Gershwin Essays - Rhapsodies, George Gershwin, Rhapsody In Blue

Gershwin Essays - Rhapsodies, George Gershwin, Rhapsody In Blue Gershwin My primary goal for enrolling in music appreciation was to learn about the composers/musicians that have greatly contributed to modern music. Therefore, I decided to analyze a piece of music Rhapsody in Blue, which affected music in 1920s and still impacting the music world today. George Gershwins, Rhapsody in Blues, first performance was on February 12, 1924, and became an overnight success taking the music world by surprise. In this paper, I intend to analyze two very important versions of Rhapsody in Blue, and describe Gershwins life leading to his achievement. George Gershwin was born Jacob Gershowitz on September 26, 1898 in Brooklyn, New York. The son of immigrant parents, George had two brothers, Arthur and Ira, and one sister Francis. Although, George is the most well know of the family, his brother Ira was also a successful lyricist. In fact, if it were not for Iras interest in music, Georges parents would have never purchased the familys first piano. George, took an immediate interest in the piano, and immediately began successfully playing by ear. His parents arranged for piano lessons, and George began to study seriously at the age of 12 years old. George began his professional career in Tin Pan Alley, Located in New York City were aspiring composers and songwriters would bring their music in hopes of selling them for a modest amount of cash. He became a song plugger for the Jerome Remick Company. There, he became exposed to thousands of songs, giving him a better idea on the quality of music. Two years after he started work for Jerome Remick, George had his first song published. When you Want Em You Cant Get Em this piece was not an instant success for George, but it attracted attention from other great composers. This composition shaped the foundation, for the success Georges future was beholding. Very few composers have achieved instant celebrity to anything like the degree that George Gershwin enjoyed following the performance of Rhapsody and Blues. This piece was composed very quickly. In fact, the whole evolution of this composition was an experiment. Paul Whiteman, one of New Yorks foremost bandleaders had hired the Aeolian Hall for what was billed as An Experiment in Modern Music. The experiment was to see whether it was possible for American composers to achieve a combination of classical and popular idioms and forms. This experiment was a success, and paved Gershwins road to a short but successful career. The Rhapsody was extremely important to the future of American music because it introduced what Rudy Vallee called symphonized syncopation to sophisticated audiences in the serious setting of the concert hall. The Rhapsody in Blue, which owes much to the influence of Liszt, Tchaikovsky, and the Russian music Gershwin heard as a young student, has beautiful, recognizable, unforgettable melodies, and the entire piece is characterized by Gershwin's energy and rhythmic sense. In Rhapsody in Blue he combines Jazz, Impressionism and classical elements, which he uses for his unique 20th Century romanticism. He utilizes the expression of emotion without over-romanticizing Impressionists, and grounds it with his plain rhythms. He then implements gorgeous melodies between the major themes. For example, the Andantino Moderato section opens with the most compelling theme in the Rhapsody, a theme so haunting it could have easily descended into an emotional mire were it not for the introduction of a sub motif in the third and fourth bars. It is so important to Gershwin to restrain the music emotionally, that one never hears the Andantino Moderato theme without its brittle and unusual interruptions. The original version of Rhapsody in Blue, was a great performance, but incomplete. In the piano part of the original 1924 piano/orchestra edition, over fifty measures had been deleted in the published versions. Remarkably, eighty-eight measures were missing from the piano solo version. Where Gershwin left blanks or few indications, necessary editing had been made. However, in over sixty-five measures, Gershwin's own phrasing, chords, notes, dynamic and other interpretive clues had been altered! Grofe's orchestration of Gershwin's manuscript had not been shortened, and Grofe had not personally made any deletions from Gershwin's piano manuscript. The final result of Harms decision to shorten the Rhapsody was a fragmented and truncated work, lending

7 Body Language Tricks For Nailing Your Job Interview

7 Body Language Tricks For Nailing Your Job Interview In a phone interview, you could be wearing your favorite pajamas while kicking back in your easy chair- no one would be the wiser. However, in an in-person interview, your demeanor is part of the package. Your interviewer is evaluating you just as much as your resume and your answers, so being aware of what you’re putting across is an essential part of interview prep. Here are 7 body language strategies to help you keep calm under the hot lights of interview scrutiny and project your best self.  1. Stretch it out.When you’re getting dressed and ready to go, take a few minutes to stretch your muscles and do some deep breathing. If you’re like me and have jitters before every interview, no matter how prepared you feel, this can help your mind focus and de-stress. The stretching keeps your muscles from being too tense when you get to the interview, which might make you  come off as stiff and awkward.  2. Smile! You’re on stage.When you arrive, be sure t o smile at whoever greets you first and at your interviewer(s). If you feel like your toothiest grin is pasted to your face, maybe dial it back a bit. It’s okay to show a little bit of teeth (it makes the smile seem more genuine), but no one feels reassured by a mouth full of bared teeth- that one goes back all the way to our prehistoric ancestors. Also make sure you’re involving your eyes: studies have shown that crinkling your eyes up just a little has a warm and welcoming effect to the recipient. Try to have a polite, easy smile for everyone you meet; it shows you’re happy to be there and enthusiastic about the opportunity.  3. Your handshake brings all the boys to the yard.via [zimbio.com]According to 30 Rock’s Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), â€Å"handshakefulness† is one of the pillars of business achievement. And while you may not want to base your career strategies around Liz Lemon and company, Jack is right. Your handshake matters! It shoul d be medium-firm (no death grip to show how strong you are, sorry), with eye contact between you and the shake-ee. Too strong, and you come off as aggressive. Too weak, and you seem nervous and unconfident.  4. Listen to your mom’s advice: don’t slouch.We’ve become pretty casual as a society, which  often extends to the workplace. Relaxed dress codes and flexible work arrangements are common these days. But in an interview, while you don’t want to be stiff and awkward, you should definitely err on the side of formality. Always sit up as straight as you can, with shoulders lowered and squared. You might have heard that pushing your shoulders back is the best way to approach posture in an important setting- but that can often have the effect of thrusting out your chest, which can seem provocative or confrontational.  5. Keep those limbs loose.As for your arms, those can be awkward. Should you hold them straight and rigid at your side at all times? (No pe.) Gesture wildly to illustrate every point? (Try again.) Keep them bent slightly at the elbow and resting gently at your sides? (Bingo.) If it feels awkward keeping your arms down or you’re prone to fidgeting, clasp your hands loosely in front of you, either in your lap or on the table. It’s important to stay loose, because seeming too tightly coiled can make you look small and retreating. Too loose, and it seems like you’re not taking the interview seriously. The best bet is to adjust your arms as the conversation ebbs and flows, but have the default position be resting casually at your sides.For legs, crossed confidently at the knee is the way to go. If you cross your legs at the ankles, that can give your lower half a downward slope and ruin the good work you’ve done with your overall posture.  6. Keep your head up.If you have relaxed, confident body language below the neck, you’ll want to make sure your head is in the game as well. As with the arms and sitting posture, don’t tighten up too much and stare straight ahead. The most professional-seeming head posture is keeping your chin tilted slightly sideways and up. This makes it look like you’re listening (which, ideally, you are), and that you’re confident but not aggressive. Tilting your chin straight up and out can look like you’re challenging the interviewer or reacting stubbornly.Also, know ahead of time whether you’re prone to unconscious facial tics like blinking too much when you’re nervous or licking your lips. Practice interview questions in the mirror, and try to keep those habits under control as you’re speaking. These can undermine your confident image.  7. Sound as good as you look.When you’re preparing for your interview, practice your â€Å"interview voice.† This probably isn’t the time to demonstrate the new British accent you’ve been working on, but rather an extra-steady version of your regular voice. Try smiling slightly when you talk- it gives your voice an open, confident quality. Even if you’re nervous, try not to let your voice waver or decrease in volume- that undermines the self-assured vibe you’re trying to convey.Taking the time to practice these beforehand will make them so much easier to achieve when it comes time for the interview. You know you’re ready to rock this opportunity†¦ don’t let your body slow you down!

Social Networks Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Social Networks - Research Paper Example It has by and large bridged the gap between willing buyers and sellers hence distance has proved to be no longer a challenge in transaction because it has enhanced communication between parties involved. Besides, the internet has proved to be man’s greatest innovative achievement and a popular instrument used in the performance of numeric functions and to enhance communication in the banking sector. Far from this, the internet which is synonymous to cyberspace has even dominated the health sector. It facilitates the distribution of power, enforcement of law and even delivers or retains very confidential information. However, since it is a public utility, the internet has caused much havoc to mankind because sometimes it has not been used for purposes for which it was intended. Some cyberspace users have abused the internet and have thus rendered it a vulnerable social, political and economic tool. Cyber threat has remained a top concern in most nations because of security conc erns. Research and study have found out that cyber security has continued to increase in intensity and sophistication with time. Its gravity has been witnessed everywhere hence this calls for great security concern in the entire world. As we can see, the ever-growing need to use internet services in our everyday life places individual users and even the government and organizations into a task of combating risk factors associated with fraud and sabotage of important information and sometimes the security threat to a person (Yar, 2006). Cyber space hackers have more than often hacked and tampered with confidential government and corporate information, which they use to cause security threats targeting not only government officials but also the common man. Cases of terrorism have continued to increase with time. This is alarming since massive loss of people and properties have been witnessed. The terrorists have routinely targeted business hubs and top government institutions. Victims of cyber attacks have reported that they have also lost massive investments in the process of cyber attacks. This is a matter of concern since no measures placed have proved reliable to curb this scam. According to a report by the National Academy of Sciences (2010), it has been noted that not even the renowned tech-savvy individuals and organizations have managed to stay immune to cyber attacks. Victims of cyber attacks have included important service providers like telecommunication companies, Google, travelling industries, defense and even the banking sectors. This shows that nobody is immune to threats caused by cyber attacks. However, some of the experts causing cyber threats have tried to justify their actions as not being in any way related to threat in the cyber. Some of the terms used to refer to these techs savvy that have sometimes used the internet for purposes other than what is intended have tried to create a distinction between themselves and real criminals. For inst ance, terms which have always confused computer users are hackers and crackers. As far as computer security is concerned, programmers have tried to bring out their argument that someone who tries to break into other computers is better termed as cracker because they use it for ill intentions. According to such experts, computer crackers are like criminals because they use the internet to cause security concerns to other internet users hence are sometimes called black hats. They cause security

Responce to Intervention (RTI) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Responce to Intervention (RTI) - Essay Example student progress in response to the instruction and interventions and using these measures of student progress to shape instruction and make educational decisions (Klotz and Kanter, 2007, p. 1). RTI is in line with the provisions of the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) which promotes equity, accountability and excellence in education for students with disabilities along with the debate on how to identify students as learning disabled (LD) and the need for special education of these students. According to Cortiella, of the 6 million children in special education, half of those are identified as having a â€Å"specific learning disability† and the number has grown more than 300 percent since 1976 thus policy makers have consistently expressed concern about the substantial number of students being served as LD under IDEA (2006, p.5). Research suggested that the prior methods of identifying students’ eligibility for special education services requires students to fall behind or accumulate failure for a long period of time even though recent studies show that the more a student is delayed the more help he or she will need close the achievement gap. Before the advent of RTI, the U.S. Department of Education crafted the regulations to implement the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which needed to provide a process and criteria for identifying students in the category of specific learning disability (Cortiella, 2006, p. 5). Educators then used the ability-achievement discrepancy model, which requires children to take ability or IQ tests and academic achievement tests, comparison of standard scores and the recognition of a severe discrepancy between the child’s achievement score and ability score. The IDEA law enacted on 2004 also provides grants to states, discretionary grants for research, technology and training. This act also authorizes up to 15% of IDEA funds to be used

Contemporary societies Essay Example for Free

Contemporary societies Essay The art of literature in contemporary societies has always led to more critical discussions between man and himself and between man and his neighbor. Literature pushes us to rethink our stance on normal societal norms and beliefs. Sula is such a work of art. It is the based on two women living at the Bottom in Ohio, a predominantly black community. Helen Wright is a socially conscious and quite a conservative woman. She has one daughter; Nel. Hannah Peace a beautiful flamboyant and a woman with many men at the Bottom is the mother of Sula. Sula is raised with Eva Peace, her grandmother who does not stifle her granddaughters freedom unlike Nel who comes from a restrictive household. Nel and Sula develop quite an inseparable and good friendship, a friendship that does not settle well with Helen who possesses grave misgivings due to the reputation of Sulas mother however she does not object openly after her realization that Sula is a very polite house guest. After High School these two great friends diverge ways for 10 years. Sula goes to college where she experiences a new wave of sexual promiscuity much like her mother. Nel On the other hand is married by a Bottoms resident, Jude Green. Their separation last for period of three years before Sula comes back from the college and their relationship resumes without any hindrance. However, this relationship is cut short when Nel learns of the relationship between Sula and Jude. This affair ends both the relationship between Jude and Nel as well as that of Nel as Sula who leaves the bottom for three years. Nel is forced to raise her two children alone and she doesnt communicate with Sula for the three years that she goes away. Their next meeting occurs when Sula is terribly sick and almost dying. Their last conversation before Sula dies constitutes the literary wealth of this masterpiece; it is the discussion between good and bad. She dies and is buried at the Bottom cemetery. Thereafter, Nel visits Eva Peace who is quite old and is kept in a nursing home where she tries to retell the moments she had together before Sula died. While walking home she begins to feel the loss of the relationship with the death of Sula, her single and true friend. Her judgment of Sula as bad begins to haunt her as she recalls an incident that happened when they were friends; the Chicken Little incident. Chicken little was a young boy who also lived at the Bottom. When playing on a tree, Sula lost grip and the child plunged in the river and drowned. They kept this secret for the whole of their lives. These are the memories that unsettled Nel emotionally, she begins to challenge the concepts of good and bad and the choices and sacrifices people make in life. Later on, she kills her drug addict sun as she struggles to raise his family single handedly. Sadly, we see her sitting and crying over Sulas grave at then cemetery as the story comes to an end. The story questions the decisions that people make in life; the calls for a rethinking of common societal problems. Critics mention the humor in the novel. For example the place called bottom is actually at the mountain top. The creation of binary oppositions in the novel not only makes it too interesting and informative but also lets the reader glance at the depth of common conventions in the community and the effect these societal conventions have on the lives of children who are supposed to be brought up in a comparatively free world where people are supposed to make free will. Satire as a theme is also developed in the story and it fuse well with the binary notion. The complexity of characters in the story conveys an account of human flaws in decision making and in the way we relate to other people in the community. While parents do everything in their power to ensure that their children justifiably lead a good life, little is done in ensuring that the children also get freedom. This makes the children not to acquire their own experiences in life but only proceed to copy the characters of their parents and grandparents. The fact that Sula turned out to be an exact replica of her mother and grandmother is an attestation to this fact. The book is feminine masterpiece and there is also an element of female chauvinism. This can be justified by the fact that all the major characters in the book are women and their actions are affected by men in a very little sense. Jude, Chicken Little and Nels son who became a drug addict after leaving the army are all victims of the women’s stereotyped dispositions. Shadrack being physically and emotionally scarred fro the experience of war is disowned and almost excommunicated by the community without the community fully understanding the reasons behind his behavior. Let us now give a critical analysis of Sula, the main character. Sula is the major influence on his friend Nel. Sula has been influenced by her mother leading to the passage of what can be argued to be a bad character trait through generations. Eva is a strong woman. She has endured loneliness, abject poverty but she is proud and unrelenting. Sula is quite an extraordinary woman, she is energetic but she has no suitable outlet to release her energies. This makes her potentially dangerous in that that she has no knowledge of wrongdoing. She does not understand that she sins when she sleeps with men and carelessly tosses them aside. Her sin is unintentional. The community, however do not understand the context of her upbringing or they simply do not care. They despise her but tolerate her. One very interesting aspect is that Sula is quite independent in her isolation, she does what she pleases and she simply does not care what everybody else does. She lives her the way it pleases her effectively earning her isolation from the community. After her death the rules shift suddenly, there is a renewed sense of acceptance, of defining right and wrong, good and bad. It is important to try and delve into the reasons why Nel and Sula united even after Sula betrayed their friendship by having an affair with Nels husband, Jude. Nel realizes that Sula was neither good nor evil; she was just indifferent to everything and everybody. Wives had to put extra effect in making sure that their husbands do not fall into bed with Sula, children were treated better so that they dont grow into adults who are indifferent and uncaring like Sula. This is good fortune to the bottom community because they were held together in the rethinking process. Remember the National Suicide day? After Sulas death the community did not have any productive outlet to channel their energies, they could not just sit and talk and so they become enraged and tear up the tunnel the result of unfocused energy. This eventual realization went a long way in ensuring that the residents of Bottom engaged in productive work for their survival. If Sula would have directed her energy to something else, maybe something a little more worthwhile would have resulted. Racial prejudice is highlighted when Jude is denied a chance to engage in the building of anew bridge, because of the color of his skin; he is denied the opportunity even though he is willing to do something productive. He stands in line for six days while the white boys get an opportunity to build the new River Road, his job at the hotel is demeaning and an insult to his masculinity. The scarcity of job opportunities remains to be the why Eva and Hannah had very little chance of gainful employment. They had to contend with the injustices being meted out on them because they were females and most importantly black. To escape the pangs of hunger in the winter, they have to prepare canned food in the summer. The life of Sula Peace, her childhood and her death in 1941is surrounded by the inability of the environment to shape her into a good woman The black community residing in Medallion; the bottom is judgmental but not in any way assisting to solve the crisis within itself. Sula’s life story shows us how the community and family can shape somebodys identity. She not only displays how children are nurtured but also her later relationship with the same community who natured her. She is a strong independent character but the community does not see her positive potentiality. To go against these societal norms she is not married and she sleeps around. The Peace family has been frowned upon by the Bottom community. This could have elicited an element of antagonism from Sula because she does not follow accepted societal conventions but in this case she is the protagonist and not the community. The novel poses her as the central character and the community constitutes only bits and pieces that seem to knit her life together in a predetermined fashion from the time of her birth to death. If change is to take place the community remains the playing field and Sula undoubtedly remains one of the players in the field. Whether she deserved to be rewarded for fearlessly instigating the rethinking process is not a matter of discussion as it is evident that her one and truly friend had in her own way knowingly or unknowingly lent credit to her stance in life by crying over her grave at the cemetery after realizing what Sula stood for. The character Sula is structure less, that any character interaction with her only invokes an element of structurelessness. This is because philosophically her evil is not her own but a reflection of what had been unknowingly imparted in her. Fortunately, her story is one where what is regarded as evil triggered change in the society. In analyzing one of the important masterpieces in the history of black American writing it is prudent to expunge on the growth of protagonism and non conformism in the society. The society’s vilification of the heroine Sula who does not fit into the society’s conformation of a heroine is a classic example of the inability of a people to look within themselves and try to solve the problems within its own structures. Works Cited Daniel Dawkins: A Character Analysis of Sula; Considering Morrisons Main Character as the Protagonist. 2008http://african-american

Essay --

Living in Another’s Dream Gig, edited by John Bowe, Marisa Bowe, and Sabin Streeter, is a book with a collection of interviews of people describing what their job is like. One of the interviews deals with a film development assistant, Jerrold Thomas. This interview in particular raises questions which leads readers to ask why he stays at his current job and what opportunities are in the future for him. He hopes to become something bigger in the film industry and even went to film school, but is now stuck as an assistant. It is surprising to see him working for someone who treats him so badly, but yet still not leave. â€Å"The Meaning of Ethics† by Philip Wheelwright is an essay that explains seven different phases used in a moral deliberation. Each of them have their own purpose and help us make ethical decisions. Wheelwright’s assertion that an ethical person has to rationalize the consequences and imagine themselves into a predicted situation helps explain why Thomas continues working as a film development assistant even if he is being treated unfairly and is hoping opportunities for him arise. In â€Å"The Meaning of Ethics†, Wheelwright shows us different characteristic phases that can be perceived in a moral deliberation. There are many solutions to a problem but Wheelwright believes one should follow these phases. In Phase ii: Rational elaboration of consequence, Wheelwright says, â€Å"As this step involves predictions about a hypothetical future, the conclusions can have, at most, a high degree of probability, never certainty. The degree of probability is heightened accordingly as there is found some precedent in past experience for each proposed choices† (265). In other words, Wheelwright wants us to explore our options in every pos... ...ly, but he doesn’t want to admit the truth to himself and that is what is keeping his hopes up. Thomas knows that without Brads help, it will be much more difficult to become a producer, but he shouldn’t wait for something that has a chance of never happening. These phases may change people’s perspectives on how they will approach certain situations. It would help if everyone could apply these phases in their daily lives because it would eliminate tough situations where there is no time to think. Wheelwright gives his readers a better understanding of what an ethical person should think like. In Gig, Thomas uses two out of wheelwright’s phases, but even then he still wasn’t satisfied with the result. It all depends if these phases are applied in our lives correctly. They may not work one hundred percent correctly, but they will help make our lives a little easier.

Neurophysiology Study Guide

Neurophysiology Study Guide 1. Define â€Å"equilibrium potential†. Why is the resting potential closer to the potassium equilibrium potential (EK+) than the sodium potential (ENa+)? The equilibrium potential is the point at which the force exerted on an ion by electrostatic and concentration gradient forces are balanced, and there is no net movement of that ion. The resting potential is closer to EK+ than ENa+ because the cell membrane is more permeable to potassium than sodium. 2. How would ENa+ change following an increase in the external concentration of sodium?Would the resting potential be affected significantly? If the external concentration of sodium was increased, the concentration gradient driving the movement of sodium would be increased more sodium would diffuse into the cell and would reduce some of the negative charge on the inner surface of the lipid bilayer. This would serve to decrease (make less negative) the resting potential, but would not affect it signifi cantly since the membrane is much more permeable to K. 3. Does any net Ionic current flow at the resting potential?What are the relationships among â€Å"passive† and â€Å"pump†ionic currents at the resting potential? There is no net ionic current flow at the resting potential. However, since neither Na+ nor K+ is at equilibrium, there is a net flow of each across the membrane. The Na-K pump generates the concentration difference that sustains the resting potential: but it is the passive ionic flow that creates the resting potential. Pump currents balance passive currents (diffusion) at the resting potential. 3. Define â€Å"electrogenic† and â€Å"neutral† pumps.What role does the Na-K pump play in the resting potential? An electrogenic pump creates a potential difference across the membrane – positive and negative charges are not transported across the membrane in equal amounts. Neutral pumps are balanced according to charge – there is no potential difference created. The Na-K pump generates the concentration difference that sustains the resting potential. 5. Describe the sequence of ionic events and their effect upon the resting potential following lockade of the Na-K pump, or following an increase in extracellular potassium or sodium. When the Na-K pump is blocked by an agent such as oubain or digitalis, Na+ and K+ will continue to diffuse passively across the cell membrane down their respective gradients. After a while, intracellular [Na] will increase and intracellular [K] will decrease. The reduced [K] gradient will reduce K efflux through nongated channels; therefore, the resting potential will depolarize. The reduced [Na] gradient will have little effect on the resting potential.If extracellular [K+ ] is increased, the driving force for potassium diffusion out of the cell will decrease, and the resting potential will become less negative (depolarized). If extracellular [Na+ ] is increased, the driving force f or sodium movement into the cell will increase with a resultant slight depolarization, but there will be no significant change in resting potential. Na+ -K+ ATPase pump activity Y [[Na+]in Y [Na+]O/ [Na+]i Y ENa+ Y (EM – ENa+) Y INa+ Y Conduction velocity and Depolarized threshold 6.Explain the interrelationships between ionic and capacitive currents during postsynaptic potentials or during an action potential. Ionic current is the flow of ions through channels into or out of the cell. Capacitive current is the movement of charges, usually positive, up to or away from the cell membrane. During an excitatory postsynaptic potential or an action potential, there is an initial ionic current flow into the cell, followed by a capacitive current out of the cell, which serves to depolarize the membrane potential at a distance. The current loop forms a â€Å"local circuit. † 7.Define â€Å"time constant†. How is it calculated and why is it important for integration of electrical activity at the axon's initial segment? The time constant is the amount of time it takes for EM (membrane potential) to decay to 1/e of its initial strength (37%). It is equal to resistance times capacitance. It is important for integration at the initial segment because it determines whether temporal summation can take place – a long time constant means slow decay which allows summation to occur; a short time constant means fast decay, and therefore no summation. 8. Define â€Å"length constant'.How does it depend upon axon diameter, axial resistance and membrane resistance; what does it suggest about the relative effectiveness of synapses on the soma versus synapses on the dendrites? The length (or space) constant is the distance that a signal can travel before falling to 1/e (37%) of its initial magnitude. It is proportional to the square root of the diameter of the fiber and to membrane resistance, and inversely proportional to axial resistance. The higher the membrane resistance, the farther the signal will go. The larger the length constant, the slower the signal decay.This suggests that synapses on the soma are more likely to undergo spatial summation than dendritic synapses. 9. Define â€Å"graded potentials†. How do these differ from action potentials? A graded potential is one in which the amplitude is directly proportional to the magnitude of the stimulus. It has no refractory period and is a local potential – i. e. it is not actively conducted and spreads only passively. Graded potentials can be either depolarizing or hyperpolarizing and can add. Action potentials cannot add, have refractory periods are all or none, and are propagated actively. 0. Explain the shape of a â€Å"strength duration† curve. Define â€Å"rheobase† and â€Å"chronaxie† The shape of the strength-duration curve shows that initiation of an action potential is dependent on both the amplitude and the duration of a stimulus. Rheobase is the minimum effective stimulus strength. Chronaxie is the duration of the stimulus that is required to just reach threshold when the stimulus amplitude is twice rheobase. 11. Explain in detail how an action potential is generated. What types of channels tend to open as the membrane potential depolarizes?Draw a graph illustrating how sodium and potassium conductances change (with time) during an action potential. When the membrane is depolarized, voltage sensitive Na+ channels open allowing Na+ to enter the cell down its electrochemical gradient This entry of Na+ further depolarizes the cell, resulting in the opening of more Na+ channels: thus allowing more Na+ to enter, and so on. When the influx of Na+ exceeds the efflux of K+ , threshold is exceeded and the response becomes regenerative, leading to the depolarizing or rising phase of the action potential.After a period of time the Na+ channels inactivate and close: blocking further entry of Na+ through these channels. Also after a delay, voltage-sensitive K+ channels open, allowing K+ to leave the cell, traveling down its electrochemical gradient. The inactivation of the Na+ channels coupled with the opening of the K+ channels result in the repolarization of the membrane potential 12. How do the time courses of sodium and potassium conductances differ during a maintained depolarization? A maintained depolarization causes Na+ inactivation (reduces PNa+) and hence increases (depolarizes) the threshold potential.In addition, compared with the Na+ activation process, the K+ activation process (increased PK+ ) is delayed and persists as long as the depolarization is maintained. 13. Define â€Å"sodium inactivation†. How does it explain the â€Å"absolute† and â€Å"relative† refractory periods, or â€Å"accommodation†? How do potassium ions play a role in these processes? What limits a neuron's maximum rate of firing? There are two ‘gates' on the voltage gated sodium channels. As the membrane is depolarized, sodium channels open. When the membrane is fully depolarized, sodium channels become inactivated.Sodium inactivation is high at the peak of the action potential and is maximal about the time that the repolarization phase intersects the zero potential. It is this process and the fact that most potassium channels are open that account for the absolute refractory period. The relative refractory period is the gradual recovery of Na+ channels from the inactivation process. Accommodation is also related to sodium inactivation because a slow depolarization will cause the Na+ channels to go directly from the closed state to the inactivated state. A neuron’s maximum rate of firing is limited by the absolute refractory period. 4. What role does the Na+ -K+ pump play in the action potential? How is the action potential affected by alterations in the concentration of extracellular Na+ or K+ Action potentials arise from the passive movement of ion s down their electrochemical gradients. The Na+-K+ pump creates the electrochemical gradients that sustain the resting potential and generate the action potential. Alterations in the concentration of extracellular K+ will cause fluctuations in the resting potential that will decrease or increase the likelihood of an action potential being generated.Alterations of extracellular Na will increase or decrease the conduction velocity of action potentials as well as the likelihood of an action potential being generated. 15. Explain the mechanism for propagation of an action potential in an unmyelinated nerve or in a myelinated nerve. Why is the latter much faster? What factors affect conduction velocity? Once an action potential has been initiated, the inward Na+ current depolarizes the membrane toward ENa+ . This results in a potential difference between this active region and the adjacent inactive region, which is still near EK+ .Hence, current will flow between the active and adjacent inactive region, depolarizing the inactive region. The resulting increase in intracellular Na+ leads to an outward capacitive current and depolarization of this region of membrane. When the depolarization reaches threshold, an action potential will be initiated in this region of the membrane. In an unmyelinated nerve, this is a continual process moving down the membrane. In a myelinated nerve, this process occurs only at the node of Ranvier. Myelinated nerves have faster conduction velocities because the action potential â€Å"jumps' from node to node, which may be up to 2 mm apart.Conduction velocity is affected by membrane capacitance and by membrane and axoplasm resistances. Myelin increases membrane resistance, thereby constraining incoming positive charge to move down the axon. Myelin reduces membrane capacitance; this reduces the amount of negative charge that must be neutralized to reach threshold. Axoplasm resistance is inversely proportional to axon diameter. Thus, conduct ion velocity increases with fiber diameter,. 16. Describe the process of â€Å"saltatory† conduction. Why is it advantageous? Explain how and why conduction velocity and the length (space) constant are affected by demyelinating iseases. Saltatory conduction is the discontinuous propagation (jumping from one node of Ranvier to the next) of an action potential along a myelinated nerve. Saltatory conduction arises in part from the properties of the myelin sheath, which increases the membrane resistance and decreases the capacitance in the internodal region; the result is an increase in current flow down the core of the axon. In addition the voltage-sensitive Na+ channels responsible for the generation of the action potential are localized only at the nodes.This type of conduction makes possible rapid precise control of muscle contraction. In demyelinating diseases conduction velocity and the length constant are reduced in the unmyelinated areas. The length constant is proportion al to membrane resistance and when the myelin is destroyed, the resistance at that point decreases and therefore the length constant decreases. Because of increase capacitance and negative charge on the inner surface of the membranes, propagation of the signal takes place continuously instead of jumping from node to node; therefore, conduction velocity is decreased. 7. What are the three functions of a sensory receptor? 1) Transduction of the environmental signal Energy Y Change in membrane potential 2) Amplification of the environmental signal 3) Transmission of the environmental signal to the CNS 18. How does a â€Å"receptor potential† or â€Å"generator potential† differ from an action potential? A receptor or generator potential is a graded potential that is proportional to the stimulus. It is not a function of the membrane potential and thus is not regenerative like an action potential.It has no refractory period and, therefore, is additive. It is â€Å"localâ⠂¬  and propagated. Finally, the ion channels producing the receptor/generator potentials are different from those underlying the action potential; they are not voltage gated. 19. Explain how an action potential is initiated in a sensory nerve. What conditions are necessary for repetitive firing? How does the firing frequency depend upon the amplitude of the generator potential? Upon the intensity of the stimulus? A sensory nerve action potential begins with the receipt of an appropriate environmental signal.The stimulus causes a localized increase in the permeability of the nerve terminal to Na+ . The resulting net inward positive ionic current depolarizes the nerve terminal. This current spreads passively along the axon terminal producing a depolarizing outward capacitive current The outward capacitive current, in turn. may induce an action potential in a region of the nerve with a low threshold for generating an action potential- usually at the first node of Ranvier in myelinate d nerves. A maintained stimulus is necessary for repetitive firing.The firing frequency is proportional to the amplitude of the generator potential and the intensity of the stimulus. 19. Define â€Å"sensory adaptation†. Name two classes of receptors. What type of information about the stimulus is derived from each? Give examples. Sensory adaptation is the decline in response that occurs over time when a receptor is subjected to a constant stimulus. There are two types of receptor classifications: slowly adapting (tonic) receptors and rapidly adapting (phasic) receptors. Slowly adapting receptors provide information about the rate of change of a stimulus as well as the magnitude and duration.This type of receptor is seen in touch, pressure, hair cells for hearing and vestibular function, muscle spindle receptors, Golgi tendon organs and in baroreceptors. Rapidly adapting receptors are unable to maintain a sustained depolarization, despite sustained stimulation. They function as rate-detectors providing information about the rate of change of the environmental signal. Rapidly adapting receptors are found in the Pacinian corpuscles and skin hair receptors. 19. Describe in detail the steps involved in the release and degradation of ACh at the neuromuscular junction. What factors regulate how much ACh is released?Chemical synaptic transmission is initiated by a depolarization of the presynaptic element and the subsequent influx of Ca++ ions into the nerve terminal through voltage-dependent Ca++ channels. Ca++ facilitates contact of synaptic vesicles with the terminal membrane, which triggers the synchronous release of several thousands of transmitter molecules into the synaptic cleft. The ACh binds to its receptor on the postsynaptic membrane. After dissociating from the receptor, ACh is degraded by acetylcholinesterase (produced by ) 19. Define â€Å"quantal† release and â€Å"miniature† end-plate potential.How are the two related? Quantal r elease refers to the release of neurotransmitters in discrete packets or vesicles. A single vesicle contains about 5-10,000 ACh molecules, and is capable of depolarizing the membrane about 1mV. The small depolarization caused by the spontaneous release of a few vesicles is called a miniature end plate potential. Spontaneous release of vesicles occurs at a rate of about 1/sec. MEPP's may be important in maintaining the integrity of the muscle fiber. 19. Discuss the â€Å"end-plate† potential (EPP), including its characteristics and underlining mechanisms.Why are its amplitude and duration limited? How does it differ from an action potential? The end-plate potential is the postsynaptic potential produced at motor end plate. The EPP occurs as the result of ACh binding to its receptors on end-plate membrane and opening the chemically gated channels located there. The EPP is a graded potential – the magnitude of the EPP is proportional to the number of channels opened by AC h – and spreads only passively. The EPP acts as a stimulus for the production of an action potential on the muscle membrane contiguous to the end-plate membrane.The amplitude and duration of the EPP may be limited by the amount of neurotransmitter released, or by the number of receptors present, or by the normal activity of AChEase. The EPP differs from an action potential in the same ways that other graded potentials do. 19. How are action potentials initiated at the muscle end plate? What is the ratio of' the number of muscle action potentials to motor neuron action potentials (output: input)? Action potentials are initiated in the region of the muscle end plate when the membrane is depolarized by the electrotonically spreading EPP.The ratio of the number of muscle action potentials to motor neuron action potentials (output: input) is 1:1. 19. What are chemically gated ion channels? Give an example. How do such channels differ from voltage-gated channels? Chemically-gated i on channels are those channels which open only in response to the binding of a chemical neurotransmitter, hormone or other chemicals and not in response to membrane depolarization as voltage-gated channels do. The channel associated with the ACh receptor is a chemically-gated ion channel: 26.Compare and contrast the characteristics of chemical and electrical synaptic transmission. Electrical synaptic transmission is mediated by gap junctions. The gap junctions provide a pathway for cytoplasmic continuity. As a result, a depolarization (or hyperpolarization) produced in the presynaptic terminal produces a change in potential in the postsynaptic terminal. There is minimal synaptic delay and the transmission can spread bidirectionally. Electrical junctions are found in the nervous system, as well as smooth muscle and cardiac muscle.Chemical synaptic transmission occurs between two cell membranes separated by a synaptic cleft. The presynaptic terminal contains a high concentration of mi tochondria and synaptic vesicles and there is a characteristic thickening of the postsynaptic membrane. Since the neurotransmitter must diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to its receptor, there is delay of about 0. 5 – 1 msec between the initiation of an action potential in the presynaptic terminal and a potential change in the postsynaptic terminal. Chemical transmission is generally unidirectional.

The Same Sexe Mariage

The aim of this article is to have a big picture of the debating on the same sex marriage and the adoption of children by same sex-couples. In fact, this question makes a real society debate in France. Nowadays, many people think that the same- sex marriage is a good evolution of mentalities, and a big step in the French culture. Indeed, the marriage for everyone is an achievement to equality and human rights. We emphasize that the marriage cannot be denied for two people who love each other. It should therefore not forget that marriage is merely a contract established by two people.And the situation in which the government is paradoxical because we should not forget that marriage for all concerns only a few thousand people in France. It is a minority. The fact that a family will be unbalanced if there are two fathers or two mothers is really unfounded. Because in some situations, two fathers or two mothers best educate children than a classic couple. And it is quite possible that tw o gay parents are divided the roles in the education of a child. Finally on this point, if this problem is a religious problem. It must not be forgotten that the state is completely independent of the church.So It has nothing to say about what the state should do. To conclude, I think marriage for all Is a good thing because It shows that the society is able to evolve In the right direction. And this would Increase the gap between church and state, which would be beneficial for everyone. Because the church can get ideas to those who believe In It. But shall In no case be put his own choice before everyone. Because for most people, the choices that the church Is Just incomprehensible. By cons, It must be noted that the case of adoption for all Is still a thing that will take time to be accepted, because It creates more problems.

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Essay Example

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Essay Example The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Paper The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Paper Essay Topic: The Prince Watchmen The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Introduction: In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare people can see Hamlet the main protagonist who is the son of the king Hamlet and Queen Gertrude and the nephew of the new king Claudius. These are the most important characters in the play: Hamlet is a sad, cynical, discontented, 30 year old man who is totally sickening of his mother sexuality. Claudius is this uncle who is the antagonist in the story. He is the villain of the play, he is manipulative, striving politician he has no love for human kind. Although, his love for Gertrude is frank. Gertrude is the Queen of the Denmark she recently got married to Claudius. Gertrude loves her son Hamlet. However, she has no morals or reality. Polonius is the Lord of Chamberlain of Claudius’s court, a pretentious manipulative old man. He is father of Laertes and Ophelia. Ophelia is Polonius daughter. She follows her father and brother’s rules; she is a very innocent and young girl who falls the need to follow directions from her dad and her brother. The ghost is the specter of Hamlet’s father. I didn’t really understand if the Ghost is Hamlet’s father or something evil. The ghost wants revenge for the murder Hamlet’s father who has been killed by Claudius. Other characters in the play are: Horatio, the Lord Chamberlain; Laertes, Ophelia’s brother; Fortinbras, Prince of Norway; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern friends of Hamlet; Osric the courtier, Voltimand and Cornelius these people were send by Claudius to persuade the king to prevent Fortinbras from attacking; Marcellus and Bernardo, the officers; Francisco, a soldier and guardsman at Elsinore; Reynaldo, Polonius’s servant. These characters are all less significant in the play and have at the play a small part. The play (summary) in my opinion: Hamlet is the king of Denmark. His life becomes a tragedy after the death of his father. Hamlet feels a responsibility to avenge his father’s murder by killing his uncle Claudius, however Claudius is now the king very well protected. Also, Hamlet struggles with his doubts. On a winter nigh a ghost walks the rampart of Elsinore Castle in Denmark. Discovered first by a pair of watchmen, then by the scholar Horatio, the ghost resembles the recently deceased King Hamlet, whose brother Claudius has hereditary the throne and married the king’s widow, Queen Gertrude. When Horatio and the watchmen bring Prince Hamlet, the son of Gertrude and the dead king, to see the ghost, it speaks to him, declaring worryingly that it is indeed his father’s spirit, and that he was murdered by none other than Claudius, ordering Hamlet to seek revenge. About whether he can trust the ghost and whether killing Claudius is the appropriate thing to do. Hamlet the prince works toward revenge for his father death. Laertes lives most of his life in Paris. Polonius tells Reynaldo to spy on his son. Polonius believes that Hamlet’s odd behavior is because Ophelia has rejected him. Kings Claudius is suspecting that something is wrong with Hamlet; Gertrude reveals that Hamlet is odd because she married him. King Claudius asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out what is happing to Hamlet. Hamlet plans to use the play to see if kings Claudius really killed his father King Hamlet as the ghost had told him. Hamlet starts really working towards his revenge. The first step is the play he makes sure that King Claudius and Queen Gertrude come to see the play which he has added additional too. Kings Claudius shows that his fear toward Hamlet is growing. He sends Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern just to protect himself. He reveals in his own ways that he has poisoned King Hamlet. He is very afraid of Prince Hamlet. Hamlet is very frustrated with his mom’s behavior and his deceased father dead. They get to into an argument why she was with Polonius. Polonius body gets hidden behind a tapestry. Queen Gertrude attempts to scold her son but Hamlet is very mad because her actions and Polonius echoes however Hamlet stabbed him through the arras. Ophelia goes insane because the death of her father and goes mad and drowns her in the river. King Claudius explains to Laertes that Hamlet killed his father, Polonius. Claudius concoct a plan to use Laertes revenge of this father death to kill Prince Hamlet. Prince Hamlet after hearing about Ophelia death returns to Denmark. At Ophelia’s funeral the priest reveals that a widely held belief Ophelia committed suicide. Hamlet is devastated because the loss of his father and now Ophelia. Hamlet fights Laertes at Ophelia’s grave. Later, Hamlet fights against Laertes at the castle. Claudius tries to kill Hamlet with a poisoned drink the same way he killed King Hamlet. Instead Prince Hamlet, Gertrude takes a drink from it and is killed by the poison immediately. Laertes dies in the third round at the duel. They exchange swords while they are fighting and Laertes tells Hamlet that his sword is poisoned so Hamlet goes after Claudius and kills him. Laertes also tells Hamlet that King Claudius is responsible for his mom’s death. Hamlet is moved by his anger, he kills King Claudius with the same sword that was poised and makes the king drink his owns poised wine. While Hamlet was dying he tells Horatio to tell his tragedy story and Prince Hamlet recommends Fortibras to be the next king of Denmark.

Introducing LinkedIns New Home and Profile Pages

Introducing LinkedIns New Home and Profile Pages On Thursday, December 11th, LinkedIn ® started rolling out its latest Home and Profile page design changes. For those of you who arent yet seeing the redesign when you log in, you can email LinkedIn ® to get a sneak peak at SeeNewHP@linkedin.com. Home Page Across the top of your Home page you will now enjoy instant access to the most important information regarding your account, including a quick link to your profile page, your stats and your Keep in Touch feed. Directly below this section, you will find the latest news and updates from Pulse. You can even sort your Pulse feed by the most popular or most recent. You will then see your regular feed of activity from your groups and connections, aesthetically revamped for quick connection identification, content preview, following, joining and connecting. Throughout your news feed you will notice suggestions by LinkedIn ® regarding connections you might like to make and jobs that might interest you. Profile LinkedIn has updated all profile pages to automatically appear in edit mode when accessed by the owner of the profile. After all, when we visit our own profile page, it is usually to make edits, so LinkedIn ® is saving us a step! To see your profile the way a connection would see it, click the View profile as button. In this view, you will notice a new option at the top of the page. Similar to Google+ or Facebook, you can choose to view your profile as a connection or non-connection (or a connection who is not logged into LinkedIn ®) would. LinkedIns suggestions for including additional sections are now located directly below the top portion of your profile. This information used to appear in the right-hand column in Edit Profile mode. Old: New: Your notification setting are also now available in the right-hand column so that changes to your profile can easily be hidden or shared with your network with the click of a button. Note the redesigned sections. For example, Recommendations no longer have 2 access points, but one. Old: (Profile mode) (Profile Edit mode) New: LinkedIns new streamlined design was created to enhance our experience as members and will likely be further enhanced in the future based on our response to these updates. I hope you enjoy the new changes. They are certainly presenting challenges to me as the author of a book about LinkedIn ®! But look for updates in the 11th edition of How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn ® Profile, still slated for release in January! Save Save

In what ways does social class and cultural capital have an impact on Essay

In what ways does social class and cultural capital have an impact on consumer behavior - Essay Example Somewhat a form of object worship, some consumers in society in higher social classes, as one example, tend to prefer the outward presentation of consumed products to reflect their social standing. Cultural capital is a bit different than social class, consisting of the values, beliefs and individual tastes that provide differentiation between one member of society and another. Oftentimes, cultural capital is not necessarily determined by social class. It is important, especially for companies attempting to market their products, to understand the social class characteristics and cultural capital of segmented members of society in order to create relevant communications and promotions that reflect these values and social hierarchies. Why is this? Oftentimes, it is the psychological premises pre-existing within consumers that determine their willingness to make purchases of generic or luxury products and marketers must align their selling practices with these values and beliefs. To be tter understand the level to which social class and cultural capital impact consumer behaviour, the project explores the concept of conspicuous consumption, status consumption, and also the imperatives of service quality in relation to consumption behaviour. It can be reasonably concluded that there are many disparities between social class and cultural capital, as well as changing attitudes and values associated with reference groups and their role in self-assessment that make it difficult to classify, concretely, the correlative relationship between social class and cultural capital. However, both influence consumption behaviour in their own distinct fashion. Social class and the relationship to consumption behaviour In the United Kingdom, there are five distinct social classes that are determined by occupation and income resource availability. There is the lower class which is on the lowest echelon in the social hierarchy, consisting generally of individuals making ?15,000 annual ly and often holding minimal educational credentials. This follows with a working class that is slightly more resource-rich than the working class, a lower middle class segment, and an upper middle class that generally holds higher-paying administrative and managerial jobs at approximately ?62,000 annually for the single household. Followed with this is an upper class that maintains high capital resources and generally a substantial educational background. Why is understanding the social hierarchy between classes important in understanding consumption behaviour? Henry (2005) performed a primary research study that involved participants from the working class and different levels of the middle class to determine what factors determined their unique or collective consumption behaviours. Henry (2005) hypothesized that class status would determine empowerment or disempowerment in consumption practices that would be impacted by economic factors and psychological impressions carried by th e different classes. The findings of the study indicated that those in the working class felt highly disempowered, believing themselves to be in

The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business Research Paper

The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business - Research Paper Example 2. Compare the American legal system to the international legal environment of business.   We live in a global economy where goods are manufactured in one country and are packed in other country. In search of cheap labor, raw material and talent, businesses have expanded themselves and have crossed the physical boundaries. The legal of system of every country is different from other. Different countries possess different legal systems however some countries share same legal system for instance countries like Australia, United States and India uses common law systems. In a civil law system, legal system and laws are based upon different and unique circumstances. Some countries legal systems and ideologies are based upon religion for instance Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Pakistan and Iran etc. These nations follow the systems of Koran and Sunnah. Some countries have civil legal system where judges do not have much flexibility and authority to apply law such as Germany, Russia and Franc e. It is highly essential to interpret the legal system and law while doing business international and its affect on commercial activities (Hiray, 2007). 3. Recognize the principal legal and ethical issues facing managers Managers have to face number of issues in their day-to-day dealings. Most of them are related to ethical and legalities. Some principle ethical and legal issues faced by managers are: Ethical Issues Identifying and resolving the dilemmas of ethical situations Maintaining high standards of ethics while conducting business transactions Providing uniform treatment to all the workers in the work environment Keeping the rights, obligations and concern for environment, stakeholders, employees and company Taking decisions after considering the ethical consequences Legal Issues Safeguarding the private and confidential information of the company in accordance with the law Complying with the domestic and international laws while doing business dealings Accepting accountabil ity for the actions and judgments of individual Apart from above mentioned principles, some other ethical and legal issues are related to fraud, marketing tactics and discrimination. 4. Argue the importance of ethics and social responsibility in the business world.   The importance of ethical and social responsibility in any business is that ignoring these important aspects can cause loss of huge time and money to any business. The unquestionable and unethical social practices can be devastating for any size of business. Nowadays, the impact of business decisions on environment has become more important than ever before. Consumers and watchdogs do not leave a single chance to suspect and call out a business, which is mistreating the natural resources and causing devastating effects on environment. Good social and ethical practices are keys to any company’s success. Therefore, nowadays, along with the objective of making profits, the companies are also trying to make an obje ctive of being environmental friendly. The idea that philanthropic efforts are unfavorable to the success and profitability of any business has become obsolete option. 5. Apply ethical frameworks to business situations.   In case of any ethical dilemma, the best way to resolve the issues is to apply ethical framework to that situations. The most widely known ethical framework is mentioned below. Recognizing the Ethical Dilemma Gathering Facts and