Monday, December 30, 2019

Hydrogen Facts - H or Atomic Number 1

Hydrogen is the chemical element with the element symbol H and atomic number 1. Its essential for all life and abundant in the universe, so its one element you should get to know better. Here are basic facts about the first element in the periodic table, hydrogen. Fast Facts: Hydrogen Element Name: HydrogenElement Symbol: HAtomic Number: 1Group: Group 1Classification: NonmetalBlock: s-blockElectron Configuration: 1s1Phase at STP: GasMelting Point: 13.99 K ​(−259.16  °C, ​−434.49  °F)Boiling Point: 20.271 K ​(−252.879  °C, ​−423.182  °F)Density at STP: 0.08988  g/LOxidation States: -1, 1Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 2.20Crystal Structure: HexagonalMagnetic Ordering: DiamagneticDiscovery: Henry Cavendish (1766)Named By: Antoine Lavoisier (1783) Atomic Number: 1 Hydrogen is the first element in the periodic table, meaning it has an atomic number of 1 or 1 proton in each hydrogen atom. The name of the element comes from the Greek words  hydro  for water and  genes  for forming, since hydrogen bonds with oxygen to form water (H2O). Robert Boyle produced hydrogen gas in 1671 during an experiment with iron and acid, but hydrogen wasnt recognized as an element until 1766 by Henry Cavendish. Atomic Weight: 1.00794 This makes hydrogen the lightest element. It is so light, the pure element isnt bound by Earths gravity. So, there is very little hydrogen gas left in the atmosphere. Massive planets, such as Jupiter, consist mainly of hydrogen, much like the Sun and stars. Even though hydrogen, as a pure element, bonds to itself to form H2, its still lighter than a single atom of helium because most hydrogen atoms dont have any neutrons. In fact, two hydrogen atoms (1.008 atomic mass units per atom) are less than half the mass of one helium atom (atomic mass 4.003). Hydrogen Facts Hydrogen is the most abundant element. About 90% of the atoms and 75% of the element mass of the universe is hydrogen, usually in the atomic state or as plasma. Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the human body in terms of numbers of atoms of the element, its only 3rd in abundance by mass, after oxygen and carbon, because hydrogen is so light. Hydrogen exists as a pure element on Earth as a diatomic gas, H2, but its rare in Earths atmosphere because it is light enough to escape gravity and bleed into space. The element remains common at the Earths surface, where it is bound into water and hydrocarbons to be the third most abundant element.There are three natural isotopes of hydrogen: protium, deuterium, and tritium. The most common isotope of hydrogen is protium, which has 1 proton, 0 neutrons, and 1 electron. This makes hydrogen the only element that can have atoms without any neutrons! Deuterium has 1 proton, 1 neutron, and 1 electron. Although this isotope is heavie r than protium, deuterium is not radioactive. However, tritium does emit radiation. Tritium is the isotope with 1 proton, 2 neutrons, and 1 electron.Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable. It is used as a fuel by the space shuttle main engine and was associated with the famous explosion of the Hindenburg airship. While many people consider oxygen to be flammable, it actually doesnt burn. However, its an oxidizer, which is why hydrogen is so explosive in air or with oxygen.Hydrogen compounds commonly are called hydrides.Hydrogen may be produced by reacting metals with acids (e.g., zinc with hydrochloric acid).The physical form of hydrogen at room temperature and pressure is a colorless and odorless gas. The gas and liquid are nonmetals, but when hydrogen is compressed into a solid, the element is an alkali metal. Solid crystalline metallic hydrogen has the lowest density of any crystalline solid.Hydrogen has many uses, though most hydrogen is used for processing fossil fuels and in the production of ammonia. It is gaining importance as an alternate fuel that produces energy by combustion, similar to what happens in fossil fuel engines. Hydrogen is also used in fuel cells that react hydrogen and oxygen to produce water and electricity.In compounds, hydrogen can take a negative charge (H-) or a positive charge (H).Hydrogen is the only atom  for which the Schrà ¶dinger equation has an exact solution. Sources Emsley, John (2001). Natures Building Blocks. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 183–191. ISBN 978-0-19-850341-5.Hydrogen. Van Nostrands Encyclopedia of Chemistry. Wylie-Interscience. 2005. pp. 797–799. ISBN 978-0-471-61525-5.Stwertka, Albert (1996). A Guide to the Elements. Oxford University Press. pp. 16–21. ISBN 978-0-19-508083-4.Weast, Robert (1984). CRC, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Boca Raton, Florida: Chemical Rubber Company Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8493-0464-4.Wiberg, Egon; Wiberg, Nils; Holleman, Arnold Frederick (2001). Inorganic chemistry. Academic Press. p. 240. ISBN 978-0123526519.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Application Of A Plagiarism Declaration - 2135 Words

1 4 6 7 6 8 Student Registration Number Coursework Form This form should be completed for each piece of coursework submitted. It is designed to aid the process of anonymous marking, the identification of work once marking is complete, and for you to make a plagiarism declaration. Please ensure that you fill in all parts of the form. Please note that you should hand work in by the prescribed method only. Plagiarism Declaration By completing and signing this form you are making the declaration below: †¢ The work I have submitted, in accordance with University College Regulations, is all my own work and contains no plagiarism from books, articles, the internet or anyone else’s work. †¢ Where I have quoted the words of another person, I have surrounded the quotation with quotation marks and have referred to the source within the text or by footnotes. †¢ Where I have taken ideas more generally from other people (by using secondary sources or by reading books, journals or articles but not specifically referring to them in the text), I have acknowledged such use by making a named reference to the author in the coursework. †¢ I have included a full bibliography and/or reference list as required. I B P 7 0 0 2 Module Code Module Title: Organisational Behaviour Leadership Academic Tutor: Dr. Shova Thapa Karki Module Convener: Dr D Twigg Submission Type (Delete One): Individual Word Count (if applicable): 3217 Page Count: 12 Contents: SrShow MoreRelatedApplication Of A Plagiarism Declaration4136 Words   |  17 Pagesidentification of work once marking is complete, and for you to make a plagiarism declaration. Please ensure that you fill in all parts of the form. Please note that you should hand work in by the prescribed method only. Plagiarism Declaration By completing and signing this form you are making the declaration below: †¢ The work I have submitted, in accordance with University College Regulations, is all my own work and contains no plagiarism from books, articles, the internet or anyone else’s work. †¢ WhereRead MoreSample Resume : Campus Enrolment1174 Words   |  5 PagesProfessional Practice 300053 Tutorial group: Tutorial day and time: Lecturer/Tutor: Dr. Ragbir Bhathal Title of assignment: Assignment 1: Essay Length: Date due: 21/08/15 Date submitted: Campus enrolment: UWS Kingswood Declaration: ï  ± I hold a copy of this assignment if the original is lost or damaged. ï  ± I hereby certify that no part of this assignment or product has been copied from any other student’s work or from any other source except where due acknowledgement is madeRead MoreRpl Learning2091 Words   |  9 PagesDate Name Position Company Address State Postcode ACS Project Report Form Australian Computer Society Skills Assessment 1 July 2012 The ACS Project Report Form is required for all Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Applications Information about the Areas of Knowledge After studying the ACS Key Areas of Knowledge document, tick those areas of knowledge that you believe you have learned from your experience. Please Note: None of the areas  are mandatory. Applicants  willRead MoreThe Inspiration of the Declaration of Independence1203 Words   |  5 PagesMany of us tend to wonder what was the inspiration of the Declaration of Independence? What or who influenced one of the greatest founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, to create such an important document in our American history. To really understand what influenced Thomas Jefferson, we must understand some of the men who inspired him when creating this document. Its also important for us to understand the philosophies these men went by, and why Thomas Jefferson wanted incorporate their philosophiesRead MoreReport On Building Construction At Unsw1721 Words   |  7 Pagesstrongly advised to: ââ€"  Review the assessment requirements contained in the briefing document for the assignment; ââ€"  Review the various matters related to assessment in the relevant Course Outline; ââ€"  Review the Plagiarism and Academic Integrity website a http;/www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism/pintro.html to ensure they are familiar with the requirements to provide appropriate acknowledgement of source materials; and ââ€"  Retain a copy of this assessment for their records and in case it is misplaced andRead MoreCase Study Questions On Plagiarism And Plagiarism1729 Words   |  7 Pagesassessment work electronically please make sure you have a backup copy. PLAGIARISM Plagiarism is the presentation of the work of another without acknowledgement. Students may use a limited amount of information and ideas expressed by others but this use must be identified by appropriate referencing. CONSEQUENCES OF PLAGIARISM Plagiarism is misconduct as defined under the Student Conduct By-Laws. The penalties associated with plagiarism are designed to impose sanctions on offenders that reflect the seriousnessRead MoreAcademic Year2016 -2017Semester: Spring 2017 (Second Semester).1235 Words   |  5 Pages10 10 100 Marks Marks deduction Criteria Presentation Referencing Word Count E-Library Total Up to (5) (5) Marks 100 Student’s Total Mark /100 Notes on plagiarism: A. According to the Arab Open University By-laws, the following acts represent cases of cheating and plagiarism: ï‚ § Verbatim copying of printed material and submitting them as part of TMAs without proper academic acknowledgement and documentation. ï‚ § Verbatim copying of material from the Internet, includingRead MoreAcademic Literacies : Learning And Communicating Practices1628 Words   |  7 Pagespreviously been submitted for assessment at this or any other university. ââ€" ¡ This is an original piece of work and no part has been completed by any other student than signed below. ââ€" ¡ I have read and understood the avoiding plagiarism guidelines at http://www.swinburne.edu.au/ltas/plagiarism/students.htm and no part of this work has been copied or paraphrased from any other source except where this has been clearly acknowledged in the body of the assignment and included in the reference list. ââ€" ¡ I haveRead MoreFundamentals of Project Management3669 Words   |  15 Pagesstructuring your arguments in a logical fashion. Consult as many sources as possible, from your textbooks/study material as well as further resources – remember to reference your material correctly (please refer to the section on Referencing and Plagiarism for some guidelines). ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Use examples and explanations to justify your arguments. One sentence should contain one idea; more than one idea in a sentence will make your answer cumbersome. One paragraph should contain one main idea supported byRead MoreSchool Of Computing Engineering Mathematics2551 Words   |  11 Pagestime: --- Lecturer/Tutor: Dr. Bahman Javadi Title of Assignment: Individual Essay: Software Testing Methods Length: (Optional) 1800 words Date due: 22nd June 2015 Date submitted: 22nd June 2015 Student Declaration (must be signed) Declaration: †¢ I hold a copy of this assignment if the original is lost or damaged. †¢ I hereby certify that no part of this assignment or product has been copied from any other student’s work or from any other source except where due acknowledgement

Friday, December 13, 2019

Addie Bundren’s Everlasting Impact Free Essays

Addie Bundren’s Everlasting Impact Often times in novels, there will be a character that has the ability to appear as little as possible and still be able to have one of the biggest impacts on the rest of the characters and on the novel as a whole. In As I Lay Dying, Addie Bundren is one of those types of characters. She has only one chapter in the entire book, yet is somehow able to have the biggest influence on the rest of the characters. We will write a custom essay sample on Addie Bundren’s Everlasting Impact or any similar topic only for you Order Now She is the basis of the story, and everything relates back to her. Addie Bundren seems to have such a heavy impact on the characters as they were constantly trying to please her. Darl always longed for her approval and was constantly jealous of her relationship with Jewel. He was always trying to provoke Jewel: â€Å"’You could borrow the loan of Vernon’s team and we could catch up with you,’ I say. ‘If she didn’t wait for us. ’ ‘Ah, shut your goddamn mouth,’ Jewel says. † (pg. 18) Addie seems to have enjoyed all the attention she was getting. She was constantly trying to fulfil her feeling of dissatisfaction, trying to find multiple ways to rid herself of the sickening feeling, but nothing she did helped. Her dissatisfaction was the centre of her life. Her character greatly affected all the characters in the novel. She was the spokes holding their family wheel together. Darl longed for her approval, while Jewel had her sitting on a pedestal. Anse, even through all his selfish, narcissistic ways, looked up to her and felt attached to her, even beyond her death. He felt like he owed her something. Her character is similar to Vardaman’s character in the sense that they are both unable to fully express themselves. Vardaman resorts to comparisons such as ‘my mother is a fish’ (pg. 84) while Addie resorts to having an affair with Whitefield. Addie is the basis of the book. Without her, there would not be a story. Her character has a powerful hold over the rest of the Bundrens, even after death. With her death, the characters could have just buried her wherever they felt convenient; however, they still follow through with her request. Though one could argue that they did so only for their own selfish benefits, their conversations never fail to relate back to her in one way or another. They feel compelled to grant her wishes, making references to her while on their journey, helping the reader piece Addie’s character together without her actually speaking. As I Lay Dying amplifies the feminist role with Addie Bundren. It ties her influence in with her motherly figure, making her a vital character in the novel. She has the rare ability to hold such a powerful control over the characters in the novel, making her a significant character with only one chapter. How to cite Addie Bundren’s Everlasting Impact, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Personal Anxiety Experience Essay Example For Students

Personal Anxiety Experience Essay Anxiety is a thing that everyone has. Anxiety isn’t just for one person. Anxiety helps when I am nervous, and it can make me do so much better in sports and in life. Every time I am nervous its anxiety helping me out. When anxiety happens to me it sucks because the feeling is so weird and it can sometimes suck. Anxiety can’t always help me. When it doesn’t it makes things way much worse than what it is already. Anxiety is that little thing that helps and can sometimes help out, but can also make things really bad. Whenever anxiety comes to my mind or to my body it really doesn’t feel good at all. That nervous feeling to me I can never like. I will never be use to it and I am always nervous, so to me it always sucks. Anxiety is the worst feeling in my life other than pain because pain really hurts. Anxiety can sometimes hurt me also, so sometimes they can feel the same or anxiety can sometimes feel worse. Anxiety does sometimes make me play better than I can when I don’t have that anxiety feeling. Like I said before I hate the feeling it sucks and I will never ever be used to that feeling. Other people do like that sudden feeling of anxiety which I find those types of people weird and freaky. The freaky people that like that feeling of anxiety are really weird and can be weirder if they have more of that feeling of anxiety. â€Å"Anxiety is that feeling of butterflies in your stomach†, â€Å"it’s that feeling that you have when you have stage fright†. Most of all anxiety has shown to help, but has shown to make some of the stuff worse. Anxiety is the best because you can have a better time with those few first butterflies. I hate the butterflies feeling in your stomach because it makes you have to poop sometimes, but when you go and try to use the bathroom you don’t have to anymore. Before a wrestling match I always have to pee. That is my anxiety. Whenever I am nervous it’s almost like my Blatter just shrinks up and into my stomach. â€Å"Many people tend to associate the feeling of anxiety with stress†, but I’m going to tell you right now that that is not the case. If people say that they are very wrong. Anxiety is not stress, but sometimes it can lead to stress. Sometimes people stress out over the anxiety that they have. Which is just how they react to their anxiety, but most people react very nicely to their anxiety. Not always, but most of the time they will do better than when they don’t have that sudden feeling of anxiety. That’s how I feel about that feeling that we call anxiety. I feel pretty good about it, but with some other people it’s not the greatest feeling in the world. I did say that I can hurt at times, but other times it makes me do a lot better than I ever could. Anxiety is the best, but it’s also the worse of people’s lives.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Andrew Carnegie Essay Essay Example

Andrew Carnegie Essay Essay Example Andrew Carnegie Essay Paper Andrew Carnegie Essay Paper What would make him a hero? Andrew Carnegie was a man who became a millionaire. He started working at 12 due to his poor family and slowly rose to riches. He grew up In Pittsburgh near family; he then later was the supervisor of Pennsylvania?was Western Division. In 1861 he was asked to help with troop transportation in D. C. He then moved to New York City, NY, and that was where he primarily live till he died. He was born in 1835, sailed to America in 1848, Helped in the war in 1861, wrote a letter to himself in 1868, in 1872 e met Bessemer (He gave Andrew the heads up on steel), 1883 after a success In steel acquired a coal mill, In 1890 he had many steel mills and many other Industries were about to be acquired as well, In 1901 he sold all of his company? ¦s holdings for (HIS share was He died n 1919 after much philanthropy. A hero changes from person to person, but to most he or she is a good person. To acquire something is to buy or get hold of. Philanthropy is like charity or volunteering. Andrew Carnegie should be considered a hero because he created bobs, accepted the competition In the world, and he donated lots of money to worthy Charles. Andrew Carnegie was a hero because through his years building up the steel business he created many Jobs for unemployed or underemployed people. The background essay is a tertiary source because it has quotes and letters written by Andrew, but It Is written by somebody else. Since It has both It Is tertiary. Wealth twelve months of meeting with Bessemer, construction of a larger steel mill was under way. This shows of how he built a steel mill and so created a large amount f Jobs. Another way Andrew Carnegie was a hero was because he accepted embraced and overcame the thought of competition In the world. In Document B ? ¦Wealth?0 by Andrew Carnegie Is a primary source because It was from that time period and written by the subject. S to this law (of competition that we owe) material development, ?: while the law maybe sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race, because it insures the survival of the fittest in every department, We accept and welcome, therefore, ?: the concentration of business in the hands of the ewe?: . ?D This quote shows how he believed competition helps, how he embraced It, and how he uses It to his advantage. That Is why embracing your Inner competition can help you and why Andrew Carnegie was a hero. Andrew Carnegie was also a hero because he donated over $1. 000,000,000 since he died. In the background essay it states when he came to riches. When the famous banker J. P. Morgan indicated he and his partners were interested in buying the Carnegie Steel Company and all of Its holdings, Carnegie wrote down a price on a scrap AT paper e Ana Ana It gauntlets downtown to Wall street. Morgan gave it a glance and said, l accept this price. The world was most famous businessman was about to become the world was richest ex-businessman. This shows how he came up with the money to provide charity. Because he dedicated his life to giving himself away he became a hero. Because Andrew Carnegie created Jobs, accepted the competition in the world, and he donated lots of money to worthy charities he was a hero. Andrew Carnegie still, after death, donates one hundred thousand dollars a year.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Major Developments in the Rise of Democracy in America Essay

The Major Developments in the Rise of Democracy in America - Essay Example Another characteristic feature of this period was the American revolutionary war of 1775 to 1783. The incidences that took place during this period saw a rise in the democratic space of the Americans. Opposition to the British rule was a key pillar in the fight for democracy in America. In 1765, George Grenville, the British Prime Minister spearheaded the adoption of stamp duty where all documents were required to have a stamp and the duty paid. This incited the people to begin objecting the British rule. In order to fight for their democratic rights, a group called Sons of Liberty was formed, it used various strategies to object the taxes that were being imposed on the Americans. They used to demonstrate in the streets, became violent, as well as made several threats to the government. In addition, they aired their grievances to the monarch to have the tax laws done away with. Their voices were heard when the group opted to invade the home of Thomas Hutchinson, the chief justice as well as looting and burning records in the vice-admiralty court. This development saw a step being made towards democracy, the Declaration of Rights and Grievances was enacted. Further, there was a co nsensus that the stamp tax is repealed. However, the parliament was to remain the sovereign authority as provided in the Declaratory Act of 19661. Legislations catapulted the rise in democracy, the Americans felt that the legislation was harsh on them. The passing of a bill that saw an increment in taxes of basic commodities made the colonists to boycott British goods. In 1768, British troops were sent to Boston where they were to contain the riots that had ensued. Some individuals were killed in the process, an incidence that resulted in growing resentment of the British rule by the state of Massachusetts2. The parliament acted again by withdrawing all the imposed taxes except that of tea. The race  to democracy was also facilitated by the efforts of Samuel Adams who created the Committee of Correspondence that provided a common forum for all the patriots in thirteen states to launch a rebellion against the colonial rule.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Critically analyse three different stylistic usages of English 1.The Essay

Critically analyse three different stylistic usages of English 1.The language of Poetry, 2.Journalese, 3.The language of Adverti - Essay Example Grammatical devices make ads closer to the audience, translating them from written into oral manner. In other words, written ads should be memorable for the audience as if they heard them every day. Grammatical simplicity (Example 4) and easy perception of ads is the right way to gain a wider audience (Bovee & Arens, 2006). Moreover, definite articles play an important semantic role in ads. They are widely used in ads and create ‘particularity of reference’ (Example 5). Of course, the usage of specific grammatical devices is not enough to reach success in advertising. Creative writing, such as usage of puns, polysemy, alliteration, metaphors etc is an integral part of a successful ad. For example, The flavour of a Quaver is never known to waver- rhyming American Home has an edifice complex- pun The more we progress, the better you advance- pun (Bovee & Arens, 2006). Aurally, the audience is attracted and thus memorizes ads. As a result, a vivid language of advertising ca n be also met in other social spheres of life. Political leaders use some methods of language of advertising in their promotional campaigns; journalists try to draw attention of the readers to their articles by the usage of creative writing and a high level of communication. Still, there are numerous techniques used by advertisers, but all of them are directed on showing perfectness and superiority of the advertised product. For example, the usage of ‘the weasel claim’ is directed on showing the audience superiority of the product. As it is known, â€Å"a weasel word is a modifier that practically negates the claim that follows. The expression "weasel word" is aptly named after the egg-eating habits of weasels†. This technique copies a weasel behavior inside an egg. It sucks out an egg from inside and casual observers can’t find anything inside. Therefore, â€Å"words or claims that appear substantial upon first look but disintegrate into hollow meaningle ssness on analysis are weasels† (Example 6). Another apt technique used to show the superiority of an advertised product is to use ‘we are different and unique’ claim. This technique is the most known to the audience (Example 7). The uniqueness of the product is communicated to the audience by the usage of word combinations, such as ‘there is nothing else like†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢, ‘there is no other†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ and words ‘unique’, ‘extraordinary’, ‘different’ etc (Schrank). Therefore, language of advertising can be named a language of ‘public-colloquial discourse’, as it is stated by Leech. If to summarize stylistic devices used in advertising, we can create ad phrase: employ creativity and reach perfectibility. The language of poetry The language of poetry is a interesting stylistic phenomenon. On the one hand, this literature genre is used to entertain and amuse readers, but on the other hand, poetry transfers through its form deep emotional senses. Poetic texts are created for pleasure and amusement, for thinking and joy. A great arsenal of stylistic devices is the right way for embodiment of poetic images. Therefore, such devices as inversion (‘Yet know I how the heather looks’, Emily Diskinson from Collected Poems), repetition (‘IT tossed and tossed’, Ibid.) parallelism (‘Are her voice, and her hair, and eyes, and the dear red curve of her lips’ from Appendix II) are widely used. A poem â€Å"

Monday, November 18, 2019

The Fall of The House of Usher- by Edgar Allan Poe Essay

The Fall of The House of Usher- by Edgar Allan Poe - Essay Example It is shown in the characterization of Roderick, symbolism of the house, and first person point of view. b. The ventral striatum is a section of the brain that is mostly associated with rewards. Furthermore, this section of the brain is vital to learning processes. This part of the brain is largely stimulated by love and affection for close friends and relatives. Human brains subjected to lonely environment display less activity in this region when shown or told interesting things or stories respectively. They lack interest and do not enjoy these moments instead get distracted by other things. c. According to Poe, the narrator tries to cheer up Roderick Usher by reading him a medieval romance story. The narrator says, â€Å"I will read and you listen.† He loudly reads Mad Trist by Sir Lancelot Canning. As he reads, he gets distracted by unnecessary noise from Usher. Roderick is not interested in the story and is fantasizing and muttering to himself. d. Through this scene, readers learn of the detrimental effects of loneliness to Usher’s mind. Usher, who once loved and enjoyed romantic stories and books, does not show any interest in the narrator’s story. He does not find the story interesting because of his brain condition. His brain condition is as a result of social isolation and loneliness. Additionally, his habit of staying indoors with her sister Medline has led to the activation of Ventrium Striatum. Due to activation of this hormone, Usher’s interest and love for various things disappeared. As a result, he prefers to do other things that are not interesting to ordinary human beings. Consequently, people should look for friends to enjoy life and the existing impressive things. Having enough friends and company that engages the brain on a daily basis leads to avoidance of such peculiar medical conditions. The brain remains healthy and functional. c. Poe validates

Friday, November 15, 2019

Prostate Cancer Causes And Treatment Health And Social Care Essay

Prostate Cancer Causes And Treatment Health And Social Care Essay This paper will investigate several different academic journal articles and some popular media articles that are about prostate cancer. These articles discuss prostate cancer causes, (hypothetical and known), detection methods, and treatment options. A couple of the articles also focus on the cost of treatment for patients, as well as the risks involved with the differing methods of treatment. Several treatment options for prostate cancer are still being studied. This essay will critically analyze and compare prostate cancer detection methods, (such as Prostate-specific antigen or (PSA) tests) treatment options, and the differing success or failure of each method, as well as focusing on the increasing cost of treatment that patients are forced to pay. Some of the articles also suggest that more resources and more education are needed to help lower the mortality rate from prostate cancer. This paper will explore what is being done to help lower the mortality rate as well as what is be ing done to help increase the rate of early detection of prostate cancer. Keywords: Prostate-specific antigen Prostate Cancer: Causes and Treatment Options Available in Todays Scientifically Advanced Society According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, prostate cancer occurs when cells within the prostate grow uncontrollably, creating small tumors. The term cancer refers to a condition in which the regulation of cell growth is lost and cells grow uncontrollably. Prostate cancer is a disease of epidemic proportions. 1 in 6 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and new cases are diagnosed every 2.7 minutes (Charles 2009). As prostate cancer poses such a threat to men worldwide, more time and money should be spent to improve upon the existing methods and technology as well as invested towards education and awareness programs. The fact that these statistics are real is why prostate cancer awareness and education is so essential because many deaths could have been prevented if the cases had been detected at earlier stages of the cancer. Prostate cancers specific cause is still unknown, however scientists hypothesize that genes play a role, because the risk factor for getting pro state cancer is substantially higher if you have a family history of it. The two main methods used for prostate cancer screening are rectal examinations and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing. Rathus, Nevid, and Rathus (2008) remind men 50 years and older that the American Cancer Society recommends that men receive annual rectal examinations and PSA blood tests. Treatment methods for prostate cancer are limited, but new technology has allowed for a higher survival rate because of early detection. The first point of interest is that the costs of prostate cancer treatment have gone up substantially in the last 20 years according to USA Today reporter Lisa Szabo. In her article entitled Patients bear brunt as cancer spending hits $90 billion she discusses how these rising costs have been driven by forces such as new drugs, robotic surgeries, and radiation techniques (2010). In her findings she discovered that from 1991 to 2002 the cost of treatment for cancer doubled. These increases are unsustainable claims John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society. Because of the increasing costs of treatment the American Cancer society can only help 1 out of 6 patients as opposed to in the past when they were able to help 1 in 5. When one takes into account how many cancer patients are in the United States, then they can realize how many people are forgoing treatment because they are uninsured and cannot afford treatment. It is tragic that the rising costs are resulting in preventable deaths. In another article reviewed, Krahn, Zagorski, Laporte, Alibhai, Bremner, Tomlinson, Warde, and Naglie, (2009) set out to discover healthcare costs in relation to prostate cancer. They researched direct medical costs for around 42,000 men over the progression of the disease. The costs they found were between $2,000 to around $16,000 dependent on where the individual patient was in the treatment process and how advanced their cancer was. The resulting conclusion was that prostate cancer costs are highest around two events, cancer diagnosis and cancer death (Krahn et als. 2009). The second point of interest is that drug company Roches Avastin a prostate cancer drug recently hit headlines and not in a good way. According to the Wall Street Journal, Roche Holdings released a statement that said that Avastin had failed in late stage prostate cancer trials. This news was not good for stockholders who are estimated to have lost projected sales of 7.48 billion dollars. The other bad news is that people who have been using Avastin an antibody for treatment of cancer, are also paying for something that is not as effective as they have been lead to believe. The third point of interest is that although scientists know what causes cancer, new steps are being made to discovering what specifically causes prostate cancer, and other types of cancer. In an exciting article in Science News, author L. Sanders reviews a new study that suggests probable links between self-renewing stem cells and prostate cancer (2010). The study suggests that genes are the culprit. Think about cancer as a disease of stem cells, Mutations in these cells can cause normal stem cells to lose their regularized behavior and instead turn into an incipient cancer (Sanders 2010). The researchers also found that prostate tissue cells called Basal stem cells are the most likely culprit in laboratory tests done on mice. In all the research they have done, Basal stem cells are what drives the cancer, regardless of the type of mutation says Owen Witte, a researcher at the University of California. A specific gene called Bmi-1 plays a significant role in Basal stem cells renewal process, when Bmi-1 activity was reduced, the cells were no longer able to self renew, nor did they form tumors (Sanders 2010). The fourth point of interest is that studies show family history of prostate cancer as one of the leading risk factors associated with prostate cancer. As Damber and Aus (2008) discovered while researching prostate cancer, family history is a large factor when assessing ones individual risk factors. They hypothesize that one apparent reason for this is that genes are passed down biologically from father to son. They also believe that the cancer causing genes mutate, but the reason(s) why are still unknown. According to the textbook authors, Rathus, Nevid, and Rathus (2008) consuming high amounts of animal fats has been shown to increase ones risk of getting prostate cancer. They also discuss how the chances are higher in black males than in white males. One thing Damber and Aus (2008) did note in their study was that the number of cases of prostate cancer was higher in men in urbanized nations as opposed to Asian men. The resulting studies showed that lifestyle differences as well as exposure to radiation were the reasons for the different statistics between Asian men and those in more urbanized nations. They also discuss how PSA and other screening methods are still being studied too analyze just how effective they actually are. Once men are suspected of having prostate cancer, the most common method of diagnosis is a biopsy which is surgically removing a small portion of the suspected tumor for testing. Most patients once they are diagnosed with the disease, are concerned with how concentrated the cancer is, because it is this factor more than any other that determines how long they have to live. In other words, the disease establishes the prognosis more than the choice of treatment. (Damber and Aus 2008) Treatment methods are varied and all have risks involved, but as the authors pointed out, most treatment plans are based on factors such as the PSA number, (how high or low) the level is, the size and placement of the tumor, as well as the patients individua l life expectancy. Treatment plans also vary depending on if the cancer is localized to just the prostate, or if it has advanced (grown) within the prostate, or if the cancerous cells have spread to other parts of the body more serious treatment options will be considered. Damber and Aus (2008) theorize that treatment methods for both localized and advanced prostate cancer will remain the same for the time being. The fifth point of interest is the actual treatment procedures that are currently used. According to K. Charles in her article about prostate cancer in the Daily News, NY, she discusses the three major ways to treat prostate cancer. Surgery, external beam radiation, and radioactive seed implant therapy. A fourth new and radical treatment option is known as active survellaince, which is basically doing nothing but constantly monitoring the cancer. She discusses in her article that doctors have not yet been able to decide which treatment option is more effective than another, as they say that the results of each treatment option vary case to case. These variants also depend on how progressed the cancer is and how healthy the patient was before they got cancer. The sixth point of interest is a possible prostate cancer treatment that is still being researched called Cryotherapy. In an article by A. Gardner, she discusses how several prostate cancer patients had successful cryoblation and their tumors were successfully thwarted. The method is still in research however, and as Dr Debra Monticciolo said, The concept is good, but we need a bigger study with longer follow up. It takes a while for a couple of tumor cells left behind to gather enough steam to be noticed (Gardner 2010). One of the most controversial methods of treatment is to do nothing and just check in on the cancer frequently, to ensure that it has not grown or spread. In an article by Johnsun and Treurnicht, they claim that, The majority of men with low-risk prostate cancer will die of unrelated causes (2009). They also discuss how this newer method of treatment, officially known as active surveillance challenges the old method of radiation, and instead theorizes that attentive non-action, with only minimal treatments is possibly more effective. Johnsun and Treurnicht researched a group of 549 cancer patients who were offered active surveillance or surgery. The patients chose the surgery. Over an 8 year time span, it was discovered that the only way to ensure if active surveillance is an effective method of treatment is by repeated studies of men who have had biopsies. In another article I reviewed, author R. Lane and C. Metcalfe looked into a study that is being conducted in the UK. The study is a randomized controlled trial evaluating different prostate cancer treatments (2008). In the article, they claim that repeat PSA testing is one of the most effective methods for deciding if one needs surgery. According to the article, men whose PSA levels are between 3.0 and 19.99 ng/mL are all candidates for treatment and most likely, a biopsy. Also according to Lane and Metcalfe, in the trial referred to in the article, the participants were between 50 and 70 years old. The conclusions of the authors was that repeat PSA blood testing, particularly in men aged The seventh point of interest in regards to Prostate Cancer detection methods is the conflict over PSA testing and its accurate results, or is it as accurate as one would hope? Nogueira, Corradi, and Eastham (2009) explore other biomarkers besides PSA tests. They believe that although PSA is the best cancer biomarker available, it is not perfect. It lacks both the sensitivity and specificity to accurately detect the presence of prostate cancer (Nogueira et al., 2009). In their article, they evaluate the progress that is being made towards being able to use newly discovered biomarkers to help screen for prostate cancer. The studies that they review show that Human Kallikrein 2 or (hK2) is a serine protease that is closely related to PSA in sequence. The studies have revealed however, that (hK2) is not ready to be used yet as it can indicate that there are cancer cells active in the blood, but not accurately enough. This is similar to the problem that researchers run into with PSA test ing. Several other membrane antigens and antibodies are also being studied, but none of them are yet ready to be used as further research and testing is still needed. In the textbook, Rathus, Nevid, and Rathus (2008) agree with this article that PSA testing is the best method available. This should not be seen as though no progress has been made however, because as Dr. Richard Stock said, The past 40 years have seen a revolution in prostate cancer treatment. Not only are 90% of cases caught before they metastasize, but doctors have vastly improved technology for fighting cancer in the other 10% of patients (Charles 2009). The eighth point of interest is the recent news that the American Cancer Society has released new guidelines on prostate cancer screenings. In the article by A. Gardner, it discusses how the American Cancer Society is now putting less emphasis on routine PSA testing and more emphasis on doctor-patient conversations and decisions. These new guidelines are issued as a result of research and the ongoing conflict over how accurate PSA testing really is. According to a statement issued by the American Cancer Society, men with no symptoms of prostate cancer who are in relatively good health and can expect to live another 10 years should make an informed decision with their doctor about prostate cancer screening after learning the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits associated with such screening (Gardner 2010). These new statements disagree with with what Rathus, Nevid, and Rathus (2008), state in the textbook, The American Cancer Society recommends that men receive annual digital rectal examinations beginning at the same age as PSA tests (Rathus et al. 2008). They are now suggesting that PSA testing should not be a requirement for all men over 50. The ninth point of interest, however, is that many agree that PSA testing is still not a very reliable or effective method of detection. In an article in Practical Nurse, urologist Professor Roger Kirby, director of the Prostate Centre in London, states that, PSA testing is hugely controversial because the number of false positives and missed diagnoses of prostate cancer generated by the test raises questions about its usefulness (2009). In the article Kirby also points out that although PSA testing is so sketchy, that unfortunately men do not have many other options for detection. He calls for more research into alternative testing methods for the presence of cancerous cells in ones blood. He also calls for more education among men, to make them aware of their risk of contracting prostate cancer. Personal education and personal awareness are key elements in fighting the mortality rate of prostate cancer. The tenth point of interest is the progress being made towards educating the public on prostate cancer. In the European Journal of Cancer Care, contributing author S. Bowen, discusses a public health program in Ireland called the National Cancer Information Service. It was developed because of the National Cancer Forums, concern that high quality, accurate information and resources should be available to the public (Bowen 2010). The majority of people who called in to the service concerned about prostate cancer were men in their 50s to mid 60s. The service also found that most men were calling to find out how and where to get screened for prostate cancer. Bowen thinks this is due to not enough public awareness of prostate cancer, he believes that, as the public becomes increasingly aware of cancer, it is important that they have access to clear unbiased information from a responsible quality service informed by ongoing evaluation (2010). Overall, the popular media articles that I reviewed did seem to agree with the academic journal articles. In regards to the cost of prostate cancer treatment, the textbook did not really go into depth on the topic, but the two articles that I reviewed did seem to agree with the consensus that prostate cancer treatment is expensive, and that the cost of treatment is rising. Another issue that I reviewed was also not really covered by the textbook, but the article that I reviewed was convincing in that it shows that more research is needed for prostate cancer drugs. Another issue that I reviewed was also not covered by the textbook, but I found it fascinating that scientists are coming so close to finding a way to cure cancer. Another issue I reviewed was agreed upon in my textbook, the academic article and the popular media that risk factors for prostate cancer are pretty consistent. Another issue that I reviewed was the actual procedures which did agree with my textbook. Another issu e I reviewed was Cryotherapy, which is an experimental method, not covered in the textbook. Another issue was conflict over PSA testing, and I found that the academic and popular media did agree mainly when it came to this issue. I do not feel that anything was left out in these articles or the textbook. I did feel that the academic studies were and are legitimate. I believe that future studies should focus on prostate cancer detection and treatment. The articles that I reviewed were very promising as they show that a lot of progress has already been made in reference to prostate cancer treatment and detection. I think that scientists and researchers should continue what they are doing, especially with the research on stem cells and their direct connections to cancer. I think that finding the cause of prostate cancer should be the number one priority of researchers. I also feel that finding the future cure to cancer can only be done if much more extensive stem cell and gene research is conducted. Until that cure is found howver, I believe it is important to focus todays research on finding more accurate methods of testing, as PSA blood testing has been shown time and time again to not be as reliable as medical professionals would like it to be. The new findings that I discussed are quite exciting though, and the possibility of finding a 100% ac curate test for cancerous cells in the bloodstream is most likely soon to be a reality. The discovery of a new and more accurate testing method for prostate cancer would help increase the number of survivors as well as decrease the number of false readings and wrong diagnoses. I feel that the important message throughout the articles and research that I conducted is that men need to be more educated and more aware of prostate cancer and its symptoms and that doctors need to spend more time with their patients who are diagnosed with prostate cancer. I think that families with a history of prostate cancer need to have father-to-son discussions about prostate cancer and that they might want to cut down on their intake of animal fats and their exposure to radiation as that raises their risk. Black men who consume a lot of red meat with a family history of prostate cancer should be especially concerned. The other important thing is that men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer need to be informed of all their options, not just the options that benefit and are profitable to the medical institution providing the treatment, or the drug company providing the drugs for treatment. The new active surveillance prostate cancer treatment method is still under scrutiny as to whether it is as effective as medical professionals are hoping it will be. I also think that reform is needed in regards to the outrageous cost of treatment, which for the average person, is very hard to afford. The general public needs to be more aware and educated; more societies such as the American Cancer Society are needed to help raise awareness and to provide valuable information, resources, and support to those who are affected. The financial burden on those with prostate cancer is also something that needs to be addressed. The future of prostate cancer is one that is hard to predict however, because cancerous cells and genes are constantly mutating and changing generation from generation. The sheer amount of time, money, and resources that have been put into cancer research and treatments is incredible. I think that the future of prostate cancer will hopefully be cut short by the discovery of a way to prevent the cancerous cells from mutating, whether it is from radiation, antibodies, or removal of the cancerous cells. I also feel that the important message to anyone reading this is personal responsibility and personal awareness and education. It is not groups such as the American Cancer Societys responsibility to educate and help those who are fighting prostate and other forms of cancer, it is the individuals responsibility to do all that they can, within reason, to prevent and detect cancer early, before it is too late. Fear, procrastination, ignorance, and lack of health care and coverage are big issues when it comes down to the truth. The fact of the matter is that many people who are dying and have died from prostate cancer could have been saved if they had detected it earlier. The importance of getting routine screenings for men over 50 years old is crucial. The testing methods may not be 100% accurate, but it is better to be informed than to just take a chance with your life.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Good evening, everyone. Now is the time for me to come in front of these 400 students in identical caps and gowns and tell them to go out and be individuals. Looks like I have my work cut out for me. Seriously, though, consider what we've gone through. 13 years of schooling, 18 years of growing up! And reflecting back on these years, what do we have to show for it? We have our memories. Some of you may know the old saying, "Knowledge is not what the pupil remembers but what he cannot forget." What will remain in our minds after tonight? What memories will become those valuable gems of unforgettable knowledge? Who in the audience knows the phases of Mitosis, or can name the capitol of Togo? Not many. But one of us will ever forget that counselor who listened to us when no one else would ... that librarian who, with the kind of vision that would put Superman to shame, saw one single book out of order on the shelves, and made sure you knew about it ... or how about that custodian who astounds us all with his uncanny ability to scoop up spilled ketchup with feline grace. We can develop our minds with information as much as we want, but the truth is, those simple, rare smiles from a caring teacher mean more to all of us than any amount of knowledge ever could. Simple gratitude is all we have to offer these educators who have shaped our lives, and still these teachers continue to give every day. Routinely, we blame them for such things as the Culminating Exhibition, overcrowded lunches, and that disgusting feeling we all have when we realize there is, once again, no soap in the bathroom. But these teachers have shaped the lives of the 150 students they see daily and have given of themselves something that is irreplaceable. Who t... ... journey now to make new memories, casting off the skin of adolescence and stepping forward into independence. Some of us will become preachers, presidents, accountants, clerks. We have in this room future post office workers, caretakers, custodians, soldiers. We even have a select few who are insane enough to pursue a teaching career. In essence, it matters not what we do, but how we do it. Walk through a room, and make it just a little brighter as you leave it. In the words of Vince Lombardi, "The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." As we venture out into the world, take with you the riches of kindness, excellence, and caring that we have gained in our years here at Hosea. Keep them with you as you create new memories that will make us proud. Thank you, and God bless.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Monster Verses Monster

Today, people still recognize the ghastly, atrocious Frankenstein as a monster, but according to Deems Taylor’s Monster, Richard Wagner is the monstrous beast. Monsters are expected to be frightening like Frankenstein, but some monsters are real humans like Richard Wagner. Oddly, when comparing Frankenstein and Wagner–they certainly share some of the same grim features. Frankenstein and Wagners’ faces manifest a gloomy expression of black death. Their spirit for life lacks warmth in their eyes. Frankenstein’s eyes are hollow and dreary covered with drooping, eyelids, and underneath his eyes are massive sandbags. Similarly, Wagner’s vengeful gaze leers inertly like a frozen statue. Taylor says, â€Å"[he has] a genius for making enemies† (695). The pasty bags (sagging above his cheekbones) are blown up like air pockets. Moreover, they share similar shriveled lips. Frankenstein’s colorless lips are dimly distorted like the mouth of a ruined, porcelain doll. While Wagner’s, sickly, pale lips evoke a spine-chilling eeriness causing most people to shutter; it’s the kind that makes the skin crawl with goose bumps. Undoubtedly, their cold expressions are lifeless, and wicked; however, the size and shape of their heads are equally dreadful. Their large, peculiar, heads resemble a heavy mass wobbling like a bobble head. Their foreheads dominate their gigantic skulls. Frankenstein’s forehead is like a stretched-canvas awning for protection over his eyes. It protrudes along his brow like a piece of metal rod lodged underneath his skin. Likewise, Wagner’s receding hairline emphasizes the size of his enormous skull. According to Taylor, he states, â€Å"[his] head is too big for his body† (693). Furthermore, the structure of their chins is abnormally malformed. Frankenstein’s square chin bulks like a block of wood wedged into his bottom jaw. Its size is the dimension of a small building. On the other hand, Wagner’s narrow, pointy chin extends like an arrow heading for its target. Indeed, the likeness of Frankenstein and Wagners’ massive skulls are laughably creepy. Nonetheless, the magnitude of resemblance is uncanny. All the same, the fearsome expressions on a face or the bizarre proportions of a body can depict a vision of a monster. Frankenstein is a character, created, monster, but Wagner is a real person; a monster in the eyes of Taylor. As attested by Taylor, â€Å"the name of [his] monster [is] Richard Wagner† (695).

Friday, November 8, 2019

Colleges Where 75% of Students Score 30 - 36 on the ACT

Colleges Where 75% of Students Score 30 - 36 on the ACT When youre considering to which college or university to apply, sometimes its helpful to browse through schools who have students scoring similarly on the ACT as you did. If your ACT scores are completely lower or higher than 75% of the students who were accepted to a particular school, perhaps youd be better off searching for a school where students are more in your range, although exceptions are certainly made all the time. This is a list of colleges and universities where 75% of the accepted students scored above or at a 30 - 36 composite score on the ACT. What does this mean? The following schools are accepting students who are scoring at the top of the ACT range! If you have scored between 30 – 36 and all your other credentials fit – GPA, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, etc. – then perhaps one of these schools would be a good fit. Please keep in mind that this list is for the composite ACT score – youll see ACT scores a bit lower on particular sections (English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning), but the composite scores are always between 30 - 36. More ACT Score Information How to Understand Score PercentilesAverage National ACT ScoresACT Scoring 101: Scaled Vs. Raw 1. Amherst College Amherst, MassachusettsWebsite: amherst.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 34 2. Bowdoin College Brunswick, MaineWebsite: bowdoin.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3175th Percentile: 33 3. California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CaliforniaWebsite: caltech.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3375th Percentile: 35 4. Colgate University Hamilton, New YorkWebsite: coldgate.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 32 5. Columbia University New York, New YorkWebsite: columbia.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3275th Percentile: 35 6. Cornell University Ithaca, New YorkWebsite: cornell.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 33 7. Dartmouth College Hanover, New HampshireWebsite: dartmouth.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 34 8. Duke University Durham, North CarolinaWebsite: duke.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 34 9. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering Needham, MassachusettsWebsite: olin.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3375th Percentile: 34 10. Harvard University Cambridge, MassachusettsWebsite: harvard.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3275th Percentile: 35 11. Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CaliforniaWebsite: hmc.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3375th Percentile: 35 12. Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MarylandWebsite: jhu.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 33 13. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MassachusettsWebsite: http://web.mit.edu/student/ ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3275th Percentile: 35 14. Middlebury College Middlebury, Vermont Website: middlebury.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 33 15. Northwestern University Evanston, IllinoisWebsite: northwestern.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3175th Percentile: 34 16. Princeton University Princeton, New JerseyWebsite: princeton.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3175th Percentile: 35 17. Rice University Houston, TexasWebsite: rice.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 34 18. Stanford University Stanford, CaliforniaWebsite: stanford.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3175th Percentile: 34 19. Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PennsylvaniaWebsite: swarthmore.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 33 20. Tufts University Medford, MassachusettsWebsite: tufts.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 33 21. University of Chicago Chicago, IllinoisWebsite: uchicago.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3175th Percentile: 34 22. University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IndianaWebsite: nd.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3175th Percentile: 34 23. University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaWebsite: upenn.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 34 24. Vanderbilt University Nashville, TennesseeWebsite: vanderbilt.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3275th Percentile: 34 25. Washington University in St. Louis Saint Louis, MissouriWebsite: wustl.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3275th Percentile: 34 26. Williams College Williamstown, MassachusettsWebsite: williams.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3075th Percentile: 34 27. Yale University New Haven, ConnecticutWebsite: yale.edu ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 3175th Percentile: 35

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

TQM essays

TQM essays The central concern point of this research is total quality management. Development of quality management, sampling quality management methods, pioneering gurus ideas, cross-cultural issues and determinate different interpretations of these emerging approaches to quality in global operations. What we understand from total quality? The concept of Total Quality Management (TQM) was developed by an American, W. Edwards Deming, after World War II for improving the production quality of goods and services however concept was not taken seriously by Americans until the Japanese, who adopted it in 1950 to resurrect their post war business and industry, used it to dominate world markets by 1980. Between 1889 and 1910, the United States underwent major and rapid industrialisation, including the creation of the firs large corporations. Directing affords of workers with little knowledge of English language, few job skills and no experience of the disciplined work of a factory was key organisational problems. Fredirick Taylor and Henry Ford developed and implemented their ideas. His objectives of ideas were to achieve Effiency, by increasing the output per worker and reducing deliberate under working by employees. Predictability, of job performance-standardizing tasks b dividing them up into small and closely specified sub task Control, by establishing discipline thorough hierarchical autory and introducing a system whereby all managements policy decisions could be implemented. Fords goal was continuous improvement rather than the one best way. Fords objective was to increase his control by reducing or eliminating uncertainty. Among his major innovations were: Analysis of jobs using time and motion techniques; installation of single-purpose machine tools to manufacture standardized part; introduction of the assembly line; timing based on time and compulsory operational methods; centralized engineer...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Class assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Class - Assignment Example It should be remembered that our most important priority is our cattle and we do not make mistakes in supplementing their diet appropriately. Also, when all taxes are paid to government, private ranchers should be allowed to use public lands. The best management plan for the gray wolf population should be based on recovering this precious species. The plan should essentially seek to recover or protect the gray wolf population which is already endangered. However, a good management plan must not override the interests of the local ranchers. Conflicts with cattle and influence of the gray wolf population on rest of the wildlife species must not be forgotten. The need of the time is to use a balanced approach which benefits both the gray wolf population and the ranchers and their livestock. The plan should seek to sustain the gray wolf population in a manner that it does not jeopardize the ranchers’ objectives, while also reducing impacts on other animals. I would advise Californian officials to remember the core objectives of their wolf management plan when wolves do get established in the state. This will help them to address ranchers’ concerns in addition to effectively protecting the wolves. It is also important to create such opportunities which promote recreational uses of gray wolves. Of course, such recreational use should be in line with the official plans. In order to help guide the thinking and actions of California’s officials, I will also advise them to strictly control people and animal species in areas where the possibility of wolf predation is high. In order to make California’s officials ease their planned wolf reintroduction program, I will like to say from the viewpoint of a rancher that reintroduction of wolves in Idaho has served to create more damage than restoration of any animal species. There is much controversy over wolf reintroduction here in Idaho and one of the primary reasons for this controversy is

Friday, November 1, 2019

Interferences in the Assay of Serum Albumin Using the Bromcresol Green Lab Report

Interferences in the Assay of Serum Albumin Using the Bromcresol Green Indicator - Lab Report Example Albumin's molecular structure was reported from research in the past 30 years. Albumin's clinical importance was discussed, explaining that the test for Albumin is not a marker for any specific disease, while it is an important indicator for the physiological condition of the body. It was explained that an abnormally high result for Albumin needs to resolved and at face-value is considered a spurious result. The cause of elevated albumin levels are usually a result of accompanying serum proteins, acute phase infections, elevated immunoglobulins(found in multiple myeloma), or autoimmune issues. The BCG method was thoroughly researched. It is a valuable test for screening, when performing mass analysis of blood work in large clinical laboratories. It has fallen out of favor with laboratory clinicians for fear that the test can mask hypoalbunemia and low readings. BCG is an acid-base indicator, its acid to base color change is from yellow to blue, with a range in pH from 4.2-5.6. The de tection of hypoalbunemia is always important to a physician. Low Albumin readings are indicative of a deteriorating condition in the body. An alternative to the BCG indicator is Bromcresol Purple(BCP), also an acid–base indicator. A comparison studies have been performed of the two methods. When compared to a benchmark analytic method Capillary Zone Electrophoresis(CZE), the positive bias for BCG was 3.77, while BCP faired much better with 0.67. Our experiment produced linear curves needed in detection and quantification of albumin concentrations. We demonstrated the effect on accompanying globulins elevating the result in BCG determinations of albumin. We also showed that time, reagent concentration and wavelength of absorbance significantly affect albumin readings. We bring to consideration for further testing the affect of pH on the test. Background and Literature review In clinical medical laboratories the testing for serum albumin, globulins and total protein are standard procedures, performed daily. Theses assays may also be requested STAT or on an emergency basis for patients suffering a crisis situation. The techniques for determining albumin and total protein are numerous and varied. Most clinical laboratories perform three routine three routine examinations; 1) Total Protein(TP) 2) Serum Albumin(Alb) 3) Serum Globulins Human blood contains both a cellular and liquid portion. Albumin is the most abundant protein in the human circulatory system1 and contributes 80% to providing colloid osmotic pressure2. Albumin is chiefly responsible for maintenance of the blood's acid-base balance, commonly referred to as pH3. In mammals it is synthesized by the liver as a preproalbumin. It undergoes a two cleavage processes before release into the body's circulation in its final form. It has been determined that the half-life of a albumin molecule is 19 days4.. Figure 1: Molecular Cleavage of albumin from preproalbumin->proalbumin->albumin Figure 2: The classical perception of the Albumin molecule Peters, T., Jr. (1985). Serum Albumin. Adv. Protein Chem.37; 161-2455 Figure 3: Primary, secondary and tertiary structure (Carter and Ho, 1994) . 6 This picture shows the bovine albumin amino acid sequence. The BSA molecule is made up of three homologous domains (I, II, III) which are divided into nine loops (L1-L9) by 17 disulphide bonds. The loops in each domain are made up of a sequence of large-small-large loops forming a triplet. Each domain in turn is the product of two subdomains (IA, IB, etc.). The primary structure of albumin is unusual among extracellular proteins in possessing a single

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

Psychology - Essay Example There is an innate urge to acquire satisfaction at the physical and physiological levels. The physical needs of humans are to acquire adequate shelter, food, clothes, education, health, and prosperity. The psychological needs seek to acquire independence and autonomy through the development of various competencies and skills (Bridges, 2004). The humanistic approach argues that individuals strive to use their experiences and circumstances to develop particular beliefs and values. Self development occurs when the individual is able to have confidence in personal feelings and qualities. It is the natural desire of human beings to achieve contentment and realization so that objectives can be met. The formative years help children to develop behaviors and actions that are taken from parents, siblings, friends, and teachers (Bohart, 2001). The child desires to have recognition and appeal so that an inner satisfaction can be generated. Rogers argued that the gaps between the ideal and real conditions create psychological problems. These problems can hinder the mental and physical development of individuals. It creates obstacles that prevent the individual from achieving contentment and satisfaction in life. Implicit memory is a term used to describe the subconscious motivation that helps in the accomplishment of goals and objectives. The subconscious process is guided through individual experiences in a systematic and logical manner. Implicit memory seeks to understand the intrinsic and innate processes that help human beings to perform tasks in an efficient and effective manner (Roediger, 2003). It can be empirically analyzed and assessed by using a psychological technique called priming. This technique introduces test subjects to specific incentives and motivators. The stimulus can either be visual, auditory, or imaginary but it produces the desired result. An individual will be able to perform a task using subconscious processes. This strategy helps individuals in developing a number of skills and competencies. A number of tasks can utilize implicit memory that is beneficial for human beings. The process of reverse reading or completing jigsaw puzzles is examples of implicit memory (Chun, 2000). The individual uses subconscious experiences in order to accomplish such tasks. Other tasks could include processes that require the intricate analysis and assessment of new problems. Explicit memory requires the use of conscious in order to complete certain tasks. It requires high levels of awareness and perception in order to achieve the desired results. However implicit memory utilizes subconscious memories and processes to complete tasks. Reber argued that implicit memory can help individuals to gain satisfaction and contentment with the surrounding environment. It can play a crucial role in the acquisition of complex skills and competencies (Chun & Phelps, 2000). Change Blindness Change blindness refers to situations in which individuals cannot identify modifications and alterations in the visual environment. Barriers and obstacles retard the ability of the human eye to accurately monitor changes in the environment. Visual short term memory (VSTM) can induce change blindness in a number of ways. The human being might make a visual error by failing to accurately record the changes in the en

Monday, October 28, 2019

Public Administration Essay Example for Free

Public Administration Essay â€Å"The Blast in Centralia No. 5: A Mine Disaster No One Stopped† by John Bartlow Martin. Reprinted by permission of Harold Ober Associates Incorporated. Copyright 1948 by John Bartlow Martin. Copyright renewed 1975 by John Bartlow Martin. Overview The title of this case study alone insinuates that perhaps this mine disaster could have been prevented. Martin opens his case study with very descriptive and gruesome details about the events that lead up to the explosion. Martin states: â€Å"One hundred and eleven men were killed in that explosion. Killed needlessly, for almost everybody concerned had known for months, even years, that the mine was dangerous. Yet nobody had done anything effective about it† (Stillman 31). Initially, the thought and idea that a community would allow such a horrific event to occur that could have been prevented is terrifying and somewhat startling. Martin uses his case study to explore various questions regarding this mine disaster as well as the background and other potential issues surrounding the explosion. Purpose The overall goal of this case study is to place an emphasis on how dependent modern day society is on public administration to handle chaotic or unexpected situations. In exploring various aspects of this catastrophe, Martin explores the following: (1). A coal company sensitive only to profit incentives. (2). State regulatory agencies inadequately enforcing mine safety legislation. (3). Federal officials and mine unions complacent about a growing problem. (4). The miners incapable of protecting themselves against the impending disaster. Ultimately, â€Å"Modern society depends on the proper functioning of unseen administrative arrangements for safeguarding our environment; for protecting the purity of our food; for transporting us safely by road, rail, or air; for sending us our mail; or negotiating an arms limitations agreement at some distant diplomatic conference. All of us like miners in Centralia No. 5, rely throughout our lives on the immovable juggernaut of impersonal administrative systems† (Stillman 30). It seems  that most people as a whole have absent mindedly become too dependent on something as abstract and complicated as public administration. It seems to be public administration and its official’s responsibility to handle any concern in the community as well as make everything flow smoothly. To the Letter of the Law Driscoll O. Scanlan, a dedicated mine inspector, strove to enforce mining laws â€Å"to the letter of the law† because he deeply desired to protect miners and took his responsibility and job deeply. In a sense, Scanlan’s motivation toward the Constitution (the law), bureaucracy (as a public administrator responsible to the public), and obligation all played a key factor in his attitude and efforts that he made towards inspecting mines. The Stillman text states the following in regards to Scanlan: â€Å"Other inspectors, arriving to inspect a mine would go into the office and chat with the company officials. Not Scanlan; he waited outside, and down in the mine he talked with the miners, not the bosses† (Stillman 32). The text goes on to state many other comparisons between Scanlan and the other mine inspectors. Scanlan’s actions and efforts showed that he truly had a passion for his job and a genuine concern for the miners. For all of these reasons and many more, Scanlan gained a different perspective as well as insight than the other inspectors which ultimately led him to deem the Centralia No. 5 mine the worst in the district. This realization pushed him to take action. Scanlan’s Actions Scanlan was very persistent in his attempts to bring attention to the troublesome areas in the Centralia No. 5. Mine. Letter after letter he provided a detailed description of issues, potential recommendations, and concerns that he had about the condition of the mine. Those concerns included the following: (1). The amount of dust (2). The overall cleanliness of the mine. I am for the efforts and attempts that Scanlan made. Over a period of thirteen years, Scanlan took the appropriate steps towards potentially preventing the disaster that occurred in the Centralia No. 5. Mine. Scanlan reached out to the Department of Mines, Minerals at Springfield company, directors of various departments, Governor Green, presidents in numerous agencies, superintendents, attended meetings, and  made many other actions that could have benefited the miners and the overall condition of the mine. Alternative Actions Scanlan could have done the following after he saw that effort was not being made to aid the miners or the mine: (1) Dust the mine himself (2) Sprinkle the roads himself (3) Threaten to shut down the mine (4) Actually close down the mine. All of these potential options were possible; however, these actions would have been very time consuming and tedious. Overall, Scanlan did all that he could do to prevent the disaster in the mine. By law, a mine inspector could shut down a mine. Scanlan informed the miners of their potential dangers as well as gave certain recommendations and reported his findings to the appropriate actors. As a last resort, Scanlan could have closed down the mine or went to and relied on an inspector or supervisor above him to take further action. Responsibility According to an article entitled: Can Government Regulate Safety? The Coal Mine Example, â€Å"the Federal government has been directly involved in coal mining safety for over 35 years, operating under three major pieces of legislation enacted in 1941, 1952, and 1969. In fact, the 1941 and 1969 regulations significantly reduced the fatality rate in coal mining† (Lewis-Beck and Alford 1). Mark Aldrich, professor of economics at Smith College, stated the following in his article entitled: The Needless Peril of the Coal Mine: The Bureau of Mines and the Campaign against Coal Mine Explosions, 1910-1940, â€Å"The bureau continued the safety investigations begun by the USGS which focused largely on the prevention of explosions and their con-sequences. In addition to certifying and championing the use of permissible mine equipment, it also launched a first-aid and mine rescue campaign. But its most important work was its investigation of the causes of coal dust explosions and its campaign to spread rock-dusting technology. This choice of safety priorities resulted in part from the bureaus bureaucratic structure and scientific and technological orientation. No group within the bureau was charged with setting priorities, and research problems were usually chosen by scientists with little direction from above† (Aldrich 542). Conclusion If the appropriate actions were taken when Scanlan first made recommendations about the mine, the mine disaster could have been prevented. Ultimately, it is not one person or agency’s full responsibility to prevent disasters such as this one; it is a joint effort among workers, the community, legislation, inspectors, and many more to ensure that working conditions are safe and not a potential hazard to society as a whole. References Aldrich, Mark. Preventing The Needless Peril of the Coal Mine: The Bureau of Mines and the Campaign against Coal Mine Explosions, 1910-1940 Technology and Culture , Vol. 36, No. 3 (Jul., 1995), pp. 483-518. Published by: The Johns Hopkins University Press on behalf of the Society for the History of Technology Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3107239. Lewis-Beck ,Michael S. and John R. Alford. â€Å"Can Government Regulate Safety? The Coal Mine Example.† The American Political Science Review , Vol. 74, No. 3 (Sep., 1980), pp. 745-756 Published by: American Political Science Association Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1958155. Stillman, Richard Joseph. Public Administration: Concepts and Cases. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. Print. â€Å"The Blast in Centralia No. 5: A Mine Disaster No One Stopped† by John Bartlow Martin. Reprinted by permission of Harold Ober Associates Incorporated. Copyright 1948 by John Bartlow Martin. Copyright renewed 1975 by John Bartlow Martin.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Great Divorce Essay examples -- essays research papers

This book is delightfully insightful in it is content. Lewis is the narrator of his story, which begins in Hell, a dreary town full of empty streets. Lewis uses a dream as the vehicle to carry his ideas. Lewis boards a bus for Heaven with other ghosts from the town. It is not until the last chapter of the book that the reader finds out that Lewis is actually having a dream. Lewis finds himself in a dark and dreary place, where the houses are gray and empty, a dismal rain never stops, and time is eternally stuck in the bleak period just before sunset. Walking through this abominable town, he happens to find a bus stop, which takes inhabitants out of this gloomy place and into a much brighter happier world. Slightly bewildered, Lewis boards the bus and begins a journey out of a city named Hell and into another city called Heaven. When he arrives at his destination, Lewis discovers that Hell’s inhabitants do not enjoy the beauty of this new land. In heaven, these people become ghosts because they are not strong enough to endure the substantive things of this world. The grass and water cut through their feet and even the tiniest object is to heavy for the ghosts to pick up. The rain would penetrate them like bullets would from a machine gun. The concept of Heaven being incredibly large and Hell being considerably small, smaller than a grain of sand is quite a comparison. The ghosts refused any help from the residents of heaven. One of the major mistakes the ghosts made was trying to conquer their struggles with their own powers. Time and again, Lewis sees the ghosts fail, but they still will not let go of what is holding them back. While Lewis is walking he meets George MacDonald who aids him in his journey through heaven. MacDonald tells Lewis that this journey is a dream, which will make clear to him that souls have a choice between Heaven and Hell and what that choice is. Lewis, at first, is unable to understand why the lost souls must be damned. However, he is finally persuaded that Hell is the only merciful solution for the lost souls. Passing by many sad spectacles of people from Hell, Lewis begins to understand, with the help of MacDonald, that these people must throw away everything and commit their lives to Christ. Whether a warning to or a reflection on society, the book stimulates thought and forces the reader to look inward at his or her own... ...ce too? Should not Christians weep over the lost? Should not we ask the Lord of the field to send laborers into His harvest (Luke 10:2)? Certainly! Lewis gives the reader a vivid account of how Heaven and Hell look like and what will happen once souls get there. I believe Lewis, through this book, was trying to show that people have a choice in whether or not they go to Heaven or Hell. People don't choose Hell with a full understanding of what they are doing. They don't have a clear picture of the eternal happiness they will miss or the everlasting separation and darkness they will endure. According to the Bible, Hell is a place of choice. As a result, the Bible repeatedly appeals to its readers to choose the way of life rather than the path of death and judgment. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul (Mark 8:36,37)? So, what must one do in order to get to heaven? Jesus says in order to go to Heaven you must be born again (John 3:7). Lewis never comes out directly and tells them you must be saved. He does it in a way that leaves the reader thinking the only way is through Jesus Christ.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Essay -- Drugs Sixties Health Essays

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide The late sixties were a time filled with sex, drugs, and rock and roll. A huge part of American culture at the time was focused around these three things. Musicians possessed a tremendous amount of social influence, and like wise, society put a lot of emphasis on the lives and attitudes of musicians. Of the rock groups from this time period, the Beatles were by far the most influential. The British rock group was probably the most catalytic band in rock and roll history. Although they came together in the shadow of the Beatles, another band of that era was Jefferson Airplane. Jefferson Airplane was deemed the first of the San Francisco psychedelic rock groups. Jefferson Airplane was always considered to be a psychedelic rock group, but it was not until later in their existence that the Beatles fell into this category as well. Both groups earned this title for their creative style of rock as well as for their experimentation with drugs. Each of these groups wrote songs that alluded to drug use at one time or another. Two of the most criticized songs from these bands are Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by the Beatles, and White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane. White Rabbit is a song latent with drug references. The connection with drugs in Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is not as clear. Although John Lennon claims that he had no intention of making references to LSD in his song, the abstract lyrics and metaphoric language invite drug connotation. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and White Rabbit mirror each other in their association with LSD and their allusions to Alice in Wonderland, but looking into these songs more deeply it is obvious that both artists were writing about escape; escaping reality. Lyserg... ...ame out of the late 1960's. Both songs were criticized for their relationships to drug use and possible influence on impressionable youths. It was the media, the fans, and the critics that Jefferson Airplane and the Beatles were trying to escape from. It was through their music, Alice in Wonderland, and a drug called LSD that they were able to do so. Works Cited "The Beatles Ultimate Experience Database: Songwriting and Recording Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." (Online) Available http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Frontrow/4853/dba08sgt.html, 25 September 2000. "KidsHeath." (Online) Available http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/know_drugs_lsd_prt.htm, 26 September 2000. Larrea, J.J. "Fifty Years Later, LSD Gains New Popularity in High Schools." (Online) Available http://www.lycaeum.org/drugs/tryptamines/lysergic/lsd_use_up.html, 27 September 2000.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Fictitious Business Description Essay

The main purpose of this study is to discuss the importance of a Human Resource Information System (HRIS) in Castle’s Family Restaurant. We are therefore going to discuss on the HR problems in Castle’s Family Restaurant and how the implementation of HRIS will enable the company to reduce costs together with ensuring efficiency in HR operations (Randall S. & Susan E. 2007). Business assessment Castle’s Family Restaurant in Northern California is the business to be assisted. It is large in size since it runs several branches in different locations and also has over 300 employees and this makes it to be a company. Depending on the size of the business, I have in my description assumed that Castle’s Family Restaurant is a since it has many employees and many branches. This assumption is based on the background of restaurant work environment and industry. Based on the basic theory of business complexity and getting work done restaurants should employ many workers to ensure that work is done efficiently like in the case of Castle’s Family Restaurant. Identified problems In the review of the HR of Castle’s Family Restaurant, I have noted the following: I have discovered that business does not have a human resource manager rather the operations manager served as HR manager. The company has not implemented HRIS which is important in monitoring the employee’s performance (Randall S. & Susan E. 2007). It is therefore evident that the HR is experiencing problems since the HR manager is unqualified and had so many duties to handle which is quite tiresome for him. Some of the functions of a HR include manpower planning, recruitment and training of employees, hiring employees and monitoring employees to ensure high performance. In my analysis I will focus much on monitoring of employees performance which will help me design a business plan. The main reason for focusing on this HR function is because the company seems to have failed in its implementation of HRIS which could be useful in reducing the HR managers travel time and travelling costs and that is why the HR manager has to travel to the branches to monitors employees performance. According to the resource-based theory of Human Resources, strategic management of the company resources leads to its success (Randall S. & Susan E. 2007). Increase in the costs incurred by the company is wastage of company resources since a better method can be implemented to reduce these costs and improve company’s performance. HRIS needs assessment According to Michael J. & Mohan T. (2008), HRIS is an online solution used by Human Resources to enter data, track data and manage accounting and payroll functions of the company. The main purpose of implementing HRIS in a company is to reduce the manual workload in HR administrative activities through tracking existing workers. Implementation of this software will create a more efficient process from the HR in the sense that it will help the HR manager to manage information about the employees, analyze employee information, manage resumes and new applications and also complete payroll integration with other financial accounting software in the company (Michael J. Mohan T. 2008). Automating all HR functions saves a lot of time and resources and hence increasing efficiency in HR operations as suggested by the resource-based theory of Human Resources. By implementing HRIS in Castle’s Family Restaurant, the HR manager will not have to travel to all company branches to monitor and answer employees questions rather he will perform his duties in his office. All questions that need to be answered will be answered through this software. Application or implementation of HRIS in Castle’s Family Restaurant will therefore enable the HR manager to complete all of his tasks in a cost-effective manner. Conclusion As a HR consultant, I would advise Castle’s Family Restaurant to implement HRIS as this software will solve much of the HR problems and hence leading to reduced costs and improved HR efficiency. Implementation of HRIS will make the company to effectively use it resources for better operations.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The Story of the First Lawn Mower

The Story of the First Lawn Mower Formal lawns made of short, well-maintained grass first appeared in France around the 1700s, and the idea soon spread to England and the rest of the world. But the methods of maintaining lawns were labor-intensive, inefficient or inconsistent: Lawns were first kept clean and tidy by having animals graze on the grass, or by the use of scythe, sickle, or shears to hand-cut the grass lawns. That changed in the mid-19th century with the invention of the lawnmower.   Machine for Mowing Lawns The first patent for a mechanical lawn mower described as a Machine for mowing lawns, etc. was granted on August 31, 1830, to engineer, Edwin Beard Budding (1795-1846) from Stroud, Gloucestershire, England.  Buddings design was based on a cutting tool used for the uniform trimming of carpet. It was a reel-type mower that had a series of blades arranged around a cylinder. John Ferrabee, owner of Phoenix Foundry at Thrupp Mill, Stroud, first produced the Budding lawn mowers, which were sold to the Zoological Gardens in London (see illustration). In 1842,  Scotsman Alexander Shanks invented  a 27-inch pony drawn reel lawn mower. The first United States patent for a reel lawn mower was granted to Amariah Hills on January 12, 1868. Early lawn mowers were often designed to be horse-drawn, with the horses often wearing oversized leather booties to prevent lawn damage. In 1870, Elwood McGuire of Richmond, Indiana designed a very popular human pushed lawn mower; while it wasnt the first to be human-pushed, his design was very lightweight and became a commercial success. Steam-powered lawn mowers appeared in the 1890s. In 1902, Ransomes produced the first commercially available mower powered by an internal combustion gasoline engine. In the United States, gasoline powered lawn mowers were first manufactured in 1919 by Colonel Edwin George.   On May 9, 1899, John Albert Burr patented an improved rotary blade lawn mower. While marginal improvements have been made in mower technology (including the all-important riding mower), some municipalities and companies are bringing back the old ways by using grazing goats as a low-cost, low-emission mower alternative.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Understanding Aber and Sondern in German

Understanding Aber and Sondern in German ​Conjunctions are words that link two sentences. In German, they belong to the group of non-declinable words, which means that they never change, no matter what case you think you should use or what gender a following noun has. However, while in English you might only have one option, in German you will often find several possibilities to choose from.  Such is the case with aber and sondern, which your dictionary will most certainly translate both as but. Using but in German Take a look at the following sentences: The child didnt want to go home, but to the park. Das Kind will nicht nach Hause gehen, sondern zum Park. I dont understand what you say, but you will certainly be right. Ich verstehe nicht, was Sie sagen, aber Sie werden schon Recht haben. She is exhausted but doesnt want to go to sleep. Sie ist erschà ¶pft aber will nicht schlafen gehen. As you can see, both aber and sondern mean but in English. How do you know which but conjunction to use? It is actually quite simple: Aber, which means but or however,  is used after either a positive or negative clause. On the other hand, sondern is only used after a negative clause when expressing a contradiction. In other words, the first clause of the sentence must contain either nicht or kein, and the second part of the sentence must contradict the first part of the sentence. Sondern can be best translated as  but rather. Carusos Little Brother Helps You to Create Better Sentences One last thing: aber and sondern are so called ADUSO-words. ADUSO is an acronym for: Aaber (but)Ddenn (because)Uund (and)Ssondern (contradicting but)Ooder (or) Those conjunctions all take position zero in a sentence. To remember that, you might want to think of ADUSO as the little brother of Enrico Caruso, the great opera singer. But he never grew out of his famous brothers shadow and remained quite a loser. Imagine the o in loser as a zero to remember position zero. A Little Quiz Lets test your knowledge. Which German version of but would you use in the following sentences? Ich komme nicht aus England _____ aus Schottland. I dont come from England but from Scotland. Ich bin hungrig, _____  ich habe keine Zeit etwas zu essen. I am hungry, but I dont have time to eat something. Sie spricht drei Sprachen: Englisch, Russisch, und Arabisch, _____ leider kein Deutsch. She speaks three languages: English, Russian, and Arabic, but unfortunately no German. Wir htten gerne drei cheeseburger _____ ohne Zwiebeln. We would like (to have) three cheeseburgers but without onions. Er hat keinen Kartoffelsalat mitgebracht, _____  Nudelsalat. He didnt bring potato salad, but noodle salad. Er hat gesagt, er bringt Kartoffelsalat mit, _____ er hat Nudelsalat mitgebracht. He said, hed bring potato salad, but he brought noodle salad. Answers to the Quiz Ich komme nicht aus England,  sondern  aus Schottland.Ich bin hungrig,  aber  ich habe keine Zeit etwas zu essen.Sie spricht drei Sprachen: Englisch, Russisch und Arabisch  aber  leider kein Deutsch.Wir htten gerne drei Cheeseburger,  aber  ohne Zwiebeln.Er hat keinen Kartoffelsalat mitgebracht, sondern  Nudelsalat.Er hat gesagt, er bringt Kartoffelsalat mit,  aber  er hat Nudelsalat mitgebracht.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

A Horrifying Story of Rape in the Military

A Horrifying Story of Rape in the Military Brigid Harry (not her real name) is a wife, mother, and co-owner of a small marketing communications company she runs with her husband. She earned her MBA after completing her military service and now lives in New York. After years of silence, shes decided to share her story. I was 20, had already worked for 3 years as a secretary at a major corporation in my hometown, and was impatient to grow. Id come into the company all starry-eyed and within months had absorbed the tasks of two co-workers whod been laid off, folks with years at the company and most with two-year degrees. I didnt get far, because I was 20...and a girl. Perhaps an immature, impatient girl as I look back on it, but I knew that a high school diploma was going to get me nowhere - unless I was happy staying a secretary, and I wasnt. A Decision to Enlist A few years earlier Id considered the military as an alternative to a career in the business world. The recruiters all focused on education in their pitches, so I took some tests which revealed I was very qualified for a program that the Marines had - a photojournalist. They offered a special one-year program: candidates would live as civilians and attend one of the countrys top journalism schools as part of their education. All I had to do was sign. A few months later I did. Boot camp was rough (9 weeks for the gals), and other than some minor back issues that developed from the daily PT (physical training), I did just fine. During this time, I took additional testing and earned a perfect score for Morse Code Intercept and languages, which meant they really wanted me to learn Morse Code, and then Russian. Even though Id passed all the tests for a photojournalist, I caved to their daily badgering and signed away my first option. Normal Conversations I was sent to my first duty station at the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, FL, where all 5 services were sent to learn Morse Code. A few months into service, my back problems got worse, and I developed daily headaches and migraines. The base doctor, a youngish Navy captain from Puerto Rico, assigned some physical therapy and then had me follow-up with him. In our meetings, wed chat - and I knew I had to be appropriate in my conversations because he was an officer and I was enlisted. However, I believed that he was reaching out to me, glad to have a normal conversation with someone who had interests outside of the base and the bars that ringed the base. He invited me out to dinner one evening as a  friend. Nothing romantic was implied, he assured me, and I mentioned that I did have a boyfriend back home, a young man Id met just before I left. He said that he enjoyed our talks about old movies and old music​ because everyone else on the base wanted to talk about getting drunk or war. Dinner and Movies He also assured me that it would be after hours, off the base, and that the officer/enlisted thing wouldnt be an issue. I hesitated, but I found him pleasant and believed what he said. We agreed to go to an old movie festival (I actually think it was Bogart films) that was running that evening nearby, and he arranged to pick me up. I dressed casually, which back then (and with my lack of fashion sense) was jeans, a jean vest, and some sort of shiny blue polyester shirt - a bit on the boyish side, as I think back, but as we were to grab a burger and then watch old movies in a darkened theater, fashion was the least of my concerns. Why Dont We Eat Here First? He was prompt. He drove a black Trans-Am Firebird. The car actually surprised me because he hadnt struck me as one of those kinds of guys. Nevertheless, I climbed in and we left to go to dinner. But then he stopped at his off-base apartment, saying he needed to pick something up, and I could certainly join him for a few minutes. Okay, I thought - naively. As I noticed a package of chicken on the counter, and spices, and potatoes, he casually suggested, Why dont we eat here first? We had a few hours before the movies started, and besides, they ran continuously through the night. I agreed, but with hesitation. He poured me a drink (the legal drinking age was at 18 at the time) and I consumed it, too quickly, which has always been my style. As he prepared dinner, I had another drink, and then a third. They were strong, and I hadnt eaten anything since lunch 6 hours earlier. The chicken went into the oven, and we sat on the couch to chat. I remember asking why he joined the service, as hed indicated he wasnt like the other military types on base. He said he just that he wanted to get out of Puerto Rico. An Officer, Not a Gentleman He poured me another drink and I hesitated, feeling buzzed and growing uncomfortable. I asked when dinner would be ready, and could we get to the movie festival in time. Thats when he leaned over to kiss me. I recoiled. I mean, he was an officer, I was enlisted, and I had a boyfriend. My mind raced. I didnt know what to do. I said I had to use the bathroom and he pointed to a door in the hallway. I headed in that direction, my face red, feeling really uncomfortable. When I opened the bathroom door to exit he was standing there with his pants off. He grabbed me in a huge bear hug and pushed me into the adjacent bedroom. I stiffened and said I wasnt interested - that I had a boyfriend, that I really felt sick to my stomach, that I didnt know about sex (all true). Please, I thought we were going to see old movies. Please let me go, I feel nauseous. Please stop. Please dont do this. Please, please, please. Please. He was stronger than me. He twisted my arms behind me and started pawing at my clothes - my boyish, unattractive clothes. He pulled until he created a burn between the denim and my thighs. He pulled at my underpants until they tore. He jumped on top of me as I pulled to turn sideways. His voice was angry now. Frozen It was over in a few moments - he was quick to come to completion. I was frozen in a curled position, with my clothes draped over me. He grunted, Get up, Ill take you back to the base. I didnt know what to do. Should I go with him? Should I get a cab? I said Id go with him. I pulled my clothes back around me and stood there trembling. He drove me to the base, and I jumped out of the car. My room was in a dorm-like setting, and I shared a bunk with an Army gal, African American, who outranked me. She wasnt home as she was on a date. I jumped into the shower and probably stood there for over an hour. I didnt cry. I tried, and couldnt. But I scrubbed and grew angry at myself, at him, at my life choices. Admitting I Had Been Raped Monday - three days later - I went to class. At noon, I went to the base chaplain, a Catholic priest, a Navy officer, and told him what happened. It wasnt easy, and I never looked up from my hands in my lap. Did I lose my virginity, he asked, or was that something I had already done prior to Friday evening? Well, I admitted, I dont think this did that because†¦oh, God – I remembered something - this man had a child-size penis. I knew what they looked like - I had two younger brothers and changed my share of diapers. No, I hadnt bled. Was there any chance I was pregnant, the Navy priest then asked. I finally looked up, still red from having stated aloud the miniscule size of the doctors penis. What? Could I be pregnant? He continued that if there was any chance of pregnancy, I could never consider an abortion. What? Pregnant? That was the least of my concerns, I mumbled. I was...yes, admit it†¦I had been raped. I mean, yes, I went in his car. Yes, I had drinks. Yes, I knew he was an officer and I was enlisted. But we were going to go watch old movies. But†¦ but†¦ Discouraging Guidance I waited a week, and my period came. One thing to NOT worry about, I suppose. Then I called my mom, who had a house full of little kids still. I told her what happened - and thats when I finally cried. She was audibly upset and asked what would happen. I had no clue, I told her. I promised I would go back to the chaplain Monday and seek guidance. Monday, I visited the chaplain - and told him I wasnt pregnant. He seemed relieved and then asked what next. I told him, I think the man should be punished. Would he help me through that process? He squirmed and said that since I hadnt filed a police report immediately - that since Id showered immediately after the incident - it would be a difficult case. A case of he said, she said. I said I was angry and that what he did was wrong – and I wanted to pursue it. He made an appointment with my commanding officer, and I met with the man Tuesday, who spoke a lot of legalese to me and said hed get back to me. There was a woman secretary, a high ranking enlisted Navy woman, taking notes. I couldnt tell if she was sympathetic or not to my story, as she was absolutely stone-faced. Perhaps shed heard it all before. Didnt Want the Mess Wednesday after class I was walking to my bunk to unwind, grab a bite, and try to do homework when I saw a black Trans Am approaching me. It slowed to a crawl, I stopped, and then it raced past me, spewing pebbles and dust. Obviously, the driver was pissed at me, and I felt afraid. Someone must have said something to him. I spoke to my mom again that weekend. She was crying and told me to drop charges - that I would be the one on trial, that my father had spoken to an attorney and they decided that they didnt want the mess dragged through the local papers back home, that Id have to find a way to move on. I met with the commanding officer and made him an offer; if theyd let me go into photojournalism, as Id originally signed up for, Id not pursue anything against the doctor. Within 48 hours, I had new orders: a week medical leave at home, and then Id join the next military journalism program starting in Indianapolis at an Army base. I had made no real friends at the base, and other than my roommate who was kind and considerate during my time of stress, the few folks I knew from boot camp didnt know how to treat me. I was happy to leave. Where the Men Were in Charge Of course, then there were more problems at home. My dads attorney suggested that I talk to a shrink, as my dad said - a profession my father had very little use for. I went, and the mental health professional wrote up a report and sent to my former commanding officer, and one to my upcoming commanding officer, that I was immature and really wasnt a good candidate for a life in the military. I joined the journalism program, came in second in my class, made friends, maintained a long-distance pen-pal relationship with the boy back home, but started struggling as I got to my new duty station in North Carolina. Back in a world where the men were in charge, despite the obvious women of rank around, I started getting angry and upset and lonely. I refused to work one day, and the shrink back home - per my dads attorneys advice - sent along his report. A higher ranking woman suggested that it would be a rough few weeks, but if I wanted to get out, that boycotting work was one way to do it. Honorable Discharge I met with the bases commanding officer, who had all my files - my episode in Florida, my decision not to press charges, my letters from doctors back home, and my test scores. He expressed concern that I chose not to honor my contract with the Marines, but as a dad to young daughters, he wished me well. He asked me to promise him that I would go back to school, even part-time, and try to contribute something positive. I received an honorable discharge a year and a day after I started boot camp. To this day, I cant remember the Navy doctors name - or his face, thank God. Im thankful that one man, my final commanding officer, treated me with some respect. Homecoming My boyfriend, whod stuck by me when I was away, proposed as soon as I returned home, but then started acting uncomfortable in my presence, and as I assumed he started seeing other girls, we broke up. I went back to my job, making up excuses for why I was home so soon. My cousins got wind of my seeing a psychologist and just last year I had to correct one of them as they were joking that I couldnt handle the service so my dad had to get me out. I finally looked one in the eye and said, Do you know that I was raped by an officer when I was there? That shut them up, but Ive lost interest in family gatherings. (Of course, these are the cousins who are right-of-center pro-military, never having served themselves). Questions Without Answers Ive never written this down, ever. Id told the story - to the chaplain, to my CO and his secretary, to the psychologist back home, a version to my bunkmate. As I type this right now my temples are throbbing, and my face and ears are burning and red. Ive looked back over the years and asked myself, Why did I say Id go to the film festival with him? Ive questioned my posture, my wardrobe, my jokes, my drinks. Of course, Ive questioned my timidity at the exact moment I shouldve turned into she-woman or something. I was a 20-year-old, non-sexually active moron. I was cornered, I got trapped, by a bigger man with a tiny penis. The priest could only care about abortion. My mom could only care about the local papers (although, as a mom now myself, I can imagine the pain she personally went through, trying to keep her anxiety from my younger siblings - but shes decided now, after all these years, that I made it up just to get out of the service - and I cant convince her otherwise. Ive decided not to bring it up again). No Knives, No Fists...But Still Rape I read stories of women who may or may not have been in relationships that got out of hand in the military, and I sometimes read about the young woman, beaten or worse, as she was raped. Me? Just bear-hugged overpowered and bruised – no knives, no fists. But I cant shake the sudden stomach pains I have this moment - that, and the reddened face.