Thursday, March 19, 2020

The Pygmy Chain Sword Plants Essay Example

The Pygmy Chain Sword Plants Essay Example The Pygmy Chain Sword Plants Paper The Pygmy Chain Sword Plants Paper Understanding the process of photosynthesis is also vital in other areas, such as medicine, agriculture, energy production, and even electronics. In medicine, since light has extremely high energy content, sometimes it can cause damage to living organisms such as skin cancer and skin aging. To combat the high-energy content, plants developed photoprotective mechanisms to limit the amount of harm, which is caused from exposure to the light. By learning about the causes of tissue damage cause by light exposure and the way photoprotective mechanisms operate, we can develop our understanding of this process and use it to benefit the human race. An example of how photosynthesis has been applied in the medical field is in the treatment of tumors, where substances related to chlorophyll are injected into cancerous tumor tissue and exposed to light. The illumination of these tumors causes photochemical damage to take place, which can kill the tumor and leave surrounding tissue unharmed, as the protective agents converted the excess absorbed light into heat due to the basic principles of photosynthesis. Overall, photosynthesis is relatively inefficient, as only one to two percent of solar energy is used to form photosynthetic products. From that one to two percent, many plants undergo a process called photorespiration that causes them to waste much of the photosynthetic energy absorbed. By studying photosynthesis in detail and understanding processes like photorespiration, we can learn to control these processes so we can increase the productivity and efficiency of plants. Research along these lines is critical, as recent studies show that agricultural production is leveling off at a time when demand for food and other agricultural products is increasing rapidly. (Gust) Research into photosynthesis could lead to the production of more efficient crop strains or the development of more efficient, selective, and environmentally friendly herbicides that take effect by preventing steps of photosynthesis from occurring. Developing our understanding of photosynthesis can help to deal with issues of global importance, the decreasing amounts of fossil fuels and coal, which are vital to our daily life, especially in developing countries such as China where most of the power plants rely on coal. By learning how to control and increase the efficiency of photosynthesis, we can increase the production of fuels derived from agriculture such as ethanol. A new experimental process carried out by scientists today involve making ethanol from trees, grasses, and crop wastes by breaking down the cellulose in woody fibers to form cellulosic ethanol. This is much more efficient as trees and grasses do not need to be replanted every year like grains. (Ethanol made from, 2006) By increasing our understanding of photosynthesis, we can cut down on our dependence on fossil fuels, and on the production of greenhouse gases, by increasing the production of ethanol as an alternate source of fuel. Photosynthesis can even help in the development of technology, as engineers strive to make transistors and circuit components smaller in order to make computers faster and more compact, similar to how thylakoid membranes are packed inside chlorophyll molecules. Learning how plants control the movement of light energy to the different reaction centers and convert the light energy into chemical energy, can allow for the development of molecular-scale computers The reason why I chose this research question is that apart from my own personal interest in plants and my concern over the rising levels of pollution on earth, by understanding photosynthesis, the basis of life on earth, we can make medical and technological discoveries to improve our standards of living. Yet at the same time we can learn to control photosynthesis in order to increase the production of food and ethanol, and limit the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Learning the Mandarin Chinese Tone System

Learning the Mandarin Chinese Tone System The Mandarin language has a fundamental difference from Western languages: it is tonal. Tones are one of the biggest challenges for Mandarin learners, but their mastery is essential. Incorrect tones can make your spoken Mandarin difficult or impossible to understand, but using the correct tones will allow you to express yourself clearly. Mandarin tones are especially difficult for speakers of Western languages. English, for example, uses tones for inflection, but this is a very different usage from Mandarin. Rising tones in English often imply a question or sarcasm. Falling tones may be used for emphasis. Changing the tones of a Mandarin sentence, though, could completely change the meaning. Let’s take an example. Suppose you are reading a book and your brother (or sister or child) keeps on interrupting you. You are likely to become exasperated and say â€Å"I’m trying to read a book!† In English, this would be said with an emphatic falling tone at the end. But if you use a falling tone in Mandarin, the meaning completely changes. WÇ’ yo kn shÃ… « I want to read a book.WÇ’ yo kÇŽn shà ¹ I want to cut trees! The second version of this sentence would have your listeners scratching their heads. So practice your tones! They are essential for speaking and understanding Mandarin.

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Discuss the Impact of International trade or Inward FDI on economic Coursework

Discuss the Impact of International trade or Inward FDI on economic growth or development in an Emerging Economy - Coursework Example There are several definitions which are provided by different international organizations like IMF and The United Nations. The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) definition says that FDI refers to an investment that’s main objective is to obtain a ‘lasting interest’ in an entity which operates in an economy that is different from the economy where the investor operates in (Moosa, 2002). A ‘benchmark definition’ of FDI is provided by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It says â€Å"foreign direct investment reflects the objective of obtaining a lasting interest by a resident entity in one economy (direct investor) in an entity resident in an economy other than that of the investor (direct investment enterprise)† (Organisation For Economic Co-Operation And Development, 1999). This paper discusses the role of FDI in an emerging economy like India. It aims to provide a clear picture about how FDI has played a n important role in the economic growth of the country. Furthermore, the paper also includes a brief overview of the Indian economy and the way in which it is performing over the past two decades. The Economy of India Over the past few years Indian economy is gradually turning into an open-market economy. Since early 1990 the country has experienced significant economic liberalization that includes industrial deregulation, reduction in control over foreign investment and trade and privatization of government owned enterprises. Since 1997, every year Indian economy has grown by almost 7% (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). The diverse economy of the country encompasses conventional farming, handicrafts, modern agriculture, multitude of services and different modern industries. Over half of the total work force is involved in agriculture whereas only one-third work force is associated with the service sector. However, services are the main source of economic development in the countr y. Almost 50% of the country’s total output is contributed by the service industry. India is enriched with its large educated population that is capable of speaking good English. Capitalizing on this aspect India has become one of the largest exporters of IT (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). Due to its strong foundation, the Indian economy protected itself very well from the recent global economic crisis, though the growth rate was significantly affected for a certain period. The weak monsoon of 2009 and inefficient food distribution system have resulted in high food prices. Inflation has been one of the key problems for the Indian government over the past two years. The country’s central bank (Reserve bank of India) has hiked the interest rate several times in order to control the inflation. In the fiscal year 2010-11, India experienced a deficit of 6.8% of its GDP and in the coming year the government aims to bring down this deficit to 5.5% of GDP (Central Intelli gence Agency, n.d.). Some of the long standing challenges for Indian economy are widespread poverty, lack of social and physical infrastructure, insufficient access to the basics like higher education and drinking water and limited opportunities regarding non-agricultural employment. In 2010 India’s GDP was $4.046 trillion (in terms of purchasing power parity) and this is increased from the

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Ritz Carlton Case Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ritz Carlton Case Studies - Essay Example In Malaysia, McBride, the general manager, introduced the practice of extending a welcome to passengers at the airport by giving discount coupons and mimosas, amongst others, not to mention the presence of a fully furnished room of Ritz-Carlton in the airport. All these were totally novel and unique concepts of marketing that go on to fortify the hotel’s image as a leader in the realm of customer care.† (1) Another vital factor contributing towards the hotel’s success story is the tremendous amount of importance that is accorded to people associated it – both employees and also the customers. The consistent growth of any organization is heavily dependent on the manner in which the people associated with it are treated. This very factor is all the more relevant for entities operating in the sphere of hospitality. â€Å"It is the firm conviction of Ritz-Carlton that when a customer stays in its premises, for the entire duration, the hotel is the home for them. Hence, the hotel’s 7 Day Countdown Orientation program for new recruits is predominantly aimed at making them fully understand the relevance of this concept. One of the first precepts communicated to the new employees is â€Å"We all are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen†. This speaks volumes about the friendly and amicable treatment that Ritz-Carlton gives to its employees. Additionally , it is in this very cordial atmosphere that the skills of the employees are honed, ensuring that they run the extra mile in addressing the all-important aspect of customer service. Last but not the least, the various things inclusive in the orientation program such as The Credo, The Employee Promise and The Twenty Basics, to cite a few, go a long way in making sure that employee efficiency would invariably lead to customer satisfaction.† (1) At this juncture, it would be worthwhile to understand as to what actually is being sold by Ritz-Carlton. The answer to that resulting from a mere

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Friendship Essay: What Makes A Good Friend? -- Friendship Essay, Person

A friend is someone difficult to find. A friend is someone you can always count on when times are tough. The dictionary's definition of a good friend is a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard. A good friend is there when you are struggling. For example, when a boy breaks your heart a good friend walks you through it and offers a shoulder to cry on. According to Bree Neff, a good friend is someone who is trustworthy, doesn't talk behind your back, listens to your problems, gives good advice and tries to lend humor along with his or her support. There are also bad friends, those who pretend to care and then turn around gossiping and starting drama. Good and bad friends are all around you, involved in your everyday life. To find good friends you should look for such traits as being kind, trustworthy, loyal and dependable. A good friend must be kind because being kind is when they look out for you no matter what! If they hear girls talking about you, they are the friends that stop them. Friends look out for you even when you are arguing. A friend understands that you may not always get along but you should always try and be there for them and look out for them. Although this can be difficult at times, it proves how kind and loving you are. Another part of being kind is listening to one and another. Sometimes we don't care about what are friends have to say, but listening is really important. Listening shows that you value their friendship. Some friends only talk about themselves and never listen to your problems; that is not a good friend. Listening to each other helps you learn about the person as it shows character and tells that person you can count on them. In addition, being a ... ...in trouble. They are someone that will be there when you just need someone to talk. You can rely on them to show you they care, and be there till the end. A good friend may not have all these traits. If someone is a gossip, you shouldn't get too close with him or her. If they are known for betrayal and being dishonest you should think about it and probably take one step away from them. According to the site â€Å"Being Friends,† friends should listen to each other, not put each other down to hurt one another, understand each others feelings, disagree without hurting each other, and be dependable and trustworthy. When finding friends you should look out for the good and the bad. See which traits are most important to you and make sure your friends have more good than bad traits. This will create compatible friends for you who hopefully remain with you for a lifetime!

Friday, January 17, 2020

Anthropology Book Report

This is a book review of, With No Direction Home: Homeless Youth on the Road and in the Streets written by Marni Finkelstein. The writer gives a voice to the homeless youth and highlights on their everyday lives, the condition in which they live and the experience they go though in the streets.Furthermore, the writer through her interviews obtained first hand experience and which she writes with logical honesty, the study which she took its ethnographic methodology for the reason that she combined qualitative interviews and direct observation. The writer defines who the streets kids are hence the reader get to know how they come to be streets kids.She describes the different reasons why most of them leave their homes to end up being street youths. Their life in the streets is well tackled in the book on how they socialize in the streets and form peer networks.   She explains on how peer groups formed makes them use and abuse substances. Their subsistence in the streets and their da ily lives as it is explained in the book gives an insight to the readers to understand them even more.Finkelstein discusses how the youths in the streets are prone to victimization by the society; they are ill treated, oppressed and discriminated the youths reiterate by being violent for them to survive the hostile environment in which they live. The book concludes with recommendations which would be adopted to ensure that the ever increasing numbers of youths in the streets would be reduced and eventually make them leave the streets.This study falls under social anthropology as the study is done with evidence of how the streets youths, who form a group of the society currently behave in social a group. Social anthropology investigation is an intensive field studies which include participant observation methods like the ones used in this book.The study done was how social organization of the youths in the street socializes among them selves and the public. Social anthropology explor es indistinctness and contradictions of social life, sociality patterns, conflicts and violence which forms social behavior of a group of the society. It also address diversity of positions and perspective found in a social group. This is what is addressed in Finkelstein book when discussing how the street youths socialize and form peer networks which abuse substance, being victimized and violent.The research method used is ethnographic methodology, by combining direct observation and qualitative interviews to provide descriptive study of a group of human society. The study done is about street youths which are a group of human society.The research has focused on sociology through close field observations of social cultural incidents. The research is focusing on a social group and is able to study their activities and how they affect them and the society at large. It is done by interviewing informants several times using information from previous informers to ensure that the informa tion obtained is accurate and dependable to support the writers arguments.The research is done by first selection of a culture and identifications of variables which are used to obtain information from informants and gather data inform of observation and interview recording. To be precise the research method used is Micro-ethnography because it’s the study of narrowly-defined cultural group which in this case it’s the youths in the streets.When the research was being done there was resistance by the street youths to willingly disseminate information which they were being interviewed. The street youths are victimized by the society and they felt that they are not worth hence they have a feeling that they are inferior and the research being done will not be of any use to them.Trustworthy of the information obtained is one of the challenges encountered in qualitative research. For the writer to obtain a reliable source of information, interviews are done to several of the street children with the same question and compare their responses to ensure that the facts are accurate.Obtaining a sample on which the research was to be done was a challenging, as none or very few who were willing to be interviewed. On such a social study one is not supposed to influence the informers either by giving them incentives to woo them to provide information because it will be biased and won’t reflect the actual scenarios under study. The interviewees are supposed to be voluntary which in this study volunteering was a problem.The youths in the streets are a subculture because they give a diversity of culture in the society. The group way of life and social phenomena is distinguishable with the normal cultural practices of a family setup where the youths are expected since they are kids to be brought up in a family setup where they are provided for until they are independent. Their social practices and ethics are far much below the set standards of a youth being brought up in their homes where the environment is conducive. Their practice is referred to as social fall out from the cultural setup acceptable by the society.The group is made up of diversified age ranges which include youth who are hard-core, refuges and immigrants, runways, squatters, young single mothers and those who are homeless because the entire family is homeless. The group lacks shelter and has difficult to obtain adequate food and they are at risk of nutritional and health problems.Even after being health wise challenged they don’t have access to medication this result to ailment which some times is life threatening hence they experience high mortality rate. The difficulties which they go through coupled with the drugs which they take makes them to be depressed and have mental disorders which makes them committee suicide and die due to drug overdose which have been registered as the leading cause of deaths among the street children’s.I have realized that s treet homeless youths they are a nomadic group of youths who ends up in the streets. After reading the book I come to realize that they are in the street and who they are due to circumstances which are beyond their control. Such as, the whole family being homeless or they are refuges or even single mothers. I understand that they abuse substances and are drug peddlers because of peer pressure.They are also discriminated by the society hence they are not employed to earn money this result them to be thugs, sex workers, drug dealers and participate in scams to earn so as they can sustain their livelihood. Most of them do not travel very far from their homes to the nearby cities. Travelling of the kids is not an easy task because they have little or no money so their main mode of transport is hitchhiking and train jumping which both of them are very dangerous.Most of them leave their households where there is an abusive environment or they are simply kicked out from their homes. Finkel stein stated in her book that most of them remain on the streets for a short period then they seek refuge in shelters and their underlying motives are substance abuse and sense of aimlessness.According to Finkelstein, most of the abused substances in New York is beer and heroin most of them had experimented the drug before they got out of their homes but they become serious addict after they have prolonged their inhabitance in the streets. The excuse they give is that they abuse them because they want to forget their trouble such as helplessness and poverty.This group of homeless youths exists in the society because they arose from disadvantaged families such as disrupted and dysfunctional families. Such families experience divorce, poverty, parental drug abuse, domestic violence and poverty. There is also high rate of Sexual, emotional, and physical abuse which result the children to run away from such environment. There are also a substantial number of the streets youth who run aw ay from children protection services such as children’s homes or even run away to hind from the existing criminal justice systems.After being in the streets for long this group of youths develop self-reliant skills and abilities through networks of mutual supports and spirituality. Furthermore, most of them adapt to the hard environments they are exposed to enabling them to survive for years in dangerous circumstances.I was surprised to know that the street youths are not there by choice. I thought they were in the street as there choice of life. I came to realize that they have been pushed to be at the streets by hardships / factors which they have no control on. These unfortunate youths are really discriminated by the society who does not respect them hence they do not consider them for any form of employment. I was surprised on know this discrimination makes them revolt by being drug dealers, thugs and sex workers as they strive to survive.I thought that they are young you ths who are in street as a choice they have made willingly as a way of life and they are thugs or prostitutes. I thought that they choose to be in the streets so as to pursue their interest of being drug users and dealers which they could only do it more conveniently at the streets.Most of the homeless in the streets of New York are the minor who probably have suffered a lot of hardship which got them to the streets. These minors are not given money when they borrow because it’s discouraged; donations are only given out to worthy charities.This book has acted as a voice to the homeless youths by highlighting who they are, how they came to be whom they are and how they exist and coexist. It has formed a source of reliable information for the readers who would need to know about the street homeless youths.Self-reliance which grew with time by the youths being in the streets for long makes it difficult to eliminate or reduce them. Once they have been in the streets for long the form social groups and networks which enable them to have some sort of adaptation and building of skills which makes them survive for years in the hostile environment which they are exposed to.ReferencesFinkelstein, M. (2004) With No Direction Home: Homeless Youth on the Road and in the Streets, Belmont: Wadsworth