Superheroes in Watchmen - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 805 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/08/02 Category Culture Essay Level High school Tags: Superhero Essay Did you like this example? Within much of the traditional superhero genre, there is often a depiction of someone who is strong, and powerful and fights against evil to protect those they care about from injustices. Superman is one of the most iconic superheroes not only because of his super abilities but the way he uses those abilities to always fight for good. Superman has become a model of what superheroes should be because of how he is commonly being depicted, as a brave and kind-hearted hero with a strong sense of justice, and morality. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Superheroes in Watchmen" essay for you Create order In Alan Moores Watchmen we see these traditional superhero values in a different light. The novel takes place in an alternate reality where superheroes exist within the United States during the cold war when the threat of nuclear annihilation was closer than ever. The novel introduces us to six different heroes; The Comedian (Edward Blake), Dr. Manhattan (Jon Osterman), Rorschach (Walter Kovacs), Nite Owl (Daniel Dreidberg), Ozymandias (Adrian Veidt), and Silk Spectre (Laurel Jane). The novel is written through the narrative of these heroes, which makes them seem more like ordinary people that deal with problems just like the rest of us. The superheroes that exist in the world of Watchmen, exist at the mercy of contingent factors, which limit their actions . . .The superhero in Watchmen has become just another facet of society (Reynolds 10809). The way these superheroes are portrayed gives the reader a different perspective of what superheroes would actually be like during this time. The novel Watchmen shows us how the very existence of superheroes can be considered problematic and even dangerous to society. During the Cold War an atmosphere of fear enveloped many people who became convinced that nuclear war is immanent. With tensions higher than ever we are introduced to a superhero with a power greater than that of a nuclear bomb, Dr. Manhattan. Nuclear Security is often being referenced throughout the novel which makes the idea the nuclear war highly likely. Being the almighty deterrent that Dr. Manhattan has become, the novel makes it seem that he alone can prevent nuclear war; I think well give it a week, gentlemen, before bringing out our big guns   after that, humanity is in the hands of a higher authority than mine. Lets just hope hes on our side (Moore, 104). Richard Nixon discussing nuclear security and referring to Dr. Manhattan. The existence of such a powerful being causes a dangerous situation because we see the faith of humanity being put in the hands of Dr. Manhattan who is deemed a god and can easily prevent the launching of nuclear missiles, however, Watchmen asks an interesting question when putting faith in the hands of someone with the abilities like Dr. Manhattans; why would someone with such power even care about what happens to people on earth? As we see later in the novel, Dr. Manhattan becomes essentially bored with living among human beings: I am tired of this world; these people. I am tired of being caught in the tangle of their lives (Moore, 135). Putting the faith of humanity into the hands of a nihilistic Superman Traditional superhero stories lead many readers to believe that the heroes who have power are good guys and deserve that power, although in Watchmen we see that this isnt necessarily always the case. The Comedian or Edward Blake is one of the main heroes of the novel in which his murder in the beginning causes the rest of the retired heroes to come into contact with each other again. The heroes of Watchmen all begin to reveal the different sides of the Comedians personality during his funeral. As it is soon revealed the Comedian is ruthless, cynical and nihilistic, but is still considered a hero because of his involvement in the Vietnam War (Reynolds, 106). After the Keene Act was passed which made vigilantism illegal, the Comedian was exempt because of his work with the government. Rorschach or Walter Kovacs is one of the novels main characters who seems to be someone you want to see urge on, beating up bad guys, and finding out the truth, makes him seem like a real life detective who fights for justice. However, we see later in the novel that he becomes cynical and nihilistic after discovering that a young girl that was kidnapped was killed and fed to dogs, This rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces, it is not god who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. Its us. Only us. (Moore, 204). This event caused him to become more cynical in his detective work as well, Rorschach becomes obsessed with trying to find the truth which leads him to break into homes, interrogate those people, and take personal revenge on men who he deemed guilty by killing them.

A Rose For Emily And Gothic Literature - 1212 Words

Have you ever read a story filled with horror, death, and a little romance? In literature, stories with these characteristics are classified as gothic literature. For example A Rose For Emily by Emily Faulkner is Southern gothic literature as the setting is specific to the south while The Cast of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe is gothic literature. In A Rose for Emily, Emily and the community are stuck in the old ways of the South as they attempt to avoid the inevitable changes happening around them. In the end, Emily dies and the community is shocked to find her lovers body laying in her room. On the other hand, The Cast of Amontillado focuses on the protagonist revenge plot and death of the antagonist. An analysis of Poe s and†¦show more content†¦Emily s house represents old southern ideas because it sits on an plantation which as her family were once prominet slave owners. Although both stories involve creepy old structures, the setting in Faulkner s story is specific to the South. Additionally, the death and decay of a character represents the instability of the protagonist while creating suspense. In A Rose for Emily, Emily experienced death twice as her father dies of unstated causes and she kills her lover, Homer Barron. The death of Homer Barron creates suspense as the last sighting of Homer is going inside Emily s but is never seen or heard from again. In the end, the townspeople go in Emily s room after her funeral and find Homer s decaying body laying in her bed. Moreover, a long piece of gray hair and indention in a pillow is found on an pillow laying next to Homer. Thus, Emily was sleeping next to his rotting body every night until her own death. Moreover, decay is representative of Emily s life from an well respected figure in her community to a drown woman with an bloated pale figure left to long in the water (Faulkner ). Faulkner, illustrates how Emily was once of high status but now times in the old South have shifted causing her heal th to decline. Emily s reluctancy to part ways with the old south causes her to become alone and isolated for the majority of her life. Hence, the reason she unmarried as her father drove awayShow MoreRelatedGothic Literature: A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner1267 Words   |  6 Pages William Faulkner’s story â€Å"A Rose for Emily† is an example of gothic literature. Faulkner shows sadness for the love that is not returned and a drive that Emily uses to get what she wishes for. He has a gloomy and mysterious tone. One of the themes of the story is that people should let go of their past, move on with the present so that they can focus on welcoming their future. Emily was the evidence of a person who always lived in the shadow of her past, because she was afraid of changing forRead MoreGothic Literature: A Rose For Emily, The Tell Tale Heart, and Daddy976 Words   |  4 PagesIn William Faulkner’s, â€Å"A Rose for Emily, Edgar Allan Poe’s †Å"The Tell Tale Heart,† and Sylvia Plath’s â€Å"Daddy†, are endowed with many features that contribute to their gothic form and success. Faulkner’s,† A Rose for Emily† is characterized by a powerful imagery, plot and setting which are interwoven to create a gothic feeling. The story unfolds in Jefferson, the living fragments of a land that is plagued with civil war. Among the remains of Jefferson is Emily’s house which appears to be the summaryRead MoreA Rose for Emily and the Feather Pillow1375 Words   |  6 PagesDamian Oronoz Mr. Lpez English 11 17 May 2010 A Rose for Emily The Fetter Pillow Essay Hocus pocus in a dark castle, black cats over the graveyards, and two men writing gothic literature. Characteristics of gothic literature include ruined sinister buildings, dungeons, underground passages, crypts, and catacombs which in modern houses become spooky basements or attics. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner and â€Å"The Feather Pillow† by Horacio Quiroga, the authors use spooky setting,Read MoreUses of the Conventions of the Gothic Story in The Yellow Wallpaper and A Rose for Emily1467 Words   |  6 Pages In the eighteenth century, Gothic story was an extremely popular form of literature, and it has been a major genre since then. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner are both Gothic horror stories consisting madness and suspense. The Gothic horror story carries particular conventions in its setting, theme, point of view, and characterisation. Both Gilman and Faulkner follow the conventions o f the Gothic horror story to create feelings of gloomRead MoreAmerican Gothic Compare and Contrast Essay 930 Words   |  4 Pagesof when you hear the words American Gothic? If you thought of death, heartbreak, loneliness, then you are correct. The writing period of American Gothic was one that people decided to write about the other side of the happy endings. the heart breaks and the funerals and the thought of being lonely forever. They tell you about the reality of things and what the truth is, how things really happened and it doesn’t sugar coat anything. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily† Emily becomes a sad and depressed person whoRead MoreA Rose for Emily731 Words   |  3 Pagesthe Gothic elements of â€Å"A Rose for Emily† Gothic can be defined as â€Å"literature dealing with the strange, mysterious, and supernatural designed to invoke suspense and terror in the reader.† (Pickering, 2004, p. 1425) Gothic literature generally presents the same themes and motifs: love lost, hidden secrets, love and death hand in hand, beauty, youth, grotesque characters, macabre eroticism, etc. Gothic literature also explores taboo subjects such as murder, suicide and incest. â€Å"A Rose forRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Southern Gothic 1566 Words   |  7 PagesEnglish 1102 17 April 2016 Southern Gothic Literature In the 19th century, the Southern Gothic genre quickly became popular after Edgar Allen Poe poems in the 18th century. Most writings were formed around the Civil War era, which plays an enormous part in the tone and setting in Southern Gothic writing styles. (O’Connell 63) Southern Gothic writing elements consist of â€Å"horror, romance and psychological and domestic dramas† (63). The setting of Southern Gothic was always dingy and dark which explainsRead MoreCharacteristics Of Southern Gothic Literature1694 Words   |  7 PagesJordan Cole English 1102 Professor Myszkowski 1 December 2017 Southern Gothic Literature Throughout the course of history, literature has gone through considerable changes. Dating back to its humble beginnings in folklore, fables, and storytelling all the way up to the scientific books and dramatic novels of today. Literature is arguably the centerpiece of all mankind. It is useful for record keeping, education, and bringing cultures and societies together. It has allowed us to expand our mindsRead MoreGothic Literature : The Southern Gothic Fiction1476 Words   |  6 Pagesmorbidly dark and eccentric characters combined with southern charm and the ever-present gender divide to tell stories that represent a writing style known as southern gothic literature. â€Å"Southern Gothic is a subgenre of Gothic fiction unique to American literature that takes place exclusively in the American South. Elements of a Gothic treatment of the South were apparent in the 19th century, ante- and post-bellum, in the grotesques of Henry Clay Lewis and the de-idealized visions of Mark Twa in.[3]Read MoreA Rose for Emily by William Faulkner Essay1064 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"A Rose for Emily† opens with a line that immediately tells the audience that the main character, Emily Grierson, lived a life that was on display; â€Å"When Emily Grierson died, our whole town went to her funeral† (Faulkner 119). The voyeurism that is evident throughout the story, following the life of the main character through the perspective of her watchful community, is introduced by the very first line. In Donaldson’s essay, she explains that many classic southern gothic tales â€Å"bring attention

Motivation Evaluation Free Essays

Motivation can help and hinder the choices an individual makes, sometimes simultaneously. People act and behave various ways and some people may never be understood or why may never be pinpointed. However, every action or behavior is an impulse of an experience or the potential of that individual. We will write a custom essay sample on Motivation Evaluation or any similar topic only for you Order Now Whether it is to achieve a goal, better themselves, or gain success people will act or behave certain ways through their specific form of motivation. Miley Cyrus’s actions evaluated Most people that surf the Internet, watch MTV, or music television, have witnessed or seen the controversy over Miley Cyrus’s latest performance on MTV’s Music Video Awards (The Huffington Post, 2013). There were many controversies over her lyrics, clothing, and actions that pertained to her overall behavior during the performance (The Huffington Post). From her clothing of the bare essentials to her obscene gestures, she was obviously motivated by one thing or another. The psychoanalytic view Assuming Miley was motivated by the psychoanalytic view of motivation, would suggest her decision to behave that way was of little or no control of her own (John Wiley Sons Inc. , 2009). It would also suggest her actions were driven by either her unconscious instincts of life and sexuality or her unconscious instincts of death and aggression (John Wiley Sons Inc.). More specifically her unconscious need of an outlet for aggression or her unconscious need for sexual satisfaction (John Wiley Sons Inc. ). For example: Miley behaved that way because she was upset about losing a boyfriend, and unconsciously let out her aggression through dancing seductively on another man (The Huffington Post, 2013). The humanistic view Assuming Miley was motivated by the humanistic view of motivation, would suggest her decision to behave that way could be because of a specific need, such as self-actualization or achievement that she consciously needed to fulfill (John Wiley Sons Inc. , 2009). It would also suggest she was driven by her goals of fulfilling her full personal potential (John Wiley Sons Inc. , 2009). (John Wiley Sons Inc. ). For example: Miley was tired of her well-known Disney roles in entertainment that subdued her true self, therefore her behavior was an attempt to move toward her new goals of achievement and self-actualization. The diversity view Assuming Miley was motivated by the diversity view of motivation, would suggest her decision to behave that way could be because of her individual goals and personal incentives (John Wiley Sons Inc. , 2009). It would also suggest she behaved that particular way to fulfill a psychogenic need, or combination of the various needs simultaneously to fulfill her personal goal (John Wiley Sons Inc. ). For example: Her behavior was an attempt to fulfill her needs of achievement to increase self-regard, affiliation of being an adult instead of a child, and sentience to enjoy sensuous impressions (John Wiley Sons Inc. ). To better explain: The diversity view of motivation by Henry Murray is the theory of needs. This theory states human lives have to be understood in the context of time, because people live in response to the past and their anticipation of the future (John Wiley and Sons Inc. , 2009). Therefore, people organize their lives and bind their time through direct and select forces that resides within the person and their environment (John Wiley Sons Inc. ). The direct forces are needs, specifically physiological (viscerogenic) needs and psychogenic needs (John Wiley Sons Inc. , 2009). The physiological needs are basic human needs, such as air, sleep, and water (John Wiley Sons Inc. ). The psychogenic needs are categorized into 20 basic needs, such as dominance, sex, order, and 17 others (John Wiley Sons Inc.). According to Henry Murray (John Wiley Sons Inc. ), human behavior is organized by a single need or a combination of needs simultaneously, to fulfill a personal goal (John Wiley Sons Inc. ). However, â€Å"The full dynamics of human behavior are revealed in the interaction of needs and press, producing a thema (John Wiley Sons Inc. , 2009, p. 281). Therefore, when a need is built up overtime, it causes tension, which is released through thoughts and behavior by the individual (John Wiley Sons Inc. ). Conclusion There is a purpose behind every person’s behavior, whether it follows the psychoanalytic, humanistic, or diversity view of motivation, it can be analyzed or evaluated through certain processes and theories to see the purpose (John Wiley Sons Inc. , 2009). One thing stands to be true, all people are unique, but behave similarly and differently for various reasons. Whether it is to achieve a goal, better themselves, or gain success people will act or behave certain ways through their specific form of motivation. How to cite Motivation Evaluation, Papers

Osmometric Thirst free essay sample

Thirst  is the craving for liquids, resulting in the basic  instinct  of humans or animals to  drink. It is an essential mechanism involved in  fluid balance. It arises from a lack of fluids and/or an increase in the concentration of certain osmolites  such as  salt. If the water volume of the body falls below a certain threshold, or the osmolite concentration becomes too high, the  brain  signals thirst. Continuous  dehydration  can cause a myriad of problems, but is most often associated with neurological problems such as seizures, and renal problems. Excessive thirst, known as  polydipsia, along with excessive urination, known as  polyuria, may be an indication ofdiabetes. Thirst produced by an increase in the osmotic pressure of the interstitial fluid relative to the intracellular fluid thus producing cellular dehydration fluid, Intracellular fluid, fluid contained within cells. Osmometric thirst occurs when the osmotic balance between the amount of water in the cells amp; the water outside the cells becomes disturbed means when the concentration of salts in the interstitial fluid is greater than that inside the cells, resulting in the movement of intracellular water outside of the cell by osmosis. This is what happens when we eat salty pretzels. The Na is absorbed into the blood plasma, which disrupts the osmotic balance between the blood plasma amp; the interstitial fluid. This draws water out of the interstitial fluid and into the plasma, now upsetting the balance between the cells and the interstitial fluid. The result is water leaving the cells to restore the balance. The disruption in the interstitial solution is recognized by neurons called osmoreceptors. These osmoreceptors are located in the region of the anterior hypothalamus. These osmoreceptors send a signal that causes us to drink more water, in order to restore the osmotic balance between the cells and surrounding fluid. In the case of pretzel eating, if we do not drink more water, eventually the excess Na is simply excreted by the kidneys. The body must have water to excrete in order to rid itself of nitrogenous wastes, so the reduction in water excretion causes fluid-seeking behavior. OSMOMETRIC THIRST  is stimulated by cellular dehydration. It occurs when the tonicity of the interstitial fluid increases, which draws water out of the cells (think of water seeking to be balanced), cells then shrink in volume. The word osmosis means movement of water, through semi permeable membrane, from low solute concentration to high solute concentration. There are receptors and other systems in the body that detect a decreased volume or an increased osmolite concentration. They signal to the  central nervous system, where central processing succeeds. There are some RECEPTORS FOR OSMOMETRIC THIRST (already in the central nervous system more specifically in hypothalamus notably in two circumventrivular organs that lack an effective brain-barrier the organumvasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) and the  subfornical organ  (SFO). However, although located in the same parts of the brain, these osmoreceptors that evoke thirst are distinct from the neighboring osmoreceptors in the OVLT and SFO that evoke arginine vasopressin  release to decrease  fluid output. In addition, there are  visceral osmoreceptors. These project to the  area postrema and  nucleus tractussolitarius  in the brain), the neurons that respond to changes in the solute concentration of the interstitial fluid start firing when water is drawn out of them due to hyper tonicity; most likely located in the anteroventral tip of the third ventricle (AV3V); if activated, they send signals to neurons that control rate of vasopressin secretion So, the question will be raised such as do we want more or less vasopressin? We want more vasopressin; remember high levels of vasopressin cause kidneys to retain water, sweating causes loss of water through skin, which increases tonicity of interstitial fluid, which then draws water out of the capillaries and cells. We can lose water only from the cells, but not intravascular, by eating a salty meal in which salt is absorbed from the digestive tract into the blood, this makes the blood hypertonic (high concentration of salt), this draws water into the cell from the interstitial fluid, the loss of water from the interstitial fluid makes  it  hypertonic, now water is drawn out of the cells, as blood plasma increases in volume, kidneys excrete more water and sodium, eventually, excess sodium is excreted, along with the water that was taken from the interstitial fluid and intercellular fluid, this results in an overall loss of water from the cells, however, blood plasma volume never decreased. The damage to AV3V area can cause diabetes and lack of thirst (excessive urination, so must force self to drink) subfornical organ  (SFO) circumventricular organ whose AII receptors are the site where angiotensin acts to produce thirst; it has few neural inputs, as its job is to sense the presence of a hormone in the blood; it has many  outputs  to various parts of the brain:   endocrine   SFO axons project to neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei that are responsible for production and secretion of the posterior pituitary hormone vasopressin   Autonomic   axons project to cells of the paraventricular nucleus and other parts of the hypothalamus, which the send axons to brain stem nuclei which control the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system; this system controls angiontensin’s effect on blood pressure. behavioral   axons sent to  median preoptic nucleus, an area which controls drinking and secretion of vasopressin median preoptic nuc leus   receives information from: 1. OVLT regarding osmoreceptors 2. SFO regarding angiotensin. Baroreceptors via the nucleus of the solitary tract Lateral Hypothalamus and Zona Incerta esions of the hypothalamus disrupt osmometric and volumetric thirst, but not meal-associated drinking lesions of the zona incerta disrupt hormonal stimulus for volumetric thirst, but not the neural ones that originate in the atrial baroreceptors zona incerta sends axons to brain structures involved in movement influences drinking behavior Central processing The  area postrema  and  nucleus tractussolitarius  signal, by  5-HT, to  lateral parabrachial nucleus, which in turn signal to median preoptic nucleus. In addition, the area postrema and nucleus tractussolitarius also signal directly to subfornical organ. Thus, the median preoptic nucleus and subfornical organ receive signals of both decreased volume and increased osmolite concentration. They signal to higher integrative centers, where ultimately the conscious craving arises. However, the true  neuroscience  of this consciou s craving is not fully clear. In addition to thirst, the  organumvasculosum of the lamina terminalis  and the  subfornical organ  contribute to  fluid balance  by  vasopressin  release. Studies done†¦. Some research and study presents a theoretical model for osmotic (cellular dehydration) thirst, and evaluates several of the implications of the model. Ss were 11 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The model for osmotic thirst asserts that when a load consisting of n millimols of effective osmotic solute dissolved in v ml. of water is introduced into the extracellular compartment, the S will drink a volume of water, D (in ml. ), which is proportional to the volume of water, Diso (in ml. ), required to dilute the hypertonic load to isotonicity (ALPHA). Thus, D = k (Diso) = k-n/a-v=, where k is the constant of proportionately representing the contribution of the kidney to osmotic regulation. The experimental data show that under conditions of osmotic thirst this model accurately predicts the rats drinking behavior. Osmoregulatory thirst associated with deficits of intracellular fluid volume. Small increases of 1–2% in the effective osmotic pressure of plasma result in stimulation of thirst in mammals. It has been shown in both human subjects and other mammals that when the plasma osmolality (usually in the range of 280–295 mosmol/kgH2O) is increased experimentally as a result of increasing the concentration of solutes such as NaCl or sucrose that do not readily pass across cell membranes, thirst is stimulated. By contrast, increasing plasma osmolality by systemic infusion of concentrated solutes such as urea or  D-glucose that more readily cross nerve cell membranes is relatively ineffective at stimulating thirst (8,12,  18). In the former case, a transmembrane osmotic gradient is established and cellular dehydration results from movement of water out of cells by osmosis. Cellular dehydration does not occur with the permeating solutes in the latter case, and it is considered that specific sensor cells in the brain, termed osmoreceptors (initially in relation to vasopressin secretion), respond to cellular dehydration to initiate neural mechanisms that result in the generation of thirst (8,  18). Although there is evidence that some osmoreceptors may be situated in the liver, much evidence has accrued that localizes an important population of osmoreceptive neurons to the preoptic/hypothalamic region of the brain. The hypothalamus was implicated in the generation of thirst in the early 1950s when Bengt Andersson was able to stimulate water drinking in goats by electrical or chemical stimulation of the hypothalamus. Although he observed that drinking was induced by injection of hypertonic saline into the hypothalamus in a region between the columns of the fornix and the mamillothalamic tract, the solutions injected were grossly hypertonic, making it difficult to come to a firm conclusion that physiologically relevant osmoreceptors for thirst existed in this region. Andersson and colleagues later found evidence that more rostral tissue in the anterior wall of the third ventricle was more likely to be the site of sensors mediating osmotic thirst and proposed a role for the ambient Na+  concentration in this region of the brain in the initiation of thirst. Neural mechanisms sub serving osmotically stimulated thirst†¦ More than 25 years ago, clues emerged as to the crucial role of a region in the anterior wall of the third ventricle in thirst mechanisms when it was shown that ablation of tissue in the anteroventral third ventricle wall (AV3V region) of goats and rats caused either temporary or permanent adipsia (1,  10). In those animals with lesions that did recover spontaneous water drinking, loss of dipsogenic responsiveness to osmotic and ANG stimuli was evident. Another clue to the location of cerebral osmoreceptors sub serving thirst came from studies in sheep suggesting that the cerebral osmoreceptors sub serving thirst and vasopressin secretion were, at least in part, located in brain regions lacking a blood-brain barrier. In subsequent years, evidence (reviewed in Ref. 14) from the study of lesions, electrophysiological recordings, and the expression of the immediate early gene c-fos  in rats have confirmed that neurons in both the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) and the subfornical organ (SFO) are most likely the sites of very sensitive osmoreceptors (Fig. 1? ). The SFO and OVLT are two circumventricular organs that lack a blood-brain barrier and that are situated in the anterior wall of the third ventricle (the lamina terminalis). In particular, the dorsal part of the OVLT and the periphery of the SFO are osmosensitive in the rat. However, the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO), which is situated in the lamina terminalis longitudinally between the two circumventricular organs and is an integral part of the AV3V region, is also strongly activated by osmotic stimuli. Lesion studies in rats have shown that the MnPO may play a crucial role in the generation of thirst in response to both osmotic and hormonal signals being relayed to this nucleus by neural inputs from the SFO and possibly the OVLT (10). Another aspect of osmoregulatory drinking is that it may be blocked pharmacologically by intracerebroventricularly injected ANG antagonists, suggesting that a central angiotensinergic pathway is involved in most mammals. The MnPO, which is rich in ANG type 1 receptors but is not amenable to circulating ANG II, is a likely site of this angiotensinergic synapse. The MnPO receives afferent neural input from neurons in both the SFO and the OVLT and may integrate neural signals coming from osmoreceptive neurons in these circumventricular organs with visceral sensory inflow from the hindbrain However, combined ablation of both the SFO and OVLT leaving a considerable part of the MnPO intact reduces but does not totally abolish osmotically induced drinking. This suggests that neurons within the MnPO may be osmoreceptive also or that they receive osmotically related input from other parts of the brain [e. g. , the area postrema (AP)] or body (e. g. , hepatic portal system). It is clear that the lamina terminalis is a region of the brain where stimuli from the circulation, such as plasma hypertonicity or hormones (e. g. , ANG II, relaxin), exert their dipsogenic action. In regard to the subsequent efferent neural pathways that may project from the lamina terminalis to other brain regions (including the cerebral cortex) to generate thirst, little is known at present. The lateral hypothalamic area, the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, and the periaqueductal gray are all regions that receive a strong neural input from the lamina terminalis and have been proposed as regions that may participate in the generation of thirst. However, evidence in support of such proposals is scarce. Recent studies using positron emission tomography in human volunteers identified several brain regions that became activated during an intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline that produced a strong thirst sensation in these subjects. In particular, the anterior and posterior parts of the cingulate cortex were activated, and on satiation of the thirst, these areas rapidly declined in activity. This cingulate region has been implicated in other goal-directed behaviors and probably plays a yet-to-be-specified role in the generation of human thirst. Angiotensin and thirst Classic studies by Fitzsimons and associates (see Ref. 8  for review) were the first to clearly demonstrate that renin and its effector peptide, ANG II, were highly effective as dipsogenic stimuli in the rat. Systemically administered renin or ANG II generates water intake in sated rats. As is true for osmotically stimulated drinking, ANG-induced thirst requires the structures of the lamina terminalis (i. e. SFO, MnPO, and OVLT) for sensing circulating peptides (particularly the SFO) and for initial central nervous system processing and integration of this peripherally derived information (10). The dipsogenic action of ANG is even more impressive when it is injected directly into the brain, and this has been demonstrated in several mammals (rat, goat, dog, sheep) and also in birds (duck, pigeon). This route of administration is believed to mimic the action of this peptide at one or more periventricular brain sites. The presence of a brain renin-angiotensin system with all the components of the metabolic cascade as well as receptors being synthesized de novo in the brain has been demonstrated. It has been hypothesized that circulating ANG II acts on forebrain circumventricular organs (SFO, OVLT) in the mode of a hormone and that, either directly or indirectly, it activates angiotensinergic pathways projecting to central integrative sites when the peptide acts as a neurotransmitter (11). The systemic (renal/circulating) and the brain renin-angiotensin systems, although distinct, are functionally coupled with one another and play complementary roles in the maintenance of body fluid homeostasis. Inhibition and facilitation of thirst through hindbrain actions In addition to humoral factors acting through forebrain targets and networks to facilitate drinking, there is evidence of both stimulatory and inhibitory signals acting on or through the hindbrain. When the hypertension induced by intravenous ANG II in rats is reduced or normalized by coadministration of a systemically acting hypotensive drug, drinking responses to infusions of ANG II are enhanced (7). In rats with actions of the systemic renin-angiotensin system blocked, reducing blood pressure to below normal resting levels enhances the drinking response to intracerebroventricular ANG II infusions (11). Inhibition of thirst arises not only from arterial baroreceptors but also from volume receptors on the low-pressure side of the circulation. Distention of the region of the junction of the right atrium and vena cava or of the pulmonary vein at the entry to the left atrium by inflating balloons inhibits experimentally induced drinking. In contrast, when, in ogs, both low-pressure cardiopulmonary and high-pressure arterial baroreceptors are unloaded by reducing venous return to the heart, drinking is stimulated (9,  17). Under such conditions, Quillen and colleagues (15) found that denervation of either the cardiopulmonary or sinoaortic baroreceptors significantly attenuated thirst in the dog and that denervation of both sets of receptors completely abolished drinking even though circulating levels of ANG were high. Afferent input from the cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreceptors is carried to the brain by the IXth and Xth cranial nerves, with most of these nerves terminating in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). Lesions centered on the AP, but also encroaching on the medial portions of the medial NTS (i. e. , an AP/mNTS lesion), as well as bilateral lesions centering on the medial subnucleus of the NTS proper, produce rats that overrespond to thirst-inducing treatments associated with hypovolemia (5). These effects are likely to be due to removal of inhibitory baroreceptor-derived input. However, it is possible that the AP also plays a role in the inhibitory control of thirst derived from systemic blood volume expansion or acute hypertension. As demonstrated by Antunes-Rodrigues and colleagues (2), a peptide made and released from the cardiac atria, ANP, inhibits drinking. Release of ANP in response to hypervolemia and hypertension may inhibit drinking. Its action is discussed below. Interestingly, the AP/NTS region contains cells with axons that project to the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN). Electrolytic, anesthetic, and neurotoxic lesions of the LPBN produce overdrinking to mediators of extracellular dehydration in the rat (11). This is similar to the effects of AP/mNTS lesions. A significant portion of the cells that project from the AP/mNTS to the LPBN contain serotonin (5-HT), and bilateral injections of the nonselective 5-HT receptor antagonist methysergide enhance drinking as well as NaCl solution intake in response to several dipsogenic stimuli in rats (see Ref. 11  for review). The model that has been proposed is that there is a hindbrain inhibitory circuit involving the AP, NTS, and LPBN that receives and processes neural and humoral input derived from activation of cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreceptors. Ascending pathways from this inhibitory complex project to many forebrain structures, such as the structures along the lamina terminalis, the central nucleus of the amygdala, and various hypothalamic nuclei that have been implicated in thirst. In turn, many of these forebrain structures have reciprocal connections with the LPBN and NTS. It is within this visceral neural network where the input from both excitatory and inhibitory humoral and visceral afferent nerves is likely to be processed to give rise to drinking behaviors or the perception of thirst.

Macbeth Acts 4 5 6 Essays - Characters In Macbeth,

Macbeth Acts 4 5 6 Today is the true day of all death. For shame, I am lonely in a world of lost hope. I have been deceived to the greatest extent. Those three weird sisters have gone very far to put me through such foulness. They had told me that if the woods of Birnham should move upon my castle that I shall be vanquished. This has become true as my scouts have informed me that such a task has been performed. How could this be? I do not know, but if I were to look into the night the answers would point to the overpowering army of Malcolm. This is all but a murmur in my heart, as the word of my wife's death has become my lost hope. For many days I have been aware of her sick mind and did nothing to solve it. If it was I who decided her contemplation with death let me die in the perilous battlefields of antiquity. My scouts have given warning that MacDuff is in the front-line. I must engage in the battle. May god have mercy on my soul and not let the prophecies of the weird sisters be true.

The Top 7 SAT Writing Tips to Boost Your Score

The Top 7 SAT Writing Tips to Boost Your Score SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Having taught SAT Writing to hundreds of students, I understand that this section of the SAT can be confusing and complicated. You have to remember all the grammar rules you were able to avoid learning throughout your schooling. You have to identify subtle grammatical errors that are often committed by gifted writers. Through my experience teaching, I have identified some general rules for the SAT Writing section that have helped students of all levels improve their scores. In this article, I’m going to give you my top 7 tips for success on SAT Writing. These are things to keep in mind that should simplify the material and make selecting correct answers a little bit easier: Focus onUsing Grammar Rules to Answer the Questions Use Process of Elimination to Rule Out Answers Given Two Grammatically Correct Answers, Pick the More Concise One Watch for Consistency Issues Know that "Being" Is Almost Always Wrong Read the Passage First for Improving Paragraphs Questions Don't Be Afraid to Pick "No Error," But Don't Pick It Every Time #1: Rely on Your Knowledge of Grammar Rules to Answer Questions Don't rely on what sounds right to answer SAT Writing questions, except on idiom questions. Many of the SAT Writing sentences are lengthy or use uncommon phrases. The sentences might sound odd to your ear, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're wrong. Similarly, some of the sentences contain grammar errors that are so common that these sentences are likely to sound fine to you. Check out this real SAT Writing example: If you rely on what sounds right to answer this question, you may very well miss the error. However, if you know your grammar rules and apply them here, this question shouldn't pose too much of a challenge. In this sentence, many students will assume that the "I" in answer choice C is correct because "Sandhya and I" sounds proper; the compound object makes the error more difficult to spot with the "what sounds right" method. However, those students who have mastered their SAT grammar rules and use their knowledge of grammar will see an underlined pronoun and check for errors in pronoun case or agreement. They will know that "I" can only be used as a subject and "me" can only be used as an object. Because "I" is receiving the action, it should be in the object form. The answer is C. In this sentence, "I" should be changed to "me." Always focus on finding specific grammar errors. Some of the more common grammar issues on SAT Writing are wordiness, fragments/run-ons, parallelism, pronoun agreement, and subject verb agreement. #2: Eliminate Wrong Answer Choices For every SAT question, you should eliminate answer choices you know are wrong to help you pick the correct answer. For sentence improvement questions, try to identify the error(s) before looking at the answer choices. Eliminate any choice you know doesn't correct the grammatical error in the original sentence or creates an additional error. Here is an example to illustrate this point: Here we have a typical dangling modifier question. The sentence begins with the phrase "spread by rat fleas." Whatever was spread by rat fleas should come directly after the comma. After looking at the rest of the sentence, you should be able to determine that bubonic plague was spread by rat fleas. Therefore, any answer choice that doesn't start with "bubonic plague" is wrong. Immediately, you can get rid of answer choices A, B, and C. You have now given yourself a much better chance of getting this question right. You only have to look at two answer choices. Because answer choice E is more concise and clear than D, the correct answer is E. For identify the error questions, eliminate any choice you know is correct. Go through each underlined portion individually until you're able to locate the error or determine that there is no error. Say good-bye to wrong answers #3: The Most Concise Grammatically Correct Answer Choice Will Be Right This tip applies mostly to the improving sentences subsection. If more than one answer choice is grammatically correct, the more concise one will be right. The shortest answer will not always be right, but if you can narrow a question down to two choices that are both grammatically correct, typically the more concise answer will be the right one. Let'srevisit theprevious example question to demonstrate this: Because we identified the dangling modifier, we were immediately able to narrow down our choices to D and E. Both D and E are grammatically correct, but answer choice E expresses the same information in a more concise manner. Therefore, answer choice E is the correct answer. For a more thorough explanation of this rule, check out my article on wordiness. #4: Consistency is Key Many of the grammar rules on SAT Writing are related to consistency. Generally, verb tense, subject, and person should remain consistent in a sentence. Also, other grammar rules like parallelism and illogical comparisons relate to keeping things consistent. Take a look at this SAT Writing question: In the underlined portion, the verb "has been" is in the present perfect tense. However, in the first clause, the verb "was" is in the simple past tense. The shift from past to present perfect tense does not make sense in the sentence. The verb tenses should be consistent. To correct the sentence, "has been" should be changed to the simple past "was." After eliminating wrong choices, we’re left with C and D. Due to parallel structure rules, the infinitive â€Å"to conceive† should be used to be parallel with â€Å"to espouse† on the other side of the conjunction. The answer is D. And SAT Writing success #5: The Word "Being" Often Signals an Error While "being" can be used correctly, it is often an indication of a grammar error. The word "being" can signal wordiness, idiom, and fragment errors. Whenever you see the word "being" in a sentence improvement or identify the error question, you are likely to find a grammar error. Look at this real SAT example: If you encountered this question on your SAT, the word "being" should immediately raise a red flag. Check to see if it's signaling a grammar error. In this sentence, "plus being" is awkward and unnecessarily wordy. The sentence would be more clear and concise if you replaced "plus being" with "and." You should still check the other answer choices quickly to make sure you didn't miss an obvious error. In this sentence, all the other answer choices are correct. #6: Skim the Paragraph Improvement Passage Before Answering Questions In the paragraph improvement subsection, you should quickly read the paragraph improvement passage before answering the questions. While reading, note any obvious errors and identify the main idea. For a more thorough breakdown of answering paragraph improvement questions, read this article on how to approach paragraph improvement. #7: "No Error" is Less Common, But There Will Be Correct "No Error" Answers On the improving sentences and identify the error questions, the sentence will be correct about 10%-20% of the time. Do not fear the "No Error" answer, but if more than 30% of your answers are "No Error," you've definitely made mistakes and need to look at the sentences more closely. What's Next? Review these posts on the 8 most common mistakes on SAT Writing and the secret to SAT Writing. Additionally, you'll want to make sure you learn the strategies for improving sentences and identifying sentence errors. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Writing and grammar lesson, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. 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The role of the Federal Government in Education Essay - 1

The role of the Federal Government in Education - Essay Example ESEA 1965 became part of a long history of over forty federal acts related to education through to the present (Kimmelman, 2006). While all of these acts were designed to improve the delivery of education, to ensure equitable educational opportunities and standardization, the more recent of them (No Child Left Behind) have aroused controversy. In essence, NCLB, among others, has been interpreted as federal intervention in state affairs. As this brief reflection will argue, however, the said intervention has the potential to be highly constructive insofar as it centralises the accountability factor. One of the fundamental roles of government is to provide for its citizenry, so that its citizens can provide for themselves and their families without being subsidized and risk becoming socially undesirable adults. In schools, principals and guidance counsellors tend to refer to this missive as preparing students, to become productive members of society. This focus continues to spawn various enactments of laws (Sunderman et al., 2005; Kimmelman, 2006). The Improving Americas Schools Act of 1994 (IASA) which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) had a renewed focus which was supposed to change the delivery of education, encourage comprehensive school reform, upgrade instructional and professional development and promote accountability and coordinate resources to improve education to all children was not successful. Eight years after its reauthorization, on January 8, 2002, President George W. Bush, signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This new law effectuates the Reauthorization of ESEA 1965 with a lifespan of six years. The federal government has now given states another six years to fix the damaged public school education system (Sunderman et al., 2005). As evidenced from the preceding, the primary focus of the described Acts is testing results. As Hess (2007) explains, NCLB emphasises the

Working conditions in Brooks Brothers Coursework

Working conditions in Brooks Brothers - Coursework Example Individual associates put our employees under a lot of pressure to make the required sales volumes during the period of economic recessions. An employee must make approximately 85% of all the net sales thus living no time for personal development. One has to work for a long number of hours with minimum overtime compensation. This is turning to be a problem because seem not to care about all the well being of the employees.  There is also no room for employees to develop professionally. Once employed in a creation sector of the business, either making the clothes or marketing or sales, a person is likely to stagnate in one position for a long time. Upper management does not offer the employees the required support. It is the dream of any employee in any work station to climb up the ladder in the job market. However, this seems not to be an issue in this organization. The amount of time given for breaks is very little. All we do is work and work the more. The healthcare provided is a lso limited. The employees are so busy such work is available even during holidays and all this work is done while one is standing up. Thus, it is very tiresome and the pay is just okay  Moreover, the management sometimes does not show up on time to open the retail stores. But when one is unable to make the required sales, then it proves to be a problem with the top management. Sometimes that required promotion from within is also very slow. One can be made to do something impromptu something that had not even been planned for.

Managing Organisational Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Managing Organisational Change - Essay Example Recent advancements in technology and globalization have rendered the business environment full of changes. For instance, the emergence of mobile adaptability and social media has resulted in an increase in the need for change. Paying attention to detail has raised the stakes for failed business efforts pilling pressure on the struggling executives. With this so much change going on in the business environment, firm need to learn how to adapt to these changes. Organizational changes ensure that changes are smoothly and successfully implemented in order to attain long-lasting benefits. Change occurs due to the pressure of both external and internal forces in the firm. The paper will discuss technology advancements and change of managerial personnel as external and internal forces of change in an organization respectively. The paper will go ahead and relate how these pressures have impacted on Group Danone. Technological advancements have a secondary influence of increasing the availability and accountability of change. Therefore, to remain and survive in the business environment, the management needs to be alert to any changing forces and make a response by initiating changes within the organization. Palmer, Dunford and Akin, (2009:358) argue that the images for managing change include the director, navigator, caretaker, coach, interpreter, and nurturer. For instance, during the course of change, the director is tasked with the responsibility of designing the process of change and directing people to adhere in that the change is attained as planned. The navigator designs the change process in order to best fit the conditions experienced. The caretaker role is attained are attained due to environmental factors. The coach is tasked assisting the members of the organization to develop within themselves the abilities prerequisite for success. For a change to be effective, the organizations need to ensure that the employees are in support of

Beethovens Musical Form

Beethovens Musical Form Among the musical form these three forms are evident in the works of Ludwig Beethoven. The prelude, overture and sinfonie are among the musical forms which can be seen in the composition of Beethoven. These three forms evolved since the 17th century until now. To identify the similarity of prelude, overture and sinfonie it is best to describe each form. A prelude is a piece of music which is short; it has no particular introduction to succeeding movements of a work that are usually longer and more complex. It features single rhythmic and melodic motif that is used in every measure throughout the piece. Stylistically, the prelude is improvisatory in nature. The prelude can also refer to an overture, particularly to those seen in an opera or an oratorio. Prelude can be referring to as a preface. It can stand on its own or introduce another work. Overture in music is the instrumental introduction to a dramatic, choral (1911encyclopedia.org) or, occasionally, instrumental composition. It is used as an opening to a larger dramatic work such as an opera. Overture also referred to collections of movements, known as suites. (wikipedia.com). A sinfonie is a musical composition, the extended and used for orchestra. It does not imply a specific form. There are sinfonies that are tonal works in four movements with the first in sonata form, and it is often described by music theorists as the structure of a classical (reference.com) sinfonie. Evolution of Prelude The very first preludes were lute compositions of the Renaissance era. They were free improvisations and served as brief introductions to larger pieces of music or particular larger and more complex movements; lutenists also used them to test the instrument or the acoustics of the room before performing. In the 17th century in France the keyboard preludes started. During this century the duration of each note is left to the performer. The first composer who embrace the genre is Louis Couperin, and harpsichord preludes were used until the first half of the 18th century by numerous composers including Jean-Henri d’Anglebert (1629-1691), Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre (1665-1729), Franà §ois Couperin (1668-1733) and Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764), whose very first printed piece (1706) was in this form. The last unmeasured preludes for harpsichord date from the 1710s. Prelude in the 17th century in Germany led to a sectional form similar to keyboard toccatas Johann Jakob Fr oberger or Girolamo Frescobaldi. Outside Germany, Abraham van den Kerckhoven (c.1618-c.1701), one of the most important Dutch composers of the period, used this model for some of his preludes. Southern and central German composers did not follow the sectional model and their preludes remained improvisational in character with little or no strict counterpoint. In the second half of 17th century prelude are being paired with figures in the same key. Preludes were also used by some 20th century composers when writing Baroque-inspired suites. Such works include Ravels Le Tombeau de Couperin (1914/17) and Schoenbergs Suite for piano, Op. 25 (1921/23), both of which begin with an introductory prelude. Ludwig van Beethoven wrote two preludes, Op. 39; each one cycles through all of the major keys of the piano. Evolution of Overture Overture was formulated during the 17th century. As a musical form overture begins with the works of J-B Lully (1911encyclopedia.org). He devised the scheme that constitutes the typical French overture up to the time (1911encyclopedia.org) of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Friderich Handel. This French ouverture consists of a slow introduction in a marked dotted rhythm (1911encyclopedia.org), followed by a lively movement in fugato style. The slow introduction was always repeated, and sometimes the quick movement concluded by returning to the slow tempo, (1911encyclopedia.org) usually with new motivic material but occasionally recapitulating the opening, and this combined fast-slow material was sometimes also repeated. The operatic French ouverture was frequently followed by a series of dance tunes before the curtain rose. It thus became used as the prelude to a suite. (1911encyclopedia.org) Bach was able to use the French ouverture form for choruses, and even for the treatment of chorales. Thus the ouverture, properly so called, of his fourth orchestral suite became the first chorus of the church cantata. (1911encyclopedia.org). Evolution of Sinfonie In German, Symphonie was a generic term for spinets and virginals from the late 16th century to the 18th century (Marcuse 1975, 501). In the sense of sounding together the word also appears in the titles of some works by 16th- and 17th-century composers including Giovanni Gabrieli (the Sacrae symphoniae) and Heinrich Schà ¼tz (the Symphoniae sacrae). (reference.com). In the 17th century, for most of the Baroque period, the terms symphony and sinfonia were used for a range of different compositions, including instrumental pieces used in operas, sonatas and concertos—usually part of a larger work. The opera sinfonia, or Italian overture had, by the 18th century, a standard structure of three contrasting movements: fast; slow; fast and dance-like. It is this form that is often considered as the direct forerunner of the orchestral symphony. The terms overture, symphony and sinfonia were widely regarded as interchangeable for much of the 18th century. In 18th century the sinfonie has three movements, in the tempo quick-slow-quick. Symphonies at this time, whether for concert, opera, or church use, were not considered the major works on a program: often, as with concerti, they were divided up between other works, or drawn from suites or overtures. Vocal music was dominant, and symphonies provided preludes, interludes, and postludes. At the time most symphonies were relatively short, lasting between 10 and 20 minutes. Mozart’s early symphonies are in this layout. The early three-movement form was eventually replaced by a four-movement layout which was dominant in the latter part of the 18th century and most of the 19th century. The composition of early symphonies was centred on Vienna and Mannheim. The most important symphonists of the latter part of the 18th century are Joseph Haydn who wrote at .With the rise of established professional orchestras, the symphony assumed a more prominent place in concert life between approximately 1790 and 1820. Ludwig van Beethovens first Academy Concert advertised Christ on the Mount of Olives as the featured work, rather than his performances of two of his symphonies and a piano concerto. Beethoven dramatically expanded the symphony. (reference.com). His Symphony No. 3 (the Eroica), has a scale and emotional range which sets it apart from earlier works. His Symphony No. 9 takes th e unprecedented step of including parts for vocal soloists and choir in the last movement. Beethoven, together with Franz Schubert, replaced the usual genteel minuet with a livelier scherzo. (reference.com). The twentieth century also saw further diversification in the style and content of works which composers labelled as symphonies. Some composers, including, continued to write in the traditional four-movement form, while other composers took different approaches: Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 7, his last, is in one movement. (reference.com). Conclusion Prelude, overture and sinfonie are musical form that has been connected to each other to form a musical composition. Prelude if seen in an opera or an oratorio can be referred to as overture. Symphonies provided prelude. These three forms of music have been used by several musicians. Composer like Beethoven has used the three forms. Understanding the use of each form will enlighten the mind of those who are confused and not familiar in this form. References: See R. Simpson, ed., The Symphony (2 vol., 1972); D. F. Tovey, Essays in Musical Analysis: Symphonies (1935, repr. 1972); R. Nadeau, The Symphony (rev. ed. 1974); H. Chappell, Sounds Magnificent (1986). http://www.reference.com/search?r=13q=Symphony http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overture http://www.webconfs.com/search-engine-spider http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prelude_(music) http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Overture

Ebay analysis Essay -- essays research papers

The name â€Å"eBay† (http://www.ebay.com) is synonymous with â€Å"online auctions†. Founded in September 1995, the company qualifies as a genuine cultural and economic phenomenon (Bunnell, 2000, p.vii). The site can be credited with creating and defining an entire industry and has remained the dominant force in the online auction world, with anywhere from 70 to 90 percent of the person-to-person online auction market. eBay is also the 15th most visited site (http://www.MediaMetrix.com) on the web. In the face of large competitors such as eBay, internet powerhouse, Amazon.com Auctions (http://www.amazon.com/auctions), is battling for online auction dominance over eBay. Amazon is not just a bookseller but also a genuine e-commerce platform for online merchants. With the addition of online auctions to its already colossal department store, Amazon is a major player for online auction supremacy. eBay is able to condense over four million items into thirteen main categories that are quite user friendly (ApnaGuide.com, 2000). They are easily navigated and buyers are able to find what they’re looking for without any troubles. Whereas Amazon.com Auctions can get a bit category crazy. Not only do some categories become needlessly rough (Jewellery), while others are just too general (Tools), but sometimes there is no clear division between subcategories. Take, for example, Home Accessories, Home Appliances, and Household Items in Home & Garden, where buyers have multiple places to look for the same type of item and might miss an auction in which they would have participated. Just to demonstrate the popularity of both sites, below are three searches that were conducted: Search Item: â€Å"Throwing Copper† eBay: 30 results, 7 of which had bids, highest number of bids: 2 Amazon.com Auctions: 1 result, of which 0 had bids Search Item: â€Å"the matrix dvd† eBay: 41 results, 28 of which had bids, highest number of bids: 14 Amazon.com Auctions: 38 results, of which 1 had bids, highest number of bids:1 Search Item: â€Å"the hobbit† eBay: 146 results, 65 of which had bids, highest number of bids: 10 Amazon.com Auctions: 21 results, of which 0 had bids From a buyers perspective, with inventory and selection, eBay stand in a league of their own. Browsing the site for items, you’ll find everything from baby strollers and rubble from the Berlin wall to cutting-edge mobile phones and talkin... ...  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Amazon.com Auctions: Inventory: 4/4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Inventory: 4/4 Bidding: 4/4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bidding: 2/4 Functionality: 3/4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Functionality: 4/4 Ease Of Use: 4/4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ease Of Use: 3/4 Reference List Bunnell, D. (2000), The eBay Phenomenon, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Canada Financial Review (2001), eBay the online top dog, http://afr.com/it/2001/01/23/FFXRNPT09IC.html ApnaGuide.com (2000), Review on ebay, http://www.apnaguide.com/review/12706 Altavista.com (1999), Amazon.com Auctions Review, http://auctionwatch.shopping.altavista.com/awdaily/reviews/amazon.html

Endangered Animals

Endangered Animals Humans are destructive. Not a lot of us think about how what we do affects the world around us. We almost act like we are the only ones on this planet. We go around polluting and destroying our world with no regard for our actions. The things that live out in the wild are paying the price for it. Every day that passes there is another animal or plant that is placed on an endangered list. This is happening at an alarming rate.Because of man’s desire to expand and conquer their surroundings, there are animals and plants that are on the brink of extinction that will not be around for our kids and future generations to enjoy if something is not done about it now. This problem has been going on for hundreds of years. There are animals and plants that can only been seen in paintings or early photography. It is because of our early ancestors that we have this problem today and we have to do more to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing forever. So what is an endangered species? What is an extinct species?What has happened to cause them to become endangered or extinct? What needs to be done in order to save the endangered species from becoming extinct? Can anything be done to save them? The answer to most of these questions is not known by everyone. With all the attention that this subject gets from the government or groups that fight for the environment, it gets the same amount of disregard from the public. Many people want to help or donate but very few of those actually follow through. This is a very important subject that needs to be taken serious by the public.It needs their full attention because they are the ones that can truly make a change. People really don’t understand the concept of extinction. If something becomes extinct, there is no coming back, no reset button. It is gone forever. So it is imperative that things are done to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing. The best thing to happen as of yet to advocate for preservation of our nature's beautiful things is The Endangered Species Act. First enacted in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is one of the most critical laws that have been put in place to protect our environment and the organisms that live in it.It protects more than the threatened and endangered animals, in fact. When restrictions are placed on certain activities because of their potential to affect threatened or endangered organisms, those same restrictions serve to a degree to protect the non-threatened, non-endangered organisms that live in association with them. Entire ecosystems are often protected. Some, however, are more critical of the Endangered Species Act than they are complimentary. They contend it should either be abolished or greatly paired down. Supporters of the Act, in turn, often argue that the Act should be strengthened.The intent of this paper is to explore both sides of this argument and to try and reach a conclusion as to exactly what should happen to the Endangered Species Act. The effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act is hard to argue. The US Fish and Wildlife Service Reports (2009) that twenty-two species that are at one time listed as endangered have now been taken off the list as they are no longer endangered. Only two species that were ever put on the list prior to their actual extinction have now become extinct (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009).Additionally, twenty-three other species that were once classified as endangered have now recovered to the point that they are considered threatened, a less critical status (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). Less encouraging, however, is that far too many species actually go extinct while they are being considered for listing (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). Ironically, many critics of the Endangered Species Act argue that the fact that key animals have recovered justifies abolishing the Act in its entirety!Conversely, it is argued by proponents of the En dangered Species Act that the need for the Endangered Species Act obviously does not end when any one animal is taken off the list. Consider, for example, the case history of the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The gray wolf is not only one of the most impressive of the large North American mammals it is also one of the most misunderstood. The history of the gray wolf since the arrival of the European peoples who indiscriminately displaced both indigenous human populations and indigenous animal and plant populations has been interlaced with attempts at extermination and, more recently, conservation.The species was almost reduced to the point of extinction before public sentiment would sway to the point where it would receive some protection. First listed as an endangered species in 1973, the gray wolf (thanks to the conservation efforts and severe legal penalties for harming this species that are attributable to the Endangered Species Act) is one of the success stories of the Endangered Sp ecies Act. With the upswing in the gray wolf population, however, there has been a consequent increase once again in the same public resentment which almost obliterated the gray wolf from the face of the earth just a few decades ago.This resentment, and the loss of habitat which seems to characterize so many indigenous species of the Americas, translate to a continuation of the rocky road which the gray wolf has traveled for so long. The plight of the gray wolf can be directly related to the fact that the wolf is considered a threat to man and livestock alike. Although wolf behavior makes them little threat to man the general, the public regards the wolf as a menace waiting in the woods to consume babies and to slaughter livestock. While the former concern is preposterous, the latter does have some basis in fact.Indeed, wolves have been documented as preying on livestock. There are, however, reasons behind the changes we are noting in the gray wolf’s traditional prey regime. Current management efforts for the gray wolf must, in fact, address the many changes confronting the wolf today. These changes include the impact of humans, impacts such as habitat loss, the reduction of prey numbers, and the consequent increase of wolf to prey ratio. In many areas where the wolves natural prey has decreased they have retreated to island like enclaves, some of which are in unfortunate association with livestock interests.In other cases, however, the wolves still enjoy some habitat that is protected in the name of other organisms that are still on the endangered species list. Proponents of the Endangered Species Act use the fact that the wolf population or any other delisted organism's populations could once again begin a downward spiral. The obvious conclusion is that the Endangered Species Act is anything but obsolete. It is just as needed today as it was when it was first implemented. Another common criticism on the Endangered Species Act is that too many organism s are listed.Many of the species on the Endangered Species list, for example, are subspecies. Critics of the Act argue that sub categorizing a species and identifying some of those categorizations as either threatened or endangered is unjust because the species as a whole is doing just fine. Ecologically, however, subspecies are important. It is important to remember when considering subspecies that they sometimes occupy a completely different ecological niche than do other members of their species.Furthermore, they are unique enough physiologically that that uniqueness itself justifies the added protection being included on the endangered or threatened list provides. Another argument that is lodged against the Endangered Species Act is that some of the species have no real value in today's world. Some, in fact, are commonly looked on with disdain by many. Consider, for example, the plight of bats, several of which like the Indiana Bat are included on the endangered species list.The se bats have not only endured significant threats in the past, they are currently dealing with yet another threat. That threat is a disease called white-nosed syndrome, a disease that currently is affecting a potentially serious number of bats in the northeastern United States and possibly in Canada and even Europe. any thousands of bats have already died and others are sure to suffer a similar fate. The US Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center estimates that as of August 30, 2008 some 100,000 have died in the northeastern US in association with this mysterious condition.Some estimates of bat mortality associated with white nose syndrome, however, are considerably higher. Cohn (2009), for example, estimates that some 500,000 bats have died in just the last two winters alone. Cohn (2009) reveals that some populations have been reduced by ninety percent. To understand the full impact that white nose syndrome might have one needs to consider not just how the diseas e is impacting bats but also how decreased bat populations could impact other aspects of our world.Bats are one of the primary natural controls of insects that we have. One estimate is that the total number of bats that have already died in association with white nose syndrome will result in a minimum of 2. 4 million pounds of insects not being consumed by those bats (The Economist, 2008). As one article summarizes, the impacts will extend beyond â€Å"an itchy evening in the garden. Without bats, farmers may have to use more insecticide, raising environmental worries and pushing up grocery prices† (The Economist, 2008, 49). Another considerations is that if we llow bat populations to continually flounder then potentially dangerous insects will undoubtedly increase in numbers. Many of these insects carry diseases like encephalitis and malaria, diseases that directly impact human beings. In addition to their importance in controlling insect populations, bats are an integral co mponent of their ecosystem in other respects. Many invertebrates and microbes depend on them in one respect or another in their own life cycles. Consider, for example, the importance of guano deposits in the cave ecosystem.Without those deposits countless number of other organisms would be deprived the habitat they need to survive. Those organisms, in turn, are eaten by other organisms. The impact caused by depletions in their numbers could reverberate all through the ecosystem. So too could the impact of not listing a species like bats on the endangered species list because of perceptions about their value as an organism! We are, in fact, fortunate as a country because we have the resources to sub categorize our natural world and to delve into the subtle ecological distinctions that sometimes characterize it.Poorer countries are not that fortunate and one result is that subspecies are not typically found on their lists of threatened and endangered species despite the fact that subs pecies are an important ecological element there (Birder's World, 2010). Neither are some of the species that are perceived as less important or desirable. Birder's World (2010) cautions that there is a fine line between too much sub categorization and too little because â€Å"defining too many taxes can create excessive administrative costs and dilute conservation dollars . . But defining too few taxes can hinder the effective conservation of imperiled biodiversity† (11). Having considered both sides of the argument surrounding the Endangered Species Act, it seems logical to conclude that, despite the fact that they Endangered Species Act could stand some improvement in terms of the speed of the bureaucracy that governs it, the Act itself is quite sufficient as is as long as it is administered to the full extent of its power.There is a growing tendency in government, however, to undermine the strength of the Endangered Species Act by making decisions on when and where to app ly it a political matter rather than an ecological matter (Munro, 2010). To do this is to insure that ultimately it will not just be the environment and the wile organisms that live in it that will lose, it will be mankind as well. Endangered Animals Endangered animals are one of the most issues that are affecting the earth today. Endangered animals are any species of animals that is at significant risk of extinction due to the dramatic decline in its population and habitat destruction. The endangerment caused by poaching, global warming and human activities. All life on earth is part of a nature balanced, and all species are dependent on each other to maintain the planet's ecosystem.Removing one species from the system will have some effects.  (Endangered species) claims that there is inconceivable calamity when species disappeared; calamity that cannot expect it. This essay will discuss some information about endangered animals around the world. Trade of Animals The animals are becoming sort of trades in poor places around the world, where no local markets to deter the hunters. In addition, those animals could be a kind of luxury food in rich countries. That is to say illegal hunting refers to how it is important is the money today even if at the expense of animals.Duffy writes that †The size of even legal international wildlife trade is staggering; worth approximately US$160 billion per year, it is one of the most valuable businesses in the world† (Duffy, 2010, p. 17). Species Donnellan points out that â€Å"Today there about 5,000 endangered animals and at least one species die out every year† (Donnellan, 2000, p. 9). One of the most endangered animals is a Siberian tiger. There are only 200 Siberian tigers in the wild, and almost of them are in nature reserves. However, elephants go side by side with Siberian tigers.There are two species of elephant, the African elephant and the Asian elephant. Elephant is an amazing creature that can lives in all major habitats. Furthermore, elephant has an important role on their habitat. They allow the grassland to regenerate again by fall the trees. Certainly when they walk they create paths for other creatures and also water hole. Donnellan (2 000) states that Care for the Wild International support elephant conservation by provides items like vehicles for many places in Africa. Causes of Endangerment Poaching The picture of poaching is complicated, because it covers a wide range of activities.Poaching actually is illegal hunting of any creatures, whether banned by every government in the earth of wildlife. Furthermore, Poaching take of us unique species of animals, such as elephants and tigers. In order, Duffy (2010) argues that the wildlife agencies faced many task of tackling poaching. For instance, conservation practice has been progressively to stop the poachers. Duffy provides information about poaching, †In 1988 president Moi in Kenya gave permission for the Kenya wildlife service to use a shoot-on-sight policy against suspected poachers† (Duffy, 2010. p. 82). Global Warming EffectNational Geographic (2012) insists that the Global warming is a long term change effective the average of weather occurs to a particular region. Similarly, changes may happen due to human activities which include the combustion of fossil fuels in cars. With reference to emitted from cars that are the most dangerous types of gases that called by carbon dioxide. So what the impacts of the global warming have been on wildlife? Only increasing one degree could melt the ice which involve Arctic sea ice, ice sheets that cover Greenland and mountain glaciers where are habitats for many species of animals.National Geographic shows that †Polar bear, Arctic wolf, Arctic fox and Seals are threatened now† (National Geographic, 2012). Moreover, the increase of sea level laid the marine mammals in a serious situation that depend on the ice to survive. Solution Extinct is to be gone forever, so how to protect the endangered animals? Animal needs three essential things to live; fresh air, pure water, food and place to live. People try to help endangered animals from extinction in many different ways.(Endange red species) notes that the Conversation Organisations work to aware people from the consequences of extinction. However, they scream to protect the animals habitat and building nature reserves. Also, captive breeding is another solution which is the breeding of animals in zoos to preserve endangered animals. So what we can do to help the endangered animals in the world. Certainly reduce the amount of paper could survive the habitats while all people know that the papers comes from trees. Conclusion The plant produces things that are important to save the human life.Conserve animals may lead to protect the plant where all of the humans live. Donnellan suggests that †Roughly 99 percent of threatened species are at risk because of human activities alone† (Donnellan, 2000, p. 63). Scientists try to reduce the influence of human activities as much as possible, and recover the habitats. Conservation Organisations present the solutions for the governments that protect endanger ed species from extinct while the governments able to Impose strict laws in the face of offenders. Endangered Animals Endangered Animals Humans are destructive. Not a lot of us think about how what we do affects the world around us. We almost act like we are the only ones on this planet. We go around polluting and destroying our world with no regard for our actions. The things that live out in the wild are paying the price for it. Every day that passes there is another animal or plant that is placed on an endangered list. This is happening at an alarming rate.Because of man’s desire to expand and conquer their surroundings, there are animals and plants that are on the brink of extinction that will not be around for our kids and future generations to enjoy if something is not done about it now. This problem has been going on for hundreds of years. There are animals and plants that can only been seen in paintings or early photography. It is because of our early ancestors that we have this problem today and we have to do more to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing forever. So what is an endangered species? What is an extinct species?What has happened to cause them to become endangered or extinct? What needs to be done in order to save the endangered species from becoming extinct? Can anything be done to save them? The answer to most of these questions is not known by everyone. With all the attention that this subject gets from the government or groups that fight for the environment, it gets the same amount of disregard from the public. Many people want to help or donate but very few of those actually follow through. This is a very important subject that needs to be taken serious by the public.It needs their full attention because they are the ones that can truly make a change. People really don’t understand the concept of extinction. If something becomes extinct, there is no coming back, no reset button. It is gone forever. So it is imperative that things are done to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing. The best thing to happen as of yet to advocate for preservation of our nature's beautiful things is The Endangered Species Act. First enacted in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is one of the most critical laws that have been put in place to protect our environment and the organisms that live in it.It protects more than the threatened and endangered animals, in fact. When restrictions are placed on certain activities because of their potential to affect threatened or endangered organisms, those same restrictions serve to a degree to protect the non-threatened, non-endangered organisms that live in association with them. Entire ecosystems are often protected. Some, however, are more critical of the Endangered Species Act than they are complimentary. They contend it should either be abolished or greatly paired down. Supporters of the Act, in turn, often argue that the Act should be strengthened.The intent of this paper is to explore both sides of this argument and to try and reach a conclusion as to exactly what should happen to the Endangered Species Act. The effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act is hard to argue. The US Fish and Wildlife Service Reports (2009) that twenty-two species that are at one time listed as endangered have now been taken off the list as they are no longer endangered. Only two species that were ever put on the list prior to their actual extinction have now become extinct (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009).Additionally, twenty-three other species that were once classified as endangered have now recovered to the point that they are considered threatened, a less critical status (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). Less encouraging, however, is that far too many species actually go extinct while they are being considered for listing (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). Ironically, many critics of the Endangered Species Act argue that the fact that key animals have recovered justifies abolishing the Act in its entirety!Conversely, it is argued by proponents of the En dangered Species Act that the need for the Endangered Species Act obviously does not end when any one animal is taken off the list. Consider, for example, the case history of the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The gray wolf is not only one of the most impressive of the large North American mammals it is also one of the most misunderstood. The history of the gray wolf since the arrival of the European peoples who indiscriminately displaced both indigenous human populations and indigenous animal and plant populations has been interlaced with attempts at extermination and, more recently, conservation.The species was almost reduced to the point of extinction before public sentiment would sway to the point where it would receive some protection. First listed as an endangered species in 1973, the gray wolf (thanks to the conservation efforts and severe legal penalties for harming this species that are attributable to the Endangered Species Act) is one of the success stories of the Endangered Sp ecies Act. With the upswing in the gray wolf population, however, there has been a consequent increase once again in the same public resentment which almost obliterated the gray wolf from the face of the earth just a few decades ago.This resentment, and the loss of habitat which seems to characterize so many indigenous species of the Americas, translate to a continuation of the rocky road which the gray wolf has traveled for so long. The plight of the gray wolf can be directly related to the fact that the wolf is considered a threat to man and livestock alike. Although wolf behavior makes them little threat to man the general, the public regards the wolf as a menace waiting in the woods to consume babies and to slaughter livestock. While the former concern is preposterous, the latter does have some basis in fact.Indeed, wolves have been documented as preying on livestock. There are, however, reasons behind the changes we are noting in the gray wolf’s traditional prey regime. Current management efforts for the gray wolf must, in fact, address the many changes confronting the wolf today. These changes include the impact of humans, impacts such as habitat loss, the reduction of prey numbers, and the consequent increase of wolf to prey ratio. In many areas where the wolves natural prey has decreased they have retreated to island like enclaves, some of which are in unfortunate association with livestock interests.In other cases, however, the wolves still enjoy some habitat that is protected in the name of other organisms that are still on the endangered species list. Proponents of the Endangered Species Act use the fact that the wolf population or any other delisted organism's populations could once again begin a downward spiral. The obvious conclusion is that the Endangered Species Act is anything but obsolete. It is just as needed today as it was when it was first implemented. Another common criticism on the Endangered Species Act is that too many organism s are listed.Many of the species on the Endangered Species list, for example, are subspecies. Critics of the Act argue that sub categorizing a species and identifying some of those categorizations as either threatened or endangered is unjust because the species as a whole is doing just fine. Ecologically, however, subspecies are important. It is important to remember when considering subspecies that they sometimes occupy a completely different ecological niche than do other members of their species.Furthermore, they are unique enough physiologically that that uniqueness itself justifies the added protection being included on the endangered or threatened list provides. Another argument that is lodged against the Endangered Species Act is that some of the species have no real value in today's world. Some, in fact, are commonly looked on with disdain by many. Consider, for example, the plight of bats, several of which like the Indiana Bat are included on the endangered species list.The se bats have not only endured significant threats in the past, they are currently dealing with yet another threat. That threat is a disease called white-nosed syndrome, a disease that currently is affecting a potentially serious number of bats in the northeastern United States and possibly in Canada and even Europe. any thousands of bats have already died and others are sure to suffer a similar fate. The US Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center estimates that as of August 30, 2008 some 100,000 have died in the northeastern US in association with this mysterious condition.Some estimates of bat mortality associated with white nose syndrome, however, are considerably higher. Cohn (2009), for example, estimates that some 500,000 bats have died in just the last two winters alone. Cohn (2009) reveals that some populations have been reduced by ninety percent. To understand the full impact that white nose syndrome might have one needs to consider not just how the diseas e is impacting bats but also how decreased bat populations could impact other aspects of our world.Bats are one of the primary natural controls of insects that we have. One estimate is that the total number of bats that have already died in association with white nose syndrome will result in a minimum of 2. 4 million pounds of insects not being consumed by those bats (The Economist, 2008). As one article summarizes, the impacts will extend beyond â€Å"an itchy evening in the garden. Without bats, farmers may have to use more insecticide, raising environmental worries and pushing up grocery prices† (The Economist, 2008, 49). Another considerations is that if we llow bat populations to continually flounder then potentially dangerous insects will undoubtedly increase in numbers. Many of these insects carry diseases like encephalitis and malaria, diseases that directly impact human beings. In addition to their importance in controlling insect populations, bats are an integral co mponent of their ecosystem in other respects. Many invertebrates and microbes depend on them in one respect or another in their own life cycles. Consider, for example, the importance of guano deposits in the cave ecosystem.Without those deposits countless number of other organisms would be deprived the habitat they need to survive. Those organisms, in turn, are eaten by other organisms. The impact caused by depletions in their numbers could reverberate all through the ecosystem. So too could the impact of not listing a species like bats on the endangered species list because of perceptions about their value as an organism! We are, in fact, fortunate as a country because we have the resources to sub categorize our natural world and to delve into the subtle ecological distinctions that sometimes characterize it.Poorer countries are not that fortunate and one result is that subspecies are not typically found on their lists of threatened and endangered species despite the fact that subs pecies are an important ecological element there (Birder's World, 2010). Neither are some of the species that are perceived as less important or desirable. Birder's World (2010) cautions that there is a fine line between too much sub categorization and too little because â€Å"defining too many taxes can create excessive administrative costs and dilute conservation dollars . . But defining too few taxes can hinder the effective conservation of imperiled biodiversity† (11). Having considered both sides of the argument surrounding the Endangered Species Act, it seems logical to conclude that, despite the fact that they Endangered Species Act could stand some improvement in terms of the speed of the bureaucracy that governs it, the Act itself is quite sufficient as is as long as it is administered to the full extent of its power.There is a growing tendency in government, however, to undermine the strength of the Endangered Species Act by making decisions on when and where to app ly it a political matter rather than an ecological matter (Munro, 2010). To do this is to insure that ultimately it will not just be the environment and the wile organisms that live in it that will lose, it will be mankind as well.

Momentous Decisions essays

Momentous Decisions essays A momentous decision is an important decision, or a decision of great consequence, that may affect a certain group of people to a certain extent, or it may affect the majority of people in many different ways. A momentous decision could also be an important decision that affects the majority of the population during that certain time period, or maybe affects the future populations to come. Another point of view of a momentous decision is a once in a lifetime event that happens, even if its in a fiction book. Examples of momentous decisions vary greatly on topics and time periods. A few examples are: the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, Huckleberry Finns deciding he would rather go to Hell then betray his friend Jim, Rosa Parks decision not to move to the back of the bus, King Lears decision to divide his land, the famous court trial; Roe vs. Wade, the Dred Scott decision, Romeo and Juliets decision to be a couple, Solidaritys decision to resist the government of Poland, Aung San Suu Kyis decision to resist the government of Myanmar, Martin Luthers decision to nail his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Wittenburg Cathedral, the decision of the New York Times to publish the Pentagon Papers, Richard Nixons decision to visit China, etc. As shown in the examples above, there were many momentous decisions during the past that have affected that certain time period, or might even affect present or future time periods as well. One of the many momentous decision that affected the mid19th century, 20th century, and probably many more centuries to come is the Dred Scott The Dred Scott Decision was an important ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States on the issue of slavery. The decision, which was made up in 1857, declared that African American, free or slave, could claim United States citizenship. It also st...

All About Avoir, a French Super Verb

All About Avoir, a French Super Verb Avoir is an irregular French verb that means to have. The multitalented verb avoir is omnipresent in the French written and spoken language and appears in a multitude of idiomatic expressions, thanks to its utility and versatility. It  is one of the  most used  French verbs. In fact, of  the thousands of French verbs, it is among the top 10, which also include:  Ãƒ ªtre, faire, dire, aller, voir, savoir, pouvoir, falloir and pouvoir. The Three Functions of Avoir The many forms of  avoir  are busy binding together the French language in three essential ways: 1) as a frequently used transitive verb with a direct object, 2) as the most common auxiliary verb for the languages compound tenses  and 3) as an impersonal verb in the ubiquitous French expression il y a (there is, there are).   Transitive Verb When used alone, avoir is a transitive verb that  takes a direct object.  Avoir  means to have in most senses, including having something in ones possession and currently experiencing something.  Avoir   can mean to have to, but that expression is more commonly translated by  devoir. Jai deux stylos.   I have two pens.Jai trois frà ¨res.   I have three brothers.Jai mal la tà ªte.   I have a headache.Jai une idà ©e.   I have an idea.Jai à ©tà © eu.   Ive been had (tricked).Ils ont  de largent.  Ã‚  They  have money.On a essayà © de tavoir toute la journà ©e.  Ã‚  We tried to get through to you  all day.Elle a de la famille/des amis dà ®ner.  Ã‚  Ã‚  She has  relatives/friends over for dinner.Elle a beaucoup de sa mà ¨re.  Ã‚  Ã‚  She really takes after her mother. Auxiliary Verb Avoir is by far the most frequently used auxiliary, or helping, verb in French compound tenses, which include a conjugated form of avoir with the past participle of the primary verb. As an auxiliary verb, it is used to build compound tenses, such as  passà © composà ©.  Verbs that dont use avoir, use  Ãƒ ªtre  as their auxiliary verb. For example: Jai dà ©j à ©tudià ©.   I have already studied.Jaurai mangà © avant ton arrivà ©e.   I will have eaten before you arrive.Si javais su, je taurais tà ©là ©phonà ©.   If I had known, I would have called you.Jaurais voulu vous aider.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Id have liked to help you.Il les a jetà ©s dehors. He threw them out.Jai maigri. Ive lost weight.As-tu bien dormi  ? Did you sleep well ?Jai à ©tà © surpris. I was  surprised.Il aurait à ©tà © enchantà ©. He would have been delighted. Impersonal Verb in Il y a One cannot underestimate how essential this function is to the French language, as the equivalent is to English. As an impersonal verb (verbe impersonnel), avoir is the verb in the utilitarian expression il y a. It translates to there is when followed by a singular, and there are when followed by a plural. A few examples: Il y a du soleil.   Its sunny. / The sun is shining.Il y a juste de quoi faire une salade. Theres just enough to make a salad.Il ny a qu lui dire. We just have to tell him.Il y a 40 ans de à §a.  Ã‚   40 years ago.Il y a une heure que jattends.   Ive been waiting for an hour.Il doit y avoir une raison. There must be some reason. A Word About Pronunciation: FORMAL VS. MODERN   Careful with the pronunciation of avoir. Consult an audiobook to hear correct pronunciations. 1. In more formal French, there are many sound liaisons involved with the pronunciation of  avoir: Nous avons   Nous Z-avonsVous avez Vous Z-avezIls/Elles ont Ils Z-ont (silent t) Students often confuse the pronunciation of  ils ont  (aller, Z sound) and  ils sont  (à ªtre, S sound), which is a major mistake. 2. In informal modern French, there are a lot of glidings (elisions). For example,  tu  as  is pronounced  ta. 3. Glidings are in everyday pronunciations of the common expression  il y a: il y a yail ny a pas (de) yapadil y en a yan na IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS WITH AVOIR Avoir is used in a number of idiomatic expressions, many of which are translated by the English verb to be.   Jai 30 ans. I am 30 years oldJai soif / faim. I am thirsty / hungry.Jai froid/chaud. Im cold/ hot.avoir ___ ans  Ã‚  to be ___ years oldavoir besoin de   to needavoir envie de   to wantMerci. Il ny a pas de quoi  ! [OR Pas de quoi.]   Thank you. Dont mention it. /  Youre welcome .Quest-ce quil y a  ? Whats the matter ?(rà ©ponse,  familier) Il y a que jen ai marre  !  Ã‚  Im fed up, thats what!  Il y en a  OR  Il  y a des gens, je vous jure  !  (familier)  Ã‚  Some people, honestly / really ! Conjugations of Avoir Below is the useful present-tense conjugation of avoir. For  all the tenses, both simple and compound, see avoir conjugations. Present tense jaitu asil anous avonsvous avezï » ¿ils ont