Tuesday, August 6, 2019
The Role of the Leader in Evaluating Data to Improve Quality and Safety Essay Example for Free
The Role of the Leader in Evaluating Data to Improve Quality and Safety Essay The Role of the Leader in Evaluating Data to Improve Quality and Safety Introduction            Quality and safety has been acknowledged as significant issues in constructing the delivery of appropriate and approachable health care. To improve safety and quality the leader must analyze data and interpret the information to develop s system for clinical performance by supervising, motivating and constructing a quandary solving plan to deal with the scheme of medical inaccuracy. The purpose of this paper is to explain the significance of the responsibility of the leader in evaluation of data to perk up safety and quality aspects.            In the telemetry unit, patients are in an unremitting electronic supervision. Telemetry practice is a very significant tool in hospitals since it helps physicians to examine heart rhythm, heart rate, breathing from different locations in the nursing station. Telemetry is usually recommended subsequent to heart attack, or when a patient is developing some problem or is acutely ill. Data evaluation in the telemetry is very vital because it helps nurses to monitor the patients by reading the bedside monitors or telemetry readouts while evaluating the patients. This will help the nurses and other hospital personnel to respond swiftly to an emergency (Guo, 2008). Data overview            The average age of patients in the telemetry unit is 72.4 years old, and every patient in the unit has heart disease. The data shows that 68% of the falls were women, who are more susceptible to diuretics. Women are more susceptible to osteoarthritis since bone mass decreases quicker in women as compared to men due to poor nutrition, sedimentary lifestyles and hormonal alterations are therefore more probable of falls. Peripheral sensations dwindle with age and loss of foot affectionate sense in the aged contributes to postural unsteadiness. Postural permanence is an expertise that relies on the harmonization of sensory and motor systems to direct body activities. As component of the aging development people cannot hear, see, feel, smell or taste like they used to do in the early years. The data reveal that fifteen falls in the four-month phase happened between seven in the evening to eleven in the dawn.            Data also reveal that 12% of the patients have secondary diagnosis of disorientation. Confusion in the old age that happens late in the sunset is known as sundowner’s disorder and is amplified perplexity, confusion and is general in telemetry patients. Data reveals that there was only one fall during the eleven pm shift to the three am shift, and on the three to seven shift there was only one fall, the nursing subordinate provides supplementary support for the patients and nurses as well as other basic health care to patients in nursing homes or in hospitals. Data reveals that there were nine falls between 7 in the morning to eleven in the evening. There were seven falls between 11 in the evening to 3 in the morning. And finally there were 14 falls in the 3 in the morning fall to seven in the evening shift. There was a total of 47 seven falls in the 4 months of data evaluation of the elderly people. Some of the old age disorders that causes falls are irreversible, chronic and degenerative ranging from mild to severe hence they require close attention. Appropriate data entry and interpretation is very crucial in the nursing practice. The patients are in diuretics and thus they require constant check up and monitoring so that the doctors can check potassium levels and monitor how the kidneys of the patients are functioning (Murphy, 2012). Quality improvement plan            Quality health concern is defined as the extent of how health services increase the probability of achieving desired health results and are consistent with existing professional acquaintance. Quality health care should meet the following aims set by Institute of Medicine. The six aims include: efficient, safe, timely, equitable, effective and patient-centered. The process of care measures help to access whether the health concern performs procedures that have been established to attain the aspired objectives and evade those processes that are inclined toward impairment (Murphy, 2012).            The objectives of evaluating health care value are to establish the impact of health care on aspired upshots and evaluate the extent to which health concern adheres to procedures approved by the professional consensus and is unswerving with patient predilections. Measures of safety and quality can follow up the process of quality enhancement initiatives using external standards. Total quality model is another significant strategy since involve teamwork, systems thinking, organizational management, and change and defined processes to create an atmosphere for advancing health care quality (Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2682/).            Quality improvement is defined as systematic, data-guided operations structured to bring instant advancement in delivering health care in specific settings. Medical errors are usually caused by process or system failures, thus it is vital to adopt process-advancement procedures to acknowledge ineffective care, inefficiencies, and preventable mistakes to persuade changes related with those systems. Quality improvement includes: effects analysis, lean, Plan-Do- Study-Act, failure modes, root-cause analysis, and six sigma models. These techniques involve evaluating performance and using results to update change (Rowe, 2013). Leadership characteristics            Support and commitment. Leaders should work as a team and always place the patient as the center of care regardless of the prevailing cultural changes. Nurse leaders should be committed to empowering the patients and their families by partnering in their personal care.            Transformational leadership is another quality that leaders should embrace changes in nursing practice. Nurse leaders need to be updated about safety measures of improving safety. Nurses can learn to improve care by learning from errors by incorporating safety procedures in their daily work flow. Summary            Safety and quality is very crucial in creating the delivery of successful and approachable health care. Quality improvement involves appropriate analysis and interpretation of data to develop a scheme for clinical performance by constructing a quandary solving plan to deal with errors in nursing. Appropriate data evaluation is crucial since nurses are required to respond quickly to emergencies especially if they are attending to old patients.            Aged patients are more susceptible to many diseases especially women. Aged patients experience hormonal changes, poor nutrition and sedimentary lifestyles which place them at high risk of certain disorders. Patients suffering from certain disorders can benefit from telemetry unit services since they will learn about their conditions, their causes and techniques that can be applied to manage those conditions. Patients under diuretics should be attended frequently so that the nurses can monitor their potassium levels as well as the functioning of their kidneys. Quality of health care is very important since it can reduce number of patient falls. References Guo, K. L. (2008). Quality of health care in the US managed care system: Comparing and highlighting successful states. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 21(3), 236-248. Murphy, W. A. (2012). Improving Patient Safety and Quality: A Focus on Falls. Home Health Care Management Practice, 24(1), 62-64. Rowe, R. J. (2013). Preventing Patient Falls: What Are the Factors in Hospital Settings That Help Reduce and Prevent Inpatient Falls?. Home Health Care Management Practice, 25(3), 98-103. Tools and Strategies for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. (n.d.). ncbi. Retrieved July 2, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2682/ Source document
Monday, August 5, 2019
Human Comfort And Thermal Comfort Engineering Essay
Human Comfort And Thermal Comfort Engineering Essay Abstract: The main purpose of the HVAC system is to achieve clean indoor air quality and human comfort (thermal comfort), there are many HVAC systems a designer or owner has the option to select based on the factors such as the type of the building, architecture, location, shape, surrounding climate, occupancy, envelop, level and frequency of activities, and the system operation schedule. In addition to the above base factors that an HVAC system is expected to be selected upon, the energy consumption, system efficiency, initial and operational cost, and finally, feasibility (short and long term rebound positive effect) are of the owners and designers critical concerns. This paper will discuss the elements of a typical feasible high performance low cost, fine tuned HVAC DDC integrated system to achieve the best for users, owners, and environment. 1. Introduction HVAC and its associated auxiliaries system are major energy consumers in a building, the rapid development of the advanced technology nowadays boosts the HVAC system feasibility as more complex control systems are developed for this industry and additional fine-tune, prompt response, standardized communication, ease of control and monitor, and remote accessibility. The BMS/DDC (Building Management System/ Direct Digital Control) integrated system is the core of a good feasible high-efficient HVAC system. The BMS is the most recent High-Tech energy management system that manage a building performance to the maximum desirable pre-determined set of parameters which able to control, monitor, adjust, save and record mostly all of the building facilities and utilities when integrated with all of the compatible buildings Sub-LANs, a DDC is one of those LANs and can communicate with other control LANs under the supervision of the BMS. BMS is able to supervise, control, adjust and record the illumination, electric power control, HVAC, security and observation, magnetic card and access, fire alarm, lifts, and other engineering systems. Integrated with the BMS, the DDC performs the HVAC control management and communicates with the other building controllers via the BMS to achieve integration based on a specified, programmed event sequence. I The DDC is the heart of an efficient HVAC system, it finely tunes the digital/analog input/output communication between sensors, probes, stand-alone controllers, LANs controllers, and finally the controlled element which could be an actuator that adjust the process variable (flow, temperature, level, or pressure), and allows for a feedback signal to further adjust the desired process set-point. This whole process is reported in a real-time manner to the BMS system for further coordination with the other buildings controllable systems to achieve integration based on the pre-programmed parameters. In order to achieve the highest human comfort, energy saving, and a long term rebound effect strategy, The BMS/DDC system should be interlocked and integrated with a high-efficient and feasible HVAC system, this combination can awards energy saving, system and environment sustainability, human comfort, and business feasibility. An Optimal Air System is a good example of a low-coast, high-performance, energy-efficient and a good investment for long-term rebound pay-back effect. Optimal Air System concept is based on the low temperature supply system that needs, less energy consumption by the most energy consumer auxiliary that is the fan, this affects the sizing of the ducts (less duck size), air handling units and fan motors, all of which will be smaller and results in a system that requires less space and uses less power. As this paper focuses on the HVAC/DDC integrated system application for human comfort, energy saving, and feasibility (long-term rebound effect), I will discuss and focus on the DDC and Optimal Air System integration for the above purposes and define characteristics, elements, and functions of both systems. II 2. DDC DDC has became the latest and the most recently used system for HVAC controls after the pneumatic and electromechanical control systems, digital pre-programmable controllers can handle extensive digital/analog data process from inputs (sensors, tranceducers and transmitters) that tyapically mesure temperature, flow, humidity, pressure or level, and outputs to final controlled devices to adjust a process variable based on a preset parameters, also recives a feedback signals from inputs again to further adjust signal command errors for best results based again on the setpoints. Digital inputs are Dry contacts from a control device, analog inputs are voltage and current signals that mesure variables such as humidity, pressure, level or flow form sensing devices and converted to percentage. Digital outputs are of 1 or 0 binary that either stops or starts equipments via a relay, analog outputs are voltage or current signals that control a process variable control devices such as valves, m otors or dampers. The DDC program code may be customized for intended use such as: Time schedule, sequence of operation, trend logs, alarms. 2.1 Elements of a DDC As described above, the three functional elements needed to perform the functions of a DDC system are: a) A measurement element (Sensor, prob, Transmitter, Transducer) b) An error detection element (Digital/Analog/pneumatic Controller, PCU) c) A final control element (Motor/Piston Actuator, VFD, VSD, Relay) 2.2 DDC controled mediums The DDC controls two variables: I. A controlled variable is the process variable that is maintained at a specified value or within a specified range. II. A manipulated variable is the process that is acted on by the control system to maintain the controlled variable at the specified value or within the specified range. 1 2.3 Functions of DDC system In any DDC, the four basic functions that occur are: a) Measurement b) Comparison c) Computation d) Correction 3. DDC LAN-WAN Configuration DDC is where mechanical and electrical systems and equipment are joined with microprocessors that communicate with each other and to a central computer BMS. This computer and controllers in the building Management system can be networked to the internet or serve as a stand alone system for the local peer-to-peer controller network only Fig 1. Additionally, the controllers themselves do not need a computer to operate efficiently as many of these controllers are designed to operate as stand-alone controllers and control the specific equipment they are assigned to control. Fig 1. Typical peer-to-peer controller network [1] 2 With a few exceptions, each DDC or building automation controller holds their own programs and has the ability to communicate to other DDC building automation controllers. It is important for the DDC or building automation controllers to communicate to each other. If the network fails for whatever reason then the system may still function (because the DDC controllers in a BMS system are stand-alone) but it will not function as efficiently as designed. The DDC/BMS system can be configured as independent (localized) closed-system, or DDC open-system based on accessibility options required by a group of buildings managed by a single company or property management firm (centralized), or a single property to be monitored and controlled by its own (localized) Fig 2. Fig 2. DDC/BMS LAN/WAN configuration [2] 3 3.1 BACnet compatibility BACnet is the term commonly used to refer to the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135- 1995, adopted and supported by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). BACnet stands for Building Automation and Control network. BACnet is a true, non-proprietary open protocol communication standard conceived by a consortium of building management, system users and manufacturers [3]. A closed protocol is a proprietary protocol used by a specific equipment manufacturer. An open protocol system uses a protocol available to anyone, but not published by a standards organization. A standard protocol system uses a protocol available to anyone. It is created by a standards organization. Open Systems: An open system is defined as a system that allows components from different manufacturers to co-exist on the same network. These components would not need a gateway to communicate with one another and would not require a manufacturer specific workstation to visualize data. This would allow more than one vendors product to meet a specific application requirement. The DDC/BMS BACnet based LANs and Sub-LANs can be accessed, controlled and monitored from remote locations via the Internet trough a centralized data management system which is capable of collecting data from multiple sites. This is accomplished by connecting with a gateway for collecting data from the lighting and air-conditioning control systems installed in each building or factory, and the center server for providing data collection, database and web server functions along with security measures applied to all transmitted data. Based on the capability of real-time monitoring and analysis of actual energy consumption such as electricity and gas from a remote location by using a web browser, this system is able to achieve the maximum level of energy saving in buildings and factories which in turn, reduce the emissions and the environmental impacts by taking advantage of its cost effectiveness and by limiting the required energy for a specific application or function. 4 Fig 3, Integrated BACnet based WEB Browser BMS Control System Layout [4] 5 4. DDC/BMS integrated features, application and functions 4.1 Energy saving DDC/BMS allows the owner to set up schedules of operation for the equipment and lighting systems so that energy savings can be realized when the building or spaces in the building are unoccupied. Have algorithms as reset schedules for heating plants, static pressure control, and other systems where energy savings can be realized through these predictive programs. 4.2 Human comfort (thermal Comfort) DDC/BMS system allows the equipment optimal start with pre-scheduled program. Optimal start is allowing the equipment to be brought on in an ordered and sequential manner automatically on a schedule before the building is reoccupied so that space set points can be realized before occupation. Event sequence programming features allow the system to compare space temperature, outside air conditions, and equipment capabilities so that the equipment can be turned on at an appropriate time to ensure space set points are achieved before occupation. Have trim and respond capabilities. Based on zone demand the set point for various heating and cooling sources will change according to demand from the zones. For instance, in a Variable Air Volume system, all the VAV boxes are served from a central air handling unit. If all the zones are at set point then the supply air temperature set point of the air handler is automatically changed to prevent mechanical cooling from occurring when it is unnecessary. When the zones grow warmer the supply air temperature set point is automatically lowered to allow mechanical cooling to satisfy demand. In conjunction with the appropriate mechanical system set-up, offer economizing based on enthalpy calculations and/or CO2 set point control. 4.3 Long-term rebound effects Offer load shedding when power companies are at peak demand and need business and industry to cut-back on power usage to prevent black outs. Building Management systems for instance, allow the owner to cycle various things off like water heaters or drinking fountains where use of these things- 6 -will not be noticed even though they are off. Management companies who acquire a good DDC/BMS can set up the system to bill tenants for energy usage (fewer employees required). 4.4 Proactive Ability to send alarms via email, pager, or telephone to alert building managers and/or technicians of the developing problems, and system failures. 4.5 Other applications and compatibilities Have the ability to monitor energy usage including the ability to meter electric, gas, water, steam, hot water, chilled water, and fuel oil services. Have the communications abilities to be integrated with other buildings via WAN setup using the standardized TCP/IP family of protocols. It is BACnet base web browser compatible and other open source communication protocol which allows the system to be accessed via the web browser from remote locations. (Refer to 4.2) 5. High-performance Low-energy HVAC design Recall the Introduction, In addition to BMS/DDC System application for energy saving and high HVAC system performance, a green HVAC system design will achieve all aspects of comfort, energy saving, low initial and operational capital costs, and adds more efficient performance in conjunction with the DDC system, an example of such green HVAC system would be an Optimal Air System [5]. Optimal Air System concept, idea and example are taken from McQuay Air Conditionning/2002 McQuay International/Application Guide AG 31-005 as an example to illustrate its benefits for energy saving, human comfort, lower initial cost and long term rebound effects. Optimal Air systems uses less energy than conventional systems on an annual basis, for example, In a conventional system, supply air temperatures run between 54Â °F -57Â °F from the air handling unit. With duct heat gain, the supply air ranges from approximately 56Â °F-59Â °F out of the air diffuser. 7 In Optimal Air System, supply air temperature run between 45-52Â °F from the air handling unit to optimize energy consumption, reduce first capital cost and improve humidity control. Optimal Air has for years been extensively used in grocery stores and is gaining increasing popularity in comfort cooling applications such as offices and schools. 5.1 Advantages There are several benefits of Optimal Air that make it an attractive system for use in a wide variety of applications. It Saves Space and Reduces Energy and Construction Costs, increases the amount of sensible heat that each CFM delivered to a zone can absorb. While 50Â °F air may not seem much colder than 55Â °F air, the delta T rises from 20Â °F to 25Â °F. That is an increase of 25%. This affects the sizing of the ducts, air handling units and fan motors, all of which will be smaller and results in a system that requires less space and uses less power. In many applications, fans can use more power annually than refrigeration (chillers, condensing units, pumps, and compressors). An example of annual 10-story building energy usage of 200,000 square-feet of HVAC components, the fan energy use is high because the fans operate every hour the building is occupied providing minimum air movement, ventilation air, heating, etc. In this case, an Optimal Air system would have a very real impact on overall energy costs. Fig 4, Annual HVAC Energy Usage [6] 8 5.2 Less Humidity, more comfort Optimal Air systems take more moisture out of the return and ventilation air mixture as it passes over the cooling coil. The lower moisture content in the supply air reduces the Psychrometric balance point humidity level in the conditioned space. This allows the space temperature to be set higher while achieving the same comfort level for occupants and further reduces the supply air quantity and fan power requirement. 5.3 Quieter and Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) The lower air volume required for Optimal Air systems makes them quieter than conventional systems. Fan sound generation is a function of fan type, static pressure and air volume. By reducing air volume (and often the total fan static pressure) Optimal Air systems generate lower fan sound which can result in more desirable space conditions. This reduced sound generation can also be used to reduce the cost of any required noise attenuation in critical applications. The lower required air volume can also be used to reduce filter face velocities, allowing more efficient filters to be used without high energy cost penalties. The lower air temperature and resultant humidity levels also reduce the chance of mold growth in the air handling units, ducts or the occupied space. The example of the building above requires a supply air of 26,667 CFM. The HVAC system is floor by floor VAV air handling units with a two chiller primary secondary system, Optimal air works equally well with applied rooftop units or indoor vertical self-contained units. Table 1, HVAC system performance with optimal air system [7] 9 Table 1 shows the HVAC system performance as the supply air temperature, to the duct, is lowered. It is important to differentiate between supply air temperature off the cooling coil and supply air temperature into the duct. To accommodate the lower supply air temperature, the chilled water supply temperature (CWST) was gradually lowered, the air handling unit coils deepened to allow for closer approaches, and chiller performance was adjusted to deal will the increased lift. Because of their basic operating differences, DX rooftop and self-contained systems may have a different Optimal Air temperature than a chilled water system. When considering multiple system options, it is important to use Energy Analyzer for each in order to identify the best option. 5.4 Optimal Air Balance Point Reduced fan energy must be traded off against increased refrigeration energy. This trade off varies with the type of building, the type temperature control system, the type air conditioning system and geographic locale. Therefore, the optimal supply air temperature is different for every job. When only energy costs are a factor and no thermal storage is involved, this optimal supply air temperature generally falls in the 47Â °F -52Â °F range. It can be determined by comparing total system energy consumption with varying supply air temperatures using an energy analysis program. 5.5 Space Design Temperature and Related Comfort Temperature, humidity, air velocity and mean radiant temperature directly influence occupant comfort. Conventional designs are usually based on maintaining 75Â °F and 50% RH (Relative Humidity) in the occupied space. Figure 5 shows the ASHRAE comfort zone where 80% of the people engaged in light office work are satisfied. As the relative humidity is lowered, the space air temperature can be raised and still provide occupant comfort. The leaving air condition from the air handling unit is the primarily control of the relative humidity in the occupied space. The internal moisture gains from people, kitchens, etc, as well as infiltration also play a part. 10 Fig 5, Equivalent comfort chart [8] In most climates, the lower the supply air temperature, the lower the humidity ratio and the drier the space. Figure 5 shows sensible heat ratio lines for conventional, Optimal and low supply air temperatures. As the space relative humidity is lowered, the space temperature set-point rises from 74Â °F to 78Â °F. 5.6 ASHRAE Compliance The 1999 and 2001 version of ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings except Low Rise Residential Buildings [9], has mandatory requirements for refrigeration equipment and prescriptive requirements for fan work. The Standard recognizes that Optimal Air systems improve fan work significantly and provides credits to account for improved fan performance. In addition, refrigeration system performance is rated at conventional conditions or special tables are provided to account for non-standard operating conditions (as is the case with centrifugal chillers). In either case, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 does not penalize Optimal Air systems. 11 5.7 Design Considerations Design of refrigeration and air handling equipment for an Optimal Air system is similar to the design of a conventional air temperature system. Attention must be paid, however, to air distribution, controls and duct design. Conventional diffusers, when properly applied, will work with Optimal Air. Controls also require only minor changes from conventional systems. In particular, programming of economizer controls and supply air temperature reset. Finally, the ducting system must be sized for the reduced air volume to take full advantage of the potential capital savings. Duct insulation and sweating should also be reviewed to provide a trouble free system. Not every building type is a good candidate for Optimal Air. When air volumes are dictated by air turnover rates, such as some health care applications, Optimal Air offers no advantage. In fact, there would be increased reheat costs. Office buildings are a strong candidate for Optimal Air. They have high sensible heat ratios and typically less than 20% ventilation loads. Schools can also be a possibility. Generally speaking, as the percentage ventilation load increases, Optimal Air becomes less attractive. Location and climate also impact whether or not Optimal Air is a good candidate. Locations where weather provides significant economizer hours between 45 and 55Â °F will limit the savings. Ultimately, each project must be checked by performing the applicable specific calculations. The following should be considered: Load and Balance Point calculations, Space Temperature Set-point evaluation, Design Load Calculation, Primary and Secondary System Selection, Parallel, mixing or series VAV-Fan powered boxes, Perimeter Heating, Air Distribution, Diffusers (based on air flow and the throw distance calculation), Duct design (considering duct heat gain, sweating and insulation). 5.8 System Life-Cycle Analysis Evaluating different engineering solutions is always part of a good proposal. Optimal Air systems are no different. 12 In the case of Optimal Air, there may be no need to do any calculations because Optimal Air systems cost less to build (lower capital cost) and have the same operating cost as conventional systems (assuming the balance point was used for the design). Duct sizing will decrease almost linearly with reduction in air volume. The installed cost will not change linearly because of the labor portion. A 20% reduction in air volume can result in 80% savings of the 20% reduction or 16% overall savings in sheet metal cost. On the plus side, there are less pounds of steel and fewer man-hours to install it. On the minus side there is more insulation. Terminal boxes and diffusers will be a wash since there are fewer of them but the equipment cost will be higher than conventional equipment. HVAC equipment will cost about the same. This is conservative because the air handling equipment will cost less and refrigeration equipment will be slightly more. There is typically more capital invested in air handling than refrigeration. Building envelope should be the same for new construction. In the case of retrofit applications, it will depend on the quality of the existing building. The cost of space may also need to be evaluated. Not accounting for space savings is conservative. There will be space savings but they may be difficult to realize. If enough plenum height savings can be realized to add another floor within the same building envelope, then that rentable space should be accounted for. Simple payback calculations do not take into account the cost of money, taxes and depreciation, inflation, maintenance or increases in the cost of energy. A more complete analysis should include Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and net present value (NPV). In the HVAC industry, many projects fail simple back (they are in the 5-year range) while passing IRR (they offer a 25% rate of return). Software analysis tools can be used to perform both energy and life-cycle analysis that include simple payback, IRR and NPV. 13 6. Conclusion Building owners and designers faced with increased concerns for energy saving and environmental stewardship search for cost effective system options for their projects. The DDC, integrated with a high-performance low-energy HVAC system as the Optimal Air system can deliver both low first costs and reduced energy costs in a new construction and retrofit applications. This integrated system will not only meet the efficiency and sustainability of its performance at the desired set-parameters, but when designed with advanced selection tools, installed with the most advanced DDC/BMS system, and supported by trained operators, will achieve both energy saving and long term rebound effect (pay-back), maximum human thermal comfort, in addition, it allows building owners to compare predicted energy use to actual performance, this leads to a flexible budgeting, further future system adjustment and energy consumption cut-back. The whole integrated DDC/BMS HVAC system function will also contribute in the environmental impacts reduction. In todays challenging energy efficiency, building owners need proven system that delivers the necessary performance to meet their integrated environmental sustainability and business goals [10].
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Setting And Story :: essays research papers
Setting and Story      The setting in the story, â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death†, is very important to the story as a whole. In many situations it is needed to relay important ideas. There are three main things in the plot that give the story this special touch. One example is the color of the rooms of the abbey. The next thing is the seclusion of the abbey, This gives the characters a false sense of security and a sort of dramatic irony to the reader. The third thing in the setting was the era that story took place.      The colors of the rooms play an important role in the story. Each room seems to take on a kind of theme some more obvious than others. The Black room represented the â€Å"Red Death†even though this is not stated the reader can assume this because the people avoid that room during the story. No one enters it until the â€Å"Red Death†kills the prince in it. The rooms add a lot to the story. They help convey the idea that their are two forces at work. The good and the bad, the bad being the red death, and the good being the party, full of life and excitement. They also help the reader see that the people would rather forget about the plague outside, and that helps the reader realize why the people where so opposed to the â€Å"Red Death†when he made his appearance.      The seclusion of the abbey also adds to the story. The seclusion of the abbey gives the characters a sort of false sense of security. The characters believed that they would be safe from the plague by boarding up the gates and sealing themselves inside. When they where actually locking themselves into there own deaths, and by locking and welding the gates the author brings the attention of dramatic irony to the reader.          The third thing in the plot that had a significant effect on the story was the time the story took place. The effect of this ordeal accruing during medieval times is the reader associates all the suspicions and mythological ideas of that time with the story, allowing the reader to more actually experience the emotions of the people of that time.
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Computer Cryptography :: Exploratory Essays
Computer Cryptography When I first read the term computer cryptography, I thought that it was a technical term for â€Å"hacking.†After looking up â€Å"cryptography†on an on-line dictionary, I was sure I wasn’t far from the truth. But after further examining the topic, I find I am only partly right. Computer cryptography is a very complex thing. According to David Banisar [1], â€Å"Cryptography provides a means of accomplishing two crucial functions-encryption and authentication.†In order to understand cryptography, I think it is best to first look at encryption and authentication. Then I will examine how it affects the privacy of personal computer users and how the government is attempting to deal with the cryptography issue. I will also take a brief look at quantum computers and their effect on the computer society. Encryption is a security process, designed to secure information being sent electronically. It’s kind of like sending a message military-style. Instead of saying, â€Å"The president has left the White House,†a military official might say something like, â€Å"The eagle has left the nest.†The difference between the example above and encryption is that encryption has more to do with mathematics, since computers communicate using numbers, not letters. Authentication is just as it sounds. Authenticity means, â€Å"Not false or imitation. [2]†I also found that authenticate means, â€Å"to prove or serve to prove the authenticity of. [3]†Basically, it’s making something legitimate. Well, authenticating a computer document is the same as signing the document. The sender uses a unique â€Å"digital signature†to let the receiver know that the document is official and sent from the right person. So, to sum it up, computer cryptography software is designed to send and receive important messages using a type of secret code to send the message and an electronic signature to let you know the receiver’s software allowing him to easily read the message is real. The message is then decoded by message. When personal computer users purchase something online, they use a credit card number or bank account number to make their purchase. This number is sent through the website to the company you’re shopping with. If there are any â€Å"bugs†in the site’s programming, other users can get a hold of your account information and use it to do the same, to purchase things online, where no one is there to verify that that is you (Stephen Budianski, â€Å"Losing the Code War,†Atlantic Monthly, 2002).
The Career of Engineering Essay -- Descriptive Careers Engineer Essays
The Career of Engineering Take a look around yourself. What do you see? Maybe books, chairs, a television, or even your clothes. All the day to day things that are man-made, you can be sure that an engineer helped make it. Engineers have shaped our world as we know it. There are many different kinds of engineers from chemical, mechanical, textile, civil, agricultural and structural engineers. Our civilization would be as advanced as the Stone Age without these people. This career demands a wide education of math and science. It is an ever-changing career with new advances in materials and the way products are produced. Engineering careers are very secure with respect to compensation. Regardless of this, it does have it’s disadvantages as well. All and all engineering is demanding, but well worth the work.      The education of an engineer is probably the most demanding as far as the mastery of the material given as any other degree. Usually in their first year, a student will be put into a special program that starts the course load with math and science. These are the basis for every engineer’s education. After the first two years of the program, the student chooses exactly what field of engineering he or she would like and finishes out their degree concentrating on that particular field. Towards the end of their college career, the student will usually be offered a job by recruitment or they are hired after they graduate. Most employers seek out four-year graduates with a degree in a specific area of concentration.      Engineering has many advantages to offer. The best would probably be the salary. A student with an engineering bachelors degree will be offered a higher paying job on average than any other bachelors degree offered. (Basta 12) An average annual salary in a starting Federal Government position was $96,370 in 1994. Along with high wages comes job security. Even when the economy is bad, unemployment of engineers will only rise one or two points on average. (Kirby 64) Other advantages include interesting work, creative work and working with the latest technological advances in the field you choose to go into. Engineering as a whole shows many superior qualities over other jobs, but it also has its disadvantages.      Engineering degrees require the most math and science of any other degrees offered. The study is extremely hard w... ...ix it by creating a new system or device and being able to say that I made that, I invented that. Being an engineer has been one of the most personally satisfying jobs I have ever had. (Steele) None the less, the career of engineering is one that provides many benefits to the ones who are willing to work for the degree. This field has a variety of areas to excel in. It provides creative work, the chance to work with a team, and the compensation is far from the average. Engineering is also one of the most important careers in our society. Without it, our civilization would be nothing like it is today; and the pleasures that many of us take for granted would not be here to comfort us. Bibliography Basta, Nicholas. Engineering Careers Lincohnwood, Illinois: Career Horizons 1996. Clancy, Tom. Submarine: A guided tour inside a Nuclear Warship. New York, New York: A Berkley Book, 1993. Kirby, Shelton, Richard. Engineering in History. New York, New York: McGraw Hillbrook, 1956 â€Å"Nuclear Engineering†. EXPAN Career Description. â€Å"Engineering†. Encyclopedia Britannica Online, Accessed February 23, 1999. Copyright, 1994. Joe Steele, Personal interview 3, March 1999.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Assimilation the Risk of Losing Culture and Identity Essay
Blacks should not assimilate with the popular dominant culture but instead maintain their own sense of cultural heritage. The black person who makes the choice to integrate into the dominating culture really must be honest with his or her self and admit that all their pronouncements of concern for the welfare of the black community take a backseat to their personal desire to assimilate. These black people are more of a role model to other black people on how to assimilate or integrate into the colorless and racially generic whole of American culture that just so happens to be controlled and dominated from the white community. Although it may sound wonderful to hear someone say that they don’t notice people’s skin color, reality says that people notice color all the time. The pressure placed on blacks by the dominant culture forces them to move toward assimilation hooks urges. ell hooks states that â€Å"One of the most tragic manifestations of the pressure black people feel to assimilate is expressed in the internalization of racist perspectives†(227). Young blacks need to realize that conforming to the dominant culture is not necessary to exist within it. hooks says that â€Å"It is crucial that those among us who resist and rebel, who survive and succeed, speak openly and honestly about our lives and the nature of our personal struggles†(221). In order to resist assimilation black people as a hold need to be more open and honest about the struggles that take place striving for education and success, those who have blazed the trail need to reach back and help those striving to get there. An excellent job is done by hooks in getting the point across about assimilations effects, and also gives those who have chosen to assimilate something to think about, what cost is one willing to pay, is one willing to break family ties and friendship because of the pressure from the dominant culture to assimilate. The pressures of trying to maintain family and community ties and succeeding in life are difficult, these issues gives us some groundwork to fix some of the problems. While it is difficult to achieve education and success while keeping community ties it is possible, hooks says that â€Å"The most powerful resource anyone can have to study and teach in university settings is full understanding and appreciation of the richness, beauty, and primacy of our familial and community backgrounds†(228). ooks has some very valid points, everyone has to look at them and put them into perspective on how it can fit into their lives. There is not one right answer or solution to this problem, everyone has to search within to find a solution, but those whom have traveled on this road less taken have an obligation to teach those who follow. It is imperative to let the youth know that their struggles for identity and success or not in vein and show them that they are appreciated within the comm unity. Without the bounding and nourishment needed to continue the ties, youth will continue to choose to assimilate and take the easy road with less pressure and headaches to deal with. Blacks could better serve the community by assimilating to the dominant culture forces, the melting-pot theory. This view is advantageous to both a government and its people. It is believed that the nation has reached its present state of development because it has been able to forge one national identity. Separating citizens by ethnicity or race and providing special privileges to Blacks can be harmful, where assimilation tends to put everyone on an even playing field. By keeping ties to community and family Blacks draw attention to differences and the dominant culture fosters resentment towards their culture. Blacks in society that make a full effort to be incorporated into the mainstream naturally reciprocate the benefits and approval from mainstream America. Blacks become successful by shedding their cultural heritage and adopting the ways of the popular dominant culture. Typically Blacks absorbed by the ways of the host society, while loosening to varying degrees their connection to their native culture become highly successful. Through this process Blacks are accepted into society and become a part of the dominant culture and national unity is retained. Works Cited: Assimilation: Does it hurt Black people? (2007) Retrieved on 2/10/2008, from www. topix. com/forum/afam/TPIKF7CB1VN57ONEJ Bell Hooks (2000), Where We Stand: Class Matters, By Routledge
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Using Budgets for Control
Budgets provide a means for planning the financial future and play a vital role for planning. Budgets simultaneously make managers construct and implement plans, contribute useful information for improved decision making, provide a standard to administer performance evaluation, and enhance organization and communication. An essential component of the budgeting system is control. Control periodically takes actual results and budgeted results and compares the two. It also allows for managers to frequently measure their performance from reports by providing performance evaluations.The master budget can be separated into operating and financial budgets, each made up of distinctly supporting schedules. Implementing budgets enables managers to create a formulated plan that allows for performance evaluation and improved control. Control involves the process of looking at the past, determining what really occurred and comparing it to previously projected results. Two processes which are sign ificant to adjusting the budget are the control cycle and the planning cycle.Both are linked through feedback and in their final stage, involve budgets. Participative budgeting gives subordinate managers the opportunity to contribute considerable proposals for establishing budgets. A key factor in implementing participative budgeting is that each manager should only be held responsible for costs they can completely control. Any costs that are outside of their control that are included on their budgets need to be marked as non-controllable, and separated from those costs that can be controlled.Participative Budgeting also enables the manager with the chance to structure slack into the budget as a way to increase the probability that the manager will achieve the proposed budget and therefore decrease the risk they may incur. This requires upper level management to carefully review budget proposals from subordinate management in order to decrease the amount of slack placed into the bud get. Performance evaluation is a vital element in rating the performance of management as well as maintaining control.When using budgets for performance evaluations it can result in feedback frequency of performance, monetary as well as nonmonetary incentives, participative budgeting, attainable standards, a variety of measures of performance and the possibility of controlling costs. By using frequent feedback on performance it gives managers a means to measure the success of their planning and enforce any corrective action. Monetary and nonmonetary incentives can aid in invoking a positive, goal congruent behavior in which goals at managerial and organizational levels agree.A simple example of performance evaluation could take place in a pizza restaurant that makes only pizzas. If the owner has an exact amount of toppings that he knows should be put on the pizzas and what that cost is, he can assess the amount of toppings being used. He might find that his workers are inadvertently topping some pizzas with more toppings than others. By encouraging his employees to top all pizzas with a consistent amount of toppings he can improve the consistency of the pizzas delivered to customers and increase savings on costs of toppings.If this same principle is practiced toward other aspects of the restaurant it could provide significant savings overall. Budgets contribute a valuable role in the success of a company. Implementing control and performance evaluations increases the effectiveness of the budget and provides guidelines for performance improvement in the business. Participative budgeting gives subordinate managers the ability to be involved and invokes a sense of responsibility while embracing creativity.However if not implemented correctly, the results can produce reduced control and padded budgets that can make it difficult to evaluate performance. Although budgets can contribute a valuable measure for managerial performance, they can still be manipulated by m anagers that are able to increase budgetary performance in the short-run yet cause significant damage to the business. Organizations need to utilize other qualified measures that take into consideration the financial or nonfinancial and short-run and long-run effects in order to avoid any threats of myopic behavior.
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