Importance Of Using Self Compacting Concrete Construction Essay

Importance Of Using Self Compacting Concrete Construction Essay 10 weeks Civil Engineering M.Sc. Civil Engineering: Structural Engineering Permission given to use this project Word account: 3185 The Importance of Using Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) in Engineering Applications 2 September 2011 Abstract The self-compacting concrete (SCC) was first produced and developed in Japan in 1988 to achieve durable concrete structures. Since it was produced in Japan, self-compacting concrete has been used in Japan, Europe and the United State of America because it has many benefits. This project will firstly be aimed to gain understanding more about SCC. Secondly, its importance uses regarding civil engineering fields and finally, it shows some advantages and possible disadvantages or drawbacks of using SCC. The main conclusions from this study is that using of SCC can reduce the production time period of project effectively, increasing the efficiency of the project production and improving work environment. Based on researches, it can be expected that using SCC will be increased progressively. CONTENTS Abstract Introduction 1 1. Historical reasons for development of SCC 3 2. Ingredients and requirements of SCC mixture 4 3. Mechanism for achieving self-compactability of fresh concrete 6 4. Some applications of SCC 8 5. The advantages of using SCC in engineering implementations 10 6. Disadvantages and obstacles for the implementation of SCC 13 Conclusion 15 References 16 Introduction Concrete has become one of the most popular construction materials in worldwide, this because its raw materials can be provided widely in different places around the world and it is considered as the man-made material. Moreover, it has a key role to play in sustainable construction, since it needs less effort in its manufacture. These facts have not only led to many inventions in the field of concrete but have also led to many studies in order to improve its quality, reducing the cost of implementation and make the concrete friendly with the environment; besides, amending its aesthetical appearance when it is used as a structural construction members. Nowadays, It can be seen that as a result of the research progressions concerned the concrete technology, various types of concrete such as High Performance Concrete, Ultra High strength concrete, Light Weight Concrete, Architectural Concrete and Self compacting concrete (SCC) are commonly heard not only among engineering Society but ordinary people also. In this prospective, the awareness and more knowledge regarding the concrete types should be considered. In fact, civil engineers should have more awareness and information about concrete types so as to be able to keep themselves abreast with the most recent developments, new technological innovations and future prospects. Regarding the SCC, it can be considered as a one of the recent developing types of contemporary concrete. It is an innovative concrete mixture that can be mold into place without the use of vibrators to form a product free of empty spaces within the formwork. It is commercially known by various names such as self-consolidating concrete, self-compacting concrete, self-leveling concrete, or rheoplastic concrete (Mehta and Monteiro 2006: 476). The Prototype of (SCC) was first developed in 1988 in Japan, by Professor Ozawa in 1989 at the University of Tokyo (Okamura and Ouchi 2003).However; the name of SCC was given to this Prototype by Okamura of the University of Tokyo. The aim of this project is to review or gain understanding about SCC in terms of its ingredients, mixture requirements and mechanism for achieving self-compatibility depending on previous researches. It also evaluates the results of using this type of concrete in some modern implementations. Finally, it demonstrates the benefits and potential disadvantages of using SCC in terms of safety, economy, and construction quality. 1. Historical reasons for development of SCC According to Goodier (2003:405), the initial emergence of Self compacting concrete was in Japan in the late 1980s and its subsequent introduction into Europe through Sweden in the mid- to-late 1990s. In the 1980s, the problem of the durability of concrete structures and acceptable compaction were the main subject that was considered in Japan; meanwhile, the skilled workers were required in order to achieve durable concrete and acceptable compaction. It seems to be the lack of the numbers of skilled workers in Japans construction industry at this time was the main reason for decrease in the quality of construction work. One solution for achievement of durable concrete structures was the using of self-compacting concrete, which can be compacted into every corner of a formwork, completely by means of its own weight and without the need for vibrating compaction. This means that it can be gained sustainable concrete structures and acceptable compaction by using minimum number of workers and equipment (Fig.1).Moreover, the use of SCC was also implemented to provide economic, social and environmental benefits over conventional vibrated concrete construction. (Okamura and Ouchi, 2003:5)The conception of this type of concrete was proposed by Professor Hajime Okamura in 1986 who Studied the development of self-compacting concrete and comprised a fundamental study on the workability of concrete (Okamura and Ouchi 2003). 2. Ingredients and requirements of SCC mixture With respect to its composition, SCC includes the same components as conventionally vibrated normal concrete, which are cementitious materials, different sizes of aggregates, and water, additives and admixtures. On the other hand, in the SCC, high volume of super plasticizer for reduction of the liquid limit and for better workability, the high powder content as lubricant for the coarse aggregates, as well as the use of viscosity-agents to increase the viscosity of the concrete have to be taken into account (Dehn et al. 2000). Regarding to the requirements of SCC mixture, a concrete mix can only be classified as SCC if the requirements for all the following three workability properties are fulfilled which are filling ability, Passing ability, and Segregation resistance (Abdul Hameed 2005). Filling ability or flow ability means that, the SCC must have the ability of to fill a formwork entirely under its own weight. According to the European Guidelines for Self Compacting Concrete (2005: 20), the tests that are used for assessing filling ability of the fresh SCC are Slump-flow, and Kajima box. Passing ability means that the SCC must have the ability to flow through restricted places, such as spaces between steel reinforcing bars, sharp corners, and small openings, without using any means of vibrators (to flow by its own weight), also without produce any blocking or hindrance during its use. According to the European Guidelines for Self Compacting Concrete (2005: 20), the tests that can be used to determine passing ability are U-box, L-box, Fill-box, and J-ring test methods. Segregation resistance means that the SCC must meet the filling ability and passing ability with Homogeneous composition during and after the process of transport and placing. It is generally accepted that the three main properties of fresh self-compacting concrete must then be maintained for required period of time after mixing. 3. Mechanism for achieving self-compact ability of fresh concrete Okamura and Ouchi (2003:5 ) suggested that In order to achieve self -compact ability of fresh concrete, deformability of past ( mortar) and resistance to segregation between aggregate particles and mortar when the concrete flows through the restricted zone of reinforcing bars, have to be considered. Okamura and Ozawa (1995) have utilized the following methods to achieve self-compact ability of fresh concrete. Firstly, they limited the amount of aggregate content (coarse aggregate  ­ 50% of the concrete volume and sand ­ 40% of the mortar volume).Secondly, they used low water/powder ratio, with higher dosage of superplasticizer admixture. According to SHETTY (2005:573), using superplasticizer which is used with concrete components as an essential chemical admixture, leads to increase the workability of fresh concrete without regard to reducing water content in the concrete mixture. When concrete is placed in to the formwork, the relative distance between the concrete particles will decrease. As a result, the frequency of collision and contact can increase and consequently, internal frictions between concrete particles also increase, especially near hindrances. Research has found that the energy which is required for flowing the concrete during the casting is consumed by the increased internal friction between particles, and resulting in blockage of aggregate particles to flow through confined places. For this reason, limiting amount of coarse aggregate, whose consume more energy, to a level lower than normal will increase the efficiency of concrete flow ability and avoid concrete particles from this kind of blockage. To prevent the interlocking (blockage) incidence of coarse aggregate when the concrete is poured through obstacles, highly viscous past is required. Since the concrete which has a high viscosity prevents localized increases in internal stress as a result of the approach of coarse aggregate particles (Okamura and Ouchi 2003:6). 4. Some applications of SCC Based on the researches which have been performed on SCC over the last two decades, it can be said that the use of SCC has been increased dramatically. It is commonly used in place of traditional concrete not only to reduce time of construction projects but also to reduce the cost of construction projects. According to Okamura, Whatever conventional concrete can do, SCC can do better, faster, and cheaper, especially for concrete elements with special textures, complex shapes, and congested reinforcements (Mamaghani et al. 2010:5). It can be seen that there are a range of using of SCC around the world. Many researches show that this type of concrete is commonly used within cast-in-place (in field) and precast construction. Furthermore, it is also used in the structural and architectural concrete sections where the tightness of steel reinforcement and /or surface quality is required. However, other implementations of SCC include drilled piers, caissons, bridge abutments and walls. In Japan, the first use of SCC was in 1991 for the construction of bridge towers (Daczko and Vachon, 2006:638). While the first large-scale project using SCC was the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, which completed in 1998. It is estimated that the construction time of this project was reduced by 20%, from 2.5 to 2 years due to the use of SCC (ibid.). A second implementation was performed, in 1998, for the building of the walls of a natural gas tank for the Osaka Gas Company. The estimated amount of SCC that was been using during the construction is approximately 12000 m3. It was observed that the construction time of the project was also shortened from 22 to18 months meanwhile; the number of labours worked in the project was reduced from 150 to 50 (ibid.). In Sweden, the Sodra Lanken Project (SL) was one of the largest infrastructure projects that were implemented by using SCC. The total cost of this project was estimated at approximately 800 million USD. Ouchi et al. (2003) point out that the SL project included seven major junctions, with bridges, earth retention walls, tunnel entrances and concrete box tunnels; the overall length of the rock tunnels were 16.6 kilometers. Also, the volume of concrete used in the project estimated at 225,000 cubic meters. It was observed that SCC was used in the project because it included structural sections that were required high demands on aesthetics, and at the same time they were difficult to compact by normal vibration. Recently, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has used significant amounts of SCC. Mamaghani et al. (2010: 5) report that the current projects in the New York State include the use of SCC for prestressed, high performance concrete bridge beams on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway from 61st Street to Broadway in New York City. According to a NYSDOT official, The performance of SCC has been excellent. NYSDOT is achieving very good quality with a minimum of defects. There has been a slightly higher cost for admixtures, but NYSDOT saves on labor. It can be anticipated that, in the future, concrete elements or buildings will be designed considering SCC from the start with shapes, textures, and structures that would be impossible to achieve with normal concrete. 6. The advantages of using SCC in engineering implementations Improved concrete construction environment The SCC is considered an environmentally friendly material. Firstly, regarding the construction site, the SCC can eliminate the need for vibration to compact the concrete; since SCC has ability to fill the form work completely under its own weight. The compaction of fresh concrete by vibration is generally recognized as a heavy physical job and an unpleasant activity in the concrete construction process. Moreover, using the vibration can also cause high noise levels which are not good for public health; especially the health of the operators. Secondly, the acceleration generated by vibrators can reach 0.70 to 4m/s2 and has potential to injure the vibrator operator. Hence, eliminating the vibration significantly improves health and the environment on a concrete construction site (Li 2011). It can be said that some skills and experience are needed for vibrator operators in compacting fresh concrete in order to gain a satisfactory concrete. Lack of experienced workers in many regions ma y lead to decline the quality of concrete. It is generally accepted that the application of SCC can solve this problem and ensure consistent high quality for concrete structures. Cost-efficient production With respect to the required number of labours on the construction project compared with conventional (normal) concrete types, the SCC needs less number of workers and shorter times for placing (casting). It is generally believed that by using SCC, the process of production can be accelerated, and the quality of concrete structures can be improved as well. According to Peterson (2008:66), the elimination of vibration means rationalised casting technique with less need of personnel and/or more rapid production cycles and thereby presumptively reduced production costs. New opportunities with respect to architectural and structural applications SCC benefits structural and architectural applications. New types of structural elements, which were not possible to be produced by traditional concrete, can be produced by using SCC because these types of structural elements include different types of steel or concrete structural elements with more complex shapes, which are thinner with a much heavier reinforced cross section. With regard to the construction of heavy structure (mega structure) fields such as multistory building, high rise building or ultra-high rise building, since the SCC does not need any vibrators and finishing surface tools, it means that it reduces lifting of heavy equipment and reduces handling of fresh concrete by labours. Also, there is no need of repairs to hardened concrete as there are no chances for producing any remarkable voids. With respect to construction consideration, Ouchi et al. (2003:18) found that When placing a new layer of SCC on old SCC, the bond between the old and new SCC is equal to or better than in the case of conventional vibrated concrete. On this basis it may be inferred that the normal vibrated concrete needs vibration to provide well compacted concrete, while SCC will not need the vibration and consequently it will not destroy the concrete. Regarding the durability of SCC, researches have shown that ingredients of SCC and the avoidance of using vibration have a significant role in improving the microstructure of the concrete (Holton 2004). The ingredients and avoidance of using vibration acquires the concrete many benefits. First, they gain the concrete lower surface permeability and absorption against harmful chemical materials such as chlorides and carbon dioxide which have a negative effect on the durability of concrete. Second, they improve the resistance of the concrete against freezing- thawing which the concrete may be subjected during different seasons. Finally, they play a key role in producing a good bond between the concrete materials and the steel reinforcement after the concrete hardening. Another advantage of the SCC is that, it can be used when the normal placement of concrete is difficult e.g. tunnel linings, heavily reinforced structures, prestress concrete structures and other inaccessible places. One example is the design of the Millennium Tower in Vienna, which is described as it had been impossible to build without using SCC (Peterson 2008:66). Moreover, Using SCC for the construction of tall building, bridge tower, and tunnels leads to increase the use of concrete pumping. Nowadays, by using special high- pressure pumps, SCC can be pumped distance as far as 1400m horizontally or as high as 420m vertically (Li 2011:130). 7. Disadvantages and obstacles for the implementation of SCC Absence of acceptance SCC Despite the fact that the SCC has a great numbers of stunning and successful applications; it was only hesitantly accepted by the industry. This could be attributed to a number of reasons (Holton 2004).First of all, the standard specification tests that were used for testing and evaluation conventional concrete was no longer useful for SCC. As a consequence, it was very difficult to smoothly put SCC into practice; also, before using SCC, the intensive preparation efforts were required in the laboratory in order to achieve an appropriate quality. Second, the sensitivity of SCC is increased proportionally with change of its mix proportions (particularly the water content) or with change of the environment such as temperature variations. This increased sensitivity produces an extra hindrance to the wider use of SCC as it puts a prices working at the production field (ibid.). Potential disadvantages and obstacles of using SCC Based on the recent studies, despite the possible benefits of SCC compared to normal concrete, it can be seen that the implementation of the SCC is still noticeably limited. According to Peterson (2008:67), the obstacles for increased application of this type of concrete can be attributed to technical and non- technical aspects. In the SCC, the quality of mix design and the conditions of casting concrete should be considered; slight differences in mix proportions or during its casting may cause a number of technical quality problems that may pose as hindrances for future use of SCC. Despite of the intensive and extensive studies on SCC, it can be seen that there are still some unsolved technical problems and a great number of technical difficulties related to SCC. Peterson (2008:67) described these problems in many aspects; such as the problems related to the quality production of the ready-mix design and the Problems related to the hardened SCC especially when there is a low surface quality which leads to reduce fire resistance due to spalling, increase cracking owing to early shrinkage. It is widely accepted that SCC tends to dry faster than traditional concrete, since there is slight or no bleeding water at the surface before it is hardened. For this reason, SCC should be cured when it is practicable after placement to avoid the incidence of surface shrinkage cracking. Moreover, Peterson (2008:71) indicates that although the SCC has been considered as one of the main important invented technology for a more rational way of building with cast in-situ concrete; there are some projects where SCC has led to create technical problems such as concrete segregation with non-acceptable surfaces, concrete cracking owing to plastic shrinkage and formwork failure due to the high form pressure that may be produced as a result of the flow ability feature of SCC. It would appear that further studies are required to achieve a durable and fully satisfying concrete product. Conclusion It can be concluded that SCC helps to improve the environment of the construction locations (reducing noise produced in the plants and construction fields) and reducing the exposure of labours (Reduction manpower) where concrete is being casted. In the other word, the SCC is an ideal type of concrete that can be used for narrow spaced of reinforcement and architectural demanding sections, or, in more general , for all structural applications where require higher efforts in order to gain sufficient compaction. Furthermore, it can be seen that SCC offers many other benefits for the precast, prestressed concrete sector and for cast-in-place construction such as eliminated problems related to vibration, faster construction, gaining higher strength and better quality for the concrete after hardening. On the other hand, Although SCC can have many advantages and significant effects on the engineering applications such as its importance role in reducing the project construction time period, it can be said that special attention should be concentrated on particularly, in terms of selection the suitable ingredients of SCC mixture before the production (mix design of SCC). It can still be expected that, in the future, using SCC will help engineering designer (architects and structural engineers) to design concrete sections or structural elements which would be impossible to achieve with conventional concrete. Based on these facts it can be said that SCC will have a bright future.

Female Genital Mutilation Essay -- essays research papers fc

The practice of female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, occurs throughout the world, but it is most common in Africa. Female genital mutilation is a tradition and social custom to keep a young girl pure and a married woman faithful. In Africa it is practiced in the majority of the continent including Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Upper Volta, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Mozambique and Sudan. It is a cross-cultural and cross-religious ritual, which is performed by Muslims, Coptic Christians, Protestants, Catholics and members of various indigenous groups.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Female genital mutilation is usually performed on girls before they reach puberty. It is a procedure where either part or the entire clitoris is surgically removed leaving a reduced or total lack of sexual feeling. This procedure is an attempt to reduce the sex drive of women, making them less likely to be sexually active before marriage or engage in extra-marital affairs. Although this procedure can be seen as a means to control a woman’s sexuality, the act of female circumcision determines the gender identity of women. A circumcised woman is a virgin, ready for marriage and to bear children for her husband, â€Å"Girls who are infibulated will probably not find husbands. In most cases they will become outcasts.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Female genital mutilation is not a new practice. In fact circumcised females have been discovered among the mummies of ancient Egyptians. A Greek papyrus dated 163 BC refers to operations performed on girls at the age they received their dowries. A Greek geographer reported the custom of circumcision of girls he found while visiting Egypt in 25 BC. In Africa female circumcision has been reported in at least twenty-six countries and can be viewed as a public health problem â€Å"because of its wide geographic distribution, the number of females involved and the serious complications caused by the operation.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Female genital mutilation is practiced in three major forms: â€Å"Sunna† circumcision, Clitoridectomy, and Infibulation. Sunna circumcision consists of the removal of the tip of the clitoris and/or the prepuce (covering). Clitoridectomy, also referred to as excision, consists of the removal of the entire clitoris (both prepuce and glans) and removal of the adjacent labia. Infibulation, also referred to as phara... ...s, and aunts footsteps, which would bring shame against herself and tarnish her family honor. Female genital mutilation is such a brutal and barbaric practice that it is amazing it is still occurs today. The health hazards associated with it should be enough to have it terminated. However, the reasons women have forgoing through with the operation is the custom of female genital mutilation is so engrained in their sociocultural system. The importance of family honor, virginity, chastity, purity, marriageability, and childbearing in these societies cannot be overstressed. Therefore in the minds of the people who adhere to this belief, the benefits gained from this operation for the girl and her family far outweigh any potential danger.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Works Cited Female Genital Mutilation. See: http://www.religioustolerance.org/fem_cirm.htm Female Genital Mutilation Research Homepage. See: http://www.hollyfield.org/fgm/ Kouba, Leonard and Judith Muasher 1985 Female Circumcision in Africa: an Overview. African Studies Review 28:95-110. Van Der Kwaak, Anke 1992 Female Circumcision and Gender Identity: A Questionable Alliance? Social Science and Medicine 35(6):777-787.

Ethics/Legal/IEP Essay -- essays papers

Ethics/Legal/IEP Essay In the treatment of those individuals labeled as disabled, be it physically, mentally, or a combination thereof, we are faced with many challenging ethical questions. The first and foremost of these is, what is ultimately, â€Å"the right thing to do.† While we may or may not agree on the answer to this question, as well as those that follow, many advances have been made in our society to deal with disabled individuals in the most humane and ethical way possible. What is the right thing to do? Is there an ultimate resolution? In 1975, Public Law (PL) 94-142 was passed. This law has several parts, each pertaining to a different aspect of discrimination, or nondiscrimination, of disabled persons. This law was passed in hopes of avoiding not only the horrific scenarios found in Nazi propaganda films such as Selling Murder, but further to guarantee all disabled individuals a fair chance at life: to live to the fullest extent of their capabilities and fulfill their potentials. In the film, Selling Murder, Nazi officials convey to the public that disabled people are a threat to the world community, and that they are living a â€Å"life without existence.† It goes further and says that not only should those who are disabled be quarantined and banished from society, but for their own sake they should be sterilized, and ultimately killed. Labeling the mass deaths of disabled persons â€Å"mercy killings,† the film explains how they, the disabled, are unable to function as â€Å"real† human be ings, and that if they had the mental facilities to make the choice, they would choose death over such a menial existence. Showing gruesome photos of the severely physically disfigured, the propaganda seeks not only to convince, but to scare the masses into agreement. On the other hand, films such as Regular Lives demonstrate the ability of disabled individuals not only to survive, but to flourish and better their communities through their own efforts. It demonstrates the necessity to include disabled students in any and all ways possible in order to help them adapt to a social environment as normal as is possible. PL 94-142 states that all disabled students are guaranteed a FAPE (free and public education). With this comes the formulation of an IEP (individualized education plan). This grants students a goal guided objective list for their education. The ... ...ther teacher or administrator to explain evaluation results to those involved. Why does it matter? What is the relevance/necessity of making moral judgments when formulating a course of action? Disabled people have been discriminated through time. They have been played as Jesters for entertainment, banished as havens for evil spirits, and massacred simply for being different. They have been subject even to sterilization, seen as people unfit to breed. We are forced to ask ourselves- why then, does it matter? Hardman states on page 52, â€Å"Social justice and equality for all people should be of paramount importance in the design and delivery of all curricula.† Fair and equal treatment of disabled persons matters because they, like all other citizens of this country, are people. They are born in this country with the guarantee that they will be granted â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.† With this in mind, it is our moral and ethical obligation to â€Å"hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are [indeed] created equal.† This country was founded on these beliefs, and as we continue our progress forward with laws such as PL 94-142, we support this creed.

Intelligent Minds :: essays research papers

I am a twenty something male. most whom live in this town have no idea that i exist or am aware that i am even here. I have lived here for little less than four years. my name is tanner l. beltran. that is as far as i know of who i am.a label a person gave to me upon birth. a struggle of finding myself, knowing my identity as a person and my place in this life, are completely unkown to me. day to day i seek for this answer, finding it nill. to be quite frank, i have not graduated high school. I attempted going back to finish my ''much needed to survive this candy-land extistence'' education which was quite minimal in gaining for i had only 3 credits needed to obtain a peice of glorified paper that states i completed requirements to become proficient in facing the real world. Without any idea of who you are and what you are supposed to do in life, it may seem coping with this so called 'reality' is harsh.For me it is. struggling for identity and self acceptance from others, facing inner compications that only add to my horror that i may never figure out my own life. to quote Grace Hansen ''Dont be a fraid your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin.'' this is something that i am deathly afraid of; afraid i will i fail the one person who cherishes who i am to her. But in all I feel I am failing my self. And that takes away all my hope to ever succeed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  You see the prominent people never believed in me or had faith in my abilities. At least not the ones that should have. They faltered in early judgement of me at quite an early age. I feel it has been that inflicted inhibition that makes me fear failure more than being alive. that judgement makes finding myself brutally agonizing. In additon to this loss of mistaken identity of who I think I am, finding what I am supposed to do in my existent as a person of this nation falling to all hell, I need a piece of paper that states I meet requisetes to pursue any given career. Why do I need that piece of paper? What is its nominal meaning? What does it represent?

Most Politically and economically stable country

What country do you believe is the most politically and economically stable country to live in and why? Personally, I believe that the most politically and economically stable country to live in the world is Finland. The country is an ideal place to live in as it very few political concerns and few economic problems. Basically, for any country to be politically stable, it first has to learn discipline and adhere to moral standards. In this regard, Finland has consistently maintained very low levels of corruption. In the country, there are almost no reported corruption cases such as abuse of power while in public office, nepotism, bribery, extortion, graft, embezzlement, and cronyism. As a result, based on the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, the survey which determines the level of corruption all countries in the world, Finland has consistently ranked number one, along with Denmark and New Zealand, among the least corrupt countries in the world. In other words, people living in Finland take comfort in knowing that all the taxes that they pay are put into good use since there is almost no corruption in the country. In addition, low corruption levels could also mean that the budget allocation for every department is free from kickbacks, which are usually illegally taken by public officials, and can lead to favorable gains such as road constructions, establishment of infrastructures, and improvement of public transportation, among others. Moreover, considering the low levels of corruption, it is safe to say that the country is lead by officials who have a genuine concern for the welfare of their people and who place the nation’s interest above anything else. In addition, these leaders can also serve as good examples other countries around the world. Furthermore, another notable aspect of the country is its relatively powerful economy. Basically Finland is a country that is highly-industrialized and has a free market economy, which rival that of other European economic powerhouses such as Germany and the United Kingdom. The country is also a key player in foreign trade as it also has large manufacturing companies of vehicles, machinery, chemicals, forestry products, and electronics. Moreover, the country has also been cited as the most competitive country from 2003 to 2005 and in 2006 for its research, development, and innovation, particularly on information technology. This is best shown in the success of Nokia, the leading mobile phone company, which has greatly contributed to Finland’s economic success. Other companies that are major contributors to the country’s economy include Akey Finnyards, which manufactures the largest cruise ships in the world, and Store Enso, which is the largest manufacturer of paper in the world. However, aside from contributing to Finland’s economic growth, these companies in the industry have also generated more jobs for the people living in the country. In addition, the low levels of corruption have also lead to more investors in the country, and as a result, the prices of goods have not dramatically increased. In short, I believe that Finland’s stable economy and progressive economy have made it one of the world’s most ideal countries to live in. Â  

Technology Has Changed the Live of Teen Agers

DOI: 10. 1111/j. 1464-5491. 2006. 01868. x Glycaemic control Review Article 23 0742-3071Publishing, alcohol Diabetic Medicine and2006 consumption D. Ismail et al. DME UK Oxford, article Blackwell Publishing Ltd Social consumption of alcohol in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes is associated with increased glucose lability, but not hypoglycaemia D. Ismail, R. Gebert, P. J. Vuillermin, L. Fraser*, C. M. McDonnell, S. M. Donath†  and F. J. Cameron AbstractDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, *Wimmera Base Hospital*, Horsham and † Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia Accepted 10 June 2005 Aims To determine the effects of social consumption of alcohol by diabetic adolescents on glycaemic control. Methods Fourteen (five male) patients aged > 16 years were recruited from the diabetes clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital. The continuous glucose monitoring syste m (CGMS) was attached at a weekend when alcohol consumption was planned for one night only.For each patient, the 12-h period from 18. 00 h to 06. 00 h for the night with alcohol consumption (study period) was compared with the same period with non-alcohol consumption (control period) either 24 h before or after the alcohol study night. Thus, each subject was his /her own control. Glycaemic outcomes calculated from continuous glucose monitoring included mean blood glucose (MBG), percentage of time spent at low glucose levels (CGMS < 4. 0 mmol/l), normal glucose levels (CGMS 4. 0–10. 0 mmol/ l) and high glucose levels (> 10. mmol/ l) and continuous overall net glycaemic action (CONGA). Results The mean number of standard alcohol drinks consumed during the study period was 9. 0 for males and 6. 3 for females. There was no difference in percentage of time at high and normal glucose levels in the study and control periods. During the control period, there was a higher percentage o f time with low glucose levels compared with the study period (P < 0. 05). There was an increased level of glycaemic variation during the study time when compared with the control period.Conclusions In an uncontrolled, social context, moderately heavy alcohol consumption by adolescents with Type 1 diabetes appears to be associated with increased glycaemic variation, but not with low glucose levels. Diabet. Med. 23, 830–833 (2006) Keywords adolescence, alcohol, glycaemic control Abbreviations CGMS, continuous glucose monitoring system; CONGA, continuous overall net glycaemic action; MBG, mean blood glucose; RCH, Royal Children’s Hospital Introduction Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes frequently engage in risk-taking activities [1].Amongst these activities is the social Correspondence to: Dr Fergus Cameron, Deputy Director, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. E-mail: fergus. [ema il  protected] org. au consumption of alcohol, frequently as underage drinkers [2]. Whilst the effects of alcohol consumption upon glycaemia have been well described in a controlled setting [3– 6], little is known about the impact on glucose levels of alcohol consumption by adolescents within an ambulant, social context.The purpose of this project was to utilize continuous glucose monitoring to study the impact of social alcohol consumption on glycaemic control in a group of alcohol-using adolescents.  © 2006 The Authors. 830 Journal compilation  © 2006 Diabetes UK. Diabetic Medicine, 23, 830–833 Review article 831 Patients and methods This study was approved by the Human Ethics Research Committee of the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). That approval was contingent upon the fact that the investigators should not be seen to encourage underage drinking in adolescents.Consequently, we only approached adolescents who we knew were drinking socially and, despite our previous counselling, elected to continue to drink alcohol on a semi-regular basis. We recruited 22 adolescents with Type 1 diabetes from the RCH diabetes clinic. The adolescents were considered eligible only if > 16 years old and parental/patient consent was obtained. HbA 1c (Bayer DCA 2000 immunoagglutination method, Calabria, Barcelona, Spain) was measured, and diabetes duration and insulin doses were recorded. The MiniMed continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) was attached to the study patients over a weekend period.Patients were required to have an alcohol-free period for at least 24 continuous hours during the weekend trace period. A diary was kept of activities during the trace period (insulin injections, meal, snacks, dancing, alcohol consumption, sport). There was no change in insulin doses between study and control periods. In the evening when alcohol was consumed, patients were asked to recall how many and what type of drinks were consumed and how inebriated the y became. Patients recall of alcohol consumption was converted to ‘standard drinks’ (one standard drink contains the equivalent of 12. ml 100% alcohol) using The Australian Alcohol Guidelines [7]. CGMS data was recorded between 18. 00 and 06. 00 h on the evening when alcohol was consumed (the study period) and between 18. 00 and 06. 00 h on the evening when no alcohol was consumed (the control period). CGMS data were only analysed if there had been regular calibrations with intermittent capillary blood glucose readings at a maximum of 8-h intervals. Each CGMS trace was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed using mean glucose values, per cent time in glycaemic ranges and ontinuous overlapping net glycaemic action (CONGA) [8]. CONGA values were calculated to assess glycaemic variation over 1-, 2- and 4-h intervals. Low glucose values were defined as CGMS values < 4 mmol/ l, normal glucose values when CGMS values were 4– 10 mmo/ l and high glucose values when CG MS values were > 10 mmol/ l. Each patient acted as their own control with study periods and control periods being compared. Inter-individual values were grouped for comparison. Differences between study and control periods were analysed using paired t-tests. Analyses were done in Stata [9]. ales and nine females. The mean age was 18. 5 years (range: 17. 4 – 19. 5). The mean duration of diabetes was 9. 4 years (range: 3 – 16. 3). Six of our subjects took four insulin injections per day and eight took two injections daily. The mean insulin dose was 1. 1 units /kg/day (range: 0. 7 –1. 8), and the mean HbA1c was 9. 6% (range: 8. 2 – 10. 8). Activities during the study period Thirteen subjects had dinner before drinking and only one subject did not consume any food before going out. Three subjects ‘danced a lot’ and six subjects went dancing but did not dance a lot.Ten subjects had something to eat after drinking. Alcohol consumption during the st udy period The mean number of alcohol drinks consumed on the study night was 9. 0 (range 3–16) for males and 6. 3 (range 3–14) for females. All the females consumed pre-mixed sweetened alcohol drinks (5% alcohol), with only one consuming beer and one consuming wine. Four of the males consumed mixed spirits, one mixed spirits and beer and one beer only. Forty per cent of the males had more than seven standard drinks during the study and 67% of the females had more than five drinks.In total, 80% of the subjects had pre-mixed sweetened alcohol drinks at some point during the study period. Forty-three per cent of the subjects reported that they became inebriated and 14. 3% consumed alcohol to the point where they became physically sick. None of the subjects lost consciousness or took recreational drugs during the study period. Comparative CGMS data between study and control periods Results Patients There was no significant difference between the overall mean glucose levels of patients when comparing study and control periods (Table 1; P = 0. 43).Similarly, there were no significant differences in the amount of time spent with either normal or high glucose values between study and control periods (Table 1). A larger proportion of time was spent with low glucose values during the control period when compared with the study period (1. 9 vs. 16. 8%, P = 0. 03). A significantly larger degree of glycaemic variation was seen in the CONGA values in the study period when compared with the control period (Table 1). The difference in CONGA values were consistent and independent of whether glycaemic variation was assessed over 1-, 2- or 4-h intervals.Of the 22 subjects recruited, eight were excluded because their CGMS traces did not have sufficiently frequent calibration points with intermittent capillary measures of blood glucose. Of the 14 subjects remaining, we were able to obtain study period data on 14 patients and matched control period data on only 12 pat ients. The study period occurred on the night prior to the control period in nine subjects. There were five Discussion It has long been recognized that a prohibitionist approach is usually ineffective when counselling adolescents who engage in risk-taking behaviours [10].Many centres today, ourselves included, have instead adopted a harm minimization approach in dealing with such behaviours. An important component  © 2006 The Authors. Journal compilation  © 2006 Diabetes UK. Diabetic Medicine, 23, 830–833 832 Glycaemic control and alcohol consumption †¢ D. Ismail et al. Outcome measure Mean difference between Study period Control period study period and mean value mean value control period (95%CI) P-value 10. 6 16. 8 58. 6 24. 6 2. 1 3. 2 3. 7 1. 2 (? 2. 1, 4. 4) ? 14. 9 (? 28. 1, ? 1. 8) ? 0. 8 (? 27. 3, 25. 8) 15. 7 (? 4. 5, 35. 8) 0. 6 (0. 2, 1. 0) 1. 1 (0. , 1. 9) 1. 8 (0. 4, 3. 1) 0. 43 0. 03 0. 95 0. 12 0. 006 0. 01 0. 01 Table 1 CGMS outcomes, study and contro l periods Blood glucose levels (mmol/l) 11. 8 Per cent time low glucose 1. 9 Per cent time high glucose 57. 8 Per cent time normal glucose 40. 3 CONGA1* 2. 7 CONGA2* 4. 3 CONGA4* 5. 5 *CONGA calculated at 1-, 2- and 4-h intervals. CONGAn is the standard deviation of different glucose measures n hours apart for the duration of the CGMS trace. of counselling using a harm minimization approach is that the information provided be credible and reflective of ‘real’ or ‘lived’ circumstances.Continuous glucose monitoring provides a technique whereby the glycaemic consequences of various behaviours can be documented in an ambulant or non-artificial setting. Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes frequently consume alcohol in a social context [11]. Alcohol is known to inhibit the gluconeogenic pathway, to inhibit lipolysis, impair glucose counter-regulation and blunt hypoglycaemia awareness [3,4]. Previous studies in young adults with Type 1 diabetes have shown that modera te consumption of alcohol in the evenings without concomitant food intake may cause hypoglycaemia the following morning [5].Consumption of alcohol after a meal, however, has shown no similar adverse effects on glucose [6]. It is reasonable to assume, therefore, that alcohol consumption may be a significant risk factor for hypoglycaemia in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes [5]. Studies of the glycaemic effects of alcohol consumption in an ambulant adolescent/young adult population can be difficult. This is because such behaviours are uncontrolled, often spontaneous and usually in the context of other social activities (parties, dancing, etc. ).In order to ensure that we only reported accurate CGMS data during these activities, capillary blood glucose calibration was considered vital and those patients who failed in this regard were excluded from analysis. Just over 60% of the patients recruited were able to successfully wear and calibrate a CGMS unit during these activities. Given tha t patients who experience hypoglycaemic symptoms are more likely to perform capillary self measures of blood glucose, we feel that it is unlikely that those patients excluded from the analysis had a greater frequency of hypoglycaemia than those patients reported.We were unable to record our subjects’ alcohol consumption in a contemporaneous fashion and hence were reliant upon their recall. It is possible that their remembered patterns of consumption were not entirely accurate. This potential inaccuracy should not be seen as a weakness of this study, as we only set out to determine patterns of glycaemia in adolescents engaging in spontaneous and uncontrolled alcohol consumption. We neither specified the type nor the amount of alcohol to be consumed (our ethical approval was contingent on this not occurring).The data as to amount of alcohol consumed have been included for descriptive purposes only. The results of this study show that alcohol consumption by adolescents in a soci al context is associated with a greater degree of glycaemic variation and less time spent with low glucose values than evenings where no alcohol is consumed. Whilst the second of these findings appears counter-intuitive, there may be several possible explanations. Firstly, the vast majority of our study group ate a meal prior to going out and ate upon their return before going to bed.These are practices that we have instilled as harm minimization strategies to avoid alcohol-induced hypoglycaemia in our clinic. Secondly, most of the alcohol consumed was as pre-mixed spirit and sweetened, carbonated beverages. Finally, alcohol consumption was only associated with vigorous exercise (dancing) in a minority of our study group. All of these factors could have combined to negate the hypoglycaemic effects of alcohol. In a previous study of glycaemia during alcohol consumption in adult men [5], hypoglycaemia occurred most often 10–12 h after wine consumption when the evening before en ded at 23. 0 h. We analysed our data to see if a similar phenomenon occurred in this study and found that the per cent of time spent with CGMS readings < 4 mmol/l between 06. 00 and 12. 00 h on the morning after the study period (i. e. the morning after the drinking night) was only 1. 1%. Notwithstanding the fact that our cohort frequently consumed alcohol later than 23. 00 h, the factors that impacted upon glycaemic control during the study night appear to have carried over to the ‘morning after’. The findings in this study highlight the importance of ambulant testing.It is important to note that the findings of the group studied here may not be seen in adolescents who drink non-sweetened alcoholic drinks or in those adolescents with better underlying metabolic control. Whilst alcohol consumption in isolation may reasonably be thought to cause hypoglycaemia, alcohol consumption by adolescents in the context of meals, sweetened mixers and little activity did not result in more hypoglycaemia than an alcohol-free evening. Whether the increase in glycaemic variation seen on an evening  © 2006 The Authors. Journal compilation  © 2006 Diabetes UK.Diabetic Medicine, 23, 830–833 Review article 833 of alcohol consumption has negative clinical outcomes remains an area for further investigation. Competing interests CMM was a Novo Nordisk research fellow. FJC received fees for speaking at conferences and funds for research from Novo Nordisk. References 1 Cameron F, Werther G. Adolescents with diabetes mellitus. In: Menon, RK, Sperling, MA, eds. Pediatric Diabetes. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003: 319–335. 2 Frey MA, Guthrie B, Lovelandcherry C, Park PS, Foster CM. Risky behaviours and risk in adolescents with IDDM.J Adol Health 1997; 20: 38–45. 3 Avogaro A, Beltramello P, Gnudi L, Maran A, Valerio A, Miola M et al. Alcohol intake impairs glucose counterregulation during acute insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in IDDM patients. D iabetes 1993; 42: 1626–1634. 4 Kerr D, Macdonald IA, Heller SR, Tattersal RB. Alcohol causes hypoglycaemic unawareness in healthy volunteers and patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia 1990; 33: 216–221. 5 Turner BC, Jenkins E, Kerr D, Sherwin RS, Cavan DA. The effect of evening alcohol consumption on next morning glucose control in type 1 diabetes.Diabetes Care 2001; 24: 1888–1893. 6 Koivisto VA, Tulokas S, Toivonen M, Haapa E, Pelkonen R. Alcohol with a meal has no adverse effects on postprandial glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 1993; 16: 1612–1614. 7 National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Alcohol Guidelines: Health Risks and Benefits. DS9. Available from: http://www7. health. gov. au/nhmrc/publications/synopses/ds9syn. htm. 8 McDonnell CM, Donath SM, Vidmar SI, Werther GA, Cameron FJ. A novel approach to continuous glucose analysis utilising glycaemic variation.Diab Tech Therap 2005; 7: 253–263. 9 Sta taCorp. Stata statistical software. Release 8. 0. College Station, TX: Stata Corporation, 2003. 10 Kyngas H, Hentinen M, Barlow JH. Adolescents perceptions of physicians, nurses, parents and friends: help or hindrance in compliance with diabetes self-care? J Adv Nurs 1998; 27: 760–769. 11 Patterson JM, Garwick AW. Coping with chronic illness. In: Werther, GA, Court, JM, eds. Diabetes and the Adolescent. Melbourne: Miranova Publishers 1998, 3–34.  © 2006 The Authors. Journal compilation  © 2006 Diabetes UK. Diabetic Medicine, 23, 830–833

Other Voices, Other Rooms †Analysis Essay

Capote’s Other Voices, Other Rooms is an exploration into role reversal, gender definitions, and the risk involved in sexuality and love against the harsh contrast of southern ideals. The novel acts as Capote’s catharsis in developing his younger self, in the character of Joel Knox, innocent and self-exploring, as he transforms into his older, liberated self in the character of Randolph who truly is the voice carrying the books message. However, to reach his destination of Randolph, Joel must begin his journey with Idabel Tompkins. Joel sees Idabel soon after entering Noon City, and is so mesmerized with her boyish antics that he is oblivious to the man offering him a nickle to capture her, something Joel would not be capable of anyway. She notices him later as well, watching Joel in the soda shop from the doorway and asking about him in her†boy-husky† voice. Immediately, Joel is intrigued on the verge of infatuation and most often referencing her boyish attributes in the same breath. On the way to the Landing, his new home, he finds Idabel on the road and picks her out from her sister as, â€Å"[t]he other moved as jerky and quick as a boy† (p31). The pair become friends and later during a fishing trip, Joel learns not only the risks invilved in loving someone but also Idabel’s evaluation of what they are together.. When she tells him to undress so they can swim naked Joel sheepishly replied, â€Å"But you’re a girl† (p131) Idabel, frustrated, replies, â€Å"What you’ve got in your britches is no news to me, and no concern of mine†¦.I never think like I’m a girl; you’ve got to remember that, or we can’t never be friends† later on proclaiming, â€Å"I want so much to be a boy† (p132). During the same trip, Joel felt he needed to put his arms around Idabel as, â€Å"the only means of expressing all he felt† he kisses her cheek and in return she becomes so mad that he pulls his hair and fights him. Joel learns the danger of loving someone, could mean loosing them or being betrayed by them. Idabel comes to get Joel at the Landing, in hopes of picking up a partner in crime to run away with. Joel mistakes this as affection and suggests they  run off and get married, picking grapes to support themselves. Idabel rebukes him sternly, â€Å"I don’t want to get married†¦.Who the hell said I wanted to get married? Now you listen, boy: you behave decent, you behave like we’re brothers, or you don’t behave at all. Anyway, we don’t want to do no sissy thing like pick grapes. I thought maybe we could join the Navy† (p174) on their way to running away, they first stop at the carnival in Noon City where they meet the alluring blonde midget Mrs. Wisteria, a 25 year old carnival worker who also wants to be loved in a society that does not value her. Idabel is immediately smitten with her and Joel notices, to his dismay, â€Å"Idabel, more excited than Joel had ever seen her, rushed up and asked [Miss Wisteria], please, wouldn’t she have some soda pop with them† (p191) Joel Later realizes Idabel is in love with the circus performer. This provokes Joel into a dream where he fears Idabel’s loss and tells her he loves her. He begins to realize he can never have her love. During their conversation, Miss Wisteria talks about her horrible experiences trying to find love and her sorrow that boys must grow tall and therefor, never want her. We see the perfect triangle of unrequited love that can never be fulfilled and can only bring sorrow. Joel longs for Idabel who is in love with the golden curls of Miss Wisteria, who molests Joel while trapped in a ferris wheel in her attempt to find a boy who will never grow tall. In an affirming signal of Joels realization of who he is, Joel sees Randolph, the homosexual transvestite cousin of his step-mother, at the carnival, while being molested by Miss Wisteria. He runs off scared looking for Idabel and hides from Miss Wisteria in the old abandoned house in town. He realizes he has a home and a bed at the Landing with Randolph, while Miss Wisteria is doomed to always be searching rooms for love, as she is now looking for Joel in the old mansion, until she finds her final room, where death awaits. Joel realizes who he is now and is almost comforted by it. He forgets Idabel for most of the rest of the story and assumes she has run off with her circus girl. Joel is content to remain at the Landing, especially after his one connection to the real world is lost when his friend Zoo comes back to stay after a rape has driven her a little crazy as well. He knows he belongs there with Randolph, the ‘ghostly lady’ in the window who wears women’s clothes and wig, but is more like him than whats outside. He hides from his old life in the form of a visit from his  original caretaker, his aunt Ellen, and moves towards Randolph, looking back and leaving his innocent self, the other Joel Knox. Works Cited Capote, Truman. Other Voices, Other Rooms. New York: Vintage, 1994. Print.