Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Nursing Indicators Essay

Nursing indicators are measurable tools used in nursing. The indicators focus on the structure, process of nursing, and the overall patient outcomes of the care received by nurses. The structure of nursing care is based on the education and certifications as well as the skill level the nursing staff has. Process indicators are a way to measure nursing care through assessment, intervention, and reassessment. The overall patient outcomes that are based on nursing indicators are nursing driven. Examples are preventing falls, preventing pressure ulcers with rotating patient in bed, and changing IV’s to prevent intravenous infiltration (Nursing World, 2014). It is imperative to have an understanding of nursing indicators and be used on a daily basis. The nursing indicators could have been helpful in the case of Mr. J. If the Nurse and the CNA had known the importance of repositioning, and preventing pressure ulcers, then Mr. J wouldn’t of had the initiation of the reddened a rea on his back. Even if the CNA had not had the proper education to recognize the beginning stages of a pressure ulcer. It should have been communicated to the RN and a proper skin inspection/assessment could have been performed. As well as the patient repositioned frequently. A patient should only be in restraints if they are a harm to themselves or others. Frequent toileting, nourishments, repositioning, as well as removal of the restraints are all nursing assessment and reassessment indicators. If the patient is at a fall risk, generally restraints aren’t used. A big nursing sensitive indicator that is apparent is the satisfaction of the patient as well as the patient’s family. The nurse dismissed the concerns and religious beliefs regarding the patient’s Jewish beliefs. Just because the patient is confused, doesn’t mean its ‘okay’ to dismiss the importance of the specific diet ordered. Nursing sensitive quality indicators are an important part of establishing evidence-based practice guidelines.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan Essay

After the Revolutionary War, the United States was left with a $52 million dollar national debt as well as a $25 million dollar debt from the individual states. Alexander Hamilton developed a financial plan to  re establish the credit of the US by providing for the payment of the nation’s debts. Hamilton established the credit of the United States by paying off the national debt. One way he did this was by exchanging old war bonds for new Federal Reserve bonds. In the eyes of other countries, this proved that the United States was responsibly paying off its debts. This allowed the US to borrow money, and establish good credit once again. Good credit was extremely important to the United States because it was the basis for foreign trade, and was necessary for growth of the economy. Without good credit, the US could not borrow money, would not be able to fund businesses, and would not be able to keep a stable economy. Answer A is the correct choice because the main point of Hamilton’s financial plan was to pay off the national debt in order to restore the nation’s credit. Another way Hamilton proposed to pay the nation’s debts was to raise money through taxing. His plan increased taxes on imported goods, as well as placed a tax on items such as whiskey. This raise in taxes not only affected the rich but the poor as well because the tax related to a variety of items. As a result of the tax on whiskey, a group of poor farmers in Western Pennsylvania rebelled, resulting in the Whiskey Rebellion. Answer B is incorrect because the taxes placed by Hamilton’s plan affected not only those most able to pay, but the average citizen as well. One part of Hamilton’s plan that was not approved by Congress was to provide funding to manufacturers, in order to boost production and the economy. This plan failed in the end because of opposition from the South. He also proposed to create a â€Å"protective tariff† in order to protect US manufacturers from foreign competition. Answer C is incorrect because Hamilton’s plan favored industry over agriculture, not the other way around. Around the Time that Hamilton was creating his financial plan, the US adopted a policy of neutrality. The US did not allot money to any type of military buildup, or need any their military for defense. Answer D is incorrect because during the 1970’s the United States was in a time of neutrality. Therefore Hamilton did not need to spend money on national defense. Today, Hamilton’s financial plan still remains in effect. Federal Bonds are still issued by the government. A bond is purchased, and over a certain amount of time the bond matures into a larger amount at a profit to the holder. This allows the government to use the money owned by the bond holder until the bond is cashed in. These federal bonds now used in the 20th century were developed by Hamilton in the 1790’s. Alexander Hamilton created a financial plan to help establish the United State’s credit after the Revolutionary War. The main goal of his plan was to provide for the payment of the nation’s debts. He did this by reissuing bonds, creating a protective tariff to protect manufacturers, combining the debts of the states with the nation’s debts, and creating a national bank to control the US’s money.

Key Skills of Management Essay

1. Introduction In this essay I have attempted to describe the key skills of management, in my opinion, and how working with others can develop them. I have drawn on my own experiences as a manager and reinforced my answers with research from the internet and other reference sources. There are various skills needed for good management, some skills are learned others are instilled as a part of that person’s nature. Within this essay I discuss these skills and the importance of good management behaviour. 2. Key skills – my viewpoint I manage four teams, each consisting of 15 members of staff. Within each team is a supervisor whose task is to monitor the running of the operation line and to inform me of any deviation from the norm. I am privileged enough to have a support team of a quality facilitator, two fitters, an electrician and a process engineer, who I direct to assist with the events of the day. Enthusiasm and motivation I am enthusiastic and self-motivated; I maintain this through seeing issues as a challenge and an opportunity to test my skills. If I am enthusiastic then my staff will be encouraged to be motivated too, ‘It’s hard to be productive without enthusiasm.’ (Gates B) Henri Fayol states that there are fourteen principles of management. In principle number seven (Remuneration) Fayol argues that ‘Workers must be paid sufficiently as this is a chief motivation of employees and therefore greatly influences productivity.’ I personally do not feel that this is a chief motivation even though it is a factor but that job satisfaction and also a sense of belonging are greater influences in productivity. Communication I believe it is important to have a pre-shift meeting with the supervisors and run through what is planned for the day. Any concerns are raised prior to the start of the shift, so we have a clear direction of how we are going to achieve these goals. I try to keep meetings informative, constructive yet light and brisk. I feel it is important that we start the day with a can-do attitude. It is important to me that the delivery of any communication is clear, precise and accurate. Communication works two ways and I feel that we only learn by listening. I operate an open door policy, where any member of staff at any level can speak to me. Encouraging growth of people and business I want to encourage growth within the company; in order to do this I develop people by encouraging them to learn new skills and keep up-to-date with processes on the line. The rotation of staff within the production line not only benefits the operator with skills and self worth but also protects the company when manning levels are low. Control of production is constantly developing and shifts with new products, technology and tools. Clear instruction is given to staff to embrace and use these as a way forward for the success of the company and maintain our position as leaders in the world market. Following policies I follow the company policies in all aspects of my work and with discipline. I feel I am firm but fair; I nip things in the bud and deal with conflict in a calm, mature and professional manner. I am trustworthy and always deal with matters with integrity. Respect Respect plays an important role in getting results from staff. I respect everyone and work hard to earn respect from my staff by being a team player and not taking my role for granted. I have worked on every process on each line to different skill levels and am aware of the requirements of each job. I would never expect any member of staff to complete a task I would not do myself. Understanding customers It is important to understand the expectations of customers, to achieve these within the budget and on time. In order to achieve this we work closely to a plan, delivering on time and in full (OTIF). Feedback It is important that recognition is given on a regular basis to staff that are doing well and like wise, support is given to staff who find things a struggle. It is easier to rectify any non-conformance at the very beginning than letting bad habits form. The ability to explain things that are incorrect and how to rectify them is an important management quality. Resolving issues Whenever a major problem comes to light, I tend to bring key skilled personnel such as quality facilitators, department manager, shift manager, manufacturing supervisors, process engineers, fitters, electricians or operators into a brain storming session. We utilise the skills we have developed and use management tools such as, the ‘Ishikawa diagram’, or known to myself as the ‘Fishbone diagram’. Each personnel would have a valuable input using the knowledge that they have obtained from their own perspective. Cause Cause Cause Cause Cause Figure 1: Fishbone diagram as based on the original by Kaoru Ishikawa. In these sessions, we systematically work through inputs that could cause the effect that we see and then place a frame around the problem to find out what is, and is not a possible factor. Further investigation is made into these probable causes until the root of the issue is found. It is extremely important to use all of the skills at hand to have a complete overview. 3. Conclusion Throughout this essay I have explored the use of what are in my opinion, the most important skills to have as a manager. It is not intended as an exhaustive list, but a sample of the many ways people manage. In my opinion the most important skills of management are being able to project manage and coordinate while also having leadership qualities, or personable skills. In the words of John C Maxwell, â€Å"Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.† Within this essay I have explored the nature of the key skills and have shown that in working together with staff, results can be achieved by following these rules.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Saturn Corporation Company Causes of Challenges Essay

Saturn Corporation Company Causes of Challenges - Essay Example According to a study conducted by J.D. Power & Associates 42 percent of the customers would not even consider GM car. Saturn’s mission was to compete with big rivals like Honda, Toyota and Nissan in small cars’ market. Since its foundation, Saturn has undergone through many ups and downs such as being ranked third in new-car buyer satisfaction preceded by Lexus and Infiniti. It also left behind Hyundai, Subaru, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi with 2.1 percent share in US auto market. Many Saturn dealers sold demonstration models due to the high number of buyers and ended with advance production orders in 1991. Saturn also faced great difficulties in meeting production requirements at the same time, because it could not afford to compromise on quality. Despite Saturn was equipped with latest technological resources and manufacturing methods it greatly inclined towards serious labour dependency, because it was thought a key to productivity and quality measures. A matchless partnership between United Auto Workers (UAW) and GM in the auto industry decided to work side by side for the success of Saturn. Every employee at the Saturn was extensively trained to work with teams and to monitor costs. The overall plant’s design was one of the strategic steps towards Saturn’s attainment targets. It truly reflected people oriented philosophy. Marketing tactics were proved to be revolutionary in Saturn’s success because Saturn’s every decision was made after consultation with marketing agencies and dealers. With the help of Hal Riney & Partners (official ad agency) and Saturn’s dealers' company decided to name all sales outlets as â€Å"Saturn of (Geographic Location)† to emphasise on company’s name, this contributed Saturn’s recognition at the global scale. Employees at Saturn were found emotionally attached to the company; therefore Riney took great advantage for Saturn’s promotion from internal sources as well. A documentary made by Riney for advertisement campaign showed how workers were sensitively attached with Saturn.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

SEPTIC SHOCK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

SEPTIC SHOCK - Essay Example The objective of these definitions was to give a more differentiated understanding of sepsis to enable precise management. As a result the concept of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) evolved with its diagnostic criteria put in place. Then sepsis was defined on the basis of SIRS, whereby sepsis was defined as â€Å"suspected or microbiologically proven infection together with SIRS†. Severe sepsis was then defined as â€Å"sepsis together with sepsis-induced organ dysfunction†. Finally septic shock was defined as â€Å"sepsis-induced hypotension persisting despite adequate fluid resuscitation† (Marik & Lipman, 2007). A very valid question arises as to the need for such differentiated definitions. There is justification for these differentiated definitions, which is provided from the study of recent data on the mortality rates associated with each of these differentiated definitions. Mortality from sepsis ranges ten to fifteen percent; severe sepsis ranges from seventeen to twenty percent and septic shock ranges from forty-three to fifty-four percent. Thus the hierarchical definitions get justified by this. (Marik & Lipman, 2007). Deeper examination of this data suggests that there is a wide difference in the mortality figures for severe sepsis and septic shock. This finding clearly indicates that it is most important to distinguish between severe sepsis and septic shock, so that they can be grouped into low and high mortality risk groups. It is in this aspect that the hierarchical definitions as created in 1991 are found to be deficient. The diagnostic criteria for septic shock still remain unclear and vague. To remove this deficiency Marik and Lipman, 2007, suggest that septic shock be defined as â€Å" a systolic blood pressure less than 90mmHg (or a fall in systolic blood pressure of > 40mmHg), or a mean arterial pressure less than 65mmHg after a crystalloid fluid challenge of

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Connection between corporate governance and company valuation in Assignment

Connection between corporate governance and company valuation in emerging market countries - Assignment Example fferent features of the corporate governance structures like the protection of the interests of minorities and in adequate rights of investors lead to poor performance within the firm and low value creation for the business (LaPorta, Silanes and Shleifer, 1999, pp.471-517). In many similar studies, researchers have indicated that the firms which follow lesser or no stringent rules in the corporate governance practices generally tend to have lower valuation in the market. Klapper and Love (2012) have focused their study on the emerging markets and indicate that poor corporate governance practices can increase the risks that are associated with the investments in the emerging markets (Klapper and Love, 2004, p.703-725). In a particular study on the emerging market of Korea, Black and Kim (2003) have pointed out that corporate governance is a significant dynamic of the market value of the firms in Korea, especially for the public companies (Black, Bernard and Kim, 2010, pp.414-425). Bla ck (2001) also establishes a significant linkage between the corporate governance and the value of firms in the market of Russia. Black, Bernard, Love and Rachinsky (2006), suggests that whereas in developed countries like the United States and Europe the corporate governance practices are not as critical as factors like ownership structure from deciding the value of the firm, in developing economies the role of corporate governance in deciding the value of the businesses is significant (Black, Love and Rachinsky, 2006, pp.361-379). Transparency can be implemented by stringent corporate governance practices and transparency is a critical factor in preventing the conflict of interest of the controlling shareholders and the minor shareholders. The conflict of interest between the controllers of the business and the external finance sources of the business may result in the development of the principal agent problem. The principal agent problem will create agency costs that are likely to

Friday, July 26, 2019

Entrepreneurship Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Entrepreneurship - Assignment Example Though they constitute a major element of the countries growth, very little was done for their growth and development in the past. It is a common misconception that unemployed people call themselves entrepreneurs. But, in reality they provide several basic services necessary for huge corporate companies as well as the local public. The government has started to realize their importance only in the recent days. Government encourages the small and medium level entrepreneurs to get rated because they believe the sole aim of encouraging entrepreneurship is job creation and economic growth. Several steps to improve them are taken from offering them easy loans to giving them subsidies to improve their infrastructure. The major obstacle faced by the SMEs are their inability to garner funds when they are in dire need. Getting a good credit rating will help them demand the finance they require from various agencies with confidence. But, there is little awareness regarding the process and its importance among the entrepreneurs. Credit rating is basically a system which statistically determines a person or businesses ability to pay back the money borrowed. The credit ratings are offered by three financial bureaus Equifax, TransUnion and Experian in the U.S. Their rating for each business might differ slightly. An American citizen is entitled to get a free credit report once in every 12 month from these bureaus. But, they should pay a minimal fee of $7.95 to get a detailed credit rating. An alternate way is to use software like FICO to get the credit rating. People applying for the report will usually get it within 30 to 45 days of application. They bureau takes into account certain features like credit repayment history, current debts and time taken to pay back the previous credits, the frequency of getting credits and the credit type to create the credit

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Napoleon Bonaparte's Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Napoleon Bonaparte's - Essay Example The code was influential and formed the private law basis in countries such as Italy, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and Poland. These countries adopted this code especially those aspects related to family laws which were discriminatory against the married women. The codes were adopted mostly under the European Court on Human Rights’ pressure1. However, Napoleon is remembered best for his role in the Napoleonic Wars which were those wars which were led against the French by series of coalitions. He established a state which dominated over many parts of the continental Europe and spread across the ideas for the French Revolution while he consolidated an imperial monarchy. He gained success in these wars and proved to be one of the greatest military commanders of all time. He is still remembered for his warfare and innovations that led the success and despite having many enemies who were superior; he managed to successfully run his campaigns. Today, examples of his campaigns are taught at the military academics globally. In the beginning of the nineteenth century there was much disturbance and disarray in the French Empire until Napoleon was engaged in the series of conflicts that tackled with every major power in the Europe. However, these conflicts resulted in a series of victories and France was able to secure a dominating position in the continental Europe under Napoleon’s military. Napoleon also managed to maintain the influence of the French Empire on the European countries by forming alliances and appointing family and friends to rule these European countries as being the client states of the French (Landau 55). When it is about the impact on the events, Napoleon’s personality is what took the power. He had the skill and expertise which allowed him to take many correct decisions as he chose the best generals for the armies and stood by them till the end. He reorganized many of the things which allowed

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Linkage among Environmental Opportunity, Competency and Organizational Essay

Linkage among Environmental Opportunity, Competency and Organizational Success - Essay Example 1 The technological environmental represent the application to marketing of knowledge based on discoveries in science, inventions and also innovations new technology will results in new goods and services for consumers. Improved existing products better customer service and care and often lower prices through the development of more cost-efficient production and distribution methods (Louis, 1992) Though technology can quickly make products obsolete for example calculators wiped out the markets for slide rulers. It can quickly open up new marketing opportunities. It has led to spawning of new industries for example computers, laser and xerography industries. Marketing managers might closely monitor the technological environment for a number of reasons. This may be the means by which a firm introduces major products breakthrough giving of a competitive edge. For example after years of technological research, Procter and Gamble scientist succeeded in perfecting a formula for a combination of shampoo and conditioner which was introduced in the market place as part plus, this brad become the leading shampoo in the united states and captured twelve percent of the market keeping in mind that it competes with more than 1,100 other products. 2 By the application of new technology marketing managers have greatly improved services to their customers. Electronic communication has brought consumers the convenience of in home shopping and also twenty-four hour banking at the automated teller machines. The more competent he becomes in the organizational competent. According to Louis (1992) new technology can greatly help marketing managers in making decisions that will result in increased productivity and overall efficiency in its operations. Computer aided designs super workstations, and computer aided manufacture tends to speed up the process of bringing new products to the market. Designing products by computers allow firms to thorough test products for potential problems, which increase their competitive ability by eliminating costly errors before the products go into manufacturing. This not only assures business survival but also ensures the continued success of a business. Computerized mapping systems will give marketing managers instant geographic and customers information. Computer maps will also help markets in targeting markets, planning advertising analyzing competitors and distributing their products. Advancement in communications technology will help creating computer networks that allow marketer to share information with dealer's distributors and co-workers in such areas as finance, research and development. Laptop computers and cellular phone technology will definitely increase sales force productivity since the salesman will do less paperwork hence spending were time with clients and prospects. Technology can not be separated with competency and success of the business since for any organization undertaking its business technological rate and level has had great implications especially in areas of new products development customer satisfaction and also its role in controlling and standardizing quality of products. 3 Marketing managers understands that economic environmental influence consumer buying power so as to achieve success. The health of an economy will influence consum

Management Strategy ( Boeing Corporation) Reseach Case Essay

Management Strategy ( Boeing Corporation) Reseach Case - Essay Example Unfortunately, its test run which was scheduled in this year had to be postponed indefinitely due the supply chain inefficiencies prevalent in the organization. Before the test drive itself, it has 903 orders in hand. (Maynard. M. 2008). On the Military defense front, the company was stripped off many crucial contracts owing to the unethical behavior of the employed staff and is expected to regain its right to bid for future contracts from 2010 onwards. (Wayne. L. 2008). In the cargo flight provider section, the 747 and 777 are the largest available products and the company can bank on this specialty that it can implement the Product Proliferation strategy wherein the customers have a greater cargo space availability facility and as such would be interested in paying the extra price in comparison to the smaller cargo flights. In the commercial vehicle sector, the market leader status which remained till 1993 was lost against Airbus in that year due to the technological advancement of the Airbus’s A-380. (Kotler, Keller, 2006). Added to this, the current economic slowdown is taking its toll on the aviation sector. Hence, great importance has to be given to the pricing of its existing products and especially the new launch – the 787. 787 comes under the prestige product segment but care has to be taken that the company follows the value based pricing strategy as depicted by the organization in the case of its earlier launches so that its customers have to be rest assured of better value for lower price in comparison to its rival’s product. As it is, 787 have an advantage of fuel efficiency which can be taken into consideration while pricing. However, care should be taken that, in the run to gain the market share, it should not quote any bottom level prices that it may have to face supp ly chain difficulties as the product is technically highly

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

School of Health Ethics Form Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

School of Health Ethics Form - Essay Example The research paper, therefore, is about a survey of a representative of a physician in the United States who can be deemed to care for patients nearing their deaths so as to assess the frequency in which request for assisted euthanasia or suicide and compliance with such requests (Atwood-Gailey, 2003: 2). Euthanasia is said is said to have historical rooting from the Greek language meaning â€Å"good health†. However, over time, the meaning has evolved to mean that one person knowingly leads to the death of the other who is considered terminally or seriously ill and can not be saved from the situation. The main emphasis attached this mercy killing is always to bring to an end the suffering of the later like for example patients diagnosed with bone cancer among other ailments. Within the country, the procedure for taking an away life in order to end is not allowed in all the fifty states, however countries like Netherlands and Belgium practice as it is legal under the law. In s pite of euthanasia not being legal within the country, physician-assisted suicide is legal and being practiced and being practiced in different states within the country. Examples of states practicing physician-assisted suicide are Washington, Oregon, and Montana (Lo, 2009). However, the two are always similar but the main difference depends on who administers the medicine to bring a patient life to an end (Mcdougall, Gorman & Roberts, 2008). In physician-assisted suicide, a physician plays a crucial role in creating lethal medications for the patients, but the medications are always used by the patient at his own time and comfort, however, this is the opposite of euthanasia because the physician here takes an active role in ending a patient’s life.

Monday, July 22, 2019

The Victorian Age in Literature Essay Example for Free

The Victorian Age in Literature Essay The Victorian Age is roughly delimited by the reign of Queen Victoria, who ascended the throne of Great Britain on 1937, and died in 1901. For the sake of convenience the Victorian age of literature is bracketed by the period 1830 to 1901. Both in terms of literature and culture the Victorian period is highly distinctive. For such a characteristic period to correspond to the reign of a monarch, and considering the inordinate length of it, suggests somehow that the character of the monarch has left its imprint therein. But this is very far from being the case. In theory Britain was a constitutional monarchy, which meant that the queen was supreme ruler, and was aided by an executive arm, which was a Parliament that is democratically elected. This was, however, only on paper. In practice the bourgeoisie were entrenched in the Parliament and ruled the land as an oligarchy. The entrenchment of the middle classes in England was a process begun with the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, in which the nobles wrenched significant powers from the crown, then in the form of the unpopular King John. Both the nobles and the crown, however, met a new challenge in the form of the merchant and middle classes after the Protestant Reformation, which was the basis of the English Civil War, fought in the seventeenth century. The result of this war was a monarchy thoroughly emasculated and in the hands of the bourgeoisie, who began to appoint their kings from abroad, beginning with William of Orange, from Holland, who ascended the British throne as William III in the â€Å"Glorious Revolution† of 1688. In 1714 George Louis, Elector of Hanover, was invited to sit on the British throne, which began the long lineage of the House of Hanover, of which Queen Victoria was descended. In this wise the queen was barely English, and had hardly any inclination to become one, evidenced by the links continued to be held with the continent. She became merely a sentimentalized figurehead, as Britain forged ahead, during her reign, to become the economic and imperial power of world. She was ultimately conferred the title of Empress of India, at the time when India was the Jewel in the Crown of a world empire. But she identified little with the aspirations of the age that she labeled. The emancipation of woman was a central tenet of Victorianism, which she opposed vehemently. She called it â€Å"mad, wicked folly†, and thought that these ladies â€Å"ought to get a good whipping† (qtd. in Strachey 409). The advance of capitalism and the Industrial Revolution forms the backdrop to the Victorian age. The prelude to this was the rise of science and rationalism at the expense of faith. The Enlightenment is the name given to this movement in the initial phase, especially in relation to the conscious intellectual movement in this direction inspired by the likes of Bayle and Voltaire in France. It venerated reason, the experimental method of Bacon, the mechanics of Newton, and the ideals of the Classical world of ancient Rome and Greece. This movement eventually bred a reaction in Germany, through the likes of Herder, Schiller and Goethe, who emphasized passion and spontaneity, as against cold reason. The movement came to be labeled Romanticism, and found a vigorous growth on English soil too through Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, Keats and others. Many have characterized the Victorian ethos as a compromise between these two extremes, and found expression in a philosophy known as Utilitarianism. Jeremy Bentham and James Mill were the advocates of this philosophy. Bentham coined the motto â€Å"the greatest good of the greatest number† to encapsulate the philosophy (qtd. in Parekh 62). It is what Chesterton describes as the â€Å"great Victorian compromise†. But Victorian literature, as a whole, is not a reflection of Utilitarianism, but is rather a protest against it. Chesterton compares such a protest with the popular uprising of the French Revolution. If the stifling effects of science and industry caused the people to revolt in France, in Britain it was the poets and wordsmiths who did so. In fact this was the only avenue of protest left open in Britain, where the captains of industry has already seized all other social institutions, which is the very reason why the Industrial Revolution took place in Britain and not anywhere else. The â€Å"enclosures† had taken land away from the people, leaving them just as powerless as the queen on her throne. Industry herded them into the cities and made them captive to Smith’s â€Å"division of labor†. Literature was the means to revolution, according to Chesterton, on which he elaborates: This trend of the English Romantics to carry out the revolutionary idea not savagely in works, but very wildly indeed in words, had several results; the most important of which was this. It started English literature after the Revolution with a sort of bent towards independence and eccentricity, which in the brighter wits became individuality, and in the duller ones, Individualism. (5) In this way the revolution is said to have succeeded, because it was able to mould the modern character so that it is able to deal with modernity. This is a triumph not to be belittled, and so, continues Chesterton, â€Å"Verbally considered, Carlyles French Revolution was more revolutionary than the real French Revolution† (Ibid). EARLY PERIOD (1830-1848) Though coming well before the Victorian period, the novels of Jane Austen must be considered as a beginning, and a forerunner to proper Victorian literature. They seem to be merely unassuming domestic dramas, written from the very limited perspective of a provincial lady. In fact, Jane Austen had very little experience of life beyond the confines of rural England, and her works are unencumbered by the great philosophies that were then vying with each other for the domination of the world. She was neither a rationalist, nor a Romanticist. For her heroines, life’s one concern is to secure a good match, one that combines a good income with social esteem. The overriding message of her novels seems to be that to obtain the ideal match the woman must possess both sense and sensibility, i. e. both reason and passion. In fact, Sense and Sensibility is the title of her first novel, establishing her mode. As such we are able to identify it as a precursor to the Victorian compromise. This is not to call her heroines Utilitarian, in the sense of being scheming social climbers. Austen’s novels must be seen as celebration of domestic life, as standing opposed to the insidious infiltration of ideas, in which sense both the rationalists and the Romanticists are guilty. Such a resistance to rational frameworks characterizes nearly all of Victorian literature, and Oscar Wilde and the Aesthetes were still engaged in the same towards the end of the Victorian period. From another point of view, it is the imposition of the woman’s perspective into a world that is otherwise overburdened with the male. Austen must also be credited with inventing the modern novel, which Chesterton describes as a â€Å"feminine art†, and the function of which is to distinguish character, rather than tell a story (39). All the great Victorian novelists follow Austen in this sense. Thomas Babbington Macaulay is another writer who cannot be left out in any consideration of Victorian literature, even though he clearly comes before. He is the true prophet of progress, and thus the harbinger of the Victorian ethos. As a historian the overriding task of Macaulay is to delineate â€Å"progress†. He tackles history with an overwhelming bias towards the Whiggish faction, the party that upheld the liberal tradition and allied itself to the moneyed middle classes. He upheld Bentham’s Utilitarianism, but was by no means cold and calculating. Instead he promoted a vision that is broad, captivating and awe-inspiring. He is the undeniable single influence behind Victorian literature, even though not all his influence was wholesome. Of him Chesterton says: The chief tragedy in the trend of later literature may be expressed by saying that the smaller Macaulay conquered the larger. Later men had less and less of that hot love of history he had inherited from Scott. They had more and more of that cold science of self-interests which he had learnt from Bentham. (12) Those who practiced the hard school of science, and advocated Utilitarianism, were usually beyond the fray of literature. The leading light among them, John Stuart Mill, was an exception among them, however. He championed Smithsonian economics, and attempted to provide polish to the philosophy of Utilitarianism, yet he did so as an artist, and with profound common sense. His father was one of the founders of Utilitarianism, and Bentham was his godfather. He was educated at home under his father’s punishing regime, one that was cause of a near breakdown of the youthful Mill. It was meant that he imbibe as much classical and scientific education as possible, and Bentham was also instrumental towards this end. Mill, however, survived and went on to redefine the philosophy of Utilitarianism in a more human way. It was the wont of the Utilitarians to circumvent the truism that the freedom of one comes in the way of that of the other. If they did consider it, it was only in the larger numbers, along the principle of â€Å"the greatest good of the greatest number†. But, in his seminal essay â€Å"On Liberty†, Mill advanced the â€Å"harm principle†, in which the act of liberty is said to be virtuous only when there is no immediate harem discernable to the next: The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign. (28) The philosophy of Mill was suspect. Nevertheless, he is heartfelt and genuine, and therefore he succeeds as a writer, and his works succeed as literature, which was highly influential in taming the hard edges of Utilitarianism. He meant it that the philosophy be not cold-headed, but warm-hearted. He points out that there is a difference between ‘happiness’ and ‘contentment’, and that Bentham confused the latter with the former. One may be content with numbers, but not happy with a guilty conscience. It is happiness that is to be sought, and cannot be had with numbers. So he says: It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool, or the pig, are a different opinion, it is because they only know their own side of the question. (Mill, Utilitarianism, 281) Many commentators tend to classify Thomas Carlyle as a Romanticist, and indeed his introduction to the world of letters is through his translations of Goethe, whose Romantic ideals he championed. But Carlyle will be found to be eminently Victorian, and should indeed serve as the ideal representative of Victorianism in its early phase. The most marked characteristic of a Victorian author is that he knows instinctively something to be wrong, and gives vent to this mood in his writing. It is a remark that wholly applies to Carlyle. He is never as logical as Goethe and the Romantics. He does not insist on passion, he is merely passionate. The things that he is passionate about are derived, as if, from the sixth sense. He was impatient of all forms of speculation. â€Å"Our grand business undoubtedly is, not to see what lies dimly at a distance,† he says, â€Å"but to do what lies clearly at hand† (Carlyle, Critical, 462). He distrusts history in any form whatsoever, which might seem hypocritical seeing that his major works are predominantly history. But reading the French Revolution does not give us the impression of having read history. It is narrated as if the events were in the present, and we are supposed to be moved as if the revolution is happening, not as a report of a past occurrence. He had no rapport with the mob: â€Å"Democracy is, by the nature of it, a self-canceling business; and it gives in the long run a net result of zero† (Carlyle, Chartism, 33). Neither the mob, nor the ossified â€Å"isms† of the philosophers partake in history. Instead it is the heroic individual, moved by the immediacy of duty, who is the real author of history. â€Å"The history of the world is but the biography of great men,† he avers in On Heroes and Hero Worship (29).

Sunday, July 21, 2019

International marketing importance and role

International marketing importance and role International marketing is simply the application of marketing principles to more than one country. A great number of economists assures that international marketing is an on-going historical process, this process leads to the increasing integration of the production of goods, services, ideas, culture, communication and environmental pollution on a world-wide scale, imparting locality of populations and labor. Importance of International Marketing A firms international marketing program must generally be modified and adapted to foreign markets.   This international marketing program uses strategies to accomplish its marketing goals.  Within each foreign nation, the firm is likely to find a combination of marketing environment and target markets that are different from those of its own home country and other foreign countries.   It is important that in international marketing, product, pricing, distribution and promotional strategies be adapted accordingly.  In order for an international firm to function properly, cultural, social, economic, and legal forces within the country must be clearly understood.   The task of International marketing is more difficult and risky than expected by many firms.   One of the most controlling factors of international marketing is management.   It is very important for managers to recognize the differences as well as similarities in buyer behavior.  Many mistakes can occur if managers fail to realize that buyers differ from country to country.   It is the international differences in buyer behavior, rather than similarities, which cause problems in successful international marketing. Who is responsible? An international marketing manager is a manager responsible for facilitating the exchange of products between the organization and its customers or clients. Sometimes an international marketing manager will find difficulties in completing the exchange of products.  Many surprises in international business are undesirable human mistakes.   An international corporation must fully understand the foreign environment before pursuing business matters.  To be effective in a foreign market it is necessary to understand the local customs.   Knowing what to do in a foreign country is as important as knowing what not to do.   Failure to understand local customs can lead to serious misunderstandings between business people. Important Factors It is very important to be able to interpret the different means of communication in international marketing. It is almost impossible to attain complete knowledge and understanding of a foreign culture.   As established, culture plays an important role in the drama of international marketing.   Of all the cultural aspects, communication may be the most critical.  It is certain that communication has been involved in a number of cultural confusion.  Good communication linkages must be set between a company and its customers, suppliers, its employees, and the governments of the countries where it performs business activities. Issues with International Marketing Communications Poor communication can obviously cause various difficulties.  One source of difficulty among starting companies is that of effective communication with potential buyers.  The problem is that there are many possible communication barriers.  Sometimes messages can be translated incorrectly, regulations overlooked, and economic differences can be ignored.  Other times when the message does arrive, its ineffectiveness can cause it to be of no value. Every now and then a buyer will receive the message, but to the companies disappointment, the message was sent incorrect.  It is normal in multinational businesses to send and receive messages on a regular basis.   Many well-known people have incapacitated public speech introductions by using inaccurate titles and names.  Not all communication problems are verbal.  Some serious problems have occurred as a result of non-verbal communication.  Non-verbal communication exists in numerous forms.   Sometimes a persons appearanc e can convey a stronger message than intended. The perception of the product characteristics plays an important role in the international marketing strategy.  One must realize that the importances of a certain product traits vary from country to country.  Multinational corporations, therefore, must consider varying promotional tactics.   Adapting the product but using the same promotional mix is a strategy used when a product will not appeal to different local tastes. This international marketing channel is sequence of marketing organizations from nation to nation that directs the flow of products.   Most industrial products use shorter channels. One of the most basic levels of international marketing is licensing.   A license is a contractual agreement in which one firm permits another to produce and market its product and use its brand name in return for a royalty or other compensation.  This grant may be in the form of a direct sale of rights or be limited to a certain period of time. International licensing can be tied to joint ventures between the parent and the subsidiary. International marketers tend to concentrate on higher income countries as either personal, disposable, or discretionary.   For obvious reasons, marketers tend to concentrate on higher income countries.   Some producers have found that their products are more likely to sell in countries with low income.   As in domestic marketing, the determining factor is how well the product satisfies its target market.   International marketing encompasses all business activities that involve exchanges across national boundaries.   A firm may enter the international market for many reasons.   Whatever the reason international marketing can provide and efficient way of entering the market.   A firms marketing program must be adapted to foreign markets to account for differences in the business environment and target markets form nation to nation.   The marketing mix may require the modification of cultural, social, economic, and legal differences. Foreign marketing requires the under standing of various additional costs, which tend to increase the prices of exported goods.   The marketing program of an international company must adapt to the necessities of a foreign market. The strategies it uses to accomplish a firms marketing goal should be the main priority of the marketing program. Communication involves the skilful use of all the capacities of language organized into a system of tools, techniques and transmission devices. For example, if the idea of advertising is to create in the customers mind utility and value, this means that the marketer has to position the product in a way that makes it desirable to the customer, enabling transference of a basic need into a want. International integrated communication involves the formulation of vision that results in a strategy and implementation of an integrated communications plan in more than one country in various parts of the world, as opposed to the entire world, which would then make it global. Problems with International Marketing Communications Both the international marketing and marketing communications literature deal with this by adding some international elements to the basic process. The task that the sender has is to use socio-cultural cues and symbols familiar to the receiver and to select media that are socio-culturally and legally appropriate (if available). The increased difficulties are underscored by the idea of both the senders and the receivers realm of understanding and field of experience. Clearly factors affecting communication in the international context are such things as language for example brand names perception for example colour, values and beliefs for example veneration of the elderly or local advertising regulations for example comparative advertising. The complexity of the situation is clear to see. The difficulties of getting the message across the sender-receiver can be difficult These difficulties are exacerbated in the international setting. Marketing communications in  international markets  needs to be conducted with care, some of the factors that need to be considered in relation to  international marketing communications  (Promotion) are: The work ethic of employees and customers to be targeted by media. Levels of literacy and the availability of education for the national population. The similarity or diversity of beliefs, religion, morality and values in the target nation. The family and the roles of those within it are factors to take into account. International marketing is much more than just translating your advertising campaign.   Successful global brands communicate by understanding and adapting to local markets. One of the issues discussed in International marketing communication helps in uncovering how to reformulate products for local palates for instance HJ Heinzs wanted to market its oat based baby food in china. Research showed that the Chinese were not familiar with oats and hence it introduced methods of international marketing communications. Globalization in the sense of firms from all over the world interacting and dealing with each other is expected to be the normal state of affairs for the majority of businesses. In the industrial or business-to business sector, this pattern may be even more pronounced because advanced communications and transportation technologies have the potential for enabling the laws of comparative advantage to be realized to a very high degree. Thus, businesses that were used to dealing with other businesses from all over the country will now seek relationships from all over the world. Internet-based B2B E-commerce, has, of course, been at the vanguard of the expected revolution in the way global business will be conducted in the future and has led to uncounted predictions of a worldwide e-business revolution where virtually all industrial firms will be linked together in a gigantic electronic global network . Yet, this scenario seems a bit too simplistic. All of the hype about global B2B E-comm erce, networks, hubs, electronic auctions, etc., implies that the only thing standing in the way of electronically linked businesses on a global scale is the right technological hardware and software that, once put in place, will have global businesses operating with the precision and reliability of a Swiss watch. After all, this technocentric view suggests that the only difference between operating around the block or around the world is geographical distance. Therefore, it is just a matter of having the right satellites, telecommunications networks, and supply chains in place to solve this problem of distance. In an era of relatively instantaneous contact between organizations across the seemingly shrinking globe, why should one consider cultural distance at all? Simply because culture affects virtually all of human behavior. For example, culture has been defined as the software of the mind.Hofstedes extensive research on culture has helped conceptualize one of the most popular theories of cultural types, as evidenced by well over 1000 citations from Cultural Consequences reported in the Social Science Citation since 1980. His approach to culture initially identified four underlying value dimensions: (1) individualism vs. collectivism, (2) large vs. small power distance, (3) strong vs. weak uncertainty avoidance, and (4) masculinity vs. femininity (a fifth dimension, long- vs. short-term orientation was added later). The role of marketing communications in international marketing strategy has never been greater than in the emerging global competitive environment. A connecting fact in the literature is the understanding that the various elements of the communications and it shouldnt be isolated if they are to be utilized optimally and successfully these must be taken as part of a total concept for optimal results. Cultural issues may be even more prominent than they are for tangible goods. There are large variations in willingness to pay for quality, and often very large differences in expectations. In some countries, it may be more difficult to entice employees to embrace a firms customer service philosophy. Labor regulations in some countries make it difficult to terminate employees whose treatment of customers is substandard.  Speed of service is typically important in the U.S. and western countries but personal interaction may seem more important in other countries. A very complex and controversial issue is that of ethics. The varying norms and social values, many a time make the international business environment very intricate and perplexing. The term business ethics refers to the system of moral principles and rules of conduct applied to business. That there should be business ethics means the business should be conducted according to certain self recognized moral standards. There is, however, no unanimity of opinion regarding what constitutes business ethics. An international marketer often finds that the norms of ethics vary from country to country. What is ethically wrong or condemned in one nation may not be in another. Another issue is whether it is ethical to sell products are banned in some countries because of their harmful effects in other countries (often in developing countries). One issue is that if the government of a country permits the marketing of such a product, should a company give up the sales of the product on its own. If the harmful effects of a product outweigh the benefits, a company with sound ethics will not do business in that product even if there is no legal objection. With the increasing globalization of the business world, international segmentation becomes an ever more important concept in marketing. The globalization forces now at work push many companies to extend or reorganize their marketing strategies across borders and target international segments of consumers. Conclusion Business in the age of globalization has both facilitated and necessitated a move towards the internationalization of organizations of all sizes (Wood Robertson, 2000). However, while globalization is indisputably occurring in a variety of shapes throughout the world, there is as yet a considerable gap in the literature regarding the internationalization of businesses. Consequently, organizations engaging in international business frequently find themselves utterly unprepared for the environments they are entering and unaware of the potential risks involved in the internationalization move. This lack of preparation is already evident in the criteria applied to discriminate international markets against one another in order to select suitable countries for market entry. Often, countries for international business activity are chosen according to soft factors, i.e. factors such as proximity or personal preference, rather than hard factors such as market size, growth rate or accessibility

Automating the process of jib crane design

Automating the process of jib crane design Automating the Process of Jib Crane Design Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction In a jib crane horizontal jib is fixed to a piller or to a wall and supports a movable lift. Jib crane mostly used in industries and for military purpose. The jib can also swing by the arc which corresponds to lateral movement (additional). These types of crane are used in warehouse stores to lift the goods to all floors. In the materials handling industry workers are often required to do large payloads. In situations where large payload movements would require extra forces to be applied by the operator, the material handling devices are provided now with automatic or motorized power assists. These are basically designed such that they can reduce operator tiredness and damage. Such cranes are power assisted jib cranes with advanced design. A jib crane consists of a pendulum like end line attached to a rota-table jib. Within this general cranes category there exist some devices with multiple degrees of freedom which includes variable load line length and jib length which is also variable. Point-point payload maneuvers with jib cranes are performed so as not to incite the spherical pendulum modes of the cable attached and payload assembly. In a typical way these pendulum modes yet time-varying, but shows low frequencies. That results in slow performance; hence high construction and transportation costs can occur. The figure below shows the different parts of jib crane. [Franklin, 1994] Jib Cranes are industrial machines which mostly uses for materials movements in construction of buildings, production halls, assembly lines, storage areas, and power plants. The design features of jib crane vary widely according to their major operational and manufacturing specifications such as: crane structure according to motion, weight and type of the load, crane location, geometric features, and environmental conditions. However, a review of the available literature tells that technical design of jib cranes are highly saturated and standardized in many industrial companies and organizations independent of the jib crane type. [Marchese, 1974] 1.2 Problems/Issues Today most companies currently uses manual calculations to provide product design specification for their jib cranes for their customers requirements. This job involves very hard work and the manual calculation. The reduced man work will efficient the companys process for design and manufacturing of the product. So it would be beneficial to automate this process which requires a software package in which all calculation can be done automatic. 1.2.1 Current Problems The problems in jib crane design incorporate advance design for their different customers and their different purpose and the companies dont have a computer program which calculates the design specifications for manufacturing for their customers. [Erden, 1996] 1.2.2 Literature review Current material handling systems exhibit anisotropic behavior. Their two planar degrees of freedom have requirement of different force inputs from the operator. For jib crane in generation of isotropic behavior there can be two directions, the first direction generates isotropy by floating the boom above the load. The second direction adds a power trolley and is capable of assisting by providing power to actually accelerate the given load. We can provide a cable angle sensor and ultrasonic distance sensor for the intelligence necessary to achieve isotropy. [A, Lorenz, 1999] Consideration of the available technology that is mainly based on the accumulated previous experience is important for better performance, higher safety and more reliable designs. It is well known that generic features of jib crane components are similar for various different types of cranes. Since the jib crane design procedures are highly standardized with these components, main effort and time spent in jib crane design projects are mostly for interpretation and implementation of the available design. In the figure below a rotatory jib crane is shown with degrees of freedom. The crane considered here consists of a rotatable jib with a load line attached to the end. A mass, representing a payload, is attached to the end of the load-line. The figure (1) is shown for analysis. The three co-ordinate system (three vectors shown) attached to the jib and rotates about the hub with an angular rate (gamma). The rotation angles are defined as rotation of the load-line about the two axes. The attachment point of the load-line to the jib is at a distance x from the centre of rotation of hub. The load-line has length L and the payload mass m. Alternative Concepts: Several concepts were evaluated: Single tension rod A single-rod design is assumed during the initial calculations to determine reaction forces on the building column. Extra analysis explained that this design did not have enough power for its length and capacity. Truss A trussed beam is considered, as it would have provided a very light, strong crane. This design was shortly discarded because it would have proven very difficult to study and build. Two tension rods A two-rod design can be selected because it could be made strong enough to support the design load up to the length of 30 feet, yet be simple enough to analyze with a combination of manual calculations and computer-based analysis. 1.2.3 Objectives To understand design and analysis of jib crane To design jib crane in AutoCAD / Solid work To develop calculation of jib crane data using Microsoft excel Chapter 2 Methodology 2.1 Flow chart: Start Design and analysis for the jib crane (Existing Design) and a modified design AutoCAD Design Create Microsoft excel software End In the initial stage the project overview and scope of project is analyzed. Further on the literature based on the current design is reviewed. Next stage is examining the design advancement of the jib crane using sensors and control to automate the crane process and in lowering the operator stress and power. After that the software developed will be used in design and selection of major jib crane parts for the manufacturing. The design stated by software would be seen as in AutoCAD or solid work. In the final stage the further advancement and conclusion will be made. The stages of the project are shown below. 2.2 Description: The project will consist of manual calculations of design specifications for the complex structures like Jib crane along with automated process. The use of Microsoft software along with some other package will be usedso that it would be more users friendly. First thecalculationwill be donelike moment of inertia, torque and transmission ratios etc.for the advanced mechanicaldesign of the Jib crane[Juvinall,1991] then the number of variables will be included in software to give the product design specification for jib crane directly which will help in reducing the manwork. The simple advantage to get the all data which are required in jib crane design will come directly and this process will help in reducing time taken to produce a required jib crane. The work will be done with existing data and current methods of calculation. At the end of project, a manufacturer should not calculate the various design data for the custom design of the jib crane for different purpose. The jib crane software itself will pick the most essential and important data and according to that will choose the simplified method to give design specification directly. Reader will be able to understand the various methods involved in jib crane design and advancement of design and the analysis of jib crane to make it effective. The practices followed and measures developed to make high-rise construction a safer job will be listed in report. Some of the main benefits of the automated design include the following: Greater consistency of design; this makes manufacturing and field service easier. Ability to explore more alternatives; because design can be created in a shorter time, it allows designers to study more alternatives. 2.3 Gantt Chart Gantt Chart: Project on â€Å"Automating design of jib crane† TASKS Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Selection of the Topic Submission of the Project Proposal Literature survey on the Topic Submission of the Interim Report Software development Conclusion and Recommendations Final Report Submission Chapter-3 Design and Calculation of Jib Crane 3.1 Design Concepts for Jib Crane Jib cranes, a free standing or portable jib crane is an economical solution for moving materials within an individual workstation, for transferring materials from work area to work area, or for use as an auxiliary lifting device under an overhead crane. Jib cranes are designed and manufactured in four styles: Free standing or portable jib cranes Wall bracket tie rod supported jib cranes Wall cantilever jib cranes Mast style jib cranes (top and bottom supported) Articulating jib cranes are also manufactured for positioning loads in those hard to reach places where most Standard jib cranes cannot reach. An articulating jib crane can move loads around corners and columns, reach into machinery, and service an area from the closest pivot point to the end of the boom allowing 360 º of operation. Another jib crane is the workstation jib crane. From self-supporting to wall mounted, workstation jib cranes provides economic, supplemental lifting coverage with 200 º or 360 º of rotation. Features Standard jib cranes range in capacity up to 5 tons and spans to 20 feet. Jib cranes feature on unique trussed boom design, which offers longer spans for custom jib crane designs. Free standing and mast type jib cranes offer 360  º rotations. Wall mounted offers 200 º of rotation. Design Factor The standard capacity rating of a jib crane represents the net rated load of the hook at the hook of a hoist of the same rated capacity as the crane. The design factor for the stresses in the crane is based on the capacity plus 25% of the rated load for impact and 15% of the rated load for the weight of the hoist and trolley. This was used all along with the average yield stress of the material to find out the type of the design. [Juvinall, 1991] This design provides a margin to allow for variations in material properties, operating conditions, and design assumptions. No crane should be supposed to ever, in any circumstance, be weighted beyond its rated capability. Service Factor The maximum weight of the application should match, NOT exceed, and design weight. The capacity rating is dependent and based on a design load. The jib crane design criterion allows the least amount of deflection so as not to hamper the performance of the jib crane. 3.2 Design of a Jib Crane The unit system of choice is normally SI. For this design, though, the BG (British Gravitational) system is chosen because the dimensions of most acquired components are in inches. We are doing analysis and design of a 30-foot, 1 ton jib crane. Requirements The crane must meet the following criteria: Should have a capacity of one ton (2000 lb). Should have a 30 feet length. Should be able to mount on the existing building structure. The design load is 2700 lb, defined as follows: Pd = 2000 lb + 25% overload + 200 lb trolley weight The length of the crane is taken as that of the main beam. The entire crane will arrive at approximately 372 inches from its pivot point. The alternative concepts are already evaluated earlier. We are taking the crane with two tension rods. 3.2.1 Reaction Force Calculations Before detailed design could begin, it had to be determined whether the building structure could support the new crane. This can be accomplished by drawing a free body diagram of the overall crane structure, and calculating the forces that would act on it. The design load should be positioned in the worst-case position hence at the end of the main beam. Since the weight of the crane makes a noteworthy horizontal reaction force, its main structural components were specified for this practice. A single 200-lb tension rod, attached at 20 feet from the root of the main beam The weight of the vertical member (eight feet at 25 pounds per foot) was used in calculating the vertical reaction force, but was not deemed significant in calculating the horizontal reaction forces. Minor components e.g. mounting brackets and pin- fasteners, are not going to consider. The calculations solved on paper, give the following results for The 10 Inch diameter S10at25.4 the beam: Horizontal reaction force: 12,556 lb Vertical reaction force: 3854 lb 3.2.2 Design of Main Beam The main beam is the most structurally significant part of the crane, and thus was the first to be designed. The maximum stress of a crane has to be less than one fifth of the ultimate strength of the steel. The maximum deflection should be less than 600th part of the length of the crane. Manual calculations proved that the 8-inch beam would buckle under the compression made by applying the design load at the end of the beam. Buckling load A Beam, 360 inches long, meets both stress and deflection guidelines when used with two tension rods. The maximum stress and deflection, when the load is on the end of the crane, are as follows 3.2.3 Primary Structure With the main beam specified, the rest of the crane was designed around it. A model was constructed consisting of the main beam, the vertical member, and the tension rods, which were arbitrarily attached at 15 and 25 feet from the root of the main beam. Manual calculations performed later confirmed that these were appropriate attachment points. For the sake of simplicity, the vertical member can be specified as the same cross section as the main beam and the vertical member is 96 inches long. Rod tension Assume main beam pinned at one end 3.2.4 Minor Components Connecting the Tension Rods to the Main Beam The tension rods are connected to the main beam using a clevis, which is pinned to a mounting plate welded to the main beam. This clevis is having a tensile load rating of 45,600 lb which allows a considerable safety factor. The clevis pin is protected with a 1/8†inch cotter pin. Double-shear calculations show it to be more than strong enough. Clevis Pin The clevis mount was designed over-large, to fill up the clearances provided by the clevis. The calculations show that the clevis mount, like the clevis itself, provides a significant margin of safety. Clevis Mount Su = 58000 psi Sus = 33640 psi F = 21658 lb th = 2 ½ in ro = 21/8 in ri = 7/8 in d = 1 ¾ in The tension rod is connected to the clevis through a turnbuckle and since the clevis has a rod diameter of 1 ½ inches, the stud must be turned down from 2 ¼ inches to 1 ½ inches. The lower end of the tension rod should be threaded for inclusion into the turnbuckle. Specification of Bearings Using the overall horizontal reaction force as the radial load, the bearings can be specified. The bolt holes in the flange of this bearing are placed in the identical position. Design of Welds The weld connecting the tension rod to the top of the vertical member requires individual explanation. The tension rod on the crane is bent, and then welded to the top of the vertical member of that crane After placing one rod on top of the vertical member, welds 1 and 2 should consist of a groove weld, then a fillet weld. Weld 3 should use the same pattern subsequent to the second rod is being placed. At last, weld 4 is a groove weld. All welds should fill up obtainable clearances. 3.3 Design Modification: For each handling device, the two horizontal DOF differ in feel. For the jib and gantry cranes, motion along the trolleys direction of travel requires relatively little force. Similarly, on the bridge crane, motion along the bridge is relatively easy. But for the jib crane, moving perpendicular to the booms length is complicated by the booms rotational inertia and the boom pivots friction. For the gantry crane, this perpendicular motion is very difficult due to the large inertia of the crane, and as stated earlier, often requires power assist. Finally, for the bridge crane, it is the large inertia of the bridge and resulting increased rolling resistance in its trolleys that make the perpendicular motion more difficult. Low speed power assist has been added to each of these difficult motions: rotation of the boom on a jib crane, translation of a gantry crane, and translation of the bridge along the fixed rails of a bridge crane. The control of this power has been limited to simple push button on/off switches and control algorithms which provide a slow start and stop to minimize load swing. The anisotropy exhibited in the different motions remains. This lack of isotropy makes it difficult for workers to move an object from point to point. The worker must constantly vary the applied force as the desired direction of motion changes. To think of this phenomenon in different terms, consider a round stick half immersed in a pool of water. It is very easy to move this stick through a curved trajectory. The forces resisting the motion are independent of the motions direction. Now consider a paddle (which cannot be rotated) immersed in the pool. It is considerably more difficult to move this paddle through the same curved trajectory. The human must continually adjust to the changing resistance forces. Increasing the viscosity of the fluid will exacerbate the problem. This is analogous to increasing the size and/or load of a material handling system.[Franklin, 1994] Hence thus, ideally, overhead material handing devices would exhibit isotropy. That is, the feel of the device would be independent of the direction in which it was pushed. So the next objective is to advance the design of jib crane which is intelligent power assist jib and making the design calculation by Microsoft excel itself. For this design the drawing has been done for some parts and shown below. The rest of the analysis will be done in the final report. In the modified design we put some control sensor for the motion of the jib crane. References A, Lorenz., August 1999, Force Sensors for Human-Robot Interaction Erden Z., et al, 1996, â€Å"A Computer Based Design Support System for Automate Access to the F. E.M. Rules in a Crane Design Procedure†, Proceedings of the 7th International Machine Design and Production Conference, pp. 575-583, Ankara, Turkey G. Franklin, et al, 1994,Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems†, Third edition, Addison Wiley R. Juvinall and K. Marshek , 1991, Fundamentals of Machine Component Design Marchese P. J. and Rice R. F., 1974, â€Å"Trends in Equipment Design and Controls for Heavy Duty Industrial Overhead Traveling Cranes†, Iron and Steel Engineer, v. 51, n. 9, p.66 Baker J., 1971, â€Å"Cranes in Need of Change†, Engineering, v. 211,n. 3, p. 298

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Biomechatronics Essay -- physics biomechatronic

When Luke Skywalker's hand was sliced off by Darth Vader in the trilogy Star Wars, he received a new prosthetic hand which was fully functional in use and appearance.Today, this science fiction is becoming reality as an exciting new technology called Biomechatronics is promising revolutionary advances in the field of prosthetics. As the name implies, biomechatronics merges man with machine. It is an interdisciplinary field including biology, neuroscience and physics. Biomechatronic scientists create devices that interact with human muscle, bone and the nervous systems with the goal of "assisting or enhancing human motor control that can be lost or impaired by trauma, disease, or birth defects." Today there is a great need in advances in the field of prosthetics. This demand is being generated in large measure by wounded veterans needing prosthetics. While new advances in body armor is saving lives, it is also leading to many limb injuries in soldiers who would not have usually survived. In the first two years of the Iraq war, over 200 soldiers lost limbs. While health care is still servicing wooden hands designed in the World War I era, many patients are unsatisfied with the unnatural movements, aesthetics, weight and lack of motion in these outdated prosthetics. Colonel Geoffrey Ling, a program manager for the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA) who is overseeing a project to improve prosthetics says, "The best hand prosthetic one can get is a hook, right out of Peter Pan. It's heavy, it's clumsy and cosmetically, it's just horrid." That is why DARPA along with 70 million dollars to John Hopkin's Applied Physics Laboratory are spearheading the work. The projects goals are lofty: APL hopes to design an arm ... ...zine. (2007) On-line. http://www.baltimoremag.com Freudenrich, Craig Ph.D.. How Biomechatronics works. (2007) On-line. http://www.howstuffworks.com/biomechatronics.htm Su, Y. Fisher, M.H. Wolczowski, A. Bell, G.D. Burn, D. Gao, R. Basics of MRI-I. 19 May 2005 'Towards an EMG Controlled Prosthetic Hand Using a 3D Electromagnetic Positioning System' Instrument and Measurement vol. 1, p. 261-266. Guinnessy, Paul. Sept 2006. 'DARPA joins industry, academia to build better prosthetic arms' Physics Today p. 24-25. Unknown author. (2007) On-line. Nerve cells. http://www.cidpusa.org/physiology.htm Herr, Hugh Ph. D. White House/VA Conference / Emerging Technologies in Support of the New Freedom Initiative: Promoting Opportunities for People with Disabilities October 13-14, 2004. (2007) On-line. http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/whc2004/day1/pan-herr.html

Friday, July 19, 2019

Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman by Marjorie Shostak :: Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman

â€Å"Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman† by Marjorie Shostak   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the book, â€Å"Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman,† written by Marjorie Shostak; is a culturally shocking and extremely touching book about a woman who had gone through many struggles and horrific tragedies in her life. This book also emphasizes the perspective of most of the women in the society. There are many striking issues in this book that the people of the !Kung tribe go through.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marjorie Shostak, an anthropologist who had written this book had studies the !Kung tribe for two years. Shostak had spent the two years interviewing the women in the society. The !Kung tribe resided n the Dobe area of Northwest Botswana, that’s infused with a series of clicks, represented on paper by exclamation points and slashes. Shostak had studied that the people of the tribe relied mostly on nuts of the mongongo, which is from an indigenous tree that’s part of their diet.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Shostak, out of all the women in the tribe had made close connections with a fifty year old woman with the name of Nisa. The woman, Nisa, is what the book is about. The book is written in Nisa’s point of view of her life experiences while growing up in that type of society. Nisa’s willingness to speak in the interviews about her childhood and her life gave Shostak a solid basis on what to write her book on. Nisa’s life was filled with tragedies. She had gone through certain situations where Nisa loses two of her children as infants and two as adults. She had also lost her husband soon after the birth of one of their children. According to Shostak, â€Å"None of the women had experiences as much tragedy as Nisa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Shostak, 351).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Shostak, when interviewing Nisa, considers that in the beginning of the book, Nisa seems to exaggerate the stories from when she was an infant. Although the stories are exaggerated by Nisa, a lot of women can relate to her life even with the geographic distance between them or if the society is completely different. Women of the same age can relate to Nisa, or if they went through the same situations like her. Certain women, even in America, have gone through a situation where they had to bury their own child or if they have lost a husband.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This book had first started out by introducing the readers to what this book is going to sound like, which was the Introduction. Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman by Marjorie Shostak :: Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman â€Å"Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman† by Marjorie Shostak   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the book, â€Å"Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman,† written by Marjorie Shostak; is a culturally shocking and extremely touching book about a woman who had gone through many struggles and horrific tragedies in her life. This book also emphasizes the perspective of most of the women in the society. There are many striking issues in this book that the people of the !Kung tribe go through.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marjorie Shostak, an anthropologist who had written this book had studies the !Kung tribe for two years. Shostak had spent the two years interviewing the women in the society. The !Kung tribe resided n the Dobe area of Northwest Botswana, that’s infused with a series of clicks, represented on paper by exclamation points and slashes. Shostak had studied that the people of the tribe relied mostly on nuts of the mongongo, which is from an indigenous tree that’s part of their diet.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Shostak, out of all the women in the tribe had made close connections with a fifty year old woman with the name of Nisa. The woman, Nisa, is what the book is about. The book is written in Nisa’s point of view of her life experiences while growing up in that type of society. Nisa’s willingness to speak in the interviews about her childhood and her life gave Shostak a solid basis on what to write her book on. Nisa’s life was filled with tragedies. She had gone through certain situations where Nisa loses two of her children as infants and two as adults. She had also lost her husband soon after the birth of one of their children. According to Shostak, â€Å"None of the women had experiences as much tragedy as Nisa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Shostak, 351).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Shostak, when interviewing Nisa, considers that in the beginning of the book, Nisa seems to exaggerate the stories from when she was an infant. Although the stories are exaggerated by Nisa, a lot of women can relate to her life even with the geographic distance between them or if the society is completely different. Women of the same age can relate to Nisa, or if they went through the same situations like her. Certain women, even in America, have gone through a situation where they had to bury their own child or if they have lost a husband.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This book had first started out by introducing the readers to what this book is going to sound like, which was the Introduction.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Comment on the development of the character of Pip Essay

We are acquainted with Pip from the outset of the novel, the opening lines telling of his unfortunate name and of the untimely deaths of his parents. To the reader, Pip appears to be a perceptive young boy- his visions about his parents were very lurid and imaginative, considering they were only taken from the font and style of his parent’s tombstones. Pip talks in a very matter of fact manner, i.e. he has no feelings of sadness or guilt when he talks about both his parents and his brothers. His encounter with the convict is a catalyst for change in Pips character, we can see that he changes from being quite confident and sure of himself, to being paranoid and afraid. When Pip hears the guns of the prison-ships, he begins to worry quite spontaneously, and links the fact that a convict has escaped with his encounter in the graveyard. This makes Pip even more fearful, seeing as now he has no doubt that the convict will carry out the necessary incisions to take out his heart and liver, unless of course Pip delivers the food. After the drop off has been made, Pip’s character takes another turn, this time into the realms of paranoia. Straight after Pip came back to his house in chapter four, Pip’s first words were ‘I fully expected to find a constable in the kitchen, waiting to take me up.’ All the way through the Christmas dinner when Pip’s relatives were present, Pip was constantly on the edge of his seat- ready to hide under the table every time Mrs. Gargery left the room, his fears about the missing food and drink riding high in his hyper-paranoid state. When Pumblechook informed Pip of his imminent visit to Miss Havisham’s, Pip is filled with questions to do with the purpose of his visit, and we see the deeply inquisitive side of Pip. His visit and time there bred mixed feelings within Pip: feelings of shame, ungratefulness, jealousy and a very prominent inadequacy within himself. He wishes he had Estella for himself, he wishes he had Miss Havisham’s fortune and he wishes he was someone else. He wishes he was someone uncommon, and someone well educated, gentlemanly and with fair hands. These wishes and strong feelings awakened his inadequacy and thus inadvertently his expectations. Estella sets an inner turmoil into motion within Pip. He feels strong feelings of love, jealousy, dislike for her (and himself) and an intuition which says leave her well alone, while his reckless love for her is in direct conflict with this. His love for her is a mystery to even himself, he analyses scrupulously his interactions with her, and the cold and heartless things she does to him, and he himself cannot explain the feelings he has towards her. Pip’s expectations change the way Pip thinks. He no longer looks upon himself as common and due to a few hints here and there from Miss Havisham, is convinced that she is his secret benefactor and that she has set him and Estella up for each other. This knowledge that Pip thinks he has leads to a change in Pip’s character, whereas before he was thinking of ways to improve himself so that Estella would look more kindly upon him, he now thinks that he just has to sit back, relax and wait. The truth was a shock to Pip, in his own words: ‘The abhorrence in which I held the man, the dread I had of him, the repugnance with which I shrank from him, could not have been exceeded if he had been some terrible beast.’ His foolishness with which he had treated Estella became apparent and inwardly Pip wished he had done more. He became both guilty and ashamed, and he came to almost resent his good fortunes, close to but not.

Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 7

thus you mustiness stand had a reason, Poppy give tongue toflatly. When he looked at her, she shrugged. I bonk you. She knew him in a expressive style shed neer kn suffer anyone. crowd together looked away. I didnt drop a reason, unless t here were ab turn up extenuating circumstances. You could say I was roach up. only if I still charter nightmargons.He sounded so tired-so sad.Its a lone(a) world, fullof secrets, poppy melodic theme. And hed had to keep the biggest secret of ein truth from e genuinelyone, including her.It must spend a penny been awful for you, she utter, hardlyaware that she was speaking verboten loud. I mean, in every(prenominal) your life- verifying this in. non carnal k directledge anybody. beliePoppy. He gave a wag of repressed emotion.Dont.Dont sympathize with you?He shake his conduct. Nobodyss ever unders tood before. After a pause he give tongue to, How patronage you reside al more or less me? With what youre facing?I look becau se -I care ab turn out you.And I system thats why I didnt treat you same Michaela or Jacklyn, he said.Poppy looked at the inscribed planes of his face, atthe wave of br let h variant f on the consentient oer his fore mentality resembling silk and held her breath. hypothesise I love you, she ordered kindly.Say it, you slurred male. merely they werent connected, and crowd together didnt givethe sligh experiment sign of having comprehend. sooner he turned brisk and business desire. Wed go bad get started. Hegot up and drew the windowpane curtains leave out. Sunlight inhibits solely vampire powers, he said in a customer lecturer voice. .Poppy took reward of the pause to go to the CDplayer. The music had changed to a Dutch monastic order song,which was fine for doing the Netherlands skippydance to, only if non very romantic. She punched a entirely ton and a velvety Portuguese lament began.Then she twitched the sheer hangings about the bed dosed. When she sit down again, she and mob were in their own itsy-bitsy world, dim and secluded, enclosed in misty eggshell sporting.Im ready, she said softly, and pile leaned inclose to her. Even in the semidarkness Poppy entangle mesmerized by his eye. They were care windows to both(prenominal) early(a) place, someplace distant and magical.The Night World, she sen metrent, and canted her chincover as mob took her in his gird.This succession the double sting at her write out hurt good.solely best was when throngs brainiac touched hers.The effect of oneness, of suddenly macrocosm whole-it spread through her interchangeable starshine. formerly again she had the sense experience that they were melting together, looseness and merging everywhere they touched. She could shade her own pulse echoingthrough him.Closer, loser and consequently she mat a pulling-back. pack? Whats wrong?nothing,he told her, but Poppy could sense that itwasnt quite real. He was try to weaken the growing bond a mid them but why?Poppy, I save dont necessity to force you into anything.What were steping is-artificial. stylised? It was the realest thing that shed everexperienced. Realer than real. In the midst of joy, Poppy entangle a surge of hurt impatience at crowd.I dont mean it like that,he said, and in that location was desperation in the purpose.Its honest that you cant resist the blood-bond. You couldnt resist it if you hated me. Itisnt ordinary.Poppy didnt care about fair.Ifyou cant resist it,why are you trying?she asked him triumphantly.She perceive something like mental laughter, and wherefore they were both clinging together as a wave of pure emotion sweep them.The blood-bond, Poppy thought when crowd raisedhis head at last. It doesnt matter if he wont say he loves me-were bonded now. Nothing can changethat.And in a import or so she would seal off that bondby taking his blood. Try and resistthat,she thought, and was startled when mob laughed softly. Reading my mind again?Not exactly. Youre projecting-and youre verygood at it. Youre going to be a lovesome telepath.Interesting. . . but skillful now Poppy didnt feelstrong. She suddenly felt kitten-weak. Limp as a wilting flower. She needed I bed, crowd together whispered. Still supporting her, he started to lift one wrist to his mouth.Poppy stop him with a restraining hand.James? How many generation do we shake off to do thisbefore I-change? once more than, I promise, James said quietly. I tooka lot this time, and I demand you to do the same. And the adjacent time we do it Ill die, Poppy thought. Well, at least I know howlong I get to left as a human.Jamess lips slid back to reveal long, delicate fangs,and he struck at his own wrist. in that respect was something snake like in the motion. kin welled up, the colorof syrup in a can of cherry preserves.Just as Poppy was tip forward, lips parted,there was a knock at the door.Poppy and James froze guiltily.The knock came again. In her muddled and lessened render, Poppy couldnt seem to make herself move.The only thought that resounded in her brainwasOh,please. Please dont let it beThe door opened.Phil.Phillip was already speaking as he poked his headin. Poppy, are you awake? mammary gland says-He broke off abruptly, then lunged forthelightswitch on the wall. Suddenly the room was illuminated.Oh,terrific,Poppy thought in frustration. Phil waspeering through the filmy draperies around the bed.Poppy peered back at him.Whatis going-on? he said in a voice that would have gotten him the lead role in The hug drug Com mandments.And then, before Poppy could gather enough marbles to answer, he leaned in and grabbed James by the arm.Phil,dont, Poppysaid. Phil, you idiotWe had a deal, Phil snarled at James. And you broke it.James was gripping Phils arms now, as ungentlyas Phil was grasping him. Poppy had the dismayed feeling that they were going to start head-buttingeach opposite.Oh, Lord, if she could only recollectst raight. She feltso brainless.Youve got the wrong idea, James said to Philthrough clenched teeth.The wrongidea? Icome in here and baring the two of you in bed, with all the curtains drawn, and youre telling me Ive got the wrongidea?Onthe bed, Poppy interjected. Phil ignored her.James move Phil. He did it quite easily and withan miser parameterss of movement, but Phils head snapped back and forth. Poppy completed that James was not athis most keen-sighted right now. She remembered the metal chair leg and decided it was time to intervene.Letgo,she said, reaching in among the two boys to grab for hands. Anybodys hands. have it away on,you guys And then, desperately, Phil, I know youdont understand, but James is trying tohelp me-Help you? I dont think so. And then to JamesLook at her. Cant you see that this stupefied pretending is making hersicker? Every time I hear her with you, shes white as a sheet. Youre scarcely making things worse.You dont know anything about it, Jamess narled in Phils face. provided Poppy was still processing something several(prenominal) sentences back.Stupid? Pretending? she said. Her voice wasnt very loud but everything stopped.Both boys looked at her.Everyone do mistakes then. Later, Poppy wouldrealize that if any of them had kept their heads, what happened next could have been avoided. But noneof them did.Im down fancyted,Philsaid to Poppy. I didnt compulsion totell you-Shut up,James said savagely.But I have to.This-jerk-is solely playing with you.He admitted it to me. He said he felt sorry for you,and he thinks that pretending he likes you makesyou feel better. Hes got an ego that would fill Dodger Stadium.Pretending? Poppy said again, sitting back. Therewas a abuzz in her head and an eruption convention in her chest.Poppy, hes brainsick, James said. Listen-But Poppy wasnt bear in minding. The difficulty was thatshe couldfeelhow sorry Phil was. It was practically more persuade than anger. And Phillip, honest, strai ghtforward, trustworthy Phillip, almost never lied.He wasnt lying now. Which meant that James must be. belt time.You. . .she whispered to James.,You . . .She couldnt think of a put forward word bad enough. slightly how she felt more hurt, more betrayed than she hadever felt before. She had thought sheknewJamesshe had trusted him absolutely. Which made the betrayal all the worse. So it was all pretending? Isthat it?Some inner voice was telling her to hold on andthink. That she was in no produce to make crucial decisions.But she was to a fault in no render to listen to innervoices. Her own anger kept her from deciding if shehad any good reason to be angry. You exactly feltsorryfor me? she whispered, and suddenly all the animosity and grief that shed been suppressing for the last day and a half flooded out. Shewas blind with pain, and postal code mattered exceptmaking James hurt as more as she hurt.Jameswas breathing hard,speaking rapidly.Poppy-this is why I didnt want Phil to know-And nowonder, Poppyraged. And no wonderyou wouldnt say you love me, she went on, not even caring that Phillip was listening. And no wonder you would do all that other stuff, but you never even kissed me. Well, I dont want yourpity-Whatotherstuff?. all toldwhatotherstuff?Philshouted.Imgonna kill you, RasmussenHe disunite free of James and swung at him. Jamesducked so that the fist clean grazed his hair. Philswung again and James twisted sideways andgrabbed him from foundation in a headlock.Poppy heard foot race footsteps in the hall. Whats happening? her scram gasped in dismay, regarding the scene in Poppys bedroom.At almost the same instant falloff appeared behindPoppys fetch. Whats all the shouting? he asked, his jaw peculiarly square.Yourethe one whos putting her in danger,James was snarling in Phillips ear. Right now. Helooked feral. Savage.Inhuman.Let go of my brother Poppyyelled. all(prenominal) at onceher look were swimming with tears.Oh, my God-darling, her mo ther said. In two steps she was beside the bed and holding Poppy. You boys getoutof here.The barbarousness drained out of Jamess expression,and he loosened his hold on Phillip. Look, Im sorry. I have to stay. PoppyPhillip slammed an elbow into his stomach.It might not have hurt James as more than as it woulda human, but Poppy saw the peevishness sweep over his face as he straightened from doubling up. He get up Phil off his feet and threw him headfirst in the ecumenic direction of Poppys dresser.Poppys mother let out a cry. Cliff jumped in between Phil and James.Thats enough he roared. Then, to Phil Are you all right? And to James Whats this allabout?Phil was rubbing his head dazedly. James saidnothing. Poppy couldnt speak.All right, it doesnt matter, Cliff said. I guesseverybodys a little jumpy right now. But youd better go on home, James.James looked at Poppy.Poppy, throbbing all over like an aching tooth,turned her back on him. She burrowed into her mothers embrace.Ill be b ack, James said quietly. It might have been meant as a promise, but it sounded like a threat. Not for a while, you wont, Cliff said in a military command voice. Gazing over her mothers arm, Poppy could see that there was blood on Phillips sandy hair. I think everybody needs a cooling-off period. Now, come on, move.He led James out. Poppy sniffled and shivered, trying to ignore both the waves of silliness that swept over her and the agitated talk of all the voicesin her head. The stereo went on blasting out madcorestomping music from England.In the next two days James called eight times.Poppy actually picked up the headphone the first time.It was afterwards midnight when her private line rang, and she responded automatically, still half-asleep.Poppy, dont hang up, James said.Poppy hung up. A moment later the phone rangagain.Poppy, if you dont want to die, youve got tolisten to me.Thats blackmail. Youresick,Poppy said, clutching the handset. Her tongue felt thick and her head ached .Its just the truth. Poppy, listen. You didnt takeany blood today. I mown you, and you didnt get anything in exchange. And that could kill you.Poppy heard the words, but they didnt seem real.She found herself ignoring them, retreating into afoggy state where thought was impossible. I dontcare.You do-care, and if you could think, youd knowthat. Its the change thats doing this. Youre only messed up mentally. Youre too paranoid andillogical and crazy toknowyoure paranoid and illogical and crazy.It was suspiciously like what Poppy hadreaizedearlier. She was aware, dimly, that she was acting the way Marissa Schaffer had after swallow a sixpack of beer at Jan Nedjars New Years caller. reservation a ranting fool of herself. But she couldnt seemto stop.I just want to know one thing, she said. Is ittrue that you said that stuff to Phillip?She heard James let his breath out. Its true thatI said it. But whatI said wasnt true. It was just toget him off my back.By now Poppy was too upset to even want tocalm down.why should I believe somebody whose whole lifeis a lie? she said, and hung up again as the first tears spilled.All the next day she stayed in her state of foggy denial. Nothing seemed real, not the compete withJames, not Jamess warning, and not her illness. Especially not her illness. Her mind found a way toaccept the special treatment she was acquire from everyone without residence on the reason forthetreatment.She even managed to give the sack her mothers whispered comments to Phil about how she was going declivitous so fast. How poor Poppy was getting pale, getting weak, getting worse. And only Poppy knew that she could now hear conversations held in the hallway as clear as if they were in her own room.All her senses were sharpened, even as her mindwas tiresomeed. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she was startled by how white she was, her skintranslucent as candle wax. Her eyesso green and fierce that they burned.The other six times James ca lled, Poppys mothertold him Poppy was resting.Cliff fixed the broken trim on Poppys dresser.Who would have thought the kid was that strong? he said.James flipped his cellular phone shut and banged a fist on the Integras dashboard. It was Thursday afternoon.I low you.Thats what he should have said toPoppy. And now it was too late-,she wouldnt even talk to him.Whyhadnthe said it? His reasons seemed stupid now. So he hadnt taken advantage of Poppys innocence and gratitude well, bravo. All hed donewas tap her veins and rest her heart.All hed done was hasten her death.But there wasnt time to think about it now. Rightnow he had a masquerade to attend.He got out of the car and gave his windbreaker a twitch as he walked toward the meandering(a) ranch style house.He unlock and opened the door without callingto announce his presence. He didnt need to announce it his mother would sense him.Inside, it was all cathedral ceilings and fashionablybare walls. The one specialness was that every o ne of the many skylights was cover with elegant custom made drapes. This made the interior seem spacious but dim. Almost cavernous.James, his mother said, coming from the backwing. She had jet-black hair with a glow like lacquerand a perfect suppose that was emphasized rather thandisguised by her silver-and-gold embroidered wrap.Her eyes were cool gray and heavily lashed, like Jamess. She kissed the air beside his cheek.I got your message, James said. What do youwant?Id really rather wait until your sustain gets home.Mom, Im sorry, but Im in a hurry. Ive got thingsto do-I havent even fed today.It shows, his mother said. She regarded him fora moment without blinking. Then she sighed, turning toward the living room. At least, lets sit down.Youve been a little agitated, havent you, these last a few(prenominal) days?James sat on the crimson-dyed suede couch. Nowwas the test of his acting ability. If he could get through the next minute without his mother sensingthe truth, hed be hom e free.Im positive(predicate) Dad told you why, he said evenly.Yes. Little Poppy. Its very sad, isnt it? The shadeof the integrity treelike floor lamp was deep red, and cherry light fell across half his mothers face.I was upset at first, but Im pretty much over itnow, James said. He kept his voice dull and concen trated on sending nothing-nothing-through hisaura. He could feel his mother lightly probing theedges of his mind. care an insect gently caressing with an antenna, or a snake tasting the air with its black forked tongue.Im surprised his mother said. 1 thought youliked her.I did. But, after all, theyre not reallypeople,are they? He considered a moment, then said, Its sort of like losing a pet. I guess Ill just have to find another one.It was a bold move, quoting the party line. Jameswilled every muscle to stay relaxed as he felt the thought-tendrils tighten suddenly, turbinate aroundhim, looking for a chink in his armor. He thought very hard-about Michaela Vasquez. nerv e-wracking to project just the right metre of negligent fondness.It worked. The probing tendrils slipped away fromhis mind, and his mother settled back gracefully and smiled.Im radiant youre taking it so well. But if you everfeel that youd like to talk to someone your father knows some very good therapists.Vampire therapists, she meant. To bottom his headon straight about how humans were just for feeding on.I know you want to avoid trouble as much as Ido, she added. It reflects on the family, you see.Sure, James said, and shrugged. Ive got to gonow. ascertain Dad I said hi, sanction?He kissed the air beside her cheek.Oh, by the way, she said as he turned towardthe door. Your cousin-german Ashwillbe coming next week. I think hed like to stay with you at the apartment-and Im sure youd like some companythere.Over my unbreathing body, James thought. Hedforgotten all about Ashs threat to visit. But now wasnt the time to argue. He walked out feeling likea juggler with too many balls in the air.Back in his car he picked up the cellular phone,hesitated, then snapped it shut without turning it on. Calling wasnt any good. It was time to change hisstrategy.All right, then. No more half measures. A seriousoffensive-aimed where it would do the most good. He thought for a few minutes, then drove toMcDonnell Drive, parking just a few houses awayfrom where Poppy lived.And then he waited.He was prepared to sit there all night if necessary,but he didnt have to. Just around sunset the garage door opened and a white Volkswagen Jetta backedout. James saw a blond head in the drivers seat Hi, Phil. benignant to see you.When the Jetta pulled away, he followed it.