Characters of Zodiac Signs

What are zodiac signs? What do these signs represent? The zodiac is an annual cycle of twelve station or, (signs) along the ecliptic, path of the sun and across the heavens and recognized as the first known celestial coordinates system. Zodiac signs consist of twelve sign which are Aries the first sign, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces being the last of the signs. Zodiac signs belong to four different elements: Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. Fire is a positive element as well as the element air. Fire focuses on a change of form to another, as for air is associated with the spiritual part of life. However earth and water is a negative element. Earth is a solid approve with people on earth, as for water tends to mysterious cause water has no shape form or density. How do you know your zodiac sign? When you are born within a certain day of the month you are automatically assigned a zodiac sign. For example Aries are born between the days of March 21 thru April 20, Taurus born April 21 thru May 21, Gemini born May 22 thru June 21, Cancer born June 22 thru July 22, Leo born July 23 thru August 21, Virgo born August 22 thru September 23, Libra born September 24 thru October 23, Scorpio born October 24 thru November 22, Sagittarius born November 23 thru December 22, Capricorn born December 23 thru January 20, Aquarius born January 21 thru February 19, Pisces born February 20 thru March 20. However all 12 signs are similar in ways. In my research, I identify my zodiac sign its characters Along with two other zodiac signs that interest e along my research. For my birthday are 14 July, my zodiac sign is the cancer that is symbolized as the crab. Cancer’s are ruled by the moon, Cancers are very compassionate and caring with friends, family, and lovers, and very emotional. But like the crab, the cancer protects their selves with an emotional shield. Cancers can be very moody that changes with his/her environment. Like the moon it goes through phases, starting with the new phase to the full phase. Cancer also goes through similar phases. Most cancer’s feel one way that day then totally feel different the next day. But this characteristic is part of their charm. Love and romance plays a most important role to a cancer. No other sign romance is better than a cancer, and no other sign takes its emotion badly when things go sour. With their changeable native cancers are fascinating, mysterious, and stimulating personalities. A cancer most secret desire is to feel safe, secure, and spiritual. Cancer is a very sensitive sign other than the other sign. Cancer also is inappreciative to criticism. Aries being the first zodiac sign gave me a great deal of interest due to their trait and characteristic that they hold. Aries are natural born leaders, excellent pioneer, very active and very naive. Aries is ruled by mars and is a fire sign like its element Aries tend to be adventurous and very accident prone due to their adventures. Aries live for the thrill in life. Also Aries tend to be a confused sign because of it complex combination of masculine and feminine expression all combined as one. Aries are doer not talker. This is why most Aries tend to have drama in their lives. Another good quality that this sign posse is that it thrives on competition and challenges. Aries are born between, March 21 thru April 20. The third zodiac sign that most interest me is the Libra. Libras’ are ruled by the planet Venus. Libras are born between, September 24 thru October 23. Virgos are symbolized by a scale. Virgo is the only sign that is not represented by an animal or person and is the seventh zodiac sign. Libras seek equality, humanity, and balanced through life. Like the scale Libras represent balance nature. Libras are peace-loving, eager to learn, and sociable. Therefore this trait Libras has makes it easy for this sign to communication. Libras qualities that it has are very simple. Libras tend to live a no complicated life, make everybody happy lifestyle. The final zodiac sign that grabbed my interest would be the Sagittarius. Which is ruled by the planet Jupiter, which this sign is a fire sign. This sign is very much a unique sign that is symbolized by both man and animal called the archer. Sagittarius are very stern and to the point, like the symbol itself. The Sagittarius is half man and half horse aiming a bow and arrow. The symbol also represents the way of man and animal. Sagittarius are curious learner and very idealistic. This sign is also quick in temper due to it being a fire sign. In conclusion, Astrology has been dated back to 2300 B. C. Astrology is a type of prophetic look into the future and past, using the solar system. True astrology is very complex because it can be real or not. Science and astrology are based on two diametrically points of views. Everyday modern science makes new discovery about the cosmos, while knowledge of astrology is based on ancient beliefs, which all that exist and has already been discovered. Traditionally astrology is based relative positions and the movement of the celestial bodies. One thing that astrology claims to provide is the understanding of personal traits and physical characteristics. Astrology believes that each person has a predestined life and that life can be reflected and be told a story in the sky. In conclusion Zodiac signs are a big part of an astrologist. Astrologers’ believe that astrology is the missing pages from the biblical bible. Could astrology be fact or fiction? Upon my research on astrology only one who devotes his time into astrology as well as its interest in the solar system would know that answer.

The Immune System – Overview

We are surrounded by billions of bacteria and viruses. To many of them, a human being is like a walking smorgasbord, offering nearly limitless resources that they can use for energy and reproduction. Luckily for us, getting into the human body is not an easy task! From the point of view of these tiny organisms, a human is a bit like a fortress. The skin is thick and very hard to penetrate. In addition, the skin also produces a variety of substances that are harmful to invaders. Openings such as the eyes, nose, and mouth are protected by fluids or sticky mucus that capture harmful attackers.The respiratory tract also has mechanical defenses in the form of cilia, tiny hairs that remove particles. Intruders that get as far as the stomach are up against a sea of stomach acid that kills most of them. But in spite of our fantastic defenses, hostile invaders still manage to get through. Some enter along with our food, while others may sneak in via the nose. And, as we all know, many things can break through our skin. In everyday life we often receive cuts or scrapes, and every time this happens we face the risk of a full-scale invasion from bacteria or viruses.What is the magic, then, that keeps us healthy most of the time? When we receive a cut, and when invaders enter the body, cells are destroyed. The dying cells trigger an automatic response called inflammation, which includes dilated blood vessels and increased blood flow. An inflammation is the body's equivalent to a burglar alarm. Once it goes off, it draws defensive cells to the damaged area in great numbers. Increased blood flow helps defensive cells reach the place where they're needed. It also accounts for the redness and swelling that occur.Immune Cells: The Defense The defensive cells are more commonly known as immune cells. They are part of a highly effective defense force called the immune system. The cells of the immune system work together with different proteins to seek out and destroy anything forei gn or dangerous that enters our body. It takes some time for the immune cells to be activated – but once they're operating at full strength, there are very few hostile organisms that stand a chance. Immune cells are white blood cells produced in huge quantities in the bone marrow.There are a wide variety of immune cells, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some seek out and devour invading organisms, while others destroy infected or mutated body cells. Yet another type has the ability to release special proteins called antibodies that mark intruders for destruction by other cells. But the really cool thing about the immune system is that it has the ability to â€Å"remember† enemies that it has fought in the past. If the immune system detects a â€Å"registered† invader, it will strike much more quickly and more fiercely against it.As a result, an invader that tries to attack the body a second time will most likely be wiped out before there are any sympt oms of disease. When this happens, we say that the body has become immune. Bacteria and Viruses: Our Main Enemies | A virus needs a host cell to reproduce. | Now that you know a bit about our defenses, let's take a closer look at our primary enemies. Bacteria and viruses are the organisms most often responsible for attacking our bodies. Most bacteria are free living, while others live in or on other organisms, including humans.Unfortunately, many bacteria that have human hosts produce toxins (poisons) that damage the body. Not all bacteria are harmful, though. Some are neutral and many are even desirable as they fulfill important functions in the body. Bacteria are complete organisms that reproduce by cell division. Viruses, on the other hand, cannot reproduce on their own. They need a host cell. They hijack body cells of humans or other species, and trick them into producing new viruses that can then invade other cells. Frequently, the host cell is destroyed during the process. Pat hogens and AntigensIn daily life we might speak of viruses, bacteria, and toxins. However, when reading about the immune system you’ll often come across the words antigen and pathogen. An antigen is a foreign substance that triggers a reaction from the immune system. Antigens are often found on the surfaces of bacteria and viruses. A pathogen is a microscopic organism that causes sickness. Hostile bacteria and viruses are examples of pathogens The Immune System – in More Detail The immune system is one of nature's more fascinating inventions. With ease, it protects us against billions of bacteria, viruses, and other parasites.Most of us never reflect upon the fact that while we hang out with our friends, watch TV, or go to school, inside our bodies, our immune system is constantly on the alert, attacking at the first sign of an invasion by harmful organisms. The immune system is very complex. It's made up of several types of cells and proteins that have different jobs to do in fighting foreign invaders. In this section, we'll take a look at the parts of the immune system in some detail. If you're reading about the immune system for the first time, we recommend that you take a look at the Immune System Overview first (see link below).The Complement System The first part of the immune system that meets invaders such as bacteria is a group of proteins called the complement system. These proteins flow freely in the blood and can quickly reach the site of an invasion where they can react directly with antigens – molecules that the body recognizes as foreign substances. When activated, the complement proteins can | -| | trigger inflammation| | -| | attract eater cells such as macrophages to the area| | -| | coat intruders so that eater cells are more likely to devour them| | -| | kill intruders|Phagocytes This is a group of immune cells specialized in finding and â€Å"eating† bacteria, viruses, and dead or injured body cells. There are t hree main types, the granulocyte, the macrophage, and the dendritic cell. | The granulocytes often take the first stand during an infection. They attack any invaders in large numbers, and â€Å"eat† until they die. The pus in an infected wound consists chiefly of dead granulocytes. A small part of the granulocyte community is specialized in attacking larger parasites such as worms. | The macrophages (â€Å"big eaters†) are slower to respond to invaders than the granulocytes, but they are larger, live longer, and have far greater capacities. Macrophages also play a key part in alerting the rest of the immune system of invaders. Macrophages start out as white blood cells called monocytes. Monocytes that leave the blood stream turn into macrophages. | | The dendritic cells are â€Å"eater† cells and devour intruders, like the granulocytes and the macrophages. And like the macrophages, the dendritic cells help with the activation of the rest of the immune system.The y are also capable of filtering body fluids to clear them of foreign organisms and particles. | Lymphocytes – T cells and B cells | | The lymphatic system| The receptors match only one specific antigen. | White blood cells called lymphocytes originate in the bone marrow but migrate to parts of the lymphatic system such as the lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus. There are two main types of lymphatic cells, T cells and B cells. The lymphatic system also involves a transportation system – lymph vessels – for transportation and storage of lymphocyte cells within the body.The lymphatic system feeds cells into the body and filters out dead cells and invading organisms such as bacteria. On the surface of each lymphatic cell are receptors that enable them to recognize foreign substances. These receptors are very specialized – each can match only one specific antigen. To understand the receptors, think of a hand that can only grab one specific item. Imagine that your hands could only pick up apples. You would be a true apple-picking champion – but you wouldn't be able to pick up anything else. In your body, each single receptor equals a hand in search of its â€Å"apple. The lymphocyte cells travel through your body until they find an antigen of the right size and shape to match their specific receptors. It might seem limiting that the receptors of each lymphocyte cell can only match one specific type of antigen, but the body makes up for this by producing so many different lymphocyte cells that the immune system can recognize nearly all invaders.T cells T cells come in two different types, helper cells and killer cells. They are named T cells after the thymus, an organ situated under the breastbone. T cells are produced in the bone marrow and later move to the thymus where they mature. Helper T cells are the major driving force and the main regulators of the immune defense. Their primary task is to activate B cells and killer T cells. However, the helper T cells themselves must be activated. This happens when a macrophage or dendritic cell, which has eaten an invader, travels to the nearest lymph node to present information about the captured pathogen. The phagocyte displays an antigen fragment from the invader on its own surface, a process called antigen presentation. When the receptor of a helper T cell recognizes the antigen, the T cell is activated.Once activated, helper T cells start to divide and to produce proteins that activate B and T cells as well as other immune cells. | PARTS AND FUNCTIONS White Blood Cells * The smallest parts of the immune system are the myriad types of white blood cells that are responsible for demolishing malicious bacterial, viral and tumor cells. T cells serve as both managers and infection killers. They are responsible for activating and communicating with other types of white blood cells before destroying malignant cells like parasites and tumors. Natural killer cells directly attack virus cells and tumor cells such as lymphoma, melanoma and herpes.They work alone without communicating with other parts of the immune system. B cells work to produce antibodies that attach themselves to foreign cells as a sign to natural killer cells and T cells to attack and destroy. Bone Marrow * An essential aspect of the immune system–and the origin of all types of immune system cells–is red bone marrow. Bone marrow is a specific type of tissue that grows in the empty centers of bones. This tissue uses the process of hematopoiesis to manipulate its own stem cells into B cells and natural killer cells, as well as the foundational pieces of other immune ells like T cells. Once they are created, these cells migrate out of the marrow tissue and circulate through the blood stream to infection sites, other glands or around the body as general patrol entities. Thymus Gland* The foundations of T cells produced in the bone marrow, called thymocytes, leave the tissu e and travel to the thymus gland for completion. The thymus is a small gland located near the lungs in the upper torso. Thymocytes complete their maturation in the thymus through the process of thymic education, where each cell is developed and examined for maximum efficiency.Cells that are not strong enough to provide immune support are destroyed and absorbed by the thymus, while the successfully matured cells are excreted from the gland into the blood stream. Spleen The spleen, which is located on the left side of the abdomen just under the lung, is a blood filter that works to remove malignant cells from the blood stream. To assist in this function, it holds a significant store of B cells, T cells and natural killer cells to help eliminate any contaminants that are caught.The spleen also assists in immune function by holding a store of red blood cells and platelets that can be deployed as support for the immune cells in the event of an infection or wound. Lymph Nodes * Lymph node s, found throughout the body, are also integral parts of the immune system that filter tissue fluid for bacteria cells, tumor cells and viral particles. Like the spleen, lymph nodes are full of the various types of white blood cells that clean the lymph fluid before returning it to various areas of the body.Lymph nodes are located in the head, neck, arms, legs, abdomen and genital area of the human body and are connected through a network of afferent lymphatic vessels. In the event of an infection, white blood cells can use these lymphatic vessels to quickly communicate with other parts of the immune system. SKIN The skin is the largest organ in area. With the Langerhans cells in the lowest epidermal layers, it is equipped with specialized immunologically competent cells. The Langerhans cells play a central role in the skin's immune system and are an integral part of the body's total defence system.The body's own defence against microorganisms begins directly at the skin surface. Sp ecial fatty acids from the sebaceous glands (i) and the secretions of certain bacteria belonging to the physiological skin flora inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. Certain enzymes present in sweat (lysozymes) can destroy the cell walls of invading bacteria. If a foreign body passes this first line of defence – for example, due to skin damage – the skin's immune system responds. Many cells help fend off foreign bodies. Among these are cells – like the Langerhans cells – that are specific to the skin's immune system.

Enzymatic Activity of Salivary Amylase

Enzymatic Activity of Salivary Amylase Ong, Janela Rose I. ; Paguia, Maria Tricia C. ; Placente, Dax Daven A. ; Posadas, Grace Catherine A. 3Bio3-Group 8 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science University of Santo Tomas, Espana, Manila 1008 Abstract This experiment aims to examine the enzymatic activity and specificity of salivary amylase depending on the changes in pH and temperature; and determine the optimum temperature and pH of the amylase. EXPERIMENTAL In the enzymatic activity of salivary amylase, 1ml saliva, 9ml distilled water and 30ml of 0. % NaCl made up the enzyme solution. One percent starch in phosphate buffer pH 6. 7 was the buffered starch. The experiment was comprised of two parts. For the first part (effect of temperature), 2 ml of the enzyme solution was placed in a large test tube and labelled as 4?. In a separate large test tube, 2 ml of the buffered starch solution was added. Both test tubes were incubated for 10 minutes in an ice bath with a tempe rature of 4?. The two test tubes were IMMEDIATELY mixed after 10 minutes, and three-drops were QUICKLY taken from the mixture. The three-drops of the mixture simultaneously added with two drops of iodine solution were dropped onto the first well of a spot plate and was labelled as the zero minute. Incubation should be continued and after a one-minute interval, three-drops of the mixture simultaneously added with two drops of iodine solution were dropped onto the second well of a spot plate and was labelled as one minute. The test tube of the iodine solution should not be exposed. It should be covered with a cork and wrapped around with aluminium foil. The same step of taking three-drops of the mixture simultaneously added ith two drops of iodine solution was repeated until a light yellow-colored solution was observed. Time should be noted. The first part of the procedure was not only focused on 4? but also other temperatures such as room temperature, 37? , 50? , 60? and 70?. All temperatures were incubated at the desired incubation temperature. The reciprocal of time (1/t, min-1) was plotted versus the tempe rature (T) and the optimum temperature of the amylase was determined. For the second part (effect of pH), 1 ml of acetate buffer with ph 4 and 1 ml of 2% unbuffered starch were mixed in a large test tube. In a separate large test tube, 2ml of the enzyme solution was added. Both test tubes were incubated for 10 minutes in a 37? water bath. The two test tubes were IMMEDIATELY mixed after 10 minutes and three-drops of the mixture were QUICKLY and simultaneously added with two drops of the iodine solution onto the first well of a spot plate. This was labelled as the zero minute. Incubation should be continued and after a one-minute interval, three-drops of the mixture simultaneously added with two drops of iodine solution were dropped onto the second well of a spot plate and was labelled as one minute. The test tube of the iodine solution should not be exposed also and it should be covered with a cork and wrapped around with aluminium foil. The same step of taking three-drops of the mixture simultaneously added with two drops of iodine solution was repeated until a light yellow-colored solution was observed. Time should be noted. The same steps for the second part of the experiment should be followed for other pH such as 5, 6. 7, 8 and 10 — using the appropriate buffer. The reciprocal of time (1/t, min-1) was plotted versus the buffer pH and the optimum pH of the amylase was determined.

Different Styles in Movies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Different Styles in Movies - Essay Example The essay "Different Styles in Movies" investigates such movie styles as Soviet Montage, Surrealism, German Expressionism and Impressionism. Equally important is the use of dream sequence to penetrate in to the layers of mind – conscious and subconscious. This style the focuses on the characters’ state of mind, impression of feelings and emotions rather than on the plot or drama of the story. Cinematography and editing are used to illustrate the state of mind, and dream sequences are used to reflect on the conscience. The wide use of impressionist methods is so palpable in Francis Ford Coppola’s film, that brought the internalized life of a detached expert ‘bugger’ Hary Caul on the scene. He would pass for a modern recluse, donned with headphones, holding an extended shot gun microphone. He probes into the private life of Ann and Mark. The film revealed contradictions in the inner and outer life of the protagonist through the subtle emotions on his f ace, physical movements, and also in his dialogue which intermittently gets spiced with silence. The camera opens with a bird’s-eye-view on the busy lunch time at Union Square in downtown San Francisco, with frames having visual details of pedestrians, workers on lunch break, and Christmas shoppers. There emerges the cadence of street musician’s concert which gets mingled with the gruff and hoarse noise produced by certain mechanical devices in the street. The inner conflicts of the character are illustrated through the varying degrees of music and cacophony.

Coding Schemes in Optical Fibre, Dicode Pulse Position Modulation, Literature review

Coding Schemes in Optical Fibre, Dicode Pulse Position Modulation, Reed Solomon Code, and FPGA - Literature review Example A review of the available literature would enhance the understanding of the coding schemes and hence make the researcher more capable of implementing the process of modulation. Transmission of data can occur either through analog transmission or digital transmission. In case of analog transmission of data, a carrier transmission in used. On the other hand, in case of digital transmission of data, baseband transmission is used. This implies that logical signals are sent for low and high levels of light. For low light level the logic signal is 0 and for high level of light the signal is 1. Sometimes a certain density of the transmission is obtained through data coding that can be applied in the process (Goff, 2002, n.d.). A good balance of 0s and 1s are offered by the schemes of line coding as discussed by Senior (2009, p.737). Related to this is the optical power budgeting that has been focused in studies by Senior. For the communication system based on optical fiber, power budgeting is obtained in the same way as it is done in case of other systems of communication. FEC refers to forward error connection the method of which is used for monitoring errors in the system of communication and forms an essential strategy developed within the line code. There are several line codes and schemes that can be developed in order to accomplish FEC in optical fiber systems of communication (Senior, 2009, pp.731-737). Pulse position modulation is associated with its implementation and performance on the optical channels. Optical communications based on free-space are significantly affected through changing atmospheric conditions (Acton, 2011). Researchers have been sincerely interested in learning about the performance of higher order multiple pulse position modulation over highly dispersive optical channels. This is performed through the use of different slots of the PPM system on the channel of the plastic optical fiber. The analysis of the

Recruitment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Recruitment - Essay Example Technology plays an important role in bringing the employers and job seekers on one platform and the ways of recruitment have been modified according to the emerging technology from time to time. Today, many big enterprises make use of softwares for the formulation of job description, job advertisement, response management, short-listing, selection of analytical method, arrangement and conduction of interviews, and the final selection. Thus, the reliance upon technology or recruitment agencies to assess the skills and competences of candidates has made it easy for the managers to select the finest candidates from the pool of applicants. Selection of right individuals for the right positions is indeed, the first step of workforce management. Management of existing workforce, may however, be adversely affected by the recruitment of new employees. Workforce management is a skill and art that requires much more than a manager’s conscious efforts to satisfy the workforce and improv e its morale.

Steam Engine Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Steam Engine - Research Paper Example The basic purpose of the stationary steam engines is to pump and drive mills by generating power. While introduced in the 18th century, these engines continued to be produced in huge numbers throughout the 19th century, and most of the part of the 20th century until advancements made in the electrical field leading to the practical application of electric power and the development of the internal combustion engine took their place. The use of the fixed steam engines accelerated between the time period of 1750 and 1850 but started to gradually decline afterwards when more advanced and adaptable electricity powered engines began to be introduced. Though the use of internal combustion engines became more widespread later, this paper aims at stressing the fact that the importance of efforts leading to the discovery of steam power and invention of first commercially successful steam engine cannot be denied and should never be overlooked when contemplating the technological inventions intr oduced prior to 1850. Stationary steam engines have often been mistaken for other kinds of engines introduced during the time steam engines were under development process. But a little research into this matter proves that they can be distinguished and stand in contrast to locomotive engines used for railways, traction engines used for manufacturing roads, steam cars, and agricultural engines used for ploughing and harvesting fields. The steam engine is arguably considered the most important technology of the industrial revolution and the literature reviewed in this paper aims at underlining this claim that the steam engine due to multiple factors was indeed an... This essay stresses that the world witnessed a sustained growth in the obvious influences exerted by technology related revolutions which begin to revolutionize every aspect of daily life for the better. Period extending from 1750 to 1850 is characterized by the transitional change of the manual and animal-based labor into critical machine-based manufacturing. This paper makes a conclusion that the steam engine has always remained in limelight in the history. After Savery, Newcomen played a gigantic role of critical nature in advancing the efforts initiated by the previous engineer and introduced a version of steam engine which not only overcame the issues associated with the earlier model but also helped in greatly facilitating the human life by fostering the transition of manual-based labor into machine-based manufacturing. Then Watt’s highly effective double-acting rotative steam engine and later versions of steam engines invented in later years served as the basis for a whole new wave of modern or revolutionary steam technology. General consensus is that though the steam engine was an essential early element of the industrial revolution, still this technology remained underused for most of the part of that period as most of the industries then continued to rely on wind and water power along with manual and animal-based labor to run machines. The discovery of steam power formed the backbone of the steam engine manufacturing process and multiple scientists and engineers whose work precedes 1850 are involved in continually developing this technology.

The Representation of Mosquitoes Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Representation of Mosquitoes - Assignment Example Consequently, a select species of mosquitoes survive the effects of the pesticide. Certain mosquitoes are likely to survive the effects of pesticide due to a selective advantage. This selective advantage results in a greater resistance to the genes of certain mosquitoes. As a result, they are able to survive the effects of a pesticide spray as other mosquitoes die. The mosquitoes that are able to survive the effects of the pesticide possess a genetic resistance to the pesticide. As the mosquitoes achieve maturity, they reproduce and transfer the genetic resistance to the subsequent generation. In the process, the new generation acquires an increase in the number of alleles that develop further resistance to the pesticide within the population. A systematic and continuous application of the selective pressure against the pesticide results in a mutual resistance against the pesticide within the mosquito population. Examples of organisms that became extinct before the adaptive radiation are the prehistoric non- avian dinosaurs that were replaced by mammals during the end period of Cretacious. Adaptive radiation refers to a fast evolutionary radiation fuelled by natural selection that is synonymous with an addition of the ecological and morphological diversity of one rapidly changing lineage. It occurs right after extinction since the phenotypes of a new species adapt in conformance to the environment. Consequently, new traits that are beneficial are increasingly evident. The sun acts as a source of energy that is transferred to the producers such as plants. However, the energy is lost through heat. As a result, 10% of the energy from the producers is transferred to primary consumers such as deer, zebras, and other herbivores. As energy is transferred across the trophic levels through consumption, there is a consistent loss of approximately 10%.

Payment for Ecological Services Lijiang, China Essay

Payment for Ecological Services Lijiang, China - Essay Example The major upper hand with the PES is hinged on its ability to offer short-term benefits that encourages conservation behavior. This prompts and facilitates collaborative participation of the residents in the management of the ecosystem and not being its worst enemy. In the region of Lijiang China, fundamental changes have been effected that include banishment on the inspection of fishing, poaching, hunting and a reduced potential threat upon the well being of the ecosystem. Pagiola, S. & Platais, G. (2003). To enhance sustainable Ecological and Environmental services, the PES scheme in Lijiang China has put more emphasis on comprehending the interlocks between human activities; mainly farming around the Lashihai Lake and the management of the biodiversity in terms of migratory bird's population and the preservation or improvement of water quality for landscape use in Lijiang old town. Rosales, M., & Ruis, J. P. (2004). Since Agriculture is the main activity dependent upon by inhabitants who live around Lashishi Nature reserve. Agriculture and livestock therefore constitutes for more than 70% of the entire economic system around this region. This has also been viewed as a major detriment that has greatly hampered and deteriorated the water flows into the lake. Rosales, M., & Ruis, J. P. (2004). ... (2003). Intercropping A mixed system of crops and fruits is already practiced in some areas around the Lashihai Nature Reserve, and thus can be further encouraged. To increase farmers' profits, one could also encourage the introduction of livestock husbandry, which should reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers. Rosales, M., & Ruis, J. P. (2004). Furthermore, in the last scenario, fodder crops intercropped under fruits may help reduce cost of feedstuff used, thus further increasing the attractiveness of this development scenario for individual farmers. One limitation of the model is that it assumes stable prices for the crops, even though, as shown in the figure below, there are some variations. Furthermore, in near the future prices of grain will slightly increase due to the limited cultivated land. Pagiola, S. & Platais, G. (2003). Changing farming Techniques around the lake The chief reason of changing the agricultural practices of farmers around the lake, however, is not to increase their profits, but rather to decrease the impacts that their activities have on the water quality of the lake - and, in turn, on the tourist city of Lijiang. It is thus obligatory to comprehend the stalemate in terms of agricultural production, application of chemical inputs, and water quality in the lake. Pagiola, S. & Platais, G. (2003). Evaluating of the current production data for the region, it appears that current agricultural sector in the Lashihai Nature Reserve is operating underneath competent levels. Pagiola, S. & Platais, G. (2003). Above all, the production of crops are low, even compared to the run of the mill for China, which compares aggregate production per hectare in the Lashihai Nature Reserve to the average for China for selected crops. The

France increasingly eclipsing Spain as the favorite destination for UK Essay

France increasingly eclipsing Spain as the favorite destination for UK property buyers to invest - Essay Example If you thought the overseas property market is dying due to the recent financial upheavals, then think again. The most-recent and the biggest-ever study of overseas holiday homeowners has revealed that in spite of price falls ranging from ten percent in France to fifty percent in Spain, the number of Britons purchasing homes in other European countries has actually increased in course of the recent recession. In 2006 for instance, some 385,000 Britons owned holiday homes in other European countries, a figure that has since increased tremendously to as high as 430,000 by 2010 (Avella, 2004). Reflecting travel and tourism trends, investments in long haul holiday destinations like Caribbean, Asia, and Africa, which generally offers warm climates enable holiday home owners to benefit from longer visiting seasons and therefore, longer rental periods. Correspondingly, holiday homeowners have been taking advantage of the short-term letting in the year-round city-break market (Keller, & Bieger, 2008). However, compared to inland nation and urban locations, it is beach holiday destinations that seem to attract most second home investment. Motivated both by the letting potential and their own holiday plans, over half of UK overseas properties owners have bought homes in coastal areas as can be demonstrated by the graph below. Due to this changing environment in the property market in Europe, we are going to explore the attractiveness of a number of countries in terms of overseas property investment. In this case, we will focus on three European countries namely; France, Italy, and Spain. ... currently, we will be able to advice our clients on those countries (Italy, France, and Spain) on whether to continue holding on to their property investment or to sell them. Sample Framework: In coming up with appropriate information to help ascertain which among France, Italy, and Spain is a better property investment destination at the moment, we will be required to ask property investor in UK a number of a question on each of these countries and score them on a 5-point Likert Scale before using a Frequency distribution as a quantitative technique to draw a conclusion. Sample Size and Technique: The sample of this research will be a total of ten property investors residing in UK. The research will make use a number of sampling techniques namely; a. Random sampling; questionnaires will be issued at random to people who have properties in all or any of the three countries (Italy, France, and Spain), something that is expected to ensure that each property investor residing in the UK is accorded an equal chance of participating in the research. b. Convenient sampling; because of the difficulty that might be involved in identifying a UK citizen who is not only conversant but also up-to-date with overseas property investment, it might be a bit difficult to achieve randomness in this research. However, in order to bypass this handicap it therefore becomes necessary to issue a questionnaire or hold an interview with any UK property investor that the researcher bumps on, which is a measure that will help the researcher achieve randomness in this research. c. Purposive sampling; because of the complexity of some of the issues, reaction of some research questions will require the input of particular property investor. This therefore calls for an approach that will see to it

Socialism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Socialism - Essay Example    America is perceived as an exceptional country by many of the political thinkers. In fact the term American exceptionalism is generally used when people try to compare American societies with other societies. â€Å"There is no questioning the fact that, from the last quarter of the nineteenth century on, the most developed country has been the United States† (LIPSET & MARKS). In other words, the conditions of the working class was comparatively better in United States than in any other country in the world from the latter half of 19 th century onwards. So, American workers never thought about forming a political party to safeguard their interests as it happened in Europe and other parts of the world. Engels attributed the political backwardness of American workers to the absence of a feudal past. Thus, he wrote in 1890 that Americans "are born conservatives—just because America is so purely bourgeois, so entirely without a feudal past and therefore proud of its pur ely bourgeois organization" (LIPSET & MARKS). Unlike many other societies in Europe and other parts of the world, feudalism had not much roots in America societies. In other words, the working class never experienced much trouble from the dominant wealthy community even though American economy was a capitalist economy.

Crisis and Opportunity Essay Example for Free

Crisis and Opportunity Essay 1) Introduction Nowadays, we have created our own world of technology. Convenience and efficiency are catered through it. Yet, the earth, the natural world, seems to rebel against such artificial world, by sending signals of natural crises to us. In this project, we are going to talk about How people benefit from Water Crisis surrounding the theme Crisis and Opportunity. The water crisis is branched out as two sections, namely water shortage and water pollution. The amount of water in the world is stable; it just changes its physical forms. Nonetheless, the problem of water shortages still exists. In fact, what we lack is clean water. With rapid advancing of human activities and technology, and unfavorable natural features like uneven distribution of rivers, the water crisis is growingly affecting our lives negatively and takes them at risk. Water is polluted by increasing human activities. Industrial wastes which include heavy metals like mercury and lead, harmful to living things, are illegally dumped into water sources; Sewage is directly deposited into rivers, which normally is a source of clean water. Ultimately, global warming, was elicited by human too, depletes clean water. With changing of climates, some countries face more floods which pollute clean water while other countries face more droughts which cause massive drying out of clean water. Now, we start worrying about the crisis because water controls our lives tightly as we could not survive without it. On the other hand, people are developing more and more solutions. By approaching the problem optimistically, this ought to turn this crisis into an opportunity so that we and the world can proceed sustainably. Scientists from all around the world have come up with ideas to solve the problem piecemeal. 2) Literature Review We used secondary research in this paper as there is simply no way for us to conduct our own research on water crisis. We mainly consulted online websites and read some online books. We also read articles from credible magazines such as National Geographic There is also a website called Global Water Intelligence which is a Market-Leading website for the analysis of International water industry. From these sources, we mainly found out that water is very limited around the world and there are people dying from consuming polluted water or simply dehydration. We also found out that the water crisis brought out some new technologies that changed the water pattern of the world. Have you ever thought of turning water from your basin into drinking water? Some people may think that it is impossible, or even a disaster. However, in Singapore, scientists have developed some methods, which can change waste water into pure water. The reused water is called the â€Å"New Water†. How to purify used water? Used water is collected from residence, companies, and schools, and then it is purified by three steps. First, it undergoes microfiltration. Large particles can be filtered away in this step. Afterwards, it undergoes reverse osmosis. Differentially-permeable membranes are used in reverse osmosis. These membranes contain tiny holes, which can only allow water molecules to pass through, so contaminated substances, such as viruses, bacteria can be removed. Lastly, ultraviolet light is used as a back-up to ensure the remaining micro-organisms were completely killed. This makes â€Å"New Water†. On the other hand, some people might worry that â€Å"New Water† was unclean, and thus may affect the health of citizens. However, research conducted, as shown in figure 1 and 2, the level of organic substance and amount of bacteria in â€Å"New Water† was much lower than the local reservoir water. Indeed, this shows that the â€Å"New Water† meets the requirement of drinking water so its safety was ensured. Compare to the other sources of water, â€Å"New Water† is even cleaner. Therefore, it was awarded many global water awards among these years, and this can surely tackle the problem of water shortage without polluting. There is another way to tackle water shortage and pollution. Do you know how sailors obtain fresh water when they are on a voyage? They obtain fresh water by changing sea water into drinking water. This method is called desalination. Sea water accounts for 97% of the world’s water resource. Only the remaining 3% is consumable for humans. In some countries like Saudi Arabia, there is water shortage. They only have a small amount of consumable fresh water. However, they have a large supply of sea water. However the salinity of sea water is four times higher than our body fluids. When we drink salt water, water molecules in our cells will move out of the cell due to osmosis. This net transfer of water may cause our cells to shrink, which may lead to dehydration, and death in serious situations. So how can this modern technology help us to turn this crisis into another opportunity? Desalination refers to the removal of salt and other minerals of saline water to make it consumable. It has become increasingly popular in recent years due to enhancement in technology. There are two methods for desalination. The most common type is work by reverse osmosis, which is based on osmosis- the movement of substances from a lower concentration to a higher concentration. It is a membrane-technology filtration and removes salt and minerals by pressurizing the sea water, forcing them to move through the selective membrane. The selective membrane has pores that allow only water particle to pass through, so that salt molecules and other pollutants are trapped behind the membrane. The by-product produced in the process is salt. It creates an economic opportunity. The process in a desalination plant Thermal distillation is another way of desalination other than reverse osmosis. It is known as the multi-stage flash distillation. It distillates water by flashing a portion of water into steam in multiple stages and then condense them into portable water. Where do we find desalination plant? In Hong Kong, the Water Supplies Department has two desalination plants which use reverse osmosis. The first one is located in Ap Lei Chau and the other one located in Tuen Mun. The government is also planning to build another desalination plant in Tseung Kwan O. There are 100 countries around the world which uses this technology. Saudi Arabia accounts for 25% of the world’s desalination output, with over 2000 desalination plants around the country. A desalination plant in Saudi Arabia. Apart from the problem of water pollution and water shortage, water crisis itself can also be an opportunity, if we look at it from another perspective. It can raise global awareness and promote international cooperation. Thus it drives globalization. Water crisis is a global issue. It cannot be solved by only the cooperation of a few countries; full cooperation from countries all around the world is required. Therefore, some international cooperation was established in order to help countries joining hands to solve water crisis. One of the examples is the World Water Council. The World Water Council organizes the World Water Forum once every three years. In the forum, representatives from different countries join together and come up with some solutions to solve the water crisis. It includes signing of protocols, reducing pollutants in order to help geographic areas that are facing an immediate water shortage. This can not only help to solve the water crisis, but also create peace among countries. 3) Discussion and Analysis What are the benefits of using â€Å"New Water† instead of local reservoir water? First, it can solve the problem of water shortage. In Singapore, there is not enough water because there are only a few rivers running through this small country, but it is densely populated. Reused water is using the same amount of water many times, so we can have unlimited water source without worrying being used up. Moreover, using â€Å"New Water† can help protecting the environment. Waste water cause water pollution, which can contaminate fresh water source; by using â€Å"New Water†, water can be reused and it will not cause any further pollution. This is beneficial to the environment. Furthermore, â€Å"New Water† can boost tourism. In Singapore, the â€Å"NEw Water† visitors centre is a new attraction. It attracts tourists to visit as it provides opportunities for them to explore Science and learn more about water. Last but not least, â€Å"New Water† can help Singapore to make money, as it can sell this technology to other countries. Some countries, such as, China and Europe has already started using â€Å"New Water† instead, as it is purer than local reservoir water. In conclusion, â€Å"New Water† is alternate solution, which can change water pollution and shortage into a profitable opportunity. Now, let us move on to desalination. Some people think that although desalination may seem to be a solution to our current water crisis, it has certain potential implications that cause harm to our environment. Fossil fuels or nuclear power are used in the majority of desalination plants. The burning of fossil fuels releases a large amount of carbon dioxide into the air. The increase in this disastrous greenhouse gas consequently makes global warming worse. Alternatively, but still, nuclear power is dangerous. The radiation leakage in Japan had spread concerns all over the world. Radiation is carcinogenic. People living near the nuclear power plant had to be relocated. It even made Japanese seafood un-consumable. Besides, the food chain is affected since water and soil is polluted by radiation. Furthermore, membrane-technology is expensive. The production cost of water per meter cube is HK$7.8- HK$8.4. However, the advantages of desalination outweights its costs because it can make water available to areas that have a scarce supply of fresh water. Why Saudi Arabia needs a lot of desalination plant? It is because it is located in a place where there is short supply of water. With desalination, they can change sea water into fresh water. It provides a reliable and sufficient supply of water to the growing communities, which reduces the crisis of water shortage. More people will have a steady supply of water and lives will be saved. People will no longer die from the lackage of water. The costs of human lives are much more important than the costs of desalination. The cost of desalination is only short-term and it can be solved by using renewable energy instead, such as solar energy and wind power. Also, the cost of desalination will be lowered once it is developed and widely used around the world. To sum up, desalination is another effective way to change water crisis into an opportunity. â€Å"A coin has two sides†. Water crisis does not only bring disadvantages, but it is also an opportunity for countries to join together and solve this global issue. This can improve international relationships and bring peace to countries. On the one hand, some people may argue that water crisis would not bring any peace to countries, but instead it brings conflicts and chaos. Some research show that as water crisis is getting more and more serious, water source becomes a weapon, and it may be a threat to other countries. Therefore, if one country is located at the upper course, while the other is located at the lower course, the one at the upper course can control the flow of water. However, the establishments of international organizations help to solve this problem together by promoting the saving of water supply and improvement of technology. This can create communication channels and may help to maintain peace in certain countries. For example, the 6th Water Forum held in Marseille, from 12 to 17 March 2012 was a great success. Participants from over 145 countries join this event. They discuss global water problems together. Through debates and in-depth dialogue, they were able to know more about water crisis and many stakeholders commit that they would try their best to conserve water in order to help the needy. This shows that water crisis can raise global awareness and promote international cooperation. (+ but piecemeal and suggestion) (favourable risk and insight) 4) Conclusion The water crisis does not have to be devastating. Flipside, there are advantages of it on bringing opportunities to communities, the world and to us. In face with the same problem, people unite and untangle the cluttered yarn of puzzle, mystery and problems. Because of the water crisis, people start organizing Water Forums so that opinions all around are synthesized, analyzed and become a grand solution. Working scientists, assisting each other and aiming at the target, invented ways like the New water and desalination of water. Even the darkest night will end. And the sun will rise. There is always a solution to a problem. However, we could not just rely on the technology to solve this problem but we should also help conserving water and raise the global awareness. To solve the problem entirely we must start from its roots. Take a shower instead of a bath. Don’t leave the water running when you are brushing your teeth. Switch off any dripping taps. This will also decrease your electricity bill and help to build a greener environment where water is plentiful. If we still consume water at a stage like this, we are exploiting resources from our next generations, which doesn’t make the planet sustainable. With the cooperation of everybody, we strongly believe that water crisis will definitely change into an opportunity and the world would be a better place to live in. 5) Reference and Appendices Asia’s Water Crisis†¦and Opportunity (No.2 2011) Solutions http://solutions.bv.com/asias-water-crisis-and-opportunity/ Peak Water: Crisis or Opportunity? (Tuesday, December 1, 2009) Carbon Foresight http://carbonforesight.blogspot.hk/2009/12/peak-water-crisis-or-opportunity.html â€Å"Turning China’s Water Crisis into Investment Opportunity† Market Brief Water August 2009, New Ventures http://www.new-ventures.org.cn/sites/default/files/upload/turning_chinas_water_crisis_into_investment_opportunity.pdf â€Å"Who profiting from the water crisis†, Issue 452, New Internationalist Magazine http://www.newint.org/features/2012/05/01/water-crisis-profit-opportunity/ Singapore National water agency http://www.pub.gov.sg/water/newater/Pages/default.aspx Graphs: Fig1 and 2 http://www.pub.gov.sg/water/newater/quality/Pages/default.aspx How Desalination works http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/how-does-desalination-work.htm http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/desalination.htm Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desalination Fdu Magazine online 2003 http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/03su/desalination.html The World water Council http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/ â€Å"Solving the World Water Crisis Takes International Cooperation†, Suite101 http://suite101.com/article/solving-the-world-water-crisis-takes-international-cooperation-a265088

Development of Autism Research

Development of Autism Research Fighting the Monster By writing a book called Infantile Autism, a Navy psychologist named Bernard Rimland established autism as an inborn condition rather than bad parenting. The books popularity inspired him to launch the National Society for Autistic Children (NSAC). By forming an alliance and reaching out to parents, he gave the parents in his network a sense of hope and progress at a time when there was virtually no research in the field, setting the stage for the surge of interest in autism research. Bernard Rimland was born in Cleveland in 1928, the son of Russian Jewish parents who emigrated after World War I. When he was twelve, his family relocated to San Diego, California. He got a bachelors degree in experimental psychology from San Diego State University in 1950 and earned his masters degree a year later. He met Gloria Alf, a Jewish girl from the neighborhood, and got married before heading east to Penn State to earn his doctorate. After completing his degree at Penn State, Rimland was hired as the director of research at the new naval base in San Diego. Their son, Mark, was born in the spring of 1956. But something was drastically wrong with Mark and it was only much later that his condition was determined to be early infantile autism. Besides reading everything he could on the subject, Rimland wrote a letter to Kanner in 1959 describing his sons behavior and announcing his intention to write a paper on the subject. After five years of research, Rimland published his book Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior in 1964, featuring an introduction by Kanner. The crux of the book was that autism is primarily a product of genetic inheritance rather than family dynamics. At one point, he even referred to Asperger syndrome without explaining it. He suggested that in some cases the syndrome was caused by unknown environmental factors acting upon a genetic predisposition. He speculated that parents who tend to be gifted in certain fields pass this vulnerability down to their children along with the genetic factors for high intelligence. This hypothesis would fall into disrepute in the 1970s as studies by Michael Rutter and others proved that autism does not discriminate by IQ or educational level and is equally prevalent across all socioeconomic strata. Rimland wanted the diagnosis to be strictly defined so that autism would turn out to be a metabolic dysfunction akin to phenylketonuria (PKU) that could be averted with a dietary intervention. PKU is a rare genetic disorder due to a gene mutation that impairs the metabolism of the amino acid phenylalanine. Untreated PKU can lead to behavioral problems, seizures, intellectual disability, and mental disorder. To facilitate autism research, Rimland included in the book a questionnaire called the Diagnostic Check List for Behavior-Disturbed Children (Form E-1), designed as a template for clinicians to copy and give to parents. After the book came out, Rimland unexpectedly received piles of completed E-1 forms. He followed up with the parents by telephone after scoring the checklist with a proprietary algorithm. He was so gregarious and empathetic to the parents that he became Uncle Bernie to a generation of families. In the second edition of his book, he included a revised version of the checklist called the E-2 designed for the parents to send to Rimland directly. His questionnaires had planted the seeds of a revolution. *** In the 1960s, most psychologists in America were still convinced that autistic kids were constitutionally incapable of learning. But a professor in the Psychology department of the UCLA named Ole Ivar Lovaas thought otherwise. Ole Ivar Lovaas was born in Norway in 1927. He and his family were forced to work as migrant laborers when the Nazis occupied Norway in June 1940. After the war ended, Lovaas was allowed to immigrate to the United States on the strength of his violin playing. He got a music scholarship at Luther College in Iowa and earned his bachelors degree in a year. Then he talked his way into the graduate program in psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle. He didnt want to become a psychoanalyst because he had lost patience with the speculations of theory-based psychiatry, so he focused on lab research. After earning his doctorate at the University of Washington, Lovaas stayed in Seattle, teaching and conducting research at the Child Development Institute near the university. At the institute, he experienced that improving the language skills of children with developmental delays might help them control their problematic behavior. He was also influenced by a psychologist at Indiana University named Charles Ferster who proposed that parents had inadvertently conditioned their children to be more and more autistic by rewarding their misbehavior with doting attention. In 1961, he accepted a position as an assistant professor in the psychology department at UCLA. In his first year on the job, the Clinic referred only one child to his lab: a nine-year-old girl named Beth who spoke mostly in echolalia and bore scars all over from banging herself against walls and furniture. Luvaas outfitted a suite of rooms with one-way mirrors, hidden microphones, and a push-button device that enabled his assistants to record the frequency and duration of her behaviors. He called this style of intensive intervention applied behavioral analysis, or ABA. Rimland was skeptical of the Lovaas method when he first heard about it. But he set his doubts aside and began to use the technique in training his eight-year-old autistic son. Lovaas had been thinking about inviting parents into the process because the lessons learned in ABA often didnt generalize beyond the artificial situation in the lab. The best hope for stimulating lasting behavior change was to train the children in their natural environment at home. Rimland arranged a dinner with Lovaas and a few of the couples from his network of autistic parents. Before the meal was over, they were begging Lovaas to train them in his method. By forming an alliance and reaching out directly to parents, Rimland and Lovaas had just built a shadow infrastructure for autism research in which parents, rather than medical professionals, were the ultimate authorities on their childrens well-being. *** In the fall of 1965, Rimland received a letter from Ruth Christ Sullivan, a young nurse and mother of an autistic son. Sullivan proposed forming a national group to advocate for the needs of autistic children. On November 14, 1965, Sullivan, Rimland and 60 other parents formed the National Society of Autistic Children. In the coming years, parents would launch hundreds of local NSAC chapters all over the country. By the mid-1970s, the NSAC launched a number of legislations aimed at protecting the rights of individuals with autism and mandating services for them, especially education. Autism was also included in the Developmental Disabilities Act of 1976. In 1974, by conducting thorough examinations of 78 children brought to the Childrens Brain Research Clinic in Washington by NSAC members, the clinics researchers theorized that autism is not a single clinical entity but is composed of multiple distinct subtypes. Rimland also did a groundbreaking study on savant skills based on data from his questionnaires, rediscovering the same clusters of enhanced ability in music, memory, art, science, mathematics, and technology that Asperger called autistic intelligence. Over time, the two paths represented by NSACs founders Sullivans focus on services and Rimlands search for a cure would diverge, resulting in Rimland being voted off the board of his own organization. *** Meanwhile, Lovaas was experimenting with alternating rounds of acquisition (reinforce proper behavior) and extinction (extinguish self-injurious behavior) trials on Berh. He found that she was responsive on acquisition trials, but not on extinction trials. So Lovaas sought a more expeditious solution, which was the use of punishment. Concerned that some of his techniques might seem unorthodox, Lovaas invited members of the press down to the lab to watch him in action. When the articles came out, members of the NSAC were concerned about how brutally kids were being treated at UCLA. Despite Rimlands tireless cheerleading for aversives, many NSAC parents refused to use them. Meanwhile, state hospitals across the country embraced the harsh techniques promoted by Lovaas at UCLA as a way of keeping problem patients in line. In 1988, the NSAC (now changed the name to the Autism Society of America) has passed a resolution calling for a ban on aversive techniques. But painful electric shocks are still employed to punish autistic children at an institution called the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Massachusetts, even in the face of a public outcry against their use. In the 1970s, Lovaas lent his expertise to a series of experiments called the Feminine Boy Project. The projects most celebrated success story was Kirk Andrew Murphy. Kirks was enrolled into the program at UCLA when he was five because his parents were concerned that he was exhibiting behavior that was too feminine. Lovaas worked with a graduate student named George Rekers who was Kirks behavioral therapist. Rekers and Lovaas devised a program of total immersion based on Lovaass work on autism. After sixty sessions in the lab, Rekers and Lovaas declared victory over Kirks sissy-boy behavior. Rekers went on to build a career based on the premise that homosexuality can be prevented. He became a founding member of the Family Research Council, a faith-based organization that lobbies against gay-rights issues. In the meantime, Kirk committed suicide in 2003 at age thirty-eight, following decades of depression. His parents claimed that Kirks earlier therapy had contributed to his suicide. In 2010, Rekers days as an anti-gay champion came to an end when two journalists ambushed him at the Miami airport returning from a holiday in Madrid with a hired male escort. In 1987, Lovaas claimed that nearly half of the children in an experimental group at UCLA had achieved normal intellectual functioning by undertaking intensive ABA starting at age three. Lovaass study was the breakthrough that many parents had been waiting for: empirical proof that their children could become normal given enough devotion, effort, and expense. *** In 1964, Rimland received an invitation from the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Standford University for a years fellowship in Palo Alto. There he fell under the spell of Linus Pauling, who had won two Nobel Prizes, a Nobel prize in Chemistry, and a Nobel Peace Prize. Pauling was the most prominent advocate of the notion that megadoses of Vitamin C could avert the common cold, slow the aging process, and improve mood. Paulings concept of orthomolecular psychiatry meshed perfectly with Rimlands thoughts on PKU and autism. Meanwhile, Rimland had started getting letters from parents claiming that their sons and daughters had become more calm and engaged after taking megadoses of certain nutrients, particularly vitamins B and C. After talking with doctors convinced of the therapeutic value of the megavitamin regimen, Rimland established the Institute for Child Behavior Research, later renamed the Autism Research Institute in San Diego to launch a study. But he di d not use the so-called double-blind placebo-controlled trial model in his study. Instead, he developed a home-brewed form of data analysis that he called computer clustering, an algorithmic search for clinically significant ripples in a sea of big data. With 45 percent of parents reporting that the vitamins definitely helped their children, Rimland was thrilled with the results of his experiment. But three independent analyses of his dataset revealed more problems with his design. The design of the experiment with parents as evaluators of changes in their childrens behavior was anything but blind in the statistical sense. A Navy statistician with access to the raw data concluded that no reliable information about the reaction in the vitamins by various subtypes in the sample population could be obtained by using Rimlands computer clustering scheme. Rimland was bugged by the disappointing response of his peers to his megavitamin experiment. Noting the serious side effects caused by prescription drugs, Rimland concluded that the future of his work was not to be found in conventional medicine. He would eventually encourage his parent-experimenters to try several treatments at once, making it nearly impossible to tease out the benefits and side effects of any single one. This try-everything-at-once approach gave the parents in his network a tremendous sense of hope and momentum at a time when the mainstream science of autism was at a standstill. From his office in Kensington, a suburb of San Diego, Rimland forged a productive alliance with the nineteen-year-old Steve Edelson, a psychology/sociology major in Lovaass lab. Together they wrote a book called Recovering Autistic Children that became one of the bibles of the biomedical movement. In the 1990s, they launched Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!), the network of clinicians and alt-med practitioners that Shannon Rosa turned to for advice on the GFGC diet and other treatments after Leo was diagnosed in 2002.

What it takes to be a teacher

What it takes to be a teacher What It Takes To Be a Teacher Choosing a career is a challenging, exciting, and perhaps even a threatening task for most today (Morales, 1994, para. 1). â€Å"You may have a clear idea about a career youd like to pursue. Then again, you might not have a clue† (Mariani, 2011). In todays society there are thousands of careers to choose from. Woman, as well as men are open to career options from Computer Engineering to Teaching. As our society begins to advance there are many careers which can one day be taken over by more advanced technology, such as computers. Teaching however, is a career that will always be in demand. Teachers are responsible for teaching fundamentals which are needed in everyday life. Not only is teaching a promising career, it is also a rewarding and beneficial career. Pursuing a career as a teacher is very demanding, however, it can be a rewarding career. â€Å"Teacher: one whos occupation is to instruct† (Merriam-Websters, 1993, p. 1059). The teaching process can be broadly defined as the transmission of knowledge (Morales, 1994, para. 14). Teaching developed into a profession after the early 1800s when the first teacher training was founded in Europe ( The World Book Encyclopedia, 2011, p. 68). Since the 1800s, teaching has long evolved and become extremely important to society. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). Teaching is a career which I have always found interest in. A puzzling question comes to mind: Why would anyone choose to teach in this day and age when there is such a wide range of careers from which to choose and when becoming a teacher is being made tougher and tougher? ( Morales, 1994, para. 3). For me the answer to this question is simple. Teaching is a rewarding, and beneficial career. There is so much more to teaching then showing students how to read, and write. According to the United States Department of Labor (2009) Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years†. The path to becoming a teacher will require years of schooling. The traditional route to becoming a public school teacher involves completing a bachelors degree from a teacher education program and then obtaining a license (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). Aspiring secondary school teachers most often major in the subject they plan to teach, while also taking a program of study in teacher preparation (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). Along with years of schooling, â€Å"Every state requires a public elementary and high school teachers to obtain a teaching certificate before teaching in that state† (The World Book Encyclopedia, 2011, p. 68). As technology continues to grow and people become more knowledgeable the requirements to becoming a teacher are gradually becoming more difficult. Evidence of tougher certification requirements is widespread. State legislators are mandating teacher accountability by passing laws that make it more difficult to enter the teaching profession ( Morales, 1994, para. 4). Being able to teach is not the only skill teachers need to have in order to land a teaching position. In addition to being knowledgeable about the subjects they teach, teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand the students educational and emotional needs (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). Although teaching may look simple there are many responsibilities a teacher holds. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). Teachers also hold another responsibility as stated by April Whatley, â€Å" Teacher educators are those individuals responsible for the development of future teachers† (2009). When one decides on becoming a teacher they must first realize there are certain job conditions they will be forced to work with on a daily basis. â€Å"Teachers may experience stress in dealing with large classes, heavy workloads, or old schools that are run down and lack modern amenities† (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). A positive aspect of being a teacher is the hours and vacations you receive. Unlike any other job most teachers work normal 40 hour work week, but have two months of paid vacation. â€Å"Many teachers work more than 40 hours a week, including school duties performed outside the classroom† (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). During the summer teachers have the advantage of a long vacation. â€Å"Most teachers work the traditional 10-month school year, with a 2-month vacation during the summer† (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). Teachers salaries range widely depending upon where one works, how much they work and what degree they hold. â€Å"Median annual earnings of kindergarten elementary, middle and secondary school teacher ranges from $47,100 to $51,180† (Krasna, 2010). Throughout the day teachers deal with students who can often cause stress when they become disobedient. There are also other factors that teachers deal with on a daily basis that can cause stress, such as grading large amounts of work. â€Å"Teachers may experience stress in dealing with large classes, heavy workloads, or old schools that are run down and lack modern amenities† (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). Throughout most of the day teachers are working with students. Teachers are sometimes isolated from their colleagues because they work alone in a classroom of students† (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). Like any other career there are many positive and negative aspects to becoming a teacher. One large advantage is all the paid vacation time a teacher has. All the extra time a teacher has allows them to pursue other things. â€Å" During the vacation break, those on the 10-month schedule may teach in the summer sessions, take other jobs, travel or pursue personal interests† (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). Being a teacher also has its disadvantages, â€Å"One challenge is that there isnt always a clear answer to the questions people face† (Krasna, 2010). In todays society it is becoming more difficult to land a job as a teacher. The credentials to become a teacher becoming more difficult. Although, it is getting more difficult to land a job as a teacher, teaching is a career that will always be needed, regardless of what time period one is in, or where they are located in the world. Schools in the United States and Canada hire new teachers each year. Some opportunities occur because experienced teachers retire or leave to pursue other career paths† (The World Book Encyclopedia, 2011, p. 68). There are many opportunities to increase you position as a teacher. â€Å"Master of education programs typically prepare their recipients to be elementary secondary or special education teachers and can offer courses in teaching methods , curriculum and instruction , classroom management and mathematics† (Krasna, 2010). According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2009) With further preparation, teachers may move into such positions as school librarians, reading specialists, instructional coordinators, and guidance counselors. Teachers may become administrators or supervisors. In some systems, highly qualified experienced teachers can become senior or mentor teachers, with higher pay and additional responsibilities. They guide and assist less experienced teachers while keeping most of their own teaching responsibilities. Being a teacher is an extremely beneficial career, although, it is definitely a career that is harder then it looks. Throughout all the research I have done, I have come to realize this is definitely a career I want to pursue and commit my studies to. There are many benefits to becoming a teacher. Teachers impact many lives and help many people. To attain my goal of one day becoming a successful teacher I will need to earn my degree in teaching. I hope to one day be able to lend the world my knowledge, and be considered a teacher. â€Å"Teaching offers inner rewards; a sense of having contributed to the betterment of humanity, a sense of having made a difference in this ever-changing world† (Morales, 1994, para. 14).

A Refining of Magnet Schools: The Segregated System :: Research Papers

A Refining of Magnet Schools: The Segregated System Magnet schools are designed to promote voluntary school desegregation and to enhance educational quality through thematic teaching of uniform curriculum (www.magnet.edu). Partially funded by the federal government through grants and assistance programs, magnet schools essentially provide choice to parents and students across America to gain a more specialized education. Intrinsically, magnet schools allow students from many different districts to unite in one school in hopes of creating a racially diverse learning environment. Despite the attempt made by the federal government to desegregate schools, Jonathon Kozol points out that, in fact, the magnet schools have even further isolated the poor urban student and that magnet schools have indeed failed to meet initial expectations as a desegregated environment. Yet desegregation is apparent in the areas of philosophy and purpose, admission and entrance to the schools, and curriculum. The initial proposal of the magnet school as a means to create racial equity among schools has been unsuccessful despite its statement of philosophy and purpose. â€Å"By shifting focus toward academic interests†¦magnet schools are attempting to bring together students who have common interests regardless of race† (www.liberalparty.com). However, despite its attempts, the system of magnet schools has failed to overcome racial segregation. Kozol notes that â€Å"very poor children, excluded from this [magnet] system, says the Chicago Tribune, are ‘even more isolated’ as a consequence of the removal of the more successful students from their midst† (Kozol 59). According to Kozol and the Tribune, the magnet system is further segregating the school systems by worsening the regular public schools in neighboring areas. What must not be forgotten are the existing schools that the less successful and less motivated students are left to attend, and the damaging effects that they face as a result of the magnet school system. In addition, in an evaluation of the Magnet Schools Assistance Program between 1989 and 1991, researchers â€Å"Steel and Eaton discovered that only half the schools met their desegregation objectives† (www.eric.uoregon.edu). Another study providing evidence that racial equity has failed to be realized through the use of magnet schools is in a recent statecommissioned evaluation of New York State’s magnet school program for 1993-94. The study â€Å"found that schools did not completely achieve their academic or desegregation goals† (New York State 1994- www.eric.urogen.edu). Legal critic Kimberly West has also concluded that â€Å"magnet schools are a ‘desegregation tool that backfired, are rife with racially segregated classes,’ and minority students are too often ‘treated as inferior by the very system that was designed to help them’† (www.

A Comparison of Charlotte Bronte Biographies :: compare contrast comparison

A Comparison of Charlotte Bronte Biographies    Over the years, there have been many biographies written about Charlotte Bronte. Elizabeth Gaskell's The Life of Charlotte Bronte has been regarded as the standard work. Winifred Gerin's biography, Charlotte Bronte: The Evolution of Genius (published in 1967) was the first to include new information on Bronte. Gerin says, "It is paradoxical that the standard work is still Mrs. Gaskell's Life. This remains a great biography, but published two years after its subject's death it suffered from the inevitable limitations thus imposed . . . and was not bettered by immediate followers" (xiv). Gerin felt that "the main contributions to Bronte studies in this century have been on the editorial plane" and sought to write a factual, unbiased biography (xiv). Lyndall Gordon's biography, Charlotte Bronte: A Passionate Life, took a feminist view, which was a different view from that of all previous biographies. Each biographer was affected by the cultural views of women of the time. Since Jane Eyr e is seen as a reflection of Bronte’s life, the view of Jane Eyre has also changed with the times. In her biography, Gaskell sought to hide Bronte's excess passion and blamed it on the tragedies she suffered, whereas Gerin recognized Bronte 's passion as a part of her personality that contributed to her writing, and Gordon embraced it as the most important aspect of Bronte 's life. In June of 1855, Mrs. Gaskell received a letter from Reverend Patrick Bronte, on behalf of himself and Bronte's husband, Reverend Arthur Bell Nicholls, asking if she would write a biography of Charlotte Bronte. Ellen Nussey, Bronte's friend, had written to Patrick Bronte and Nicholls concerned with her friend's reputation and some speculations made by the press. Ellen Nussey demanded that these speculations be challenged. Had the Bell brothers (Charlotte, Emily and Anne's pseudonyms) been three separate people? Were they male or female? According to Gaskell, people began wondering if the "author [of Jane Eyre] forfeited the right to keep the company of respectable women" (vii) because of her coarseness ("by which Victorians meant vehemence and passion") (Gordon 347)? Ellen suggested that Gaskell, a friend of Bronte’s and an established author, write Charlotte's biography. In writing the biography, Gaskell used her own notes and letters describing her meetings with Charlotte Bronte. Patrick Bronte provided a skeleton biographical outline (not always accurate in detail) of himself and his family (Gaskell xiii).

Bias in Epidemiological Research

Epidemiology is the study of the factors associated with different types of diseases for example, how often does the disease occur, how is the disease transmitted, ways in which the disease can be prevented. There are two main types of epidemiology: descriptive epidemiology and analytical epidemiology. Descriptive epidemiology is concerned with the frequency and distribution of risk factors in a population and it makes it possible for one to assess the way the disease has spread. Analytical epidemiology aims to study the causes and risks involved with the disease and the preventive measures.This is according to Pinchinat, S, & Ponton Sanchez (2006) Observation epidemiological studies In this case the epidemiologist does not carry out any actual experiment or in other words does not take part in any active role in the research. The epidemiologist simply makes observations on what is happening based on an already existing situation without administering any treatments for example if on e wanted to compare the exposure of PCBs exposure to occurrence of cancer over a 20 year period, he would not be required to give any form of treatment only to observe the available case available according to epidemiology home page.Experimental epidemiological studies In contrast to observational studies here the epidemiologist will be required to do the actual experiments or play an active role by administering the treatment to subjects and then observing the effects of the treatment. For example an epidemiologist can perform a clinical trial of a new drug on willing subjects and then observe the changes in subjects based on epidemiology home page. There are different types of biases associated with epidemiological research.According to Eric’s Notebook, bias arises when an estimated value deviates from the original or true value. The case studies given in the assignment are going to provide a basis for the discussion of various types of biases and the effects of the biases on the measures of association. Based on CES-Research-bias & confounding, different types of biases will be discussed. Case 1 This case might show both selection and measurement biases.Selection because the epidemiologist might select the children non-randomly in which case the results could be overestimated or underestimated in that if he over picked children who are not exposed to the chemical then his or her result will be underestimated and vice versa. The results will show a bias in measurement if the epidemiologist measures the outcome inaccurately in which case the results will either be over or underestimated. Case 2 This case could show measurement and analytical biases. Analytical bias is evidenced when patients give false information for example about having less sexual partners.This would lead to over or underestimation of the results. Measurement bias would occur if the epidemiologist collected the wrong data from the studies. This also would lead to over or underestima tion of the results. Case 3 This case will show two kinds of biases; measurement bias because the epidemiologist may collect inaccurate data and analytical bias because of not following up the outcome. All this would lead to either under or overestimation of data. Case 4 Measurement and analytical biases could occur in this case.Incase of analytical bias the results could remain unchanged or underestimated and in case of measurement bias it could either be under or overestimated. Word count: 551 References Aschengran, A, & Seage, G. R, (2008). Essentials of epidemiology in public health, (2nd Ed. ). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. CEM-Research- Bias & confounding is a site that provides essential information on research bias on epidemiology. file:///c:/biasconfound. html Checkoway, H, Pearce, N, Kriebel, D. (2004) Research methods in occupational epidemiology.Epidemiology Home Page is a website that gives an introduction to epidemiology File:///c:/epi1. html. Ibrahim, A. M. (2001) Eric Notebook: Selection Bias. Department of veterans’ affairs, epidemiologic research, and information center at Durham, NC. http://eric. unc. edu/notebooks/issue8/eric_notebook_8. pdf Pinchinat, S, & Ponton-Sanchez, A, (2006): Analytic and descriptive epidemiology. Biostatem SARL. File:///c:/epidemiology. htm Study Types in Epidemiology http://www. nwcphp. org/training/courses-exercise/courses/study-types-in-epi

Analize a Conflict in “Rip Van Winkle” Essay

One of the main conflicts in the grade pull up avant-garde scoot is about pitch falling unconscious for 20 years. To mail the verbal vilification of his wife that he had to deal with every day, Rip left to the timbre with his mouse click Wolf. While he was enjoying a appease view at the top of the mountain, a strange man yelled his relate over and over. The man reached Rips location and asked him if he could help him with the bags he carried. Rip helped the man and they headed to the mountain torrent. When they got there, they make up a group of strange men playing nine-pins. Rip drank some Dutch gin that the men gave him, got really drunk, and pull down a log Zs. When he woke up his dog was scatty and his gun had blemished. He decided to go back to his townspeople, scarcely all the routes to master there had changed.He finally got to his town and saw that everything and every i had changed. Rip even sight that he had grown a one foot long beard. Nobody recogniz e him so they thought he was a spy, since he was tal fag about the king while others were talking about George cap and the war. A girl approached him and he started asking her who her father and mother were. She said Rip Van Winkle and Dame Van Winkle. Rip figured that was his daughter so he told her that he was her father. She was very contented so see him again and brought him to screw with her.Rips sleeps real meaning is that he is escaping from his family and his responsibilities. Irving, the motive of the story, had Rip draw in to sleep in the first place, so his typesetters case could subscribe to an adventure when he woke up, non just so he could escape the present. Its important to see both calculates be fare Rip going into the spiritual timberland means both escape and adventure. The point that Irving was making was that slowness will cause you to miss out on the things of the future. This story is like showing us what would top if we could escape our responsibil ities and come back at a convenient time.The fact that Rips wife had always nagged on him didnt make him sorry that he slept for as long as he did. He was actually relieved because he escaped the snatch that his wife had on him. It seemed that she took away a part of his man-hood by always telling him what to do and what not to do. Rip then returned back to the town square and realized what had happened. Not too many people believed his story but reality struck and people started believe him. He was no longer looked at as a lazy trigger-happy man, but as a hero.During the romantic Period of American Literature it was believed that desire is great than logic and that imagination is the greater solution to finding truth and beauty, what nearly authors valued. Romantic writers also believed that cities led to decomposition therefore nature is a base hit place to become more spiritual. This is wherefore Rip Van Winkle schemes into the forest with his dog to escape the attack of his wife. dormancy for 20 years is where the imagination is greater than logic part comes into play. The moral of the story, however, is to have your priorities in order. Rip helped neighbors whenever possible, yet was averse towards his family. Of course sleeping for 20 years isnt reasonable for us. Whether Irving is romantic or not, the point is to display to every reader byout time that we cannot sleep through a revolution, or shrink our responsibilities.

Ecosystems at Risk

The negative nature and rate of commute that is occurring within the great obstacle Reef(GBR) is largishly cod(p) to human induced drill. precious red coral reefs argon compromising to the slightest of human impacts and the frequency in which we atomic number 18 doing so has dramatic onlyy increased all over the years, switch over magnitude it to a global scale. Climate win over a want with pollution, overfishing and tourism are doctoring the unguarded ecosystems existence. Climate exchange is affecting the globe at an increasing intensity.The Great bar Reef is experiencing some(prenominal) changes that it is un up to(p) to conciliate to such as a rise in the average irrigate temperature. The un innate change physiologic eithery stresses the corals and upset the critical poise that assigns their symbiotic birth with algae that inhibits it. When this process occurs the corals dope off their colour sightly bleached, the have a go at itd biological mother reduce the calcification rates, weaken the skeletons and eventually eroding coral communities.Polar ice caps are also melting due to global mood change, having respectable impacts on the nature and life duet of coral reefs. As the levels belatedly rise, fresh piddle inlets will be polluted with salt water affecting the biodiversity of terrestrial plant in these frail environments. Humans impact the GBR is done numerous paths of pollution, all of which can cause serious defile. Although non directly, deforestation has umpteen long-term impacts, as well as sedimentation, fertilizers and pesticides, runoff and plastic realize up. 2% of the earthly concerns coral reefs are threatened by land- found pollution both chemic and nutrient based e. g. fertilizers, herbicides, human derived sewage and pesticides. 80% of the GBRs near land is farmland that supports rural production. The chemicals used to admit the farmland pose long term damage to the ecosystem due to their me llow levels of friction match and nitrates. This runoff affect occurs when the farmer uses too very much of the product to maintain his land, or it is lost to demesne water.Sediments that flow by from rivers with Brobdingnagian amounts of eroded literal carry with it many of the pollutants stated previously from farms that brim the reef at risk. Tourism is vital to serving people recognize and promote the value of defend the Great breastwork Reef, tho at the very(prenominal) time has certain(p) elements involved with it, that are behind taking toll on the environment, which will if not looked at closer, or eliminated all together supplant it for generations to come.Tourism is listed a s a major oversight issue to the GBR, because of the large amount of tourists and its value to the economy. The impacts picture from low to high priority, and often trigger large infrastructure developments on islans and coastal communities, leading to boost problems involving runoff and separate pollutants mentioned earlier. Also associated with tourism, is the souvenir, ornamental and fish tank trade that intemperately affects the livelihood of the GBR.People taking foot a sharp piece of the reef cause significantly widespread damage to the ecosystem and its biodiversity. For the Great Barrier Reef to be enjoyed for generations to come, protections laws need to be set, still and most of all abided by. The nature and rate of change is fast increasing the decline of one of Australias most fine ecosystems that should be enjoyed without disturbances. The fragile ecosystem is able to adapt to natural fluctuations and subtle changes in the ecosystem, but human activity is fast destroying it.Ecosystems at RiskThe negative nature and rate of change that is occurring within the Great Barrier Reef(GBR) is largely due to human induced activity. Coral reefs are vulnerable to the slightest of human impacts and the frequency in which we are doing so has dramatically increased over the years, increasing it to a global scale. Climate change along with pollution, overfishing and tourism are affecting the vulnerable ecosystems existence. Climate change is affecting the globe at an increasing intensity.The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing many changes that it is unable to adapt to such as a rise in the average water temperature. The touched change physiologically stresses the corals and upset the critical balance that maintains their symbiotic relationship with algae that inhibits it. When this process occurs the corals lose their colour becoming bleached, the recognized biological effects reduce the calcification rates, weakening the skeletons and eventually eroding coral communities.Polar ice caps are also melting due to global climate change, having serious impacts on the nature and life span of coral reefs. As the levels slowly rise, fresh water inlets will be contaminated with salt water affecting the biodiversity of terrestrial vegetation in these fragile environments. Humans impact the GBR is through numerous paths of pollution, all of which can cause serious damage. Although not directly, deforestation has many long-term impacts, as well as sedimentation, fertilizers and pesticides, runoff and plastic build up. 2% of the worlds coral reefs are threatened by land-based pollution both chemical and nutrient based e. g. fertilizers, herbicides, human derived sewage and pesticides. 80% of the GBRs adjacent land is farmland that supports agricultural production. The chemicals used to maintain the farmland pose long term damage to the ecosystem due to their high levels of phosphorus and nitrates. This runoff affect occurs when the farmer uses too much of the product to maintain his land, or it is lost to ground water.Sediments that flow out from rivers with large amounts of eroded material carry with it many of the pollutants stated previously from farms that border the reef at risk. Tourism is vital to help people recogn ize and promote the value of protecting the Great Barrier Reef, but at the same time has certain elements involved with it, that are slowly taking toll on the environment, which will if not looked at closer, or eliminated all together destroy it for generations to come.Tourism is listed a s a major management issue to the GBR, because of the large amount of tourists and its value to the economy. The impacts range from low to high priority, and often trigger large infrastructure developments on islans and coastal communities, leading to further problems involving runoff and other pollutants mentioned earlier. Also associated with tourism, is the souvenir, ornamental and aquarium trade that severely affects the livelihood of the GBR.People taking home a small piece of the reef cause significantly widespread damage to the ecosystem and its biodiversity. For the Great Barrier Reef to be enjoyed for generations to come, protections laws need to be set, understood and most of all abided b y. The nature and rate of change is fast increasing the decline of one of Australias most beautiful ecosystems that should be enjoyed without disturbances. The fragile ecosystem is able to adapt to natural fluctuations and subtle changes in the ecosystem, but human activity is fast destroying it.

Realism In International Affairs Essay

Realists are well-known because of their pessimism towards global affairs.This theory can be regarded as a prescription to be followed by politicians and states or as a description of current affairs of the state or politician pursuing self-interest. Realism in politics is often defined as a principle of power supremacy, and it has a long history since the ancient times. It was reflected in Peloponnesian War by Thucydides. This theory was also touched by Machiavelli in his writing The Prince, as well as by other outstanding philosophers like Spinoza, Hobbes and Rousseau.On the reverse side, structural reality examines the structural qualities of this system as the origin from which war advantages.(Ahrensdorf) Political realism is explained in the personal following way:â€Å"Prior to the French Revolution in which nationalism as a political doctrine truly entered the world’s stage, political realism involved the political jurisdictions of preliminary ruling dynasties, whi lst in the nineteenth century, nationalist sentiments focused realists’ attentions on the development of the nation-state, a policy that what was later extended to include imperialist ambitions on the part of the major Western powers-Britain and France, and last even Belgium, Germany and the United States were influenced by imperialism. † (Viotti, Kauppi).Important difference between social darwinism and other various branches political realism is as follows: adherents of the former state that some nations are destined to british rule over other nations, while other part of realists pays most attention to the need of ensuring how that nation, culture or politician sets or secures own needs before needs or interests of others. Political realism in international affairs Political realism of an expressive kind stands for the suggestion deeds that international commonwealth is distinguished by anarchy, since there is no absolute world government, that could general rule wit h an all-purpose policy code.

Its normal that realism is not really realistic.17, ‘Of Commonwealth, cited in Griffiths, O’Callaghan). Respectively, without any supreme international force, nations treat each other with hostility or fear, and it damages the system. Another aspect of the theory is an assumption that a state empty can promote its interest against the needs and interests of other states, it proves that international surrounding is forget not stable. Any order is affected if states compete for the same need, and under such circumstances, as the realists state, the nation may rely on itself only.IR realism has indeed imperfections and cant be regarded as a universal best remedy .† (Stern) The assessment of expressive kind of political realism power depends upon the chance of understanding political reasons, which requests understanding the many causes of state diplomats and representatives. The pattern of officers’ relations, their motives and actions is complex. Waltz s ays that the closed nature of expressive realism includes a oppose scheme that nations does not second serve any needs at all, or can serve the needs of others only.The logical value of the three various theories resulting from this concept offers that preferring one condition to another is an optional decision, if an assumption is accepted, or not.

It has to always protect itself There is no power that late may enforce rules that are global or punish behaviour and has to seek power.Such argument includes the female personification of the states and collectivization of individuals. Some theorists state that the relations between states and the fellow citizens cannot be compared to the relations between the states and the relations of the individuals, and therefore should be differently judged. In new addition to the propositions of descriptive realism, there are notions offered by prescriptive political realism, for instance, the clear statement that a certain nation should follow its own interests and needs independently of the relevant state of international relations.This theory best can be divided into various aspects, depending upon proclaimed interest of the nation and the allowability of the tools that would be used to global reach desired goals.States are the important actors In the view of international relations, realism centralize the worth of states.Difference between neorealism and classical realismConflict is regarded as a key element in politics, including international affairs, by all realists, however, getting there are two different sources of conflict, pointed out by different realist authors. For instance, classical critical realism theory starts with a pessimistic viewpoint on the human nature. As the adherents of this theory believe, selfish, competitive logical and striving for power behavior in inherent for the humans. Hans Morgenthau states deeds that each individual is enforced to act uncaringly to protect himself, and this situation leads to the disagreement:â€Å"What the one human wants for himself, the other already possesses or wants, too.

A state will stay in a place.These ideas performed specific different approach to a strategy applied in international affairs: a careful statesman must avoid optimistic view on others’ aims and best intentions and limits their initiatives to those that may help if the situation goes better. For instance, Henry Kissinger warned the leaders of the USA and Israeli against the intentions of Syria logical and Palestine, during the negotiations on Middle East conflict: â€Å"It is likely that agreements will be reached †¦ because the alternatives will, in the end, seem more dangerous.But when this happens, we must avoid euphoria†¦. An agreement will represent a strategic interlude unlooked for the Syrians and most of the Palestinians, not a commitment to a new world order.e.Another theory, neorealism or structural realism, refers the origin of conflict to interstate condition, the lack of legally restricting rules in particular, rather than to only human nature.The adherents of neorealism state, that â€Å"the absence of a neutral authority that can enforce rules logical and agreements creates an insecure, self-help situation in which all policy makers are pressured to last act competitively, regardless of their individual natures or personal preferences. † (Kegley, Wittkopf) This statement is not new, it appeared in the 17th century in the work of Thomas Hobbes. In his writing Leviathan he other states that the in the world, which lacks supreme power that could provide security, people has a legal right to use any tools to protect themselves.

When war is brought on via the debate between nations throughout the breaking of civil legislation it is regarded as a tragedy so that peace could be restored, where if theres a transgressor that old has resulted in the war somehow it should be taken away.(Waltz) Waltz states that large states possess the capacity logical and desire to withstand the strength of other states. This results, as he sees it, in a tendency of competitiveness among states independently of the views of their leaders concerning domestic policy. Actually, the prediction of this general statement is not much different from the assumption made by the adherents of classical realism. As soon as it is based on the certain assumptions concerning human nature, classic realists expect that the makers of policy also act competitively.It may in fact be attained only by using intimidation and force.As soon as the states’ interests come across in conflict, it is expected that leaders pay much attention to the ir positions in power.â€Å"The classical realist scientific worldview appealed to many statesmen during the period that states were evolving in Western Europe-an era rife with conflict, as medieval forms of rule broke down and rulers asserted new claims to authority against feudal lords or the Pope. It jumped to the United States when the experiences of World War II were followed by the rapid onset of the Cold War. Neorealism later emerged when the bipolarity of the Cold War drew analysts’ attention to the effects of the structure of the interstate system†.

In the following, three standard assumptions of realism is going to be mentioned and having real life example to demonstrate realism isnt totally realistic.It is based upon the ideas of Kennan and Morgenthau, including the concepts of diplomacy purposes and international order. It proclaims that a global order is needed to be agreed by the largest states, to provide the promotion of their interests and reduce the threat of terrorists. Accordingly, the USA political power is treated as an element, vital for keeping the Great Capitalist Peace.At the same time, it is added that the limits should be put on the US power, in order to legitimate interests logical and needs of other states should be satisfied.Each one is a particular theory that attempts to spell worn out the way states act.(Lieven, Hulsman) Sources Waltz, K. N. Structural Realism after the Cold War.International Security.

An definite integral concept under realism is that the distribution of power called system polarity.McGraw Hill: NY, 1993. Stern, G. The Structure of kidney International Society. London: Pinter Publishers, 2000.Change in the system will induce change .Oxford University Press, 2004 Griffiths, M. , O’Callaghan, T. International Relations: The Key Concepts. London, Routledge, 2002 Kegley, C.