U OF T PROFESSORS DEVISE BETTER WAY TO TEST SIGHT Essay Example For Students

U OF T PROFESSORS DEVISE BETTER WAY TO TEST SIGHT Essay IN BABIES In a darkened room at Torontos Hospital forSickChildren, a baby, its head dotted with electrodes, sits in itsmothers lap and watches flashing black and white checkerboardsand stripes on a television screen. Soon after the test, doctorswill know if the child can see and how well it can see.The testing procedure, which involves measuring brain waveactivity prompted by visual stimuli (also called visual evokedpotentials or VEPs) has been perfected by Drs. Barry Skarf ofthe Department of Ophthalmology and Moshe Eizenman of U of TsInstituteTheir procedure is more accurate than tests used elsewherebecause Eizenman has developed a novel,real-time computerprogram to extract brain wave responses from extremely smallpatterns (similar in size to the bottom line of a standard eyetest) which produce much more reliable results.Until now,doctors would have to extrapolate the babys ability to seesmall stimuli from test results using large stimuli. In Effect,Dr. Eizenman has developed a way of looking at brain waves thatis more sensitive than methods previously available, saysSkarf.At the HSC,VEPs are used in a number of clinicalapplications:to determine whether avisualproblemiscognitive; to assess whether babies who dont appear to see wellwill see better in the future;to determine a course oftreatment for such problems in which one eye turns in or isweaker than the other eye. The second aspect of the researcherswork involves the development of a stimulator for stereopsis, orbinocular vision, which is the fusing of images from both eyesinto one picture that has depth.The problem with testingbinocular vision, explains Skarf,is that most stimulipresented to young children have other cues that can be seenwith one eye alone. We wanted to devise stimuli that can only beseen by both eyes together and would produce specific brainwaves to the stimuli.Based on a binocular stimulus invented by an Americanresearcher, Eizenman had developed a stimulus that generates apattern on a tv screen which looks like distortion (a snowstorm) when viewed with only one eye, but when viewed throughspecial glasses with both eyes emits a distinctive three-dimensional pattern.Skarf and Eizenman are now testing binocular VEPs onyoung children. They are examining children with normal sightand evaluating eye function in children with visual disorders.This is the first test of binocular vision to be carried outwith large numbers. Using this binocular stimulus with the verysensitive detector system for analyzing responses,we hope tohave a system which will allow us to test binocular vision inyoung babies, quickly and easily, and to measure responses in abetter way than before.In addition to this clinical research, Skarf now wants todirect his attention to some basic research questions about thedevelopment of vision. We are interested in more than justdeveloping tools. We want to know how binocular vision developsand which factors interfere with development. We want to findout what wheels turn in the brain to produce lazy eyes andimpaired binocular vision. Skarf and Eizenman receive funding from the MedicalResearch Council of Canada. CONTACT:Barry Skarf(416)598-6133Moshe Eizenman (416)978-5523 We will write a custom essay on U OF T PROFESSORS DEVISE BETTER WAY TO TEST SIGHT specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now

Physics investigation Essay Example

Physics investigation Essay Example Physics investigation Essay Physics investigation Essay For this investigation I will be testing various materials to determine how much force is required for them to snap. Figure 1 below shows the forces that will be acting upon the test material. The set-up above will increase the force applied to the test material until a crack, started in the surface in tension, propagates to cause the material to break. To experimentally determine the level of stress that is required to break an object, I need to be-able to exert a force onto an object and be able to quantitatively measure and record that force. This, I found, is not as simple as it sounds due not only to the limited equipment available to me, but also to what I could use practically and safely. I came up with many methods of measuring the force exerted as well as many ways of creating that force. A summary of the major methods and their associated problems is included below. Method 1: Creating force using my own strength. This has several obvious advantages including ease of use. My own strength requires no preparation to use, is easy to store when Im not using it and can create a very broad range of force i.e. up to 800N. Unfortunately for all the benefits, there are several disadvantages that make this method untenable. The greatest concern is safety, namely my own safety. To apply the force needed to break the objects, I would have to lean heavily on the object. This placed me in danger of being impaled on the device I was using to concentrated force onto the object. As well as this, there was the problem of splinters from the object damaging my hand or eyes. Method 2: Measuring the force using bathroom scales. The main advantage of this method is that a large range of forces can be measured i.e. over 1,000N. Also, they are easy to set up and use, difficult to break and can be stored easily ready for repeating experiments. The disadvantages are fewer but still prevail over the advantages. The greatest downfall is the fact that the max force reached and therefore the point at which the material broke is difficult to determine accurately. This means that my results could be out by an unacceptably large margin of error. Method 3: Creating the force using a vice. On the surface, this method seemed pretty ideal. A large, steady force could be created safely. With the help of a metal tip attached to the vice, the force exerted could be carefully increased by turned the handle on the vice until the material broke. The force generated could be very powerful due to the lever effect of the handle on the vice. This makes it many times more powerful than any force I could create on my own. This time, the problem with the method lies not with the method itself but with the accompanying method of measuring the force created. Bathroom scales cannot be used because they are made inaccurate by concentrating force onto a small area of them. Smaller scales cannot be used because the ones available to me couldnt be used to measure a large enough force i.e. 20N maximum. This method would have been used were it not for the failings of measure methods. Method 4: Measuring the force using piezo electric crystals. This was a bit of a non-starter really. Although they seemed like a good solution due to the quantitative data that could be produced and recorded; I didnt realise that the crystals couldnt be used to measure the magnitude of force that I required. They would have been crushed instantly. Method 5: Creating the force using pneumatics. The advantages of this system are similar to that of the vice. A large, steady and easily controlled force can be produced with safety. The disadvantage of the vice is also overcome; there is no need to measure the force directly as it can be inferred from the amount of power used by the pneumatic rams them selves. Unfortunately there was one insurmountable stumbling block. The equipment available to me was not strong enough or powerful enough. This method seemed ideal and is the one used in professional laboratory tests, unfortunately the facilities and equipment were not available to me to utilise it effectively. Method 6: Creating the force using weights. This method of producing force has the added benefit of measuring the force as it is produced. The force produced is quantitative, steady and the maximum level reached is easily found. There are disadvantages however; the maximum force that can be produced is dependant on the maximum strength of the string that attaches the masses to the test medium. The larger the area of contact, the less pressure is produced. This means that for the test to be fair, the string used has to be the same in each instance. This method is the one that I finally decided to use. My choice of method means that a small alteration is required to my original force diagram; see figure 2. Fair Test In order to perform this experiment fairly I will need a means of supporting the material and ensuring the struts stay in the correct place because the force I exert will be laterally transferred to them. I considered several ways of supporting the material and how to prevent the supports shifting during testing. Figure 3 shows the forces involved. Vertical force applied to material, causing it to flex and become compressed and under tension. The flex of the material means that the edges of the material are closer the centre of the material and that the material is therefore shorter horizontally despite being slightly longer in length. Because the material is trying to shorten its horizontal length, the supports are pulled inwards. The only thing stopping this from happening is the frictional force between the base and the tabletop. I have outlined below some of the methods I used to prevent movement of the stand; they all work on the principle of increasing the friction force by means of altering the parameters of à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ or F from the equation: R = à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ F (see figure 4) Where: R = resultant force i.e. the level of friction. à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ = the co-efficient of friction i.e. the stickiness of the surface. F = the vertical force produced by the mass of the clamp stand. The material under stress will increase in flex and slightly in length until the elastic limit or yield point of the material is reached. At this limit, the material will start to crack on the side under tension. These cracks will propagate until the material finally snaps. The amount of force required for this to happen is known as the breaking stress. The higher the breaking stress the more tensile strength the material possesses. This is what I shall be measuring in my experiment. Problems Using Clamp Stands This was the first method that I thought of using because of their ease of storage and being the most ubiquitous support available to me. The disadvantages became very clear as soon as I tested them. The main problem I discovered was that of movement of the supports. I tried many ways of securing them to a surface so as to limit movement but most were unsuccessful or unsatisfactory. Firstly I tried placing masses on the footplates of the stands but could not place enough mass on them to prevent movement. This method works by increasing the parameter F in the above equation. I also tried using sticky paper to increase the co-efficient of friction of the surface the stand was placed on but couldnt increase it enough to change the outcome by any great amount. After that I placed stoppers on the base to stop it moving. This did stop it moving but instead caused the stand to topple over instead; obviously not ideal. The last method and by far the most successful I tried should have been more obvious. I attached a large G-clamp on the footplate of each stand and tightened them as far as I could. Due to the size and power of the clamps I used, movement was completely eliminated. This method works in the same manner as placing masses on the bases; it increases the F parameter. With the clamp I used I was able to generate huge vertical forces onto the footplate that created a resultant frictional force more than enough for my requirements. The second problem I only discovered after solving the first. The bosses I used to attach the clamp arms to the stand were not strong enough to hold themselves up and not rotate towards each other as the material flexed. Figure 5 below shows the set-up and how it changed when masses were added. To solve this problem I had to find a way of holding apart the arms. I tried tying them together with string but found it flexed too much when used in the length required. To solve the problem I needed a material that produced a low strain and could be applied in the way required. After a quick search of the materials that were on offer I decided on carpet tape. I chose it because it is reinforced with many fibres that give it extra strength and it is sticky so it can hold together the clamp arms. Safety Through out the planning process I have been looking at my experiment and constantly analysing it for sources of potential danger I might encounter whilst performing it. I met with the following issues and adjusted the experiment thus. The first thing that I thought would be a safety concern in the experiment was the force involved in breaking the materials. Creating large forces would mean large amounts of mass being used and this is a hazard. To minimise any risk involved; I selected materials that would not require huge forces to break and I used only small samples of them so as to further reduce the force required e.g. the wood samples I used were cut to a thickness of 2mm. Another concern was that of what the material would do when the stress point was reached. Some of the materials I used could shatter or splinter e.g. plastic and wood. To cut the risk of personal injury to myself and those around I erected Perspex safety screens, wore protective goggles and performed the experiment in a closed classroom. I also used shatterproof plastic in tests instead to normal plastic as I considered this too dangerous. Due to the method used in generating the force i.e. using suspended masses, I had to consider where the masses were going to land once the material gave way. I placed a carpet tile where the masses were going to fall so as to prevent damage to the floor and furthermore I suspended the masses as close to the floor as possible so as to reduce the velocity at which the impacted the floor. With the preparation of the experiment sorted and a few preliminary test runs completed, I decided to start collating results from the various materials I had collected.

The Fraud-Governance Linkage and Audit Research Paper

The Fraud-Governance Linkage and Audit - Research Paper Example Corporate governance also highlights the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders such as an organization’s management, the board of directors, shareholders, and other stakeholders. Corporate governance avails guidelines centering on the way in which corporations should be governed in order to attain its goals and objectives, as well risk monitoring and assessment and performance optimization (Carcillo, Hermanson and Ye 2). One of the outstanding themes of corporate governance revolves around the nature and extent of accountability required of persons running corporations, and mechanisms fashioned at decreasing principal-agent challenge to minimize managerial opportunism. Achieving Effective Corporate Governance Corporations operate in a legal environment and are subject to laws and regulations of a certain jurisdiction. Organizations also have a constitution that avails individual rules that govern the Corporation and sanction or constrain its operations or decision making. There are codes and guidelines that oversee corporate governance cover a broad array of categories. These include auditing, corporate responsibility and compliance, board and management structure, financial transparency and information disclosure. Corporations pursue and maintain an effective system that facilitates continuous enhancement in relation to strategy, performance, compliance, and accountability (Carcillo, Hermanson and Ye 3). Effective corporate governance can be achieved when the board of directors strictly embodies the interests of shareholders. In exercising their duty of trustees, the board of directors should review, challenge, and oversee the corporation’s business strategy and its effectiveness. Stakeholders should be well informed, engaged and willing to challenge each other. Parties involved in Corporate Governance The most prominent parties engaged in corporate governance incorporate government agencies and authorities, management (encompasses board of directors), Chief Executive Officer, shareholders, auditors, and other executives such as line managers, lenders, suppliers, employees, creditors, clients, and the community. Corporate governance mechanisms encompass systems of controls directed at aligning the interests of the managers with those of shareholders. The directors, employees, and management expect to draw benefits and reputation, as well as remuneration from the corporation, while the investors expect to draw financial returns from the Corporation. Lenders, on the other hand, expect specified interest payments, dividend distributions, or capital gains on their investment. The organization’s clients concern center on certainty in the provision of desired goods and services, which meet proper quality; the concerns of the suppliers revolve around compensation for their goods or services, and probable continuity in the trading relationship with the Corporation. The board is entrusted with playing a critical role in corporate governance. The board is mandated to endorse the corporation’s strategy as well as shaping a directional policy.  

Homework1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Homework1 - Assignment Example Eliminating tariffs on traded commodities between the two nations ensures lower prices and therefore ability to purchase commodities for meeting needs. It also increases variety of commodities in the market to facilitate utility. In addition, promoting international trade increased employment opportunities and income of involved stakeholders in production and distribution. Reported statistics on potential of Blacks to benefit from the initiative also identify the need for diversified economic initiatives for benefits to diversified population segments (Drew 1). The initiative has diversified benefit to the United States. It offers greater economic opportunities for the nation in Columbia by allowing products from the United States to be more prices competitive to domestic products in Columbia. The initiative’s effects of increased international trade also has benefits such as increased variety of commodities to US consumers, reduced commodity prices, increased variety of goods, and increased employment rates due to increased productivity from the expanded market (Drew 1). A similar initiative could be duplicated in other countries because of effects of globalization that requires international corporation and benefits of facilitated international trade that are universal to all countries (Drew 1). Drew, Alton. â€Å"Getting ahead of Obama’s national export initiative.† Politic365. May 24, 2013. Web. June 3, 2014.

Australian Stock Exchange Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Australian Stock Exchange - Essay Example This is done either to remove risks or to obtain a profit. According to Becket (2012), stock exchange is a public place where a company can sell its shares to investors or where an investor can buy or sell shares to another investor. Australian Stock Exchange is one of such places used for trading stocks. This paper explains an evaluation of this market and discusses the importance of the market to the Australian economy. The Australian Stock Exchange manages all the activities related to trading of shares in Australia. The activities concern both primary and secondary services required by companies and investors in the trading of shares. This includes capital information and hedging, trading and price discovery, risk transfer, and securities settlement (ASX, 2012). This stock exchange has been ranked among the largest in the world in terms of market capitalization. According to Downers and Masci (2003), the Australian Stock Exchange was in the past converted from a mutual organizati on to a company. Due to this, it expanded its regulations and incorporated public interests in its operations. Moreover, it became more accountable to the members of the public. This is because the public is its main owner. One of the major responsibilities of this stock exchange is to distribute necessary information to companies, current shareholders, and potential shareholders. According to Webb and Yu (2004), some of the most crucial information that this company distributes is information about change in shareholding, notices of intended takeovers, and statements of directors’ interests. This information can guide investors in making decisions of whether to trade their stocks or to continue holding them. Moreover, it can guide companies in their decisions to introduce new shares to the markets when seeking funds for expanding. Furthermore, they can guide the company in determining appropriate prices for the shares it intends to introduce in the stock market. Most of this information is conveyed in the form of news articles. However, the Australian Stock Exchange also uses its website to convey information to the public. The information that it conveys through its website ranges from share prices to information on investment education and trading games (Pollard, 2011). This information could also be very crucial to investors, potential investors, and listed companies. The stock exchange coordinates with other stock exchanges of the world – the most important of them are the stock exchanges of the Unites States, United Kingdom, China, Japan, and New Zealand (ASX, 2012). This is because these countries are the Australia’s major trading partners. It organizes the Australian equities to be given exemptions on other foreign equity markets and gives exemptions to foreign equities traded in the Australian equity market. According to Campbell (2008), this stock exchange has offered exemptions to New Zealand equities offered to Australian publi c similar to the ones offered for Australian equities offered in New Zealand. This promotes the flow of capital in and out of this country, which positively affects economic activities in the country. Clear comparison can be drawn between the Australian Stock Exchange and other stock exchanges of the world. This stock exchange is among the most developed ones internationally. As a result, it can be closely compared, for example, with the New York Stock Exchange and

Religion The Sacred And Rituals Theology Religion Essay

Religion The Sacred And Rituals Theology Religion Essay This paper will discuss the challenges of both the Islamic and Catholic religion in terms of defining the rituals, how members practice their religion and the overall terms of their devotion. Comparing is not an easy task as Islam and Catholicism are complete ends of the spectrum. For both religions claiming to be peace loving people, who share some of the same religious texts, and have many common beliefs they often cannot get along. Neither religion will tolerate or begin to accept the other religions if strictly and literally practiced by either Islam or Catholicism. Religion is a personal choice and as much as it is a choice, it should be respected by other religions as well. It does not matter what your beliefs are, if you are truly devoted to your faith, you will understand the need for religious tolerance. Religious tolerance is something that is borne out of a complete devotion to your faith. You will honor and accept your religion as something personal; however, in the same regard, you will accept the teachings, practices and traditions of other religions as well In some ways, Islam and Catholicism parallel each other. Although the rituals, prayers and history are different, they basically mirror each other in the basic aspects. The word Islam means submission or surrender in Arabic. To be submissive, means to be submissive to the will of Allah. Catholics hold a Trinitarianism belief that God is three persons in one, the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit. Muslims, or followers of Islam, maintain that Allah is one God and has no equal and no partner. (Dolphin, undated). Islamic doctrine is based on four separate principles or sources: the Quran, ijtihad (individual thought), the Sunnah (traditions) and ijma or community consensus. The Quran is to the Muslims, the Word of God, as the Bible is to Catholics. Unlike the Bible, the Quran was believed to be delivered from Allah, to the Angel Gabriel. The Quran is divided in to 144 surahs or chapters. Each of the early readings revealed in Mecca, are ethical and spiritual. The early readings also include the Day of Judgment. The surahs in later chapters, teach social, political and moral teaching for the communities. (Dolphin, undated). Muslims are uncertain as to whether they will go to heaven or not. However, like the Catholic religion, there are certain steps that must be taken to ensure eternal life. The 5 Pillars of the Islam faith are: Confession of Faith (Shahada), Salat (prayer), Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), Zakat (contributing tithings) and Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims recite the Shahada or, Confession of Faith: La ilaha illaLlah; wa Muhammadun rasuluLlah. There is no God but Allah; and Muhammad is Allahs prophet. The Quran has six main teachings and like the Catholic faith, each must be adhered to in order to receive a final reward. The first teaching is that you must believe in Allah. To believe in Allah is to believe in the teachings of the Quran and no other. The word of Allah comes directly from the Quran and there is no room for interpretation by man. Muslims believe the message delivered to the Angel Gabriel is unadulterated and therefore implicit. The second teaching is belief in the Angels who are the messengers of Allah. Although Muslims do not submit to Allah, they submit to the teachings of Allah. Allah is not to be questioned. To question Allah or his existence is to deny the existence of his will. The third teaching is belief in the Books, you must believe in the Messengers, you must believe in the Day of Judgment. Although there is judgment at the time of death, the final judgment comes at the end of time. The final belief is that Muslims have to believe implicitly in fate. The Quran teaches that God has determined both good and evil. By acknowledging the teachings of the Quran, one acknowledges there is no other religion. To consider worship in another religion is to blaspheme Allah. The Quran does not recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Muslims do not acknowledge Jesus death or Resurrection. Fundamental Islam teaches that Jesus was nothing more than a mere prophet and denies the existence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as a Trinity. Allah and his will are the final word. In essence, Allah is the Master (abd) and Muslims are his slaves (abd). To submit totally to the Master is to have complete faith in Allah. (Robinson, 2012) The Catholic faith can be just as confusing and just as intricate as the Islamic faith. The Catholic Church is full of rituals and traditions that are questioned by many. The Catholic Church recognizes that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered and died on the Cross for our sins. To many, the existence of a virgin birth is inconceivable. Catholics recognize God as Our Father. However, that does not mean that God and the Virgin Mary conceived Jesus. The Catholic religion teaches that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and became man. The conception of Jesus was Immaculate and therefore, The Virgin Mary is recognized as our Mother. (The Holy See, 2012). Mary is not worshiped on the same level as Our Father. Mary is revered as the Mother of Jesus and although Catholics do not specifically pray to Mary, they ask for her intercession through Jesus Christ, her Son. The Hail Mary is the prayer most often associated with reverence for the Virgin Mother. The word Hail is used not as a title to acknowledge Mary as being on the same level with Jesus or the Father. It is merely used as a greeting. The word, Hail was used in biblical times much as we usethe greeting, Hello today. Catholics also recite the Rosary, which is another form of ritualistic prayer. The Rosary is not mentioned in the Bible, it is not a mandatory teaching or tradition. It is a man-made prayer which when said properly, allows Catholics to reflect and meditate on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. From the Annunciation by Marys cousin Elizabeth that she was going to be the Mother of the Most Holy One to the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Rosary is used as a teaching tool. The Catholic Church was founded over 2000 years ago on the Pentecost. This was the day the Holy Spirit appeared to the Apostles. As Muslims recite the Shahada, Catholics recite the Apostles Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. The Apostles Creed once again, is a historical account of the life of Jesus. It is the basic belief that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, became man and ultimately died for our sins. One interesting concept that differs between the Catholic, and Islamic faith is tolerance for killing. It specifically states in the Ten Commandments, Thou shalt not kill. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses on Mount Sinai and are the framework of a Christian life. The Ten Commandments are basic rules for every Christian and/or Catholic to pattern their lives after. There is no room for interpretation of the Ten Commandments. Although the Commandments are depicted in a particular order, there does not seem to be a Commandment which, when broken, is more severe than the others. Islam has tolerance for killing non-combatants. The Quran calls for the elimination of all and any non-Muslim invaders. If the result is death of the invader(s), the Quran considers it to be collateral damage. In order to keep the Muslim faith pure, it is considered perfectly acceptable to extinguish the lives of any person who does not accept the Quran and the Muslim way of life as their own. The teaching of some radical Imams additionally allows for the killing of Israelis who could as adults join the Israeli army, once again based on the belief that the Quran allows for the elimination of anyone who may interfere with the teachings of Islam. Teachings from the Quran that incite the radical Muslims result in the acceptance of suicide bombings, suicide missions such as the September 11th attacks on the United States and every other form of terrorism that radical Muslims have engaged in over the years. In the Catholic religion, there is zero tolerance for the murder of anyone opposed to the teachings and beliefs of the Church. At this juncture, the Catholic religion deems abortion as murder and will excommunicate any woman who, for whatever reason, opts to terminate a pregnancy. There is no exception for a pregnancy that is a result of rape, incest or any other act that results in the fertilization of the egg by the sperm. In the Catholic view, human life begins at conception. In this sense, it could be viewed as a radical opposition to the choice of a woman to choose whether or not to carry a fetus to term even in the mother is incapable of performing her duties as a nurturer. One example of this type of pregnancy would be for a severely mentally disabled woman to become impregnated. In the eyes of the Catholic Church, it does not matter that the quality of life for the child may be severely diminished. It is not a concern if the life of the mother is endangered either. Like the T en Commandments, there is no room for interpretation. Human life begins at conception. For Muslims and Catholics to coexist, there has to be some form of religious tolerance. Although the basic teachings are similar, when the beliefs and traditions are altered from their original state, that leaves room for views that become tainted by man to conform to his personal, political and self-righteous beliefs.

Death And The Maiden - Film Vs Essay -- essays research papers

The Polanski film Death and the Maiden is a wonderful and intelligent interpretation of Ariel Dorfman’s human rights problem play. Polanski has produced, in this film, an exceptional piece of direction, in which his own personal, emotional input is evident. The main theme of the play is an extremely personal one for both playwright (and scriptwriter) and director. Both Dorfman and Polanski have had to face and flee the horrors of dictatorship and human rights violations: Dorfman in Chile, under General Augusto Pinochet, and Polanski in Poland under the Nazis. But despite this similarity in past experience, significant differences exist between the original play and the film. Apart from the specific techniques of lighting and composition, whose possibilities are greatly widened in the medium of film, we see differences in both the different emphases and implied viewpoints on the various themes that the play touches on and, perhaps more importantly, the way the characters are por trayed. While the old concept of “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger'; is present in both the play and the film (particularly in the characterisation of Paulina), it is much more prevalent in the movie. We can see Paulina’s strength from the start. As she strides confidently around the house and violently tears off a piece of chicken, the suggestion that she is unsuited to the domestic position which she has obviously been forced into by the side effects of her traumatic experience need not be made any clearer. Although possessing remarkable strength in both texts, the movie shows a much stronger, almost completely masculine Paulina. This Paulina has been almost entirely defeminized by her ordeal, physically, symbolised by the scarred breast and her desire to “adopt'; a child, which also serves as a glimpse of the vulnerable element of womanhood in her character that still remains. Throughout the bout of verbal jousting that goes on in the opening scene Paul ina is able to hold her ground much more firmly than she appears to do in the play. In Polanski’s version of the scene she actually manages to use her domestic role to gain power in the argument, fiercely flinging the dinner in the bin. Weaver’s powerful acting conveys the unmistakable tension associated with an incredible amount of suppressed anger. I... ...0;'; For all the rage contained in the film (significantly more than the play), and its portrayal of Paulina, there is a certain helplessness to the film, and a disturbing truth in its unresolved ending. One might argue that Polanski – in making Roberto give an overall much more genuine confession at the end of the film than Dorfman provides in the play – is falling into the Hollywood trap of offering a simple resolution to its many moral conflicts and thus making it accessible to a wider audience. I believe this circumstance serves a very important purpose, emphasized by its juxtaposition with the very last scene. It underlines this important impotence in the film’s ending: the fact that despite her having faced her demons Paulina has been permanently changed by her ordeal. And although she may have “…reclaimed [her] Schubert…'; in that she can now sit in a concert hall and listen to the music, the music will never be able to tell her the same things again. And even if Roberto is not there in person (as he is in the final scene) he will always exist as a vague presence, a “phantasmagorical'; shadow on her soul.

The Dangers of Obedience to Authority: Writing and Reading Across the Cirriculum

As a child growing up, everyone was told â€Å"respect your elders† or â€Å"listen and obey†. As children grow into teenagers, they start pushing the boundaries to see who they really need to obey. Throughout adulthood, though people have fewer and fewer authority figures as the years go by, everyone must obey someone. Though we all have someone to obey, when does the respectful obedience cross the line into dangerous territory? Obedience becomes dangerous when it becomes physically or mentally harmful to one’s self or society.Physical abuse to one’s self or another person is dangerous, period. What is even more frightening is when someone hurts themselves or others due to an authority figure’s direct influence on them. In the infamous psychologist, Stanley Milgram’s, experiment, people were told to administer shock to a peer for not answering a question correctly. This experiment shows the dangers of obeying authority. Though the â€Å"pee rs† were acting, the subjects fully believed they were truly administering shock to another human being.This shows that the line between respectful obedience to an authority figure and a dangerous subservience to a fear striking leader is crossed when one person begins or attempts to injure one’s self or another because of a fearful obligation placed upon them. Some may argue that police officers cross the line when they use â€Å"excessive force† on a perpetrator because they are hurting another person due to the description of their job by the local government. While this is a valid point, if an officer is forced to cause physical harm to someone, he or she has been provoked by the offender and are simply doing their job.Mental or emotional abuse is generally not the first thing most people think of when they hear the word obedience. Though it is not often spoken of, mental abuse occurs often when an authority figure abuses their power to break down the psychol ogical barriers that one may have in order to get the person to obey. This tactic was used in the â€Å"Stanford Prison Experiment† when the â€Å"guards† began calling the â€Å"prisoners† by their numbers instead of names and granted admission to the â€Å"privileged cell† in order to maintain control over the prisoners. Because of the psychological games played by ome authority figures, the line between obedience and danger is crossed and can become harmful to a person’s incredibly fragile mental health, causing them to have thoughts of suicide or murder. Some may argue that mind games are the safest and easiest way to keep structure and order when dealing with a person of lesser authority. However, psychological warfare, such as the mind games that were used in the â€Å"Stanford Prison Experiment†, can leave some of the worst scars on a person due to post traumatic stress disorder as well as depression which can lead to suicide.Obedienc e to society is not often thought of when dealing with this particular topic. The power of a majority is usually far underestimated. Just as shown in the article â€Å"The Power of Situations† with the line test, most people will override their own eyes to believe what they are told the majority believes or thinks. Society can be a very harmful entity when trying to influence the masses. This statement especially applies when dealing with teenagers. For example, when most teenagers are in a situation where they feel everyone else is doing something they know is wrong, they will usually â€Å"go with the flow† and follow what the crowd does.In a study conducted by the â€Å"D. A. R. E. † group showed that, while people who try to pressure teens to smoke say â€Å"everyone does it†, in fact only 11% percent of teens actually smoke. Though teen smoking at all is not good, 11% is much better than everyone. Some may say that obedience to society is promoting c onformity which is good for our justice system as well as the status quo. However, the idea that everyone must be the same, think the same, and have the same emotions is not only sad, but also nips creative thinking in the bud.Without creative thinkers, how would our world see in the dark? Conformity is alright to an extent, but when it impedes progress, it becomes a danger to society and future generations. While a due respect and obedience should be given to authority figures, obedience that becomes harmful, psychologically or physically, to oneself or society in general, crosses the line into the danger zone where it could harm an actual human being or the creative thoughts inside that person.

Microscopic Examination essays

Microscopic Examination essays In this experiment, our aim is examining the microstructure of metals. By studying microscopic structures of metals, we determine which material fits best to a given application. We used the most common method, optical technique, to examine the microstructure. We used a small specimen cut from the metal to be examined. To be able to see the structure clearly, we first cleaned and polished the specimen. First we start polishing with emery paper no: 1 and some finer grades. One should be careful about the coarse abrasive particles and striations from them. Cleaning and rotating the specimen 90Â ° during the transfer can prevent these. The next step is polishing, yet washing the sample before polishing gives a more successful result. Finally, we polished the specimen on a rotating cloth covered with an effective abrasive like Al2O3-Water suspension. We kept polishing until we obtained a mirror like face. After we finished polishing, the crystalline structure of the specimen, any cracks, seams, non-metallic inclusions and inhomogenities, could be revealed. Before start etching we first applied mounting process. In this step we used a matched die set. We placed our sample into the die set in the way that the rough face of the specimen was the lower surface and the polished face looked upward. We filled the die cavity with Bakelite and then we transferred our die to a mounpress. Mounting not only protects our sample but also by making its base flat and stable helps us while we are examining the sample under the microscope. In etching process, depending upon chemical composition, energy content and grain orientation, we determine the grain boundaries and the presence of chemically different phases. To reveal these micro structural details of the polished mount we used an etchant like 1% Nital. We immersed the mount with the polished face upward in a small dish of etching solution. As soon as a bloom ap ...

Average ACT Score for 2018, 2017, 2016, and Earlier Years

Average ACT Score for 2018, 2017, 2016, and Earlier Years SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips In recent years, more and more students have been taking the ACT than ever before. But what does this change in participation rate mean for the average ACT score? As you'll learn in this article, while ACT scores have been fairly stable in the last few years, there have been some dips and peaks in scores in the last 25 years. Let’s take a look at what’s happening. Average ACT Scores for Past Years Let's look at some charts for average ACT scores over the past couple of decades. These will show us some trends in the ACT world that have led to recent changes in the test. Average ACT Scores 1992-1996 Year # of Test Takers English Math Reading Science Composite 1992-1993 875,603 20.3 20.1 21.2 20.8 20.7 1994 891,714 20.3 20.2 21.2 20.9 20.8 1995 945,369 20.3 20.2 21.3 21 20.8 1996 924,663 20.3 20.2 21.3 21.1 20.9 Source: NCES Average ACT Scores 1970-1998 In the 1992-1996 ACT scores, there was a general increase in Math, Reading, and Science scores. Average ACT Scores 1997-2001 Year # of Test Takers English Math Reading Science Composite 1997 959,301 20.3 20.6 21.3 21.1 21 1998 995,039 20.4 20.8 21.4 21.1 21 1999 1,019,053 20.5 20.7 21.4 21 21 2000 1,065,138 20.5 20.7 21.4 21 21 2001 1,069,772 20.5 20.7 21.3 21 21 Source: NCES Average ACT Scores 1970-2001 In the 1997-2001 ACT scores, there was an increase in English and Math and a decline in Science and Reading. Also, in 1999, theACT broke the one million test-taker ceiling for the first time. Average ACT Scores 2002-2005 Year # of Test Takers English Math Reading Science Composite 2002 1,6,082 20.2 20.6 21.1 20.8 20.8 2003 1,175,059 20.3 20.6 21.2 20.8 20.8 2004 1,171,460 20.4 20.6 21.3 20.9 20.9 2005 1,186,251 20.4 20.7 21.3 20.9 20.9 Source: NCES Average ACT Scores 1995-2010 From 2002 to 2005, we see a slight but steady rise in all scores across the board. Average ACT Scores 2006-20 Year # of Test Takers English Math Reading Science Writing Composite 2006 1,206,455 20.6 20.7 21.4 20.9 7.7 21.1 2007 1,300,599 20.7 20.8 21.5 21 7.6 21.2 2008 1,421,941 20.6 21 21.4 20.8 7.3 21.1 2009 1,480,469 20.6 21 21.4 20.9 7.2 21.1 2010 1,568,835 20.5 21 21.3 20.9 7.1 21 20 1,623,2 20.6 21 21.3 20.9 7.1 21.1 Source: NCES Average ACT Scores 1995-2010, 20 Profile Report As you can see, ACT scores kept increasing until 2007, when there was an all-time composite score high of 21.2. After that, however, all subscores except English and Science consistently declined. Average ACT Scores 2012-2018 Year # of Test Takers English Math Reading Science Writing Composite 2012 1,666,017 20.5 21.1 21.3 20.9 7.1 21.1 2013 1,799,243 20.2 20.9 21.1 20.7 7 20.9 2014 1,845,787 20.3 20.9 21.3 20.8 7.1 21.0 2015 1,924,436 20.4 20.8 21.4 20.9 6.9 21.0 2016 2,090,342 20.1 20.6 21.3 20.8 19.3* 20.8 2017 2,030,038 20.3 20.7 21.4 21.0 6.5 21.0 2018 1,914,817 20.2 20.5 21.3 20.8 - ** 20.8 Sources: 2012 Profile Report, 2013 Profile Report, 2014 Profile Report, 2015 Profile Report, 2016 Profile Report,2017 Profile Report, 2018 Profile Report*2016 Writing results are based on ACT Writing from September 2015 to August 2016, when the test was scored on a scale of 1-36. **As of 2018 ACT seems to have opted to no longer provide information about Writing score averages (except indirectly through ELA scores). After 2007's peak, there is a general decline in scores across the board for nearly a decade. In 2013, ACT, Inc. instituted changes to the ACT to better reflect national curricula, which is possibly reflected in the general stability of composites and subscores from 2013 onwards (with the exception of Math, which has steadily decreased since then). Average ACT Score Trends: What Do the Numbers Mean? As the charts above indicate, there wasa moderate and gradual increase in average ACT scores until they peaked in 2007. After,average scores began to decline until 2014 when they increased slightly before settling to the same level they are at as of 2018. There has been discussion that the downward trend in average ACT scores could be a result of the No Child Left Behind Act and the test-based teaching style in US schools. This slight increase in ACT scores in 2014 could be attributed to the changes ACT, Inc. made to the ACT so that it could better align with high school curricula.Overall, though, average ACT scores have remained relatively stable. For a long while it was predominantly students in the Midwest that took the ACT, but lately the test has begun to spread to the rest of the US as more and more states are requiring students to take it. Consequently, more students have been taking the ACT each year over the past decade. Even with more students taking the ACT, however, the data shows that students generally do better on the ACT than they do on the SAT- for which there has been a steady, stronger decline in scores. (However, the long-term results of the 2016 SAT redesign aren't yet known.) One thing to note, though, is that just like with the SAT, the ACT shows a disparity in scores based on ethnicity and, very likely, income level. The following chart clarifies these differences between average ACT scores based on ethnicity from 1997 to 2018: 1997 2001 2005 2009 2013 2016 2017 2018 Black or African American 17.9 16.9 17 16.9 17 17 17.1 16.9 American Indian or Alaska Native 20.4 18.8 18.7 18.9 18 17.7 17.5 17.3 White 22.8 21.8 21.9 22.2 22.1 22.2 22.4 22.2 Hispanic or Latinx 19.9 18.5 18.4 18.7 18.8 18.7 18.9 18.8 Asian 22.5* 21.7 22.1 23.2 23.6 24 24.3 24.5 Pacific Islander - - - - 19.4 18.6 18.4** 18.2 Two or More Races - - - - 21.1 21 21.2 21.1 No Responses - - - - 20.8 20.1 20.3 19.8 Sources: NCES Average ACT Scores 1995-2014, 2016 Profile Report, 2017 Profile Report, 2018 Profile Report *Averages for Asian and Pacific Islander students were combined until 20**Averages for Native Hawaiian students folded into averages for Pacific Islander students starting 2017 Overall, the white, Asian, and two or more races subgroups have the highest ACT score averages,with Asian scores consistently increasing. By contrast, African American and Native American subgroups have the lowest ACT averages, likely because they are typically the most disenfranchised groups. What’s Next? Now that you know about the average ACT scores, it's time to figure out what a good ACT score is for you specifically. If you're definitely decided on the ACT,read our in-depth guides to prepping for the ACT. If you don't have a lot of time left, use ourlast-minute ACT cramming tips. Got time? Then learnhow to come up with your own ACT study schedule. Not sure whether you should take the ACT or SAT?Take a look at our article onthe differences between the ACT and SAT to help you determine which test is right for you. Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.

Chapters' summaries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Chapters' summaries - Essay Example Mixed language tools can deliver the desired results and also cause hurt that will take time to heal. The leader has to deal with these standard tools with caution. The intentions of the leader may be right; but it needs to be told at the right time. One important point incidentally. The listeners mostly have estimate of the merit of the personality conveying the message to them. For example, a politician speaking on the subject of the current state of the economy may not command the same respect with the audience as compared to a reputed management consultant’s views on the subject. The audience has a pre-conceived notion that the former is playing to the gallery and he may state quite the opposite, in front of another audience. The combination of the language tools employed by the leader may produce tangible effects on some; with others it may be quite contradictory. This is the limitations with the mixed messages; they may outweigh the advantages they score. The audience is intelligent enough to understand whether the leader’s message comes out of his convictions or he is trying to outsmart the audience with clever use of the mixed messages and he is doing it quite deliberately. Blessed are those who have perfected the art of gifted communication. To an extent this ability is inborn but there is much scope for cultivating this quality. One needs to do framing in advance for the possible situations of interactions during the course of the day. A verbatim account of such dealing is impossibility as new situations crop up and new solutions will have to be found. If one has the spontaneous answer for an expected question it is perfect; but if one has the appropriate answer for the unexpected question, that leader is a genius. For example a cashier at the bank, may have some routine questions from the customer, like, ‘At

Secrets of Sense and sensibility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Secrets of Sense and sensibility - Essay Example It was essential then that the discourse of meaning in which these two characters appear though the passages within the novel be able to understand discreet measures in which women and women relationships were being censored by society. To show that Elinor and Marianne are able to use secrets as a measure of passing information and meaning to the other characters I have chosen two scenarios from the book to illustrate my point. The first scene that I would like to explore is when Marianne was having an intense relationship with Willoughby and an attachment so strong between the two of them that in the minds of the adults it was almost an assured attachment that would lead to marriage. However, in the eyes of pre-pubescent Margaret she could not understand that such daily contact between the two could excite into marriage. It was only when she witnessed that Willoughby had taken a lock of Marianne’s hair as a sign of fixed attachment did Margaret presume that the two will soon be engaged; Margaret related something to her the next day, which placed this matter in a still clearer light. Willoughby had spend the preceding evening with them, and Margaret, by being left some time in the parlour with only him and Marianne, had had opportunity for observations, which with a most important face, she communicated to her eldest sister, when they were next by themselves. The secret in question was the lock of hair obtained by Willoughby from Marianne that signifies their strong attachment from one another. However, we know this to be beside the case when Willoughby has a secret of his own to conceal that he may not marry Marianne. The eyes of a child, in this case, Margaret who’s pre-pubescent and slowly learning the art of conveying meaning without declaring it to the public world allows Marianne to be subtly disgraced without the knowledge of the public sphere thus securing