Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Copernicium or Ununbium Facts - Cn or Element 112
Copernicium or Ununbium Facts - Cn or Element 112 Copernicium or UnunbiumBasic Facts Atomic Number: 112 Symbol: Cn Atomic Weight: [277] Discovery: Hofmann, Ninov et al. GSI-Germany 1996 Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 Name Origin: Named for Nicolaus Copernicus, who proposed the heliocentric solar system. The discoverers of copernicum wanted the elements name to honor a famous scientist who did not get much recognition during his own liferime. Also, Hofmann and his team wished to honor the importance of nuclear chemistry to other scientific fields, such as astrophysics. Properties: The chemistry of copernicum is expected to be similar to that of the elements zinc, cadmium, and mercury. In contrast to the lighter elements, element 112 decays after a fraction of a thousandth of a second by emitting alpha particles to first become an isotope of element 110 with atomic mass 273, and then an isotope of hassium with atomic mass 269. The decay chain has been followed for three more alpha-decays to fermium. Sources: Element 112 was produced by fusing (melting together) a zinc atom with a lead atom. The zinc atom was accelerated to high energies by a heavy ion accelerator and directed onto a lead target. Element Classification: Transition Metal References: Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001), Crescent Chemical Company (2001), Langes Handbook of Chemistry (1952), CRC Handbook of Chemistry Physics (18th Ed.) Periodic Table of the Elements
Saturday, November 23, 2019
The Hunger Games Book Series
The Hunger Games Book Series The Hunger Games Trilogyà is a particularly dark and gripping series of dystopian novels by Suzanne Collins, published by Scholastic Press. Overview The United States no longer exists. Instead, there is the nation of Panem, governed by a totalitarian government. The government keeps the residents of the 12 outlying districts intimidated with its strict rules and demonstrates its power over life and death with the annual Hunger Games. All of the residents of the 12 districts are required to watch the Hunger Games, the ultimate reality show, which is a life or death ââ¬Å"gameâ⬠involving two representatives from each district. The protagonist of The Hunger Games series is Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl who lives with her mother and her little sister. Katniss is very protective of her sensitive little sister, Prim, whom she loves very much. Katniss helps feed and support her family by hunting in areas designated off-limits by the government and bartering some of the meat on the black market. When her sisterââ¬â¢s name is drawn as a contestant in the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to take her place, and things go from bad to worse. There are no easy answers as Katniss deals with the violent Hunger Games and the dramatic results. Things are not always straightforward, and Katniss has to deal with a multitude of ethical issues as she struggles to survive. Tension builds in each book of the series, leaving the reader eager to read the next book. The ending of the trilogy in no way ties everything up in a neat bow and makes it right, but it is an ending that will stay with the reader and continue to provoke thoughts and questions. Objections to The Hunger Games (Book One) According to theà ââ¬â¹Ã¢â¬â¹American Library Association, The Hunger Games (Book One) is number 5 on the list of the ten most challenged books of 2010 (Whatââ¬â¢s a challenge?). The reasons given were ââ¬Å"sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence.â⬠(Source: American Library Association) Like a great many other people, I was surprised at the ââ¬Å"sexually explicitâ⬠challenge and donââ¬â¢t understand what the challenger was referring to. While there is indeed a lot of violence in The Hunger Games, it is inherent to the story rather than gratuitous violence and is used to make an anti-violence point. Recommended Ages The Hunger Games trilogy may or may not be appropriate for some teens, not as a matter of age group, but depending on their interests, maturity level, and sensitivity to violence (including death) and other tough issues. I would recommend it for mature teens 12 and older, as well as adults and think they will find the trilogy to be both thought-provoking and engrossing. Awards, Recognition à The Hunger Games, the first book in the Hunger Games trilogy, has won more than 20 state awards for teen books. It was on the American Library Associations Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers and Amelia Bloomer Project lists for 2009 and was awarded a 2008 CYBIL Award - Fantasy/Science Fiction. Catching Fire (Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 2) is on the ALAs 2010 Best Books for Young Adults and won the 2010 Childrens Choice Book Award: Teen Choice Book of the Year and 2010 Indies Choice Award Winner, Young Adult. Books in the Hunger Games Series The Hunger Gamesà (Book 1, Hunger Games Trilogy).Hardcover, 384 pages (Scholastic Press, 2008. ISBN: 9780439023481)Catching Fireà (Book 2, Hunger Games Trilogy).Hardcover, 400 pages (Scholastic Press, 2009. ISBN: 9780439023498)Mockingjayà (Book 3 in the Hunger Games Trilogy).Hardcover, 400 pages (Scholastic Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780439023511) Available Formats: Hardcover, large print hardcover (Book One and Book Two only), paperback (Book One only), audiobook on CD, audio for download and eBook for various eReaders. The Hunger Games Trilogy is also available in a boxed set of hardbound editions (Scholastic Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780545265355) Categories: Adventure, fantasy and science fiction, dystopian novels, young adult (YA) fiction, teen books
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Developing a conceptual framework is an impossible possibility Essay - 5
Developing a conceptual framework is an impossible possibility - Essay Example Further, it forms the basis for establishing which events should be accounted for and how the same should be released to the accountants (Macve 1987 p. 11). Despite the pertinence of the conceptual framework, there are challenges which are involved. This is so because it should and it is a concept that is developed to guide study and what is transpired or has transpired over a given period of time on certain things. Tentative theory explains a conceptual framework as a phenomenon which is subject of investigation. This theory enlighten the rest of your design, it helps in evaluating and also refining your targets, initiate realistic and important research issues. Further, it helps in selecting proper methods and recognizes probable validity perils to your conclusion. This theory also helps in proving your research. Conceptual framework can be described as the research problem. It therefore involves formulating research problem for purposes of initiation and designing of your study. The ideology behind this argument is that conceptual framework identifies something that is happening in the globe which is hard to analyse. As such therefore, the conceptual framework which you develop and deduce for consumption by the rest of the people should be justifiable so that people can be able to appreciate your work. This requires that the conceptual framework k should be backed with factual examples touching on the daily happenings in different institutions (Bhimani, 2005 p. 23). What we have discussed in the above statement does not mean that there exists clear and express report of the research problem. However, it is important that research structure should demonstrate impliedly or expressly some issue which are hypothetical in nature and also reveal which other information so required. To avoid misleading ideas on the issue of the conceptual framework, one
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
English Final Exam Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
English Final Exam Questions - Essay Example The loathing he has for the common people is evident when his English teacher comes to see the show at Carnegie Hall, where he is the usher, and he wonders, offended, what business she had there ââ¬Å"among all these fine people and gay colors.â⬠Somehow, for Paul, there is no redemption for common people. He is so self absorbed that he thinks that only people he idealizes are actually good people. He does not care whether his family loves him or are concerned about him, because to him they are not worthy of his attention as they do not come up to his standards of worthy people, so to speak. A classic narcissist, he does not care about anyone other than himself. When he is stealing money, he does not concern himself with who would have to pay it back, or whether anyone would come after his father ââ¬â the thought does not even cross his mind. Similarly, when he discovers that his father ended up paying the money Paul had stolen and had now started to search for his son, he was concerned about himself: he did not want to go back as he still wanted to enjoy the pseudo life he was living. It seems as if he is always trying to impress those around him, trying to set himself apart from them. Whether it is by his insolence towards his teacher, or his flat out lying amongst his peers, it is clear that he does not want them to see him as one of their own. He does not want to belong to them ââ¬â he looks down on them. Yet, this same feeling causes him to get depressed because he feels like a stranger in his own milieu. His suppressed sexuality has added to his depression and disenchantment with his real life and those around him. Although there is nothing overt, however, Paul does seem to have certain homosexual tendencies. Whether it is how he hangs around Charley Edwards of the stock company, or a hint about how badly his night out with a rich boy from Yale ends, or his repulsion at getting married, it seems as if Paul is secretly a homosexual, which cau ses him to further disenfranchise himself from the social scene he belongs to. It is precisely because he does not relate to those around him and cannot be part of those he wants that, rather than go back to lead a ââ¬Å"normalâ⬠life, that he kills himself. Sonny Blues Sonny and his brother were born about seven years apart, which seem like a chasm to the latter. What is more, both brothers are quite different temperamentally as well. The elder brother seems to be more accepting of his circumstances, and does not try to escape them, but rather try to make his life within them. He left Harlem, and yet has taken residence in a project, with his wife and children. Moreover, after retiring from the army he has taken up a job as an algebra teacher ââ¬â a solid, respectable sort of job by societyââ¬â¢s standards. Sonny, on the other hands, seems to be rebelling against his circumstances. Whether it is drugs or his music, he seems to want to break free from Harlem both in bod y and in spirit. In music, he seems to have found his escape, and ironically, drugs play a part in that too, despite him wanting to leave Harlem to avoid becoming an addict. Musicians are never considered to be the ââ¬Å"solid respectable typeâ⬠in society, and what is more, Baldwin depicts how Sonny actually did not even have much idea about how to make a living by music. The young African-American men are up against the two ââ¬Å"darknessesâ⬠according to Baldwin. The first being the reality of
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Benefits of Learning in a Diverse Environment in Toronto Essay Example for Free
Benefits of Learning in a Diverse Environment in Toronto Essay Toronto,Canada has been one of the most multicultural cities in the world and has attracted thousands of immigrants and foreign students each year mostly from Asian and European countries (Toronto, 2007) Due to the popularity of the city to foreigners as well as the prestigious schools it has such as the University of Toronto and the York University, students from different parts of the world have been attracted to study in the city. Universities have been offering a diverse learning environment, offering curriculum, facilities, and learning resources including professors and instructors that address the needs of and accommodate the growing number of foreign students and immigrants in Toronto. A diverse learning environment offers various benefits to students regardless of culture and nationality. First, it introduces me to different cultures and race, making students like me become aware of various cultures and beliefs. Having the awareness of different cultures of people in Toronto can improve my interpersonal and communication skills. ââ¬Å"Hanging around people of different culture develop the students ability to understand the ideas and feelings of others, which in later life makes them, more likely to live in racially diverse communities, maintain friendships with people of different races and able to function more effectively in an increasingly diverse workplaceâ⬠(Haas, 1999). From this view, a diverse learning environment therefore can eliminate or reduce racism and racist attitudes towards the minority groups. It also can also prepare me to adapt to a diverse environment in case I have to work or migrate to other country particularly in Asian and European countries especially now that the level of globalisation is increasing. A diverse learning environment can also improve my ability of working in a team since in universities, there are particular activities that needed group efforts and diverse ideas that can result to a more comprehensive outcome, providing me various ideas that could have never been available if not because of my foreign classmates and friends and even professors. On the other hand, there are still some people who are not open-minded and are not interested in learning about other cultures due to their very racist attitudes. A diverse learning environment with students or professors like these people can negatively affect some foreign students and students from minority groups, making them feel discriminated and unwelcome to such learning environment that may lessen their interest in studying or acquainting with students of different nationalities. However, in Toronto, it seems not much of a problem because foreigners and immigrants have long been welcomed in the city. Reference: Haas, Mark (1999) Research shows diverse environment has educational benefits, retrieved on-line on February 13, 2007 http://www. umich. edu/~urecord/9899/Mar22_99/10. htm Toronto website retrieved on February 14, 2007 http://www. toronto. ca/quality_of_life/diversity. htm
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Schools Must Reduce Their Use of Standard Tests Essay -- Argumentative
Iââ¬â¢m sure you have felt personally victimized by the law of No Child Left Behind and some sort of state-mandated standardized testing. Growing up in Pennsylvania, we had the PSSAââ¬â¢s, 4 Sights, and Keystone Exams. They always had felt trivial, but they did serve some purpose as far as immediate impact to our school days. The use of standardized testing as a quantitative tool of measuring studentââ¬â¢s performance took off in 2002 with the passing of the No Child Left Behind Act (ââ¬Å"Standardized Tests,â⬠2003). Standardized testing was part of the initiative to become the highest academically ranked country in the world, surpassing the current highest ranked country of China. The ultimate goal of NCLB was to ensure that all students score a ââ¬Å"proficientâ⬠on the reading and math exams by the year 2014 (ââ¬Å"Standardized Tests,â⬠2003). Obviously, this goal was proven unattainable: Ironically enough, our studentsââ¬â¢ math scores dropped our ranking from 18th in 2000, to 31st in 2009. A similar decline can also be seen in the science exam scores (ââ¬Å"Standardized Tests,â⬠2003). Itââ¬â¢s blatantly obvious that the theory of NCLB testing has many flaws and needs to be revisited. There is entirely too much emphasis on Standardized testing instead of promotion of personal and academic growth. No room for conversation, research, or deliberation is open for exam questions because of the need to ââ¬Å"move onto the next question.â⬠(Brevetti, 2003). It is also wrong that a student who struggles in high school has to worry about their ability to graduate because of being punished for not scoring a ââ¬Å"proficientâ⬠on the PSSAââ¬â¢s. Standardized testing causes unwanted stress on students at increasingly younger ages (ââ¬Å"Standardized Tests,â⬠2003). Yes, NCLB is incredibly outdat... ...s on a pedestal. In China, there is a huge emphasis on the arts. They enjoy being tutored. They are passionate about learning. I believe the mismatch of culture and values in our society is what makes us the 31st smartest nation in the country. I believe that America has the capacity to be the smartest country in the world. We just need a shift in societal perspective to be able to shed the model of education we have known our entire lives, and be open to experimentation with more effective ways of education. Works Cited Brevetti, Vincent. ââ¬Å"Standardized Testing.â⬠The New York Times. The New York Times, 04 Nov. 2003. Web. 05 Feb. 2015. ââ¬Å"Standardized Tests ââ¬â ProCon.org.â⬠ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2015. Strauss, Valerie. ââ¬Å"Chinaââ¬â¢s 10 New and Surprising School Reform Rules.â⬠Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2015.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Life or death â⬠whose decision is it anyway?
The courses of actions that were taken shall be justified through the use of Immanuel Kantââ¬â¢s categorical imperative. The categorical imperative provides that one ought to, ââ¬Å"[a]ct only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.â⬠There are however two formulations of the categorical imperative. The above-mentioned is the first one and the second is ââ¬Å"[a]ct in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any another, never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end.â⬠Scenario 1The primary issue at hand is whether or not it was ethical for the doctors in George Washington Hospital to insist that her baby be allowed to live despite Angelaââ¬â¢s, her physiciansââ¬â¢ and her familyââ¬â¢s objections; especially when it was found that in the end, the surgery was a contributing cause to Angelaââ¬â¢s death. Thus, the primary issue here is wheth er or not abortion would have been ethical given the situation. What is the best course of action to take given the situation?But even before proceeding, what exactly is the situation? The situation is the fact that Angela is faced with cancer and she has only a few days to live. Her physicians and her family wanted to preserve her life as much as they could. In addition, the surgery (cesarean section), which while gives the baby 50 to 60% chance to survive, endangers Angelaââ¬â¢s life and withers the last few days that she has left, not to mention the fact that .à Furthermore, they estimated that there was a less than 20 percent chance that the child would be disabled.à The physicians also testified that the surgery would increase the chances of Angela Carterââ¬â¢s death.The best course of action taken was the course taken by the doctors in George Washington Hospital to insist that her baby be allowed to live despite Angelaââ¬â¢s, her physiciansââ¬â¢ and her famil yââ¬â¢s objections.. Thus, given the situation it would not have been ethical to abort the baby. This decision can be justified using Immanuel Kantââ¬â¢s categorical imperative.The categorical imperative can be explained simply through the discussion on duties. Basically if a course of action or decision is oneââ¬â¢s duty, then it can be willed to become a universal law. If on the other hand, a course of action is not part of oneââ¬â¢s duty then it cannot be said to become a universal law.Given the situation above, it is the duty of Angelaââ¬â¢s doctors to uphold the value of life. In fact as doctors, it is part of their Hippocratic Oath ââ¬Å"[t]o practice and prescribe to the best of my ability for the good of my patients, and to try to avoid harming themâ⬠and ââ¬Å"[n]ever to do deliberate harm to anyone for anyone elseââ¬â¢s interest.â⬠However, it becomes complicated as they, in a way have to choose between Angelaââ¬â¢s and her babyââ¬â¢s li fe. As it is their duty to protect their patientsââ¬â¢ lives, they are now confronted with a scenario that they have to inevitably choose one of their patientsââ¬â¢ lives. Thus, the question is can the doctors continue performing their duties without aborting the baby? Are there alternatives?Subjected to the first formulation of the categorical imperative, the action not to abort and keep the child may be regarded as a universal law and may be imposed upon any other individual who finds himself/ herself in such a situation.They may do without abortion as the same is in compliance with their duty to preserve life because there are other means by which they may still comply with their duty to Angela to protect and safeguard her life. One of these is by making sure that she is given the best possible attention during the surgery. It must be noted that Angelaââ¬â¢s is bound to live for only a few days, no matter what the doctors do.The course of action is further affirmed and c larified as it is subjected to the second formulation. From such maxim arises the duty that human life must be protected and safeguarded because it must not be treated just as a means but always at the same time as an end.Ideally, the best course of action is to try all means possible and necessary to safeguard both Angela and her babyââ¬â¢s life. However, it must be noted that Angelaââ¬â¢s life is already on the losing end and no matter what the doctors do, she was bound to die sooner rather than later. Thus, aborting the baby is but a means to making sure that Angela will live albeit for a few a days; with this fact, such course of action does not pass the second formulation of the categorical imperative. The life of the baby must be treated not just as a means but also as an end.Thus, in this case the doctors of George Washington Hospital undertook to perform the best course of action given the situation as at the end of the day, life or death is not a decision that any per son can make. For that matter, no one person can ever make that decision for someone else.Scenario 4The primary issue in this scenario was whether or not it would be ethical for the Dr. Wendy Smith to inform Jackââ¬â¢s father that he will die unless he gets a liver transplant.The issue arises from the fact that Jack believes that his fatherââ¬â¢s situation will worsen once the gravity of his predicament is made known to him. On the other hand, Dr. Wendy Smith believes by his sworn duty to inform the patient of what he is up against.In this situation there is a clash of duties between the duty of Jack to his father, as a son and the duty of the doctor to Jackââ¬â¢s father as his doctor. It is the duty of Jack to do everything in his power to make sure that the best interests of his father is upheld and taken care of. On the other hand, in addition to the above-mentioned duties of a doctor ââ¬Å"[t]o practice and prescribe to the best of my ability for the good of my patient s, and to try to avoid harming themâ⬠and ââ¬Å"[n]ever to do deliberate harm to anyone for anyone elseââ¬â¢s interest,â⬠it is also their duty ââ¬Å"[t]o keep the good of the patient as the highest priority.â⬠We shall now find out the resolve of the conflicting duties by subjecting them to the two formulations of the categorical imperative.With respect to Jackââ¬â¢s duty, it is true that the upholding the best interests of oneââ¬â¢s parent can be willed that it should become a universal law. In addition, by upholding the best interests of oneââ¬â¢s parent, one acts in such a way that he/she treats humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any another, never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end.With respect to Dr. Wendy Smithââ¬â¢s duties ââ¬Å"[t]o practice and prescribe to the best of my ability for the good of my patients, and to try to avoid harming them,â⬠ââ¬Å"[n]ever to do deliberate harm to anyone for anyone elseââ¬â¢s interest,â⬠and ââ¬Å"[t]o keep the good of the patient as the highest priority.â⬠The same can be willed that they can become universal laws and the same are also means by which humanity is treated not just as a means but also as an end.Thus, as both were subjected to the categorical imperative and both passed the formulations, what then? It can be noted that Jackââ¬â¢s duty is to make sure that the best interests of his father are upheld, but how does Jack know what his best interests are? Is concealing the truth to him of his best interest? Thus, we subject this to the categorical imperative.Concealing the truth cannot be willed to become a universal law. If the same were to be allowed to become universal law then all concealments of truth in all situations not related to the situation at hand will be justified. The same is inconsistent to upholding the virtue of truth. At the same time, concealing the truth is actually a method by which one is treated as a means and not as end. This is so as concealment provides a myopic view ââ¬â it is a mere means for the people around Jackââ¬â¢s father to avoid the issue of his impending demise for themselves rather than making sure that Jackââ¬â¢s father is apprised of his situation and is prepared for the worst possible ending of his situation.Thus, the best course of action to take is the action backed up by Dr. Wendy Smithââ¬â¢s duty as a doctor to inform the patient of his predicament no matter how grave said situation is.
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