Isolation of Microorganisms from Environmental Samples Essay Example

Isolation of Microorganisms from Environmental Samples Paper It is crucial in the field of microbiology to study the morphology, biological activity, and the behavior of microbes thus the isolation of such microbes from the environment is necessary because it allows scientists to study them in close proximity. Microbial life forms are found everywhere. They are major players in biochemical cycling of elements and primary producers in numerous environments. There are also some microbes living inside higher forms of organisms that aid in digestion and provide vitamins. Some scribes can also be antagonistic or harmful to humans, and when scientists isolate them, they can study and identify ways on how to counteract the microbes harmful effects. This exercise aims to isolate microorganisms from a variety of environmental samples and to enumerate the different microbial species observed. Methodology Rest Its and Discussion Bacteria, molds and yeast have different colony morphologies and characteristics that are specific to the genus and species of the organism. Bacterial colonies can be classified by color, form, elevation, margin, opacity ND size. Mold and yeast colonies can be classified and described by their color, texture, feature on the reverse side and more. Also, the source from which the bacteria samples were gathered should be taken into consideration. In the experiment, the microorganisms that were isolated were gathered and collected from the environment. As such, only h strength AN was prepared along with the SAD. It was observed on the AN plates that there were multiple bacterial colonies formed that did not differ so much in color or elevation. We will write a custom essay sample on Isolation of Microorganisms from Environmental Samples specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Isolation of Microorganisms from Environmental Samples specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Isolation of Microorganisms from Environmental Samples specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Most colonies were white or a color that is just as light, like yellow or salmon pink. The sizes of the isolated colonies are relatively small, most just less than 1 mm in diameter. The AN plate in which bacterial colonies were numerous was on the ones exposed in air that is outside the laboratory. The fewest were the ones that were swabbed on the skin. There were also colony growths on the AN plates that were not bacterial colonies. It was observed on the SAD plates that most of the molds and yeast that grew were cottony in appearance and had a wrinkled reverse side.

the search for justice essays

the search for justice essays Life is Beautiful can be described as a tragicomedy which portrays the Holocaust as a game which can be won if you dont get caught. This film was written and produced by Roberto Benigni in 1998. The film Escape from Sobibor was written by Richard Rashke and produced in 1987. It was based on a true story that the Nazis couldnt hide. I chose both movies because of the different views they portrayed of the Holocaust. It seems that in both movies, survival and hope are the two strongest characteristics of the Jewish people. Each movie depicts this in a different way. Robert Benigni portrays the Nazi concentration camp as a game with his son in order to shelter him from the cruel aspects of the camp, where as in the Escape from Sobibor, the main goal is to escape the cruelty of the camp. Life is Beautiful is a fictional movie based on the surrounding facts of the Holocaust. Escape from Sobibor is a true story written by a survivor himself. In Life is Beautiful, the most meaningful aspects of the movie were the conversations Benigni had with his son. It shows how far the father would go to protect his son and the love he had for him. It allowed you to feel the compassion of the situation despite the Nazi concentration camp. This story was written from a paternal perspective yet still being able to identify with the images of the Holocaust. This movie showed me how to live life positively. It shows how even in the worst situations you can still laugh and still love. Escape from Sobibor allowed you to feel the desperation and hopelessness of the Jewish people. It was written from the Jewish prisoners perspective and portrayed their determination to obtain their freedom they once had. The movie showed a perspective that is not widely known. Sobibor is a little known concentration camp and the events surrounding it are not known either. Watching the people get off the train, knowing that they we...

August Calendar of Famous Inventions and Birthdays

August Calendar of Famous Inventions and Birthdays Although the United States doesnt celebrate any official holidays during the month of August, the eighth month of the Gregorian calendar does celebrate the birthdays of many famous inventors, writers, scientists, and creators- find out who shares your August birthday. August is also the month when many great inventions, works of art, and scientific discoveries were first patented, trademarked, or copyrighted, so if youre looking for what happened on this day in history during the month of August, theres plenty to discover. Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights From the copyright registration of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to Thomas Edisons invention of the kinetographic  camera, August has celebrated a number of patents, trademarks, and copyrights throughout the years. August 1 1900: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum was copyright registered.1941: The first Jeep rolled off the assembly line, and Willy’s Truck Company was the first company to create a jeep. August 2 1904: A patent for a glass shaping machine was granted to Michael Owen. The immense production of glass bottles and jars today owes its inception to this invention. August 3 1897: The Street Car Controller was patented by Walter Knight and William Potter. August 4 1970: Poppin Fresh was trademark registered by the Pillsbury Company. August 5 1997: Patent Number 5,652,975 was issued for an automatic talking potty apparatus to Glory Hoskin. August 6 1935:  William Coolidge obtained a patent for the cathode ray tube, a critical ingredient of TV and other electronic applications. August 7 1906: The Flexible Flyer was trademark registered.1944: The worlds first program-controlled calculator, popularly called the Harvard Mark I, was inaugurated. The machine was built by Harvard researcher Howard Aiken  and supported by IBM. August 8 1911: Patent Number 1,000,000 was issued to Francis Holton for a vehicle tire. August 9 1898:  Rudolf Diesel of France was granted patent Number 608,845 for an internal combustion engine known as the Diesel engine. August 10 1909: The Ford  trademark was registered by the Ford Motor Corporation. August 11 1942: Hedy Markey received a patent for a secret communication system.1950:  Steve Wozniak was born, the co-founder of Apple Computers. August 12 1930: Clarence Birdseye patented a method for packaging frozen foods. August 13 1890: A publisher copyright registered an edition of Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter. August 14 1889: The Washington Post March by John Phillip Sousa was copyright registered.1984: IBM released MS-DOS version 3.0. IBM first approached Bill Gates and Microsoft to discuss the state of home computers in 1980. August 15 1989: President George Bush issued a proclamation commemorating the bicentennial anniversary of the first patent and copyright laws. August 16 1949: Patent Number 2,478,967 was granted to Leonard Greene of Mineola, NY for an airplane stall warning device. August 17 1993: Patent Number 5,236,208 was issued to Thomas Welsh for a platform steerable skateboard. August 18 1949:  Plant Patent  Number 1 was issued to Henry Bosenberg of New Brunswick, NJ, for a climbing rose. August 19 1919: Hostess was trademark registered by William B. Ward.1888: The first world beauty contest was held in Belgium, an 18-year-old West Indian woman won. August 20 1930:  Philo Farnsworth patented a television. August 21 1888: The first practical adding listing machine (calculator) was patented by William Burroughs. August 22 1952: The Television Show Adventures of Superman was copyright registered.1932: The BBS began experimental regular television broadcasts. August 23 1977: The name Cincinnati Bengals was trademark registered.1904: The automobile tire chain was patented. August 24 1993: Patent Number 5,238,437 for a Bubble Dispensing Doll was issued to Vowles, Barad, Smith,  and Stern. August 25 1814: The British burnt Washington, D.C., however, the Patent Office was saved by the British Superintendent of Patents, Dr. William Thornton. August 26 1902: Arthur McCurdy obtained a patent for a daylight developing tank for roll film. August 27 1855: Clara Barton became the first female federal employee to achieve equal status when she was hired by the Patent Office as a clerk August 28 1951: Oral B (the famous line of dental products) was trademark registered. August 29 1893: Whitcomb Judson received a patent for the zipper. August 30 1968: The song Hey Jude by John Lennon and Paul McCartney was copyright registered.1994: IBM announced it would not oppose Microsofts attempt to trademark the name Windows. August 31 1897:  Thomas Edison patented a kinetographic camera. August Birthdays From the birth of the famed French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent to that of German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz, there are many famous August birthdays. August 1 1849: George Mercer Dawson was a famous Canadian scientist.1889: John F Mahoney developed a penicillin treatment for syphilis.1936: Yves Saint Laurent is considered the greatest French fashion designer of the 20th century. August 2 1834: Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was the French sculptor who patented the  Statue of Liberty.1835:  Elisha Grey  was an inventor who invented the early telephone.1926: Betsy Bloomingdale founded the famous department store. August 3 1959: Koichi Tanaka is a famous Japanese scientist  who shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2002 for work with mass spectrometric analyses of biological macromolecules. August 4 1755: Nicolas-Jacque Conte invented the  modern pencil.1859: Knut Hamsun was a Norwegian writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1920 and wrote many Neo-Romantic novels like Hunger, Mysteries, Pan, and Victoria. August 5 1540: Joseph Justice Scaliger invented Julian dating.1802: Niels H. Abel was a Norwegian mathematician who invented Abels Comparisons.1904: Kenneth Thimann was a famous botanist.1906:  Wassily  Leontief was a Russian-American economist who won the Nobel Prize in 1973. August 6 1859: J. Arthur S. Berson was a famous Austrian meteorologist who made famous hot air balloon flights over the Amazon.1867: James Loeb was a famous American businessman who financially helped to found the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry.1908: Sol Adler was a famous economist who invented Sinophile. August 7 1779: Carl Ritter was the co-founder of the modern science of geography.1783: John Heathcoat invented lace-making machinery.1870: Gustav Krupp was a famous German businessman.1880: Ernst Laqueur was a famous microbiologist who discovered sexual hormones.1886: Louis Hazeltine was the inventor of the  neutrodyne  circuit that made the  radio  possible.  1903: Louis Leakey was a famous anthropologist who won the 1964  Richard  Hooper Medal. August 8 1861: William Bateson was a famous English biologist who invented the term genetics.1901: Ernest Lawrence was a famous scientist and inventor who invented the Cyclotron and won the Nobel Prize in 1939.1902: Paul Dirac was a famous English physicist who invented quantum mechanics and won the Nobel Prize in 1933.1922: Rudi Gernreich was a famous designer who invented the first womens topless swimsuit and the miniskirt.1931: Roger Penrose was a famous English physicist. August 9 1819: William Thomas Green Morton was a dentist that invented the use of ether in  dentistry.1896: Jean Piaget was a famous Swiss developmental psychologist and zoologist.1897: Ralph Wyckoff was a pioneer of x-ray crystallography.1911: William A. Fowler was a famous astrophysicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1983.1927: Marvin Minsky was a famous computer scientist at MIT who made inventions related to artificial intelligence. August 10 1861: Almroth Wright was a famous English bacteriologist. August 11 1858: Christian Eijkman was a famous bacteriologist who won the Nobel Prize in 1929.1926: Bernard Ashley was a famous English fashion designer who founded Laura Ashley.1950:  Steve Wozniak  was a computer inventor and the co-founder of  Apple Computers. August 12 1930:  George Soros is a famous Hungarian businessman and funder  for political movements who was worth $8 billion in 2017. August 13 1655: Johann Christoph Denner was the inventor of the  clarinet.1814: Anders Jonas Engstrom was a Swedish physicist who co-invented the spectroscope.1819: George Gabriel Stokes was a famous physicist and mathematician who co-invented the spectroscope.1888:  John Logie Baird  was a Scottish inventor of a television system.1902: Felix Wankel was a German inventor who invented the Wankel rotary-piston engine.1912: Salvador Luria was an Italian-American biologist who won the Nobel Prize in 1969.1918: Frederick Sanger was an English biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in 1958 and 1980. August 14 1777:  Hans Christian Oersted  was a famous Dutch physicist and chemist who wrote View of Chemical Law and was an early experimenter in the field of electromagnetism.1861: Bion Joseph Arnold was a famous electrical engineer and inventor.1883:  Ernest Just  was a famous biologist who pioneered cell division.1903: John Ringling North was a famous circus director who co-founded the Ringling Brothers Circus. August 15 1794: Elias Fries was a famous Swedish botanist who invented the  system a  mycologicium.1892: Louis-Victor, Prince of Broglie was a French physicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1929.1896: Leon Theremin was an electronic musical instrument inventor who invented the Theremin. August 16 1845: Gabriel Lippmann was a famous French physicist who invented the first color photographic plate and was awarded the 1908 Nobel Prize in Physics for this process.1848: Francis Darwin was a famous English scientist and the son of Charles Darwin who carried on his work.1862: Amos Alonzo Stagg was a  football pioneer  and the inventor of the tackling dummy.1892: Harold Foster was a famous cartoonist who invented Prince Valiant.1897: Robert Ringling was a circus master who co-founded the Ringling Brothers Circus.1904: Wendell Stanley was a famous biochemist and the first to crystallize a virus, for which he won the Nobel Prize in 1946. August 17 1870: Frederick Russell invented the first successful typhoid fever vaccine.1906: Hazel Bishop was a famous chemist and  cosmetics  manufacturer who invented the first indelible or smear-proof lipstick. August 18 1834: Marshall Field founded the  Marshall Field Department Store.1883: Gabrielle Coco Chanel was a famous French fashion designer who invented the house of Chanel.1904: Max Factor, Jr. was the CEO of Max Factor Cosmetics and son of the founder and inventor  Max Factor.1927: Marvin Harris was a famous American scientist. August 19 1785: Seth Thomas invented the mass production of  clocks.1906:  Philo T Farnsworth  was the inventor of electronic TV.1919: Malcolm Forbes was a famous publisher who founded Forbes Magazine. August 20 1908: Kingsley Davis was a sociologist who invented the term population explosion. August 21 1660: Hubert Gautier was an engineer who wrote the first book on bridge-building.1907: Roy Marshall was a well-known scientist who narrated The Nature of Things. August 22 1860:  Paul Nipkow  was a German TV pioneer and inventor.1920: Denton Cooley was a heart surgeon who performed the first artificial heart transplant. August 23 1926: Clifford Geertz was a famous cultural anthropologist and ethnographer who described culture as a system of symbols and actions which convey meaning.1928: Vera Rubin was a famous American scientist who discovered dark matter.1933: Manfred Donike was a famous chemist who invented drug testing. August 24 1880: Joshua Cowen was a scientist who helped invent the  flashlight  and invented the electric toy train.1898: Albert Claude was a Belgian cytologist who won the Nobel Prize in 1974 for discoveries of cell structure and function.1918: Ray McIntire was the chemical engineer who invented  styrofoam. August 25 1841: Theodor Kocher was a Swiss surgeon and thyroid specialist who won the Nobel Prize in 1909.1916: Frederick Robbin was an American bacteriologist who won the Nobel Prize in 1954. August 26 1740:  Joseph Montgolfier  was a French aeronaut who invented successful hot air ballooning.1743: Antoine Lavoisier was a famous French scientist who invented the term oxygen.1850: Charles Richet was a French physiologist who won the Nobel Prize in 1913.1906: Albert Sabin was a Russian-American microbiologist who invented the oral polio vaccine.1951: Edward Witten is a famous American mathematician and theoretical physicist who won the 2008 Crafoord Prize in Mathematics. He helped develop string theory and developed mathematical processes to solve the multi-dimensional equations of string theory. August 27 1770: Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was a German philosopher and inventor who furthered the field of idealism.1874: Karl Bosch was a German chemist and the founder of BASF who won the Nobel Prize in 1931.1877: Charles Stewart Rolls was a British auto manufacturer and founder of Rolls-Royce Ltd who invented the Rolls-Royce.1890: Man Ray was an American artist and photographer who invented the Dada movement. August 28 865: Rhazes was a famous ground-blazing Persian physician.1878: George Hoyt Whipple was an American astrophysicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1934.1917: Jack Kirby was a famous cartoonist who co-invented the X-Men, Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Fantastic Four, and Thor. August 29 1561: Bartholomeus Pitiscus was a German mathematician who invented trigonometry.1876:  Charles Kettering  was an American inventor who invented the auto self-starter ignition.1904: Werner Forssman was a German urologist who won the Nobel Prize in 1956.1959: Stephen Wolfram was an English computer scientist who invented the computational software Mathematica. August 30 1852: Jacobus Henricus was a Dutch physical chemist who won the Nobel Prize in 1901.1884: Theodor Svedberg was a Swedish chemist who worked with colloids and won the Nobel Prize in 1926.1912: Edward Purcell was an American physicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1952.1927: Geoffrey Beene was an American dress designer who won eight Coty Awards.   August 31 1663: Guillaume Amontons was a famous French physicist.1821: Hermann von Helmholtz was a famous German physicist.1870: Maria Montessori was a famous Italian educator who invented the term spontaneous response.1889: A. Provost Idell invented modern volleyball.

Body language Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Body language - Movie Review Example Body language forms a vital part of the everyday social life of humans today. It highly affects the interaction and conversation with the other people and thus, can be used as a powerful weapon for controlling one’s feelings and emotions (Body language expert, â€Å"How Body Language Influences Daily Life†). Body language is a powerful aspect in regards to the self-confidence and self-esteem of the individual. Body language is also explained as an external reflection of one’s emotional condition (Furnham 3-6). For instance, a person may be saying something and keep some of the things hidden while interacting verbally. Thus, in such a situation a person who can read the body language can understand the feelings and emotions of the speaking person (Pease and Pease 11-12). THESIS STATEMENT This essay intends to focus on the influence of body language in the daily life of people. A video on the topic of body language has been summarized in this essay to analyze the v arious forms of body languages and conclude in response to the mentioned objective. DISCUSSION Analysis of the video The video concentrates on the topic of body language used by the people as a non-verbal communication system. ... The body exhibits different signals just as a radio transmits the signals. The video has explained six main categories of body language as elaborated by the body language experts such as kinesics, eye contact, haptics, paralanguage, chronemics and proxemics (Montgomery County Public Schools, â€Å"Body language†). Summarizing and critiquing the video Arguably, the video advocates that communication of messages through body language, either in the form of kinesics, eye contact, haptics, paralanguage, chronemics or proxemics or many of these altogether, is said to have a long-lasting effect in comparison with the verbal messages. At times, we deliver greater importance to the posture, gesture or to the tone of voice, when a person is communicating his/her intended messages verbally, even if those are entirely contradictory to his/her verbal message. For instance, in an interview, the interviewers often focus on reading and interpreting the eye-contact behavior of the candidate t o learn the truth in his/her conveyed verbal messages (Smith â€Å"Interview body language mistakes that can cost you the job†). Psychologists also pay due attention towards reading the posture of the patient as high in confidence or low in self-esteem. Mysteriously, even without knowing the basics or the technicalities of body language, common people also tend to pay greater attention in interpreting non-verbal messages rather than paying attention to only verbal communication (Meeren, Heijnsbergen and Gelder, 16518-16519). Illustratively, a girl tugging or playing with her hair can be interpreted as flirting; while in the same context, one tilting his head too often when listening to others is commonly asserted as their submission to the message being conveyed (Laneri â€Å"Body

Critical Pedagogy movement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Critical Pedagogy movement - Essay Example Critical pedagogy is inclusive of the relationships present between the teachings and learning fraternities, with proponents being of the opinion that the process, being continuous has significant impacts on students in general. This is especially so to students, whom according to the proponents of the movement, historically have, and still are disenfranchised with â€Å"traditional schooling†; the impacts being even greater (Torill, 2005, p 76). The lofty claims, through â€Å"opaque prose†, by Giroux; this according to (John 1990, p 28), exemplified Giroux’s ultimate goal, which was to create radical politics thereby highlighting the existing contestable and antagonistic political and moral grounds that ultimately constitute part of the fundamental ideals pertaining to citizenship and public wisdom. Ultimately, the tensions between progressive and traditional education emanate from the various varying moral perspectives as to categorizing what is â€Å"right† or â€Å"wrong† (John 1990, p 56). As a recommendation, the examination of the work of the inaugural philosopher of critical pedagogy; Paulo Freire, is encouraged before embarking on any analysis. Paulo Freire, who initially focused on adult literacy projects in the South American state of Brazil, would later on find himself to be dealing widely with a range of educational and social issues. His philosophy revolved around anti-authoritarian sentiments and the interactive approach in the examination of issues; this in relation to the relational power for workers and students. Use of the primary goal that based its existence upon the social and political critiques of everyday life was the central theme in this curriculum, with his educational technique not just a exemplifying a teaching methodology but also as a worthy lifestyle in educative practice. It required the execution of a myriad of educational practices and processes, with the

To get any object Essay Example for Free

To get any object Essay With your experiment you dont mention anything about controlling or measuring the force. All you have measured is the (average) period of the object moving in a circle. From this you can calculate the average speed and acceleration. To turn this into an investigation you would need to measure the force pulling the bung into the circular path. i. e. the tension in the string. At the moment, if you put more effort in the bung will go faster, even if you dont change the radius of the circle, or the mass of the bung. One way to do this would be to include a spring of suitable strength into the string and you could possible measure the extension of the spring as you twirl it around to estimate the force. Another method Ive seen used is to have the string pass through a tube. On the bottom end of the string you attach a weight. You twirl the bung around above your head whilst holding the tube until the forces are balanced. If you spin it too slowly the weight drops down, if you go too fast it rises up. You need to adjust the speed of spinning until the weight balances at the correct point. Results: There is a fairly simple formula for cicular motion. F = (m X v2) / r F = force (Newton) m = mass of bung (kg) v = speed of bung (m/s) r = radius of circle (m) You must make sure you use the correct units (m not cm, kg not g) to get the formula to work correctly. The Force is constant: 90 gram = 0. 9 Newton approximately. The mass of the bung is also constant. You can work out the speed using the formula: speed = distance / time distance = circumference of circle X 10 time = time for 10 complete revolutions. Analysis: Circumference of circle = 2 X pi X r If you rearrange the circular motion formula you get: v2 = (F/m) X r F/m is a constant. Conclusions : So a graph of V2 (on the y axis) plotted against r (x axis) should give you a straight line. The gradient is equal to (F/m). it is a straight line which means the graph and the results are correct and they are ok and you will be able to use these for a future reference when explaining the stuff in the anlysis. Another method Ive seen used is to have the string pass through a tube. On the bottom end of the string you attach a weight. You twirl the bung around above your head whilst holding the tube until the forces are balanced. If you spin it too slowly the weight drops down, if you go too fast it rises up. You need to adjust the speed of spinning until the weight balances at the correct point.

Oil and its Economics :: Economy Petrol

Supply of Oil â€Å"Since 1974 oil-exporting nations have substantially increased their imports in order to finance development plans and to pay for highly technical military training, equipment, and sophisticated defense systems such as the airborne warning and control system, AWACS. From 1972 to 1983, OPECs imports increased approximately sevenfold. Furthermore, exports to OPEC from OECD as a percentage of the latter's total exports increased from 4.1 percent in l972-73 to 8.8 percent in 1975-82, then to 8.4 percent in 1983; and it dropped to 7.1 percent in 1984.† (http://www.georgetown.edu/users/johnsonj/oweiss/petrod/increase.htm) â€Å"Dynamic forces of oil supply and demand led to all excess supply in world markets since 1980, which in turn led to a de facto decline in the price of oil even before OPEC's London agreement of March 1983 in which the official price was reduced by approximately 14 percent. This oil glut in world markets was the result of at least three mutually dependent dominant forces: high oil prices, increase in production, and reduction in demand.† (http://www.georgetown.edu/users/johnsonj/oweiss/petrod/since.htm) â€Å"First, following the initial leap of 1973 the price of oil was once again drastically increased in l979. This rise led to a substitution of other sources of fuel and a reduction in real income, which contributed eventually to a decline in the demand for oil after a three-year time lag.† â€Å"A second factor in the oil glut was the increase in world oil production--a predictable economic consequence of rise in its price.† â€Å"A third factor in the oil glut was decreased demand for oil. The 1980 economic recession, which had plagued the world economy and which had markedly reduced the productive capacity of industrial nations by its greatest percentage decline since World War II, was a dominant force in reducing the demand for oil yet further. As their gross national products headed downward because of the recession, industrial nations reduced their imports. This, in turn, led to a reduction in foreign exchange earnings of the less-developed countries. These had, therefore, to curtail their purchases from abroad, including imports of oil. A multiplier effect of all such factors had a marked effect on the demand for oil in world markets.† (http://www.georgetown.edu/users/johnsonj/oweiss/petrod/since.htm) DEMAND Demand for Oil over Time (http://www.georgetown.edu/users/johnsonj/oweiss/petrod/time.htm) â€Å"A conventional downward-sloping demand curve is not, in [Dr. Oweiss’]opinion, sufficient to explain the interaction of oil prices and quantity demanded over time. In studying the dynamics of international oil markets which differentiates between upward and downward trends in prices. A small rise in the price of oil, from its low, pre-1973 level, will not change the quantity demanded, for demand at such a low level may he regarded as perfectly inelastic.

Methods in Identifying Business Process Essay

Abstract This paper will discuss which information gathering methods can be used in analyzing requirements, identify which business process mapping methods should be used in analysis activities, discuss which business process mapping tools should be used in documenting analysis, indicate how the analyst would know if these methods and tools were effective in understanding the requirements, and explain how prototyping tools could be used to confirm these requirements. Assessment of Enterprise Level Business Systems Information gathering used in analyzing the requirements of a business are essential to ensure that the customer is getting the best possible product for their needs. It is important for the consulting team to know different methods of information gathering to obtain the best possible information they can as this will help to ensure a higher success rate for the overall implementation of the product. In today’s world, it is very easy for a customer to comparison shop the different products available to them. Browsing online and clicking a mouse is all it takes to move from one company to the next. The process starts when a customer starts narrowing down what they are looking for and begins to choose a few systems to have personally demonstrated to the company. Best practices would state that the consultant in charge of providing the demonstration of the software would do some homework on the company to find out what they do, start speaking with some of the stake holders to see what they expect from a new system (HR may not have the same requirements as IT, who may not have the same requirements as management or production). Meeting with a number of stakeholders within the different departments of a business will help the consultant narrow down the needs of the organization. This gives the consultant an edge and can help the consultant provide a customized demonstration of the software for the company. Digging deeper, the consultant should also have a team of experts on his or her side as well, someone that may be a subject matter expert, and a technical expert  will help as well. This is to ensure that input is taken from users and from IT and can be used to ensure the best possible user interface for those using the system and what resources are already in place vs. what is needed on the technical side. Every avenue available to the consultant should be examined to ensure the best system fit for the business. The business process mapping methods that should be used in analysis activities should be determined by what the business is doing. There are four main steps of process mapping that are needed. They are: * Process identification or attaining a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of all the steps of a process. * Information gathering, or identifying objectives, risks and key controls in a process. * Interviewing and mapping or gaining the perspective of individuals in the process and designing actual maps to be used in the process. * Analysis or utilizing the tools and approaches used to make the process run in the most efficient and effective way possible. (Jacka, J. Mike) First, the process or processes used by the business must be identified so the consultant may gain a full understanding of what is to be expected in the new system. Without process identification, the project would be at a standstill. Gathering information around the processes helps identify what the objectives of a process might be, what risks might be involved within a process and what is needed to control the process from beginning to end. For example, if a company that makes fiberglass bathtubs were to put a process in place for the gel coating or painting procedure of a tub project, the process might show that the mold is to be positioned in the paint booth, dust and debris is to be removed from the mold using a wipe down cloth and air hose, the paint has to be a certain thickness, so one of the risks involved would be paint that is too thick or thin in spots. Finally we have the controls that maintain the process from beginning to end which may be manual or robotic. Other things could also come into play such as paint levels, catalyst and dry time, so it is important to obtain all information surrounding the process as possible. Interviewing individuals who currently run a process is important to ensuring that nothing is left out of the process. If it is possible, the consultant should interview a few different  people that perform the same function to obtain an objective look at the overall process and cover different ways of doing the same thing. From these interviews the process map could be created. Finally, we would analyze the process map and ensure that each step of the process is accounted for and is conducted in the efficient and effective way. The consultant may ask additional questions at this point to see if something within the current process is wasteful, and what may be done to improve on the process. Documenting the process of the analysis should be done meticulously as well. This can be done in a report fashion or in a flow chart fashion. Both have their merits, however, a flow chart can make a very complicated process seem very simple by breaking it down into steps and utilizing different shapes for these steps. A flowchart is a primary type of business process mapping the shapes or symbols used such as arrows, circles, diamonds, boxes, ovals or rectangles will mean something different for each step. Though a flowchart simplifies a process, it can detail the inputs, activities, decision points, and outputs of any process. An analyst could know that this type of documentation and mapping has shown its worth by the understanding and acceptance of those he has interviewed to understand the process in the first place. If the analyst allows the users to review the flowcharts and they understand each step of the process, then the documentation has done what was intended. Additionally, the users may be able to point out additional ways to make a process better at that time if they had not done so before. Prototyping tools allow the analyst to create a mockup of what the documented process may look like and how it may actually work in simulated real time. The prototype can show users what a version of the finished product may look like and how it will function. This is yet another failsafe built into the overall assessment process and may give the analyst another area to make process improvements based on the input of users, management and project stakeholders. The assessment of an enterprise level business system is lengthy and can be complicated if the right people are not included in the process. However, if the analyst follows time proven techniques to identify what is needed, gather information, document and map out the processes and use the analysis of the mapped out processes to create a good prototype, the analyst should be better able to create what is needed for the business. References Jacka, J. Mike & Paulette J. Keller (2011), Business Process Mapping: Improving Customer Satisfaction, Second Edition(6-10)

Diagrid

DIAGRID : THE LANGUAGE OF MODERN DAY BUILDER ABSTRACT Design and construction of artificial infrastructure on the lines of   biomimicking principles requires the development of highly advanced structural systems which has the qualities of aesthetic expression, structural efficiency and most importantly geometric versatility. Diagrids, the latest mutation of tubular structures, have an optimum combination of the above qualities. In this paper, the peculiarities of the Diagrid, its structural behavior under loading and the design and construction of diagrid nodes are described.A case study of some recent diagrid tall buildings, namely the Swiss Re Building in London, the Hearst Tower in New York, and the West Guangzhou Tower in china is also presented. CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. THE TRIANGULAR DIAGRID MODULE 2. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  INTRODUCTION 2. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MODULE GEOMETRY 3. STRUCTURAL  Ã‚  Ã‚  ACTION OF A DIAGRID MODULE 3. 1  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF GRAVITY LOADING 3. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF LATERAL LOADING 3. 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF SHEAR LOADING 3. 4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF NON-APEX LOADING 3. 5  EFFECT OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL CURVATURE UNDER  VERTICAL LOADING 3.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF HORIZONTAL CURVATURE UNDER HORIZONTAL LOADING 4. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF DIAGRID NODES 4. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MATERIALS  Ã‚  USED FOR DIAGRIDS 4. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  DIAGRID NODE DESIGN 4. 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  NODE CONSTRUCTION FOR DIAGRID STRUCTURES 4. 4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ERECTION OF DIAGRID NODES 5. CASE STUDIES 5. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  SWISS RE BUILDING 5. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  HEARST  TOWER 5. 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã ‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  GUANGZHOU WEST TOWER 6. MERITS AND DEMERITS OF DIAGRIDS 6. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MERITS OF DIAGRIDS 6. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  DEMERITS OF DIAGRIDS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  7. CONCLUSION CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTIONThe Diagrids are perimeter structural configurations characterized by a narrow grid of diagonal members which are involved both in gravity and in lateral load resistance. Diagonalized applications of structural steel members for providing efficient solutions both in terms of strength and stiffness are not   new ,however nowadays a renewed interest in and a widespread application of diagrid is registered with reference to large span and high rise buildings, particularly when they are characterized by complex geometries and curved shapes, sometimes by completely free forms.Compared to conventional orthogonal structures for tall buildings such as framed tubes, diagrid structures carry lateral wind loads much more efficiently by their diagonal members’ axial action. ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Among the large-span buildings some examples are represented by the Seatlle Library, the London City Hall, the One Shelley Street in Sydney, and more recently by several outstanding Pavilions realized at the Shanghai 2010 Expo, (e. g. France, UAE) as well as by some dazzling projects like the Astana National library.Among tall buildings, noteworthy examples are the Swiss Re building in London, the Hearst tower in New York, the CCTV headquarters building in Beijing, the Mode Gakuen Spiral Tower in Aichi, the Cyclone Tower in Asan, the West tower in Guangzhou, the Lotte super tower in Seoul, the Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi, the Bow project in Calgary, the Building of Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doha. .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The diagrid systems are the evolution of braced tube structures, since the erimeter configuration sti ll holds for preserving the maximum bending resistance and rigidity, while, with respect to the braced tube, the mega-diagonal members are diffusely spread over the facade, giving rise to closely spaced diagonal elements and allowing for the complete elimination of the conventional vertical columns. Therefore the diagonal members in diagrid structures act both as inclined columns and as bracing elements, and carry gravity loads as well as lateral forces due to their triangulated configuration, mainly internal axial forces arise in the members, thus minimizing shear racking effects.To begin with the behavior of basic Diagrid   Ã‚  module is   Ã‚  discussed, followed by construction process. Then the merits and demerits of   Diagrids are listed. CHAPTER-2 THE TRIANGULAR DIAGRID MODULE 2. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  INTRODUCTION Diagrid structure is modeled as a beam, and subdivided longitudinally into modules according to this repetitive diagonal pattern. Each Diagrid module is defined by a si ngle level of diagonals that extend over ‘n’ stories. | Figure 1: 8 storey Diagrid with 60 degree diagonal angle| 2. 2 MODULE GEOMETRYDiagrid structures, like all the tubular configurations, utilize the overall building plan dimension for counteracting overturning moment and providing flexural rigidity through axial action in the diagonals, which acts as inclined columns; however, this potential bending efficiency of tubular configuration is never fully achievable, due to shear deformations that arise in the building â€Å"webs†; with this regard, diagrid systems, which provide shear resistance and rigidity by means of axial action in the diagonal members, rather than bending moment in beams and columns, allows for a nearly full exploitation of the theoretical bending resistance. Being the diagrid a triangulated configuration of structural members, the geometry of the single module plays a major role in the internal axial force distribution, as well as in conferr ing global shear and bending rigidity to the building structure. While a module angle equal to 35 ° ensures the maximum shear rigidity to the diagrid system, the maximum engagement of diagonal members for bending stiffness corresponds to an angle value of 90 °, i. e. vertical columns.Thus in diagrid systems, where vertical columns are completely eliminated and both shear and bending stiffness must be provided by diagonals, a balance between this two conflicting requirements should be searched for defining the optimal angle of the diagrid module. Usually Isosceles triangular geometry is used. i. OPTIMAL ANGLE: As in the diagrids, diagonals carry both  shear and moment. Thus, the optimal angle of diagonals  is highly dependent upon the building height. Since the  optimal angle of the columns for maximum bending  rigidity is 90 degrees and that of the diagonals for  maximum shear rigidity is about 35 degrees, it is  expected that the optimal angle of diagonal members fo rdiagrid structures will fall between these angles and as  the building height increases, the optimal angle also  increases. Usually adopted range is 60 -70 degree. i. MODULE DIMENSIONS: ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Height of the module:  Ã‚  It depends on the number of stories stacked per module. Usually 2 – 6 stories are stacked per diagrid with average floor height varying from 3. 5 -4. 15 m on an average. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Base of the module:  Ã‚  It depends on the height and optimal angle (apex angle) of the diagrid. CHAPTER-3 STRUCTURAL  Ã‚   ACTION OF A DIAGRID MODULE 3. 1  Ã‚  EFFECT OF GRAVITY LOADING The diagrid module under gravity loads G is subjected to a downward vertical force, NG,mod, causes the two diagonals being both in compression and the horizontal chord in tension. | Figure 2: Effect of Gravity Loading. | 3. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF LATERAL LOADINGUnder horizontal load W, the overturning moment MW causes vertical forces in the apex joint of The diagrid modules, NW,mod, with direction and intensity of this force depending on the position of the Diagrid module, with upward / downward direction and maximum intensity in modules located on the Windward / leeward facades, respectively, and gradually decreasing values in modules located on the Web sides . | Figure 3: Effect of Lateral Loading. | 3. 3  Ã‚  EFFECT OF SHEAR LOADING The global shear VW causes a horizontal force in the apex joint of the diagrid modules, Vw,mod, which intensity depends on the position of the module with respect to the direction of wind load, i. e. the shear force VW is mainly absorbed by the modules located on the web facades, i. e. parallel to the load direction  . | Figure 4: Effect of Shear Loading| 3. 4  Ã‚  EFFECT OF NON-APEX LOADINGFor deriving internal forces in the diagrid elements, it has been implicitly assumed that the external load is transferred to the diagrid module only at the apex node of the module itself. However, since the triangle module usua lly expands over a certain number of stories, transfer of loads to the module occurs at every floor level, thus also concentrated loads along the diagonal length are present ; as a consequence, bending moment and shear force are expected due to this load condition. However the introduction of a horizontal member at each floor girder to diagonal intersection allows for the absorption of the force component orthogonal to the diagonal direction, thus preserving the prevailing axial force condition. | Figure  5: Effect of non-apex loading. | 3.    EFFECT OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL CURVATURE UNDER VERTICAL LOADING   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The above simplified analysis of the diagrid module has been carried out implicitly assuming that the plane of the triangular module coincides with the vertical plane; however, recent Applications often concern buildings characterized by curvilinear, non prismatic forms, which require the study of the diagrid curvature effect on the internal force distribution. In particular, by considering that the single module may be inclined of an angle  Ã‚  with respect to the vertical direction, the effect of   Ã‚  both gravity loads and overturning moment gives rise to an additional horizontal force, in the direction Orthogonal to the module plane.Therefore the chords of the diagrid modules, continuously connected Each other along the building perimeter at the diagonal intersections, also act as hopping elements or Ring beams, for absorbing these horizontal forces. | Figure  6: Effect o f vertical and horizontal curvature. | 3. 6  Ã‚  EFFECT OF HORIZONTAL CURVATURE UNDER HORIZONTAL LOADING When the building has a nonrectangular, rounded plans, similar effects due to this horizontal curvature develop under the action of Lateral shear, and the ring beams also collect these outward forces arising in the horizontal plane. | Figure  7: Effect of horizontal curvature. | 4. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MATERIALS   USED FOR DIAGRIDDS: Material selection for a Diagrid construction is based on the following factors . They are: a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Unit weight of the material. b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Availability of the material. )  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lead Time. d)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Erection Time. e)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Flexibility. f)  Ã‚  Durability. g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Labor cost. h)  Ã‚  Fire resistance. The basic materials used in Diagrid construction are Steel, Concrete and Wood. The relative merits and demerits of using them are discussed below. I. STEEL : Steel is by far the most popular material for Diagrid construc tions. The typical steel sections used are Wide flanges, Rectangular HSS and Round HSS. ?  Steel Wide Flanges: Advantages-  The weight and Size of wide flanges are optimized to resist the high bending loads many of the members experience. Thus use of wide flanges results in reduced structure weight and flexibility of size.The sections can be prefabricated in multi-panel sections, allowing quick erection by crane, reducing labor costs in the field. Disadvantages-  Pre-fabrication of the Diagrid sections takes a longer lead time. ?  Rectangular and Round HSS: Advantages- As with wide flanges, HSS sections can be prefabricated in multi-panel sections, allowing quick erection time, also reducing labor costs in the field. Disadvantages- Use of HSS sections will need a change in floor layouts as the beams will need to frame into the node points. This reduces the floor flexibility and efficiency. II. CONCRETE: Concrete is another widespread material for Diagrid constructions.It is used both in Precast and Cast-in-situ forms. ?  Precast concrete: Advantages-The flexibility of precast sections allows them to fit to the complex building geometries. Concrete also offers extreme safety against structural fire damage. Disadvantages-  The use of Concrete increases the dead load on the foundations, deflections of long spans, etc. Creep in concrete is also an issue. ?  Cast-in-situ Concrete: Under an Efficient material management system, cast-in-situ concrete is the best material in terms of material cost. Lead time is virtually nothing as cast-in-situ is available on demand. III. TIMBER: Timber is the least popular material for Diagrid constructions.Advantages- Multi-panel sections can reduce erection time and labor cost. Disadvantages  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Timber cost, both for material and connection, are much higher than the traditional structural materials of steel and concrete. Owing to its lesser material strength, the member sizes would be very large and hence is not preferred for major construction works. Durability and weathering of timber are other major issues. 4. 2  DIAGRID NODE DESIGN | Figure 8: Load path at Node| The diagrid segments are planned to minimize onsite butt welding and the welding locations illustrated in Figure 9. The load path can be divided into two main scenarios, vertical load and horizontal shear their combination), as shown in Figure 8.The vertical load will be transferred in the form of an axial load from the diagrid members above the node to the gusset plate and stiffeners, then to the diagrid members below the nodes as shown. The horizontal shear will be in the form of axial loads in the diagrid members above the node with one in compression and one in tension to the gusset plate and stiffeners. The force will then be transferred as shear force in the gusset plate and then to the other pair of tensile and compressive forces on the diagrid members below the node. From this load path, the shear force at the loca tion of bolt connections is high under lateral loads. Because this may create weak points at the node particularly during earthquakes, the strength of the bolts should be designed carefully. | Figure  9: Node Design Plan| 4.   Ã‚  Ã‚  NODE CONSTRUCTION FOR DIAGRID STRUCTURES Constructability is a serious issue in diagrid structures because the joints of diagrid structures are  more complicated and tend to be more expensive than those of conventional orthogonal structures. In order to reduce jobsite work, prefabrication of nodal elements is essential. Due to the triangular configuration of the diagrid structural system, rigid connections are not necessary at the nodes, and pin connections using bolts can be made more conveniently at the jobsite. If considerately designed using appropriate prefabrication strategy, constructability will not be such a limiting factor of the diagrid structures.Prefabrication of diagrid nodes for conventional rectangular shape buildings can be done relatively easily and economically because many nodes of the same configuration are required in this case. The Hearst Headquarters in New York is the typical case. | Figure  10: Node detail for the Hearst Tower  | The prefabricated nodes are connected to the large built-up diagonal members by bolts at the jobsite. As building form becomes more irregular, generating appropriate construction modules is critical for better constructability. Though it is possible to produce any complex shape construction module using today’s CAD/CAM technology, it is not the most economical solution. Extracting regularity from an irregular building form, and then adjusting the building form following the extracted regularity could be one approach.Another approach could be to make the construction modules relatively regular and design universal connections so that they can accommodate any irregularity. | Figure  11: A Diagrid node after fabrication| 4. 4ERECTION OF DIAGRID NODES During const ruction, the stability in the in-plane direction can be provided by the modules themselves and in the out-of-plane direction can be provided by the tie beams at the node. The temporary restraint to the diagrid and the construction may be minimized. The various steps in the Diagrid erection process include : ? In-place steel shop welding ?  Ã‚  Lifting up piece by piece. ?  Ã‚  Trial shop assembly of parts with high strength bolts. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  In-place welding. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  High strength bolts assembly. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Setting up perimeter girders |Figure  12:  Construction Plan of Diagrid  | | Figure  13: Diagrid Erection Process| CHAPTER-5 CASE STUDIES 5. 1  Ã‚  SWISS RE BUILDING | Figure  14: Swiss Re Building, London| 30 St. Mary Axe – also known as the Swiss Re Building – in London, is the first modern application and the most representative example of diagrid structure. Designed by Sir Norman Foster, with 40 stories   and an inter-story height of 4 . 15 m, the tower is 180 meters tall. The building is circular in plan with diameter changing along elevation, equal to 56 m at its widest point, at the 20 story, reducing to 49 m at ground level, and to 30 m at the 38 level, where a steel and glass dome tops off the building.The diagrid structure is generated by a pattern of intersecting diagonals which follow the helical path of the so called light wells, created for enforcing natural light and air circulation. It is formed by a series of steel triangles, two-story high and 9 m wide, with an intermediate tie connecting the two diagonals, which gives to the module the aspect of a â€Å"A-shape frame†. The diagonals are CHS members, with cross section between 508 x 40 mm at the lowest floors and 273 x 12. 5 mm at the top, while the chord members have RHS, 250 x 300 mm with wall thickness of 25mm. The circular central core, which has constant diameter along elevation, does not contribute to the lateral resistance and rigidity, being a simple frame structure. 5. 2  HEARST  TOWERThe Hearst Tower in New York was designed by Sir Norman Foster; the building, 46 stories and 183 meters tall, has a prismatic form and a rectangular floor plan, 48 x 37m and is built on an existent 6 storey building. The diagrid structure, creating the characteristic â€Å"diamond effect† in the facade, rises from 12 composite columns, which reach the tenth floor starting from the ground level. The diagrid module is 12. 25 m wide and 16. 54 m high, and covers four stories. The diagonal cross section are I shape, with maximum size W14x370 at the base of the diagrid (tenth level),   while the megacolumns between the tenth and the ground level are concrete filled box section 1100 x 1100 x 10m. | Figure  15: The Hearst Tower, New York. | 5. 3  GUANGZHOU WEST TOWERThe Guangzhou West Tower, designed by Wilkinson Eyre architects, London with 103 stories and a height of 440m, is the tallest building in China and one of the tallest in the world. The building has a curvilinear shape along elevation and the floor plate is an equilateral triangle with round-corners, with side 65 m at the base, increasing to a maximum value of   65 m at approximately 1/3 of the way up the building, at which point the side begins to reduce, up to 43. 5 m at the top. It has a composite structure, made by a central concrete core and perimeter diagrid structure, with the diagrid module expanding on six stories, 12. 4 m wide and 24. 8 m high. The diagonals are steel tubular members filled by concrete (CFST), with size ranging between 1080 x 55 mm at the first floor and 700 x 20mm at the top.The concrete core has a triangle shape with chamfered corners and fully participates to the lateral resistance up to the seventh floor, where it is eliminated, leaving place to a central giant atrium for the hotel which occupies the upper floors. | Figure  16:   Guangzhou West Tower, China| CHAPTER-6 MERITS AND DEMERITS OF DIAGRIDS 6. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MERITS OF DIAGRIDS: Some major benefits of using Diagrids in structures are discussed below. 1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Diagrid structures besides the service core have mostly column free exterior and interior, hence  Ã‚   free and clear, unique floor plans are Possible. 2)  Ã‚  The Glass facades and dearth of interior columns allow generous amounts of day lighting into the structure. 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  The use of Diagrids results in roughly 1/5th(20%) reduction in steel as compared to Braced frame structures. )  Ã‚  Ã‚  The construction techniques involved are simple, yet they need to be perfect. 5)  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Diagrids makes maximum exploitation of the structural Material. 6)  Ã‚  The diagrid Structures are aesthetically dominant and expressive. 7)  Ã‚  Redundancy in the DiaGrid design is obvious. It is this redundancy then that can transfer load from a failed portion of the structure to another. Skyscraper structural failure, as it is such an important/ promi nent topic, can be minimized in a DiaGrid design A DiaGrid has better ability to redistribute load than a Moment Frame skyscraper. Thus creating a deserved appeal for the DiaGrid in today’s landscape of building. 6.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  DEMERITS OF DIAGRIDS: Some demerits of using Diagrids are mentioned below: 1)  Ã‚  As of yet, the Diagrid Construction techniques are not   thoroughly explored. 2)  Ã‚  Lack of availability of skilled workers . Construction crews   have little or no experience    creating a DiaGrid skyscraper. 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  The DiaGrid can dominate aesthetically, which can be an issue depending upon design intent. 4)  Ã‚  It is hard to design windows that create a regular language from floor to floor. 5)  Ã‚  The DiaGrid is heavy-handed ( can be clumsy or unstable) if not executed properly. CHAPTER -7 CONCLUSION We are at a time when the global population is inching the 7 billion mark.Around the globe we witness frequent recurrence of natural calamities, depletion and degradation of vital life supporting systems, all presumed to be the impacts of Global warming, making life miserable on earth. It is high time for humanity to switch to sustainable and eco-friendly lines of infrastructure development. The construction industry, the greatest contributor to green house emissions, has the moral obligation to play the lead. The most stable and sustainable of ecosystems is the natural ecosystems. Attainment of sustainability goals would require sound knowledge and understanding of nature’s mechanisms and modeling of all artificial infrastructure in close resemblance to it.Owing to the complexity due to size and geometry of the natural systems, development of artificial infrastructure on the lines of biomimicking principles, is in fact the greatest challenge the modern day builder would have to confront with. Thus a modern day structural system should have extreme efficiency in terms of strength, expression, and geometric versatility. Most of the present structural systems are highly advanced in terms of structural efficiency and aesthetic quality, but lacks the much needed geometric versatility. As we have seen, the diagrids, the latest mutation of tubular structures, has in addition to strength and aesthetics, that extra quality of geometric versatility, making it the most suited structural system to this respect.Thus the diagrid, with an optimal combination of qualities of aesthetic expression, structural efficiency and geometric versatility is indeed the language of the modern day builder. REFERENCES 1. MOON, K. , CONNOR, J. J. and FERNANDEZ, J. E. (2007). Diagrid Structural Systems for Tall Buildings: Characteristics and Methodology for Preliminary Design, The Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings, Vol. 16. 2, pp 205-230. 2. MAURIZIO TORENO (2011). An overview on diagrid structures for tall buildings, Structural Engineers World Congress 2011. 3. KIM JONG SOO, KIM YOUNG SIK, LHO SEUNG HEE(2008). Structural Schematic Design of a Tall Building in Asan using the Diagrid System, CTBUH 8th  World Congress, 2008. Diagrid DIAGRID : THE LANGUAGE OF MODERN DAY BUILDER ABSTRACT Design and construction of artificial infrastructure on the lines of   biomimicking principles requires the development of highly advanced structural systems which has the qualities of aesthetic expression, structural efficiency and most importantly geometric versatility. Diagrids, the latest mutation of tubular structures, have an optimum combination of the above qualities. In this paper, the peculiarities of the Diagrid, its structural behavior under loading and the design and construction of diagrid nodes are described.A case study of some recent diagrid tall buildings, namely the Swiss Re Building in London, the Hearst Tower in New York, and the West Guangzhou Tower in china is also presented. CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. THE TRIANGULAR DIAGRID MODULE 2. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  INTRODUCTION 2. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MODULE GEOMETRY 3. STRUCTURAL  Ã‚  Ã‚  ACTION OF A DIAGRID MODULE 3. 1  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF GRAVITY LOADING 3. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF LATERAL LOADING 3. 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF SHEAR LOADING 3. 4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF NON-APEX LOADING 3. 5  EFFECT OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL CURVATURE UNDER  VERTICAL LOADING 3.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF HORIZONTAL CURVATURE UNDER HORIZONTAL LOADING 4. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF DIAGRID NODES 4. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MATERIALS  Ã‚  USED FOR DIAGRIDS 4. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  DIAGRID NODE DESIGN 4. 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  NODE CONSTRUCTION FOR DIAGRID STRUCTURES 4. 4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ERECTION OF DIAGRID NODES 5. CASE STUDIES 5. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  SWISS RE BUILDING 5. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  HEARST  TOWER 5. 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã ‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  GUANGZHOU WEST TOWER 6. MERITS AND DEMERITS OF DIAGRIDS 6. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MERITS OF DIAGRIDS 6. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  DEMERITS OF DIAGRIDS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  7. CONCLUSION CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTIONThe Diagrids are perimeter structural configurations characterized by a narrow grid of diagonal members which are involved both in gravity and in lateral load resistance. Diagonalized applications of structural steel members for providing efficient solutions both in terms of strength and stiffness are not   new ,however nowadays a renewed interest in and a widespread application of diagrid is registered with reference to large span and high rise buildings, particularly when they are characterized by complex geometries and curved shapes, sometimes by completely free forms.Compared to conventional orthogonal structures for tall buildings such as framed tubes, diagrid structures carry lateral wind loads much more efficiently by their diagonal members’ axial action. ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Among the large-span buildings some examples are represented by the Seatlle Library, the London City Hall, the One Shelley Street in Sydney, and more recently by several outstanding Pavilions realized at the Shanghai 2010 Expo, (e. g. France, UAE) as well as by some dazzling projects like the Astana National library.Among tall buildings, noteworthy examples are the Swiss Re building in London, the Hearst tower in New York, the CCTV headquarters building in Beijing, the Mode Gakuen Spiral Tower in Aichi, the Cyclone Tower in Asan, the West tower in Guangzhou, the Lotte super tower in Seoul, the Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi, the Bow project in Calgary, the Building of Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doha. .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The diagrid systems are the evolution of braced tube structures, since the erimeter configuration sti ll holds for preserving the maximum bending resistance and rigidity, while, with respect to the braced tube, the mega-diagonal members are diffusely spread over the facade, giving rise to closely spaced diagonal elements and allowing for the complete elimination of the conventional vertical columns. Therefore the diagonal members in diagrid structures act both as inclined columns and as bracing elements, and carry gravity loads as well as lateral forces due to their triangulated configuration, mainly internal axial forces arise in the members, thus minimizing shear racking effects.To begin with the behavior of basic Diagrid   Ã‚  module is   Ã‚  discussed, followed by construction process. Then the merits and demerits of   Diagrids are listed. CHAPTER-2 THE TRIANGULAR DIAGRID MODULE 2. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  INTRODUCTION Diagrid structure is modeled as a beam, and subdivided longitudinally into modules according to this repetitive diagonal pattern. Each Diagrid module is defined by a si ngle level of diagonals that extend over ‘n’ stories. | Figure 1: 8 storey Diagrid with 60 degree diagonal angle| 2. 2 MODULE GEOMETRYDiagrid structures, like all the tubular configurations, utilize the overall building plan dimension for counteracting overturning moment and providing flexural rigidity through axial action in the diagonals, which acts as inclined columns; however, this potential bending efficiency of tubular configuration is never fully achievable, due to shear deformations that arise in the building â€Å"webs†; with this regard, diagrid systems, which provide shear resistance and rigidity by means of axial action in the diagonal members, rather than bending moment in beams and columns, allows for a nearly full exploitation of the theoretical bending resistance. Being the diagrid a triangulated configuration of structural members, the geometry of the single module plays a major role in the internal axial force distribution, as well as in conferr ing global shear and bending rigidity to the building structure. While a module angle equal to 35 ° ensures the maximum shear rigidity to the diagrid system, the maximum engagement of diagonal members for bending stiffness corresponds to an angle value of 90 °, i. e. vertical columns.Thus in diagrid systems, where vertical columns are completely eliminated and both shear and bending stiffness must be provided by diagonals, a balance between this two conflicting requirements should be searched for defining the optimal angle of the diagrid module. Usually Isosceles triangular geometry is used. i. OPTIMAL ANGLE: As in the diagrids, diagonals carry both  shear and moment. Thus, the optimal angle of diagonals  is highly dependent upon the building height. Since the  optimal angle of the columns for maximum bending  rigidity is 90 degrees and that of the diagonals for  maximum shear rigidity is about 35 degrees, it is  expected that the optimal angle of diagonal members fo rdiagrid structures will fall between these angles and as  the building height increases, the optimal angle also  increases. Usually adopted range is 60 -70 degree. i. MODULE DIMENSIONS: ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Height of the module:  Ã‚  It depends on the number of stories stacked per module. Usually 2 – 6 stories are stacked per diagrid with average floor height varying from 3. 5 -4. 15 m on an average. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Base of the module:  Ã‚  It depends on the height and optimal angle (apex angle) of the diagrid. CHAPTER-3 STRUCTURAL  Ã‚   ACTION OF A DIAGRID MODULE 3. 1  Ã‚  EFFECT OF GRAVITY LOADING The diagrid module under gravity loads G is subjected to a downward vertical force, NG,mod, causes the two diagonals being both in compression and the horizontal chord in tension. | Figure 2: Effect of Gravity Loading. | 3. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EFFECT OF LATERAL LOADINGUnder horizontal load W, the overturning moment MW causes vertical forces in the apex joint of The diagrid modules, NW,mod, with direction and intensity of this force depending on the position of the Diagrid module, with upward / downward direction and maximum intensity in modules located on the Windward / leeward facades, respectively, and gradually decreasing values in modules located on the Web sides . | Figure 3: Effect of Lateral Loading. | 3. 3  Ã‚  EFFECT OF SHEAR LOADING The global shear VW causes a horizontal force in the apex joint of the diagrid modules, Vw,mod, which intensity depends on the position of the module with respect to the direction of wind load, i. e. the shear force VW is mainly absorbed by the modules located on the web facades, i. e. parallel to the load direction  . | Figure 4: Effect of Shear Loading| 3. 4  Ã‚  EFFECT OF NON-APEX LOADINGFor deriving internal forces in the diagrid elements, it has been implicitly assumed that the external load is transferred to the diagrid module only at the apex node of the module itself. However, since the triangle module usua lly expands over a certain number of stories, transfer of loads to the module occurs at every floor level, thus also concentrated loads along the diagonal length are present ; as a consequence, bending moment and shear force are expected due to this load condition. However the introduction of a horizontal member at each floor girder to diagonal intersection allows for the absorption of the force component orthogonal to the diagonal direction, thus preserving the prevailing axial force condition. | Figure  5: Effect of non-apex loading. | 3.    EFFECT OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL CURVATURE UNDER VERTICAL LOADING   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The above simplified analysis of the diagrid module has been carried out implicitly assuming that the plane of the triangular module coincides with the vertical plane; however, recent Applications often concern buildings characterized by curvilinear, non prismatic forms, which require the study of the diagrid curvature effect on the internal force distribution. In particular, by considering that the single module may be inclined of an angle  Ã‚  with respect to the vertical direction, the effect of   Ã‚  both gravity loads and overturning moment gives rise to an additional horizontal force, in the direction Orthogonal to the module plane.Therefore the chords of the diagrid modules, continuously connected Each other along the building perimeter at the diagonal intersections, also act as hopping elements or Ring beams, for absorbing these horizontal forces. | Figure  6: Effect o f vertical and horizontal curvature. | 3. 6  Ã‚  EFFECT OF HORIZONTAL CURVATURE UNDER HORIZONTAL LOADING When the building has a nonrectangular, rounded plans, similar effects due to this horizontal curvature develop under the action of Lateral shear, and the ring beams also collect these outward forces arising in the horizontal plane. | Figure  7: Effect of horizontal curvature. | 4. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MATERIALS   USED FOR DIAGRIDDS: Material selection for a Diagrid construction is based on the following factors . They are: a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Unit weight of the material. b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Availability of the material. )  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lead Time. d)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Erection Time. e)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Flexibility. f)  Ã‚  Durability. g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Labor cost. h)  Ã‚  Fire resistance. The basic materials used in Diagrid construction are Steel, Concrete and Wood. The relative merits and demerits of using them are discussed below. I. STEEL : Steel is by far the most popular material for Diagrid construc tions. The typical steel sections used are Wide flanges, Rectangular HSS and Round HSS. ?  Steel Wide Flanges: Advantages-  The weight and Size of wide flanges are optimized to resist the high bending loads many of the members experience. Thus use of wide flanges results in reduced structure weight and flexibility of size.The sections can be prefabricated in multi-panel sections, allowing quick erection by crane, reducing labor costs in the field. Disadvantages-  Pre-fabrication of the Diagrid sections takes a longer lead time. ?  Rectangular and Round HSS: Advantages- As with wide flanges, HSS sections can be prefabricated in multi-panel sections, allowing quick erection time, also reducing labor costs in the field. Disadvantages- Use of HSS sections will need a change in floor layouts as the beams will need to frame into the node points. This reduces the floor flexibility and efficiency. II. CONCRETE: Concrete is another widespread material for Diagrid constructions.It is used both in Precast and Cast-in-situ forms. ?  Precast concrete: Advantages-The flexibility of precast sections allows them to fit to the complex building geometries. Concrete also offers extreme safety against structural fire damage. Disadvantages-  The use of Concrete increases the dead load on the foundations, deflections of long spans, etc. Creep in concrete is also an issue. ?  Cast-in-situ Concrete: Under an Efficient material management system, cast-in-situ concrete is the best material in terms of material cost. Lead time is virtually nothing as cast-in-situ is available on demand. III. TIMBER: Timber is the least popular material for Diagrid constructions.Advantages- Multi-panel sections can reduce erection time and labor cost. Disadvantages  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Timber cost, both for material and connection, are much higher than the traditional structural materials of steel and concrete. Owing to its lesser material strength, the member sizes would be very large and hence is not preferred for major construction works. Durability and weathering of timber are other major issues. 4. 2  DIAGRID NODE DESIGN | Figure 8: Load path at Node| The diagrid segments are planned to minimize onsite butt welding and the welding locations illustrated in Figure 9. The load path can be divided into two main scenarios, vertical load and horizontal shear their combination), as shown in Figure 8.The vertical load will be transferred in the form of an axial load from the diagrid members above the node to the gusset plate and stiffeners, then to the diagrid members below the nodes as shown. The horizontal shear will be in the form of axial loads in the diagrid members above the node with one in compression and one in tension to the gusset plate and stiffeners. The force will then be transferred as shear force in the gusset plate and then to the other pair of tensile and compressive forces on the diagrid members below the node. From this load path, the shear force at the loca tion of bolt connections is high under lateral loads. Because this may create weak points at the node particularly during earthquakes, the strength of the bolts should be designed carefully. | Figure  9: Node Design Plan| 4.   Ã‚  Ã‚  NODE CONSTRUCTION FOR DIAGRID STRUCTURES Constructability is a serious issue in diagrid structures because the joints of diagrid structures are  more complicated and tend to be more expensive than those of conventional orthogonal structures. In order to reduce jobsite work, prefabrication of nodal elements is essential. Due to the triangular configuration of the diagrid structural system, rigid connections are not necessary at the nodes, and pin connections using bolts can be made more conveniently at the jobsite. If considerately designed using appropriate prefabrication strategy, constructability will not be such a limiting factor of the diagrid structures.Prefabrication of diagrid nodes for conventional rectangular shape buildings can be done relatively easily and economically because many nodes of the same configuration are required in this case. The Hearst Headquarters in New York is the typical case. | Figure  10: Node detail for the Hearst Tower  | The prefabricated nodes are connected to the large built-up diagonal members by bolts at the jobsite. As building form becomes more irregular, generating appropriate construction modules is critical for better constructability. Though it is possible to produce any complex shape construction module using today’s CAD/CAM technology, it is not the most economical solution. Extracting regularity from an irregular building form, and then adjusting the building form following the extracted regularity could be one approach.Another approach could be to make the construction modules relatively regular and design universal connections so that they can accommodate any irregularity. | Figure  11: A Diagrid node after fabrication| 4. 4ERECTION OF DIAGRID NODES During const ruction, the stability in the in-plane direction can be provided by the modules themselves and in the out-of-plane direction can be provided by the tie beams at the node. The temporary restraint to the diagrid and the construction may be minimized. The various steps in the Diagrid erection process include : ? In-place steel shop welding ?  Ã‚  Lifting up piece by piece. ?  Ã‚  Trial shop assembly of parts with high strength bolts. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  In-place welding. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  High strength bolts assembly. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Setting up perimeter girders |Figure  12:  Construction Plan of Diagrid  | | Figure  13: Diagrid Erection Process| CHAPTER-5 CASE STUDIES 5. 1  Ã‚  SWISS RE BUILDING | Figure  14: Swiss Re Building, London| 30 St. Mary Axe – also known as the Swiss Re Building – in London, is the first modern application and the most representative example of diagrid structure. Designed by Sir Norman Foster, with 40 stories   and an inter-story height of 4 . 15 m, the tower is 180 meters tall. The building is circular in plan with diameter changing along elevation, equal to 56 m at its widest point, at the 20 story, reducing to 49 m at ground level, and to 30 m at the 38 level, where a steel and glass dome tops off the building.The diagrid structure is generated by a pattern of intersecting diagonals which follow the helical path of the so called light wells, created for enforcing natural light and air circulation. It is formed by a series of steel triangles, two-story high and 9 m wide, with an intermediate tie connecting the two diagonals, which gives to the module the aspect of a â€Å"A-shape frame†. The diagonals are CHS members, with cross section between 508 x 40 mm at the lowest floors and 273 x 12. 5 mm at the top, while the chord members have RHS, 250 x 300 mm with wall thickness of 25mm. The circular central core, which has constant diameter along elevation, does not contribute to the lateral resistance and rigidity, being a simple frame structure. 5. 2  HEARST  TOWERThe Hearst Tower in New York was designed by Sir Norman Foster; the building, 46 stories and 183 meters tall, has a prismatic form and a rectangular floor plan, 48 x 37m and is built on an existent 6 storey building. The diagrid structure, creating the characteristic â€Å"diamond effect† in the facade, rises from 12 composite columns, which reach the tenth floor starting from the ground level. The diagrid module is 12. 25 m wide and 16. 54 m high, and covers four stories. The diagonal cross section are I shape, with maximum size W14x370 at the base of the diagrid (tenth level),   while the megacolumns between the tenth and the ground level are concrete filled box section 1100 x 1100 x 10m. | Figure  15: The Hearst Tower, New York. | 5. 3  GUANGZHOU WEST TOWERThe Guangzhou West Tower, designed by Wilkinson Eyre architects, London with 103 stories and a height of 440m, is the tallest building in China and one of the tallest in the world. The building has a curvilinear shape along elevation and the floor plate is an equilateral triangle with round-corners, with side 65 m at the base, increasing to a maximum value of   65 m at approximately 1/3 of the way up the building, at which point the side begins to reduce, up to 43. 5 m at the top. It has a composite structure, made by a central concrete core and perimeter diagrid structure, with the diagrid module expanding on six stories, 12. 4 m wide and 24. 8 m high. The diagonals are steel tubular members filled by concrete (CFST), with size ranging between 1080 x 55 mm at the first floor and 700 x 20mm at the top.The concrete core has a triangle shape with chamfered corners and fully participates to the lateral resistance up to the seventh floor, where it is eliminated, leaving place to a central giant atrium for the hotel which occupies the upper floors. | Figure  16:   Guangzhou West Tower, China| CHAPTER-6 MERITS AND DEMERITS OF DIAGRIDS 6. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MERITS OF DIAGRIDS: Some major benefits of using Diagrids in structures are discussed below. 1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Diagrid structures besides the service core have mostly column free exterior and interior, hence  Ã‚   free and clear, unique floor plans are Possible. 2)  Ã‚  The Glass facades and dearth of interior columns allow generous amounts of day lighting into the structure. 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  The use of Diagrids results in roughly 1/5th(20%) reduction in steel as compared to Braced frame structures. )  Ã‚  Ã‚  The construction techniques involved are simple, yet they need to be perfect. 5)  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Diagrids makes maximum exploitation of the structural Material. 6)  Ã‚  The diagrid Structures are aesthetically dominant and expressive. 7)  Ã‚  Redundancy in the DiaGrid design is obvious. It is this redundancy then that can transfer load from a failed portion of the structure to another. Skyscraper structural failure, as it is such an important/ promi nent topic, can be minimized in a DiaGrid design A DiaGrid has better ability to redistribute load than a Moment Frame skyscraper. Thus creating a deserved appeal for the DiaGrid in today’s landscape of building. 6.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  DEMERITS OF DIAGRIDS: Some demerits of using Diagrids are mentioned below: 1)  Ã‚  As of yet, the Diagrid Construction techniques are not   thoroughly explored. 2)  Ã‚  Lack of availability of skilled workers . Construction crews   have little or no experience    creating a DiaGrid skyscraper. 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  The DiaGrid can dominate aesthetically, which can be an issue depending upon design intent. 4)  Ã‚  It is hard to design windows that create a regular language from floor to floor. 5)  Ã‚  The DiaGrid is heavy-handed ( can be clumsy or unstable) if not executed properly. CHAPTER -7 CONCLUSION We are at a time when the global population is inching the 7 billion mark.Around the globe we witness frequent recurrence of natural calamities, depletion and degradation of vital life supporting systems, all presumed to be the impacts of Global warming, making life miserable on earth. It is high time for humanity to switch to sustainable and eco-friendly lines of infrastructure development. The construction industry, the greatest contributor to green house emissions, has the moral obligation to play the lead. The most stable and sustainable of ecosystems is the natural ecosystems. Attainment of sustainability goals would require sound knowledge and understanding of nature’s mechanisms and modeling of all artificial infrastructure in close resemblance to it.Owing to the complexity due to size and geometry of the natural systems, development of artificial infrastructure on the lines of biomimicking principles, is in fact the greatest challenge the modern day builder would have to confront with. Thus a modern day structural system should have extreme efficiency in terms of strength, expression, and geometric versatility. Most of the present structural systems are highly advanced in terms of structural efficiency and aesthetic quality, but lacks the much needed geometric versatility. As we have seen, the diagrids, the latest mutation of tubular structures, has in addition to strength and aesthetics, that extra quality of geometric versatility, making it the most suited structural system to this respect.Thus the diagrid, with an optimal combination of qualities of aesthetic expression, structural efficiency and geometric versatility is indeed the language of the modern day builder. REFERENCES 1. MOON, K. , CONNOR, J. J. and FERNANDEZ, J. E. (2007). Diagrid Structural Systems for Tall Buildings: Characteristics and Methodology for Preliminary Design, The Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings, Vol. 16. 2, pp 205-230. 2. MAURIZIO TORENO (2011). An overview on diagrid structures for tall buildings, Structural Engineers World Congress 2011. 3. KIM JONG SOO, KIM YOUNG SIK, LHO SEUNG HEE(2008). Structural Schematic Design of a Tall Building in Asan using the Diagrid System, CTBUH 8th  World Congress, 2008.

Sun poisoning Essay Example

Sun poisoning Essay Example Sun poisoning Paper Sun poisoning Paper The current belief of postmodernism Is that a correct and precise description of reality Is Impossible. The truth, said by Unlatched, Is Limited and constantly evolving. There Is a focus on the deconstruction and fragmentation of novels, paintings and general art and because of that, it is nearly impossible to give a clear definition of the term post-modernism. Authors such as Hark Murrain and Michael Strung Summary of the text The short story Sun poisoning is about a couple, whom we never get a name for, hat is going on a vacation to Haiti after the boyfriend has finished an art show in New York and decides that both of them need to get away. The story focuses on the girlfriend who isnt too happy about going on vacation because she thinks that It Is a lot more hard work than just staying at home. The girlfriend complains a lot about the food and general location of their hotel and Is not really pleased with their vacation. One day her boyfriend falls Ill and sleeps all day and the girlfriend Is mad at him for leaving her alone, but the next day, when they are about to eat dinner, the relined falls ill herself and has been sun poisoned from laying on the beach too much and for the rest of the vacation she has to wear long pants, shirts, a cap and shoes and she can barely walk three steps without her body burning. The story end with an ironic note about the, in the girlfriends eyes, crappy three man band that only knows two song. Characterization The girlfriend We do not get a name for her, nor do we get an exact age, but I would think that she is around the late twenties or early thirties because she has a boyfriend, not a husband and because she cares a lot about how she looks. She is a woman who eels out of place In her body. She Is the protagonist of the short story and Is very negative. She doesnt really get the whole female thing with waxing ones legs and removing body oils and then spreading different oils all over ones body. Since you are kind of reading the womans thoughts in the short story you can tell that she is very ironic. 4 She does not like talking to new people as she drags her boyfriend away from Michael and Linda; a couple they met when they saw a bush fire on the other side of the bay. The boyfriend We do not get a lot of information about the boyfriend in the short story but he mess a lot more optimistic than his girlfriend. He is the antagonist of the short story. He is a painter, an artist, who Just had a show in New York and needed to get away. He is creative and has a sense of humor and takes good care of his girlfriends Analysis The setting of the short story Is partly In New York, when they are getting ready and In Halt when they are on vacation The story Is written In a Second person narrative seeing as the pronoun you is used frequently to describe the plot of the story and Girlfriend and her inner self and the problems and conflicts she has inside, as she goes not feel comfortable in her female body. She feels like she doesnt belong in her body and would much rather be a man, because she thinks that it would be a lot easier. The language and form of the short story is very fragmented and very much like a stream of consciousness from the main characters point of view. Fragmentation is also an important trait in post-modernism. Interpretation You can interpret the woman as to having an identity crisis, which many people had in the eighties because of the new form of industrialization caused by MET, the origin of music videos and there became a lot more focus on ones appearance and body. The androgynous look came in to fashion and it developed a more blurry line between the two sexes. The woman in the short story does not feel at home in her own body as a female and would much rather be a man because it seems like less of a hassle. She feels as if her female appearance is a faded . Putting the text into perspective As seen in the poem Interferer by Susan Hamlin, seen on our curriculum. The truth is unstable. The main person in the poem sends a virtual bouquet of flowers and it depicts the fragmentation of the world and the new industrialization. Conclusion Post-modernism comes to a strange conclusion that; We can image things that do not physically exist We cannot image things that do physically exist. Therefore to summarize; The text Sun poisoning gives a view of reality by ONE woman who has her doubts about who she is. She imagines things about herself that do not physically exist, her doubt, her sex, her identity. Post-modernism tries to break up with the traits of modernism; the feeling of the big city and the industrialization. In post-modernism there is a universal truth that is open for interpretation and re-interpretation. The truth simply becomes unstable.

Chapter 13 Madeye Moody

â€Å"Herbology with the Hufflepuffs and Care of Magical Creatures†¦damn it, we’re still with the Slytherins†¦.† â€Å"Double Divination this afternoon,† Harry groaned, looking down. Divination was his least favorite subject, apart from Potions. Professor Trelawney kept predicting Harry’s death, which he found extremely annoying. â€Å"You should have given it up like me, shouldn’t you?† said Hermione briskly, buttering herself some toast. â€Å"Then you’d be doing something sensible like Arithmancy.† â€Å"You’re eating again, I notice,† said Ron, watching Hermione adding liberal amounts of jam to her toast too. â€Å"I’ve decided there are better ways of making a stand about elf rights,† said Hermione haughtily. â€Å"Yeah†¦and you were hungry,† said Ron, grinning. There was a sudden rustling noise above them, and a hundred owls came soaring through the open windows carrying the morning mail. Instinctively, Harry looked up, but there was no sign of white among the mass of brown and gray. The owls circled the tables, looking for the people to whom their letters and packages were addressed. A large tawny owl soared down to Neville Longbottom and deposited a parcel into his lap – Neville almost always forgot to pack something. On the other side of the Hall Draco Malfoy’s eagle owl had landed on his shoulder, carrying what looked like his usual supply of sweets and cakes from home. Trying to ignore the sinking feeling of disappointment in his stomach, Harry returned to his porridge. Was it possible that something had happened to Hedwig, and that Sirius hadn’t even got his letter? His preoccupation lasted all the way across the sodden vegetable patch until they arrived in greenhouse three, but here he was distracted by Professor Sprout showing the class the ugliest plants Harry had ever seen. Indeed, they looked less like plants than thick, black, giant slugs, protruding vertically out of the soil. Each was squirming slightly and had a number of large, shiny swellings upon it, which appeared to be full of liquid. â€Å"Bubotubers,† Professor Sprout told them briskly. â€Å"They need squeezing. You will collect the pus -â€Å" â€Å"The what?† said Seamus Finnigan, sounding revolted. â€Å"Pus, Finnigan, pus,† said Professor Sprout, â€Å"and it’s extremely valuable, so don’t waste it. You will collect the pus, I say, in these bottles. Wear your dragon-hide gloves; it can do funny things to the skin when undiluted, bubotuber pus.† Squeezing the bubotubers was disgusting, but oddly satisfying. As each swelling was popped, a large amount of thick yellowish-green liquid burst forth, which smelled strongly of petrol. They caught it in the bottles as Professor Sprout had indicated, and by the end of the lesson had collected several pints. â€Å"This’ll keep Madam Pomfrey happy,† said Professor Sprout, stoppering the last bottle with a cork. â€Å"An excellent remedy for the more stubborn forms of acne, bubotuber pus. Should stop students resorting to desperate measures to rid themselves of pimples.† â€Å"Like poor Eloise Midgen,† said Hannah Abbott, a Hufflepuff, in a hushed voice. â€Å"She tried to curse hers off.† â€Å"Silly girl,† said Professor Sprout, shaking her head. â€Å"But Madam Pomfrey fixed her nose back on in the end.† A booming bell echoed from the castle across the wet grounds, signaling the end of the lesson, and the class separated; the Hufflepuffs climbing the stone steps for Transfiguration, and the Gryffindors heading in the other direction, down the sloping lawn toward Hagrid’s small wooden cabin, which stood on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid was standing outside his hut, one hand on the collar of his enormous black boarhound, Fang. There were several open wooden crates on the ground at his feet, and Fang was whimpering and straining at his collar, apparently keen to investigate the contents more closely. As they drew nearer, an odd rattling noise reached their ears, punctuated by what sounded like minor explosions. â€Å"Mornin’!† Hagrid said, grinning at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. â€Å"Be’er wait fer the Slytherins, they won’ want ter miss this – Blast-Ended Skrewts!† â€Å"Come again?† said Ron. Hagrid pointed down into the crates. â€Å"Eurgh!† squealed Lavender Brown, jumping backward. â€Å"Eurgh† just about summed up the Blast-Ended Skrewts in Harry’s opinion. They looked like deformed, shell-less lobsters, horribly pale and slimy-looking, with legs sticking out in very odd places and no visible heads. There were about a hundred of them in each crate, each about six inches long, crawling over one another, bumping blindly into the sides of the boxes. They were giving off a very powerful smell of rotting fish. Every now and then, sparks would fly out of the end of a skrewt, and with a small phut, it would be propelled forward several inches. â€Å"On’y jus’ hatched,† said Hagrid proudly, â€Å"so yeh’ll be able ter raise ’em yerselves! Thought we’d make a bit of a project of it!† â€Å"And why would we want to raise them?† said a cold voice. The Slytherins had arrived. The speaker was Draco Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle were chuckling appreciatively at his words. Hagrid looked stumped at the question. â€Å"I mean, what do they do?† asked Malfoy. â€Å"What is the point of them?† Hagrid opened his mouth, apparently thinking hard; there was a few seconds’ pause, then he said roughly, â€Å"Tha’s next lesson, Malfoy. Yer jus’ feedin’ ’em today. Now, yeh’ll wan’ ter try ’em on a few diff’rent things – I’ve never had ’em before, not sure what they’ll go fer – I got ant eggs an’ frog livers an’ a bit o’ grass snake – just try ’em out with a bit of each.† â€Å"First pus and now this,† muttered Seamus. Nothing but deep affection for Hagrid could have made Harry, Ron, and Hermione pick up squelchy handfuls of frog liver and lower them into the crates to tempt the Blast-Ended Skrewts. Harry couldn’t suppress the suspicion that the whole thing was entirely pointless, because the skrewts didn’t seem to have mouths. â€Å"Ouch!† yelled Dean Thomas after about ten minutes. â€Å"It got me.† Hagrid hurried over to him, looking anxious. â€Å"Its end exploded!† said Dean angrily, showing Hagrid a burn on his hand. â€Å"Ah, yeah, that can happen when they blast off,† said Hagrid, nodding. â€Å"Eurgh!† said Lavender Brown again. â€Å"Eurgh, Hagrid, what’s that pointy thing on it?† â€Å"Ah, some of ’em have got stings,† said Hagrid enthusiastically (Lavender quickly withdrew her hand from the box). â€Å"I reckon they’re the males†¦.The females’ve got sorta sucker things on their bellies†¦.I think they might be ter suck blood.† â€Å"Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,† said Malfoy sarcastically. â€Å"Who wouldn’t want pets that can burn, sting, and bite all at once?† â€Å"Just because they’re not very pretty, it doesn’t mean they’re not useful,† Hermione snapped. â€Å"Dragon blood’s amazingly magical, but you wouldn’t want a dragon for a pet, would you?† Harry and Ron grinned at Hagrid, who gave them a furtive smile from behind his bushy beard. Hagrid would have liked nothing better than a pet dragon, as Harry, Ron, and Hermione knew only too well – he had owned one for a brief period during their first year, a vicious Norwegian Ridgeback by the name of Norbert. Hagrid simply loved monstrous creatures, the more lethal, the better. â€Å"Well, at least the skrewts are small,† said Ron as they made their way back up to the castle for lunch an hour later. â€Å"They are now,† said Hermione in an exasperated voice, â€Å"but once Hagrid’s found out what they eat, I expect they’ll be six feet long.† â€Å"Well, that won’t matter if they turn out to cure seasickness or something, will it?† said Ron, grinning slyly at her. â€Å"You know perfectly well I only said that to shut Malfoy up,† said Hermione. â€Å"As a matter of fact I think he’s right. The best thing to do would be to stamp on the lot of them before they start attacking us all.† They sat down at the Gryffindor table and helped themselves to lamb chops and potatoes. Hermione began to eat so fast that Harry and Ron stared at her. â€Å"Er – is this the new stand on elf rights?† said Ron. â€Å"You’re going to make yourself puke instead?† â€Å"No,† said Hermione, with as much dignity as she could muster with her mouth bulging with sprouts. â€Å"I just want to get to the library.† â€Å"What?† said Ron in disbelief. â€Å"Hermione – it’s the first day back! We haven’t even got homework yet!† Hermione shrugged and continued to shovel down her food as though she had not eaten for days. Then she leapt to her feet, said, â€Å"See you at dinner!† and departed at high speed. When the bell rang to signal the start of afternoon lessons, Harry and Ron set off for North Tower where, at the top of a tightly spiraling staircase, a silver stepladder led to a circular trapdoor in the ceiling, and the room where Professor Trelawney lived. The familiar sweet perfume spreading from the fire met their nostrils as they emerged at the top of the stepladder. As ever, the curtains were all closed; the circular room was bathed in a dim reddish light cast by the many lamps, which were all draped with scarves and shawls. Harry and Ron walked through the mass of occupied chintz chairs and poufs that cluttered the room, and sat down at the same small circular table. â€Å"Good day,† said the misty voice of Professor Trelawney right behind Harry, making him jump. A very thin woman with enormous glasses that made her eyes appear far too large for her face, Professor Trelawney was peering down at Harry with the tragic expression she always wore whenever she saw him. The usual large amount of beads, chains, and bangles glittered upon her person in the firelight. â€Å"You are preoccupied, my dear,† she said mournfully to Harry. â€Å"My inner eye sees past your brave face to the troubled soul within. And I regret to say that your worries are not baseless. I see difficult times ahead for you, alas†¦most difficult†¦I fear the thing you dread will indeed come to pass†¦.and perhaps sooner than you think†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. Ron rolled his eyes at Harry, who looked stonily back. Professor Trelawney swept past them and seated herself in a large winged armchair before the fire, facing the class. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, who deeply admired Professor Trelawney, were sitting on poufs very close to her. â€Å"My dears, it is time for us to consider the stars,† she said. â€Å"The movements of the planets and the mysterious portents they reveal only to those who understand the steps of the celestial dance. Human destiny may be deciphered by the planetary rays, which intermingle†¦.† But Harry’s thoughts had drifted. The perfumed fire always made him feel sleepy and dull-witted, and Professor Trelawney’s rambling talks on fortune-telling never held him exactly spellbound – though he couldn’t help thinking about what she had just said to him. â€Å"I fear the thing you dread will indeed come to pass†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But Hermione was right, Harry thought irritably, Professor Trelawney really was an old fraud. He wasn’t dreading anything at the moment at all†¦well, unless you counted his fears that Sirius had been caught†¦but what did Professor Trelawney know? He had long since come to the conclusion that her brand of fortunetelling was really no more than lucky guesswork and a spooky manner. Except, of course, for that time at the end of last term, when she had made the prediction about Voldemort rising again†¦and Dumbledore himself had said that he thought that trance had been genuine, when Harry had described it to him. â€Å"Harry!† Ron muttered. â€Å"What?† Harry looked around; the whole class was staring at him. He sat up straight; he had been almost dozing off, lost in the heat and his thoughts. â€Å"I was saying, my dear, that you were clearly born under the baleful influence of Saturn,† said Professor Trelawney, a faint note of resentment in her voice at the fact that he had obviously not been hanging on her words. â€Å"Born under – what, sorry?† said Harry. â€Å"Saturn, dear, the planet Saturn!† said Professor Trelawney, sounding definitely irritated that he wasn’t riveted by this news. â€Å"I was saying that Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment of your birth†¦.Your dark hair†¦your mean stature†¦tragic losses so young in life†¦I think I am right in saying, my dear, that you were born in midwinter?† â€Å"No,† said Harry, â€Å"I was born in July.† Ron hastily turned his laugh into a hacking cough. Half an hour later, each of them had been given a complicated circular chart, and was attempting to fill in the position of the planets at their moment of birth. It was dull work, requiring much consultation of timetables and calculation of angles. â€Å"I’ve got two Neptunes here,† said Harry after a while, frowning down at his piece of parchment, â€Å"that can’t be right, can it?† â€Å"Aaaaah,† said Ron, imitating Professor Trelawney’s mystical whisper, â€Å"when two Neptunes appear in the sky, it is a sure sign that a midget in glasses is being born, Harry†¦.† Seamus and Dean, who were working nearby, sniggered loudly, though not loudly enough to mask the excited squeals from Lavender Brown – â€Å"Oh Professor, look! I think I’ve got an unaspected planet! Oooh, which one’s that, Professor?† â€Å"It is Uranus, my dear,† said Professor Trelawney, peering down at the chart. â€Å"Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavender?† said Ron. Most unfortunately, Professor Trelawney heard him, and it was this, perhaps, that made her give them so much homework at the end of the class. â€Å"A detailed analysis of the way the planetary movements in the coming month will affect you, with reference to your personal chart,† she snapped, sounding much more like Professor McGonagall than her usual airy-fairy self. â€Å"I want it ready to hand in next Monday, and no excuses!† â€Å"Miserable old bat,† said Ron bitterly as they joined the crowds descending the staircases back to the Great Hall and dinner. â€Å"That’ll take all weekend, that will†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Lots of homework?† said Hermione brightly, catching up with them. â€Å"Professor Vector didn’t give us any at all!† â€Å"Well, bully for Professor Vector,† said Ron moodily. They reached the entrance hall, which was packed with people queuing for dinner. They had just joined the end of the line, when a loud voice rang out behind them. â€Å"Weasley! Hey, Weasley!† Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were standing there, each looking thoroughly pleased about something. â€Å"What?† said Ron shortly. â€Å"Your dad’s in the paper, Weasley!† said Malfoy, brandishing a copy of the Daily Prophet and speaking very loudly, so that everyone in the packed entrance hall could hear. â€Å"Listen to this! FURTHER MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC It seems as though the Ministry of Magic’s troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.† Malfoy looked up. â€Å"Imagine them not even getting his name right, Weasley. It’s almost as though he’s a complete nonentity, isn’t it?† he crowed. Everyone in the entrance hall was listening now. Malfoy straightened the paper with a flourish and read on: Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers (â€Å"policemen†) over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of â€Å"Mad-Eye† Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and attempted murder. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody’s heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene. â€Å"And there’s a picture, Weasley!† said Malfoy, flipping the paper over and holding it up. â€Å"A picture of your parents outside their house – if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn’t she?† Ron was shaking with fury. Everyone was staring at him. â€Å"Get stuffed, Malfoy,† said Harry. â€Å"C’mon, Ron†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Oh yeah, you were staying with them this summer, weren’t you, Potter?† sneered Malfoy. â€Å"So tell me, is his mother really that porky, or is it just the picture?† â€Å"You know your mother, Malfoy?† said Harry – both he and Hermione had grabbed the back of Ron’s robes to stop him from launching himself at Malfoy – â€Å"that expression she’s got, like she’s got dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?† Malfoy’s pale face went slightly pink. â€Å"Don’t you dare insult my mother, Potter.† â€Å"Keep your fat mouth shut, then,† said Harry, turning away. BANG! Several people screamed – Harry felt something white-hot graze the side of his face – he plunged his hand into his robes for his wand, but before he’d even touched it, he heard a second loud BANG, and a roar that echoed through the entrance hall. â€Å"OH NO YOU DON’T, LADDIE!† Harry spun around. Professor Moody was limping down the marble staircase. His wand was out and it was pointing right at a pure white ferret, which was shivering on the stone-flagged floor, exactly where Malfoy had been standing. There was a terrified silence in the entrance hall. Nobody but Moody was moving a muscle. Moody turned to look at Harry – at least, his normal eye was looking at Harry; the other one was pointing into the back of his head. â€Å"Did he get you?† Moody growled. His voice was low and gravelly. â€Å"No,† said Harry, â€Å"missed.† â€Å"LEAVE IT!† Moody shouted. â€Å"Leave – what?† Harry said, bewildered. â€Å"Not you – him!† Moody growled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at Crabbe, who had just frozen, about to pick up the white ferret. It seemed that Moody’s rolling eye was magical and could see out of the back of his head. Moody started to limp toward Crabbe, Goyle, and the ferret, which gave a terrified squeak and took off, streaking toward the dungeons. â€Å"I don’t think so!† roared Moody, pointing his wand at the ferret again – it flew ten feet into the air, fell with a smack to the floor, and then bounced upward once more. â€Å"I don’t like people who attack when their opponent’s back’s turned,† growled Moody as the ferret bounced higher and higher, squealing in pain. â€Å"Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly. â€Å"Never – do – that – again -† said Moody, speaking each word as the ferret hit the stone floor and bounced upward again. â€Å"Professor Moody!† said a shocked voice. Professor McGonagall was coming down the marble staircase with her arms full of books. â€Å"Hello, Professor McGonagall,† said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher. â€Å"What – what are you doing?† said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the bouncing ferret’s progress through the air. â€Å"Teaching,† said Moody. â€Å"Teach – Moody, is that a student?† shrieked Professor McGonagall, the books spilling out of her arms. â€Å"Yep,† said Moody. â€Å"No!† cried Professor McGonagall, running down the stairs and pulling out her wand; a moment later, with a loud snapping noise, Draco Malfoy had reappeared, lying in a heap on the floor with his sleek blond hair all over his now brilliantly pink face. He got to his feet, wincing. â€Å"Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!† said Professor McGonagall wealdy. â€Å"Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?† â€Å"He might’ve mentioned it, yeah,† said Moody, scratching his chin unconcernedly, â€Å"but I thought a good sharp shock -â€Å" â€Å"We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender’s Head of House!† â€Å"I’ll do that, then,† said Moody, staring at Malfoy with great dislike. Malfoy, whose pale eyes were still watering with pain and humiliation, looked malevolently up at Moody and muttered something in which the words â€Å"my father† were distinguishable. â€Å"Oh yeah?† said Moody quietly, limping forward a few steps, the dull clunk of his wooden leg echoing around the hall. â€Å"Well, I know your father of old, boy†¦.You tell him Moody’s keeping a close eye on his son†¦you tell him that from me†¦.Now, your Head of House’ll be Snape, will it?† â€Å"Yes,† said Malfoy resentfully. â€Å"Another old friend,† growled Moody. â€Å"I’ve been looking forward to a chat with old Snape†¦.Come on, you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  And he seized Malfoy’s upper arm and marched him off toward the dungeons. Professor McGonagall stared anxiously after them for a few moments, then waved her wand at her fallen books, causing them to soar up into the air and back into her arms. â€Å"Don’t talk to me,† Ron said quietly to Harry and Hermione as they sat down at the Gryffindor table a few minutes later, surrounded by excited talk on all sides about what had just happened. â€Å"Why not?† said Hermione in surprise. â€Å"Because I want to fix that in my memory forever,† said Ron, his eyes closed and an uplifted expression on his face. â€Å"Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret.† Harry and Hermione both laughed, and Hermione began doling beef casserole onto each of their plates. â€Å"He could have really hurt Malfoy, though,† she said. â€Å"It was good, really, that Professor McGonagall stopped it -â€Å" â€Å"Hermione!† said Ron furiously, his eyes snapping open again, â€Å"you’re ruining the best moment of my life!† Hermione made an impatient noise and began to eat at top speed again. â€Å"Don’t tell me you’re going back to the library this evening?† said Harry, watching her. â€Å"Got to,† said Hermione thickly. â€Å"Loads to do.† â€Å"But you told us Professor Vector -â€Å" â€Å"It’s not schoolwork,† she said. Within five minutes, she had cleared her plate and departed. No sooner had she gone than her seat was taken by Fred Weasley. â€Å"Moody!† he said. â€Å"How cool is he?† â€Å"Beyond cool,† said George, sitting down opposite Fred. â€Å"Supercool,† said the twins’ best friend, Lee Jordan, sliding into the seat beside George. â€Å"We had him this afternoon,† he told Harry and Ron. â€Å"What was it like?† said Harry eagerly. Fred, George, and Lee exchanged looks full of meaning. â€Å"Never had a lesson like it,† said Fred. â€Å"He knows, man,† said Lee. â€Å"Knows what?† said Ron, leaning forward. â€Å"Knows what it’s like to be out there doing it,† said George impressively. â€Å"Doing what?† said Harry. â€Å"Fighting the Dark Arts,† said Fred. â€Å"He’s seen it all,† said George. â€Å"‘Mazing,† said Lee. Ron dived into his bag for his schedule. â€Å"We haven’t got him till Thursday!† he said in a disappointed voice. Chapter 13 Madeye Moody â€Å"Herbology with the Hufflepuffs and Care of Magical Creatures†¦damn it, we’re still with the Slytherins†¦.† â€Å"Double Divination this afternoon,† Harry groaned, looking down. Divination was his least favorite subject, apart from Potions. Professor Trelawney kept predicting Harry’s death, which he found extremely annoying. â€Å"You should have given it up like me, shouldn’t you?† said Hermione briskly, buttering herself some toast. â€Å"Then you’d be doing something sensible like Arithmancy.† â€Å"You’re eating again, I notice,† said Ron, watching Hermione adding liberal amounts of jam to her toast too. â€Å"I’ve decided there are better ways of making a stand about elf rights,† said Hermione haughtily. â€Å"Yeah†¦and you were hungry,† said Ron, grinning. There was a sudden rustling noise above them, and a hundred owls came soaring through the open windows carrying the morning mail. Instinctively, Harry looked up, but there was no sign of white among the mass of brown and gray. The owls circled the tables, looking for the people to whom their letters and packages were addressed. A large tawny owl soared down to Neville Longbottom and deposited a parcel into his lap – Neville almost always forgot to pack something. On the other side of the Hall Draco Malfoy’s eagle owl had landed on his shoulder, carrying what looked like his usual supply of sweets and cakes from home. Trying to ignore the sinking feeling of disappointment in his stomach, Harry returned to his porridge. Was it possible that something had happened to Hedwig, and that Sirius hadn’t even got his letter? His preoccupation lasted all the way across the sodden vegetable patch until they arrived in greenhouse three, but here he was distracted by Professor Sprout showing the class the ugliest plants Harry had ever seen. Indeed, they looked less like plants than thick, black, giant slugs, protruding vertically out of the soil. Each was squirming slightly and had a number of large, shiny swellings upon it, which appeared to be full of liquid. â€Å"Bubotubers,† Professor Sprout told them briskly. â€Å"They need squeezing. You will collect the pus -â€Å" â€Å"The what?† said Seamus Finnigan, sounding revolted. â€Å"Pus, Finnigan, pus,† said Professor Sprout, â€Å"and it’s extremely valuable, so don’t waste it. You will collect the pus, I say, in these bottles. Wear your dragon-hide gloves; it can do funny things to the skin when undiluted, bubotuber pus.† Squeezing the bubotubers was disgusting, but oddly satisfying. As each swelling was popped, a large amount of thick yellowish-green liquid burst forth, which smelled strongly of petrol. They caught it in the bottles as Professor Sprout had indicated, and by the end of the lesson had collected several pints. â€Å"This’ll keep Madam Pomfrey happy,† said Professor Sprout, stoppering the last bottle with a cork. â€Å"An excellent remedy for the more stubborn forms of acne, bubotuber pus. Should stop students resorting to desperate measures to rid themselves of pimples.† â€Å"Like poor Eloise Midgen,† said Hannah Abbott, a Hufflepuff, in a hushed voice. â€Å"She tried to curse hers off.† â€Å"Silly girl,† said Professor Sprout, shaking her head. â€Å"But Madam Pomfrey fixed her nose back on in the end.† A booming bell echoed from the castle across the wet grounds, signaling the end of the lesson, and the class separated; the Hufflepuffs climbing the stone steps for Transfiguration, and the Gryffindors heading in the other direction, down the sloping lawn toward Hagrid’s small wooden cabin, which stood on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid was standing outside his hut, one hand on the collar of his enormous black boarhound, Fang. There were several open wooden crates on the ground at his feet, and Fang was whimpering and straining at his collar, apparently keen to investigate the contents more closely. As they drew nearer, an odd rattling noise reached their ears, punctuated by what sounded like minor explosions. â€Å"Mornin’!† Hagrid said, grinning at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. â€Å"Be’er wait fer the Slytherins, they won’ want ter miss this – Blast-Ended Skrewts!† â€Å"Come again?† said Ron. Hagrid pointed down into the crates. â€Å"Eurgh!† squealed Lavender Brown, jumping backward. â€Å"Eurgh† just about summed up the Blast-Ended Skrewts in Harry’s opinion. They looked like deformed, shell-less lobsters, horribly pale and slimy-looking, with legs sticking out in very odd places and no visible heads. There were about a hundred of them in each crate, each about six inches long, crawling over one another, bumping blindly into the sides of the boxes. They were giving off a very powerful smell of rotting fish. Every now and then, sparks would fly out of the end of a skrewt, and with a small phut, it would be propelled forward several inches. â€Å"On’y jus’ hatched,† said Hagrid proudly, â€Å"so yeh’ll be able ter raise ’em yerselves! Thought we’d make a bit of a project of it!† â€Å"And why would we want to raise them?† said a cold voice. The Slytherins had arrived. The speaker was Draco Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle were chuckling appreciatively at his words. Hagrid looked stumped at the question. â€Å"I mean, what do they do?† asked Malfoy. â€Å"What is the point of them?† Hagrid opened his mouth, apparently thinking hard; there was a few seconds’ pause, then he said roughly, â€Å"Tha’s next lesson, Malfoy. Yer jus’ feedin’ ’em today. Now, yeh’ll wan’ ter try ’em on a few diff’rent things – I’ve never had ’em before, not sure what they’ll go fer – I got ant eggs an’ frog livers an’ a bit o’ grass snake – just try ’em out with a bit of each.† â€Å"First pus and now this,† muttered Seamus. Nothing but deep affection for Hagrid could have made Harry, Ron, and Hermione pick up squelchy handfuls of frog liver and lower them into the crates to tempt the Blast-Ended Skrewts. Harry couldn’t suppress the suspicion that the whole thing was entirely pointless, because the skrewts didn’t seem to have mouths. â€Å"Ouch!† yelled Dean Thomas after about ten minutes. â€Å"It got me.† Hagrid hurried over to him, looking anxious. â€Å"Its end exploded!† said Dean angrily, showing Hagrid a burn on his hand. â€Å"Ah, yeah, that can happen when they blast off,† said Hagrid, nodding. â€Å"Eurgh!† said Lavender Brown again. â€Å"Eurgh, Hagrid, what’s that pointy thing on it?† â€Å"Ah, some of ’em have got stings,† said Hagrid enthusiastically (Lavender quickly withdrew her hand from the box). â€Å"I reckon they’re the males†¦.The females’ve got sorta sucker things on their bellies†¦.I think they might be ter suck blood.† â€Å"Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,† said Malfoy sarcastically. â€Å"Who wouldn’t want pets that can burn, sting, and bite all at once?† â€Å"Just because they’re not very pretty, it doesn’t mean they’re not useful,† Hermione snapped. â€Å"Dragon blood’s amazingly magical, but you wouldn’t want a dragon for a pet, would you?† Harry and Ron grinned at Hagrid, who gave them a furtive smile from behind his bushy beard. Hagrid would have liked nothing better than a pet dragon, as Harry, Ron, and Hermione knew only too well – he had owned one for a brief period during their first year, a vicious Norwegian Ridgeback by the name of Norbert. Hagrid simply loved monstrous creatures, the more lethal, the better. â€Å"Well, at least the skrewts are small,† said Ron as they made their way back up to the castle for lunch an hour later. â€Å"They are now,† said Hermione in an exasperated voice, â€Å"but once Hagrid’s found out what they eat, I expect they’ll be six feet long.† â€Å"Well, that won’t matter if they turn out to cure seasickness or something, will it?† said Ron, grinning slyly at her. â€Å"You know perfectly well I only said that to shut Malfoy up,† said Hermione. â€Å"As a matter of fact I think he’s right. The best thing to do would be to stamp on the lot of them before they start attacking us all.† They sat down at the Gryffindor table and helped themselves to lamb chops and potatoes. Hermione began to eat so fast that Harry and Ron stared at her. â€Å"Er – is this the new stand on elf rights?† said Ron. â€Å"You’re going to make yourself puke instead?† â€Å"No,† said Hermione, with as much dignity as she could muster with her mouth bulging with sprouts. â€Å"I just want to get to the library.† â€Å"What?† said Ron in disbelief. â€Å"Hermione – it’s the first day back! We haven’t even got homework yet!† Hermione shrugged and continued to shovel down her food as though she had not eaten for days. Then she leapt to her feet, said, â€Å"See you at dinner!† and departed at high speed. When the bell rang to signal the start of afternoon lessons, Harry and Ron set off for North Tower where, at the top of a tightly spiraling staircase, a silver stepladder led to a circular trapdoor in the ceiling, and the room where Professor Trelawney lived. The familiar sweet perfume spreading from the fire met their nostrils as they emerged at the top of the stepladder. As ever, the curtains were all closed; the circular room was bathed in a dim reddish light cast by the many lamps, which were all draped with scarves and shawls. Harry and Ron walked through the mass of occupied chintz chairs and poufs that cluttered the room, and sat down at the same small circular table. â€Å"Good day,† said the misty voice of Professor Trelawney right behind Harry, making him jump. A very thin woman with enormous glasses that made her eyes appear far too large for her face, Professor Trelawney was peering down at Harry with the tragic expression she always wore whenever she saw him. The usual large amount of beads, chains, and bangles glittered upon her person in the firelight. â€Å"You are preoccupied, my dear,† she said mournfully to Harry. â€Å"My inner eye sees past your brave face to the troubled soul within. And I regret to say that your worries are not baseless. I see difficult times ahead for you, alas†¦most difficult†¦I fear the thing you dread will indeed come to pass†¦.and perhaps sooner than you think†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. Ron rolled his eyes at Harry, who looked stonily back. Professor Trelawney swept past them and seated herself in a large winged armchair before the fire, facing the class. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, who deeply admired Professor Trelawney, were sitting on poufs very close to her. â€Å"My dears, it is time for us to consider the stars,† she said. â€Å"The movements of the planets and the mysterious portents they reveal only to those who understand the steps of the celestial dance. Human destiny may be deciphered by the planetary rays, which intermingle†¦.† But Harry’s thoughts had drifted. The perfumed fire always made him feel sleepy and dull-witted, and Professor Trelawney’s rambling talks on fortune-telling never held him exactly spellbound – though he couldn’t help thinking about what she had just said to him. â€Å"I fear the thing you dread will indeed come to pass†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But Hermione was right, Harry thought irritably, Professor Trelawney really was an old fraud. He wasn’t dreading anything at the moment at all†¦well, unless you counted his fears that Sirius had been caught†¦but what did Professor Trelawney know? He had long since come to the conclusion that her brand of fortunetelling was really no more than lucky guesswork and a spooky manner. Except, of course, for that time at the end of last term, when she had made the prediction about Voldemort rising again†¦and Dumbledore himself had said that he thought that trance had been genuine, when Harry had described it to him. â€Å"Harry!† Ron muttered. â€Å"What?† Harry looked around; the whole class was staring at him. He sat up straight; he had been almost dozing off, lost in the heat and his thoughts. â€Å"I was saying, my dear, that you were clearly born under the baleful influence of Saturn,† said Professor Trelawney, a faint note of resentment in her voice at the fact that he had obviously not been hanging on her words. â€Å"Born under – what, sorry?† said Harry. â€Å"Saturn, dear, the planet Saturn!† said Professor Trelawney, sounding definitely irritated that he wasn’t riveted by this news. â€Å"I was saying that Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment of your birth†¦.Your dark hair†¦your mean stature†¦tragic losses so young in life†¦I think I am right in saying, my dear, that you were born in midwinter?† â€Å"No,† said Harry, â€Å"I was born in July.† Ron hastily turned his laugh into a hacking cough. Half an hour later, each of them had been given a complicated circular chart, and was attempting to fill in the position of the planets at their moment of birth. It was dull work, requiring much consultation of timetables and calculation of angles. â€Å"I’ve got two Neptunes here,† said Harry after a while, frowning down at his piece of parchment, â€Å"that can’t be right, can it?† â€Å"Aaaaah,† said Ron, imitating Professor Trelawney’s mystical whisper, â€Å"when two Neptunes appear in the sky, it is a sure sign that a midget in glasses is being born, Harry†¦.† Seamus and Dean, who were working nearby, sniggered loudly, though not loudly enough to mask the excited squeals from Lavender Brown – â€Å"Oh Professor, look! I think I’ve got an unaspected planet! Oooh, which one’s that, Professor?† â€Å"It is Uranus, my dear,† said Professor Trelawney, peering down at the chart. â€Å"Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavender?† said Ron. Most unfortunately, Professor Trelawney heard him, and it was this, perhaps, that made her give them so much homework at the end of the class. â€Å"A detailed analysis of the way the planetary movements in the coming month will affect you, with reference to your personal chart,† she snapped, sounding much more like Professor McGonagall than her usual airy-fairy self. â€Å"I want it ready to hand in next Monday, and no excuses!† â€Å"Miserable old bat,† said Ron bitterly as they joined the crowds descending the staircases back to the Great Hall and dinner. â€Å"That’ll take all weekend, that will†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Lots of homework?† said Hermione brightly, catching up with them. â€Å"Professor Vector didn’t give us any at all!† â€Å"Well, bully for Professor Vector,† said Ron moodily. They reached the entrance hall, which was packed with people queuing for dinner. They had just joined the end of the line, when a loud voice rang out behind them. â€Å"Weasley! Hey, Weasley!† Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were standing there, each looking thoroughly pleased about something. â€Å"What?† said Ron shortly. â€Å"Your dad’s in the paper, Weasley!† said Malfoy, brandishing a copy of the Daily Prophet and speaking very loudly, so that everyone in the packed entrance hall could hear. â€Å"Listen to this! FURTHER MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC It seems as though the Ministry of Magic’s troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.† Malfoy looked up. â€Å"Imagine them not even getting his name right, Weasley. It’s almost as though he’s a complete nonentity, isn’t it?† he crowed. Everyone in the entrance hall was listening now. Malfoy straightened the paper with a flourish and read on: Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers (â€Å"policemen†) over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of â€Å"Mad-Eye† Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and attempted murder. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody’s heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene. â€Å"And there’s a picture, Weasley!† said Malfoy, flipping the paper over and holding it up. â€Å"A picture of your parents outside their house – if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn’t she?† Ron was shaking with fury. Everyone was staring at him. â€Å"Get stuffed, Malfoy,† said Harry. â€Å"C’mon, Ron†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Oh yeah, you were staying with them this summer, weren’t you, Potter?† sneered Malfoy. â€Å"So tell me, is his mother really that porky, or is it just the picture?† â€Å"You know your mother, Malfoy?† said Harry – both he and Hermione had grabbed the back of Ron’s robes to stop him from launching himself at Malfoy – â€Å"that expression she’s got, like she’s got dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?† Malfoy’s pale face went slightly pink. â€Å"Don’t you dare insult my mother, Potter.† â€Å"Keep your fat mouth shut, then,† said Harry, turning away. BANG! Several people screamed – Harry felt something white-hot graze the side of his face – he plunged his hand into his robes for his wand, but before he’d even touched it, he heard a second loud BANG, and a roar that echoed through the entrance hall. â€Å"OH NO YOU DON’T, LADDIE!† Harry spun around. Professor Moody was limping down the marble staircase. His wand was out and it was pointing right at a pure white ferret, which was shivering on the stone-flagged floor, exactly where Malfoy had been standing. There was a terrified silence in the entrance hall. Nobody but Moody was moving a muscle. Moody turned to look at Harry – at least, his normal eye was looking at Harry; the other one was pointing into the back of his head. â€Å"Did he get you?† Moody growled. His voice was low and gravelly. â€Å"No,† said Harry, â€Å"missed.† â€Å"LEAVE IT!† Moody shouted. â€Å"Leave – what?† Harry said, bewildered. â€Å"Not you – him!† Moody growled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at Crabbe, who had just frozen, about to pick up the white ferret. It seemed that Moody’s rolling eye was magical and could see out of the back of his head. Moody started to limp toward Crabbe, Goyle, and the ferret, which gave a terrified squeak and took off, streaking toward the dungeons. â€Å"I don’t think so!† roared Moody, pointing his wand at the ferret again – it flew ten feet into the air, fell with a smack to the floor, and then bounced upward once more. â€Å"I don’t like people who attack when their opponent’s back’s turned,† growled Moody as the ferret bounced higher and higher, squealing in pain. â€Å"Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly. â€Å"Never – do – that – again -† said Moody, speaking each word as the ferret hit the stone floor and bounced upward again. â€Å"Professor Moody!† said a shocked voice. Professor McGonagall was coming down the marble staircase with her arms full of books. â€Å"Hello, Professor McGonagall,† said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher. â€Å"What – what are you doing?† said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the bouncing ferret’s progress through the air. â€Å"Teaching,† said Moody. â€Å"Teach – Moody, is that a student?† shrieked Professor McGonagall, the books spilling out of her arms. â€Å"Yep,† said Moody. â€Å"No!† cried Professor McGonagall, running down the stairs and pulling out her wand; a moment later, with a loud snapping noise, Draco Malfoy had reappeared, lying in a heap on the floor with his sleek blond hair all over his now brilliantly pink face. He got to his feet, wincing. â€Å"Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!† said Professor McGonagall wealdy. â€Å"Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?† â€Å"He might’ve mentioned it, yeah,† said Moody, scratching his chin unconcernedly, â€Å"but I thought a good sharp shock -â€Å" â€Å"We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender’s Head of House!† â€Å"I’ll do that, then,† said Moody, staring at Malfoy with great dislike. Malfoy, whose pale eyes were still watering with pain and humiliation, looked malevolently up at Moody and muttered something in which the words â€Å"my father† were distinguishable. â€Å"Oh yeah?† said Moody quietly, limping forward a few steps, the dull clunk of his wooden leg echoing around the hall. â€Å"Well, I know your father of old, boy†¦.You tell him Moody’s keeping a close eye on his son†¦you tell him that from me†¦.Now, your Head of House’ll be Snape, will it?† â€Å"Yes,† said Malfoy resentfully. â€Å"Another old friend,† growled Moody. â€Å"I’ve been looking forward to a chat with old Snape†¦.Come on, you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  And he seized Malfoy’s upper arm and marched him off toward the dungeons. Professor McGonagall stared anxiously after them for a few moments, then waved her wand at her fallen books, causing them to soar up into the air and back into her arms. â€Å"Don’t talk to me,† Ron said quietly to Harry and Hermione as they sat down at the Gryffindor table a few minutes later, surrounded by excited talk on all sides about what had just happened. â€Å"Why not?† said Hermione in surprise. â€Å"Because I want to fix that in my memory forever,† said Ron, his eyes closed and an uplifted expression on his face. â€Å"Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret.† Harry and Hermione both laughed, and Hermione began doling beef casserole onto each of their plates. â€Å"He could have really hurt Malfoy, though,† she said. â€Å"It was good, really, that Professor McGonagall stopped it -â€Å" â€Å"Hermione!† said Ron furiously, his eyes snapping open again, â€Å"you’re ruining the best moment of my life!† Hermione made an impatient noise and began to eat at top speed again. â€Å"Don’t tell me you’re going back to the library this evening?† said Harry, watching her. â€Å"Got to,† said Hermione thickly. â€Å"Loads to do.† â€Å"But you told us Professor Vector -â€Å" â€Å"It’s not schoolwork,† she said. Within five minutes, she had cleared her plate and departed. No sooner had she gone than her seat was taken by Fred Weasley. â€Å"Moody!† he said. â€Å"How cool is he?† â€Å"Beyond cool,† said George, sitting down opposite Fred. â€Å"Supercool,† said the twins’ best friend, Lee Jordan, sliding into the seat beside George. â€Å"We had him this afternoon,† he told Harry and Ron. â€Å"What was it like?† said Harry eagerly. Fred, George, and Lee exchanged looks full of meaning. â€Å"Never had a lesson like it,† said Fred. â€Å"He knows, man,† said Lee. â€Å"Knows what?† said Ron, leaning forward. â€Å"Knows what it’s like to be out there doing it,† said George impressively. â€Å"Doing what?† said Harry. â€Å"Fighting the Dark Arts,† said Fred. â€Å"He’s seen it all,† said George. â€Å"‘Mazing,† said Lee. Ron dived into his bag for his schedule. â€Å"We haven’t got him till Thursday!† he said in a disappointed voice.