum the industry is located thousands of feet beneath the earths surface. This is accompanied by varying conditions of temperature and pressure as well as other geological factors. A combination of these factors makes the subject of understanding the process of getting at the object of interest complex to drilling engineers. The elusive nature of this understanding makes drilling operations encounter failures. These failures range from drill tool/equipment breakdown, wellbore or formation collapse, lost circulation, kicks and blowouts. Suffice it to say that these failures cost the industry valuable drilling time running into billions of dollars annually. It is against this background that this work on drilling failures is looked into. The primary focus of this work therefore is to improve the drilling process, by designing a good approach to identify all possible failures, how and when they occur, and most importantly their root causes. This would be done from a taxonomic perspective. This would involve classifying failures in the industry in their natural groups and isolating their possible causes, the key indicators to such failures as well as the errors leading to the failures. 2. Reported Cases of Failures in the Oil Industry To put the cases of failure in the right perspective, it is necessary to first define failure and error as it applies to oil well drilling operations. Schlumberger (2012) in their oil field glossary webpage defines failure in drilling as: Failure to meet the defined drilling objective. Deviation in the expected TD depth /run length Deviation in the expected performance (penetration rates, directional, power use) Error as defined by Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, is a mistake especially one that causes problems or affects the result of something. In todays error classification systems, error can mean several things: Error as the cause of failure. For example: This event was due to human error. Classifications rely on this definition when seeking the cause of operator error in, for instance, a supervisors failure to provide guidance (Shappell Wiegman, 2001.). Error as the failure itself. For example: The operators decision was an error (e.g. Helmreich, 2000). Classifications rely on this definition when categorizing the kinds of observable errors operators can make (e.g. decision errors, perceptual errors, skill-based errors) (Shappell Wiegmann, 2001). Error as a process, or, more specifically, as a departure from some kind of standard. This standard may consist of operating procedures. Violations, whether exceptional or routine (Shappell Wiegmann, 2001), or intentional or unintentional (Helmreich, 2000), is one example of error according to the process definition. Depending on what we use as standard, we of course come to different conclusions about what is an error. Based on the above definitions, the following are the reported cases of failures in the oil industry. The most recent case is the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster in 2010. Though the immediate and remote causes of the incident still remains a subject of controversy, the fact remains that the incident makes the subject of failures in the oil industry a relevant one. Shokir (2004) listed the following actual failure cases that occurred in Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company (GUPCO) in Gulf of Suez area and Western Desert area. These are cases 1 to 5. Case #1 This development well drilled in the Western Desert Concession in the onshore Abul-Gharadig area in 1991. Egyptian drilling company Rig No.8 (EDC-8) was used to drill this well to a total depth (TD) of 10,616 ft. While drilling 12.25-inch hole from 10,503 ft to 10,616 (TD) through the Limestone of Abu Roash formation with rotary bottom hole assembly and water base mud, lost 350 psi. When pulling out of hole, washout in Shock Sub was detected Case #2 This development well drilled in the Gulf Of Suez Concession in the offshore Ramadan area in 1993. Pyramid drilling Rig (Bennevis) was used to drill this well to a total depth (TD) of 12,504 ft. While drilling 12.25-inch hole from 10,805 ft to 10,823 through the Shale and Limestone of Mheiherrat formation with rotary bottom hole assembly and water base mud, lost 300 psi. Pull out of hole, found vertical crack in the top joint of heavy weight drill pipe. Case #3 This development well drilled in the Gulf Of Suez Concession in the offshore Hilal area in 1993. Sonat Offshore drilling Rig (Mercury) was used to drill this well to a total depth (TD) of 10,267 ft. While drilling 12.25-inch hole from 8,747 ft to 8,961 through the Limestone of Rudeis formation with rotary bottom hole assembly- and water base mud, lost 600 psi. Pull out of hole, found hole in the drill pipe near the surface. Case #4 This development well drilled in the Gulf Of Suez Concession in the offshore October area in 1995. Sonat Offshore drilling Rig (Comet) was used to drill this well to a total depth (TD) of 16,080 ft. While drilling 12.25-inch hole from 10,035 ft to 10,239 through the Anhydrite of South Gharib formation with rotary bottom hole assembly and oil base mud, lost 300 psi. Pull out of hole, found the short drill collar cleaned smooth cut 0.3 ft from the boxfish neck area. Case #5 This Exploratory well drilled in the Gulf Of Suez Concession in the offshore Badri area in 1995. Santa Fe International Rig No.124 was used to drill this well to a total depth (TD) of 12,480 ft. While drilling 12.25 inch hole from 12,417 ft to 12,480 through the Salt with Shale, Limestone and Sand Streaks of Ayun Musa formation with rotary bottom hole assembly and water base mud, had very hard back ream and very high torque, pump pressure dropped 1200 psi. Pull out of hole; found the drill string backed off at the short drill collar. CASE # 6 Horbeek et.al (1995), in their work cited Shell Expros effort in 1991 to tackle drillstring failures in their operations. This they did by carrying out autopsies. The autopsies confirmed what they had long been suspected: fatigue particularly BHA connection fatigue was the main cause of failure. Table1 briefly summarizes the autopsies carried out from 27/5/1992-1994. Failures in the BHA accounted for 79%, whilst drillpipe accounted for 21%of the total failures for this period. BHA connection fatigue alone accounted for 58% of the BHA failures and was attributed to poor inspection criteria, poor drilling practices and lack of stress relief features. Other learning points from the autopsies were: Majority of failures, 46%, occurred in the 12 1/4 hole section. Greater attention should be paid to rig torque gauge calibration; MWD shock logs can warn of impending drillstring failure. New drillstring components were not being specified to Shell specifications. Use of stabbing guide will reduce failures associated with connection damage. Avoid slip cutting drillpipe. Improved pipe identification system needed. Once a downhole pressure loss is established POOH immediately. From interviews they carried out during the autopsy process it quickly became clear that a general lack of understanding of cause, effect and cost of fatigue failures existed. The failures are summarized in the Table 1. Table 1: DRILLSTRING FAILURE AUTOPSIES 1992-1994 (Horbeek et al, 1995) DATE FAILURE ROOT CAUSE 27/05/92 Twist off at HDIS BHA connection fatigue 23/07/92 Twist off at crossover BHA connection fatigue 24/07/92 Twist off at MWD crossover BHA connection fatigue 02/11/92 Twist off at stabilizer Combination torsion/tension overload 05/11/92 Twist off at MWD Tensile overload 21/11/92 Washout at crossover BHA connection fatigue 22/11/92 Cracked mud saver sub Overtorque of new connection 26/11/92 Twist off at MWD BHA connection fatigue 08/12/92 Twist off at HWDP Accidental over-torque by top drive 02/01/93 Twist off at jars Tension/torsion overload 19/02/93 Twist off at bit sub BHA connection fatigue 24/02/93 Washout at HWDP Connection damage/bad handling 12/03/93 Twist off at shock sub Connection fatigue 19/03/93 Washout at HWDP Shoulder seal damage/bad handling 21/03/93 Washout at jars BHA connection fatigue 04/04/93 Washout at crossover BHA connection fatigue 10/08/93 Twist off at jar -intensifier BHA connection fatigue 20/08/93 Twist off at jars Insufficient hole cleaning 05/10/93 Twist off at mud motor BHA connection fatigue 23/10/93 Twist off at hole opener Poor hard banding application inspection 08/11/93 Washout at drillpipe connection Tool joint connection fatigue 24/11/93 4 washouts from split boxes DCs and HWDP Age condition of equipment 24/11/93 Washout at drillpipe connection Overtorqued connection DATE FAILURE ROOT CAUSE 02/12/93 Twist off at drill collar Torsion/tension overload when stuck 02/12/93 Twist off at jars BHA connection failure 03/01/94 Washout in HDIS Fatigue and vibration 05/01/94 Washout in drillpipe Fatigue and vibration 09/01/94 Washout in drill collar Fatigue and vibration 11/01/94 Washout in drill collar Fatigue and vibration 14/02/94 Washout in HWDP Age and condition 11/03/94 Washout in drillpipe Slip cuts 09/05/94 3washout in drillpipe Stabbing damage 28/06/94 Twist off NM drillpipe Stress corrosion cracking 23/08/94 Twist off SHWDP Brittle failure 23/08/94 Twist off in drillpipe Drillpipe tube fatigue 07/11/94 Twist off NB stabilizer Fatique/vibration 04/12/94 Drillpipe parted Tensile strength exceeded 04/12/94 Washout in jars Fatigue 3. Errors Contributing to Drilling Failure The error leading to a drilling or tripping failure may be caused by the abnormal state of either the formation being drilled, the wellbore itself or the equipment used in the drilling or tripping operation or caused by other external factors. It must be stated here that these errors may be attributed to either human, manufacturing or mechanical errors. Human Error Here are just a few generic definitions for human error: An inappropriate or undesirable human decision or behavior that reduces, or has the potential for reducing, effectiveness, safety, or system performance An action that led the task or system outside its acceptable limits An action whose result was not desired by a set of rules or an external observer To put things into context, there are three primary stages of cognition (planning, storage, and execution), which relate to the three error types (mistakes, slips, and lapses). The three human error types are: Mistakes: Mistakes occur when an intended outcome is not achieved even though there was adherence to the steps in the plan. This is usually a case in which the original plan was wrong, was followed, and resulted in an unintended outcome. Lapses. Lapses are associated with our memories (e.g., lapses of memory, senior moments, etc.). These are generally not observable events. Slips. Slips are generally externalized, observable actions that are not in accordance with a plan. These are often referred to as Freudian slips, in which a person may be thinking something but inadvertently says it so that someone else can hear it. Slips are most often associated with the execution phase of cognition. Manufacturing Error Variation caused by the manufacturing process that affects the size of the part. Manufacturing error is part of measurement value. From a design perspective the engineer or designer produces a piece of equipment or a system with intentions to function in a certain way. When it doesnt function that way (it breaks, catches on fire, messes up its output or is befallen of some other mishap) they try to find the root cause. Typically the cause can be identified as a: Design deficiency when the mechanical, electrical or other components of the design has a problem that caused the mishap Manufacturing defect when the material or assembly has an issue that causes it to fail Environmental hazard when an outside factor such as the weather causes the hazardous condition Mechanical Error Mechanical error is a deviation from correctness in computer-processed data, caused by equipment failure. This error can often be attributed to a range of different problems on both the manufacturer and the user side, as well as to the unpredictable forces of chance. When equipment malfunctions or falls short of its intended purpose, it may cause delays and lost funds. In rare cases, however, the results can be catastrophic. Serious injuries, loss of life and long-term negative repercussions can emerge from the failure of a seemingly innocuous industrial component. Such events may emphasize the importance of manufacturing standards and safety considerations, or highlight certain industrial concerns that influence the outcome of a project. These errors are related to drilling operations as shown in Table 2. Table 2: Errors during drilling tripping operations ERROR WHERE ERROR IS LOCATED SOURCE OF ERROR POSSIBLE CAUSE OF ERROR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LEADING TO FAILURE Abnormal state of an Entity Formation Fractured faulted formations Natural fracture, geological fault, cavernous formation, permeable formation Human /Mechanical Errors Tectonically stressed formations Stressed formation Abnormal pore pressure Under compaction of shales Reactive formation Dissolving limestone, reactive shale Mobile formation Drilling salt fomations Unconsolidated formation Poor sediment cementation Naturally over pressured shale collapse Under compaction of shales Wellbore Material accumulation in the wellbore Cuttings accumulation,cavings accumulation Human/Mechanical Errors High hydrostatic wellbore pressure High pore pressure Low hydrostatic wellbore pressure Low pore pressure Crooked wellbore Doglegs, keyseat Equipment Hardware error Age of equipment, design errors Human Error, Mechanical Mechanical Errors Software error Limited knowledge of software by drilling crew members, typo errors Technical error Lack of technical know-how by drilling personnel 4. General Classification of Drilling Failures The classification of drilling failures in this paper is broadly categorized into three namely: equipment failure, wellbore failure and then formation failure. Table 3 lists these failures and their potential causes. Table 3: Summary of drilling and tripping failures, causes Errors Failure Type Observations Potential Causes Errors Leading to failure Error type EQUIPMENT FAILURE Failure class Failure sub class Drillstem failure Failure to acquire evaluation data, high torque drag Shocks vibrations Drillstem design Manufacturing error Drill pipe washouts Loss of hydrostatic pressure, Low SPP Deviated holes and doglegs, corrosive mud or gases,CO2 H2O in mud Running drill pipe in compression, in-correct make up torque of tool joints Human/operator error Drillpipe corrosion Contaminants in drilling fluids O2 in drilling fluids Human error Drillpipe fatigue Pipe leakage High cyclic loads Shallow doglegs in conjunction with high tension and slow penetration rates H2S CO2 in mud Drillstring buckling Compressive load in pipe exceeds a critical value Cracked pipes Sudden drop in pressure Over torqued threads Swelled or mushroomed box end shoulders,pin connection breaks When enough torque is not applied at the table When enough torque is not applied at the table Human error Pipe twist Torque exceeding pipes ultimate shear strength Pipe parting Ultimate tensile strength exceeded Galling Metal to metal contact b/w the pin box threads, stabbing Human error Failure Type Observations Potential Causes Errors Leading to failure Error type EQUIPMENT FAILURE CONTD. Failure class Failure sub class Casing failure Thermal failure High temperature during steam injection Sulphide stress corrosion cracking failure Stress corrosion by H2O H2,high strength steels Poor design of steels Manufacturing error External corrosion failure Exposure of casing to wet air and/or saline fluids Human error Helical buckling failure axial load and compressive forces exceeds the casings load carrying strength Casing collapse fail BHA hangs up when RIH, Calliper log shows collapsed casing high external formation pressure Centralizer failure Inefficient mud displacement Under-reamed wells, using an incorrect unit for the job Using an incorrect unit for the job Human error Mud motor failure Mud motor stalling A sudden severe increase in SPP , ROP ceases operating parameters exceeding the capability of the motor Motor Failure during reaming extended reaming operations Motor Failure during tripping key seats, ledges Motor failure due to downhole temperatures downhole temperatures increase beyond 225Â ° F FORMATION RELATED FAILURE Lost circulation Induced fracture LC Volume of mud in mud pit reduces High mud density, ,increase in annular pressure Failure Type Observations Potential Causes Errors Leading to failure Error type Failure class Failure sub class FORMATION RELATED FAILURE CONTD Lost circulation contd Natural fracture LC Volume of mud in mud pit reduces Natural fractures, high permeability formations, cracks,vugs, fissures Incorrect estimation of annular pressures Human error Kicks High pore pressure kick Geo-pressured formations Operational related kick Swab Surge during tripping Inefficient ROP Formation related Low ROP Cuttings accummulation Operational related Low ROP Low WOB,Bit balling WELLBORE FAILURE Wellbore wall related Cementing failure Stress cracking Appears as no cement on bond logs stress changes caused by casing expansion Gas migration un-cemented channel, low overbalance pressure before and during cementing Cement shrinkage Cement cracks Exposure to air of low humidity Micro annulus Inter zonal Communications, Well Leakage Hydrostatic Pressure Reduction inside the Casing, Cement Shrinkage Borehole caving Angular, Splintery cavings Highly tensional/compressive stress Failure Type Observations Potential Causes Errors Leading to failure Error type WELBORE FAILURE CONTD. Failure class Failure sub class Solids induced pack off Keyseating Sudden overpull Cyclic overpull at tool joint intervals on trips. High tensional side forces Underguage hole Pulled bit or stabilisers are undergauge. Sudden set down weight. Circulation is unrestricted. Bit stuck PDC bit run after a roller cone bit, When drilling abrasive formations Ledges and doglegs Sudden erratic overpull or set down Running an unsuitable BHA,changes in BHA Junk Missing hand tools / equipment. Circulation unrestricted. Sudden erratic torque. Inability to make hole. Poor housekeeping on the rig floor. The hole cover not installed Cement blocks Cement fragments. Erratic torque. Hard cement becomes unstable around the casing shoe Green cement Increase in pump pressure. Loss of string weight. Sudden decrease in torque. Green cement in mud returns, discoloration of mud. drill string is inadvertently run into cement Bit jamming Poor hole cleaning ,fluid is too thin Differential Sticking Bit balling Reduced ROP,Increased SPP, Overpull on tripping Swellable soft clays Failure Type Observations Potential Causes Errors Leading to failure Error type WELBORE FAILURE CONTD. Failure class Failure sub class Hole collapse Little or no filter cake Wellbore washouts Excessive hole fill,cuttings Swelling shale, hole erosion, insufficient mud weight Reactive formations Hydrated or mushy cavings. Shakers screens blind off, clay balls form. Increase in LGS, filter cake thickness, PV, YP, MBT When using WBM in shales and clays in young formations. When drilling with an incorrect mud specification When using WBM in shales and clays in young formations. When drilling with an incorrect mud specification Unconsolidated formations Increase in pump pressure. Fill on bottom. Overpull on connections. Shakers blinding Little natural cementation Mobile formations Overpull when moving up, takes weight when running in Drilling salt formations Fractured faulted formations Hole fill on connections. Possible losses or gains natural fracture system in the rock Tectonically stressed formations Pack-offs and bridges may occur. Cavings at the shakers (splintery). Increase torque and drag highly stressed formations are drilled Naturally over-pressured shale collapse Cavings (splintery) at shakers. Increased torque and drag. Hole fill. An increase in ROP. Cuttings and cavings are not hydrated or mushy. under-compaction, naturally removed overburden 5. Conclusions This work has been a modest attempt at classifying downhole failures and errors during drilling and tripping operations. Though not exhaustive, the work has been able to group failures and errors into their natural groups and then elucidated their symptoms and their potential causes. Finally, it is concluded that: Failures during tripping and drilling operations may be naturally classified into: wellbore related, equipment related and formation related failures That errors leading to these failures may be broadly classified into errors located in the formation, errors located in the equipment or errors located in the formation or wellbore being drilled That these errors may result from misinterpretation of test data, improper use of hardware or software, ineffective monitoring of events, under maintenance of equipment Nomenclature BHA = Bottom Hole Assembly BOP = Blowout Preventer CO2 = Carbon (IV) Oxide H2O = Water H2S = Hydrogen Sulphide HWDP = Heavy Weight Drill Pipe LC = Lost Circulation LGSC = Low Gravity Solids Content MBT = Methylene Blue Test MWD = Measurement While Drilling O2 = Oxygen PDC = Polycrystalline Diamond Compact Bit POOH = Pull out of Hole RIH = Run in Hole ROP = Rate of Penetration SPP = Stand Pipe Pressure TD = Total Depth WBM = Water Based Mud WOB = Weight on Bit YP = Yield Point Acknowledgement A work of this magnitude must have been culled from other writers work; hence I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all the authors whose works were consulted in the course of writing this paper. This acknowledgement would essentially be incomplete if I fail to extend my deepest appreciation to the Almighty God-Jehovah, for without Him, there would have been no me. To others whom I have not mentioned due to space or the lack of it, I remain your debtor in gratitude.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Religious Rationale for the Plague in Rosemary Horrox’s The Black Death

Religious Rationale for the Plague in Rosemary Horrox’s The Black Death After the September 11th, 2001 attacks, prominent religious figures claimed that depraved American lifestyles were to blame for the bombings; Protestant leader Jerry Falwell came forth and stated that the attacks were a manifestation of God’s irritation at impious people. This attitude stems from a reaction to contemporary events, but possesses roots that date back to 1348. Throughout the time of plague in medieval England, priests and other spiritual leaders insisted that mass devastation via disease was a God-sent punishment for decadent lifestyles and impious behavior. These officials claimed that the promiscuous, the scantily dressed, and the flamboyant were all to blame for outbreaks of pestilence. Religious responses to the plague of 1348, found in passages of Rosemary Horrox’s The Black Death, clearly display this sentiment, signifying the fact that standards of propriety and decorum were highly relevant to medieval religious authorities attempting to pin down th e causes of plague. In 1348, religious authorities determined that the immodest behavior of certain groups led to outbreaks of ubiquitous plague. The tendency to regard indecency as the cause of plague is displayed in records of the day. Henry Knighton’s description of a guilty crowd attending the tournaments is a telling example. He laments that, â€Å"they spent and wasted their goods, and (according to the common report) abused their bodies in wantonness and scurrilous licentiousness. They neither feared God nor blushed at the criticism of the people, but took the marriage bond lightly and were deaf to the demands of modesty† (130). As one can gather from this passage, the 1348 religi... ...se of the plague’s presence by delimiting impious behavior according to biblical law, and condemning displays of impropriety. Individuals who failed to adhere to religious dictates regarding frugality and matrimony were blamed for ushering in the disease. Those who ignored social conventions regarding decent dress and gender codes were also accused of inciting God’s wrath and bringing society to ruin. According to excerpts of Rosemary Horrox’s The Black Death, the religious message of 1348 states that human pain and suffering are divine punishment for decadence, licentiousness, and frivolity. It is interesting to note that religious leaders of the 21st century state much the same thing regarding catastrophic events. This leads one to conclude that standards of propriety and decorum will always remain an inherent part of any religious diagnosis for societal ailments.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Freedom In The Story Of An Hou Essay -- essays research papers

Freedom in “The Story of an Hour';   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mrs. Mallard’s overwhelming response of “free, free, free!'; upon hearing of her husband’s death reflects the attitude of many nineteenth century women. During this time, highly restrictive gender roles forbade women to live as they saw fit. In “The Story of an Hour'; Kate Chopin allows her audience to envision the moment that Mrs. Mallard is able to shed the bondage of marriage that was forced upon her. This was Mrs. Mallard’s chance to actually live life on her own terms. Not on the terms prescribed to her by her husband. After this revelation on her behalf, the outcome of the story is both ironic and tragic.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Upon hearing the news of Brently’s death Mrs. Mallard, who is afflicted with a heart condition, reacts with sadness at first, grieving with “wild abandonment'; but shortly afterward seeks solitude to assess what has happened. The location where she seeks isolation is important. She retreats to her bedroom in a comfortable armchair, indicating that this is a place where she feels safe. It is here that Mrs. Mallard seems to have found a way to rectify what she thought wrong in her life. Mrs. Mallard then realizes in a rush of emotion and relief that she is “Free! Body and soul free!'; She views the world with a fresh outlook: one where she will be her own person, answering only to herself. For a brief moment the reader is able to see through to how she is truly feeling, her emotional release apparent when she sat “with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair...'; She is overwhelmed with freedom, opening her arms to it, letting it e nvelope both her body and her soul.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While this realization is occurring, a somewhat strange thing is happening outside. Usually when a character dies, the weather becomes dark, gloomy and foreboding. In this particular story this is not the case. The natural world actually mirrors Mrs. Mallard’s feelings. The “trees were all a quiver with the new spring life'; and “there were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds.'; This shows how she is seeing her life as having a refreshed new appearance. Yes, Mrs. Mallard remembers her husband with kind... ...ed and composed, unaware of the train wreck and of Mrs. Mallard’s transformation that occurred during his absence. A scream is omitted from Josephine while Richards tries to hide Brently from the truth. The truth that her husband is alive and well, and was miles away from the wreck. Richards was too late though. Mrs. Mallard’s heart has stopped, her life has stopped. She had everything and nothing all in the same moment, which ultimately killed her. Her death, “of the joy that kills,'; is how the author describes Mrs. Mallard’s death, and unwittingly her marriage as well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mrs. Mallard’s happiness was in fact, the cause of her death. This death, arrived out of shock that her weak heart could not handle. The arrival of her husband who was the cause of her new-found freedom caused her death. Mrs. Mallard’s death could be seen as the ultimate freedom from her unhappy marriage. Though her life ends in an extremely ironic manner, Mrs. Mallard does in fact finally escape the restrictions of her old life, not merely upon the hour before Brently Mallard’s arrival but in the end for eternity.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

How policies and procedures help children Essay

Discuss how policies and procedures help children and young people and their families whilst the child is being looked after. In this essay I am going to discuss 6 policies and their procedures whist a child is being looked after. I am going to expand on why this is important for the child parent or legal guardian and also why they are put in place. Firstly I am going to discuss the Safeguarding Policy. Safeguarding Policy Safeguarding is the policy that describes the function of protecting adults and children from abuse or neglect. It is an important shared priority of many public services, and a key responsibility of local authorities.Safeguarding relates to the need to protect certain people who may be in vulnerable circumstances. These are people who may be at risk of abuse or neglect, due to the actions (or lack of action) of another person usually their parent or carer. In these cases, it is critical that services work together to identify people at risk, and put in place interventions to help prevent abuse or neglect, and to protect Safe guarding helps make sure the people whom are protecting the children are correctly checked for example a CRB is mandatory when looking after a vulnerable child. What is a DBS check and why is it needed? Since March 2002, the Criminal Records Bureau has enabled employers to check the criminal records of employees and potential employees, in order to ascertain whether or not they are suitable to work with vulnerable adults and children. For individuals working in certain positions, a valid DBS disclosure is a legislative requirement. The Disclosure and Barring Service also manage lists of individuals who are barred from working with children and adults. New safeguarding regulations introduced in October 2009 place an obligation on employers, social services and professional regulators to notify the DBS of relevant information. This obligation ensures that individuals who pose a threat to vulnerable groups can be barred from working with them. It also makes it a criminal offence for these individuals to apply to work with these groups and for employers to knowingly employ them. This makes sure the child is safe whilst being cared for by a  professional or a carer whom isn’t their parent or legal guardian. It is also important so the parents or carers know the child is in safe hands whilst being cared for out of their control. Recording and Handling Information Policy Recording and handling data is important when looking after children for example whilst a child is in school all their documents must be kept confidential in case any of the other children or irrelevant staff members read or disclose any confidential information. The only time data or information about child should be revealed is if the child is at risk or in danger. Then the relevant person can inform the carer or relevant person to make sure the child is kept safe. Keeping children’s medical records safe is also important in case they ever need reviewed or used in case of emergency. Health and Safety Policy This policy promotes making sure the child is kept safe and in a safe environment for example there are a few policies put in place to make sure this is possible. They are RIDDOR  (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) This is an assessment that must be put in place and a report filed upon if a child is injured in school or any other official place of work. For parents or carers this makes sure it is dealt with and supported correctly it also keeps children safe. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) This is similar to the RIDDOR policy I have expanded on above. All people taking care of the child must make sure all harmful substances are kept away from the child to prevent serious or injury or death. Risk Assessments. Risk assessments are carried out everywhere a child is looked after to make sure the environment and building is safe for the child to live or be taught in. This is a mandatory legal document especially in a school or care environment. This could put a parent or carers mind at risk knowing there child is safe. Health Policy It is a legal requirement that all children must get free healthcare throughout their childhood and adolescent life if needed for example medical care, dentistry care and mental support if needed. This helps support the child so they can stay healthy and get the right support they need. It also helps the parent so they don’t need to worry about the financial side as all this support is free. Education Policy Education is mandatory until you are 18 as of 2012. This is so children don’t fall out of education at 16. You can go down many routes when leaving school for example college, sixth form, training or apprentiships. There is also a legal standard of education in the United Kingdom that must be followed, there are 224 policies within 1 policy itself for education ranging from Reducing violent and gun crime to Reforming qualifications and the curriculum to better prepare pupils for life after school. Having policies in place makes sure that children get the right standard of education and that parents and carers can go out to work whilst their children are at school to make sure they can give their children the best standard of life. It also sets the child up for a good standard of life with good qualifications and life skills. Play Policy When children are in education especially primary school it is a legal requirement that they get break time and toys and equipment to use during this time. The best way for a child to learn is using exploratory learning and learning by trial and error. This is how a child learns life and social skills from a young age. When a child starts school this also gets them well adjusted to letting go from spending all their time with there parent or carer. Every Child Matters 1 Be Healthy 2 Stay Safe 3 Enjoy and Achieve 4 Make a Positive Contribution 5 Achieve Economic Wellbeing I believe that all they above policies shape a child’s life and with the right guidance from parents, carers and education you can shape a decent outcome and setup for a child’s life and development. Refrences. http://www.every-child-matters.org.uk/Framework_5_key_outcomes http://www.theguardian.com/politics/education http://www.playengland.org.uk/resources/national-play-policy.aspx https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-and-safety-advice-for-school https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview

Monday, September 16, 2019

Hedda Gabler Essay

In today’s society we have the privilege of doing as much as we can in order to succeed in life or provide for one self. Hedda Gabler sadly did not have this privilege and neither did any other women throughout the 1800s. The roles for gender, both man and women were set in stone. The man was meant to provide stability and the woman to provide children and preform other household chores. All of Hedda’s life the most she could hope for was to marry into wealth or high stature. She wasn’t able to work or make money for herself without being frowned upon. Yet, Hedda seemed to push as many boundaries as possible and go against everything for her to have a shining moment and try to make her life memorable. This aspect I find extremely significant considering how different life for women and men is in current society. He portrayed every character in a way that each one had some way of going against the world they knew and this scandalous assortment of characters made for an enticing perspective on the role of men and women in the late 1800s. The whole point I feel Ibsen wanted to make was that everyone should analyze themselves accordingly because his view on the society made it clear that he disagreed with what was going on at the time. Practically every critic in the play considered Hedda to be a monstrous creature, yet I doubt that anyone wanted to look past the play and really, what if? What if this way of living is unfair? What if it were different? This outrageous play was put in place to cause a widespread eye opening to all that were willing to watch it. Ibsen tore every piece of society he had a problem with into pieces and carefully morphed them into something that could inspire an entire generation of people to change there ways. There was Hedda with her masculinity and shocking personality that made women uncomfortable in their seats; her character made them overthink about how women act, how they should act, and what is or should be acceptable. Teasmen made the men feel as if he was a complete fool to swoon and beg in order to gain Hedda’s approval. Thea may have seemed to act lady like and her type of personality was what was usually accepted of a women but I feel she did have her weaknesses yet at the same time she had a sneaky way of being manipulative in trying to get out of her situation as well. She was similar to Hedda in that sense, the only difference is that Hedda would always love to be the center of attention which made her more acknowledged. Henrik Ibsen attention to social issues in my opinion brought out all the good, the bad, and the ugly of that times society. He had much attention to detail and an advanced way of thinking which effectively brings all the problems of society into light.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Differences between the Compensation and Benefits Programs used in U. S. and Germany

Compensation refers to the salary and/or wage structures and programs such as job descriptions salary, bonus-based benefits programs, merit based programs and commission-based programs (Patricia & David 125). Compensation and benefits are provided either as variable pay and/or base pay. Stock option plans In Germany, stock option plans are only available for leading employees and German board members. These are usually in the form of phantom stocks, stock appreciation rights or convertible bonds (Ohle 1). At the moment of their exercise, these stock options are taxable.In German stock options are granted in two forms whose difference is primarily based on the tax treatment on them. Stock options in U. S encompass Non-Qualified Stock Options, Put Options and Incentive Stock Options. However, a great percentage of these stock options are not exercisable immediately and are non-transferable thus making it impossible to readily determine their fair market value. This implies that stock o ptions are not taxable when granted in the context of U. S (Patricia & David 127). Operational retirement provisionsUnlike U. S, Germany has operational provisions for its retirement pension plans through which employers make it possible for their workers to change some of their wages into retirement operation plans. This revolves around various models such as the assistance funds, direct insurance, pension funds and direct benefits. U. S lacks such provisions which are not bound to taxation. In German’s case, the most common retirement operational provisions encompass plans such as the 401 (k) and the cash balance plans (Ohle, 1).On a different note, the pension program of US was not made such as to offer old age insurance by itself while that of Germany is considered to be primarily a grant for a basic insurance. Thus private and operational retirement plans are very vital to American retirees unlike for Germans. Private retirement provisions In Germany, there are a social security programs to which employees’ payroll taxes account for half of the contributions while the employers contribute the other half.These include long-range nursing care, unemployment benefits, pensions and health insurance and are the four major German social security parts (Ohle 1). Other social security programs cover social indemnity catered for by the government and the accident insurance handled by the employer. The U. S system on the hand comprises of: the state program for children’s health insurance, supplementary security income, temporary assistance for needy families, health insurance for the disabled and aged, unemployment benefits, state grants for medical assistance programs (DOL 1).The U. S social system is majorly funded through payroll taxes and the overall program is divided into three main parts: survivors, retirement and disability insurance. Unemployment benefits The unemployment program in U. S is funded by the federal and state unemployment taxes paid by employers. Unemployment benefits in Germany are divided into two categories: the unemployment insurance (UI) applicable to previously employed workers who were insured during their tenure; and the unemployment assistance (UA) which comes after UI and has no time limit. The U.S unemployment benefit system differs from the one in Germany in that it covers a wide range of areas not covered by the German program (DOL 1). This is because the U. S program includes a self employment assistance package for the re-employment period, trade readjustment allowance, extended benefits, and assistance for the unemployment due to disasters. Heath care insurance The compensation and benefits program in Germany encompasses a mandatory contribution towards social security in terms of payments to the legal state health care insurance program.However, big salaried employees can opt to join a private health care system rather than the state health care system which is also considered a bene fit to some extent. On the other hand, U. S. has a different health care program known as the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits (FEHB) that enables eligible employees to be part of a group plan for health insurance (Patricia & David 131). U. S also has two other options contributing to health insurance unlike Germany. These include: life insurance under the standard additional and family options and the long-term care insurance paid for fully by the employees. Leave and public holidaysThe terms of employment in German usually include a minimum of twenty-four paid leave days annually for those employees working six days a week on full time basis and 20 days to those working 5 days a week (Ohle, 1). Public holidays however vary form state to state. This includes other paid and protected leave days such as sick leave and maternity leave. U. S on the other hand has different terms when it comes to leave and public holidays. For instance, the U. S Family and Medical Leave Act doe s not entitled employees to any leave provides for a job-protected 12 weeks unpaid leave per any twelve month period incase of care emergencies.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Customers not sell their goods

Influence Of Advertising Program Implementation Via Internet And Marketing Via E-Mail Against Advertising Information Processing And Besides The Implication Against Purchasing DecesionIntroductionAt the present economic, some of clients non sell their goods and merchandise straight to concluding client, but via selling agent. Merchandise selling represents stub for each house beside others activities that must execute to make the best mission and vision for obtain market the merchandise. Information engineering development at the present becomes one of option can do media in attempt market the merchandise and the same clip as publicity media for house wholly to public. Globalization influence against populace ‘s life form in all globe side can be observed clearly. Globalization issued or†cold revolution† foremost with crowded the information engineering web. Information engineering development enable public that exist in full side Earth can interactive and execute dealing, without must upset by geographic boundary line. More from it, others change feels at public behaviour form in spend their fund that now besides begin move from characterize form of â€Å"conventional† into ingestion pattern form of â€Å"modern† . It average, at the present public Begin like efficient shopping manner and non much need worksheet. For illustration, internet media applications ( E-mail ) that enable public particularly that high mobility to shopping without have to occupy with spell to shopping Centre or market place. PT. San Miguel Indonesia as company that dressed ore at snack represent one of extremely concern company at the selling field. PT. San Miguel Indonesia. It so happens vision from San Miguel Indonesia is closeness with client represents a pick become outlook that will be created at merchandise and service. So that the company will ever give the best with create a value that can make. To able to make company ‘s vision and mission objective so PT. San Miguel Indonesia ever attempt to shut with their client. In information engineering and globalisation epoch, so the challenge will be faced by PT. San Miguel Indonesia non easily, because competition more and more strict caused by a batch of competitory company and assorted similar merchandise. This state of affairs influenced by high client ‘s involvement to purchase the merchandise because class and quality and monetary value cheaper. At the present information engineering development enable each company near with client even if via electronic media. One of attempt that can performed by company to make client is with working the information engineering development represents chance and challenge faced by PT. San Miguel Indoensia.Literature ReviewTogether with addition competition in battle for the market, selling activity has importance function in a company for addition the sale. Selling is extremely cardinal affair, so that ca n't considered as alone map. Because selling is manner to look full companies from concluding consequence, viz. from their client ‘s position ( success of a concern non determined by manufacturer but by client ) ( Peter Drucker, 2000 ) . Selling besides comprise full company ‘s activities in adapt to it environment creatively and fortune ( Ray Corey, 2000 ) . While harmonizing to Philip Kotler ( 2004: 9 ) selling construct represents a societal procedure that inside single and group obtain what they need and want with create, offer, and besides free to alter valuable merchandise with others side. Harmonizing to John E. Kennedy ( 2006: 13 ) selling is an interconnected activity program group to place demand and develop, administer, advance, and besides make up one's mind precisely monetary value from a merchandise and service to make satisfaction from client that purpose to give net income. Investigated factor in this research consist of four research variables that describe range and connexion form and besides aim will be reached from this research, viz. publicizing plan, selling via electronic mail, information procedure and besides buying determination. a. First, publicizing plan variable that make up determination needed to construct in general advertisement ( Kotler, 2005 ) . Advertising plan has influence to publicizing information processing by client consist of four indexs viz. target market section ( market ) , direction/mission, message, and besides media. B. Second, selling variable via e-mail ( e-mail selling ) can considered as tool of electronic selling ( e-marketing ) . E-mail selling included in direct selling communicating group ( direct selling ) ( Kalyanam et. al. , 2002 ) . This variable consist of two indexs that are promotional e-mail and besides relatted electronic mail of service. c. Third, information processing variable. This variable consist of 6 indexs such as exposure, attending, comprehension, understanding, keeping and purchase connotation. d. Fourth, purchaing determination variable used as public presentation measuring media of advertisement. Development of marketing scheme in this instance directed to can carry through client ‘s demand and desire at market served. In competition epoch more and more non cognize geographics boundary line, comprehension for client ‘s demand and apprehension at served market will determinated company ‘s nonsubjective accomplishment success. Marketing consept in this instance contain that full company ‘s activities directed to able to fulfill client ‘s desire and demand. Attendance of electronic and print media show serious attitude for entreprenuers to repaire merchandise, goods and service quality through determining of quality standarization and service quality, and besides publicity scheme stabilisation. litas produk, barang, dan jasa via penetapan standarlisasi mutu dan kualitas pelayanan, serta pemantapan strategi promosi. Marketing communicating strategic that exact can avoid company from effect lose of publicity activity it non effectual and efficient. Customer ‘s determination procedure as consequence of by and large ad explantion started from require debut, information research, alternate rating and ended with buying and satisfaction ( Sumarwan, 2003 ) .Research MethodologyResearch about advertisement via this cyberspace and selling via electronic mail performed at a company that concern in bite field viz. PT. San Miguel Indonesia with spread out inquirer to internet user that have acces site of PT. San Miguel Indonesia. The study consequence informations processed with used SPSS plan Version 13.0. Normality trial used to cognize informations distribution in variable will be used in research, and from proving consequence that performed to informations of all variables explained have normal distribution. Data computation with corelation method used to explained grade of relationship intimacy inter variables, and from analysis performed to informations of all variables explained have close relationship and between each variable interrelatedness. While arrested development used to prove influence between one variable with others.Hypothesis That Influence Decision ProcessOperational hypothesis make up nonsubjective hypothesis. It means researcher formulate hypothesis non merely based on base sentiment, but based on objectiveness excessively, that research hypothesis that made non yet of class precisely after tested with usage being informations. For it writer formulate the job will be tested as follow: 1. Ho1: There is nil influence between advertisement plan application at cyberspace and selling merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia via electronic mail to publicizing plan processing by cyberspace user. Ha1: There is influence between advertisement plan application at cyberspace and selling merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia via electronic mail to publicizing plan processing by cyberspace user. 2. Ho2: There is nil influence between advertisement plan at cyberspace and selling merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia via electronic mail to internet user comprehension about merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia. Ha2: There is influence between advertisement plan at cyberspace and selling merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia via electronic mail to internet user comprehension about merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia. 3. Ho3: There is nil influence between executor of advertisement plan in cyberspace and selling merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia via electronic mail to buying determination either straight or via information processing stage. Ha3: There is influence between executor of advertisement plan in cyberspace and selling merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia via electronic mail to buying determination either straight or via information processing stage.DiscussionRespondent CharacteristicThis research location is in Depok and Bekasi, where per centum for Depok part = 57.33 % and for Bekasi part = 42.67 % . Number of respondent is every bit many as 150 individuals, while per centum of respondent ‘s sex is for male = 59.33 % and female = 40.67 % . Dominant age of respondent between 21-25 old ages old, respondent ‘s latest instruction bulk is non yet finish from S1, respondent ‘s occupation position bulk is pupils and privat employee, respondent ‘s gross bulk per month is & lt ; Rp. 2.000.000, respondent ‘s old alteration used cyberspace is & gt ; 3 old ages, respondent ‘s clip mean alteration usage cyberspace in clip of one hebdomad is 1-10 hours, respondent ‘s requirement bulk entree cyberspace is for shoping cyberspace site, respondent ‘s requirement bulk entree web site is for amusement, and most frequently topographic point used by respondent to entree cyberspace is warnet.Correlation TrialConsequence of correlativity trial SPSS Output analysis is as follow:  · Advertising variable with information processing variable Correlation between advertisement variable and information processing is every bit large as 0.625. It means is relationship between advertisement variable and information processing strong and same way ( because positive consequence ) . In the same way means if advertisement is high so information processing high excessively. Correlation of both variables have important characteristic because value it ‘s important every bit large as 0.00 & lt ; 0.025.  · Advertising variable with buying determination variable Correlation value between publicizing variable and buying determination every bit large as 0.420. It means relationship between advertisement variable and buying determination strong and same way ( because positive consequence ) . Correlation of both variables have important characteristic because value it ‘s important every bit large as 0.00 & lt ; 0.025.  · Advertising variable with marketing variable via electronic mail Correlation value between Advertising variable and selling via electronic mail is every bit large as 0.491. It means relationship between advertisement variable and selling via electronic mail strong and same way ( because positive consequence ) . Correlation of both variables have important characteristic because value it ‘s important every bit large as 0.000 & lt ; 0.025.  · Information processing variable with buying determination variable Correlation value between Information treating variable and buying determination every bit large as 0.542. It means relationship between Information treating variable and buying determination strong and same way ( because positive consequence ) . Correlation of both variables have important characteristic because value it ‘s important every bit large as 0.000 & lt ; 0.025.  · Information processing variable with marketing variable via electronic mail Correlation value between Information treating variable and selling via electronic mail is every bit large as 0.577. It means relationship between Information treating variable and selling via electronic mail strong and same way ( because positive consequence ) . Correlation of both variables have important characteristic because value its important every bit large as 0.000 & lt ; 0.025.  · Purchasing determination variable with marketing variable via electronic mail Correlation value between buying determination variable and selling via electronic mail is every bit large as 0.519. It means relationship between buying determination variable and selling via electronic mail strong and same way ( because positive consequence ) . Correlation of both variables have important characteristic because value its important every bit large as 0.000 & lt ; 0.025. From consequence above can cognize that tightest additive relationship is between publicizing variable with information processing variable viz. every bit large as 0.625. In the others word, supposed factor that most influence information processing variable every bit large as with advertisement variable.Arrested development Trial · Regression trial consequence of dependant variable ( Y1 ) information processing From computation consequence, obtained correlativity value R between advertisement variable and selling variable via e-mail with information processing every bit large as 0,719. It means relationship both the variables extremely strong. Positive correlativity show that relationship between advertisement variable and selling variable via e-mail same way. It means if advertisement and selling via electronic mail more and more addition so information treating more and more frequently performed. R2 table shown Determination Coefficient ( DF ) in above computation every bit large as 0.517 or same with 51,7 % . It means, that every bit large as 51,7 % full variant information processing sum can be explained from Ad and selling variable via electronic mail. And the remainder every bit large as 48,3 % explained from others causal factor that come from exterior of this arrested development theoretical account. Therefore, above arrested development theoretical account is appropriate. From analysis consequence so can be concluded that information processing influenced by publicizing plan via cyberspace and selling via electronic mail. Regression equation obtained from analysis is Y1 = 1.033 + 0.455Ãâ€"1 + 0.340Ãâ€"2. It means partly advertisement and selling variables via electronic mail influenced to variable Y ( information processing ) .  · Regression trial consequence of Dependent Variable ( Y2 ) Buying determination. From computation consequence, obtained correlativity value R between marketing variable via electronic mail, advertisement, information processing with buying determination variable every bit large as 0,622. It means relationship all of three variables is strong. Positive correlativity shows that relationship between advertisement and selling variables via electronic mail, and information processing is same way. It means if advertisement, selling via electronic mail, and information processing more and more frequently performed so purchasing determination will increase. R2 table shown Determination Coefficient ( DF ) in above computation every bit large as 0.386 or same with 38,6 % . It means, that every bit large as 38,6 % full discrepancies of entire buying determination can be explained from advertisement and selling variables via electronic mail, and information processing. And the remainder every bit large as 61,4 % explained from others causal factors come from this arrested development theoretical account. Therefore, above arrested development theoretical account is appropriate and true. From analysis consequence had shown that information processing, advertisement and selling via e-mail influence for buying determination. Regression equation obtained from analysis is Y2= 1.304 – 0.016Ãâ€"1 + 0.315Ãâ€"2 + 0.403Ãâ€"3. It means partly information processing, and selling variables via electronic mail that have influence to Y variable ( buying determination ) . While for advertisement variable have nil relationship or influence Y variable ( buying determination ) that can be looked from computation significance bigger from ( & gt ; ) 0.05.OcclusionConcludeBased on correlativity trial between advertisement variable in cyberspace and information processing and besides between marketing variable via e-mail and information processing had shown strong relationship and same way. It had shown that advertisement plan in cyberspace and selling via electronic mail wholly had influenced to information processing. It means if advertisement variable in cyberspace and selling via electronic mail is high, so information treating variable will be better or high. Because within information processing variable inf luenced by publicizing variable in cyberspace and selling via electronic mail, can be looked at equation Y1 = 1.033 + 0.455Ãâ€"1 + 0.340Ãâ€"2. With finding coefficient every bit large as 51.7 % , it shown that information processing explained from advertisement variable in cyberspace and selling via electronic mail every bit large as 51.7 % and the remainder every bit large as 48.3 % explained from others factor outside of advertisement variable and selling via electronic mail. Internet user ‘s comprehension about merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia influenced from publicizing plan in cyberspace performed by PT. San Miguel Indonesia and from marketing via electronic mail either straight or via anterior information processing stage that consequence in involvement fro cyberspace user to execute buying determination against merchandise of PT. San Miguel Indonesia. Where information processing variable has influence every bit large as 54,2 % against buying determination variable, so that can be concluded that some internet user can understand merchandise of PT. San Miguel Indonesia via advertisement media in cyberspace every bit large as 54,2 % . Strong relationship and same way based on correlativity trial between marketing variable via electronic mail, advertisement in cyberspace, and information processing influenced buying determination for cyberspace user that can be looked at equation Y2=1.304 – 0.016Ãâ€"1 + 0.315Ãâ€"2 + 0.403Ãâ€"3, partly influenced buying determination cyberspace user is information treating variable ( x2 ) and marketing via electronic mail ( x3 ) . Determination coefficient value obtained every bit large as 38.6 % , it shown that buying determination cyberspace user explained by marketing variable via electronic mail, advertisement in cyberspace, and information processing every bit large as 38.6 % . And the remainder every bit large as 61.4 % explained from other factors come from outside of the variable. This instance shown that buying determination by cyberspace user non based on advertisement plan in cyberspace, selling via electronic mail, and besides information treating merely but bu ying determination can happen without all of three the variable.SuggestionThe company has to able to maximise plan have run that is publicizing at cyberspace and selling via e-mail optimally with give new invention against being advertisement and selling in order to able to pull internet user attending performed buying determination to merchandise of PT San Miguel Indonesia so that can increase the gross revenues.Bibliography[ 1 ] Annemarie Boon, Perceptions of Business Costumer on Promotional Electronic mail: Investigating its Influence on the Relationship Quality, Master Thesis, Vrije Universities, Amsterdam. 2005, [ 2 ] Berdine Cilliers, the Internet as a Medium in the Achievement of Corporate Communication and Marketing Goals – A Descriptive Study, University of Pretoria. 2003, [ 3 ] Gerard Broussard, June, Making the Right Choices in the Online Media Planning Tool Shed, mOne Media Analytics, Presented at WAM Online/wireless conference. 2002, [ 4 ] Gooley, Christopher G. , James M. 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