Build a Better House - With Dirt

Build a Better House - With Dirt Tomorrows homes may be made of glass and steel- or they may resemble the shelters built by our prehistoric ancestors. Architects and engineers are taking a new look at ancient building techniques, including building with earth products. Imagine a magical building material. Its cheap, perhaps even free. Its plentiful everywhere, worldwide. Its strong enough to hold up under extreme weather conditions. Its inexpensive to heat and cool. And its so easy to use that workers can learn the necessary skills in a few hours. This miraculous substance isnt only cheap as dirt, it is dirt, and its winning new respect from architects, engineers, and designers. One look at the Great Wall of China will tell you how durable earthen construction can be. And, concerns for the environment and energy conservation make ordinary dirt look downright appealing. What does an earth house look like? Perhaps it will resemble the 400-year-old Taos Pueblo. Or, tomorrows earth homes may take on surprising new forms. Types of Earth Construction An earth house can be made in a variety of ways: AdobeRammed EarthCob (mud with straw)Compressed Earth BlocksStraw Bale (not really earth, but very organic) Or, the house may be made with concrete but earth sheltered underground . Learning the Craft How many people live or work in buildings constructed of earth? The folks at eartharchitecture.org estimate that 50% of the worlds population spend much of their time in earthen architecture. In a global market economy, its time that more developed nations take note of this statistic. Traditional adobe homes in the American Southwest have wooden beams and flat roofs, but Simone Swan and her students at the Adobe Alliance have discovered the African mode of construction, with arches and domes. The result? Beautiful, ultra-strong, and energy-efficient homes, echoing the adobe domes built along the Nile centuries ago and being built today like earth igloos in places like Namibie and Ghana in Africa. No one can argue with the environmental benefits of using mud and straw. But the ecological building movement does have critics. In an interview with The Independent, Patrick Hannay, from the Welsh School of Architecture, attacked the straw bale structures at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales. There would appear to be little aesthetic leadership here, Hannay said. But, you be the judge. Does responsible architecture have to be unsightly? Can a cob, straw bale, or earth sheltered home be attractive and comfortable? Would you like to live in one? Designing a More Beautiful Mud Hut The African earth igloos, however, come with a stigma. Because of primitive construction methods, mud huts have been associated with housing for the poor, even if building with mud is a proven architecture. The Nka Foundation is trying to change the mud hut image with an international competition. Nka, an African word for artistry, challenges designers to give these ancient building practices a modern aesthetic that is missing. The challenge outlined by the Nka Foundation is this: The challenge is to design a single-family unit of about 30 x 40 feet on a plot of 60 x 60 feet to be built by maximum use of earth and local labor in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The client of your design is the middle-income family in any township of your choice in the Ashanti Region. Total costs of constructing the design entry must not exceed $6,000; land value is excluded from this price point. The entry should serve as an example to the local people that mud architecture can be beautiful and durable. The need for this competition tells us several things: How something is built can have little to do with aesthetics. A home can be well-made but ugly.Attaining status through architecture is nothing new; creating an image transcends socio-economic class. Design and construction materials, the essential tools of architecture, have the power to make or break stigma. Architecture has a long history of design principles that often get lost through the years. Roman architect Vitruvius set a standard with 3 Rules of Architecture- Firmness, Commodity, and Delight. Heres hoping that earth igloo construction will rise to the level of being built with more beauty and delight. Learn More: Winners of the Mud House Design 2014 CompetitionTour a village of earth-walled homes in Loreto Bay, MexicoAdobe Mud: Building With Earth by Catherine Wanek, Mother Earth News, June/July 2009Earth Architecture by Ronald Rael, Princeton Architectural Press, 2010Earth Architecture in Iran: Earth Buildings, Mud Architecture, Sustainable Architecture, Rammed Earth, Mud Bricks by Hamed Niroumand, LAP, 2011Adobe and Rammed Earth Buildings: Design and Construction by Paul Graham McHenry, Jr., University of Arizona Press, 1989 Sources: Architecture: A house made of straw by Nonie Niesewand, The Independent, May 24, 1999; eartharchitecture.org; 2014 Mud House Design Competition [accessed June 6, 2015]

American Revolution - Treaty of Alliance (1778)

American Revolution - Treaty of Alliance (1778) The Treaty of Alliance (1778) between the United State and France was signed February 6, 1778. Concluded between the government of King Louis XVI and the Second Continental Congress, the treaty proved critical to the United States winning its independence from Great Britain. Intended as a defensive alliance, it saw France provide both supplies and troops to the Americans while also mounting campaigns against other British colonies. The alliance continued after the American Revolution but effectively ended with the start of the French Revolution in 1789. Relations between the two nations deteriorated in the 1790s and led to the undeclared Quasi-War. This conflict was ended by the Treaty of Mortefontaine in 1800 which also formally terminated the 1778 Treaty of Alliance. Background As the American Revolution progressed, it became obvious to the Continental Congress that foreign aid and alliances would be necessary to achieve victory. In the wake of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, a template was created for potential commercial treaties with France and Spain. Based on the ideals of free and reciprocal trade, this Model Treaty was approved by Congress on September 17, 1776. The following day, Congress appointed a group of commissioners, led by Benjamin Franklin, and dispatched them to France to negotiate an agreement. It was thought that France would prove a likely ally as it had been seeking revenge for its defeat in the Seven Years War thirteen years earlier. While not initially tasked with requesting direct military assistance, the commission received orders instructing it to seek most favored nation trading status as well as military aid and supplies. Additionally, they were to reassure Spanish officials in Paris that the colonies had no designs on Spanish lands in the Americas.   Treaty of Alliance (1778) Conflict: American Revolution (1775-1783)Nations Involved: United States and FranceSigned: February 6, 1778Ended: September 30, 1800 by the Treaty of MortefontaineEffects: The alliance with France proved critical to the United States winning its independence from Great Britain. FReception in France Pleased with the Declaration of Independence and the recent American victory at the Siege of Boston, the French Foreign Minister, Comte de Vergennes, was initially in support of a full alliance with the rebelling colonies. This quickly cooled following General George Washingtons defeat at Long Island, the loss of New York City, and subsequent losses at White Plains and Fort Washington that summer and fall. Arriving in Paris, Franklin was warmly received by the French aristocracy and became popular in influential social circles. Seen as a representative of republican simplicity and honesty, Franklin worked to bolster the American cause behind the scenes. Benjamin Franklin in Paris. Public Domain Aid to the Americans Franklins arrival was noted by the government of King Louis XVI, but despite the kings interest in assisting the Americans, the countrys financial and diplomatic situations precluded providing outright military aid. An effective diplomat, Franklin was able to work through back channels to open a stream of covert aid from France to America, as well as began recruiting officers, such as the Marquis de Lafayette and Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. He also succeeded in obtaining critical loans to aid in financing the war effort. Despite French reservations, talks regarding an alliance progressed. The French Convinced Vacillating over an alliance with the Americans, Vergennes spent much of 1777 working to secure an alliance with Spain. In doing so, he eased Spains concerns over American intentions regarding Spanish lands in the Americas. Following the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in the fall of 1777, and concerned about secret British peace overtures to the Americans, Vergennes and Louis XVI elected to forego waiting for Spanish support and offered Franklin an official military alliance. Surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga by John Trumbull. Photograph Courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol The Treaty of Alliance (1778) Meeting at the Hotel de Crillon on February 6, 1778, Franklin, along with fellow commissioners Silas Deane and Arthur Lee signed the treaty for the United States while France was represented by Conrad Alexandre Gà ©rard de Rayneval. In addition, the men signed the Franco-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce which was largely based on the Model Treaty. The Treaty of Alliance (1778) was a defensive agreement stating that France would ally with the United States if the former went to war with Britain. In the case of war, the two nations would work together to defeat the common foe. The treaty also set forth land claims for after the conflict and essentially granted the United States all territory conquered in North America while France would retain those lands and islands captured in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. In regard to ending the conflict, the treaty dictated that neither side would make peace without the consent of the other and that the United States independence would be recognized by Britain. An article was also included stipulating that additional nations may join the alliance in the hope that Spain would enter the war. Effects of the Treaty On March 13, 1778, the French government informed London that they had formally recognized the independence of the United States and had concluded the Treaties of Alliance and Amity and Commerce. Four days later, Britain declared war on France formally activating the alliance. Spain would enter the war in June 1779 after concluding the Treaty of Aranjuez with France. The entry of France into the war proved a key turning point in the conflict. French arms and supplies began to flow across the Atlantic to the Americans. In addition, the threat posed by the French military forced Britain to redeploy forces from North America to defend other parts of the empire including critical economic colonies in the West Indies. As a result, the scope of British action in North America was limited. Though initial Franco-American operations at Newport, RI and Savannah, GA proved unsuccessful, the arrival of a French army in 1780, led by Comte de Rochambeau, would prove key to the wars final campaign. Supported by Rear Admiral Comte de Grasses French fleet which defeated the British at the Battle of the Chesapeake, Washington and Rochambeau moved south from New York in September 1781. Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown by John Trumbull. Photograph Courtesy of the US Government Cornering the British army of Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis, they defeated him at the Battle of Yorktown in September-October 1781. Cornwallis surrender effectively ended the fighting in North America. During 1782, relations between the allies became strained as the British began pressing for peace. Though largely negotiating independently, the Americans concluded the Treaty of Paris in 1783 which ended the war between Britain and the United States. In accordance with the Treaty of Alliance, this peace agreement was first reviewed and approved by the French. Nullification of the Alliance With the end of the war, people in the United States began to question the duration of the treaty as no end date to the alliance was stipulated. While some, such as Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, believed that the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 ended the agreement, others, such as Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, believed that it remained in effect. With the execution of Louis XVI in 1793, most European leaders agreed that treaties with France were null and void. Despite this, Jefferson believed the treaty to be valid and was backed by President Washington. As the Wars of the French Revolution began to consume Europe, Washingtons Proclamation of Neutrality and the subsequent Neutrality Act of 1794 eliminated many of the treatys military provisions. Franco-American relations began a steady decline which was worsened by the 1794 Jay Treaty between the United States and Britain. This began several years of diplomatic incidents which culminated with the undeclared Quasi-War of 1798-1800. USS Constellation (1797) engages LInsurgente during the Quasi-War with France, February 9, 1799. U.S. Naval History Heritage Command Fought largely at sea, it saw numerous clashes between American and French warships and privateers. As part of the conflict, Congress rescinded all treaties with France on July 7, 1798. Two years later,  William Vans Murray, Oliver Ellsworth, and William Richardson Davie were dispatched to France to commence peace talks. These efforts resulted in the Treaty of Mortefontaine (Convention of 1800) on September 30, 1800 which ended the conflict. This agreement officially ended the alliance created by the 1778 treaty.

Health of Ageing (SLP) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Health of Ageing (SLP) - Essay Example Another similar goal of the project is to make sure that high-risk benefactors do not go to a health facility once more. Likewise, the program makes its goal to file and document savings that are measurable for the benefit of the Medicare program (Kim, 2008). The participating organizations’ effectiveness will be measured according to the obligation of each of the organizations. There are the organizations responsible for providing intervention and prior services to prevent readmission hospitals. Other participants manage the communications between hospitals and the stakeholders. However, participants invite all health centers that experience high admission rates, to apply for the program (Lau, 2007). The program will excel in its objective due to the strategy its applying to fulfill them. The program tends to involve the people whom it’s targeting. The change that the program sets to achieve is also crucial and significant thus becomes part of the target population. The program also applies Information Technology as a support in the daily

Analysis case about death Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analysis case about death - Essay Example Betty’s intention is for Polly to take the ecstasy tablets and hallucinate then hurt herself by falling over or something similar. Thus, there is specific intent of causing harm directly or indirectly. Beyond having the general intent to commit a crime, Betty had the intent to achieve a specific goal, which was to have Polly hurt herself. Actus reus is the physical component of a crime and is the result of voluntary body movements. This is what the accused physically does that harms another. Under the circumstances, actus reus was discharged immediately Betty did successfully put the ecstasy tablets into a paracetemol bubble pack which Chloe unknowingly took. The crime had been enabled; the only thing awaiting was someone getting hurt. It is immaterial that the targeted Polly did not hurt herself by falling over or die. This principle is known as transferred malice; the same malice that was to hurt Polly was the one that killed Chloe. In R v Latimer (1886) 17 QBD 359, where the facts are substantially similar, the accused struck a blow with his belt at Horace which recoiled off him and injured an innocent bystander. The defendant was convicted of maliciously wounding the victim, which he appealed on the ground that it was not his intention to hurt her. The court held that the conviction would be affirmed. The defendant had committed the actus reus of the offence with the necessary mens rea; that is, he had acted maliciously. There was no requirement in the relevant act that his mens rea should relate to a named victim. Thus, Latimers malice was transferred from his intended to his unintended victim. Therefore, given the facts of this case, Betty cannot escape liability just because her intent was to have Polly hurt instead of Chloe who ended up dying. However, since her intention was not to kill Chloe, the charges can be reduced from murder to manslaughter. Polly will not be criminally

Compare and Contrast ?Genesis? and ?Penetrating to the Heart of the For

Topic # 3 Compare and Contrast â€Å"Genesis† and â€Å"Penetrating to the Heart of the Forest†, Looking at both myth and short story. Although there are many similarities present, a distinct difference is made between â€Å"Genesis† and "Penetrating to the Heart of the Forest" in that â€Å"Genesis† is a mythical narrative while "Penetrating to the Heart of the Forest" is an adaptation of a mythic story (Adam and Eve) in the form of a short story. When comparing and contrasting these two stories we see similarities in storyline, themes, symbols, differences in detail, and the extent and significance of the stories themselves. When deciding whether these narratives are myths or short stories, one must look at the contents of each piece of work. â€Å"Genesis† can clearly be defined as a myth because it contains all the characteristics of a myth. These characteristics include casual and vague descriptive writing about a very significant and important piece of work. Characteristics of myths also include â€Å"superstitious† themes, characters and the establishment of traditional ways of life and belief systems for a wide variety of people. Although â€Å"Genesis† contains one of the most popular and significant creation tales today, its lack of description and vague details account for its acceptance of being a myth. An example of this is the seven days of creation being written in one chapter; â€Å"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was formless and voice† (The Access Bible 2). This suggests that â€Å"Genesis† may have been passed down orally from generation to generation, which, according to Campbell (â€Å"The First Storytellers†), resembles all other myths. The presence of solely flat or static characters (such as Adam and Ever) is a good example to show why â€Å"Genesis is considered a myth†. Only imprecise details about Adam and Eve are given and we lack any understanding of personality or character traits. The existence of superstition is also very apparent in â€Å"Genesis†. God (the embodiment of good) is constantly at work as is the Serpent (the embodiment of evil). The supernatural is a key element in the â€Å"Genesis† creation myth. Examples of these elements are; the presence of angels, a holy sword, and a tree of unnatural, divine abilities (Bible 2, 6, 7). Supernatural e... ...). Whereas â€Å"Penetrating to the Heart of the Forest† lacks this, and focuses on entertainment rather than education. The absence of God and other supernatural characters contributes to a lack of mythical sensation. â€Å"Genesis’† focus is to â€Å"teach truths about the nature of reality, the meaning of life, and the purpose of human existence,† (Bible 2) while â€Å"Penetrating to the Heart of the Forest† is a purely entertainment driven short story. Although both â€Å"Genesis† and â€Å"Penetrating to the Heart of the Forest† can be seen as fictitious narratives containing similar qualities, themes, and storylines, both present clear differences in purpose, direction, and description as well as â€Å"Genesis† being a myth and â€Å"Penetrating to the heart of the forest† as being a short story with a mythic plot. Word Count: 1,187 Works Cited Access Bible, The. New Revised Standard Version. Ed. Gail R. O’day, David Petersen. Oxford University Press; pg 1-7. â€Å"The First Storytellers.† Prod. Apostrophe S. Productions, Inc. New York: Mystic Fire Video Inc., 1988. Carter, A. â€Å"Penetrating to the Heart of the Forest†; Fireworks: Nine Profane Pieces; 1974: Penguin books; pg 51-66.

Achieving Operational Excellence: Evaluating Supply Chain Management Services Essay

UPS Logistics Schneider Logistics How can these companies be used for supply chain demand? When you don’t know where to start, our industry experts will evaluate your network and supply chain processes through a structured diagnostic process. We have experienced, cross-functional teams who will consult with you to identify and prioritize savings opportunities and maximize your bottom line. Streamline your distribution network, reducing costs and improving customer service Provide insight into logistics design, re-engineering, and supply chain management Implement leading-edge information systems Implement benchmarking processes to measure productivity What supply chain process can each of these companies support for their clients? Assess Design Implement Execute Work with your suppliers at origin to prevent stock-outs, shortages, and delivery delays Make arrangements for pickup, handling, and air or ocean freight transport Provide detailed in-transit inventory visibility through UPS Order Watch How can customers use the Web sites of each company to help them with supply chain management? When you need technology, resources, and unmatched transportation and logistics expertise on a global scale, turn to Schneider. Our associates are experts in supply chain strategy, and will help you understand the key drivers that transform your supply chain from a list of uncertainties to a competitive advantage. Our supply chain design and planning services will help you create the supply chain you need to bring out the best in your company. Our designers and engineers will go beyond the abstract, and produce a plan that will leverage the unmatched scope of UPS logistics capabilities to benefit your business. Compare the supply chain management services pr ovided by these companies. Our  experienced team can design and optimize your logistics network to handle: changing demand, acquisition distribution redundancy, service level rationalization, and logistics cost pressures. We excel in tailoring optimization models to mirror customer specific constraints and business rules. From site analysis and selection to supply chain modeling, network optimization, and parts planning, our services can help you start the process of making your supply chain a more effective part of your business’ operations. Which company would you select to help your firm manage its supply chain and why? I would use this company because it was easier to access online. The page was also easier to understand.  I also liked that the website said â€Å"when you don’t know where to start, our industry experts will evaluate your network and supply chain processes through a structured diagnostic process.† If someone is not familiar with this, an expert can guide them through the process. Not applicable.

Physical Geography