What is macro environment?

What is macro environment? Macro environment includes major external and uncontrollable factors that influence an organizations decision making, and affect its performance and strategies. These factors include the economic, demographics, legal, political, and social conditions, technological changes, and natural forces. The above stated factors cant be controlled by the organization itself. To help analyse these factors managers can categorise them using the PESTEL model. What PESTLE stands for? P -political E -economic S -social T -technological L -legal E -environmental Political factors Ø What goods and services does a government want to provide? Ø To what extent does it believe in subsidising firms? Ø What are its priorities in terms of business support? Political decisions can impact on many vital areas for business such as the education of the workforce, the health of the nation and the quality of the infrastructure of the economy such as the road and rail system. Economic factors Ø These include interest rates, taxation changes, economic growth, inflation and exchange rates. Ø Higher interest rates may deter investment because it costs more to borrow. Ø A strong currency may make exporting more difficult because it may raise the price in terms of foreign currency. Ø Inflation may provoke higher wage demands from employees and raise costs. Ø Higher national income growth may boost demand for a firms products. Social factors. Ø Changes in social trends can impact on the demand for a firms products and the availability and willingness of individuals to work. Ø The ageing population also has impact on demand. Technological factors. Ø New technologies create new products and new processes. Ø Technology can reduce costs, improve quality and lead to innovation. Ø These developments can benefit consumers as well as the organizations providing the products. Environmental factors. Ø Environmental factors include the weather and climate change. Ø Changes in temperature can impact on many industries including farming, tourism and insurance. Ø With major climate changes occurring due to global warming and with greater environmental awareness this external factor is becoming a significant issue for firms to consider. Legal factors. Ø These are related to the legal environment in which firms operate. Ø The introduction of age discrimination and disability discrimination legislation, an increase in the minimum wage and greater requirements for firms to recycle are examples of relatively recent laws that affect an organizations actions. Ø Legal changes can affect a firms costs (e.g. if new systems and procedures have to be developed) and demand (e.g. if the law affects the likelihood of customers buying the good or using the service). Different categories of law include: consumer laws: these are designed to protect customers against unfair practices such as misleading descriptions of the product competition laws: these are aimed at protecting small firms against bullying by larger firms and ensuring customers are not exploited by firms with monopoly power Employment law: these cover areas such as redundancy, dismissal, working hours and minimum wages. They aim to protect employees against the abuse of power by managers Health and safety legislation: these laws are aimed at ensuring the workplace is as safe as is reasonably practical. They cover issues such as training, reporting accidents and the appropriate provision of safety equipment . INDIAN EDUCATION Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality. Education is equally key to enhance Indias Historical Background: The education system of India is very old. It has started from the ancient times. The Vedas, puranas, ayurveda, yoga represent some forms of education. There are evidences of imparting formal education in ancient India under the Gurukul system. Under the Gurukul system, young boys who were passing through the Brahmacharya stage of life had to stay at the Guru or the teachers home and complete their education. Earlier women and people of lower castes didnt have a right to educate themselves. But Jainism, Buddhism and Sufi movements had some liberating effects. The Britishers can be credited for bringing a revolution in the Indian education system because it is the English language and the reformation movements of the 19th century that had the most liberating effect in pre-independent India. India Education Present Condition: After independence, making education available to all had become a priority for the government. As discrimination on the basis of caste and gender has been a major impediment in the healthy development of the Indian society, they have been made unlawful by the Indian constitution. The 86th constitutional amendment has also made elementary education a fundamental right for the children between the age group- 6 to 14. According to the 2001 census, Total literacy rate 65.38%. The female literacy rate 54.16%. Only 59.4% of rural population is literate as against 80.3% urban population according to the 2001 census. In order to develop the higher education system, the government had established the University Grants Commission in 1953. The primary role of UGC has been to regulate the standard and spread of higher education in India. The higher education system in India comprises of more than17000 colleges, 20 central universities, 217 State Universities, 106 Deemed to Universities and 13 institutes of Natioanl importance. This number will soon inflate as the setting up of 30 more central universities, 8 new IITs, 7 IIMs and 5 new Indian Institutes of Science are now proposed. Education System in India: The present education system in India mainly comprises of primary education, secondary education, senior secondary education and higher education. Elementary education consists of eight years of education. Each of secondary and senior secondary education consists of two years of education. Higher education in India starts after passing the higher secondary education or the 12th standard. Depending on the stream, doing graduation in India can take three to five years. Post graduate courses are generally of two to three years of duration. After completing post graduation, scope for doing research in various educational institutes also remains open. political * Schools being privatised (like the NHS) * A government initiative creates the risk that the school may fail to deliver the policy or be diverted away from local priorities etc. * Changes to the skills required to be a teacher/ tutor * Changes to curriculum with short lead times * Requirement to be self managing * Requirement to be self financing Economic * Central or local government funding decisions may affect school/ establishment finances * Closure of a local industry may affect fund raising plans etc. * Ability of parents to raise funds for optional activities * The need to run breakfast/ after schools clubs * Ability to invest savings/ surpluses * Cost of providing resources: o Staff teaching support o Basics books/ paper o Technology solutions laptops etc * Interest rates * Shortages of materials on national/ international markets * Over provision of school places in the area resulting in competition from neighbouring schools * The risk of highly valued, key staff moving on to more ‘up and coming schools/ academies Social * Decline in birth rate, reflecting national trends * Local population changes (increasing/ decreasing numbers) * Demographic changes may affect likely pupil rolls or the nature of pupils needse.g. pupils with English as a second language etc. * Closure of local firms providing employment * Inability to attract staff * Social networking blogs, facebook, twitter * Changes to qualifications expected * Integration with local community * Integration of students with special needs * parental preference an increase in ‘parent power has allowed parents more freedom of choice over their childs school * the risk of highly valued, key staff moving on to more up-and-coming establishments * Information is accessible to staff anywhere in the world via the Internet * Staff were not given enough training or access to effectively change their habits and how they expected information to be made available Technological * Changes to standards/ equipment required * Risk of selecting the wrong technology at times of change (i.e. windows -v- open source) * New computer viruses may affect school/ college operations, * Disturbing/ illegal images on the internet may affect ICT security measures etc. * Move from paper based books to e-book readers * Computer hardware being out of date * Computer software being out of date * Time to manage IT systems Legislative * new legislation may create risks of non-compliance with the law, create new administrative burdens etc * Changes to child protection legislation * Raise the age of school leaving age * Raise/ lower the age of starting school. Nursery/ kindergarten * Change to school opening hours * Changes to funding of charity based organisations * Health safety legislation Environmental * A new highway layout near the school may create new dangers for pupils etc * Waste disposal * Reduction of green space available for activities * Changes to local bus routes * Using a significant amounts of paper and photocopier toner to produce printed information. What has Prosperity Ever Done to Me? What has Prosperity Ever Done to Me? Different kinds of energy like the renewable and non-renewable sources of energy have a great role in the human life as without it there is no way of living. The most important source of energy is the fossil fuel, although it is very dangerous as it affects the ozone layer which may create drastic environmental changes as the changes in the weather that we are witnessing right now, or the melt-down of the ice which may create an international flood that will drown every country on the face of the earth, yet the high places of the earth will stay non-drowned.   Yet, there must be an international head to the usage of renewable sources of energy like the usage of solar energy, wind, or the usage of the power of the tides. These sources of energy are non-ending, but the usage of them is so expensive because the preparation to use these sources of energy is as hard as it needs a lot of place and time to start using it and their outcome cannot be viewed in instance as it needs many year s unlike non-renewable energy. Therefore, the writer in his essay views that the continuing in the usage of fossil fuels as a type of energy can help in the increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Many scientists assumed that the usage of fossil fuels in the industrial purposes can lead to its accumulation for ages. Furthermore, there is no other way to use different sources of energy other than carbon dioxide and even the types of modern technology that is used right now cannot make us eliminate the whole amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Thus, the writer mentions the problem in his essay that the next generation from the children and our grandchildren to get the best of the world and the best of energy there must be an international head for the usage of renewable sources of energy, although it is so expensive but it is the safest source of energy ever in comparison with the non-renewable source of energy as a result there must be a solution for this dilemma for the younger generation. Furthermore, to discuss the thesis and the main dilemma of the context some of the scientists and Prime Ministers view that there is no any sense of commitment towards the new generations like what have been said the Senator Henry while he was discussing the rights the new generation has on us to live the same life that we lived. The writer also have a different point of view as he shows that they would be lucky if they breathe the air that we breathe right now because the air they will have would be more polluted than the air, and also the water would be lesser and more polluted. Moreover, if the upcoming generations have the opportunity to live in a less polluted environment that would be a greater chance that the present generation did not have. Yet, if that did not happen the next generations must not complain at all. Thus, this perspective creates a sense of debate between many writers. Firstly, the writer Brian Barry views that the current generations and the one that follows pays for the faults of the upcoming generations as a result the future generation would not have the same privilege that we have right now. The critic also views that we are the persons to blame and to be put on trial for the amount of pollution that we have done for the environment and also for the consumption of the sources of energy that are needed to be used right now and for the future generations. The writer also shows the benefits that will come to us from preserving power and using it well   as it will return with benefit to all of the human beings and will return by such a benefit like the satisfaction and self-pleasure that is reached from the living in a non-polluted environment. Thus, by the way we are moving right   now there is no truce can be reached   and the world peace and standing against the global warming by   making every person stand by his own and act by his own means to satisfy what he wants in   his own ways and to react socially to create their own rules and laws . Barry also adds that each one of the upcoming generations will stay in his own island, viewing his own problems. The resources of the generation will be confined and every person must show what he will do and what he will use whether a renewable or non-renewable source of energy. They will also have to exchange their sources of energy as nobody can live with a source of energy only. Barry also asks a question that what will happen if the justice is applied, the result there will be no monopolizing in the usage of powers and sources of energy, powers will be used worldwide. He explains why he is against the point of view of saving the energy for the upcoming generations as the upcoming generations can figure out the way they can get out and extract the source of energy as they also have their own part in preserving the cleanliness of the environment and to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide used. According to my point of view, the pollution and the consumption of the resources of energy is done throughout the beginning of history especially through the First World War and the amount of pollution   that has been produced because of the usage of the nuclear weapon and the building of factories all around the world as these types of factories produce large amounts of carbon dioxide which helped in the creation of the Ozone hole which lead to   the allowance of the entry of harmful sun rays that as a result lead to the melt down of the northern and southern poles which will   create a tremendous flood. Also, the result of the ozone hole there has been drastic climate changes that created devastating hurricanes and earthquakes not simple ones like that used to happen in the past. Thus, we must take good care of our planet earth for the upcoming generations so that needs a safe place to live in and we must corporate together to discover new sources of energy and preserve and widen the old ones. Besides, the ways that can be used to reduce pollution and preserve energy is choosing the transportation means wisely as walking or riding a bike whenever it is possible as the person must stop using the car for short trips like going to work or to the park as this usage would be like a sport and it will reduce the carbon dioxide in the air, also it can be used to generate electricity. Another way is using the means of transportation like the metro, train and bus that will reduce carbon dioxide releases. Make less trips as when the person makes less trips a day it will lead to consuming around 20% of the fuel and   that will reduce the emissions of the carbon dioxide and will help preserve the fuel   that is used for more important matters. Therefore, we are responsible for the upcoming generations and the environment that they will live in and its our duty to prevent the judgment that the next generation will put upon us.

Effect Of Technology On Architecture Construction Essay

Effect Of Technology On Architecture Construction Essay Technology has played a big role in shaping the current society and its surroundings. It has affected every aspects of human life and one of them is space in the field of architecture and interior design. As technology changes, so does the practice of architecture and interior design. Previously, without the technology, the value of architecture lies in the process of crafting experience in a space. But, nowadays, with the technology, the value has changed into privileging the visual aesthetics of the space or described as visual architecture. Therefore, this essay aims to investigate the current effect of technology in architecture and interior design. As well as to argue that the current visual architecture has decreased the value of architecture. INTRODUCTION Technology opens the door to the future. It is one of the main essences that shape and change the way society behaves, as well as transcends the surrounding to suit the way society lives. Nowadays, the effect of technology has reached almost every level of the society, and one of them is modern building technology. It has great implication in the creation of space in both architecture and interior design. Since the early days, architecture is one of the most important needs of man. It provides space to live and works, an environment for interaction and provoking emotions, as well as a realm where experiences and memories are created. Feelings and emotions are evoked by the form and shape, the arrangement of forms and by relationships that space draws with the surroundings. It affects every part of human senses. As technology developed, the meaning of architecture started to adapt accordingly. Formerly, with conventional building construction technology such as wood-framed, stone-stacking and mud bricks structures, the shape and form of architecture that could be achieved was only a simple and pure form. It led to a trend of homogeneous building, which made architecture looks similar with its surroundings. Because of this limitation, architects and designers became more sensitive and focused on crafting experiences in a space. These experiences then become memories that will be remembered by the visitor and elements that differentiate one building from another. As this continues, because of the limitation on the materials, buildings visual aesthetic is slowly decreasing. Currently, with the creation and development of new building materials and technologies, the inventions of cutting-edge and futuristic looking forms and shapes are possible. New materials and structures are evolved and manufactured everywhere. These advancements have made architects trying to work out and explore the possibility of how these new materials can be used to elaborate and create new structures for buildings. Unintentionally, these advancements has also made them became so attached to visual appearance. Meaning that majority of them concentrate on using technology in order to discover new forms and shapes for architecture in order to reflect the idea for which it was designed. The design of the building that focused on visual aesthetics has led to a trend of creating a form that looks good rather than a space that feels good. With this trend continuing, it seems that the role of visual sense has being privileged when compared to other human senses. The impact of this trend causes the design of the current architecture being reduced and restricted into visual senses. With the absence of other senses, the strength of interaction between our bodies and a space is being diminished. This is because human experience space and environment through all of their senses, not only through the visual. The trend also indicates that the tendency in architecture of image rather than architecture of experience is increasing. The products of architecture of image will only offer visual consumption which wont create lasting impressions that all the architects strive for. It will only become a nice looking postcard of visually striking building. Hence, the essay aims to prove that the current use of technology in architecture is only being used to achieve visual aesthetics and has decreased the value of architecture. The essay will also argue that technology to achieve powerful or aesthetically pleasing form to the sight has to be able to grow hand in hand with other human senses, in order to create valuable experience and memory in a space. Only then, the value of architecture can be pushed to a full potential. Architecture of Experience rather than Visual Instead of experiencing our being in the world, we behold it from outside as spectators of images projected on the surface of the retina. Pallasmaa, J, 2005, p.47 Before we can move forward to the main issue, to question the effect of technology towards current architecture, it is important to look and understand briefly what is the nature and value of architecture since the early days it was created. Throughout the history, despite of a large number of definitions which have been proposed by numerous architects, the answer to the nature and value of architecture has never come to a conclusion. Maybe it is because there are diverse ways to formulate an answer to this. Davies (2008) noted that one of the numerous definitions of architecture that can be found in dictionaries, refer to the meaning of, a method or style of building. It seems that this definition leads to a diminishing understanding that building is just an object of visual aesthetic. Some even make comparison of architecture with other form of arts which is sculpture. For instance, Santiago Calatrava, a world-renowned Santiago Calatrava: Sculpture into Architecture, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Spanish architects that combined sculpture and painting with architecture. He is claimed as a building sculptor and had a world-wide exhibition of his works. James Gardner (2005, The Art Behind the Architect, The NY Sun newspaper) mentioned that there is no clear line whether Calatrava is a sculptor that design buildings or an architect that makes sculptures. And whether his works are sculptures that are in a form of architecture or a combination of both art and architecture. So is architecture is just a method of applying aesthetics consideration to the form of buildings? Or it is just an art of making buildings beautiful? This idea of definition seems to have missed a central core of the nature and value of architecture. Previously, in the prehistoric time where architecture was not even born yet, human lived in a nomadic way. They moved from one place to another. When night came, they stopped and lighted a fire to warm themselves up. By doing so, they started to define a place. And if they intend to stay there longer, they started to define a place to sleep, a place to shelter them from the rain, a place to collect and store food, a place where they could defend themselves from danger, etc. From their chosen site, experience of their surrounding, until the organization of their place, this leads to an evolution from a place to architecture. Based on that, one can say that the nature and value of architecture is in the sense of a place that is created by the organization between buildings with the surrounding and context itself. Thus, architecture relates to the way people live, it changes and evolves based on the environments, experiences and needs. As time goes on, places that people used have became more diverse, sophisticated and complex which made architecture consistently changing as well. Starting from the prehistoric era where human dwells in occasional caves to stone-stacking shelters. Then evolves to temporal tents make by frame-wood structures and into round houses that made of mud bricks. And as human becomes more civilized, the needs of place for different functions emerged too. From a place to worship gods, a place to trade things, a place for entertainment and so much more. These places will keep on expanding to meet the different needs of human. Moreover, tools to build and transport materials, such as wheels or pulleys, have advanced and are still growing in order to make construction process becomes more efficient. So, not only materials have evolved, functions and tools to build each building have advanced as well. From the early civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Roman Empire and the East, the develo pment in architecture to create buildings for different purposes have greatly varied. Egypts Pyramids, Greeks Temples, and Romans Amphitheatres are just few illustrations of various functions that could be found globally. The forms, materials, tools and functions of the architecture evolve because of the resources that are available in the environment. The needs for stronger materials to create shelter and suitable types of materials to craft the atmosphere for different functions have pushed the tool and building technology to an advanced level too. With the application of the advanced materials and technologies, humans are able to generate unique experiences which would enrich the physical and psychological experience in architecture. In the time where modern building technology was not developed yet, there was a limitation in the creation of architectural form. Architects and engineers were only able to create certain kinds of form because of the limitation of the materials and tools at that time. Considering this constraints, the focus of architecture at this time is in the creation of experience, which is the nature and value of architecture since the early days. People lived through experiencing the world with body senses. One sense interacts with other senses to be able to let human integrate with the surrounding and the world. As a result, architecture is the product of this constant interaction between people with their surrounding and the world. Architecture provides spaces where people could do their daily activities, experience the environment, feel comfortable with it and generate impactful memories through these interactions. The interaction that happens can be either simple or complex. It means that t he space within the architecture should be able to interact with at least one or all of the body senses. This is due to, as human we have needs and desires, beliefs and aspirations, as well as aesthetic sensibility that are affected by warmth, touch, odour, sound and visual stimuli. Every interaction that happens will be experienced by the body. And if the experience through the space is strong enough, it will formulate an impactful memory to the users mind. And if this is successful, the lasting impression that every architects strive for will be achieved. That is why architecture should be designed with a thought of multi-sensory experience inside the space. Some examples of ideal architecture that illustrates significant historical buildings with good space design are The Colleseum in Rome, The Louvre in France, and Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca. For the first one which is The Flavian Amphitheatre or widely known as The Colosseum at Rome. The reason that it is one of significant historical buildings with good space design lies within the successful achievement of the monumental and grandeur size, practicality, efficiency for controlling the crowd and the most important is its ability to radiate the crowds and spectators excitement and experience throughout the whole space experience at that time. The hugely impressive vast ellipse form that is filled with tiers of seating was created to strike awe into anyone who saw this great monumental building. It was a symbol of the glorious power and cruelty of Rome and its emperors. Its classical design features, reminiscent of classical Greek architecture is the quintessential symbols of Roman cultur es and was meant to convey that Rome was a great, mighty wealthy, and civilised nation. The Colleseums design was heavily influenced by concrete and vault arches which are two of their greatest inventions. And the construction technique that the Romans used is the standardised parts system so that the components are interchangeable which similar to the current modular system. This standardised system allowed some components of the building such as stairs and seats to be built off-site and then brought to the amphitheatre to be fitted in to their specific location. Along with the standardised parts system, there were also a huge number of entrances and exits being built throughout the amphitheatre. These entrances and exits were imperative to the amphitheatre in order to ensure the crowd to be seated quickly and efficiently. All of the design and system of The Colleseum has been used as the basic for the architects and designers to design and construct the current stadiums globally. The design and form of The Colosseums breath-taking architecture was as a result of the needs of major requirements as a theatre or arena for staging various forms of entertainment to the Romans. As well as, it is a result of the consideration towards the excitement that the designers wanted the spectators to feel. And even today, The Colosseum is still one of the hugely impressive skyscrapers and the memories of how Romans culture, social and life was like before can still be felt through exploring and experiencing the interior of it. Another significant historical architecture with good spatial qualities is The Louvre in France. Currently, it is one of biggest art museums in the world. Built in the 12th century, it was constructed with a cut stone bearing masonry system and previously it was function as some kind of royal or defensive fortress against invasion until the late 18th century where it was first open to the public to display the royals collection such as paintings and sculptures. The reason that The Louvre is considered as significant historical building that has good spatial design lies in the strong sense of the countrys cultural knowledge that the building exhibits and can be identified through its architectural quality. Although The Louvre has a history of the ever-changing function of the architecture, started from a fortress to a palace and eventually becomes one of the worlds largest museums, no matter what it always bear and have its original identity, history and culture of that time it was bu ilt. It is because of the consideration towards the identity, history and culture aspects in mind that the designer had the idea of the form of the architecture and was able to craft the experience inside the space in order to display and showcase those aspects through the test of time. And the third architecture that illustrates significant historical architecture with good spatial design is Masjid Al-Haram which is located at Mecca. It is the largest and considered as the holiest mosque in the world. The current architecture of the mosque is not what it was like since it was first built in the 7th century. There have been major rebuilt, modifications and expansions on its architecture and because of these expansions it has became the largest mosque in the world. The expansion happened in order to accommodate the increasing number of the pilgrims. Since the past, mosque has been considered as a medium for communication; either it is a communication between God and pilgrims or between fellow pilgrims. This idea of the mosque that it is built as a centre for social interaction rather than a building only for ritual or worshipping is being clearly shown and felt in the architecture of Masjid Al-Haram. For examples the presence of the courtyard surrounds the Kaaba or t he grey square house which is designed or placed there with the intention of providing the best meditative and interactive atmosphere for the performance of prayer and community interacting experience to happen inside. And the placement of the minarets or the tall free standing towers is based on the topography of the site in order to create harmonious balance with the Kaaba. These considerations towards the pilgrims experience and the meaning for every placement or form that is created has made Masjid Al-Haram or The Holy Mosque a significant historical building with good spatial design. These 3 architectures above show that designing through paying considerations towards the experience and behaviour of the visitors or occupants would create lasting impression that could stands the test of time. Nevertheless, through this time, because of the limitation on the materials and tools that they could be worked or used, architects and engineers were only able to build certain kinds of forms which made them unsatisfied with the visual aesthetic of the building. With this feeling of unsatisfactory as the main force that drives architects and designers to overcome this issue, which then becomes one of the main factors of the emerging trend of visual architecture or an architecture that the visual aesthetic considerations is being privileged or have dominated the designers thoughts rather than the experiential value. It is until the late 18th century, in the industrial revolution era, when cast iron can be produced in a large numbers and cheaply enough and has opportunities in creating new forms. This is when architects and designers started to become aware of the glorious potential of cast iron used in architecture. One of the first architectural projects that are entirely made from cast iron is The Iron Bridge in Shropshire (Potter, D, 2006). And this marks the dawn of Modern building technology. As technology has advanced towards a new stage, which is the modern building technology, the nature and value of architecture started to shift and adapt as well. The birth of modern technology is as the result of architects using experimental science and engineering theory and tools to inform the form and construction of their buildings. Which previously form and structures of buildings were relied strongly on the knowledge of the craftsman or builder. This development has begun to revolutionize architecture into an entirely new direction. Through this modern building technology, architects and designers are provided with a new range of materials and tools to achieve and satisfy their hunger for more advanced forms. Previously, the architectural form of each location has their own unique characteristics. This is because of their environment would only be able to produce certain kinds of materials. Due to this constraint, architects and designers had lesser choices of resources that w ere available. This led to vernacular architecture of that area which meant that the material and building tool that they used to construct buildings in a location would have a more deeply grounded meaning with the context of the building and in a way was more purely defined with the unique representative form of that certain location. For instance, the Pyramid in Egypt that is made from stone is entirely different from the Temple in China which is made from wood. But since the developed worlds industrialisation trend has expanded globally throughout the world. This has influenced the local architects and designers wanting to follow the international architectural fashions style and has become another factor that contributed in the emerging trend of visual architecture. With modern building technology , transportation of materials from one location to another location has became possible, the ability of mass production has lowered the cost of construction, and computer software has accelerated the time to finish the drawing or design of a building. These developments have made the process of realizing architecture become more efficient and effective in every layer, either it is the time span to complete, the construction, the planning of the project, the creation of the buildings form or even the innovation of new and better materials is continually increasing. The development of materials has played a big role in the creation of advanced architectural form. It is one of the aspects that started the trend of architecture of image. Beginning by looking into the traditional materials that have been used since the prehistoric times, which is wood. This material could be considered as the forefather of all current materials. In the early days, prehistor ic people used these to build tents as their shelters from the sun and rain. By constructing tree trunks or branches together creating the shape of an inverted V-shape, putting some support to hold it firm on the ground and covered with leaves. This creates the simplest foundation of architecture form. As human evolved so did materials for shelter. Moving from wood to stone, as a stronger material, the form of the shelter started to develop into tent-like house by stacking different stones together. As human moves on to the times of early civilizations, the needs, desires, and beliefs have been greatly varied too. This leads to the creation of places of worships, sacrifices, monuments, and governments. Based on this, the form of the architecture started to goes vertically higher and bigger. At this time, pillar, column, beam, arch and dome has started to be built to fulfil the functions of the architecture. Moving on from the prehistoric times into the middle age, at this time, castles are becoming common forms of architecture in every part of Europe. And as it moves through The Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism and Gothic revival, from 15th century to 18th century, architects and designers feel that every architectures in their own location has looked similar because of the limitation of technology and materials provided at that time and that location. Until early 19th century, when modern building technology was discovered. This technology allowed iron to be used in architecture because it has became relatively cheaper while previously it was considered as a very expensive material. Iron is architecturally unique because of being relatively lightweight and malleable as well as strong. Moreover, because of its properties, it can be used for free-form designs. In this period, glass has also been widely used and available. Glass is widely used for its optimal balance between aesthetics, functions and its ability to create effects that could change experience. The reason is because glass has the property that allows light to transmits in and by using it, the architects or designers has the power to controls light which creates an illusion that the building are able to change, move and create certain atmosphere. And for architect light is one of the powerful tools in crafting experience in architecture. One of the architecture that ref lects a building of high technology in this period is the Joseph Paxtons Crystal Palace of the Great Exhibition. Built in 1851 in London, this building was made of modular cast iron and glass which symbolized the industrial, technological and economic superiority of the modern building technology. Progressing to the late 19th century, which reinforced concrete is invented. At this time, concrete is being reinforced with iron or steel in order to increase the strength of tension in concrete to minimize cracking problem. By doing so, this reinforced concrete have special properties which are more durable to thermal expansion, provides strength to optimize building structures and it has the ability to bend allowing it to be made into any shape or size for architectural purpose. Because of these special properties, reinforced concrete is still one of the most popular materials that are being used for construction purposes until now. And in 20th century, plastics became widely known and popular as well. It is because plastics are lightweight, resilient, generally resistant to corrosion and moisture, and can be moulded and formed into complex shapes. And because it is the only man-made material, this allowed it to be developed even more in the future. This development in modern building technology has opened the door for architects and designers to realize all the unrealized ideas that they had in mind. And with this the notion of architecture of image is slowly becoming a trend. With advancement in modern building technology, materials and tools to construct a building have greatly expanded. Back then, buildings are limited with height. Mainly it is because of the limitation of materials and tools that caused architects and designers to think and design horizontally. But with modern building technology, current buildings are able to go higher becoming a skyscraper or go deeper underground, maybe becoming an earth scraper, and not only going vertically, it also allows the buildings to be built diagonally. From geometric to organic form or from masses to pixels, current technology makes everything possible. Moreover, modern building technology is being used for visualizing and selling the ideas that the designers have to the clients too. For example 3 dimensional simulation software that are able to produce photo realistic images of the building even though it has not being constructed yet. Architecture has entered into a realm of visual form which is nothing more or less than the creation of buildings tangible and visible shapes. Beekman Tower, Frank Gehry New York One example of a purely visual architecture is the Beekman Tower in New York by Frank Gehry. It is a curious fusion of public and private zones. The main design feature is the organic form of the buildings facade which is made of aluminium foil. The organic folds evoke the sense of water ripples. And the effects of ripples are being enhanced more on the daytime because of the natural light. This building is surely a successful design and appealing to one of human senses which is the visual. But for the interior, everything inside the space is dully conventional. The consideration towards other senses inside the space in order to experience the space has been neglected. Another one is the Orchard Central in Singapore by DP Architects. The key design element of this shopping mall is on the facade of the mall which is a faceted membrane which will function as massive media wall and is set to be an iconic feature at the junction of Orchard and Killiney roads. The idea of this is to add aural and visual vibrancy to the central stretch of Orchard Road. By doing so, the architectural facade of the building will be able to generate visual connection with the public. But the problem is the elimination of other senses and the dependency towards the vision has made the design of the space unattractive and unable to create a connection with the visitors. In addition to another architecture that illustrates purely visual architecture is The Central Plaza Shopping Mall by Manuelle Gautrand which is located in Bangkok, Thailand. The design of the architecture relies heavily on the faà §ade of the building while the interior is not greatly different from most other shopping mall in the city. The idea of the glowing red lines that simply clad or covered the facade of the building which is the key design element of the architecture is being conceived by the designer as tools that are able to send messages of flow movement and fluidity to the visitors. This perception shows that the design of the building is influenced by technology and only focus on the visual aesthetics to resolve the issue of the space. And by doing so it weakens the architectural value of it and diminished the experiential value inside. Orchard Central, DP Architects Singapore Based on both of the case studies above, it is fairly obvious that the privileged of visual senses over other human senses will create a sense of detachment between the architecture and the visitors. This is merely because humans experience the world and their surroundings through their senses. For instance, the sounds of steps, the light that penetrates through the space, the coldness of the concrete walls, scale and proportion are just few ways of how architecture interacts with the visitors senses. Such interaction is then strengthened and articulated through the complex interaction of human senses and will be perceived by the visitors as an experience. With this two-way interaction between visitors and architecture, it will lead to the creation of meaningful memory towards the space. It is true that vision is the first connection between human and the world. Most of us, when we are walking through a space or street, are affected in one way or another by the looks of the buildings that we pass through, the positions of the objects and the arrangements inside the space. But in architecture, the reliance in the sphere of vision will only made the building existed merely on a surface level which is as an object of visual expression such as a postcard. Architecture should be able to interact with every human sense because it is a representation or expression of human minds. And the only way to communicate with the mind is by experiencing the world and surrounding through the senses. That is when architecture has moved on to another level. So, by using the modern technology, not only to grasped the visual aesthetics that has became a trends nowadays, but also to craft the experience that has been the nature and value of architecture since the early days. This will affe ct the human physically and psychologically and will push the architecture to the full potential. Word Count Word count 4885 (excluding Abstract, Table of Contents, Captions, and Works Cited)

Gender Issues :: essays research papers

Gender equality Gender equality is an issue constantly in conflict within societies of Eastern and Western countries. Although Vietnamese women living in the United States have equal access to jobs and education and are able to be independent, they still choose to â€Å"incorporate the new realities of their lives into the ideological confines of the traditional family system† (Kibria 109). Tradition mandates that women are the support system of principles and values of the traditional Vietnamese family system (137). While Vietnamese women are more reserved and submissive to their husbands, Vietnamese-American women have discovered the strength and power to be the central figure within the newly defined collective household in order to survive and provide for the children’s future. According to Confucianism, the family line is patriarchal and the man is to be obeyed. Women were expected to follow the three respects—her father, her husband and her eldest son; if not, the consequences were severe. Having women stay at home with the children is a way of life in mainstream Asian countries. In Asia, a woman would not and could not leave her parent's home until she is married, then she would live with and care for her husband's family. An unwed woman living on her own would be considered shameful and disgraceful to her family in Asian culture. Unlike the strict traditional ways of Confucianism, Vietnamese families are orderly and emotional (Freeman 88). Within the traditional Vietnamese family, the â€Å"disciplined authority of and obligation to the father, but also nurturance, sentiment and affection are associated with the mother† (89). Asian women, in general, are taught to be reserved and to keep thoughts and experiences private in order to avoid losing face and embarrassing the family; however, â€Å"more respect for the rights and powers of Vietnamese women† have contributed to a Vietnamese history inclusive of strong, intelligent and decisive women such as the Truong Sisters who fought and defeated the Chinese to regain Vietnam’s independence in 40 A.D. Traditional femininity is to be expressed through modes of dress, movement, speech and actions; to an extent this is also true of Asian-American women in modern society. Although a traditional Asian women's timid behavior leads to a lack of individuality and self-confidence, Asian-America women have begun to shed the belief of fate, destined misery, and strived to speak their own minds. If women are given opportunities to pursue careers, they are expected to fulfill positions as nurses, textile workers, or teacher because women are supposedly more caring and nurturing.

Philosophy is Important Essay -- essays research papers

Philosophy is Important Philosophy is an important subject, because it helps us understand three big questions; â€Å"why are we here†, â€Å"what do we do†, and â€Å"how do we treat each other†. These are important questions to answer because without them we may end up in a situation much like the Taliban is in right now. Complete chaos created from confusion about those three big questions. These questions are left in a general sense because there are many different ways to look at them. After all we have many different people with many different ideas and so to come to a more concise understanding of such important topics we need everyone’s viewpoint. This is the purpose of something philosophers call â€Å"The great conversation†. For example: Think back to the attack on the US of September 11th. These attacks were caused for a variety of reasons, one of which being that the Taliban believed they had the answer as to the correct way to run a society. Therefore â€Å" The Great Conversation† was stopped. After all if I am the Taliban and I believe I have the answer as to how to run a society because I feel I have answered the three big questions, then why keep discussing? Why include anyone else’s opinions and beliefs? Because if you don’t then things could become violent, just as they did in Afghanistan. So you say you don’t want to be like Afghanistan? Well good! So then how do you determine the answer to those three big questions, and what if there is more than one answer? That’s the purpose of philosophy and more specifically â€Å"The Great Conversation†, to come up with the best possible answer to all questions that may arise without eliminating the possibility that a better answer may exist. Take â€Å"Plato’s Cave† for example: People sit in a cave looking at shadows cast on a wall, from the light of a fire behind them. They have been chained to the floor for centuries. They are fed, clothed, and generally stimulated by the shadows, which are those of puppets on a bridge behind them. The people believe the shadows are real. But ponder just for a second; what if you were one of those people? What if you were released from your shackles and allowed to move about the cave freely. How would you explain to the others that the shadows they are seeing are not real people, but actual shadows made by the puppets on the bridge behind them? Would they believe you? Now switch roles. What if... ...t is true?† Once again we deal with two opposite ends of a debate spectrum. We focus on a few things here. One of which is where does knowledge come from? Those who believe that the exercise of reason, rather than experience, authority, or spiritual revelation, provides the primary basis for knowledge are called Rationalists. Basically they believe people have revelations, and are born with knowledge (innate.) On the opposite, those who believe that experience, especially of the senses, is the only source of knowledge are known as Empiricists. Reason versus experience, you decide for yourself. For our last and final study we explore Ontology; the nature of being. Is it human nature to fill your space with material goods? Do they bring you happiness? Is that happiness true happiness? If you answered â€Å"yes† to any of those questions you may be a â€Å"Materialist† while if you answered â€Å"no† to any of those questions, there is a chance you may be an â€Å"Idealist†; someone who believes that the use of ideas, thinking, questioning, and active mental stimulation are far more valuable in terms of achieving happiness than the passive, vegetable style consumption of goods that plagues many of us. Philosophy is Important Essay -- essays research papers Philosophy is Important Philosophy is an important subject, because it helps us understand three big questions; â€Å"why are we here†, â€Å"what do we do†, and â€Å"how do we treat each other†. These are important questions to answer because without them we may end up in a situation much like the Taliban is in right now. Complete chaos created from confusion about those three big questions. These questions are left in a general sense because there are many different ways to look at them. After all we have many different people with many different ideas and so to come to a more concise understanding of such important topics we need everyone’s viewpoint. This is the purpose of something philosophers call â€Å"The great conversation†. For example: Think back to the attack on the US of September 11th. These attacks were caused for a variety of reasons, one of which being that the Taliban believed they had the answer as to the correct way to run a society. Therefore â€Å" The Great Conversation† was stopped. After all if I am the Taliban and I believe I have the answer as to how to run a society because I feel I have answered the three big questions, then why keep discussing? Why include anyone else’s opinions and beliefs? Because if you don’t then things could become violent, just as they did in Afghanistan. So you say you don’t want to be like Afghanistan? Well good! So then how do you determine the answer to those three big questions, and what if there is more than one answer? That’s the purpose of philosophy and more specifically â€Å"The Great Conversation†, to come up with the best possible answer to all questions that may arise without eliminating the possibility that a better answer may exist. Take â€Å"Plato’s Cave† for example: People sit in a cave looking at shadows cast on a wall, from the light of a fire behind them. They have been chained to the floor for centuries. They are fed, clothed, and generally stimulated by the shadows, which are those of puppets on a bridge behind them. The people believe the shadows are real. But ponder just for a second; what if you were one of those people? What if you were released from your shackles and allowed to move about the cave freely. How would you explain to the others that the shadows they are seeing are not real people, but actual shadows made by the puppets on the bridge behind them? Would they believe you? Now switch roles. What if... ...t is true?† Once again we deal with two opposite ends of a debate spectrum. We focus on a few things here. One of which is where does knowledge come from? Those who believe that the exercise of reason, rather than experience, authority, or spiritual revelation, provides the primary basis for knowledge are called Rationalists. Basically they believe people have revelations, and are born with knowledge (innate.) On the opposite, those who believe that experience, especially of the senses, is the only source of knowledge are known as Empiricists. Reason versus experience, you decide for yourself. For our last and final study we explore Ontology; the nature of being. Is it human nature to fill your space with material goods? Do they bring you happiness? Is that happiness true happiness? If you answered â€Å"yes† to any of those questions you may be a â€Å"Materialist† while if you answered â€Å"no† to any of those questions, there is a chance you may be an â€Å"Idealist†; someone who believes that the use of ideas, thinking, questioning, and active mental stimulation are far more valuable in terms of achieving happiness than the passive, vegetable style consumption of goods that plagues many of us.

Molecular Biology Paper

Lab Report #1 Introduction A cell’s plasma membrane is known to be selectively permeable. This implies that the membrane is selective on what substances can pass in and out of the cell. There are two methods of transport that occur through the plasma membrane. One method of transport is called active process which uses ATP energy to transport substances through the membrane. The other method is called passive process which does not require the use of ATP energy. During passive processes, molecules are transported through the membrane by differences in concentration or pressure between the inside and outside of the cell. Two important types of passive process are diffusion and filtration. Every cell in the human body uses diffusion as an important transport process through its selectively permeable membrane. During diffusion, molecules that are small enough to pass through a membrane’s pores or molecules that can dissolve in the lipid section of a membrane move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. The kinetic energy that all molecules possess is the motivating force in diffusion. Facilitated diffusion occurs when molecules are too large to pass through a membrane or are lipid insoluble. In this process, carrier protein molecules located in the membrane combine with solutes and transport them down the concentration gradient. Filtration is another type of passive process and, unlike diffusion; this is not a selective process. The pressure gradient on each side of the membrane as well as the membrane pore size depends on the amount of solutes and fluids in the filtrate. During filtration, water and solute molecules pass through a membrane from an area of higher hydrostatic pressure to an area of lower hydrostatic pressure. This means that water and solutes would pass through a selectively permeable membrane along the pressure gradient. To gain a better understanding of a cell’s selectively permeable membrane and the passive processes of simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and filtration, three experiments were conducted. Materials and Methods Activity 1: Simulating Dialysis (Simple Diffusion) Materials: ? two glass beakers ? four dialysis membranes: 20 (MWCO), 50 (MWCO), 100 (MWCO), and 200 (MWCO) ? membrane holder ? membrane barrier ? four solutes: NaCl, Urea, Albumin, and Glucose solution dispenser ? deionized water ? timer ? beaker flush This experiment was conducted first by placing the 20 (MWCO) dialysis membrane into the membrane holder. The membrane holder joined the two glass beakers; one on the left side and one on the right side. Then, 9. 00 mM of NaCl concentration was dispensed into the left beaker. Deionized water was dispensed in the right beaker. When the timer was started, t he barrier that surrounded the membrane holder was lowered to allow the contents of each beaker to come in contact with the membrane. After the 60 minutes of compressed time elapsed, results were read and recorded. Finally, each beaker was then flushed for preparation of the next experiment run. These exact steps were followed using each dialysis membrane size (20, 50, 100, and 200) as well as with each solute (NaCl, Urea, Albumin, and Glucose). There were a total of sixteen runs in this experiment. Activity 2: Simulating Facilitated Diffusion Materials: ? two glass beakers ? membrane builder ? membrane holder ? glucose concentration ? solution dispenser ? deionized water ? timer beaker flush In this experiment, the first step was to adjust the glucose carrier to 500 in order to correctly build the membrane. Next, a membrane was built in the membrane builder by inserting 500 glucose carrier proteins into it. Then, the newly built membrane was placed into the membrane holder that joined the two glass beakers. The two glass beakers were joined on the left and right sides of the membrane holder. After that, 2. 00 mM o f glucose concentration was dispensed into the left beaker. The right beaker was filled with deionized water. The barrier around the membrane holder dropped when the timer was started. After 60 minutes of compressed time elapsed, the results were read and recorded. Finally, both glass beakers were flushed to prepare for the next experimental runs. The above mentioned steps were repeated by increasing the glucose concentration to 8. 00. Both the 2. 00 mM and the 8. 00 mM glucose concentration solution were tested using membranes built with 500, 700, and 900 glucose carrier proteins. There were a total of six experimental runs. Activity 4: Simulating Filtration Materials: ? two glass beakers membrane holder ? 4 dialysis membranes: 20 (MWCO), 50 (MWCO), 100 (MWCO), and 200 (MWCO) ? 4 solutions: Na+Cl? , Urea, glucose, and powdered charcoal ? solution dispenser ? pressure unit ? timer ? filtration rate indicator ? membrane residue analysis analyzer ? beaker flush In the final experiment, the two glass beakers were placed one on top of the other with the membrane holder between them. The pressure unit that rested on the top beaker was used for forcing the solution from the top beaker through the selected membrane and into the bottom beaker. The bottom beaker contained nothing; however, the filtration rate indicator was attached to it from one side. The experiment began by placing the 20 (MWCO) dialysis membrane into the membrane holder. Then, 5. 00 mg/ml of each of the following solutions: Na+Cl? , Urea, glucose, and powdered charcoal were dispensed into the top beaker. The pressure unit was adjusted to 50 mmHg of pressure. The timer was set to 60 minutes of compressed time and when the timer started, the membrane holder retracted. The solution then flowed through the membrane and into the beaker underneath. When the timer stopped, the membrane was then placed in the membrane residue analysis analyzer. The results were read and recorded and the beakers were flushed for the next experimental runs. All the above steps were repeated using the 50 (MWCO), 100 (MWCO), and 200 (MWCO) membranes. Results Table 1: Activity 1: Simulating Dialysis (Simple Diffusion) Key: Solutes that were able to diffuse into the right beaker are indicated by a â€Å"+†. Solutes that were not able to diffuse into the right beaker are indicated by a â€Å"-â€Å". Membrane (MWCO) Solute (9. 0 mM) |(Pore Size) |NaCl |Urea |Albumin |Glucose | |20 |– |– |– |– | |50 |+ |– |– |– | |100 |+ |– |– |– | |200 |+ |– |– |+ | Graph 1: Activity 2: Simulating Facilitated Diffusion Glucose Transport Rate (mM/min) [pic] Table 2 and 3: Activity 4: Simulating Filtration Table #2: Solute Residue Presence in the Membrane Key: If solute residue wa s present on the membrane, it is indicated by a â€Å"+†. If solute residue was not present on the membrane, it is indicated by a â€Å"–â€Å". Membrane (MWCO) |Solute |20 |50 |100 |200 | |NaCl |+ |+ |+ |+ | |Urea |+ |+ |+ |+ | |Glucose |+ |+ |+ |+ | |Powdered Charcoal |+ |+ |+ |+ | Table 3: Filtration Rate and Amount of Solute Detected in Filtrate Membrane (MWCO) |Solute |20 |50 |100 |200 | |Filtration Rate (ml/min) | | | | | | |1 |2. |5 |10 | |NaCl in filtrate (mg/ml) | | | | | | |0 |4. 81 |4. 81 |4. 81 | |Urea in filtrate (mg/ml) | | | | | | |0 |0 |4. 74 |4. 74 | |Glucose in filtrate | | | | | |(mg/ml) |0 |0 |0 |4. 9 | |Powdered Charcoal (mg/ml) | | | | | | |0 |0 |0 |0 | Discussion The first lab experiment, Simulating Dialysis (Simple Diffusion), demonstrated how only certain molecules pass through a selectively permeable membrane down its concentration gradient. The four membranes utilized in this experiment consisted of each one being different in pore size (MWCO). The smallest pore-sized membrane was 20 (MWCO), and the largest was 200 (MWCO). The solutes that were tested in this experiment were NaCl, Urea, Albumin, and Glucose. The first solute tested, NaCl, showed that with a 20 (MWCO) membrane, no diffusion occurred into the right beaker. (Table 1) The NaCl molecules were evidently too large to pass through the 20 (MWCO) membrane because its pores were too small. Membranes 50, 100, and 200 (MWCO) did allow the NaCl to pass through. (Table 1) One of the reasons this occurred is because the pores in the above mentioned membranes were large enough to permit the passage of the NaCl molecules. The other reason diffusion occurred is because the NaCl molecules moved down its concentration gradient and into the beaker filled with deionized water. For all three membranes, equilibrium was reached in ten minutes at an average diffusion rate of 0. 0150 mM/min. As for the solute Urea, the experiment conducted showed that no diffusion occurred with all four membranes. (Table 1) Urea should have passed through membranes 100 (MWCO) and 200 (MWCO) for the reasons that its molecules are small enough and Urea is also soluble. This experiment showed that none of the Albumin molecules diffused through any of the four membranes tested. (Table 1) This is because the Albumin molecules were too large to pass through the pores of all four membranes. The final solute tested in this experiment, Glucose, showed that the molecules only diffused through the 200 (MWCO) membrane. (Table 1) Equilibrium was reached in thirty-seven minutes at an average diffusion rate of 0. 0040 mM/min. The Glucose molecules were too large to diffuse through the 20 (MWCO), 50 (MWCO), and 100 (MWCO) membranes. The second experiment, Simulating Facilitated Diffusion, explained how carrier protein molecules in the membrane effectively transported molecules that are too large or are insoluble to diffuse through the membrane. The carrier proteins in this experiment were glucose carriers and the solution was a 2. 00 (mM) and an 8. 00 (mM) glucose concentration. The 2. 00 (mM) glucose concentration was tested first with the 500 glucose carrier protein membrane then the 700 and 900 glucose carrier protein membranes. The glucose transport rate for the membrane with 500 glucose carrier proteins was 0. 0008 (mM/min). Graph 1) The membrane with 700 glucose carrier proteins showed a rate of 0. 0010 (mM/min) and the 900 glucose carrier proteins membrane had a rate of 0. 0012 (mM/min). (Graph 1) The 8. 00 (mM) glucose concentration also showed and increase in glucose transport rate with membranes that contained more glucose carrier proteins. The membrane with 500 glucose carrier proteins showed a rate of 0. 0023 (mM/min). (Graph 1) Membranes that had 700 and 900 glucose carrier proteins showed a rate of 0. 0031 and 0. 0038 (mM/min). (Graph 1) These results show that with an increase in amount of glucose carrier proteins in the membranes, transport of the glucose molecules in the concentration is more effective. A higher concentration of glucose (8. 00 mM) also increases the rate of glucose transport in a membrane with the same amount of glucose carrier proteins as a lower glucose concentration (2. 00). The final experiment, Simulating Filtration, four different solutes were forced through four membranes that contained separate pore sizes by the use of hydrostatic pressure. After each experimental run was conducted, the membrane analyses showed that residue from all four solutes were detected on each membrane. (Table 2) This indicates that some solutes did not filter through the membrane. The filtration rate (ml/min) increased as membranes with larger pores were utilized. This happened because the solute molecules were able to transport through a particular membrane at a faster rate being that the membranes’ pores were larger. The filtrate in the bottom beaker was analyzed and no solutes were detected with the 20 (MWCO) membrane. (Table 3) With the 50 (MWCO) membrane, only NaCl was detected in the filtrate at 4. 81 (mg/ml). (Table 3) The 100 (MWCO) membrane showed to have NaCl at 4. 81 (mg/ml) and Urea at 4. 74 (mg/ml) present in the filtrate. (Table 3) Glucose and powdered charcoal were not present. The last membrane with pore size 200 (MWCO), had the solutes NaCl at 4. 81 (mg/ml), Urea at 4. 74 (mg/ml), and Glucose at 4. 39 (mg/ml) detected in the filtrate. (Table 3) Powdered charcoal was not detected in this filtrate. Table 3) The molecules in powdered charcoal were too large to pass through any of the membranes tested. The 20 (MWCO) membrane pores were too small to allow any solute molecules to pass through. The membranes that contained lar ger pores allowed the solutes with larger pores pass through. The amounts (mg/ml) of the same solute detected in the filtrate were the same for each membrane. (Table 3) This is because the pressure that was released into the top beaker remained at 50 (mmHg) for all experiment runs. References Marieb, Elaine N. , Mitchell, Susan J. (2008). Exercise 5B. Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual Ninth Edition (pp. PEx-5 – PEx-13). San Francisco, California: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

China’s Trade Disputes

China's Trade Disputes Disputes over protection of Intellectual Property Complainant: United States Respondent: China Before China Joined the GATE (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) in 1986, it was a planned economy. What that does mean? It means that the government was in charge of the production, investment and prices. In other words, the government was in charge of running the economy. By that time, China almost had no international commerce but only with socialist countries such as the former USSR and Yugoslavia.It was not until 1992, that China began to lower its tariffs. As a result of that, China began to grow steadily and in 2001 China Joined the WTFO (World Trade Organization). According to Professor David W. Conklin and Danville Caddied (China's Trade Disputes, Richard Vive School of Business, The University of Western Ontario, 2009) China had a 42. 9% tariff rate in 1992; 16. 6% in 2001 and since then it has been around 9. 8%. These figures show how China the decreas ed its tariff rates since 1992 to the present.According to the WTFO (World Trade Organization), the average Chinese tariff rate in 2011 was 9. 6%. 1 China Joining the WATT had its own percussions; on one hand, it was a new market with a rapidly growing population, which was attractive for many international investors. On the other hand, China's export increased extremely fast, this rapid growth affected many industries in advanced economies. What is the reason behind this outcome? There were several issues regarding China's commerce policies that caused a stream of trade disputes between China and other economies.In spite of having the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), many Chinese producers were accused of racy and counterfeiting. The purpose of the Trips was to provide protection in the wide area of intellectual property. However, that was not the case in China; even though, the Chinese government based its Intellectual Property Rights on U. S. And EX. countries, they were not applying those policies effectively.Counterfeiting and piracy in China were estimated to be around 15% to of all the products made in the local market. These type of illegal activities composed 8% of China's GAP. 5 The main issue regarding Intellectual Property is the fact that for most developing countries, he easiest way to achieve competitiveness is through counterfeiting successful products and by copying business practices. Why is this a major problem? The answer is simple; these developing economies have as their competitive advantage: low wage rates.If they copy a product and produce it with those low salaries, they are able to sell it with a price lower than the original one. There is no doubt that these type of products are going to steal market share from the companies that originally produced them affecting not only those companies but also the economies that purport them. The main purpose of International laws that protect Intellectual Property is not only to secure fair business but also to keep Jobs in the domestic market not to offshore all those Jobs to other foreign countries.We know that weak PR polices and lesser penalties are factors that allow the spread of counterfeiting and piracy within an economy. Furthermore, a deficient legal system can be a cause of this too. However, according to John Lehman, this issue might be caused by a different factor: he said that Intellectual Property was not part of the â€Å"Traditional† Chinese legal code. He concludes that the main problem about Intellectual property in China is not caused by a deficient legal system nor economy but from intellectual and cultural factors. After the creation of the WIPE (World Intellectual Property Organization) in 1970, the WTFO functioned as a forum for the negotiation of international policies on major issues. However, violations concerning PR (Intellectual Property Rights) proved to be extremely difficult to handle. Especially with te chnological products that use to have very short product cycles. Overall, with all the genealogical advances, it was really hard to create an accurate legislation to address all of these new type of problems.There is a thin line between counterfeiting and using the product as a base to improve it, issues like that were a headache for the WTFO. On April 2007, the United States demanded a consultation with China relating to the protection of PR in China. The matters that were discussed during this series of consultations were: the lack of an efficient criminal procedure and set of penalties for commercial piracy, the prohibition to let counterfeited products to be released onto foreign markets and the boundaries in which a copyright piracy consists in of an unauthorized copying. The panel concluded that, to the extent that the Copyright Law and the Customs measures as such are inconsistent with the TRIPS Agreement, they nullify or impair benefits accruing to the United States under th at Agreement, and recommended that China bring the Copyright Law and the Customs measures into conformity with its obligations under the TRIPS Agreement†. 8 On April 2010, China and U. S. Informed the Dispute Settlement Body (ADS) that the agreed procedures were effectively in progress. Opinion: The protection of PR is one of the most important things for developed countries.I agree that counterfeiting and piracy should be severely punished. However, in this case I found an interesting opinion: â€Å"Why should these countries honor the property ownership of other when their own manufacturers could create Jobs and nurture domestic prosperity through piracy and counterfeiting? † This is obviously the other side of the coin it involves a social issue. But I think that copying (not counterfeiting not piracy) can be useful sometimes. I remember reading that after WI, Japan sent several of this workers to work in U. S. In order to get the American know-how.What they did was not counterfeiting because they didn't copy the products but they used the models as their base in order to improve it. That's an interesting idea, especially for developing economies. Recently I watched a documentary about the race between China and India. The main difference between both economies was that India was using innovation in order to grow; on the other hand, China was relying more on copying products than innovating. The same documentary showed that in the present counterfeiting laws are stronger in China but it is still an issue. China’s Trade Disputes China's Trade Disputes Disputes over protection of Intellectual Property Complainant: United States Respondent: China Before China Joined the GAIT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) in 1986, it was a planned economy. What that does mean? It means that the government was in charge of the production, investment and prices. In other words, the government was in charge of running the economy. By that time, China almost had no international commerce but only with socialist countries such as the former USSR and Yugoslavia.It was not until 1992, that China began to lower its tariffs. As a result of that, China began to grow steadily and in 2001 China Joined the WTFO (World Trade Organization). According to Professor David W. Conklin and Danville Caddied (China's Trade Disputes, Richard Vive School of Business, The University of Western Ontario, 2009) China had a 42. 9% tariff rate in 1992; 16. 6% in 2001 and since then it has been around 9. 8%. These figures show how China the decreas ed its tariff rates since 1992 to the present.According to the WTFO (World Trade Organization), the average Chinese tariff rate in 2011 was 9. 6%. 1 China Joining the WATT had its own percussions; on one hand, it was a new market with a rapidly growing population, which was attractive for many international investors. On the other hand, China's export increased extremely fast, this rapid growth affected many industries in advanced economies. What is the reason behind this outcome? There were several issues regarding China's commerce policies that caused a stream of trade disputes between China and other economies.In spite of having the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), many Chinese producers were accused of racy and counterfeiting. The purpose of the Trips was to provide protection in the wide area of intellectual property. However, that was not the case in China; even though, the Chinese government based its Intellectual Property Rights on U. S. And EX. countries, they were not applying those policies effectively.Counterfeiting and piracy in China were estimated to be around 15% to of all the products made in the local market. These type of illegal activities composed 8% of China's GAP. 5 The main issue regarding Intellectual Property is the fact that for most developing countries, he easiest way to achieve competitiveness is through counterfeiting successful products and by copying business practices. Why is this a major problem? The answer is simple; these developing economies have as their competitive advantage: low wage rates.If they copy a product and produce it with those low salaries, they are able to sell it with a price lower than the original one. There is no doubt that these type of products are going to steal market share from the companies that originally produced them affecting not only those companies but also the economies that purport them. The main purpose of International laws that protect Intellectual Property is not only to secure fair business but also to keep Jobs in the domestic market not to offshore all those Jobs to other foreign countries.We know that weak PR polices and lesser penalties are factors that allow the spread of counterfeiting and piracy within an economy. Furthermore, a deficient legal system can be a cause of this too. However, according to John Lehman, this issue might be caused by a different factor: he said that Intellectual Property was not part of the â€Å"Traditional† Chinese legal code. He concludes that the main problem about Intellectual property in China is not caused by a deficient legal system nor economy but from intellectual and cultural factors. After the creation of the WIPE (World Intellectual Property Organization) in 1970, the WTFO functioned as a forum for the negotiation of international policies on major issues. However, violations concerning PR (Intellectual Property Rights) proved to be extremely difficult to handle. Especially with te chnological products that use to have very short product cycles. Overall, with all the genealogical advances, it was really hard to create an accurate legislation to address all of these new type of problems.There is a thin line between counterfeiting and using the product as a base to improve it, issues like that were a headache for the WTFO. On April 2007, the United States demanded a consultation with China relating to the protection of PR in China. The matters that were discussed during this series of consultations were: the lack of an efficient criminal procedure and set of penalties for commercial piracy, the prohibition to let counterfeited products to be released onto foreign markets and the boundaries in which a copyright piracy consists in of an unauthorized copying. The panel concluded that, to the extent that the Copyright Law and the Customs measures as such are inconsistent with the TRIPS Agreement, they nullify or impair benefits accruing to the United States under th at Agreement, and recommended that China bring the Copyright Law and the Customs measures into conformity with its obligations under the TRIPS Agreement†. 8 On April 2010, China and U. S. Informed the Dispute Settlement Body (IDS) that the agreed procedures were effectively in progress. Opinion: The protection of PR is one of the most important things for developed countries.I agree that counterfeiting and piracy should be severely punished. However, in this case I found an interesting opinion: â€Å"Why should these countries honor the property ownership of other when their own manufacturers could create Jobs and nurture domestic prosperity through piracy and counterfeiting? † This is obviously the other side of the coin it involves a social issue. But I think that copying (not counterfeiting not piracy) can be useful sometimes. I remember reading that after WI, Japan sent several of this workers to work in U. S. In order to get the American know-how.What they did was not counterfeiting because they didn't copy the products but they used the models as their base in order to improve it. That's an interesting idea, especially for developing economies. Recently I watched a documentary about the race between China and India. The main difference between both economies was that India was using innovation in order to grow; on the other hand, China was relying more on copying products than innovating. The same documentary showed that in the present counterfeiting laws are stronger in China but it is still an issue.

Strategic Planning in the Airline Industry

Airline Planning Strategic Planning in the Airline Industry a two-day Seminar The Challenge Rapid and intense change in today’s business climate reshapes the fundamental approach to strategic decision-making. New thinking for ways to face the two vital strategy issues – where will the airline be in the future and how to get there – must emerge so that a modern air carrier can leverage its strength and capitalize on opportunities. Creating innovative strategies for the new business paradigm marks a proactive approach to the challenges in the volatile, yet exciting, airline business.Airlines that embrace a dynamic outlook for strategic planning are positioned favorably to prosper financially and operationally in face of uncertainties and complexities in this business. The strategic plan and its components influence every aspect of running a commercial air carrier. As such, it is critical to devise effective strategies and execute them efficiently. Organizational un its depend on clear understanding of the strategic issues so that they can plan accordingly and carry out the responsibilities created by the strategic plan.Strategic planning brings about an opportunity to examine carefully ways that the airline is conducting its business, and finding new methods to do a better job. Designing and delivering the airline’s services in today’s demanding marketplace requires sophisticated coordination between business units of the airline. Strategic planning serves as a mechanism to create a framework for integrating various contributions to deliver the airline’s offerings. Strategy-based planning addresses both the resource allocation and organization structural issues.Developing a business model for the airline based on a strategic analysis of opportunities and requirements form a platform for planning resources going forward. It also responds to: †¢ †¢ †¢ limitations in utilizing resources uncertainties of the fut ure dynamics of the airline business Business Requirements Strategic Management Strategic management is a disciplined yet adaptive endeavor to chart the future of the airline and align the activities of all business units in that direction.This attempt must be flexible, not rigid, so that the roadmap that it creates can be applied in building sensible operating and tactical plans that can incorporate new realities as the future unfolds. The strategy-savvy airlines reap the rewards of performing better while avoiding the detrimental effects of unstructured, undisciplined response to strategic challenges. Over time, only the airlines will survive that can master designing an advanced yet pragmatic strategic planning process.Such a process must encompass all significant considerations for constructing a blueprint of actions and allocating resources for properly executing those actions. CA Advisors 1250 Aviation Avenue Suite 200M San Jose, California 95110 USA Tel: 408-295-7730 Fax: 408 -280-5700 www. ca-advisors. com Gesellschaft fuer Markt und Strategieberatung Sonnenberger Strasse 52 65193 Wiesbaden GERMANY Tel: 0611-37577-39 Fax: 0611-37577-40 www. gms-beratung. com What is the airline trying to achieve? How is the airline going to achieve it? Objectives Strategy Strategic Analyses StructureHow will the airline organize its resources? Business Model Policies What are the operating rules and boundaries? Strategy-based Planning Structured Approach to Strategic Planning Seminar agenda†¦ Day One †¢ Introduction – strategic management perspective – structured approach to strategic planning Day Two †¢ Planning Optimization – allocating resources – developing prioritization †¢ Airline Business – unique features – models and economics †¢ Financial Planning – investment analysis – financing methods †¢ Strategy Development – practical considerations – innovative approaches †¢ Asset Valuation Real Options methodology – managing uncertainties †¢ Strategic Planning Process – components and requirements – execution and evaluation †¢ Integrated Strategic Management – thriving financially – performing operationally Who should attend†¦ This seminar delivers methods and tools for creating innovative strategies and executing strategic plans at both the corporate level and organizational units. Lessons learned can be quickly applied, facilitating the complex process of strategic decision-making. Airline corporate development and strategic planning executives, managers, and analysts directly profit from this seminar.Those responsible for long-range planning of various functional areas, business development, fleet planning, product and service development, corporate finance, treasury and financing, financial and investment analysis, financial planning and budgeting who directly face the challenges in strateg ic planning are the primary audience. Others in scheduling, marketing, and operations, who are impacted by strategic plans, are also encouraged to attend so that they can benefit from understanding the difficult and complex process of developing strategies and implementing strategic decisions that significantly impact the airline.Benefit from experienced leaders†¦ Two experts who combine extensive experience in strategic planning, airline strategies, and market development with knowledge of advanced quantitative planning and management science techniques will present the seminar. Jahan Alamzad Email: jahan. [email  protected] com Jahan Alamzad is president of CA Advisors. He has served as advisor to Applied Decision Analysis (ADA), a unit of Standard & Poor’s Corporate Value Consulting, where he was previously the director of airline practice. (ADA was a wholly owned subsidiary of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC between 1998 and 2001. ) Mr.Alamzad has been a management cons ultant in the airline and aerospace industries for the past seventeen years. Before his consulting career, he worked at American Airlines and United Airlines. Mr. Alamzad holds a masters in operations research from Stanford University, as well as a masters in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Southern California, and bachelors degrees in civil engineering and electrical engineering from the University of Illinois. He has served on the faculty of the Department of Aviation at San Jose State University, and has collaborated in publishing a textbook entitled Airline Management.Maciej Mazurowicz Email: maciej. [email  protected] de Maciej Mazurowicz is managing partner of Gesellschaft fuer Markt- und Strategieberatung (GMS). Prior to GMS, Mr. Mazurowicz worked at Lufthansa German Airlines in different strategic management positions. At Lufthansa Consulting, he managed a variety of business development projects for airlines worldwide. Mr. Mazurowicz holds a Mast er of Business Administration and bachelors in business from the University of Kiel. His publications include articles on behalf of the German Ministry of Economics concerning product development and management of innovations.About CA Advisors†¦ www. ca-advisors. com CA Advisors is a management consulting firm dedicated to providing state-of-the-art analytical services. By applying powerful and practical tools, the firm helps its client understand their business positions and improve their strategic and operational decisions. To ensure the success of its work, the firm is committed to collaborating closely with its clients, communicating clearly about its approach, and delivering valuable results that are logically sound. For many years, the work of CA Advisors rofessionals has spanned a wide range of projects. The firm has a focused and dedicated practice in the airline industry, with a breath of expertise in aerospace and aviation. The experience of the firm’s professi onals extends from traditional applications in logistics and resource allocation to more innovative applications in strategic planning. GMS is a management consulting company supporting clients in strategic planning and business development. GMS focuses in planning, marketing and sales, and assists clients in developing and implementing business strategies.GMS experts facilitate the evaluation of the business environment, forecast and analysis of market scenarios, and development of organizational structures by applying a wide range of state-of-the-art analytical tools and business methods, resulting in optimized financial and operational performance of clients. GMS ensures efficient project realization through a network of cooperation partners – from complete IT solutions up to personnel training. About GMS†¦ www. gms-beratung. de