Eco Bus 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Eco Bus 2 - Essay Example Income elasticity is a measurement of the rate over time of a change in quantity demanded because of a positive or negative change consumer income. As consumer income rises, if a good decreases in demand, it is an â€Å"inferior good†; if demand for a good rises proportionally to increases in consumer income, it is a â€Å"normal good.† 1. The elasticity of demand coefficient expresses how sensitive consumers are to changes in price. To avoid ambiguity, the coefficient of the elasticity of demand is expressed in an absolute value. While a zero quantity expresses perfect inelasticity (that is, quantity demanded is unaffected by changes in price), any value in between zero and one will represent relative inelasticity. A value that is greater than one will represent a relatively elastic demand, up until a value of infinity, which represents a perfectly elastic demand (that is, quantity demanded is infinitely changed by changes in price. An elasticity coefficient equal to negative one indicates unit-elastic demand, which is a situation that occurs when the percentage change in quantity demanded is equal to the percentage change in price. 2. The cross-price elasticity coefficient expresses how sensitive demand is to a price change of other related goods. Elasticity coefficients above zero indicate that there is a high inverse correlation between the prices of Good A and Good B, which means that the goods are substitutes. In contrast, coefficients below zero indicate direct correlations between the prices, which means those goods are complements. Small absolute values of the cross-price elasticity coefficient indicate that there is little or no relation between the prices. 3. The income elasticity coefficient expresses how sensitive demand for a good is to income change. Income elasticity coefficients below zero indicate that there is a strong direct correlation between income increasing (or decreasing) and demand for a good

Secluded Paradise in the Community Park Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Secluded Paradise in the Community Park - Essay Example Many other oaks look like them, but somehow I know these two more intimately. My special place pertains to that hollow under these trees, my own secluded paradise. These trees and all other elements in my sanctuary refresh my mind and body, help me reflect and think, and inflame my motivations in life. The pin oak leaves contain colors that simmer outwards and the breeze refreshes with greenery scents; these natural elements revitalize my drained mind and body. The demands of school, workplace, and social relationships can be grueling. They crisscross and cut me inside, for whenever I want to spread myself as thickly as possible, I only spread like a thin wafer across multiple activities. After exams and other tiring activities, I often rush to my special space. It provides a time to be one with nature, which can be exceptionally spiritual, for God made these beautiful trees to take care of exhausted people like me. Once I looked at their leaves and wanted to paint them. Not having m y painting tools with me, I memorized their details and what they made me feel. The warm colors of red, orange, and yellow clung to each other, tugging but not fully merging. No color wins or loses in these battles. Vermillion and red orange stained the leaves’ veins, while Naples yellow and other values of yellow flowed outwards to their edges. The red bled into the yellow, as if painting wet red on a wet yellow cotton rag paper. The burst of colors granted me a sense of peace. They reminded me of the wonderful hues in life that change and combine with many others. The breeze forgave my sudden intrusion in their space. It enveloped me with quick warm hugs from time to time. The greenery scents brushed my nose, while faraway laughter of teenagers, kids, and parents flew by. The bench felt cold and rough. It matched my feelings before I went there. Sitting and just staying there invoked positive emotions. My sanctuary breathed freshness into my mind and then slowly massaged my body. I felt as warm as these colors: red, yellow, and orange. I closed my eyes and I spilled over these colors and they spilled over me. I flowed with them, colors on top of colors, never completely mixing. My dark colors subsided. I felt yellow all over. Then, I felt red and orange. Such swirling emotions that fix my darkness instead of muddling my core calmed every bone, muscle, and emotion that previously strained. I flexed and knew my spirit’s weariness had been washed away, as I prepared for moments of reflection. Reflection comes easily under these trees because they take out the confusion and clear the mind. Modern life assaults humanity with so many interferences. Cellular phones ring with text messages or calls. Advertisements blare with large printed words and images. Buy this! You need this! You want this! Automobiles blast their own cacophony of noises. Beep, beep, screech, vroom! People dash in the streets, with no time to stop and speak to one another and purs ue long conversations. Children cry and kick their nannies, while both their parents work full-time. The nannies take the kicks and try to assuage their foster children. The pollution smells toxic with cigarette smoke and garbage heaps, and then perfumes and flower shops ridicule the latter, but not entirely defeating the former’s strength. I cannot help but want to flee this physical battering of my senses. And fled I did. Under my oaks simple scents, noises, sights,

Rizals Juventud Essay Example for Free

Rizals Juventud Essay This may seem like a blatant patronization of Rizal, but I like to say: I love this particular work of his. One can bask in the colorful language that he uses in this one. Also, this particular work presents a lot of allegories from which one can try to decipher and understand. And from these ideas we can see what Rizal is trying to say in the poem and in extention what is on his mind. In the first stanza, the writer writes of the Philippine youth as a flower about to bloom yet still a bud. The writer exhorts the flower to look up and shine. As one who has waited for long, the writer has determined that the flower is ready to bloom on this day as stated in the poem. Also the writer refers to the youth as the fair hope of this land. While old people are more experienced, they may have manifested most of their potential and thus about to become a relic of the past. The writer exhorts the youth to fully realize their potential, Manifesting the grace and gallantry of your [youth] line. It is interesting that in the next stanza, the writer asks the Spirit of grandeur to fill them [the youth] with noble meditation. I was half expecting Rizal to write knowledge instead of meditation. Upon some thought, I saw the wisdom in these words. While we continue to shove knowledge into our brains, if we lack discernment what to do with this knowledge, it would be useless and may even be our undoing. The writer exhorts the reader to higher aspirations tempered with cautious meditation lest what we learn may be our own undoing. This in my opinion is very timely. I am about to leave the university. As I go out into the world I shall utilize my knowledge to earn a living and live life itself. However, a meditative attitude should always be present to assess our actions and what is the wisest thing to do as of the moment. The next three stanzas reminds me of Platos cave and the chains that bind. In the cave, man is chained and made to watch the wall and the shadows on the wall. This is what constitutes his world. However, someone comes along and tries to make man see the beauty of the life outside. However, man accustomed to his world is confused with what he sees. This makes him want to return to the cave. In the poem, youth is chained to the wall. His intelligence and genius is shackled away to prevent it from flying. The writer exhorts the reader to smash these chains and see the light. Additionaly, Rizal sees mother Spain as one who tries to make the youth see the light. Instead of returning to the darkness However,unlike Platos cave, the writer sees one who has been fully freed from their chains in their mind. What perplexes me is that the writer writes of one who rises on his fantasy in search of poetry. I am tempted to interpret this as a general search for knowledge since we can say that whatever can be known can be expressed in the poetry of something (e. g biology as poetry of nature, mathematics as poetry of numbers). However, I am not entirely sure of this. But in the spirit of Rizals other writings I can say that this may be true. In the end, the writer exhorts the youthful and skillful musician, sculptor, and the painter to make haste and strive for glory. Because as said in the final stanza, the gains of these people will reflect on the nation itself and in the end will be a blessing to us all. However, in the present situation, I doubt that Rizal would be proud of the youth. Though growing in strength, a majority are still living in their own worlds, oblivious to the world outside. They need to know more about the world and see things for what they actually are. This of course is a challenge for education.

A Study Of The Ghaf Tree

A Study Of The Ghaf Tree The Ghaf tree also known as Prosopis cineraria has been an essential part of the UAEs distinctive desert environment and the civilization that have emerged here in the Emirates. Ghaf tree culturally and traditionally is as valuable and precious as it is ecologically. Groves of ghaf grow naturally in the desert sands and wide wadis in all emirates, but unfortunately they are becoming extinct. In this project we will discuss the causes of extinction of the Ghaf tree, why it is threatened and the impacts that could lead to the extinction of the Ghaf tree. Forests are fabulous places, were you can see different types of Insects, mammals and birds. They are also places that embrace various flowers, trees and grasses. Actually, this sight maybe a good explanation that illustrates the term Biodiversity. Biodiversity is a vague word that has many definitions among researchers and scientists. In fact, researchers have different definitions according to their different goals, perspectives and values. Takacs (1996) defined the biodiversity as a full variety of life on Earth, while Chadwick (1993) thinks that this word is simply defined as nature or wilderness. However, the general idea among all the researchers is that the biodiversity is the study of the process that makes and sustains the variation of the species on the earth (redpath-museum, 2010). It illustrates the idea of the relationship between the individual and the population, and the population with the community. Moreover, biodiversity is considered as a part of nature because it plays a big role in affecting animals and plants in both terrestrial and aquatic biomes (Ecosystem, 2008). Due to researches, there are three main types of biodiversity. The first type is the ecological or ecosystem diversity. An ecosystem is a structure which includes living organisms and non living organisms functioning together to maintain the life cycle (Ecosystem, 2008). The ecological diversity refers to the total of different types of ecosystems with the different species within them. The diversity of species within an ecosystem is affected by the ecosystem itself. That is because each species need a different habitat that it is suitable to live and reproduce within it. The second type is the species diversity. It means the number of plants and animals that exist in an area. Essentially, some regions are richer of species than other regions. For example, the tropical forests have much more species than other regions like the poles. The third type is the genetic diversity. This type explains that each member or individual within a species is different from the other members from the same species (BIODIVERSITY, 2010). The differences are in the genetic structure that gives each member his own characteristics. A clear example for the genetic biodiversity is the human beings. Each person has different characteristics than the others because of the genetic building in each one of them. In fact, the genetic diversity is crucial for the species health and diversity because it keeps the diversity among individuals and therefore protects the species from being extinct. In this project, we are concerning on one species from the allover species on the earth which is the the Ghaf tree. The Ghaf trees classification is as follows: kingdom: plantae, Phylum: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Family: Fabaceae, Genus: Prosopis, Species: cineraria(ARkive, 2010). Thus, we can point that the scientific name of that tree is Prosopis cineraria. There are many local names for this tree. For example, it is known as Ghaf for Arabian, jandior khejri for Indian, and jand for Pakistani. (Agroforestry Database 4.0, 2009). Since the species is considered as a plant, it is a producer. That means that the species stands in the first trophic level (uaehoverfly, 2010). The Prosopis cineraria is a moderate sized evergreen thorny tree (experiencefestival, 2010) of 3-5 m high (Agroforestry Database 4.0, 2009). It is considered as a rapid growing tree that resists the dryness and the arid conditions because of the variability of the trees growth (Asian Agri-History, 2004). Moreover, it resists the hot weather and the dry and hot winds. Thus, it is considered as one of the most species that withstood the difficult conditions of environment. It has also a dense shade that kills the seedling (experiencefestival, 2010). Its roots are fast growing even more than the upper part of it. They are long enough that it can use the water in the deep soil layers. As reports say, the Ghaf tree roots may reach to a depth of 35 meters (experience festival, 2010). The leaves are glabrous which are mostly green but seems to be gray when it gets dry (Agroforestry Database 4.0, 2009). It produces a yellow flowers near the summer between March to May, in the time which most of the plants are leafless. Actually this occurs at an early age when the tree is five years old. The Ghaf tree is planted and grown in arid places were the climate is dry and the maximum temperatures varies from 48 deg C to 52 deg C while the annual rainfall is 120 mm to 250 mm(Agroforestry Database 4.0, 2009). It is mostly grown on sandy soils where the lower part is moisture to help its roots to get water. The relational position (sciencedaily, 2010) of the Ghaf tree among the ecosystem is high and strong. It has a historical story with the people who lived in rural places were this species actually grow. The reason is that this tree is a legume that helps to fertile the soil. Moreover, it has a big role in stabling the sand dunes and the agriculture harvests because of the deep roots it owns, the ability of fixing the nitrogen and the ability of providing the soil with important organic substances (Asian Agri-History, 2004). Also, this tree is a main source of getting fuel wood, fodder and medicines. In fact, this tree plays an important role in sustaining the delicate and the dry ecosystems. Researchers insure by the datas support that the Prosopis cineraria has the priority in the improvement that contains fragile areas (Asian Agri-History, 2004). Figure 1: The Species Distribution In The World. Figure (1) below shows the world map pointed with the countries in which the Ghaf tree is planted. According to the figure, the species is planted in such specific countries like Afghanistan, dry areas of Central and Southern India, West Iran and Pakistan, and Sri Lanka (Agroforestry Database 4.0, 2009). However, the species can be planted in other countries science the environmental and climatic conditions mentioned above are available in them. The evidence of that is it that the species is invasive to other countries like the United Arab Emirates. In other words, this species cannot be planted in anywhere except those which are pointed in the figure, but it can be invasive to some parts of the world where the conditions are suitable. Student 2: Status An endangered species is a group of living organisms which face a significant risk of being extinct in the near future or disappearance from earth if a solution is not discovered . Extinction happens for a number of different reasons such as change of climate , natural disasters, drop in the number of species ,oil spills by humans, acid rains, water pollution, and last but not least over-hunting by humans. Al Ghaf tree or Prosopis cineraria as a scientific name, is one of the most famous and spread trees in the UAE. It has a very important national status , it was composed for a long time apart from the desert nature of UAE, so it has a very historical status, Ghaf tree grows in UAE deserts and valleys as a natural tree, especially in the eastern part of UAE. It belongs to the dry region plants as a thorny tree. It is an evergreen tree with slender branches armed with conical thorns and with light bluish-green foliage; its height is more than 7 meters. This tree has been around for centuries , and it is considered to be one of the most important trees for the natural balance , it increases the vitality of the soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen (Saving the Arabian ghaf tree, 2006). The ghaf tree is considered to be endangered for reasons such as ignorance of the importance of this tree as it doesnt get the support and care that it should get , Camels have increased lately and camels depends on ghaf tree as a source of food, Cutting its branches as fodder , Lack of groundwater, as experts are always looking for groundwater to use it for everyday life and agriculture needs. The Ghaf tree grows separately or in groups, and it can afford all desert difficulties because of its long and deep roots which extend to more than 30 meters underground (The Prosopis cineraria, 2010 ), It has a massive and nested branches, that is why it is called the umbrella tree or the dunes tree as it grows in deserts dunes. Al Ghaf is one of the most important trees for the natural balance, it increases the vitality of the soil by producing Neutrogen. Ghaf was used in the past in cooking; getting food, wood as a material for building roofs, and for garnishing and decorating (Al Ghaf tree report, 2009). Unfortunately, Ghaf tree is missing real care and support. Reasons for Extinction Ignorance of the importance of this tree as it doesnt get the support and care that it should get . Urban expansion which leads to getting rid of and cutting such trees. Camels have increased lately and they depends on ghaf tree as a source of food. Cutting its branches as fodder. Lack of groundwater, as experts are always looking for groundwater to use it for life and agriculture needs. Sadly , the ghaf tree has fallen a victim to human destruction of the environment all for the selfishness of us human beings and that is what lead to the ghaf tree being endangered. Human impact is one of the most affecting reasons in the ghaf trees disappearance because of urban booming and infrastructure, and whats most important is peoples ignorance as to the importance of this tree. Government and societies should spread knowledge about this tree by creating events held specifically in order to save the ghaf tree . Governments should also try to state laws and punishments in order to save this tree from over cutting and demolishing that could eventually lead to extinction. Many domestic societies are looking forward to adopting the ghaf tree as a symbol for the UAEs natural culture and in different fields as well for its important status (Saving the ghaf tree, 2007). Figure 2 shows the popularity of the ghaf tree over the years. This table shows us that the ghaf tree is not well-known and that explains the ignorance that is associated towards this tree. Figure 2: Popularity of Al-Ghaf Tree Over Time Source: (Popularity of Prosopis Cineraria over time, 2007) Student 3: Causes of Extinction The Ghaf tree is under threat of extinction. The plant has been realized by several environmentalists and social scientists in the United Arab Emirates as a symbol of the natural history of the country and a tree that carries several values. The tree has been under such threat due to several reasons some of which have occurred in past circumstances while others due to current circumstances. Past reasons of extinction include distortions in the ecosystem and lack of natural water resources while present reasons include urbanization and public ignorance. The Ghaf tree has been an essential food source, as well as a source of fuel, shelter and medicine. Its leaves were once used instead of rice, its elongated pods provide fodder for animals which in turn supply milk, butter, cheese and meat (WWF 2008). The tree is well known to provide food for the ecosystem members such as insects, small birds and reptiles and its presence is indeed a signal of underground water. Due to such facts, the rise in number of camels in the region brought by the economic boom of the region has resulted in a distortion of this ecosystem. There are over 250,000 camels in the UAE that graze and coppice over the Ghaf trees (FAOSTAT 2004). Also in the past, when agriculture was a larger sector of the UAE economy ground water was used for irrigation of such plantations this has possessed a greater risk of depriving hydration for the Ghaf trees and has resulted in the death of many of the trees. The current reasons of extinction threat towards the Ghaf tree include the urbanization and fast development of the region along with public ignorance. The UAEs economic boom has brought a large population growth followed by a demand for real estate. Such a demand created the need for urban development including infrastructural foundations such as highways, electric lines, underground water pipelines and more. This has resulted in the removal several fauna and flora from the region including the Ghaf tree. In accordance the ecosystem has also been further affected irreversibly where birds have migrated away that used the Ghaf tree leaves as a source of food. The reproduction rate of the Ghaf is incomparable to the rate of their decease in the region, whereas according to Razan Khalifa, managing director of the Emirates Wildlife Society: given that the ghaf is a slow grower, over-lopping is extremely harmful to its numbers. Land clearance for developmental projects [;] Many ghaf trees among others are ruthlessly chopped down to make way for modern projects in the desert (Al Majaida 2006). Measures Taken The first measures taken in the United Arab Emirates was taken by the former president of the UAE, H.H Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan that was very passionate about conservation and environmental issues. The former president used to keep Ghaf trees that were found in his palace areas encompassed within a circle of bricks in order to prevent its removal. The former UAE president also placed a law that banned the chopping of Ghaf trees in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. He also provided grants for environmentalists that intended to find solutions for elongating their survival and he provided subsidies to the municipalities of the region to spread the tree in the region. In 2006 the Emirates Wildlife Society along with the Al Fahim Group launched a campaign to save the Al Ghaf tree in which visitors of the web site campaign and vote to elect the tree as the national symbol of historical nature in the United Arab Emirates calling for government support to take actions to prevent the extinction of the tree (De Roy 2006). Furthermore, the web site is titled savetheghaftree.org aims to spread awareness about three by sending out public relation tools such as newsletters and posters in order to educate subscribers about the importance of preserving the heritage and natural culture of the United Arab Emirates. The strategic alliances of this campaign included AMEinfo.com, Al Fahim Group, Emirates Wildlife Society in association with World Wildlife Fund, UAE-based publishing houses such as Ahlan magazine by ITP, UAE nationals and desert lovers from all nationalities within the UAE. The campaign has been designed to target media through mall promotions for a two month period between the end of 2006 and the beginning of the following year. Moreover, the web site includes interactive media that allows subscribers to create their own Ghaf garden and compare their performances with one another. The concept follows on to translate virtual objectivity into reality in which the Emirates Wildlife Society with the sponsorship of the Al Fahim Group will plant an actual Ghaf tree in conserved groves for every ten virtual Ghaf trees grown online. Finally the online portal allows visitors to discuss stories about the Ghaf tree where pictures, designs, thoughts and suggestions can be shared among groups of people. The results of the campaign came as impressive in less than a year where more than a thousand trees have been planted within less than ten weeks online and a hundred trees were planted by Al Fahim Group and the EWS. Email blasts have resulted in the voting for the Ghaf tree as a national symbol to reach more than three thousand votes. The news spread to government entities such as the Abu Dhabi government that have placed efforts to spread such awareness among schools and their own department in terms of seeking the conservation and protection of the Ghaf tree. The media has also followed up on the campaign by adding television interviews. This was also followed by more environmentalists pursuing research on the Ghaf tree and finding appropriate soil conditions to elongate life spans. To further strengthen the campaign the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage Authority provided voting ballot cards from the campaign in their advertisements, flyers and inv itations during the 4th Abu Dhabi Classical Music Festival (De Roy 2006). The Horticulture Department of the Dubai Municipality has also taken deep measures in 2008 to save the Ghaf tree by spreading it all around the parks in the city of Dubai. The Al Mushrif Forest Park in Deira, off Al Khawaneej area, is home to almost sixty thousand trees. Due to the requirement of water for the survival of the Ghaf tree the municipality has placed intensive efforts in planting new Ghaf trees and relocating more than seven thousand trees from areas all over Dubai such Al Barsha to the park in spots that contain more water and are more hydration accessible (Al Khan 2008). This can also be shown in figure 3 where according to environmental researches Ghaf trees in Dubai have lost average radiuses meaning that lack of water is signaling the relocation of the trees to water abundant areas: Figure 3: Size Distribution of Ghaf trees in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve It is important to note here that such an effort is significant due to the nature of the Ghaf tree that grows a long root tap in natural conditions, almost 30 meters, whereas its translocation can sever its roots and these trees may therefore be reliant on artificial irrigation for many years (Gardner Howarth 2009). Call to Action Source: Gallacher Hill (2005) The government of the UAE can spread the awareness of the Ghaf tree by starting such awareness within schools and placing the tree as a national symbol in the UAE society curriculums that students study in schools. The government can also provide incentives for environmental companies and research groups with the UAE and the GCC in order to spread the awareness and provide a long term growth strategy for the clusters of the Ghaf trees in the region. In addition, the government can also provide more campaigns in malls and population-intensive areas to spread the awareness. A great example would be placing a plastic model of the tree in the middle of mall or using the ghaf tree on the national day along with the UAE cultural identity to enhance its importance and vitality to ensuring the natural heritage of the nation. Finally the government can provide shuttle buses for the public in order to visit Ghaf tree areas and give them a tour of the place. Another suggestion starts from the individual point of view. The ghaf tree is being in threat of extinction due to other factors as well such as pollution and the over usage of water. In order to start that individual incentive it is important to fulfill self-conscience satisfaction when an individual saves a Ghaf tree. This can be done by saving water and looking at the difference consumption levels of water and hence using some of the saved water to visit ghaf trees and place water at these sites. The media is one of the strongest tools for changing opinions and driving trends in a society. It can play a strong role in saving the Ghaf tree and idolizing it as the UAE environmental symbol. The media is divided according to the mediums of channeling a communicatory message, that is, by radio, television or public relations. Television campaigns suggested can include environmental game shows that ask audience questions about the environment in which the ghaf tree can be used. As for radio campaigns, competitions in early morning shows during high peak times can be broadcasted in order to spread the message about the Ghaf tree. As for public relations, holding press conferences and events for environmentalists that show results of the previous campaign in the UAE can be very important to show how the tree has changed the environment and how opinions in the region have changed as a result of such campaigns. Public relations are a strong tool to alter readers opinion on the long run as compared to advertising. Finally, merchandising that are used in such media campaigns can be themed by designing them according to the Ghaf tree themes. Conclusion All in all it is quite significant to save the Ghaf tree from its extinction due to the importance of the tree from an environmental benefit point of view and from a preservation of culture and heritage point of view. From a global point of view several nations have used their own flora as a symbol of their geographical presence and as the UAE enters the international arena as a major economic and multicultural hub in the region it is vital to use one of the oldest and most appreciated plants as a representation of the nations vegetation. Furthermore, the culture of the UAE is based on Islamic values and learning which as mentioned in the holy Quran mention the need to respect all the living creatures that lurk on this planet. The fact that this foundation is the basis of many aspects in the UAE has made the idea of placing efforts and further education ethically and morally corrects to respect one of the most foregone trees that has always been present even before the economic uproa r makes the Ghaf tree a preservation of the culture of the UAE. In the future when new generations are to come, the Ghaf trees that have been standing tall during our times will maintain their sturdy places and remind the unborn that these trees are the symbol of UAE culture and what has made the UAE and its leaders thrive to make the country what it really is.

Gravity-Centrifugal-Power-Motor :: essays research papers

SCM-Variation Gravity-Centrifugal-Power-Motor Objectives At chapter Swing-Circuit-Motor (SCM) above, a design was worked out corresponding to build-up of a loop-swing. There, two axis were demanded (system- and excenter-axis) and two  ´wheels ´ did turn within each other. So this will be a rather difficult technical construction. By this chapter now shall be examined, how effect of building-up mechancal oscillations could be realized easier. So only one axis should be neccessary, nevertheless masses should move like at uneven  ´movement of pendulum ´, above this phase shifting by intermediate storage of forces must be guaranteed. Pendulum with radial suspension At previous chapter Mechanical Oscillating Circuit Harald Chmela did mention example of a pendulum with radially working spring, like schematically shown once more at picture EV SKM 31 upside. Around system axis (SA) a pendulum, here called rotor arm (RT, German Rotortrà ¤ger), can swing. At the rotor arm effective mass (MP) can glide inside and outside. That radial movements are limited resp. controlled by a spring element (FE, German Federelement). Potential energy of level is transformed into kinetic energy at downward-phase, opposite energy of movement is re-transformed into energy of high level at upward-phase. In addition, power is stored into spring intermediately, so some later power is restored into pendulums oscillation. Mass will move at an U-shaped track. Mass will show maximum speed at its lowest point of track (A) and there will press down spring at its maximum. Following relaxation of spring will show analog relations of forces, based at symmetry, so this mechanical oscillation will be stable (no friction assumed). Effect of building-up oscillations can only be achieved, if symmetry is broken. This could be done e.g. as shown at picture EV SKM 31 downside. Asymmetric track Tension of spring downside should have to be stored for a short time, e.g. any mechanicsm could allow relaxation of spring some later (B). Counter stored energy then would exist less forces (resulting force of gravity power and centrifugal power), showing upward more and more. Power of spring afterward could move mass easier and faster towards upward-inside (C). Angles speed thus will be accelerated and mass will be brought to higher level (D) than starting level. This mechanical oscillating circuit thus will be build-up without input of energy from outside. Progressive suspension By this concept an asymmetric track is achieved. However, this pendulum swinging resp. effect of build-up oscillations is technically usable only if a momentum is achieved at a constant turning shaft.

Painting a Portrait of Death Essay -- essays research papers fc

â€Å"Painting a Portrait of Death† Death is inevitable to all forms of life. In giving birth to a typical family, Flannery O’Connor immediately sets the tone for their deaths, in the story, A Good Man is Hard To Find. O'Connor’s play on words, symbolism and foreshadowing slowly paves the way for the family’s death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  O'Connor begins to paint the image of death with her presentation of the grandmother. As the family prepares for their adventure the grandmother carefully selects her attire. â€Å"A navy blue straw sailor hat with a bunch of white violets on the brim and a navy blue dress with a small white dot in the print. Her collars and cuffs were white organdy trimmed with lace and at her neckline she had pinned a purple spray of cloth violets containing a sachet† (O'Connor 267). The imagery of the grandmother’s impeccable attire foreshadows her position at the end of the story. When a person dies it is common that they are adorn in their best outfit. The grandmother has symbolically prepared herself for her eternal rest in a coffin as she is dressed in her Sunday best. O'Connor continues to incorporate the theme of death into the story, as she provides the readers with the reason for the grandmother’s ensemble, â€Å"in cares of an accident, anyone see ing her dead on the highway would know at once she was a lady† (O'Connor 267). Symbolically the grandmother is walking down the path of death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the family travels closer to...

Essay Written Com

Cigarette Smoking and Its Health Risks. Why do I need to know about the health risks of cigarette smoking? Cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of illness and death. Cigarettes are filled with nicotine, which acts like a poison in your body. What are the health risks of cigarette smoking? You may have breathing problems that make it difficult for you to do daily activities or play sports. You have a higher risk of bone fractures because smoking can cause osteoporosis (brittle bones). If you fall asleep with a lit cigarette, you can start a fire.Cigarette smoking can also cause the following health problems: Cancer: Smoking increases your risk of many kinds of cancer. The most common cancers are lung, lip, mouth, or throat cancer. Heart and blood vessel disease: The nicotine in tobacco causes an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure. Nicotine also causes your blood vessels to narrow. This can lead to blood clots in your heart or brain and caused a heart attack or s troke. Cigarette smoke has carbon monoxide in it. This can decrease the amount of oxygen flowing to your heart and other organs.Lung disease: The chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage your lungs. This causes a buildup of dirt and waste products in your lungs. Many people who smoke have a long-term cough as a result. Cigarette smoking may also cause long-term lung infections or diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. You are also at higher risk for respiratory illnesses, such as colds or pneumonia. Gastrointestinal disease: Cigarette smoking increases the amount of acid in your stomach. This can cause an ulcer or gastric reflux.Women and smoking: You have a higher risk of heart and blood vessel disease if you smoke and take birth control pills. The risk is more serious is you are 35 years or older. You may have a harder time getting pregnant if you smoke. If you are pregnant and smoke, you have a higher risk of miscarriage or having a stillborn baby. Babies born to mothers who smoke often weigh less and are at higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Why should I quit smoking? Your health will improve and your risks for many diseases will decrease. Your breath, clothes, and hair will no longer smell like smoke.Tobacco will no longer stain your teeth. Tobacco smoke is dangerous to others. If you quit, you will decrease the risks to those around you, such as your children or family members. Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking Health Effects Fact Sheets Overview Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Smoking causes many diseases and reduces the health of smokers in general. Smoking and Death Smoking causes death. †¢ The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each year in the United States. ,3 †¢ More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined. 2,4 †¢ Smoking causes an estimated 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men and 80% of all lung cancer deaths in women. 1 †¢ An estimated 90% of all deaths from chronic obstructive lung disease are caused by smoking. 1 Smoking and Increased Health Risks Compared with nonsmokers, smoking is estimated to increase the risk of †¢ coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times, †¢ stroke by 2 to 4 times, men developing lung cancer by 23 times, †¢ Women developing lung cancer by 13 times, and dying from chronic obstructive lung diseases (such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema) by 12 to 13 times. Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease †¢ Smoking causes coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. 1 †¢ Cigarette smoking causes reduced circulation by narrowing the blood vessels (arteries) and puts smokers at risk of developing peripheral vascular disease (i. e. , obstruction of the large arteries in the arms and legs that can cause a range of problems from pain to tissue loss or gangrene). Smoking causes abdominal aortic aneurysm (i. e. , a swelling or weakening of the main artery of the body—the aorta—where it runs through the abdomen). 1 Smoking and Respiratory Disease †¢ Smoking causes lung cancer. †¢ Smoking causes lung diseases (e. g. , emphysema, bronchitis, chronic airway obstruction) by damaging the airways and alveoli (i. e. , small air sacs) of the lungs. Smoking and Cancer Smoking causes the following cancers: †¢ Acute myeloid leukemia †¢ Bladder cancer †¢ Cancer of the cervix †¢ Cancer of the esophagus †¢ Kidney cancer †¢ Cancer of the larynx (voice box) †¢ Lung cancer Cancer of the oral cavity (mouth) †¢ Pancreatic cancer †¢ Cancer of the pharynx (throat) †¢ Stomach cancer Smoking and Other Health Effects Smoking has many adverse reproductive and early childhood effects, including increased risk for— †¢ infertility, †¢ preterm delivery, †¢ stillbirth, †¢ low birth weight, and †¢ Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). †¢ Smoking is associated with the following adverse health effects: †¢ Postmenopausal women who smoke have lower bone density than women who never smoked. †¢ Women who smoke have an increased risk for hip fracture than women who never smoked.Smoking and Others (Passive Smoking)If you smoke, one good reason to give up smoking is to benefit those who live and work with you. If you cannot give up, you should make every effort to keep cigarette smoke away from other people. On this page †¢ How does smoking affect other people? †¢ Some statistics †¢ How can I stop smoking? †¢ Further help and information †¢ References How does smoking affect other people? †¢ Children and babies who live in a home where there is a smoker: o Are more prone to asthma, and ear, nose and chest infe ctions. o Have an increased risk of dying from cot death (sudden infant death syndrome). Are more likely than average to become smokers themselves when older. o On average, do less well at reading and reasoning skills compared to children in smoke-free homes, even at low levels of smoke exposure. o Are at increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer as adults. †¢ Passive smoking of adults. You have an increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease if you are exposed to other people smoking for long periods of time. For example, the risk of developing lung cancer is increased by about 20-30% in people who are regularly exposed to other people's cigarette smoke.Cigarette smoke is also an irritant, and can make asthma and other conditions worse. †¢ Unborn babies. Smoking when you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. See separate leaflet called Pregnancy and Smoking for details. Some statistics the overall health impact of passive smoking i s large. Although the health risks from passive smoking are small for the individual in comparison with the health risks from active smoking, the public health consequences of passive smoking are high due to the large numbers of people exposed.For example, passive smoking by people living with smokers in the UK increases the risk of death from coronary heart disease by 50-60%. It is estimated to cause around 2,700 deaths per year in people aged 20-64, and a further 8,000 deaths per year among people aged 65 or older. It is estimated that children breathing in other people's cigarette smoke resulted in 300,000 GP visits and 9,500 hospital admissions in 2011 in the UK. Up to five million children are thought to be regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home. The results of a survey on children’s views on smoking ere published on the Department of Health's website. The survey revealed that children want smoke-free lives. The survey found that: †¢ 98% of children wish their parents would stop smoking. †¢ 82% of children wish their parents wouldn't smoke in front of them at home. †¢ 78% of children wished their parents wouldn't smoke in front of them in the car. †¢ 41% of children said cigarette smoke made them feel ill. †¢ 42% of children said cigarette smoke made them cough. How can I stop smoking? Compare About 2 in 3 smokers want to stop smoking. Some people can give up easily.Willpower and determination are the most important aspects when giving up smoking. However, nicotine is a drug of addiction and many people find giving up a struggle. Help is available. GPs, practice nurses, or pharmacists can provide information, encouragement, and tips on stopping smoking. Also, throughout the country there are specialist NHS Stop Smoking Clinics which have a good success record in helping people to stop smoking. Your doctor may refer you to one if you are keen to stop smoking. Various medicines can increase your chance of quitting. These include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) which comes as gums, sprays, patches, tablets, lozenges, and inhalers. You can buy NRT without a prescription. Also, medicines called bupropion (trade name Zyban ®) and varenicline (trade name Champix ®) can help. These are available on prescription. See separate leaflets called Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Bupropion (Zyban ®) and Varenicline (Champix ®). Costa Rica's Anti-Smoking Law As Strange As Aliens. The newly passed anti-smoking law is as strange as aliens, because everyone knows about them but nobody takes the subject as an absolute truth.Neither is too surprising, for many the law is nothing more than a continuing joke the government plays on its people. For without a doubt, even with the law in place, in Costa Rica â€Å"the smoker continues to be king†, for even the law cannot respond to the call, as the government has been unable to properly inform the public and the institutions responsible to ensure compl iance. All the information out there right now is mostly by word of mouth, passed on from one person to another and not necessarily the correctRoberto Castro, of the Direccion de Vigilancia del Ministerio deSalud (Surveillance Directorate of the Ministry of Health) recently said that the Fuerza Publica (polilce) is empowered to issue fines of ? 36. 060 colones to anyone disrespecting the law. But, where is the fine paid? For his part, the director of the Fuerza Publica (chief of the nation's police force) said that they will wait until the regulations to comply with the law. The regulations are expected within the next 90 days, but many doubt that they will be ready, as legislators pass a law and the government is not ready for its enactment. Again.Just as with the introduction of the tax on corporations that went into effect on January 1, but not payable until April, again, because because the government was caught with its pants down. some place, like medical centres and schools h ave already banned smoking and have set out their regulations for its enforcement. In some places like elevators, trains, ATM's, restaurants, cafes, bars and shopping centres, among others smoking is banned. Again, a private initiative which is reinforced with the passing of the anti-smoking law, but without the teeth to bite the smoker who persists.With the law in effect anyone can now demand that law be respected. Customers can complain to the manager of a restaurant, shoppers can call on the mall management and employee on the boss, for example, to have the smoker butt out. But, in reality, how is the complaint handled and who has the authority to ask the smoker to quit? In an effort to simplify the process, ideally the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) should provide a phone number to either take the complaint or at least to provide information on how to deal with the situation. However, Costa Rica is a country where all that is simple is made difficult.Knowing Costa Rica ns there is sure to follow many complaints and without a doubt one or more challenges to the Constitutional Court, smokers allege to be a â€Å"target†. In an ideal Costa Rica, smokers should just quit smoking in public spaces. And if they really care for their health, quit smoking altogether. Thrombosis, hypertension, cancer of the esophagus and pancreas, tachycardia, emphysema, lung cancer and bronchitis are just some of the many ills caused by tobacco smoking. Hopefully the ? 20 colones tax on each and ever cigarette sold will hurt the smoker where it hurts the most, their pocketbook.Or at the very least fund programs to help patients with cancer and prevention campaigns. This is a time for the current administration to really show that it can tie up its pants and act in the best interest of the public by applying the law and get rid of an epidemic in which only a few get rich and benefit from the death of others. The government has a great opportunity here to show that it can act and quickly by introducing the regulations way ahead of the three months set out in the legislation, introduce concise guidelines and make the public aware of the law and its cost for not respecting it.Costa rica? s law The number of countries  with anti-smoking laws is growing, and Costa Rica might soon join the ranks. Lawmakers are debating a bill that would ban smoking in some public places and raise the tax on cigarettes. Costa Rica has been trying to pass the ban since 2008, but the bill has couldn't get through the legislature. If it finally passes, Costa Rica won't be alone among Latin American countries with anti-smoking laws. Of course, just because laws are on the books, doesn't mean everyone is snuffing out their smokes.Some 14. 2 percent of Costa Ricans smoke, most between ages 20 and 39, according to the Costa Rican Social Security System. Casual smokers proliferate in the country’s nightlife. But that could change soon. Lawmakers last week passed a bi ll that will ban smoking in all public spaces, including bus and taxi stops, public buildings, restaurants and bars. The legislation goes further: It prohibits the sale of individual cigarettes; adds a 4-cent tax per cigarette, bumping up the price of most 20-cigarette packs from around $2 to $2. 0; bans cigarette advertising; and mandates that most of the box must carry graphic or textual health warnings. The bill will be reviewed by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court before it can get the president’s signature and go into law. Costa Rica is considered a progressive country on health and environment policies, but it’s been slow to reform its lax smoking rules. If the court gives the green light, Costa Rica will become the 10th Latin American country to enact a law following guidelines set by the World Health Organization for 100 percent smoke-free public spaces.The legislation is expected to take effect in mid-summer, giving businesses and government some time to adjust. Residents too will have time to cope. â€Å"Every person who comes to a bar here, they smoke and they drink, wherever they go,† Sanchez, 22, said. â€Å"I think it’s a law that’s very stupid. †Aleman, 20, said she’s pleased that inconsiderate smokers will be stopped from carelessly blowing smoke into someone’s face. Still, she sees the law as too strict, since bars cannot maintain a smoking section. But if there’s no area or smokers, she always could walk outside to smoke? Or: â€Å"I’ll smoke less,† Aleman said. â€Å"Go outside to smoke — why bother? It could be raining and freezing outside. That would be the worst. †Her statement typifies why 100 percent smoke-free policies have been successful in other countries. Research shows businesses don’t fold or lose huge profits over a loss of cigarette-smoking clientele. The places simply get cleaner. The most desperate effort to rid Cos ta Rica of ineffective smoking laws started almost four years ago.Lawmakers helped teach doctors in the National Anti-Tobacco Network how to be politicians. The doctors, in turn, negotiated behind the scenes with lawmakers presenting the grimmest of facts and telling them â€Å"this is how the tobacco industry manipulates the truth. † The Social Security System (Caja) conducted a poll showing 93 percent of Costa Ricans supported laws for a smoke-free public. The momentum did little to dull the influence of the tobacco industry lobby that had dictated smoking policies in the country since the 1980s.Only on Monday, long after lawmakers who spearheaded the movement reached their term limits and exited office, did a toughened anti-smoking bill pass the Legislative Assembly. Advocates garnered enough support in the assembly to pass – in a 46-2 vote – a comprehensive anti-tobacco bill on Monday, winning at last an uphill struggle. â€Å"We have demonstrated to the to bacco companies that we are not too small and so weak like they believed we were,† said Teresita Arrieta, of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Institute (IAFA). The bill bans smoking in places such as bars, restaurants, public buildings, bus stops and taxi stands.Individual cigarettes will be taxed an extra ? 20 (4 cents). The bill requires cigarette packs to display text and photo warnings on at least 50 percent of the box. The legislation strengthens some of the weakest tobacco-use laws in Latin America. One question in particular lingers in the minds of skeptics. Can the law be enforced? The bill still awaits the signature of President Laura Chinchilla, and then must be published in the official government newspaper La Gaceta before the rules become official. From there, a 90-day adjustment period begins before fines go into effect.Many expect the law’s publication will come around March 15, meaning the day cigarettes must be extinguished from public spaces would be in m id-June. In that time, lawmakers and health officials will determine the reglamentos, or regulations, that define how the law will be implemented. Health Vice Minister Sisy Castillo, who was a major force in pushing the bill through, displayed confidence that the country can create rules that establishments and people   will not have trouble following. â€Å"We are already working on the [reglamentos],† Castillo said. We are far along with these regulations in regards to law enforcement. †Ã‚  She said the Health Ministry has met with members of the National Police and Chief Prosecutor’s Office to discuss how to handle those caught violating the law, and the best way to supervise bars and other localities where smoking will be banned. Castillo emphasized to The Tico Times that the reglamentos will address foreigners, including tourists, who disobey the smoking law. Large percentages of the cigarette taxes will be earmarked toward treating tobacco-related illness es and funding programs that assist people in quitting smoking.In 2010, the Caja spent nearly $146 million on health expenses tied to smoking and tobacco-related illnesses. Tobacco plays a large role in cardiovascular illnesses, one of the country’s leading causes of death. Almost 15 percent of the country smokes, according to a Caja survey. Those caught smoking in a prohibited area can face a fine of ? 36,060 ($70). Producers, sellers and advertisers not following the regulations can be hit with a fine of ? 3. 6 million ($7,022). The penalty for selling single cigarettes, packs with fewer than 20 cigarettes or tobacco products to minors would be ? 80,000 ($351). The government will have the power to close businesses with outstanding fines. As the law moves closer to enactment, advocates expect to parry lawsuits taken up on behalf of the tobacco industry and the Costa Rican Chamber of Restaurants and Affiliates – a longtime mouthpiece of tobacco companies that oversees bars and nightclubs. Carmen Granados, a Citizen Action Party lawmaker, believes the country has taken the necessary steps to prevent legal action by tobacco companies from succeeding.She worked on a committee headed by Rita Chaves of the Access Without Exclusion Party to construct the current version of the bill. When the original bill was written, draftees invited experts to vet every aspect of   it, even bringing in legal advisers from the U. S. ’s George Washington University, in Washington, D. C. , to observe the proposal. Moreover, the bill follows standards set by the World Health Organization, and has been adopted in nine other Latin American countries, including Brazil, which became the largest country in the world to put into practice such measures, in December. We should not fear lawsuits, because if we did a good job, then this law will be unaffected,† Granados said. â€Å"Yes, tobacco companies are going to try to go after the law †¦ but it’s shielded so nobody will touch it. †Lawmakers opposed to the bill attempted to halt its passage Monday. The passage came in spite of a challenge by 10 lawmakers to send the bill to the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) to review the constitutionality of the reforms. The Legislative Assembly did not receive a notification from the Sala IV in time to prevent the vote.Granados said tobacco manufacturers still can challenge specific articles in court, and the Sala IV can decide whether to review the suits. Tabacalera Costarricense, an affiliate of Philip Morris International, has stated the law could result in an increase in contraband cigarettes in Costa Rica due to the cigarette tax increase. A lawsuit is expected about that issue. Anti-tobacco advocates in Costa Rica dismiss the argument about a flourishing cigarette black market, saying research shows that it is simply untrue. Studies also show that in countries with similar reforms, business rarely, if eve r, suffers as a result of the ban.IAFA’s Smoke-Free Spaces Program created plenty of tobacco-free settings in sports arenas, restaurants and malls before the law’s adoption. Arrieta, who heads the program, believes the difficulty of transitioning from a country where smoking is accepted to one that prohibits it has been exaggerated. This law is designed to protect public health and does not infringe on individual rights, since a person does not have the privilege to endanger the health of another, Arrieta said. She already has seen it work in Costa Rica’s notoriously hazy bars.She visited a place called Blue Moon in Cartago, east of San Jose. Smokers took cigarette breaks outside. The inside was packed with clients. Blue Moon manager Michael Mattey said the bar opened in July and remains successful, an image of how other bars might thrive in a Costa Rica free of smoking. â€Å"It seems all the people who come like it for the same reason, because they donâ€℠¢t smoke,† Mattey said. â€Å"But people who smoke come too, and they also seem to like it. Who knew? : The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths each year in the United States