Community Service

Community service isn’t about padding one’s resume, it isn’t about doing things so that one might be proud and arrogant about it. But it is the dawning realization of to the greater understanding our humanity, our fragility and a greater appreciation of the great lives that so many of us lead and deem to be â€Å"normal† when it pretty much is extraordinary in its own respect relative to many other individuals around the world. I spent my hours, dedicated to Community service, as an intern at the North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital. Although taking part in this internship was initiated in order to further my knowledge and experience in the medical field, I was taught how to make relations with unknown people that were for the most part, ill. This has been one of the greatest experiences because I got the chance to interact with many different types of people including doctors, nurses, hospital staff members, and patients. This was a double gift for me because my interests in medicine have been greatly expanded and I was given the honor of being able to help those that were in need, whether it was reading a short book to them, or even closing the curtain in their room upon their request. â€Å"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. †- Mahatma Gandhi. This quote summarizes my experience at the hospital, where I was able to find myself in respect to humanity. When I first got notice that I would be working in a hospital, I was ambivalent: thrilled that I would finally get a chance to experience first-hand what people of the health profession feel, and reluctant because of the atmosphere that would surround me for three hours of a day. Though my intuitions were right to some extent, I didn’t even get a chance to notice the shortcomings of my internship at the hospital. I was always busy with some job or another; from patient interaction to clerical work, my hands were always busy. The first day I went to serve my time at the hospital was quite possibly one of the most enlightened days of my life. I learned more in the three hours than I would in a week if I were to go straight home. Throughout the winter term internship at NSLIJ Hospital I was able to observe a vast array of medical specialties. I learned what it means to be a part of the medical field, and the responsibilities that go along with that. I spent the majority of my time at the hospital shadowing doctors as they went about their daily practices: seeing patients, performing procedures, analyzing test results, collaborating with other doctors, etc. This internship was incredibly valuable as it opened my eyes to time, dedication, and care it takes to become a good doctor. Every few weeks, the interns would switch positions, so that everyone could be a part of most, if not all, departments. There was the ICU, for burn victims; the Children’s Ward, for newborns and infants; the Clerical section, where filing took place; etc. If we were lucky enough, we got the chance to see an actual birth taking place, of course the permission of both the doctor and patient was need along with a strong stomach. In my opinion, the hospital internship is one of the most effective ways in not only putting a person who wants to pursue a career in the health professions on the right path, but also in interacting with people of all sorts. The best thing about this experience was that I was able to put a smile on people’s faces. I received more than just knowledge and experience from taking part in this internship- I received blessings. What more can a person ask for? It was an elderly woman that said â€Å"God Bless You† to me after I had helped her to sit up on her bed. I encourage anyone and everyone to participate in a program similar to this one, because it was beneficial to me in many ways. I was enlightened in the field of medicine and gained experience, I got a chance to build on my people skills, and best of all, I was the source of even the little amount of happiness that I was capable of providing to the people around me! Community Service Community service isn’t about padding one’s resume, it isn’t about doing things so that one might be proud and arrogant about it. But it is the dawning realization of to the greater understanding our humanity, our fragility and a greater appreciation of the great lives that so many of us lead and deem to be â€Å"normal† when it pretty much is extraordinary in its own respect relative to many other individuals around the world. I spent my hours, dedicated to Community service, as an intern at the North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital. Although taking part in this internship was initiated in order to further my knowledge and experience in the medical field, I was taught how to make relations with unknown people that were for the most part, ill. This has been one of the greatest experiences because I got the chance to interact with many different types of people including doctors, nurses, hospital staff members, and patients. This was a double gift for me because my interests in medicine have been greatly expanded and I was given the honor of being able to help those that were in need, whether it was reading a short book to them, or even closing the curtain in their room upon their request. â€Å"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. †- Mahatma Gandhi. This quote summarizes my experience at the hospital, where I was able to find myself in respect to humanity. When I first got notice that I would be working in a hospital, I was ambivalent: thrilled that I would finally get a chance to experience first-hand what people of the health profession feel, and reluctant because of the atmosphere that would surround me for three hours of a day. Though my intuitions were right to some extent, I didn’t even get a chance to notice the shortcomings of my internship at the hospital. I was always busy with some job or another; from patient interaction to clerical work, my hands were always busy. The first day I went to serve my time at the hospital was quite possibly one of the most enlightened days of my life. I learned more in the three hours than I would in a week if I were to go straight home. Throughout the winter term internship at NSLIJ Hospital I was able to observe a vast array of medical specialties. I learned what it means to be a part of the medical field, and the responsibilities that go along with that. I spent the majority of my time at the hospital shadowing doctors as they went about their daily practices: seeing patients, performing procedures, analyzing test results, collaborating with other doctors, etc. This internship was incredibly valuable as it opened my eyes to time, dedication, and care it takes to become a good doctor. Every few weeks, the interns would switch positions, so that everyone could be a part of most, if not all, departments. There was the ICU, for burn victims; the Children’s Ward, for newborns and infants; the Clerical section, where filing took place; etc. If we were lucky enough, we got the chance to see an actual birth taking place, of course the permission of both the doctor and patient was need along with a strong stomach. In my opinion, the hospital internship is one of the most effective ways in not only putting a person who wants to pursue a career in the health professions on the right path, but also in interacting with people of all sorts. The best thing about this experience was that I was able to put a smile on people’s faces. I received more than just knowledge and experience from taking part in this internship- I received blessings. What more can a person ask for? It was an elderly woman that said â€Å"God Bless You† to me after I had helped her to sit up on her bed. I encourage anyone and everyone to participate in a program similar to this one, because it was beneficial to me in many ways. I was enlightened in the field of medicine and gained experience, I got a chance to build on my people skills, and best of all, I was the source of even the little amount of happiness that I was capable of providing to the people around me! Community Service Community service isn’t about padding one’s resume, it isn’t about doing things so that one might be proud and arrogant about it. But it is the dawning realization of to the greater understanding our humanity, our fragility and a greater appreciation of the great lives that so many of us lead and deem to be â€Å"normal† when it pretty much is extraordinary in its own respect relative to many other individuals around the world. I spent my hours, dedicated to Community service, as an intern at the North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital. Although taking part in this internship was initiated in order to further my knowledge and experience in the medical field, I was taught how to make relations with unknown people that were for the most part, ill. This has been one of the greatest experiences because I got the chance to interact with many different types of people including doctors, nurses, hospital staff members, and patients. This was a double gift for me because my interests in medicine have been greatly expanded and I was given the honor of being able to help those that were in need, whether it was reading a short book to them, or even closing the curtain in their room upon their request. â€Å"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. †- Mahatma Gandhi. This quote summarizes my experience at the hospital, where I was able to find myself in respect to humanity. When I first got notice that I would be working in a hospital, I was ambivalent: thrilled that I would finally get a chance to experience first-hand what people of the health profession feel, and reluctant because of the atmosphere that would surround me for three hours of a day. Though my intuitions were right to some extent, I didn’t even get a chance to notice the shortcomings of my internship at the hospital. I was always busy with some job or another; from patient interaction to clerical work, my hands were always busy. The first day I went to serve my time at the hospital was quite possibly one of the most enlightened days of my life. I learned more in the three hours than I would in a week if I were to go straight home. Throughout the winter term internship at NSLIJ Hospital I was able to observe a vast array of medical specialties. I learned what it means to be a part of the medical field, and the responsibilities that go along with that. I spent the majority of my time at the hospital shadowing doctors as they went about their daily practices: seeing patients, performing procedures, analyzing test results, collaborating with other doctors, etc. This internship was incredibly valuable as it opened my eyes to time, dedication, and care it takes to become a good doctor. Every few weeks, the interns would switch positions, so that everyone could be a part of most, if not all, departments. There was the ICU, for burn victims; the Children’s Ward, for newborns and infants; the Clerical section, where filing took place; etc. If we were lucky enough, we got the chance to see an actual birth taking place, of course the permission of both the doctor and patient was need along with a strong stomach. In my opinion, the hospital internship is one of the most effective ways in not only putting a person who wants to pursue a career in the health professions on the right path, but also in interacting with people of all sorts. The best thing about this experience was that I was able to put a smile on people’s faces. I received more than just knowledge and experience from taking part in this internship- I received blessings. What more can a person ask for? It was an elderly woman that said â€Å"God Bless You† to me after I had helped her to sit up on her bed. I encourage anyone and everyone to participate in a program similar to this one, because it was beneficial to me in many ways. I was enlightened in the field of medicine and gained experience, I got a chance to build on my people skills, and best of all, I was the source of even the little amount of happiness that I was capable of providing to the people around me!

How to Overcome a Fear

It is natural for everyone, even the most courageous people, to have fears, which are the body’s bad emotional reactions to something frightened. However, when fears limit people’s everyday routine and keep them from living their life normally, it is time to take control, which is not an easy work. Most people want to overcome their fears, but are not sure how. Here are 4 steps which will be helpful to overcome fears. The first step is analyzing the fear. The more clearly you understand your fear, the easier for you to find how to handle it.Therefore, in this very first stage, you need to identify your fear: its name, its cause and its effect; and determine whether there is a good reason for the existence of the fear because some fears can be healthy emotions that protect you from danger. After that, you also should think about what exactly you want to change. It means that beside the big goal: overcoming the fear, smaller ones is necessary to be set to help you get the re. For example, if your fear is heights, you may want to be able to go on a hiking trip with the outdoor club at school.One more important thing is that all this fear analysis should be written down as a journal. It will be a good way to track your progress of conquering your fear and also a guide for the next time when you have another problem. After the fear is analyzed, in this second step, it will have to be taken control of. It depends on what your fear is. If you are afraid of something because it is a mystery, try exposing yourself to it in small doses until you gain a better understanding and your fear begins to dissipate.Or, if you are frightened by a particular thing, confronting head-on will be the best way to overcome it. No matter which situation you are in, taking control of a fear is not easy. It will take many times before you can declare it conquered. During that long period, to give up is simple and to keep trying is difficult. When you face with setbacks, it can be tempting to give up. Hence, stay determined to persevere even when it seems impossible to get past your fear by keeping these pointers in mind: do not confuse fear with fate and do not let other people hold you back.Changing the way of thinking about fear is the next step. It has to be admitted that sometimes fear also incite feelings of exhilaration and even passion. That is why people enjoy extreme sports, horror movies or other risky games. Try to reframe your fear in a positive light and acknowledge the thrill it can offer and you will not find it frightened anymore. Moreover, fear can be used as a tool to help us identify problems and solve them effectively. It is a guidepost warning us when something needs attention.Once the discomfort of the initial wave of fear passes, examine it more closely to see what you can learn. When you start seeing fear as a source of energy or an opportunity for promotion, you might even embrace its role in your life. Finally, give the fear a pl ace in the life because there is no way to eliminate it totally. Like joy or sadness, fear is a valid emotion. It builds your character and teaches you how to act with courage. Also, do not wait until the fear has been completely overcome to give yourself a pat on the back for your effort.Celebrate each milestone and when you see how good it feels to gain an edge on the fear, you will be ready to face the next one head-on. In conclusion, there are four major steps to help people overcome a fear: analyze the fear, take control of it, change the way of thinking about it and give it a place in the life. All of these steps are not simple and often take much of time and effort to be successful. However, nothing is impossible if you really want and try your best to gain it.

Statistical significance, hypothesis testing, Type I and Type II Essay

Statistical significance, hypothesis testing, Type I and Type II errors - Essay Example When completing hypothesis testing there are two types of errors that may occur: a Type 1 or a Type 2 error. A Type 1 error occurs when the null hypothesis is rejected even though it was true (Bluman 2003). A Type 2 error occurs when the null hypothesis is accepted or not rejected even though it was false (Bluman 2003). An example of a Type 1 error would be a pregnancy test that indicates a person is not pregnant when they actually are. A Type 1 error probability is denoted by an alpha or the Greek symbol of ?. This is in contrast to the Type 2 error, which is denoted by beta or the Greek symbol of ?. An example of a Type 2 would be a pregnancy test that indicates a person is pregnant when they are not. According to the article entitled â€Å"Statistics Tutorial: Power of a Hypothesis Test,† â€Å"the probability of not committing a Type II error is called the power of a hypothesis test†(â€Å"Statistics tutorial: power of a hypothesis test†). Finally, the statis tical significance relates to the probability level of â€Å"committing† the Type 1 error within a hypothesis test (Bluman 2003). The power of a particular statistic, in contrast, is helpful in determining the likelihood of committing a Type 2 error.

Learning Disabilities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Learning Disabilities - Essay Example The study consisted of a sample from seven schools of 1,361 consenting elementary students (678 girls, 683 boys; 55 with LD) of which data was collected two months into each semester beginning in the spring of 3rd grade and ending in the fall of 6th grade. All 55 (34 boys, 21 girls) of the children diagnosed with learning disabilities were in inclusive classrooms. The study included a meta-analysis of intra-group functioning, the features of the peer group in relation to its member size and its standing within the classroom, and 3 other components: being popular, peer nominations for best friend, and social preference. The results from the multiple measures of social functioning yielded that although LD students were members of a peer group with similar features as typical students, and at a similar rate, these students had lower statuses in regards to the classroom as a whole. These same distinctions remained consistent throughout the study period despite the fact that all classrooms were inclusive. Limitations of this study include the sample size of LD students and the certain context-elementary school-as these distinctions may fade in other areas or ages.

Contemporary Issues in Financial Services Essay - 2

Contemporary Issues in Financial Services - Essay Example This paper will, therefore, identify and discuss some of the key and contemporary issues that have emerged in the financial services sector. The main aim will be to bring into focus some of the key issues in the nature and functionality of financial systems that continue to influence the economy and other financial service operations. To begin, it has been noted that the financial systems in the contemporary society have increasingly been associated with a linkage to overall economic conditions of nations. This will be discussed in the section that follows. Links between the Financial System and the Real Economy The relationship between a financial system and the real economy can be clearly understood in three components. They include the composition of aggregate demand, level of aggregate demand and allocation of resources. Composition of Aggregate Demand The financial system plays an important role in the economy in various ways. At the beginning, one should mention aggregate deman ds in relation to the total expenditure of goods and services of an economy for a specified period for a specified price (McEachern, 2011). The financial system of an economy has a bearing on the way its aggregate demand is constituted. One of the ways it influences economic dynamism is in the way it acts as a facilitator of lending on the one hand and borrowing on the other. Since scarcity is one of the great hindrances to economic growth, by providing a means of obtaining extra resources to offset deficits, the financial sector is therefore a good linkage to economic growth (Burton and Brown, 2009). In effect, the financial sector plays a direct role in the effective planning of expenditure independent of an individual or organization’s present income. A good example is the way creditors or lending institutions are able to store wealth for future consumption through giving out at certain levels of interest whereas borrowers are able to acquire finances to make purchases in advance of income. The result of positive influence of a well regulated and efficient financial system will lead to a relatively higher investment rate than that of consumption in the given economy. Since economic growth relies on investment levels, a financial system is, therefore, a necessary component of the economy. Level of Aggregate Demand Financial development levels may also have an influence on the level of aggregate demand. The level of agreement is subject to the rate of flow of the finances or money in the financial system. A high flow, or otherwise referred to as velocity, is a great determinant of the level of aggregate demand. In a financial system, individuals or lending institutions may decide to retain the cash they have at their disposal as a result of taking precautions for speculative purposes or by having them in solid assets. As a result, the flow or velocity of finances may be lowered as a consequence of decreased liquidity. On the other hand, a well function ing financial system that is able to effectively produce a range of assets that are liquid in nature may help reduce the amounts held by the said parties in the financial markets. The resultant effect will be that of increased velocity of money in the economy which is healthy for economic growth enhancement. The level of aggreg

Qestions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Qestions - Assignment Example Likewise, the major ethical issue involved was once it was determined that Hawley and Hazel had a highly racially offensive product how Colgate would seek to deal with such a problem in its very large domestic US market. As is usually said – hindsight is 20/20; however, it is the opinion of this student that seeking to demand that Hawley and Hazel discontinue and/or rebrand the product immediately or risk termination of the partnership should have been engaged upon as a means of ameliorating the damage that would be done to the domestic market based upon the negative reaction of many civil rights groups etc. 3. Is it possible for Colgate and Hawley and Hazel to change the toothpaste’s advertising without sacrificing consumer brand loyalty? IS that a possible reason for Colgate’s not responding quickly to domestic complaints? Ultimately, the answer to the first question is yes. Regardless of how ingenious a marketing rebranding strategy that could have been engaged with, a certain level of loss would doubtless have been realized and other competitors would have greatly benefitted from such a rebranding. Moreover a rebranding requires a large amount of up front funding in addition to the necessary losses that would be exhibited upon brand loyalty. As a function of weighing this level of necessary loss, Colgate opted for merely hoping to ride out the storm; however, as this did not happen, Colgate made a very cost miscalculation. In the end, a â€Å"no management rights† clause was most certainly not the right decision for Colgate. Due to the fact that once the Hawley Hazel toothpaste debacle came to light Colgate had little if any leverage to seek to force a change in branding from the firm it had allied itself with. A far better approach, if the firm had still been set upon a â€Å"no management rights† clause would have been for Colgate to perform a very thorough analysis of

To what extent are a company's annual report and accounts useful in Essay - 1

To what extent are a company's annual report and accounts useful in understanding and analysing its market, productive and fi - Essay Example Other than the owners, there are other internal and external parties who need to study final reports and accounts of a business like the management body, investors, creditors, government agencies, labour unions and tax authorities. This paper discusses the usefulness of annual reports in understanding a company’s market, production and financial performances. Rules of accounts The final reports and accounts of a business enterprise are prepared by the directors whose primary responsibility is to provide a â€Å"true and fair view of the state of the company’s financial position and results†2 at the end of a financial year. In every country there is the Companies Act that provides directions, rules and regulations regarding the format and content of the final accounts that need to be strictly followed. The final reports and accounts are comprised of profit and loss account, balance sheet, cash flow statement, statement of total recognised profit and loss, note on historical cost profit and losses, activities done with funds of the shareholders, notes to the accounts.3 Together these form the financial statements of a business enterprise and they reflect the strength of market relationship, productivity and financial position of the business, and whether it has the ability to sustain and develop in the competitive market in the long run. The profit and loss account which is also known as the income statement provides a summary of the activities of a business and the financial achievements in a particular financial year. It provides information about the â€Å"sales or turnover, operating expenses, exceptional items, interest payments, taxation charges and dividends paid and proposed.†4 Although the profit and loss is prepared in a prescribed format, it is designed in a manner that meets the information needs of the management.5 An example of a published profit and loss account of Pickers PLC is shown in Fig.1. Fig.1: Profit and loss ac count for the year ended 31 March 2003 ?000s ?000s Turnover 20,300 Cost of sales (13,850) Gross profit (or loss) 6,450 Distribution costs (2,314) Administration expenses (1,424) (3,738) Operating profit 2,712 Income from other fixed asset assessment investments 125 2,837 Interest payable and similar charges (813) Profit (or loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 2,024 Users of accounts The main purpose of financial statements is to â€Å"reveal the results and financial position of the business.† For this purpose in every business organization final accounts are prepared at the end of every financial year.6 In a business enterprise, it is not only the owners, shareholders or the management body who need to study the final reports and accounts but there are other internal and external parties who have equal rights to know about the financial condition and stability of the company for variable reasons. These parties are investors, employees, lenders, suppliers and other c reditors, customers, government and their agencies, and the public. Investors are those people or organizations that take risks by investing their monies to buy shares of a company. In

A non- Profit organization name SOLVE INC. Business plan on improving Term Paper

A non- Profit organization name SOLVE INC. Business plan on improving the Poor Performing elementary school in dallas, Texas ISD - Term Paper Example This has allowed us to proffer services that appeal to the customers, essentially to avoid mistakes. The services that we have offered to the market measure our strength and weaknesses. This has answered the needs of customers in a timely manner and provided return trade off. Price Price entails the charge of the services that we are offering; this has been tricky since it determines customer base of our company. We are offering low priced services and products to allow customers afford. In addition, we are non profit Non Governmental Organization thus our services are public oriented. We have been able to observe market environment and competitors’ price strategies to ensure we are relevant. Place Business location is a critical ingredient in success and expansion since it increases convenience between suppliers and the organization. Our location has been strategic especially in residential areas, highly traffic and main roads that are easily accessible. In essence, the strat egy is focused on the commuting families and individuals. In addition, the company aims at supplying their products and services to local businesses, offices and schools. On the other hand, location of business should be close to processing facilities, market and source of supply. Promotion We have committed in advertising our products and services through internet Web site, which has proven to be effective. Notably, internet is fast turning into a major promotional avenue, and the institution believes it will advance with regards to the importance over time. Furthermore, it is the most convenient means for us to wide presence from the onset. 6.1 Target (s) – List major customer now and expected in the future Our major customer at the moment is the S.S Conner Elementary School. After we are successful with the school we will extend our services to other poor performing elementary schools within the area before we expand to other institutions of learning within and outside the state. 6.2 Image The image of our institution is very vital because it finds out the relationship with our customers in the education sector. Having a good image will attract customers and clients to our table. We intend to do what we do best. By being the best in the education industry, we will become a respectable leader in the field. The level of education in Texas should be top-notch. We also seek to promote and offer quality services. This way, clients and prospects will acknowledge our services. 6.3 Promotion Our promotion will center on several key strategies Internet Web site – the internet is fast turning into a major promotional avenue, and the institution believes it will advance with regards to the importance over time. Furthermore, it is the most convenient means for us to wide presence from the onset. Public relations – we will put some amount of effort towards preparing and spreading a constant flow of press releases – they will be based on tales about our activities, destinations, our staff, and corporate clients. The institution will employ a public relations adviser to aid in writing, copying, and locating publications educators. 6.3.1 Image We intend to find a nice logo for out institution, which should explain what we do. Image means a lot especially for small institutions which are ready to face competition in their market. Our image will be

American Shortcomings Beneath the PostCivil Rights Facade Essay

American Shortcomings Beneath the PostCivil Rights Facade - Essay Example Nettles, M.T. & Perna, L.W. (1997). The African American education data book. Volume I: Higher and adult education. Executive summary. Retrieved May 5, 2007, from Education Resources Information Center: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2/ content_storage_01/0000000b/80/26/12/fa.pdf. Orfield, Gary. (2001). Schools more separate: Consequences of a decade of resegregation. Retrieved May 5, 2007, from Education Resources Information Center: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2/content_storage_01/0000000b/80/0d/99/c6.pdf. .. 17. What should be acting as equalizers are proving ineffective (Patterson, 2001)(Orfield, 2001)(Nettles & Perna, 1997). 18. Black Americans have been disproportionately charged with crimes and imprisoned (Fairclough, 2001)(Klinkner, 1999)(Giroux, 2004). 19. None of the problems black Americans face exist in isolation; they all feed and one another. (Giroux, 2004)(Nettles & Perna, 1997)(Orfield, 2001). 20. The government lays the blame for black Americans face on black Americans (Giroux, 2004)(Fairclough, 2001)(Klinkner, 1999). References Fairclough, A. (2001). Better day coming: Blacks and equality, 1890-2000. New York: Viking. Giroux, H.A. & Giroux, S.S. (2004). Take back higher education: Race, youth, and the crisis of democracy in the post-civil rights era. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Jacobson, J., Olsen, C., Rice, J.K., & Sweetland, S. (2001). Educational achievement and black-white inequality. Statistical analysis report. Retrieved May 5, 2007, from Education Resources Information Center: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2/ content_storage_01/0000000b/80/0d/6d/c8.pdf. Judd, D.R. (1999). Symbolic Politics and Urban Policies: Why African Americans got so little from the Democrats. Without justice for all. Adolph Reed, ed. Boulder: Westview Press. 123-150. Klinkner, P.A. (1999). Bill Clinton and the new liberalism. Without justice for all. Adolph Reed, ed. Boulder: Westview Press. 11-28. Nettles, M.T. & Perna, L.W. (1997). The African American education data book. Volume I: Higher and adult education. Executive summary. Retrieved May 5, 2007, from Education Resources Information Center: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2/ content_storage_01/0000000b/80/26/12/fa.pdf. Orfield, Gary.

U.S. Army - Educational opportunities Research Paper

U.S. Army - Educational opportunities - Research Paper Example The background of the report is the situation in US army where the soldiers are missing out on valuable opportunities provided by the US army which is mainly educational opportunities provided by the US army.This report deals with the present problem in the US army where the retention rate of US soldiers has been constantly decreasing. Recruitments and retention rates in the US army has suffered a setback and one of the attributed reason could be the inflexible lifestyle in the US army especially with respect to educational opportunities. The reason for such low retention rates is because of the unawareness regarding the educational opportunities provided by the US army. Earning a degree while working in the military service is very important because the degree earned serves as a promotional tool which can be used by soldiers to get promotions to higher grades. Education is a necessity in today’s armed forces and the military offers a number of educational opportunities for im proving the education among the soldiers. Army offers several benefits like full time tuition, merit based scholarships, allowances in books and fees, and stipend for living expenses for the qualified students. There are many other programs like tuition assistance, eArmyU, CLEP exams which soldiers can take advantage of in order to build the future ahead of them, which they are currently ignoring. This report is based on audience analysis and the research proposal. The report provides a total overview of the current educational system available in the US army and how the retention and recruitment rates in the US army could be improved. Education is the only asset for the future, whether you are a civilian or an army man. So it is important that all the people should have the basic education, which he can continue further or take advantage of it for his future. US departments for defense provides many benefits for the soldier, of which mainly includes the policy for education. They h ave introduced many programs to increase the educational level of people. The soldiers can take benefits out of various policies to secure their future. Currently there are many programs existing within the system to help the soldiers in getting the education they deserve, the only thing that is being lacking is the awareness among people about that. Willingness to know things can create many chances for the future. There are immense education opportunities in the US army and there are various types of educational programs in the army. The report has a methodology section where methods have been used to collect data and a section of data analysis along with conclusion finding and recommendations. Purpose statement: The purpose of this report is providing a report on the recruitment and retention of soldiers in the US army. Background: The background of the report is the situation in US army where the soldiers are

Geography Rivers Essay Example for Free

Geography Rivers Essay 1. The speed and volume of a river varies from place to place along a rivers course because of many reasons. In the upper course, the volume of water is low as there are few tributaries. In comparison, the volume of water in the middle course is higher as there are more tributaries supplying water to the main river channel. The volume of water in the lower course is the highest as the lower course has the most tributaries. However, many other factors will also affect the volume of water in the river. More permeable rocks will result in less surface runoff, thus a lower volume of water. Less permeable rocks will then have more surface runoff, thus a higher volume of water. Vegetation on land such as trees and plants also affects the volume of water, as vegetation intercepts rain. The upper course usually has more vegetation, while the lower courses have less vegetation intercepting precipitation. Sparse vegetation results in less water infiltrating the ground, thus there will be more surface runoff, resulting in a larger volume of water. The climate of the particular area will affect the volume of water in a river too. The volume of water varies for wet and dry seasons as the amount of rainfall changes. Generally, in hot and wet equatorial or tropical area, there is a higher volume of water as compared to dry areas such as deserts. Lastly, the size of the drainage basin will affect the volume of a river. The bigger the size of land area drained by the main river and its tributaries, the higher the volume of water as there is more collection of rainwater compared to a smaller drainage basin which has less surface area for rain to fall on. The speed of the river, is affected by the gradient of the river. In the upper course, the gradient of the river is steep, thus the water is fast-flowing. In the middle and lower courses, the gradient is gentler, thus the water flows more slowly. The roughness of the river channel also affects the speed of the water in a river. Generally, the upper course has a rougher river channel while the middle and lower courses have a smoother river channel. When the river bed is uneven and has a large number of obstacles such as rocks, boulders and plants, there is more friction, causing the water to flow more slowly. The wetted perimeter of the river affects the speed of the water too. The wetted perimeter of the water is the size of the river channel in contact with the water. The upper course has usually a smaller wetted perimeter while the middle course has a larger wetted perimeter. The lower course has the largest wetted perimeter. A larger wetted perimeter decreases the speed of the water due to the friction generated as with more of the river channel being in contact with the rivers water. 2.a) Transport process A is suspension. Suspension occurs when small particles such as silt or clay-sized particles are carried within the water by turbulent flow. Transport process B is traction, and occurs when large boulders or rocks rolled along the river bed. Transport process C is saltation, where small pebbles and stones are bounced or hopped along the river bed. b) Solution is not shown in the figure. Solution is a river transport process in which minerals are dissolved in the water and carried in solution. As the minerals are dissolved in the water and thus invisible to the naked eye, it then cannot be shown in the figure. 3.a) There are 4 main processes of river erosion, including hydraulic action, corrasion, attrition and solution. Hydraulic action is the removing and dislodging of rocks from the bed and banks of the river by the sheer force of the running water. Corrasion, or abrasion, is the grinding of rock fragments carried by the river against the bed and banks of the river. This action both widens and deepens the river channel. Attrition is the knocking of rock fragments in the water against one another. In the process, the rocks become smaller and rounder as the sharp edges are grounded. Through time, rocks become grain sized silt, clay and other sediments. Solution is the process by which river water reacts chemically with soluble minerals in the rocks and dissolves them. For example, when a river stream flows over an area of limestone, it erodes the limestone by reacting chemically with it and dissolves it.

African American and Black Women Essay Example for Free

African American and Black Women Essay The article â€Å"Hip-Hop Betrayal of Black Women† was written by Jennifer McLune and appeared in Z magazine Online in the July 2006 issue. McLune argues that sexism in hip-hop’s culture is a big part and has helped make the industry what it is today. This article can be divided into 5 different sections. In the first section, she talks about Kevin Powell and how he writes how men talk about women in hip-hop. McLune goes on to say that even wealthy white boys talked about African American women in their songs, yet its okay with society. The second section she gives examples of entertainers that talk down on women and some that do not. Common, The Roots, and Talib Kweli are the artist are the artist she names that don’t talk bad about women, but they don’t stop other artist from doing so. Also they back up the artist that does degrade women so in reality they aren’t doing enough. Even black female artist are right along with the men talking about other females (McLune, 297). In the following section, McLune talks about the protest that women have done with little help to the situation. The misogyny is an attack on a woman’s character and it makes the black community looks bad as a whole (McLune, 298). The fourth section is about the acceptance of the hip-hop culture towards black women. Everyone makes excuses and tries to justify what’s going on in hip-hop, but few have actual answers to help. At a point black women writers were called traitors for writing articles and complaining about what was going on (McLune, 299). The author concludes that hip-hop thrives around the fact they bash black women and if they didn’t do this then black women would be more respected in today’s society. After careful examination of McLune’s use of rhetorical appeals, evidence of pathos, logos, and ethos were used throughout the article. McLune wrote about the discrimination of black women throughout hip-hop. The dominate rhetorical appeal used by McLune is pathos, which â€Å"is an emotional appeal that involves using language that will stair the feelings of the audience† (Hooper, etal 86). She complains about being a black woman and hearing the excuses for men when they talk about women in hip-hop and how it is just okay with society. McLune is also irate about the fact that Eve, who is a female rapper raps about women in a bad way and doesn’t seem to think that, that is not right. Another type of appeal McLune uses is logos â€Å"which demonstrates an effective use of reason and judicious use of evidence† (Hooper, etal 86). Back in the 60s it was wrong and considered unfair to demonize colored men, but yet the men in today’s society are disrespecting colored women. The author explains how record labels exploit this and benefit off of the disrespect artist show black women. The least used appeal by McLune is ethos â€Å"which establishes the speaker’s or writer’s credibility† (Hooper, etal 86). Hip-hop owes its success to woman hating. Few artist dare to be different and not speak badly about women and the ones that do, they don’t make it clear that they feel it’s disrespectful for rappers to demoralize women which is not good in itself. McLune uses evidence to support her claim, one type of evidence she uses is examples she brings up Jay-Z rap lyrics and how he talks about women in his songs, â€Å"I pimp hard on a trick, look Fuck if your leg broke bitch, hop up on your good leg. † Also talks about good rappers such as Talib Kweli and how he has been praised for his song â€Å"Black Girl Pain†, but at the same time McLune feels he isn’t fully aware of the pain a black girl goes through. Another type is when McLune uses expert opinions such as Kevin Powell, she quotes him in â€Å"Notes of a Hip Hop Head† he writes that you’d think men didn’t like women as much as they talked about them and how they refer to them as baby mommas, chickenheads, or b*****s (McLune, 297). McLune believes that hip-hop has benefitted from the woman bashing and Powell believes that it has spawned on its own terms of making something out of nothing. A third type is comparisons between other women writers that have spoke about this topic whose articles have been pushed away and they have been called traitors for refusing to be silent about the disrespect the rap community has given black women. Finally, several types of rhetorical fallacies are apparent in this article. One type is ad hominem â€Å"which refers to a personal attack on an opponent that draws attention away from the issues under consideration† (Hooper, etal 93). McLune talks about Jay-Z and his rap lyrics how they are degrading women and explains that he is one of the worst ones in the industry. Another type of fallacy is bandwagon â€Å"which is an argument saying, in effect, everyone’s doing or saying or thinking this, so you should, too† (Hooper, etal 93). For example, she says that same rappers don’t talk about women in their raps, but they don’t say anything to the rappers that do. In reality they know if they were to say something to those rappers that they probably would have a hard time getting somewhere in the rap industry. A final type of rhetorical fallacy is red herring â€Å"that means dodging the real issue by drawing attention to an irrelevant one† (Hooper, etal 95). Kevin Powell blames the negatives in hip-hop on everything but the hip-hop culture itself, he thinks it is another reason for that. McLune also talks about rap lyrics that are bad, but doesn’t bring up the good rap lyrics about women. As a result of man’s betrayal of black women in hip-hop the black women is not respected in today’s society which has been talked about in several articles. Another author who addresses this issue is Johnnetta B. Cole in â€Å"What Hip-Hop has done to Black Women† Cole explains that it has been a growing war between Black men and women since the 60s and hip-hop is a significant and influential site of contemporary gender battles (Cole 90). Both authors state that hip-hop has generated a lot of profit from the way that rap artist talk down on black women. We can follow McLune’s proposal to boycott rap music and maybe just maybe they will realize what they are saying in their songs actually have an impact on the black community and that to make things better artist have to respect woman. Music is a big part in everyday life and it would be hard to get everybody on the same page as to boycott it, but something must happen because black women do need to be treated much better by black men. If society can manage to boycott rap music then artist would be forced to listen to the peoples concern and change their music for the better (McLune, 300). Works Cited Cole, Johnnetta B. â€Å"What hip-hop has done to Black women. † Ebony Mar. 2007: 90. Print. Hooper, M. Clay, Teta Banks, D. Marzette, Beth Arnette Wade. Eds. Analytical Writing: A Guide to College Composition I. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. 2011. Print. McLune, Jennifer. â€Å"Hip-Hop’s Betrayal of Black Women. † Analytical Writing: A Guide to College Composition I. Ed. M. Clay Hooper, Teta Banks, D. Marzette, Beth Arnette Wade. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning, 2011. 296-300. Print.

Popularity of Timber Frame Construction

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

The Truth About White Supremacy: American History X :: essays research papers

The Truth About White Supremacy: American History X   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As a Hispanic, I suppose I should expect or, be prepared, rather, for racism and discrimination. Thankfully, I have not experienced either.. yet. Our world is not perfect; things take place that we rather not know about, but ignoring the problem seems to only make matters worse. The movie American History X, is an admirable attempt to inform us about these types of malicious ignorance that plague our society. The impeccable acting, artistic cinematography, occasional adrenaline-pumping score, and slightly faulted, though award-worthy script, all combine to create an overall exceptional film. American History X should not be immediately dismissed as an archetypal account of a controversial issue, it provides much more than what an audience would expect from a movie of this nature; it is an innovative drama about the unfortunate consequences of racism in a family that is surprisingly yet, frighteningly realistic.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The dynamic that greatly contributes to the efficiency of American History X, is the illustrious acting. Edward Norton flawlessly plays Derek Vinyard, the main character in American History X, who is angered by the murder of his father by two African-American persons who then, therefore, turns to the world of Neo-Nazism searching for comfort toward his father’s death and for further justification for the hatred he has towards the murderers. After being released from prison for serving a three-year sentence of manslaughter after brutally murdering two black individuals, Derek comes out a changed man who no longer persecutes blacks and other minority figures for invading and tragically altering the life of â€Å"true† Americans. Edward Norton is more than perfect for this role. In his â€Å"Believe Me† film review site, Jeffery Huston explains, â€Å"With this performance, Norton emerges as one of the very best actors working in film today.â₠¬  Norton’s performance was indeed electrifying. One particular scene in the film that shows the phenomenal talent he possesses, is the incident that shows us what his character was incarcerated for. After brutally murdering two black victims, police quickly arrive and begin to place Derek under arrest. Norton shines as his character is being seized; as he sets his hands on his head and slowly turns, he meets eyes with his horrified brother, Danny, who witnessed everything, and triumphantly smirks as the sinister expression in his glistening eyes reveals unsettling satisfaction, then smugly raises his eyebrows as if asking his younger brother if he is impressed.

Conrads Heart of Darkness as an Attack Upon Colonialism and Imperialism :: Heart Darkness essays

Attack Upon Colonialism in Heart of Darkness It is very easy for a reader to see Heart of Darkness as a depiction of, and an attack upon, colonialism in general, and, more specifically, the particularly brutal form colonialism took in the Belgian Congo. Consider the book from this point of view, and you will be led to those details which depict the mistreatment of the Africans, the greed of the so-called "pilgrims," the broken idealism of Kurtz, and so on. You will find it important to notice, for example, that French man-of-war lobbing shells into the jungle, or the grove of death which Marlow stumbles upon, or the little note that Kurtz appends to his noble-minded essay on The Suppression of Savage Customs, or the importance of ivory to the economics of the system. As a historian, however, you might also find yourself a little frustrated by the odd fact that the book is so evasive about naming places and people and dates. We can surmise, for example, that Brussels is the city of the whited speculchre, but we might wonder why Marlow can't come right out and name it. One reason for the lack of names, I suppose, is that Conrad was not only interested in the particulars of the history of colonialism as it was applied to the Belgian Congo; he was also apparently interested in a more general sociological investigation of those who conquor and those who are conquored, and the complicated interplay between them. In this light, different--more sociological--questions can be raised and different answers found. The details that might be noticed in this context are, for example, Marlow's invocation of the Roman conquest of Britain, or the cultural ambiquity of those Africans who have taken on some of the ways of their Europeans--Marlow's helmsman, for example, or the Manager's rude servant--or the ways in which the wilderness tends to strip away the civility of the Europeans and brutalize them. Conrad's Heart of Darkness as an Attack Upon Colonialism and Imperialism :: Heart Darkness essays Attack Upon Colonialism in Heart of Darkness It is very easy for a reader to see Heart of Darkness as a depiction of, and an attack upon, colonialism in general, and, more specifically, the particularly brutal form colonialism took in the Belgian Congo. Consider the book from this point of view, and you will be led to those details which depict the mistreatment of the Africans, the greed of the so-called "pilgrims," the broken idealism of Kurtz, and so on. You will find it important to notice, for example, that French man-of-war lobbing shells into the jungle, or the grove of death which Marlow stumbles upon, or the little note that Kurtz appends to his noble-minded essay on The Suppression of Savage Customs, or the importance of ivory to the economics of the system. As a historian, however, you might also find yourself a little frustrated by the odd fact that the book is so evasive about naming places and people and dates. We can surmise, for example, that Brussels is the city of the whited speculchre, but we might wonder why Marlow can't come right out and name it. One reason for the lack of names, I suppose, is that Conrad was not only interested in the particulars of the history of colonialism as it was applied to the Belgian Congo; he was also apparently interested in a more general sociological investigation of those who conquor and those who are conquored, and the complicated interplay between them. In this light, different--more sociological--questions can be raised and different answers found. The details that might be noticed in this context are, for example, Marlow's invocation of the Roman conquest of Britain, or the cultural ambiquity of those Africans who have taken on some of the ways of their Europeans--Marlow's helmsman, for example, or the Manager's rude servant--or the ways in which the wilderness tends to strip away the civility of the Europeans and brutalize them.