Saturday, August 31, 2019

Different perspective of human

Motivation is a force in workers that enable them to go the extra mile in executing their official functions. As human beings are different, so are the factors that motivate them. Human idiosyncrasies and attitude would determine what motivate them. While some are motivated based on monetary incentives, other are motivated by the actualization of accomplishment they attain in their official function. It is then germane that managers know what really motivate each worker under their supervision for the organization to attain maximum effectiveness and efficiency. There are plethora theories on motivation. The Scientific school of thought of Frederick Taylor sees workers as machine that would be motivated only by monetary and economic incentives. This school of thought disregards the human relations aspect and informal networking among workers. The reward system advocated by the scientific school of thought on motivation is a piece-meal reward system. In this instance each worker are rewarded based on what he is able to produce. The Scientific school sees human being as naturally lazy who tend to devise ‘soldiering’ tactics to dodge work. Hence, close observation is advocated by this school of thought. The incentive through extra payment and reward for bonus work done is seen as the motivational factor for increasing productivity by the scientific school of thought. The Human Relations School, in an experiment in Hawthorne led by Elton Mayo, discovers those workers are really motivated by informal interrelationship at the work place. The welfares for workers would go a long way to motivate them in accomplishing more. Thus, the human relation school sees human resource as the most vital resource in the organization that should be catered for maximum productivity. Other motivational theories that stemmed out of the human relation school include Abraham Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of need theory’, McGregor ‘X and Y theories’, Fredrick Herzberg ‘Two factors theories’, i.e. the ‘motivators’, and ‘hygiene’ factors, David McClelland ‘achievement theory, Victor Vroom’s ‘Expectancy theory, Adam’s ‘Equity theory’, etc. These theories have a meeting point, whereby they advocate that there are different levels and types of motivational factors. According to these theories when Individual workers are motivated by the right factors, they tend to put in the extra effort at ensuring they accomplish the target they have set for themselves as a way to repay the organization for meeting their needs and aspirations. REFERENCES Garner, Rochelle (2003), â€Å"Executives' Guide to Call Center Excellence: Motivational Strategies—Just Desserts† February. http://www.destinationcrm.com/articles/magazine_index.asp?IssueID=140   ( 1/11/06). Moore, Dianne-Jo (1991), â€Å"7 Motivational Strategies – Manager's Motivation Of Workers† Modern Machine Shop http://findarticles.com/p/search?tb=art&qt=%22Dianne-Jo+Moore%22 (2/11/06) Wertheim, Edward G. (2005), â€Å"Historical Background of Organizational Behavior† http://web.cba.neu.edu/~ewertheim/introd/history.htm (11/09/06)   

Friday, August 30, 2019

My Philosophy of Teaching

My Philosophy of Teaching Every child or adolescent is capable of learning if they receive the proper motivation and instruction. â€Å"A teacher's personal philosophy of education is a critical element in his or her approach to guiding children along the path of enlightenment. †- Barbra Wilt. My philosophy of education gives me the attitude needed to support students during their journey as a life long learner. I strongly believe that education is about contributing to children’s ability to think independently, create their own ideas, and become successful individuals. A teacher must be one who appreciates and respects the value of an education and the positive impact it has on all children. I highly feel that once the devotion for education and love for children are there, then the driving force to be an effective teacher will become stronger and stronger. For me, my love for teaching alone is the driving force in my decision to dedicate my career to being an effective educator. When I think about what education means and what an education looks like; I do not picture straight rows and columns full of eager students ready to learn. I visualize a more realistic picture; one which has small circles for group work, center stations ready for differentiated instruction to take place, and students waiting for the proper motivation to spark their eager minds. I strongly feel that a classroom should be highly interactive yet manageable, full of discussion and cooperative learning. I believe that assessment drives instruction and education in today’s diverse world. A variety of assessment allows one to provide effective instruction and evaluate achievement and learning. I think that assessment is a tool which provides valuable information for educators. With this tool an educator can better meet the needs diverse learners. My idea of a perfect teacher is one who inspires learning in addition to just relating required facts. An ideal teacher applies differentiated instruction and adjusts the curriculum accordingly. My philosophy of education involves a curriculum that provides multiple choices for taking in information, a variety of options for making sense of ideas, and alternative ways for expressing ideas. A teacher should be prepared and ready to implement all of these strategies. As a result of an effective ducation students can become engaged in real world activities. Education is what prepares students to problem solve in a variety of environments and socialize with others. The nurturing environment an education gives exposes children and adolescents to a multiple of life skills they will need on their journey into adulthood. Education gives us the knowledge of the world around us. It develops in us a perspective of looking at life. Someone once told me education is instrumental in the development of our values and virtues, and I strongly agree. Education arms us with an insight to look at our lives and learn from every experience. Overall, having an education is so important because it equips us with all that is needed to make our dreams come true. Education opens doors of brilliant career opportunities and gives us choices. An education gives us the opportunity to have better prospects in career and growth. Education is essential as it paves the path leading to success. Most importantly, education instills a sense of pride and knowledge one will need to prepare themselves in life!

Thursday, August 29, 2019

A researcher strongly believes Essay

1.A researcher strongly believes that physicians tend to show female nurses less attention and respect than they show male nurses. she sets up an experimental study involving observations of health clinics in different conditions. In explaining the study to the physicians and nurses who will participate, what steps should the researcher take to eliminate experimental bias based on both experimenter expectations and participant expectations.? The first step should be to consider that using an experiment in clinical conditions is a bad idea. An ethnographic study might be a better approach. The next step should be to consider what is really being studied. Is the point of the study to determine how physicians treat female nurses when compared to male nurses, or is it to determine the degree of difference? Would the individual’s gender (both that of the doctor and that of the nurse) make a difference? The results of a study would not be valid without considering the possibility that it is gender, not sex, that makes the difference. If pressed to design this experiment, I would gain permission to do the observation (or experiment, if you prefer). Then I would ask the doctors and nurses involved to participate in training vignettes. I would film the vignettes so that my work could be triangulated by other researchers. I would have a research assistant play the role of a patient, but would not disclose to the doctor and nurse that this was not a real patient. I would ask the doctor(s) to film the training vignette, perhaps of the way to decide whether or not to order a particular type of test, twice. The first time they would be given a male or female nurse; the second time, the reverse. The videos would be observed by myself and a research diary kept, with my personal feelings about the vignettes and the participant’s actions recorded so that any bias could be accounted for later. I would write my conclusions about the individual’s behaviors. Then, I would have two other researchers do the same. The conclusions of the three researchers would be compared and if two of the researchers had the same opinion about the behaviors of the physician, that opinion would be recorded as the official observation. The outlier observation would be recorded and archived. If the time was available I would film each physician six times: with a masculine male nurse, with a feminine male nurse, with a masculine female nurse, with a feminine female nurse, and with an obviously transgender male and female. The repetitive nature of doing this could easily be explained by saying the â€Å"client† was not clear what they wanted yet. 2.In what ways is the â€Å"fight-or-flight response helpful to humans in emergency situations? The fight or flight response helps the individual who is in an emergency situation to get the â€Å"blood pumping† so that the body can effectively run, or fight. The heart rate goes up; the individual may sweat or develop goose bumps. The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system governs flight or fight. Once the emergency is over – or perhaps, there never was an emergency, but the person believed there was – the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system takes over and helps calm the body down. The parasympathetic system stores energy for the next time it is needed in an emergency. The simplistic answer to this question is that fight or flight helps the human body prepare to survive. 3 Much research is being conducted on repairing faulty sensory organs through devices such as personal guidance systems and eyeglasses, among others. Do you think that researcher should attempt to improve normal sensory capabilities beyond their â€Å"natural† range (for example make human visual or audio capabilities more sensitive than normal)? What problems might this cause? This is both a question of science, and of ethics. We may be able to do something (even without unwanted side effects) but this does not mean we should. Once the capacity exists to better ourselves through technology, individuals who are in competitive situations will want this technology to make themselves more competitive. Perhaps a cochlear implant, for example, can be used not only for the non-hearing to hear, but to make the hearing have something resembling super-hearing, without being detectable by others. It is easy to foresee a situation where CEOs would want this implant to make  it possible to hear what members of the board are muttering, or that football players would want it so they can hear what the opposing quarterback is saying in the huddle. From a technical perspective, however, the human body is not comprised of stand-alone parts any more than a car or truck is. The body is put together in a system. The body’s parts are designed to work together in a particular way, much the same way that the carburetor, air filter, engine, spark plugs, and cooling system are designed to work together in a vehicle. The vehicle cannot work correctly if the driver of a 68 Mustang takes out the fuel pump designed for that vehicle and inserts one designed for a 2002 Humvee. The frame is not the same; the engine is not the same. Parts are not plug-and-play; they are not interchangeable. They have to be matched. In a car, trying to string together parts designed for a variety of vehicles will result in one of three outcomes: either the parts won’t work together as a whole, they will work together but badly, or they will work together and then blow out prematurely. The human body would be exactly the same. One size does not fit all.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

1000 words APA format Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

1000 words APA format - Article Example The authors utilize this particular case as a means of drawing attention to an industrially developed society that exhibits a larger than average overall life expectancy as a means of focusing upon the aforementioned determinants of COPD. Accordingly, the forthcoming analysis will serve as a brief review and synthesis of the main findings that this particular article was able to exhibit and the overall inference that can be drawn based upon these findings in terms of proposed future research and a greater understanding of COPD as it relates to individuals beyond the age of 65. Firstly, the article presents the broader understanding that COPD is oftentimes represented an old age as a direct result of environmental hazards and/4 prior activities such as smoking which might have contributed to the prevalence of this particular disease as old age is experienced. Within this particular dynamic, the article encourages healthcare professionals to be keenly aware of the fact that COPD, although having very similar symptoms and effects upon the individual who suffers from it regardless of age, has distinctly different impacts upon individuals that are over the age of 65 and potentially experience other health complications and issues alongside this. Yet, rather than providing a mere definition of COPD, symptoms, and its potential treatments, the article establishes a research methodology that will assess stakeholders and more effectively understanding and defining COPD in terms of future treatments. Accordingly, a cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2007 to January 2008; during this period, 406 primary family caregivers of COPD patients were recruited as a means of answering a questionnaire. Essentially, this study sought to categorize, classify, and ultimately understand the differentials in approach that caregivers had towards individual suffering from COPD based

Core- Global issues Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Core- Global issues - Assignment Example There is a comparable example in numerous creating nations, where disparities have climbed pointedly to a great extent because of the reception of budgetary liberalization and modification strategies. In addition, as in praiseworthy economies, the ascent in income inequality shows up firmly connected with more continuous domesticated fiscal emergencies. As it were, there gives off the impression of being a solid connection between the ascent in income inequality and the expanding recurrence of financial emergencies over the world. (UNDP np) Despite the fact that the unfriendly impacts of fiscal emergencies on growth and neediness are overall reported, the way that budgetary emergencies additionally have a tendency to intensify income circulation in creating economies is less as often as possible recognized. As this happens and biases decline, they make the precise conditions that incite the following emergency. Consequently, climbing income inequality, be it in developed or creating economies, has turned into a vital driver of helplessness as of late. Moreover, the diligence of inequality at abnormal amounts in numerous creating economies has made it more troublesome to lessen neediness. It is well acknowledged at this point that the more amazing inequality makes it more improbable that financial development can decrease destitution—paying little mind to the rate of monetary growth. Also, there is a developing agreement that the unnecessary inequality can stunt growth itself. (UNDP np) High inequality can additionally have undesirable political and social results. Where the establishments of government are powerless, inequality intensifies the issue of making and keeping up responsible government, growing the likelihood of financial and social approaches that hinder development, and destitution lessening and where social organizations are delicate, inequality further disheartens the municipal and social life that undergirds

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Coopers Creek And The New Zealand Industry Essay

Coopers Creek And The New Zealand Industry - Essay Example Strategic capabilities are recognised as the most vital resources and competencies of an organization that will help it to prosper and survive in this competitive market in the coming era. With the help of these underlining resources, the reputation and productivity of the organization enhances its position in the market among other contenders. Moreover, these resources act as the backbone of an organization on the basis of which the net profit and revenues get enhanced significantly. So, these strategies are very important for any organization, irrespective of size and location (Reid, 195, pp. 357-378). The resources might be both tangible and intangible in nature and the skills as well as the competencies of the employees might also vary from one organization to another. But all of them are useful in enhancing the net output of the organization. Therefore, using VRIN analytical tool, the strategic capabilities of Coopers Creek might be evaluated. VRIN stands for value, rarity, in-i mitable and non-substitutable (Teece, 2009, p. 367-389). Analysis and Discussion Analysis of the external environment of Coopers Creek by Porter’s five forces modelThe industry of wine is extremely competitive due to the presence of numerous wine players. Since competition is quite evident, the power of buyers is extremely high in this industry as compared to others. The prime cause behind such competitiveness is that the customers are free to select any type of brand and so the rate of switch over cost is quite high in this industry. .... But all of them are useful in enhancing the net output of the organization. Therefore, using VRIN analytical tool, the strategic capabilities of Coopers Creek might be evaluated. VRIN stands for value, rarity, in-imitable and non-substitutable (Teece, 2009, p. 367-389). Analysis and Discussion Analysis of the external environment of Coopers Creek by Porter’s five forces model The industry of wine is extremely competitive due to the presence of numerous wine players. Since competition is quite evident, the power of buyers is extremely high in this industry as compared to others. The prime cause behind such competitiveness is that the customers are free to select any type of brand and so the rate of switch over cost is quite high in this industry. So, it is extremely difficult for any specific brand to retain the similar set of market value and share for a long run (Walder, 2013, p. 234-267). However, it might be possible to retain and maintain a sustaining pool of customers, on ly if the player tries to introduce innovative types of product lines with mind-blowing tastes and savours. This might help the market players to attract large number of customers towards its products thereby amplifying its brand image and equity in the market among others. Side by side, the reputation of that specific brand might also get enhanced among many other players. On the other hand, the prices of the products also play a vital role in this industry and so it needs to be adjusted according to the competitor prices so as to remain competitive in the market. Otherwise, the brand or the player might not be able to retain its brand value and profit margin among others. The power of the suppliers in this industry

Monday, August 26, 2019

Week 4 Discussion Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Week 4 Discussion Questions - Essay Example , an investment banker would prove to be of great support as he/she will guide the organization through the process and will recommend whether going public is in interest of the organization or not. The investment banker will be involved in investigating the organization in order to know its strengths, risks involved and overall business procedures in order to assist for going public. This research will accommodate with enough knowledge about whether going public will be advantageous for the organization or not. Financial leverage is there when the organization obtains loans or borrowings on the basis of its assets and intends that a greater rate of return will be there as compared to the interest rate. As far as operating leverage is concerned, it is the consideration of the degree of the fixed and variable costs involved in a business. Operating leverage is the measure of the rate of fixed operating costs of the organization while financial leverage is the measure of the rate of loan that an organization takes against its rate of assets. The risks involved in having an excessive amount of financial leverage in an organization are that the profitability of the organization and the return on equity of the organization lessen. This situation arises when the organization’s return on assets (ROA) is unable to enhance as compared to the interest that is inserted on loan taken for the organization. EBIT-EPS analysis can be defined as a pragmatic instrument with the help of which, a financial manager is able to investigate various substituted financial plans in terms of their effect on EPS (Earnings per Share) over a range of EBIT (Earnings before Interests and Taxes) levels. EBIT-EPS analysis is simply an analysis to calculate earnings per share at various levels of sales of earnings before interest and taxes. Into the EBIT-EPS analysis, the risk is handled quite ignored. With this analysis, the basic motive is to enhance the earnings per share; due to this fact,

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Individual report - Be able to develop a communications process Research Paper

Individual report - Be able to develop a communications process - Research Paper Example These are basically computer based and internet linked. Social media has created a buzz in every industry. All industries including the airline industry has adopted the use of social media in their business and marketing process. The reason why social media gained the hype is that these media permit interactive exchange with the end users (Gerson, 2010). The exercise of this type of media in corporate internal and external communication has changed every aspect in airline industry. Emirates, a Dubai based airlines, wholly owned by the government of Dubai, has embraced social media approach for marketing and communication and also for crisis management when the airlines face bad weather conditions. In 2011, Emirates hired a digital agency that developed a Facebook page for the carrier. This was the initial step for the carrier towards the social media footprint (Rahal, 2010). The main goal behind this move is to develop a â€Å"touching connection† with the customers and contac t maximum number of customers who use airlines as their mode of travel. The initiative provided a platform for the carrier to make a channel for greater convenience through which the customers can reach the airlines. The brand became well known and prestigious among the mass and the carrier got brand loyal customers (Bilal, 2011). Emirates had also launched 29 whimsical animated ads in 14 languages to show the lighter side of language. The animated ads were the next step of the global airline’s â€Å"Share a Smile’ campaign and was the part of the global brand campaign known as â€Å"Hello Tomorrow† launched in April 2012. The ads featured crew members of Emirates who were expressing unusual greetings and expressions from all over the world. The â€Å"Share a Smile† campaign not only created communication of linguistic skills among the multilingual crew and international crew it also helped in building cultural understanding in a light- hearted way among st travellers (Kimberley, 2013). Task 3.2: Problems faced in communication process and ways to improve it The goal of advertising is not only to alter the demand curve but also to shift the curve upward and to the right. For an industry it means that it either brings in new customers in to the market or encourages the existing customers to use the service more frequently whenever needed. For an airline, the demand can increase if the passengers of competitors shift to their airlines (Kraft, 2003). This results in competitive advertising where all the airline companies are advertising to retain their market share. Some airline companies’ gives stress upon the reliability, comfort and convenience of air travel and some purely gives stress on the non-existent advantage that they have (Van, 2012). The advertisements in Facebook and the animated ads are provided by Emirates to give travelers specific information about the scheduling and the price. Though the advertisements in Face book and the animated ads attracted customers to the carrier but it failed to achieve success in long term because of the problem faced by Emirates (Shearman, 2011).The problems that are faced in the

Saturday, August 24, 2019

The Appraisal System of a Company and Its Strengths and Weaknesses Essay - 5

The Appraisal System of a Company and Its Strengths and Weaknesses - Essay Example The researcher states that performance appraisal is one of the most common platforms used by employers to determine whether their employees are sufficiently qualified for promotion. However, the contemporary work environment is changing with teamwork gradually replacing hierarchical management. Further, organizations are increasingly shifting their focus toward employee empowerment and participative leadership, as opposed to the traditional authoritative leadership style. In addition, companies are reducing managerial positions thus increasing workloads and making supervisors responsible for large groups of employees. This means that supervisors are no longer capable of observing employees and providing fair, precise, valid and inspiring performance evaluations. As a result, modern companies have no choice but to look for appraisal mechanisms that adopt these changes and, at the same time, support and promote employee development. Most organizations in the present business environmen t have resorted to using the 360-degree appraisal approach. This method is popular for its ability to provide workers with the information they need to change and align their abilities or talents with functions that meet company goals. However, this appraisal mechanism is not without faults. This research project was meant to analyze usage of a performance appraisal method in a company and to collect information that would aid in the system’s improvement in regard to accuracy, fairness, credibility, and objectivity. The company chosen for this research applies the 360-degree feedback method. The inception of this appraisal system can be linked to past satisfaction surveys, which were used to enhance morale and communication among workers. The system also has its foundation in employers’ desire to encourage employees in their efforts to set goals, as well as, the provision of feedback to motivate workers. At this time, performance reviews were usually conducted by super visors who also provided participating employees with the relevant feedback. However, changes in the 21st century prompted many organizations to abandon the conventional supervisor-partisan appraisal method. For instance, there are no longer many managerial positions, meaning that administrators have more pressing concerns than supervising junior staff. Further, the employees participating in the review are supposed to interact with others in different organizations or departments, making it rather difficult for supervisors to monitor them effectively and provide credible feedback. The modern environment is also characterized by acute competition, which has made companies exert extra focus on customers as opposed to employees. Given the above changes, participants in modern performance reviews are subject to scrutiny by stakeholders other than employers. This is where the 360-degree appraisal mechanism comes into play.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Why a current television show or movie is so popular Essay

Why a current television show or movie is so popular - Essay Example has emerged to be not just one of the most popular (it is ranked within the top ten biggest grosser of all time) but one artifact that have crept in our consciousness and embedded itself as a lingering icon of modern culture. In a study of the movie, several obvious elements can be seen why the masses embraced Star Wars in an almost cult-like manner. The movie appealed both to children and adults alike because of the combination of the superhero tale and science fiction. For children, there is the story about a boy who became a hero by fighting his own shadow. The narrative is reminiscent of the plotlines that have made myths and fairy tales endure for ages such as the Greek Odyssey. There are several elements, including those that are symbolic, that are present to appeal to the young minds – the robots, Princess Leia, loyal friends, the mystical Jedi knights, amazing locales and gadgets, epical adventures, etc. For adults, the fiction depicting the struggle between good and evil and its science fiction genre proved tantalizing. Then, there were the mature themes of politics and religion, which explored value and meaning in life. The spectacular graphics and epic storytelling communicated to adult preference as well. This appeal is pivotal to the success of the movie. As the movie combined all the pulp fiction genres and stepped into the mythological narrative traditions, people flocked to the theaters. Star Wars was able to introduce a â€Å"family movie† wherein parents and children go, watch and enjoy the movie together. Family outings would have been unthinkable during the golden age of Hollywood. Star Wars is an embodiment of the rise of pop culture in the modern world. Today’s generation look to the media – television, movies and electronic games – not just for entertainment but solace amid a world of busy people, stressed and working parents. As with the other artifacts of the pop culture, the content of Star Wars became for the young generation

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Of Mice and Men Characters Essay Example for Free

Of Mice and Men Characters Essay In the novel, Candy and Curleys wife play a large part of the ideas that Steinbeck wants to convey through Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck shows this via the events and treatments that these two characters undergo. Their speech and actions also indicate major themes in the world they were in and how desperate the era was. Candy presents an element on the sadness in the novel; hes a unfortunate man whos passed his expiry date. Hes been involved in an accident and lost his arm and by this, he has been reduced to the swamper of the rank- a very low status job. Steinbeck may specifically choose this job for candy as a swamper (a cleaner) tends to be a job that woman generally work as and in this job, they often gossip a lot like Candy does. He does this as it is the only pleasure that he can experience in his sad rotting life. This paints the portrait of how sad Candys background may be and soon this is elaborated on even more in future events. In the middle section of the book, we see how Candy is bullied by Carlson into having his best friend- his dog put down. We know that Candy is very close to his dog as Steinbeck actually chooses to describe the dog very similarly to Candy. They are both old, physically impaired and get described generally as a liability. Steinbeck chooses to describe the dog as ancient which produces strong imagery of a dog being similar to an old antique. Although it may possess positive connotations, it is obvious due to Carlsons reaction that the dog is old, dirty and has no purpose anymore. Soon after as Carlson enforces the idea, Candy desperately tries to dismiss it. It states how he looked helplessly which shows how reluctant he is but knows there is no other possible outcome. Carlson even shows utter disrespect to his dog by pointing at it with his toe. By using his tower, he suggests that the dog is on par with the lowliest part of his body and doesnt require the effort to use his hands. Nevertheless, Candy shows no aggression to this outrageous act and concedes to Carlsons insensitive actions. Steinbeck may choose these chain of events to show how a cruel world the characters and people had to live in. It really puts forward survival of the fittest and shows how depressingly cheap life is since people can easily walk over you when youre unable to fight for yourself. Even after all the abuse he has received, Candy is still able to show kindness to others. At the point where Candy overhears Georges dream, he slowly asks whether he can join them. We know that he isnt greedy at this point since he repeatedly mentions how he would willingly try his best with jobs such as cook or hoe despite he aint much good. He also says how he is willing to give up all his money he received when he los' his hand and this just shows how he is desperately giving all he has to help them only for a little in return. Steinbeck emphasises how emotionally willing Candy is that he would trade in the compensation for something irreplaceable to him for the benefit of others. This makes the reader sympathize with Candy and understand how strong dreams are in life; how they give people hope, the strength to keep living and the strength to be a nice person again. Curleys wife on the other hand is the complete opposite. Her story plays a large part in the novel as it shows how dreams can crush peoples hope as easily and they give people hope. Throughout the novel, we have always seen Curleys wife as the problem. She is described as poison and jailbait by George which initially makes readers dislike her. We feel that she can cause the downfall of our newly made friends dreams so she is instantly given a hostility status by Steinbeck. However, he may deliberately do this to create a larger impact when we learn why she may possibly act the way she does. At earlier stages of the novel, we learn how Curleys wife loves and seeks attention. Steinbeck describes how she was standing at the doorway blocking off the sunshine in the doorway deliberately. This implies that she wants the men in the bunkhouse to look up due to the sudden change as she purposefully blocks the light off so that they would do so. It also describes how she was heavily made up that she was making a large effort to attract attention of the men. The word heavily also has connotations that she was trying to hard to an extent where it had negative effects on her. This may also symbolize her character through physical features- that her personality has been corrupted and turned ugly. In the final stages of the book, we learn what has driven Curleys wife to act in this aggressive way. Although she speaks to groups of men with hostility, when its one on one, it runs a lot more smoothly and she seems like she enjoys herself. This has a large contract since there is juxtaposition between section 4 and 5. We see her nasty side where she mock George, Lennie and Candys dream calling it baloney and scoffs at it yet even herself who has been crushed by her own dream may secretly believe. This shows that beneath this angry cover of hers, may be a vulnerable person who only feels the bitterness and jealousy of others happiness hinted by the phrase secretly believe. Steinbeck states this about the cowboy magazines to suggest what type of sad life people live in however, within dreams still lies hope but people are afraid to admit to the hope since they are scared of the criticism others show. This idea is developed implicitly mainly by the word secret. Through this attitude, people have become cynical and cold over the time which is what Steinbeck may want to show us. Curleys wife shares with Lennie her dream in section 5. The fact that she has never told anyone (which she states herself) shows how underneath all the bitterness she has experienced, the memory of the dream she once had (or partially may still have) changes her to be kind and share her deepest secrets with a stranger. On the other hand, Lennie may be an exception since he is nuts implying that he may be able to keep this secret. Furthermore, we learn how Curleys wife left home since she had a hunch that her mother stole her letters. The word stole in this context possesses quite negative connotations since Curleys wife directly accuses her own mother for betraying her. However, this was most likely an excuse and lie to herself since she couldnt bear the reality of having her dream crushed by the stranger who created it. This yet again emphasises how strong dreams were at this time which broke lives altogether. Compare how female speakers are presented in Havisham by Carol Ann Duffy and one poem from the Pre-1914 Poetry Bank. The two female speakers in Havisham and The laboratory both are presented as rather mentally unstable people. They both have experienced rejection from a man and feel belittled or embarrassed by this. However, their reactions and response to this rejection differ to a huge extent. The speaker in Havisham is shown to have rotted away being devoured by her bitterness whereas the speaker in Lab seemed to be slightly more insane driven by her jealous feelings of insecurity to try and kill someone. The bitterness from the character in Havisham is clear from the start. She describes the man who left her as a beloved sweetheart bastard. This use of oxymoron shows several possible connotations. By putting two very opposite words together- one stating strong affection and one stating utter most hate, the idea that beneath the hate she holds against him lies love for him. Elaborating on this may suggest how she may hate him as she cant have him or even because she actually still loves him deep inside. Above all, this suggests how she cant seem to let go of him and move on which presents her mental state to the readers. Likewise in Lab, we understand the feelings of the speaker through clever use of language. For instance, Robert Browning chooses to say devils smithy. Devil automatically conjures the sense of evil or corruptness whereas a smithy is somewhere where things are made such as weapons (blacksmith). These combined imply that a creation of evil with malicious intent is occurring in the poem. Soon after we discover that the protagonist has experienced similar rejection to that of Havisham. He is with her suggests that the man he wants is with another woman. By referring to them as he and her, it creates an enigmatic feeling or even that their names are insignificant and it is purely the concept that she has been left for a woman who is better than her which causes her rage. We know that she is also jealous when the speaker wishes for the other woman breast and her arms and her hands to drop dead. She specifically chooses these body parts implying that these are the parts which the other women best her at and this is why she hates them. In Havisham, the speakers reaction to this rejection was simply to rot with it burning them. She continues to feel this bitterness as suggested with the word Spinster. This word possesses a harsh consonance sound as if she spits it out with such disgust. It is also a one word sentence which emphasises it and also makes it out to be some what of an insult. The word stink and remember following afterwards reinforces this as if shes being driven crazy by the thought of people calling her a spinster. Thus all she does for the rest of her days is rot in her hate. We get the impression that shes been doing this for years since she describes how her dress yellowing- yellowing suggesting dirtying from the years its been on her. On the otherhand, the speaker is Lab is made out to be more malicious than having thoughts of hate. As she makes the poison, she describes the creation with very vivid verbal details. Grind away, moisten and mash up create strong imagery and each of the verbs hold strong care in creating something. By suggesting this care and importance that has gone into the poison, it seems that she really relishes the creation. And finally as she fantasises about how delicious the event would be, she thinks about how the dying face would be branded into the male characters mind. She wants to mentally scar him with the horrendous image possibly for punishment or to make him see how ugly the other woman is when she becomes shrivelled suggesting how her face would become contorted with agony. As she describes this with such detail and precision, the poet presents to us how malicious and bitter the speaker is. A thus through use of language and theme, the poets have successfully produces a very clear image of the bitter, hate filled speakers and how theyve become this way and even how they have dealt with this. The speaker in Havisham rotting and yellowing opposed to the minion in Lab who relishes in the thought of killing and branding someone with the scarring image of death.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Tsunami and Physical Protection Measures Essay Example for Free

Tsunami and Physical Protection Measures Essay What is tsunami? A tsunami (plural: tsunamis or tsunami; from Japanese: æ ´ ¥Ã¦ ³ ¢, lit. harbor wave;[1] English pronunciation: /suË Ã‹Ë†nÉ‘Ë mi/ soo-nah-mee or/tsuË Ã‹Ë†nÉ‘Ë mi/ tsoo-nah-mee[2]) is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions (including detonations of underwater nuclear devices), landslides, glacier calving, meteorite impacts and other disturbances above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami. [3] Tsunami waves do not resemble normal sea waves, because their wavelength is far longer. Rather than appearing as a breaking wave, a tsunami may instead initially resemble a rapidly rising tide, and for this reason they are often referred to as tidal waves. Tsunamis generally consist of a series of waves with periods ranging from minutes to hours, arriving in a so-called wave train.[4] Wave heights of tens of meters can be generated by large events. Although the impact of tsunamis is limited to coastal areas, their destructive power can be enormous and they can affect entire ocean basins; the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was among the deadliest natural disasters in human history with over 230,000 people killed in 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. The Greek historian Thucydides suggested in 426 BC that tsunamis were related to submarine earthquakes,[5][6] but the understanding of a tsunamis nature remained slim until the 20th century and much remains unknown. Major areas of current research include trying to determine why some large earthquakes do not generate tsunamis while other smaller ones do; trying to accurately forecast the passage of tsunamis across the oceans; and also to forecast how tsunami waves would interact with specific shorelines. Etymology (Literary meaning) Tsunamis are sometimes referred to as tidal waves. In recent years, this term has fallen out of favor, especially in the scientific community, because tsunamis actually have nothing to do with tides. The once-popular term derives from their most common appearance, which is that of an extraordinarily high tidal bore. Tsunami and tides both produce waves of water that move inland, but in the case of tsunami the inland movement of water is much greater and lasts for a longer period, giving the impression of an incredibly high tide. Although the meanings of tidal include resembling[8] or having the form or character of[9] the tides, and the term tsunami is no more accurate because tsunami are not limited to harbours, use of the term tidal waves discouraged by geologists and oceanographers. History Main article: Historic tsunami As early as 426 BC the Greek historian Thucydides inquired in his book History of the Peloponnesian War about the causes of tsunami, and was the first to argue that ocean earthquakes must be the cause.[5][6] The cause, in my opinion, of this phenomenon must be sought in the earthquake. At the point where its shock has been the most violent the sea is driven back, and suddenly recoiling with redoubled force, causes the inundation. Without an earthquake I do not see how such an accident could happen.[14] The Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus (Res Gestae 26.10.15-19) described the typical sequence of a tsunami, including an incipient earthquake, the sudden retreat of the sea and a following gigantic wave, after the 365 AD tsunami devastated Alexandria.[15][16] While Japan may have the longest recorded history of tsunamis, the sheer destruction caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami event mark it as the most devastating of its kind in modern times, killing around 230,0 00 people. The Sumatran region is not unused to tsunamis either, with earthquakes of varying magnitudes regularly occurring off the coast of the island.[17] Generation mechanisms The principal generation mechanism (or cause) of a tsunami is the displacement of a substantial volume of water or perturbation of the sea.[18] This displacement of water is usually attributed to either earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, glacier calvings or more rarely by meteorites and nuclear tests.[19][20] The waves formed in this way are then sustained by gravity. Tides do not play any part in the generation of tsunamis. Tsunami generated by seismicity Tsunami can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water. Tectonic earthquakes are a particular kind of earthquake that are associated with the Earths crustal deformation; when these earthquakes occur beneath the sea, the water above the deformed area is displaced from its equilibrium position.[21] More specifically, a tsunami can be generated when thrust faults associated with convergent or destructive plate boundaries move abruptly, resulting in water displacement, owing to the vertical component of movement involved. Movement on normal faults will also cause displacement of the seabed, but the size of the largest of such events is normally too small to give rise to a significant tsunami. The energy released produces tsunami waves. Tsunamis have a small amplitude (wave height) offshore, and a very long wavelength (often hundreds of kilometers long, whereas normal ocean waves have a wavelength of only 30 or 40 metres),[22] which is why they generally pass unnoticed at sea, forming only a slight swell usually about 300 millimetres (12 in) above the normal sea surface. They grow in height when they reach shallower water, in a wave shoaling process described below. A tsunami can occur in any tidal state and even at low tide can still inundate coastal areas. Tsunami generated by landslides In the 1950s, it was discovered that larger tsunamis than had previously been believed possible could be caused by giant landslides. Underwater landslides that generate tsunamis are calledsciorrucks.[23] These phenomena rapidly displace large water volumes, as energy from falling debris or expansion transfers to the water at a rate faster than the water can absorb. Their existence was confirmed in 1958, when a giant landslide in Lituya Bay, Alaska, caused the highest wave ever recorded, which had a height of 524 metres (over 1700 feet). The wave didnt travel far, as it struck land almost immediately. Two people fishing in the bay were killed, but another boat amazingly managed to ride the wave. Scientists named these waves megatsunami. Scientists discovered that extremely large landslides from volcanic island collapses can generate megatsunamis that can cross oceans. Meteotsunamis Some meteorological conditions, such as deep depressions that cause tropical cyclones, can generate a storm surge, called a meteotsunami, which can raise tides several metres above normal levels. The displacement comes from low atmospheric pressure within the centre of the depression. As these storm surges reach shore, they may resemble (though are not) tsunamis, inundating vast areas of land.[24]

The Problems And Issues Of White Collar Crime Criminology Essay

The Problems And Issues Of White Collar Crime Criminology Essay When one ponders on the notion of white-collar and corporate crimes, usually images of massive company takeovers via blackmail and scheming lawyers, for example, spring to mind. Normally, one does not think how this form of crime can in any way relate to street crime in terms of public disturbance. However, white-collar crime can have direct and indirect consequences towards a single person, part of a society and can even span internationally. White-collar crime kept relatively low profile however, and thus it is difficult to pinpoint unhappiness it can cause as surveys focus more on the statistics of regular crime. It is certain that white-collar crime will cause direct and indirect victimization but recognition is needed in identifying its offences; for instance, corruption has a more scattered effect on the population whereas other white-collar offences can have a direct consequence on certain employees. Most offences are gradual and take time to be noticed, environmental crime for example. They lack the instant effect that a burglary or a murder can cause, particularly when it comes to the publics attention. Instead, they affect institutions or commerce where most of the on goings is kept clear from public knowledge. Where there is no direct contact to the victim with no known motive or cause, there is less interest to be generated. Some offences are vague to whom exactly they harm and to whom they benefit. Friedrichs (1996) gives an example that there may be a public advantage in cost savings that results from governmental corruption where companies sell at a lower price to competitors. Eve n counterfeit goods can be seen as beneficial as consumers have a chance to afford designer products which in turn, creates jobs in the counterfeit companys workforce. Of course, the counter argument to this is that the sub-quality goods can be harmful to the public and that employment in genuine companies is in jeopardy (Croall, 1998). And so, much of white-collar victimization is not quite what one may expect as it does not have a direct impact on an individual. Some victims of this form of crime are accused of actually inviting the harm. There are several examples of these willing victims: investors risking their money rather than placing it in say, the safety of a pension scheme. Or perhaps, consumers who willingly buy the counterfeit products that are offered in the market. Or those who willingly choose to work in environmentally unsafe areas in promise of a higher wage. If an accident does occur, it is often the careless workers fault not the company that employs them. Even if a womans breast enhancement surgery goes wrong, she might be blamed simply because she chose to have a surgery for vain, selfish reasons either than medical. These cases rarely provoke sympathy from the court Nevertheless, there is a certain image or myth concerning victimization from white-collar crime. Regulatory law is set up in such a way that Croall (1992) states that consumers, workers and the public be protected from harm which they cannot combat. The consumer is unable to judge how genuine the product is, or if they are buying medicine, how harmful the side effects are. Thus if several people are killed in a workplace, the deaths are put down as something that could not be avoided rather than a companys neglect. In this stereotypical light, the law regarding white-collar crime can be rather skewed and misguided. An organization can be criticized by its misuse of the environment but anything concerning the well-being of the workers it employs is ignored. If a company bus crashes, the deaths of the innocent passengers within will draw the sympathy and not the driver who probably will be blamed for the incident for his or her carelessness. Victimization relating to white-collar crimes completely strays from the term conventional victimology which describes victimization on individual, conventional cases. Instead, it belongs to critical victimology which basically defines victims we cannot see (Walklate 1999). White-collar offences are, practically, invisible Despite all that, white-collar offences are quite capable of causing direct harm to a person and his finally. Trust is automatically lost and there is a sense of betrayal when financial fraud occurs and Levi (1999) states: Fraud lead to broken dreamsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦frauds can destroy happiness permanently, just as readily as any other crimeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Because victims know they have supplied funds or goods voluntarily and because the loss of their financial cushion makes meaningless all their lifelong savings and sacrifices. There is also a sense of betrayed trust when death is involved amongst employees due to a companys negligence. The grief felt is even heavier when the victims body takes some time to be recovered or one who has survived a horrible accident suffers from survivors guilt (Wells 1995). White-collar crime though often seen as indirect, can also cause physical damage to its victims and threaten the safety within ones family home. For instance, counterfeit goods and mass-produced food can be harmful or even tap water which is not properly monitored and/or cleansed. Even ones workplace could not be viewed as safe, say if a worker has strong allergic reactions to the pollen surrounding the area. White-collar victimization is not limited to humans; even the wildlife is threatened from pollution caused by large industries. Corporate crime can even lead to the loss of a quality life within a community. A large industry can easily squash any fine balance within the community, whether it is environmental or economical. Examples of these are waste disposal, noise pollution, drainage in resources and a rise in taxes. Large corporations suddenly settling down in a quite community often and do threaten any local small businesses which used to reside previously. Economic offences caused by white-collar crime are often felt by institutions rather than a single persons misfortune. An institution can suffer from money theft and corruption but sometimes, in order not to lose a grip in the market, the institution will either lower salaries or raise prices to counter this. Even in the name of competition amongst themselves, companies will break rules and spy on each other or go as far as to sabotage each others projects. White-collar crime also spans nationally and even globally. One might think that offences against a form of government might not deal with any victimization, but nonetheless it can indirectly affect individuals, such as increasing tax and decreasing public resources. In this case, it is hard to form any bonds of trust in organizations such as the police force if the latter is set deep into corruption. Globally, currency frauds particularly when it involves the Euro can lead to great losses and/or any frauds concerning public waste disposal and food will inevitably damage public health and safety. Either way, white-collar crime even if it seems impersonal can affect the individual. It is often asked, which individual is affected by white-collar crime and whether social status, gender or age comes into play. It is however, difficult to specify as white-collar crime is vague at best to begin with and crime surveys do not exactly touch that particularly subject as a result. Still, victimization does target several vulnerable groups more than others. There is a difference in victimization where gender is involved, as several feminist criminologists will argue. For instance, any fraud and accidents caused by pharmacy products usually affects the female population. Even in the workforce, women seem more vulnerable simply because they lack the technical expertise and thus render them more open to fraud scams. Even larger cases are schemes involving companies and falsely researched contraceptives which led to birth defects, infection and abortions/miscarriages. This did not stop the companies from distributing their dangerous products to needy, lower-classed countries. Even women seeking to enhance their looks with beauty products can be harmed. And those having breast surgery are not exempt either. In addiction, a wide array of side effects can follow dietary pills; there are 35 recorded deaths in the United States from these pills during the 1970s and 1980s. Products which are not genuine can often contain dangerous ingredients suc h as certain acids which are not labeled down. Corporate crime certainly expands to victimization of women in the workforce, for example Pearce and Tombs (1998) note that 20 million women work in conditions there are toxic risks a rather disturbing figure indeed. Furthermore, many women suffer from sexual harassment during work hours, particularly from their superiors, but are often forced not to seek legal help due to blackmail and fear of losing their jobs. There are many cases where men use their trustful profession of, say, a doctor in order to sexually harass their female patients. Even if white-collar crime does not harm a woman physically, it can still harm her economically. Expensive label products boasting miracle results are released daily, boxed in even more expensive, fancy packaging. These sort of products aim towards the disillusioned housewife who wishes to beautify herself and again the marketing behind the product takes advantage of the assumption that a woman lacks the knowledge in financial matters. Of course, this also boils down to false advertisement; the miracle results that the product claims to achieve are very misleading. More so, the products container is double walled thus containing far less than they should. Illusions of a products results are not just based on make up; salesmen, builders and investors often take advantage of the situation by catching a customer unawares. Despite the fact that victimization seems to be based on gender, women are not the only ones who are targeted by white-collar offences. Men are also in great risk; they can suffer from neglect concerning the rules at highly dangerous workplaces such as an oil rig or a mining tunnel. Still, women are more susceptible to product scams it seems, forever seeking ways to beautify themselves as society dictates them to. Corporate offences do not stop at gender, they continue to differences of age as well; the young and the old who in reality, need to depend upon others. The old are often victims when there is a serious neglect in food rules and regulations and often contract illnesses as a result. And like women, they also avidly spend a fortune on anti-age products which falsely advertise. Both children and the elderly can suffer physical and sexual abuse and usually they cannot complain; the elderly confused with their old age and the children too young to understand the meaning of morals. Most of the times, the old suffer when they are placed in an old peoples home- there, they are frequently neglected, fed unhealthy foods and given the wrong medicine which can be proved fatal. Children fall victim to unsafe toys and students can fall victim to their landlords where they are forced to inhabit an abode which fails all of its safety regulations due to their limited finances. Most famous of all are the pension schemes and home security. The elderly often fear of burglary and this can be taken advantage of selling them alarm systems that are counterfeit. White-collar crime often gives out the misconception that the poorer classes are robbed so that the rich can benefit, however its definition and the cases regarding it are much more complex than that (Van Swaaningen, 1997). Sometimes it is the rich that are targeted, lured into risky investments or those miracle beauty products simply because they believe that they have the money to spend it all. After all, how can a woman of the lower classes be able to afford breast surgery? Then of course, one might argue that that particular woman will probably be forced to buy a counterfeit product just because she could not afford the genuine article. Furthermore, evidence leads to state that the impact of larger scale corporate offences are more scattered; a train accident due to poor engineering and the deaths that follow regardless of social status, age or gender. And yet, one can not ignore how age and gender is significant to victimization. These conflicting discussions are coined by Levi (1995) as a complex moral arena. To further complicate things, it is general knowledge that well-to-do organizations will have an effect on struggling small businesses such as, buying them out or stealing their customers. Or, small businesses will target their poorer customers. Another fact is that it is the poorer consumer that feels the need to buy the cheapest product available and accidents in the workforce are usually workers who are confined to menial labour. Even on a global scale, it is usually a third world country that receives the waste dumping. To put it bluntly, it is the lower classes who feel the effect of corporate crime as they cannot compensate any resources stolen or wasted unlike their richer counterparts. They cannot seek legal advice as confidently as those who are more knowledgeable in matters regarding the market and thus, usually avoid any financial scam in the form of bad investments or dubious pension schemes. In short, those desperate few who lack the necessary information will most likel y be targeted. Unfortunately, white-collar victimization is not even listed in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and any other organizations that deal with victim support. There has not been any organized movement in support of this particular victimization (there was a movements in the United States that seemed promising but over exaggerated). This is due to the fact that white-collar crime is not viewed as dramatic and important as normal street-crime victimization; the victims often do not report their grievances, most of their misfortune is viewed as trivial and often blamed upon themselves. Unlike, for instance, victims of abuse, they do not form conferences and unanimously protest. In any event, the only movements that are formed are often associated with the environment or food. There is hope however. A victim does have the right to pursue legal action such as a law suit but sadly, the only time that a group is formed is usually after a large-scale calamity. Still, an organized group has a better chance of actually having something done rather than an individual struggling on his own. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the vast majority of white-collar and corporate crime is certainly not victimless. It is merely neglected as such offences are often not reported and thus it is unable to be proven clearly on a crime survey. It is not seen as something dramatic, unlike a vicious murder and is put in the backburner in favour of conventional criminology. People do suffer from white-collar crime, indirectly and directly and it does affect the standard of living whether it is based on local conditions or expanded over the world.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Effect of Female Principals Management Styles on Teachers Job satisfaction in Isfahan- Iran, Girls High Schools :: Education, Educational Systems, Nurturing

Nowadays, Education has changed and developed fundamentally due to cultural, social and political changes. Education is under intense scrutiny by public and private interests who question the systems ability to fulfill its goals of teaching basic skills, instilling values, preventing dropouts, and producing a productive workforce. Such an incredible responsibility requires high committed to fulfilling the high expectations .Nurturing and educating the new generation have assigned to educational systems. Today, educational administration means: leadership, directing, reform and change. Therefore, achievement to high level goal of education in each society, demand renovation and reorganization and new thinking in management of educational systems (Allahabad, 2004). Educational Administration either in supervision and monitoring of financial and official affairs, in education or others that involving directly with development and implementation of educational program , have responsibil ity and tasks in achievement of essential objectives of educational administration as named facilitating teaching-learning process. Schools must give more attention to teacher job satisfaction because it may promote efficiency and staff satisfaction. One of the important factors in improvement of psychological and spiritual energy for staff in the organization is promotion of job satisfaction in teachers. In fact, job satisfaction is a kind of emotional and affective coping with job and its conditions which it consists of two components: cognitive and behavioral. The cognitive aspect is indicator for staff believes about their job conditions and behavioral aspect means individuals trends to their job. Cognitive aspect has more validity than other behavioral aspects due to further relationship with individuals' attitudes. A successful education system is dependent upon a high quality teaching staff. In order to develop this high quality teaching staff, one must look at factors associated with teacher quality and retention. One of these factors is teacher job satisfaction. Job satisfaction can be defined as an ove rall feeling about ones job or career in terms of specifies, i.e. compensation, autonomy, coworkers; administration. Job satisfaction has been studied for many years. Happock (1935) was one of the first researchers to study job satisfaction. He found that workers were more satisfied with a supervisor who was understanding and helpful (as in cited, Bass, 1990). Frederick Herzberg (1959), psychologist and researcher studied job satisfaction because he believed higher satisfaction led to higher productivity, decreased absenteeism, and better working relations. He found that positive feeling about work, a sense of personal worth, and a sense of personal fulfillment were related to achievement and responsibility (Wetherell,2002).

Monday, August 19, 2019

outbreak :: essays research papers

Filoviruses Viruses are microscopic intracellular parasites that can only reproduce within a host cell. Viruses lack the enzymes for the process of metabolism and contain no ribosomes or other parts to make their own proteins. The types of cells a virus can infect are limited to its host range. Filoviruses (Figure 1) belong to a virus family called Filoviridae and can cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. Filovirus virons appear in several shapes; these shapes are known as pleomorphism. They may either appear as long, often branched filaments, shorter filaments, or in a circle formation. The filaments can measure up to 14,000 nanometers in length, and have some have a diameter of up to 80 nanometers. Each is coated in a lipid membrane and contains a molecule of negative-sense RNA. Replication of filoviruses occurs through the production of buds on the surface of the host cell (See Figure 1). The two types of filoviruses that have been identified are the Marburg virus and Ebola virus. There are four different subtypes of the Ebola virus: Ivory Coast, Sudan, Zaire, and Reston. Ebola-Reston does not cause any severe disease conditions in humans it can however, be fatal within monkeys. Marburg The Marburg disease (Figure 2) was first seen in the August, 1967 in Marburg, Germany. Three workers that were employed by Behringwerke AG, a vaccine-producing branch from pharmaceutical company, Hoechst AG were suffering from muscle aches and mild fevers. The conditions the workers had were similar to characteristic of the flu, but it was strange to have the flu in the summer. They were then hospitalized. The following day they became nauseated. Their spleens became enlarged and their eyes became bloodshot. The demeanors grew morose but aggressive. In addition, the nurse and doctor who were taking care of the three patients became ill. By September 23, the number of patients suffering from this Marburg grew to 23. Two other outbreaks were occurring in Frankfurt and Yugoslavia. The people sick were also employees of pharmaceutical research or were in the field of patient care. Many people feared that this deadly virus was airborne. A great deal of mystery surrounded the illness since no one was aware of how it was transmitted, what an effective treatment might be, or how many more people could potentially get sick. Each patient exhibited the same symptoms and went through the same process before dying.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Imagination and Literature Essay -- Literature Essays Literary Critici

Imagination and Literature      Ã‚   The importance and influence of imagination on the creation and critique of literature varies between and within various artistic eras. Originally seen as an aberrant function of the mind, imagination was subservient to the powers of reason and order. Art involved mere replication of the real, a craft rather than an unique act of creation. Beginning as early as Aristotle, however,   human imagination has been linked to the power and value of art. The ascendancy and, in some eras even superiority, of imagination as a potent mental faculty gave birth to new critical enterprises bent on articulating the manner, motivation, and merit embedded in art and the artistic process. By tracing the development of this basic literary concept, it may not be possible to discover a coherent and universal idea of imagination that has evolved throughout history. However, such an inquiry could lead to a better understanding of how the ideas and attitudes about imagination from one age enter i nto an informative and influential dialogue with others. From the rational and pragmatic critics of the Enlightenment to the expressive and Romantic critics of the Nineteenth Century, we can begin to formulate a synthetic rather than absolute understanding of imagination.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Though Aristotle first created room for imagination by expanding the expressions of a poet from the actual to the possible "in accordance with the laws of probability or necessity", it was not until much later that the capacity and power of imagination was adequately explored. Imagination was seen as a turbulent, unpredictable, but potentially beneficial force which must be refined and kept within the bounds of reason to pragmatic critic... ... each definition of imagination we have discussed struggles to be independent while simultaneously remaining intertwined to the preceding critical traditions.    Works Cited Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. "Bibliographia Literaria" The Critical Tradition. Ed., David H. Richter, New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989.    Hume David. "Of the Standard Taste" The Critical Tradition. Ed., David H. Richter, New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989.    Johnson, Samuel. "Rambler, No. 4" The Critical Tradition. Ed., David H. Richter, New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989.    ---. "Rasselas, Chapter 10" The Critical Tradition. Ed., David H. Richter, New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989.       Shelley, Percy Bysshe. "A Defence of Poetry" The Critical Tradition. Ed., David H. Richter, New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

A Game of Thrones Chapter Twenty-one

Tyrion Are you certain that you must leave us so soon?† the Lord Commander asked him. â€Å"Past certain, Lord Mormont,† Tyrion replied. â€Å"My brother Jaime will be wondering what has become of me. He may decide that you have convinced me to take the black.† â€Å"Would that I could.† Mormont picked up a crab claw and cracked it in his fist. Old as he was, the Lord Commander still had the strength of a bear. â€Å"You're a cunning man, Tyrion. We have need of men of your sort on the Wall.† Tyrion grinned. â€Å"Then I shall scour the Seven Kingdoms for dwarfs and ship them all to you, Lord Mormont.† As they laughed, he sucked the meat from a crab leg and reached for another. The crabs had arrived from Eastwatch only this morning, packed in a barrel of snow, and they were succulent. Ser Alliser Thorne was the only man at table who did not so much as crack a smile. â€Å"Lannister mocks us.† â€Å"Only you, Ser Alliser,† Tyrion said. This time the laughter round the table had a nervous, uncertain quality to it. Thorne's black eyes fixed on Tyrion with loathing. â€Å"You have a bold tongue for someone who is less than half a man. Perhaps you and I should visit the yard together.† â€Å"Why?† asked Tyrion. â€Å"The crabs are here.† The remark brought more guffaws from the others. Ser Alliser stood up, his mouth a tight line. â€Å"Come and make your japes with steel in your hand.† Tyrion looked pointedly at his right hand. â€Å"Why, I have steel in my hand, Ser Alliser, although it appears to be a crab fork. Shall we duel?† He hopped up on his chair and began poking at Thorne's chest with the tiny fork. Roars of laughter filled the tower room. Bits of crab flew from the Lord Commander's mouth as he began to gasp and choke. Even his raven joined in, cawing loudly from above the window. â€Å"Duel! Duel! Duel!† Ser Alliser Thorne walked from the room so stiffly it looked as though he had a dagger up his butt. Mormont was still gasping for breath. Tyrion pounded him on the back. â€Å"To the victor goes the spoils,† he called out. â€Å"I claim Thorne's share of the crabs.† Finally the Lord Commander recovered himself. â€Å"You are a wicked man, to provoke our Ser Alliser so,† he scolded. Tyrion seated himself and took a sip of wine. â€Å"If a man paints a target on his chest, he should expect that sooner or later someone will loose an arrow at him. I have seen dead men with more humor than your Ser Alliser.† â€Å"Not so,† objected the Lord Steward, Bowen Marsh, a man as round and red as a pomegranate. â€Å"You ought to hear the droll names he gives the lads he trains.† Tyrion had heard a few of those droll names. â€Å"I'll wager the lads have a few names for him as well,† he said. â€Å"Chip the ice off your eyes, my good lords. Ser Alliser Thorne should be mucking out your stables, not drilling your young warriors.† â€Å"The Watch has no shortage of stableboys,† Lord Mormont grumbled. â€Å"That seems to be all they send us these days. Stableboys and sneak thieves and rapers. Ser Alliser is an anointed knight, one of the few to take the black since I have been Lord Commander. He fought bravely at King's Landing.† â€Å"On the wrong side,† Ser Jaremy Rykker commented dryly. â€Å"I ought to know, I was there on the battlements beside him. Tywin Lannister gave us a splendid choice. Take the black, or see our heads on spikes before evenfall. No offense intended, Tyrion.† â€Å"None taken, Ser Jaremy. My father is very fond of spiked heads, especially those of people who have annoyed him in some fashion. And a face as noble as yours, well, no doubt he saw you decorating the city wall above the King's Gate. I think you would have looked very striking up there.† â€Å"Thank you,† Ser Jaremy replied with a sardonic smile. Lord Commander Mormont cleared his throat. â€Å"Sometimes I fear Ser Alliser saw you true, Tyrion. You do mock us and our noble purpose here.† Tyrion shrugged. â€Å"We all need to be mocked from time to time, Lord Mormont, lest we start to take ourselves too seriously. More wine, please.† He held out his cup. As Rykker filled it for him, Bowen Marsh said, â€Å"You have a great thirst for a small man.† â€Å"Oh, I think that Lord Tyrion is quite a large man,† Maester Aemon said from the far end of the table. He spoke softly, yet the high officers of the Night's Watch all fell quiet, the better to hear what the ancient had to say. â€Å"I think he is a giant come among us, here at the end of the world.† Tyrion answered gently, â€Å"I've been called many things, my lord, but giant is seldom one of them.† â€Å"Nonetheless,† Maester Aemon said as his clouded, milk-white eyes moved to Tyrion's face, â€Å"I think it is true.† For once, Tyrion Lannister found himself at a loss for words. He could only bow his head politely and say, â€Å"You are too kind, Maester Aemon.† The blind man smiled. He was a tiny thing, wrinkled and hairless, shrunken beneath the weight of a hundred years so his maester's collar with its links of many metals hung loose about his throat. â€Å"I have been called many things, my lord,† he said, â€Å"but kind is seldom one of them.† This time Tyrion himself led the laughter. Much later, when the serious business of eating was done and the others had left, Mormont offered Tyrion a chair beside the fire and a cup of mulled spirits so strong they brought tears to his eyes. â€Å"The kingsroad can be perilous this far north,† the Lord Commander told him as they drank. â€Å"I have Jyck and Morrec,† Tyrion said, â€Å"and Yoren is riding south again.† â€Å"Yoren is only one man. The Watch shall escort you as far as Winterfell,† Mormont announced in a tone that brooked no argument. â€Å"Three men should be sufficient.† â€Å"If you insist, my lord,† Tyrion said. â€Å"You might send young Snow. He would be glad for a chance to see his brothers.† Mormont frowned through his thick grey beard. â€Å"Snow? Oh, the Stark bastard. I think not. The young ones need to forget the lives they left behind them, the brothers and mothers and all that. A visit home would only stir up feelings best left alone. I know these things. My own blood kin . . . my sister Maege rules BearIsland now, since my son's dishonor. I have nieces I have never seen.† He took a swallow. â€Å"Besides, Jon Snow is only a boy. You shall have three strong swords, to keep you safe.† â€Å"I am touched by your concern, Lord Mormont.† The strong drink was making Tyrion light-headed, but not so drunk that he did not realize that the Old Bear wanted something from him. â€Å"I hope I can repay your kindness.† â€Å"You can,† Mormont said bluntly. â€Å"Your sister sits beside the king. Your brother is a great knight, and your father the most powerful lord in the Seven Kingdoms. Speak to them for us. Tell them of our need here. You have seen for yourself, my lord. The Night's Watch is dying. Our strength is less than a thousand now. Six hundred here, two hundred in the ShadowTower, even fewer at Eastwatch, and a scant third of those fighting men. The Wall is a hundred leagues long. Think on that. Should an attack come, I have three men to defend each mile of wall.† â€Å"Three and a third,† Tyrion said with a yawn. Mormont scarcely seemed to hear him. The old man warmed his hands before the fire. â€Å"I sent Benjen Stark to search after Yohn Royce's son, lost on his first ranging. The Royce boy was green as summer grass, yet he insisted on the honor of his own command, saying it was his due as a knight. I did not wish to offend his lord father, so I yielded. I sent him out with two men I deemed as good as any in the Watch. More fool I.† â€Å"Fool,† the raven agreed. Tyrion glanced up. The bird peered down at him with those beady black eyes, ruffling its wings. â€Å"Fool,† it called again. Doubtless old Mormont would take it amiss if he throttled the creature. A pity. The Lord Commander took no notice of the irritating bird. â€Å"Gared was near as old as I am and longer on the Wall,† he went on, â€Å"yet it would seem he forswore himself and fled. I should never have believed it, not of him, but Lord Eddard sent me his head from Winterfell. Of Royce, there is no word. One deserter and two men lost, and now Ben Stark too has gone missing.† He sighed deeply. â€Å"Who am I to send searching after him? In two years I will be seventy. Too old and too weary for the burden I bear, yet if I set it down, who will pick it up? Alliser Thorne? Bowen Marsh? I would have to be as blind as Maester Aemon not to see what they are. The Night's Watch has become an army of sullen boys and tired old men. Apart from the men at my table tonight, I have perhaps twenty who can read, and even fewer who can think, or plan, or lead. Once the Watch spent its summers building, and each Lord Commander raised the Wall higher than he found it. Now it is all we c an do to stay alive.† He was in deadly earnest, Tyrion realized. He felt faintly embarrassed for the old man. Lord Mormont had spent a good part of his life on the Wall, and he needed to believe if those years were to have any meaning. â€Å"I promise, the king will hear of your need,† Tyrion said gravely, â€Å"and I will speak to my father and my brother Jaime as well.† And he would. Tyrion Lannister was as good as his word. He left the rest unsaid; that King Robert would ignore him, Lord Tywin would ask if he had taken leave of his senses, and Jaime would only laugh. â€Å"You are a young man, Tyrion,† Mormont said. â€Å"How many winters have you seen?† He shrugged. â€Å"Eight, nine. I misremember.† â€Å"And all of them short.† â€Å"As you say, my lord.† He had been born in the dead of winter, a terrible cruel one that the maesters said had lasted near three years, but Tyrion's earliest memories were of spring. â€Å"When I was a boy, it was said that a long summer always meant a long winter to come. This summer has lasted nine years, Tyrion, and a tenth will soon be upon us. Think on that.† â€Å"When I was a boy,† Tyrion replied, â€Å"my wet nurse told me that one day, if men were good, the gods would give the world a summer without ending. Perhaps we've been better than we thought, and the Great Summer is finally at hand.† He grinned. The Lord Commander did not seem amused. â€Å"You are not fool enough to believe that, my lord. Already the days grow shorter. There can be no mistake, Aemon has had letters from the Citadel, findings in accord with his own. The end of summer stares us in the face.† Mormont reached out and clutched Tyrion tightly by the hand. â€Å"You must make them understand. I tell you, my lord, the darkness is coming. There are wild things in the woods, direwolves and mammoths and snow bears the size of aurochs, and I have seen darker shapes in my dreams.† â€Å"In your dreams,† Tyrion echoed, thinking how badly he needed another strong drink. Mormont was deaf to the edge in his voice. â€Å"The fisherfolk near Eastwatch have glimpsed white walkers on the shore.† This time Tyrion could not hold his tongue. â€Å"The fisherfolk of Lannisport often glimpse merlings.† â€Å"Denys Mallister writes that the mountain people are moving south, slipping past the ShadowTower in numbers greater than ever before. They are running, my lord . . . but running from what?† Lord Mormont moved to the window and stared out into the night. â€Å"These are old bones, Lannister, but they have never felt a chill like this. Tell the king what I say, I pray you. Winter is coming, and when the Long Night falls, only the Night's Watch will stand between the realm and the darkness that sweeps from the north. The gods help us all if we are not ready.† â€Å"The gods help me if I do not get some sleep tonight. Yoren is determined to ride at first light.† Tyrion got to his feet, sleepy from wine and tired of doom. â€Å"I thank you for all the courtesies you have done me, Lord Mormont.† â€Å"Tell them, Tyrion. Tell them and make them believe. That is all the thanks I need.† He whistled, and his raven flew to him and perched on his shoulder. Mormont smiled and gave the bird some corn from his pocket, and that was how Tyrion left him. It was bitter cold outside. Bundled thickly in his furs, Tyrion Lannister pulled on his gloves and nodded to the poor frozen wretches standing sentry outside the Commander's Keep. He set off across the yard for his own chambers in the King's Tower, walking as briskly as his legs could manage. Patches of snow crunched beneath his feet as his boots broke the night's crust, and his breath steamed before him like a banner. He shoved his hands into his armpits and walked faster, praying that Morrec had remembered to warm his bed with hot bricks from the fire. Behind the King's Tower, the Wall glimmered in the light of the moon, immense and mysterious. Tyrion stopped for a moment to look up at it. His legs ached of cold and haste. Suddenly a strange madness took hold of him, a yearning to look once more off the end of the world. It would be his last chance, he thought; tomorrow he would ride south, and he could not imagine why he would ever want to return to this frozen desolation. The King's Tower was before him, with its promise of warmth and a soft bed, yet Tyrion found himself walking past it, toward the vast pale palisade of the Wall. A wooden stair ascended the south face, anchored on huge rough-hewn beams sunk deep into the ice and frozen in place. Back and forth it switched, clawing its way upward as crooked as a bolt of lightning. The black brothers assured him that it was much stronger than it looked, but Tyrion's legs were cramping too badly for him to even contemplate the ascent. He went instead to the iron cage beside the well, clambered inside, and yanked hard on the bell rope, three quick pulls. He had to wait what seemed an eternity, standing there inside the bars with the Wall to his back. Long enough for Tyrion to begin to wonder why he was doing this. He had just about decided to forget his sudden whim and go to bed when the cage gave a jerk and began to ascend. He moved upward slowly, by fits and starts at first, then more smoothly. The ground fell away beneath him, the cage swung, and Tyrion wrapped his hands around the iron bars. He could feel the cold of the metal even through his gloves. Morrec had a fire burning in his room, he noted with approval, but the Lord Commander's tower was dark. The Old Bear had more sense than he did, it seemed. Then he was above the towers, still inching his way upward. Castle Black lay below him, etched in moonlight. You could see how stark and empty it was from up here; windowless keeps, crumbling walls, courtyards choked with broken stone. Farther off, he could see the lights of Mole's Town, the little village half a league south along the kingsroad, and here and there the bright glitter of moonlight on water where icy streams descended from the mountain heights to cut across the plains. The rest of the world was a bleak emptiness of windswept hills and rocky fields spotted with snow. Finally a thick voice behind him said, â€Å"Seven hells, it's the dwarf,† and the cage jerked to a sudden stop and hung there, swinging slowly back and forth, the ropes creaking. â€Å"Bring him in, damn it.† There was a grunt and a loud groaning of wood as the cage slid sideways and then the Wall was beneath him. Tyrion waited until the swinging had stopped before he pushed open the cage door and hopped down onto the ice. A heavy figure in black was leaning on the winch, while a second held the cage with a gloved hand. Their faces were muffled in woolen scarves so only their eyes showed, and they were plump with layers of wool and leather, black on black. â€Å"And what will you be wanting, this time of night?† the one by the winch asked. â€Å"A last look.† The men exchanged sour glances. â€Å"Look all you want,† the other one said. â€Å"Just have a care you don't fall off, little man. The Old Bear would have our hides.† A small wooden shack stood under the great crane, and Tyrion saw the dull glow of a brazier and felt a brief gust of warmth when the winch men opened the door and went back inside. And then he was alone. It was bitingly cold up here, and the wind pulled at his clothes like an insistent lover. The top of the Wall was wider than the kingsroad often was, so Tyrion had no fear of falling, although the footing was slicker than he would have liked. The brothers spread crushed stone across the walkways, but the weight of countless footsteps would melt the Wall beneath, so the ice would seem to grow around the gravel, swallowing it, until the path was bare again and it was time to crush more stone. Still, it was nothing that Tyrion could not manage. He looked off to the east and west, at the Wall stretching before him, a vast white road with no beginning and no end and a dark abyss on either side. West, he decided, for no special reason, and he began to walk that way, following the pathway nearest the north edge, where the gravel looked freshest. His bare cheeks were ruddy with the cold, and his legs complained more loudly with every step, but Tyrion ignored them. The wind swirled around him, gravel crunched beneath his boots, while ahead the white ribbon followed the lines of the hills, rising higher and higher, until it was lost beyond the western horizon. He passed a massive catapult, as tall as a city wall, its base sunk deep into the Wall. The throwing arm had been taken off for repairs and then forgotten; it lay there like a broken toy, half-embedded in the ice. On the far side of the catapult, a muffled voice called out a challenge. â€Å"Who goes there? Halt!† Tyrion stopped. â€Å"If I halt too long I'll freeze in place, Jon,† he said as a shaggy pale shape slid toward him silently and sniffed at his furs. â€Å"Hello, Ghost.† Jon Snow moved closer. He looked bigger and heavier in his layers of fur and leather, the hood of his cloak pulled down over his face. â€Å"Lannister,† he said, yanking loose the scarf to uncover his mouth. â€Å"This is the last place I would have expected to see you.† He carried a heavy spear tipped in iron, taller than he was, and a sword hung at his side in a leather sheath. Across his chest was a gleaming black warhorn, banded with silver. â€Å"This is the last place I would have expected to be seen,† Tyrion admitted. â€Å"I was captured by a whim. If I touch Ghost, will he chew my hand off?† â€Å"Not with me here,† Jon promised. Tyrion scratched the white wolf behind the ears. The red eyes watched him impassively. The beast came up as high as his chest now. Another year, and Tyrion had the gloomy feeling he'd be looking up at him. â€Å"What are you doing up here tonight?† he asked. â€Å"Besides freezing your manhood off . . . â€Å" â€Å"I have drawn night guard,† Jon said. â€Å"Again. Ser Alliser has kindly arranged for the watch commander to take a special interest in me. He seems to think that if they keep me awake half the night, I'll fall asleep during morning drill. So far I have disappointed him.† Tyrion grinned. â€Å"And has Ghost learned to juggle yet?† â€Å"No,† said Jon, smiling, â€Å"but Grenn held his own against Halder this morning, and Pyp is no longer dropping his sword quite so often as he did.† â€Å"Pyp?† â€Å"Pypar is his real name. The small boy with the large ears. He saw me working with Grenn and asked for help. Thorne had never even shown him the proper way to grip a sword.† He turned to look north. â€Å"I have a mile of Wall to guard. Will you walk with me?† â€Å"If you walk slowly,† Tyrion said. â€Å"The watch commander tells me I must walk, to keep my blood from freezing, but he never said how fast.† They walked, with Ghost pacing along beside Jon like a white shadow. â€Å"I leave on the morrow,† Tyrion said. â€Å"I know.† Jon sounded strangely sad. â€Å"I plan to stop at Winterfell on the way south. If there is any message that you would like me to deliver . . . â€Å" â€Å"Tell Robb that I'm going to command the Night's Watch and keep him safe, so he might as well take up needlework with the girls and have Mikken melt down his sword for horseshoes.† â€Å"Your brother is bigger than me,† Tyrion said with a laugh. â€Å"I decline to deliver any message that might get me killed.† â€Å"Rickon will ask when I'm coming home. Try to explain where I've gone, if you can. Tell him he can have all my things while I'm away, he'll like that.† People seemed to be asking a great deal of him today, Tyrion Lannister thought. â€Å"You could put all this in a letter, you know.† â€Å"Rickon can't read yet. Bran . . . † He stopped suddenly. â€Å"I don't know what message to send to Bran. Help him, Tyrion.† â€Å"What help could I give him? I am no maester, to ease his pain. I have no spells to give him back his legs.† â€Å"You gave me help when I needed it,† Jon Snow said. â€Å"I gave you nothing,† Tyrion said. â€Å"Words.† â€Å"Then give your words to Bran too.† â€Å"You're asking a lame man to teach a cripple how to dance,† Tyrion said. â€Å"However sincere the lesson, the result is likely to be grotesque. Still, I know what it is to love a brother, Lord Snow. I will give Bran whatever small help is in my power.† â€Å"Thank you, my lord of Lannister.† He pulled off his glove and offered his bare hand. â€Å"Friend.† Tyrion found himself oddly touched. â€Å"Most of my kin are bastards,† he said with a wry smile, â€Å"but you're the first I've had to friend.† He pulled a glove off with his teeth and clasped Snow by the hand, flesh against flesh. The boy's grip was firm and strong. When he had donned his glove again, Jon Snow turned abruptly and walked to the low, icy northern parapet. Beyond him the Wall fell away sharply; beyond him there was only the darkness and the wild. Tyrion followed him, and side by side they stood upon the edge of the world. The Night's Watch permitted the forest to come no closer than half a mile of the north face of the Wall. The thickets of ironwood and sentinel and oak that had once grown there had been harvested centuries ago, to create a broad swath of open ground through which no enemy could hope to pass unseen. Tyrion had heard that elsewhere along the Wall, between the three fortresses, the wildwood had come creeping back over the decades, that there were places where grey-green sentinels and pale white weirwoods had taken root in the shadow of the Wall itself, but Castle Black had a prodigious appetite for firewood, and here the forest was still kept at bay by the axes of the black brothers. It was never far, though. From up here Tyrion could see it, the dark trees looming beyond the stretch of open ground, like a second wall built parallel to the first, a wall of night. Few axes had ever swung in that black wood, where even the moonlight could not penetrate the ancient tangle of root and thorn and grasping limb. Out there the trees grew huge, and the rangers said they seemed to brood and knew not men. It was small wonder the Night's Watch named it the haunted forest. As he stood there and looked at all that darkness with no fires burning anywhere, with the wind blowing and the cold like a spear in his guts, Tyrion Lannister felt as though he could almost believe the talk of the Others, the enemy in the night. His jokes of grumkins and snarks no longer seemed quite so droll. â€Å"My uncle is out there,† Jon Snow said softly, leaning on his spear as he stared off into the darkness. â€Å"The first night they sent me up here, I thought, Uncle Benjen will ride back tonight, and I'll see him first and blow the horn. He never came, though. Not that night and not any night.† â€Å"Give him time,† Tyrion said. Far off to the north, a wolf began to howl. Another voice picked up the call, then another. Ghost cocked his head and listened. â€Å"If he doesn't come back,† Jon Snow promised, â€Å"Ghost and I will go find him.† He put his hand on the direwolf's head. â€Å"I believe you,† Tyrion said, but what he thought was, And who will go find you? He shivered.

Friday, August 16, 2019

How humans activities are altering biogeochemistry and cycling in the water cycles Essay

Men have been involved into different activities that are aimed at the production of important goods and other products for his survival. Through the employment the diverse action towards production of goods and services, there are usually those by-products which perhaps are released as waste to our environment in which we live. Generally, any change in the earth’s chemical composition would have a potential changes in the biota and even the climatic conditions. It is believed that the composition of these wastes that are released to the various environments has fundamental impacts of altering the natural earth chemistry. The alteration of earth’s chemistry affects the cycles of nature like the water cycles which is by itself an integral part of the biogeochemistry. Due to the high impacts which may result from the chemical transition of the earth, it is paramount that the human activities are observed to known the methods in which mankind may contribute to these biogeochemistry changes. . (Hallock and Schlager, 1986) Agricultural sewage Man has always relied on agriculture for his satisfaction of food requirement. The increase in population has led to the intensification and extensive use of land. Due to the overpopulation, invasion of barren lands has been attempted to increase the physical land available for agricultural activities. The practice of the food and animal products in most of these areas call the application of either irrigation techniques or use of soil enriching nutrients. Most of these substances which are used in the soil enrich are fertilizers which are produced from agricultural industries. (Hallock and Schlager, 1986) The agricultural wastes are thus expected to contain traces of worn out particles and ions of iron from the plant manufacture. In addition to the presences of iron, other chemical materials required for the production of chemical fertilizers to some extent finds their way in the sewage wastes. This may includes certain chemical such as magnesium. Iron and magnesium in the earth’s soil may be influenced by the presence of other ions within the water and soils systems. The introduction of these impurities of iron and magnesium to the lakes greatly affects the composition of the chemical ions in the lake water systems. These ions of iron and magnesium react with other abundant ions within the water systems such as sulfate and nitrate forming new compounds altering the chemical compositions (Back, 1979) In the terrestrial land especially in those areas water catchments, sulfates and nitrate ions plays a very important role. They are believed to take part in the control of the level of these iron and magnesium. The excessive released of these iron and magnesium ions from agricultural wastes would usually alter the ability of control of such ions making them to accumulate to higher level where they can be termed as pollutants. The effect of iron and magnesium ions however various as their control level by the nitrate and sulfates ions of and also depend on the level of depth. This means that excessive release of these ions would also affect the nitrates and sulfate ions in the waters systems and soil. (Vollenweider, 1968) Addition of chemical fertilizers Man’s activity of soil enrichment to improve its fertility level is another ways in which the chemical compositions of the earth have been changed. Most of the farming lands have for long time been under cultivation leading to depletion and decrease of plant nutrients. The use chemical fertilizers have always been of prime use to the mitigation of soil fertility for high land productivity. Through the use of these chemical, some have been excessively used such that plant do not utilize them wholly. In most case they remain in the soils were they bind with water available for it to be dissolved. The kind of fertilizers which highly in used is the potassium and sodium nitrates and sulfates which can easily be dissolved. During high rainfalls that lead to flooding or the used of flood irrigation method, these chemical fertilizers are leaked to the water systems at the surrounding places hence there both a changes of the chemical composition in the terrestrial land and in the aquatic systems. (Hallock and Schlager, 1986) The release of these chemical ions to the water sources like lakes is of paramount importance of the aquatics lives. For instances, the enrichment of the water environment with nitrate ions leads to rapid sprouting and development of plant species. This quick growth of the plant displaces the water volume by reaching the maturity and decomposing to contribute to water particulate matter. Through the process of eutrophication, there is increased plant decay thus releasing enormous quantities of carbon dioxide to the atmospheres. (Bormann. and Likens, 1970) Sewage sludge Sewage has several material compositions other than the dissolved chemical substances. Most of the physical materials are eliminated through the sewage treatment processes. However, the separation of the organic and inorganic materials helps men to make manure or fertilizer from the organic portions. Though the materials are treated for safe handling by the human being as fertilizer materials, these manure leads to accumulation of the sewage sludge. The accumulation of the sludge in particular dumping site changes the soils chemical composition. These being mostly organic materials, it means that there high formation of carbon compounds which will be developed in such cite. However, there are other chemical compound which are produced by the natural decomposition especial nitrates and therefore highly in the soil chemical composition. There decomposition of the materials in the sludge releases other chemical such as calcium ions which are convertible to the various carbonates compounds. While the nitrates would enable rapids growth in plants, the presences of calcium ions in the soils accelerates the dissolving of the soil rock. (Bormann. and Likens, 1970) The increase in soil dissolution causes the rates of soils erosions to high. As soils erosion rates increases, there is relative increase in the silting process of the water sources such as rivers and lakes. This decrease the water source depth and therefore reduction of water volumes. The long term effects of the silting process in that elimination of the waters bodies is likely to take place. (Back, 1979) Conclusion Through the use of sewage loading to the lake has high impact to the water source. This is because there is a mass transfer of chemical substances directly and indirectly to the system. The practices of the sewage loading to the lakes has got the potentials of disturbing the water ecosystem through the formation of toxic blooms and the silting of the lake by erosions and decay process of the huge plants materials formed from heavy and rapid supply of necessary products. This shows that environment of the lake is likely to change and be comprising of plants as the major vegetation and living thing. The increase in CO2 gas due to plant decay processes would cause a major change in the environmental temperatures as this is a major green gas pollutant. In addition to increased CO2 gas release; there would be great reduction of the oxygen supply in the lakes due to plant cover over the water surface leading low support of aquatic organisms and animal (Vollenweider, 1968) Reference: Back, W. (1979), Geochemical significance of groundwater discharge and carbonate dissolution to the formation of Caleta Xel Ha, Mexico, Quintana Roo Bormann, F. and Likens, G. (1970), Nutrient Cycling Hallock, P. , and Schlager, W. (1986), Nutrient excess and the demise of coral reefs and