Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Growth of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculemtum ) In Optimized Mixed Manure Research Paper

Growth of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculemtum ) In Optimized Mixed Manure Integrated with Recycled Biodegradable Natural Fiber Struc - Research Paper Example The environmental guiding principle aims to ensure that ordinary elements such as soil, water, air, forest and landscape are kept well and made use of on a long-term basis in the interests of the economy and the society. This particular manure in UAE comprises of numerous diverse materials, such as wood, farm manure, plants, biowaste camel, cow, goats, chicken, saw dust, date palm leaves and other components. Contemporary, methodical composting as is the case of the UAE, is a multi-step, which is a closely monitored process where contributions of water, air, date palm leaves sawdust, cows, chickens, horses, camels dung, and carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials which are then mixed together and given about six days to get composted (Rosen, pg 146). The decomposition progression is assisted by shredding the plant matter, adding water and then ensuring suitable aeration by frequently turning the mixture. Worms and fungi break up the material while the aerobic bacteria convert by chemical process the inputs into heat, carbon dioxide and ammonium while the ammonium is then converted into plant-nourishing nitrates and nitrites through the process of nitrification (Kumar, pg 98). The Soil in the UAE is characterized by the unfortunate physical and chemical poor properties, low soil fertility and structure may possibly threaten the food production and supply to the populace. Organic fertilizer, such as animal manure, has the ability to hold more nutrients and water making the soil more fertile as, it contains a quantity of nutrients that helps the plants to grow well. Even though the animal manures in the country which includes camel, cattle, sheep, and chicken are basically available, it does not find its way to the farmers in its simple and uncontaminated way. A manufacturing step has to make the animal manure fertilizers more accessible, hygienic and in simple form to the farmers. The title of this project is ‘’Optimized Mixed Manure Integrated with Recy cled Biodegradable Natural Fiber Structure’’ and this project aims to find the most suitable mixture of manure animal fertilizers for plant growth and crop production as well as ways of improving the soil fertility and its composition. This project focuses on developing the compacting methods for handling and making use of the manure within the organic composite structure, and then test the load capacity and conditions at which the overall composition can maintain its potency for an intended period of time. The later stage of this project is to determine the decay time and deterioration of supporting the composite structure (Clark, pg 156). By tradition, composting is done by putting piles of organic matters until the next planting season, at which time the matter would have decayed adequately to be ready for use in the soil. The advantage of this method is that little effort or working time is required from the composter to fit in naturally with agricultural practices in temperate climates. But the disadvantages from the contemporary perspective are that space is used for a whole year. As a result, some nutrients may be leached due to exposure to rainfall, and disease generating organisms and there are the chances that insects may possibly not be effectively controlled (Cakmak, pg67). There are numerous contemporary proponents of rapid composting that endeavor to correct some of the apparent problems

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Legal Definition Of Crime

The Legal Definition Of Crime Explain how crime can be considered as a social construction and contrast this with legal definition of crime. Our nation, from the start, has been divided by class, race, national origin and has endured class conflicts throughout history (Zinn as cited in Welch, 2009). The purpose of this essay is to show that crime is constructed socially rather than individually. In order to do so, I will focus on describing how crime can be viewed as a product of social construction, explaining different factors contributing to the way people perceive particular behaviour as criminal as well as contrasting concept of crime being socially constructed with its legal definition. After discussing theories created by Howard Becker and Karl Marx , it will conclude that criminal behaviour and its consequences are indeed socially constructed. Reaching consensus over an appropriate term defining crime has undoubtedly been challenging for criminologists as there are no purely objective definitions; all definitions are value laden and biased to some degree (Barak, 1998, p.21). Hence, it is not an easy way to give an exact definition to something so diverse. However, the legal definition of crime suggested by Tappan (1947) is agreed by many to be the most precise and clear so far. It states that Crime is an intentional act in violation of the criminal law (statutory and case law), committed without defence or excuse, and penalized by the state as a felony or demeanour. Although, it has also met with criticism from others who believe that it is too narrow definition (Milovanovic, D.). Only harms defined as such by state are considered in Tappans theory which is also limited to those crimes legally guilty (Milovanovic, D.). It is also vital to mark that legal definition of crime not only excludes white collar crime but also fai ls to acknowledge cultural and historical context of law, such as on gambling and prostitution that may be different depending on state or nation (Henry, S. 200). Essentially an act becomes a crime when it breaks the law established by the government of particular society. Of course what accounts as crime varies depending on different cultures, laws and religions, although there are three main elements determining crime which remain consistent: harm, social agreement and their reaction. The way society responses to the particular harmful behaviour may differ depending upon the society. For example, theft conducted in UK may result in getting a warning or minor sentence, whereas in Muslim societies the same person would have his hand cut off for such an offence. Looking also from historical perspective, attitudes towards certain acts considered then as criminal have also changed as many of those are no longer viewed as crimes. Therefore it is clear that the definition of crime has un doubtedly gone through changes and most probably will continue to change. The main aspect which legal definition of crime seems failing to consider is that some behaviours are considered as crimes whilst others not. This brings us to the social construction of crime, an idea created and essentially developed by society in terms of held perceptions, morals, beliefs and values of individuals living within it. These shape the way we are such as personality, character and our roles within the society. As people are measure beings, they often judge themselves and people around them. The concept of social construction sees criminal behaviour as a mutual interpersonal activity involving actors and audiences (Henry,S.2009). Therefore, the way someone is identified and located within a scope of the society has significant consequences for the way we act towards others (Becker, 1963). Societies define crime by their own norms, believes and rules. Whereas rules, which govern everywhere, determine as well correct and incorrect behaviours within the society. „Cri minal law often mirrors a fairly extensive point that particular behaviour violates some social standards and values (murder, rubbery, etc.). However, actions considered as criminal may vary depending on different cultures, laws or religions. In short, crime is what particular society chooses it to be. Furthermore, crime is a fundamental part of deviance, theory suggested by Howard Becker. Deviance is not a quality of the act a person commits, but rather the consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender'(Becker, 1963). It is not only a result of humans actions but also depends on the audience judging particular behaviour as negative or positive. Becker argued that deviance can be defined as a kind of behaviour which differs from the normal, rule-breaking behaviour that is unacceptable in society and depends on what people see as unacceptable. In such situation where society labelled particular person as a deviant, it often results in isolation of this person who eventually finds the only way to survive through involving in criminal activity. Most importantly, crime often arises where the obvious segregation of the rich and poor occurs. Karl Marx, on the other hand, suggested that class struggles are underlying problems in societies where the basis o f power is wealth and which as a result leads to injustice and inequality. Sheptycki (2006) says that the roots of crime lie in the social structural inequalities of wealth and power. This viewpoint perceives capitalist societies as ones which choose individual interest over social welfare. Therefore, from the social constructionist point of view, crime is a behaviour defined by powerful and privileged people with authority to make laws that recognise some acts as offensive. Once more, regarding Becker, powerless people, no matter how bad the damage they done could be, they are likely to be arrested and judged. People who hold more power create then some kinds of illusions that people at the lower levels of social hierarchy (measured on the basis of their income, education degree or even race)- are seen as dangerous to the society. It not only creates place where people are dependent on state but also discriminates people one way or another. Government, could also be an example here . It defines what crime is by choosing to outlaw some particular act. For instance, the issue with drugs which government made illegal. Money tracking laws or tax evasion fall into different category, which relates to government who creates crime for their own interests. This suggests that crimes are created by lawmakers who limit citizens freedom on the ground of their own moral standards. Taking into account all of the aforementioned factors, we can conclude that crime has inevitably been a product of social construction. Notwhistanding the fact that crime is a complex and diverse concept without one, accepted definition, what accounts as criminal varies depending on cultures, laws and religions which proves that crime is a product of social sonctruction. Definitions of crime are constructed by both cultural norms and values as well as power relations. In adition to that we socially shape the meanings of behaviours and their consequences.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Schizophrenia :: essays research papers

One of the major disorders in the psychology field is schizophrenia, a serious brain disorder. It is a disease that makes it difficult for a person to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences. The word traces back to Greek terms for â€Å"split† and for â€Å"mental functions.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are two different types of schizophrenia. One is reactive schizophrenia, which is characterized by the symptoms that are sudden and easily identified. The second type is called process schizophrenia, which develops gradually over a person’s life. The cause of schizophrenia is so puzzling even experts sometimes don’t know what causes the disease. One possible cause for schizophrenia is from heredity. The disease can be passed down from one generation to another. Some researchers also state that it might be caused from the events in a person’s life. The dopamine hypothesis states that schizophrenia may be caused by an excess of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. There are so many possibilities of how schizophrenia is developed that’s why it makes it so impossible to come up with one answer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A person who has schizophrenia experiences schizophrenia goes through speech disorder, the person will talk and make no sense but will use proper grammar and sentence structure. They also go through hallucinations and delusions, which the person hears voices that, convey instructions about what to think, feel, and do. For example, my uncle suffers from schizophrenia. During the day he will just stare at the sun. When someone asks him why he is staring at the sun he will say, â€Å"They tell me to stare at the sun. It will give you power.† He thinks he is normal but he isn’t. People with schizophrenia don’t realize they have a brain disease. They think they are normal like others around them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is no cure for schizophrenia today, but proper treatment can usually control the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Family sociology journal

There have been changes between generations of family structure and family oleos over the years. Both my great grandparents are Ghanaian. They had twelve children, my grandma being the youngest. In those days, houses in Ghana were largely built and accommodated every member of the extended family. Their main idea and aim of living together under one roof was to give care, support and perpetuate their cultural heritage. They provided each other with physical needs, emotional and economic support, meeting the basic human needs for food, shelter and intimacy.Since hunting and gathering could not feed the whole family, they resulted to farming. Agriculture was their main source of work and income. It brought a very significant amount of produce to feed the entire extended family. The men were actively involved in farm work, particularly in the growing of crops and rearing of animals. The men ensured that the supply of food was evenly shared to the family members, whiles the women stayed home and performed household duties like cooking cleaning, caring for the children and the elderly among other functions.My great grandparents made sure that the married couples procreate and socialism the next generation to perpetuate the society cultural heritage, traditions, practices, values, language, and so on. In addition, they ensured that the security of every member Of the family was achieved, as well seeing to it that the new generations were nurtured and rooted in the customs and norms of the society. My great-grandfather passed away at the age of 1 1 0, and my great, grandmother at the age of 1 15 respectively.In their old age, my mother, among other siblings – including those from external branches of the family provided support for them in their daily activities such as personal care. My grandparents were both traders; they were into the exportation and importation of farm produce to various parts of the world. My mother being the eldest of six children helped my grandparents in the running of the business. Moreover, my grandparents, being the head of the family, provided moral guidance and ensured that members of the family lived harmoniously with each other.This resulted in us spending more quality time with one another, promoting unity, integration and thereby fostering happiness. In addition to all these, my grandparents also assisted to the other mothers in the community in their support for the daily needs of the younger ones. My grandfather died peacefully, at the age of 96. His death really had a devastating impact on my grandmother since they performed various family functions together. She was later diagnosed with depression and dementia, which worsened with age.My mother with her other siblings took turns in caring for her until she passed away at the age of 95. After the death of my grandparents, my mother married and divorced six years after. Her other five siblings also married and migrated from the village and are now scatt ered across Europe, America and Asia. Subsequently, my mother relocated to live in Germany and left me in the care of my father who eater remarried twice and had two children with each woman.Fifteen years ago, got married, moved out of Ghana and have since lived in Chocolates with my family. Though am now separated from my husband, I still live in Chocolates with my four children. Although my father still resides in Ghana, my other half siblings are living in different countries around the world. Due to the distance between us all, our ability to see each other and provide care and support ; as was the case in my grandparent's generation has been greatly reduced.In view of the above, agree to the fact that due to the recent changes in the enervation of family, there has been issues affecting the family such as divorce, smaller families, single parenthood, families scattered across the globe and greater number of people living alone. This has really decreased the family ability to ca re and support each other. In this journal, I will define what the term family means to me, and also how George Morocco and Talcum Parsons viewed the family and its roles from a functionalist perspective.Furthermore, I will again explain the changes in the roles and relationship within the family in the last century, followed by a conclusion. The arrival of he industrial revolution and the rise of capitalism were primary factors that resulted in the changes in family role and structure in this modern era. The family role has been an interest and focus by functionalists such as Tailcoat Parsons and Morocco George. Sociologist, anthropologist, historians, and economist have all defined â€Å"family/' from their various different perspectives.One of the main institutions that can have the most impact on society is the family. The meaning of family is different to every one of us. Family to me; is the basic building block of society. It comprises a group of people who are elated by blo od, such as great-grandparents, grandparents, uncles, aunties, nephews, nieces, cousins, parents children who live together or apart, thus representing a single household (see picture 1). The family could also be seen as an institution or a social group united through bonds of kinship, marriage or adoption that joins members as one (Mansions and Plumper, 2008, p. 80). Pictures 1 : Extended Family. Source: http://www. Backslash. Com/De tutorial/05/08/edited . HTML. Ideally, the family is an institution Of solicitation and nurturing. It ensures unity and cooperation among members, providing protection, companionship ND security. Some other may also view the family as a group of people living in love, protecting and supporting each other in spite of race, blood, gender, culture etc. In order to further elaborate on this issue of family, I will look at how family was before and how much it has changed up until this date.One of the main changes in the dynamics of families is the social c hanges in the Women's movement and the changes from the extended family unit to nuclear family, then to other forms of families such as the single parent family unit, cohabitation, homosexuals families and so on. Parsons identifies two oleos the family plays. The first is the primarily, the socializing of children. He argues that through solicitation, children acquire language; absorb the accumulated knowledge, attitude, belief and values of their culture; and learn the social and interpersonal skills they need if they are to function well and effectively in the society.The second aspect of the role Parsons assets is the stabilization of adult personalities. Parsons stated that the different roles men and women play could lead to stress and strains, thus family is seen as functioning when it provides warmth, security and emotional support for ACH other (see picture 2) and thus, all family members benefit from the loving relationships that they share with each other. This process is also known as the â€Å"Warm Bath† theory where the family provides a very relaxing atmosphere at home to release stress and tension after a hard day at work (see picture 3).Pictures 2: The Family Members Supporting Each Other. Source: http://blob. Wellness. Com/blob/-not-set–vitamins-d-c-and-BBS-lend- each-other-helping-hands Picture 3: The Family Relaxing at Home. Source: http://cytologist. Ham. Com/2008/06/27/functions-of-the-family- part-2/ George Morocco, arguably, took an entirely different approach in defining family as â€Å"a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and production† (Sitting, 1 985, p. 60).He added that the family includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the social cohabiting adults. Morocco (1949) looked at 250 societies and came up with four basic functions of the family. He claimed that the family is u niversal because it fulfils the following essential functions for society. These unction's focus on: sexual, reproductive, educative and economic roles Of the family.Morocco believed that the sexual function serves to regulate sexual behavior. This function relates to the activity between the husband and wife, mating to bring forth children. This leads us to the reproductive function, which relates to bearing and raising the children for the next generation. The educational function serves as a platform for families to train and transmits values and virtues to the younger generation, thus building human capital. This function socialists the children into the culture of their society thereby asking them responsible adults.As the Bible states in Proverbs 22:16 â€Å"train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it† (King James version). Morocco fourth function of the family is how it serves as economic unit, which provides financial secur ity and stability among members. Undoubtedly, households do entail an economic relationship in different ways; it ensures that the production and allocation of resources are distributed equally among members (Kittens, 1985, p. 62).Families supply each other with basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing and other eternal resources that insure the emotional ties to one another. The men are the breadwinner of the house whiles the women perform various household duties and provide constant care and support for the children and the elderly. The functionalist perspective has focused on the role of the family in society and for its members. In other words, it looks at how the family, as an institution helps in maintaining order and stability in the society and the importance of the family for its members.There are different kinds of family system, namely: the extended family, the nuclear family, single parent Emily, cohabitation family, gay and lesbian family etc. The extended fam ily is defined as â€Å"a family system in which several generations live in household† (Oxford Dictionary of Sociology, 2005). Tailcoat Parsons believed that the extended family in the pre industrial era was the most beneficial as they were a unit of production. This means that the work and home lives were combined and so each member of the family takes turns in helping and supporting each other in times of need.One reason that the extended family was often not more prevalent than now is because of the lower life expectancy rate. Today, grandparents are in good shape and are living longer; this can be attributed to a number of factors including the improvements in public health, nutrition and medicines. The welfare system has also encouraged the De- institutionalizing of the elderly and created changes within the family structures giving rise to grandparents to assist in the caring of their grandchildren.Grandmothers in today's world are playing a very vital role in caring f or their grandchildren while their mothers and fathers go to work. It has been commonly believed that the nuclear family came about as a exult of industrialization, with small families better able to meet the demands of an industrialized economy (see picture 4). From my point of view, the nuclear family comprises of two adults, male and female, with their offspring (see picture 5). Sitting (1985) suggest that the nuclear family consist of a parent and a child or parents and children.Industrialization, arbitration, and capitalism were the main factors that led to the promotion of the nuclear family and household change (Sitting, 1985, p. 133). The main reason for this change was that industrialization saw the development of stories, which facilitated the rapid growth of large urban centers to support and supply labor for factory-based production. Furthermore, these rapidly growing economic centers necessitated smaller family units in order to function optimally. Pictures 4: Extended Family. Source: http://YMMV. Ambulant. Com/about/family. Tm Picture 5: The Nuclear Family. Source: http://www. Preconditioning. Com/2013/03/13/parents-opinions- matter-win-prizes-with-parent-survey-panel-2/ Obviously, the structure of the family unit keeps changing, and with that, being a single mum or dad is much easier today than in previous years due to social acceptance and higher prevalence. Single parent families involve one adult and child (or children); most often the adult turns out to be female. This family unit is often derived from the nuclear family through the break-up of one family through divorce or death.In the past, people got married and stayed married regardless of the problems and difficulties the marriage will be facing. A divorce procedure was difficult, expensive and could take ages to come to end, making it impossible for marriages to breakdown. However, the number of single-parent families is growing at length. Divorce parents with heir dependents do not be ar the stigma they once did, as it has become a norm in this modern era. (Wolfing, 2005, p. 2) Nowadays, one can get married today and divorce tomorrow. More women are choosing to have children out of wedlock.Functionalist like Parsons and Morocco have regarded the nuclear family as the best family unit for society since it fulfils many roles. Personally, I believe that the lone-parent family is still capable of socializing children into society. Gay and lesbian family unit is taking centre stage in today's words. In the Islamic society it is recognized as a taboo and loud lead to punishment by death (Mansions and Plumper, 2008, p. 392). This family unit consist of adults of the same sex with or without children; the children could be their own from previous marriages Or adopted.Society looks down on homosexuals for seeking sexual gratification from the same sex. This lifestyle is not seen as a social norm considered by the family and community where one lives. Due to recent changes in human right laws and regulations, same- sex marriage are seen as heterosexuals, given the same right and benefits as the nuclear family, overturning centuries of est. blushed radiation whereby homosexuals acts were kept out of the public domain and was seen as sin and a taboo. I Mill continue by outlining the changes in the roles of the family, how it has evolved and the impact on society since the twentieth century.Despite the changing lifestyles and ever-increasing personal mobility that characterize modern society, the family still remains the central element of contemporary life; offering care and support, companionship, security and protection. But, the structure of the family, and society at large has undergone massive changes in terms of the roles they lay. Before the industrial revolution, families were a unit of production and were considered to be multifunction. Members within the family (extended Family) had to work to support each other.Agric True was primarily their source of work and production. With the development of machine, equipment as well as the building of factories, which made the working process easier and increase in volume of production, people had to adapt to new conditions and lifestyle. Industrialization required a move from rural areas to urban centers and precisely, to where the factories were located, this ad a negative effect on the extended family since this led to higher geographic mobility reducing the kinship network.This changes brought about the nuclear family system, which was better fitted at that time. Men were the breadwinners and chief provider of the house and the women and kids were confirmed to the house performing household duties such as taking care of the children, cleaning of the house, cooking, among other functions (see picture 6 &7) Pictures 6 & 7: The Misery of working conditions in the Early Periods of Industrialization. Source: http://www. Tepidity. Com/Genderless/How-Women's-Roles-in-the- Family-Hav e-Changed/ Source: http://WV. Demutualization. Mom/business/bobcat/ Family+will+prove+good+thing+business+Ions/7939185/story. HTML However, functionalist like Karl Marx and Frederica Engel's interpret the effect of industrialization, arbitration and the existence of the nuclear family from a negative perspective. They argued that the role of the family benefited the ruling class, thus helping to maintain class inequality and capitalism. Marx and Engel's viewed the family as a unit of consumption, which promoted the products of the capitalist and generated profit for the capitalist businesses Kismet, 2007).Marx believed the family socialists its members especially the children to become the next generation of labor power to the capitalist system. Marx went on to argue that parents exert authority and control over their children thereby preparing them to abide by the capitalist authority in the work place (Goode, 1964, up. 219-224). Throughout the years, the family unit has changed dr astically, the role of women have shifted from home based to outside of the house likewise the men. Women have now moved into the workforce, equaling the same right and privileges men have in the ark place.Stacey (1987: 238) seems to have noted that ‘the massive increase of female participation in higher education and the labor force are both cause and effect of this family crises; they both facilitate and are made necessary by family change† (cited in Jaeger and Wright, 1999: 4). At most majority of women in the workforce are highly positioned and managing various branches of the organizations due to their caring nature. Men's traditional roles have also changed. With working wives they are relieved from the burden of being the sole responsibility for supporting the family.Aside Of being the breadwinner, men are nowadays participating actively in the running and managing of the household. They help in the caring of the children, like taking them to school, picking them up from school, preparing meals for the family among other duties. In my opinion, the new changes in the role of the family can lead to family harmony and happiness since the mother, father as well as the children share in almost all the household activities. However, the changing relationship to work is also undermining the pattern of rights and expectations in the marriage.As women attachment to he paid labor force increases, they would require to exert the same power, control and rights in the making of family decisions as supposed to men. When theses rights are not respected, most women find this intolerable leading to a break down of the marriage. Majority of women in full time employment continues to take responsibility of work in the household than the men, this is because they are pressured by the traditional sex roles duties in the past leaving them to work longer hours.Women have been performing majority of household duties for decades, and they will continue to do so unti l should task becomes a paid profession. It is very obvious that the modern family has many changes and differences in comparison to the traditional family. In the past the family lived and worked together, so the family relationship was attached. The size Of the traditional family had two or more generations living together to provide care, warmth and support for each other. Children in this family unit are cared for not only by the parents, but other kindred.In contrast with modern society today, children within the nuclear family unit often stay with child-minders and neighbors whiles their arenas are at work. When mothers are at the workplace or away from their children for various reasons, they sometimes feel guilty that someone is being responsible for performing their duty of caring and raising their child or children. There is limited time for solicitation in the nuclear family unit. Working parents may have less time for each other if they do not schedule a time for solicit ation as a result of their hectic pace of family life.This can have a significant effect on marriage and family life resulting in their life not being fulfilled. Relationship may become more stressful, family members will tot feel as close and as involved with one another, and family living can become less enjoying. For this reason, the relationship of today's modern family system will not be close-knit as supposed to before. However, women who work outside the home report significant benefits associated with their job. They describe having high reputation and self-esteem and a greater sense of autonomy and respect.When a mother enjoys her work and gains a sense of satisfaction from it as well as good earnings, her children can benefit more than if she stays home. There will be adequate income for the should decreasing financial pleasure, and promoting a healthy lifestyle and relationship. Marriage to me is the union between two people that is a man and a woman who show long time co mmitment for each other. From the beginning God revealed that marriage was a special union between a man and a woman to come together and replenish the earth. That was the only way to have children.People marry for various reasons. These reasons could be based love, security, for protection, to procreation, financial benefit, among other reasons (see picture 8). Interestingly, people refuse to get aired for various reasons. Some people strive to stay single because they like freedom. Others would want to be free do anything they want and not have to feel the burden of a family. Some will remain single so they can have fewer responsibilities than a married person. Majority of people have the fear of getting divorce and this pushes them away from getting married.This fear could be due to an experience the person has gone through or witnessed. From my standpoint, when parents or a relative of yours goes through an unpleasant marriage relationship, which ended in divorce when you were a nouns, this could have a negative impact on you thinking you will face that same experience and problems, thereby avoiding having a taste of marriage. Nowadays, marriage have become less of an important for women who are now able to undertake paid work outside the home and are able to fend for themselves and their dependents leading to their increasing ability to form separate households.Adding to this, a divorce procedure doesn't take a significant amount of time and money like it was in centuries past. This has also resulted in the increase rate of divorce. Picture 8: Marriage: the union of love. Source: http://manifoldness. Mom/2011 /09/15/7-reasons-to-believe-in-the- power-of-marriage/ For centuries now, the issue of divorce and increased in divorce rate in this modern era is increasingly taking centre stage in the public domain (see pictures 9 & 10).In Great Britain for instance in 1 984, it was estimated that there were 940,000 lone parents families and half a million childre n living in these family unit (Snell and Millard, 1987, P. 389). Recently it is estimated that about one in two new marriages will fail (Wolfing, 2005, p. 2). Undoubtedly, divorce causes so much harm than good; however, it can be viewed from a costive angle. Parents being separated can be better for the children so that they will not have put up with so many quarrels and fighting among the parents.Most often, the children are the ones who are being affected greatly when a divorce process begins. Quite interestingly, more than twenty studies conducted over the last thirty years confirmed, children of divorced are likely to end up the same way, thus they refrain from entering into marriage (Wolfing, 2005, p. 3). Many single parents are as a result of divorce, others could be the death of one of the spouse. Whichever way it comes, being a ingle parent with dependents from my own perspective is not an experience one should go through.In most instances the men walk away leaving the women the sole responsibility in rearing and raising the child or children with very little help from the absent father. This often leads to financial constraint on the women (Wolfing, 2005, p. 4). However, the Welfare System has provided social security benefits such as (e. G. Tax credit, child benefit, income support, healthy start vouches, NASH exemption certificate, housing and council tax benefit, among other benefits) to help ease their financial burden. Most often, after divorce, people turn to cohabitate rather than getting remarried due to previous experience.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Mahatma Gandhi Essay

In 1978, James McGregor Burns wrote about the dearth of leadership. â€Å"One of the most universal cravings of our time is a hunger for compelling and creative leadership.† McGregor Burns’ search for â€Å"moral leadership† reveals the tragedy of leadership studies- the confusion of leadership with power. Traditionally, leaders have been defined as those who hold power; allowing presidents, prime ministers and military generals, regardless of their accomplishments, to be considered leaders. Leadership studies have been further detracted from â€Å"moral leadership† because of the confusion of leadership with management. John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, and Bill Gates are considered leaders for the economic power they amassed. The confusion of leadership with power and leadership with management has led to a model of leadership that is Machiavellian (manipulative), hierarchical, authoritative, impersonal, elitist, and self-interested. The person I believe to be the greatest leader of the twentieth century exhibited none of the qualities named above. This person held no official political title; he commanded no army and he amassed no great wealth. He did, however, have tremendous influence. This truly exemplary leader derived his power from the conscious citizenry. The leader I am referring to is Mahatma Gandhi. Instrumental in the Indian Independence movement, Gandhi’s influence extended beyond the borders of India to the rest of the world. Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence inspired millions, including the great American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. A simple, pious man, Gandhi identified with and won the hearts of India’s most politically and economically marginalized people. He spent his life fighting to overcome modern forms of enslavement and oppression- caste oppression, religious hatred, gender oppression, and, what he saw as the worst form of violence, poverty. The purpose of this essay is to outline Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and it’s influence worldwide as well as the strategies and characteristics that made Gandhi successful. Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence involved civil resistance, refusal to comply with unjust laws. He developed this philosophy while living and practicing law in South Africa. Organizing resistance to the notorious and grossly unjust apartheid system, which provoked significant legislative change, Gandhi left an indelible mark on the South African struggle for racial justice. Upon his return to India in 1915, Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence became infused with the struggle for swaraj (self-rule). In India, Gandhi raised his philosophy of non-violence to new levels of sophistication. Gandhi believed that organized non-violent civil resistance, not war, would awaken the consciousness of the British to their unjust domination over India. This was the belief that guided the Bardoili protest, the Amritsar Massacre and the Salt March. Gandhi’s mobilizations were so successful that they tarnished Britain’s international reputation and provoked irreversible change in Britain’s policy towards India, illustrating the potential of organized non-violent civil resistance. Gandhi was an uncompromising opponent of violence. He knew that using violence to fight violence corrupts and debases even the most noble of causes and leaves a legacy of bloodshed. If we look to the revolutionary movements of the twentieth century, we see the truth in Gandhi’s beliefs. The Bolsheviks, Maoists, the Khmer Rouge, the Shining Path, Sein Fein and the Palestinian Liberation Organization all left tremendous bloodshed in the paths towards â€Å"liberation.† They left a legacy of death and violence, rather than peace. Gandhi knew that the only solution to hatred, ignorance and fear was love, truth, and forgiveness. He knew that overcoming unjust hierarchies doesn’t mean inverting them; it means eliminating them altogether. Gandhi and his followers, like those who risked their lives to hide Jews during the Nazi regime, were prepared to die to make injustice visible for the entire world to see. For Gandhi, truth was a powerful weapon, needing no others. Indeed, truth has proven to be the most powerful weapon humanity has even known. One of the strategies that made Gandhi an effective leader was his ability to build bridges between communities, between upper and lower caste Hindus and among Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Gandhi saw the intrinsic humanity of all individuals, regardless of their caste, religion, gender, or social position in society. Deeply upset by communalism (Hindu-Muslim animosity), Gandhi was able to promote religious harmony through his personal and public actions. When this harmony was threatened, he fasted. Gandhi’s tremendous ability to bring an end to provincial and religious hatreds was tested time and time again with the Yeravda Pact and his fasts to end violence in Calcutta, Bengal and Delhi. One of the characteristics that made Gandhi successful was his ability to identify with the poor masses of India. Gandhi’s philosophy of self-rule distinguished itself from the elitism that characterized the Indian Independence movement, as well as virtually all other Independence movements of this century. Gandhi knew that freeing India from the yoke of imperialism also meant freeing the masses from economic servitude. Gandhi was opposed to Independence for only an elite few; he was fearful of an Independent India that would replicate past religious, caste and economic oppressions. Gandhi provided leadership by example. He exhibited the perfect marriage between personal morality and public action. The best example of this was his use of homespun cloth that provided employment for the poor masses and revived the village economy. In a world in which the inequalities generated by a global economy are becoming more obvious and frightening, Gandhi’s critique of technology and economies that benefit the powerful and marginalize the powerless is all too relevant today. The best demonstration of Gandhi’s leadership is his worldwide influence. American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Belo of East Timor, and countless other leaders have been deeply influenced by Gandhi and his philosophy of non-violence. For example, in 1994, in a Gandhian spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, Nelson Mandela reached out to his adversaries- the same ones who had tortured and imprisoned him to bring an end to apartheid rule. Gandhi’s greatest legacy is the notoriety he achieved for advocating non-violence as a means of overcoming oppression. It is this belief that guides the actions of millions of average citizens who participate in civil society movements today across the globe. A tribute to Gandhi’s enduring lifetime achievements will be paid by naming the first decade of the new millenium the United Nations Decade of Non-Violence. No greater tribute has ever been paid to a leader of this century. Inspired and profoundly moved by his life and work, I hope the Decade of Non-Violence will truly awaken the consciousness of humanity into liberating ourselves from all and every kind of oppression; using truth as our only tool.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

50 Synonyms for Leader

50 Synonyms for Leader 50 Synonyms for â€Å"Leader† 50 Synonyms for â€Å"Leader† By Mark Nichol Here’s a list of words that can take the place of leader. 1. Administrator: a person with short-term or long-term responsibility in the latter sense, usually a generic term; also, one given responsibility over an estate 2. Archon: one who presides (informal), or a chief magistrate in Athens in classical times 3. Autocrat: one with absolute power 4. Boss: someone in authority or control, as a manager or supervisor or a politician who does not have official status as leader of a political entity but has the actual power 5. Captain: a commander of certain military, law-enforcement, or firefighting units with the official rank of captain, or one who commands a vessel regardless of actual rank, or, by analogy, one who is an acknowledged leader (as in the metaphorical phrase â€Å"captain of industry†) 6. Coach: one who helps others acquire knowledge or develop skills, especially in athletics, either in groups or, as a tutor, individually; also, one of various types of vehicles 7. Chair (or chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson): one who leads a board of directors or trustees, a committee, or an academic department or presides over a meeting 8. Chief: the leader of an organization or department (informal except in such titles as â€Å"chief of police† and â€Å"chief information officer,† or in reference to the leader of a band or tribe of Native Americans) 9. Chieftain: the leader of a band, clan, or tribe 10. Commandant: a leader of some military units 11. Commander: a leader of a certain military, law-enforcement, or firefighting units with the official rank of commander, or one in command of such a unit regardless of actual rank, or the leader of some organizations or societies 12. Commanding officer: the senior officer of a military unit 13. Commissioner: the leader of a bureau or department in the public sector, a leader with responsibility for some subordinate geopolitical entities, or the administrative leader of a professional body of athletic teams; also, a member of a commission 14. Conductor: one who coordinates the performance of an orchestra or other large music ensemble; also, someone who collects fares on public transit, or a material that permits the flow of energy, heat, or sound 15. Dean: a member of the clergy or a school administrator in charge of part of a church jurisdiction or part of a learning institution, or responsible for counseling and monitoring students, or, informally, someone recognized as preeminent in his or her field 16. Demagogue: one who leads a political party or movement and maintains influence through emotional appeals 17. Director: the leader of an administrative unit, or one of a group of people responsible for the governance of a corporation or a nonprofit organization, or the person in charge of a theatrical production or an orchestra or another music ensemble 18. Dictator: an authoritarian head of state, especially one who obtained leadership by force 19. Doyen (or the feminine form doyenne): a person distinguished in a certain endeavor, or a senior member of a group 20. Executive: one with administrative or managerial authority 21. Figurehead: one who has the appearance of authority but has only a nominal leadership role; this term is inappropriate for referring to someone who is actually in authority or has significant power 22. General: a commander of a military unit with the official rank of general, or one who leads with the character of a general 23. Generalissimo: the commander in chief of an army, or one who conducts himself or herself with an authoritarian attitude stereotypical of a military dictator 24. Governor: the chief official of a state, a colony, or another subordinate political entity 25. Guide: one who literally or figuratively leads others toward a goal; also, a handbook or other informational resource 26. Head: a leader of a department or operation (generic) 27. Headman: a leader of a tribe 28. Manager: a leader of a department, or someone with responsibility for all or part of a business or operation (sometimes generic); also, one who directs or advises an athlete or a performer or assists with a sports operation 29. Master: the leader of some institutions or societies, a person in command of a merchant vessel, or synonymous with governor or ruler; also, one with power or responsibility over another 30. Mentor: one who counsels or guides, especially in the pursuit of knowledge or skill 31. Minister: a high-ranking government official; also, a diplomatic representative or, in some religious organizations, a member of the clergy with administrative responsibilities 32. Moderator: one who presides over an assembly, discussion, or meeting to monitor adherence to procedures and rules 33. Officer: one who holds a position of responsibility in a company or organization or in a military unit 34. Point person: someone who is the focus of an operation or project 35. Potentate: a powerful sovereign 36. Power broker: an influential person 37. President: one who leads a political entity, a company, or an organization for a fixed term or temporarily presides over an assembly or a meeting 38. Presider: synonymous with chair, moderator, and president 39. Principal: a person in authority, especially one in charge of a school or other institution; also, a leading performer, one who delegates to an agent, or a perpetrator of a crime 40. Prolocutor: one who presides or serves as a spokesperson 41. Rector: a member of the clergy in charge of a parish or another jurisdiction, a leader of some schools or universities, or one who directs 42. Ringleader: a leader of a group engaged in illicit activities or an informal group of compatriots 43. Ruler: a sovereign leader 44. Shepherd: one who leads and protects a flock of livestock or, by extension, a group of people, especially a congregation of worshippers 45. Skipper: the commander, master, or senior officer on a vessel or, by extension, any leader (informal) 46. Spearhead: the leader of an activity, project, or movement 47. Standard-bearer: a charismatic leader of a movement 48. Superintendent: the leader of a school district or another entity; also, the caretaker of a building 49. Supervisor: a leader of an administrative unit 50. Tyrant: an oppressive leader (This post features offbeat, informal words for â€Å"leader.†) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Arrive To vs. Arrive AtLatin Plural Endings25 Idioms About Bread and Dessert

Monday, October 21, 2019

How May Sensory Changes Affect essays

How May Sensory Changes Affect essays How May Sensory Changes Affect the Everyday Lives of Older People? Our awareness of the world occurs through physiological mechanisms that process afferent, sensory information. Like all physiological mechanisms these are subject to detrimental changes as the body ages. It is essential to understand these changes so that we can meet any extra requirements that may ensue. This is increasingly important as the proportion of the population that is elderly steadily rises. Individuals over the age of 65 now account for 16% of the population (OPCS, 1991a). This essay will identify the problems that arise for the elderly and suggest ways they can be managed. Gustation shows least age-related decrement because, unlike other neural cells, taste receptors have life spans of only a few days and are continually replaced. Salt and sucrosecan easily be identified at all ages, but more complex taste stimuli (eg. carrot) cause difficulties for old people, suggesting that olfaction, rather than gustation, might be impaired (Doty et al., 1984). Olfaction shows marked age-related decline with 25% of 65-80 year-olds, and 50% of people over 80, reporting anosmia (Doty et al., 1984). Possible causes include atrophy of the olfactory bulb (Ordy volume of the layers of the bulb (Bhatnagar et al., 1987) and a decreased number of olfactory neurons (Hinds Taste and smell are important for the sensory and hedonic experience of eating and if they are impaired the physical and social pleasure of eating is degraded. Fortunately, these sensory losses can be largely offset by using flavour enhancers (Schiffman ...

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Obama Vetoes Bill Cutting Former Presidents Pension, Allowances

Obama Vetoes Bill Cutting Former Presidents' Pension, Allowances On July 22, 2016, President Obama vetoed the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act, which would have cut the pensions and allowances paid to former presidents. In his veto message to Congress, Obama said the bill â€Å"would impose onerous and unreasonable burdens on the offices of former presidents.† In an accompanying press release, the White House added that the President had vetoed the bill because it would have â€Å"immediately terminate salaries and all benefits to staffers carrying out the official duties of former presidents leaving no time or mechanism for them to transition to another payroll.† In addition, said the White House, the bill would have made it harder for the Secret Service to protect former presidents and would â€Å"immediately terminate leases, and remove furniture from offices of former presidents working to fulfilling their continued public service responsibilities.† The White House added that the President was willing to work with Congress in resolving his issues with the bill. â€Å"If Congress provides these technical fixes, the president would sign the bill,† said the White House. The White House noted that the President had vetoed the bill only after consulting with the four other surviving former presidents and that the veto was â€Å"responsive to concerns they raised to us.† Had it not been vetoed, the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act would have: Cut Pensions and Allowances for Former Presidents While not specifically aimed at Bill Clinton, who has made $104.9 million to â€Å"pay the bills† from speaking fees alone, the bill would have cut the pensions and allowances of former presidents. Under the current Former Presidents Act, former presidents receive an annual pension equal to the salaries of Cabinet Secretaries. Under the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act, the pensions of all former and future former presidents would have been capped at a maximum of $200,000 and the current link between presidential pensions and the annual salaries of Cabinet Secretary would have been removed. Replaced Other Benefits with a Single Allowance The bill would have also removed other benefits currently given to former presidents, including those for travel, staff, and office expenses. Instead, former presidents would have been given an additional $200,000 allowance to be used he or she determined. In other words, under Chaffetz’s bill, former presidents would have gotten an annual pension and allowance totaling no more than $400,000 - the same as the current presidential salary. However, under another provision of the bill, the pensions and allowances paid to former presidents could have been reduced further or even eliminated completely by Congress. Under Rep. Chaffetz’s bill, for every dollar former presidents earn in excess of that $400,000, their government-provided annual allowance would have been reduced by $1. In addition, former presidents who went on to hold any elected position in the federal government or the District of Columbia would have received no pension or allowance while holding that office. For example, under Chaffetz’s dollar-for-dollar penalty plan, former President Clinton, who made almost $10 million from speaking fees and book royalties in 2014, would have received no pension or allowances at all. But Presidential Widows Would Have Seen a Raise The bill would have increased the allowance paid to the surviving spouses of deceased former presidents from $20,000 to $100,000 a year. Currently, the only surviving spouse of a former president is Nancy Reagan, who received $7,000 in benefits in 2014, according to the Congressional Research Service. How Much Have Former Presidents Been Getting? According to an April 2014 Congressional Research Service report, the four surviving former presidents received a government pension and allowance benefits in 2014 totaling: Jimmy Carter - $470,000George H.W. Bush $837,000Bill Clinton $950,000George W. Bush $1,287,000 Rep. Chaffetz and other supporters of the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act argued that modern former presidents are highly unlikely to be strapped for cash, an opinion supported by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). â€Å"No current former President has claimed publicly to have significant financial concerns,† stated the CRS report. But, that has not always the case. Prior to the enactment of the Former Presidents Act in 1958, former presidents received no federal pension or other financial assistance at all, and some did suffer the â€Å"hard times.† â€Å"Some former Presidents- like Herbert Hoover and Andrew Jackson - returned to wealthy post-presidential lives,† stated the CRS. â€Å"Other former Presidents - including Ulysses S. Grant and Harry S. Truman - struggled financially.† Former President Truman, for example, said that just responding to his mail and requests for speeches cost him more than $30,000 a year. Current Status of the Bill The Presidential Allowance Modernization Act was passed by the House of Representatives on January 11, 2016, and by the Senate on June 21, 2016. The bill, as passed by the House and Senate, was vetoed by President Obama on July 22, 2016. On December 5, 2016, the bill, along with President Obama’s accompanying veto message, was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. After deliberation, the committee decided against attempting to override the president’s veto.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Rebecca Walker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Rebecca Walker - Essay Example The anthology may have given ‘Third Wave Foundation’1, the multicultural network of young feminist activists co ­-founded by Rebecca Walker. In this paper, I examine Walker's Black, White and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self. In this mixed race fictional autobiography, Walker develops her multiracial identity, as she explores and expresses her experience growing up racially mixed in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. I read Walker and identify a historical experience, thematic thread, and expression to show that it differs from received conceptions and descriptions of race and mixed race that have been understood in society and portrayed in the canons of American and American Ethnic literature in the categorical, dichotomous, and hierarchical terms of the binary racial idiom. The binary racial idiom has worked to suppress and distort mixed race bodies and lived realities in the culture at large insofar as it designates Americans as either white or black, white or other, and maintains, in conjunction with the social and legal rule of hypodescent (also known as the one-drop rule), the hierarchical valuation of whiteness over blackness by defining as black any racially mixed person with a quantum of African ancestry. Hence, following American racial common sense, the sum of black, white, and Jewish has been black. Nonetheless, Walker attempts to expose into view suppressed and silenced multiracial experience, complexity, and possibility. Body There have always been mixed race people in American history who have attempted to resist and circumvent the binary racial system. For a countless number of mixed race people "of a more European American phenotype and cultural orientation" (Daniel 49), the strategy of passing has been the most common form of resistance. In addition, sociologists and historians have identified groups of tri-racial isolates, mixed race people of black, white, and American Indian ancestry, who lived in rural communi ties in the mountains and in the backwoods apart from blacks and whites. There are also the Louisiana Creoles of Color who emerged as a community when Louisiana was a territory of Spain and then of France. In the US state of Louisiana, they resisted social and legal designation as black for more than a century to protect the rights and opportunities that had been granted to them under French rule. Furthermore, there existed blue-vein societies of mixed race people in the major Northern cities such as Washington D.C. and New York. Nevertheless, in nearly all cases, the mixed race people who attempted to resist the binary racial system nevertheless accepted the dichotomization between European Americans and blacks, as well as the hierarchical valuation of whiteness over blackness. For instance, tri-racial isolate communities accepted their status on the outskirts of organized society and tended to identify as Native American (Daniel 71). Blue-vein elites privileged and sought European culture, education, and somatic features, and the primary concern of Louisiana Creoles of Color was the preservation of the rights and privileges that had been allotted them because of their European heritage and education. It is an historical irony that a

Friday, October 18, 2019

Individual marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Individual marketing plan - Essay Example gement, this airline was subjected to massive financial losses during the period of 2010, As a result of minimization in its passenger count and increase in the flight charges (Guardian News and Media Limited, 2014). The potentiality of this airline was also affected by the economic turmoil during the period of 2009 that turned out as a disastrous chain of events against the premium flight service suit that this brand has developed over its functional years (IG, 2014). Taking these aspects into consideration, the discussion henceforth will focus towards creating a marketing plan for boosting up the business process of British Airways in the near future. The detailed elaborations of such aspects have been provided in the later portion of the discussions. The success rate of the marketing plan associated with British Airways will specifically rely upon the present situation of the UK market. As per the current records, the economic conditions prevailing within the UK has stabilized to a major extent after being subjected to the 2009 economic recession. The stabilization factor also encompasses the growth of tourism and other business sectors that has the potential of laying intensive positive impacts towards the growth of this leading airline brand. Previous records in this respect points toward the excessive travel rates of this brand, within low-income economies, that resulted in its decline (IBISWorld, 2014). Thus, the primary marketing strategy that is worth suggesting concentrates on the development of cost effective travel packages that will help the brand in regaining its hold over the competitive flight travel market. In addition, the growing pace of the small and medium scale business processes has also supported the need fo r increasing flight travels, creating a potential market space for growth (BA Media Ltd., 2013). However, the period after the 2009 recession, has also addressed the introduction of multiple new players within the market that has

Origin and Evolution of Birds Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Origin and Evolution of Birds Paper - Assignment Example The paper tells that in the recent years, with enhancement in scientific development, much has been able to be got related to the origin and evolution of birds. With the help of techniques like computerized carbon dating and the rest, the origin of birds could be able to be pinpointed and much of the changes that took place in evolution place in a certain time. Since every species ought to survive in a given environment, a number of adaptation changes are adopted. Often, some of these adaptations result into serious and minor changes in the physical nature of the given species resulting in evolution. Evolution essentially is the gradual change of a species from the original to a different version. Birds too were not left behind in the evolution process. Survivals always a key feature in the maintenance of a given species. For any species to survive, means they had first to acquire the basic want like food and security. Birds for instance migrate to distance lands in search of food an d a reproduction place. In terms of security, birds that were preyed on by land animals might have found a way to fly to escape such predators. Often evolutions come as a means to overcome daily challenges in life. Over millions of years back, it has been researched that birds were the ancestors of dinosaurs called theropods. One of the most efficient survival strategies was migration. Migration was a complex task, yet most species created their own migration strategies for survival. Some species would migrate for a short distance and some would take long distances seeking for suitable environment (Feduccia 2). Thus, for species which needed long distance migration had their own specialized strategies. From this concept, we can think about the evolutionary origin of birds and their similarities to reptiles. For survival, reptiles had to go to a higher place in search for food, so they had the power to fly. Therefore, birds developed their wings, and later on they developed feathers. Birds have move power at flying than reptiles now. Bird flight origin is an immense issue in avian biology plus in the overall evolutionary theory. Often, many scientists have pointed to the fossilized Archaeopteryx specimens as evidence to the existence of a transitional vertebrate which developed during the evolution of birds from reptilian dinosaurs (Feduccia 18). Often, most birds do fly, therefore distinguishing them from the other vertebrate classes. Hence, flight is the chief means of locomotion in many bird species and can be for feeding, breeding, feeding, and escape plus predator avoidance. Birds have many adaptations for flight. These include having a lightweight skeleton, the pectorals (which accounts for 15% of the total mass of the bird), two large flight muscles, and the supracoracoideus.  Often, the wing size and shape determine a given bird’s species flight type (Feduccia 26). Often, many bird’s combine power and the flapping of their wings to fly, and once on air, flap less extensively to save on energy. It is estimated that about 60 bird species that are extant are flightless as were the case of many extinct birds (Miller, Vandome & McBrewster 234). Flight is hence seen as a very serious adaptation process in the evolution of birds that have enabled them to survive time. It has been found out that flightlessness sometimes arises in birds located in isolated islands,

Big Event Financial Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Big Event Financial Management - Essay Example With every FIFA football world cup event, host countries are required to have a minimum of eight highly accredited stadiums and two standby stadiums in case something happens to one or any of the eight reserved for the event. In the recently held FIFA world cup in Brazil, the nation was required to construct new additional stadiums to supplement the already existing fields. Similarly, the Olympic Games have become an extremely costly venture to undertake, especially for the host cities because of the infrastructural improvements that have to be done. Some of the improvements that have to be undertaken include the road networks, communication networks and accommodation facilities within the host cities. Because of the amount of work and funds needed to be invested to successfully host the Olympic events, organizers for the event in the past selected developed nations such as England and Italy and the United States. Out of the possible twenty-seven Summer Olympic Games held since its i nception, Mexico and Brazil are the only developing economies to have hosted the event outside Europe, the United States and developed nations of Asia. Cities such as Seoul and Barcelona used the event to overhaul their urban infrastructure completely. Such was the opportunity that organizers for the event in the two cities were looking out for, to create long lasting positive economic effects that would surely pay off the costs of laying out the infrastructure in the long run.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

English- Questions & Letter Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English- Questions & Letter Writing - Essay Example Pathos refers to an appeal to emotions as a means of persuasion. Finally, logos refers to an appeal to reasoning as a means of convincing another person. One real world example where these three components occur concomitantly is in Presidential speeches. At the recent Republican Convention Mitt Romney incorporated these elements in his speech to the convention. In this way, Romney uses ethos frequently by referring to his strong ethical responsibility as a life-long Mormon and God devoted individual. Additionally, he refers to having saved the Salt Lake City Olympics as a means of establishing ethical responsibility and devotion to America. Romney implemented pathos in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most prominent way pathos is implemented is by referring to notions of American Exceptionalism. Romney plays on Americans’ belief that their country is the greatest in the world and indicates that if re-elected he will be the one to restore it to this prominence. Additionally, Romn ey indicates that by voting for Barack Obama America will continue to regress into mediocrity. Another ethos element Romney implemented was the importance of having jobs to ensure that Americans are able to live full and healthy lives; in in these regards he plays on emotional fear that unless he is elected America will remain in recession and jobs will not be plentiful. The final element implemented by Mitt Romney is logos. Romney used logos in his speech in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most prominent way logos was implemented was through his reasoning that as a successful businessman he would be able to turn the American economy around. The reasoning in this notion is that he would run America like a business. Another way he implemented logos was through arguing that American must stop running up the debt and spending. The reasoning here is that it is not safe for a country in financial troubles to continue to incur debt. 3. Induction and deduction are different elements. Induct ion refers to reasoning that collects information from specific examples and uses this information to reach a conclusion. This process is also referred to as inductive reasoning. Induction is contrasted with deduction, however, in that deduction generalizes from premises. In this way induction reaches its conclusion from actual examples, whereas deduction generalizes from premises. 4. Dear Professor Takai, I read your article and found it interesting. Specifically, the article discusses the stereotype of Asians as the model minority. The article argued that since society has positioned Asians as the model minority, individuals have considered that African Americans should also have achieved a level of success. Instead, your article considers that Asians Americans have not achieved the high levels of success that they have been purported to have gained. In establishing these points you note a number of statistical information. Your first major argument is that the statistical informa tion that exists about incomes is misleading because Asian Americans live in areas where the cost of living and income levels are higher. You then argue that while many Asian Americans make higher wages, it is because they work longer hours and gain higher levels of education. Another point you make is that the notion of there being a ‘model minority’ homogenizes all Asians into one group rather than highlighting their

Buying Decision Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Buying Decision Assignment - Essay Example rchase the laptop was also influenced by the social needs such as engaging with my friends and relatives through social sites including tweeter and face book. Based on my interest to understand the culture of other people, the laptop could assist me to research on ethnicity of other people including their languages and beliefs. Before I made my purchase, I had first to compare the prices in various shops as well as the best brand that could meet my needs. Additionally, a number of customers were still looking for the same laptop during the early morning hours. The major factors influenced my purchase decision were efficiency, dependability, motivation and learning. As a new technology that is adopted my individuals and organizations, I realized that the laptop would assist me in storing information, providing solutions through the use of software, give me motivation during my research as well as make learning process easier. The purchase was a high involvement decision. In most cases, consumers go for personal computers rather than laptops due to the high prices of the laptops. Additionally, laptops have a high risk of getting a fault especially if improperly handled. As compared to my expectations after purchase, I realized that I had to extensively study most of the applications that were in the laptop as well as add more software into it in order to meet all my needs. One of the key concepts that I have learned from this assignment is that consumers are guided by various factors during their purchasing process (Kerin 31). These include economic needs, psychological variables, social needs, culture, and reasons for

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

English- Questions & Letter Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English- Questions & Letter Writing - Essay Example Pathos refers to an appeal to emotions as a means of persuasion. Finally, logos refers to an appeal to reasoning as a means of convincing another person. One real world example where these three components occur concomitantly is in Presidential speeches. At the recent Republican Convention Mitt Romney incorporated these elements in his speech to the convention. In this way, Romney uses ethos frequently by referring to his strong ethical responsibility as a life-long Mormon and God devoted individual. Additionally, he refers to having saved the Salt Lake City Olympics as a means of establishing ethical responsibility and devotion to America. Romney implemented pathos in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most prominent way pathos is implemented is by referring to notions of American Exceptionalism. Romney plays on Americans’ belief that their country is the greatest in the world and indicates that if re-elected he will be the one to restore it to this prominence. Additionally, Romn ey indicates that by voting for Barack Obama America will continue to regress into mediocrity. Another ethos element Romney implemented was the importance of having jobs to ensure that Americans are able to live full and healthy lives; in in these regards he plays on emotional fear that unless he is elected America will remain in recession and jobs will not be plentiful. The final element implemented by Mitt Romney is logos. Romney used logos in his speech in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most prominent way logos was implemented was through his reasoning that as a successful businessman he would be able to turn the American economy around. The reasoning in this notion is that he would run America like a business. Another way he implemented logos was through arguing that American must stop running up the debt and spending. The reasoning here is that it is not safe for a country in financial troubles to continue to incur debt. 3. Induction and deduction are different elements. Induct ion refers to reasoning that collects information from specific examples and uses this information to reach a conclusion. This process is also referred to as inductive reasoning. Induction is contrasted with deduction, however, in that deduction generalizes from premises. In this way induction reaches its conclusion from actual examples, whereas deduction generalizes from premises. 4. Dear Professor Takai, I read your article and found it interesting. Specifically, the article discusses the stereotype of Asians as the model minority. The article argued that since society has positioned Asians as the model minority, individuals have considered that African Americans should also have achieved a level of success. Instead, your article considers that Asians Americans have not achieved the high levels of success that they have been purported to have gained. In establishing these points you note a number of statistical information. Your first major argument is that the statistical informa tion that exists about incomes is misleading because Asian Americans live in areas where the cost of living and income levels are higher. You then argue that while many Asian Americans make higher wages, it is because they work longer hours and gain higher levels of education. Another point you make is that the notion of there being a ‘model minority’ homogenizes all Asians into one group rather than highlighting their

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Describe in detail the set of religious observances known as the Five Essay

Describe in detail the set of religious observances known as the Five Pillars of Islam - Essay Example The five pillars of Islam form the foundation of worship and dedication to the Islamic faith. They are: Shahada, Salat, Sawm, Zakat and Hajj (Ellwood, & McGraw, 2009). Shahadah is a statement of belief that professes monotheism and acceptance of Muhammad as the messenger of God (Allah) (Ellwood, & McGraw, 2009). The creed is customarily recited in Arabic during each call to prayer (Azaan) and when one wishes to convert to Islam. It is also believed that one should also recite the creed when they are about to die. Salat describes the obligatory set of prayers that each Muslim should partake in daily. It consists of five prayers that should be recited each day as defined by the Sunna (Hedayetullah, 2006). The first prayer is the Fajr that is performed at dawn just before the sunrise. The second prayer is the Dhuhr and is performed at noon after the sun has passed its apex. The third prayer is the Ê ¿Aá ¹ £r that is performed in the afternoon before the sun sets. The forth prayer is the Maghrib which is performed in the evening after the sun sets. The final prayer is the Isha which is performed at night. Each of these prayers comprises of a set amount of rakaÊ ¿Ã„ t (prescribed words and movements). All of the prayers are performed while facing the Islamic holy city of Mecca. Before each prayer, Muslims must partake in Wudu (Cleansing), achieved by washing themselves. The third pillar of Islam is fasting (Sawm). According to the Quran, there are three types of fasting that Muslims should partake in. During the month of Ramadan, all Muslims have to partake in ritual fasting. This type of fasting is mandatory and followers of Islam have to refrain from eating, drinking and other worldly pleasures from dawn to dusk during the whole period (Khan, 2006). They are also expected to be particularly attentive of other sins. The other two types of fasting are as compensation to penance and abstinent fasting. Sawm allows believers to

Monday, October 14, 2019

Neurological Effects of ART of HIV Patients

Neurological Effects of ART of HIV Patients NEUROLOGICAL  MANIFESTATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION IN THE ERA OF COMBINED ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY Neurological disorders are the most debilitating of manifestations seen in patients infected with HIV. The clinical profile of neurological manifestations in HIV patients has undergone a shift in recent years with opportunistic infections being controlled with combination anti retroviral therapy and the advent of drugs which have higher central nervous system penetrability. Aims and Objectives To study the clinical, investigation profile and various neurological disorders in HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy. Materials and Methods Fifty HIV patients with neurological manifestations were studied. A complete neurological examination including neurocognitive functioning using Montreal Cognitive Assessment and HIV Dementia scale were assessed. Apart from relevant investigations, CD4 count, Computed Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging brain, cerebrovascular fluid analysis was done where required. Results Neurocognitive disorders formed the largest group with 42% suffering from HIV associated Neurocognitive Disorders .Among them asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment was seen in 28%; mild neurocognitive disorder in 12%, and 2% had HIVà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ associated dementia. Opportunistic infections of the nervous system accounted for 32%, with meningitis being the most common. Four patients had space occupying lesions of central nervous system; four tuberculomas and one toxoplasmosis. Conclusion With the advent of highly active retroviral therapy HIV patients have longer life spans with suppression of viral load leading to decrease in opportunistic infections of the nervous system. Neurocognitive disorders are now the most common neurological dysfunction seen and thus neurocognitive assessment must be done in all patients with HIV. Keywords : cognitive dysfunction, neurological manifestations in HIV, opportunistic infections ,dementia, anti retroviral therapy INTRODUCTION Human Immunodeficiency Virus is one of the greatest challenges faced by the medical fraternity in the 21st century. The infection has become pandemic in many parts of the world and affected every corner of the globe. According to the data released by NACO Annual Report 2012-2013, the revised estimate of people with HIV as of 2011 is 2.08 million (equivalent to 0.27percent of the adult population)1. Though these figures represent a positive trend of decreased incidence of new cases, the prevalence is not changed as HIV patients are now able to live for longer time because of the advent of Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The virus has the unique ability to mutate itself constantly and conveniently integrates itself into the genome of the cells of the immune system which ironically are supposed to protect us from infections. Although many drugs are active against the virus it has so far eluded complete cure. HIV is known to affect all organ systems in the body causing a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Neurological disorders among them are considered to be among the most debilitating of manifestations seen in HIV positive patients .Opportunistic infections of the CNS were the main cause of neurological deterioration for a vast majority of these patients in the earlier times when combination anti retroviral treatment for HIV was not yet instituted. The major neurological disorders in HIV patients are opportunistic infections, immune reconstitution, HIV associated neuro-cognitive disorders (HAND), sensory neuropathies among others. As the patients are now able to have longer life spans with good viral control the clinical profile of neurological manifestations and disorders has undergone a paradigmal shift with opportunistic infections being controlled with combination ART and the advent of drugs which have higher CNS penetrability. Neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric manifestations are the new area of focus with emphasis being made on diagnosing and treating their subclinical forms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was done on HIV patients getting admitted in a tertiary hospital and research center in Bijapur from April 2014 to June 2014.Fifty HIV positive patients with clinical neurological manifestations during this period have been included in the study. Inclusion criteria HIV patients on combined anti retroviral therapy having signs and symptoms caused by neurological dysfunction. Exclusion criteria Patients with pre-existing neurological conditions like epilepsy, mental retardation, cerebrovascular diseases, parkinsonism, movement disorders not attributable to the HIV. Patients not on any therapy. Patients who have discontinued their treatment for duration of more than a month. An informed consent was obtained from the patients prior to their inclusion in the study. A detailed history, general physical examination with thorough neurological examination was done. The patients were also assessed for their cognitive functions as a part of neurological examination using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)2, International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS)3.If cognition was affected it was quantified based on the effect it had on everyday activities using Lawton scale for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living4. The tests were performed on all patients in study. Patients were classified as HAND based on the scoring and clinical judgment of impaired performance in at least two domains of MoCA and IHDS tests. MoCA was assessed on delayed recall, executive function, visuospatial function, attention, language function, abstract thought and orientation. The maximal score was 30 and patients with IHDS was scored on three variables motor speed, psychomotor speed and memory recall, the patients are scored on each of these. The maximum possible score was 12 points. A patient with a score of The patients with HAND were further subdivided into Asymptomatic Neurocognitive Impairment (ANI), Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) or HIVà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ associated dementia (HAD) using revised research criteria for HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND)5.The patients in study group not diagnosed with HAND were used as reference group for standardized neuropsychological tests and compared. Demographic, relevant clinical data and laboratory data were collected. Data included age, sex, level of education, occupation,current CD4 cell count, and antiretroviral therapy. Laboratory work up include hemogram, CSF analysis and imaging like CT/MRI when needed. Statistical analysis The data was entered in MS Excel Sheet and analysed using SPSS 18 software.Appropriate statistical test like Chi square standard deviation mean and z test were used. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 32.3 years with all of them being between 20 to 45 years. There were 36 males and 14 females. The mean years of education of the group was 6.41 years with only 30% being employed in professional jobs and the rest either unemployed or intermittently worked as unskilled labor.(Table 1) The most common symptom in these patients was headache seen in 42% of cases followed by fever (30%) and altered sensorium(10%).Seizures were present in three of the five patients with with space occupying lesions. (Table 2) Neurocognitive dysfunction were the most common neurological disorders (42%) followed by opportunistic infections(32%). The MoCA and IHAD test results were used to diagnose the patients with HAND. These patient data were then compared with the other HIV patients who underwent these tests. ANI was present in 28% ,12% had MND and 2% were suffering from HAD. The patients with neurocognitive disorders were included in group A and the rest in group B. (Table 3) Cryptococcal meningitis was the most common infection accounting for 14% followed by tubercular meningitis with 12% of the cases. Co infection was seen in six cases. There was one case each of myelitis and toxoplasma.Space occupying lesions were found in five cases, four of which were tuberculomas and one lymphoma.(Table 4) According to WHO immunological classification for established HIV infection based on CD4 counts6 ;52% had severe disease, 24% had advanced disease , 4% had mild disease and remaining 4% did not have significant disease. Fifty six percent of patients in group A had CD4 count less than 200cells/mm3 [severe disease] and of the 21 patients in group B, 71.5% had severe disease.(Table 4) Nineteen patients underwent CT scan and/or MRI of which 13 had normal scan results ,five patients were diagnosed to be having intracranial masses,four tuberculomas and one lymphoma .Toxoplasma was suspected in one patient which was later confirmed with finding Toxoplasma- IgM antibodies in blood. One patient had features on CT suggestive of encephalomyelitis. CSF analysis was done in 17 patients of whom seven were diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis by India ink preparations. Six patients had findings suggestive of tubercular meningitis. DISCUSSION Neurologic abnormalities are common in late stages of HIV infection and are an AIDS defining condition. Central nervous system disease occurs in 40-90% of HIV positive patients. The predominant cell types that are infected are monocytes and macrophages. Virus may enter the brain through infected monocytes and release cytokines that are toxic to neurons as well as chemotactic factors that lead to infiltration of the brain with inflammatory cells.7 Our study showed a male preponderance towards neurological manifestations in HIV with 72% of the patients being male similar results were seen in other studies. Deshpande et al reported 87.5% male patients8 and Chan LG et al had 93.3% male subjects9.This could be attributed to higher incidence of multiple sexual partners in males compared to females, except for high risk groups like commercial sex workers. In our study the most common manifestation of HIV patients with neurological disorder was headache, seen in 42% patients which corroborated with other studies. Sharma SK et al. also reported headache as the commonest neurological manifestation seen in 62.5% cases10. The neurological symptoms associated with HAND like forgetfulness, mental slowness, poor concentration, clumsiness, tremors, apathy were seen in less than six percent of people although HAND accounted for 42% cases. This data suggests the huge propensity to miss the diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction as the disease usually exists in its subclinical form with little or no symptoms. The few patients who did have these symptoms did not associate them to their disease. The approach towards neurological diseases in HIV has always been directed towards opportunistic infections. Most studies on neurological complications did not assess for neurocognitive disorders although some studies have reported on dementia. In our study the prevalence of neuro-cognitive disorders surpassed opportunistic infections of CNS in HIV patients. HAND was seen in 42% of the cases similar to study done by Chan LG et al. in Singapore where the prevalence was 22.7% .They also used the revised 2007 updated research nosology for HAND. Singh R et al. reported a 33.65% incidence of HIV associated Dementia.This study showed similar result to our study but the assessment was done using MMSE11. Deshpande AK et al reported only 6% patients with dementia.Satishchandra et al. reported dementia in only four patients out of 100 patients12. Sharma et al. did not report on neurocognitive disorders.All these studies did not employ an objective methodology for assessing the cognitive function and based their results on clinical and neurological examination findings. It is very common to assess cognitive impairment based on clinical judgement and brief bedside neurological examination, this methodology though novel severely limits the providers ability to diagnose subclinical forms of cognitive dysfunction and being subjective their results cannot be used to compare with studies were standardised tests were employed. The CD4 counts in patients with HAND are below 200 cells/mm3 in 71.4% of cases.Thus we concluded that HAND is usually seen with lower CD4 counts associated with severe form of disease. Chan LG et al. reported similar findings were HAND was seen in patients with CD4 counts less than 200cells/mm3 in 63.3% , Singh R et al. reported similar findings in 83.52% patients. Our study did have its shortcomings, our sample size was smaller and strict compartmentalization of neurological disorders into opportunistic infections and neurocognitive dysfunction may have given a lower incidence of opportunistic infections .Thus further studies need to be taken up with larger sample sizes using standardized cognitive assessment tests . With the widespread use of HAART the incidence and mortality associated with HIV is decreasing throughout the world.By keeping the of viral loads suppressed and prolonging the lifespan of HIV individuals a new profile of neurological disorders is emerging which warrants a change in approach to the management.Along with opportunistic infections emphasis must be made towards diseases caused by direct effect of the virus on the nervous system.Neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric illnesses should be thoroughly investigated using standardised mental status examination (those acceptable in updated research nosology for HAND considering resource limited contexts) 5; as they can be subclinically present severely affecting the patient’s daily activities and add to the overall burden of the disease.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Ronald Reagan :: essays research papers

Introduction Reagan, Ronald Wilson (1911- ),the 40th president of the United States (1981-1989), enforced the policies that reversed a general direction of movement toward greater government involvement in economic and social regulation. Reagan as the younger of two sons, was born in Tampico, Illinois and spent most of his childhood in Dixon, Illinois. After studying at Eureka College,a small Disciples of Christ college near Peoria, Illinois, he majored in economics, and became the president of the student body, a member of the football team, and captain of the swimming team. He had special drawings toward acting, but after the graduation in 1932 the only job available related to show business was as a local radio sportscaster. In 1936 he became a sportscaster for station WHO in Des Moines, Iowa. A year latter, Reagan went to Hollywood and began an acting career that spanned more than 25 years. He played in more than 50 films, including "Knute Rockne"-All American (1940), & quot;King's Row" (1942), and "Bedtime for Bonzo" (1951). Early political career Reagan's first political activities were associated with his responsibilities as a union leader. As union president, Reagan tried to remove suspected Communists from the movie industry. When the U.S. House Committee. Began an investigation in 1947 on the influence of Communists in the film industry, Reagan took a strong anti-Communist stand testifying before the committee. Reagan emerged on the national political scene in 1964 when he made fervent television speech supports for the Republican presidential candidate, United States Senator Barry Goldwater from Arizona. Although the election was lost, Reagan's speech brought in money and admiration from Republicans around the country. After the speech a group of Republicans in California persuaded Reagan to run for governor of California in 1966. Reagan appealed to traditional Republican voters. He defeated Edmund G. (Pat) Brown, Sr., Democra t, by almost a million votes. The election of 1980 Reagan spent years making political friends at party fund-raising dinners around the country. In the election of 1980 for the president, the candidates were Carter and Reagan. The contrast between the television personalities of two candidates was very important to people. Carter’s nervous manner had never been popular to people, while Reagan’s charm and happy face was a call for return to patriotism, which appealed to the public. Many voters believed that Reagan was forceful leader who could get their lives in shape and who could restore prosperity at home.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Angels Essay -- Spirituality Religion Christianity Essays

Angels An angel is a pure spirit created by God. The Old Testament theology included the belief in angels: the name applied to certain spiritual beings or intelligences of heavenly residence, employed by God as the ministers of His will. HISTORY Are Angels ambassadors sent from God to guide us, protect us or bring messages from heaven? The word angel comes from the Greek word "angelos" which means messenger. The Bible says that God has appointed many angels to those who love God and call to Him, "Psalms 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways." The bible refers to different types of angels, with varying duties such as ugides, protectors, messengers and angels of the Lord, or as Cherubim, Seraphim, or Archangels, and not to be worshipped for they are "creatures" Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:9. The meanings of angels, their appearance and purposes vary throughout history and the world. Artists have given us their visions of angels as winged creatures, usually beautiful figures that are glowing, shining, floating, in human form or as a voice. Saints as well as everyday people tell about being visited by or helped by angels In the bible, angels have appeared as messengers, guides, and healers. They also make up the celestial court. "And I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the number of them was thousands of thousands." - St. John, the Evangelist. Angels are even recorded in the Koran, "You shall see the angels circling around the throne, giving glory to their Lord". The world's great literature and art tell us about many angel characters - some we're familiar with and some obscure to us now. Yet, the common thread that weaves amongst the legends and the lore is the undeniable influence that angels have had upon nearly every culture and religion known to man Types of Angels There are different types of angels depicted in the bible that have varying degrees of divine missions, different names and descriptions. First of all they are said to be with God Angels are found throughout the Old Testament and also in the New Testament, though less often. Origen, one of the earliest biblical scholars living at the time of the first Century, recognized the notion of Guardian Angels. St. Jerome told us that each of us is given a Guardian Angel a... ...s a legend that Raziel is the author of a great book, 'wherein all celestial and Earthly knowledge is set down.' W hen the angel gave his tome to Adam, some envious angels stole it away and threw it in the ocean. After it had been recovered by the primordial angel/demon of the deep, Rahab, the book passed first to Enoch, who apparently claimed it as his own, then to Noah, who learned how to make his ark from it. Solomon, too, was thought to have possessed the book, which allowed him his unusual knowledge of magic and control over the demons." "The Zohar, the major work of Jewish mysticism, claims that set in the middle of Raziel's book there is secret writing 'explaining the fifteen hundred keys [to the mystery of the world], which were not revealed even to the angels.' Other Jewish mystics report that 'each day the angel Raziel, standing on the mount of Horeb, proclaims the secrets of men to all mankind'." "What we didn't know when we began this book, but what Abigrael, our recording angel, told us later, is that Raziel is its boss." SANDALPHON "The sonorously named angel prince Sandalphon, who some say, Elijah became after his death." Bibliography: www.angels.com