Smoking Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Smoking - Research Paper Example A person who smokes subtracts and average of 14 years from their lives and significantly lowers the quality of life in all the years they continue the habit. The country’s economy loses as well, $75 billion in health care costs and $82 billion in productivity each year. â€Å"Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and disease, costing us too many lives, too many dollars and too many tears. If we are going to be serious about improving health and preventing disease we must continue to drive down tobacco use.† (â€Å"New Surgeon,† 2004) Smoking causes many negative health issues. Many were identified in 1964. A partial list includes lung, throat, mouth and bladder cancers, heart disease and chronic bronchitis. A 2004 report added stomach, kidney and pancreatic cancer, pneumonia and periodontitis among others. Statistics show that since 1964 more than 12 million Americans have died and another 25 million living today will likely die due to illnesses assoc iated with smoking. (â€Å"Smoking†, 2004) COPD, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, affects smokers almost exclusively. It cause severe breathing problems, slowing choking the sufferer until they finally succumb and die by asphyxiation. Cigarettes that are marketed as low tar and nicotine do not reduce the harmful effects of smoking. According to former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, â€Å"There is no safe cigarette, whether it is called ‘light,’ ‘ultra–light,’ or any other name.† (â€Å"New Surgeon,† 2004) Secondhand smoke (SHS), that which is inhaled by a non-smoker unlucky enough to be in the close vicinity of a smoker, has been shown to be a cancer causing agent and affects the non-smoker to at least the same degree as the smoker. Cigarette smoke has more than 4,000 chemicals and, maybe surprisingly, SHS contains 7,000, 250 of which have been found to be harmful and more

Iconography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Iconography - Essay Example There have been divisions within the Christians over the use of icons, such as the Iconoclasts vs. the Iconodules (787 a.d.). The iconodules won their argument, over time, that icons were an integral part of the Christian tradition. Adoration of icons was not taken literally as love for the icons themselves but the meaning of them. It is said that St. Luke, the Evangelist, was the first iconographer when he painted an image of the virgin Mary on a panel, a woman he is thought to have actually known. The Byzantine Empire is known for its abundance of iconographs. The symbols used in iconography must relate to that which is apparent to people of the culture or time in which they are created. For instance, the color gold, in Eastern Orthodoxy, means the radiance of Heaven, while red is the color of martyrs (wikipedia.com 2006). Dragons are a symbol for sin and temptation. The wheel that St. Catherine was tortured on is an example of overt symbolism. In more recent times, submerged iconography was incorporated into works of art. Two examples are Jan Van Eyck's iconographic painting and Hieronymus Bosch's painting, The Garden of Earthly Delights. The differences in their iconography are striking. In Van Eyck's work, The Adoration

The Admired Character Traits Of Ancient Greece English Literature Essay

The Admired Character Traits Of Ancient Greece English Literature Essay In the epic poem The Odyssey, a courageous hero, Odysseus, displayed many admirable traits, even though at times his actions brought pain and suffering to others he loved. These faults may have inflicted a substantial amount of desolation and agony to particular individuals, but these transgressions were inadvertent and failed to mutilate the true image of the protagonist during his many journeys. Odysseus is depicted as a dedicated warrior because his prominence and allure resulted in his depiction as a god-like figure among men and a worthy king amongst his people. Odysseus physical dominance earned himself respect and his intelligence and exceptional nature was admired by all of his followers. His dictating role in the Trojan War placed a large emphasis his strength as a fighter and as a human being. Odysseus demonstrated his intellectual abilities when devising strategic plans of attack, such as the penetration of Troy with the infamous Trojan horse. Nestor, Menelaus, Achilles, a nd Agamemnon, spoke highly of their comrade in response to his service. For all of the Achaeans who strove at Troy it was Odysseus who strove the hardest and achieved the most. Odysseus actions were known throughout the land, no more so than in his own country, Ithaca. Even though Odysseus was absent for more than a decade, many citizens were still loyal and hopeful of his return. A vital characteristic trait that was admirable in ancient Greece was physical strength due to their environment and dedication to succeeding in war situations. While accounting what happened after three of his men ate the flower of the Lotus Eaters, Odysseus recalls, I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, ties them down under their rowing benches, and called the rest: All hands aboard; come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home' (985). To drag three grown men, who were also very strong and equally fit, onto a ship against their will and tie them up creates the image of a great physical challenge for Odysseus for the reader. The story states, All three wailing, translates that they were fighting against Odysseus, which extends his challenge to a more demanding stage. Next, Odysseus exemplifies his brute physical strength during his plan to disable a Cyclops by ramming a monstrous spear into the eye of the Cyclops. Now by the gods, I drove a big hand spike deep in the embers, charring it again, and cheered my men along with battle talk to keep their courage up: no quitting now. The pike of olive, green though it had been, reddened and glowed as if about to catch. I drew it from the coals and my four fellows gave me a hand, lugging it near the Cyclops as more than natural force nerved them; straight forward they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and leaned on it turning it as a shipwright turns a drill in planking, having men below to swing the two-handled strap that spins it in the groove (992). An event in which Odysseus easily exemplifies his physical strength occurred in the claiming of Penelope because and arrow would have to pass through a series of targets using the bow that Odysseus had left behind when he went to war. Shockingly, none of the suitors could string the bow, but the Odysseus could string the bow with a negligible amount of effort. When the suitors failed to pull the bow to shoot the arrow through the targets, Odysseus genuinely pulled the bow to its fullest length then drove the arrow perfectly through the targets. In conclusion, Odysseus defies the limits of strength which boosts his probability in completing challenges quickly and more precisely than other heroes. Mental quickness and the abilities to fight through mental challenges is a major characteristic trait that places a fine line between Odysseus and other heroes of ancient Greece. When Odysseus and his crew were trapped in the cave of the Cyclops, Odysseus tricked the Cyclops into becoming drunk so the Cyclops would go into a state of dizziness to increase the probability of defeating the Cyclops. Odysseus purposely offered the Cyclops some of the sweet wine of maron in which was stronger than other wines because it was not diluted with water. When the Cyclops was drunk, he asked Odysseus his name, but he lied and said his name was Nohbdy which was a high intelligence decision on his part. He didnt know how to escape at first after this, but he and his men ended up heaving up a pointed stick and plunged it into its eye, which is where the name Nohbdy came into play because other Cyclops were ready to spring into action when they heard the cries, but the Cyclops yelled out that Nohbdy was attacking me. The Cyclops was blinded and opened the cave door, and Odysseus and his crew returned to the ship. On the way away from the island, Odysseus called back that if anyone ever asked who blinded him, he should reply, Tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laertes son, whose homes on Ithaca. Secondly, the sirens were evil spirits that were half woman and half bird that led sailors to their death with their song. To prevent this, he blocked up the ears of his men with beeswax, but he had himself tied to the mast of the ship so that he could hear their song. He forewarned his men that if he used sign language to be released, they should bind him tighter. After that, during the crews encounters with Scylla and Charybdis, Odysseus is wise in not informing them of the future events that is yet to come because he deserved full participation and effort from his crew instead of panic. When Scylla made her strike, Odysseus positioned the boat to where only six of his crew would be whisked by the arms of the sea monster instead of endangering all of his crew. Then Scylla made her strike, whisking six of my best men from the ship. I happened to glance aft at ship and oarsmen and caught sight of their arms and legs, dangling high overhead. Voices came down to e in anguish, calling my name for the last time (1010). A final explication of Odysseys mental abilities was when Odysseus returned home, he found that his wife had many suitors who wished to marry his wife and claim his possessions because they believed that he was dead. She tricked them to keep them at bay because she did not want to marry any of the suitors. She threw a tournament, and Odysseus took part in it, but under disguise so as not to be noticed by the suitors. The contest was to see if they could wield Odysseus bow, and to shoot an arrow through the holes of 7 axes that had been lit on fire, and Odysseus won easily winning back the hand of Penelope. The Odyssey is a perfect portrayal of how Odysseus can succeed in using Brains over Braun. A vital characteristic trait that all of ancient Greeces heroes and gods possessed were bravery and perseverance and to conduct themselves accordingly no matter the intensity of the situation. Eurylochos considers Odysseuss perseverance to be exceptional because he still had the fortitude to tell his crew to sail on past a potentially safe island retreat for the night after enduring the horrors of Scylla and Charybdis. You are a hard man, Odysseus. Your force is greater; your limbs never wear out. You must be made all of iron, when you will not let your companions, worn with hard work and wanting sleep, set foot on this land, where if we did, on the sea girt island we could once more make ready a greedy dinner; but you force us to blunder along just as we are through the running night, driven from the island over the misty face of the water (12.279-285). At this time Charybdis sucked down the seas salt water, but I reached high in the air above me, to where the tall fig tree grew, an d caught hold of it and clung like a bat; there was no place where I could firmly brace my feet, or climb up it, for the roots of it were far from me, and the branches hung out far, big and long branches that overshadowed Charybdis. Inexorably I hung on, waiting for her to vomit the keel and mast back up again. I longed for them, and they came late; at the time when a man leaves the law court, for dinner, after judging the many disputes brought him by litigious young men; that was the time it took the timbers to appear from Charybdis (12.431-441). This quote proves that Odysseus has mental and physical perseverance and without his willpower, his physical perseverance would go to ruins. This next quote portrays Odysseuss determination and believing and hoping for the best. Of all creatures that breathe and walk on the earth there is nothing more helpless than a man is, of all that the earth fosters; for he thinks that he will never suffer misfortune in future days, while the gods gra nt him courage, and his knees have spring in them. But when the blessed gods bring sad days upon him, against his will he must suffer it with enduring spirit. For the mind in men upon earth goes according to the fortunes the Father of Gods and Men, day by day, bestows upon them (18.130-137). No matter what back luck got thrown towards Odysseus and his crew, there was nothing simpler than enduring the challenge and hoping for the best because they mastered the skill in perseverance, which ultimately results in surviving the pain of the challenge. Perseverance was the key to surviving in ancient Greece during the times of war and self-defense. In ancient Greece, a necessity to be able to live your live as you wish with overall satisfaction and peacefulness, is to simply treat the gods with respect which will save their life in near death situations. Since the gods acquire such super powers, immortality, and control over their followers with human weakness, it is this combination that causes so much torment and suffering. Examples of such human weakness in the story are when Athena takes pride in Odysseus, Calypso lusts after Odysseus, and Helios wants revenge on Odysseuss crew. When Odysseus was caught in a storm after leaving Calypsos Island, he is on the verge of death when Odysseus yells, What do you want me to learn? Poseidon responds, That without the gods, man is nothing. This summarizes the necessity of having respect for the gods in the Odyssey. Odysseus also offered any sacrifices to ask forgiveness for their mistakes and for good will. Then I addressed the blurred and breathless dead, vowing to slaughter my best heifer for them before she calved, at home in Ithaca, and burn the choice bits on the altar fire; as for Tiresias, I swore to sacrifice a black lamb, handsomest of all our flock. Thus to assuage the nations of the dead, I pledged these rites, then slashed the lamb and ewe, letting their blood stream into the well pit (1000.) Finally, Odysseus portrays respect for the gods by praying to them in times of struggle and hardships, such as when he prayed to Apollo to see his wife and son back home. These examples prove the dear respect ancient Greeks gave to the gods because they knew it aid them one day in the future. The next admirable trait in ancient Greece was self-control in which Odysseus exemplifies perfectly in many occasions during his journey. When Odysseuss crew devour the rich taste of the Lotus, he remains sober because the drug muddles ones memory so that he forgets about home, but Odysseus remains faithful to his goal of traveling home as soon as possible. But those who ate this honeyed, the Lotus, never cared to report, nor to return: they longed to stay forever, browsing on the native bloom, forgetful of their homeland. I drove them all, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down under their rowing benches, and called the rest: All hands aboard; come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home (985). Secondly, Odysseus resisted the songs of the Sirens, but even though he was tied up, Odysseus could have used his superhuman strength to unleash himself to the trap of the pleasuring sounds. Near the end of the Odyssey, Odysseus resists the temptati on to fight back against Melanthios and Antinoos because he had learned from his mistakes and decides to bear the unjust blows of the suitors because he knows his revenge has to be plotted in a careful manner. Finally, Odysseus turns down the offer to see Penelope because the suitors may attack him and he wants Penelope alone to test her loyalty. Although Odysseus did not resist every temptation, the one he did resist resulted in his overall enlightenment. In conclusion, those urn to be a leader must first convey specific qualities if they are to excel in the world. First, when each second counts, the ability to quick, but assessed decisions is vital. Next, a true leader will set goals for his followers and push them to their max to achieve their goals, but also conveying his own abilities to his followers to portray a true example of determination. After that, knowledge and intelligence of how to use your abilities are vital in accomplishing the set goals. The final and most important trait of a leader is self-discipline and sacrifice. A leader must not only act appropriately in all situations, but also remain humble even if his followers act exactly opposite in regards of their goals. According to the Odyssey, Odysseus exemplifies all major traits of a leader that are most admired by ancient Greeks.

Bacillus Anthracis and Biological Warfare Essay -- Germs Infections Wa

Bacillus Anthracis and Biological Warfare Bacillus anthracis is a rod-shaped, nonmotile, aerobic, gram-positive bacterium that can be transmitted from herbivoric animals to humans (Figure 1). Before an animal’s death, its orifices exude blood containing huge quantities of the bacterium. Anthrax forms extremely resilient spores upon exposure to atmospheric conditions. Because of this spore-producing ability, even after the animal host dies the germs can sporulate again, persisting in the soil for up to several decades (1). No cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported for this zoonosis. Historically, human cases have been either industrial, as with woolsorter’s, or agricultural (2). Anthrax can be transmitted via 3 routes: cutaneous anthrax, gastric anthrax, and inhalational anthrax. Of the three, cutaneous anthrax is clearly the most prevalent, accounting for about 95% of all cases (3). In cutaneous anthrax, the bacterium invades when broken skin contacts contaminated animal products (1). Within about 2 weeks, at the point of entry a localized sore develops which turns the skin black, becoming a large welt. This coal black lesion "gave rise to the term anthrax that is derived from the Greek anthrakos" which means ‘coal’ (3). While generally self-limited, large doses of oral antibiotics such as penicillin, ciprofloxacin, or doxycycline cure cutaneous anthrax rapidly and effectively. Antibiotic treatment speeds healing, and decreases the possibility of systemic diffusion and lethal toxemia (4). With both gastric and inhalational anthrax, on the other hand, large doses of intravenous antibiotics are necessary (2). Gastric anthrax is exceedingly rare, and results from consumption of contaminated, poorly cooked mea... ...defense against bioterrorism." Emerging Infectious Diseases. 5.4 (1999): 531-33. 22. Friedlander, AM, Pittman, PR, and GW Parker. "Anthrax vaccine: Evidence for safety and efficacy against inhalational anthrax." JAMA. 282.22 (1999): 2104-06. 23. Nass, M. "Anthrax vaccine: Model of a response to the biologic warfare threat." Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 13.1 (1999): 187-205. 24. Sidel, VW. "Weapons of mass destruction: The greatest threat to public health." JAMA. 262.5 (1989): 680-82. 25. Fox, JL. "Adjusting FDA policies to address bioterrorist threat." Nature Biotechnology. 17 (1999): 323-24. 26. Zegers, ND, Kluter, E, van der Stap, H, et al. "Expression of the protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis by Lactobacillus casei: Towards the development of an oral vaccine against anthrax." Journal of Applied Microbiology. 87 (1999): 309-14.

Fletcher Munson Curve

This means that it requires less energy to hear kHz frequencies Our ears are most sensitive to hearing 3. KHz as this is the resonance frequency of our ear canals Range of frequencies we are sensitive to are between 1 kHz and KHz (this is the frequency range that mobile phones play out) We hear low and high frequencies very poorly The db reference curve is the most flat, meaning that most frequencies appear to be at the same level. This Is why music sounds a lot better and more full when played loudly around this frequency SummaryEqual Loudness Contours show the measure of sound pressure levels in relation to different frequencies. Our ears perceive different frequencies of sound to be louder or quieter than each other even when played at the same reference level of db. Hearing Damage Tinnitus (both temporary and permanent) Tinnitus is a term used to describe the case of being able to hear sounds that are within the person's body, rather than sounds from an outside source. It often c auses a ringing In the ears, but other sounds that can be heard Include humming, buzzing ND whistling.Tinnitus can either be caused by a bully up of earwax, a mild ear infection, or also very commonly can be caused by damage to the inner ear from loud noises (usually high frequencies). Tinnitus can be prevented by best by avoiding exposure to loud noises completely, however this can prove difficult in a lot of scenarios. A more realistic approach to preventing tinnitus include reducing the time that you are exposed to loud noises, this can be done by either spending less time in sissy environments, or by taking regular breaks about every half hour for ten minutes or so.Another way to reduce the risk of getting tinnitus is by ensuring that you stay hydrated, as this makes sure that the circulation for the blood in the inner ear is kept topped up'. You can also reduce the risk of getting tinnitus by reducing the Intensity of exposure. Either turning the volume down yourself can do thi s, or If you don't have control of the volume, then you can wear earplugs. Noise Induced Hearing loss (NIL) is caused by either very loud noises for either a reef or prolonged time.The loud sounds can damage sensitive structures in the inner ear and can result in struggling or being unable to hear certain frequencies, or just partially deafening your ear(s). NIL can be prevented in the same ways as tinnitus and most other hearing problems. If you reduce the amount of time you are exposed to loud noises, or reduce the intensity of the noise by wearing ear protection, then you are reducing the risk of damaging your ears either temporarily or permanently.

Assignment: The Darby Company Manufactures and Distributors

BA561 –winter 2006 LP Case Notes: 1. This is an individual assignment. As stated in the syllabus you must do your own work or you will fail the class. 2. You can use any software you wish to perform the analysis, but the assignment was designed under the assumption that you would be using the LINDO software used for LP in BA555. 3. The project is due at the beginning of class in week four (February 1). The Case: The Darby Company manufactures and distributes meters used to measure electric power consumption. The company started with a small production plant in El Paso, Texas and gradually built a customer base throughout Texas.A distribution center (DC) was established in Ft. Worth, Texas and later as business expanded to the North, a second distribution center was established in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The El Paso plant was expanded when the company began marketing its meters in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. With the growth of the West Coast business, the Darby Company opened a third distribution center in Las Vegas, Nevada and just two years ago opened a second manufacturing plant in San Bernardino, California. Manufacturing costs differ between the company’s two production facilities.The cost of each meter produced at the El Paso plant is $10. 50. The San Bernardino plant is more efficient and produces meters at $10. 00 a unit. Due to the company’s rapid growth, not much attention has been paid to the efficiency of the distribution system, but Darby’s management has decided that it is time to address this issue. The costs of shipping a meter from each of the plants to each of the three distribution centers is shown in Table 1. Yearly production capacity is 30,000 units at the El Paso plant and 20,000 units at the San Bernardino plant.Note that no shipments are allowed from the San Bernardino plant to the Ft. Worth distribution center. The company serves nine customer zones from the three distribution centers. The forecast of the number of meters needed in each customer zone for the following year is given in Table 2. The Unit costs of shipping from each distribution center to each customer zone is given in Table 3. Note that some of the distribution centers can not serve certain customer zones. In the current distribution strategy demand at the Dallas, San Antonio, Wichita and Kansas City customer zones is satisfied by shipments from the Ft.Worth DC. In a similar manner the Denver, Salt Lake City and Phoenix customer zones are served by the Santa Fe DC. And the Los Angles and San Diego customer zones are satisfied by the Las Vegas DC. To determine how many units to make at each plant, the customer demand forecasts are aggregated at the distribution centers and a transportation model is used to minimize the costs of shipping from the production plants to the distribution centers. Issues the company wants you to address 1. If the company does not change its distribution strategy what will its manufacturi ng and distribution costs be for the following quarter? . Suppose the company is willing to change its distribution strategy so that customer zones could be served from any distribution center for which costs are available. Would this reduce total costs? If so by how much? Would you make this change? Please be sure to examine all supply chain implications beyond just direct dollars saved. 3. The company wants to explore the potential of direct shipping from the plants to certain customer zones. Specifically the shipping cost is $. 30 per unit from San Bernardino to Los Angeles and $. 70 from San Bernardino to San Diego.The cost for direct shipments from El Paso to San Antonio is $3. 50 per unit. Should the company do direct shipping? If so on which routes? 4. In 3 years demand is expected to have increased 30% on average across all customers. At that time the company expects to have saturated the markets they presently serve (in other words additional growth will have to come from n ew markets). It will cost 3 dollars a unit to increase capacity at the El Paso plant and 4 dollars a unit at the San Bernardino plant. How much capacity, if any, would you add to each plant to satisfy future demand?Instructions: 1. When answering the questions it is expected that you address the following: a. What is the mathematically optimal way to meet all demands and constraints at the minimal cost? You must use LP to answer this question. b. The LP model gives you the minimum cost solution. What assumptions are you making if you implement the optimal solution from the model? At a minimum pleases be sure to consider: i. Quality ii. Delivery reliability and speed iii. Managing logistics iv. Optimizing the supply chain v.Customer satisfaction 2. You must turn in a disk (floppy, cd or dvd) that contains all models you used to write the paper. The disk should contain the models and the solutions. Assignments that are not accompanied by a disk with the models and solutions will lose 30%. You can not turn your models and solutions in late. 3. You may use any software supported by the COB you wish- but Dr. Pagell will be using LINDO. 4. Your assignment will have an appendix where the models are explained, Please use typical LP nomenclature (let statements and the like).If the professor can not figure out what the variables in your models represent you will lose points. 5. You will have a second appendix with a print out of your results. If you run multiple models you will need to print out results from all of the runs. 6. When it comes to format you do what you think is best to answer the questions with the following expectations / limitations: a. You will turn in a well written, grammatically correct, logically consistent paper. b. Presentation will be professional. Everything should be typed, easy to read, laid out in a logical manner, and so on. . Make sure you tell the reader where to find information. For instance if you are using a dual price to answer a qu estion say so. And tell the reader where to find this information in the paper. I am not going to guess where information comes from. d. This is a paper not a 4 questions test. I expect you to write a paper that integrates all four questions. Papers where each question is in its own stand alone section with no linkages to other sections of the paper will get lower grades than papers that integrate the information.Grades: Your grade will be based on the proper formulation, solution and interpretation of the models. Formulation and solutions will be worth 70% of your grade and interpretation will be 30% of your grade. The instructor reserves the right to give bonus points to students who come up with very elegant formulations. Table 1 Shipping cost per unit from production facilities to distribution centers | |Ft. Worth DC |Santa Fe DC |Las Vegas DC | |El Paso Plant |$ 3. 0 |$ 2. 20 |$ 4. 20 | |San Bernardino Plant |- |$ 3. 90 |$ 1. 20 | Table 2 Yearly demand forecast |Customer Zone |Demand in meters | |Dallas |6300 | |San Antonio |4880 |Wichita |2130 | |Kansas City |1210 | |Denver |6120 | |Salt Lake City |4830 | |Phoenix |2750 | |Los Angles |8580 | |San Diego |4460 | Table 3 Shipping costs from DC’s to customer zones in dollars ($) |Customer Zone | DC |Dallas |San Antonio |Wichita |Kansas City |Denver |Salt Lake City |Phoenix |Los Angles |San Diego | |Ft. Worth |. 3 |2. 1 |3. 1 |4. 4 |6. 0 |- |- |- |- | |Santa Fe |5. 2 |5. 4 |4. 5 |6. 0 |2. 7 |4. 7 |3. 4 |3. 3 |2. 7 | |Las Vegas |- |- |- |- |5. 4 |3. 3 |2. 4 |2. 1 |2. 5 | |