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There has been a long-existing history of expert scientific witnesses serving in court

Forensic Science

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Forensic

There has been a long-existing history of expert scientific witnesses serving in court. The late eighteenth century gave rise to what people see as a modern expert witness, which was something awkward and contentious. In the early days of the eighteenth century, our modern eyes would recognize the English court, but barely. The judge could actively question the witnesses, but for the attorneys, they were marginally involved. For the accused, they had to represent themselves. Toward the end of that century, there were some changes as judges saw their power reduced to a neutral referee, and the new stars of the courts were the attorneys as they took control of the trial processes. At that time, scientists were regarded as gentlemen and active members of elite groups who concentrated much on grooming their image as opposed to making some ridiculous sums of money. Perhaps, this could be the reason why scientists were allowed to make testimonials even in the proceedings that did not concern them, and by then, any slight mistake automatically disqualified someone as a witness. Scientists we regarded as both independent and disinterested body who took their time to find out who considered themselves to be above the law. What surprises me is how those scientists were deemed to be righteous. They, too, are human beings, and they can make mistakes and, at the same time, hold some conflict of interest.

Expert witnesses take part in pleadings and discovery preparation. They may also review the completeness and technical consistency based on requests and integrity. Before trial, experts help in the development of demonstrative charts, exhibits, tests, among others. It is a prerequisite before the hearing to test any demonstration. During the trial or hearing, the expert witnesses are examined their credentials through summoning by the court attorneys. In essence, experts are required to present their academic qualifications, training, and relevant experiences as a prerequisite to qualify to obtain the right to speak on your examined evidence authoritatively. Considering all the parties involved during a court trial, the expert witnesses are the only ones under oath. It means that anyone could lie to them intentionally or unintentionally on the basis that they promised to be truthful. At the trial, testimonials are always crucial and should be taken with much emphasis, more precisely, the inconsistent testimonies between deposition and trial. As an expert witness, one is reprimanded only to speak the truth and organize trial testimonials by analyzing the case and your work effort. One speaks naturally, clearly, and slowly, and by any chance, experts should not be overwhelmed by their emotions. What comes as a surprise for me is the fact that too much is expected from the expert attorneys.

A person or group values are referred to as ethics. It often sounds preachy or strident whenever statements of ethical behavior arise. The bottom line, what grooms or ruins a reputation, is the response toward ethical behavior. The criminal justice system serves to improve the quality of services it offers to the society at large as opposed to tricking expert witnesses serving to try to help in resolving the disputes. Some unethical expert witnesses may cook report and present it to the court based on what ought to be professional findings and research. Still, in the real sense, the work represented is not their findings. At times, courts always have to deal with manipulated or somewhat falsified data supporting the presupposed expert evidence. In the emergence of crucible cross-examination in the court, the most appropriate decision is to exclude the expert testimony. On numerous occasions, expert witnesses show their lack of professional knowledge and competence in rendering the opinions that are sought. In such situations, the expert testimonials are discounted on the basis that they lack sufficient weight to be regarded as persuasive.

Reference

Houck, M. M., Funk, C., & Feder, H. (2018). Successful Expert Testimony. CRC Press.

Some Things can wait, but the House Foundation Should be Repaired Right Away

Foundation RepairSome Things can wait, but the House Foundation Should be Repaired Right Away

Normally, foundation problems are because of moisture. Typically, soil expands when it gets wet and contract when it dries out, and these kinds of movement will cause the base of the building to shift. In seismic areas, this problem is compounded because the movements of the earth increases the instability of the soil. It is important to make sure that any issue with you foundation is repaired as soon as possible to avoid base from getting worse; urgent attention is needed to stop the damage from spreading. If left unattended to, it can lead to costly repairs not to forget that, it is a safety hazard. Make sure that you hire professional foundation repair contractors to work on the problem; they have the right skills, and tools and equipment to carry out the task in the right way.

Evidence of foundation problems is normally apparent in the interior and the exterior of the building, as well as in the base itself and the ground around the house. There are many reasons why you should not ignore any problem with the base of your house. To start with, your home could collapse anytime. Though this does not happen often, without any doubt, it is a tragedy has happened and claimed many lives. The foundation supports thousands of pounds. So, if it has a great deal of damage, it cannot support the structures above. This may cause bricks or chunks of veneer to fall off, and this is bad for the safety of your family. However, you can protect yourself and your family from these extreme conditions by not waiting to repair any foundation problems your home may have.

Foundation problems also manifest by ugly cracks that form either in bricks or sheetrock. These cracks often form around windows and doors and cause these structures to malfunction. Some of the faulty things that you will notice with these structures if the foundation is damaged include doors that drag or stick and windows that stick or won’t open at all. Besides this affecting the aesthetic value of your house, it can cause more repairs and costs that must be dealt with as time goes on.

Fixing foundation problems helps you protect the resale value of your home. No one wants to buy a home that has a foundation problem. You do not want your biggest investment be compromised or destroyed. Also, cracks and spaces can become a haven for insects and rodents. Call a professional foundation repair specialist to assess your problem and make a plan to fix it.

Jim Crow

From Jim Crow to Civil Rights

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Institutional affiliation

From Jim Crow to Civil Rights

Jim Crow Laws were a combination of local and state statutes that legitimized racial segregation. The laws that were named after a character in the Black minstrel show existed for 100 years; from post-civil war until 1968. The laws were meant to marginalize people of color by denying them the right to an education, vote, and hold jobs and other job opportunities. People that tried to defy Jim Crow laws faced jail sentences, arrest, violence, death and fines. Jim Crow laws began as early as 1865 after the ratification of the 13th amendment, which declared slavery unconstitutional across the United States. Black codes dictated how and where former slaves could work and for how much pay. The black codes were common in the south and were a legal way of incorporating black people in indentured servitude to control where they lived, take their voting rights and seize children for the purpose of labor. For instance, the codes limited the property black people could own and in excluded them from skilled trades and business.

The Civil Rights Act of 1875 criminalized racial discrimination in public facilities and places such as public transport and restaurants. However, in 1883, the Supreme Court declared the act unconstitutional. In 1896, there was a challenge to the Separate car Act of 1896 that warranted all railroads functioning in the State to provide separate but equal accommodations for white passengers and those of color (Bishop, 2017). Although the separation laws in Louisiana were upheld by an 8 to 1 majority, John Marshall Harlan, a famous dissent, opposed the decision. Harlan advanced the idea that the U.S. constitution is “color blind.” The decision of Plessy v. Ferguson case was later overturned by Brown v. Board of education in 1954. The case brought forth the case of Plessy v. Ferguson before the Supreme Court. This led to separate but equal segregation among white and black populations across the country. Other laws such as miscegenation laws that made cohabitation and marriage with black people illegal only exacerbated segregation. The effects of the Jim Crow laws are that they made it difficult for former slaves to attain economic independence. The segregation in public transport carriers made travel for black people difficult. The equal but separate doctrine led to poor facilities for people of color, including housing and school. Compared to their white counterparts, children of color had limited opportunities. Jim Crow laws made it impossible for people of color to be elected to a public officer, serve on juries, vote and partake as equals in social and economic spheres of life.

Brown v. Board of Education of 1954 was a Supreme Court case that marked the turning point of racial segregation across America. The court made a unanimous decision that racial separation in public spaces, particularly schools violated the 14th amendment of the Constitution (Onwuachi-Willig, 2019). According to the amendment, states could not deny people (irrespective of race) equal law protection within its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court deemed separate schooling facilities to be inherently unequal hence reversing the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling of 1896. However, the ruling of Brown v. Board of education only applied to school spaces, but it was meant to imply that racial segregation was not permissible in other public spaces. The guidelines for putting an end to racial segregation were offered, and school boards instructed to proceed with deliberate speed. Years later, Congress passed the Voting Rights of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, all meant to curb racial discrimination against people of color in voting, housing, employment and other sectors of life.

References

Bishop, D. W. (2017). Plessy v. Ferguson: A reinterpretation. In The Progressive Era in the USA: 1890–1921 (pp. 353-361). Routledge.

Onwuachi-Willig, A. (2019). Reconceptualizing the harms of discrimination: How Brown V. Board of Education helped to further White supremacy. Va. L. Rev., 105, 343.

The well-known Chinese winery Grace Vineyard has been in business for 20 years. The business is

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Tutorial Time and Day

Word Count: 1619

Table of Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u 1. Executive Summary PAGEREF _Toc112401402 h 32.1 Company Introduction PAGEREF _Toc112401403 h 42.2 Justification for the Destination Country and the Market Entry Strategy PAGEREF _Toc112401404 h 43.1 Value propositions for the company, its target customers, and its collaborators in the destination country PAGEREF _Toc112401405 h 53.2 Market Segmentation and Target Customers PAGEREF _Toc112401406 h 64.1 Internal Analysis of Grace Vineyard in Taiwan (Strengths and Weaknesses) PAGEREF _Toc112401407 h 64.2 External Analysis of Grace Vineyard in Taiwan (Opportunities and Threats) PAGEREF _Toc112401408 h 75. References PAGEREF _Toc112401409 h 86. Appendices PAGEREF _Toc112401410 h 96.1 Appendix I PAGEREF _Toc112401411 h 96.2 Appendix II PAGEREF _Toc112401412 h 9

1. Executive SummaryThe well-known Chinese winery Grace Vineyard has been in business for 20 years. The business is now concentrating on growing. It has already started to grow into more recent markets like China and Hong Kong. Although the winery has historically concentrated on Bordeaux blends, it has recently experimented with new grape varieties, such as Saperavi, Tempranillo, and Sauvignon Blanc. Grace Vineyard wants to grow its worldwide markets with these new items on the market. Particularly, Grace Vineyard finds the Taiwan wine market to be highly appealing. Based on its success in China and Hong Kong, Grace Vineyard is well positioned to dominate the Taiwan wine industry. The business is in an excellent position to appeal to a market that is keen to adopt international wine standards while maintaining its commitment to local origins. Taiwanese wine lovers are searching for a brand that rivals well-known global brands in terms of quality while retaining certain characteristics of regional Chinese and Taiwanese vineyards. The best course of action for Grace Vineyard to pursue in order to create a presence in Taiwan’s fiercely competitive wine market is to export wine products directly from China to that country.

2.1 Company IntroductionGrace Vineyard is a prominent Chinese winery that has been in operation for two decades. For the most part focusing on the home market, the winery’s wines are said to have more than 50% of the market share just within the local Shanxi province in China (Jiao & Ouyang, 2019). With such impressive growth over the last decade, Grace Vineyard has surpassed the sales of major domestic businesses as well as the state-owned wineries within the Chinese market including firms like Changyu and Great Wall (Hao, Li, & Cao, 2015). The winery has traditionally focused on Bordeaux blends, but in recent years has been experimenting with other varietals including Saperavi, Tempranillo, and Sauvignon Blanc. The company is now focusing on expanding. It has already begun expanding into newer markets within China and Hong Kong. The aforementioned new wineries are only some of the newer types that have been planted in smaller amounts. With these new products in the market, Grace Vineyard is looking to expand internationally markets. Specifically, the Taiwan wine market is very attractive for Grace Vineyard.

2.2 Justification for the Destination Country and the Market Entry StrategyUsing the purchasing power parity measure, Taiwan’s economy is ranked as the seventh largest in Asia and the twenty-second largest in the world, indicating its economic might. Taiwan’s commercial profile has improved as a result of legislative reforms and economic liberalization, and the procedure for licensing new foreign investments is more transparent and straightforward (Anderson & Wittwer, 2015). Taiwan has a large wine sector that is expanding quickly. According to a recent survey, Taiwan is one of Asia’s top five wine markets, and business analysts expect that wine consumption there will continue to rise in the coming years (Chi, 2018). During the 1990s, when customers in Taiwan’s successful corporations were supposed to drink wine as a status symbol, the wine industry in Taiwan grew exponentially. This is consistent with the rising worldwide demand for Taiwanese wines. The modern wine enthusiast seeks for wines that provide more than simply a good reputation and a high price.

Exporting wine goods straight from China to Taiwan is the most advantageous course of action for Grace Vineyard to take in order to establish a presence in Taiwan’s highly competitive wine business. The process of exporting goods is one of a variety of strategies that go under the umbrella term market entry techniques. These strategies are used by businesses in order to increase their presence in international markets. Exporting is considered to be the most risk-free and conventional method of entering a market (Ho, 2021), especially when compared to the various techniques that may be used to do so (Chi, 2018). When Grace Vineyard enters the new market in Taiwan, the objective of its exporting strategy should be to maximize the likelihood of its business being successful in that market. When a product is exported directly to a customer who expresses interest in purchasing it, rather than going via a middleman distributor, this practice is known as direct exporting (Li & Ho, 2019). Grace Vineyard is going to be solely responsible for all aspects of the business, including but not limited to market research, shipping logistics, international distribution of their goods, and invoicing for their products. When it comes to saving money and avoiding the hassle of dealing with a middleman, direct exporting is often the best option for enterprises (Stoian, Dimitratos, & Plakoyiannaki, 2018). In addition to this, Grace Vineyard will have a greater degree of control over sales and will be able to communicate directly with both its existing and potential new consumers. 

3.1 Value propositions for the company, its target customers, and its collaborators in the destination countryGrace Vineyard is well positioned to take over the Taiwan wine market based on its success in China and Hong Kong. The company is uniquely positioned to appeal to a market that is eager to pick up global wine standards while remaining true to regional roots (Carter, 2017). Taiwanese wine drinkers are looking for a brand that has the same quality as trusted foreign brands yet has some elements of the local Chinese and Taiwanese wineries.

Even while Taiwanese women are showing more of an interest in wine, it is common knowledge that they are picky drinkers overall, especially when it comes to alcoholic beverages. The majority of this demographic has a strong preference for wines that are delicate and light in taste and texture (Chi, 2018). Red wines are thought to have beneficial effects on one’s health, which may be one reason why female wine drinkers like them. In particular, that they enhance the complexion and lessen the signs of aging that appear on the skin.

Young urban dwellers are young people from Taiwan who have received an education and have honed their taste for wine to a more sophisticated level. These individuals are often referred to as young professionals. The vast majority of young urbanites who study in other countries, most notably in China, the United States, in Australia, and in Western Europe, are given the opportunity to get acquainted with the wine culture of the destination country (Ho, 2021). Customers that fall within this category are more likely to be open to trying new things and going to wine tastings and seminars in order to learn more about wine. They are also renowned for trying out different tastes and brands on a regular basis. When they go out with their groups of friends, they search for wines that will stand out in their memories, such as full-bodied and semi-dry varieties, so that they may enjoy social life and its unique elements.

3.2 Market Segmentation and Target CustomersIncreasingly popular local wine events have benefited the wine industry. Attendees will get the opportunity to learn more about wines from all around the globe, as well as the many grape varietals and growing regions. In the past, wine consumption was associated with successful enterprises. Today, educated wine fans are interested in learning more about wine and proper wine tasting skills, and they consume wine in restaurants (Chi, 2018). Taiwan’s purchase patterns have altered due to the influx of new customers. Women and young people, who make up the bulk of these new clients, see wine consumption as an essential component of the ideal lifestyle (Anderson & Wittwer, 2015). As a consequence, consumption patterns have shifted. Consequently, those interested in launching a business in the wine sector have a variety of options in Taiwan. The fragmented nature of Taiwan’s wine business necessitates that exporters tailor their goods to the preferences of consumers and importers, and distributors adapt their marketing and promotional efforts to the price range of each product.

Because wine is increasingly becoming a culture beverage and more appropriate and preferred by a broader variety of Taiwanese consumers, there is an increased need for Grace Vineyard to comprehend the values, patterns of consumption, and profiles of wine consumers. The company hopes to improve its ability to segment the market and target the clients it wants by improving its knowledge of the market. In order to better serve its Taiwanese customers, Grace Vineyard will categorize them according to age, geography, social life, and money. The many categories include those who consume premium wine for an undisclosed reason, wine lovers with a focus on visible rituals, people who drink wine for the sake of socializing and pleasure, wine drinkers concerned with image and fashion, and basic consumers of wine. In addition, the firm will target young people who live in cities as well as women who are interested in wine.

4.1 Internal Analysis of Grace Vineyard in Taiwan (Strengths and Weaknesses)Since Grace Vineyard’s current customers are very loyal to the brand, the company might be able to increase its market share by making its products and services better. Grace Vineyard must keep a high level of brand equity and brand awareness in order to be successful, since the company is in charge of some of the most well-known brands in the domestic market where it operates. A brand’s name recognition is a very important part of bringing in new clients from other industries that are looking for solutions. Because Grace Vineyard has good relationships with its suppliers and other people in the supply chain in China (Li & Bardaji de Azcarate, 2017), it will be easier for the company to get a foothold in Taiwan. In this area, Grace Vineyard is now the market leader. Grace Vineyard will need to put more money into research and development if it wants to join the Taiwanese world market and do well there. On the other hand, it is easy to grow the local market without making many new products.

Grace Vineyard’s weaknesses come from the fact that it doesn’t have or has less than five important resources and skills. These can be put into groups like people resources, physical resources like land and buildings, historical experiences and victories, financial resources, activities and procedures, and so on (Liu et al., 2014). The fact that the organization’s culture will have to change in order to meet the needs of the Taiwanese market will also be a bad thing. Appendix I below summarizes the internal environment.

4.2 External Analysis of Grace Vineyard in Taiwan (Opportunities and Threats)The expansion of the wine business in Taiwan may be attributed to a number of factors, including favorable natural circumstances, an expanding economy in the country itself, robust backing from the government, and improved managerial and technical abilities. However, there is a pressing need for more changes to take place in a number of different areas, such as the development of a complete legal framework for wine and a law that specifies how wine should be categorized (Li & Bardaji de Azcarate, 2017). The Taiwanese wine industry looks to benefit from developments such as consumer education and the rise of e-commerce, both of which are on the rise. Nevertheless, the nation is also confronted with challenges that cannot be disregarded, such as an unstable economy and the effects of climate change. This research reveals a variety of approaches that the government, industry, and enterprises in Taiwan might take to support the expansion of the country’s wine sector in the years to come. Appendix II below summarizes the external environment.

5. References

Li, Y., & Bardaji de Azcarate, I. (2017). A new wine superpower? An analysis of the Chinese wine industry. Cahiers Agricultures, 26(6), 1-8.

Liu, H. B., McCarthy, B., Chen, T., Guo, S., & Song, X. (2014). The Chinese wine market: a market segmentation study. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 26(3), 450-471.

Jiao, L., & Ouyang, S. (2019). The Chinese wine industry. In The Palgrave Handbook of Wine Industry Economics (pp. 225-246). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Hao, L., Li, X., & Cao, K. (2015). Toward sustainability: Development of the Ningxia wine industry. In BIO Web of Conferences (Vol. 5, p. 01021). EDP Sciences.

Carter, L. (2017). The rapidly changing Chinese wine industry-an Australian winemaker’s perspective. Wine & Viticulture Journal, 32(2), 20-22.

Anderson, K., & Wittwer, G. (2015). Asia’s evolving role in global wine markets. The International Economics of Wine, 347-377.

Chi, C. H. (2018). Learning to Drink Sorghum Liquor: Taste and Consumption in Military Front-Line Jinmen, Taiwan. Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, 47(2), 165-191.

Ho, H. K. (2021). Twenty-first century wine consumption trends in East Asia: History, luxury and transformation. Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change.

Lin, F. J., & Ho, C. W. (2019). The knowledge of entry mode decision for small and medium enterprises. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 4(1), 32-37.

Stoian, M. C., Dimitratos, P., & Plakoyiannaki, E. (2018). SME internationalization beyond exporting: A knowledge-based perspective across managers and advisers. Journal of World Business, 53(5), 768-779.

6. Appendices6.1 Appendix IStrengths

Superior product quality

Strong brand equity

Brand awareness

Strong relationship with the Chinese wine industry players

20 years’ experience

Successful market share Weaknesses

Organizational cultural barrier

Lack of critical talent in Taiwan

Inexperienced management

Table 1: Summary of the internal analysis

6.2 Appendix IIOpportunities

Favorable natural circumstances

An expanding economy in Taiwan

Robust backing from the government

Improved managerial and technical abilities

E-commerce growth and social media proliferation

Lifestyle changes

Young urban dwellers with a wine drinking lifestyle

More women with high disposable income

Positive wine drinking culture Threats

Sticky prices in the wine market

International factors such as the poor Taiwan-China relations

Increasing costs resulting from environmental regulations

New entrants

Growing protectionism in Taiwan for local companies

Competition from western firms

Table 2: Summary of the external analysis

Leadership and Management Final Paper

Fitchburg State University

Department of NursingLeadership and Management Final Paper

Part I due Week XII by midnight on day of classGuidelines/Grading Rubric

Provide a one to two paragraph introduction which identifies the problem, and how it impacts nursing, nursing care, patient outcomes or your role as a nursing student. Include some background information about the topic: Is this a new problem/concern? Is it an ongoing QI project? Is it a concern you identified? Was identified by your preceptor? This will inform the reader of the problem, and then you will provide more background information to “set the stage” for the problem.

Briefly (one paragraph) and anonymously describe the practicum agency. Include whether it is an acute care setting, long term care, community hospital, magnet hospital or teaching hospital. Provide a description of the care area (e.g. PACU), number of beds (e.g. 10), staff composition (e.g. one nurse manager, one nurse educator, 10 RNs, 3 LPNs, 10 UAPs etc.), staff distribution by shifts (e.g. shift lengths and number of nurses per shift), and when possible indicate the staff’s educational level.

Describe your role in the practicum setting. Do not provide a list of the technical skills you perform, rather, identify how you function in this nursing student role. Perhaps identify how you and you nurse receive report, identify which patients you care for, and how you go about planning and implementing this care. Since there are diverse practicum settings, this will be a good opportunity to reflect upon your accomplishments in this expanded student nurse role.

Briefly analyze and describe the power structure (formal & informal) and leadership and/or management style(s) within your placement agency. Review the chapters in your leadership textbook, and use this book as a reference to support your analysis. The textbook will be listed on the reference list, as well as in text citations.Writing Guidelines:Begin this section of the paper with a title page (APA style). This section of the paper should be 2-3 pages in length, not counting title page and Reference page.

Each section (numbers 1-4) is worth 5 points and is graded on completeness. This is a total of 20 points.

Grammar, sentence structure, and writing style are graded within APA writing style and are worth 10 points.

This Assignment: Part I is worth 30 points (of a 100 point final exam).

Late submissions lose 5 point per day (of the maximum 30 points).

Institution (2)

Ford

Student’s Name

Institution

Ford

Question 1

Fords are detailed in its assessment of the diverse consumer market. It achieves this objective by creating diverse markets in all its customer groups through the use of segments. The company carefully studies the trends in all consumer groups ranging from the young the old and developing products which suit their needs.

Ford’s approach to understanding the roles that affect the buying decisions involves an in-depth study of the trends on political issues, technological issues, or economic changes that affect the buyer’s decision. Ford then uses this information to plan for those changes through developing innovations.

Question 2

The psychological influence behind the creation of the Ford pass is intended to have two varied impact for the customers and no customers. For the customers, Ford intends to show that It is committed to offering convenient services for its loyal customers. To the non-customers, Ford is using it as a marketing tool, which indicates that Ford is accommodating, and one doesn’t need to be a member’s toe enjoy its benefits. The introduction of the Ford pass psychologically triggers the consumer to develop trust on the products offered by Ford as well as loyal due to their innovativeness, and concern for the preferences of the consumer.

Question 3

Sheryl Connelly’s research is likely to prove influential at the third stage of the consumer by the decision process. The stage involves the evaluation of alternatives. At this stage, a consumer seeking to purchase an automobile will be weighing up their options. Knowing that Ford does research on consumer trends and also makes an effort to design their products to suit the consumers may help to sway the decision of the buyer towards purchasing Ford.

There has been a long-existing history of expert scientific witnesses serving in court

Forensic Science

Name:

Institution:

Date:

Forensic

There has been a long-existing history of expert scientific witnesses serving in court. The late eighteenth century gave rise to what people see as a modern expert witness, which was something awkward and contentious. In the early days of the eighteenth century, our modern eyes would recognize the English court, but barely. The judge could actively question the witnesses, but for the attorneys, they were marginally involved. For the accused, they had to represent themselves. Toward the end of that century, there were some changes as judges saw their power reduced to a neutral referee, and the new stars of the courts were the attorneys as they took control of the trial processes. At that time, scientists were regarded as gentlemen and active members of elite groups who concentrated much on grooming their image as opposed to making some ridiculous sums of money. Perhaps, this could be the reason why scientists were allowed to make testimonials even in the proceedings that did not concern them, and by then, any slight mistake automatically disqualified someone as a witness. Scientists we regarded as both independent and disinterested body who took their time to find out who considered themselves to be above the law. What surprises me is how those scientists were deemed to be righteous. They, too, are human beings, and they can make mistakes and, at the same time, hold some conflict of interest.

Expert witnesses take part in pleadings and discovery preparation. They may also review the completeness and technical consistency based on requests and integrity. Before trial, experts help in the development of demonstrative charts, exhibits, tests, among others. It is a prerequisite before the hearing to test any demonstration. During the trial or hearing, the expert witnesses are examined their credentials through summoning by the court attorneys. In essence, experts are required to present their academic qualifications, training, and relevant experiences as a prerequisite to qualify to obtain the right to speak on your examined evidence authoritatively. Considering all the parties involved during a court trial, the expert witnesses are the only ones under oath. It means that anyone could lie to them intentionally or unintentionally on the basis that they promised to be truthful. At the trial, testimonials are always crucial and should be taken with much emphasis, more precisely, the inconsistent testimonies between deposition and trial. As an expert witness, one is reprimanded only to speak the truth and organize trial testimonials by analyzing the case and your work effort. One speaks naturally, clearly, and slowly, and by any chance, experts should not be overwhelmed by their emotions. What comes as a surprise for me is the fact that too much is expected from the expert attorneys.

A person or group values are referred to as ethics. It often sounds preachy or strident whenever statements of ethical behavior arise. The bottom line, what grooms or ruins a reputation, is the response toward ethical behavior. The criminal justice system serves to improve the quality of services it offers to the society at large as opposed to tricking expert witnesses serving to try to help in resolving the disputes. Some unethical expert witnesses may cook report and present it to the court based on what ought to be professional findings and research. Still, in the real sense, the work represented is not their findings. At times, courts always have to deal with manipulated or somewhat falsified data supporting the presupposed expert evidence. In the emergence of crucible cross-examination in the court, the most appropriate decision is to exclude the expert testimony. On numerous occasions, expert witnesses show their lack of professional knowledge and competence in rendering the opinions that are sought. In such situations, the expert testimonials are discounted on the basis that they lack sufficient weight to be regarded as persuasive.

Reference

Houck, M. M., Funk, C., & Feder, H. (2018). Successful Expert Testimony. CRC Press.

Some Things can wait, but the House Foundation Should be Repaired Right Away

Foundation RepairSome Things can wait, but the House Foundation Should be Repaired Right Away

Normally, foundation problems are because of moisture. Typically, soil expands when it gets wet and contract when it dries out, and these kinds of movement will cause the base of the building to shift. In seismic areas, this problem is compounded because the movements of the earth increases the instability of the soil. It is important to make sure that any issue with you foundation is repaired as soon as possible to avoid base from getting worse; urgent attention is needed to stop the damage from spreading. If left unattended to, it can lead to costly repairs not to forget that, it is a safety hazard. Make sure that you hire professional foundation repair contractors to work on the problem; they have the right skills, and tools and equipment to carry out the task in the right way.

Evidence of foundation problems is normally apparent in the interior and the exterior of the building, as well as in the base itself and the ground around the house. There are many reasons why you should not ignore any problem with the base of your house. To start with, your home could collapse anytime. Though this does not happen often, without any doubt, it is a tragedy has happened and claimed many lives. The foundation supports thousands of pounds. So, if it has a great deal of damage, it cannot support the structures above. This may cause bricks or chunks of veneer to fall off, and this is bad for the safety of your family. However, you can protect yourself and your family from these extreme conditions by not waiting to repair any foundation problems your home may have.

Foundation problems also manifest by ugly cracks that form either in bricks or sheetrock. These cracks often form around windows and doors and cause these structures to malfunction. Some of the faulty things that you will notice with these structures if the foundation is damaged include doors that drag or stick and windows that stick or won’t open at all. Besides this affecting the aesthetic value of your house, it can cause more repairs and costs that must be dealt with as time goes on.

Fixing foundation problems helps you protect the resale value of your home. No one wants to buy a home that has a foundation problem. You do not want your biggest investment be compromised or destroyed. Also, cracks and spaces can become a haven for insects and rodents. Call a professional foundation repair specialist to assess your problem and make a plan to fix it.

Stakeholder Participation in Eco and Smart Cities Construction

Future Cities: Stakeholder Participation in Eco and Smart Cities Construction

Introduction

Cities are built as a result of various interests and desires of stakeholders coming together. Some of the key stakeholders include planners, landowners, investors, the public, governments, transport engineers, and architects, amongst others (Arlati et al., 2021). There are a variety of stakeholders in each place, including government and industry, startups, people, and, of course, architects. Stakeholders are those who have an interest in something. They all have a role in the development of cities. Even while no one stakeholder is more vital than the others, success is impossible without all of them. Planned development in the cities and urban settings is in collaboration with all stakeholders (Wesley & Ainsworth, 2018). Stakeholder engagement is the most difficult aspect of enhancing urban planning while simultaneously incorporating individual interests. The development of a city involves a large number of individuals. So, in the development endeavors, it is important to remain open, transparent, and participative. Local working groups (comprised of all relevant stakeholders) are recommended as part of the urban design planning based on a method of finding ideas that benefit the community while also fitting with the city’s declared strategic aims (utilities, administrative departments, enterprises, civil society representatives, and scientific institutions) (Laspidou, 2014). The said development partnership in the running of cities not only promises to be inclusive but also to create a product (future city) that serves the interests of every stakeholder. The aim of this paper is to show that cities are built by an amalgamation of stakeholders including landowners, investors, government institutions, planners, architects, the public, and any other interest party. No one party has monopoly over the other in terms of what to create in city planning and design and each stakeholder has a role to play in the moderation of processes that include the physical, economic, ecological, and social city development.

Stakeholders in the Future of Cities

Cities are experiencing fast population growth, resulting in increased demands and financial obligations. In order to retain their competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth, cities must discover methods to increase their efficiency and save money while maintaining a high quality of living for their residents. By 2050, Bjørgen, Fossheim, and Macharis (2021) report that cities will be home to 70% of the world’s population, increasing the pressure on management to become more intelligent, while stakeholders acquire significance and interest as research topics, beginning to threaten the territories’ domination of the global economy. As a result, Martinez and Olander (2015) point to the need to include stakeholders who can provide valuable feedback (as well as an indication of how a subsequent planning application will be received). The term stakeholder refers to anyone who has a vested interest in the development or conclusion of the project (Guo & Kapucu, 2019). Persons participating in the design of a city in any capacity, including designers and investors, as well as subcontractors, as well as persons employed in any position by local governments and the legal system, are all considered possible stakeholders in a typical city design process. Nonetheless, their participation requires careful organization and a clearly defined mandate, as they may lack prior design experience and their actions may be beyond the control of internal and direct stakeholders including investors and land owners.

Government and the Public Sector

In response to the steps taken by the private sector toward sustainable businesses, cities are increasingly shifting their focus toward digital technology innovation. Curwell et al. (2005) mention that future cities will include a more interactive and responsive municipal government, safer public spaces, and addressing the needs of people of all ages. Cities are also becoming more environmentally friendly. In the field of city planning, the government and the public sector play an essential role. Thanks to new legislation and widespread popular backing, governments will be able to guide the development of futuristic city planning. Also included are initiatives to encourage positive stakeholder behavior and awareness, to encourage citizen-driven experimentation from the ground up, and to include an innovative lifestyle into all services provided to people.

Investors and Financial Partners

Investors include those who have financial investments and institutions that lend money to individuals in order to accomplish development projects in urban areas, among other things. They provide assistance to businesses and governments through the sponsorship and investment in initiatives. They safeguard the assets of both small and big depositors by investing in only the most profitable enterprises. The vast majority of investors feel that urban design has a key influence in increasing the value of real estate sales and rentals. In the decision-making process of city residents, environmental quality is regarded as a critical concern, among other criteria like as access, parking, security, service (particularly in the IT sector), and internal environmental management (Bridgman, 2004). When it comes to creating stronger returns and future growth possibilities from their investment, the investors understand that addressing the initial development’s lack of participation in urban planning is critical.

Research and Innovation sector

The research and innovation sector is a major stakeholder in city design and a notable contributor to future cities. University-based research is essential for the development of creative ideas that may result in a more sustainable and healthier urban environment in the long run. Due to the increasing urbanization, globalization, and climate change, scientists have been compelled to develop and test novel processes, as well as intelligent city solutions based on prototypes and models that bridge the technological as well as socioeconomic gap. Making city designers more aware and understanding of the future system, as well as the breadth of technology and solutions available, is crucial to ensuring the success of the transition (Anttiroiko, Valkama, & Bailey, 2014). In addition to assisting cities in their efforts to achieve overall sustainability, Laspidou (2014) notes that academic research and the knowledge it generates will help to increase the city systems’ short- and long-term flexibility. At present, Anthopoulos and Vakali (2012) point to the way consumer behavior is shifting in a positive direction as a result of the introduction of novel legal frameworks, business models, services, and technological solutions. Incorporating current research into real-world solutions allows for a greater grasp of the problem’s complexity while also proving practicability and economic feasibility for the solution. Demonstration projects carried out at clusters and research institutes produce useful knowledge on market applications and commercial arrangements that may be exploited in future city designs.

Constructors, Architects, Planners, and Designers

Regardless of their size, planning committees, real estate developers, competence centers, technology suppliers, and system integrators all play an important role in the transition process toward a future city. Smart meters, data displays, and energy management services for multi-fluid systems assist in disseminating future city projects in test users’ homes, new or existing residential dwellings, public buildings, and communal housing, among other places (Pereira et al., 2018). In order to continue progress and innovation in urban areas, a number of revolutions in design, engineering, and construction have taken place in the recent decade, bringing together different sector players with variant contributions matching up to a singular aim of having better city designs that are inclusive and sustainable. All of these developments may be ascribed to the present industrial and technological revolution, which is shifting the focus away from traditional construction systems and toward industrialized building systems that will eventually lead to future cities.

The Civil Society and Activists

While the involvement of the civil society and activists may not be on a technical capacity in city design, it must be provided careful consideration. Civil societies have the interests of the people and may shift narratives, bring a population for or against certain design projects. For example, civil societies have influenced the inclusion of transgender individuals in the design of urban toilets. Such subtle shows of power point to the importance of civil societies as stakeholders in dictating urban designs and the future of cities (Abusaada & Elshater, 2021). The needs and concerns of the community’s members serve as the starting point for its actions. The themes that are discussed and disputed are determined by the interests of the general population. Individuals are helped and mobilized throughout the process in order to bring their difficulties to the public’s attention and strive for a resolution.

Citizen participation is crucial to urban rejuvenation and should be completely integrated into smart government systems to achieve maximum results. A technique for reestablishing public trust in city design officials is to involve citizens in the decision-making process about the city’s future. Citizens are making the move from being end consumers to being prosumers, providing data and information, and taking on new duties in the smart and sustainable city of the future. Social innovators in future urban design attempt to inspire new modes of civic involvement (Lim, Kim, & Maglio, 2018), with an emphasis on inclusion and social protection (Abusaada & Elshater, 2021), that are capable of meeting social needs effectively and with up-to-date capabilities, and an emphasis on inclusion and social protection (Laspidou, 2014). All of these factors contribute to the development of emerging urban economies to include social entrepreneurs driven by certain community demands, community-based initiatives, and innovative corporate collaboration models.

Climate Change and Eco Cities: Copenhagen

A worldwide phenomenon, climate change has a profound impact on the way people live in urban areas, particularly in the developed nations such as Denmark. Because of this, sea levels are rising and more extreme weather events have been witnessed. Other effects include faster spread of tropical illnesses. All of these impacts have a substantial financial impact on cities, infrastructure, housing projects, jobs, and the general public. City dwellers are a substantial source of greenhouse gas emissions, and as a result, they make a considerable contribution to the global warming problem. The bulk of the CO2 emissions in the world today are attributed to cities, according to (Joss, 2011), with transportation and buildings accounting for the vast majority of these emissions.

Stakeholder involvement is very important in changing the way a city design regards the issues of climate change and the adoption of eco cities. In Copenhagen, the city’s climate plan has a path laid out for the city focusing on attaining carbon neutrality in the next 3 years (HagHigHatafSHar et al., 2014). The city focuses on every little sector that makes up the city’s overall carbon footprint. The City has a plan to attain significant reduction in emissions to have eco cities that are conscious of the climate change issue.

As Copenhagen has shown through its comprehensive city of the future plan, successful outcomes can only be achieved by a comprehensive global, regional, national, and local strategy and effort. The involvement of all stakeholders is very important in this process. There must be total cooperation from all direct and indirect stakeholders including planners, designers, land owners, governments, local authorities, legislation, investors, and any other interested group. City authorities must also play an important role in the fight against climate change by ensuring that all other players are involved. Copenhagen is already taking steps to minimize industrial emissions, including the use of renewable energy sources (Hallegatte et al., 2011), the improvement of production processes (Carter, Clegg, & Wåhlin, 2011), and the imposition of restrictions or the provision of financial incentives to reduce overall carbon footprints. In the next five decades, emissions reductions in Copenhagen will aid in the reduction of pollution from industry and transportation (Smiley, 2017), resulting in improved air quality and the health of city people as a result.

Smart Cities and Technology: Singapore

As the world’s population continues to grow, it becomes increasingly critical to have a framework in place for adopting and supporting sustainable development initiatives. The majority of it is made up of information and communication technology. The ICT design includes a digital city, which is a network of networked devices that connect via wireless technologies and the cloud (Yaqoob et al., 2017). Municipalities, organizations, and individuals may all benefit from analyzing real-time data and installing cloud-based IoT applications (Joo, 2021). Citizens can engage with smart city ecosystems through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, as well as through connected autos and homes. By integrating digital technology with a city’s physical infrastructure and services, it may be possible to save money while boosting its sustainability.

Historically, city management and authorities saw smart technology solely as a means of increasing operational efficiency. As seen in Singapore, technology is increasingly being integrated into daily life and influencing the design and management of entire cities. Millions of individuals may now use their cellphones to obtain real-time information about transportation, traffic, health services, safety alerts, and local news (Johnston, 2019). Cities are increasingly leveraging data and digital technology to deliver outcomes that are more relevant and meaningful to their residents, effectively advancing them past the experimental stage. Smart cities like Singapore are using data and digital technology to improve the lives of their citizens and the city as a whole (von Richthofen, Tomarchio, & Costa, 2019). More comprehensive, real-time data gives the capability to monitor events live, discover demand trends, and respond with faster, more cost-effective solutions.

By implementing smart city technologies, Singapore is able to enhance its infrastructure, public services, transportation, and other fundamentals. For example, connected traffic signals receive data from sensors and automobiles and adjust the cadence and timing of lights in real time to accommodate the current flow of traffic, hence reducing congestion (Woods, 2020). In the next 50 years, Singapore will have parking meters and electric vehicle charging stations that will enable communication with connected autos, guiding drivers to the next available space and other benefits. Rather than relying on a fixed collection schedule, smart trash cans communicate with waste management companies to arrange pick-ups as needed (Joo, 2021). A smartphone doubles as a mobile driver’s license and identification card, complete with digital credentials, providing an easy way for citizens to access city and local government services.

Conclusion

From the above analysis of the involvement of different players in Singapore and Copenhagen to create smart cities using technology and considering climate change needs through eco cities, the role of every stakeholder in influencing the design and construction of a city cannot be ignored. The discussion establishes that persons participating in the design of a city in any capacity, including designers and investors, as well as subcontractors, as well as persons employed in any position by local governments and the legal system, are all considered possible stakeholders in a typical city design process. Therefore, the report can confidently summarize that cities of the future will be built as a result of various interests and desires of stakeholders coming together. While some of the key stakeholders (including planners, landowners, investors, the public, governments, transport engineers, and architects) have more technical and physical involvement, this done not cancel out the crucial role of other stakeholders (such as civil societies, city legislation, activists, and other lesser involved parties) who also have a say in influencing how cities are built. The examples from Singapore and Copenhagen indicate that without the active and positive involvement of every stakeholder, city construction and design would be in chaos. Local working groups (comprised of all relevant stakeholders) are recommended as part of the urban design planning based on a method of finding ideas that benefit the community while also fitting with the city’s declared strategic aims (utilities, administrative departments, enterprises, civil society representatives, and scientific institutions). Overall, no stakeholder possesses monopoly over the other in terms of what to create in city design and each stakeholder has a role to play in the moderation of processes that include the physical, economic, ecological, and social city development.

References

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new gastrulation in the mouse

Gastrulation in the mouse

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Embryonic development refers to the process of growth and development of embryo. Stage of embryonic development is a phase within the period of embryonic development that is marked by distinct growth changes in the embryo. Gastrulation is a stage in the development of embryos in the mouse. The reason for gastrulation is to form a body plan that serves in the succeeding embryo morphogenesis. In the Mus musculus (house mouse), gastrulation is like a continually changing process, three-dimensional puzzle that has specific characteristics when comparing it to non-mammals and other mammalian embryos.

In mouse, gastrulation starts after a blastula implants into the uterine walls of the mother, and is immediately followed by development of different organ systems also knows as organogenesis. Organogenesis is characterized by the formation of vital organs such as brain and spinal cord, coelom, muscle tissues, notochord and neural tube (Ibim, 2010). The coordinated cell movements result in a spatially organized embryo, and puts together the framework on which other features are to develop from into building the body. Gastrula is the term used in defining the process in which embryo undergoes gastrulation.

In mouse a two-day gap exist between implantation and starting of gastrulation; there is an implantation of blastocyst in the uterine wall and this occurs after two and half days after coitum (DPC), and gastrulation commences six and half DPC. In the two-day span, cells undergo transformation to develop a fertilized egg called zygote. In the cleavage process, cells are united together by adhesive proteins, which must be deactivated to permit movements of specific cells. The relaxed cellular bonds allow the inner cell mass to enlarge and reorganize into specific layers. One the layers, the epiblast, is layer of cells, which are the precursors of all embryonic cells. As epiblast continues to grow, the shape become cup like, with the rim situated on dorsal side of embryo.

The cleavage or cell division stage starts approximately 18-36 hours after fertilization. The zygote formed after fertilization divides into multiple cells through a process known as binary fission (Campbell & Reece, 2005). The resultant cells after fission carry equal number of chromosomes and genes. After the 8-cell stage, the cells bind to form a compact sphere. Further divisions within the sphere lead to the formation of a 32-cell mass known as morula. Each of the cells within the molula is known as blastomere. This is followed by a process known as cavitation in which the outer cells secret fluid containing proteins into the sphere, facilitating rapid division of the cells (Forgacs & Newman, 2005). Despite the increase in the number of cells in this phase, the volume of the zygote remains the same. The zygote lands into the uterus during the 6th or the 7th day, after which developmental changes lead to the formation of three membranes: placenta, chorion and amnion (Forgacs & Newman, 2005). Further development of the morula leads to formation of a ball containing about 2000 cells known as blastocyst. Also, a fluid-filled cavity called blastocoele is also formed within the embryo. The developmental changes end with the formation of a structure known as blastula. The blastula is surrounded by a layer of single sells called trophoblast. However, it contains a thick inner layer of cells at one end of the inner cavity, from which the embryo will develop (Campbell & Reece, 2005).

Differentiation is the third phase in which specialized structures that perform more functions start to form. About 21 days after the implantation of the embryo onto the uterus, the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm grow further and differentiate to form neutral tube and notocord, among other vital organs of the body. The process of formation of body organs from the germ layers is called neurulation (Campbell & Reece, 2005). Notocord develops from mesoderm and undergoes through a series of developments to form the vertebral column. However, notochord in human beings disappears before birth. The development of neural groove in this stage leads to the formation of brain, and spinal cord (Campbell & Reece, 2005). The mesoderm also undergoes through a series of developments leading to the formation of vertebrae, muscles, and connective tissues. In addition, the mesoderm grows to form gonads, adrenal glands, and kidneys. Furthermore, coelom is formed by the end of differentiation phase.

Embryonic Period

Prenatal development is the process that occurs during pregnancy whereby an embryo gestates from fertilization to birth. Fertilization occurs when a sperm penetrates fully into the egg. The end product is called a zygote (Sagan 1997 p.164). There are various stages of development that a zygote undergoes before birth namely; the germinal, embryonic and fetal stage. The embryonic period is that stage at fertilization that is, at the second week of gestation and continues up to the tenth week of gestation. It starts after the germinal stage when the blastocyst attaches itself to the uterine wall a process called implantation.

The stage is marked by the zygote’s attachment to the uterine wall and the first occurrence of ossification, that is, the formation of solid bone. Also, the placenta and the umbilical cord fundamental in supporting the embryo develop.

It is worth noting that at this particular stage, there is evidence of lots of growth of the embryo and cell differentiation. Cells differentiate into various body systems including blood cells, kidney cells and nerve cells. Differentiation of organ systems takes place in three layers (Miller 1967).

a). Ectoderm -This is when the nerve system and the sensory cells develop. At this point, the hair, nails and the outer layer of the skin and the skin glands develop.

b). Mesoderm -This layers is characteristic of the muscles, skeleton, the excretory and the circulatory system develop. The inner skin layers also develop.

c). Endoderm -The gastrointestinal tract, glands, the lungs, pancreas and liver develop.

During the fourth week of gestation, the embryo is approximately the size of the human thumbnail. It is interesting to note that even at this small size, there is a pulse by a small vessel which eventually becomes the heart, at 200 heartbeats a minute.

At the eighth week, nearly at the end of this period, the head is as large as the body of the embryo. It is worth noting that at this time, some features including the face, fingers, toes, eyes and the external genitalia are recognizable (Harris & Butterworth 2002).

Growth is the last phase in embryo development. During this phase, the body goes through a period of growth characterized by formation of new cells, extra cellular matrix, and new organs (Campbell & Reece, 2005). The growth phase starts between the eighth and ninth months after conception and continues until birth. Fetal developments in the growth phase are described in the next section.

Gastrulation commences with the formation on primitive node on epiblast’s posterior side. Primitive node is a collection of cells that secretes cellular signals in forms of proteins for instance fibroblast growth factor (FGF). The signals assist the cells to move within embryo during gastrulation. When node appearances it indicates the existence of tail and head distinction or posterior and anterior polarity. From the node, a structure termed as primitive streaks develops. This is a groove that comes from embryonic ventral side. As primitive streak increases in size, epiblast cells situated in the inner sides of cup enters into streak. As cells moves into primitive streak, it relates with cellular signals, which regulates the tissue type the cells can form. The cells that go through streak become mesendoderm, which are endoderm and mesoderm precursors. After they leave the primitive streak, these cells scatter and form a wave of mesendoderm that protrudes to cover the exterior of embryo.

In the mouse, mesendoderm covers the ectoderm, which later form the nervous system and epidermis. The mesendoderm splits into mesoderm; which becomes the muscles, skeleton, and different internal organs. On the other hand, endoderm separates to become gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. The mesoderm forms in the anterior portion of embryo, and endoderm on the posterior side where primitive streak initiated. The two, mesoderm and endoderm fully separate from each other around sixteen DPC.

As various researchers normally employ gastrulation in mouse as model for gastrulation in other mammals, the ordering of the germ cells is precisely opposite as in majority of the mammals for instance in human beings. In human beings, the development of foetus from conception to birth can be divided into three stages: first trimester, second trimester and third trimester. Each of the stages consists of three months. The process of transformation of embryo to foetus is a gradual process that takes place within the first trimester. Transition starts during the cleavage phase, characterized by rapid division of cells within the embryo. This is followed by the formation of germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm), chorion and amnion within three to six weeks after conception. Organogenesis follows in the next six to eight weeks (differentiation phase) characterized by the formation of vital organs such as brain and spinal cord, coelom, muscle tissues, notochord and neural tube (Ibim, 2010). In humans, the gastrula arranges in flat shape, known as planar arrangement, whereby the ectoderm situated on the dorsal side de of endoderm and mesoderm. However, the transition from embryo to foetus continues after the differentiation phase. Other changes occur from the ninth week, which make the embryo to look more like a human being (Ibim, 2010). The changes include the formation of head, ears, nose, heart, hands and legs. Also, the placenta is fully formed by the end of the ninth week. By the end of the first trimester, the embryo is fully transitioned into foetus. The chorion is fully established, the embryo is in the amniotic sac and the sex of the foetus can be determined (Ibim, 2010).

The second trimester is characterized by more growth and refinement activities and less developmental activities. The placenta plays the biggest role in maintaining homeostasis through secretion of progesterone and transfer of nutrients and wastes. The foetus is approximately 6cm by the beginning of the first trimester. At 20 weeks, the foetus has grown to approximately half a kilogram. At this time, heartbeat can be heard and the legs, head, face, and hands are prominent (Ibim, 2010).

Further growth and development continues during the third trimester. A series of changes and developments take place in the circulatory and respiratory systems which facilitate air-breathing after birth. Additional changes and developments occur, which enable the foetus to maintain constant body temperature. Changes also occur such as increase in size and weight, reduction in the size of head, thickening of the muscle and hardening of bones and skin (Ibim, 2010).

Maturation processes within developmental stages in the foetus

After birth, the foetus is required to adapt to the environmental changes by establishing and maintaining physiological homeostasis, without the assistance of the placenta. Therefore, the survival of the foetus after birth is dependent upon maturation of structures and organs that interface with the new environment. Examples of essential organs and structures are lungs, immune system, gut, liver, pancreases and kidney (Strauss & ‎Barbieri, 2013). Various studies have shown that maturation processes during foetal development are induced by glucocorticoids (Strauss & ‎Barbieri, 2013). Critical maturation processes that occur during foetal development include deposition of glycogen in the liver; activity of enzyme systems in the foetal brain, thyroid gland, pancreases, retina, and gut; and production of surfactant by foetal lungs. Maturation of the foetal lungs is particularly important since inability to breathe due pulmonary immaturity has been found to be a leading cause of mortality among preterm infants as well as neonatal morbidity (Norris & Lopez, 2010). However, the key functions of glucocorticoids in the process of maturation are not yet clear. As Norris and Lopez (2010) highlight, some studies have shown that glucocorticoids do not initiate maturation of cells; they simply accelerate the process of maturation.

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