Understanding Corium and Radioactivity After a Meltdown

Understanding Corium and Radioactivity After a Meltdown The most dangerous radioactive waste in the world is likely the Elephants Foot, the name given to the solid flow from the nuclear meltdown at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986. The accident occurred during a routine test when a power surge triggered an emergency shutdown that didnt go as planned. Chernobyl The core temperature of the reactor rose, causing an even greater power surge, and the control rods that might otherwise have managed the reaction were inserted too late to help. The heat and power rose to the point where the water used to cool the reactor vaporized, generating pressure that blew the reactor assembly apart in a powerful explosion.   With no means to cool the reaction, the temperature ran out of control. A second explosion threw part of the radioactive core into the air, showering the area with radiation and starting fires. The core began to melt, producing a material resembling hot lava- except that it was also wildly radioactive. As molten sludge oozed through the remaining pipes and melted concrete, it eventually hardened into a mass resembling the foot of an elephant or, to some viewers, Medusa, the monstrous Gorgon from Greek mythology. Elephants Foot The Elephants Foot was discovered by workers in December 1986. It was both physically hot and nuclear-hot, radioactive to the point that approaching it for more than a few seconds constituted a death sentence. Scientists put a camera on a wheel and pushed it out to photograph and study the mass. A few brave souls went out to the mass to take samples for analysis. Corium What researchers discovered was that the Elephants Foot was not, as some had expected, the remnants of the nuclear fuel.  Instead, it was a mass of melted concrete, core shielding, and sand, all mixed together. The material was named corium after the portion of the reactor that produced it.   The Elephants Foot changed over time, puffing out dust, cracking, and decomposing, yet even as it did, it remained too hot for humans to approach. Chemical Composition Scientists analyzed the composition of corium to determine how it formed and the true danger it represents. They learned that the material formed from a series of processes, from the initial melting of the nuclear core into the Zircaloy (a trademarked zirconium alloy) cladding to the mixture with sand and concrete silicates to a final lamination as the lava melted through floors, solidifying. Corium is essentially a heterogeneous silicate glass containing inclusions: uranium oxides (from the fuel pellets)uranium oxides with zirconium (from the melting of the core into the cladding)zirconium oxides with uraniumzirconium-uranium oxide (Zr- U-O)zirconium silicate with up to 10% uranium [(Zr,U)SiO4, which is called chernobylite]calcium aluminosilicatesmetalsmaller amounts of sodium oxide and magnesium oxide If you were to look at the corium, youd see black and brown ceramic, slag, pumice, and metal. Is It Still Hot? The nature of radioisotopes is that they decay into more stable isotopes over time. However, the decay scheme for some elements might be slow, plus the daughter, or product, of decay might also be radioactive.   The corium of the Elephants Foot was considerably lower 10 years after the accident but still insanely dangerous. At the 10-year point, radiation from the corium was down to 1/10th its initial value, but the mass remained physically hot enough and emitted enough radiation that 500 seconds of exposure would produce radiation sickness and about an hour was lethal. The intention was to contain the Elephants Foot by 2015 in an effort to diminish its environmental threat level. However, such containment doesnt make it safe. The corium of the Elephants Foot might not be as active as it was, but its still generating heat and still melting down into the base of Chernobyl. Should it manage to find water, another explosion could result. Even if no explosion occurred, the reaction would contaminate the water. The Elephants Foot will cool over time, but it will remain radioactive and (if you were able to touch it) warm for centuries to come. Other Sources of Corium Chernobyl isnt the only nuclear accident to produce corium. Gray corium with patches of yellow also formed in partial meltdowns at Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in the U.S. in March 1979 and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan in March 2011. Glass produced from atomic tests, such as trinitite, is similar.

The New Payroll Clerk (Case study in Instructions) Case

The New Payroll Clerk ( in Instructions) - Case Study Example Irene lacks knowledge of what to do, how and full details about her work package. As pointed out in the article, there lacks rules and procedures meant to fully orientate new employees. This makes the new employees feel detached and not part of the family. As noted in Siddiqui (2005), a bonded family of employees is more productive and satisfied with their work packages than in an organization which is marred with mere rules and regulations without adding value. Second, Irene suffers from a problem of harmony and coordination of activities. A productive and profitable organization values the value chain through improved business processes, for instance, taking quality improvement tools and techniques in order to improve quality of products and service that a company produces. It makes the firm posses a better competitive position and grows in the ever-growing competitive business environment (Muijen & Witte, 2000) Another problem is that work packages and roles are not clear. This is fueled by the nature of structure instituted that over emphases on rules and regulations, most of which are unpleasant and confusing. According to Martin (2002), rules are meant to establish and install a viable culture that will work to leapfrog the company’s missions of growth, survival and profitability. The organization should have a workable, flexible and yet stable working culture and structure that match the strategy and assist the company maximize value.

Samsung Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Samsung - Essay Example Samsung has correspondingly authenticated strategic approaches in its management that include partnership, talent and creativity. Samsung is thrilled concerning the future (Tae, 2012). As Samsung work up on previous achievements, it anticipates exploring fresh territories including medicine, biotechnology and health. Samsung is dedicated in being an inventive leader in fresh markets and turning into a No. 1 corporation going forward. This paper will describe Samsung’s environmental scanning, political environment, monetary environment, economic environment and legal environment. Samsung has strengthened its present prominent environmental scanning structure by assigning monitors for data in each business unit and by launching a managing information system for gathering and distributing information. Although. Samsung has entrusted some managerial decision attainment to its subdivisions, the head office is consolidating its control on tactical decisions (Woyke, 2011). The head o ffice is comprised of more 200 elite directors to oversee the group corporations. Samsung has augmented a three-year formulating structure to its current five-year planning structure to deal with the fast varying environment. Samsung draws up budget annually, but takes on a whole re-budget every six months (Rosenblatt, 2012). Severe recession together with an augmented challenge from underdeveloped nations has had an impact on electronics consumption. To create quality merchandises, Samsung is taking up a striving technology development approach. It has amplified research and growth investment. Samsung has established more fresh research centers in the Japan, China, U.S., and Germany to cultivate and obtain innovative technology (Woyke, 2011). With the surfacing of economic blocs, tariff barriers have augmented in developed countries. Most Samsung electronics merchandises have encountered trade hurdles, for instance, anti-dumping quotas and lawsuits. In some circumstances, hefty imp ort levies have been enforced and overseas venture has been exposed to local content procedures. Initially, according to Samsung’s website, Samsung constituted of four corporate groups (semiconductors, consumer electronics, information systems and telecommunications) and every corporate unit had its particular functional staff and president. In 1992, a prominent restructuring combined those four into one faction (Woyke, 2011). Currently one president together with one array of functional subdivisions runs Samsung. Similarly, the organization of overseas undertakings transformed from a worldwide division to merchandise sectors. Before reorganization, all the foreign subsidiaries were coordinated by a global corporate head office. Nowadays the appropriate product division controls the manufacturing affiliates, while the foreign corporate head office coordinates and supports foreign operations (Pang, 2012). Although the Samsung’s organization is not a wholesome form of wo rldwide product sector, the function of product factions is reinforced and the directors of product factions bear much more resolution authority than before (Woyke, 2011). Lately, Samsung's achievement within the tablet PC and smartphone segments has been faced by legal brawls with its chief rival, Apple. The two corporations have filed lawsuits

Intrusion into the Lives of Public Figures Essay

Intrusion into the Lives of Public Figures - Essay Example In general, the world we live in is bound to be filled with observers. Taking a portion of a whole, the United Kingdom has her share of glorious intrusion unto the lives of public figures with unprecedented fame and popularity. The paparazzi are like the earliest of birds, leaking information into the open - something that celebrities disgust and fear the most. To protect their privacy, numerous cases have been filed to the Royal Courts. Basically, these claims are being heard in accord with Articles 8 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Right. However, these definitions are in somewhat contrary to a disclosure of information about persons with records of sexual misgivings especially pedophiles. In this paper, the following important considerations will be dealt in accordingly. First, privacy rights of celebrities and suspected child sex offenders will be discussed in such detail with reference to some cases. Despite attempts of the UK media to justify intrusion, the consensus of UK judges in the legal protection of certain fundamental values will be at the heart of succeeding discussions. How have UK judges defined the values that strengthen a right to privacy Where do we draw the barrier between 'public' and 'private' parts of a person's life On the other hand, the discussion will continue from the perspective of protecting interests such as public safety or child welfare. Since the public demands for disclosure of information about sexual offenders, is it logical to assume that they forfeit any 'right to privacy' because of previous convictions Privacy is a right that everyone deserves to have. It is by far the absolute result of someone needing enough space and enabling him to enjoy even the simplest of things. American lawyer Judge Cooley in 1888 defined privacy as "the right to be let alone" (29). Another suggestion came from Geoffrey Robertson who in 1993 suggested that the right to privacy is, at its most basic and generic, "the right to be able to live some part of life behind a door marked 'do not disturb'" (104). Let alone, this right has been the subject of many debates regarding whether celebrities have fully enjoyed it or not and as such, given the High Courts notions to think about forcing them to create consensus in defining fundamental values that adhere to a successful, unambiguous protection of the right to privacy. Let it be remembered that Gareth Crossman, et. al. has noted, "In the United Kingdom, privacy's time in the spotlight will continue for the foreseeable future. Continued attention from the courts also appears likely, given the rapid development of case law relating to privacy over the short period since the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) came into force. Media attention continues unabated as the courts continue to grapple with the competing demands of privacy and freedom of expression, and the question of whether there is a distinction between 'the public interest' and 'what interests the public'". Before proceeding, it is imperative to incorporate Articles 8 and 10 of the Convention insofar as they are relevant in understanding decisions of core cases. Article 8 -Right to respect for private and family life entails that everyone has the right to respect for

Economics and Business of the Asia-Pacific Region and Emerging Markets Essay

Economics and Business of the Asia-Pacific Region and Emerging Markets - Essay Example As the paper highlights the measurement of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is principally viewed to be one of the decisive parameters in determining the economy of a nation. In this regard, it is observed that the economy of China has developed significantly during the post Mao period in terms of GDP. This has been more prominent after the economic liberation witnessed by the nation in the 1990s. Further development in the economy of the nation occurred during 21st century, wherein the rate of GDP is mostly found to be in double-digits. The GDP rate of China in post Mao period can be better understood from the below depicted graphical representation.This discussion stresses that  there are certain nations in Asia that have grown extensively during the same period. These nations include Japan, South Korea and India among others. It is important to note that Japan and South Korea are the nations that have shown constant growth in GDP rates during the post Mao period. Moreover, it is wor th mentioning that China has also grown extensively after liberation and more prominently in the 21st century. However, these countries i.e. South Korea and Japan could not grow in higher rates as compared to China. One of the prime reasons for China to experience higher GDP is the liberation in the economy. The open economy in the region has led to the creation of equal and fair opportunities to the traders.

Women Progress In The 20th Century Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Women Progress In The 20th Century - Essay Example China went through a nationwide reform in the 20th century. Plagued by the traditional pressures and cultural values, it was difficult for women to embrace freedom and modernity immediately. However, the internal rebellions, political changes, an introduction of new reformsetc., brought an end to the dynasty system. China strived to step up and gain its position in the international arena, for which they had to embrace the inevitable, modernity. Chinese scholars believed that in order for their survival in the modern world they had to form national citizenry which focused upon modernity and nationalism. Modernity suggested the acceptance of women as an important part of the process by acknowledging their significant contribution to the upholding of their cultures, traditions, and the economy. Women thus played a key role in shaping the modern China of today which is known for its strong societal and economic standing(Rudolph, n.d.). Marriage laws supported individual choice more than suppressed obligation to marry and the family structure changes highly. With women becoming more independent, the joint family system was replaced by a highly individualistic living culture with small families. The one child law gave women more time to do something other than child rearing and thus, many resorted to completing their education and seeking active careers. However, culture did play a significant role in the re-shaping of the one-child rule to a two-child one for the purpose of obtaining a son in a family(Hershatter, 2007).

Pre-testing of Advertisement before Launching Essay

Pre-testing of Advertisement before Launching - Essay Example Coulter (2005. pp43-44) termed this as attitude change as a function of information processing & "persuasive communication". Coulter termed the attitude change as quantitative effect of advertisement and variation in thinking as a result of advertisement as qualitative effect of advertisement. Chaudhuri (2001. pp275) discovered some evidence of the effects of advertisement that the dimensions of customer emotions are strongly linked with the perception of risks in purchasing products & services. In fact the author also established that negative emotions have much stronger influence than positive emotions the in way that the same create threatening consumption scenarios for customers thus leading to negative perceptions of risks pertaining to the products & services. Also it was observed by the author that the perceptions of risks are more prevalent in products where the customers tend to actively analyze the pros & cons of acquiring them. It was surprising to be observed that alcohol & cigarettes, in spite of display of clear warning messages, were highly consumed by the users given that they buy these products more because of addiction rather than need. In this context, the author also appreciates the comment by Wang and Minor (2008. pp198) that "Marketing research needs to pursue more precise, comprehensive, and unbiased measurements of the psychological processes to reflect a broader and deeper intellectual understanding of the human mind's mechanism". Looking into these complex expected reactions of consumers, it is highly risky to launch an advertisement to customers without carrying out psychological effectiveness tests of the campaigns. In fact, if the advertisements are launched without such tests and the results are disastrously negative perceptions in customer's mind, then the damages thus caused may take ages to be repaired and sometimes may even get rendered as absolutely irreparable. For example, in a very recent research Hansen and Strick et al (2009. pp145) challenged an old myth that humour makes the impact of an advertisement very effective. After an impressive survey on this subject they realized that humour in advertising reduces memory of brand names as it distracts the customers from brand names from even within the advertisements. They discovered that customers only remember the humour but not the company and its brand names. Also, customers may not take such products seriously although they appreciate the humour a lot. This discovery may shatter empirical generalizations that have been letting millions of dollars getting shed on some conceptual framework that is traditionally perceived to be effective only to be realized now that the output was more damaging and against the objectives of the campaign. This justifies that campaigns should be tested effectively before they can be launched to actual end customers. Having said that, it needs to be understood and emphasized that this is not an easy phenomena. The advertisement designers need to come out of the shell and comfort zone and be ready to face the criticism from the testers of the advertisement. The testers need to be certain individuals that have no stake