Buying My First Car Essay

A Bit of Memoir We rounded the corner and there it was, the stout, perfect looking black Jeep Cherokee that my dad and I had just driven and hour to look at. It looked like every other one that I had seen in pictures, but there was the feeling that this one could possibly be mine. The week before, I had been furiously searching Craigslist and Jeep Forum classifieds looking for a Jeep, particularly a Cherokee with low miles, little to no rust, and the right price, between the years 1997 and 1999. With the tight guidelines that I had for the car, it made it hard to find one. However, acquiring a Cherokee was only the first part; I had many plans once I had one of my own, plans to lift it and put some big mud tires on it, along with some other jeep essentials. My friend had his lifted Cherokee for a few months, and I had wanted one just like it for quite a while. After calling up multiple private sellers and used car dealerships, I had found one not far from me. A used car dealership had three Cherokees, all with low miles, and relatively fair prices. My dad and I decided to go check them out, with the hopes of being able to talk the salesman down a few hundred dollars. After driving a half hour or so, we arrive at the dealership, and there, parked in the front three spots were the jeeps. We made our way over and I was instantly checking them all out, making sure that I kept my cool. The salesman comes out, a big guy who looks like he could be on steroids, and he and my dad started talking. Instantly, like any used car salesman, he goes right into telling us about how awesome these Jeeps are, that they’re in perfect condition. We had narrowed down the three jeeps to one, and naturally we wanted to take it to a local mechanic. Most people would have no problem with this, but this guy did. After he refused to let us take it to our mechanic, we were turned off. In addition, he had given us a price on the phone, and then he told us a higher price when we were there talk ing face to face. At that point we were out of there. I was truly upset; I had mgotten my hopes up that I would be driving one of those Jeeps home. My dad told me not to be upset, and that we would find another one that same day. Still at the dealership, we were still sitting in our parked car; both of us on our iPhones looking up classifieds near our area. I find one that looks good, and it’s only a ferry ride away. This one was from a private seller and she had just listed it up that morning, so my dad called her up immediately. We told her we could come to see it that day, and she agreed. We raced to catch the next ferry, which we barely made. Driving off the ferry ramp, we headed to the address the lady gave us. We ended up in a somewhat rough neighborhood, but we decided we came too far to turn around because of some Mexicans with baggy shorts down to their ankles and flat brim hats. We finally got there, and there it is, sitting on the side of the road outside a small conventional house. The lady walked out her front door, and I was already looking under the jeep and checking it out. Everything is checking out, the miles were low, there were very little signs of rust, and I was getting excited. Eventually I was behind the wheel and out for a test drive. The engine ran a little rough, but it was nothing I couldn’t fix on my own. So my dad and I are sitting in the car on the other side of the block, and he asks me if I want it. I, of course, said yes, and we went back and worked a price out. Even though the lady only came down from her price a mere 50 dollars, we still ended up making the deal. Finally, my own car, and the exact one I wanted. I drove it all the way home with no plates, riding on the hopes that the police weren’t out that night. It was exciting to finally be driving the car that I would call mine. I was already imagining the I remember parking it on the ferry and looking at it from the upper deck of the parking garage. I got it home and everyone came out the front door of my house as I pulled down the driveway. It seemed as if my family was more excited about it then I was, which puzzled me. I felt proud of myself for finding the Jeep and being able to bring it home the exact same day. All the weeks of searching for a car had amounted to this one day, where it all happened in a matter of hours.

Group Dynamics: Ethics in Counseling Essay

Abstract A current and very active debate surrounding counseling, psychotherapy, and the human services professions is the hot topic of ethics in groups. This paper will explore the intriguing world of ethics by looking at how ethics is defined, including ethical theories and philosophical concerns. Ethics are designed to enforce the needs, and ethical principles of an association, organization, or business, while demonstrating the expectations of professionals obligated to particular ethic codes. This paper will seek to examine ethics in-group counseling settings by reviewing empirical based evidence and outlining information from the American Counseling Association (ACA) code of ethics. In addition, this paper will discuss ethical practices in counseling, focusing on issues such as a competence, confidentiality, and rights while taking an in depth look at group therapy versus individual counseling. Furthermore, it will establish an understanding of why a therapist would choose one type of therapy over another. A spiritual integration will include a worldview perception of ethics in relation to God’s covenant. In conclusion, a first person analysis will discuss leadership qualities, an individual approach to group therapy, along with identifying ethical personal challenges. Intro Counseling is a broad term encompassing many types of counseling subfields; marriage counseling, family counseling, grief counseling, and group and individual counseling to name a few. Counseling offers a way for an individual to gain perspective on his or her behavior, emotions, relationships or personal circumstances. It acts as a means for addressing pain or working through difficult transitions in life. This is accomplished by providing methods for expressing feelings, exploring new ideas, and  identifying patterns in behavior and thinking. For many people it is a way to alleviate anxiety or depression and to find effective ways to develop their communication skills. â€Å"Counseling specialties share a common interest in facilitating human and systematic growth† (Ponton, R. F., & Duba, J. D., 2009). However, professionals in human service and mental health professions are challenged with ethical dilemmas involving their clients on a continual basis. Ethics in Counseling Throughout history numerous individuals have sought to maintain their psychological well being through therapeutic methods such as counseling. An important aspect of the counseling field is ethics, a system of moral principles, which attempts to differentiate between good and bad. According to Collins English Dictionary, ethics are defined as a social, religious, or civil code of behavior considered correct, especially that of a particular group, profession, or individual. Ethic codes are an integral part of both personal and professional lives that are the root of an individual’s actions on a daily basis. There are several types of ethics that are applied to different fields, however ethics play a very pivotal role in the various forms of counseling. One of the principle concerns of ethics is an individual’s well being. For counselors, according to Gravitz (2008), â€Å"facing ethical dilemmas is a normal and expected part of our work, and ethical awareness is a continuous, active process that involves constant questioning† An individual’s conception of ethics is based on his or her own system of beliefs, values, cultural influences and life experiences. In efforts to govern the professional application of qualified therapists, counselors, and human service professionals, a standardized code of ethics was developed by mental health associations. This code of ethics is a basic foundation that defines professional therapy and sets the standards for appropriate behavior, professional expectations, and protects the client, the counselor, and the profession as a whole. A therapist or human service professional is responsible for identifying the limit or scope of his or her practice and training in efforts to prevent crossing ethical boundaries.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The ACA Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association, 2005) is an articulation of the ever-changing relationship between counseling  professionals and society† (Ponton, 2009). Mental health professionals have an obligation to themselves and their clients to be familiar with their professional code of ethics and how it applies to their particular professional service. Group Counseling Among the many forms of counseling available to individuals is group counseling. In-group counseling a therapist, or therapist and co- therapist work with multiple patients in resolving specific issues. According to MacNair-Semands, R. R. (2007), â€Å"In a society marked by racism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism, we have an opportunity of transforming the group experience rather than perpetuating these dynamics†. For people who may suffer from social anxiety issues or who are not comfortable in a one on one setting with a therapist, a group setting can be very effective. Another important factor to consider is the cost involved with group counseling as opposed to individual counseling. As previously stated, group counseling is a form of counseling designed for several people at once, as opposed to individual counseling. In section B.4 of the ACA Code of Ethics (2005), it highlights the specific areas that should be taken into consideration in group therapy. An important role as the group leader is to keep the group focused and to encourage healthy positive communication between and among group members. A group will typically focus on one specific issue due to the complexities of having different people with unique personalities and circumstances together in a group. By focusing on one issue, such as depression, sexual assault, or social anxiety, each member of the group is surrounded by others who are struggling with a similar experience or concern. This allows the group members to feel heard and understood by their peers. As time progresses in a group setting, the cohesion and trust of group members also evolves. The group members are more confident, drawing strength from one another and able to support each other, essentially beginning to heal. For trained human service professionals (i.e., medical doctor, counselor, social worker, etc†¦), there is a high standard of ethical behavior that applies to group counseling to protect the group leaders and members of the  group. In an article written by Corey, G., Williams, G. T., & Moline, M. E. (1995) it notes how â€Å"we assume that the group leader’s personal life is a key determinant of how well he or she will function in the role of group facilitator†. However, in terms of ethical considerations, the focus should be on unethical behavior such as â€Å"sexual misconduct, incompetence, negligence, and malpractice†. It is essential for therapist to be knowledgeable about ethical principles and incorporate them into everyday decision-making. According to Brabender, V. (2006), â€Å"in the training of group psychotherapists, considerable attention is devoted to the mastery of theory and technique that will enable the therapist to be effective in helpi ng members to meet their individual and group goals†. There are many issues associated with group therapy that can provide significant implications for a group therapist or the group as a whole. In Section B.4.a of the ACA Code of Ethics (2005), it states that counselors â€Å"clearly explain the importance and parameters of confidentiality for the specific group being entered†. Unfortunately, literature on ethical issues with group therapy is not as prominent as existing literature within individual therapy settings. â€Å"One of the major clinical and ethical challenges for the group therapist is identifying and managing the difference between therapeutic and destructive pressures for members’ self disclosures† (MacNair-Semands, 2007). A group therapist is responsible for the consideration of group members’ sensitivities and disclosures to be held confidential by other group members as well as him or her. Ellman, M., & Pezanis-Christou, P. (2010) notes how â€Å"communication can affect the ethical behavior of a group†. If confidentiality is not handled in a professional and ethical manner it can cause anxiety and shame towards the group member and the therapist may suffer extreme repercussions from state licensure boards, and the group may encounter a premature termination. Individual Therapy An alternative to group counseling is individual therapy that involves individuals meeting with a therapist one on one. This direct approach allows individuals to identify effective techniques to achieve their goals and cope with difficult events in their lives. Individuals seeking therapy are typically suffering from different forms of problematic behaviors, feelings, beliefs, or some form of traumatic experience. This active form of therapy  may encompass many different treatment styles such as psychoanalysis that strives for personal growth and cognitive behavioral therapy, which examines the patterns of a client’s feelings and behaviors. Therapist and human service professionals will help clients focus on issues such as self-awareness, adjustment to personal circumstances, and finding understanding in their lives. For effective individual therapy to take place it is essential that the therapist or human service professional has a good awareness of self and how his or her own morals and values could affect the relationship with the client. However, â€Å"every form of psychological intervention presents its own set of ethical and legal problems and dilemmas† (Brabender, V. M., & Fallon, A., 2009). Ethical principles stem from ethical theories, which are divided into three general subject areas; metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics. When human service professionals are defending particular actions, they normally appeal to these principles and not the underlying theory. According to Fieser (2009), â€Å"Metaethics investigates where our ethical principles come from, and what they mean† this focus is on universal truths, the will of God, the role of reason, and the role of reason in ethical judgments. â€Å"Normative ethics takes on a more practical task, which is to arrive at a moral standards that regulate right and wrong conduct†. This includes the consequences of behavior along with the rules we should follow, such as the guidelines provided by the ACA Code of Ethics, 2005. â€Å"Applied ethics involves examining specific controversial issues, such as abortion, infanticide, animal rights, environmental concerns, homosexuality, capital punishment, or nuclear war. An individual therapist can be faced with a variety of ethical concerns that branch from these ethical theories such as accepting gifts, which could cause harm to a client or breach relationship lines. Yet, in the same instance, a counselor may risk insulting a client from another culture if they refuse the gift. â€Å"The psychoanalytic psychotherapist encounters various, often conflicting guiding principles, when faced with an ethical predicament† (Brà ¤sler, L., 2009). Confidentiality is a major problem that is often reported to state license boards across the country. There are a number of exceptions to this rule when the decision to breach confidentiality must be made to protect the client from him or herself, or  another person. Another important issue is in relation to boundaries, there are both sexual and non-sexual ethical boundaries that counselors should not cross. Counselor self-disclosure is one example of boundary counseling. According to Gutheil (2010), ethical aspects of self-disclosure identify â€Å"the most relevant principles, which are: †¢Beneficence (doing good for the patient) †¢Nonmaleficence (doing no harm) †¢The fiduciary relationship between clinician and patient, where the interests and welfare of the patient always predominate A counselor’s self-disclosure can often place an added burden on the client or take the focus off him or her and put it on the counselor. Some individuals, who are not comfortable with self-disclosure or examining their feelings in individual therapy, may choose to seek group counseling to be surrounded by others dealing with similar difficulties. Group Therapy vs. Individual Therapy The traditional form of therapy is a one on one interaction with a client and therapist, or human service professional. People seek individual or group counseling to address many issues such as depression, anxiety, low self esteem, mental disorders, or sexual assault to name a few. However, as previously stated, group therapy is a form of treatment that involves more than two or more clients at once and can sometimes involve more than one therapist. While group therapy encompasses many of the same techniques that are utilized in individual therapy, it does this on a larger scale and with a variety of complex ethical implications. According to MacNair-Semands (2007), â€Å"another potential conflict for group members is maintaining the confidentiality of other group members when they feel the need to discuss their group experiences with significant others†. Nonetheless, group therapy can be used as an alternative, or in conjunction with, individual therapy, â€Å" The complexi ty of combined therapy necessitates the therapist’s firm grounding in ethical theories and a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the ethical codes of the human service professions† (Brabender, V. M., & Fallon, A., 2009). Depending on the situation, a therapist providing individual counseling can opt for group therapy to best  serve the needs of his or her client. â€Å"In principle ethics, when principles conflict, the practitioner must carefully weigh, balance, sift, and winnow competing principles to determine which principle has precedence† (Urofsky, R. I., Engels, D. W., & Engebretson, K., 2008). A therapist must consider these principles when in a group setting, because people often feel a sense of connection with other members of the group that could lead to potential conflict or jealousy. They are surrounded by people suffering from a similar experience and typically will grow a sense of mutual support with one another. Individuals are accustomed to being in groups in one form or another, through family, work, or school for example. Counselors may choose group therapy for their clients to bring them into a situation in which they may be more comfortable. Members are able to learn and grow from one another. Others prefer to have the one on one attention that is provided in individual counseling. Approach Like many counselors in the human services profession, the leadership qualities I possess have developed from my life experiences, personal ethics, morals and values. I have a strong, determined, willful personality that feeds into my skills as a leader. I am an active, empathetic listener and I will approach any counseling setting with the confidence and skill necessary to help others. I am flexible, considerate, and willing to adapt to any given situation, especially when my client requires change. It is my belief that we grow from our own difficulties. My life experience has helped me to communicate in an efficient manner, listen and hear more effectively, and maintain a non-judgmental, non-dismissive stance on the complexities in life. Therapy is about helping someone examine themselves in an honest and open manner so they may learn and grow from the experience. I am a sincere, genuine, and trusting individual with a passion for helping others; I have a clear understanding of my competence level and will competently provide the best care possible within my limits. I understand that what works well for one person may not work for another, therefore keeping in mind that every person is unique and finding what works best for each client at that specific time is invaluable. In a group setting, preparation is a very important factor, I would first  make a commitment to providing an ample amount of time to organize and plan for my group. I will make sure all group members are aware of all the rules and expectations in a group setting. My primary focus would be to encourage the group members to be open and honest with themselves, and to the group. I will tactfully handle any conflict that occurs, and provide substantial questions for the group to open discussion. By knowing my own strengths and weakness I am aware of my abilities and knowledge that I will bring to a group setting. For instance, if I am working with a group of abused women, I understand that trust and security are a very important factor in their lives. It is imperative that I be viewed as a trustworthy person. Therapy in any setting is a very personal and private relationship, it is important for clients to be able to trust and depend on their therapist or group leader. Corey (1995) indicates that: â€Å"Groups have unique therapeutic power that can be used to empower clients in their life changing journey, groups also have the potential to produce harm to their participants. Thus, the group leader’s skill, style, personal characteristics, and competence in group work are crucial dimensions that contribute to the quality of the outcomes of a group†. In a group setting, I will treat all group members with respect, set limits when necessary and include self-disclosure to maintain trust and cohesion. â€Å"For completeness, note also that the therapist’s comfort level, personal needs, and wishes for privacy also enter into the decision of whether and what to disclose† (Gutheil, G. T., 2010). I am most confident in a leader directed approach to group settings however, I am also comfortable with maintaining the group’s focus when turning the group over to group members in a group directed approach to determine the direction and content. In a group setting I will focus on the strengths of group members and help each to utilize their strengths when facing areas of weakness. I will also be cautious to make referrals when an issue has reached a scope beyond my capability. When faced with an ethical challenge, I will handle it according to principle and ethical guidelines. There are a number of ethical concerns, which I may encounter, such as end of life care for terminally ill patients.  I tend to be very emotional about this subject matter and may find myself in a situation in which I am unable to separate my personal beliefs from my professional responsibilities. Another area of concern is my roles and relationships with clients. In section A.5.c of the ACA Code of Ethics (2005), it outlines that a â€Å" counselor-client nonprofessional relationships with clients, former clients, their romantic partners, or their family members should be avoided, except when the interaction is potentially beneficial to the client†. I have a tendency to become attached to people and form close relationships, which will be unethical in a counseling setting. Because of my personal nature a main ethical concern of mine is boundaries in relation to self-disclosure. While a certain amount of self-disclosure can establish trust in a therapeutic relationship, â€Å"both disclosure and nondisclosure may foster or impair the therapeutic alliance† (Gutheil, G. T., 2010)†. A key factor when encountering any ethical dilemmas will be maintaining my professionalism and handling the issue in the most responsible, effective manner. Spiritual Integration One of the most widely used scriptural references used worldwide is found in John 3:16 (English Standard Version), â€Å" For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life†. This scripture declares God’s response to our sin, his covenant. The bible speaks of God’s covenant with his people in numerous places, explaining how our relationship with God is made by provision and exists by his terms alone. As humans through our covenant with God we enjoy a relationship with Him, which includes material provision in this life as well as the life to come. As counselors we enter into a covenant agreement with our clients, and the human services profession. According to Ponton (2009), when he speaks of the ACA Code of Ethics, 2005 he states that it â€Å"provides clear parameters of behaviors to meet the challenging needs of the people counselors are called to serve†. He includes that it acts as both a statement of counselor identity and an ethical covenant with society. In our covenant with God we are called to serve Him. One way this is done is by serving others through the human services professions, using the gifts in which God has given us to help others. Throughout the old and new testaments we read stories of ethical and moral concerns, such as in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (English Standard Version) where it reads â€Å" Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God†. In our covenant with God there is no bargaining, no bartering, or contract negotiations regarding the terms of His covenant. It makes an extreme difference how we think of our covenant with God, especially with regard to the motives of the heart. Our covenant with God is a unique relationship of intimate fellowship in mutual love. We have an ethical and moral responsibility to our God and ourselves in keeping the covenant. If human services viewed their professional covenant outside of the realm of cold, business like, rules and guidelines then it would make a world of difference in how clients are treated. Conclusion Having been on both sides of the counseling spectrum as a client and group leader, I am a firm believer in the therapeutic process and the power of groups. If a counselor is of sound mind and body, and has a full understanding of his or her ethical obligation then they will be fully aware of how to handle the ethical dilemmas that they may encounter. The American Counseling Association (2005), and other mental health associations provide distinctive outlines of things that should be considered when entering the field of counseling. The aforementioned sections of this paper are only a mere sample of what is indicated in ethical concentrations. References American Counseling Association. (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/Resources/CodeOfEthics/TP/Home/CT2.aspx Brabender, V. (2006). The ethical group psychotherapist. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 56(4), 395-414. doi:10.1521/ijgp.2006.56.4.395 Brabender, V. M., & Fallon, A. (2009). Ethical hot spots of combined individual and group therapy: Applying four ethical systems. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 59(1), 127-147. doi:10.1521/ijgp.2009.59.1.127 Brà ¤sler, L. (2009). The ethical container: Different dimensions informing ethical action. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in South Africa, 17(2), 53. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethics Corey, G., Williams, G. T., & Moline, M. E. (1995). Ethical and legal issues in group counseling. Ethics & Behavior, 5(2), 161-183. doi: 10.1207/s15327019eb0502_4 Ellman, M., & Pezanis-Christou, P. (2010). Organizational structure, communication, and group ethics. (author abstract). American Economic Review, 100(5), 2478. doi:10.1257/aer.100.5.2478 Fieser, J., (2009). Ethics. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/ethics/ Gravitz, M. A. (2008). Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A practical guide, 3rd ed. American Journal of Clinical H ypnosis, 51(1), 79. Gutheil, G. T. (2010). Ethical aspects of self-disclosure in psychotherapy. Psychiatric Times, 27(5), 39. MacNair-Semands, R. R. (2007). Attending to the spirit of social justice as an ethical approach in group therapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 57(1), 61-66. doi:10.1521/ijgp.2007.57.1.61 Ponton, R. F., & Duba, J. D. (2009). The â€Å"ACA code of ethics†: Articulating counseling’s professional covenant. Journal of Counseling & Development, 87(1), 117-121. Urofsky, R. I., Engels, D. W., & Engebretson, K. (2008). Kitchener’s principle ethics: Implications for counseling practice and research. Counseling and Values, 53(1), 67.

Parents Should not be punished for their Childrens Crimes Essay

Parents Should not be punished for their Childrens Crimes - Essay Example Moreover, few guardians introduce virtues in children instead, they inculcate in them vices that lead to criminal acts in the society. As a parent, one has the obligation of giving opportunities to children through guidance. By doing so they will prevent cases associated with crime among children. Universally, parents whom their children are prone to crime, act less in upbringing them correctly. Contrastingly, several factors have consideration in situations upon a child committing a crime (Kail 199). Nevertheless, the first person to be liable in any criminal case is always the parent, mostly in situations where parents neglect their kids who are engaging in criminal acts such as truancy in schools. Therefore, parents are liable in all circumstances regardless of the child’s upbringing. According to Kail (169), the legal structure always places responsibility on people in authority, for the case of a family; the parents are the ones in charge of discipline. Hence, this makes them liable whenever a child commits an offence in the public. Globally, crime rates are ascribable to lack of discipline and ethics most of which emanate from family values that are to be instilled by parents. In conclusion, kids’ crimes are attributable to several factors and parents receive blame in diverse cases. When instilling obedience in children, guardians are to be responsible since they influence children’s lifestyle in the society. Lastly, liberalization and modernization are contributing to the current shift in parents’ role where the idea of parents being responsible for their children’s crime has

Stereotyping around us Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Stereotyping around us - Essay Example Thus, stereotyping is a dangerous thing, as it makes us judge about all the members of certain group (race, nationality, profession) basing on the information about several representatives of that group. However, it is claimed that stereotypes exist in order to make our lives better and more comfortable. We simply do not have time to receive all the information about certain phenomena, analyzing it ourselves and making judgments. In order to save time society has invented stereotypes which allow passing concentrated information from one person to another. For example, it works with nationalities in a simple way, due to stereotypes we know that all Canadians are polite, Brazilians like to have fun, German are serious and punctual. But not all the stereotypes are positive, unfortunately, and some may hurt dignity of representatives of certain nation (Rogier & Yzerbut, 1999). Stereotypes start acting before mind starts working. Stereotypes leave imprints on our perceptions before this perceptions get to the analytical part of the brain. If a person has solid experience and is not prone to trust all the new information he will critically asses stereotypes and somehow compare it with existing knowledge. But in most cases people think that stereotypes are trustworthy and accept this information as reasonable. This can lead to building further stereotypes and seeing world in a distorted way in general. It is absolutely superficial to judge all 1 billion of Chinese as academically gifted or viewing all the Kuwaiti as showing off, isn`t it? Therefore, stereotypes must be thought over, analyzed critically and only then taken into

Explain how solar energy can be used to produce electricity Essay

Explain how solar energy can be used to produce electricity - Essay Example The amount of energy emitted in one second is more than the world has used since time began. All energy comes from within the sun. Like other stars present in the cosmos, the sun is also a star made up mostly of hydrogen and helium gas. The cultivation of energy inside the sun is done through a process called nuclear fusion. However, only a small amount of energy reaches the earth but that is huge enough to supply all our energy needs. The energy radiated by the sun reaches the earth in just eight minutes at a speed of 186,000 miles per second, which is the speed of light. Photovoltaic Electricity as the name suggests is a combination of two words: photo meaning light and volt, a unit for the measurement of electricity. In short, it is often called PV cells or solar cells. The most common devices, which use PV cells include solar-powered toys, calculators, and roadside telephone call boxes – all use solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity. Scientific investigation of photovoltaic effect started in 1839 and the effect was first observed in a solid material (Selenium) in 1877. Solar cells are made up of silicon, the second most common substance on earth. Solar cells can be applied to produce energy to anything that is powered by batteries or electrical power in general. Electricity is generated when sunlight hits on the solar cell plates, which cause the electrons to get activated. However, the generation of electricity takes place mutely and at once. A PV or solar cell consists of two or more layers of semi conducting material, silicon, which is used most commonly in PV cells. When the silicon layer is exposed to the sunlight, a photo-voltage or potential difference between the layers is generated. This voltage is capable of driving a current through an external circuit, as direct current (DC). Since the electrical output from a single

Criminal Law. Analyse the circumstances where liability for omissions Essay

Criminal Law. Analyse the circumstances where liability for omissions may arise - Essay Example However, there are special cases where the law specifies that a person act in order to save a situation failure of which results in criminal liability. Proponents of this type of legislations argue that the law should not bind people to help others since such a situation restricts people’s independence. Example: Tom was driving to town on a rainy afternoon, after driving for more than thirty minutes his car began heating up and huge white smoke began billowing from the bonnet of his car. Luckily, for him, the car had broken down some few meters to a bridge. He therefore alighted from his car and took a five litre water bottle which he had never travelled without from the trunk of his car and followed a small footpath that lead to the stream to fetch some water which could help cool his engine. He got to the stream, filled his container with the cold water, and began the short walk to where he had parked his car. However, a few meters from the riverbank, Tom heard hysterical sc reams emanating from the river, he turned and drowning in the river was a little boy probably seven years old. He immediately dived into the river without considering his actions, unfortunately, Tom had never swam before in a flowing water and it is only until he got into the water that he realized that he had made a mistake. He managed to grab the boy but the strength from the water current the weight of the boy overpowered him and before long, they were both drowning. It thus became a survival of the fittest situation; the boy was still alive and therefore held on to Tom tightly without letting go. Tom was fast losing breadth and he therefore needed to act swiftly to save his life or else they would both drown. In a sharp turn, he pushed the boy away from and fortunately managed to hold onto a root a few meters off the riverbank. The push from Tom combined with the strength of the water waves to give the boy a powerful thrust into a rock. The boy knocked his head and bled to death instantly. Just then, a group of young divers who had been tracing the boy from upstream arrived and one of the saw Tom push the boy away from him. They later removed the body from the water but a legal tussle was just to begin. Analysis The liability of omission begins when one decides to help in a desperate situation and later acts carelessly thereby causing a loss. In such a situation, the victim takes responsibility for his careless action. The law had not compelled Tom to try and save the boy, he could have simply looked at the young boy drown and continued with his business. In such a situation, he is acquitted from any liability since the law does not impose acts of humanity on the population. Had he left, Tom could have continued with his journey to the town and could not have answered to either the group of divers or the police. Additionally, should he have made a formal police report, he could have only been considered as responsible citizen and might therefore have appea red in the court only as a witness and helped the police with investigations to the best of his account of the event. The law does not command compulsory aid unless in special situations. By jumping into the water in an attempt to save the boy, Tom takes full responsibility of the boy and his subsequent acts of carelessness eventually result in the death of the boy. Immediately he jumps into the water, Tom

Case Study-Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Case Study-Law - Essay Example The signing of the terms and conditions for hire also includes the hirer’s conformity to UTS’ policy on the expression or manifestation of religious, political, and such other beliefs, ideas and values practiced in UTS (University of Technology Sydney, 2006). Even though the venue booking has been approved beforehand, the UTS may still cancel such an application without notice if there are â€Å"extraordinary or unusual circumstances† which necessitate such cancellation (University of Technology Sydney, 2006). The University, however, will make an effort to find a substitute venue if the cancellation of the booking was without the fault of the hirer (University of Technology Sydney, 2006). Cancellation made by the hirer of the dinner 24 hours before the event takes place, shall result in the payment and liability for a cancellation fee equaling to a hundred percent of the total hire and event fee as stated in the terms and conditions (University of Technology Sydney, 2006). In terms of displaying promotional material on the window of the venue, the terms and conditions of hire states that there must be an approval first of the University or an express permission made, without which, any advertisement, poster, handbill or other form of announcement or statement should not be placed on any structure or natural feature of the campus including windows (University of Technology Sydney, 2006). In using sound and audiovisual equipment, authorization must first be given by the University, especially when used in the said premises (University of Technology Sydney, 2006). Aside from this, the details regarding the amplification of the equipment should be described by the applicants in detail so that the appropriate provisions can be made, details of which include the utility connections and facilities for loudspeakers, speaker’s or performer’s location, control of decibel level and others (University of Technology Sydney, 2006). Prior

Isotopes in archeology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Isotopes in archeology - Essay Example Isotopes are classified into two groups, stable or unstable isotopes, stable isotopes are considered such because of the non-dynamic nature of their proton neutron relationship they do not disintegrate or decay, while unstable isotopes, on the other hand, are known as radioactive isotopes. They are characterized by an unstable proton-neutron combination, in the process of decaying; they emit various types of radiation such as gamma, beta, and alpha, depending on the creation process, ranging from Cosmogenic, to radioactive isotopes. Both classes of isotopes have a wide range of uses in various disciplines such as medicine, agriculture, and geology just to mention a few. This paper focuses on the uses of isotopes in archeology and examines the various uses of isotopes in archeological research, their advantages disadvantages, and alternative techniques. Radio carbon dating One of the most essential functions or radioisotopes is in the determination of the age of archeological especial ly the remains of once living organism which could have died thousands of years ago. This has been used to back up written and historical data in a range of disciplines such as history, evolution and religion. ... The archeologists hence measure the ratio of carbon in the organisms and compare it to the radioactivity of carbon 14 left in the organism (Van der Merwe, 1982). In this way, scientists have been able to determine, and with considerable success, the ages of many plants and animal matter that have been excavated in archeological sites. The main advantage of carbon 14 dating is that is economical, and when done properly after considering all the factors involved, it can produce results that are very accurate. However, it has got some limitations in that if the subject being aged has been in existence for over 50,000 years, it begins to lose accuracy since the carbon isotopes become too small for effective measurement. Besides, environmental changes due to natural or man-made courses such as atomic bombs and nuclear testing has varied the amounts of carbon in the atmosphere making it difficult to come up with accurate results (Van der Merwe, 1982). A new method is, however, being develo ped AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) to counterman these short comings since it can derive more accurate dates from smaller samples of carbon for radio carbon dating. Determination of Geological location Using Strontium (Sr), which is an isotope found in human bones, archeologists can determine the geographical history of humans i.e. where past civilizations have been, their migration and settlement pasts and patterns can be deduced form these isotopes (Bentley, 2006). The strontium isotopes are ideal for this since they act like geochemical signatures, the body takes up the isotopes from the soil through the consumption of plant or animals which have consumed the same plants. The strontium hence embeds itself into the local food chain and substitutes some of calcium in the

Study Guide for Green Lab Book Exam Essay Example for Free

Study Guide for Green Lab Book Exam Essay This study guide does not cover all of the material on your test. This review is meant to be a starting point to help you remember the major ideas that we covered in class. Be sure to also review the information in your notebook, lab book, and returned quizzes and tests. 1. What is ecology? The scientific study of how living things interact with each other and their environment. 2. What are the ABCs of Ecology? Abiotic, Biotic, and Cycles 3. What are the characteristics and needs of living things? Needs: Water, food, sunlight, shelter Characteristics: movement, respiration, nutrition, irritability, growth, excretion, reproduction, death 4. Arrange the following from smallest to largest: population, biome, organism, community, ecosystem. Organism, population, community, ecosystem, and biome. Ecosystems: 1. Define the following: a. niche- the role of an organism in an ecosystem. b. decomposer- an organism that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter. c. producer- an organism that captures energy from sunlight and transforms it into chemical energy cccccccc cthat’s stored in energy-rich carbon compounds. Producers are a source of food for other organisms. d. consumer- a living thing that gets its energy by eating other living things in a food chain. e. limiting factor- a factor or condition that prevents the continuing growth of a pop. in an ecosystem 2. What do the arrows in food chains or webs mean? Eaten by, gives energy to 3. The level of the energy pyramid with the most energy contains what type of organisms? How much energy is transferred each time you move up a level? The level that has most energy are the producers which are plants. 10% of the energy is transferred each time NJyou move up a level. 4. What is . . . a qualitative observation, a quantitative observation, and an inference? Qualitative- describing the appearance of something using words. Quality/look Quantitative- using numbers and words to describe something. Quantity/number Inference- a logical conclusion drawn from the available evidence and prior knowledge or observations. 5. Symbiosis – Define each term and give an example a) mutualism- an interaction between two species in which both benefit. (Flowers and bees) b) parasitism- a relationship between two species in which one species is harmed while the other benefits. Xxxxx(Tapeworms and host) c) commensalism- an interaction between two species in which one species benefits without harming the dffffffother. (Moss and trees) 6. Describe the process of succession. Primary: 1. Retreating glaciers expose bare rock where nothing lives. 2. Lichens appear and when they die, particles break down the rock and soil is made. 3. After a lot of years, there is a lot of soil. Other organisms appear like moss and insects. 4. When more soil is made, there are ferns, flowers, shrubs, and small trees 5. After many years there is enough soil to support a forest. Secondary: 1. A disturbance occurs in an area and the organisms no longer live there. Soon though, crabgrass grows. 2. Then more weeds begin to grow. 3. After about ten years, pine trees grow and after 100 years, a forest may form. 4. Pines may be replaces by hardwoods. Photosynthesis and Respiration: 1. What is photosynthesis? Where does it happen? In what type of organisms? When does it happen? Photosynthesis is the process by which green  plants and other producers use simple compounds and energy ddfrom light to make sugar, and energy-rich compound in the leaf of the plant. It happens during the day. 2. What is the formula for photosynthesis? Underline the reactants and circle the products. 6CO2 + 6H2O + SUN ENERGY C6H12O6 + 6O2 3. How do they enter and leave the plant? CO2: leavesstomaspongy layerpalisadechloroplastchlorophyll H2O: rootsstemleavesxylempalisadechloroplastchlorophyll 4. What is respiration? Where does it happen? In what type of organisms? When does it happen? Cellular Respiration is a process in which cells use oxygen to release energy stored in sugars. Takes place in the mitochondria. It happens all the time. 5. What is the formula for respiration? Underline the reactants and circle the products. C6H12O6 + 6O2 ATP + 6CO2 + 6H2O Biomes: 1. List the major characteristics of the six land biomes and 2 water biomes. In which biome do we live? We live in the Temperate Deciduous Forest. a. Desert- A region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely spaced vegetation.| e. Taiga- A type of forest characterized by cone-bearing, needled- leaf trees. It is also known as Evergreen Forest.| b. Freshwater- Defined as having a low salt concentration usually less than 1%. Plants and animals in freshwater regions are adjusted to the low salt content and would not be able to survive in areas of high salt concentration.| f. Temperature Deciduous Forest- Consists of trees that lose their leaves every year. Examples include oak, maple, beech, and elm. Has all four seasons. Plants become dormant in the winter.| c. Grassland- Characterized as lands dominated by grasses rather than large shrubs or trees.| g. Tropical Rainforest- Contains at least one-half of the worlds species of plants and animals and are dominated by tall, broad-leaved trees. Tropical rainforests are wet and hot year-round and have nutrient poor soil. Found @ the equator.| d. Marine- A biome consisting of waters containing 3.5% salt on average; includes the oceans and covers more than 70% of the Earths surface; divided  into benthic and pelagic zones.| h. Tundra- A vast, flat, treeless Arctic region of Europe, Asia, and North America in which the subsoil is permanently frozen.| Chesapeake Bay/Watershed: 1. Which 6 states are part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed? 2743 km2 Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York. 2. Define the following: a. tributary- a stream or other body of water, surface or underground, which intermittently contributes its aaaaaaaaawater in small quantities to another larger stream or body of water. b. estuary- the lower end of a river where it meets the ocean and freshwater and saltwater mix. c. watershed- an area or region drained by a river, river system, or other body of water. 3. What are the 2 critical roles oysters play in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem? Oysters are filter feeders, consuming phytoplankton and improving water quality while filtering the water for food. As generations of oysters settle on top of each other and grow they form reefs that provide structured habitat for many fish species and crabs. Oysters also improve dissolved oxygen. 4. What are the roles of SAV? They provide underwater life with food and habitat, absorb nutrients, trap sediment, reduce erosion, and add oxygen to the water. They are an excellent measure of the Bay’s overall condition because their health is closely linked with the Bay’s health. 5. What are the roles of wetlands? Wetlands are transitional areas between land and water. While some wetlands are noticeably wet, others do not always have visible water. An area is defined as a wetland based on its soils and vegetation. All wetlands are dominated by hydrophytes, which are plants that are adapted for life in wet soils. Wetlands also have hydric soils, which are soils that are periodically saturated or flooded. Water Quality Factors: 1. What can affect the temperature of water? The shallowness of the water, the air, and the shade. 2. Draw a simple pH scale. What is neutral? _7_ the most basic? _14_the most acidic? _1_ Basic 3. Why is dissolved oxygen needed in water? How does the oxygen get into the water? Just as we need air to breathe, aquatic organisms need dissolved oxygen to respire. It is necessary for the survival of fish, invertebrates, bacteria, and underwater plants. DO is also needed for the decomposition of organic matter. There are three ways that oxygen gets dissolved into water. One is by diffusion, when oxygen diffuses into the water directly from the air above it. Next is aeration, this can be cased by wave action of water spilling over rocks and waterfalls or you aerator. And the third is by waste products of plants. Aquatic plants produce oxygen as a waste product of photosynthesis and this dissolves into the water. 4. What causes the uncontrolled growth of green algae in the Bay? What is the name for this process? Nitrites act as fertilizer for aquatic plants such as algae and contribute to the sequence of events called eutrophication. An excess of nitrates causes algae to grow and cover the entire surface of the water. The plants that grow underwater do not get enough sunlight so they die and begin to decompose. Eventually the algae will die and be decomposed by bacteria in the water. Decomposition and the lack of green plants resultfin a decreased amount of oxygen in the water. Without enough oxygen, fish and other organisms will die.

The Garden Party - a Short Story Essay Example for Free

The Garden Party a Short Story Essay The wonderful short story â€Å"The Garden Party† found in Chapter 27 of the book How to Read Literature like a Professor shows the maturing of a young woman. The main character, a vibrant girl named Laura, takes on big responsibilities and sees how hard the world can really be. She goes through a series of test that introduced her to growing up, such as planning a garden party and helping out her neighbors during a hard time. This great story helps one know what it looks like when a situation comes our way that makes us grow up, not in size but in maturity. One of the greatest impacts in life is going through an experience that is so big or impossible to you and being able to get through it to find the deeper meaning. The young girl was given a huge responsibility when her mother said, â€Å"It’s no use asking me. I’m determined to leave everything to you†¦ treat me as an honored guest.† Laura had to plan the garden party; deal with the florist, bakery, and the men who put up the marquee. Wanting to prove how independent she could be Laura not only had to conquer her fears, she had to act tough and make the best garden party to prove to her mother she was capable of it. She wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps and be as professional as she could. When the men came to put up the marquee she had a very hard time trying to act older with the workers and trying to show them that she was the one with all the power. The way she acts proves that she was trying very hard to not disappoint anyone, making it seem like she was in control of everything at all times. The second example really finished out the transformation it opened her mind to a deeper understanding. It all started the day of the party when a man down the block had passed away. When Laura heard of his passing she wanted to cancel the celebration, but due to a talk with her mother, Laura realized that she should just go on with the party and afterward worry about the man and his mourning family. As soon as the party was over she went over and took the leftovers to the family down the block. Despite the crowd of people dressed in black sobbing about the loved one she gathered up all her strength and was taken inside to see the deceased man. When a young girl experiences an event such as the death of someone its life changing; to see the life of someone sucked out of their body and seeing them just lying there as if in a deep sleep is not an easy task for a child to understand yet she got every part of it and even felt for the crying woman and cried herself . And though she wasn’t familiar with the man she felt for him, she shared the sadness of the family along with the realization that things happen that one cannot control. It not only made her more mature but it also changed the way she saw the world around her. Growing up is not easy and some have more trouble than others, yet the young girl did a exceptional job of putting aside her emotions for time being and just keep going no matter what problems came into her path; there is a time for everything. The amazing outcome of the garden party along with the life-changing experience of seeing a dead man made her see life through different eyes. She showed great courage in every step that she made and proved that she was capable of anything.

Implementation of New Procurement Methods in India

Implementation of New Procurement Methods in India The construction industry in India is complex, challenging and unique. Selecting appropriate procurement method is a critical feature. In India even today traditional procurement methods are used. The options of adapting new procurement methods are open but there are various challenges in implementing them. This study will identify the barriers and difficulties which restrict the implementation of new procurement methods in India. The literature review investigated characteristics of new procurement methods. It highlighted the nature and types of projects in India. It emphasizes on structures and trends in the Indian construction Industry. It gives an insight on procurement methods used in developed economies. The chapter on characterization focuses on issues specific to Indian construction Industry such as demographics, socio-economic concerns, economical advantages, rapid growth of the industry etc. It highlights the typical procurement methods used for different types of projects in India and the regulations and administration within the construction Industry. This study gives us the nature and character of the Indian Construction Industry. Further, the study analyzes various issues, and draws attention to challenges in implementing new procurement methods. In the light of the characterization, issues and challenges this study identifies and concludes with the barriers and difficulties which restrict the implementation of new procurement methods. The worldwide construction industry includes projects of dramatically different types, size and complexity and requires extensive professional and trade skills (Groak, 1994). A construction project can refer to any building activity that includes building, repair, erection, demolition, maintenance, land clearing, earth moving, excavating, trenching, digging, boring, drilling, blasting, concreting, installation etc. (Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act, 1996). All these activities involve a considerable number of goods and services as well as large number of transactions to support a project. Most significantly, goods and services should be procured at the best possible cost to meet the needs in terms of quality, quantity, time and location (Weeley, 2010). However, construction industry is a significant contributor to a nations economy. Internationally, construction industry accounts for approximately 8-10 percent of gross domestic product GDP. Currently, in India construction industry accounts 8 percent of GDP. Furthermore, main construction sectors in India are Infrastructure, housing and commercial developments. In India by 2014 the second phase of infrastructure development will be started. This will provide additional boost to the construction industry. Owing to numerous projects the significance of procurement will be very important. Considerably, a well procured construction project is completed in time with desirable quality and within estimated cost. Internationally, plentiful construction procurement methods are practiced. Worldwide effectively used, key procurement methods are Design and Build, Management Contracting, Construction Management, Build Operate Transfer, Public Private Partnerships, Strategic Partnership, Joint ventures etc. Generally, in developed economies procurement methods such as Design and Build, Construction Management and Management Contracting are widely used, due to the maturity of the industry. However, in India mainly traditional construction procurement methods are practiced. Construction industry consists of large number of scattered small firms. The professionals prefer to operate within their silos. As a result, they remain in their comfort zone of using traditional methods. Nowadays trends are changing particularly in infrastructure and large scale projects management. This is due to the increased number, size of projects and capital invested in the projects. Mainly the upcoming procurement methods are Build Operate and Transfer and Public Private Partnerships. However, these are restricted to only a few projects. Still a large number of projects are carried out in a traditional manner. Major obstacle to implement new procurement methods are large population (1.2 billion approximately) large inclusive demand, large demand spread across the country, many small projects, traditional outlook of construction professionals, segregated industry, numerous small firms, enormous unskilled work force. Other barriers include considerable number of regional languages, excess availability of skilled professionals in one part of the country and scarcity in the other parts, no standard terms of contracts, different legislation in different states, local suppliers, mon opoly of manufactures in a region etc. As a consequence it is increasingly important to explore the reasons why new procurement methods cannot be implemented in India. Some key interdependent and inter-linked issues to be investigated are economic issues, management issues, technical issues, legal issues and cultural issues. Research outcomes will be inferred by careful observation of challenges and study of difficulties for implementation of new procurement methods. 1.2 Research Aim The aim of the research is to identify the barriers and difficulties that restrict the implementation of new procurement methods in India. 1.3 Research Objectives The research objectives will include the following 1) To investigate the issues, namely economic issues, management issues, legal issues and cultural issues which act as barriers for the implementation of new procurement methods in India. 2) To investigate procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management and relate it to the traditional Indian procurement method, to understand the challenges of the implementation of new procurement methods in India. 3) Identifying the barriers which act as hindrances for implementation of new procurement methods in the Indian construction industry. 1.4 Scope of Study This study of identification of barriers and difficulties that restrict the implementation of new procurement methods is confined to the Indian construction industry. The data is collected from secondary sources. The main sources were U.N views on India, U.K Trade and Investment and other secondary data. It outlines various difficulties and barriers which are already present in the Indian construction industry which in turn affects the implementation of new procurement methods. This study restricts itself in identifying difficulties and barriers from the nature and character of the Indian Construction Industry. As moving into detail of all issues was not possible, it explores largely economic issues, management issues, legal issues and cultural issues and finds the barriers which prevent the implementation of new procurement methods. This study will also mainly look into procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management and compare it with the traditional Indian procurement method to find the challenges in implementation of new procurement methods. 1.5 Structure of Dissertation Chapter 1) This chapter gives an introduction to the topic and gives the idea about how the study will be carried out. It gives an idea of a fast developing Indian construction Industry and the need to adapt new procurement methods. It states the research aim, objectives and scope of study and also discusses the structure of the dissertation Chapter 2) This chapter reviews the literature associated with the study. It looks into new procurement methods, projects in India, Indian construction industry and important factors affecting the construction industry in India. Chapter 3) This chapter describes the research methodology adapted within the scope of the dissertation. Secondary data, semi-structured interviews with the experts and academicians were employed to address the objectives. Chapter 4) This chapter characterizes India. It describes the nature and the character of the Indian construction industry. It gives an insight into the Indian construction Industry and its approaches. Chapter 5) This chapter looks at the barriers and the difficulties that restrict implementation of new procurement methods in India. It identifies various issues and challenges in implementation of new procurement methods in India. It looks at the present construction Industry in India and its characterization and identifies the barriers and difficulties that restrict implementation of new procurement methods in India. Chapter 6) This chapter presents the conclusions and direction for further research in this area. CHAPTER 2:Â  LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Procurement Methods Introduction Around the world procurement methods are developed through the years as per needs. The selection of the most appropriate procurement method is critical for both the client and other project participants as it is an important factor that contributes to the overall clients satisfaction and project success. This selection will be dependent upon a number of factors such as cost, time and quality which are widely considered as being the most fundamental criteria for clients seeking to achieve their end product at the highest quality, at the lowest cost and in the shortest time (Hackett et al. 2007). The type of procurement method adopted mainly depends upon the type of project, type of ownership, nature of construction industry in that particular country and the maturity of the industry. The selection of the procurement path is much more than simply establishing a contractual relationship (Newcombe, 1992), inspite of the continuing search for maximum value for money. In the developed economies such as USA, UK, Australia, Sweden etc. procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management are used from a long time. This is because the construction industry is developed, the projects are needed to be delivered efficiently and the clients demand the delivery of projects within budget and in least possible time. In this dissertation the study is limited to procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management. 2.1 Design and Build Design-build is a method to deliver a project in which the design and construction services are contracted by a single entity known as the design-builder or design-build contractor. Design-build relies on a single point of responsibility contract and is used to minimize risks for the project owner and to reduce the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project. Design and Build with its single point responsibility carries the clearest contractual remedies for the clients because the DB contractor will be responsible for all of the work on the project, regardless of the nature of the fault (John Murdoch and Will Hughes 2007). The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) takes the position that design-build can be led by a contractor, a designer, a developer or a joint venture, as long as a the design-build entity holds a single contract for both design and construction. The main contractor takes responsibility for both design and construction and will use either in-house designers or employ consultants to carry out the design. Most of the construction work will be carried out by specialist or sub-contractors. The contractor tenders against a client brief and will often follow an initial concept design prepared by consultants appointed to advise the client. The design will be developed by the contractor and the works will be completed, usually for a fixed price. Tendering is more expensive so it carries more risk for the contractor than the traditional approach. This is because the contractor has to develop an outline design and a detailed price. Tender lists will probably be shorter than for traditional contracts. However, the client commits to the cost of construction, as well as the cost of design, much earlier than with the traditional approach. Changes made by the client during design can be expensive, because they affect the whole of the Design-Build contract, rather than just the design team costs. This strategy is a low-risk option for clients who wish to minimize their exposure to the risks of overspend delays or design failure. However, the exposure to risk will increase where the design phase is rushed, where unreasonable time targets are set or where the tender documents are not fully completed. 2.1.1 Characteristics of Design and Build It provides single point of responsibility so that in event of a failure the contractor is solely responsible. There is no ambiguity between the designer and the contractor. The clients interests are safeguarded in this respect. When the client adopts Design and Build method he knows his total financial commitment early in a project. The client has direct contact with the contractor. This improves the lines of communication and enables the contractor to respond and adapt to the clients needs more promptly. In Design and Build contractor is responsible for design, planning and control. This gives him a better control over the activities and can concurrently carry out the activities which are not generally possible using traditional procurement methods. The contractor can purchase, obtain planning permission and arrange his finance simultaneously which helps him to give a better deal to the client. He can also benefit himself and the client by making use of proprietary modular designs which reduces design time and time required for approval. The contractor can start the work as soon as the approvals are obtained and sufficient information regarding the site operations is available. The design does not need to be finalized before some, at least, of the work may be commenced. The Design and Build proposals ensure economical tenders and alternate design concepts which can benefit the client. The nature of Design and Build procurement system promotes the creation of integrated design and construction team. In some countries using Design and Build system relaxes the architects code of practice, which encourages them to become full partners in design and build firms. The closer involvement of architects leads to more aesthetically pleasing buildings and leads to designs which have a greater appreciation. By using Design and Build method time and cost savings are achieved, which benefits the client. The total project completion period is also reduced. Design and Build reduces the employers financing charges, inflation has less effect and the building is operational sooner which commercially produces an early return on the capital invested. The Design and Build method facilitates novation of design with the consultants to the contractor which provides advantages to the client. The advantage of Design and Build is that the contractor has some control over the design and is able to introduce components, materials and systems which are beneficial and which he knows are more economical to construct. 2.1.2 Critique of Design and Build Design and Build is not suitable for complex projects. The traditional method of construction procurement dissociates the designers from the contractors interests, design-build does not. The contractor decides on the design issues as well as issues related to cost, profits and time exigencies, which may be the matter of concern in some situations. The client is required to commit to a concept design at an early stage and often before the detailed designs is completed. There is no design overview unless separate consultants are appointed. And there is no one appointed from clients side to manage the works or act as clients agent. If client changes the scope of the project, this can be expensive. Design-build does not make use of competitive bidding where prospective builders bid on the same design. In Design and Build the criteria to select contractor is subjective and difficult to evaluate and to justify later. 2.2 Management Contracting In management contracting the client appoints the designers and a management contractor separately and pays the contractor a fee for managing the construction works. Payment to the management contractor is done on the basis of cost of the works packages plus agreed fees. The main benefits of management contracting are the time required for design and construction is shorter. There is an early involvement of managing contractor during design phase, in which his expertise can be used. The management contractor has the responsibility to manage the project. The sub-contractors are appointed by the management contractor, thus reducing the day to day administrative responsibilities of the client. The management contractor has major role in directing the project. The lines of communications are improved. As there is a direct relation between the management contractor and the client changes and variations can be done in a project. The main advantage is that the project is completed in time as the management contractor manages the works. Because of this the client gets possession quickly and the return on investment starts. The client normally appoints the management contractor to take an active role in the project at an early stage and the client can benefit from the contractors expertise. The overall design is the responsibility of the clients consultants, but the management contractor is normally responsible for defining packages of work and then for managing the carrying out of those work packages through separate trades or works contracts. The management contractor can sometimes not be employed to undertake the work but is employed to manage the process. All the work is subcontracted to works contractors who are directly employed by the management contractor. The client usually needs to be given the opportunity to approve the terms and conditions of the trades or works contracts before the packages are subcontracted. The management contract will usually include both a pre-construction phase and the construction phase. The management contractor is responsible for the administration and operation of the works contractors. However, the management contractor is not liable for the consequences of any default by a works contractor so long as the management contractor has complied with the particular requirements of the management contract. 2.2.1 Characteristics of Management Contracting Clients and contractors adapt this system once they gain experience, which suggests that it has merits. It is generally recognized that its adoption requires mutual trust. The management contractor is appointed much earlier. He is able to become a member of design team and contribute his expertise and mainly his management expertise. Management Contracting is an effective method for the client retaining control of the design whilst drawing on the experience of a construction specialist as part of the Professional Team. The Management Contractor is paid a fee for its services as well as enters into contract with the client for work packages, generally separate works contractors are appointed to carry out work packages under the management contractor. This type of arrangement tends to be used on complex projects where early input from a construction specialist is required. Decisions regarding appointment of subcontractors are made jointly by designers and management contractor thus making use of wider experience. Specialists contractors and subcontractors compete at second stage ensuring economical tenders which benefits the client. Lines of communication are shorter between management contractor and client than with the traditional procurement method. The client has direct control over the management contractor, who is the main contractor, so that the project is completed in a better way and in shorter time. The total project completion period is reduced by parallel working. A reduced project completion period produces a corresponding reduction in financing charges and interim payments to the contractors. Inflation has less effect. The client takes the delivery of the building more quickly and obtains returns on his investment more quickly. The main functions of the management contractor may include acting as principal contractor, cost planning and cost control, consenting for works contracts, coordinating and managing works contracts, coordinating commissioning, collating pre construction information and construction phase plan, monitoring key performances and managing the site. 2.2.2 Critique of Management Contracting The client is usually given an approximate estimate of the final project cost by the management contractor early in the project life but the client does not know the final project cost until the last sub contract is entered into. On other projects he is given a guaranteed maximum cost. The architect may have less time to develop the design because he is under greater pressure from the client and contractor. The design may suffer as a result. The client should provide a good design brief as the design will not be completed until the client has committed significant resources to the project. The strategy relies on quality committed team or it may just become a mere reporting system in some cases. Management contracting is not suitable for inexperienced clients. It is less suitable for clients wanting to pass the complete risk to the contractors. Specialist contractors frequently prefer to be in contract with client rather than the management contractor appointed by the client because interim payments are usually made promptly when paid directly. 2.3 Construction Management In construction management the client appoints a construction manager for a fee to manage, programme and coordinate the design and construction activities. The client does not allocate risk and responsibility to a single main contractor. Construction work is carried out by trade contractors through direct contracts with the client for various packages. The client takes the risk. The construction manager supervises the construction process and coordinates the design team. The construction manager has no contractual links with the design team and contractors. He only provides professional expertise without assuming financial risks. On appointment the construction manager takes over any preliminary scheduling and costing information and draw up detail programme accordingly. In this method the client should have administrative or project management staff with the ability to assess the recommendation of construction manager and take actions. Adapting construction management reduces the time required for the project. This occurs because the contract strategy, construction and design can overlap. A construction manager should have a good track record in cost forecasting and cost management, as the time can be reduced but the price certainty is not achieved unless the design and construction have advanced to the extent that all the work packages have been let. This method puts so much emphasis on the role of client, if the client is experienced, with the help of construction manager he can control the project effectively. The clients continue to use construction management to their advantage, for example, the cultivation of direct, long-term relationships with trade contractors helps to secure many of the benefits more often associated with partnering. Furthermore, by employing a construction manager who is able to focus on the interests of the project, rather than on its own risk management, the client can be confident that its project objectives will be shared by the rest of the team. Construction management is distinguished by the influence of the clients and construction managers management and leadership skills on the success of the project. By adapting construction management method the client can have greater influence over the project and can have more flexibility over the contractor selection and so on. 2.3.1 Characteristics of Construction Management Construction management offers relative time saving potential for overall project duration due to overlapping of various activities. The roles, risks and relationships are clear for all the participants during most of the situations. In some situations changes in design can be accommodated later than some other strategies, without paying a premium. In construction management method the client has direct contracts with the contractors and pays them directly. This helps the contractors as they are paid promptly and there is evidence that this results in lower prices because of improved cash flow certainty. The client has direct involvement in the project as compared to most of the traditional methods. As the client is directly involved he is enabled to make prompt decisions which can be implemented without delay. This also makes possible a prompt response by the client to unforeseen site problems and also makes possible a prompt response by the contractor to changes required by the client. In this type the construction manager acts as an agent of the contractor. This benefits the contractor in managing the works. This also excludes the client for keeping his own staff for overlooking the issues which are looked by the construction manager. The central role of the construction manager is managing the project and providing administrative support to the employer. In this there is no single point of responsibility related to the delivery of the project. 2.3.2 Critique of Construction Management In construction management price certainty is not achieved until the last works packages have been let. Budgeting primarily depends heavily on design team estimates. The client should be pro-active and must provide a quality design brief to the design team in order to complete the design. The strategy relies upon the client selecting a good quality and committed team. In construction management the client has to manage and administer many contracts as there is no single contractor, all the works contracts are directly between the works contractors and the client. The client has to manage coordinate with the design team appropriately or else there increased likelihood of design change. There is a high degree of client ownership of risks associated with design including impacts of late or incomplete and uncoordinated design. In construction management the client has exposure to performance risk and exposure to consequential loss associated with trade contractor default. In construction management method there is increased administration role for the client. Construction manager owes duty of care liability only. The client is at the center of management and requires decision making capabilities. The client has to rely on management capability of construction manager. 2.4 Indian Construction Industry and Economy Indian economy has been growing from last two decades at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly because of industrialization and service sector growth. The main reason for Indias growth is its huge internal demand. In recent years particularly after the global recession in 2008 the Indian economy has shown signs of slowing down. In 2011-12 due to the current global economic scenario India found itself in the heart of managing growth and stabilizing prices. The Indian economy is grown by 6.9 per cent in 2011-12, after having grown at the rate of 8.4 per cent in each of the two preceding years. This indicates a slowdown compared not just to the previous two years but 2003 to 2011 (except 2008-09). At the same time, sight must not be lost of the fact that, by any cross country comparison, India remains among the front-runners. The Gross Domestic Product (nominal) of India is $ 1.848 trillion (Indiabudget, 2011). The Gross Domestic Product (Purchasing power parity) of India is $ 4.457 trillion (Indiabudget, 2011). The annual expenditure budget of India is Rs.1490925.29 Crores (Indiabudget, 2011). Over the years, more than half of the expenditure budget is spent on civil engineering, construction and related activities. The construction industry sets in motion the process of economical growth in the country, investment in this sector contributes 6.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. The construction industry in India is large and scattered. Today in India there is a massive demand in housing and infrastructure. The construction industry is the second largest industry of the country after agriculture. It makes a significant contribution to the national economy and provides employment to large number of people. The use of various new technologies and deployment of project management strategies have started to gain importance. In its path of advancement, the industry has to overcome a number of challenges. However, the industry is still faced with some major challenges, including housing, disaster resistant construction, water management and mass transportation. Recent experiences of several new mega-projects and large demand are clear indicators that the industry is poised for a bright future. It is the second homecoming of the construction profession to the forefront amongst all professions in the country. Every Re.1 investment in the construction industry causes an Rs.0.80 increment in GDP as against Rs.0.20 and Rs.0.14 in the fields of agriculture and manufacturing industry, respectively. Statistics over the period have shown that compared to other sectors, this sector of economic activity generally creates 4.7 times increase in incomes and 7.76 times increase in employment generation potentiality (Economicsurvey, 2011). Despite of the challenges in the construction industry there will be a continuous rise of the construction sector in the country, with over 4 Crore persons employed in it. 2.5 Projects in India The construction industry in India is large and diverse. In India majority of the projects are procured locally and are small in size. In recent years there is a demand for large projects such as large housing schemes, rural and urban and infrastructure projects but still there are large numbers of small projects. The projects include residential complexes, shopping centers, industrial development projects, urban roads, rural roads, water supply systems, sewerage systems and infrastructure projects such as highways, power stations, rapid mass transport systems, airports up gradation and new and ports. These projects are not concentrated in one part of the country, they are spread over the length and the breadth of the country. Except some few high profile and prestigious projects majority of the projects are due to local needs and demands. In India the metropolitan cities are experiencing a rapid growth of 25-30% in residential construction activity every year and the other non-major cities are experiencing 15-25%. The top 15 cities in India account for 18% of the total construction activity in India with Mumbai and Bangalore leading the pack. In India cities are classified as Tier I, Tier II, Tier III and Tier IV cities. Tier I cities consist of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Tier II cities consist of comparatively smaller cities as Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Pune, Surat etc. Tier III cities consists of even smaller cities and large towns such as Indore, Cochin, Jamshedpur etc. Tier IV consist of smaller towns. Approximately there are 35 cities in India with a po

On Distant View of a Minaret Essay -- essays research papers

In â€Å"Distant View of a Minaret† by Alifa Rifaat, a lonely wife describes life with her husband as â€Å"a world from which she had been excluded† (Rifaat, 1996, p. 256). While a woman paints a picture of a seemingly mundane afternoon, a minaret viewed in the distance provides the reader with vivid symbols of the underlying resignation of expectation and desire she once had for her marriage and her husband. The very first paragraph of the story describes the wife looking at her husband through â€Å"half-closed eyes† and being only â€Å"half-aware of the movements of his body† (Rifaat, 1996, p. 256). While it seems as if the wife is simply depicting waking up from sleep and noticing her husband, immediately upon reading the second paragraph the reader is made aware that the husband and wife are actually having sex. The immediate impression that the reader gets is that this woman is not only not having her needs met and has obviously resigned herself to this type of encounter with her husband by the offhand way she talks about noticing a spider’s web on the ceiling. The bleak tone of this story takes a particularly sad and disturbing tinge when the wife illustrates a scene from early on in her marriage where she tries to get her husband to satisfy her desire and provide her with mutual satisfaction, only to have him rebuke and reprimand her. In fact, the husband responds in such a particularly brusque and hysterical manner that the reader can see how traumatized the wife would have been at ...

Explication Of Sharon Olds Poem, Late Poem To My Father :: essays research papers

Sharon Olds’ poem â€Å"Late Poem to My Father† exposes the profound effect that childhood trauma can have on someone, even in adulthood. The speaker of the poem invokes sadness and pity in the reader by reflecting on the traumatic childhood of her father, and establishes a cause and effect relationship between the abuse he endured as a child and the dependence he develops on alcohol as an adult. The idea of emotional retardation caused by childhood experiences is not uncommon, especially in our modern world of prevalent substance abuse, dysfunctional families, and child abuse. However, Olds’ poem is a moving testament to this tragic loss of innocence due to the powerful imagery she weaves throughout the first half of the poem. In addition, Olds skillfully uses figurative language and deliberate line breaks throughout the poem to develop the dismal sorrow her speaker feels while reflecting on the childhood of her father. The poem opens with the speaker experiencing an epiphany while contemplating on her father’s childhood, and later in the poem we learn that this contemplation is more specifically focused on the causes of her father’s dependence on alcohol. In the first seven lines of the poem she uses descriptive details to establish a dark, foreboding image of the setting. For example, in lines two and three she describes the house with â€Å"unlit rooms† and a â€Å"hot fireplace†. She goes on to portray her father as â€Å"a boy of seven, helpless, smart,...† which reinforces his innocence in this imagery of darkness. It is interesting to note how the speaker distinguishes these details, yet in lines three and six, she refers to her father’s father only as â€Å"the man†. She intentionally refers to him in this flat way so as to convey to the reader that he is unworthy of any characterization. She also omits characterization in line six when she writes, â€Å"there were things the man did near you,† purposely emphasizing â€Å"things† with no other explanation. This leads to the assumption that some actions are too abominable to convey in words, thus leaving us with a vast array of uncomfortable possibilities to consider. The description of the â€Å"sweet apples picked at their peak...rotted and rotted,†in lines nine and ten establishes a comparison between her father’s loss of innocence, and the ripe fruit being left to waste. In line eleven she writes, â€Å"past the cellar door the creek ran and ran† which is a contrast to the apples being trapped within the cellar (like the child in the house), and the creek being on the outside, where the idea of escape exists.

Say No to One Night Stand

Attention Grabber Do you know what does one night stand means? The term ‘one night stand’ means that you have a sexual relationship with a person you meet or possibly a person you never meet before and both of you have no intention to ever meet again or to continue the relationship. It can happen anytime. II. Reveal Topic Today, I would like to talk about some of the harms of one night stand and persuade all of you to stay away from having this kind of action. III.Relevance Statements There are various reason people having a one night stand such as too much of drink, trips away from home, curiosity about one night stand and the likes. Some people who involved in the one night stand are sensible and happy with the situation where no harm is done. Nowadays, this phenomenon is getting more serious than ever. My suggestion is that every human being should prohibit themselves from having one night stand, consider that it could lead to several serious consequences. IV. Preview of Main PointsSome of the harms of having one night stand are: (a) infection of virus and disease (b) unexpectedly pregnancy (c) regretting and guilty feeling BODY I. One night stand causes virus and disease (Packerpack, 2010). * This is the most danger risk of having one night stand. i. He or she may enjoy having sex with you without telling you that he or she is infected. ii. The people might leaving you with some deadly virus like AIDS or HIV. II. One night stand causes pregnancy accidently (Mary, 2009). * Another result of one night stand is a child born. i.Mostly, you can’t get to contact the people you having one night stand because he or she possibly not leaving any contact ways for you since the person has no intention to ever meet you again. ii. You may abortion the baby or give a birth to baby that the child may never know who their father or mother is. III. One or both of the parties regretting what they have done. (Paul, 2008) * Some of the people will say, †˜I know what I’m exactly doing and not regretting of having one night stand. i. They forget that this guilty feeling come after the night goes by. ii.Some of the people involved in one night stand because they are drunk or trips away from home. iii. This will make them regretting and feel guilty to betray their partner of having one night stand with others if he or she are already into a relationship. CONCLUSION I. Summary of Main Points In conclusion, one night stand brings us a lot of negative effects such as: (a) it causes infections and virus diseases (b) it may cause unexpected pregnancy, and (c) it causes us to feel guilty. II. Memorable Concluding Statement Having a one night stand is not love, not a pleasure, not attraction or relationship.If someone is inviting you to have a one night stand whether he or she is your friends or someone you just met, please be polite and just say no to the person.REFERENCES Mary, P 2009, â€Å"Pregnant after a one-night stand: the ac cidental mother†, viewed 20 November 2010, from <http://women. timesonline. co. uk> Pakerpack, 2010, â€Å"The one night stand†, viewed 18 November 2010, from <http://hubpages. com/hub/The-One-Night-Stand>. Paul, S 2008, â€Å"The one-night stand blues: How girls are left to regret brief encounters†, viewed 18 November 2010, from www. dailymail. co. uk

Raslila Essay

Raslila has a basic script which has to be followed, but it has enough scope for improvisation as well. Though the emphasis of Raslila is on ‘darshan’ or the visual appeal, it is important to capture the ‘bhava’ or the sentiment. This is done through music, dance and drama enacted by the actors. The various ‘raasas’ or dramatic flavors like friendship, conjugal love, parental love, amazement, compassion, humour, chivalry, fury, fear and dread are expressed through this traditional folk form. The range of the villagers who perform raslila is quite vast. They perform legends that portray different stages of Krishna’s youth. In some areas of Uttar Pradesh raslila is performed only by Brahmin boys in the age group of 13 to 14 years. Even now, many roles of sakhis or mother of Radha and Krishna are performed by men disguised as women. Raslila is also performed by mobile troupes moving from village to village. A traditional raslila usually lasts for three and a half hours. The dance form was originated during the amorous encounters of milkmaids with Lord Krishna. Legend goes that when all the milkmaids started demanding Krishna to be their dance partner, Krishna cast a spell so that each of those milkmaid thought Krishna wasdancing with them. This marked the birth of Raslila. Raslila is generally performed by mobile troupes that roam around village to village. This dance is performed primarily on Rasia, a song form that is entirely based on the theme of Krishna-Radha love. Raslila is a folk tradition that has incorporated elements of Indian classical music, drama and dance. This presentation goes beyond professionalism. Though the dramas have basic scripts there is ample room for improvisation and extemporization, only to return to its formal delineation after the inspiration of the creative force is consumed. The emphasis is on ‘seeing through sound’ (darshan). The visual sense is to enhance, but the ultimate ingredient is the ‘bhava’, a particular mood or sentiment conveyed by the music and songs, which along with the action of the drama enable the actors and the audience to personally taste the different dramatic flavors, such as friendship, servitor ship, parental love, conjugal love, amazement, humor, chivalry, compassion, fury, fear and dread.

Study Guide for Maternity Nursing

Study Guide for Exam 1 * What are the risk factors for uterine atony? Loss of uterine toneOverdistention of the uterus (multiple gestation, polyhydramnios, macrosomia, fibroid tumors, distention with clots), bladder distention, grand multiparity, uterine trauma (forceps vacuum, c-section, cervical biopsy), bottle feeding, length of labor (precipitous or prolonged), Hx of PPH, medications (anesthesia, recent tocolysis, magnesium sulfate, induction greater than 15 hours), abruptio placenta, placenta previa, infection, inversion of uterus, placenta accrete – increta – percreta * Upon palpation you find that your client’s uterus is above the umbilicus and displaced to the right, what is your nursing intervention? sk patient last time they voided. check for distention of the bladder (superpubic distention), encourage voiding. teaching patient to try and void q2h. Methods to promote urination: hand under warm water, squirt bottle, sitz bath, analgesic, warm shower. * H ow would you expect a pp client’s labs to change/ 1. WBC Increase 2. H&H Decrease 3. Platelets Stay Same * Bright red bleeding of lochia rubra one week or more into the pp period would suggest what? Late postpartum hemorrhage What teaching do you give after administering a rubella vaccine? Patient should not get pregnant for one month following the vaccine * You assess a pp client 20 minutes after birth and discover that she has saturated her pad. Her fundus is slightly above the umbilicus but centered (not off to the side this time) and boggy. What will be your next action? Early postpartum hemorrhage. Massage uterus firmly and continuously until uterus becomes firm. Call for help (to notify physician).Position flat with feet elevated approximately 30 degrees. Vital signs, I&O. Medicine to contract uterus may be needed, IV, O2 10L through mask, Cath, prep for D&C, bimanual massage * How do you relief a Post C-section client of gas pains? What are gas pains post-surgical desc ribed as? Gas pains are described as pain in the stomach. stomach distended and hard. For tx promote ambulation for pain (medication will not effective) and offer warm beverages to promote peristalsis * Study the postpartum psychosocial phases.Page 424 of book * Review postpartum care of the Mexican-American woman. Page 410 of book. * What are the signs of a cervical/high vagina laceration? Fundus will remain firm, continuous spurting of bright red blood * Study risk for postpartum depression. Pg. 741 * Review signs and symptoms of PIH. * What treatments would be given for endometritis and what is the rationale? * Review care of the client with mastitis. * The math will include all of the same type problems as last exam including a GTPAL.G – number of times pregnant T – number of term births P – number of preterm births A – number of abortions (spontaneous and induced) L – number of living children * Know the 3 lochia types and time span for each. Rubra (red) days 1-4 Serosa (pink-brown) days 2-10 Alba (white) days 11+ †¦ 3-6 weeks postpartum * Review teaching for the mother concerning uterine involution/ recovery and self-care activities for a new vaginal delivered client.