The Functional Requirement Of Cladding System Essay

The Functional Requirement Of Cladding System Essay Strength and Stability A wall structure should have adequate strength to support its own weight between points of support or fixing to the structural frame, and sufficient stability against lateral wind pressures. To allow for differential movements, there has to be adequate support to carry the weight of the wall structure, and also restraint fixings that will maintain the wall in position and at the same time allow differential movements without damage to either the fixings or the wall material. Thin sheet wall materials such as GRP, metal and glass suffer rapid changes in temperature and consequent expansion and contraction which may cause distortion and damage to fixings or the thin panel material or both. In the design of wall structure faced with thin panel or sheet material, the ideal arrangement is to provide only one rigid support fining to each panel or sheet with one other flexible support fixing and two flexible restraint fixings. The need to provide support and restraint fixings with adequate flexibility to allow for thermal movement and at the same time adequately restrain the facing in place and maintain a weather tight joint has been the principal difficulty in the use of thin panel and sheet facings. Resistance to weather/exclusion of wind and rain The least thickness of solid wall material necessary to prevent penetration of rainwater to the inner face depends on the degree of exposure to driving rain. Common practice is to construct a cavity wall adequate thermal resistance to the passage of heat, and an attractive finish. Common practice is to construct solid cladding systems with an outer leaf of light weight block for insulation. Material used to seal joints is required to be resilient enough to accommodate movement and resist weather deterioration. The rain screen principle is designed to provide a separate outer skin, to screen wall panels from scouring by wind and rain and deterioration by sunlight, and to improve the life and efficient of the joint seals. Durability and freedom from maintenance The durability of a wall structure is a measure of the frequency and extent of the work necessary to maintain minimum functional requirements and acceptable appearance. For example, masonry required a little maintenance because the dirt stained due to slow run-off of water from open horizontal joints. Panels of glass will maintain their finish over the expected life of buildings but will require frequent cleaning of the surface if they are to maintain their initial appearance, and periodic attention to and renewal of the seals. Another material that can be used is metal. bronze and stainless steel, both materials, will weather by the formation of a thin film of oxide that is impermeable and prevents further oxidation. Fire safety/fire Resistance Primary precautions are the internal spread of fire across the surface materials of the wall and ceilings, external fire spread over the fabric and fire spread such as cavities. The Building Regulations prohibit the use of materials that encourage spread of flame across their surface when subject to intense radiant heat and those which give off heat when burning. Limits of using thermoplastic materials in roof lights and lighting diffusers set in Building Regulation. To limit the spread of fire between buildings, limits to the size of unprotected areas of walls. The term unprotected area is used to include those parts of external walls that may contribute to the spread of the fire between buildings such as windows. The Regulations also limit the use of materials of roof coverings near a boundary that will not provide adequate protection against the spread of fire over their surfaces. Resistance to the passage of heat/thermal property Addition insulation need to be provided by lining of the cladding material. The interiors of building clad with large areas of glass may gain through large part or the whole of their internal heat from a combination of solar heat gain through glass cladding and from internal artificial lighting. Solar heat gain can be controlled through the use of simple shading devices fixed externally or internally to the building fabric. Control of internal temperatures As we know, solar is gain through glass panel. The thermal control can be achieved by deep recessed window used in conjunction with external vertical fins, non-transparent external louvers and used of special solar control glass. Another way is minimized the air leakage in the building. We need to maintain the temperature in the building like the concept of green house effect that can traps the heat in the building in the cool day. Resistance to the passage of sound/sound insulation There are several ways to overcome this problem. Firstly, used the resilient pad to prevent sound originating within the structure to be transferred vertically through cladding members. Airbone soung can be prevented by utilizing double glazing panel to window area. B) A client requires a road that requires little maintenance with reasonable non-skid properties. With the aid of diagramme, suggest a type of road and the construction methodology for the proposed used. A client requires a road that requires little maintenance with reasonable non-skid properties. With the aid of diagramme, suggest a type of road and the construction methodology for the proposed used. Type of Road: Flexible Road Sub-grade: original soil or backfilling soil Sub base: small aggregates. The surface of the compacted sub-base should be close textured to prevent migration of sand from the bedding course. Example: sand or quarry dust. Road base: crusher run Surfacing : pre-mix bituminous. Prime coat as binder of particles. Construction Methodology Site Clearing Right of way The corridor of the road has to be cleared to the required width (prevention of soil erosion) Make sure that the accessibility of the road is permitted legally. Clearing and grubbing of the site Using dozer or grader for the works. The hedges and grass roots can be removed by using dozer. Grader is usually for grubbing works where the topsoil needs not to remove form site Cut and fill of the road Cutting: Formation level is lower than original ground level. Filling: Formation level is higher than original level. Preparation of sub grade layer Make sure that the base and subgrade layers must provide adequate and moisture resistant strength and modulus, in addition to durability and stability. Before subgrade can start, make sure the installation of services has finished such as ground surface drainage, piping for water supply and electrical. Subgrade is started and compacted until reaching uniform density for the whole width and to falls. Replaced the unsuitable material such as rock or not useful soil. Subgrade, and base materials frequently require treatment with additives such as asphalt, cement, fly ash, and lime.   Should have unsoaked C.B.R (California bearing ratio) of 15% in the subgrade. CBR is a penetration test for evaluation of the mechanical strength  of  road  subgrades Preparation of sub base 300mm thick of sand/quarry dust. Compacted with 8-10 tonne smooth wheeled roller at 125mm layer 12 times. Rolling start from one side of the road to the center of road in horizontal direction by using roller-compactor. Road base construction Constructed into two layers with same thickness with each layer not more than 150mm thick. Materials (crusher run) leveled following chambers. Lastly, using compactor to compact the mixing tar of the road. Surfacing Construction the graded subgrade or the top granular base layer may be prepared with a prime coat A prime coat is a sprayed application of a cutback (MC-30 or MC-70) or emulsion asphalt applied to the surface of untreated subgrade or base layers.   The size of the premix: 12.5mm to 19mm Compaction should be done quickly Underseal which is a sprayed application of asphalt binder (emulsion or hot applied asphalt binder) immediately covered by a layer of one-sized aggregate. The last step is Road surface marking by using white paints. C) Describe the performance and specify of the material that can be used to fill the void of disused structures e.g. culverts, redundant sewers, cellars and basements and also for soil stabilization, e.g. bridge abutments tunnel stabilization and embarkments. Describe the performance and specify of the material that can be used to fill the void of disused structures e.g. culverts, redundant sewers, cellars and basements and also for soil stabilization, e.g. bridge abutments tunnel stabilization and embarkments. Materials used: Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Developed in Sweden in the late 1920s, autoclaved cellular concrete (ACC) is a lightweight precast concrete building material that is cured under elevated pressure inside special kilns called autoclaves. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (often shortened to AAC) is effectively concrete with lots of closed air pockets in it. It is lightweight and energy efficient, and is produced by adding a foaming agent to concrete in a mould, then wire cutting blocks or panels from the resulting cake, and cooking it with steam (autoclaving). Performance Appearance It contains many small voids (similar to those in aerated chocolate bars) that can be clearly seen when looked at closely. The closed air pockets contribute to the materials insulating properties and also its aerated nature. Although there is no direct path for water to pass through the material, an appropriate coating is required to prevent water penetrating into the AAC material. AAC can be sculpted with wood working tools, but its softness means that it is rarely used as an exposed finish owing to its need for surface protection. Structural Capability The compressive strength of AAC is very good and load-bearing structures up to three storeys high can be safely erected. Entire building structures can be made in AAC from walls to floors and roofing with reinforced lintels, blocks and floor, wall and roofing panels available from the manufacturers. AAC panels and lintels contain integral steel reinforcement to ensure structural adequacy during installation and design life. Thermal mass With its mixture of lightweight concrete and air pockets, AAC has a moderate overall level of thermal mass performance. The temperature moderating thermal mass is most useful in climates with high cooling needs. Sound insulation With its closed air pockets, AAC can providevery good sound insulation. As with all masonry construction, care must be taken to avoid gaps and unfilled joints that can allow unwanted sound transmission. Combining the AAC wall with an insulated asymmetric cavity system will provide a wall with excellent sound insulation properties. Fire resistance AAC is inorganic and incombustible and is thus especially suited for fire-rated applications. Depending on the application and the thickness of the blocks or panels, fire ratings up to four hours can be achieved. AAC does not harbour or encourage vermin (ulat). Durability and moisture resistance The purposely lightweight nature of AAC makes it liable to impact damage. With the surface protected to resist moisture penetration it is not affected by harsh climatic conditions and will not degrade under normal atmospheric conditions. The porous nature of the material can allow moisture to penetrate the material to a depth but appropriate design (damp proof coarse layers and appropriate coating systems) prevents this happening. AAC will not easily degrade structurally when exposed to moisture. Toxicity and Breathability There are no toxic substances and no odour in the final product. If low toxic, vapour permeable coatings are used on the walls and care is taken not to trap moisture where it can condense, AAC may be an ideal material for homes for the chemically sensitive. Environment Impact AAC has manufacturing, embodied energy and GH emission impacts similar to those of concrete, but can be up to one quarter to one fifth that of concrete based on volume. Its much higher insulation value reduces heating and cooling energy consumption. As an energy and material investment it can often be justified for buildings intended to have a long life. Buildability, availability and cost AAC is relatively easy to work, is light and easily carved, cut and sculpted. Very large block sizes may require two-handed lifting and be awkward to handle but can result in fewer joints and more rapid construction. Low waste component, as the offcuts can be re-used in the construction of the wall. *Figure show the principle of heat insulation and sound insulation D) Briefly describe the activities involved in external works at the start of the contract. Briefly describe the activities involved in external works at the start of the contract. External work is means by the work or the construction is carried out outside of the building or the work generally done externally from main building. At the contract commencement, there are many types of external work can be carry out such as drainage, temporary access, temporary storage, temporary car parks, temporary site facilities, and public utilities such as water, electricity and telecom. Those external works must be prepared before the construction can be started. Most of the activities will span the whole contract period but bulk of activities will fall under early stages of construction and toward the end of the construction. In early stages of construction, there are many external work s need to prepare. For examples, drainage main runs, access arrangement, storage facilities, car parks, place to settle the machinery for foundation construction, and services to the construction sites. The first activities involves in external works at the start of the contract is drainage system. There are two categories of drainage which are surface drainage and sub-surface drainage. Surface drainage is the removal and disposal of water from the surface of the pavement. Whereas sub-surface drainage is the use of underground pipes and other fittings to corect the flow of water from where it is not wanted to some other place. This includes land drainage that removing and disposing of surplus groundwater from gardens, fields and other plots of open land. A subsurface drain is a perforated conduit, such as tile, pipe or tubing, installed below the ground surface to intercept, collect or convey drainage water. *The picture show the surface drainage and sub-surface drainage Besides drainage that need to take consider in the early stages of external work, temporary access also an importance in construction site. Ususally, a geotextile is used as a temporary road access. A geotextile is a synthetic permeable textile material used with soil, rock, or any other material. Geotextiles extend the service life of roads, increase their load-carrying capacity, and reduce the incidence of ruts. These benefits are accomplished by separating aggregate structural layers from subgrade soil while allowing the passage of water. Geotextiles should be considered for use on any section of road requiring an aggregate (rock) layer for surfacing. Geotextiles can reduce the amount of aggregate required, thus reducing the cost of the road, as well as providing the benefits described in the previous paragraph. * The picture show how the geotexile work. Next, temporary site storage and car park (empty area) also consider as external work that need to prepare in construction site. The uses of the temporary site storage is to keep important material or the expensive material. For example, the cement which cannot put outside space, it must be covered by the roof to avaid raining. The cement also need to keep in a dry place because it is easily chemically react with water. Car park or empty area also need in construction site because it is for the lorry to loading or unloading the things for the construction. Car parks also need for the site manager or outsides visitor to keep their vehicle. * The picture show the temporary car park at the site of construction Apart from that, at the commencement for external works, public utilities such as water supply, electricity and telecom also need to prepare in the site of construction. The piping work must be installated at early stage of external work in order to easy the work. The electricity supply need for the lighting, and machinery used. Telecom is used for the communication purposes.

Ford Motor Company: Challenges and Opportunities

Ford Motor Company: Challenges and Opportunities The purpose of the following report is to identify the most significant problems facing the Ford Motor Corporation and recommend a course of action that most adequately resolves the challenges of todays marketplace. It begins by outlining three of the major challenges facing the Ford Motor Company: Fords current business plan is not as financially and environmentally sustainable as it could be. Global economic markets are performing far worse than Ford had expected in prior planning. Fords market share in developing foreign markets is lower than desired. The report recommends that Ford should focus on creating a more financially and environmentally sustainable business model by developing energy efficient and environmentally sustainable automobile models in every vehicle class. These models should be developed without significant increases in consumer cost or decreases in overall performance. This is to be accomplished by revamping Fords research and development program. Some potentially promising areas of research include hybrid electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles, and electric vehicles. Ford has the opportunity to make the most progress by focusing on hybrid vehicle research and development. This is to be done by redirecting other RD expenditures and efforts, scaling back production to free up additional funds, initiating a new public relations campaign to inform consumers about the new sustainable Ford plan, and creating partnerships with leading technology and engineering firms. The report then presents an ethical screen outlining the moral considerations this course of action entails. While the creation of a more sustainable business model builds upon Fords ethical commitments, the loss of jobs resulting from proposed production and retail facility closures conflicts with these principles. And while a course of action that brings about greater job losses to Ford employees is less than ideal, it arises from market conditions. Lack of action may result in even greater job losses on a long-term scale. In this way, the recommended course of action resonates with the ethical commitments outlined in Fords Mission Statement. A feasibility report discusses Fords ability to achieve these goals. As of 2007, the Ford Motor Company maintained the second highest RD budget in the world, with a hybrid vehicle program already well underway. In the year 2000, Ford unveiled the first U.S. made hybrid-vehicle, an accomplishment that sets Ford apart from its U.S. competitors. This report concludes that Ford possesses adequate resources and abilities to reach these new goals. A cost-benefit analysis then weighs potential losses against gains that may arise from this plan. The proposed course of action is high-risk is cost-intensive, however the potential benefits of increased income outweigh the expenditures Ford stands to lose while pursuing this goal and the equally high-risk option of failing to act on this pressing challenge and opportunity. Finally, the report outlines a preliminary budget, timeline, and a step-by-step course of action. Overall, the proposed plan is intended to cost Ford little in terms of net expenditure, and should be completed in its entirely by the year 2015. Position The Ford Motor Company is one of the largest automotive manufactures in the world (OICA). Founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company is currently one of Americas Big Three auto manufacturers, along with Chrysler and General Motors (Datamonitor 13). As of 2009, Fords net worth in assets was $222.977 billion (Ford 67). Fords market capitalization in 2006 was reported at just over $13 billion (Kiley), and the companys total equity as of 2009 stands at negative $17.311 billion (Ford 67). Debt notwithstanding, Ford stands apart from Chrysler and GM as the only Big Three manufacturer to not seek bankruptcy or government bailout since the onset of the current financial recession. Ford has incorporated Lincoln Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin and one-third of Mazda into its brand roster. Fords Mission Statement is titled the One Ford Mission. It is divided into three parts One Team, One Plan, One Goal and is included in this reports Appendix on page 17. Ford strives to be one of the leading automotive manufacturers in the world, and to sustain this position for generations to come. Furthermore, Ford strives to provide its consumers with an affordable, ethical, and quality product. There are a number of key stakeholders that rely on the Ford brand, including financial investors, consumers, and large companies and government organizations that depend on Ford to maintain reliable fleets of vehicles (Datamonitor 14). Challenges to Ford While the Ford Motor Companys influence on the automotive industry is undeniable, a wide variety of challenges are preventing Ford from capitalizing on the opportunities presented by todays shifting economic and social landscapes. Three of these challenges will be outlined in the following section. They are listed in order of priority. Fords current automobile models are not as energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable as they could be. William Clay Ford Jr. echoes the sentiments of Ford Motor Companys Mission Statement in a recent interview: For us, sustainability is not just about the environment if you dont have a sustainable business model, none of the rest matters (Bonini and Kaas). Ford prides itself as a company built both on innovation as well as ethical responsibility. Yet Ford trails significantly behind Toyota in terms of hybrid technology and GM in terms of larger-class hybrid vehicles (Carr-Ruffino and Acheson 21). With no hybrid or alternative energy models of its own in several vehicle classes, Ford has much ground to cover in becoming a leader in environmental sustainability. Global economic markets are performing far worse than Ford had expected in prior planning. This poor planning has resulted in a $34.3 billion debt that strains Fords already tight budget (Ford 28). Compounding these problems, consumer confidence is, in turn, exasperatingly low (Datamonitor 9) with most consumers unwilling to make large purchases until markets improve. While government incentives such as the so-called cash-for-clunkers legislation and tax-credits for hybrid vehicle owners have helped American auto manufacturers weather unusually low sales figures, these fixes are temporary (U.S. Department of Energy). Fords market share in developing foreign markets is lower than desired. While Ford posted a 1.1% gain in domestic market shares this year (16.1% up from 15.0% at the close of 2008), the company remains fourth in total global sales behind Toyota, GM, and Volkswagen (OICA) and possesses only 2.0% of all automotive sales in the companys South Asia Africa sector, which includes the rapidly emerging markets of China and India (Ford 19). While Ford ultimately must address all of these challenges to remain competitive and fulfill its Mission Statement, the remainder of this report will focus on how Ford can create more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable automobiles. In so doing, Ford stands to develop consumer acquisitions and brand loyalty by addressing rapidly changing needs of consumers and other stakeholders. Consumer Needs Research is showing that more and more consumers do not want to own cars that are not fuel-efficient. This is due to financial as well as ethical considerations (Prickett 29). Rising gas prices are increasing the importance of fuel-efficiency for consumers (Bonini and Kaas) and governments are willing to offer incentives to consumers in exchange for their purchases of more fuel-efficient vehicles. As the U.S. economy is based largely on fossil fuel usage and as increasing scarcity is beginning to characterize fossil fuel sources worldwide there is social interest vested in increasing overall reliance on sustainable energy sources. To remain competitive, Ford must not only acknowledge this future, but embrace it. Domestic and global auto-manufacturers stand to gain a competitive edge if Ford does not act on this changing consumer need quickly. More and more hybrid models emerge every year, with GM leading the way in larger hybrid vehicle models (Carr-Ruffino and Acheson). Chinas government and domestic auto-manufacturers have made it clear that they intend to make China the next center of hybrid and light vehicle construction (Gallagher). The clock is ticking and Fords window of opportunity is closing. Sustainability at Ford Ford must work to create sustainable models in all vehicle classes. These models must compare to conventional counterparts in terms of ticket price. On top of this, Ford must ensure that public infrastructure can adequately support these innovations so that consumers are not burdened with new operating complications, costs, or maintenance issues. Potentially promising areas of development include hybrid vehicles, natural gas vehicles, and electric vehicles (Bonini and Kaas). Hybrid vehicles present the least complicated fix in terms of infrastructure and consumer familiarity compared to other alternative fuel types. And while all options must be explored, Fords first step is to focus on developing and expanding its hybrid program. Fords hybrid program is already well underway, and would require less allocation of resources to build upon in comparison with other areas of research and development. Revamping Fords hybrid program will require significant financial commitments. In markets that already leave little breathing room for addition expenditure, this report recommends that Ford funnel all research and development funds into innovating Fords hybrid program. Ford must also develop cooperative RD facilities with leading energy firms, government research groups, and NGOs to save on costs and consolidate resources and knowledge. In addition, Ford should continue scaling back production to meet the lower demands of recession markets (Canis and Platzer) and redirect most of these savings into an expanded RD program. By making these changes in tandem with a massive PR campaign, Ford stands to gain considerable market shares both domestically and abroad (Byron). And while this recommendation is high-risk, the history of the Ford Motor Company demonstrates that Ford functions best when setting itself apart from competitors and taking risks. The Ford Motor Company was build on big thinking and technological innovation (Wren and Greenwood 73), and it is through these methods that Ford will overcome the most pressing challenges of todays market. Benefits to Sustainability Ethical screen. The notion of a more environmentally friendly Ford Motor Company is not only ethically compatible with Fords Mission Statement, it reaffirms and builds upon it. At the same time, there are consequences to this course of action that contain further ethical considerations. Due to the proposed closing of several production and retail facilities, a number of Ford employees stand to lose their jobs. This move is extremely unwelcome in a nation with an unemployment rate already averaging 9.7% (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Ford stands to suffer from bad publicity and to potentially contradict the ethical commitments outlined in its mission statement. This course of action, however, is necessitated by recession markets and does not represent the ultimate intentions of the Ford Motor Company. The strategy of creating a more sustainable Ford is intended to protect the job security of all Ford employees on a long-term basis (i.e. the creation of a more sustainable business model). It is the conclusion of this report, therefore, that this course of action complies with and upholds the ethical commitments outlined in Fords mission statement. Feasibility analysis. In terms of pure research, hybrid technology is fairly well understood and is already utilized by the Ford Motor Company. Focus must be placed on improving hybrid efficiency, performance, and reliability, as well as maintaining affordable costs to consumers. Furthermore, Fords RD facilities are top-notch and already working to develop Fords hybrid program. As of 2007, Ford had the second-largest research and development budget in the world at approximately $8 billion annually (Vijayenthiran). Additionally, Ford was the first auto-manufacturer to offer a U.S.-made hybrid vehicle (in the year 2000) (Carr-Ruffino and Acheson). Based on this information, it is entirely feasible that Ford can produce additional landmark models in the near future provided that adequate resources and proper strategies are applied towards revamping its current hybrid RD program. Cost-Benefit Analysis. There are a number of initial costs that Ford must account for in order to properly execute this course of action. Costs must be covered immediately and will rely on the success of several preliminary budget-saving steps. That said, the total price of developing hybrid models for all vehicle classes is intended to be accounted for through internal budget recoveries; reductions in production costs are meant to reduce the need for increased net spending. The potential benefits of these investments far outweigh initial costs, but are long-term and may not bring significant returns until the entirety of the plan is completed. And while this proposal is financially risky, the current problems facing the Ford Motor Company its potential inability to respond to the challenges and opportunities of a changing marketplace are dire enough that the competitiveness of the company itself is at risk. In this sense, these costs should not only be considered investments, but preventative measures. Costs: public relations campaign: $300 million annually includes costs due to advertising in print, television, radio, and internet media, partnerships with non-profit organizations, market research, and product promotions; revamped RD facilities: $700 million annually includes costs due to equipment, larger research/design staff, new/upgraded facilities, fair-use of patents and other legal expenses, materials, and partnerships with technology firms, government research groups, and NGOs. Total costs: approximately $1 billion annually for the next five years. Monetary benefits: A report from 2009 estimates that by 2015 the global hybrid vehicle market will have risen by 31.3% and be valued at around $67.7 billion (Global Markets Direct). In 2009 the U.S. market comprised 47.5% of all hybrid vehicles sold worldwide (or a predicted $32.16 billion annually in 2015, if the U.S. market share remains the same). Of these 2009 sales, Toyota has currently sequestered the highest market share of 72% percent (R.L Polk Co.). If Ford succeeds in obtaining the highest U.S. market share in prospected hybrid sales by 2015 and if this market share is roughly the same as Toyotas first-ranked share in 2009 Ford could earn up to $23.15 billion in hybrid vehicle sales in 2015 in the U.S. alone (72% of $32.16 billion). While this estimate is extremely rough and represents a very high performance in terms of Fords future hybrid sales, it illustrates the potential monetary benefits that may result from focusing on hybrid development over the next several year s. Other benefits: Financial and environmental sustainability should be considered tremendous benefits in their own right. It is through both that Ford ensures future competitiveness and remains true to its Mission Statement. Recommendations for Ford This report recommends the following steps to achieve success in its goal of creating a more sustainable Ford Motor Company. First, Ford must begin a PR campaign focused on educating consumers about the current status of the automotive industry and to raise awareness about the future Ford is helping to build. The campaign should focus both on consumers who, in general, already look favorably on hybrid vehicles, as well as those who may be skeptical about hybrid performance, cost, and feasibility on a larger scale. Ford must use this campaign to unveil to consumers its five-year plan to create a more sustainable Ford. This should begin immediately and be fully operational after a transition period of no more than four full quarters. Ford should continue this campaign until the Ford brand is synonymous with sustainability. A total of around $300 million per year (from an estimated $1 billion gleaned annually from facility closures) will be allocated towards the development and maintena nce of this new PR campaign. Market research teams will evaluate the success of this campaign twice per quarter. The PR campaign will be considered a success once the Ford brand is recognized above all global competitors as the leader in sustainability and hybrid vehicle production. Second, Ford must begin to significantly scale back production. This should be completed within the next four quarters. While the PR campaign should begin immediately, it may take several months for Ford to assess which production and retail facilities are most extraneous. Qualified workers can be transferred to different positions at RD facilities and public relations departments (Ford will begin recruiting internally). This step will be considered successful once Ford has reduced its production costs by a goal of around $1 billion annually. Managers will monitor the progress of facility closures with goals set at reducing operating costs by about $250 million annually per quarter for the next four quarters. Third, Ford must immediately direct newly acquired funds towards revamping its RD program and focusing this program upon the development of hybrid technologies. This should be completed within the next four quarters and will utilize an additional $700 million annually (gleaned from the estimated $1 billion in reduced annual operating expenses). Achievement teams will assess the growth of Fords hybrid RD program twice per quarter, ensuring that a gain of at least $175 million in addition annual RD funds are available at the end of each quarter. Fourth, Ford must begin to develop relationships and partnerships with leading energy firms. By creating cooperative RD facilities where research tasks, budgets and innovations are shared Ford stands to make significant strides at lower costs and accelerated rates. By sequestering their cooperation early on, Ford stands to gain a competitive edge against competitors. Ford must gain cooperative relationships with the majority of leading energy and engineering firms such as General Electric and Lockheed Martin as well as non-government organizations and federal research groups like the EPAs National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor, Michigan (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Costs and evaluations will be incorporated into expanded RD departments. Fifth, Ford must unveil several new models of hybrid vehicles in all vehicle class types. This should be accomplished completely by 2015, followed by the eventual discontinuation or transformation of existing conventional-engine-models in years to follow. Hybrid models should cost no more than current conventional counterparts, and perform comparatively. Vehicle design budgets will be incorporated into expanded RD departments. The challenges facing the Ford Motor Company are great, but will be overcome through innovation and an increased dedication towards environmental and financial sustainability. Ford has repeatedly acted as a revolutionary force throughout history, and it is only through equally radical revolutions and innovations that Ford can help usher a new era in the global automotive industry.

Microbes in the Antarctic Continent Essay -- Biology, Microorganism

Microbes in the Antarctic continent play an important role in the ecosystem function and sustainability. The variation in snow and ice covers in Antarctic continent markedly affects all ecological variables including the composition of microbial assemblages and their function (Quayle et al., 2002). Minor changes in the global climate could significantly affect the ice and snow melt regimen in this continent. Therefore the Antarctic ecosystem is considered to be a good ecological indicator for the global climate change (Walther et al., 2002). Since 1961, an increase in 1Â ºC temperature from -11Â ºC to approximately -10 Â ºC) in Schirmacher Oasis has been recorded (http://south.aari.nw.ru/data/data.asp?lang=0&station=1). This may have resulted in an increased melting of snow, glacial and continental ice thereby affecting the lacustrine systems in Schirmacher Oasis. It is possible that Lake Tawani(P), which initially existed as a low-catchment depression, progressively filled with w ater from glacial ice and snow melts through visible surface channels and eventually become a permanent landlocked freshwater lake with a thriving microbial ecosystem (Figure 1). Although over 100 freshwater lakes in Schirmacher Oasis harbor a rich microbial consortium, only a few lakes have been subjected to the study of the microbial diversity. Our results revealed that analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the culture-independent community DNA had a better coverage of the diversity of the bacteria in the samples. Overall, the 16S rRNA gene analysis resulted in the identification of 8 different phyla, 20 different genera including two clones from the Candidate OP 10 groups. Interestingly two genera, Sphingomonas and Janthinobacterium were found to be comm... ...intermixing of some of the lake waters with the snow and ice melt through channels that connect them. Therefore the dynamic microbial ecosystem at the Schirmacher Oasis lakes is driven by the interaction between the annual weather events and microorganisms inhabiting in these lakes. In this study, we describe the bacterial diversity in a previously unexplored freshwater Lake Tawani (projected) [described here in Lake Tawani(P)] using culture-based and culture-independent methods. We have targeted the bacterial conserved segments of the 16S Small Subunit ribosomal RNA gene (described here in 16S rRNA) and the rpoB gene that code for the ÃŽ ²-subunit bacterial RNA polymerase. Investigating the microbial diversity of the lakes especially those connected through channels will help understand the dynamic nature of the freshwater lake ecosystems on the Antarctic continent.

Presidential Influence on Teenage Drug Abuse :: Substance Abuse Essays

Presidential Influence and Teenage Drug Abuse. "Just don't do it", the slogan from Bob Dole's anti-drug campaign upon a cursory evaluation, may appear to have been an inefficient way of confronting the growing problem of national drug abuse. After all, it is hardly reasonable to believe that a potential drug user will specifically consider these words before deciding whether to get high or not. However, this slogan, and the man that stands behind it, represents a sorely needed, value-oriented stance on the issue that was lacking in the Clinton administration. The president's cavalier attitude was responsible for a dramatic increase in drug abuse among teenagers. While Clinton's baby boomer generation dismissed aggressive anti-drug campaigns as ineffectual, the truth is that tough approaches to the problem have proven to be very successful. The Nixon, Reagan and Bush Sr. administrations are direct examples of this. When Richard Nixon began his first term, use of marijuana and heroin had reached an all-time high. In response, he vowed to wage a national attack on narcotics abuse, which involved reducing the flow of drugs into the country while stepping up drug treatment programs. Nixon began his work by arranging for the extradition of noted heroin chemists, and sent ambassadors to negotiate narcotics agreements with foreign countries. Turkey, which provided about 80 percent of the U.S. heroin supply promised a complete cessation of its production in exchange for $35.7 million in aid. On the national level, the Nixon administration further proved its dedication to the cause by legalizing the use of drugs to combat addiction and by encouraging anti-drug commercials and television programs. Although many were doubtful that these measures would have any impact, they did help dramatically curtail drug abuse. In 1975, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that while the purity of heroin had declined, the street price was four times greater. The result was a marked decline in heroin abuse. Unfortunately, the Carter administration failed to continue the vigorous anti-drug campaign. In fact, President Carter at one time advocated that marijuana possession be legalized. It is little wonder that, in the absence of strong moral leadership, by 1979 half of all teenagers were experimenting with the drug. Fortunately, Reagan was elected at this crucial time, and was succeeded by George Bush Sr.. Both presidents strongly supported drug interdiction. Between the years of 1979 and 1992, teenage drug abuse reduced by one-half.

The Purpose Of Education :: Economics

The Purpose Of Education Education is an important part in every child's life, and here in Singapore, every child has to receive compulsory education. I believe that education is an important part in helping a child grow up, to make sure that a child grows up into a sensible and responsible adult. It is also important to make sure the child grows up into an independent person with the skills necessary to be in the workforce of a country. In order to achieve that, I feel that education has to be introduced at a young age. That way, children would be used to the environment, and be able to study more effectively when the child gets older, and more subjects are introduced. However, education cannot be too geared towards an academic approach. For example, I feel that the education system in Singapore is too exam-oriented. Though in Raffles Institution, there is no more focus on examinations, there still common tests and quizzes. Furthermore, other schools, specifically neighbourhood schools, still focus on examinations, which I think is a dangerous pitfall, since schools should not exist solely to make another person more knowledgeable. It should instead be used to help make the children's minds more creative, and not so rigid, in the sense that they would be able to look at things at different perspectives. This is clearly represented in "Gryphon". Mr. Hibler, a normal teacher in Five Oaks, follows the education system very faithfully. Paragraph 55 shows that Mr. Hibler had a lesson plan ready. Thus he was probably just going to tell the students some information about Egyptians. I feel that this kind of teaching, however, is not useful, since it just spoonfeeds the children with information. This information would be forgotten by the students very quickly after a few years. Next, we read on about how Ms. Ferenczi teaches the students. Mr. Hibler falls ill and is replaced by Miss Ferenczi. Miss Ferenczi, on the other hand, does not strictly follow Mr. Hibler's lesson plans, but instead she gives the students a lot of room for imagination. For example, in paragraph 64, Miss Ferenczi is supposed to talk about pyramids. However she asks the students to think of what was inside. Then she goes on to say that the nature of pyramids were to guide cosmic energy forces into a concentrated point. However, we know that this is not true. Thus she is apparently trying to encourage the children to imagine different things. This would be what I think the purpose of education should be. It should be to give children a chance to express their creativity, to

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 32

Joseph rubbed the bridge of his nose as if fighting a headache. â€Å"He said he'd see what he could do.† We watched as the Roman soldiers took Joshua inside and the priests followed. The Pharisees, commoners in the eyes of the Romans, were left outside. A legionnaire almost caught Jakan's face in the gate when he slammed it. I caught movement out of the corner of my eye, and I looked up to a high, wide balcony that was visible above the palace walls. It had obviously been designed by Herod the Great's architects as a platform from which the king could address the masses in the Temple without compromising his safety. A tall Roman in a lush red robe was standing on the balcony looking down on the crowd, and not looking particularly happy with their presence. â€Å"Is that Pilate?† I asked Joseph, pointing to the Roman. Joseph nodded. â€Å"He'll go downstairs to hold Joshua's trial.† But I wasn't interested at that point in where Pilate was going. What interested me was the centurion who stood behind him wearing the full-crested helmet and breastplate of a legion commander. Not a half hour later the gate was opened and a squad of Roman soldiers brought Joshua out of the palace in bonds. A lower-rank centurion pulled Joshua along by a rope around his wrists. The priests followed along behind and were mobbed with questions by the Pharisees who had been waiting outside. â€Å"Go find out what's going on,† I said to Joseph. We waded into the middle of the procession that followed. Most were screaming at Joshua and trying to spit on him. I spotted a few people in the crowd that I knew to be Joshua's followers, but they were going along silently, their eyes darting around as if any second they might be the next one arrested. Simon, Andrew, and I followed behind at some distance, while Maggie fought the crowd to get close to Joshua. I saw her throw herself at her ex-husband, Jakan, who was trailing the priests, but she was stopped in mid-leap by Joseph of Arimathea, who caught her by the hair and pulled her back. Someone else was helping restrain her, but he wore a shawl over his head so I couldn't tell who it was. Probably Peter. Joseph dragged Maggie back to us and handed her over to me and Simon. â€Å"She'll get herself killed.† Maggie looked up at me, a wildness in her eyes that I couldn't read, either anger or madness. I wrapped my arms around her and held her so her arms were pinned to her sides as we walked along. The man with the hood walked along beside me, his hand on Maggie's shoulder, steadying her. When he looked at me I could see it was Peter. The wiry fisherman seemed to have aged twenty years since I'd seen him Tuesday night. â€Å"They're taking him to Antipas,† Peter said. â€Å"As soon as Pilate heard Joshua was from Galilee he said it wasn't his jurisdiction and sent him to Herod.† â€Å"Maggie,† I said into her ear, â€Å"please stop being a madwoman. My plan just went to hell and I could use some critical thinking.† Once again we waited outside of one of the palaces built by Herod the Great, but this time, because it was a Jewish king in residence, the Pharisees were let in and Joseph of Arimathea went in with them. A few minutes later he was back outside again. â€Å"He's trying to get Joshua to perform a miracle,† Joseph said. â€Å"He'll let him go if Joshua performs a miracle for him.† â€Å"And if Joshua won't do it?† â€Å"He won't,† said Maggie. â€Å"If he won't do it,† Joseph said, â€Å"we're back where we started. It will be up to Pilate to order the Sanhedrin's death sentence carried out or to release Joshua.† â€Å"Maggie, come with me,† I said, tugging at her dress as I backed away. â€Å"Why, where?† â€Å"The plan's back on.† I ran back to the praetorium, with Maggie in tow. I pulled up by a pillar across from the Antonia Palace. â€Å"Maggie, can Peter really heal? Really?† â€Å"Yes, I told you.† â€Å"Wounds? Broken bones?† â€Å"Wounds, yes. I don't know about bones.† â€Å"I hope so,† I said. I left her there while I went to the highest-ranking centurion stationed outside the gates. â€Å"I need to see your commander,† I said. â€Å"Go away, Jew.† â€Å"I'm a friend. Tell him it's Levi from Nazareth.† â€Å"I'll tell him nothing.† So I stepped up and took the centurion's sword out of its scabbard, put the point under his chin for a split second, then replaced it in its scabbard. He reached for the sword and suddenly it was in my hand and under his chin again. Before he could call out the sword was back in its scabbard. â€Å"There,† I said, â€Å"you owe me your life twice. By the time you call to have me arrested I'll have your sword again and you'll not only be embarrassed but your head will be all wobbly from your throat being cut. Or, you can take me to see my friend Gaius Justus Gallicus, commander of the Sixth Legion.† Then I took a deep breath and waited. The centurion's eyes darted to the soldiers closest to him, then back to me. â€Å"Think, Centurion,† I said. â€Å"If you arrest me, where will I end up anyway?† The logic of it seemed to strike him through his frustration. â€Å"Come with me,† he said. I signaled to Maggie to wait and followed the soldier into Pilate's fortress. Justus seemed uncomfortable in the lush quarters they had assigned him at the palace. He'd had shields and spears placed around the room in different places, as if he needed to remind anyone who entered that a soldier lived here. I stood in the doorway while he paced, looking up at me occasionally as if he wanted to kill me. He wiped the sweat from his closely cropped gray hair and whipped it so it drew a stripe across the stone floor. â€Å"I can't stop the sentence. No matter what I want.† â€Å"I just don't want him hurt,† I said. â€Å"If Pilate crucifies him, he'll be hurt, Biff. That's sort of the point.† â€Å"Damaged, I mean. No broken bones, no cut sinew. Have them tie his arms to the cross.† â€Å"They have to use nails,† Justus said, his mouth shaping into a cruel frown. â€Å"Nails are iron. They're inventoried. Each one is accounted for.† â€Å"You Romans are masters of supply.† â€Å"What do you want?† â€Å"Okay, tie him then, only nail through the web of his fingers and toes, and put a board on the cross so he can support his weight with his feet.† â€Å"That's no kindness you're doing him. He could linger a week that way.† â€Å"No he won't,† I said. â€Å"I'm going to give him poison. And I want his body as soon as he's dead.† At the word â€Å"poison,† Justus had stopped pacing and looked up at me with open resentment. â€Å"It's not up to me to release the body, but if you want to make sure the body is unharmed I'll have to keep soldiers there until the end. Sometimes your people like to help the crucified die more quickly by throwing stones. I don't know why they bother.† â€Å"Yes, you do, Justus. You of all people do. You can spit that Roman bitterness toward mercy all you want, but you know. You were the one who sent for Joshua when your friend was suffering. You humbled yourself and asked for mercy. That's all I'm doing.† Now the resentment drained from his face and was replaced by amazement. â€Å"You're going to bring him back, aren't you?† â€Å"I just want to bury my friend's body intact.† â€Å"You're going to bring him back from the dead. Like the soldier at Sepphoris, the one the Sicarii killed. That's why you need his body undamaged.† â€Å"Something like that,† I nodded, looking at the floor to avoid the old soldier's eyes. Justus nodded, obviously shaken. â€Å"Pilate has to authorize the body to be taken down. Crucifixion is supposed to stand as an example to others.† â€Å"I have a friend who can get the body released.† â€Å"Joshua could still be set free, you know?† â€Å"He won't be,† I said. â€Å"He doesn't want to be.† Justus turned from me then. â€Å"I'll give the orders. Kill him quickly, then take the body and get it out of my jurisdiction even quicker.† â€Å"Thank you, Justus.† â€Å"Don't embarrass any more of my officers or your friend will be asking for two bodies.† When I came out of the fortress Maggie ran into my arms. â€Å"It's horrible. They put a crown of thorns on his head and the crowd spit on him. The soldiers beat him.† The crowd milled around us. â€Å"Where is he now?† The crowd roared and people began pointing up to the balcony. Pilate stood there next to Joshua, who was being held by two soldiers. Joshua stared straight ahead, still looking as if he were in a trance. Blood was running into his eyes. Pilate raised his arms and the crowd went quiet. â€Å"I have no complaint with this man, yet your priests say that he has committed blasphemy. This is no crime under Roman law,† said Pilate. â€Å"What would you have me do with him?† â€Å"Crucify him!† screamed someone next to me. I looked over to see Jakan waving a fist. The other Pharisees began chanting, â€Å"Crucify him, crucify him.† And soon the whole crowd seemed to join in. Among the crowd I saw the few of Joshua's followers that were left begin to slink away before the anger was turned on them. Pilate made a gesture as if he was washing his hands and walked inside. Friday Eleven apostles, Maggie, Joshua's mother, and his brother James gathered at the upper room of Joseph of Arimathea's house. The merchant had been to see Pilate and the governor agreed to release Joshua's body in honor of the Passover. Joseph explained: â€Å"The Romans aren't stupid, they know our women prepare the dead, so we can't send the apostles to get him. The soldiers will give the body to Maggie and Mary. James, since you're his brother, they'll allow you to come along to help carry him. The rest of you should keep your faces covered. The Pharisees will be looking for Joshua's followers. The priests have already spent too much time on this during a feast week, so they'll all be at the Temple. I've bought a tomb near the hill where they'll crucify him. Peter, you will wait there.† â€Å"What if I can't heal him?† Peter said. â€Å"I've never even tried to raise the dead.† â€Å"He won't be dead,† I said. â€Å"He just won't be able to move. I couldn't find the ingredients I needed to make a potion to kill the pain, so he'll look dead, but he'll feel everything. I know what it's like, I was in that state for weeks once. Peter, you'll have to heal the wounds from the lash and the nails, but they shouldn't be mortal. I'll give him the antidote as soon as he's out of sight of the Romans. Maggie, as soon as they give him to you, close his eyes if they're open or they'll dry out.† â€Å"I can't watch it,† Maggie said. â€Å"I can't watch them nail him to that tree.† â€Å"You don't have to. Wait at the tomb. I'll send someone to get you when it's time.† â€Å"Can this work?† Andrew said. â€Å"Can you bring him back, Biff?† â€Å"I'm not bringing him back from anything. He won't be dead, he'll just be hurt.† â€Å"We'd better go,† said Joseph, looking out the window at the sky. â€Å"They'll bring him out at noon.† A crowd had gathered outside of the praetorium, but most were merely curious; only a few of the Pharisees, among them Jakan, had actually come out to see Joshua executed. I stayed back, almost a half-block away, watching. The other disciples were spread out, wearing shawls or turbans that covered their faces. Peter had sent Bartholomew to sit with Maggie and Mary at the tomb. No shawl could disguise his bulk or his stench. Three heavy crossbeams leaned against the wall outside the palace gates, waiting for their victims. At noon Joshua was brought out along with two thieves who had also been sentenced to death, and the beams were placed upon their shoulders. Joshua was bleeding from a dozen places on his head and face, and although he still wore the purple robe that Herod had placed on him, I could see that blood from the flogging had run down and left streaks on his legs. He still looked like he was in some sort of trance, but there was no question that he was feeling the pain of his wounds. The crowd closed in on him, shouting insults and spitting on him, but I noticed that when he stumbled, someone always lifted him to his feet. His followers were still scattered among the crowd, they were just afraid to show themselves. From time to time I looked around the periphery of the mob and caught the eye of one of the apostles. Always there was a tear there, and always a mix of anguish and anger. It took everything I had not to rush in among the soldiers, take one of their swords, and start hacking. Afraid of my own temper, I fell back from the crowd until I came alongside of Simon. â€Å"I can't do it either,† I said. â€Å"I can't watch them put him on the cross.† â€Å"You have to,† the Zealot said. â€Å"No, you be there, Simon. Let him see your face. Let him know you're there. I'll come up once the cross is set.† I had never been able to look at someone who was being crucified even when I didn't know them. I knew I wouldn't be able to stomach watching them do it to my best friend. I'd lose control, attack someone, and then we'd both be lost. Simon was a soldier, a secret soldier, but a soldier still. He could do it. The horrible scene at the temple of Kali ran through my head. â€Å"Simon, tell him I said mindful breath. Tell him that there is no cold.† â€Å"What cold?† â€Å"He'll know what it means. If he remembers he'll be able to shut out the pain. He learned to do that in the East.† â€Å"I'll tell him.† I wouldn't be able to tell him myself, not without giving myself away. I watched from the walls of the city as they led Joshua to the road that ran by the hill called Golgotha, a thousand yards outside the Gennath Gate. I turned away, but even from a thousand yards I could hear him screaming as they drove the nails. Justus had assigned four soldiers to watch Joshua die. After a half hour they were alone except for perhaps a dozen onlookers and the families of the two thieves, who were praying and singing dirges at the feet of the condemned. Jakan and the other Pharisees had only stayed to see Joshua hoisted upright and the cross set, then they went off to feast with their families. â€Å"A game,† I said, tossing a pair of dice in the air as I approached the soldiers. â€Å"Just a simple game.† I had borrowed a tunic and an expensive sash from Joseph of Arimathea. He'd also given me his purse, which I held up and jingled in front of the soldiers. â€Å"A game, Legionnaire?† One of the Romans laughed. â€Å"And where would we get money to gamble with?† â€Å"We'll play for those clothes behind you. That purple robe at the foot of the cross.† The Roman lifted the robe with a spear point, then looked up at Joshua, whose eyes went wide when he saw me. â€Å"Sure, it looks like we'll be here a while. Let's have a game.† First I had to lose enough money to give the Romans something to gamble with, then I had to win it back slowly enough to keep me there long enough to accomplish my mission. (I silently thanked Joy for teaching me how to cheat at dice.) I handed the dice to the soldier nearest me, who was perhaps fifty years old, built short and powerfully, but covered with scar tissue and gnarled limbs, evidence of broken bones mishealed. He looked too old to be soldiering this far from Rome, and too beaten down to make the journey home. The other soldiers were younger, in their twenties, I guessed, all with dark olive skin and dark eyes, all lean, fit, and hungry-looking. Two of the younger soldiers carried the standard Roman infantry spear, a wooden shaft with a narrow iron spike as long as a man's forearm, tipped with a compact three-bladed point designed to be driven through armor. The other two carried the wasp-waisted Iberian short sword that I'd seen on Justus' belt so many times. He must have had them imported for his legion to fit his own preference. (Most Romans used a straight-bladed short sword.) I handed the dice to the old soldier and dumped some coins out in the dirt. As the Roman threw the dice against the bottom of Joshua's cross I scanned the hills and saw the apostles watching from behind trees and over rocks. I gave a signal and it passed from one to the other, and finally to a woman who waited back on one of the city walls. â€Å"Oh my, the gods have turned against me today,† I said, rolling a losing combination. â€Å"I thought you Jews only had one God.† â€Å"I was talking about your gods, Legionnaire. I'm losing.† The soldiers laughed and I heard a moan from above us. I cringed and felt as if my ribs would cave in on themselves from the pain in my heart. I ventured a glance at Joshua and he was looking right at me. â€Å"You don't have to do this,† he said in Sanskrit. â€Å"What nonsense is the Jew talking now?† asked the old soldier. â€Å"I couldn't say, soldier. He must be delirious.† I saw two women approaching the foot of the cross on Joshua's left, carrying a large bowl, a jar of water, and a long stick. â€Å"Hey there, get away from them.† â€Å"Just here to give a drink of water to the condemned, sir. No harm meant.† The woman took a sponge from the bowl and squeezed it out. It was Susanna, Maggie's friend from Galilee, along with Johanna. They'd come down for the Passover to cheer Joshua into the city, now we'd conscripted them to help poison him. The soldiers watched as the women dipped the sponge, then attached it to the end of the stick and held it for the thief to drink from. I had to look away. â€Å"Faith, Biff,† Joshua said, again in Sanskrit. â€Å"There, you shut up and die,† barked one of the younger Romans. I twitched and squinted at the dice in lieu of crushing the soldier's windpipe. â€Å"Give me a seven. Baby needs new sandals,† said another young Roman. I couldn't look at Joshua and I couldn't look to see what the women were doing. The plan was that they would go to the two thieves first, so as not to raise suspicion, but now I was regretting the decision to delay. Finally Susanna brought the bowl to where we were gambling and set it down while Johanna poured some water over the sponge. â€Å"Got any wine there for a thirsty soldier?† said one of the young soldiers. He smacked Johanna on the bottom. â€Å"Or some other relief?† The old soldier caught the young soldier's arm and pushed him away. â€Å"You'll be up on that stick with this wretch, Marcus. These Jews take touching their women seriously. Justus won't tolerate it.† Susanna pulled her shawl around her face. She was pretty, lean with small facial features except for her wide brown eyes. She was too old not to be married, but I suspected that she had left a husband to follow Joshua. It was the same story with Johanna, except that her husband had followed along for a while, then divorced her when she wouldn't come home with him. She was more sturdily built, and she rolled like a wagon when she walked. She took the sponge and held it out to me. â€Å"Drink, sir?† Here the timing was critical. â€Å"Anyone want a sip of water?† I asked before taking the sponge. I was palming the ying-yang amulet as I said it. â€Å"Drink after a Jewish dog. Not likely,† said the old soldier. â€Å"I'm getting the impression that my Jewish money might sully your Roman purse,† I said. â€Å"Maybe I should go.† â€Å"No, your money's good enough,† said a young soldier, punching my shoulder in good spirits. I was tempted to relieve him of his teeth. I took the sponge and feigned taking a drink. When I raised the sponge to squeeze the water into my mouth I dumped the poison over it. Instantly I handed it back to Johanna so as not to poison myself. Without dipping it back in the water she affixed the sponge to the stick and raised it up to Joshua's face. His head rolled, and his tongue rolled out of the side of his mouth against the moisture. â€Å"Drink,† Johanna said, but Joshua didn't seem to hear her. She pushed the sponge harder against his mouth and it dripped on one of the Romans. â€Å"Drink.† â€Å"Move away from there, Marcus,† said the old soldier. â€Å"When he goes he'll lose his fluids all over you. You don't want to sit too close.† The old Roman laughed raucously. â€Å"Drink it, Joshua,† said Susanna. Finally Joshua opened his eyes and pushed his face into the sponge. I held my breath as I heard him sucking the moisture out of it. â€Å"Enough!† said the young soldier. He knocked the stick out of Susanna's hands. The sponge went flying off into the dirt. â€Å"He'll be dead soon.† â€Å"Not soon enough, though, with that block to stand on,† said the old soldier. Then time began to pass more slowly than I could ever remember. When Joy had poisoned me it had taken only seconds before I was paralyzed, then when I'd used the poison on the man in India he'd dropped almost immediately. I tried to pretend to pay attention to the game, but I was looking for some sign that the poison was working. The women moved away and watched from a distance, but I heard one of them gasp and when I looked up, Joshua's head had lolled over. Drool ran out of his open mouth. â€Å"How do you know when he's dead?† I asked. â€Å"Like this.† The young soldier named Marcus prodded Joshua in the thigh with his spear. Joshua moaned and opened his eyes and I felt my stomach sink. I could hear sobbing from Johanna and Susanna. I threw the dice, and waited. An hour passed, and still Joshua moaned. I could hear him praying softly from time to time over the laughter of the soldiers. Another hour. I had begun to shake. Every sound from the cross was like a hot iron driven in my spine. I couldn't bring myself to look up at him. The disciples moved closer, less concerned now about staying hidden, but the Romans were too intent on their game to notice. Unfortunately, I was not intent enough. â€Å"That's it for you,† said the old soldier. â€Å"Unless you want to gamble for your own cloak now. Your purse is empty.† â€Å"Is this bastard ever going to die?† said one of the young soldiers. â€Å"He just needs help,† said the young soldier named Marcus, who had stood and was leaning on his spear. Before I could even get to my feet he thrust the spear upward into Joshua's side, the point went up under his ribs, and his heart blood pulsed down the iron in three great gushes, then ran out in a trickle. Marcus yanked the spear out. The entire hillside echoed with screaming, some of it my own. I stood transfixed, shaking, watching the blood run out of Joshua's side. Hands latched onto my arms and I was dragged back, away from the cross. The Romans started to pick up their things to head back to the praetorium. â€Å"Loony,† said the old soldier, looking at me. Joshua looked at me one last time, then closed his eyes and died. â€Å"Come away, Biff,† a woman's voice said in my ear. â€Å"Come away.† They turned me around and started marching me toward the city. I could feel a chill running over me as the wind came up and the sky started to darken under a sudden storm. There was still screaming, going on and on, and when Johanna clamped her hand over my mouth I realized it was me who had been screaming. I blinked tears out of my eyes, again and again, trying to at least see where they were leading me, but as soon as my sight would clear another sob would rock my body and the water would rise again. They were leading me to the Gennath Gate, that much I could tell, and there was a dark figure standing on the wall above the gate, watching us. I blinked and caught a single second of clarity as I saw who it was. â€Å"Judas!† I screamed until my voice shattered. I shook off the women and ran through the gate, swung myself up on top of one of the huge doors, and leapt to the wall. Judas ran south along the wall, looking from side to side for a place to jump off. There was no thought to what I was doing, nothing but grief gone to anger, love gone to hatred. I followed Judas across the roofs of Jerusalem, tossing aside anyone who got in my way, shattering pottery, crashing down rooftop chicken cages, pulling down lines of hanging clothes. When he came to a roof that led no further, Judas jumped two stories to the ground and came up limping as he ran down the street toward the Essene Gate at Ben Hinnon. I came off the roof full stride and landed without losing a step. Although I heard something tear in my ankle I couldn't feel it. There was a line of people trying to get into the city at the Essene Gate, probably seeking shelter from the impending storm. Lightning crackled across the sky and raindrops as big as frogs began to plop onto the streets, leaving craters in the dust and painting the city with a thin coat of mud. Judas fought through the crowd as if he were swimming in pitch, pulling people past him on either side, moving a step forward only to be carried back a step. I saw a ladder leaning against the city wall and ran up it. There were Roman soldiers stationed here on the wall and I brushed by them, ducking spears and swords as I made my way to the gate, then over it, then to the wall on the other side. I could see Judas below me. He'd broken out of the crowd and was making his way along a ridge that ran parallel to the wall. It was too far to jump, so I followed him from above until I came to the corner of the battlement, where the wall sloped down to accommodate the thickness required to hold the corner. I slid down the wet limestone on my feet and hands and hit the ground ten paces behind the Zealot. He didn't know I was there. The rain came down now in sheets and the thunder was so frequent and loud that I could hear nothing myself but the roaring anger in my head. Judas came to a cypress tree that jutted over a high cliff with hundreds of tombs gouged into it. The path passed between a wall of tombs and the cypress tree; past the tree was a fifty-yard drop. Judas pulled a purse from his belt, pulled a small stone out of the opening to one of the tombs, then shoved the purse inside. I caught him by the back of the neck and he shrieked. â€Å"Go ahead, put the stone back,† I said. He tried to wheel on me and hit me with the stone. I took it from him and fitted it back into the tomb, then kicked his feet out from under him and dragged him to the edge of the cliff. I clamped onto his windpipe and, holding the cypress tree with my free hand, I leaned him out over the cliff. â€Å"Don't struggle!† I shouted. â€Å"You'll only free yourself to the fall.† â€Å"I couldn't let him live,† Judas said. â€Å"You can't have someone like him alive.† I pulled the Zealot back up on the cliff and whipped the sash from around his tunic. â€Å"He knew he had to die,† Judas said. â€Å"How do you think I knew he'd be at Gethsemane, not at Simon's? He told me!† â€Å"You didn't have to give him up!† I screamed. I wrapped the sash around his neck, then pulled it tight over the crook of a cypress branch. â€Å"Don't. Don't do this. I had to do it. Someone did. He would have just reminded us of what we'll never be.† â€Å"Yep,† I said. I shoved him backward over the cliff and caught the end of the sash as it tightened around the branch. The sash twanged when it took his weight and his neck snapped with the sound of a knuckle cracking. I let go of the sash and Judas' body fell into the darkness. The boom of thunder concealed the sound of impact. The anger ran out of me then, leaving me feeling as if my very bones were losing their structure. I looked forward, straight over the Ben Hinnon valley, into a sheet of lightning-bleached rain. â€Å"I'm sorry,† I said, and I stepped off the cliff. I felt a bolt of pain, and then nothing. That's all I remember.

Commercial item transport and distribution Essay

There has been a gradual change in the mode of packaging for last years.For instance, earlier fruits and vegetables were used to be transported in wooden boxes but today cardboard crates are used .This is mainly to reduce the cost. Obviously,a cardboard crate would cost less than wooden crate. Moreover,using cardboard crates is more eco friendly than cutting trees and making wooden boxes and supporting an environmental cause helps firms improve their goodwill and eventually their sales. Similarly,selling of milk,first in glass bottles,then in packets, then tetra packs and vending machines is all to reduce costs or improve their goodwill by innovating the mode of packaging. Tetra pack keeps the milk safe for months and is made of paper and can be recycled. Plastic packets incur lesser costs and vending machines in itself have no packaging cost. So,companies use new and unique mode of packaging to ,one,reduce their costs,two,to promote the product. Packaging refers to the container or wrapper that holds a product or group of products. Most commercial packaging serves two basic functions: protecting the product from damage during shipping, and promoting the product to the ultimate consumer. Some common types of packaging include shipping cartons, containers for industrial goods, and bags, boxes, cans, and other holders for consumer products. Packaging is of great importance to both sellers and buyers of products. It can prevent spoiling, breakage, tampering, or theft; enhance convenience in use or storage; and make products easier to identify. A significant improvement in packaging can even create a â€Å"new† product by expanding the ways in which it can be used, and thus its potential markets. For example, a soup that is packaged in a microwavable bowl might suddenly increase its sales to working people. Prior to World War II, packaging was used primarily to surround and protect products during storage, transportation, and distribution. Some packages were designed with aesthetic appeal and even for ease-of-use by the end consumer, but package design was typically left to technicians. After World War II, however, companies became more interested in marketing and promotion as a means of enticing customers to purchase their products. As a result, more manufacturers began to view packaging as an integral element of overall business marketing strategies to lure buyers. This increased attention to packaging coincided with socioeconomic changes taking place around the world. As consumers became better educated and more affluent, their expectations of products—and their reliance on them—increased as well. Consequently, consumers began to rely much more heavily on manufactured goods and processed food items. New technologies related to production, distribution, and preservatives led to a massive proliferation in the number and type of products and brands available in industrialized nations. Thus, packaging became a vital means of differentiating items and informing inundated consumers. The importance of consumer packaging was elevated in the United States during the late 1970s and 1980s. Rapid post-war economic expansion and market growth waned during that period, forcing companies to focus increasingly on luring consumers to their product or brand at the expense of the competition. Package design became a marketing science. And, as a new corporate cost-consciousness developed in response to increased competition, companies began to alter packaging techniques as a way to cut production, storage, and distribution expenses. Furthermore, marketers began to view packaging as a tool to exploit existing product lines by adding new items and to pump new life into maturing products. Today, good package design is regarded as an essential part of successful business practice. Since many potential customers first notice a new product after it has arrived on the shelves of a store, it is vital that the packaging provide consumers with the information they need and motivate them to make a purchase. But packaging decisions involve a number of tradeoffs. While making a product visible and distinctive may be the top priority, for example, businesses must also comply with a variety of laws regarding product labeling and safety. Protecting products during transport is important, but businesses also need to keep their shipping costs as low as possible. study mode material : Disadvantages of wooden crates- Deterioration * After wooden pallets are used several times, the wood begins to wear. It splinters, cracks and even breaks under the pressure of continued use. The deterioration is natural and occurs eventually, even if the wood is treated to repel moisture and to strengthen it. This disadvantage leads to replacement much sooner than with plastic pallets. Infestation * Wooden pallets are more susceptible to infestation by termites, ants and other insects that make their home inside the wood. Pallets stored outdoors are more likely to succumb to infestation than the ones kept within a warehouse. The insects burrow into the wood, eating away at it and thus weakening what should be a support structure.. Cleanliness * In addition to germs, wooden pallets are collectors of dirt and debris. Cleaning them becomes more and more difficult over time as the pallets age. They must be heat-treated to get rid of the contamination and washed to be rid of dirt and debris. However, the heat accelerates deterioration, and the water, if improperly dried, can feed mold spores that thrive on wood and harm the vegetables and fruits inside it. Advantages of cardboard crates- Protects Items * As packaging, cardboard protects vegetables being shipped or moved. Corrugated cardboard often has multiple pieces of cardboard placed on top of each other to cushion soft vegetables. Cheap Material * Cardboard is cheap to produce, and is usually made from recycled materials and doesn’t cost much money if purchased wholesale. Other packaging materials are made from plastic, wood or metal, all expensive materials that are often heavier then cardboard, which adds†¦ [continues] Read full essay