Crude Oil Alternatives and The Future of the Transportation industry Research Paper

Crude Oil Alternatives and The Future of the Transportation industry (Trucking, Rail and Air) - Research Paper Example Historically transport has depended on animal power and then fossil fuels. The use of fossil fuels has been the human tradition for more than a century and a half now so there is little surprise that calls for change are gathering lingering discontent. The move to alternative energy systems may be slow but it is certainly steady. A number of avenues have been explored in regards to generating energy for the transportation industry. Ideas have ranged from the use of solar panels to the use of batteries in vehicles to power motion. These technologies can be seen as replacing the current transportation infrastructure altogether. However, certain other technologies such as the use of hydrogen will mean that the transportation infrastructure and principles will change but will not be replaced altogether. Another option is the merger between existing systems and newly introduced alternative technologies to create hybrid systems. These hybrid systems are currently the most viable option for changes in the transport industry. At this point in time, the transportation industry depends on one thing – an engine. All kinds of vehicles possess an engine to provide driving energy whether you talk of road vehicles, aquatic vehicles, air vehicles or space vehicles. The engine is fundamentally driven using materials that combust and in doing so provide energy. This applies equally across the board to all forms of conventionally powered vehicles. As far as changes to road vehicles are concerned, the industry has taken a large shift. In the early years of alternative energy development, the center focus remained the development of vehicles that utilized hydrogen as a fuel. This move was widely researched by leading manufacturers such as General Motors (GM), Ford, Honda, Toyota and BMW but a sustainable solution could not be found (BMW). One primary cause for the failure of this system was the need to replace the existing apparatus for fuelling while keeping costs to a mini mum. The oil based road vehicle took decades to come to a discernible form. Furthermore, a number of auxiliaries supports the oil based road vehicle in its operation. These include things such as manufacturing expertise, fuelling systems, maintenance systems etc. It was never practicable enough to realize a change in a few short years that would somehow replace the existing setup (Ghirardi, Togasaki and Seibert). Instead, the industry looked to other alternatives such as using the current hybrid systems. A hybrid system is essentially a combination of a conventional gasoline engine with a battery powered motor. The motor tends to operate in the lower driving speeds while the gasoline engine kicks in when more power is required. The road to change for road vehicles is expected to be the optimal path followed by other modes of transportation such as rail and air travel. Current attempts at alternative energy in air travel are looking at liquid hydrogen as the fuel of choice (Robertson ). However, rail transport alternative energy development is more advanced as hybrid solutions are being looked into. The rising costs of oil around the world are forcing manufacturers, retailers and operators to look for alternatives although the changes are not highly radical. In a few short years the price of crude oil has increased many fold. This trend is expected to continue as oil rich countries will control production

Hypovolemic shock and blood transfusion intervention Essay

Hypovolemic shock and blood transfusion intervention - Essay Example This research presented typical features of hypovolaemic shock, primarily developing from chronic alcoholism. The patient earlier episodes of epigastric pain and upper GI bleeds and was treated for the same by antiemetic drugs and antacids. Following that episode he was advised against drinking and smoking. In this event, Mr. Z developed nausea 48 hours before the haemetemesis. During the haemetemesis episode he vomited blood 5 times, containing blood coffee brown in colour and from the upper GI. In this case, the rationale for giving blood was that the patient’s haemoglobin levels were only slightly above normal, the blood loss was severe, and the patient’s condition was perceived to be serious. The physicians in this case had to make a close decision, as if the symptoms and the vital sign (especially blood pressure) could be managed effectively, blood transfusion was not needed. The criteria for blood transfusion are made based on general criteria and not the manageme nt or care setting for the particular patient. For example, if the patient is managed in the ICU, there is oxygen and respiration is taken care of and hence, anaemia may not be a serious issue that the patient has to cope with. Hence, the care settings have an important role to play. The most important criteria for transfusing blood for an ICU patient are whether the patient is hemodynamically stable or not. If the patient cannot be maintained properly in a hemodynamic state (even though the blood loss was minimum), then blood transfusion is needed. Haemoglobin is critical in ensuring oxygen supply to the vital organs and the tissues of the body. However, if the patient can be maintained hemodynamically stable (even though the blood loss was severe) and the haemoglobin levels is below 7 g/dl, the vital signs are seriously affected, then the patient has to be suggested for blood transfusion. In this case, it would be likely that blood transfusion was given as a precautionary measure although in the current care settings, stability of the vital signs and haemoglobin level it would not be necessary. Besides, the fact that the patient was currently in the ICU was not taken into consideration, and it is important that this fact be taken into consideration. The blood pack has been administered slowly over 3 hour duration (as per the mentioned in the case), and any risk of adverse effects were monitored. Though no urticaria and erythema were noticed, there has been a slight improvement in the patient’s blood pressure levels, APTT, Haemoglobin levels, heart rate and respiratory rate. However, there is not much improvement in other important components such as blood pressure, pulse, breathes rate and haemoglobin (Veenema, 2007). Ethically and legally, consent was obtained orally and carefully documented. The patient should be competent to give consent and only if the patient’s condition is such he is in a position to give consent, should consent be taken. There was also a need to ensure