Coke Financial Structure

[pic] Andrea R. Hart GB550: Financial Management August 24, 2011 The Abstract The topic of this research paper will be about the capital structure of Coca Cola, This paper serves as a comparison of debt and equity. It will help determine the true value of the company while also determining what their free cash flow is and the risk level for the organization. The question that this research will try to answer is if the 125 year old company is financially ready for another 125 years. The company needs to remain liquid and keep its operating costs low during times of inflation.The methodology that will be used will be multiple financial ratios to determine how the organization is operating and compare to times of exponential increases in profits. My expected findings will be that Coca Cola will have a minimal amount of free cash flow. There would be enough to remain liquid but also to remain flexible in starting new product lines or new investments. Coca Cola already operates in over 20 0 countries and should seek to expand advertising efforts in recently adopted countries. I anticipate that the company has endured over 125 years of economical, political and social upheavals.Financial StatementsI hope to conclude that although there could be unpredicted unprecedented environmental events that Coca Cola will be able to continue operate. Table of Contents A preview of capital structure issues†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦4 Business and financial risks related to capital structure†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 5 Modigliani and Miller’s [MM] capital structure theory †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 6 Criticisms of the MM model and assumptions†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 Capital structure evidence and implications†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7Estimating the firm’s optimal capital structure†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦9 A preview of capital structure issues Capital structures of companies are based on the amount of debt and equity a company holds. When a company begins to increase their debt the company becomes more of a risk to investors because the compa ny now has a higher chance that it may not be able to repay its debts. Although if there is more debt an organization taxes can be reduced because the organization is able to take out what it must pay as interest to investors and holders from being taxed.The higher cost of capital translates into a lower fair value estimate, and vice versa; furthermore, seemingly small changes in cost of capital can make a significant difference in a stock's fair value (Kathman, 2002). The giant beverage maker, that’s in a fairly stable environment does not have very much debt. The company in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, Coca Cola’s cost of equity of 8. 6% when the industry average is 11. 67% and is a large influence on the WACC of 8. 4%. Although the company incurs an 8. 6 % cost on the equity the company has averaged a return on equity for the past five years of 30. %. A Company with a high weighted average cost of capital could be considered a risky company or a company in a risky industry that mainly uses equity for funding. Coca Cola’s debt to equity ratio is 23% however the total debt to equity has been on average for the past five years at 51% showing that the company uses only half debt to finance growth within the company which is accurate for a company that is not quite so capital intensive. Although the company finds itself in a well established industry, it must still make investments and use 51% of debt to finance the new growth.WACC and Free Cash Flows impact a company’s value. FCF is what would come back to a company after the investment was made to enhance the company. FCF can determine if it is worth to take on an investment. Coca Cola’s current Free Cash Flow is -546. 8 (COCA COLA CO (NYSE:KO ), 2011). Business and financial risks related to capital structure There are many factors that could play into the financial risk of Coca Cola. The company itself, affiliates, subsidiaries, licensed distributers and bottlers ar e a risk factor to Coca Cola.Bottlers generate a significant portion of Coke’s net operating revenues by selling concentrates and syrups to independent bottling partners. In 2009, approximately 79 percent of our worldwide unit case volume was produced and distributed by bottling partners in which the Company did not have a controlling interest (ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS, 2010). The company also operates internationally which is additional business and financial risk to the company. International economies and political environments become a risk to an American investor when considering purchasing securities.Some business risk of the company includes the availability in Coca Cola’s special ingredient of extracted coca leaf, the sustainment of a network that spans 200 countries, health concerns that cause a reduction in market demands. For the company to ensure that it has enough cash flows must be able to have the infrastructure to handle the large amount of demands. Being that Coca Cola is an international company it has opened its doors to many more financial risks. Risks with their international counterparts include fluctuations in foreign currency and exchange rates effecting financial results (ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS, 2010).If interest rates rise or new tax laws are set it would negatively impact net income. Increase in costsdue to shortages of supplies or materials to produce products or changes in accounting standards can all affect the risks of the company. Coca Cola monitors exposure to financial market risks using several objective measurement systems, including value-at-risk models. Value-at-risk calculations use a historical simulation model to estimate potential future losses in the fair value of our derivatives and other financial instruments that could occur as a result of adverse movements in foreign currency and interest rates (ITEM 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK, 2011). Modigliani and Miller’s [MM] capital structure theory The underlying and basic assumption of the Modigliani and Miller Capital Structure Theory is that there is no major difference if a company were to fund its operations with the use of debt or using equity. The 1958 Modigliani-Miller Theorem was initially designed to show that the corporation's capital structure decisions are not value increasing or decreasing; it has, however, become apparent that the theorem is far more general (MacMinn, 2011).The theory rests on assumptions that there are no brokers or bankruptcy costs, no taxes and that investors can borrow at the same rate as the corporations and that EBIT is not affected by the use of debt. In 1991 Miller explained that the theory any gain from using more of what might seem to be cheaper debt is offset by the higher cost of now riskier equity and given a fixed amount of total capital, the allocation of capital between debt and equity is irrelevant because the weighted average of the two costs of capita l to the firm is the same for all possible combinations of the two (Villamil, 2010).Criticisms of the MM model and assumptions The same assumptions that the Modigliani and Miller Capital Structure Theory is based on have been criticized. While the three Modigliani and Miller propositions make good sense and have become widely known there has been disagreement. Capital Structures that are designed to enhance value, the majority of the value is from the decisions that are made by financial managers. The value in the company is from the strategy that makes and it is the duty of the financial manager to make sure that the capital structure supports the strategy that the company is trying to pursue.Further, Coca Cola, initial strategy was to sell Ice cold Coca Cola’s to its customers. The company was able to successfully change its strategy to only produce the syrup, the process was able to be broken down and both are able to reap values and benefits. By leaving capital structures to be independently determined by the bottlers and distributors, the structure of Coca Cola Holland and Coca Cola Japan to be different. Other theories have been created in spite of the MM model such as the Trade-Off Theory which takes into consideration the costs of bankruptcy.Capital structure evidence and implications Because of the low debt that Coca Cola has it also carries a low rate for taxes. In the last 5 years, half of Coke’s worldwide investments include almost $20 billion dollars in capital expenditures and acquisitions in the U. S. In addition, each year, we invest over $10 billion dollars in our supply chain in the U. S. — including $208 million dollars that was spent this past year on supplies (Kent, 2010). In 2010, The Coca Cola Company acquired Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) assets and liabilities.Coca Cola by purchasing CCE, Coke will have a $100 million net pre-tax income benefit, however after adjusting to the impact of the full value of the stand alo ne debt Coke will have acquired a $200 million interest expense reduction. However Coke stands to benefit from the overall transaction with a pre tax benefit in 2011 of an estimated $300 million (Investors Information, 2010). CCE is still set to acquire bottlers in Germany, Sweden and Norway as part of the deal. With Coke becoming a producer and now a larger owner in bottling, this has changed the capital structure of the company.Estimating the firm’s optimal capital structure During the acquisition of Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) assets and liabilities, Coca Cola’s shares decreased while CCE increased. â€Å"With this transaction, we are converting passive capital into active capital, giving us direct control over our investment in North America to accelerate growth and drive long-term profitability Coke said, with the transactions that are expected to generate operational cost savings of approximately $350 million over four years for Coca-Cola and will add to earning s by 2012 (Gelsi & Spain, 2010).The current estimate of Coke’s cost of debt is 7% as well as the WACC. (Coca Cola (KO) Stock Research, Equity Ratings, News & Analysis , 2911). If this amount were to increase it is possible that it could also increase the risk to investors. Coke’s beta has been reported at . 59 and for the non-alcoholic beverage industry is average. With their current capital structure Coke has had a steady 6% in revenue growth. The company also recently acquired CCE their debts, liabilities as well as CCE’s acquisitions which is why Coke’s shares declined by 3. % (Gelsi & Spain, 2010). These changes were brought about due to economical conditions and felt the need to take over more operations. Although this acquisition effected their shares in the short term, the company has estimated that this change will save the company almost $350 million in operational costs in four years and will begin generating income by 2012. References Coca Cola (KO) Stock Research, Equity Ratings, News & Analysis . (2911). Retrieved August 23, 2011, from ValueInvesting 2. 0: http://www. wikiwealth. com/research:koCOCA COLA CO (NYSE:KO ). (2011, August). Retrieved August 23, 2011, from Forbes. Com: http://finapps. forbes. com/finapps/jsp/finance/compinfo/Ratios. jsp? tkr=KO Ehrhardt, M. C. , & Brigham, E. F. (2009). Financial Management: Theory and Practice. Mason: South-Western. Freeland, K. , Gabruk, B. , Laidlaw, K. , Levine, J. , Michaels, M. , & Schramm, G. (1998, May 4). The Beverage Industry: This One’s on the House! Retrieved August 23, 2011, from Stern NYU. Edu: http://people. stern. nyu. edu/adamodar/pdfiles/cfprojs/beverage. df Gelsi, S. , & Spain, W. (2010, Feb 25). Coca-Cola buying CCE North American bottling business. Retrieved Aug 23, 2011, from The Wall Street Journal: MarketWatch: http://www. marketwatch. com/story/coca-cola-buying-north-american-unit-of-cce-2010-02-25 Hines, J. J. (2007, March). Capital Structure w ith Risky Foreign Investment. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from Harvard Business School: http://www. people. hbs. edu/ffoley/riskycap. pdf Investors Information. (2010, Dec 14). Retrieved Aug 23, 2011, from The Coca Cola Company: ttp://www. thecoca-colacompany. com/investors/pdfs/modeling_2010. pdf ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS. (2010). Retrieved August 23, 2011, from The Coca Cola Company. Com: http://www. thecoca-colacompany. com/investors/pdfs/10-K_2009/04_Coca-Cola_Item1A-1B. pdf ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. (2011). Retrieved August 23, 2011, from The Coca Cola Company. Com: http://www. thecoca-colacompany. com/investors/pdfs/10-K_2006/Coca-Cola_10-K_Item_07a. pdf Kale, J. R. , Noe, T. H. , & Ramirez, G. G. (Dec. , 1991).The Effect of Business Risk on Corporate Capital Structure: Theory and Evidence. The Journal of Finance , 1693-1715. Kathman, D. (2002, December 20). Why Discount Rates Matter. Retrieved August 23, 2011, from MorningStarNews. Com: h ttp://news. morningstar. com/articlenet/article. aspx? id=84699&_QSBPA=Y Kent, M. (2010, May 19). Enhancing our National Competitiveness. Retrieved August 23, 2011, from The Coca Cola Company: http://www. thecoca-colacompany. com/dynamic/leadershipviewpoints/2010/05/enhancing-our-national-competitiveness-is-not-an-option. htmlMacMinn, R. (2011). Theorems in Corporate Finance . Retrieved August 23, 2011, from MacMinn. ORG: http://macminn. org/Fin374/theorems/theorems. html The Coca Cola Company. (2011). Financial Statements. Retrieved August 9, 2011, from The Coca Cola Company. Com: http://www. thecoca-colacompany. com/investors/financial_statements. html Villamil, A. P. (2010, March 10). The Modigliani-Miller Theorem. Retrieved August 9, 2011, from Econometrics at the University of Illinois: http://www. econ. uiuc. edu/~avillami/course-files/PalgraveRev_ModiglianiMiller_

Kevin Carey: Why Do You Think They Are Called For-Profit Colleges

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Two Events Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Two Events - Essay Example It acted as a wakeup call for USA to defend its citizens. The following paper looks at the above two events and how they have contributed to the current state of America. Attack on Pearl Harbor On 7th December 1941, the United States of America was intentionally and abruptly ambushed by the air and naval forces of the Japan Empire. The location of the bombing and sinking of American ships was the Pearl Harbor Naval and Army base in Oahu, Hawaii. The US eventually entered World War II due to this homeland assault (Takaki, 2008). I believe that the effects of Pearl Harbor were mostly positive for Americans. Even though the attack terrified the nation, it also united a nation that had been divided due to the war in Europe. After the attack, there were various drives launched such as scrapped iron drive, united paper drives and recycled items. These were used to make items vital for the war such as machine guns, flame throwers, binoculars, and hand grenades. Even the youngest were helpfu l as school children had coin drives in which they gathered coins to purchase war bonds to support the government (Dower, 2011). The second positive effect is that it assisted in ending the Great Depression which had started in 1929. It brought a great need for an industry that provides materials for war-times like ammunition, guns and uniforms for the troops. At the end of the war, citizens purchased all they could not during the war period. There was also a decrease in the rate of unemployment as ten million men and women joined the army while those left at home took jobs in factories. Another positive outcome was that as a resolution not to permit a repeat of World War II, the United Nations was born. The Senate that had declined to sanction the membership of America in the League of Nations following World War I, eventually irresistibly sanctioned US membership in the UN after World War II (Stone, & Kuznick, 2012). There however were some negative elements of the attack in that over 2000 citizens died and 21 ships were sank or damaged seriously. Japanese-American citizens were placed in relocation camps as a measure to ensure that there was no risk of a Japanese descendant acting as a spy for Japan (Takaki, 2008). They were forcefully evicted from their homes within 48 hours and lived in poor conditions. However, in 1988, congress gave a formal apology to the affected and gave the survivors compensations of $20,000 each (Stone, & Kuznick, 2012). After this gesture, America has now turned to be one of the most democratic nations in the world. Its citizens and government became more appreciative to human rights of foreigners and citizens. Conclusion It is clear that if we forget the past then we are bound to repeat its mistakes. The two attacks, even though devastating, shaped USA in their own capacities. They served to bring the nation together in times of crisis. We would not be the strong united superpower we are today without such occurrences. As a count ry, we should take precautionary measures in future and also arrest perpetrators of such attacks while still maintaining socially correct honor to the opinions and rights of mankind. It is right for us as a country to defend ourselves against future attacks but we should do so without destroying our civil rights and values as we do. References Didion, J. (2003). Fixed Ideas: America Since 9.11. New York: New York Review Books. Dower, J. W. (2011). Cultures of War: Pearl Harbor / Hiroshima / 9-11 /

The rules on the deduction of expenses for employed and self-employed Essay

The rules on the deduction of expenses for employed and self-employed persons are different and create inequity in the tax syste - Essay Example Then, on the behalf of the employees, the employers are required to pay the deducted amount to the treasury. ITEPA 2003 provides for the taxation of employees who are resident and ordinarily resident in the UK. According to Section 18, all general earnings are subjected to tax that are received in the form of money. Section 19 deals with the general earnings received in non-monetary forms. The self-employed are those taxpayers who have their own businesses and act as sole traders. They are required to pay their taxes through self-assessment. The extent to which deductions are allowed for the self-employed tends to be more than they are for the employed taxpayers. As a general rule, all amounts that are given to the employees are taxable regardless of the fact whether the taxpayers hold the employment or not. This rule has a few exceptions though. For instance, Section 85 and 93 provide that provision of a non-cash voucher or a credit token --which is of a kind made available to the p ublic generally-- to an employee, or a member of his family, is not taxable if it is provided on no more favorable terms than to the public generally. There is a reduction in meal vouchers u/s 89. ... The income of a self-employed taxpayer is regarded as income from trade and is taxed under ITTOIA 2005. All the profits from trade are taxed after deducting all the deductible allowances. The deductible expenses include all those expenses that are incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the trade and all those losses are allowed to be deducted that are connected out of the trade. Section 34b provides that for any expense that is incurred for more than one purpose, only that part or portion shall be deductible that can be identified as incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the trade. In the same way, expenses that are incurred by the employees wholly and exclusively for the purposes of employment are also allowed as deductions. For instance, s 390 of Income Tax Act 2007 grants relief for loans that are sanctioned for buying plant or machinery for employment use. There are certain expenses which are of such a nature that it becomes very difficult to ascertain whether they should be allowed as deductions or not. This difficulty not only arises in the cases of employees but also extends to the self-employed. In this regard, case law is very helpful. For instance, s.337(1) of ITEPA 2003 provides that for a travelling expense to be regarded as an allowable deduction: i. â€Å"The employee is obliged to incur and pay them as holder of the employment†; and ii. It must be an expense â€Å"necessarily incurred on travelling in the performance of the duties of the office or employment†. This section was created after the judgements in three landmark cases of Ricketts v Colquhoun (1925) 10 TC 118, Owen v Pook (1969) 45 TC 571 and Taylor v Proven (1974) 49 TC 579.

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Case Study- Malden Mills - Essay Example The $25 million payment in payroll was bad for the company because it forced the firm to pay additional debt in the long run which raised the fixed costs of the company (Fina-lib, 2011). A good aspect about the decision was that that company built a reputation with the government, private industry, and general public that helped the company in the future land a $19 million U.S Department of Defense manufacturing apparel contract. My decision after the fire would have been either to retire or to move the operations to a foreign country that offered lower operating costs. Feuerstein did not consider the implications of the potential of losing a lot of customers after the fire. Many of the customers that left could not be recovered because they entered into contractual obligations with other manufacturers. If one of the vision’s of the company was to keep the operation in America I would have followed the firm’s vision, but the operation would have been reopened at a smaller scale through the implementation of a downsizing initiative. The firm would have lost between 20-40% of its employees and under no circumstance would I have turned the firm into a social agency by paying free salaries from the money that should have been used to reconstruct the business. Feuersteins philosophy of human resources was that the employees of the company were the most valuable asset the firm had. Retaining and developing human capital was a top priority of the firm. The company had a human resource philosophy that is aligned with the Japanese philosophy of lifetime employment. Feuerstein’s believed that the well being of the employees was his responsibility. 4. Before the fire, Malden Mills was a privately held company, owned by Feuerstein. After the fire, Feuerstein had to borrow money from different creditors in order to rebuild his business. Please answer the following: The difference between a privately owned company and a publicly owned

Criminal laws related to the Internet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Criminal laws related to the Internet - Essay Example State legislative bodies design the state statutes. Moreover, there are different law enforcement agencies and branches depending upon the level of government. Municipal police, state police, sheriffs, FBI, and BATF are some of such branches that enforce laws depending upon whether the law has been passed by state legislative bodies or U.S. Congress. Countries that do not have cyber laws undergo a myriad of cyber crimes, and face difficulties while dealing with cases like identity theft, assault by threat, cyber terrorism, and cyber laundering. Pakistan and India are two countries where there is no proper cyber law enforcement, due to which cyber crime is increasing in those countries. International cyber law disputes and conflicts should be resolved through the implementation of cyber laws on a global scale, and by creating agreements and treaties between countries that talk about cyber crime avoidance and punishment. International jurisdictional cyber laws should be enforced. There should also be international mediators (countries) that act to resolve international

Ethnic group Essay Example for Free

Ethnic group Essay In this section, we will discuss race, ethnicity, and multiculturalism and how they are depicted in the show. These concepts are somehow illustrated in this television series. Race, in the American society, has been typified by black skin color. The unique cultural traits and the sense of community African-Americans share reflect their ethnicity. On the other hand, Kady, the youngest child in the Kyle family, represents multiculturalism through her knowledge of multiple languages. The following section will define, operationalize, and describe these concepts and how they are evident in the show. Race is a category of people used to differentiate people in terms of physical appearance, particularly skin color. People who have the same physical characteristics are from the same race. The concept that is used to operationalize race is skin color. In this show, the dominant race is â€Å"black† but there are a few characters that are â€Å"white. † People who have a dark skin color are considered non-Caucasians. In this series, the racial minority is the Caucasian because the non-Caucasians are the dominant group that makes up most of the characters. Therefore, race is largely unmentioned during the show because most of the characters are from the same race. However, there is one episode in season two where there was an argument between two different races, the Caucasians and the non-Caucasian. At the beginning of this episode, Michael is forced to take his family out for a meal. He is annoyed when he realized that the restaurant is expensive and the service isn’t good enough. Michael’s evening worsens as he gets to sit next to Stuart Tyler’s family, a guy whom he got angry at in the gas station for taking to long to gas up his tank. A few minutes later, Stuart starts insulting Michael’s kids, citing their smell, while Michael insults Stuart’s kids by telling Stuart that â€Å"they look like squirrels. † Afterwards, Michael apologizes to Stuart but seconds later they argue again on who’s the bigger man. They make amends again but then argue cause Stuart held Michael’s lobster without washing his hands after urinating. When they starting singing â€Å"Happy Birthday† for Stuart’s wife, Stuart interrupts in the middle and is irritated by the fact that Michael isn’t singing. The arguing just keeps going and going and things never got any better. They leave the restaurant at odds with one another. Michael and Stuart’s altercation evidenced friction between Caucasian and non-Caucasians but apart from this episode, race is not a point of reference throughout the scope of the show. Consequently, race is insignificant in this show and is proven to be unimportant within the Kyle family. An ethnic group is a group of people who have common national or cultural characteristics. An ethnic group has five main characteristics: (1) unique cultural traits such as language, clothing, holiday, or religious practices; (2) a sense of community; (3) a feeling of ethnocentrism; (4) ascribed membership from birth; and (5) tendency to occupy a distinct geographic area (Caron 269). The social structures ethnicity groups strengthen social solidarity. Social structures are the stable pattern of social relationships that exist within a group or society (Soci1002E, Lect. 5, 2012). The main ethnic group in the show is the African-Americans. The unique cultural traits and the sense of belonging is what will be used to operationalize ethnicity. The sense of belonging within the African-Americans in the show is what empowers this ethnic group. A social structure is the stable pattern of social relationships that exists within a particular group or society (Soci 1002E, Lecture 6, 2012). The African-Americans in the show share the same language, and a sense of belonging. The language that the African-Americans use is English as it is their first language in their country and state. Michael’s youngest daughter is learning Spanish and Swahili but her mother tongue is English. Throughout the show, the Kyle family develops relationships with other African-Americans individuals. Michael married an African-American woman. Junior impregnated an African-American woman; Vanessa. Claire and Kady retain African-American boyfriends. Also, Junior has many African-Americans friends. All these relationships prove that the African-American community shares a sense of belonging. The language and the sense of community is what make the African-Americans a powerful ethnic group in the show. Multiculturalism is a philosophy that respects ethnic diversity within a community that encourages people to learn about other cultures. A multicultural person acknowledges and accepts diverse cultures other than his or her own and tries to learn from them. The way this concept is measured is by understanding and learning other cultures, especially through its’ language. Kady Kyle, Michael’s youngest child, is the precocious one out of Michael’s sons and daughters. She is referred to as â€Å"the cute one† because she is the youngest one in the family. â€Å"The cute one† strongly supports the idea of multiculturalism through her musical talent. In the Episode †Making the Grade†, the Kyle family are sitting at a table while Michael Kylie checks out his sons’ report card. After they are done celebrating Claire’s outstanding report card, Michael calls on Kady to come and sit on his lap. Kady innocently says, â€Å"I don’t have a report card. † â€Å"Yes, but you do go to school, right? You go to music class. How are you doing there? † replies her father. â€Å"Well, I learned a new song called Itsy Bitsy Spider† she answered. Her father then claims that he never heard this song before and asks her to sing it for him. She starts singing the song until he father interrupts her and tells her to sing the song in Spanish. So she starts singing in Spanish until her father tell hers to sing it in Swahili, a language spoken by several countries in East Africa. Kady is learning about other cultures through their language at a very young age. She is willing to learn more about other languages and is doing so through an artistic way. She found an interesting way to connect music and culture together which is very smart for someone her age. By choosing this concept, we concentrated on the cultural diversity aspect of the television show. This scene allowed us to demonstrate my knowledge in understanding the sociological concept, multiculturalism. The scene depicts a multicultural young girl who is eager to discover other cultures, especially its’ language. To conclude, these three concepts are demonstrated in a way or the other. After operationalizing, analyzing these sociological concepts, and applying them in My Wife and Kids, we discovered that ethnicity and multiculturalism are clearly portrayed, while race isn’t really significant in the show. Race isn’t really depicted in the show but the constant disagreement between Michael and Stuart reveals a slight conflict between the non-Caucasians and the Caucasians. The African-Americans have proven that they are a strong ethnic group through their culture and sense of community. In the show, they all speak the same language and have several relationships between each other. Kady Kyle’s comprehension of other cultures is what ascertains that multiculturalism is evident in the show.

Private Blogging In Paramedic Science Education Essay

Private Blogging In Paramedic Science Education Essay Abstract Reflection on clinical practice and sharing of declarative knowledge is a foundation for which the Bachelor of Paramedic Science program was developed. The overall scope of the project was to trial Evernote as a private reflective blogging service and also the opportunity to gain experience (both staff and students) with using Evernote with a view of it becoming a potential tool for reflection and assessment on clinical placement, informing not only Paramedic Science but other clinical based health programs. Ultimately this project was about improving the engagement of distance students online, and encourage reflection on their own declarative knowledge. The scope of the project was to also improve formative feedback between students and the academics and finally to evaluate the technology for appropriateness as a private blogging service in a clinical setting for reflection. The educational motivation towards student engagement is high on the agenda of tertiary institutions and this study is one representation of how social media concepts can improve this engagement. The findings of this study identified that students interact better with SMS combined with online forums within a learning management system. Key Words Blogging Reflective Practice Student Engagement Learning Management Systems Key Points The use of private blogging aims to improve engagement of distance students online, and encourage reflection on their studies within the course. The use of private blogging aims to improve formative feedback between student paramedics and lecturers Evaluation of technology and the use of social media are high on the agenda of tertiary institutions Private blogging aims to enhance clinical reasoning by students. Formative feedback provided to students through their own self discovery of new concepts introduced during the course as well as self-regulated learning by the students is important in paramedic education. Introduction Reflection on and sharing of clinical information amongst student paramedics is a practice that has been introduced across all paramedic specific courses on offer in the Bachelor of Paramedic Science at CQUniversity. The aim of the study- private blogging in paramedic foundations was designed to improve the engagement of distance education students online and encourage reflection on their studies within the course. The objective was to also improve formative feedback and evaluate the technology for appropriateness as a private blogging service in a clinical setting. The overall scope of the project was to trial Evernote as a private reflective blogging service and also the opportunity to gain experience (both staff and students) with using Evernote with a view of it becoming a potential tool for reflection and assessment on clinical placement, informing not only Paramedic Science but other clinical based medical and health programs on offer at CQUniversity. Background The study commenced during term for a course within the Bachelor of Paramedic Science at CQUniversity 2011. Nineteen students were enrolled in the course and had the opportunity to engage with the course lecturer/s through set weekly tutorial questions in which all students were to respond to through their private blog enhancing engagement by students. These blogs were then summarised by the course coordinator and put online through the weekly forum in Moodle. Students were also to consider the clinical judgement aspects of the course reflecting on their clinical practices such as history taking and patient assessment. The introduction of private blogging into the course was intended to improve formative feedback provided to students through their own self discovery of new concepts introduced during the course as well as self regulated learning by the students performing set tasks on family and friends as a way of skills development and competency. The use of private blogging was hop ed to improve engagement with distance education students and also to seek improvements in competent and reflective paramedic practice to be used throughout the program especially for work integrated learning. Blogging to improve student interaction Prior to the commencement of this study the course was offered in term one with approximately 70 students enrolled. Online weekly tutorials consisted of weekly problem solving and clinical judgement questions that required a response from the student. These questions ranged from problem solving exercises to case management exercises and general case studies requiring question and answer responses. The interaction for these weekly formative tutorial sessions was low with a 12% (n= 8) students per week responding. The below table identifies the average response rate for all term 1 2011 courses and for the paramedic course within the Moodle learning management system. Table 1. Files, messages, clicks and discussions for 70 students in term 1, 2011 PMSC11001 paramedic course compared to the average for all term 1 2011 courses in the university. Course Files uploaded Messages Clicks Discussion hits Discussion posts Discussion replies Paramedic Course 128 113 32380 4135 77 36 Average all T1 2011 courses 15 109 13359 2879 40 68 Due to the limited amount of discussion replies (36 versus 68) it was difficult to ascertain what the students learned during the lectures. In turn it was then difficult to predict if what they learned in theory was going to be put into practice at their residential school simulation laboratory sessions. An article by Wetmore et al. (2010) identified that writing about what was learnt theoretically is an effective strategy to promote reflective learning leading to the development of critical thinking. In other words if a student effectively reflects on the declarative knowledge of their studies, this reflection will in turn improve the procedural knowledge and skills application required for proficient practice. Overwhelming evidence is in support of reflective learning practices through effective student-teacher interaction being included in clinical education paradigms (Wetmore et al. 2010). Methods Data presented in this paper are drawn from an exploratory survey conducted at the completion of a three day residential school for a first year baccalaureate paramedic program. The course they attended was Foundations of Paramedics Science which is a first year course of the three year Bachelor of Paramedic Science program. The students in the course were distance education students. The aim of the study was to evaluate Evernote as a blogging service for students. The purpose of Evernote is to: Improve engagement of distance students online, and encourage reflection on their studies within the course. Improve formative feedback from teachers Evaluate Evernote as a private blogging service in a clinical setting The overall scope of the project was to trial Evernote as a private reflective blogging service and also the opportunity to gain experience (both staff and students) with using Evernote with a view to it becoming a potential tool for reflection and assessment on clinical placement, informing not only Paramedic Science, but other clinical based programs such as Medical Sciences and Sonography. Evernote is a technology that assists users with organising various types of information from several different sources into one, central, web-based location. The product also allows users to clip web pages and archive them for later reference, store screen shots, photos, audio memos and text notes, all within a customizable storage system. Evernote can organize notes chronologically and share them between multiple users. In the context of this research students would share their notes (blog posts) only with their teachers in the course, thus creating a private blogging environment. The students had tutorials and on-line blog activities during which they were required to enter their responses and other relevant information into the Evernote program. Â   The activities were located in their resource manuals and were identified by a blog sign. They were informed that they will be required to input information into EVERNOTE which only the lecturers will see, and that this information will be summarised and feedback provided to all students. The students were initially provided step by step guidance on how to access Evernote and begin their blogging campaign. The lecturers were provided training sessions leading up to the commencement of term and the students were also given online training videos to assist in using Evernote. The authors conducted a survey after a three day residential school in January 2012. The survey was distributed and received back by a non-teaching staff member. The questionnaire consisted of five sections. Section one contained demographic information related to the participants. Section two contained questionnaires based around their knowledge and capabilities of blogging with section three following on from this and contained 13 questions with a seven-point Likert scale identifying the students beliefs about blogging in the course. The fourth section discussed the students feeling about the blogging process and identified any alternative methods for their engagement with the lecturers. The final section attempted to identify their clinical reasoning by allowing the students to reflect on actual paramedic practice and the use of evidence based practice in paramedicine and whether blogging assisted them in improving clinical reasoning and judgement. Data used in the analyses came from a student paramedic-based e survey of blogging. Data collected by the questionnaire were stored on a Microsoft Access database that resided on CQUniversitys computer server. Survey data were coded and transferred from the Access database to an SPSS 18.0 (SPSS, 2010) statistical package software program. Ethical approval was acquired by CQUniversity Human Ethics Committee. Ethics approval (H11/11-163) was granted from 5 December 2011 to 30 June 2012 and was considered under the low risk review process. Results Eleven students out of 19 (58%) completed the survey with only 19 out of 27 students attending the residential school. The intent of the blogging exercise was to assess the students engagement with information extracted from the Evernote data base through the weekly tutorial sessions with questions uploaded by lecturers and answers provided by the students. Unfortunately out of a potential 190 blogs required there were only 14.1% of responses from students (n =27) which did not reflect an accurate account of engagement and was only a two percent improvement on the previous engagement strategy through the Moodle online forum. Their engagement through blogging in Evernote was not a formal graded assessment which kept with the consistency in the previous tutorial sessions through on line forums to ascertain if blogging improved engagement. Demographics Demographic data was gathered for comparison only, and a frequency distribution of gender, age, highest level of education, state of residence and current employment/student status was undertaken. Information is noted in tables 1 and 2. Of the participants who completed this survey there was an almost equal division of gender with 55 percent (n=6) female. Fifty percent were in the age group of 20-29 (mean 23 years ) (range 19-37) (table 2). Based on the ANOVA analysis, P values indicated that there is no significant difference between genders and amongst age groups with regard to their thoughts on blogging (P value threshold set at P Table 2 Participants Gender Gender N Percentage Female Male 6 5 55 45 Total 11 100 Table 3- age of participants Descriptor N Percentage 19 20 22 27 29 32 37 missing 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 18.2 9.1 18.2 9.1 9.1 18.2 9.1 9.1 Total 11 100 The second part of the survey asked participants if they have blogged before. Of the 11 respondents, only one had previous blogging experience and that persons experience was over 12 months previous to this survey. To ascertain if students had concerns with blogging based on past experiences of themselves or family/friends, a second question asked do you know of any bloggers who have gotten in trouble with friends or family for things they posted on blogs? There was an overwhelming response of no for this response (n=11, 100%). The final question within this section asked for a comment on blogging and what the participants would like to know about blogging, of the responses received three out of eleven (27%) participants advised that they did not enjoy the blogging experience and therefore did not want any further information provided to them. The third section of the questionnaire was aimed at gathering information about the participants beliefs of blogging in the course PMSC11001. They were advised there were no right or wrong answers and the researcher were only interested in their general opinions about the participants beliefs and thoughts of blogging within the course PMSC11001. This section was assessed using a 13 item, seven-point Likert-type scale anchored by the use of bipolar adjectives (i.e. pairs of opposites) from Strongly agree = 1 to Strongly disagree = 7. Table 4- Questionnaire Mean Scores (n=11) Question Mean Standard Deviation How confident were you that your writing in your blog was private 3.18 1.47 How often did you consider something was too personal to blog 5.18 1.40 How often did you look at the log of the lecturers responses Would you take lesser care with what you wrote if it was open to the public 4.30 3.72 2.00 2.19 How much did the comment the lecturers wrote on your blog affect future entries 4.63 1.12 Would it bother you if the things you publish on our blog could be available to other students Do you believe things you publish on your blog affect your grading Do you believe lecturers would feel negative towards you based on your blog Do you believe your peers would feel negative towards you based on your blog 5.09 5.09 5.00 4.82 1.58 1.22 1.34 1.25 How did you find the process of enrolling in Evernote Did you find using Evernote program easy for your weekly blog entries Were you able to find responses from your lecturers easily through the Evernote program Were you able to publish your blogs easily through Evernote 4.73 4.82 5.00 5.00 1.49 1.33 1.09 1.61 Although most students did not engage with Evernote blogging as part of their weekly tutorial and as identified below students did not want to engage with lecturers through blogging there was a slightly positive inference about their confidence in their blogs being private (M = 3.18, SD = 1.47) and they identified that they would take more care if they knew the blogs were available in the public domain (M=3.72, SD=2.19). A majority of the respondents indicated a negative response to their experience with the Evernote blogging system and especially if it had negative impact on their grades (M=5.09, SD=1.22) and they also believed that lecturers would think adverse of them (M=5.00, SD=1.34). In relation to reading posts and publishing blogs in Evernote, again the students had a negative impression of this suggesting that it was slightly difficult to enroll in Evernote M=4.73, SD=1.49) despite the step by step guide offered to them. They also found it slightly difficult to use (M=4.82, SD=1.33) and found it difficult to find the lecturers responses (M=5.00, SD=1.61). The fourth section asks the students about their feelings towards Evernote blogging and then continued to ask about other social media concepts for engagement with their lecturers. Students were able to give more than one response for this answer Table 5 Social Media Concepts for Engagement Moodle Online Forums Skype Blogging Facebook Twitter SMS Participants 45% 0% 0% 0% 0% 90% There were five responses (45%) to using the Moodle online forums with the majority of students (90%, n=10/11) advising that engagement by the lecturers was best through SMS contact. Two students advised that they liked to be contacted by SMS and then would look immediately at the online forum site if requested to. Of the questions have your blogging habits changed since the use of Evernote and would you blog again in another course, all the respondents (100%) answered no with 27% (n=3) advising that they did not enjoy the experience and would not like to use blogging again within another course. Discussion CQUniversitys ten year strategic plan states: CQUniversity will attract and retain more students, helping them to achieve their educational goals regardless of their cultural and family background or their country of origin. We will offer a range of ways for students to access higher education and reach their educational potential. We will provide a stimulating environment that promotes and supports learner engagement utilizing appropriate technology and infrastructure (CQUniversity 2012). Despite limited research into the efficacy of social network technology in paramedic education, this pilot study has identified that to achieve the strategic goals of the university and in particular utilizing appropriate technology, students in this program have identified SMS as an engaging way of helping them achieve their goals. Paulus et al. (2009) identified that new technologies assists teaching and learning methods by providing a way of not stagnating the education of students through traditional methods and now supports the students construction of new knowledge. It has also been identified in the literature that academics need to keep abreast of the technological changes and the needs of the current generation of students. There is the potential for a division between students and faculty if they are struggling with new technology (Liu 2010). Liu (2010) also identified that through the Horizon Report 2009 several challenges had arisen and one of them is the growing gap in t echnology use between students and faculty even though technology use in academia is becoming more and more popular (p. 102). Additionally it has been identified in literature that blogging or journaling is an effective strategy to improve the education of students (Wetmore et al. 2010) where educators in various health and medical related programs have implemented blogs and reported benefits for student success when interacting with blogging exercises and activities (p.1339). Within this pilot study it was clearly identified by all students non-dependant of age or gender that blogging was not a preferred method of engagement with the lecturers with the preference being SMS in combination with online forums, despite previous evidence suggesting students do not engage with online Moodle forums. This is despite overwhelming evidence identified in the paper published by Ladyshewsky and Gardner (2008) where they stated that there is a growing body of literature to support the use of web based discussions to form student centred learning. They also identified that students come literately prepared for university through their knowledge of email, SMS and handheld devices including iPad (Ladyshewsky and Gardner 2008). In an online article by Becka(2012) it was identified that Recent research into how students use mobile devices has highlighted how frequently they access SMS and therefore this aspect is crucial to ensuring we engage effectively with them at key times and about key issues. In another article it was clearly identified SMS was the best technology used to support learning through engaging students in formative assessment objective questions with feedback, as well as SMS-based collaborative learning tasks (Brett 2011). Evidence that students within the Bachelor of Paramedic Science program at CQUniversity have engaged with lecturers through SMS is evident in the course evaluation surveys completed at the end of every term. During term one 2011 the course evaluation response was 78% with a rating of 4 out of a maximum score of 5 for the course, this was improved in term three 2011 with an 89% response rate and a score of 4.1/5 for the evaluation. Finally for term one 2012 the response ra te was 97% with an overall satisfaction rating of 4.7/5. Limitations and Recommendations The respondents to this survey were not randomly selected but were enrolled in the paramedic specific course and provided with the opportunity to trial the Evernote system as part of this course. The relatively small number of students available in this pilot study and the number of responses made it difficult to apply some statistical tests. Although the results here were overwhelming against blogging with support of SMS social concept for engagement and also online forums through the existing Moodle LMS, future research should utilise a larger sample across all years and courses of the paramedic program in order to enable a more accurate analysis and more precise calculations. Although the results of the survey indicated that students overwhelmingly preferred the use of SMS, given the technical constraints on the number of characters in an SMS, it does have limitations as a tool for reflection. The educational motivation towards student engagement is high on the agenda of tertiary institutions and this study is one representation of how social media concepts can improve this engagement. Future research with a qualitative component would enable effective evaluation of students thoughts on social concepts for engagement. With the availability of diverse and large amounts of technology, tertiary institutions should be looking at areas of social concepts for engagement and interaction which are easily accessible, are user friendly and usable by all students. In other words hardware and software that is in line with the next generation of students is recommended. A schematic of how future SMS integration into teaching and learning is shown in the chart below. Ask questions related to lectures through SMS 1 2 STUDENT LECTURER 3 Students notified of questions in LMS via SMS 2 1 4 Answers provided in online forum 3 PROVIDE CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK And summarise findings into Moodle LMS Conclusion This study has provided a picture of student engagement techniques which are of value and enjoyment for baccalaureate students. Findings indicate a clear association between SMS and online Moodle forums on improving student engagement with these techniques being both valued and enjoyed by students. This engagement will allow academics to further explore perceptions of students within their courses and value of the course content through the SMS and forums. Interactivity and active participation seems to lead to a new learning and teaching behaviour. By using modern technologies, students knowledge and engagement in course material can be implemented even to large lecture rooms. Sharing and collaborating different pieces of content as well as communication over different channels allows rethinking didactical approaches. Both students and academic staff will report a great potential for engaging with large class sizes. Conflicts of Interest None Ethical Approval Ethic approval was gained through CQUniversitys Human Ethics Committee

Hero in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey Essay -- One Flew

Hero in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey Randle Patrick McMurphy, the main character in â€Å"One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest†, is the perfect example of a hero. He is committed to a mental institution after faking insanity to get out of a work camp. From the beginning of his presence on the ward, things start to change. He brings in laughter, gambling, profanity and he begins to get the other patients to open up. All of this, however, clashes with the head nurse, Nurse Ratched, who is trying to press conformity and obeying authority. It is then a battle between McMurphy and the nurse, McMurphy trying to set the patients free and the nurse trying to make them â€Å"normal†. The most obvious hero type of McMurphy is an out-law hero. This is evident in his struggle against the nurse and the combine which represent society. He is an outlaw because he is his own person. He has freedom to act how he wants, think what he wants and be what he wants, and society is out to make him be like everyone else, to conform. At first, McMurphy’s rebellion against authority is just a selfish attempt to make his life on the ward more comfortable. But later on he realizes that the other patients rely on him and need him to help them be free. This is seen in the book when Cheswich drowns himself after McMurphy starts to give in to the nurse. Then, McMurphy sees that he has to be the leader and continue to resist authority. In this way McMurphy is sort of the like Christ, whom...

labor history :: essays research papers

UberFLAC v0.89 - tools to help with ÃÅ"berStandard 3.0/FLAC rips ============================================================== These rather hackish tools help with ÃÅ"berStandard 3.0/FLAC rips. FLACScript enforces and checks MD5 sums for FLAC rips, and does it better than oggscript. It also generates standard-compliant MD5 checksum files now, that anything else like md5sum or hksfv can check too. UberTrans allows you to safely transcode FLAC rips to the other UberStandard formats. Yes, it only works on FLAC. Deal with it, that'll never change. Instructions for installation: ============================== I apologise for the following rather unformatted drivel. I haven't had time, but the instructions are all here. I hope. 1. Install ActiveState ActivePerl: (5.8.2.808 here: http://downloads.activestate.com/ActivePerl/Windows/5.8/ActivePerl-5.8.2.808-MSWin32-x86.msi - later versions should work OK, check the website http://www.activestate.com/Products/ActivePerl/ for details, you do _not_ need to enter anything or register, use the latest Windows MSI build) 2. Create a new directory C:uber 3. Unpack this archive to the C:uber directory, so you have directories: C:uberutils C:uberripFLAC C:ubertransFLAC and C:ubertransAPS (and several others under trans, one for each format). 4. You need to put C:uberutils in your $PATH, do it like this: (instructions are for Windows XP, other versions may vary) a) Press WinKey+Pause/Break to bring up System Properties (alternatively, right-click My Computer and select Properties) b) Switch to Advanced tab c) Press Environment Variables button near the bottom of the dialog d) In the bottom half of this Environment Variables dialog is a system variables list. You'll see Path in there. Edit it; DO NOT overwrite everything in it. Your system needs that stuff, so be careful here and do exactly what I say: Press Home (go to the beginning), type "C:uberutils;" without the quotes EXACTLY, including that semicolon at the end (don't insert any spaces or anything!), and press Return. Your Path should look SOMETHING like this: c:uberutils;C:Perlbin;%SystemRoot%system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%System32Wbem It may be longer or different, but it gives you an idea what to expect. e) Press OK in this dialog and OK again in the previous dialog to commit the changes. f) Reboot for the new changes to take effect. 7. WinKey+R (Run), type cmd, press return (to open a command prompt) for when you come back: ubertrans should give a nice version message. to rip in FLAC: set up to uberstandard with following tweaks. I recommend you don't open external compressor windows. Don't close EAC until you see there's NO compression tasks remaining (in the statusbar at the bottom), whatever you do... other than that, it's less trouble. You may also want to change ripping and encoding priority to Idle (it's a shame it doesn't support changing encoding priority to Idle but keeping ripping priority Normal, really).

Induction of Staff Essay -- Health Care, Nurse Bank Staff

Induction of staff is a vital step undertaken by the administration to ensure that their staffs remain effective in provision of services to consumers. The aim of this research is to analyse how effective induction of nurses is in retaining the nurse bank staff. From the population sample of the nurses and other staff members, the research will seek to address the views of the sample population to understand how effective induction is. Pre test designs The participants that have been selected to serve as a sample are placed in several groups from where they can now be researched on. The researcher is expected to monitor the effect of the new stimuli that has been introduced on the sample groups and how the sample population reacts to it. It is advisable that the sample be chosen at random in order for the results not to be biased. This helps to isolate and nullify any nuisance. Sampling Method To obtain valid data, a sample has to be chosen from the whole population as it is time consuming to handle the whole population. The sample should be comprised of workers and their employers and some patients who have been granted services from the medical institution. In the selection of the population, stratified sampling will be adopted in order for the research to pay attention to a given subgroup hence it is not easy to confuse information (Byrnes, 2008). This division into the given sub population could be done with reference to the area of specialization with reference to their skills and knowledge to obtain their views on induction. Data Collection The key issue here is not on how we collect data but on how to ensure that we obtain data that is useful. The data will therefore help the researcher to obtain a working as... ... effects that appear in the context but it would be advisable if you remain constant in interviewing all respondents. Appropriate tools and measurement devices have to be obtained to ensure reliability and validity. Data Analysis Interviews can be analyzed by the use of observation where researchers note the way respondent answers questions during the interview. Given the fact that the interview is structured it is easier for the researcher to analyze the data using statistical packages like SPSS (Bryman, Hardy & Hard, 2009). The advantage of statistical significance is that samples reflect the realities in a population. The researcher will also have to put the ethical issues into consideration before conducting survey on opinion from nurses. Permission will be also sorted from the PCT regarding data protection and confidentiality (Best & Krierger, 2004).

A Basic Knowledge About Tools And Techniques Architecture Essay

This literature position is to supply a basic cognition about tools and techniques application for undertaking information direction in current building patterns. This paper will show a better understanding about current tools and techniques for information direction in undertaking, particularly Constructing Information Modelling and 4D Modelling in building use. First, the traditional information direction processing should be introduce and with their possible jobs and restriction. Second, this paper will show the existing tools and techniques which are applied in building undertaking information direction. Furthermore, this literature position will concentrate on Building Information Modelling and 4D Modelling in undertaking information direction with its benefits and its barriers. In add-on, to place which tool or techniques are suited for little, medium and big building undertaking based on comparing of these tools and techniques. Finally, based on Chinese building contents, to place which tools and techniques are appropriate applied in China.2. Undertaking INFORMATION MANAGEMENYUndertaking Information direction ( PIM ) can be defined as a system for aggregation, co-ordinate, managing, storage and disseminate of building undertakings information ( Winch, 2002, pp.339-341 ; Lester, 2007 ) . The cardinal rules of PIM is that based on specif ic information to organize communicating and to guarantee accurate and current undertaking information is available at the right clip in the right format to the right individual. The benefits of information direction a improve efficiency, effectivity and cut down hazard eventuality in the whole undertaking procedure.2.1 Undertaking Information FlowUndertaking information relates to the undertaking life rhythm, involves undertaking briefing phase, design phase, be aftering phase and executing phase ( Winch, 2002, pp.186-188 ) . The figure 2.1 shows the general undertaking procedure in building industry. In the briefing phase ( A & A ; B ) the clients identified their thoughts / demand for the undertaking and guarantee the feasibleness. The information procedure in this phase is iterative and divergent, to do a solution for briefing jobs. Second, during the design phase ( C ) , design squads to be after and bring forth design information. The effect of design development is to bring forth drawings, specifications and measures measure for the following phase. In this phase, information still iterative around briefing phase information, but concentrate to measure and choose solution to plan job to accomplish a comprehensive description of the undertaking relevant information. Third, during the building phase ( D ) , the information direction becomes more complexly. Information in this phase affect relevant drawings, specifications, times, costs, connexion with clients and providers, site installations, profici ent and fiscal studies, meeting and conversation records, and other informations. Information processing becomes common than design phase. Contactors need to tie in with clients, interior decorators, subcontractors and providers to guarantee all information are accurate and easiness acquisition, but common information still has insecurity factors for the on-site plants, such as foundation and structural plants on redesign undertaking ( Lester, 2007 ; Winch, 2002 ) .2.2 The development of information engineeringsTechniques of information direction have been developed since the fourteenth century where graduated table proficient drawings were introduced to the industry. From this clip, traditional information engineerings were paper-based which undertaking information merely could be done by difficult transcript. However, the communicating of certain paperss may merely be sent by mail or collected from relevancy parties. Manual documentary methods in building industry play a chief fun ction still today. This type of technique is still utilizing into communicating over the undertaking procedure. The restriction for this is that the drawings or paperss are non accurate. It could non modify instantly and should redraft in processing. During the 1970s, computing machine aided design ( CAD ) engineerings had been developed a new drawing techniques which allowed drawings could be portion and applied in other stockholders on design spheres but information direction still based on traditional information methods. However, the personal computing machine ( Personal computer ) developed allows undertaking stakeholders can portion and applied in their ain computing machine, particularly the computing machine can be equipped on the site office which much improved the undertaking information originative and storage ( Winch, 2002, pp.342-343 ) . Over the last 20 twelvemonth, information engineerings have quickly developing. There are many particulars package companies develop figure of tools to cut down undertaking ‘s process and better building communicating. Furthermore, the cyberspace developing allows stakeholders evaluate relevant information online without sit down together and communicating becomes convenient ( Winch, 2002, pp. 343 ) . At the same clip, there are many new specializer cognition have been introduced to the industry which brings building undertaking becomes more complexness. In add-on, fiscal, proficient, Healthy & A ; Safety, and environmental jobs of the building lead undertaking hazard becomes higher. As a consequence, there are tonss of information integrates with the undertaking processes due to information and cognition are often be modified and substituted. ( Gray & A ; Hughes, 2001, pp.2-3 ) . Therefore, there are a figure of tools and techniques has developed and introduced to the building industry for improve undertaking information direction.3. Existing TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR PIMThe direction of building undertaking is about direction the undertaking information. The specific tools and techniques have been developed for operation and communicating of information on building undertaking. The common proficient of PIM is Information and communicating engineerings ( ICTs ) which has been widely utilizing in the industry today. It application in building is indispensable for coevals, storage and distribution of undertaking information in calculating electronic format ( Winch, 2002, pp. 340 ) . In this subdivision will present some typical tools and techniques for improve undertaking information direction.3.1 CAD for design phaseComputer aided design ( CAD ) began as drafting plans for developing design certification. CAD operated original in planar ( 2D ) environment. 2D CAD allows working with a computing machine representation of geometry. The advantage of this is that interior decorator can make drawings more easy and accurate in dimension. It can supply limitless grading capablenesss. In add-on, the drawings can be portion and applied in construction, mechanical and electronic design spheres ( Maher, 2000 ) . The development extended 2D CAD into 3D CAD which allows interior decorator ciphering and stand foring 3-dimensional form and solid. There are a batch of 3D package tools available in usage today. In add-on, perspective rendition is another technique for 3D. It allows presentation that adds light beginnings and stuff belongingss into 3D theoretical account ( Maher , 2000 ) . The chief virtue of utilizing CAD is that all drawings can be end product and input in same format which allows stakeholders can portion the design information in their ain personal computing machine.3.2 Construction directionThe building phase can be separate into two procedures – planning and building. The techniques of these procedures are relied on traditional methods, such as Gantt chart for agenda, graphs and saloon or pie charts but translate to digital format in today ( Kymmell, 2008 ) . The typical tools for the building direction is Microsoft Office Project and Excel which allows those traditional theoretical account represent into spreadsheets, diagrams and other representation of information.3.3 Documentary direction toolsAccord to the IT development, Email is become as the chief communicating method. The undertaking informations can be sent to other relevant stakeholders but this communicating route merely available for one to one or one to multiple stakeholders. In add-on, Email merely can bringing individual informations and can non incorporate with other informations and with deficiency of security. It is difficultly to measure the information and information ( Craig, 2006 ) . In the recent twelvemonth, there is a new techniques has been introduced to the industry. Project extranets or calls extranets has been developed for more than 15 old ages. Extranets has been used as commercially system in the UK such as BIW Technologies and 4Projects. The extranets is likes a tool for geting and sharing undertaking informations in the internet-based driver ( Wilkinson, 2005 ; BIW, no day of the month ) . The benefits of utilizing extranets are:Better integrative of undertaking stakeholder.Information becomes more transparence and answerability. Because the audit trail is automatic recorded without differences and the undertaking cardinal procedures can be easy monitored.Paper-based paperss could be replaced by electronic paperss which salvaging cost and clip for printing, copying, distribution, storage and skill relevant undertaking information.More safety for information storage. The extranets can restrict access-authority for users.The information can be searched and reused.3.4 Limitation of bing tools and techniquesThere are some restriction and barriers of bing tools and techniques:The range of application for PIM tools merely concentrate on differentiate phases such as design phase and building preliminary phase, which ignore considered project direction as a integrative entity. Most of import is that few tools and techniques can be used for building phase, such as advancement, quality and cost controls.Construction companies emphasise the utilizing of tools and techniques in different phase procedure but without considered utilizing an sole criterion for planning, agreement and direction of undertaking information ( Liu, 2005 ) .Some building companies are weak on their ain information direction. There are many excess informations and information had been repeatedly stored in their computing machine drivers which reflect on comparative information can be portion with other parties ( Liu, 2007 ) .Undertaking information is fragmented whic h can non unite all information in one system for undertaking members evaluate, discuss, estimation and knock undertaking informations and information.Therefore, constructing information mold as a new signifier techniques can better and consummate work out the existing tools and techniques ‘ restrictions in undertaking information direction.4. Building INFORMATION Modeling5. 4D ModelingFour-dimensional computing machine aided design ( 4D CAD ) is a new technique has been researched and applied in the field of building since 1990s. This study is an fact-finding paper, presents the development of 3D and 4D simulations the field of building foremost. The development of this technique including commercially, research and development countries are revealed. Several current 3D and 4D commercially package tools are analysed in 2nd subdivision includes two instance surveies. The benefits and restrictions of 4D are discussed. In the terminal, the study negotiations about 4D technique i mpacts building and the supply concatenation.5.1 Development of TechniqueThe engineering of building design and planning has been developed for long clip. Due to the computing machine scientific discipline development, the traditional technique has been trended to visualization worlds from manual drawing.5.2 4D CadFour-dimensional computing machine adjutant design ( 4D CAD ) is a new technique uniting with 3D theoretical accounts and building processing in another mean is clip. 2D and 3D improve building design more quality and efficient. 3D development provides the foundation for 4D CAD in the field of building direction. 4D CAD led the abstract undertaking planning can be presented straight and inventive in simulation. In 1984, CAS Inc developed PM-Vision which used 3D theoretical account to develop a database for building ( CSA, no day of the month ) . The first developed 3D CAD theoretical accounts link to building agendas was created in 1986-87 by Bechtel and Hitachi Ltd. They developed 4D Planner package. The 4D theoretical account creates by associating the agenda to the 3D CAD theoretical account to demoing which pieces of the undertaking will be constructed in sequence ( Yerrapathruni, 2003 ) In 1990 ‘s, 4D CAD has been progressively developed around in commercialism and research. Jacobus Technology developed and marketed a 4D simulation system called Construction Simulation Toolkit ( CST ) in 1992 ( Yerrapathruni, 2003 ) . CST allows user import CAD information from AutoCAD and Micostation uniting with agenda informations. The Centre for Integrated Facilities Engineering ( CIFE ) of Stanford University begins academic research in 1994. CIFE started the first undertaking research in the San Mateo County Health Facility which developed 4D theoretical account to pass on in the four-year building. After the first undertaking, CIFE continued to research related to 4D theoretical accounts. CIFE plays a leader function in 4D research country. Following CIFE, the academic research started in UK and Finland. In UK, the research undertaking of the Virtual Construction Site ( VIRCON ) which is a collaborative undertaking between University College London, Teeside University, The University of Wolverhampton and 11 building companies, was funded by UK authorities. The purpose of undertaking is to bring forth a tool allow contrivers to merchandise off the temporal sequencing of undertakings with their spacial distribution. In University of Wolverhampton, Dr. David Heesom published Technology Opportunities and Potential for The Virtual Construction Site in 2002. In 2000 ‘s, several commercial 4D package tools have been produced to building industry. In the following subdivision will take about the commercial package tools.5.3 Existing Software analysisFrom 2000, 4D technique has been developed rapid. There are a assorted consequences of research are published and commercially available package tools are produced such as common Point undertaking 4DTM, JetStream TimelinerTM, Revit ArchitectureTM and xD Virtual BuilderTM. All 4D technique tool can export video format files for use.5.3.1. Common Point Project 4DTM – Common Point Int.Common Point Project 4D was presented in 1999 by Common Point, Inc. It originated from the research activities undertaken at the Centre for Integrated Facility Engineering ( CIFE ) at Stanford University, USA ( Heesom & A ; Mahdjoubi, 2004 ) . Undertaking 4D is a building simulation package tool that links agenda activities to 3D constituents. Project 4D ‘s chief characteristic is 4D playback, whic h allows the user to sequence building issues harmonizing to a agenda for imitating building events in chronological order. Common Point developed this system in acknowledgment of the realisation that the user to better communicate, program and analyse building activities throughout the undertaking lifecycle. The Undertaking 4D import 3D information from common industry format, such as AutoCAD ArchiCAD, Microstation and 3D MAX. The agenda informations can be imported from Primavera, SureTrak, Expedition, MS Project, Excel, comma or tab-delimited files. However, Woolley ( 2007 ) argues that Project 4D works merely with VRML CAD theoretical accounts ( WRL and RAW file formats ) and tends to restrict it to architectural instead than engineered in building applications. In add-on, it does non let user modify the 3D theoretical accounts in the 4D system.5.3.2. JetStream TimelinerTM – NavisworksJetStream Timeliner is developed by Navisworks. It is enable 3D theoretical account informations to be linked with undertaking package for create 4D visual image of building agenda. This package allows user demoing all undertakings happening in the interval period, to guarantee little undertakings happening between interval points in the undertaking does non lose in 4D simulation. The package allows imports most CAD format from, such as AutoCAD ( .dwg, .dxf, .sat ) , 3D Studio ( 3ds.prj ) , SketchUp ( .skp ) and Navisoworks ( .nwd.nwf.nwc ) . The undertaking agenda package and formats supported by JetStream TimeLiner is PowerProject, MS Pro ject and Primavera. Timeliner provides extension that allows text, site undertakings and procedure screening in simulation. The behaviour of the undertaking simulation is configurable and the show can be customized. ( Navisworks, no day of the month ) Harmonizing to Khemlani ( 2004 ) , the biggest restriction of Timeliner is perspective. The show of theoretical account is a generic geometry-based solution. The monetary value show in the web site of Timeliner is 1250 dollars. If the user want to purchase whole the JetStream bundle in sum is 8450 dollars. It is rather expensive for most building industry houses.5.3.2.1. Revit ArchitectureTM- AutodeskRevit Architecture was developed by Autodesk. This package based on Autodesk research that called Building Information Modelling ( BIM ) . The theory of BIM is screens geometry, spacial relationships, geographic information, measures and belongingss of edifice constituents. BIM can be used to show the full edifice lifecycle including the procedures of building and installation operation ( Wikipedia, no day of the month ) . The construct of BIM is similar with 4D. Using Revit Architecture provides user record and reappraisal full undertaking from design period to build period organizing p rograms, agendas, and building paperss in ocular. ( Autodesk, no day of the month ) Compare with other commercial 4D package, Revit can make 3D theoretical account in the system. Due to Autodesk strength, utilizing with Autodesk Software, Revit can provides elaborate programs and renders of lifts. However, without Autodesk Software it could import other common package. It is average that undertaking agenda informations should be created in original technique. The users ought to pass a batch of clip to understand and the package Standard individual user monetary value is up to 4000 lbs.5.4 Benefits and hereafter3D and 4D simulation has been used in building industry. 3D simulation is popular in architectural and structural design. Interior designer can bring forth an attractive theoretical account in item degree, utilize it to show their design and communicate with other design parties. However, 3D simulation in building direction is non utile. Most 3D package are attentive the characteristic of rendering. In existent clip simulation, it could non bring forth 3D theo retical account nexus with other building activities. To set about a successful 3D theoretical account need user use much strength in preparation and understanding package because of a batch characteristics and maps should be used in. In long history traditional building, be aftering tools such as saloon chart and web diagrams are abstract for most people. To understand the undertaking be aftering need people analyze its and practise. Harmonizing to Fischer ( 2002 ) , 4D theoretical accounts combine 3D CAD theoretical accounts with undertaking agenda and other undertaking information to demo a ocular theoretical account for proficient and non-technical stakeholders in apprehension, analysing and pass oning a design and building agenda. In communicating of undertaking, 4D theoretical account provides a ocular simulation for all coordinators such as interior decorators, clients, contractors and builder to understand the undertaking effectual. For illustration, Walt Paradise Pier ‘ GC merely spent 2 yearss to understand the full undertaking sequence. By utilizing 4D, undertaking developers can measure the sequence, procedure, building methods and hazard in building undertaking. In add-on, item 3D and 4D modelin g can cut down the waste of stuffs and resources. The 4D theoretical account besides back up user gauge stuffs measure and deliver clip. Finally, 4D create a platform for interior decorators and contactors to reexamine and stakeout the advancement in building. Although 4D CAD has advantages in building direction, most 4D package tools merely simple combine with 3D theoretical account and agenda, as drama mesosphere. These package tools could non supply auxiliary map for building direction. The other maps such as cost, stuffs information, rendition, and human resource could non show in 4D theoretical account. In the practical building applications, 4D CAD must trust on complex 3D theoretical accounts, the restriction of it evidently. 4D development tendency could be including:Better the 4D CAD exporting in same formatReduce 3D theoretical account making clip.Better the rendition capableness of 3D theoretical account in 4D CAD.Integrate building cost and material information, constitutes to 5D CAD, so nD CAD system.To better the characteristics of 4D technique need researcher in Significant geographic expedition and research. Some organisations such as CIFE and ARUP are get downing to develop 4D CAD in use in building.6. BIM VS 4D ModelingEverett M. Rogers ( 1962 ) classified clients as follows: Pioneers. Those who like to be first to have the latest merchandises. These consumers predominate at the beginning of the merchandise life rhythm. Early adoptive parents. Those who are unfastened to new thoughts, but like to wait a piece after initial launch. These consumers predominate during the growing stage of the PLC. Early bulk. Those who buy once the merchandise is exhaustively tested and tested. These consumers predominate in the early portion of adulthood stage of PLC. Late bulk. Those who are leery of new things, and wait until most other people already have one. These consumers predominate in the ulterior portion of the adulthood stage of PLC. Dawdlers. Those who merely adopt new merchandises when it becomes perfectly necessary to make so. These consumers predominate in the diminution stage of PLC.7. SummaryMention:Gray, C & A ; Hughes, W ( 2001 ) Building Design Management. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.Winch, G. M. ( 2002 ) Pull offing Construction Projects. Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd.Lester, E.I.A. ( 2007 ) Project Management, Planning and Control. 5th edn. Oxford: Buttcrworth-Heincmann.Lazarus, D. & A ; Clifton, R. 2001. Pull offing Project Change: a best patterns guide. London: CIRIALiu, J. ( 2005 ) Construction Project Management information Developing Problems. China: Journal of Modern Information. 25 ( 11 ) . pp.202-206Liu, J.J. ( 2007 ) How to Tighten up Project Information Management of the Building Engineering Enterprise.china: diary of Anhui Architecture. 2007 ( 6 ) . pp.230-232Maher, M.L. ( 2000 ) Understanding practical design studios. London: Springer. Pp.48-50Kymmell, W. ( 2008 ) Constructing information mold: planning and pull offing building undertakings with 4D CAD and simulations. New York: McGraw-Hill.Wilkinson, P. ( 2005 ) Construction Collaboration Technologies: The Extranet Revolution. London: Taylor & A ; Francis.BIW Technologies ( no day of the month ) Document Management [ online ] . [ citation on 1 January 2010 ]

Deception Point Page 28

Should I consult Sexton? She quickly decided against it. He was in a meeting. Besides, if she told him about this e-mail, she'd have to tell him about the others. She decided her informant's offer to meet in public in broad daylight must be to make Gabrielle feel safe. After all, this person had done nothing but help her for the last two weeks. He or she was obviously a friend. Reading the e-mail one last time, Gabrielle checked the clock. She had an hour. 30 The NASA administrator was feeling less edgy now that the meteorite was successfully out of the ice. Everything is falling into place, he told himself as he headed across the dome to the work area of Michael Tolland. Nothing can stop us now. â€Å"How's it coming?† Ekstrom asked, striding up behind the television scientist. Tolland glanced up from his computer, looking tired but enthusiastic. â€Å"Editing is almost done. I'm just overlaying some of the extraction footage your people shot. Should be done momentarily.† â€Å"Good.† The President had asked Ekstrom to upload Tolland's documentary to the White House as soon as possible. Although Ekstrom had been cynical about the President's desire to use Michael Tolland on this project, seeing the rough cuts of Tolland's documentary had changed Ekstrom's mind. The television star's spirited narrative, combined with his interviews of the civilian scientists, had been brilliantly fused into a thrilling and comprehensible fifteen minutes of scientific programming. Tolland had achieved effortlessly what NASA so often failed to do-describe a scientific discovery at the level of the average American intellect without being patronizing. â€Å"When you're done editing,† Ekstrom said, â€Å"bring the finished product over to the press area. I'll have someone upload a digital copy to the White House.† â€Å"Yes, sir.† Tolland went back to work. Ekstrom moved on. When he arrived at the north wall, he was encouraged to find the habisphere's â€Å"press area† had come together nicely. A large blue carpet had been rolled out on the ice. Centered on the rug sat a long symposium table with several microphones, a NASA drape, and an enormous American flag as a backdrop. To complete the visual drama, the meteorite had been transported on a palette sled to its position of honor, directly in front of the symposium table. Ekstrom was pleased to see the mood in the press area was one of celebration. Much of his staff was now crowded around the meteorite, holding their hands out over its still-warm mass like campers around a campfire. Ekstrom decided that this was the moment. He walked over to several cardboard boxes sitting on the ice behind the press area. He'd had the boxes flown in from Greenland this morning. â€Å"Drinks are on me!† he yelled, handing out cans of beer to his cavorting staff. â€Å"Hey, boss!† someone yelled. â€Å"Thanks! It's even cold!† Ekstrom gave a rare smile. â€Å"I've been keeping it on ice.† Everyone laughed. â€Å"Wait a minute!† someone else yelled, scowling good-naturedly at his can. â€Å"This stuff's Canadian! Where's your patriotism?† â€Å"We're on a budget, here, folks. Cheapest stuff I could find.† More laughter. â€Å"Attention shoppers,† one of the NASA television crew yelled into a megaphone. â€Å"We're about to switch to media lighting. You may experience temporary blindness.† â€Å"And no kissing in the dark,† someone yelled. â€Å"This is a family program!† Ekstrom chuckled, enjoying the raillery as his crew made final adjustments to the spotlights and accent lighting. â€Å"Switching to media lighting in five, four, three, two†¦ â€Å" The dome's interior dimmed rapidly as the halogen lamps shut down. Within seconds, all the lights were off. An impenetrable darkness engulfed the dome. Someone let out a mock scream. â€Å"Who pinched my ass?† someone yelled, laughing. The blackness lasted only a moment before it was pierced by the intense glare of media spotlights. Everyone squinted. The transformation was now complete; the north quadrant of the NASA habisphere had become a television studio. The remainder of the dome now looked like a gaping barn at night. The only light in the other sections was the muted reflection of the media lights reflecting off the arched ceiling and throwing long shadows across the now deserted work stations. Ekstrom stepped back into the shadows, gratified to see his team carousing around the illuminated meteorite. He felt like a father at Christmas, watching his kids enjoy themselves around the tree. God knows they deserve it, Ekstrom thought, never suspecting what calamity lay ahead. 31 The weather was changing. Like a mournful harbinger of impending conflict, the katabatic wind let out a plaintive howl and gusted hard against the Delta Force's shelter. Delta-One finished battening down the storm coverings and went back inside to his two partners. They'd been through this before. It would soon pass. Delta-Two was staring at the live video feed from the microbot. â€Å"You better look at this,† he said. Delta-One came over. The inside of the habisphere was in total darkness except for the bright lighting on the north side of the dome near the stage. The remainder of the habisphere appeared only as a dim outline. â€Å"It's nothing,† he said. â€Å"They're just testing their television lighting for tonight.† â€Å"The lighting's not the problem.† Delta-Two pointed to the dark blob in the middle of the ice-the water-filled hole from which the meteorite had been extracted. â€Å"That's the problem.† Delta-One looked at the hole. It was still surrounded by pylons, and the surface of the water appeared calm. â€Å"I don't see anything.† â€Å"Look again.† He maneuvered the joystick, spiraling the microbot down toward the surface of the hole. As Delta-One studied the darkened pool of melted water more closely, he saw something that caused him to recoil in shock. â€Å"What the†¦?† Delta-Three came over and looked. He too looked stunned. â€Å"My God. Is that the extraction pit? Is the water supposed to be doing that?† â€Å"No,† Delta-One said. â€Å"It sure as hell isn't.† 32 Although Rachel Sexton was currently sitting inside a large metal box situated three thousand miles from Washington, D.C., she felt the same pressure as if she'd been summoned to the White House. The videophone monitor before her displayed a crystal clear image of President Zach Herney seated in the White House communications room before the presidential seal. The digital audio connection was flawless, and with the exception of an almost imperceptible delay, the man could have been in the next room. Their conversation was upbeat and direct. The President seemed pleased, though not at all surprised, by Rachel's favorable assessment of NASA's find and of his choice to use Michael Tolland's captivating persona as a spokesman. The President's mood was good-natured and jocular. â€Å"As I'm sure you will agree,† Herney said, his voice growing more serious now, â€Å"in a perfect world, the ramifications of this discovery would be purely scientific in nature.† He paused, leaning forward, his face filling the screen. â€Å"Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world, and this NASA triumph is going to be a political football the moment I announce it.† â€Å"Considering the conclusive proof and who you've recruited for endorsements, I can't imagine how the public or any of your opposition will be able to do anything other than accept this discovery as confirmed fact.† Herney gave an almost sad chuckle. â€Å"My political opponents will believe what they see, Rachel. My concerns are that they won't like what they see.†