Penguins Essays (1060 words) - Flightless Birds, Penguins

Penguins Myopic little men in tuxedos, or highly efficient land/water animals? Recent research indicates there's more to penguins than meets the eye. If you've every wondered what it would be like to be able to see as clearly under water as you can on land, just ask the nearest penguin.Most aquatic animals are short-sighted on land. Most terrestrial animals (and that includes us) are far-sighted under water. But researchers have discovered that penguins can apparently see equally well in both environments, because of the unique structure of their eyes. Penguins have to be able to see well under water because their diet consists mainly of plankton, molluscs, crustaceans, and the inevitable fish. Through a special slowing-down of their heart rate they're able, like many other diving animals, to stay submerged long enough to search out and chase whatever catches their fancy. On dry land, it's a different story-or has been up to now. Waddling along on their flat little feet, eyes fixed intently o n the ground, penguins appear myopic, inefficient and generally out of place. In fact the reverse is true. During a recent stay on the Falkland Islands, a Canadian researcher discovered that penguins are able to recognize individuals and navigate the rocky terrain on which they live quite well. Long of body and short of leg, they probably poke their heads forward as an aid to balance. And as for looking at the ground, they're merely-like us-keeping an eye on where they're going. The human eye is adapted for aerial vision, which is why scuba divers-or even you and I in the local swimming pool-must wear goggles or a face mask to re-introduce air in front of our eyes in order to see clearly. Among vertebrates in general, the bird eye is frequently described as the most efficient. Its superior quality, combined with the fact that a large number of birds-cormorants, pelicans, seagulls, even ducks, as well as penguins-get their food from water, obviously deserved research beyond that poss ible in a controlled environment such as an aquarium or zoo. Professor Jacob Sivak of the University of Waterloo and his associate, Professor Howard Howland of Cornell University, had a chance to do that research recently. Their trip had but one purpose-to study the structure of penguins' eyes while observing their natural habitat. The Falkland Islands, off the coast of Argentina, offered this opportunity, being one the few areas outside Antarctica where penguins can be found in large numbers. Three of the 16 known species were located there: the Gentoo, which live on flat areas right off the beach; the Magellan (also called Jackass), which live in burrows; and the Rock-hoppers, which live among the rocks along the cliffs. The Rock-hoppers were by far the most common, having a population of well over 100,000. The general rule is, the smaller the penguin, the meaner the temperament, and the researchers did witness the odd fight. Their flippers may look pretty useless out of water, b ut it's not smart to play around with a penguin. Hel'll stand his ground in a face-off and if you're foolish enough to get too close, those flippers can knock you flat. Dr. Sivak and his associate, however, had little trouble. Rock-hoppers always congregate in fairly tight groups, as a defense against predatory birds such as the skua (a large seagull that thinks it's a hawk), and two more upright figures in their midst didn't seem to bother them. Standing as close to their subjects as 0.3m, the scientists used two devices: one, developed by Professor Howland, to take photographs of the penguins' eyes; the othger, developed by Dr. Sivak, to shine a series of concentric circles on the cornea and give a measurement of how reflections of objects are altered by curvature of the eye. Despite the fact all the work had to be done at night-the only time the penguins' pupils were dilated enough-the results were worth it. Comparison of the photographs with similar photos of human eyes, and st udy of the internal structure of the eyes of creatures discovered killed by seal lions, proved the scientists' theory that the penguin's eyes are the secret of its survival. In general terms, a penguin eye and a human

Analysis of Their Eyes Were Watching God - The American Dream essays

Analysis of Their Eyes Were Watching God - The American Dream essays This story's title come from the passage, "They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God" (God 151). Dreams are an important part of this book, and they represent the ideas, values, goals, and topics that are essentially American. The author shows that men and women often have different dreams and different goals, and that is why many relationships do not work. She believes that women's dreams symbolize truth, and men's dreams symbolize hope and often resignation. The author is saying that the American dream may come true right away, but often the dreams amount to nothing. She writes, "Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men. Now, women forget all those things they don't want to remember, and remember everything they don't want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly" (God 1). Ultimately, her theme and goal is to show that the American dream is the "truth" of the American spirit, and that dreaming of happiness and success is what keeps many Americans going every day. This is a very American theme, because it has happened repeatedly in America. People with nothing come here, become successful, and begin new lives, just as Janie earns her freedom and happiness by the end of the novel. She has lived a hard life, and that is essential in the American dream, too. Finding a dream is never easy, and Jamie's life shows that. However, she has persevered, and outlived two men who were not the ideal man, and she has learned about herself in the process. That is also a very American goal in finding happiness and fulfillment. Learning about yourself in the process is important and can make the success even more fulfilling. ...

Teetotaller - Definition and Origin

Teetotaller - Definition and Origin Definition: A teetotaller is someone who totally abstains from liquor. In the 19th century, the Preston Temperance Society in England and, later, the American Temperance Union encouraged a pledge of abstinence from intoxicating liquor, as part of the temperance movement. Those who had signed the pledge were asked to use a T with their signature to mean total abstinence. The T plus the total led to those whod signed the pledge being called T-totallers or teetotallers. The term was in use as early as 1836 when an explanation of it as meaning total abstainer appeared in print. From there, the term came to be used more generally, for anyone who voluntarily committed to abstinence, or simply for a nondrinker. The Pledge The pledge of temperance from the Preston Temperance Society (in Preston, England) read: We agree to abstain from all liquors of an intoxicating quality whether ale, porter, wine or ardent spirits, except as medicine. Also Known As: Abstainer, dry, nondrinker, prohibitionist Other words for teetotalism:  Abstinence, temperance,  abstemiousness, on the wagon, dry, sober. Alternate Spellings: t-totaller, teetotaler Examples: First Lady Lucy Hayes, wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, was known as Lemonade Lucy because, as a teetotaller, she did not serve liquor in the White House. Henry Ford required a teetotaller pledge for those he hired in his new auto production industry, to promote better productivity and workplace safety. Learn more about how teetotallism fit into the more general movement to limit or ban the use of alcoholic beverages: Temperance Movement and Prohibition Timeline Image: the image included is an example of the Victorian era pledge, complete with very Victorian floral embellishment. Religious groups that require or encourage abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages: Assembly of God,  Bahai, Christian Science,  Islam, Jainism, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS. also known as the Mormon Church), Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Church of Christ, Sikhism, Salvation Army.   Also, some Hindu and Buddhist sects, and some Mennonite and Pentecostal groups. Methodists in English and American history often taught abstinence but rarely do that currently. In the Victorian era, many in both the Evangelical and Unitarian movements taught at least restraint, if not temperance and teetotalling. Most of those religions that prohibit alcohol do so on the grounds that it is harmful, that it inhibits mindfulness, or can easily lead to unethical behavior. Some famous women teetotallers: In history, women becoming teetotallers was often an expression of religious values, or was based on general social reform principles.   In the modern world, some women become teetotallers for such reasons, and others because of a past history of alcoholism or alcohol abuse. Tyra Banks: a model and actress.Susan Boyle: singer.Pearl S. Buck: writer, won Nobel Prize for Literature, 1938.Faye Dunaway: actress.Janeane Garofalo: actress.Kathy Griffin: comedian.Elisabeth Hasselbeck: television personality.Jennifer Hudson: singer.Carrie Nation: temperance activist.Kelly Osbourne: actress.Marie Osmond: singer.Natalie Portman: actress.Anna Quindlen: writer.Christina Ricci: actress.Anne Rice: writer.Linda Rondstadt: singer.Sarah Silverman: comedian, actress and writer.Jada Pinkett Smith: actress.Lucy Stone: womens rights activist.Mae West: actress.  Frances Willard: temperance reformer.

Information Paper on World War I Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Information on World War I - Research Paper Example Historians have identified three direct main causes that led to the war. They are the conflict between the Central Powers like Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Ottoman Empire and the Allied Powers like France, Russia, Britain, Italy and the United States. Widespread militarism and economic imperialism pushed the ambitious leadership of the countries to the warzone. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the flashpoint that sparked the war. That was on June 28, 1914 when a Bosnian Serb student by name Gavrilo Princip, shot and killed him. Ferdinand was heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. That student wanted Serbia to be independent from the domain of Austria Hungary. The latter demanded that those responsible for the assignation must be punished .Stewart Ross writes â€Å"On 23rd July, 1914 Vienna sent Serbia an ultimatum that, if accepted, would have made Serbia virtually an Austro-Hungarian province. The Serbs had 48 hours to accept it—or face the consequences.à ¢â‚¬ (p.7)When Serbia did not comply with the demand and Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia. Serbia, as the ally of the Allied Powers, declared war on Austria Hungary. Central Powers intervened on behalf of the later and thus a chain reaction resulted and a full-fledged war was in the offing. Widespread militarism initiated the mind war first. The upper class with the stockpile of weapons and wealth in abundance remained suspect about the power of the other. Desire for maintaining the superior level of military power bothered them much. The Royal Navy of Britain was the envy of Germany and Austria Hungary as it was much superior to theirs. They thought that the ideal strategy to contain the naval might of Britain was to declare war. Economic imperialism empowered by trade with the foreign colonies was the strong point with Great Britain and France. Germany and Austria Hungary had few foreign colonies

Racial Profiling 2 Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Racial Profiling 2 - Annotated Bibliography Example "Why racial profiling is a bad idea, top seven arguments against racial profiling." About.com, civil liberties 2011: 1. Web. 17 Mar 2011. http://civilliberty.about.com/od/lawenforcementterrorism/tp/Against-Racial-Profiling.htm A popular columnist for the internet site about.com, Tom Head presents a look with seven concise points showing why the use of racial profiling is a bad idea. His list includes, Racial profiling doesn’t work, Racial profiling distracts law enforcement agencies from more useful approaches, racial profiling prevents police from serving the entire community, racial profiling prevents communities from working with law enforcement, racial profiling is a blatant violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, racial profiling can easily escalate into racially-motivated violence and the most important approach, racial profiling is morally wrong. Tom Head is not simply a columnist, he is a well-educated individual who holds a Masters of Arts in humanities from California State University, Dominguez Hills and is a Ph.D. candidate at Edith Cowan University.

Culture and Culturally Competent Counselors Essay Example for Free

Culture and Culturally Competent Counselors Essay Being Culturally Competent Letitia Batton Walden University Being Culturally Competent Counselors should have a sense of compassion and respect for people who are culturally different. As a social worker, it is easy to make diagnosis based on verbal and non-verbal presentation of our clients. Hays (2008) stated there are many factors to assess which include race, class, family structure, culture, relationships, religion, and generational/cultural influences. Based on the case study of Mrs. Hudson her externalizing behaviors may stem from an underlying anxiety disorder. It seems that her attacks are not medical in nature that is why she was referred by her primary doctor. She just recently started having these attacks and they happen out of the home and when she has to interact with others. Her assessment reveals that she is presently considered middle class, attended church prior to attacks, family oriented, and educated. Some potential concerns could be her daughter’s illness and past issues with her father that never got closure. Haitian culture relies on spiritual healing more so than Americanized tradition and this may be a big step for Mrs. Hudson (Pierce Elisme, 2001). Counselors must be trained and competent when implementing diagnosis with culturally diverse clients. (Sue, 2008). DSM-IV provides counselors a tool to evaluate client’s cultural context (Hays, 2008). This process helps counselor’s assess their client’s background, cultural explanation of their issues, client’s environment, relationships, and overall cultural assessment to diagnosis and treatment (APA, 2002). Researchers have argued that the DSM-IV does not accurately represent all minorities (APA, 2002). It is important that counselors understand the family structure in order to provide the most accurate assessment information possible. Unfortunately, counselors are not immune to stereotypes. Beliefs in stereotypes, whether conscious or not, may lead to incorrect diagnosis and misunderstandings between the clinician and the client (Hays, 2008). These beliefs may stem from television or news reports. If believed, they may cause counselor to incorrectly interpret the diagnosis. When this happens the client may become offended and end counseling. Counselors should have knowledge of their own general views, as well as specific knowledge about diverse client’s issues (Sue, 2008). Diversity in family structure should also be taken into consideration when formulating goals and assessing treatment success or failure (APA, 2002). Counselors also attempt to understand the cultural values of each client to gain feelings of trust. Some issues with culturally competent assessments is that it is not race specific and whether existing instruments measure the correct attributes, based on different cultures (Hays, 2008). Diversity plays a role in many aspects of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Clarity in these three characteristics may allow counselors to better assist families from diverse backgrounds and that will bring about better treatment outcomes (APA, 2002). Counselors should have an attitude of cultural humility in knowing their limits of knowledge and skills in rendering diagnosis with certainty than reinforcing stereotypes and generalizations (Sue, 2008). While guidelines exist for conducting a culturally competent assessment, few of these guidelines provide the link between the information gathered, the initial decision making, and the development of the treatment plan (APA, 2008).

Animal Farm as a Political Satire to Criticise Totalitarian Regimes Ess

Animal Farm as a Political Satire to Criticise Totalitarian Regimes This study aims to determine that George Orwell's Animal Farm is a political satire which was written to criticise totalitarian regimes and particularly Stalin's practices in Russia. In order to provide background information that would reveal causes led Orwell to write Animal Farm, Chapter one is devoted to a brief summary of the progress of author's life and significant events that had impact on his political convictions. Chapter one also presents background information about Animal Farm. Chapter two is devoted to satire. In this chapter, definition of satire is presented and some important characteristics of satire are discussed. In chapter three, the method of this research is described. Under the light of information presented in the previous chapters, Chapter four discusses Animal Farm and focuses on the book as a political satire. The last chapter presents the conclusion of this study.<font size="3">ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSI would first like to express my sincere thanks to my thesis supervisor, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Jashua M. Bear for his help and freedom he gave me in this study. Without his understanding this thesis would never have been completed.I also wish to thank my sister Fidan Korkut for her suggestions in the planning stage of this study and her endurance during my long study days at home.My special thanks go to Ãâ€"zgà ¼r Ceylan, who constantly granted me her moral support. She was always there when I needed her.<font face="3">THE AUTHOR: GEORGE ORWELLPresentationThis chapter introduces general information about George Orwell's life. It includes chronological progress of his life and his political convictions. Furthermore, important events, such as The Russian Revolution and The Spanish Civil War which had significant influence on his commitment to write Animal Farm will be discussed. Lastly, general information about Animal Farm will be given.His LifeThe British author George Orwell, pen name of Eric Arthur Blair, was born in Motihari, India, June 25, 1903. His father was an important British civil servant in India, which was then part of t he British Empire. A few years after Eric was born, he retired on a low pension and moved back to England. Though their income was not much enough, the Blair family sent their son away to boarding school which was an exclusive p... ...ed from primary and secondary sources.<font size="3">ANIMAL FARM AS SATIREPresentationIn this chapter, under the light of information given in the chapter-1 and chapter-2, Animal Farm will be examined. It aims at to show the elements of satire in Animal Farm, and to compare characters, events and some elements of Animal Farm and The Russian Revolution Elements of Satire In Animal FarmOrwell, as quoted before, clearly explains that his main purpose for writing Animal Farm was to write a satire on the Russian Revolution (In Shelden, 1991, p.399). Through animal satire, Orwell attacks on the Stalin's practices in Russia and in wider scope, on totalitarian regimes. Taking Bozkurt's (1977) classification into consideration, Animal Farm would be said to be a Juvenial satire. Since, it is clearly seen that Orwell bitterly criticise Russian Communism and Stalin.Summary of The PlotOne night after Farmer Jones has gone to bed drunk, all the animals of Manor Farm meet in the barn for a meeting. Old Major, the prize Middle White boar, wants to tell them about a strange dream he had. First, he narrate "the nature of life" as he has come to understand it. Animals, though work very hard.