The Struggle Of Oil In America Essay Example for Free

The Struggle Of Oil In America Essay Introduction Since its discovery 150 years ago, petroleum oil has become lifeline of the world, the functional equivalent of blood in the human body. The mechanism driving the entire transportation system from automobiles, airplanes, railways, ships to space rockets is based on utilization of energy of petroleum oil. Petroleum products are also extensively used in a number of infrastructure industries that form the core of industrial processes and basis of existence of modern world. However, the petroleum resources of world are very limited and they cannot endlessly meet human demands. Various estimates have put the total extractable oil stock to exist for another 50-75 years if world continues to consume them at present rate. After that the cost of extraction of remaining petroleum products would become much more than the benefits obtained them and world would require new resources of energy to exist. These concerns have already spawned intense research in alternative technologies to meet the future energy needs in the face of an impending petroleum crisis. United States of America is world’s leading consumer of petroleum products accounting for approximately 25 % of total consumption of petroleum oil world over. In 2003, world’s consumption of petroleum oil stood at around 80 million barrels per day, out of which US’s share was close to 20 million barrel (Hirsch, Bezdek, Wending, 2005). To meet these huge petroleum demands US depends crucially on oil imports that is well above 50 % today and continuing to rise upward. This overwhelming dependence on imported oil poses various strategic and security challenges for US interests in the long run. The sharp oil price increases of 1973 and 1979-81 serve as testimony to the dangers of import dependence. Further as the oil sources would continue to deplete, the prices of oil would steadily and inexorably rise until the level when world is faced with an acute fuel crisis. Based on these observations it’s vital that U.S explores alternative technologies and fuels to sustain its development and growth structure. Oil Imports The continuous rise in U.S oil consumption has forced it to rely increasingly on imported oil to meet its expanding requirements. In the past 50 years, oil consumption fell just on two occasions that were marked with international increase in prices of oil, in 1973 and 1979-81.. Domestic production of oil that peaked in 1971 has fallen since then while oil imports have continued to rise, crossing the domestic supplies in 1994 (EIA, 2005). The net imported oil share in the net oil consumption was 34.8 percent in 1973 which went lowest at 27.3 percent in 1985 but since then it has continued to rise against a dropping domestic production levels (Reaardon, 2002). The upward trend in oil consumption and consequently in oil import have continued to take place despite multiple efforts and policy intervention that government has tried to introduced (Deutch J, Schlesinger J.R, and Victor D.G., 2006, 29). As of today with its 20 million barrel per day consumption U.S is the largest consumer and importer of oil, surpassing the combined consumption of Japan, Germany, China, Russia and South Korea (Reardon, 2004).. The share of oil in total energy produced in USA is just 17.2 percent while in consumption it rises to 40 percent that explains the need for huge oil import. Imports constitute 11 million barrels per day that is more than the aggregate oil import of Japan, Germany, and South Korea (Reardon, 2004). For oil imports U.S relies heavily on Canada, Venezuela and Middle east oil with Canada being the single largest exporter country of oil to U.S. However as a group the OPEC dominates among all the exporters supplying more than 50 percent of total oil imported by U.S (Petroleum Navigator, 2006). The total petroleum imports for U.S stood at over 5 billion barrels in 2005 out of which crude oil constituted 3.69 billion barrels which means that oil accounts for almost three-fourth of the total imports (Petroleum Navigator, 2006). Finished petroleum products constituted the second largest import segment with close to 15 percent contribution. The bulk of the oil consumption takes place in the transportation sector, which accounts for the 69 percent of the total oil consumption in US (Basic Petroleum Statistics, 2007). Overall there are five major sectors accounting for petroleum oil consumption. These sectors, along with their consumption share in year 2005 are (Petroleum-EIA, 2006) Domestic/Household: Consumption in 2005 was 869 thousand barrels of petroleum per day Commercial: 386 thousand barrels of petroleum per day Industrial: 5061 thousand barrels of petroleum per day Electric Power production: 545 thousand barrels of petroleum per day Transportation: 13, 825 thousand barrels of petroleum per day. A breakup of consumption pattern in the transportation sector reveals that consumption stands highest for motor gasoline. Average daily consumption of motor gasoline in U.S, according to Petroleum data (EIA, 2005) is 8933 thousand barrels per day. Distillate fuel oil is the second most consumed petroleum product with daily consumption at 2817 thousand barrels. These figures give a realistic view of inevitable oil import dependency U.S for present and future if it carries on the present rate of consumption. Indeed the chances to curb the massive oil imports are slim considering the fleet of 210 millions vehicle that depend solely upon motor gasoline for their functioning (Hirsch R.L, Bezdek R, Wending R, February 2005, 4). As on 1st January 2006, the total proven oil reserves with U.S was just 21.6 billion barrels, which implies that in future U.S would be forced to rely almost completely on oil imports for its entire transportation requirements. As the closer sources shall run dry, U.S’ dependency would shift to further sources from where oil must be transported over vulnerable supply lines, leading to rise in global oil price. The greater risk is certainly compromising with U.S national interests. The oil supply lines would always be at risk against subversive elements requiring another set of huge investment in ensuring safe transportation of oil to U.S onshore facilities. It will also place U.S interests in the hands of oil cartels such as OPEC that may freely manipulate oil supplies according to their own interests. The shortage of oil would be more manifest in coming times as oil demands are growing world wide, especially in China and India with rapidly expanding economy, transportation system and consequently requirement of petroleum oil. Even at present consumption rate there are grave uncertainties on the secure prospects of future supplies within next 50 years time frame, and the rising consumption rates threatens to bring the approaching crisis nearer. United States is thus faced with a great responsibility to secure its future interests without sacrificing its present requirements and needs. This issue forms the topic of the next section. Part II: Alternative fuel technologies The impending oil crisis has finally stirred policy makers in US. A number of approaches are suggested that include a. imposing taxes on oil consumption b. using tradable gasoline permits and c. exploration of new sources of oil ( Deutch J, Schlesinger J.R, Victor D.G. 2006 ). However, the pressing need of situation demands measures that would sustain the present structure while safeguarding the future against depleting sources and rising petroleum prices. As the world’s oil reserves are finite, even measures such stagnating oil consumption and using oil more efficiently are just helpful in delaying the inevitable without offering any permanent solution to the issue. Oil reserves are going down steadily and within a couple of decades prices will soar up inexorably disrupting the economy, industry and society in turn. The only practical solution to this problem is technological innovations in energy field that can reduce dependence on petroleum oil by providing alternative and sustainable sources of energy. It shall serve two immensely useful purposes that are a. minimizing U.S dependence on foreign oil and b. preventing the environment from damages associated with use of petroleum oils and products. The certainty of oil exhaustion has inspired efforts from both government and corporate sector to research and develop the new fuel technologies as a providential measure for survival, growth and progress in forthcoming days of oil crisis. Past decade has seen great thrust on technological researches in alternative fuels. Various new techniques and models have already been introduced in the market to test their viability and capacity to successfully replace petroleum as chief source of energy. Most of these innovations are specifically aimed at transportation sector owing to its liability as chief consumer of petroleum oil and as principle cause of soaring oil imports. Due to distinct requirements of different sectors in transportation, the technologies vary. Passenger vehicles, public transport vehicles and freight transportation carry specific needs that are difficult to be met by a single alternative fuel technology.   Some of the major and most popular of these technologies, where majority of research and development has taken place, are (Aldrich, 1996) 1.Hybrid Vehicle, 2. Bio-diesels 3. Ethanol 4. Hydrogen and 5.Solar energy Following section discusses the technology used in each of these new vehicle-systems and their benefits over conventional gasoline based internal combustion engine. Hybrid Vehicles: As the name suggests, hybrid vehicles combine dual technologies for their operation. Technically they are hybrid electric vehicle with an electric motor that drives the vehicle (Hoogma, Kemp, Schot and Truffer, 2002, 41 ). In the case of a typical electric vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell or chemical batteries such as advanced sealed lead battery, nickel cadmium and lithium ion are used for auxiliary power (Aldrich, 1996). However in the hybrid electric vehicles, the electric drive technology is combined with a gasoline-based power generator for running the electric motor and charging the batteries. Hybrid vehicles are either full hybrid or mid hybrid. A full hybrid vehicle can move forward from standstill purely on electric power while a mid hybrid requires gasoline power for initial movement, although both technologies concentrate on maximum utilization of electric motor power while reducing the use of gasoline as far as possible (Hybrid Terms, 2007). The electric motor and internal combustion engine (ICE) are connected either in parallel or in series in a hybrid vehicle. In parallel hybrid cars, power to engine is supplied by both the electric motor and internal combustion engine while in the series hybrid car the gasoline engine powers the electric motor and batteries to generate electricity, without directly providing power for the vehicle (Hybrid Electric Vehicles, 2007). There is another category of hybrid vehicles, called as ‘plug-in hybrid’ that can operate as a full electric vehicle. They require some additional batteries and use electricity net to charge the batteries thereby minimizing gasoline use to its lowest possible levels (Hybrid Terms, 2007). All hybrid electric vehicle use computer that constantly monitors speed, power required and charge conditions of batteries (Hybrid Electric Vehicles, 2007). Bio-diesel: Bio-diesel, as the term suggests, is a type of renewable fuel obtained by agricultural products and used as fuel in heavy-duty vehicles. The major sources currently under research for bio-diesel are soybean, rapeseed, corn, cottonseed, peanut, sunflower, and canola (Aldrich, 1996, 85). The process of making bio-diesel involves use of an alcohol such as methanol which is treated with oil of selected agricultural produce to form glycerin followed by separation of fatty esters, recycling of excess alcohol and purification of esters to produce a fuel that bears remarkable closeness to diesel, however with higher octane number (Aldrich, 1996, 85). Currently bio-diesel is used when blended with petroleum diesel, especially in European markets, with commendable results. Ethanol: Ethanol as a very long history as an alternative fuel, and it was tried in even 1880 as a fuel option for Ford cars (Aldrich, 1996, 51). Ethanol is derived from agricultural produces by process of fermentation and distillation to form a high-octane liquid fuel. Normally ethanol is not used alone as a fuel, instead it is blended with gasoline in ratio of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline to form a fuel E-85, which is approved as an alternative fuel in US (Ethanol, 2007). The vehicles run on this fuel are called as flexi fuel vehicles. Ethanol has emerged as a successful alternative to fossil fuels in Brazil where more than 4 million vehicles on ethanol based fuel and it is finding increasing application in US as well. The benefits of using ethanol are multifold and they include (Ethanol, 2007) Hydrogen: There are great interests in using hydrogen as fuel in transport industry due to the great flexibility of options and performance it offers. Hydrogen can either be used as fuel in place of gasoline in internal combustion engine or it can be used as energy carrier in fuel cells, the latter being the major research area in automobile sector (Aldrich, 1996, 87). Solar Power: Use of solar power as energy in transportation sector has been subject of intense technological research. While the solar energy has found wide application as domestic energy supply, there are difficulties in their application in transport sector. Photovoltaic cells, that absorb sunrays to provide electricity, are inefficient under the current technology strains and unable to generate even a fraction of required power to drive a normal passenger vehicle. However, solar power has turned as a dependable source of energy in areas other than transport. All the initial costs are high in maintaining a solar energy power plant, its been shown that with increasingly sophisticated technology and wider application the cost of installation as well as generation of electricity can get comparable to normal power plants (Borowitz, 1999,112). Mass Transport System Apart from introducing alternative fuel and technologies to replace and minimize fossil fuel consumption, another area where fuel consumption can be easily reduced is creating a more robust and functional public transport and mass transit system. It is cost effective and time consuming to redesign the existing public transport system, especially in major cities, to cut down fuel consumption by reducing number of vehicles on the road. While airplanes are already a popular and heavily used long distance intercity mass transit system, there are many available areas of intervention in short distance intercity and intra-city transport to provide fast and reliable transit facilities while simultaneously reducing traffic, freeing up space on roads and parking and moderating fossil oil consumption. The transportation system of US, excluding freight transport, is presently divided in two broad categories a. privately owned individual all purpose vehicle transport system and b. public transport system consisting of buses, trains, trams, and metros under the control and maintenance of public administration and public transport companies ((Hoogma, Kemp, Schot and Truffer, 2002, 36-37). Public transport system is usually characterized by low cost, fuel-efficient transit system capable of carrying large number of people on a fixed route (ibid). It has been felt over time that a sustainable and efficient fuel policy needs to incorporate advanced public transport system as one of its key focus area. To improve the services of public transport system, increase its popularity and acceptance among people and highlight its role as an efficient and fuel incentive mode of travel, public authorities and corporations are required to introduce some important policy and technological measures. Three policy measures as highlighted by Hoogma, Kemp, Schot and Truffer (2002, 43)   are 1. Developing an integrated public transportation system where a single ticket can be used to commute irrespective of the number of switchovers made in the process. 2 Development of strong travel information structure in the public transport system, which can help people to navigate to their destinations easily. 3. Providing easy payment facility such as smart cards. These policies would greatly enhance the image and services of public transport system. Additionally the light rail and bus services can be expanded to cover specifically high traffic and downtown areas of major cities. An integration of public transport and private vehicle system can be achieved by providing sufficient parking space at stations and depots of public transport system. It would encourage people to use their private vehicles to access public transport system, resolving one of major issues of limited accessibility involved with mass transit system. Conclusion When fossil fuels were discovered around 150 years back, the existing technologies of steam engines were unable to utilize them. However, soon completely new technologies were developed in the face of these new energy sources and they were used to capitalize on the energy content and efficiency of fossil fuels. Soon petroleum fuels revolutionized the way the world moved and worked. The past 100 years of consumption has comprehensively depleted non-renewable petroleum deposits and estimates give another 50 more years before the remaining available sources would get almost exhausted. This fact is indeed a cause of concern, but only if viewed from existing technological frame. Declining petroleum resources offer the signal that its time to make transition towards different energy sources. Countries that would fail to read this signal or close their eyes to it are certainly heading for a major crisis. But fortunately US has the capacity to read these signals and develop reliable intermediate technologies and systems such as hybrid electric vehicle, ethanol and public transit systems that would considerably reduce fossil fuel consumption without adding to infrastructure cost thereby extending the life period of petroleum reservoirs. Meanwhile research can take place on new age technologies such as fuel cell and solar photovoltaic cells to complete replace fossil fuels as a source of energy. It is possible that if government and industry institute providential policy measures, there would be a host of alternative technologies in transportation sector by the time petroleum oil would get exhausted. But the question is that has US opened its eyes to the approaching crisis of oil shortage and if so, then what are the policy measures that are being taken to avert and stultify the crisis. Depleting oil resources are a reality, and it is certain that within decades oil prices would climb to astronomical height, bringing the entire present system to standstill. The whole structure of US is running efficiently on the energy of petroleum and it would collapse if this energy dries up. The responsibility to start transition towards new system, however, is not only of government but of every person because the future of crisis would be a common future. It would a collective exercise upon to use alternative technologies in their personal life, make maximum possible use of mass transit system and send the message to government and industry that people are ready for the great shift from petroleum oil. Reference Reference Basic Petroleum Statistics. Jan 2007. Energy Information Administration. 31st Jan. 2007 http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/quickfacts/quickoil.html Benefits of Public Transport System-An Overview. 1st Feb-2007. American Public Transportation Association. 1st Feb 2007. http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/ben_overview.cfm Bob Aldrich.. ABCs of AFVs: a guide to alternative fuel vehicles. California Energy Commission, Sacramento-CA. April 1996. 1st Feb 2007 http://www.p2pays.org/ref/26/25156.pdf Borowitz, Sidney.   Farewell Fossil Fuels: Reviewing Americas Energy Policy.: Plenum Trade: New York: 1999 Deutch J, Schlesinger J.R, Victor D.G. 2006. Consequence of U.S Oil Dependency: Report of an Independent Task Force. 30th Jan. 2007 http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/EnergyTFR.pdf Ethanol. 2007. Alternative Fuel Data Center. US Department of Energy. 1st Feb, 2007, http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/ethanol.html Faupel Karen and Al Kukri, 2002. Biodiesel: A Brief Overivew. NCAT Agricultural Specialist. 1st Feb, 2007. http://www.msenergy.ms/biodiesel.pdf Hirsch R.L, Bezdek R, Wending R. February 2005. Peaking of World Oil Production: Impact, Mitigation, Risk Management. 30th Jan. 2007 http://www.pppl.gov/publications/pics/Oil_Peaking_1205.pdf Hoogma Recmo, Rene Kemp, John Schot, Bernhard Truffer.   Experimenting for Sustainable Transport: The Approach of Strategic Niche Management.: Spon Press: New York: 2002. 36 Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Feb 2007. Hybrid Electric Vehicle: Implementing Agreement. International Energy Agency. 1st Feb, 2007. http://www.ieahev.org/hybrid.html#Anchor3 Hybrid Terms. HybridCars.com. 1st Feb 2007 http://www.hybridcars.com/types-systems/hybrid-terms.html Petroleum. July, 2006. Annual Energy Review-2005. 31s Jan, 2007 http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/petro.html Petroleum Overview, 1949-2005. Annual Energy Review.31st Jan, 2007 http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/petro.html Prospects For A Hydrogen Economy. Oct. 2002. Postnote. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. 1st Feb, 2007. http://www.parliament.uk/post/pn186.pdf Reardon Jack. .An Institutionalist Critique of the Bush Administrations Journal of Economic Issues. Volume: 38. Issue: 2. Publication Year: 2004. Page Number: 449+ Sanna Lucy. Driving the Solution: Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles. EPRI Journal. 1st Feb 2007. http://www.calcars.org/epri-driving-solution-1012885_PHEV.pdf U.S. Imports- Petroleum Navigator.Energy Information Administration. 31st Jan 2007 http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_d_NUS_Z00_mbbl_m.htm

The Impact of Nutrition and Sleep Upon the Learning Process Essay examp

The Impact of Nutrition and Sleep Upon the Learning Process The effects of nutrition can begin before birth, with the nutrition of the mother. Under nutrition can result in negative effects of the development of the brain that can become permanent and irreversible. One example is the lack of iron, which is a necessary part of the brain’s tissue. When iron deficiency is present nerve impulses tend to move slower. â€Å"Iron deficiency†¦is associated with behavior changes and delayed psychomotor development† (Nutrition and Cognitive Development, 2001), as well as decrease attention span, irritability, fatigue, and difficultly with concentration. â€Å" Anemia is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders in the world, affecting nearly one quarter of all low-income children in the United States†(Rosenberg,1998). Iron deficiently anemia effects many young children in our country and has been linked to a child’s ability to learn by influencing attention span and memory. Besides iron, there can be iodine defic iently as well that can occur during the early years of a child. Reduced cognition and achievement in school can be associated with iodine deficiency. Researchers have also proven a decrease in protein intake with in diets can have an effect on achievement scores. Overall, under nutrition can results in a decrease of activity, social interaction, curiosity and cognitive functioning. This is proof of how the prenatal period of a child is the most important. â€Å"Recent evidence indicates that 15 percent of very low birth weight children and nearly 5 percent of low birth weight children require special education, compared to 4.3 percent of children born at normal birth weight†(Children’s Nutrition and Learning, 1994). Infants that are b... ... Thomas. http://www.thejournal.com/magazine/vault/az599.cfm This article provided information about the future and how technology will change the way we look at education. It gave examples of technology that has already changed classrooms. Quendler, Sigrid. (2002). Link between Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Academic Achievement. Vienna University. This article showed the view on how there are many aspects to learning. There are two the article mainly focuses on and that is nutrition and the physical activities that have shaped the young children in what they will become and who they are now. (1993).Nutrition. In The new standard Encyclopedia. (Vol. 12). Indiana: Standard Educational Corporation. The encyclopedia showed the educational view on nutrition and how it has affected students. It described proper eating habits and how to follow them.

The Use of Lasers in Esophageal Cancer Treatment

Esophageal cancer is a rare form of cancer, but its numbers are on the rise around the world (Staff, Mayo Clinic 1). This disease occurs when malignant or cancerous cells form in the tissues of the esophageal lining of the body’s gastrointestinal tract. The esophagus is responsible for moving swallowed food and liquids from the mouth into the stomach for digestion. It consists of several tissue layers, including the mucous membrane, muscle, and connective tissues.When cancer forms in the esophagus, it begins in the innermost layer of the tissue (the mucous membrane) and moves outward (towards the connective tissue layer) as it spreads (see Figure 1). It often goes undetected for many years, and in its later stages, this cancer is not easily treatable. Among those who develop esophageal cancer, their long-term survival rate is low, as it is estimated that only 12. 5% of patients live five years beyond the date of diagnosis (Triesschejin, Martijn 5).The standard treatment option used to combat esophageal cancer is called an esophagectomy, in which the cancerous area of the esophagus is removed via surgery, however this procedure is very invasive, complicated, and is often times fatal. However, with today’s technological advancements, safer, less-invasive methods are beginning to replace this option and are proving to be successful in helping to extend the lives of those patients with severe esophageal cancer and aid in improving their quality of life.One up-and-coming treatment option that is far more safe and practical than esophagectomy is the integration of lasers in photodynamic therapy, or PDT. Although it is still an experimental treatment, is ideal because it has no long-term side effects, is minimally invasive, can be done quickly with little recovery time, has the ability to precisely target the areas of the body where the cancer cells are present, and can be safely repeated multiple times until the desired results are achieved.Post-treatme nt, it has been known to cause sensitivity to light, particularly pertaining to the patient’s eyes and skin, however this has not been shown to be a significant issue among those treated with PDT. Photodynamic therapy uses special drugs, known as photosensitizing agents, along with laser light to kill cancer cells closer to the surface of the skin. The agents are injected into the body via and ‘switched on’ with light of the appropriate wavelength depending on the drug utilized. Chemical and molecular reactions within the ody from the drugs then destroy the cancer cells and work to rid the body of the esophageal disease. Although several sources of light are possibilities when performing photodynamic therapy, lasers are the most preferred. They are the most effective in emitting monochromatic light, or light that is of a single wavelength and color, corresponding to all of the different absorption maxima of photosensitizers’ compounds, and can be relativel y easily coupled to optical fibers from 200 to 600 microns’ core sizes.Specifically, the type of laser that is optimal for the treatment of esophageal cancer is a diode laser. These lasers are the most recent to be used in cancer treatment, and were developed just within the last fifteen years. Thus, they have higher quality beams, expanded ranges of wavelengths, and can be used on higher powers if desired. Diode lasers are ideal because they are simple to use, easy to transport, and do not require difficult installation like the gas (argon) and dye lasers used before them (Boucher 74).The diode laser currently approved by the FDA is manufactured by Angiodynamics, and has been successfully used, along with the correct application of photosensitizers, in esophageal cancer treatments. â€Å"A good photosensitizer is preferably a pure compound with a constant composition† (Nyman 3). And in esophageal cancer treatment via PDT, the best-proven photosensitizer is called porf imer sodium, also commercially known as Photofrin ®.In fact, the United States’ Food and Drug Administration has only approved the use of this photosensitizer in the treatment of esophageal cancer via PDT (â€Å"Photodynamic Therapy† 2). Porfimer sodium is injected intravenously, where it is then absorbed by all of the body’s cells, but only those cells that are normal and not cancerous are able to get rid of it. To allow for the body’s normal cells to rid themselves of the drug, two to three days are given between the drug’s administration and the activation of the drug by laser light.After being passed down the throat through a small flexible tube called an endoscope, a thin fiber optic glass strand is used to direct the laser light at the affected area. The optical fiber is made of fused silica, and uses a balloon catheter to distribute a defined, controlled amount of light to the treated esophagus organ. If the beam were not diffuse, a direct beam (even at a low power) could be damaging to the esophageal tissue. The light is operated at weaker power of around 2 Watts to ensure that it does not burn any tissue, and it is relatively pain-free.The treatment it is applied for no longer than an hour at a time and can often be done in an outpatient setting (reference all sources listed). Normally, the most common wavelength used is red light, as its specific wavelength of 630 nanometers has been shown to work best when attempting to create the most effective and potent malignant cancer cell-killing method possible. Atomically speaking, following its activation by laser light, â€Å"†¦the photosensitizer is elevated from a ground state to a long lasting excited triplet state†¦. and it] can then react with cell membranes to form radical ions [intermediates] which interact further with oxygen to produce cytotoxic oxygenated molecules† (Gray 1). More simply put, the excited photosensitizer activated by the laser light transfers its energy to other molecules before returning to its ground state, which generates a reactive oxygen species (intermediate) that is able to directly kill and destroy the esophageal tumor via oxidation, and later, indirectly, via inflammation.Research has shown a huge increase in the survival rate of PDT patients receiving this treatment. Treated patients’ survival rates improved 25% over a span of five years compared to those who never received any type of treatment (Li 2). And although doctors have seen great success with the use of photodynamic therapy and diode laser treatments, there is still much more to be researched and improved upon. Currently, new drugs, such as Photochlor ®, and others are being clinically tested to see if they can be used as photosensitizers in the treatment of esophageal cancer.This photosensitizer looks promising, as it has already been shown to last a much shorter time and is more easily removed from the body than Photofrin ® is. Also, scientists are looking at the possibility of using ointments containing ferrous or colbalt ions and hydrogen peroxide on the treated cancerous area to improve PDT outcomes along with laser light. And with the further advancement of technology, hopefully newer treatments will be able to not only improve the outcomes of patients with severe esophageal cancer, but be able to cure them of it once and for all.

The Changing Role of Women in India - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 1 Words: 312 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/09/21 Category Advertising Essay Type Argumentative essay Tags: India Essay Role of Women Essay Did you like this example? The Changing Role of Women in India Women in India are beginning to follow the direction that the women of the Western world took more than eighty years ago; demanding treatment as human equals. However, it has become more and more evident as the revolution ages that Indian women may have to adapt the Western feminist method to their very traditional and religious culture. India has different complications that put the development of women in a completely altered context than their Western counterparts. Although the key targets remain similar: improvement of health care, education and job opportunities in order to gain equality between men and women in the various settings of public society, the workplace, the school yard and – possibly the most fundamental setting of all – the home. Women are striving to be independent on the equal level of men. The additional complexities that the women of India must also challenge are the caste system, the heavy religio us customs, older and more traditional roles of the sexes, as well as the even stronger power that men hold in India. The status was at one time accepted, but with the Western women’s revolution and perception, the role is slowly succeeding in its development through both independent groups of women and national and worldwide organizations based on the goal of gaining equality. They have all accomplished much, but have yet to overthrow the male dominated society. The Original Status A patriarichal and oppressed society with an inhumane caste system supposedly based on religious faith, however, their religious beliefs are obviously not understood since their masculine domination acts against the religious base of men and women living as equals. Despite modernization, women’s status remained low and devalued well into the 20th century. Gargi Chakravarty of the National Federation of Indian Women stated in 1990 that â€Å"Girls are looked upon by their parents as burd ens†. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Changing Role of Women in India" essay for you Create order

Theme and Symbolism in American Music Essay - 542 Words

Theme and Symbolism in American Music Music defines our culture. As Americans, we listen to music while we drive our cars, are at work, doing housework, studying, etc. We have songs for special occasions: Christmas, Hanukah, birthdays, weddings, parties, etc. We have taken songs from the various cultures that make us diverse: Arabic, German, Mexican, Native American, etc. We have many genres: country, hip-hop, rap, pop, blues, jazz, rock, heavy metal, etc. And although we may think of music as simple and easy, looking at all this makes one realize how diverse and complex our music truly is. Two things that contribute to this diversity are theme and symbolism. Theme can be defined as the subject or topic of something. In relation to†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"I love you, please say you love me too,† she sings. â€Å"I love you / I will be your light, shining through your eyes.† Still yet, we have â€Å"Crazy in Love† by Beyonce’ and Jay-Z, hip-hop artists. â€Å"Your love’s got me looking so crazy right now,† they sing/rap. â€Å"Looking so crazy in love.† Despite the musical differences between all these artists, all three songs/genres were able to give light to the theme of love. And even though the theme may be the same, the music and words were not. So even though two songs may have a theme that is similar, themes in music add diversity. Symbolism in music can vary from the author’s use of a word or phrase with personal meaning or the author’s use of a word or phrase to symbolize something relative to a culture. Take for example the songs sung during slavery. According to the CD â€Å"Steal Away† there are many symbols found in the music sung by the slaves. For example, in the song â€Å"Go Down Moses† the slaves were able to sing about the injustices of slavery right before their masters. â€Å"Let my people go† they would sing. But since the song appears to be a reference to the biblical story, the owners would allow it to be sung. In this song, the singers have personal symbols that another group of people would not understand. Yet in popular music you will find symbols, such as the rose, which haveShow MoreRelatedArnold Friend Symbolism1115 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been†, was published by Joyce Carol Oates. She was born on June 16th, 1938 in Lockport, New York. As an American writer, Oates published over 40 novels, as well as a number of plays, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Out of her works, one of her publications consisted of the short story â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been†. This particular story was about a teenage girl, named Connie, who encounters an unknown, demonic â€Å"stranger† (Arnold Friend). ThroughoutRead MoreMinorities Affected By Civil And Equal Rights965 Words   |  4 Pageswritten by Richard Rodriguez. Both of these literary works have a shared theme of change and social conflict. However, both works were written at different times in history. There are similarities as well as differences between the two works. The shared theme of change for these two works is the change that is taking place in America concerning black Americans and civil rights in â€Å"The Times They Are A-Changin† and Latin Americans and equal rights in â€Å"The Fear of Losing a Culture†. Both authors wroteRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of Two Kinds By Amy Tan713 Words   |  3 PagesThe American dream is what every immigrant strives to do as soon as they step foot in the land of opportunities. This was the case for the mother in â€Å"Two Kinds† by Amy Tan. The mother had an American dream expectation for her daughter to be prodigy girl who endowed at a young age exceptional qualities and abilities but her daughter did not share the same American dream as her mother. The post modern pice of literature is set after WWII . During this time it was all about individualism. The shortRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Fitzgerald1296 Words   |  6 Pagescontains multiple themes; the importance of social class , the fall of the American dream, and the concept of love. Baz Luhrmann captures assembles these themes through literary and visual elements, such as cinematography, imagery, symbolism, spoken dialogue, characterization, and music, just to name a few. Social class is a major theme in The Great Gatsby, particularly the division between the lower and upper class, and the different types of wealthy. Luhrmann showed this theme through imageryRead MoreMus 468i Midterm 1 Essay776 Words   |  4 PagesMidterm #1 Essays 1) Describe the three basic types of music heard in original scores during the silent film era and cites specific examples from The Birth of a Nation. (10 points) Adaptations of classical works, arrangements of well-known melodies, and newly composed music are the three basic types of music that is heard in The Birth of the Nation. Adaptations of Classical Works involve large action and dramatic scenes in most cases, but, Mass a passage in the Birth of the Nation that was attributedRead MoreDo The Right Thing?1523 Words   |  7 Pages and the entire movie takes place on the hottest day of the year in the Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn. Lee does an incredible job demonstrating the tautness between the races on the block specifically among the African American race and American Italian race. Lee’s use of symbolism among the characters, mise-en-scene, and shot composition in his film Do The Right Thing from beginning to end illustrates the struggle between peace and conflict. During the time this film first came out there was manyRead MoreFilm Analysis Of The Shawshank Redemption1696 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: Shawshank Redemption is directed by Frank Darabot, published in 1995 Australia. The film focusses on the theme of forgiveness and escape. It follows an unusual friendship between Andy and Red set in a 1930’s American prison. The main focal scenes explored include: Brooks suicide and Tommy’s death. The film is to be narrated by Morgen Freeman (Red), it shows the 20 year period of Andy’s imprisonment. As a part of the analysis emphases on the scenes as it introduces the audience to theRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1278 Words   |  6 Pagescontinues to stun audiences of all ages with his magically written novel about romance, money, and despair. Though The Great Gatsby was not very popular when it was first released it has made up for lost time and is now one of the greatest classics in American literature and being read in classrooms all across the United States. What actually denotes a book as a classic or great, though? In my opinion, a lot of it has to do with what a person needs at the time. According to James L. W. West III, leadingRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of The Great Gatsby 1673 Words   |  7 Pagessomething better. The American Dream has been sought after by millions all over the world for hundreds of years. This country was founded on the belief that anyone could achieve their dreams. However, in the 1920s these hopes and aspirations began to splinter until they ultimately shattered. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism, setting, and theme to depict the unattainability of the American Dream. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism helps create an ambianceRead MoreThe Great Gatsby And Harlem By Langston Hughes1089 Words   |  5 PagesFitzgerald and â€Å"Harlem† by Langston Hughes. Both of these pieces of literature include literary elements to appeal to the reader’s senses and imagination. A prevalent theme that has been found in works of the roaring 20’s is the wealth that someone may or may not achieve. Literary elements such as figurative language, irony, and symbolism are profound in both The Great Gatsby and â€Å"Harlem†, adding depth to both literature works. One literary element that is prevalent in both pieces is their

Positive Psychology Reveals We Should Pursue Happiness For...

Positive Psychology Reveals We Should Pursue Happiness for Money, Not Money for Happiness By Alison L Price | Submitted On October 10, 2012 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Alison L Price Culture teaches us that I will be happy when... I live in a bigger house... I can afford to go on more holidays... I have that new car, computer, outfit, etc. Fascinating research from the field of Positive Psychology reveals that what culture is teaching us is actually a myth and, crucially, it is time to change what we tell ourselves and our children. So, what does society teach us? Here is just a flavour: Study hard at school, you need good grades to get a decent job. It is worth putting in long hours in your first job to get promoted. If you work really hard you will get that pay rise that you deserve. You can t leave earlier than everyone else, it will reflect badly upon you and your bonus. You must work hard to save for your retirement. Whilst I cannot argue with these, what I will do is ask the question when does society teach us to actually stop and enjoy ourselves? Probably only at our retirement, but the sad fact is that the governments around the worldShow MoreRelatedA Research Study On Happiness Essay2109 Words   |  9 PagesThe term â€Å"happiness† is an extremely broad term and has been defined over a wide array of studies in such a variety of ways that it has been deemed â€Å"an unworkable term for science† by psychologist Martin Seligman (qtd. in Kovac). Instead of trying to study all of the different facets of happiness, most researchers choose to break it down into its constituent parts by using a more quantifiable method such as a test involving questions about self-worth, enjoyment of life, and positive affect (Fowler)Read MoreGross Domestic Happiness vs. Gdp2948 Words   |  12 PagesGross Domestic Happiness: What Is the Relationship between Money and Well-being?: Knowledge@Wharton (http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2675) Gross Domestic Happiness: What Is the Relationship between Money and Well-being? Published : January 19, 2011 in Knowledge@Wharton Most of us have seen the bumper sticker: Anyone who says money can t buy happiness just doesn t know where to shop. It s an amusing sentiment, but it provokes an important question: What exactlyRead MoreThe Way to Get the Most Out of Your Staff Is to Reward Them Intrinsically.2036 Words   |  9 Pagesintrinsically. From the research that has been taken part in this topic, intrinsic rewards are one of the methods that can be used to motivate your staff means that the staffs are motivated by rewards that are largely intangible. This means if we are the staff, we place more value on outcomes that are sourced from within ourselves, rather than from external factors. It is also can be linked to our feelings. Such as, feeling satisfied and capable, enjoying a sense of challenge, re-enforcing self-esteemRead MoreAutonomic Nervous System and Obj8649 Words   |  35 Pagesneed.| b.|acquired drive.|d.|fear.| ANS: B DIF: 1 REF: 9-189 OBJ: 2 MSC: TYPE: Factual 37. The tendency toward homeostasis or a steady state would cause a.|a tired person to sleep.|c.|a smart person to write a book.| b.|a rich person to give money away.|d.|a poor person to seek work.| ANS: A DIF: 3 REF: 9-189 OBJ: 2 MSC: TYPE: Conceptual 38. The concept of __________ describes the body’s tendency to maintain a steady state or to act to restore balance in response to deprivation. a.|hunger|cRead MoreOrganisational Behavioure23151 Words   |  93 Pages0132431521 12/15/05 12:25 PM Page 258 Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them. — David Hume Emotions and Moods After reading this chapter, you should be able to: 1 Differentiate emotions from moods. 5 2 Discuss the different aspects of emotions. Discuss the impact emotional labor has on employees. 6 Identify the sources of emotions and moods. Discuss the case for andRead MoreHidden Flaws in Strategy4558 Words   |  19 Pagesstrategist: the human brain. The brain is a wondrous organ. As scientists uncover more of its inner workings through brain-mapping techniques,1 our understanding of its astonishing abilities increases. But the brain isnt the rational calculating machine we sometimes imagine. Over the millennia of its evolution, it has developed shortcuts, simplifications, biases, and basic bad habits. Some of them may have helped early humans survive on the savannas of Africa (if it looks like a wildebeest and everyoneRead MorePyschoanalytic Personalities Essay Notes9106 Words   |  37 PagesIndividual Psychoanalytic Personality Assessment | Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper analyzing the components of the psychoanalytic approach to personality. Your paper should cover the following areas: * Compare and contrast the psychoanalytic theories of Freud, Jung, and Adler. What are two characteristics of these theories with which you agree? What are two characteristics with which you disagree? * Describe the stages of Freud’s theory and explain characteristics of personality usingRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesappropriate page within text. Copyright  © 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. This publication is protected by Copyright, and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. To obtain permission(s) to use materialRead MoreAn Analysis of H.G. Wells’ Short Stories â€Å"Mr Skelmersdale in Fairyland†, â€Å"the Door in the Wall† and â€Å"a Dream of Armageddon†14742 Words   |  59 PagesEveryone has dreams; dreams of a better life, another world, an escape from reality. Sometimes it is these dreams that motivate us, that make us struggle, that keep us going. But is that all they are? What if the dreams were something more? What if we could realise those dreams and go into them? As a writer of the late 19th, early 20th century, Herbert George Wells (1866-1946) was immensely productive, and published a multitude of short stories, novels and scientific as well as political essays.Read MoreWaiting Line Management7475 Words   |  30 Pageshas yet evaluated the influence of waiting time or waiting time satisfaction on the satisfaction-loyalty relationship. The objective of this research is threefold. We look into the determinants of waiting time satisfaction and examine the mediating role of the latter variable between these determinants and the service satisfaction. We also investigate the influence of customer waiting time satisfaction on the existing relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty. A major contribution

Growth Surprises and Synchronized Slowdown

Question: Discuss about the Growth Surprises and Synchronized Slowdown. Answer: Introduction: Global management in emerging markets remains more challenging as compared to settled markets. These challenges include first, the need for managers of businesses in emerging markets to maintain and sustain strong financial and/or fiscal and external business buffers, along with implementing good policies in the emerging markets (Fayad Perrelli, 2014). This can be referred to as macroeconomic stability which is currently paramount for organizations managing emerging international markets. These institutions should now improve continually with the aim of creating and implementing policies that are better than those in settled markets. Secondly, global management in emerging markets is challenging due to the surge in local and international demand for goods and services (Tsangarides, 2012). An increase in demand automatically calls for an increase in demand. Thus, globally expanding organizations are continually focused on ensuring that the goods and services needed in particular sections of the economy are produced and distributed within time. Demand and supply shifts in emerging markets according to Ferreira et al (2013), influence the management to be on the lookout for any daily changes in prices, supplies, production, in order to optimally acquire due profits. Thirdly, emerging markets are quite competitive as governments tend to lift any monopolistic behaviors in the economies. Managers of globally expanding companies thus opt to find the strategies that are suitable to outdo their competitors (Tsangarides, 2012). This is not the case in settled markets where most companies are aware of their almost fixed market segment. According to the Inter-American Development Bank (2013), individual companies must thus ensure that they are continually instituting and implementing programs that will make their products more sellable than those of their competitors. Another challenge in managing emerging markets includes the increase need for innovation, research and development. In order to outdo particular supplies in the global emerging markets, there is a need for companies to invest heavily in innovation and implementation of research programs (Ferreira et al, 2013). Managers are compelled to invest in research so that they develop unique products that can sell well than those of their competitors. When compared to settled markets, there is a clear difference as such markets tend to innovate slowly and sometimes take longer to develop any new products. Further, managing globally emerging markets is more difficult as compared to settled markets due to the need to make heavy investments with an intention of preventing bottle necks. Organizations in emerging markets focus on improving their infrastructure including transportation, energy among others (Fayad Perrelli, 2014).). These enable the companies to expand and reach their emerging markets with their unique products. Heavy investments are also channeled to training of current workers and recruits in order to boost efficiency in production and provision of services in such economies. References Fayad, G., and R. Perrelli, 2014, Growth Surprises and Synchronized Slowdown in Emerging MarketsAn Empirical Investigation IMF Working Paper. Tsangarides, C. G., 2012, Crisis and Recovery: Role of the Exchange Rate Regime in Emerging Market Economies, Journal of Macroeconomics, Vol. 34, pp. 47088. Ferreira, P., S. De Abreu Pessoa, and F. A. Veloso, 2013, On the Evolution of Total Factor Productivity in Latin America, Economic Inquiry, Vol. 51, No. 1, pp. 1630. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), 2013 Rethinking Reforms: How Latin America and the Caribbean Can Escape Suppressed World Growth (Washington: IDB).