Sunday, January 26, 2020

Blue Archipelago Berhad (BAB) Shrimp Aquaculture

Blue Archipelago Berhad (BAB) Shrimp Aquaculture SPECIAL TOPIC IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY SCIENCE ACADEMIC TALK REPORT OF BLUE ARCHIPELAGO BERHAD WAN MAISARAH BINTI WAN ZAMRI INTRODUCTION A leading shrimp aquaculture company named Blue Archipelago Berhad (BAB) is a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the strategic investment arm of the government of Malaysia. The establishment of this company was since 2010. The company is focused on the production of premium quality seafood for the global market. The business is built based on the high quality standards, food safety, ecological sustainability and social responsibility. Their ultimate aim is to develop a Malaysian seafood brand that is associated with wholesomeness and integrity. Currently, BAB operates two farms, iKERPAN (Integrated Kerpan) in Kedah and iSHARP (Integrated Shrimp Aquaculture Park) in Setiu. The existing of iKERPAN and iSHARP are able to increase productivity thus increasing the market share of Blue Archipelago Berhad. BAB is the first in Malaysia implementing SAP Business All-in-One and SAP Business Objects Edge Standard Solutions to optimize their operations. High-tech solutions are vital as they aim to be the market leader in the region focusing the business internationally while maintaining high quality food and ecological sustainability. Along with the business expansion, BAB is committed in giving back to society. They have established Blue Archipelago Community Alliance (BACA) and Certificate in Shrimp Aquaculture (CISA) that aims to educate the human capital. The vision, misson, and values of Blue Archipelago Berhad include : Vision We aim to be a world-class seafood company. Mission We are committed to be an ethical organization that practices transparency in business dealings; striving for commercial and environmental sustainability and practicing corporate responsibility. We undertake to set the highest standards in food safety, quality, service, reliability and cost efficiency of our operations. We are determined to be market-driven and to meet our customers’ requirements effectively. We pledge to provide a dynamic and challenging environment for our employees and to build long term relationships with everyone associated with us. Values Passion We put our heart and mind in our work to deliver the best value to all our stakeholders. Reliable We providetimely, accurate and cost effective products and services. Empowerment We empower our employees to take positive initiatives, to do what is right and to give their best atall times. Accountability We are fully responsible for our decisions and actions that influence our business operations and the impact it has to our stakeholders. Respect We give due respect to all and maintain the environment of team work, growth and mutual benefit. LEARNING OUTCOMES According to Mr. Nazrul Fadhli, the Human Resource Manager of Blue Archipelago Berhad, there were challenges in conducting shrimp aquaculture. The main challenge was diseases. White spot and yellow spot were the common diseases occur to shrimp. White spot disease has been infected the shrimp in BAB after three years establishment of BAB. A disease called early mortality syndrome (EMS) was and extraordinary disease but iSHARP BAB was free from this disease. The diseases that occur to the shrimp may decrease the production until 60%. The major factor of disease was the source of water and disease also could come from human error. Next challenge was the cost. Shrimp aquaculture farming really need high cost. Mr. Nazrul Fadhli added, the shrimp named Penaeus monodon, the giant tiger prawn or Asian tiger shrimp was costly but they were long-term culture period, easy to get diseases, low survival and bigger size. But Blue Archipelago Berhad has vannamei shrimp. BAB has been expending RM 200 million to buy the land in order to built the whole BAB include the 190 ponds in Kedah. To ensure that our shrimp product is safe, high quality and sustainable, we need to get certifications from accredited bodies in aquaculture practices. As BAB, their facilities had received certifications of Best Aquaculture Practices and certificates by Global Aquaculture Alliance, Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and EU number certification from Ministry of Health MALAYSIA. In addition, iKERPAN also has been accorded certification by Department of Fisheries, the competent authority in Malaysia to export shrimps to EU countries. In order to produce premium shrimp, they had practice 4-starproduct traceability. From hatchery to processing, stringent bio-security standards are adopted in BAB to maintain peak quality and ensure excellent traceability. The level of the biosecurity can be classified into two; level A and level B. For level A, we were not allowed to enter the farm within 48 hours whereas level B cannot enter within 24 hours. BAB also practices full strength seawater culture for tastier shrimp. The water was channelled into the farm by a 2.8 km seawater system and discharged to the river after a series of retention and treatment ponds ensuring the local environment remains unaffected. Fully lined ponds and ideal weather conditions were also has been performed by BAB. Malaysia’s tropical climate allows for continuous shrimp farming. This is an advantage as they can practice staggered stocking and carry our harvesting plans for their live shrimps. These factors were vital in delivering consistent yield, size and quality in produce besides allowing for more production cycles per pond. It also ensures that the shrimp colour is dark. Besides that, they were stressed on the rules and regulations in shrimp farming. One of the rules includes traceability of the shrimp such as halal, HACCP and EU approval since shrimp is consumed by human. BAB products has been accorded with HALAL, HACCP and EU certification marking their commitment to produce 100% safe, high quality shrimps that meet stringent global standards. The shrimp also should be traced the feed being fed and should know whether there are chemicals or not. As BAB, they applied 100% no antibiotics and hormones to the shrimp. By practicing this, not only were they safe for consumption, the high quality water also enhances their taste and the farming techniques preserve their natural texture. Other than that, in shrimp farming rules, we also cannot simply discharge water into sea because it can case water pollution. Next, we also learned about farm management. The way to manage the farm includes be in control, for instance, BAB use automatic system of paddle wheel which serves as aeration and to supply oxygen to the shrimp. They also establish monitoring centre to monitor the condition of their shrimp farm and the activities performed by their workers. More advanced, they have sonic sensor to detect when the shrimps need feed. CONCLUSION In a nutshell, we had learned a lot of things from Blue Archipelago Berhad particularly in shrimp farming. Blue Archipelago Berhad is definitely a great shrimp aquaculture company that can be emulated. Moreover, since we are Animal Husbandry Science student, we able to apply those knowledgeable information in the future. Hopefully, there will be other academic talk that can give benefits to Animal Husbandry Science students in the future. REFRENCES Blue Achipelago. Available at: http://www.bluearchipelago.com/. [Accessed at: 31May 2015].

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Cognitive Behavioral Theory Essay

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term, problem-centered therapy that is used to address psychopathology within the individual (Beck, 1995). This model of therapy is used to address issues of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relational problems, and drug abuse, and can be utilized when working with individuals, as well as within group and family modalities. The core aspects of this therapy include collaboration and participation by the client, a strong alliance between therapist and client, and an initial focus on current problems and functioning (Beck, 1995). The theory of CBT emphasizes the relationship between the individual’s thoughts feelings and behaviors, which is seen as being the underlying cause of psychopathology in individuals. Therefore, this theory asserts that the identification, evaluation, and modification of one’s negative thoughts will lead to an improvement in one’s mood and behaviors (Beck, 1995). It is important to understand the concepts and theory from which CBT is based in order for it to be efficiently implemented in therapeutic work with individuals, groups, or families. While CBT is used to treat psychological disorders, this theory can be examined by looking at the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individual’s with an absence of psychopathology. Beck (1979) and Beck (1995) present the cognitive model in order to explain the theory of CBT. The cognitive model demonstrates that the emotions that an individual experiences and the behaviors that they exhibit are a result of their perception of a situation or event (Beck, 1995). When in any given situation, an individual’s immediate thought response is their automatic thought (Beck, 1995). These thoughts are an immediate evaluation of the situation, which in turn directly influence the feeling that a person has about the situation. Automatic thoughts are experienced by everyone and occur in the individual’s mind prior to reasoning. These thoughts occur swiftly and often times the individual may be unaware that they have occurred, being more observant of the emotion that they are feeling in the moment (Beck, 1995). Once an automatic thought occurs within the individual, it triggers a feeling, which in turn triggers the individual’s response, such as a behavior and/or physiological response. For example, after a young child begins to pick up his blocks to be put away, his mother rubs him on the back and gives him praise for his actions. His automatic thought may be, â€Å"I am good when I put away blocks,† triggering a feeling of confidence, an increased level of physical energy, and the behavior of putting away the remaining blocks. Automatic thoughts can be neutral, positive, or negative. We all have our own automatic thoughts as we move through our day-to-day lives and interact with others. In regards to individuals with psychological disorders, the cognitive model looks at how negative thoughts influence the individual’s feelings and behaviors (Beck, 1995). From a CBT lens, it is the negative automatic thoughts that an individual has that perpetuate symptoms of psychological disorders, the occurrence of negative mood, uncomfortable physiological responses, and maladaptive or inappropriate behaviors (Beck, 1995). While we all have moments of experiencing negative automatic thoughts, for those with psychological disorders, and more pervasive difficulties in living, negative thoughts are often experienced in situations that are neutral, producing negative feelings that lead to maladaptive behaviors or responses that would not typically be expected from the neutral situation (Beck, 1995). Aaron Beck presents theory of the cognitive model of how depression is rooted and perpetuated in individuals as a result of the interaction between negative automatic thoughts, feelings, and behavioral response. In this discussion, depression is conceptualized in terms of the cognitive triad, which describes three components of negative thinking of the depressed individual: the individual’s negative view of self, their negative view of the others and the world, and their negative view of the future (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979). The cognitive triad is maintained via the remaining components of Beck’s cognitive model of depression, the individual’s schemas, or core beliefs, and the utilization of faulty thinking, or cognitive errors (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979). Cognitive theory asserts that our automatic thoughts are rooted in our core belief system or cognitive schemas. Core beliefs begin to be developed early in life and are based on experiences that the individual has throughout their life. Because these beliefs are so grounded in how the individual views their life, others, and the world, and begin to be cultivated so early in development, they become a fundamental aspect of the individual, who considers them to be absolute truths (Beck, 1995). Core beliefs are deeply rooted in an individual, so much so that the individual may be unaware of the belief and how it influences their thoughts about themselves and the world. Each belief can have varying levels of presence within an individual’s day to day life, with some core beliefs remaining predominately dormant and only being activated in certain situations, while others may be frequently present in an individual’s thoughts (Beck, 1995). It is the individual’s cognitive schemas that allows for the categorization and evaluation of different experiences or situations (Beck, Rush, Shaw, and Emery, 1979). The core belief system maintains the way an individual experiences and thinks about a given situation (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979). While everyone conceptualizes a given situation in their own way, each individual typically conceptualizes similar situations in a similar way based on their own core beliefs (Beck, Rush, Shaw, and Emery, 1979). Within a set of similar situations, the individual’s core beliefs trigger automatic thoughts, which in turn trigger the individual’s emotional and behavioral response. Over time, the individual’s responses to similar situations become more consistent, thereby causing the development of a routine response to these types of situations. As this consistently occurs, the schema connected to particular type of event is further developed and the individual’s assertion that the belief holds absolute truth is strengthened (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979). Beck’s theory underlying CBT focuses on the idea that symptoms of depression, as well as those of other psychological disorders, are developed and maintained through to the individual’s negative core beliefs and triggered negative thoughts. In addition to the individual’s negative schemas, Beck’s theory states that the cognitive triad of negative cognitions of self, others, and future is further perpetuated through patterns of faulty thinking (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979). There are a variety of faulty thinking mechanisms that are used by individual’s to support their automatic thoughts and core beliefs, even in light of contradictory evidence (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979). This type of thinking can be characterized as labeling, over generalizing, personalization, emotional reasoning, magnification or minimization, and all-or-nothing or impetrative thinking (Beck, 1995). These cognitive errors are often extreme and unrealistic ways in which the individual assesses and draws conclusions regarding their problems, which is then used to further support their negative belief system and automatic thoughts. CBT theory declares that the individual can learn to identify their automatic thoughts, thereby creating an avenue for changing the emotions, behaviors, and psychological responses to various situations. When utilizing CBT with a client, it is necessary for the therapist to conceptualize the individual’s presenting problems from the perspective of the cognitive model (Beck, 1995). This can be done through the work of gathering information regarding the individual’s current problems, diagnosis, and how the problems have been developed and maintained. As this information is collected, the CBT therapist begins to assess and identify the inaccurate and unhelpful thoughts connected to the problems, and the behaviors that are exhibited as a result of this thinking (Beck, 1995). As this is done, the therapist can then begin to guide the individual to identify, examine, and correct or modify the negative automatic thoughts, underlying core beliefs, and faulty thinking mechanisms that have sustained the presenting problems (Beck, 1995).

Friday, January 10, 2020

Adolf Hitler and Japanese Canadians War

WWII ESSAY TOPICS Please Note: You need to form an historical research question for your topic. The answer to your question is your thesis statement 1. How and why was Germany allowed to annex Austria and the Sudetenland? Was there any justification for Britain and France’s policy of appeasement? 2. Discuss the role that Italy played in World War II. How did the nation become involved in the conflict? How did its participation affect the direction of the war and Germany’s fortunes? 3. Discuss the issues surrounding the United States’ decision to use atomic bombs against Japan.What motives were behind this action, and what arguments have been made against it? 4. Explain how the situation in Europe immediately following the fall of Germany led directly to the Cold War. In your opinion, should the Western Allies have acted to oppose Soviet domination of Eastern Europe? 5. Consider the role of technology during World War II. Did it fundamentally affect the outcome of the war? If so, how? If not, why not? 6. Compare the roles of Germany and Japan during World War II. Generally speaking, were their aggressions fundamentally similar or fundamentally different? . Explain Germany’s mistakes in Russia and the ways in which they affected the outcome of the war. 8. Why did the British government give in to German demands regarding Czechoslovakia in 1938, but took a relatively firmer stand over Poland in 1939? 9. Compare Soviet and British policies toward Poland between 1943 and 1945, focusing on both aims and outcomes. 10. Did the nature of German rearmament between 1935 and 1939 support the view that Hitler was planning for a Blitzkrieg war? 11. Asses and explain whether the internment of Japanese Canadians justified during World War Two? 2. Discuss the major differences between how the allies treated Germany after World War Two with World War One and how it may have been better. 13. Compare the strategic significance of the Battle of Stalingra d and the Battle of Britain. 14. Discuss Blittzkrieg and the importance of this tactic during World War Two. 15. Assess and explain the role of women during WWII and compare them to WWI. 16. The Second World War had consequences for European society and the world at large that were every bit as profound as the changes wrought by World War I.Assess these consequences as they became evident in 1945 as the war ended as well as for the years following from the standpoint of physical losses (casualties, refugees, infrastructure, etc. ) as well as the political and territorial settlements in Europe and the world at large. 17. To what extent were the German’s people responsible for Hitler/ Holocaust. 18. Compare WWI to WWII, identifying similarities in the causes, development, and outcomes of the wars. Other topics to consider Appeasement (WLM King) IsolationismThe Treaty of Versailles The League of Nations (failure of) Dieppe D-Day (Juno Beach) Liberation of Holland Dunkirk (evacua tion of) Battle of Britain Battle of the Atlantic Role of Technology / Canadian war production Anti-Semitism in Canada Internment of Japanese Canadians War on the homefront – War production / Changing role of women TOPIC LIST Blitzkreig The Battle of the Atlantic Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (Wrens) Lebensraum The Brtsh Commonwealth Air Training Plan Canadian Women’s Auxiliary AirforceOccupation of the Rhineland Camp X The Munich Pact Cdn Women’s Army Corps D-Day The Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact The Battle for Normandy Canadian War Brides Dunkirk Treaty of Versailles The Royal Cdn Air Force Wm. L. Mackenzie King War on the Homefront War Propaganda The Home Front General Guy Simonds Canada and the Italian Campaign Conscription The Scheldt Estuary The Internment of Japanese Canadians Liberation of the Netherlands Canada and Hong Kong Juno Beach The Battle of the Atlantic VE Day Dieppe Verrieres Ridge

Thursday, January 2, 2020

pH Definition and Equation in Chemistry

pH is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration,  a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH scale usually ranges from 0 to 14.  Aqueous solutions at 25 °C with a pH less than 7 are acidic, while those with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline. A pH level of 7.0 at 25 °C is defined as neutral  because the concentration of H3O equals the concentration of OH− in pure water. Very strong acids might have a negative pH, while very strong bases might have a pH greater than 14. pH Equation The equation for calculating pH was proposed in 1909 by Danish biochemist  Sà ¸ren Peter Lauritz Sà ¸rensen: pH -log[H] where log is the base-10 logarithm and [H] stands for the hydrogen ion concentration in units of moles per liter solution. The term pH comes from the German word potenz, which means power, combined with H, the element symbol for hydrogen, so pH is an abbreviation for power of hydrogen. Examples of pH Values of Common Chemicals We work with many acids (low pH) and bases (high pH) every day. Examples of pH values of lab chemicals and household products include: 0: hydrochloric acid2.0: lemon juice2.2: vinegar4.0: wine7.0: pure water (neutral)7.4: human blood13.0: lye14.0: sodium hydroxide Not All Liquids Have a pH Value pH only has meaning in an aqueous solution (in water). Many chemicals, including liquids, do not have pH values. If theres no water, theres no pH.  For example, there is no pH value for vegetable oil, gasoline, or pure alcohol. IUPAC Definition of pH The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has a slightly different pH scale that is based on electrochemical measurements of a standard buffer solution. Essentially, the definition uses the equation: pH -log aH where aH stands for hydrogen activity, which is the effective concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. This might be slightly different from the true concentration. The IUPAC pH scale also includes thermodynamic factors, which may influence pH. For most situations, the standard pH definition is sufficient. How pH Is Measured Rough pH measurements  can  be made using litmus paper or another type of pH paper known to change colors around a certain pH value. Most indicators and pH papers are useful only to tell whether a substance is an acid or a base or to identify pH within a narrow range. A universal indicator is a mixture of indicator solutions intended to provide a color change over a pH range of 2 to 10. More accurate measurements are made using primary standards to calibrate a glass electrode and pH meter. The electrode works by measuring the potential difference between a hydrogen electrode and a standard electrode. An example of a standard electrode is silver chloride. Uses of pH pH is used in everyday life as well as science and industry. Its used in cooking (e.g., reacting baking powder and an acid to make baked goods rise), to design cocktails, in cleaners, and in food preservation. Its important in pool maintenance and water purification, agriculture, medicine, chemistry, engineering, oceanography, biology, and other sciences.