The Effects of Exercise on the Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of Smokers and Non-Smokers Essays

The Effects of Exercise on the Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of Smokers and Non-Smokers Essays The Effects of Exercise on the Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of Smokers and Non-Smokers Essay The Effects of Exercise on the Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of Smokers and Non-Smokers Essay Aim: I am going to investigate how aerobic exercise affects the heart rate between smokers and non-smokers. To carry out this I will need to select a group of students (e.g. 10-15), in this group of student there have to be halves of them who are smokers and the other halves who are not smokers. To gather data on this I will need to generate two types of reading: heart rate and blood pressure of both of smokers and non-smokers. Prediction: I predict that heart rate of smokers will be elevated and blood pressure will be higher from non-smokers. This is, because smoking causes high blood pressure (nicotine that is found in cigarette causes blood constriction of blood vessel). This damages the endothelial layer of blood vessels, limits ability of blood vessel to dilate and raises the blood pressure, as the blood find difficult to flow through the vessels. Carbon monoxide, which is found in cigarette smokes lowers the ability of haemoglobin carrying oxygen. Therefore effecting transport of oxygen to the respirations sites (during exercise in the muscles). Background information on exercise The reason for my prediction is that more exercise a person does more it will affect the pulse rate of that person. When I mean exercise, I mean more activity a person do, for example running and cycling. The exercise requires movements, so more energy will be required. In order, to get more energy; respiration has to take place at faster rate. As more respiration takes place, more energy is used. Therefore, more carbon dioxide will be produced. Carbon dioxide is a waste product of respiration. So it must be removed from our blood (circulatory system), as it is a toxin. Because of the extra carbon dioxide being produced and blood has higher concentration of carbon dioxide. To get rid of the extra carbon dioxide, blood is pumped around the body faster in order to transport it into the lungs. This process raises the heart rate (heart beat), so the heart adjusts to the condition by pumping more blood around the circulatory system. However, during strenuous exercise, lasting at least more than 12 minutes, the respiratory system cannot supply enough oxygen to initiate respiration, so the body uses reserved energy, which is stored in the muscles as glycogen. This is known as anaerobic respiration. In aerobic respiration oxygen comes from two sources: oxyheamoglobin, where oxygen we breathe in that combines with haemoglobin in the blood, in this process the oxygen is released from the oxyheamoglobin in the muscles where respiration takes place, to become haemoglobin again. The other source is myoglobin, which is stored in the muscles. Myoglobin has greater affinity for oxygen than haemoglobin, as a result from this its acts as store of oxygen. Respiration is the process that releases energy food. In this process Glucose from our food is oxidised to give, carbon dioxide, water and energy is released in form of ATP. The overall equation for respiration is: C6H12 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP Effects of exercise As a person exercises, the longer the person exercises the dept of breathing increases as the exercise becomes harder or tiring. Our lungs respond to this by increasing the breathing rate (air inhalation). So, lungs could supply more oxygen from air, which is then transferred from the lungs through alveoli to the blood and then to the muscles via the circulatory system. During strenuous exercise, as the exercise get harder or more tiring, the demands for oxygen cannot be met alone by respiratory organs. During this time anaerobic respiration takes place. This process builds of an oxygen deficit, during which lactic acid is produced. After the exercise, at rest the subject (person) will continue to breathe hard and the heart rate remains the same, until the body has paid back the oxygen debt to the muscles. The oxygen is used to convert the lactic acid back to glycogen. The effect of exercise on breathing is measured by calculating the ventilation rate. This is the total volume of air moved into the lungs in one minute. The ventilation rate is calculated as follow: Tidal volume * breathing rate Tidal volume is the volume of air breathed in and then simultaneously breathed out during a single breath. The aerobic fitness is a measurement of the uptake: transport and use of oxygen by the body. An indicator for this is Vo2 max, which is expressed in dm-3 min-1 or cm3 kg-1 of body mass. This is the maximum rate at which the body absorbs and make use oxygen. Aerobic fitness is measured by having the subject perform strenuous exercise for example, running on a treadmill and then gradually increase the intensity of the exercise, at the same time taking measurement of the subject oxygen uptake. As the intensity of the exercise increases the uptake of oxygen will also increase. The better a persons aerobic fitness is, the higher the intensity of the exercise at Vo2 max (Aerobic fitness and its significant Internet site). This is saying that if a person has high Vo2 max, the more work this person can perform. This measurement of aerobic fitness is quite complex and needs to be carried out in a laboratory, as it will need relatively expensive equipment. The other way, which is easier to make measurement of aerobic fitness, is to take measurement of the subject heart rate. This is good a indicator, because oxygen is delivered by the circulatory system and each heart beat indicates a quantity of blood being pumped by the heart. Heart rate is affected by age, gender and fitness level of a person. In young people heart rate is higher than older people. This is because young people can increase their heart rate and deliver large amounts of oxygen to the muscles, which is why they have better aerobic fitness than older people. Older people seem to have lower heart rate, which is a major cause of their reduced aerobic fitness. The other reason for this is that older people generally have less muscle mass and more body fats. This is not necessarily true; a person could improve his/hers aerobic fitness by regularly training their body. By regularly exercising improves the transport of oxygen efficiently within the body. This is because by exercising you train your heart to lower the heart rate- at lower heart rate the heart pumps more blood with every single heart beat. This and other physiological changes like reduction in body fats increase the oxygen transport capability. Thus, I will need to consider these fac ts in my investigation. Effects of smoking on the cardiovascular systems Carbon monoxide inhaled by smokers increases the CO level in the blood. Haemoglobin in the red blood cells helps transport oxygen from heart to rest of the body including working muscle. As CO has greater affinity for haemoglobin than does oxygen, this means that CO from smoking will readily bind with haemoglobin and prevent oxygen from binding to haemoglobin. Also, myoglobin in the muscles works same as the haemoglobin in the blood, thus less oxygen from blood gets to working muscle due CO occupying the haemoglobin and preventing oxygen molecules reaching the muscles. Research shows that smoking reduces maximal oxygen intake known as VO2 Max and causes premature muscles fatigue. Therefore, I find that smokers will have less aerobic fitness than non-smokers. Exercise triggers sympathetic nervous system to release epinephrine and increases heart beat as well as blood pressure. But, nicotine decreases responses to epinephrine. Smoking and health Cigarette smoking kills many thousands of people a year, making it the largest preventable cause of death in developed country (National Cancer Institute). Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attacks five times the normal risk. This occurs as a result of atherosclerosis in the lining of the coronary arteries that makes them to become narrow and restrict the flow of blood. This forces the heart to work extra hard to force blood through the coronary arteries and causes blood pressure to rise. Consequently less oxygen and nutrient are supplied to the heart muscle during vigorous exercise. Cardiovascular diseases are cause of many factors like diet and smoking. Nicotine is one of the major factors that increase the blood pressure by constricting the arteries (Jones 2000 and A/S Biology). This rise in high blood pressure damages the lining of arteries. This damage promotes the development of fatty plaques and blood clot. Making it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries and eventually flow of blood will be completely reduced. Smoking also increases the risk of emphysema and lung cancer due to build up of tar form cigarette smoke in the lungs. As the diseases emphysema progress the blood vessel in the lungs become more resistant to flow of blood, raising blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. Hence, this reduces the ability of blood to transport oxygen effectively to muscles for respiration to take place. Method To find how heart rate and blood pressure is affected by exercise in both smokers and non-smokers. I could use variety of equipment to carry out this investigation. Treadmill can be use to carry out the exercise or I could use a simpler equipment like stairs or a step, which is much cheaper than a treadmill and would give me the reading that I need to acquire. However, it would be better to use a treadmill, if you taking measurements of heart, lungs volume during exercise and including various other physiological reading are being taken as well. As I will need only heart rate and blood pressure it is best to use a lesser complex equipment. So I will use a step to carry out the exercise, because using a step you could carry out the experiment at home or at college. Also, that our college dont have a treadmill, thus I will need to hire one or use an external source.

5 Things I Learned About Writing from Grammarly

5 Things I Learned About Writing from Grammarly 5 Things I Learned About Creative Writing from Using Grammarly Martin Cavannagh is a writer and member of the Reedsy team. When he's not writing blog posts about publishing, he can be found scrawling short stories and writing screenplays in his free time.Spelling and grammar checkers have come a long way since the early days of Microsoft Word. Back then, we would learn to hate the green squiggly line that appeared under sentences - along with cryptic suggestions for improving your document - to the point where we’d turn off the grammar check to preserve our sanity.One of the most prominent online writing services emerging in recent years is Grammarly. It’s an app that integrates into your browser, allowing it to scrutinize the spelling and grammar in your tweets, Facebook updates, and emails. You can tweak the software to what you’re writing, tailoring it for US or UK English, for example. It will also vary its suggestions depending on whether you’re writing a blog, an essay, or a medical journal.Full disclosure: Re edy has recently become an affiliate of Grammarly - however, that has given us a chance to test drive it for the past month. In fact, this post is currently being checked using their service. And while I doubt automated grammar checkers can replace the job of a proofreader anytime soon - it has had the unexpected benefit of allowing me to examine my writing tics and improve my natural writing style.So, based on my everyday use of the app, this is what I’ve learned in the past month:1. Don’t rely on passive voiceThat's one of the most common ‘complaints‘ I get from Grammarly. And while it isn’t necessary to eradicate all instances of passive voice, it can often improve your writing. One of the most useful things I find with using Grammarly is its constant reminder to get to the point and not get bogged down by wordiness.Long sentences are not necessarily a bad thing, and sometimes entirely required. But as the Grammarly app points out, â€Å"the average number of words per sentence should range somewhere from eight (very easy) to twenty (somewhat difficult) words per sentence. Sentences longer than thirty words are often very difficult to follow.†So unless you’re the ghost of David Foster Wallace, you may wish to break long sentences into a series of shorter ones. Also, by varying their lengths, you can create a much more satisfying reading experience. We’ve heard it said that you should ‘write music’ - meaning that the rhythms and changing pace should be as important as what the words mean.It’s worth noting that Grammarly is incredibly helpful for writing emails and letters. I would go so far as to say it can even aid y ou in polishing a draft of the book you’re writing. I would not, however, recommend using it to write your first draft. Editing-as-you-go can often hamper your productivity and break up the flow of ideas, which is crucial when you’re in the process of â€Å"creating.†And while writing software has become incredibly sophisticated - it has yet to reach the point of being able to replace a professional proofreader. And until we get to that point, it’s always worth considering getting a qualified pair of eyes to look through your manuscript before publication.Do you use a program to help you sharpen your prose? If so, we’d love to find out about it and hear about your experience. Share your thoughts, comments, and questions in the box below.

Why is a Hard Days Night culturally important Essay

Why is a Hard Days Night culturally important - Essay Example The Beatles band had developed a unique lifestyle. Many young people developed an obsession for the Beatles band a phenomenon described as â€Å"Beatle mania†. The production of the movie afforded many young people an opportunity to experience a day in the life of the four members of the Beatles band. Richard Lester adopted a concept of realism in developing the first rock and roll film that registered a remarkable cultural impact. This paper will discuss the cultural importance of A Hard Day’s Night. The film features John, Paul, George, and Ringo on their way to London, where they were scheduled to perform on television. The film allows the audience to engage in the activities that the four members of the Beatles band indulged in before they can get to the real performance. The film features press conferences as well as rehearsals that they undertake on their way to London. Most importantly, the film goes deeper to depict the real life of the four boys making the Beatles. The Beatles band members were young and energetic. For this reason, they afforded the time to have fun amidst their official rehearsals and press conferences. As they move from place to place, they meet their fans who exhibit high levels of excitement. Notably, Beatle mania had spread to different cities, although it began in Liverpool. The audience can also see the relationship between the Beatles and their managers who accompany during their trip to London (Frontani 2007, p. 68). The film becomes more intere sting as the boys interact with Paul’s grandfather who proves to be highly mischievous. The film also depicts many of the famous songs by the band. For many people, especially the youths who were obsessed with the Beatles band were able to connect more with the band members after the release of the movie. The release of the movie A Hard Day’s Night exhibited remarkable cultural impacts. In order to understand the cultural impacts of the movie, it is

Competitive Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Competitive Strategies - Essay Example †¢ To Achieve 95% customer satisfaction rating for Brand X. This goal can be accomplished by training employees on effective customer service, and improving the quality of the products or services using innovative technologies (Mahnken, 2012).†¢ To Achieve 95% customer satisfaction rating for Brand X. This goal can be accomplished by training employees on effective customer service, and improving the quality of the products or services using innovative technologies (Mahnken, 2012).†¢ Increase sales revenue by 10% within one year. This goal can be accomplished by using efficient inventory management methods and intensive promotional strategies.†¢ To improve the market share by 1%. This goal can be achieved by expanding to new geographical areas to get closer to customers, and using aggressive promotional strategies (Mahnken, 2012)†¢ Nokia – the company had been a leading mobile phone producer, but it has been overtaken by others including Samsung until it was acquired by Microsoft. In terms of strategy, the company lacked superior value proposition like iPhone’s prestigious value proposition by Apple and Android’s versatility value proposition by Samsung.†¢ Kodak – The Company maintained its film-based photography and failed to use the disruptive digital photography technology which disrupted its film-based model.†¢ Blockbuster – the company has failed to make use of disruptive technology and changing trends and internet security.  Companies with Differentiated products†¢ Apple – the company produces luxurious and prestigious products with high prices, including iPhones, iPads, and mac which target sophisticated consumers.†¢ Dropbox – offering freemium pricing strategy for storage services for businesses and individuals online.

The First Chapter of Of Mice and Men in his Film Version of the Book Essay Example for Free

The First Chapter of Of Mice and Men in his Film Version of the Book Essay Gary Sinese presents the first chapter of Of Mice and Men quite differently in his film version, compared to the book because of several major changes he has made. The book was written in the 1930s and is about the events that happen involving two men, George and Lennie, going to work on a ranch. The film, however is a modern adaptation, made in the 1990s. Probably one of the most important changes made is that of the mood of the opening. In the book the opening is very descriptive with a very calm and tranquil feeling. This is shown by the following extract: The water is warm too, for it has slipped, twinkling over the yellow sands and on the sandy bank under the trees the leaves lie deep. There is also quite a slow pace in the book because there is over a page and a half of text describing the area and atmosphere before the characters are even introduced. In the film version the opening is quite different to the book. The mood is darker as the opening scene consists of George sitting in a dimly lit train with a beam of light focusing on his eyes. There is then a flashback, to a woman, crying, running through a field. The camera tracks her movement, focusing on her eyes, until she runs past it. This tells the audience that she is fleeing from something terrible because of the terror in her eyes. The scene then switches to George and Lennie being chased by a mob. This shows there is a faster pace to the film, as there is no descriptive setting of the same location. Also Sinese added the detail of George and Lennie being chased, because this is only briefly mentioned in the book, and not in great detail. He added this scene to create an opening with tension, which chases often create in film. The fast paced music included in the scene also creates tension, and the silence as George and Lennie hide with the mob a few feet away creates a feeling of suspense. This then makes the audience want to keep watching to discover why George and Lennie were being chased. Sinese also added scenes where George and Lennie collect their work passes and ride the bus so these events would not have to be explained using dialogue like in the book, as this might bore audiences. For example, in the book George says to Lennie: You remember about us goin into Murray and Readys, an they give us work cards and bus passes? If it were done this way in the film, George would also have to explain what happened on the bus ride and why they are now on the road, which would have been harder for the audience to understand. The costumes of George and Lennie stay loyal to the book. In the book their outfits are described as: Denim trousers and denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls. The costumes in the film stay true to this, especially with Lennie, who wears exactly the same outfit. George, however, has a slightly different jacket and hat. In the book George is described as: small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Sinese decided to play George himself, but he does not have the sharp, strong, defined features that are described in the book. Lennie is described as: a huge man, shapeless of face, with large pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders. He is also compared to a bear on several separate occasions, one of these being: he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. John Malcovich, who plays lennie, does not have many of these features. Although he slouches and drags his feet, he does not have the large pale eyes or the build. Also he makes Lennie sound too simple. First impressions of the characters are shown quite similarly using the characters dialogue. It is more apparent that Lennie is more forgetful in the book but George seems more controlling in the film. This is shown when George discovers that Lennie has a dead mouse. In the film George forcefully takes it away from Lennie, while in the book George tries to reason with Lennie by calmly saying: come on, give it here, and Lennie obeys. After George takes the mouse away in the film, Lennie begins to cry. This show how strict George can be and how much like a child Lennie, which is not shown much in the book. The location in which the characters are first introduced is described as: a narrow pool with a path through the willows and sycamores The location they use in the film is true to the setting in the book, although the pool seems to be shown inn a different area to the road. Overall, the film is an average adaptation of the book with authentic locations and costumes and a dramatic, tension-filled opening, that grips the audience. But more time could have been spent on casting the main characters of George and Lennie and developing their dialogue and body language.

My Home Schooling Experience Essay -- Personal Narrative Essay Example

   I'd like to take this opportunity to elaborate on my home education. I realize that there are many different interpretations of the term "home school" and I feel obliged to explain my personal methods and philosophy. As copies of my curricula will be included in the Secondary School Report, I will not go into detail concerning the specific nature of my studies, but rather I will discuss my home schooling experience. I left traditional schooling at age nine, until which point I had attended the local public schools. Although I did well in the school system, I was often bored and complained that I was unchallenged. My parents had researched into home schooling and after a family discussion we decided to try it following the winter vacation of fourth grade.    Our approach was very structured when we first began and has gradually evolved to the natural style we live by now. Throughout my high school years I have taken the majority of the responsibility for my education. Each August my mother and I plan a curriculum together, which is a combination of what I want to study and what she feels I ought to know. I study Latin using a text with accompanying audio tapes and a reader with passages to be translated into English. I complete a detailed research project on a subject of interest in the social sciences -- Australian aborigines, for example, or the Vietnam war. My mother forms a reading list with approximately eight works of literature which I must read and discuss. During the year I add many of my own selections, including science fiction, plays, non-fiction, and often novels which my friends recommend.    My parents are always available for help, yet they do not act as teachers and do not constantly monitor ... ...with. This is true.       While others my age have been caught up on homework assignments and grades in preparation for the real world, I have been living and learning in the real world every day. My friends are of many ages, have many accents and professions, and do not eat the same type of food. They do not all live in my town or all gather in one building. Home education afforded me the time and opportunity to interact and learn in a variety of settings, and certainly my social life has been enriched by my experiences at the high school. I have had to use the resources in my surroundings to facilitate my own education, and Sarah Lawrence College seems the ideal place to continue that lifestyle. I have chosen to attend college in order to continue living and learning in the real world. I am looking forward to the college experience, and I am confiden   

Good Night Essay

Michelle Magorian’s heartwarming novel, Good Night, Mr. Tom, is not only a touching read but an intriguing one. It tells the story of eight-year-old William Beech, the abused boy of a troubled single mother. He is evacuated from London to a cozy town in the English countryside at the beginning of World War II, and finds himself in the care of Thomas Oakley. â€Å"Mister Tom,† as he is endearingly called by Willie, is known around the village of Little Weirwold as apathetic and gruff. Caring for Willie is just the kind of medicine he needs to turn his personality around, and it does Willie wonders as well. What really makes Good Night, Mr. Tom such a moving read is that it is easily relatable and sets readers up to care about the characters and appreciate their life in modern-day Maine. The events, characters, and setting of the story are very realistic, making the book easy to connect to. Magorian pays attention to detail and never skimps on descriptions, which makes a big difference. Take the dialog, for example. In Little Weirwold, where Willie stays with Mister Tom, villagers use a unique slang that is clearly recognizable in even the shortest of lines: â€Å"’E’s a spry ole thing, but he’s as soft as butter, ent you, ole boy? † This particular sentence is uttered by Tom himself as he convinces Willie that his dog is nothing to be afraid of. There’s more than just slang to be examined in that quote, however. From one simple sentence, it is easy to see how much Tom loves his dog. Phrases such as â€Å"ole boy† are associated with affection and fondness and are usually used by caring pet owners, a fact recognizable if you are a pet owner yourself. In addition to dialog and terms of endearment, Magorian creates situations that ninety-nine percent of the population has been through. In one instance, Willie and a few of his newly befriended pals walk into the school hall on the first day. They see the last remaining chairs to sit in right in the front row and excitedly grab them â€Å"afore the big uns get them. † Too late, the boys realize why their seats had been left empty: the children in front of them are sitting on the floor, â€Å"†¦ so that the five of them were now very exposed. † This prevents them from whispering or, as George says, slipping toffees in their mouths. Nearly everyone has been in a similar predicament when they think there is a great opportunity and then regret the decision to jump on it. Additionally, Magorian incorporates memorable elements of childhood. For example, classroom jobs are assigned in Willie’s homeroom: â€Å"Patsy was the milk monitor for the week. Mrs. Hartridge had taken to heating the milk, now the weather was so cold. She poured it into cups and Patsy carried them two at a time to the desks. † It is easy to picture the whole scene as the students thank Patsy for their milk and Patsy shrugs in response, eager for next week to arrive when she will be assigned the role of table cleaner. It is the specifics that Magorian includes that really make the book relatable to a broad audience. Perhaps it is partly due to this connectability that readers come to care about the characters so deeply. In the very beginning of the book, Tom is portrayed as an irritable recluse who has not yet overcome the loss of his wife and son. As soon as he takes in Willie, however, his attitude warms up and it is plain to see that he loves the boy. He still tries to hold on to some of his crustiness, but it becomes harder and harder for him not to melt around Willie. Take a look at this quote from early on: â€Å"‘You can put that ole bag down,’ he said gruffly. ‘You ent goin’ no place else. ’† Compare it to this one, an excerpt from the later half of the book: â€Å"‘Now you takes care of yourself, boy. You keeps up that ole drawrin’. You’ve a fine gift. If you runs out of pencils, you lets me know. ’† Since readers have watched Tom’s character brighten, they are able to establish a bond with the old man. They are proud of him for opening up and want others to see how he has changed. Just as Tom’s personality blossoms caring for Willie, Willie’s changes for the better under Tom’s care. When readers are first introduced to Willie, they take pity on him. He is a â€Å"†¦ timid, sickly little specimen† whose mother beats him regularly with a belt buckle. Readers read with wonder and glee as Willie grows mentally and physically. He becomes a playful country boy with a taste for adventure and lots of friends, and upon seeing this transformation the hearts of the readers burst with joy. Speaking of friends, the reader comes to like Zach as well because he welcomes Willie into the village with enthusiasm. The two boys become best buddies, and readers are thankful to him for befriending Willie in such a new and intimidating place. This appreciation is proved when Willie and Tom receive the awful news that Zach has been killed while visiting his parents in London. The story suddenly feels empty without Zach’s â€Å"wizard! Out of all the characters that the reader comes to care about, Zach is probably the most profoundly felt. There is no doubt, however, that readers think of all the characters with affection. While indulging in Good Night, Mr. Tom, readers have a lot going through their mind: not only are they relating to the story and connecting to the characters, but also coming to appreciate their own life in modern-day Maine. Between the mesmerizing crashing of waves on rocky beaches and the majestic mountains bordering the sea, there’s just not much to complain about Maine. Racism, sexism, and crime hardly ever make headlines in the local papers; besides, here in the twenty-first century such events are rare to begin with. However, when readers immerse themselves in this novel, all of that changes. Suddenly it is not out of the ordinary for such outdated crimes to be committed. Some of these offenses are minor, such as when Willie’s friend Carrie complains that her mom won’t let her wear shorts: â€Å"She’d been asking her mother for ages if she could wear shorts, but had been told that she’d turn into a boy if she did and no man would want to marry her. † A rule like that seems almost laughable now, and the stark difference in terms of acceptability is wake-up call to readers. Taking it a step farther, the condition of Willie’s mother’s London apartment is dreadful. It doesn’t help that a war is raging, but in comparison to today’s standards it is atrocious nonetheless: â€Å"There was a strong dank smell coming from somewhere. It was as if an animal had opened its bowels or peed somewhere. † To think that a grown woman is allowed to raise a child in such a place is incomprehensible. Perhaps it is not so unbelievable, however, when you consider a final example: the fact that the same lady abuses her son terribly both mentally and physically. She instills unrealistic ideas in Willie’s head such as the color red being sinful and that God will send him to hell for his wrongdoings. Not only this, but she beats him savagely, leaving large welts and bruises all over his body: â€Å"Something heavy hit him across the head and he sank into a cold darkness. He could still hear her screaming and he knew she was hitting him, but he felt numb and separated from himself. He had become two people and one of his selves was hovering above him watching what was happening to his body. † No one should go through anything like that, especially not a child. Such an experience seems even more appalling today because it is strictly against the law. Readers recognize without question how much twentieth century Maine has changed for the better after reading this novel. Because of the easy relatability, developed affection towards the characters, and grown appreciation of present-day Maine, Good Night, Mr. Tom is a truly touching read. Those who immerse themselves in its pages are in for a treat; they will find themselves connecting with the plot and really caring about the characters without even realizing they are doing so. Not only this, but after they put the novel down they will become aware of the fact that they are more thankful of what modern Maine has to offer. There is no doubt that you will be impressed and deeply moved by Michelle Magorian’s book.

Johannes Vermeer: Girl with a Pearl Earring Essay

Johannes Vermeer’s, â€Å"Girl with a Pearl Earring† was painted in 1665-66. It is oil on canvas painting of an ordinary girl that is turned sideways and appears that she is glancing over her left shoulder. Not too much is known about the girl, but there are speculations that it could be one of three people. Some think it is his daughter Maria; while others are torn between the daughter of Vermeer’s benefactor, Magdalena and a maiden he hired to help with his masterpieces. The servant girl speculation was derived from a novel that was written by Tracy Chevalier and a film starring Scarlet Johansson, which was depicting a more romanticized theory of the story behind the â€Å"Girl with the Pearl Earring†. Personally speaking, I think it is a toss-up between his daughter or a servant girl like the movie depicts†¦ One reason for my belief of the servant girl mentality is because of the significance of the pearl itself. Not only is it a piece of jewelry b ut it symbolizes the virginity of the protagonist. The fact that Vermeer put so much emphasis on the earring could signify the he was emphasizing an expectant virgin. Her eccentric attire with a pale, muddy brown turban, which was not a regular custom for that period, eludes me to feel that it could be his daughter. Why? Well simply because the dress and the rest of the attire were considered â€Å"special garments† that were worn and loved by children during that time. Vermeer Also known as â€Å"The Mona Lisa of the North† or the â€Å"Dutch Mona Lisa† this figurative theme has been intriguing spectators from around the world for many, many years. The highlighting of the earring and the light illuminating the girls face is one of the strengths of this painting. This naturalistic style creates a realistic view. Dark space (background) surrounding the woman creates depth and makes the other colors in the paining more vivid. The intensity of the white, teardrop shape of the earring is the emphasis of the painting. Folds and shadows on her garment give heaviness and texture to the fabric. There is contrast between the brightness of her white blouse meeting up with the tone of the yellow fabric. The shadows from the light and the dark background help to bring out the 3 dimensional form of the girl. The blue part of the turban, painted with ultramarine. Ultramarine is a highly expensive pigment made out of crushed semi-precious stone. These, along with the yellow hues complement one another and go along with the flesh tone of the face. The  casting of the light creates a symmetrical balance. Vermeer’s masterstroke with the collaboration of background light brings life to the entire color scheme. One of Vermeer’s main characteristics, a speckled methodology of applying paint, is known as pointille. Pointillism is a method of painting with dots to achieve various affects. You can see the use of this technique in this painting. One of the best examples of this technique would be the corner of her mouth that is highlighted with light colored points. Overall, Johannes’ â€Å"Girl with a Pearl Earring† is a wonderful masterpiece that represents unequivocal expressions in a profound way. It inspired things like a bestselling novel, a successful movie, and a play; all with the same title. Mauritshuis, The Royal Picture Gallery. Web. 5 Novemeber 2012

Life as a Death Row Inmate Essays

Life as a Death Row Inmate Essays Life as a Death Row Inmate Essay Life as a Death Row Inmate Essay English Literature 1 9/23/10 Illustration Since 1997, there have been over 1,200 inmates executed in The United States of America, and according to The Death Penalty Information center there are 3,225 inmates currently on death in The United states Of America. These inmates spend at least 5 to roughly 25 years in prison before they’re executed. Forcing inmates to live out the rest of their life segregated from the rest of the prison, in a 69 x 9. 5 feet high cell. Making this, and the rules of the institution they’re in their day to day life. Which most people would assume the day to day life of a death row inmate to be nothing, so what is the day to day life of an inmate on death row structured like. Each institution in the United States is run differently, but the procedures are basically the same. As an inmate in America according, to â€Å"The State of Florida Department of Corrections†, an inmates day starts early in the morning at 5 a. m. with breakfast. Isolated to your cells your meals are prepared by prison staff and brought to you in insulted carts. Prisoners are allowed to use plastic plates and sporks. This is how every meal is served to you day in and day out. Expect for your last meal before your death which can be no more than $40, and bought locally. It’s something most inmates on death row look forward to. With inmates mates being confined to their cells 24 hours a day expect for, medical reasons, media interviews, and social or legal visits. what could a human being possibly do inside that little cell for the rest of there life? Even when you do leave your room you are handcuffed at all times. Inside an inmates cell on death row you will find many things, but the most basic means of entertainment consist of a radio, a 13† inch TV, and paper as well as writing utensil. The inmates are not allowed cable and there cell is subject to the natural temperature of the earth with no type if air conditioning and minimal heat. Inmates are also allowed to receive mail everyday except for holidays and weekends. They are also allowed cigarettes and snacks of many kind to fulfill there natural pleasures. Inmates are also welcome to take a shower everyday as a way to get away from the few, but important resources they have in side there cells. Most death row inmates utilize this time in their cell with the resources that they have available in many different ways. Most inmates find them self eves reading and or writing books, as well as writing and receiving mail from family and friends. There are also some inmates who work out in their cells to keep in physical shape. While others watch, read, and live spirituality to prepare for what eternally awaits them which is death. Being that most inmates that have been jail for as long as most death row inmates have been, they usually become very creative in what they do with their time. So the resources that these inmates are allowed don’t restrict the endless creative they have to put their resources towards good use in their cell. This is, but not limited to the day to day life of a model inmate on death row in America. These inmates live out everyday of there life sometimes for extended periods of time depending on their situation. It’s very hard to believe that any human being could live like this, but 95% of all death row inmates adapt to this life style after the first nine years of their sentence. Living everyday as what they have been bread to think is normal waiting for there last day, which most inmates refer to as d-day. Everyday on death row in America is pretty much the same. Expect for one day, and that is the day that you are to be executed. On that day that you are to be executed you will be put in a holding cell to await execution until 12:00 o’ clock midnight; which by law no execution can take place before midnight. This is where you are feed the last three meals, as u a wait to be taken to the execution chamber. When you’re taken to the execution chamber you are strapped to a stretcher with your arms, and legs apart. You are than ask if you would like to say anything, to the victims family, the media, and the various others watching. After you are done, a team of experts administrate the drugs. Your plus is checked and than your pronounced dead. To no more be subject to living the day to day life of a death row inmate waiting for that day, â€Å"D-day†.

The History and Goals of the Chicano Movement

The History and Goals of the Chicano Movement The Chicano Movement emerged during the civil rights era with three goals: restoration of land, rights for farm workers and education reforms. Prior to the 1960s, however, Latinos lacked influence in the national political arena. That changed when the Mexican American Political Association worked to elect John F. Kennedy president in 1960, establishing Latinos as a significant voting bloc. After Kennedy was sworn into office, he showed his gratitude toward the Latino community by not only appointing Hispanics to posts in his administration but also by considering the concerns of the Hispanic community. As a viable political entity, Latinos, particularly Mexican Americans, began demanding that reforms be made in labor, education and other sectors to meet their needs. A Movement With Historic Ties When did the Hispanic community’s quest for justice begin? Their activism actually predates the 1960s. In the 1940s and ’50s, for example, Hispanics won two major legal victories. The first - Mendez v. Westminster Supreme Court - was a 1947 case that prohibited segregating Latino schoolchildren from white children. It proved to be an important predecessor to Brown v. Board of Education, in which the U.S. Supreme Court determined that a â€Å"separate but equal† policy in schools violated the Constitution. In 1954, the same year Brown appeared before the Supreme Court, Hispanics achieved another legal feat in Hernandez v. Texas. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment  guaranteed equal protection to all racial groups, not just blacks and whites. In the 1960s and 70s, Hispanics not only pressed for equal rights, they began to question the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This 1848 agreement ended the Mexican-American War and resulted in America acquiring territory from Mexico that currently comprises the Southwestern U.S. During the civil rights era, Chicano radicals began to demand that the land is given to Mexican Americans, as they believed it constituted their ancestral homeland, also known as Aztln. In 1966, Reies Là ³pez Tijerina led a three-day march from Albuquerque, N.M., to the state capital of Santa Fe, where he gave the governor a petition calling for the investigation of Mexican land grants. He argued that the U.S.’s annexing of Mexican land in the 1800s was illegal. Activist Rodolfo â€Å"Corky† Gonzales, known for the poem â€Å"Yo Soy Joaquà ­n,† or â€Å"I Am Joaquà ­n,† also backed a separate Mexican  American state. The epic poem about Chicano history and identity includes the following lines: â€Å"The Treaty of Hidalgo has been broken and is but another treacherous promise. / My land is lost and stolen. / My culture has been raped.† Farm Workers Make Headlines Arguably the most well-known fight Mexican Americans waged during the 1960s was that to secure unionization for farm workers. To sway grape growers to recognize United Farm Workers - the Delano, Calif., union launched by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta - a national boycott of grapes began in 1965. Grape pickers went on strike, and Chavez went on a 25-day hunger strike in 1968. 3/10/1968 - Delano, CA- Senator Robert Kennedy (L) breaks bread with Union Leader Cesar Chavez as Chavez ended a 23-day fast in support of non-violence in the strike against grape growers. Bettmann  / Getty Images At the height of their fight, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy visited the farm workers to show his support. It took until 1970 for the farm workers to triumph. That year, grape growers signed agreements acknowledging UFW as a union. Philosophy of a Movement Students played a central role in the Chicano fight for justice. Notable student groups include the  United Mexican American Students and the Mexican American Youth Association. Members of such groups staged walkouts from schools in Denver and Los Angeles in 1968 to protest Eurocentric curriculums, high dropout rates among Chicano students, a ban on speaking Spanish and related issues. By the next decade, both the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and the U.S. Supreme Court declared it unlawful to keep students who couldn’t speak English from getting an education. Later, Congress passed the Equal Opportunity Act of 1974, which resulted in the implementation of more bilingual education programs in public schools. Not only did Chicano activism in 1968 lead to educational reforms, it also saw the birth of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, which formed with the goal of protecting the civil rights of Hispanics. It was the first organization dedicated to such a cause. The following year, hundreds of Chicano activists gathered for the First National Chicano Conference in Denver. The name of the conference is significant as it marks the term â€Å"Chicanos† replacement of Mexican. At the conference, activists developed a manifesto of sorts called â€Å"El Plan Espiritual de Aztln,† or â€Å"The Spiritual Plan of Aztln.† It states, â€Å"We†¦conclude that social, economic, cultural, and political independence is the only road to total liberation from oppression, exploitation, and racism. Our struggle then must be for the control of our barrios, campos, pueblos, lands, our economy, our culture, and our political life.† The idea of a unified Chicano people also played out when political party La Raza Unida, or the United Race, formed to bring issues of importance to Hispanics to the forefront of national politics. Two female Brown Berets, a Chicano activist group, stand together in matching uniforms. David Fenton / Getty Images Other activist groups of note include the Brown Berets and the Young Lords, which was made up of Puerto Ricans in Chicago and New York. Both groups mirrored the Black Panthers in militancy. Looking Forward Now the largest racial minority in the U.S., there’s no denying the influence that Latinos have as a voting bloc. While Hispanics have more political power than they did during the 1960s, they also have new challenges. Immigration and education reforms are of key importance to the community. Due to the urgency of such issues, this generation of Chicanos will likely produce some notable activists of its own.

Business Organisation and policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Organisation and policy - Essay Example The PESTLE analysis is an important tool for understanding main environmental forces affecting global pharmaceutical industry based on data on political, economical, socio-cultural, legal and environmental concerns analysis provides. Political factors affecting pharmaceutical industry are in most cases interlinked as governments work to establish regulatory frameworks to govern both state and international issues involved in the industry. Therefore, governments have introduced both formal and informal rules to manage the industry through measures that include taxation policies, trade restrictions and tariffs, political stability. Apart from providing an enabling environment through political stability, governments have supported this industry based on the understanding of the role of healthy citizenry to economic development of the country. Pharmaceuticals have therefore worked with governments in introducing drugs to different countries based on the understanding of their importance to the wellbeing of a country. Governments have also moved to create monopolies in the industry as powerful buyers of drugs for controlling expenditure in states’ health care systems (Smith, 2012). Therefore, political arena influences regulations concerning practices of pharmaceutical business and depends on government practices that supports healthcare as an important contributor to welfare of the nation. Political goodwill from the government is important for the pharmaceutical industry especially with regard to patent from period covering experiments to release into the market. Renewal of patents is a concern for manufacturers in the industry especially due to the long period it takes for manufacturers to conduct research, test, then release drugs for human consumption. Given that patents exist for approximately twenty years, political goodwill is necessary for the renewal of such contracts to allow manufacturers proceed

Anthropologists in the military Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Anthropologists in the military - Term Paper Example For far too long, the Pentagon and other military institutions have put too much focus on overwhelming firepower. Tanks, planes, and artillery are incredibly important resources which any military must bring to bear in a conflict. This is called hard power. But there are other aspects to the exercise of power that modern militaries must consider. It is extremely important to remember that hard power is most effective when used, hand in glove, with soft power. Soft power doesn't involve violence or coercion. It involves being smart about obtaining and using information. Having anthropologists in the military is a great use of soft power. The goal of having military anthropologists is an important one, the army says. The army talks about the Human Terrain of every conflict. It is vital to have specialists on the ground who can help assist soldiers in understanding the social context all around them. In many cases, this has to do with power: Who is it the soldiers should talk to? How sh ould they treat that person? What are the cultural norms? As one Army paper succinctly puts it: â€Å"The environment in which we operate is complex and demands that we employ every weapon in our arsenal, both kinetic and non-kinetic. To fully utilize all approaches, we must understand the local culture and history. Learn about the tribes, formal and informal leaders, governmental and religious structures, and local security forces. We must understand how the society functions so we can enable Iraqis to build a stable, self-reliant nation† (Human Terrain). Applied anthropology can be useful to many different fields, but it is an unspecific term. When anthropology is applied in contemporary warfare settings it is called military anthropology. Involving anthropologists in these kinds of scenarios can be controversial. Groups such as the American Anthropological Association have said that anthropologists engaged in this kind of work are violating ethical standards in that their subjects may be hurt (AAA). That is one way of looking at it. Another way is to suggest that using anthropologists actually saves lives, as it makes the military work more efficiently and can avoid the deaths of innocence. No one can doubt that being embedded with American military unit in Iraq is not only dangerous but ethically controversial. However, anthropologists are on the ground and able to work in real life setting, in situations with real consequences. For some, that surely must be better than writing a research paper about some long-dead tribe. Patriotic anthropologists have an opportunity to improve the safety and security of not only their own country, but civilians in whichever country that they are engaged in. It might not be for everyone, but it should not be ruled inappropriate for everyone. There will always be critics of these kinds of operations, but the key is to maintain a flexible position. All aspects of civilian expertise should be incorporated into military operations, if they provide an edge. As Anne Mulrine explains in an article on the subject: Some anthropologists, while remaining critical of the program, are beginning to argue that perhaps the Pentagon has a point, to an extent. "I think we need to break out of the 1960s mold that many of us are in," says Shweder. He notes that such a move is "a long way" from supporting the notion of anthropologists on the Pentagon payroll, but he adds that perhaps it is