Identity (940 words) Essay Example For Students

The Legend of Romulus and Remus Essay Example

The Legend of Romulus and Remus Paper Romulus and Remus were twin siblings. Their dad was Mars, the God of War; their mom was Rhea Silvia, a vestal virgin and little girl of the King, Numitor. Numitors sibling, Amulius, had taken the seat from him and had constrained Rhea Silvia to turn into a vestal virgin with the goal that she would not have any kids who may attempt to reclaim the seat. At the point when the young men were conceived, Amulius held onto them, put them into a container and tossed them into the waterway Tiber. He trusted that they would suffocate. Nonetheless, the young men were saved by a she-wolf who took care of the children with her own milk and thought about them. A shepherd called Faustulus saw the wolf with the infant young men. He took them home to his significant other. They called the young men Romulus and Remus. At the point when they grew up the young men became shepherds like Faustulus. One day they had a battle with another gathering of shepherds. Remus was captured and sent to Numitor as a detainee. When Numitor heard the story he understood that Remus was his grandson! He mentioned to Romulus and Remus what had befallen him and their mom. For vengeance, Romulus and Remus assaulted their Uncle Amulius and murdered him. From that point forward, Romulus and Remus went to live with their granddad in Alba Longa, yet they got exhausted and missed the wide open where they grew up. We will compose a custom exposition test on The Legend of Romulus and Remus explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom exposition test on The Legend of Romulus and Remus explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on The Legend of Romulus and Remus explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer They chose to move back to River Tiber where Faustulus had discovered them and manufacture their own city however the twins contended over where the city ought to be assembled. Romulus needed to assemble it on the Palatine Hill and Remus needed to construct it on the Capitoline Hill. At long last they fabricated two urban areas. Shockingly, the contending didn't stop. They continued prodding each other about their urban areas. Remus prodded his sibling about the stature of his city dividers, saying they were excessively low. At long last the two urban communities did battle and Romulus won. Romulus became ruler of his new city which was called Rome in his respect.

Using 5-HTP to Treat Depression

Using 5-HTP to Treat Depression Depression Treatment Medication Print Using 5-HTP to Treat Depression By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 04, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Tetra Images - Jamie Grill/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Symptoms 5-HTP Effectiveness   Safety and Side Effects   Pregnancy and Breastfeeding View All Research shows that using 5-HTP for depression may help alleviate depressive symptoms. 5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is an amino acid that our bodies produce from a dietary amino acid called l-tryptophan. It can be converted into the mood-regulating neurotransmitter called serotonin, as well as the sleep-inducing hormone known as melatonin. 5-HTP may also be synthesized in the laboratory by extracting it from the seeds of the plant ?Griffonia simplicifolia.?? Understanding Depression Depression, which is also referred to as clinical depression or major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that creates feelings of sadness and hopelessness that can last for a long period of time.?? Eventually, it starts to creep into your everyday life, affecting the way you think, how you deal with stress, the way you behave, and how you feel. Your regular activities of daily life, like getting out of bed, brushing your teeth, and showering may feel pointless and overwhelming. Your energy may feel sapped too, making it even easier to skip these small tasks. Depression is more than the normal funk we all find ourselves in sometimes. The key to knowing its time to find help is determining when your symptoms are bad enough that theyre seriously impacting your life. Maybe youve stopped participating in activities you once enjoyed. Or maybe you find yourself sobbing on the bathroom floor all too often. Perhaps you dont even recognize yourself anymore as you hazily go through the motions of just barely living. You may have depression only once, but many people who deal with depression have multiple episodes during their lifetimes. Keep in mind that depression isnt a personal flaw. Its a real medical condition that needs to be treated, and depending on the severity of your depression, the treatment may end up being a long-term process. Take heart thoughâ€"the majority of people who have dealt with depression report feeling better once they start on medication, go to psychotherapy (counseling), or do a combination of both. Depression Symptoms Symptoms of depression are present during the majority of the day, just about every day, for two weeks or more and may include:?? Feeling sad, hopeless, or emptyCrying more than usualAnger or irritabilitySleeping too much or not sleeping enoughLoss of interest in normal activities or hobbiesFatigueLoss of energyAppetite changes, such as eating more or less than usualWeight changes as a result of appetite changesAnxietyFeeling worthless, guilty, and/or isolatedDifficulty concentratingMemory problemsFeeling agitated or restlessThinking about death and/or suicidePhysical symptoms like unexplained headaches, backaches, or stomachaches How  5-HTP Works The essential amino acid l-tryptophan can be obtained by eating foods that contain it, such as red meat and turkey, but its ability to be converted into 5-HTPâ€"and ultimately into serotoninâ€"is limited by the availability of an enzyme called tryptophan hydroxylase.?? The amount of tryptophan hydroxylase in our bodies can be inhibited by many different factors, such as stress, insulin resistance, vitamin B6 deficiency, and magnesium deficiency. Supplementing with 5-HTP overcomes this problem by eliminating the need to convert l-tryptophan to 5-HTP, thus allowing more 5-HTP to be available for conversion to serotonin. Effectiveness   Overall, the clinical trials published to date indicate that 5-HTP may be effective in treating depression symptoms, both on its own and when used in conjunction with prescription antidepressants.?? However, better quality studies are needed to firmly establish its effectiveness, especially since they have only been done in small groups of people. One study concluded that 5-HTP shouldnt be given by itself because its not very effective and it may actually deplete neurotransmitters in your brain like dopamine and norepinephrine, which can make your depression worse.?? Instead, the researchers noted, 5-HTP should be given with dopamine or serotonin amino acid precursors in order to minimize side effects, prevent neurotransmitter depletion, and to get the most efficacy from 5-HTP. However, these supplemental amino acids need to be kept in careful balance or theres a risk of depression symptoms becoming worse due to neurotransmitter depletion. A group of researchers who looked at the effects of 5-HTP in a slow-release form argue that this extended delivery method could make the supplement an important adjunctive (additional) therapy in people who have treatment-resistant depression.?? To support their beliefs, the researchers also did a related study on the performance of slow-release 5-HTP versus the immediate release formula in mice, which showed that the slow-release version was far more therapeutically effective. The scientists conclude that developing a slow-release 5-HTP drug is doable and could be a particularly beneficial treatment for patients who appear to have 5-HT deficiencies, typically indicated by suicidal actions, severe depression, and co-occurring borderline personality disorder (BPD), all of which tend to be more resistant to SSRIs. Additionally, the researchers believe that slow-release 5-HTP could potentially help people who have been diagnosed with mental health disorders that are only partially responsive to SSRIs like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. Safety and Side Effects   Doses of around 200 to 300 mg per day of 5-HTP seem to be fairly well-tolerated.?? The most common side effects reported with 5-HTP include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Less common side effects include a headache, insomnia, and heart palpitations. Gastrointestinal side effects appear to be dose-dependent and tend to lessen over time. There is one very serious safety concern with 5-HTP, however. When taken in conjunction with other medications for depression that also increase serotonin, such as SSRIs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), there is a possibility that your serotonin levels may become dangerously high.?? This condition, called serotonin syndrome, leads to symptoms such as high blood pressure, hyperthermia, flushing, hyperreflexia, dizziness, disorientation, and involuntary muscle twitching called myoclonus. Patients experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, as this condition can be fatal. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding There is not currently enough data to tell whether 5-HTP is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women to use. For this reason, you shouldnt take 5-HTP if youre expecting a child or nursing. A Word From Verywell Although you can buy it over-the-counter, talk to your doctor before starting on 5-HTP, especially if youre already taking other antidepressants or medications. Your doctor can make sure youre taking the right amount and that youre not susceptible to any potential drug interactions. The 7 Best Online Help Resources for Depression

Self-discovery in Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Dreams Essay

Self-discovery in Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Dreams Although, on the surface, Animal Dreams is a book about family conflict, the central theme is about self-discovery. Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver is a story about a family who lived in the town of Grace. The history behind Grace is very vivid and descriptive. The family that becomes the readers concern, is the Noline family. The family members are Homero Noline and his daughters Cosima and Halimeda. Cosima or Codi, as she is known in the book, comes back to Grace after fourteen years. Halimeda or Hallie, goes to Nicaragua, to help the farmers cultivate cotton in the war- torn area. Homer, the father, is the only doctor in Grace. He has Alzheimers disease. Codi comes back to†¦show more content†¦She has a past with him that she has managed to keep hidden successfully. She was pregnant with his child and had a stillbirth. Her father knew that she was pregnant. When she had the stillbirth, her father tried to help her, and show his love by giving her the medication she ne eds without being intrusive. As he was the only doctor around, he feels that, This is the full measure of love he is qualified to dispense to his own daughter. (142; ch.13) Codi thinks that her father has always been controlling of her life. She resents her father because she feels that he alienated her from the other children in Grace, when she was going to school. She talks to her father about the mishap that occurred when she was a first-year medical resident. Codi told [tells] him that ...and I lost my nerve. You cant lose your nerve. Youre the one that taught me that. At that point, she sees a side of her father that she has never seen before. He father admits to her, I lose my nerve a dozen times a day. She realizes that the women in Grace take care of her father, and that she is ..superfluous. Codi renews her relationship with Loyd. She is not sure about telling Loyd about the pregnancy. Loyd draws her out of her shell by sharing his life and perspective. He gives her the strength by loving her just the way she is. Codi is

Essay on The Media Effects American Culture - 1249 Words

The media is the means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers, and magazines that reach or influence people widely. The growth of the media has spread vastly over the years. The media is also known as a â€Å"channel of mass communication.† â€Å"Mass Media incorporates all those mediums through which information is distributed to the masses. These include advertisements, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet† (Sebastian). The media introduces many new things to the public, both positive and negative. The media harms the American culture by creating these celebrity idols, the glorification of violence, sex, and drug and alcohol abuse. The media positively affects the American culture by the quick and easy flow of†¦show more content†¦People become consumed in this â€Å"fame and money† way of living that they will do whatever it takes to be just like the rich† (Coleman). The media puts the reality into things wit h a twist of any kind of story, quote, or anything that appeals to the public. This showed Americans that the media can negatively affect anyone’s life forever. â€Å"The glorification of violence, drug abuse and other unhealthy habits has a major role in the outburst of unfortunate incidents where children have gotten extremely violent and out of control. Be it the advertisements touting products that promise a fairer skin or bods-to-die for or the television shows and films, which portray violence, sexually explicit content and abusive language. There are music videos and rock bands that give out the message that alcohol; drugs and sex are an inevitable part of life. These ideals created by the media might not be necessarily appropriate† (Manohar). There is this â€Å"media frenzy† going on in America that not only teens are being affected, but also adults. There are misleading commercials or articles in the newspaper that lead people to believe things that are not true. Tabloids, television, and the internet will do anything to attract attention and for people to buy whatever they are selling. One the other hand, the media is a positive influence on the American culture as well. The media promotes education and learning,Show MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Mass Media On American Culture951 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of Mass Media Introduction Why is mass media influencing the American culture? This is what we are going to be discussing in this essay. It’s important that we understand where the media has come from and where it is now and the journey that it is taking the American culture in the last century. America has now explored what un-traditional media and it has a major impact on the culture called new media. What were the major developments in the evolution of mass media during theRead MoreThe Effects Of Mass Media On American Culture777 Words   |  4 Pages Effects of Mass Media Amanda Shock Media Influences on American Culture (HUM/186) 10/19/2015 Allyson Wells Effects of Mass Media There are many different effects of mass media. Where would the world be today without mass media? The world has evolved so much. From the written era all the way to the digital era, communication has changed so much. For instance, when the radio was invented it changed the way the news was communicated and provided entertainment. The television came soonRead MoreThe Effect of Mass Media on American Culture614 Words   |  2 PagesMass media is communication that reaches a large audience. This includes television, advertisement, the Internet, newspapers, and so on. Mass media is a significant effect in modern culture in America. It creates ideas and sustained within society not only send ideological messages out to the public but to advertise this ideas which are tend to manipulate our mantalities. The mass media interperts the views of the majority of the people, the working class, to have their greatest influence on individualsRead MoreMass Media Enslavement and Stupidity: Effects of Media on American Culture and Communication1782 Words   |  8 PagesAlthough Americans have been concerned about the moral principles involved with mass media approaches, it hasn’t stopped our society from continually investing money and time into fueling the mass media fire. In Tom Cooper’s (2008) In Between the Summits: What Americans Think About Media Ethics, he states: While some concerns such as deception, invasion of privacy, advertising saturation, and excessive violence apply to multiple channels of communication, others are medium specific. For exampleRead MoreEssay about Impact of Mass Media on Individuals, Society, and Culture1178 Words   |  5 PagesImpact of Mass Media on Individuals, Society, and Culture Mass media, over the years, has had a profound effect on American society, on its culture, and on the individuals exposed to the media. Mass media is a form of socialization, having a long-term effect on each member of American society. While mass media targets the individual in short-term intervals, the overall influence on them has been established as the consumer moves from one impressionable age category to another. The long or short-Read MoreCoca Cola s Social Media Strategy Essay1459 Words   |  6 PagesCoca-Colonization is the spreading of American culture through popular products, especially the soft beverage Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola is an example of a cultural item that is repeatedly displayed in American television shows, movies, and other forms of media that are viewed throughout the world. For example, according to Kevin Shively, author of â€Å"Lessons from Coca-Cola’s Social Media Strategy: Cohesive Campaigns and Creative Content† on Simplymeasured.com, â€Å"Interbrand ranks them as the third largestRead MoreEssay on Mass Media Society1 080 Words   |  5 PagesImpact of Mass Media on Individuals, Society, and Culture Mass media, over the years, has had a profound effect on American society, on its culture, and on the individuals exposed to the media. Mass media is a form of socialization, having a long-term effect on each member of American society. While mass media targets the individual in short-term intervals, the overall influence on them has been established as the consumer moves from one impressionable age category to another. The long or short-Read MoreInfuence of Entertainment Essay961 Words   |  4 PagesEntertainment Media Latishia Weldon HUM/186 March 4, 2013 Brandale Mills Influence of Entertainment Media America’s have shaped our culture though entertainment for media proposes for years. Entertainment media is how Americans attract the way of life. The social influences relay on the media entertainment for positive and negative images to help transform the minds of people. The culture of Americans have always been through television, computers, and entertainment. The values of our culture haveRead MoreInfluence of Entertainment Media969 Words   |  4 PagesEntertainment Media Latishia Weldon HUM/186 March 4, 2013 Brandale Mills Influence of Entertainment Media America’s have shaped our culture though entertainment for media proposes for years. Entertainment media is how Americans attract the way of life. The social influences relay on the media entertainment for positive and negative images to help transform the minds of people. The culture of Americans have always been through television, computers, and entertainment. The values of our culture haveRead MoreMass Media and Popular Culture953 Words   |  4 PagesMass Media and Popular Culture March, 2009 Let us face the facts, mass media and popular culture need each other to coexist. Furthermore, in todays society the mass media serves the interest of popular culture. Moreover, it is the vehicle of free speech in a diverse, multicultural society. In addition, mass media refers to communication via radio, televisions, movie theaters, television, newspapers, magazines, and, etc; thereby, reaching out to the larger audience. On the contrary, popular

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 1-3 Free Essays

string(29) " But the concierge was gone\." CHAPTER 1 Robert Langdon awoke slowly. A telephone was ringing in the darkness – a tinny, unfamiliar ring. He fumbled for the bedside lamp and turned it on. We will write a custom essay sample on The Da Vinci Code Chapter 1-3 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Squinting at his surroundings he saw a plush Renaissance bedroom with Louis XVI furniture, hand-frescoed walls, and a colossal mahogany four-poster bed. Where the hell am I? The jacquard bathrobe hanging on his bedpost bore the monogram: HOTEL RITZ PARIS. Slowly, the fog began to lift. Langdon picked up the receiver. â€Å"Hello?† â€Å"Monsieur Langdon?† a man’s voice said. â€Å"I hope I have not awoken you?† Dazed, Langdon looked at the bedside clock. It was 12:32 A. M. He had been asleep only an hour, but he felt like the dead. â€Å"This is the concierge, monsieur. I apologize for this intrusion, but you have a visitor. He insists it is urgent.† Langdon still felt fuzzy. A visitor? His eyes focused now on a crumpled flyer on his bedside table. THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PARIS proudly presents AN EVENING WITH ROBERT LANGDON PROFESSOR OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLOGY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY Langdon groaned. Tonight’s lecture – a slide show about pagan symbolism hidden in the stones of Chartres Cathedral – had probably ruffled some conservative feathers in the audience. Most likely, some religious scholar had trailed him home to pick a fight. â€Å"I’m sorry,† Langdon said, â€Å"but I’m very tired and – † â€Å"Mais, monsieur,†the concierge pressed, lowering his voice to an urgent whisper. â€Å"Your guest is an important man.† Langdon had little doubt. His books on religious paintings and cult symbology had made him a reluctant celebrity in the art world, and last year Langdon’s visibility had increased a hundred fold after his involvement in a widely publicized incident at the Vatican. Since then, the stream of self- important historians and art buffs arriving at his door had seemed never-ending. â€Å"If you would be so kind,† Langdon said, doing his best to remain polite,† could you take the man’s name and number, and tell him I’ll try to call him before I leave Paris on Tuesday? Thank you.† He hung up before the concierge could protest. Sitting up now, Langdon frowned at his bedside Guest Relations Handbook, whose cover boasted: SLEEP LIKE A BABY IN THE CITY OF LIGHTS. SLUMBER AT THE PARIS RITZ. He turned and gazed tiredly into the full-length mirror across the room. The man staring back at him was a stranger – tousled and weary. You need a vacation, Robert. The past year had taken a heavy toll on him, but he didn’t appreciate seeing proof in the mirror. His usually sharp blue eyes looked hazy and drawn tonight. A dark stubble was shrouding his strong jaw and dimpled chin. Around his temples, the gray highlights were advancing, making their way deeper into his thicket of coarse black hair. Although his female colleagues insisted the gray only accentuated his bookish appeal, Langdon knew better. If Boston Magazine could see me now. Last month, much to Langdon’s embarrassment, Boston Magazine had listed him as one of that city’s top ten most intriguing people – a dubious honor that made him the brunt of endless ribbing by his Harvard colleagues. Tonight, three thousand miles from home, the accolade had resurfaced to haunt him at the lecture he had given. â€Å"Ladies and gentlemen†¦Ã¢â‚¬  the hostess had announced to a full house at the American University of Paris’s Pavilion Dauphine,† Our guest tonight needs no introduction. He is the author of numerous books: The Symbology of Secret Sects, The An of the Illuminati, The Lost Language of Ideograms, and when I say he wrote the book on Religious Iconology, I mean that quite literally. Many of you use his textbooks in class.† The students in the crowd nodded enthusiastically. â€Å"I had planned to introduce him tonight by sharing his impressive curriculum vitae. However†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She glanced playfully at Langdon, who was seated onstage. â€Å"An audience member has just handed me a far more, shall we say†¦ intriguing introduction.† She held up a copy of Boston Magazine. Langdon cringed. Where the hell did she get that? The hostess began reading choice excerpts from the inane article, and Langdon felt himself sinking lower and lower in his chair. Thirty seconds later, the crowd was grinning, and the woman showed no signs of letting up. â€Å"And Mr. Langdon’s refusal to speak publicly about his unusual role in last year’s Vatican conclave certainly wins him points on our intrigue-o-meter.† The hostess goaded the crowd. â€Å"Would you like to hear more?† The crowd applauded. Somebody stop her, Langdon pleaded as she dove into the article again. â€Å"Although Professor Langdon might not be considered hunk-handsome like some of our younger awardees, this forty-something academic has more than his share of scholarly allure. His captivating presence is punctuated by an unusually low, baritone speaking voice, which his female students describe as ‘chocolate for the ears.’ The hall erupted in laughter. Langdon forced an awkward smile. He knew what came next – some ridiculous line about† Harrison Ford in Harris tweed† – and because this evening he had figured it was finally safe again to wear his Harris tweed and Burberry turtleneck, he decided to take action. â€Å"Thank you, Monique,† Langdon said, standing prematurely and edging her away from the podium. â€Å"Boston Magazine clearly has a gift for fiction.† He turned to the audience with an embarrassed sigh. â€Å"And if I find which one of you provided that article, I’ll have the consulate deport you.† The crowd laughed. â€Å"Well, folks, as you all know, I’m here tonight to talk about the power of symbols †¦Ã¢â‚¬  The ringing of Langdon’s hotel phone once again broke the silence. Groaning in disbelief, he picked up. â€Å"Yes?† As expected, it was the concierge. â€Å"Mr. Langdon, again my apologies. I am calling to inform you that your guest is now en route to your room. I thought I should alert you.† Langdon was wide awake now. â€Å"You sent someone to my room?† â€Å"I apologize, monsieur, but a man like this†¦ I cannot presume the authority to stop him.† â€Å"Who exactly is he?† But the concierge was gone. You read "The Da Vinci Code Chapter 1-3" in category "Essay examples" Almost immediately, a heavy fist pounded on Langdon’s door. Uncertain, Langdon slid off the bed, feeling his toes sink deep into the savonniere carpet. He donned the hotel bathrobe and moved toward the door. â€Å"Who is it?† â€Å"Mr. Langdon? I need to speak with you.† The man’s English was accented – a sharp, authoritative bark. â€Å"My name is Lieutenant Jerome Collet. Direction Centrale Police Judiciaire.† Langdon paused. The Judicial Police? The DCPJ was the rough equivalent of the U. S. FBI. Leaving the security chain in place, Langdon opened the door a few inches. The face staring back at him was thin and washed out. The man was exceptionally lean, dressed in an official-looking blue uniform. â€Å"May I come in?† the agent asked. Langdon hesitated, feeling uncertain as the stranger’s sallow eyes studied him. â€Å"What is this all about?† â€Å"My capitaine requires your expertise in a private matter.† â€Å"Now?† Langdon managed. â€Å"It’s after midnight.† â€Å"Am I correct that you were scheduled to meet with the curator of the Louvre this evening?† Langdon felt a sudden surge of uneasiness. He and the revered curator Jacques Sauniere had been slated to meet for drinks after Langdon’s lecture tonight, but Sauniere had never shown up. â€Å"Yes. How did you know that?† â€Å"We found your name in his daily planner.† â€Å"I trust nothing is wrong?† The agent gave a dire sigh and slid a Polaroid snapshot through the narrow opening in the door. When Langdon saw the photo, his entire body went rigid.† This photo was taken less than an hour ago. Inside the Louvre.† As Langdon stared at the bizarre image, his initial revulsion and shock gave way to a sudden upwelling of anger. â€Å"Who would do this!† â€Å"We had hoped that you might help us answer that very question, considering your knowledge in symbology and your plans to meet with him.† Langdon stared at the picture, his horror now laced with fear. The image was gruesome and profoundly strange, bringing with it an unsettling sense of deja vu. A little over a year ago, Langdon had received a photograph of a corpse and a similar request for help. Twenty-four hours later, he had almost lost his life inside Vatican City. This photo was entirely different, and yet something about the scenario felt disquietingly familiar. The agent checked his watch. â€Å"My capitaine is waiting, sir.† Langdon barely heard him. His eyes were still riveted on the picture. â€Å"This symbol here, and the way his body is so oddly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Positioned?† the agent offered. Langdon nodded, feeling a chill as he looked up. â€Å"I can’t imagine who would do this to someone.† The agent looked grim. â€Å"You don’t understand, Mr. Langdon. What you see in this photograph†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused. â€Å"Monsieur Sauniere did that to himself.† CHAPTER 2 One mile away, the hulking albino named Silas limped through the front gate of the luxurious brownstone residence on Rue La Bruyere. The spiked cilice belt that he wore around his thigh cut into his flesh, and yet his soul sang with satisfaction of service to the Lord. Pain is good. His red eyes scanned the lobby as he entered the residence. Empty. He climbed the stairs quietly, not wanting to awaken any of his fellow numeraries. His bedroom door was open; locks were forbidden here. He entered, closing the door behind him. The room was spartan – hardwood floors, a pine dresser, a canvas mat in the corner that served as his bed. He was a visitor here this week, and yet for many years he had been blessed with a similar sanctuary in New York City. The Lord has provided me shelter and purpose in my life. Tonight, at last, Silas felt he had begun to repay his debt. Hurrying to the dresser, he found the cell phone hidden in his bottom drawer and placed a call. â€Å"Yes?† a male voice answered. â€Å"Teacher, I have returned.† â€Å"Speak,† the voice commanded, sounding pleased to hear from him. â€Å"All four are gone. The three senechaux†¦and the Grand Master himself.† There was a momentary pause, as if for prayer. â€Å"Then I assume you have the information?† â€Å"All four concurred. Independently.† â€Å"And you believed them?† â€Å"Their agreement was too great for coincidence.† An excited breath. â€Å"Excellent. I had feared the brotherhood’s reputation for secrecy might prevail.† â€Å"The prospect of death is strong motivation.† â€Å"So, my pupil, tell me what I must know.† Silas knew the information he had gleaned from his victims would come as a shock. â€Å"Teacher, all four confirmed the existence of the clef de voute†¦the legendary keystone.† He heard a quick intake of breath over the phone and could feel the Teacher’s excitement. â€Å"The keystone.Exactly as we suspected.† According to lore, the brotherhood had created a map of stone – a clef de voute†¦or keystone – an engraved tablet that revealed the final resting place of the brotherhood’s greatest secret†¦ information so powerful that its protection was the reason for the brotherhood’s very existence. â€Å"When we possess the keystone,† the Teacher said,† we will be only one step away.† â€Å"We are closer than you think. The keystone is here in Paris.† â€Å"Paris? Incredible. It is almost too easy.† Silas relayed the earlier events of the evening†¦ how all four of his victims, moments before death, had desperately tried to buy back their godless lives by telling their secret. Each had told Silas the exact same thing – that the keystone was ingeniously hidden at a precise location inside one of Paris’s ancient churches – the Eglise de Saint-Sulpice. â€Å"Inside a house of the Lord,† the Teacher exclaimed. â€Å"How they mock us!† â€Å"As they have for centuries.† The Teacher fell silent, as if letting the triumph of this moment settle over him. Finally, he spoke. â€Å"You have done a great service to God. We have waited centuries for this. You must retrieve the stone for me. Immediately. Tonight. You understand the stakes.† Silas knew the stakes were incalculable, and yet what the Teacher was now commanding seemed impossible. â€Å"But the church, it is a fortress. Especially at night. How will I enter?† With the confident tone of a man of enormous influence, the Teacher explained what was to be done. When Silas hung up the phone, his skin tingled with anticipation. One hour, he told himself, grateful that the Teacher had given him time to carry out the necessary penance before entering a house of God. I must purge my soul of today’s sins.The sins committed today had been holy in purpose. Acts of war against the enemies of God had been committed for centuries. Forgiveness was assured. Even so, Silas knew, absolution required sacrifice. Pulling his shades, he stripped naked and knelt in the center of his room. Looking down, he examined the spiked cilice belt clamped around his thigh. All true followers of The Way wore this device – a leather strap, studded with sharp metal barbs that cut into the flesh as a perpetual reminder of Christ’s suffering. The pain caused by the device also helped counteract the desires of the flesh. Although Silas already had worn his cilice today longer than the requisite two hours, he knew today was no ordinary day. Grasping the buckle, he cinched it one notch tighter, wincing as the barbs dug deeper into his flesh. Exhaling slowly, he savored the cleansing ritual of his pain. Pain is good, Silas whispered, repeating the sacred mantra of Father Josemaria Escriva – the Teacher of all Teachers. Although Escriva had died in 1975, his wisdom lived on, his words still whispered by thousands of faithful servants around the globe as they knelt on the floor and performed the sacred practice known as† corporal mortification.† Silas turned his attention now to a heavy knotted rope coiled neatly on the floor beside him. TheDiscipline. The knots were caked with dried blood. Eager for the purifying effects of his own agony, Silas said a quick prayer. Then, gripping one end of the rope, he closed his eyes and swung it hard over his shoulder, feeling the knots slap against his back. He whipped it over his shoulder again, slashing at his flesh. Again and again, he lashed. Castigo corpus meum. Finally, he felt the blood begin to flow. CHAPTER 3 The crisp April air whipped through the open window of the Citroen ZX as it skimmed south past the Opera House and crossed Place Vend;me. In the passenger seat, Robert Langdon felt the city tear past him as he tried to clear his thoughts. His quick shower and shave had left him looking reasonably presentable but had done little to ease his anxiety. The frightening image of the curator’s body remained locked in his mind. Jacques Sauniere is dead. Langdon could not help but feel a deep sense of loss at the curator’s death. Despite Sauniere’s reputation for being reclusive, his recognition for dedication to the arts made him an easy man to revere. His books on the secret codes hidden in the paintings of Poussin and Teniers were some of Langdon’s favorite classroom texts. Tonight’s meeting had been one Langdon was very much looking forward to, and he was disappointed when the curator had not shown. Again the image of the curator’s body flashed in his mind. Jacques Sauniere did that to himself?Langdon turned and looked out the window, forcing the picture from his mind. Outside, the city was just now winding down – street vendors wheeling carts of candied amandes, waiters carrying bags of garbage to the curb, a pair of late night lovers cuddling to stay warm in a breeze scented with jasmine blossom. The Citroen navigated the chaos with authority, its dissonant two-tone siren parting the traffic like a knife. â€Å"Le capitaine was pleased to discover you were still in Paris tonight,† the agent said, speaking for the first time since they’d left the hotel. â€Å"A fortunate coincidence.† Langdon was feeling anything but fortunate, and coincidence was a concept he did not entirely trust. As someone who had spent his life exploring the hidden interconnectivity of disparate emblems and ideologies, Langdon viewed the world as a web of profoundly intertwined histories and events. The connections may be invisible, he often preached to his symbology classes at Harvard, but they are always there, buried just beneath the surface. â€Å"I assume,† Langdon said,† that the American University of Paris told you where I was staying?† The driver shook his head. â€Å"Interpol.† Interpol, Langdon thought. Of course.He had forgotten that the seemingly innocuous request of all European hotels to see a passport at check-in was more than a quaint formality – it was the law. On any given night, all across Europe, Interpol officials could pinpoint exactly who was sleeping where. Finding Langdon at the Ritz had probably taken all of five seconds. As the Citroen accelerated southward across the city, the illuminated profile of the Eiffel Tower appeared, shooting skyward in the distance to the right. Seeing it, Langdon thought of Vittoria, recalling their playful promise a year ago that every six months they would meet again at a different romantic spot on the globe. The Eiffel Tower, Langdon suspected, would have made their list. Sadly, he last kissed Vittoria in a noisy airport in Rome more than a year ago. â€Å"Did you mount her?† the agent asked, looking over. Langdon glanced up, certain he had misunderstood. â€Å"I beg your pardon?† â€Å"She is lovely, no?† The agent motioned through the windshield toward the Eiffel Tower. â€Å"Have you mounted her?† Langdon rolled his eyes. â€Å"No, I haven’t climbed the tower.† â€Å"She is the symbol of France. I think she is perfect.† Langdon nodded absently. Symbologists often remarked that France – a country renowned for machismo, womanizing, and diminutive insecure leaders like Napoleon and Pepin the Short – could not have chosen a more apt national emblem than a thousand-foot phallus. When they reached the intersection at Rue de Rivoli, the traffic light was red, but the Citroen didn’t slow. The agent gunned the sedan across the junction and sped onto a wooded section of Rue Castiglione, which served as the northern entrance to the famed Tuileries Gardens – Paris’s own version of Central Park. Most tourists mistranslated Jardins des Tuileries as relating to the thousands of tulips that bloomed here, but Tuileries was actually a literal reference to something far less romantic. This park had once been an enormous, polluted excavation pit from which Parisian contractors mined clay to manufacture the city’s famous red roofing tiles – or tuiles. As they entered the deserted park, the agent reached under the dash and turned off the blaring siren. Langdon exhaled, savoring the sudden quiet. Outside the car, the pale wash of halogen headlights skimmed over the crushed gravel parkway, the rugged whir of the tires intoning a hypnotic rhythm. Langdon had always considered the Tuileries to be sacred ground. These were the gardens in which Claude Monet had experimented with form and color, and literally inspired the birth of the Impressionist movement. Tonight, however, this place held a strange aura of foreboding. The Citroen swerved left now, angling west down the park’s central boulevard. Curling around a circular pond, the driver cut across a desolate avenue out into a wide quadrangle beyond. Langdon could now see the end of the Tuileries Gardens, marked by a giant stone archway. Arc du Carrousel. Despite the orgiastic rituals once held at the Arc du Carrousel, art aficionados revered this place for another reason entirely. From the esplanade at the end of the Tuileries, four of the finest art museums in the world could be seen†¦ one at each point of the compass. Out the right-hand window, south across the Seine and Quai Voltaire, Langdon could see the dramatically lit facade of the old train station – now the esteemed Musee d’Orsay. Glancing left, he could make out the top of the ultramodern Pompidou Center, which housed the Museum of Modern Art. Behind him to the west, Langdon knew the ancient obelisk of Ramses rose above the trees, marking the Musee du Jeu de Paume. But it was straight ahead, to the east, through the archway, that Langdon could now see the monolithic Renaissance palace that had become the most famous art museum in the world. Musee du Louvre. Langdon felt a familiar tinge of wonder as his eyes made a futile attempt to absorb the entire mass of the edifice. Across a staggeringly expansive plaza, the imposing facade of the Louvre rose like a citadel against the Paris sky. Shaped like an enormous horseshoe, the Louvre was the longest building in Europe, stretching farther than three Eiffel Towers laid end to end. Not even the million square feet of open plaza between the museum wings could challenge the majesty of the facade’s breadth. Langdon had once walked the Louvre’s entire perimeter, an astonishing three-mile journey. Despite the estimated five days it would take a visitor to properly appreciate the 65, 300 pieces of art in this building, most tourists chose an abbreviated experience Langdon referred to as â€Å"Louvre Lite† – a full sprint through the museum to see the three most famous objects: the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory.Art Buchwald had once boasted he’d seen all three masterpieces in five minutes and fifty-six seconds. The driver pulled out a handheld walkie-talkie and spoke in rapid-fire French. â€Å"Monsieur Langdonest arrive.Deux minutes.† An indecipherable confirmation came crackling back. The agent stowed the device, turning now to Langdon. â€Å"You will meet the capitaine at the main entrance.† The driver ignored the signs prohibiting auto traffic on the plaza, revved the engine, and gunned the Citroen up over the curb. The Louvre’s main entrance was visible now, rising boldly in the distance, encircled by seven triangular pools from which spouted illuminated fountains. La Pyramide. The new entrance to the Paris Louvre had become almost as famous as the museum itself. The controversial, neomodern glass pyramid designed by Chinese-born American architect I. M. Peistill evoked scorn from traditionalists who felt it destroyed the dignity of the Renaissance courtyard. Goethe had described architecture as frozen music, and Pei’s critics described this pyramid as fingernails on a chalkboard. Progressive admirers, though, hailed Pei’s seventy-one-foot-tall transparent pyramid as a dazzling synergy of ancient structure and modern method – a symbolic link between the old and new – helping usher the Louvre into the next millennium. â€Å"Do you like our pyramid?† the agent asked. Langdon frowned. The French, it seemed, loved to ask Americans this. It was a loaded question, of course. Admitting you liked the pyramid made you a tasteless American, and expressing dislike was an insult to the French. â€Å"Mitterrand was a bold man,† Langdon replied, splitting the difference. The late French president who had commissioned the pyramid was said to have suffered from a† Pharaoh complex.† Singlehandedly responsible for filling Paris with Egyptian obelisks, art, and artifacts. Franà §ois Mitterrand had an affinity for Egyptian culture that was so all-consuming that the French still referred to him as the Sphinx. â€Å"What is the captain’s name?† Langdon asked, changing topics. â€Å"Bezu Fache,† the driver said, approaching the pyramid’s main entrance. â€Å"We call him le Taureau.† Langdon glanced over at him, wondering if every Frenchman had a mysterious animal epithet. â€Å"You call your captain the Bull?† The man arched his eyebrows. â€Å"Your French is better than you admit, Monsieur Langdon.† My French stinks, Langdon thought, but my zodiac iconography is pretty good.Taurus was always the bull. Astrology was a symbolic constant all over the world. The agent pulled the car to a stop and pointed between two fountains to a large door in the side of the pyramid. â€Å"There is the entrance. Good luck, monsieur.† â€Å"You’re not coming?† â€Å"My orders are to leave you here. I have other business to attend to.† Langdon heaved a sigh and climbed out. It’s your circus. The agent revved his engine and sped off. As Langdon stood alone and watched the departing taillights, he realized he could easily reconsider, exit the courtyard, grab a taxi, and head home to bed. Something told him it was probably a lousy idea. As he moved toward the mist of the fountains, Langdon had the uneasy sense he was crossing an imaginary threshold into another world. The dreamlike quality of the evening was settling around him again. Twenty minutes ago he had been asleep in his hotel room. Now he was standing in front of a transparent pyramid built by the Sphinx, waiting for a policeman they called the Bull. I’m trapped in a Salvador Dali painting, he thought. Langdon strode to the main entrance – an enormous revolving door. The foyer beyond was dimly lit and deserted. Do I knock? Langdon wondered if any of Harvard’s revered Egyptologists had ever knocked on the front door of a pyramid and expected an answer. He raised his hand to bang on the glass, but out of the darkness below, a figure appeared, striding up the curving staircase. The man was stocky and dark, almost Neanderthal, dressed in a dark double-breasted suit that strained to cover his wide shoulders. He advanced with unmistakable authority on squat, powerful legs. He was speaking on his cell phone but finished the call as he arrived. He motioned for Langdon to enter. â€Å"I am Bezu Fache,† he announced as Langdon pushed through the revolving door. â€Å"Captain of the Central Directorate Judicial Police.† His tone was fitting – a guttural rumble†¦ like a gathering storm. Langdon held out his hand to shake. â€Å"Robert Langdon.† Fache’s enormous palm wrapped around Langdon’s with crushing force. â€Å"I saw the photo,† Langdon said. â€Å"Your agent said Jacques Sauniere himself did – â€Å" â€Å"Mr. Langdon,† Fache’s ebony eyes locked on. â€Å"What you see in the photo is only the beginning of what Sauniere did.† How to cite The Da Vinci Code Chapter 1-3, Essay examples

s Dream

Gatsby’s dream was the story of how he was constantly striving towards something, some goal he wished to conquer. Some dream he wished to live. He constantly moved around searching for the one goal he felt he could focus his energy on. Gatsby’s dream was inspired by the craving to conquer his goals. This striving always pushed Gatsby to better himself so that he might reach his goals. Even as a young child Gatsby revealed a strict list of daily activities that keep him busy from morning till night, physically mentally improving himself. It was this disciplined attitude that consistently pushed him towards improvement that inspired him to â€Å"pick out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock† (189). For he needed that focus point he could strive for, to work for, and to make himself better for. His â€Å"believed in the green light† (189), as he believed in his goals. He believed in the â€Å"future†¦ that eluded [him]† (189). And he promised himself that â€Å"tomorrow [he would] run faster, and stretch [his] arms further†¦.† so that â€Å"one fine morning† (189) he could reach his goal. Gatsby had â€Å"come a long way†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and was so close to his goal he felt â€Å"he could hardly fail to grasp it† (189). Gatsby sees his hard work about to pay off, he is about to conquer the goal he worked so hard and long for. However he failed to realize that his dream â€Å"was already behind him somewhere back in† (189) the west. His future and his dream had always been in the West, where the land of opportunity could quench his thirst an exciting new frontier. This dream was originated from the â€Å"Dutch sailors† who saw opportunity in the â€Å"new world† (189). They left their homeland in search of adventure, to expand and strive for some new frontier that could offer them the rewards and prizes their yearned for. This is very much Gatsby’s own story, he moved east seeking for his dream; riches, fame, maybe even the love of his life. He ... 's Dream Free Essays on A Midsummer Night\'s Dream A review of: A Midsummer Night’s Dream While viewing this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it was clear to the audience the intentions of the playwright. This was a story of love during the longest night is the summer season, and a story of immortals interfering with the relationships of mortal relationships. The play was intended to be comedic. Its dialogue contained much euphemism and perverted gestures, such as when the craftsmen performed their play before the Duke, there was a hole in the wall between the craftsman’s legs, and through this hole people kissed. It provoked good laughs out of the audience. As far as I know, the director kept the production true to the playwright’s intentions, although, as far as I understand, the play was cut significantly for time’s purpose. When interpreting a script, an actor or actress can put his or her own twist into their character, these actors did it well. The set was actually quite amazing. An incredible amount of time must have been invested in the building of the trees and walkways in the forest. The only objection I have to the scenery is the canopy that dropped from above during the Duke’s wedding. It was very basic, which was probably the intention of its designer, but gave it a lower quality look. The costumes of the craftsmen seemed too new to me, perhaps I was looking for a more crinkly, dirty look for the lower class of the society. Puck’s costume was boring, and I’m sure I could have found a person in the audience wearing nearly the same thing. Other than those few objections, I thought the costum es fit the characters well. The script, by William Shakespeare, was of course written the best it could have possibly been written. This was a great story, which begins slowly, to set up the second half of the play. The depiction of two separate worlds was clear, and the meekness of mortals versus the faeries was shown well. The actors did a proficient jo...

Hitchcocks Notorious in the Company of Antonio Damasio essays

Hitchcocks Notorious in the Company of Antonio Damasio essays Alfred Hitchcocks Notorious is an amazing film with an extreme depth of field. The film goes very fast, like an express train, or a feverish dream. It emphasizes expressive and poetic theory as opposed to formulaic and plodding. Notorious becomes essentially abstract, like an outline of things much deeper, more secretive, and unspoken. This film is one of great emotion. One goes from the highs and lows, and then from ecstasy to tragedy and back again. Antonio R. Damasio wrote the article entitled Descartes Error and the Future of Human Life. Contained within this article Damasio offers a superb realization of the power of emotion. Through this emotion he elucidates a poetic intelligence in film that lights up the screen and creates one of the greatest movies of all time. Notorious setting is a result of the confused politics and morality, both personal and collective of the immediate post- World War II period in America. At the start of the film, Alicia, the leading lady, has just been confronted with the facts of her fathers war crimes of treason in collaboration with the Nazis. This father is carted off to jail, and a government agent, Devlin, starts tailing Alicia, the daughter. Alicia is infamous for committing a misdemeanor like a harlot. She throws herself, over and over, against the rocky reefs of Devlin. She is a modern, post-war woman. Alicia is a hostess, and flirts with the fantasy of domesticity, and of being a wife: Marriage must be wonderful, she says, With this sort of thing going on every day. She wants to believe all that, but maybe shes not so sure. She needs the proof of love, commitment and trust from Devlin, if shes really going to have to give up being promiscuous. But at the same time, shes driven towards the flame of love. Alex is a very interesting character who was developed as deceitful an...

How to Study for a Law School Exam

How to Study for a Law School Exam In most instances, your grade in a course will depend entirely on one law school exam. If that sounds like a lot of pressure, well, quite frankly, it is, but theres good news! Some people in your class have to get As, so you might as well be one of them. The following five steps will help you ace any law school exam: Difficulty: Hard Time Required: Three months Heres How: Study all semester long.Be a diligent student throughout the semester by doing all the assigned reading, taking great notes, reviewing them after each week, and participating in class discussions. Law professors love to talk about seeing the forest for the trees; at this point you should focus on those trees, the main concepts your professor is covering. You can place them in the forest later.Join a study group.A great way to be sure youre understanding key concepts throughout the semester is to go over the readings and lectures with other law students. Through study groups, you can prepare for future classes by discussing assignments and fill in gaps in your notes from past lectures. It may take you a little while to find fellow students you click with, but its worth the effort. Not only will you be more prepared for the exam, youll also get used to talking out loud about cases and conceptsparticularly great if your professor uses the Socratic Method.Outline.Leading up to the readin g period, you should have a good grasp of major concepts, so now its time to pull them all together into the forest, if you will, in course outlines. Organize your outline based on the syllabus or your casebooks table of contents and fill in blanks with information from your notes. If you dont want to leave this until just before the exam, do it gradually throughout the semester; start a document with the major concepts, leaving large blank areas that you can fill in with information as you review it from your notes at the end of each week. Use past exams of professors to prepare.Many professors put past exams (sometimes with model answers) on file in the library; if your professor does so, be sure to take advantage. Past exams tell you what your professor considers the most important concepts in the course, and if a sample answer is included, be sure to study the format and copy it as best you can when you attempt other practice questions. If your professor offers review sessions or office hours, be sure to come prepared with a good understanding of past exams, which are also great for study group discussion.Improve your test-taking skills by learning from your past exams.If youve already been through a semester or more of law school exams, one of the best ways to improve your performance is by studying your past performances. If you can get copies of your exams, look at your answers and the model answers carefully. Note where you lost points, where you did the best, and also think back to how and when you preparedwhat worked and what may have been a waste of your time. Also be sure to analyze your exam-taking techniques as well, for example, did you use your time wisely during the test? What You Need: CasebookNotesOutlineTime

The Change in Business Office Manager - Problem Solving Case Study

The Change in Business Office Manager - Problem Solving - Case Study Example There could be diverse reactions from the business office staff upon hearing of the change that ranges from anxiety, confusion, relief, and a lot of questioning. Changes are often met initially with resistance as new processes or, in this situation, a new business office manager, could be perceived as threatening to disrupt equilibrium and the status quo. 3. What do you believe would have been the level of stress among the department’s staff before the change was announced and immediately after the change was announced? Why the difference, if any? I believe that the level of stress among the department’s staff before the change was announced was significantly high because lack of information would cause anxiety and fear on their job security and status. However, immediately after the change was announced, the level of stress is potentially lowered, especially when it was noted that a new manager is ready to assume the position. 4. What can the two working supervisors do to help control the stress level in the group during the week spent waiting for the new manager? The two working supervisors could assure the group that a new manager would already meet them on Monday and so, in the meantime, they could advise the staff to prepare to complete all responsibilities and tasks, as expected. This is important so that when the new manager comes, their department is ready to address whatever issues or concerns that could possibly be asked by the new manager within their department. The problem with the situation is the increasing workload within the department. The facts that were noted are increasing workload causing stress within the current staff; one staff is currently on leave making them undermanned; and the present number of personnel trying to keep up with the expanding workload. This is the identified problem because the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and growing work demands all come from this root cause.  Ã‚  

Management 4900 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Management 4900 - Essay Example It should state the result, its significance and any other conclusion(s), which may be relevant. Introduction: A novel mouse mutant and the corresponding protein, mKIAA058 (in the following ‘KIAA’), was identified and further analysed. In order to understand the functions of this gene/protein, a mouse strain containing a non-functional allele (mKiAA058-; Null-allele) was successfully established. First data indicated an autosomal recessive inheritance as heterozygous (KIAA+/-) as well as homozygous knockout (KIAA-/-) animals were identified. The deficiency of this protein (‘Knockout KIAA’) affects multiple tissues, including skeletal defects (delayed/reduced development of bone and cartilage; growth retardation) as well as a progressive form of vascular degeneration. Later, a corresponding disease in humans was found in a small number of very young patients. The prospects of the patients are not clear at the time and the analysis of the mouse model may provide some hints for the severity of the disease. The analyses of the molecular mechanisms underlyi ng the disease are still ongoing and some problems and experiments linked to these studies are given in the following. Statistical tests may be used to answer some of the questions. In order to define potential effects of the presence/absence of the KIAA protein on the inheritance patterns, a number of breedings were performed. The genotypes of the parents were known and the genotypes of the litters (age: 14-16 days) were analysed by allele-specific PCR reactions. In three parallel experiments (1.1, 1.2, 1.3), crossings of 5 wildtype males (KIAA+/+) with 10 heterozygous females (KIAA+/-) were started and all litters (given as total number of mice) were genotyped and the numbers of all possible genotypes are given in the following Table 1. All tested mice appear normal and show no altered phenotype at the tested age (day 14-16). In three parallel

Rocketry :: Essays Papers

Rocketry, the use of rocket power as a propulsion mechanism, has changed the boundaries of man’s domain.Before the advent of efficient rocket power, space flight was seen as an impossibility and exclusively the subject of science fiction stories.The nature of rocket power changed in the early twentieth century when a man named Robert Hutchings Goddard focused his research and his entire life on efficient rocket propulsion.Rocket power had been thought of long before Goddard’s time, but he was the first to have success with it. The earliest record of rocket propulsion dates to 1232 CE from China.Chinese Chronicles of the battle of Kai-Feng make mention of a â€Å"flying fiery arrow† that was used during battles â€Å"with telling effect against invading Mongol hordes† (xiii Goddard & Pendray).This object was a form of what we now call fireworks that was packaged with more propellant.During the middle ages, other objects were adapted from the Chinese invention in many other countries and were also used as a weapon to confuse, and to a lesser extent attack, the enemy.This practice was continued into the late eighteen hundreds. Rocketry did not progress greatly for a long time after its first uses.The next large advancement came from Hermann Ganswindt (1856-1934) of Germany.Ganswindt was a failed lawyer whose real passion was for science.He predicted rocket propulsion in theory and made the first design that was sound in principle in 1891.Ganswindt proposed his ideas to the German War Ministry, but was sadly rejected and was looked on as a non-professional scientist trying to do professional work.He had made the underlying theory that is used in modern space ships, but the theory was â€Å"too far in advance of his time for it to be understood†(23 Gartmann).Subsequently, Ganswindt had no success or advancement in the field and lost all his money in the aftermath of World War I preceding his death in 1934. Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion had been published and widely known for quite some time by this point, but Konstantin Tsiolkovski saw that the third law of motion provided the mechanism for successful rocket propulsion in space.In 1898, Tsiolkovski completed and published The Exploration of Cosmic Space by Rocket.The book meticulously and rigorously set forth the calculations associated with rocket propulsion.This act was the mathematical quantification of rocketry.When the calculations are examined, the physics of the propulsion showed that a liquid fuel, as opposed to a solid or composite propellant, would prove to be a more efficient power source and Tsiolkovski asserted that a liquid fuel would be necessary.

Total Project Control: a Manager’s Guide to Integrated Project Planning, Measuring, and Tracking

3/11/04 Total Project Control: A Manager's Guide to Integrated Project Planning, Measuring, and Tracking By Stephen A. Devaux, published by John Wiley & Sons, NY, 1999 (A book review by R. Max Wideman) Introduction Stephen Devaux published this book in 1999. In it, Stephen attempts to establish a common metric, quantitative data and analysis, by which the project can not only be managed, but also compared to every other project conducted by the organization. In his Preface, Stephen observes: 1 â€Å"The head of a construction company erecting a downtown skyscraper, the pharmacologist overseeing clinical trials for a new drug, the account manager supervising the development of a database for a Fortune 100 client – all three are engaged in project management. Yet chances are that the things they do are very different. . . . But out side of the work itself, all these projects actually have a great deal in common. †¢ Each has a schedule . . . †¢ Each has resources . . . †¢ Each has a budget . . . †¢ Each is going to run into unforeseen circumstances . . Most important of all, each has a scope of work to be accomplished. [But] traditional project management [methodologies] are unable to deal with work scope in an acceptable quantifiable manner. As a result, traditional project management â€Å"factors out† work scope from the management process by assuming it to be a â€Å"prerequisite† to the process . The traditional approach is: â€Å"Once you determine your work scope, we can provide you with a multitude of quantitative techniques for planning, scheduling, resource budgeting, and tracking your project. All of these techniques are based on a defined and constant work scope. †¦ However, the work itself is never quantified in a way that can support decision making. . . Other than saying that â€Å"Scope definition is important,† modern project management is silent. † As many of us have experienced, for example in software development, project scope can in fact be highly variable. Since the book was written, there has been an exponential increase in these types of projects giving rise to interest in project portfolio management. So, there is clearly a need for a common metric upon which acceptance or rejection of competing projects can be based. This is true whether the projects are contemplated or on going, and extends to decisions on changes to their respective work scopes. As Stephen observes:2 Precisely because work scope varies greatly from project to project, and even over time, within a single project, the ability to manage that changing work scope is vital: †¢ To ensure a satisfactory level of quality for acceptable cost. AEW Services, Vancouver, BC  ©2004 Email: [email  protected] ca Total Project Control Page 2 of 7 †¢ †¢ †¢ To select the best elements of scope to cut when forced to do so in order to meet schedule and/or budgetary requirements. To increase scope where the project's return on investment (ROI) can be enhanced by the additional deliverables(s) To determine which of many possible project work scopes should be undertaken as part of the multi-project portfolio. In his book, Stephen introduces a number of metrics with catchy names to support his â€Å"theories†. We'll describe some of these in our next section. Book Structure Total Project Control, referred to throughout as â€Å"TPC†, consists of eleven chapters as follows: 1. The Nature of a Project 2. An Overview of TPC Planning 3. An Overview of Planning the Work 4. Planning the Work Scope 5. Developing the Work Breakdown Structure 6. Scheduling I: The Critical Path Method (CPM) 7. Scheduling II: The Precedence Diagram method (PDM) 8. Activity-Based Resource Assignments 9. Resource Scheduling and Leveling 10. Tracking and controlling the Project 11. Conclusion Stephen just loves acronyms. His first â€Å"new metric, the â€Å"DIPP†, which he claims is fundamental to TPC3 is first mentioned in chapter 1. However, it is not explained until chapter 2, and even then only after introducing the â€Å"CLUB†, Cost of Leveling with Unresolved Bottlenecks, and â€Å"AIM FIRE† his acronym for the management cycle of Aware, Isolate, Measure, Forecast, Investigate, Review and Execute. So, what does DIPP stand for? We had to search the index to find out and guess what – it stands for Devaux's Index of Project Performance! DIPP has a formu la which is EMV (expected monetary value of the project, as of the current completion date) divided by ETC (estimated cost to complete the project. Chapter 2 also mentions Stephen's VBS (value breakdown structure)5 but it is not until chapter 5 that we learn that it is a TPC concept that brings the scope/cost/schedule triangle of value analysis down to the micro-project or activity level. 6 Chapter 5 introduces another concept, the DRAG (Devaux's Removed Activity Gauge) that is the quantification of the amount of time each activity is adding to the project. It is the opposite of total float, and like total float, since it only exists on the critical path activities, it is the amount of time an activity can be shortened before it has a DRAG of zero and another path becomes critical. A good explanation of its use is given in chapter 7. A metric for the resource elasticity of an activity, called DRED, again is mentioned in chapter 6, but is explained in chapter 7. It turns out it stand s for Doubled Resource Estimated Duration and is an estimate of how long it would take if the rate of resource usage anticipated in estimating its duration were to be AEW Services, Vancouver, BC  © 2004 Email: [email  protected] ca Total Project Control Page 3 of 7 doubled. Consequently it is an index of resource elasticity. But perhaps the high point is another acronym called RAD that appears in chapter 9. Chapter 9 is a discussion of the parameters surrounding resource scheduling, leveling and availability, both on and off the critical path, and the calculation of DRAG. Stephen explains that there are three different causes of DRAG:9 1. Delay due to the logic of the work, i. e. CPM schedule DRAG, 2. Delay due to other ancestor activities, which unavoidably push out the schedule of the successor, and 3. Delay due to the specific activity having to wait for resources, which we will call resource availability DRAG or RAD. So there you have the definition of RAD. In practice, RAD itself has mathematical constraints and the calculation is complex, requiring computer software. Stephen provides the formula and explanation, but you can skip this section if you wish. The point is, this metric is typically not calculated, so the real impact of unavailable or over stretched resources on projects as a whole is unknown to the organization and hence not accounted for when it comes to assessing project failures. What we liked This may ound like fun stuff with acronyms, but behind it all is the serious issue of â€Å"How can any investment decision be made, on a quantified basis, unless there is at least some sense of what value awaits a successful outcome? â€Å"10 Indeed, Stephen might have added â€Å"or even what constitutes a quantified successful outcome? † Later, Stephen answers his own question by observing â€Å"There are thousands of corporate organizations that depend on projects for more than 90 percent of their revenues. Yet, other than intuitively, they have no way of tying the projects they do to their profits. 11 Even under traditional project management, an absolute minimum data for each project in a portfolio should be the expected monetary value, the current completion date, and the cost estimate to complete. 12 Actually, having worked for respectable real estate development companies, we can state that these concepts are well known to them. However, having also worked with software development organizations, it appears that these metrics are not only rare but tend to be foreign to proponents of the latest forms of software development project management. Under Stephen's TPC approach, the data required is even more profound. In a portfolio of projects, it should consist of:13 †¢ Project Name †¢ Expected Monetary Value †¢ As of (i. e. Current reporting date) †¢ Current Completion Date †¢ Loss per Week Late (%) †¢ Gain per Week Early (%) †¢ New Expected Value †¢ Cost Estimate to Complete †¢ Simple DIPP Note the addition of the time value of being ahead or behind schedule, not in terms of project overhead AEW Services, Vancouver, BC  © 2004 Email: [email  protected] ca Total Project Control Page 4 of 7 costs but in terms of gain or loss in value of the product to the organization. Stephen provides many examples of his approach, although not all calculations are explicit. Stephen wades into the assembly of work breakdown structures, and CPM scheduling to illustrate his theories. On the question of how do you plan the work scope, he suggests: 14 â€Å"Each type of project is different, and each project is different. It is therefore difficult to set hard-and-fast rules for assembling scope documents. The best idea I have found is to †¢ Start with the benefits you want to achieve, †¢ Incorporate them into a business plan, †¢ Then move as rapidly as possible to a concrete image of the thing that will provide those benefits. † This is sound advice [The bullets are mine, by the way. On the matter of estimating, Stephen offers more sound advice:15 The person who is going to be responsible for the work should be the one who generates the estimates. This is probably the most important contributor to accurate estimates. The reasons for this are: 1. This person will be a subject matter expert, trained in the discipline necessary for the par ticular work. 2. This person is the only one who will know precisely how he or she plans to do the work. 3. He or she will usually have a vested interest in meeting his own commitment, and establishing the reliability of his or her own estimates. Unfortunately, the practicality in many cases is that, (a) the contributors don't know how to estimate, (b) they don't want to estimate, and (c) if they are really busy, they don't have the time to estimate. Still, it does suggest that estimating ought to be a part of production skills. Downside Under Scope/Cost/Schedule Integration, Stephen observes: 16 â€Å"Work scope is the foundation on which the whole project rests. It is the reason for doing the project – to obtain the value that will accrue from the work . . . Once we recognize this, two things come into clearer focus: 1. Quantifying scope is important. It is directly related to profitably. In a project-driven company, if you haven't quantified project scope, you cannot accurately estimate, or work to increase, profit 2. The metric used to quantify scope is the dollar. To be precise, the expected dollar that measures the value that the project is undertaken to generate. † But Stephen skates round the issue of how you arrive at this expected value by stating â€Å"Now, how one goes about estimating the value of a project is a topic of its own, beyond the scope of this book. 17 Unfortunately, that means the whole premise of his book rests on an undefined EMV parameter – which itself is changing due to external influences. Stephen's thesis, and consequent metrics, relies on a tacit assumption. This is that you have projects where the activities can all be identified, their resource requirements established and the time and cost of AEW Services, Vancouver, BC  © 2004 Email: [email  prote cted] ca Total Project Control Page 5 of 7 each reasonably accurately estimated. And further, that those resources are sufficiently flexible that schedule changes can be accommodated. On most projects, this is unreasonable, and for projects in the early part of their life span, this is patently impossible. Some of the metrics may be open to question. For example, Glen Alleman, VP, Program Management Office at CH2M HILL has commented on the DIPP formula (i. e. EMV divided by ETC), as follows:18 â€Å"There are several issues with the DIPP equation. 1. The denominator creates a â€Å"divide by zero† error as the project reaches the end and the estimate to complete approaches zero. This is poor behavior of a performance indicator not a ratio of two values drawn from the same time sample. . The indicator has nonlinear behavior over its life cycle. 3. The ETC value in the equation needs to be the sum of multiple estimates to complete, since EMV is the sum of all possible outcomes. The equation's ETC is a point value with no index i to correlate with EMV's sum across the indices of possible outcomes. The primary issue here is that DIPP does not include the sunk costs of the project. â€Å"Devaux states these are not necessary for the assessment of completion decisions. In fact the estimate to complete is based on the previous performance. The ‘performance factor for remaining work' is most often derived from the performance of the previous work. Past is a predictor of the future. The sunk costs are accruals and burden the net profit of the project. Ignoring sunk costs is not only poor financial management it is poor project management as well. The sunk costs must be paid by â€Å"someone. † The project manager must consider whom and how much is to be paid in assessing future decisions for the project. Ignoring these is like driving in the rear view mirror. It can be done, but not recommended. † We may not agree entirely with Glen's assessment, but the point is well taken. Another bone of contention is about reserves. Stephen cites the example of catching a plane under a plan based on median time estimates. Such a plan would probably mean that we would miss the plane 50% of the time. Clearly this is unacceptable so we must add contingency time. Stephen then says this is sometimes called â€Å"management reserve† and19 â€Å"There is an important difference between management reserve and padding. Management reserve is always added either at the end of the project, or immediately before a major milestone. It belongs to the project manager and the entire project. We agree with the intent but not the definitions. In our view, â€Å"Contingency† should provide for variances in durations and belongs to the project manager. â€Å"Management Reserve†, as the name implies, should belong to management for possible changes in scope (like picking up a coffee and donut at the airport), and â€Å"Padding† is a political issue and should be a no, no. Still, where workers are required to work on several projects concurrently, may be it is necessary to cover loss of productivity because as Stephen says: â€Å"Such multitasking is one of the great time wasters of corporate projects. 20 But here's a thought. If we are in DRED of missing that plane we just talked about, how much safer would we be if we doubled our resources and had two people running to catch that plane? AEW Services, Vancouver, BC  © 2004 Email: [email  protected] ca Total Project Control Page 6 of 7 Summary It is time that project management practitioners started a serious dialogue on the subject of managing scope as one of the variables, and perhaps the key variable, in project management. Ask not what is the cost of this project, or change, and can we afford it? Ask instead, what is the value to the organization of this project, or change, is it worth it and how does it stack up against our other options? Some may argue that a dollar value metric is not pertinent to their particular type of project, but whichever way you look at it, money is the only common vehicle for comparison between projects in a portfolio. Stephen sums up his position at the end of chapter 1 by observing:21 †¢ The purpose of a project is not to be short or inexpensive, but to make a profit. It should be managed in such a way as to maximize that profit. All the work, and all aspects of the project that impact its profit should be analyzed together, in an integrated way that shows the effect of the various alternatives on the project profit. †¢ Each project that is managed in a context with other projects should be analyzed in an integrated way that shows the effects of each (ostensibly internal) project decision on all other projects, and, specifically, on the multi-project profit. †¢ Insofar as projects are managed without regard to profit, bad (profit-reducing) decisions will be made, both randomly and systematically, throughout the organization. Stephen's book was first published five years ago. In our experience it takes about that long for new ideas to sink into the collective psyche of the project management populace. So, we share Stephen's view. It is time that project sponsors and the creators of the enterprise planning software they use (if any) figure out how to incorporate these variable scope and value concepts, and apply them to their projects. Then, perhaps, we will be in a better position to demonstrate that the traditional definition of project success of being â€Å"On time and within budget† is short term and very narrowly focused. We think that Stephen Devaux's book makes a valuable contribution to the discussion of project and portfolio management, planning and tracking. However, some things have changed in the last five years, or are better understood, so we sincerely hope that Stephen will consider updating and reissuing his book â€Å"Total Project Control†. If he does, we hope he will also add a glossary. R. Max Wideman Fellow, PMI 1 2 Devaux, S. A. , Total Project Control, Wiley, NY, 1999, p xvii Ibid. p xix 3 Ibid. p22 4 Ibid. p7 5 Ibid. p32 6 Ibid. p93 7 Ibid. 139 AEW Services, Vancouver, BC  © 2004 Email: [email  protected] ca Total Project Control Page 7 of 7 8 9 Ibid. p184 Ibid. p257 10 Ibid. p xix 11 Ibid. p8 12 Ibid. p9 13 Ibid. p12 14 Ibid. p63 15 Ibid. p105 16 Ibid. p30 17 Ibid. p31 18 Alleman, G. , The DIPP Formula Control Flag, An Assessment of the DIPP Indicator, Viewpoints, Project Management World Today, November-December 2003, http://www. pmforum. org/pmwt03/viewpoints03-11. htm 19 Devaux, S. A. , Total Project Control, Wiley, NY, 1999, p113 20 Ibid. p114 21 Ibid. p14 AEW Services, Vancouver, BC  © 2004 Email: [email  protected] ca

Freud s Psychoanalytic Theory Of Personality - 1384 Words

In this paper I am going to talk about Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality. I will describe what his theory is about and about what my thoughts are about if I would use this technique or not in my way in counseling. I will also describe different ways that I would still use the Freud’s technique but in my own unique way. Sigmund Freud s psychoanalytic theory of personality argues that human behavior is the result of the interactions among three component parts of the mind: the id, ego, and superego. This theory, known as Freud s structural theory of personality, places great emphasis on the role of unconscious psychological conflicts in shaping behavior and personality. Dynamic interactions among these fundamental parts of the mind are thought to progress through five distinct psychosexual stages of development. Over the last century, however, Freud s ideas have since been met with criticism, in part because of his singular focus on sexuality as the main driver of human personality development. According to Freud, our personality develops from the interactions among what he proposed as the three fundamental structures of the human mind: the id, ego, and superego. Conflicts among these three structures, and our efforts to find balance among what each of them desires, determines how we behave and approach the world. What balance we strike in any given situation determines how we will resolve the conflict between two overarching behavioral tendencies:Show MoreRelatedPsychoanalytic Criticism Of Freud s Theory Of Human Personality Essay1039 Words   |  5 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚   Psychoanalytic criticism is built upon Sigmund Freud’s psychological theories of the unconscious, the desires, and the defenses. 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