Multifibre Agreement Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Multifibre Agreement - Case Study Example 1966: June The United Kingdom implements a global quota scheme in violation of the LTA. (The LTA provides only for product-specific restraints.) 1967: April Agreement is reached to extend the LTA for three years. 1969-71 The United States negotiates VERs with Asian suppliers on wool and man-made fibres. 1970: October Agreement is reached to extend the LTA for three years. (It was later extended an additional three months to fill the gap until the MFA came into effect.) 1973: December It is agreed that the MFA will begin on January 1, 1974, and last for four years. 1977: July-December The European Economic Community and the United States negotiate bilateral agreements with developing countries prior to agreeing to extension of the MFA. 1977: December The MFA is extended for four years. 1981: December The MFA is renewed for five years. The United States, under pressure from increased imports resulting from dollar appreciation, negotiates tough quotas. 1986: July The MFA is extended for five years, to conclude with Uruguay Round. 1991: July The MFA is extended pending the outcome of the Uruguay Round negotiations. 1993: December The Uruguay Round (UR) draft final act provides for a 10-year phase-out of all MFA and other quotas on textiles in ATC. MFA extended until UR comes into force. 1995: January 1 1st ATC tranche liberalised by importing countries - 16% of 1990 import volume. 1998: January 1 2nd ATC tranche liberalized by importing countries - 17% of 1990 import volume. 2002: January 1 3rd ATC tranche liberalised by importing countries - 18% of 1990 import volume. 2005: January 1 4th ATC tranche liberalised by importing countries - 49% of... The nineteenth century saw the beginning of the formation of unions, for the purpose of protecting the rights of the citizens. From then on, as each country gained freedom from colonial rule, it started to go in for organized employment and trade activities. There are unions and associations for employment, for domestic trade activities and international trade activities. To protect the rights of its people, some countries have agreed and signed pacts on the quantity of each commodity that can be imported or exported into a country. Before we embark on a detailed analysis of the Multifibre agreement and its impact on international trade, let us have a look into the actions and agreements that were made before the Multifibre agreement came into force. Source: Based on D. Spinanger, "Faking Liberalization and Finagling Protectionism: The ATC at Its Best", Background Paper for the WTO 2000 Negotiations: Mediterranean Interests and Perspectives, Cairo. The textile and clothing industry is one which has constantly increasing trade flows all over the world. Globalization and liberalization had exposed the European Union industry to increased competition from a large number of low-labor cost countries (especially from Asia).This sector constitutes one of the most important sources of income and employment for various countries in Asia, esp.

Rainforest cafe reserch project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Rainforest cafe reserch project - Research Paper Example The management of the Rainforest Cafà © has an astute marketing plan. It adopts multiple and varied marketing strategies for new outlets. At the same time, it runs separate promotional campaigns for the mature outlets (EDGAR Online, 2013). Rainforest Cafà ©, owned by Landrys Inc., Houston, Texas, is a themed restaurant chain and offers something for all demographic profiles (Dulen, 1998). The ambience of Rainforest Cafà © stimulates the mind and emotions and appeals to the children as well as adults. Since inception, the cafà © has strived to deliver high quality proprietary entertainment to its clients and has earned a name in the marketplace. At present, the Rainforest Cafà © is a well-recognized family-oriented restaurant. The Rainforest Cafà © is an ideal place for the stimulus-hungry children. The sprawling interiors with a pulsing beat tend to leave the children in a state of awe. The sporadic thunder and lightening add to the ecstasy. Children can have a gala time at the cafà © as the elephants trumpet and chimpanzees chatter. The overall theme of the Rainforest Cafà © provides children a fun and frolic filled time. The special menu for kids adds to the craze. Parents tend to spend a lot on kids. They do not mind shelling out more money for a pleasurable experience for their offspring. Children always have that extra pestering power which tends to result in repeat visits and heightened spending at the cafà ©. There is an increasing trend of celebrating birthday parties at restaurants. The Rainforest Cafà © is in an enviable position to cash in on this trend. The total population of UK is 63.4 million. 17 percent of the population is less than 14 years old. This section of the society will obviously be dependent on their parents so far as any social outing is concerned. 41 percent of the population is in the age bracket of 25-54 years. This section of the society will have young children and

Design a study to show relationship between body mass index to asthma Research Paper

Design a study to show relationship between body mass index to asthma in both children and adults - Research Paper Example ethical issues that face experimental and quasi-experimental designs and is suitable for the study that only seeks to observe body mass index among asthma patients. Treatment and control would be impossible in the study because the variables are natural phenomena. Weakness in investigating causal relationships is the design’s major limitation but the study is only interested in investigating a relationship and alternative quantitative methods are infeasible. Non-experimental design is also easier to implement because it is limited to observation variables in their natural occurrence. These justify the design’s selection (The University of Southern Alabama, n.d.). The study seeks to investigate potential relationship between body mass index and asthma. It further identifies two sub groups of research participants, children, and adults. This therefore identifies three variables in the study. The first variable is incidence of asthma in a research participant and will be considered as the independent variable in the study because of the limited ability environmental factors such as body mass index to determine its occurrence. The measure will be determined on a nominal scale, a qualitative scale that has only the identity property. The measure will further have two levels, existence of asthma and absence of asthma. Participants will be interviewed on previous experience of asthma symptoms and experience with the symptoms will be categorized with the symbol 1 while absence of asthma symptoms will be categorized with the symbol 2. Interviews will be used to measure the variable and its advantages ability to gather comprehensive information, flexi bility, and ability to clarify interview questions and to verify responses justify its selection. Interviews also allows for collection of secondary data on a subject matter and for consideration of interviewee’s potentials such as intellectual capacity (Kothari, 2004). Body mass index is another variable and will be

Ford and Toyota Analysis Essay Example for Free

Ford and Toyota Analysis Essay ord Motor Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1919. Ford acquired the business of a Michigan company, also known as Ford Motor Company which incorporated in 1909 to produce and sell automobiles designed and engineered by Henry Ford. They are one of the world’s largest producers of cars and trucks. Ford operates in two sectors, Automotive and Financial Services. In the Automotive sector reportable segments are Ford North America, Ford South America, Ford Europe, and Ford Asia Pacific Africa. In the Financial Services sector reportable segments are Ford Motor Credit Company and Other Financial Services. 1b. Factors affecting Ford’s profitability include: Wholesale unit volumes Margin of Profit on each vehicle sold – which in turn is affected by many factors, such as: Market factors – volume and mix of vehicles and options sold, and net pricing (reflecting, among other factors, incentive programs: Cost of components and raw materials necessary for production of vehicles Costs for customer warranty claims and additional service actions Costs for safety, emissions and fuel economy technology and equipment A high proportion of relatively fixed structural costs, so that small changes in wholesale unit volumes can significantly affect overall profitability General economic conditions and other uncontrollable external factors affect the automotive industry as a whole 1c. Toyota commenced operations in 1933 14 years after Ford. Toyota operates in the Automotive and Financial sectors as does Ford, with reportable segments in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia NEED MORE Toyota Motor Corporation is a limited liability, joint-stock company incorporated under the Commercial Code of Japan and continues to exist under the Corporation Act. Toyota commenced operations in 1933 as the automobile division of Toyota Industries Corporation (formerly, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd.). Toyota became a separate company on August 28, 1937. In 1982, the Toyota Motor Company and Toyota Motor Sales merged into one company, the Toyota Motor Corporation of today. As of March 31, 2013, Toyota operated through 509 consolidated subsidiaries and 206 affiliated companies, of which 56 companies were accounted for through the equity method. Toyota primarily conducts business in the automotive industry. Toyota also conducts business in finance and other industries Toyota’s business segments are automotive operations, financial services operations and all other operations. The following table sets forth Toyota’s sales to external customers in each of its business segments for each of the past three fiscal years Toyota sells its vehicles in approximately 170 countries and regions. Toyota’s primary markets for its automobiles are Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. The following table sets forth Toyota’s sales to external customers in each of its geographical markets for each of the past three fiscal years. Automobile sales are affected by a number of factors including: †¢ social, political and economic conditions, †¢ introduction of new vehicles and technologies, and †¢ costs incurred by customers to purchase and operate automobiles 2a.2c A proxy is another person that you legally designate to vote your stock. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written document, that document also is called a proxy or a proxy card. A proxy statement is a document that SEC regulations require that we make available to you when we ask you to vote your stock at the annual meeting. NEED MORE 2b. dklsfjl; 3c. The Board has adopted the following standards in determining whether or not a director has a material relationship with the Company. Employee or former employee. No director who is an employee or former employee of the company can be independent until three years after termination of such employment Independent Auditor Affiliation. No director who is, or in the past three years has been, affiliated with or employed by the Company’s present or former independent auditor can be independent until three years after the end of the affiliation, employment, or auditing relationship. Interlocking Directorship. No director can be independent if he or she is, or in the past three years has been, part of an interlocking directorship in which an executive officer of the company serves on the compensation committee of another company that employs the director. Additional Compensation. No director can be independent if he or she is receiving, or in the last three years has received, more than $100,000 during any 12-month period in direct compensation from the Company, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided compensation is not continent in any way on continued service). Immediate Family Members. Directors with immediate family members itn the foregoing categories are subject to the same three-year restriction. Other relationships. Commercial, charitable and educational relationships will not be considered to be material relationships that would impair a director’s independence. PAGE 25 Elaborate more 3d. In book 3e. Among the most important qualities directors should possess art the highest personal and professional ethical standards, integrity, and values. They should be committed to representing the long-term interests of all of the shareholders. Directors must also have practical wisdom and mature judgment. Directors must be objective and inquisitive. Directors must be willing to devote sufficient time to carrying out their responsibilities and duties effectively, and should be committed to serve on the Board for an extended period of time. 3f. Non-employee board members are provided with $200,000 of life insurance which ends when a director retires, company provided healthcare insurance at no cost, use of up to two company vehicles free of charge. NOT DONE 4a. Ford’s audit committee selects the independent registered public accounting firm to audit Ford’s books and records, and determines the compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm. Consults with the firm, reviews and approves the scope of their audit, and reviews their independence and performance. Reviews internal controls, accounting practices, and financial reporting, including the results of the annual audit and the review of the interim financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. CONTINUED PAGE 20 4b. The Board has designated Stephen G. Butler as the Audit Committee financial expert.

Thesis Statement On Illegal Immigrants Politics Essay

Thesis Statement On Illegal Immigrants Politics Essay The illegal immigrant (unauthorized alien) population in the United States is a controversial and key immigration issue. Competing political views in recent years to address the illegal aliens has proven to be a core hindrance to the enactment of comprehensive reform legislation regarding immigration. This paper hopes to highlight the political issues that are connected to illegal immigration in American. The relative cheapness and increased ease of travel compounded by the improvements in information have spurred to a large extent the international illegal immigration around the globe in recent decades. Most countries that are developed experience illegal flows, but the United States has an inflow that is high in comparison to other developed countries, originating mainly from Mexico (Edmonston 50) The problem of immigration is a long standing one in the United States. Francis Walker, the then director of Census, in the 1890s, cited data of census in support of a debate that the country was at the time being overrun by immigrants who were less desirable. At this timer, this were mainly immigrants from eastern and southern Europe who were described as being beaten men who originated from a race that was beaten, he implied that the newer immigrants comprised a stock that was poorer as compared to those who had come earlier. The new immigrants did not have enough resources to leave the cities in the east so as to help the progression of the country west. As such the undesirable immigrants started to be viewed as a burden to the country. The arguments put forth by Walker contributed to an intellectual foundation development for enactments of quotas on national origins that came later. As such, even in the early studies on immigration, immigration data, examined by social, ethnicity and economic characteristics was used to support restrictions on immigration and the realignment of national origins of immigration (Bean, Edmonston, and Passel 13). Politics and illegal immigration By October 1996, The United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Services estimated roughly 5 million illegal immigrants that were residing in the country at that time. This figure represented an annual average rate increment of quarter million between 1992 and 1996. Illegal immigration into the United States has been a contested issue since the midcentury. A consequence of this debate was the passage of the first United States legislation which was designed to curb this illegal immigration. The Immigration Control and Reform Act was passed into law in 1986. This number was up to 7 million in 2000 and roughly 10 million in 2004. Illegal Immigration reform and Immigrant Responsibility act was passed by Congress ten years later. They were both passed with the intention of curbing illegal migration (Portes and Rumbaut 138). The origin of illegal immigration id the united states place half of those that are undocumented as originating from Mexico wit 15% form central America. Some of the motivation includes political turmoil in their countries as well as civil war which reflected the long term economical and political involvement by the United States (Johnson 2). The past two decades have witnessed very little meaningful legislation on the issue of immigration despite President Bushs attempt in his second term for comprehensive reform and also president Obamas promises in his campaign to address the issue. Pointing at the economic recession is convenient as is the health care proposal by Obama as a roadblock to reforms in immigration, but these reasons barely scratch the surface. Politicians have always shied away from asking questions that are relevant when it comes to immigration. The policy makers must shift their focus from boarder security to the more relevant underlying economic implications if proper reforms are to be made on the issue. They must As well evaluate the impact that undocumented workers have on the job market. Issues concerning illegal immigration continue languishing in political limbo because politicians do not adopt concrete strategies when it comes to addressing the issue (Johnson 7). Throughout history, politicians have addressed illegal immigration by emphasizing on border security. They have consistently stated that the reason why there are so many illegal immigrants is because the countrys borders are porous. This approach has continuously obscured the main issue that underlies this problem. The political balance on the issue has been between border security and employer sanctions. The government has been largely unsuccessful in the employer sanctions and as such the politicians find it easier to talk about enforcing border crackdowns. This approach, security focused, is not adequate to address the flow of illegal aliens across the Mexican border. These are complex movements that are based on seasonal changes and economic conditions. The border fence is thought of having the paradoxical effect of making those already in the country illegally more determined not to go back as it will be had to get back in. Policy makers in order to make reforms on immigration s tick have therefore to focus more on economic incentives that primarily bring into the country illegal aliens (Bean, Edmonston, and Passel 14). The main concern for congress and states that have a large population of illegal immigrants raise concerns about their impact financially on the programs by the government, their participation in criminal activities and generally the effect that they have in economies of the local community they reside in. the main political claim is that the illegal immigration result in an influx of undocumented workers into the market who take away most of the jobs that belong to the Americans. The jobs done by this immigrant stands roughly at 8 million. However research tends to disregard this fact as the illegal immigrants occupy job markets that are fundamentally different. The illegal immigrants perform the cheap labor such as picking tomatoes and cherries in the Californian desert (Edmonston 51). Another political concern with regard to illegal immigration is that the illegal aliens would and do in fact retain most of their original language as well as develop political issues that are foreign to those found in the United States. As such many people who are passionate about this issue have called for the punishment of illegal immigration by deportation via proceedings of removal. Others believe that the illegal aliens will overtime overpopulate the country as well as damage, culture economy and environment. Still, some believe that the illegal immigrants are criminal as their illegal presence justifies. The political outcry that tool place as a result of the influx in illegal immigration that claimed a loss of control over the border also saw Congress approve measures that would be the fist reform that is comprehensive on matters of immigration laws for more than two decades (Hanson 10). Illegal aliens in the united states once found in violation of the countrys immigration laws may be through a formal process removed from the country or may be given a chance to depart through their own voluntary action. The formal process included penalties such as imprisonment, fines of the prohibition from entering the country in future. The number of people who were legally removed in 2004 was approximately 203,000 people and about another million departed voluntarily. 42000 of the 203,000 of the formal removal were removals that were expedited. This process was designed to speed up the aliens removal that were or wanted to enter the country illegally. Despite these measures, imprisonment, deportations and sealing of borders, the rate of illegal aliens continues to rise (Bischoff 182). It is important to note that the political influence of illegal immigrants in the United States is far reaching than anticipated. Illegal aliens affect the way seats are distributed in the House of Representatives. This is because the appointment is based on the total population of each state; this includes non-citizens as well as illegal alien, relative to other states in the country. This impact is derived from estimates in the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which indicated that almost 7 million illegal immigrants were counted in the census, 2000. The same report showed that the states with low-immigration rates and which might seek to be unaffected by issues of immigration have in fact had a significant erosion of influence politically in Washington (Poston Jr., Camarota and Baumle 1). Among the findings in this report include: the presence of illegal immigrants in other states caused the states of Michigan, Indiana and Mississippi to lose a seat respectively in the House in 2000 while the state of Montana failed to gain a seta it would have had otherwise; Illegal immigration redistributes seats in the House as well as the presidential election as a result of the electoral college which is based of the congressional delegation size; non-citizen present in the census redistributed in total nine seats. Non-citizens include legal immigrants, illegal aliens, temporary visitors, mainly guest workers and foreign students. In addition the four states that each lost a seat due to illegal immigrants, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Utah each had one less seat than they could have had; non of the states that lost a seat because of immigrant has a population on the decline, all recorded population growths of more than a million in the 1990s; the reappointment that is immigrant-induced is not similar to reappointment that is caused when natives in a state relocate to another; Immigration takes away from the state the representation that is composed entirely of citizens and results in a creation of state districts that have large numbers of non-citizens; the states with illegal immigrants gained the most seats with California where e immigrant population is 43%gaining 10 of these seats; the political stakes to be found in low-immigration states are enormous. The illegal immigration has the ability to redistribute these sears because of the large number of illegal aliens as well as their high concentration density, two out of every three live in just three states (Poston Jr., Camarota and Baumle 1). In order to counteract the immigration problems, the United States has often responded in a number. For example, California passed an initiative in1994 that was labeled Proposition 187. This came to pass as a draconian proposal which aimers at cutting off education as well as other social services accept for emergency health care for illegal immigrants. The proposition required in addition to what is mentioned above that doctors and teachers were required to turn in such illegal aliens to the appropriate authorities. The passage of this proposal marked the return of a perennial divisive political issue in the country: who to keep in and who to keep out of a country that Native Americans are finding difficult to define as theirs (Bischoff 184). Most of the immigrants who are in the country and have stayed here for a lifetime hope that they will eventually be legalized. The county offers a unique place for this aliens as it has policy that generate legions that oversee illegal aliens almost daily but also in the process also provides them with a home where the can be legalized. The process of legalizing although controversial is an initial step that can help reduce the illegal aliens numbers. However there is no single solution to the above problem in the countrys legislative history, social and political climate and practical experience that can deal with the matter. The country has some form of organized, planned and even institutionalized action that are in place to deal with the illegal immigrants. There is also the practical and the ideologically fundamental necessity to deal with the issue. Primarily, it is to save the image of American democracy which is currently perceived as positive. Secondly, is the need to avoid lawlessness and chaos and to keep the harmonious relationship between those who have lived in the country for generations and those who have managed to acquire homes in the dreamland as a result of their illegal action. Legalization offers a significant step in the provision of hope and the pursuit of happiness for immigrants in the country illegally even though it presents practical and fundamental issues (Hanson 11). The political unpopularity of the United States policy on immigration lays on the obtrusiveness that exist in current efforts that are aimed at enforcing the united states interior accounts that would ensure the expulsion of illegal immigrants or their legalization. The political opening to the issue of illegal immigration in the country lies with the consensus that is building that emphasizes that the immigration policies are broken. This is further highlighted by the fact that despite it being a major issue, the candidates for the 2004 presidential campaign only vaguely addressed how best the reforms would be implemented even though they invoked the issues as important and deserving attention. This implies the political interest in the topic of illegal immigration in the United States (Hanson and Institute for International Economics 10). Conclusion The contentiousness that surrounds immigration often deters politicians from tackling issues on illegal aliens. If changes are implemented on Policies governing the issue, these will mainly specific groups of employers, workers and taxpayers with the aggregate effects on the economy appearing to be minimal. By revising entry and admission restrictions, the government might be in a better position to regulate illegal immigration into the country. In the discussion we see that political issues in this topic arise in different areas, from country of origin, mode of immigration and to the illegal residence in the country which presents political consequences in itself. Reforms in the immigration policy are the only way of addressing this issue adequately.

Privilege and Democracy :: Racism Race Prejudice Essays

Privilege and Democracy The word and concept, racism, is something that the majority of people in American society fear to talk about or to discuss. Race is a touchy subject and a problem that people try to avoid. If you ask anyone if they consider themselves a racist most likely the answer would be ‘no’. I, as a white Serbian, thought the same thing. However, after reading Beverly Tatum’s â€Å"Defining Racism† in Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Peggy McIntosh’s article, â€Å"White Privilege and Male Privilege,† I started to re-examine my perception and definition of racism. I wonder how race influences my world as a white, female, heterosexual, and what role it plays in American society. In the first chapter of the book Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in Cafeteria Tatum defines racism as â€Å"racial prejudice† (9). The term racial prejudice is a term that I have heard since I was born. It is the term that the majority of people use in order to describe racism. It is a term that has been introduced to us and it was something that I never questioned. I understood its meaning, but I had never experienced it, until I came to the United States, Middlebury College. At the beginning, I could sense that this country had a history of oppressive racism, but at the same time after living here for two years, I have come to the conclusion that racism is still present. It is hard to understand why, because for me it is so refreshing and rewarding to integrate and live with people of different races. I do not have that opportunity in Serbia, since there, we lack diversity. Tatum asks us to think of racism not only in terms of personal prejudice, but as something larger, that operates as a system of privileges: â€Å"advantages and privileges in a particular society† (9). This idea provides me with a different perspective. Many people of a different race and color are citizens of the United States, but do not have the power or equal opportunity for education or jobs compared to white citizens of this country. Simply being white in the United States opens many doors. By introducing this new way of looking at racism, Tatum sparks many thoughts and I realize that being white is still a great privilege in this sheltered society.

Liberty vs Security Essay

When the founding fathers created the government of the United States, they wanted the government not to be so constricting with its rule. In other words, freedom, but freedom in its purest can be dangerous so they had to put some security to their newly made country. They did this by giving the executive branch the power to enforce laws and keep the peace. In the beginning, it was all good but things have changed throughout the years where security had to be increased. Now-a-days, some people think security has been increase to such a point that there isn’t fair anymore but that just isn’t the case. There is now terrorism in the world people live in and the Executive branch is taking the necessary precautions to stay safe. With the Obama Administration’s war on terror, the executive branch is taking the necessary precautions to keep the nation safe with drone attacks, warrantless wiretapping, and advanced interrogation techniques. [Drone essay Ms. Devine has don e] Wireless wiretapping also keeps the peace of the United States. As Steven G. Bradbury states in the pro CQR Essay about wiretapping, â€Å"taking precautions, such as wiretapping, helps keep America from suffering another 9/11† (Clemmitt). He also brings up another point about the enemies being more sophisticated now because of the â€Å"advancements in communication causing and allowing the enemies operate in obscurity† (Clemmitt). This is dangerous for the American public so this wiretapping is necessary but that is not the point the con CQR essay brings up. Koh, the author of the con essay, mentions that â€Å"FASA was made to stop spying on the American public and permit a warrant if surveillance on an American citizen is to be done, it should not be done warrantless† (Clemmitt). Koh doesn’t take into account that the enemy could be an American citizen which would be dangerous to leave unchecked. Koh’s point has been the source of many lawsuits in America but has not gone through thanks to some judges. An issue in San Francisco federal court happened where â€Å"a group of AT&T costumers filed a lawsuit against the N.S.A. but the U.S. government stopped them† (Levine). This is necessary so America can keep their security intact. After 9/11 happened, America was scarred for life. It had cause America do begin a war on terror which were the like no one has seen. â€Å"One of the things the military did was hold detainees at Guantanamo Bay to interrogate them. The detainees would be brought to interrogation rooms in shackles and would get extensively questioned† (Kirk). In the pro essay about the CIA amounting to torture Kaye states that â€Å"these enhanced interrogation techniques are inhumane and wrong† (Jost). As bad as they may seem, according to CIA veteran John Brennan, during a 2007 CBS television interview, â€Å"the enhanced interrogation techniques were able to produce useful information, worked against real hardcore terrorists, and saved lives† (Zakaria and Hosenball). If these techniques got that type of information, then it is keeping the nation safe. And thusly, America has been kept a safer place. There are still some problems but terrorism has been controlled to not happen often. With the executive branch’s moves to use drones, wiretap, and enhanced interrogation techniques, America is in a necessary state of security. Even though some freedoms don’t seem to be, it is only to keep the peace in the United States and to have a safer nation.