50 Inspiring Writing Prompts to Kick Writers Block

Are you stuck for something to write about? Maybe youre scratching your head trying to come up with a fresh idea for a personal essay—a narrative or an extended description. Perhaps youre in the habit of keeping a journal or a blog, but today, for some reason, you cant think of a blessed thing to say. Maybe you need exercise to start a short story or need to do some prewriting for plot or character development for a longer fiction piece. Heres something that may help: a list of 50 brief writing prompts. The items on the list are not full-blown essay topics, just hints, snippets, cues, and clues to prod your memory, kick  writers block, and get you started. 50 Writing Prompts Take a minute or two to look over the list. Then pick one prompt that brings to mind a particular image, experience, or idea. Start writing (or freewriting) and see where it takes you. If after a few minutes you hit a dead end, dont panic. Simply return to the list, pick another prompt,  and try again.  Inspiration can truly come from anywhere. Its just a matter of freeing your mind from distraction and letting your imagination lead you where it may. When you discover something that intrigues or surprises you, thats the idea to develop further.   Everyone else was laughing.On the other side of that doorLate againWhat Ive always wantedA sound Id never heard beforeWhat if...The last time I saw himAt that moment I should have left.Just a brief encounterI knew how it felt to be an outsider.Hidden away in the back of a drawerWhat I should have saidWaking up in a strange roomThere were signs of trouble.Keeping a secretAll I have left is this photo.It wasnt really stealing.A place I pass by every dayNobody can explain what happened next.Staring at my reflectionI should have lied.Then the lights went out.Some might say its a weakness.Not again!Where Id go to hide out from everyoneBut thats not my real name.Her side of the storyNobody believed us.It was time to change schools again.We climbed to the top.The one thing Ill never forgetFollow these rules, and well get along fine.It may not be worth anything.Never againOn the other side of the streetMy father used to tell meWhen nobody was lookingIf I could do it over againOf course it wa s illegal.It wasnt my idea.Everyone was staring at me.It was a stupid thing to say.Hiding under my bedIf I tell you the truthMy secret collectionFootsteps in the darkThe first cut is the deepest.Trouble, big troubleLaughing uncontrollablyIt was just a game to them.

Teaching Strategies Used to Promote Active Learning Essay

Active Learning According to the book Promoting Active Learning by Chet Meyers and Thomas Jones and referenced by Kathleen McKinney, active learning means (1) that learning is by nature an active endeavor and (2) that different people learn in different ways. The first segment of the definition by nature an active endeavor is important because it allows the student to develop her critical thinking skills as well as practice her writing techniques. The student can discuss class material in a less formal setting, which can be beneficial in creating more open-ended discussions for the student. As a teacher, promoting various learning styles is critical because one student learn differently than another. It is an important life†¦show more content†¦Games are great tools in practicing active learning. Students can use a variety of items such as board games, card games, and dice games incorporating material that students are required to learn. Dice can be used for math conc epts, where students can throw many dice and use arithmetic for two or more of the dice. Teachers are responsible to prepare the games in order to allow students to learn a lesson plan. They need to make sure the students are kept on task and are all participating. Teachers must assess how effective these games are by walking around the classroom and noticing if most students are discussing the material. Giving the students a test or a quiz to analyze if they have learned what they needed can be a way to asses students. A game allows students to think critically much like debates do also. Debates can allow students to learn actively. Teachers can allow students to either pick one side of an issue and come to class prepared to defend that side, or to research both sides and prepare for both options. If the teacher has the students prepare both sides, he can either delegate which side each student will represent or let the students choose. Having students research allows stude nts to broaden their perspective on local and global issues. It is vital that students are prepared for the debate and teachers need to facilitate it. If the discussion gets off topic, starts getting too personal, or not in a learning oriented direction, theShow MoreRelatedRethinking The Active Learning Movement Essay1603 Words   |  7 PagesRethinking the Active Learning Movement – It was Never All or Nothing Over the past 25 years the movement to adopt learner-centered pedagogy has gained main stream acceptance, to the point that all higher education faculty are expected to include such methods in every class. Educational critiques, opinion editorials, research and data have driven policy and practice towards the universal application of active learning techniques in place of traditional lecturing. 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Altogether will help change the patient feeling and attitude towards hypertensionRead MoreEducators Perceptions Of Debriefing1613 Words   |  7 Pagesof Debriefing While developing and completing a simulation experience for students is an significant role for educators, knowing how to debrief students following a simulation has been deemed as equal if not more important because the majority of learning occurs during this time period (Mariani, et al., 2013). Educators have identified varying methods of debriefing, but most of them have central themes. Most methods include some form of â€Å"critique, correction, evaluation and open discussion† (NeillRead MoreTeaching Strategies For A Patient With Post Operative Wound Infection824 Words   |  4 Pagesmaking skills. Hence, the nurse educators should employ teaching strategies that promote critical thinking and clinical judgment skills (Hughes, 2008). When determining teaching strategies for student learning experiences the instructor must consider the content, curriculum, course, and unit objectives, feasibility of the technique, time available, strength of the class, room size, the required equipment availability, students` learning style, and the money cost of both the teacher and the studentRead MoreEffect Teaching Method for Calculus1117 Words   |  4 Pagesbest from lectures, provided they are clear and well-prepared† (Bressoud 2011). There is a common notion in teaching that, because the instructor is the expert in the room, it his/her job to take the lead role in guiding students through the material. Instructors with this traditional view would argue that because students are novices, active engagement techniques where students are â€Å"teaching† each other could only lead to an increase in confusion about the concepts. In addition to serving as the

Camar Automotive Hoist Essay Example For Students

Camar Automotive Hoist Essay The licensing contract is only three years, the Bar Maisse is not famous, and the sales is difficult to be estimated, therefore, we suspect if licensing could meet the expectation of rapid growth. The cost of licensing is lower in comparison to joint venture and direct investment, but the royalty is only 5% of gross sales. The growth of CAH might not be significant. Besides, CAH will have no control of operation and reputation if they choose licensing option. Joint venture might be an unviable choice of CAH because Bar Maisse may not be willing to launch joint venture with CAH. CAH has insufficient information about Bar Maisse, CAH doesnt know whether Bar Maisse would seek to control the operation or not, that is, CAH will have limited control of operation and reputation. In addition, CAH should share profit with Bar Maisse, and the break-even quantity is 700(see exhibit 3) that is not easy to achieve in the short term because it took CAH six year to expanding sales from 23 to 700 in the US market. (from 1991 to 1997) It is tough to directly invest in Europe market since only little information is available in Europe and the risk is high. Moreover, the estimated investment cost is about 1530000, which is high; it might take time to cover this investment cost. If CAH chooses direct investment, they should be responsible for all losses, but it is difficult to estimate sales in the Europe market and CAH is not familiar with Europe market. It is hard for CAH to control the variance under uncertainty. If CAH decides to enter Europe, Pierre would be the choice to head up the direct investment option, then CAH will loss one outstanding salespeople to deal with the US market. It is recommended that CAH not entering the Europe market. CAH has successful experience in expanding sales into the US market, and US market has unrealized potential. Thus, CAH should make more effort in the US market, and sales could be increased. Furthermore, CAH can control the operation and maintain the reputation. The sale of CAH is increasing (see exhibit 2), if CAH maintain its growth rate in 20%, there will be approximately 200 increased sales, which is not easy to achieve in the Europe market in the short term. CAH can focus on the scissor lifts because it is the trend of the future. Besides, the two dominant competitors focus primarily on the in-ground market and the two-post surface market and are lack of their safety features. Finally, CAHs sales could be increased if US wholesaler would push the Camar Lift. Therefore, CAH had better to think about how to negotiate with US wholesalers and its strategies to expanding the US market. .

Nature Walk free essay sample

Each of these landscapes seems to be a snapshot of some distant natural beauty that is somewhere far away from industrialization. Not one image hints at the idea of human interference. The message these pictures convey is that nature exists only completely disconnected from human life and civilization. Similarly, a common first thought response to the world â€Å"wildlife† is visions of large animals roaming jungles and deserts and forests, in deep unpopulated areas. I’ll admit that I definitely perceived nature this way for a good amount of time. Recently, however, I’ve adopted a new idea. Obviously influenced by living in the Bronx and having to re-adjust to the concept of nature, I think I’ve developed a greater appreciation of it. Van Cortlandt Park, spanning over 1,146-acres and ranking as the fourth largest park in New York City sits right next to me. In New York, it boasts one of the highest rates of rare plant species and is home to wildlife not seen many other places in the city. On paper in comparison to many of our countries national parks and wildlife conservancies, it is an unimpressive blip in the guide book. But I’ll argue that picture perfect landscapes in the middle of nowhere have less to prove than a deeply nature rich park competing with the urban spectacle of one of the biggest cities in the world. I think it’s the stark contrast that allows for a deeper appreciation of what nature is. I couldn’t explain this in words until I walked from my apartment down to Van Cortlandt Park for the first time. When I walk out of the front door of my three story walk up-overpriced-student apartment- I’m immediately greeted by the familiar scent of garbage piling up on my curb and the sight of scaffolding for construction that never seems to be finished, if it’s even been started. Walking down 238th street the air is thick with the aromas of Chinese food and pizza and that weird stale beer smell that wafts out of Fenwick’s bar in the daylight. Deranged looking squirrels are fighting over what looks to be the sorry end of a bacon egg and cheese thrown on the ground. A standard lulling sound of traffic, people and bustle is all I can really hear. Strangely, as I descend upon the steep 238th stairs down to Broadway, what lies ahead is an even more urban and bustling scene. The stairs themselves are a treat as well. The pits that lay on either side of the railings are filled with a grab bag selection of beer bottles, soda cans, plastic bags and any other trash someone couldn’t throw in a garbage can. The stairs are also shadowed by two high rise apartment buildings packing in more people than I could probably imagine. As I get closer to Broadway the focus seems to be on the loud rumble and screeching of the subway overhead, with lots of people racing up the stairs to get on. Walking on Broadway towards the park is dark and shady from the subway. When I near 242nd street, I could throw a rock to 4 different fast food places, a liquor store and a few bars. Gypsy cab drivers are standing around the Dunkin Donuts acting as friendly loiterers but asking if I need a ride. I contemplate grabbing an iced coffee but then feel strange about bringing it into the park as I attempt to experience nature. My caffeine fix can wait I guess. Crossing the street to the park entrance is almost laughable. Dodging four lanes of traffic and a bus route, I find myself standing safely on the other side. After shuffling around a crowd of people waiting for the bus, I enter the park and walk towards the conservancy. Would it be dramatic for me to say the air changed? I’m willing to say that it did. I kid you not it was fresher. The sound of the subway was gone and the air felt like something you were happy to breathe in. It smelled like good old fashion nature. I smell dirt and grass and its lacking any cheap food stench. The conservancy looks as old-world as the rest of the park makes you feel. The stones are weathered and the architecture is a far cry from high-rises and bodegas. Walking further into the trail I notice you can feel the life in the area. Without the outside noises I can feel every crunching footstep and ever rustle in the leaves. I’m not one to notice birds, but for some reason I take note of a few flying in and out of the tree line. Looking at the different plants is interesting. Something I would normally just classify as leaves I notice there is a great variety. My mind wanders to survival. My school bag suddenly feels like a bag of supplies and I feel like I’m in an episode of LOST. That makes me smile when I remember I can still probably throw a rock and hit Burger King. The trees are magnificent. Tall and dignified and old. The understory trees are strong and full. I fall victim to technology when I find myself trying to lookup what kinds of trees they are on my phone. Understory tree species come up as Ironwood, American Hop Hornbeam, and Flowering Dogwood. The taller trees yield results of Tulip Tree, Red Oak, White Oak, Bitternut Hickory, Sweet Gum and White Pine. The pictures are so tiny on my phone I can barely use it as a guide. I make a mental note to look when I get home. I sit down for a minute to try and get a full surroundings view. It feels really nice to be sitting here in this beauty. I feel like I haven’t seen this many trees in a long time. I don’t really see much animal life besides a few squirrels and birds, but I know it’s there. I can feel movement in the space. Insects of a dozen different kinds are under a rock I turn over which is cool. Bugs don’t scare me and I like knowing where to find them. They’re so small and seem particularly hard to identify. I check my phone and realize I should probably head out if I plan on making it to my next class on time. I’m going to need to follow the same route back to campus. Over the traffic and up the stairs out of this haven I’m in right now. It’s sad to say this is the first time I’ve done this, sat here and enjoyed the park. I’ll need to come back for sure and spend more time. Replacing the movement of people and things out on Broadway with trees and wildlife down here is an amazing feeling. I’m almost positive this place would not seem so beautiful if the urban landscape of the rest of the Bronx wasn’t right outside the gates.

Benefits of Tuition Reimbursement Essays

Benefits of Tuition Reimbursement Essays Benefits of Tuition Reimbursement Essay Benefits of Tuition Reimbursement Essay | Benefits of Tuition Reimbursement| | Latoya Freeman| | 3/17/2011| Benefits of Tuition Reimbursement Programs I am here to inform you on why adding tuition reimbursement for bachelor’s degrees in business and communication will benefit our company. Since the company has already approved a budget for this expansion, and financial costs are of no concern, we should put this program into action. I think this program will be very beneficial to our company. I believe this program will open up a whole new world of opportunities for our employees. People who earn their degree have more professional opportunities than those who don’t. They are open to a wide range of different careers, they have a higher earning potential, and this program will benefit our company. In today’s economy it is very hard to find a decent paying job without a college degree. The cost of living is on the rise and minimum wage is just not a valid source to provide for a comfortable living. We are always stressing to our employee about how much we value them and care about their well being. Why not help to provide them with the opportunity of a lifetime. It is the dream of many of our employees to obtain a college degree, but because of different circumstances, they are unable to fulfill that dream. We have a lot of hard working individuals who have the potential to grow within our company and the thing that is holding them back is their lack of education. By offering to help with the expenses of tuition and books will show our employees that we are aware of their potential and we care about their success and the success of the company. This benefit will encourage those employees who have the desire to further their education do so and thus providing a loyalty to our company in appreciation. It is no secret that those who earn their degree have more professional opportunities available to them. We can’t expect all of our good workers to remain with our company with low pay. Some of our employees are enrolled as college students and earning their degree already. Do we really want to risk losing a dedicated worker to another company because they can’t see any future growth with our company? If we offer this benefit to our employees they will able to live a successful life just like the rest of us. They will have the opportunity to become a supervisor, a manager, and maybe even President one day. I don’t think we should deny our workers this opportunity, especially if we have room in the budget to cover it. This would seem a bit selfish on our part. Some may think that offering this program will eventually cause the company to spend more money. But I believe that paying for our current employee’s tuition will save the company money. If you think about the money that will be spent to hire a new employee with the degree that our experienced employee is trying to obtain, you will eventually spend more time and money on the new hire. They will need to be trained and that costs time as well as money. Whereas, our employee that is earning their degree can have the opportunity to obtain extra training while they are still in school. Let’s think of the positives here, we will provide our employees with the opportunity to work, earn their degree, and receive on the job training for future promotions. One of the main reasons that people make the choice to further their education is to increase salary potential and advancement in their careers. Individuals who go that extra mile to obtain their degree are rewarded with exceptional employment opportunities. If we offer assistance for those who want to explore the business field, it will give our company a major boost as opposed to our major competitors. In most cases a business degree is required for executive and senior management positions. Some companies will not even want to look at an applicant’s application if they didn’t have a degree in business. (businessmajors. about. com †º †º MBA Program Information) There are many different types of employment opportunities available for those who hold a business degree. Think of all of the wonders this could add to our business. Many business programs offer an education in general management along with a more specialized curriculum. This form of education is relevant to all industries and sectors. It will be valuable regardless of the career that is chosen after graduation. The different jobs that are able to be performed by an employee who has a business degree are endless. They can perform many jobs in human resources, operations management, accounting, marketing, etc. In this case, we can’t lose. We will have the opportunity to have an employee that is well rounded. They can perform operational duties as well as business and other human resource tasks. Overall, I believe this program will benefit our company as a whole. We won’t have to waste money to hire new people to take care of any business that we may have because we already have a qualified person with a business degree. By providing our employees with this benefit we will have more educated employees. Employees that take advantage of tuition reimbursement tend to stay with their company longer. This establishes loyalty between employer and employees. Another advantage of offering tuition reimbursement is that the company will be given a tax deduction. Up to $5,250 annual maximum, an employer’s reimbursement program costs are tax deductible. Essentially, after the tax benefit, the employer pays very little to offer this benefit. Since the costs balance out and the company reaps the benefits of a smarter workforce, it’s a highly desirable win- win scenario for the company. (distancelearn. about. com †º paying for school) I think this is a great program that will be very beneficial to our company. We as employers should see this as an incentive for our employees to go to college. This will make them more productive as well as more knowledgeable, thus adding to the success to our business. We need our employees to be smart, diligent, and very hardworking individuals, and by earning their degree in a field related to their job, it will allow them to be better employees. I also believe it will encourage them to gain a higher respect for our company. They will make us more money and in turn we can pay them a little more to work harder. We must remember that education is the key to success. By adding this benefit I believe in turn we will have a much more successful company. References: businessmajors. about. com †º †º MBA Program Information distancelearn. about. com †º paying for school

Critical Thinking and Decision Making Essay

Critical Thinking and Decision Making Essay Essay on Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Decision Making Critical thinking and decision-making are the most intricate parts of solving problems. Without it, we cannot begin to evaluate someone’s reasoning or grasp the rational being offered for acceptance as a point of view. In grasping and understanding reasoning we must understand critical thinking. In order to understand critical thinking, one must analyze the concept of reasoning. We use reasoning in communication. Reasoning is presented in language and is used to tell jokes, make insult, report factual information, describe a scene or a personality, tell a story, express our feelings, explain why we have acted in a particular way and ask questions. Sometimes we use reasoning to persuade others to accept the truth of a statement, by offering them reasons or evidence in support of this statement. This is the most central and material part of an argument. Arguments occur when someone believes some statement and presents reasons aimed at persuading others to adopt the same point of view. Often people do this without realizing that what they are saying is argumentative. When presented with an argument, critical thinking becomes an important part of the equation. Critical thinking is a systematic evaluation. This way of thinking is something we are not accustom to but we must learn how to use this system so we can judge situations and make more efficient decisions. Critical thinking allows a person to listen and make a decision based on all information that is presented in a problem. After acquiring all information, a person using critical thinking will evaluate and ask critical questions at the appropriate time in order to get the best decision or judgment. With critical thinking there are two thinking styles. They are the sponge and panning for gold. The sponge thinking style allows a person to absorb information and to retain knowledge for the purpose of understanding it. The sponge thinking style is also incredibly stolid and requires no participation in making a decision. All information is taken for what it is worth. A person believes exactly what is said and does not question the information. On the other hand there is panning for gold. Panning for gold thinking style gives a person a chance to take in information, listen and analyze all opinions. After listening and analyzing, a person takes this information and determines if the information has any worth and how it would influence the outcome. This type of thinking style allows a person to ask question about any given situation. Both styles are necessary for critical thinking. They compliment each other. The sponge allows a person to absorb information while panning for gold allows the person to digest and evaluate information that is present so decisions can be made based upon worthiness. Once a person has digested information and determined its credibility, a decision must be made. Decision-making is a common way of helping to determine an outcome. The decision-making process allows a person to focus on what’s important and is it logical and consistent. It also only requires information that is necessary to resolve a particular dilemma and is straightforward, reliable and easy to use. Decision-making allows a person to clarify uncertainties and risks. Effective decision-making demands that a person confront uncertainty, judging the likelihood of different outcomes and assessing their possible impacts. More than likely what we decide today could influence our choices tomorrow. This in turn will affect the outcome of our future. From a managerial stand point, decision-making can be based upon logical, rational and a systematic process. Managers and heads of organizations use the systemic process to correct or to solve problems. Even though the problems of corporations might be of a larger magnitude than the problems in everyday life we use the decision-mak ing process in the same way. Each must examine the problem and then begin to identify what choices have to be made. After identifying problem, everyone will rely on knowledge and action to help him or her to make a decision that is appropriate for that problem. Both critical thinking and decision-making is a large part of our everyday life. We must make use of critical thinking and decision-making to answer problems that arise in our lives. When confronted with a problem, we must assess the problem or argument and analyze all information that is put before us so we can make the best decision possible. Without the use of critical thinking and decision-making, our lives would be of no significance. We would be mundane beings and would believe what is told to us without question. Even the most insignificant problem or argument requires the use of critical thinking and decision-making. For example, when trying to decide what to wear to work in the morning, we use both critical thinking and decision-making. It is not a complicated problem but a decision has to be made and one must ask oneself certain questions in order to choose what to wear. You will find critical thinking and decision-making in every newspaper you pick up. Look at the letter s ections and the editorials. You will also find them use on television and radio broadcasts. Even when you join newsgroups, you will find that critical thinking and decision-making is being implemented to some degree. Critical thinking and decision-making compliments each other by allowing us to make tough decisions. Critical thinking and decision-making also allows us to confront a problem or an argument and test the validity of it. Once validity is tested, we need justification for the action that is being taken. The purpose of validity and justification is to validate conflicting points in an argument and can be used as a systematic way to decipher what a person is saying is true and is it justifiable. Even if a desire to discover the truth does not seem a sufficiently strong reason for being concerned about having good reasons to justify our actions and beliefs, there are various life situations in which the ability to interpret and evaluate someone’s problem or arguments properly may be crucial to someone’s well-being. Critical thinking and decision-making is an optimal system that ensures the best evaluation and interpretation in argument analysis. Within my department, critical thinking and decision-making is constantly being used. When implementing new program or new software, our programmers, network administrators and technicians have to make decisions that affect SCDNR. For example, the implementation of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) allowed remote users to access the network in half the time. In order for this to happen, the staff of data processing had to come together and figure out how to begin the process of establishing a VPN. Each staff member had opinions and arguments but critical thinking and decision-making allowed the managers to taken in all the information that was presented and make a decision based upon that information. Without critical thinking and decision-making, our VPN connection would never be in place and our user would not be able to access the network in an expeditionary manner. You can order a custom essay, term paper, research paper, thesis or dissertation on Critical Thinking or Decision Making topics at our professional custom essay writing service which provides students with custom papers written by highly qualified academic writers. High quality and no plagiarism guarantee! Get professional essay writing help at an affordable cost.

Consumers' surplus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Consumers' surplus - Essay Example The first major insight that students obtain from the study of microeconomics is the theory of demand and supply. Nevertheless, the demand is the willingness and ability of individuals of consumers to acquire certain goods and services. Therefore, when prices increase (assuming determinants of demand constant) the quantity demanded decreases and vice versa, thereby resulting in a downward sloping demand curve due to negative price – quantity relationship. In contrast, the supply refers to willingness and ability of sellers to produce and sell certain goods and services. Hence, when prices increase (assuming determinants of supply constant) the quantity supplied also increases because of increase in profit margin of producers and vice versa. In simple words, the supply curve slopes upward due to positive price – quantity relationship. In this paper, I would elucidate on Consumer Surplus – a theory contributed by Alfred Marshall in 1920s (and derived by using the d ownward sloping demand curve) that initially received various serious criticism by then economists and academicians. Dooley (1983, p. 26) has summarized the following major criticisms raised at that time - â€Å"First, whether an additive utility function adequately explains consumer behavior; second, whether the marginal utility of money can be treated as a constant; third, whether the quantity demanded of one commodity can be treated as a function of its price alone; and fourth, whether it is possible make interpersonal comparisons†. The researcher will first explain what Consumer Surplus theory is after which an analysis will be presented on the credibility of this theory. The researcher will conclude this paper by providing a personal opinion and will finally provide 2 recommendations to the economists and pundits. 2. Analysis / Body Consumer Surplus is a concept studied in microeconomics and it refers to the estimation of consumer utility. In simple words, consumer surpl us is the surplus portion calculated by subtracting the maximum price consumer wants to pay for acquiring a good or service with the equilibrium market price. This could also be defined as the difference between the actual paid market price and the highest price at which demand of a product exists. As illustrated in Figure 1, the equilibrium quantity and price are P1 and Q1 respectively; however, the demand of a product also exists at higher prices. Therefore, the blue portion represents consumer surplus. Figure 1 In order to fully comprehend the theory of Consumer Surplus, I would like to present an example of demand of DVDs (video games) relative to their price. In this case, let us consider that a  consumer enters in a Computer shop to buy video games. The consumer buys 10 DVDs of $50 in total but he is inclined to pay $95 for one DVD so the consumer’s surplus for 1 unit will be $45, for 2 units will be $40, for 4 units will be $30, for 6 units will be $20, for 8 units w ill be $10 and for 9th unit will be $5 only. The figure 2 illustrates the consumer surplus in green, which is below the market demand curve and above the equilibrium market price. Figure 2 Samuelson & Nordhaus (2005, p. 96) highlights the following: â€Å"Consumer Surplus is the gap between the total utility of a good and its total market value†

Is there a connection between mortality and religion Research Paper

Is there a connection between mortality and religion - Research Paper Example But does religiosity translate into biological mechanisms which affect the rates of survival?—this is the moot question that remains to be answered by the researchers. The popular belief is the healthy body goes with the healthy mind. Only a moral/religious/spiritual individual can have a healthy mind. Religious practices are meant to combat the negative thoughts. In spiritual texts of all religions, one comes across parables related to long-life and such people adopted healthy practices in their day to day living. Physical wellbeing and religious belief is like the scale of justice. Both arms of the scale are equally important to get at the equilibrium. In one’s life, they must run like a train that speeds on two parallel tracks. Ralph W. Hood, Jr., et.al (2009, p.181) writes, â€Å"Some impressive research has examined the relationship between mortality and religious involvement†¦..The results showed that frequent attendees lived longer than infrequent attendees. Apparently, the former were more likely to cease smoking, engage in exercise, remain married, and maintain their social connections.† To put it in the terms of a laym an, a well-disciplined individual will live longer than a man with negative tendencies and habits. Brian Thomas in article â€Å"New Study Makes Connection Between Religion and Lower Mortality,† concludes that women performing religious service with regularity lived 20 percent longer than those who did not, as per the recent study. Some of the specific revelations in support of connection between mortality and religion are: Exodus 20:12: â€Å"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.† To explain this further, one who adheres to this commandment lives the disciplined life. Principle of God-fearing is a positive approach to life-situations and such positivity contributes to peace which is conducive to long span of life. Proverbs

Airline marketing Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Airline marketing - Research Proposal Example In fact, Dubai is known as the business hub of Middle East. Even though Dubai witnessed rapid growths during the latter part of twentieth century, a national airliner was a dream until 1985, despite having an excellent airport. Dubai had been used as the stopover on routes between Europe and Far East during the 70’s and early part of 80’s. The business savvy Dubai royal family has realized potential of airline business during this period and they decided to exploit it. Thus the initial works for the formation of the company EA has started in 1985. †Because of Dubai's unique political structure, Emirates could be described as both government-owned and privately held, though most considered it state-owned. It was required to operate independent of government subsidies, however, apart from $10 million in start-up capital† (The Emirates Group History). It is difficult to consider EA as a private or public company because of the unique political and administratio n system prevails in Dubai. The royal family is responsible for Dubai administration and at the same time, they are engaged in many other private businesses like EA. In 1974, three years after independence, the rulers of the UAE decided to establish a joint flag carrier: Gulf Air. However, a tense relationship between the airline and the Dubai government existed ever since its inception, as the latter re fused to give in to Gulf Air’s demands to abandon its open-skies policy. In reaction, Gulf Air reduced frequencies and capacities to and from Dubai by more than two thirds between 1984 and 1985 without advance notice. Since foreign carriers proved unable or unwilling to fill the gap, Dubai’s then ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, convened a team of experts – headed by Maurice Flanagan and later joined by Tim Clark and the ruler’s then 26- year old son, Sheik Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum – to devise an emergency plan. The group’s rec ommendation to set up a home carrier for Dubai was quickly accepted by the ruler, but he imposed two conditions: The new airline should meet the highest quality standards and there would be no additional capital injections from the government other than the agreed USD 10 million start-up capital (Knorr and Eisenkopf, p.1). EA was formed in 1985 under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the nephew of the ruler of Dubai. Maurice Flanagan has taken charge as the managing director of the new airline. The first Emirates flight took off on October 25, 1985, from Dubai to Karachi. â€Å"Thereafter, Emirates Airlines reached Delhi and Mumbai. The airline launched services to Colombo, Chaka, Amman and Cairo in 1986. It kicked off non-stop services to London Gatwick in 1987 and also added Frankfurt, Singapore and Male to its network later on† (Emirates Airlines). Within nine months from the beginning operation, EA became profitable. Even though chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum was only 27 years of age at the time, of taking charge of the airliner, he succeeded in converting EA into one of the most prominent airliner in the business with the company of Maurice Flanagan. As mentioned earlier, the differences with Gulf Air, motivated the Royal Family of Dubai to give take the growth of EA as a challenge. The Royal family allotted lavish funds for the initial expenditure, and took the growth of EA

Simulated Moving Bed Technology

Simulated Moving Bed Technology 1. Introduction 1.1. Continuous counter current chromatography Continuous industrial-scale adsorption processes are well known for their efficiency. Very often, the Height Equivalent of a Theoretical Plate (HETP) in a batch operation is roughly three times higher than one find for the continuous mode (Gembicki et al., 2002). The operation of continuous chromatographic counter current apparatus (here-by referred as True Moving Bed, TMB) in particular, maximizes the mass transfer driving force providing a better utilization of the adsorbent, and thus, allowing the use of lower selectivity materials (Ruthven and Ching, 1989) as to operate with an increased productivity (i.e., higher processed throughput using less packing material). A scheme of a TMB unit is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 A four section True Moving Bed (TMB) unit for the separation of A and B with D as eluent or desorbent (Fructose/Glucose separation). If we define section as the part of the TMB unit where the fluid flow rate is approximately constant (section limited by inlet/outlet streams), then, it is possible to find four different sections with different roles: Section I: Regeneration of the adsorbent (desorption of A from the solid); Section II: Desorption of B (so that, the extract is not contaminated by the less retained component); Section III: Adsorption of A (raffinate clean from the more adsorbed species); Section IV: Regeneration of the eluent/desorbent (adsorption of B from the fluid phase). From Figure 1, one can observed that the counter-current movement of the solid, with respect to the fluid phase, allows continuous regeneration of both the adsorbent in section I as the eluent/desorbent in section IV. Also, the moving bed arrangement allows the achievement of high purity even if the resolution of the two peaks is not excellent, since only the purity at the two tails of the concentration profiles, where the withdrawal ports are located, is of interest. This is contrary to batch chromatography where high resolution is vital in order to achieve high purity. Nevertheless, with this counter current mode of operation is necessary to circulate not only the fluid phase but also the solid. The solid motion inside of the column and the consequent recycle presents some technical problems, namely: equipment abrasion, mechanical erosion of adsorbent and difficulties in maintaining plug flow for the solid (especially in beds with large diameter). From a technical point of view, this clearly limits the implementation of such technology. 1.2. The Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) concept In order to avoid this issue, a sequence of fixed bed columns was conceived (Broughton and Gerhold, 1961) in which the solid phase is at rest in relation to a fixed referential, but where a relative movement between both phases is experienced by switching the inlet and outlet fluid streams to and from the columns from time to time (in the direction of the fluid flow). In the simplest operating mode, the period that a certain operating configuration prevails is called the switching time, . Since the solid flow is avoided, although a kind of counter-current movement is created relatively to the fluid, this technology is called Simulated Moving Bed (SMB). Consider that at certain moment in the operation of an SMB, the positions for the inlet of feed and desorbent and outlet of products is represented by Figure 2a. Assume also the simplest operating mode (synchronous advance of all streams) and one column per section. After a period of time equal to the switching time, the injection and withdrawn points all move one column in the direction of the fluid flow (Figure 2b). When the initial location of injection/collection of all the streams is reencountered, we have completed one cycle (in a four equally zoned SMB, it takes to complete one cycle, where is the number of columns in each one of the four sections). As it is possible to see in Figure 2, during one cycle the same column is in different sections, assuming therefore different roles in the separation process. Figure 2 Schematic representation of a 4 columns SMB unit operating over a complete cycle, from 0to (with representing the ports switching time); (a) period of the first switch; (b) period of the second switch and (c) a TMB unit. As mentioned before, the continuous movement of inlet and outlet lines into and from the column is almost impractical, therefore discreet jumps (with the length of one bed, during ) have to be applied. The analogy between SMB and the TMB is then possible by the introduction of the relative velocity concept, where , with the fluid interstitial velocity in each section in the TMB, the interstitial velocity in the SMB unit and the solid interstitial velocity in the TMB. The solid velocity is evaluated from the switching time interval value in the SMB as , being the column length. As consequence, The internal flow rates in both apparatus are not the same, but related by where and represent the internal liquid flow-rates in the SMB and TMB, respectively, is the bulk porosity and the column volume. 1.3. SMB Applications Industrially, SMB applications can be regarded as â€Å"Old† and â€Å"New†, associated with petrochemical and pharmaceutical/fine chemistry fields, respectively (Sà ¡ Gomes et al., 2006d). Among the first applications of SMB technology (back to 1960s) are the ones implemented by the UOP Inc. (Des Plaines, IL-USA) with the Sorbex ® processes, such as: the Parex ® unit for separation of p-xylene from mixtures with its C8-isomers (Broughton et al., 1970), separation also performed by the Aromax ® process from Toray Industries (Tokyo, Japan) (Otani et al., 1973) and the Eluxyl ® process by Axens/IFP (Institut Franà §ais du Pà ©trole, France) (Ash et al., 1994); the Ebex ® for the separation of EthylBenzene (EB) from a mixed of C8-aromatic isomers (Broughton, 1981); the Molex ® for the separation of n-paraffins from branched and cyclic hydrocarbons; and the Olex ® process to separate olefins from parafins; the Cresex ® and Cymex ® for the separation of p-cresol and p-cymene from its isomers, respectively. The application of SMBs in the sugar industry is also substantial, with the Sarex ® process, for the separation of fructose from the corn syrup with dextrose and polysaccharides on polystyrene-divinylbenzene resins in calcium form (Broughton, 1983); or as patented by Japan Organo Co. (Japan), (Heikkilà ¤ et al., 1989); by Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC, also known as the Snake River Sugar Company (Boise, ID-USA), (Kearney and Mumm, 1990, , 1991). In the last decade, particularly in the area of drug development, the advent of SMB has provided a high throughput, high yield, solvent efficient, safe and cost effective process option. Although it had long been established as a viable, practical, and cost-effective liquid-phase adsorptive separation technique, the pharmaceutical and biomolecule separations community did not show considerable interest in SMB technology until the mid-1990s. The application of the SMB concept to the fine chemical separations in the earlier 90s, led to the second â€Å"boom† on the number of applications of SMB technology (Negawa and Shoji, 1992; Nicoud et al., 1993; Kusters et al., 1995; Rodrigues et al., 1995; Cavoy et al., 1997; Francotte and Richert, 1997; Guest, 1997; Pais et al., 1997a; Pais et al., 1997b; Francotte et al., 1998; Grill and Miller, 1998; Lehoucq et al., 1998; Pais et al., 1998; Dapremont et al., 1999; Miller et al., 1999; Nagamatsu et al., 1999; Nicoud, 1999a, 1999b; Pedefe rri et al., 1999; Strube et al., 1999; Juza et al., 2000; Kniep et al., 2000; Wang et al., 2001), among other â€Å"pioneers†. Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd (Japan) first published the resolution of optical isomers through SMB (Negawa and Shoji, 1992). Since then, several are the SMB based processes already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and others regulatory agencies. Examples includes renowned products such as: Biltricide (Praziquantel) Cipralex/Lexapro (Escitalopram), Keppra (Levetiracetam), Modafinil/Provigil, Taxol (Paclitaxel), Xyzal (Levocetirizine), Zoloft (Sertraline), Zyrtec (Cetirizine), Celexa/Citrol/Cipram (Citalopram), Prozac (Fluoxetine hydrochloride), (Abel and Juza, 2007) o paper de real SMB e rajendran, among others biological separation, with a particular emphasis in protein separations meteer referencias a biologias e proteinas. Given the importance of such technique, this work reviews different operating SMB modes; design, modeling and optimization techniques; and addresses an example of the design, construction and operation of an SMB unit. 2. SMB modes of operation So far, only the so-called conventional SMB mode of operation has been considered, which indeed means that each section has a fixed number of columns and there is no variation on the pre-established inlet/outlet flow rates or the switching time value. However, over the last decades some non-conventional SMB operating modes were proposed, developing the range of the applications of SMB technology and extending further its potential. Some of these operating modes, worthy of note, are listened in the following Sections. 2.1. Asynchronous shifting SMB (the Varicol ® process) The asynchronous shifting SMB or Varicol ® process (Adam et al., 2000; Bailly et al., 2000; Ludemann-Hombourger et al., 2000; Ludemann-Hombourger et al., 2002) commercialized by Novasep (Pompey, France), became one of the more studied and used processes of the so-called non-conventional SMB modes of operation. Instead of a fixed unit configuration with constant section length, the Varicol ® operating mode is performed by the implementation of an asynchronous inlet/outlet ports shift, providing a flexible use of each section length, Figure 3. Figure 3 [11.51.51] Asynchronous SMB for a complete cycle; section II has 1 column during the first half of the switching time and 2 columns in the remaining time (within a switching time period), thus 1.5 columns; the opposite happens to section III. By means of Varicol ® mode of operation it is possible to increase the productivity value up to 30% more than the classical SMB apparatus, principally when operating under a reduced number of columns (Toumi et al., 2002; Zhang et al., 2002b; Pais and Rodrigues, 2003; Subramani et al., 2003b, 2003a; Toumi et al., 2003; Yu et al., 2003b; Sà ¡ Gomes et al., 2006d; Mota et al., 2007b; Rodrigues et al., 2007a; Sà ¡ Gomes et al., 2007b; Zhang et al., 2007). 2.2. Partial-Feed, Partial-Discard With the Partial-Feed mode of operation two additional degrees of freedom are introduced: the feed length and the feed time (Zang and Wankat, 2002a; Zang and Wankat, 2002b). Feed during a given feed length period will consequently influence the raffinate and extract flow rates are along the time. Also referred in the literature is the Partial-Discard (or partial withdraw) operating mode, where just a part of the outlet products is used in order to improve the overall purity (Zang and Wankat, 2002b; Bae and Lee, 2006), or with the partial recirculation of the outlet products back to the feed (Kessler and Seidel-Morgenstern, 2008a; Kessler and Seidel-Morgenstern, 2008b; Seidel-Morgenstern et al., 2008). The ISMB (Improved SMB) mode of operating, commercialized by the Nippon Rensui Co. (Tokyo, Japan) and FAST â€Å"Finnsugar Applexion Separation Technology†, now Novasep-France, is also well known (Tanimura et al., 1989). In this process, during a first step the unit is operated as a conventional SMB but without any flow in section IV; in the second step the inlet and outlet ports are closed and the internal flow through the four sections allowing the concentration profiles to move to adjust their relative position with respect to the outlet ports (Rajendran et al., 2009). Meter referencias do mazzotti e nova de sa gomes Another novel non-conventional mode of operation, the Outlet Swing Stream-SMB (OSS) (Sà ¡ Gomes and Rodrigues, 2007), was developed under the framework of this thesis and is latter detailed in Chapter 3. 2.3. PowerFeed and ModiCon The modulation of the section flow rates (PowerFeed) was originally proposed by Kearney and Hieb (1992) and later studied in detail by other authors (Kloppenburg and Gilles, 1999b; Zhang et al., 2003b; Zhang et al., 2004b; Kawajiri and Biegler, 2006b). Another SMB operating concept, based on the feed concentration variation within one switching interval, was suggested by Schramm et al., (2002; 2003b) known as the ModiCon. The use of auxiliary feed tanks, where section flow rate flows into a tank to dissolve solid raw materials and fed into section III, has also been studied (Wei and Zhao, 2008). The cross combination of PowerFeed, Modicon and Varicol modes of operation is also a recurrent research matter, principally of optimization studies (Zhang et al., 2004a; Arau?jo et al., 2006a; Rodrigues et al., 2007b), providing more degrees of freedom and allowing better performance values. 2.4. Two Feed or MultiFeed SMB and Side Stream SMB Recently, the introduction of multi feed streams in the SMB area, by analogy with distillation columns, led to the formulation of the Two Feed SMB, or MultiFeed, operating mode presented by Kim (2005) and later studied by Sà ¡ Gomes and Rodrigues (Sà ¡ Gomes et al., 2007b; Sà ¡ Gomes and Rodrigues, 2007). Also multi extract/raffinate are referred in the literature (Mun, 2006), known as side stream SMB (Beste and Arlt, 2002). These techniques, combined with the distillation know-how for the optimum location of multiple feeds, can allow the development of more efficient SMB processes. 2.5. Semi Continuous, Two and Three zones SMB There are several semi continuous SMB apparatus that operate with two-zone, two or one-column chromatograph, with/or recycle, analogous to a four-zone SMB(Abunasser et al., 2003; Abunasser and Wankat, 2004; Arau?jo et al., 2005a; Arau?jo et al., 2005b; Jin and Wankat, 2005b; Mota and Arau?jo, 2005; Arau?jo et al., 2006b; Arau?jo et al., 2007; Rodrigues et al., 2008b), that allow a reasonable separation, some allowing centre cut for ternary or quaternary separations (Hur and Wankat, 2005b, 2005a, , 2006a, 2006b; Hur et al., 2007), under reduced equipment usage. The discontinuous injection in a system with 2 or more columns, based on the concept of simulated adsorbent movement, as been applied by Novasep under the denomination of Cyclojet ®, Hipersep ®, Supersepâ„ ¢ (Supersep MAXâ„ ¢ with Super Critical CO2) and Hipersep ®, (Grill, 1998; Valery and Ludemann-Hombourger, 2007). 2.6. Gradient SMB As a further possibility for increasing the productivity, the introduction of gradients in the different separation sections of the SMB process is also described in literature. The gradient mode was suggested firstly for the SMB-SFC (SMB-supercritical fluid chromatography) process, where the elution strength can be influenced by a pressure gradient (Clavier and Nicoud, 1995; Clavier et al., 1996). Nowadays, there are more gradient-variants that allows the variation solvent elution strength by changing the temperature, the pH-value, the content of salt or the modifier concentration (Jensen et al., 2000; Antos and Seidel-Morgenstern, 2001; Migliorini et al., 2001; Abel et al., 2002; Antos and Seidel-Morgenstern, 2002; Abel et al., 2004; Ziomek and Antos, 2005; Mun and Wang, 2008a), or as in Rodriguess group with the purification of proteins by Ion Exchange-SMB (IE-SMB) (Li et al., 2007; Li et al., 2008). Also worth of note is the MCSGP (Multicolumn Counter-current Solvent Gradient Puri fication) process (Aumann and Morbidelli, 2006; Strohlein et al., 2006; Aumann and Morbidelli, 2007; Aumann et al., 2007; Aumann and Morbidelli, 2008; Mà ¼ller-Spà ¤th et al., 2008), commercialized by ChromaCon AG (Zà ¼rich, Switzerland), which combines two chromatographic separation techniques, the solvent gradient batch and continuous counter-current SMB for the separation of multicomponent mixtures of biomolecules. 2.7. Hybrid-SMB: SMB combined with other processes It is possible to improve the performance of SMB units by integrating it with other different separation techniques. The more simple application of this approach is to combine in series the two different processes and then recycle back the outlets between (or within) the different units (Lorenz et al., 2001; Amanullah et al., 2005; Kaspereit et al., 2005; Amanullah and Mazzotti, 2006; Gedicke et al., 2007). Among these, an interesting hybrid SMB was presented by M. Bailly et al., (2005; Abdelmoumen et al., 2006), the M3C process; or the similar process: Enriched Extract operation (EE-SMB) (Paredes et al., 2006), in which a portion of the extract product is concentrated and then re-injected into the SMB at the same, or near to, the collection point. The use of SMB-PSA apparatus is also referred in the literature for gas phase separations, (Rao et al., 2005; Sivakumar, 2007; Kostroski and Wankat, 2008). The use of two SMB units with concentration steps between, for the separation of bi nary mixtures, was also developed under the denomination of hybrid SMB-SMB process (Jin and Wankat, 2007a). 2.8. The SMBR multifunctional reactor The integration of reaction and separation steps in one single unit has the obvious economical advantage of reducing the cost of unit operations for downstream purification steps. Besides reactive distillation, reactive extraction or membrane reactors, the combination of (bio)chemical reaction with SMB chromatographic separator has been subject of considerable attention in the last 15 years. This integrated reaction-separation technology adopts the name Simulated Moving Bed Reactor (SMBR). Several applications have been published considering the SMBR: the enzymatic reaction for higher-fructose syrup production (Hashimoto et al., 1983; Azevedo and Rodrigues, 2001; Borges da Silva et al., 2006; Sà ¡ Gomes et al., 2007a); meter a dos FOS the esterification from acetic acid and -phenethyl alcohol and subsequent separation of the product -phenetyl acetate (Kawase et al., 1996), or methyl acetate ester (Lode et al., 2001; Yu et al., 2003a); the synthesis and separation of the methanol fro m syngas (Kruglov, 1994); the esterification of acetic acid with ethanol (Mazzotti et al., 1996b); the lactosucrose production (Kawase et al., 2001); the MTBE synthesis (Zhang et al., 2001); the diethylacetal (or dimethylacetal) synthesis (Silva, 2003; Rodrigues and Silva, 2005; Silva and Rodrigues, 2005a; Pereira et al., 2008); the ethyl lactate synthesis from lactic acid and ethanol (Pereira et al., 2009a; Pereira et al., 2009b); the biodiesel synthesis (Geier and Soper, 2007) falta uma; or the isomerization and separation of p-xylene (Minceva et al., 2008) faltam os franceses, are examples that prove the promising potential of this technique. Depending on the reactive system some interesting arrangements of the general SMBR setup can be found in the literature, a more detailed review of several SMBR applications can be found elsewhere (Minceva et al., 2008). 2.9. Multicomponent separations The application of SMB technology to multicomponent separations has also been an important research topic in the last years. The common wisdom for such multicomponent process is the simple application of SMB cascades (Nicolaos et al., 2001a, 2001b; Wankatt, 2001; Kim et al., 2003; Kim and Wankat, 2004); nevertheless, there are some non-conventional operation modes that proved to have interesting performance, as the one introduced by the Japan Organo Co. (www.organo.co.jp), called JO process (or Pseudo-SMB); this process was discussed in detail (Mata and Rodrigues, 2001; Borges da Silva and Rodrigues, 2006, , 2008) and (Kurup et al., 2006a). The process is characterized by a 2-steps operation: (a) in the first step the feed is introduced while the intermediary product is recovered with the whole unit working as a fixed bed; (b) during the second step the feed stopped, the unit works as a standard SMB and the less and more retained products are collected, see Annex I for details. The u se of two different adsorbents (Hashimoto et al., 1993), two different solvents (Ballanec and Hotier, 1992), or a variation of the working flow rates during the switching period (Kearney and Hieb, 1992), were also proposed. 2.10. SMB Gas and Super Critical phases Most of the industrial applications of SMB technology operate in the liquid phase; nevertheless, SMBs can also be operated under supercritical conditions; where a supercritical fluid, typically CO2, is used as eluent offering a number of advantages namely reduction of eluent consumption, favourable physicochemical properties and lower pressure drop and higher column efficiency (Clavier and Nicoud, 1995; Clavier et al., 1996; Denet and Nicoud, 1999; Depta et al., 1999; Denet et al., 2001; Johannsen et al., 2002; Peper et al., 2002; Peper et al., 2007). Also in the gas phase the recent developments have been remarkable (Storti et al., 1992; Mazzotti et al., 1996a; Juza et al., 1998; Biressi et al., 2000; Cheng and Wilson, 2001; Biressi et al., 2002; Rao et al., 2005; Lamia et al., 2007; Mota et al., 2007b; Sivakumar, 2007; Kostroski and Wankat, 2008). Meter a do propano propylene 3. SMB design, modeling, simulation and optimization Over the last 50 years, design, modeling, and optimization of chromatographic separation processes have been frequent research subjects. As consequence, several modeling methods, strategies and approaches have been developed, the more relevant are reviewed in this section. 3.1. Design strategies The design of an SMB based separation involves taking decisions at many levels, from the configuration of the unit (number of columns per section, column and particle size) to operating conditions (feed concentration, switching time, internal flow rates). Although simulation can be exhaustively done until the right combination of parameters is found for the expected performance, it is useful to have a design method that will provide a preliminary estimation of the optimum operating point, followed by simulation and/or optimization, (Sà ¡ Gomes et al., 2009a). The equivalence between TMB and SMB can be quite useful in the SMB design procedure. Recalling the role of each SMB section (Figure 2c), one can state a set of constraints that will limit the feasible region and allow a complete separation (recover of the more retained species (A) in the extract stream, the less retained one (B) in the raffinate port, and regeneration of the solid in section I as fluid in section IV). Where represents the solid flow rate, the average solid concentration of species in section and the bulk fluid concentration of species in section . The flow rates constraints in Eq. 1b and 1.c will identify the separation region (section II and III), while Eq. (1 a) and Eq. (1 d) the regeneration one (section I and IV). Usually, the fluid and solid velocities in each section are combined into one only operating parameter, such as the from Morbidellis group or the , as used by Ruthven (1989). The identification of constrains, Eq. (1 a) to Eq. (1 d), led to the appearance of several design methodologies, which are usually approximated and/or graphical, providing a better insight to the possible operating regions. From the plates theory and McCabe-Thiele diagrams (Ruthven and Ching, 1989); passing by the analytical solutions for a linear adsorption isotherms system in presence of mass transfer resistances (Silva et al., 2004); to the determination of waves velocities as in the Standing Wave Design (SWD) methodology (Ma and Wang, 1997; Mallmann et al., 1998; Xie et al., 2000; Xie et al., 2002; Lee et al., 2005). A particular emphasis should be given to the strategy developed for binary and multicomponent separations modeled by linear and non-linear isotherms as in (Storti et al., 1989b; Storti et al., 1 993; Mazzotti et al., 1994; Storti et al., 1995; Mazzotti et al., 1996c; Mazzotti et al., 1997b; Chiang, 1998; Migliorini et al., 2000; Mazzotti, 2006b), the so-called â€Å"Triangle Theory†, where the term is treated by assuming that the adsorption equilibrium is established everywhere at every time (Equilibrium Theory, (Helfferich, 1967; Klein et al., 1967; Tondeur and Klein, 1967; Helfferich and Klein, 1970), resulting in a feasible separation region formed by the above constraints Eq. (1 b) and Eq. (1 c), which in the case of linear isotherms takes the shape of a right triangle in the plane, Figure 4, (or a triangle shaped form with rounded lines in non-linear isotherms case), and a rectangular shape in the plane. Recently, this methodology was also extended for the design of SMB units under reduced purity requirements, in which the separation triangle boundaries are â€Å"stretched† to account for different extract and/or raffinate purities (Kaspereit et al., 2007; Rajendran, 2008). Figure 4 â€Å"Triangle Theory†, separation and regeneration regions for linear isotherms, where represents the Henry constant for linear adsorptions isotherms (A: the more retained and B: the less retained species), is the intraparticle porosity; case of (S,R)Tetralol enantiomers, see Section 4.3.2. Nevertheless, the inclusion of mass transfer resistances can deeply affect the result of the design. By taking into account all mass transfer resistances, and running successive simulations, it is possible obtain more detailed separation/regeneration regions, as well as the separation study carried out for three different sections (II, III and I) or (II, III and IV) allowing the analysis of solvent consumption or solid recycling, as proposed in the â€Å"Separation Volume† methodology, (Azevedo and Rodrigues, 1999; Rodrigues and Pais, 2004a), or the influence of the solid flow rate in the separation region (Zabka et al., 2008a). 3.2. Modeling and simulation Generally, one can model a chromatographic separation process, and consequently an SMB unit, by means of two major approaches: by a cascade of mixing cells; or a continuous flow model (plug flow or axial dispersed plug flow, making use of partial differential equations derived from mass, energy and momentum balances to a differential volume element ), (Rodrigues and Beira, 1979; Ruthven and Ching, 1989; Tondeur, 1995; Pais et al., 1998). Each of these approaches can include mass transfer resistances, thermal, and/or pressure drop effects. Nevertheless, most of the recent literature concerning SMB processes just makes use of the continuous approach, detailing the particle diffusion and/or film mass transfer (the Detailed Particle Model), or using approximations to the intraparticle mass transfer rate in a similar way as the Linear Driving Force (LDF) approach presented by Glueckauf (1955a), (Guiochon, 2002). One can argue that an SMB unit is no more than the practical implementation of the continuous counter current TMB process, Figure 2. Consequently, the equivalence between the TMB and a hypothetical SMB with an infinite number of columns can be used in the modeling and design of SMB units. However TMB model approach will just give reasonable results if a considerable number of columns per section is present. The SMB model approach represents an SMB unit as a sequence of columns described by the usual system equations for an adsorptive fixed bed (each column ), thus represented by a PDE system. Nevertheless, the nodes equations can be stated to each section, making use of the equivalence between the interstitial velocity in the TMB and SMB, and thus: The issue here is that, due to the switch of inlet and outlet lines, the boundary conditions to a certain column are not constant during a whole cycle but change after a period equal to the switching time. Since the model equations are set to each column , one will obtain the concentration of species in the begin of each section , , from the following node mass balances: Considering now . This set of equations continues to progress in a similar way (shifting one column per ), until , repeating then from the first switch. As for the TMB model approach, both the Detailed Particle Model and LDF approach can be used with the SMB model approach; nevertheless, and for the sake of simplicity, just the last is detailed in this work. The LDF approximation can now be obtained from , and thus obtaining for the bulk fluid mass balance: and for the mass balance in the particle, with the respective initial: and boundary conditions: where the adsorption equilibrium isotherm is: As a consequence one obtains discontinuous solutions, reaching not a continuous Steady State but a Cyclic Steady State (CSS). By applying the SMB model approach, both the Detailed Particle as LDF strategies, to the case study mentioned before, one obtains the CSS concentration profiles over a complete switching time, Figure 6. 3.3. Performance parameters The performance of the SMB unit for a given separation is usually characterized by the following parameters: purity, recovery, productivity per the amount adsorbent volume and eluent/desorbent consumption per mass of treated product. The definitions of all these performance parameters, for the case of a binary mixture, are given bellow: Purity (%) of the more retained (A) species in extract and the less retained one (B) in the raffinate stream, over a complete cycle (from to ): Recovery (%) of more retained (A) species in extract and the less retained one (B) in raffinate stream, again over a complete cycle: the productivity per total volume of adsorbent : the eluent/desorbent consumption : These parameters hold for both SMB and TMB model approaches; nevertheless, one can simplify: in the SMB model strategy the same equations can be stated for a switching time period (from to ) if the unit is symmetrical, i.e., there are no differences between each switching time period (either due to the implementation of non-conventional modes of operation, or to the use of more detailed models accounting for dead volumes or switching time asymmetries); in the TMB model approach there is no need of the integral calculation, since the solutions from this model strategy are continuous and thus, the performance parameters constant over the time (at the steady state). 3.4. Optimization Usually one can classify the optimization of SMB units according to the type of objective functions: (i) optimization of performance parameters (productivity, adsorbent requirements or desorbent/eluent consumption for given purities and/or recovery requirements); (ii) optimization based on the separation cost. In case (i) each objective function, based on a different set of performance parameters, can lead to a different optimum solution; therefore multi-objective functions procedure should be considered; in the second case (ii) all those different performance parameters can be homogenized/normalized by the separation cost, where separation dependent costs (adsorbent, plant, desorbent/eluent recovery cost, desorbent/eluent recycling, feed losses) and separation independent costs (wages, labour, maintenance, among others) are taken into account and weighted by cost factors, which sometimes are difficult to characterize (Jupke et al., 2002; Chan et al., 2008). To solve these problems, the use of powerful optimization algorithms, such as: IPOPT (Interior Point OPTimizer, (Wa?chter and Biegler, 2006), employed for liquid as gas phase SMB separations (Kawajiri and Biegler, 2006b, 2006a; Mota et al., 2007a; Mota and Esteves, 2007; Rodrigues et al., 2007b; Kawajiri and Biegler, 2008a, 2008b); the commercial package gOPT from gPROMS with a Single (or Multiple) Shooting-Control Vector Parameterization, used in the two level optimization of an existing Parex ® unit (Minceva and Rodrigues, 2005), for ageing analysi

The Celtic Appreciation of Nature Essay -- essays research papers

The Celtic Appreciation of Nature In doing this assignment, I was looking forward to becoming more appreciative of nature, and all that it has to offer us, wanting a better understanding of it all. It seems that we take all of the beauty of our earth for granted, we are spoiled and it shows. In completing this practicum, I hoped to return to a state of mind where everything I see has beauty in it, like a baby seeing things for the first time, when everything is so fascinating, that touching it in complete awe is all I want to do. The Celtic appreciation of nature is what influenced the path I took with this day of reflection. The way they loved it as though it was their child, the way they respected it as though it was their mother, and even the way they feared it, as if it was their school principle (for lack of a better term). They held Mother Earth’s gifts in such high regard, and that is what, to me, is so wonderful about them. Throughout the day I told myself repetitively that, â€Å"The world was not created for us, but us for her.† I felt that personifying earth was more appropriate, considering it’s so alive with so many things that are, and possibly will forever be, unfathomable to us. This was my Lorica, I also wrote a poem that is at the end that meant a lot to me and reflects the way I felt while the sun was descending.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I referred a lot to the Thomas Berry video, recognizing the fact that his feelings are another inspiration for this day. He too, feels that we are way to ungrateful of our natural surroundings, and that we should alter our ways to preserve what is left. I also used an internet article by Carl McColman titled, â€Å"Celtic Spirituality: an Interfaith Approach – What is Celtic Spirituality?† he also describes the Celtic Faith as being: â€Å"†¦earthy, natural, of the soil, of the clay. This is true whether your particular flavor of Celtic wisdom is Pagan, Christian, New Age, or some hybrid thereof. Celtic spirituality is the spirituality of land, sea, and sky; of the rocks and the trees and the animals; of holy wells and standing stones and windswept tors. The earth is our mother; we must take care of her . . . this is not only a native American sentiment, it is a truly Celtic sentiment as well.† (www.druid.org) I felt this was a wonderful statement, because it was what I was thinking the majority of the time ... ...beautiful.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  But through all this wonderful mental â€Å"working out,† I had one fear, the fear that sticks with me no matter where I go, the fear of failure. Whenever that thought crept into my mind, my body became so paralyzed with fear that I would get this immense sensation of being hot. I could feel my face turn a bright shade of crimson, and my eyes welled up with tears to the point that one time all I could do was break down.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I have to admit; coming into this assignment I was very apprehensive. It seemed really â€Å"out there† and a big waste of my time to sit alone for 5 hours straight. Even in the beginning, while I was there I was wary of it all. I almost had to laugh at myself at some points. But as my day carried on, I learned, felt, and absorbed so much, that now I feel ashamed for ever doubting it. And now I have this grasp of nature and spirituality as one common ground that I thought I would never have. I take the time to stop and think about if what I have been taught, or everything I believed to be true ever was. I question things instead of just accepting them. I go beyond the surface of everything in life now.

Analisis of Obamas victory speech Essay

Obama’s Victory Speech Obama’s Victory Speech has impressed the whole world. Obama have used a lot of techniques which make people in the USA believe in him and make them feel united. In this essay of Obama’s victory speech, I will explain some of the techniques Obama uses and for what purpose. Besides that I will comment on important and meaningful quotes. Obama’s Victory Speech is separated in a lot of small sections. After flnlshlng one secuon of his speech, he makes a long dramatic pause. That makes the speech very intimate. These dramatic pauses are used by almost any good peaker. Obama’s manner of speaking Is very natural, he tells about experiences he have had, he shows a lot of gratitude, he speak with humility of a high degree and shows a very high amount of empathy for his people. An example of Obama’s great humility is when Obama kind of praise Mitt Romney. â€Å"We may have battled fiercely, but it’s only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about Its future. † I think it is very humble of Obama to show such recognition for Mitt Romney. He also applies that he looks forward to work together with Mitt Romney, so by that tatement Obama want everybody to have a positive point of view at Mitt Romney. So he actually does Romney a favor. Obama made a great Job winning the skeptics over. â€Å"And that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics who tell us that polltlcs Is nothing more than a contest of egos or the domain of special interests† It is very important for Obama to show that this Isnt about him Just wanting to win. Obama really wants to make a difference. He point out that the people under his lead, really fight hard to make sure Obama’s political ideas is going to be reality. â€Å"You’ll hear the etermination in the voice of a young field organizer who’s working his way through college and wants to make sure every child has that same opportunity So by that quote the skeptics is going to have hard time arguing that Obama and other politicians are just some egomaniacs. Obama is not just claiming what he want to do, he have already taken action. The audience can almost feel the changes of a greater country within the speech. Obama also shows his great love for his one and only wife Michelle. † Let me say this publicly: Michelle, I have never loved you more. I have ever been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you, too, as our nation’s first lady. † He doesn’t make this romantic declaration Just to show he Isnt afraid of showing Michelle how much he love her in front of the whole world, but he also shows that he appreciate the hard work she have put into the campaign. and also to show that everybody should recognize her as an important fgure for America. The first lady In the USA has a great responsibility, for being a kind of role model. The first lady is often volunteering in support for poor areas for example. So by those words Obama really wants everybody In America to love her. â€Å"But that doesnt mean your work is done† In this quote Obama really make it personal for his listeners, by telling the audience that it is also your Job to make the USA a greater country. The frequent use of different pronouns Is one of the most conspicuous techniques Obama uses in his victory speech. Obama wants to draw you in to his speech. So he does not use the word † † I nearly as much as ne use mfou/you’re/your† and â€Å"W Our† Even though Obama mostly uses miou/you’re/your† and â€Å"We/Us/Our† he still nvolves himself in the speech, but he does it in a slightly more humble manner than just bragging about himself. That is a great way of making Obama’s audience know that it’s not only about him but it’s mostly about you. In that way Obama makes the audience listen and care for what Obama is saying, and it also makes it more personal between Obama and the single listener, plus he doesn’t separate the people who voted for himself with the people who voted for Mitt Romney.

s Oedipus Complex

, so watching the play was crucial for my understanding. The only thing in the play that I didn’t like is how the facts start to come up, but it took so long for Oedipus and Jocasta to figure out what had happened. Teiresias tells Oedipus he is the killer, and Oedipus still does not remember about what had happened at the place where three roads meet. That for me sounds almost impossible. Freud explains his theory of a child’s emotional conflict with the parents thus: â€Å"If Oedipus Rex moves a modern audience no less than it did the contemporary Greek one, the explanation can only be that its effect does not lie in the contrast between destiny and human will, but is to be looked for in the particular nature of the material on which that contrast is exemplified.† Furthermore, he makes another good point in saying that Sophocles’ work absolves men from any amoral responsibility and justifies the occurrence of the crimes as the gods’ will, as predicted by the oracle of Apollo. Thus, Oedipus Rex is a prime tragic play that has been studied and deconstructed by many philosophers and thinkers such as Freud for the complexity and depth of its work, finding in it explanations for human behaviors. The play describes so well human nature and the inevitable fate of man despite the concept of free will.... 's Oedipus Complex Free Essays on Freud\'s Oedipus Complex I was interested when I found out that we were supposed to read Oedipus Rex because for awhile I was in a psychoanalyses group where we would talk about our lives and hear about other people’s lives. In many of those sessions the psychologist would mention the Oedipus Complex, but I had no idea what it was about. After awhile I found out that it had something to do with the son being in love with the mother, or the daughter with her father, or that a man look for characteristics in a woman that remind him of his mother. While reading the play I had trouble understanding many of the words, so watching the play was crucial for my understanding. The only thing in the play that I didn’t like is how the facts start to come up, but it took so long for Oedipus and Jocasta to figure out what had happened. Teiresias tells Oedipus he is the killer, and Oedipus still does not remember about what had happened at the place where three roads meet. That for me sounds almost impossible. Freud explains his theory of a child’s emotional conflict with the parents thus: â€Å"If Oedipus Rex moves a modern audience no less than it did the contemporary Greek one, the explanation can only be that its effect does not lie in the contrast between destiny and human will, but is to be looked for in the particular nature of the material on which that contrast is exemplified.† Furthermore, he makes another good point in saying that Sophocles’ work absolves men from any amoral responsibility and justifies the occurrence of the crimes as the gods’ will, as predicted by the oracle of Apollo. Thus, Oedipus Rex is a prime tragic play that has been studied and deconstructed by many philosophers and thinkers such as Freud for the complexity and depth of its work, finding in it explanations for human behaviors. The play describes so well human nature and the inevitable fate of man despite the concept of free will....

The Layers of Earths Atmosphere

The Layers of Earths Atmosphere The envelope of gas surrounding our planet Earth, known as the atmosphere, is organized into five distinct layers. These layers start at ground level, measured at sea level, and rise into what we call outer space. From the ground up they are: the troposphere,the stratosphere,the mesosphere,the thermosphere, andthe exosphere. In-between each of these major five layers are transition zones called pauses where temperature changes, air composition, and air density occur. Pauses included, the atmosphere is a total of 9 layers thick! The Troposphere: Where Weather Happens Of all the atmospheres layers, the troposphere is the one were most familiar with (whether you realize it or not) since we live at its bottom the Earths surface. It hugs the Earths surface and extends upward to about high. Troposphere means, ‘where the air turns over’. A very appropriate name, since it is the layer where our day-to-day weather takes place. Starting at sea level, the troposphere goes up 4 to 12 miles (6 to 20 km) high. The bottom one third, that which is closest to us, contains 50% of all atmospheric gasses. This is the only part of the whole makeup of the atmosphere that is breathable. Thanks to its air being heated from below by the earths surface which absorbs the suns heat energy, tropospheric temperatures decrease as you travel up into the layer. At its top is a thin layer called the tropopause, which is just a buffer between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The Stratosphere: Ozones Home The stratosphere is the next layer of the atmosphere. It extends anywhere from 4 to 12 miles (6 to 20 km) above Earths surface up to 31 miles (50 km). This is the layer where most commercial airliners fly and weather balloons travel to. Here the air doesn’t flow up and down but flows parallel to the earth in very fast moving air streams. Its temperature also increases as you go up, thanks to the abundance of natural ozone (O3) the byproduct of solar radiation and oxygen which has a knack for absorbing the suns harmful UV rays. (Anytime temperatures increase with elevation in meteorology, its known as an inversion.) Since the stratosphere has warmer temperatures at its bottom and cooler air at its top, convection (thunderstorms) is rare in this part of the atmosphere. In fact, you can visibly spot its bottom layer in stormy weather by where the anvil-shaped tops of cumulonimbus clouds are. How so? Since the layer acts as a cap to convection, the tops of storm clouds have nowhere to go but spread outward. After the stratosphere, there is again a buffer layer, this time called the stratopause. The Mesosphere: The Middle Atmosphere Starting roughly 31 miles (50 km) above Earths surface and extending up to 53 miles (85 km) is the mesosphere. The mesospheres top region is the coldest naturally occurring place on Earth. Its temperatures can dip below -220  °F (-143  °C, -130 K)! The Thermosphere: The Upper Atmosphere After the mesosphere and mesopause come the thermosphere. Measured between 53 miles (85 km) and 375 miles (600 km) above the earth, it contains less than 0.01% of all air within the atmospheric envelope. Temperatures here reach upward to 3,600  Ã‚ °F (2,000  °C), but because the air is so thin and there are so few gas molecules to transfer the heat, these high temperatures would amazingly feel very cold to our skin. The Exosphere: Where Atmosphere and Outer Space Meet Some 6,200 miles (10,000 km) above the earth is the exosphere the atmospheres outer edge. It is where weather satellites orbit the earth. What About the Ionosphere? The ionosphere isnt its own separate layer but is actually the name given to the atmosphere from about 37 miles (60 km) to 620 miles (1,000 km) high. (It includes the top-most parts of the mesosphere and all of the thermosphere and exosphere.) Gas atoms drift into space from here. It is called ionosphere because in this part of the atmosphere the sun’s radiation is ionized, or pulled apart as it travels earth’s magnetic fields to the north and south poles. This pulling apart is seen from earth as auroras. Edited by Tiffany Means

UDP protocol issues Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

UDP protocol issues - Research Paper Example Reliable and unreliable do not denote whether certain IT tools will perform properly or not, rather it denotes whether the IT tools can deliver guaranteed services. A reliable IT system usually sets up connections and accordingly confirms the accurateness of data transmission and integrity of data. Reliable protocols perform effectively in such a medium which has high tendency to errors. In contrast, an unreliable IT system makes no attempt to develop a connection and do not verify the data. It also does not make any endowment for data recovery or loss of data. Unreliable protocols perform effectively on such kind of medium which has low possibility of data loss and low tendency of error rates. In this context, it can be stated that Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is considered as a usual reliable protocol and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is an example of unreliable protocol (Zandy & Miller, 2002). Unreliable Communication and Its Impact on Application Complexity Communication ch annels usually use one of the two types of protocols namely TCP or UDP. In case of TCP i.e. reliable communication, there exists the acknowledgement of received data, while in UDP, no response exists on communication. Thus, in UDP applications, there can be no guarantee for delivery of information or duplication of information. Unreliable communication of UDP minimizes the complexity of applications which help to reduce overhead. UDP applications are usually simpler than TCP applications, as the key objective is to develop a boundary between networking application procedures, operating in higher layers. UDP takes the data, packages it in simplified format, and sends it to the IP address for transmission. This low level of complexity helps to ascertain rapid transmission of information without any delay. Thus, in short, it can be stated that unreliable communication can reduce complexity and increase rapidity of applications (Sinopoli et al., 2004). Issues Related To the Reliability of an Application That Uses UDP There are several applications where UDP is used and one of the most popular applications is Voice over IP (VoIP). Detailed Analysis of the Application VoIP has become one of the newest applications in the internet. Traditionally, voice and signaling data was directed only through dedicated circuit by using standard TCP protocol on physical links such as telephony channel. This exchange of information occurs from both directions at the similar time. In telephony channel, the voice is perceived through microphone and transmitted to the communication channel. However, in VoIP, the voice is electronically encoded through Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) and then directed through internet channel by data packets. Whereas in typical telephony system, voice data are transmitted at a continuous rate, in VoIP, comparatively small data packets are transmitted at a continuous rate. However, the advantage of VoIP over telephony system is that a high-speed network can transport the data packets for different voice channels and also possibly share with other types of data simultaneously (Bu et al., 2006). UDP protocol is used for transmitting voice data on VoIP network. UDP is considered as ‘send and forget’ protocol with no prerequisite for transmitter to recall sent data packets, because it can lead to reaction error (Bu et al., 2006).

A critical assessment of Morrisons approach to strategic HRM Essay

A critical assessment of Morrisons approach to strategic HRM - Essay Example A critical assessment of the approach Morrisons takes to its strategic HRM, in this context will help to justify The Personnel Review’s (2009)iii notion that if a big organisation is to function successfully, strategies at different levels need to inter-relate. Furthermore, an evaluation of the extent to which Morrisons’ SHRM approach contributes to organisational effectiveness substantiates TIJHRM’s (2004)iv view that focusing on the alignment of SHRM with firm strategy is a means of gaining competitive advantage. However, in order to effectively measure the extent to which SHRM contributes to the overall organisational effectiveness, an important aspect requires to be taken into consideration which is moving away from sole reliance on financial measures of organisational success. Instead, holistic frameworks are applied such as Kaplan and Norton’s (1996) Balanced Scorecard, which seeks to judge Morrisons’ performance on the basis of a range of indicators. The report’s conclusion observes that the approach which Morrisons’ managers implement, SHRM policies and exercise leadership, is strongly related to positive employee views in respect to a range of issues that facilitate motivation and productivity (e.g. worker-management relations, reward and recognition, coaching and guidance, communication and quality control (Morrisons 2010). Having said that a noticeable recommendation recognises that since pay mix is related to financial performance (Gerhart and Milkovich, 1990)v, in order to simultaneously improve employee ownership and promote high wages, staff and managerial remuneration, compensation should be based on Morrisons financial performance. This paper applies associated theory & practice to critically assess the approach Morrisons takes to its strategic HRM. This will be achieved by critically examining the definitions of personnel

Research paper politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Research paper politics - Essay Example It soon became evident that the American colonies of the New World were more interested in slaves than gold, and the slave trade quickly overshadowed the gold trade. Dutch, English, Danish, and Swedish competitors weakened Portuguese control and in 1642, the Portuguese left the Gold Coast permanently although their influence continues to this day. Various European powers attempted to dominate the profitable slave trade. The Dutch West India Company operated throughout most of the eighteenth century, and the British African Company of Merchants, founded in 1750, was successor to several earlier organizations and became the dominant European power on the Gold Coast (Buah 2004). Portugal's control of West Africa was gone by the seventeenth century, and Angola was the only major area left under Portuguese control. Angola, independent at present, is strongly influenced by Portuguese culture and its official language is Portuguese. It is especially distinctive because of South African infl uence and white settler communities, as well as the harsh colonial style of the Portuguese. The area therefore has become unique in Africa. As in most Portuguese colonies, mixed race children hold a different status (Angola 2007). In addition, Angola became divided into three factions-capitalists, independent, and the dominant party at present, the Population Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). Violence, hunger and poverty marked the end of the twentieth century in Angola with peace being achieved in 2002. Even though they have gained their independence, "class, cultural, and linguistic divisions still haunt the country" (Birmingham 2006). Although France traveled to West Africa as early as 1483 and the first West African settlement was founded in the mid-seventeenth century in Senegal, it was not until the mid-nineteenth century that the French were firmly established in Cte d'Ivoire. Cte d'Ivoire, like the rest of West Africa, was subject to European influences, but absence of sheltered harbors made the area less appealing. The slave trade had little impact on the peoples of Cte d'Ivoire. Its profits were in ivory, but a decline in elephants closed down the trade by the beginning of the eighteenth century. In 1904, French West Africa consisted of Cte d'Ivoire, Dahoney (present-day Benin), Guinea, Niger, French Sudan (present-day Mali), Senegal, Upper Volta and Mauritania, ruled by the governor of Senegal, who became governor general. Most of the inhabitants of the colonies were subjects of France with no political rights (Handloff 1988). Handloff continues his history of the Ivory Coast noting that until 1958, gover nors appointed in Paris administered the colony of Cte d'Ivoire using direct, centralized administration that left little room for Ivoirian participation in policy making. The French colonial administration adopted divide-and-rule policies, applying ideas of assimilation only to the educated elite. These elite were inclined to take on the culture of the colonizers, moving away from their African heritage, and the influence of French culture continues to this day. The French-educated elites, or evolues, embodied the "African