Cyber Debate on Evolution Essay Example for Free

Cyber Debate on Evolution Essay NOVA Online presents a debate on evolution and its validity. The discussion was facilitated between Phillip E. Johnson and Kenneth R. Miller. In terms of specialization, the two individuals are quite distinct from each other. Phillip E. Johnson is a professor of law while Kenneth R. Miller is a professor of biology. From this, one can assume a highly different approach or way of thinking between the two. Phillip E. Johnson believes that the concept of evolution is invalid, largely due to the fact that it leaves out the possibilities of a creator due to a sense of materialist ideology. He argues that the current proofs for the theory are rather imagined and stretched out. Kenneth R. Miller, on the other hand, believes that evolution is in fact an established concept and is in the process pointing out proof based on paleontology, embryo development mechanism, and the tendencies of DNA. A list of key argument points provided by each of the two participants is presented below. Phillip E. Johnson †¢ Paleontology data, specifically the fossils, provide an unclear outline of the process of evolution since the relationships between supposedly related fossils in terms of descent cannot be properly tested by any means (Johnson, 1996a). †¢ The embryo development mechanism, as seen by pro-evolutionists to be a link to the past, cannot be treated as such due to the fact that the similarity of embryonic development in various creatures is not entirely definite but rather quite imagined (Johnson, 1996a). †¢ DNA data suggesting that evolution occurs and begins at the genetic scale is contradictory to established facts, as there have been studies pointing out that the only variation produced at the genetic level is of microevolution. Hence, there is no substantial change to prove that evolution in terms of organ development can be attained through the genetic level (Johnson, 1996a). †¢ Materialist ideology is utilized in explaining evolution, and in effect, points that cannot be determined are still given nonfactual explanations (Johnson, 1996b). Kenneth R. Miller †¢ Paleontology data, specifically the fossils, provides a clear view of the evolutionary process as the relationship between current and ancestral forms of the lineage of creatures; the fossils provide insight into the transitional phases, portraying the changes in organ development in plain view (Miller, 1996a). †¢ The embryo development mechanism further supports the concept of evolution, as it presents a sense of likeness in certain stages between highly different creatures as well as humans (Miller, 1996a). †¢ DNA data suggests that microevolution as well as macroevolution can be altered at a genetic level, thus pointing out that tail development can be triggered or prevented through the alteration of a single gene (Miller, 1996b). †¢ Materialist ideology cannot be seen as a fault of science as scientific pursuits cannot simply place the creator as the answer for everything currently unknown (Miller, 1996c). References Johnson, P. E. (1996a, November 19) Letter 2 – How did we get here?. NOVA Online – Odyssey of Life. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/odyssey/debate/deb02joh1119. html. Johnson, P. E. (1996b, December 9) Letter 8 – How did we get here?. NOVA Online – Odyssey of Life. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/odyssey/debate/deb08joh1209. html. Miller, K. R. (1996a, November 23) Letter 3 – How did we get there?. NOVA Online – Odyssey of Life. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/odyssey/debate/deb03mil1123. html. Miller, K. R. (1996b, November 30) Letter 5 – How did we get there?. NOVA Online – Odyssey of Life. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/odyssey/debate/deb05mil1130. html. Miller, K. R. (1996a, December 6) Letter 7 – How did we get there?. NOVA Online – Odyssey of Life. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/odyssey/debate/deb07mil1206. html.

Can Advertising Influence Our Life We Live Media Essay

Can Advertising Influence Our Life We Live Media Essay These days every one sees advertising in their life, however this person has not watched TV or listened to the radio. Normally,an average person who watches television 1 to 4 hours a daye. During these hours of watching Tv,there is a big profiibility, because it has an impact on peoples choices by showin them the new and available product that this person watches advertisement. It is powerful on attracting consumers psychologically, visually and also culturally. but the problem is that can these attractive advertising affect our life or not? The propose of this conceptual paper is to understand the influence of advertising on our life. In this paper I satudy forth part which is important in our llife such as culture, health and economy. Key words: advertising, effect on people life 1.Introduction These days advertising is Wherever you live in the world, whether it is Europe, America or Australia ,even you live in rural city you will see advertising. You can see advertising in several ways such as: newspaper , radio ,TV and billboard which puts up along the roadside,so it is ubiquitous and virtually unavoidable for the average consumer. In begin it si better to know what advertisment means:Advertising is a communication tool which by the marketers to inducing the potential buyers to purchase certain product or service. It plays a pivotal role in achieving the financial and commercial objectives of the companies concerned. The role of advertising is also vital in the cutthroat competitive environment . advertising shows to their demand a bit more of the marketers towards informing, educating and facilitating the customer as to how to have a timely access to certain product or a service in a novel and innovative way. The marketers are therefore devising ways to make advertising more effective.General Attitude of College Students Towards Consequences and Impact of Television Advertising in Pakistan 592 Despite the fact that advertising is an effective tool for the business along with its being an important element of the modern age and a fast growing industry, the public image of advertising is still a matter of great concern. (ODonohoe,1995). Advertising is criticized for its presenting misleading information, promoting adverse values, fake claims, subliminal seduction messages and persuading people to buy things they no longer need (Katona, 1964; Pollay, 1986; Pollay and Mittal,1993). Again, this industry is blamed of spreading unsustainable consumption patterns around the world over and encouraging excessive consumption. All the foregoing aspects are apt to hinder its effectiveness as well as efficiency as a marketing tool (Beales et al., 1981; Calfee and Ringold, 1987; Pollay and Mittal, 1993; Wright, 1986). Therefore, it is critical of the advertising concerns to follow the public opinion advertising for its for reaching impact on the economy, cultural values and our health. (Wills and Ryans; 1982.) 2)Effect of advertising on culture Culture is one of the significant aspects which is changed by seeing advertisement. Be for being of this part, it is essential to know what culture means that the way of life which includes beliefs, aesthetics and institutions of a civilization. This definition shows that culture is more effected by advertising, because images used in advertising are often idealized, they eventually set the standard which we in turn feel we must live up to. firstable, The essential goal of advertising is to convince the consumer that he or she would have a better life if he/she used this advertised product. Of course they also tell us the only way we can reach the level of beauty, intelligence, or some other value is through the use of their product. For example, with the Give your hair a Boost! ad, it is obviously counting on the woman with gorgeous hair who fills up the entire ad and is used to make you wonder if your hair is good enough. (Fruit Kicks) The text in the ad is minimal and that which is there is very weak in arguing for this products superiority. The advertisers main hope is when you go to buy personal hygiene products, you will remember the beauty of the woman and the healthiness of her hair. (Fruit Kicks) They are confident their target audience will transfer feelings they get from this womans appearance toward the product and will end up purchasing it. Secondly,advertisment affect on people daily progromm.for instance; if there is a sport that is getting a lot of attention by the media and gains popularity among your friends and society, you will more likely want to practice the sport and be cool with all your friends,so you will have fun with your friends and be more healthy because of the exercise you are doing. Also,our spoken language is impacted by seeing advertising.for example, the language used in an advertisement, many times, is influenced by the new generations with new words that may have not existed ten years before. This example is a proof of the development of culture as well. Indian example which shows us how advertising changing their Indian life. As village politician Chandraprakash Dwivedi said Now village girls want to dress like Rani Mukherjee in Bunty aur Babli this within four weeks of the release of the film. Men want a hairstyle like Radhe Bhayya in hit movie Tere Naam. Bindis. Many other aspects of culture have been sacrificed in favour of western influences. Folk music and travelling singers have given way to cassettes and compact discs. Although information and communication links that television, cinema, radio and newspapers have brought about are a lot; it is undeniable that they have had a very strong impact on the masses who watch them. Culture and social structures have suffered, as have traditional art forms and methods of communication. 3) Effect of advertising on our economy Advertising plays a critical role in a market economy. As Dr. Kenneth Arrow and the late Dr. George Stigler, said: Advertising is a powerful tool of competition. It provides valuable information about products and services in an efficient and cost-effective manner. In this way, advertising helps the economy to function smoothly-it facilitates the entry of new products and new firms into the market. 3.1-First, according to Georges quote, Advertising plays a significant role in the business cycle In a country in which consumer spending determines the future of the economy. Advertising motivates people to spend more by conveying useful information, which tells them about product and service choices, and accelerate the regular acceptance of new products and to lift the level of acceptability of established products, so Consumers who view the advertisement update their information and consumption decisions and may purchase the product. In fact demand for product, which advertisement showed, goes up so company s profit increase. Also this event cause on companys security, it means by increasing its profit,its finance is more stable, so company feel more safety. Finally, company decide to increase the number of its product or it wants to make a new product. for each of them it needs new employee. Thus, advertising makes a job or it increase employment in our society. For example U.S. advertising accounts for about 2.5 percent of the countrys $14 trillion gross national product. American consumers rely heavily on advertising to influence how they spend some $9 trillion annually on various goods and services. A 1999 study by one of the countrys premier econometric modeling firms, the WEFA Group, and Nobel Laureate in economics Dr. Lawrence R. Klein further underscored this economic impact. The study found that advertising played a key role in generating 18.2 million of the 126.7 million jobs in the United States in that year. 3.2-secondly,advertising reduce selling cost. Companies believe that advertising is one of the best way which can introduce their new product to their costumer even other people which do not have any information about their product. They know that it is impossible to introduce their product to each person face to face. It takes a lot of time. In fact their money and their time is wasted by doing this work. At least this event increase their product selling cost, so advertising helping them by showing their product to other people and reduce selling cost. 3) Effect of advertising on our healthy Effect of advertising on health Most people have learned what they know about health from personal experience,from friend and relative, form government , from the family doctor and ,,,,. Advertising is one of the way which is learned people about their health by showing the good point of their product ,which is goof for their health. In fact , these advertising influence people by making good impression that can persuade them. Some of these products advertising are not really good for the health. 1)For example tobacoo advertising. These companies use term such as light to misunderstand smoker by believing that brand is safer and reduce health risks more than others, so thy will continue to support these company by buying cigarette. 2)another example of which is make mislead smoker is that sometimes cigarette ads are placed next to wight loos ads in magazines. Many young girls suffer from weight issue, so when they see cigarette ads and weight they decide to use it more than before. In other hand, some of unhealthy products depict peoples imagine. For example: 1) Tobacco companies show smoking look glamorous and cool, so teens are so concerned with their image and want to look like the models that are in the advertisements, they will start smoking cigarettes. 2) Beer advertising shows that if you drink this brand of beer you may catch your dreamy girl. It is one of wishes that young boys have, so they lead to drink more this brand of beer. these daye Beer is the beverage of choice for many youth, and between 1998 and 2002, industry spending on televised beer ads increased 45 percent to $972 million. Figure2 competes beer with other alcohol drink .: According to this figure ,we understand how much beer advertising is successful than other alcohols drink such sprit and wine .it has more fanner because of its advertising

Central Giant Cell Granuloma in Eight Year Old Patient

Central Giant Cell Granuloma in Eight Year Old Patient INTRODUCTION Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a benign aggressive destructive osteolytic lesion of osteoclastic origin1 that ocur in the mandible and maxilla and accounts for approximately 7% of all benign tumours of jaws2. The world health organization (WHO) has defined CGCG as an intraosseous non-neoplastic lesion, consisting of cellular fibrous tissues that contain multiple haemorrhage multinucleated giant cells, and, occasionally trabeculae of woven bone3. The nature of CGCG is still controversial. Jaffe was hypothesized that this is a reactive and self curing lesion and included the terminology giant cell reperative granuloma. Later, the neoplastic hypothesis was raised to explain the aggressive subtype4. Recently, both reperative and neoplastic assumptions are true, so that CGCG lesions are patially reactive and partially neoplastic4. CGCG is an uncommon lesion that occurs in young adults before the age of 30 years with a female preponderance5. There was a peak incidence for males between the age of 10-14 years and for females between 15-19 years of age6. It is more common in the anterior mandible than in the maxilla. Histological characteristics are highly cellular, fibroblastic stroma with plump, spindle- shaped cells with a high mitotic rate; the vascular density is high. The multinucleated giant cells are prominent throughout the fibroblastic stroma but are not necessarily abundant. They are often located most numerously around of haemorrahge6. Clinically, CGCG shows a wide variety behavior that is ranging from a non-aggressive, asymptomatic (indolent) and slow growing lesions to an aggressive, large, expansive lesion with rapid growth and aggressive sign and symptoms. Choung et al.7were the first described between the differences aggressive and non- aggressive lesions based on signs and symptoms and histological features. Aggressive lesions are characterized by one or more of the following features: pain, paresthesia, root resorption, rapid growth, cortical perforation, and a high recurrence rate after surgical curretage. Radiogically, the lesion appears as a radiolucent area and it can be unilocular or multilocular with either well-defined or can be ill-defined margins8. Multiple lesions are rare and are often associated with a syndrome (i.e. Noonansyndorme, neurofibromatosistype I ) or with cherubism6. The radiological and histological apperances of CGCG are not pathognomatic, and therefore further examination such as blood tests, including calcitonin, phosphate, parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphate levels must be performed to confirm the diagnosis and to exclude hyperparathyroidism8. One of the treatment choice for CGCG is curratege with or without adjuvant therapy, i.e. liquid nitrogen, cryosurgery, peripheral ostectomy and Carnoy’s solution and another treatment modality is aggressive en- bloc resection, resulting in varying degrees of deformity5. It results in serious mutilation of the jaw and face. Loss of teeth and of dental germs in young patients is also often unavoidable9. In growing patients, to preserve both aesthetic and functional necessity non-surgical methods such as intralesional injections with corticosteroids, IFN-ÃŽ ± 2a and systemic dose of calcitonin are increasingly used by clinicans. These alternative therapeutic strategies come in useful for large aggressive lesions to cure or reduce the size and thus minimize the need for extensive surgical resection that can result in functional and aesthetic deficits in young patients. Calcitonin therapy for CGCG was first announced by Harris in 1993 and since then several case reports have been published of successful treatment of this lesion using different types of calcitonin and different strategies of administration5. In this report a patient is presented with massive aggressive CGCG who were treated with salmon calcitonin, as a single treatment modality, after initial treatment with intralesional steroid had failed. CASE REPORT An 8- year- old male patient complaining of a tender/ non-tender swelling on the left mandibular molar area was referred to the oral and maxillofacial surgery service at the Selcuk University, Faculty of Dentistry, in 2010. There was neither medical history nor trauma. Physical examination †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.cm, lymphadenopathy, Radiographically, in the left mandibular molar area a diffuse radiolucency†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Based on clinical and radiological findings pre-diagnosis of CGCG was made and laboratory investigations were required to eliminate hyperparathyroidism (brown tumors) before treatment. Parathyroid hormone levels were found in normal reference ranges. Additionally low level of haemoglobin and high level of creatinin and phosphate were examined. An incisional biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. Histologically diagnosis of the lesion was proved as CGCG. Because of the patient’s age and dental development conservative therapy was preferred. Intralesional steroid injections of a solution of Kenacort-A (10 mg/ml triamcinolone aqueous suspension, Bristol-Myers Squibb S.p.A, Loc.ta Fontana del Ceraso, Angani, Italy) were performed during 1 year but there was no resolution in the lesion. After initial steroid treatment was failed authors decided using intranasal (systemic) calcitonin treatment. Miacalcic ® 200 IU/day nasal spray (Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, USA) (calcitonin-salmon) was preferred and performed 2 yearlong. Luckily any side effect was seen and the patient was showed exceptionally good cooperation to treatment and. During systemic calcitonin therapy clinicians must be on the alert about some side effect such as bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet, chills, cough, difficulty with breathing, difficulty with swallowing, dizziness, fever, itching, joint pain, muscle aches and pains, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, skin rash, sweating, tightness in the chest, tingling of the hands or feet, trembling or shaking of the legs, arms, hands or feet, trouble sleeping, unusual weight gain or loss. Following calcitonin therapy there was a decrease in tumor size that was observed clinically. Preserving the teeth and growing jaw bone for natural mastication and facial aesthetic the tumor was not decided to operate. The patient has a three- year follow up and has any clinical or radiological sign or symptoms. DISCUSSION CGCG is an uncommon lesion that occurs more frequently in females. In most cases it appears before the age of 30 years. Mandibular lesion is more often than the maxillary lesion with a ratio 2:1. In the mandible the anterior and posterior regions are equally affected while in the maxilla, the anterior region is usually affected.(ant. Mu post. Mu) The clinical behavior of CGCG ranges from a slow growing asymptomatic swelling to an aggressive lesion that presents pain, local bone destruction, root resorption or tooth displacement. Some authors have classified CGCG into two types, based on clinical and radiographic features. The first is non-aggressive CGCG, which is characterized by slow, almost asymptomatic growth that does not perforate the cortical bone or induce root resorption and has a low tendency to recur. The second is aggressive CGCG, which is characterized by pain, rapid growth, expansion, and perforation of the cortical bone, radicular resorption and high tendency to recur. Histologically, CGCG is characterized by the presence of multinucleated giant cells (MGC) in background composed of mononucleated stromal cells (MSC) with ovoid or spindle-shaped mesenchymal nuclei. The giant cells are typically seen in a hemorrhagic field containing numerous poorly defined vascular channels, which may be quite prominent. A patchy distribution of cellular elements is one feature that helps differentiate CGCG fromtrue giant cell tumors. In aggressive lesions, Ficarra et al. reported more numerous giant cells in CGCG and Nougeria et al. showed that in aggressive lesions MGCs are usually more numerous, larger and uniformly scattered throughout the lesion. Flanagan et al. were the first to demonstrate that giant cells in CGCGs are osteoclasts through osteoclast- specific monoclonal antibodies staining. This report was provide in vitro reaction of giant cells to calcitonin and showed the behavior of giant cells in cortical bone excavation typical of osteoclasts. It has been demonstrated that giant cells express calcitonin receptors. Calcitonin therapy is based on these findings. It is though those giant cells are directly inhibited in their function by calcitonin. Others, however, debate that CGCGs develop from mononuclear precursor cells and, as such, are part of the granulocyte/macrophage lineage or are primarily of fibrotic origin. Although giant cells are the most prominent histopathological feature of CGCGs, the focus of interest has shifted to the role of the mononuclear cells. Recent studies have shown that mononuclear cells, rather than the giant cells are proliferating compartment responsible for the biological activity of the lesion. de Lange et al. reported that the giant cells of CGCG are derived from subset of mononuclear phagocytes. These mononuclear precursor cells differentiate into mature giant- cells under the influence of RANKL expressing, proliferating, spindle shaped (osteoblastlike) stromal cells. Nougeria et al. designed a study to determine receptors of MGCs and find out their origin. This study showed, positive immunohistochemical expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor –kB (RANK), tartrate- resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), vitronectin receptor (VNR) and calcitonin receptor and these findings have suggested on osteoclastic phenotype for MGCs. The presence of CD68 glycoprotein and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin has suggested that MGCs have a macrophage/hystiocyte origin. In the light of these findings aim of the treatment of CGCGs should include both inhibit osteoclastic activity of the lesion and inhibit the differentiation of macrophage/ hystiocyte precursors into osteoblast like cells. Traditional treatment for CGCGs is surgical curettage. Some authors proposed excision via curettage for treatment of CGCGs and the overall recurrence rate has been reported to range from 16 % to 49 %. A higher incidence of recurrence was found in aggressive CGCG and younger patients, especially males. In growing patients, aggressive surgical approaches may result in facial deformities and patients may lose some of tooth germs. Eisenbud et al. indicate that surgical curettage with peripheral osteotomy is still not the safest treatment for CGCGs especially in aggressive lesions. The functional and aesthetic alterations as well as the psychological consequences caused by the surgical treatment of CGCG have encouraged researchers to look for effective alternative therapeutic strategies. Alternative therapeutic options for CGCGs are systemic calcitonin intralesional injection of corticosteroids and IFN-ÃŽ ±. Calcitonin has been administered as a nosespray and as subcutaneous daily injections. Recently only nosespray form is available. This hormone increases the influx of calcium into the bones, functions as an antagonist to parathyroid hormone, and inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption. Calcitonin has also been hypothesized to directly inhibit giant cells. In 1993 Harris was first reported total remission of CGCGs in 4 patients. On the contrary Kaban et al (1999) observed a significant growth following calcitonin therapy. Response of patients to calcitonin therapy is variable. Many factors can contribute to the various responses to calcitonin which have been reported in the literature. The different types of calcitonin (human, salmon) and the different types of administration (subcutaneous injections, nasal spray) are some of these factors. With regard to the efficacy of calcitonin therapy, 3 phenomena have been recognized: Primary resistance or primary non-response is noted. There is the so-called plateau phenomenon, denoting that the alkaline phosphates serum levels cannot be lowered beyond a certain point, irrespective of the calcitonin dose. The third potential problem is secondary resistance, also called the escape phenomenon. Patients who initially react well to calcitonin show a diminished reaction after some time. Increased activity of osteoclasts through loss of calcitonin receptors is the more likely explanation for this phenomenon. Intralesional corticosteroids injection for CGCGs treatment was first reported by Jacoway et al. (1988). This method hypothesized that the extracellular production of bone- resorption- mediating lysosomal proteases by giant cells in inhibited by steroids which also induce apoptosis of the osteoclast- like cells. In English literature, complete remission results from intralesional administration of corticosteroids in insufficient and the number of patients is very small. Especially, in large cases intralesional corticosteroid therapy may not be effective and may not provide of reduction in size. No reports in which the effectiveness of intralesional corticosteroid injection for CGCG is described separately for the aggressive type and non- aggressive type are available. Nougeria et al. indicated that MGCs may be similar to osteoclasts and macrophages/hystiocytes and that CGCG can be prompted to respond to calcitonin or intralesional glucocorticoid as shown in the literature. They reported the expression of glucocorticoid and calcitonin receptors in CGCG before and after treatment with intralesional injection of steroids. They concluded that glucocorticoid receptor expression in the MGCs was higher in patients with a good response. The difference in calcitonin reseptor expression was not statistically significant between the aggressive and non- aggressive lesions and between the patients with a good response and with a modatare/negative response to treatment. Although aggressive CGCG had higher calcitonin receptor expression no significant difference in calcitonin receptor expression in different clinical forms of CGCG was found in this study. The treatment response was determined using previously described scores. In which four criteria were conside red: stabilization or regression of the lesion size evaluated clinically and in follow-up radiographs; the absence of sumptoms; increased radio-opacity in radiographs, representing peripheral and/or central calcification of the lesion, increased difficulty in solution infiltrating the lesion during the sequence of applications. If a case provided all of these, the response was determined to be good; providing two or three criteria was determined to be moderate; and providing one criteria or no criteria implied a negative response to treatment. Another alternative therapeutic agent is IFN-ÃŽ ±, it has angiogenic potential and it is a mediator in differentiation from mesenchymall cells to osteoblasts thus leading to an increase in bone apposition. Similar to corticosteroids IFN-ÃŽ ± is also capable of stopping rapid growth of their lesions and reducing their size, but it still necessary to use additional surgery to eliminate the lesion. In the literature only one case report was showed complete remission with IFN-ÃŽ ± therapy. Several reports suggest that IFN-ÃŽ ± administered as a monotherapy for aggressive CGCGs is useful for inhibiting the rapid growth of lesions and for reducing their size. Total remission of lesion cannot be achieved, because IFN-ÃŽ ± has no direct inhibiting effect on proliferating tumor cells and additional surgery is probably still required to eliminate lesions. Therefore, the effectiveness of monotherapy with IFN-ÃŽ ± is still questionable. CGCG is found predominantly in young adults. Surgical treatment of these patients might have resulted in physical and psychological disorders, such as developmental disorder of the mandible, dysfunction of mastication, and facial deformities, non- surgical treatment with systemic calcitonin administration which is a minimally invasive procedure and less costly and should be considered the first choice for treatment of CGCG in young patients.

The Pentangle Essay -- Literary Analysis, Gawain, The Green Knight

In the anonymous poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the character of Sir Gawain is portrayed as the imperfect hero. His flaws create interest and intrigue. Such qualities of imperfection cannot be found in the symbol of the pentangle, which he displays on his shield. This contrast between character and symbol is exposed a number of times throughout the poem allowing human qualities to emerge from Gawain’s knightly portrayal. The expectations the pentangle presents proves too much for Gawain as he falls victim to black magic, strays from God, is seduced by an adulterous woman, and ultimately breaks the chivalric code by lying to the Green Knight. The pentangle, also called the â€Å"endless knot,† (630) is a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle, worn as an amulet to â€Å"avert evil from or bring fortune to the wearer† (Talisman, OED). Writer Eliphas Levi says that when the pentangle is pointing up it represents spiritual dominance over the material. Presented the other way, the physical world rules over the spiritual -often associated with dark magic (Pentagram, Wikipedia). This parallel foreshadows the trickery played on Sir Gawain by the Green Knight. The Green Knight challenges Gawain to a â€Å"Christmas game† (283) in an attempt to humble Gawain, tempting him with worldly pleasures and proving that even the greatest of knights are not perfect. Upon finding the Green Chapel, Gawain suggests that â€Å"Here might / The devil himself be seen / †¦at black midnight† (2186-8). Comparing the Green Knight to the devil proves accurate because at the end of the play, the Green Knight confess es that â€Å"the count of your kisses and your conduct too, / And the wooing of my wife—it was all my scheme!† (2360-1). Describing the midnight as â€Å"black† (... ...ain as an imperfect hero makes him an interesting character and allows the reader to see his human qualities emerge in a moralistic story. The tension between two sides of a character trait is represented through contrast with the perfection of the pentangle symbol. God and material possession, fidelity and seduction, and knight and human are all parallel to the two interconnecting triangles depicted in the pentangle. It is impossible to have one without the other. The interconnectedness of our senses, our bodies, our spirituality, our love and emotions, and our personality create a pentangle, binded by a circle: life. The pentangle perhaps places too high an expectation on perfection and does not allow room for human flaws. Such flaws lead to the downfall of Sir Gawain because he was unable to live up to the expectations of the symbol displayed on his shield.

Sustainable Design and Construction Essay -- Green Building, Sustainab

Our world faces energy concerns, global warming, climate change, water shortages, soaring housing costs, economic instability, and dwindling natural resources. In addition, an inordinate amount of construction waste is produced each day. It is essential to begin taking steps to prevent this pattern from continuing to take us down the road t environmental destruction. The engineers, architects and developers of today, more than ever, share an obligation to create new and innovative structures to turn this cycle around. Buildings and development have an enormous impact on our quality of life and the quality of our environment, both in construction and in operations. Buildings expend 40% of the world’s energy, 25% of its wood harvest and account for 16% of its water consumption 1, all resources we cannot afford to waste. Buildings of the future need to take the step beyond shelter and work places and perform as efficient, economic, environmentally sound spaces in which we can thrive and endure. It is our responsibility to utilize our knowledge and scientific research to move forward in the realm of design. Sustainable design, or â€Å"green building,† looks to create high performance buildings that improve our health as well as the health of the environment we live in. What is Green Building? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), â€Å"Green or sustainable building is the practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition.†2 Among the many constituents of sustainable design are improvements in water usage, waste reduction, use of recycled materials, reduced energy consumption, and an aesthetically pleasing environment for inhabitants... ...02.pdf. United States Green Building Council, Meet the USGBC, 2003, USGBC, 27 Feb. 2004, http://www.usgbc.org/AboutUs/mission_facts.asp. Ian Barbour, Ethics in an Age of Technology: The Gifford Lectures, Volume two (New York: HarperCollins, 1993) 34. The Engineering Handbook, Chapter Six: Ethics, Santa Clara University School of Engineering, 27 Feb. 2004, http://cseserv.engr.scu.edu/NQuinn/ENGR019_301Winter2004/EngrHandbook_Ethics.pdf. James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 4th ed. (San Francisco: McGraw Hill, 2003) 128. The Engineering Handbook, http://cseserv.engr.scu.edu/NQuinn/ENGR019_301Winter2004/EngrHandbook_Ethics.pdf. Barbour, 57. Thomas Shanks, S.J., Ph.D., How Did I Live Today?, 2003, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University, 27 February 2004, http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/today.html.

Alexander Hamilton: Financial Plan Essay

After the Founding Fathers ratified the Constitution, they realized that they had to deal with sixty-three million dollars debt that they owed to those who took part in the American Revolution. In order to pay back this debt Alexander Hamilton created a financial program. However, some Republicans such as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison thought that his plan was unconstitutional because one would need to use the necessary and proper clause which most people feared because it gave the government too much power. This, however, is not so Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan however was mostly constitutional because it allowed it to use the powers as well as responsibilities congress already had such as print its own form of currency, issue taxes, and ultimately pay off debts. Hamilton’s financial plan can be broken down to four parts the taxation, national bank, Hamilton’s reports, and the assumption plan all four were within his rights to do so. One of the four p arts of Hamilton’s economic plan was taxation. He placed a tax on Distilled Spirits, or otherwise known as whiskey, because not many people produced it and sold it. This part of his plan that was completely constitutional. Since it is one of the enumerated powers as seen in the Constitution (I, 8, 1) that Congress is allowed to collect and levy taxes to pay off a debt. Thus Hamilton’s taxation on distilled spirits was constitutional. The second part of the financial plan was the creation of the national bank. Some things the national bank did were that it established a national currency and establish credit in the country and overseas. The national bank was constitutional because it could have been done through the elastic clause, or the necessary and proper clause (I, 8, 18). This clause could have been used because it allowed Congress coin money, pay off debts made in the Revolution, and regulate commerce. Also, all three are enumerated powers. Another part of the economic program was the reports proposed by Alexander Ha milton. Hamilton presented three reports from January 1790 to December 1791. The first was a report on public credit. This proposed to replace old bonds with new ones for those who had them. And the Federal government would also â€Å"assume† the state debts. This could be done through the necessary and proper clause because this would ultimately allow the government pay off some of its debts. The second report was also a report on Public credit in this one however he wanted to place a tax on distilled spirits. This could have been done because of in the Constitution, (I, 8, 1), congress had the power to tax. He also proposed the creation of the national bank. This too could have been done through the necessary and proper clause because the national bank would help Congress to use its other powers like coin money and regulate commerce. The third and final report was the report on manufacture. In this Hamilton proposed a program where the government would aid and encourage the manufacturing enterprise and American industries. In this report Hamilton wanted to put tariffs on imported goods to protect American Industries. This also allowed them to compete with the more inexpensive European imports. This could also have been achieved through the necessary and proper clause because it would help inventors and it would count as a tax which would help with the debt. What Hamilton proposed in the reports was constitutional mainly through the necessary and proper clause. The final part of Hamilton’s financial plan is the assumption plan. The assumption plan is the plan where the government would â€Å"assume† all state debts by paying off all bonds sold at face value. This would ultimately help America gain good credit. This plan was too constitutional for it helped pay off debts which is one of the responsibilities of Congress stated in the Constitution (I, 8, 1). In turn the Elastic clause could be used to say that this plan is constitutional. All in all, all parts of Alexander Hamilton’s economic program were constitutional. The whiskey tax was constitutional through Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the constitution. The national bank could have been justified through the elastic clause. The reports were also constitutional through mainly the necessary and proper clause. The assumption plan was also constitutional because it supported Article I, Section 8, Clause 1. This proves the constitutionality of Hamilton’s financial program.

Costa Rica Essay

Costa Rica is a very beautiful country and very independent. Costa Rica gained its independence from the Spanish in 1821 but still was mooched off of by Agustin de Iturbide in his Mexican Empire. Easter in Costa Rica is known as Semana Santa. On July 25th they have Guanacaste day, which is the celebration of the annexation of Guanacaste to Costa Rica in 1824. August 2nd they have Virgen de Los Angeles Day. Which celebrates the Patron saint of Costa Rica. This is one of the most important religious celebrations. On September 15th they celebrate Independence Day in Costa Rica. On October 12th they celebrate Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day). Lastly on December 25th they celebrate Christmas Day, which are Family-oriented celebrations. Costa Rica’s flag has tons of symbolism involved stating with the colors. The white stripe represents peace and honesty, the blue stripe represents vigilance, truth and loyalty while the red stripe represent hardiness, bravery, and strength. The emblem on the flag contains the volcanoes and their coat of arms. Costa Rica’s number one economic resource is coffee and bananas. Costa Ricans live just like we do in the U. S. A. Costa Rica and the United States of America get along quite well. Of course there has been a few bump in the road but nothing bad enough to make us hostile. We are good friends because we help each other out by buying each others products and such. Costa Rica and its relations with other countries are exquisite right now. They have been apart of the international community and have been neutral to most countries for quite some time. Of course it may be hostile to a few countries but everyone seems to have enemies. This country is said to be very beautiful so if I had the time I would gladly visit it and spend a few days on the beach. Things are cheap there and I can be cheap so it would work out great. This country is a very beautiful country that makes its money off of very natural things and I think that is very good. I think the people are nice and the amount of festivals and holidays they have is very cool.