The Life Of The Icu - 1499 Words

To the ICU Although there have been many things in life that I’ve had the fortunate and sometimes the unfortunate pleasure of experiencing, none of my memories and experiences are as poignant as the time my father had to undergo a liver transplant surgery. This was one of the most memorable times and a significant experience in my life. This event had, an ever-lasting effect in my life and made me realize how important family can be. Though this experience is relatively new, and one of the most challenging times in my life by far, this allowed me to view my father in a new light, as well as allowing me to appreciate how close and important my family, especially my father, can actually be in times of trials and tribulations. For the past†¦show more content†¦The following evening, after dinner that felt flavorless and empty, only further emphasized the absence of my father in the household. Later, my family and I decided to visit my father at the hospital to see him and how he wa s recuperating after the surgery. From the moment I anxiously sat in the car and we drove down to DC, the nostalgic memories of my father kicked in, one after another like a house of cards falling; my nostalgia came from the good memories to the ones better left forgotten. What felt like an eternity getting to the hospital and navigating the streets of DC like mice through a labyrinth, we had finally arrived at the Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. We continued on nervously trying to find our way to the Intensive Care Unit where my father was being kept and cared for following the surgery. Walking down the long and narrow hallway to see my father, only emphasized the uneasiness and anxiety of being in a hospital. Finally we had found our way through the labyrinth-like layout of the hospital, unto the Intensive Care Unit. Into the ICU through the large door, all the patients’ rooms were adjacent to one another. At the center were desks at which nurses and doctors would input each and every patients’ data and process paperwork while periodically checking up on all of the patients around-the-clock. My father was being kept in the first room on the right, next to the large entrance doors.

Stefan’s Diaries The Craving Chapter 4 Free Essays

string(80) " out at the Winfield residence put to shame the finest restaurants in Virginia\." November 5, 1864 It feels like so long ago, but in reality little time has passed since my transformation, since my father killed me. It was barely a month past that Damon and I tried to save Katherine’s life, and her blood saved ours. Barely a month since I was a living, warm-blooded human, who sustained himself on meals of meat and vegetables, cheese and wine – and who slept in a feather bed, with clean linen sheets. We will write a custom essay sample on Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 4 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Yet it feels like a lifetime, and by some definitions, I suppose it is. But just as quickly as my fortunes turned after New Orleans, leaving me to live as a vagrant in a rocky hollow in the park, here I am at a proper desk under a leaded window, a thick rug at my feet. How quickly I am slipping back into human ways! The Sutherlands seem like a kind family. I picture tempestuous Bridget and her long-suffering older sister as mirror versions of Damon and myself. I never appreciated how harmless Damon’s and my father’s fights were back when they were just about horses and girls. I was always terrified one of them would say or do something that would end forever what semblance of a family we had left. Now that my father is dead and my brother and I are . . . what we are, I realize how much more serious things can get, and how simple and easy life was before. I shouldn’t even stay here, even tonight. I should sneak out the window and flee to my place of exile. Being enfolded in the warm, living embrace of the Sutherland family for any amount of time, no matter how short, is dangerous and deceptive. It makes me feel like I could almost belong to the world of humans again. They don’t realize they have welcomed a predator into their midst. All that would need to happen is for me to lose control once, to slip from my room right now and take my fill of one of them, and their lives would be filled with tragedy – just as mine became when Katherine arrived on our doorstep. Family has always been the most important thing to me, and I would be lying if I didn’t admit how comforting it is to be among people who love one another, if only for one borrowed night. . . . For the first time since I’d left New Orleans, I rose with the sun, intent to slip out of the mansion and disappear into the morning mists before anyone came to wake me. But it was hard to resist the pull of crisp linen sheets, the soft mattress, the shelves of books, and the painted ceiling of my room. After admiring the fresco of winged cherubs above me, I pushed off the soft covers and forced myself out of bed. Every muscle in my body rippled under my pale skin, full of strength and Power, but every bone in my rib cage showed. The Sutherlands had taken my clothes to be washed but hadn’t given me a nightshirt. I enjoyed the feeling of morning sunlight on my flesh, the glowing warmth fighting with the chill in the room. Though I’d never forgive Katherine for turning me into a monster, I was grateful at least for her lapis lazuli ring that protected me from the sun’s otherwise fatal rays. The window was open the slightest bit, ushering a cool breeze into the room and setting the diaphanous curtains aflutter. Though temperature no longer affected me, I closed the window, locking the latch with some puzzlement. I could have sworn all the windows had been shut tight last night. Before I had time to further consider the matter, the tell-tale thump of a heartbeat sounded close by, and after a light knock, the door cracked open. Lydia stuck her head in, then immediately blushed and looked away from my nearly naked form. â€Å"Father was afraid you might try to leave without saying good-bye. I was sent to make sure you didn’t charm a maid into helping you.† â€Å"I’m hardly in a state to sneak away,† I said, covering my chest with my arms. â€Å"I will need my pants to do that.† â€Å"Henry will be up shortly with your trousers, freshly pressed,† she said, keeping her eyes on the ground. â€Å"In the meantime, there is a bathing room just down the hall to the right. Please feel free to refresh yourself, and then come down to breakfast.† I nodded, feeling trapped. â€Å"And, Stefan.† Lydia looked up briefly and met my eye. â€Å"I do hope you’ll be able to locate a shirt as well.† Then she smiled and slipped away. When I finally came downstairs for breakfast, the entire Sutherland clan was waiting for me – even Bridget, who was alive and stuffing toast into her face like she hadn’t eaten in a fortnight. Except for a slight paleness to her complexion, it was impossible to tell that she’d nearly died the night before. Everyone turned and gasped as I approached. Apparently, I cut a different figure from the hero in shirtsleeves the night before. With freshly polished fine Italian shoes, neat pants, a new clean shirt, and a borrowed jacket Winfield had sent up for me, I was every inch the gentleman. I’d even washed my face and combed my hair back. â€Å"Cook made you some grits, if you like,† Mrs. Sutherland said, indicating a bowl of gloppy white stuff. â€Å"We don’t usually indulge, but thought our Southern guest might.† â€Å"Thank you, ma’am,† I said, taking the empty seat next to Bridget and eyeing the spread on the large wooden table. After my mother passed away, Damon, my father, and I made it a habit to dine casually with the men who we employed on the plantation. Breakfast was often the simple stuff of workers, hominy and biscuits, bread and syrup, rashers of bacon. What was laid out at the Winfield residence put to shame the finest restaurants in Virginia. You read "Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 4" in category "Essay examples" English-style toast in delicate wire holders, five different types of jam, two kinds of bacon, johnnycakes, syrup, even freshly squeezed orange juice. The delicate plates had blue Dutch patterns, and there was more silverware than I was accustomed to seeing at a formal dinner. Wishing I still had a human appetite – and ignoring the fire in my veins that thirsted for blood – I pretended to dig in. â€Å"Much obliged,† I said. â€Å"So this is my little sister’s savior,† said the one woman in the room I didn’t know. â€Å"Allow me to introduce the eldest of my daughters,† Winfield said. â€Å"This is Margaret. First married. And first with grandchildren, we’re hoping.† â€Å"Papa,† Margaret admonished, before turning her attention back to me. â€Å"Pleased to meet you.† Where Bridget was full of life and the plumpness of youth and Lydia was the elegant, cultivated one, Margaret had something of a practical and inquisitive good sense, an earthiness that showed in questioning blue eyes. Her hair was black and inclined to straightness. â€Å"We were just discussing what prompted my child’s rash actions,† Winfield said, bringing the conversation back to the previous night. â€Å"I don’t know why I ran off,† Bridget pouted, drawing deeply from a cup of orange juice. The older sisters gave each other looks, but their father leaned closer, worry lines marring his forehead. â€Å"I just felt that I absolutely had to leave. So I did.† â€Å"It was foolish and dangerous,† her mother reprimanded, shaking her napkin. â€Å"You could have died!† â€Å"I am glad to see you are doing so well today,† I said politely. Bridget grinned, displaying teeth that had little bits of orange pulp stuck in them. â€Å"Yes. About that.† Margaret spoke up, tapping her egg spoon on the side of her plate. â€Å"You say you found her covered in blood in the park?† â€Å"Yes, ma’am,† I answered warily, taking the smallest piece of bacon on my plate. This sister sounded more astute than the others and wasn’t afraid to ask uncomfortable questions. â€Å"There was a lot of blood, and Bridget’s dress was torn.† Margaret pressed, â€Å"Did you find it odd that there was no actual wound?† â€Å"Uh,† I stammered. My mind raced. What could I say? The blood was someone else’s? â€Å"I thought there was a knife wound last night,† Mrs. Sutherland said, pursing her lips and thinking. â€Å"But it was just clotted blood, and wiping it down cleared it away.† Margaret pierced me with her eyes. â€Å"Maybe she was afflicted with a nosebleed . . . ?† I mumbled lamely. â€Å"So you’re saying that you didn’t see any attacker when you came upon my sister?† Margaret asked. â€Å"Oh, Meggie, you and your interrogations,† Winfield said. â€Å"It’s a miracle that Bridge is all right. Thank goodness Stefan here found her when he did.† â€Å"Yes. Of course. Thank goodness,† Margaret said. â€Å"And what were you doing in the park last night by yourself?† she continued smoothly. â€Å"Walking,† I said, same as I had answered her father the night before. In the bright light of morning, it struck me as odd that Winfield had asked me nothing more than my name and why I’d been in the park. In times like these, and after his daughter had just suffered a great blow, it was hardly standard to accept a stranger into one’s home. Then again, my father had offered refuge to Katherine when she’d arrived in Mystic Falls, playing the part of an orphan. A nagging piece of me wondered if our story could have ended differently, if the entire Salvatore brood would still be alive, if only we’d pressed Katherine for answers about her past, rather than tiptoeing around the tragedy she’d claimed had taken her parents’ lives. Of course, Katherine had Damon and me so deeply in her thrall, perhaps it would have made no difference. Margaret leaned forward, not politely giving up the way Winfield had the night before. â€Å"You’re not from around here, I take it?† â€Å"I’m from Virginia,† I answered as she opened her mouth to form the next, obvious question. In a strange way, it made me feel better to offer this family something real. Besides, soon enough I would be out of this house, out of their lives, and it wouldn’t matter what they knew about me. â€Å"Whereabouts?† she pressed. â€Å"Mystic Falls.† â€Å"I’ve never heard of it.† â€Å"It’s fairly small. Just one main street and some plantations.† There was some shuffling movement under the table, and I could only assume that either Bridget or Lydia was trying to give Margaret a good kick. If the blow was successful, Margaret gave no sign. â€Å"Are you an educated man?† she continued. â€Å"No, ma’am. I planned to study at the University of Virginia. The war put a stop to that.† â€Å"War is good for no one,† Winfield said as he stabbed a piece of bacon with his fork. â€Å"The war put a stop to much casual travel back and forth between the states,† Margaret added. â€Å"What’s that to do with anything?† Bridget demanded. â€Å"Your sister is suggesting that it’s an odd time for me to come north,† I explained. â€Å"But my father recently died. . . .† â€Å"From the war?† Bridget demanded breathlessly. Lydia and Mrs. Sutherland glared at her. â€Å"Indirectly,† I answered. A war had claimed my father’s life, a war against vampires – against me. â€Å"My town . . . it burned, and there was nothing left for me anymore.† â€Å"So you came north,† Lydia said. â€Å"To try your hand at business, maybe?† Winfield suggested hopefully. Here was a man with three daughters, three beautiful daughters, but no sons. No one to share cigars and brandy with, no one to push and encourage and compete with in the world of business. I was both worried and amused by the gleam in his eye when he looked at me. Surely there were families with sons in Manhattan who would make for more auspicious marital alliances. â€Å"Whatever I can do, I aim to make my way in the world on my own,† I replied, taking a sip of coffee. I would have to, without Lexi or Katherine to guide me. And if I ever saw Damon again, the only thing he would guide me toward was a newly sharpened stake. â€Å"Where are you living?† Margaret continued. â€Å"Do you have family here?† I cleared my throat, but before I had to tell my first real lie, Bridget groaned. â€Å"Meggie, I’m bored of this interrogation!† A hint of a smile bloomed on Lydia’s lips, and she quickly hid it behind her napkin. â€Å"What would you prefer to talk about?† â€Å"Yourself?† Margaret said with an arched brow. â€Å"Yes, actually!† Bridget said, looking around the table. Her eyes glowed as green as Callie’s, but with her petulance on full display, she no longer reminded me of my lost love. â€Å"I still don’t know why I ran out on the party.† Margaret rolled her eyes. Lydia shook her head. â€Å"I mean, you should have seen the looks I got!† she started up, waving her knife in the air for emphasis. â€Å"Flora’s dress was the worst, especially considering she’s a newly married woman. And my new sash – oh no, was it ruined last night? I would hate to have it ruined! Mama! Was it on me when Stefan brought me home? We have to go back to the park and look for it!† â€Å"How about we go back to the park and look for the person who tried to kill you,† Margaret suggested. â€Å"We’ve already had a discussion with Inspector Warren about it. He promises a thorough investigation,† Mrs. Sutherland said. â€Å"But, Bridget, you must promise not to run off from the Chesters’ ball this evening or I will be forced to stand watch over you in your bedroom.† Bridget crossed her arms over her chest with a huff. â€Å"And neither shall you run off,† Mrs. Sutherland said more pointedly to Lydia. The middle sister blushed. â€Å"Lydia has fallen in love with an Italian count,† Bridget confided, her pout evaporating as she indulged in gossip. â€Å"We all hope he asks her hand in marriage – wouldn’t that be splendid? Then we’d all be like royalty, sort of, and not just rich merchants. Imagine, Lydia a countess!† Winfield laughed nervously. â€Å"Bridget . . .† Bridget fluttered her thick eyelashes. â€Å"It’s so wonderful that Lydia has a suitor, much less a count. After Meggie was wed, I was afraid Mother and Papa would become traditional and not let me marry until Lydia did and who knew how long that was going to take.† â€Å"Lydia is . . . particular,† Mrs. Sutherland said. â€Å"Oh really, Mama,† Bridget rolled her eyes. â€Å"As if anyone even had an interest before. And now she has a count. It’s really . . . it’s really not fair, you know, if you think about it . . . if I had a proper coming out . . .† I shifted in my seat, at once embarrassed for everyone, and yet glad to be involved in something as ordinary as a family squabble. This was the first time I’d been among company since leaving Lexi in New Orleans. â€Å"So many handsome, strange men in our lives these days,† Margaret said, somewhere between whimsy and warning. â€Å"What an odd coincidence, Mr. Salvatore. Perhaps I needn’t make the grand tour, after all.† â€Å"Hush now, Margaret,† Winfield said. â€Å"And actually I have no one to go to the Chesters’ with anyhow, Mama,† Bridget was continuing, actually growing red in the face as if she was trying quite hard to cry. She looked at me sidelong the entire time. â€Å"I am sure Milash won’t escort me after last night. . . . I am in dire need of rescue. . . .† Bridget widened her green eyes at her father. Winfield frowned and stroked his muttonchops thoughtfully. In that moment, Bridget seemed as powerful as a vampire, able to compel her father to her every wish. Margaret put a hand to her head as if it ached. â€Å"Mr. Salvatore will take you,† Winfield said, gesturing at me with a fork full of biscuit. â€Å"He’s rescued you once; I’m sure he’s a gentleman who wouldn’t leave you in distress again.† All eyes were turned on me. Bridget perked up, smiling at me like a kitten just offered a bowl of cream. I balked. â€Å"I’m afraid I haven’t the proper attire . . .† I began. â€Å"Oh, that is solved easily enough,† Mrs. Sutherland said with a knowing smile. â€Å"Once again,† Lydia murmured, too low for anyone else to hear, â€Å"we are holding poor Mr. Salvatore at our mercy. With pants.† How to cite Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 4, Essay examples

Legalize Gambling Essays - Gambling, Casino, Economics Of Gambling

Legalize Gambling Whether or not to legalize gambling is a tough decision. The pros and cons of the question are almost equal, and while some say it will boost economy others say it can destroy it. No one argues that gambling is a big, profitable business, they only question whether it is a business doing good, or the opposite. Arguments both ways are very compelling and both sides have many examples that demonstrate their point. However, if I were in the position of deciding if gambling should become fully legal in my country I would side with gambling. In many areas of the world gambling has proven an economic success. The growth in jobs, revenue and government money is too large to ignore. Although critics point out areas that have not grown since gambling started, this is mainly because of bad deals with the government or the community and not because of gambling itself. If we look at gambling as a gamble and be careful we can avoid many mistakes that have already been made. Opponents also tout the objectionable moral standards which gambling supposedly encourages. While this may be true, that does not give people the right to stop others from gambling. Many find premarital sex and homosexuality to be morally wrong, but that does not give them the right to stop the behavior. If they find it wrong, then they choose not to participate in the practice. Similarly, people can choose not to gamble but they cannot take that right away from people who do. The economic growth in cities that support gambling has been astou! nding. Billions of dollars a day come in through the casinos, and some of this money is then given to the government helping the economy even more. With the casinos also comes a huge amount of jobs. Construction, management, and many other jobs inside the casino boost local economy even more. Not only the casino benefits from the influx of more tourists but many other businesses will thrive, too. Hotels, restaurants, and others offering services will inevitably be boosted by the gambling business. Some people fear that other, illegal businesses will thrive because of the influx of money in addition to the legitimate ones. This may be true if we kept the same amount of law enforcement, however this will not be the case. With the additional revenue created by the casinos themselves the local authorities can now afford to keep more policemen and deceives on the street and investigating the gambling businesses. Corruption will be effectively held in check and scandal hel! d down. The shadowy background of gambling will slowly disappear as citizens realize that it is a legitimate business. In many areas of the United States gambling is already practiced with lottery and others of the same type. The stock market is also a form of gambling that no one objects about. The missed opportunity that not going with gambling is too large to be ignored and therefore the best choice is institute gambling. Economic gains by gambling are not the only consideration in this choice, one has to remember that many people want casinos near them. If the government is truly of the people and for the people it must follow the public's wish to introduce legalized gambling.

Causes and Effects of Industrial Pollution Essays

Causes and Effects of Industrial Pollution Essays Causes and Effects of Industrial Pollution Paper Causes and Effects of Industrial Pollution Paper Essay Topic: Air pollution Cause and Effect Water pollution It is because of this that carbon monoxide is viewed as the least danger to living beings. The largest natural cause of CO is the oxidation of methane in the atmosphere. Methane, CHI, is produced on the surface of earth by the decay of organic matter. (Harrison, 1990) A smaller natural cause is the growth and decay of chlorophyll which is the green pigment in the leaves of plants. Eighty percent of the carbon monoxide that is emitted by humans is by transportation. Because automobiles are the largest source of CO pollution, the highest concentration of this gas is in highly populated/urban areas. The next greatest anthropogenic source is agricultural burning, which accounts for another twelve percent. It has been shown that exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide can harm living organisms, but the current concentration in our atmosphere is still low enough so that plants and humans are both at minimal risk. (Harrison, 1990) Hydrocarbons are the second largest category of air pollutants by mass, but they are by far the largest group of pollutants when considering their effect. There are thousands of different hydrocarbon compounds that are comprised solely of hydrogen and carbon. They can be found in a gaseous, liquid or solid states at room temperature. Most hydrocarbons are emitted by the bacterial decomposition of organic material. Methane, CHI, which was mentioned in the formation of carbon monoxide, is the simplest of the hydrocarbons. Petroleum is a complicated mixture of several simple hydrocarbons showing again transportation by motor vehicles is the leading cause of this category being emitted into the air. Their evaporation during the refining of petroleum is also important. (Harpsichord, 1 991) Unlike the previous categories, the hydrocarbons are relatively harmless in their released state. It is in the atmosphere that they undergo chemical reactions and become hazardous. Societal Effects from of Air Pollution People are mostly oblivious to the effects of air pollution. They know its out there and it is a problem but excepting skin cancer, there have been very few deaths with a direct link to air pollution. It is probably because of this that people arent as concerned with air pollution as they should be. Air pollution has always been around, and has actually been on a decline since the sasss (when coal was the major source of energy. It is relatively easy to decrease he amount of pollutants we emit considering each year new laws arise that crack down on the amount of certain substances that can be released into the air, but the harm has already been done, and next to impossible to fix. The ozone layer is the part of the atmosphere that keeps ultraviolet rays from penetrating humans and plants. But because of all the air pollution, various chemicals are slowly destroyin g the ozone layer. Each year the concentration of the ozone decreases by approximately two percent and the ozone layer over the South Pole is already fifty percent of its natural concentration. Ozone depletes (the majority Of which are chlorofluorocarbons Or CUFFS) react with ultraviolet radiation and break down into their component atoms, especially chlorine, bromine and fluoride. These component atoms then go on to steal an oxygen atom from the ozone layer (opposite to the reaction which forms 03), thereby destroying the ozone layer. This loss of protection from UP rays can result in an increase of human skin cancer, damage to various parts of the eyes as well as causing a breakdown of the immune system. (Harpsichord, 1991) With health being such a major issue in our society today, people have become scared by this outbreak of cancer. People know that the ozone layer is slowing depleting and that there is a health risk involved with being in the sun for extended periods of time. But very few people know that there is a connection between this breakdown Of the ozone layer and air pollution. Instead of trying to control pollution emissions they just cut back on their time o utdoors, or wear more sunscreen. Ultraviolet rays can also cause major environmental problems. These rays enter the atmosphere and can kill small aquatic organisms, such as plankton. When these small life forms decompose they release carbon dioxide, CO, another gas which can cause the ozone layer to break down, thus resulting in a continuous cycle. What can we do? Although air pollution has relatively few immediate effects on humans at the present time it is important that we try to reduce the amount of pollutants we emit into the air. As discussed before the biggest cause of air pollution is use of transportation, followed by the combustion of fossil fuels. In the past thirty years many new standards have been passed in the United States which exulted in a dramatic reduction in the gases emitted by automobiles. But even with these new laws air pollution is still on the increase. It is mostly due to the fact that there are more automobiles on the road today. Cars may be more efficient but there are too many of them, which in many ways diminishes their efficiency. One solution to this problem is encouraging people to carpool which would reduce the number of cars on the road and in turn reduce the amount of pollutants. Another solution is to make more laws enforcing more efficient cars. However this would cost car manufactures more money, exulting in more expensive cars which people wouldnt want to buy. So the best solution to reducing the amount of pollutants emitted by automobiles is by encouraging people to carpool. The combustion of fossil fuels is the other leading cause of air pollution. Although the amount of pollutants these factories emit has reduced since the sasss they still release a large quantity of dangerous gases. More standards can be enforced to reduce the emissions of these factories. Nevertheless, as long as we rely on fossil fuels for energy these factories will have to emit some sort of gas. At the moment, nuclear energy appears to be the wave of the future and this type of energy releases a lot less pollutants into the air than the combustion of oil and coal. Although air pollution presents no immediate danger it is important that we try to control the pollutants We emit. Most of the harm has already been done and there are no known ways to fix these problems. It is for this reason that we try our best to help the situation as most as possible. Water Pollution Several different kinds of waste are oxygen consumers. There is a certain concentration of oxygen needed in the worlds oceans to support life. However, when waste is present in the water that is easily broken down by the presence of oxygen, and this lowers the oxygen levels necessary to sustain the natural biota for that water. Radioactive materials escape from ore processing, nuclear power plants and use of nuclear weapons. Just as radioactivity has harmful effects on humans these effects translate to aquatic life and invade water supplies around the world if not properly contained (Singer, 1970) Toxic metals are made up of heavy metals, light metals, and trace metals. Heavy metals have five times the density of water, whereas light metals have less.. Heavy metals are made up of seven basic elements that are found frequently in the Earth in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Trace metals display natural compounds of metal. The latter carry more contaminants than the heavy metals because of their great effects on living organisms. They are transmitted through direct use of mining in ores, in the burning of fossil fuels. The trace elements end up in water systems through atmospheric rain, agricultural run-off, mining wastes and domestic sewage. One the key factors of metal pollution is that they cannot biologically or chemically breakdown in nature. This stability also lets them be carried long distances through air and water. Mercury has shown to be a good example of how contamination of trace metals has severe effects and will be discussed in the next section on effects on society. Synthetic organic pesticides are compounds that include insecticides, fungicides, and other pests that inhibit human conduct. There are chlorophyll acids, archaeopteryxs, cerebrates and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Discussing chlorinated hydrocarbons, the most dominant of these pollutants, is necessary because of their persistence or staying power. They resist breakdown for approximately two years before they disappear. (Singer, 1970 ) Because of the great length of time that is these hydrocarbons can invade areas of the environment they were not meant for and spread into soils, runoffs and water environments. Their toxic effects on living organisms pervade fatty membranes around nerves and disrupt the movement of ions between the fiber. Societal Effects from Water Pollution Societys main concern with water pollution has mostly been realized through our own concern for their drinking water. Contaminants of all kind have been studied for their possible harm on humans, and subsequent coverings led to seeing the effects on other life in water. Water as a carrier of pathogenic organisms that can put health at risk was the primary reason for pollution control. More recently pollution was personalized when Americans saw pictures of seals and other sea life drowning in oil slick from spills, with drastic consequences. Water birds Can often be So covered in Oil slick that they can no longer fly and feathers lose their insulation properties in cool water temperatures. Many surrounding plant life on the shoreline are also coated and vegetation rates decrease. Photosynthesis of plants is also effected below the water, where light intensity is decreased by 90%, ;o meters below the surface because of oil flushing. Long-term affects, although still being studied, are based on the chemical messaging that is adversely effected by oil compounds in the water. Similarly they also might be involved and enter in the marine food chain. (Sager, 1976) These facts helped increase awareness, Inform the public and change policy on oil tanker practices. In this same manner, EDT, decades after its discoverer Paul Mueller won the Nobel Prize for chemistry because of its insecticidal repertories, was shown causing severe damage in water life systems. Nevertheless an abundance of pesticides of all kinds are still used in many areas and often are hard to contain in specific areas. As for metals, Mercury has wrought the largest scare to humans as its toxic effects from our actions have had repercussions. Mercury is used is three major ways by human processing electrical apparatus, color-alkali industry, and paint. Humans are exposed to mercury through production of other elements, the burning of coal, and the accelerated weathering of rocks and soils. Although there are efferent compounds of mercury effecting different aspects of body processes, there are also central breakdowns. Toxic action occurs through the binding of sulfur molecules in enzymes and cell walls that inhibit normal activity and depending on amount paralyzes or kills. All damage in permanent. Humans greatest risk is through food poisoning. This was shown in the Intimate disease where 44 people died and more were paralyzed because of eating contaminated shellfish and other fish. (Sager, 1976) Because of the biological amplification of mercury in aquatic life and in unmans, the methyl mercury wastes from a shoreline plastics factory increased the mercury amount in the fish in great amounts.

7 Tips on How to Study Vocabulary

7 Tips on How to Study Vocabulary If youre taking college courses in the United States, youre most likely fluent in English or a native speaker. In either case, youre probably quite comfortable with your skill level and focusing 100 percent of your brain power on your coursework. However, studying new vocabulary is an important lifelong endeavor. Expanding your vocabulary will help you comprehend your reading materials more quickly and easily. A more varied lexicon will also improve those papers youre writing. Of course, if you plan to take a graduate school entrance exam, such as the GRE, youll definitely want to build and maintain your internal word list. Follow these seven tips for quick, fun ways to boost your vocab. Use Words Thesaurus Tool When youre typing a paper or even just notes, youre bound to pause from time to time to consider what the best word to use is. Whenever you stop for even a split second, try to get in this habit: type whatever basic word pops into your mind first. Then double-click it and check the thesaurus. Youll get a list of alternative words and will most likely learn some new ones. Note that you shouldnt necessarily choose the longer or more complicated word every time. But knowing you have options adds more variety and interest to your writing. Many times, the more advanced words are more accurate, and sometimes, theyre even shorter. Why say sheeplike when you can say ovine? Solve Crossword Puzzles During your free time, pull out a crossword puzzle book, find one in a newspaper or magazine, or search for a puzzle online. Crossword puzzles have long been an essential (and fun!) tool for every word-lover and vocabulary-builder. Note that if youre new to crosswords, you might want to skip those found in the Sunday paper, as theyre usually extremely challenging- even for seasoned experts. Play Word Games Crossword games are quite different from crossword puzzles. Instead of using clues to figure out predetermined words, you build your own words from a set of letters. Play Scrabble, Words With Friends, or a similar game against the computer or a brainiac friend. Make a note of the words your opponent generates, and dont be afraid to be inquisitive. Then use a dictionary to come up with great moves of your own. Of course, you can play the board version of Scrabble as well. Another fun board game is Balderdash, in which players make up fake definitions of advanced vocabulary words. Everybody then tries to guess the real definition. Youll certainly learn some new terms along the way. Find Word-A-Day Offerings Word-a-day calendars are popular gifts; put one on your Christmas wish list. Even if you dont learn all 365 words, the calendar is just one more vocabulary-building tool at your disposal. Alternatively, find an online word-a-day subscription service that sends new words to your inbox. Or simply bookmark and check a site such as Merriam-Websters Word of the Day (which also offers a subscription option). Read Attentively Sure, youre reading tons of material for your classes. But you may be reading passively. In other words (no pun intended), like many people, when you encounter a new word, you may very likely be skipping over it and mentally filling in the blank- even subconsciously. Instead, make a concerted effort to stop and look those new words up in a digital or old-school dictionary. Take Online Vocabulary Quizzes Search for free vocabulary quizzes or a similar term. Vocabulary.com is a great site for students to use regularly, as is knoword. But you can also try other sites or find random quizzes to take. Get an App You can find vocabulary-building apps for iOS or Android devices. Anytime youre on the bus, standing in line, or getting your mani/pedi, whip out that phone and learn a few words. Building your vocabulary doesnt have to feel like one more course added to your load. Following these tips is actually a lot of fun and will make you feel smarter. The confidence you gain will carry over into your class studies and will surely show in your grades.

Corporate Failure Rates and the Impact of the 1986 Insolvency Act Essay

Corporate Failure Rates and the Impact of the 1986 Insolvency Act - Essay Example Interest rates are important because they reflect the monetary policy manifestation. Increase in inflation rates also result in increase in failure rates. Lastly, the age of a business is important because the lesser the age of a business, the more chances are that it would not survive. It was assumed that the failure rates would have a positive relationship with interest rates, cost of use of capital, price levels and company formation and on the other hand, it would have a negative relationship with profits and credit availability. An error correction model was constructed which connected these variables with failure rates. Also, ADF test and PP test were carried out to find out the long term effects of the variables mentioned above. Regression analysis was also done on an equation formed by Johanson method (1982). The results from the Chow test show that the imposition of the Insolvency act of 1986 has had some effects on the failure rates. Also, the coefficient of the dummy variable was also negative and statistically important which makes it possible for us to conclude that the failure rates decreased since the introduction of the Insolvency act. Corporate Failure Rates and the Impact of the 1986 Insolvency Act is a very extensively researched case study. ... CritiqueCorporate Failure Rates and the Impact of the 1986 Insolvency Act is a very extensively researched case study. This study aims to find evidence of the effectiveness of the Insolvency Act of 1986 by studying time series data of failure rates after and before the act was introduced. It has studied previous studies, collected present data and carried out statistical analysis on that data and compared the results.The abstract in the beginning is concise and clear as it gives a brief account of what is in the paper. All the important points regarding the previous studies, procedure, results and conclusion are given. Next comes introduction and the introduction also sets a base that makes us ready for what is coming next. It briefly describes the Insolvency Act and its effects on businesses. This not only makes it very easy to grasp the main idea but it also makes it understandable to anyone who is studying the area under discussion for the first time. Technical terms such as 'wron gful trading' and many others that were used throughout the case study were straightforwardly defined right after they were used, which made the matter very comprehensible and easy to understand.The literature that is included in the case study is just enough to give good empirical evidence regarding the subject matter. Every fact that is given is either supported with a previous data, literature of present findings. This case study aims to see the effects of this act 11 years after its implementation therefore it will help us know its long term effects. The limitations of previous studies are also given when it was mentioned that 2 or 3 years is not a long enough time to adequately study the long term

Global News Agenda Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global News Agenda - Essay Example News usually construct ‘them’ to show a fairer representation of those who are far in terms of culture or space and they include the neighbors abroad and the strangers living amongst them (Ginneken 1998). The news reports usually produce meanings which construct ideological representations of the different groups of people from different countries. Media usually report distant suffering in their news which brings about the construction of ‘us’ versus ‘them’. The language used in the news reports brings different meanings within the social context as to some the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ brings about negative values (Kamalipour and Snow 2004). Unprecedented censorship is also evident with how news is constructed. In most cases, the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ is created whenever there is suffering in the country or culture to be aired. The media creates ‘us’ versus ‘them’ in order to c reate specific subject position for both the spectators and suffers. The spectators ‘us’ may take the position of activists, philanthropists or even voyeurs while suffers ‘them’ take the position of a human being or abstract number. Theoretical perspectives will be used in the analysis and evaluation of how the news constructs a sense of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ between different nations. Agenda setting theory Agenda setting theory shows how the media highly affects the order of presentation in the news reports about events and issues in the minds of the public (Dearing and Roger 1996). Global news agenda is based on the construction of ‘us’ versus ‘them’. This theory also shows how the media had a high influence on the public by their ability to tell us on the important issues. The main aim of this theory is to create a public awareness and to show the salient issues created by the news media. Different aspects of the media are encompassed in this theory which shows different ways on how news is constructed. 1. Freedom of press and expression world wide Freedom of press helps the media in constructing ‘us’ versus ‘them’. Freedom of speech in Middle East is enshrined in article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and political Rights (ICCPR). It is also based on the UN treaty which is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Magee 2002). Social solidarity is part of cosmopolitanism and it includes the bonds of mutual commitments based on more than similarities of pre-established identities. Social solidarity puts it clearly that all citizens are engaged in the making of a better future for everyone. Cosmopolitan explains how global media institutions have the power to create publics around the world as non-communitarian publics. Cosmopolitan is the willingness to relate with other people. The way media constructs news about distant suffering rarel y does it cultivate a cosmopolitan sensibility or a global public (Ginneken 1998). For example, airing news on how people are being maimed killed or burned or even tortured is the creation of cosmopolitan through the TV news where it creates a spectatorship of suffering to ‘us’ the viewers. Global news does not also overcome the