Energy Efficiency – a Replacement to Load Shedding

Load shedding is one of the biggest problem faced by everyone in Pakistan, no matter they are domestic or commercial consumers. Pakistan is facing a serious energy crises and it may get worse if not addressed seriously and promptly. Everyone is curious about the role of government in dealing with this issue and relieving consumers through immediate supply side solutions such as new power sources. Government is playing its role in establishing new power plants and potential of utilizing unleashed sources such as coal and renewable resources i. e. ind, solar etc. Domestic and commercial consumers contribute more than 60% in the total electrical energy requirement of Pakistan. Currently, maximum energy deficit is 5500 MW in summers and immediate solutions are unable to meet this deficit in near future. It is not recommended to a consumer to compromise on comfort by not operating some of the high priority appliances but slight change in behavior may contribute much more than expected. Main electricity demand contributors are cooling and heating appliances used by domestic and commercial users. In order to quantify the impacts of such appliances, research has been carried regarding the usage of air conditioners in Pakistan. Consumers have been suffering from crises in form of load shedding for hours in a day no immediate solution seems to be viable in extended summers. They tend to blame government and utility companies for not reducing load shedding. Energy could be made available for extended hours but a mass level awareness about efficient usage of energy is required. Illegal connections, usage of inefficient and unnecessary appliances at peak demand time has worsened the situation and utility companies seem helpless about it. They are not left with any other option to reduce demand except through load shedding. Air conditioners are one of the major contributors in peak load in summer. They comprise 15% of the total peak load requiring at least 3000 MW for the country. A survey regarding usage of air conditioners was floated as a part of this research and 300 domestic and commercial consumers responded to the survey. One of the conclusions of the survey indicated that 21 0C is the average control temperature for AC in households. From the same survey consumers were asked about the maximum control temperature used in household. The maximum average temperature was found to be 26 0C. In order to investigate the influence of this control temperature on household energy consumption and peak load demand, an experiment was carried out on two similar buildings in Karachi. Two rooms of the dimension of 12 X 16 X 12 ft were used for this purpose. One room was operated at 21 0C control temperature for 24 hours period while other at 26 0C. Observations and results indicated that a total of 0. 45 KWhr saving was recorded in the room having AC operating at 26 0C. If this saving is extrapolated to expected number of air conditioners in Pakistan, then a total of 14. 5 GWhr of electrical energy could be saved in a single day. In terms of power this can easily curtail a total of 607 MW out of peak demand, which is equivalent to some of the largest power plants in the country. If similar energy conservation techniques are applied for refrigerators and other cooling appliances then savings could be of much significant level. Due to ongoing gas load shedding scenario, consumers may start turning towards electrical heating appliances, which may potentially add up in electrical energy demand in near future. Large scale awareness is required at each level of consumption. Peak load shifting, discouraging illegal connections and utilizing energy in efficient way are our few life lines. A single consumer contribution may seem insignificant but as a whole it can contribute towards reduction of significant peak load.

Gambling in four perspectives

Gambling in four perspectives Gambling is the practice of betting money or any other material value on an event with an outcome that is not certain and with the primary intention of winning either money or material goods. In most cases the outcome of the gambler is within a short period. Although the exercise is not generally accepted by many authorities, it was been practiced on some set aside days by the Roman Catholics and the Jews. Although people practice gambling for recreation purposes, the practice affects the brain chemistry and could lead to psychological addiction. Reinforcing such a behavior becomes a challenge even after the gamblers incur huge losses in the practice. As the gamblers attempt to try to get rich quickly, they sink in deeper and deeper problems making it more complicated to come out of the problem (Black Shaw 18). Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Gambling in four perspectives specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This problem in some cases needs to be rectified when it reaches extreme levels that could affect the psychological well being of the gambler. The problem of gambling may affect the gambler either biologically, mentally or offer behavioral challenges which all combine to bring about an effect in the health of an individual. A gambler faces the challenge of imminent effect of addiction to the effects of gambling every time he continues with the exercise of gambling something that may take long to drop. Gambling affects the mind of the gambler and eventually reaches a point of requiring guidance and counseling in order to alleviate the problem. Psychologists suggest that neurological features that are shared may determine partially the pathological effect of gambling. Ian has been a gambling victim who has lost all his property through gambling yet remains lost in the miasma of the habit with little success in doing away with the habit. He has decided to eventually visit practicing psychol ogists in an effort to help him recover from the problem that has even made him to be in bad books with the family members. Behavioral psychologist, Mister Brown believes that Ian’s problem has been an accumulation weird behavior started when he was young and perpetuated in to adulthood. He therefore believes that rectifying this problem will involve retracting from the behavior by avoiding visiting the places where gambling is practiced. Mister Brown also suggests that Mister Ian reconciles with his family as the first step into forgiveness and subsequent reformation. Biological psychologist Mister Dennis advised Mister Ian to distance himself from the company of gamblers who provoked his interest of going into gambling. By keeping off from the company of gamblers, he would minimize the chances of the habit increasing. According to Black Shaw (10) gamblers secret norepinephrine which is normally associated with stress, thrill or arousal all which need to be cured using pro per medication. When this hormone is released, the patients may break up even when carrying out the gambling.Advertising Looking for assessment on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Cognitive psychologist Mister Hart suggested to Mister Ian to use medication to heal him from the adverse effects already caused by gambling in his mind. The medication was to cure the permanent effects created by gambling. Black D Shaw M Psychiatric Comorbidity Associated With Pathological Gambling. Psychiatric Times 25 (12) 2008

A Guide to Saying Aunt in Chinese

A Guide to Saying Aunt in Chinese There are many terms for aunt in Chinese depending on whether the aunt is on the mothers side, fathers side, the eldest aunt, or the youngest aunt. Also, each region in China has its own way of saying aunt. Across the board, the most common term for aunt in Chinese is  Ã©Ëœ ¿Ã¥ § ¨ (Ä  yà ­). Pronunciation   The Chinese term for aunt or auntie is composed of two characters: é˜ ¿Ã¥ § ¨. The pinyin for the first character é˜ ¿ is Ä . Thus, é˜ ¿ is pronounced in the 1st tone. The pinyin for the second character Ã¥ § ¨ is yà ­. That means Ã¥ § ¨ is pronounced in the 2nd tone. In terms of  tones,  Ã©Ëœ ¿Ã¥ § ¨ can also be referred to as a1 yi2. Term Use é˜ ¿Ã¥ § ¨ (Ä  yà ­) is a general term that can be used to refer to  a family member, but it can also refer to people outside of the family. While it is considered polite to formally address female acquaintances as Miss or Mrs. in America, Chinese culture errs on the more familiar side. When addressing friends of parents, parents of friends, or elder females acquaintances in general, it is common to call them é˜ ¿Ã¥ § ¨ (Ä  yà ­).  In that way, this term is akin in auntie in English. Different Family Members As mentioned earlier, there are many ways to say aunt in Chinese depending on many factors. Here is a short breakdown of different terms for aunt in Mandarin Chinese. Ã¥ §â€˜Ã¥ §â€˜ (gÃ… «gu):  fathers sisterÃ¥ © ¶Ã¥ © ¶ (shÄ›nshen):  fathers brothers wifeÃ¥ § ¨Ã¥ ª ½ (traditional) /  Ã¥ § ¨Ã¥ ¦Ë† (simplified) (yà ­mÄ ):  mothers sister舅å ª ½ (traditional) /  Ã¨Ë†â€¦Ã¥ ¦Ë† (simplified) (jià ¹mÄ ):  mothers brothers wife Sentence Examples Using  Ã„€yà ­ Ä€yà ­ li le!é˜ ¿Ã¥ § ¨Ã¤ ¾â€ Ã¤ ºâ€ ! (traditional Chinese)é˜ ¿Ã¥ § ¨Ã¦  ¥Ã¤ ºâ€ ! (simplified Chinese)Auntie is here! TÄ  shà ¬ bà ¹shà ¬ nÇ  de Ä yà ­?Ã¥ ¥ ¹Ã¦Ëœ ¯Ã¤ ¸ Ã¦Ëœ ¯Ã¤ ½  Ã§Å¡â€žÃ©Ëœ ¿Ã¥ § ¨(both traditional and simplified Chinese)Is she your aunt? Ä€yà ­ hÇŽo!é˜ ¿Ã¥ § ¨Ã¥ ¥ ½! (both traditional and simplified Chinese)Hi, Auntie!

Crude Oil and US Gasoline Market

Crude Oil and US Gasoline Market Introduction Crude oil is a mixture of naturally occurring hydrocarbons. Found under the earth’s surface, crude oil is extracted and separated into its simple components. The components of crude oil include kerosene, jet fuel and gasoline. As a product of crude oil, gasoline is used as engine fuel in automobiles.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Crude Oil and US Gasoline Market specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the United States, crude oil is majorly imported from foreign markets. After its importation, the crude oil is then separated into its components in refinery processes of fractional distillation. It is after this process that gasoline, like paraffin and jet fuel, is supplied to distributers and finally, to consumers. This paper seeks to discuss the opinion that the â€Å"gasoline market in the United States and the market for crude oil are significantly independent†. The paper will look at facto rs that determine the supply, demand and the price of gasoline in the United States as well as the determinants of the demand, supply and prices of crude oil. The paper will then analyze the correlation between the two markets with the aim of identifying whether or not, there exists a relationship between the two markets. Market of Gasoline in the United States The gasoline prices in the United States’ economy are dependent on a lot of factors. Among these factors is the â€Å"unanticipated disruption of U.S. refinery output† (Killian 100). Events like fire that abruptly halts the operations of the refineries have been characterized with â€Å"significant increase in the real price of gasoline† (Killian 100). These particular disruptions however have less significant effects in the prices of the imported crude oil. The phenomenon is expected to have the reverse effect of reducing the price of crude oil as a result of reduced demand which is insignificant in the world market. The factors determining the demand for crude oil and the price of gasoline in the United States such as disruptions results in specified shocks in supply and demand are not easily predictable. It was also noted that the price of gasoline in the United States has some relation to the global market of crude oil. The prices of the two commodities remained high during the period of time ranging from 2002 up to 2008. However, the prices fell in the period of 2008 while the global supply for oil remained the same. A study of the global economic recession that was experienced during the period beginning in 2008 explained the cause of price changes. It was realized that before the recession, there was a high global demand for crude oil over the supply of the same. This pushed the prices up with respect to the laws of demand and supply. The fall of global demand following the recession therefore led to the reduced prices experienced since the year 2008 (Killian 92).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The market of gasoline in the United States is also determined by a number of internal factors which are independent from the market of crude oil. One of such occurrences was the â€Å"damage to the gulf coast drilling wells and refineries† (Gas, 3). The damages for example would translate to the shortage of gasoline leading to subsequent increased prices. The high prices of the gasoline can also be attributed to the government policies that have over time been oriented to only one aspect of controlling the price. The â€Å"chimney plan: to perpetuate the nation’s addition to cheap petroleum† (Gas 3) has been criticized as a profit oriented move rather than price control. It is however viewed that steps to reduce the consumption of gasoline would rather reduce the price as opposed to increasing its supply (Gas 3). The Marke t of Crude Oil In the earlier decades, the rises in oil prices in the United States were attributed to political aspects like the wars in the Middle East and embargoes by the Arab states as retaliation to the United States’ support for Israel, which limited supply of crude oil into the United States from the Middle East countries. The major determinant in the oil sector is still recognized to be its supply relative to its demand. The industrialization of countries like the people’s republic of China and India has put pressure on the global supply of oil due to the relatively increased demand. The threat of the United States’ supply of oil has been worsened by the move of oil supplying countries in the Middle East to reserve their oil for domestic use. The increased consumption by the two giant countries, China and India, has led to increased global oil prices due the increased demand. There is therefore need for â€Å"international effort to reduce demand for o il† (Katel 7). With this respect, no solution has been identified to help control the prices downwards. This factor is beyond the control of the United States according to professionals in the energy sector. According to Medlock, â€Å"it is going to be difficult for the energy supply to expand production at a significant enough pace to drive down prices† (Katel 7). The external drivers of the international oil price is passed to the price of crude oil in the United States and subsequently the prices of the separated components of the crude oil of which gasoline is part (Katel 24). Volatility Relationship between Crude Oil and Petroleum Products The prices of crude oil also depend on a number of features in the oil producing countries. A research study by Lee and Zyren indicated that stability in these countries significantly determines the prices of crude oil. According to the research, wars such as the â€Å"invasion of Kuwait and gulf war 1† caused instability in the market of crude oil.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Crude Oil and US Gasoline Market specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It was also reported that political environments in the crude oil producing countries such as â€Å"transitional regimes† also affect the international market of crude oil (Lee and Zyren 101). In the same study, it was realized that â€Å"the petroleum price variance is greater than crude oil variances† (Lee and Zyren 101). The volatility in the prices of crude oil and those of petroleum products was significantly realized across all periods of the research. The volatility between the prices in the markets for gasoline and that of crude oil is closely related, with an inverse response, to the revenues of the two commodities. The volatility can therefore be viewed as a conditional variable being dependent on the turn over rate of the two products. From the research, Lee and Zyre n noted that the price volatility between crude oil and the gasoline in the United States was greatly caused by the regulations in the crude oil market. It was also noted that the volatility in the prices was not significantly dependent on previous markets of either crude oil or gasoline. Similarly, price volatility doesn’t have significant effects on the future markets of the two products. The research generally represented the view that price volatility between crude oil and gasoline in the United States is an independent significant element (Lee and Zyren 111). Pump Prices and Oil Prices Apart from the asymmetry in volatility in the United States market for gasoline and the crude oil market, it has been established that a further asymmetry occurs between prices of the two commodities. Contrary to the business conception that reduced costs of production yields reduced selling price of a particular product, the oligopolistic market of gasoline gives the oil companies an adva ntage to temporarily dictate the retail gasoline price. A disparity is then significantly realized when the price of crude oil falls. When this happens, individual oil companies are always reluctant to lower retail prices as they try to optimize profits before any competing oil company lowers its price as a market strategy. The fall in crude oil prices does not therefore always result to fall in gasoline price (Adilov and Samavati 62). However, Adilov and Samavati still expressed the view that there could be factors that have changed with time to level a direct relationship between the gasoline retail price and the price of crude oil.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More They argue that the asymmetry in the price of the two commodities is not concrete due to the fact that gasoline market is currently invested by increased number of companies. Marketing strategies, according to the two authors is expected to cause price reduction among competing oil companies when crude oil prices fall in a bid to â€Å"undercut competitors† in the oil market (Adilov and Samavati 62). This argument therefore suggests that the prices of the two commodities exhibit some dependence as a result of the competitiveness of the United States oil retail (Adilov and Samavati 63). General opinion has also been expressed that the gasoline prices in the United States are always a factor of the prices of crude oil. The reduction of gasoline prices in the United States during the global recession in 2008 in a way indicated the dependence of the American gasoline prices on the global demand for crude oil. The concept was developed from the observation that gasoline prices wer e high before the period but fell on the onset of the global recession. The reduction of gasoline price was then attributed to the change in demand of the crude oil market as countries reduced their demand for the product (Killian 92). Conclusion There is significant support for the opinion that the price of gasoline in the United States depends more on the internal factors in the United States such as the production facilities and policies among others. It has also been illustrated that there are a number of economic factors that leads to the asymmetry of prices in the two markets. The arguments in view of the dependence of the two markets lack the support of many significant drivers in the gasoline market in the United States. They are isolated arguments that can be easily challenged by the consideration of the internal drivers in the United States. It can therefore be concluded, contrary to other opinions, that to a significant level, the market of gasoline in the United States i s dictated by other factors that are different from the market of crude oil. The gasoline market is actually occasionally asymmetric to the market of crude oil. Adilov, Nodir and Samavati, Hedayeh. â€Å"Pump Prices and Oil Prices: A Tale of Two Directions.† Atlantic Economic Journal 37 (2009): 51-64. Gas. Nation. EBSCO, n.d. Web. www.ejournals.ebsco.com Katel, Peter. Oil Jitters. CQ Researcher, 2008. Web. www.cqpress.com/docs/AffiliationsPDFs/oil.pdf Killian, Lutz. Explaining Fluctuations in Gasoline Prices. A Joint Model of the Global Crude, 2010. Web. www.ideas.repec.org/a/aen/journl/2010v31-02-a04.html Lee, Thomas and Zyren, John. Volatility Relationship between Crude Oil and Petroleum Products. Atlantic Economic Journal 35 (2007): 97-112.

Launching a BPA-free Product Line With Event Marketing Assignment

Launching a BPA-free Product Line With Event Marketing - Assignment Example Bisphenol-A is a toxic material that had been found in polycarbonate feeding bottles of babies. The product launch showcases safe feeding bottles and other feeding products which are safe to use for infants and toddlers. The report also describes how stakeholders were involved in the event and which marketing communication strategies were included in the marketing communication mix. Nuby, considered the world’s number 1 infant care feeding and teething company has come up with a new line of products which are Bisphenol A- (BPA) free. BPA is a toxic substance found in polycarbonate plastic which is used in baby bottles (Klotter, 2006). It is an endocrine disrupter which is a toxic substance that interferes with hormonal functions regulating reproduction, normal cell growth, among others. Grossman (2007) reports that chronic and continued exposure to Bisphenol A may lead to diseases related to the reproductive system such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, cystic ovaries, and en dometriosis. Polycarbonate bottles used as babies can have long term consequences in children. To prevent exposure to this health risk, Nuby has created baby bottles, cups and toys that are Bisphenol-A free. These are relatively more expensive than the regular polycarbonate ones, but considering the safety of children from the fatal risks, they are definitely worth it. Main Findings Nuby has approached Parents’ Magazine which advertises its products, to launch its new line of BPA-free products. These are feeding bottles, sippers, cups and bowls for infants and toddlers which are not made of polycarbonate material and which are free from the toxic substance, Bisphenol-A. Nuby has created such â€Å"products to eliminate any risk or doubt and offer parents the safest option† (Nuby website, 2013). Parents Magazine invited HealthyChildren.org to co-organize the event launch since this organization has the â€Å"only parenting website supported by 60,000 pediatricians comm itted to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults† (HealthyChildren.org.). Having doctors speak about Bisphenol A is a responsible act in promoting health issues concerning parents and their children. Both organizations, Parents’ Magazine and HealthyChildren.org will add credibility to the endorsement of the new line of Nuby products. Both organizations are opinion leaders and opinion formers that can greatly influence the preferences of consumers. Event marketing is presented as a way to build brand equity (Keller, 2009). Band equity is the â€Å"added value† which a given brand provides a certain product (Farquhar, 1989). In the case of Nuby products, being BPA-free is the brand equity. Promoting its use is an ethical thing to do instead of just letting people continue with their old habits of purchasing polycarbonate products to use with their children. Baines et al (2 011) contend that marketing communication methods are used to spread information about an organization’s products and services while engaging a target audience. The marketing communication format should have specific objectives as to the desired responses of the audience. Planning the product launch of Nuby’s new line of BPA-free feeding bottles is guided by the planning framework of De Pelsmacker (2010) Analysis of Exhibition Process Wohfeil and Whelan (2006) describe event marketing as interactive communication of brand values by engaging consumers in a marketing event resulting in their emotional attachment to the brand. Zarantonello & Schmitt (2013) compare event marketing to be more direct, and highly interactive than the distant, one-way

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 9

Business Ethics - Essay Example Strict regulation of the labour industry in the USA and other developed countries means companies will have to incur increased cost of production. Therefore, developing countries in regions such as Asia has provided the necessary conditions for businesses to increase their production capacity while reducing cost of production. This has also provided global corporations with an avenue where they enjoy markets in developed countries but avoid the stringent rules and regulations in home countries. While corporations have succeeded in the cost of labour, there has been significant media spotlight on the operations of factories contracted to provide various services with evidence indicating widespread irregularities in labour practices. This report will focus on sweatshop scandal involving Nike in discussion of impropriety in overseas factories while also examining the situation from different stakeholders’ point of view. The ethical problem in this situation is also highlighted based on the argument that Nike concentrated on making profits while neglecting what was right for the workers in the factories. Suggestions are also presented on why attempts to remedy the situation were not effective while also noting how Nike should have reacted to the scandal. The sweatshop scandal involving Nike involves perceived wrongdoings in the organization’s labour practices for a period between 1991 and 2005. The scandal went public tarnishing Nike’s image build on offering high quality products in the sportswear and apparel industry. As an organization that aims to be the best in the industry, Nike’s strategy involves outsourcing various functions and manufacturing capabilities in order to reduce cost and focus on effective marketing strategy for organizational products (Vogel, 2006). Therefore, their outsourcing strategy led to the sweatshop scandal as a number of contractors in

Interplanetary Logistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Interplanetary Logistics - Essay Example The reality is that human interaction with space was once consider a fantasy that was not remotely possibly, yet we are now perhaps only a few generations from being able to make that fantasy become reality (Bainbridge 2009). Space is largely seen as a mechanism by which we can increase our existing supply train. As such, the process by which modern civilisation conducts sustainable space exploration in the future will depend directly on an innate ability to effectively manage the supply chain, leading to a discussion centring on interplanetary logistics. The process by which this is undertaken today takes on a drastically different shape than it did during the original Apollo moon missions. During those early attempts at space exploration, required materials and tools were simply carried along for the wide. Future space exploration, however will depend on a complex network focused on the supply chain that enables sustainable colonisation based upon resources being available to people in real time, as they are needed, rather than simply relying on this on a mission by mission basis. This process will soon begin a new with scheduled missions to the moon beginning in the year 2020. The moon will literally become in a stepping off point for exploration deeper into space, and the vision is to have it become a supply command post where supplies and other associated items in terms of logistics are planned for in advance and are available as needed. No longer will astronauts be forced to rely only on what they can carry, but the objective is to have a system of logistics in place where needs are not only anticipated, but provided for in advance in order to keep the work going. This is a critical concept in terms of interplanetary travel due to the reality that lost or misplaced items can literally take months to replace, costing the crew valuable time to conduct experiments and get