Trees Water Pollution and Natural Air Filter Essay Example

Trees: Water Pollution and Natural Air Filter Paper Trees clean the air. Tree foliage works as a natural air filter of particulate matter such as dust, micro sized metals and pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides, ammonia and sulfur dioxides. Trees take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Combined with the cooling effect of trees, these processes can have a significant impact on reducing smog and overall air pollution. Trees improve water quality. A healthy urban forest can have a strong influence on our regions water quality. Tree canopies and root systems slow ND reduce storm water runoff, flooding and erosion. Trees also help filter water runoff reducing potential sources Of water pollution into our rivers and storm drains. Trees save energy. Trees cool the air naturally in two ways: through water evaporating from the leaves and direct shade. Homes shaded by trees need less energy for cooling which means lower monthly utility bills in summer and a reduced need for utilities to increase power generation to meet peak load demand. Trees raise real estate value. Shaded neighborhoods and well-landscaped arid have a positive economic influence on real estate values, timeliness of house sales and neighborhood desirability. Studies report that landscaping speeds the sale of a home by four to six weeks. We can save trees by * reducing the consumption of products made from trees (e. G. Paper) providing alternate fuel to rural poor for cooking (e. G. Ii gas) so as to reduce cutting of trees for fuel wood * avoiding indiscriminate disposal of plastic products (especially thin plastic pick up bags) so as to allow rain water to recreate into ground and prevent erosion of soil to save the root system of * planning new projects (especially Hyde power projects/water trees storage reservoirs) not involving deforestation/ submergence of forests under water * avoiding any human activity that may cause forest fires * making tours echo friendly * creating awareness among people about importance of trees and need for their conser vation. We will write a custom essay sample on Trees: Water Pollution and Natural Air Filter specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Trees: Water Pollution and Natural Air Filter specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Trees: Water Pollution and Natural Air Filter specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

A Responsibility of a Citizen essays

A Responsibility of a Citizen essays Voting is defined as a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action. Voting is an important tool in choosing our leaders and how they run our country, especially with the upcoming presidential election. The citizens hold the future of Americas economy in their hands, and it is their responsibility to choose the right leader to guide them to have a better country. A citizen should vote for his own good and for the good of all. However, not all citizens of America vote. Why should one vote? One should vote because it is a responsibility and the future and good of all depends on it. Voting gives us the power to lead our country to a better future, because through this process we choose our leader; the right leader to lead us to what is good. Our economys future fully depends on our leader, our guide; the rise and fall of our country is based on his decisions. The president controls the government, which consists of us. Sometimes we are not content with how the government runs our country, this is because of the bad leadership of the president. During the last election of 2000, many citizens, especially aged 18-25, did not vote because of lack of knowledge. As an educated person, that is absurd. We live in a modern world and there are so many ways to gather knowledge about the candidates especially through the media. The citizen may be uneducated but he is wise enough to seek knowledge for it is in our nature that we have knowledge within us even before we are born. It is through voting that we can achieve the best, we should never settle for the less. The war against Iraq was not the only way for America to obtain peace, Bush did it his way. Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them as Lao-Tzu said in the Tao-te Ching. They could have compromised before attacking. Our Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld proclaimed to the world that nothing&...

Alligator Snapping Turtle Facts

Alligator Snapping Turtle Facts The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large freshwater turtle native to the United States. The species is named in honor of Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck. The turtle gets its common name from the ridges on its shell that resemble the rough skin of an alligator. Fast Facts: Alligator Snapping Turtle Scientific Name: Macrochelys temminckiiDistinguishing Features: Large turtle with strong jaws and a ridged shell resembling alligator skinAverage Size: 8.4 to 80 kg (19 to 176 lb); males larger than femalesDiet: Primarily carnivorousAverage Life Span: 20 to 70 yearsHabitat: Midwest to Southeast United StatesConservation Status: VulnerableKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: ChelydridaeFun Fact: Although not aggressive, the turtle can deliver a bite powerful enough to amputate fingers. Description The alligator snapping turtle has a large head and thick shell with three ridges that feature large, spiked scales. In contrast, the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) has a smoother shell. Snapping turtle have strong, stout heads, powerful jaws, and sharp claws. Although alligator snapping turtles may be black, brown, or olive green, most turtles appear greenish from algae growing on the carapace. The turtle has golden eyes with a radiating pattern that aids camouflage. On average, adult alligator snapping turtles range from 35 to 81 cm (13.8 to 31.8 in) carapace length and weigh between 8.4 to 80 kg (19 to 176 lb). Females tend to be smaller than males. Male alligator snapping turtles can be very large, potentially reaching 183 kg (403 lb). Of the freshwater turtles, only a few Asian softshell species reach a comparable size. Distribution The alligator snapping turtles makes its home in the rivers, lakes, and canals of the midwestern to southeastern United States. It lives in watersheds that ultimately drain into the Gulf of Mexico. The turtle is found as far north as South Dakota, as far west as Texas, and east to Florida and Georgia. Alligator snapping turtles live almost exclusively in the water. Females venture onto land to lay eggs. Diet and Predators Technically, turtles are omnivorous. But, for the most part, alligator snapping turtles are opportunistic predators. Their usual diet includes fish, carcasses, mollusks, amphibians, worms, snakes, water birds, crayfish, aquatic mammals, and other turtles. They will also eat aquatic plants. Large alligator snapping turtles have been known to kill and eat American alligators. Like other reptiles, they refuse to eat when the temperature is extremely cold or hot because they cannot digest their meal. The turtles tongue resembles a worm. reptiles4all, Getty Images Although the turtles tend to hunt at night, they can lure small prey during the daytime using their unusual tongues. The tongue of the turtle resembles a pink wriggling worm. A variety of predators may eat turtle eggs and hatchlings, including snakes, raccoons, skunks, herons, and crows. Humans are the only significant predator of the adults. Reproduction and Life Cycle Alligator snapping turtles become sexually mature around 12 years of age. They mate in the spring. About two months later, the female leaves the water to build a nest and deposit between 10 and 50 eggs. She selects a nest site near the water, but high enough or far enough to protect the eggs from flooding. Hatchlings emerge after 100 to 140 days, in early autumn. Their sex is determined by incubation temperature. In captivity, most turtles live between 20 and 70 years. However, they can potentially live as long as 200 years. Conservation Status The IUCN Red List classifies the alligator snapping turtle as a vulnerable species. The turtle is listed on CITES Appendix III (United States), with restrictions on its capture in several states within its range and on exportation. Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri are among states in which the turtle is considered endangered. Threats include collection for the pet trade, habitat destruction, pollution, pesticide accumulation, and trapping for its meat. Although threatened in the wild, the turtle is also kept in captivity. Conservationists are concerned release of captive turtles outside the species natural range may cause it to become invasive. In 2013, an alligator snapping turtle was captured and euthanized in Oregon. Some states prohibit keeping alligator snapping turtles as pets. Sources Elsey, R. M. (2006). Food Habits of Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) from Arkansas and Louisiana. Southeastern Naturalist. 5 (3): 443–452. doi:10.1656/1528-7092(2006)5[443:FHOMTA]2.0.CO;2Ernst, C., R. Barbour, J. Lovich. (1994). Turtles of the United States and Canada. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 1560988231.Gibbons, J. Whitfield (1987). Why Do Turtles Live So Long?. BioScience. 37 (4): 262–269. doi:10.2307/1310589Thomas, Travis M.; Granatosky, Michael C.; Bourque, Jason R.; Krysko, Kenneth L.; Moler, Paul E.; Gamble, Tony; Suarez, Eric; Leone, Erin; Roman, Joe (2014). Taxonomic assessment of Alligator Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae: Macrochelys), with the description of two new species from the southeastern United States. Zootaxa. 3786 (2): 141–165. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3786.2.4Tortoise Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Macrochelys temminckii (errata version published in 2016). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Spe cies 1996: e.T12589A97272309. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T12589A3362355.en

Punic war and its influence on roman domination of mediterranean Essay

Punic war and its influence on roman domination of mediterranean - Essay Example The Romans developed a system of written communication and numbers that are still in use today and, with this ability to record information, were also able to develop elaborate feats of technology. They introduced the concept of civil engineering and developed many new forms of architectural design such as the Roman arch. They were able to exert this type of long-range influence thanks largely to their successes experienced during the Punic Wars. To understand the tremendous influence the Romans were able to garner out of these victories, it is necessary to have some background into the three wars that are collectively referred to as the Punic Wars, the reach of this influence and the way in which this influence managed to dominate the thinking and culture of what has become known as the ‘Western’ world. The first Punic War was fought on the island of Sicily in 264 BC (Hooker, 1996). However, the beginning of the war seems somewhat confused. â€Å"Carthage occupied the Sicilian town of Massana in 264 BC, after the Mamertines, a group of mercenaries, appealed to Carthage for help against Hiero II, king of Syracuse (a Sicilian city-state). This concerned Rome, since Massana is in the northeast corner of Sicili, very near the Greek towns of Italy which fell under Roman protection. Once the problem with Heiro II was solved, the Mamertines appealed to Rome for aid in fighting off the Carthaginians† (Stackhouse, 2007). While Carthage looked forward to winning a new port placed in an ideal position for achieving domination over the entire Mediterranean, Rome felt winning the city would provide them with a strong location for land defense. â€Å"Although the two powers had no quarrel before, they also had no shared racial or cultural heritage† (Stackhouse, 2007). With Rome bes ieging the cities, Carthage opted to break

Reflective Learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reflective Learning - Essay Example One of our primary goals was to make the work innovative, original and creative to the maximum extent. In order to achieve that, we used to do brainstorming. It helped us collect the required information at the outset so that we would be able to be articulate in manipulating the data thus retrieved. The ideas collected through brainstorming were exchanged with one another and the best and most practicable ones were selected for further consideration. The communication generally went calm and meaningful. Owing to the diversity of cultures we came from, each one of us had his/her own mother tongue that was different from others. Nonetheless, it was essential to select one language as a medium of communication so that the inconveniences could be minimized. Therefore, we mutually decided to conduct all conversations in English alone. This solved the problem to much an extent. Those of us, who were not very fluent in English in the start, started to gain confidence with the passage of tim e, and improved English speaking skill. Quite often, we used to indulge in functional conflicts. The criticism made by team members was carefully constructed and was based on prudent observation. Accordingly, the team members took criticism positive and used it as a means to improve their individualistic and collective performance. In order to make sure that the quality of relationship and understanding between individual members of the team did not decline, we would conduct a complain and confront session in which every body would be free to say anything to anyone and criticize one another. This session not only helped regulate the tensions, but also used to be a very enjoyable activity. In the very first meeting, we had divided our responsibilities according to one another’s interests. Belbin team roles like implementer, shaper, and coordinator had to be distributed among the team members. Each of these roles had their own requirements. Fore example, playing the role of imp lementer required the individual to be quite well organized in his/her approach and to be predictable. The individual, as an implementer, should choose ideas and implement them slowly but effectively. The role of shaper asked the individual to invest too much energy and action in the work. The individual was supposed to insensitively challenge other team members to make them move on. The one who assumed the role of coordinator would make others concentrate on the work and would be in a controlling position. Roles were assigned according to individuals’ interests. Where two or more people had the same interests, it was essential to assign the responsibility to only one while others had to sacrifice. In order to solve such issues without any fuss, we would conduct the voting. The individual who won maximum votes would be assigned the responsibility to his/her choice, while others had to select from the remaining options. Thus, rational measures were taken to make important deci sions in minimum time and with maximum efficiency. In every work that is to be accomplished by a team, it is quite essential for all members of the team to always be fully aware of the progress of work. We had a meeting at the end of every single day in which we would make one another aware of the progress made during the very day and would plan the target for the following day. We looked up to the meetings in order to

Irish Dance Essay Example for Free

Irish Dance Essay Dance has always been an integral part of social gatherings and it is likely that it evolved before or autonomously of music as we know it today, as the human body contains rhythms of its own in heartbeat and breathing, therefore it is somewhat a natural instinct of movement. The earliest social dances were circular and linear chain dances, dating to 1400-1200 BC, of these the ‘ring’ dances, which used a sacred tree or stone as central focus are most likely the oldest. Couple dances arose in the twelfth century as a break up of the line into pairs in procession, and/or in response to the ‘courtly-love’ concept in the songs of the Troubadours, which developed within the courts of Europe presenting differentiation from court and folk dance. In particular, French cotillions a ‘square’ dance for four couples developed and moved to England, America and Ireland as did the later quadrilles (sets). In Irish dance history specifically: haye, rinnce fada and rinnce mor are the three names used to referring to the action in old literature. The first reference to dance in the Irish language is 1588. Rinnce appears first in 1609 amd ‘damhsa’ ten years later. HB15 It is not until the 17thC that we have any real documention referring to dance not just confined to Ireland worldwide. Citm: The common people in Ireland may have been dancing more free-form, simple dance, to fiddle and pipes. As well as courting, dancing had important social ritual functions. Rinnce fada is described as being performed on May-eve and dancing is associated with other important times are the year, e. g. Bealtaine, births, weddings, wakes. It is a matter of speculation whether country dances had an identifiably Irish form, but seems highly likely that group dance was part of the native Irish tradition in this period. Step dance itself is an accurate, rhythmic performance genre that focuses chiefly in predetermined leg movements. Done either in group or solo. hard shoes enhance the percussive nature of the treble reel, jig, hornpipe and solo set dances whereas soft shoes emphasise the graceful, airborne nature of the reel, slip/single/light jig. The primary solo Irish step dances are the jig, reel and hornpipe. The jig is first mentioned in Ireland in 1674. Four variants exist within Irish dance traditions: double, single, slide and slip, the most common of these being the double. Double: most common dance tune after the reel. 6/8 time characterised by rhythmic pattern of groups of three quavers. While jig tempo is generally lively when played solo, competitive dancers usually call for a greatly reduced tempo in order to execute their complicated footwork. Single: either 6/8 or 12/8 time. Crotchet followed by quaver. Associated with specific soft-shoe solo dance still performed in competitions today, usually by female dancers. A fast version of the tune is referred to as a slide and is used in the dancing of sets. Slide: essentially dance music. Long-short rhythm of tune is echoed by movements of dancers. Dancing of sets and, along with the polka is particularly associated with music and dance traditions of Sliabh Luachra, where it is brisk tempo of 12/8 tunes that dominates. Slip: 9/8 time. Distinct from other jig types usually in single form, continues to be danced in competitions usually by females in soft shoes. The reel is done to the music of tune type with same name and given its present dominance in music and dance, it may seem surprising that the reel is a relative latecomer to the Irish scene. Scholars are agreed that the reel as a dance tempo with its associated faster figures and stepping did not attain universal popularity in Ireland until the late eighteenth century, whereas across the water in Scotland it had long existed in many forms. The hornpipe originates from the mid eighteenth century and has maritime connections. The later, common time version made its way to Ireland where it was adopted by the dancing masters as a showpiece. Heavy stepping deemed it unsuitable for female dancers and for a number of years was solely male domain. Today, is used in solo dance and certain set-dances. Most likely came from England in late 1700s. There it had taken its present form in 1760s and was a figure dance, its older forms in 3/2 time and was performed between acts of plays usually by professional dancers. In Ireland, it became the supreme display of intricate footwork. HB: A sole reference in 1718 to the hornpipe is not necessarily a solo dance, as the measure was also used in some country dances. Very different initially to what it is known as. Other dances include: The German is a variant of a nineteenth century popular continental ‘schottische’, adopted as a couple dance in Co. Donegal, in 4/4 time and similar in tempo to a barn dance. Mazurka 231: is in ? time and is a round dance done by four couples, implemented more vigorously than the sensuous waltz. Adopted into Donegal tradition, it is one of the many local couple dances but is no longer commonly danced. Barn dance 25: is a form of ‘round the hall’ social dance most popular up to 1950s that is generally performed to hornpipe time (4/4), but in relation to marching practice is danced to 6/8 time in north Co. Antrim. March 228: among the most ancient music forms in any country. Originally related to military activities and incorporated into dance in Ireland to utilise the number of tunes so called. Quick march used in popular early 1900s dance as the ‘quickstep.’ in Irish tradition most common in 4/4, 2/4 and 6/8. During the ceili band ear many common song melodies were recruited as march tunes. Because of the redundancy of the bulk of traditional music in dancing entertainment, the march has fallen out of popularity and will almost never be heard played except in a limited fashion in ceili dances. Sean-nos 383: ‘old style’. traditional style of solo step dance. Freedom of arm movement, steps do not follow prescribed pattern and stepping is close to the floor. Public presentation highlighted one of Connemara culture features which was unrecognised by and possibly even unknown to the authorities of Gaelic League. Prior to the 1970s the local term was simply an bhatrail (the battering) and was on verge of extinction but such was the enthusiasm engendered by its new community staging, that many local people began to see this dance as a badge of culteral identity and a source of pride. Set dance 346: ‘a set of quadrilles’ and comprises a combination of irish dancing steps and French dance movements, danced to irish music. Developed by 18C dancing-masters who travelled in various parts of Ireland. Originally taught solo step dancing and created group or figure dances for their less talented pupils. In time the also included new dances such as the minuet, cotillions, and quadrilles. Brought from France, to England, Scotland then Ireland by military personnel and other travellers of the time. Dancing masters first taught them to upper classes in big country houses and later to the ordinary people in barns or at crossroads in the summer. Irish sets have most likely evolved from these or from other quadrilles that are no longer popularly danced. Today, most of the sets are named after their local town or area. Historically, ‘set’ dancing has been frowned upon by religious authorities of all denominations. Set dancing had been banned too by the Gaelic League in the early 20C and new ceili dances were taught by the Dancing Commission. It enjoyed a remarkable revival all over Ireland throughout late 20C, attributable to work of individual set-dance teachers, and also to CCE and the GAA network of set-dance competitions since the 1970s. 23. Main event of 18th C in dance terms introduction of reel and hornpipe measures. 19th C saw arrival of quadrille. 25. Quadrille sets (or half sets for 2 couples), were initially ballroom dances, moved from â€Å"polite† society (via dance masters or local enthusiasts) to country houses of rural Ireland and urban centres. Far from adopting these new dances, the Irish dance tradition absorbed them and made them something new in terms of figures, musical tempo and stepping. This cross fertilisation of new imports with elements of older dances - result in a new and identifiably Irish product. 27. Certain areas became associated with particular sets. 28. Apart from sets, most popular new dances in 19th C were ballroom dances such as the scottische, barndance, military two-step and waltz. When reached areas where traditional dance was strong, absorbed into the repertoire and subtly changed by effects of Irish stepping and local musical tastes. Fintan Vallely: The Companion to Irish Traditional Music.

How the concentration of an acid affects the rate of reaction on marble chips :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

How the concentration of an acid affects the rate of reaction on marble chips Background: These different speeds of reaction are referred to as their rates. The rate of reaction depends on how often and how hard the reacting particles collide with each other. Particles have to collide in order to react, and the have to collide hard enough as well. This is called the collision theory. When the temperature is increased the particles all move quicker. If they are moving quicker then they are going to have more collisions. Reactions only happen if the particles collide with enough energy. At a higher temperature there will be more particles colliding with enough energy to make the reaction happen. This initial energy is known as the activation energy, and it is needed to break the initial bonds. If one of the reactants is a solid then breaking it up into smaller pieces will increase its surface area. This means the particles around it in the solution will have more area to work on so there will be more useful collisions. A catalyst works by giving the reacting particles something to stick to where they can bump into each other. This obviously increases the number of collisions too. If the solution is made more concentrated it means that there are more particles of reactant knocking about between the water molecules, which makes collisions between the important particles more likely. Chemists overseeing large reactions in industrial situations must carefully consider the rates of reactions. For some reactions, such as the production of a final material, fast reactions will be desirable to increase production and therefore sales profit. For other reactions, such as the degradation of a material, reducing the rate may be beneficial to increase the lifetime of a product. Times Education Series Chemistry GCSE Plan: I will investigate how the concentration affects the rate of reaction between hydrochloric acid and calcium carbonate (marble chips). The rate of reaction can be measured by measuring the amount of gas produced after a certain amount of time. The reaction will take place in the conical flask from where the gas produced will travel into the up-turned measuring cylinder. The gas will then displace the water in the tube. I will measure out exactly 50ml of 1molar hydrochloric acid into the conical flask. I will then weigh out exactly or as close as possible to 2 grams of small sized marble chips. I will put the chips into the flask with the acid and immediately place the bung over it so as to lose as little gas as possible. I will then take readings at intervals of fifteen seconds.

History of Psychological Profiling Essay

In the early 19th century, when astronomers timed the passage of stars overhead, they noticed that they all came up with different results. They chalked these individual differences up to differences in what they called the â€Å"personality† of the eye. Even as far back as the mid-1800’s, distinguished scholars were championing the whole person as a unit of study. From that point forward, individual psychologists began to conceptualize personality and behavior differently. Sir Fancis Galton (1822-1911) Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911) may properly be called the first practitioner of psychological testing. It has been said that he originated mental tests, and assumed that intelligence could be measured in terms of a person’s level of sensory capacity-the higher the intelligence, the higher the level of sensory discrimination. Galton also began a long line of research on mental imagery, much of which included the first extensive use of the psychological questionnaire. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) For Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), founder of the psychoanalytic movement, personality consisted of; the ID, the Ego and the Superego, all of which he believed guide our behavior to an extent. During the 1920’s, psychoanalysis developed as a theoretical system for understanding all of human motivation and personality, not just a treatment for the mentally disturbed. William James (1842-1910) William James (1842-1910), often considered the greatest American psychologist, argued that human behavior was the result of hereditary, habits and/or instincts. Still considered a major contribution to psychology, The Principles of Psychology was published in 1890, to both acclaim and condemnation, yet remains one of the most widely read books in the field. James Mckeen Cattell (1860-1944) A contemporary of William James, James McKeen Cattell (1860-1944) is credited with influencing the movement in American psychology toward a more practical, test-oriented approach to the study of mental processes. The theme of all his research was the problem of individual difference. Alfred Binet (1857-1911) Although it was Cattell who coined the term â€Å"mental test,† it was Alfred Binet (1857-1911) who developed the first truly psychological test of mental ability in 1905 to predict school performance. That test is still in use today as the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. John b. Watson (1878-1958) At the same time, John B. Watson (1878-1958) was founding a new trend in psychology-the behaviorist movement. Although he began his career with the study of animal behavior, he ended it by studying consumer-buying behavior. Watson exerted a major impact on advertising in the U.S. through the application of behaviorist principles, which can still be easily seen and heard in commercials and ads today. Carl Jung (1875-1961) Although once heralded by Freud as the heir apparent to the psychoanalytic movement, Carl Jung (1875-1961) came to differ with Freud on the direction of the forces that influence the human personality. Jung believed that our behavior was not exclusively shaped by our past childhood experiences, but by our future hopes, goals and aspirations as well. B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) Behaviorist B. F. Skinner (1904-1990) argued that all behavior, except verbal behavior, was merely the correlation between a stimulus and a response. He developed a program for behavioral control of societies, and more than anyone else is responsible for the large-scale use of teaching machines and techniques of behavior modification. Prior to World War I only limited attempts had been made to measure personality. For example, in the late 19th century, a German psychiatrist had used what he called a â€Å"free-association† test, in which patients responded to stimulus words with the first word that came to mind. During World War I, the U.S. army wanted to know which of its recruits were highly neurotic. Psychologist Robert Woodworth constructed the â€Å"Personal Data Sheet,† a self-report instrument that asked recruits to indicate the neurotic that traits applied to them. Although the Personal Data Sheet saw little use during the war, it was the prototype for much of the personality profiling currently in use. Raymond b. Cattell (1905-1998) Then in 1950, Raymond B. Cattell (1905-1998) suggested that the central problem in personality psychology was the prediction of behavior. Cattell argued that traits were the central variables in personality and could be divided into three general categories; dynamic traits-those that set an individual into action to accomplish a goal; ability traits-which concern the individual’s effectiveness in reaching a goal; and temperament traits-which were the stylistic aspects, like dispositions, moods, and emotions. Ground breaking work was done during the 1960’s by Dr. Robert Guion in the field of personality testing within the workplace, much of which is reflected in his book Personnel Testing (McGraw-Hill 1965). Dr. Guion focused on testing candidates for employment as a basis for predicting their probable â€Å"fit† in the workplace. During the 1970’s personality testing became increasingly accepted as an invaluable resource to many employers when selecting employees for hire or promotion. Unfortunately, due to the costs typically associated with these instruments and their administration, the use of personality testing instruments was limited to larger organizations and usually only for upper management or key positions. David p. Pearson 1927-present In 1978 Dr. David Pearson became one of the first in his field to produce a software program that could perform a behavioral evaluation of an individual, without requiring the administration by or assistance of a psychologist or behavioral scientist. Since their development, evaluations of this type have proven to be invaluable to thousands of organizations world wide when selecting employees for hire or promotion. Today, everyone from psychologists, counselors, teachers and human resource managers in government, education and industry, uses psychological or educational evaluations. There is scarcely a person over the age of ten who has not taken at least one such test in their lifetime, whether it was an achievement test, an IQ test, a personality evaluation, or a measure of aptitude in a particular field. The key reason for the increase in test use over the last 75 years is that ethically correct tests are more reliable and accurate than subjective judgments, which often function as filters when we assess and observe others. This very human habit was considered by William James back in 1860, in a frequently quoted passage from The Principles of Psychology. â€Å"You see the little lines of cleavage running through the character, the tricks of thought, the prejudices, the ways of the â€Å"shop,† in a word, from which the man can by-and-by no more escape than his coat-sleeve can suddenly fall into a new set of folds† (pg. 79). Even the best interviewer can fall prey to unconscious biases, personal beliefs, stereotypes and other distractions that leave objectivity subject to error. Well-developed tests can help even the most experienced and knowledgeable hiring professional construct a fairer and more accurate picture of an individual, increasing the likelihood that they will hire the right person for the job. But testing should never be used in a vacuum. As Robert Guion says, â€Å"Testing should not be the instrument of decision. It should be used as a flag that either agrees with or contradicts your impression about a person.† At MindData we agree that tests can never replace professional judgment entirely. Rather, they should serve as one source of information to assist in making accurate and fair decisions when hiring and promoting.

A View from the Bridge – Notes

A View from the Bridge – Notes â€Å"Just remember, kid, you can quicker get back a million dollars that was stole than a word that you gave away. † Eddie speaks this quote in Act I, while eating dinner with Beatrice and Catherine. This quote reveals the irony and madness of Eddie's character. In the beginning of the play, Eddie tells the story of a young boy who called immigration on his relatives. Eddie lectures Catherine about how they must tell no one about Marco and Rodolpho, the illegal immigrant cousins the family will be hiding. However, in the end of the play, Eddie obviously calls Immigration on these cousins, just like the boy.Miller sets up Eddie so vehemently against betrayal that his transition to the betrayer seems illogical. The set-up requires Eddie to undergo a drastic change, if not complete breakdown, within the play to make such a transition. The force of this transition reveals no only his self-destructive madness, but the deepness of his unspoken love for his niece. This quote also reveals that Eddie knows his own fate—he knows what will happen to him, but cannot escape his fate. Much like Alfieri, Eddie watches himself make decisions he knows will not only ruin his reputation in the community, but also possibly kill him.Eddie may know the consequence of what he does, but remains powerless or too mad to stop it. â€Å"His eyes were like tunnels; my first thought was that he had committed a crime, but soon I saw it was only a passion that had moved into his body, like a stranger. † In this quote, found in Act I, Alferi describes Eddie's appearance at their first meeting, to the audience. Alfieri almost seems to fear Eddie as a paranormal beast, a remnant of the great Greek or Roman tragedy. Alfieri truly believes that Eddie was possessed with, â€Å"passion that has moved into his body, like a stranger,† and was unable to control him.The passion that Alfieri describes is the passion for his niece Catherin e. The passion, unreleased and suppressed in his unconscious was a stranger to Eddie's conscious self that actively denied any thoughts of incest or otherwise. This quote also reveals the style of Alfieri. Alfieri tells the tale of Eddie Carbone as if he is a legend. Eddie is described with dramatic and literary descriptions that are unusual in the dramatic form. â€Å"Eddie: Then why—Oh, B.! Beatrice: Yes, yes! Eddie: My B.! † This quote occurs at the conclusion of the play and is spoken between Eddie and Beatrice.As Eddie lies dying in Beatrice's arms, the couple finds some sort of reconciliation and repair of their torn and battered relationship. Beatrice, even under such horrible circumstances, is able to forgive Eddie. Eddie constantly dominates Beatrice throughout the play, but in this tiny moment Eddie needs Beatrice more than she needs him. It is the first time the audience hears that Eddie needs and it is the first time that he honestly needs Beatrice. Beatric e is the tirelessly forgiving character of the play. She is terribly jealous of her niece, who receives more attention from her husband than she does, but still forgives Eddie in the end.This final scene was one of the major alterations of the revised script of A View from the Bridge. In the original version, Eddie dies at the feet of Catherine. However, because of Beatrice's increased presence in the revised version and downscaling of the relationship between Eddie and Catherine—Eddie must return to Beatrice. Beatrice is the only female who, in the end, needs him. Catherine, now beyond his control, no longer seeks his approval. Thus, Eddie is drawn to Beatrice and for the first time he seeks out Beatrice, her forgiveness and love. â€Å"Beatrice: You want somethin' else, Eddie, and you can never have her! †This quote, spoken by Beatrice in the conclusion of Act II to Eddie, is the first time that Eddie seems to realize his true feelings for Catherine and recognize his own madness. Until this moment, no one has directly spoken about Eddie's feelings for Catherine. Although they are obviously known by Beatrice and Alfieri, know one has dared to actually tell Eddie what is wrong with him. But even when Eddie realizes his demon, the love for his niece, he is powerless to stop it. Eddie lunges forward and attempts to kill Marco. In this moment of Sicilian revenge, Eddie cannot pull himself back or regain any sense of reason.Perhaps even the recognition of the sexual taboo makes Eddie even more determined to seek revenge or at least find some sort of success or honor in his death. Eddie does not even have the power to deny Beatrice's claim, but instead follows through his destructive path. This moment may bring Eddie out of his madness enough to lie in Beatrice's arms as he bleeds to death. Once he has recognized his sinful love for Catherine, Eddie seems to find himself once again—which may explain why he is able to reconcile his relationship with Beatrice. â€Å"Most of the time we settle for half and I like it better.Even as I know how wrong he was, and his death useless, I tremble, for I confess that something perversely pure calls to me from his memory—not purely good, but himself purely And yet, it is better to settle for half, it must be! And so I mourn him—I admit it—with a certain alarm. † This quote deals with the central conflict of A View from the Bridge: the self will verses the will of the community. The whole man that Alfieri describes in Eddie is the self-interested man. Eddie's actions within the play are completely motivated by his own desires at the expense of others.Thus, humans must act halfway to preserve the rules of the community and lives of others. The idea that Alfieri suggests, that Eddie acted as a whole person, unrestrained and uninhibited is true. However, Eddie's wholeness was at the expense of his own family and eventually himself. He only escaped restraint beca use he escaped consideration of other people or the community at large. Eddie's wholeness is a whole interest in his own life. His tragic flaw is this self-interest—a flaw that seems both admirable and alarming to Alfieri. Themes The irrational human animal pic][pic]Eddie looses control of his actions in the play. Driven and possessed by incestuous love for his niece, Eddie resorts to desperate measures to protect his identity and name in the community. Alfieri's commentary often remarks on this theme. Alfieri seems constantly amazed by Eddie's actions and his own reactions to the events of the play. Alfieri sees his own irrational thinking, just as he recognizes Eddie's irrational behavior. Irrationality is also how Alfieri defines acting wholly. The human animal becomes irrational when he acts fully on his instincts—just as Eddie does in the play.Alfieri proposes that humans must act as a half, or restrain some of our instinctual needs or wants for reason. Nonetheles s, Alfieri still admires the irrational—the unleashed human spirit that reacts as it will. Allegiance to community law There is great conflict between community and American law in the play. The community abides by Sicilian-American customs protects illegal immigrants within their homes, values respect and family, is hard working and know the shipping culture, has strong associations with names, believes in trust and wants revenge when a member has been wronged.Some of these values, however, come in conflict with those of the American system of justice. Eddie Carbone chooses to turn against his community and abide by the state laws. He looses the respect of his community and friends—the name and personal identity he treasures. Eddie Carbone, with a stronger allegiance to the community, reverts back to another custom of Sicilian-Americans: revenge. Not only is Eddie pulled back to the values of his community, but the final victor of the play is symbolic of community val ues—the Italian, Marco. Thus, the small community is stronger than American law.Motifs Homosexuality Although specifically articulated, homosexuality or what makes a man â€Å"not right† is a persistent theme of the novel. Eddie obviously identifies Rodolpho as homosexual because Rodolpho sings, cooks and sews a dress for Catherine. Eddie also questions Rodolpho because he does not like to work and has bleach blonde hair that makes him look more feminine. Eddie gives Rodolpho several tests of his masculinity. In the first he teaches Rodolpho how to box and the second, more blatantly, Eddie kisses Rodolpho on the lips.Many critics think that this kiss is a sign of Eddie's own suppressed homosexual feelings, an easy parallel with his kiss with Catherine. Miller seems to take no stand either way, and the sexuality of Rodolpho or Eddie is unclear. However, the stereotypes of the gay man and societal implications of being gay are obvious. Louis and Mike, when talking about Rodolpho, clearly think there is something wrong with him and Eddie speaks directly to Alfieri about the specific things that bother him about Rodolpho. Womanhood The idea of what makes a woman or what defines a woman is very prevalent in the text.Catherine and Beatrice talk specifically about the terms in their conversation in Act I. Beatrice thinks Catherine needs to grow up and become a woman. To do this she needs to decide by herself whether she wants to marry Rodolpho. She needs to stop walking around the house in her slip in front of Eddie, and not sit on the edge of the tub while Eddie shaves his beard. In essence, being a woman means reserve and modesty in front of men, and independently making decisions. The idea of independence or separation from Eddie is coupled with the decision to find another male to attach to, a husband.Catherine's attempt at womanhood is deciding to marry Rodolpho and follow his rules rather than Eddie's. Community Community is a powerful context for the play; it dictates very specific norms and rules for the family that controls the actions of the characters. All of the characters are forced to reconcile between American culture and the Italian community culture that surrounds. The cultural and moral difference between the two provides one of the great conflicts in the play. The tight community around them also creates great tension in the Carbone family because they are constantly being watched.The neighbors knew when Marco and Rodolpho arrived, saw Marco spit in Eddie's face and Eddie die by Marco's hand. The community is the watcher; the group controls and monitors the behavior of every member. Although Eddie takes a substantial turn away from the community by calling the Immigration Bureau, he still needs acceptance and spends his last moments fighting Marco for his good name in the community. Symbols High Heels [pic][pic]For Catherine, high heels are representative of womanhood, flirtation and sexiness.She has just starte d wearing high heels around the community and to school and obviously enjoys the attention she gets from men. They are also symbolic as a rite-of-passage to womanhood. As Eddie strongly disapproves of her wearing them, Catherine purposefully rebels against her uncle every time she puts them on. The high heels give her sexual power over men—they look, stare and gawk at her beauty. Eddie thinks the heels are threatening for the same reasons Catherine loves them. Eddie is fearful that, if she looks attractive, some man will ask her out and she will leave the house.Eddie has a powerful reaction when she wears the high heels, as if she must take them off so they do not arouse him or anyone else. Brooklyn Bridge The Brooklyn Bridge is symbolic of a pathway of opportunity to Manhattan and also the linkage between American and Italian cultures. The bridge, which is very close to the Red Hook community, is a constant reminder of American opportunity and industry. From the bridge, one can see the community below and, like the title of the book, one can see the entire community and seek greater abstract meaning from his viewpoint.Alfieri is symbolic of the person on the bridge looking down upon the Red Hook community or, perhaps, he is the bridge himself, allowing the people to cross into Manhattan and modern, intellectual American culture. Alfieri attempts to unite the American laws with Italian cultural practices and negotiate a place in between the two. Alfieri, narrating the story from the present looking back to the past, has the same vantage point as one looking from the bridge. After some time passes, he is able to process the events and see the greater societal and moral implications it has for the community as a whole. ItalyThe origin of the majority of the people in the Red Hook community, Italy represents homeland, origin and culture. What the country means to characters greatly varies. Catherine associates Italy with mystery, romance and beauty. Rodolp ho, on the other hand, is actually from Italy, and thinks it is a place with little opportunity that he would like to escape from. All of the characters, as much as love the benefit of living in the U. S. , still strongly hold to Italian traditions and identify it as home. Italy is the basis of the cultural traditions in Red Hook and unites the community in common social practices and religion.

israel syria essays

israel syria essays The Struggle For Peace in the Middle East Continues... The Golan region, which lies between Israel and Syria, has been a place of much heated contention for many years. While the Middle East does seem in constant disarray, recent reports are showing that Syrian people are not worried over the recent delays in peace talks. Certain things are for sure though: Israel realizes it must return to Syria some of the Golan region, which it has controlled since the 1967 occupation took place during the Six-Day War. Under recent United States sponsorship, talks have only one month ago resumed and are still stalled for the moment, but it appears that both Israelis and Syrians are prospective that an agreement will be reached. It seems that the areas inhabitants are moving from warring to negotiating. The Golan Heights could be described as a desolate yet scenic stretch of land. The state of Israel was officially established in 1948 with a northeastern border enveloping the Sea of Galilee and shadowing the western edge of The Golan, a steep ridge belonging at the time to neighbor Syria. The Golan Heights is about a 460 square mile area that is now occupied by some 17,000 Israelis and nearly the same number of Syrian Druze who have never given up their nationality. In 1995, Israel led many to believe that they would withdraw from Golan in exchange for peace agreements and specific security arrangements. The United States, realizing an opportunity to further stabilize the situation in the Middle East in the interests of the world economy, have ceded a certain compromising attitude with Syria. Contrary to past relations, Syria has hailed the U.S. efforts at the negotiation table, citing the U.S. as behaving less like a mediator and more like a partner with each of the disputing parties. I believe it shows that the U.S. recognizes the strife endured by the Syrians in the loss of this t ...

A Long Way Gone

A Long Way Gone Shame BEA was an Innocent boy who enjoyed playing football, swimming in the streams, and even started a rap and dance group with his friends and older brother. The group discovered their love for rap music from old cassette tapes of O. P. P, Run D. M. C, and the Sugarbird Gang. Shame and Junior, along with their other friends cherished these few hip hop and rap cassette tapes. Shame constantly carried these couple tapes on him at all times. They choreographed dance routines and memorized all of the lyrics. The boys also entered a talent show In a close town.Shame, Junior, Tallow, and Mohamed have been singing and dancing to rap music since they first formed the group when Shame was only eight years old. They learned of rap during a visit to Mobile, where their fathers worked for an American company. They were transfixed by the music and returned to Mobile as often as they could to watch rap on their big television. Shame was shocked mostly because the black men could speak English so well and so quickly to the beat (Lisa). Shame and his group were inspired by the rap music. Music represented Seamless transformation Into the modern world.The entire group Is mesmeric by rap musicians. Music became a way to escape reality of the war, express themselves by writing lyrics, and it eventually saves their lives. Shame and the boys all worked together as a group to create music. They also started changing the way they would dress, act, and speak to be like these musicians. Shame and his friends were Just like any ordinary innocent group of young boys wanting to be like famous musicians. This Is why many readers of the book are attracted to Seamless character, because he is very relatable. Shame, Junior.Tallow, and Mohamed remind me of myself when I was their age (Essen). I would gather my neighborhood friends and pretend we were each a different member of Destinys Child. Just like Seamless group of friends, we would play dress up to look like them, attempt to memorize their dances, and mimic exactly how Destiny Child would act. My friends and I even had battles against my older brother and his group of friends who literally thought they were the real members of the boy band, NCSC. This goes to show exactly how young and innocent Shame and his friends really were. Throughout the book, A Long wayGone, rap music plays an extremely important role in saving Seamless life. While the boys are traveling one day, a group of large, muscular men Jump out from the bushes, holding up their machetes and hunting rifles. These men are the voluntary guards of the village and were ordered by their chief to bring Shame and his friends back to the village. They are Immediately tied up In the village and questioned. Even though the boys continue to Insist they are not rebel soldiers, the chief does not believe them. The chief would not believe the boys until they discovered a rap cassette tape in Seamless pocket.The chief forces Shame to explain the rap music. Shame was instructed to sing and dance to O. P. P by Naughty by Nature and l Need Love by AL Cool J. The chief is still cautious of the boys until a young boy from the village admits to knowing Shame and his friends. The boys are untied and the village surprisingly feeds them and even offers them a place to stay. Knowing that Shame should have been happy that the boy saved his life, but he could not be happy because he believed that happiness was fragile. The other boys tried to cheerShame up by playing Bob Marbles Three Little Birds and singing him the lyrics dont worry about a thing, cause every little thing is goanna be all right (Lisa). Seamless first breakthrough in rehabilitation at the Benign House was when his nurse, Esther, buys him rap cassette tapes and a cassette player. He was upset about it at first, but once the music hit his ears, Shame started opening up talking about his past for the first time to Esther. He talked about when he was shot in the foot during battle and needed the bullets surgically removed without anesthesia.He explains how he was given cocaine after fainting from the pain and how he also had to kill the men who shot him. Esther was crying sympathetically and comforts him (Nassau). Every time that Esther uses music in Seamless therapy, he is able to talk about his memories. Eventually, he starts looking forwarded to his therapy sessions with Esther. She encourages him to start writing music again and gives him a notepad. Shame does not trust anyone, because he is used to relying on himself to survive. This lack of trust in anyone is due to Shame being betrayed by the only arson that he did trust, the lieutenant.When Esther tries to gain a friendship with Shame, he avoided it at first. Every time he thinks about memories of his childhood, he gets a headache from the war flashbacks. The only thing that seemed to help him gain a peaceful mind was the music. When Shame loses himself in the beat off song, he is avoiding thinking about the painful memories of war. It was the music that helped him heal and to open up about his past. Shame has another breakthrough when he actually trusts Esther for the first time.

Do we live in a death denying culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Do we live in a death denying culture - Essay Example Death is something that is natural and nobody can stop it. When the time comes all of us have to go and the sooner we accept this fact, the more at ease we will be. We do not teach our children about death and it is something that the children learn themselves, when they experience a death of a loved one or through their experience of the world. We can say that we live in a death denying culture. There may be a few exceptions where people accept death and greet it with open arms when it comes otherwise majority of the people are scared of it; the problems, the diseases and the plagues that it brings with it. The concept of death has changed with time. During the Middle Ages people accepted death more easily and with tranquility. It was considered shameful to die suddenly; the concept of tame death was common among these times. People wanted to prepare for their deaths and for this they needed time, thus the tame death was what everybody wanted for themselves. Also, friends and family would gather around to offer their support and prayers. At this time people believed that the person entered sleep-like state to peacefully await salvation. It was believed that the dead person slept tranquilly during this period in a garden of flowers (Moller, 1996). Cemeteries were built far away from towns and cities as people were scared in the presence of the dead. The cemeteries slowly moved into the Churchyard as towns spread, but only the people who the Church recognized as virtuous or holy could be buried there. One very interesting fact was that to make space for the dead, the old graves were dug up and the bones were removed. As more time went by, the cemeteries became an attraction to the people; more people met up there and started living around the area. This was because the population started to grow and there was not enough space for housing. People started to be less scared of death and could be around it for a longer period of time. Many theories and patterns of death evolved; tame death being the first. The second patter was that of the death of self. An individual's acts, during this time, were categorized as good or bad and people had the ability to choose which path they will follow. The participation of the devil and the angel were brought into consideration and the records that they kept were evaluated when a person died. Based on there records, an individual was either sent to heaven or hell. In the fifteenth century, the concept of the day of final judgment emerges. "The salvation of a person's soul was now to be determined by the act of death rather than the acts of life. Dying a good death became the key to salvation." (Moller, 1996) According to this concept, a good death was when a person died while praying and if during the dying process if the dying person was tempted by the devil his death was to be damned. The main different between the two concepts then becomes the difference between universal salvation and individual judgment. During the sixteenth century, the plague happened and people realized that death could come at any time without them knowing it. Thus, at this time it became more important to do whatever a person had set out to achieve in life, so that when death does actually knock on the person's door, he has no regrets. This led people to develop calmness