Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Comparing and Contrasting the book and movie Act of Valor Essay
Comparing and Contrasting the book and movie Act of Valor - Essay Example passionately. It is up to the Navy SEALs to find the terrorist groups and eliminate the threats. They embark on threat elimination missions in various parts of the world where their different units are stationed. The Action filled film is as captivating as it is enlightening. Unlike the common occurrence, the Act of valor film precedes the Act of Valor book. The film story writer wrote the story from a fictional original idea and the book authors borrowed their ideas and plot from the book. The book is written by Dick Couch and George Galdorisi. The book goes deep into the details in the description of the characters and the events that take place. This paper will compare and contrast the Films and the book, Act of Valor. The book is more accurate than the movie since it gives more details of the story and anyone looking for a thrilling action story should read it. Comparison and Contrast The Plot in both the book and the film is similar. The plot begins with the Navy SEALs team bein g dispatched on a rescue mission in Columbia where a U.S. CIA agent is held captive by an enemy group. The SEAL team seven is dispatched on a ship to perform the mission that is expected to be simple and fast but they later get information that there are plans underway to attack the U.S. The SEALs are then given intelligence information to embark on a global manhunt to stop the terrorists’ plan that is very well coordinated. The action moves from Chechnya shifting to the Philippines and later to Ukraine and Somalia where the SEALs conduct combat attacks to stop the terrorists. With each mission that the SEALs accomplish, a new puzzle is served to them and they are sent out to join the pieces in different parts of the world where the terrorists are stationed. The Film and the book capture the lives of the SEALs members and how the missions affect them and their families back at home. The action filled plot turns into an emotional rollercoaster once in a while when the lives an d worries of the SEALs are detailed (McCoy & Wuagh). The characters in both the movie and in the book are the same. The book writers took their ideas from the film and they were obliged to ensure that all the characters in the film appeared in the book exactly as their lives are portrayed in the film. The fact that the book is written from the screen play makes it difficult for the book writers to ignore any significant occurrence in the film. One of the greatest differences between the book and the film is the lengthy description in the book. The book has to capture the exact character image portrayed in the movie and this calls for detailed description to create a mental picture of the character’s lives and descriptions. The movie features actual Navy SEALs and the book’s description is intact on their image and lives (McCoy & Wuagh). The writers of the book enjoy the availability of time and space in the book to add more information to the lives of the characters. T he movie is time bounded and the story had to be shorter. The book in the other hand goes deeper into the details of the SEALs description and the way they handled the missions. In the book, the attacks that the SEALs engage in are vividly described, making what the film shows seem like just a sneak peak of the real event. The book illustrates every single detail of the fictitious story in a very clear way that the reader can almost visualize the experience. In the movie, the combat scenes are well
Monday, October 28, 2019
Childhood and Adolescent Depression and the Risks of Suicide Essay Example for Free
Childhood and Adolescent Depression and the Risks of Suicide Essay Introduction Problem and its Background            One of the most common reasons for referral of children and adolescents to mental health professionals is suspected depression. There are continues debate as to whether childhood and adolescent depression are a reflection of normal variation in mood. It is reasonable for the primary care physician to view childhood depression as a constellation of factors that forms a syndrome. This constellation consists of a persistent mood disorder and dysfunctional behavior that intrudes and distorts the child’s day-to-day activities (Gottlieb Williams, 1991 p. 1). A firm denial gave way into a general and strong conviction about significance of depressive syndromes in childhood and adolescents, and of the implications throughout the life course. The realization of the problem occurrence made it possible for the therapeutic interventions and prevention programs to be developed and set up for depressive children, and to have these programs sponsored and evaluated on a scientific perspective. Various factors have facilitated the progression of this study concerning the recognition of childhood depression. Society is approached with enormous cost of untreated childhood depression later on in life (Corveleyn etal, 2005 p.165).            The concept of a depressive syndrome that is distinct from the broad class of childhood onset emotional disorders has been linked to incidence of suicidal rates worldwide. The condition of such incidence is becoming evidently alarming as the number of suicidal rate continue.            The treatment of such depressive states range from pharmacologic drugs up to psychological modifications and therapies, such as behavioral, peer and group focused groups, etc. With the serious nature of childhood / adolescent depression, it is crucial that treatments with known efficacy and more than transitory effects be provided promptly and skillfully (Maj Sartorius, 2002 p.292). Scope and Limitations            The treatment procedures and the condition of health care management for the case of childhood and adolescent depression are the primary subjects of the study. The concept on treatment procedure involves the pharmacologic, medical and psychological interventions that are absolutely necessary in the health care management of such condition. The study shall cover the discussion of depressive condition of the childhood and adolescent age group. Diagnostic procedures and issues shall be tackled in this research in order to portray possible conflicts and difficulties that occur in diagnosing the condition. The neurobiology of the depressive state shall be elaborated utilizing psychophysiology of the disorder, and linked to probable external physiological occurrences. Lastly, since the study focuses on therapy and medication as treatment modalities, the following methods and means of treatment shall be involved in the study. The following shall be the objectives of the over-all study. To be able to define, discuss and elaborate the conditions involved in the occurrence of depression in adolescent and childhood stages To be able to provide and tackle the treatment procedure as the center scope of study, accompanied by the issues, physiology and specific drugs involved in depression health care management. Discussion            Cases of despondency and depression in children and adolescents were reported as early as the seventeenth century. Prior to the 1970s, however, little attention was paid to depression in youth (Hersen Hasselt, 2001 p.243). The study on depression had been more inclined to adulthood depression and not on childhood and adolescence.            Depression among children and adolescents is relatively common, enduring, and recurrent disorder that has an adverse impact on a youngster’s psychosocial development and in some cases is associated with self-destructive and life-threatening behaviors. Depressive disorders during childhood and adolescence may be more virulent and of longer duration than depressive disorders in adults. Depressive disorders during childhood are a risk factor for the development of additional psychological disturbances and for the development of depressive disorders later in life. The number of youths who are experiencing depressive disorders is increasing at the same time that the age of onset is decreasing (Mash Barkley, 2006 p.336).            Depression can be conceptualized both as a dimension and as a category. Epidemiological studies suggest that juvenile depression is a continuum that is associated with problems at most levels of severity. According to Oregon Adolescent Depression Project, the level of psychosocial impairment increased as a direct function of the number of depressive symptoms. Moreover, in line with studies of adults, much of the morbidity associated with depression occurred in the â€Å"milder†but more numerous cases of minor depression. Such results suggest that even mild forms of adolescent depression are a risk factor for depression in early adulthood (Rutter Taylor, 2002 p.463).            In recent years, increased attention has been given to evidence-based psychosocial and pharmacological interventions for depressed youth. The need to highlight what we know about treatment is underscored by the fact that most depressed youth do not receive treatment. However, as knowledge about treatments for youth depression has increased, the rate of treatment appears to have developed. Although depression among youth is treated more often, it is not clear that standard practice is effective at alleviating depressive symptoms or preventing recurrence. Moreover, there is a bias toward the utilization of pharmacologic drugs and extremely brief psychosocial interventions (Gotlib Hammen, 2002 p.441). Diagnostic Issues involved in Depression            The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision groups mood disorders into two categories: depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. Both types of disorders are characterized by depressive episodes. For a diagnosis of depressive disorder, the child must be experiencing a mood disturbance for a period of at least 2 weeks, and the symptoms must be present more often than not. At least four of the following symptoms must be present during the same period (Mash Barkley, 2006 p.337): Significant, unintentional weight gain or loss Insomnia or hypersomnia Psychomotor retardation or agitation fatigue or loss or energy feelings of worthlessness or extreme guilt Diminished concentration pr ability to make decisions Recurring thoughts of death, suicidality, or suicide attempts In depressed preadolescents and adolescents, a lack of perceived personal competence was associated with depression; however, in adolescents, the more abstract concept of contingencies is also related to depression (Mash Barkley, 2006 p.338). Confusion sometimes arises in the childhood depression field, as it does with adult depression, because of different usages of the term â€Å"depression†and associated differences in methods of assessment. Moreover, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the primary reference of psychiatric diagnosis, frequently changes. One example is in studies of childhood and adolescent depression, the term is variously used to identify depressed mood, a constellation of mood and other symptoms forming a syndrome, or a set of symptoms meeting official diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder. The usage of such term connotes various meaning, such as depression as a symptoms (lonely, fear impulses, guilt, etc.) and depression as a syndrome (comprises clusters of various signs and symptoms) (Mash Barkley, 2003 p.336). Neurobiology of Childhood Adolescent Depression            Biologic studies in children are difficult to implement since they often require several blood draws, subjects remaining still more long periods of time, and the overall cooperation of the children and adolescents. Three types of investigation have provided information on possible developmental differences in the neurobiology of depression. The first is the study of Cortisol secretion, measured by investigations such as the dexamethasone suppression test (Rapoport, 2000 p.230).            Studies of neurotransmitters in depressed adults have focused on norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. Serotonin regulation studied in adults with depression reported that in response to L-5hyroxytrytophan in 37 pre-pubertal depressed children secreted less Cortisol and more prolactin than age-matched and gender-matched normal controls, suggesting a deregulation of central serotonergic systems in childhood depression.            Abnormalities of the hypothalamic pituitary-thyroid axis and the hypothalamic pituitary-growth hormone axis have been reported in depression in adults. However, Cortisol hypersecretion, as measured by repeated samples over a 24-hour period or by nocturnal sampling, has not been identified in depressed children and adolescents although adolescent showed a Cortisol elevation at the approximate time of sleep onset (Coffey, 2006 p.266).            The second type of developmentally informative investigation is the study of sleep. Polysomnographic studies of depressed children and adolescent have tended to demonstrate abnormalities of sleep, including shortened rapid eye movement (REM) latency and reduced slow wave sleep. These generally positive results of polysomnographic studies with children have shown few differences (Rapoport, 2000 p.231).            The third type of developmentally informative investigation is the study of growth hormone. A variety of pharmacological challenge agents that stimulate release of growth hormone have been studied in depressed adolescents and children. Interestingly, the results with adolescents have been negative in terms of slow blunted growth hormone response to provocative stimuli. However, some studies have reported high levels of growth hormone in adolescents with major depression. Moreover, pubertal children both during depressive episode and after recovery have demonstrated blunted growth hormone response to provocative stimuli (Rapoport, 2000 p.231). Psychopharmacology: Antidepressants (SSRIs)            Special considerations arise in treating children and adolescents with antidepressants. Empirical data on antidepressants in young patients are quite limited. Psychiatrists, faced with depriving children of potentially effective medication or prescribing medication or prescribing medications â€Å"Off Label,†need information on which to base treatment decisions, and efforts are underway to promote research in this area. Clinically significant differences in pharmacokinetics and possibly pharmacodynamics between adults and younger patients can also complicate treatment. Moreover, younger patients may also be more sensitive to adverse effects of medications (Preskorn, 2004 p.356).            The antidepressant drugs are a heterogeneous group of compounds that, in adults, have bee found to be effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder. This particular pharmacologic intervention is also utilized in adolescent and children with major depression; although, there have been no studies that validate the appropriateness of such medications. The following are considered as the major treatment of adolescent depression, specifically Tricyclic Antidepressants and (SSRI) Selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Rossenberg Ryan, 1998 p.28).            Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have long been the first-line antidepressants used by most clinicians for adults because of their established efficacy, safety, and ease of administration, but they have been less successful in the treatment of child and adolescent conditions. The mechanism by which TCAs are effective in the treatment of adult depression and other disorders has not been clearly established. There is, however, evidence that these agents affect monoamine neurotransmitter systems in the central; nervous system, such as serotonin and norepinephrine (Rossenberg Ryan, 1998 p.28-29). The TCAs inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, potentiating their action. It has been suggested that antidepressants work by increasing noradrenergic and/or serotonergic transmission, compensating for a presumed deficiency. Controlled studies failed to demonstrate that TCAs are superior to placebo in the treatment of childhood and adolescent depression (Rossenberg Ryan, 1998 p.28-29).            Since serotonin is also implicated in the etiology and maintenance of affective disorders, particularly depression; hence, the use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) is possible. SSRIs prevent the re-uptake of serotonin, which poses significant therapeutic value although has been shown to be less effective in therapeutic trials in children (Mash Barkley, 2006 p.384). The SSRIs are now first-line agents for treating child and adolescent depression. The newer antidepressants, such as bupropion and mirtazapine, do not have an adequate empirical base with children; however, they are sometimes used as second-line treatments for those youths who do not respond to SSRIs. Thus far, none of the SSRIs has produced irreversible damage in children and adolescents. However, as the SSRIs gained wide use with depressed adolescents, concerns emerged about the safety of this class of medications. Reports suggested that they were responsible for increased suicidal ideation and behavior among youths (Mash Barkley, 2006 p.384). In 2003, the British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) concluded that most of the SSRIs do not show benefits exceeding their risks of suicidal ideation, and thus should not be prescribed in the child and adolescent population (Mash Barkley, 2006 p.384).            If the adolescent fails to respond to any SSRI, then switching to a different class of antidepressant is recommended. At present, no data support the use of one agent over another. Therefore, whether the clinician chooses a TCA, nefazodone, or venlafaxine should be based on clinical experience. Other factors to consider for a given adolescent are medication side effects, medical conditions, previous medication trials, comorbid psychiatric conditions, and familial history of a positive response to particular antidepressants (Esman, 1999 p.222). Other classes of antidepressants are fluoxetine, setraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine, bupropion, trazodone, and nefazadone. As major depression has a high recurrence rate, it is recommended that pharmacologic treatment continue for a minimum of six months achieving resolution of symptoms. Medication discontinuation should be accomplished gradually, with a slow, stepwise reduction in dosage over a two- or three-month period. The health care providers should carefully monitor the adolescent for withdrawal syndromes and reemergence of depressive symptoms (Esman, 1999 p.222). Relationship to Suicide Rates            Suicidal thoughts and attempts are among the diagnostic criteria for major depression. Suicidal ideation is quite common, and has been reported in more than 60% of depressed preschoolers, preadolescents, and adolescents. Actual suicidal attempts also may occur, at rates that appear to be higher among depressed adolescents than among depressed adults (Mash Barkley, 2003 p.336).            Studies have shown consistently high rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders in depressed children and adolescents. The comorbidity rate in children and adolescents with depression has been reported to be 80% to 95%. The most common comorbid disorders in adolescents with depression are anxiety disorders, with rates ranging from 40% to 50%. Moreover, substance abuse frequently co-occurs with depression. Adolescents with major depression are at risk for impairment in school performance and interpersonal relationships, which may interfere with achievement of appropriate developmental tasks. Suicidal behavior is a common sequela. A 10-yar follow-up of depressed child and adolescent outpatients found that 4.4% committed suicide. Mood disorder, prior to suicide attempt, and substance abuse are major risk factors for adolescent suicide (Esman, 1999 p.216).            Depressed and suicidal children and adolescents are often not identified. Identification of children and adolescents who express suicidal ideation or suicidal acts is crucial since such symptoms are recurrent and strong predictors of youth suicide. Other risk factors for youth suicide behavior have been described including family, other environmental and biological factors. Notably, family history of suicidal behavior increases risk for youth suicide (Rapoport, 2000 p.231). Reference Coffey, E. C. (2006). Pediatric Neuropsychiatry. Lippincott Williams Wilkins. Corveleyn etal, J. (2005). The Theory and Treatment of Depression: Towards a Dynamic Interactionism Model. Routledge. Esman, A. H. (1999). Adolescent Psychiatry: Developmental and Clinical Studies. Routledge. Gotlib, I., Hammen, C. L. (2002). Handbook of Depression. Guilford Press. Gottlieb, M. I., Williams, J. (1991). Developmental-behavioral Disorders: Selected Topics. Springer. Hersen, M., Hasselt, V. B. (2001). Advanced Abnormal Psychology. Springer. Maj, M., Sartorius, N. (2002). Depressive Disorders. John Wiley and Sons. Mash, E. J., Barkley, R. A. (2006). Child Psychopathology. Guilford Press. Mash, E. J., Barkley, R. A. (2006). Treatment of Childhood Disorders. Guilford Press. Preskorn, S. (2004). Antidepressants: Past, Present, and Future. Springer. Rapoport, J. L. (2000). Childhood Onset of Adult Psychopathology: Clinical and Research Advances. American Psychiatric Pub., Inc. Rossenber, D., Ryan, N. (1998). Pocket Guide for the Textbook of Pharmacotherapy for Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders. Psychology Press. Rutter, M., Taylor, E. A. (2002). Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Blackwell Publishing.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
The Meaninglessness of Samuel Becketts Waiting for Godot :: Waiting for Godot Essays
The Meaninglessness of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot     In Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett produces a truly cryptic work. On first analyzing the play, one is not sure of what, if anything, happens or of the title character's significance. In attempting to unravel the themes of the play, interpreters have extracted a wide variety symbolism from the Godot's name. Some, taking an obvious hint, have proposed that Godot represents God and that the play is centered on religious symbolism. Others have taken the name as deriving from the French word for a boot, godillot. Still, others have suggested a connection between Godot and Godeau, a character who never appears in Honore de Balzac's Mercadet; Ou, le faiseur. Through all these efforts, there is still no definitive answer as to whom or what Godot represents, and the writer has denied that Godot represents a specific thing, despite a certain ambiguity in the name. Upon study, however, one realizes that this ambiguity in meaning is the exact meaning of Godot. Though he seems to create greater symbolism and significance in the name Godot, Beckett actually rejects the notion of truth in language through the insignificance of the title character's name. By creating a false impression of religious symbolism in the name Godot Beckett leads the interpreter to a dead end. For one to make an association between God and the title character's name is completely logical. In fact, in producing the completely obvious allusion, Beckett beckons the interpreter to follow a path of religious symbolism. Throughout the play, references to Christianity are so often mentioned that one can scarcely identify a religious undercurrent; the presence of religion is not really below the surface. In the opening moments of the play, Vladimir asks "Hope deferred make something sick, who said that?" (8A). The real quotation, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick," comes from Proverbs 13:12 of the Bible. Shortly after, Vladimir asks if Estragon has ever read the Bible and continues on a discussion of the Gospels, the "Saviour," and the two thieves surrounding Christ during the crucifixion (8B-9B). By inserting religious discussions in the first few moments play, the playwright encourages the interpreter to assume the play's themes are greatly connected with religion. Then, when the discussion turns to Godot, Estragon associates their request from Godot with "A kind of prayer" (13A). The connection between God and Godot is seemingly firmly established, leaving room for a variety of interpretations. The Meaninglessness of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot :: Waiting for Godot Essays The Meaninglessness of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot     In Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett produces a truly cryptic work. On first analyzing the play, one is not sure of what, if anything, happens or of the title character's significance. In attempting to unravel the themes of the play, interpreters have extracted a wide variety symbolism from the Godot's name. Some, taking an obvious hint, have proposed that Godot represents God and that the play is centered on religious symbolism. Others have taken the name as deriving from the French word for a boot, godillot. Still, others have suggested a connection between Godot and Godeau, a character who never appears in Honore de Balzac's Mercadet; Ou, le faiseur. Through all these efforts, there is still no definitive answer as to whom or what Godot represents, and the writer has denied that Godot represents a specific thing, despite a certain ambiguity in the name. Upon study, however, one realizes that this ambiguity in meaning is the exact meaning of Godot. Though he seems to create greater symbolism and significance in the name Godot, Beckett actually rejects the notion of truth in language through the insignificance of the title character's name. By creating a false impression of religious symbolism in the name Godot Beckett leads the interpreter to a dead end. For one to make an association between God and the title character's name is completely logical. In fact, in producing the completely obvious allusion, Beckett beckons the interpreter to follow a path of religious symbolism. Throughout the play, references to Christianity are so often mentioned that one can scarcely identify a religious undercurrent; the presence of religion is not really below the surface. In the opening moments of the play, Vladimir asks "Hope deferred make something sick, who said that?" (8A). The real quotation, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick," comes from Proverbs 13:12 of the Bible. Shortly after, Vladimir asks if Estragon has ever read the Bible and continues on a discussion of the Gospels, the "Saviour," and the two thieves surrounding Christ during the crucifixion (8B-9B). By inserting religious discussions in the first few moments play, the playwright encourages the interpreter to assume the play's themes are greatly connected with religion. Then, when the discussion turns to Godot, Estragon associates their request from Godot with "A kind of prayer" (13A). The connection between God and Godot is seemingly firmly established, leaving room for a variety of interpretations.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
US department of education should be abolished Essay -- Persuasive, Ed
Discussing the topic of education Thomas Jefferson asserted â€Å"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion.†(Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1976) . Educating future American generations was a discussion topic during the nation’s founding. President Jefferson, like many founders, politicians and scholars stressed the importance of educating the people. Knowledge was an important factor in a healthy Republic. Recent politicians have taken a stance against the Department of Education. Considering the importance of education, why would anyone take a stance against education? The current stance is not against education but instead it is against the Department of Education. The founders did not envision education controlled by the federal government; instead th ey proclaimed support for state governed education with federal assistance. More than two hundred years passed without a U.S. Department of Education, because people feared government meddling in education. Those fears are coming to fruition. Today the U.S. Department of Education is a Bureaucratic nightmare. The department continues to grow in both size and expense with little progress shown. The American people fear that their children will not receive a proper education without the department. This fear is propagated by the department itself. After all they have to make a living. At least two different federal education plans developed since the department started operations. Therefore, The Department of Education should be abolished because the American people did no... ...as tasked in 1981 to collect information and survey the status of education. The commission was to prepare a report for the Secretary of Education and the President within 18 months. Studies had shown that American students were scoring lower on tests than their counterparts in other nations including, Japan, South Korea and Germany (The National Commission of Excellence in Education, 1983). This fear was the driving force behind the commissioning. The commission produced A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform in April 1983 meeting the prescribed deadline. The commission declared that American education had been backsliding since the Soviets launched Sputnik. Illiteracy had risen and average test scores declined during that time period. American industry was losing ground to Japan in Automobiles, South Korea in Steel and Germany in machine tools.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Mystery of capitalism
In the book ‘the mystery of capitalism: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else†Hernando De Soto, the Peruvian economist presents a detailed study of several countries and their failure to benefit from capitalism. It is important to mention here that while most economists understand that land is as important a factor of production as liquid capital still many have failed to understand the significance of property and property rights when it comes to the success of a particular economic system. The core purpose of writing this book is to answer the question that the author has posed in the very first chapter: â€Å"But if people in countries making the transition to capitalism are not pitiful beggars, are not helplessly trapped in obsolete ways, and are not the uncritical prisoners of dysfunctional cultures, what is it that prevents capitalism from delivering to them the same wealth it has delivered to the West? Why does capitalism thrive only in the West, as if enclosed in a bell jar?†While we are aware of the fact that land itself is important, we rarely ever delve deeper into this subject to find out how property and its legal rights can play a vital role in the success or failure of an economic system. This is where Hernando De Soto stepped in and has offered a detailed study of property and its legal title in various poor countries with reference to capitalism in those areas. The main purpose of this book is to illustrate the reasons why capitalism has failed in poor countries and why only the developed countries in the West have been able to benefit from this system but the book carefully ignores the reasons which other economists have mentioned often and only focuses on property and its role in the economic system. The author maintains that failure of this system in poor countries is a cause of concern not only for the developing countries but also for the West. â€Å"In the business community of the West, there is a growing concern that the failure of most of the rest of the world to implement capitalism will eventually drive the rich economies into recession. As millions of investors have painfully learned from the evaporation of their emerging market funds, globalization is a two-way street: If the Third World and former communist nations cannot escape the influence of the West, neither can the West disentangle itself from them. Adverse reactions to capitalism have also been growing stronger within rich countries themselves.†It is clear from his book that the most important reason why capitalism has failed to influence the poor countries is because of the difficulties involved in getting legal title to property that poor sections of the society hold. The western countries fail to understand that capitalism is not exactly about growth of Internet or globalization, it is essentially concerned with movement of capital. It is important to mention here that DE SOTO believes that property is not important only because it provides security and a place to dwell in, but its significance lies in he fact that it is an asset, the problem with poor countries is that while a large section of the society possesses this asset, many of them do not have legal rights to those pieces of land. As a result of which they cannot use this land for any other purpose except accommodation. â€Å"Most of the poor already possess the assets they need to make a success of capitalism. But they hold these resources in defective forms. †¦ They lack the process to represent their property and create capital. They have houses, but not titles. It is the representation of assets in legal property documents that gives them the power to create surplus value.†We need to understand that property is a fixed asset and it can be used for several other purposes including collateral. But since the poor sections of the society do not have legal title to the piece of land they hold, they cannot use it as a source of capital, which is the reason why only western countries have, been able to benefit from capitalist system of economy. He is of the view that every person in small developing countries possess immense talent to mint money and engage in business activities successfully but the problem is that since they are not capable of becoming legal owners of the property that they otherwise own unofficially, their access to finances is also limited. The author has also carefully studied the views and theories of various economists from Adam Smith to Karl Marx in order to make the readers understand why capital plays an essential role in capitalist system of economy and why property is the backbone of this system. The author has also focused on the failure of communism and then builds a strong case in connection with failure of capitalism in developing countries. â€Å"Marx said that you needed to go beyond physics to touch â€Å"the hen that lays the golden eggs†; Adam Smith felt you had to create â€Å"a sort of waggon-way through the air†to reach that same hen. But no one has told us where the hen hides.†There is a new concept of ‘dead capital’ presented in this book. Hernando De Soto is of the view that the assets which cannot be used in place of capital becomes dead capital as it has no other value than the one purpose for which it was originally owned. He presents the example of some poor cities including Cairo, Lima, Manila, Mexico City and Porto Prince and shows how these cities are suffering from abundant dead capital. For example in Cairo, the city possesses dead capital worth $ 241.4 billion, which is six times more than the total value of all saving deposits in Egyptian banks. The country itself is thus suffering from its dead assets because they cannot be used as capital and therefore the economic system has failed to reap benefits of capitalism. This brings us to another important question. Why don’t people who unofficially own a piece of land try to gain legal rights to their property? It is a very important question because the answer to it also highlights the dismal performance of various economic and administrative units of developing countries. There are so many difficulties involved in legalizing a piece of property and usually the process takes so long that most poor people simply do not bother to get legal rights. For example in Egypt it takes some 31 agencies and 5-14 years to legally own a piece of land and close to 77 steps are involved in this process. De Soto has taken a serious look at the situation that has consistently suppressed Third World countries. He argues that people in these countries are constantly being oppressed because they lack knowledge about legal rights to property and their governments fail to offer adequate help. Karl Marx first discussed the function of property or its role in the development of nations in detail and De Soto recognizes his contribution. He argues that when property is legally recognized, it is only then that poor people can use it in the way that would be productive and lucrative. Without legal rights to a piece of property, its occupation comes to no production use. De Soto maintains that property rights do not only facilitate legal and productive use of land, they also offer host of other benefits such as creating a sense of responsibility, more commitment from citizens, more politically aware people etc. The most important lesson of the book is the topic of extra-legality. This refers to the sector of illegal property that has created extra-judicial ways to gain and use property. It was removed from West in the 19th century but still plagues third world countries. De Soto writes: â€Å"†¦ The reason capitalism has triumphed in the West and sputtered in the rest of the world is because most of the assets in Western nations have been integrated into one formal representational system.†(p. 52) explaining the way West got rid of extra-legality, De Soto further adds that, â€Å"This integration did not happen casually. Over decades in the nineteenth century, politicians, legislators, and judges pulled together the scattered facts and rules that govern property throughout cities, villages, buildings, and farms and integrated them into one system. This â€Å"pulling together†of property representations, a revolutionary moment in the history of developed nations, deposited all the information and rules governing the accumulated wealth of their citizens into one knowledge base. Before that moment, information about assets was far less accessible. †¦For knowledge to be functional, advanced nations have to integrate into one comprehensive system all their loose and isolated data about property. Developing and former communist nations have not done this†¦.It was this â€Å"revolutionary†development in the 19th century that sparked the Industrial Revolution the economic progress that is the hallmark of Western society.†(p. 52) De Soto informs his readers that in the West during the 19th century, the private property laws were introduced to tackle the problem of extra-legality. This led to a capitalist revolution in these parts of the world and led to enormous economic growth. We need to understand that De Soto has found a close connection between integration of systems and codified laws. He argues: It may surprise the Western reader that most of the world's nations have yet to integrate extralegal property agreements into one formal legal system. For Westerners, there supposedly is only one law  the official one. Yet the West's reliance on integrated property systems is a phenomenon of at most the last two hundred years. In most Western countries, integrated property systems appeared only about one hundred years ago; Japan's integration happened little more than fifty years ago. As we shall see in detail later, diverse informal property arrangements were once the norm in every nation. Legal pluralism was the standard in continental Europe until Roman law was rediscovered in the fourteenth century and governments assembled all currents of law into one coordinated system. (p. 53) But is it correct to say that in the absence of centrally controlled legal system, we cannot have an integrated property system? Well I guess that is wrong to assume because the two can exist independently of each other. This is because these two deal with completely different things. One deals with access of information and the other is concerned with protection of property. From where I am looking at the situation, I feel that these two could exist without each other. But the way De Soto connects them makes sense too. He believes that without protection of property, we cannot have accurate information about ownership of property and vice versa. De Soto is of the view that common law is a problem in the third world countries because it was the same kind of law that caused property problems in the West too. He claims that common law could not â€Å"provide guidance for how courts should handle cases involving people who had bought or inherited land of dubious title,†and that, â€Å"more importantly, the English common law of property was often ill suited to deal with the problems that confronted the colonists.†(p. 111) But this may not be entirely true. Customary law or common law has its own benefits. Its strength lies in its ability to raise solutions as problems arise. But De Soto sees it differently. The book definitely has its share of merits. Its one of the best books written so far on the subject of third world oppression because of property. I don’t think anyone really understood the significance of having legal property before the publication of this book. The author has chosen a different route for seeking a solution to the third world development problems. This solution may or may not work depending on its implementation but it sure offers a new way to study the problem. REFERENCE: 1)     The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else (New York: Basic Books and London: Bantam Press/Random House, 2000)  Â
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Scheduling Essay Example
Scheduling Essay Example Scheduling Essay Scheduling Essay 1 . Why is scheduling fairly simple for repetitive systems but fairly complex for Job shops? Scheduling for repetitive systems is fairly simple because the activities and equipment used is the same. This goes for high-volume and medium volume systems because the productions are the similar. Scheduling for Job shops is more difficult because the products formed are customized or of a personal nature and therefore are not mass produced. Stevenson, William J. Operations Management, 1 lth Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2011. VitalBook file. 5. Briefly describe each of these priority rules: FCFS First come first serve; it is processing Jobs in the order they are received at the work station or machine. SPT Shortest processing time; processing the shortest processing time Job EDD- Earliest Due Date; andling the Job that has the earliest due date. SIO- Global rule ; Final due dates for orders rather than intermediate, departmental deadlines. RUSH- Local or global rule processing Jobs on an emergency basis Stevenson, William J. Operations Management, 1 lth Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2011. VitalBook file. 7. What problems not generally found in manufacturing systems do service systems present in terms of scheduling the use of resources? Customer requirements in service systems generally present very different circumstances than those encountered in manufacturing systems. Some services can use appointments and reservations for scheduling purposes, although not all systems are amenable to this. When multiple resources are involved, the task of balancing the system can be fairly complex. Stevenson, William J. Operations Management, 1 lth Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2011. VitalBook file. 8. Explain forward and backward schedulings and each ones advantage. Forward scheduling : Scheduling ahead from a point in time. Forward scheduling is used if the issue is How long will it take to complete this Job? Forward scheduling enables the scheduler to determine the earliest possible completion time for each Job and, hus, the amount of lateness or the amount of slack can be determined. Backward scheduling: Scheduling backward from a due date. Backward scheduling would be used if the issue is When is the latest the Job can be started and still be completed by the due date? With backward scheduling the scheduler is able to determine if the due date can be met. Stevenson, William J. Operations Management, 1 lth Edition. References: Stevenson, William J. Operations Management, 1 lth Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2011. VitalBook file.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Ski Resorts and Their Impact on the Environment
Ski Resorts and Their Impact on the Environment Alpine skiing and snowboarding are great ways to spend time in the mountains relatively safely during the most unforgiving season of the year. In order to be able to offer this, ski resorts rely on a complex and energy-demanding infrastructure, with scores of employees and heavy use of water. The environmental costs associated with resort skiing come in multiple dimensions, and so do the solutions. Disturbance to Wildlife Alpine habitats above the tree line are already threatened by global climate change, and disturbance from skiers is one more stressor. These disturbances can come from scaring wildlife or harming their habitat by damaging vegetation and compacting soils. Ptarmigan (a type of grouse adapted to snowy habitats) in Scottish ski areas declined over several decades from collisions with lift cables and other wires, and from losing nests to crows, which had become common at the resorts. Deforestation, Land Use Change In North American ski resorts, most of the skiable terrain is located in forested areas, requiring a large amount of clear-cutting to create ski trails. The resulting fragmented landscape negatively impacts habitat quality for many bird and mammal species. One study revealed that in the forest remnants left between slopes, bird diversity is reduced due to a negative edge effect. There, wind, light, and disturbance levels increase near the open slopes, reducing habitat quality. A recent expansion of a ski resort in Breckenridge, Colorado, prompted concerns that it would damage Canada lynx habitat. A deal with a local conservation group was achieved when the developer invested in lynx habitat protection elsewhere in the region. Water Use As a result of global climate change, most ski areas experience winters of increasingly shorter duration, with more frequent thawing periods. To maintain services to their clients, ski areas must make artificial snow to have good coverage on the slopes as well as around the lift bases and lodges. Artificial snow is made by mixing large volumes of water and high-pressure air. The demands for water can be very high, requiring pumping from surrounding lakes, rivers, or purpose-built artificial ponds. Modern snowmaking equipment can easily require 100 gallons of water per minute for each snow gun, and resorts can have dozens or even hundreds in operation. At Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, a modest-size resort in Massachusetts, snowmaking can pull as much as 4,200 gallons of water a minute. Fossil Fuel Energy Resort skiing is an energy-intensive operation, relying on fossil fuels, producing greenhouse gases, and contributing to global warming. Ski lifts usually run on electricity, and operating a single ski lift for a month requires about the same energy needed to power 3.8 households for a year. To maintain the surface of the snow on the ski runs, a resort deploys nightly a fleet of trail groomers each operating on about 5 gallons of diesel per hour and producing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate emissions. A complete estimate of the greenhouse gases emitted in association with resort skiing would need to include those produced by skiers driving or flying to the mountains. Ironically, climate change is affecting most ski regions. As global atmospheric temperatures go up, snowpacks are thinning, and the ski seasons are getting shorter. Solutions and Alternatives? Many ski resorts have made substantial efforts to minimize their environmental impacts. Solar panels, wind turbines, and small hydro turbines have been deployed to supply renewable energy. Improved waste management and composting programs have been implemented, and green building technologies have been employed. Forest management efforts have been planned to improve wildlife habitat. It is now possible for skiers to gather information about a resort’s sustainability efforts and make informed consumer decisions. Where to start? The National Ski Area Association gives out yearly awards to the resorts with outstanding environmental performances. Alternatively, Nordic (or cross-country) skiing provides opportunities to enjoy the snow with a much lighter impact on land and water resources. Some Nordic skiing resorts do, however, make use of snowmaking technology and fossil-fueled powered trail grooming equipment. An increasing number of outdoor enthusiasts seek snowy slopes by practicing lower-impact forms of skiing. These backcountry skiers and snowboarders use specialized equipment that allows them to make their way up the mountain on their own power, and then to ski down natural terrain that has not been logged or groomed. These skiers have to be self-sufficient and able to mitigate a multitude of mountain-related safety risks. The learning curve is steep, but backcountry skiing has a lighter environmental impact than resort skiing. Alpine areas are very sensitive, though, and no activity there is impact free: a study in the Alps found that black grouse showed elevated stress levels when frequently disturbed by backcountry skiers and snowboarders, with direct consequences on reproduction and survival. Sources Alettaz et al. 2007. Spreading Free-riding Snow Sports Represent a Novel Serious Threat for Wildlife.Laiolo and Rolando. 2005. Forest Bird Diversity and Ski Runs: A Case of Negative Edge Effect.MNN. 2014. Snowmakers Are Saving Ski Resorts†¦For Now.Wipf et al. 2005. Effects of Ski Piste Preparation on Alpine Vegetation.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Battle of Coochs Bridge in the American Revolution
Battle of Cooch's Bridge in the American Revolution Battle of Coochs Bridge - Conflict Date: The Battle of Coochs Bridge was fought September 3, 1777, during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Battle of Coochs Bridge - Armies Commanders: Americans General George WashingtonBrigadier General William Maxwell450 men British General Sir William HoweLieutenant General Lord Charles CornwallisLieutenant Colonel Ludwig von Wurmb293 men Battle of Coochs Bridge - Background: Having captured New York in 1776, British campaign plans for the following year called for Major General John Burgoynes army to advance south from Canada with the goal of capturing the Hudson Valley and severing New England from the rest of the American colonies. In commencing his operations, Burgoyne hoped that General Sir William Howe, the overall British commander in North America, would march north from New York City to support the campaign. Uninterested in advancing up the Hudson, Howe instead set his sights on taking the American capital at Philadelphia. To do so, he planned to embark the bulk of his army and sail south. Working with his brother, Admiral Richard Howe, Howe initially hoped to ascend the Delaware River and land below Philadelphia. An assessment of the river forts in the Delaware deterred the Howes from this line of approach and they instead decided to sail further south before moving up the Chesapeake Bay. Putting to sea in late July, the British were hampered by poor weather. Though aware of Howes departure from New York, the American commander, General George Washington, remained in the dark regarding the enemys intentions. Receiving sighting reports from along the coast, he increasingly determined that the target was Philadelphia. As a result, he began moving his army south in late August. Battle of Coochs Bridge - Coming Ashore: Moving up the Chesapeake Bay, Howe started landing his army at Head of Elk on August 25. Moving inland, the British began concentrating their forces before beginning the march northeast toward Philadelphia. Having encamped at Wilmington, DE, Washington, along with Major General Nathanael Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette, rode southwest on August 26 and reconnoitered the British from atop Iron Hill. Assessing the situation, Lafayette recommended employing a force of light infantry to disrupt the British advance and give Washington time to choose suitable ground for blocking Howes army. This duty normally would have fallen to Colonel Daniel Morgans riflemen, but this force had been sent north to reinforce Major General Horatio Gates who was opposing Burgoyne. As a result, a new command of 1,100 handpicked men was quickly assembled under the leadership of Brigadier General William Maxwell. Battle of Coochs Bridge - Moving to Contact: On the morning of September 2, Howe directed Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen to depart Cecil County Court House with the right wing of the army and move east toward Aikens Tavern. This march was slowed by poor roads and foul weather. The next day, Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis was ordered to break camp at Head of Elk and join Knyphausen at the tavern. Advancing east over different roads, Howe and Cornwallis reached Aikens Tavern ahead of the delayed Hessian general and elected to turn north without waiting for the planned rendezvous. To the north, Maxwell had positioned his force south of Coochs Bridge which spanned the Christina River as well as sent a light infantry company south to set an ambush along the road. Battle of Coochs Bridge - A Sharp Fight: Riding north, Cornwallis advance guard, which was comprised of a company of Hessian dragoons led by Captain Johann Ewald, fell into Maxwells trap. Springing the ambush, the American light infantry broke up the Hessian column and Ewald retreated to obtain aid from Hessian and Ansbach jgers in Cornwallis command. Advancing, jgers led by Lieutenant Colonel Ludwig von Wurmb engaged the Maxwells men in a running fight north. Deploying in a line with artillery support, Wurmbs men attempted to pin the Americans in place with bayonet charge in the center while sending a force to turn Maxwells flank. Recognizing the danger, Maxwell continued to slowly retreat north towards the bridge (Map). Reaching Coochs Bridge, the Americans formed to make a stand on the east bank of the river. Increasingly pressed by Wurmbs men, Maxwell retreated across the span to a new position on the west bank. Breaking off the fight, the jgers occupied nearby Iron Hill. In an effort to take the bridge, a battalion of British light infantry crossed the river downstream and began moving north. This effort was badly slowed by swampy terrain. When this force finally arrived, it, along with the threat posed by Wurmbs command, compelled Maxwell to depart the field and retreat back to Washingtons camp outside Wilmington, DE. Battle of Coochs Bridge - Aftermath: Casualties for the Battle of Coochs Bridge are not known with certainty but are estimated at 20 killed and 20 wounded for Maxwell and 3-30 killed and 20-30 wounded for Cornwallis. As Maxwell moved north, Howes army continued to be harassed by American militia forces. That evening, Delaware militia, led by Caesar Rodney, struck the British near Aikens Tavern in a hit-and-run attack. Over the next week, Washington marched north with the intention of blocking Howes advance near Chadds Ford, PA. Taking a position behind the Brandywine River, he was defeated at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11. In the days after the battle, Howe succeeded in occupying Philadelphia. An American counterattack on October 4 was turned back at the Battle of Germantown. The campaign season ended later that fall with Washingtons army going into winter quarters at Valley Forge.    Selected Sources DAR: Battle of Coochs BridgePHAA: Battle of Coochs BridgeHMDB: Battle of Coochs Bridge
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Organizational Behavior and the Individual Essay - 2
Organizational Behavior and the Individual - Essay Example In addition, experts have indicated that in midst of globalization; organizations are now dealing with people from different cultural and social backgrounds that have resulted in increment in the significance of organizational behavioral study (McShane & Glinow, 2010). Moreover, readings have indicated that there seems an on-going change and transformation in the trends of organizational behavior in the organizations due to a number of factors, such as workforce diversity, internet workplaces, employee relations, etc. In order to understand the significance of organizational behavior, this paper will focus on the Wal-Mart. In the Wal-Mart, major responsibility of work is on the managers that put efforts to carry out work efficiently. In addition, the company has taken care of employees, as well as the customers by the establishing the MARS model that focuses primarily on four factors of motivation, ability, role perception, and situational factors. In this regard, it is very imperative for every manager in the Wal-Mart to understand the MARS model. For instance, one of the most common factors is motivational factor that managers use at the Wal-Mart to influence their employees. According to David Bourassa (2010), a number of theories, such as Motivation theory have also indicated the importance of motivation theory in influencing the employees. In addition, Maslow’s hierarchy is another imperative example of the impact of organizational behavior in the different business processes. For instance, Maslow’s levels are as follows: Experts have discussed that application of abovementioned levels of Maslow can play a vital role in improving the performance of organizations, especially in the customer service department. Besides motivation, ability is another important factor in the MARS model, which indicates the recognition of abilities of every individual by himself in the organization that is very important for
Friday, October 18, 2019
Major Tax Structure Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Major Tax Structure - Assignment Example Alternatively, a particular class of property tax may be considered for every tax units that the entity under consideration may be having across the entire municipality. Consideration of property tax classes will be important due to the fact that there may be different properties in different localities which imply that they will be subjected to different taxation regulations (Abhijit, 1992). Factoring in heterogeneous tax liability aspects of an individual property owner is important in the quantification of the property tax since tax regimes are usually diversified for a number of reasons such as nature of properties and the locality factors. For the case study of determining the percentage of tax element for a municipality due from Habitat for Humanity houses, I would first identify the municipality, types and the number of houses owned within the municipality. It will also involve valuation of the other tax allowances as well as other tax related charges for the respective properties applicable within the municipality that have an impact on Habitat for Humanity houses tax obligations. Municipal rates will be applied during the computation of the actual tax obligation owed by Habitat for Humanity with respect to the various houses owned. Final percentage property tax computation for the Habitat for Humanity with respect to the entire municipal property tax revenues will be performed after consideration of the applicable property tax rates, allowable deductions as well as other charges on each of the houses owned by Habitat for Humanity within the municipality. This procedure will be conducted based on the updated assess ment of the actual housing units owned for anticipated incomes, in case there are disposals from the previous ownership. In addition, projections will be dependent on the currency of applicable rates in case there are adjustments from the tax authority in the
Global warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Global warming - Essay Example I disagree with this opinion because I believe global warming is happening due to man’s behavior towards the environment. As such, humanity should be concerned. In October 2012, the British newspaper Daily Mail printed an article claiming that global warming had ended in 1996 and a pause had taken place. This was based on some data from the Britain’s Meteorological Office or MET. Supposedly, the temperature of the Earth from 1997 to the present has not risen significantly enough to cause an alarm. Moreover, the report alleges that the Earth’s â€Å"temperature had been stable or declining for about 40 years.†(Rose) Ironically, the author ends his piece by saying that global warming does exist but it is not happening as fast as other people believe. Global warming continues to happen at present, and it is still the most crucial problem the humanity is facing. In the recent report presented in Doha Talks, it was stated that global emissions of carbon dioxid e which is one of the main reason of global warming was at a record high in 2011 and were likely to take a similar jump in 2012. It can therefore be concluded from this data that although some countries are setting limits and precautions, these measures are still failing and as carbon dioxide emissions continues to happen, global warming also continues to get worse. ... in 2007 in the United Nations, it was said that the sea ice is declining much faster than had been predicted and even some scientists think ‘the Arctic Ocean could be largely free of summer ice as soon as 2020†. (Doha Talks) This phenomenon can be attributed to the rapid increase in temperature in the region. Although this can be related to the natural ocean cycle, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report in November 2011 predicting that global warming will cause more dangerous and â€Å"unprecedented extreme weather†in the future. It is in my opinion that global warming has not stopped since the last Ice Age. Global warming is a current occurrence and factors like climate change and CO2 emissions prove this. Environmental scientist David Keith shares that the Earth is â€Å"a lot warmer that it was since... the ice ages 10,000 years ago.†(Lamb) Man contributed a lot to this warming by filling the environment with polluted air. As ma n became more civilized, he created things that have, eventually, caused harm to the planet. In a recent study about the impact of Asian carbon aerosols on the United States, researchers discovered that the amount of air pollution Asian countries make overshadows the amount of greenhouse gases reduced in the United States. Therefore, even if Americans are able to clean up their air some, Asians manage to make it dirty again. In Beijing, China, for example, around 27 million tons of coal was used in 2010. (Park and Min) It can be drawn out from this that as long as human activities that cause global warming to worsen, it would continuously gets worse as well. Undeniably, not all countries and not every citizen are working to resolve this issue. It is a fact that humans are still negligent at some point in
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Persuasive Letter on a Geoscience Issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Persuasive Letter on a Geoscience Issue - Essay Example According to the news item, the study of measuring the rate and extent of melting ice sheets in Greenland would be to determine how the oceans actually respond to changes in temperatures. More importantly, it emphasized that the results would provide crucial information regarding â€Å"what might happen in the future as the Earth continues to warm†(University of Buffalo par. 3). This is believed to be the most relevant implication that the study could have revealed to the readers. Despite the article being published in a publication that predominantly caters to science as the field of endeavor, it is deemed pertinent to disclose information that would benefit the general public. The rest of the information which were revealed in the news included â€Å"illuminating the history of Greenlands ice sheet†¦ (and) providing geologists with an important new tool: A method of using Arctic fossils to deduce when glaciers were smaller than they are today†(University of Buf falo par. 5). The next crucial concern after being informed about this was: so what? What is the relevant implication of knowing that glaciers were smaller in today’s generation than in 3,000 or 5,000 years ago? This is the information that should have been added in the article to apprise the readers on any potential dangers or any significant courses of action to prepare for the event when and if the glaciers would totally be melted. The article was silent on any implication of the noted study. In fact, it ended by asserting that through the study of amino acid dating, it would allegedly â€Å"help scientists better understand the history of ice -- and climate change -- on Earth†(University of Buffalo par. 16). It is observed that there has been voluminous information that have already been disseminated regarding historical information on life on earth; as well as
Car Advertising Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
Car Advertising - Assignment Example Considering the car market in UK, till 1980, the general opinion of Audi was that it was a car built in Europe and customers were not certain of even the nation of building, the technical capacities and the car had no specific image. The car was not clearly positioned according to the Louis Harris Car Image Study. The position of the car changed to some extent and by 1987, the car slowly moved towards the group of prestige cars. This was due to the "Vorsprung durch Technik" Campaign of the 1980s. Though the car was of the same size as Ford and Vauxhall, it was positioned as a car above them in terms of image. Further improvement was achieved in 1995 when Audi took advantage of the marketing opportunities that were available to it and to an extent this was due to the new models that were introduced. These were called Audi A8 and the Audi A4 and both these cars were far better that the previous models that this brand had. (Members only - how advertising helped Audi join the prestige ca r club) The models were liked by the press and the potential customers, and the particular brands have won a number of awards. This range of models was an improvement on the previous models that it had and those were called Audi 80 and Audi 100. Yet the brand had strong opponents in terms of brand names and prices. There were also new launches coming up from the competitors and the brand had not many advantages in terms of product itself. Thus, it was essential to establish the brand on certain parameters. The advantage of the brand getting into the prestige segment was that it would permit the brand to retain value after a few years of usage and this would encourage the users to buy the car. This can be seen in the case of Mercedes C class, Saab 900i, and Ford Mondeo 2.0 Si, where Mercedes retained 87.5 percent of the value, Saab retained 76 percent and Ford retained only 61 percent. Naturally, the car with the highest prestige would provide unseen advantages for its buyer and thus would f ind it easier to sell. (Members only - how advertising helped Audi join the prestige car club) The general positioning in Britain seems to be with Porsche and Ferrari as members of the Super Prestige group, BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar being members of the prestige group; Volvo and Saab being members of the quality cars group; Ford, Vauxhall, Rover and Renault being members of the mainstream cars group and Kia and Proton being members of the budget cars group. The cars in the prestige and super prestige group are able to charge a higher price, while the sales are the highest for the mainstream cars. In terms of positioning, it was always the objective of Audi to be a member of the prestige cars group. (Members only - how advertising helped Audi join the prestige car club) The logic for this is based on volume of production, desired profits and other matters. The consumers also view cars within different groups in a manner that keeps their image in line. The purchasing decision is then based on the cost of the cars and what the user can afford to pay. So far as prestige and super p restige cars are concerned, they charge a premium price and this has to be supported by their image. The positioning of a brand is
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Persuasive Letter on a Geoscience Issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Persuasive Letter on a Geoscience Issue - Essay Example According to the news item, the study of measuring the rate and extent of melting ice sheets in Greenland would be to determine how the oceans actually respond to changes in temperatures. More importantly, it emphasized that the results would provide crucial information regarding â€Å"what might happen in the future as the Earth continues to warm†(University of Buffalo par. 3). This is believed to be the most relevant implication that the study could have revealed to the readers. Despite the article being published in a publication that predominantly caters to science as the field of endeavor, it is deemed pertinent to disclose information that would benefit the general public. The rest of the information which were revealed in the news included â€Å"illuminating the history of Greenlands ice sheet†¦ (and) providing geologists with an important new tool: A method of using Arctic fossils to deduce when glaciers were smaller than they are today†(University of Buf falo par. 5). The next crucial concern after being informed about this was: so what? What is the relevant implication of knowing that glaciers were smaller in today’s generation than in 3,000 or 5,000 years ago? This is the information that should have been added in the article to apprise the readers on any potential dangers or any significant courses of action to prepare for the event when and if the glaciers would totally be melted. The article was silent on any implication of the noted study. In fact, it ended by asserting that through the study of amino acid dating, it would allegedly â€Å"help scientists better understand the history of ice -- and climate change -- on Earth†(University of Buffalo par. 16). It is observed that there has been voluminous information that have already been disseminated regarding historical information on life on earth; as well as
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Accounting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 10
Accounting - Assignment Example The game changer in Ameritel Company is the manner in which it reaches out to its employees, retailers, track sales as well as timely implementation of its new marketing strategies with the desirable Salesforce. Its Salesforce managed to reach out to the entire sales region to bridge the gap that exists between the company call center and sales teams. Furthermore, Ameritel is undertaking training campaigns for its dealers according to Reid, 2014. Ameritel has a mechanism that enables monitoring of its inventory anytime anywhere due to its efficient tracking system. The tracking system eases instant and effective visibility of dealer performance and purchases. Reid, 2014 adds that half of the organization explores working with pop and mom accounts that utilize Ameritel in selling T-Mobile. The remaining half collaborates with the wholesale section to supply the T-Mobile as well as activities involving tracking. Ameritel uses Salesforce because it is striving to achieve absolute best experience in its internal operations as well as to the customers. The other issue in its top priority is to surpass its customer expectations besides general company
Identifying the Major Causes of the Civil War Essay Example for Free
Identifying the Major Causes of the Civil War Essay The civil war happened between the years 1861 and 1865 when the history of the United States was still very young. It was a very costly war, leading to over 600000 casualties. Its origin can be traced to a number of causes, which I identify in this essay. First of all, there were tension between the North and the South due to economic and social differences (Catton, 1988). The economy of the south depended mainly on plantation agriculture, growing commercial cotton using slave labor. The north was industry-oriented, and this meant that two groups of people had to learn to live together. Secondly, there were ideological differences as some people were against according of greater rights for the state while others felt that more authority needed to be vested on the federal government (Catton, 1988). Many felt that the US constitution had given the state very few rights, and this led to conflicts. Third, there was continuous animosity between those who supported the use of slave labor and those opposed to slavery. These conflicts eventually spilled over to the Senate, and these tensions contributed to the outbreak of war. Growth of the abolition movement was another leading cause of the Civil War. The North generally opposed slavery while the South depended on it. African American slaves in the south started moving to the North where their rights were more recognized, and sympathizers there harbored them (Catton, 1988). This caused animosity between northern and southern states. Finally, the election of Abraham Lincoln, who was a supporter of the Abolitionist Movement, caused South Carolina to issue a declaration of secession Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia Louisiana and Texas soon followed suit, and action had to be taken to preserve the union (Catton, 1988).
Monday, October 14, 2019
T Cell Receptor and the B Cell Receptor: Comparison
T Cell Receptor and the B Cell Receptor: Comparison The entire world is full of pathogens which we need to fight off to leave a normal life. Due to this, we have an immune system that helps us fight off and prevent/manage subsequent infections. Our immune system can be classified into two, the innate and acquired immune responses. The innate immune response is broadly specific and provides the first defensive action against any infection. Their response to any subsequent infection stays the same as the initial infection. In contrast, the acquired immune response is highly specific such that it provides defence by generating antibodies specific to an antigen. They also have the capacity of keeping infection memory such that there will be a more powerful response to future infections. Innate immune response is mostly provided by macrophages, dendritic cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mast cells, natural killer cells, erythrocytes and platelets. The acquired immune response is provided by lymphocytes, the T (T cells) and B lymphocyte s (B cells). The lymphocytes are derived from hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in the bone marrow. That form MLPs (myeloid-lymphoid progenitors). If the HSC and MLP stay in the bone marrow they form B cells and if they migrate (via blood) to the thymus they form T cells (see figure below). Initiation of immune response by the lymphocytes first requires recognition of the antigens and this is achieved by cell surface receptors called BCRs (B cell receptor) and TCRs (T cell receptor). These two receptors have great similarities and differences in their structure complexes, antigen recognition, cell activation and genetic recombination. A) STRUCTURE OF BCRs AND TCRs Both the BCR and TCR have great similarities and differences in the structure. They both exist as multi-chain complexes as seen in the diagrams below: i) Antigen recognition components In the figure above, section A shows the structure of a BCR. The BCR antigen recognition medium is an immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule (a transmembrane antibody). The antibody is modified via alternative splicing that adds a hydrophobic transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic domain (~3 aminoacids) at the C terminus of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (Wall Kuehl 1983). All naà ¯ve B cells only express both IgM and IgD classes of immunoglobulin but do switch to other classes upon activation by antigens (Goding, 1978). The antibody (figure 2C) is a highly specific Ig that can adopt any one of the 5 immunoglobulin isotopes, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE. The antibody has 3 regions of which 2 regions (FAB) vary from antibody to antibody and bind to antigens and 1 region (FC) that binds to effector molecules. The antibody is composed of 2 light and 2 heavy chains held together by inter and intra disulphide bonds. The heavy chains depending on the Ig isotypes can be any one of ÃŽÂ ³, Ã⠀šÃ‚ µ, ÃŽÂ ±, ÃŽÂ ´ or Ɇº chains. The variable domains (VH and VL) bind to antigen and also bring about variability and antigen recognition specificity. This specificity is mainly due to the presence of 3 hypervariable regions (Complementary Determining Regions), namely CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 in the variable regions. Similar to BCR, the antigen recognition medium in TCR is an immunoglobulin heterodimer made from ÃŽÂ ± and ÃŽÂ ² Ig chains (in most T cells) or ÃŽÂ ³ and ÃŽÂ ´ Ig chains. Unlike in BCRs where the IG can be of 5 types, in TCRs the Ig heterodimers are only of 2 types. The two Ig chains in TCRs are (also like BCRs) held together by intra and inter disulphide bonds. As seen in section C, each Ig chain folds into 2 domains, the variable and the constant domain. This folding greatly resembles the FAB region of the antibody in BCRs. Likewise antibodies, the ÃŽÂ ±ÃƒÅ½Ã‚ ² and ÃŽÂ ³ÃƒÅ½Ã‚ ´ heterodimers also have hypervariable regions (CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3) in variable domains. The variable regions in both BCRs and TCRs bring about specificity and diversity The BCR antibodies have a hinge joint (connecting FAB and FC) that makes the Ig molecule very flexible. Unlike antibodies, the flexibility of the TCR Ig molecule is very limited at the elbow region (junction of constant and variable region) (Degano et al, 1996). ii) ACCESSORY PROTEINS Both the BCR and TCR have very short cytoplasmic domains that restrict the binding of any signal transduction factors to the receptors. Due to this the receptors are unable to transducer signals into cells upon antigen recognition. Signal transduction is achieved via the accessory proteins. BCRs (figure 2 section A) accessory proteins consists of one or more dimmers of one each of Ig-ÃŽÂ ± and Ig-ÃŽÂ ² chains held together in the cell membrane by a pair of disulphide bonds. The cytoplasmic domains of these chains have phosphorylation sites called ITAMS. Unlike BCR accessory protein, the TCR accessory proteins (figure 2, section C) is composed of a complex know as CD3. It consists of 3 types of invariant chains, namely ÃŽÂ ³, ÃŽÂ ´ and Ɇº. A ÃŽÂ ³ or ÃŽÂ ´ chain couples up with one Ɇº chain (by formation of disulphide bonds) each to form two dimmers (ÃŽÂ ³Ãƒâ€°Ã¢â‚¬ º and ÃŽÂ ´Ãƒâ€°Ã¢â‚¬ º). In addition to this, a dimmer of 2 zeta (ÃŽÂ ¶) chains is also present. Together, these 3 dimers make up the CD3 complex. The ÃŽÂ ¶ chains have a much longer cytoplasmic tail than the ÃŽÂ ³, ÃŽÂ ´ and Ɇº chains and have 3 ITAMs as compared to one in the ÃŽÂ ³, ÃŽÂ ´ and Ɇº chains. Therefore for both BCR and TCR accessory proteins are dimmers that all contain ITAMs. B) GENERATION OF RECEPTOR DIVERSITY There are millions antigens and we need to produce millions of antibodies against them. However, we do not have millions of Ig genes so how are we able to produce all these different antibodies? The answer is antibodies are produced in developing B cells via genetic recombination of genes encoding the immunoglobulins (Hozumi and Tonegawa, 1976). The figure below shows the gene segments coding immunoglobulins. Figure legend: The human heavy chain locus as shown in the last row, consists of about 38-46 functional VH genes, 27 DH and 6 JH genes. The light chain can be either made of ÃŽÂ » or ÃŽÂ º chains. The ÃŽÂ » locus consists of about 30 functional V ÃŽÂ » genes and 5 J ÃŽÂ » genes each separated by a J segments. The Kappa locus has about 34-40 functional VÃŽÂ º genes and 5 JÃŽÂ º genes. The variable heavy chain region of the antibody is made from the joining of the V (variable), D (diversity) and J (joint) gene segments and the variable light chain (which can be either ÃŽÂ º or ÃŽÂ ») is formed from the joining of V and J segments only. A process called V(D)J recombination involves joining different gene segments and as a result bringing about antibody diversity. At the heavy chain locus, any one of the 27 D and 6 J gene segments are first joined together and then any one of 46 V gene segment is joined to this DJ segment. This rearranged DNA is then transcribed to form a primary mRNA. This mRNA then undergoes splicing to bring the VDJ segment close to the constant gene segment. Additional diversity is achieved as any 1 of the two types of light chains can be formed. Random insertion of nucleotides either side of D segments also creates N-nucleotide diversity. In total about 106 possible immunoglobulin gene combinations can be formed. This recombination process is driven by recombination signal sequences that flank the coding gene segments. Certain enzymes (RAG-1 and RAG-2) help mediate this somatic recombination process. The antibodies produce undergo a processs of clonal selectin where only the antibody specific to the antigen preferentially proliferates to make many antibodies. Binding affinity of BCR is greatly increased after antigen recognition where the variable regions of both heavy and light chain undergo somatic hypermutations. This is where point mutations are put in the variable regions of rapidly proliferating B cells. These mutations produce antibodies that may have good, moderate or good affinity for the antigens. The antibody with good affinity will have a selective advantage during clonal selection. The gene segements encoding TCR ÃŽÂ ² chain follow the similar V,D,J and C arrangement of BCRs. The recombination process involves of of the two DÃŽÂ ² genes rearranges next to one of JÃŽÂ ² genes. Then one of the ~50 V genes arranges next to the preformed DÃŽÂ ²JÃŽÂ ² genes. As seen , this is also similar to the B cells where a DJ segement forms first and then joins up with a V segment. There is also random insertion, just like in B cells, of nucleotides either side of D segments to create N-nucleotide diversity. Unlike in B cells, there is no somatic hypermutation in T cells after antigen recognition. If this occurs, the TCR will loose its ability to recognise MHC and the peptide it presents. C) ANTIGEN BINDING/RECOGNITION BCR and TCR have similar immunoglobulin antigen recognition receptors but the types of antigens they recognise are very different. BCR can recognise naÃÆ' ¯ve (as a whole) antigens and TCR can only recognise a single antigen peptide sequence presented onto cell surfaces by MHC (Major histocompatibility complex) molecules. The antigens recognised by B cells are naÃÆ' ¯ve and therefore the antibody in BCR mostly recognise discontinuous epitopes on the antigen and antigens recognised by the TCR is in form of linear peptide sequences and therefore they mostly recognise continuous or linear epitopes. Antigen recognition by BCR is very simple where the antibody variable region simply recognises specific epitopes on antigen and bind to it. The BCR can recognise 3 types of antigens, Type 1 thymus independent antigens (where bacterial lipoproteins can bind to mitogenic bypass molecules on B cells surface and this allows non-specific antigen B cell activation), Type 2 thymus independent antigens (appiles to antigens that have well spaced and repetitive polysaccharides that bind to multiple antibodies in BCR and activate the B cell) and Thymus dependent antigens (require helper T cells). Thymus dependent antigens when bind to TCR, instead of causing activation normally cause anergy. Due to this, once the binding has occurred, the whole antigen+TCR comples is endocytosed, the antigen is hydrolysed by enzymes and processed to small linear peptides and then presented onto the B cell surface via MHC2 molecules. Helper T cells then recognise this peptide-MHC complex. B cells have loads of C D40 on their surface that binds to CD40L present on Th helper cells. In response to this Th cells secrete IL-4, 5, 6 that also help activate other costimulatory molecules in the BCR coreceptor complex. All these events provide costimulation of the B cells and it is activated. ÃŽÂ ±ÃƒÅ½Ã‚ ² heterodimer TCRs in comparison can recognise any type of antigen that is processed and presented as a single peptide on MHC1 on target cells and MHC2 on B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (all professional antigen presenting cells). The non-covalent forces that help TCR bind to the peptide-MHC complex are similar to the forces that enable the antibody bond to the antigen i.e. noncovalent. Unlike BCR that only have to recognise epitopes on antigens, the TCR has to both recognise the presence of both MHC molecule and antigen peptide. The TCR VÃŽÂ ± (variable alpha region) overlays ÃŽÂ ±2 helix of MHC1 or ÃŽÂ ²1 helix of MHC2 and the VÃŽÂ ² domain overlays ÃŽÂ ±1 helix in both MHC1/2. The CDR1 and CDR2 bind to ÃŽÂ ± helices of MHC and the CDR3 (which is more variable), binds to the antigen peptide on MHC. This concept is summarised in the picture below: Figure legend: The picture shows how the TCR variable complementarity determining regions (CDR) which are the binding sites interact with peptide-MHC complex. The CDR1 and CDR2 bind to the MHC alpha helices and CFR3 binds to the peptide. The ÃŽÂ ³ÃƒÅ½Ã‚ ´ TCRs are more similar to BCR antibody as they can recognise naÃÆ' ¯ve antigens without the requirement of processed antigen presentation. Another similarity of BCR and ÃŽÂ ³ÃƒÅ½Ã‚ ´ TCRs is that in the antibodies of BCRs, the CDR3 regions on heavy chain are shorter than the CDR3 in heavy chains and also the same in ÃŽÂ ³ÃƒÅ½Ã‚ ´ TCRs is seen where the ÃŽÂ ³ are shorter than the ÃŽÂ ´ CD3. COSTIMULATIONS Both lymphocytes do not get activated (but undergo anergy) once they recognise and bind to an antigen. They require costimulatory signals that will eventually lead to the activation of the lymphocytes. The B cells have BCR co receptor complex consisting of CD19 and CD21 (complement receptor), CD81 and LEU13 (interferon induced transmembrane protein 1). All these molecules are stimulated in presence of interferons and complements that give a costimulatory signal to B cells and activate it when it has recognised an antigen. The precise details of how these costimulatory molecules stimulate B cell signalling are still under investigation. In contrast to the 4 main costimulatory molecules in B cells, the primary costimulatory molecule in T cells is CD28 (figure besides) The binding of peptide-MHC to TCR causes up-regulation of certain molecules (e.g. CD28). T cells, like B cells can be costimulated by either cytokines or costimulatory molecule interactions. APC have surface molecules such as the B7.1 and B7.2 (or the CD80 and CD86) that recognise and bind to a molecule on the surface of the T cells called CD28 found on CD. This interacting provides co stimulation. The CTLA4 molecule is highly expressed after proliferation of the T cells. Once it binds to B7, instead of co stimulating T cells, it turns the T cells off. This is helpful in preventing excessive immune responses. No such regulatory mechanism is seen in B cells. A unique feature of T cells is that they have co receptors (CD4 and CD8) that help recognise the MHC molecules. CD4 molecules act as co receptors for MHC2 and are found on helper T cells and CD8 molecules present on cytotoxic T cells help recognise MHC1 molecules. ACTIVATION OF B AND T CELLS The activation of B and T cells following antigen recognition is somehow similar as it involves the phosphorylation of the ITAMS of accessory proteins. In B cells, antigen binding and co stimulation recruits the BCR+antigen to lipid rafts that brings protein tyrosine kinase Lyn close to the ITAMs of the cytoplasmic tails of the BCR associated proteins. Lyn phosphorylates ITAMs and triggers a signal cascade that results in increase of cytoplasmic calcium levels that activate transcription factors that control the entry of B cells into cell cycle. Eventually activate the B cells which then form plasma cells (that make loads of clones of antibodies to the antigen) and memory cells that will help manage subsequent infections. The initial proliferation of the activated B cell is accompanied by somatic hypermutation of the rearranged antibody variable genes that lead to the production of antibodies that may have poor, moderate or good binding capacity to the antigen. The good binding antib odies will be preferentially selected during clonal selection and they will further undergo proliferation to produce plasma and memory cells. A similar situation also occurs in T cells where there is activation of lipid rafts that bring the zeta chain ITAMS close to Lck (a protein tyrosine kinase) that phosphorylates the ITAMs and therefore create opportunity for other factors to bind to it and eventually cause mobilization of calcium that causes proliferation of T cell into Helper T cells, Regulatory T cells and Cytotoxic T cells.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Social Responsibility of Physicians Regarding Health Care Essay
Social Responsibility of Physicians Regarding Health Care I. Introduction The responsibility of physicians in the United States continues to increase as the country grows and becomes more diverse. Because social structures and religous concepts are so much a part of medicine, physicians must be aware of the responsibilities of social justice and cultural sensitivity. One of the ways that physicians must meet the demands of the increasingly diverse community is to become aware of the need for cultural sensitivity in the treatment of patients. But why is cultural sensitivity important? Cultural sensitivity is important because in order for physicians to respect the autonomy of the patient and to practice not only non-maleficence but beneficence, the physicians must exert energy into becoming culturally aware. II. Cultural Sensitivity in a Health Care Environment a) Mission and Autonomy of Patients Physicians play a crucial role in the service sector of the community, and in light of the Christian physician, the role of server also implies connotations of mission. It is important to state what mission is not, in this context, in order to eleviate any misconceptions. "Mission is not pushing your point down someone's throat. It is not being disrespectful or erasing the culture of the people that you are sent to serve" (Shelly, 3). If the autonomy of the patient is not protected, the trust between physician and patient is affected. So, the question arises: whose responsibility is it to promote cultural awareness? Is it the responsibility of the physician to research and understand the different cultures that are most dominant in the area? Is it the responsibility of the patient to explicitly state their cultural/re... ...social justice and cultural sensitivity) in the context of health care, cost - effective analysis is a large component. It is important for physicians to view cost - effective analysis through the eyes of social responsibility if the voices of people from other cultures and the poor are to be heard. Works Cited Gold, Marthe et al. "Assesing the Health of the Nation." Medical Care. 34 (1996):152. Lambrew, Jeanne M. et al. "The Effects of Having a Regular Doctor on Access to Primary Care." Medical Care 34 (1996): 152. Russell, Louise et al. "The Role of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health and Medicine." Journal of the American Medical Association 276 (1996): 1172-1176. Shelly, Judith Allen. "Mission Impossible." Journal of Christian Nursing 13 (1996):1176. Shenk-Schrock, Carolyn. "Thoughts from a VORP Guru." Conciliation Quarterly 15 (1996): 4-5.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
The Meaning Of An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley :: Papers
The Meaning Of An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley J.B.Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" is a good play that attacks the social problems of its time; it contains all the ingredients of a well-made play. This is because it is very dramatic, and it has the attention of the audience. It gets this by the use of climaxes, the slow plot of a detective with persevering style. Despite this the author is concerned with the darker side of the world. The play is Priestley's attempt to try to say this. Priestley sees the country as not very truthful and neglecting its responsibilities. The members of the Birling family are only concerned with them selves over others. They are responsible for the young woman's' death by treating her different; and show what Priestley is trying to say, and is fighting against. " An Inspector Calls" is a well-made play because it contains many factors that sustain attention of the audience. One of the factors that makes the play captivating is the use of climax, the way it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats all the way through; it is quite slow to gather the plot and then finally has a powerful climax, for example the way the Inspector extracts small pieces of information from the family and slowly puts the picture together and narrows it down to the guilty person as the climax. He misleads the family until they are all contradicting one another. He keeps the audience guessing all the way through the play, and as clues are solved the culprit becomes clearer, but as soon as one thinks he or she knows who it is Priestley cleverly switches to another character. This makes the audience very interested in the action that is happening. The strange appearance of the Inspector when the Birlings are having a celebration party, and Mr Birling is giving a speech on how the modern man should be. The Inspector steps in almost as he was prepared to challenge Mr Birling; this seems to bring up facts about the
Friday, October 11, 2019
Reading in the English Literary Heritage-response to Shakespeare Essay
Write an essay, which focuses on the character of Lady Macbeth as presented in act five, scene one and the scenes leading up to the murder of King Duncan. In act five, scene one the audience sees one of the many facets of Lady Macbeth’s complex character as she is seen to be sleepwalking, while being carefully observed by her waiting gentlewoman and a doctor of physic. Her gentlewoman introduces this deranged behaviour, when she says, â€Å"Lo you, here she comes. This is her guise and, upon my life, fast asleep.†There are many possibilities to be explored that could be found to be the impetus bringing Lady Macbeth to sleepwalk. The first being that in Shakespeare’s time a person found to be sleepwalking meant that evil spirits and demons possessed them. Lady Macbeth played a forceful role in the scheming, leading up to the murder of Duncan and was heavily involved in the event itself. In act two, scene two; exasperated with Macbeth, Lady Macbeth takes the daggers to smear Duncan’s blood on his servants’ faces. The sight of Duncan’s blood has had a profound effect on her and in act five, scene one this becomes apparent when she says in her sleep, †Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him.†In saying this line she is remembering and reflecting on the moment of when she placed the bloody daggers next to the guards. She is thinking about how much Duncan bled. The image of Duncan’s blood on the daggers and on her hands has stuck in her mind and is plaguing her thoughts, so much so that she is desperate to be cleansed. The crime is lying very heavily on her conscience and her heart and she longs to be cleansed of the blood, which is symbolic of her guilt at the deeds she has committed. While in a frantic, frenzy she says, â€Å"Out damned spot! Out, I say!†Whilst delivering this line, Lady Macbeth excessively rubs her hands in a washing motion. Although this is not a stage direction in the play, it is implied by the gentlewoman’s line, â€Å"It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands.†This action of Lady Macbeth suggests that her conscience and imagination are deceiving her causing her to have an illusive image of her hands covered in blood. She is trying to erase herself of the guilt she now feels at murdering Duncan. Although in Act two, scene two Lady Macbeth, says to Macbeth, â€Å"A little water clears us of this deed.†By this she means that with water the blood will wash off and they can forget that the murder ever happened. However, in act five, scene one she is distressed because she can’t get rid of the vision of blood and the feeling of guilt. She says, â€Å"What, will these hands ne’er be clean?†This rhetorical question is almost a statement from Lady Macbeth in a state of desperation questioning whether she will ever be able to be rid of the guilt at what she has done. All throughout this scene Lady Macbeth is in a state of mental turmoil and most of her deepest, most private thoughts and feelings are revealed. Subtly this illustrates how men and women in Shakespeare’s time had vastly different roles. Lady Macbeth has no one to talk to with a head full of anxieties, regrets and confusion. She is isolated and alone. Her thoughts about the murder and how distant Macbeth has become are driving her mad, which is manifested by her sleepwalking. Whereas Macbeth’s fears are displayed in act three, scene four at a banquet, when Macbeth is unnerved at his mind’s illusion of Banquo’s ghost. These feelings of Macbeth are shown at an extremely public event, a banquet surrounded by all his lords and important men in society. However Lady Macbeth’s fears are revealed in the private setting of her bedroom. She has to be much more conservative than Macbeth as it is her role to be publicly stable. Macbeth is permitted to expose his true sentiments, because he is king and furthermore because he is a man. In the time before the murder, Lady Macbeth loved life and she and Macbeth had the perfect partnership. They saw each other as equals and were both ambitious and secure in their relationship and their position in society, although Lady Macbeth was continuously striving for more. Despite all this, after the murder they have drifted apart. They no longer control things together and the emotional distance between them means Lady Macbeth fears what her tyrant husband will do next because she feels she no longer knows him as she once did. Evidence of this can be found in the fragmented language she uses when sleepwalking, that echoes her own and Macbeth’s words about past murders: Duncan, Lady Macduff and Banquo. Her tortured imagination peregrinates over past conversations she has had with Macbeth. At first she ponders on the murder of Duncan, â€Å"One, two. Why then ’tis time to do’t.†Which is referring to what Macbeth says to her in act two scene two, just before he goes to carry out the murder, â€Å"I go and it is done. The bell invites me.†Then she turns her attentions to the murder of Lady Macduff and her children, she says, â€Å"The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?†Following this she relives what she says to Macbeth at the banquet in reassurance to convince him that he can’t see Banquo. â€Å"Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on’s grave.†However, Lady Macbeth continuously goes back to the murder of Duncan, which implies that compared to the other murders she was most affected by it. This is because she was heavily involved so it was when her state of mind and all the different aspects of her life changed suddenly and dramatically. Repeatedly Lady Macbeth restates lines that she said to Macbeth in a desperate attempt to re-establish the connection that she and Macbeth once had. As Macbeth no longer seems to exist for her, she has become extremely isolated and in saying lines such as, â€Å"Come, come, give me your hand.†She is yearning for the security of her own marriage. While sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth carries with her a candle. As suggested in her gentlewoman’s line, â€Å"She has light by her continually, ’tis her command.†Lady Macbeth is frightened of darkness and always needs the security of light around her. This may be because Duncan’s murder was committed at night in darkness and she is frightened of his ghost or of being murdered herself in darkness. However it is a strong contrast to the start of the play, Act 1 Scene 5 where she pleads for darkness, so she and Macbeth can murder Duncan. â€Å"Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it make.†It is also a contrast of the personality and state of mind of Lady Macbeth; at the beginning of the play she is a strong, confident, motivated and ambitious woman and the driving force behind Macbeth. However as the play develops she becomes less assertive, and more unsettled. Lady Macbeth thought that once the murder of Duncan was accomplished and completed, it would be finished and she and Macbeth would become successful rulers of Scotland. She reflects on this thought in act five, scene one, by saying, â€Å"Who knows it, when none can call our power to account?†Nevertheless only one part of this dream of the future has come to life and that is that she and Macbeth are rulers of Scotland. Duncan’s murder was far from the end of that series of events for Lady Macbeth; instead it has provoked lots and changed everything. The sleepwalking portrays this and shows that she is unsettled, maybe because of her unfulfilled dreams. The audience is shown another feature of Lady Macbeth’s character in act five, scene one. Her sentiments are expressed with a simplistic use of language, with the use of prose as opposed to verse. For example, â€Å"Here’s the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O.†This uncovers what Lady Macbeth is truly feeling in her heart and head. Her human emotions are also demonstrated about her regret at the amount of bloodshed, and the audience sees her as not just a manipulator but as scared, vulnerable and confused woman. Her gentlewoman says in sympathy for her, â€Å"I would not have such as heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body.†The presence of the doctor and the waiting gentlewoman add to the effectiveness of this scene by the way they react to what Lady Macbeth is doing and saying. When the doctor realises what Lady Macbeth is reliving and saying about the murders he is unsure, horrified and can’t make sense of it. Whereas the waiting gentlewoman already knew about the murders from Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking in the past and she knows she could be in serious trouble if the doctor tells anyone what he has discovered. She says to the doctor, â€Å"Neither to you, nor anyone, having no witness to confirm my speech.†However the doctor and the waiting gentlewoman are both innocent onlookers on the situation and have mixed emotions. Whereas they are both horrified at what they hear, they can’t make sense of it and feel pity for Lady Macbeth and how troubled she is. The doctor says, â€Å"My mind she has mated and amazed my sight.†And, â€Å"The heart is sorely charged.†This all adds to the effectiveness of the scene because it shows a normal person’s reaction to what has happened to Lady Macbeth, which also shows a contrast to the audience between her uneasy and almost insane character and that of a sane, rational person. This enhances Lady Macbeth’s character for the audience. Further more when the doctor says, â€Å"This disease is beyond my practice. More needs she the divine than the physician.†There is a feeling of sadness and sympathy from him. This provokes the same feelings from the audience. In the first half of the play the audience saw Lady Macbeth as a strong, female character, (relative to Shakespeare’s times) and now they see that she has a tyrant of a husband, who has no conscience and she is bearing all the guilt of their actions for both of them. I believe that Shakespeare wanted to affect the audience in this scene and make them have some sympathy for Lady Macbeth. The dramatic function of the presence of the doctor and waiting gentlewoman in this scene is to narrate to the audience the scenes events and explain to them what is happening. The doctor gives detailed descriptions of what is happening, for example, â€Å"Look how she rubs her hands.†It is then the waiting gentlewoman who commentates further and emphasizes the events, and also adding some further information, beyond the scene, such as, â€Å"It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands; I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.†This gives the audience additional information about the events, which increases the effect of the scene because it is delving into the reasons of Lady Macbeth’s increasing uneasiness. One could consider that Shakespeare’s dramatic purpose of placing this scene at this point in the play is to show the transformation and variation in Lady Macbeth’s character. Prior to this scene in the play the audience sees Lady Macbeth as a strong, ambitious, female. Throughout act five, scene one Shakespeare reminds the audience of the past events leading up to the murder of Duncan and how Lady Macbeth has come to be so disrupted, unsettled and disturbed. The scene summarizes previous events, while also depicting Lady Macbeth’s state of mind to the audience and showing the transformation of her character. Act five, scene one’s dramatic purpose is to be in a position to be able to be a conclusive scene of the beginning of the plays events, before moving on to the downfall of Macbeth. The opening scene of the play grabs the audience’s attention as three witches appear on stage. The witches would have scared an audience in Shakespeare’s times because they was a strong belief in superstition but nowadays it takes a lot more to scare an audience. In act one, scene one; briefly the witches arrange a meeting with Macbeth on a heath. â€Å"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?†To which the reply is, â€Å"Upon the heath. There to meet with Macbeth.†In act one, scene two Macbeth is instantly introduced as a heroic, strong character by the Captain of a battle, in which Macbeth defeats the rebel enemy Macdonald, personally killing him against the odds. â€Å"For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution.†Reflecting on this King Duncan sentences a traitor, the Thane of Cawdor and awards this title to Macbeth. â€Å"No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive. Go pronounce his present death and with his former title greet Macbeth. What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.†The witches are re-introduced to the audience in act one, scene three, this time on the heath in foul weather, which serves to increase the dramatic effect. They are waiting for Macbeth to come. The witches are evil women, who plan to use their power. As they wait for Macbeth they plot to torment a sea captain whose wife has tormented them, by describing terrible things, which makes the start of the scene quite violently disturbing, with a threatening atmosphere. Macbeth’s arrival is signalled by a drum, â€Å"A drum, a drum; Macbeth doth come.†Says the third witch. As Macbeth enters for the first time in the play, with fellow warrior Banquo, his initial words are, â€Å"So foul and fair a day I have not seen.†Immediately this establishes a connection between Macbeth and the witches, as their lines in the opening scene were, â€Å"Fair is foul, and foul is fair.†Also the witches are called the weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters, and in Anglo-Saxon mythology, weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters were the goddesses of destiny who predicted the future. When Macbeth and Banquo enter they are puzzled as to what these beings are with such a revolting appearance, Banquo describes them, â€Å"So withered and so wild in their attire, that look not like th’inhabitants o’th’earth. Each at once her choppy finger laying upon her skinny lips; you should be women and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so.†What happens next is very significant for the rest of the play. The witches’ prophecy about Macbeth and his future and then at his request, Banquo, †All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. Thane of Cawdor. That shalt be king hereafter.†They predict that Macbeth will have these titles and that Banquo’s descendants will be kings, but he himself will not. â€Å"Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.†Then refusing to answer Macbeth’s questions the witches vanish in front of Macbeth and Banquo, leaving them shocked, bewildered and discombobulated. The witches come to Macbeth at exactly the right moment and place to shock him. He is fresh from the killings at the battle and his raw ambition is hungry for greater things. The witches introduce these things to him by speaking his innermost thoughts and tempting him with his own aspirations and predilections. Macbeth and Banquo are both left to reflect on what the witches have just said to them and to try to make some sense of it when Ross enters, telling Macbeth of his new title, Thane of Cawdor, â€Å"He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor: In which addition, hail most worthy thane, for it is thine.†This shocks Macbeth, as he says, almost accusingly, â€Å"Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?†Then, later in the scene three, Macbeth exposes his initial thoughts in an aside to the audience about the witches’ prophecy and how there moral implications have affected him. Macbeth’s mind is in turmoil, as he battles with his conscience and his desires over how he should behave in response to the witches’ prophecy. He is disturbed and horrified at the thought of killing Duncan, as they have great respect for each other, but he desperately wants to become king, that is his deepest ambition and desire, â€Å"Why do I yield to that suggestion, whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature?†However he resolves with himself to accept the future and the changes it will bring, â€Å"If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir.†Whereas Banquo uses the imagery of clothes to elucidate Macbeth’s, â€Å"rapt†. He says, â€Å"New honours come upon him like our strange garments, cleave no to their mould, but with the aid of use.†During act one, scene four, Duncan reveals and announces that his own son, Malcolm is to be heir to the throne. This irritates and appalls Macbeth; if Duncan had not named Malcolm as his heir, the thanes would have elected the next king after Duncan’s death, and as Macbeth is a honoured warrior, there was a possibility he would have been elected. The audience sees another facet to Macbeth’s character when in an aside he says about his annoyance, â€Å"That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires, let not see my black and deep desires, the eye wink at the hand.†These lines really seal Macbeth’s evil intentions and it is maybe what makes him decide, definitely that he will be king, whatever the consequences are for others and him. When the audience first sees Lady Macbeth in act one, scene five, she is reading Macbeth’s letter in which his meeting with the witches is described to her, â€Å"They met me in the day of success, and I have learned by the perfectest report they have more in them than mortal knowledge.†In reading the letter further, Lady Macbeth learns of the witches’ prophecy and that the first, that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor has been fulfilled almost right away. Previously Macbeth has demonstrated his disgust at the thought of the murder of Duncan and the consequence and repercussions it would have. After reading the letter Lady Macbeth reinforces these emotions and thoughts by saying in her first soliloquy, â€Å"Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised.†Lady Macbeth knows her husband is ambitious and passionate about his dreams of kingship, but she also knows and feels that he is too fair and conscientious about what is wrong and what is right. She says, â€Å"I do fear thy nature it is too full o’th’milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.†We know Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are great partners, who share everything, and know each other inside- out, and this is confirmed in Macbeth’s letter when he refers to her as, â€Å"My dearest partner of greatness.†However, taking this into account Lady Macbeth realises that to become queen of Scotland and to realise her own and Macbeth’s dreams she will have do or sacrifice anything to get this. She says, â€Å"What thou wouldst highly, that wouldst holily; wouldst not play false, and yet wouldst wrongly win.†Saying this it appears as though Lady Macbeth’s naked ambition is almost stronger than her husbands. She seems to disregard morals in order to get what she wants and has unbelievably strong willpower and determination. Once she has decided Macbeth will be king, then she starts to introduce supernatural forces and the idea of inviting in evil spirits to help her succeed. â€Å"That I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valour of my tongue.†It is when Lady Macbeth is told of Duncan’s plans to visit the castle that her ambition and wickedness bloom and become very apparent. She knows that this is her chance to seize the moment and facilitate Macbeth’s future role as king of Scotland. In her second soliloquy she summons up her evil spirits in the form of magic to assist her with her murderous plans for Duncan. She refers to a raven, which is a bird, seen as an evil omen and then she says, â€Å"Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe top full of direst cruelty; make thick my blood, stop up th’access and passage to remorse.†In saying this, it is clear that she no longer just wants to be an ambitious and dominant woman, her desire is to become evil personified, pitiless and with no sense of morals. She says, â€Å"Come to my woman’s breasts and take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers.†She is saying that she wants her breasts to be full of poison, rather than â€Å"the milk of human kindness.†Which is what she described Macbeth as having. Lady Macbeth closes her speech with triumph, summoning night, death and hell. She pleads for a disguise for the crime that she and Macbeth will commit. â€Å"Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark.†Lady Macbeth almost seems to have changed from an ambitious, forceful woman into an evil woman, harbouring evil spirits and thoughts. However in reality she is still a mortal woman, whose actions will cause her to suffer great consequence and remorse. As Macbeth enters, Lady Macbeth greeting echoes that of the witches. â€Å"Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter.†This suggests that she now has formed a connection with the dark side and that evil spirits really are deeply entwined in her thoughts and actions. The instant she starts a conversation with Macbeth, she makes it clear what is going to happen to Duncan that night, â€Å"O never shall sun that morrow see.†She is implying in her words that after that night Duncan will never see sunlight again, because he will be dead. Lady Macbeth instructs Macbeth to, â€Å"Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.†She makes an analogy, in which she compares Macbeth to be a serpent, which is biblically an evil creature. Then she takes control of the situation and Macbeth with a strong sense of purpose and character that is ruthless, â€Å"To alter favour ever is to fear. Leave all the rest to me.†When Duncan arrives at the castle in scene six Lady Macbeth confidently leads him inside and to his death with a sense of triumph. â€Å"Your servants ever have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs in count to make audit at your highness’ pleasure, still to return to your own.†However during this time, leading up to the murder Lady Macbeth continuously has to reinforce her plans, courage and strong will onto Macbeth, who shows reluctance in accepting it. At the start of scene seven, Macbeth is seen to be agonising relentlessly with his conscience over killing Duncan and the consequences it will incur. He wrestles with his conscience, saying, â€Å"If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.†Then he has a change of heart saying, â€Å"He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the k nife myself.†This private reasoning continues until, finally Lady Macbeth appears and puts a stop to it. At first Macbeth refuses to do the murder, saying, â€Å"We will proceed no further in this business.†However his efforts are wasted on her as she turns angrily on him and we see her become a manipulating, strong willed woman again. Immediately she turns things around on Macbeth and simply points out that he implied that the murder was the only thing to do. â€Å"Was the hoe drunk? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now to look so green and pale at what it did so freely? From this time, such I account thy love.†She also says that if he is taking back all the things he said, she will assume that that is true about how strongly he loves her. This would hurt Macbeth and also come as quite a surprise as they have such an intense and loving relationship. Then more effectively she torments Macbeth about his masculinity by calling him a coward. â€Å"Live a coward in thine own esteem.†She knows Macbeth well enough to know that will upset him because he is publicly known as a heroic warrior, however it doesn’t get the reaction she wants as he points out to her that he is merely a man. I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none.†Furthermore Lady Macbeth makes the ultimate taunt to persuade her husband to kill Duncan by saying she would kill their child. â€Å"I have given suck and know how tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I sworn as you have done this.†In saying this Lady Macbeth is playing her womanliness against Macbeth’s manliness by saying she would make the ultimate sacrifice to keep the promise he has made. She makes the point that she once was a mother, and she could remember the overwhelming love she felt for her child, but she would have given it all up to make Macbeth king. Lady Macbeth is also clever in realising she needs to use violent, disturbing, grotesque imagery for Macbeth as a shock tactic to convince him to murder Duncan, as this night is their perfect opportunity. At this point Macbeth offers no resistance to his wife’s strength and force over him, as he knows he will not overcome her determination and extreme assertiveness, â€Å"Bring forth men-children only, for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males.†He only questions what should happen if they were to fail, which she replies in an extremely optimistic, self assured and almost over confident manner, â€Å"Who dares receive it other, as we shall make our griefs and clamour roar upon his death!†The plan for the murder is organised and in act one, scene seven Macbeth leaves to complete it saying, almost wearily and sadly, â€Å"I go and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is knell that summons thee to heaven or hell.†In act two, scene two, exhilarated by alcohol and anticipation Lady Macbeth awaits her husband to confirm that the murder is done. â€Å"That which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold; what hath quenched them, hath given me fire.†She has drugged Duncan’s bodyguards, but is afraid that Macbeth may have been too cowardly to carry out the murder. â€Å"I have drugged their possets, that death and nature do contend about them, whether they live, or die.†It is then, when Lady Macbeth reveals her single weakness up until this point, which is why she couldn’t or wouldn’t murder Duncan herself, â€Å"Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t.†This is another facet of her character shown, as we start to see her humane side exposed and vulnerable. Following this Macbeth returns to Lady Macbeth to say he has completed the murder in a terrible state of remorse and fear of what will punish him of the crime he has just committed. â€Å"Wherefore I could not pronounce ‘Amen’? I had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’ stuck in my throat.†He is obsessively panicky because he cannot say ‘Amen’. It is then, that Lady Macbeth regains control of the situation and transforms into an iron willed woman again in order to hold Macbeth together. She says to him in an ironic and impatient manner, dismissing his hallucinations of a voice crying he had murdered sleep, â€Å"These deeds must not be thought after these ways; so, it will make us mad.†It is then when she sees that Macbeth has brought the bloody daggers back from the scene of the murder that she implicates herself and gets further involved with the murder; Macbeth refuses to return the daggers so she says, â€Å"Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures; ’tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt.†From this point onwards Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s relationship starts to change as they drift apart emotionally and physically. Their personas are dramatically reversed as Lady Macbeth who was once an iron willed, passionate, ambitious woman becomes extremely deranged and depressed. Her character develops and changes throughout the play as she is transformed from an ambitious, powerful woman to someone is full of regret and with a heart full of foreboding, which lies very heavily on her conscience. Paradoxically, Macbeth’s characteristics, his strong sense of morals and fairplay and a clear conscience are replaced with a tyrant personality and where little or no remorse at the taking of other people’s lives.
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