Tom Hoffman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Tom Hoffman - Essay Example His sketches clearly express his immediate thoughts and sentiments. These sketches reveal how he visualizes his surroundings, every painstaking detail of his environment, of the people he knows or encounters. His sketches show how a simple life can be made spectacular or extraordinary through drawings. In addition, his drawings may be classified as emotive drawings because of the subtle expression of various emotions, dispositions, and moods (Hoffman Watercolors, 2015). For instance, his drawing showing two men looking at different directions exposes something emotional, a sentimental bond between the two men. The same can be said about his drawing portraying two masked men hugging each other. These drawings depict hidden, understated emotions. Lastly, his drawings obviously came from actual observations of the people and his surroundings. Life drawing-- also referred to as figure drawing or still-life drawing-- is one of the strengths of Tom Hoffman. He depicts all the expressions that he observes and sees in his

Sams Surprise Essay Example for Free

Sams Surprise Essay Weve done it! shouted Janice, as she danced around the room. We can now do anything we want! Her husband, Sam, just stared at her, half asleep on the sofa. He had been down at the White Horse all afternoon, watching the horseracing with his mates. He had come home a bit worse for wear and was now thinking his wife of twenty-eight years had suddenly gone round the bend.  It was nine oclock on a Saturday evening. Janice called her husband into the dining room for his dinner. Slowly, Sam got up and staggered in, to be met with the overwhelming scent of burning candles and incense sticks all around the tiny room. It was a beautiful aroma but very sickening at the same time. On the table was his favourite meal, medium rare steak and oven chips with lots of mushrooms and pepper sauce; the smell wafted through the air mingling with the scent of the candles. In the middle of the table was a very large bottle of champagne. Only two place settings were on the table, with new champagne glasses. The way Sam was feeling, it was the last thing he wanted to drink!  Why had his wife gone to all this trouble? Had she a big win on the horses? Unlikely, she always said that only fools gamble on the horses, that it was a mugs game to throw away all that hard-earned money on a silly old nag. If Sam had asked his wife what she was up to, she would tease him all night trying to get him to guess what it was. He knew her too well, and he was not in the mood for guessing tonight. His hangover was starting to set in. His tongue was feeling strange; it was as if a hamster had left its fur on it! Someone had got into his head and was thumping a drum, very badly. Sam decided to play along with her, after all shell tell him soon enough, because she could never keep a secret for long, it would be eating her up in no time at all. Then it suddenly hit him, the day, the time; it could only be one thing! Her only vice was the National Lottery if youre not in, you dont win was her motto. Maybe now it had paid off! She did say We could do anything we want. That must be it!  All of a sudden, Sams hangover was cured, he decided he did feel like drinking some champagne and even the candles and incense sticks were not as nauseating as first suspected. Janice appeared at the doorway looking very sexy in a beautiful black negligee, her hair had been tied back, with only a few strands dangling around her face. She was wearing a lot of make-up. Janice never wore make-up, she said it made women look tarty and out for a good time! She was always telling our two daughters, Kellie and Katie not to wear too much makeup when they were going out, as men would get the wrong impression. She had been quite a strict mother. No short skirts or low cut tops were allowed to be worn by her daughters!  The girls were twenty-two and twenty-four years of age now, living their own lives in the next town with their partners. Their son, Daniel, who was twenty, was the only one still living at home. It had been very quiet in the house; all evening, no loud music could be heard coming from Daniels room. Which was unusual. He loved his Eminem music to be played so loud that the whole street could enjoy it! Thump, thump, thump, was all that could be heard when coming round the corner at the end of the street, however the neighbours very rarely complained about it. Maybe he had gone out for a change but he never went out, his girlfriend, Jayne, always came here. This was all very strange.  Sams thoughts drifted back to his wife standing in the doorway. The last time he saw her looking like this was on their honeymoon. It brought back wonderful and distant memories of the Isle of Man, where they had spent two glorious weeks, hardly stepping outside their hotel room! Janice strolled over to her husband, cupped his face gently with her hands and kissed him lovingly on the lips, and whispered, I love you. Sam was completely taken aback; it was all so out of character for his wife to behave like this. Thoughts started running through his mind. Had she something to tell him? Was she having an affair? Poor Sam was totally bemused as to what was going on in his wifes head.  Sam ignored all of these thoughts; his wife would never have an affair. She took her wedding vows very seriously, every one of them! He started thinking again of the most likely reason for her behaviour, the Lottery! He started to eat his dinner, thinking of all the things they could do with the money a foreign holiday, new house, new car, the list was endless. He was getting very excited, he was dreaming about lying on a yacht in the middle of the Mediterranean, drinking champagne, when suddenly Janice proposed a toast Heres to us being able to enjoy life and to do exactly as we please, when we please, now that Daniel has finally left home!  Suddenly Sam felt very ill. Although the meal looked delicious, it didnt taste as nice as he first thought and he certainly did not enjoy it as much as he thought he would, considering his dreams had come crashing down around him!

State-Sponsored Terrorism: The Relationship between Hizballah and the I

Most of the countries involved in state-sponsored terrorism make modest attempts to disassociate themselves with terrorist organizations. These countries do this in hopes that the United Nations will not place sanctions. More often than not, these countries continue their support of various terrorist groups. They support the terrorist organization in various ways: financially, training, supplies. Iran has remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism to date (State Department, 2013). Iran supports several different terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command and Hizballah. Often times, Iran is involved in the planning and support of different terrorist attacks. Iran has most notably assisted the terrorist organization, Hizballah, with training, weapons and funding. The Iranian government has also allowed Hizballah to use Iran as a safe haven for any terrorists that might need to go underground to hide if they have been involved in terrorist attacks and are currently on a watch list. This paper will first define terrorism, as well as state-sponsored terrorism. Second, the paper will give background on the terrorist organization of Hizballah; to include why the organization was first created and what attacks the organization is responsible for. Third, the paper will discuss the ideology and goals of Hizballah and how their ideology and goals fit into those of the Iranian government. This paper will also exam the relationship between Hizballah and the Iranian government and how that relationship affects the United States and its interests in the Middle East, mainly Israel. There is not a definition of terrorism that is used universally. Th... ... terrorism. It went over some background on the terrorist organization of Hizballah; to include why the organization was first created and what attacks the organization is responsible for. It discussed the ideology and goals of Hizballah and how their ideology and goals fit into those of the Iranian government. It examined the relationship between Hizballah and the Iranian government. It also examined how that relationship affects the United States and its interests in the Middle East, mainly Israel. Works Cited "Country Reports on Terrorism 2013" Bureau of Counterterrorism U.S. Department of State 2013 Web. http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2013/224826.htm "Lebanon 2006: Unfinished War" MERIA Journal Volume 11, Number 03 (Sep 2007) Snapper, Jessica. "The Hezbollah Dossier" December 15th, 2009 Web. http://jessicasnapper.com/the-hezbollah-dossier/

Non-Conformism Is the Refusal to Conform Essay

Non-conformism is the refusal to conform to common standards, conventions, rules, customs, traditions, norms or laws. The bravest act of non-conformism I’ve seen would have to be, Malcolm X. During his life, Malcolm went from being a drug dealer and burglar to one of the most prominent Black Nationalist leaders in the United States; he was considered by some as a martyr of Islam and a champion of equality. As a militant leader, Malcolm X advocated black pride, economic self-reliance, and identity politics. He ultimately rose to become a world-renowned African American/Pan-Africanist and human rights activist. Throughout his life Malcolm X went through many transformations and through them all he still did not conform to what society expected of him. Malcolm (Little) X preached what he believed about racism, discrimination, and segregation. He went through many changes in his fight for equality. The three transformations that really changed the way Malcolm thought and preached where his transformation in prison, his transformation into the Islamic religion (following Elijah Muhammad), and the biggest transformation of all, his pilgrimage to Mecca. Malcolm had a lot of respect from those who believed in what he was preaching. He was a man who knew what he wanted and was going to change the way things were. Malcolm did not have the odds to make something of himself. He overcame those odds and became one of the most inspiring and important people in the struggle for equality. Every one should learn from the way Malcolm turned his life around for the better and how he made an impact on those around him. Malcolm (Little) X is definitely one of the people who made the biggest impact on the 20th Century. We have come along way since Malcolm’s assassination in the struggle for quality. We still have a ways to go before his final goal is reached.

Silent Suffering – A short Story

In the beginning, the job of an obesity councillor had its perks, I must admit. I used to crave the enjoyment I received from helping someone who needed me, but I never thought that helping myself would be my downfall. My wife, she hates me, I can see it in her eyes every time she dares to look my way. And my children, what use am I to them now? Too fat to even kick a ball! A little support from her wouldn't go amiss I reckon, but of course she has a life of her own. I used to be happy, we used to be happy. Then everything changed. My job was everything to me, but how can a fat pig of a man like me show any kind of encouragement for his patients? I think it happened when my father died, we were close me and him. I took four weeks off from work, the wife was away on business and the kids stopped with her parents. All I could do was eat, I thought it would go away, but even now, almost two years later food is all I think about. I suppose the fact I recognise what I'm doing is a starting point, but what have I got to live for now? I really can't see my marriage making it to the end of the year, they'll take the kids off me, I'm sure. What kind of a dad can I be? They'll say I'm mad, they're probably right too. Look at me! So desperate for someone to talk to that I have talk to the ugly thing staring back in the mirror! Councillor heal thyself comes to mind doesn't it? It never works you know, bottling things up. It only leads to unhappiness. But when you're unhappy anyway there's not really a difference. Sometimes I just want to end it; it's like a physical pain, burning in my chest. I've planned it you know, I'm scared of course, that's why I keep putting it off. Fat coward! Yesterday at work, suicide seemed inevitable once again. For 15 years I've sat at my desk listening to the depressed stories of people like me. Can you imagine what that does to a man? My whole working career has been spent in a cell of depression and my professional mind is telling me it's definitely taken its toll! I remember my daughter's sports day a few months ago. She dragged me up for the parents' race, I tried to refuse but she wouldn't let me. The whistle blew and away we went. Other dads racing like ruddy hares and then there was me, huffing and puffing at the back. I didn't even cross the line before I collapsed in a heap, pains tearing through my chest. Teachers rushing around, determined to phone for an ambulance but I wouldn't have it. I looked up; my wife stood in the distance a scowl on her face as usual. She said later that it served me right, practically calling me a greedy pig in the process! She's right though, as always. You see, what can a man like me give to the world? I'm just another statistic, another middle aged man with no life. Fat and ugly, that's all I am! All I need is some pills; I know we have plenty around the house. Just enough to do the job. I'll take them before I sleep, that way I'll never feel it, just go to sleep and never wake up. She'll be happy, I know it. Free to be with the fancy man I know she has! My eyes are closed now, it won't be long. I left a note in the kitchen telling my kids that I love them. I didn't say anything about the wife mind you. I used to be a good man, with a purpose! How did I come to be this?

Free Essays on Purpose Of The Chain Of Command

The chain of command assists commanders at all levels to achieve their primary function of accomplishing the unit's assigned mission while caring for personnel and property in their charge. A simple and direct chain of command facilitates the transmittal of orders from the highest to the lowest levels in a minimum of time and with the least chance of misinterpretation. The command channel extends upward in the same manner for matters requiring official communication from subordinate to senior. A commander is therefore a commissioned or warrant officer who, by virtue of grade and assignment, exercises primary command authority over a military organization or prescribed territorial area that under pertinent official directives is recognized as â€Å"command.† The key elements of command are authority and responsibility. The commander is responsible for establishing leadership climate of the unit and developing disciplined and cohesive units. This sets the parameters within which command will be exercised and, therefore, sets the tone for social and duty relationships within the command. Leaders are also responsible for the professional development of their soldiers. To this end, they encourage self-study, professional development, and continued growth of their subordinates' military careers. The commanders and other leaders are committed to the professional Army ethic to promote a positive environment. If leaders show loyalty to their soldiers, the Army, and the Nation, they earn the loyalty of their soldiers. The soldiers will be faithful to their leader and follow orders always. If leaders consider their soldiers' needs and care for their wellbeing, and if they demonstrate genuine concern, these leaders build a positive command climate. Duty is obedient and disciplined performance. Soldiers with a sense of duty accomplish tasks given them, seize opportunities for self-improvement, and accept responsibility from their superiors... Free Essays on Purpose Of The Chain Of Command Free Essays on Purpose Of The Chain Of Command The chain of command assists commanders at all levels to achieve their primary function of accomplishing the unit's assigned mission while caring for personnel and property in their charge. A simple and direct chain of command facilitates the transmittal of orders from the highest to the lowest levels in a minimum of time and with the least chance of misinterpretation. The command channel extends upward in the same manner for matters requiring official communication from subordinate to senior. A commander is therefore a commissioned or warrant officer who, by virtue of grade and assignment, exercises primary command authority over a military organization or prescribed territorial area that under pertinent official directives is recognized as â€Å"command.† The key elements of command are authority and responsibility. The commander is responsible for establishing leadership climate of the unit and developing disciplined and cohesive units. This sets the parameters within which command will be exercised and, therefore, sets the tone for social and duty relationships within the command. Leaders are also responsible for the professional development of their soldiers. To this end, they encourage self-study, professional development, and continued growth of their subordinates' military careers. The commanders and other leaders are committed to the professional Army ethic to promote a positive environment. If leaders show loyalty to their soldiers, the Army, and the Nation, they earn the loyalty of their soldiers. The soldiers will be faithful to their leader and follow orders always. If leaders consider their soldiers' needs and care for their wellbeing, and if they demonstrate genuine concern, these leaders build a positive command climate. Duty is obedient and disciplined performance. Soldiers with a sense of duty accomplish tasks given them, seize opportunities for self-improvement, and accept responsibility from their superiors...

What Are Some Part Time Jobs You Can Do From Home

What Are Some Part Time Jobs You Can Do From Home you see the ads all the time online: work from home! many thousands of dollars! never leave your couch! if, like some of us, your dream job involves working while you watch old sitcoms in the background and wear your ugliest, comfiest slippers, pitches like those can be awfully tempting. the trick is deciding ahead of time what might be a genuine opportunity for a flexible career, and what’s likely to be a giant scam sandwich. 1. why seek part time jobs you can do from home?2.  what are your options?3.  how about the freelance life?4.  beware of scamswhy seek part time jobs you can do from home?there are tons of reasons why you might want a job that allows you to be at home, or has a flexible schedule.you’re a parent or a caregiver, and being away from home 40-50 hours a week just isn’t feasible.you’ve just moved someplace new, and need to pay bills while you look for a more traditional full-time job.you need better work-life balance than you’ ve gotten from traditional jobs.you work well under your own initiative, and want the independence of your own work space.you’re on a specific career path that doesn’t necessarily jibe with your current location, because most of the jobs in your industry are elsewhere.your experience is in a field that can be conducted via phone or email from anywhere (sales, marketing, etc.).you want a second job that can be done in your off hours. whether you’re looking to find part-time work that you can do flexibly, or a career stepping stone, you’re part of a growing group that wants to create opportunities outside of the usual. companies, too, are starting to realize that having a flexible workforce can be cheaper and more convenient, and lets them find employees who bring skills to the table, but might not be available for a brick-and-mortar location.what are your options?some industries lend themselves to flexible work arrangements better than others. for example, if you’re a nurse, you kind of need to be there in person to treat patients. but if you’re a medical billing manager, you might not need to be there in person. according to forbes, some of the top industries that are offering remote work opportunities include:healthcaresalesmarketingphilanthropy/fundraisinginformation technologyeducation (tutoring, online learning)the internet (and the resulting boom in telecommunications) has really broadened everyone’s horizons about what’s possible outside of the traditional office/cubicle†¦these days, it’s almost as easy to â€Å"attend† a meeting in beijing as it is to attend a meeting in your boss’s office. programs like skype, google hangouts, and webex make it easy to collaborate with colleagues all over the country and world- so why not extend that to people looking to work from home?although the standard model (the in-person, 40-hour work week) is still the career template for most ind ustries, companies are starting to see the advantages of having a flexible, location-agnostic staff. some of the top companies that offer remote work opportunities include biggies like apple, u.s. government agencies, salesforce.com, insurance companies, online universities, and it companies.traditionally, many of these work-from-home jobs have been phone-based, where companies have you perform customer service or make cold calls from your own location. the majority of the jobs still fall into this category, but now they’re increasingly including behind-the-scenes work online, or jobs where you can chat with clients or coworkers via video.how about the freelance life?if you’re looking for a side hustle or part-time work to tide you over for a period of time, you might want to look at becoming a freelancer, or contract worker. freelancing can be great if you have a  very specific sets of skills, and are disciplined enough to set your own work agenda and timelines. it also allows you to take things on a project basis, rather than a set commitment to a job with specific parameters. according to entrepreneur, careers that work well with freelancing include:accountant/bookkeeperappraiserchefcomputer programmercorporate event plannerdata entry/processoreditor/copyeditor/proofreaderengineerestheticianfinancial plannerfundraiserfurniture restorer/repairergrant writergraphic designerinterior designerlandscape architectmassage therapistmedical administration/billingpackage designparty plannerphotographerpolitical consultantprivate investigatorprofessional organizersalespersonseamstresstelemarketertranslator/interpretertutorupholstererweb designerwriterthese are all jobs that require special skill sets, but not necessarily a full-time commitment. if you do go the freelance route, it’s a more challenging road than many part-time opportunities, because you need to go out and rustle up clients, examples of your work, and a process for payment and payi ng taxes. but if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, and want to create your own part-time job opportunities, it could e the way to go.beware of scamsrule of thumb: if it sounds too good to be true (stop me if you’ve heard this one), it probably is. if you learned about this great new opportunity in the comments section of your favorite website, approach it with a healthy dose of skepticism. especially if the â€Å"ad† doesn’t tell you what the job is, and is riddled with spelling and grammar issues.***my roommate’s cousin makes $8000 a week for six 6 hours of work at home!!! she used to be broke, and now she’s hanging out with oprah. click here for your ticket to $$$$!!***scam. walk away. always do your own research. legitimate job listings will tell you:the company you’d be working foran outline of what the job islegit contact informationthe safest way to approach this is to search for jobs yourself, rather than take bait left in crumbs ar ound the internet. whenever you do come across a listing that sounds promising, google the heck out of it to see what others are saying about it.jobs that should set off your alarm bells:mystery/secret shopper jobs, which pay you to visit stores and give feedback. i know at least one person who does occasional mystery shopping jobs, but the shady job offers outnumber genuine positions by a crazy amount. you should do a lot of online research first to make sure that it’s a legitimate company.job offers that arrive mysteriously in your email inbox, from an address you don’t recognize. (as opposed to outreach emails that might come to you through linkedin or other social media.)any job that requires you to invest money up front.any job that doesn’t offer direct contact information.scam jobs are a huge cottage industry for people with nefarious motives, and plenty of smart and savvy people can be taken in by a listing that sounds great at a time when you really need or want a convenient part-time job with little time investment and big rewards. this is especially true for sites like craigslist, where there are legitimate jobs sprinkled in with the scam listings. vigilance and information are your best allies here. via real ways to earn money onlinethe temptation is real, but again- job listings that sound suspiciously perfect but don’t offer a lot of follow-up information are not likely to be that shining unicorn of a career. let your instincts be your guide, but always, always verify with as much information as you can find. it’s great to have an internet-wide net for your potential new job, but it’s important to take advantage of said internet to make sure that you’re not falling prey to some evil plan. doing this due diligence can also help you make sure that you’re not doing something illegal, because if you’re signed on to a job that runs afoul of the law, you may find that your new â€Å"company † is nowhere to be found.if anything makes you feel uncomfortable at any point in the process of looking for or starting a new part-time/work-from-home job, trust that instinct, and don’t feel like you need to continue down that path.part-time jobs that let you work from home can be a godsend if you have a lifestyle that falls outside of the traditional 9-to-5 mold. it can be a way to maintain while you’re looking for the next phase of your career, or it can be a way to mold your career around other obligations in your life. as long as you approach the process with the same initiative and critical thinking as you’d apply for the traditional job search, then you’re likely to find some really great opportunities. good luck!

The History of Skyscrapers

The History of Skyscrapers The first skyscrapers- tall commercial buildings with  iron or steel frameworks- came about in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Chicago Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885, is generally considered the first modern skyscraper, although it was only 10 stories high. Later, taller and taller buildings were made possible through a series of architectural and engineering innovations, including the invention of the first process to mass-produce steel. Today, the tallest skyscrapers in the world approach and even exceed heights of 2,000 feet. Skyscraper History A skyscraper is a tall commercial building with an iron or steel framework.  They were made possible as a result of the Bessemer process of mass production of steel beams.  The first modern skyscraper was created in 1885, the 10-story Chicago Home Insurance Building.Early extant skyscrapers include the 1891 Wainwright Building in St. Louis and the 1902 Flatiron Building in New York City.   First Skyscraper: Chicago Home Insurance Building The first tall building supported by structural steel was the Chicago Home Insurance Building, which was finished in 1885. The building was 10 stories tall and reached a height of 138 feet. Two additional stories were added in 1891, bringing the height to 180 feet. The building was demolished in 1931 and replaced with the Field Building, an even taller skyscraper with 45 stories. Early Skyscrapers The Flat Iron Building, NYC. Barry Neal/Getty Images Although the first skyscrapers were relatively small by todays standards, they marked an important turn in urban construction and development. Some of the most notable early skyscrapers were: Tacoma Building (Chicago): Constructed using a riveted iron and steel frame, the Tacoma Building was designed by the major architectural firm Holabird Root.Rand McNally Building (Chicago): The Rand McNally Building, completed in 1889, was the first skyscraper built with an all-steel frame.The Masonic Temple Building (Chicago): Featuring commercial, office, and meeting space, the Masonic Temple was completed in 1892. For a time it was the tallest building in Chicago.Tower Building (New York City): The Tower Building, completed in 1889, was the first skyscraper in New York City.American Surety Building (New York City): At 300 feet tall, this 20-story building broke Chicagos height record when it was completed in 1896.New York World Building (New York City): This building was home to the New York World newspaper.Wainwright Building (St. Louis): This skyscraper, designed by Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, is famous for its terracotta facade and ornamentation.Flatiron Building (New Yor k City): The Flatiron Building is a triangular, steel-frame marvel that still stands in Manhattan today. In 1989, it was made a National Historic Landmark. Mass Produced Steel Allows Construction of Skyscrapers Henry Bessemer. clu/Getty Images Construction of skyscrapers was made possible thanks to Henry Bessemer, who invented the first process to mass-produce steel inexpensively. An American, William Kelly, had held a patent for a system of air blowing the carbon out of pig iron, but bankruptcy forced Kelly to sell his patent to Bessemer, who had been working on a similar process for making steel. In 1855, Bessemer patented his own decarbonization process, utilizing a blast of air. This breakthrough opened the door for builders to start making taller and taller structures. Modern steel today is still made using technology based on Bessemers process. While â€Å"the Bessemer process† kept Bessemer’s name well-known long after his death, lesser known today is the man who actually employed that process to innovate the first skyscraper: George A. Fuller.  In the 19th century, construction techniques called for outside walls to carry the load of a building’s weight. Fuller, however, had a different idea. He realized that buildings could bear more weight- and therefore soar higher- if he used Bessemer steel beams to give buildings a load-bearing skeleton on the inside of the building. In 1889, Fuller erected the Tacoma Building, a successor to the Home Insurance Building that became the first structure ever built where the outside walls did not carry the weight of the building. Using Bessemer steel beams, Fuller developed a technique for creating steel cages that would be used in subsequent skyscrapers. The Flatiron Building  was one of New York Citys first skyscrapers, built in 1902 by Fullers building company. Daniel H. Burnham was the chief architect. Taller buildings were also made possible by the invention of the electric elevator in 1883, which reduced the amount of time it took to travel between floors, and the invention of electric lighting, which made it easier to illuminate larger spaces. Chicago School of Architecture Many of the earliest skyscrapers were built in an architectural style that came be known as the Chicago School. These steel-frame structures often featured terra cotta exteriors, plate glass windows, and detailed cornices. Architects associated with the Chicago School include Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan (who designed the Old Chicago Stock Exchange Building), Henry Hobson Richardson, and John Wellborn Root. Buildings in the Chicago style were built in places as far away as Florida, Canada, and New Zealand.

A close reading of a specific and familiar space Essay - 1

A close reading of a specific and familiar space - Essay Example In ancient period, most houses were divided into two parts at a point one third of the way across its length using a small lattice work wall reaching the top of the house. The main area is reserved for human living and was covered by a layer of black clay and cow dung that women polished over it with a stone. The other reduced area paved with flagstones was meant for animals. These rooms had only one entrance and the house was organized in such a way that one end has provisions ready for consumption like flour, figs, and leguminous plants that had been preserved. Near the door, there was water jars while on the stable part from any type of tool and equipments, a number of straws and hay for animals were stacked up and this region is where the children and the women sleeps especially in winter. The male on the other hand, slept on the larger area as a symbol of authority as they were known to have visitors and could share the room. A number of items inside this house have different na mes with different meanings. For instance, kanun was the upper part of the stable where kitchen earthenware was kept (cooking pot, ladle, and dish for cooking bannock). A fireplace was also on the woman’s side and was place of cooking. The male sleeping area is usually dark since it symbolize place of intimacy and recreation. After birth, boys and girls were isolated based on their sexes and introduced to their roles within their early stages of life. However, males needed to undergo additional cultural rite to make them courageous and face the outside world suitably. Women stayed within the house most of the time as their duties were mainly cooking and washing dishes while male perform their duties outside herding or hunting for food.. The division of labor was so significant that women were to remain in the dark part of the house. These

Health Promotion Teaching Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Health Promotion Teaching Plan - Research Paper Example at the rules stipulated in the memo can be reviewed and a thorough checking be conducted in order to ensure that the students have obeyed them to the letter. The historical exercise of â€Å"hands on† teaching in healthcare professions, whereby students learn through practice on real stress reduction strategies, diet and exercise under supervision, may not be justifiable as the principal model for preparing healthcare experts. This challenge could be aggravated by the advance of directed health plans; patients paying for their own healthcare may refuse to serve as â€Å"teaching material,† the price traditionally paid for receiving care at a teaching hospital or public clinic. Consequently, real people with wellness problems are needed to avoid of caregivers shortages under such situations ( Riley, 2008). The instructor will listen to how the other nursing students respond to a given incident and provide guidance where needed. The observational notes will be look over during the next class with all students. Nursing students learn in two ways, through text books, and by being in a hospital environment, which allows them to familiarize themselves with real life situations; as such, the lesson provide a way for the students to practice in an environment that is comparable to a real life situation. This will better prepare the students for their upcoming healthcare nursing studies (Loyd, Lake, & Greenberg, 2004). The main challenge faced by nursing students is that they are not familiar with carrying out proper procedures during circumstances that are covered in their textbooks, and it is for that reason that nursing students need to be able to have a way to practically apply the proper procedures of the medical field’s practices, especially in health and wellbeing. The practice of using role-playing scenarios at random throughout a course of study considerably helped students to be prepared to act on any situation as if they were in a real situation ( Sanchez,

European Parliament as an independent actor in EU affairs Essay

European Parliament as an independent actor in EU affairs - Essay Example The Parliament has been given greater powers by various treaties, which came in through extensions in ordinary legislative procedures.  In December 2009, the Lisbon Treaty  came into force, which linked the Commission’s presidential election to that of the EP elections. At the same time, the Lisbon treaty also authorised the European Parliament with complete control over the  EU budget, thus turning the  legislative powers  of the parliament in equal standing to that of the Council of the European Union (Europa, A Constitution for Europe, nd). Since the Lisbon Treaty, almost all decisions within the EU must be made with the permission of European Parliament (EP). Since the EP is the only body within the  EU that is directly elected, it represents all  citizens of the EU member states. However, despite its enhanced powers over the legislation and budgetary processes of the EU, a closer analysis reveals that the European Parliament lacks political freedom and it do es not have an adequate access to the citizens, which must necessarily change to make it an independent actor within EU affairs. Discussion The enhanced role of the European parliament The European Parliament is the most democratic body within the EU, as the citizens of the EU directly elect its members. Various treaties, over the years, have granted greater powers to this institution in order to bring democracy within the EU. Owing to these changes, the EU has evolved from being a mere body for consultations to an important decision making body, as regards framing the EU laws and budget (under articles 14.1 and 16.1). Initially, the EP’s activities were limited to providing nonbinding viewpoints through consultation. It started... The European Parliament is the most democratic body within the EU, as the citizens of the EU directly elect its members. Various treaties, over the years, have granted greater powers to this institution in order to bring democracy within the EU. Owing to these changes, the EU has evolved from being a mere body for consultations to an important decision making body.Initially, the EP’s activities were limited to providing nonbinding viewpoints through consultation. It started gaining more power, in regard of influencing the EU legislation, through the cooperation procedure provided in the 1986 Single European Act. The Maastricht Treaty of 1992 brought in the co-decision procedure that significantly increased EP’s power to affect EU’s legislative procedures in some arenas, especially the ones linked to the common domestic market of the EU (Europa, 2010). The Council of Ministers and the EP share powers of legislation and according to the co-decision procedure, both the EP and the Council must approve all Commission proposals for it to become a law; while using co-decision, the EP has the authority to change, remove or accept any proposed legislation. More power was accorded to the EP by the Amsterdam Treaty (1997) that increased the scope of use of co-decision to various other policies such as social policies, environmental policies amongst many more. As the decisions making processes of the Council of Ministers are subject to an intricate system of majority voting instead of consensus.

Multi model project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Multi model project - Essay Example They just want to eject the DVD out of the DVD player or flip the channel if it is on cable network. It would be interesting to take a peek into the kind of work the producers and screenwriters do to create the desired effect in the audience. The impact it makes the viewers say wow. Obviously, everyone is not interested in the technicalities of a film production. However, one should be aware of the perspective that a movie is instilling in the viewer’s mind. Film critics call this the gaze. It tells the point of view of the movie director. Hollywood action blockbusters like the James Bond and Mission Impossible series are very good examples of the male gaze. The protagonist of such movies is a crime-fighting dominant male. He has access to sports car and top female models of the world. The protagonist is living the fantasy of the majority of the male audiences; to live a carefree adventurous life full of beautiful girls and luxury cars. There is no harm in giving the audiences what they want. The problem arises when such movies become the trendsetters. The people who disagree with such fantasies should not consider themselves outcasts but sadly this is the case. Such movies define what a successful person should look and behave like. This is wrong at so many levels. The people who are living â€Å"ordinary† lives should not consider themselves less than the fantasy projected on the cinema screen. Such perspective or gaze is so dangerous that it creates a sense of loss among average people. They want to live a large life but sadly they fall short because what is projected on the screen is just a fantasy. The counter argument that movies are supposed to be fantastical so that people can momentarily get out of their mundane routines and enjoy voyeuristic pleasures, is not valid because there is a difference between confining something and making a fantasy movie. The fantasy movie Lord of the Rings does not have that usual gaze. The values shown

How is the AIS (automatic identification system) effective in Kuwait Thesis

How is the AIS (automatic identification system) effective in Kuwait coast guard operation - Thesis Example These systems, particularly the AIS Class A, have provided a wide range of benefits such as effective vessel identification and the provision of accurate information to national security forces and the Vessel Traffic Management Systems, or VTMS. Moreover, the application of ship-to-ship AIS has become an increasingly valuable option for mariners to be used as an efficient instrument that will improve situational awareness (Norris 2006). Regulations to utilise AIS in all vessels fall under the international standards of improving the safety and security among maritime transporters through the provision of information regarding locations and vessel identities. Aside from national security, the AIS can also make its contribution to environmental protections and procedures that require the rescue of vessels vulnerable to threats or attacks (Norris 2006). 1.2 The Role of Kuwaiti Coast Guard Kuwait remains to be a small country that holds a strategic position, increasing its vulnerability. It is surrounded by Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia and is easily within a short distance of missile range from its three major neighbors (CS 2010). Due to Kuwait’s considerable wealth and large oil reserves as well as a lack of safe and secured routes for oil exports, it has become a target for the surrounding countries. Maritime boundaries with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq have been an important concern for Kuwait, with the country encountering numerous maritime attacks over the years, particularly from Iran and Iraq (Knights 2005). Despite perceiving the hostility of Iraq and other neighboring countries, in 2008, the Kuwait’s naval forces signed the Khawr Abd Allah Protocols, or the KAA Protocols, which referred to a maritime bilateral military agreement for the coordinated use of the KAA waterway and acquire security and stability. Although Kuwait has established defense agreements with United Nations Security Council members and has utilised procurement programmes i n reinforcing these associations, the security of Kuwait has highly relied upon the US and has received from $3 million annually as financial assistance to combat terrorist attacks and meet other security objectives, with the Navy and its coast guards as part of such sanctions. This has allowed units to develop technologies through research and development programmes such as the detection and identification of incoming maritime irregularities (CS 2010). The Kuwaiti Navy includes an estimate of 2,700 personnel including 500 coast guards with its limited naval forces focusing on the protection of their coastline, support of customs, and implementation of missions against infiltration. The Kuwaiti Navy had been established immediately after Kuwait became fully independent from Britain (CSIS 2006). During the Persian Gulf War, the country’s military defenses were highly dependent on foreign contractors to provide their training, logistics, maintenance, and actual operations; cons equently, the readiness of the Navy and the rest of Kuwait’s defenses were at a poor level. At present, their equipment includes fast attack crafts, support ships, special operations patrol boats, interceptor crafts, diving support vessels, hydrographic support vessels and harbor tugs (CIA 2006). Tracking methods have also been emphasized to provide geographical information along

Multi model project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Multi model project - Essay Example They just want to eject the DVD out of the DVD player or flip the channel if it is on cable network. It would be interesting to take a peek into the kind of work the producers and screenwriters do to create the desired effect in the audience. The impact it makes the viewers say wow. Obviously, everyone is not interested in the technicalities of a film production. However, one should be aware of the perspective that a movie is instilling in the viewer’s mind. Film critics call this the gaze. It tells the point of view of the movie director. Hollywood action blockbusters like the James Bond and Mission Impossible series are very good examples of the male gaze. The protagonist of such movies is a crime-fighting dominant male. He has access to sports car and top female models of the world. The protagonist is living the fantasy of the majority of the male audiences; to live a carefree adventurous life full of beautiful girls and luxury cars. There is no harm in giving the audiences what they want. The problem arises when such movies become the trendsetters. The people who disagree with such fantasies should not consider themselves outcasts but sadly this is the case. Such movies define what a successful person should look and behave like. This is wrong at so many levels. The people who are living â€Å"ordinary† lives should not consider themselves less than the fantasy projected on the cinema screen. Such perspective or gaze is so dangerous that it creates a sense of loss among average people. They want to live a large life but sadly they fall short because what is projected on the screen is just a fantasy. The counter argument that movies are supposed to be fantastical so that people can momentarily get out of their mundane routines and enjoy voyeuristic pleasures, is not valid because there is a difference between confining something and making a fantasy movie. The fantasy movie Lord of the Rings does not have that usual gaze. The values shown

Cloning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cloning - Essay Example By discussing these to the full extent, we will be able to come to a more conclusive and knowledgeable objective on this subject of interest. The aim of this paper is to discuss of this, as well as the other key factors in regards to this issue. This is what will be dissertated in the following. The term cloning is literally referred to as "using specialized DNA technology to produce multiple, exact copies of a single gene or other segment of DNA to obtain enough material for further study." ("CDC", 2006). The process itself is actually referred to as cloning DNA, and the resulting cloned (or copied) collections of DNA molecules are called clone libraries. In more simple terms, cloning is the process of creating an identical copy of something original. In the cloning of a gene, there must be extraction from one gene from an organism and insert that into another organism, where it can then be used and studied. There is also a related technique to this which is called subcloning, which refers to the transferring of a gene from one plasmid into another, again for further study. Cloning is the process of making a genetically identical organism through nonsexual means. Although the idea of cloning may seem rather revolutionary to some, it has in fact been around for some while. It has been used for many years to produce plants (in fact even growing a plant from a cutting is a type of cloning). The terms 'recombinant DNA technology', 'DNA cloning', 'molecular cloning', or 'gene cloning' all refer to the same process: the transfer of a DNA fragment on interest from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element such as a bacterial plasmid. "This technology has been around since the 1970s, and it has become a common practice in molecular biology labs today." (Cloning Fact Sheet, 2006). When the media report on cloning in the news, they are usually only talking about one type of cloning, which is called reproductive cloning. However, there are many different forms of cloning, including human cloning, animal cloning, and cellular cloning. As for reproductive cloning, it is a technology which is used to generate an animal that has the same DNA as another currently or previously existing animal. The majority of reproductive cloning has so far been tried and tested on animals, with the modern cloning techniques involving nuclear transfers being successfully performed on several species. These land mark experiments in chronological order are: Tadpole (1952) Carp (1963) Sheep (1986) Rhesus monkey: Tetra (female, January 2000) Cattle: Alpha and Beta (males, 2001) and (2005) Brazil Cat: Copycat "CC" (female, late 2001), Little Nicky (2004) was the first cat cloned for commercial reasons Mule: Idaho Gem (2003) Horse: Prometea (2003) Human (2005) Dog: Snuppy (2005) The recent success in cloning animals has sparked fierce debates among scientists, politicians and the general public about the use and morality of cloning plants, animals and possibly humans. Although some argue that cloning can be used for many positive reasons, such as to preserve and increase the number of various endangered species, others are outraged at the 'misuse and mistreatment of science'. Currently the most successful cloning technique is that of the somatic cell nuclear transfer. This is the same cloning technique which allowed Dolly the sheep to be cloned, is also the same technique used by ACT - the first company to

Android Application Essay Example for Free

Android Application Essay The reign of android products in the market is the talk of the town and the craze of owning an android based smart phone is all a youths mind is smitten by. This is all because of the wide range of android apps at the user’s disposal which can be installed on these android based smart phones. Android offers the android market which is an open market made available to all android gadget users. The android smart phones do not run on the principle of non-contemporary mobile methodology i. e. these android gadgets do not come with a pre-set of limited applications already installed in the cell phone by the company at the time of manufacture, instead only the basic apps are installed and a privilege to choose and install from a wide variety of apps is facilitated to the user. Android gadget users have to just turn on their internet, sign in to their goggle account and they can access all the android applications. There are a lot of applications in every genre from utility, entertainment, security, business, education, games, etc. Entertainment apps like various varieties music players, video players, photo viewers, music creator, video clippers, photo editors, etc., utility apps like maps and road guides, locators of shops, hospitals, hotels and various buildings and landmarks in a particular city which use GPS services direct from the satellite, alarm clocks, clocks showing time of multiple time zones, a thousand variety of games from strategy to racing and flash games to puzzle games, apps designed for providing a convenient user interface to browse through your favourite social networking websites and many more steal the ranks in the search counts for sure. The android apps are not just limited to entertainment and mobile utility and security. The android market has a huge choice of apps for the businessmen, people in the real estate, financial markets like the share market and the international currency exchange and the commodity markets, people related to software development and information technology, etc. The android apps can also be used for managing funds in your bank accounts. There are a lot of android apps designed to help a user browse through a lot of products from numerous shops and brands, select, compare quality and prices, and also purchase them electronically by directly transferring funds from their bank accounts. The rapidly increasing advancement in the development of the contemporary generation of android apps will also see a breakthrough in the e-commerce section. The biggest attraction about the android market is that it is a free and open market availing the most of the apps from all genres free of cost to the users. When you browse the android apps through the android market you will also be supported by a clear description of the app, that is the way it works, tips to use it and all info about the app. Adding to that a person can also see the product reviews and user ratings along with the product in the list of apps in the android market.

Media Misrepresentation and Emotive Writing

Media Misrepresentation and Emotive Writing COOKING UP DRAMA When reporting on an issue as serious as methamphetamines, its important not to lose your head, writes Matt Cramb Wheres the statistician? Image: ABC AUSTRALIA IS UNDER SIEGE, or at least, thats how ABCs 2017 docu-drama series Ice Wars frames the ever-lurking issue of crystal meth; against dramatic music and flashing imagery of so called ice dens and their denizens, cooks and ice monsters. This hyperbolic name-calling helps nobody, especially not those already embroiled in the stigma surrounding methamphetamines, serving only to further polarise pundits. This leads to similarly overly-authoritative articles such as that from Harm Reduction Australia (HRA), published on February 12, five days after the first episode aired. In their Huffington Post article, titled The ABCs Ice Wars Is Exploiting Vulnerable Addicts, HRA calls for the entire series to be pulled from the network due to a segment following the life of a schizophrenic man addicted to ice. Both texts were written poised to make a positive difference in the community, but are loaded with murky pathos and blinding octane action which topples their ambitions. Information is set into the background, with emotion taking centre stage. It remains to be seen whether this appeal to emotion will propel a stronger community response against the drug, but without the armaments of solid facts to equip it, such a response cannot hold. The Riot Squad, complete with perfectly-angled dashcam. Image: ABC Ice Wars Appeal to Emotion Professor Nicole Lee summed it up when she wrote, Most of what is reported in [Ice Wars] is not incorrect, but it lacks nuance and context. For example, when Ice Wars reports a figure of 1.3 million for Australians who have tried ice, it passes this exaggeration off as a shocking revelation, following with, friends and members of your family would have to have tried ice. This is a perfect example of the shows extreme lack of effort to reconcile facts with on-screen action, over-representing the most shocking and dramatic aspects of Australias campaign (not war, mind you) against ice. Not only is the figure quoted above actually lower, as the Australian Drug Strategy Household Survey conducted in late 2015 reported closer to 850,000 Australians who had used crystal methamphetamine, it doesnt accurately represent the number of regular users at all. Per Lees figures, part of her article on the topic titled Ice Wars Message is Overblown and Unhelpful, a miniscule 0.25% of the population over 14 years uses methamphetamines regularly. Despite the evidence, Australians are prone to overestimating the scale of ice use, found an online survey conducted by the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC). They reported that almost 50% of survey respondents thought 30-100% of Australians had tried ice, with only 14% correctly estimating the figure. The misinformation and misrepresentation left throughout ABCs Ice Wars can only serve to further decrease this figure. Ice Wars, in this regard, is more Highway Patrol than hard-hitting documentary. And the NCPIC, who were responsible for bringing this information to light, despite their usual focus on cannabis? Defunded in December of 2016, the Department of Health citing the release of the National Ice Action Strategy as a major contributing factor. Where is Cannabis Wars, seeing as over 8.3 million Australians have tried the drug? Surely at this figure, friends and members of your family would have to have tried cannabis? Professor Jan Copeland, the former director of the now-defunded NCPIC, said of the research; The most worrying aspect of this is that it normalises ice use in the minds of those who may be thinking of trying it. Ice Wars glosses over these vital statistics, instead foregrounding the more photogenic drug raids and silencing all the above sources. Emotional quotes such as, You lose your soul. You lose everything, are given more time and focus than all of the research conducted on this topic in recent years. Shaky and over-exposed camera angles of barred house fronts with an overlaid narrator talking about the dangers of ice addiction may be more aesthetically appealing, but when Ice Wars employs this and similar visual techniques to heighten the tension and drama and backgrounds crucial information, it does nothing to advance the cause they are championing. It definitely shows something when a hazmat-suited police officer counting numbers off while sorting evidence baggies is better television than an explanation as to what those numbers actually mean. Attempts at fearmongering fall flat trying to leap over the gaps presented in this supposedly educational series. Very interestingly, one of the visual techniques the show uses to fearmonger are several eye-in-the-sky camera angles taken via drone to present an authoritative documentary tone, a tone Harm Reduction Australia unwittingly emulates in their own article. Theres a lot of myths about methamphetamine. Image: ABC The ABCs Ice Wars Is Exploiting Vulnerable Addicts Appeal to Authority Boldly emblazoned, just underneath the catchy head- and by-line of the Huffington Post article, The ABCs Ice Wars Is Exploiting Vulnerable Addicts, are the names and qualifications of the two authors, Gino Vumbaca and Tony Trimingham, president and vice-president of Harm Reduction Australia respectively. For context, Harm Reduction Australia is an organisation dedicated to increasing practices in Australian drug policy which focus more on lessening the impact of drug use in cases where the user is unable or unwilling to stop [using]. Their article, or at least the article co-penned by their president, condemns the ABCs brief focus on an ice user and schizophrenic. When they begin their article with the phrase; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦we believe there is no option but to call for the rest of the series to be halted from broadcastingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ its unclear whether the we is Vumbaca Trimingham or HRA itself. Later, they attest that It is the policy of NSW Healthà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦, and end their article with a quote from Dr Marianne Jauncey, quick to point out her position as Director of the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre. The quote itself is largely irrelevant to the rest of the article, exploring a tangent they only lightly touched upon; the issue of misrepresentation. Theres a lot of myths about methamphetamine, she is quoted as saying. Perhaps it is fitting that this quote is used to conclude an article written by people intentionally and artificially exaggerating their status, because stapling her quote to the end of the article does exactly that. This contradiction is exemplified in the following quote: The public have no reason not to believe this [information provided by the ABC] is true given the authoritative nature of the source from which it came. However, it is simply untrueà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Simultaneously rebuking the ABC for an authoritative tone while adopting that very same tone further highlights the emphasis and citations leveraged by Vumbaca Trimingham to promote their ideology. The article discredits sources which discuss statistics, such as ABC Breakfast who claims that it takes 18 months to get off methamphetamine, while heroin only takes 10 days, which while in context was appropriate to Vumbaca Triminghams point, also effectively silences all data surrounding the issue. The ABC series appears to be failing badly on reporting the evidence, posits the article, after itself claiming, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦investment in treatment and support provides far better economic, health and social outcomes than policing, courts and prisonsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ while omitting all evidence. The audience is not given baseline knowledge on the issue but is led to believe the text is an authority on said issue, only muddying the waters further. Granted, this may have been done deliberately to promote Vumbaca Triminghams organisational agenda or to draw in a more engaged audience. However, it does nothing to help their contention or the ice user whose plight they bemoan. Interviews with these people, those directly involved in the science and numbers, would have been much appreciated. Image: ABC Both texts are filled with their own flaws and misrepresentations, including Ice Wars use of emotion over reason, and Harm Reduction Australias authoritative tension, but both silence or omit important data and statistics to their detriment. By coaxing and corralling specific emotional responses from the audience, the texts hinder the change they are trying to action. While they are trying to help, without preparing their audiences with accurate facts and relevant data, the issue will become more nebulous and difficult to tackle. And its already bad enough. Bibliography: Author/s Unknown 2016, National Drug Strategy 2016-2025, Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs, accessed 22/2/17, http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/Publishing.nsf/content/73E3AD4C708D5726CA257ED000050625/$File/draftnds.pdf Author/s Unknown 2017, Harm Reduction Australia, Harm Reduction Australia, accessed 20/2/17, http://www.harmreductionaustralia.org.au/ Author/s Unknown 2017, Whoops!, National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, accessed 22/2/17, https://ncpic.org.au/ Fogarty, S 2016, Cannabis addiction support centre to close doors after government cuts funding, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, accessed 22/2/17, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-04/cannabis-support-centre-to-close-after-funding-cut/7994558 Ice Wars 2017, television program, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sydney, 8 February Lee, N 2017, Ice Wars message is overblown and unhelpful, The Conversation, accessed 20/2/17, http://theconversation.com/ice-wars-message-is-overblown-and-unhelpful-72719 National Drug Alcohol Research Centre 2015, Australians are overestimating meth use, University of New South Wales, accessed 22/2/17, https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/news/australians-are-overestimating-meth-use Trimingham, T Vumbaca, G 2017, The ABCs Ice Wars Is Exploiting Vulnerable Addicts, Huffingon Post, accessed 20/2/17, http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/tony-trimingham/the-abcs-ice-wars-is-exploiting-vulnerable-addicts/

Syrian Civil War: Causation Essay example -- arab republic, ottoman rul

Middle East Project: Syrian Civil War: Causation After four hundred years of indecisive Ottoman rule, and three decades fighting the mandate of the French, the many diverse peoples of Syria finally could call Syria their own. Yet, independence was not synonymous with peace. Without a common enemy, the Syrian people remembered their differences and began to squabble amongst themselves. Even now, seven decades after the formation of the Syrian Arab Republic, peace is yet but a far-flung dream. In June of 2000, then-President Hafez al-Assad, of the previous Ba’ath Party, passed away and his title was left, through an unfortunate accident, in the hands of his second, less determined son, Bashar al-Assad. With his death came strife. Powerful clashing forces previously kept quashed by Ba’ath Party Rule began to emerge yet again, and Syria was plunged into conflict. The Syrian civil war crisis, commonly accepted to have begun with the rule of Bashar al-Assad, had roots in history extending past Hafez al Assad (Ba’ath Party Ruling) and, through a combination of external pressures, environmental and foreign, and internal inconsistency and weakness blossomed into the situation today. The Ba’ath Party, the name Arabic for â€Å"Renaissance† or â€Å"Resurrection† (Polk), was founded in 1947 by Michel Aflaq, a Syrian teacher whose views on nationalism gained him support from Arabs across the area (â€Å"Profile†). Quickly merging with other parties, the now-Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party became real competition to its opposition as its popularity surged among students of the nation. Historically, as Syrian people were (and are) extremely diverse, a wide range of opinions on nationalism and religion have been presented, each addressing a different aspect of ... ...LIO, 2014. Web. 5 Mar. 2014. "Urban and Rural Human Geography in Syria." News and Events: Point of View. Geography Services, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. . Warner, Andy. "Syria’s First Family." Slate. SlateGroup, n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. . Washington Post. "Syrian Civil War: A Rising Death Count." Washington Post. Washington Post, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. . Zahler, Kathy. The Assads' Syria. Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century, 2010. Print. Dictatorships. Zuhur, Sherifa. "Bashar al-Assad." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2014.

Consumer buying preferences towards technological goods produced using sustainable business practices Essay

1. Abstract This report shows data on consumer behaviour as primary research and secondary data from literature about sustainability, sustainable business practices and consumer behaviour towards sustainable produced goods. The terms sustainability and sustainable business practices will be examined in more detail. Data gathered from primary research will help to get a better understanding on consumer behaviour, by analysis and presentation in pie charts and bar charts. Methods of data collecting will be examined and the use of surveys and questionnaire as well. 2. Introduction This report will investigate consumer buying preferences towards technological goods produced using sustainable business practices. The term sustainability was first defined by the UN World Commission in its 1987 published report called â€Å"Our Common Future†, which defined it as: †¦development which meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Since the climate change and its impact on the environment people became more aware of the significance of sustainability. Also companies strive to implement sustainable business practices to prevent further harm to the environment and to improve their efficiency to lower costs and to enhance quality, which in turn satisfies customers and employees. This report will show that companies using sustainable business practices have an advantage in today’s economy and consumers will invest more time and money in technological goods produced using sustainable business practices. Techniques on how information was gathered will be elucidated in the methodology section and the results will be presented in section 5. 3. Literature Review Several literature resources about the topics sustainability, sustainable business practises, consumer behaviour and the environment were available. Key findings in literature show that impacts on the environment have led businesses as well as people to rethink the way they use resources. Due to media influence in past decades many people became aware of global warming, pollution, the ozone layer depletion and its negative effects on nature and health of humanity. An article about sustainable business practices suggests that companies of various sectors should use their own set of techniques to achieve their own version of sustainability. Furthermore various literatures show that most developments in business practices came from creative thinking about redesigning production cycles while maintaining consumer needs with the environment in mind. Ecoefficiency is the term used by some companies to describe their aims towards more sustainability. The World Business Council, an association of big corporations defines Ecoefficiency as: â€Å"as being achieved by the delivery of competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource intensity throughout the life cycle, to a level at least in line with the Earth ´s estimated carrying capacity†. This definition is remarkable in its position to human needs and value of life, and can be interpreted as a move away from â€Å"materialism† and contribution to meeting needs for human well-being. Most literature offered a big variety of subtopics around sustainability, su stainable business practices and consumer behaviour, which may go way far for purposes of this report. 4. Methodology Primary research was conducted with the aid of surveys and questionnaires. The sample consisted of 40 people, who answered 10 questions around the topic consumer buying preferences towards technological goods produced using sustainable business practices. The questionnaire took approximately 10 minutes to complete and participants were asked that the oldest member of each household should return the results by end of the month. Surveys are one of the fastest methods to gather information nowadays, due the possibility to conduct them online as well. In the questionnaire participants of ages 30 and above were asked basic questions like name, email, gender and age. Furthermore the questionnaire asked more specific questions like how would you best describe your household, annual household income, if participants would buy sustainable produced goods over normal competitors even if the price was little higher and more to gather information about consumers buying preferences. The questionnaire was designed to gather a lot of information in a short time. To achieve better results, phrases around the topic sustainability and sustainable business practices were formed so that participants had just to tick their favourite answers. Limitations in primary research may be that the sample size could be increased more by surveying under 30 year olds as well. Secondary research was undertaken with the aid of online databases like summon, which is a database for all kinds of academic articles. Also the survey was based online due to its efficiency, because nowadays majority of people have internet connection. 5. Results When asked the question if participants would buy an electronic device which is produced using sustainable business practices rather than one that is not, even if it is more expensive 60% responded with yes. 15 % of participants responded with sometimes and 25% with no. Furthermore the research was refined and responses by household were considered as well, to get more details on consumer behaviour: The bar chart above illustrates that families with under 16 year old children are most likely to invest in sustainable produced goods, while elderly couples are least likely to invest in electronic devices. The most remarkable sign when looking at the bar chart is that all except the elderly couples seem to invest more in electronic devices produced using sustainable practices. Singles seem to care as well with response of 3 votes indicating the value sometimes and 4 indicating yes. Families indicate 7 yes, 0 sometimes and 1 no. As seen families with under 16 year old children respond with 8 yes, 1 sometimes and 4 no. Overall couples, singles and elderly people seem to care less than families and families with under 16 year old children. The results could have been improved by investigating more questions and designing more charts for presenting and interpreting data. One more approach to improve the results would have been to increase the number of participants by giving under 30 year olds the opportunity to participate as well. 6. Conclusion The aim of this report was to investigate consumer behaviour in relation to sustainability. A survey was conducted to gather information and to see how participants would respond. Data collected using this method helped designing bar charts and pie charts, to illustrate percentages of participants voting for a specific answer. As conclusion majority of consumers prefer to invest in goods produced using sustainable business practices rather than products which are not, even if the price is higher. Families seemed to be most likely to invest, while elderly couples seemed not as much interested. Overall consumers tend to invest more in sustainable goods. Secondary research showed that environmental awareness may be a trigger for such decisions. This report also showed that companies investing in sustainability can insure a long run profitability in every sense, be it lowering production costs or driving up consumer and employee satisfaction.

Idealism vs. Pragmatism in Don Quixote

Don Quixote is about an old, retired man named Alonso Quixano. He spends most of his time reading chivalrous tales-so much so that he hardly eats or sleeps, causing people to think he has lost his mind. One day, he decides to become a knight and go out in search of adventure. He renames himself Don Quixote de la Mancha, and his horse Rocinate. He enlists Sancho Panza, a neighbor, to be his squire, promising him governorship of an island. The two sneak off in the early dawn, and the adventures begin The first example of idealism vs. ragmatism was in the opening scene. A young Alonso is shown outside in a field playing and talking to himself, pretending to slay some enemies. His fantasy is shattered and he is brought back to the real world when his mother calls him inside to go to bed. The next example comes when Alonso is talking to his friends, who happen to be workers. He is optimistic that all of their lives could turn around and that there is an even bigger world full of opportuni ty out there just waiting to be discovered.All of his friends are realistic and tell him that they are going to be working for their entire lives. Next, Alonso Quixano wanted to be a knight. The barber was over at his house to give him a shave, and everyone was in the room. He started talking about his dreams of being a knight, and everyone laughed at him, telling him to just let the barber shave him. He ignored them, though. He ran outside and made his plans with Sancho Panza to escape and find an island to govern. This brings us to our next example of idealism vs. pragmatism.Alonso and Sancha take off on their horse and donkey, respectively. Remember, they are in search of an island. They will not be able to get to an island on their animals. After this, Don Quixote de la Mancha thought he would bring glory to himself and Sancha Panzo by killing the â€Å"giant monsters† that they ran into on their way to an island, when in reality the monsters were just windmills. He also thought a bleating flock of sheep were an army of singing soldiers. As you can easily tell, idealism and pragmatism are both extremely strong and important facets of Don Quixote.

Project Report on “Malnutrition” Essay

For its sustenance on the earth, every living organism requires food, which is quite essential for carrying out its physical and mental activities, growth and development. For normal growth and development, man requires some specific nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, roughage and water in right proportion and sufficient quantity, which he gets through the food he eats. The food, which provides all these essential nutrients in proper amounts, is called balanced diet. The deficiency or even excess of any of these in a person’s diet results into disorders regarding nutrition, which may be collectively, called malnutritional disorders. The condition in which the people become weak and sick because of insufficient and unbalanced food is called malnutrition. A large no of people in our country and other developing countries suffer from malnutrition because of poverty, lack of education, wrong notions and frequent pregnancies. The main cause of malnutrition is poverty. The deficiency diseases are of three types: 1. Protein energy malnutrition (PEM)-the condition of being nourished on low protein and low energy diet is called Protein Energy Malnutrition or PEM.So, deficiency of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in PEM. It is the most important nutritional disorder affecting Indian children, in the age of period 1-3 years. The symptoms of PEM are: (A) Loss in weight and height (B) Poor muscular development (C) Susceptible to many diseases of respiratory and gastro intestinal systems. 2. Mineral deficiency disease (Anemia, Goiter and Rickets): these are caused due to the deficiency of either iron or iodine. The symptoms are: either he will feel tiredness easily or there will be swelling in his throat region of neck. Goiter is an endemic disease (the diseases, restricted to a given reason and arising from its specific environmental condition are called endemic diseases) which is more common in hilly areas because soil of hilly areas is poor in iodine. Due to this the drinking water as well as food grown in this area is deficient in iodine. So, it leads goiter among them. 3. Vitamin deficiency disease: the diseases which are caused due to the deficiency of Vitamins in diet are called Vitamin Deficiency diseases. Some of the diseases that are caused due to the deficiency of Vitamins are Night blindness, Exophthalmia, Beri-Beri. (A) Night Blindness and Xerophthalmia: these are caused due to the deficiency of Vitamin A (retinol). (B) Beri-Beri: the deficiency of vitamin B1 causes beri-beri. Vitamin B1 is also called anti beri-beri or antineuretic factor Types of Malnutrition In human beings, these disorders may be classified into three categories-UNDER NUTRITION, which means the malnutrition, caused due to the availability of less food for a long period. For example slow starvation, which is found most in extremely poor or low income group people. Excessive nutrition that means disorders developed due to overfeeding or over-eating for a long time. For example obesity (or motapa). Such disorders are more evident in the families belonging to the middle class families or rich category. Deficiency disease which are caused due to the lack of a specific nutrient in our diet. For example protein energy malnutrition, mineral deficiency diseases like anemia etc. such diseases may be found in nearly every family-rich, middle class or poor. It is thus evident that the problem of malnutrition is not confined to poor families alone but is spreading fast even in the middle and rich class families. If the increasing level of diseases in children due to the malnutrition is not taken care off than this may result into excessive weakness or obesity after a few years. We must not forget that malnutrition affects the immune system of a child which may cause frequent sickness, increase the possibility of infections from communicable diseases like cold and cough etc. So, malnutrition must be checked in the childhood itself. Importance of studying malnutrition Today we are living in computer age. The work that required a long time to be completed can now be done with in a few seconds. In other words man is progressing in his mental abilities, but if we measure the physical standards, we will find he is becoming physically weak and now he is not so able as he used to be. Now, the question arises what is the cause behind this physical disability, that even after attaining complete independence in the field of agriculture, children of our country are suffering from malnutrition. Malnutrition in children can prove as an obstruction in the progress of any country because today’s children are tomorrow’s future. Therefore for the progress of a country it is necessary that its children are healthy. Malnutrition is found in rich and middle class families also. Although, the type and level is different from the one found in poor families still it is a serious problem. Causes and solutions There are two reasons for Malnutrition in middle and high class families – 1.Inbalanced diet 2.Ignorance of wrong food habits in children by parents. It is also found that some parents are totally unaware of what a balanced diet should consist of. They don’t know the importance of balanced diet. They only care that their children eat adequate diet. If child wants to eat chips,samosas,maggi,chowmin,pastries, their parents do not resist. parents themselves also eat junk food and allow their children also. Children don’t want to eat green vegetables. They only prefer food items made of potatoes which increases their weight. Cold drinks, chocolates, coffee etc. that give sufficient calories but don’t give nutrition. Therefore, parents need to improve food habits of their children. They should take balanced diet. Earlier boys and girls were treated differently. So, girls were found to suffer from malnutrition. But, today that is not the case. Suggestions for preventions Malnutrition in children is a major obstruction in progress of a nation. In our country about 60% children are suffering from malnutrition. Therefore, it is very important to eradicate this problem completely. After working on this project we suggest the following ways to prevent malnutrition: 1.Guardians, themselves must change their food style, as children learn their food habits from their home. 2.Mothers should breast feed their children for adequate period. 3.Children should be provided medical check up from time to time. 4.Teachers must give information to students on how to prevent disease from malnutrition. 5. All the people should eat the food which is sufficiently boiled. What we came to know after preparing this project All the data collected for the project revealed that most of the children suffer from malnutrition due to their wrong food habits and eating imbalanced diet. If the parents show a little concern towards their children, this problem can also be eradicated. Meetings between parents, teachers and child specialist doctors would be of much help in solving this problem. All these steps should be taken in a hurry because today’s children are tomorrow’s future. Collected data In a survey which was held in our own school last year, it came to light that : 1.only 5% students in the age group of 3-7 years like green vegetables. 2. 3% students like pulses. 3. only 2% students like milk. 4. 5% students like fruits. 5. 40% students like maggi /chowmin. 6. 40%students like cold drink. 7. 5% students like juice. In this survey study of malnutrition in students was done according to the weight of the children. It was found that 15% children are weighing above the normal weight, 70% children are weighing below the normal weight and only 15% children are found with the normal weight. Also in this survey it was found that 20% students have low frequency of infection while 80% students have high frequency of infection. Also the activities of the children were examined and were observed which revealed that 35%children were lazy while 65% were found active.

Hong Kong Conflict of Laws Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Hong Kong Conflict of Laws - Term Paper Example This principle was also applied by Bingham J in the case of The Iran Vojdan, where a clause for dispute settlement provided for (a) Iranian law in Iran (b) German law in Hamburg and (c) English law in London. But applying the principle of the closest and most real connection, Lord Bingham held that the proper law to apply would be German law with the proper jurisdiction being the English Courts. Various factors are taken into consideration by the Courts in arriving at a determination of the proper law on the basis of the closest and most real connection, including the place of contracting, the place where the contractual obligations were performed and the principal places of business of the parties4. The application of the closest and most real principle is found under Hong Kong’s choice of law rules with respect to contractual obligations and has also been recommended as a guiding principle when courts experience characterization problems. This principle has also been applied in non-contractual issues, for instance in matters involving capacity, matrimonial issues, including divorce and division of matrimonial assets, trusts and property cases5. One example, is the case of Hayim v Citibank6 which was an appeal from Hong Kong involving issues of trust with Plaintiff’s will having been made in Hong Kong. But the matter was decided under English law, which was held to satisfy the closest and most real principle because no evidence was led as to Hong Kong or American law. There is provision for application of this principle in the law of mainland China as well, under Article 126 of contract law provisions, which states; â€Å"Where parties to the foreign related contract failed to select the applicable law, the contract shall be governed by the law of the country with the closest connection thereto†7. When no

Journals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Journals - Essay Example It is presently one of the strongest in the union and he was proud to discuss that France’s GDP, which is just under 3 trillion USD is rather impressive. After all, with America’s recent economic crisis I think it is important to listen to what other people think in other countries whose economies are improving. I, also, asked him about the exchange rate for monies. I will spend a week in France it might be important to understand better the value of currency. Apparently 1 American dollar is equal to 1 Euro, however, its value in relation to the dollar is about 0.75. Otherwise our in-flight discussion was about every day things, museums, sight-seeing, and the like. I am very exciting about this opportunity and I look forward to everything I may learn and experience along the way. During the duration of this week prior to the classes starting I hope to spend time sigh-seeing, of course, after all, I will be in Paris, France. I am very excited to visit the Louvre, see the Eifel Tower, and the Notre dame Cathedral; at least I hope I have time to take in as much as the place has to offer. Interesting fun fact that I learned about Paris on my trip. Paris was not the original name for the famous city. It was original called, in Latin, â€Å"Lutentia Parisiorium.† Lutentia is, essentially he word for mud and the Celtic peoples who resided there were call Parsii; therefore the original name of one of the world’s most beautiful and romantic city was â€Å"the mud city of the Parisii;† this, I thought, was rather interesting and a little amusing. I hope to, also spend some time understanding a little bit about the Czech Republic, before I arrive there. I will be spending a lot of time there and I want to be prepared and educated before I arrive there. One thing that I already took the time to investigate is that, when I told people that I was going to the Czech Republic, how many people still believe that the area is still called Czecho slovakia. The region formerly known as Czechoslovakia split into the two independent countries of Slovakia and the Czech Republic 20 years ago in 1993. Entry 2-May 27 2013 It was time to leave France, which was a wonderful experience overall, behind and head to Prague in the Czech Republic. Prague has the feel of being aged and still has architecture that still stands. In fact, it is often used as an ideal location for period, or historical, films because it still has areas that still have that â€Å"old world feel.† Unlike many other countries during WWII, Prague did not resist Hitler and he did little damage, so many of the buildings have withstood the test of time, I have had the opportunity to speak to several people on the trip over. There was one man who was very friendly and was eager to fill me in on the history of his land. It is definitely a city that has survived a great deal of war, upheaval, along with the transition between communism and capitalism. There was an other, a woman, who was actually quite knowledgeable about the kinds of questions that I thought were important to ask. She explained that the population of the Czech Republic is around 10.5 million people and 1/10 of that is located in the capitol, Prague. There economy is quite diversified and is based in metal works, machine parts, automobiles, beer, foods, and electronics. They have low unemployment rates and promising balancing of inflation. They did suffer a minor recession back in the late 90s because of

Creative Leadership and Management in International Schools Essay

Creative Leadership and Management in International Schools - Essay Example As the report declares creativity requires the application of existing knowledge in new ways, so that enhanced outcomes will result. Creativity is prized because it aids in the creation of value in a knowledge based economy. Creativity is a subjective measure whose outward manifestation is the enhancement of any aspect of an administrative function. Creativity has been defined as the â€Å"ability of a person to be flexible, muster initiative and achieve a goal with what is at hand. According to the discussion findings leadership is not an overnight event, and certainly not an inherited trait. An analysis of the most successful schools in the United States was recently conducted through financial assistance from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which identified the fact that administrators in successful schools share an unrelenting commitment to excellence for all students and have developed a high quality curriculum coupled with strong leadership skills. Therefore, the role of leadership and creativity both appear to be significant factors in contributing to success of schools and may be relevant especially in international schools where creativity will have to be exercised in the development of a curriculum that helps students to interact in a global environment. Leadership is often confused with management, but the factor that assumes importance when considered from the perspective of leadership for international schools, is that of creativity.

Middle East Final Exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Middle East Final Exam - Essay Example This was followed by Christian anti-Semitism, which occurred in the middle epoch and was principally religious in nature. This was further followed by conventional or olden Muslim anti-Semitism, which was apparently nuanced due to the case of Jews being protected socially. Socio-political and economical anti-Semitism associated with Europe in the period of enlighten and post enlightenment which crafted the basis for racial anti-Semitism. Racial anti-Semitism was inculcated in the era of Nazism around the 19th century (Falk 5). Modern anti-Semitism has emerged lately and is acknowledged as fresh anti-Semitism. However, in our study, we will deal with the anti-Semitism occurring in the 19th century. The introduction of the era of industrialization and the scientist revolution in Europe encouraged and was characterized by extreme anti-Semitism (Falk 25). Zionism is a Jewish political affiliation that aims at empowering and boosting the self esteem of the Jewish people in a sovereign nat ional homeland of the Jews. It advocates for the Jewish people and addresses the critical intimidation and threats to their affluence and continued existence. Liberal Zionism, being our major focus, included advocacies by Zionist leaders such as Herzi and Weizmann, although not directed to a single party, for democracy and human rights adherence and free market capitalism. Kadima, however, diverted his advocacy towards the establishment of a democratic society in Israel, the dire need for Palestinian statehood and granting of equal rights for Israeli Arab citizens among other grievances (Falk 5). Theodor Herzl is the father to modern Zionism and emergence of the Israeli state. The imminent rise of anti-Semitism was what pickled Herzl’s attention and caused him to inculcate the fight against it. Despite the fact that he was steeped into the European culture, Herzl was perturbed by the augmenting hate for the Jews and, thus, started fighting for his dignity (Falk 55). With cont inued fight against Zionist movement by various Jewish leaders, Herzl pressed for more attention on the congress to conquer the communities or work with the Jewish communities in addition to political focus on the Palestine community. Thus, he elicited cohesion and serenity in the Jewish and Palestinian communities through activism as he wrote news articles discouraging anti-Semitism. Thus, he addressed the plight of the Jews and pressed for independence of Palestine and freedom foe Jewish people to his grave. Chaim Weizmann was brought up in a Jewish steeped setting and grew up aware of the plight of Jews. He played a big role in fighting for Zionism. In his liaison with Balfour for the enforcement of the Balfour’s declaration, Weizmann confessed that all he needed was home for his people. He secured a credit as one of the founding fathers of Israel. In 1919, Weizmann and his acquaintance Faisal, the future crown of Iraq, stroke an accord dubbed the Faisal-Weizmann agreement , which inculcated peaceful relations between Arabs and Jews within the Middle East. This accord lobbied for the settlement of Jews in Palestine (Falk 55). After this accord, Weizmann became the influential leader of the world Zionist movement where he liaised with Albert Einstein to raise funds for the construction of the Hebrew university in Jerusalem. He ended up as the first president of Israel where he brought people together. Before and after the Second World War,

Evidence based design-healthcare Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Evidence based design-healthcare - Assignment Example Some of the factors considered in evidenced based design include the impact of getting connected to the natural environment on human biology and use of daylight, improving movement of people within a healthcare facility to improve safety, ergonomics, efficiency and hygienic issues which are very important for a healthcare facility. According to Kirk (95), improving outdoor views as well as optimizing daylight exposure has been considered as one of the design objectives especially for a wellness centre. Previous studies have also suggested that the provision of patients with a view of the natural world reduces their need for pain medication thus has the impact of shortening their stay in the hospital. Other studies have also suggested that the improved view of the biological world while patients are in hospitals reduces their length of stay. According to Verderber et al (238), this evidence based design discovery positively affects circadian rhythms of sleep as well as alertness thus improves the general experience of patients. When patients get access or are exposed to abundant sunlight. An example of this was seen at the Butter County healthcare center in David city in which a new wellness center featured a unique three thousand plus square foot curved glass curtain wall that goes up to twenty two feet high. This design offers beautiful views of a park and the surrounding natural environment. The design of the building was aimed at creating a more comfortable healing environment and provides a connection through which patients and healthcare staff meet the outside environment. Designs at this healthcare center used building information management technology as well as sun tracking analysis software to create a comfortable environment. Researchers on the impacts of natural environment have also suggested that the impacts

Cultural Context Essay Example for Free

Cultural Context Essay Even though construction is usually considered as originally the activity of men and machines in digging, moving, shaping, erecting, and so forth, the relative use of building materials by the construction industry far exceeds its share in the gross domestic product. Specifically is construction of great significance for that special class of materials sometimes called as the â€Å"physical-structure† materials, which made major things of human civilization. Out of these â€Å"physical-structure† materials the more or less long-lasting and reliably shaped are wood and concrete. They are basic building materials for thin-shell roof construction, walls, tanks, large-diameter pipes, runways, highway bridges and many other structures. Main Body Concrete is related to the most significant building technologies in twentieth and the early twenty first century. However, other important building materials, such as wood, also figure in the construction picture. The poured method of concrete building has been so improved that buildings of this material are now erected as rapidly as a wood structure. Engineering departments all over the world are now prepared to assist engineers, architects and builders to apply concrete and wood to their construction work. Increasingly in the beginning of the twentieth century, when builders were asked how they should build the foundation possessing good physical strength, their answer was concrete. Either by placing the steel frame upon concrete foundations or by placing it upon a more spacious concrete raft foundation, architectural constructors in most cases complement steel with concrete as a problem-solving building material. By reinforcing concrete with steel rods, or by using steel machinery to form concrete blocks as prefabricated building blocks, builders further diversified their architectural techniques. The most approved composition of concrete for general construction consists of a mixture of broken limestone, granite or clean screened mixture of rock fragments, clean coarse sand and cement, in such proportions that the voids between the stone are completely filled by the sand and the voids in the sand completely filled with cement, with a slight excess of cement to guarantee a perfect connection with the stone. To create top-quality concrete, manufacturers need equally high-grade cement. By 1900 approximately three-quarters of that material was Portland cement, named after the tiny island of Portland in the U. K. where a desirable limestone used in its manufacture was descovered. In 1824 Joseph Aspdin, from Leeds, was the first to provide the world with Portland cement, but after 1872 the material was produced in the United States and its popularity spread rapidly (Collins, 1998). At the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition, American Portland cement was displayed to the public as a useful and practical building material, but production only began in earnest in 1880 and domestic cement only began to overtake European imports in 1897, by which time American machinery for crushing aggregate and making concrete had also begun to substitute European machines, even in Europe itself (American Exporter, 1906, 58 (3), pp. 79-87). Wood structures can be constructed more quickly and inexpensively than other kinds. Wood still is used for finish flooring in the living areas of about four out of five homes, although plastic tiles and other materials are gaining ground. Flooring generally involves both the visible flooring and a subflooring. Most frame houses utilize boards for subflooring, but plywood is gaining ground. In buildings which use concrete beams, concrete flooring slabs are generally poured right along with the beams. Steel structures may be floored with poured concrete or with precast concrete or gypsum slabs. Roofs of houses, which have a timber framework and cladding, are likely to have as the foundation wooden board, plywood, or composition planking. However, the current general tendency in home building toward flat, or low-pitched, roofs has led to a partial shift from tile, wood, and asbestos tiles to concrete materials and poured concrete. Because of its important role in residential buildings, wood does only slightly less well than concrete. Although its relative cost has increased with time, it is still the most popular building material all over the world. The open-grained wood of any of numerous coniferous trees, such as pine and cedar, as distinguished from that of a dicotyledonous tree, enters the English home as framing, siding, shingles, finishing panels, sash, millwork, and boarding, used to cover the wall studding or roof joists of a timber frame; the wood of any of numerous broad-leaved dicotyledonous trees, such as oak, beech, ash, etc. principally as flooring, material used for making panels, and trim. In non-residential buildings, wood is put to practice as the most widely used building material for concrete formwork, railroad ties, telephone poles, railings, fences, and many other purposes (BLAIRSLTD). The chief advantages of wood in construction industry include its ease of production and of process by which wood is packaged and transported, its low thermal conductivity, and its strength-to-weight ratio (which is greater than that of cast iron and is identical to that of the stronger concretes) (Rowell 9). Yet, because of its peculiar weaknesses as an organic material, such as vulnerability to fungi and various insects, its relative lack of versatility in terms of design, and its long-term rise in price in comparison with concrete, the relative role of wood as a building material may to some degree decrease in the future, and further replacement may be projected. If considered as a structural material in large building construction, wood has already been largely replaced by concrete framing, brick or concrete walls, and concrete floors. This trend will probably continue in the future. On the other part, wood framing probably will retain its dominating position in the residential building, although giving way a bit to steel, concrete, perhaps aluminium, and sandwich panel method of building. The advantages of metal roof frameworks are gradually reducing the amount of wood required for roof structures. Moreover, for exterior trimming wood is being increasingly substituted by brick exterior and by panels of such building materials as asbestos, metal, and organic materials with a polymeric structure. Dry wall building and the utilisation of gypsum plasterboard and of metal lath are also considerably lessening the need for wood. The most important role for wood is probably in finished flooring, but there are modern trends toward replacement of composition and various types of synthetic materials even in living areas. Wood, like steel, is yielding to aluminum as the leading building material for window frames, door frames, doorways, trim, and other such purposes. In concrete building the formwork is tending change from wood to steel and plywood and also to plastics. Growing popularity of plywood and of laminated structural members may slow down the trend away from wood. Laminated wood arches, structural frameworks of wood, and roof systems have proved appropriate for spanning distances up to 120 feet, and, because of their attractive and pleasant appearance, are today in frequent use in the building of churches and temples, buildings for public gatherings or meetings, shopping areas, and the similar places. Plywood, which to some degree possesses more physical strength than lumber, may replace lumber in almost any of its uses; it is already extensively used in subflooring, boarding, interior panelling, concrete forms, and so forth. Thus, it may be expected to grow in total use at almost twice the rate predicted for lumber. Use of concrete in building is constantly increasing today. It is a changeable mixture of portland cement, fine aggregates (almost always sand), and coarse aggregates (crushed stone, gravel, cinder, slag, or whatever else is available within a particular area). The proportions of these ingredients are influenced by the particular use to which the concrete is to be intended, but they are at most times 1:2:4. As can be seen, cement is the minor component in this mixture. The fact that concrete is the most extensively used building material can be explained by its advantages related to wood among which are versatility, its high breaking strength relative to bricks and other kinds of masonry materials, the low price which makes it comparatively inexpensive material relative to structural steel, and in essence the presence of concrete components almost in all areas (Classic Encyclopaedia). The main uses of concrete in England are in dams, water tanks, pipes and sewers, heavy walls, piers, caissons, columns, and road and sidewalk pavements. In addition, concrete is utilised in the form of units cast in a particular form before being used in building, such as concrete blocks and cast stone, whose principal advantage over wood, brick, and structural tile is that they are costing relatively little. Because of the low flexural strength of concrete, it is combined with steel in most of its construction applications (Classic Encyclopaedia). This combination is made possible by the match of coefficients of thermal expansion of these materials. The amount of reinforcing steel rods, wire, wire-mesh, and so forth needed for a concrete structure is only one-third to one-half the amount needed for a similar completely steel structure. In England, the possibilities of this technique of construction are just beginning to extend its use beyond massive complex constructions. The chief disadvantages of reinforced concrete (also known as ferroconcrete or armoured concrete) in comparison with structural steel are the time and costs of construction, even if one takes account of the applying paints to the surface of steel members and their trimming. It is costly to build and remove forms, shores, and temporary metal or wooden frameworks. Most of the developments, which been made not long ago, in methods of concrete building are somehow related to reducing expense on forms, First, as an alternative to the traditional lumber and plywood, steel and more recently, plastic with fibrous matter to confer additional strength forms have been experimented. Plastics are especially showing great promise, in view of the fact that they are smooth and easily utilised, able to keep water, may be given extraordinary shapes, and may be use again and again from fifteen to twenty times. Second, â€Å"slip-form† pavers have been successfully employed in laying road pavements (Green 1-2). Third, precasting of concrete members has been used as a mass production technique and to provide solid and robust in construction, more unchanging in form concrete, but presents some transportation problems. Fourthly, so-called tilt-up construction and lift-slab construction has permitted walls, floors, and columns to be poured on a horizontal surface and then either tilted or lifted into place. Finally, able to be used more than once, adjustable length steel trusses have removed the need for the multiple strengthening which differently has to be placed under the conventional built-up forms. The faster such form-saving processes are improved and used by engineers and constructors, the faster steel concrete is likely to be used as a structural material. One more limitation of usual concrete is its low heat insulation value. That is why concrete walls are occasionally of a non-load bearing, sandwich type, being composed of a layer of insulating material cast between two concrete slabs. In this application, concrete is to a serious degree threatened by other types of curtain walls, including various types of sandwiches. Alternative way to give concrete protecting properties is to make it with relatively light weight aggregates – such as vermiculite, expanded clay, and so forth. In this form, it not any more has sufficient quality of being physically strong to be used for load bearing purposes, although it has been very well utilised in long-span roof building. Prestressed concrete has gotten great significance as a building material. The basic characteristic of prestressed concrete is that, by compressing concrete and keeping it under compression, the tensile stresses caused by loads are neutralized (CEMENT). The compression is accomplished by casting the concrete around stretched rods or cables, the tension on which is released as the concrete sets. A prestressed beam needs only one-fourth the weight of the steel and one-half the weight of concrete which is needed to support the same load by a usual reinforced concrete member. Although it was patented by a San Francisco engineer in 1886, prestressed concrete did not emerge as an accepted and effective building material until a half-century later. Since then it had been intensively used in Europe for structural purposes. Up to the present moment, prestressed concrete’s applications have been limited mostly to pipes, tanks, runways, and from time to time highway bridges. As engineers and constructors gain experience and manage to reduce the manufacturing expenses, prestressing may become competitive with steel and with reinforced concrete building. After weighing up all the factors, the trend is more toward a substitution of concrete for other building materials than of other building materials for concrete. The use of portland cement which is made by heating a slurry of clay and crushed chalk should more than double in the next decades, may presumably triple, and at its lowest is expected to become greater by at least one-third.