Health Discrimination in Hong Kong Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Health Discrimination in Hong Kong - Essay Example Body In order to fix the health inequities which relate to gender in Hong Kong, possible health care priorities in health policies must include HIV/AIDS screening and treatment opportunities open to all citizens regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Another health priority would be the improved access to women seeking maternal and child care before, during, and after their pregnancy. Gender inequities can sometimes be apparent in relation to access of healthcare programs for women sex workers and for homosexuals (Abdullah, et.al., 2000). These gender inequities must be set aside especially as far as AIDS screening and treatment is concerned. Instead, reforms must include the establishment of mandatory annual screening for STDs and AIDS among sex workers (Wong, 2003). This access must be made available to male, female, including homosexual sex workers and anyone seeking access to these same health services. No discrimination in terms of gender must be made before such services c an be accessed. This mandatory screening would help manage the AIDS problem in Hong Kong, and ensure that the numbers of AIDS sufferers would decrease. Health reforms should also target the prioritization of services for health workers in relation to AIDS. AIDS has become one of the rapidly growing health issues in the world; it is also one of the most preventable diseases, especially with proper health education and the application of other preventative remedies, like mandatory annuals AIDS and STD screening (Wong, et.al., 2006). Access of sex workers to health services is often hampered by their limited financial resources; moreover, the health system does not make these screenings available to all sex workers due to their limited resources. In effect, future health policies must prioritize the allocation of funds for these mandatory annual screenings for high-risk women and other sex workers (Wong, et.al., 2006). Considerations of income or gender must not be made a basis for who the recipients of these screening services. Inequities in this regard must be neutralized. Future health policies on addressing the gender disparities in health must also include the establishment of outreach clinics for sex workers (Wong, 2003). These specialist centers would help ensure that female sex workers would be able to gain access to essential services based on their convenience. The clinics would be open at hours convenient to them and it would also reduce the stigma from the rest of society (Wong, 2003). In other words, health reform also means accepting the fact that some females work in the sex industry, and the fact that these activities are basically against the law should not be their basis for gaining access to essential health services (Wong, 2003). Female sex workers are fully aware of the fact that there is a stigma against them from the general population; for which reason, they also prefer not to access health services from the main hospitals for fear of bein g stigmatized. Moreover, society, including hospitals can indeed discriminate against them in terms of equal access to health services (Wong, et.al., 2006). Future reforms in health care must therefore include a more specific program which would

Character Analysis of the Grandmother in Flannery O'Connor's story A Essay

Character Analysis of the Grandmother in Flannery O'Connor's story A Good Man is Hard to Find and Mrs. May in the story Green - Essay Example Flannery O’Connor’s â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† is a story about a family that is going to Florida on vacation. However, on the way, they have an accident, and end up meeting an escaped convict and his posse, who end up killing the whole family. â€Å"Greenleaf† by Flannery O’Connor is a story about a widow, Mrs. May, who has singlehandedly, and without the help of her two adult sons, run a farm for fifteen years. She does not like her employee Greenleaf, nor his family. The story conveys her contempt and enviousness at seeing her employee’s sons succeed when hers have not, at least according to her standards. It ends by Mrs. May dying by being gored by a bull. The stories, written by the same author, do have some similar themes, however, the object of this paper is to identify the similarities of the protagonists of the two stories – the grandmother in â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† and Mrs. May in â€Å"Greenleaf.â⠂¬  There is a definite sense in both stories that the protagonists are very aware and conscious of their social standing. What is more, they seem to revel in it, to the point where they think that they are not â€Å"common† folk, so to speak. The grandmother in â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find,† while going with her family to the vacation, appears to be very conscious of the sort of clothes she has worn. It is explained that the reason for her to have done so is that in case they are involved in an accident, she wants others to know that she was a lady (422), and not a common woman. In order to keep up that appearance, she does not even allow her grandchildren to throw an empty sandwich box and the paper napkins out of the car window after they had a snack during the car ride. Mrs. May, in â€Å"Greenleaf,† also seems to harbor such ideas about herself. She does not like the idea that her son has become an insurance-man to African-Americans, or a â€Å"nigger insur ance-man† as she calls it (451). One of her biggest fears is that her sons, who are unmarried, will marry â€Å"trash,† thereby ruining everything she had sought to achieve, which is of course her social standing, or what she deems it to be. Another similarity between the two protagonists is that both of them are quite controlling. The grandmother wants her son to change her plan of vacation because she wants to go somewhere else, and for that she uses the excuse of The Misfit, the renegade convict right when the story starts. What is more, during the trip when she wants to visit her old house, she makes up a story to entice her grandchildren who, as expected by her, make a clamor till the father agrees to take them there (425). Mrs. May, similarly, seems to have a very controlling attitude. Even though throughout she has a feeling that she is the victim as nobody would help her, however, it is clear that she is the controlling one in the family – she does not wa nt to let go of the control she has over her sons. This is apparent from the way she gets her will changed so that even after her death her sons would not opt to marry, what she deems to be, low born girls, by putting in a proviso that if they do so, their wives would not inherit any money from them (451). Lastly, both the protagonists had a complicated relationship with their children. Bailey seems to be quite reluctant to listen to his mother, the grandmother of â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find.† What is more, he does not really associate with her much. Throughout the story, he seems aloof from her. Mrs. May’s sons, also, do not really have a close relationship with their mother. They do not follow in her footsteps to take over the farm, instead both of them go out and seek other professions. What is more, they do not appear sympathetic to their mother’s pleas either. This is perhaps due to the fact that she is controlling and feigns her victimization too much for their taste. Either way, the sons are not at all close to their mother nor are they supportive of her in any

Popularity of Timber Frame Construction

Popularity of Timber Frame Construction 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report will look at the increasing popularity surrounding timber frame construction in the construction industry. It will look at why this trend is continuing across the UK and how this form of construction can be applied to various building types. Timber frame construction is most notably used in parts of the world such as USA, Canada and Australia but it is being used more frequently throughout the UK in more recent times as well. Year on year the market share for timber frame construction has increased. Scotland is leading the way in this field by using timber frame construction much more than their neighbours. The timber sourced for this type of construction can readily be found in Scotland and this may go some way to explaining why it is indeed so popular in Scotland. 1.1 FACTS AND FIGURES; For the tenth consecutive year; the market share for timber frame construction has increased, 25% of all new houses in the UK are timber frame, As previously stated, Scotland is the most popular country for timber frame construction in the UK but even considering this; 75% of all new houses in Scotland are timber frame and that percentage continues to rise. Also, even during a recession when the construction industry has possibly been hit as hard as any other industry; timber frame construction only dropped by 26% while other construction methods dropped almost 38% in 2008. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 5 (www.timber-frame.org) The trend is also growing outside of the UK, in Ireland for example. This is endorsed by the following quote. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame homes currently account for 25% of new build homes in Irelandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) 2.0 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION Timber frame construction means that the weight-bearing walls are indeed timber panels. In other buildings this could be steel or blocks for example. These timber panels are made off site to an exact size and when they are required, they are simply transported by truck from the factory to the site. They can then be installed by men using pulleys and ropes or if the panels are too large and heavy- a small crane can be used to carry out this task. The panel itself is usually made up of solid timber- to take the load of the structure and this is sheathed usually by plywood or OSB- Oriented Strand Board, which is usually sourced from Scotland. These members ensure that the panel has suitable strength and is also rigid. Once the timber frame installation is complete, the external leaf of the building can then be installed. This can be brickwork or any form of cladding or a rendered finish. There are in fact two types of panels available- namely the Open Panel meaning the panel will be dry-lined after the insulation, vapour layer and services have been installed on site. The other panel is the Closed Panel and is this case this is all done in the factory. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 11 (www.timber-frame.org) There have also been advances in the design of I-Joists in timber frame systems. There are now lighter I-Joists available but they have the greater strength and durability because the flanges are wider and the joist itself is not solid wood as has been the case in previous years- it can simply be plywood or OSB. PLATE 1; Image showing lightweight I-Joists, which are easier to handle but still strong enough to withstand the load being rested on it; due to the wide flanges. (www.framewiseltd.co.uk) 2.1 BALLOON FRAME There are actually two forms of timber frame construction. These are called Balloon Frame and Platform Frame. Balloon Frame has been superseded nowadays by Platform Frame but a brief outline is explained on both. The Balloon Frame form of construction simply means that the studs that make up the exterior wall are one long section which spans from the ground to the ceiling height of the top floor. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A balloon frame consists of two-storey height panels with an intermediate floor suspended from the formwork.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2008, p.386) Problems are obvious with this form of construction; Fire can spread easier because of the large panels Large panels may be more difficult to find Large panels will also be more difficult to handle Heating bills could be higher because there is no insulation between a room and the exterior walls Drawbacks such as these mean that the Platform Frame is more popular and is used today in preference to the Balloon Frame. 2.2 PLATFORM FRAME As previously mentioned, this is the form of timber frame construction favoured today in the UK. It differs from the Balloon Frame, as the structure is built up floor by floor. Basic sequence of events would include; Engineer calculates out sizes required by looking at the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s drawings Materials ordered and prefabricated in factory Materials arrive on site- only as required Base of the structure is marked out Timber floor joists are lifted into place using a small crane Walls are erected and positioned on top of floor joists- again using a small crane Prefabricated roof is also positioned in by a crane on top of the wall panels Cavity barriers/fire stops are installed Felt and battens are applied to roof- structure is now watertight External layer can now be can applied as well as tiles or slates on the roof Internal services can now be installed   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   PLATE 2; Image showing a floor being lifted into position by crane (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) (sketch 2 drawings from page 171 of chudley greeno) 3.0 ADVANTAGES OF TIMBER FRAME Timber frame construction holds quite a few advantages over brick and block or steel frame construction; Quick to erect- can be completed faster than using brick and blocks as there is no need to wait for mortar to dry. Also, timber can still be installed in the rain; when brick or blocks canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t and is also not affected by the frost like mortar is. Easy to transport- panels, trussed roofs, timber floors etc are easily loaded on to a lorry and delivered on site as needed also ensuring the site isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t cluttered up with materials that are not yet needed. Easy for the Contractor to forecast the completion date of the project- the job will run on time easier and will not be delayed due to weather as wintry conditions can delay progress on site. Cleaner site- as everything is measured to specification; there will be very little material waste on site meaning more profits, less money spent on dumping waste in landfills and less chance of an injury also. Smooth and dry- the surface is easy to decorate and also easy to render. Better quality- as the frame is fabricated off site to meet Building Regulations; there is less chance of human error. Can be installed by small crane to meet a tight deadline or by workmen as a cheaper option. Extensions can easily be incorporated, as timber and plasterboard are easier to remove than blocks. Also easier to design a building to suit the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s exact taste and possibly make a building unique form others. (www.trada.co.uk) Once the shell of the building is complete- this means it is watertight and the internal works can begin. It only takes around 5 days to achieve a watertight house. 3.1 THERMAL PERFORMANCE Timber is an excellent insulator and this in turn means that timber framed buildings store heat very well. This therefore leads heating bills being reduced, which in turn also means less fossil fuels are being used- be it oil for central heating or coal for a fire. How much money can be saved on heating bills varies and bold claims are made about this. It is hard to calculate because other factors need to be considered such as the specification of the building, the occupants of that building and so on. One timber frame company called Ramstown Developments claim that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber framing is an energy saving system that cuts an average of 33% off the annual cost of heating your home.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com/) How accurate these figures are will be open to debate but there is little doubt that timber frame construction does have an advantage when it comes down to thermal performance. Many different timber frame companies exist and because of this they will specify the materials and construction and installation of the components slightly differently, thus giving slightly different results. However, the UK Timber Fame Association, who represents over 85% of UK timber frame manufacture states that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Using a standard timber frame system achieves U-values between 0.30 and 0.27 using readily available and standard insulation- and using higher performance insulation and insulating breather membranes can boost these figures even more.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) The keyword in the aforementioned statement is standard- meaning this is the minimum level of thermal performance that can be expected, so obviously this can be improved upon by having a higher specification. One such company is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Scotframeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? who have designed a timber frame system which has a U-value of 0.11 which is very impressive when the U-value limit for walls in 1965 was actually 1.7. The system is a closed timber-framed panel, usually includes140mm  studs sheathed both sides with Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and factory filled with Polyurethane foam insulation. The internal side of the panel has a vapour control heat reflective membrane  and an air gap is created between this and the internal wall cladding to make a service zone.  The exterior side has a breathable waterproof membrane and 50mm of  polyurethane foam cavity insulation. To prove that these panels are indeed extremely thermally efficient- they have been tested by the National Physical Laboratory who confirmed a U-value of 0.11 W/m2K; when the external cladding is taken into account. This system can be installed without the cavity insulation- but as can be expected, the U-value results will not be as good. This system from Scotframe actually meets the meets the C02 targets which have been set at intervals of 2010, 2013 and 2016- at this stage. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) PLATE 5; Image showing what the Scotframe system compromises of. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) 3.2 ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE Since timber frame performs so well in thermal performance, it isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t very surprising to gather that it also performs well in the acoustic aspect also. This could be largely down to the fact that so many layers can absorb sound just like curtains and carpet absorbs sound better than an empty room with hard surfaces. In fact à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“BREs Case study TF2000 found that even a multi-storey project would out perform building regulations for acoustic insulation.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.framewiseltd.co.uk) This statement therefore echoes these thoughts and actually emphasises that it more than satisfies Building Regulations. What is even more interesting is that this is not for a small cosy dwelling- it is actually in terms of a multi-storey structure. 3.3 FIRE PERFORMANCE Timber is more susceptible to fire than materials such as concrete, bricks, blocks or steel. This however, does not mean that timber frame structures are more of a fire hazard. Timber frame structures are more likely to be burnt down during the actually construction phase, when the installation is not complete. This could be due to an accidental fire starting on site or probably the more likely case of vandalism. The HSEà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s figures of 11 fires each day in the construction industry advocates this theory. Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites, page 5 highlights this, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s annual UK fire statistics show that two thirds of fires in construction industry premises are started deliberately.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org/) Fires that do start accidentally will not spread as easily once the installation has been complete, because the fire resistant plasterboard will see to this and also the external cladding will prove a difficult surface for the fire to engulf. There are of course ways in which the threat of fire can be minimised; Design out the need for hot-works, i.e. working with a blowtorch. If hot-works are required then that area should be monitored for 1 hour and again 2 ours later as a precaution. Keep the site tidy with no timber shavings or pieces of paper lying around, as these could start a fire easily (this of course would be good practice on any construction site) Ensure good site security to keep potential thieves and vandals at bay- again just like on any construction site. Fire Safety On Timber Frame Construction Sites page 10 (www.timber-frame.org) At this stage it should be stressed that timber frame construction is quick to install and because of this it is easy to reach a point when fire resistant materials are in place and the risk of fire is therefore greatly reduced. Also, cavity fire barriers will reduce the spread of fire. They are placed at openings in external walls, at corners, at each floor level, at eaves level, around pipes, cables etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ It is also worthy to mention that timber frame buildings do of course have to pass the relevant Building Regulations; as fire is a very serious matter. So if they satisfy these needs; they are as safe as any other form of construction in that aspect. 4.0 ENVIRONMENT Terms such as C02 emissions, global warming, carbon footprint and greenhouse gases are often the topic of conversation in todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s world. Everyone is being urged to think about the environment and the construction industry is probably under the microscope as much as any other sector. As mentioned previously one of the advantages of timber frame construction is that it reduces the effects of burning fossil fuels- such as oil or coal. This therefore means it also minimises the greenhouse effect as well. Unlike steel or concrete- there is no need for any manufacturing, refining or extracting as timber is natural. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Strength for strength, concrete uses 5 times (and steel uses 6 times) more energy to produce than timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Overall C02 emissions for timber construction (the em-bodied carbon are up to six times lower than the emissions associated with masonry construction materialsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 19 (www.timber-frame.org) That statement may not hold much relevance until the Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s stance on this subject is made clear- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Come October 2010, the Government will slash the level of permissible CO2 emissions generated by new builds by 30%. There is a further reduction of 30% planned for 2013 and yet another of the same amount due to come in to force in 2016à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) This further proves just how big of a concern this matter is and that the Government are acting quickly and have very clear targets in mind for the future. Some timber frame companies are also trying to convey this message to the public, as advocated by Deeside timber frame- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Raise awareness of environmental issues with our customers, suppliers and staffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? is listed as one of their objectives regarding environmental matters. (www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk) Also, since timber is being sourced locally; in Europe and frequently in Scotland- it means there is no long journeys to transport the material overseas as can often be the case with steel when it is in short supply. 4.1 SUSTAINABILITY Timber is a very sustainable material. This is simply due to the fact that the timber comes from managed forests and for every tree that is cut down- two are planted to replace it. As well as this; the Government also introduced a scheme titled the Code for Sustainable Homes in 2006. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 7 (www.timber-frame.org) To summarise, this basically states that the Government wants homes to be more energy efficient and that Level 3 is the basic standard expected in the average housing scheme, with this rising to a Level 6 for all new homes by 2016. Issues which affect what level the structure will be credited with depend on two things- how energy efficient the buildings fabric is and also how the material itself was sourced. Timber can achieve a good rating on both fronts because as previously mentioned; it is easy to source and doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have to be transported long distances and also timber frame buildings have a very good thermal performance and can reduce heating bills. 5.0 NON-DOMESTIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER PROJECTS It would be fair to say that when most people think of timber frame construction, they think of low rise buildings like domestic dwellings. However, timber frame buildings are not just bungalows and two storey houses. Timber frame buildings include hotels, student accommodation and such like. With Building Regulations always being updated and changed; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame can currently go up to 18 metres within the current regulations. This has already allowed the construction of a 7 storey building in Bedminster in Bristol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org) Further examples of surprising projects include a primary school which has over 400 children in attendance. St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Primary School in the Wolverhampton area was actually completed in 16 weeks- which was 2 weeks ahead of schedule! It cost  £5.9m to construct and was given a rating of Excellent by BREEAM. This rating was of such a high standard that it is actually the first time it has been awarded to a building in Britain. (BREEAM is the BRE Environmental Assessment Method.) PATE 6; Image of St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s CE Primary School, Blakenhall Gardens UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) Other such projects include a NHS Adolescent Unit in Wales, where in this instance timber frame was ideal due to the fact that it was manufactured offsite and this meant less time onsite, making noise and disrupting the patients. A further example includes the theatre that was built on the Isle of Mull. Since this structure would be subject to winds and rain- it would be anticipated that steel or concrete would be the material of choice. However, cost of transporting these materials proved to be a huge factor, coupled with the fact that once again timber frame could be installed much quicker. PLATE 7; Image of the new timber frame theatre on Isle of Mull UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) As well as these structures, timber frame prototypes have also been erected to improve our knowledge and findings on the performance of timber frame. One such prototype is the Kingspan Lighthouse which was designed and built to show how well timber frame would or would not perform when the structure was going to be an unorthodox shape. As with all buildings, small faults were found and good feedback was received on how improvements could be made. However, a Level 6 rating under the Code of Sustainable Homes was reached- even though this target doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t need to be achieved until 2016. PLATE 8; Image of Kingspan Lighthouse which achieved a Level 6 rating. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 9 (www.timber-frame.org) 6.0 MOISTURE CONTENT All timber that is to be used for construction purposes will have a certain moisture content. Different timbers will have different moisture content depending on their use. For example, timber that is going to be used at junctions in the building where dampness could form will need to have a low moisture content. Kilns are used to dry timber out to a certain specification. Moisture content can be calculated by completing the following calculation; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Moisture Content %= (wet weight)-(dry weight)/ dry weight x 100%à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2007, p.175) 6.1 THREAT OF ROT Rot spreading throughout a building is the nightmare of every client and builder, as it can cause unlimited damage and mean that in the extreme cases the building cannot be repaired. However, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dry timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, which is a timber with a moisture content of under 20%, is not at risk of decay. Lyons (2007, p.105) noted that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the reduction in water content to below 20% will arrest any incipient fungal decay, which can only commence above this critical level.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This should dispel any doubts that timber is very exposed to rot. Furthermore, the timber is also sprayed with necessary preservatives before installation to satisfy Building Regulation requirements. 7.0 CONCLUSION This report has briefly looked at how timber frame structures perform in numerous fields. It has also outlined how timber frame can be used in a variety of different structures- some of which many people would not associate timber frame construction with. It is therefore clear to see that this market will continue to grow, with the market possibly accelerating more so in Ireland in the near future. This is because Ireland is possibly the country which has the most room for growth in this sector, coupled with the fact that Scotland is nearby and would prove to be a very good source for timber. This report has also addressed concerns relating to timber and the perception many people still have about using timber in construction- such as fire hazards, risk of rot, unable to be used in multi-storey buildings; to name just a few. Once people are better educated and made more aware about using timber as the structure for buildings- then these myths will soon be dispersed. After all, as mentioned in the introduction; this form of construction is used in countries such as USA, Canada and Australia. It is of course the most popular form of construction used in the developed world- meaning it can handle the hot summers in Australia and also the windy wets nights and wintry conditions in Scotland. It has taken Britain and Ireland many years to adopt this practice and some will no doubt wish to never embrace timber frame construction. However, the old adage à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the times are changingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? certainly springs to mind at this point. With the Government endorsing the use of timber frame and with environmental and sustainability concerns the topic of conversation on a regular basis- this definitely seems like the route to take. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber Frame is probably the biggest single advance in building methods in recent yearsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.walkertimbergroup.com) The above quote certainly is a bold one but with the facts in figures produced in this report; it is hard to argue against such a statement. 8.0 REFERENCES- Websites Source- UK timber frame association preview 2010 (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) [accessed 4th February] Source-Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) http://www.ramstowndevelopments.com/index.php?id=47 [accessed 4th February] http://www.framewiseltd.co.uk/Systems/i-joists-the-simple-framing-system.html [accessed 4th February] http://www.trada.co.uk/techinfo/library/view/6BA4B8A2-79A8-451B-AB6F-474D37137B4F/Timber+frame+construction+-+an+outline/ar01s02.html [accessed 5th February] http://www.timber-frame.org/html/Building_And_Construction/Benefits_of_Timber_Frame/ [accessed 5th February] http://www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/ [accessed 5th February] http://www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk/environmental.htm [accessed 5th February] http://www.walkertimbergroup.com/walkertimber/products/products/timberframe1 [accessed 5th February] Books Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2008) Building Construction Handbook. 7th ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2007) Construction Technology. 4th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited Lyons, A., (2007) Materials for Architects Builders. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd. Popularity of Timber Frame Construction Popularity of Timber Frame Construction 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report will look at the increasing popularity surrounding timber frame construction in the construction industry. It will look at why this trend is continuing across the UK and how this form of construction can be applied to various building types. Timber frame construction is most notably used in parts of the world such as USA, Canada and Australia but it is being used more frequently throughout the UK in more recent times as well. Year on year the market share for timber frame construction has increased. Scotland is leading the way in this field by using timber frame construction much more than their neighbours. The timber sourced for this type of construction can readily be found in Scotland and this may go some way to explaining why it is indeed so popular in Scotland. 1.1 FACTS AND FIGURES; For the tenth consecutive year; the market share for timber frame construction has increased, 25% of all new houses in the UK are timber frame, As previously stated, Scotland is the most popular country for timber frame construction in the UK but even considering this; 75% of all new houses in Scotland are timber frame and that percentage continues to rise. Also, even during a recession when the construction industry has possibly been hit as hard as any other industry; timber frame construction only dropped by 26% while other construction methods dropped almost 38% in 2008. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 5 (www.timber-frame.org) The trend is also growing outside of the UK, in Ireland for example. This is endorsed by the following quote. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame homes currently account for 25% of new build homes in Irelandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) 2.0 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION Timber frame construction means that the weight-bearing walls are indeed timber panels. In other buildings this could be steel or blocks for example. These timber panels are made off site to an exact size and when they are required, they are simply transported by truck from the factory to the site. They can then be installed by men using pulleys and ropes or if the panels are too large and heavy- a small crane can be used to carry out this task. The panel itself is usually made up of solid timber- to take the load of the structure and this is sheathed usually by plywood or OSB- Oriented Strand Board, which is usually sourced from Scotland. These members ensure that the panel has suitable strength and is also rigid. Once the timber frame installation is complete, the external leaf of the building can then be installed. This can be brickwork or any form of cladding or a rendered finish. There are in fact two types of panels available- namely the Open Panel meaning the panel will be dry-lined after the insulation, vapour layer and services have been installed on site. The other panel is the Closed Panel and is this case this is all done in the factory. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 11 (www.timber-frame.org) There have also been advances in the design of I-Joists in timber frame systems. There are now lighter I-Joists available but they have the greater strength and durability because the flanges are wider and the joist itself is not solid wood as has been the case in previous years- it can simply be plywood or OSB. PLATE 1; Image showing lightweight I-Joists, which are easier to handle but still strong enough to withstand the load being rested on it; due to the wide flanges. (www.framewiseltd.co.uk) 2.1 BALLOON FRAME There are actually two forms of timber frame construction. These are called Balloon Frame and Platform Frame. Balloon Frame has been superseded nowadays by Platform Frame but a brief outline is explained on both. The Balloon Frame form of construction simply means that the studs that make up the exterior wall are one long section which spans from the ground to the ceiling height of the top floor. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A balloon frame consists of two-storey height panels with an intermediate floor suspended from the formwork.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2008, p.386) Problems are obvious with this form of construction; Fire can spread easier because of the large panels Large panels may be more difficult to find Large panels will also be more difficult to handle Heating bills could be higher because there is no insulation between a room and the exterior walls Drawbacks such as these mean that the Platform Frame is more popular and is used today in preference to the Balloon Frame. 2.2 PLATFORM FRAME As previously mentioned, this is the form of timber frame construction favoured today in the UK. It differs from the Balloon Frame, as the structure is built up floor by floor. Basic sequence of events would include; Engineer calculates out sizes required by looking at the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s drawings Materials ordered and prefabricated in factory Materials arrive on site- only as required Base of the structure is marked out Timber floor joists are lifted into place using a small crane Walls are erected and positioned on top of floor joists- again using a small crane Prefabricated roof is also positioned in by a crane on top of the wall panels Cavity barriers/fire stops are installed Felt and battens are applied to roof- structure is now watertight External layer can now be can applied as well as tiles or slates on the roof Internal services can now be installed   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   PLATE 2; Image showing a floor being lifted into position by crane (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) (sketch 2 drawings from page 171 of chudley greeno) 3.0 ADVANTAGES OF TIMBER FRAME Timber frame construction holds quite a few advantages over brick and block or steel frame construction; Quick to erect- can be completed faster than using brick and blocks as there is no need to wait for mortar to dry. Also, timber can still be installed in the rain; when brick or blocks canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t and is also not affected by the frost like mortar is. Easy to transport- panels, trussed roofs, timber floors etc are easily loaded on to a lorry and delivered on site as needed also ensuring the site isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t cluttered up with materials that are not yet needed. Easy for the Contractor to forecast the completion date of the project- the job will run on time easier and will not be delayed due to weather as wintry conditions can delay progress on site. Cleaner site- as everything is measured to specification; there will be very little material waste on site meaning more profits, less money spent on dumping waste in landfills and less chance of an injury also. Smooth and dry- the surface is easy to decorate and also easy to render. Better quality- as the frame is fabricated off site to meet Building Regulations; there is less chance of human error. Can be installed by small crane to meet a tight deadline or by workmen as a cheaper option. Extensions can easily be incorporated, as timber and plasterboard are easier to remove than blocks. Also easier to design a building to suit the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s exact taste and possibly make a building unique form others. (www.trada.co.uk) Once the shell of the building is complete- this means it is watertight and the internal works can begin. It only takes around 5 days to achieve a watertight house. 3.1 THERMAL PERFORMANCE Timber is an excellent insulator and this in turn means that timber framed buildings store heat very well. This therefore leads heating bills being reduced, which in turn also means less fossil fuels are being used- be it oil for central heating or coal for a fire. How much money can be saved on heating bills varies and bold claims are made about this. It is hard to calculate because other factors need to be considered such as the specification of the building, the occupants of that building and so on. One timber frame company called Ramstown Developments claim that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber framing is an energy saving system that cuts an average of 33% off the annual cost of heating your home.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com/) How accurate these figures are will be open to debate but there is little doubt that timber frame construction does have an advantage when it comes down to thermal performance. Many different timber frame companies exist and because of this they will specify the materials and construction and installation of the components slightly differently, thus giving slightly different results. However, the UK Timber Fame Association, who represents over 85% of UK timber frame manufacture states that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Using a standard timber frame system achieves U-values between 0.30 and 0.27 using readily available and standard insulation- and using higher performance insulation and insulating breather membranes can boost these figures even more.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) The keyword in the aforementioned statement is standard- meaning this is the minimum level of thermal performance that can be expected, so obviously this can be improved upon by having a higher specification. One such company is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Scotframeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? who have designed a timber frame system which has a U-value of 0.11 which is very impressive when the U-value limit for walls in 1965 was actually 1.7. The system is a closed timber-framed panel, usually includes140mm  studs sheathed both sides with Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and factory filled with Polyurethane foam insulation. The internal side of the panel has a vapour control heat reflective membrane  and an air gap is created between this and the internal wall cladding to make a service zone.  The exterior side has a breathable waterproof membrane and 50mm of  polyurethane foam cavity insulation. To prove that these panels are indeed extremely thermally efficient- they have been tested by the National Physical Laboratory who confirmed a U-value of 0.11 W/m2K; when the external cladding is taken into account. This system can be installed without the cavity insulation- but as can be expected, the U-value results will not be as good. This system from Scotframe actually meets the meets the C02 targets which have been set at intervals of 2010, 2013 and 2016- at this stage. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) PLATE 5; Image showing what the Scotframe system compromises of. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) 3.2 ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE Since timber frame performs so well in thermal performance, it isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t very surprising to gather that it also performs well in the acoustic aspect also. This could be largely down to the fact that so many layers can absorb sound just like curtains and carpet absorbs sound better than an empty room with hard surfaces. In fact à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“BREs Case study TF2000 found that even a multi-storey project would out perform building regulations for acoustic insulation.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.framewiseltd.co.uk) This statement therefore echoes these thoughts and actually emphasises that it more than satisfies Building Regulations. What is even more interesting is that this is not for a small cosy dwelling- it is actually in terms of a multi-storey structure. 3.3 FIRE PERFORMANCE Timber is more susceptible to fire than materials such as concrete, bricks, blocks or steel. This however, does not mean that timber frame structures are more of a fire hazard. Timber frame structures are more likely to be burnt down during the actually construction phase, when the installation is not complete. This could be due to an accidental fire starting on site or probably the more likely case of vandalism. The HSEà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s figures of 11 fires each day in the construction industry advocates this theory. Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites, page 5 highlights this, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s annual UK fire statistics show that two thirds of fires in construction industry premises are started deliberately.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org/) Fires that do start accidentally will not spread as easily once the installation has been complete, because the fire resistant plasterboard will see to this and also the external cladding will prove a difficult surface for the fire to engulf. There are of course ways in which the threat of fire can be minimised; Design out the need for hot-works, i.e. working with a blowtorch. If hot-works are required then that area should be monitored for 1 hour and again 2 ours later as a precaution. Keep the site tidy with no timber shavings or pieces of paper lying around, as these could start a fire easily (this of course would be good practice on any construction site) Ensure good site security to keep potential thieves and vandals at bay- again just like on any construction site. Fire Safety On Timber Frame Construction Sites page 10 (www.timber-frame.org) At this stage it should be stressed that timber frame construction is quick to install and because of this it is easy to reach a point when fire resistant materials are in place and the risk of fire is therefore greatly reduced. Also, cavity fire barriers will reduce the spread of fire. They are placed at openings in external walls, at corners, at each floor level, at eaves level, around pipes, cables etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ It is also worthy to mention that timber frame buildings do of course have to pass the relevant Building Regulations; as fire is a very serious matter. So if they satisfy these needs; they are as safe as any other form of construction in that aspect. 4.0 ENVIRONMENT Terms such as C02 emissions, global warming, carbon footprint and greenhouse gases are often the topic of conversation in todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s world. Everyone is being urged to think about the environment and the construction industry is probably under the microscope as much as any other sector. As mentioned previously one of the advantages of timber frame construction is that it reduces the effects of burning fossil fuels- such as oil or coal. This therefore means it also minimises the greenhouse effect as well. Unlike steel or concrete- there is no need for any manufacturing, refining or extracting as timber is natural. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Strength for strength, concrete uses 5 times (and steel uses 6 times) more energy to produce than timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Overall C02 emissions for timber construction (the em-bodied carbon are up to six times lower than the emissions associated with masonry construction materialsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 19 (www.timber-frame.org) That statement may not hold much relevance until the Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s stance on this subject is made clear- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Come October 2010, the Government will slash the level of permissible CO2 emissions generated by new builds by 30%. There is a further reduction of 30% planned for 2013 and yet another of the same amount due to come in to force in 2016à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) This further proves just how big of a concern this matter is and that the Government are acting quickly and have very clear targets in mind for the future. Some timber frame companies are also trying to convey this message to the public, as advocated by Deeside timber frame- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Raise awareness of environmental issues with our customers, suppliers and staffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? is listed as one of their objectives regarding environmental matters. (www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk) Also, since timber is being sourced locally; in Europe and frequently in Scotland- it means there is no long journeys to transport the material overseas as can often be the case with steel when it is in short supply. 4.1 SUSTAINABILITY Timber is a very sustainable material. This is simply due to the fact that the timber comes from managed forests and for every tree that is cut down- two are planted to replace it. As well as this; the Government also introduced a scheme titled the Code for Sustainable Homes in 2006. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 7 (www.timber-frame.org) To summarise, this basically states that the Government wants homes to be more energy efficient and that Level 3 is the basic standard expected in the average housing scheme, with this rising to a Level 6 for all new homes by 2016. Issues which affect what level the structure will be credited with depend on two things- how energy efficient the buildings fabric is and also how the material itself was sourced. Timber can achieve a good rating on both fronts because as previously mentioned; it is easy to source and doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have to be transported long distances and also timber frame buildings have a very good thermal performance and can reduce heating bills. 5.0 NON-DOMESTIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER PROJECTS It would be fair to say that when most people think of timber frame construction, they think of low rise buildings like domestic dwellings. However, timber frame buildings are not just bungalows and two storey houses. Timber frame buildings include hotels, student accommodation and such like. With Building Regulations always being updated and changed; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame can currently go up to 18 metres within the current regulations. This has already allowed the construction of a 7 storey building in Bedminster in Bristol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org) Further examples of surprising projects include a primary school which has over 400 children in attendance. St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Primary School in the Wolverhampton area was actually completed in 16 weeks- which was 2 weeks ahead of schedule! It cost  £5.9m to construct and was given a rating of Excellent by BREEAM. This rating was of such a high standard that it is actually the first time it has been awarded to a building in Britain. (BREEAM is the BRE Environmental Assessment Method.) PATE 6; Image of St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s CE Primary School, Blakenhall Gardens UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) Other such projects include a NHS Adolescent Unit in Wales, where in this instance timber frame was ideal due to the fact that it was manufactured offsite and this meant less time onsite, making noise and disrupting the patients. A further example includes the theatre that was built on the Isle of Mull. Since this structure would be subject to winds and rain- it would be anticipated that steel or concrete would be the material of choice. However, cost of transporting these materials proved to be a huge factor, coupled with the fact that once again timber frame could be installed much quicker. PLATE 7; Image of the new timber frame theatre on Isle of Mull UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) As well as these structures, timber frame prototypes have also been erected to improve our knowledge and findings on the performance of timber frame. One such prototype is the Kingspan Lighthouse which was designed and built to show how well timber frame would or would not perform when the structure was going to be an unorthodox shape. As with all buildings, small faults were found and good feedback was received on how improvements could be made. However, a Level 6 rating under the Code of Sustainable Homes was reached- even though this target doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t need to be achieved until 2016. PLATE 8; Image of Kingspan Lighthouse which achieved a Level 6 rating. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 9 (www.timber-frame.org) 6.0 MOISTURE CONTENT All timber that is to be used for construction purposes will have a certain moisture content. Different timbers will have different moisture content depending on their use. For example, timber that is going to be used at junctions in the building where dampness could form will need to have a low moisture content. Kilns are used to dry timber out to a certain specification. Moisture content can be calculated by completing the following calculation; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Moisture Content %= (wet weight)-(dry weight)/ dry weight x 100%à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2007, p.175) 6.1 THREAT OF ROT Rot spreading throughout a building is the nightmare of every client and builder, as it can cause unlimited damage and mean that in the extreme cases the building cannot be repaired. However, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dry timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, which is a timber with a moisture content of under 20%, is not at risk of decay. Lyons (2007, p.105) noted that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the reduction in water content to below 20% will arrest any incipient fungal decay, which can only commence above this critical level.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This should dispel any doubts that timber is very exposed to rot. Furthermore, the timber is also sprayed with necessary preservatives before installation to satisfy Building Regulation requirements. 7.0 CONCLUSION This report has briefly looked at how timber frame structures perform in numerous fields. It has also outlined how timber frame can be used in a variety of different structures- some of which many people would not associate timber frame construction with. It is therefore clear to see that this market will continue to grow, with the market possibly accelerating more so in Ireland in the near future. This is because Ireland is possibly the country which has the most room for growth in this sector, coupled with the fact that Scotland is nearby and would prove to be a very good source for timber. This report has also addressed concerns relating to timber and the perception many people still have about using timber in construction- such as fire hazards, risk of rot, unable to be used in multi-storey buildings; to name just a few. Once people are better educated and made more aware about using timber as the structure for buildings- then these myths will soon be dispersed. After all, as mentioned in the introduction; this form of construction is used in countries such as USA, Canada and Australia. It is of course the most popular form of construction used in the developed world- meaning it can handle the hot summers in Australia and also the windy wets nights and wintry conditions in Scotland. It has taken Britain and Ireland many years to adopt this practice and some will no doubt wish to never embrace timber frame construction. However, the old adage à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the times are changingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? certainly springs to mind at this point. With the Government endorsing the use of timber frame and with environmental and sustainability concerns the topic of conversation on a regular basis- this definitely seems like the route to take. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber Frame is probably the biggest single advance in building methods in recent yearsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.walkertimbergroup.com) The above quote certainly is a bold one but with the facts in figures produced in this report; it is hard to argue against such a statement. 8.0 REFERENCES- Websites Source- UK timber frame association preview 2010 (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) [accessed 4th February] Source-Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) http://www.ramstowndevelopments.com/index.php?id=47 [accessed 4th February] http://www.framewiseltd.co.uk/Systems/i-joists-the-simple-framing-system.html [accessed 4th February] http://www.trada.co.uk/techinfo/library/view/6BA4B8A2-79A8-451B-AB6F-474D37137B4F/Timber+frame+construction+-+an+outline/ar01s02.html [accessed 5th February] http://www.timber-frame.org/html/Building_And_Construction/Benefits_of_Timber_Frame/ [accessed 5th February] http://www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/ [accessed 5th February] http://www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk/environmental.htm [accessed 5th February] http://www.walkertimbergroup.com/walkertimber/products/products/timberframe1 [accessed 5th February] Books Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2008) Building Construction Handbook. 7th ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2007) Construction Technology. 4th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited Lyons, A., (2007) Materials for Architects Builders. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd.

Preserving Minority Languages Essay -- Anthropology Globalization

Language has been used as a means of communication among society members as time began. Each and every community has its own unique language, which is used to convey a certain message from the sender to the recipient. For a language to be appreciated as a means of communication among society members, it should be clear, simple to use and understandable among the users. There are approximately six thousand different languages, which are used in the whole world. Such languages are unique and distinct from each. Yagmur (2009) supports that; a language acts as a reflection or like a mirror of the society from which it originates. For instance, a language may portray the culture and origin of a certain community. Due to current globalization effects, language integration has constantly been taking place. This has made some languages be adopted as the major communication tools. For example, English and French languages are now being used as the major languages of communication. People who are not conversant with these languages are being termed as society laggards who do not appreciate changes. This has received some support from Jiang (2007) who adds that; this language integration has caused some languages to be marginalized. Such languages that are considered to be minor are usually spoken or used by communities, which are minority and marginalized within the society. Various debates on whether to preserve these marginalized languages have arisen over the past decades. These minority’s languages accrue various society elements like culture, religion, beliefs, behaviors and practices. These languages are like an archeological site that should be preserved. As a result, marginalized la nguages should be preserved because they carry wit... ...gr114> LaPonce, J. A. 2004. â€Å"Minority Languages and Globalization.† Nationalism & Ethnic Politics, Spring Vol. 10 Issue 1, p15-24. Ushioda, E. 2006. â€Å"Language Motivation in a Reconfigured Europe: Access, Identity, Autonomy.† Journal of Multilingual & Multicultural Development, Vol. 27 Issue 2, p148-161. Yagmur, K. 2009. â€Å"Language use and ethnolinguistic vitality of Turkish compared with the Dutch in the Netherlands.’ Journal of Multilingual & Multicultural Development, Vol. 30 Issue 3, p219-233.

A charity appeal letter for Action Against Hunger

I am the director of a company called Action against Hunger which You may have heard of, I am writing to you to ask your generosity and kindness to those less fortunate than you. I am hoping that you can spare a small amount of time to read my letter, and consider making a donation. You may be thinking that this is just another junk letter asking for money for a worthless cause, but we need your help. Firstly, Action against hunger is an organisation that helps children and adults all around the world suffering from malnutrition Action against Hunger’s vision is of a world without hunger. A world in which all children and adults have sufficient food and water, equitable access to the resources that sustain life, and are able to attain these with dignity. Our mission is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection and treatment of malnutrition, especially during and after emergency situations of conflict, war and natural disaster. From crisis to sustainability, we tackle the underlying causes of malnutrition and its effects. By integrating our programmes with local and national systems we further ensure that short-term interventions become long-term solutions. As you can see, we do a lot of things for people that are less fortunate than us, and we need all the donation we can get to keep this going. Your support is immensely powerful. Regardless of the amount, it enables our field workers to save lives, feeding children on the brink of death, helping isolated and vulnerable communities, and providing families with clean and safe drinking water. You can change a person’s life. So why wait? Furthermore, the expected rains across large areas of the region (including north east Kenya and large parts of Somalia) have failed, leading to an severe food crisis. Thousands of families, including around 70,000 children, have been forced to flee the drought-stricken homes to survive, with many joining overcrowded refugee camps. What if you were in this position? And you were the one begging for food. They do need your help, or the worse could happen. No person was born to die. So help fight global hunger!

Has the development of Human Resource Management practices replaced the need for trade unions Essay

According to Phelan (2007, pp. 45-47), trade unions were the most powerful organizations after the industrial revolution. During the 19th and 20th century, management was largely mechanistic and the position of workers was not felt unless the force of the numbers was employed. As a result, the membership to the trade unions increased steadily to 1979 after which a sharp decline is evident. During the 20th century, Donna, Stephen and Roderick (2007, p. 832) report that over one third of all employees belonged to trade unions by 1979 before declining sharply o 13. % by year 2000. In their view, Gurpreet (2007, p. 85) and Hearnshaw (2007, p. 76) argue that the trade unions decline is an indication of the critical period that change must be embraced to create greater value of the production systems. According to Tove, Hammer and Bayazit (2009, pp. 405-406), the unions lacked the needed sensitivity to their members and held their views towards salaries and job security only. Under this model, unions failed to recognize the fact that if employees were guaranteed what the unions provided, they would lack their value. From their view point, Coca-Stefaniak, Hallsworth and Bainbridge (2005, pp. 361-363) argue that trade unions’ mandates lacked clear definition and therefore kept overlapping between political delineations to employees protection. Consequently, many leaders used them to settle political scores and stepping stones to power. Indeed, Marlow (2006, p. 54) points an accusing finger to this vagueness in executing their mandates that employees sought to distance themselves. A major question that arises at this point is what is indeed the future of the unions? Though many analysts appear to avoid answering the question directly, Pencavel (2003, p. 21) and Blanden and Machin (2003, pp. 121-122) suggest that the unions will indeed not fully die, but resilience of their roles will be evident when major problems occur. Comparison of human resources managements and trade unions Comparison of trade human resources and trade unions brings out the picture of two negating forces but geared towards achieving the same objectives. To begin with, trade unions were run politically and therefore involved a very wide spectrum of employees they dealt with. As a result, Gill (2009, pp. 41-42) explains it was very hard to address the demands of the different members with ease. On the other hand, human resources management is a discipline defined by clear cut professional outline that have key objectives. Redman and Wilkinson (2009, p. 121) explain that apart from this clear objectivity, human resources managers have a narrower spectrum, for instance, one company or institution, which makes it easier to address concerns of their subjects. The approach and consideration of trade unions as Marchington and Wilkinson (2005, p. 114) pointed out in their study, was based on a competitive model that was viewed as a major achievement for specific leaders. As a result, other options were locked out; a consideration that created controversy with economists and political elites. Marchington and Wilkinson (2005, p. 117) further point out that human resources managers consider conflicts to be critical aspects that must be addressed carefully in defining a better relationship and ultimately greater productivity. Though Jose and Fernando (2002, pp. 181-182), use of the term ‘militant’ when referring to trade unions has received sharp criticism, it is perhaps the correct term. Trade unions main method of addressing conflicts was use of strikes and demonstrations. As a result, they resulted to great losses to particular institutions, companies and even nations. Human resources managers however, balance between critical human qualifications, existing infrastructure and overall returns as dictated by the demand and supply of resulting products. Gill (2009, pp. 41-42) therefore concurs with Marlow (2006, p. 78) that everybody has his own niche and stands a better chance of advancing with ease. Modern roles of human resources a) Staffing and selection The roles of human resources have over the years changed with the rising demand to view employees as a responsive system as opposed to a rigid consideration Farber and Western (2002, pp. 398-399) explains that this role therefore creates a harmonic platform that proactively addresses key problems that necessitated the need for trade unions. Staffing and selection is done on the basis of merits; a consideration that give employees great security both locally and internationally. By conducting effective selection, the employees do not feel threatened, but are given a chance to improve on their skills which the organization they work for strongly struggles to retain while others remain opportunistic to outsource (Blanden and Machin, 2003, pp. 126-127). Unions are therefore rendered less essential as job security is indeed very high and payments highly sustainable. ) Rewarding compensation and motivation management To concur with Gill (2009, p. 90) conclusion, poor rewarding systems formed the basis of unions in the mid-twentieth century. At this time most production were privately owned, but most importantly, they lacked effective competition to trigger better compensation and motivation of their workers. Human resources managements’ greatest roles are indeed to assess performance, initiate the needed improvement ef forts and most importantly reward the best performers. In his theory of human needs, Robert Maslow argued that when employees are guaranteed the needed capacity for progression towards self actualization, other systems are easily foregone (Gill, 2009, p. 48). Unlike the trade unions that provided only raising the salaries, human resources create a roadmap for sustainability; a factor that Brewster (2004, p. 371) indicate directly disrupts their consideration for unionization. c) Employee’s development and modelling When refereeing to the current replacement of trade unions roles with human resources management, one cannot fail to focus on the modelling and development roles. Though trade unions train their members on different aspects of their relationship with their seniors and the employers, greater credit as Jose and Fernando (2002, p. 189), suggests, is given to human resources managements. As indicated earlier, trade unions lack the necessary specificity on their members who are highly diverse. Due to their smaller nature of operation, human resources have proved to be more effective in that employees are continuously modelled with close supervision with an aim of improving their place in an organization. Jose and Fernando (2002, pp. 188-190) add that modelling sets a clear role model and a definite roadmap to follow in addressing their concerns and issues. d) Negotiating and change management Unlike during the period of the trade unions, negotiations have taken a central position for all the employees. Brewster (2004, p. 368) explains that human resources management eliminates key bureaucracies and therefore brings the employees closer to the top leadership. Furthermore, human resources management facilitates teamwork to encourage involvement of all the workers in negotiating their views in an organization. To infer greater need for negotiations, Coca-Stefaniak et al (2005, pp. 366-367) argue that internal and external change agents often propose changes towards improving the welfare of the employees and ultimate productivity of the company. As a result, the need for trade unions to create either a rise in payments or even improved working conditions does not arise. Counterarguments In his view, Phelan (2007, pp. 4-75) suggests that trade unions roles will remain critical despite the current decline. He further points out that though many workers have shifted from the trade unions; their need will always be rekindled during the periods of major crisis. During the 2007-2008 financial crises, many workers turned to trade unions for protection of their jobs. Pencavel (2003, p. 25) cites the political interference in reducing the relevance o f the unions. As a result, strength of trade unions will always recur when new political elites with favouring views rise to power. However, the two counterarguments fail to acknowledge the great advancements in technology that facilitate easier detection of workplace problems, faster communication and precise assessment that assists in making the correct decisions to avoid major issues (Hearnshaw, 2007, p. 69). Conclusion and recommendations From the above discussion, this paper supports the thesis statement, ‘the critical roles played by human resources managements that greatly satisfies the customers, improves their earnings, secures their employment, and maintains the correct organization cultures have increasingly replaced the need for trade unions. Trade unions came out as strong movements that were very vibrant during the 20th century when clear professionalism lacked in running businesses and organizations. Human resources management came in with great specialization that is highly proactive and employees driven; a consideration that surpassed the major roles of the unions. However, counterarguments presented in the discussion are true and their roles will often recur during periods of major crisis in organizations.

Initial Public Offering

Initial Public Offering Introduction Initial Public Offering (IPO) is one of the key ways through which companies raise capital to realize growth and development (Bragg, 2009). Companies normally raise capital by selling their equities to the public for the first time.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Initial Public Offering specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The result of such an initial selling of the company’s equity emanates in terms of increased capital and shareholders. Apple Inc. is an example of the corporations that went public to raise capital for their expansions and to be publicly traded. Apple Inc. Background Apple Inc. together with its subsidiaries produces a range of computerized products including personal computers, media devices, mobile communications as well as portable digital music players. In 2007, Apple Inc. became a publicly listed company with its stocks traded and quoted on NASDAQ, where it is well-known with the symbol AAPL (Apple Inc., 2010). Over the last five years, AAPL share prices have tremendously increased and are currently among the highly priced stocks in NASDAQ. The number of Apple Inc. equity holders has grown over the last four years of operation. AAPL returns on investments have grown from $1.5 million to over $600million dollars in the fiscal 2010. This was accompanied by an increase in the total global market share and constant growths in sales and revenue. By 2010, Apple Inc. net revenue was over $14 million which translated into $15.41 earnings per share, the highest earning within the security markets (Apple Inc., 2010). AAPL total shareholders’ equity grew to above $47 million with market capitalization of over $590 billion. Apple Inc. is a unique company in the technology industry because of the way it utilizes its technological capabilities to drive its growth and development (Apple Inc., 2010).Advertising Looking for case study on business eco nomics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Despite the competition in the technology industry, Apple is amongst the companies that have applied their innovative potential to remain top in the competitive edge. AAPL profits and sales volume have soured above its competitors because of its incessant introduction of new products to the market. Products like iPod, iPod and iTunes have facilitated Apple’s market share growth, resulting into revenue growth. Apple Inc. generated more capital in its IPO than any other company, after Ford-motor’s IPO in 1956. Apple IPO immediately created more millionaires than any firm in history and this was approximated to be around 300 (Apple Inc., 2010). During the launch of its Initial Public Offering of stock to the public investors, venture capitalist cashed out money yielding billions on their long-term capital gains. Going public immediately changed the corporation’s manag ement as Apple had to deal with increased number of shareholders and the requisite procedures that must be complied with. Though Apple raised the needed capital, IPO exposed the company into rigorous compliant measures and competitions (Padberg, 2007). For Apple to remain in the securities market, the company must comply with the SEC and accounting standards regulations which are very expensive. Even though IPO is one of the best ways to raise capital, it is a risky venture for a company to undertake (Beinecke 2002). Normally, the process requires well experienced underwriters who are able to correctly predict when to offer securities and the decisive prices. The procedure is usually a long process and may take several months before the actual date reached (Beinecke, 2002). Furthermore, it is often difficult to predict the behavior of stock on the initial trading day even in the future. The reason is that there is petite historical financial data that can be used to analyze the comp any. Conclusion Since Apple Inc. became public, it has remained a successful company. As indicated, Apple Inc. generated huge capital through its IPO as was predicted and the number of equity holders also increased.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Initial Public Offering specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The capital generated has led to the growth and development of Apple since it allowed the company to invest heavily on research and development. The securities market analysis indicates that Apple has a growth potential in the prospective years. References Apple Inc. (2010). Apple inc. 2010 annual report. Web. Beinecke, C. K. (2002). How to prepare an initial public offering. New York, NY: Practicing Law Institute. Bragg, S. M. (2009). Running a public company: From IPO to SEC Reporting. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons. Padberg, H. (2007). Initial public offering (IPO) and theories of underpricing. Munich, Germany : GRIN Verlag.

Free Essays on The Libation Bearers

The Libation Bearers Interesting conclusion to this play, but I cant say I didn’t see this coming. The cycle of bloodshed will continue to till justice is met. I really don’t know when that will happen since everyone in the play is getting revenge in the name of justice and that the divine gods ordered such things to happen. Now what confuses me a bit is when and where do the gods give permission for justice to be served. Clytemnestra and Orestes, even Agamemnon say the gods approve of such killings, but I don’t see a direct dialogue between the gods and these individuals or am I just supposed to know that and if so, why are they meeting their fates after doing what the gods â€Å"approve† of. Orestes and Clytemnestra are truly mother and son. The parallels between Orestes and his mother continue. She, too, appeared in public proudly displaying the body of her victim. She, too, declared that the murder was in the name of justice, and that finally the cycle of violence was over. She, too, displayed the robe that Agamemnon had. Orestes does all of these things as well. While justifying his mothers murder, Orestes began to see furies because the curse of Clytemnestra was upon him now. If Apollo said that murdering his mother was justified then he should have nothing to fear and I guess this is where the confusion sets in for me. The way the play is left off is very interesting, but any good tragedy must have this kind of twist on it. I am wondering what will happen to Orestes, I don’t want him to die and if he is murdered who will be the one to do it? Who will want revenge on him, maybe electra? She despised her mother and wanted her to pay for the murder of her father, but maybe the gods will call it upon her to avenge her mother’s death by murdering her brother. The furies were seen by Orestes and that is a sign of his guilty conscious. It was sensed that it wasn’t right for him to murder his mother. When Cl... Free Essays on The Libation Bearers Free Essays on The Libation Bearers The Libation Bearers Interesting conclusion to this play, but I cant say I didn’t see this coming. The cycle of bloodshed will continue to till justice is met. I really don’t know when that will happen since everyone in the play is getting revenge in the name of justice and that the divine gods ordered such things to happen. Now what confuses me a bit is when and where do the gods give permission for justice to be served. Clytemnestra and Orestes, even Agamemnon say the gods approve of such killings, but I don’t see a direct dialogue between the gods and these individuals or am I just supposed to know that and if so, why are they meeting their fates after doing what the gods â€Å"approve† of. Orestes and Clytemnestra are truly mother and son. The parallels between Orestes and his mother continue. She, too, appeared in public proudly displaying the body of her victim. She, too, declared that the murder was in the name of justice, and that finally the cycle of violence was over. She, too, displayed the robe that Agamemnon had. Orestes does all of these things as well. While justifying his mothers murder, Orestes began to see furies because the curse of Clytemnestra was upon him now. If Apollo said that murdering his mother was justified then he should have nothing to fear and I guess this is where the confusion sets in for me. The way the play is left off is very interesting, but any good tragedy must have this kind of twist on it. I am wondering what will happen to Orestes, I don’t want him to die and if he is murdered who will be the one to do it? Who will want revenge on him, maybe electra? She despised her mother and wanted her to pay for the murder of her father, but maybe the gods will call it upon her to avenge her mother’s death by murdering her brother. The furies were seen by Orestes and that is a sign of his guilty conscious. It was sensed that it wasn’t right for him to murder his mother. When Cl...

Assignment#2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

#2 - Assignment Example An example is the brown eyes allele that is dominant over blue eye allele. An individual with both blue and brown eyes alleles would have brown eyes. The term describes an organism that has two different alleles for a certain trait at a specific locus. The two alleles are represented with the lower and upper case of the same letter. A good example is a plant with a pair of alleles that determine whether it would have smooth or serrated margin. The pair would be written as (Ss) to denote the different genetic information carried. This is the genetic make-up of an organism that describes the genetic information contained by alleles in the cells of the organism. A good example is a gene that would define an individual as vulnerable to a particular disease. The principle asserts that, allele pairs representing a certain trait in an organism separate during the formation of gametes and randomly unites after the process of fertilization. This is as based on the following proponents; a particular gene can exist in different forms, new organisms inherit a pair of alleles for each trait from parents, and meiosis result to cells where each acquire a single allele for a given trait. A pair of different alleles results to dominant and recessive alleles that are expressed differently phenotypically. A typical question is the color of seeds in peas. Formations of gametes lead to separation of alleles that determine color in the seeds. They randomly unite during fertilization. Seed color in the peas become a question of which allele is dominant; either the green color allele or yellow color allele. Yellow color allele is dominant over green color allele. Presence of both alleles in a pea results to yellow pees. (YY) and (Yy) genotypes result to y ellow seeds. (yy) genotype results to green peas. The principle states that, for genes located on different chromosomes,

INDIGENOUS CULTURE IN THE RAINFOREST BIODIVERSITY Essay

INDIGENOUS CULTURE IN THE RAINFOREST BIODIVERSITY - Essay Example These beliefs combined to create a complex system of farming and recycling of the rainforest's products they used in their daily life. This sustainable agriculture has been in use for several thousand years (Hartmann 2005). It is believed that the Kayapo are an ecologically evolved population and are an example of living in balance with the ecosystem. They are generally non-aggressive and have a rich tradition of rituals. They are an ancient culture that has its foundations in seasonal farming and gathering. Beliefs and ideals surrounding the issue of using the rainforest, and the purpose of the rainforest, are passed from generation to generation through socialization. Socialization is the process where people learn the customs and acceptable behaviors of the community in which they live. Customs are the traditionally accepted norms, standards, and ways of doing things. Often these customs are passed through rituals, a formal ceremony that is usually symbolic. The symbolism represents a belief and this is shared by a group such as a family or community. By socialization, a culture passes its customs and norms to the next generation and they develop a set of values based on these beliefs, customs, and norms. Values are the abstract belief in a system of right, wrong, fair, and decent.

Econ Excel hw Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Econ Excel hw - Assignment Example he cross price elasticity measured the degree of responsiveness of demand of a give commodity due to the change of price in substitute or complementary goods. In this case, ey,z = → where (ÃŽ ´u/ÃŽ ´pz) x ÃŽ ´y/ÃŽ ´u but u=Y, →. ey,z = [PZ-1.4/( PY-1.9PZ-1.4m1.2)] x [-1.4PZ-2.4( PY-1.9PZ-1.4m1.2)] → PZ-1.4 x -1.4Pz-2.4 therefore ey,z = -1.4Pz-3.8. On the other side income elasticity of demand is normally used to elucidate how the buyers’ income swings the demand factor for commodities; the equation will be differentiated in respect m therefore em= but u = Y → em = 1.2m1.4 (PY-1.9PZ-1.4) The product Y and Z are complementary goods; actually, positive cross price elasticity designates that two commodities are substitutes since the price of one commodity and demand of the other commodity positively vary. In the proviso that whenever the price of good â€Å"Y† upsurges, quantity of good â€Å"Z† also increases. On the other side a negative price elasticity of demand happens for complementary goods which do happen in the reverse direction. In this case inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded exist in the equation identified ey,z = -1.4Pz-3.8. Form a typical look on the demand function; Y = PY-1.9PZ-1.4m1.2 of product Y, it is clearly identified as a non- linear demand or curvilinear which changes all along the curve. It yields a demand curve instead of a demand line. Generally, it takes a form of power functions which graphically a rectangular hyperbola in shape. The powers of the price variable in a non-linear function indicate the coefficient of price elasticity of demand, which is normally constant. And the equation shows that consumers expenditure â€Å"Y† will increase with the price py-1.9 if its demand is relatively inelastic. This indicates that the income elasticity of product â€Å"Y†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s demand is positive. This consequently, shows an increase in consumer’s income leads s /he to purchase more of good â€Å"Y†. In this respect good

A question of motivation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A question of motivation - Case Study Example Motivation can also make newly employed workers grasp the operations of an organization quickly. The case study involves conflict between Alex, a worker and Dan, his supervisor. Alex becomes bored for being allocated the same job every day until he dislikes his responsibility. Every day, Dan allocates Alex to arrange and fill shelves with apples to maintain the stock. Denise also works under the supervision of Dan, but does different work in the same store. In spite the fact that both Alex and Denise work under Dan and that Alex does more work than, and have even stayed in the organization longer than Denise, Alex receives lower pay than Denise. Still in the same organization but in different sector, Stephanie an employ who works under the supervision of Jonathan sell truffle oil that earns her good income and bonus when she delivers beyond certain expectations. In the organization, workers view Jonathan as one good supervisor whom everyone would desire to work with. Dan on the other hand is unfair in his dealings and seems to favor Denise at the expense of long serving Alex. Alex, working under the supervision of Dan is demoralized and lacks enthusiasm in his work. This is because Dan allocates him the same job every day with beliefs that someone works well when he practices the same job every day. Just like his colleague Denise who also works under the supervision of Dan, Alex feels that he should do different tasks for different days apart from stocking apples on the shelves.

The assessment will involve a series of tasks relating to the Research Paper

The assessment will involve a series of tasks relating to the identification, conservation, documentation and interpretation of an art work from the Hatton Gallerys collection - Research Paper Example Light and Ultra Violet radiation (UV) contains some energy that catalyzes chemical reaction leading to deterioration. The two main ways that one can measure the response of light is through Color Rendering Index (CRI) and Color Temperature (CT). CRI may be measured in a scale of zero-100. However, the museum lighting designers have suggested 80-100 so that colors can be viewed properly but does not also affect the painting. The level of light in museum is always measured using light meters in lux or using foot candles. This is the measurement of the intensity of the light over one square meter. Sometimes watercolor painting may be placed on exhibition for some months at a level of 50 to 150 lux and yet they do not show some fading. Lower light levels of 50-150 are important for light sensitive materials like watercolor painting. The extent of damage can always be measured lux hours (lx h) the maximum level of light exposure that watercolor painting can sustain annually is 50,000 lxh. Another very important aspect of protection of the watercolor painting is to ensure that the painting is kept off places that have fluctuation of humidity and temperature. The best temperature that would ensure that watercolor painting is stored safely is that which is around 20 degrees F. Places where temperatures may drop to 40 degrees and goes up to 80 degrees at night and day respectively, may not be the best place to store watercolor Fluctuation in temperature usually has a very severe effect on the watercolor painting. When exposing the painting into light, it should be observed that the painting needs not be kept on light for prolonged period of time, especially with too bright light of all types. Watercolor painting always demand that they are kept in places that are not damp. Damp places usually enhance molding, which has ability to promote coloring change. Sometimes the water color painting may be framed under glass.

Canadas Sovereignty and Its Dependence on US Markets Essay

Canadas Sovereignty and Its Dependence on US Markets - Essay Example But there are number of exceptions in WTO which allow trade restrictions to continue including: Anti-dumping duties to offset countries/companies selling unfairly at a low Price. Countervailing duties to offset government subsidies Emergency trade restrictions designed to "safeguard" domestic industries. In May 1992 DOC ruled that both Canadian stumpages and log export restraints (LER) in British Columbia1 represented countervailable subsidies and set the countervailing duty (CVD) at 6.51% i.e., 2.91% for stumpage and 3.6% for LER (Hoberg, Howe, p.4).In September 1993 DOC ruled again that both stumpage rates and LER conferred subsidies and increased CVD to 11.54% based on adjustments on certain technical calculations.Both the governments signed the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) that came into effect from April 1, 1996 to March 31, 2001 (Ragosta and Clark, 2000). According to this agreement an export fee of $50 per thousand board feet (MBF) on softwood lumber exports in excess of 14.7 billion board feet (BBF), $100/MBF on exports in excess of 15.35 BBF (Howard, 2000). It seemed all right with the settlement but behind the scene both the governments were not satisfied. After the expiration of SLA Bush government imposed 12.58% anti-dumping duty (ADD) in October 2001 (Ying, Baek, 2002). Canadian government decided to take the legal and political battle with the US. The US side is represented by Coalition for Fair Canadian Lumber Imports (CFCLI). In Canada two associations, British Columbia Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) and Free Trade Lumber Council (FTLC) decided to fight the legal battle with the... As the discussion stresses political sovereignty means protecting the country’s political and diplomatic rights by taking appropriate decisions in the country’s best interests. The softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the US is a test to the Canadian sovereignty. From decades Canadian industries were dependent on the US market. Most of the Canada’s products were exported to the US markets. The US also depends on Canada for oil and natural gas. This paper declares that Canadian industries were very much dependent on the US markets in case of export of softwood lumber. This reliance on US markets of Canadian industries is becoming a biggest threat to Canadian sovereignty. The reason for the above condition is Canada is heavily dependent on US. Thus Canada is becoming vulnerable to trade actions taken by the US industry. Due to this dependency US made the laws that will result in their favor. To solve export of softwood lumber dispute both the countries formed binational panels. In this panel half of them represents the US and the remaining half represents Canada. There would be no creation or application of new laws, but apply the importing country’s law. Here the importing country is the US. The trade actions taken by the US predated Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (CUSTA). Under the influence of these actions by the US softwood lumber industry and US federal government the price on crown timber was decided. Though th e decision of this dispute went in favor of Canada, it was overpowered by legislative changes in the US.

Non profit Organization in Anne Arundel County Research Paper

Non profit Organization in Anne Arundel County - Research Paper Example Although the present population diversity of Anne Arundel County (29.8%) is below state average (39.2%) but it has gained momentum (18.6%) since 2000. The median age for household (36.0%) is at par with the national average (36.4%). (2000, Census). As per 2005 American Community Survey data, the County was having 87003 married couples with children and 24525 single-parent households (5795 men, 18730 women). Teenage suicides have increased 8 percent over the previous year. The number of single parents has increased to 12.9 million. Postpartum episodes are estimated to affect 15 percent to 20 percent of mothers. These are astounding statistics having adverse implications. As per 2000 census, out of 2,69,772 employments, 7.8 percent were in manufacturing, 6.4 percent in transportation/ communication, 22.2 percent whole sale / retail trade, 4.5 percent in finance / income / real estate, 24.6 percent in services, 27.8 percent in Govt. and rest 6.7 percent in other sectors. However, out of 71.1 percent of total labor force above age 16 years 68.1 percent are in civil and only 3.0 percent are in army. Out of the total civilian labor force of 2,58,331, only 66.0 percent are employed and rest 2.1 percent unemployed. The median house hold income of 61,768 recorded a gain of 36.8 percent over 1990 census which was 47.09 percent higher than the nation average. The per capita income was 24,335 with 5.1 percent of the house hold "Below Poverty Line". Food stamps are available to families with income up to 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), about $19,500 for a family of three. House hold status: Out of total 1,86,937 housing units, 23.4 percent are occupied by renters with median rent of $700 which was much higher than state ($571) and national ($469) average. The median purchase price for home has also been fixed at $212,816. An increase of 19.8 percent of total households of 1,78,670 over 1990 was marked during last decennial. The median year householder moved in (1998) exceeded the median year structure built (1973). The rent shared of 24 percent of household revenue was disproportionate to the earnings. Income needed to qualify for purchase of house (MPDU) has been fixed to $35,000 or above a year and $20,000 or above a year to rent. This is because house prices normally require at least this amount of income to make the payment requirements. The minimum income required for renting a house with 2 bed rooms varies between $ 51,000- $58,000. As per SFY 2003, 429 individuals and 751 homeless families with children were detected. There is almost an even spilt between homeless men and women, which would represent 52 and 48 percent of the homeless population, respectively and majority are below 30.Besides this, 5835 people were in state prisons, 4964 in military barracks, 688 un group homes, 285 in college dormitories, 234 in mental rehabilitation centre, 22 in religious group quarters, 5 in agriculture workers' dormitories and so on. Disabilities: The count required affordable housing and supportive services to the developmentally disabled. An estimated 67,713 residents in the county are

Canadas Sovereignty and Its Dependence on US Markets Essay

Canadas Sovereignty and Its Dependence on US Markets - Essay Example But there are number of exceptions in WTO which allow trade restrictions to continue including: Anti-dumping duties to offset countries/companies selling unfairly at a low Price. Countervailing duties to offset government subsidies Emergency trade restrictions designed to "safeguard" domestic industries. In May 1992 DOC ruled that both Canadian stumpages and log export restraints (LER) in British Columbia1 represented countervailable subsidies and set the countervailing duty (CVD) at 6.51% i.e., 2.91% for stumpage and 3.6% for LER (Hoberg, Howe, p.4).In September 1993 DOC ruled again that both stumpage rates and LER conferred subsidies and increased CVD to 11.54% based on adjustments on certain technical calculations.Both the governments signed the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) that came into effect from April 1, 1996 to March 31, 2001 (Ragosta and Clark, 2000). According to this agreement an export fee of $50 per thousand board feet (MBF) on softwood lumber exports in excess of 14.7 billion board feet (BBF), $100/MBF on exports in excess of 15.35 BBF (Howard, 2000). It seemed all right with the settlement but behind the scene both the governments were not satisfied. After the expiration of SLA Bush government imposed 12.58% anti-dumping duty (ADD) in October 2001 (Ying, Baek, 2002). Canadian government decided to take the legal and political battle with the US. The US side is represented by Coalition for Fair Canadian Lumber Imports (CFCLI). In Canada two associations, British Columbia Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) and Free Trade Lumber Council (FTLC) decided to fight the legal battle with the... As the discussion stresses political sovereignty means protecting the country’s political and diplomatic rights by taking appropriate decisions in the country’s best interests. The softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the US is a test to the Canadian sovereignty. From decades Canadian industries were dependent on the US market. Most of the Canada’s products were exported to the US markets. The US also depends on Canada for oil and natural gas. This paper declares that Canadian industries were very much dependent on the US markets in case of export of softwood lumber. This reliance on US markets of Canadian industries is becoming a biggest threat to Canadian sovereignty. The reason for the above condition is Canada is heavily dependent on US. Thus Canada is becoming vulnerable to trade actions taken by the US industry. Due to this dependency US made the laws that will result in their favor. To solve export of softwood lumber dispute both the countries formed binational panels. In this panel half of them represents the US and the remaining half represents Canada. There would be no creation or application of new laws, but apply the importing country’s law. Here the importing country is the US. The trade actions taken by the US predated Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (CUSTA). Under the influence of these actions by the US softwood lumber industry and US federal government the price on crown timber was decided. Though th e decision of this dispute went in favor of Canada, it was overpowered by legislative changes in the US.

Christian vocation coursework Essay Example for Free

Christian vocation coursework Essay Describe how a Christian may follow the call to discipleship through daily life and work Vocation is the idea that people get a call from god to do a certain job this can also be said about being called into Christianity by god, it may not be an actual call or a big flash of light but just s feeling that you have created by god. ‘Vocation’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘to be called’. Some Christians may say that they were called to Christianity and so were all Christians. For example Jesus was called by god, he heard his voice when he was baptised by John. Discipleship is another term used my Christians used to mean following Jesus like his disciples did, living a Christian lifestyle and helping others also apply to discipleship. Christians follow Jesus by following his examples like his love, service and compassion towards others. Someone who has chosen to follow Jesus should be living a caring helpful life, possibly in a caring profession such as a doctor, nurse or teacher. Any job can be a vocation, some Christians say god has a plan for everyone and he may call you to a job that isn’t related to Christianity at all. St. Paul said in Colossians 3:23 â€Å"whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the lord, not for men.† Possibly meaning that god has called everyone to their jobs because he knows its right for them so work for him and do the job well. A Christian may choose his or her job just simply because they want to do the job although this want or urge to do a job could be put down to god. I don’t think there are any jobs unsuitable for Christians, Jesus loved everyone anyway even if they were a sinner he did not commend what they did but he still loved them. I do not think your religion should constrain your job opportunities. A Christian may serve god in an ordinary job by obeying the 10 commandments in their job and generally being caring and helpful. Christians can put Christian teachings into their family lives by following Paul’s teachings and the 10 commandments. Paul’s teachings say, â€Å"A wife, must put her husband first. This is her duty as a follower of the lord. A husband must love his wife and not abuse her. Children must always obey their parents. This pleases the lord. Parents, don’t be hard on your children. If you are, they might give up. (a)(ii) Explain why some Christians join communities and take vows or poverty, chastity and obedience. Christian communities are a group of Christians who live together. A convent is where a group of female Christians would live also known as nuns and male Christians or monks would live in a monastery. A contemplative order is focusing your life on god, in prayer and everyday life. An example of a contemplative community is the poor clares. The normal day in the poor clares community may consist of many things, gardening, housework, cooking, cleaning, helping the elderly and sick, praying or working in the shop; making candles, encaustic wax cards, as well as cards created and printed on a computer, turning wood and knitting garment on their knitting machine. The nuns do this type of work involving their hands because it leaves their minds free to focus on god and pray. Jesus says in Matthew 6:24 how â€Å"no one can serve two masters†, â€Å"you cannot serve both god any money† so the nuns in the poor clare community decide to â€Å"serve god† and his people and help them rather than work for money. An active order is doing something about what you believe in, for example if you want to be one of Jesus’ disciples you would follow in his footsteps and his examples and help people maybe by helping out at a hospital or a school. People or monasteries and convents today are living like the first Christians as recorded in the book of acts because the first Christians lived out alone in the desert, Christians live in s slightly similar way today. They have no possessions, they cannot have sex and they dedicate their time to thinking if they are contemplative, as you would alone in a desert, or doing things to help others. Living in a Christian community would help a Christian to follow their call to discipleship because of the vows they take when they join, they have to do things in a similar way to Jesus therefore helping to follow their call to discipleship. Some Christians may say joining a Christian community is a vocation because whatever they do as a job or joining a community is a vocation. God has a plan for them and they follow it via vocation. Some Christians believe that god want them to live in a religious community rather than an ordinary one because its better for them and other who they would be helping. A vow is an oath or promise you make. Nuns and monks take vows when they join a religious community; they take a vow of poverty so they are not tied down by possessions and money and can focus on god. Christ was poor to make us rich so they follow in his footsteps and enforce discipleship. They also take a vow of chastity, which means they must remain celibate so they can devote themselves to god as Jesus did. Also a relationship with someone from the opposite sex will get in the way of god and praying; St. Paul advises Christians to be celibate so they can â€Å"be devoted to the lord†. Obedience is the third vow they take, by this vow they give to God their freewill. They must be obedient to their abbot or abbess. Again showing their discipleship, because Jesus was obedient until the point of death on the cross for god. It is important for Christians to make these vows in front of a community because then there is witnesses so you cant get out of the commitment and also if you are doubtful they can remind you about them. (a)(iii) Explain the purpose and practice of one particular religious community. The poor Clares are a religious community for women who want to dedicate their lives to god. They originated in 1212 by St Francis and St Clare in Assisi in Italy. The poor clares are a contemplative community. The contemplative community of nuns started as a way of being united with god and to follow Jesus. The aims of the poor Clare community are mostly â€Å"to pray for the world and the Church†, to live a life through their prayers, dedicated to god and â€Å"to live out the Gospel command of love† which means to live their lives as god wanted helping others and loving them. The normal day in the poor clares community may consist of many things, gardening, housework, cooking, cleaning, helping the elderly and sick, praying or working in the shop; making candles, encaustic wax cards, as well as cards created and printed on a computer, turning wood and knitting garment on their knitting machine. The nuns do this type of work involving their hands because it leaves their minds free to focus on god and pray. Jesus says in Matthew 6:24 how â€Å"no one can serve two masters†, â€Å"you cannot serve both god any money† so the nuns in the poor clare community decide to â€Å"serve god† and his people and help them rather than work for money. Their timetable is shown below 5.00 Rise 5.45 Readings – a morning invitation to prayer composed of some psalms and two readings, one from Scripture and one from a Christian teacher or saint. These nourish our spirits for the day ahead. A quick breakfast followed by time for personal prayer, reading, study until 7.30 7.30 Morning Prayer, the Prayer of Praise to God followed by Spiritual reading 8.30 Holy Mass followed by a short Office and then work until 11.50 11.50 A short Prayer written by Francis of Assisi and Scripture reading 12.30 Dinner; some free time until 2.15 2.15 back to work with a tea break at 3.30 and a short prayer together in the refectory at 4.00 to sanctify our work 5.50 Evening prayer 6.30 Supper followed by an hour of personal prayer time until 8.15 8.15 Compline or Night Prayer, which closes the day. The poor clares take three vows as a sign of their commitment and consecration to God. The vow of chastity allows the nuns to focus their love on god, they give god their bodies and souls and their right to marry. They also take the vow of poverty so they are not tied down by possessions and money and can focus on god. Christ was poor to make us rich so they follow in his footsteps and enforce discipleship. Obedience is the third vow they take, by this vow they give to God their freewill. Again showing their discipleship, because Jesus was obedient until the point of death on the cross for god. (b) â€Å"Christians should lead active rather than contemplative lives.† Contemplative means to life your life dedicated to god through prayer, to live a contemplative life. An example of a contemplative community is the poor clares. a day in the poor clares community may consist of things such as , gardening, housework, cooking, cleaning, helping the elderly and sick, praying or working in the shop; making candles, encaustic wax cards, as well as cards created and printed on a computer, turning wood and knitting garment on their knitting machine. The nuns do this type of work involving their hands because it leaves their minds free to focus on god and pray. Jesus says in Matthew 6:24 how â€Å"no one can serve two masters†, â€Å"you cannot serve both god any money† so the nuns in the poor clare community decide to â€Å"serve god† and his people and help them rather than work for money. Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk; he took a vow of silence amongst other vows his writings have had a big influence on many Christians. He took part in many social protests even though he had to be silent; he took part in such protests as the struggle for racial equality in the USA and the struggle against nuclear weapons in the Vietnam War. An active life for a Christian is doing something about what you believe in, for example a Christian can help follow their path to discipleship by following Jesus and helping others by helping people at hospitals, nursing homes, schools etc. ‘ordinary’ Christians can lead active lives by living in a Christian lifestyle and helping others also apply to discipleship. Christians follow Jesus by following his examples like his love, service and compassion towards others so do this in your everyday life and work and you will be living an active life. ‘Extra-ordinary’ Christian could do many great things for example Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was one of the main leaders of the American civil rights movement he was a Baptist minister, and had a huge impact on the people of America. his most influential and well-known speech is the I Have A Dream speech. In 1964, he became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. he spoke out against injustices against black people of america, they were not allowed to vote, not allowed in the same places as white people and got half the pay. Martin luther king changed this Another example of a ‘extra-ordinary’ active christian was Mother Teresa (August 26, 1910 – September 5, 1997), she was born a roman catholic nun, she won the nobel peace prize in 1979. she was fascinated by stories of the lives of missionaries and their service. By the early 1970s, Mother Teresa had become an international celebrity. Her fame can be partly attributed to the 1969 documentary ‘Something Beautiful for God’. In 1982, at the height of the siege in Beirut, Mother Teresa rescued 37 children trapped in a front line hospital by negotioating a temporary cease-fire between the Israeli army and Palestinian guerillas. Mother Teresa inspired a wide variety of commemorations. Besides receiving numerous honors during her lifetime, she has also been memorialized through museums, been named patroness of various churches, and had various structures and roads named after her. In conclusion living an active life is far more beneficial to others and is more noticeable, living a contemplative life is good if you believe prayers work and they really were helping. Christians serve god in many different ways some more subtle than others. However it is to be taken into consideration that active Christians do pray and contemplate and contemplative Christians do work and help others. In my opinion active Christians are making a more valuable contribution to the world because I do not believe that prayers do anything and even if god doesn’t exist active Christians are still doing something good for the world