The Emperor Constantine Is One Of The Major Figures Of

The Emperor Constantine is one of the major figures of Christian history (89). After his transformation, Christianity moved quickly from the separation of the tombs to the esteem of castles. The development began the fourth century as an oppressed minority; it finished the century as the built up religion of the domain. Consequently, the Christian Church was joined to the energy of the state and accepted an ethical accountability of the entire society. To serve the state, it refined its principle and built up its structure. Ministers emerged to challenge this secularization of the confidence; however, when the brutes smashed the legislature in the western portion of the realm, even Benedictines enrolled as teachers to the agnostics. A few†¦show more content†¦Despite the fact that Jews declined to love them as divine beings, they paid praise to the leaders of the Roman Empire. In this way, being an isolated people, that had practically zero effect on encompassing societies and didn t act like a risk to the Roman authorities. At first, the Romans viewed Christians as another order of the Jewish people group. Adherents of this group were sincere supporters of Jesus Christ. The Jews in the land restricted Christianity. They made it realized that they were separate from this new group of devotees. The restriction was because of the way that Christians adored both God and Jesus Christ. Jews were known to shed blood for the sake of God. This exhibited an issue to the Romans. Therefore, the Romans started to watch the group all the more eagerly. As a piece of their religion, Christians honed transformation. They looked to change over the whole realm. The Romans paid heed. There was a checked contrast amongst Jews and Christians according to the Romans. While Jews declined to respect their Roman pioneers as god, they were not straightforwardly spreading their convictions all through different religious groups. In the mean time, Christians held a similar conviction, yet were quickly changing over individuals to Christianity. This exhibited an issue to the Romans. This new development debilitated to undermine their energy and specialist. In this time, the Romans had divinities for each part of their lives.Show MoreRelatedConstantine : A Influential Leader1295 Words   |  6 PagesConstantine was a very influential leader throughout his life. He was able to accomplish many things, everything from making a major world religion possible, to running a successful empire. It all started when he was born in around 280 CE in Naissus, Moesia, to father Flavius Valerius and mother Helena. His father became Roman emperor in around 305 CE. He was elected to the position of emperor by Maximalla, who was the emperor of Western Rome at the time. While his father was alive, Constantine wasRead MoreThe Rise Of The Century King Cyrus And Emperor Constantine1305 Words   |  6 Pagesrulers in history King Cyrus and Emperor Constantine you will discover that these two historical leaders dramatically influenced the change of direction for Judaism and Christianity. There are some scholars who would argue that these two ruler’s co nversions to god was not sincere and they were just political masterminds. Either way Cyrus and Constantine are two central figures in Judaism and Christianity, two of the world’s major organized religions. Cyrus and Constantine took over many lands and builtRead MoreThe Rise Of The Century King Cyrus And Emperor Constantine1302 Words   |  6 Pagesrulers in history King Cyrus and Emperor Constantine you will discover that these to historical leaders dramatically influenced the change of direction for Judaism and Christianity. There are some scholars who would argue that these to ruler’s conversion to god was not sincere and they were just political masterminds. Either way Cyrus and Constantine are two central figures in Judaism and Christianity, two of the world’s major organized religions. Cyrus and Constantine took over many lands and builtRead MoreThe And Christianity Of Christianity1744 Words   |  7 PagesCourage and Christianity Christianity is one of the worlds most recognizable religions today. With every major religion, a struggle has to be overcome in order to be successful. Over a period of hundreds of years, Christianity spread through the Roman empire. The spreading of Christianity was not an easy task but a terrifying task that took the brave to conquer. Although several powerful rulers were important in spreading Christianity in Ancient Rome, it would not have taken root if not for itsRead MoreAids To The Growth of Christianity in The Roman Empire Essay1537 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Roman Empire were: the central beliefs and value of Christianity, prominent figures, and Christianity appeal to women. Christianity offered hope to many, for it was the time of grace and freedom, the time to rebuild the future and lay the foundations for a life with equal rights for all Christianity obtained much growth from the great moral force of its central beliefs and values. The Christian message was one of salvation through the crucified and risen Lord. â€Å"Through this man,† said PaulRead MoreThe Fall Of The Roman Empire1495 Words   |  6 PagesThe mighty Roman Empire thought by many to be the ultimate stronghold had its days numbered. Many factors led to the fall of the Roman Empire, from inflation to its poor leaders and generals, but it wasn’t just one thing that caused the entire empire to fall it was a series of events that caused this juggernaut of an empire to meet its sad demise. The fall all began in 235 when the Roman throne was able to be taken by any general who had the military power to seize it. This caused many militaryRead MoreAnalysis Of The Novel Lost Of The West 1413 Words   |  6 Pagescommendably however; his interpretations are not ineludibly bipartisan and quite candidly that leads to the book to be less successful in its purpose. These biases include: subjectively identifying other nations, glorifying his obviously favorite emperors and villain-zing his less favorite. While his approach is chronologically adequate he plagues his book by not only the previously stated biases, but creating the book too brief, and having to decide what information is substantial to retain; whichRead More Role of Christian Faith in Ancient and Contemporary Turkey1487 Words   |  6 PagesRole of Christian Faith in Ancient and Contemporary Turkey Turkey?s population is nearly 99% Muslim, and even though Christianity is a clear minority (1), Turkey has played a major role in the history of the Christian faith.? Turkey is second in the number of Christian biblical sites, Israel being the first, so Turkey contains a wealth of Christian history (2).? Ancient Biblical Heritage: Antioch: Christianity began in 50 AD with Saint Paul, born Saul of Tarsus, located theRead MoreAncient Egypt And Ancient Civilizations1302 Words   |  6 PagesAs seen throughout time, one of the chief concerns of all ancient civilizations was to maintain order and stability. Civilizations such as ancient Egypt, ancient Rome and even the ancient Babylonian societies all set forth an effort to maintain stability. Influencing forces on this stability were religious, political and even geographical. I’ve noticed that many civilizations flourish for hundreds of years only to fall or be taken over by the next generation. Some cities today are remnants of theseRead MoreThe Decline Of The Roman Empire1463 Words   |  6 PagesWhat were the most important reasons for the decline of the Roman Empire? Why? The fall of the Western Roman Empire is a very broad topic because there were a multitude of continuous events that led to the disappearance of one of the most legendary empires of the world. The seemingly unstoppable Roman Empire would fall due to the fact that many aspects that made Rome such a dominant empire began to fade. Rome was the center of the world and the thought that such a power in the world could decrease

Acute Panmyelosis With Myelofibrosis ( Apmf ) - 1688 Words

Acute Panmyelosis with Myelofibrosis (APMF) is a rare type of acute myeloid leukemia that manifests with a rapidly fibrotic bone marrow and progressive cytopenias. APMF is usually fatal, a consequence of the disease’s ubiquitous pathologic and disease features, rapidly progressive course, and poor response to traditional treatments. The disease is pathologically recognized for its heavily fibrotic marrow, increased overall cellularity, immaturity of all cell line lineages, abnormal megakaryocyte population, and lack of driver mutations that likely contribute to the rapid and progressive disease course. In this chapter, we focus on how the hematologist and pathologist alike can best identify and manage this disease in light of these clinical challenges. We discuss the background of this unique and deadly disease and what led to the identification of this disease from pathologically similar entities. Morphology and recognition of characteristic disease features, including immun ophenotypic findings, cytogenetics and morphology are discussed. The identification and distinguishing features of this disease are explored in the setting of a comprehensive differential diagnoses that may mimic this pathologic state. Finally, we address disease prognosis and suggestions on management in light of the limited studies available regarding management. Background In 1963, Lewis and Szur described a disorder that they termed ‘malignant myelosclerosis’, characterized by an acute clinicalShow MoreRelatedThe Diverse Presentation Of Acute Leukemia1842 Words   |  8 PagesOverview The diverse presentation of acute leukemia subtypes often makes specific disease subtypes difficult to recognize. Few, however, are as clinically challenging for the practicing hematologic malignancy physician to recognize as acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis (APMF). APMF is a rare type of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that manifests with a rapidly fibrotic bone marrow and progressive cytopenias. Early recognition is essential, as APMF can quickly turn fatal, a consequence of the disease’s

Discussion of Architectural Movements Free Essays

Question 1: See the impact of the Industrial Revolution on 19th century architecture. Your reply should research the manner in which edifices could be constructed, every bit good as the new demands being made upon architecture. The 19th century brought an age of uncertainness, assurance apparent in the elegant architecture of the 18th C had diminished, rejecting abnormality and polychrome, and was subjected to a period of architectural eclectic method. We will write a custom essay sample on Discussion of Architectural Movements or any similar topic only for you Order Now The birth of this sought after manner would let elements to be retained from old historic case in points, returning to the manner of Michelangelo etc. , whilst making something that is new andoriginal, forming manners of Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic. This ability to make a merger of manners allowed for look devised through creative activity, notreminiscence ; normally elected based on its propensity to the undertaking and overall aesthetic value, seeking to reconstruct order and restraint to architecture. Another Influence can be traced from the industrial revolution, a clip of rapid alteration, sing dramatic fluctuation and experimentation. With Changes in fabrication, conveyance, engineering, there was a profound effect on the societal economic sciences and cultural conditions. The urban population radically increased, with metropoliss likewise multiplying in size and figure. The effects for these new spread outing metropoliss was monolithic overcrowding. Factory proprietors were required to supply a big measure of inexpensive houses, ensuing in dumbly packedterraces, constructed to a low criterion. The enlargement of mass industry brought the potency of new constructing engineerings such as dramatis personae Fe, steel, and glass, with which designers and applied scientists devised constructions antecedently un-reached in both map, size, and signifier. Consequently, stuffs could be mass produced quickly and cheaply, non merely being applied to things like bricks, but besides Fe colu mns, glass panels etc. , intending constructions of all types could be constructed quicker and cheaper than of all time earlier. This generated a new potency of standardized designs, created from indistinguishable mill constituents, which could be mass produced bettering the efficiency of building clip but non needfully the quality. Through the rise of the revolution, architecture was now exposed to a magnitude of new building methods. Structures dwelling of metal columns and beams no longer needed walls for structural support, glass could be fashioned in larger sizes volumes and dense constructions could be replaced by skeleton constructions ; doing it possible to make antecedently restricted tallness and width really rapidly, utilizing pre-fabricated elements. However, this new architecture lacked in imaginativeness and manner as the focal point was cast towards functionality. An illustration of this new engineering was The Crystal Palace 1851. It was a glass and Fe collector’s item, with pre-fabricated parts that could be mass-produced and erected quickly. This dazzled the 1000000s of visitants go throughing through its doors as it stood in blazing disparity to old monolithic rock building. Crystal Palace became the foundation for modern architecture, its transparence signified a sense of ‘no bou ndaries’ . Question 2: Chart the cardinal features of the Art Nouveau motion in architecture. To what extent was this motion influential in the move towards International Modernism? The architectural manner of Art Nouveau foremost arouse in Europe, bring forthing its most originative stage between 1893 and 1905. Art Nouveau repelled against old classical Hellenic and Roman rules, rejecting the rigorous and formal ideals, which had been prevailing during much of the 19th C. It was established on the merger of formal inspiration from the English Arts and Crafts, every bit good as the structural importance of Gallic Rationalism, and the structural abstraction from nature, which was perceived as the best beginning of stimulation and aesthetic principals. Architects found their inspiration in the expressive organic signifiers that emphasised humanity ‘s natural aspiration, with dominate ornate embroideries, curvilineal signifiers, and design motives based on conventionalized workss and flowers. Art Nouveau manner architecture can be identified by specific basicss and separating factors which led to omnipresent cultural urges, looking throughout its life clip, n evertheless there is no individual definition or significance behind it. The manner originated from the reaction to a kingdom of art which was dominated by precise geometrical composings of Neo-Classical ideals. In hunt of a new design linguistic communication, constructs evolved distant from historical and classical restraints employed by old faculty members and current case in points. Alternatively designs were characterized by graceful, sinuate lines filled with irregular way, which were seldom angular. This was accompanied by violent curves ; rhythmic forms of curved, fluid lines that connect beautified field points, such as entrywaies and dramatis personae columns. The doctrine of Art Nouveau was in proviso of using delicate beauty to commonplace objects, in order for beautiful objects to be crystalline to all. No entity was excessively useful to be beautified, it was non merely apparent in external architecture butinterior ornamentsdisplayed its criterions as good. The inclination led towards organic capable affair, flowers, foliages, vines, and oth er organic images embellished architecture with each characteristic obtaining a different visual aspect ; a rapper moulded to look like a darning needle, birds etched into window frames, abstract lilies floating about stairwell bannisters. The manner embraces a assortment of stylistic readings ; some designers choosing for new low-priced stuffs with the aspiration of mass production, whilst others used more expensive stuffs valuing high workmanship. A assortment of motions continued to scout incorporate organic design, including DeStijl, and the Bauhaus School, nevertheless this shortly declined. Art Nouveau constituted a major measure towards the rational and stylistic invention of modern architecture, interrupting the tendency of looking backwards, which emphasised map over signifier and the riddance of otiose adornment. The stylistic basicss progressed into the simpler, rationalised signifiers of modernism. Theunderlying basicss of the art nouveau construct, of a exhaustively incorporate environment, remains a important component of modern-day modernism today. Question 3: With mentions to illustrations of his reinforced work, explore Le Corbusier’s ‘Five Points of a New Architecture’ . Le Corbusier’s foremost principle expressions at the system of structural support, it suggests that a differentiation can instantly be made between elements. Therefore back uping walls can be replaced by a grid of columns, spaced out at specific, equal intervals that withholds the structural burden. By promoting the land floor, it is thereby removed from the moistness land and is now to subject to visible radiation and air and accordingly the landscape can go on to flux beneath whilst deriving extra level roof infinite. The 2nd rule identifies the demand for the level roof to be utilised for a domestic intent such as a roof patio or garden, later intending that infinite lost in built up countries can be recovered. This country will expose epicurean organic flora, nevertheless it provides a structural intent supplying indispensable protection to the concrete roof. Resulting rain can now be controlled, fluxing off bit by bit down drain pipes, concealed within the inside of the e difice. The 3rd rule provinces that, due to fortunes made clear in the first rule, interior walls can now be placed where required, each floor being wholly independent to the following. The absence of back uping walls allows unrestrained freedom within the internal design. The forth rule dictates that the facade can be lifted from its structural map, leting the freedom of design separated from its original outside. By projecting the floor beyond its system of structural supports the whole facade is extended, losing its supportive quality, the facade therefore is free from limitations. The 5th rule determines that the facade can be intersect with horizontal window running the full length, widening from support to back up. These rectangular gaps allow plentiful sums of visible radiation and air, accomplishing equally illuminated suites of maximal light and hence taking the demand for perpendicular Windowss. We can picture the development of these rules through some of his reinforced work, foremost with his experimentation with Maison Citrohan, 1922. Through legion paradigms le Corbusier dramas with presenting this typical characteristics. Villa Stein 1926, is the first full illustration of these rules. Built around a rigorous grid of structural columns, the Villa features an unfastened program layout with roof patio protected by screens. The concrete construction obtains strips of thread Windowss, nevertheless that land beneath has been to the full consumed by the Villa. The Villa Savoye 1929, visibly embodies all five points of the new aesthetic. The majority of the construction is supported above the land by slender reinforced concrete piles. The house conceals an unfastened floor program that culminates a roof garden, counterbalancing for the green infinite lost beneath. Finally, the clean white facade embodies the typical thread windows that allow unobstructed positions. How to cite Discussion of Architectural Movements, Essay examples

Road to Hell free essay sample

This case study analysis seeks to analyse the different impacts on Caribbean Bauxite following the resignation of Matthew Rennalls, successor to the position of production manager. Matthew cited cultural differences and John offensive racial comments for his resignation. Further, Matthew’s resignation came a day after his interview with John Baker, his direct superior. The analysis drew attention to the short-term, medium-term and long-term issues Caribbean Bauxite has to deal with following Matthew’s departure. The short-term issues discussed relates to the void in position of production manager; and the possible exodus of Barracanian staff given Matthew’s popularity. The medium-term issues discussed pertains to the poor communication channel existent within Caribbean Bauxite; possible political implications given Matthew’s father position within the government; and leadership problem. Finally, the long-term issues discussed include the possible factionalism within the organisation and drawbacks of ethnocentric approach that would impact upon Caribbean Bauxite. Thus the most pressing short-term concern is to deal with the production manager vacancy. We will write a custom essay sample on Road to Hell or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Following, Caribbean should prepare a series of appropriate responses to deal with Matthew’s departure to preserve the corporate image of the organisation. Subsequently, the management of Caribbean Bauxite should seek to resolve the medium-term issues of poor communication within the organisation through cross cultural preparation workshops. Further, Caribbean should approach Matthew and his father to inform them about their plans. Lastly, it is recommended that Caribbean Bauxite focuses on the creation of a diversity management committee to handle all diversity related problems and accelerate the progress of the regionalisation programme. In due course, this would contribute to higher morale levels and lower employee turnover. http://www. papercamp. com/essay/31776/Road-To-Hell-Case-Study-Analysis 2. Identification of the problem(s)/plight. The racial problem is obvious. The man who is wanted to come in the front of this Barracania branch, Rennalls, has a lot of political influence    by being the son of the minister of finance and economic planning    and is also the most fit for the job    studied at London University where he had taken first-class honors in the BSs engineering degree, but has only one defect, he is a local. The person who must promote this young man is John Baker, an english expatriate who has been working in this domain for several years. The mistake made by Baker is huge. During the interview he insults Rennalls by saying that his people do not have as much experience in commerce as the europeans and the americans do. 2. 2 Negative effects The father of Rennalls occupies an extremely important position in the Government. He also felt offended by the words of Baker and has the power to stop the company’s activity in Barracania. 2. 3 Causes By wanting too much to connect with Rennalls and to find out about his racial consciousness, John Baker made some big mistakes. The issue of the racial discrimination is extremely sensitive in this case. Another cause of this conflict is the fact that Baker forgot about the position that Rennalls father occupied and acted as a foreign that only tries to prove that Barracanians are inferior. 3. Alternative solution Solution A Mr. John Baker should remain in charge due to the rough discussion that determinate    Mr. Rennalls to resign. This will not be accepted by the European, who by his culture would not consider himself guilty for the interview that went wrong. In this way, The Company will lose a great young becoming leader in terms of Rennalls who is extremely proud to recognize his mistakes.

Week 1 Marketing an Example of the Topic Business Essays by

Week 1 Marketing The definition of marketing is rather vague; moreover, different professionals tend to define marketing, using different terms. Marketing should be a necessary element of the organizations sales function: it is the critical element that forms close business ties between customers and sellers, helps firms grow their customers and deliver critical customer value. Planning is integral to marketing; similarly, marketing is impossible without planning. Throughout the history of marketing, since the marketing department era, all marketing activities have been brought under control of one department or one marketing specialist. Planning in marketing was and is required to integrate all marketing activities with the firms obligations and strategic goals. The benefits of marketing are not limited to planning opportunities; organizations use marketing mix to deliver the benefits of their products to consumers and to monitor the effectiveness of various marketing procedures. With the need to ex pand our presence in the market, and with the need to promote continuous growth, marketing will link consumer needs to the strategic business goals, creating a cohesive business environment, expanding the benefits and increasing profitability of businesses and consumers. Need essay sample on "Week 1 Marketing" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed 1. The definition of marketing is rather vague; moreover, different professionals tend to define marketing, using different terms. Kotler and Keller (2006) state that marketing deals with identifying and meeting human and social needs. One of the shortest definitions of marketing is meeting needs profitably (Kotler & Keller, 2006). In other words, marketing turns economic and social needs of customers into material profits. Companies that are able to utilize the benefits of the marketing look at customers through the prism of their social needs, producing services and products that can further satisfy these needs. In this context, Kotler and Keller (2006) distinguish between the social and managerial definition of marketing: a social definition implies the role of marketing as the instrument for satisfying the needs of society, while a managerial definition implies the role of marketing as the instrument for increasing the quality of life. Incorporating marketing into the organizations sales has several benefits. First, marketing drives consumer interest toward the product or service. Second, marketing positively impacts the quality of life and the standards of economic growth (Perreault-McCarthy, 2004). Third, marketing involves a flow of need-satisfying offering from producer to a customer (Perreault-McCarthy, 2006); that means that marketing turns into favorable environment, where customer and producer are able to come to an agreement regarding the price, the quality and the type of the required product. The problem is that marketing is not visible to the public; as a result, not all customers feel that they are legally protected from the unfair marketing approaches. Despite these small inconsistencies, marketing should be a necessary element of the organizations sales function: it is the critical element that forms close business ties between customers and sellers, helps firms grow their customers and deliver criti cal customer value. 2. Planning is integral to marketing; similarly, marketing is impossible without planning. Throughout the history of marketing, since the marketing department era, all marketing activities have been brought under control of one department or one marketing specialist. Planning in marketing was and is required to integrate all marketing activities with the firms obligations and strategic goals. Now, in the marketing company era, it is a time when, in addition to short-run marketing planning, marketing people develop long-range plans sometimes five or more years ahead and the whole company effort is guided by the marketing concept (Perreault-McCarthy, 2004). As a result, planning has turned into a relevant and reliable approach to marketing. Planning helps companies concentrate their efforts and turn customers into potential sources of the companys profit. Marketing orientation substantially improves, when companies are able to integrate effective planning procedures with the companys daily activities. To make customers buy what the firm produces and offers means to develop reliable planning marketing tactics, which will help evaluate customer needs and tie those needs to the companys goals. Marketing is a logical process, and planning forms a complex strategic vision of marketing opportunities, target markets, marketing strategies, marketing programs, and marketing efforts. Planning is essential for creating and maintaining stable marketing environment that will help satisfy the critical needs of customers (Kotler & Keller, 2004). The companys department should produce formal marketing plans for several reasons. First, planning is the key to systematizing the knowledge and information about customers, needs, and companys marketing resources. Second, planning is the key to concentrating and utilizing the benefits of the various types of marketing forces, including demographic, technical, political, and social environment. Third, planning is the key to developing holistic marketing concepts, including relationship marketing, integrated marketing, socially responsible marketing, and internal marketing (Kotler everything matters, when customer needs should be satisfied. 3. The benefits of marketing are not limited to planning opportunities; organizations use marketing mix to deliver the benefits of their products to consumers and to monitor the effectiveness of various marketing procedures. For example, the promotion element is the key to developing effective advertising strategies and identifying the needs of consumers. The use of marketing mix is very important in consumer electronics: for example, to advertise its PlayStation 2 and 3, Sony used non-personal media approaches (sports, series, and personal Sony TV). In this way, Sony was targeting consumers, who would be interested in purchasing its new game products (Dru, 2007). Marketing mix has led Sony to the development and implementation of highly efficient distribution channels: customers were and are encouraged to purchase Sony products from the companys direct and recognized retailers (Dru, 2007). Marketing mix forms the basis for turning quantifiable elements for evaluating the quality of the companys performance and its business progress (e.g., the number of new customers may help interpret the effectiveness of place and price elements within the companys marketing mix). As long as marketing mix involves the four essential components (product, place, price, and promotion), marketing itself will remain one of the most powerful elements impacting our daily lives. With the need to expand our presence in the market, and with the need to promote continuous growth, marketing will link consumer needs to the strategic business goals, creating a cohesive business environment, expanding the benefits and increasing profitability of businesses and consumers. References Dru, J.M. (2007). How disruption brought order: the story of a winning strategy in the world of advertising. Palgrave Macmillan. Kotler, P. & Keller, K.L. (2006). Marketing management. 12th edition. Prentice Hall. Perreault-McCarthy. (2004). Basic marketing: a global-managerial approach. 15th ed. The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Thylakoid Definition and Function

Thylakoid Definition and Function A thylakoid is a sheet-like membrane-bound structure that is the site of the light-dependent photosynthesis reactions in chloroplasts and cyanobacteria. It is the site that contains the chlorophyll used to absorb light and use it for biochemical reactions. The word thylakoid is from the Green word thylakos, which means pouch or sac. With the -oid ending, thylakoid means pouch-like. Thylakoids may also be called lamellae, although this term may be used to refer to the portion of a thylakoid that connects  grana. Thylakoid Structure In chloroplasts, thylakoids are embedded in the stroma (interior portion of a chloroplast). The stroma contains ribosomes, enzymes, and chloroplast DNA. The thylakoid consists of the thylakoid membrane and the enclosed region called the thylakoid lumen. A stack of thylakoids forms a group of coin-like structures called a granum. A chloroplast contains several of these structures, collectively known as grana. Higher plants have specially organized thylakoids in which each chloroplast has 10–100 grana that are connected to each other by stroma thylakoids. The stroma thylakoids may be thought of as tunnels that connect the grana. The grana thylakoids and stroma thylakoids contain different proteins. Role of the Thylakoid in Photosynthesis Reactions performed in the thylakoid include water photolysis, the electron transport chain, and ATP synthesis. Photosynthetic pigments (e.g., chlorophyll) are embedded into the thylakoid membrane, making it the site of the light-dependent reactions in photosynthesis. The stacked coil shape of the grana gives the chloroplast a high surface area to volume ratio, aiding the efficiency of photosynthesis. The thylakoid lumen is used for photophosphorylation during photosynthesis. The light-dependent reactions in the membrane pump protons into the lumen, lowering its pH to 4. In contrast, the pH of the stroma is 8.   Water Photolysis The first step is water photolysis, which occurs on the lumen site of the thylakoid membrane. Energy from light is used to reduce or split water. This reaction produces electrons that are needed for the electron transport chains, protons that are pumped into the lumen to produce a proton gradient, and oxygen. Although oxygen is needed for cellular respiration, the gas produced by this reaction is returned to the atmosphere. Electron Transport Chain The electrons from photolysis go to the photosystems of the electron transport chains. The photosystems contain an antenna complex that uses chlorophyll and related pigments to collect light at various wavelengths. Photosystem I uses light to reduce NADP to produce NADPH and H. Photosystem II uses light to oxidize water to produce molecular oxygen (O2), electrons (e-), and protons (H). The electrons reduce NADP to NADPH in both systems. ATP Synthesis ATP is produced from both Photosystem I and Photosystem II. Thylakoids synthesize ATP using an  ATP synthase enzyme that is similar to mitochondrial ATPase. The enzyme is integrated into the thylakoid membrane. The CF1-portion of the synthase molecule extended into the stroma, where ATP supports the light-independent photosynthesis reactions. The lumen of the thylakoid contains proteins used for protein processing, photosynthesis, metabolism, redox reactions, and defense. The protein plastocyanin is an electron transport protein that transports electrons from the cytochrome proteins to Photosystem I. Cytochrome b6f complex is a portion of the electron transport chain that couples proton pumping into the thylakoid lumen with electron transfer. The cytochrome complex is located between Photosystem I and Photosystem II. Thylakoids in Algae and Cyanobacteria While thylakoids in plant cells form stacks of grana in plants, they may be unstacked in some types of algae. While algae and plants are eukaryotes, cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes. They do not contain chloroplasts. Instead, the entire cell acts as a sort of thylakoid. The cyanobacterium has an outer cell wall, cell membrane, and thylakoid membrane. Inside this membrane is the bacterial DNA, cytoplasm, and carboxysomes. The thylakoid membrane has functional electron transfer chains that support photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Cyanobacteria thylakoid membranes dont form grana and stroma. Instead, the membrane forms parallel sheets near the cytoplasmic membrane, with enough space between each sheet for phycobilisomes, the light harvesting structures.

Barriers to Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Barriers to Critical Thinking - Essay Example Meaning, it deprives individuals of an opportunity of making their own independent decisions. Instead, it compels them to conform to certain behaviors and standards accepted by the family. Unfortunately, this happens even if not the best approach to adopt is. For example, a family might require all its members to abide by certain traditions and practices that do not necessarily suit all its members (Elder & Richard, 2006). In this situation, everyone would have to behave and think in a certain manner regardless of its relevance, and objectivity thus ending up making decisions without critically thinking about them. So, family can be a great obstacle to critical thinking because it does not allow everyone to make their individual decisions based on their reflection, reason and understanding. As the saying goes, â€Å"When everyone thinks alike, no one thinks very much† (Cederblom & Paulsen, 2006). Group-centered thinking is not objective as it is promptly don e without creating enough time to think and deliberate over the issue of concern. To prevent such a problem, I would have to be autonomous in my thoughts and decisions. On the other hand, critical thinking can be harmed by emotions. Once a person is overwhelmed by emotional distress, one can not make a rational decision because it does not provide a conducive environment to do so. Emotional feelings such as stress can result into prejudice, stereotypes, arrogance and intolerance. All these can prevent a person from making a critical and objective decision as this needs to be done when one is in a sober and relaxed condition (Hendricks, 2005). For example, when a person is seriously distressed, he can not get an ample opportunity to sit down, reason, reflect and make proper decisions. Instead, they will be acting under pressure to hurriedly make a decision without thinking about it. Personally, when faced with such a situation, I

How the fashion process has changed in contemporary society Essay

How the fashion process has changed in contemporary society - Essay Example On the other hand, fashion was introduced in the eleventh century to Middle East from Asia and Far East. Europe experienced changes in fashion in the fourteenth century. Fashions vary according to social class, age, generation, geography, occupation, personality and time. In addiction, fashion covers nearly every aspect in lives of people including the clothes and jewelry, household items and vehicles. A person who is fashion conscious and follows it lavishly is referred to as fashionista or a fashion victim. Fashion can be promising and enthralling. It can make some people addicted to some specific designs as well as emulate appearance and lifestyle of celebrity idols. This is because most people are influenced by suggestive messages and images of what happiness and success looks projected by magazine models. Fashion has changed over time since the time of our ancestors. According to Jones (4), German Professors and historians believe that clothes were first worn forty thousand (40,000) years ago; the evidence is based on the lice that existed in the time that could survive only on fabric. The ancestors of humankind (cave dwellers) wore animal hides to protect themselves from cold and wore loin clothes during the warmer seasons in their time. Chinese created silk from the silkworms’ moth cocoons thousand of years ago while Eli Whitney invented cotton in 1972. Both cotton and silk are used to make fashionable styles of clothes. Europe witnessed a great time of change in thought and social change normally refereed to as Age of Enlightenment in the 1700s. The manufacturing machines made people to leave their long time farming activity to work in factories to produce clothing. The breakthroughs in 1700s and 1800s created room for mass production of clothes and changes in the fashion i ndustry. Some of the break through that brought changes in the fashion industry include the invention of flying shuttle by

Quality and perf 1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Quality and perf 1 - Assignment Example The data for the amount of time spent on each activity performed on the patient will be noted including transportation, waiting and the time spent on treatment. Also, comments from nurses, therapist and family-members of the patient will be noted to increase the efficiency of the project. Data collection will be a team work task among all the employees of all the departments. Each participant will note the time he spends on each activity and then submit the report to his respective department. All the final reports from each department will be organized in a â€Å"flow chart model with the timeline† as per organizational chart. The Quality Improvement Plan will be executed by the â€Å"Q-Team†. The team will consist of 6 senior members from each level of the organizational chart which includes the head of therapist, head of nurse, In charge of transportation, administrator, human resource manager and manager of strategic planning and financing. Head of the therapist will make sure that all the patients get the best care in an efficient manner considering the importance of time both for the organization and patient. Each therapist will fill a patient profile form mentioning the time spent on treatment and counseling. He then submits it to the head of therapist. In charge of the transportation will confirm that each patient will come to the centre, before his appointment time with the therapist. Transporters will note the time for transportation for each patient. Administrator will be in direct contact with the family members of the patient. In case of any complaint or request he will pass it on to the committee to refine the whole process. Any delays from the patients or complaints will be noted down and will be submitted to the committee later on. All the members of the committee being professional in their respective fields will utilize their

San Vitale Church: Construction and Design

San Vitale Church: Construction and Design Byzantine Empire started when the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantium. Byzantine Architectures was very similar to Roman architecture, but got certain influences from Near East and used Greek cross plan in church architecture. When the Church of San Vitale was built, Ravenna was under the control of Byzantine Empire, which is why San Vitale would be similar to the Byzantine architectures instead of having the same plan as other churches in Ravenna. The construction of Church of San Vitale, dedicated by Bishop Maximian in 547, was begun long before Maximians arrival at Ravenna, even before the city was recaptured from the Goths in 540. Construction of this church began under Bishop Ecclesius after King Theodorics death in 526. The person who funded this great project was a certain Julianus called Argentarius ie a banker, not a bishop (Lowden, 127). He provided more than 26000 gold coins to proceed with the work. San Vitale was built in honor of Saint Vitalis, who was martyred at Ravenna in the second century (Kleiner, 316). The raison dà ªtre of the Church of San Vitale was to hold the relics of Saint Vitalis. Vitalis was not as famous or important as other famous saints, such as St Lawrence, thus originally there was only one small cross-shaped martyrium chapel built for him at Ravenna. But now a new church was constructed for him. There is no reason found to explain why his relics grew to the importance of requiring a magnif icent new church. But according to one legend, he was the father of Gervasius and Protasius, two important Milanese saints, and all three of them are martyred in this church. This might be the reason why a church was specially built for St Vitalis (Lowden, 127). Its design is different from the sixth-century churches in Ravenna and was considered to be unlike any churches in Italy. It is not a basilica, but a central-planned church similar to the Justinians churches in Constantinople. The Church of San Vitale is a central-domed octagon extended by semi-circular bays, surrounded by an ambulatory and gallery, all covered in vault. The main source of light comes from the clerestory and there are windows on the side walls, too. The regularity and angularity suggested by the exterior is different from the interior, which is dominated by curves. There are seven curving exedras on the sides of the central space which the double arcades will lead the eye up to vaulted semi-domes, arches, and thence to the central dome. The lower part of the church was originally reverted with colored marbles, which most of them were lost through out the ages, and now parts of them were restored. The presbytery (the part of a cathedral or church east of the choir, in which the main altar is situated) was also covered with marble and costly opus sectile in a geometric pattern. In the middle level, the presbytery was covered with mosaics. The mosaics that decorate San Vitales choir and apse like the building itself, must be regarded as among the most climactic achievements of Byzantine art (Kleiner, 316). But the original decorative scheme for the upper surface of the main body of the church remains unknown (Lowden, 127). The most famous parts of the Church of San Vitale are the mosaics. The imperial panels in the church of S. Vitale at Ravenna are perhaps the most famous of all Byzantine mosaics (Treadgold, 708). Two panels face each other, one on each side of the apes. The left one was covered with mosaic Emperor Justinian and his Attendants and the right one was cover with mosaic Empress Theodora and her Attendants. Both the emperor and empress can be identified by the imperial purple robs they wear and halos behind their heads. The attendants who accompany Justinian parallel Christs twelve apostles. Therefore, the mosaic serves both political and religious reasons of the emperor. In the mosaic, the positions of the figures are important. They express the ranking of all figures (Treadgold, 708). Justinian is at the center, wearing purple robe and with a halo in order to distinguish from other dignitaries. At his left is Bishop Maximianus, the man responsible for San Vitales completion. Although the emperor appears to be slightly behind Maximianus, the large golden paten he carries overlaps the bishops arm. This symbolized by place and gesture, the imperial and churchly powers are in balance (Kleiner, 317). In these mosaics, classical elements of art mostly disappeared. For example, no shadows are presented, faces of figures are more stylized, and there is little naturalism. There is no background indicated. In the mosaic Emperor Justinian and his Attendants, the artists wanted viewers to think the procession is taking place in San Vitale, thus the emperor would appear forever as a participant in this church, symbolizing that he will be the proprietor of this church and the ruler of the empire forever (Treadgold, 708). This one of the most important reasons why San Vitale was built: to glorify the Emperor Justinian and the whole empire under his rule. The opposite wall of the apse contains the mosaic that depicts Empress Theodora, who was considered to be one of the most remarkable women of the middle Ages (Kleiner, 317). Similar to her husband, she is accompanied by her retinue. She carries Chalice, the golden cup with the wine (symbol of Christs blood) while Justinian carries the paten containing the bread (symbol of Christs body). While most parts of the Theodora mosaic exhibit the same style as the Justinian mosaic, the women are shown within a background. It depicts the scene that Empress Theodora was waiting to follow emperors procession, which shows she was outside the sanctuary at that time. The fact that she is outside in the courtyard showed that her rank was not quite equal to her husband (Treadgold, 708). Even though Justinian and Theodoras mosaics are considered to be one of the most important and most famous mosaics inside the Church of San Vitale, Justinian and Theodora never actually came to Ravenna or participate in any events, which mean those two panels are not the historical record of San Vitale. (Lowden, 134). So those two panels are built in order to ensure Emperor Justinians rule over Ravenna and glorify the whole empire under the rule of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. The Church of San Vitale is one of the most important architecture during Byzantine period. The plan of San Vitale is borrowed and used by constructions, such as the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne in Germany. All visitors would marvel at its intricate design and magnificent golden mosaics. But beauty is not everything San Vitale has; political and religious meanings also play a big role while Church of San Vitale is constructed. Work cited Kleiner, Fred. Gardners Art through the Ages: A Global History. Ohio: Wadsworth Publishing, 2009. Lowden, John. Early Christian Byzantine Art. London: Phaidon Press, 1997. Treadgold, Warren. Procopius and the Imperial Panels of San Vitale. The Art Bulletin. 79 (1997): 708-723 Lateral Line System in Fish: Structure and Function Lateral Line System in Fish: Structure and Function Introduction       The lateral line is a sensory system in fish and amphibians. It is made up of mechanoreceptors called neuromasts which are sensitive to water movement (Diaz et al. 2003). The lateral line system has an important role in the detection of stationary objects, navigation, prey detection, capture and in swimming in schools (Gelman et al. 2007). The receptor organ of the lateral line system is the neuromast. There are two types of neuromasts, canal neuromasts which are located in the intradermal canals, and the superficial neuromasts which are located in the intraepidermal canals. Canal neuromasts are able to detect water flow acceleration, while superficial or free neuromasts can detect velocity (Gelman et al. 2007). In some species like the American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), the lateral line system has evolved into an electrosensory system (Modrell et al. 2011). This was accomplished by the specialization of hair cell receptors. These hair cell receptors in the lateral line system resemble the sensory hairs of insects. This may suggest that both derive from a common ancestral mechanosensory organ (Dambly-Chaudiere et al. 2003). This review paper will focus on the lateral line systems anatomy, function and its components. It will also consider the origin of the lateral line system, modifications of the lateral line and explore research gaps in the literature. Origin of the Lateral Line System A study undertaken by Robert H. Denison explained the origin of the lateral line system. The author explained that early vertebrates had a pore-canal system in the dermis which functioned as a primitive sensory system detecting water movement. Through embryology and comparative anatomy, it has been established that the inner ear is closely related to the lateral line system (Denison 1966). The inner ear and the lateral line are developed from ectodermal thickenings, called dorso-lateral placodes. These have a number of similarities, including receptors with sensory hairs, and are both innervated by fibers in the acoustico-lateral area of the brain (Denison 1966). Early vertebrate fossils revealed that the pore canal system which consists of canals that lie below the dermis, and pore canals which connect the canals that lie below the dermis to the surface. The pore canal system is present and developed in Osteostraci which is a group of ostracoderms. It is present in Heterostraci which is another group of ostracoderms and includes early vertebrates such as lungfishes and crossopterygians. As its presence is extensive, it is reasonable to suggest that the pore canal system was a primitive character in early vertebrates (Denison 1966). The author states that this relationship between the pore canal system and the lateral line was first recognized in Osteotraci. In transverse sections, canals that are located below the dermis in the pore canal system are difficult to be distinguished from a lateral line canal (Figure 1). Both of these canals have a narrow opening and a basal part which is separated by a horizontal septum into an outer part that is filled with mucus, and an inner part which consists of sensory cells and nerves (Denison 1966). Figure 1. The figure shows a transverse section of an ostcostracan. This depicts the similar structure of the lateral line canal (IOC) and a canal of the pore canal system (P). BL represents the basal layer, C is the canal which connects the mesh canal with the vascular canal. ML represents the middle layer, RC the vascular canal, SL the superficial layer and X represents the septum that separates the lateral line canal (Denison 1966). As the structure between these two systems is similar the author determined that the lateral line was derived from pore a canal system, and then became a specialized part of it and later remained there (Denison 1966). Structure of the Lateral Line System Organization of the Lateral Line The lateral line, consists of a row of small pores which lead into the underlying lateral line canal. In the head, the lateral line canal is separated into three canals, one passes forward and above the eye, another forward and below the eye and the other downward and below the jaw (Figure 2) (Parker 1904). These three canals have numerous pores and together with the lateral line canal, make the lateral line system. Epidermal structures called neuromasts form the peripheral area of the lateral line. Neuromasts consist of two types of cells, hair cells and supporting cells. Hair cells have an epidermal origin and each hair cell has one high kynocyle (5-10 ÃŽÂ ¼m) and 30 to 150 short stereocilia (2-3 ÃŽÂ ¼m). The number of hair cells in each neuromast depends on its size, and they can range from dozens to thousands. Hair cells can be oriented in two opposite directions with each hair cell surrounded by supporting cells. At the basal part of each hair cell, there are synaptic contacts with afferent and efferent nerve fibers. Afferent fibers, transmit signals to the neural centres of the lateral line and expand at the neuromast base. The regulation of hair cells is achieved by the action of efferent fibers (Jakubowski 1967). Figure 2. Diagram of the lateral line system. The lateral line canal is divided into 3 stems, one passes forward and above the eye, another forward and below the eye and the other downward and below the jaw. Black dots represent the location of the neuromasts on the skin surface. White dots on the brown line show the positions of the neuromasts in sub-epidermal lateral line canals (Yang et al. 2010). Stereocilia and kinocilium of hair cells are immersed into a cupula and are located above the surface of the sensory epithelium. The cupula is created by a gel-like media, which is secreted by non-receptor cells of the neuromast (Figure 3). There are two types of neuromasts, superficial or free neuromasts and canal neuromasts. Superficial neuromasts are located at the surface of the body and are affected by the environment. Superficial neuromasts are categorized into primary or paedomorphic neuromasts and secondary or neomorphic neuromasts. Canal neuromasts are primary neuromasts. These are found inside epidermal or bony canals and are located on the head or body of the fish (Coombs et al. 1992). Figure 3. Lateral line of fish. (a) The figure shows the basic structure of neuromasts and all its components. (b) Hair cell, depicting the innervation of afferent and efferent fibers (Dambly-Chaudiere et al. 2003). Superficial and Canal Neuromasts Superficial neuromasts are small and can be found in lampreys, teleost fishes and in some bony fishes. Superficial neuromasts are located on the head and the body and in some fish in the caudal fin (Cernuda et al. 1996). They have a cylindrical cupula and a round base with a diameter that can seldom reach 100 ÃŽÂ ¼km. The number of hair cells is small, from several dozens to several hundred (Cernuda et al. 1996). In canal neuromasts, the sensory area is situated at the bottom of the canal below the skin. Canal neuromasts have a large range in size, shape and orientation within the canal. Some species have narrow canals and the neuromast can be found in a local constriction with the long axis running parallel to the canal axis. Some other fishes have neuromasts which are found in wide canals and have a different shape. Canal neuromasts allow the efficient detection of pressure differentials, which are created by the current movement across the canal pores (Cernuda et al. 1996). Lateral Line System Function The lateral line system has often been described as touch at a distance. This is due to the lateral line function being similar to the senses of touch and hearing (Coombs et al. 2006). The earliest hypothesis about the function of the lateral line was that it secretes mucus to cover the body. Several years later, it was determined that the lateral line is used to detect water current and stimuli from moving objects (Bleckmann et al. 1993). Fish can sense water movements ranging from large-scale currents to small disturbances caused by plankton. This is due to the superficial neuromasts which are able to respond to very weak water currents, with speeds from 0.03 mm/s and higher. Canal neuromasts can respond to current speeds from 0.3 to 20 mm/s (Bleckmann et al. 1993). The lateral line has functions in schooling, prey detection, spawning, rheotaxis (which is a form of taxis when fish face an ongoing current), courtship and station holding (Coombs et al. 2006). It is thought that the lateral line system can create hydrodynamic images of the surrounding area. This can be achieved by detecting moving and stationary objects in active and passive ways. Active hydrodynamic imaging is similar to the echolocation of objects that is observed in dolphins. Here, fish produce a flow field around their body, which helps them in detecting distortions in their flow field. This is observed in blind cavefishes, which rely on this mechanism to explore their surroundings. For example, they are able to differentiate between structures that differ by even 1 mm (Coombs et al. 2006). Passive hydrodynamic imaging can be carried out for moving and stationary bodies. This is achieved by detecting currents that are generated by other moving bodies such as other fish or the movement of stationary objects such as rocks in a stream (Coombs et al. 2006). Lateral Line Information Processing Lateral line information is processed in all regions of the brain (Figure 4). The information is provided by afferent nerve fibres and is sent to the brain via the lateral line nerves that enter the ipsilateral brainstem and terminate in the medial octavolateralis nucleus (MON). Main primary lateral line projections reach the ipsilateral cerebellar granular eminence while the second order of projections from the medial octavolateralis nucleus terminate in the lateral compartment of the torus semicircularis and in the deep layers of the optic tectum. The final pathway for information processing is the relay of information from the midbrain to different diencephalic nuclei (Bleckmann 2008). Figure 4. This figure depicts the pathway of information processing. MON represents the medial octavolateralis nucleus, CCe represents the Corpus cerebelli, Ll is the hypothalamic inferior lobe, Flo is the facial lobe, ON is the olfactory lobe, PGl represents the lateral preglomerular nucleus, PE is the pre eminential nucleus, TSvl is the Ventro lateral nucleus of torus semicircularis (Bleckmann 2008). Lateral Line Modifications The lateral line system of elasmobranchs is different to that of teleost fish. Elasmobranchs have superficial neuromasts and two morphological classes of sub-epidermal canals. Elasmobranch canals have skin pores that allow direct contact with the surrounding water. They may also have absent skin pores which prevent the contact of canal fluid with the external environment. In teleost fish, hydrodynamic pressure differences at the skin pores cause fluid motion. This results in pored canal neuromasts being able to cipher the acceleration of external water flow near the skin, and induce behaviours such as hydrodynamic imaging, detection of prey and schooling. In elasmobranch fishes, other than prey detection the function of the lateral line pores and their neurophysical response is not yet known (Maruska and Tricas 2004). Sharks and batoids have non-pored canals which are located on the ventral body surface, rostrum and around the mouth (Figure 5). The absence of skin pores demonstrates that localized weak hydrodynamic flow which causes pressure differences will not produce canal fluid motion directly, as it occurs in the pored canal systems (Maruska and Tricas 2004). Figure 5. Lateral line canal system on the dorsal (D) and ventral (V) surface of the Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis Sabina. Solid lines indicate neuromast-free tubules which terminate in pores. The other lines indicate canal sections which consist of innervated neuromasts (Maruska and Tricas 2004). A hypothesis was developed to explain the function of non-pored canals in elasmobranch fishes. The hypothesis explains that the non-pored canals of stingrays which are located on the ventral surface, function as tactile receptors that aids in the localization and capture of small benthic prey. The hypothesis explains that direct coupling of the skin and canal fluid should result in an increase in sensitivity to the velocity of skin movement, which would mean that primary afferents that innervate neuromasts would show characteristics consistent with detectors of velocity. The hypothesis also states that without direction to the external environment, non-pored canals will have lower sensitivity to water motion in comparison to tactile stimulation (Maruska and Tricas 2004). A study done by Karen P. Maruska and Timothy C. Tricas (2004) determined that pored hyomandibular canals on the stingrays dorsal surface are different in terms of primary afferent response from the non-pored hyomandibular canals on the ventral surface. They expressed that primary afferents from the dorsal pored canals respond as hydrodynamic acceleration detectors of water disturbances which are mainly caused by predators. Ventral non-pored canals are sensitive to small movements of the skin, and primary afferents encode the velocity of fluid induced in the canal by these stimuli. The results supported their main hypothesis and demonstrate the function of the lateral line in elasmobranchs in prey detection (Maruska and Tricas 2004). Research Gaps At present, we have a good understanding of how the brain stem and the midbrain respond to different types of stimuli for example, a change in water flow or movement of an object. However, we know nothing about information processing in the tectum opticum which forms the roof of the midbrain and functions as the primary visual center. In amphibians the tectum opticum, a lateral line map is created which helps in registering with a visual and an electrosensory map, which together represent the external area (Parker 1904). Furthermore, we have no information on how lateral line information is processed in cerebellum, which is a brain structure that is involved in motor control and also has a role in cognition. Additionally, little is known about the process of adaptation in the lateral line pathway and how the efferent pathway in the electrosensory lateral line functions in gaining control which is thought to apply in the mechanosensory line (Parker 1904). There is not a lot of information on the internal and chemical structure of the cupula, and how the cupula is attached to the base of the neuromast. The role of the lateral line in schooling is poorly understood. In elasmobranch fishes, other than prey detection the function of the lateral line pores and their neurophysical response has not been fully researched. Conclusion The lateral line system which is a sensory system in fish and amphibians has various functions in schooling, navigation, and prey detection. Through paleontology, comparative anatomy and embryology it was demonstrated that there is a phylogenetic connection between the pore canal system in the dermis of early vertebrates and the lateral line. Moreover, through the action of neuromasts and hydrodynamic imaging, the fish is able to detect its surrounding environment. Lastly, there are some research gaps regarding on how lateral line information is processed in certain parts of the brain. Literature Cited: Bleckmann, H. and Zelick, R. (1993) The Responses of Peripheral and Central Mechanosensory Lateral Line Units of Weakly Electric Fish to Moving-Objects. Journal of Comparative Physiology A-Sensory Neural and Behavioral Physiology, 172 (1), pp. 115-128. Bleckmann, H. (2008) Peripheral and central processing of lateral line information. Journal of Comparative Physiology A-Neuroethology Sensory Neural and Behavioral Physiology, 194 (2), pp. 145-158. Cernuda Cernuda, R. and Garcia Fernandez, J. (1996) Structural diversity of the ordinary and specialized lateral line organs. Microscopy Research and Technique, 34 (4), pp. 302-312 Coombs, S., Jansenn, J. and Montgomery, J. (1992) Functional and Evolutionary Implications of Peripheral Diversity in Lateral Line Systems. Coombs, S. and van Netten, S. (2006) The Hydrodynamics and Structural Mechanics of the Lateral Line System. Fish Biomechanics, 23, pp. 103-139. Dambly-Chaudiere, C., Sapede, D., Soubiran, F., Decorde, K., Gompel, N. and Ghysen, A. (2003) The lateral line of zebrafish: a model system for the analysis of morphogenesis and neural development in vertebrates. Biology of the Cell, 95 (9), pp. 579-587. Denison, R. (1966) Origin of Lateral-Line Sensory System. American Zoologist, 6 (3), pp. 369-371. Diaz, J., Prie-Granie, M., Kentouri, M., Varsamos, S. and Connes, R. (2003) Development of the lateral line system in the sea bass. Journal of Fish Biology, 62 (1), pp. 24-40. Gelman, S., Ayali, A., Tytell, E.D. and Cohen, A.H. (2007) Larval lampreys possess a functional lateral line system. Journal of Comparative Physiology A-Neuroethology Sensory Neural and Behavioral Physiology, 193 (2), pp. 271-277. JAKUBOWSKI, M. (1967) Cutaneous Sense Organs of Fishes .7. Structure of System of Lateral-Line Canal Organs in Percidae. Acta Biologica Cracoviensia Series Zoologia, 10 (1), pp. 69-81. Maruska, K. and Tricas, T. (2004) Test of the mechanotactile hypothesis: neuromast morphology and response dynamics of mechanosensory lateral line primary afferents in the stingray. Journal of Experimental Biology, 207 (20), pp. 3463-3476. Modrell, M.S., Bemis, W.E., Northcutt, R.G., Davis, M.C. and Baker, C.V.H. (2011) Electrosensory ampullary organs are derived from lateral line placodes in bony fishes. Nature Communications, 2, pp. 496. Parker G.H (1904) Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries. 24th edition. Washington Government Printing Office, pp 180-204 Yang, Y., Nguyen, N., Chen, N., Lockwood, M., Tucker, C., Hu, H., Bleckmann, H., Liu, C. and Jones, D.L. (2010) Artificial lateral line with biomimetic neuromasts to emulate fish sensing. Bioinspiration Biomimetics, 5 (1), pp. 016001. Theories of Communication: Summary and Analysis Theories of Communication: Summary and Analysis VOTE DAVID TOMIBEBI COURSE TITLE: THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS INTRODUCTION No matter what language we speak, when we hear a sentence we try to get the logical meaning and interpretation (inference). We also try to figure out the exact truth of what the other person or people are saying because it is also believed that there is more to conversation then just the word to word facts. There is a consistent way our conversation should work and we use our knowledge of those rules to go beyond what is actually said and figure out what they actually mean. Therefore, in analyzing this conversation we are going to use those principles such as the cooperative principle and this also is sub-divided or break down into four main maxims which are, the maxim of quality, the maxim of manner, the maxim of relevance and the maxim of quantity Paul Grice (1960). These principles act as guides to our conversations at all times. Most people use it without really knowing that they are using it. Therefore in analyzing this conversation, theories from experts like Paul Grice, Hymes and Wilson (see Bill Clark) are used to explain. In same vein this brief is a communication process via a sign post and it is governed by the maxim of truthfulness and the widespread of the use of pragmatics language to illustrate various processes that leads to relevance SITUATION The speaking Grid is a tool use in the act of interpreting the communication processes; it was developed by Hymes with the acronym S.P.E.A.K.I.N.G which stands for setting and scene, participant, end, act of sequence, key, instrumentalities, norm and genre. (Hymes, 1974 p55-62) In that, the speaking grid is used to analyze the sign post above. SETTING AND SCENE This sign post was spotted on the working site of a car company (mechanical shop) here in the UK Luton. It is believed that the site is marked private and only workers or customers of the said establishment are allowed to park their cars at the place with an order of sanction that follows for none customers Again different cultures have different demands and expectations from individual behaviors in that people coming from a culture were sign post are not used will surely not acknowledge the sign post. Therefore, it all boils down to the psychological state of mind of the individual. PARTICIPANT The participant here are the customers and none customers. It is so because the sign post explicitly direct the information to those two set of audience ENDS The sign post ends with the instruction which is believed to be a sanction for none customers(Toad) although the word is misspell(Towed) but the message is obviously clear to the none customers of the possible action that will be taken against him or her. ACT SEQUENCE The sign post start with the word â€Å"Private† which could meaning a lot of things to different people. But could be understood through the act of inference to meaning private for the purpose of been so for its customers only. KEY This usually refers to the tone of the conversation between peoples but in the post the major tone there is that of the sanction which state that all other will be toad (towed) INSTRUMENTALITY The post was written in two broad forms which could explain perfectly the intention of the communicator. The first language used was a causal language then followed by the tone of sanction for by passers. NORMS There are social and legal rule guiding people’s actions and behavior in the every society. In that the post explicitly indicate that it is for private and at such others will be towed (toad) that is, others not authorize to park there. GENRE This is an artistic work in which scene of everyday life form the subject matter. Therefore, it is most related to linguistic and pragmatic features. LINGUISTIC AND PRAGMATIC FEATURES Linguistically the words written on the sign post might look ambiguous and incorrect because the sign private customer parking only ignoring the misspell word of toad could mean a lot of things to different people because there are so many private life and could also mean private car park which could mean not for public use. Therefore, linguistically what the sign post might be meaning is that customer parking only which can be interpreted that customers are not allowed to do any other thing except parking and this could meaning parking themselves and not cars But it is our knowledge of the word that tells us the actual meaning and by doing so we infer into the contextual meaning by way of reasoning in other to deduce the actual meaning of private car parking Secondly, the word â€Å"ALL OTHERS WILL BE TOAD† which could mean that all other that are not customers could be towed or sometime else could happen to their car. Therefore, that leads to our pragmatic understanding of words as they appear to us. PRAGMATIC MEANING Pragmatically the sign clearly illustrates the under determinacy of the message by the linguistic meaning of the communicative act and people are able to infer meaning to the sign assuming that the word â€Å"ALL OTHERS† could be meaning cars and nothing something else The main idea of pragmatic theory is to analyze issues that affect the interpretation of utterances relating to the knowledge behind the linguistic meaning of the sentence. In that, this analysis shows that human communication is more than just coding and decoding of words and this could be seen from the illustration from of the word â€Å"ALL OTHERS WILL BE TOAD†. It is believed that from the reasoning we are able to infer meaning into the word and extracting the exact meaning the sentence is trying to portray or give. Therefore, in trying to encode as much as possible into linguistic message we rather tend to encode little as necessary for the people who sees the text or sign to figure out the exact message even though it is not in the language. The sign post starts with the word â€Å"Private† and went on to say â€Å"customer parking only and all others will be toad† in that the sign post could be said not to be informative enough for people that might intend parking their cars there will not do so. Although, the sign post may have want to explain the post in this form† Private Customer Car Parking Only, All Other Cars Will Be Towed† in that there seems to be a gap between the decontextualized meaning of the sign post and the ideas expressed by the words. Yule (1996:22) Going by that, it is only by inference (reasoning) that people that are non customer could infer into what the sign post actually mean and act accordingly to avoid sanctions. Finally the â€Å"TOAD† illustrate the point of human communication that the other creature cannot do; for instance towing and toad despite the misspell one is able to code the actual meaning by inferring into the sign post (language) and that is why Hacket(2000) believes strongly on ability of human communication that really distinguishes him from other primate DIRECT COMMUNICATION From the post it is assume that the word â€Å"private customer parking only† could be said to send a straight message to non customers and at such non customers should referring from parking their cars there. The direct communication in the post is actually what the other party really looks at and forgetting the other offensive part that somehow is communicated indirectly. The extraction of the first part meaning is enough for none customers to obey. INDIRECT COMMUNICATION Indirect communication is said to occur when the speaker deviates from the actual meaning or spelling of a particular word or expression. For instance, the post makes some illustrations that clearly show the intention of the communicator that he is trying to conceal things and that could be seen in the spelling of the word Toad instead of Towed and there by miss leading the reader. Although, some may argue that the whole text or sign post is communicated indirectly starting from the very beginning with the word â€Å"Private† to the end which is Toad because the word Customer Parking only do not really communicate directly whether customers are allowed to park their cars there in that it could still mean that the only thing allowed to do there is for customers to park their self in one place without doing anything else. Therefore, it is the use of inference that the true meaning of what the sign post is trying to communicate could really be attained and achieved. THEORIES AND THE ANALYSIS OF THE EXAMPLES Different theories are used in explaining the communication process and some of them include the following The accommodation theory The relevance theory The cooperative theory (Grice maxims) ACCOMMODATION THEORY The accommodation theory is essentially a way in which individuals communicates in social groups with language terms or codes peculiar to them and this sometimes could be as a result of cultural variation and sometimes in other for you to communicate effectively you need to be approved of by that group RELEVANCE THEORY The relevant theory stipulates that there are some information that are worth having while some are not and it is our cognition that is directed toward the processing of the information For instance, the work PRIVATE CUSTOMER PARKING ONLY could mean different things to different people but being that the situation at which the information is posted people tend to get the right meaning and ignoring the other aspect that could not mean anything to them Communication can be defined as the verbal exchange of thoughts and ideas. In that respect, the communication we will be analyzing falls into that category because thoughts and idea were in exchange either explicitly or not. One of the major characteristics of communication is the use of inference(reasoning) and encoding and decoding to decipher what the speaker or writer intentions are or what he intended to say or what he is saying. Sometimes communication takes the form of monopoly in the sense that the communicator might not want the information to be explicit to the reader or receiver thereby making it looks one sided. But there are different reasons why communication can be monopolize for instance the intention of the communicator might be different with what the receiver already know or want and this could be seen in the sign post illustration above which states â€Å"all others will be toad† Going by that, inferential reasoning in communication can be explained using the Grice maxim of communication which is the cooperative principle (1975) to illustrate how communication is perceived THE MAXIM OF QUALITY The maxim of quality is always regarded as one of the fundamental of communications principles, according to Grice because it is also believed that when we communicate we expect each other to say things that we believed to be true and relevant to the discussion (Grice 1989:27) Therefore, the illustration below clearly shows that the communicative style deviate from what could be seen as a cooperative act due to the fact that the post want the reader to infer and deduce into its meaning in other to know exactly what it meant by Toad Customer parking only All others will be toad The maxim of quality says that, in communication the intention of the communicator should be plain and genuine and there should be no form of ambiguity so as to confuse the other party. Therefore the excerpt above in the statement Remember that the maxim of quality says Do not say that for which you believe to be false( truthfulness) Do not say that for which you lack adequate evidence In that maxim of quality is with the speaker over contribution as to what he wants to explain either directly or indirectly which to some extent is regarded as the truthfulness in the act of communication (Grice 1967 p27) The maxim of quality explains things in their real sense and did not try to conceal information so as to deceive the listener. Although communication involve the use of some forms of inference (reasoning) to encode and decode meaning out of conversation, but the maxim of quality is very explicitly when it comes to communication.(Grice 1989 p 371) even thou it was the speaker alone that is mostly concerned. THE MAXIM OF QUANTITY The maxim of quantity as the name is all about giving information with extra ways of adding to the information. For instance, PRIVATE CUSTOMER PARKING ONLY, that piece of information is enough to make the reader understand and get meaning out of the message but rather it went further to add ALL OTHERS WILL BE TOAD. THE MAXIM OF MANNER This is a situation where the speaker makes precise and concise decision without the listener. According to the post above, there seems to be a contradiction deviating from the maxim of manner by adding other talks that are not relevant to the discussion or topic in question. THE MAXIM OF RELATION This maxim stipulates that a partner contribution to the process of communication should be appropriate to the information received. The post begins its statement with the word Private and it clearly shows that it is not open to any other form of relationship except to its customers only Therefore, â€Å"ALL OTHER WILL BE TOAD† contradicts the earlier information of customer parking only with a misspell of the word Towering to Toad. Also the word Toad could be argued according to Grice not to be relevant to the post of customers parking only. RELEVANCE THEORY AND THE CONCEPT OF TRUTH The Grice maxim of truthfulness was part of what might be called an inferential model of human communication, although, relevance is used in technical sense which is not meant to capture any of the ordinary sense of word. Relevance is the property of input to truth in other words; information’s are more relevant when they lead to truth. Although from the relevance perspective it those not really matter if the speaker speaks the truth or not because what is of most concern to relevance is the cognition process. The relevance is more concern about the integration to general knowledge of cognition effect rather than what is actually said or written in the post like the one above with the misspell of Towed as Toad. Dejura is a key element in relevance Looking closely to how we communicate it shows that most often we communicate things that are not true, for instance the sign post trying to communicate the word All Others Will Be Towed is not true because if a police car is parked in that area certainly nothing will be done to that car. But in Grice’s term this is a violation of the maxim of quality but to the relevance theory it is not a violation because people don’t tend to communicate things that are true but rather communicate things that are relevant. According to the definition of relevance it is only those positive improvement to the believe system are worth having. Therefore, in this regard the relevance theory seems to be superior over the Grice’s theory ILLUSTRATION An utterance has two immediate effects and this indicate that the speaker has something to communicate and it determine an order of accessibility in which the interpretability will occur to the hearer. There is always that assumption that we are entitled to presume that the communicator is aiming to make their contribution one that is real and true and one for which he or she has an adequate evidence about PRIVATE 1 CUSTOMER PARKING ONLY 2 ALL OTHERS WILL BE TOAD A standard semantic analysis of the second part of the sign post indicates the following that the parking space provided is for customer only and all others will be charged accordingly. It is obvious that the sign post means something more than what it explains and in that it is expected that the reader uses some inference (reasoning) to decipher the exact meaning of the speaker. Therefore, the sign post with the inscription PRIVATE CUSTOMER PARKING ONLY is immediately flowered by the supporting sign that â€Å"ALL OTHERS WILL BE TOAD† in other words it is very explicit that what the sign post require is for only customers to parking at their own risk and may probable be charged for parking. Walliam and Spencer (1798). This is simply where inferential thinking takes place and could not be argued that this follows the laws of relevance because the law of relevance stipulates that the amount of information recovered should be equal to the one expected or given out. Again, it entails decoding and encoding which is also an important aspect of inference CONCLUSION Therefore, this piece of work achieved in the demonstration of analyzing and describes the intent of communication process from the point of view of relevance theory, cooperative theory and pragmatic and linguistic features of communication. In other word the theories explains how human uses cognition and how human infer into the meaning of various communication process. Therefore, the theories explain the whole sign post beginning with the speaking Grid, linguistic and pragmatic feature of language communication, brief explanation of the accommodation theory, the cooperative principles of communication with explanations on the Grice maxims, direct and indirect communication and the relevance theory REFERENCES Blackemore, D. (1987) sematic contrains on relevance. Blackwell, oxford Blackemore, D. (1992) understanding utterances. Blackwell, oxford Davis, S (ed.)(1991) pragmantics: a reader. Oup, oxford Clark, B. (1993). Relevance and â€Å"pseudo-imperatives†. Linguistics and philosophy, 16(1), 79-121. Clark, B. (1993). Relevance and â€Å"pseudo-imperatives†. Linguistics and philosophy, 16(1), 79-121. Grice, H. P. (1981). Presupposition and conversational implicature. Radical pragmatics, 183-198 Grice, H. P. (2013). 4. logic and conversation. The Semantics-Pragmatics Boundary in Philosophy, 47. Hymes, D.H. (1974). Ways of speaking. In R. Bauman J. Sherzer (Eds.),Explorations in the ethnography of speaking(pp. 433-452). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hymes, D.H. (Ed.). (1974).  Studies in the history of linguistics: Traditions and paradigms. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Lewis, D. (1979). Scorekeeping in a language game. Journal of philosophical logic, 8(1), 339-359 Lewis, D. (1973). Causation. The journal of philosophy, 556-567. Sperber, D and Wilson, D (1986). Relevance: communication and cognition. Oxford: Blackwell and Cambridge: Harvard University press. Ã…Â ½egarac, V., Clark, B. (1999). Phatic interpretations and phatic communication. Journal of Linguistics, 35(02), 321-346.

Humanism :: essays research papers fc

1 Humanism The Renaissance, which began in Italy in 1300s, was one of the largest periods of growth and development in Western Europe. The increase in trade caused an abundance in wealth that resulted in the focusing of the arts. Such things as literature, paintings, sculptures and many more works are known to have blossomed from the period known as the Renaissance. The Renaissance was started by many rich Italian cities, such as Florence, Ferrara, Milan, and Venice (Bram 274). Because these cities were very wealthy, many merchants started to spend money on different things, such as painting, learning, new banking techniques, and new systems of government. These things gave rise to a new type of scholar, the humanist, and a new philosophy, humanism. To understand the term humanism, one must first know what some assume humanism to be. Many definitions are widely proclaimed by different groups and organizations. The American Humanist Association(AHA) defines humanism as 2 a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual liberty and opportunity consonant with social and planetary responsibility. It advocates the extension of participatory democracy and the expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice. Free of supernaturalism, it recognizes human beings as a part of nature and holds that values--be they religious, ethical, social, or political--have their source in human experience and culture. Humanism thus derives the goals of life from human need and interest rather than from theological or ideological abstractions, and asserts that humanity must take responsibility for its own destiny. (Schafersman) Humanism is also defined as "a democratic and ethical" point of view on life that reiterates the fact that human beings have the right to and responsibility of giving meaning to and shaping one's own life, according to the International Humanist and Ethical Union (Schafersman). The Union also believes their philosophical view on humanism "stands for the building of a 3 more humane society through ethics" based upon the reason and the inquisitive capabilities of the human nature. The Bristol Humanist Group's view on their ideology is much simpler. It states, "Humanism is an approach to life based on reason and our common humanity, recognizing that moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone" (Schafersman). This new word, humanist, and the principal practice became more prevalent during the late 15th-century in Italy and was used to describe a tutor or teacher of the "humanities".

Judith Beveridge Essay

According to Judith Beveridge, nature is constantly abused and neglected, as a result of industrialisation, a process occurring under the direction of a patriarchal society. This idea is supported by the context of her poetry, a time where power was something that men were supposed to possess. She demonstrates her opinion to her readers through the use of poetic techniques in her poems Domesticity of Giraffes and Streets of Chippendale. Domesticity of Giraffes portrays themes of environmentalism, when assisted by a feminist reading. Nature is confined, closed off, and lost in a modern, industrialised society. Nature’s inhabitants therefore, are also closed off, and here a giraffe is called a ‘wire-cripple’ (line 16). This metaphor suggests that the wires are oppressing the giraffe and in turn, nature. At the same time, the wire is symbolic of industrialisation and the involvement of a patriarchal society in this process, through the application of Beveridge’s context, in which a male dominated society was seen as unfair and women began to develop and address their own political views. Thus, nature is portrayed as an innocent party, governed by the undeserved power of a patriarchal society. The poem also conveys nature as diminishing and being replaced by an industrialised society. The existing nature and its remaining inhabitants are lost, lonely and longing for companionship. Here, a giraffe looks ‘towards the tall buildings she mistakes for a herd’ (lines 6 – 7). Through the reapplication of Beveridge’s context, it is evident that the use of enjambment after ‘buildings’ is used, once again, to emphasise the recurring symbol of industrialisation due to a patriarchal society, which is represented by ‘tall buildings’. It also emphasises the longing and loneliness of the giraffe, as she is shown to look for anything that she shares a similarity with for companionship. Thus, nature is seen as helpless in an industrialised society. As a result, the techniques in Domesticity of Giraffes collaborate to convey that nature, with its innocence and helplessness, has unjustly become a slave to an industrialised patriarchal society. Additionally, Streets of Chippendale portrays themes of environmentalism when assisted by a feminist reading. Nature here is non-existent. It has been taken over by an industrialised society, and ‘Streets named Ivy, Rose and Myrtle – now lack a single tree’ (lines 1 – 2). Juxtaposition is used here to emphasise the contrast between ‘streets’ and ‘ivy, vine rose and myrtle’, which are all names of trees. The emphasis on ‘streets’ connotes the recurring representation of industrialisation due to a patriarchal society, when coupled with Beveridge’s context. Consequently, the use of enjambment after ‘Myrtle’ places emphasis on the irony, that streets named after trees, have no trees in them due to industrialisation. Thus, nature is seen as being mocked by a dominant, patriarchal society. The poem also conveys nature as a possession. Chippendale is seen as a place that tries to own nature, ‘where residents dressed in slacks and turtlenecks are walking pedigree dogs’ (lines 8 – 9). Here, a pun is used to bring out the meaning of the word ‘turtle’ in ‘turtleneck’, which along with a literal interpretation of ‘dog’, brings about connotations of the ownership of nature. Also, the resident, wearing a turtleneck and walking a pedigree dog, is seen as powerful and upper class, and therefore, through the application of Beveridge’s context, represents a patriarchal society. Thus, nature is seen as the possession of an ungrateful patriarchal society. As a result, the techniques in Streets of Chippendale collaborate to convey that nature is useless and unimportant in an industrialised patriarchal society. In conclusion, Judith Beveridge’s poems, Domesticity of Giraffes and Streets of Chippendale, give its readers the message that nature is constantly abused and neglected because of industrialisation, which is caused by a patriarchal society. This message is created through the application of feminist reading and her use of poetic techniques, while taking into account her context.

If human nature does alter Essay

What is human nature? According to an interesting article I have read, humanity can be interpreted in three ways: mechanistic, mysterian and materialist views of humanity. A mechanistic view sees human beings largely as objects through which nature acts. A mysterian view suggests that there are aspects of human existence not knowable to mere mortals. A materialist view sees humans as exceptional because humans, unlike any other beings, possess consciousness and agency. In Judaism, human nature is the ability to make our own choice and we will all be held responsible for our actions. From a scientific perspective, human nature is the behavior of human being physically, socially and mentally. There are many different interpretations of human nature and it will never have a specific definition. From my point of view, human nature is how human beings interpret themselves as. Therefore, human nature does alter when we begin to look at ourselves in a new way. In this essay, I have chosen one play from â€Å"The Three Theban Plays† by Sophocles; â€Å"Oedipus the King† and â€Å"Death and the Maiden† by Ariel Dorfman. Looking at the two tragedies, I am going to illustrate how the writers make us â€Å"look at ourselves in a new way†. Searching for the truth is a human nature; because everyone has curiosity. For example, babies feel curious when seeing new items and try to figure out what it is. However, searching for truth is not always beneficial. Sophocles certainly did prove his point through his play, â€Å"Oedipus the King†. Oedipus basically assassinated his father, Laius, acquire his crown and ironically his wife, Oedipus mother, Jocasta. However, Oedipus didn’t have any knowledge of this. To save the city from the plague, he was desperate to track down the murderer of Laius, not knowing that he was the murderer. Throughout the play, Sophocles employs the repetition of blindness to associate with the spiritual blindness of Oedipus to the truth. He was not only blinded to the truth, but also the consequences of discovering the truth. Moreover, the repetition of blindness foreshadows that Oedipus will blind himself at the end of the play when he recognize the truth and what he had done. He is sightless to the advice of people attempting to stop him going down the road of destruction. At the beginning of the play, I have already noticed the wide use of blindness in the dialogue: â€Å"Oedipus: I would be blind to misery not to pity my people kneeling at my feet† (Pg. 159 L14-15) â€Å"Oedipus: You’ve lost your power, stone-blind, stone-deaf – senses, eyes blind as stone! † (Pg. 181 L421-422) From the quotes mentioned, I could see that the word â€Å"blind† often appears in the dialogues of Oedipus. He told his people of Thebes he wouldn’t be â€Å"blind to misery† and promised to save Thebes. However, he is blind to the truth and his identity instead. He insulted Tiresias’ blindness for revealing the prophecy and the truth about Oedipus’ identity which he doubted vigorously. Oedipus’ abuse to Tiresias has a huge contradiction to his own blindness to the outcome of the discovery. Although Tiresias is physically blind, he wasn’t blind to the truth and the effect of revealing it; whereas Oedipus wasn’t blind, but he couldn’t notice the purpose of Tiresias’ actions and ignore his warnings. The repetition of blindness draws attention of the audience every time the characters say the word. This emphasizes the idea of humans are often blind to themselves, the others and also the truth behind things. When they seek to search for the truth, the outcome can be catastrophic: â€Å"Messenger: He rips off her brooches, the long gold pins holding her robes – †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ he digs them down the sockets of his eyes,† (Pg. 237 L1402-1405) â€Å"Messenger: And there we saw the woman hanging by the neck, †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ spinning, swinging back and forth. † (Pg.237 L1395-1397) In the exodus of the play, the ending is a disaster, Jocasta hanged herself and Oedipus blinded himself. Truth can be harmful sometimes, therefore it is better to stay the same and be ignorant. At least we could be better off and happier because truth sometimes doesn’t give us any satisfaction at all. This made us to have a whole new perception about the exploration of truth. After studying the play, I would be more objective about my actions and be humble to the others’ advice, to prevent anything destructive happening. But on the other hand, Oedipus is a man of great quality, he had the courage to seek for the truth even though people persuaded him not to because the truth was dangerous. If we are satisfy about the current state and choose to be â€Å"blind† to many truths on the world, there would be no improvement and development at all. There is certainly no an ultimate answer to the question whether or not we should seek for the truth. In â€Å"Death and the Maiden†, truth is also an important issue. The scene was set in Chile, which had just received democracy after years and years of dictatorship. Gerardo was appointed to be the Head of the Investigating Commission. The purpose of the commission establishes certain truths in a public way, to become part of official history. However, it only deals with the dead, not people suffered but still alive. Paulina, Gerardo’s wife, was one of them, she was put into torture and raped. Ariel Dorfman portrayed Paulina as a desperate person to find out the truth. Paulina is going to search for the truth by all means since she suffered so much pain and was haunted by the past. The only way to relieve her pain is to attain the truth. She had gained power by holding the gun and transformed into a totally different person. We can identify this by looking at the text: â€Å"Paulina: Besides you that if the police do show their noses her I’ll put a bullet through his man’s head. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ And then I’ll put the gun in my mouth and pull the trigger. † (Pg. 18) â€Å"Gerardo: My God, Paulina! †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ she has never spoken like this in her life. † According to the quotes above, the gun has given power to Paulina and she had dominance over the man. Paulina had turned into another person, even the way she speaks, that Gerardo didn’t recognize anymore. This indicates what truth can do; it can drive somebody mad and turns them into a different person. Paulina was so obsessed about the truth that she is willing to sacrifice anything: â€Å"If he’s innocent? Then he’s really screwed. † (Pg. 29) In order to know the truth, she is willing to give up her morals. Even though she wasn’t sure if Doctor Miranda was really one of the people who tortured her, she had already assumed he is guilty and enforced him to confess by threatening to kill him. Paulina didn’t even care if he is innocent or not, she just wanted a confession no matter what, because this is the only way she could reconcile her pain. Perhaps Miranda is guilty, the truth is so thrilling that even me as an audience wanted to know it so badly. In the end, nobody knows if justice has been achieved by Paulina’s outrageous actions. The play also exemplify the idea of too much truth may be dangerous. On the way of searching the truth, Paulina didn’t realize that she is destroying many things, their relationships, and Gerardo’s trust to her etc. Gerardo had already warned her not to continue her pursuit of truth: â€Å"Gerardo: People can die from an excessive dose of the truth, you know. † (Pg. 36) Gerardo could foresee the disastrous outcome of the whole event and tried to stop Paulina continue to look for the truth. It is because Gerardo sensed that too much truth won’t do good to all of them. The idea of too much truth is dangerous in â€Å"Death and the Maiden† links back to the idea of the catastrophic consequences of obtaining the truth from â€Å"Oedipus the King†. Paulina and Oedipus are very similar, they strife for the truth which they don’t know is destructive. Paulina destroyed the relationship between Gerardo and herself; whereas Oedipus devastated his kingdom, his family and most significantly, he blinded himself. Both tragedies raised our caution to the pursuit of truth, acknowledge us that truth is double-edged, it can favour but also destroy someone. Human can’t be too ignorant and also can’t know too much truth. â€Å"It is better to settle for half. † as Alfieri puts it in the play â€Å"A View from the Bridge†.