Shanghai Baby essays

Shanghai Baby essays This book was just what the Chinese government did not want the public to see. It contained very graphic and intimate details were the main aspect of the scandal with the novel. The Chinese government saw the novel as a threat to the political and mental well-being of its citizens. It talks about things that China is trying to abolish, like the increase in prostitution and drug abuse. There are a few categories that place this book on the banned list in China. The first and most obvious is the content of pornography. There is quite an extent of indecent material, reports inaccurate, fabricated or sensationalist stories. It also offers other materials that the government probably deems to have an unhealthy impact on readers. A large portion of the book is filled up with indecency or pornography. This book is definitely not considered to be G-rated with its graphic mention of sex acts, masturbation, pleasure, sexual organs and promiscuity. Even though it is a fictitious novel, there are many points that tend to shock the reader and these points are viewed to be unhealthy by the Chinese government. There is a few times that the author ties in sex with the city of Shanghai. Standing on the roof, we looked at the sihouttes of the building lit up by the streetlights on both sides of the Huangpu River, specially the Oriental Pearl TV tower, Asias tallest. Its long, long steel column pierces the sky, proof of the citys phallic worship (page 14). Another comment Shanghai is a city obsessed with pleasure (page 40). Some people call Shanghai the Womans city...in comparison to the macho cities of northern China (page 116). Another possibility is that the book was banned for political reasons. After all, the Chinese government banned anything that puts a negative light on Chinas affairs including government and economy. There are eight billion peasants in our cou...

15 Quotes That Will Help You Identify Flattery and Praise

15 Quotes That Will Help You Identify Flattery and Praise Praise has a therapeutic effect on the receiver. It helps to restore a persons self-esteem. It gives hope. Praise is not flattery. There is a distinct difference between the two. Learn to Differentiate Between Praise and Flattery There is a popular Aesops tale about the foolish crow and the wily fox. A hungry crow finds a piece of cheese and sits on a branch of a tree to enjoy his meal. A fox who was equally hungry sees the crow with the piece of cheese. Since he badly wants the food, he decides to trick the crow with flattering words. He lavishes praise on the crow by calling him a beautiful bird. He says that he would like to hear the crows sweet voice, and asks the crow to sing. The foolish crow believes that the praise is genuine, and opens his mouth to sing. Only to realize that he had been fooled by the wily fox when the cheese was hungrily devoured by the fox. The difference lies in the intent of the words. You can praise someone for their actions, or the lack of it, while flattery can be vague, undefined, and even false. Here are some ways to spot the difference between praise and flattery. Praise Is Specific to an Action; Flattery Is Adulation Without a Cause Praise is an actionable device to encourage a positive outcome. For instance, a teacher could praise her student by saying, John, your handwriting has improved since last week. Good job! Now, such words of praise can help John to improve his handwriting further. He knows what his teacher likes, and he can work on his handwriting to produce better results. However, if the teacher says, John, youre good in class. I think youre the best! these words are unspecific, vague, and offer no direction for improvement to the receiver. John will, of course, feel good about the kind words from his teacher, but he wouldnt know how to be better in his class. Praise Intends to Encourage; Flattery Intends to Deceive Flattery is buttering up. With flattering words, someone hopes to get their job done without any concern for the person who receives the flattery. Flattery is based on an ulterior motive, that only benefits the flatterer. On the other hand, praise benefits the receiver, by encouraging the receiver to see the positive side of life. Praise helps others to recognize their talents, raise their self-esteem, restore hope, and give direction. Praise helps both the giver and the receiver.   Those Who Praise Are Immensely Self-Confident; Those Who Flatter Dont Have Confidence Since flattery is manipulative, flatterers are usually spineless, weak, and of poor character. They feed on others ego and hope to get scraps of goodies from egocentric megalomaniacs. Those who flatter dont have leadership qualities. They lack the personality to inspire and instill confidence. On the other hand, praise givers are usually self-confident and assume leadership positions. They are able to infuse positive energy in their team, and they know how to channel the energy of each member of the team through praise and encouragement. By giving praise, they can not just help others grow, but they also enjoy self-growth. Praise and appreciation go hand in hand. And so does flattery and adulation. Praise Fosters Trust; Flattery Fosters Mistrust Would you trust a person who tells you how wonderful you are, how kind you are, or how great you are? Or would you trust a person who tells you that you are a good co-worker, but you need to improve your social skills? It is tough to spot flattery if the flatterer is cunning enough to veil his words to sound like appreciation. A devious person could make flattery look like genuine praise. In the words of  Walter Raleigh:   But it is hard to know them from friends, they are so obsequious and full of protestations; for a wolf resembles a dog, so doth a flatterer a friend. You have to be careful when you receive compliments that amount to nothing. Flattery according to the Bible, is a form of hatred. Flattery can be used to manipulate, cheat, deceive, and hurt others. Beware of Flattery Because Flatterers Can Hurt You Words that are sweetened with honeyed words can fool the gullible. Dont let others sway you by their sweet words that mean nothing. If you meet someone who praises you without reason or charms you with honeyed words of appreciation, it is time to cock your ears and listen beyond the words. Ask yourself:   Is he or she trying to woo me? What are his/her intentions?  Are these words true or false?Can there be an ulterior motive behind these flattering words? Accept Praise With a Pinch of Salt Let praise or flattery not go into your head. While it is good to hear praise, accept it with a pinch of salt. Perhaps, the person who praised you is usually generous. Or perhaps, the person praising you wants something out of you. Flattery can be exhausting, even if they are generous. It is like eating too much sweet and feeling sick after a while. Praise, on the other hand, is measured, specific, and direct. Know Who Your Real Friends and Well Wishers Are Sometimes, those who criticize you more often than praise you have the best interest in their heart. They may be stingy when it comes to praise, but their words of appreciation are more genuine than compliments you gather from a stranger. Learn to spot your true friends, from those who are friends in good times. Shower praises and compliments wherever necessary, but not because you want to gain a fat favor. Be genuine and specific while praising someone, if you want to be accepted as a well-wisher. If someone flatters you, and you are unable to tell whether it is flattery or praise, double-check with a true friend, who can help you see the difference. A good friend will puncture your inflated ego, and bring you back to ground reality if the need arises. Here are 15 quotes that talk about praise and flattery. Follow the advice given in these 15 inspirational quotes on praise and flattery, and you will be able to tell the difference between praise and flattery every time. Minna Antrim: Between flattery and admiration there often flows a river of contempt.Baruch Spinoza: None are more taken in by flattery than the proud, who wish to be the first and are not.Samuel Johnson: Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.Anne Bradstreet: Sweet words are like honey, a little may refresh, but too much gluts the stomach.Italian Proverb: He that flatters you more than you desire either has deceived you or wishes to deceive.Xenophon: The sweetest of all sounds is praise.Miguel de Cervantes: It is one thing to praise discipline, and another to submit to it.Marilyn Monroe: It is wonderful to have someone praise you, to be desired.John Wooden: You cant let praise or criticism get to you. Its a weakness to get caught up in either one.Leo Tolstoy: In the best, the friendliest and simplest relations flattery or praise is necessary, just as grease is necessary to keep wheels turning.Croft M. Pentz: Praise, like sunlight, helps all things to grow. Zig Ziglar: If youre sincere, praise is effective. If youre insincere, its manipulative.Norman Vincent Peale: The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.Orison Swett Marden: There is no investment you can make which will pay you so well as the effort to scatter sunshine and good cheer through your establishment.Charles Fillmore: We increase whatever we praise. The whole creation responds to praise and is glad.

UN Convention on the Assignment of Receivables Essay

UN Convention on the Assignment of Receivables - Essay Example It, most likely, is the uniform law convention with the greatest influence on the law of worldwide trans-border commerce, and in some countries lawyers and courts are today as familiar with the Convention as they are with their domestic law - it is the lingua franca of sales. Part of the success is or might be due to the simple requirements of application of the Convention, encoded in articles 1 to 6, which have become a model followed in other international conventions or draft conventions. They are simple in their basic structure, although not without some tricky details which require explanation. These application requirements will be the topic of this short introduction to the Convention.1 Article 1(1) (a) UN law for receivables requires only that the parties have their places of business in different contracting states that is states which have enacted the Convention. With 65 contracting states, now many sales contracts of U.K traders with foreign parties (for example in Australia, Asia, the United States or Europe) are governed by the Convention. Neither the nationality of the parties nor their qualification as merchants influences the application of the Convention, although consumer purchases are almost always excluded from the Convention. The parties' places of business in different states are, in other words, decisive, so that a U.K firm, having its relevant place of business in Australia, when concluding a contract with a firm in Wellington, might find its contract governed by the UN law for receivables. Also, the contract must be a "sale of goods", which normally does not pose problems, but there are borderline cases, with which I shall deal later, and an important extension to mixed contracts under article 3(2) of the UN law for receivables. Parties in Different States The predecessors of the UN law for receivables, the so-called Hague Sales Laws of 1964 - which were ratified by only nine states - used as the main requirement for application only that the parties were residing in different states, thus making it possible that parties from different states, which had not enacted the Uniform Sales Law, might have found their contract governed by this uniform law alien to both of them and to their countries. Therefore, this imperialistic claim of the old uniform sales laws was rejected in the preparation of the UN sales law, but not entirely.2 Article 1(1)(b) states that the UN law for receivables [page 782] is applicable, if the parties are situated in different states - which need not be contracting states, if the conflict of law rules of the forum lead to the application of the law of a contracting state. Thus, if there is a contract between a Japanese and an English trader subject - on account of a clause in the contract - to

Sustainability analysis of urban agriculture in Beijing, China Research Paper

Sustainability analysis of urban agriculture in Beijing, China - Research Paper Example The agricultural sector is the main stage for producing food worldwide. Historically, agricultural production has managed to satisfy the food demands from a rapidly increasing population. However, the scenario at present is totally reversed. There is an apparent decrease of food supply leaving over 1 billion people hungry. Jiang stated that the International Fund for Agriculture Development projected that the food supply will need to increase by 60% to sustain mankind . The dilemma on food production can be tightly connected with the increasing rate of urbanization. The rapid growth of the world economy and exponential increase in the world population may be considered as some of the reasons for the increasing urban areas. Associated with this change is a large shift of human activities towards the urban areas with significant effects on the agricultural sector. In 2008, the rural population has been exceeded by the urban population for the first time. The world’s urban popula tion as projected by the United Nations will continue to grow by more than a billion people between 2010 and 2025, while the rural population which is viewed to be the agricultural producers, will hardly grow at all. The insignificant growth in rural areas can suggest that the proportion of the global population may not suffice the demands of increasing population not producing food (Satterthwaite et. al. 2809). One way to increase the food availability especially on cities is through urban agriculture as an alternative for conventional agricultural food production in rural areas. This method of food production can be done both in urban and peri-urban areas where it is expected to be integrated into the economic and ecological system (RUAF Foundation par. 1). One of the countries that have enormous population in urban areas is China. According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics 2009, the number of urban residents in China had already reached 622 million - a population w ell over twice the size of the entire U.S. but still just 47% of China’s total (Kwan par.1). Around the many very large and fast-growing cities in China, Beijing is one of the cities wherein intensification of agricultural production is taking place at an accelerated pace (Wolf et. al. 142). In this regard, it is reported that the country will push forward urbanization in an active and stable manner, focusing on gradually transferring farmers qualified for urban household permits into cities (â€Å"China expects urbanization rate to be at 51.5% by 2015† par. 2). This opens the opportunity for China to adopt urban agriculture. In fact, Beijing has an increased adoption peri-urban agriculture since 1950’s. The technology proved to sustain some non-staple foods such as milk and vegetables and improved the quality of food available as opposed to quantity in the city (Jianming 40). Despite of the good news that urban agriculture brought to the food supply chain, one must also examine its sustainability. As part of the world’s intensification of agriculture to increase productivity, maximum concern must be placed for the long-term environmental and economic sustainability (Gilis par. 3). It has been defined by Gold (par. 4) of United States Department of Agriculture that sustainability in agriculture involves the long-term integrated system of plant and animal production that will â€Å"satisfy human needs, enhance environmental quality and natural resources based on agricultural economy, efficiently use of nonrenewable resources and on-site resources, sustain economic viability and enhance the quality of life of farmers and society as a whole.† This paper aims to analyze the existing urban agriculture and its contribution to the development of the region. The impact of practicing agriculture in urban areas of Beijing, China will be assessed based on the economic, social and environmental aspects as its sustainability

The History of Cell Theory in the Last 200 Years Essay Example for Free

The History of Cell Theory in the Last 200 Years Essay The last two centuries present significant advancement in the study of cell development in biological science since the term was first coined by Robert Hooke in 1665. Although Hooke first observed the presence of cells in matters it was Jean Baptiste De Lamarck (1744 1829), a French scientist, who initiated early steps in recognizing the concept of the cell as a biological element in living things while carrying out extensive works in evolution and classifications in the animal kingdom. This is similar to the Rene Dutrochet’s pronouncement in 1824 that the structure of a living body’s fundamental elements is the cell, created through the process called juxtaposition or combination, producing both animals and plant forms. Several assumptions followed which serves as basis for the modern cell theory including Ludolph Christian Treviranus’s (1779-1864) proposition that a cell can be further separated into even smaller components by its intracellular space or individual units comprising the cell itself particularly in plants. Building on this concept, Robert Brown (1773-1858) published a paper naming one of these units â€Å"cell nucleus† in 1883. Although scientifically accepted as fact today, Brown together with Bauer, at that time, never thought the idea of cell nucleus to be universally present in all living things and limit the concept to monocotyledons (also called monocots), one of the major groups of angiosperms or flowering plants. Amidst the numerous assumptions and differing opinions of their times three names excel in the field of cell science: Theodor Schwann (1810-1882), Matthias Jakob Schleiden (1804-1881) and Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902). Schwann discovered what is called Schwann cell or neurolemnocytes, glial cells supplying vitality to peripheral nerve fibers. Together with Schleiden they concluded that all living things are composed of cells and published their findings in a paper called Microscopic Investigations on the Accordance in the Structure and Growth of Plants and Animals. Almost their contemporary, Virchow further improved the idea into a wider and more scientific scale stating that cells come from cells of the same kind, refuting the theory of Spontaneous Generation. Virchow was also one of the very first scientists to apply existing cell theories together with findings he himself formulated in medicine that led to the discovery of leukemia cells and a deeper understanding of lung cancer and other deceases related to cell formation and their behavior. In 1855, Virchow states that cells replicate through the process called â€Å"cell division†. Together, Schwann, Schleiden and Virchow are the three considered to be the key figures and originator of the basis for the concepts of modern Cell Theory. Development in the Cell Theory in the 1900’s is not as numerous as that of the 1700’s and 1800’s. One discovery, however, worth mentioning is the finding made by James D. Watson and Francis Crick regarding the double-helix structure for DNA in the 1953. 2. Membranous Organelles of Eukaryotic Cells †¢ Chloroplast (plastid). Chloroplasts are present in eukaryotic a cell which main function is to capture light energy to conserve free energy in the form of ATP moderating Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADP) and requires NADPH as a reductant in a reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction. †¢ Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) forms the network of tubules, vesicles and cisternae in cells necessary for protein synthesis ( the process where cells proteins), protein folding and transport, secretion or exocytosed, and manufacture and storage of glycogen, steroids and macromolecules. †¢ Golgi Apparatus or Golgi Complex deals with the processing of proteins and lipids after synthesis before transporting (e. g. secretion) †¢ Mitochondrion generates the cell’s energy (i. e. chemical energy) and produce majority of its Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) †¢ Vacuole is an enclosed water filled compartment within a cell containing enzymes and various natural and inorganic molecules. †¢ Nucleus contains majority of the cell’s genetic materials organized in a multiple long linear Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). It is considered to be the cell’s control center. 3. Methods in Molecular Exchange †¢ Diffusion. Diffusion balances the degree of concentration of molecules from a region with higher concentration to a region with lower concentration as a reaction to thermal motion. It plays a vital role in the distribution of oxygen, nutrients and other molecules across the capillary walls and across membranes. An diffusion equilibrium is said to be attained when the amount of molecule between two regions are equal and no diffusion movement occurs, or the net flux is at zero rate. The degree of concentration, temperature, and room affects the direction and extent of net flux related to the process. †¢ Endocytosis. Endocytosis takes place when cells suck up molecules from the outside of the cell by swallowing it up using their cell membrane. †¢ Exocytosis. Exocytosis is the reverse process of endocytosis where a cell releases the contents accumulated by the secretory vesicles out of the cell membrane. 4. Catalyst and Enzyme Catalysts are substances that make a chemical reaction faster than its normal rate. Catalysts inhibit changes in matters acted upon (substrate) but remain unchanged on the final output of the reaction (end product). Enzymes are types of catalyst that are almost always in protein form and are used in biochemical (living) reactions. 5. Enzyme-Controlled Reaction During an enzyme-controlled reaction, the enzyme’s key portion called â€Å"active site† interacts with the substrate. The substrate begins reacting to the enzyme entering a stress state. Upon reaching the necessary stress rate, the substrate changes in form or state (or both) producing the end product. The resulting end product is said to â€Å"drift away† and the enzyme is then free to perform the same procedure in the chemical reaction until no reactible substance is left, concluding the process. 6. Enzymes, Coenzymes and Vitamins The primary function of vitamins in living organisms is to serve as cofactors for chemical reactions involving enzymes. Although a cofactor is a non-protein chemical compound, cofactors are tied to a protein and is necessary for proteins to perform its biological functions. These types of proteins are almost always a kind of enzyme and cofactors can be thought as of â€Å"helpers† in performing its transformation. Vitamins or derivatives of vitamins make up an organic cofactor. 7. Chemosynthesis is the process by which organisms generate their own energy through chemical reaction rather than sunlight. This process converts carbon substances and nutrients into organic form (hydrocarbon) by oxidation as an energy source. 8. In the process called Glycolysis, requires two ATP’s to break down glucose into phosphoglyceraldehyde (2 PGAL). In the 2nd stage of glycolysis, the 2 PGAL’s are then broken into 2 pyruvates. This stage produces 4 ATP’s and 2 NADH’s. The net ATP production is 2 ATP’s as in the same case with the Krebs Cycle. 9. Stages in Photosynthesis The process of photosynthesis starts with the accumulation of substances needed by the process. These substances are carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O) and, of course, sunlight to be processed in the leaf’s chloroplasts. Sunlight then is converted into an energy form called ATP and NADPH. The sunlight absorbed through the stomata follows as certain chain of processing and results in the production of ATP, NADPH and oxygen. This process is called light reaction. Utilizing the ATP and NADPH, carbon dioxide is then converted into sugar. The resulting sugar is then broken down into two molecules called glucose and fructose, molecules that make up sucrose and sugar. The process is called dark reaction. 10. Assuming Photosynthesis I and Photosynthesis II refers to Light Reaction and Dark reactions: During light reactions electrons react as light strikes the chlorophyll. This results to the formation of ATP and NADPH. Also, water undergoes chemical reaction splitting oxygen and hydrogen. Carbon dioxide is accumulated from the atmosphere, hydrogen is added producing carbohydrates. This process is called carbon fixation. In the case of dark reactions, carbon dioxide is accumulated by a 5-C chemical called ribulose biphosphate (RuBP). Six molecules of carbon dioxide go in the Calvin Cycle, creating a glucose molecule. TP and NADPH created is used to attach phosphates into the PGA. Residual PGAL molecules are converted to reform 6 molecules of RuBP repeating the cycle again. REFERENCES Enger, E. D. , Ross, F. C. , Bailey, D. B. (2009). Concepts in biology (13th ed. ). New York: McGraw-Hill. Turner W. (January 1890). The Cell Theory, Past and Present BIOS 100 Lecture Material Online. Fall 2004. Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, and other Energy-Releasing Pathways. May 15, 2009. http://www. bio. miami. edu/~cmallery/255/255hist/cell_theory. htm

Industrial Engineering :: essays papers

Industrial Engineering Industrial Engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, equipment, information, and energy in the most efficient manner possible. Efficiency is one of an engineers major concerns. Being able to complete the job, solve the problem, and put the solution in process are all very important, but making the process efficient allows less waste and more profit. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skill in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems. Their jobs are also concerned with performance, reliability, cost efficiency, quality control, plant design, and management of human resources. Materials engineering and computer engineering are two of the modern examples of industrial engineering. Industrial engineers have the challenge of incorporating today’s leading technological advances with the production of them in manufacturing facilities. Their purpose is to maximize output, while minimizing the costs for materials and production. This is why industrial engineers must have knowledge of product development, materials processing, optimization, queuing theory, production techniques, and engineering economy. Industrial engineers must have adequate skills in computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing. Robots are now providing more assistance than ever for industrial engineers. Industrial engineering can spread into a wide area of fields. An industrial engineer’s knowledge is useful in designing better systems to care for patients in hospitals, reduce air pollution, and for approaching large-scale challenges in enterprises(usually with a team of other engineers.) Industrial engineers will work with biological engineers to improve the environment, reduce wastes, and conserve Industrial Engineering :: essays papers Industrial Engineering Industrial Engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, equipment, information, and energy in the most efficient manner possible. Efficiency is one of an engineers major concerns. Being able to complete the job, solve the problem, and put the solution in process are all very important, but making the process efficient allows less waste and more profit. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skill in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems. Their jobs are also concerned with performance, reliability, cost efficiency, quality control, plant design, and management of human resources. Materials engineering and computer engineering are two of the modern examples of industrial engineering. Industrial engineers have the challenge of incorporating today’s leading technological advances with the production of them in manufacturing facilities. Their purpose is to maximize output, while minimizing the costs for materials and production. This is why industrial engineers must have knowledge of product development, materials processing, optimization, queuing theory, production techniques, and engineering economy. Industrial engineers must have adequate skills in computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing. Robots are now providing more assistance than ever for industrial engineers. Industrial engineering can spread into a wide area of fields. An industrial engineer’s knowledge is useful in designing better systems to care for patients in hospitals, reduce air pollution, and for approaching large-scale challenges in enterprises(usually with a team of other engineers.) Industrial engineers will work with biological engineers to improve the environment, reduce wastes, and conserve

“Beowulf” References Essay

  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Beowulf† is rich in references to Fate, which is described or as a â€Å"armor of Creator† and identical to divine intent, or is shown as an independent force. Really, belief in Fate took primary place in before-Christian ideology of Germans. During the battle with Grendel’s mother, Fate as force unites with Fate as divine intent. Although Beowulf is an instrument in divine hands, in hands of Fate, for his people he IS the Fate – he embodies Fate. He says: â€Å"Fate goes ever as fate must† (line 455). Beowulf believes in fate and he challenges it – when he comes to Chrodgar and asks him to give him honor to protect fortress from monster Grendel, he tells that fate should judge and decide who’ll stay alive. And if he’ll be killed, so this is fate. He says about fate also when he remembers his contest with Brecca, where they wanted to find out who is the better swimmer, when they swam for 5 days, and then lost each other in the sea; a sea monster attacked him, but again, fate saved Beowulf: by his own words â€Å"Fate often saves an undoomed man if his courage holds.† (â€Å"Beowulf†) He believed in honesty and fate, so he took off his chain armor and sword and gave all this to his companion – he could kill Grendel by sword, but he wanted to win in an honest contest – this was his free will. Grendel is (as we can see in text) sent by Fate; they call him â€Å"Cain’s son† and a devil, which came to punish the people. Grendel is â€Å"darkness† and Beowulf is â€Å"light† – this tension between dark and light is repeated in the text several times. Although Grendel came, expecting â€Å"plentiful meat†, â€Å"It was his fate that he eat no more of the race of men after that night†. Grendel is called â€Å"Grendel, Hell’s friend, God’s enemy† (â€Å"Beowulf†) Beowulf kills Grendel being a Fate instrument: â€Å"The end of Grendel’s life was   miserable, and he would travel   far into the hands of fiends. Grendel, the foe of God, who had   long troubled the spirits of men with his crimes, found that   his body could not stand against the hand grip of that warrior†. (â€Å"Beowulf†) When Beowulf embodies â€Å"good†, Grendel embodies â€Å"evil†. Grendel and Daghrevn (lets compare with English â€Å"dark raven†) – it indicates the real essence of Daghrevn. Remember that in middle age â€Å"Northern† poetics raven is a symbol of trouble and Fate (Hamilton, M.P, p.113). And when Beowulf kills Daghrevn – it embodies the new stage in the life of Beowulf – stage of struggle with Fate. In case killing of Grendel is necessity, killing of dragon has element of chance. Mystical power of Daghrevn is higher then even Grendel’s mother had, so here is the Fate. The destiny of Beowulf is decided after he killed dragon – from now on the instrument of fate is not Beowulf- it is dragon, who (how it was repeated not once, from formal point of view) was right. But Beowulf also was right. So, Beowulf acts from the God, and dragon from the Fate (Blackburn, F.A, p.45). But, because Fate is a divine justice, both Beowulf and dragon die. In another case it would be that the God had contradictions with himself, it means, with his instrument – the Fate, which is immanent to him. Continuum is stabilized. The God is united with his divine instrument – the Fate. Works Cited: Anonymous, Beowulf Klaeber, F.R. ed. D.C. Heath & Co. 1950. Hamilton, M.P. â€Å"The Religious Principle† in An Anthology of Beowulf Criticism. University of Notre Dame Press. 1963. Blackburn, F.A. â€Å"The Christian Colouring in the Beowulf† in An Anthology of Beowulf Criticism. University of Notre Dame Press. 1963.   

Statistics and Psychology

There are numerous applications of statistical reasoning and research methods in the field of psychology. From simple aspects of reading and interpreting psychology articles, to completing personal research, statistics is a necessary concept to understand. The scientific method is essential to research, and many of the concepts cross the lines into statistics. It is also imperative for us to compare and contrast the characteristics of primary and secondary data. Ultimately, the focus of these topics centers on the application of statistical reasoning in psychology.Statistics in Psychology One might ask themselves how mathematical concepts could possibly apply to psychology. The answer is simpler than many imagine, all one has to do is focus on the interpretation. Reading psychology research articles is a common occurrence for anyone in the field. Without the ability to understand the jargon, tables, graphs, and other aspects at the heart of statistics, one is unable to truly process the findings of research (Aron, Aron, & Coups, 2009). Research is an iatrical part to nearly every field of psychology, but especially those who seek to answer questions and gain insight to problems.Most fields of psychology –including counseling and clinical focuses- require answers to questions (Aron, Aron, & Coups, 2009). Answering questions requires some form of research, which uses statistics on some level. To answer many of these questions, research is done with some application of the scientific method. Research and the Scientific Method When searching for the answer to a problem, most go about it in an orderly way. The research done in the scientific method is simple application of systematic and logical steps to problem solving (Cowens, 2006).Using the five-step process allows researchers to examine any inquiry. The Five-Step Approach The first step is to determine a problem to solve, or make an observation (Cowens, 2006). This can be a simple question or a more comp lex desire to understand how or why something works. For instance, a psychologist seeks to understand why certain object triggers rage in a patient. Step two is to determine a hypothesis (Cowens, 2006). A hypothesis is usually a speculation or idea about how or why something happens. This step seeks to predict the outcome or reasoning of the problem.The psychologist may form the hypothesis that the object triggers rage because the patient associates the object with past trauma. Now it is time to test the hypothesis. Experimentation and research enters the picture for this step (Cowens, 2006). To test the hypothesis, the psychologist may use sessions or questions as research. They may also try other objects, or use hypnosis to recall the trauma. Recording the observations is an essential step in the scientific method (Cowens, 2006). All observations are important, and frequency tables, graphs, and charts explore the statistical application of the scientific method.In addition to thes e, psychologists may use notes to explore the reasoning. The final step is drawing a conclusion (Cowens, 2006). The purpose of this step is the interpretation of the findings. The results may either support the hypothesis, or raise new questions to explore. The psychologist may find no past trauma, and determine that all purple objects trigger both rage and fear. They then will seek a new hypothesis to begin a new search for answers. Primary and Secondary Data In any aspect of research, it is imperative to consider the validity of results.Primary data is described as data observed or collected directly from first-hand experience (Triola, 2010). Secondary data is published data, or data collected by others (Triola, 2010). Primary data is preferred in research because the knowledge is obtained first-hand, where secondary relies on the observations of others. For instance, more accurate results in a weight study will come from the direct weighing of the patients than asking them their weight. Statistics in Research Psychologists use univariate principles when they measure only one variable and multivariate procedure when using variables to ascertain relationships (Chow, 2002).Psychologists often use statistics to identify areas of research interest. In testing a hypothesis, many researchers need to turn questions into testable numerical data. One of the most common statistics applications is the testing of the null hypothesis. The null hypothesis involves the original claim –like 50 out of 100 patients see success in regression techniques to overcome phobias- and turning it into a mathematical claim (Â µ = 50). The alternative hypothesis represents the difference of a claim, or the probability that it is untrue because the test statistic is outside the given range (Â µ ? 50).These claims are tested, and if it is found that less than 50 patients saw success with regression techniques, then researchers are able to use statistical reasoning to disprove the statement. Overall, statistical reasoning is extremely important in the interpretation of research results obtained through the scientific method. Personal Application The concepts discussed throughout this paper have focused on many answers this author hopes to find in her professional life, and has pursued in her personal life. The author cited the example of rage and fear caused by purple, because her nine-year-old sister suffers problems with this concept.After many trials, tests, and visits to therapy, we were able to determine that she associated the color with Barney the dinosaur, and she cross-associated Barney with a fear of dinosaurs coming back to life in an old movie. Although a simple study, it had great impact on this author’s life, and her future pursuit of psychology. Conclusion Statistical reasoning in psychology may seem like a contradiction to many. However, any pursuit of answers requires research –which employs the scientific method and statistics. We have determined primary data to be more beneficial and reliable than secondary data.We have also applied the concept of hypotheses to statistics and basic research. In conclusion, even simple understanding in psychology is often related to statistical reasoning. ?References Aron, A. , Aron, E. N. , & Coups, E. J. (2009). Statistics for psychology (5th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall Chow, S. L. (2002). Statistics and its role in psychological research. Methods in Psychological Research. Retrieved October 3, 2010 from ProQuest database. Cowens, J. (2006, August/September). The scientific method. Teaching PreK-8. (37)1. 42. Triola, M. F. (2010). Elementary Statistics. (11th Ed. ). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Dan Flavin, Fluorescent Light Sculpture Artist

Dan Flavin, Fluorescent Light Sculpture Artist Dan Flavin (1933-1996) was an American minimalist artist known for his sculptures created using solely commercially available fluorescent light bulbs and their fixtures. He created works that ranged from a single bulb placed at an angle from the floor, to massive site-specific installations. Fast Facts: Dan Flavin Occupation: SculptorStyle: MinimalismBorn: April 1, 1933 in Jamaica, Queens, New YorkDied: November 29, 1996 in Riverhead, New YorkSpouses: Sonja Severdija (divorced 1979), Tracy HarrisChild: Stephen FlavinSelected Works: The Diagonal of Personal Ecstasy (The Diagonal of May 25, 1963) (1963), Santa Maria Annunciata (1996)Notable Quote: One might not think of light as a matter of fact, but I do. And it is, as I said, as plain and open and direct an art as you will ever find. Early Life and Education Born in the New York borough of Queens, Dan Flavin grew up in a devout Roman Catholic family. As a young child, he showed an interest in drawing, particularly wartime scenes. In 1947, Flavin entered the Immaculate Conception Preparatory Seminary in Brooklyn to study for the priesthood. Six years later, he left the seminary along with his fraternal twin brother, David, and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. There, he trained as a meteorological technician and studied art through an extension program provided by the University of Maryland in Korea. Artist Dan Flavin at the Paula Cooper Galler in 1992 in New York City, New York. Rose Hartman / Getty Images After returning to the U.S., Flavin left the military and ultimately enrolled at Columbia University to study art history as well as painting and drawing. Before graduating, he left college and began working jobs in the mailroom at the Guggenheim Museum and as a guard at the Museum of Modern Art to gain entry into the New York art scene. Minimalist Light Sculpture Dan Flavins early drawings and paintings show a strong influence of abstract expressionism. He also created assembled mixed media sculptures that relate to the movement. Some speculate that Jasper Johns use of light bulbs and flashlights in his assemblages might have impacted the creation of Flavins early works with light. In 1961, Flavin began to design his first Icon pieces with his wife, Sonja Severdija. He first exhibited the light sculptures in 1964. They consisted of box constructions illuminated by incandescent and fluorescent lights. Untitled (To Don Judd, Colorist) (1987). Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons 2.0 By 1963, Flavin stopped working with canvas. He used only fluorescent light bulbs and fixtures. One of the first works in his mature style was The Diagonal of Personal Ecstasy (The Diagonal of May 25, 1963). It consisted of a yellow fluorescent light placed on the wall at a 45 degree angle with the floor. Flavin dedicated the piece to sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Dan Flavin later explained that his discovery of the potential of the fluorescent bulb was a significant revelation. Hed always admired the readymade sculptures of Marcel Duchamp, and he realized that the bulbs were objects in a basic form that he could use in an infinite number of ways. Many of Flavins most significant works are dedications to artist friends and gallery owners. One of those, Untitled (To Dan Judd, Colorist), is a tribute to another artist who, along with Dan Flavin, helped define minimalist art. The pair were close friends, and Judd even named his son Flavin. Interior of Santa Maria Annunciata in Milan, Italy. Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons 3.0 In a clever reference to another of the most prominent minimalists of the 20th century, Dan Flavin created Greens Crossing Greens (to Piet Mondrian Who Lacked Green). Mondrian worked almost entirely with primary colors, black and white, ignoring blended colors like green. Later Life and Work Later in his career, Dan Flavin focused on large-scale installations utilizing colored fluorescent lights. One of his corridor constructions, Untitled (to Jan and Ron Greenberg), was created for a solo show at the St. Louis Art Museum in 1973. Flavin often designed sculptures but didnt construct them until someone purchased them or provided a location for construction. As a result, he left behind drawings and designs for more than 1,000 sculptures when he died in 1996. The last work completed before Dan Flavins death was the lighting of the Santa Maria Annunciata church in Milan, Italy. It is a 1932 Romanesque Revival building, and Flavin completed his plans two days before his death. The church completed the installation one year later. To Saskia, Sixtina, Thordis (1973). Philippe Huguen / Getty Images Legacy Dan Flavins decision to work solely with fluorescent light bulbs as the medium for the construction of his sculptures makes him unique among major 20th-century artists. He helped define minimalism using such limited materials, and he introduced the idea of impermanence to his work. Flavins works only exist until the lights burn out, and the light itself is the analogous element to other sculptors use of concrete, glass, or steel. He influenced a wave of later light artists including Olafur Eliasson and James Turrell. Source Fuchs, Rainier. Dan Flavin. Hatje Cantz, 2013.

How to Answer the 5 Most Common Interview Questions

How to Answer the 5 Most Common Interview Questions In a 1981 interview, TV journalist Barbara Walters famously asked actress Katharine Hepburn, â€Å"What kind of tree are you?† Ever since then, the tree question has been a byword for out-there interview questions. And while you probably won’t get any tree-based questions in your next job interview, you should be prepared for open-ended questions designed to test your readiness for a job. Here are some answers and strategies you should have in your pocket for when an interviewer asks you a question slightly outside of your resume.1. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?Relax. The interviewer isn’t expecting a full audit of your personal failures or a speech about how you remind yourself of Mother Theresa and Mark Zuckerberg. When you’re asked about your strengths, make sure your answer is directly relevant to the job you’re interviewing for. If you’re interviewing for a sales position, mention your knack for turning a slammed door i nto a promising lead. Or if you’re under consideration for a management position, talk about how your leadership led your former group to its best year ever.For your weaknesses, don’t answer with something that will likely make the interviewer roll their eyes, like â€Å"I work too hard† or â€Å"I love my job too much.† Instead, be honest- but again, make sure it can be spun as a positive for the specific role you’re seeking. For example, instead of saying that you work too hard, say that you have a tendency to try to solve every problem that comes along.The key is to  make sure the interviewer knows you’re aware of your limitations. In this case, you could say that you tend to take on a lot, but that you’re aware of the need to work with the team to find solutions together instead of putting it all on one person. A little self-awareness goes a long way.2.  What was your reason for leaving your previous  job?Chances are, the in terviewer will ask you why you’re looking to leave your current job- or if you’re currently unemployed, why you left your last job. If it’s the former, stress that you’re seeking to grow by taking your skills and experience to the next level with this job. If it’s the latter, and you left your last job under less-than-ideal circumstances (like being fired), don’t panic. Emphasize that the job wasn’t a good fit for you, and you’re seeking a job that fits with your long-term goals (with a bit of explanation of what those are and how they relate to the job you’re trying to get).3. What are your salary expectations for this position?Asking what kind of salary you’re expecting may just be the interviewer’s way to determine what you expect from the job. It’s a risky question to answer- too high a salary, and they might think you’ll jump ship for the next high-paying opportunity that comes along. Too low, and that could impact the salary and benefits they propose to you as part of a job offer. It’s okay to punt this one a little- explain that you’re flexible on salary depending on the role and benefits package and would be happy to discuss that further in the future.4.  Tell me about yourself .When an interviewer asks you about yourself, this is not the time to talk about your hometown, your elementary school spelling bee trophies, or your allergies. They want you to cherry-pick your bio to show whether you’ll fit at their company, in their open  position. Here’s where a quick summary of your relevant education would come in handy, along with  an overview of jobs you’ve had in the field or other experiences appropriate to the job itself. This is something you can prepare ahead of time- just a few sentences outlining who you are as a professional and what makes you a strong candidate for the position.5. Tell me about a time you solved a d ifficult problem.Another popular interview tactic is to have the candidate tell a story about a time they demonstrated a particular skill, like problem solving. Before you go into the interview, think about the skills you’d like to emphasize and come up with a few (honest!) anecdotes about how you applied those in real life. Write them down, or at least jot down notes; that will help them stick in your head and make them easier for your brain to â€Å"grab† when you’re on the spot.If you do know what kind of tree you would be, great! You’re all set if that somehow comes up. Much more likely, you’ll see questions like these. The more you think about them beforehand, the more ready you’ll be to answer them like a pro.

Micro1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Micro1 - Essay Example However, the freedom of movement can also act as a determining factor of the existence or non-existence of freedom. When one has the freedom of movement, they have the choice to choose where the place they will move to is. They can either choose to move to a good place or move to a bad place. Let’s consider a hypothetical situation where two individuals have made a choice to move. One individual chooses to move to a good place while the other chooses to move to a bad place. Initially, the two individuals are both free, but their choice dictates their freedom. The individual who chooses to move to a good place is essentially free. This is because their choice has made them free. The other individual who chooses to move to a bad place, though initially having the freedom of choice, is not free on the basis of their choice. His choice determines that the freedom in itself does not make the individual free. This is the paradox of freedom. From this paradox, it can be derived that freedom does not necessarily make one individual free; it does not guarantee that one will be automatically free. The freedom of an individual is determined by the manner in which the individual uses the freedom at their disposal. Freedom is highly perishable. Any individual that has a particular freedom or is seeking for freedom has the fundamental obligation of using it wisely. If carelessly used or handled, freedom will automatically degrade due to its highly perishable nature. Another paradoxical feature of freedom is responsibility - responsibility comes with freedom. Any individual, group, or country that has achieved or attained freedom to a certain extent has had to take responsibility for it. A free individual is held accountable for their every decision, mistake or success and have to be answerable over any uncertainties or eventualities in terms of outcomes. Freedom therefore is not a lifeless concept but a concept of life; a living entity proof. Freedom has many forms, l evels, and states. Some of the aspects of freedom are on an individual basis while others are on an integral basis. The most basic but essential freedom is the freedom to think. This is an inner freedom that determines whether or not freedom is truly in existence. This is because the freedom of thought is the foundation of all other freedoms. Any kind of assault or annihilation of this freedom results to a restriction of all other freedoms. According to Hamilton (2011: 33), humans deprive themselves of freedom by pursuing their very desires. Man is so caught up in fulfilling his desires that he unknowingly curbs his freedom of thought. He becomes unable to spawn from his ability to think, and this is perilous because it is a fundamental freedom of man. The freedom to think is similar to the freedom to move. Similar to the freedom to move to either a good or a bad place, the freedom to think enables us as individuals to either have good thoughts or bad thoughts. At such a point, the questions that can be and ought to be asked are what are good thoughts and what are bad thoughts. The answer to this questions can be derived by an individual with regards to their beliefs, moral standards, and principles. In addition, the societal perception of certain issues can also be a basis for gauging whether the thoughts that an individual has are good or bad. However, the most standard way of determining the nature of thoughts that are generated by an individual is by analyzing their environment. From the concept of extension, the brain extends

Contrast the Power of Chief Justice Roberts Jr. with that of an Essay

Contrast the Power of Chief Justice Roberts Jr. with that of an Associate Justice like Kennedy - Essay Example However, in terms of power and influence during oral arguments and Friday conference, all justices of the US Supreme Courts have equal voices and equal votes. Undeniably, during oral arguments and Friday conference, protocol states that the Chief Justice speaks first, casts his vote first and assigns the writer of the Court’s opinion if he is with the majority. All these privileges are in deference to his esteemed position. As a matter of fact, the US Supreme Court operates on a system of seniority. With the sole exception of the Chief Justice, the Associate Justices are called to speak and cast their voice on the basis of seniority, that is, the older justices go first. The system of seniority is used only for the purpose of finding order in their procedures and has no bearing on their influence in decision-making (US Courts). In terms of influence on the outcome of the case which is under oral argument or discussion during Friday conference, all Justices have the same and eq ual votes. The Chief Justice is just one vote out of the nine Justices that make up the US Supreme Court. There is not one Justice, not even the Chief Justice, who has more influence and more value to their votes than the others. 2. ... A Justice from the majority group is then assigned to write the opinion of the court. When it is finally promulgated, the majority opinion forms part of the jurisprudence and may be used as precedence for future cases. By their very nature, only the majority opinion affects the actual case law and policy impact that arise out of the promulgated decision. Justices from both the winning majority and the losing minority are all free to write their own opinions which shall also form part of the promulgated decision. Those who agree with the majority opinion write concurring opinions while those who disagree with the majority write dissenting opinions. Interestingly, dissenting opinion gives us a glimpse of the dynamics that occurred in the course of the deliberation of the case. Although the opinion has no weight on the decision and does not confer rights to the parties in the case, justices write them anyway to register their disagreement with the majority. In rare occasions, dissenting opinion becomes the majority opinion because the other Justices become convinced with the dissenter’s argument after reading the dissenting opinion (US Courts). 3. Compare the Superior courts with the US District Court in terms of their purpose(s). What difference(s) did you notice in your study? What do you make of this?   The federal court system has three levels of courts in its hierarchy and each level has a different stated purpose. The three federal courts are the US District Courts, the US Circuit Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The US District Courts are the trial courts which hear cases under its original jurisdiction. It has authority to hear both civil and criminal cases. Parties who are not