Jade Goody’s life – creative writing

As I turned on the TV to catch the first episode of Big Brother 3, I watched eagerly as each housemate entered the famous ‘Big Brother House'. One by one the participants passed over the threshold like lambs being lead to the slaughter. They wore nervous smiles of anticipation. The third housemate caught my eye; she was a twenty year old dental nurse who spent her early years in Bermondsey. Jade soon earned her place in the house, as the majority of housemates were picked decisively to keep the audience amused. Jade was known for causing trouble throughout her time in the BB house, ending up drunk and she was also criticized for backstabbing. From then on she was known as a loud mouthed rebel, who had a poor standard of knowledge, but she withstood numerous amounts of evictions and her popularity grew. Her time in the BB house soon came to an end and overall she came fourth in the competition. Jade's life in the public eye did not end there and then; she had a few years of publicity ahead of her†¦ Also read The Story of an Eyewitness Essay Analysis Determined and strong, Jade carried on in the spotlight and appeared in numerous gossip oriented women's magazines such as Heat and OK! She was one of the most talked about celebrities for weeks after the BB house. I admired her courage and willpower to stay popular, and in 2006 I was pleased to hear that she put herself forward to take part in the London marathon. I was proud of her because she was doing it for charity; there was a lot of negative publicity about this as people did not think that she would be able to finish the race. Anyone who is willing to participate in any form of marathon must have fortitude to do so as twenty six miles is an extensive distance. But as her drive took her to a dedicated twenty one miles her body gave in. It shows how much Jade wanted to finish the race as she did not stop until she was at the state of collapse. I think this reflects me as I usually don't give up until I am injured, or there is something permanently blocking my path! This is one of the reasons why I look up to Jade, although she had her defaults she aspired to grow in knowledge and acquire respect from the public. Very rarely did Jade seem despondent about the harsh press, and that's what I think kept her going. She even published her own autobiography: Jade: My Autobiography. Many people had no clue as to how Jade was brought up, and when this book was released in May 2006 numerous people were intrigued to find out how tough her upbringing was. Her father who was of mixed race was a drug addict who a frequent visitor in her majesties service. Jade's mother, Jackiey Budden separated from Jade's father and was left to bring her up single handedly. This was demanding for Jade's mother, but I can relate to Jade as I no longer live with my dad. After appearing on Big Brother three, Jade decided she would accept the invitation to enter Celebrity Big Brother five, as she was now a public figure. At this point in her courier Jade had earned between two million and eight million pounds. I think most people do not aspire to become famous through reality TV, as it doesn't require talent. Jades second appearance on BB included her Mother and Boyfriend entering the Big Brother house. This was when the whole racial feud between Jade and the Bollywood star Shilper Shetty took place. I felt that Jade made a fool of herself on national TV and my respect for her took a step back. As I watched the headlines I questioned whether Jade should be the only one to blame. As Jade began to redeem herself I valued her strength of mind to get her life back on track. In late 2008 Jade appeared in India's version of BB, ‘Big Boss'. I didn't think it would do anything for Jade as Shilper Shetty was going to appear on ‘Big Boss' alongside her. I was worried for Jade after the ordeal she went through previously. But nothing was said and two days into the show something awful had been uncovered. Something that made me shudder at the thought because she was a young mum with all of her life ahead of her. Something finally that could be terminal. She had been diagnosed with cervical cancer. It was all over the headlines, and when I heard I felt disbelief. The first thing that came to mind was her two sons. How is it going to affect their lives? How are they going to cope? Jade was immediately flown back to England for further testing. From that day on Jade suffered. She was strong willed and kept her battle up for a year. Her story really touched me, and this is why I have chosen to write about her because I think she is an inspiration to many women out there. It has been made apparent that because Jade made her battle with cancer so publicized more women will be aware of cervical cancer and a lot more will be saved. I think that by saving just one life, Jade's short life will not have been in vein. Jade had her ups and downs, but at the end of the day if she has prompted women to get checked out then she is, in my eye a hero.

Case Analysis: the Early Bird †Electric Power Load Despatching

Case Analysis: The Early Bird – Electric Power Load Despatching The Early Bird – Electric Power Load Dispatching Electric utility firms have, for more than two decades, used marginal productmarginal cost concepts to generate and dispatch electric power in a more efficient, lowercost manner. Southern Company, the nation’s third largest utility, refers to its load dispatching method as the â€Å"Early Bird† system. Southern’s Early Bird is designed to provide automatic, computerized control of all the company’s power production and transmission facilities. The Early Bird continuously calculates the marginal cost of delivering additional kilowatts of electricity to Southern Company customers anywhere in the company’s service area; then, as electricity demand rises or falls at points throughout the system, Early Bird transmits â€Å"raise† or â€Å"lower† impulses to the company’s generating units and routes the correct amount of electricity along the most economical transmission path to the end user. Periodically, Southern Company engineers test the operating efficiency of every piece of power-generating equipment the company has in service. The purpose of the test is to determine how much fuel, labor, and other variable inputs are required to produce electricity with that unit and, subsequently, to calculate a production function for that generating unit. Experience has shown that revised production function equations must be calculated from time to time because normal wear and tear, maintenance problems, and mechanical efficiency vary over time and from generator to generator, depending on who manufactured it, when it was purchased, how long it has been in service, and the reliability with which it has performed. In other words, the production function for a given generating unit shifts by sufficiently large amounts over time to make it worthwhile to update the input-output equation. The equations for the production functions of each generating unit are then fed into Early Bird and combined with information as to fuel prices, wage rates, and other variable input prices to obtain marginal cost functions; from these, MC values can be calculated for a particular generating unit at whatever rate it is being operated. In addition, because there is a loss of electricity in the course of â€Å"shipping† it through the transmission wires, Southern engineers make studies to determine the transmission loss coefficients from generating units to distribution substations. These, too, have to be updated several times a year since the transmission loss depends not only on the distance factor but also on the varying load characteristics of the system and changes in the transmission grid. The marginal cost equations, together with the transmission loss coefficients, are the nucleus for Early Bird’s control of power generation and transmission. When, during the course of a day, the demand for electricity picks up, the Early Bird system is programmed to compare the marginal costs of generation at each on-line unit and then to send impulses to raise the electricity output of the unit (or units) where MC is lowest. Simultaneously, another Early Bird program analyzes the transmission loss coefficients to calculate how best to allocate the increased load on the transmission grid so as to minimize transmission loss to the many substations and end-user locations. In similar fashion, when electricity demand falls off (as work shifts end and businesses close at the end of the day), the Early Bird system automatically sends impulses to reduce electricity generation at those power units where MC is highest and reroutes the remaining load to maintain maximum transmission economy and load-generation balance. At periods of peak demand, when on-line generating units are already operating at or near their minimum cost points, and assuming that water levels in Southern’s dam reservoirs are ample, Early Bird sends impulses to Southern’s hydroelectric facilities to open the gates and generate enough power to get across the peak. Southern’s power system control center is also equipped to forecast short-term loads for the next hour, day, or week. For example, weather data from all round Southern’s four-state service area are fed into the Early Bird network several times a day to help forecast heating and air-conditioning loads. The hourly, daily, and weekly Early Bird forecasts of upcoming load demands are used to preplan the mix of generating units to put on line and those to put on standby, to schedule maintenance, and to determine whether to exchange blocks of electricity with neighboring utilities. For instance, approximately 15 minutes prior to the beginning of an hour, Early Bird calculations as to the next hour’s generating and transmission costs are made; this information is then compared immediately with similar information obtained from adjoining utilities having interconnections with Southern’s transmission network. If it is determined that it would be more economical for Southern to buy a â€Å"block† of electricity from an adjacent company than to generate the electricity needed itself (because at the forecasted generating rates the other company will have lower MC than Southern), then an order is placed for that unit at a price set forth in the interchange agreement between the two companies. On the other hand, if Southern’s marginal costs are lower than those of its neighbors, then it may agree to sell a block. The exchange of electricity among interconnected companies based upon marginal cost calculations is common throughout the electric utility industry. As bigger and faster computers have become available, the functions of the Early Bird system have been expanded to permit. 1. Reductions in unnecessary â€Å"load-chasing,† with resultant savings on maintenance; 2. Monitoring the current operating status of generating units, line flows, voltages, station breakers, and switches as a basis for assessing the prevailing degree of security (reliability) within the system: . Altering the dispatch criteria to allow for reducing power output at a particular facility because of unexpected air or thermal pollution, yet doing so in a way which entails the least increased costs to the system; 4. Operating hydro, steam, combustion, and nuclear generating units in a mix which seeks to minimize fuel costs; and 5. Monitoring temperatures, oil pressures, stream flows, and so on at unattended hydro stations to give early notification of potential troubles.

Reporting Practices and Ethics Paper Essay

Financial management is very crucial in today’s health care financial procedures. It is one the most important aspects of the financial health care. There are many assessments made- based the financial records and the business transactions that occur within the health care organization. It is crucial the financial records are kept up- to -date and they follow specific guidelines. The books kept up- to- date and in order, this will show the amount of money being brought into the organization for profit and the amount of money the organization has lost in profit. One thing that may cause the honesty of the organization to be on the brinks is the organization financial management and the correctness of the financial books. This paper is about information that will address financial reporting practices and ethics. It will address four financial management functions, summaries that accept accounting principles by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). It will also give an example from an article that has reflected ethical standards of conduct and financial reporting. The basic four components of financial management are planning, controlling, organizing and directing and decision making. The preparation is responsibility for financial management to recognize the purposes of the health care organization. The planning step is to â€Å"set directions and allocates resources, the organizing step brings people and material resources together in working condition, the leading step inspires people to best utilize these resources, and the controlling step checks that the right things happen, in the right way, and at the right time† (Lombardi, Schermerhorn, & Kramer, 2007,). Controlling is the process of the financial management to ensure that each department of the organization are going by the procedures that was decided. The financial manager should have the reports available to study the most recent financial reports. The reports will help to select what department needs the most consideration to keep the organization going. Organizing and directing is the responsibility of the financial manager to decide in what way to make use of the funds of the organizations most efficiently. Resources such as assets will help the manager to ensure the goals of the healthcare organizations are accomplished. Directing is an everyday job provided that control and support. The final step in the element in financial management is decision making. Planning, organizing, and controlling is a correspondence with the decision making process. The choices will be by the financial manager based on evaluation, analysis and information. Generally accepted accounting principles is a set of financial recommendations used for financial accounting. The recommendations are for preparing financial statements and for setting standards for organizations accountants. According to Baker (2011), â€Å" One of the requirements of GAAP is that unrestricted fund balances be separated from restricted fund balances on the statements, so you see two appropriate line items (restricted and unrestricted) in the fund balance section† (p. 108). GAAP are the rules of accounting. Those guidelines are to arrange the reporting of financial statements that will include the cash flow statements, income statements, and the balance sheet. With the reply of these responsibilities, the Organization of Managing Bookkeepers declared principles of moral conduct for employees of managing bookkeeping and financial management. The principles take account for confidentiality, integrity, and competence. A person must maintain knowledge and the necessary skills is what includes competence. They must always maintain their professional responsibilities and duties in accordance with related rules, technical standards, and regulations. Confidentiality when one should not disclose confidential information, such as health records except when given the right authority to do so. Integrity has the responsibility not to engage in activities that would affect prejudgment, favors that will influence their actions and decision making. According to† Ethical Standards† (n. d),â€Å"Specialists of managing bookkeeping and monetarist managing partake an commitment to the community, their line of work, the institute they work for and themselves, to uphold the utmost principles of decent manner. Hewlett-Packard Company CEO, Mark Hurd turn out to be mixed up in the workplace. According to (Healthfield, 2012), â€Å"Mr. Hurd had failed to disclose a close personal relationship he had with a contractor that constituted a conflict of interest† . †Mr. Hurd also â€Å"failed to maintain accurate expense reports, and misused company assets. † This is an example that reflect ethical standards of conduct a nd financial reporting practices. Practicing accuracy end honesty will help continue the capacity to never misuse the financial systems, and abide by the laws laid out by GAAP. Organizations are providing their employees with the necessary training that will equip them as well as sustain the reporting practices operational but at the time use the similar procedures and show them new procedures. Fraud and abuse is something everyone know when being ethical. By using the GAAP guidelines, keeping the organizational ethics and policies would be free from abuse and fraud. By following the guidelines that comes from the GAAP, they can help prevent fraud and abuse from happening in the health care organization itself. These guidelines are there to help the organization benefit so they will always be ready in case there may come a time when they have to show their financial documents to a third party. Therefore in conclusion, it a major responsibility in financial reporting practices and ethics. Financial managers should implement the four elements of financial management in their reports to avoid fraud, abuse and the risk of breaking ethics. Managers should know how to plan, control, organize and directing and decision making. They should always incorporate the GAAP rules and regulations in order to avoid unethical rulings.

History of Culture tissue propagation Research Paper

History of Culture tissue propagation - Research Paper Example The period ranging from 1940s to 1960s marked the development of the improvements of the existing technologies already used and the new technologies. This led to tissue culture application in areas such as: cell behavior including metabolism, cytology, embryogenesis, nutrition, pathology and morphogenesis; clonal propagation; plant modification and improvement, product formation, and pathogen free plants and germplasm storage. The beginning of the 1990s indicated a continuous expansion in the vitro technology applications to the increasing number of species of plants. Cell culture has since remained a vital tool in the area of biochemistry and basic plant biology, agricultural biotechnology and molecular biology (Singh & Srivastava, 2006). This paper seeks to discuss the history of plant tissue culture, the development and significant information on plant tissue culture. The idea of tissue culture began as early as 1838 with the theory of the cell by Schwann and Schleiden. The very first approach of an experiment was tried vainly in 1902 by Haberlandt. After the success of Carrel with the animal cells, motivating results were attained on plant tissues in 1934 by Gautheret and the issue was solved independently in 1939 by White, Nobecourt, and Gautheret. The development of tissue culture was slowed since the new field only attracted few individuals. In 1954 however, the principal chapters of plant tissue culture were opened: there were studies on cell culture, tissue culture, expertness of vegetative propagation and organ formation, improvement of nutrients, growth of substances, application of pathological problems, and efforts to achieve secondary products. In 1966, Guha and Maheshwari initiated the androgenesis, as Kuster’s pioneer efforts on the protoplast fusion was brought about and exhumed innumerable investigations. Eventually for the last ten years, there has been a true explosion of plant tissue culture and currently

Fr Trd or Fir Trd Wht's th diffrnc Issus surrounding th WTO r mny nd Essay

Fr Trd or Fir Trd Wht's th diffrnc Issus surrounding th WTO r mny nd complx - Essay Example Undr CFT, mor thn 80% of U.S. consumr nd industril xports nd ovr hlf of U.S. frm xports to Cntrl mric would bcom duty-fr immditly. To ddrss unvn dvlopmnt nd trnsition issus, CFT spcifis ruls for lngthy triff phs-out schduls s wll s trnsitionl sfgurds nd triff rt quots (TRQs) for snsitiv goods. lthough mny goods would ttin immdit duty-fr trtmnt, othrs would hv triffs phsd out incrmntlly so tht duty-fr trtmnt is rchd in 5, 10, 15, or 20 yrs from th tim th grmnt tks ffct. Duty-fr trtmnt would b dlyd for th mor snsitiv products, nd in som css, th triff rductions would not bgin until 7 or 12 yrs into th grmnt. CFT is controvrsil nd fcs politicl uncrtinty. Supportrs hop tht CFT cn b prt of policy foundtion supportiv of both improvd intrrgionl trd nd long-trm socil, politicl, nd conomic dvlopmnt. Concrns rmin, howvr, ovr th ngtiv ffcts on crtin sctors nd mploys of th U.S. conomy, nd tht blncd outcom my b difficult to chiv if th FT fils to ccommodt sufficintly th djustmnt costs lso fcing crtin Cntrl mricn workrs, smll frmrs, nd othr groups. Th history som CFT countris hv of poor lbor rights nforcmnt riss qustions ovr whthr th lbor provisions will dqutly promot socil dvlopmnt. For ll CFT countris, th constntly incrsing US forign dirct invstmnt nd ccss to US tchnology combind with th incrsd duty fr ccss to th US mrkt rprsnt significnt bnfits. Morovr, th psychologicl ffct of th grmnt will ncourg mor ntrprnurship nd grtr job crtion in Cntrl mric nd th Dominicn Rpublic, which r ssntil to crting sustinbl dvlopmnt. Nvrthlss, CFT firms will fc strongr comptition from US firms undr th grmnt. Opponnts of CFT rgu tht only th wlthy lits of Cntrl mric nd th Dominicn Rpublic will bnfit from th grmnt, nd tht it will hv n unfvorbl impct on workrs, smll businsss, frmrs nd th nvironmnt. Thy furthr disdvntg of CFT tht th nt rsult of CFT will b n vn widr gp btwn th rich nd poor in ths dvloping countris. This disprity in conomic powr nd th rsulting conomic injustic hs bn th root cus of th politicl instbility tht hs inundtd ths countris historiclly. dding up ll trd bnfits, th Bush dministrtion rgud to Congrss tht CFT would offr support for strngthning dmocrcy in countris tht hv continuously struggld with stringnt intrnl politicl conflicts nd rgionl conflicts in th rcnt pst. To tk full dvntg of ths bnfits, nw World Bnk rport dviss countris to commnc complmntry invstmnts nd rforms to nhnc th grmnt's growth impct nd gurnt bnfits for ll. "Grtr trd opportunitis r ssntil to improving living stndrds in dvloping countris," sid World Bnk Prsidnt Pul Wolfowitz. Th grtr trd lvls will ris from th rmovl of virtully ll triff nd quot brrirs, consolidting th privilgd mrkt ccss Cntrl mric lrdy hs in U.S. mrkts through th Cribbn Bsin Inititiv. CFT should lso intnsify rgionl intgrtion mong th Cntrl mricn ntions thmslvs nd ncourg grtr lvls of forign invstmnt. It's importnt to rcogniz tht conomic growth is rsult of production, not consumption. Thus th logic of th "trd s forign id" rgumnt dictts tht CFT is intndd to promot th importtion of goods from Cntrl mric, rthr thn th xport of U.S. goods to th rgion. Th qustion wthr th Unitd Sttd of mric will bnfit from this multiltrl grmnt stys opn, but thr r som nsws tht cn bring you closr to undrstnding wht popl nticipt from this grmnt. Mny popl in th Unitd Stts r suspicious of fr trd grmnts. Thy r concrnd bout losing thir jobs bcus of imports

Organization structure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Organization structure - Essay Example It has positioned itself as a leader in new product developments and promotions. It has increased their presence in the fast-growing Internet market and direct response television while expanding their international reach. With these core capabilities, it has gained a worldwide reputation for elegance, luxury and superior quality. Even amidst a severe recession and key customers going out of business, the company has proven itself as a durable organization that can weather tough challenges. The worldwide recession declined the consumer spending that affected the sales of the company. With strong leaderships of the company’s Executive Chairman, William Lauder, as well as the President and CEO, Fabrizio Freda, it has responded to the demands of their external environment. It has created business strategies of multi-national expansion, multi-channel distribution and multi-brand leadership in order to support the company’s growth and sustainability. Recently, the company has announced a new organizational structure and leadership team in order to further quickly respond to a fast changing market economy and position itself as an effective organization in implementing and achieving its corporate strategies and financial goals. Figure 1 illustrates the new structure of the organization. The Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors have people in the leadership team reporting to him such as the President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice Presidents of General Counsel, Global Human Resource and Global Communications, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Administration. The structure of the organization under the CEO is designed as a hybrid structure of products, geographical and functional departmentalization. The CEO has an executive leadership team directly reporting to him. The product departments are divided into four clusters brands that are organized according to channel and consumer segmentation.

Case Study I COnsent, Safety, and Firefighter Culture Essay

Case Study I COnsent, Safety, and Firefighter Culture - Essay Example (p. 40) As such, â€Å"they offer a secondary, reconstructed set of meanings rather than the primary ‘life world’ ones† ((p. 40). Deetz was emphasizing the effects of developed specialized institutions eroding functions of the family and the community in structuring one’s needs in life. The implications on this statement are: (1) being aware that corporations have different goals from personal goals, one should be recognize that strengthening personal aspirations would enhance the preservation of traditional family values and encourage community ties; (2) one should recognize that corporations exist to partially fulfill personal goals and should be not completely construed as the sole provider of one’s personal needs; and (3) the family remains the basic unit of community and should not be replaced by the corporation where one has recent ties. Question 2: Critical theorists claim that in order to discover the deep structures of power in the organization, an individual must look at the influences of the economy, politics, and social systems as forces that shape the organizational culture. Why is this important and what modes of thinking should be adopted by the critical researcher? A critical researcher utilizes thought processes to evaluate information and appropriately applies conclusions to guide decision-making processes. The framework applied by a critical researcher is associated with modes of accuracy, logic, depth, fairness, credibility and intellectual clarity. As such, in discovering the forces that shape organizational culture, the critical researcher must be aware of the availability and accessibility of relevant information pertaining to the following four areas, to wit: (1) advances in science and technology, (2) global redistribution of knowledge, power and wealth, (3) competing political, cultural, and religious ideologies, and (4) sustainability of

Data Analysis - International Market Research & Forecast Background Assignment

Data Analysis - International Market Research & Forecast Background - Assignment Example Foreigners are made to obtain visa before making their way into the company. At the same time, the visa is made to stay almost 60 days before it cab be realised officially. All businesses are expected to register with investment promotion Authority. All the information concerning taxes and tariffs are provide by the IPA, only upon request. Obtaining information this way was encouraged since the national websites do not provide up to date information. Food items are not literary prohibited therefore they are permit-less. All of Port Moresby’s population estimation is 307, 643. It has a media age of 22, which reflects on cultural lifestyle. This is because younger generation are moving into the city, while the older generations stay at home. Its currency is PGK; it is also notable that public transport is by PMV. Here buses and taxes are the main transformational means that is currently servicing the whole area of Port Moresby. Communication in this town is by phone and social Medias. This is made possible since many are using smart phone technology as well as landline, which is mostly used by the business people. English is the main language; however, other known languages are the Tok Pisin. A widely used and well understood language also the Hiri Motu and Creole languages. In the country, it should be noted that several generations are dwelling less than one roof, despite of the house hold structures being of extended calibre. Here, elders are respected. The main religion is Christianity, and the most popularly one are the SDA. Further, it should be noted that the families are valued and then close knitted. Lastly, many people in this area reside in settlements or villages, sustaining themselves through farming, fishing as well as hunting. Recently, the internet has been upgraded from dial up connections to a speed wireless broadband. The unlimited wireless cost usually amount to almost K100 a month.

A Feasibility Study of Building Structural Deformation Monitoring Essay

A Feasibility Study of Building Structural Deformation Monitoring using Global Positioning (GPS) - Essay Example To achieve their objectives through this study, the authors monitored structural deformations in one high-rise building, viz. the Twin Tower of Science and Technology Complex, and one low-rise building, viz. the Innovation Centre Building, both of which belonged to the University Technology MARA (UiTM), in Selangor, Malaysia. The authors chose high accuracy GPS ( ±1 mm) and total station ( ± 1 mm, 1†) to apply in deformation monitoring of the buildings, to improve accuracy of the survey. During the course of the study, authors identified appropriate points on the building structure, and suitable control points around the building to begin the structural monitoring process. They then carried out GPS surveys using the rapid static technique, geotechnical surveys through crack-width measurements using the digital movement gauge, and terrestrial surveys using the intersection technique on the building structures for four epochs. In this study, the authors demonstrated that whil e crack width measurements using the digital movement gauge were helpful in identifying deformations occurring in one dimension (1 D), the intersection technique of terrestrial surveying is advantageous for monitoring the deformations that occur in two dimensions (2 D). However, the GPS survey was of no utility for monitoring the building deformations, as it did not provide consistent results. According to the authors, the inconsistency of results of the GPS survey was due to obstruction of the antenna that was to receive the satellite signal, by the surrounding building structures. The strength of this study lies in the fact that accuracy in survey methodology and results was maintained. The authors successfully demonstrated the use of various survey techniques in monitoring building structure deformation through appropriate and reliable data and measurements. The information on the efficiency of the various techniques in monitoring building structure deformation occurring in 1D an d 2D will prove to be useful in choosing the appropriate technique based on individual building survey requirements. The weakness of this study, however, is that it suffers from lack of appropriate data analysis, as the objective, i.e. assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the discussed techniques was not sufficiently met. Importance of the study: This article is significant as the authors assess the most prominent survey techniques and distinguish them based on their utility in deformation monitoring. The study will enable making a better a choice while choosing which type of survey technique is to be used when deformations occurring in 1D or 2D are to be monitored. This study also indicates that using GPS for monitoring deformations is futile in areas where surrounding high-rise buildings and obstructions exist, such as in cities. This paper provides concise methodology and distinct deformation monitoring techniques that will be helpful in carrying out deformation meas urements for my project study. 2. Deformation Monitoring by GPS at Embankment Dams and Deformation Analysis Summary: The main objective of this study was to assess deformation at the crest of the Altinkaya dam, caused by a combined effect of the weight of the dam and the water load occurring at different water levels. A secondary objective was to investigate if GPS surveying technique and its measurements are accurate enough to be used for examining deformations

The Need for Wireless Standards and Protocols Assignment

The Need for Wireless Standards and Protocols - Assignment Example The first international standard is ISO/IEC 18000-7. This standard came up after a series of consultations between the international Standard Organization and a number of stakeholders in the wireless technology, where they found it fit to develop this standard in regulating the wireless communication industry (Thomas, 2009). The stakeholders agreed with International Standard Organization proposal and formed a working group called DASH7 Alliance. DASH7 Alliance together with experts from International Standards Organization developed DASH7 standard which have a significant impact on wireless communication technologies. The DASH7 standard was accepted by international standard organization technical committee and came into effect in 2004. The DASH7 standard has a number of requirements on the corporate sector, concerning the wireless technology. It requires that the corporate sector need to transmit data at a frequency of 433MHz. The standard also requires the corporate sector to use similar electronic gadgets of data exchange to eliminate difficulties of compatibility and encourage easy communication (Thomas, 2009). The standard further requires that all organizations should maintain similar frequency accuracy of 433MHz as a standard way of coding data. This makes decoding easy and encourage use of chips that are similar and easy to operate. The standard also required use of data communication devices that have low modulation and low power consumption. These requirement brought a lot of impacts to the corporate sector in many ways. The standard made the automation of the corporate sector buildings possible. The DASH7 network, with its new frequency of 433MHz, was able to penetrate walls and other impediments that were serving as barriers to automation of buildings. With new frequency, the networks needed less installations than what the previous wireless networks required in making automation of buildings. This frequency of 433MHz made it possible to transmit d ata to smartcards, tickets, and watches in order to establish their location (Norair, 2009). The DASH7 standards pulled the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth out of the market since these standards advocated for use of low power consumption. This made it impossible for these devices to be powered by such low voltages. The DASH7 standard also led to the manufacture of other devices that used very little power. The use of low power made it possible for devices such as watch and smartcard to be automated since they could be tracked from a distance. DASH7 also enabled the development of electric billboards that were used in advertising corporate products. This technology, therefore, boosted e-commerce and enabled companies to make more profits due to low cost of advertisement. The DASH7 technology also led to development of gadgets that utilize the frequency of 433MHz and is commonly used to monitor pressure in car tires (MacManus, 2010). Another gadget called TPMS provides the driver with accurate t ire pressure readings. This enables drivers to save fuel, reduce tire tear and wear, and ensure the overall safety of motorists. The DASH7 technology products are also being used in the management of supply chain. Since DASH7 wireless network has high coverage due to its low frequency of 433 MHz, it is being used in the tracking of maritime vessels, cars, and containers. This is allowing businesses to have control over their assets and, therefore, businesses can be assured of more profit. The use of DASH7

Emerson and Transcendentalism Essay Example for Free

Emerson and Transcendentalism Essay Transcendentalism was a literary movement that began in the beginning of the 1800s and lasted up until the Civil War. Ralph Waldo Emerson was a man whose views on life and the universe were intriguing and influential. Emerson, along with other great men, helped to mold what Transcendentalism was and what it was to become. Without these men, Transcendentalism would not have been anything. Nor would these men have been anything without this concept. So what is Transcendentalism anyway and how have mens thoughts and outlooks been able make it what it is remembered as? Transcendentalism was prominent in the cultural life of the U. S. , especially in New England from 1836 to until just before the Civil War. The Revolutionary war had ended shortly before the time of Transcendentalism; therefore, Emerson had been influenced by its affects and had shared his thoughts about war in his writings. At the age of twelve, Emerson wrote Fair Peace and Triumph blooms on golden wings, and War no more pf all his victories sings (Way to Peace 2). He viewed war as being unnecessary and in his eyes, the soul has no enemies and rises above all conflicts. He thought soldiers to be ridiculous and war to Abhorrent to all reason (Way to Peace 2), and against human progress. Basically he was against all war and his views on war were apparent in his writings. Even though he thought that the Civil War was good because it was trying to stop the evils of slavery, he detested the lack of freedom during the war, and he vowed that if martial law came to Concord, that he would disobey it or move away. These events developed Transcendentalism though Emersons views and writings on war (Way to Peace 1-2). Transcendentalism in America centered in Concord and Boston. The philosophy came from many different beliefs and peoples thoughts and outlooks. Emerson was a huge person whose beliefs greatly influenced how transcendentalism evolved. Around the year 0f 1836, a discussion group was formed in New England called the Transcendental Club. It met at various members houses and it included Emerson, Bronson Alcott, Frederick Henry Hedge, W. E. Channing and W. H. Channing, Theodore Parker, Margaret Fuller, Elizabeth Peabody, George Ripley, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Thoreau, and Jones Very. From 1840 to 1844, a quarterly newspaper printed their early essays, poems, and reviews (Abrams, 215-216). Emersons transcendentalism is an idealist philosophy that was derived from Kants concept of the Tran scendental. According to his understanding of Kant, transcendentalism becomes a union of solipsism under which the only verifiable reality is thought to be self. It also comes from materialism in which the only verifiable reality is thought to be quantifiable outside world of objects, and sense data. Through this fusion, transcendentalism was transported to America as a philosophy. Through his source of most of its poetry and mysticism, Emerson fostered the growth of transcendentalism of the New England variant. His ideas, which came from Kant, were taken from the German philosopher Immanuel Kant whose ideas of the universe and soul were very intriguing. He believed in transcendental knowledge but confined it to things such as time, space, quantity and casualty, which in his views were imposed by the perception of human minds. He regarded these aspects as the universal sense experience. Emerson, however, extended this concept of transcendental knowledge to include moral and other truths that go beyond the limits of the human sense experience, which Kant had specifically denied. Besides Kant, other intellectual predecessors of American Transcendentalism are very diverse and few, but include post-Kantian German Idealists, the English thinkers Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Thomas Carlyle (who were also exponents of German Idealism), Plato, Neoplatonists, the occult Swedish theologian Emmanuel Swedenborg, and some varieties of Oriental philosophies (Abrams 216). Basically, Transcendentalism was about promoting peace and developing the mind and soul. Also, it was about sharing your views on what was wrong with the world and how it could be fixed. William Ellery Channing was a forerunner of the Transcendentalists and preached against war and was active in the peace movement that began in 1815 when Noah Worcester founded the Massachusetts Peace Society, the first influential peace society in the world. Channing wrote about the miseries and crimes of war, their causes and some possible remedies. In addition to the suffering and destruction he points out that war corrupts the morals of society and gives the government dangerous powers. Channing preached in Boston from 1803 until his death and was praised by Emerson above all other ministers. The sources of war which Channing wrote of are the human propensity for excitement, the lust for power, admiration for warlike deeds, false patriotism, and the upbringing and education which glamorizes military exploits. He also sees the remedies as well as the causes to be of a moral nature. He believes we must honor our rulers and nations fro their justice, goodwill, and educational institutions not for their foreign conquests. He thought that we must also admire heroes for their conscience, human rights, and the ones who bring peace and freedom. He believed that the peace teachings of Christians ought to be emphasized. He warned that the attitude of rulers and nations of foreign states, which is usually partial and unjust, should show us that war is rarely just or unnecessary. He advised Christians to refuse war and if necessary, submit to prison or execution in an attempt for peace (Way to Peace 1-2). James Freeman Clarke once dubbed the transcendentalists the club of the likeminded; I suppose because no two of us think alike (American Literary Movements 1). But despite the disagreement among transcendentalists themselves, the overall movement shared similar philosophies. These philosophies rested on the Slockean concept of Idealism and Kants belief in intuition. In other words, transcendentalism opposed empiricism, which is gaining knowledge from experience. Physical world observations were only appearances of reflections of the spirit. One should learn of the spiritual world through reason alone, thus guiding them towards the ultimate goal, Absolute Truth (American Transcendentalism1 1). All of the Transcendentalists had more in common with what they reacted against rather than what they proposed. They were opposed to rigid rationalism; to the eighteenth-century empirical philosophy of the school of John Locke which derived all of its knowledge by sense impressions; by highly formalized religions, and especially the Calvinist orthodoxy of New England; and to the social conformity, materialism, and commercialism that they found increasingly prominent in American life. The counter-views that were affirmed by Transcendentalists, especially Emerson include confidence in the validity of knowledge which is tied in with feeling and intuition, and an ethics of individualism that stressed self trust, self-reliance, and self sufficiency (Abrams 216). Transcendentalism cannot be properly understood outside the context of Unitarianism, the dominant religion in Boston during the early nineteenth century. Unitarianism had developed during the late eighteenth century as a branch of the liberal wing of Christianity during the First Great Awakening of the 1740s. That awakening revolved around the questions of divine election and original sin, and it saw a brief period of revivalism. The Liberals tended to reject both the Orthodox belief in natural evil and the emotionalism of the revivalists. In a sort of incorporation of Enlightenment principles with American Christianity, they began to stress the value of intellectual reason as the path to divine wisdom. This is how transcendentalism began to emerge; the Liberalists began to make their own unique theological contribution in rejecting the doctrine of the divine trinity. Transcendentalism is a belief in a higher reality than that found in sense experience, or belief in a higher kind of knowledge than achieved by human reason. Transcendentalism revolves around the existence of absolute goodness, something beyond description and knowable, ultimately only through intuition. In its most specific usage; Transcendentalism refers to a literary and philosophical movement that developed in the United States. Emerson separated the universe into two categories, nature and soul. He sought to explain the interrelation of them. He called analogies mans key to these relations (American Transcendentalism2 1-2). The term Transcendentalism became applied almost exclusively to doctrines of metaphysical idealism. Transcendentalism opposed the strict ritualism and rigid theology of established religious institutions. Transcendentalist writers expressed semi-religious feelings toward nature, as well as the creative process believing that divinity permeated all objects. Intuition rather than reason, were regarded as the highest human faculty. It was believed in order to comprehend the divine, God, and the universe one must transcend or go beyond the physical and emotional description of normal human thought. That you must go to the level of the soul and once there it is believed that all people have access to divine inspiration and sought and loved freedom and knowledge and truth (American Transcendentalism2 3-5) The Transcendentalist adopts the whole connection of spiritual doctrine. He believes in miracle, in the perpetual openness of the human mind to new influx of light and power; he believes in inspiration and in ecstasy. He wishes that the spiritual principle should be suffered to demonstrate itself to the end, in all possible applications to the state of man, without the admission of anything unspiritual; that is, anything positive, dogmatic, personal. Thus, the spiritual measure of inspiration is the depth of the thought, and never, who said it? And so he resists all attempts to palm other rules and measures on the spirit than its own (American Transcendentalism2 6-7). ? Transcendentalism was a literary movement on the mid 1800s in which Ralph Waldo Emerson took a great part. He contributed many fabulous ideas into the philosophy and influenced many people to put some remarkable ideas and writings in to Transcendentalism. He was the source of most of its poetry and mysticism, and fostered growth of the New England variant. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the son of a Unitarian Minister, was born on May 25, in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1821, he graduated from Harvard College. He got married in 1829, but his wife died less than a year and a half later. At this time in his life, Emerson doubted his beliefs and profession as a minister. He decided to resign, stating that it was because of the Eucharist (Biography of Emerson 1-2). In 1832, he went to Europe where he met some noteworthy people such as Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Carle. He began giving public lectures, and in 1836, he published Nature. He had become the sage of Concord and his literary colleagues became known as the Transcendental Club. Ralph Waldo Emerson believed in order to comprehend the divine, God, and the universe, one must transcend or go beyond the physical and emotional descriptions of normal human thought (American Literary Movements 1). With these strong thoughts, Emerson became the leader of many philosophers and writers termed transcendentalists. He ignited a literary movement influencing Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau (American Literary Movements 2). Emerson had many great writings, which influenced many and shared his thoughts with the world. His great thinking influenced many and made people realize that peace is important to a high society. Some of his thoughts include: A peaceful nation is protected by its spiritual power, because everyone is its friend. In individual cases it is extremely rare that a person of peace ever attracts violence. Courage must be transferred from war to the cause of peace; cowards can attain nothing great. The search for the sublime laws of morals and the sources of hope and trust, in man, and not in books, in the present, and not the past, and hopes that these will bring war to an end. (The Way to Peace 3-4) Emerson was also a great writer. His first publication Nature showed his idea of Transcendentalism. He applied this type of thinking to most of his works. In 1841, his first volume of essays, including the majority of his most popular work such as Self-Reliance, Prudence, Heroism, and Art. In 1847 to 1848, he went back to England and lectured. He made a collaborative volume called Representative Men (1850). This collection is one of his best works and contains fantastic essays on famous philosophers and writers such as Plato. He once described war as An epidemic of insanity, breaking out here and there like cholera or influenza, infecting mens brains instead of their bowels (Way to Peace 2). Besides being a great speaker revolutionist and writer, Emerson was also a very recognizable poet. His last collection of poetry was called May Day and Other Pieces, written in 1867. After this, he stopped writing for duration of time. His mental capabilities went downhill, and a few years later wrote Society and Solitude (1870) and Parnassus (1874), both poetic works. Sadly, Ralph Waldo Emerson died in 1882, remembered as a great philosopher, writer, and a leader of mankind (Biography of Emerson 1-2). Transcendentalism was a great literary movement. In fact it was more than just a literary movement, it was a liberator of mankind. Without the influences of Transcendentalism, many of the great writers in American History would not have been as great, and there would be less hope for the future. The important issues that the Transcendentalists addressed were important for the people of that time to pay attention to, and end the corruption of war. Unfortunately, the transcendental movement, with its optimism about the indwelling divinity, self-sufficiency, and high potentialities of human nature, did not survive the crisis of the Civil War and its aftermath. The end of a great literary movement had arrived, but was the beginning of more to come (Abrams 217)? ? Emersons Concord home and a picture of him. Works Cited Page Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brau Jovanovich College Publishers, 1985. American Literary Movements: Transcendentalism. Oct. 1999 (10/5/99). American Transcendentalism. (1). Oct. 1999 (10/6/99). American Transcendentalism. (2). May 2000 ~rlenat/amertran. html (5/29/00). Biography of Emerson. http:/members. xoom. com/_XMCM/RWEmerson/ whoisheohtm. The Way to Peace. Oct. 1999 (10/5/99).

Diffrences and Similarities in Caribbean Foods Essay Example for Free

Diffrences and Similarities in Caribbean Foods Essay The National motto of Jamaica is â€Å"Out of many, one people† might well apply as a whole, with a slight modification. Let it instead read: out of many one cuisine. For despite the diversity of the Caribbean people and culture that have produced a multitude of cuisines, there is an undeniable common thread, tractable through history, land, sea and sun. The local cuisine will provide the backbone to both the classic and unexpected Caribbean experience. Taste seven year old rum from Cuba as the sun sinks into the ocean or French style pastries for breakfast in Martinique or Jerk (meat marinated with various spices) in a small Jamaican town, and also hearing the music in Dominican meringue to the steely Trinidad Calypso. It all comes together to create the Caribbean scenario, one that lingers in your mind and taste buds after you have left. The Arawaks were the first to settle in the Caribbean. First venturing to Guyana, and Venezuela, then they made their way to Trinidad, Bahamas, Jamaica, and Cuba. The Caribs followed and waged war on the Arawaks and then Europeans came and enslaved them. This gave us Caribbean people a combination of foods and culture. The Arawaks and Caribs had a taste for such animals as turtles, iguanas, alligators, and frogs. They liked turtle and iguana eggs also. The Europeans lad a taste for guinea pigs, rabbits, agouti (a rat like creature) The Amerindians (Arawaks and Caribs) dried and preserved their food by cooking it on a barbacot (a wooden framework over a pit of coals) The Spanish adopted this technique and barbacoa today known as barbeque grill. It is important to note that all the Caribbean Islands owe at least some of their culinary heritage to Africa because Europe imported African slaves to the Caribbean. Over the years, each island has developed its own cultural identity and today Jamaican point to ackee and salt fish and reggae for their cultural reference point while the Trini looks to roti and Carnival for theirs. Like also the Caribbean always make space fro starchy side-dishes. However, there is less emphasis on root vegetables and tubers. In their place will be a large dish of macaroni and cheese. This is not, it must be stated, the same sort of macaroni and cheese that comes from a box with the foil lined packet of powdered cheese product. This is the real thing; baked in the oven and packed so tight it can be cut into slabs and served lasagna style. Among the islands, Jamaica deserves special attention. Indeed of all the Caribbean countries it is Jamaica that a truly national cuisine has developed. When you get to Jamaica, it only takes a trip away from the tourist drags to realize that Jamaicans love to eat.

Operational Requirements And Service Conditions Of Piston Engineering Essay

Operational Requirements And Service Conditions Of Piston Engineering Essay ABSTRACT There is an extent in changing the trend of the material by its properties and its characteristic. The majority of the materials completely depend on the application of the material in the component and its versatility. The components by material vary from each other by its properties. The materials have the tendency to change its manufacturing process by its character. A component can be manufactured by using various materials depending according to the application and its life. In this paper we discussed about the manufacturing process of the components like piston, connecting rod and the crank shaft. The alternative methodologies and usage of alternative materials are also explained by using CES chart with its advantages. INTRODUCTION Selecting the appropriate material is an integral part of the successful implementation of an engineers design. A design engineers ability to objectively quantify the combined marketing, technical and manufacturing requirements as they apply to the material selection is critical to the actual as well as the perceived success of the product. This paper contains a deep knowledge about the selection of the material and its manufacturing procedure with justification. CHAPTER 1 GENERAL COMPONENT DETAILS 1.1 PISTON The piston is the most essential component of the engine which actually transfer the energy output from the combustion chamber to the crankshaft through connecting rod. This is a pressure-tight cylindrical plunger which is subjected to the expanding gas pressure. Basically, piston structural components are head, skirt, gudgeon pin, grooves and lands. 1.1.1 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND SERVICE CONDITIONS OF PISTON Hence in order to transmit this high power output the piston must be designed lightly and must be robust. The piston must be of higher strength material that can with stand the high pressure that is been generated due to the burning of air-fuel mixture within the cylinder. Piston must be fitted properly to control the expansion due to temperature, without which the piston will fit loosely when in cold and they bind themselves when it gets warmed. 1.1.2 FUNCTIONS OF PISTON Transmit energy from combustion unit to piston pin, Serve as a carrier for the piston ring which seals the compression in the cylinder, Act as a guide for upper end of the connecting rod, Withstand high temperature expansion Despite the heat energy to the coolant. piston.gif Fig(1) Piston Assembly Conditions of piston at normally high speed, Piston moves from the top to bottom of the cylinder and vice versa with a acceleration of speed of around 50mph at midpoint and decelerates. The piston is subjected to pressure of about 6.8MPA. The piston is subjected to temperature of about 315 °C.[1] 1.1.3 DESIRABLE MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS The Piston materials must meet the following conditions, [2] Low thermal expansions for arresting the hot gases. High thermal conductivity for releasing heat from piston head. High strength to mass ratio (light weight) for transmitting high power output. High fatigue strength for increasing the material strength. Good resistance to surface abrasion. To reduce skirt and ring groove wear. 1.2 CONNECTING ROD Connecting rod is a part of the engine which connects the piston to the crankshaft. This connecting rod converts the linear motion of the piston to rotating motion to the crankshaft. 1.2.1 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND SERVICE CONDITIONS [] Connecting rods should be made as long as possible to reduce the oblique angle by the cylinder axis. Both tensile and compressive stresses are produced due to piston reciprocating-inertia loads. In order to evade scuffing proper lubrication is needed. Lubrication of the small end by a hole drilled along the shank should be so arranged that the hole intersects the big end bore circumferentially. To prevent buckling the rod shank is made in an H section, i.e., with a central web and two end flanges. Intense heat is generated at high rotational speed, so large bearing area is required to make the rod wear well. They should be checked for the correct length, weight distribution, straightness and freedom from twist. 1.2.2 FUNCTIONS OF CONNECTING ROD As the word is self explanatory, the connecting rod connects the piston and the crankshaft. The connecting rod continuously transmits energy from the combustion chamber to the crank shaft. It actually converts the reciprocating motion of the piston to the rotary motion of the crankshaft. These dynamic motions of the connecting rod makes it as light as possible whilst having a rigid section. 14900_19847.jpg 1.2.3 DESIRABLES MATERIAL CONDITIONS Must be strong to remain rigid under loading and light enough to reduce the inertia forces. Material must have good elastic modulus. It must have high fatigue strength in order to avoid failure due to high cycle fatigue. Heat capacity of the connecting rod must be high. Must withstand buckling stress due to large compressive loads. Must be of low density to avoid bearing failure. 1.3 CRANKSHAFT Crankshaft is the central link-up for the power produced by each cylinder in the engine. This crankshaft is one of the heavier part of the engine which is to be made strong to withstand the load from the con-rod. 1.3.1 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND SERVICE CONDITIONS Fillet areas locations are to be verified since both torsional and bending loads are experienced during its service life. Counterbalancing of weight is to be considered in order to counteract the centrifugal forces created by crankpin. The projected areas of the big-end and main-end journals must be adequate to withstand maximum cylinder pressure. After grounding should have a surface finish of 0.5 µm to minimize bearing wear. Crankshaft must have the capacity to absorb the thrust loads from clutches or torque converter. 1.3.2 FUNCTIONS It transmits power from combustion chamber to the flywheel through piston, piston rings and connecting rod. It harness and phase the individual cylinders power impulses transmitted through the mechanism of the connecting rod which converts the reciprocating motion of the piston to rotary motion at crankshaft. It changes the linear displacement due to sudden shock caused by the combustion chamber into smooth rotary motion which is the input to many devices. Crankshaft rotates in the cylinder in the cylinder block of the main bearing which supports the crankshaft which reduces the excessive wear. http://www.motorera.com/dictionary/pics/c/crankshaft.gif 1.3.3 DESIRABLES MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS Material nominal stress must not exceed 20% of tensile strength in bending and 15% in torsion. Must have the capacity to withstand large force from gas combustion. Must have high heat withstanding capacity. Must have low thermal expansion. Must have high adequate strength, toughness, hardness, and high fatigue strength. CHAPTER 2-MATERIAL SELECTION 2.1 MATERIAL SELECTION FOR PISTON[hh] Material selection process is an integral part of the overall product development process and must be considered in the early phases of the product definition. The material chosen for manufacturing the product is based on the following consideration, Mass consideration Strength and wear consideration Heat-conduction consideration Expansion consideration Based on the above considerations the aluminium alloys satisfies all the factors comparing to cast iron and steel. Mass consideration: Since the pistons reciprocating force is high at high speed, it is necessary to turn to light material instead of cast iron and steel. It has a relative density of 2.6 when compared with 7.8 for cast iron. Strength and wear consideration: Since pure aluminium has low tensile strength of 92 to124 N/mm2 and fall of to 31N/mm2 at 300 °C, it is always alloyed with copper or silicon for piston materials which improves the strength to mass ratio. At high level of silicon, the alloy exhibits excellent surface hardness, wear resistance properties and excellent dimensional stability. Heat-conduction consideration: The better heat dissipation of aluminium-alloy pistons compared to cast-iron pistons greatly reduces the maximum piston-crown operating temperature of 250C 300C for allou pistons and 400 to 500C for cast iron. Expansion Consideration: The thermal expansion is less for Al-Si alloy which has a thermal expansin of 0.000 021 and 0.000 017 per  °C for 12% Si alloy and 22% Si alloy. Fig() CES chart 2.1.1 SURFACE CONSIDERATON: Due to high speed reciprocation of the piston there may be so many losses or issues that must be considered. In that the frictional losses in piston assembly are majorly due to generation of heat. Subsequent raise in temperature can have this effect in the operation. In order to overcome this problem, proper material with good thermal conductivity is chosen. 2.2 MATERIAL SELECTON FOR CON-ROD The connecting rods are crucial and highly stressed component of the automotive engine subjected to alternative tensile and compressive stresses. Hence the material must be chosen based on the following conditions; Good elastic modulus, High fatigue strength, Low density to avoid bearing failure and High heat capacity. Based on the following conditions microalloyed steel is chosen which meets all the requirements mentioned above. This steel has a hardness level of 20-30 HRC. Small microalloying additions of vanadium and niobium are used to increase the strength of carbon steel plates. 1.1%Mn-0.5%Cr is the best combination to obtain thee high fatigue strength. Lowering the carbon content down to 0.33% and increasing the vanadium content to control the hardness gives toughness which improves the fatigue strength of free machining grades with S and Pb. The finally obtained chemical composition is 0.33%C-1.05%Mn-0.5%Cr-0.12%V-.055%S-0.20%Pb-Ca which has fatigue strength of 26% higher than a conventional microalloyed forging steel. As for connecting rod, application of light metal like titanium alloys and aluminium alloys are been tested, due to high cost in light metal the connecting rod are made of microalloyed steel. This structure contains ferrictic-pearlitic-bainit. Fig() CES chart 2.2.1 SURFACE CONSIDERATION The connecting rod is one of the highly stress concentrated part of the automotive engine. It is known that in the four cycle engines the connecting-rod small end is particularly stressed when the con-rod is at top dead centre at the beginning of the induction stroke, since the small end is ovalized by the tensile inertial forces exerted by the mass of the piston assembly. During both the stroke condition (expansion and compression) gudgeon pin pushes the small end along the lower end of the arc, by which the compression load directly acts on the con-rod without considerably stressing the eye. The eye is therefore subjected to repeated stresses, whereas the con-rod shank stress are reversed.(10) 2.3 MATERIAL SELECTION FOR CRANKSHAFT (hh) Crankshaft are from materials which can be readily shaped, machined and heat-treated and which have desirable mechanical properties such as adequate strength, toughness, hardness and high fatigue strength and of course , low cost. The highest quality steels are usually specified for satisfying the constraints given. Metals with optimum combination of bending and the stiffness are identified by creating a charts in CES by using performance indices in axes. From the figure it is clear that the low carbon steel, high carbon steel, low alloy steel and medium carbon steel are satisfying the given constraints. Low alloy steel with chromium-molybdenum is used for crankshaft. This forging steel is suitable for medium to heavy-duty petrol and diesel-engine crankshafts. It presents no difficulty in hot working and afterwards can be easily machined to size. The alloying composition is 0.4% carbon, 1.2% chromium and 0.3% molybdenum. 2.3.1 SURFACE CONSIDERATIONS Since crankshaft is the most highly strained part of the engine with high load acting on it the following factors must be considered. Pitting failure can occur in the crank-pin Due to lack of surface integrity lack of control over stress and temperature. CHAPTER 3 MANUFACTURING PROCESS 3.1 MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR PISTON[SS] Based on the material selected as aluminium alloys for piston, the manufacturing process is carried-out through casting because of its capability to produce near-net shaped parts at the required production rate. Hence the process selected for this component is the Gravity die casting. 3.1.1 GRAVITY DIE CASTING The pistons are produced from high-silicon alloys, such as 413.0 aluminium alloy. This alloy has high fluidity and can create high-definition surfaces through permanent mould casting; it also has high resistance to corrosion, good weldability, and low specific gravity. The universal acceptance of aluminium pistons for internal combustion engine applications is due to mainly to their light weight and high thermal conductivity.[ss] This type of casting is suitable for high volume production. The main advantages are the dimensional accuracy and surface finish. Castings ranging from few grams to 100kgs of aluminium alloy could be casted. This process could achieve higher mechanical properties than other casting by heat treatment. Since silicon has got good properties like, low shrinkage and imparting high fluidity which results in good casting. The maximum amount of silicon in cast alloy are in range of 22%-24%.(11) Manufacturing route: [ss] The h13 tool-steel mould is preheated to 200 °C to 450 °C, depending on the cast alloy and part size. Initially, the preheat is achieved with a hand-held torch, the mould reaches a steady-state temperature. Molten aluminium is heated to between 100 °C-200 °C above its liquidus temperature as shown below. Once the molten shot is in place the piston drives the mould in its place. Because of high thermal conductivity of the mould material, heat extraction from the molten metal is rapid and the metal solidifies in small channels before filling the mould completely. [9] 3.1.2 MICROSTRUCTURAL CHANGES Silicon has a diamond crystal structure and is consequently very brittle. These silicon structure damage the mechanical properties and nucleates on aluminium phosphide particles that is present in the melt as impurities. Further addition of sodium to the melt getters the phosphorous, which thereby increases the difficulty of sodium nucleation. Solidification is suppressed to lower temperature where the nucleation rate is large. This leads to remarkable refinement of microstructure. [9] Aluminium Silicon [9] From the figure above the dark feature is a shrinkage pore caused by a casting defect. This figure shows the coarse silicon plates in an aluminium matrix. 3.2 MANUFACTURING PROCESS Microalloyed connecting-rod is manufactured by a simplified thermomechanical treatment like controlled cooling following hot forging. Through these processes desired properties could be obtained without quenching and tempering treatments. Hence powder forging was selected which would conveniently satisfy the manufacturing process for the selected material and component. 3.2.1 POWDER FORGING Powder forging rods are manufactured by combining metal powders into a pre-form that is sintered and reheated to forging temperature. Then it is completely forged to its final shape and machined to its final dimensions. This mixed powder is compacted at room temperature and high pressure upto to 200 to 400MPa. At the end of the process the powdered material acquires a density of 70 to 85%. This process has resulted in fully dense shape part which makes it suitable for high performance applications where high durability and strength are required. The detailed manufacturing route of this PF process is shown below: [12] The advantages of using PF process are, Good dimensional accuracy Minimum scattering of weight Energy saving [12] 3.2.2 MICROSTRUCTURE [13] [13pdf] From the photograph of the microstructure of the connecting-rod material it is clear that the component contains pearlite and ferrite materials in composition. The above picture clearly indicates that in the powder metal connecting rods oxides are removed from the material surface by shot peening but the oxides are entrapped and remain below the surface causing the crack to originate below the surface . 3.3 MANUFACTURING PROCESS 3.3.1 FORGING [ss] The material selected for the crankshaft is forged steel which has a desirable mechanical properties such as adequate strength, toughness, hardness, and high fatigue strength. Hence the suitable manufacturing process for this steel is forging. Forging is a basic process in which the work-piece is shaped by compressive forces applied through various dies and tooling. For this forging process the dimensional tolerance range from  ±0.5 to  ±1% of the forging dimensions. At higher temperatures of about 700 °C dynamic forging recrystallisation occurs which increases the stress and strain deformation of the metal to make it hard. Manufacturing route: Prepare a slug or billet Heat the work-piece in the suitable furnace For hot forging, preheat and lubricate the dies Forge the billet in appropriate dies and in the proper sequence Clean the forging and check its dimensions Perform additional operations such as heat treatments and straightening Inspect for defects In the hot forging process to form a metal billet two or more dies are brought together to each other at a suitable room temperature in a shape of the die impression. This process follows two basic requirements, The strength of the material must be low so that the die pressure can be kept within the limits. The material should be capable of deforming without failure and should allow required amount of deformation. The flow of metal and die filling are mainly determined by (i) flow stress and cooling ability (ii) friction and cooling effects at the material interface. In this process, definite amount of heat is received by all the parts after machining in heat treatment process. This is mainly carried-out to improve fatigue and wear properties. High quality parts with moderate cost can be made by this process. Thus this process offers high strength to weight ratio, toughness and resistance to impact and fatigue to the material which is considered in the performance of the crank shaft. [14] 3.3.2 MICROSTRUCTURE Heating above recrystallisation temperature causes recrystallisation that removes the microstructure deformed and generated recrystallised grains. After eutectoid-carburizing martensite transformation takes place and a black portion near the surface is formed consisting of fine grains of ferrite and carbide. On quenching from the austentite (ÃŽ ³) phase martensite is formed. This transformation is a diffusion-less shear transformation . Martensite is too brittle in plain carbon steel for practical applications and is subsequently tempered to restore some toughness. CHAPTER 4 ALTERNATE MATERIAL 4.1 ALTERNATE MATERIAL FOR PISTON[hh] Cast iron refers to the family of ferrous alloys composed of iron, carbon ranging from 2.11% to about 4.5% and silicon of about 3.5%. They are classified by their structure ferritic, pearlitic, quenched and tempered or austempered. The equilibrium phase diagram relevant to cast iron is shown below where right boundary is 100%C. The eutectic temperature is 1154 °C and thus cast irons are completely liquid at temperatures lower than those required for liquid steels. One of the major disadvantage of the aluminium as the base metal of the piston is that it has high co-efficient of linear expansion in the range of 0.0000221per °C, compared with 0.0000117per °C of cast iron. Aluminium has twice the expansion rate of cast iron. Cementite is metastable (not completely stable) which has a tremendously low decomposition rate. However it can be made decomposed into alpha-ferrite and graphite. The graphitization can be controlled, promoted and accelerated by adding silicon, controlling the rate of cooling and modifying the composition.[ss] [15] 1.4.1 LIMITATIONS Relative density is high of about 7.8 When in tension, the presence of graphite acts as a stress riser weakens the material. Strength properties of the cast iron are significantly affected by the shape and size of graphite. Higher material and manufacturing cost. The major disadvantage is the shrinkage. 1.4.2 POTENTIAL BENEFITS Presence of graphite in cast iron improves wear-resistance as it acts as a lubricant. High carbon content-degradation of ductility and fracture toughness. Good corrosion-resistance. Easy machinability Wide range of composition and microstructures-easy weldability. 4.2 ALTERNATE MATERIAL FOR CON-ROD The alternate material chosen for connecting rod is aluminium alloyed material as it is light in weight and provides long service life to the part. The aluminium alloys are high strength-to-weight ratio, resistance to corrosion by many chemicals, high conductivity and ease of formability. The material composition of aluminium is 7.6 to 8.4% Zn,1.8-2.3%Mg, 2-2.6%Cu, 0.08-0.25%Zr, 0.10%Si, 0.15%Fe, 0.05%Mn, 0.04%Cr and 0.06%Ti. When compared to othe alloys it convinces the constrains like low thermal expansion, wear-resistant, high fatigue strength and buckling. Majorly this material is chosen based on the following consideration: Mass consideration Strength and wear consideration Expansion consideration Heat-conduction consideration http://www.streetperformance.com/ART/PRODUCTS/100687/14012-8.jpg[19] 2.4.1 LIMITATIONS It is more expensive than cast iron. Low dimensional accuracy and poor surface finish. Solidification is very slow. Occurrence of fracture in short transverse direction. Expansion rate is high when compared to cast iron with oure aluminium. 2.4.2 POTENTIAL BENEFITS Aluminium alloys can be easily machined and welded and formed. High dimensional accuracy with long service life. High yield strength in both tensile and compression. Aluminium is much better conductor of heat than cast iron. Aluminium alloys provide improved resistance to abrasion and produce strength over temperature range. Improves the performances of the piston and thus the engine. 4.3 ALTERNATE MATERIAL FOR CRANKSHAFT As the crankshaft is the heavier moving part in the automotive engine, the material selected for this part has to be strong and light. Titanium alloys having high strength with reduced weight is used for crankshaft until and unless cost is not considered, as this material is very expensive. http://amt-advanced-materials-technology.com/s/cc_images/cache_867254901.jpg[17] 4.3.1 POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF TITANIUM ALLOYS Titanium has high melting point of about1678 °C which specifies strong creep and strength above wide temperature range. The density is about 55% of steel with comparable strength. Ti alloys exists in two allotropic forms ÃŽ ± and ÃŽ ² Presence of thin oxide surface film-resistance over atmospher and sea environments including chlorine and organic chemicals. Reacts rapidly with oxygen, nitrogen and constituents in cutting tools at high temperature. 4.3.2 LIMITATIONS Embrittlement occurs during fabrication because of susceptibility of hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Forging with titanium alloys is expensive but it increases the strength of the material. Ti alloys has a tendency to madden when tightening with connecting rod using bolt. Titanium is more difficult to machine due its reactive nature. Niobium Titanium[16] CHAPTER 5 ALTERNATE MANUFACTURING PROCESS 5.1 ALTERNATE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR PISTON 5.1.1 SAND CASTING Sand casting is a one of the most feasible manufacturing process where the unit production is comparatively less. In this process a mixture of sand and clay is compacted around the pattern in which the pattern retains the shape of the original component to be produced. Then the pattern is removed in order have the cavity in the shape of the pattern. Generally low cost wooden patterns with gateways and runner are used. The molten metal is poured into the gateway by which it runs through the runner and fills the cavity and forms the exact shape of the cavity. Actually this whole system is housed in a box called flask. After which the molten metal allowed to solidify by cooling it. As the molten metal is solidified the sand pattern is broken and final work is done to obtain the finished component. The figure below shows the manufacturing process of the sand casting in detail. http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/file.php/1689/T173_2_020i.jpg Fig(8.1) Sand Casting Process [18] 5.1.2ADVANTAGES Low tooling and equipment cost Component with any complicated shape can be produced Relatively cheap process Possibly components can be produced in large quantity. 5.1.3 DISADVANTAGES High tolerance ratio is required Labour cost is high. 5.2 ALTERNATE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR CON-ROD 5.2.1 SQUEEZE DIE CASTING Squeeze die casting or liquid metal casting involves the process of solidification of molten metal under high pressure. The machinery includes a die, punch and ejector-pin. Under the pressure applied by the punch keeps the entrapped gases in solution and the rapid heat transfer takes place at the die-metal contact which results in fine microstructure with good mechanical properties.[ss] Elimination of shrinkage and gas porosity happens because of precise metal metering, quiescent die filling and high pressure. 5.2.2 ADVANTAGES Precise dimension, Excellent surface finish, Fully shaped component is obtained Complex part can be made to near-shape. 5.2.3 DISADVANTAGES High initial cost Limitation of high fluidity metals[20] 5.3 ALTERNATE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR CRANKSHAFT 5.3.1 FORGING In forging operations the metal is squeezed to shape by die in which the metal is subjected to large plastic deformation. These metals are placed in-between closed dies under high temperature and pressure which results in succession of the final shape. http://www.forcast.ca/images/00436_faq1.gif[21] Forgings generally are subjected to additional finishing operations, such as heat treating to modify properties and machining to obtain accurate final dimensions and surface finish. 5.3.2 ADVANTAGES Good utilizations of materials Good dimensional accuracy High production rate Good reproducibility Low die costs 5.3.3 DISADVANTAGES Initial cost is high Not economical for small quantities Machining often necessaries

William Shakespeare :: Essays Papers

William Shakespeare Shakespeare was born in a small English town called Stratford, Avon in 1564. During his lifetime, he composed 37 plays, which are still being performed all around the world. At the age of 18, he married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway. Anne delivered their first child, Susanna, a few short months later. In early 1585, Anne gave birth to twins, a girl Judith and a boy Hamnet. Tragically, Hamnet died at the age of 11 in 1596. Little is known about Shakespeare's life in the late 1580s. In the 1590s, he had began writing plays. Shakespeare became a member of a theater groupe called Lord Chamberlain's Men, and they performed together in front of nobles anand royalty. His early plays include: Henry VI, Richard III, The Comedy of Errors, Titus Andronicus, The Taming of the Shrew, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Love's Labor's Lost, and Romeo and Juliet. His later plays include: Richard II, A MidsummerNight's Dream, King John, The Merchant of Venice, Henry IV, Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, Julius Caesar, As YouLike It, and Twelfth Night, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra. During the 1590s, Shakespeare became famous and gained a great deal of wealth. He bought two very expensive houses in Stratford. From 1592 to 1594, Shakespeare wrote many poems, as the theaters were shut down to stop the spread of the plague that killed thousands of people at the time. In 1599 "The Globe" theater was built. One half of the interest in this famous public playhouse went to the theater patron family, the Burbages. But the other half was divided among five actor-sharers, and Shakespeare was one of them. The Globe was rebuilt in 1614 after a fire and the theater was used till 1644. Historians have gathered enough evidence for an authentic re-creation of Shakespeare's theatre. The new, rebuilt, Globe Theater of the 1990s is only yards away from where the original Globe stood. In 1603, King James VI came to England's throne. He loved the theater and issued a license to the Chamberlain's Men, giving them the title "The Kings Men.

The Global Epidemic of Cesarean Surgery and the Feminist Movement :: Essays Papers

The Global Epidemic of Cesarean Surgery and the Feminist Movement Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland writes in a 2002 paper she presented to the XVIII European Congress of Perinatal Medicine, â€Å"There is an ongoing â€Å"epidemic† of cesarean sections in Asia and Latin America. This worldwide fad of obstetrical interventions may have a serious negative health impact on women. In contrast, the low rates observed in Africa reflect a lack of resources more than a consensus of providers. The commercial and litigation pressures that drive this ‘epidemic’ need to be countered.† Her medical metaphor notwithstanding, this is a serious wake-up call for women to be asking the question, â€Å"What is going on that this phenomenon of major surgery on women is happening on such a wide scale?† We are here faced with the polar opposite extremes in birthing. Seemingly, if a woman has too little prenatal care and education regarding birthing (as in Africa) she may not have the access to a Cesarean when she truly needs it; and at the other end of the spectrum if a woman has enveloped herself in a system that relies too heavily on birthing technologies she may end up with an unnecessary Cesarean surgery. Other paradigms exist for birthing such as in Holland where every woman is provided with a midwife for her birth, and Brazil where the C-section rate tops 80 percent. Yet another microcosmic pocket of birth in the U.S. shows us that C-section rates can be achieved at below 2%. Such are the ranges of Cesarean birthing experiences and corresponding women’s movements that will be explored alongside the politics of birth in this Birthquake research project. Literary Review In doing this project the literature drawn from is largely non-scholarly for the reason that I am prevailing upon the reader to think outside the box about birth. Most of the â€Å"scholarly† research that is available was written by doctors or nurses/nurse midwives who were trained in the medical model of birth. Since part of my premise is that the high rate of Cesarean sections is caused in part by viewing birth as a medical and therefore pathological event, and in part for its emergence as a capitalistic industry, it was then necessary to find literature written by people who have expertise in birthing though not from the traditional obstetrical/medical school approach.

Marmon Group :: essays research papers

Accountants at the Marmon Group, Inc. act as internal consultants for the company in many different capacities. Jim Smith, Marmon’s prior director of cost management says that â€Å"the role of the management accountant is changing dramatically in most of our companies.† Managerial accountants are not seen any longer as simply clerks working on monthly reports but as valuable assets to senior management. Management accountants at Marmon work closely with managers by helping to analyze cost and operating information. They help in decision making by helping managers relate the operations of the company to the bottom line and company costs. According to Horngren, Sundem & Stratton (2005) management accountants are becoming â€Å"an advisor for managers about what information would be useful, what information is available, and how to get the needed information† (pg. 17). These accountants have become a key part of formulating the financial and business strategies of the company and are an essential part of working toward the overall profitability of the organization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Effective managerial accountants need a wide range of knowledge from both the accounting and the financial aspects of the business as well as overall general business administrative knowledge. A background in the use of general accounting practices as well as information for planning and control, performance evaluations, decision-making, and the statement of cash flows, along with financial statement analysis are key areas managerial accountants should have confidence in. To be an effective internal consultant it is vital that a strong understanding of the general functions of the company and how they interrelate to the ultimate profitability of the organization is a large portion of the consultant’s background.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Accountants gather information to be used in different kinds of ways both internally within the organization and externally for the general public and outside agencies. Information is produced for stockholders who may review a prospectus or an annual financial report when determining whether or not to invest in the company. Organizations such as banks and suppliers are given information in determining credit eligibility and purchase arrangements for the company.

Obamacare Essay

â€Å"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.† Those words were famously spoken from Barack Obama during his election period. Following through with those words, he begins to make change in the country. Change isn’t easy, yet you hope it’s worth it in the end. The USA seems to be standing on both sides of the fence when it comes to the changes the President is making with healthcare. March 23, 2010 Obama signed into law Affordable Care Act, or better known as Obamacare. Together with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, it represents the most significant government expansion and regulatory overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 (www.obamacarefacts.com). Obamacare was enacted to provide affordable health insurance to 44 million uninsured Americans and to reduce the growth in health care spending. Obamacare has done some important things already, such as prohibiting insurance companies from dropping your coverage if you get sick and has been working with insurance companies who will not cover a person because of a pre-existing condition. However, as with all change there are two ways at looking at the new bill. Obamacare will drastically affect the low-income families in a positive way. In America healthcare is so difficult to afford for the average low-income family, Obama has placed the care on a sliding scale. The expansion will cover over 15 million low-income individuals and families below the 133% FLP mark. However each state has the option to opt-out of providing coverage for the poor. By not providing coverage for the poor, it will leave 2-3 million people without coverage. States that decide to opt-in employers will have to respond by laying people off and making full time employees part time to avoid Obamacare penalties and taxes by not implementing the program. Others will not expand beyond 50 employees to avoid the bill’s mandate’s (Shenk, 2013). The average consumer will see a difference because some businesses are adding surcharges to invoices in to help make up the cost of healthcare coverage for their employees. On a positive note, there would be no annual or lifetime limits, children can stay on their parent’s plans to age 26; FDA can approve more generic drugs driving prices down and breaking monopolies and protections against discrimination for gender, disabilities and domestic abuse. And there will be significant tax credits to the small businesses with less than 25 employees, to help offset the costs of providing coverage to their employees. Obamacare will certainly challenge the nation over whether it wants a national system to be dependent on Washington or rely on dual federalism that protects freedom. The bill doesn’t allow the American citizen the option, if they want to offer or accept coverage; they have to have it or they will be penalized. That doesn’t allow much freedom of choice, however at least they are being offered the opportunity to coverage. Despite the rocky road Obamacare has had to start, it has lived to see another day and each day the kinks are worked out. This bill is here to stay. So, as cchange isn’t always easy, the average American citizen can say that the law will be beneficial to them as individuals, their families, communities, and country.

Chapter 19 The Hungarian Horntail

The prospect of talking face-to-face with Sirius was all that sustained Harry over the next fortnight, the only bright spot on a horizon that had never looked darker. The shock of finding himself school champion had worn off slightly now, and the fear of what was facing him had started to sink in. The first task was drawing steadily nearer; he felt as though it were crouching ahead of him hike some horrific monster, barring his path. He had never suffered nerves like these; they were way beyond anything he had experienced before a Quidditch match, not even his last one against Slytherin, which had decided who would win the Quidditch Cup. Harry was finding it hard to think about the future at all; he felt as though his whole life had been heading up to, and would finish with, the first task†¦. Admittedly, he didn't see how Sirius was going to make him feel any better about having to perform an unknown piece of difficult and dangerous magic in front of hundreds of people, but the mere sight of a friendly face would be something at the moment. Harry wrote back to Sirius saying that he would be beside the common room fire at the time Sirius had suggested; and he and Hermione spent a long time going over plans for forcing any stragglers out of the common room on the night in question. If the worst came to the worst, they were going to drop a bag of Dungbombs, but they hoped they wouldn't have to resort to that – Filch would skin them alive. In the meantime, life became even worse for Harry within the confines of the castle, for Rita Skeeter had published her piece about the Triwizard Tournament, and it had turned out to be not so much a report on the tournament as a highly colored life story of Harry. Much of the front page had been given over to a picture of Harry; the article (continuing on pages two, six, and seven) had been all about Harry, the names of the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang champions (misspelled) had been squashed into the last line of the article, and Cedric hadn't been mentioned at all. The article had appeared ten days ago, and Harry still got a sick, burning feeling of shame in his stomach every time he thought about it. Rita Skeeter had reported him saying an awful lot of things that he couldn't remember ever saying in his life, let alone in that broom cupboard. I suppose I get my strength from my parents. I know they'd be very proud of me if they could see me now†¦.Yes, sometimes at night I still cry about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it†¦.I know nothing will hurt me during the tournament, because they're watching over me†¦ But Rita Skeeter had gone even further than transforming his â€Å"er's† into long, sickly sentences: She had interviewed other people about him too. Harry has at last found love at Hogwarts. His close friend, Colin Creevey, says that Harry is rarely seen out of the company of one Hermione Granger, a stunningly pretty Muggle-born girl who, like Harry, is one of the top students in the school. From the moment the article had appeared, Harry had had to endure people -Slytherins, mainly – quoting it at him as he passed and making sneering comments. â€Å"Want a hanky, Potter, in case you start crying in Transfiguration?† â€Å"Since when have you been one of the top students in the school, Potter? Or is this a school you and Longbottom have set up together?† â€Å"Hey – Harry!† â€Å"Yeah, that's right!† Harry found himself shouting as he wheeled around in the corridor, having had just about enough. â€Å"I've just been crying my eyes out over my dead mum, and I'm just off to do a bit more†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"No – it was just – you dropped your quill.† It was Cho. Harry felt the color rising in his face. â€Å"Oh – right – sorry,† he muttered, taking the quill back. â€Å"Er†¦good luck on Tuesday,† she said. â€Å"I really hope you do well.† Which left Harry feeling extremely stupid. Hermione had come in for her fair share of unpleasantness too, but she hadn't yet started yelling at innocent bystanders; in fact, Harry was full of admiration for the way she was handling the situation. â€Å"Stunningly pretty? Her?† Pansy Parkinson had shrieked the first time she had come face-to-face with Hermione after Rita's article had appeared. â€Å"What was she judging against – a chipmunk?† â€Å"Ignore it,† Hermione said in a dignified voice, holding her head in the air and stalking past the sniggering Slytherin girls as though she couldn't hear them. â€Å"Just ignore it, Harry.† But Harry couldn't ignore it. Ron hadn't spoken to him at all since he had told him about Snape's detentions. Harry had half hoped they would make things up during the two hours they were forced to pickle rats' brains in Snape's dungeon, but that had been the day Rita's article had appeared, which seemed to have confirmed Ron's belief that Harry was really enjoying all the attention. Hermione was furious with the pair of them; she went from one to the other, trying to force them to talk to each other, but Harry was adamant: He would talk to Ron again only if Ron admitted that Harry hadn't put his name in the Goblet of Fire and apologized for calling him a liar. â€Å"I didn't start this,† Harry said stubbornly. â€Å"It's his problem.† â€Å"You miss him!† Hermione said impatiently. â€Å"And I know he misses you -â€Å" â€Å"Miss him?† said Harry. â€Å"I don't miss him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But this was a downright lie. Harry liked Hermione very much, but she just wasn't the same as Ron. There was much hess laughter and a lot more hanging around in the library when Hermione was your best friend. Harry still hadn't mastered Summoning Charms, he seemed to have developed something of a block about them, and Hermione insisted that learning the theory would help. They consequently spent a lot of time poring over books during their lunchtimes. Viktor Krum was in the library an awful lot too, and Harry wondered what he was up to. Was he studying, or was he looking for things to help him through the first task? Hermione often complained about Krum being there – not that he ever bothered them – but because groups of giggling girls often turned up to spy on him from behind bookshelves, and Hermione found the noise distracting. â€Å"He's not even good-looking!† she muttered angrily, glaring at Krum's sharp profile. â€Å"They only like him because he's famous! They wouldn't look twice at him if he couldn't do that Wonky-Faint thing -â€Å" â€Å"Wronski Feint,† said Harry, through gritted teeth. Quite apart from liking to get Quidditch terms correct, it caused him another pang to imagine Ron's expression if he could have heard Hermione talking about Wonky-Faints. It is a strange thing, but when you are dreading something, and would give anything to slow down time, it has a disobliging habit of speeding up. The days until the first task seemed to slip by as though someone had fixed the clocks to work at double speed. Harry's feeling of barely controlled panic was with him wherever he went, as everpresent as the snide comments about the Daily Prophet article. On the Saturday before the first task, all students in the third year and above were permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade. Hermione told Harry that it would do him good to get away from the castle for a bit, and Harry didn't need much persuasion. â€Å"What about Ron, though?† he said. â€Å"Don't you want to go with him?† â€Å"Oh†¦well†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Hermione went slightly pink. â€Å"I thought we might meet up with him in the Three Broomsticks†¦.† â€Å"No,† said Harry flatly. â€Å"Oh Harry, this is so stupid -â€Å" â€Å"I'll come, but I'm not meeting Ron, and I'm wearing my Invisibility Cloak.† â€Å"Oh all right then†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Hermione snapped, â€Å"but I hate talking to you in that cloak, I never know if I'm looking at you or not.† So Harry put on his Invisibility Cloak in the dormitory, went back downstairs, and together he and Hermione set off for Hogsmeade. Harry felt wonderfully free under the cloak; he watched other students walking past them as they entered the village, most of them sporting Support Cedric Diggory! badges, but no horrible remarks came his way for a change, and nobody was quoting that stupid article. â€Å"People keep looking at me now,† said Hermione grumpily as they came out of Honeydukes Sweetshop later, eating large cream-filled chocolates. â€Å"They think I'm talking to myself.† â€Å"Don't move your lips so much then.† â€Å"Come on, please just take off your cloak for a bit, no one's going to bother you here.† â€Å"Oh yeah?† said Harry. â€Å"Look behind you.† Rita Skeeter and her photographer friend had just emerged from the Three Broomsticks pub. Talking in low voices, they passed right by Hermione without hooking at her. Harry backed into the wall of Honeydukes to stop Rita Skeeter from hitting him with her crocodile-skin handbag. When they were gone, Harry said, â€Å"She's staying in the village. I bet she's coming to watch the first task.† As he said it, his stomach flooded with a wave of molten panic. He didn't mention this; he and Hermione hadn't discussed what was coming in the first task much; he had the feeling she didn't want to think about it. â€Å"She's gone,† said Hermione, looking right through Harry toward the end of the street. â€Å"Why don't we go and have a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks, it's a bit cold, isn't it? You don't have to talk to Ron!† she added irritably, correctly interpreting his silence. The Three Broomsticks was packed, mainly with Hogwarts students enjoying their free afternoon, but also with a variety of magical people Harry rarely saw anywhere else. Harry supposed that as Hogsmeade was the only all-wizard village in Britain, it was a bit of a haven for creatures like hags, who were not as adept as wizards at disguising themselves. It was very hard to move through crowds in the Invisibility Cloak, in case you accidentally trod on someone, which tended to lead to awkward questions. Harry edged slowly toward a spare table in the corner while Hermione went to buy drinks. On his way through the pub, Harry spotted Ron, who was sitting with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. Resisting the urge to give Ron a good hard poke in the back of the head, he finally reached the table and sat down at it. Hermione joined him a moment later and slipped him a butterbeer under his cloak. â€Å"I look like such an idiot, sitting here on my own,† she muttered. â€Å"Lucky I brought something to do.† And she pulled out a notebook in which she had been keeping a record of S.P.E.W. members. Harry saw his and Ron's names at the top of the very short list. It seemed a long time ago that they had sat making up those predictions together, and Hermione had turned up and appointed them secretary and treasurer. â€Å"You know, maybe I should try and get some of the villagers involved in S.P.E.W.,† Hermione said thoughtfully, looking around the pub. â€Å"Yeah, right,† said Harry. He took a swig of butterbeer under his cloak. â€Å"Hermione, when are you going to give up on this spew stuff?† â€Å"When house-elves have decent wages and working conditions!† she hissed back. â€Å"You know, I'm starting to think it's time for more direct action. I wonder how you get into the school kitchens?† â€Å"No idea, ask Fred and George,† said Harry. Hermione lapsed into thoughtful silence, while Harry drank his butterbeer, watching the people in the pub. All of them looked cheerful and relaxed. Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbot were swapping Chocolate Frog cards at a nearby table; both of them sporting Support Cedric Diggory! badges on their cloaks. Right over by the door he saw Cho and a large group of her Ravenclaw friends. She wasn't wearing a Cedric badge though†¦.This cheered up Harry very slightly†¦. What wouldn't he have given to be one of these people, sitting around laughing and talking, with nothing to worry about but homework? He imagined how it would have felt to be here if his name hadn't come out of the Goblet of Fire. He wouldn't be wearing the Invisibility Cloak, for one thing. Ron would be sitting with him. The three of them would probably be happily imagining what deadly dangerous task the school champions would be facing on Tuesday. He'd have been really hooking forward to it, watching them do whatever it was†¦cheering on Cedric with everyone else, safe in a seat at the back of the stands†¦ He wondered how the other champions were feeling. Every time he had seen Cedric lately, he had been surrounded by admirers and looking nervous but excited. Harry glimpsed Fleur Delacour from time to time in the corridors; she looked exactly as she always did, haughty and unruffled. And Krum just sat in the library, poring over books. Harry thought of Sirius, and the tight, tense knot in his chest seemed to ease slightly. He would be speaking to him in just over twelve hours, for tonight was the night they were meeting at the common room fire – assuming nothing went wrong, as everything else had done lately†¦ â€Å"Look, it's Hagrid!† said Hermione. The back of Hagrid's enormous shaggy head – he had mercifully abandoned his bunches – emerged over the crowd. Harry wondered why he hadn't spotted him at once, as Hagrid was so large, but standing up carefully, he saw that Hagrid had been leaning low, talking to Professor Moody. Hagrid had his usual enormous tankard in front of him, but Moody was drinking from his hip flask. Madam Rosmerta, the pretty landlady, didn't seem to think much of this; she was looking askance at Moody as she collected glasses from tables around them. Perhaps she thought it was an insult to her mulled mead, but Harry knew better. Moody had told them all during their last Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson that he preferred to prepare his own food and drink at all times, as it was so easy for Dark wizards to poison an unattended cup. As Harry watched, he saw Hagrid and Moody get up to leave. He waved, then remembered that Hagrid couldn't see him. Moody, however, paused, his magical eye on the corner where Harry was standing. He tapped Hagrid in the small of the back (being unable to reach his shoulder), muttered something to him, and then the pair of them made their way back across the pub toward Harry and Hermione's table. â€Å"All right, Hermione?† said Hagrid loudly. â€Å"Hello,† said Hermione, smiling back. Moody limped around the table and bent down; Harry thought he was reading the S.P.E.W. notebook, until he muttered, â€Å"Nice cloak, Potter.† Harry stared at him in amazement. The large chunk missing from Moody's nose was particularly obvious at a few inches' distance. Moody grinned. â€Å"Can your eye – I mean, can you -?† â€Å"Yeah, it can see through Invisibility Cloaks,† Moody said quietly. â€Å"And it's come in useful at times, I can tell you.† Hagrid was beaming down at Harry too. Harry knew Hagrid couldn't see him, but Moody had obviously told Hagrid he was there. Hagrid now bent down on the pretext of reading the S.P.E.W. notebook as well, and said in a whisper so low that only Harry could hear it, â€Å"Harry, meet me tonight at midnight at me cabin. Wear that cloak.† Straightening up, Hagrid said loudly, â€Å"Nice ter see yeh, Hermione,† winked, and departed. Moody followed him. â€Å"Why does Hagrid want me to meet him at midnight?† Harry said, very surprised. â€Å"Does he?† said Hermione, looking startled. â€Å"I wonder what he's up to? I don't know whether you should go, Harry†¦.† She looked nervously around and hissed, â€Å"It might make you late for Sirius.† It was true that going down to Hagrid's at midnight would mean cutting his meeting with Sirius very fine indeed; Hermione suggested sending Hedwig down to Hagrid's to tell him he couldn't go – always assuming she would consent to take the note, of course – Harry, however, thought it better just to be quick at whatever Hagrid wanted him for. He was very curious to know what this might be; Hagrid had never asked Harry to visit him so late at night. At half past eleven that evening, Harry, who had pretended to go up to bed early, pulled the Invisibility Cloak back over himself and crept back downstairs through the common room. Quite a few people were still in there. The Creevey brothers had managed to get hold of a stack of Support Cedric Diggory! badges and were trying to bewitch them to make them say Support Harry Potter! instead. So far, however, all they had managed to do was get the badges stuck on POTTER STINKS. Harry crept past them to the portrait hole and waited for a minute or so, keeping an eye on his watch. Then Hermione opened the Fat Lady for him from outside as they had planned. He slipped past her with a whispered â€Å"Thanks!† and set off through the castle. The grounds were very dark. Harry walked down the lawn toward the lights shining in Hagrid's cabin. The inside of the enormous Beauxbatons carriage was also lit up; Harry could hear Madame Maxime talking inside it as he knocked on Hagrid's front door. â€Å"You there, Harry?† Hagrid whispered, opening the door and looking around. â€Å"Yeah,† said Harry, slipping inside the cabin and pulling the cloak down off his head. â€Å"What's up?† â€Å"Got summat ter show yeh,† said Hagrid. There was an air of enormous excitement about Hagrid. He was wearing a flower that resembled an oversized artichoke in his buttonhole. It looked as though he had abandoned the use of axle grease, but he had certainly attempted to comb his hair – Harry could see the comb's broken teeth tangled in it. â€Å"What're you showing me?† Harry said warily, wondering if the skrewts had laid eggs, or Hagrid had managed to buy another giant three-headed dog off a stranger in a pub. â€Å"Come with me, keep quiet, an' keep yerself covered with that cloak,† said Hagrid. â€Å"We won' take Fang, he won' like it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Listen, Hagrid, I can't stay long†¦.I've got to be back up at the castle by one o'clock -â€Å" But Hagrid wasn't listening; he was opening the cabin door and striding off into the night. Harry hurried to follow and found, to his great surprise, that Hagrid was leading him to the Beauxbatons carriage. â€Å"Hagrid, what -?† â€Å"Shhh!† said Hagrid, and he knocked three times on the door bearing the crossed golden wands. Madame Maxime opened it. She was wearing a silk shawl wrapped around her massive shoulders. She smiled when she saw Hagrid. â€Å"Ah, ‘Agrid†¦it is time?† â€Å"Bong-sewer,† said Hagrid, beaming at her, and holding out a hand to help her down the golden steps. Madame Maxime closed the door behind her, Hagrid offered her his arm, and they set off around the edge of the paddock containing Madame Maxime's giant winged horses, with Harry, totally bewildered, running to keep up with them. Had Hagrid wanted to show him Madame Maxime? He could see her any old time he wanted†¦she wasn't exactly hard to miss†¦. But it seemed that Madame Maxime was in for the same treat as Harry, because after a while she said playfully, â€Å"Wair is it you are taking me, ‘Agrid?† â€Å"Yeh'll enjoy this,† said Hagrid gruffly, â€Å"worth seein', trust me. On'y – don' go tellin' anyone I showed yeh, right? Yeh're not s'posed ter know.† â€Å"Of course not,† said Madame Maxime, fluttering her long black eyelashes. And still they walked, Harry getting more and more irritated as he jogged along in their wake, checking his watch every now and then. Hagrid had some harebrained scheme in hand, which might make him miss Sirius. If they didn't get there soon, he was going to turn around, go straight back to the castle, and leave Hagrid to enjoy his moonlit stroll with Madame Maxime†¦. But then – when they had walked so far around the perimeter of the forest that the castle and the lake were out of sight – Harry heard something. Men were shouting up ahead†¦then came a deafening, earsplitting roar†¦ Hagrid led Madame Maxime around a clump of trees and came to a halt. Harry hurried up alongside them – for a split second, he thought he was seeing bonfires, and men darting around them – and then his mouth fell open. Dragons. Four fully grown, enormous, vicious-looking dragons were rearing onto their hind legs inside an enclosure fenced with thick planks of wood, roaring and snorting – torrents of fire were shooting into the dark sky from their open, fanged mouths, fifty feet above the ground on their outstretched necks. There was a silvery-blue one with long, pointed horns, snapping and snarling at the wizards on the ground; a smooth-scaled green one, which was writhing and stamping with all its might; a red one with an odd fringe of fine gold spikes around its face, which was shooting mushroom-shaped fire clouds into the air; and a gigantic black one, more lizard-hike than the others, which was nearest to them. At least thirty wizards, seven or eight to each dragon, were attempting to control them, pulling on the chains connected to heavy leather straps around their necks and legs. Mesmerized, Harry looked up, high above him, and saw the eyes of the black dragon, with vertical pupils like a cat's, bulging with either fear or rage, he couldn't tell which†¦.It was making a horrible noise, a yowling, screeching scream†¦. â€Å"Keep back there, Hagrid!† yelled a wizard near the fence, straining on the chain he was holding. â€Å"They can shoot fire at a range of twenty feet, you know! I've seen this Horntail do forty!† â€Å"Is'n' it beautiful?† said Hagrid softly. â€Å"It's no good!† yelled another wizard. â€Å"Stunning Spells, on the count of three!† Harry saw each of the dragon keepers pull out his wand. â€Å"Stupefy!† they shouted in unison, and the Stunning Spells shot into the darkness like fiery rockets, bursting in showers of stars on the dragons' scaly hides – Harry watched the dragon nearest to them teeter dangerously on its back legs; its jaws stretched wide in a silent howl; its nostrils were suddenly devoid of flame, though still smoking – then, very slowly, it fell. Several tons of sinewy, scaly-black dragon hit the ground with a thud that Harry could have sworn made the trees behind him quake. The dragon keepers lowered their wands and walked forward to their fallen charges, each of which was the size of a small hill. They hurried to tighten the chains and fasten them securely to iron pegs, which they forced deep into the ground with their wands. â€Å"Wan' a closer look?† Hagrid asked Madame Maxime excitedly. The pair of them moved right up to the fence, and Harry followed. The wizard who had warned Hagrid not to come any closer turned, and Harry realized who it was: Charlie Weasley. â€Å"All right, Hagrid?† he panted, coming over to talk. â€Å"They should be okay now – we put them out with a Sleeping Draft on the way here, thought it might be better for them to wake up in the dark and the quiet – but, like you saw, they weren't happy, not happy at all -â€Å" â€Å"What breeds you got here, Charlie?† said Hagrid, gazing at the closest dragon, the black one, with something chose to reverence. Its eyes were still just open. Harry could see a strip of gleaming yellow beneath its wrinkled black eyelid. â€Å"This is a Hungarian Horntail,† said Charlie. â€Å"There's a Common Welsh Green over there, the smaller one – a Swedish Short-Snout, that blue-gray – and a Chinese Fireball, that's the red.† Charlie looked around; Madame Maxime was strolling away around the edge of the enclosure, gazing at the stunned dragons. â€Å"I didn't know you were bringing her, Hagrid,† Charlie said, frowning. â€Å"The champions aren't supposed to know what's coming – she's bound to tell her student, isn't she?† â€Å"Jus' thought she'd like ter see 'em,† shrugged Hagrid, still gazing, enraptured, at the dragons. â€Å"Really romantic date, Hagrid,† said Charlie, shaking his head. â€Å"Four†¦Ã¢â‚¬  said Hagrid, â€Å"so it's one fer each o' the champions, is it? What've they gotta do – fight 'em?† â€Å"Just get past them, I think,† said Charlie. â€Å"We'll be on hand if it gets nasty, Extinguishing Spells at the ready. They wanted nesting mothers, I don't know why†¦but I tell you this, I don't envy the one who gets the Horntail. Vicious thing. Its back end's as dangerous as its front, look.† Charlie pointed toward the Horntail's tail, and Harry saw long, bronze-colored spikes protruding along it every few inches. Five of Charlie's fellow keepers staggered up to the Horntail at that moment, carrying a clutch of huge granite-gray eggs between them in a blanket. They placed them carefully at the Horntail's side. Hagrid let out a moan of longing. â€Å"I've got them counted, Hagrid,† said Charlie sternly. Then he said, â€Å"How's Harry?† â€Å"Fine,† said Hagrid. He was still gazing at the eggs. â€Å"Just hope he's still fine after he's faced this lot,† said Charlie grimly, looking out over the dragons' enclosure. â€Å"I didn't dare tell Mum what he's got to do for the first task; she's already having kittens about him†¦.† Charlie imitated his mother's anxious voice. â€Å"‘How could they let him enter that tournament, he's much too young! I thought they were all safe, I thought there was going to be an age limit!' She was in floods after that Daily Prophet article about him. ‘He still cries about his parents! Oh bless him, I never knew!'† Harry had had enough. Trusting to the fact that Hagrid wouldn't miss him, with the attractions of four dragons and Madame Maxime to occupy him, he turned silently and began to walk away, back to the castle. He didn't know whether he was glad he'd seen what was coming or not. Perhaps this way was better. The first shock was over now. Maybe if he'd seen the dragons for the first time on Tuesday, he would have passed out cold in front of the whole school†¦but maybe he would anyway†¦.He was going to be armed with his wand – which, just now, felt like nothing more than a narrow strip of wood – against a fifty-foot-high, scaly, spike-ridden, fire-breathing dragon. And he had to get past it. With everyone watching. How? Harry sped up, skirting the edge of the forest; he had just under fifteen minutes to get back to the fireside and talk to Sirius, and he couldn't remember, ever, wanting to talk to someone more than he did right now – when, without warning, he ran into something very solid. Harry fell backward, his glasses askew, clutching the cloak around him. A voice nearby said, â€Å"Ouch! Who's there?† Harry hastily checked that the cloak was covering him and hay very still, staring up at the dark outline of the wizard he had hit. He recognized the goatee†¦it was Karkaroff. â€Å"Who's there?† said Karkaroff again, very suspiciously, looking around in the darkness. Harry remained still and silent. After a minute or so, Karkaroff seemed to decide that he had hit some sort of animal; he was looking around at waist height, as though expecting to see a dog. Then he crept back under the cover of the trees and started to edge forward toward the place where the dragons were. Very slowly and very carefully, Harry got to his feet and set off again as fast as he could without making too much noise, hurrying through the darkness back toward Hogwarts. He had no doubt whatsoever what Karkaroff was up to. He had sneaked off his ship to try and find out what the first task was going to be. He might even have spotted Hagrid and Madame Maxime heading off around the forest together – they were hardly difficult to spot at a distance†¦and now all Karkaroff had to do was follow the sound of voices, and he, like Madame Maxime, would know what was in store for the champions. By the looks of it, the only champion who would be facing the unknown on Tuesday was Cedric. Harry reached the castle, slipped in through the front doors, and began to climb the marble stairs; he was very out of breath, but he didn't dare slow down†¦.He had less than five minutes to get up to the fire†¦. â€Å"Balderdash!† he gasped at the Fat Lady, who was snoozing in her frame in front of the portrait hole. â€Å"If you say so,† she muttered sleepily, without opening her eyes, and the picture swung forward to admit him. Harry climbed inside. The common room was deserted, and, judging by the fact that it smelled quite normal, Hermione had not needed to set off any Dungbombs to ensure that he and Sirius got privacy. Harry pulled off the Invisibility Cloak and threw himself into an armchair in front of the fire. The room was in semidarkness; the flames were the only source of light. Nearby, on a table, the Support Cedric Diggory! badges the Creeveys had been trying to improve were glinting in the firelight. They now read POTTER REALLY STINKS. Harry looked back into the flames, and jumped. Sirius's head was sitting in the fire. If Harry hadn't seen Mr. Diggory do exactly this back in the Weasleys' kitchen, it would have scared him out of his wits. Instead, his face breaking into the first smile he had worn for days, he scrambled out of his chair, crouched down by the hearth, and said, â€Å"Sirius – how're you doing?† Sirius looked different from Harry's memory of him. When they had said good-bye, Sirius's face had been gaunt and sunken, surrounded by a quantity of long, black, matted hair – but the hair was short and clean now, Sirius's face was fuller, and he looked younger, much more like the only photograph Harry had of him, which had been taken at the Potters' wedding. â€Å"Never mind me, how are you?† said Sirius seriously. â€Å"I'm -† For a second, Harry tried to say â€Å"fine† – but he couldn't do it. Before he could stop himself, he was talking more than he'd talked in days – about how no one believed he hadn't entered the tournament of his own free will, how Rita Skeeter had lied about him in the Daily Prophet, how he couldn't walk down a corridor without being sneered at – and about Ron, Ron not believing him, Ron's jealousy†¦ â€Å"†¦and now Hagrid's just shown me what's coming in the first task, and it's dragons, Sirius, and I'm a goner,† he finished desperately. Sirius looked at him, eyes full of concern, eyes that had not yet lost the look that Azkaban had given them – that deadened, haunted look He had let Harry talk himself into silence without interruption, but now he said, â€Å"Dragons we can deal with, Harry, but we'll get to that in a minute – I haven't got long here†¦I've broken into a wizarding house to use the fire, but they could be back at any time. There are things I need to warn you about.† â€Å"What?† said Harry, feeling his spirits slip a further few notches†¦.Surely there could be nothing worse than dragons coming? â€Å"Karkaroff,† said Sirius. â€Å"Harry, he was a Death Eater. You know what Death Eaters are, don't you?† â€Å"Yes – he – what?† â€Å"He was caught, he was in Azkaban with me, but he got released. I'd bet everything that's why Dumbledore wanted an Auror at Hogwarts this year – to keep an eye on him. Moody caught Karkaroff. Put him into Azkaban in the first place.† â€Å"Karkaroff got released?† Harry said slowly – his brain seemed to be struggling to absorb yet another piece of shocking information. â€Å"Why did they release him?† â€Å"He did a deal with the Ministry of Magic,† said Sirius bitterly. â€Å"He said he'd seen the error of his ways, and then he named names†¦he put a load of other people into Azkaban in his place†¦.He's not very popular in there, I can tell you. And since he got out, from what I can tell, he's been teaching the Dark Arts to every student who passes through that school of his. So watch out for the Durmstrang champion as well.† â€Å"Okay,† said Harry slowly. â€Å"But†¦are you saying Karkaroff put my name in the goblet? Because if he did, he's a really good actor. He seemed furious about it. He wanted to stop me from competing.† â€Å"We know he's a good actor,† said Sirius, â€Å"because he convinced the Ministry of Magic to set him free, didn't he? Now, I've been keeping an eye on the Daily Prophet, Harry -â€Å" â€Å"- you and the rest of the world,† said Harry bitterly. â€Å"- and reading between the lines of that Skeeter woman's article last month, Moody was attacked the night before he started at Hogwarts. Yes, I know she says it was another false alarm,† Sirius said hastily, seeing Harry about to speak, â€Å"but I don't think so, somehow. I think someone tried to stop him from getting to Hogwarts. I think someone knew their job would be a lot more difficult with him around. And no one's going to look into it too closely; Mad-Eye's heard intruders a bit too often. But that doesn't mean he can't still spot the real thing. Moody was the best Auror the Ministry ever had.† â€Å"So†¦what are you saying?† said Harry slowly. â€Å"Karkaroff's trying to kill me? But – why?† Sirius hesitated. â€Å"I've been nearing some very strange things,† he said slowly. â€Å"The Death Eaters seem to be a bit more active than usual lately. They showed themselves at the Quidditch World Cup, didn't they? Someone set off the Dark Mark†¦and then – did you hear about that Ministry of Magic witch who's gone missing?† â€Å"Bertha Jorkins?† said Harry. â€Å"Exactly†¦she disappeared in Albania, and that's definitely where Voldemort was rumored to be last†¦and she would have known the Triwizard Tournament was coming up, wouldn't she?† â€Å"Yeah, but†¦it's not very likely she'd have walked straight into Voldemort, is it?† said Harry. â€Å"Listen, I knew Bertha Jorkins,† said Sirius grimly. â€Å"She was at Hogwarts when I was, a few years above your dad and me. And she was an idiot. Very nosy, but no brains, none at all. It's not a good combination, Harry. I'd say she'd be very easy to lure into a trap.† â€Å"So†¦so Voldemort could have found out about the tournament?† said Harry. â€Å"Is that what you mean? You think Karkaroff might be here on his orders?† â€Å"I don't know,† said Sirius slowly, â€Å"I just don't know†¦Karkaroff doesn't strike me as the type who'd go back to Voldemort unless he knew Voldemort was powerful enough to protect him. But whoever put your name in that goblet did it for a reason, and I can't help thinking the tournament would be a very good way to attack you and make it hook like an accident.† â€Å"Looks hike a really good plan from where I'm standing,† said Harry grinning bleaky. â€Å"They'll just have to stand back and let the dragons do their stuff.† â€Å"Right – these dragons,† said Sirius, speaking very quickly now. â€Å"There's a way, Harry. Don't be tempted to try a Stunning Spell – dragons are strong and too powerfully magical to be knocked out by a single Stunner, you need about half a dozen wizards at a time to overcome a dragon -â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, I know, I just saw,† said Harry. â€Å"But you can do it alone,† said Sirius. â€Å"There is away, and a simple spell's all you need. Just -â€Å" But Harry held up a hand to silence him, his heart suddenly pounding as though it would burst. He could hear footsteps coming down the spiral staircase behind him. â€Å"Go!† he hissed at Sirius. † Go! There's someone coming!† Harry scrambled to his feet, hiding the fire – if someone saw Sirius's face within the walls of Hogwarts, they would raise an almighty uproar – the Ministry would get dragged in – he, Harry, would be questioned about Sirius's whereabouts – Harry heard a tiny pop! in the fire behind him and knew Sirius had gone. He watched the bottom of the spiral staircase. Who had decided to go for a stroll at one o'clock in the morning, and stopped Sirius from telling him how to get past a dragon? It was Ron. Dressed in his maroon paisley pajamas, Ron stopped dead facing Harry across the room, and looked around. â€Å"Who were you talking to?† he said. â€Å"What's that got to do with you?† Harry snarled. â€Å"What are you doing down here at this time of night?† â€Å"I just wondered where you -† Ron broke off, shrugging. â€Å"Nothing. I'm going back to bed.† â€Å"Just thought you'd come nosing around, did you?† Harry shouted. He knew that Ron had no idea what he'd walked in on, knew he hadn't done it on purpose, but he didn't care – at this moment he hated everything about Ron, right down to the several inches of bare ankle showing beneath his pajama trousers. â€Å"Sorry about that,† said Ron, his face reddening with anger. â€Å"Should've realized you didn't want to be disturbed. I'll let you get on with practicing for your next interview in peace.† Harry seized one of the POTTER REALLY STINKS badges off the table and chucked it, as hard as he could, across the room. It hit Ron on the forehead and bounced off. â€Å"There you go,† Harry said. â€Å"Something for you to wear on Tuesday. You might even have a scar now, if yon're lucky†¦.That's what you want, isn't it?† He strode across the room toward the stairs; he half expected Ron to stop him, he would even have liked Ron to throw a punch at him, but Ron just stood there in his too-small pajamas, and Harry, having stormed upstairs, lay awake in bed fuming for a long time afterward and didn't hear him come up to bed.