Searching For Dark Matter, With Both Eyes Closed. Essays

Searching For Dark Matter, With Both Eyes Closed. Essays Searching For Dark Matter, With Both Eyes Closed. NYTimes Article Category #2. Ciara Jamie Connolly 05.02.00 Submitted 05.04.00 Searching For Dark Matter, With Both Eyes Closed. In a deficit-reduction measure in 1993, the Congress killed plans already underway for building the superconducting super collider. This proved that the US was ill prepared to join their European colleagues in studying subatomic particles in the nucleus. This $10 billion machine designed to speed protons around a 54-mile track and collide them, so scientists could examine the quarks, elementary particles said to be at the heart of the nucleus. This machine is the utmost in technological advancement this century. European physicists are leading the way with their laboratory, unchallenged in a prestigious field the United States had pioneered. Without particle smashers, scientists are in the dark, Michael Riordan states. This article fits into Category #2 because it shows the importance of the particle accelerators in helping ascertain scientific theories. If the theories hold true then billions of tiny particles may be the explanation of the dark matter that surrounds the Milky Way galaxy in a halo. These particles are thought to have a gravitational force. The United States do not have a dismal record of international co-operation on scientific megaprojects, and without this they will be unable to finance the project. Until now American scientists have had to travel to the sites of particle accelerators, in the technological domain of the machine they had thrived to build. However, this method will not work if the United States want to remain equal partners. Without the technology it is obvious that particle physicists face a difficult future. The technology that needs to be at their fingertips is proving too expensive. If they had constant access to a superconductor collider then the scientists could further their conclusions on the dark matter of the universe.

Serotiny and the Serotinous Cone

Serotiny and the Serotinous Cone Some tree species delay seed fall because their cones are dependent on a brief blast of heat to release seed. This dependency on heat during the seed production cycle is called serotiny and becomes a heat trigger for seed drop that may take decades to occur. Natural fire has to happen to complete the seed cycle. Although serotiny is primarily caused by fire, there are other seed release triggers that may work in tandem including periodic excess moisture, conditions of increased solar heat, atmospheric drying and parent plant death. Trees that have a serotinous tenancy in North America include some species of conifers including pine, spruce, cypress and sequoia. Serotinous trees in the southern hemisphere include some angiosperms like eucalyptus in fire-prone parts of Australia and South Africa. The Process of Serotiny Most trees drop their seeds during and just after the ripening period. Serotinous trees store their seeds in the canopy via cones or pods and wait for an environmental trigger. This is the process of serotiny. Desert shrubs and succulent plants depend on periodic rainfall for seed drop but the most common trigger for serotinous trees is periodic fire. Natural periodic fires occur globally, and on average, between 50 to 150 years. With naturally occurring periodic lightning fires over millions of years, trees evolved and developed the ability to resist high heat and eventually began using that heat in their reproduction cycle. The adaptation of thick and flame-resistant bark insulated the trees internal cells to direct flame and used the rising indirect heat from fire on cones to drop seed. In serotinous conifers, mature cone scales are naturally sealed shut with resin. Most (but not all) seeds stay in the canopy until the cones are heated to 122-140 degrees Fahrenheit (50 to 60 degrees Celsius). This heat melts the resin adhesive, the cone scales open to expose the seed that then drop or drift after several days to a burned but cool planting bed. These seeds actually do best on the burnt soil available to them. The site provides reduced competition, increased light, warmth and a short term increase of nutrients in the ash. The Canopy Advantage Seed storage in the canopy uses the advantage of height and breeze to distribute seed at the appropriate time onto a good, clear seedbed in satiating quantities enough for seed-eating critters. This masting effect increases the predator seed food supply to overabundance. With this abundance of newly added seed along with adequate germination rates, more seedlings than necessary will grow when moisture and temperature conditions are seasonally average or better. It is interesting to note that there are seeds that drop annually and are not a part of the heat-induced crop. This seed leakage seems to be a natural insurance policy against rare seed failures when conditions are adverse just after a burn and result in a full crop failure. What is Pyriscence? Pyriscence is often a word misused for serotiny. Pyriscence is not as much a heat-induced method for plant seed release, as it is an organisms adaptation to a fire-prone environment. It is the ecology of an environment where natural fires are common and where post-fire conditions offer the best seed germination and seedling survival rates for the adaptive species. A great example of pyriscence can be found in a southeastern United States longleaf pine forest ecosystem. This once large habitat is shrinking in size as fire is more and more excluded as land use patterns have changed. Although Pinus palustris is not a serotinous conifer, it has evolved to survive by producing seedlings that go through a protective grass stage. The initial shoot bursts in a brief bushy growth spurt and just as suddenly stops most top growth. Over the next few years, longleaf develops a significant tap root along with dense needle tufts. A compensating resumption of fast growth returns to the pine sapling around age seven.

International Money and Capital Markets Research Paper

International Money and Capital Markets - Research Paper Example A developed economy is defined by high level of economic activities including foreign trade resulting to high demand of foreign currency, especially hard currencies such as US dollar. A higher demand of foreign currency induces increase in exchange rate and the other way round (Taylor, 2001). Exchange rate shares an important relationship to relative price level because; price level establishes a link between foreign price and domestic price. Relative price difference or purchasing power parity is an important determinant of exchange rate as it recognizes various adjustments that need to be made in the exchange rate for maintaining equilibrium in the international currency rates (Auboin and Ruta, 2013). Trade flow can be categorized as trade inflow (import) and trade outflow (export). When the cost of foreign currency is relatively high, countries focus on greater export and less import while low exchange rate result in increasing level of import. However, frequent fluctuation in the exchange rate has negative impact on trade flow because of fluctuation in transaction and conversion costs (Auboin and Ruta, 2013). Interest rate is an influential factor with respect to fluctuation in exchange rate. Studies suggest that higher interest rate result in appreciation in the currency value of a country with respect to that of other because, high interest rate attracts greater investment in the appreciating currency for earning better future returns (Taylor, 2001). Impact of economic factors on exchange rate equilibrium Assessment of exchange rate behavior is a perennial subject of international monetary economics where various macroeconomic factors are examined to understand their role in maintaining equilibrium in exchange rate.

Characteristic of a Research Problem Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Characteristic of a Problem - Research Paper Example After clearly identifying a research problem, it must be translated into a research hypothesis stating a relationship between variables in a number of populations. Therefore, the assignment tend to reflect on the connection of the research problem, the research hypothesis, along with the existing variables (Tacq, 1997). A research problem happens to be the initial step, while, at the same time, the most significant requirement within the research problem. It acts as the basis of a research study, therefore, through ideal formulation, an appropriate study tends to be bound to take place. In order for a researcher in solving a problem, he or she must understand what the problem is, thereby comprehending what one is attempting to do. A research problem, along with the manner in which the researcher formulates it ascertains every step followed when undertaking a research study. Formulating the problem happens to be input into the study while the output turns out to be the quality of research report’s content. As a result, a research problem is in most cases accompanied by a research question. A research question is responsible for the identification of the phenomenon undergoing study (Jeffrey & George, 2000). When defining a research problem, it is essential to bear in mind that is must be specific instead of general. In stances whereby a problem is specific, as well as focused, it turns out to be more answerable compared to if it is general. As a matter of fact, there is a perception that a well formulated research problem happens to be half solved. Therefore, research formulation appears to be like the identification of a destination before embarking of the journey; in the lack of a destination, it is not possible to make out a route, let along the shortest one. Similarly, lack of distinctive research problems, it is impossible to have a clear, economical plan since the research problem happens to be the foundation of the research problem; with the type, along with the design of the building being dependent on its foundation. The majority of research in humanities tend to revolve around the four P's; they comprise of People, Problems, Programs, as well as Phenomena. There are a number o f considerations to contemplate when choosing a research problem that comprise of interest, ethical issues, magnitude, availability of data, measurement of concepts, relevance and level of expertise. However, studies indicate that, on top of these factors, the sociological paradigm, time factor, the researcher’s values, unit of the chosen analysis, the researcher’s methodology and the level of reactivity inherent in a method considered suitable for gathering data should also be put into consideration (Tacq, 1997). There are a number of characteristic that should be put into consideration concerning a research problem, they include (Lynn & Ronald, 2010): a) Idea: Every research problem statement starts with the introduction of the idea the researcher in interested in studying. For instance, if the researcher is studying the impact of parenting technique on the self esteem of children, there is a need to read everything concerning parenting techniques, as well as what is already known concerning the impacts different techniques have on self-esteem. Clarify why the idea is significant; give details concerning the importance of children's self-esteem for the creation of prosocial society, along with the parenting techniques that are a primary element in the creation of self-esteem. In this case, the problem statement might be: "The aim of this research is to explore which of four parenting techniques has a connection with positive children’

A Comparison of Da Vincis and Tintorettos The Last Supper Essay

A Comparison of Da Vinci's and Tintoretto's The Last Supper The two paintings and artists I am going to compare and contrast are "The Last Supper" by Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) and "The Last Supper" by Jacopo Tintoretto (1518-1594). Although I am not a religious person, the sight of the painting by Tintoretto amazed me for the simple fact that it is so different from "The Last Supper" I grew up with. The first, and most obvious, difference between the two is the color. The work done by da Vinci is bright with lighter colors, and you can tell it takes place during the day. On the other hand, the work done by Tintoretto is dark-lightened only by fire, and the time of day is not as obvious. The painting's surrounding is almost in a bar-like place, and the picture is not as intimate as da Vinci's. The placement of the Last Supper's table is different. Da Vinci places his table in the center, with the main people facing the viewer. On the contrary, Tintoretto places his table to the left hand side of the painting, and the main people are looking towards the other "r...

Race, Class, and Gender in the United States Essay

Rothenberg paints an oppressive picture for women, the financially oppressed and minority members of society. The author presents compelling essays of race, gender and class which examine the social construct of each issue. Race has been defined as the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. This has produced the view that Euro-Americans’ social, cultural, and economic advantaged position must be maintained at the expense of others as the normal life. The influential power of race, gender and class are explained and illustrated through the collection of essays. The dynamics of power are divided based on different social classifications. Concrete Responses The essays included present a compelling but biased study within the context of class, race and gender. History shows racism has been clearly practiced in the past; however much has been done to correct the unbridgeable and immutable differences in race, gender and class status in the United States. Rothenberg emphasizes, in the collection of essays, past views of Euro-Americans’ superiority in intelligence and abilities over darker skinned races. Throughout the history of the United States, discrimination against race and gender has been documented thus creating various classes according to race and gender. Racism has been defined as â€Å"a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race† (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2010). While discrimination is described as being â€Å"the process by which two stimuli differing in some aspect are responded to differently† (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2010). Discrimination encompasses a much larger circumference than racism. People v. Hall, 1854, Dred Scott v. Sandford, 1857, and Bradwell v. Illinois, 1873 created a class difference in the ruling of each case between Euro-American males, Indians, Negroes, Chinese and women (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 495). Skin color differences have been thought to explain intellectual, physical and artistic differences, thus justifying varying treatment between racially different individuals (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 17). A person of property was considered of superior intelligence and character (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 8). The claim that race is a social construction takes issue with the once popular belief that people were born into different races with innate, biologically based differences in intellect, temperament, and character (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 10). Michael Omi and Howard Winant maintain that â€Å"Race is more a political categorization that a biological or scientific category† (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 10). Racial distinctions can be correlated with economic and political changes in the society of the United States. In California, 1854, the state Supreme Court ruled in the case, People v. Hall that Chinese Americans should be barred from testifying against whites as Indians and Negroes had previously been barred with a California statue. The judges â€Å"marked [Chinese-Americans] as inferior, and †¦ are incapable of progress or intellectual development beyond a certain point† (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 495). Orientals and Hispanics were regarded to be naturally suited to perform brutal, sometimes crippling, farm labor which whites were physically unsuited to perform. In 1857, the United States Supreme Court ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford stated that â€Å"Negroes were never considered a part of the people of the United States (Rothenberg, 2010, 495). Gender refers to the particular set of socially constructed meanings associated with each sex (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2010). Men and women have been portrayed as polar opposites with different abilities. The notion of difference itself is constructed and suggests that the claim that women and men are naturally and profoundly different reflects a political and social decision rather than a distinction given in nature. In 1873, the Supreme Court ruled in Bradwell v. Illinois that women could not practice law and added further degradation arguing â€Å"that women belong in the â€Å"domestic sphere†Ã¢â‚¬  (Rothenberg, 2010, 495). Every society has different options on what constitutes a woman’s gender role verses a man’s role. While Roe v. Wade, 1973, is considered a significant stride forward in women’s rights, the after effects of the abortion rights given have for open debate on the benefits this case has brought to the women’s movement. Spiritually, man and wife should be as one flesh (Genesis 2:24) and a helpmate to each other (Genesis 2:18), not in competition with each other for power. In the past, attitudes against races and gender other than Euro-American males have restricted the right to vote, own property, and even extended to the forced evacuation of Japanese-Americans into relocation camps. Clearly, discrimination has existed in this country; however, â€Å"the twentieth century has seen the growth of large and diverse movements for race and gender justice† (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 497). However, Rothenberg’s emphasis on race and gender portray differences as unbridgeable and immutable, regardless of any social programs or education. Reflection Rothenberg’s collection of essays is informative of historical discrimination and the opinions of a number of authors; however, there are two sides to every story. Rothenberg has presented only one side of the race, class, and gender issues in an angry fashion. All evil has not been created by Euro-Americans. Pem Davidson Buck states that northern Whites looked down their noses at the Irish in the same manner they looked at free Blacks (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 35). This created a â€Å"psychological wage† (Buck as quoted by Rothenberg, 2010, p. 35), instead of monetary gain, such as the employee of the month or assigned parking places (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 35). Calvinism taught being poor was a punishment from God while success was a sign of being righteous with God. This further created differences in class among the American society, including discrimination of women, people of color, and homophobia. Differences between rich and poor, white and black, men and women are socially constructed as innate differences among people. Then they are used to rationalize or justify the unequal distribution of wealth and power that results from economic decisions made to perpetuate privilege. The status of various occupations and class positions they imply often changes depending on whether the occupation is predominately female or male. This particular discrimination also led to more domestication of women. Status began to be calculated if a woman could â€Å"stay home† (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 36). If a woman was forced into the labor force, the family didn’t meet the cultural requirements for white privilege (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 36). The categories of gender, race and class reflect culturally constructed differences that maintain the prevailing distribution of power and privilege in a society. Constructed differences are altered in relation to social, political and economic changes. The argument seems to fluxuate between racism and culturism. If cultural status is lost due to a woman working, that has very little to do with to which race she belongs. As stated in Buck’s essay (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 36), native men redefined themselves by† their class position as skilled mechanics working for better wages under better conditions† (p. 36) due to the ownership of their trade tools and their hard work ethic (Rothenberg, 2010, p. 36). Again this is cultural rather than racial. Any craftsmen, no matter what color his skin, can buy the tools of his trade to better his position. Rothenberg tends to be angry at this country’s struggles against racism, class and gender. She has collected many angry essays to support her racial and feminist opinions but has not shown more than a minimal reference to how far this country has progressed for all races and genders to be â€Å"We the People of the United States† (U. S. Constitution, 1776) forming a more perfect Union under God. Action This book has given me much food for thought. During the reading of this book, I have been more consciously aware of the different races and cultures in my workplace. While I don’t agree with Rothenberg’s apparent view that racial and gender discrimination continues in our society today as it has throughout our country’s history, I do see a tendency towards a reverse discrimination. Since my husband joined corporate America almost two years ago, I’ve watched him miss promotions, even though he is very productive and conscientious in his work, so that a minority, usually a woman, could have the position, even though her employee record is full of criticism of her work ethic. White males continue to be punished today for the actions and attitudes of their forefathers even though most do not hold those same discriminatory beliefs. While I am not unconscious of race, I do not identify an individual as part of a particular race in my first impression or description of them. As I have illustrated with my students, no two people whether light or dark skinned are the same color. The biggest wish I have for my students is for them to be able to unzip their skin so that color is not visible to each other at all. As future medical assistants, surgical technicians, pharmacy technicians and nursing assistants, these students need to see past race, gender and even class. As a teacher, I strive not to make decisions based on race or gender. Class is not an issue for me in the class room since all students dress in scrubs according to school dress code. Lao Tzu said, â€Å"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime†(n. d. ). I am a firm believer that regardless of race, gender or class that our country was founded to give everyone an equal opportunity to pursue life, liberty and happiness with hard work and education. If I can give my students a sense of work ethic along with the academic and technical skills they need, I will have given them the tools to succeed financially and in their chosen professions. References Discrimination. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved August 13, 2010, from http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/discrimination gender. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved August 13, 2010, from http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/gender Lao Tzu. (n. d. ). BrainyQuote. com. Retrieved August 13, 2010, from BrainyQuote. com Web site: http://www. brainyquote. com/quotes/quotes/l/laotzu121559. html Mount, Steve. (2001)†The Constitution of the United States,† Preamble. USConstitution. net. U. S. Constitution online. Retrieved August 12, 2010 from http://www. usconstitution. net/const. html racism. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved August 8, 2010, from http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/racism Rothenberg, P. (2010), Race, Class, and Gender in the United States. New York: Worth Publishers.

The Nypd Frisk Program Noble Cause Corruption Situation...

We must start in the research of the NYPD Frisk Program: Noble Cause Corruption situation with the Fourth Amendment‘s which protects a person against unreasonable searches and seizures of the U.S. Constitutional 4th Amendment. Further review of the 4th Amendment law provides guidelines for the search and seizure between police and citizens in a public place. The terms â€Å"stop-and-frisk† is used as one, then the reality is that its two separate acts. Stops are the first act with frisks being the second that requires the police officer to have two different legal justifications. When a police officer stops a subject that officer must have reasonable suspicion that the person has committed, is committing, or is in the act to commit a crime. To frisk a person by a police officer that officer must have reasonable suspicion to believe that the person who is stopped poses a threat to the officer’s safety which may include a concealed weapon (Report on the NYPD s stop and frisk policy, 2013). The policy of New York Police Department‘s (NYPD) stop question and frisk for some time been a highly controversial situation of policing under Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Commissioner Raymond Kelly administration. This administration praised the stop and frisk policy as a valuable resource to the City‘s successful mitigation in reducing violent crime. A resource to removing guns from the streets as well improving the quality of life for the communities that are most affected by thoseShow MoreRelatedCase Study 1 : NYPD Frisk Program : Noble Cause Corruption?1226 Words   |  5 PagesNoble cause corruption follows the teleological ideal of ethics. Teleological ethics are based on our concern with consequences (Thiroux Krasemann, 2014, p. 30). The approach emphasizes that good officers are trying to do the right thing, but due to some complexities or even a lack of evidence, they feel forced break the rules to catch the bad guy (Grometstein, 2007). Police officers believe that if they ignore certain legal policies, then they can successfully eliminate criminals and protect their