From the Paper " Basic Oxygen Steelmaking
Abstract
Steel is a heterogenous material which consists primarily of iron. The steelmaking process involves removing carbon and other impurities from pig iron and scrap. During the nineteenth century, Henry Bessemer noted that this could be achieved by blowing air through the molten metal. It wasn't until the mid-twentieth century though, that metallurgists began using oxygen instead of air. Top-blown basic oxygen converters eventually gave way to combination top- and bottom-blown furnaces. The introduction of this technology created concern about the effects of oxygen on finished steel products. Various studies have clearly demonstrated how oxide inclusions can adversely alter the physical properties of metal. Fortunately, basic oxygen.."
Abstract PIC, A Pre-IKE Credential Provisioning Protocol, has been introduced in the IP Secure Remote Access working group of the IETF in order to provide for simplified user authentication and credential provisioning prior to IPSEC IKE negotiation. This paper performs a critical analysis of the proposal, examining, among other things, PIC working draft, course relevance, IPSEC deployment issues, strengths, weaknesses and alternatives.
From the Paper "The PIC working draft proposes one of the best solutions for bootstrapping strong credentials for IPSec networking solutions without changing existing IP Security standards. PIC can theoretically be implemented and developed independent of IPSec, wireless and VPN standards yet provide an integrated component into the infrastructure solution. PIC clearly provides a window of opportunity for extending and encouraging increased deployment of secure networking solutions in the wireless and VPN market spaces."
Abstract The paper begins with a general overview of air pollutants and the discovery of "sick building" syndrome. Next the paper focuses the pollutants known as on MVOC's - microbial volatile organic compounds, studying their impact on human beings. It looks at the effects of molds on human health; namely, allergy, infection, irritation of the mucous membrane and sensory, or toxicity. It looks at the products of mold called mycotoxins, and their influence on health. The paper then turns to discuss analysis techniques, listing eight reasons why sampling is difficult. It also records criteria for ensuring the reliable measuring of indoor air VOC?s. The third section of the paper deals with the growth and metabolism of indoor fungi and bacteria, focusing on the breeding and multiplying of molds. The paper concludes with a discussion on what can be done to minimize the problem and on the processes involved in treating a "sick building".
Table of Contents
Introduction
MVOCs as Indoor Pollutants and Their Impact on Human Beings
Analysis Techniques
Growth and Metabolism
Conclusion: What Can Be Done
From the Paper "Air pollution pertains to substances and gases in the air that threaten health and life. Among these are pollutants and irritants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide; particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic substances and some natural substances, like pollen. But most of the pollution comes from the by-products of industrialization ? fossil fuel combustion, transportation, transportation, power plant emissions and those from other industrial processes. The burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity alone is the greatest source of air pollution in the USA. These outdoor pollutants can undermine health and cause environmental disturbances, such as acid rain, and are toxic."
Abstract This paper discusses the social change that is a result of new reproductive technologies. It investigates the effects on the concept of the family, women's bodies, and on our very lives as a whole. The paper investigates the social relevance of cloning, in vitro fertilzation, and surrogate motherhood.
From the Paper "We live in an age in which technology is playing a greater and greater role in the construction of our society and in the ideologies and perspectives that are applied to understanding social phenomena. Technology has revolutionized the way we look at communication and media, transportation, the work place, and social institutions. It is not surprising, then, the new technologies are having an impact on the way we view the basic social unit - the family. The founding of new reproductive technologies (NRTs) has redefined and continues to redefine the meaning and construction of the family in our society. It has also contributed directly to the changing implications of women's roles in the family and society. While some argue in favour of these changes and their positive social influences and implications, others argue against the control which these technologies represent over individual's bodies. The following paper will explore these arguments in order to demonstrate the overall thesis that NRTs are changing the way we look at ourselves, the family, women and society as a whole. The impact of these technologies socially is growing more and more, and in order to fully understand their significance we need to examine their social relevance."
Tags: cloning, in, virtro, fertilization, surrogate, ethics
Abstract This paper examines the recent breakthrough in genetics and reproductive technologies. It questions that , as a society, are we ready for these advancements. The paper argues that genetic engineering has great potential, which outweighs the risks, and it illustrates both sides of the argument in order to appreciate the promise and danger associated with these new genetic and reproductive technologies.
From the Paper "The advancements that have come in the field of genetics and human reproduction are probably amongst the most controversial which have arisen in the history of the human race. These advancements actually present us with ways that we can redefine the human race itself. The mapping of the human genome, the possibility for human cloning, the developments that have arisen in the field of assisted fertilization, and the general idea of engineering human beings in order to fight diseases and other negative human conditions, have raised many, many arguments. Never before have we had so much control over our future and our nature. There are many promises that have been made in support of the development of reproductive technologies, all of which point to a better world as the result of the advancements that have been made. There have also been many people who have voiced opposition to the advancements, as they feel that they will result in negative affects that would undermine our entire system of values and ethics.The thesis of this paper is that the developments in human reproductive technologies are very important and offer us many benefits, but we are not completely ready either socially or technologically to deal with the advancements that have come so quickly."
Abstract This paper discusses the arguments for and against human cloning. The author takes a close view of the argument against cloning, showing the errors inherent in it. The writer concludes that cloning is not something that will necessarily be evil, but is a technology that can be utilized by society just as society utilizes artificial insemination and other technological innovations.
From the Paper "The major argument against cloning is based on a philosophical view that focuses on how cloning could be damaging to society. It is this view that tends to create perceptions that cloning will lead to a major breakdown in society. The problem with this argument is that it rests purely on speculation and anything can be argued to be negative based purely on speculation. For example, consider the case of creating children naturally, a case that is accepted as part of society. This society includes that it is accepted that people can create children out of wedlock. To argue against natural childbirth, one could create a scenario where men travel from town to town, taking advantage of poor women and creating children as they do so. These men could be seen as creating an army of similar offspring, just as the cloning argument describes men as creating an army of identical offspring. This scenario related to natural birth is capable of happening, yet this does not cause childbirth to be banned outside of marriage. Instead, society places controls to manage these potential problems. This has shown how a purely speculative approach to the argument only creates misconceptions and causes a bias towards the issue."
Abstract This paper explains that the new technology heart pumps, such as Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD), assist the heart permanently instead of temporarily as the traditional pumps were used. The paper describes the use of animal parts for transplants especially the pig heart, which closely resembles the human heart, and the problems of organ rejection. The author believes that successful cardiac technological developments will lead to further developments for other parts of the body.
From the Paper "Traditional pumps were meant to be temporary solutions to most heart problems. These small pumps were implanted into the chest cavity of patients with the sole function of assisting the heart's own pumps. They helped to keep the rhythm of the heart's beat, regulating the pumping of blood throughout the body, and helping the heart in times of need. Traditional heart pumps were expected to help the heart recover to the points at which they could be removed and the heart would operate properly on its own. Their other function was to help keep the patient alive until they eventually moved up the waiting list for donor hearts and got a heart transplant. "
Abstract This paper highlights the advantages of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) over wired ones. It explains the option of extending this convenience to our working lives, for example being able to access the Internet from any location. The paper examines what the technology of Wireless LANs is about and describes its benefits and applications. It looks at the constraints holding the technology back, such as security concerns and explores the solutions. Finally it discusses the important question of whether Wireless LANs can ever fully replace Wired LANs or is it a new piece of technology that will ultimately fail to deliver? The writer concludes by arguing that Wireless LANs are likely to grow considerably in the future but probably will not replace Wired LANs altogether.
From the Paper "The convenience of wireless communication is so overwhelmingly obvious that given a choice, and provided there are no price constraints, almost everyone would prefer wireless instead of wired communication. This is reflected in the widespread use of devices such as remote control for TV, cellular telephones, pagers, and remote garage openers. The flexibility, mobility, and convenience that such "wire-less" devices bring to our lives are simply magical".
Abstract The paper begins with some general comments on the pursuit of knowledge and looks at some of the most influential modern-day inventions, such as nuclear energy. It then discusses whether human cloning is possible, tracing the history of cloning research and debating the viability of such cloning. Finally, the paper addresses the moral issues involved in the question of whether a human being should be cloned and the writer expresses his/her personal position on this issue.
From the Paper "However, no undertaking can take place in a moral vacuum. The implications of new discoveries must be incorporated into the search for them. Atomic power would seem to have been an inevitable step forward in societal evolution. Its benefits are numerous - from the production of electrical power in place of more finite and more immediately "dirty" sources such as coal and wood to the battle against disease -, but it cannot be denied that atomic power already has cost the world much in both immediate deaths (Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Chernobyl) and drastically shortened lifespans (the residents of all three locations who have succumbed to many forms of cancer and related conditions due to exposure to radiation). Indeed, atomic power may someday be the agent of extinction for the very people who sought to harness its awesome energies."
Abstract Today the advancements in science have made possible the selective study of the individual segments of the DNA of a particular species, to isolate them and to infuse them in the DNA of a totally different organism. The paper shows that genetic engineering can be viewed as a breakthrough in the study of organisms that effectively disintegrates the distinctions that exists in the different species of the world. The advancements in recombinant DNA technology have expedited the research in genetics. This paper analyzes the subject of genetic engineering and in the process analyzes its pros and cons and its future implications.
From the Paper "Genetic engineering is a fast growing field, which is rapidly removing the species boundaries. Genetic engineering appears to be the solution for all genetically inherited disorders. With the rapid advent of biochip technology we are in for a paradigm shift in medical diagnosis. Gene manipulation is nothing short of altering the fundamental life code and unless sufficient care is exercised it may lead to disastrous consequences. With all the proposed advantages genetic engineering is still a debatable subject with the scientific fraternity sharing mixed opinion on the subject. Unless we are very sure about the safety and the precautions of interspecies transfer of genetic material there is every chance that we might end up endangering ourselves and other forms of life on earth. Leaving alone the other issues the very thought of playing with nature is quite unsettling."
Abstract This paper proposes a study to shed light on the long list of quality problems encountered by Ford Focus customers so far with particular emphasis on current water leakage problems. It attempts to understand how quality control measures at Ford are causing problems at its various assembly centers. It also focuses on quality measures adopted by foreign competitors to explain why automobile manufacturers in the United States are encountering severe criticism from their local customers. It provides a comparison of Ford quality practices and that of a foreign firm to illustrate and highlight the differences and yawning gaps.
Outline:
Problem Statement
Research Purpose
Background
Research Questions
Literature Review and Limitations
Limitations
Scope
Methodology
Possible Findings
From the Paper "A brief look at the quality problems suffered by Ford in the past few years indicates that something is seriously wrong with quality practices at Ford Motors. For example in the year 2000, Ford's reputation was seriously tarnished by rollover accidents connected with its Explorer. In 2002, Ford recalled its all-new 2002-model Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer sport utility vehicles because of quality glitches. In the same year, Ford Focus was recalled due to possible cruise control cable problems, which was only one of the several problems encountered by this vehicle. NHTSA received more than 3,000 complaints in connection with Ford Focus, which led to open investigations about possible safety hazards."
Abstract This paper discusses precision guided munitions, weapons designed to be directed against a single target which rely on external guidance or its own guidance system. It examines how these weapons, which can be launched from aircraft, submarines, ships and land vehicles, or by individual soldiers on the ground, represents the principle of the low-cost threat that forces a high-cost and difficult defence. It looks at the their growth and development since World War I along with their definite effect upon modern military affairs. It looks at the use of mines and cruise missles and future technological advancements such as hypersonic missile concepts that strike long distance targets at high speeds.
From the Paper "Although, precision has been recognized as one of the important feature of weapon development as noted by military theorist, historian and strategist Major General J.F.C. Fuller, who considered it as "accuracy of aim" and as one of the five familiar attributes of weaponry, collectively with range of volume of fire, striking power, action and portability. Here, it is important to note that the modern precision weapon bring together the traits of accuracy, portability, striking power and range making the combination of a powerful force multiplier in nowadays' military scene."
Abstract The paper introduces the concept of Nanotechnology, and considers the usage of both proteins and nucleic acids as molecular components of Nanomachines. Their pros and cons (including strength, speed, comparison to macro-scale materials) are considered in detail, and a conclusion is drawn based on these observations.
From the Paper "Our modern technology builds on an ancient tradition. Thirty thousand years ago, chipping flint was the high technology of the day. Our ancestors grasped stones containing trillions of trillions of atoms and removed chips containing billions of trillions of atoms to make their axe heads; they made fine work with skills difficult to imitate today. They also made patterns on cave walls in France with sprayed paint, using their hands as stencils. Later they made pots by baking clay, then bronze by cooking rocks. They shaped bronze by pounding it. They made iron, then steel, and shaped it by heating, pounding, and removing chips. We now cook up pure ceramics and stronger steels, but we still shape them by pounding, chipping, and so forth. We cook up pure silicon, saw it into slices, and make patterns on its surface using tiny stencils and sprays of light. We call the products "chips" and we consider them exquisitely small, at least in comparison to axheads."
Tags: acid, assembler, bioinformatics, biotechnology, folding, nanomachine, nanotechnology, nucleic, protein
Abstract History of different types of glass and how they are made. Early glass production in Egypt, Babylon, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and China. Changes in techniques and technology. Problems of Americans throwing away glass bottles and jars that are 100% recyclable. Method of recycling glass. Economic advantage of recycled glass production.
From the Paper "Introduction
Glass has been around since the beginning of time (Glass Online, 2001). Glass is made naturally when rocks melt as a result of high temperatures such as in volcanic eruptions, and also comes from extraterrestrial sources. Man-made glass was produced dating back to around 3500 BC in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The basic components of sand were originally contained in glazes used on pottery and it is thought that sand may have got into the kilns used for firing and combined with soda to form a colored glaze. The oldest glass vessels date back to the 16th century BC and were found in Mesopotamia. Hollow glass-making evolved around this time in Egypt and glass making was also emerging independently at this time in Mycenae (Greece), China and North Tyrol."
Abstract Discusses the introductioin of normative values into the practice of engineering. Application of ethical principles. Customary practice of engineering (cost, efficiency, scheduling, risks). Putting a system of ethics into the process to create a framework to consider potential actions. Varioius sytems of ethics (Utilitarianism, Deontology). Ethical problems of decision making.
From the Paper "THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ENGINEERS TO SOCIETY
The consideration of the social responsibilities of engineers involves the concept of introducing normative values into the generally positivist practice of engineering. The introduction of normative values into the practice of engineering, in turn involves the application of systems of ethics and ethical principles to the process of engineering practice and engineering management (Lynch & Kline, 2000).
The customary practice of engineering involves attention to the balancing of issues such as cost, efficiency, scheduling, best practices, and various types of risk in the design, construction, and completion of a project (Buckam, Ehrenfeld, & Rainwater, 2000). The application of systems of ethics and ethical principles to this process means that the engineer must overlay the ..."
