Advantages Due to Hiring Maid

The maid is a system that involve non-local who is not from our family members who work at our home. According to Zuhaila (2012) the article in NSTP dated March 11. â€Å"Some families say their household will just not be able to function well without a maid†. So with the existence of a maid, it not only brought many benefits for the community but it can ease the burden of parental in order to taking care the home, children and others, especially for careers parents.Although many people have negative perception of hiring maid, I believe that hiring maid is important due to several advantages. The first advantage is it will cut the cost of sending children to nursery. As we know that the cost of sending children to nursery is expensive nowadays. Not only the nursery, hired a babysitter just for a few hours will cost much higher than hiring a maid. According to Kwa on her speech â€Å"Now days, a fee for a monthly babysitter is around RM750 and above, and the cost will increase depend on how many children in the house† (Kwa, The Star, 2012).On the other hand, parents can reduce the times that wasted of sending and fetching children from the nursery. Because of that, hiring a maid can take care of children when parents go to work. Parents also do not worry about the payment every month because our government is standardizing the fee that parents need to pay the maid. The second advantage is it will reduce the burden of doing the house chores. As we know, as a parent their needs to taking care about their career and their duty of doing house chores.Because of that, many locals are waiting to hire maids again as to meet their needs (Raja Zulkeply Dahlan, 2012). In addition, the maid is also a savior for parents who are experiencing stress over the situation in the workplace and home. For a career parents, sometimes the stress at the workplace will be carried away to the house and if at home, the condition not very smooth it will give more pressure on t he parents. Therefore, the extra time will help parents to relax which also increases their productivity at workplace.The third advantage is it will encourage parents to spend more time with their family members. As we know, maid can help doing house chores and allow parents to spend quality time with their families’ member. Because of that, parents will have a valuable period of time to spend their times with families’ member. According to Orlandoyts (2005) â€Å"maid rid you and your daily chores allowing you to spend quality time with your family†. For example, parents can have a picnic on a weekend or bring their children to shopping.In addition, parents can give love and paying more attention to their children. Parents who have time in a long weekend can pay more attention and giving a full of love to their children spend more time with them. Therefore, parents can secure the safety of their children every day. All in all, hiring maid can give parents much advantage to manage the children and parents also their career in workplace. Therefore, the government should play an important role in the entry of domestic workers to meet market demand of maid to the families who needed.

Historical Perspective of the Philippine Educational System Essay

Education in the Philippines has undergone several stages of development from the pre-Spanish times to the present. In meeting the needs of the society, education serves as focus of emphases/priorities of the leadership at certain periods/epochs in our national struggle as a race. As early as in pre-Magellanic times, education was informal, unstructured, and devoid of methods. Children were provided more vocational training and less academics (3 Rs) by their parents and in the houses of tribal tutors. The pre-Spanish system of education underwent major changes during the Spanish colonization. The tribal tutors were replaced by the Spanish Missionaries. Education was religion-oriented. It was for the elite, especially in the early years of Spanish colonization. Access to education by the Filipinos was later liberalized through the enactment of the Educational Decree of 1863 which provided for the establishment of at least one primary school for boys and girls in each town under the re sponsibility of the municipal government; and the establishment of a normal school for male teachers under the supervision of the Jesuits. Primary instruction was free and the teaching of Spanish was compulsory. Education during that period was inadequate, suppressed, and controlled. The defeat of Spain by American forces paved the way for Aguinaldo’s Republic under a Revolutionary Government. The schools maintained by Spain for more than three centuries were closed for the time being but were reopened on August 29, 1898 by the Secretary of Interior. The Burgos Institute in Malolos, the Military Academy of Malolos, and the Literary University of the Philippines were established. A system of free and compulsory elementary education was established by the Malolos Constitution. An adequate secularized and free public school system during the first decade of American rule was established upon the recommendation of the Schurman Commission. Free primary instruction that trained the people for the duties of citizenship and avocation was enforced by the Taft Commission per instructions of President McKinley. Chaplains and non-commissioned officers were assigned to teach using English as the m edium of instruction. A highly centralized public school system was installed in 1901 by the Philippine Commission by virtue of Act No. 74. The implementation of this Act created a heavy shortage of teachers so the  Philippine Commission authorized the Secretary of Public Instruction to bring to the Philippines 600 teachers from the U.S.A. They were the Thomasites. The high school system supported by provincial governments, special educational institutions, school of arts and trades, an agricultural school, and commerce and marine institutes were established in 1902 by the Philippine Commission. In 1908, the Philippine Legislature approved Act No. 1870 which created the University of the Philippines. The Reorganization Act of 1916 provided the Filipinization of all department secretaries except the Secretary of Public Instruction. Japanese educational policies were embodied in Military Order No. 2 in 1942. The Philippine Executive Commission established the Commission of Education, Health and Public Welfare and schools were reopened in June 1942. On October 14, 1943, the Japanese – sponsored Republic created the Ministry of Education. Under the Japanese regime, the teaching of Tagalog, Philippine History, and Character Education was reserved for Filipinos. Love for work and dignity of labor was emphasized. On Fe bruary 27, 1945, the Department of Instruction was made part of the Department of Public Instruction. In 1947, by virtue of Executive Order No. 94, the Department of Instruction was changed to Department of Education. During this period, the regulation and supervision of public and private schools belonged to the Bureau of Public and Private Schools. In 1972, it became the Department of Education and Culture by virtue of Proclamation 1081 and the Ministry of Education and Culture in 1978 y virtue of P.D. No. 1397. Thirteen regional offices were created and major organizational changes were implemented in the educational system. The Education Act of 1982 created the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports which later became the Department of Education, Culture and Sports in 1987 by virtue of Executive Order No. 117. The structure of DECS as embodied in EO No. 117 has practically remained unchanged until 1994 when the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and 1995 when the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were established to supervise tertiary degree programs and non-degree technical-vocational programs, respectively. The Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) report provided the impetus for Congress to pass RA 7722 and RA 7796 in 1994 creating the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), respectively. The trifocal education system refocused  DECS’ mandate to basic education which covers elementary, secondary and nonformal education, including culture and sports. TESDA now administers the post-secondary, middle-level manpower training and development while CHED is responsible for higher education. In August 2001, Republic Act 9155, otherwise called the Governance of Basic Education Act, was passed transforming the name of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) to the Department of Education (DepEd) and redefining the role of field offices (regional offices, division offices, district offices and schools). RA 9155 provides the overall framework for (i) school head empowerment by strengthening their le adership roles and (ii) school-based management within the context of transparency and local accountability. The goal of basic education is to provide the school age population and young adults with skills, knowledge, and values to become caring, self-reliant, productive and patriotic citizens. DepEd Management Structure To carry out its mandates and objectives, the Department is organized into two major structural components. The Central Office maintains the overall administration of basic education at the national level. The Field Offices are responsible for the regional and local coordination and administration of the Department’s mandate. RA 9155 provides that the Department should have no more than four Undersecretaries and four Assistant Secretaries with at least one Undersecretary and one Assistant Secretary who are career service officers chosen among the staff of the Department. (See DepEd Organizational Chart.) At present, the Department operates with four Undersecretaries in the areas of: (1) Programs and Projects; (2) Regional Operations; (3) Finance and Administration; and (4) Legal Affairs; four Assistant Secretaries in the areas of: (1) Programs and Projects; (2) Planning and Development; (3) Budget and Financial Affairs; and (4) Legal Affairs. Backstopping the Office of the Secretary at the Central Office are the different services, bureaus and centers. The five services are the Administrative Service, Financial and Management Service, Human Resource Development Service, Planning Service, and Technical Service. Three staff bureaus provide assistance in formulating policies, standards, and programs related to curriculum and staff development. These are the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE), Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE), and   Bureau of Nonformal Education (BNFE). By virtue of Executive Order No. 81 series of 1999, the functions of a fourth bureau, the Bureau of Physical Edu cation and School Sports (BPESS), were absorbed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) last August 25, 1999. Six centers or units attached to the Department similarly provide technical and administrative support towards the realization of the Department’s vision. These are the National Education Testing and Research Center (NETRC), Health and Nutrition Center (HNC), National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP), Educational Development Projects Implementing Task Force (EDPITAF), National Science Teaching Instrumentation Center (NSTIC), and Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (IMCS). There are four special offices under OSEC: the Adopt-a-School Program Secretariat, Center for Students and Co-curricular Affairs, Educational Technology Unit, and the Task Force Engineering Assessment and Monitoring. Other attached and support agencies to the Department are the Teacher Education Council (TEC), Philippine High School for the Arts, Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), and the Instructional Materials Council (IMC). At the sub-national level, the Field Offices consist of the following: 1. Sixteen (16) Regional Offices, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM*), each headed by a Regional Director (a Regional Secretary in the case of ARMM); 2. One hundred fifty-seven (157) Provincial and City Schools Divisions, each headed by a Schools Division Superintendent. Assisting the Schools Division Offices are 2,227 School Districts, each headed by a District Supervisor; 3. Under the supervision of the Schools Division Offices are forty-eight thousand, four hundred forty-six (48, 446) schools, broken down as follows: 1. 40,763 elementary schools (36,234 public and 4,529 private) 2. 7,683 secondary schools (4,422 public and 3,261 private) Legend: * ARMM is included in the budget of the Department on the following: Creation of teaching and non-teaching positions; Funding for newly-legislated high schools; Regular School Building ;Certain foreign-assisted and locally-funded programs and projects. Issues and Problems in the Philippine Educational System: A Challenge Towards the Attainment of Quality Education Our country has gone through many changes and development for the past few years. The continuous process made great impacts in the lives of millions of Filipinos. Relatively, the changes have given us advantages not to mention the disadvantages it brought causing downfall to many people. There are numerous questions concerning the issues and problems existing in the Philippine Educational System as to how we can resolve it the best way we could to attain that kind of quality of education we have been searching and longing for. Where do we begin and how do we respond to such? Public schools are the building blocks of our societies. They can be considered our foundational instruments. Although these venues of learning play significant roles, they are unable to provide the best they can, due to their numerous flaws. As I’ve gone through different readings and researches, questions were arising in my mind as to what solutions are applicable in addressing the problems about the quality of education, affordability, budget, mismatch, integration of sex education in the curriculum, R.A. 9710 (Magna Carta for Women) and other concerns which are somehow related to it. I will always stand for what I believe in according to my observations that we have good guidelines and policies on education but what is lacking is the ability to implement such in accordance to the needs of every school, majority of which belong to the public education system. Generally, Philippine Education aims to provide quality and free education both for the elementary and secondary public schools but again this have not been observed and understood well causing it to be a burden most especially to the students and parents. Declining standards in public schools is one of the most controversial education issues today is the c ontinuing decline in student learning†¦

Feds vs Anti-Feds

Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism Federalism is the division of power between national and state government. Anti-Federalists believe that power should be equal between the nation and state. An example of Federalism in the constitution is in the 10th amendment, which says that the power that the congress doesn’t have is given to the states. This divides power between congress (national government) and the state (local government). The federalists believed that the Articles of Confederation were too weak. They wanted to ratify the constitution. They also wanted a strong central government.The federalists wrote the Federalist Papers. A few people associated with the Federalists were Jay and Hamilton. They wanted a separation of powers into three independent branches that protect the rights of the people. Each branch would represent a different aspect of people, and no one group can assume control over another because all three branches would be equal. The Federalists think that a l isting of right is dangerous. If the national government were to protect specific listed rights, nothing would stop people from violating rights other than the listed ones.So, they argued that it is better to list no rights at all. Overall, the Federalists had more organized efforts. The Anti-Federalists did not want to ratify the constitution. They just wanted to amend the articles. The Anti-Federalists thought that the constitution gave too much power to the national government at the expense of state governments. It was believed that because of the Necessary and Proper Clause, congress had too much power, and the executive branch also held too much power. Thomas Jefferson was an example of an Anti-Federalist.The Anti-Federalists wanted a bill of rights. This was the focus of their campaign against the ratification. The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to added to the constitution to protect liberty. The reason they wanted a bill of rights was because they didn’t want an intimidating nations government taking away the people’s rights again. In an hypothetical election, I would vote for Alexander Hamilton (the federalist) over Thomas Jefferson (the anti-federalist). I choose this because I believe that we should have a strong central government.Our country is based on the power of the government and if the center of the government is weak, then it will effect the rest of the government little by little. We study the constitution because it is a large part of our government’s history, and we are able to learn how decisions were made about the government in the modern day and how much it has evolved from long ago. We are also able to see differences and learn from things that have happened in the past. It is a part of our country and government that can’t be avoided.

TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR EMPLOYEES IN VIETNAM Dissertation

TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR EMPLOYEES IN VIETNAM AIRLINES - Dissertation Example When asked about the improvement areas of training in terms of training phases, training design surprisingly received the highest percentage, with training needs analysis succeeding it. Eight out of the 21 soft skills which were assessed in terms of the priority accorded to them by Vietnam Airlines were rated as high priority areas by more than 50% of the sample. These soft skills include the following: drive to achieve; dealing with others effectively; managing relationships; leadership; developing people; team empowerment; strategic thinking; and effectively adapting to change. Nearly half say that they have IDPs in place, while majority have agreed that their training policy is effective. Half of the respondents claim being involved in the assessment of their training needs and how the organisation has shown how training influences job performance. Performance evaluations, which is a support mechanism to training and development, is carried out at least once a year, according to a ll of the respondents. Attendance to both in-house and external training was experienced by at least half of the respondents at least once within the past 12 months. ... Additionally, the following obstacles to training and development must be addressed: operations being given greater priority than training and development and the unclear role of training as a promotion criterion. Significant and positive correlations were yielded for both OCB and employee engagement, underscoring the critical importance of the training and development function for Vietnam Airlines, in its bid for competitiveness within the airline industry. Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 7 1.1 Introduction 7 1.2 Vietnam Airlines 8 1.3 Relationship of Training, Employee Engagement and Organisation Citizenship Behaviour 12 1.4 Research Aim 14 1.5 Research Objectives 14 1.5 Overview of the Study 14 Chapter 2 Review of Related Literature 16 2.1 Review of Related Literature 16 2.2 Importance of Training and Development in the Airline Industry 16 2.3 Phases of Training Function 21 2.4 Analysis 22 2.5 Design 23 2.5 Development 24 2.6 Implementation 25 2.7 Evaluation 25 2.8 Factor s that Influence the Effectiveness of Training 26 2.8.1 Training Needs 26 2.8.2 Formal Training 28 2.8.3 Informal Training 28 2.9 Employee Engagement 34 2.10 The Constructs of Employee Engagement 38 2.10.1 The constructs of employee engagement include job satisfaction, involvement and commitment. 38 2.10.2 Organisational Citizenship Behaviour 39 2.10.3 Constructs of Organisational Citizenship Behaviour 40 Chapter 3 Methodology 47 3.1 Introduction 47 3.2 Research Approach 47 3.3 Research Design 50 3.4 Sampling Plan 51 3.5 Data Collection Procedures 52 3.6 Instrument 53 3.7 Ethical Considerations 56 3.8 Method of Data Analysis 57 3.9 Conclusion 57

Discuss whether flexibility of teaching and learning strategy is Essay

Discuss whether flexibility of teaching and learning strategy is central to successful inclusive physical education - Essay Example hile giving students lessons, which will not only help them with their health at that particular stage but also in the rest of their lives, the teachers must adopt the flexibility in the content so that the students may feel free towards the course. Hence, the course experience would be a success. When a variety of techniques are used for teaching, learning and administrative practices that meet the needs of a diverse student population, in the current social context it is known as flexible learning. This type of learning is easily supported by mixed modes of access to learning opportunities. Some of the common modes include combinations of weekly or intensive face-to-face classes. Here, the meaning of flexible learning is different for different people. For some, it means an interactive class in which the students and teachers can discuss their goals, content or assessment. For others it means to broaden up the admission criteria of learning programs. For the rest of the people, flexible learning means to use new technologies to make the time and location more flexible and available for them (Institute for Interactive Media & Learning, 2007). In certain disciplines, when the teachers try to adopt flexible learning strategies, it opens the gate of opportunity for the students to learn effectively or in a way that is appropriate for an individual’s needs. Necessarily, it does not mean adopting new ways of teaching and learning practices altogether, but it means to consider what is most appropriate for encouraging students learning in a particular set of conditions or content (Institute for Interactive Media & Learning, 2007). Flexibility of access: It helps the student to enter or exit from the course at any time. Such condition helps the students from the diverse background to choose their own area of interest from the list of different courses (Institute for Interactive Media & Learning, 2007). Flexibility of participation: In this approach the provision of

Mr. Green body paragraph Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mr. Green body paragraph - Essay Example "Mr. Green says that, too. What then? he has cried to me a thousand times, ten thousand times, in the past sixteen years." Although the grandfather is concerned that the ancestors will not be able to move south with the family, the narrator proves that they can move as far away as New Orleans by bringing Mr. Green with her to the United States. "My children teach him English words. He says all these things, but without any feeling. The Vietnamese words of my grandfather, however, come out powerfully, like someone very strong is inside him." As he nears the end of his life, Mr. Green begins to imitate the grandfathers death, which took six months for the human man. "Parrots are very smart. Mr. Green in particular. And he knows more than just my grandfathers words," the narrator says, going on to describe how the parrot has not only adopted the grandfathers disapproval of her chatter but also his appearance in the naked chest with the slack skin at the throat. Although she never had he r grandfather in the United States, the narrator feels she has had him with her in spirit in the form of Mr. Green and she continues to pray for his soul even after Mr. Green is dead. In this way, the parrot becomes a symbol of

Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Critique - Essay Example Perhaps it continued to exist in other places on the globe, but only in isolated pockets and less so with every passing year. In fact, slavery has continued with vigor since, only it has lost its former veneer of legitimacy and gone underground, where it has thrived. Mark Lagon’s article in the Washington Times, â€Å"Modern-day Slavery,† effectively makes that very point: slavery still exists; it involves children and women, can include horrific sexual violations and violence, and is a phenomenon which ought to be of great concern to the United States because it too is a country where it has reared its ugly head. Lagon’s strategy for making his case involves several references to real-life human cases so as to provide to the reading public an idea of what victims of human-trafficking face. He mentions the case of â€Å"two Indonesian women who were beaten, starved and never allowed out of the mansion where they worked as domestic servants† (Lagon 2008). This sort of picture is quite effective. The image of women being wronged and held against their will is sure to garner sympathy with the public. After mentioning some of the efforts of the United States government against human trafficking, he points to a case where those same efforts have been met with some success. He writes of an Indian couple, â€Å"Manesh and Jaya,† who were â€Å"forced to work in a brick kiln in India, treated as less than human because they were born into the lowest caste of their society. They were freed from bonded labor and received restitution with help from International Justice Mission â⠂¬â€œ which my office funds as a partner† (Lagon 2008). This provides a contrast with the other â€Å"human† reference because it shows how American efforts have helped those in need. Lagon also makes use of references to well-known governmental/political figures and leaders so as to give his piece a sense of

Old Smoke Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Old Smoke - Essay Example Thus, the best thing Charles Renfold should do would be to first ask Frank and Alice if they would not mind smoking at another area and bring up Darlene’s concern about the smell of old smoke and being under the weather. If they would not mind doing so in relation to the knowledge of the report being urgent and Darlene not feeling quite well, then the case is closed. However, if Frank and Alice pushes for their right while Darlene confesses how she cannot stand it, then it would be best for Charles to do it on his own if he wishes to reach the deadline. With this situation causing a delay in work outputs that are asked of each employee, I think there is a need to implement a specialized rule on smoking within their company. Aside from allocating an area for smokers to smoke, it would be good to know if there are employees who might be sensitive to old smoke fumes. If there are, including Darlene, it would be wise to transfer them into a nonsmoker room wherein they would not get distracted or feel ill about inhaling old smoke that affects their productivity at work. This decision is wise as it does not only respect the rights of nonsmokers but at the same time for smokers as well, thus, preventing rallies or ill feelings in the office. This case of Darlene being given a leeway for reaching deadlines or being assigned to a certain job output is reasonable because of a health related reason which associates the smell of old smoke to her feeling ill. We all know that even though Darlene does not inhale direct smoke coming from Alice and Frank’s cigarettes, the smoke fume that sticks to their bodies or clothes can still cause this uncomfortable feeling for nonsmokers especially Darlene. However, if what bothers Darlene is not old smoke but the smell of Alice’s perfume or Frank’s body odor, then it is a whole different story. This is

Oligarchy in the US Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Oligarchy in the US - Essay Example The audience of the article is the average American populace. Aristotle, credited for the term oligarchy, defines oligarchy as the exercise of power by wealthy citizens, which causes intense political disparities that essentially accompany excessive material inequalities. While the average American populace constitutes a large percentage of Americans as compared to the wealthy, they still have no voice in decision making concerning economic and political issues in America. As a result, economic disparities continue to persist within Americans, and the average American populace must understand their role in public policy making. Jeffrey Winters and Benjamin Page present evidence that the United States is both democratic and oligarchic. The fact that oligarchs can operate separately without knowing each other is evidence that oligarchy can go unnoticed in several instances (Winters and Page 739). In addition, the extent of economic disparity in the United States proves the authors points about oligarchy. Even so, the authors affirm that there is significant substantiation from academic research that public policy in the United States is not set by oligarchs, but rather reacts strongly to the inclination of normal citizens. The coexistence of oligarchy and democracy is evident because, at times the decision of people counts, while in other cases, the viewpoint of the wealthy sways public

Hokule’a’s Symbolic Wake Essay Example for Free

Hokule’a’s Symbolic Wake Essay In 1976, the Hokule’a began her maiden voyage from Hawaii to Tahiti as little more than a double-haul canoe with an astoundingly religious construction. Though her size can be compared to just that of one of the Titanic’s life boats (at just 60 feet), her message is much more profound and the cultural path significant indeed. To the people of Hawaii, the building of a canoe isn’t just wood, sweat, and able axe work. In fact, that’s the least of what comprises the construction of a voyaging canoe. Turns out, for Hawaiians, the building of such a canoe like the Hokule’a is a deeply religious experience and is only attempted by master builders who understand the creed that â€Å"every canoe began with a prayer and a dream† (Friends of Hokule’a and Hawai’iloa). As the story goes, â€Å"before the canoe builder began he first prepared a pig, a red fish and a black fish and offered them to the gods† (Friends). After that, â€Å"the carver went home and invited dreams in his sleep. If the dreams were good he would go to the forest the next day. But if they were unfavorable, a tree would not be cut† (Friends). It is through this experience, every time a canoe is to be built, that the Hawaiians believe the canoe gains its spirit. And without this ritual, the canoe would be little more than wood floating on water and a significant part of the culture would be lost. It is that very fear that prompted the establishment of the Friends of Hokule’a and Hawai’iloa in 1996 â€Å"by master canoe builder, Wright Bowman Jr. , who was concerned that the art of canoe building would be lost†¦[and to ensure] that the traditional canoe building skills be made accessible to any who are interested in learning† (Friends). Originally, the Hokule’a was set out on a mission to prove that there was much to discover in and around Polynesia and has in the past thirty one years visited as far as New Zealand and Easter Island (Honolulu Advertiser). Her first trips could be compared to that of Christopher Columbus because though they were not backed by the crown and the Hawaiians had a much better sense of direction, the motive for discovery was fueled by the interests. That to know and understand the seas around them. In truth, â€Å"Polynesia began with the voyaging canoe. More than three thousand years ago, the uninhabited islands of Samoa and Tonga were settled by a seafaring people† (Friends). Moreover, using only small voyaging groups in canoes, â€Å"they continued to discover new lands as they explored eastward. Long before ocean exploration by Europeans, the early Polynesians had mastered boat building and navigation† (Friends). And, in an ironic twist, while the Hokule’a may be considered a deeply religious masterpiece, she is nearly completely modernized and outfitted with a navigational system laughed at and â€Å"rejected by European analysts† (Honolulu Advertiser). It could be concluded, here, that while the Europeans believed they had the golden ticket to sea discovery, the Polynesians (and modern Hawaiians) had an innate sense and skill for the activity as well. Hawaiians kept the culture of boat building firmly within their veins, and like any other people with a successful history, used the same methods of travel to do so, even initiating the growing mission of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, â€Å"now altered from one of discovery to education [as they now use] the canoe as a platform to excite Hawaii’s children about learning [about] their environment and culture† (Friends). The deep history of the Hokule’a helps build this platform as well as any cultural epicenter of a civilization, but the fact that the canoe remains on the open water (barring hurricanes or nasty tsunamis, of course) serves to perpetuate the desire to retain the Hokule’a as a cultural icon better than any fireside fable ever could. In fact, a new canoe was even born from the craftsmanship and lore of the Hokule’a, the Hawai’iloa, in 1991 which demonstrated, on a spiritual and traditional level, the profound importance of the Hokule’a’s first voyage. It is said that â€Å"these magnificent canoes tell the story of the lives and travels of the crewmembers and builders who worked them. The spiritual power, mana, of the canoes is preserved with the skilled hands of master canoe builders† (Friends). The Hokule’a has even done much for pioneering programs to get children interested in education, navigation, and sea discovery through the efforts of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (Honolulu Advertiser). In the last few years, programs like the non-profit Aloha Medical Mission have combined forces with the Polynesian Voyaging Society to bring healthcare to Micronesia (KHNL 8). Moreover, if the Hokule’a continues to voyage across the seas in discovery and efforts of education, only the spirit of the canoe could guess at the cultural symbolism left in her wake. What began as a voyaging expedition three thousand years ago can now be seen as one of the single most religious and cultural experiences of Hawaii as the Hokule’a spreads her mast and travels the islands with the ease of any modern European vessel. Works Cited Friends of Hokule’a and Hawai’iloa. â€Å"Our Legacy. † Accessed June 14, 2007. http://fhh-hawaii. org/legacy. shtml Honolulu Advertiser. â€Å"Hokule’a Forced to Delay Voyage. † News, August 30, 2003. http://the. honoluluadvertiser. com/article/2003/Aug/30/ln/ln09a. html KHNL 8. â€Å"Hawaii Doctors Partner with Hokule’a, Bringing Healthcare to Micronesia. † News, February 19, 2007. http://www. khnl. com/Global/story. asp? S=6104556

Issues Of Construction And Demolition Waste Environmental Sciences Essay

Issues Of Construction And Demolition Waste Environmental Sciences Essay Construction waste is becoming a serious environmental problem in many countries in the world. Construction and demolition (C and D) debris frequently makes up 10-30% of the waste receive at many landfill sites around the world (Fishbein, 1998). The construction industry has long been regarded as one of the major contributors of negative impact to the environment, due to the high amount of waste generated from construction, demolition, renovation and activities associated with construction. The construction industry plays a significant role in Malaysias development both in terms of infrastructure and economic development. Waste minimization and effective waste management is a most pressing issue nowadays. Construction is a unique industry. The success or failure of a project is relying on the accuracy estimation done throughout the course of the project. In this chapter, the timber or wood and asphalt are usually used in the construction industry will be reviewed follow by the discus sion to carry out by researcher in recycling technical for construction and demolish waste. Besides that, this chapter also carries out and identifies products produce from construction and demolishes waste in construction site. 2.2 Definition of Construction and Demolition Waste Waste is defined as the-by product generated and removed from construction, renovation and demolition workplaces or sites of building (Cheung, 1993). Solid is defined as all wastes in solid form which are useless or unwanted and in general arise from human activities. Construction wastes are wastes generated from building, demolition and renovation works for individual housing, commercial buildings and others. Solid wastes also can be defined as those wastes from human activities. Solid wastes can be classified as municipal waste such as, paper, plastic, food waste and so on. Industries wastes include construction and demolition waste, hazardous waste and others (Kiely, 1997). Construction waste are in the forms of building debris, rubble, earth, concrete, steel, timber, and mixed site clearance materials, arising from various construction activities including land excavation or formation, civil and building construction, demolition activities, roadwork and building renovation (Shen et al. 2004). Normally construction wastes are the wastage such timber from fabricated formwork, steel when steel bar cutting and so on. Even though prefabricated assemblies such as windows and doors, which are packaged in large quantities of cardboard, metal or plastic strapping and wood tend to produce a significant amount of waste (Dolan, 1999). Construction waste could be classified in the form of solid, liquid, gas or combination of all these. Due to the huge use of construction raw materials in the industry, there is certainly a need to evaluate the environmental impact of waste generated from the construction site activities. Construction and demolition (CD) waste is produced during new construction, renovation and demolition of structures such as residential and non- residential buildings, and public work projects such as highways, bridges and so on (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2000). Construction and demolition waste includes bricks, concrete, soil, rock, masonry, paving materials, lumber, shingles, glass, plastic, aluminum, steel, drywall, asphalt, plumbing fixtures, wood or timber, cardboard and so on. The construction and demolition (CD) industry generates a significant quantity of waste (Table 1), although estimates of total amounts vary in England. Table 1. Quantities of waste from various sources in England (Lawson et al. 2001) 2.3 Construction Demolition Wastes in Malaysia Our country, Malaysia is same as other country, because Malaysia also have been created construction wastes substantially during the process of renovation, new construction, demolition and refurbishment such as bricks, concretes, steels, timbers and etcetera. At each stage of new construction, renovation, demolition and refurbishment have created different type of wastes. 2.4 Relationships between Construction and Demolition (CD) Waste Although construction wastes are similar to demolition wastes, they are often cleaner, because the waste materials usually have not been painted or mixed with other materials. Construction wastes are also generated in distinct stages as construction progresses. For example, framing and sheathing produces large quantities of wood waste; drywalling produces waste sheet rock; pallets, metal, plastics and cardboard during plumbing and mechanical installations. The sequential nature of construction allows targeted recovery of specific recyclable materials as a construction project proceeds. In remodeling projects, manual demolition provides the potential for a high degree of source separation. Demolition waste is more difficult to source-separate than construction waste. Reusable items and certain recyclables are sometimes recovered before mechanical demolition begins. There are two type of demolition which is manual and mechanical. Manual demolition, also known as deconstruction, can maximize the separation and recovery of recyclable materials, but is not always feasible. Mechanical demolition is done by bulldozer or excavator, tends to crush and combine materials, limiting source-separation, unless recovery facilities that sort mixed materials are available. Mechanically crushed materials are commonly land filled, with limited attempts at recovery (Clark Country Washington, 2008) 2.5 Contamination of Construction and Demolition (CD) Waste Waste from new construction is composed primarily of a mixture of unused or damaged raw materials, as well as off-cuts (discarded cut material) and packaging. Demolition waste includes actual building components, such as full length studs and concrete slabs. The largest component of demolition waste is concrete followed by brick, wood and metals. Waste materials from new construction are usually clean and relatively uncontaminated, whereas demolition waste materials are often dirty or contaminated and are mixed with other materials. These differences between construction and demolition (CD) wastes create specific opportunities and challenges for waste reduction. The contamination of construction and demolition (CD) wastes can take various forms: Mixed contamination Mixed contamination is resulting from mixing of materials during excavation from site. Waste concrete removed, for example, from a floor may be mixed with contaminated soil, other materials or other wastes. It will cause the negative impact on the potential for recycling concrete. Surface contamination Surface contamination is materials that have been used in foundations, road construction or in ground works are likely to have been in intimate contact with soil. Surface contamination could also include coatings and sheeting that have been used to protect the materials during their service life but a barrier to reuse. Absorbed contamination Absorbed contamination is contaminants that are soluble and mobile can potentially be absorbed into porous building materials. These contaminants are likely to be preset in groundwater or contaminated surface water. (Lawson et al. 2001) 2.6 Sources of Construction Wastes The construction wastes are usually generated by the construction activities take place. It consist all building materials that being used for construction purposes. Material wastes are unavoidable. One of the reasons to identify the source of construction wastes is to understand the recycling potential of construction wastes. The major construction wastes are bricks, concretes, timbers, glasses, metals, asphalt, plastic and others. Each of them have own characteristic. In this chapter will review two construction wastes which are timber and asphalt. 2.6.1 Timber/Wood Wood is produced by trees and sometimes other fibrous plants, used for construction purposes when cut into lumber and timber such as board, plank, and similar materials. Wood can be very flexible under loads, keeping strength when bending and it is also incredibly strong when compressed it into vertically. Wood is a generic building material and used in building just about any type of structure in most climates. There are many different type and quality of woods. This means specific species are better for various uses than other. Deciding the wood used in construction activities is depends on the woods quality. Historically, wood for large building structures was used in its unprocessed form as logs. The trees were just cut into the needed length, sometimes stripped of bark, and then notched in to place. In earlier times, some parts of the world, many country homes or communities had a personal wood lot from which the family or community would grow and harvest trees to build with. These lots would be tended to like a garden. With the invention of mechanizing saws came the mass production of dimensional lumber. This made buildings to put up and more uniform quickly. Thus, the modern western style home was made. Wood is one of the most frequent used by human in the world. Wood and the by-products are found in every area of modern existence, the timber is usually used in construction, furniture and domestic uses to fibre board, chipboard, paper, newsprint and cardboard. As usage for construction material, wood is strong, light, durable, flexible and easily worked. It has excellent insulating properties. In contrast to the substitutes for wood used in structural and architectural such as brick, concrete, metals and plastics, wood can be produced and transported with little energy consumed and the products are renewable and usually biodegradable (Koch, 1991). Wood will continue to be a major construction material in subsequent decades in Southeast Asia. A large part of the volume used for construction will be in the form of lumber and plywood but more reconstituted wood-panel products will be used in the form of fibre boards, particle board and wood-cement boards. The decreasing wood supply from natural forests will be supplemented by wood from plantations and secondary or lesser-used species will be adopted more as construction materials. In future non-traditional materials will also be used extensively. Rubber wood looms as an important source for both household furniture and construction. The palm stem of coconut will be used in a large extent for house construction, particularly for low cost housing. Laminated products will also become important as the supply of large diameter wood declines further. A more extensive use of nontraditional materials will depend largely on advancing technologies in processing to promote productivity and economy. Nowadays, the growing population causes the increase of housing needs. With the demands, countries of the Southeast Asia are decreasing amounts of their forest resources. In the same time, a diminishing natural forest resource is creating a need to find new sources and new processes for wood based construction materials. The present and future use of wood for construction in several ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries had suggested that the future requirements must be met from some unconventional sources and with increased use of new technologies. Wood remains the most important construction material that is available in the region in substantial quantities. In the coming years, wood will still continue to be a major construction material, but in a variety of new forms. Number of unconventional sources will be invented due to the declining supply of traditional tropical species. These will also be supplemented through the increased use of plantation trees and lesser known natural species, supported by technological advances in wood processing. 2.6.1.1 Type of Wood in construction Cement Bonded Board This type of wood came in various forms and sizes such as chips, particles or narrow long strips like wood wool that has been bonded with cement to produce panel products for construction. Research on this type of panel was carried out more than 20 years ago in Europe but only now it is being seriously considered in the ASEAN countries. Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand started into commercial production of this material. Malaysia produces wood wool cement boards and particle boards bonded with cement. Cement bonded boards can be used for external walling. It has sound and heat insulating properties and resistant to the attack of insects and fungi. It has great potential for low-cost housing because of its cost competitive with other materials (Anonymous, 1984). Wood cement board is light with a density of only 600 kg/m3. The thermal conductivity of cement-bonded boards is lower than resin-bonded particleboards and is comparable to fibre insulating boards. Glued Laminated Wood Glulam is stand for Glued Laminated Timber. It is made from gluing many small pieces of timber planks together to form deep members. The advantages of using Glued Laminated Timber are strength of the product, the opportunities for creative architectural use especially in curved and tapered beams and excellent fire performance of the product ( Dr Tan et al. 2005). LVL is stands for Laminated Veneer Lumber. It is made from laminating thin sheets of wood which enables very deep and long sections with high strength possible. The other option is the use of Plywood which is made by gluing and pressing thin laminates together to form a sheet. The grain is laminated in alternate directions, which results in strength in two directions. These manufactured products are used in large spans, deep beams and large cross sections that incorporates large span truss. There have many advantages of Laminated Timber for trusses. In terms of material, the product is known for its efficiency and quality. Laminated Timber uses short length and small pieces of wood resources intelligently. On the other hand, the process is subject to certain quality criteria on bonding, finger jointing and wood quality ( Dr Tan et al. 2005). The advantages are also inherent in the process required: Drying In Glulam, not more than 40mm of thickness is used. Drying and even preservative treatment become easier and better quality is attainable. Shape and form Timber could be bent to produce structural members of virtually any shape and size. The final geometry is normally restricted by ease of transportation and handling. Termite, mould and rot General solution is to either specify timber species which are naturally resistant to chemically treat the material accordingly. Proper technical detailing is also essential to minimize exposure to sunlight, collection of water and possible termite attack. Glulam trusses are widely used for large span structures for its aesthetic appeal apart from cost effectiveness and this helps by doing away with false ceilings or other decorative items. Besides that, the other uses include pre-assembled or knock down Glulam components for transportation purposes, pre-drilled holes and also all connection hardware (primered, painted or powder-coated) as specified ( Dr Tan et al. 2005). Palm Wood The possibility of utilizing the coconut palm wood on a commercial scale has been recognized only in the last decade, although usage of wood from palm species has been known by people in the villages since time immemorial. Currently, coconut palm wood has been successfully utilized in a number of coconut growing countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Fiji, the Tonga Islands and others. Coconut timber is suitable for housing components like trusses, purlins, walls, joists, doors, window frames and jalousies. Low density coconut wood materials (from the centre of the stem) should be used only in non-load structures like walls and panels while high density coconut wood (from the perimeter of the stem) can be used for load-bearing structures like trusses and joints. High density coconut wood could also be used as posts, power and telecommunication poles, trusses, floor tiles (parquet), girts, floor joists, purlins, balustrades and railings and other load bearing structu res. When coconut logs are to be used in ground contact under exposed conditions (for examples as posts or as poles for electrical wires) they must be properly treated. Medium density boards can be effectively used for walling, horizontal studs, ceiling joists and door or window frames. As a regulation, if density of coconut wood is below 400 kg/m3, it is should not be used as structural framing materials. However, they can be used in the internal parts of a building as ceiling and wall lining in the form of boards and shingles. A problem related to structural application of coco wood is the difficulty of nailing and subsequently splitting of high density wood finishes. Coconut wood can be a promising material for the manufacture of furniture and other handicrafts due to its beautiful grain and attractive natural appearance. High value coconut wood products which include furniture, decorative interior walls, parquet floors, various novelties and curio items like walking sticks, ash trays, hammer handles, egg cups, plates, bowls, vases and so on. Comparable to the traditional wood species commonly used in the furniture industry as far as appearance is concerned. Thus, with effective product promotion, quality furniture and other high value coconut wood products can have a potential share not only in the domestic but also in the world markets. Coconut wood has potential for the manufacture of high value and export quality finished products. (Asia Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook: Focus on Coconut Wood, 1997). 2.6.2 Asphalt Asphalt or bitumen can sometimes be confused with  tar, which is a similar black thermo-plastic material produced by the  destructive distillation  of  coal. During the early century, when  town gas  was produced, tar was a readily available product and extensively used as the binder for road aggregates. The addition of tar to  macadam  roads led to the word  tarmac, which is now used to refer to road making materials. However, since the 1970s, when natural gas  succeeded town gas, asphalt (bitumen) has completely overtaken the use of tar in these applications. Asphalt is used for the  oil refinery  product used to pave roads and manufacture  roof shingles. 2.7 Waste Management Planning Good planning is the most important part of construction waste management. Like anything else in construction, recycling is straight forward if you have a good blueprint, but becomes much more difficult and expensive if its an add-on. Good planning allows to identify all recyclable materials and know how going to manage the site before the job starts. Good planning addresses how each waste material will be handled, what containers will be used and when theyll be on site, and where each material will be marketed. Good planning allows to assess the costs and benefits of recycling and decide which materials to source separate, which to recycle as mixed debris, and which to discard as trash. Good planning covers communications, training, and troubleshooting, and lays out tracking and reporting procedures. The Waste Management Plan is the document that lays out the start-to-finish strategy for job site recycling. It is prepared directly from the drawings and specifications for the job, an d a good plan will closely follow these documents. The Waste Management Plan should includes estimating types and quantities of wastes generated during each phase of the job, identify how each waste will be managed and marketed, provide an estimate of the overall job recycling rate, lay out plans for training, meetings, and other communications related to job-site waste management and provide troubleshooting instructions and contact information. The Waste Management Plan is the cornerstone for successful construction waste recycling and reduction. It is a comprehensive document that provides all of the information needed by any individual on site to understand and achieve the waste management goals for the project. All of this can and should be done before you break ground or during the planning stage so that recycling is incorporated seamlessly into overall performance of the job. Its best if the Waste Management Plan is written and signed off on by all parties (owner, architect, a nd contractor) a month or more before site possession or the first day of site work. This allows time for all parties to participate in developing the plan, allows contractors and subcontractors to integrate recycling into their setup and work plans, and assures that training can be provided to supervisors and workers. The Waste Management Plan is also a living document, used as a day-to-day reference just like blueprints and specifications. This fact cannot be overemphasized. Handling procedures or markets may change during the course of a job, these changes should be noted in modifications to the plan. As waste materials move from the site, information on waste and recycling tonnages and costs will be gathered. These should be matched against initial projections, variances should be analyzed, and a running recycling rate should be calculated. Besides that, also should be publicized the recycling rate to laborers and trades. Its a good way to help boost morale, and keep workers str iving to achieve recycling goals (Construction Materials Management Guidelines, Feb1994). 2.8 Construction Waste Management Construction waste management may be defined as the discipline associated with the control of generation, recovering, processing and disposal of construction wastes in a manner that is in accord with the best principles of human health, economic, engineering, aesthetics, and other environmental considerations (Tchobanoglous, 1993). Construction waste management is becoming more pressing problem in worldwide. The management of construction waste is not only of governments responsibility but also responsibility of the developer of the particular land area. There are two ways to manage the waste will be discussed later. 2.8.1 Reuse The reuse of waste material is one of the important form of pollution prevention. It is because these changes reduce the amount of waste generated year to year. Source reduction and reuse are regularly undertaken in developing countries, while these are only beginning to be practiced widely in industrialized countries. Several obstacles have stop waste prevention efforts including manufacturing decision and consumer buying patterns. For an example, manufacturers have little incentive to consider the cost of waste collection and disposal when designing a product because the consumers do not take these factors into consideration when making purchase decisions. 2.8.2 Recycling Recycling construction and demolition (CD) waste is defined as using or reuse a material or residual component of a material (Holt, 2001). Besides that, recycling also reprocessing of a reclaimed material and converting it into a new material or use. Recycle construction and demolition (CD) waste can be accomplished in various ways. Deconstruction is one method of recycle construction and demolition (CD) waste. Deconstruction is the disassembly of structures and reuse of their parts. It is believe that there is value in salvaged materials. However for traditional recycle construction and demolition (CD) waste methods are modifying materials remanufacture. There are many constructions and demolition (CD) waste can be recycled. The expanding the market recycle construction and demolition (CD) waste are depend on the recycled and salvaged goods in the market place, labour costs for removal, sorting and processing and relative disposal cost (Patterson, 2005). 2.8.3 The Important of Recycling There are some benefits of recycling, including saving energy saving land space, saving money, creating new jobs, reducing air and water pollution and preserving habitat for wildlife. It takes less energy to process recycled materials than it does to use virgin materials. For an example, it takes less energy to recycle paper from waste material than it does to create paper from new woodland, because there is no longer a need to cut down a new tree, process the wood from the tree and make it into paper. Energy from non-renewable resources is protected and saved for future generations, money is saved when less energy is used. This is also can mean that more competitively priced goods and often pollution and emissions are reduced when less energy is used. Recycling reduces trash in landfill sites, which cuts down on the cost of waste disposal and the clearing of more land for new landfills when the current landfills become too full to store any more waste. Recycling is an easy and less expensive alternative to clearing more land for new landfills. For an example, composting, recycling kitchen waste and yard waste into compost provides a means of free nutritious soil for gardening. Recycling would allow human to reuse the materials over and over again. Decomposing waste often release noxious gases and chemicals as it decomposes at landfill sites. These gas and chemicals create air pollution. When the chemicals leach into the groundwater, this will creates water pollution and water is c ontaminated. In 2000, recycling of solid waste prevented the release of 32.9 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE, the unit of measure for greenhouse gases) into the air. Imagine how much pollution could prevent if instead of landfills had recycling centers. Human could breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water. If the human created more recycling opportunities, this would create more jobs and no one would have to lose their jobs either. Recycling also preserves wildlife. When fewer trees are cut down to make virgin material or to make space landfills, habitat for wildlife remains. More habitats for animals mean less animal extinction. Despite what some may say, recycling is important and it can make a difference. The people may not be able to solve their landfill and pollution problems anytime soon, but at least they can help keep them from getting worse. Recycling is a easy way to do. Start with paper or plastic or both and take them to a recycling bin near your home. For an example, if any people have to go grocery shopping fill up a car with a box of recyclable paper and dump it at the recycling bin near the store. Many grocery stores now have these bins available. If not ask them to start or participate in your neighborhoods curbside recycling program. If there isnt one available get one started in the neighborhood. In 2001 United States residents, businesses and institutions generated more than 229 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) (EPA, Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2001 Final Report). This waste adversely affects the economy and the environment. Conventional methods of disposal involve land filling. These landfills have limited capacity. As waste generation increases, new landfills must be built. Landfills are expensive to build and operate. The landfills are also highly subsidized by local governments and require significant land that then is no longer viable for wildlife habitat or residential, commercial, or recr eational development. Waste negatively impacts the environment. Degradation of the natural landscape occurs through leaching from improperly lined landfills and from the extraction of resources for new materials. To reduce the amount of waste generation, communities have instituted recycling programs across the country. Recycling has economic and environmental benefits for communities. First, recycling reduces the need for new landfills and associated costs. Second, recycling can support industrial development as the recycled materials serve as raw materials for manufacturing and other uses. For an example, recycled soda bottles are used in carpet manufacturing; steel contains 85 percent recycled content and recycled paper is milled for new paper products. By supplying raw materials to industry through the reuse of materials, recycling conserves resources by reducing the need to extract virgin resources or introduce new chemicals into the environment. By not disturbing existing natu ral resources and by reducing noxious manufacturing processes, recycling prevents emissions of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants. From a community and environmental preservation perspective, recycling conserves green space, protects habitat, and improves quality of life for residents in natural resource locations. Recycling also saves energy through avoided extraction and manufacture processes. This can be a particularly powerful strategy when one realizes that only 10 percent of all materials extracted are used in final products. This means that 90 percent of natural resources extracted for consumer use are disposed of as waste. From an economic perspective, such high values of unused material represent inefficiencies in the market. Missed opportunities exist where inefficiencies are present. Recycling contributes to the economic base of communities. There is significant job creation and business development potential associated with recycling. Jobs in this field involve more than simple collection and separation. The remanufacture of recycled materials supports more than one million manufacturing jobs. As companies seek to find new uses for recycled materials, research and development of greener technologies require skilled individuals and significant capital investment. A wide variety of jo b skills are needed to develop this industry. Hence, the more robust are the recycling activities which include collection, separation, research, manufacture and resale and the more recycling can advance economic development. The popular phrase, reduce, reuse, recycle has become a household mantra with millions of households separating their plastics, paper, cans and glass and using curbside pick-up, drop-off centers, buy-back centers, and deposit refund programs. Certainly within these material streams, a larger percentage of recycling is possible. Further, these materials are only part of the waste stream. There are other materials that may have more impact when recycled. Construction and demolition (CD) debris materials are easily recyclable using existing infrastructure and make up larger concentrations of waste volume than cans, bottles, paper and so on. (William McDonough and Michael Braungart. 2002. Cradle to Cradle. New York: Northpoint Press). Construction and demolition waste is currently recycled at a rate of 20-30 percent. Project-based studies indicate that the potential for recycling is much higher more than 70 percent. While many construction and demolition materials are suitable for recycl ing, there are external factors that influence the spread of construction and demolition recycling. The value of recycled and salvaged goods in the marketplace, labor costs for removal, sorting and processing, and relative disposal costs all play a role in expanding or contracting the market for reuse and recycled goods. Recycled and salvaged goods must be price competitive and perceived to be as desirable as or even more desirable than products produced from virgin materials. Competitive pricing is impacted by subsidies, incentives on virgin materials, and market demand. Recycled goods or secondary materials do not benefit from similar policies that could facilitate their widespread use and resultant competitive pricing. Desirability for recycled materials is a reflection of the value placed upon these goods. This desirability can be affected by industry and consumer market knowledge and acceptance. However, hesitancy to use recycled goods on the part of bui

Management Of Acute Coronary Syndrome

Management Of Acute Coronary Syndrome Acute coronary syndrome encompasses a collection of three acute processes related to myocardial ischemia. These include: unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Myocardial ischemia is caused by inadequate perfusion within the myocardial tissue due to oxygen demand exceeding oxygen supply. In a healthy person the amount of oxygen required by the myocardium (O2 demand) is determined by heart rate, myocardial contractility, myocardial wall stress, and afterload. As explained by Antman, et al (2012), oxygen supply to the myocardium requires a satisfactory level of oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood (determined by the inspired level of oxygen, pulmonary function, and hemoglobin concentration and function) and an adequate level of coronary blood flow. The coronary vessels have the ability to adjust their level of resistance to adapt to the increased oxygen demand required by the myocardium during certain times (such as during physical exertion). Ischemic heart disease is typically caused by atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of plaque inside the lumen of the coronary vessels. The emergence of atherosclerosis in the vessels does not occur overnight. Antman, et al. (2012) found that atherogenesis in humans typically occurs over a period of many years, usually many decades and that growth of atherosclerotic plaques probably does not occur in a smooth, linear fashion but discontinuously, with periods of relative quiescence punctuated by periods of rapid evolution. The process of atherosclerosis begins with an abundance of lipoproteins in the blood stream. These lipoproteins bind to the walls of vessels and are eventually deposited within the intima of the arteries. To counteract this process, phagocytes are sent into the vessel to attack these foreign particles (Antman et al., 2012). Once the phagocytes are within the intima, they mature into macrophages and become lipid-laden foam cells (Antman et al., 2012). As these plaques advance calcification occurs. This process is thought to be a key step in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques (Antman et al., 2012). Normally this narrowing of the vessel lumen does not cause chest pain or discomfort. Eventually, however, these plaques may rupture. At this point platelet activation occurs, which eventually leads to clot formation at the sight of the plaque. This clot, or thrombus, may break off and lodge in a coronary vessel. These two processes are a common pathogenic finding with acute coronary syndrome (Lincoff, Califf, Anderson, Weisman, Aguirre, Kleiman, Harrington Topol, 1997). A partial occlusion of the coronary vessels due to a ruptured plaque/platelet complex causes unstable angina or a NSTEMI. In this case, the oxygen demands of the heart cannot be met. A complete occlusion causes a STEMI (Anderson, Adams, Antman, Bridges, Califf, Casey Jr, Chavey II Wright, 2011), which eventually leads to myocardial cell death. Discussion/Analysis The emergency department providers are often the first line of defense in the management of patients with chest pain. The ability to quickly evaluate whether or not the cause of chest pain is potentially fatal is of great importance. Critical chest pain can be broken down in to non-cardiac and cardiac causes. Non-cardiac causes include: pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, and Boerhaaves syndrome. Acute coronary syndrome is among several cardiac causes of emergent chest pain. An accurate diagnosis of the cause of chest pain requires several key components. These include: patient history (including risk factors), physical examination, diagnostics, and labs. History History is instrumental during the evaluation of a patient with chest pain. Ischemic chest pain is often described as a severe pressure or squeezing and is classically described as the feeling of an elephant sitting on my chest. Typically this pain is described as substernal chest pain which radiates to the neck, jaw, or down the left arm. Additional details regarding the onset of chest pain can also serve as important clues. For example, pain on exertion that resolves with rest suggests stable angina, whereas new onset chest pain or chest pain at rest suggests unstable angina. A good method to differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac chest pain is whether the pain improves after administration of nitroglycerin (NTG). If the pain is relieved by NTG it is considered to be likely due to cardiac causes. Additional details suggesting cardiac origin are shortness of breath, nausea +/- vomiting, diaphoresis, and the presence of syncopal/near-syncopal episodes. It is important to note that a patient with chest pain often have a silent or atypical presentation. This is especially true in elderly men (Woon Lim, 2003) and diabetics (Tabibiazar Edelman, 2003). A patient with an atypical presentation may present with shortness of breath but lack the classical symptom of angina pectoris which radiates to the jaw or left arm. Commonly these patients complain of a feeling of indigestion or epigastric discomfort. Thus it is very important to consider ACS in these patients. The presence of risk factors plays an important role in the evaluation of chest pain, especially in a patient with known disease. The landmark Framingham Heart Study showed that cardiac risk can be influenced by diet, lifestyle, and familial risk factors (Oppenheimer, 2005). The more risk factors that a person carries, the greater their risk of developing ischemic heart disease. These risk factors are generally grouped into two categories: those that are modifiable and those that are not. Risk factors amendable are as follows: Tobacco smoke (American Heart Association, 2012) High blood cholesterol (AHA, 2012) High blood pressure (AHA, 2012) Physical inactivity (AHA, 2012) Obesity and overweight (AHA, 2012) Diabetes mellitus (AHA, 2012) Risk factors that cannot be changed include: Age- 82% of people who die of coronary heart disease are >65 (AHA, 2012) Male sex (AHA, 2012) Heredity- this includes both family history and race (AHA, 2012) Risk is higher among Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans (AHA, 2012) Patients presenting with unstable angina or NSTEMI have variable levels of risk of cardiac death and ischemic cardiac events (Antman, Cohen, Bernink, McCabe, Horacek, Papuchis, Mautner Braunwald, 2000). The trial conducted by Antman et al. (2000) set out to develop a simple risk score that has broad applicability, is easily calculated at patient presentation, does not require a computer, and identifies patients with different responses to treatments for UA/NSTEMI. In doing so, the TIMI risk score was created. The scores are calculated using a score of 1 for each risk factor (7 total categories) assigned to a given patient. According to Antman, et al (2000) the score determines the patients risk of death, myocardial infarction, or severe ischemia. Antman, et al. (2000) found 7 prognostic variables that increase a patients risk. These are: Age 65 years or older At least 3 risk factors for coronary artery disease (male, dyslipidemia, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity family history) Prior coronary stenosis of 50% or more ST-segment deviation on ECG at presentation At least 2 anginal events in prior 24 hours Use of aspirin in prior 7 days Elevated serum cardiac markers In TIMI 11B/ESSENCE, event rates increase significantly as the TIMI-score increases (Antman et al., 2000). A score of 0/1 showed a 4.7% event rate; 8.3% for 2; 13.2% for 3; 19.9% for 4; 26.2% for 5; and 40.9% for 6/7. This landmark pair of trials allows practitioners a quick assessment of a patients risk of suffering a serious cardiac event. Physical Exam Physical exam is also a key component in the evaluation of a patient with chest pain, as many clues can suggest acute coronary syndrome. Unstable vital signs can be an important hint that the patient has suffered an MI. A general examination may reveal a patient who is diaphoretic and/or using accessory respiratory muscles. The cardiovascular exam could reveal a new murmur, S3/S4 gallop, or JVD. Finally, during the pulmonary exam rales may be heard upon auscultation. Diagnostics Diagnostic testing is an essential part of the evaluation of a patient presenting with chest pain. Several important diagnostic tools were introduced to the emergency department in the latter half of the 20th century that greatly improved the diagnosis and care of acute coronary syndrome. Electrocardiogram The introduction of coronary care units in the 1960s allows physicians to utilize the electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor potential fatal arrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction (Julian, 1987). Shortly thereafter the portable electrocardiogram became commonplace within the emergency department to assist in diagnosing complications of acute coronary syndrome (Drew, et al, 2004). A patient presenting with myocardial ischemia will typically have symmetrically-inverted T waves in leads V2-V6 (Dubin, 2000). As the name suggests, a STEMI is an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, though ST-segment elevation can occur with Prinzmetals angina in absence of an infarction (Dubin, 2000). Additionally, the ECG allows us to evaluate necrosis of the heart in the form of the presence of Q-waves. Q-waves are the first downward deflection of the QRS complex (Dubin, 2000). As Dubin (2000) explains, a positive Q-wave MI must: Lack a preceding spike in the QRS complex Be at least 1 mm wide or Have an amplitude of 1/3 the QRS complex An additional benefit of the ECG is that it allows the practitioner to identify the location of an acute event. Each lead corresponds to a particular location of the heart. For example, leads II, III, and AvF are the inferior leads and reflect the inferior portion of the heart. Due to the relatively high specificity but low sensitivity of the 12 lead ECG in diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, a group of researchers in Canada recently set out to enhance ischemia detection by conducted a trial which added a new criteria using a three vessel specific leads derived from the traditional 12 lead ECG (Horacek, Mirmoghisi, Warren, Wagner Wang, 2008). This trial showed a statistically significant improvement in the ability of the vessel specific lead protocol to detect ischemia (Horacek et al., 2008). Horacek et al. (2008) found the following sensitivity and specificity for conventional STEMI criteria versus that of the vessel specific leads (VSL): Vessel Sensitivity Specificity Left Anterior Descending 74% conventional, 91% VSL 97% conventional, 97% VSL Right Coronary Artery 60% conventional, 70% VSL 94% conventional, 94% VSL Left Circumflex Artery 36% conventional, 71% VSL 100% conventional, 100% VSL Totals Set 60% conventional, 76% VSL 96% conventional, 96% VSL Based on these results, Horacek et al. (2008) concluded that using vessel specific leads can identify acute ischemia better than existing STEMI criteria. While a STEMI criteria using vessel specific leads has yet to become a mainstay within the standard emergency room protocol, this study provides exciting new improvements in the detection and management of patients with ACS. Serum Biomarkers The use of biochemical markers to detect cardiac cell death significantly evolved in the 1980s and 1990s. Initially, nonspecific markers such as aspartate transaminase and total creatinine kinase were used to detect myocardial necrosis (Lewandrowski, Chen Januzzi, 2002). During the mid-1990s the more cardiac specific enzymes CK-MB became the gold standard for detection of myocardial injury (Lewandrowski et al., 2002). CK-MB, which commonly rises 4-9 hours after the onset of angina, was not without its shortcomings. CK-MB may be falsely elevated due to several different causes, including recent strenuous exercise or skeletal muscle damage, or renal failure (Vivekanandan Swaminathan, 2010). In the late 1990s a more predictable biomarker, troponin I, was introduced for more accurate detection of acute coronary syndrome (Heeschen, Goldmann, Moeller Hamm, 1998). According to Heeschen et al. (1998), Troponin I can be evaluated at the bedside in the emergency room and has a higher diagno stic sensitivity for the detection of acute myocardial infarction (60% vs 48%) when compared to CK-MB. The reason for this improvement in accuracy is that troponin I is not found in skeletal muscle tissue or renal failure (Heeschen et al., 1998). As Heeschen et al. (1998) demonstrated in a head to head study that cTnI test systems produced no positive results in patients with end-stage renal failure and acute or chronic skeletal muscle injury, whereas 30% and 71% of the patients, respectively, had increased CK-MB mass concentrations. One disadvantage of troponin I, however, is that it has a lower sensitivity for the detection of acute myocardial infarction compared to that of CK-MB (Heeschen et al., 1998). This is due to an increased level of cTnI in patients with unstable angina (Heeschen et al., 1998). For this reason, a typical workup for a patient with chest pain in the emergency room includes both cTnI and CK-MB assays, which are drawn at presentation and every 3-6 hours therea fter (Ross, Bever, Uddin Hockman, 2000). Imaging A common component of a chest pain protocol is a chest x-ray. This is normally either a standard AP/lateral series or a portable chest x-ray if the patient is unable to get out of bed. The chest x-ray is useful to eliminate other possible causes of chest pain, such as an aortic aneurism or a pneumothorax. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic angiography, or CTA, has become an integral part of the management of acute coronary syndrome due to its high sensitivity and specificity (Hoffman, Truong, Schoenfeld, Chou, Woodard, Nagurney, Pope Udelson, 2012). According to the ROMICAT-I study performed by Hoffman et al., (2012), CTA is an effective way to rule out myocardial infarction or ischemia as well as major cardiovascular events over the next 2 years from presentation. The data presented in ROMICAT-I showed that patients undergoing CTA decreased their hospital stay by 7.6 hours compared to standard therapy (Hoffman et al., 2012). Additionally, 50% of CTA patients were discharged from the hospital within 8.6 hours of presentation versus only 10% of patients undergoing standard therapy (Hoffman et al., 2012). Finally, the mean time to diagnosis was significantly decreased with the CT group versus the standard group (Hoffman et al., 2012). Overall, CTA was shown to reduce time spent in the hospital and time to diagnosis when compared to standard therapy for acute coronary syndrome. This is important to note considering the importance of quick coronary reperfusion of STEMI patients (Trost Lange, 2011). An additional observation was that these benefits were achieved without an increase in the cost of care (Hoffman et al., 2012). There was no overall difference between the groups in incidence of myocardial infarction 30 days after initial presentation (Hoffman et al., 2012). It is important to note that a patient undergoing a CTA is exposed to increased radiation. Additionally, patients undergoing CTA were more likely to undergo invasive coronary procedures when compared to standard evaluation. Based on this data, a question arises as to whether every patient presenting with possible acute coronary syndrome should undergo a CTA. The population studied in ROMICAT-I consisted of low to intermediate risk patients. Overall, CTA was shown to decrease the time to diagnosis and hospital stay for patients with possible ACS. In contrast, CTA increases a patients exposure to radiation and increases the likelihood that these patients will undergo an increase in invasive coronary procedures. These factors should all be considered when evaluating a patient presenting with chest pain. Treatment Pharmacologic Aspirin: Early aggressive aspirin (ASA) therapy (162-325mg followed by 81-162mg daily) is currently recommended for all patients with acute coronary syndrome, unless contraindicated (Kirk, Kontos Diercks, 2011). Plavix (Clopidogrel): According to the CURE trial Clopidogrel has been shown to provide a 20% reduction in cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke for NSTEMI patients with positive biomarkers or ischemic ECG changes (Kirk et al., 2011). It is important to note that the significant anti-platelet benefits of Clopidogrel administration should also be weighed against the increased risk of bleeding events if the patient may be a candidate for coronary artery bypass surgery. Antianginal Agents: Nitroglycerin (NTG): NTG is commonly administered by EMS respondents but can also be ordered once the patient arrives in the emergency department, typically sublingually or in the form of Nitropaste. Nitroglycerin dilates the coronary arteries, which reduces myocardial oxygen demand (Trost Lange, 2011). For this reason, it is important to evaluate the patients baseline blood pressure. If SBP is less than 100, caution should be used. Morphine: Intravenous morphine may be given in the event that chest pain is not relieved by NTG administration. Morphine reduces ventricular preload, thereby decreasing myocardial O2 demand (Trost Lange, 2011). Beta-Andrenergic Blockers: Beta-blockers decrease demand on the heart by decreasing heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial contractility (Trost Lange, 2011). In a patient presenting with ACS, IV Lopressor is typically the agent of choice. These are especially effective agents in patients with elevated blood pressure or tachycardia. It is important to evaluate relevant contraindications to beta-blocker therapy, such as: HR Calcium-Channel Blockers: Diltiazem and Verapamil improve cardiac O2 supply by vasodilation of the coronary vessels, reduce O2 demand by reducing afterload, and reduce heart rate and contractility (Trost Lange, 2011). Calcium-channel blockers are 2nd line treatments for ACS and are typically reserved for patients who are unable to take a beta-blocker (Trost Lange, 2011). Contraindications include: sick sinus syndrome, 2Â ° or 3Â ° AV heart block, hypotension, acute MI with pulmonary congestion, atrial fibrillation or flutter with accessory bypass tract, and ventricular tachycardia, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and cardiogenic shock (Epocrates, 2012). Antithrombotic therapy: Antithrombotic therapy is recommended in a patient with suspected ACS, unless contraindicated (Trost Lange, 2011). Unfractionated heparin is easy to administer (IV) and is rapidly reversible with protamine in the event of bleeding. (Trost Lange, 2011). As with any antithrombotic, there is a risk of bleeding so these patients require close monitoring. Low molecular weight heparin is more predictable, has a lower incidence of thrombocytopenia, and does not require monitoring (Trost Lange, 2011). LMWH is the preferred agent for a more conservative, ischemia-guided strategy to prevent in hospital death or myocardial infarction (Trost Lange, 2011). Bivalirudin is an antithrombotic agent that does not cause thrombocytopenia (Trost Lange, 2011). It has been shown to be equally as effective as unfractionated heparin or LMWH but with a significantly lower rate of bleeding (Trost Lange, 2011). Oxygen administration should be administered for patients who are short of breath, showing signs of shock, or O2 saturation Next Step for NSTEMI or Unstable Angina Patients If a patient is considered to be high risk, such as a patient is at risk of future ischemia or infarction, an early invasive strategy is recommended (Trost Lange, 2011). For these patients, cardiac catheterization should be performed within 24-48 hours of admission (Trost Lange, 2011). In a low risk patient, a more conservative treatment is typically recommended. For these patients, catheterization is only recommended if recurrent or provocable ischemia occurs (Trost Lange, 2011). TIMI scores are a valuable tool to assess the patients risk and to guide the practitioner on the appropriate next step. Next Step for STEMI Patients Prompt coronary reperfusion is paramount in patients presenting with STEMI (Trost Lange, 2011). A door-to-balloon time of less than 90 minutes is considered to be the goal (Trost Lange, 2011). If the patient presents to a facility without a percutaneous coronary intervention facility the patient should be either: Treated with fibrinolytic therapy if not contraindicated (Trost Lange, 2011) Or Transferred to a nearby PCI facility (Trost Lange, 2011). Conclusion Acute coronary syndrome is spectrum of diseases typically caused by atherosclerotic disease. Emergency department practitioners must be able to rapidly diagnose and manage ACS patients in order to potentially preserve precious heart muscle. While treatments for ACS have improved dramatically over the past 30 years, several recent innovations have brought upon exciting new possibilities for the care of these patients. These include new vessel specific ECG leads, cardiac specific biomarkers, and the use of computed-tomographic angiography to assess patients with possible ACS. One component of the management algorithm that has not changed is the need for a strong history and physical examination to aid in diagnosis. Urgency in obtaining diagnosis cannot be stressed enough, and patients presenting with STEMI should be rapidly sent for PCI or transferred to a facility with PCI capabilities.

America Must Censor Internet Pornography :: Pornography Censorship

Since their founding, computers and the Internet have become a tool that nearly every man, woman, and child in the World have been able to use. E-mail has become one of the Worlds fastest growing ways of communication and the Internet has become one, if not the largest source of information available today. You can find just about everything you wanted to know about anything with the stroke of a few keys on the keyboard. However, along with these positive aspects of the Internet, there lies much negativity surrounding the internet and its use. Access to teenage pornography, bestiality, brutal murder pictures, XXX stories, and other un-ethical sites is extremely easy. In fact, the pornography industry has grown 63% since the Internet was first available for use.(Bishop 91) It is one of the leading industries on the Internet and has become quite a controversy in the United States. Censorship of such sites has done very little due to the fact that most parents feel that these sit es are not accessed by their children. We have currently found no solution that has worked and many government officials see the problem only getting worse. Pornography on the Internet though should not be banned, but rather better controlled and censored due to its availability and graphic nature. Pornography on the Internet is available in different formats. These range from pictures and short animated movies, to sound files and stories. Most of this kind of pornographic content is available through World Wide Web pages. The Internet also makes it possible to discuss sex, see live sex acts, and arrange sexual activities from computer screens. There are also sex related discussions on the Internet Relay Chat channels where users in small groups or in private channels exchange messages and files.(Akdenis, 1997) There are millions of different pornographic sites on the internet, so there is almost no way of regulating every site unless there was some type of a universal censorship required for every site. Nearly every one of these millions and millions of sites is accessed daily. Men, women, and children of every age and race are on the Internet looking at inappropriate sites every day. Over 2/3 of Americans who have access to the Internet have accessed pornographic or o ther un-ethical sites, and the numbers are only growing.

The North Korean Nuclear Crisis Essay examples -- Weapons Nuclear Kore

The Nuclear Crisis of 1993 The question of a nuclear North Korea has roots dating back to the 1980's. Initial concerns arose in the mid-1980's, with intelligence reports proposing the potential for North Korean nuclear ambitions. Reports cite the construction of a nuclear reactor capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium . The reactor in question, located in Yongbyon, was the focus of the first North Korean nuclear crisis in 1993. The Clinton administration proceeded with diplomatic efforts, forging an agreement by 1994 that effectually ended the crisis. Under the Agreed Framework, North Korea agreed to: (1) halt operation and construction of nuclear reactors, (2) freeze reprocessing of spent fuel (from which plutonium can be derived to make nuclear weapons), and (3) allow IAEA inspectors to monitor nuclear facilities. In return, the US agreed to: (1) lead an international consortium in the construction of two proliferation-resistant light-water reactors (LWR), and (2) supply fuel oil until the firs t reactor is deemed operational . The Current Crisis in Brief The current crisis officially began in October 2002, when a visiting US delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly, confronted North Korean officials with evidence of a nuclear weapons program (using enriched uranium, as opposed to the plutonium used in its first weapons program). Pyongyang admitted to the program?s existence, stating, ?We will meet the sword with the sword. ? The US, South Korea, and Japan subsequently halted all shipment of fuel oil to North Korea, in November, on the grounds that the once covert nuclear program was in violation of the Agreed Framework. In December, North Korea announced the reactivation of its nuc... ...?we will not attack you? if all nuclear ambitions are abandoned . The administration should also make good on its proposition to agree on a system in which ?corresponding measures? are taken on both sides to resolve the crisis. It will be imperative to develop a verifiable means of dismantling Pyongyang?s weapons program. Furthermore, the focus of future dialogues should be on the issue of nuclear dismantlement, straying from the topic as sparingly as possible. As President Bush and other administration officials have reminded the international community, and in particular North Korea, ultimately ?all options are on the table.? Given the current status of dialogues and continued willingness of countries in the region to proceed with diplomatic efforts, however, the option for military action is effectively taken off the table for the US for the time being.

The benefits of learning english

Many people see the ability to communicate and talk with others as one of the major benefits of learning English. Even outside of a professional environment, people often Ilke to be able to talk to individuals from around the world. Many people find great social and cultural benefits in having pen pals from other countries, and the Internet makes such communication fast and easy. Knowing English can broaden the types of people you can speak to, whether Its via email or on an online discussion forum.A tremendous number of websites are available primarily In English, and anyone who oes not understand the language may have difficulty using them. For anyone Interested In traveling to countries In which English Is the primary or common language, It Is often essential to understand and speak It. Throughout the LJK, US, and Canada, traveling and shopping are often made easier by speaking the language since many individuals may not speak any other language. ne of the most important benefits of learning English is the ability to explore these regions and more easily communicate with locals to learn about places and events that might otherwise remain unknown. Many people in European countries learn English in school, so nowing it can also be of benefit when traveling in locations even where it's not the native tongue. Learning a language can also be a great way to meet people, even if you never plan on leaving home.A class at a local community center or college can introduce you to a wide variety of people who are also interested in English, and give you the opportunity to interact with them in a controlled setting. Language courses often encourage students to carry on conversations with each other in the language being learned, and this can be a great way to break the ice with new people. Immigrants to English-speaking countries who do not speak the language are often at a serious disadvantage economically.It's much more difficult to get and hold a job, find a place to live, and even do everyday tasks like grocery shopping if you don't understand the language. Learning English not only benefits immigrants themselves, it also helps families by allowing parents to be involved more fully in their children's lives and education. In addition, these children dont have to translate for their parents, allowing them to be kids instead of interpreters. A huge amount of popular ntertainment comes out of Hollywood, and nearly all of It Is produced In English.American movies and TV programs are distributed all over the world, and are often subtitled for people who don't speak the language. Knowing English can allow you to better understand the subtleties of dialog that subtitles frequently miss. It can be a challenge to translate concepts and terms that don't match one-for-one between languages, and nuances of meaning can be lost. Language is an inherently cultural construct. How people speak, the words they cnoose, ana tne toplcs unaer Olscusslon are deeply t lea Into tne culture 0T a place.By learning English or any other language, you are putting yourself into the mindset of a native speaker and are introduced to many of the concepts that he finds important. Gaining a better understanding of other cultures can help you to enrich your own understanding of the world and how others see it. Many of the most prominent and well known publications throughout the world are written and printed in English. Scholars interested in doing research at an academic level, or working on new scientific developments, should consider the benefits of learning English to read these periodicals and publish their own work.Publication in peer-reviewed Journals is often required for someone who wishes to remain in academia, and the ability to read and write in English may be necessary to maintain such a position. Even learning about current events often requires an understanding of the language, since so many global publications and news websites use it. Because English is a first language for many countries, many other nations teach it as a requirement in schools. It is estimated that over a billion people in the world speak English on at least a basic level.For many people, the benefits of learning English involve the new pportunities that become available to someone who understands it. Anyone interested in attending a university in the US, for example, needs to speak it or be able to pass a test proving that he or she is fluent. People who do decide to learn English may need to consider what type of English is best for them to know. The two most common forms are British English and American English, and they can be quite different in some respects.The fundamental underlying language is the same, and people who learn one are likely to still be easily understandable by someone who peaks the other, but there will be instances in which words are phrases don't mean the same thing. Much of the decision about which type of English to learn wil l depend on where a student is learning it and what his or her ultimate goals are. To understand the language generally, any type of class will be of help. Many people dont have a wide variety of options to choose from, and a local college may only teach British English, for example.Someone who lives in Europe is more likely to be taught this form simply because he or she is closer geographically to the United Kingdom. Individuals who are learning English for a Job, however, might want to seek out a class that is specifically tailored to business language or to the form spoken in the country they will be doing business with. A person who will be regularly working with an American company, for example, may better understand the nuances of her coworkers if she is familiar with the terminology and idioms of that country.