Investigate and explain the concept of “whole-of-life costs” of engineered products, services and infrastructure.
Outline the benefits to consumers, society and the environment if these costs can be reduced.
Illustrate your answer by describing a case study, relevant to your engineering discipline, in which the engineering design of a product, service or infrastructure has successfully reduced its whole-of-life costs.
Case Study
You are the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a listed Australian public company contemplating a share buy-back in the next six months. The CEO of the company is asking you to have a close look at the current half-year report due to be published shortly before the proposed share buy-back announcement.
You know there are several methods of reducing the current half-year profits, such as deferring sales to the next half-year period or bringing forward expenses from the next half-year period, which may cause the share price to fall prior to the share buy-back announcement. You also know that you can structure the buy-back in such a way that the majority of the cash paid is allocated to dividends that will absorb unused franking credits. Using this approach, a small amount would also be allocated to capital repayment, giving shareholders a capital loss for tax purposes so that the buy-back can be targeted at a price that is a discount on the prevailing market price.
Adapted from Gitman et al 6th edition, p 557.
Questions
1. Assuming that all ordinary shareholders of the company will have equal access to the proposed buy-back, briefly outline the regulatory requirements that must be followed by the company. What is the purpose of these measures? ( Maximum 100 words)
2. Explain why the company may want the share price to fall before the buy-back announcement. Discuss the suggested methods of reducing the half-year profit. In your discussion , consider the legal implications (including compliance with accounting standards) as well as the ethical implications. (Maximum 400 words)
3. Explain what is meant by “ allocating the majority of the cash paid to dividends”. What are the advantages (if any) of this strategy for the company? What are the advantages (if any) of this strategy for the shareholder? (Maximum 200 words)
a) describe and define what is meant by social systems, and explain the interrelationships and interdependence between individuals, communities and social structures
b) explain social systems of governance, globalisation, media, information communication technology, education, health and analyse how these systems shape and constrain opportunities and wellbeing of individuals in society
c) identify the key trends of globalisation and individualisation and analyse how these reshape personal identities and relationships
d) apply sociological concepts and thinking to contemporary social issues and everyday examples
e) reflect upon key changes in contemporary society including their own place in society
The textbook for this unit is: Gemov, J., & Poole, M. (2011). Public sociology: An introduction to Australian society (2nd ed.). Sydney, Australia: Allen & Unwin.
Locate at least two peer-reviewed sources for each of the three theories of change that you study. In addition, conduct research on the cross-cultural issues associated with change and change management.
Address the following in the first half of your paper:
• Describe at least three internal and external drivers of change for the organization in this simulation.
• What factors does a leader in this organization need to weigh to implement a change strategy successfully?
• What kinds of resistance might the leader expect to see? Identify and explain at least five types of resistance. What strategies might you employ to manage each of these areas of resistance?
• How might leadership styles influence the effectiveness of the change management process? Utilize at least two sources.
• What did you learn in this simulation with regard to change management? How might you apply this to changes in your organization?
1) Use “Roddy and Ganz Worksheets” (2-separate worksheets below) to complete an assessment of the research studies:
“Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines: A New System to Better Determine True Strength of Recommendation” by Roddy et al., (uploaded)
And
“ICU Nurses’ Oral-Care Practices and the Current Best Evidence” by Ganz et al. (uploaded)
2) In a paper (1,000-1,250 words), analyze and support whether you believe that the changes recommended are statistically valid and sound enough to make practice changes in a hospital.
What was the research question?
What were the independent variables?
What was the dependent variable?
What was the sample size and how was it chosen?
What was the experimental design and use of control group?
Were the instruments of measurement shown to be reliable and valid?
What data types were included?
Describe the statistics used, what they were used for, and the results.
What were the researchers’ conclusions? How did they answer the research question(s)?
How was error controlled?
Details:
1) Write a paper regarding the use of the Spearman rank correlation coefficient by Messina, et al. in “The Relationship between Patient Satisfaction and Inpatient Admissions Across Teaching and Nonteaching Hospitals,” listed in the module readings.
2) Comment on what variables were used; whether it answered the research question; and whether the Spearman rank correlation coefficient is appropriately used, given the requirements of the Spearman rank correlation coefficient.
What was the research question?
What were the independent variables?
What was the dependent variable?
What was the sample size and how was it chosen?
What was the experimental design and use of control group?
Were the instruments of measurement shown to be reliable and valid?
What data types were included?
Describe the statistics used, what they were used for, and the results.
What were the researchers’ conclusions? How did they answer the research question(s)?
How was error controlled?
Did you see any concerns with the research study? If so, what?
Questions
Q6.1 Discuss the finite-difference time-domain method.
Q6.2 What are some of the commonly encountered PDEs? What methods are
used to solve them?
Q6.3 Discuss the scaling of Monte Carlo methods for high-dimensional integration.
Q6.4 Why would we use a Lorentzian distribution rather than a Gaussian distribution
for Monte Carlo integration when we don’t know an upper bound
for the function?
Q6.5 What are other commonly used Monte Carlo methods?
Q6.6 What other applications are there for random numbers?
Exercises—due Friday 31st October
Required
The grade of 1–5 awarded for these exercises is based on the required exercises. If all of
the required exercises are completed correctly, a grade of 5 will be obtained.
R6.1 Q1 in Sauer computer problems 8.1, 8.2, or 8.3. (One of these will do. If you
want to do more, see additional exercises below!)
a) From Sauer 8.1: Solve ut = 2uxx for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ t ≤ 1, for the sets
of boundary conditions
i. u(x, 0) = 2 cosh x for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
u(0, t) = 2 exp(2t) for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1
u(1, t) = (exp(2) + 1) exp(2t − 1) for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1
ii. u(x, 0) = exp x for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
u(0, t) = exp(2t) for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1
u(1, t) = exp(2t + 1) for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1
MODULE 6. 65
using the forward difference method for step sizes h = 0.1 and
k = 0.002. Plot the approximate solution (the mesh command might
be useful). What happens if you use k > 0.003? Compare with the
exact solutions if possible.
b) From Sauer 8.2: Solve the following initial–boundary value problems
using the finite difference method with h = 0.05 and k = h/c. Plot the
solutions.
i. utt = 16uxx
u(x, 0) = sin(πx) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
ut(x, 0) = 0 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
u(0, t) = 0 for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1
u(1, t) = 0 for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1
(Solution is u(x, t) = sin(πx) cos(4πt))
ii. utt = 4uxx
u(x, 0) = exp(−x) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
ut(x, 0) = −2 exp(−x) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
u(0, t) = exp(−2t) for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1
u(1, t) = exp(−1 − 2t) for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1
(Solution is u(x, t) = exp(−x − 2t))
c) FromSauer 8.1: Solve the Laplace equation for the following boundary
conditions using the finite difference method with h = k = 0.1. Plot
the solutions.
i. u(x, 0) = sin(πx) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
u(x, 1) = exp(−π) sin(πx) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
u(0, y) = 0 for 0 ≤ y ≤ 1
u(1, y) = 0 for 0 ≤ y ≤ 1
(Solution is u(x, y) = exp(−π y) sin(πx))
ii. u(x, 0) = 0 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
u(x, 1) = 0 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
u(0, y) = 0 for 0 ≤ y ≤ 1
u(1, y) = sinh π sin(π y) for 0 ≤ y ≤ 1
(Solution is u(x, y) = sinh(πx) sin(π y))
R6.2 Use a Monte Carlo method to find the area of a circle, the volume of a
sphere, and so on, for higher-dimensional “circles” and “spheres”. Make a
statistical estimate of the accuracy of your result, and compare with known
results.
Additional
Attempts at these exercises can earn additional marks, but will not count towards the
grade of 1–5 for the exercises. Completing all of these exercises does not mean that 4
marks will be obtained—the marks depend on the quality of the answers. It is possible to
earn all 4 marks without completing all of these additional exercises.
A6.1 Selections from Sauer computer problems 8.1, 8.2, 8.3.
A6.2 Find a PDE solver. Discuss the code, if source code is available. Test, and
discuss.
A6.3 Find or implement code for high-dimensional optmisation. Test, and discuss.
66 COSC2500/COSC7500—Semester 2, 2014
A6.4 Implement Monte Carlo integration for circles, spheres, etc., using C or
some other compiled language. Compare the performance of your code
with your Matlab version. Investigate the effect of using single precision
instead of double precision.
Using EITHER Scenario A or Scenario B below please answer the following questions:
1. Investigate and outline the prevalence/incidence of Depression or Postnatal Depression (depending on the scenario you have chosen) in Australia – Your answer needs to cover: hospitalisations, gender, age groups and specific risk groups.
2. Using current literature discuss TWO (2) factors that may have contributed to the development of either Sally or Marie’s mental illnesses.
3. Using current literature discuss TWO (2) ethico-legal issues related to your scenario.
4. Identify TWO (2) nursing/midwifery problems with evidence from your chosen scenario- Your risk identification should be focused on the next 1-5 days of nursing/midwifery care for Sally or Marie.
5. For each nursing/midwifery problem you have identified in Question 4, outline and describe TWO (2) evidenced based nursing/midwifery interventions and rationales – Your interventions should be focused on nursing/midwifery care for Sally or Marie over the next 1-5 days. Each intervention and rationale must be supported by current literature.
Important details about your assessment
• The use of tables or column layouts to answer questions 4 and 5 is encouraged
Scenario A- Sally Weston
Sally is a 35-year-old woman who has ‘never had a sick day in her life’. She and her partner, Pete, have recently had Becky, their first baby, after five years trying to conceive. The couple achieved this pregnancy following several attempts using Assisted Reproductive Technology. Sally gave up work as a primary school teacher at 36 weeks and plans to spend the next 5 years at home looking after Becky. Sally attended all antenatal care; her Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during pregnancy was scored at two (2) and her Antenatal Risk Questionnaire (ANRQ) score was eleven (11), (the highest scoring item indicated that she “likes to have a tidy house”). Pete and Sally have attended the post natal clinic at the local hospital to see the midwife this morning. It is now five weeks since Becky’s birth. They have left Becky with her grandmother while they have come to the clinic. Pete states he has been worried and concerned about Sally, she seems to be crying all the time for no reason and the house is more untidy than he has ever seen it. Pete and Sally are both complaining that Becky won’t sleep. Sally states “I feel really distant from her, I am tired all of the time”. On further assessment the following details were revealed: Sally has a family history of depression, she describes her mother as always “being down”, “it was hard as a kid with mum being like that” and has an aunt that is “always anxious”. Pete has no history of mental illness in his family “that I know of”. Sally states she is on no medication as “I don’t want to hurt Becky”. Today Sally has scored a ten (10) on the EPDS. Sally states “isn’t this meant to be a happy time, I cannot seem to do anything right, I was not meant to be a mother after all”. The midwife outlines that what is happening for Sally right now could be symptoms of postnatal depression, but further assessment is required. The midwife explains to Sally she would like her to see the on-call medical officer in the next hour. Sally is reluctant but agrees to the assessment.
Scenario B-Marie Malouf
Marie Malouf is a 45 year old woman and lives with her husband David and their four children (three boys aged 15, 12 & 9 and one 4 year old daughter). Marie’s elderly parents live three doors down the road from her. Marie and her family migrated to Australia from Lebanon 10 years ago. Marie’s primary role has been caring for her family and her parents over the past 10 years. She has supported her husband in his business activities for many years. Marie enjoys cooking and spending time with her friends from the soccer club, which she has not done for some time as she has felt that she has not had time since her husband became unwell. David Malouf, her husband, has recently undergone treatment for bowel cancer and he is recovering at home following bowel surgery. Marie has found the past few months very stressful. Marie has today made an appointment to see her local GP to talk about her problems sleeping. Marie reports that over the past 4-6 weeks her sleeping problem is getting worse. I can’t get to sleep and when I do I wake up at 4 am I cannot get back to sleep”, She reports she has lost weight in the past few weeks, but states “I have not felt like eating, no enjoyment any more, I cook for the family”. Marie states “I feels tired all the time and have no energy, and I feel down”. Marie’s mother Miriam suffered from depression many years ago when Marie was a teenager in Lebanon. Marie reports her motherwould often stay in bed all day for a few days at a time. Her GP asks her if she has had any thoughts of suicide and Marie states “no, I would not do that, never. I have the children”. Her GP informs her he believes she is suffering from depression and makes an appointment for her to see a psychologist and gives her a script for antidepressant medications to start right away.
VehicleHire is a large chain of vehicle rental company over 500 stores distributed over all states in Australia. VehicleHire lends vehicles such as cars, trucks, vans and buses. Customers can rent products online via the VehicleHire website, as well as from rental stores. The stores also sell drinks, candies, posters, traveling maps and VIP/Gift cards etc. The revenue of the company is generated by rental fees, possible overdue fees (collected as part of returns). Rental price may vary between sessions, promotion periods or special events. The company management decides to create an information system for the business management. The description of the current business has sent to your as follows:
Vehicle rental related processes:
• Vehicles can be booked by phone or the Internet in advance, or directly requested at a local office.
o When customers book a vehicle on the Internet, the category of the vehicle and the list of available vehicles with prices are displayed to customers for selection. The customers enter their personal information, drive license and credit card numbers to get the booking number.
o When a customer is in a local office, the office clerk checks the availability of the vehicle requested by the customer and processes the request directly if the vehicle is available. The customer’s information such as name, drive license and phone number will be taken by the clerk. The booking number will be issued and recorded in the system or the customer can directly hire the vehicle for processing the contract in next step. Otherwise, clerk apologizes to the driver that the vehicle is not available.
• When the customer collects the vehicle, the office clerk checks the booked vehicle. Before the vehicle can be handed over to the customer, a contract is drawn up stipulating the rental period, the rental rate, and vehicle insurance policy, so on. A hand-over protocol is associated with the contract. This includes is-state condition of the vehicle, the damage protocol, and the return protocol. Extra charges may also be determined, for example, for exceeding the limit mileage, or for early return (the weekly rate may be changed to the daily rate).
• When the vehicle is returned, the office checks the contract and the vehicle whether all conditions are satisfied such as mileage limitation, full petrol tank, and any damages, so on. Otherwise, the hand-over protocol will be followed. The final payment including damage or extension penalty will be calculated and processed. The vehicle with the key is restocked.
Customer relationship management
The company maintains an incentive program. Customers are free to apply for the VIP program to accumulate their VIP points. Customers are recorded in the database and classified by the frequency of hire and the total price of rental. The VIP Cards can attract extra discount than normal cash/credit payments.
• Each vehicle is hired by a VIP card holder, 5% discount will be applied to the total amount of the regular rental price.
• VIP card be used as a cash card that customers can top-up/recharge more money into the card at any branch.
Vehicle management:
• Every week, headquarter office (HQ) sends a central list with all available vehicles from the different suppliers, including price, availability information, the ratings and categories of Vehicles. The commercial promotion will be published on the web site of the company.
• Rental price management: The Company keeps and updates a price list for each type of vehicles (family, small, four-wheel drive, truck, bus etc) for hiring every month. The daily limitation of the vehicles of each type may be revised. The rent prices of daily and weekly are also different. The rent prices may be changed to reflect the age of the vehicle or the season promotion etc.
• Inventory management: New vehicles may be purchased every few months to satisfy the customer requests on the most popular vehicles. Some vehicles may be retired when they are over five years old.
Business reports and analysis
Each local office needs to prepare reports for revenue and hiring transactions on vehicles regularly to Headquarter office. Each store has a local operational database to capture their day-to-day hire and sales data that will.
HQ management needs to analyses the rental figures, the vehicle popularity, the usage of customers and the location of vehicles etc.
They want the following information about vehicles (monthly figures): eg.,
• Number of days for renting of each vehicle
• Which categories of Vehicles have made the highest profit?
• Which branch has the best performance on the rental of vehicles?
• VIP card usage
You are required to design an integrated vehicleHire information management system to automate the aforementioned business processes. Alex will be the business manager as the contact person for this project.