Effects of alum sludge and its application to farmland Coursework

Effects of alum sludge and its application to farmland - Coursework Example A comprehensive research has been conducted to identify and measure the impact of alum sludge on farmlands and critically evaluate the beneficial uses of this element, so that they are used after considering all costs and benefits associated with its adoption. Additionally, the literature material that I have selected to make part of my research studies has been discussed in detail to justify their relevance and significance for reaching a suitable conclusion. Moreover, this paper entails the practical application and effectiveness of alum sludge that is being used for various diversified purposes in real world. This report highlights implications of presence of alum sludge with regards to pH value (acidity or alkalinity) of soil, forest trees and effective growth of plants. Finally, a concrete conclusion has been drawn at the end of this report to summarize the findings of entire research. Literature review I have mainly included 3 scholarly resources in my research to provide adequ ate reading material, research findings and strong discussions to enable me to reach a rational conclusion for my study. The first study was carried out by Rengasamy, Oades and Hancock in 1980 whereby they studied pros and cons of usage of alum sludge and concluded that it must be mixed in soils since it provides a strong structure and nourishment for plants. However, they suggested that conclusions are still dubious and require further research and verification at rates of the order of 2 t ha?1 (Rengasamy, Oades & Hancock, 1980). Next literature piece I have selected for my research is a study conducted with focus on adsorption capacity of alum sludge. This research revealed that alum sludge is highly useful for eradication of phosphate from wastewater due to its adsorbent characteristics. This article noted that alum sludge has been frequently questioned in various previous researches for its abilities and success rates when being used for adsorption process. The authors examined effects of pH value of soil on adsorption patterns exhibited by alum sludge and concluded that the phosphorus is highly susceptible to adsorption in acidic environment which have a lower pH as compared to more alkaline composition with higher pH strength. This article has also presented results of other similar studies (Yang et al, 2006). The final study pertains to features of dried alum and its effects on different subjects in different conditions. It shows how alum acted as a liming catalyst in enabling improvement and nourishing of potting media. This study gives me an entirely distinct viewpoint since it suggests that the growth of plants is adversely affected due to presence of alum, causing adsorption and scarcity of phosphorous in fertilizers which are intended to provide cultivation support for soil plants. Authors also are of opinion that alum sludge, when sprayed on deciduous and coniferous forest lands, increases soil pH but has no positive effect on growth of trees. Nev ertheless, they ensure through their findings that sludge is harm-free and does not contain any toxic effects (Bugbee, et al., 1985). Research Methods I adopted a skeptical approach to conduct my research, covering all areas comprehensively and thoroughly. I have selected the 3 sources after careful consideration since they all have worked on mutually exclusive issues pertaining to usage of alum sludge and also have given varying conclusions and outcomes of their findings. My research procedures began with verifying the results

World War II Through the 1970s Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

World War II Through the 1970s - Assignment Example The war officially started in 1939 with the formation of two global military fronts, the allies and the axis. Most countries had no choice but to join either of the two military alliances. It was by far the most globally widespread war ever fought in the history of mankind. The European conflict was already heating up during the 1930s that ultimately resulted in German invasion of Poland in Sep 1939 and inevitably marked the onset of the Second World War. Adolf Hitler was a major figure that influenced the course of the war and proved to the mastermind behind the German’s plan of world domination. Therefore, Axis alliance was mostly led by the Germans with major contributions from Italy and Japan. Poland, France, British Empire, Soviet Union and later on US mainly constituted the Allies front. US initially avoided being part of this power clash but had no option but to counter attack after Japan bombers drop havoc over Pearl Harbor. (Payment 2004). During 1930s to 1970s, the p eriod is full of major historical events but two of them had a major influence on America’s current politics, economy, culture and society. These include the mentioned incidence of Pearl Harbor and later US atomic bomb explosions over the two populated cities of Japan. Pearl Harbor and Atomic Bombs The attacks on Pearl Harbor proved to be the decisive event that prompted US to finally involve in the bloodshed of the world war. However, going into the war turned out be politically and strategically beneficial as it helped US to emerge as a superpower on the global canvas. Soviet Union was the other force that gained immense power during the war period, thus, a clash between these two super powers was displayed in the form of cold war that had a great impact on political, social and economic front of America. Incidence of Pearl Harbor can be argued as one of the major underlying factor in stirring these future events. Moreover, dropping of nuclear bombs on the two cities of Jap an by the American planes that killed thousands of people in an instance turned out be a major blow. It gathered huge criticism and induced massive uproars regarding the use of nuclear weapons but it also put an end to six year long war. It had a great political as well as social impact. Even today, it remains as a black mark on the history of United States. Arguably, that event influenced many US policies that include a solid stance on global nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. US reluctance During the development of European conflict in the late 1930s, America maintained its stance of isolationism. Few reasons for such apathy can be deduced. First of all the great depression during the 1930s discouraged the US from participating any distant conflicts that would add burden on the economic front. Secondly, they were reluctant to enter the emerging war after the lessons learned from the aftermath of the First World War. A committee in the senate had already blamed war profiteers or â€Å"merchants of death† for American entry into the World War I. Several neutrality acts were passed during the late 1930s to ensure similar mistake is not repeated under the current situation. (Wittkopf et al 2002). Women in the World War American women played a major role in winning the World War II. Their contributions came in many forms. War demanded utilization of all country resources such as labor in the factory to produce military supplies, troops to fight for country’s cause. American women served all these purposes, more efficiently than anticipated. They also contributed as nurses, taking care of the wounded by serving in the Red Cross. The whole

Do you agree or Disagree the company maximized profit by supplying Essay

Do you agree or Disagree the company maximized profit by supplying what consumer wants - Essay Example The industry uses the new market approach where the companies enter new markets and market slowly, selling volumes of cigarettes that are large very cheaply to push up the rate of consumption. The companies have maximized profits since most cigarette consumers want cheap cigarettes. In addition, a value maximizing approach especially of more set up markets is used in motivating consumers to purchase Cigarettes at a premium prices. The aim is to increase companies’ profit margins. In addition, every pack of cigarettes sold will compensate for reducing sales and the increased profitability per pack. Having the existing marketing restrictions in place for various markets, packaging, and product innovation that is still mostly not restricted is currently the key to the cigarette industry’s profit maximizing goal. It involves products such as super slim cigarettes marketed towards capsule filters and women that allow the smoker to change their smoking experience that bursts of other flavors or menthol. By doing that the companies have maximized profits since most consumers prefer super slim cigarettes. Innovations in packaging that involves limited edition packs, new mechanisms of opening (glide packs) and design variations that are structural (such as the rounded edge boxes) are appealing to customers. The increased profits from the value maximizing approach assist in subsidizing the companies’ entry into new (often low-income) markets to increase volumes and provide what the consumers need. Pack and product innovation will thus until regulated continue to play an enormous role in profit maximization. Despite the emphasis on the cigarette, industry being on a premium brand sales, at the other end of the market, segments of low price are also essential. They appear to play a primary role in preventing the price-sensitive smokers from quitting. It also provides a

Compare and analyze two different core reading Thesis

Compare and analyze two different core reading - Thesis Example â€Å"But a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that the Net, with its constant distractions and interruptions, is also turning us into scattered and superficial thinkers.† (par.1.Carr (a)).The author claims that the internet has shaped the modern thinking abilities and is constantly changing it in a manner that is highly making us more surface level thinkers rather than focused ones. The writer also argues on the point that the use of internet in teaching techniques is making weak holes in the thinking process of the human mind."But that has been accompanied by "new weaknesses in higher-order cognitive processes," including "abstract vocabulary, mindfulness, reflection, inductive problem solving, critical thinking, and imagination." Were becoming, in a word, shallower.† (par.7.Carr (a)). Another point that was highlighted in the article by Carr targets the multi-tasking individuals and how the juggling of various tasks at a single time overall impacts the mind making individuals have a short attention span, not to mention distracting thoughts that made it hard but almost not possible to focus on a single task.â€Å"The heavy multitaskers performed poorly on all the tests. They were more easily distracted, had less control over their attention† (par.8.Carr (a)). The three main highlighted points showed authors concern over how the internet not only affected the individuals thinking capabilities but rather destroyed the focus and control over the mind once possessed. Suggesting to return to the previous times, â€Å"We have to forge or strengthen the neural links needed to counter our instinctive distractedness, thereby gaining greater control over our attention and our mind.† (par.15.Carr (a)), where reading books enhanced the mental attention span but also gave the focus to develop the individuals own thinking. Clay Shirky holds

Managing Human Resource in Large Organisations Essay

Managing Human Resource in Large Organisations - Essay Example The researcher states that managing such large organizations as Boeing and Airbus with employee base ranging up to 18, 000 employees is a complex endeavor. Due to the diversity of the organisation, many employees come from different cultural and ethnic background and therefore have different personal values, which must be respected. Construction industries such as Boeing and airbus involve assembly of millions of parts. This calls for a wide variety of expertise. Some may be low as workshop attendants, cleaners, and drivers while others may be highly qualified personnel such as engineers, analysts, and quality inspectors. Each class have different needs, values, hierarchy of needs and issues to be addressed. This makes handling such a complex work base a difficult effort. Heavy construction industries require a very diverse pool of skills. This implies that the workforce will consist of old and experienced experts who have been in such industries for years. Such workers are of high v alue to any organisation. On the other hand, young, enthusiastic, and highly skilled workers are also required to inject new ideas, and introduce recent advancements in technology into the production process. Indeed, most large manufacturing industries invest heavily in developing young workforce. Most of the young generation are often employed in research facilities of such organizations. The needs, gratifications, and issues affecting these diverse groups are different and handling them increases the complexity of the human resource management problem. ... Managing and handling issues from an international perspective demands a very wide dimensional approach. Teamwork in manufacturing organizations such as Boeing and Airbus is of utmost importance. At times, the companies have to organise up to 200 work teams, which must work in harmony towards achieving the desired production goals. Organising such teams from a pool of varied professionals, different age, cultural and religious background presents a complex puzzle for human resource management. The gravity of the issue is increased by the sensitivity of the manufacturing process, which demands a synchronised approach to work (Lam, 2009). Compensation of different workers presents one of the most complex problems for large manufacturing organizations. Different expertise demand different pay grades. However, similar expertise from different nationality may require different compensation in terms of remunerations and other work benefits. Minimising compensation expenses whilst addressin g different hierarchical needs of every single employee is truly a complex task for human resource management. Despite the complexities, human resource has different methods of approach to ensure that all the staff members feel as part of the design and production process. First, human resource must understand the different patterns of personal values and gratification. Different employees must be treated differently depending on personal motivation factors. For instance, some workers may value achievement, affiliation, power, and responsibility while others may prefer promotion and growth. There are two primary types of motivation, intrinsic and extrinsic. Most of the employees will fall in either category and it is the role of human resource to

Veiw from a statue Essay Example for Free

Veiw from a statue Essay As I stand here looking over the lush green foliage of thousands of trees, I glanced down toward the base of the mountain to see curvy, windy roads, weaving in and out between tiny little box houses, plotted around here and there. I can see for miles and miles, the views are breath taking. Thats mostly why people come to see me, to look out with me, to see the fantastic views. My arms are sore from standing here for about 75 years, just doing nothing but wondering. For many months I have started to think what is beyond the horizon of the sea. There could be a whole new world over the edge. Is there even an edge? Who knows? Years ago those little things climbed on my feet, just to get a better view or to pose in front of a compact box, with a blinding flash for a couple of seconds, but now there are large metallic fences at my feet. This is predominantly because I am old, weary and wearing out so I need protecting. People get here in many different ways, clear boxes which travel up and down continuously, moving stairs, or climbing 222 steps reaching the summit, exhausted. Oh yeah! I forgot to say about the odd people that walk all the way up the ridge of mount Corcovado who wear small shorts, long pulled up socks, big chunky boots, weird hats and really, really big bags on their backs. They come in there hordes, they come in all shapes and sizes; big ones; small ones; fat ones; thin ones; some are noisy; some are quiet; some just scream and laugh; some are in awe of me and gaze up at me, as I gaze out at the horizon. These people see me as a god, but if only it were true because all I want to do is just fly to the moon, to the white wonderful wide space, where I could rest my sore painful arms and legs. No one knows the pain Im in or even know I have any feelings. I remember the journey of how I came to be here. I was created by a local engineer called Heitor da Silva Costa. He made me out of reinforced concrete and layers of soap stone. Firstly I was going to be made out of steel but that wouldnt of had much of a chance against extreme weather conditions. I was built in small chunks and slowly brought to the top by a struggling train on the Corcovado Rack Railway. Then I was pieced together bit by bit, slowly rising above the ridge to embrace the people of the world. Through my amazingly large nostrils I can smell the wondrous cuisine from the land below swirling and rising up the mountain side. Just after dark the surroundings black out and all attention is drawn towards the bright lights of the city. Although no one else sees it, its not all happiness up here. I have seen many things in my life like robberys, suicides, murders, but what always happens almost every night is groups of people sell drugs and sit there injecting liquids into their arms, snorting dust and sniffing corrosive fumes of acids. The fumes are so strong even I get a headache and my heads made out of concrete! It is disgusting what they do, but it is what they want to do, and what could I do any way. As dawn emerges it makes up for the previous night. The sun rises and a new day begins. In the early morning, the mountain air is fresh and crisp; the sun rises leisurely, bringing a slow warmth to the city. The most beautiful part of the day is now, when it is peaceful and you can hear the chirping of the birds below. The heat from the sun breaks through my layers of soap stone reaching into the hard cold concrete inside.

McDonalds Company Overview

McDonalds Company Overview 1.0 Introduction McDonalds Company Overview McDonalds is a big corporation and international fast food restaurant around the world, it was founded by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1937 in California, and 43 years later in December 1980, the global fast food restaurants had arrived in Malaysia (The Communications Department McDonalds Restaurants Ltd 1995). It gives a lot of advantage to McDonalds and opportunity to capture more shares and customers as the fast food trend in Malaysia still have the market to expand. Since 1982, McDonalds opened its first restaurant stated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It creates many job opportunities, especially in its headquarter which is having more than 8,000 local people and 120 support staffs being employed.( M.Azu, 2010) This report reviews McDonalds social performance, and how the McDonalds performance influencing to the society. Furthermore, it also shows the effective of stakeholders and the performance of company with regards to fulfilling needs within society. 2.0Social performance The corporate social performance consists of measurement in â€Å"how well the institution has translated its social goals into practice† (CGAP Workshop Paris 2004). It also known as corporate social responsibility (CSR), is define as the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lord Holme and Richard Watts n,d.) There is another definition, CSR is about capacity building for sustainable livelihoods. It respects cultural differences and finds the business opportunities†¦.† (Ghana n,d.) For McDonalds, my own definition is that CSR is about how companies manage the business operation to produce an overall impact on society and creates a good impression to customers and stakeholders in order to making profits in ways of belief in welfare, and responsibility to take care of welfare benefits. In this section, we will discuss about how well the CSR and contribution of McDonalds in the society. 2.1Services provider technology improvement McDonalds provides customers extra services such as delivery order through phone and online, and also 24 hours service for people who look for quick meal during their night shift. (McDonalds n.d.) It gives a good aspect of economic arises as many household can purchase the fast foods in the convenience way. This will slightly increase the rate of consumption in Malaysia. Moreover, it helps to develop infrastructure especially telecommunication, intercommunication and so on, as nowadays people are lazy to go out having their meals, some of them are ordering their meals through internet rather than driving a car to buy foods. 2.2Environmental protection Environmental protection refers to â€Å"any activity to maintain or restore the quality of environmental media through preventing the emission of pollutants or reducing the presence of polluting substances in environmental media.† (Glossary of Environment Statistics, Studies in Methods 2001). In this case, McDonalds is announcing a plan to buy up $100 million in recycled construction materials for use in building and remodeling its fast-food restaurants. (John Holusha 1990), it is helping the recycling industry to reclaim those materials such as newspapers, cans and bottles. In addition, McDonalds also uses the recycling materials for packaging such as beverages, burgers and so on. However, the McDonalds recycling program is not only aimed to do like that, the company said the plastic items are also can reform into the useful items such as trays and buckets. (John Holusha 1990) Therefore, sometimes McDonalds will come out with their strategy such as using the recycle plastic items to make plastic glass as a free gift for customers who buy a set of meal. 3.0Impact of social performance As we know that McDonalds is a fast food restaurant, some people might not satisfy with their services or foods. This section will tell us the issues that McDonalds encountered. 3.1 Copyright and Patents Copyright is a â€Å"protection for original expression of ideas that we cannot copy from them who have registered†. (HJ Ventures International, Inc 2004) There are different functions between copyright and patent. For a thing to be patented it must be useful. Since we know that McDonalds is a big corporation, they had registered the copyright and patents, which mean people cannot use the similar name or product when forming a business. However, sometimes company may face the copyright and patents problem. For an example, there is hottest news in recent years, which contend about the copyrights of the company name, McDonalds v McCurry. McDonalds vigorously defends its trademarks against violations anywhere in the world†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Liam Jeory 2009) We can see that McDonalds strongly defends against their copyrights. However, McDonalds failed to sue McCurry for the copyrights, McCurry argued that their selling foods such as briyani rice, nasi lemak, while McDonalds sells fries, and burgers, etc. (Boey Wei Lyn, 2010) In this case, the court held that their style is use in different terms of presentation, get-up and targeted market, and the signboard for McCurry would not result in reasonable persons associating McCurry Restaurant with McDonalds. (Boey Wei Lyn 2010) In fact, McCurry offered to the customers are totally different from what McDonalds offered, and this shows that McCurry did not use â€Å"Mc† to name their food items served in his outlet. In conclusion, the court st ated that there was no proof in such circumstances, and eventually McDonalds leave to appeal to the court and awarded McCurry cost of RM10, 000. 3.2Nutrition Nowadays most customers concern in healthy foods. However, fast food is considered oily and bad for health, it will link to serious diseases such as heart disease, cancer, obesity and so on. McDonalds has no sufficient scientific evidence to prove that their food can be valuable part of a balance diet. Many people said that McDonalds are selling unhealthy products, for most people who practice to eat the healthiest possible food usually either cooks at home or have meal at the workplace to avoid taking fast food. (Helen and Dave) However, the situation is changing rapidly, many food industries has processed the unhealthy mass for food that it can used to replace fresh and healthy foods. This successful development had causes a serious problem in human health as now they currently sell to about 30 million people daily. (Helen and Dave) People start to rely on McDonalds fast food and dislike cooking at home as its convenience to all of them. Therefore, McDonalds has become the world largest threats for human health which people are concerning about. 3.3 Legal and Political Environment Malaysia is formally an Islamic nation as majority of its population comes from Muslim. McDonalds will have to bind with the Malaysia Law which is Syariat Law, it stated that all food served must be Halal. (M.Azu, 2010) It brings a lot of limitation to McDonalds food offered to Malaysia. In order to capture and making profit in this market, McDonalds have to cooperate in working with suppliers, authorities, local businesses and government throughout their international operations. As we know that McDonalds makes many offers such as beef, chicken, pork, fish meal around the world, McDonalds is forced to follow the law in Malaysia by serving the Halal food to gain Islam consumers confident which creates a good impression in Malaysia. Therefore, McDonalds must concern in the type of foods in Malaysia they offered, especially the total absence of pork products. 4.0Effective of Stakeholders Stakeholders can be defined as â€Å"individuals and groups who are affected by the activities of an organization†¦..†(Ian Worthington 2009). McDonalds stakeholders have the combination of Internal, Connected and External Stakeholders in Malaysia. This section shows only the analysis of the two elements of stakeholders as external shareholders take less effect in McDonalds organization. 4.1Internal Stakeholders Internal stakeholders includes both elements, which is managers and employees, this type of stakeholders will affect the day-to-day operations in McDonalds as their working performance will directly affects McDonalds business and the impression of the company. 4.1.1Managers In Malaysia, there is only one managing director, Azmir Jaafar, who is responsible to all the McDonalds restaurant in Malaysia. He is the one who works from low hierarchy level which is assistant manager, store manager, to high hierarchy level of operations consultant, market manager and director of operations. As a trainee manager, he said that the manager needs to understand the basics of cooking burgers and cleanliness in the kitchen at all times. (Sarah Chew 2009) Therefore, a manager must make sure that day-to-day operations are running smoothly and serving the foods and beverage constantly. Moreover, a stock manager also plays an important role which he has to make sure the ingredients are fresh and applicable. 4.1.2Employees For a trainee manager, he has to qualify the needs of employee in McDonalds operations. As McDonalds open for 24 operation hours, sometime they need to find someone who is fast learner and able to work in flexible hours. Therefore, the communications interact between employees is the important skills for a manager to manage the working schedule and so on. In addition, Azmir Jaafar said that he love his job because McDonalds has been rated for 10 best employers. (Sarah Chew 2009) McDonalds is also providing training to their employees in terms of management skill, customer service skills and so on so that employees positive attitude toward customers can bring positive image to the public. 4.2Connected Stakeholders Connected stakeholders cover groups such as shareholders, suppliers and customers, and are parties which invest or have dealings with the firm. (Ian Worthington 2009) These elements will strongly affect the financial performance of the company. 4.2.1 Customer In fact, customer is the key element for McDonalds to survive in the market. Sales levels increase or decrease directly affects the cash stream flow system and McDonalds stock listed in the market. 4.2.2 Shareholders and suppliers Supplier helps to maintain the McDonalds demands and to make sure that ingredient is fresh, as while as McDonalds can provide the best tasty food served to customers. On the other hand, â€Å"increasing of shareholders value will be best served†¦.† (Ian Worthington 2009) Company and shareholders will get profits if the company performs well and achieving success and financial well-being. 5.0 Conclusion In short, this report clearly shows that McDonalds business operations and the impacts of social performance within society, I believe the highlighted points are important to McDonalds to pay close attention and overcome it, and help to improve their performance while expanding the business to the market in near future. 6.0 Recommendation As we know that McDonalds fast food is considered oily and bad for health, I suggest that company should offer healthy foods such as sweet potato, vegetables salad meals to target the people who are vegetarians. Moreover, company should not only target the customers, it can cooperate with another company to form a new restaurant in order to fulfill the vegetarian or healthy needs, and response to any activity such environmental protection plan in the society. Reference List Boey Wei Lyn, 2010. McDonalds v McCurry. http://loyarburok.com/selected-judgments/a-comment-on-mcdonald-losing-its-trademark-battle-against-mccurry/ (accessed April 1, 2010). CGAP Workshop Paris CERISE coordinated. 2004. Power point slides. Retrieved from Cerise-microfinance publications Website: http://www.cerise-microfinance.org/publication/pdf/prog_spi2/15-11h15-Argidius-Kverhagen-definition.pdf (accessed March 31, 2010). HJ Ventures International, Inc. 2004. Copyright definition. Patent Glossary: Copyright.http://www.hjventures.com/patent/Copyright.html (accessed March 31, 2010). Glossary of Statistical Terms.2001. Environmental protection. http://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=836 (accessed March 31, 2010). Helen and Dave, n.d. the issues introduction.http://www.mcspotlight.org/issues/intro.html (accessed April 1, 2010). Hes lovin it.2009.The Malaysian, May 31, Sarah Chew. http://www.mcdonalds.com.my/abtus/corpinfo/49.pdf (accessed April 2, 2010). Ian Worthington, 2009. Stakeholders and how they affect your business. http://www.simama.org/article/stakeholders-and-how-they-affect-your-business (accessed April 2, 2010). JohnHolusha, 1990. McDonalds Contribution to Recycling. http://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/18/business/mcdonald-s-contribution-to-recycling.html?pagewanted=1 (accessed April 1, 2010). Mallen Baker, n.d. Corporate Social Responsibility What does it mean? http://www.mallenbaker.net/csr/definition.php (accessed April 7, 2010). M.Azu, 2010. McDonalds Malaysia Marketing Strategy. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/23688272/McDonals-Malaysia (accessed April 2, 2010). McDonalds, n.d. History: McDonalds in Malaysia. http://www.mcdonalds.com.my/abtus/corpinfo/history_msia.asp (accessed March 31, 2010). Royce Cheah and Bill Tarrant, 2009. McDonalds vs McCurry heads for Malaysia court again.http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5834EF20090904 (accessed April 1, 2010).