Free Essays on Reality Therapy

Reality Therapy: An Ongoing Process. â€Å"Regardless of what has occurred in our lives, or what we have done before, we can pick practices that will assist us with addressing our requirements all the more viably in the future.† (Glasser, 2003). William Glasser built up a program dependent on this announcement. The treatment is called Reality treatment. Glasser, an American analyst, created reality treatment in the mid sixties it despite everything keeps on advancing by his hand today. Reality treatment is only one of a few advising techniques which shows individuals how to coordinate their own lives, settle on better decisions, and create ways of dealing with stress to all the more likely handle pressure. The distinction truly treatment is the possibility that â€Å"regardless of what has occurred in our lives, or what has been done previously, we can pick practices that will assist us with addressing our requirements all the more viably in the future†(Glasser 2003). The training, the intrigue and the res ult of the program are basic keys to completely understanding this strategy for advising. The act of reality treatment is a continuous procedure comprised of two significant segments. One, the advocate must have a believing relationship with the patient so they can have a sense of security. The instructor should besides; use strategies, which help an individual to the acknowledgment of what they truly need. The patient should then think about their present circumstance, and make another arrangement for satisfying their needs later on. The Appeal of this technique is that it’s both exceptionally proficient and clear. The program puts the duty of fixing the issue on the patient. It is supposed to act naturally enabling and doesn’t dive into the patients past disappointments however rather adopts a positive forward strategy. The technique prompting the change has 8 stages not to be followed in a specific request. The endless supply of the means is that â€Å"people can live their lives all the more effectively when they recognize and acknowledge obligation regarding their ... Free Essays on Reality Therapy Free Essays on Reality Therapy Reality Therapy: An Ongoing Process. â€Å"Regardless of what has occurred in our lives, or what we have done before, we can pick practices that will assist us with addressing our requirements all the more successfully in the future.† (Glasser, 2003). William Glasser built up a program dependent on this announcement. The treatment is called Reality treatment. Glasser, an American clinician, created reality treatment in the mid sixties it despite everything keeps on advancing by his hand today. Reality treatment is only one of a few guiding techniques which shows individuals how to coordinate their own lives, settle on better decisions, and create ways of dealing with stress to more readily deal with pressure. The distinction as a general rule treatment is the possibility that â€Å"regardless of what has occurred in our lives, or what has been done previously, we can pick practices that will assist us with addressing our necessities all the more adequately in the future†(Glasser 2003). The training, the in trigue and the result of the program are fundamental keys to completely understanding this strategy for advising. The act of reality treatment is a continuous procedure comprised of two significant parts. One, the advisor must have a believing relationship with the patient so they can have a sense of security. The advisor should furthermore; use strategies, which help an individual to the acknowledgment of what they truly need. The patient should then think about their present circumstance, and make another arrangement for satisfying their needs later on. The Appeal of this technique is that it’s both extremely effective and clear. The program puts the duty of fixing the issue on the patient. It is supposed to act naturally engaging and doesn’t delve into the patients past disappointments however rather adopts a positive forward strategy. The methodology prompting the change has 8 stages not to be followed in a specific request. The endless supply of the means is that â€Å"people can live their lives all the more effectively when they recognize and acknowledge obligation regarding their ... Free Essays on Reality Therapy Reality Therapy Reality Therapy is the technique for directing that Dr. Glasser has been educating since 1962. He distributed a book named Reality Therapy that year. It is currently immovably dependent on Choice Theory and its effective application is subject to the counselor’s commonality with, and the information on, that hypothesis. Actually, showing decision hypothesis to counselees is presently part of Reality Therapy. Reality Therapy, however appealing, is handily misconstrued to do with giving individuals â€Å"a portion of reality.† truth be told, the methodology is unmistakably a greater number of human neighborly and individuals focused than that. Reality treatment is a useful asset for self-improvement, achieving objectives, and estimating progress. Practically all ways to deal with brain research expect that individuals have certain essential needs and, in fact, there is wide concession to what these requirements are. In Reality treatment, they are arranged under five headi ngs: Power, Love and Belonging, Freedom, Fun, and Survival. One of the center standards of Reality Therapy is that, regardless of whether we know about it or not, we are constantly acting to address these issues. The objective of Reality Therapy is to help individuals reconnect. This reconnection typically begins with advisor initially associating with the individual and afterward utilizing this association as a model for how the separated individual can start to interface with the individuals the person in question needs. To make the relationship essential to Reality Therapy, the advisor will concentrate on the present and abstain from talking about the past in light of the fact that every single human issue are brought about by unsatifasfying present connections. Abstain from talking about indications and grumblings however much as could reasonably be expected, since these are the ways that counselees decide to manage sub-par connections. Comprehend the idea of complete conduct, which means center around what counselees can do legitimately act and think. Invest less energy in what they can't do straightforwardly; that is, change their emotions and physiology. Sentiments and physiology can ... Free Essays on Reality Therapy Reality Therapy Theoretical: Reality Therapy is the strategy for guiding that Dr. Glasser has been educating since 1962. He distributed a book named Reality Therapy that year. Reality Therapy, however infectious, is effectively misjudged to do with giving individuals â€Å"a portion of reality.† indeed, the methodology is definitely a greater number of human inviting and individuals focused than that. Reality treatment is an integral asset for self-awareness, achieving objectives, and estimating progress. Practically all ways to deal with brain research accept that individuals have certain fundamental needs and, without a doubt, there is wide concession to what these necessities are. In Reality treatment, they are grouped under five headings: Power, Love and Belonging, Freedom, Fun, and Survival. The objective of Reality Therapy is to help individuals reconnect. To make the relationship indispensable to Reality Therapy, the instructor will concentrate on the present and abstain from talking about the past on the grounds that every single human issue are brought about by unsatifasfying present connections. Abstain from scrutinizing, accusing and griping and help counselees to do likewise. By doing this, they will figure out how to maintain a strategic distance from the amazingly destructive outer control practices that demolish connections. In the event that the selection of practices isn't getting individuals closer, at that point the advocate attempts to assist them with finding new practices that lead to a superior association. Concentrate on points of interest. Assist them with making explicit, functional designs to reconnect with individuals they need, and afterward finish on what was arranged by helping them assess their advancement. Help them to comprehend, through showing them decision hypothesis and urging them to peruse the book, Choice Theory: a New Psychology of Personal Freedom, that whatever their protest, reconnecting is the most ideal answer for their concern. Reality treatment utilizes some key inquiries that help us with self-assessment. The primary inquiry in all actuality treatment focuses on the fundamental objective, target, or goal. Doing is put at the hear...

The Misfit in Flannery OConnors A Good Man Is Hard to Find Essay exam

The Misfit in Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard to Find I feel that the Grandmother in the story 'A Good Man is Hard to Find' experiences mental conditions. She couldn't care less at all about anybody yet herself. I feel that she may even be narcissistic. It is amusing on the grounds that she would be relied upon to pay special mind to her family. The Cambridge Dictionary characterizes narcissism as 'an excess of enthusiasm for and appreciation for your own physical appearance and additionally your own capacities' It is unexpected in light of the fact that she would be relied upon to pay special mind to her family, anyway in all actuality she just truly pays special mind to herself. She shows how egotistical she truly is ordinarily all through the story. She shows a total absence of respect for what any other person needs to do. All she thinks about from the outset is what ...

Shirley Jackson and the Mundane Horrors of Motherhood

Shirley Jackson and the Mundane Horrors of Motherhood Shirley Jacksons 101st birthday is this month. She is a premier writer of psychological suspense, horror, and the dark fantastic(1). So now seems like a good time to remind readers that, between writing beloved and bone-chilling books, Shirley Jackson also wrote about the life of a wife and mother in the mid-20th century. Jackson published her essays on family life in womens magazines such as  Good Housekeeping  and  Womans Home Companion.  In the 50s, they  were collected in two memoirs(2):  Life Among the Savages  (1953) and  Raising Demons  (1957). These two books recount amusing anecdotes from the lives of Jackson, her husband Stanley Hyman, and their four children: Laurie, Jannie, Sally, and Barry.  Yes, the writer known for such creepy and macabre tales as The Lottery and  The Haunting of Hill House also wrote charming accounts of her familys hijinks and foibles. For those of you unfamiliar with Jacksons work, her usual subjects include haunted houses, apocalyptic scenarios, unexplained happenings, etc. You know, the stuff that makes you scared to walk down a dark hall. Some writers employ blood, gore, and monsters to scare the wits out of you. Jacksons horror is more subtle, even mundane. It is often cemented in a real world, but one gone slightly off-kilter.  The Haunting of Hill House, one of my favorite novels, is about a house that may not even be haunted. The ghost never appears, is never made explicit; all occurrences could be blamed on the main character, an anxious woman named Eleanor. Thats the thrill of Jacksons work: the monster is in your head, and scarier than words can describe. So at first glance, Jacksons family stories appear to be a complete departure from her usual style. They deal with the mundane issues of daily livingâ€"picky eaters, car repairs, and bank visits. While undeniably amusing, they seem lighthearted, even trivial. Many early critics were disappointed that the author of the disturbing novel  Hangsaman had penned inconsequential stories of motherhood and managing house. It is something of a shock, one wrote, to read such ephemeral fluff. (3) But really, the books are classic Shirley Jackson. Each story displays the signature humor she lends to all her writing. Sometimes it is a dark, creeping humorâ€"funny, but unsettling. Furniture refuses to stay put, a flower arrangement is delivered, apparently from Sallys imaginary friend, and you can never quite get your bearings on who is telling the truth and what is  actually  real. Other times, it is a humor that will have you in stitchesâ€"like when Stanley and Shax, the familys cat, attempt (and fail) to capture a bat flying around the living room. So yes, these are family stories, but they are pure Shirley Jackson: hilarious, unnerving, and wry. She tunnels in on the tiny details that make up a life, creating a dynamic and expansive view of her world: balancing the needs of four children and a husband, while also being a prolific writer andâ€"crazy as it soundsâ€"a person in her own right. The books give a picture not just of Jacksons personal life, but of what life was like to be a woman in the 40s and 50s. Whats truly unsettling about Jacksons writing is the way she perfectly skewers societal expectations. On the surface, Jackson chuckles over an inept husband, a car that wont start, and missing sneakers. In between the lines youll notice a searing commentary on the life of a housewife when women shouldered most (read: all) of the child-rearing and housekeeping duties. When she checks in at the hospital for her third pregnancy, she has a difficult time with the receptionist filling out her intake form: Occupation? Writer, I said. Housewife, she said. Writer, I said. Ill just put down housewife, she said. She lets this little anecdote speak for itself, moving briskly on to a hazy and drawn out childbirth. But these lines stuck with me. They are so evocative of the difficulty women had (and still have) of being taken seriously. In her lifetime, Jackson published six novels, about a hundred short stories, two memoirs, and three childrens books. Remember this as youre reading. Marvel at how she managed to write prolifically, raise four children, and be a housewife. In the end, what I love about  Life Among the Savages  and  Raising Demons  is how they manage to be both compulsively readable slice-of-life stories and social commentary. As usual, Jackson draws you in expecting one thing, spins you around and presents you another.  There are dishes and dirty laundry, but also magic and intrigue. These books are as funny as they are sharp, and I hope well start referencing them as often as we do The Lottery. If youre not yet a Jackson fan, check out our Reading Pathway recommendations for where to start. Alternatively, if youve already read everything shes written, weve got some recommendations for you too. (1) The Shirley Jackson Awards (2) Think of these two books as memoir in the loosest of terms; as biographer Ruth Franklin writes in  Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life,  the writing straddles the line between fiction and fact; it is autobiographical but not necessarily true.  But then again what memoirs can claim theyre just the facts? (3) from  Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life  by Ruth Franklin Also In This Story Stream Best Reading Apps for Kids Never Too Young For a Fandom: My First Fandom Board Books View all children posts--> Sign up for True Story to receive nonfiction news, new releases, and must-read forthcoming titles.

Persuasive Speech On Standardized Testing - 1513 Words

Standardized Tests General Purpose: To Persuade Specific Purpose: To convince my audience that students should not be scrutinized under Standardized Testing Proposition: Scrutinizing students under Standardized Testing has not worked and does not work. Organizational Pattern: Problem-Cause-Solution Order Visual Aid: I may use a video on YouTube documenting experts’ knowledge on the subject INTRODUCTION I. Throughout the many years of the educational process, students are often met with different challenges that will test abilities and skills related to cognitive status and learning. The United States places much importance on education for children and young adults to move forward in order to ensure continued prosperity of the nation†¦show more content†¦Your kids are still being scrutinized under this law. Scores are a noble idea and progress should be valued, but is the United States going about this achievement the right way? IV. Growing up in an education system that implemented Standardized Testing, I saw many bright young students who were not able to succeed to the fullest given their background or situation. Progress and success was measured mainly with letter grades and test scores, with a culmination of Standardized Testing. V. Scrutinizing students under Standardized Testing has not worked and does not work. Today, we will discuss 3 reasons why Standardized Testing does not work. First, we will discuss problems with Standardized Testing. Second, we will look at the effects of this system, and finally, we’ll discuss a viable solution to better accommodate all students and their needs. TRANSITION: Now that we are aware of what we are going to cover, let’s first look at some of the problems with Standardized Testing. BODY: Problem, Cause, Solution I. Proponents of Standardized Testing stress the importance of a system that is reliable and equal and will not discriminate due to the fact that the test is the same for every student regardless of class or race. A. A three year study done by Boston College found that â€Å"tests profoundly shape what teachers teach because of the enormous pressure to improve students testShow MoreRelatedSummary Of I Just Reformed The School System By Prince Ea1100 Words   |  5 Pagesalso shows one in modern day to show they look the same to show nothing has changed. He uses tone of voice to show more powerful points in his speech along with people gasping to his facts that he shows the crowd. He uses many different kids to come into court as a â€Å"witness† to also help prove his point to the crowd. Prince uses two of the three persuasive appeals in his work. He uses pathos when he puts emotion in his voice and it makes us feel something from his words. He also makes us feel thingsRead MoreDo Schools Kill Creativity Essay3645 Words   |  15 Pages He goes to say that education is the same all around the world and everyone puts emphasis on the same subjects. â€Å"At the top are mathematics and languages, then the humanities, and the bottom are the arts† (Robinson). Schools are so focused on standardized test scores and core subjects that the arts are left behind. There is also a common belief that as school budgets are cut the first things to go are the arts. One thing many agree on is that creativity is a very important factor in a child lifeRead MorePeer Pressure2910 Words   |  12 Pagesbe a welcome break from citing Mark Anthony s oft quoted, Friends, Romans, Countrymen... speech. A good debate topic does not necessarily need to be a political topic. It can be funny, informative, contemplative, social, economical - the categories are endless. Debate topics for students need to be chosen keeping in mind the maturity level and understanding that they may be expected to have about the speech topic at hand. Always make a shortlist of topics that will seem interesting to the targetRead MoreAn Application for Automated Evaluation of Student Essay5644 Words   |  23 PagesCriterion SM Online Essay Evaluation: An Application for Automated Evaluation of Student Essays Jill Burstein Educational Testing Service Rosedale Road, 18E Princeton, NJ 08541 jburstein@ets.org Martin Chodorow Department of Psychology Hunter College 695 Park Avenue New York, NY 10021 martin.chodorow@hunter.cuny.edu Claudia Leacock Educational Testing Service Rosedale Road, 18E Princeton, NJ 08541 cleacock@ets.org Abstract This paper describes a deployed educational technology application:Read MoreEssay about Different Learning Styles2633 Words   |  11 Pageswrite (WEAC, 2001). Verbal Gymnasts Then, we have the verbal gymnasts. These children will talk you ear off. Their speech and vocabulary remind you of an adult’s. They speak logically and clearly. These children are very good at communicating with their friends and the adults that surround them. They are very articulate when they speak. These children will be persuasive and effective when trying to get their point across. These children love history because of the endless amount of factsRead MoreDTTLS Assignments5208 Words   |  21 Pages problem solving, listening, time management and team working. This means that: Someone with Functional English at Level 2 should be able to write effectively, structure sentences and punctuate appropriately – for example to write a logical and persuasive letter or presentation to help them to get their point across when it matters most, or writing a successful job application. Someone with Functional mathematics at Level 2 should be able to use a range of data ty pes and techniques to solve practicalRead MoreMaking Sense of Advertisements Daniel Pope8330 Words   |  34 Pagesproducts such as porcelain, furniture, and musical instruments, but also worried about dependence on imported manufactured goods. Advertisements in colonial America were most frequently announcements of goods on hand, but even in this early period, persuasive appeals accompanied dry descriptions. Benjamin Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette reached out to readers with new devices like headlines, illustrations, and advertising placed next to editorial material. Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century advertisementsRead MoreGlobal Business Strategy for Managing Marketing: the Case of Coca-Cola Company7223 Words   |  29 Pagesoften large variations in regional dialects of a given language. The differences between U.S., Australian, and British English are actually modest compared to differences between dialects of Spanish and German. Idioms involve â€Å"figures of speech† that may not be used, literally translated, in other languages. For example, baseball is a predominantly North and South American sport, so the notion of â€Å"in the ball park† makes sense here, but the term does not carry the same meaning inRead MoreWorking and Leading People Assignment18553 Words   |  75 Pagesmost qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited[3]. This is a position that requires a lot of knowledge, skill as well as experience to be successful in fulfill the job’s objectives. It is because there are no fixed, standardized principles in dealing with people, so the role of a HR manager in an organization is being greatly emphasized more and more nowadays. - One Vice President of Engineering: people working in an Engineering Department usually tend to use theRead MoreWorking and Leading People Assignment18560 Words   |  75 Pagesmost qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited[3]. This is a position that requires a lot of knowledge, skill as well as experience to be successful in fulfill the job’s objectives. It is because there are no fixed, standardized principles in dealing with people, so the role of a HR manager in an organization is being greatly emphasized more and more nowadays. - One Vice President of Engineering: people working in an Engineering Department usually tend to use the

Socrates A Martyr Or Confessor Essay - 1346 Words

Socrates: A Martyr or Confessor Socrates was a man in Athens, who set out in search for truth and knowledge. In doing this, he managed to anger some of his fellow men by exposing their ignorance. In 399 BC, he was arraigned on three different charges. He was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens. He was, also, indicted on charges of heresy and treason. As well, charged with being an atheist, not believing in the Gods. According to some people, Socrates deserved to die and to others his death made him a martyr. Using several sources, including The Apology, I will enlighten readers with the reasons behind some people’s beliefs that he died a martyr, in addition to, the beliefs of others who say Socrates had a touch of arrogance in insensitivity and deserved the death sentence, hence, the confessor. The Apology is Plato’s rendition of Socrates’ trial, but despite what the name would have you believe, it is not about Socrates having an expression of regret or admission to having done anything wrong. The word apology comes from the Greek word â€Å"apologia† meaning â€Å"explanation†. Something that is said to defend something that other people criticize. Or a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). In literature, an autobiographical form in which a defense is the framework for discussion of the author s personal beliefs. An example is Plato s Apology, in which Socrates answers his accusers by giving a history of hisShow MoreRelatedThe Christianity Of Persecution Of The Early Church2528 Words   |  11 Pagesduring the most challenging of times. But are we believing in a false history? Are we taking the truth of Christian persecution for granted when it is, in fact, not true at all? And, finally, are we placing too much significance on early Christian martyrs, thinking that they demonstrate far more than they are able? According to Candida Moss, the answer to all three of these questions is, yes. In her book, The Myth of Persecution, she argues that the church has significantly overemphasized the extentRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesLEARNING Key Dimensions of Self-Awareness For more than 300 years, knowledge of the self has been considered to be at the very core of human behavior. The ancient dictum â€Å"Know thyself† has been variously attributed to Plato, Pythagoras, Thales, and Socrates. Plutarch noted that this inscription was carved on the Delphic Oracle, that mystical sanctuary where kings and generals sought advice on matters of greatest importance to them. As early as 42 B.C., Publilius Syrus proposed: â€Å"It matters not what

Chemical and Physical Changes Lab Report Free Essays

Also, be cautious as to not inhale the chemicals. Because the glassware is glass, they may break and as such must be handled gently. All glassware should be inspected for cracks before starting the lab. We will write a custom essay sample on Chemical and Physical Changes Lab Report or any similar topic only for you Order Now Ill. Pre-Lab Questions- 1 . Identify the following as either chemical or physical changes: A. Striking a match- Chemical B. Food Spoiling- Chemical C. Breaking a Glass- Physical D. Mowing the Grass- Physical E. Leaves Decaying- Chemical F. Boiling Water- Physical 2. In your own words, state the Law of Conservation of Mass: The Law of the Conservation of Matter says the matter can be neither created nor destroyed. 3. List he indicators of a chemical change: Chemical change can be illustrated in many forms such as rust, decay, light being produced, heat being given off or cold being given off, and color change. These are simply a few and are not all of them. 4. Identify each as an element, compound, or mixture: A. Alarm- Compound B. Sulfur- Element C. Hydrogen Gas- Element D. Salad- Mixture E. Water- Compound F. Sodium Bicarbonate- Compound G. Fruit Punch- Compound H. Sodium Chloride (table salt)- Compound ‘V. Procedure- Experiment 1- Combine a few iron filings along with sulfur powder on an unused piece of paper. Mix the samples well with a scoopful. Examine the mixture with a magnifying glass and record your observation. Next, move the magnet under the mixture and reexamine It with a magnifying glass once again and record the observations. Discard the sample. Experiment 2- Fill a small beaker half way with cold water. Obtain a test tube with warm bath water and add the warm bath water with the cold water in the water and placing it in the trash can and dump the water down the sink. Experiment 3- Place a piece of magnesium in a clean, dry test tube. Next, add 10 drops of MM HCI. Record observations. Carefully touch the bottom of the test tube to check for the change in temperatures. Flush contents down the sink with plenty of water. Experiment 4- Transfer small amounts of sodium bicarbonate into a clean, dry test tube. Add 10 drops of MM HCI individually. Touch the bottom of the test tube and record all observations. Wash all the leftovers down the sink. Experiment 5- Mix 10 drops of barium chloride solution in a test tube with sodium sulfate solution. Record all observations in the data table and then pour down the sink. Experiment 6- Mix a small scoop of sodium chloride with 2 ml of water in a test tube. Record all observations and wash down the sink. V. Data and Observations- Experiment # Mass and Observations Chemical or Physical? When the magnet was held under the piece of paper, the iron stood up and followed the magnet physical 2 The warm water became a solid when added to the cold water physical 3 When the MM HCI was added, the liquids began to bubble and heat up, which is exothermic chemical 4 When the MM HCI was added, the liquids began to bubble once again and the liquids lolled, which was endothermic chemical 5 When the barium chloride was added, the color changed and the consistency changed to a more milky consistency physical 6 When the small scoop of sodium chloride was added to the water, nothing could be observed as happening physical VI. Calculations- VI’. Post Lab Questions- 1. In which lab did you observe a precipitate? A precipitate was observed in experiment number 2. 2. In which did you observe energy change? An energy change was observed in experiment number 1 when potential energy changed to mechanical energy. . In which did you observe a color change? A color was observed in experiment was observed in experiment number 5 when it became a milky color. 4. In which did you observe the formation of a gas? Gases of any sort. VIII. Conclusion- The purpose of this lab was to identify what a chemical change and what a physical change is. A chemical change is when bonds are broken and new ones are forced to form. Some indicators are a change are exothermic (heats up), endothermic (cools of, precipitate (solid forms), and color change. In the first experiment when the agent was under the sheet of paper with the iron filings, the iron filings stood up on their end and followed the magnet around, changing from potential energy into mechanical energy. In the second experiment performed, a precipitate formed, a solid was formed out of the warm water when it was added to the cold water. In experiment three, an exothermic change occurred when the magnesium and MM HCI where combined, resulting in bubbling of the two and then the test tube heating up. Then in experiment four, an endothermic change occurred when the sodium carbonate and MM HCI were combined in the test tube and the test tube cooled down. In experiment five, there was a color change when the barium chlorine and sodium sulfate were combined resulting in a new milky color which also now had a milky consistency. In the sixth experiment, as far as I could tell, nothing happened in the sixth experiment. ‘X. Error Analysis- The only possible error I can see is if my group made an error of some sort of error in experiment number 6 when nothing happened, and it Just seems like something should have happened in the experiment. How to cite Chemical and Physical Changes Lab Report, Papers

animals Essay Example For Students

animals Essay Animal Research: is it worth it? Todays society is in a constant race to discover how disease affects the body and how to reverse those ill effects associated with disease. To begin we must understand the etiology of the disease, then its effects, and lastly how to treat the condition. At each of these steps, an animal model is often used, stirring the controversy involving the benefits from animal research and is it necessary to save human lives? The answers to these questions are often highly variable leaving those on one side asking is it worth it? While the other side pushes for more research and more answers. The Animal Welfare Act of 1966 currently strives to establish acceptable standards for the treatment of animals, including those used in research. However, the animals exempt from this act include laboratory bred mice, rats, birds, cold-blooded animals, and farm animals. Therefore, of the estimated 20-25 million animals used each year in research, only a small percentage of laboratory animals are actually protected under this act. It is important to note, however, that regardless of not being rotected under this act does not mean that all of these animals are being ill- treated. On the contrary, many research institutions, in particular universities, are often strictly self-regulated. The Humane Society of America opposes the use of all animals in research and takes a strong position especially on the use of non-human primates. They argue that despite the reduction in the use of dogs and cats in research, the numbers of rodents used are still staggering. Also despite stricter regulation policies, by amending the Animal Welfare Act, as well as the addition of other new laws, as ecently as May of 2007, a medical doctor induced a brain aneurysm in an anesthetized dog to show how a medical device could be used by a group of salespeople. The salespeople, who had no knowledge of medical training, were allowed to attempt the procedure and afterwards the dog was euthanized. While it could be argued that this dog had no knowledge of its fate and did not suffer during the procedure, the use and ending of its life in such a manner could be considered unwarranted. Those people that feel animal model based research is necessary, are often in favor f the three Rs, Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, originally established by Russell and Burch in 1959. This idea while condoning the use of animals, pushes towards their eventual removal from research or at least the removal of those animals considered to be sentient. Animals considered being less-sentient such as invertebrates, early stage vertebrate embryos, and microorganisms are often those used as replacements. While this is not considered as the ultimate solution, overall the public at large views it as being more acceptable. The public opinion of animal se in research is often based on a mix of facts and misconceptions. Often those extremist groups strongly opposed to research, act out against institutions by releasing animals and destroying property, which in turn causes labs to have to be more secretive and hidden from public view. This becomes a vicious cycle in which animals such as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, SCID animals has resulted in their death and undo suffering. While extremist groups may have good intentions, those animals released by them are often worse off outside than they were inside the laboratory. In my research experience, at the University level, I found strict policies in place from many sectors including the federal, state, and the university itself. Funding for animal based research is often difficult to acquire, and once a lab has it, their experiments are regulated by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, (IACUC). .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 , .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 .postImageUrl , .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 , .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6:hover , .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6:visited , .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6:active { border:0!important; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6:active , .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6 .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua641775c517cc0e3bffb34ee63c93fd6:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Catherine The Great EssayExperimental protocols must be approved by a veterinarian, and if an alternative to an animal based model has been found to be acceptable, that direction is encouraged to be taken instead. The care and housing of a colony of thousand mice an cost thousands of dollars a month, so the 3 Rs are often implemented to offset costs. I found the animals which included mice, rats, rabbits, and chickens, at the University I worked for to be well looked after and any undo suffering was avoided. While animals were still sacrificed on a regular basis, those that performed the experiments were always supervised initially and well trained. When left with the dilemma of whether animal research benefits human society and if it necessary to save human lives, we must examine all of the achievements that would not have been possible without the use of animals. We have come a long way from the barbaric practices of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and while there is still suffering at some levels, we have made great strides in improving conditions. Animal based research, while often having the primary goal of human societal benefit, still can also benefit animals. For example, a chemotherapeutic drug developed in animals for use in people, may come back and be used by veterinarians. While the use of animals in research will continue to incite controversy, as long as both sides remain open, steps can be made to minimize animal suffering, ntil a time is reached when the service of animals is no longer required. Sources Animal Research Saves Lives, http://www. bresearch. org/survivors/, Accessed on Feb. 28th , 2008. Animal Testing, http://www. msu. edu/†hipchenm/atl/review2. html, Accessed Feb. 28th, 2008. The Humane Society of the United States, http://www. hsus. org/animals_in_research/, Accessed Feb. 28th, 2008. The University of Minnesota, Alternative use of Animals in Research, http:// www. ahc. umn. edu/rar/ethics. html, Accessed Feb. 28th, 2008. The Vivisection Quandary, Animal Experimentation, Where to Draw the Line http://

April Raintree Reflection Essays

April Raintree Reflection Essays April Raintree Reflection Paper April Raintree Reflection Paper Reflection on April Raintree Novel by Beatrice Culleton April Raintree Reflection: Chapter 1 The first chapter in the novel April Raintree by Beatrice Culleton gives a very intriguing background to April. We learn about her mother, father and most importantly her younger sister April. We are introduced to her living situation and how terrible it is. It is given from the view of a child, leaving the reader to use their common sense to fill in the blanks. I found myself feeling very sorry for April at the beginning of the book, having to raise her sister all by herself because she thought her parents were sick and needed medicine to get better. When her parentâ„ ¢s would take this medicine I just wanted to tell April what was really going on and to go talk to someone. Even though they got taken away from their family during the chapter I still feel terrible. I hate how young Cheryl is, because if she knew what was going on with her family, she wouldnâ„ ¢t be able to understand even if she wanted to. If I were in April or Cheryls situation I donâ„ ¢t think I could cope with all the stress at such a young age. It seemed obvious that they would get taken away from their family, just because the story had to move forward and there had to be conflict but I didnt want it to happen. Nobody wants to be separated from their family, no matter how bad or neglecting they are towards you. Everyone needs someone to love, and be loved back whether they show it or not. I didnt find this chapter the most interesting of the novel, but it kept me interested in the story and kept me flipping the pages. April Raintree Reflection: Chapter 9 In the ninth chapter April has already married Bob and moves to Toronto to move in with him. She is overwhelmed with the parties, mansions and most importantly her complete and total loneliness. Cheryl comes to her house for Christmas and April is excited and nervous for Bobs mothers reaction. They also get a chance to catch up with each other and Cheryl finds out that April went searching for her parents and didnt tell her. I found that this chapter was the turning point for April and Cheryls relationship. Looking back on the novel I feel that it only got worse from this point. This is to be expected because even though they are blood related they were raised in two different families, which allowed them to become two totally different people. Cheryl has been able to live without her sister for a long time, and I think it becomes clear that she doesnâ„ ¢t want to live with April anymore. I think their different opinions about the Native people are a lot more important than the re ader thinks at this time. I think that because it is such a big part of their lives that it hurts Cheryl to see April not care, and hate those people. To Cheryl, itâ„ ¢s like hating yourself, and your heritage. If I were Cheryl, I would probably be just as upset because I would have it written on my face if there was anyone to hate it, it should be the person who is judged all the time with it. April Raintree Reflection: Chapter 11 This chapter is the most intense chapter in the book. April gets raped, and it is described so perfectly to make the reader feel exactly how scared; humiliated and distraught April was during this terrible time. Just thinking about this scene in the chapter makes me want to cringe and scream at the same time. I want to cringe because I hate being a bystander in those situations, but I also want to scream so I can help her and save her because I know how much it is going to affect her life from that day on for the rest of her life. On the news when you here about children that are getting raped, they donâ„ ¢t go into full detail and I now understand why. I canâ„ ¢t imagine how anyone can go to sleep at night with those vicious memories inside their head. It makes me so angry that people would sink so low to hurt someone so terribly emotionally and physically without thinking. Those people should be hurt just as bad because they will never know how those experiences affect the r est of their victimâ„ ¢s life. I have no sympathy for rapists; no matter what their situation is or even if they were threatened. There should be absolutely no reason for someone like this to get away free, and if there is a death penalty this situation should be the ones where they use it. I know this may seem very harsh, but what they did is more than harsh, it is disgusting, disrespectful and just an overall terrible thing to do. I feel so much for April in this chapter and I feel bad judging her because I dont know what its like to have something so traumatic affecting my day to day life. April Raintree Reflection: Chapter 12 In chapter twelve Cheryl apologizes to April for making her go out to get her things, April goes out with Roger and April and Cheryl buy a house together. If I were Cheryl, the guilt I would feel for letting my sister go out into that part of town would never leave me, but I dont think Cheryl saw it as being that bad. I think this because Cheryl was a prostitute and it probably wasnt that abnormal for those things to happen to people walking on the street, especially young women. I was happy that April and Cheryl decided to move in together because I think that at that specific time in their lives they needed emotional support to help them get through. Even though they are both adults at this stage I always think itâ„ ¢s important to have someone to come to just in case there is no one else to turn to and living with your sister would give you that feeling of comfort and security. Although April was the one who just recently gotten raped I still think Cheryl is the dependent one i n their relationship. She comes across as someone who does her own things and marches to the beat of her own drum but I believe that deep down she just wants someone to love her for who she is and will support her through all her decisions. We could automatically put the blame on April for not being a good sister but I think it boils down to Cheryl and how stable she is as a human being. In the novel, Beatrice Culleton makes her come across as stubborn, smart and dependent. We never see Cheryl as being anything but wanting to be with her sister. Later in the novel we find out that she learns to depend on whiskey to solve her problems because she loses faith in her sister. It is hard to judge Cheryls actions because we donâ„ ¢t know what her life was like from her point of view, only Aprils. April Raintree Reflection: Chapter 14 Chapter fourteen mostly takes place in the courtroom where April is questioned about her rape and is forced to answer questions about it, making her uncomfortable and making her relive that terrible evening. Cheryl decides to support her sister by coming to the trial. In the chapter, we find out what Cheryls job was when April was in Toronto. She is a prostitute and they thought it was Cheryl they were raping, not April. When April heard the news, she couldnt force herself to believe it. Its as if her mind went blank and she couldnt process anything else at that moment. Cheryl had told April that it was all her fault from the very beginning, and it turns out that it was true. It says in the book when April asked Cheryl if it was true that Cheryl just sat there and said nothing like she was expecting it. If I were April I wouldve smacked my sister across the face a few times. I wouldnt be able to control my anger. Iâ„ ¢d probably have steam coming out of my ears, Id be so furious. A bit later in the chapter one of the rapists goes to the stand and claims that he was drunk and didnt know what he was doing. I threw the book across the room at this point. I was so upset, and angry with everyone and I felt so bad so April. April has done absolutely nothing to deserve people like this in her life. All she does is try to make her life enjoyable for herself and does what is right for her, which is how everyone should live his or her lives. No one, no matter what his or her situation is, should have those things happen to him or her. Its not something you wish upon someone. Its the last thing you want to happen to anyone, even your worst enemy. April Raintree Reflection: Chapter 15 Chapter fifteen is not too long of a chapter but it certainly has a lot in it. The main event in this chapter is the fight between April and Cheryl. Recently, Cheryl has been drinking quite often and not staying at home either. Cheryl comes home one afternoon completely wasted and says things to April that are so rude and disrespectful itâ„ ¢s hard to imagine that Cheryl is Aprils sister. Cheryl, in the earlier chapters seems like the one who has her head on her shoulders and could stay away from this stuff but I guess she proved us all wrong. It makes me upset to see a girl with such drive and motivation to throw it all away for a bottle of whiskey which only makes her feel that much worse about life. I can understand how she is upset and is going through a hard time but alcohol is not a permanent cure. It might make you feel like everything is okay for a few hours but after, when you pass out and wake up, you are still right where you started and you then realize that nothing ha s gone away. Itâ„ ¢s actually gotten worse because now you have to deal with a major hangover as well. In the end, Cheryl slams the door and walks out. Even though it may seem like this is a good thing I beg to differ because when someone is drunk it is better to take care of him or her instead of letting him or her go on the street where they could be taken advantage. April Raintree Reflection: Chapter 16 When I read this chapter, I cried for a good half an hour. It is so emotional for the reader I cant even describe how I felt reading it. At the end of the chapter when we find out that Cheryl jumped off the bridge just like her mother did, my heart fell into my stomach. I felt like April did. I felt alone, like a part of me has been lost and could never be found again. She was the character you couldnt help but love throughout the whole book, and you just wanted to tell her that so she would rethink this selfish act. Suicide is something that I cannot understand personally because I have never experienced such depression. I cant imagine how the author felt writing this knowing that her two sisters went through this very same thing. I am honestly speechless about this ending. Its so sad that it took death for April to realize what Cheryl had been trying to get across for so long. Cheryl did not deserve this life, or to die this way. I want her to come back to life and change her life for the better but maybe this is the way it was meant to be. Maybe, this is what wouldve happened no matter what path shed taken. Its one of situations that you cant even question, you just have to take a deep breath and let it sink in. April Raintree Overall Reflection At the beginning of the book I had to force myself to read it because I couldnt get into it, but as they started to get older I couldnt put it down. I fell in love with the characters and their differences and how they complimented each other so perfectly. I wish we got to see both sides of the story, from April and Cheryls point of view. However, I think that in order for us to believe Cheryls end result there had to be another side of Cheryl that both April and the reader never see. Its a realistic story which makes it that much spookier. People actually live this life and for people like us, who have food to eat and a stable home life it is impossible to comprehend. It would seem so easy to just leave home if things were bad, but when you grow up in that situation from such a young age it is normal to you. Throughout the book we mostly heard about Aprils story, which I think was used as a distraction from Cheryls life to create more mystery. When I was reading about Aprils fabulou s rich life I was always worrying about Cheryl and what she was up to. She was the underdog that you wanted to come out on top and make a difference just like she said she would when she was younger. I think I lost all hope in Cheryl when later in the book she came home drunk. Seeing anyone you care about loses all control and just not care anymore, makes you worried but also makes you not care anymore. It shouldnt be your responsibility to make someone realize why his or her life is worth living; they should know that by themselves without being told. Even though I lost all hope, I still wished, in the back of my mind that she would surprise me and make me smile like she did when she sent April that letter with all the spelling mistakes in it. This novel clearly shows the ups and downs of living the way these girls did. It showed the constant struggle to succeed and be better than their names, and the colour of their skin. It starts off as such a hopeful book, and in the end is a h opeful book as well. There a lot of events that occur during the novel that make you lose hope but even when Cheryl dies, April find hope, and promises to continue what Cheryl has wanted from the very beginning.

Biography of Sherman Alexie, Jr., Prize Winning Author and Filmmaker

Biography of Sherman Alexie, Jr., Prize Winning Author and Filmmaker Sherman Alexie (born October 7, 1966) is a novelist, short story writer, poet, and filmmaker who has published over 25 books. Born on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington, Alexie has been a key contributor to Indigenous Nationalism literature, drawing on his experiences with ancestry from several tribes. Fast Facts: Sherman Alexie, Jr. Known For: Prize Winning poet, novelist, performer, and filmmaker.Born: October 7, 1966, Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington.Parents: Lillian and Sherman Alexie, Sr.  Education: Reservation schools on the Spokane Indian Reservation, Reardon High School, Gonzaga University, Washington State University.Published Works: You Dont Have to Say You Love Me: A Memoir, 25 other books.Spouse: Diane Tomhave.Children: 2. Early Life Sherman Alexie, Jr., was born Sherman Joseph Alexie, Jr. on October 7, 1966. He is the second son of four children of Lillian and Sherman Alexie, Sr. Lillian Cox (1936–2015), was a Spokane Indian, one of the last fluent speakers of the language; Sherman Sr, , who died in 2015, was a member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe. Sherman Jr. was born hydrocephalic (with water on the brain) and at six months underwent a brain operation from which he was not expected to survive. He did more than that. Despite the resulting childhood seizures, Alexie turned out to be an advanced reader and was purportedly reading novels like ​The Grapes of Wrath at the age of five. Alexie was diagnosed with biopolar disease in 2010, but he believes he suffered from it as a young child. As a teenager enrolled in the reservation schools, Alexie found his mothers name written in a textbook assigned to him. Determined not to spend his life on the reservation, he sought a better education at the high school in Reardan, Washington, where he was a top student and a star basketball player. Upon graduation in 1985, Alexie attended Gonzaga University on a scholarship from which he transferred to Washington State University after two years to study pre-med. Fainting spells in anatomy class convinced Alexie to change his major, a decision reinforced by a love of poetry and an aptitude for writing. He graduated with a bachelors degree in American Studies and shortly thereafter received the Washington State Arts Commission Poetry Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Fellowship. As a young man, Alexie struggled with alcoholism but gave up drinking at the age of 23 and has been sober since. Literary and Film Work Alexies first collection of short stories, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (1993) won him a PEN/Hemingway Award for Best First Book of Fiction. He followed up with a first novel, Reservation Blues (1995) and a second, Indian Killer (1996), both award winners. In 2010, Alexie was awarded the PEN/Faulkner Award for his short story collection, War Dances. Alexie, whose work draws mainly from his experiences as a Native American both on and off the reservation, collaborated in 1997 with Chris Eyre, a Cheyenne/Arapaho Indian filmmaker. The pair rewrote one of Alexies short stories, This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona, into a screenplay. The resulting film, Smoke Signals, premiered at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win several awards. Alexie went on to write and direct  The Business of Fancydancing in 2002, wrote 49? in 2003, presented  The Exiles  in 2008 and participated in  Sonicsgate  in 2009. Awards Sherman Alexie is the recipient of numerous literary and artistic awards. He was a World Poetry Bout Association champion for four consecutive years, and a guest editor of the literary journal Ploughshares; his short story What You Pawn I Will Redeem was selected by juror Ann Patchett as her favorite story for The O. Henry Prize Stories 2005. During the same year ​that he was awarded the PEN/Faulkner Award for  War Dances  in 2010, he was awarded the Native Writers Circle of the Americas Lifetime Achievement Award, became the first American Puterbaugh Fellow, and earned the California Young Reader Medal for  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Controversy In March, 2018, three women went on record to accuse Sherman Alexie of sexual harassment. That same month, he acknowledged wrongdoing and apologized, and at the same time declined to accept the Carnegie Medal he had been awarded in the previous month. In April, 2018, Alexies memoir, You Dont Have to Love Me was delayed at the publishers request but eventually published in June. In December, 2018, his film Smoke Signals was named by the Library of Congress to the National Film Registry.   Alexie lives in Seattle with his wife and two sons. Sources Alexie, Sherman. You Dont Have to Say You Love Me: A Memoir. New York, Falls Apart Productions, 2017.  -. The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2007.Laban, Monique. Why Sherman Alexie’s Sexual Misconduct Feels Like a Betrayal. Electric Literature, March 20, 2018.  Neary, Lynn. It Just Felt Very Wrong: Sherman Alexies Accusers Go On The Record. National Public Radio, March 5, 2018.

WRITING HISTORY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

WRITING HISTORY - Essay Example This was seen as a breakthrough in the rather fraught racial history that had galvanized America since its inception. Who would think of the election two years back? The election of Obama is historical as it opened a chance and possibilities for the country and the world in general. This was a defining moment for America as people even outside America changed their general perception about the Americans. Additionally, the election of Obama in the November 4th polls was a peak point for the electoral process in the US hence being a trademark for the post-civil rights revolution (CNN, 2010). Thus, historically, it can be affirmed that the significance is big. This was no more the republican versus the democrat dialogue but more of the moment when the struggles of the black will be alleviated. This in essence was unprecedented victory that blew away the 400 years of black slavery as well as legal segregation and institutional racism that has over time shadowed the progress and gains mad e by the American populace (CNN, 2010). The other historical event can be alluded to be the 2008 global recession that had wide impacts in terms of financial crisis since the Great Depression of 1929-30 (CNN, 2010). Early 2008, there were signs of serious crisis in the offing. This would be marked by the sharp drop in the profits that were made by Citigroup bank and consequently a fall on the New York Stock Exchange. This would then be followed by very sharp fall in share prices in all the major world markets. Massive losses would then be registered by American and European banks in the end of 2007 financial year (CNN, 2010). The following months would then witness the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the take-over of Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sacks and Morgan Stanley moving to seek banking status so as to be protected from any form of bankruptcy. This recession was historical as it called for desperate measures in the extra-ordinary times, with the US employing the most

A research paper about business ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

A research paper about business ethics - Essay Example Behaviors of organizational members also depend on the company’s ethics. In the present business environment business ethics has become a very important issue. Various new trends and processes are incorporated in businesses for enhancing their values. For performing business functions effectively organizations give importance on ethical behavior of its employees. This helps the organizations in avoiding various legal issues and enhancing their brand reputation. With the change in business environment, ethics of companies have experienced lots of changes. These changed ethical policies and practices facilitate the companies in holding their position in competitive business environment. In this essay new trends in business ethics will be discussed in detailed way. For explaining the new trends, traditional business policies and its issues will also be highlighted in this essay. The concept of business ethics was developed long back. Around 1970s companies started focusing on establishing various policies and principles ethics. Earlier the companies only believed in the concept on money making. They were not concerned about people, environment and society. As a result the rules and principles of the business were developed in such a way which helped them to archive the money making objectives of businesses. Earlier for enhancing the profitability and revenues most of the companies were involved in performing many immoral activities. That time ethical policies and practices were only implemented by religious organizations. Persons conducting business activities were not concerned about business ethics. The term business ethics was originated in USA (Lencioni 67). People were getting tortured in the name of business. So certain ethical policies and practices were established in business for conducting trade ethically. Traditional business ethics principles an d policies influenced the companies in developing strict

Examination and clarification of bioluminescence in marine creatures

Examination and clarification of bioluminescence in marine creatures In order to isolate bioluminescent bacteria from marine samples, one must have a better understanding of the phenomena of bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is a type of luminescence. The light that usually occurs at low temperatures is called luminesence [1]. Chemiluminescence, fluorescence is all the other types of luminescence and should not be confused with bioluminescence. As the result of a given reaction, emission of heat and light takes place, this phenomenon is referred to as chemiluminescence or in other words, chemiluminescence refers to the emission of light in an exergonic reaction. For example, if two reactants namely A and B react, it results in the formation of product, with an excited intermediate C and generation of light. [A] + [B] → [C] → [Products] +  light This is how a chemical reaction takes place [1]. When a substance that has absorbed light or any other radiation of different wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, an emission of light takes place by that substance, this is referred to as fluorescence.  In most cases, emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore lower energy, than the absorbed radiation which has a higher energy [1]. In simple language, bioluminescence is the emission of light from living organisms. One can also describe bioluminescence as chemiluminescence in living organisms. Further clarifications regarding the types of luminescence can be carried out with the help of an experiment that involves the use of glow or light sticks. A solution of luminol in DMSO, sodium hydroxide pellets, an aqueous solution of fluorescent dye and test tubes. Luminol is a versatile chemical that exhibits chemiluminescence, with a striking blue glow, when mixed with an appropriate oxidizing agent [1] [2]. Glow sticks are used to demonstrate the effect of temperature on the rates of chemical reactions. The glow sticks contain two chemicals that are mixed when the glass tube on the inside is broken. This initiates a chemical reaction that gives off light. Higher the reaction temperature, faster is the reaction, and more intense the chemiluminescence. Reaction rates increase about two times for every 10 °C rise in temperature [2]. The luminol experiment demonstrates chemiluminescence and fluorescence. Luminol is oxidized (with molecular oxygen) in the presence of sodium hydroxide pellets. On shaking the test tube (containing luminol and sodium hydroxide pellets), oxygen is introduced into the solution. Hence chemiluminescence stops when the test tube is set aside [2]. When a fluorescent dye is added to the solution, the dye absorbs the light emitted by the luminol and re-emits light at a longer wavelength, changing the color, thus explaining the phenomena of fluorescence [2]. Bioluminescence is the emission of light observed in living organisms. Apart from bioluminescence, there are two other kinds of light emission that may take place from a living organism. These include: (I)Photosynthetic delayed light emission:. It is a weak red light which is emitted by all green plants and algae. This intensity is so low that one cannot see it, though it can be measured [3]. (II)Ultraweak light emission: this occurs in all organisms. It is due to various processes, mostly (but not always) involving molecular oxygen. It is regarded as a by-effect of metabolic activity, but doesnt have a biological function. It cannot be seen [3]. 2. Bioluminescence This is the best known biological luminescence phenomena, mostly because it can be observed using ones eyes only. The bioluminescence occurs among a variety of organisms ranging from bacteria, dinoflagellates, protozoa, sponges, mollusks, echinoderms, insects and fish. The majority of bioluminescent species live in the sea, although there are also many terrestrial bioluminescent insects, especially the beetles. It has been estimated that 60-80% of the fishes in the deep sea are bioluminescent [3]. (i) jellyfish (ii) lightfish (iii) fungi (iv) beetle Fig 2.1: The above pictures show bioluminescence in variety of organisms. The bioluminescent bacteria mainly falls under three genera namely   Photobacterium, Vibrio, and  Photorhabdus. Species within the genus Photobacterium and Vibrio generally exist in marine environment whereas the terrestrial species belong to the genus Photorhabdus. Species within the  Photobacterium  genus are generally light organ symbionts of marine animals, whereas the  Vibrio species exist as free-living forms as well as symbionts in the sea [4].The luminescence of these microorganisms should not be confused with the host organisms. Many fish and molluscs species which have been regarded as bioluminescent organisms have been shown to glow by the light of symbiotic bacteria [3]. The bacteria forms a symbiotic relationship with the host organism as it is provided with a nutrient rich environment for its growth and the host organism has the benefit of camouflage and protection from its predator. Some of the bioluminescent bacteria are obligate symbionts that fulfill their nutritional requirements only from the host, hence they cannot be grown in the laboratory as they cannot be separated from the host organism [4]. Apart from sharing a symbiotic relationship with the host organisms, some of the bioluminescent bacteria are also parasitic in nature, for example, the species in the genus Photobacterium and Vibrio infect the male crustaceans whereas the species in Photorhabdus genus infect terrestrial insects such as caterpillars with nematodes acting as an intermediate host for the bacteria. Majority of the bioluminescent bacteria present on the surface of the marine organisms act as non-specific parasites. The bacterium that resides in the guts of some marine organisms such as crustaceans produces chitinase (an enzyme) that facilitates the decomposition of chitin which is present in their exoskeleton. The different species of bioluminescent bacteria differ from each other in a number of properties including the optimal growing conditions i.e. the nutritional requirements and optimal growth temperature, and the reaction kinetics of the enzyme luciferase involved in light generation. However, the morphology of all bioluminescent bacteria is the same i.e. they are rod-shaped, gram-negative microorganisms with flagella facilitating motion. Bioluminescent bacteria are also capable of growth when the supply of molecular oxygen is limited; therefore they are also examples of facultative anaerobes. Despite the physiological diversity among different species of bioluminescent bacteria, all these microorganisms utilize highly homologous biochemical machineries to produce light. The onset and the energy output of this light-producing molecular machinery are tightly regulated under a central signaling pathway [4]. 2.1 Bioluminescence by squids: Light-emission by most of the marine organisms belongs in the blue and green  light spectrum.This is due to two reasons, firstly because the blue-green light (wavelength around 470 nm) transmits farthest in water, and secondly because most of the organisms are sensitive only to blue light, lacking pigments for the visualization of longer or shorter wavelengths[1]. Squid changes the color of the light emitted i.e. either blue or green light depending on its surrounding temperature. In case of squids, it produces green light when swimming in warm water and blue light in cold water [5]. During the day, the squid resides in the deep waters rather than on surface waters. The sunlight that falls on the deep waters has been filtered with only blue light remaining. The squid matches this color by turning on its blue photophores (photophores are light producing tissues). During the night, the squid is present on the shallow water. The moonlight at shallow depths has not been filtered to a greater extent, as a result both blue and green light remains. The squid matches this color by turning on both of its green and blue photophores [5]. Fig 2.1.1: The picture shows squids bioluminescence [5] 2.2 Advantages of Bioluminescence: There are four main advantages attributed to bioluminescence: Camouflage, attraction, repulsion, and communication. Camouflage Some squids by using the phenomena of bioluminescence defend themselves against predators by producing light (a soft glow) on their ventral surface to match the light coming from above and making their presence indetectable to the potential predators(just as a darker dorsal surface makes aquatic organisms difficult to detect from above. Some can also change the color of their luminescence to match moonlight or sunlight. This is referred to as counterillumination [1]. Attraction Bioluminescence is also used as to attract prey by several deep sea fish, such as the anglerfish. A dangling appendage or a light-emitting rod that extends from the head of the fish that carries the bioluminescent bacteria attracts small animals to the front of its mouth. Fig 2.2.1: Anglerfish lures its prey by using bioluminescence [4]. The cookie cutter shark also uses bioluminescence for luring its prey. A small patch on its underbelly remains dark and tends to appear as a small fish to large predatory fish like tuna. When these fish such as tuna try to consume the small fish, they themselves become prey for the the shark. Dinoflagellates have an interesting twist on this mechanism. When a predator of plankton is sensed through motion in the water, the dinoflagellate luminesces. This in turn attracts even larger predators, which then consume the would-be predator of the dinoflagellate. The attraction of mates in fireflies during the mating season is another proposed mechanism of bioluminescent action. This is done by periodic flashing in their abdomens to attract the potential mates [1]. Repulsion Certain small crustaceans also use bioluminescent chemical mixtures. A cloud of luminescence is emitted, which confuses and then repels a potential predator while the crustacean escapes to safety. This is also shown in some squids [1]. Communication Bioluminescence also plays a direct role in communication between bacteria. It promotes the symbiotic induction of bacteria into host species, and sometimes also plays a role in colony aggregation [1]. 2.3 Biochemistry of the Bioluminescence Reaction As mentioned earlier, bioluminescence is defined as emission of light by living organisms arising from exothermic or exergonic chemical reactions. It is due to the substrate-enzyme complex of luciferin-luciferase within the cytoplasm of the cell. Luciferin refers to any light-emitting compound whereas luciferase is an enzyme. The luciferin-luciferase complex differs among species. In 1887, a scientist named Raphaà «l Dubois isolated light producing chemicals from the piddock, which is a clam that stays in the burrow. He discovered that on placing the clam in cold water, light was seen in the water, that glowed for several minutes, indicating that a light producing chemical was extracted from the clams tissues. He also observed that if he made a hot-water extract from another clam and added this to the original cold-water extract, he could reactivate the light reaction. Dubois called his hot-water extract luciferin and the cold-water extract luciferase. The reaction produces a molecule that is in an electronically excited state. After the molecule gives off energy, it goes back to the ground state and a photon of light is released [2]. Bacterial luciferase is the main enzyme that is used in the phenomena of bioluminescence. Apart from the involvement of luciferase, there are certain other enzymes that supply and regenerate the substrates of luciferase. In bacteria the expression of the genes related to bioluminescence are encoded by an operon called the lux operon.  The lux operon is a 9 kilobase fragment that controls bioluminescence through the catalyzation of the enzyme luciferase. The lux operon has a known gene sequence of luxCDAB(F)E, where lux A and lux B code for the components of luciferase, and the lux CDE codes for a fatty acid reductase complex that makes the fatty acids necessary for the luciferase mechanism. Lux C codes for the enzyme acyl-reductase, lux D codes for acyl-transferase, and lux E makes the proteins needed for the enzyme acyl-protein synthetase. Apart from these genes, there are two more genes namely luxR and luxI that play an important role in the regulation of the operon [1]. Other ge nes including  luxF,  luxG, and  luxH, whose functions are neither clearly defined nor apparently necessary for bioluminescence are also found in some  lux  operons [4]. Fig 2.3.1The arrangement of luxCDABE operon [4] Luciferase is a heterodimer consisting of two different polypeptide chains- alpha and beta (molecular mass 40 kDa and 37 kDa, respectively, and encoded by the  luxA andluxB genes, respectively). The active site is located within the alpha-beta subunit. Absence of beta subunit leads to light emission of a weaker intensity. Studies have shown that the crystal structure of V. harveyi luciferase interacts and forms complex binding patterns between several side chains and backbone amides of the alpha and beta subunits. Studies also reveal that the function of the beta subunit is to act as a supporting scaffold by assisting in the conformational change of the subunit during the catalysis [4]. Fig 2.3.2: Bacterial luciferase structure [4]. Fig 2.3.3: The rectangular box highlights the inter-subunit interactions (ionic attractions, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions) that play an important role in the assembly of bacterial luciferase enzyme [4]. Bacterial luciferase uses reduced flavin mononucleotide (FMNH2), molecular oxygen, and long chain fatty aldehyde as substrates. During the reaction, the oxidation of FMNH2  and aldehyde concomitant takes place along with the reduction of molecular oxygen and emission of energy, which is released as blue/green light ( MAX~ 490 nm). The energy level of the photon that was produced when the excited electron on the flavin chromophore returns to the ground state is indicated by the characteristic color. Studies have shown that point mutations at the flavin chromophores binding site brings about a change in the color emission spectrum of bacterial bioluminescence, indicating that the distinctive emission color depends not only on the chromophore, but also on the electronic nature of the chromophore-binding microenvironment in luciferase. Aside from bacterial luciferase, some luminescent bacteria also carry fluorescent proteins to; distinguish themselves from other strains by modulating the emission color [4]. For continuous light emission, constant supply of the substrates should be maintained by the enzymes coded by the Lux operon. In addition to bacterial bioluminescence, all the other biological luminescence systems (such as fireflies, coelenterates and dinoflagellates) also utilize molecular oxygen as the oxidizing agent in their luminescence biochemistry, and the processes involved in the reduction of the molecular oxygen serves as an energy sink, draining the reducing power of the substrates. High energy unstable intermediates are formed that dissipate the potential energy of the excited chromophore in the form of light. In this regard, molecular oxygen can be considered to serve as a key to unleash the energy deposited in FMNH2  and fatty aldehyde for bacterial bioluminescence [4].   Fig 2.3.4: The pathway [4] For example, in case of fireflies luciferin reacts with oxygen, with luciferase acting as an enzyme aided by cofactors such as calcium ions, thus emitting light. 2.4 Quorum sensing: The definition of quorum sensing states that it is a type of decision making process used by decentralized groups to coordinate behavior [1]. From the biological aspect, there are many species of bacteria such as Vibrio fischeri, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeroginosa that use quorum sensing to coordinate their gene expression according to the local density of their population. It was first discovered in Vibrio fischeri [1]. Since Vibrio fischeri uses quorum sensing, it constantly produces signaling molecules called as autoinducers. These bacteria have a receptor that recognizes these signaling molecules. When the autoinducers bind to these receptors, it results in the transcription of certain genes, including those for inducer synthesis. There are less chances of the bacterium recognizing its own signaling molecules, hence for the activation of gene transcription, the cell must also encounter signaling molecules from the local environment. Autoinducers and inducers are interchangeably used. If there is less number of same types of bacteria present in the local environment, then the concentration of the inducer decreases to zero thus inactivating the gene transcription. But if the population of the bacteria increases, the concentration of the autoinducers increases, thereby resulting in the activation of gene transcription, thus causing bioluminescence. Therfore, quorum sensing plays a very important rol e in the regulation of luxCDAB(F)E expression in bioluminescent bacteria [1] [4] . Fig 2.4.1: Chemical structure of the autoinducers of bioluminescent bacteria [4] The autoinducer is a metabolic product that diffuses easily across the cellular membrane [4]. Fig 2.4.2: The fig. shows the role played by an autoinducer in the mechanism of quorum sensing [4]. Marine bioluminescent bacteria that is not present as a symbiont (free living bacteria) does not emit light. This is because for the emission of light, accumulation of autoinducers is necessary and this is possible only in a nutrient rich environment which is provided to the symbiotic bacteria [4]. 2.5 Applications of bioluminescence: One of the major applications of bioluminescence is the development of biosensors. A biosensor is a device that detects, records, and transmits information regarding a physiological change or the presence of various chemical or biological materials in the environment. Some bacteria have been designed that gives off a detectable signal when in presence of a pollutant (e.g. toluene) that it likes to consume [6]. In terms of using the phenomena of bioluminescence, efforts are being made to engineer agricultural plants that show luminescence when need watering [1]. As the primary function of bacterial luciferase is to catalyze the emission of light, this feature together with generation of the aldehyde substrate by fatty acid reductase can be successfully produced in other bacteria, by the transfer of the  luxCDABE genes, which convert nonluminescent bacteria into light emitters [4]. Fig 2.5.1: The insertion of the foreign  luxCDABE structural genes into the organism such as E. coli confers the organism the ability to emit light [4]. The ability of the non-luminescent bacteria to emit light by means of recombinant DNA technology has provided researchers an easy alternative to measure and detect the growth and living conditions of bacteria. The phenomena of bacterial bioluminescence are used in the detection of pathogenic bacteria in human food sources. By culturing a food sample in the presence of a recombinant bacteriophage (vector) carrying the  luxCDABE insert, one can readily determine the contamination by bacteria in the food source. In addition, the light emitting property of the  luxCDABE genes has been employed as a reporter of gene expression for studying regulatory controls involved in affecting the efficiency of RNA polymerase in initiation and transcription at different promoters. Then the  luxCDABE genes are under the control of an environmentally regulated promoter (e.g., promoters whose efficiency is highly sensitive to the level of mercury, arsenic, or other pollutants), the structural  lu x genes can function as a biosensor, whose expression will monitor the presence of toxic waste in the environment. In the pharmaceutical industry, genetically modified bacteria carrying the lux genes have been utilized to evaluate the efficiency of antibiotics in fighting against bacterial infections in mammals; with animals such as mice, pigs, and monkeys serving as potential human models. In this screening procedure, the lesser the intensity of luminescence in the infected organs/tissues, the more efficient the antibiotics against bacterial infection; therefore, bacterial bioluminescence serves as an indicator of bacterial growth allowing the proper dosages of antibiotics to be determined and effective treatment to be established [4].   3. Laboratory Experiment 3.1 Sample Collection: After the literature study, it was decided that squid will serve as a sample for this experiment as it is readily available in the U.A.E. fish market. A fresh catch was taken as a sample for this experiment. Since some of these microbes i.e. bioluminescent bacteria are also found in seawater, seawater sample from Sharjah was also collected for this experiment. 3.2 Methodology for the isolation of bioluminescent bacteria from squid: Materials Required: Squid Luminescent Broth (Appendix 1) Luminescent Agar (BOSS Medium) (pH=7.3) (Appendix 2) Procedure: 1. The squid is placed in a beaker and just enough 3.0% NaCl solution is added such that approximately 10-20% of the sample is above the level of the liquid as shown in fig 3.2.1. The NaCl solution preserves the squid by preventing any other microbial growth other than that of bioluminescent bacteria, as required. Fig 3.2.1: Squid placed in a beaker containing NaCl solution. 2. The flask is then kept for incubation in a cool dark room (18-22 °C) and is observed at intervals up to 24 hours. The room is darkened totally such that the flask can be observed for luminous areas on the sample. Sometimes the squid secretes ink that might hinder the view of luminous areas on the squid. In order to prevent this, the NaCl solution is changed when required. 3. Four petriplates of Luminescent Agar (formula above) are streaked from four different luminous areas on the squid. Forceps and craft knife are required and it is used one at a time in the burner for its sterilization. The knife and forceps are then cooled for a while. Squid is held with the forceps and its skin is gently scraped of that shows luminescence with the tip of the knife. The scraped off skin is transferred on to a sterile inoculating loop for streaking on the plates. 4. The plates are then kept for incubation in the cool room (18-22 °C) for 24 hours. (No more than 48 hours.) 5. After observing luminous isolated colonies, these isolated colonies are individually streaked on to a new plate of Luminescent Agar and incubated as above. Fig 3.2.2: Streaked petriplates 6. One or more of the more brilliant colonies is then chosen and streaked onto a slant of Luminescent Agar. The agar slants are incubated overnight or until luminescent growth is seen and then refrigerated. 7. From the agar slants, flasks of Luminescent Broth are inoculated. The flasks are then placed in the shaking incubator for 10-15 hrs at 18-22 °C. [8] The flasks that show bioluminesence is then used for studying the growth curves and characterization of the bioluminescent bacteria. Result and Inference: No luminous colonies were observed from the squid on the first attempt, even though the squid did show luminous areas on its body surface. The failure can be attributed to the fact that streaking was not carried out on the same day it showed luminescence. However, on the second attempt, out of the four petriplates that were streaked with the skin of the squid, only one petriplate showed six luminous colonies. Fig 3.1.3: The above pictures are a reference as to how colonies appear when placed in light (left picture) and dark (right picture) [10]. The colonies that appeared during the course of my experiment (only six in number) were not so densely populated as observed in the pictures above. These six colonies were then streaked on six different petriplates containing Luminescent Agar. The picture below shows bioluminescence in the streaked petriplates. Fig 3.2.4: The picture below shows bioluminescence in the streaked petriplates. The agar slants were also prepared from the petriplates. The six flasks containing Luminescent Broth were then inoculated with culture from the agar slants. The flasks were then kept in the shaking incubator for 18-24 hrs. at room temperature. Out of the six flasks containing Luminescent Broth, only three flasks showed microbial growth. The bacterial cultures were then used for growth curves. 3.3 Methodology for the isolation of bioluminescent bacteria from seawater sample: Materials Required: Seawater sample was collected from Sharjah. Seawater Complete Agar (Appendix 3) Procedure: 1. Seawater sample is collected in a clean container 2. Two plates of SWC agar medium were then prepared. 3. The two plates were then pipetted with 0.1 ml and 0.2 ml of seawater sample respectively. 4. The samples were thoroughly spread over the surfaces of the plates with a L-shaped glass rod. 5. The plates are then inverted after the samples have absorbed into the agar (about 5 minutes) and then kept for incubation at room temperature. 6. The plates were then examined after 18-36 hours. [7] Result and Inference: The plates did not show any luminous growth. This maybe because the sample that was collected was not from deep water as bioluminescent bacteria tends to be present in deep waters. Since no growth was observed, further steps involving the preparation and inoculation of agar slants and luminescent broth could not be carried out. 3.4 Bacterial Growth curve of the isolates: Out of the six flasks that contained Luminescent Broth, only three flasks showed microbial growth. The three flasks that showed microbial growth were then again inoculated into three flasks containing luminescent broth. Their O.D. (optical density) values were measured after every 30 minutes (for 5 hrs) at 530 nm using UV-visible spectrophotometer. The initial O.D. value should be set at 0.05 so that there is sufficient bacterial culture in the broth. The values then helped us in determining the bacterial growth curves. Fig 3.4.1: UV-visible spectrophotometer [11] Procedure: 1. The machine along with the monitor screen is turned on using the switch. 2. The necessary adjustments are then made in the program. 3. For auto zeroing the sample, the blank (broth in which are bacteria is growing) is placed in the cuvette. The cuvette is then placed in the holder. 4. The O.D. values of all the three samples are measured after every 30 minutes for 5 hrs. 5. The optical density vs. time graph is then plotted for all the three samples. Observation Table: Table 3.4.1: Sample 1 Time (in hrs.) O.D. values 0 0.08 0.5 0.09 1 0.12 1.5 0.16 2 0.21 2.5 0.28 3 0.38 3.5 0.5 4 0.71 4.5 0.99 5 1.14 5.5 1.41 Table 3.4.2: Sample 2 Time (in hrs.) O.D. values 0 0.05 0.5 0.06 1 0.08 1.5 0.12 2 0.16 2.5 0.21 3 0.25 3.5 0.38 4 0.44 4.5 0.48 Table 3.4.3: Sample 3 Time (in hrs.) O.D.values 0 0.13 0.5 0.15 1 0.18 1.5 0.23 2 0.3 2.5 0.38 3 0.53 3.5 0.71 4 1.04 4.5 1.16 5 1.37 Result and Inference: Graph 3.4.1: Bacterial growth curve of sample 1 Graph 3.4.2: Bacterial growth curve of sample 2 Graph 3.4.3: Bacterial growth curve of sample 3 The bacterial growth curves of all the three samples suggest that the cultures are still in their exponential phase. The 0.D .values should be measured for a much longer duration so that the stationary and the death phases can also be observed. The broth was kept overnight in the shaking incubator at 18-22 °C. Next morning, only one of the samples showed bioluminescence indicating that the bacterial culture has grown to that level when the lux genes are switched on. Fig 3.4.2: The picture is a reference as to how a flask containing Luminescent Broth shows luminescent growth [6]. The bioluminescence that was observed during my experiment was of low intensity. 3.5 Luminescence (light emission intensity) curve studies on the isolates: For the growth curve studies, agar slants were used to streak on to the petriplates, for the isolation of bioluminescent bacteria. The same set of agar slants were used to revive the culture. The revived culture was then streaked on to the luminescent agar petriplates to study the luminescence curve. However, contamination was observed in the petriplates, even though luminescent colonies were formed. Majority of the colonies that were formed were circular in shape and opaque with a dense material in the centre. Some of the colonies were circular and translucent. These colonies were then again used for sub-culturing. Contamination was again observed in the petriplates. This might be attributed to some error in the methodology of streaking the petriplates. Finally, after five attempts, successful isolation of bioluminescent bacteria took place. These bacteria were then inoculated in the flasks containing luminescent broth. After an over night incubation, these flasks showed bioluminesc ence. These samples were then taken for measuring their light emission studies with the help of an autoanalyser. The luminescence is measured after every one hour. It is measured in terms of counts per second (cps). Meanwhile, the samples are kept in the shaking incubator. Fig 3.5.1: Perkin-Elmer Auto-analyzer [12] Procedure: 1. The machine along with the monitor screen is turned on using the switch. 2. The luminescence mode is then chosen. 3. The wells in the microtitre plate containing the sample are then chosen in the protocol editor. 4. The program is then started. 5. The luminescence of all the three samples is measured after every 1hour. 5. The optical density, luminescence vs. time graph is then plotted for all the three samples. Observation Table: Table 3.5.1: Bacterial Sample 1 Time (hrs.) Cell Density(O.D.) Light emission Intensity (cpu) 0 0.0785 0.5 0.0926 1 0.1189 1.5 0.155 2 0.2139 2.5 0.2826 3

21St Century Agriculture

Todays agricultural community is embracing many new technologies. Innovative researchers have developed new ways to increase yields ranging from the global positioning of satellites to strip till. Strip till is a process of tilling small strips of soil while leaving the strip in between each row untilled to remain rich in organic matter. The benefits of strip till versus conventional till make it a practical way of increasing farm efficiency. Strip till first began in as a way for large farms to cover more acreage more efficiently in order to save time fuel and labor. The process begins a full growing season in advance with another crop. Once this crop is harvested, the stalks and other debris are mowed to the ground leaving the ground covered in organic matter; this crop is termed the cover crop. Once all equipment preparations are made the next growing season is started. A pass is made through the field with a minimum tillage implement. This implement plows up twelve-inch wide strips and then conditions them. Then the crop is planted and herbicide is applied. Throughout the growing season the crop is sprayed using a specialized hood sprayer, which protects the crop from the herbicide, to control weeds. This is a vast difference in conventional methods, which utilizes several passes to plow and condition the soil while also using herbicides. Environmentalists would have one believe that herbicide applications are detrimental to our ecosystems. However, with proper handling, our ecosystems are better protected from hazardous runoff when strip till practices are utilized. Conventional methods spray herbicide directly onto the ground where they can be washed away by rain or irrigation. Strip till methods spray herbicides onto the organic matter left behind from the cover crop where it can be absorbed into the plant. The method of spraying directly onto the desired area is called banding. The environmental concerns make strip till a more sound way of controlling unwanted organisms. Erosion and soil compaction are other environmental concerns which strip till alleviates. Wind erosion is made less possible because the ground is left with debris and root masses which holds water and do not allow the water to wash away soil particles. Soil compaction is also less of a problem because less passes with large tractors are needed to produce a crop. The greatest benefit to the farmer is cost reduction. Less fuel and less labor being required per acre generate more profit. In an era when commodity prices are at an all time low, generating a profit is of utmost importance. Through less equipment cost and maintenance, strip till allows farmers to produce a crop with less capital investments. The popularity of strip till practices grow each year as farmers find ways of incorporating it into their specific operations needs. Conventional till has been used for many centuries but this practice only stirs up a dust in that weed seed are plowed a way into a dormant stage only to be plowed up to germinate. Utilization of new agricultural technologies, such as strip till, allows producers to go into the 21st century with tools that will enable them to provide agricultural products to sustain the world.

Patrick Dwyer

Where The Wild Things Are As humans we instinctively feel the need and desire to belong. When we truly belong to something we achieve a sense of acceptance, love and togetherness. ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ by Maurice Sendak is a children’s book that explores the concepts of belonging and in contrast, not belonging. It is a very simple story accompanied by large, rich pictures. The text and pictures complement each other, each enriching the sense of alienation for the responder. Max is a mischievous young boy who displays aspects of childhood irritation and loneliness. He lives in a world with limited freedom as he is a child.It becomes clear to the responder through the positioning of the character on the page, the vector of the boy’s angry gaze as well as the neutral, bland colours used that Max feels like he doesn’t belong in the world he calls home. The pictures at the beginning of the story are quite unengaging compared to the bright, richly te xtured pages that follow. This sense of not belonging leads to Max fantasising and creating a whole new world within his imagination. In this world Max is king, there is no one to tell him what to do and how he must act. In this place Max is completely accepted and the most important part of the wild things world.Max wears a wolf suit during the story, it shows the responder that Max is disguising who he really is and that the suit enables him to escape from reality. Whilst Max is wearing this suit he becomes a wild thing and he thinks that his behaviour is acceptable. Max is pushing his family away, but he is also wishing to obtain a sense of belonging, love and acceptance. He finds this sense of belonging with his new wild friends. Throughout the text, the composer portrays a range of emotions felt by Max. He finally gets what he wants, a place of unlimited freedom and acceptance, but still is not happy.He needs to be â€Å"where someone loves him best of all†. So he return s to the comfort and familiarity of his bedroom, where his mum had left his supper, still warm. Framing is an important visual element of ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ as Max’s imagination grows, the illustrations get larger until they fill the whole page. Early in the book, before Max’s imagination takes him to the land of the wild things, we see a hand drawn picture of a wild thing hanging on his wall. He has thought about the wild things before and has been forming a plan in his mind.Max has often felt like he doesn’t belong and has imagined belonging somewhere else, in an imaginary world where he makes all the rules and is king. The text regularly refers to Max as ‘king’, but he doesn’t appear to be enjoying his job much. He looks sad, bored and lonely and begins to long for his home, which is a place where he does belong. ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ links quite closely to the set text ‘Romulus, My Fatherâ₠¬â„¢. Both texts contain an informative tone and both contain the central theme of belonging. Both texts use imagery to represent the sense of not belonging, which then leads to belonging.In ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ the lack of belonging is shown through Max’s escape from reality, but then the sense of belonging is shown through Max’s desire to return home, to which he realises is where he belongs. This links to the set text ‘Romulus, My Father’ where the lack of belonging is shown through Romulus’s inability to reduce the cultural barrier between him and the rest of the community, but then the sense of belonging is shown when the community look at how hard Romulus works and therefore appreciate him, in which he belongs. By Pat Dwyer