Biology 1202 Notes

Thursday January 17 Mastering biology course id=MBPOLLACK01639 Life first appeared on earth about 4 billion years ago Origin of life is a hypothesis not a theory Very little oxygen in early earths atmosphere Spontaneous generation of life- random formation of life Millions of species on earth, up to 100 million the expirement of miller and urey showed what? test question a few centuries ago: eople thought that new living things appeared all of the time(spontaneous generation of life) ex: mold growing on food in the mid 1800s Louis Pasteur refuted the theory of spontaneous generation of life he basically left something out but sealed it off and nothing grew on it, then he left it out without being sealed and stuff grew the cell theory- all existing cells come from pre-existing cells about 50 trillion cells make up the human body but all came from the single diploid cell formed from conception conditions on early earth: tmosphere- similar to Jupiter today, no free oxygen, frequent storms with lots of lightning, volcano eruptions, meteor impacts, UV light from the sun, no ozone layer earth before life arose: about 4. 6 billion years old, known because of radiometric dating of meteorites and moon rocks life arose about 3. 8 billion years ago, known because of chemical traces in the rocks, fossilized bacteria was found in rocks 3. 5 billion years ago no spontaneous generation now but must have happened then how to assemble a living thing: accumulation of organic molecules atalyze reactions reproduce from stored genetic info separate the living thing from the outside environment 3 domains of life- bacteria, archaea, eukarya proteins are needed to synthesize more DNA DNA is used to synthesize RNA which is used to make protein†¦DNA-RNA-Protein Ribozymes: RNA molecule that can catalyze reactions, especially those involved in synthesis and processing of RNA itself Conclusion- earliest cells used RNA to store info Ribozymes used to catalyze reactions Thursday January 24th Our species has been here for about 200,000 years PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTIONTheory- general explanation of natural phenomen a, developed through extensive and reproducible observations Hypothesis- tentative explanation of observations, educated guess The origin of species was a book published in 1859 by Charles Darwin Main points of book: Evolution occurs in populations, not individuals Natural selection is the mechanism Observation 1-living things tend to reproduce as quickly as possible. Observation 2-constant population size over time (carrying capacity) Inference- competition for survival; differential reproductive success â€Å"I don’t like dogs.They all smell like dogs and poop on my lawn† variability in structures and behaviors all of this leads to natural selection, organisms best suited to an environment leave the most offspring evolution- the genetic makeup of a population changes over time, driven by natural selection evolution- a change in the allele frequency of a population over time study pakicetus slide 1/29/13 homologous structures suggest common ancestry some homologous st ructures look different today because of divergent evolution 300 million years ago is when we started to see the type of mammalian limbs similar to the structure today analogous tructures=convergent evolution analogous structure do NOT suggest common ancestry similar environmental forces select for similar structures in unrelated organisms vestigial structures- rudimentary form of and organ more fully formed in ancestor â€Å"evolutionary baggage† vestigial structures are a type of homologous structureWHAT IS DARWINS POINT ON EAR? ON TESTDevelopmental biology- the biology of studying organisms from the unicellular stage onward WATCH DARWIN VIDEO All living things have DNA and transcribe it into RNA using amino acids Artificial selection- insecticides, antibiotics etc. Know 3 types of natural selection 1. irectional selection 2. stabilizing selection 3. disruptive selection 1/31/13 evolution of populations GregorMendel- monk who did pea expirements and shed light on the rules of inheritance He worked at the same time as Darwin but his work was overlooked until the 20th century The modern synthesis(early 1940s) – a conceptual synthesis of Darwinian evolution, mendelian inheritance, and modern population genetics Evolution- a change in phenotypic constitution of a population owing to a situation on heritable variation among pheneotypes that changes the genotypic constitution of the population Phenotype- all expressed traits of an organismGenotype- the entire genetic makeup of an individual Evolution-a change in allele frequency in a population(change in the gene pool) Population genetics-examines the frequency, distribution, and inheritance of alleles within a population Hardy-weinberg equilibrium- the pop genetics theorem that states that the frequencies of alleles and enotypes in a population will remain constant unless acted upon by non-mendelian processes Allele frequencies- under strict mendelian inheritance, allele frequencies would remain con stant from on generation to the next(hardy-weinberg equilibrium) If there is no change in allele frequency there is no evolution Biological species concept- a population whose members can potentially interbreed in NATURE to produce viable reproductive offspring Reproductive barriers- isolate populations from one anotherSpeciation- the process by which new species form EXAM 1 Two requirement for speciation- reproductive isolation of populations(gene flow significantly reduced) and genetic divergence(divergent evolution) Tuesday feb 5 Convergent evolution- no common ancestor with that trait, similar environmental things caused the same evolution Divergent evolution- comes from common ancestors but over time the trait changes Proto means before External barriersSkin-physical barrier to microbial entry, inhospitable environment for growth; dry, dead cells at surface ; sweat/sebaceous glands secreting acids and natural antibiotics like lactic acid Mucuous mebranes of respiratory and dige stive tracts well-defined; secretions have antibacterial enzymes Cilia-line the inside of trachea; epithelial cells-smokers cough is from lack of cilia Stomach; if microbes are swallowed, acids(low pH) and protein-digesting enzymes destroy them Lines of defense:Nonspecififc internal defense: Phagocytosis cells: white blood cells in extracellular fluid, amoeboid shape,destroy microbes by phagocytosis-search out bacteria, viral particles, cellular debris-produced in bone marrow. Target stuff that is not in your cells **questions about lymphatic system on exam natural killer cells- white blood cells that destroy body cells infected by viruses and cancerous cells by punching hole in them inflammatory response- caused by large scale microbial invasion through a wound istamine released in response to damage which leads to an increased blood flow at and around the wound in order to wash out the wound. Which leads to inflammation other chemicals-> macrophages blood clotting fever= response to microbes establishing major infection. Low grade fever 100-102 can be beneficial slows down microbial reproduction enhances immune system immune response- reaction to specific type of microbe and provides future protection.Involves 2 types of WBC called lymphocytes-B cells and T cells B cells mature in bone marrow T cells are born in marrow but mature in thymus /26/13 humeral cells is same as B cells its called specific immune response because only the cell with the appropriate antibody responds 23,00 coding genes in our genome 3 types of amino acids- hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and ones that can make hydrosulfide bridges most proteins form well with other proteins an antibody is made of four different types of proteins so it takes 4 specific proteins for it to react? Immune system distinguishes self from non self by destroying cells that respond to the body’s own molecules Body randomly makes 100,000,000 different antibodies antigen can bind to 1 specific antibody epitope- the three different site where antibodies can bind on a single antigen allergies: type of immune response allergen-recognized as a foreign antigen and binds to B cell – coordinated by the humoral immunity response B cell makes plasma cells, releasing allergy antibodies into the bloodstreamAntibodies bind to histamine-containing cells in connective tissue Cells release histamine causing inflammatory response such as mucus 1. irst exposure to pollen stimulates B cells to produce allergy plasma cell 2. plasma cells produce allergy antibodies 3. allergy antibodies bind to mast cells 4. re-exposure to pollen results in pollen binding to allergy antibodies on mast cells 5. binding f pollen stimulates mast cells to release histamine, triggering the inflammatory response allergy medication antihistamines others inhibit production of histamine producing cells people without allergies lack genes for allergy-causing antibodies, or produce less of the antibody ormation of a pimple acne d evelops as a result of blockages In follicles formation of a plug or keratin and sebum(made of fat and the debris of dead fat-producing cells) the natural occurring bacteria propionibacterium acnes can cause inflammation the white blood cells build up(forming a whitehead) and then destroy (by phagocytosis) the bacteria to prevent infection chicken pox and shingles caused by same virus symptoms are very different after you have had the chicken pox, you become immune to the virus.It is impossible that you may have a slight reaction after re-exposure, such as a few spots and a slight fever. However, you will not get a full blown case of chicken pox more than once shingles: causing agent for herpes zoster is varicella zoster virus, a double stranded DNA virus most people are infected with this virus as children, and suffer from an episode of chickenpox the immune system eventually eliminates the virus from most locations, but it remains dormant in the ganglia adjacent to the spinal cord or the ganglion semilunare in the base of the skull

Shadow Kiss Chapter 13

Thirteen WHEN WE GOT BACK to our rooms, I made up an excuse to Lissa about how I needed to go take care of some guardian stuff. She was eager to patch up the earlier conflict with Christian – probably in the form of clothing removal – and didn't ask any questions. There was a phone in my room, and after calling an operator, I was able to find out which room was Dimitri's. He was surprised to see me at his door – and a little wary. The last time this had happened, I'd been under the influence of Victor's lust charm and had behaved †¦ aggressively. â€Å"I have to talk to you,† I said. He let me come in, and I immediately handed over the note. â€Å"V. D – â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, I know,† said Dimitri. He handed the note back. â€Å"Victor Dashkov.† â€Å"What are we going to do? I mean, we talked about this, but now he really is saying he's going to sell us out.† Dimitri didn't answer, and I could tell he was assessing every angle of this, just like he would a fight. Finally, he pulled out his cell phone, which was a lot cooler than having to rely on the room's phone. â€Å"Give me a moment.† I started to sit on his bed, decided that was dangerous, and instead sat on the couch. I didn't know who he was calling, but the conversation took place in Russian. â€Å"What's going on?† I asked when he finished. â€Å"I'll let you know soon. For now, we have to wait.† â€Å"Great. My favorite thing to do.† He dragged an armchair up and sat opposite me. It seemed too small for someone as tall as him, but, as always, he managed to make it work and appear graceful in the process. Beside me was one of the Western novels he always carried around. I picked it up, again thinking about how alone he was. Even now, at the Court, he'd chosen to stay in his room. â€Å"Why do you read these?† â€Å"Some people read books for fun,† he observed. â€Å"Hey, watch the dig. And I do read books. I read them to solve mysteries that threaten my best friend's life and sanity. I don't think reading this cowboy stuff is really saving the world like I do.† He took it from me and flipped it over, face thoughtful and not as intense as usual. â€Å"Like any book, it's an escape. And there's something †¦ mmm. I don't know. Something appealing about the Old West. No rules. Everyone just lives by their own code. You don't have to be tied down by others' ideas of right and wrong in order to bring justice.† â€Å"Wait,† I laughed. â€Å"I thought I was the one who wanted to break rules.† â€Å"I didn't say I wanted to. Just that I can see the appeal.† â€Å"You can't fool me, comrade. You want to put on a cowboy hat and keep lawless bank robbers in line.† â€Å"No time. I have enough trouble keeping you in line.† I grinned, and suddenly, it was a lot like when we cleaned the church – before the fight, at least. Easy. Comfortable. In fact, it was a lot like the old days when we'd first begun training together, way back before everything had gotten so complicated. Well, okay†¦things had always been complicated, but for a while, they'd been less complicated. It made me sad. I wished we could relive those early days. There'd been no Victor Dashkov, no blood on my hands. â€Å"I'm sorry,† Dimitri said all of a sudden. â€Å"For what? Reading cheesy novels?† â€Å"For not being able to get you here. I feel like I let you down.† I glimpsed a shadow of worry on his face, like he was concerned he might have caused some irreparable damage. The apology totally caught me off guard. For a moment, I wondered if he was jealous of Adrian's influence in the same way Christian had been. Then I realized it was completely different. I'd been giving Dimitri a hard time because I'd been convinced he could do anything. Somewhere – deep inside – he felt the same, at least where I was concerned. He didn't want to deny me anything. My earlier bad mood had long since vanished, and I suddenly just felt drained. And stupid. â€Å"You didn't,† I told him. â€Å"I acted like a total brat. You've never let me down before. You didn't let me down with this.† The grateful look he gave me made me feel as if I had wings. If another moment had passed, I suspected he would have said something so sweet that I would have flown away. Instead, his phone rang. Another conversation in Russian took place, and then he stood up. â€Å"All right, let's go.† â€Å"Where?† â€Å"To see Victor Dashkov.† It turned out that Dimitri had a friend who had a friend, and somehow, despite the best security in the Moroi world, we managed to get into the Court's prison facilities. â€Å"Why are we doing this?† I whispered as we walked down the hall toward Victor's cell. I'd really, really hoped for stone walls and torches, but the place looked very modern and efficient, with marble floors and stark white walls. At least there were no windows. â€Å"You think we can talk him out of it?† Dimitri shook his head. â€Å"If Victor wanted to take revenge on us, he'd just do it without any warning. He doesn't do things without a reason. The fact that he told you first means he wants something, and now we're going to find out what it is.† We reached Victor's cell. He was the only prisoner currently being held. Like the rest of the facility, his room reminded me of something you'd find at a hospital. Everything was clean, bright, and sterile – and very bare. It was a place without any sort of stimulus or distraction whatsoever, which would have driven me crazy in one hour. The cell had silvery bars that looked very hard to break, which was the most important part. Victor sat in a chair, idly examining his nails. It had been three months since our last meeting, and seeing him again made my skin crawl. Feelings I hadn't known were buried in me suddenly burst to the surface. One of the hardest things of all was seeing him look so healthy and young. He'd bought that health by torturing Lissa, and I hated him for it. If his disease had run its normal course, he might be dead by now. He had receding black hair, with only the slightest touch of silver. He was in his forties and had a regal, almost handsome cut to his face. He glanced up at our approach. Eyes the same pale jade as Lissa's met mine. The Dragomir and Dashkov families had a lot of intertwined history, and it was creepy seeing that eye color in someone else. A smile lit his face. â€Å"Oh my. This is a treat. Lovely Rosemarie, practically an adult now.† His eyes flicked toward Dimitri. â€Å"Of course, some have been treating you that way for quite a while.† I pressed my face to the bars. â€Å"Stop screwing with us, you son of a bitch. What do you want?† Dimitri put a gentle hand on my shoulder and pulled me back. â€Å"Easy, Rose.† I took a deep breath and then slowly stepped backward. Victor straightened up in his chair and laughed. â€Å"After all this time, your cub still hasn't learned any control. But then, maybe you never really wanted her to.† â€Å"We aren't here to banter,† said Dimitri calmly. â€Å"You wanted to lure Rose over, and now we need to know why.† â€Å"Does there have to be some sinister reason? I just wanted to know how she was doing, and something tells me we aren't going to have a chance for any friendly chats tomorrow.† That annoying smirk stayed on his face, and I decided then that he was lucky to be behind bars and out of my reach. â€Å"We're not going to have a friendly chat now,† I growled. â€Å"You think I'm joking, but I'm not. I really do want to know how you're doing. You've always been a fascinating subject to me, Rosemarie. The only shadow-kissed person we know of. I told you before, that isn't the kind of thing you walk away from unscathed. There's no way you can quietly sink into the regimented routine of academic life. People like you aren't meant to blend in.† â€Å"I'm not some kind of science experiment.† He acted like I hadn't said anything. â€Å"What's it been like? What have you noticed?† â€Å"There's no time for this. If you don't get to the point,† warned Dimitri, â€Å"we're going to leave.† I didn't understand how Dimitri could sound so calm. I leaned forward and gave Victor my coldest smile. â€Å"There's no way they'll let you off tomorrow. I hope you enjoy prison. I bet it'll be great once you get sick again – and you will, you know.† Victor regarded me levelly, still with that amused look that made me want to choke him. â€Å"All things die, Rose. Well, except for you, I suppose. Or maybe you are dead. I don't know. Those who visit the world of the dead can probably never fully shake their connection to it.† There was a snarky retort on my lips, but something held me back. Those who visit the world of the dead. What if my Mason sightings weren't because I was crazy or because he was seeking revenge? What if there was something about me – something that had happened when I'd died and come back – that was now connecting me to Mason? It was Victor who had first explained what it meant to be shadow-kissed. I wondered now if he had any of the answers I'd been looking for. My face must have given away something, because Victor gave me a speculative look. â€Å"Yes? There's something you'd like to say?† I hated to ask him for anything. It made my stomach turn. Swallowing my pride, I asked, â€Å"What is the world of the dead? Is it heaven or hell?† â€Å"Neither,† he said. â€Å"What lives there?† I exclaimed. â€Å"Ghosts? Will I go back? Do things come out of it?† Victor was taking great pleasure in me having to come to him for information, just as I'd feared he would. I saw that smirk intensify. â€Å"Well, clearly some things come out of it, because here you stand before us.† â€Å"He's baiting you,† said Dimitri. â€Å"Let it go.† Victor gave Dimitri a brief glare. â€Å"I'm helping her.† He turned back to me. â€Å"Honestly? I don't know that much about it. You're the one who has been there, Rose. Not me. Not yet. Someday, you'll probably be the one educating me. I'm sure the more you deal death out, the closer you'll become to it.† â€Å"Enough,† said Dimitri, voice harsh. â€Å"We're going.† â€Å"Wait, wait,† said Victor, voice congenial. â€Å"You haven't told me about Vasilisa yet.† I moved forward again. â€Å"Stay away from her. She doesn't have anything to do with this.† Victor gave me a dry look. â€Å"Seeing as I'm locked away here, I have no choice but to stay away from her, my dear. And you're wrong – Vasilisa has everything to do with everything.† â€Å"That's it,† I said, suddenly getting it. â€Å"That's why you sent the note. You wanted me here because you wanted to know about her, and you knew there was no way she'd come talk to you herself. You had nothing to blackmail her with.† â€Å"Blackmail's an ugly word.† â€Å"There's no way you're going to see her – at least outside of the courtroom. She's never going to heal you. I told you: You're going to get sick again, and you're going to die. You're going to be the one sending me postcards from the other side.† â€Å"You think that's what this is about? You think my needs are that petty?† The mockery was gone, replaced by a feverish and almost fanatical look in his green eyes. The tight set of his mouth stretched the skin of his face a little, and I noticed he'd lost weight since our last encounter. Maybe prison had been harder on him than I'd thought. â€Å"You've forgotten everything, why I did what I did. You've been so caught up in your own shortsightedness that you missed the big picture I was looking at.† I racked my brain, thinking back to that time last fall. He was right. My focus had been on the wrongs he'd committed against Lissa and me personally. I'd forgotten other conversations, his insane explanations of his grand scheme. â€Å"You wanted to stage a revolution – still want to. That's crazy. It's not going to happen,† I said. â€Å"It's already happening. Do you think I don't know what's going on out in the world? I still have contacts. People can be bought off – how do you think I was able to send you that message? I know about the unrest – I know about Natasha Ozera's movement to get Moroi to fight with guardians. You stand by her and vilify me, Rosemarie, but I pushed for the very same thing last fall. Yet, somehow, you don't seem to regard her in the same way.† â€Å"Tasha Ozera is working on her cause a bit differently than you did,† noted Dimitri. â€Å"And that's why she's getting nowhere,† Victor retorted. â€Å"Tatiana and her council are being held back by centuries of archaic traditions. So long as that sort of power rules us, nothing will change. We will never learn to fight. Non-royal Moroi will never have a voice. Dhampirs like you will continually be sent out to battle.† â€Å"It's what we dedicate our lives to,† said Dimitri. I could sense the tension building in him. He might show better self-control than me, but I knew he was getting just as frustrated here. â€Å"And it's what you lose your lives for. You're all but enslaved and don't even realize it. And for what? Why do you protect us?† â€Å"Because †¦ we need you,† I faltered. â€Å"For our race to survive.† â€Å"You don't need to throw yourselves into battle for that. Making children isn't really that difficult.† I ignored his quip. â€Å"And because the Moroi†¦ the Moroi and their magic are important. They can do amazing things.† Victor threw his hands up in exasperation. â€Å"We used to do amazing things. Humans used to revere us as gods, but over time, we grew lazy. The advent of technology made our magic more and more obsolete. Now, all we do is parlor tricks.† â€Å"If you have so many ideas,† said Dimitri, with a dangerous glint in his dark eyes, â€Å"then do something useful in prison and write a manifesto.† â€Å"And what's this have to do with Lissa anyway?† I asked. â€Å"Because Vasilisa is a vehicle for change.† I stared incredulously. â€Å"You think she's going to lead your revolution?† â€Å"Well, I'd prefer that I lead it – someday. But, regardless, I think that she's going to be part of it. I've heard about her too. She's a rising star – still young, certainly, but people are taking notice. All royals aren't created equal, you know. The Dragomir symbol is a dragon, the king of the beasts. Likewise, the Dragomir blood has always been powerful – that's why the Strigoi have targeted them so consistently. A Dragomir returning to power is no small thing – particularly one such as her. My impression from the reports is that she must have mastered her magic. If that's so – with her gifts – there's no telling what she could do. People are drawn to her with almost no effort on her part. And when she actually tries to influence them†¦well, they'll do anything she wants.† His eyes were wide as he spoke, wonder and happiness on his face as he imagined Lissa living out his dreams. â€Å"Unbelievable,† I said. â€Å"First you wanted to hide her away to keep you alive. Now you actually want her out in the world to use her compulsion for your own psycho plans.† â€Å"I told you, she's a force for change. And like you being shadow-kissed, she's the only one of her kind that we know about. That makes her dangerous – and very valuable.† Well, that was something. Victor wasn't all-knowing after all. He didn't know about Adrian's spirit use. â€Å"Lissa will never do it,† I said. â€Å"She's not going to abuse her powers.† â€Å"And Victor's not going to say anything about us,† said Dimitri, tugging my arm. â€Å"He's achieved his goal. He brought you here because he wanted to know about Lissa.† â€Å"He didn't find out much,† I said. â€Å"You'd be surprised,† said Victor. He grinned at Dimitri. â€Å"And what makes you so certain I won't enlighten the world about your romantic indiscretions?† â€Å"Because it won't save you from prison. And if you ruin Rose, you'll destroy whatever weak chance you had of Lissa helping you with your warped fantasy.† Victor flinched just a little; Dimitri was right. Dimitri stepped forward, pressing close to the bars as I had earlier. I'd thought I had a scary voice, but when he spoke his next words, I realized I wasn't even close. â€Å"And it'll all be pointless anyway, because you won't stay alive long enough in prison to stage your grand plans. You aren't the only one with connections.† My breath caught a little. Dimitri brought so many things to my life: love, comfort, and instruction. I got so used to him sometimes that I forgot just how dangerous he could be. As he stood there, tall and threatening while he glared down at Victor, I felt a chill run down my spine. I remembered how when I had first come to the Academy, people had said Dimitri was a god. In this moment, he looked it. If Victor was frightened by Dimitri's threat, he didn't show it. His jade green eyes glanced between the two of us. â€Å"You two are a match made in heaven. Or somewhere.† â€Å"See you in court,† I said. Dimitri and I left. On our way out, he said a few words in Russian to the guardian on duty. From their manners, my guess was Dimitri was offering thanks. We ventured outdoors, walking across a wide, beautiful parklike space to get back to our rooms. The sleet had stopped, and it had left everything – buildings and trees alike – coated in ice. It was like the world was made of glass. Glancing at Dimitri, I saw him staring straight ahead. It was hard to tell while walking, but I could have sworn he was shaking. â€Å"Are you okay?† I asked. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"You sure?† â€Å"As okay as I can be.† â€Å"Do you think he'll tell everyone about us?† â€Å"No.† We walked in silence for a bit. I finally asked the question I'd been dying to know. â€Å"Did you mean it†¦ that if Victor did tell†¦that you'd†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I couldn't finish. I couldn't bring myself to say the words have him killed. â€Å"I don't have much influence in the upper levels of Moroi royalty, but I have plenty among the guardians who handle the dirty work in our world.† â€Å"You didn't answer the question. If you'd really do it.† â€Å"I'd do a lot of things to protect you, Roza.† My heart pounded. He only used â€Å"Roza† when he was feeling particularly affectionate toward me. â€Å"It wouldn't exactly be protecting me. It'd be after the fact – cold-blooded. You don't do that kind of thing,† I told him. â€Å"Revenge is more my thing. I'll have to kill him.† I meant it as a joke, but he didn't think it was funny. â€Å"Don't talk like that. And anyway, it doesn't matter. Victor's not going to say anything.† He left me to go to his own room when we got inside. As I was opening the door to mine, Lissa rounded the hall corner. â€Å"There you are. What happened? You missed dinner.† I'd completely forgotten. â€Å"Sorry †¦ got carried away with some guardian stuff. It's a long story.† She'd changed for dinner. Her hair was still pulled up, and she now wore a form-fitting dress made out of silver raw silk. She looked beautiful. She looked royal. I thought about Victor's words and wondered if she really could be the power for change he swore she was. Looking like she did now, so glamorous and self-composed, I could imagine people following her anywhere. I certainly would, but then, I was biased. â€Å"Why are you looking at me like that?† she asked with a small smile. I couldn't tell her that I'd just seen the man who frightened her the most. I couldn't tell her that while she'd been out living it up, I'd been off watching her back in the shadows, like I would always do. Instead, I returned her smile. â€Å"I like the dress.†

Midterm film analysis paper Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Midterm film analysis paper - Movie Review Example The primary strategy of Dom Cobb comprised of his ability to project himself into the subconscious minds of other people to steal ideas and information, which even the most virtuoso of hackers could not pillage with all the technology and skills lying at their disposal. So, Cobb is projected in the movie as the ultimate tool specializing in corporate espionage. However, as is common with most of the capable men, Cobb has many accounted issues imbuing his past, to redeem which he is made to embark on a mission that is to become his way to redemption. However, this mission tends to be different in the sense that this Time Cobb is required to plant an idea into rather than gleaning some information from the mind of his target. Cobb and his ensemble team of espionage specialists would have certainly entered into a new dimension of psychic espionage had they succeeded. However, this time their mission is made complex and complicated by a capable adversary who not only knows what they are up to, but also possesses the power to stop them. To put it simply, in Inception, Christopher Nolan has managed to come out with a fantasy scenario, unraveling in the realm of the mind that is not only awesomely fantastic, original and innovative, but also requires multiple viewing to grasp its full potential and scope. It is a movie that exploits the existing technical expertise in the realm of cinematography to come out as being something interestingly stunning and audaciously bold. There is no denying the fact that Nolan’s primary theme in Inception is the dream world. The mastery of Nolan lies in his ability to use the cinematic devices to bring to the life the hitherto unexplored dynamics of the dream world. Not only Nolan manages to create a complicated maze meandering into the dreams of the characters in the movie, but also succeeds in soliciting the trust and confidence of his viewers in his

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Creating collaborative e-learning environments - Essay Example This distance is covered or bridged with the help of technology such as the internet. E- Learning may or may not be real time. A more formal definition of e-learning is as follows: It is the â€Å"the delivery of a learning, training or education program by electronic means. E-learning involves the use of a computer or electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone) in some way to provide training, educational or learning material† (Maneschijn, 2005). There are basically two types of e-learning. One is through an instructor and is called synchronous. The other is through oneself without the instructor called asynchronous. Another definition of e-learning covering it in a broader perspective is as follows: Two forms of web-based training is found with synchronous (instructor-facilitated) and asynchronous (self-directed, self-paced). In both cases the instructions are given through static means like power point lectures, text web pages, video lessons and streaming etc. and through interactive methods like portal chats, discussions, conferencing etc.) â€Å"What makes e-learning effective is, of course, typically in the eye of the beholder. One persons toast and jam may be another persons steak and kidney pie. This is what makes the drafting of a set of guidelines for effective e-learning so difficult†. (Downes, 2005) The main principle of e-learning is flexibility. E-learning is a very flexible method of learning. It can be done at any time and any place that suits the user especially those living at distances and cramped up schedules but want expert opinion or knowledge. INTERACTION: E-learning is a process of creating a learning environment and hence in this environment it enables interaction with peers interested in the same topic or the instructor who is teaching or imparting knowledge on a particular topic. USABILITY: This enables the user or the student to effectively use the entire system or concept of e-learning. E-learning

Human Development-Babies Documentary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human Development-Babies Documentary - Essay Example . then the prospects for the future are bright†. Yet, the obvious impediment to this actually taking place is the fact that the provision of developmental education and knowledge must be specifically focused on issues pertaining to what components of this development make the opportunity important, what examples of development exist with relation to such opportunities, and how each developmental domain (physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional) inter-relate to this over-arching goal. As a result of this level of research that has been ongoing for the past few decades, scientists have definitively determined that the patterns and strengthening of bonding synapses is primarily influenced and aided by the existence of physical activity within the regime of the child. This should not be understood to mean that a level of sports or competitive games must be engaged in order for this physicality aspect to be positively correlated to brain activity (Balmes, 2010). Rather, almost all of the accident research which is been conducted on this topic has determined that physical activity in the form of play, kinetic learning, and many other forms are equally as beneficial; perhaps more due to the fact that they do not oftentimes behave within rigid norms or regulations. In effect, the inclusion of creativity alongside physical activity seems to be as something of a magic formula with regards to stimulating brain development and maximizing the overall levels of connections th at can be made within the adolescent mind. Perhaps most importantly of all, scientists have determined that there is a â€Å"sweet spot† with regards the timeframe in which this can be affected. As sociologists and psychologists have understood for many years, childhood development cannot be understood in something of a monolithic appreciation. Rather, just as with any

Building a Coalition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 56

Building a Coalition - Essay Example With regards to team formation, the HR representatives of Woodson Foundation together with the members of NCPIE and school should be able to closely examine the skills and abilities of each member before they allocate a specific role to them (Robbins and Judge 280). Basically, empowering the team members through proper delegation of role and responsibility will increase the chances wherein the team members would become motivated in working together (281). Because of cultural differences, the leaders should win the trust of each member using necessary resources and effective leadership skills (280-281). Doing so will increase the chance wherein each member would become dedicated to supporting the success of the project. With regards to team performance, leaders should make use of necessary performance evaluation tools and effective reward system (Robbins and Judge 282). In the process of recognizing or rewarding the contribution of each member, they would become highly motivated in improving their future individual work performance. Likewise, it will also help them gain Agree that schools are less focused on families. She believes that parents want to be involved in improving students’ learning. Her positive perception of the role of parents/communities can be used in encouraging parents to become active in this project. She believes that schools and the foundation have larger roles than parents and the communities. Therefore, can lead to bias judgment when designating roles and responsibilities in improving students’ outcome. Team empowerment is important in team efficacy (Robbins and Judge 292). Therefore, Dupree can work together with Hardy, Watson, and Sharpe because these people acknowledge the important role that parents should play when it comes to improving the students’ learning outcomes. Using strong communication skills, Dupree’s team can easily convince and work well with Martinez. Conflict is possible because Adams has a different opinion when it comes to the role of the school. On the other hand, Kaufman cannot get along well with the faculty members.

Interpreting and Applying Legislation Assignment

Interpreting and Applying Legislation - Assignment Example [1 mark] 2. What is the legal duty placed on employees to take care of their own health and safety while they are working? Refer to the relevant section of the Act in your answer. (Summarise in to your own words –No more than 50 words) Section 19(a) of Public act 1992 describes how the act applies to employees. Employees are expected to ensure their own safety by having protective clothing and equipment, while Section 19(b) seeks to protect other people from employees’ action or in action. [1mark] 3. What is the meaning of the word ‘hazard’ under the HSEA? Section 2 of the public act 1992 provide the definition of hazard as an activity, arrangement, circumstance, event, occurrence, phenomenon, process, situation, or substance (whether arising or caused within or outside a place of work) that is an actual or potential cause or source of harm; subparagraph (i) and (ii) validates this definition as; (i)  A situation where a person's behaviour may be an actua l or potential cause or source of harm to the person or another person; and (ii)  Without limitation, a situation described in subparagraph (i) resulting from physical or mental fatigue, drugs, alcohol, traumatic shock, or another temporary condition that affects a person's behaviour. [1 mark] 4. ... The act guides and safeguard people in there place of work against indemnification and help meet international standards. 5. Why is it important to know what the ‘purpose’ of an Act is when trying to understand it? (Hint: Refer to relevant sections of The Interpretation Act 1999 in your answer). Section 5(1) of the interpretation Act 1999 submits that acts are to be interpreted according to their purpose. Purpose is therefore important for clear understanding and interpretation of an act. [1 mark] 6. What is the meaning of ‘significant hazard’ and what is an employer legally required to do when a significant hazard is identified. Refer to the relevant sections of the Act in your answer. (Provide the definition and then summarise the legal obligations in to your own words –No more than 50 words) A significant hazard is a hazard that can result to serious occupational illness. Section 8 prescribes that employers have a role of eliminating significant ha zard to employees. If it cannot be eliminated, section 9 requires the employer to isolate it from the employees. If elimination and isolation are impracticable, then significant hazard must be minimised (section 10). [1 mark] 7. Where do you find the list of injuries and illnesses that constitute ‘serious harm’? Give two examples of serious harm. Schedule  1 HSE Act 1992 Example of Serious harm; Amputation of body part. Loss of consciousness, or acute illness requiring treatment by a medical practitioner, from absorption, inhalation, or ingestion, of any substance. [1 mark] 8. What is an employer required to do where there has been a serious harm illness or injury? Refer to the relevant section of the Act in your answer. (Summarise in to your own words –No more than 50

Nursing research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nursing - Research Paper Example The p value is less than 0.001 which indicates that the data obtained are statistically significant. This, therefore, means that one should decrease their caloric intake; to maintain a low BMI because a high BMI puts one at a risk of getting lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure and type 2-diabetes. 2) There is a very strong link between BMI and HDL cholesterol because according to the results, the correlation coefficient is very close to -1.00 (0.794). The relationship is however negative meaning as the BMI of an individual increases, the level of HDL cholesterol decreases. The p value is also less than 0.001 meaning that the results are statistically significant. Since it is healthy to have high HDL cholesterol levels, one should, therefore, aim at reducing their BMI to acceptable levels. 3) The relationship between the caloric intake and age of the respondents is not strong as indicated by the correlation coefficient (0.129) which is neither close to 1.00 nor - 1.00. The corresponding p value (0.588) also supports the results since it is far much greater than 0.001 indicating that the degree of significance is very low. 4) Using correlations as a statistical test has got several shortcomings. The correlation does not mean a cause-and-effect link between variables and so cannot be used for certain research questions which seek to determine that kind of relationship (Munro, 2005). For instance, it does not show if an increased caloric intake leads to a high BMI or high BMI causes one to take fewer calories. It also quantifies only the strength of the linear relationship and does not provide other details concerning the relationship between the variables. Correlations are also bivariate meaning they only compare two variables from two data sets at a time which may increase chances of making errors since this rarely occurs in reality (Trochim, 2006). This makes it unsuitable for researchers looking for interconnected relationships

Case study for MGMT306 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

For MGMT306 - Case Study Example nclude hamburgers, milkshakes, cheeseburgers, various types of desserts, chicken, different soft drinks, breakfast items, seasoned fries and French fries. One of the key problems of McDonald is the issue of cultural differences. Being a global company, McDonald focuses on recruiting competent and talented individuals who have the potential and ability of improving on their sales volume. However, the company faces such challenges of cultural differences since its employees come from different cultural backgrounds. Thus, providing an equal training for such employees on how to execute their job roles is challenging for the company. Nevertheless, the company has allocated adequate resources to ensure that it manages the issue of cultural shift effectively. In this, McDonald ensures that it hires labor that is characterized of cultural background of its business environment. Cultural differences among nations also influence how McDonald applies is strategic approaches of attaining business success. Thus, cultural values, which include eating habits, gender perspectives, communication modes, dress codes and religion, dictate how business operations have to be conducted in a given country. McDonald has realized the need of taking into consideration of the cultural values of each business location in order to overcome the issue of cultural shock. As such, the company ensures that it aligns its business strategies with cultural values and practices of the community in which it has to conduct its business activities. Inflation is factor that influences business activities of all international companies. McDonald is one of these companies, which incurs challenges of changing currency rates and inflation in some of its countries where it has established branches. Thus, the company experiences problems in management of its revenues since they shift based on the currency variation among countries. To address this, McDonald ensures that it aligns its pricing strategy with

Coca Cola and Pepsi Profitability Analysis Essay Example for Free

Coca Cola and Pepsi Profitability Analysis Essay Gross profit margin(2013) = 100 Ãâ€" 28,433/46,854 = 60.68% Gross profit margin(2012) = 100 x 28,964/ 48,017=60.32% Gross profit margin(2011) = 100 x 28,326 = 60.86% Source: PepsiCo Inc. Annual Reports Gross profit margin (2013) = 100 x 35,172/66,415 = 52.96% Gross profit margin (2012) = 100 x 34,201/65,492 = 52.22% Gross profit margin (2011) = 100 x 34,911/66,504 = 52.49% Gross profit margin is a resource for paying extra expenses and future cutbacks. Coca-Cola Co. gross profit margin declined from 2011 to 2012 but then inclined from 2012 to 2013. However, it did not reach the level of 2011. PepsiCo Inc.s gross profit margin, on the other hand, decreased from 2011 to 2012 however it improved from 2012 to 2013 go over 2011’s level. Comparing the two companies, Coca-Cola Co. has a higher gross profit margin which shows superior fraction of revenue existing to coat operating and other costs. Net Profit Margin (USD $ in Millions) Coca-Cola Co. 2013 2012 2011 Net Income Before Minority Share of Earnings, Equity Income, and Nonrecurring items 8,584 9,019 8,572 Net Sales 46,854 48,017 46,542 Net Profit Margin 18.32 % 18.78 % 18.42 % Source: Coca-Cola Co. Annual Reports Net Profit Margin (2013) = 100 x 8,584/ 46,854 = 18.32% Net Profit Margin (2012) = 100 x 9,019/48,017 = 18.78% Net Profit Margin (2011) = 100 x 8,572/46,542 = 18.42% PepsiCo 2013 2012 2011 Net Income Before Minority Share of Earnings, Equity Income, and Nonrecurring Items 6,740 6,178 6,443 Net Sales 66,415 65,492 66,504 Net profit margin 10.15 % 9.43 % 9.69 % Source: PepsiCo Inc. Annual Reports Net Profit Margin(2013) = 100 x 6,740/66,415 = 10.15% Net Profit Margin(2012) = 100 x 6,178/65,492 = 9.43% Net Profit Margin(2011) = 100 x 6,443/66,504 = 9.690% Net profit margin is an indicator of profitability, computed as net income divided by revenue. It measures how much out of every dollar of sales a company actually keeps in earnings.(Wintner Tardif, 2006, p349)Coca-Cola Co. net profit margin improved as of 2011 to 2012 although decreased drastically starting 2012 to 2013.PepsiCo Inc. net profit margin go down beginning of year 2011 to year 2012 but after that recovered from 2012 to 2013 going beyond the level of 2011. The figures above indicate that Coca-Cola Co. has a elevated profit margin compare to PepsiCo Inc., which indicates more cost-effective corporation which better control its costs compared to Coca-Cola Inc. Total Asset Turnover (USD $ in Millions) Source: Coca-Cola Co. Annual Reports Total assets turnover(2013) = 46854/90055 = 0.52 Total assets turnover(2012) = 48017/86174 = 0.56 Total assets turnover(2011) = 46542/79974 = 0.58 PepsiCo Inc. 2013 2012 Net revenue 66415 65492 Total assets 77478 74638 Total assets turnover 0.85 0.87 Source: PepsiCo Inc. Annual Reports Total assets turnover (2013) = 66415/77478 = 0.85 Total assets turnover (2012) = 65492/74638 = 0.87 Coca-Cola Co.s net profit margin enhanced from 2011 to 2012 nevertheless go  down considerably as of 2012 toward 2013. PepsiCo Inc.s net profit margin, on the other hand, worsens since 2011 to year 2012 but raised the following year exceeding the level of 2011. The figures above indicate that PepsiCo Inc. has a higher Total Assets Turnover comparing to Coca-Cola Co. which shows that PepsiCo turns its assets faster into sales. Asset Turnover is connected to Return on Assets (ROA) through Du Pont formula. DuPont Return on Assets (ROA) (USD $ in Millions) Coca-Cola Co. 2013 2012 2011 Net Profit Margin 18.32% 18.78% 18.42% Asset Turnover 0.52 0.56 0.58 Return on Assets(ROA) 9.52 10.51 10.68 Source: Coca-Cola Co. Annual Reports ROA(2013) = 18.32% x 0.52 = 9.52 ROA(2012) = 18.78% x 0.55 = 10.51 ROA(2011) = 18.42% x 0.58 = 10.68 PepsiCo Inc. 2013 2012 Net Profit Margin 10.15% 9.43% Asset Turnover 0.85 0.87 Return on Assets (ROA) 8.62 8.20 Source: PepsiCo Inc. Annual Reports ROA(2013) = 10.15% x 0.85 = 8.62 ROA(2012) = 9.43% x 0.87 = 8.20 The ROA numbers provides investors with an overview of how efficiently the business is converting the investment into net income. (Gibson, 2009) Coca-Cola Co. ROA decreased starting of 2011 to 2012 as well as as of 2012 towards 2013. PepsiCo Inc. ROA, on the other hand, declined from year 2011 to 2012’s level however later inclined since 2012 towards 2013, however it did not reach the level of 201l. Nevertheless, Coca-Cola has a higher the ROA numbers compare to PepsiCo. which shows that the business earns more capital on a smaller amount of investment. DuPont Return on Equity(ROE) (USD $ in Millions) Coca-Cola Co. 2013 2012 2011 Net Income 8,584 9,019 8,584 Total Shareholder Equity 33,173 32,790 31,635 Return on Equity (ROE) 25.87% 27.50% 27.13% Source: Coca-Cola Co. Annual Reports ROE(2013) =100 x 8,584/33,173 = 25.87% ROE(2012) = 100 x 9,019/32,790 = 27.50% ROE(2011) = 100 x 8,584/31,635 = 27.13% PepsiCo Inc. 2013 2012 2011 Net Income 6,740 6,178 6,443 Total Shareholder Equity 24,279 22,294 20,588 Return on Equity(ROE) 27.76 % 27.71 % 31.29 % Source: PepsiCo Inc. Annual Reports ROE (2013) = 100 x 6,740/24,279 = 27.76% ROE(2012) = 100x 6,178/ 22,294 = 27.71% ROE(2011) = 100 x 6,443/20,588 = 31.29% Return on Equity (ROE) determines how sound a company makes use of reinvested earnings to make more earnings. ROE is utilized as a common hint of the business effectiveness. In other words, what amount of revenue the business is capable to generate with the resources provided by its stockholders. (Gibson,2009) Coca-Cola Co.s ROE increased as of 2011 towards 2012 except that later declined considerably from 2012 to 2013.PepsiCo Inc.s ROE, on the other hand, decreased starting year 2011 to 2012 but then slightly rise  up from 2012 to 2013. Based on the numbers above, we can conclude that PepsiCo Inc. has a competitive advantage over Coca-Cola Co. because it has a higher ROE, which means that is growing profits without pouring new capitals into business. References Wintner, S., Tardif, M. (2006)Financial Management for Design Professionals: The Path to Profitability. MA: Kaplan AEC Education. Retrived from: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/abercrombie-fitch-no-profits-just-225850116.html?session-id=7b3af266ae1a387aaf0cfe6dca24ba10 Gibson, C. (2009)Financial Reporting Analysis. Using Financial Accounting Information (11the Ed) MA: South-Western Cengage Learning, Mason,OH

Why is Thermoregulation Important?

Why is Thermoregulation Important? In all living organisms there is a complex series of chemical reactions occurring, the rate of which is dependent of temperature. In order for these chemical reactions to occur and thus sustain life all animals exhibit some way of regulating their body temperature. This process is known as thermoregulation. This regulation is achieved in various ways, either by behavioural or autonomic means. Homeothermic animals take advantage of both behavioural and autonomic means of regulating their body temperature in response to temperature fluctuations. Homeotherms have complex means of maintaining core body temperature within very narrow limits. For example, humans are able to regulate skin blood flow through the vasodilation and vasoconstriction of blood vessels redirecting blood so as to conserve heat in cold conditions or to increase heat loss in the cold. This process is further reviewed later on. Other autonomic processes utilized by homeotherms are shivering and non-shivering thermogene sis. Poikiotherms do not have the means to regulate their body temperature in such a precise way. Their body temperature is more dependent on the environmental temperature and they regulate this primarily by behavioural means. Such animals include bees, fish, amphibians and reptiles. However current knowledge on how this behavioural thermoregulation operates is not very high. Heterotherms exhibit the characteristics of both homeotherms and poikilotherms. One such example are bats which when active utilize autonomic means to maintain their relatively high body temperature. At rest however the metabolic cost of maintaining this body temperature is too high thus they substantially reduce their metabolic rate, at such time they can be described as being poikiothermic. This review will focus in some detail on the various mechanisms by which different animals thermoregulate, some of the benefits and drawbacks associated with thermoregulation and how this complex system has evolved across different groups of animals. I will draw on knowledge from various pieces of literature to give a comprehensive overview of this important life process. Behavioural and autonomic means of thermoregulation As discussed earlier homeotherms are utilise autonomic means to regulate their internal body temperature. It has been postulated that there is a hierarchy of structures responsible for maintaining the internal body temperature of these animals. The preoptic area of the hypothalamus plays a key role in autonomic thermoregulatory process. Early thermal studies identified the preoptic area as the centre of the thermoregulatory response. This area is synaptically connected to the lower brain stem and thus enables precise regulation of body temperature. Early research suggested that an increase in temperature in this preoptic region would lead to the excitation of neurons, resulting in the heat loss organs bringing about a reduction in preoptic temperature. In the same way, a reduction in preoptic temperature would excite neurons and lead to the heat production organs bringing about an increase in preoptic temperature. More recent research however has demonstrated that there is a far grea ter number of warm-sensitive neuron than cold-sensitive. These warm-sensitive neurons, play a much bigger role in the thermoregulatory process. During pre-optic warming these warm sensitive neurons significantly increase their firing rates and because of the synaptic connection with the lower brain stem, effector neurons are able to bring about heat loss responses. The median forebrain bundle is an important pathway that may be utilized here carrying signals to effector areas. In this way autonomic responses such as skin blood flow and shivering are controlled. Figure 1 demonstrates that in addition to bringing about heat loss responses, the increased firing rate of warm sensitive neurons inhibits nearby cold sensitive receptors preventing heat production. During pre-optic cooling the firing rate of warm sensitive neurons decreases thus reducing synaptic inhibition of the cold sensitive neurons. In turn the cold sensitive neurons increase their firing rate and induce heat production responses and heat retention. The preoptic region is also involved in afferent signals, detecting peripheral temperature changes through receptors in the skin. This information is integrated with central temperature information and the appropriate thermal response is activated. Most preoptic neurons are actually temperature insensitive, but do serve a purpose in thermoregulation. It has been postulated that they are involved in the comparison of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs from both warm sensitive and temperature insensitive neurons. It is this that forms the basis for set point temperatures, therefore playing a vital role in heat loss, heat retention and heat production responses. Figure 1 demonstrates the activity of a temperature insensitive neuron. If a neuron is inhibited by a warm sensitive neuron and excited by a temperature insensitive neuron it will act as a cold sensitive neuron. Once the preoptic temperature drops below a certain point i.e. the set point, it will increases it firing rate and bring about heat production and heat retention responses. If thermoregulation does not operate properly it may result in fever. This can be caused by the presence of endogenous substances like pyrogen. Pyrogen affects the activity of the pre-optic thermosensitive neurons. It can inhibit the firing rate of the warm sensitive neurons resulting in heat loss responses not occurring and elevated set point temperature. Also because of the synaptic inhibition between the warm-sensitive and cold-sensitive neurons, this decreased firing rate will result in an increased firing rate in the cold-sensitive neurons and bring about heat production responses further elevating the set point temperature. As a result fever occurs. Skin blood flow The preoptic area is able to coordinate correct efferent response in response to various internal and external thermal stimuli. One of these responses is the control of skin blood flow in humans. The vasodilation of blood vessels and the resultant increased blood flow to the skin is vital to heat dissipation during heat exposure. The increased skin blood flow significantly increases convective heat transfer from the body to the periphery. In conjunction with this increased skin blood flow, the evaporation of sweat from the skin results in cooling of blood in the dilated vessels. This process continues until the internal temperature returns to normal, at which point sweating stops and skin blood flow returns to normal. Skin blood flow in humans is controlled by vasoconstrictor and vasodilator nerves. The vasoconstrictor system is continually active, detecting even detecting subtle changes in ambient temperature. Through this activity maintenance of normal body temperature is achieved. Even small changes in skin blood flow can cause relatively large changes in heat dissipation. The vasodilator system on the other hand is only activated when an increase in internal temperature is detected. This may be during exercise or as a result of environmental heat exposure. Humans have many eccrine sweat glands distributed around the body which are responsible for thermal sweating. These sweat glands are innervated by sympathetic nerves which when stimulated results in secretion. The sweating response is only of benefit when it is coupled with evaporative heat loss. It is for this reason that environmental conditions like humidity and wind speed play an important role in this thermoregulatory process. Sweating and vasodilation are functionally linked however changes in one does not necessarily reflect changes in the other. An example of this is during exercise, as the threshold for cutaneous vasodilation is increased bit the threshold for the sweating response is not. During exercise blood cannot be redirected to the skin at the same level as blood flow to the muscle must be maintained. During cold exposure vasoconstriction of blood vessels and the redirection of blood flow to the core is essential for heat retention. When vasoconstriction occurs its results in a decrease in heat dissipation from the skin. Any alteration in this process can have serious implications, impairing the bodys ability to thermoregulate. As temperature decreases further shivering occurs. These muscular contractions help to maintain core body temperature. Humans are not the only animals to utilize evaporative heat loss process. Despite the fact that most mammals do not have sweat glands many of them are able to use this process in different ways. Birds lack sweat glands and some mammals like cats or dogs only have sweat glands on their feet. In such animals evaporative heat loss occurs by increased air movement over moist mucosal surfaces of the mouth and upper respiratory tract. This is brought about by rapid shallow breathing along with increased salivation. Another way of utilizing this process is seen in rats and kangaroos when they spread saliva on their fur. Tests in rats have shown that warming of the pre optic area of the hypothalamus results in increased saliva secretion. It also resulted in body extension which improves heat loss through the increase in effective body surface area. Many small mammals and those that hibernate exhibit another process in the thermoregulatory process. This process known as non-shivering thermogenesis occurs in response to the cold and it is regulated by the pre-optic area of the hypothalamus. It is a result of increased metabolic activity in the brown adipose tissue. The brown fat cells there are numerous fat droplets interspersed with many mitochondria. The brown adipose tissue has a rich supply and is also innervated by many sympathetic nerves. In cold conditions this non-shivering thermogenesis is activated by impulses passing down these sympathetic nerves or by the release of noradrenaline from the adrenal medulla. The free fatty acid store are burned up with the help of mitochondria and heat is produced. The rich blood supply to the area ensures blood is transported back to the core thus increasing core temperature. This process is seen in animals that hibernate, evident from the amount of brown fat found in such animals. Behavioural thermoregulation As indicated before the preoptic region plays a key role in autonomic thermoregulation, it does not however play such an important role in behavioural thermoregulation. Currently there is a lack of knowledge to indicate exactly which area of the hypothalamus is involved in behavioural thermoregulation. Behavioural responses to changes in environmental temperature occur before the internal body temperature elevates. It is from this that the assumption has been made that receptors in the skin play a key role in behavioural thermoregulation. Research has shown that the neurons responding to thermal stimulation of the skin are located in the spinal cord, with the signals from these reach areas in the cerebral cortex. However these signals, whether detected as hot or cold, cannot be a direct cause of activating the behavioural process. The reasoning behind this is that if a cold stimulus is applied to the skin of a resting animal, they perceive this as unpleasant and move away from it. Ho wever during exercise the same cold stimulus applied to the skin may be perceived as pleasant. It is because of this that the behavioural mechanisms of thermoregulation appear to be based around thermal comfort and discomfort. It has been postulated that the parastrial nucleus and the dorsomedial hypothalamic region are involved in eliciting behavioural responses. Further research however needs to be done to confirm this, possibly by examining the effect of lesions of the two areas on behavioural responses. Once the area directly responsible for eliciting behavioural responses further research can then be done into the relationship between behavioural and autonomic responses. One example of an animal that exhibits mainly behavioural thermoregulation is the lizard. Lizards are ectothermic mainly obtaining heat from external sources. Lizards are able to maintain a relatively high body temperature, unlike most other ectotherms they can do this very precisely. Much research has been carried out into the thermoregulatory process of reptiles. An early concept that was developed was that of the preferred body temperature (PBT), which is related to homeostasis. The idea being that the PBT is the optimum temperature at which the animals physiological processes take place. The PBT varies across species and in some lizards the PBT can change along with the seasons. There are a number of different ways in which the lizard obtains heat from the environment. The absorption of solar radiation or the conduction from hot air or surfaces are the main ways in which lizards gain heat. If internal temperature is too high they may reduce this by radiation from the surface, con vection or conduction to a cooler surface. Like other animals discussed before lizards are able to utilize evaporative cooling processes. In temperate climates lizards maintain a high PBT and obtain heat through absorption of solar radiation by basking in the sun, these are known as basking heliotherms. Different species of lizard exhibit different behaviour in relation to basking. The Lacerta vivipara emerges and begins to bask at a time when the activity temperature can be reached in the least time. This way they do not unnecessarily make themselves vulnerable to predators. Other lizards may emerge at a constant time independent of temperature. When basking lizards will adopt a specific posture in order to maximise body surface area and thus maximising their heat gain from the surroundings. They do this by sprawling on the ground with outstretched legs. During the day lizards will alternate between periods of activity and periods of basking. When they achieved their activity tempe rature they will stop basking and may begin actively foraging for food. During this time their internal body temperature is continually dropping and once it reaches a certain point they will have to bask again. This is a continual cycle throughout the day, observed in species known as shuttling heliotherms. Species which obtain most of their heat by conduction from hot rocks are known as thigmotherms, they are only able to in regions with intense solar radiation. Although the information on how lizards monitor their body temperature and how they use this to elicit the appropriate behavioural response is limited, the assumption is made that they must have thermal receptors in the skin. While maintaining a high body temperature the lizard will exhibit a lower metabolic rate than mammals, the reason being that they obtain most of their heat by thermal radiation. However lizards do generate some heat by metabolism but as they do not have fur, feathers or other insulatory means seen in h ometherms this heat is lost very quickly. Research has shown that heart rate can effect thermoregulation in these animals. During cooling the animals heart rate decreases thus decreasing blood flow and conserving heat. As seen in other animals, these reptiles exhibit some control over peripheral blood flow through the sympathetic vasoconstriction or vasodilation of blood vessels. Evolution of homethermy Endotherms like birds and mammals are different from ectotherms in that they have substantially higher standard metabolic rate. When the ambient temperature is reduced endotherms may raise their metabolic rate to generate heat, as opposed to ectotherms such as the lizard which simply allow their body temperature to drop. The evolution of this process of homeothermy may have occurred in stages with the first being the development of behavioural thermoregulation. As seen in the lizard this can become very precise. Once this level of thermoregulation had been achieved enzymes may have become adapted to function optimally at the PBT. Along with a gradual increase in the importance of metabolic heat and development of fur, feathers and subcutaneous fat to retain the heat homeothermy eventually evolved. Consequences of homethermy The evolution of homethermy has many advantages, in that it gives such animals independence from changes in environmental temperature. There are however some downfalls to this process. In order to maintain their high body temperature they must also maintain a high metabolic rate. To do so homeothermic animals must eat a lot more than poikiotherms and they must do so continually. This can be a big problem for small mammals or birds which lose heat fairly quickly. These smaller animals must feed voraciously just to maintain their body temperature. Adaptions to cold Many animals have had to adapt to survive in climates where they are exposed to severe cold conditions. There is a number of ways in which they do this, either through migration, adapting itself to tolerate the cold or it can go into hibernation. Some poikiotherms such as faced with extreme cold have demonstrated adaptions to avoid freezing through the secretion of glycerol. Through this they are able to reduce the freezing point of the body fluids. Another adaption to surviving extreme cold conditions is known as supercooling. This phenomenon is the ability to tolerate temperatures lower than the typical freezing point. One experiment demonstrated that fish taken from deep water had a freezing point between -0.9 and -1.0 C, yet the temperature of the water from which they were taken was -1.73C. Thus they are demonstrating supercooling. It is through this process that deep water fish are able to survive such low temperatures. Another adaption to climatic stress is hibernation. During hibernation, body temperature decreases to approximately that of the surrounding environment. Heart rate and metabolic rate also drop to a minimal level. Animals that hibernate are homeothermic during the summer but under the cold conditions of winter they become poikilothermic. During hibernation the animal remains inactive with greatly reduced metabolic requirements. The animal sustains these small requirements through its energy stores. If surrounding conditions get too low the animals metabolic rate may increase to generate heat. Some species also exhibit another process in regulating their body temperature. This process is a cycle between phases of intense activity with phases of torpor. This is a daily cycle exhibited in small birds and mammals that have high metabolic rates. An animal that exhibits such behaviour is the insectivorous bat. Their particular aerial habits inhibit them from carrying large energy stores. Studies have shown that torpor is important in energy maintenance during the summer diurnal roosting of the N. geoffroy. While resting, the energetic cost of maintaining a  constant, high (normothermic) body temperature (Tb) in small  bats rises steeply when ambient temperature (Ta) decreases below  about 30_C (Herreid and Schmidt-Nielsen 1966; Kulzer et  al. 1970; Genoud 1993; Geiser and Brigham 2000). Hence, thermoregulation  throughout the diurnal rest phase can be energetically  expensive, even at relatively high roost Ta. Furthermore,  during cool weather, insect activity and therefore foraging  success and energy intake of insectivorous bats typically declines  dramatically (Paige 1995; Hickey and Fenton 1996). Torpor is  likely an important factor in allowing insectivorous bats to  manage their energy expenditure nd survive in temperate climates  

Essay --

The Effects of Concussions on the NFL For many years the NFL has been considered one of the most painful and dangerous sport played in the United States. But is it too Dangerous? The uprising number of concussions is shocking. NFL analysts survives suggest a 14 percent increase of concussions for the year 2013. Player safety rules have also been implemented into the official rule book. The three main effects that concussions have on the NFL today are big hits, big plays, and the defensive game played today. The NFL is known for its gruesome de-cleating hits on players, but the rising number of concussions has stripped players from being able to make these types of plays anymore! After the 2011 lawsuit, the NFL realized that new player safety rules had to be enforced into the NFL rule book. Rules such as no crown on crown to the helmet outside the tackle box have taken away the element of â€Å"big hits† in a football game. 1Redskin’s safety Brandon Meriwether was fined $42,000 for a helmet to helmet hit on Packer’s running back Eddie Lacey. Thank God for technology, because back in the 40’s they played football with leather a helmet. Also the NFL stated a new rule that each NFL team has to have a neurologist placed on the sideline for every official game. Jet’s player Jeremy Kerley suffered from a mind boggling week one injury. Kerley passed the mandatory concussion evaluation and soon after returns to the team. Suddenly, the following same day Jeremy was diagnosed with a concussion. I agree with the saying taking one the team, but playing with a concussion is like playing with fire. Some big hitters in the NFL are viewed as dirty players because of their bone crushing tackles. A lot of coaches like to blame big hits for the fact of... ...grams such as bigger, faster and stronger, there is no way that we can stop concussions from happening. I still watch and love football today but some part of me doesn’t think the defensive game is the same merely because of concussions. Although I think football should still be played in today society, a lot of people are viewing the game differently because of concussions. I disagree with hurting players, but some of the calls made this year dealing with tackling have made my mouth drop several times. Concussions effects on big hits, big plays, and defensive game style have changed the NFL for the worse. I understand that refs have to make what they see right calls, but in many cases players perform perfect technique and still get penalized. Although the NFL game is played at a high level, I believe concussions have taken some of the intensity away from players.

Early Repolarization Pattern (ERP) Essay -- pattern, leads, conditions

Introduction Early repolarization pattern (ERP) is an enigmatic common electrocardiographic (ECG) finding,occurring in 1% to 2% of the general population (1). ERP prevalence is decreasing with advancing age (2) This ECG pattern is frequently observed in healthy persons,particularly young,male (3,4,5), athletic (6,7), and of African-American origin (4,5,6,7,8).On the 12-lead ECG the ERP is characterized as â€Å"notching† or â€Å"slurring† of the terminal portion of the R wave and beginning of the ST-segment that produces a positive hump known as J wave. The J wave is a deflection with a dome that appears immediately after the end of QRS complex followed by ST-segment elevation ≠¥ 0.1 mV (or 1 mm, varying from 1 to 4 mm) above isoelectric line (relative to the subsequent TP interval) concave upward in at least two contiguous ECG leads. This ECG finding is most frequently seen in the precordial leads from V3 to V5 and often in the inferior leads II, III, and aVF (9) Normal ERP should be differentiated from others conditions with ST segment elevation such as asthenic habitus, acute pericarditis, STEMI,Brugada syndrome (BrS), congenital short QT syndrome(SQTS), and IVF (10,11). Although the condition is usually considered benign, its potential arrhythmogenicity has been suggested by experimental studies.(12) The majority of such sudden cardiac arrests are caused by ventricular tachyarrhythmias, which occur in persons without structural heart disease in 6 to 14% of cases. (13,14) These results were replicated in similar studies and the association with increased arrhythmic risk was subsequently extended to the general population in large cohort studies (16,17). In brief, ER consists of 2 components: prominent J waves and ST-segment elevation.... ... and QT interval association.In the recently study, patients with ERP had shorter QTc interval than subjects with normal ECG pattern. Also statistical results are significantly different about other paratemeters like QT,JT,JTc,QT-apex interval.The previous studies showed ERP and short QT interval relation however subjects had different heart rates.Conversely we showed this association one-to-one matching with heart rates. Study limitations The number of subjects in this study is limited,because as a tertiary center patients with early repolarization pattern referred to our institution were complex and had comorbidities Although the cohort included subjects with strictly defined common features, data collectionwas not uniform among centers. In our study population, we had no subjects with structural heart disease so the results may not apply to these subgroups.

Hierarchical Social Structure :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays

Hierarchical Social Structure Societies begin with a hierarchical structure in which one must begin from the top of its basic structure, through its intermediates, before hitting the bottom of the sociologically defined society. The pyramid scheme begins with a single individual, as presented by Diego Velasquez in The Waterseller of Seville. This painting portrays a cycle of life by its circular patterns and smooth curves, like that of a full moon with its glowing softness as it blends into the clear, midnight sky. At its center is a clear cup filled with water, like the water of life that quenched the dying man’s thirst in a hot desert. It is being passed around three men, who also stand in a circular fashion. They represent one body in different stages of life. The young boy, in his school uniform of a black jacket and white dress shirt, looks at the glass as would a child at a chocolate chip cookie, craving and yearning for that bit of sweet chocolate encased by a soft sugary dough. He is eager and ready to take on the next step of satisfying himself and his thirst for knowledge. The old man on his right is wearing a very bright red cloak that reflects off onto his hands and face, giving it a red g low as well. He reminds one of the story of the red balloon that befriends a young boy while floating round and about in a protective and guiding manner before it was accidentally burst. He too has his hand on the cup as if to receive it from the young boy, as if they are passing this bit of knowledge onto the next stage of life, where he is now present. His hand rests upon a large water jug with such smooth curves, like the soft ripples in a pond after a rock skids across its surface. It contains that bit of knowledge carried through the years from life, flowing as would water. Behind the young boy and man is a more mysterious figure, like a spirit from the netherworld whose face is transparent. He, too, holds a glass in his hand, but unlike the other two, he is actually drinking from it. He is the symbolic representation of a completion in the rites of the glass. In the center, lie both Grant Wood’s American Gothic and Pablo Picasso’s Acrobat’s Family with a Monkey, which represent the basic unit of family.

Claire Danes Essay

To what extent do you agree with this point? I think Luhrmann’s film version of Romeo & Juliet brings Act 1 Scene 5 to life exceptionally well. His choice of setting, type of music, designs of costumes, and other film directions and language use portray the original Shakespeare version marvellously. Firstly, the scene and setting. Baz Luhrmann has chosen a brilliant location to house the party. The royal look to the Capulet mansion really shows off what life would have been for the people back in the day, especially people as rich and alike in dignity as the Capulets. It is an enormous house, suggesting that life back then for the rich was very grand, and I believe Luhrmann brings this out brilliantly. There is also a very lively, upbeat atmosphere, stating that back in the olden days, people would like to loosen up and enjoy such divine occasions, with a lot going on. The fireworks, with an array of varying colours, being set off outside of the house also states the lively, celebratory, and happy atmosphere inside, in spite of Tybalt and Romeo being in the same house. The chirpy singing by Mercutio also vindicates my point. Secondly, Baz Luhrmann’s use of music is very intricately chosen. At the very start of the party, we can clearly see Mercutio very lively and upbeat, dancing and singing along to a very apt, upbeat song, showing off the party atmosphere amongst everyone in the mansion. As we get further in into the play, we get a very slow, engaging piece of music played when Romeo and Juliet first meet (through a fish tank! ), whilst Luhrmann has decided to drain out the party atmosphere noises in the background. This slow, indulging, romantic music symbolises the first encounter of Romeo and Juliet. Luhrmann has effectively chosen this music, and this really brings out the romantic, love-at-first-sight feel to it all, and it makes us, the audience, engage into the film, and maybe even allows us to relate it to ourselves, as if we were there, within the action. The music seemed to be a bit ‘Heavenly’, where everything would be perfect between Romeo and Juliet, and it felt like love was in the air. Then, when the Nurse pulls Juliet away, the party atmosphere with people talking immediately comes back, making the audience divert the attention back onto the wider picture, but, more subtly, it makes us, as the very eager audience, want to know more about how Romeo and Juliet will pan out from there. At times, there is the slow, depressing music, when Juliet would look back at Romeo whilst being dragged away by the Nurse, and Romeo would hurry up to catch up with Juliet. On a more general note, we can all feel the anger then Tybalt finds out that Romeo is a Montague, with the more thunderous, down-to-Earth, music being played. Thirdly, another key aspect Luhrmann used to make this film so brilliant in my opinion is his choice of clothing. We can clearly get a feel of how grand the Capulets were. Lady Capulet wore a gold dress, showing how high in status she was. Capulet, likewise being so high in status, wore a plush purple robe at the formal event, showing that they were very rich and liked to flaunt what they had. Interestingly, Paris seemed to be wearing some sort of astronaut, spaceship costume. This might suggest that he was pretty smart, rich, high in status too, and quite proud of himself, as stereotypically, I see astronauts like that, as it is a very grand, albeit difficult, job to take on, and so Paris might have thought very fondly about himself. The wings on Juliet’s back might also suggest to us viewers that Juliet was the ‘angelic’, good-girl type of character, who would want everything to be right for herself. Romeo’s knight suit also caught my attention. Again stereotypically, I associate knights in shining armour as the sort of people who would always come to the rescue and save the day, and would woo people away.

Cations and Anion Lab Essay

Introduction In this experiment we will be mixing two ionic compounds: potassium chromate and lead nitrate; both are soluble in water. This will be demonstrating a double-replacement reaction/reactions between cations and anions. If a reaction does occur it will form a precipitate due to one of the newly formed compounds not being soluble in water. Once the experiment was completed there was what appears to be a â€Å"solid† substance remaining in the test tube. This shows that a reaction occurred. Procedure 1. Once in the ChemLab-Cations and anion reactions. You will need to obtain a 100mL beaker and 50mL of potassium chromate. This will be done by clicking on the Chemicals section of the toolbar, then selecting 1M Potassium Chromate, change the volume to 50mL, then select to add the Potassium Chromate to a new 100mL beaker. 2. Next, you will need to left click on the beaker, then select Chemicals from the toolbar, select 1M Lead Nitrate, change the volume to 50mL (ensure that the window indicated that it will be placed in the existing beaker. 3. Now you will need to filter the precipitate. Obtain an Erlenmeyer flask and a Buchner funnel. This will be done by selecting from the Equipment section on the toolbar and selecting Erlenmeyer Flask-250mL. Next, right click on the flask and select Buchner Funnel. Right click on the beaker and select Pour/Decant. Move the beaker above the funnel and you will see a white area at the bottom of the flask. 4. Lastly, you will need to record the weight of the precipitate. Right  click on the flask and select Buchner Funnel. A message will appear asking if â€Å"An amount of solid was found present in the filter, what action would you like to take?†, select place solid into 50mL Test Tube. You will now see the Test Tube with the precipitate in the bottom, right click on the Test Tube and click on show weight, the weight of the precipitate will appear, record the weight. Observations and Results There is a small amount of precipitate in the bottom of the test tube that appears yellow in color with some dots in the solution. Weight of filtered precipitate: 16.160g Due to a reaction occurring between the cations and the anions this has caused a reaction, therefore creating a â€Å"solid† that is not water soluble. Discussion When mixing the two ionic compounds: potassium chromate and lead nitrate and then filtering the solution this revealed a â€Å"solid† substance that remained. This substance is not soluble in water hence it was left behind after filtering. This shows that a reaction occurred between the cations and anions. Conclusion This lab represented a double-replacement reaction of the ionic compounds: potassium chromate and lead nitrate. Once these compounds were mixed and then filtered it revealed a â€Å"solid† substance that remained. This confirms that a reaction occurred between the cations and anions, and ultimately formed a new substance.

Framework Essay to Edward Said’s Essay

In any part in the world, there is no place to be but home. Home is a place where we feel safe and take refuge. But how we’ll feel if this is taken away from us? The essay by Edward Said, â€Å"States†, narrates the story of about his country, Palestine, and the struggle of his country men. He also shares the passion for his homeland which we can relate to. â€Å"States† exemplify the experiences and perceptions of how important a home is to a common Palestinian. Our country is a big part of our self. As we are born, we are destined to become a part of it. It became part of our identity. Things that we grew up with meant something to us. We usually treasure things that became part of our lives. Even unconsciously, we take hold of it. Home brings us memories, memories that we want to hold on up to our last breath. It plays a big role to our development, as a child and as a person fully. Home is part of ourselves which became a foundation of who we are today. To be away from home makes us feel empty or incomplete in a sense. This is experienced by people who are exiled from their own homeland. Exiles are treated as aliens and feel shame to one’s pride. Exile is a miserable thing. Nothing can be so embarrassing than to be taken away from home. It saddens a person to feel a stranger to his own country. One is not only deprived of the social rights but as well as the freedom. As described in the essay of Edward Said an exile is referred as â€Å"present absentees† where to their homeland, they are vanished and as for the host country they are viewed as aliens. However, having troubles cannot stop a person from his will. In spite of the intense conflict between the Palestine-Israel, one cannot take away the momentum of an important occasion like wedding. Circumstances like these were illustrated in the text. A person in the middle of crisis stays positive and hopeful. Palestinians, which travel from time to time for because of occupation and safety, became used to these. One’s true happiness is in the state of thinking. He can stay happy despite of his terrible condition. Said also shares his experiences from his youth and what he knew from his country. One sad part also is the stability of the land, suppression from your own land. One is deprived of being free on his own country. Children cannot play outside without parents worrying their safety. To a place where he grew up and know to be his home became an odd place. I believe that home is very important in any living thing. It doesn’t only provide us shelter but is also a part of our personal development. It helps us build our confidence through the feeling of security. A home is like a mother to us which provides us what we need to sustain living. Our nourishment as a child is fed by the things that happen around us. These things shape the character of a person. Home builds a person’s character. Home is the environment which we live in and has an impact on our lives. To take something away from us bring us the feeling of being incomplete. We are already attached to it. Without the home that we used to be, somehow we feel lost. One feels the sense of belongingness on it. A person learns from his surrounding. We must know how to appreciate what we have considering we live in a democratic and secured country. Home is a place that nourished us when we are young. And as we became old, there is nowhere else we would want to go but home.

Earth Science and Society Essay

The other four major contributors to the development of modern astronomy after Copernicus are Galileo, Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton. Galileo Galilei supported Copernicus’ ideas and was the one who devised the early telescope that was able to enlarge objects up to 20 times. With the use of this telescope, he was able to prove the heliocentric theory proposed by Copernicus. Tycho Brahe is a Danish astronomer who focused on developing astronomical instruments as well as measuring and fixing the position of stars accurately before the telescope was invented. Johannes Kepler focused on determining the movement of the planets and his laws paved way to the concept of orbits as planetary paths. Isaac Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation further established how planets were able to revolve around the sun and how they moved in an orbit through the pull of gravity. It took a long time to overthrow the geocentric theory because it was backed up by the church and the existing rulers at that time. Those who deviated from the beliefs of the majority were persecuted and thrown to prisons. Only a brave few stood against these people in order to prove them wrong and discover the truth. It only tells us that society doesn’t accept the truth with open arms most of the time, as it is hard to break the preconceived knowledge about things. Discoveries such as the heliocentric theory took a very long time to be accepted by the people, especially because it replaced a more divine theory that the Earth was the center of everything in the universe. Geography is split broadly into two sub-disciplines which are human geography and physical geography. Physical geography is focused primarily on the built environment and how space is created, viewed, as well has managed and handled by man, considering the influences that humans have on the space they created and occupied. Physical geography on the other hand, deals with the natural environment and how other factors like climate, vegetation and life, soil, water and landforms are created and interact with each other. Geography can be best defined as the study of the earth and its features, including everything contained in it, like the ones inhabiting the earth and the different phenomena occurring in it. Geography’s strengths mainly rely on its different branches, as it seeks to cover most concerns regarding the earth. On the other hand, its weaknesses was that it is not able to fully explain a certain field often, which is why there is a need to study other subfields of geography in order to cover for that weakness. The weather is a set of all the phenomena of a given atmosphere considering a certain period of time. This more on a short term basis, usually for hours or days say for example today it rained, while yesterday, it was just fairly cloudy. This is in comparison to that of climate, which is the average atmospheric conditions over longer periods of time, usually months, accounting for the seasons that we experience all throughout the year. The greenhouse effect is the process wherein there is the emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere which then warms the earth’s surface. On the other hand, global warming is the increase in the average measured temperature of the air near the surface of the earth, because of the heat trapped by various gases in the atmosphere, as caused by pollutants like burning of fuels, smoke, and more. The two concepts are not the same, but the relationship between the two is that because of the greenhouse gases (too much of it) the heat trapped in the atmosphere increases, thus causing global warming. The effect on the environment is drastic, as polar icecaps melt, thus increasing the water levels in different parts of the world. It also changes the patterns of the environment, like the seasons, and the climates at different places. It greatly affects our lives because we might be experiencing a possible cause of species extinction, not only for the animals, but also for us human beings. Pressure gradient force is the acceleration of air due to an impending pressure difference or a force per unit of mass. This usually accelerates air from a high pressure area or region towards a low pressure region thus creating wind. The coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects when it is viewed from a certain frame of reference. The effect causes air in the atmosphere and water in the ocean to flow to the right of the direction north of the equator, thus causing the rotation of large cyclones. Frictional force is the force resisting the relative motion of two surfaces which are in contact, or a certain fluid in contact with a surface (such as air on an airplane or water flowing in a pipe. California’s Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. On the other hand, South Carolina’s humid subtropical climate is characterized by hot humid summers and chilly to mild winters. The United States have varying climates from the eastern part because of the bodies of water surrounding it. It can be explained by the El Nino, wherein large circulations of air across the Pacific Ocean breaks down, and warmer than normal waters appears in the eastern Pacific, while colder than normal waters appears in the western Pacific Ocean.

The Academy Expansion Programme And The Newly Implemented Free School Essay

The Academy Expansion Programme And The Newly Implemented Free School Programme - Essay Example This report declares that school in British cities that experience overt poverty and social deprivation are likely to register significant lower examination success rates compared to schools in wealthy areas. Various government institutions and other related non-government often gather statistical data regarding nature schools in different cities. The kind of data gathered often include pupil teacher ratios, exclusions, number of pupils eligible for free school meals, unauthorized absenteeism and average class size and the figures normally vary in different social contexts. For instance, data from British inner city school often record a high percentage of the number of pupils eligible for free school meals. This essay makes a conclusion that schools in inner city areas have been found to be one of the most challenging areas for teachers. A number of reasons have been indentified to explain why schools in British inner cities are challenging and records below average examination pass rate. According to the Chief Inspector for Schools David Bell issues for inner city schools revolves around high pupils’ turnover, lack of adequate investment, difficulty in recruiting staff and low confidence from the immediate community. For instance, majority of teachers work in inner cities for limited period and then leave for less difficult working environments. There is no doubt that the trend of poor academic performance recorded year after year in disadvantaged areas particularly inner city areas has been a major policy issue in England for policy makers. For instance by the late 1990 at least 500 schools in both British and Wales inner cities were considered failing schools owing to their in ability to meet acceptable nation academic performance. Data gathered in 2001 indicated that paltry a fifth of pupils in disadvantaged areas on average could achieve five GCSE passes at grades A*-C compared with 50% nationally. In fact schools are currently being forced to turn into academies as in the cases of Downhills Primary in Tottenham, north London, and in the London borough of Haringey (Harrison, 2012). Poor performance is a long established patter in inner city schools taking into consideration that poverty presents a barrier to children education because they are caught up in a major interplay between learning and dealing with the tough social and economic problems. There is a strong link between education attainment and poverty in the sense that a more socially disadvantaged the community served by a school the higher the probability of the school appearing to be underperformer. Another major problem with inner city schools is the fact they perform poorly in inspections b y OFSTED (Lupton, R 2004: 1). An OFSTED inspection, which is often carried out at least once every four years on all school and those with unsatisfactory performance are described as having â€Å"a serious weakness†. Such schools with unsatisfactory performance are often put into a special measure to assess if they are â€Å"failing or are likely to fail in providing pupils with acceptable standards of education.† Despite strong evidence, demonstrate that broader social policies will contribute significantly in reducing the attainment gap between the pupils in inner cities and high-end

Cholecalciferol Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cholecalciferol - Essay Example The compound if acquired through sand bathing there is no presence of any toxicity and stops producing when it sufficient in the body. It helps the skin to be in good condition. The compound is also given to lactating mother to boost the levels of vitamin D as breast milk is always insufficient in Vitamin D. the compound is also applied in blood and heart vessels conditions, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It is also used in cases of obesity, diabetes, arthritis, muscle weakness and tooth disease. Some individuals use the component in treating skin diseases. In addition, it boosts a human immune system and prevents cancer (McDowell, pg.94) As a vitamin it is always synthesized by the body. This compound is always inactive. It only switches to its active form through two hydroxylations which is in the kidney and the liver that forms calcitriol and nuclear receptor. The receptor is responsible for synthesizing many enzymes and it exists in all cells. It has melting point that ranges from 83-86 degrees Celsius. Its molar mass is 384.64g/mol. In addition, its boiling point is 496.4 degrees Celsius. A medic by the name Hippocrates treated phthisis by the use of sunlight exposure or heliotherapy. An historian observed the difference the skull of Egyptians and Persian warriors as Persians worn turbans making their skull weaker. The medic compared the disease to rickets. The first description of lack of vitamin c was given in the 17th C by a doctor and a professor. Rickets astonished many chronicles in the 18th and 19th C. what caused this was insufficient vitamin that was not vitamin. As at the beginning of 1800s research showed that cod liver oil was a possible cure of rickets. The main breakthrough in the understanding of what causes rickets was during the development experimental science and when individuals appreciated vitamins’ existence. Sir