Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Water quality mix model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Water quality mix model - Essay Example 3. (1/2 mark) Convert the concentrations to meq/L and calculate the total meq/L of cations (positive) and anions (negative) and calculate the â€Å"Charge balance error†. Does the CBE indicate an accurate analysis or should another sample be analysed by the laboratory? 4. (3 marks) Assume that the â€Å"mine void† or V water is a mix of water from the coal seam C and an unknown source X. In the example with available data from a long wall coal mine, water X could be S (sandstone roof) or water X could be F (freshwater). The mix proportion M could be from 0.01 to 0.99. Several water mix scenarios might be physically possible. 6. (1/2 mark) Using the ANZECC guidelines, find the guideline value for Zinc for 95% protection of fresh water aquatic species. Which of the above mix scenarios complies with this guideline value if the waters from the coal seam void were to be pumped and discharged to a river? The following geochemical model results are presented for a PHREEQC model of a water mix from 19% fresh rain and 81% of â€Å"C† coal seam. PHREEQC predicts that the pH of the mixed water is 7.2. Examine these extracts from the output file and answer the questions following. 5. (2 marks) Install PHREEQC following instructions in the appendix that follows. Run PHREEQC using the mix input file provided and then edit the mix input file for the scenario in Question 4b) above where X = F (freshwater) based on TDS. For the mixed water result, what is the pH, major ion, zinc concentration and zinc speciation? Prepare a brief critical review that describes options for mitigating the effects of discharging salt and metals on the river using a variety management options. Concentrations for example may involve source and discharge controls, geochemical attenuation, physical structures and treatment. It is vital to maintain the rain water with the aid of the LID (Low Impact Development techniques) like ‘green roof’. These assist in the jurisdiction of

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

If you were advising your government on stemming black market Essay

If you were advising your government on stemming black market economies, what would you propose - Essay Example Also, the term â€Å"underground market† used to also describe a black market is based on the actual activity done secretly, avoiding the knowledge of authorities and the government. Some of the examples of black market would be the trade of food, drugs, weapons, and even people (What is the Black Market, n.d.). Indeed, though people has built the mindset that black market is wrong mainly because it is against the law, it is also imperative to know its effects on one’s economy and its future relations with other states. Now when products such as weapons or drugs are being purchased through the black market, the supply and demand of the specific merchandise would be greatly affected, even towards its indirect substitutes, causing the purchase habit of consumers, pricing, and the market environment and conditions to change. An imminent result to which would be the imminent drop in demand from legal businesses because people would prefer to buy from the black market becaus e of the significantly low prices (The Effects of a Black Market Using Supply and Demand, n.d.). Because of this, the profitability of legal businesses decreases which stunts the growth of economy while a chosen few who are involved in the black market gets a good earning without having to pay taxes which is used to fund projects for its people. Aside from that, the price elasticity of goods in the market will also change based on the supply from the black market while the legal businesses will most likely institute a price hike. However, if this market condition stretches to a longer period of time, businesses would resort to lowering their prices just so they can survive as a business while catering to the needs of consumers. With all these said, the black market truly has effects on state sovereignty, forein policy, international economy, domestic & international security, and human rights. Speaking of its effect on human rights, each government has the responsibility of providin g fair goods to each individual at the same prices. With the black market, only people who have access to the underground market get to benefit a significantly low priced goods (Black Market and its Consequences, n.d.). The black market also affects international trade/economy as it causes a shortage of goods especially when the chosen few who have access to the black market decide to hoard all the goods to maximize the benefits of its low price, leaving the legal businesses to have a lack in goods to resell. Because of this, the supply of imported goods start, in order to meet the increasing demand of a specific product from people (Black Market and its Consequences, n.d.). The danger here is when only the rich one’s are able to afford the goods while the poor people are left with nothing they can afford. When it comes to domestic and international security, the black market poses doubt and puts a high risk transaction on any imported goods for domestic security and exported goods for international security. Thus, excessive regulations in foreigh policies will be instigated that would slow down trade activities (Black Market and its Consequences, n.d.). Also, generally, state sovereignty will now be controlled by those with access to the black market instead of the government. I strongly believe that the sectors of the black market t

Monday, September 9, 2019

Valuation of Sainsbury and writing the report Research Paper

Valuation of Sainsbury and writing the report - Research Paper Example The low valuation of the company exposes it to dangers of potential takeover target. To enhance the value of the company the board is thinking of measures to improve the company valuation. There is an increased perception that the company will be able to benefit from geographical diversification and to improve its image in the market. The company management has come up with the idea of acquiring the UK based J Sainsbury Plc in a bid to improve the valuation of the company. The companies listed on the London Stock Exchange exhibit high level of compliance to corporate governance and corporate social responsibility practices. The domestic companies are mandated to adhere to the corporate codes and ethics. If a company fails to comply with any particular code then it has to explain the reason for the non-compliance. This ensures transparency in financial reporting and makes the financial reports of the company more credible. The retailers in the European region have a strong brand image and are highly responsive to the requirements of the customers. The major retail chains in UK like Tesco, Sainsbury are mature and are continually expanding internationally as well as in terms of wider range of products and services. The retailers in the country are diversified in the true sense with some of them even engaged in financial services. Even Sainsbury is involved in banking services. The movement of the retail chain into financial services is a type of horizontal diversification (Welch & Worthington, 2008). Sainsbury is a UK based company with a diversified range of products and services. By the acquisition of Sainsbury, CF Inc will be able to make a foray in the European market. The primary activities of Sainsbury are retailing in groceries and other related items. The company also has an alliance with the Lloyds Banking Group in financial services (Reuters-b, 2011). In the recent financial crisis the retailers across the world witnessed a fall in the net income owing to the reduced consumer spending. With the rebound in the economy the performance of the retail industry is expected to improve. The economies across the world are slowly on the way to recovery. With a rise in the level of economic activity it is anticipated that there will also be arise in the disposable income of the consumers. This is likely to have a positive impact on the retail businesses as well. The consumer demand is expected to rise with the increase in the income level. It is expected that the consumers will increase their retail spending which will also boost the earnings of the retail businesses. Future of retail- Advancement in technology like internet facilities has made retailing an exciting and challenging field. The recent fundamental changes have altered the ways and mechanism of retailing. Despite this retailing is necessary in some form or the other. For instance though the manufacturers are now able to sell directly to the consumers through online system but st ill it is difficult for the consumers to make all the purchases online. The traditional retailers operating through physical stores would still be necessary. This is because for some products the consumers are convinced only after a thorough examination of the product before purchasing it. In some cases the experience of going to the retail store is as important as making the purchase (Harris, 2000). Valuation of Sainsbury The fundamental analysis involves valuing a company based on important financial

Sunday, September 8, 2019

The Abuse of Volunteering For Public Service Essay

The Abuse of Volunteering For Public Service - Essay Example These include social amenities like health, fire services, and housing among others. The public service was mostly provided by public servants who were hired by the government to ensure that the services are rendered to the masses. Most public servants are qualified in their respective fields to provide efficient service. In recent times, the public has been encouraged to participate in public service. This is done so that the public could play a role in the betterment of the lives of the community. The participation of the public will ensure that its members contribute directly to providing services that are required by a community. Initially, individual participation in volunteering for public service was purely based on altruism, a sense of obligation and patriotism that the community possessed. In recent times, however, the reasons for voluntary participation in public service have been questioned, since the motives are not based purely on duty. The motives of volunteers are most ly egocentric; these people want to attain benefits for themselves, so the original intention of helping the community as a whole is neglected. This raises the question whether or not voluntary public service has lost its meaning? This is because nowadays it is hard to distinguish if the volunteering is done due to duty or due to the desire of the volunteer to benefit himself or herself as opposed to the public. Individuals have contributed to public service in various ways. This includes volunteering time and expertise or monetary assistance. The motives of these contributions are, however, questionable, since not all of them are done to benefit only the society. The individuals may have an angle that is self-beneficial. This may be to gain political, educational, or career millage. Though there are individuals who volunteer only for noble reasons, this practice has been corrupted by selfish interests. The perception of public service has evolved over the years. This is because var ious motivations other than altruism are evident in the individuals volunteering for this. This is because individuals are volunteering for the services so that they can gain something in return. This may be to attain an advantage academically or to have a better-looking resume among other self-serving interests. In academic institutions, the students are required in some instances to gain field experience (Lee 3). One of the ways these students can achieve this is through volunteering for public service. The students are assimilated into public sectors and are given duties of public servants. This is then reflected in their reports and appraised by their respective institutions. In this scenario, both the public and the students benefit from this arrangement. This is because the students will devote hours of their time to serve the public while receiving the required field experience for their course. In their time as volunteers, the students will take part in activities that are b eneficial to the welfare of the society. However, there is a downside to this in that some of the student will volunteer only to get the required hours from the exercise (Lee 4). This will result in the students not giving quality service to the public, since they will not be dedicated to the service. The students will consider the volunteering only as a forced requirement rather than as a

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Week 5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Week 5 - Essay Example hat the racial composition of Baltimore neighborhood is dominated by the African American, followed by the Latino and the remaining portion occupied by few whites. Evident socio-economic disparity which places significant Black population at the low income end is reflected in spending pattern. It can also be noted that the number of supermarkets and food chain stores are relatively few (Leslie 14). This is another indicator of limited access to high quality food. It is worth to note that price and demand are inversely related and this is reflected in the food spending pattern in Baltimore. The few food chain stores can be seen as directly proportion to the few high income white races. The graph indicates that the bulk of the population is low income earners. The consequences are less incentive of quality food selling stores top set up branches in such places. This translates to access to cheaper food which has relatively lower nutritional value. In the case of Baltimore with a low in come majority, prices have to be down with grocery ranging $1.99 - $3. This means that when food prices are high, the income level of people determines choice of quality. Junk food remains accessible but has significantly higher fat content which poses health risks to the population. It is important to note that availability of accessible pack and other open public places are instrumental in determining the need to undertake physical exercise. However, there tend to be a relationship between existence of such social amenities and the income of the surrounding. Baltimore is a case of limited public places where people can exercise their physical bodies. The result is poor physical health prospects and potential exposure to obesity. The prevailing average income of the majority is a central factor in setting diet standards. In essence, low income means elasticity to food prices and hence access to low quality cheaper food (Leslie 23). The problem with this is high risk exposure in regard

Friday, September 6, 2019

Alcohol Peer Pressure in College Essay Example for Free

Alcohol Peer Pressure in College Essay In the article â€Å"Above the Influence,† the main idea focuses on how alcohol in college has clinched onto society and is now considered a norm. The goal of this study was to explore how non drinking college students negotiated communication about a potentially stigmatized behavior abstinence from alcohol (675). The concept of the paper goes into depth on how students who dont drink alcohol are usually an outcast or fall into peer pressure to fit in. In order to support the claims, researchers conducted an experiment to prove their hypothesis. They used both strict non drinkers and drinkers and placed the participants on a party school campus where alcohol is greatly abused. The actions of the kids varied on whether they would keep their non drinking low key or allow others to know about their situation. The research allowed the experimenters to see the variation of how the abstinent drinkers used communication to still fit in. The claims I most agreed with was allowing different non drinkers with various backgrounds to be put in similar situations. The diversity gave a better out look on how they would try to still be social even without the alcohol consumption. When the students used their different tactics to party without upsetting the other drinkers, I believe the empty cup was the best plan (679). When youre communicating and trying to avoid any issues or quarrels, it is best to please the opposite party. Although some of the students did not drink, holding a cup would allow them to socialize without being hounded. Drinking has become a normality in both college and adult culture. It can even be seen as disrespectful to some to refuse the offer or abstain from it. The empty cup allows positive face to take place without questioning or disturbance from drunken or concerned peers. Participant Kristen stated that the cup gave her â€Å"control† of the situation and did give any negative vibes toward others. She was able to fit in the crowd with no problem. The non alcoholic cup could also allow the student to assimilate with new friends without feeling awkward or left out. It can give power to those who feel uncomfortable and out of place when faced with alcohol. Being a minority can always be harsh but the cup trick allowed a path into the majority without losing morals and beliefs. The claims that I did not agree with the most was blatantly telling fellow party goers that they were not drinkers. Choosing to abstain from alcohol should be kept as a private matter and does not need to be show boated or announced. A non drinker who states their lifestyle can be seen as a prude or over responsible. Their actions can belittle a social drinker and even stir up an argument (678). As shown in the article, participant Andy was caught in an argument with a girl after declaring his abstinence. He could have hurt his relationship if the issue had gotten out of hand. His honesty without privacy has caused an uneasy feeling among others. Some of the students could have tried to please themselves and their peers by using a prop to get out of pressure. College students already know how hard it is to assimilate without adding alcohol to the mix and should try to avoid any persecution. In many cases it is great to own up to a positive lifestyle, but dealing with young adults is in another spectrum. The brutality and insults given by peers can damage a person both emotionally and mentally. The bashing can also cause one to change their outlook or mentality about drinking. By being unaccepted into the norm, a person can try to change their selves to fit in. Not only can denying drinking be an issue to the victim, but also a fellow peer. Alcohol is not always the center of a party or get together, but it is shown that when someone refuses a drink, the offered can feel offended, as if he or she were being dismissed as a person (677). Looking to keep the best interest of both parties is not to inform others about personal decisions. The experiment overall did allow many questions to be debunked, but I dont agree with using a college as a normal situation. In college, students are given a great amount of freedom which causes curiosity and experimenting. Whether it is with drugs or alcohol, college students use foreign or illegal items excessive when they are accessible. Most students are able to kick the negative habits when they are thrown into the real world and given real problems. The experiment should have been used in both college and adult life to give a feel on how being a non drinker is abnormal. I believe that a non drinker would be more accepted in a real world situation because being responsible is admirable when older. When put into a college realm, people tend to be very judgmental due to the level of maturity. Peer pressure never disappears but it does subside when the level of maturity develops fully. Adults do not force or ridicule others when they are giving off a positive action. Although non drinkers can fall into stereotypical types such as a recovering alcoholic (676), it is easy to kick the labels when older. Therefore I do believe this article and research met the goal of different communication skills when dealing with abnormal choices in society. The experiment allowed to explore the responses of people when deciding on how they deal with abstaining from alcohol. Some of the feedback gave positive and accepting results while other communication methods created tension and unwanted stress. Although some forms of communication worked better in social situations rather than others, having an array of different attitudes helped determined which faces worked best in college. The positive face allowed participants to have both a good time and maintain their safety. The other participants who chose their own route did have a hard time being accepted by others. Both methods created different paths, but allowed their abstinence of alcohol to be accepted in either a positive or negative light.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

The Effects of Child Family Interaction

The Effects of Child Family Interaction Child and family interaction: the setting The scene shows Eaton Kerr, a toddler, in a happy and playful family photo shoot with other members of his family. These family members are his mother, Kerry; his father, Jonathan; and his doting 8 year old brother, Jordan. The Kerr family lives in Northern Ireland. Kerry is clearly enamoured of her little boy. In her own words, she â€Å"cant bear to be away from him† and could just â€Å"gobble him up†. This is probably intensified by the fact that Eaton had been an unproblematic infant, who slept well, ate well and rarely cried. Kerry and Jonathan apparently had an easy time in the first few months after his birth. This is evident in the casual and relaxed manner that can be seen with the entire family. However, one and a half years later, Kerry is yearning for a baby girl. Having previously lost two female children, and currently raising two little boys, Kerry hungers for a female child. A scene in which she strokes her dogs head longingly could perhaps be an indicator of how much she craves another child. Kerry has a tendency for potential fatal blood clots, which is typically increased in pregnancy. Despite past medical complications and a clear understanding of the associated risks, Kerry is determined to pursue her dream. She is booked into the hospital for a medical scan to assess potential risk of cerebrovascular or cardiovascular events during pregnancy. The results are daunting and confirm that a pregnancy could be lifethreatening for the young mother. Understandably, Kerry is dejected by the prognosis, and four months later, she still has not come to terms with the outcomes of the scan. Her severe levels of unhappiness culminate in clinical depression: she is perpetually unhappy and tired; has lost all motivation to carry out even mundane everyday tasks; and finds no pleasure in things that normally make her happy (anhedonia). The loss of her two baby girls in the past appears to be constantly on her mind and she keeps photo scans of the embryos which would serve as a constant negative reminder. The fact that she has named these two offspring (Jordana and Caitlin) shows the depth of the attachment she feels for them. In addition, it seems she has recently lost her father all these are textbook triggers for clinical depression. Using the DSM-1 classification of mental health diseases, Kerrys depression would be classified as severe, as she confesses to having had suicidal thoughts. It is a well-known fact that depressed mothers find it difficult to respond to their childrens needs. In a poor attempt to discipline her toddler, Kerry tries to implement strict upbringing rules which are often not suitable to Eatons developmental phase. This is clearly corroborated by the evidence of Eatons corresponding stunted development. However, the little boy is shown as striving to obey his mother, only becoming rebellious at the often-dreaded bedtime etc, thus showing signs of his first battle for independence at eighteen months. Poor sleep hygiene that is common among depressed patients is also proving to be problematic in the mother-child relationship. In the video, classifying humans according to their sleep patterns, Eaton is categorised as a lark early to bed and early to wake; while Kerry is a contradicting owl who is up till late at night and, consequently, stays in bed till late in the afternoon. This means that Eaton is often up, for hours, sometimes for up to three and a half hours, crying for his mother before he gets any attention. He is losing numerous battles for his independence in this power struggle and is learning that he has no control over his environment. Although it is not voiced in the videotape, the constant absence of Eatons father, Jonathan, suggests possible family problems. He has to leave for work early as he helps run the family energy business, and appears to be blissfully unaware of the problems in his home. Therefore, Kerry is probably going through these difficult times alo ne. Without the vital family and social support, her depression is likely to worsen and would essentially adversely impact on her little boy. Child development As Kerry is unable to motivate herself to do anything, she is also incapable of stimulating the young Eaton. Her apparent insensitivity to his emotional needs is clearly evident and would be detrimental to the childs development. This is seen with simple tests as outlined below: Progress testing: carried out by a child development specialist with picture books and block shapes. The results of this showed that Eaton could complete less than one third of his tasks and is behind other children of his chronological age. Empathy testing: using a scientifically based questionnaire, Kerry scored high on the empathy testing. However, she has been unable to pass this on to Eaton who scored very low on these tests, having a tendency towards blatant aggression towards not just his mother, but also to his eight-year old brother, Jordan. This sort of behaviour could lead to bullying traits in the future. Interaction experiment: this shows that Kerry is unwilling to allow Eaton grow and learn. By limiting his playtime to toys and games that dont stimulate him, she is inadvertently limiting his development, probably in an unconscious and failing attempt to foster attachment to her. It seems she doesnt want him to gain independence, but would rather he remain dependent on her. Analysis of child-mother interaction: a literature review Attachment theory John Bowlbys attachment theory is a psychological and ethological description that helps to explain an infants attachment to a parent or caregiver. Infants become attached to adults who are sensitive and responsive in their interactions with them. The way a parent responds to their young infant in different situations is key to the development of patterns of attachment in the child. These patterns are the skeletal framework that guides the childs feelings, thoughts and expectations in subsequent relationships (Bretherton et al, 1999). According to Bowlbys theory, through physical and emotional closeness with a parent or caregiver, the child develops an internal working model, reflecting the parents own response to him/her. In Eatons case his thought process might mirror the insensitivity that he has experienced from his depressed mother, and could potentially cause problems in the future. Family dynamics: a secure base The point of attachment should ideally provide a secure base from which the child can explore the environment and return when he/she feels fearful. If Eaton lacks that secure haven, his mental health would be compromised. In his book, A Secure Base, John Bowlby (1998) describes the initiation of the mother-infant interaction. He highlights an initial elation and extreme possessiveness immediately after delivery. This phase was probably evident in Kerry, in the first few months when she stated her joy and reluctance to let Eaton out of her sight. However, the well documented lively social interaction alternating with phases of disengagement may have developed a pronounced effect of the latter phase, especially after the disheartening results of her hospital scan. Peri- and post-natal conditions that could affect (hinder or foster) positive attachment and the effective formation of a secure base, as outlined by Bowlby (1998) are outlined below: Adequate support for the mother with other aspects of household chores, etc. A secure base for the mother herself Length of separation from the baby in the hours and days following delivery Birth experience Attitudes and expectations expressed by the mother during her pregnancy It is not clear from the brief clips of the videotape which, if any, of the above factors are applicable to Kerrys experience. However, interpreting non-verbal communication and appearances, I think it is possible that Kerry receives little or no support around the house, especially as Jonathan departs for work early and eight-year old Jordan would be if limited help. This proposed lack of support could mean that Kerry does not have her own personal security base and might have been in need of assurances. While we are not privy to Kerrys birth experience during the delivery of little Eaton, her past medical history, in addition to that statement â€Å"Ive cheated life once alreadyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ , suggest that she may have had a difficult pregnancy, which, in addition, could have led to prolonged periods of separation from her newborn in the periods immediately following the birth. The Maternal Deprivation Theory Revisiting the controversial ‘maternal deprivation theory, in the World Health Organization report on Maternal Care and Mental Health, Bowlby (1951) explored the effects of deprivation of maternal care. Maternal deprivation is not limited in definition to mothers who are physically absent from their infants lives; it also applies to mothers who are not sensitive or responsive to their childs needs. In this report, Bowlby concluded that a warm, intimate and continuous child-mother relationship, in which both parties find satisfaction and enjoyment, is essential. Lack of such a satisfactory relationship could lead to significant and irreversible mental health malformations. The case of Eaton and his mother, Kerry, could be seen as a classic example of the maternal deprivation theory. While Kerry is present physically, her own self-admitted lack of motivation and uninvolved attitude is not adequate to foster that close relationship with her second son. As highlighted by Bowlby and later his close colleague, Mary Ainsworth (1962), Eaton could be at risk of having some mental problems in the future, if a timely and effective intervention is not implemented. The long-term effects of poor child-family interactions The consequences of the poor maternal and possibly paternal interaction which Eaton is accustomed to cannot be overemphasised. In a recent study using a conceptual model derived from the attachment theory, it was shown that attachment anxiety and low empathy significantly increases the odds of child molester status (Woods and Riggs, 2008). Furthermore, attachment insecurity in childhood is linked to externalizing behaviour and higher and stable patterns of depressive behaviour at the adolscence stage (Allen et al, 2007). Also, conversely, avoidance of closeness in depressed mothers is implicated in the development of internalizing symptoms in their children, because individuals who are avoidant of closeness, logically, are poor care givers (Whiffen et al, 2005). Research also shows that infants and toddlers of depressed mothers are at increased risk of developing attachment insecurity and behavioural difficulties than offspring of nondisordered mothers (Cicchetti et al, 1998). Observing the effects of maternal depression on social cognition and behaviour in parent-child interactions, Lovejoy (2007) depressed mothers, as a group, exhibited more negative behaviour. Furthermore, maternal depression was found to be associated with negative parent-child interactions and more negative, albeit fairly accurate, perceptions of child behaviour. This factor could be a major implicating factor in the apparent poor development that Eaton shows. An older study by Seiner and Gelfand (1995) showed that enacted maternal withdrawal and depression led to toddlers physically withdrawing from their mothers, making more negative physical bids for attention and generally becoming unfocused and negative, displaying their distress in a developmentally appropriate manner. In addition, the children made no attempt to comfort their mothers; this can be related to Eatons unsympathetic reaction to his mothers apparent distress in the video. There are numerous other studies in the literature that explore the negative impact of poor interaction between child and mother (or care giver). There is a clear association between attachment and maternal depression, and the development of the recipient child. Recently, Vieten and Astin (2008) evaluated the effectiveness of an eight-week mindfulness-based intervention during pregnancy on prenatal stress and mood. Their findings demonstrate that mothers who received this intervention showed significantly reduced anxiety and negative effect during the third trimester in comparison to those who did not receive the intervention. It is well-documented that stress and negative mood during pregnancy increase the risk of poor childbirth outcomes and postnatal mood problems and may interfere with mother-infant attachment and child development. Accordingly, such interventions may be pivotal in supporting mothers in preparation for child delivery. Conclusion In the course of research for this write-up, I have a gained a greater understanding of the attachment theory and the role of the â€Å"secure base† in molding a childs development. More importantly, I am now aware of the need to provide as much support to the mother as is expected for the newborn. This is especially the case for at-risk mothers. Partners and family members need to be a part of the support programme to ensure that mothers receive the care and security they need in order to effectively carry out their newly acquired duties.