Assessment Test 37

Oil sands offer a clean solution for meeting future energy
needs.
__
Oil sands are most commonly found in Venezuela’s Orinoco Basin and Alberta,
Canada. Modern technology has made the extraction of crude bitumen, or
unconventional oil, from these oil sands much easier. The crude oil that is
extracted from traditional oil wells is a free-flowing mixture of hydrocarbons,
whereas oil sands yield a highly viscous form of petroleum. Increasing world
demand for oil and higher petrol prices have made the economic viability of
extracting oil sands approach that of conventional oil.

Oil sands have been described as one of the dirtiest sources of fuel. Compared
to conventional oil, four times the amount of greenhouse gases are generated
from the extraction of bitumen from oil sands. Additionally there is an impact on
the local environment. Tailing ponds of toxic waste are created whenever the tar
sands are washed with water.

Proponents of oil sands development point to the land that has already been
reclaimed following oil sands development. Also, that there will be considerably
less surface impact once technology innovations have allowed oil sand reserves
to be drilled rather than mined.

Oil sands are only found in Alberta and the Orinoco Basin.
__
Oil sands are most commonly found in Venezuela’s Orinoco Basin and Alberta,
Canada. Modern technology has made the extraction of crude bitumen, or
unconventional oil, from these oil sands much easier. The crude oil that is
extracted from traditional oil wells is a free-flowing mixture of hydrocarbons,
whereas oil sands yield a highly viscous form of petroleum. Increasing world
demand for oil and higher petrol prices have made the economic viability of
extracting oil sands approach that of conventional oil.

Oil sands have been described as one of the dirtiest sources of fuel. Compared
to conventional oil, four times the amount of greenhouse gases are generated
from the extraction of bitumen from oil sands. Additionally there is an impact on
the local environment. Tailing ponds of toxic waste are created whenever the tar
sands are washed with water.

Proponents of oil sands development point to the land that has already been
reclaimed following oil sands development. Also, that there will be considerably
less surface impact once technology innovations have allowed oil sand reserves
to be drilled rather than mined.

Bitumen is a highly viscous form of petroleum that needs to be
heated to flow.
__
Oil sands are most commonly found in Venezuela’s Orinoco Basin and Alberta,
Canada. Modern technology has made the extraction of crude bitumen, or
unconventional oil, from these oil sands much easier. The crude oil that is
extracted from traditional oil wells is a free-flowing mixture of hydrocarbons,
whereas oil sands yield a highly viscous form of petroleum. Increasing world
demand for oil and higher petrol prices have made the economic viability of
extracting oil sands approach that of conventional oil.

Oil sands have been described as one of the dirtiest sources of fuel. Compared
to conventional oil, four times the amount of greenhouse gases are generated
from the extraction of bitumen from oil sands. Additionally there is an impact on
the local environment. Tailing ponds of toxic waste are created whenever the tar
sands are washed with water.

Proponents of oil sands development point to the land that has already been
reclaimed following oil sands development. Also, that there will be considerably
less surface impact once technology innovations have allowed oil sand reserves
to be drilled rather than mined.

It is almost as profitable to extract conventional oil as oil sands.
__
Oil sands are most commonly found in Venezuela’s Orinoco Basin and Alberta,
Canada. Modern technology has made the extraction of crude bitumen, or
unconventional oil, from these oil sands much easier. The crude oil that is
extracted from traditional oil wells is a free-flowing mixture of hydrocarbons,
whereas oil sands yield a highly viscous form of petroleum. Increasing world
demand for oil and higher petrol prices have made the economic viability of
extracting oil sands approach that of conventional oil.

Oil sands have been described as one of the dirtiest sources of fuel. Compared
to conventional oil, four times the amount of greenhouse gases are generated
from the extraction of bitumen from oil sands. Additionally there is an impact on
the local environment. Tailing ponds of toxic waste are created whenever the tar
sands are washed with water.

Proponents of oil sands development point to the land that has already been
reclaimed following oil sands development. Also, that there will be considerably
less surface impact once technology innovations have allowed oil sand reserves
to be drilled rather than mined.

Extracting bitumen from conventional oil generates four times
the level of greenhouse gases than extracting from oil sands.
__
Oil sands are most commonly found in Venezuela’s Orinoco Basin and Alberta,
Canada. Modern technology has made the extraction of crude bitumen, or
unconventional oil, from these oil sands much easier. The crude oil that is
extracted from traditional oil wells is a free-flowing mixture of hydrocarbons,
whereas oil sands yield a highly viscous form of petroleum. Increasing world
demand for oil and higher petrol prices have made the economic viability of
extracting oil sands approach that of conventional oil.

Oil sands have been described as one of the dirtiest sources of fuel. Compared
to conventional oil, four times the amount of greenhouse gases are generated
from the extraction of bitumen from oil sands. Additionally there is an impact on
the local environment. Tailing ponds of toxic waste are created whenever the tar
sands are washed with water.

Proponents of oil sands development point to the land that has already been
reclaimed following oil sands development. Also, that there will be considerably
less surface impact once technology innovations have allowed oil sand reserves
to be drilled rather than mined.

There is a lack of consensus within the medical community
about CFS’s symptoms.
__
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is the widespread name for a disorder that is
also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), but many sufferers object to the
name CFS on grounds that it is does not reflect the severity of the illness. While
profound fatigue is one symptom of this debilitating condition, there are many
others, including muscle pain, headaches, and cognitive difficulties.

Its nomenclature is not the only controversial aspect of CFS. Although an
estimated 17 million people worldwide have CFS, its cause is unknown and a
diagnostic test does not exist. Doctors must first rule out other conditions that
share CFS’s symptoms. As there is no cure for CFS, treatment tends to focus
on alleviating symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Despite the
World Health Organisation classifying CFS as a neurological disease, there is
much disagreement within the medical community. Some scientists believe that
CFS originates from a virus, others argue that it stems from genetic
predisposition, while still others believe that it is a psychiatric condition.

Because of continuing scepticism about CFS, patients welcomed a 2009 study
that linked CFS and a XMRV retrovirus. What at first appeared to be a major
scientific breakthrough, however, was disproven by further research – and
XMRV is now thought to be a lab contaminant.

Many patients believe the name Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
trivialises the condition.
__
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is the widespread name for a disorder that is
also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), but many sufferers object to the
name CFS on grounds that it is does not reflect the severity of the illness. While
profound fatigue is one symptom of this debilitating condition, there are many
others, including muscle pain, headaches, and cognitive difficulties.

Its nomenclature is not the only controversial aspect of CFS. Although an
estimated 17 million people worldwide have CFS, its cause is unknown and a
diagnostic test does not exist. Doctors must first rule out other conditions that
share CFS’s symptoms. As there is no cure for CFS, treatment tends to focus
on alleviating symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Despite the
World Health Organisation classifying CFS as a neurological disease, there is
much disagreement within the medical community. Some scientists believe that
CFS originates from a virus, others argue that it stems from genetic
predisposition, while still others believe that it is a psychiatric condition.

Because of continuing scepticism about CFS, patients welcomed a 2009 study
that linked CFS and a XMRV retrovirus. What at first appeared to be a major
scientific breakthrough, however, was disproven by further research – and
XMRV is now thought to be a lab contaminant.

A 2009 study linking CFS with a retrovirus has now been
discredited.
__
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is the widespread name for a disorder that is
also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), but many sufferers object to the
name CFS on grounds that it is does not reflect the severity of the illness. While
profound fatigue is one symptom of this debilitating condition, there are many
others, including muscle pain, headaches, and cognitive difficulties.

Its nomenclature is not the only controversial aspect of CFS. Although an
estimated 17 million people worldwide have CFS, its cause is unknown and a
diagnostic test does not exist. Doctors must first rule out other conditions that
share CFS’s symptoms. As there is no cure for CFS, treatment tends to focus
on alleviating symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Despite the
World Health Organisation classifying CFS as a neurological disease, there is
much disagreement within the medical community. Some scientists believe that
CFS originates from a virus, others argue that it stems from genetic
predisposition, while still others believe that it is a psychiatric condition.

Because of continuing scepticism about CFS, patients welcomed a 2009 study
that linked CFS and a XMRV retrovirus. What at first appeared to be a major
scientific breakthrough, however, was disproven by further research – and
XMRV is now thought to be a lab contaminant.

The symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are also
attributable to other illnesses.
__
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is the widespread name for a disorder that is
also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), but many sufferers object to the
name CFS on grounds that it is does not reflect the severity of the illness. While
profound fatigue is one symptom of this debilitating condition, there are many
others, including muscle pain, headaches, and cognitive difficulties.

Its nomenclature is not the only controversial aspect of CFS. Although an
estimated 17 million people worldwide have CFS, its cause is unknown and a
diagnostic test does not exist. Doctors must first rule out other conditions that
share CFS’s symptoms. As there is no cure for CFS, treatment tends to focus
on alleviating symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Despite the
World Health Organisation classifying CFS as a neurological disease, there is
much disagreement within the medical community. Some scientists believe that
CFS originates from a virus, others argue that it stems from genetic
predisposition, while still others believe that it is a psychiatric condition.

Because of continuing scepticism about CFS, patients welcomed a 2009 study
that linked CFS and a XMRV retrovirus. What at first appeared to be a major
scientific breakthrough, however, was disproven by further research – and
XMRV is now thought to be a lab contaminant.

CFS is a severely debilitating condition for 17 million people
worldwide.
__
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is the widespread name for a disorder that is
also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), but many sufferers object to the
name CFS on grounds that it is does not reflect the severity of the illness. While
profound fatigue is one symptom of this debilitating condition, there are many
others, including muscle pain, headaches, and cognitive difficulties.

Its nomenclature is not the only controversial aspect of CFS. Although an
estimated 17 million people worldwide have CFS, its cause is unknown and a
diagnostic test does not exist. Doctors must first rule out other conditions that
share CFS’s symptoms. As there is no cure for CFS, treatment tends to focus
on alleviating symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Despite the
World Health Organisation classifying CFS as a neurological disease, there is
much disagreement within the medical community. Some scientists believe that
CFS originates from a virus, others argue that it stems from genetic
predisposition, while still others believe that it is a psychiatric condition.

Because of continuing scepticism about CFS, patients welcomed a 2009 study
that linked CFS and a XMRV retrovirus. What at first appeared to be a major
scientific breakthrough, however, was disproven by further research – and
XMRV is now thought to be a lab contaminant.

REM sleep tends to be preceded by non-REM sleep.
__
There is no unifying theory to explain the experience of dreaming. Dreaming
involves an altered state of consciousness that occurs during periods of REM
(rapid eye movement) sleep. One of the most unusual features of this state is
that most of the body’s muscles are paralysed.

The most common sleeping pattern is for a period of REM sleep to be preceded
by four stages of non-REM sleep, and for this to repeat itself up to five times a
night. Most adults and children, if woken during REM sleep, will report that they
were dreaming. Whilst the physiological stages of sleeping may be similar
across adults and young children, the potential complexity of a child’s dreams
develops as they age – alongside their imagination.

It’s difficult to prove that a dream is taking place – only after the fact can you
know that you were dreaming. There are a small number of people, however,
who do know when they are experiencing what is called a “lucid” dream. The
“scanning hypothesis” posits that eyes move during REM sleep in accordance
with the direction of gaze of one’s dream. Research, for example with “lucid”
dreamers, has shown that eyes do point towards the action that a dreamer,
having a goal-orientated dream, describes.

Eye muscles are the only muscles that are not paralysed during
REM sleep.
__
There is no unifying theory to explain the experience of dreaming. Dreaming
involves an altered state of consciousness that occurs during periods of REM
(rapid eye movement) sleep. One of the most unusual features of this state is
that most of the body’s muscles are paralysed.

The most common sleeping pattern is for a period of REM sleep to be preceded
by four stages of non-REM sleep, and for this to repeat itself up to five times a
night. Most adults and children, if woken during REM sleep, will report that they
were dreaming. Whilst the physiological stages of sleeping may be similar
across adults and young children, the potential complexity of a child’s dreams
develops as they age – alongside their imagination.

It’s difficult to prove that a dream is taking place – only after the fact can you
know that you were dreaming. There are a small number of people, however,
who do know when they are experiencing what is called a “lucid” dream. The
“scanning hypothesis” posits that eyes move during REM sleep in accordance
with the direction of gaze of one’s dream. Research, for example with “lucid”
dreamers, has shown that eyes do point towards the action that a dreamer,
having a goal-orientated dream, describes.

REM sleep periods always occur after four non-REM sleep
periods.
__
There is no unifying theory to explain the experience of dreaming. Dreaming
involves an altered state of consciousness that occurs during periods of REM
(rapid eye movement) sleep. One of the most unusual features of this state is
that most of the body’s muscles are paralysed.

The most common sleeping pattern is for a period of REM sleep to be preceded
by four stages of non-REM sleep, and for this to repeat itself up to five times a
night. Most adults and children, if woken during REM sleep, will report that they
were dreaming. Whilst the physiological stages of sleeping may be similar
across adults and young children, the potential complexity of a child’s dreams
develops as they age – alongside their imagination.

It’s difficult to prove that a dream is taking place – only after the fact can you
know that you were dreaming. There are a small number of people, however,
who do know when they are experiencing what is called a “lucid” dream. The
“scanning hypothesis” posits that eyes move during REM sleep in accordance
with the direction of gaze of one’s dream. Research, for example with “lucid”
dreamers, has shown that eyes do point towards the action that a dreamer,
having a goal-orientated dream, describes.

The scanning hypothesis states that the direction of a lucid
dreamer’s eye movements reveals what the dream is about.
__
There is no unifying theory to explain the experience of dreaming. Dreaming
involves an altered state of consciousness that occurs during periods of REM
(rapid eye movement) sleep. One of the most unusual features of this state is
that most of the body’s muscles are paralysed.

The most common sleeping pattern is for a period of REM sleep to be preceded
by four stages of non-REM sleep, and for this to repeat itself up to five times a
night. Most adults and children, if woken during REM sleep, will report that they
were dreaming. Whilst the physiological stages of sleeping may be similar
across adults and young children, the potential complexity of a child’s dreams
develops as they age – alongside their imagination.

It’s difficult to prove that a dream is taking place – only after the fact can you
know that you were dreaming. There are a small number of people, however,
who do know when they are experiencing what is called a “lucid” dream. The
“scanning hypothesis” posits that eyes move during REM sleep in accordance
with the direction of gaze of one’s dream. Research, for example with “lucid”
dreamers, has shown that eyes do point towards the action that a dreamer,
having a goal-orientated dream, describes.

A child’s dreams may become more sophisticated as their
imagination develops.
__
There is no unifying theory to explain the experience of dreaming. Dreaming
involves an altered state of consciousness that occurs during periods of REM
(rapid eye movement) sleep. One of the most unusual features of this state is
that most of the body’s muscles are paralysed.

The most common sleeping pattern is for a period of REM sleep to be preceded
by four stages of non-REM sleep, and for this to repeat itself up to five times a
night. Most adults and children, if woken during REM sleep, will report that they
were dreaming. Whilst the physiological stages of sleeping may be similar
across adults and young children, the potential complexity of a child’s dreams
develops as they age – alongside their imagination.

It’s difficult to prove that a dream is taking place – only after the fact can you
know that you were dreaming. There are a small number of people, however,
who do know when they are experiencing what is called a “lucid” dream. The
“scanning hypothesis” posits that eyes move during REM sleep in accordance
with the direction of gaze of one’s dream. Research, for example with “lucid”
dreamers, has shown that eyes do point towards the action that a dreamer,
having a goal-orientated dream, describes.

The area of physical ergonomics can involve reducing strain
injuries.
__
Ergonomics is the scientific study of the interaction between people and
machines. The discipline aims to design equipment and environments that best
fit users’ physical and psychological needs, thus improving the efficiency,
productivity and safety of a person using a device. A multi-disciplinary field,
ergonomics encompasses aspects of psychology, physiology, industrial design
and mechanical engineering.

The field is divided into three main areas. Physical ergonomics addresses the
relationship between human anatomy and physical activity, for instance
designing tools that minimize or eliminate muscle strain. This area also looks at
how the physical environment affects performance and health. Cognitive
ergonomics studies the mental processes involved in humans’ interactions with
systems, such as computer interfaces. In designing an airplane cockpit, for
example, it is of vital importance that control panels take human factors into
account. Organisational ergonomics focuses on optimising socio-technical
systems, such as team structure and work processes.

Increasingly, progressive organisations are looking for ways to improve
workplace ergonomics. The benefit of this strategy is not only increased
productivity but also reduced sick leave. In the United States, compensation to
workers with repetitive strain injuries costs $20 billion annually.

One of the objectives of ergonomics is to increase the
happiness of a work environment.
__
Ergonomics is the scientific study of the interaction between people and
machines. The discipline aims to design equipment and environments that best
fit users’ physical and psychological needs, thus improving the efficiency,
productivity and safety of a person using a device. A multi-disciplinary field,
ergonomics encompasses aspects of psychology, physiology, industrial design
and mechanical engineering.

The field is divided into three main areas. Physical ergonomics addresses the
relationship between human anatomy and physical activity, for instance
designing tools that minimize or eliminate muscle strain. This area also looks at
how the physical environment affects performance and health. Cognitive
ergonomics studies the mental processes involved in humans’ interactions with
systems, such as computer interfaces. In designing an airplane cockpit, for
example, it is of vital importance that control panels take human factors into
account. Organisational ergonomics focuses on optimising socio-technical
systems, such as team structure and work processes.

Increasingly, progressive organisations are looking for ways to improve
workplace ergonomics. The benefit of this strategy is not only increased
productivity but also reduced sick leave. In the United States, compensation to
workers with repetitive strain injuries costs $20 billion annually.

An ergonomically designed control panel accommodates a
person’s mental and physical needs.
__
Ergonomics is the scientific study of the interaction between people and
machines. The discipline aims to design equipment and environments that best
fit users’ physical and psychological needs, thus improving the efficiency,
productivity and safety of a person using a device. A multi-disciplinary field,
ergonomics encompasses aspects of psychology, physiology, industrial design
and mechanical engineering.

The field is divided into three main areas. Physical ergonomics addresses the
relationship between human anatomy and physical activity, for instance
designing tools that minimize or eliminate muscle strain. This area also looks at
how the physical environment affects performance and health. Cognitive
ergonomics studies the mental processes involved in humans’ interactions with
systems, such as computer interfaces. In designing an airplane cockpit, for
example, it is of vital importance that control panels take human factors into
account. Organisational ergonomics focuses on optimising socio-technical
systems, such as team structure and work processes.

Increasingly, progressive organisations are looking for ways to improve
workplace ergonomics. The benefit of this strategy is not only increased
productivity but also reduced sick leave. In the United States, compensation to
workers with repetitive strain injuries costs $20 billion annually.

Environmental factors can affect a worker’s productivity and
wellbeing.
__
Ergonomics is the scientific study of the interaction between people and
machines. The discipline aims to design equipment and environments that best
fit users’ physical and psychological needs, thus improving the efficiency,
productivity and safety of a person using a device. A multi-disciplinary field,
ergonomics encompasses aspects of psychology, physiology, industrial design
and mechanical engineering.

The field is divided into three main areas. Physical ergonomics addresses the
relationship between human anatomy and physical activity, for instance
designing tools that minimize or eliminate muscle strain. This area also looks at
how the physical environment affects performance and health. Cognitive
ergonomics studies the mental processes involved in humans’ interactions with
systems, such as computer interfaces. In designing an airplane cockpit, for
example, it is of vital importance that control panels take human factors into
account. Organisational ergonomics focuses on optimising socio-technical
systems, such as team structure and work processes.

Increasingly, progressive organisations are looking for ways to improve
workplace ergonomics. The benefit of this strategy is not only increased
productivity but also reduced sick leave. In the United States, compensation to
workers with repetitive strain injuries costs $20 billion annually.

Ergonomic design places little emphasis on aesthetics.
__
Ergonomics is the scientific study of the interaction between people and
machines. The discipline aims to design equipment and environments that best
fit users’ physical and psychological needs, thus improving the efficiency,
productivity and safety of a person using a device. A multi-disciplinary field,
ergonomics encompasses aspects of psychology, physiology, industrial design
and mechanical engineering.

The field is divided into three main areas. Physical ergonomics addresses the
relationship between human anatomy and physical activity, for instance
designing tools that minimize or eliminate muscle strain. This area also looks at
how the physical environment affects performance and health. Cognitive
ergonomics studies the mental processes involved in humans’ interactions with
systems, such as computer interfaces. In designing an airplane cockpit, for
example, it is of vital importance that control panels take human factors into
account. Organisational ergonomics focuses on optimising socio-technical
systems, such as team structure and work processes.

Increasingly, progressive organisations are looking for ways to improve
workplace ergonomics. The benefit of this strategy is not only increased
productivity but also reduced sick leave. In the United States, compensation to
workers with repetitive strain injuries costs $20 billion annually.