Physical Aging Ectocranial Suture Closure

Introduction Forensic science revolutionized crime investigation strategies (White Folkens, 2005). There is no need to elaborate on its importance because it is a well-known fact that innocent people are convicted while guilty criminals are acquitted if forensic anthropologists fail to provide accurate analysis of the evidence collected by law enforcement agencies (Katzenberg Saunders, 2008).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Physical Aging: Ectocranial Suture Closure specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One essential aspect of forensic science is the ability to determine the age of the skeletal remains at the time of death (Lieberman, 2011). The technique is called the ectocranial suture closure method. Traditional adult skeletal aging methods focused on four main regions of the human body: 1) the pubic symphysis; 2) auricular surface; 3) sternal rib ends; 4) cranial sutures (Cox Mays, 2000, p. 70). However, the f ocus of this presentation is on ectocranial suture closure. Cranial suture closure is a technique discovered in the 16th century. However, it was considered as an unreliable adult skeletal aging method. However, anthropologists Meindl and Lovejoy re-evaluated the whole process and came up with a revised method called the ectocranial suture closure method. Methodology This particular technique calls for the examination of the state of closure of the sutures of the skull at defined points on the cranium (Meindl Lovejoy, 1985). There are two major steps in the application of Meindl and Lovejoy’s revised endocranial suture closure method. In the first step, the anthropologist uses a complete skull and takes data measurements from a specific suture observation site called the Ectocranial Vault sutures. In the second step, the anthropologist takes data measurement from another suture observation site called the Ectocranial Lateral-Anterior sutures. These two steps comprise the ect ocranial suture closure method. After the establishment of the specific suture observation sites, the anthropologist will gather data using the revised method developed by Meindl and Lovejoy.Advertising Looking for report on aging? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The ten specific sites are listed as follows: 1) Mid-lambdoid; 2) Lambda; 3) Obelion; 4) Anterior sagittal;5) Bregma; 6) Mid-coronal; 7) Pterion; 8) Sphenofrontal; 9) Inferior Sphenofrontal; and 10) Superior Sphenofrontal (DiGangi Moore, 2012, p.78). These ten sites were divided into the â€Å"vault system† and the â€Å"lateral-anterior system† (Steele Bramblett, 1988, p.57). It is imperative that the anthropologist accurately identifies the specific location of the sutures in accordance to the framework developed by Meindl and Lovejoy. The following information can assist the anthropologist in determining the actual suture locations (see Table 1). Points of the Skull Definition of Terms Mid-lambdoid Midpoint of each half of the lamboid suture Lambda At lambda in pars lambdica of sagittal and pars lambdica of lamboid sutures Obelion At obelion in parts obelica of the sagittal suture Anterior sagittal Point on the sagittal suture at the juncture of the anterior one third and posterior two-thirds of its length (usually near the juncture of the pars bregmatica and pars verticis of the sagittal suture Bregma At bregma in pars bregmatica of the coronal and pars bregmatica of the sagittal sutures Mid-coronal Midpoint of each half of the coronal suture in parts complicate of the coronal suture Pterion At pterion, the region of the upper portion of the greater wing of the sphenoid, usually the point at which the parietosphenoid suture meets the frontal bone Sphenofrontal Midpoint of the sphenofrontal suture Inferior Sphenofrontal Point of the sphenotemporal suture lying at its intersection with a line connecting bot h articular tubercles of the temporomandibular joint Superior Sphenofrontal Point on the sphenotemporal suture lying 2 cm below its juncture with the parietal bone Table 1. Definitions of suture observation sites. After the specific locations were identified, the anthropologist uses a four-point scoring system. The scoring system uses the following criteria: 0 = no observable closure; 1 = minimal closure; 2 = significant closure; and 3 = complete obliteration (DiGangi Moore, 2012, p.78). After observing the ten specific sites, the anthropologist will use a table of composite scores and a mean age and standard deviation for each score (DiGangi Moore, 2012, p.79). The anthropologist compares the values generated and uses the table to determine the estimated age of the skeleton. Research Findings The ectocranial suture closure technique should become one of the major age determination techniques made available to anthropologists. The technique is based on a reliable framework. I t is advantageous to use this particular technique especially when it comes to determining the age group. Moreover, this technique provides the capability to determine the age of the skeleton if other techniques are non-available. At the same time this technique can be used to validate age estimated generated by other techniques.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Physical Aging: Ectocranial Suture Closure specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The ectocranial suture closure can help provide an age estimate of the skeletal remains. But scientists are unable to provide a clear explanation when it comes to the correlation of suture closure and age. Another major disadvantage of this technique is the broad age intervals. The broad range intervals can be a problem when it comes to forensics. Forensic anthropologists are faced with the challenge to provide accurate estimates of age while taking into consideration human varia tion in the aging process (Dirkmaat, 2012 p. 203). According to one commentary, â€Å"the narrower, or more precise the age estimate given, the more helpful it can be to law enforcement when eliminating possible identities† (Dirkmaat, 2012 p.203). Critics are quick to point out that this particular technique is an unreliable skeletal aging method (Meindl Lovejoy, 1985 p. 57). Detractors rejected cranial suture closure and remarked that it cannot be trusted (Meindl Lovejoy, 1985, p. 57). Nevertheless, after an in-depth study on different techniques, it was discovered that â€Å"no single skeletal indicator of age at death is ever likely to accurately reflect the many factors which accumulate with chronological age, each of which contribute valuable information to the age estimate† (Meindl Lovejoy, 1985, p. 65). It o therefore important to useIt is therefore imperative to reconsider the value of the ectocranial suture closure as an alternative tool in the determinatio n of the age of the skeleton at the time of death. Conclusion The ectocranial suture closure technique is not reliable when it comes to precise age estimates. Anthropologists said that there are broad age intervals. At the same time they cannot provide a clear explanation with regards to the correlation between suture closure and age of the skeleton. But this technique is useful when it comes to the determination of age groups, whether the skeleton belongs to a child or an adult. Furthermore, this technique is useful when it comes to the validation of age estimates provided by other skeletal age determination techniques.Advertising Looking for report on aging? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More References Cox, M Mays, S 2000, Human osteology: in archaeology and forensic science, Oxford University Press, UK. DiGangi, E Moore, M 2012, Research methods in human skeletal biology, Academic Press, UK. Dirkmaat, D 2012, A companion to forensic anthropology, Blackwell Publishing, UK. Katzenberg, M Saunders, S 2008, Biological anthropology of the human skeleton, John Wiley Sons, New Jersey. Lieberman, D 2011, The evolution of the human head, Harvard University Press, MA. Meindl, R Lovejoy, O1985, ‘Ectocranial suture closure: a revised method for the determination of skeletal age at death based on the lateral-anterior sutures’, The American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 68 no.1, pp. 57-66. Steele, D C Bramblett, 1988, The anatomy and biology of the human skeleton, Texas A M University Press, TX. White, T Folkens, P, 2005, The human bone manual, Elsevier Academic Press, UK. This report on Physical Aging: Ectocranial Suture Closure was written and submitted by user Ed1s0n to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The burden of Hitlers legacy

The burden of Hitlers legacy Alfons Heck was born around 1927 in Rhineland near the Morsel River Region. He was brought up by his grandmother and a number of uncles and aunts. His parents and twin brother occasionally paid him visits in the farm where he lived. Hitler ascended to power when Alfons Heck was just six years old; that was in the year 1933. His teacher at that time was a full blown follower of the Nazi (Heck 2).Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on The burden of Hitler’s legacy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Even at his young age, Alfons somewhat had a sense of admiration for his teacher and the ideals he stood for. Hitler’s regime had successfully turned him into a fanatic who was willing to lay down his life for a cause he believed was both just and achievable. For the following five or so years, Alfons attended school normally like other children and served as an altar boy in his local church. Germany had remained in turmoil in the years following World War 1 and this offered an ideal setting for the emergence of firebrand political leadership who would establish and enforce extremist ideologies (Heck 6). At this time in Germany’s history, citizens were under immense pressure to make payments to the victors of war and the country was grappling with a serious economic crisis. This was when Adolf Hitler came to be known since he offered easy explanations to the problems that the people were facing and he went ahead to offer quick fix solutions. In his opinion, the Jews were to be blamed for Germany’s downfall in World War 1 and the subsequent peace treaty that was a source of embarrassment to the nation. The Nazis cunningly capitalized on the political and economic distrust of the middle class and made up lies about the Jews (Heck 11).The party enjoyed a significant rise in popularity and this saw Hitler ascend to the post of Chancellor in the year 1933. Some people thought he co uld have been instrumental in dealing with communists proponents. Hitler began forming structures of the Nazi State that were based on authoritarian principles and racism. Individuals’ rights and freedoms were revoked while rights entrenched in the Weimar Constitution were renounced. Jews suffered persecution and discrimination, and in the year 1933, they were expelled from the civil service. This year also saw the abolishing of all trade unions. All elements of government were ‘harmonized’ to completely fit into Nazi control while all other political parties were outlawed. Germans were made to believe that their destiny was to grow and enlarge a superior population that would rule the Soviet Union. A policy was put in place to encourage the bearing of racially pure Aryan children (Heck 12). Other groups of people like Gypsies and the Jews were classified as racially inferior and were set to be eliminated.Advertising Looking for book review on history? Le t's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In that year, Nazi groups started the indiscriminate killing, molesting and maiming of Jews. Their businesses were forcefully shut while others were destroyed. Those that remained open were boycotted by the larger German population. More racist decrees and laws were formulated and enforced. The Jews were accused by the Nazis of being responsible for socialism, communism and revolutions and their positions both economically and politically placed them strategically for involvement in conspiracy theories. Thousands of Jews were confined in concentration camps while their property and synagogues were torched (Heck 13). In schools, the Nazi regime ensured that messages against Jews were relayed to children as little as four years old. This was a deliberate step by the Nazi to ensure that from a tender age, the children would be programmed to believe that Jews and other minority groups were a threat to them and that they were criminal and inferior to them(Heck 15). The teachers were instructed to ensure that their pupils forever remained to be enemies of minority groups. This indoctrination went a long way in molding the thinking and actions of Alfons Heck plus a huge number of boys who were later recruited into Nazi groups. A majority of the teachers were also ardent believers in the cause of the Nazi regime and worked to ensure they influenced their students to identify with the Nazi ideology. The author was just a young boy at the time the war commenced, but by the time it came to an end, he was an officer who was highly ranked in the group known as the Hitler Youth. The recruitment of Alfons and very many people into this group was done through carefully executed brainwashing of citizens by the flash and power of Adolf Hitler and his numerous promises for a new world order in Germany(Heck 28). He was an eager participant in a number of youth rallies that took place all over Germany and was chosen to be the leader of a large group of young boys who had been recruited to join in fighting the war. As the forces in the war began facing depletion, Hitler started depending more and more on this group (the Hitler youth). At the tender age of fifteen, Alfons had risen to become a high ranking glider pilot. When he was sixteen years old, he had already become a Bannfuhrer which is an equivalent to the present day’s rank of a Major General in the United States Army and was put in charge of more than sixty thousand troops.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on The burden of Hitler’s legacy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He stayed in Luftawaffe for some time when a loss of the war started becoming imminent. After his short stint in Luftawaffe, he was transferred back to the war front; specifically to a wall that was along the western border post of Germany (Heck 32).It was there h e got to personally meet and talk to Adolf Hitler. Hitler conveyed a sense of interest in Alfons and honored him with the Iron Cross for his exemplary service. When the war ended, the Allied Troops arrived to his town and since he could not communicate in fluent English and the soldiers were not conversant with German, they used him to capture all the Nazis who had now gone into hiding. When his identity was discovered, he was thrown in jail together with others. By the time the war drew to a close, the author had lost almost all his friends and the town where he was born had been reduced to mere rubble (Heck 48). While in jail, there were times when he thought that he would be executed. This was because during the war, the death of one German was avenged by killing thirty French soldiers. He was among those who sought the French soldiers that were used for the revenge missions. After spending some time in confinement, quite a number of inmates still defended the cause of the Nazis and saw nothing wrong with what they had done. Until Alfons saw the ruins that had become of Germany, he had not begun to question their fanaticism of the Nazi. During his trial, it was revealed that by December 1939, it had become compulsory for every German child above the age of ten years to join one of the two factions of the Hitler Youth group. He used this as one of his lines of defense. However, this did not aid in clearing his name at the tribunal since it was argued that with the passing of time, he had become an adult and was fully accountable for his words and actions. Amnesty did not also help acquit him because at the time he stood before the tribunal, he was already an adult. Up to this time, some of his fellow inmates still did not understand why they were being imprisoned while all they had done is serve their country and obey the orders they had received from their superiors. In prison, life was harsh due to the hard labor the inmates were subjected to and starvatio n (Heck 70). They were once given a task to dig up mass graves of French prisoners who had succumbed to injuries they got in a fighter bomber assault. After seven months in jail, he was permitted to return to school and go home during the nights. It was after going back to school and seeing his wrecked home that Alfons truly began to brood about his life under Hitler’s reign. The promises that had been made had turned to a nightmare. This period in time was marked by a serious economic crisis with large numbers of German women turning to prostitution as a means to earn money while most men were in captivity. People had given up their dignity in search for food and basic items; this was a great contradiction to what had been expected to be the ‘new Germany’.Advertising Looking for book review on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More When the author saw the destruction and suffering of the Germans, it dawned on him that he had done his utmost best fighting for the wrong cause (Heck 82). It is worth noting that even though a majority of teachers and civil servants had been quick to embrace the new ideology, there was still a number that resisted the pressure, clung on to their principles and refused to be members of the Nazi. The Allied troops sometimes acted unjustly as in the case where Alfons’ twin brother came to visit him and his grandmother and was seized by the troops, locked up, sodomized, then released. Within the confines of the school, a new crop of Germans was emerging; one that was fed up with threats from the French. They threw out books that were written in French without fear of the consequences had they been caught. An intervention by the principal helped quiet the boys and got them to cooperate with the teachers including those who had originated from France. Seven months after Alfons had faced the tribunal, he sought permission from the liaison officer for matters concerning education from the French Military Government to visit Nuremburg. The trial was coming to an end and he wanted to catch a glimpse of the proceedings. He was granted a two week pass and allowed to travel (Heck 102). Nuremberg was a significant place because it had witnessed many domestic triumphs by Hitler and the Nazi. It was a place that synonymous with the Nazi regime however, to many German Jews and minority groups it was a place of terror and fear. It was from there that the Nazi regime made public the Racial Laws in the year 1935 that automatically revoked the citizenship of Jews. Due to brainwashing, most Germans had applauded that move and thought it would work towards enhancing the country. The mainstream churches did not do much to oppose this violation of civil rights probably due to fear of reproach from a regime that had dealt ruthlessly with opposition. At the beginning of the twen ty one trials, most Germans viewed the proceedings with complete indifference. They interpreted the trials as their victor’s way of exerting revenge upon them. There was no sign that the nation was prepared to come to terms with the real events or dealing with their feelings of guilt. Alfons was able to listen to the trials via some loud speakers that had been placed outside the trial chambers and heard the entire evidence of the charges that were leveled against the Nazi leadership. There were confessions by a number of the leaders including the man who was in charge of training the young boys who were members of Hitler Youth. He was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to a jail term of not less than twenty years. This was a major turning point for Alfons Heck who now fully realized that the men he had adored and served under had betrayed him and other Germans (Heck 108). That was the moment he discovered the scale of murder, child abuse and the countless a trocities that had been unleashed on innocent people. That was when he started to dissociate himself with the Nazi ideology he had once revered. He began his long journey of ‘rehabilitation’ that took many years. Like Alfons, so many young Germans had been duped into believing that they were doing their country great service by joining these groups. The way in which the Nuremberg trials were carried out elicited criticism since some argued that it imposed ex post- facto kind of justice which means; that the rules were created after the crimes were committed. Some said that it served as a catharsis for those who ‘won’ the war and needed to put people on trial to quench their hatred. Despite the limitations of the process, the trials achieved some significant objectives which included; preventing a blood bath which would have been witnessed had the Nazis been tried in courts that would have afforded them very able defenses (Heck 262). The accused parties were given more justice than they would have given if the tables were to be turned. The concept of individual accountability and personal responsibility was introduced and it helped dispel the notion that orders from superiors were to be followed at all costs (Heck 270). After the trials, waging aggressive war was criminalized and a declaration of human rights was drafted and adopted. Despite a number of confusing sentences and acquittals, it could be concluded that justice was served. The messages that had been relayed through the media about certain groups of people being inferior to others had been rubbished. In comparison to the heavier sentences of those tried by the tribunal in Nuremberg, Alfons’ sentence looked like a slap on the wrist even though a chunk of his youth had been used negatively. Heck, Alfons. The burden of Hitlers legacy.New York: American Travellers Press, 1988.print.

Ethics and Values in the Work Place Research Paper

Ethics and Values in the Work Place - Research Paper Example The discussions about international business ethics are as old as international business itself. Throughout the decades of the 1980s and 1990s business ethics was mainly a branch of learning being trained in business schools and argued by scholars. (Charles, 2003) However, by the end of the 20th century business practitioners deal with numerous intimidating issues. A few more imperative concerns are sheathing yield of production, oppressive societal and narrow costs, dissatisfied and unfaithful staffs, a growing surge of worldwide antagonism, geopolitical turbulence, erratic currency structures, and periodic pressures of inflation, depression, and universal market volatility. A profound acquaintance of values and ethics drive business practitioners, their employees, and their organizations to do what they do might well assist them not only to endure current complexities but also to provoke the influential social and technical streams renovating the global business structure. (Frederi ck, 1995) D'Silva (2007) defines business ethics and values as an ability to distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad etc. Anything one may consider appropriate conscientiously may be regarded as ethical and vice versa. However this simply not enough as stated by D'Silva (2007) values and ethics comprise one's intellects to discriminate between moral and immoral in addition to willingness to facilitate someone in a positive manner. Business Ethics may be an approach of honorable doctrines practiced in the business world globally. It imparts strategies for suitable conduct by corporations not only in the policy formulation but in routine activities as well. A moral attempt has so far become essential in the determination of the reputation of the business and ultimately the success of course. In order to achieve this reliable status, business concerns are now making efforts to prepare and follow ethical codes of conduct decoding into the perceptions of commercial and individual account ability. A Model of Ethical decision making McDevitt, et. al., (2006) have created a model of ethical decision-making that amalgamates the decision making procedure plus the content variables taken into consideration by those coping with ethical problems. The model explains the decision-making procedure in surroundings of disagreements, alternatives and assurance with content variables. An improved interpretation of the procedure will help managers in coming up with strategies that improves the probability of ethical conduct in their firms. External environment Figure 1: Adopted from McDevitt, et. al., (2006) A number of Subject matter variables have been presented by the researchers to elucidate the ethical decision making but here only few are chosen in context with the application. These are individual and situational variables. As Figure 1 demonstrates how individual traits of a person are associated with different situational aspects to reach a final decision. Need of Educating Values and Ethics in Business Schools for Career Development As stated by Cornelius, N. et. al., (2007) in order to meet the call of the day it has become a

Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 11

Philosophy - Essay Example Stoicism was founded by three early thinkers – Zeno of Citium in Cyprus (344-262 BC), Cleanthes (d. 232 BC) and Chrysippus (d. ca. 206 BC). â€Å"Chrysippus was particularly prolific, composing over 165 works, but we have only fragments of his works. The only complete works by Stoic philosophers that we possess are those by writers of Imperial times, Seneca (4 BC-65 AD), Epictetus (c. 55-135) and the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180) and these works are principally focused on ethics† (Baltzly, 2004). On the surface, Stoicism emphasized the idea that the true sage, in his zealous pursuit of wisdom, would find all the happiness he could want in his knowledge and subsequent inner tranquility. The ultimate source of this tranquility is achieved through the fire of the soul as it becomes connected with the fire of God, who permeates everything. Because they felt that the laws of nature were absolute and that the essential nature of humans was reason, they felt people could d o no other than ‘live according to nature.’ The Epicureans, on the other hand, felt that the greatest goal in life was to experience pleasure. Founded on the ideas of Epicurus (340-270 BC), Epicureanism centers on the idea that pleasure in moderate amounts as well as an absence of bodily pain was necessary for one to gain a state of tranquility and freedom from fear. This was obtained through the obtaining of knowledge, friendship and by living a virtuous and temperate life. The key to how this philosophy differed from other forms of pleasure-seeking philosophies was in the term ‘moderation.’ Although it was all right to have sex, to become involved in an all-consuming passionate affair or to have sex too often could easily throw one out of balance, making it preferable to simply abstain. In addition, this philosophy was firmly grounded upon scientific, rather than divine, principles presuming that an understanding of the world around us, and a physical understanding of

Project Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Project Management - Assignment Example 1.2. Mission of the Project The project is geared towards attaining a specific mission. The mission is focuses towards ensuring that the new training program applicable in Northwest region of the United Kingdom is extended to other areas of the United Kingdom. Therefore, the mission of this project is to improve employee performance through implementing effective employee training programs in all parts of the United Kingdom. 1.3. Objectives The overall goals and mission of this project shall be achieved through various objectives. The objectives shall be undertaken in the course of this project. ... They are expected to extend this knowledge by training their employees in their respective companies. Moreover, they may also facilitate the project through provision of resources such training venues et cetera. The Project Board This project shall be facilitated by a project bored, basically responsible for planning and implementation of various programs involved within the project i.e. provision of time plans, sourcing for resources from various stakeholders and also implementation of the project plans. Additionally, the project bored shall also engage in negotiations with different stakeholders in order to seek their consent to conduct these trainings. Enterprise Holdings This is an imperative part of the stakeholders that shall be engaged in this project. Enterprise Holdings forms the basis of this project. The project focuses on the extension of new employee training programs to different parts of the United Kingdom. Various Companied in different parts of the United Kingdom are expected to benefit from this project. Project Coordinator The project coordinator is one of the most pertinent facilitators of this project. The coordinator shall ensure that the five objectives and the overall goals of this project are achieved through creating commitment among the project implementers. Additionally, he shall facilitate organization, planning as well as the implementation of the planned project activities. Consequently, the coordinate shall ensure that there is consultation among the project team in the case there are challenges faced. The consultation processes are basically meant to facilitate collective problem solving activities. External Monitoring and

Refurbishment and its advantages

Refurbishment and its advantages Chapter 1 Introduction In recent years there has been a large increase in the refurbishment of old and vacant properties in preference to constructing new builds. Some of the reasons for this may be: legislative reasons i.e. if a property is a protected structure and there is no choice but to renovate it. During the boom there was so much money that people could afford to own a second home and invested money in refurbishing older houses with the intention of selling to make a profit or renting. Or the advantages to be gained by opting for refurbishment rather than a new build project. 1.1 What is Refurbishment? There are a number of definitions for refurbishment, for example â€Å"Refurbishment is the process of major maintenance and minor repair of an item, both aesthetically and mechanically.† A very broad definition of the term is ‘work undertaken to an existing building. However, refurbishment schemes can take many forms and may be undertaken for a variety of different reasons. Another definition for refurbishment is Extending the useful life of existing buildings through the adaptation of their basic forms to provide a new or updated version of the original structure. (Riley, Cotgrave 2005) The amount of work that is required in order to achieve these definitions stated above will be very different on different projects, and will depend on: The condition of the existing structure The shape and size of the existing structure The location of the structure The intended use of the structure The amount of work required to the existing structure to enable compliance with current Building Regulations Whether the building is listed, either who Adequate funding for the works Whether or not the works can be carried out safely. (Riley, Cotgrave 2005) Some other terms, which are used instead of, and also in conjunction with the term refurbishment, are: Conversion The use of the building may be altered but the structure will remain the same. Renovation The process of restoring or improving a structure Restoration The process of bringing a building back to its original state Retrofit the use of new and more modern systems in an existing building. Refurbishment is difficult to define as it could include one or all of the above elements, but as the dissertation continues there will be different aspects of refurbishment discussed thus leading to a greater understanding of the term. 1.2 The advantages of Refurbishment 1.2.1 The availability of buildings suitable for refurbishment Advances in modern day lifestyle, in terms of work and leisure, have led to larger numbers of buildings becoming outdated and redundant. In effect this has produced a large number of buildings which are ideal for refurbishment projects, or even conversion to suit new uses. (See Appendix A, Fig 1 Fig 6) 1.2.2 The quality of buildings suitable for refurbishment In a large amount of the cases, the buildings themselves are structurally sound and well constructed, this, for some people tends to be deciding factor in favour of refurbishment. You should never judge a book by its cover is a common phrase but often a book with a poor cover is never opened. However in some instances when the buildings are surveyed in detail,and, the potential developers and buyers are dealing with well constructed and structurally sound buildings. These buildings in turn provide a perfect basis for refurbishment to be carried out. 1.2.3 Shorter Development Period   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the main advantages of refurbishing a building ahead of a total new build is that in most cases, new accommodation is available in a much shorter period of time. If a total demolition and construction of a structure is planned instead of refurbishing, the structure then generally it will take a considerably longer time period to carry out. This may not always be the case, for example, if the building needs to be structurally altered and also if the building is unstable then it could prove that a demolition and new build would be the best option as refurbishing a building such as this would be very time consuming and expensive. In general, it is believed that in most cases the time which is spent on a refurbishment job (including pre contract planning and planning permission) is only a half to three quarters of the time which is needed to complete a demolish and new build construction. Because of the time saved on the refurbishment of the structure there are financial rewards such as; the shorter development period reduces the cost of financing the scheme and also the client receives the building sooner which he in turn receives revenue sooner from renting etc (Highfield,2000) 1.4 Planning permission is not always necessary A big positive aspect of refurbishing a house or building is that in some situations planning permission is not needed, for example. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning permission is required for ‘development. However, Section 4 (h) of the Act states that â€Å"the carrying out of works for the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of any building which affect only the interior of the building, or do not materially affect the external appearance of the building does not constitute development†. (www.irishstatutebook.ie). Works like these do not constitute development. Therefore if a house or building is being refurbished internally and nothing is being carried out on the exterior of the house then there may be no need to get planning permission for the works. There are exceptions to this rule of course, such as mentioned in section 4h of the Act which states that if the use class of the building changes then planning permission is required. For example if someone decides that it wants to refurbish the interior of a house to become a shop or pub but no works are being carried out externally, planning permission will still be required. (M Taggart, 2008) 1.5 The large amount of structures available for refurbishment. Because of the constant developments in technology, design, quality, appearance and performance in the building industry, peoples desires for houses and properties have also developed with the market leaving many structures which are lacking in these areas abandoned, obsolete and redundant. As most of these houses and buildings are structurally sound and built in great locations they provide lots of potential opportunities for the public to undertake refurbishment projects. Once it was believed that it was necessary to move into towns and cities so as to be closer to everything such as shops, factories, amenities etc, and because of this many people decided to leave the countryside and move closer to the cities. This left many properties empty in the countryside. Nowadays however the times have changed and people are trying to move away from all of the hustle and bustle of towns and cities, and are instead moving out to the peace and serenity of the countryside. The large number of abandoned properties in the countryside provides ideal opportunities for people to refurbish the properties into modern homes in lovely surroundings, and for a much lower price than demolishing and rebuilding. (Highfield, 2000) 1.6 Environmental aspects As we all know, these days we are constantly hearing about the effects, problems and concerns of global warming. The experts keep telling us that it is because of the worlds huge consumption of energy we need to re-use, re-place and re-cycle our present resources much more so as to decrease our rate of using up our energy resources and to slow down global warming. Whenever a building is recycled, by opting for refurbishment rather than demolishing and rebuilding the structure then a large amount of energy is being saved by avoiding the need to extract raw materials and convert them into a replacement building. Smaller scale refurbishment, for example; when the existing structure and the external building envelope are retained, will clearly yield the greatest energy savings, but even the more drastic renovations, where larger scale refurbishment takes place involving the structural aspects and the refurbishing of the outer leaf will mostly use up considerably less energy resources than the choice to demolish and rebuild. (Highfield,2000) Even though this may only seem like a very small saving of energy compared to the overall consumption of energy, if a lot of projects are refurbished instead of being demolished and rebuilt then a lot of energy could be saved. 1.7 Aesthetic/ Architectural advantages Another advantage of choosing a renovation project is the aesthetic and architectural advantages that can be obtained if attractive older buildings are chosen to refurbish. The reason for this is because a lot of older houses and buildings were constructed with highly expensive materials, natural materials, high quality and skilled workmanship. All of these factors contribute to a very attractive faà §ade to the exterior and interior of the building. An example of the architectural quality that an older building has is when you see an old house, with the outer leaf of the house being constructed using cut limestone (Highfield,2000) If a refurbishment project is undertaken on a house or building that already has highly architectural and aesthetic qualities such as Skilled workmanship Antique furniture and fittings Highly attractive faà §ade In the vicinity of other architecturally attractive properties Expensive materials Then these qualities along with the proper carrying out of the refurbishment work, could add to the financial value of the house or building when the works are finally completed. 1.8 The financial cost involved in the refurbishment project. On renovation projects the overall cost of financing the actual scheme will mainly depend on the following factors. The cost of the renovation works The duration of the scheme The level of interest rates prevailing at the time of the scheme As we well know the financial cost of any type of construction project is of huge importance, so in a renovation project the financial aspect can have a major advantage over other options. In a large number of renovation projects the total interest payable on the money borrowed will be much less than that for a new build because of the lower overall costs and the shorter development periods of renovation and refurbishment projects. Because of the way that the interest rates are increasing in the past year or two it would prove much cheaper to choose a renovation option (Highfield,2000) 1.9 Availability of existing infrastructure When a refurbishment project is being carried out, the contractors can, in a lot of cases, use the existing infrastructures, which are in place, such as: Water services Electricity Gas mains Waste water connection Cables and telecommunication These infrastructures would not be available if for example a new build was chosen on a green field site. The availability of these infrastructures can prove to be very beneficial financially to the client as there is no need for the services, which are aforementioned above to be installed Other than the direct financial savings that are being achieved, there are indirect savings to be achieved such as, the development period being further shortened because of the infrastructure already being in place whereas this time saving would not be available if no infrastructure was in place. References BOOKS Highfield, David (2000) Refurbishing and Upgrading of Buildings, E F spoon Taggart Martin (2008) Lecture notes on Refurbishment Riley, Cotgrave (2005). The Refurbishment and Maintenance of Buildings, Macmillan WEB SITES http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2000/en/act/pub/0030/sec0004.html#parti-sec4

The Unhealthy Diet of College Students Essay -- Expository Research Es

The Unhealthy Diet of College Students People eat food every day without thinking twice about it, because it is a necessity for us to live. How often do you think about what is in the foods that you eat? How many calories does it have? Are there any vitamins and minerals in it? Is it high in fat? For most of us and especially college students who live a busy life on the go, the answer to that question is probably no. Since becoming a recent graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania Academy of Culinary Arts, I have been more interested in food and what people are eating. Also since more young Americans are becoming obese I want to find out what they are eating and where. Going to college and seeing how students have poor eating habits I want to find out why they are eating this way. Is it because they are away from home for the first time? Or is it because that is the only food that is available for them? I also want to find out if students would eat healthier if it was provided for them? My hypothesis is that students eat unhealthy because it is more convenient for them. There is usually no time to cook a homemade meal and most college students are always in a hurry so it is easier to pick up takeout. Also most college students don’t know how to cook. I also believe that most college students don’t care if the food is unhealthy for them, as long as it tastes good. Hopefully, in the following pages I will uncover the wide world of college eating. The research methods that I used for this paper were surveys, interviews and observations. I performed a survey on ten college students in which I asked various yes and no questions and ones with various multiple-choice answers. Do you have a meal ... ...omething to go. I found out that college student’s want foods that are quick, taste good, and cheap. The limitation to my research was that I only passed out ten surveys all at the cafeteria. Perhaps if I did more or passed them out at a different location I might have gotten different results. I also only interviewed two people, and a larger sample might have changed my results. Also only observing my roommates shopping might have limited me to what I always eat, other college students might buy healthier foods when they shop. Take a minute now and think about what you eat in an average day and see if you fall into the categories of eating unhealthy with the majority of college students. Next time you buy something to eat take a second and look what’s in it and think to yourself. Should I be eating this? Or is there something healthier that I could be eating?

Do You Think Parents Should Be Punished for the Crimes Their Teenage Children Commit?

Do you think parents should be punished for the crimes their teenage children commit? Teenage crimes are on the rise and in trying to prevent this condition from aggravating, people start to consider an alternative solution – to punish the parents instead. The question is, are parents really the core of the problem or are there other bigger issues we have to consider? Punishing parents by law is certainly not the ideal way to handle these rising crime rates. Though it cannot be denied that parents are responsible to a small extent, they should not be punished by law for the crimes their teenage children commit simply because they have limited influence and control over them As studies have shown, parents are not the only influence in a child’s behaviour. What plays a bigger role is the society. The school and the media are two major components. Typical children in today’s society spend majority of their youth in school, not at home. In schools, these teenagers are often affected by peer pressure. They are often blinded by this desire to be accepted and to blend in with the rest of their friends. Many a times, children are influenced by the wrong kind of peer pressure – pressure to behave inadequately, including committing crimes. The media is another powerful influence. The pervasiveness of the media makes it difficult for children to avoid all those violence and negative demonstrations in television programs, movies, music, advertisements and so on. What children see and hear from their friends or the media are often reflected in their actions. Exposure to such an undesirable environment with many negative influences have instigated them to make the wrong decision and lead the wrong path. Children do not always grow up to become the kind of person their parents desired. Parents could have provided their children with appropriate moral education, living conditions and the warmth of a family. Unfortunately, due to all these powerful external influences from the society, their children turned out to be a huge contrast to what the parents were expecting. Moreover, it is beyond the parents’ capabilities to achieve complete control ver their children’s actions. In this phase of life, teenagers are often rebellious and tend to oppose their parents. Parents have limited control over their children. In other words, they have only as much control as their children would allow them to. Every individual has his or her own mindset, rights and ability to make decisions. It is impossible for one to have full control over ano ther. Therefore, parents cannot be expected to control the uncontrollable. In addition, children can abuse the law in order to get their parents to let them have their own way. All they have to do is to threaten that they would commit a crime and get their parents into trouble with the law. If this is beyond the parents’ control, punishing parents for their children’s crimes will not work since it does not in any way allow them to have complete control over their children’s actions. Furthermore, it might even put parents in a difficult position. In face with situations like this, parents are helpless too. On the contrary, parents are the ones who brought their children into this world, not the society. It was their choice and they have to take responsibility for it. Creating a child is different from nurturing a child. Nurturing would require parenting, and parenting encompasses a myriad of responsibilities. Parents have to teach their children of the moral values and it is from all these values that children can learn to control their own actions independently. If parents neglect their children, it is not surprising that they are easily influenced by the society and cannot make the right decisions – the result of bad parenting. Parents are responsible for their children’s crimes, however, to only a small extent. Appropriate parenting is crucial. Nevertheless, even the best brought-up children can go astray too, like any other children, because of all the society’s negative influences. Due to limited control, parents can do nothing much if their children has set their mind into committing the crime. Therefore, it makes no sense for parents to be punished for crimes their teenage children commit. In fact, parents have already paid the price through all the disappointment and shame. Hence, neither is it justified, nor effective, to punish parents for a situation which society has created.

The Rights Revolution essays

The Rights Revolution essays The author has made a strong point of mentioning how Canada has been a prime example of the rights revolution. Throughout his lectures he discusses the importance of Canada and rights, and how other nations learn about rights by learning about Canada. Using the history of Canada in order to shows the struggle of two unique groups, aboriginals and French speaking. As well as the conflict between these group rights versus individual rights. Ignatieff argues that since the 1960's Canada's political history can be seen as the story of unwillingness of the majority to discard the connection between equality, individual rights, and group assimilation. He effectively explains how the aboriginals have been fighting for rights since before the construction of Canada, and it was not until 1969 that the aboriginals were accorded full citizenship rights as individuals. He argued that before this the aboriginals did not enjoy an equality of rights with other Canadians. As well the author makes a similar argument for the French Canadians, arguing that the French have also been fighting for rights since before Canada was formed. Similarly he argues that it was not until 1969 when " all Canadians were granted the right to bilingual services in French and English in all federal institutions". He effectively explains how these changes were expected to break down the barriers between English and French-speaking Canadians, to assi! milate them into a national community. He successfully seeks to explain that these groups seek political recognition, and that these are claims of nationhood, based on historical priority on the fact that they were present at the creation of the state. The author compares these rights to individual rights, which are based in entitlements to freedom of religion and assembly, and used by groups to maintain cultural heritage. Ignatieff argues that these political claims (group rights) pose enormous problems for the majority...

Free Essays on Theme In “Jilting Of Granny Weatherall”

The theme in â€Å"Jilting of Granny Weatherall† is deep in meaning and routed directly with the main character, Ellen. When Katherine Anne Porter, the author of this short story, wrote this she had a focus on the inner feelings of an old sick woman. The theme of a story is the general idea or insight that the story reveals. The theme in this short story is to having a different perception of things in death, either by understanding things that one hasn’t before or even having changed perspectives completely and see something from another light. When Granny is sitting in the bed in the beginning of the story having her pulse taken by Doctor Harry, she is remembering the doctor being a child. She is disoriented and tells him to leave at once, to pick up his school books and go. Granny shows perfect record to the theme at this very early point in the story, her perception is distorted because of her illness and sees the doctor as he once was a child. This is how Granny remembered Dr. Harry, young and a brat. When she is in the bed she feels that he is being a nuisance to her by fiddling with her body, checking her pulse and such. This reminds Ellen of the times when Harry as a child had been annoying in another manner. Further into the story Doctor Harry returns, which to Granny Weatherall seems like a few minutes. Being as sick as she is she is wrapped up in time. She hasn’t had any â€Å"real time† because she is going through a remembering stage of death. She comments on not wanting to see Dr. Harry because h e just left three minutes ago, her daughter Cornelia tells her that it was yesterday when she had seen the doctor. Granny Weatherall starts to remember the wedding she was promised with her previous lover, George. She remembers what it had felt like being jilted by the man and how it had affected her life. She thinks that she has forgotten him, through all of these years, and is redundant to believe that she still cares a... Free Essays on Theme In â€Å"Jilting Of Granny Weatherall† Free Essays on Theme In â€Å"Jilting Of Granny Weatherall† The theme in â€Å"Jilting of Granny Weatherall† is deep in meaning and routed directly with the main character, Ellen. When Katherine Anne Porter, the author of this short story, wrote this she had a focus on the inner feelings of an old sick woman. The theme of a story is the general idea or insight that the story reveals. The theme in this short story is to having a different perception of things in death, either by understanding things that one hasn’t before or even having changed perspectives completely and see something from another light. When Granny is sitting in the bed in the beginning of the story having her pulse taken by Doctor Harry, she is remembering the doctor being a child. She is disoriented and tells him to leave at once, to pick up his school books and go. Granny shows perfect record to the theme at this very early point in the story, her perception is distorted because of her illness and sees the doctor as he once was a child. This is how Granny remembered Dr. Harry, young and a brat. When she is in the bed she feels that he is being a nuisance to her by fiddling with her body, checking her pulse and such. This reminds Ellen of the times when Harry as a child had been annoying in another manner. Further into the story Doctor Harry returns, which to Granny Weatherall seems like a few minutes. Being as sick as she is she is wrapped up in time. She hasn’t had any â€Å"real time† because she is going through a remembering stage of death. She comments on not wanting to see Dr. Harry because h e just left three minutes ago, her daughter Cornelia tells her that it was yesterday when she had seen the doctor. Granny Weatherall starts to remember the wedding she was promised with her previous lover, George. She remembers what it had felt like being jilted by the man and how it had affected her life. She thinks that she has forgotten him, through all of these years, and is redundant to believe that she still cares a...

Business Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 18

Business Law - Essay Example Invitation to treat has been defined as an expression of willingness of a party to enter into negotiations with another with the hope that a contract would be reached at the end of such negotiations. (Fisher v Bell)1. An offer on the other hand has been defined as an expression of willingness by a party to enter into a contract on stated terms (offeror) and provided that such terms would be accepted by the person to whom the offer is made (offeree) a contract would come into existence(Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co.)2. An offer should be differentiated from a mere statement of price that is an enquiry as to the price. (Harvey v. Facey)3 In the current scenario it can be seen from the facts that Angela has shown her intent of selling the caravan and stated a price. Even though the term ‘offering’ has been used, it is generally not to be held conclusive and the overall facts of the situation are taken into account when deciding whether an offer or an invitation of treat was present. In the case of Angela it can be seen that she Angela has posted a letter and has stated a price of  £2000 for which she would sell the caravan, therefore it can be deduced that an unequivocal willingness on her part was present. The next issue that would be looked into is acceptance which is defined an unequivocal assent to the terms that has been proposed by the offeror. The acceptance of certain terms and conditions which had been stated by the offeror and which tend to introduce new terms would be treated as counter-offer, that is a new offer comes into existence which can either be rejected or accepted by the person who was originally the offeror (and now becomes the offeree). (Hyde v. Wrench)4. Acceptance is generally held to be valid only when it has been validly communicated and the offeror comes to know of such acceptance. (illustration of the fact was made by Denning LJ in Entores v Miles Far East Corporation). However, there are a

Supreme Court Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Supreme Court - Assignment Example t the Supreme Court is expected to carry out constitutional review in order to equalize the constitution with the major changes that have taken place in the land for the last 223 years since the constitution was ratified. It is true that the constitution was ratified during that time to conform to the then demographic, social, industrial and technological structures. These have duly changed; hence, amendment to the constitution is also required. The Supreme Court in so doing should take a non-originalist point of view as these people give a more substantial weighting to precedent, consequences and to the natural law. It therefore means that, the non-originalists will not just take precedents the way they are, but give them some analysis and weighting before considering them. Considering the Supreme Court ruling on the gay rights, the Supreme Court actually had to amend the constitution from how it had been allow people from same sex to enjoy certain rights and privileges which they were deprived of earlier. It therefore means that, after the issue being contested in the Supreme Court for Nine Circuits, the court finally found no reason for depriving people of same sex their right to marry (Adam, 2013). This decision was based on the non-originalist view that looked into the other precedents keenly to allow the constitution make amendments in favor of those who wanted to have same sex