Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 3

Globalization - Essay Example Globalization specifically refers to economic integration of local economies with an international system. It aims to erase the national boundaries and governs international trade by comparative advantage. The concept of globalization became popular in the late 1980s and 1990s. Globalization began with Portuguese adventurers and navigators who established a chain of fortresses, key strong points and coastal areas to create a chain of economy and culture which was global in nature. Modern globalization began after World War II as economists, corporations and politicians recognized the negative aspects of protectionism. They saw the advantages of international economic integration. Several international institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank were created to reduce the costs of trade and remove restrictions on free trade. Since then many barriers to international trade have been lowered. The World Trade Organization was established to promote free trade and reduce tariffs. It also called for the recognition of intellectual property restrictions. Globalization remains a unique phenomenon because of the rapid spread of technology, economic trade and foreign investment in many parts of the world. There are many affects of globalization which point out that we live in a globalized world (Friedman 56, 2005). The impact of globalization can be measured by the goods and services which form the proportion of national incomes. It can also be measured by the net migration rates and direct investment that comes inside a country by foreign organizations. Finally the impact of international research and development and the proportion of populations using modern technologies like the cell phone, internet, and motorcar on a country can measure the affect of globalization for a particular country. In addition to the economic measurement of globalization, it can also be measured by social and political factors. Globalization has changed the world in many different ways. It has heralded the advent of worldwide production markets which provide more access to foreign products for consumers and companies. Global financial markets have emerged in different parts of the world which provide better access to external financing for corporations and local borrowers. The creations of world organizations which regulate the relationships between nations and protect their rights have sprung up due to globalization. China is an amazing success story of globalization because of its tremendous economic growth rate. In recent years China's economy has rapidly grown. This rapid growth of economy is the important point in the field of economic development which has been acknowledged by the international community. The UN says that China is the backbone of Asia's economic development. This statement is enough to tell that China is playing an active role in contributing to the world economy. China's rapid economic growth has made a huge impact on the world's economy in stabilizing and recovery it. China is the globe's best commodity market (Ankerl 36, 2000). Chinese products are found all over the world. During the period of 1990-2001 China's export growth rate was 14.9% and the import growth rate was 15.5%. China's good and cheap exported products have benefited many consumers globally. American buyers of goods and products have saved about US$15 billion annually. China's rapid import growth rate has created various job opportunities globally. The foreign trade of China has enabled free flow and minimum utilization of

History of the olympic games Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

History of the olympic games - Term Paper Example These activities later improved. Since at that time, man had little knowledge of other activities the survival skills therefore created entertainment activities. They would wrestle to determine who is strongest in the community and they would be chosen as leaders because of their strength. Division of the small societies due to disagreement created the need for improvement of these skills. To prevent fights between these communities Heracles created peaceful sports. Olympic Games founder was the son of Zeus. Dedication of these games was to the Olympian gods and staged at the ancient plains of Olympia. Herakles initiated the Olympic Games so as to reunite warring nations. Individuals who would be caught with weapons at Olympia would fall under Zeus’s wrath. Soldiers and may others joined this noble cause. Sport then became competitive with awards given to winners with acknowledgment of their families. This created interest and desire as many athletes used this to uplift their families’ names. The games were every four years, in a span called the Olympiad. There were no rules in this games and most focused on proving masculinity. Athletes competed as individuals. Cheating was not part of the game, and those caught cheating fined heavily, and the money used to build the Zanes; statues of Zeus. Games in this period concentrated only on single races. A naked runner Coroebus who was a runner from Elis won the Stade; a run of approximately 192 meters which by then was the only event in the Olympics. After the stade run, different sports came into existence including the Hoplitodrome. This was a footrace while the athletes wore their full armor. Another sport was the pentathlon which like the name suggests the athletes competed in different sports during the same event, these included wrestling, jumping, discus, sprinting and, javelin. A

Howard Gardner’s Theory of Intelligence Analysis

Howard Gardner’s Theory of Intelligence Analysis Sophia Ashraf Individual Differences Essay Describe and evaluate the usefulness of Howard Gardner’s theory of intelligence? Intelligence is a highly significant and contested area within psychology. It is an elusive, multi-faceted ability that has close connections with Cognitive Psychology. It is characterised by inter-individual variation and is measured using intelligence tests. Some definitions of intelligence include: the ability to solve problems, retain information and the possession of numerous skills and talents. Howard Gardner, the founder of multiple intelligence theory defines intelligence as ‘a biopsychological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture’ (Gross, 2010: 645). This definition implies intelligence is a social construction as its definition lies upon the values of a society (Mahoney, 2011). Howard Gardner was born in Pennsylvania in 1943. He has completed studies in neuropsychology and developmental psychology at Harvard University, where he is currently a professor in Cognition and Education. He is also a senior director of the human cognition research group named Harvard Project Zero, and has published several books including Frames of Minds (1953) and ‘The Art and Science of Changing our own and other People’s Minds’ (2004). Gardner was influenced by psychologist Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Jerome Bruner and Jean Piaget. His theory draws on his knowledge and findings from evolutionary biology, anthropology, developmental/cognitive psychology, neuropsychology and psychometrics (Garnett, 2005; Maltby et al, 2010). This essay will describe and evaluate the usefulness of Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences in the contemporary world. Howard Gardner asserts intelligence is not fixed at birth. It develops through experience and learning. Each person is born with a wide variety of capabilities that reside in separate sections of the brain. In theory, this means that brain damage in one area will leave other cognitive functions intact. Consequently, intelligence is a computer that works more or less well. Gardner worked as an investigator at the Boston University Aphasia Research Centre. He was interested in human faculties under conditions of brain damage and studied children and brain damaged adults. He examined for behaviours which developed at similar ages, were similarly affected by damage to a particular part of the brain and behaviours that interfered with one other when performing two tasks simultaneously (Cooper, 2002; Gardner, 1999). In regards to intelligence, Gardner acknowledges nature providing us with savants and prodigies. One such extraordinary case study is that of a savant called Leslie Lemke, who was born blind and suffered from both mental retardation and cerebral palsy. Despite his illness, he showed incredible skills in playing the piano. At the age of 18, he could listen to a piece of classical piano music and play it back flawlessly. This evidences Howard Gardner’s views that our intelligences are independent as people with signs of brain damage can have extraordinary profiles of intelligence despite their mental illness (Gregory, 2011) Howard Gardner takes a multidimensional approach to intelligence. He identifies nine distinct faculties. The first two are distinguishable from standard IQ tests. These are linguistic and logical- mathematical intelligence. Gardner’s theory incorporates an additional five which are spatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence. After 1996, he added a further two intelligences to his theory. These comprise of naturalist and existentialist intelligence. Firstly, linguistic intelligence is displaying ability in speaking, writing, listening and reading. This intelligence is crucial for us to make sense of the world and learn new languages. Lawyers, writers, poets and teachers all have high linguistic intelligence. Students with high linguistic intelligence learn best by reading, listening to lectures and taking notes. Secondly, logical-mathematical intelligence is associated with high reasoning capabilities and the skill to carry out complex c alculations. Mathematicians, economists and doctors all possess high logical-mathematical intelligence. It is claimed that the western education system is heavily biased in Gardner’s first two intelligences. This means that only students who excel in these subjects will benefit. Moreover, it should be noted that schools now incorporate design technology subjects into their curriculum to cater for students’ needs (Gardner, 1999; Garnett, 2005; Maltby, 2012). Gardner’s next three intelligences are compatible with the arts. The first is musical intelligence which also entails aspects of linguistic intelligence. Musicians, singers and composers have high musical intelligence as they display great sensitivity to sounds and rhythms. The second faculty linked with the arts is bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence, which involves the use of bodily-movements and physiology to solve problems. These people learn best by adopting a hands-on approach. Strong bodily-kinaesthetic individuals might use muscle memory as an aid to learning. Careers suited to this intelligence include dancers, athletics, mechanics and builders. The third intelligence correlated with the arts is spatial intelligence which is the awareness, recognition and manipulation of space. Navigators, artists, surgeons and chess players all have high spatial intelligence. These people have a good sense of direction and hand eye coordination (ibid). Gardner’s sixth faculty is interpersonal intelligence which involves interaction with others, understanding their intentions and motivations and being able to communicate and work effectively as part of a group. Careers linked with this intelligence involve teachers, politicians and social workers. Mahatma Gandhi famously stressed the importance of understanding others. Alternatively, Gardner’s seventh intelligence which is intrapersonal intelligence is to do with self-reflective capacities. This faculty closely mirrors Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence theory as it places emphasis on understanding our emotions, goals and motivations in order to solve problems. Careers suited to this intelligence include philosophers and psychologists. Gardner’s eighth ability is naturalist intelligence which incorporates displaying sensitivity to the natural world. Careers linked with this ability include farmers, environmentalists and scientists. Charles Darwin, a prominent person declared himself ‘as a born naturalist’ (Gardner, 1999:48). Lastly, Gardner’s ninth intelligence which is known as existentialist intelligence involves displaying concern with ultimate issues in life such as the meaning of life and death plus the fate of both physical and psychological worlds (Gardner, 1999; Garnett, 2005; Maltby, 2012). Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory is based on two fundamental principles. Firstly, intelligences exist as independent entities that may also require collaboration in order to achieve a task. For example, singing and dancing together entails the amalgamation of both musical and bodily-kinaesthetic faculties. Secondly, Gardner states every individual is unique in their levels of ability. There may be two individuals with musical talent but only one can sing whilst, the other is skilful in playing a musical instrument. This proves intelligence is not the same in any two individuals, not even monozygotic twins who share 100% genetic similarity. This proves, we are all intelligent but in different ways as Gardner claims ‘We are not all the same; we do not all have the same kinds of minds and education works most effectively if these differences are taken into account rather than denied or ignored’ (Gardner, 1999: 91). Gardner asserts intelligence cannot be measure d via IQ test. He proposes the need for empirical observations such as observing a music class and argues this would provide a more valid and detailed picture of musical intelligence (Conti, 2008; Gross, 2010). Gardner’s theory has practicalities within educational institutions. This includes primary, secondary, college and university level. His theory makes an invaluable contribution to the education system. It is egalitarian as it takes into account the entire human cognition. Armstrong (2009) cited in Ghamrawi, 2014) argues the theory is productive since it provides multiple approaches to learning which allows teachers to be imaginative as they can draw on a repertoire of activities within the classroom. Therefore, it is beneficial as it will account for students preferential learning styles such as auditory, visual and kinaesthetic. For instance, teachers can integrate linguistic intelligence by making pupils write a story or read poetry. Similarly, teachers can embrace logical-mathematical intelligence by making students solve puzzles and crosswords. Overall, numerous schools have structured their curriculum towards Gardner’s faculties which signals the value of his theor y (Gardner, 1999; Garnett, 2005; Malim and Birch, 1998). The Harvard Project Zero has researched 41 schools in America applying multiple intelligence theory for at least 3 years. Results show 78% of the schools reporting positive test outcomes, with 63% attributing the improvement to practices inspired by Gardner’s theory. Additionally, 78% reported improved performances by students with learning difficulties and 75% credited the increase to multiple intelligence theory. (Gardner, 1999) These figures support the view that multiple intelligence theory is extremely successful within the education system. Meanwhile, the extent to which the findings can be generalised to other schools worldwide is called into question. This is because the research focussed on a small sample of schools in America and used self-report methodology. This may means the findings suffer from social desirability bias as teachers and students may answer in a way that favours the school’s reputation (Garnett, 2005). The theory’s multi-faceted nature is beneficial to students as it helps them master their preferred disciplines for instance, linguistic intelligence for the poet and bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence for the dancer. Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory has also been embraced by institutions such as museums that have practically integrated Gardner’s criteria with visual, spatial and bodily-kinaesthetic activities for students. Gardner’s theory is equally valid within the workplace as all businesses make use of a mixture of multiple intelligences. For instance, businesses that deal with finance and accounting draw on logical-mathematical intelligence. Likewise, entertainment businesses draw on musical intelligences, linguistic and bodily kinaesthetic intelligences. More importantly, Gardner’s theory is applicable with other species and organisms as rodents have strong spatial intelligence whereas, birds possess outstanding musical intelligence. It m ay well be argued that computers too have multiple faculties as they are extremely effective in multitasking (ibid). Nevertheless, Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory is highly controversial. It is criticised for being extremely flexible. This makes it difficult for researchers to construct a single test that will measure and evaluate all nine faculties. For this reason, the theory has little scientific credibility. It may well be argued that Gardner’s musical and bodily-kinaesthetic intelligences are better viewed as talents as they are not needed in adapting to life demands .Additionally, the theory is proven irrelevant in regards to uniform schooling which believes all pupils should be taught the same subjects in the same manner. In regards to the implementation of Gardner’s theory within the education system, it is disapproved for increasing educators’ workload. Ultimately, Gardner’s theory is criticised since it derives from his own intuitions and findings rather than from comprehensive empirical research (Conti, 2008; Gardner, 1999; Ghamrawi, 2014). In comparison to Gardner’s theory, psychologist Charles Spearman’s theory advocates the notion of a general faculty (g). Spearman administered tests to Hampshire schoolchildren on six areas of ability including mathematical ability, ability to follow complex instructions, visualisation, knowledge of vocabulary, matching colours and musical pitch. He invented factor analysis to analyse the scores and concluded one factor called general ability (g) that determined children’s intellectual performance. His results implied that if a child performed above average on one of the tests, it was more likely that they would perform above average on all other tests. The problem with his study is that intelligent students would have been selected. Gardner was sceptic about Spearman’s single faculty. He proposed the existence of numerous intelligences. Nevertheless, Spearman’s view is regarded as both reductionist and deterministic as it reduces intelligence to a single lump (Mahoney, 2011; Maltby et al, 2010). Alternatively, Robert Sternberg a professor at Yale University came up with the triarchic theory of intelligence. He claims certain mental mechanisms are required for intelligent behaviour. His theory deals with three types of intelligence: componential, experiential and contextual intelligence. Componential intelligence consists of mental mechanisms responsible for intelligence behaviour. The first mechanism is meta-components which are responsible for determining the nature of an intellectual problem, selecting a strategy to resolve the problem and making sure the task is completed. Secondly, performance components are the processes actually involved in solving the problem. Thirdly, knowledge- acquisition components are involved in learning new information. Sternberg’s second ability is named experiential intelligence involves the ability to deal effectively with novel tasks from previous experience (Gregory, 2011; Mahoney, 2011; Maltby, 2010). Lastly, Sternberg’s contextual intelligence involves the adaptation, shaping of a current environment and the selection of a new environment. Kline (1991 cited in Mahoney, 2011) criticises Sternberg’s theory for defining intelligence too broadly. His theory raises the question as to whether intelligence is an ability, personality trait or behavioural style. Nevertheless, the theory has real life applications like Gardner’s theory. For example, an employee who convinces their boss to do things differently has used shaping to alter the work environment. Sternberg’s theory is more credible than Gardner’s as he has devised The Sternberg Triarchic Abilities Test to validate his theory. Both Sternberg and Gardner agree that intelligence is a complicated phenomenon that cannot be measured by any single intelligence test (Gregory, 2011; Mahoney, 2011; Maltby, 2010). In conclusion, Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences is both highly valued and also contentious within the contemporary world. In relation to his criteria of intelligences, many may argue there are several others intelligences that Gardner has failed to consider for instance cooking intelligence, humour intelligence, spiritual intelligence and many more. Whether researchers consider Gardner’s theory as useful or not depends on their definition and interpretation of intelligence. This will also depend on whether the individual considers intelligence as singular or plural (Gardner, 1999).

Working and Poor Essay -- essays research papers

It’s difficult to imagine how some people hold multiple jobs to support their family and still live below the poverty line. The saying â€Å"the rich gets richer and the poor get poorer† has never been so evident in today’s society. With a growing percentage of people living below the poverty line, one has to question the government policies enacted to elevate the living standings for its people. Government policies great influence the everyday life of its people. It is difficult to enact common ground policies to satisfy the entire public since not everyone is on same financial level. Strategic plans should be sought out to ensure effectiveness to its targeted group by considering all the interests of the stakeholders and the impact that will affect these stakeholder groups. According to the free market theory, the government ultimately has the social responsibility to its public. The important task the government must face is to maximize the benefit at a minimized cost. It must approve and implement laws that benefit overall society while adhering strictly to its budget constraints. The underlying concept of the â€Å"good will prevail† is also prevalent in its policy effectiveness. Good implementations to benefit society will stay and the benefit will multiply with time. Bad policies will be questioned, debated, and eventually thrown out. The invisible hand will always bring the market back to equilibrium. The issues on employment greatly reflect a utilitarian view. Utilitarianism is often used to determine the conflict of interest. Often times the employer and the employees will encounter conflict of interests. Which side will ultimately come out on top depends on which side is perceived as the greatest and whether it will generate the greatest bottom line value or the greatest societal gain. The conflict of interest is utterly apparent in a layoff, where the employers are doing so to maximize profit and minimize cost by outsourcing all of its jobs overseas. The stakeholder, employees, suffers greatly from such an act. Utilitarianism often stresses the importance of increased productivity and profit, and reducing cost while improving quality. Many people lose sight of the true benefit or damage in the long run. The only consideration was the short term gain and profit. It is not surprising that families living under the poverty line often hold some of the mo... ...ic’s living conditions, while the general public has duties to cooperate and carry out functions to ensure the success of these policies. Universal moral norms such as honesty, fairness, compassion, integrity, etc., are often expected between the stakeholders. The government and the companies must assess environmental scanning and fully evaluate issues management to ensure the public and its employees are protected, while the policy serves its underlying purpose. It is a depressing realization that some people work very hard to support those around them and never get the benefits they deserve. Tax, education, and health care policies are often working against those who are less unfortunate. It is apparent that the poor keep on trailing further and further behind. It’s not surprising to learn that the policies enacted today haven’t proven as effective as originally intended. Everyday is a learning process and ongoing improvements must be made, especially in this fast paced, ever-changing environment. Poverty will never be eradicated, but with thorough analysis and evaluation, the overall living standard can be improved for many who are counting on the government to help them.

Describe Your Learning Style

Running head: How Do I Learn Best How Do I Learn Best Kelli Powell Grand Canyon University: NRS 429V September 30, 2012 What is a learning style? Well a learning style is the way a person tends to learn best. It involves your preferred method of taking in, organizing, and making sense of information, Lake Washington Institute of Technology (2012). Some people prefer to learn by doing and touching, others prefer to learn by seeing, or by hearing the information. Still others learn using more than one learning style.If a person was interested in finding out what their particular learning style is would be to take the VARK questionnaire for learning styles. The most common learning style is the multimodal, but the learner can switch from one type of learning style to another depending on what the subject is being learned and or their mood, Fleming (2011). After taking the VARK questionnaire, Multimodal learning styles was assessed as the learning style of choice. The multimodal learning environments allow instructional elements to be presented in more than one sensory mode (visual, aural, written, and kinesthetic), Sankey, Birch & Gardiner (2010).In this particular case visual and kinesthetic were the dominate methods of learning. Strategies of learning that this person uses are highlighting and underlining notes, grouping subjects together with a certain color highlighter, use of charts, graphs and images to help them learn the subject matter. They would also make graphs or note cards with the information placed in sequenced that they can take with them, listen to music while studying and try to make the material personal to them and others that they know.They would also break their study time up into smaller sections so that it would not seem so overwhelming. As a multimodal learner they would be very adaptable to the different learning styles as they could adapt more easily to different situations and learning environments. For example if their instructor w as only doing a verbal lecture an auditory learner may want to sit towards the front of the room away from windows and doors so that there was less distractions.As a visual learner they would try to take notes during the lecture, would color code their notes, and pay attention to any visual aids that were being used. Where a kinesthetic learner would ask questions and participate in discussions, take a laptop for notes so that they are doing something actively with their hands during lectures, consider taking a three hour class versus one three hour class, Student Development Centre (2009). As a multimodal learner, it is easier to learn when doing more than just reading a textbook as it harder to understand than when doing something that is interactive.As a multimodal learner some adjustments that they would need to make in their study habits would be to not to try and do the assignment all at the end of the week. By starting at the beginning of the week they would be able to break the assignment down into smaller sections so that it would not seem so overwhelming when typing a paper. Other changes that they would need to make would be finding an area and time to study where there were fewer interruptions. The use of more visual aids, for example outline of topic in chart or diagram format.This would help them keep track of where things fit together in their subjects and projects. The major benefit of having a multimodal learning style is that it â€Å"allows students to experience learning in ways in which they are most comfortable, while challenging them to experience and learn in other ways as well†. Someone who is a multimodal learner, that learners on more than one level tends to have a deeper processing of the information, maintains their attention span longer, making the information easier to understand and remember. Sankey, Birch & Gardiner (2010).The VARK Questionnaire Results My scores were: * Visual: 11 * Aural: 6 * Read/Write: 9 * Kinest hetic: 11| | You have a multimodal (VRK) learning preferenceReference Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Learning Styles: Why do They Matter? , Retrieved from http://www. lwtech. edu/trio on September 26, 2012 Sankey, M. , Birch, D. & Gardiner, M. (2010) Engaging students through multimodal learning environments: The journey continues. In C. H. Steel, M. J. Keppell, P. Gerbic S. Hopusego (Eds. ), Cirriculum, technology transformation for   an unknow future. Proceedings ascilite Sydney 2010 (pp. 852-863). http://ascilite. org/au/conferences/sydney10/procs/Sankey-full. pdf Student Development Centre, The University of Western Ontario (2009), Learning Skills Services, Handouts & Advice, Learning Styles & Preferences, Retrieved from www. sdc. uwo. ca/learning/index/html? styles on September 29, 2012 Fleming, N. D. , (2011), VARK: A Review of Those Who Are Multimodal, Retrieved from http://www. vark-learning. com/english/page_content/multimodality. htm on September 23 , 2012

Accounting Analysis Essay

Michael Burton has recently been hired as the CEO of Tesca Works, Inc. Previously he had been the marketing manager for a large manufacturing company and had established a reputation for identifying new consumer trends. Tesca Works Inc. is a California-based generator manufacturing company. The company is well known for manufacturing large, heavy-duty generators at a reasonable cost. One of its greatest achievements is that its generators can be easily modified or customized for different applications. Also, Tesca Works currently builds commercial appliances. The company is considering an expansion of its current product line to include refrigerator and maybe, sometime in the future, consumer appliances. Mr. Burton feels that due to high energy prices, consumers will be more willing to consider purchasing new efficient appliances. See more: Beowulf essay essay Tesca Works Inc. is a California-based generator manufacturing company. The company is well known for its innovation and ability to produce high quality products at a reasonable cost. One of its greatest achievements is that its manufacturing processes are adaptable to other durable goods. Also, Tesca Works currently builds commercial appliances. Profile of Tesca Works Tesca Works, Inc. was established by the Smith brothers in 1880 as the Logging Saw Company. The firm started manufacturing large steam saws to serve the logging industry which processed lumber. Their customers were construction companies that provided housing for the population increase in California. The Smith brothers quickly realized that the times were changing. They started looking for the technologies that would keep them at the forefront of their field of business. In 1915, the Smith brothers decided that they needed to make generators as replacements for the saws. They realized that the logging industry was not viable anymore and that generators were starting to serve the same purpose. The company started making generators in the early 1940’s. Tesca Works then opted to produce commercial appliances. It was an easy decision to make since the commercial appliances would use common parts with the company’s generators and the customers were local hospitals, schools, and governments. Starting in the 1950’s the commercial appliances business accounted for about 50% of Tesca Works’ revenues. The Refrigerator Mr. Burton arranged a meeting with the firm’s top management and the chief design and the chief manufacturing engineers to propose a new product. Mr. Burton presented an argument that more individuals in the United State and Canada would be willing to purchase newer appliances because people are becoming more environmentally conscious. The new appliances are more efficient and environmentally friendly. Also, the recent increase in electricity costs seems to be long lasting. This is an opportunity to get people hooked on environmentally friendly appliances as he put it. The proposal under consideration is for the introduction of a new, energy star refrigerator. To distinguish Tesca Works from other manufacturers, the proposal included details about the convenience, large shelves in the doors, high volume water and ice dispensers, efficiency, and quietness of operation that need to be developed. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Lopez, the two engineers, enthusiastically and quickly pointed out that the needed technology could be based on the company’s generators. The framework currently used for building the generators can be modified to work for appliances at a low cost. The marketing vice president, Mr. Chen, pointed out that the marketing analysis could be done quickly and at a reasonable cost. At this point, Mr. Burton charged the participants in the meeting to produce a financial plan for the development and production of the refrigerator. Consumer Appliances Most people purchase appliances and keep them for a very long time or until they stop working. Some get them when they purchase a home and do not think about them. Recently, most power companies started educating people about the efficiency of new appliances and began offering rebates on the most efficient consumer models. These approaches increased public interest. This renewed the public’s interest in low power-consuming appliances. The Decision Three weeks later, the vice presidents presented the sales and cost forecasts shown in the exhibits. The information presented contains the cost of production, financing information, and warranty cost estimates. In addition, there were two options for the compressor in the refrigerators. The MC – 004 is more expensive to install, but has a lower warranty cost. The TS – L12 is cheaper to install, but has a higher warranty cost. Which compressor should be used?

Free Essays on Identity And Social Structure (Reflective Essay)

Reflective Essay: Identity and Social Structure Throughout the semester, we have examined the complex relationship between a person’s identity and his or her social experience. This relationship is not easily defined, and I believe that the extent to which its two components (identity and social structure) are influenced by each other differs from culture to culture, and furthermore, from individual to individual. The questions which we are to address in this essay, therefore, have no clear-cut answers, so the most that this paper can hope to do is to present the insights that I have gleaned from this class, in light of the background information I had prior to the class. Essentially, I believe that society defines the type of experiences a person has, and that those experiences, in turn, play the most important part in shaping identity and/or personality. Every individual lives within a society of some description, and in order to survive, (let alone succeed) in their society, a person must operate within societal parameters. As we have learned, society is the result of economic condition, political situation, and (perhaps most importantly) the discourse generated and propagated by its people. Each human society has all of these components, but the nature of the components varies; as I have said, every society has a unique set of parameters. Goffman has pointed out that humans are highly adaptive to various social situations. In order for an individual to choose how (s)he will function in a given situation (in Goffman’s terminology, the â€Å"mask† (s)he will wear), (s)he must draw on the discourse present in their society. Not only does discourse define the various â€Å"masks† available to a person within their social context, it also allows a person to gauge how best to react to the â€Å"masks† of those with whom (s)he comes into contact. â€Å"Masks,† it would seem,... Free Essays on Identity And Social Structure (Reflective Essay) Free Essays on Identity And Social Structure (Reflective Essay) Reflective Essay: Identity and Social Structure Throughout the semester, we have examined the complex relationship between a person’s identity and his or her social experience. This relationship is not easily defined, and I believe that the extent to which its two components (identity and social structure) are influenced by each other differs from culture to culture, and furthermore, from individual to individual. The questions which we are to address in this essay, therefore, have no clear-cut answers, so the most that this paper can hope to do is to present the insights that I have gleaned from this class, in light of the background information I had prior to the class. Essentially, I believe that society defines the type of experiences a person has, and that those experiences, in turn, play the most important part in shaping identity and/or personality. Every individual lives within a society of some description, and in order to survive, (let alone succeed) in their society, a person must operate within societal parameters. As we have learned, society is the result of economic condition, political situation, and (perhaps most importantly) the discourse generated and propagated by its people. Each human society has all of these components, but the nature of the components varies; as I have said, every society has a unique set of parameters. Goffman has pointed out that humans are highly adaptive to various social situations. In order for an individual to choose how (s)he will function in a given situation (in Goffman’s terminology, the â€Å"mask† (s)he will wear), (s)he must draw on the discourse present in their society. Not only does discourse define the various â€Å"masks† available to a person within their social context, it also allows a person to gauge how best to react to the â€Å"masks† of those with whom (s)he comes into contact. â€Å"Masks,† it would seem,...

PG, McDonalds and KFC Companies in the Saudi Arabian Market

PG, McDonalds and KFC Companies in the Saudi Arabian Market Management differs from one organization to another due to the differences in size and income. Multinationals, SMEs, and global organizations have different styles of management since they deal with different cultures, employees, and clients in various areas of investment.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on PG, McDonalds and KFC Companies in the Saudi Arabian Market specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More At the global and multinational level, an organization has to adjust to international management standards in order to be successful in business. Organizations like McDonalds, KFC, and PG operate at global and multinational levels and this forces them to promote international human resource and ethics management (Shankar 12). The purpose of this discussion is to analyze the position of PG, McDonalds, and KFC in the Saudi Arabian market. PG’s Foreign Investment in Saudi Arabia PG is a multinational organization wit h branches in most parts of the world. Initially, it avoided Saudi Arabia due to the stringent business rules that the government had set on people. After opening up the market to the rest of the world, many organizations, including PG, showed interest in Saudi Arabia. PG chose Saudi Arabia since the country is a key business hub for the Middle East. Many people associate with Saudi Arabia when conducting oil deals, and they would probably take interest in other industries like PG operating in the country. Secondly, PG considered the availability of raw materials for its products.Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Saudi Arabia has affordable materials extracted from crude oil to make candles, soap, and other products that PG manufactures. Besides availability of affordable labor, ready buyers, and raw materials, PG opted for Saudi Arabia due to the availability of distributors of its products. Abudawood Trading Company Limited is a distributor of PG products and the company formed a joint venture with Proctor and Gamble to increase awareness of PG products in Saudi Arabia (Buckman 24). Finally, Saudi Arabia promotes growth of many organizations in terms of publicity and income generation owing to its huge population. Pepsis Improvement in Saudi Arabia After entering the Saudi Arabian market, Pepsi identified various strategies of survival in the market that the government initially closed to foreign investors. After a conclusive SWOT and PESTEL analysis, Pepsi developed workable measures of remaining relevant in the competitive economy. Pepsi invests in quality marketing, branding, and packaging since its greatest rival Coca-Cola equally provides similar services. In order to be unique, the company introduced Pepsi diet, which has fiber that helps in reducing weight gain, and improving health. Health consciousness is a major concern in Sau di Arabia, which the Muslim religion strongly supports. In Saudi Arabia, Islam deters residents from consuming alcohol or pork, as they consider such foods as unhealthy. The same applies to high calorie content foods and soft drinks that contain high levels of sugar, preservatives, and carbon.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on PG, McDonalds and KFC Companies in the Saudi Arabian Market specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Pepsi realized such concerns and developed Pepsi diet to increase consumer consciousness about health while enjoying soft drinks. In its adverts, Pepsi uses Saudi locals and celebrities in order to increase consumer association with the products that it manufactures in the country (Cho and Moon 41). Recommendations for KFC in Beating Competitors KFC needs to learn the things that are unique to Saudi Arabians that other countries do not consider in order to provide better services as consumers expect . For instance, KFC should not ignore religion, dressing, language, and etiquette, as they are vital to Saudi residents. KFC has strengths over competitors like Albaik since it has many branches across the world. Albaik has no branches outside Jeddah, which reduces its chances of gaining publicity over KFC. Another strength that KFC needs to capitalize on is the fact that Albaik does not respond to concerns raised over fast foods. KFC equally sells processed fast food, but it serves portions of salads, non-alcoholic wines, fresh juices, and low calorie foods. Albaik does not recognize the significance of changing the styles of manufacturing foods owing to transforming consumer demands. This gives KFC an advantage over rivals in the Saudi Arabian market, which the company needs to recognize. KFC needs to employ many Saudi residents instead of importing workers from the US. Corporate social responsibility is about providing employment opportunities, tax payment, and ability to care fo r the social and geographic environments (Sims 32).Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This will definitely make KFC trustworthy to prospective consumers and will enable it gain competitive advantage over competitors. McDonald Company A multinational company operates in more than one country in terms of establishing different branches across the world. A global company has a single headquarter, but uses technology to respond to consumer needs. In essence, McDonald is a global multinational company headquartered in the US, but with many branches across the world. It has over 34,000 outlets operating in different countries in the world. Moreover, it has franchises in the US and communicates to other clients through social media, its website, and online marketing tactics. This makes it a global company that uses technology to interact with consumers from different parts of the world. McDonald has branches in the US, the UK, parts of Africa, Asia, and Middle East (Pride, Hughes, and Kapoor 84). Physical investment and the ability to learn new cultures by paying for licens es in countries of investment make it a multinational corporation. Companies combine both global and multinational techniques in order to acquire the highest number of consumers willing to purchase products from the company. Being a multinational company is more costly as opposed to being a global company per se (Pride, Hughes, and Kapoor 82). A global company spends limited resources in marketing, tax payment, and shipping. On the other hand, it becomes difficult to develop trustworthy relationships with the target population. Companies and Internationalization Internationalization links SMEs to multinationals making it easy to share information, resources, or even form mergers. PG entered the Saudi Arabian market in 1955, and this expanded its international connections. It merged with Abudawood Trading Company Limited, which expanded its market share in the country. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is an example of an organization that benefits from internationalization. It established a strong presence in the Gulf region and Asia even though the corporation does not deal in oil. Saudi Arabian Aramco is another example of an organization that strives to attain international recognition (Shankar 42). These organizations realized that cultural barriers deter effective trade between Saudi Arabia and the international countries. Such corporations deal with foreign countries in Europe and America differently since cultural appreciation is an important element of business management. FDI vs. Portfolio Management Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) refers to the possibility of an enterprise to own 10%+1 of an overseas business investment. On the other hand, portfolio management refers to a company’s investment in its own business. For instance, when PG trades with Abudawood Trading Company Limited, it has investments in a foreign company, Saudi Arabia. FDI Advantages Companies easily develop mutually beneficial relationships with other countries throug h FDI. This enables them to brand position their commodities in the country given that the other company that understands the prevailing market conditions can always market their commodities of the foreign company. Increase in international relations promotes sales, which increases profits for an organization (Pride, Hughes, and Kapoor 61). FDI makes it easy for a foreign organization to understand the political, social, and political environments of the target market before opting to invest in the country completely. Corporations get competitive advantage over rivals that operate independently. FDI is important for the local and foreign companies involved in the agreement. FDI Disadvantages FDI involves interactions between different organizational cultures, which might cause conflicts between the involved organizations. The corporation that owns over 10% of the foreign company’s assets may dominate the group while adding no value to the union. FDI is about risk taking in co mparison to portfolio management that many organizations from advanced countries use. Under portfolio management, people who understand the organizational culture including financial organizations and the government play a role in ensuring that the invested money is safe. Finally, through FDI, it can be difficult to transform some assets into cash when emergencies occur. PG’s FDI in Saudi Arabia Proctor and Gamble realized that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a responsibility and an opportunity at the same time. In essence, while taking an advantage of the investment opportunity, it needed to exercises various precautions. First, PG assessed the environment of investment, which included Saudi Arabian political, social, technological, and economic position. This enabled the company to understand that the negative environmental factors were fewer as opposed to the positive elements. Notably, the study gave PG good reasons to seek a distributor (Shankar 33). Secondly, PG made an individual entry into the new market and assessed all other organizations, but settled on Abudawood Trading Company Limited. This follows its ability to trust the other company after assessing their performance in the market since inception. Additionally, PG officials met with Abudawood Trading Company Limited officials for negotiations. PG trusted Abudawood Trading Company Limited after working with it as a distributor for a long time. During negotiations, PG considered the importance of signing agreements that favor both firms. The greatest element of consideration for PG was sustainability in Saudi Arabia and the possibility of increasing the consumer base. PG considered a growth opportunity in Saudi Arabia, and since Abudawood Trading Company Limited understood clearly the market conditions, it definitely provided the best guidance to PG. Finally, PG looked at diversity, availability of affordable raw materials, availability of human resources, and costs of production (Dunni ng 18). Egypt’s Economic System Closed economic systems normally prevent foreign investors from establishing corporations in their countries. Egypt is the exact difference of a closed system since investors can easily establish brands in Egypt, but the challenge is that nobody cares about investment activities. Political instability and poor trade policies make it difficult to trust Egypt, especially when dealing with FDI cases. Egypt has a laissez faire system in which nobody really controls the economy (Kaplan 74). Studies indicated that it has the unrestricted system in which many government bureaucrats use taxes for personal gain. Many middle class residents pay taxes, but few rich people benefit from such efforts. Egyptians need thorough knowledge on financial management so that they can take control of the economy instead of leaving it to a few bureaucrats. Uncontrolled markets have significant impacts on Egyptians including increase in unemployment rates, increase in t axation, inflation, and increase in national debts. Egypt’s Benefits by Gaining Admission to GCC Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) consists of oil producing countries that invest within the Gulf area, Europe, and Asia. GCC provides rules that govern member states in order to establish high discipline levels. GCC ensures that the involved countries ensure that conflicts within a country do not interfere with trade. This helps in stabilizing the economy even in moments of conflict or inflation. Egypt needs to join GCC in order to acquire the status of other states like Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. GCC sets clear standards concerning management of oil reservoirs and companies, and this reduces confusions over ownership of various oil fields. Hazem al-Beblawi, Egypt’s deputy prime minister, displayed interest in the proposal that seeks to incorporate Egypt in GCC. He understands that Egypt needs to interact with countries that will support it with financial information. Suc h levels of empowerment will help the country reduce its budget deficit and promote self-employment in order to reduce the unemployment gap (Kaplan 74). Risks of FDI in Egypt As mentioned earlier, FDI is a risk measure, but a corporation needs to assess the political and socio-economic environments. The past political unrests in Egypt made the country economically unstable. Government bureaucracy and budget deficit in Egypt make companies unstable and a merger with such companies poses a threat to foreign corporations. Companies that apply portfolio management may succeed in their operation. For instance, when inflation occurs, a company can sell its assets quickly and recover the funds (Dunning 47). An unstable economy like Egypt keeps changing and FDI becomes risky since it would be impossible to recover invested funds in another corporation that might be experiencing losses (Kaplan 19). FDI is only possible in closed and capitalist markets that have certain levels of control. The Egyptian economy lacks proper management, thus posing security risks for investment-oriented institutions. Buckman, Greg. Globalization tame it or scrap it?. Dhaka [Bangladesh: University Press ;, 2004. Print. Cho, Tong, and Hwy Moon. From Adam Smith to Michael Porter evolution of competitiveness theory. Singapore: World Scientific Pub., 2001. Print. Dunning, John H.. Multinational enterprises and the global economy. Wokingham, England: Addison-Wesley, 19921993. Print. Kaplan, Leslie C.. Economy and industry in ancient Egypt. New York: PowerKids Press, 2004. Print. Pride, William M., Robert James Hughes, and Jack R. Kapoor. Business. Sixth ed. Mason: South-Western Cengage, 2012. Print. Shankar, Venkatesh. Handbook of marketing strategy. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Pub., 2012. Print. Sims, Ronald R.. Ethics and corporate social responsibility why giants fall. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2003. Print.

A War On Women And Drugs Criminology Essay

A War On Women And Drugs Criminology Essay In 1986 Congress passed mandatory minimum sentencing. Federal mandatory drug sentences take the decision away from the judge and gives sentences based on: 1. The type of drug; 2. The weight or alleged weight of the drug mixture and 3. The number of prior convictions. The rise of women in prison seems to be correlated with US drug laws and policies. Many researchers argue that the war on drugs has directly become a war on women. In 1999, the Bureau of Justice Statistics documented that 1 in 3 women were likely serving time for a drug offense in comparison to 1 in 8 women in 1986. Three reasons often determine the involvement of women in the criminal justice system, the first would be a history of abuse, the second issue is disrupted family and personal relationships and finally the third is drug abuse. Women that end up in prison have usually been abused and/or battered, are economically disadvantaged, have abused drugs, and/or are minorities. Due to the circumstances just mentioned and stricter policies and laws regarding drugs the outcome is a drastic rise in the incarceration of women. If women are seen as victims of circumstance then they are basically adapting to the conditions of their lives and struggling to survive. The status of women in prison reflects their status in society; they are marginalized by racism and sexism. Women in prison have been damaged by the oppression of patriarchy, economic marginalization and the far-reaching effects of such short sighted and detrimental policies as the war on drugs and the over reliance on incarceration, (Owen, 2000). Female Offenders Women have become the new offender in the criminal justice system. Through the years the amount of women incarcerated has greatly risen. In 2000, there were more than 1 million women in the United States in prison, probation or parole, whereas in 1990 there were 600,000 in the same situation. The rise in the incarceration of women can be greatly attributed to US policies and laws o n drugs and drug related crimes. Women are usually minimally involved in drug crimes but are severely punished due to the mandatory minimum laws in place. The war on drugs does not have laws laid out specifically for men and women, the laws are universal and apply equally to both men and women. Drug laws were originally designed for the male criminal and did not take into account the special circumstances in women’s lives. These women that are being punished under the mandatory minimum drug laws are the wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, granddaughters and girlfriends of many law abiding citizens in society. These women become involved in drug crimes because of their dependence to their significant other, whether it is financially, because of fear or other extenuating circumstance. Women who become victims of mandatory minimum laws are incarcerated and subject to patriarchal sentences because the men in their lives coerced, obliged or scammed them into carrying drugs . Women in jails and prisons are often oppressed and even victimized. There are many race and gender inequalities in the criminal justice system when it comes to addressing women and their needs. Women offenders are more likely to be incarcerated now than they were at any other time in the history of the United States. The legal system has become more willing to prosecute and incarcerate women than at any other time in the history of the United States.

Personal power Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Personal power - Essay Example Their main source of inspiration became the folklores that the afro- Americans wrote. In her novel, Sweat, Huston became the first writer who looked at the most probable ways of undertaking free indirect speech. Huston has used a number of styles to bring out clearly how we feel personal power thus uses interjections to bring out the nature of the main character, who is the protagonist and the use of the voice of narration serves a purpose of triggering the feelings of Delia. For example "After that she was able to build a spiritual earthworks against her husband. His shells could no longer reach her. AMEN" (42). The use of exclamatory sentences and adverb reiteration brought out hope and at the same time brought about a tone of uncertainty. The narrative voice brings out the aspect of leaving aside the objective that the author wanted to put across and instead makes the readers to change their thinking line and start sympathizing with the protagonist, and nevertheless adopt the protagonist point of view. This is one of the aspect of writing that Huston uses to bring out her fiction in a very interesting way. Poetic way of communication is also another way that Huston uses to express the idea of how human beings feel about personal power. Huston uses the poetic use of language to show the speech of the Blacks in a metaphoric manner. For example Delia uses metaphor â€Å"But in the main, I feel like a brown bag of miscellany propped against a wall. Against a wall in company with other bags, white, red and yellow (2).† To define her position in terms of race. The use of metaphor and simile is the greatest contribution of the Black to the field of literature, this is according to the point of view of Huston. The narrator in ‘Sweat’ gives evidence to the fact that the Afro-Americans give interpretation to English instead of speaking it when talking about the marriage life of Delia. The narrator says that Delia

Human Behavior in Organizations Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human Behavior in Organizations - Assignment Example at leadership based theories became well-known around 1950s and during the same period leadership interaction, implication and classification was done. It was also determined that so far significant research has been pursued for establishing relationship between leadership and performance (Allio, 2012). The paper is a critical assessment of leadership as a concept and its classifications. Moving on, the role of various kind of leadership has been elaborately discussed in the paper with respect to organizational behavior. Similarities and dissimilarities between various leadership styles have also been discussed followed by an overview of charismatic leadership, its features and implications in organizational framework. Leadership, especially charismatic leadership was considered appropriate for this paper because the study will help in developing a clear understanding of roles and characteristics of leaders played within an organizational framework. It has already been highlighted that the concept of leadership is highly subjective and as a result, several definitions has been developed thereof. Leadership has been defined as the technique of influencing other individuals for developing agreement and understanding regarding things that are to be done and the process of achieving these objectives in a collaborative manner. Other definition suggests that leadership is to influence an individual or a group to achieve common goals by means of shared objectives. Based on these definitions, several components of the phenomenon of leadership can be recognized, such as, it is a process, it involves influencing individuals logically and it provide shared goals and objectives to them (Allio, 2012). Regarding leadership and leader, different authors have presented a variety of views some of which are also conflictive in nature. For instance, a group of researchers argued that leadership qualities are acquired by leaders since birth while other group of researchers argued

A trip to Sequoia National Park Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A trip to Sequoia National Park - Essay Example In addition to this natural resource, Sequoia National Park comprises of many other natural features, which include the giant sequoia trees, among them being the greatest tree on earth, known as the General Sherman tree (White, 24). Additionally, the park consists of the giant forest, which occupies approximately 202, 430 of old-growth forests in conjunction with the neighboring Kings Canyon National Park. This park comprises of one of the most natural and unaltered environments, ranking it among the major national parks that have preserved the natural ecosystem without much alterations. Additionally, the geology of this national park is yet another key feature that makes it unique among the National Parks in the US with an exclusive landscape (Scott and Kay, 52). The region surrounding this area was initially occupied by the Monachee Native Americans, who did not exploit the natural resources in the major sequoia giant forest but coexisted in an eco-friendly manner. However, the arr ival of the white settlers threatened to cause destruction to the forests, but only for a little while, before they discovered that the Sequoia trees were not suitable for timber (White, 22). This made them cease to cut down the trees, and the park was declared a national park in 1890, by the USA government. The logistics required to visit the park Most parts of this park are not accessible by the means of road or rail, making trekking the most viable option for accessing the park from different directions. However, the logistics involved in visiting the park entails parking the required personal effects, which will be used during the stay or the visitation period in the park. Then, the second step will be taking a flight to Visalia Airport, which is a destination that requires one to take an average 1 hour’s drive to the park (Scott and Kay, 46). On reaching Visalia Airport, there is no need to hire transport or to have own car, because there are already various means of tra nsport from the airport into the park, which are convenient for the visitors. There are many Sequoia Shuttles, which transports visitors from the Visalia city to the National Park, passing through the Three Rivers, and then going up to the Giant Forest Museum (White, 21). The cost of this transport is affordable, since an individual requires paying only $15 as the ticket price for the shuttle ride. Before boarding the shuttle, it is important to ensure that one signs the time to and from the park, to ensure that the last shuttle will not leave an individual in the park. However, the greatest advantage, which makes this visit simpler logistically, is the fact that it is possible for one to walk back from the park, in case he/she is left by the last shuttle (Scott and Kay, 47). Once an individual arrives at the park, it is vital to go through the Lodgepole Visitor Center or the Giant Forest Museum, where more information regarding the visitation sites and ideas are given to the visito rs, as well as the accommodation and hospitality options available in the parks and its immediate environs (Scott and Kay, 50). After the individual has obtained sufficient information regarding the visitation areas and ideas, they can select the location to start visiting and plan the rest of the schedule. In case the individual does not want to go back the same day, there are various accommodation facilities available within the park and even in the immediate surroundings. The accommodation facilities within the park include the Wuksachi Lodge and the he John Muir Lodge, while those outside but in the immediate

PBL2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

PBL2 - Essay Example The ischemic necrosis of kidneys gradually heals by undergoing progressive fibrous scarring (Alpers, pg. 1012). Destruction of extracellular matrix occurs. The regenerative capacity of renal tissue is maximal in cortical tubules, less in medullary tubules, and nonexistent in glomeruli. Hence this is the correct answer. B: Granuloma formation: Granulomas are formed following chronic inflammation and are encountered in some immunological mediated reactions, infections and some non-infections conditions. Some of the common conditions in which granulomatous inflammation occurs are tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, cat-scratch disease, leprosy and syphilis. The granuloma consists macrophages mainly (Kumar, pg.83-84). Hence this is not the correct answer. C: Liquefaction: Liquefaction or liquefactive necrosis is a condition in which the affected cell is completely digested due to powerful hydrolytic enzymes. It usually occurs in fungal and bacterial infections and causes formation of abscess. Also, ischemic injury in brain causes liquefaction (Mitchell, 138). Hence this is not the correct answer. D: Metastatic calcification: Deposition of calcium salts in otherwise normal tissue is known as metastatic calcification. It occurs due to elevated calcium levels. It is commonly seen in the kidneys and lungs. Hence this is not the correct answer. A 25 year old-woman sustains a deep laceration over the right forearm in a motorcycle accident. The wound is cleaned and sutured. During the next 3 months, the wound heals with formation of a linear scar. Which of the following nutritional factors is required for proper collagen assembly in the scar tissue of the patient? A. Folic acid: Folate, the useful form of folic acid is an essential nutrient for the production and maintenance of new cells because it is needed for the replication of DNA. It is not useful for collagen production. Hence this is not the correct

Online Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Online Education - Essay Example This paper approves that the student responses published on the online message boards give the students a chance to share their views and ideas. The students can choose to have a virtual social life by forming online communities and groups. Considering the fact that the students pursuing online courses hail from diverse locations, belong to different age groups, have variegated professional backgrounds and are more diverse in their interests and affiliations, the online education certainly offers a more full bodied and enlightening academic environment to its students as compared to the regular classrooms. The online education system is also fast gearing up to the challenges imposed by the current job market. A number of online institutions do offer placement services to their students and many online courses are actively collaborating with the leading corporate concerns to upgrade and customize their courses so as to make their students more sought after and competitive in the real world. This essay makes a conclusion that with the ensuing advances in the telecommunication technology and the changing face of the society the world over, the online education system is expected to become more popular. It is the only way of taking education to each and every eligible aspirant. Definitely the standard modes of education are going to stay, but the real future of the world lies in the online dissemination of knowledge and facts

Engineering manager doing research and analysis Coursework

Engineering manager doing research and analysis - Coursework Example This will need conscious effort from the student but is very effective. Practices like switching to eco-friendly bulbs, switching off electrical appliances when not in use, use of eco-friendly alternatives in everyday life contribute to the conversation of energy. Also use of recyclable and reusable products are advised as this reduces the waste that goes into the environment. Products that cannot be reused must be boycotted on the campus by the students. Students must get actively involved making their campus greener ad eco-friendly. Plants can be grown on the rooftops of dorm and apartment buildings. Waste reduction and management will also help to keep the campus clean and greener. Conscious effort in commuting can also be an effective go green initiative. Riding bikes, using mass transport options, alternative vehicles and energy, etc will reduce the stress that transport puts on the environment. Video conferencing can be used as an effective tool for communication in the campus and wherever possible. Use of paper must be reduced and softcopies of documents must be used as an alternative to printouts. These practices as a whole will help reducing overall carbon footprint of the student body. Introduction With global warming reaching alarming figures, it has now become a major global concern. There is a need for immediate action in order to curb global warming and reduce its effects on the environment. The governments, organizations, companies, institutions worldwide have woken up to the fact that there needs to take measures sooner than later to fight global warming. Going green or eco-friendly is now the most important social responsibility. This report is a recommendation plan to the University of Greenwich on various green strategies that it can adopt to enable students studying in the university to go green. Various green strategies and practices have been analysed. There are numerous green strategies such as water and electricity conservation, acquisit ion of alternate fuel vehicles for communication inside the campus, recycling, water preservation, green building, green power, waste diversion, reduction of emission of green house gases, green space and ecosystems.etc. But in this report only those strategies are suggested that will enable the students studying in the University to go green. Practice Energy Conservation This is the most simple of solutions and the one that is most difficult and neglected. Students must try to conserve energy wherever possible. Use less energy wherever possible. Switch the old fashioned light bulbs to latest one which saves energy. Use alternate energy wherever possible. Small steps like switching off your computers, lights and other electric equipment when not in use when practiced by a large number of people, in this case students, make a huge difference. Even setting the computer in sleep mode when not in use can save a lot of energy. Products that have eco-friendly alternative must be purchased even if it would be a little costlier as it will pay off in a long run (Swallow, 2009). For example, energy start products contribute to the cause. Items that are not being used such as appliances, cell phone chargers must be unplugged. Even though they are not being used, they draw electricity from the outlets (Carnegie Mellon, 2012). All students must be introduced to the various ways on conserving energy on a day-to-day basis and must

Online Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Online Education - Essay Example This paper approves that the student responses published on the online message boards give the students a chance to share their views and ideas. The students can choose to have a virtual social life by forming online communities and groups. Considering the fact that the students pursuing online courses hail from diverse locations, belong to different age groups, have variegated professional backgrounds and are more diverse in their interests and affiliations, the online education certainly offers a more full bodied and enlightening academic environment to its students as compared to the regular classrooms. The online education system is also fast gearing up to the challenges imposed by the current job market. A number of online institutions do offer placement services to their students and many online courses are actively collaborating with the leading corporate concerns to upgrade and customize their courses so as to make their students more sought after and competitive in the real world. This essay makes a conclusion that with the ensuing advances in the telecommunication technology and the changing face of the society the world over, the online education system is expected to become more popular. It is the only way of taking education to each and every eligible aspirant. Definitely the standard modes of education are going to stay, but the real future of the world lies in the online dissemination of knowledge and facts

A Long Way Gone Essay Example for Free

A Long Way Gone Essay Imagine being a nice well respected kid into a cruel boy at such a young age. Interacting with people that you do not even know in your life that has an intention of just killing can be difficult for a young boy. Beah’s harsh actions were displayed in his memoir, Along Way Gone. Ishmael Beah proved that he lost his innocence by letting the rebels turn him into a murder, by getting convinced that violence is the solution to everything, and by relying on drugs to ease the pain he was suffering. Beah was manipulated by rebels into becoming a non ­stop murder. The rebels really get under his skin and brainwashed him into fighting in wars. He ends up coming across another rebel group that he surrounds with the other kids and the other rebel kids looks familiar to him because he thinks they were the group who killed his family. Beah gets angry and angrier, â€Å"so when the lieutenant gave orders, I shot as many as I could, but I didn’t feel better† revenge takes over him and has an outburst (pg. 122). Beah had encountered, â€Å"†¦ a few rebels after a long gunfight and a lot of civilian casualties. We undressed the prisoners and tied them until their chests were tight as drums† and tortured the rebels that the kids captured (pg.123). Beah is a murder and has no sympathy for any harm he does. Beah inserted violence and killing into his life at such a young age. The rebel group manipulated Beah by convincing him, â€Å"my squad is my family, my gun was my provider and protector, and my rule was to kill or be killed† and does not think otherwise.

Timber Frame Housing Construction

Timber Frame Housing Construction Timber frame housing a viable alternative to masonry Construction 1.1 Introduction Chapter one of this dissertation will review relevant articles of primary and secondary data to evaluate the hypothesis: Timber Frame construction a viable alternative to masonry construction. The main objective of this literature review is to increase the knowledge and understanding of the research and to critically apprise all that has been researched on timber frame construction in comparison to masonry construction. The literature review will be categorised into the following areas: Environmental impact Factors effecting Construction Costs. ( time savings, prelim costs Barriers effecting timber frame Fire resistance, acoustic, Thermal etc The literature review compares the opinion of other researchers and what they have discovered and done in relation to such aspects in timber frame construction 1.2 Environmental impact of timber frame construction in comparison to masonry construction. 1.2.1 Materials Roaf (2004 p.13) quotes buildings are our third skin. To survive we need shelter from the elements using three skins the first is provided by our own skin, the second by a layer of clothes and the third is the building. In some climates it is only with all three we can provide sufficient shelter to survive, in others the first skin is enough. The more extreme the climate, the more we have to rely on the building to protect us from the elements. Just as we take off and put on clothes as the weather and the climate changes so we can alter our buildings to adopt climate change Therefore one must investigate which method of construction is best suited to ones needs taking into account costs, environmental consequences and aspects such as thermal, acoustical and fire resistance so therefore they can life in a comfortable dwelling There appears to a be a huge demand in the construction industry to improve the efficiency in buildings, therefore to control climate change and to make this happen one must look firstly on the construction of our buildings and what method has the best impact on the environment. The author feels there is a strong case for investigating the timber frame approach as it has a potential for creating sustainable homes. Practices such as energy efficiency, recycling and the use of sustainable materials and products need to become inherent parts of the design and construction process and in some cases, displace traditional construction process and practices sustainable homes (2000), As Some materials used in construction can damage the environment: they can create pollution, while others are produced in an energy intensive process. Reclaimed material and products made from recycled material are less likely to cause environmental damage. It is important that materials should be judged on their lifecycle and their performance once they are installed. Buchann and honey, (1994) also suggest that there is a growing awareness that in the choice of building materials, the designer must not only consider the traditional requirements, but also the resource base and the effects on the environment of extraction, manufacture and processing of the building material, as the amount of primary energy used can have huge effects on greenhouse gas emissions. Borjesson and Gustavasson (2000) agrees with this statement as he suggests that, The substitution of sustainability produced wood material for other construction materials can reduce net Co2 emissions, Quack (2001) is in support of this statement with after the results of his study show that the life cycle of each house is independent of the construction materials. Sustainable homes (2000) discuses that timber is possibly the only renewable resource in the construction sector. According to Timber construction (2007) timber frame construction is the only environmentally friendly material available, as it claimed to be a carbon neutral. Claiming 800 kg of carbon dioxide is saved for every cubic meter of wood used. Stating that when comparing a 100m2 timber frame and masonry house, a total of 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved as a timber frame dwelling contains 5-6 cubic meters mores timber IPCC (1996) agrees that the manufacture of wood products normally requires less energy than that of alternative product which in results compares to the statements made above. Noren (2001) studied timber frame and traditional masonry houses over their lifecycle and claims that timber frame houses are a better environmental change to implement as carbon dioxide is reduced on every stage of the buildings life. Sutton (2007) is in agreement with this statement, claiming timber frame emit 16.5 % less carbon dioxide over the life of the building in comparison to its counterpart masonry construction. But However Brunklaud and baumann (2002) suggest after having examined reports on the environmental impacts of different materials on timber frame and masonry construction that wood has the lowest environmental impact in terms of embodied carbon dioxide emissions, but however over a complete lifecycle, building operational emissions is the most important factor regardless of the materials chosen, and that it is improvements to reduce operational emissions that will benefit the overall environmental impact of a building. Bjorklund and Tillman (1997) also agree as results show that timber frame has a better environmental impact at manufacture stage but however masonry can match timber frame over the life of the building Sustainable homes (2000) indicates that buildings accounts for 50% of all co2 emission and on average a house produces 7.5 tonnes of co2 every year, four tonnes if built to current regulations. It is not therefore, difficult to see the benefits of increasing the insulation capacity of the building envelope as one mechanism for reducing the amount of fossil fuels required in running our homes This statement above agrees to such statements from the majority of authors such as Buchann and honey, Borjesson and Gustavasson, Brunklaud and baumann, that much thought should be put into materials such as the fabric, structure of your house and your insulating materials therefore reducing the need of burning fossil fuels Although timber frame has a better environmental impact at manufacture stage from reports above it can be argued that masonry can achieve as a good an impact on the environment as timber frame over the life of the building. 1.2.2 Waste Impact A dictionary definition of environment waste is that of any substance, solid, liquid or gaseous for which no use can be found by the organisation or system that produces it for which a method of disposal must be devised. (RICS, 2009) However (Mnyani 2003, pg4-5) describes it as any waste that is generated during the process of construction, leftovers that are to be disposed post construction and this includes demolition debris. The construction industry is one of the largest industrial sectors in the UK, Construction and demolition waste represents roughly 17 per cent of total waste production in the UK, making the construction industry the largest generator of controlled waste in the country (DETR, 1999). It is estimated that some 70 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste arise annually (Environment Agency Website, 2000). Ekanaye Ofori 2000 indicate from their study on 230 different building sites, they found that waste levels for specific materials is consistently higher than the estimated level for all materials studied. New purchases to replace wasted materials rework to correct mistakes, delays and dealing with generated waste cause heavy financial losses to the contractor. Therefore the author feels the use of timber frame construction will play a good role in reducing waste as the timber frame panels arrive on site and are erected in a matter of hours in support of this (Glynn, 2000) points out that Arrival on site timber frame kit and erected in less than a week, approx 1 4 days This therefore cuts out on materials been damaged as a result of lying around the site, but however (Johnson, 1981p6) states that Waste occurs on site for a number of reasons, most of which can be prevented, this waste can occur form the Misinterpretation of drawing, Overestimating of quantity required, Faulty workmanship and Careless handing of materials. From this statement timber frame construction exceeds masonry as wastage on site can be reduced significantly by the maximum use of prefabricated units. As well as reducing wastage, quality control and efficiency during manufacture of standard materials in the factory means that the net amount of material required for production of the final component is minimised. Factory conditions make the use of off cuts more likely. Recycling and reuse of materials have long been associated with wise construction practises. Experienced contractors are now reaping the economic advantage of construction waste management. Many of the contractors that have embraced waste management have made changes to their operation and practices to take advantage of reduced waste disposal costs and revenues derived from recycle, reuse and salvage materials. Utilizing, reuse and salvage methods on site reduces materials that end up in the landfill, creates a cleaner and safer project site and improves community relations. 1.3 Factors effecting costs. Mark Windsor spokesperson for Design and Materials Company suggests that costs for masonry are the same for timber frame houses http://www.designandmaterials.uk.com/materials/brick-and-block.html To evaluate this statement Glynn (2000) demonstrates a construction programme in the following charts. Timber Frame Programme Foundations for kit are prepared, approx 1.5 weeks. Arrival on site timber frame kit and erected in less than a week, approx 1 4 days. External doors and windows fitted to seal house from external elements, approx 1 week. During phase three the roof is erected, felted and battened and tiled, approx 1.5 weeks. External cladding completed approx 1.5 weeks. During phase five, first fix electricity, plumbing and carpentry can begin, approx 2.5 weeks. Internal wiring and pipe work to be complete, approx 2 3 days. Drying out period, approx 2 4 days. Start second fix services, approx 2 3 weeks. Decoration can now begin and client takes over. This concludes timber frame programme at twelve weeks. Source (Kenneth Glynn, Prefabricated timber frame construction, 2000) Traditional masonry programme Foundations for kit are prepared, approx 1.5 weeks. Masonry envelope can commence approx 4 5 weeks. About one week after envelope commenced, fixing and glazing the doors, approx 3 weeks. During phase three, the roof is erected, felted and battened and tiled, approx 1.5 weeks. Note scaffolding will be on site for the majority of the above. During phase five, first fix electricity, plumbing and carpentry can begin, approx 2.5 weeks. Internal wiring and pipe-work to be complete, approx 2 3 days. Start second fix services, approx 2 3 weeks. Decoration can now begin and client takes over. This concludes traditional masonry programme at about twenty weeks. Source (Kenneth Glynn, Prefabricated timber frame construction, 2000) In examination of the construction programmes, there is a large differential in time scale between inception and move in dates. It is possible to come to the conclusion based on the solid facts that the programmes portray to us that the development of the timber frame house is by far the most efficient in terms of speed in completion. The difference in weeks is quite substantial with the programme of development comprising of the timber frame method of construction far more efficient with an overall saving of about eight to nine weeks. A timber house is usually watertight by week five of the build; by contrast a traditional masonry house is not watertight for nine or ten weeks. Traditional construction methods are extremely vulnerable to inclement weather conditions. Such inclement weather conditions will cause delay to the overall completion of the project, this is not a factor for timber frame construction as all internal works can began at week five, despite any external weather c onditions. By Glynn 2000 contrasting these two construction programmes it shows that the timber frame programme would offer a rapid development construction to meet market demand thus providing a return on your development almost of immediate effect. In support of Glynn an article in built it magazine states When comparing timber frame to masonry, masonry is generally the slower of the two. However this article indicates one must factor in time it takes to get a timber frame onto site from the date it is ordered, which can take up to 16 weeks ( Build It magazine, published May 2008.) However from examining Glynn 2000 construction programme there are direct costs saving advantages such as reduced construction time, overheads and less waste. Other factors that should be considered when carrying out a cost benefit analysis are the preliminaries costs as early off-hire of cranes and scaffolding due to reduced construction times and also reduced on site labour which saves money. With brick and block, build costs are spread over a longer period of time. However one must consider the overall programme cost reductions by timber frame construction. Timber Frame is touted to have the following advantages: That it is a faster method of construction with the ability to halve the total on-site construction duration; That it requires less on-site labour; That large number of units can be constructed within a short time; That the faster construction and reduced on-site work brings financial benefits to the developer in terms of shorter period of financing the project and completed buildings being put up for sale much faster. Factory-produced homes are usually erected on site in a matter of days. Once up, the internal finishes can be started right away, which can produce further time savings. However, there may be lengthy delays involved in getting the frame built. Also bear in mind that thin-joint masonry promises many of the speed advantages of timber frame. The NHBC estimates up to a three-month time saving by choosing timber. On Price For many years, timber frame used to be thought of as a little more expensive, but advocates claimed that you could claw back any extra expense by shortening the length of the job overall, thus reducing overhead and finance costs. However, more recently the picture has become confused. Blocklayers became very expensive, eroding the cost differential; while timber frame factories became very busy, lengthening the time taken to process the orders, and thus losing much of the speed advantage. The fact is that there really isnt that much cost difference. As a rule, masonry sits better (and cheaper) behind a brick or stone skin, whilst timber frame comes into its own behind a lightweight external skin such as timber. Representatives of both timber frame and brick and block would agree that there is relatively not much of a difference in the cost between the two constructions techniques. If timber frame is chosen for its quick build time, One believes that overall the cost benefits of timber frame houses offer better value as the proposed development would include rapid construction to meet market demand thus providing a return on your development almost of immediate effect. . The speedy construction of timber framed houses enables the contractor to construct a large number of houses in a relatively short period of time. A timber frame house owner would also have the added benefit of a more energy efficient home 1.4 Perception of timber frame and its barriers: The use of timber frame construction of houses has faced many challenges in recent years as other materials such as sandcrete blocks, concrete blocks and brick replaced timber as main building construction materials due to many barriers such as psychological barriers mainly form general public. The public perception of timber frame construction in comparison to the traditional masonry construction. B.k. Baiden, E. Badu, F.S Menz (2004) is as follows Timber can consumed by fire if used in building construction, Durability is relatively poor structural ability The lack of understanding and cynical views expressed by the public on the fire resistance, durability and structural properties of timber frame structures initially made Timber frame construction to received negative comments throughout the last few decades and has came under scrutiny which has influenced the negative perception the general public have adopted The timber frame industry was effectively killed off overnight in the early 1980s, after the world in action programme raised a number of doubts about the standards of construction Barrys (2002) Timber frame construction has received negative comments throughout the last few decades and has come under scrutiny which has influenced the negative perception the general public have adopted. Some members of the public associate timber with been a fuel for fire and therefore timber frame structures are more liable to ignite. The author feels this is a harsh and unjust assessment, which has restricted the growth of timber frame housing during the 1980s and the early 1990s when it could have gained a valuable foot hold in the housing market during this period. However in recent years the only slight concerns remain in the public domain and this has helped timber frame housing to gain a 30% share in the domestic housing market. Many professionals in the timber frame industry believed that consumers no longer had doubts regarding fire, which will be illustrated later in the questionnaire conducted by the author. Government reports indicate that There are some residual reservations about timber frame among architects, engineers, builders, administrative bodies, financial institutions and insurance companies as well as with end users. Perceived problems with timber frame construction in the housing market from both the end users and local authorities would include a perceived greater risk of fire, issues of sound attenuation in a timber structure and the impact such a structure might have on the security of the end user. however Narty 1971 states that Timber constructed houses can be built to last for a period of 40-100 years, this suggests that timber frame construction is every bit as good as the traditional masonry method. Most people perceive a brick block house to be more solid than timber frame http://www.buildstore.co.uk/mykindofhome/events/different-building-systems-weekend-in-detail.html Traditional masonry cavity walls, most commonly brick with an inner structural leaf of concrete block, have dominated house building in the UK for the past eighty years, but there are a number of other systems that are gradually making inroads, including timber frame, http://www.cyprus-property-buyers.com/files/constructionmethods.pdf One question that perpetually raises its head is which is cheapest of the two most prevalent systems timber frame or brick and block? The author will look in great detail at the properties in timber frame buildings to evaluate the perception in the industry towards timber frame and why they think masonry is the better construction overall. 1.4.1 Fire resistance: Barry (1998) states that although timber is a combustible material, it can function as a structural member for a longer period than an unprotected metal member provided it is of adequate section White (1999) agrees with this statement saying The relatively good structural behaviour of timber in fire is due to the fact that it has uniform strength through the mass. The load bearing capacity is therefore reduced in proportion to the loss of the cross section, the unburned section, however, retains a full high strength Forest products research institute (1988) also agrees with this; as the results from a study showed that timber of sufficient size is difficult to burn because of cross sections decompose relatively slowly due to its low thermal conductivity and the formation of charcoal on the outer sections Sustainable houses (2000) agrees with the above as it states that timber frame homes tested to BS476 demonstrate that they exceed these requirements BRE structural survey (2002) indicates that in the TF 2000 BRE project no evidence to suggest that timber frame construction suffers disproportionally form problems of poor workmanship or that it is exposed to higher risks of fire spread than traditional masonry counterpart. In support of this TRADA and BRE fire safety research concluded that Timber frame performs as well as other construction in fire and life safety is at no greater risk. 1.4.2 Thermal: Sustainable (2000) suggests that one of the most commonly identified advantages of timber frame systems in relation to thermal performance, The most important factor by far being the structural envelope. The most basic timber frame home will exceed current building regulations requirements In support of this statement Doran (2008) BRE states timber frame insulation solutions lend themselves to going significantly beyond the minimum thermal performance requirements Timber frame can easily meet current regulations by increasing stud size therefore increasing the amount of insulation, giving a better U-value. With the governments publication of new regulations in 2006 part L relating to energy conservation and ventilation in new homes Timber frame uk suggests that with the introduction of these new part L regulations for new built homes timber frame housing has increased because of its suitability for modern building and it can comply with the new regulations so easily and cost effectively With timber being a poor conductor of heat Barry (1993), the thermal conductivity is very low making it a natural insulator which is two to four times of common insulating materials Simpson (1999) However Doran 2008 indicates that to achieve the expected thermal performance in timber frame dwellings requires good workmanship 1.4.3 Acoustic: Sound is a form of energy which can be transmitted over a distance from its source through a medium, such as air or a solid element of construction e.g. a wall or a floor. A construction based website Homebuilding.Co.uk indicates that heavyweight building techniques have a clear advantage here. But in detached housing, the chief area of concern is noise between floors and most masonry homes actually have timber intermediate floors, so in this respect there is little difference http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/feature/construction-systems-masonry-vs-timber Sustainable (2000) indicates that timber frame masonry outperforms masonry party walls by some margin In support of this Trada (2000) agrees with this statement indicating lightweight timber frame party walls between semi-detached or terraced houses and flats and party floors between flats meet the current requirements of the building regulations for sound insulation. However many authors argue this (.) stating that building mass is the only way to provide high sound insulation. An article by Clive Fewins, published in home building and Renovating magazine agrees with the above statement with regards to the public perception, where the public perception of masonry built is strong and durable A masonry structure gives a house a feeling of solidity, as the density of the blocks provides a high level of acoustic mass Trada state Its interesting that even our standard 140mm timber frame walls are 20 per cent more thermally efficient than current building regulations demand. Sound insulation is more efficient too with a timber frame, compared with other methods of construction. This public perception of the acoustic performance of timber frame has also played a role in hindering the growth of timber frame housing but these unsubstantiated views have been contradicted by a number of independent assessments within the industry. However BRE are in favour of timber frame building stating, If all dwellings had sound insulation as good as that measured in party walls of timber frame homes, the problems of noise from neighbours would be greatly reduced. Just like any other new homes, when built with good standards of workmanship, timber frame homes will meet all current Building Regulations and Standards on sound insulation and acoustic performance. It is commonly assumed that only solid walls that are found in traditional masonry houses can guarantee you peace and quiet. In 2003 tests were carried out by (BRE) the Building Research establishment on Robust Details that can be used by any designer and house builder, this research proved that timber frame houses performed best out of any construction method. This research was also reviewed on the UKs largest database of test cases on sound performance going back over 17 years, by Dr Sean Smith of Napier University who also stated the superior sound performance of timber frame houses. A statement from Dr Sean smith in a recent website article on timber frame construction shows after researching on acoustical performance how he personally feels timber frame can easily outperform current regulations Our research shows that timber frame party walls are the best performing in the industry for current and future regulations. The (Irish timber frame association) suggest the importance of mass has always been perceived as been vital to achieve good sound insulation, however reliance on mass alone would be impractical and a largely unpopular method of improving sound performance. In recent years other characteristics have became more important such as isolation, stiffness, absorbency and air tightness. Isolation makes it more difficult for sound to propagate through the building by introducing physical breaks, this is an important for good sound insulation, and the cavity walls in both house types perform this function. Stiffness of structural members, gives greater resistance to structure borne vibration caused by sound. Absorbency in voids helps dampen sound and finally by ensuring the separating structures are totally sealed, sound leakage through gaps is avoided. It is widely accepted that timber frame construction is exploiting these characteristics and is well ahead of other methods when the regulatio ns change in the future. Noise nuisance within homes is becoming a more widespread concern in modern times as ownership televisions, stereos and game consoles are at an all time high and this is causing conflict among neighbours. The findings of BRE have contradicted the public perception that mass is essential to gain high-quality acoustic performance. Durability: Narty (1971) argues that The Durability of timber is often discussed with reference to fungi, or insect attack. In absence of these, timber is remarkably resistant and will survive for long periods of time; the author has found such evidence as the Egyptian tombs which are over 200 years old. BRE (1996) conducted two large scale independent surveys and found no instances of rot caused by water ingress. And all timber exposed areas (Cavity) that are preservative treated shall cause little trouble In support of this Simpson (1999) agrees with this statement suggesting that timber kept constantly dry does not decay and a large proportion timber used is kept dry and can last for very long periods 1.5 Advantages of timber frame over masonry: Timber frame offers a number of advantages compared to most other forms of construction The previously stated the u turn for the rise in popularity for timber frame methods of construction has not been unfounded, with large benefits to the client and contractor been identified as the basis for this success. Many of the countrys contractors in the housing are now seriously considering this technique because it, provides high quality houses, quickly and cost effectively Source (Prefabrication-solution to an overstretched industry, Nov 2001, The Irish construction Industry Magazine) The greater use of well-designed timber frame houses will help ease the pressures on traditional construction trades, it also has the benefit of helping to speed up projects and help ensure cleaner and safer sites Source (Webb, M., The construction magazine, Prefabrication Report) On Speed Factory-produced homes are usually erected on site in a matter of days. Once up, the internal finishes can be started right away, which can produce further time savings. However, there may be lengthy delays involved in getting the frame built. Also bear in mind that thin-joint masonry promises many of the speed advantages of timber frame. The NHBC estimates up to a three-month time saving by choosing timber.