The Top 14 Miracle on 34th Street Quotes

Do you remember the most memorable quotes from Miracle on 34th Street? If you grew up watching this  feel-good 1947 Christmas classic, as many people did, you no doubt have retained the basic plotline of the film. Or, you may be familiar with the 1994  theatrical remake. Edmund Gwenn stars as Kris Kringle—the benevolent Santa Claus. Christmas time, however, has become a commercial racket where shoppers try to get the best deals and stores outdo each other in attracting consumers. This movie spins that a bit and brings a whole lot of fun and entertainment. Over time, the most touching  lines in the film may have escaped your memory, unless youre a particularly die-hard fan. Relive the film, and your childhood, with these Miracle on 34th Street quotes. Faith, Commercialism, and Santa on 34th Street Kris Kringle: Oh, Christmas isnt just a day, its a frame of mind...and thats whats been changing. Thats why Im glad Im here, maybe I can do something about it. Fred Gailey: Look Doris, someday youre going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesnt work. And when you do, dont overlook those lovely intangibles. Youll discover those are the only things that are worthwhile. Susan Walker: I believe...I believe.... Its silly, but I believe. Susan Walker: If youre really Santa Claus, you can get it for me. And if you cant, youre only a nice man with a white beard, like mother says. Fred Gailey: All my life Ive wondered something, and nows my chance to find out. Im going to find the answer to a question thats puzzled the world for centuries. Does Santa Claus sleep with his whiskers outside or in? Kris Kringle: Now wait a minute, Susie. Just because every child cant get his wish that doesnt mean there isnt a Santa Claus. Susan Walker: You mean its like, If at first you dont succeed, try, try again. Kris Kringle: To market, to market, to buy a fat pig! Home again, home again, jiggety-jig. To market, to market, to buy a fat hog! Home again, home again, jiggety... Doris Walker: Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. Doris Walker: Susan, I speak French, but that does not make me Joan of Arc. Doris Walker: And by filling them full of fairy tales they grow up considering life a fantasy instead of reality. Mr. Shellhammer: I just know that with that man on the throne my department will sell more toys than it ever has. I just feel it. Alfred: There is a lot of bad isms floating around this world and one of the worst is commercialism. Charles Halloran: All right, you go back and tell them that the New York State Supreme Court rules theres no Santa Claus. Its all over the papers. The kids read it and they dont hang up their stockings.

Teaching And Learning Style At The Abraham Friedman...

Introduction Throughout the program, my placement was set at the Abraham Friedman Occupational Center. The students were predominantly Spanish-speaking adults who immigrated from South America and Central America to downtown Los Angeles. The program was ESL Intermediate High B which integrated all language skills. Since October last year, I devoted seventy hours to observation and taught four lessons totaling five hours. Mr. Buckley, the guiding teacher, was an inspiring educator who created a variety of classroom activities that were developmentally appropriate for the adult learners. Analysis I benefited from the observation experience both as a language learner and a potential ESL teacher. When I started the practicum, I had little teaching experience. I never attended any English learning program in the United States. In particular, I enjoyed the its interactive teaching and learning style. I thought to myself that being interactive was all about being spontaneous and going with what s happening in the classroom. With this naive belief, I came up with the first lesson plan in just an hour. It turned out that the lesson was not effective. It was when I reviewed my first teaching video that I found how powerful the reflective cycle was. It helped me slow down thinking so that I can attend to what is rather than what I wished were so, and then to shift the weight of that thinking from my own teaching to students learning (Rodgers, 2002, p. 231). It lookedShow MoreRelatedThe Abraham Friedman Occupational Center889 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the program, my placeme nt was set at the Abraham Friedman Occupational Center. The students were predominantly Spanish-speaking adults who lived in downtown Los Angeles. The program was ESL Intermediate High B that integrated language skills. 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Assess the Short Term Significance of the Suez War of 1956 Free Essays

string(38) " Arab Nationalism in the Middle East\." Assess the short term significance of the Suez War of 1956 The Suez War had profound short term significance in many aspects. It can be argued to be one of the first wars in the Arab-Israeli conflict which involved substantial foreign involvement. Although Britain and France were humiliated and lost their influence in the Middle East, it highlighted the rising importance of Cold War politics in the Middle East. We will write a custom essay sample on Assess the Short Term Significance of the Suez War of 1956 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Egypt and Israel can be considered as winners of the Suez War; Egypt gained complete control of the Suez Canal and Israel had access to the Straits of Tiran. However, both countries were to remain hostile and the legacy of the Suez War will be conflict, not peace. First of all, the Suez War in 1956 played a significant role in Nasser’s Egypt. There were many gains for Egypt from the Suez War. American Historian, William Polk states ‘in western eyes, the Suez War made Nasser a hero’ and ‘claimed a political victory within a military defeat’, this comment clearly infers to the unsuccessful attempt of Britain and France to ‘destroy’ Nasser which made him became a symbol of anti-colonial movement. This statement is reinforced by the words of Nasser, where he wrote that the Suez War ‘regained the wealth of the Egyptian people’ and ‘it was clear for the Egyptian people that they could defend their country and secure its independence’, while this comment is partly accurate, as Egypt did manage to gain complete control of the Suez Canal and obtained a large quantity of British military stores, the source here is clearly biased because Nasser had deliberately failed to describe Egypt’s casualties from the war. He had done this to promote his position as not only the Egyptian leader, but a leader which all the Arab nations looked up to. Despite their success, Egypt had suffered the highest casualty with total death up to 1600, while Israel, Britain and France’s death were well below a hundred. Additionally, Egypt had failed to control the Gaza Strip and Photograph A shows despite control of the Suez Canal, Egypt was unable to use the canal efficiently to fund the country; for instance, by collecting toll fees. The Suez War critically damaged Egypt’s relations with America. In response to America’s cancellation of a promised grant of 46 million dollars towards building the Aswan dam, American aid was replaced by Russian aid. However, one should always be mindful that Nasser did not want Egypt to be tied to the Soviet Union as he wanted Egypt to be neutral. Conversely, in American eyes, Egypt became part of the Cold War; as any country which was not part of Western alliance and which bought arms from Eastern Europe was just as bad as the USSR. The Suez War 1956 was of great significance for Israel. We can reinforce Avi Shlaim’s interpretation on the Sinai campaign to help discuss the impact on Israel. Despite an Israeli, Avi Shlaim gives a neutral point on the impacts to Israel. The origin of the Sinai campaign was initially planned by Ben Gurion and its leaders such as Moshe Dayan. It’s 3 ‘Operational Objectives’ were to defeat the Egyptian Army, to open up Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping and to put an end to Fedayeen attacks across Israel’s southern border. Moshe Dayan, in his memoirs, the Story of My Life, was confident that the three main objectives were achieved by the end of the Suez War. The Israeli army won a clear military victory which proved the Israeli Defense Forces the strongest in the Middle East; this was further reinforced by Moshe Dayan as ‘Nasser learned the respect the power of Israel’s army. Although Shlaim’s view that damage to Egypt was ‘slight and quickly repaired’ due to timely withdrawal from Sinai, Historian Normal Lowe argues that the inflicted heavy losses on Egypt in men and equipment would take ‘years to make good’. Furthermore, Israel managed to gain access to the Straits of Tiran, allowing them to trade with Asia and Africa. The end to Fedayeen attacks proved immense success, the Sinai Peninsula became effectively demilitarized guarded by UN troops which would allow Israel to enjoy eleven years of security and stability along the border with Egypt. As well as the Three ‘Operational Objectives’ from the Sinai Campaign, it consisted of three political aims; to overthrow Nasser, expand Israeli borders and establishment of a new political order in the Middle East. Unlike the successes from their operational objectives, they failed to achieve the political aims. In the first political aim, Israel paid a heavy political price for ganging up with Britain and France against the emergent forces of Arab nationalism. In the second political aim involving Israel’s borders, Israel was forced to disgorge all the territory it had conquered. The third aim however, written by Shlaim tends to contradict Moshe Dayan’s view that the ‘victory in Sinai meant that Israel emerged as a state that would be welcomed as a friend and ally. ’ While this may not be directed at Arab nations, it may have been implied in terms of relations with foreign powers. Although Ben Gurion failed to topple Nasser and achieve his political aims, the Suez War had allowed Gurion to force Sharett’s resignation which initially gave him the option of launching a war against Egypt. Moreover, Shlaim contends that Israel and Ben Gurion learned two important lessons from its experience in the Suez War. Firstly, Israel must rely on nuclear deterrence to protect its borders rather than expanding it. Secondly, Israel was to depend on the US in future decision making and must deal and directly consult with the US before engaging in future wars; this is evident in the Suez War, where Israel was pressured by US withholding aid and expulsion from the United Nations to withdraw from Sinai. The impact of Suez War led to a high tide of Arab Nationalism in the Middle East. You read "Assess the Short Term Significance of the Suez War of 1956" in category "Papers" When Nasser regained control of the Suez Canal he destroyed the statue of De Le Sepp’s; a clear message of Egypt’s contempt for western imperialism. Arabs reduced oil supplies to Western Europe showing they have become more anti-western. Syria and Saudi Arabia also broke off relations with Britain and France. In 1957, a ‘Treaty of Arab Solidarity’ was signed by Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Despite the mistrust remaining between the Arab states, this treaty highlighted the Arab nations all had a united aim to overthrow Israel and support the Palestinians. This is supported by Ian J. Bickerton and Carla L. Klausner as they discuss how Suez war ‘only deepened the Arab desire for revenge’. Furthermore, William Cobban argues that the legacy of the Suez Crisis will be ‘war not peace’, and that Nasser would rally the Arab nations to a full scale war against the Israelis. This view of Arab Nation’s continual avenging attitude towards Israel is reinforced by Andrew Goldsmith, as he argues that the result of the Suez War resembled a ‘hiccup rather than a true turning point in the history of Egypt and Israel’s internal politics’. It was one of many conflicts in which Arab countries and Israel have failed to solve any existing tensions. Another short term significance of the Suez War was that it greatly damaged leading European colonial powers particularly Britain. Keith Kyle argues that Suez confirmed to the world that Britain was ‘no longer a superpower’, as Britain’s failure to overthrow Nasser and secure the Suez Canal had cost them world degradation. With a clear indication of Britain’s end of imperialism, it led to a further decline of British and French influence around the world such as in Africa and South-East Asia. The Suez War encouraged rebels in Algeria, where the Algerians gained their independence from France in 1962. Britain’s failure had cost them to lose foreign allies; the Israelis now looking towards the USA as their main supporter. Britain’s decreasing influence in the Middle East is further supported by Normal Lowe, where Britain’s ally in Iraq, premier Nuri-es Said came under increasing attack from other Arabs for his pro-British attitude. Britain’s damage from the Suez War then led to financial trouble where its international reserve was seriously depleted. Because of the blockage of canal and the disruption of pipeline caused by the Suez War, gas rationing was introduced in Britain. This meant Britain had no choice but to become more obedient and less reluctant to oppose any US policy for its financial support . While Mordechai Bar-On, the Bureau Chief- General of Moshe Dayan states in hindsight that from the view of Britain and France, the Suez war was a major mistake. From Israel’s point of view, it was ‘perhaps lucky’ that they made the mistake, because it was to this mistake, Israel ‘became more ready for the next round in 1967. ’ France on the other hand went its own way, opposed to Britain’s decision to side with the US. Led by de Gaulle, it left NATO and turned to leading Europe alongside a newly prosperous Germany. The Suez War had a profound impact on the Cold War. President Eisenhower explained that as a result of Suez, ‘The Middle East, which had always been coveted by Russia, today be prized more than ever by international communism’, this outcome was perhaps made by President Eisenhower himself as Timothy Naftali, author of Khrushchev’s Cold War explains that Nikita Khrushchev was able to get away with â€Å"nuclear bluff†, showing weakness of the US that the Soviet Union exploited. As Egypt turns towards the Soviet Union for aid, Eisenhower was to become even more determined in containing communism. He set up the Eisenhower Doctrine which offers economic aid and military protection to Arab states that agree to reject communism. He even stated, ‘Since we are about to get thrown out of the [Middle East], we might as well believe in Arab nationalism’, showing Eisenhower’s awareness that the Middle East was to become the ‘arena’ of the Cold War. However, his comment cannot be fully relied on as it was perhaps an excuse for America to enter the Middle East with dual objectives, as in Canada’s point of view, supported by William Cobban, Eisenhower‘s beginning to commit US troops to the Middle East – ‘what he said he would never do’ – was to replace Britain with its ‘own brand of imperialism’. In conclusion, despite major losses inflicted on Egypt, Nasser was able to turn the defeat into a political victory in which Nasserism influence, where a blend of Pan-Arabism, positive neutralism and Arab socialism was to extent throughout the Arab nations. The results of the war have also proved Israel’s strength and determination in securing its position in the Middle East. Britain and France was to be humiliated and the Suez War accelerated decolonization and had caused them to lose influence in the Middle East. Relations between the USSR and USA have evidently resulted in a freeze rather than a thaw. However, the Suez War was just one of many events that had failed to resolve peace between Israel and Egypt. Andrew Goldsmith argues that the ‘internal politics of the Middle East were affected much less significantly than its external politics by the events of 1956. , Israel’s gain from the opening of Straits of Tiran and its peaceful border with Egypt were all reversed in 1967. Nasser still refused to recognize Israel. The contradiction is made by Moshe Dayan where he confirms that the result of Suez War stated ‘Reactionary and aggressive’ nature of Israel, and because it made Nasser the definite leade r of the Arab World. Word count -1986 Appendix Photograph A obtained from http://www. theegyptianchronicles. com/Article/1956Jubilation. html Bibliography Secondary 1. Michael Scott-Baumann , Crisis in the Middle East: Israel and the Arab States 1945-2007, 2009 2. Normal Lowe, Mastering Modern World History,2005 3. Avi Shlaim, The Iron Wall Israel and the Arab World 4. Kirsten E. Shulze, The Arab-Israeli Conflict,1999 5. Andrew Goldsmith, http://www. hillel. upenn. edu/kedma/05/goldsmith. pdf 6. Paul Reynolds, http://news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/middle_east/5199392. stm, 7. http://israelipalestinian. procon. org/view. answers. php? questionID=000472 Contemporary 1. Michael Scott-Baumann, Conflict In the Middle East : Israel and the Arabs, 2007 2. http://millercenter. org/president/speeches/detail/3360 3. http://www. spartacus. schoolnet. co. uk/COLDsuez. tm 4. http://www. historylearningsite. co. uk/suez_crisis_1956. htm 5. William Cobban, Mission Suez. The Canadian Experience 6. National Geographic : Suez Crisis 7. The Egyptian Chronicles 1956, Photograph in Appendix http://www. theegyptianchronicles. com/Article/1956Jubilation. html , 8. Council on Foreign relations, http://www. cfr. org/content/meetings/hungary_suez-summary. pdf ——à ¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€œ [ 1 ]. Conflict in the Middle East: Israel and the Arabs page 23. By Michael Scott-Baumann [ 2 ]. http://www. theegyptianchronicles. com/Article/1956Jubilation. html [ 3 ]. The Iron Wall Israel and the Arab World – page 143-185 by Avi Shlaim [ 4 ]. Mission Suez. The Canadian Experience by William Cobban [ 5 ]. http://israelipalestinian. procon. org/view. answers. php? questionID=000472 [ 6 ]. http://www. hillel. upenn. edu/kedma/05/goldsmith. pdf [ 7 ]. Modern World History page 238-289 [ 8 ]. National Geographic : Suez Crisis [ 9 ]. http://news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/middle_east/5199392. stm- Paul Reynolds [ 10 ]. http://millercenter. org/president/speeches/detail/3360 [ 11 ]. http://www. cfr. org/content/meetings/hungary_suez-summary. pdf [ 12 ]. Mission Suez. The Canadian Experience by William Cobban How to cite Assess the Short Term Significance of the Suez War of 1956, Essays

Luckys Monologue in Waiting for Godot Essay Example For Students

Luckys Monologue in Waiting for Godot Essay Quinci Cohen 30th April 30, 2010 HL English E A Commentary on Lucky’s Monologue in Waiting for Godot In Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot perhaps no character is as enigmatic and perplexing as that of Lucky. His role in the narrative of the drama as he is introduced is by and large passe until he is asked to â€Å"think† by Vladimir. The ensuing logorrhea when Lucky dons his hat has spawned innumerable interpretations and attempts to decipher the crux of it. Most agree that Lucky’s speech is not simply meaningless prolixity and can be split into 3 distinct sections or beats (of which the first 2 are examined here). Upon closer inspection of these sections, one can derive Lucky’s message. Throughout the course of his speech Lucky makes a startling commentary on the nature of God, the cessation of man, and makes use of several crude and obscure puns; further emphasizing the degeneration of our species. As the speech begins, its focus is immediately clear. â€Å"Given the existence†¦ of a personal God†¦ with white beard†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paints a portrait of an archetypal Christian God, one who is wise, magnanimous, and â€Å"personal. He goes on to polarize that image with an ecclesiastical construct that is largely opposite and is characterized as being â€Å"outside time without extension†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Even if there is a God he is unable to affect us and even if he can his care and love is subject to â€Å"some exceptions† These exceptions become sufferers who are â€Å"plunged in torment fire†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This fire is supposedly so strong that it will â€Å"blast hell to heaven†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The implications of these lines further the conflicting effects of a God. Those who are exceptions from his care experience life on earth as hell and this sensation is so strong that it eventually overrides any mote of hope or belief in a paradise beyond their earthly sufferings. Lucky’s cynical feelings are innately clear. God is an absent projection entrenched in paradox and if not then he is defined by â€Å"divine apathia† or apathy, a lack of interest, â€Å"divine aphasia† the inability to understand or express speech, and â€Å"divine athambia† the meaning of which is subject to debate but can be understood, according to the Oxford English Dictionary as â€Å"imperturbability†. He is unfeeling, unseeing, and inattentive. Similarly, Lucky’s thoughts and opinions are no less cynical or judgmental when considering the human race. Although fragmented by parodies of professors and philosophers the meat of this beat of the speech can be glimpsed in the spaces in between. â€Å"and considering†¦ that†¦ it is established beyond all doubt†¦ that man in Essy†¦ wastes and pines†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Lucky establishes that man is on the decline. His use of the phrase â€Å"wastes and pines† suggests not only a physical atrophy but a mental one as well. This notion is reinforced by specific examples, â€Å"in spite of†¦ the practice of sports†¦ penicilline and succedanea†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Despite our best efforts at advancing ourselves physically and mentally we are â€Å"concurrently simultaneously†¦ fad away† Lucky rounds off the beat by making reference to the fact that this â€Å"dead loss† of ourselves is a process that begun with â€Å"the death of Bishop Berkeley†, a reference to Irish philosopher George Berkeley who pioneered the ideology that the reality is ultimately comprised of nothing more than our cognitive perceptions of it. What Lucky implies with this reference is that since the death of Berkeley, we have become ensconced in the idea of some objective law imposed upon us by God and that this is the cause of our degeneration. However, contrary to somber message of the passage Lucky’s tirade is not without the signature jest and humor we expect from the theatre of the absurd. In fact, the use of puns is liberal; nearly every mention he makes of supposed scholars is a veiled witticism. .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 , .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 .postImageUrl , .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 , .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4:hover , .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4:visited , .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4:active { border:0!important; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4:active , .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4 .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ucd6f9461918ea33b545f911fabaafba4:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Parable of the Sadhu EssayThe â€Å"Puncher and Wattman† mentioned bears a slight resemblance to the actual scholars, the Scottish inventor James Watt and the French mathematician Louis Poinsot but in fact is more commonly seen as a humorous Anglicization of the French words wattman (a tram driver) and poincon (a ticket punch or conductor). Another instance of wordplay takes the form of the names â€Å"Testew and Cunard† which is open to a number of interpretations. One is that they are derived from the French names, Testu et Conard. Another is that they may be seen as a reference to the French tetu et conard which is slang for â€Å"mulish and tupid. † A far more humorous interpretation is that the names echo the French slang words for testicle (testicule) and vagina (con). Finally, Lucky makes a slightly more esoteric pun in mentioning the names â€Å"Steinweg and Peterman†. In the case of an English audience the second of the two names may seem humorous do to it’s association with the label, cracksman. To a French audience it may seem humorous due to the fact the French word for flatulence (peter) is strikingly similar to the first half of the name, effectively re-appropriating the scholar as a human representation of a passing of wind. The obscure part of the pun comes in the fact that both names reference ‘stone’ since stein is German for stone and Peter is derived from the Greek petros, meaning stone. This serves as an indicator of the last beat given that ‘stone’ is mentioned a further seven times in the speech. The ultimate function of all these double entendres is to further emphasize the degradation of man; even in these incredibly austere and profound moments Lucky himself is bathetic. In closing, it is easy to appreciate Lucky’s lecture for what it truly is, a classically absurd and Beckettian soliloquy. Rife with existentialism and forceful commentary, Lucky delivers his message in a swathe of deterring loquacity. Beckett makes use of interpolative bathos and witticism to remind readers and audiences alike of our supposed cessation and the irrationality of our religious projections. Some may dismiss Lucky’s speech as meaningless drivel but, as is evident, they couldn’t be farther than the truth. While the monologue is not necessarily the nub of Waiting for Godot’s message, there is no disputing that it is the most enthralling and the most memorable.

The Relevance of European Security Essay Example For Students

The Relevance of European Security Essay The transformation in world politics since the end of the Cold War and the removal of the bipolar East-West schism has led to a state of unpredictable change and, disorder. An increased perception of instability has resulted from the collapse of the Cold War deterrence regime, based on the promise of mutually assured destruction, which provided balance in the international system. The new international order has brought the North-South divide into the forefront, the most clearly defined example being the Euro-Mediterranean division. In response to the North-South disparity Europe launched an unprecedented initiative in attempting to achieve a coherent political and economic entity with the hopes of achieving economic prosperity and peace. As devoted to the EMP as the EU is, it is still necessary to recognize the potential implications of Mediterranean instability for Europe as a whole. Therefore, the issue ultimately remains: Are the current European security structures, consisting o f NATO, the WEU, and the OSCE in fact qualified to take care of collective security with in the Mediterranean. We will write a custom essay on The Relevance of European Security specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now It is of the foremost importance to clarify that the Euro-Mediterranean process intends to create an area of political stability and economic prosperity through the establishment of a political-security, economic, and social partnership. The EUs own history demonstrates that the most durable antidotes to instability, much more than security alliances or structures, are interdependence and integration. The Euro-Mediterranean partnership initiative recognizes that achieving a common area of peace and stability goes hand in hand with the creation of shared prosperity as well as the promotion of varying forms of human transaction and exchange. Therefore, the difficult challenge of achieving stability in the Mediterranean will not be a reality in a security vacuum, but in conjunction with a socio-economic agenda as well. Nevertheless, the challenges faced by the EU must include careful coordination with the activities and plans of NATO, the WEU, and the OSCE where the Mediterranean is con cerned. The three present security institutions had initially each reflected an individual and unique purpose with respect to Europe and their roles in providing a collective security in the region. The original mission of NATO was defined by the onset of the Cold War in the aftermath of the Second World War. It was the security of western Europe in relation to a perceived threat from Europes east, but included also, through integration of western forces an element of collective security among members with a tradition of mutual hostility(Fenech pg.157). The American led hierarchy of NATO led to the build up the WEU of which the US was not a member. Initiated by France, the WEU was an attempt to galvanize the European Communitys commitment, formalized in the Maastricht Treaty of European Union, to create its own Common Foreign and Security Policy. The ultimate intention was to achieve greater European integration, extending to the political and security levels. The third contending institutio n is the Organization, formerly Conference, for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The OSCE is an altogether different security structure from either NATO or the WEU. While these are essentially alliances, trying to combine the traditional function of self defense with the adopted role of sponsoring collective security, the OSCE is essentially a collective security organization with a record of bridging the divide between adverse blocs.(Fenech pg157). Specifically, the OSCE was to support the dente process, in attempting to ease East-West tensions. All three of these security institutions mentioned above at their inceptions utilized alternate means to achieve their desired ends of European security. However different these organizations may be, they have commonalities denominators, in which, the third proves qualitatively they are all ill-equipped to confront the security concerns with respect to the Mediterranean. NATO, the WEU, and OSCE claim the legitimacy of their concern stems from the European view that the security problems of the Mediterranean are relevant to the continents own security. All three are inherently Euro-centric institutions, and most importantly, all three are products of the Cold War that focused primarily on the East-West issues. Consequently, the very natures of these institutions are fundamentally different than those of the North-South issues During the Cold War the Euro-American relationship, visvis NATO, was one that maintained the two sides fairly satisfied with their given tasks. Their respective perspectives, one regional and the other global, did not need to clash so long as the Europeans refrained from global roles and the Americans refrained from imposing their views on internal European matters. This ideology fractured with the issue of the Mediterranean. Where the western Europeans saw the Mediterranean as a neighborhood and tried to treat it as such in their own interests, the Americans regarded it as a segment in a bigger, global picture(Fenech 161). American pressure to extend the scope of NATO thus went beyond the aim of extending the front of the contest with the Soviet Union and aimed at making the alliance an instrument of broader western objectives, notably the secure supply of Middle East oil. By the end of the Cold War the United States had proven experienced in utilizing its military and political prowess to help facilitate first world economic objectives. Therefore, the prime protest as to NATOs involvement would be the fear of the powerful American influen ces on decision-making, thereby, limiting the maneuvering capabilities of the EU. Secondly, NATO is first and for most an instrument of collective security and has retained all the components of a military alliance. These qualities have designed and orchestrated to specifically deal with the concerns of Europe, not of the Mediterranean periphery. The Western European Union would be, in fact, a better candidate to assume the security role of the Euro-Mediterranean then NATO.The truly regional nature of the WEU makes it less of an East-West institution, rendering it more of a neutral player with respects to the North-South issue. However, the WEUs campaign of EUROFOR and EUROMAFOR respectively can be seen as an application of Combined Joint Task Forces, a project in which the agendas of NATO and the WEU became closely aligned. The Webs objective here being the defense of southern European Territory and interests, the move represents the perpetuation and consolidation of the time honor ed NATO notion of the Mediterranean as Europes southern flank, that is to say, viewing the sea as the frontier to be defended, rather than to be bridged (Fenech pg.169). The manifestation of the two rapid reaction forces mentioned above are counter productivein the attempts to create a fruitful partnership. .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 , .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 .postImageUrl , .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 , .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314:hover , .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314:visited , .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314:active { border:0!important; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314:active , .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314 .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue79135e63df0be06e9ea3b1d3b041314:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Atomic Bomb EssayFinally, the Organization for Security and Organization, in theory, would appear as the most logical response in finding common ground between disparate blocs seeking to forge bilateral relationships in a North-South context. The non-alliance and non-sectarian nature of the OSCE and the organizations prime directive of bridging over troubled waters suggest by including the Mediterranean, strides could be taken.In practice the OSCE is largely a European affair, owing the majority of its objectives to the whims of Russia and the United States. Therefore, the fact that the OSCE has failed to integrate the whole Mediterranean in its process points to the c onclusion that, while what happens in the Mediterranean is the concern of Europeans, Americans and even Russians, what happens in Europe is not the concern of the Mediterranean countries(Fenech pg165)The end of the Cold War ushered in a new and unique world order. The United States had become the worlds true hegomon following a century filled with struggles over the balance of power. Europe may have ceased along the way to direct world affairs, but it continued none the less to be the center of the quest for international stability. As the iron curtain rose a old division stepped into the forfront: The north -south issue. In response, the Euro-Mediterranean partnership was forged attepting to utilize pre-existing institutions to help maintain security. The very nature of NATO, the WEU, and the OSCP remains essentially, in different manners, to protect and consolidate Europes post World War two status quo. In direct contrast the European Union is an ambitious organization relentlessl y devoted towards changeThe WEU Institute for Security Studies organized a seminar on The future of the Euro-Mediterranean security dialogue, on 13-14 January 2000 in Paris. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibilities of enhancing the Euro-Mediterranean Partnerships political and security chapter, including the establishment of a military dialogue within the Barcelona Process. The seminar also tried to assess the contribution that WEUs Mediterranean dialogue might provide, in the wake of the acquisition of WEU functions by the EU, and the synergies that will have to be found between the EMPs new security dimension, and NATOs Mediterranean dialogue. The Cologne European Council of June 1999 the EU decided to establish a common security and defense policy (CSDP) to supplement its CFSP, and more specifically to acquire new capabilities for crisis prevention and crisis management. This process was continued at the Helsinki EU Council of 10 December 1999, and will probably be finalized at the end of 2000. The EUs new military scope makes it easier to confer a new military dimension on the various fields covered by CFSP, including the Barcelona Process. This is relevant to EU members, but CSDP may also be of interest to EUs Mediterranean partners for a number of reasons, which equally justifies gradually including some defense and military aspects in the EMP and in the Charter. As far as military dialogue is concerned, in principle, there are two practical ways of incorporating it in the Charters framework. Either military partnership-building measures are included in existing categories of means and mechanisms defined in the Guidelines (for instance, under the heading of preventive diplomacy and crisis-management, or else within the list of general PBMs), or a new specific category is set up. This category may be called security partnership-building measures, or even military partnership-building measures. In any event, implementation of the Charter will undoubtedly depend on political circumstances. Within the framework of the Charter, the definition, planning and execution of concrete measures that are suitable for all the EMP partners will be a complex task. Informal contacts ought to pave the way to more specific negotiations. Concrete measures should be feasible and have a manifest added value for Mediterranean partners. These measures should be conceived and approved of, at least in their general lines, by the Senior Officials of the Barcelona Process. Adequate financial and human resources should be allocated to coordinate those measures. The EU Council Secretariat might be in charge of the coordination of concrete PBMs (even in the field of military dialogue). Another possibility would be to establish a specific office, with some degree of independence, to coordinate these kinds of measures, although this possibility is dependent on the wider decision on whether and to what ext ent the EMP should be institutionalized. .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 , .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 .postImageUrl , .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 , .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6:hover , .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6:visited , .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6:active { border:0!important; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6:active , .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6 .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u9d6a780c7d8d12f6bf04e3f4e06a52b6:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (141 words) EssayBibliography:

Being Brave The Essay Expert’s New Year’s Ressaylutions

Being Brave The Essay Expert’s New Year’s Ressaylutions Every year in January, I make New Year’s Resolutions and report them to you, my 1800 or so readers. For anyone who’s serious about resolutions, making them is brave. First of all, we need to do some honest assessment of what’s working and not working in our lives and businesses. We need to consider where we want to head in the next year. Serious resolutions mean the year is going to be a challenge. Of course many of us make our resolutions and then promptly forget about them or give up on them. They are not real to us. But that’s not what I’m talking about here. Making New Year’s Resolutions publicly holds me accountable! As some of you know, I report both my wins and my fails for the year in August and January. This transparency helps me get a lot of things done (though not everything I promise, as you will see below) and encourages me to continually assess and reassess my goals and progress. Here’s what happened in 2013: My 2013 â€Å"Ressaylutions† and results were as follows: Publish a Spanish-language version of How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Profile. Not done. After full consideration of the possibility, I decided it would be untenable to keep up with all the updates of content and images in a foreign-language version of the book as well as an English-language version! Project tabled indefinitely. Publish a 50 Resume Tips book. DONE! In fact, I published two: How to Write a WINNING Resume and How to Write a STELLAR Executive Resume. They have been selling fairly well on Amazon – and many resume writers and clients have told me they are very helpful. I have one job seeker who updated her resume based on the book and promptly got a job! Obtain my CMRW (Certified Master Resume Writer Certification, offered by CDI). DONE! Increase the college essay / personal statement portion of my business to 25% of total business. I’m still at 10%. However, realizing that I was not going to make this goal, I have already put some things into place for 2014, and I will be focusing even more on building this aspect of my business. Start a training for resume writers. This one got put on the back burner as I completed my e-books. Tabled for now but might come up again in 2014. Ressaylutions for 2014: Increase college essay / personal statement portion of my business to 25% of business (carried over from last year for a second go). Some steps already taken in the right direction: Speaking at the NRWA Conference in Denver about how to write a standout college essay. Getting interviews for a widely circulated newspaper talking about college essays (publication still pending). And advertising a new summer program for rising high school seniors to work on their writing skills and personal statement topics (Let me know if you have a student who would like to participate). Roll out a new â€Å"responsive† (mobile-friendly) website. I have already hired web designers and they are hard at work! Choose a CRM and project management system. The Essay Expert and my assistant Jeanne Goodman do entirely too much record-keeping by hand. I will be investigating CRM and project management systems this year to determine whether there is one that will make our lives easier over here at The Essay Expert! Serve 250 clients. This year The Essay Expert worked with 200 clients to find new jobs, get into school, and achieve business results. I’m aiming to increase that number by 25%! Generate 214 success stories. I haven’t given up on collecting 200+ client success stories. This year we reached 122 (up from 109 in 2012). I’m planning to increase client numbers next year (see #4) so there will be a better chance of increasing the number of success stories. Please share yours if you haven’t already! What are your New Year’s Resolutions and how will you hold yourself accountable? Please share! Category:Life and LeadershipBy Brenda BernsteinJanuary 13, 2014 3 Comments Scott Becher says: January 14, 2014 at 12:33 am Wonderful and impressive goals Brenda. Log in to Reply Scott says: January 15, 2014 at 10:01 am Have your expectations ever been disappointed by the outcome of your goals that you had no control over? Log in to Reply The Essay Expert says: January 15, 2014 at 10:34 am Ever? Im sure they have! The trick is to adjust and come up with new goals! All I have control over is my own actions and how I respond to what happens around me. Log in to Reply

To Be or Not to Be Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

To Be or Not to Be - Research Paper Example However, if looked negatively, it would show that the individual is very hesitant and indecisive. Hesitance and thereby indecision is normally seen as a major weakness to translate one’s thoughts and plans into action and reality. Although this weakness of hesitance would create mental blocks, the thought process and plans could reach the logical conclusion, whatever are the repercussions. Likewise, the central character of Hamlet in Shakespeare’s Hamlet has the weaknesses of hesitance and indecision’s regarding his plans, however those weaknesses do not hamper the end result The story of Hamlet revolves around the theme of revenge. Prince Hamlet strives to avenge the murder of his father. Hamlet is a tragic hero because while trying to avenge the death of his father, fells into the ‘death trap’ himself. The ‘deathtrap’ is set by his uncle (father’s brother) and tragically all the main characters including Hamlet fall into the trap. When the play starts off in Elsinore in the kingdom of Denmark, King Hamlet (father) dies and so his brother Claudius becomes the king, even marrying the late king’s wife Gertrude. Hamlet is angered by his mother’s marriage to his uncle, Claudius within a short period of his father’s death. â€Å"Let me not think ont--Frailty, thy name is woman!-- A little month, or ere those shoes were old With which she followd my poor fathers body, Like Niobe, all tears†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ that wants discourse of reason, Would have mournd longer--married with my uncle.† (Shakespeare 20 ). In all these palatial developments, logical heir and son of the late king, Hamlet with a lot of hesitance and indecision keep remaining as a mute spectator. The appearance of his father’s ghost and the revelation that his father was murdered by his uncle puts Hamlet in a position where he is unable to decide whether he should fight against the circumstances that life has put him in or just surrender before his fate.

Religious and Ethnic Identities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Religious and Ethnic Identities - Essay Example So, religious and ethnic identities can have positive or negative effect upon individual and societies. Thesis statement: Within a closed group, religious and ethnic identities have a positive effect upon individuals and societies but within an open (say, multiracial and multicultural) context, the same leads to negative effect upon individuals and societies. Religious and ethnic identities: positive or negative effect? As pointed out, religious and ethnic identities have a positive or negative effect on individual and societies in varied situations. To be specific, within one’s religion/community, religious and ethnic identities have a positive effect because it leads to cohesion and co-operation among the members. On the other side, within a multiracial context, religious and ethnic identities have a negative effect upon individuals and societies because there is high possibility for discrimination and marginalization based upon identity. A. Effect of religious and ethnic id entities on individuals One can see that religious identity of an individual can undergo change. For instance, conversion from a particular religion can change one’s religious identity. At the same time, religious identity is a part of one’s ethnic identity. ... ?One major reason why ethnic identities remain important for many ethnic minority people is that, in many situations, they are still subject to forms of racism and reminded of their difference† (141). One can easily identify that religious and ethnic identities of an individual can promote one’s acceptability within his or her personal/ public domain. For instance, one’s involvement in religious rituals and social gatherings ensure acceptance from other members of the same religion/ community. On the other side, an immigrant’s religious and ethnic identities, within a less flexible context lead to a number of problems like alienation, discrimination and marginalization. For instance, a nation with rigid religious belief may not show acceptance towards an immigrant’s religious and ethnic identities. Within this context, the immigrant will be forced to undergo a number of problems related to his or her religious and ethnic identities. From a different angle of view, the foretold problem is faced by individual who are newly converted to a religion. When one’s religious identity undergo change, there exists high possibility for the problem of non-acceptance in one’s private and public domains. To be specific, religious identity exerts less pressure upon an individual in a liberal social setting. There are many nations where a number of religions flourish without any problem related to one’s religious identity. But an individual’s ethnic identity is much more complex than one’s religious identity because the same is interconnected with one’s real identity in the society. Kostov states that â€Å"Democratic societies facilitate the emergence of multiple identities and modern technologies allow both large and small ethnic diasporas to survive and keep in

Economiccs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Economiccs - Essay Example This means that if resources will be allocated to take care of the young children from disadvantaged environments, the benefits will not only be for the children but for the whole society as well. This can be analyzed through data about the education and the human skills as major factors to determine productivity. Education as a public good when made available to all children can decrease the inequity in the society as it reduces academic and societal difficulties in the future. And through education, skills could be acquired. These skills could help achieve productivity both in the workplace and in the society. Children who were able to go to school will learn and acquire skills that they can use for jobs in the future. In the long run, unemployment and problems brought by it like crimes can be reduced. This is because returns of such investments cannot be realized directly during the present time. The changing trends in the labor markets can also contribute to the inefficiencies th at are present in the economy. The emergence of new technologies has raised the demand for highly skilled workers who are qualified to use them (Heckman and Masterov, 7).

Synthesis of Janus Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery System

Synthesis of Janus Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery System Over the past few decades, drug delivery systems have been well developed and studied to improve the curative effect of drugs.[1–4] Drug delivery systems can ameliorate the problems of conventional administration by prolonging duration time, enhancing drug solubility, retaining drug bioactivity, reducing side effect, and so on.[5, 6] A variety of carriers such as lipids,7, 8 polymer gels,[9,10] especially nanoparticles,11, 12 have been studied in drug delivery systems. At present, stimuli sensitive drug delivery systems have been an attractive theme for controlled release. The release behaviors of drugs can be easily controlled by surrounding properties, such as temperature,13, 14 pH,15,16 electric field,[17 ionic strength,[18 and so on. Recently, combined therapy with dual-drugs of different therapeutic effects shows excellent performance in treatment of diseases.19, 20 In order to optimize therapeutic effects, the doses and species of drugs should be optimized at different c linical manifestations and periods in the treatment. One of the main challenges of combined therapy is to control the release behavior of each drug independently. However, simple drug delivery systems cannot fulfill the needs of such therapy, because the most widely used carriers are normally possess single symmetrical geometry with single-surface. Even the dual-drugs are loaded on the single-surface carrier at same time, the delivery systems are designed only for the simultaneous release of two different drugs, and the release of each drug cannot be controlled. Furthermore, the multi-conjugates or loadings can interact with each other leading to undesired adverse effects. Therefore, developing independent multi-surface nanostructures for combination or loading of multiple drugs is critically desired. Janus nanoparticles possess multiple surface structures are anisotropic in composition, shape, and surface chemistry.[21] The structural asymmetry is ideally suited for dual-drug conju gations or loadings on different sections of a single Janus particle.[22] Furthermore, functionally distinct surfaces of the Janus particle can be used to selectively conjugate with specific chemical moieties for controlling the dual-drug loading or releasing, respectively.[23-25] During the past decades, considerable efforts have been made on the fabrication of Janus particles.[26-30] For instance, a monolayer of spherical particles such as those of polystyrene (PS) or silica colloidal nanospheres are spread on a solid substrate.[31-33] Thus, the functionalization could take place only on the top surfaces of the anchored particles. Because the low yield of the Janus particles result from the limited surface area of the bulk substrates, a modified method was later developed by using colloidal particles as the supporting substrates.[34-38] Another method for fabricating Janus particles was carried out at interfaces: a particle partially contacted with reactive medium and generated different surface functionalities from the opposite surface.36 With the development of microfluidic technique, Janus particles could also be fabricated by solidifying droplets composed of immiscible components.[39, 40] Other methods such as controlled surface nucleation, phase separat ion, and controllable polymer attachment,[41-54] have been also developed to synthesize the Janus particles. But the Janus particles reported previously were often close to micrometer in size and typically involved various types of polymers, which could induced poor biocompatibility, the fabrication of small Janus nanoparticles with inorganic materials is still a greater challenge.[48-54] On the other hand, the widely used silica is an useful material for building concentric [emailprotected] structures by using metallic or magnetic nanoparticles or quantum dots as cores,[55-57] but there have been few reports about silica based Janus nanoparticles. Due to the amorphous nature of silica, it is difficult to fine-tune the surface tension or lattice mismatch between silica and these core materials to form the Janus nanostructure. Feasibility for the synthesis of Janus nanocomposites As mentioned above, it is difficult to fine-tune the surface tension or lattice mismatch between silica and these core materials to form the Janus nanostructure due to the amorphous nature of silica. But for mesoporous silica materials, it has attracted a great deal of attention because of their versatility in surface tension and pore lattice parameters.[58, 59] In order to realize the formation of silica based Janus nanoparticles, the solution-grown synthesis route for the fabrication of inorganic nanocrystals based Janus (such as Au-Fe3O4,[60] Au-CdSe,[61] CdS-FePt,[62] Ag-Fe3O4,[63] CdSe-Fe3O4,[64] and so on) provides a possible clue to the creation of the silica based Janus nanoparticles by using the mesoporous silica as a structural subunit. The inorganic nanocrystals may have polymorphic atomic structures that are epitaxially attached at the interface from a core, leading to specific inorganic nanostructures with well-defined and characteristic shapes such as dimmers or trimers .[65, 66] For the growth of the ordered mesoporous structures, it is partly analogous to the growth of inorganic nanocrystals. Rather than epitaxy from atomic structures, the mesostructures can also be oriented by surfactants micelle and further induced the epitaxy growth of the mesoporous silica. So, compared with the formation of the inorganic nanocrystals Janus nanostructures, the silica based Janus nanocomposites would also be fabricated under the direction of the epitaxially growing properties of the mesoporous silica. Project proposal Focusing on the issues faced by the synthesis of the silica-based Janus nanocomposites and corresponding applications, this proposed project concerns the development of a novel anisotropic growth induced route for the synthesis of Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites [[emailprotected]2@mSiO2-PMO (NCs = Functional nanocrystals; mSiO2= mesoporous silica; PMO= periodic mesoporous organosilicas)] by using the mesoporous silica as a structural subunit, and the obtained Janus nanocomposites can be used for dual-control drug release (ibuprofen and doxorubicin). As shown in Scheme 1, inorganic functional nanocrystals, including upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and quantum dots (QDs), are firstly synthesized by using solvothermal approaches at a high temperature. Then, the [emailprotected]2 [emailprotected] nanoparticles, including [emailprotected]2, Fe3O4@SiO2, [emailprotected]2, will be synthesized with the reverse micro-emulsion method. Duo to the hydrophobic surface property of the obtained NCs, this hydrophilic SiO2 layer is very necessary for the following syntheses and applications. Furthermore, SiO2 layer can also serve as protective cover for the physical properties of the inorganic functional NCs, such as the fluorescences of UCNPs and QDs. Subsequently, the radial mesoporous SiO2 will be synthesized to form [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 [emailprotected]@shell nanostructures with the Stà ¶ber method in the presence of structure-directing agent (CTAB). The radial mesoporous layer of the obtained [emailpro tected]2@mSiO2 can accommodate the guest drug molecules (doxorubicin), the channel can also be easily modified with light sensitive switch molecules (azobenzene) by using post-modification method to realize the controllable release of doxorubicin. Finally, the Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2-PMO can be fabricated through a surfactant-templating approach by using cationic surfactant CTAB as a structure-directing agent and organic silica precursor as a source. At the very beginning, mesostructured CTAC/PMO composites can be assembled and deposited on the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 nanoparticles surfaces. Then, through an anisotropic growth, the mesostructured shells finally develop into mesoscale single-crystals coated on the spherical [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 cores and form Janus nanocomposites. The mesoporous of PMO section of Janus nanocomposites can also accommodate the guest drug molecules (ibuprofen). By introducing the heat sensitive pha se-change material (1-tetradecanol) as switch molecules, it will realize the dual-control release of the guest species. As shown in Scheme 2, the dual-control (heat and NIR light) drug release (ibuprofen and doxorubicin) can be realized as following. Drug molecule (doxorubicin) loading in the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains of the Janus nanocomposites: In this procedure, the inorganic functional nanocrystals are specified as NaGdF4:Yb, Tm UCNPs, which can emit photons in both UV (~ 350 nm) and Visible (~ 470 nm) region under NIR (980 nm) excitation. The mesopores of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 nanoparticles are modified with azobenzene molecules by using the post-modification method firstly. Both the loading and release of doxorubicin are regulated by the trans–cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene molecules. Specifically, the trans isomer of the azobenzene molecules will transform into the cis isomer under UV light irradiation, and in contrast the cis isomer will form the trans isomer under irradiation of visible light. The installing â€Å"photomechanical† azobenzene groups in the m esopores of silica are act as â€Å"stirrer† in the mesoporous silica, which can be used to control the loading and release of the drug. So, not only the release but also the loading of doxorubicin should be processed under the UV and visible light at the same time, and the drug will be locked in the mesopores of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains in the Janus structures after the UV and visible light are removed. The doxorubicin molecules absorb on the surface and mesopores of PMO domains in the Janus can be washed off with water. Drug molecule (ibuprofen) loading in the PMO section of the Janus nanocomposites and heat control release: After ibuprofen molecules are absorbed into the mesopores of PMO, the mesopores can be blocked with a phase-change material (1-tetradecanol), which has a melting point of 38 – 39 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. Below 1-tetradecanol’s melting point, it will be in a solid state to completely block the passing of encapsulated ibuprofen. When the temperature is raised beyond its melting point, it will quickly melt to release the encapsulated ibuprofen (heat control release). NIR light control release of doxorubicin in the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 section of the Janus nanocomposites: Upon absorption of NIR light (980 nm), the UCNPs can emit photons in the UV/Vis region, which are absorbed immediately by the photo responsive azobenzene molecules. The reversible photoisomerization by simultaneous UV and visible light emitted by the UCNPs creates a continuous rotation–inversion movement, and the doxorubicin molecules can be released from the mesopores of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2. Novelty of the project proposal: The anisotropic growth induced route for the synthesis of silica based multi-functional Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites is proposed for the first time. Varieties of inorganic nanocrystals, including upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4), quantum dots (QDs), can be introduced to further functionalize the Janus nanocomposites. Dual-control drug relase system based on mesoporous silica is proposed for the first time. The mesopore channels of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains and PMO domains in multi-functional Janus nanocomposites can accommodate two kinds of drug molecules independently at the same time. Two kinds of switch molecules are design to realize dual-control release of the drug molecules independently for the first time. Task 1: Synthesis of the inorganic functional nanocrystals (NCs), including upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4), quantum dots (QDs), and so on. The synthesis of the inorganic nanocrystals will be carried out at organic solvent with high boiling point solvents such as 1-octadecylen via a solvothermal approach at a high temperature (~ 300 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C for UCNPs, ~ 270 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C for Fe3O4 NCs, ~ 240 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C for QDs) in presence of the surfactants (oleic acid, oleylamine, etc.). Some simple inorganic salts such as rare earth chloride, iron acetylacetonate, iron oleate, cadmium oleate, zinc oleate, etc. will be used as the inorganic precursors. The necessary characterization (i.e. TEM, XRD, PL, UV-Vis, VSM) will be used in the experiments. Task 2: Fabrication of the [emailprotected]2 [emailprotected] nanoparticles, including [emailprotected]2, Fe3O4@SiO2, [emailprotected]2 and so on. Duo to the hydrophobic surface property of the obtained NCs, the [emailprotected]2 [emailprotected] nanoparticles will be synthesized with the reverse micro-emulsion method. The hydrophilic SiO2 layers in this objective are very necessary for the following syntheses and applications. Furthermore, SiO2 layers can also serve as a protective cover for the physical properties of the inorganic functional NCs, such as the fluorescences of UCNPs and QDs. Typically, the obtained inorganic NCs are dispersed in cyclohexane. Then polyoxyethylene (5) nonylphenyl ether (CO-520) and NH3.H2O are introduced to form reverse micro-emulsion. Finally, TEOS is introduced and hydrolysized at room temperature to form the [emailprotected]2 [emailprotected] nanoparticles. The necessary characterization (i.e. SEM and TEM) will be used in the experiments. Task 3: Fabrication of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 [emailprotected]@shell nanoparticles. In this step, the radial mesoporous SiO2 will be synthesized with the Stà ¶ber method in the presence of cationic surfactant such as CTAB. TEOS is used as a silica sources and hydrolysis in ethanol/water solution under alkaline condition (NH3.H2O) at room temperature. The necessary characterization (i.e. BET, SEM, and TEM) will be used in the experiments. Task 4: Fabrication of the Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites ([emailprotected]2@mSiO2-PMO). The orientation growth of the cubic mesostructure of mesoporous organosilica (PMO) materials is the key factor for the formation of the silica-based Janus nanocomposites. In this step, organic silica precursors, such as bis(trieth-oxysilyl)benzene (BTEB), 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTEE), bis(triethoxysilyl) ethylene (BTEEE), are used as the silica sources and hydrolysis in ethanol/water solution under alkaline condition (NH3.H2O) at room temperature in the presence of CTAB templates. By adjusting experimental parameters, the organic silica precursors can cooperative self-assembly with surfactant CTAB to form the ordered cubic mesostructured PMO crystals. Because the different mesostructures between [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 (radial) and PMOs (cubic), the PMOs will epitaxy growth to form the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2-PMO Janus structure instead of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2@PM O [emailprotected]@[emailprotected] structure. The necessary characterization (i.e. BET, XRD, SEM, FL, VSM and TEM) will be used in the experiment. Task 5: The design and evaluation of the dual-control drug release by using the obtained Janus core-shell mesoporous silica nanocomposites. The dual-control drug release can be realized as following. Drug molecule (doxorubicin) loading in the [emailprotected]2@ mSiO2 section of the Janus nanocomposites: In this procedure, the inorganic functional nanocrystals are specified as NaGdF4:Yb, Tm, UCNPs, which can emit photons in both UV (~ 350 nm) and Visible (~ 470 nm) region under NIR (980 nm) excitation. The mesopores of the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 nanoparticles are post-modified with azobenzene molecules by using N-(3-triethoxysilyl)propyl-4-phenylazobenzamide in ethanol at 80 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C firstly. Both the loading and release of doxorubicin are regulated by the trans–cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene molecules. So, not only the release but also the loading of doxorubicin should be processed under the UV and visible light at the same time, and the drug will be locked in the mesopores of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains in the Janus after the UV and visible light are removed. The doxorubicin molecules absorb on the surface and mesopores of PMO domains in the Janus can be washed off with water. Drug molecule (ibuprofen) loading in the PMO domains in the Janus nanocomposites and heat control release: After the ibuprofen molecules are absorbed into the mesopores of PMO, the mesopores can be blocked with a phase-change material (1-tetradecanol), which has a melting point of 38 – 39 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. Below 1-tetradecanol’s melting point, it will be in a solid state to completely block the passing of encapsulated ibuprofen. When the temperature is raised beyond its melting point, it will quickly melt to release the encapsulated ibuprofen (heat control release). NIR light control release of doxorubicin in the [emailprotected]2@mSiO2 domains in the Janus nanocomposites: Upon absorption of NIR light (980 nm), the UCNPs emit photons in the UV/ Vis region, which can be absorbed immediately by the photo responsive azobenzene molecules. The reversible photoisomerization by simultaneous UV and visible light emitted by the UCNPs creates a continuous rotation–inversion movement, and the doxorubicin molecules can be released from the mesopores of [emailprotected]2@mSiO2. The necessary characterization (i.e. UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, and TEM) will be used in the experiments.

The Swirls Of Emotions :: essays research papers

Emotions can be classified, according to your personal experience, into three different categories: happiness, sadness, and anger. First of all, there is happiness. Happiness has no limits, for it can be felt at any time, any place and to any person. It cannot be hunted for; it is not obvious, but inscrutable. Happiness is realized by understanding one's self, which is completely a personal experience. For instance, a person may find happiness in one thing, whereas someone else may in another. Happiness is what we let it be, and even though carry the abilty to let ourselves be happy, we rarely do. The second catagory that emotions can be fall into is sadness. Why is the quest for happiness left us more vulnerable and sad? Are we a society of people who are all looking for happiness and disappinted with what we find? In most cases, sadness leaves us in a state of depression and unstableness. When you become sad you feel as though you hate life at the present time and in most instance s you cry, become depressed and feel like your sadness will be everlasting. If we were always happy and never expressed our sadness, it would eventually build up and one day we would just explode, and mabye go into a form of deep depression. The last but not least of the catagories of emotion is anger. Quick to rise, and even quicker to lash out, the simple emotion of anger has the power to destroy and create. Anger is not always a bad emotion. Without anger lives would be lost, tyranny would go unopposed, and inhumanities would be quietly accepted. Anger, the most powerful and feared emotion of the soul's repertoire, destroys and created in the same breath. Moving from one person to the next anger is an every present force in

Notes on Ecosystems

Topic 1: Ecosystems at Risk A. Ecosystems and Their Management 2. Vulnerability and Resilience of Ecosystems * Vunerability is the sensitivity of an ecosystem to cope with stress. * Resilience is the ability of an ecosystem (or a component of an ecosystem) to adapt to a changing environment and to restore function and structure following an episode of natural or human-induced stress. * All ecosystems function in a state of dynamic equilibrium or a continual state of balanced change. This state of dynamic equilibrium is the product of the interrelationship of the elements in the ecosystem: the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.* Change occurs because the interrelationship between minerals, energy and communities varies over time. * It is also the interdependence of these four elements that makes an ecosystem vulnerable. * A change beyond the limits of the equilibrium, in any of these elements, means that the system as a whole cannot exist in its original state. All ec osystems are, in a sense, vulnerable, but the level of vulnerability depends on how small a change is needed in any element to upset the equilibrium. * Ecosystems, are therefore, not equally at risk – some are more resilient than others. Which ecosystems have greater resilience? Resilience is the ability of an ecosystem (or component of an ecosystem) to adapt to a changing environment and to restore function and structure following an episode of natural or human- induced stress.Ecosystems rich in biodiversity generally have greater resilience than those with little diversity. They are able to recover more readily from naturally induced stress (including drought and fire) and human- induced habitat destruction. 2. Under what conditions does long-term degradation occur? Long-term degeneration occurs when the magnitude and duration of the stress exceed the ability of the component to repair itself. 3. Explain the process shown in Fig 1. 1. 28. Figure 1. 1. 28 shows the impact of stress on the functioning of ecosystems.It shows the Elasticity and the rate of recovery of an ecosystem property following disturbance. It also shows the rate of amplitude and the threshold level of strain beyond. The intensity and duration of stress is important in terms of the effect it has on ecosystems. 4. Outline how natural sources of stress can play an important role in the functioning of ecosystems. These changes could be in response to changes in the availability of water, average temperature or many other natural events. In nature, these changes usually take place very slowly.The biome gradually adapts as animals and plant species that have characteristics unsuited to the change die out and those more suited the environment remains alive to breed and pass on their characteristics to successive generations. This process is known as natural selection. Causes of Ecosystem Vulnerability * All ecosystems have some ability to withstand stress. * They tend to resist being distu rbed or altered and will restore themselves to their original condition if not disturbed too dramatically. * In other words, ecosystems maintain themselves within a tolerable range of conditions. A number of factors are relevant to the vulnerability of ecosystems to stress, including location, extent, biodiversity and linkages. a) Location * Where an ecosystem is will affect its functioning. * At a global scale, latitude, distance from the sea, and altitude play decisive roles in determining climate and ultimately the nature of particular ecosystems.* The microclimatic features of a location can be significant enough to create a range of distinctive ecosystem types within relatively small areas e. g. aspect. * Some ecosystems are located in nvironments that are extreme e. g. deserts, polar, hypersaline lagoons. * Organisms capable of living in such conditions are highly specialised. * The greater the degree of specialisation of an organism to a particular set of environmental condit ions the more vulnerable it is to changes in those conditions e. g. coral * Corals are highly specialised organisms that flourish in the relatively shallow, nutrient-deficient waters of the tropics. †¢ * Any increase in nutrient levels promotes the growth of algae, which reduces the amount of sunlight available for coral growth. If high nutrient levels continue the corals become stressed, reefs contract in size and the number of coral species declines. * Coral is also sensitive to changes in water temperature, and flourish between 25 °C to 29 °C. * A small increase in the temperature can kill the coral polyp, leaving only the white calcium skeleton (coral bleaching).* Proximity to large concentrations of people is another important contributing factor to ecosystem vulnerability; demand for land grows as populations grow. Urban, industrial and agricultural land uses destroy natural ecosystems, while oceans, rivers and the atmosphere become dumping grounds for pollutants. b) Extent The extent (size) of any particular ecosystem is the product of a variety of factors. †¢ Recent research has shown that the boundaries of ecosystems tend to overlap each other. †¢ E. g. river ecosystems extended beyond the river channel to include the whole drainage system. †¢ Thus, human activity in the drainage basin can impact on the river itself even when it occurs some distance from the channel. E. g. may increase soil erosion †¢ A study showed that stoneflies and other creatures living in shallow wells on the flood plain of the river, up to 2km away from the river, mated along the riverbanks before returning to lay their eggs in the wells.†¢ This means the floodplain and the river cannot be considered as separate systems. †¢ Ecosystems that are restricted to relatively small areas or have already been distributed extensively are especially vulnerable †¢ Tropical rainforest, have relatively small populations of a large number of pecies confined to relatively small, localised communities †¢ Loss of small areas of rainforest can lead to extinction of plant and animal species †¢ Savanna grasslands, have large populations of a small number of species spread out over much larger areas †¢ Loss of a small area of grassland therefore need not result in the extinction of species. †¢ Large herbivores typical of these regions require extensive grazing areas†¢ c) Biodiversity Biodiversity is usually considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. ) Genetic diversity – Genetic diversity is the variety of genetic information contained in all the individual plants, animals and micro-organisms †¢ Genetic diversity occurs within and between populations of species as well as between species. †¢ Genetic diversity favours the survival of a species, because it increases the chance that some members of the species will have characteristics that aid thei r survival †¢ Often a gene has costs as well as benefits †¢ A study has shown that peach potato aphids that are resistant to common pesticides are less able to survive ii) Species diversity – Species diversity is a measure of the number of species at each trophic level of an ecosystem†¢ The greater the species diversity the more robust the ecosystem †¢ If the population of one consumer organism crashers there are other producers available that can fulfil a similar function in the ecosystem †¢ When ecosystems are diverse, there is a range of pathways for the ecological processes, such as nutrient recycling †¢ If one pathway is damaged or destroyed, an alternative may be used and the ecosystem can continue to function at its normal level †¢ If the level of biodiversity is greatly diminished, the functioning of the ecosystem is put at risk †¢ The greater the level of diversity, the greater the opportunity to adapt to change †¢ Many di verse ecosystems are characterised by highly specialised organisms †¢ A species may be vulnerable even if the ecosystem as a whole is not †¢ iii) Ecosystem diversity – Ecosystem diversity refers to the diversity present within ecosystems in terms of habitat differences, biotic communities and the variety of ecological processes d) LinkagesInterdependence, or linkages, is related to species diversity †¢ The greater the level of interdependence within an ecosystem the greater its ability to absorb change †¢ The loss of a primary consumer from a food web, e. g. s unlikely to have a major impact on secondary consumers if there is a range of alternative primary consumers on which to feed †¢ Ecosystems that have low levels of interdependence are much more vulnerable to change †¢ Krill are the dominant primary consumer organism and the main source of energy for some species of whale †¢ Interdependence can take very subtle forms e. g. some flowering plants can be fertilised by only one species of insect †¢ Anything that jeopardises this third organism, therefore, will affect the reproductive success of the flowing plant †¢ Primary consumers have highly specific food sources, and many parasitic organisms depend on specific hosts †¢ The same characteristics can be exploited by humans in the biological control of pest species †¢ Large consumer animals may range across a number of small, localised ecosystems, having genetically adapted to the variations in all of them †¢ 1.Outline (using examples) how the level of interdependence within an ecosystem will affect its vulnerability. Interdependence, or linkages, is related to species diversity. The greater the level of interdependence within an ecosystem the greater its ability to absorb change. The loss of a primary consumer from a food web, e. g. is unlikely to have a major impact on secondary consumers if there is a range of alternative primary consumers o n which to feed. Ecosystems that have low levels of interdependence are much more vulnerable to change 2. Give an example of the subtle forms this interdependence can take. Interdependence can take very subtle forms e. g. ome flowering plants can be fertilised by only one species of insect. This insect may turn, be dependent on some other organism for part of its life cycle. Case study: Vulnerability of Minnamurra Rainforest The Minnamurra rainforest is a small pocket of rainforest located on the South Coast of New South Wales near Kiama.The extent, biodiversity and location of the rainforest all work together to make this a vulnerable ecosystem. It is located close to urban development and is surrounded by farms. This increases the levels of pollutants entering the system and has lead to significant weed infestation. Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Stress Ecosystems are constantly changing and evolving in response to stress-induced changes within the total environment. * Th ese changes may be brought about naturally e. g. drought, or may be human-induced e. g. deforestation. * Natural changes usually take place more slowly than human-induced changes and the biome gradually adapts as animals and plant species that have characteristics unsuited to the change die out, and those more suited to the new environment remain alive to breed and pass on their characteristics to successive generations (a process known as natural selection).* Sudden natural disasters have occurred from time to time which have caused whole species to die out almost instantly because they had no time to adapt, however this is rare. In contrast, human-induced changes are usually rapid and do not allow species to adapt. * The ability to instigate large-scale environmental change means that people are able to push the state of dynamic equilibrium beyond its limits. * This means that people have created situations where they are required to maintain a state of equilibrium by utilising re sources found elsewhere e. g. the use of fertilisers and pesticides to maintain an agricultural monoculture, which would collapse without them.* Today, human activities destroy or seriously threaten species and destroy or degrade their habitat. Changes affecting ecosystems by cause and rate |Catastrophic |Gradual | |Natural sources of environmental stress |Drought |Climatic Change | | |Flood |Immigration of new species | | |Fire |Adaptation/evolution | | |Volcanic eruption |Ecological succession | | |Earth Quake |disease | | |Landslide | | | |Change in stream course | | | |Disease | | |Human-induced sources of environmental stress |Deforestation |Irrigation- salinization, waterlogging | | |Overgrazing |Soil compaction | | |Ploughing |Depletion of ground water | | |Erosion |Water/air pollution | | |Pesticide application |Loss and degradation of wildlife activity | | |Fire |Elimination of pests and predators | | |Mining |Introduction of new species | | |Toxic Contamination |Overhuntin g/Overfishing | |Urbanisation |Toxic contamination | | |Water/Air pollution |Urbanisation | | |Loss and degradation of wildlife activity |Excessive tourism | a) Natural environmental stress * Some natural sources of stress can be catastrophic and cause very rapid change e. g. droughts, floods, fire, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, disease, tsunamis and cyclones.* Most natural sources of environmental stress are more gradual and do allow species to adapt e. g. climatic change, immigration, adaption/evolution, ecological succession, disease, geographical isolation. Climate change was thought to be the reason behind the extinction of the dinosaur. * Ecological succession involves one species gradually taking over an environment from another as circumstances within the environment change e. g. as a climate becomes drier, drought-resistant species will gradually take over. Some of the effects of environmental stress Organism Level Physiological and biological changes Psychol ogical disorders Behavioural changes Fewer or no offspring Genetic defects in offspring Cancers Population Level Population increase or decrease Change in age structure Survival of different genetic strains based on stress threshold Loss of genetic diversity ExtinctionCommunity-ecosystem level Disruption of energy flows -Decrease or increase in solar energy uptake and heat output -Changes in trophic structure in food chains and webs Disruption of chemical cycles -Depletion of essential nutrients -excessive nutrient levels Simplification -reduction in species diversity -reduction or elimination of habitats -less complex food webs -possibility of lowered stability -possibility of ecosystem collapse Case study: Mt. St. Helens volcanic eruption 18th may 1980 at MT st Helens Washington state. A large volcanic eruption disrupts the natural order. New populations of flora and fauna were beginning to colonise the harsh environment.The new ecosystem formed and the process of regeneration was observed as the organisms with enough resilience survived and repaired. b) Human-induced environmental stress * People play a role in maintaining or disturbing the dynamic equilibrium of any ecosystem. * The impacts of human activity have a global dimension, operating within the context of an interdependent global environment. * Global co-operation is needed to address the threats to the world’s biophysical environment. * The causes of environmental degradation in today’s world include: – massive population growth – developing world poverty and the crippling burden of debt – non-sustainable agricultural practices in many countries environmentally damaging industrialisation and exploitation of natural resources, especially in poor countries struggling for export earnings* Each of these issues need to be effectively dealt with if humans are to combat environmental degradation. * Human threats to biodiversity include: – species introductions à ¢â‚¬â€œ habitat destruction – hunting/trade in animal products – pollution * The World Conservation Union’s analysis of animal extinctions since 1600 found that 39% resulted from species introductions, 36% from habitat destruction and 23% from deliberate extermination. answer the questions from the information on page 32-33 1. Outline the history of human-induced change. Humans have induced change in ecosystems since very early days in their evolution.The effects have been either caused intentionally or inadvertently. eg: Aboriginals burnt bushland to aid in hunting as well as inadvertently promoting growth and shaping the Australian bushland through natural selection promoting growth. 2. Outline how humans have simplified natural ecosystems and what this has resulted in the need for. Humans have been shaping ecosystems for their benefit. In this process the useful parts of the ecosystem have remained and the other parts have changed or died out. This process ha s also simplified the ecosystem in some cases making it unable to support itself. Eg crops, farms require money and time for upkeep. 3. What is the great environmental challenge for humans?The great challenge that humans face with their environment is to maintain a healthy balance between simplified ecosystems and neighbouring complex ecosystems. 4. Outline the ways in which humans modify natural vegetation, and the ability of the affected ecosystems to recover in each case. Human induced change can be either intentional, inadvertent or a result of negligence. The changes made can result in complete ecological destruction but occasionally the ecosystem can adapt due to its resilience and survive with the change. The Nature of Human-induced Modifications – Human-induced modifications to ecosystems may be either intentional or inadvertent. – In some cases they are the result of negligence on the part of people. i) Intentional ecosystem changeHumans bring about intentiona l ecosystem change for human benefit. An example of this can be found in the aboriginal burning for easier hunting or simply clearing land and producing food from crops or livestock. ii) Inadvertent ecosystem change ? These are changes that are not intended, but occur indirectly as a result of human activity. ? Meeting the needs and wants of humankind and a rapidly increasing human population will inevitably bring about large-scale environmental change. ? Unlike other species, humans have the ability to transfer resources from one region to another and to modify ecosystems in order to sustain continued population growth.Examples of human activities and the inadvertent effects they have include: Farming – Reduction of biodiversity, destruction of habitats, soil erosion, introduction of harmful pesticides killing native flora/fauna. Urbanisation- Total destruction of habitat, fragmentation of habitat destruction of ecosystem linkages, Increased pollution affecting surrounding e cosystems, Destruction of ozone o3 layer through use of cfcs iii) Ecosystem change caused through negligence People sometimes cause environmental change through negligence. Some of the more notorious examples of humanity’s failure to protect ecosystems at risk are the: ? Explosion of the reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine ?Minamata children being poisoned by mercury accumulated in the food chain ? Grounding of the Exxon Valdez in Prince William Sound, Alaska which caused widespread environmental destruction Consequences of human-induced changes . Human induce change is occurring worldwide in ecosystems. . The magnitude and rate of change is closely linked to human population size. . Salinization and desertification are two large scale problems with deforestation a major cause of ecosystem destruction through change. . Almost 11 million ha of land is degraded each year. Takes between 100 and 250 years for topsoil to build up in an area, can be destroye d in less than 10 by human activity.