Cloning Individualism - 2073 Words

Results May Vary: Adam Phillips’s Theory of Cloning and The Paradoxical Apotheosis of Individualism Adam Phillips’s essay â€Å"Sameness Is All† takes the form of a dialogue with two children to introduce the fantasy of cloning in which everyone is identical. Specifically, Phillips observes that cloning is a â€Å"denial of difference and dependence† which leads to a â€Å"refusal of need† (92). However, Phillip remains mindful that such fantasy of physical or psychological sameness is implausible as everyone is different - even clones. One then questions the significance of such wanting of sameness, or if the sense of sameness serves any purpose. Using the concept of Self and Other that Joanne Finkelstein examines in â€Å"The Self as†¦show more content†¦The reader sees that the Self and the Other appear to exist in an obligate symbiotic relationship, where both the Self and Other are dependent on each other for continued existence, and elucidates the reader on the interdependency of the Self and Other. After highlighting the interdependency of the Self and Other, Finkelstein uses this association between Self and Other to delineate the adverse consequences of this symbiotic relationship. By identifying the halo effect as a source of social pressure to conform, Finkelstein allows the reader to see Phillip’s theory of cloning as a feasible solution to the inherent issues of social injustice and despair in this concept: DeJong and Kleck (1986:66) maintain that†¦the overweight not only do not have an acceptable physical appearance but are also perceived as characterologically flawed..the halo effect, which explains why attractive people are gratuitously assigned other valued attributes, can be seen to work in reverse for the overweight who are instead attributed with deficits of character. (181) The halo effect mentioned by DeJong and Kleck refers to individuals being perceived as having socially desirable personality traits on the basis of desirable physical attributes, and thus â€Å"gratuitously assigned other valued attributes.† Conversely, an unattractive individual will be perceived as having sociallyShow MoreRelatedIs Cloning Be A Debate Of Morals And Human Privileges?1477 Words   |  6 PagesHuman cloning is unethical since it steps back from human identity. In addition, it brings emotional mental damage for the cloned kid and absolutely discards the basic biological gene selection. For the most part, not a single person can manage to ignore the procedure that is made in science today. Whereas scientific research, for instance grants us information and the procedure of being able to clone human beings, which is something nobody ever assumed could be possible. After watching the movieRead MoreThe Cloning Of The Sheep1749 Words   |  7 PagesName: Lanster Ya ng Teacher: Mrs. DeGregorio Course: English III Date: 8 May 2015 Human Cloning Cloning of Dolly the Sheep was a first on many fronts. First, it represented the first mammal ever to be cloned from a somatic cell. It also sets a benchmark on which to evaluate other animal cloning experiments going forward. Secondly, her cloning was the start of controversy and panic in regards to animal cloning, as it raised the question of whether scientists would seek to clone humans too, and theRead MoreEssay on An Argument Against Cloning1198 Words   |  5 PagesAn Argument Against Cloning Increase in genetic knowledge has created challenges in our society. Daniel Callahan focuses on these challenges and expresses his worry about the society (soil) on which this genetic knowledge is growing. Callahan asks the question of what kind of society (soil) is most likely be hazardous and introduces three patterns: 1) societies that demonize death and illness; 2) those societies that want to find biological solutions to social problems; and 3) societies with postmodernRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Human Cloning1532 Words   |  7 Pagesindividual’s perspectives, human cloning is something that I feel is unjust. Human cloning is fallacious and immoral due to lack of positive results and lack of liberty to the individual being duplicated. In this paper, I will discuss why human cloning should no longer be considered a means of reproducing and also discuss why the numbers themselves should deter someone from wanting to be cloned. As Leon R. Kass states in his article, â₠¬Å"Cloning of human beings†, the cloning of a human being takes away fromRead More Attack of the Cloning Regulations Essay2139 Words   |  9 PagesAttack of the Cloning Regulations Better and new technologies and ideas are constantly introduced through the passage of time, most of which are just for the convenience of modern life. There is usually not much of an objection when they are introduced into society because the pros of the idea greatly outweigh the cons; however, this is not the case with the discovery that human cloning is now practically possible. When a breakthrough like cloning comes about regulations must be set forthRead MoreThe Cloning Debate On Cloning1227 Words   |  5 PagesEva Gaetz Sec 09 Kanchan Hulasare The Cloning Debate According to Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, the term â€Å"cloning† is defined as â€Å"a procedure for producing multiple copies of genetically identical organisms or cells or of individual genes.† Researchers have conducted several cloning experiments over the years, replicating tissues, organs, and even full organisms such as Dolly the Sheep in 1997. The history of cloning dates back to the early 1900’s when Hans Adolf Edward Dreisch studied the resultsRead MoreThe Limits Of Scientific Limits1306 Words   |  6 Pagesthat scientists should be forbade to perform experiments that â€Å"play god† in order to ease their curiosity. Furthermore, the issue is derived from a conflict of ethos; thus, Guinan believes in stronger regulations toward unethical experiments such as cloning and stem cell research. With the intention of playing god, scientists attempt to manipulate certain pathogens that are directed toward a specific people. In an attempt at ethically swaying his audience, Professor Guinan discusses the idea that aRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1192 Words   |  5 Pagesdirect cause of the political tribulations that were polluting the civilized world. When asked about the idea behind her novel Anthem Rand exclaimed â€Å"I got the idea in my school days, in Soviet Russia, when I heard all the vicious attacks on individualism, and asked myself what the world would be like if men lost the word â€Å"I† (Anthem). Rand’s own personal experiences with communism and collectivism helped her to create her main character Equality 7-2521. Intelligent and curious about the lawsRead MoreAlcohol in Our Society; Huxleys View in Relation to Brave New World833 Words   |  4 Pagesboth the good and bad sides of cloning and mass production of humans through science. Huxley’s book, published in 1932, conveys his well-developed and disturbingly accurate ideas about human behavior in what was then the distant future. In addition, his writing measures the capacity for which humans can obsess over not only having a perfect society, but also having total control over everyone and everything in a world where nothing is wild and untamed. Individualism is seen as a cause of instabilityRead More The High Cost of Stability in Aldous Huxleys Brave New World3892 Words   |  16 Pagesfollow the tracks preset for them. Stability is a goal in every society. It may be achieved by the cloning of citizens. Advances in biological research in the new world allow one embryo to separate into ninety-six individual embryos by means of the Bokanovsky Process, an advanced method of cloning. Embryos destined to be the lower classes (Gamma, Delta and Epsilon) are cloned, and the cloning ensures social stability of the lower classes. Essentially †¦ bokanovskification consists of a series

Education Is It Worth It Essay - 701 Words

Furthering Education. Is It Worth It? It has always been instilled in the minds of children at a young age by their parents to pursue a college education. Innovations in technology have come a long way and education is no exception to such advancements in how material is taught. Jobs nowadays require more than just a high school diploma, trade school/vocational school certificate, or even a GED. The significance of investing in post-secondary education comes with the added benefits of having increased chances of securing a job, earning higher salaries, and having the necessary knowledge and skills to become a productive member of the ever changing society. Having a college education not only increases the chance of getting a job but also broadens the choices of what jobs and opens the door to ample work opportunities. As opposed to those with a degree, people without a degree are limited as to what positions they qualify for and instead have to rely on their prior work experience for employment. One main reason why people should further their education is so that they are able to determine their interests in life and develop a career around what they have a passion for. People with an educational background beyond that of high school are much more marketable to employers scouting for prospective employees. College graduates have opportunities for advancing within their workplace, and in turn earning more than they initially started with. On the other hand, college is notShow MoreRelatedIs A College Education Worth It?1018 Words   |  5 PagesIn today’s society, the idea of receiving a college education has been pondered quite a bit as to whether or not it is actually worth it. According to Michelle Adam, many people â€Å"†¦today believe that getting a good education is key to success in our society, this revealed surprising issues that challenge the notion of higher education being worth its price tag† (59). Naturally, many high school gra duates apply for college right before or after graduation. Others decide to go into the work force, armedRead MoreIs College Education Worth It?1366 Words   |  6 PagesIs College Education Worth It? Have you ever wondered how much some of our nation’s top college presidents are paid? If not, then the CNN documentary Ivory Tower is a good starting point. The continual increase of college tuition and student loans has made headlines in the news recently, mostly because of the alarming amount of student debt in the United States. According to the College Board, in 2010, students graduated from college owing an average of $25,250 in student loans; the highest amountRead MoreIs College Worth A Education?1140 Words   |  5 PagesIs college worth attending? Many graduating students are leaving college today with enormous amounts of student’s loans debt. Sometimes they do not obtain the college degree that they were going to school for. Today many induvial believe that getting a good education is the key to success in our society. There are issues that challenge the notion of higher education being worth its price. While in college, many students suffer stress from all the school work and responsibilities that is requiredRead MoreIs A College Education Worth It?1443 Words   |  6 PagesMarch 2016 Is a College Education Worth It? Is the American dream just a dream?The worth of a college education is arguably one of the most controversial topics in the country. Over the years, the American education system seems to emphasize and underline the importance of college education. The reality of the situation is that a college education can be appreciated through looking at the statistical numbers of people that have enrolled in to college education. A college education is valued because ofRead MoreIs Higher Education Worth It?856 Words   |  4 PagesIn recent discussions of is higher education worth it?. A controversial issue has been whether studying in colleges or universities is necessary to be successful in life. On the one hand, some argue that higher education is too expensive and waste of time and money. From this perspective, there are many arguments about if higher education is good for this generation of students. On the other hand, others argue that adults should have a good quality of learning and sho uld get a certificate from aRead MoreIs Higher Education Worth It?930 Words   |  4 PagesIs Higher Education Worth It? When young adults finish high school they are driven to enroll into a higher education program. With the constant talks of soaring tuition costs, in addition to the massive student loan debt, taking this step can be worrisome. Reyna Gobel, a journalist on financing college and repaying student debt, states. â€Å"It’s easy to stop believing that a college education is worth it when the nation has over a trillion dollars in debt, but college graduates still earn more overRead MoreIs College Education Worth It?1460 Words   |  6 PagesIs College Education Worth It? Have you ever wondered how much some of our nation’s top college presidents earn as compensations? If not, then the CNN documentary Ivory Tower is a good starting point. The continual increase of college tuition and student loans has made headlines in the news recently, mostly because of the alarming amount of student debt in the United States. According to the College Board, in 2010, students graduated from college owing an average of $25,250 in student loans; theRead MoreIs A College Education Worth It?1533 Words   |  7 PagesIs a college education worth it? While it is important to get a college education, there are many people who cannot afford to go to college. Going to college leaves adults in millions of dollars in debt for many years. This results in adults working most their life to just pay off their education. However, starting work right out of high school instead of going to a 4-year college has been more appealing to some people. Going to a trade school is les s expensive and less time consuming. However, notRead MoreHigher Education : Is It Worth It?977 Words   |  4 PagesHigher Education – Is It Worth It? Everyone always says that college is what you’re supposed to do after graduating; College has become an â€Å"expected† part of life. Everyone always says that you’re degree or â€Å"academic qualifications† is what will lead you on the road of success and help you achieve your goals. However, is it actually putting you on the road to success? Are your academic qualifications indeed important to your chances of a successful career? I think so. I find that a higher educationRead MoreEducation Is Worth The Cost2023 Words   |  9 Pages Findings â€Å"We can’t allow higher education to be a luxury in this country. It’s an economic imperative that every family in American has to be able to afford.† - President Barack Obama The majority of American students graduate from high school with hopes of continuing on to higher education. Getting a degree is part of the American Culture, yet it is becoming more difficult to achieve. Recent graduates have incurred an average debt of $35,200 with incomes remaining still. This has caused many Americans

Public Health Analysis

Question: Analysing the impact of operating vegetable and fruit garden on the students fruit and vegetable intake behaviour in the low socio-economic Australian schools. Answer: Research questions What is the impact of having vegetable and fruit gardens in low socio-economic schools on the dietary intake of students in that school? How effective are the existence of vegetable and fruit gardens in improving the dietary intake of children studying in low socio-economic schools of Australia? What is the difference in students dietary intake of schools having gardens and schools not having the gardens in the low socio-economic zone of Australia? What are the challenges related to enhancing the fruit and vegetable dietary intake for students in low socio-economic schools of Australia? What are the suitable recommendations for improving the fruit and vegetable dietary intake for students in low socio-economic schools of Australia? Background Since ancient believes along with scientific evidential support it is proven that fruits and vegetables are one of the essential dietary elements or foods that help in controlling poor health effects by increasing immunity, providing essential nutritions, and minimizing the risk to diseases[1]. In the recent era, there are more and more interventions and activities to improve the health diet consumption that includes fruit and vegetables as major components of the nutritious diet. As per WHO studies, food and vegetables can minimise the risk factors related to obesity, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and several types of cancer producing elements. The low fibrous diet (no fruits and vegetables) is one of the top ten global mortality risk factors[2],[3]. While studying the social determinants affecting the dietary behaviour of people it was proven that poverty, low income, unemployment and lack of proper health education are major social determinants that lead to poor dietary consumption in adults as well as children. It was also indicated that low socio-economic regions persist the habit of poor diet resulting in high rate of infections and diseases in these regions. The children living in low socio-economic zones of developed countries like Australia, Untied States and the United Kingdom show a very low daily fruit and vegetable intake with only 224g/day due to bad eating habits containing foods like chips, chocolates, biscuits and trans foods[4]. The school-based community gardens are one such practice that helps to re-establish the traditional practice of eating and developing health food relationships for children[5]. The viewpoint of feeding children with good eating habits and diet along with education in schools, there are school gardens established by public and private sector to maximise the healthy eating habit in initial ages of life. The school gardens containing fruits and vegetable targets to improve the eating habits, enhance nutritious diet, minimise risk to diseases and pollution to overcome the increasing mortality rate for future generations[6]. As per biological and behavioural aspects the overall physical, mental and psychological development of humans occur at the age of 5 to 17 years, therefore, the behaviour developed within this period becomes a lifetime habit of the individual. Hence, getting children involves in healthy eating habits will assure an increased life expectancy1. The research of indicates that school-based health programmes and interventions are working as good measures to control health inequalities in children. The existence of school-based vegetable and fruit gardens help to enhance the fruit and vegetable dietary intake in children. However, developing school gardens persist potential to improve the eating habits of children but there is a lack of research and experiments confirming the impact of this practice[7]. As school gardening is an innovative practice there are missing literature sources to confirm the positive impact of school gardening on the dietary habits of children. Secondly, there is less focus on analysing the dietary behaviour of children living in low socio-economic zones. There are very less random controlled trials that analyse the impact of school gardening on the dietary impact of specific regions childrens especially belonging to the low socio-economic group. Further, there are researches only comparing the dietary habits of boys and girls living in remote regions 3 or only analysing the lunchtime vegetable intake habits of children, a recent study 6implemented researches on either fruit or vegetable intake, not both together [8]. In the research field, the low socio-economic regions somehow due to unclear reasons, get neglected in health promotions studies related to dietary habits. However, even the available research data on school gardening and dietary behaviour of children limit sample size as well as time duration for research 1,[9],[10]. All the above-mentioned literature gaps are governed in the current research making it a unique and exception research work. A comparison of student dietary habits of low socio-economic schools having vegetable and fruit gardens with schools not having such gardens will provide a complete outlook on the impact of the effective gardening practice on the food eating habits. Further, an appropriate sample size and workable research time also implemented in this research. Rationale of research Due to lack of specific research sources on analysing the impact of fruit and vegetable gardens in low socio-economic schools of Australia as well as lack of experimental research on the impact of school gardening on the dietary habit of students in low socio-economic schools, the research focuses specifically on analysing the effect of fruit and vegetable garden presence on the fruit and vegetable intake habits of children studying in low socio-economic schools compared to intake habits of children in low socio-economic schools not having fruit and vegetable garden. Research plan Study design The research method will involve the use of descriptive study design to perform a comparative analysis on the basis of the survey. The descriptive design is supported with positivism research philosophy and deductive research approach that will initiate an objective based research along with a hypothesis development to observation making study[11]. Participants and sample size The Non-probability sampling technique will be employed in research to select low socio-economic schools from the two major low-socio economic locations in Australia[12]. These regions will be selected as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA). The five selected regions are Belyuen and Napranum that belongs to the Northern Territory and Queensland of Australia that is considered as most disadvantaged areas of the country[13]. The participants of research will be ten low socio-economic schools randomly belonging to these two regions. These ten schools will be distributed into two research groups that are Research group I, 5-low-socio economic schools having fruit and vegetable gardens existing minimum from last 1 year and Research group-II (control group), 5- low socio-economic schools having no fruit and vegetable gardens. The schools having independent and existing vegetable and fruit gardens will only be selected as Research group-I and schools having an absence of such gardens will be selected as Research group-II or control group. A large sample size of (n=200) students from each group belonging to age group 7 to 10 years will be taken as research sample to analyse their fruit and vegetable dietary intake habit. It means the testing sample group (Research group-I) will have n1 =200 participants and control sample group (Research group-II) will have n =200 participants. The overall sample size will be 400. Study procedure and participant recruitment For the purpose of initiating the research, a letter will be forwarded to the respective authorities of participating schools as well as parents of the sampled children to gather informed consent. Further, a permission letter from specific area councils of all the ten schools will be collected to obtain a legal permission for performing research activity. After obtaining permission from schools and parents an information sheet containing research details will be forwarded to the authorities that will provide authenticity to the research work. After recruiting the research participant a demographic analysis will be performed to determine the average age, height, body height, sex and gender of the participant children (Test-1, baseline measurement). The statistical tools will be implemented to measure the average dynamics and dimensions of both the research group (control and experiment group) separately. The measurement of dietary intake using specific tools will provide quantitative data that will be collected and managed for further analysis by the researchers. The researchers will collect data itself in participating school premises. The research will be performed in two experiments, the first experiment will be baseline measurement and the second experiment will be dietary measurement within seven days for next 24-hours. As the research involves human participation as a sample population, therefore, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research Guidelines will be followed to provide ethically reliable research. These guidelines procedures will protect the autonomy of research participants and will provide beneficence understanding to researchers. There will be no forceful participation and participants will be accomplished with sovereignty to vacate research at the time as per their will. Further, the participants consent will be an ethical priority of research as per National Statement Content. Lastly, the confidentiality of research data will be maintained as per the Data Protection Act 1998 because research contains biological and personal information about participants. The research monitoring process will involve checking the reliability of source information, the validity of measuring instruments, and collecting evidential proof of research conduct to support the overall ethical p rinciples in research. Measures and Instruments Measurement Tool Age-group of participants Measurement outcomes Assessment method A Child Nutrition Questionnaire (7-day food checklist)[14] 7-10 years 1) Fruit and vegetable intake and noncore foods and beverages 2) Environment, knowledge and behaviours associated with these foods 1) Seven-day diet checklist 2) Brief nutrition questionnaire completed by child The measurement tool for experiments in research is A child Nutrition questionnaire that will be used in research is a 14-item questionnaire developed to fulfil the purpose of getting a dietary pattern of participants as well as knowledge on attitude and behaviours related to healthy eating (Test-2). This tool will help to measure the key nutritions and noticeable increases in any specific food consumption that can be vegetables, fruits, water, sweetened beverages etc. The response pattern involves the use of five-point Likert scales and frequency difference between the current and previous intake. A twelve score is involved for questionnaire distributed in five categories. The participants will be directed to complete the 7-day food checklist that will determine the consumption of vegetables, fruits, water, sweetened beverages, noncore food items and food plus parameters. This test will be completed by the participant (students) themselves within provided time duration[15]. Validity and reliability There are three most effective dietary intake measurement tools for children belonging to age group 5- 15 years that are A child Nutrition Questionnaire, Childrens Dietary Questionnaire (CDQ) and School Checklist. These three tools can be considered effective as per research requirements but the School Checklist involved the purpose of determining the energy gain from consumed food that is not suitable for the present research purpose. Out of other mentioned tools that are Child Nutrition Questionnaire and CDQ, where the CDQ test is usually performed parents or children but the Child Nutrition Questionnaire is more reliable and efficient performed by children themselves. Further, CDQ holds face, construct, concurrent validity but the Child Nutrition Questionnaire persist face, criterion, concurrent validity as well as reliability. The reliability of child nutrition questionnaire was estimated using 95% confidence intervals and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the baseline measures Test- 1(demographic analysis) and Test-2 (questionnaire test) of participants[16],[17]. Data analysis The collected research data will be analysed using SPSS to determine the mean, median and standard error indicating statistical significance and error in the data obtained from Test-1 and Test-2. Further, the average score of fruit and vegetable consumption within seven days duration by two research groups will be compared by using T-test and chi-square test determining the difference in dietary intake patterns of two research groups. Significance of study The research on analysing the impact of vegetable and fruit gardening in school on the dietary intake habits of students will help in determining the possible outcomes of school gardening effect on the overall healthy eating habits as well as the impact of environmental changes on the attitude of children. This study is essential to understand the importance of school gardening in low socio-economic zones. The expected outcomes of study should involve a better fruit and vegetable dietary intake by students having availability of fruits and vegetables in school campus indicating a cost effective, reliable and healthy approach. This will help to understand the importance of school gardening for improving the dietary habits to students. Hence, the research persists potential to improve the dietary habits of low socio-economic children. Further, the research will work as valuable literature source for future researches related to this research topic. The research will add a good literatu re source for studying the impact of school gardening practice in low socioeconomic schools of Australia. References [1] Brownson RC, Baker EA, Leet TL, Gillespie KN, True WR. Evidence-based public health. Oxford University Press; 2010 Nov 3. [2] Du Pre A. Communicating about health: current issues and perspectives. [3] Hoelscher DM, Springer AE, Ranjit N, Perry CL, Evans AE, Stigler M, Kelder SH. Reductions in child obesity among disadvantaged school children with community involvement: the Travis County CATCH Trial. Obesity. 2010 Feb 1; 18(S1):S36-44. [4] Craig LC, McNeill G, Macdiarmid JI, Masson LF, Holmes BA. Dietary patterns of school-age children in Scotland: association with socio-economic indicators, physical activity and obesity. British journal of nutrition. 2010 Feb 1; 103(03):319-34. [5] Oxenham E, King AD. School gardens as a strategy for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. J Child Nutr Manag. 2010; 34(1). [6] Ratcliffe MM, Merrigan KA, Rogers BL, Goldberg JP. The effects of school garden experiences on middle school-aged students knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors associated with vegetable consumption. Health promotion practice. 2011 Jan 1;12(1):36-43. [7] Nutbeam D, Harris E, Wise W. Theory in a nutshell: a practical guide to health promotion theories. McGraw-Hill; 2010. [8] Blas E, Kurup AS. Equity, social determinants and public health programmes. World Health Organization; 2010. [9] Christian MS, Evans CE, Nykjaer C, Hancock N, Cade JE. Evaluation of the impact of a school gardening intervention on childrens fruit and vegetable intake: a randomised controlled trial. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2014 Aug 16;11:99. [10] Gibbs L, Staiger PK, Johnson B, Block K, Macfarlane S, Gold L, Kulas J, Townsend M, Long C, Ukoumunne O. Expanding childrens food experiences: the impact of a school-based kitchen garden program. Journal of nutrition education and behavior. 2013 Apr 30; 45(2):137-46. [11] Saunders, M., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A.Research Methods for Business Students, (6thed.) London: Pearson; 2009 [12] Truscott, D. M., Smith, S., Thornton-Reid, F., Williams, B., Matthews, M. A cross-disciplinary examination of the prevalence of mixed methods in educational research: 1995-2005,International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2010; 13(4), pp. 317-28.

Misconceptions In Dealing With Abortion Essays - United States Law

Misconceptions in Dealing with Abortion The dispute on abortion has become one of the most heated debates in today's society. It is a subject that can instigate incredibly strong emotions on either side of the argument. Since the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, which legalized abortions in the United States, women have had the individual right as people to decide the fate of their own bodies. This right can not be negotiated. People are not merely a means to an end, but ends themselves. A woman treated as an incubator of a fetus by the law is simply a means to an end, therefore disregarded as a person. There are many misconceptions about abortion. These misconceptions can potentially lead to the loss of women's individual and necessary rights to choose for themselves whether or not they want to bear a child. Most of these common misconceptions can not only be easily identified, but also utterly refuted. One of these common misconceptions is that human life begins at conception. This conclusion simply does not follow. As affirmed by Thomson in her article A Defense of Abortion: "Similar things may be said about the development of an acorn into an oak tree, and it does not follow that acorns are oak trees, or that we had better say they are" (356). There is no scientific consensus as to when human life begins. It is much more a matter of philosophic opinion or religious belief. Human life is a continuum; sperm and eggs are also alive, and represent potential human beings, but virtually all sperm and eggs are wasted. In addition, two-thirds of human conceptions are spontaneously aborted by nature. Another extremely disputable Pro-Life argument is that a fetus should have rights under the law. If fetal rights were enshrined in law, women's bodies, rights, and health would be subordinated to the protection of embryos. The legal consequences of such a law would be simply catastrophic. The best way to protect the fetus is to promote the health and well being of women. Moreover, the right of the unborn to live can never supercede a woman to control her own body. As said by Margret Sanger: "No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her own body." More than anything else, bearing a child totally alters a woman's life. Other women's rights are in-effect hollow if women are forced to be mothers. Being born is a gift, not a right. People do not ask to be born, and in some cases even wish that they weren't. Another common misconception is that making contraceptives and abortion readily available will ultimately encourage teenagers to have sex. In society today, teen sex has many complex societal causes including sexually oriented TV shows, movies, and ads. Studies have shown that where birth control, abortion, and comprehensive sex education programs are offered, such as in the Netherlands, teenagers have less sex, not more, and abortion rates decrease. Furthermore, abstinence-based sex education programs in schools don't' stop many teenagers from having sex, instead, they the likelihood of unsafe sex. Reality dictates that birth control and abortion must be available to help prevent teens from becoming parents. In addition, it is also true that many of the same people who oppose legal abortion are often to opposition the availability of contraceptives as well. This position is both hypocritical and irresponsible. If anti-abortionists used their well-funded organizing power to help prom ote contraception and sex education instead of fighting women's individual rights to legal abortions in the United States, they would likely be able to cut the teen abortion rate in half within just a few years. Misconceptions about Abortion have disillusioned many people on the topic. It is absolutely necessary that the individual right of women to decide what is right for themselves and their bodies. If these common misconceptions about abortion aren't dealt with and refuted women may ultimately loose one of the most important right they will ever have; the right to choose.

Timeline of the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War

Timeline of the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War U.S. troops had been in Vietnam for three years before the Tet Offensive, and most of the fighting they had encountered were small skirmishes involving guerilla tactics. Although the U.S. had more aircraft, better weapons, and hundreds of thousands of trained soldiers, they were stuck in a stalemate against the Communist forces in North Vietnam and the guerrilla forces in South Vietnam (known as the Viet Cong). The United States was discovering that traditional warfare tactics did not necessarily work well in the jungle against the guerrilla warfare tactics they were facing. January 21, 1968 In early 1968, General Vo Nguyen Giap, the man in charge of North Vietnams army, believed it was time for the North Vietnamese to make a major surprise attack on South Vietnam. After coordinating with the Viet Cong and moving troops and supplies into position, the Communists made a diversionary attack against the American base at Khe Sanh on January 21, 1968. January 30, 1968 On January 30, 1968, the real Tet Offensive began. Early in the morning, North Vietnamese troops and Viet Cong forces attacked both towns and cities in South Vietnam, breaking the ceasefire that had been called for the Vietnamese holiday of Tet (the lunar new year). The Communists attacked around 100 major cities and towns in South Vietnam. The size and ferocity of the attack surprised both the Americans and the South Vietnamese, but they fought back. The Communists, who had hoped for an uprising from the populous in support of their actions, met heavy resistance instead. In some towns and cities, the Communists were repelled quickly, within hours. In others, it took weeks of fighting. In Saigon, the Communists succeeded in occupying the U.S. embassy, once thought impregnable, for eight hours before they were overtaken by U.S. soldiers. It took about two weeks for U.S. troops and South Vietnamese forces to regain control of Saigon; it took them nearly a month to retake the city of Hue. Conclusion In military terms, the United States was the victor of the Tet Offensive for the Communists did not succeed in maintaining control over any part of South Vietnam. The Communist forces also suffered very heavy losses (an estimated 45,000 killed). However, the Tet Offensive showed another side of the war to Americans, one which they did not like. The coordination, strength, and surprise instigated by the Communists led the U.S. to realize that their foe was much stronger than they had expected. Faced with an unhappy American public and depressing news from his military leaders, President Lyndon B. Johnson decided to end the escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

3 Not Only . . . but Also Errors with a Choice of Solutions

3 Not Only . . . but Also Errors with a Choice of Solutions 3 Not Only . . . but Also Errors with a Choice of Solutions 3 Not Only . . . but Also Errors with a Choice of Solutions By Mark Nichol One of the most persistent and pernicious types of syntactical errors is the misuse of the point-counterpoint â€Å"not only . . . but also† construction. For each of the following three sentences, the discussion that follows offers not only one revision but also an additional option. 1. The loss or theft of intellectual property not only could undermine a company’s ability to compete but damage its brand and reputation in unanticipated ways. A minor but common error here is the omission of also in the â€Å"but also† setup for the counterpoint. The more significant problem is that if the verb associated with â€Å"not only† follows it, â€Å"but also† must be followed by a repetition of the verb or by a different but corresponding verb. Alternatively, move could to precede â€Å"not only,† and it can serve â€Å"but also† as well without the need for repetition: â€Å"The loss or theft of intellectual property not only could undermine a company’s ability to compete but also could damage its brand and reputation in unanticipated ways.† (Could can, alternatively, intervene between but and also.) or â€Å"The loss or theft of intellectual property could not only undermine a company’s ability to compete but also damage its brand and reputation in unanticipated ways.† 2. It is imperative to not only design and  implement appropriate corporate governance processes  but also to assess the  risks businesses can reasonably expect to face in the future. If to precedes the â€Å"not only† point, it also applies to the â€Å"but also† counterpoint, so the to immediately following â€Å"but also† is extraneous. If that other to is to be retained, the first one must be moved to follow â€Å"not only† to be in parallel to the one that follows â€Å"but also†: It is imperative to not only design and  implement appropriate corporate governance processes  but also assess the  risks businesses can reasonably expect to face in the future.† or â€Å"It is imperative not only to design and  implement appropriate corporate governance processes  but also to assess the  risks businesses can reasonably expect to face in the future.† 3. Not only does the product clean lint on clothing, but also the interior of handbags, lampshades, curtains, furniture, car seats and flooring, animal fur, broken glass, and so much more. Here, both revisions also involve a slight rewording of the initial proposition and the follow-up so that readers do not get the mistaken impression that the product cleans lint from everything listed; the lint-removal aspect pertains only to clothing, though the product cleans everything else. Both revisions clarify that distinction, but the latter version is also more direct: â€Å"Not only does the product remove lint on clothing, it also cleans the interior of handbags, lampshades, curtains, furniture, car seats and flooring, animal fur, broken glass, and so much more.† or â€Å"The product not only removes lint from clothing but also cleans the interior of handbags, lampshades, curtains, furniture, car seats and flooring, animal fur, broken glass, and so much more.† 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 Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Synonyms for â€Å"Leader†50 Idioms About Arms, Hands, and Fingers"Wracking" or "Racking" Your Brain?

Planning and Controlling Direct Labor Costs Term Paper

Planning and Controlling Direct Labor Costs - Term Paper Example As a result of which the total revenue and total sale of the organization might get increased that may amplify its market share and brand value to a significant extent among others. Apart from this, if the organization became successful in reducing its actual cost, then it might present its product or services at a quite competitive cost as compared to its rival players. However, due to which, a huge range of customers might get attracted towards the brand and the product line that may amplify its demand and profit margin in the market among many other rival players (Hansen, Mowen and Passalacque 29). Thus, it might be stated that in order to enhance the range of profits of the organization by a consistent range, planning is the most essential facet. In order to enhance the sustainability and position in long run, the organization might plan for long term strategies. It might prove effective in increasing the overall costs and revenues thereby reducing the total costs. The importance of the study is to analyze the importance of planning for an organization in this age, in order to amplify its total revenue and reduce the total cost. This might act as the first stage of budgeting that may prove effective for the organization to forecast its future expected sales, earning, expenses etc. Along with this the process of planning and staffing also includes the future forecast of the changes of the business and economic environment that may offer significant impact over the operations and functions of the organization. Along with planning and staffing, forecasting is another important step of budgeting, that helps to determine, the degree to which the long term strategies are useful or feasible for the organization in long run. However, this process of forecasting is a mixture of two important functions such as planning for long period of time entirely based on real goals or objectives of the organization as well as short term planning’s.

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Mullen, Hard Thinking About Values Essay

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Mullen, Hard Thinking About Values - Essay Example However, to this end Aristotle argues that the action of living, which consists of elements like nourishing and providing nutrition to the body, goes the same as that of other living matters like plants. Again, the skill of perceiving different senses, which the human beings think that they are capable enough, does not also constitute the acts of ‘proper function’. It is because as Aristotle argues that even nomadic creatures like animals also possess such skill sets. Aristotle states that apart from the previous two conditions of simple living and the ability to perceive the external world through the sense organs human beings possess the power of rational thinking. This rational thinking links up the individual with a host of different activities. Human beings to sustain themselves must use their rational thinking for performing effectively. Effective performance of an activity by a human being signifies that the person desires to set defined standards in the work done . The individual must optimally use one’s own strength in performing the actions with considerable efficiency to maintain the standards previously set. Optimal utilization of one’s own strength and knowledge to perform the tasks assigned hold that the performance is accomplished in conformation to one’s soul.

PMI Certification Essay Example for Free

PMI Certification Essay PMI (2008) certification is quite renowned and if one posses the certification they are usually believed to depict higher degree of professionalism and project management techniques to get across their expertise for the projects to initiate and supervise the project management activities. The question which we are faced is whether a certified PMI individual without any prior working experience in IT project team can be hired successfully or not. The answer to it can be judged with the following reasons: A certificate provides one with enough knowledge to learn the project management activities and appropriate decision making tasks, however it cannot teach one to understand how to avoid those difficulties and complexities in the first place. The decision making abilities can never be learned in theory unless one is exposed to the real scenarios for understanding the very nature of the complexities that can develop with time. Real time experience exposes one to the various unmeasured complexities that can arise which must be solved with proper human skills that cannot be taught in books and texts. The various factors and the dynamic variables which envelopes a project can be better understood if one is open to the social, economic and political elements affecting a project. Often setting costs and budgets are influenced with the economic decisions of the state and influenced with international stock and exchange rates which must be studied accordingly and are never taught in texts. The exceptional situations in the projects like people management, client management are some traits which are learned over time and one is able to judge it with personal ethics which no certification can master. Taking the above suggestions in mind, I would not go forward in hiring the individual with no IT project team expertise and with a PMI certificate. References / Bibliography PMI.org (2008). Retrieved 14, January 2008 from http://www.pmi.org/CareerDevelopment/Pages/Our-Credentials.aspx

Gutter Press :: Poetry Analysis

Gutter Press This poem is about a sleazy tabloid newspaper. The writer is trying to get his point across about how ruthless the news editor Is, he does this by adding humour, some slight exaggeration and also with another character The cameraman, he has a totally different personality and also work ethic, In this essay I will use Dehns humour to demonstrate the scandal and sensationalism of the Editor. Almost all of the editors words are headlines:" Nun drinks whiskey...Mayor binds wife With chain...Baby found burnt in cot", these are all short snappy lines, which speed up The poem and are like real headlines, they're very quick and last very short, Soon to be replaced by other, more scandalous stories, the rapid pace is very important Adding a strong rhyme, Dehn includes alliteration:" Girl Guide Throttled...Baronet Bottled". The two different news people have totally different characters, one the editor, he is a ruthless man and his attitude towards other people is shown:" never mind who got hurt, no use grieving, lets get weaving, what's the latest dirt?" He doesn't care about the subjects of his work, just the Sex, Drugs and scandal of it all, the camera man adds a sharp contrast to his colleague, he uses elevated language and is a naturalist:" Shall I get a picture of the lovebird singing?", he speaks slower and more descriptive, this contrast is a clever addition to the poem by Dehn, It shows the sleazy editor in a worse light. "Shall i get a picture of her pretty little eggs?" "No, go and get a picture of her legs" This is bathos, an anti-climax, the cameraman is building the verse up with his inquisitiveness and slow speech, when the domineering editor blurts out what he Wants, and brings the tempo back down again, the editor is certain in what he says, and is not to be

Bulletin Board with Wireless Digital Display Essay

This project aims to create a wireless transmission of data to a bulletin board for announcements, advertisements and posting of any kinds of informative statements that will be useful for readers, employees and students. 2.1 Problem Statement Electronic bulletin board cannot update information time by time. Our system can provide ready-made templates so that time by time, we can change the appearance base on the activity to be posted. Especially the proponent’s device can provide a wireless transmission of data to bulletin board with different displays. To achieve the goal, the proponents will be addressing the following problems. 2.1.1 General Problem How to create a PC based Bulletin Board with Wireless Digital Display System? 2.1.2 Specific Problems 2.1.3.1 How to create a wireless device that can send data from a computer to a monitor? In updating the posts in the bulletin board, the in-charge personnel need to go over the bulletin board personally just to change and update the posts. 2.1.3.2 How to create the software for the messages to be displayed? In manual updating of information in the bulletin board, the posts should be printed in the paper before posting. 2.1.3.3 How to create log-in module system for the security of the user? Unauthorized person could access the information to be posted in the bulletin board. 2.1.3.4 How to create a module that can control the messages to be displayed? It consumes time updating the information to be posted in the bulletin board, the authorized personnel is required to update the post in a timely manner. 2.1 Proposed Research Project 2.2.1 General Objectives To create a PC based Bulletin Board with Wireless Digital Display System. The proponents will create a device that provides a wireless transmission of data to bulletin boards with different display. 2.2.2 Specific Objectives 2.2.3.1 To create a wireless device that can send data from a computer to a monitor. The proponents will be using a Wi-Fi router for the transmission of data for the LCD display and will create a RF transmitter for the transmission of data for the LED display. 2.2.3.2 To create the software for the messages to be displayed. The proponents will be using Flash Software for the manipulation of the messages to be displayed in the bulletin board. 2.2.3.3 To create log-in system for the security of the users. The proponents will create a log-in system by using Visual Basic 6.0 for the security of the bulletin board. 2.2.3.4 To create a module that can control the messages to be displayed. The proponents will create a module using Visual Basic 6.0 that can control multiple displays in the bulletin board. 2.2.3 Scope and Limitations Scope: * The system can accommodate multiple displays with a single controller. * The system can display static and scrolling messages. * The system can stream videos through a wireless transmission. * The system has a default screen messages. * The information to be displayed is queued. * The controller sends information in an LCD and LED display wirelessly. Limitations: * Distance of the controller from the monitor is limited. * Editing of messages is done manually by a duly authorized person. * This bulletin board is for indoor purposes only. 2.2 Methodology The proponents will be using the cycle of PROTOTYPING METHOD to accomplish the project. PROTOTYPING METHOD a. Requirements Analysis A prototyping model begins with requirements analysis, and the requirements of the system are defined in detail. The user is interviewed in order to know the requirements of the system. b. Design When requirements are known, a preliminary design or quick design for the system is created. It is not a detailed design, however, and includes the important aspects of the system, which gives an idea of the system to the user. c. Paper Design Information gathering from quick design is modified to form a prototype. It represents a ’rough’ design of the required system. d. Prototyping A partially developed product that enables customer and developers to examine some aspect of the proposed system and decide if it’s suitable or appropriate to the finish product. e. Construction The process of combining ideas into a congruous object of thought that based on the paper design. Satisfying certain conditions as part of solving a problem. f. Unit and integration testing The phase in software testing in which individual software modules are combined and tested as a group. It occurs after unit testing and before validation testing. Integration testing takes as its input modules that have been unit tested, groups them in larger aggregates, applies tests defined in an integration test plan to those aggregates, and delivers as its output the integrated system ready for system testing. g. System testing Document Settings must be defined where each types of documents types consists its custom made layouts that suits business processes. Basically document layouts setup or linked to the documents setting are default document layout that are standard layout that complies with the company’s standard business process. h. Acceptance testing Testing generally involves running a suite of tests on the completed system. Each individual test, known as a case, exercises a particular operating condition of the user’s environment or features of the system, and will result in a pass or fail, or Boolean outcome. There is generally no degree of success or failure. i. Operation and maintenance In production, system requires updates, changes and maintenance from time to time so system can work properly. This phase goes on for entire life time of the system. [PFLET998] (Fig 1.0 sees at Appendix B)

Developmental Stage Theories Essay

Developmental psychology is the scientific study of changes that occur in human beings over the course of their life span. Originally concerned with infantsand children, the field has expanded to include adolescence, adult development, aging, and the entire life span. This field examines change across a broad range of topics including motor skills and other psycho-physiological processes; cognitive development involving areas such as problem solving, moral understanding, and conceptual understanding; language acquisition; social, personality, and emotional development; and self-concept and identity formation. Developmental psychology includes issues such as the extent to which development occurs through the gradual accumulation of knowledge versus stage-like development, or the extent to which children are born with innate mental structures, versus learning through experience. Many researchers are interested in the interaction between personal characteristics, the individual’s behavior, and environmental factors including social context, and their impact on development; others take a more narrowly-focused approach. Developmental psychology informs several applied fields, including: educational psychology, child psychopathology, and forensic developmental psychology. Developmental psychology complements several other basic research fields in psychology including social psychology, cognitive psychology, ecological psychology, and comparative psychology. Theories Attachment theory Attachment theory, theoretical frame work originally developed by John Bowlby, focuses on open, intimate, emotionally meaningful relationships. Attachment is described as a biological system or powerful survival impulse that evolved to ensure the survival of the infant. A child who is threatened or stressed will move toward caregivers who create a sense of physical, emotional and psychological safety for the individual. Attachment feeds on body contact and familiarity. Later Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation protocol and the concept of the secure base. There are three types of attachment styles: secure, anxious-avoidant, and anxious-resistant. Secure attachment is a healthy attachment between the infant and the caregiver. It is characterized by trust. Anxious-avoidant is an insecure attachment between an infant and a caregiver. This is characterized by the infant’s indifference toward the caregiver. Anxious-resistant is an insecure attachment between the infant and the caregiver characterized by distress from the infant when separated and anger when reunited. [1] A child can be hindered in its natural tendency to form attachments. Some babies are raised without the stimulation and attention of a regular caregiver, or locked away under conditions of abuse or extreme neglect. The possible short-term effects of this deprivation are anger, despair, detachment, and temporary delay in intellectual development. Long-term effects include increased aggression, clinging behavior, detachment, psychosomatic disorders, and an increased risk of depression as an adult. [2][3] Constructivism Constructivism is a paradigm in psychology that characterizes learning as a process of actively constructing knowledge. Individuals create meaning for themselves or make sense of new information by selecting, organizing, and integrating information with other knowledge, often in the content of social interactions. There are two ways in which constructivism can occur: individual and social. Individual constructivism is when a person constructs knowledge through cognitive processes of their own experiences rather than by memorizing facts provided by others. Social constructivism is when individuals construct knowledge through an interaction between the knowledge they bring to a situation and social or cultural exchanges within that content. [4] Ecological systems theory The Ecological systems theory, originally formulated by Urie Bronfenbrenner specifies four types of nested environmental systems, with bi-directional influences within and between the systems. The four systems are microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem. Each system contains roles, norms and rules that can powerfully shape development. The microsystem is the immediate environment surrounding and influencing the individual (example: school or the home setting). The mesosystem is the combination of two microsystems and how they influence each other (example: sibling relationships at home vs. peer relationships at school). The exosystem is the interaction among two or more settings that are indirectly linked (example: a father’s job requiring more overtime ends up influencing his aughter’s performance in school because he can no longer help with her homework). The macrosystem is broader taking into account social economic status, culture, beliefs, customs and morals (example: a child from a wealthier family sees a peer from a less wealthy family as inferior for that reason). Lastly, the chronosystem refers to the chronological nature of life events and how they interact and change the individual and their circumstances through transition (example: a mother losing her own mother to illness and no longer having that support in her life). Since its publication in 1979, Bronfenbrenner’s major statement of this theory, The Ecology of Human Development[5] has had widespread influence on the way psychologists and others approach the study of human beings and their environments. As a result of this conceptualization of development, these environments—from the family to economic and political structures—have come to be viewed as part of the life course from childhood through adulthood. [6] Psychosexual development Sigmund Freud believed that we all had a conscious, preconscious, and unconscious level. In the conscious we are aware of our mental process. The preconscious involves information that though we are not currently thinking about can be brought into consciousness. Lastly, the unconscious includes those mental processes which we are unaware of. He believed that the conscious and unconscious had tension because the conscious would try and hold back what the unconscious was trying to express. To explain this he developed three structures of personality; the id, ego, and superego. The id, being the most primitive of the three functioned according to the pleasure principle. The pleasure principle states that the id’s motivation is to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Based on this he proposed five universal stages of development. The first is the oral stage which occurs from birth to 12 months of age, second is the anal stage which occurs from one to three years of age, third is the phallic stage which occurs from three to five years of age (most of a person’s personality is formed by this age), the fourth is called latency which occurs from age five until puberty, and lastly stage five is the genital stage which takes place from puberty until adulthood. 7] Stages of moral development Theories of morality that stem from Jean Piaget’s cognitive-developmental viewpoint emphasize shifts in the type of reasoning that individuals use in making moral decisions. Changes in the content of the decision they reach or the actions they take as a result does not occur. [dubious – discuss] Lawrence Kohlberg expanded on this issue specifically during adolescence. He suggested three levels of moral reasoning; preconventional moral reasoning, conventional moral reasoning, and postconventional moral reasoning. Preconventional moral reasoning is typical of children and is characterized by reasoning that is based on rewards and punishments associated with different courses of action. Conventional moral reason occurs during late childhood and early adolescence and is characterized by reasoning that is based on the rules and conventions of society. Lastly, postconventional moral reasoning is the stage during which society’s rules and conventions are seen as relative and subjective rather than as authoritative. [1] Stages of psychosocial development Erik Erikson became a child psychoanalyst like his mentor Anna Freud, Sigmond Freud’s daughter. He went on to reinterpret Freud’s psychosexual stages by incorporating the social aspects of it. He came up with eight stages, each of which has two crisis (a positive and a negative). Stage one is trust versus mistrust, which occurs during infancy. Stage two is autonomy versus shame and doubt which occurs during early childhood. Stage three is initiative versus guilt which occurs during play age. Stage four is industry versus inferiority which occurs during school age. Stage five is identity versus identity diffusion which occurs during adolescence. Stage six is intimacy versus isolation which occurs during young adulthood. Stage seven is generativity versus self-absorption which occurs during adulthood. Lastly, stage eight is integrity versus despair which occurs during old age. In each of these stages either one or the other crisis is developed. The ideal thing would be to have the positive crisis more developed than the negative crisis. [7] Theories of cognitive development Jean Piaget was a Swiss theorist who posited that children learn by actively constructing knowledge through hands-on experience. [8] He suggested that the adult’s role in helping the child learn was to provide appropriate materials or the child to interact and construct. He would use Socratic questioning to get the children to reflect on what they were doing. He would try to get them to see contradictions in their explanations. He also developed stages of development. His approach can be seen in how the curriculum is sequenced in schools, and in the pedagogy of preschool centers across the United States. Piaget believed that intellectual development took place through a series of stages which caused him to come up with his Theory on Cognitive Development. Each stage consisted of steps which the child had to master before moving on to the next step. He believe that these stages where not separate from one another but rather each stage built on the previous one, hence learning was continuous. His theory consisted of four stages; sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Though he did not believe these stages occurred at any given age, many studies have determine when these cognitive abilities should take place. [4] Zone of proximal development Lev Vygotsky was a Russian theorist from the Soviet era, who posited that children learn through hands-on experience and social interactions with members of his/her culture. 9] Unlike Piaget, he claimed that timely and sensitive intervention by adults when a child is on the edge of learning a new task (called the â€Å"zone of proximal development†) could help children learn new tasks. Martin Hill stated that â€Å"The world of reality does not apply to the mind of a child. † This technique is called â€Å"scaffolding,† because it builds upon knowledge children already have with new knowledge that adults can help the child learn. [10] Vygotsky was strongly focused on the role of culture in determining the child’s pattern of development, arguing that development moves from the social level to the individual level. 10] In other words, Vygotsky claimed that psychology should focus on the progress of human consciousness through the relationship of an individual and their environment. [11]He felt that if scholars continued to disregard this connection, then this disregard would inhibit the full comprehension of the human consciousness Nature/nurture A significant issue in developmental psychology is the relationship between innateness and environmental influence in regard to any particular aspect of development. This is often referred to as â€Å"nature versus nurture† or nativism versus empiricism. A nativist account of development would argue that the processes in question are innate, that is, they are specified by the organism’s genes. An empiricist perspective would argue that those processes are acquired in interaction with the environment. Today developmental psychologists rarely take such polarised positions with regard to most aspects of development; rather they investigate, among many other things, the relationship between innate and environmental influences. One of the ways in which this relationship has been explored in recent years is through the emerging field of evolutionary developmental psychology. One area where this innateness debate has been prominently portrayed is in research on language acquisition. A major question in this area is whether or not certain properties of human language are specified genetically or can be acquired through learning. The empiricist position on the issue of language acquisition suggests that the language input provides the necessary information required for learning the structure of language and that infants acquire language through a process of statistical learning. From this perspective, language can be acquired via general learning methods that also apply to other aspects of development, such as perceptual learning. The nativist position argues that the input from language is too impoverished for infants and children to acquire the structure of language. Linguist Noam Chomsky asserts that, evidenced by the lack of sufficient information in the language input, there is a universal grammar that applies to all human languages and is pre-specified. This has led to the idea that there is a special cognitivemodule suited for learning language, often called the language acquisition device. Chomsky’s critique of the behaviorist model of language acquisition is regarded by many as a key turning point in the decline in the prominence of the theory of behaviorism generally. [12] But Skinner’s conception of â€Å"Verbal Behavior† has not died, perhaps in part because it has generated successful practical applications. [12] Mechanisms of development Developmental psychology is concerned not only with describing the characteristics of psychological change over time, but also seeks to explain the principles and internal workings underlying these changes. Psychologists have attempted to better understand these factors by using models. Developmental models are sometimes computational, but they do not need to be. A model must simply account for the means by which a process takes place. This is sometimes done in reference to changes in the brain that may correspond to changes in behavior over the course of the development. Computational accounts of development often use either symbolic, connectionist (neural network), or dynamical systems models to explain the mechanisms of development. Research areas Cognitive development Cognitive development is primarily concerned with the ways in which infants and children acquire, develop, and use internal mental capabilities such as problem solving, memory, and language. Major topics in cognitive development are the study of language acquisition and the development of perceptual and motor skills. Piaget was one of the influential early psychologists to study the development of cognitive abilities. His theory suggests that development proceeds through a set of stages from infancy to adulthood and that there is an end point or goal. Other accounts, such as that of Lev Vygotsky, have suggested that development does not progress through stages, but rather that the developmental process that begins at birth and continues until death is too complex for such structure and finality. Rather, from this viewpoint, developmental processes proceed more continuously, thus development should be analyzed, instead of treated as a product to be obtained. K. Warner Schaie has expanded the study of cognitive development into adulthood. Rather than being stable from adolescence, Schaie sees adults as progressing in the application of their cognitive abilities. 13] Modern cognitive development has integrated the considerations of cognitive psychology and the psychology of individual differences into the interpretation and modeling of development. [14]Specifically, the neo-Piagetian theories of cognitive development showed that the successive levels or stages of cognitive development are associated with increasing processing efficiency andworking memory capacity. In addition, children in higher-levels of cognitive development have been observed to have greater mathematical fluency in basic addition and subtraction problems. 15] These increases explain differences between stages, progression to higher stages, and individual differences of children who are the same-age and of the same grade-level. However, other theories have moved away from Piagetian stage theories, and are influenced by accounts of domain-specific information processing, which posit that development is guided by innate evolutionarily-specified and content-specific information processing mechanisms. Social and emotional development Developmental psychologists who are interested in social development examine how individuals develop social and emotional competencies. For example, they study how children form friendships, how they understand and deal with emotions, and how identity develops. Research in this area may involve study of the relationship between cognition or cognitive development and social behavior. Erik Erikson believed we undergo several stages to achieve social and emotional development. These stages were called the Erik Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development. The stages were trust vs. mistrust, attachment, parenting style, ego identity, role diffusion, generativity versus stagnation, midlife crisis, and ego integrity versus despair. Emotional regulation or ER refers to an individual’s ability to modulate emotional responses across a variety of contexts. In young children, this modulation is in part controlled externally, by parents and other authority figures. As children develop, they take on more and more responsibility for their internal state. Studies have shown that the development of ER is affected by the emotional regulation children observe in parents and caretakers, the emotional climate in the home, and the reaction of parents and caretakers to the child’s emotions. [16] Physical development Physical development concerns the physical maturation of an individual’s body until it reaches the adult stature. Although physical growth is a highly regular process, all children differ tremendously in the timing of their growth spurts. [17] Studies are being done to analyze how the differences in these timings affect and are related to other variables of developmental psychology such as information processing speed. Traditional measures of physical maturity using x-rays are less in practice nowadays, compared to simple measurements of body parts such as height, weight, head circumference, and arm span. 17] A few other studies and practices with physical developmental psychology are the phonological abilities of mature 5- to 11-year-olds, and the controversial hypotheses of left-handers being maturationally delayed compared to right-handers. A study by Eaton, Chipperfield, Ritchot, and Kostiuk in 1996 found in three different samples that there was no difference between right- and left-handers. [17] Memory development Researchers interested in memory development look at the way our memory develops from childhood and onward. According to Fuzzy-trace theory, we have two separate memory processes: verbatim and gist. These two traces begin to develop at different times as well as at a different pace. Children as young as 4 years-old have verbatim memory, memory for surface information, which increases up to early adulthood, at which point it begins to decline. On the other hand, our capacity for gist memory, memory for semantic information, increases up to early adulthood, at which point it consistent through old age. Furthermore, our reliance on gist memory traces in reasoning increases as we age.

Jamestown and Plymouth Plantat essays

Jamestown and Plymouth Plantat essays The beginning of colonization was very difficult for the early settlers in the New World. Disease, starvation, greed, and aggressive Native Americans were factors that lead to the end of many colonization attempts in the Americas. The first two successes were Jamestown and Plymouth Plantation. There were many differences between the two, such as the type of local government established, the kind of relationships maintained with the local natives and the way they became self-sufficient. Jamestown used military rule for much of the first decade as a colony. They soon moved to an assembly that was elected by the people. Before the inhabitants of Plymouth Plantation set foot on the New World in the leaders of the expedition drew up the Mayflower Compact, by doing so they formed a civil government. This gave them claim to the land and to rule it in the name of the King. These early forms of democracy seem to have been the best way to rule, due to the many ideas and different backgrounds of many of the inhabitants. Jamestown was on shaky ground from the beginning with the natives leading to two wars with the Pawhatan Indians. They alienated any Indian allies they might have had by forcing them to bow before the King of England. Plymouth started off on the right foot by procuring the help of two English-speaking Indians. These two Natives taught colonists how cultivate corn and acted as envoys with the local natives. This allowed for extensive trade with the Indians of that region. The Plymouth colonist had surpluses of corn crop, which they traded with northern natives for furs. They soon made agreements with the Dutch to split the fur and wampum trade in the New England area. Jamestown on the other hand cultivated many varieties of tobacco and exported it to Europe. Tobacco was in such high demand that the Virginia Company of London pumped more people and money in to the co ...

How to Prepare Aqua Regia Acid Solution

How to Prepare Aqua Regia Acid Solution Aqua regia is an extremely corrosive mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid, used as an etchant, for some analytical chemistry procedures, and to refine gold. Aqua regia dissolves gold, platinum, and palladium, but not the other noble metals. Heres what you need to know to prepare aqua regia and use it safely.​​ Fast Facts: Aqua Regia Aqua regia is a corrosive acid mixture made by combining nitric acid and hydrochloric acid.The usual ratio of acids is 3 parts hydrochloric acid to 1 part nitric acid.When mixing the acids, it is important to add the nitric acid to the hydrochloric acid and not the other way around.Aqua regia is used to dissolve gold, platinum, and palladium.The acid mixture is unstable, so it is usually prepared in small amounts and used immediately. Reaction to Make Aqua Regia Here is what happens when nitric acid and hydrochloric acid are mixed: HNO3  (aq) 3HCl (aq) → NOCl (g) 2H2O (l) Cl2  (g) Over time, nitrosyl chloride (NOCl) will decompose into chlorine gas and nitric oxide (NO). Nitric acid auto-oxidizes into nitrogen dioxide (NO2): 2NOCl (g) → 2NO (g) Cl2  (g) 2NO (g) O2  (g) → 2NO2(g) Nitric acid (HNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and aqua regia are strong acids. Chlorine (Cl2), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are toxic. Aqua Regia Safety Aqua regia preparation involves mixing strong acids. The reaction produces heat and evolves poisonous vapors, so its important to follow safety protocols when making and using this solution: Make and use aqua regia solution inside a fume hood, with the sash down as much as is practical to contain the vapors and protect against injury in case of splashing or glassware breakage.Prepare the minimum volume needed for your application.Make sure your glassware is clean. In particular, you dont want any organic contaminants because they can produce a vigorous or violent reaction. Avoid using any glassware that may be contaminated with a chemical containing a C-H bond. Do not use the finished solution on any material containing an organic.Wear safety goggles.Wear a lab coat.Wear gloves.If you get drops of any of the strong acids on your skin, wipe them off immediately and rinse with lots of water. If you spill acid on clothing, remove it immediately. In the  case of inhalation, move immediately to fresh air. Use the eyewash and seek emergency medical attention in case of eye contact. In the  case of ingestion, rinse the mouth with water and do not induce vomiting.Neutralize any spills with sodium bicarbonate or similar compound. Remember, its best to neutralize a  strong acid with a weak base and not a strong base. Prepare Aqua Regia Solution The usual molar ratio between concentrated  hydrochloric acid and concentrated  nitric acid is HCl:HNO3 of 3:1. Keep in mind, concentrated HCl is about 35%, while concentrated HNO3 is about 65%, so the volume ratio is usually 4 parts concentrated hydrochloric acid to 1 part concentrated nitric acid. A typical total final volume for most applications is only 10 milliliters. Its unusual to mix up a large volume of aqua regia.Add the nitric acid to the hydrochloric acid. Do not add hydrochloric to nitric!  The resulting solution with be a fuming red or yellow liquid. It will smell strongly of chlorine (although your fume hood should protect you from this).Dispose of leftover aqua regia by pouring it over a large amount of ice. This mixture may be neutralized with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution or 10% sodium hydroxide. The neutralized solution may then be safely poured down the drain. The exception is used solution that contains heavy metals. A heavy metal-contaminated sol ution needs to be disposed of according to your local regulations. Once you have prepared aqua regia, it should be used when its fresh. Keep the solution in a cool location. Do not store the solution for an extended length of time because it becomes unstable. Never store stoppered aqua regia because pressure build-up could break the container. Another potent acid solution is called chemical piranha. If aqua regia isnt suitable for your needs, piranha solution may be what you need.

Poetry Richard Cory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Poetry Richard Cory - Essay Example ... rhyme scheme is suggestive of the meaning behind the poem-that you cannot know what somebody is like inside just from the outer appearances. The rhythm of the stanzas, as well as the light tone that the poem starts in, are not at all foretelling of what is to come in the last stanza, unless if one employs irony and listens to the foreboding that this poem seems too light to be taken at face value. Thus the rhythm of the poem-regular, perfect grammatical stanzas, and the rhyme scheme which follows in an orderly way, seem to show the outside perfection of Richard Cory's life. However, only the last two stanzas give away (what goes on in) his inner life, and this is in sharp contrast to the outside appearances, in fact, completely contrary to the seeming perfection. The second stanza describes Richard Cory's behavior in a social sense, and more of his effect upon other people. The third stanza describes his social standing and his position, and we see him as a very wealthy man. But he is also "schooled in every grace", which makes him somewhat of a hero figure, as he is not only rich and handsome, but also of a fine mind and fine manners. Thus up to the end of the third stanza, what we as readers are offered is this description of Richard Cory, in which we see him as a bright character, and almost like a model citizen in a way. ... This is also a general opinion of other townspeople of him. So up to this point the poem's beauty seems to be in perfectly lined up, almost symmetrical sentences, told in a style that is almost classical in its simplicity and elegance. The focus is on detail in the description of this character. Thus we see elegant expressions such as "imperially slim", "quietly arrayed", and further-"he was always human when he talked". Finally, at the end of third stanza, Robinson concludes the detailed true-to-life description by saying: "In fine, we thought that he was everything/ To make us wish that we were in his place". Note that he says: "[W]e thought", and not another verb of more certainty such as "we knew" for example. It is still not obvious to the reader that a tragedy will follow, but the choice of verb here underlines the fact that appearances do not have to be true to what is going inside of a person. The last stanza suddenly gives us more insight into the socio-economic position of the narrator, as well as the other townspeople: "So on we worked, and waited for the light,/ And went without the meat, and cursed the bread". Thus it is now established that the narrator, as well as most of the townspeople, are poor, in contrast to the wealthy and successful Richard Cory. Finally, the poem ends: " And Richard Cory, one quiet summer night,/ Went home and put a bullet through his head." Note the perfectly grammatical, symmetrical sentences in this stanza, and the orderly rhyme scheme-ghgh. The perfect symmetry of this poem is ironic in contrast to the internal chaos that is shown through Richard Cory's sudden suicide. However, there is not much emotion shown from the narrator with regards to Richard Cory's

Fatherhood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Fatherhood - Essay Example .. The methodology for this study is to examine 'what makes a man a father' with reference to psychological, critical psychological and sociological perspectives. The literature search for psychological information regarding fathers, parenting and other topics that related to 'the nature of the claiming process for fathers' revealed a number of journal articles, books and articles in popular magazines like Psychology Today. Beaton, Doherty and Rueter (2003) conducted a detailed study designed to examine "family of origin processes and attitudes of expectant fathers" Methodology for the study included structural equation modeling and multiple regression analysis with a sample of 152 couples. The 'eco systemic model of fathering was tested and used to examine the 'relative strength of the modeling hypothesis and the compensation hypothesis for linking these constructs." The authors discovered that expectant fathers "who were either very close to their parents of very distant from their parents during childhood had more positive attitudes about father involvement." The authors of this study also note that "expectant fathers who believed their own fathers were competent in their paternal roles, had stronger attitudes about fatherhood. ... .." The eco-systemic model of how family of origin history and processes are associated with attitudes about father involvement previous to the birth of a man's first child were thoroughly examined in the new study along with reference to previous research of a similar nature. The authors point out that despite the fact scholars have been hypothesizing for decades that "family of origin processes are associated with future father involvement (work by Doherty, Kouneski and Erickson, 12998; Pleck, Charonoy and Levine, l985 and Pleck 1995 was cited in the article) little research has actually been done to test the hypothesis until they began to look at this particular issue. Beaton points out that "According to Doherty et al.'s (1998) eco-systemic model of father involvement, five interrelated factors determine responsible fathering: co-parenting relationship, mother factors, father factors, contextual factors and child factors. These factors interact with one another to determine how fathers will be involved with their children. These factors interact with one another to determine how fathers will be involved with their childrenIntergenerational processes from the past interact with current relational factors to determine father involvement" The new study by Beaton and colleagues (2003) was an investigation of "how these processes work" In keeping with traditional psychological models this study included an extensive literature review that clearly illustrates the serious and extensive efforts that have been undertaken in efforts to create a better understanding of the eco-system model in relation to our topic. "There have been two prominent conceptual models for understanding intergenerational influences on current family relationships: intergenerational

Ventilation Activities Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ventilation Activities - Assignment Example When making a ventilation hole, the smallest size for a commercial building should be 4X4 feet. If the roof is panelized, the crew should not make the hole right over the fire; instead, it should be made as close to the fire as safety permits. In the case of a single family residence, the hole needs to be 2X4 feet. Crews need to make sure they stay focused on the fire burning, as well as the pressure they are venting. They also need to make sure that the ventilation hole is large enough. The wind should remain at the backs of the crew so the smoke will not be directly inhaled. When they have completed making the ventilation hole, they should then report back to the Incident Commander (Structural Fire Attack). Anytime personnel go to the roof, they are to assure two "IDENTIFIED ESCAPE ROUTES" are in place. In some cases, the building may have a built-in ladder that can be used as a secondary escape route, or the crews may be able to exit to another building that has a separate roof. Crews operating on a roof are to have a minimum of 1 sounding device, 1 pike pole, 1 chainsaw, and a portable radio. When cutting a ventilation hole, crews should be aware of fire burning at the edge of the hole or smoke venting under pressure. If this occurs, the ventilation hole has not been cut large enough.

Teenage Pregnancy: Health and Social Issue Analysis

Teenage Pregnancy: Health and Social Issue Analysis Today teenage pregnancy is evolving as a serious problem all over the world. It defines as getting pregnant below eighteen years. Researches reveal that almost fifteen million teen pregnancies occur every year. These teen pregnancies are mostly common in developing countries where teenagers lack parental monitoring and they are unaware of modern birth control methods. Many teenagers plan to get pregnant, but mostly do not. Unplanned pregnancies occur at all levels of age, creed, and race with a particular negative impact among teenage population. Teen pregnancy is an important social problem and as well as a major health issue, that need to reduce because of the negative consequences that it bears on teenagers. They are at risk of conception and many sexually transmitted infections. On fearing the medical procedures and parental responses, they hide the fact of pregnancy and therefore are at more risk of its severe consequences. They did not receive parental care on time. Moreover, studies shows that teenagers are psychologically immature and unstable and the additional stress of pregnancy on them brings up negative results. In 2000, â€Å"The Health of Nation† failed to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies. Another policy set the target to halve the rate by 2010. In order to achieve the target, many other policies were set based on researches especially on focusing the importance of parental monitoring and use of contraception. Recent literature on teen pregnancy prevention mostly focuses on parental monitoring. Role of parents in this issue is crucial. They are responsible for educating their children and providing them enough knowledge about the negative consequences of teen pregnancies. The rate of teen pregnancies is high especially among those who suffer from poor education in their childhood. Another interest that lies on the parent’s role in reducing the unplanned teen pregnancies is by talking openly with the teens about this issue through several controversies exist on whether it increases the sexual activity or vice versa (DiClemente, 2001). The studies mainly focus on parental monitoring in order to prevent teen pregnancies because the effectiveness of the parental influence in attitude, knowledge, and behavior among their children lower the teen’s risk of adolescent pregnancy. Research shows that higher parental monitoring decreases the sexual activity and avoids unplanned pregnancies in teens. Parental monitoring has a positive effect on healthy adolescent development. Influence of parental role and relation between parenthood and teen pregnancy is clear in this issue. In order to have an effect or successful outcome of parental monitoring, not only teenagers but parents also need education to monitor effectively without being overprotective. They need education to talk efficiently to their children about birth control methods, safe sex, and sexually transmitted diseases. The parents need to focus on their views and concepts about sex education and find out if they are comfortable and know how to talk to their children. Identification of adolescent females who are usually at high risk of getting unplanned pregnancies is the key to prevention. Parents require education no matter the setting of teen is at the primary care office, clinic, school, or emergency rooms. Further research needs to be done for improving parental skills and their outcomes. Nationally, the teen pregnancies are increasing at a staggering rate. However, some appropriate programs help in preventing these pregnancies among the teenagers. There are federal laws for promoting abstinence only education and providing funding for these programs based on abstinence. Such programs not only help to prevent the teen pregnancies but they positively correlate with decrease in the amount of unplanned pregnancies and births among teenagers. The recent literature study of Stanger-Hall and Hall in 2011 reveals that the most effective approach is the ‘level 1 style’ that provides comprehensive safe sex education and STD education. It covers the use of birth control methods and abstinence. The Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are confident in educating parents about the positive impacts of these programs in preventing teen pregnancies (Stanger-Hall, 2011). Several intervention based programs need to help prevent the unplanned pregnancies in the adolescent. Some of the interventions require coming from the parents at home or office of primary care provider. It is the job of NPs to identify those adolescents, who show high-risk behavior in these pregnancies. The NPs need to ensure the confidentiality of their patients and develop the trusting relationship with them. They need to give education to the parents efficiently and refer them to the websites or groups regarding teen pregnancy prevention. Contraception or the use of contraceptive methods is another way of preventing teen pregnancies. Research shows that most of the unplanned pregnancies among the teenagers are due the fact that they are either unaware of using contraceptive methods or they do not use contraception consistently. Free contraceptives available and provided for high and middle school students within schools around the world help in preventing the great amount of teen pregnancies. However, these schools preferred to give contraceptives to only those children who have their parents’ permission (Shoupe, 2007). A comprehensive education on safe sex has successful effects on the use of contraception. The Family Growth National Survey reveals that teenagers who receive safe sex education that includes contraception and prevention from sexually transmitted diseases, are less likely to have unplanned pregnancies. Contraception such as birth controls and condoms offered at affordable or discounted prices may help to reduce teen pregnancies. The effective and appropriate use of contraception will contract sexually transmitted diseases. It will not encourage the teenagers to have sex but will lower the risk of unplanned teen pregnancies. School-based health centers or SBHCs is a great community resource for adolescents to provide friendly primary care services to this population. More SBHCs need across the nation to open in order to release their restrictions of providing contraceptive services. Intervention based programs are changing the sexual education standards which means to change some of the laws at the federal, state, and local level. The new standards of National Sexuality Education released in 2001 focus on changing the federal, state, and local laws. Social programs started with the purpose of preventing teen pregnancies began to disappear slowly. US administration provides some limited financial investment only for evidence based programs. Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Programs and other programs like Planned Parenthood help to prevent the teen pregnancies by providing low cost or free birth control and contraception to teenagers (Bennett, 2005). In this way, service providers implement these programs effectively and successfully. They are developing new strategies and polices that will prevent unplanned teen pregnancies. In conclusion, teen pregnancy is preventable that is a major social and health issue burdening many communities around the world. Early comprehensive and effective safe sex education including parental monitoring and contraceptive prevention is the important key that needs to start by the parents at home and reinforced continually at school and primary care office.

Standardized Testing in Schools: The Analysis Essay -- Standardized Tes

Standardized Testing in Schools: The Analysis Abstract Within this paper we hope to answer lingering questions about the effectiveness of standardized testing in schools. Throughout our research we found many instances and sources of information to help us reach our goal. Standardized Testing had grown to play an enormous role in controversy concerning the Education system within the past decade. Hopefully throughout our paper it can be understood as to why this occurred and what can be done about it. Group Paper: Standardized Testing in Schools Standardized tests are used all over the country as a means to measure students’ academic performance. Often the students become frustrated upon taking these tests and in turn do not perform at their optimal level. Research has shown that standardized tests cannot fully represent a student’s intelligence or achievement. For the longest time, the education system has used a school’s test scores as competition between itself and other schools. This is because administering a test is less expensive than changing a curriculum. Reformatting instructional time, reducing class size, or accommodating new teachers would most likely be more of a waste of money than simply placing a test on a desk. The better a school’s test scores are, the more likely it is to be highly ranked across the country. Schools strive hard to have their students’ scores increase, not decrease. Looking back on tests of previous years, teachers can examine where students excelled and where they did not perform as well. Using this, they can adopt a new and improved test for students, which will make performance in certain areas, seem to increase (Patten, 2000). Teachers tend to teach and administer u... ...ved October 17, 2003 from http://www.msp.msde.state.md.us/rschool.asp?crypt=%A8%82rx%83%8CJ%A6%8A%A7%8F%9Fjc%A6%A1nh%A6%94%8C%93%9E%AF%B6%BA%B3%C8%AE%A1pp%A7%A7%AA%C7%D0Nx%86%A0%AE%89%84%A8%B4%A5%B0%A1%8E%9C%98q%94%9C%97n%A4%9Fh%ACs%5E%83%A4%95j%8C%A1%83%7F%93o%9Cw%96%8F%A6%98%AD%92%CA%B2 . MSPAP Test Results for Howard County. 2002, Retrieved October 17, 2003 from http://www.howard.k12.md.us/accountability/mspap/default.html . Patton, Peggy (2000). Standardized Testing in Schools. Parent News Archives. Retrieved November 23, 2003 from http://npin.org/pnews/2000/pnew100/feat100.html. Sedam, Sean R.(2003). Officials Question Testing Strategy. Retrieved December 6, 2003 from http://www.gazette.net/200349/weekend/a_section/191428-1.html. WAIS and the Present Wave of Standardized Testing. 2002, Retrieved September 27 2003, Microsoft Encarta, 2002.