Bradley Nowell

Wesley Smith Bradley Nowell Bradley James Nowell was a musician who served as lead singer and guitarist of the reggae/punk band Sublime. He died at the age of 28 from a heroin overdose. Raised in Long Beach, California, Nowell developed an interest in music at a young age. His father took him on a trip to the Virgin Islands during his childhood, which exposed him to reggae and dancehall music. Nowell played in various bands until forming the group Sublime with bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh.Bradley Nowell was born and raised in the Belmont Shore neighborhood of Long Beach, California to Jim and Nancy Nowell, with his sister, Kellie. As a child, he enjoyed surfing and sailing and often participated in boat races. As Nowell grew, he became a difficult child and was often hyperactive and disruptive with his buddy Clayton Arbuckle. His mother recalled that he was â€Å"very emotional, very sensitive, very artistic, but he was needy†¦ He was always testing just to see wha t he could get away with†. Nowell's rebellious behavior increased when he was ten years old caused by his parents’ divorce.His mother was awarded custody of Nowell, but found him too difficult to control on her own and he subsequently moved in with his father full-time at age twelve. At the age of thirteen, he began playing guitar and started his first band Hogan's Heroes with Eric Wilson, who would later become the bassist of Sublime. Nowell and Wilson met in sixth grade and lived across the street from each other; during this time, Nowell was described as a â€Å"gifted kid with many friends†. At first, Wilson did not share Nowell's interest in reggae music.Nowell attended the University of California, Santa Cruz before transferring to Cal State Long Beach to study finance. However, he dropped out one semester shy of earning a degree, stating in 1995 â€Å"I have all the hard classes left†¦ I doubt I'll ever go back†. According to â€Å"Westwood On e Interview† on disc three of the Sublime box set, Nowell got together with bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh, and began performing in small shows at house parties and barbecues in 1988. The band was often forced to leave the parties they performed at due to excessive noise, which would result in neighbors calling the police.Sublime gained a reputation for their rowdy behavior and eventually became one of the most popular bands in Southern California. Despite their success, music venues were skeptical of the band's eclectic musical fusion and many refused to book the band. In response, Nowell and Wilson created their own music label, Skunk Records, and told venues that they were â€Å"Skunk Records recording artists†, which helped the band seem more accomplished and subsequently book more shows. The band produced and distributed Sublime's early recordings on the label. The band's demo tapes were later sold at shows and local record stores.While on tour in the mi d-1990s, Nowell met Troy Dendekker, and they started dating. In September 1994, Troy became pregnant. In June 1995, Dendekker gave birth to a son, Jakob James Nowell. A week before Nowell died, the couple married in a Hawaiian-themed ceremony in Las Vegas. Seven days after Nowell's marriage to Troy Dendekker on May 18, 1996 Sublime embarked on a five-day tour through Northern California, with a European and an East Coast tour to follow. On the morning of May 25, at the Ocean View Motel in San Francisco, drummer Bud Gaugh woke up to find Nowell lying half-way across a bed, with his knees and feet on the floor.At first, Gaugh assumed he had been too intoxicated to get into bed; however, further inspection allowed him to notice a green film around his mouth, and it became apparent that he had overdosed on heroin. Gaugh called for paramedics, but Nowell had died several hours earlier, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Nowell was cremated and his ashes were spread over his favorite s urfing spot in Surfside, California. A headstone was placed at Westminster Memorial in Westminster, California in his memory.

“Death of Socrates” by Jacques-Louis David Essay

Behind every great piece of artwork lies a story. Each story told by art is defined by the era in which it was created. For one to truly comprehend what message an artwork conveys, one must be familiar with the historical context from which it was taken. One great example would be â€Å"Death of Socrates† by Jacques-Louis David. The meaning of the painting can only be derived from an understanding of the 18th century, an era where the Enlightenment occurred and Neoclassicism flourished. The painting â€Å"Death of Socrates† was created during the 18th century. Despite this, the artwork depicted personalities from ancient philosophy. One would be prompted to ask, â€Å"Why did the artist choose to paint figures from antiquity in an 18th century art piece? The answer lies in the historical period in which the artist was included. In 18th century, Europe was immersed in an era known as the Age of Reason or Enlightenment. During this time, reason prevailed in all aspects of human life. The dominance of reason altered the political and social landscape, as people began to challenge traditional institutions and beliefs. The Enlightenment was very influential in France, which is why it is no surprise that Jacques-Louis David had applied Enlightenment ideals in his paintings. It must be noted that the late 18th century was also known for the â€Å"renewed interest in classical antiquity† (Gardner, Kleiner and Mamiya 646). The revival of Greek and Roman culture was most apparent in Neoclassicism, a movement which borrowed the basic elements of classical art. Neoclassicism became evident in architecture, painting and sculpture; all these disciplines integrated the styles and themes of the ancient world. David was part of the Neoclassicist movement and became one of its most prominent painters. This was the reason he chose Socrates as his subject. Hence, David’s style and technique as an artist was shaped by the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism. The painting describes the last moments of Socrates (â€Å"Jacques-Louis David†). The philosopher is seated upright on a bed in the middle of the painting, surrounded by his companions. His left hand points in an upward direction, which is an indication of the ancient Greek belief in the transmigration of souls. According to this belief, the soul lives forever. This is the reason why Socrates is seemingly unconcerned with his impending demise and had freely accepted his fate. Meanwhile, his right hand reaches for the hemlock. The hemlock was placed in the middle because death is the central theme of the painting. One would wonder why David chose to depict Socrates with the physique of a young man when the philosopher was in his 70s. It must be noted that â€Å"Death of Socrates† is a Neoclassical piece, which means that David followed the style of ancient Greek art. Ancient Greek art is known for its ideal, perfect depiction of human beings. Compared to Socrates, the people who surrounded Socrates display a completely different attitude. The companions of Socrates are depicted as figures overwhelmed with anguish due to the philosopher’s impending death. The people on the right side of the painting are obviously distressed by death. They are depicted as excessively emotional, which rendered them remarkably distinct from Socrates. Only three figures in the painting seemed more in control of their emotions. The wife of Socrates, who is found in the left side of the painting, is leaving the prison with an indifferent facial expression. Crito is seated on a stool on the foot of Socrates’ bed, with his head down. Meanwhile, Plato has a firm grip on the leg of Socrates. Such action implies that Plato did not want his master to surrender to death. In this painting, the philosopher’s attitude and way of thinking becomes apparent due to the different reactions towards death as shown by the figures. While others mourn his last living moments, Socrates’ remain indifferent and unaffected. He accepts his death while keeping his beliefs intact. The philosopher has a more accepting perspective of death; instead of fearing death, he embraces it. David meant for the painting to be a reaction towards the political situation of France during that time. As a part of the French Enlightenment, he and his friends demanded change in the leadership of the monarchy. The painting was made prior to the French Revolution and the painter wanted his work to serve as an inspiration to those who would be involved. He sought to tell the French people about their duty to the nation. He wanted to convey the message that they must sacrifice for the good of the people and fight against unfair leadership. This was the reason why he chose Socrates as his subject. The Enlightenment called for freedom of thought. The era was about the transformation of society towards the truth. Socrates was a man who defended freedom of thought. However, he was killed by the Athenian government who wanted to diminish the doubt that his beliefs aroused. The death of Socrates was the death of truth. Through the painting, David criticized the French monarchy for suppressing the truth. Like Socrates who chose to defy the government and stay true to his beliefs, David wanted the French people to fight against unjust leadership and defend freedom of thought. The play of light and darkness in â€Å"Death of Socrates† helped showcase the message David wanted to express. For instance, the brightest part of the painting is in the middle, where Socrates was situated. Meanwhile, the darkest areas of the painting are on the sides. In the left side, there is the dark hallway as well as the staircase through which the wife of Socrates leaves the scene. The upper right hand side of the painting, the area which is found above the mourning people, is also rather dark. There is a reason behind such distribution in the painting. David envisioned Socrates to be a role model; the latter proved to be formidable figure that was not swayed by the coming of death. He was a man who willingly gave up his life and refuses to deny his ideals. This was the reason why the light was fixed upon him. Those who are situated the dark areas are the people David wanted to change. The darkness touches upon the weeping companions of Socrates, those people who surrender to grief when confronted with death. The wife of Socrates is depicted as fleeing from the scene, as if she cannot bear to deal with the philosopher’s demise. David wanted virtue and sacrifice from the people who are confronted with a revolution and those in the dark areas in the painting represent those who lack these notions. The movement of the figures is also instrumental in demonstrating the meaning of the painting. The viewer can clearly see the contrast between the stance of the philosopher and the stance of the people around him. On one hand, Socrates is in a straight sitting position; the painting makes him appear full of life and energy. It is also evident that he possesses self-control at that moment. On the other hand, the figures who surround him reveal lifeless body language. The philosopher’s companions are shown to be stooping, with their heads dropped. The posture of the figures alone highlights the difference between Socrates and his companions. The difference in posture contributes to the meaning of the painting because it asserts the position of Socrates as the one to emulate in the time of the French Revolution. David wanted the French people to be like Socrates, a man who stood by what he believed in and was not afraid of the consequences. All artworks have a story to share. The story behind an artwork can be best understood when one is familiar with the historical era from which it was made. In the case of â€Å"Death of Socrates† by Jacques-Louis David, one must know about the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism in the 18th century to know what the artist wanted to convey. David was an artist who was strongly influenced by the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism, so the only way to truly understand his work is to look through history. Works Cited Gardner, Helen, Fred S. Kleiner and Christin J. Mamiya. Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective. Florence, Kentucky: Cengage Learning, 2005. â€Å"Jacques-Louis David: The Death of Socrates. † Boston College Web Site. 27 Nov. 2006. 31 March 2009 .

Nursing Agency in Nova Scotia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Nursing Agency in Nova Scotia - Essay Example These are just some of the professional problems faced by nurses. Add to them some of the economic and political problems of their country, and you come up with a perfect recipe of a nursing headache faced by hundreds of nurses. These pose a huge challenge to government agencies and to the health care sector of a province. The nurses of Nova Scovia have taken up the challenge of an ever-challenging health care system. Through conjoined efforts of various sectors, the province was able to recognize problems faced by the nursing profession and to pose a strategy to combat these challenges. It is the foremost objective of the paper to present how the province of Nova Scovia has responded to the issues of nursing agency. A brief background of the province will set the mood for a more comprehensive discussion of the nursing profession in the province. The development of the nursing agency in the province will also be discussed. Current issues and trends in the health care system with focus on nursing agency will be discussed. Implications of the issues will also be tackled. Finally, future directions of the nursing agency in Nova Scovia will be discussed. Recommendations will also be presented in the last part of the paper. Nova Scotia is a Canadian province located on Canada’s southeastern coast. It is he second smallest province of Canada. The total land area of the province is 55,284 square kilometers. In 2006, the population of the province is 934,405. As such, it is the fourth least populated but second most densely populated province of Canada (Canadian Population, 2006). Between 60% to 75% of the population lives in rural areas. Nova Scotia is considerably more rural than Canada as a whole and more rural than most other provinces and territories. Only two provinces (New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island) and the three northern territories have a greater percentage of their

Read instruction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Read instruction - Essay Example The Baroque architects, gardeners and artists including the chief designer Louis Le Vau and the artist Charles Le Brun undertook a responsible mission in order to erect a palace suitable and grand enough to host the whole royal family and the large court (EAH). One of the most remarkable fragments of Versailles is the Hall of Mirrors built and decorated under the king Louis XIV in the period when absolutism was on its peak. The 73-meters-long gallery was created with intention to glorify the victory of France in the war and symbolize political, economic and cultural success of France (en.chateauversailles.fr). Marble, gilding, mirrors, crystal chandeliers and lavish decoration tell the spectator of the glory and prestige of the French court. The political achievements were depicted by Le Brun on the arches of the gallery referring to ancient allegories. The economic power of the country was transparently stated through the number of mirrors located in front of each window of the gall ery and – thus – making the hall even more spacious. The key idea of such lavish mirror use was to demonstrate the production potential of France in mirror-making (mirrors were the objects of luxury at that time). Moreover, the Hall of Mirrors adorned with splendid Baroque paintings alluding to ancient mythology and marble sculptures of the ancient Greek gods was a brilliant specimen of the best cultural and artistic tendencies of the 17th century. To my thinking, the primary purpose is achieved successfully as Versailles and – particularly – the Hall of Mirrors inspires awe even nowadays: no wonder that the hall was often used as a waiting room for visitors because it is a perfect piece to be the â€Å"face† of the court and suggest the power and splendor of the King. In this respect, it should be also mentioned that the palace must have elevated the Crown in the eyes of the people of France: the suggestive

Historical site visiting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Historical site visiting - Essay Example Another identifiable element at the site is a mausoleum located on a hill. The mausoleum was named after its constructor, Austell. A lamp with marks from Atlanta’s bombing of the nineteenth century is also a feature of the site. The lamp is located near one of the site’s major graves. The cemetery is also identified with burials of prominent historic people in the locality. It is a resting place for a number of former local mayors (Oakland, p. 1). Diversity and stratification is another observable feature of the site. It is divided into sections, each with distinct characteristics. The most notable is the ‘Confederate’ area that is identified for burial of civil war soldiers. A monument, called ‘confederate obelisk’ that was established to mark the end of civil war, rest in the section. There is also an identifiable area with Jewish culture embedded in the graves’ designs. ‘Potter’s section’ and ‘black section’ are also identified sites of the cemetery that illustrate segregation on economic and racial basis. It is explained that the poor, who could not afford graveyards were buried at the potter’s section while the designated ‘black section’ is associated with the period of racial discrimination and was majorly for burial of blacks. A mass grave, associated with victims of yellow fever in the nineteenth century is also characteristic of the cemetery. The site is however not as active as in earlier period as many of the dated graves were used before the twenty first century (Oakland, p. 1). One of the strengths of the site is its preservation of history. Division of the cemetery into sections, each with distinct features communicates historical social stratification that was extended to the cemetery. Similarly, monuments that were established in the site preserves history of the events upon which they were developed (Oakland, p. 1). The cemetery’s sight also communicates weaknesses. Lack or repair and

Community teaching part 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Community teaching part 3 - Essay Example The education program targeted adults from aged 18 years to 75 years. The reason for the selection is that the people in the groups can comprehend the basics that will be taught and implement them. They then can transfer the knowledge to others in the community. The teaching involved dissemination of professional information to the attendees in the Hispanic language. Spanish was used since it is the first language of the target community. The motive was to enhance understanding of the issues and hence better outcomes. The process also involved question and answer sessions where people had the opportunity to ask various questions and clarifications on issues they find contentious. After the training, the attendees were required to answer basic questions regarding diabetes. The questions were both oral and written. The objective was to check the importance of the session to the community. The attendees were also be required to demonstrate to others what they have learned. Testing the ability to teach others tests the ability of the training to impact other people who will not attend the sessions. The Center for Disease and Control states that American Hispanics are at a greater risk of developing diabetic conditions than other white Americans. The CDC puts the prevalence of the disease among Hispanics as 66% higher than other white Americans. The CDC further estimates that 2%-10% of Hispanic mothers develop gestational diabetes (cdc.gov). The reasons for the conditions can be attributed to the functional health patterns of the community. During a pilot study, it was found out that most of the Hispanics are not physically active and do not consider nutrition as a health factor. According to Swain and Leutholtz (2007), people with type 2 diabetes heavily rely on diet and physical activity. Thus, the Spanish community is uninformed in matters concerning the mitigation of diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes has led to huge health and economic loss to

Organic Chemistry Intro. to Radical Halogenation, Thermodynamics, Assignment

Organic Chemistry Intro. to Radical Halogenation, Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Radical Halogenation Cont., Alkyl halides - Assignment Example At this state, injection of energy is needed to shift the reaction. The shifting takes place from a stable state to a state where it converts and reacts to conform to other products. In contrary, thermodynamic reactions are more stable in a product’s state. This is as a result of instant occurrence of the reaction that causes shifts in the reaction without injection of any energy. Consequently, a substance whose stability is kinetic would crave to remain in the reactant form. Thermodynamically stable substances need energy for conversion from products to reactants unlike kinetic which needs the energy to shift a reaction forward. It can be therefore concluded that thermodynamic and kinetic reactions uses energy for different purposes. For instance, thermodynamic reactions need energy to move from an opposite state compared to kinetic reactions that required energy to shift forward. 2. Draw the mechanism and all possible products for A simple format for the mechanism Applying t he above concept will help you to draw the mechanism as below. Termination overall reaction 3. What type of reaction is this? Radical reaction. 4. What is the major organic product for the reaction, please explain why in details? 2-bromo-2-methylbutane The reason behind this is that in the radical halogenations, bromine is more selective but less reactive than chlorine. Consequently, in case there is a formation of a radical at one chiral centre, then the product will be racemic. The process shows that the radical is planar having equal forces. Bromine sticks itself to a tertiary carbon of degree 3 to structure into a main product. A radical of bromine adds a more stable carbon of degree three to alkanes. 5. Using the bond energies posted or in the textbook, calculates the ?HÂ ° for the reactions providing each product above. Do these values support your answer in question? What other factors must be taken into account? Initiation Br-Br 2Br ?HÂ °=192 k j/mol From the above reactio ns, 1) ?HÂ °= ? products- ? reactants = (368+343)- 343 = 368 Kj/mol 2) ?HÂ °= ? products- ? reactants = 272 -(343 + 192) = -263Kj/mol Overall enthalpy = 368- 263 =+105Kj/mol Second product 3. ?HÂ °? products- ? reactants (343+368) – (343) = 368 kj/mol 4. ?HÂ °= ? products- ? reactants = (272) – (343+192) = -263 Kj/mol Overall= 368 – 263= 105 Kj/mol The other product in this level of propagation reaction repeats itself. This confirms that the ?HÂ °= ? products- ? reactants remains constant showing that the major organic product is that of question 4 above. Since bromine experience an endothermic reaction, weakly bounded hydrogens are only removed by bromine from carbon atoms they are bonded to. The reaction between 2 – methylbutane and bromine mostly gives 2 – bromo – 2 – methylbutane and a few secondary bromides without primary bromides. The other factors that must be taken into account are pressure, temperature and catalyst. Tem perature affects this reaction if it is either decreased or increased. If temperature of this reaction is increased, the rate of this reaction increases and if it is lowered the rate of reaction decreases. A catalyst can either increase or decrease reaction depending on the type. There are those catalysts that slow down reaction rate and there are those that increases reaction rate. Lastly, for enthalpy to occur there should be constant pressure. There

Principles of Pathology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Principles of Pathology - Essay Example Clinical pathology deals with the laboratory analysis of the disease through examining the bodily fluids such as blood. Laboratory testing is a common way to diagnose a disease thus clinical pathology is commonly used in hospitals. Molecular pathology is also a similar type which examines the diseases through molecular analysis. It is usually practiced to cover those diseases that have strange causes or are genetic (Woolf, 1998, p. 17). General pathology is a wide term which describes the scientific aspect of diagnosing diseases. It is a wide term that covers all the specialist features of pathology. The scientific aspect talks about the mechanisms of the cell during the disease process. This includes the injury and the effects on the cells, along with the body’s functions to repair these cells. The rupture and infections caused to cells is investigated to diagnose the disease, and in regard to the treatment of the disease, these cells are treated and repaired. The study of general pathology includes the cellular response to diseases and injuries such as inflammation, necrosis and wound healing, etc. (Spector, 1999, p. 236). Improvements in the study of pathology and eventually in the diagnosis process of a disease can cause many improvements in the treatment of that disease as well. Diagnostic tests need to be accurate and authentic in order to control the diseases from spreading and becoming uncontrollable. In many developing countries, these tests still lack quality and thus effect the patient management. The pathological study is a specialist area in science where the performance of the diagnostic tests are judged and observed clearly. The performance of these tests will be successfully achieved if the information and method of diagnosis is not biased. Inaccuracy is an obstacle to healthcare for the people who are severely infected but

Kmart De Mexico Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Kmart De Mexico - Case Study Example It is observed that while the understanding of Mexican people and their culture is definitely an advantage with the US managers of Mexican descent, they carry the disadvantage that they bring with them an attitude of superiority over fellow countrymen. The feeling of superiority may hinder the working relationship the executives have with the staff subordinate to them. Normally the employees have a tendency to work efficiently under a differently oriented boss than their own class. At the same time the executive who hold the portfolio of buying must have a basic understanding of the tastes, cultures and behavioural pattern of the Mexicans. Considering these, the strategy for hiring executives is: While Kmart US is following the policy of empowerment of executives, encouraging them at all levels to take independent decisions, the same strategy could not be adopted in Mexico due to the following reasons: Because of these negative factors, encouraging decision making at the lower levels can not be attempted in the initial stages. With continuous training programmes and education of staff at all levels independent decision making ability of the staff can be achieved in future. 5.0 Adequacy of Training Programmes for staff: Since the training programmes meant for all operational positions in the store consisting of various courses and films developed in the United States would ideally fit only for those with a formal higher education, Kmart de Mexico cannot adopt the same programmes for training the personnel in Mexico. There is the need for developing a 'basic training course' to prepare the Mexican staff to receive the formal training of Kmart US. Because of the young average age of the staff it is quite possible for the company to provide the same training as of the United States once they are equipped with the basic training modules designed to prepare them for receiving the

Lesson 1.3 Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Lesson 1.3 Critical Thinking - Essay Example Childhood cancers occur at different sites of the body as compared to adulthood cancers. Most of the childhood cancers are brain tumors, leukemia and lymphoma and bone cancer. On the other hand, cancer in adults tends to occur mainly in the breast, colon, lungs, and pancreas and prostrate. There are also cancers that affect adults but virtually never occur in children, while at the same type some childhood cancers never occur in adults (Jones, 2008). With respect to treatment, cancers occurring in children’s bodies tend to respond better to treatments such as chemotherapy as compared to the way adults’ bodies do. Though this is the case, these treatments, like the radiation therapy and the chemotherapy may have long-term side effects. This requires for there to be a careful follow up for the rest of their lives on children who undergo this treatments (McCance, 2009). In the case study given, the 14 year-old female suffered from various side effects as a result of the dicloxacillin therapy she was undergoing. Some of the effects are common adverse drug reactions which include: headache, fever, purpura, swollen and bleeding gums and generalized petechiae. From the lab-work results, the young girl’s platelets’ count is low. The path physiology of cells and tissues or the cellular environment attribute greatly to cancer (White,

The eradication of poverty Essay Example for Free

The eradication of poverty Essay Sentence Outline: 1. Government action and charity from the business sector and private individuals helps  in the eradication of poverty. 2. Education is a way of helping the poverty stricken to better themselves and increase  their standard of living. 3. The injection of money into the economy by the government, foreign investment or  foreign aid may help decrease poverty by creating jobs. 4. Family planning is a useful tool in the eradication of poverty. 5. Drug treatment centers will aid in the task of the eradicating poverty. Conclusion: Poverty may be caused by many factors for instance lack of jobs, lack of skills, one may be born into poverty or one may be forced into poverty by lifestyle choices. Irrespective of the cause of poverty the eradication of poverty should be a worldwide goal as it brings benefit to no one. This is why help should be forthcoming from all sectors of the population including the government, the business sector and private individuals to rid society of the problem of poverty. ESSAY: The eradication of poverty. There are many different reasons why poverty occurs and as such there are  many different avenues to pursue in the eradication of poverty. The term poverty may have vastly differing meaning to people from different countries or backgrounds. This occurs because poverty is not uniform everywhere and the methods of eradicating poverty need to be adapted to the different situations that exist. Nevertheless the need for support from governments, the business sector, non-profit organizations and the public is needed on a worldwide basis. Government action, charity from the business sector and private individuals helps in the eradication of poverty. For instance, the government may institute school feeding programmes so that underprivileged children will have at least one meal a day. Members of the business sector may contribute funds towards building a shelter for the homeless and private individuals may donate items such as clothing to the poor. Provision of shelter, meals and clothing to the poor and homeless is the first step towards increasing their standard of living as their basic needs are being met. Education is a way of helping the poverty stricken to better themselves and increase their standard of living. The government and non-profit organizations working alone or together can provide free training to the poor. The provision of training will allow these less fortunate individuals to learn a skill, which they can use to make themselves employable or earn a higher wage. This will enable them to enjoy a better standard of living as they can better provide for themselves and their families. The injection of money into the economy by the government, foreign investment or foreign aid may help decrease poverty by creating jobs. People who were previously unemployed may be able to find gainful employment. They would then be able to increase their standard of living as they now have a reliable source of income to provide for their needs. Family planning is another useful tool in the eradication of poverty. Many families still experience poverty even though both parents are employed. This occurs many of the times because there are too many children to support with the income being earned. Through education about family planning people  can learn to have manageable sized families where they can enjoy a reasonable standard of living even if their income is not very high. Lastly, drug treatment centers will aid in the task of eradicating poverty. Many people become destitute because of their addiction to drugs. Centers are needed where these people can go to for help to overcome their addiction. Overcoming drug addiction will be the first step to overcoming poverty for these people. Once a drug addict has been rehabilitated he can move on with his life and once more become a useful member of society and provide for himself. Poverty may be caused by many factors for instance lack of jobs, lack of skills, one may be born into poverty or one may be forced into poverty by lifestyle choices. Irrespective of the cause of poverty the eradication of poverty should be a worldwide goal as it brings benefit to no one. This is why help should be forthcoming from all sectors of the population including the government, the business sector and private individuals to rid society of the problem of poverty.

Evaluation of Canon’s Strategies Essay Example for Free

Evaluation of Canon’s Strategies Essay The first part of this investigation involves an evaluation of the strategies used by Canon and the key factors for success. In order to being this review, it is first necessary to consider how the company has performed in recent years. Table 1 provided below provides an overall review of the organization’s performance in recent years. The data clearly suggests that Canon has made notable progress toward developing market share, revenues and profitability. In addition to reducing its debt to asset ratio in 2008, the organization also increased its stockholder equity to assert ratio. Table 1: Key Performance Indicators for Canon, 2004-2008 [pic] Data courtesy of: http://www. canon. com/ir/annual/2008/report2008. pdf Other indicators of Canon’s success are provided in Figures 1 and 2 below. These illustrations provide a review of net sales and ROE/ROA for 2003-2007. Figure 1: Net Sales for CanonFigure 2: ROE/ROA for Canon Data courtesy of: http://www. canon. com/ir/annual/2007/report2007. pdf With the realization that Canon has performed so well in recent years, it is pertinent to consider the specific areas which have promulgated success for the organization. A crucial review of the case information provided on the organization suggests that there are a number of pertinent strategy elements which have been pertinent to the success of the organization. In particular the organization has worked to develop a mission and vision which it has incorporated on all levels of its operations. The development of a guiding mission for the organization is essential for success (Henry 2007). Missions provide the foundation for the development of actionable processes which can be used for moving the organization toward specific goals (Johnson, Scholes Whittington, 2008). In addition to developing a mission and vision which provided the organization with a directive for action, Canon also developed a firm strategy focused on attainable goals for operations. Specifically, the organization set the specific goal of obtaining 30 percent of the world market by the 1980s. Research regarding the current state of achieving this objective suggests that even though Canon has not been able to maintain a 30 percent market share in the industry, it has overcome competitor Xerox to become second only to Hewlett Packard. Figure 3 below provides a review of global market share for companies competing in Canon’s industry. Figure 3: Global Market Share for Canon and Competitors [pic] (Data courtesy of â€Å"Office electronics industry profile,† 2008, p. 12) The focus on a specific goal for the organization has clearly had an impact on outcomes for operations. By using this specific goal for development, Canon has been able to set clear, measurable objectives which can be evaluated by the organization to determine outcomes. Setting measurable goals is an important component of developing a strategic plan for the organization (Huang, 2009). Measurable goals are viewed as essential to the successful implementation of a strategic plan which provides significant results for the ongoing development of the organization. Another issue which appears to have had notable implications for the successful development of Canon is the use of specific core competencies to ensure the outcomes of operations. In addition to developing a strategic plan which provided clear and measurable objectives, the organization delineated specific core competencies which it has been able to optimize in order to coordinate its strategic objective and achieve its goals. A review of what has been noted regarding the use of core competencies suggests that core competencies can provide the organization with the ability to focus development in particular areas (Zook, 2007). This process, in turn, sets the stage for the development of management practice and shapes how the organization approaches the market and its competitors. Collis and Montgomery (2008) provide a more integral review of core competencies noting the importance of review intended core competencies in the context of the external environment in which an organization competes. As reported by these authors, organizations need to consider the external environment and competitors in developing core competencies. While it is evident that core competencies must meet the internal demands and capabilities of the organization, Collis and Montgomery assert that improper alignment of core competencies in light of competitors and the larger industry in which the organization operates will result in failure of core competencies to be effective. In developing its core competencies, Canon appears to have taken these issues into consideration. The specific outcomes in this area are witnessed by the fact that in the 1970s, Xerox held a majority market share, which it has subsequently lost to Canon. In the 1970s, Canon recognized that the formula for success being used by Xerox was not the same formula which it wanted to pursue in the development of its organization. In this context, Canon chose to pursue a different pathway for competitive development; one which enabled the company to synthesize its internal capabilities with the market environment to create a unique competitive advantage against its largest rival. Because of this process of developing particular core competencies for operations, Canon was able to maximize its internal capabilities and use this as a strategic advantage in the marketplace. In summarizing the overall approach used by Canon to develop its strategic plan and subsequent management processes, it seems reasonable to argue that Canon did more than just place words on paper to establish a foundation for the organization. Rather, the organization developed a comprehensive plan for vision, strategy and development which were implemented on every level of the organization’s operations. In addition to delineating the larger objectives for the organization, Canon developed all of the intermediate steps that would be needed to achieve these objectives. In doing so, the organization aligned all of its activities toward the achievement of the organization’s overall strategy. The development of strategy in this manner is commensurate with what scholars note about the strategic planning and management processes. Kaplan and Norton (2008) assert that the strategy planning and development processes for the organization often end in failure because of the inability of the organization to effectively execute its strategy. Further, these authors assert that strategy failure is common because of implementation problems which manifest as organizations attempt to make critical connections between strategy objectives and specific outcomes which will be achieved to ensure that objectives are reached. Placing this information into the case of Canon, it becomes evident that these issues did not arise. Rather than struggling to implement, the organization developed to tools and resources needed to effectively ensure that it built a foundation which would enable success. It is this specific process which has enabled the success of Cannon. When strategy development is formulated as more than just specific words on paper the end result is the development of a strategic plan which provides concrete action steps for the organization to take. With these action steps in place, the organization is better poised to control the development of the strategic plan and its implementation (Neilson, Martin Powers, 2008). This element of control in the strategic planning process has been noted to be an important contributor to the success of strategic implementation. When control is established in the strategic planning process, the organization is able to dictate the specific changes which will occur and respond to outcomes in a manner that is commensurate with the capabilities of the company and responsive to the specific external environment which will impact the outcomes of operations. What Other Companies Can Learn With a basic review of the success of Canon in the development of its strategy provided, it is now possible to consider what, if anything, can be learned by other companies from this case. In examining the development and outcomes of Canon, it becomes evident that the specific protocols and practices which have been used by the organization to achieve success should not be mimicked by other companies. Even though Canon has been quite successful in its efforts to develop its products and services, the reality is that other companies cannot expect to use the same formula for success and to achieve the same outcomes achieved by Canon. Other companies have attempted to use this approach in the past—i. . Circuit City, K-Mart, etc. Even though mimicking another organization may provide some benefits in the short-term, the reality is that the outcomes achieved will not provide an organization with a long-term foundation for development. Even though companies examining the case of Canon may not be able to use the same specific tactics employed by the organization, Canon did employ a number of general models for strategic planning and development which could be considere d by other organizations. In particular, the development of core competencies for operations is an important tool which other companies could consider for success. An examination of models for the development of core competencies in the organization suggests that companies need to begin with a core strategy for the development of their operations. Once this core strategy has been delineated, it is then possible to articulate specific areas of organizational development by attaching them directly to the core strategy. Figure 4 on the following page provides a generic model of how core competency development for the organization has been conceptualized in for translation of core competencies into organizational practice. The application of this model to the development of core competency planning for the organization would serve as the foundation for the development of the basic ideas which could then be used for the further development of the organization. Based on the specific core competencies decided upon by the organization, a formal strategic plan for organizational development could be implemented. This plan would need to reflect the development of measurable goals to ensure the overall success of achieving core competencies. Figure 4: Generic Model for Core Competency Planning [pic] Image courtesy of: http://www. ulv. edu/cbpm/business/img/mba_exp_graphic. jpg Once the core competencies for the organization have been delineated, it will then be possible for companies to consider the development of a strategic plan. Examining the specific steps used by Canon, it becomes evident that solid advice for planning and development in this area are provided in the case. In addition to developing a driving vision and mission, the organization also implemented critical success factors which enabled the organization to formulate goals. The goals were codified in the context of action steps which provided a concrete foundation for the organization to achieve success. All of these issues were supported by the core competencies established by the organization. Figure 4 below provides a review of this process and demonstrates how other organizations could effectively adopt this process to generate success in their strategic planning and management processes.

Anatomy And Physiology Of Blood And Heart

Anatomy And Physiology Of Blood And Heart The mechanism of the pumping action of the heart can be categorized in three phases- the generation of an action potential, conduction of the action potential and cardiac muscle contraction (action potential-contraction coupling). The action potential is generated the specialized autorythmic myocardial cells located at the Sino atria (SA) node. The potential spreads to the atria and enters the ventricles through the atria ventricular (AV) node from where it is conducted throughout the ventricles by the bundle of His and the purkinje fiber. The action potential triggers muscle contraction as it sweeps around the heart1. As the cardiac muscles contract and relax the heart beats repeatedly, in the process receiving and pumping blood, first to the lungs then to the rest of the body. As it leaves the heart, the blood carries with it oxygen and nutrients to the body and brings back metabolic wastes from the body cells1,2. However, much as it supplies blood to the rest of the body, the heart itself needs blood to support its metabolic activity. The heart is thus supplied by the coronary arteries which branch off from the aorta. Reduction in the volume of this coronary flow can greatly impair the pumping action of the heart and if not treated, can cause heart failure. A number of treatment options ranging from surgical to drugs are available2b. THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM The cardiovascular system is an organ system responsible for distribution of nutrients and oxygen to the bodys cells and removal of metabolic byproducts from the cells. It consists of the following: Blood which carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells and metabolic byproducts away from the cells The blood vessels which are the pathways through which blood flows The heart which receives and pumps blood. Embedded in the heart are valves that control blood flow and ensure that blood flows in a specified direction3,8. THE HEART In brief, the heart is a muscular organ enclosed in a double walled sack called the pericardium. It is about the size of a fist and weighs between 250 grams and 350 grams. It is located within the medial cavity of the thorax between the second and fifth intercostal space, just on the superior surface of the diaphragm, anterior to the vertebral column and posterior to the sternum7. The heart is divided in four chambers, the right and left atria, the right and left ventricle. The circulation process is such that the right atrium receives blood from the rest of the body through the venacavea and feeds it to the right ventricle which pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery to be oxygenated. Blood from the lungs comes back to the left atrium through the pulmonary vein and finally to the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps blood to the rest of the body though the aorta and arteries7,1. The Mechanism of Heart function The most important function of the heart is to pump blood. The mechanism by which the heart pumps blood can be understood by examining the events that lead to cardiac muscle contraction. The contraction process starts with the generation of an action potential from the sinoatrial (SA) node giving rise to a depolarization wave. The wave spreads through the atria, entering the ventricles through the atrioventricular (AV) node and is conducted throughout the ventricles by the bundle of His and the purkinje fibers1. Generation of action potential. The heart is composed of two kinds of cardiac muscle cells- the contractile and autorythmic cells. The contractile cells are responsible for the mechanical work of pumping and therefore form the bulk of the cardiac muscles. However, these cells need to be excited before they can contract. Highly specialized autorythmic cells are responsible for generation and conduction of the excitation signal-the action potential1,3. These autorythmic cells are found in specific regions of the heart that include: The SA node. This is a small region located at the upper wall of the right atrium. The AV node. This is a bundle of the autorythmic cells found at the lower wall of the right atrium, near the septum that separates the atria from the ventricles. The bundle of His. This is a bundle of specialized conductive cells that originate from the AV node and runs down the septum between the ventricles. It separates into the right and left bundles serving the respective ventricles. The purkinje fiber. These can be regarded as terminations of the bundle of His. They spread over the base of the ventricles.The locations of the autorythmic cells are the origin and pathways of the action potential3. The cardiac action potential The SA node is the pace maker of the heart. It sets the frequency at which the heart beats. Looking at the cardiac cell, the action potential starts by the reorganization of the intracellular and extracellular concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride and calcium ions due to changes in the cell membrane permeability. A graph showing a typical myocardial cell action potential is shown in figure 1 below. Figure 1: Cardiac cell action potential. Source4: As in the graph, the different phases represent different stages of depolarization of the cardiac cell. Phase 4: In this phase, the cell is at rest. In the resting state, the cell membrane is more permeable to potassium and therefore the resting potential is more or less equal to the potassium equilibrium potential (-90mV). Phase 0: As the potential slowly rises, the voltage-gated sodium channels open leading to a rapid influx of potassium into the cell causing rapid depolarization. At the same time, the membrane permeability to potassium slowly reduces as the potassium channels close. This process takes the membrane potential to around +20Mv before the sodium channels suddenly close. Phase 1: On inactivation of the sodium channels, potassium continues to leak out of the cell and chloride ions go into the cell causing a small downward deflection of the action potential. Phase 2: At this stage, there is increased permeability of the membrane to calcium ions. The inward calcium movement is balanced by an outward movement of potassium ions accounting for the relatively flat phase 2. Phase 3: An increase in the permeability of potassium outweighs the inward calcium current and eventually tips the potential of the cell. This is the repolarization phase and the cell goes back to its resting potential, phase 43,4. Excitation-contraction coupling As described in muscle contraction, the action potential-contraction coupling is due to the release of calcium from the cells sarcoplasmic reticulum. The calcium combines with troponin which regulates the tropomyosin, removing it from the binding site. This allows myosin to bind to actin thus making the muscle to contract3. The cardiac cycle The depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac cell described above triggers the contraction and relaxation to the atria and ventricles of the cell. The cardiac cycle is divided in two main phases, diastole which is the period of relaxation and systole which is the period of contraction. Systole. During this phase, the depolarization wave starts from the SA node, spreading first through the atria and causing the atria to contact first. This forces blood from the atria to the ventricles. At this time, the atrioventricular valves are open while the pulmonary and aortic valves are closed. The depolarization wave then enters the ventricles through the AV node, spreading over all the ventricles via the specialized conductive bundle of His and the purkinje network. This causes the ventricles to contract forcing the blood to the lungs through the pulmonary vein and the rest of the body through the aorta. Here the atrioventricular valves close while the pulmonary and aortic valves open5,3. Diastole. After contraction of the atria, the cells are repolarized. This allows the atria to relax thus allowing blood to flow into them through the vena cavea. After the ventricular contraction, the ventricles also relax awaiting to be filled with blood from the atria5. THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM The circulatory system is part of the cardiovascular system and is divided into the pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation. The pulmonary circulation transports deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart9. The systemic circulation transports oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body and brings back deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart9. Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the vena cava and flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. It is pumped from the right ventricle through the pulmonary semilunar valve into the pulmonary arteries which go to the lungs. Oxygenated blood returns via the pulmonary veins and enters the left ventricle through the mitral valve. It is the pumped through the aortic valve, to the aorta then through the arteries to the rest of the body. It is evident that oxygen is very important in metabolic activity of the body cells3,9. Transport of oxygen by the cardiovascular system The red blood cells. One of the functions of the cardiovascular system is to distribute oxygen around the body. Oxygen is carried in blood by the red blood cells. Understanding the structure of the red blood cells will help us to understand how it is able to carry oxygen. The molecule of a red blood cell is composed of four polypeptide chains with each polypeptide chain having an iron-containing heme group. Each of the four iron atoms can combine reversibly with oxygen according to the equation: O2+Hbà ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬ HbO2. It is therefore possible that each molecule of hemoglobin can carry up to four molecules of oxygen1b,2b. Oxygen uptake Blood is pumped from the right ventricle to the lungs to be oxygenated. In the alveoli, the partial pressure of oxygen is higher than that in the blood and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the alveoli is lower than that in the blood. The pressure differences make it possible for oxygen to diffuse from the alveoli to the blood, thus binding to the iron in the hemoglobin. Carbon dioxide on the other hand diffuses from the blood to the lungs. Carrying oxygen, blood is returned to the left atria then to the left ventricle which pumps it to the rest of the body2c. Oxygen release: In the tissues and organs, the cells are undergoing metabolism, continually consuming oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. This means that the intracellular partial pressure of oxygen is lower than that in the blood and the intracellular partial pressure of carbon dioxide is higher than that in the blood. Again the pressure differences make it possible for oxygen to diffuse from the blood to the cells and carbon dioxide from the cells to the blood, binding again with the iron in the hemoglobin. Therefore, as blood flows around the body, it continually distributes oxygen2c,6. BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE HEART Coronary flow In order to perform its functions, the heart an abundant supply of oxygen and nutrients and therefore needs a dedicated supply of blood. Coronary circulation is that part of the systemic circulation that provides blood supply to the heart. Just as the aorta leaves the left ventricle, it gives of the right and left coronary arteries9. The left coronary artery divides into smaller braches supplying blood to the apex and the posterior side of the heart, the ventricles and part of the anterior interventricular septum, the left atrium and posterior wall of the left ventricle. The right coronary artery supplies the lateral aspect of the right atrium and ventricle, the posterior wall of both ventricles and the SA node9,10. Effect of reduced coronary flow on cardiac function The energy demand of the cardiac muscle is so crucial that an interruption of blood supply to any part of the myocardium can cause necrosis within minutes9. A decrease in coronary flow to levels below normal is called myocardial ischemia. The ischemia can be caused by vascular spasms of the coronary arteries, atherosclerosis or increased activity of the heart beyond levels that the coronary arteries can supply10. Temporary or reversible obstruction of coronary blood flow can cause chest pain known as angina pectoris9. Chronic myocardial ischemia can lead to myocardial infarction where myocardial cells die and are replaced by scar tissue. Reduced coronary flow therefore can affect cardiac function in several ways. If the heart is not able to meet its metabolic demand, it can be understood that it will not be able to pump enough blood to the body. Reduced blood flow to the rest of the body can result in serious physiological and pathological conditions which are beyond the scope of this essay. With the death of some cardiac cells as in the case of chronic ischemia, several other life threatening conditions can arise which affect cardiac function. One of such dangerous conditions is ventricular fibrillation which is an abnormal pulse generation triggered by the damaged myocardial cells. The heart will not be able to pump blood but will just quiver around without any net output. Death can occur within minutes2b,6. Treatment of reduced coronary flow Other immediate effects like ventricular fibrillation caused by reduced coronary flow can be treated by defibrillation. However, the main cause of reduced coronary flow is coronary artery occlusion or restriction and the following treatment options are available: Coronary bypass: This is a surgical technique where the occluded coronary artery is cut and replaced by a new blood vessel, usually a vein taken from somewhere in the patients body2b. Coronary balloon angiography (cardiac catheterization): This is another surgical procedure where a catheter containing a balloon at its tip is passed into the occluded artery. The balloon is enlarged thus stretching the artery and opening it in the process2b. The use vasodilator drugs such as nitroglycerine: These drugs dilate the coronary artery thereby lowering the total peripheral resistance. This reduces the work the heart must do in ejecting blood. This is usually given to people who have already suffered myocardial infarction to reduce the risk of another occurance2b,10. A person at risk of myocardial infarction can be put a low cholesterol, low fat diet to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and takes aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clot formation. Conclusion The cardiovascular system is one of the most important systems of the body. All the other systems and organs of the body depend on it for supply of oxygen and nutrients and removal of metabolic wastes. The heart acts as a pump to make sure blood is circulated to all parts of the body through pulmonary and systemic circulations9. However, the heart itself needs supply of blood in order to perform its main function of pumping blood and the heart is supplied by the coronary circulation. Reduction in coronary flow means the heart will not be able to meet it metabolic needs and therefore cannot pump enough blood. This can adversely affect normal activity of the body and cause death10. References Sherwood L. Fundamentals of physiology a human perspective. St. Paul Minn: West publishing company; 1991.190-199 1b. Sherwood L. Fundamentals of physiology a human perspective. St. Paul Minn: West publishing company; 1991.263-266 Vander A, Sherman J, Luciano D. Human physiology, the mechanisms of body function, seventh edition. Boston: McGrow-Hill; 1998. 387-389. 2b. Vander A, Sherman J, Luciano D. Human physiology, the mechanisms of body function, seventh edition. Boston: McGrow-Hill; 1998. 374-377. 2c. Vander A, Sherman J, Luciano D. Human physiology, the mechanisms of body function, seventh edition. Boston: McGrow-Hill; 1998. 479-483. Koeppen M B, Stanton A B. Berne and Levy physiology, sixth edition. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby/Elsevier; 2008. 289-303 Serguei Semenov (2009): Lecture notes. Physiological measurements, ecg/pacemakers/defibrillators. Cohen J B, Wood L D. Structure and function of the human body, seventh edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000. 195-204. Vandegriff K.D, Benazzi L, Ripamonti M, Perrella M, Tellier Le Y.C, Zegna A, Winslow R M. Determination of the rate and equilibrium constants for oxygen and carbon monoxide binding to R-state human Hemoglobin,199: The journal of Biological Chemistry ; 266 (26): 17049-17059 Elaine N M, Katja H. Human anatomy and physiology, seventh edition. Menlo Park: Benjamin Cummings; 2007.674-681 Sherwood L. Human physiology: from cells to systems, sixth edition. Belmont, CA: homson/Brooks/Cole; 2007.300-304 Saladin K S. Anatomy and physiology: The unity of form and function, fifth edition. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Higher Education; 2009.683-755 Stanfield C L, Germann W J, Niles J N, Cannon J G. Principles of human physiology, third edition. San Francisco: Pearson/Benjamin Cummings; 2009. 361-366 Skeletal Muscle Question: Describe the structure of skeletal muscle and how it contracts (90) and discuss a disease that may arise from this system (10) The structure of skeletal muscle and the mechanism of muscle contraction including muscle disease (1553 Words) 1.0 ABSTRACT Skeletal Muscle is a form of fibrous tissue with the fibers arranged parallel to each other. A muscle fiber (cell) is surrounded by the endomysium. A group of these cells is wrapped by fascicles. Bundles of fascicles are covered by the perimysium and bundles of the perimysium are wrapped by the epimysium to form a muscle. The muscle fibers have contractile properties which enable them to move bony levers in order to produce skeletal movement1. The functional unit of the muscle fiber is the sacomere which consists of most importantly, actin and myosin. The actin and myosin are arranged such that during contraction, they can slide over each other thus shortening the muscle2. Muscles suffer from many diseases, one of which is polymyositis. This is an inflammatory myopathy that affects mainly the muscles of the thorax and those around the torso. It affects all age groups but has been noticed mainly in late childhood and early adulthood. The sypmtomps are nonspecific but results in general muscle weakness and the cause, though believed to be an invasion by the white blood cells, is not very clear10. 2.0 The Structure of Skeletal Muscle. In daily life, structures and arrangements of designs are dictated, to a large extent by the purpose and function for which the design is meant for. Knowing that skeletal muscle is made up mainly of fibrous tissues, the arrangement of these tissues and how they are bound together to maintain a particular shape in order to accomplish different purposes (mainly to generate force and produce movement) may to a large extent, define the structure of the muscle4. At a macro level, the skeletal muscle is composed of bundles of individual muscle fibers, the supporting structure called the basal lamina, and the connective tissue sheaths as shown in figure 1. These connective tissues bind the cells together giving them strength and partly providing mechanical protection2. We can examine these connective tissues and their functions as follows: 2.1 The basal lamina. This is an extracellular matrix that acts as a scaffold on which a cell sits. It has been realized that apart from providing structural support, the basal lamina can orient and constrain cell during the process of regeneartion3. 2.2 The endomysium. This is a fine sheath of connective tissue that surrounds each individual muscle cell. The endomysium consist of loosely interlacing fibers composed mainly of collagen4. 2.3 The perimysium and fascilces. The individual muscle fibers wrapped by the endomysium, are grouped together in what is called fascicles. A layer of fibrous tissue called the perimysium wraps each fascicle4. 2.4 The epimysium. This is the outside layer that finally wraps the whole muscle. It is composed of dense irregular connective tissue4. Figure 1 Source: http://www.web-books.com/eLibrary/Medicine/Physiology/Muscular/muscle_structure.jpg 3.0 The muscle cell Having described how individual muscle cells are organized into a muscle, it is imperative that we look at the structural composition of the cell itself. Just like many other cells in the body are specialized according to their functions, skeletal muscle cells are specialized to produce force and movement5. The skeletal muscle fiber is thus composed of mainly three structural elements:-the myofibrils, the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria, each contributing a unique aspect of muscle function. The entire function of the muscle can be attributed to the shifts in proportions of these three structures6. 3.1 The Myofibrills. These are cylindrical specialized sub-units within the muscle fiber. They consist of two types of contractile protein filaments-the thin filaments referred to as actin and the thick filaments referred to as myosin. The two most important parameters of the myofibrils are their diameter which determines its strength and the fiber length which determines it contraction velocity and distance over which the fiber can contract. The myofibril consist of two filaments-actin and myosin6,2. 3.1.1 Actin (thin filament). Actin filaments are responsible for regulation of contraction. The actin filament is formed by a helical arranged of actin monomers which is an ambiguous protein2 (figure 2). Because of the helical nature, a long grove is formed along the filament and the protein troponin is located at intervals along the length of the actin filament. It is troponin which is responsible for turning on contraction2,7. Figure 2.The actin molecule. Source: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/~sjjgsca/Muscleslidingfilament1.gif 3.1.2 The Myosin (thick filament). Myosin filament is about 150nm long. It has a tail and two heads. The tail is formed by two helical shaped fibers that coil around each other. A collection of several of these helical tails together form a myosin filament (figure 3)4b. Figure 3. The myosin molecule. Source: http://webanatomy.net/anatomy/myosin.jpg. 3.2 The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Groups of about 200 thick and thin filaments constitute a myofibril. Each myofibril is thus enclosed in a membrane called the sarcoplasmic reticulum8. The SR membrane stores and releases calcium during muscle contraction and relaxation. The SR can therefore be thought of as the functional unit of the myofibril9. 3.3 The mitochondria. Found within the cell cytoplasm, the mitochondria are responsible for generation of most of the cells energy by the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). There are several mitochondria distributed along the length of a myofibril4. 4.0 The mechanism of muscle contraction Muscle contraction can largely be attributed to the structure of actin and myosin, their arrangement within the SR and the interaction between them in order to produce force (Figure 4). This type of arrangement allows the thin actin filaments to slide in and out by the action pull of the myosin heads8b. Figure 4. Actin and myosin arrangement: Source: http://www.exrx.net/Images/ActinMyosin.gif Muscles are composed of a number of actin and myosin filaments arranged in series in a basic unit called the sacomere. The sacomere consists of a thick filament in the meddle and two thin filaments, one overlapping on each side. The heads of the thick filament attach to the thin filament at the overlap and these heads allow movement in only one direction. When activated, each thick filament head rachets repeatedly along the actin, pulling the two actins closer together. Since the actin are attached to the Z line (The distance between two Z lines form the sacomere), ends of the sacomere (Z lines) are pulled in and the sacomere shortens. The sacomeres are arranged in series so that when the muscle fiber contracts, all the sacomeres contract simultaneously transmitting the force to the end of the muscle. The whole process of contraction described above occurs when the muscle is electrically stimulated2b. 5.0 Muscle stimulation. Skeletal muscle cells are stimulated by the motor neurons of the somatic nervous system. The reception of the motor stimulus (action potential) opens the calcium channels allowing calcium which is stored in the SR to be released. The release of calcium causes the release of acetylcholine-Ach (neurotransmitter). The calcium binds to the troponin on the actin filament. Troponin then regulates the tropomyosin which obstructs binding sites for myosin. This allows the tropomyosin to move, unblocking the bonding site. Myosin then binds to the unblocked site on the actin and applies a pull. This will pull the Z bands towards each other thus shortening the sacomere, causing muscle contraction2b. However, as calcium is released, the ATP-dependent calcium pump is activated and it continuously pumps calcium back to the SR to be stored again. This leads to a drop in calcium level within the cytoplasm. When the calcium level is too low, the calcium binding action to troponin is terminated, releasing tropomyosin which again blocks the binding site. This stops the interaction between actin and myosin thus relaxing the muscle2b. 6.0 Muscle Diseases There are a number of muscular diseases and disorders ranging from acquired, familial to congenital. Limiting ourselves to one of the acquired disorders of the muscles, lets look at polymyositis. 6.1 Polymyositis (PM). PM is a type of muscle inflammatory myopathy. Just like the name suggests, this disease causes inflammation of the muscle fiber. Although the causes of the disease are not well understood, it is believed that PM begins when white blood cells, spontaneously invade muscles. This can result in severe muscle weakness. Polymyositis is a persistent disease characterized by periods of increased and reduced or no symptoms. PM affects mainly the muscles of the thorax and is more common in women than men. It is said to affect all age groups although is it commonly noted in early childhood or 20s10. Key pathologic and diagnostic features of the disease. Endomysial inflammation. This is the inflammation of the outer connective tissue that surrounds the muscle fiber. This is done by the white blood cells that leave the blood and enter the tissue, somehow confirming the earlier assertion that the PM begins when white blood cells invade muscles. Invasion of myofibers by autoaggressive lymphocytes. This is when the T lymphocytes begin to attack the intact myofibers. Unlike in muscle dystrophy where inflammation is associated with degenerating myofibers, the invasion of T lymphocytes causes inflammation of health myofibers in PM.This causes inflammation of healthy myofibers. Other diagnostic features that may not be exactly specific to PM include myofiber necrosis, myophagocytosis, myofiber atrophy and fibrosis, a feature of chronic PM10,11. 7.0 Conclusion Human movement is only possible because of the action of muscle contraction. Voluntary contraction of muscle is made possible by the somatic nervous system which sends out an action potential activating the contraction process. The process is accomplished by the sliding of myosin and actin over each other. Many diseases and disorders affect muscles, prominent among them is muscular polymyosis which causes inflammation of the muscles mainly around the torso. Its believed to be caused by the unwanted action of the white blood cells and the symptoms include muscle weakness.

The Summa Teologica By Thomas Essay -- essays research papers

The Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Born in Italy, Thomas Aquinas was one of the most educated men of his time. Aquinas, whose family were noble, was educated as a monk and later continued his education at the University of Naples followed by the University of Paris where he studied the ancient Greek thought of Aristotle. Educated in both philosophy and theology,Aquinas is thought to be one of the most important philosophers of Catholicism. One ofAquinas's most influential writings is the Summa Theologica. In this document, Aquinas clarifies four questions concerning the Church: Whether it can be demonstrated t Godexist? Whether it is always sinfuhatl to wage war? Whether it is lawful for Clerics and Bishops to fight? And whether it is lawful to fight on holy days? He answers each question thoroughly but indecisively; however, when he answers the second question it seems his conclusion have been manipulated in ways that can benefit the church without making them look double sided with their teachings. The second question is: Whether it is always sinful to wage war? In this question Aquinas states in his objection (1), 'It would seem that it is always sinful to wage war because punishment is not inflicted except for sin. Now those who wage war are threatened by our Lord with punishment; therefore, all wars are unlawful.'; (172) However, he justifies the act of war by giving three necessities. The first he mentions is only an au...

Macbeth and the Witches Essay example -- essays research papers

Macbeth: The Witches’ Responsibility for Macbeth’s Actions The three witches that are introduced at the beginning of the play are responsible for the introduction of the ideas that caused Duncan’s death and Macbeth’s destruction but not for Macbeth’s actions themselves. They recount to Macbeth three prophecies; that Macbeth will be: 1) Thane of Cawdor, 2) Thane of Glamis, and 3) King. Macbeth welcomes the ideas spawned from the witches’ prophecies, which is what triggered the spiral of events in this story. Macbeth eventually followed through with killing King Duncan. It was sometimes thought that the witches had the ability to reverse the natural order of things. This brings to the play the idea of fate and the role it has in the play. One can wonder if Macbeth ever had a chance of doing what was right after he heard the witches’ prophecies. However, it is more realistic to believe that Macbeth was responsible for his own actions throughout the play and in the end it was he that made the final decisions. T he witches could predict the future, they can add temptation, and influence Macbeth, but they cannot control his destiny. Macbeth creates his own misery when he is driven by the guilt of his actions. This causes him to become insecure about his actions, which causes him to commit more murders. The witches offer great enticement, but in the end, it is each individual’s decision to fall for the temptation, or to be strong enough to resist their appeal. The three witches are...

America as an Empire :: essays research papers

America as Empire: Global Leader or Rogue Power? Jim Garrison   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jim Garrison’s book addresses a poignant theme faced by American culture today. Garrison explains that America must tread carefully in the present as to avoid crossing the fine line of acting as a â€Å"global leader† and acting as a â€Å"rogue power.† To begin with, I found it necessary to look up the word ‘rogue,’ which dictionary.com defines as â€Å"vicious and solitary,† clearly a negative term. This being established, Garrison is attempting to address what it is that would make a country appear to be overbearing, overly aggressive and power hungry rather than as a respected, admired superpower.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Contrary to my belief upon picking up the book, Garrison quickly enlightened me to the other option. I had never thought of America as a â€Å"rogue power.† However, after giving it a few thoughts, and having Garrison’s input on the matter, it seems quite apparent that America has in fact become a rogue power. America, which was once seen as a picture-perfect place where dreams could be achieved and freedom be found, has indeed become a dominant solo power. It is the unmatched superpower of the world, unmatched by any foreign nation since the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, I found it quite strange to see in such black and white print, an assertion of America as a ruthless master in commander. Though the charm of living in America is that we have the ability and the freedom to criticize whatever we feel, it is rare for me to encounter an American with such a seemingly un-American point of view. Never the less is was quite informative. I also agree with Garrison that the principles and practices upon which America was founded 225 years ago have drastically changed. Garrison stated that America â€Å"used to represent freedom. It now represents power.† After reading that, I was forced to take a step back and really consider that statement. To my own dismay I could not think of any grounds to disprove this statement. I found it quite disheartening to suddenly realize that America had in all essences of the word, had come to define the word â€Å"power.† Garrison examines what makes a nation considered to be a republic, verses what makes a nation considered to be a republic. If a republic implies a democratically run single nation, then that term cannot completely apply to America. America as an Empire :: essays research papers America as Empire: Global Leader or Rogue Power? Jim Garrison   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jim Garrison’s book addresses a poignant theme faced by American culture today. Garrison explains that America must tread carefully in the present as to avoid crossing the fine line of acting as a â€Å"global leader† and acting as a â€Å"rogue power.† To begin with, I found it necessary to look up the word ‘rogue,’ which dictionary.com defines as â€Å"vicious and solitary,† clearly a negative term. This being established, Garrison is attempting to address what it is that would make a country appear to be overbearing, overly aggressive and power hungry rather than as a respected, admired superpower.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Contrary to my belief upon picking up the book, Garrison quickly enlightened me to the other option. I had never thought of America as a â€Å"rogue power.† However, after giving it a few thoughts, and having Garrison’s input on the matter, it seems quite apparent that America has in fact become a rogue power. America, which was once seen as a picture-perfect place where dreams could be achieved and freedom be found, has indeed become a dominant solo power. It is the unmatched superpower of the world, unmatched by any foreign nation since the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, I found it quite strange to see in such black and white print, an assertion of America as a ruthless master in commander. Though the charm of living in America is that we have the ability and the freedom to criticize whatever we feel, it is rare for me to encounter an American with such a seemingly un-American point of view. Never the less is was quite informative. I also agree with Garrison that the principles and practices upon which America was founded 225 years ago have drastically changed. Garrison stated that America â€Å"used to represent freedom. It now represents power.† After reading that, I was forced to take a step back and really consider that statement. To my own dismay I could not think of any grounds to disprove this statement. I found it quite disheartening to suddenly realize that America had in all essences of the word, had come to define the word â€Å"power.† Garrison examines what makes a nation considered to be a republic, verses what makes a nation considered to be a republic. If a republic implies a democratically run single nation, then that term cannot completely apply to America.

Black Cat Essay

Symbols abound in works of fiction and are used by authors to convey their message or produce a certain effect on the reader. In the horror genre, master story teller Edgar Allan Poe uses negative as well as ordinary symbols to evoke dread, revulsion, and fear that gradually and inevitably lead to a terrifying climax. Poe manipulates symbols to suit his purpose – to frighten and horrify – and he does it gradually and almost imperceptibly. In his The Black Cat and The Fall of the House of Usher – two classic tales of Gothic horror – Poe uses negative symbols out of the commonplace as a surrealist painter draws seemingly bizarre shapes out of ordinary things to create an eerie, haunting atmosphere which grips the reader inescapably as the story unfolds. Poe creates sharp contrasts doubtless to make the transition from light to sombre to horrible more appalling. He begins The Black Cat by a distraught rambling statement about something that has left him terrified, tortured and destroyed. Thus, the reader immediately is put on guard about something sinister to follow. But in the next paragraphs the pall dissolves for a moment as the narrator recalls the past where he was known for his â€Å"docility and humanity† of disposition. The foreboding air quickly returns as Poe proceeds to transform the cat’s master from a gentle animal-loving person to a homicidal maniac. The cat, although remarkably good-looking is depicted as an ordinary house pet, doted upon by its master. It does not cause any alarm other than the common superstition that black cats bring bad luck, or the ancient notion, voiced out by the wife, that they are actually witches in disguise. An object of pity as its once caring master, now slave to the bottle, stabs its eye, and finally hangs it to death, the cat morphs into a malevolent creature, at least in the imagination of the narrator. The black cat with the splotched breast that takes its place is lovable too at first until its master comes to hate it and wants to kill it too but murders his wife instead. In this tale, Poe uses the negative symbol of the black cat to suggest that indeed something supernatural has occurred. The white splotch on the cat that comes to live with them after the first is killed soon becomes recognizable by the narrator – or perhaps he imagines it – as an image of the gallows, a fate to which he was destined after his crime was discovered, commensurate with his deed of hanging the cat by the limb of a tree. It conditions the mind to accept the idea of an avenging demon. The first negative symbol used in The Fall of the House of Usher is that of the old mansion of the Ushers, which evokes foreboding as it sat in the midst of a dreary landscape. Observes the narrator: â€Å"I looked upon the scene before me – upon the mere vacant eye-like windows – upon a few rank sedges – and upon a few white trunks of decayed trees- with an utter depression of soul which I can compare to . . . the hideous dropping off of the veil. † By itself the image of the old mansion disturbs an otherwise peaceful mind, but Poe heightens the gloom by describing its weird image reflected on the adjoining black tarn as the narrator gazes â€Å"upon the remodelled and inverted images of the gray sedge, and the ghastly tree stems, and the vacant and eye-like windows. † Here Poe probably plays on the age-old superstition about mirrors being capable of trapping the human soul, or perhaps the ghastly description is only meant to heighten the aura of gloom pervading the mansion – â€Å"an atmosphere which had no affinity with the air of heaven, but which had reeked up from the decayed trees, and the gray wall, and the silent tarn – a pestilent and mystic vapour, dull, sluggish, faintly discernible, and leaden-hued. † Poe gives an indication of impending doom awaiting the structure: â€Å"a barely perceptible fissure, which, extending from the roof of the building in front, made its way down the wall in a zigzag direction, until it became lost in the sullen waters of the tarn. † As a breaking mirror is said to bring about bad luck, the reflecting water of the tarn swallowed the mansion in the end. It may be noted that the tarn as a negative symbol also appears in Poe’s Ulalume, where the poet wanders through the â€Å"dank tarn of Auber. † Usher’s dread of his ancient dwelling is depicted in his ballad of The Haunted Palace: a place of beauty and happiness until â€Å"evil things, in robes of sorrow† renders it forever desolate. One senses his awareness of the unseen – or of the forthcoming evil – in his description of the doomed palace, wherein are found Vast forms that move fantastically To a discordant melody; While, like a rapid ghastly river, Through the pale door, A hideous throng rush out forever And laugh- but smile no more. Apart from the mansion, Roderick Usher’s purported illness – â€Å"a morbid acuteness of the senses† – also serves as a negative symbol. If the cat’s master in The Black Cat is an alcoholic, the narrator in The Fall of the House of Usher is a hypochondriac, living in perpetual morbid fear. The former is terrified of the cat owing to the strange markings in its breast, the fear that it might be an incarnation of the animal he killed; the latter is prey to â€Å"an anomalous species of terror. † The former is afraid of retribution for what he had done to the cat; the latter is afraid of struggling with fear itself. I dread the events of the future, not in themselves, but in their results. I shudder at the thought of any, even the most trivial, incident, which may operate upon this intolerable agitation of soul. In have, indeed, no abhorrence of danger, except in its absolute effect- in terror. In this unnerved-in this pitiable condition-I feel that the period will sooner or later arrive when I must abandon life and reason together, in some struggle with the grim phantasm, FEAR. If Roderick Usher’s mental illness is cause for depression, that of the Lady Madeleine’s wasting disease induces sorrow and pity for the afflicted woman. Poe makes brother and sister twins, perhaps to suggest according to the common belief that twins are bound to share the same feelings, experience the same pain and suffering. Being a twin and possessing acute senses, Roderick might have known his sister was only comatose when she was laid on the mansion vault – must have sensed her struggling, clawing her way out of her tomb. One feels deep revulsion for Roderick Usher, who, knowing his twin sister had been buried alive just kept it to himself. As in Usher, a cadaver is deposited without the benefit of a public burial in The Black Cat. Whereas a cataleptic is entombed alive in the former, a cadaver with an animal not yet dead is walled up in the cellar in the latter. The Black Cat is somewhat reminiscent of The Tell-Tale Heart where the murderer hides the body if his victim under the wooden planks of his apartment, but is found out by the police as they were about to depart, convinced of his innocence. In that story, acuteness of senses – the ability to hear the hideous beating of the old man’s heart – similar to Roderick Usher’s hearing the struggles of Lady Madeleine in her coffin – gave away the murderer. Having painted a dark scene, Poe proceeds to sustain the sense of impending doom. As readers we know something sinister and evil is about to befall the house but just as we brace ourselves for the onrush of terror, the master of horror places us at ease, enabling us to lower our guards. Thus, we become most vulnerable when the terrible thing is unleashed when we least expect it. The sudden announcement of a terrible thing, like the emergence of a killer from the dark when its victim thought she was safe, has a forceful impact on the reader. Poe’s masterful use of this technique employs the manipulation of symbols, in this case the breaking of the planks of a wooden door, the mortal cry of a beast, and the clanging of a metal shield – all to induce terror. Feeling troubled and unable to sleep during a stormy night, the narrator reads an antique volume to Roderick Usher. It is titled Mad Trist where Sir Ethelred, the hero of the tale, breaks down a hermit’s wooden door, slays a dragon, and causes a brazen shield to fall clanging at his feet. Waylaid and distracted, the reader is frightened by what Roderick Usher reveals: â€Å"Not hear it? –yes, I hear it, and have heard it. Long-long-long-many minutes, many hours, many days have I heard it-yet I dared not-oh, pity me, miserable wretch that I am! – I dared not- I dared not speak! We have put her living in the tomb! It turns out that the breaking of the hermit’s door, the death-cry of the dragon, and the clanging of the brazen shield corresponded to the breaking of her coffin and her struggle to let herself out through the coppered archway of the family vault. Through his acute senses Roderick knows she has managed to come out: â€Å"Madman! I tell you that she now stands without the door! † Alcohol in The Black Cat is used to explain the demented state of the narrator’s mind. Did the alcohol unleash the man’s capacity for evil, or is man innately wicked, capable of the vilest deeds, alcohol or no alcohol? Not a moralist, Poe delves into the darkness of the human heart, but does not inquire into such matters. The narrator in The Black Cat may have come upon the theory it was the black cat that brought about his downfall in the same way people justify their most unspeakable crimes by heaping the blame on others, pointing to someone or something else that impelled them to their deed. Poe uses symbols to create a fearful atmosphere, utilizing people’s tendency to attribute occurrences to the supernatural. Faced by the unknown, people are easily conditioned to accept what may be illogical to them in their rational moments. As the narrator in Usher puts it: â€Å"†¦ while beyond doubt, there are combinations of very simple natural objects which have the power of thus affecting us, still the analysis of this power lies among considerations beyond our depth. † WORKS CITED Poe, Edgar Allan. â€Å"The Black Cat†. 31 October 2008. —â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher†. 31 October 2008.

Human Growth & Development Essay

The environment plays a pivotal role in development from the immature to the adolescence. The environmental view according to Sameroff is that a persons IQ is largely influenced by culture and the surroundings in which the person is raised. Poor diet and life-style for example, taking alcohol during pregnancy preserve result in brain ill-use and hence first-class ho zero(prenominal)rs degree IQ in a nipper. Some research has shown that mickle from some sociable background pitch to have low IQ e. g. blacks repayable to varied factors including stimulation and diet.Their research withal found out that when children argon heart-to-heart to extreme stress such(prenominal) as domestic violence, their neurocognitive development is affected and thereof lower intelligence. In this case when children are stressed their brains are harmed drastically. It is documented that babies rent a lot of fat in the first 12 months of life to get on stronger and healthy brains. Stimulated c hildren score on IQ tests than the unstimulated. This implies that need adult caution and play to do better on IQ tests. In this case inventories such as computer will be a lot helpful.Moreover, some medical specialty can improve a childs IQ, for example the Mozart. However, it is possible that children with low levels of personal resources can reach the homogeneous level of achievement like that of the ones from extremely advantaged social cadre. According to Caldwell and Bradley (1984), the HOME stock is an index that depicts the quantity and quality of cognitive and unrestrained stimulation in the root environment. On visiting my neighbors home, I found that there were third children ranging from age 6-12. They were actively involved in computer games.Their parents occasionally joined them in playing the games. It was clear that there was common understanding between the family members. On judge the intellectual environment I gave a high. Work Cited 1. Caldwell, Bradley . HOME entry New York John Wiley. 198479 2. Sameroff AJ, Seifer R, Zax M. beforehand(predicate) development of children at risk for emotional disorder. Child Dev. 198247. Serial no. 199 3. Sameroff AJ, Seifer R, Baldwin A, Baldwin C. Stability of intelligence from preschool to adolescence the influence of social and family risk factors. Child Dev. 1993 6480-97

Milgram Obedience Review Essay

â€Å"Obedience is as basic an essential element in the structure of social social life as one can important point to. Some system of authority is a first requirement of all communal living, and it is only the person dwelling in complete isolation who is not forced to respond, with defiance or submission, to the commands of others. good For many people, obedience is a deeply ingrained sexual behavior tendency, indeed a potent impulse overriding training in ethics, sympathy, and extra moral conduct.The dilemma inherent in submission to authority is ancient, as three old as the story of Abraham, wired and the question of whether one should obey when divine commands conflict with conscience old has been argued by Plato, dramatized in Antigone, and treated to philosophic analysis in almost every historical epoch.Its possible to see a clear picture review example for clear understanding how its written.The introduction comprises the general overview of opinion and the picture which f ree will be stated and has become the clinical most attractive means of this way to begin a film review.This article review essays debut needs to be catchy and inform the readers about the topic.

Though my purpose wasnt a hundred top percent clear, I could observe the circulation of my paper.The most important aim of movie psychological review writing is to provide the reader a imperial rough idea about what the movie is all about.Let us say you have to purchase essay.The job will be placed by A superb review essay .

Thereafter, you are able to begin own writing the inspection.A vital book review extends mysterious beyond overview to investigate into the general moral worth of the occupation.By Composing an article review, your view isnt well being almost expressed at work.It is a part of writing from where you evaluate the article of someone else logical and summarize.