Albert Camus essays

Albert Camus essays The Stranger represents in many ways, Camus style of Existentialism and his philosophical notion of absurdity. The absurd by Camus definition is what describes humanitys attempts to place rationalization or reasoning to important aspects of the human condition such as the need for government, religion, and a realization of the physical or natural world. All of this is absurd because Camus idea of Existentialism states that there is absolutely no inherent meaning given to any of these fundamentals whereas humanity is found to have the need to place them in a certain order or rationalize the existence of such. Meursault is the character in Camus novel, The Stranger who deals with the world in a way that seems confusing at first, but whose personality becomes clearer as we progress deeper into the realm of Existentialism and Camus notion of absurdity. What is it exactly about Meursaults character that which prevents him from finding meaning given to his life by religion, nature, or government? We see in the novel that Meursault has a different way of looking not only at the world around him, but also how he sees himself in his own mind. This unique view is the key to this novel and the beliefs that Camus is trying to convey. It is apparent from the very beginning of the novel in Part One, that there are small yet significant perceptive differences in the way that Meursault interacts with his environment. He sees the world around him without any kind of rationale or reasoning within it, and his thoughts and emotions reflect this trait as well. Therefore, the news of the death of his mother does not affect him as it would someone who possesses an ability to reason or find meaning in life or death. In the beginning of the second chapter of The Stranger, Meursault first encounters Marie, who is an old co-worker and here, Camu s allows us to see an example of the character&apo...

Desert Biome Is the Driest

Desert Biome Is the Driest The desert biome is a dry, terrestrial biome. It consists of habitats that receive very little rainfall each year, generally less than 50 centimeters. The desert biome covers about one-fifth of the Earths surface and includes regions at a variety of latitudes and elevations. The desert biome is divided into four basic types of deserts- arid deserts, semi-arid deserts, coastal deserts, and cold deserts. Each of these types of deserts is characterized by different physical characteristics such as aridity, climate, location, and temperature. Daily Temperature Fluctuations   Although deserts are highly varied, there are some general characteristics that can be described. The fluctuation in the temperature throughout a day in a desert is far more extreme than the daily temperature fluctuations in more humid climates. The reason for this is that in damper climates, humidity in the air buffers the daytime and nighttime temperatures. But in deserts, the dry air heats up considerably during the day and cools off quickly at night. The low atmospheric humidity in deserts also means there is often a lack of cloud cover to hold the warmth. How Rainfall in the Desert Is Different Rainfall in deserts is also unique. When it does rain in arid regions, precipitation often comes in short bursts that are separated by long periods of drought. The rain that falls evaporates quickly- in some hot arid deserts, rain sometimes evaporates before it hits the ground. The soils in deserts are often coarse in texture. They are also rocky and dry with good drainage. Desert soils experience little weathering. The plants that grow in deserts are shaped by the arid conditions in which they live. Most desert-dwelling plants are low-growing in stature and have tough leaves that are well-suited to conserve water. Desert plants include vegetation such as yuccas, agaves, brittlebushes, lack sage, prickly pear cacti, and saguaro cactus. Key Characteristics The following are the key characteristics of the desert biome: little rainfall (less than 50 centimeters per year)temperatures vary greatly between day and nighthigh evaporation ratescoarse-textured soilsdrought-resistant vegetation Classification The desert biome is classified within the following habitat hierarchy: Biomes of the World Desert Biome The desert biome is divided into the following habitats: Arid deserts s of coastal deserts include the Atacama Desert of Chile and the Namib Desert of Namibia. Cold deserts - Cold deserts are deserts that have low temperatures and long winters. Cold deserts occur in the Arctic, Antarctic, and above the treelines of mountain ranges. Many areas of the tundra biome can also be considered cold deserts. Cold deserts often have more precipitation than other types of deserts. An example of a cold desert is the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia. Animals of the Desert Biome Some of the animals that inhabit the desert biome include: Desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys deserti) - The desert kangaroo rat is a species of kangaroo rat that inhabits the deserts of southwestern North America including the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, and the Great Basin Desert. Desert kangaroo rats survive on a diet that consists primarily of seeds.Coyote (Canis latrans) - The coyote is a canid that inhabits a wide range throughout North America, Central America, and Mexico. Coyotes inhabit deserts, grasslands, and scrublands throughout their range. They are carnivores that feed on a variety of small animal prey such as rabbits, rodents, lizards, deer, elk, birds, and snakes.Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) - The greater roadrunner is a year-round resident of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Greater roadrunners are fast on their feet, they can outpace a human and use that speed and their sturdy bill to catch their prey which includes lizards, small mammals, and birds. The species inhabits deserts and scrublands as w ell as open grasslands. Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius alvarius) - The Sonoran desert toad that inhabits semi-deserts, scrublands, and grasslands in southern Arizona at elevations below 5,800 feet. The Sonoran desert toad is one of the largest toads native to North America, growing to lengths of 7 inches or more. The species is nocturnal and is most active during the monsoonal season. In drier periods of the year, Sonoran desert toads remain underground in rodent burrows and other holes.MeerkatPronghornRattlesnakeBanded Gila MonsterCactus wrenJavelinaThorny devil

Hip-Hop as an Integral Part of African- American Culture Essay

Hip-Hop as an Integral Part of African- American Culture - Essay Example There is a wide range of African-American music for instance gospel, jazz, blues, soul and hip-hop. However, hip-hop is the most important music genre that has greatly influenced the culture and identity of the African American people. To the African American people, hip-hop is encompasses more than music to include other components such as language, clothing and way of life. African Americans use hip-hop to express black culture and identity in society. To the African American community, hip-hop is part of the black identity and culture.Hip-Hop originated in the African-American community in the late 1970s as a form of music as well as an artistic culture in New York City. The late 1970’s was an important time in the history of the African American people as it marked a period when both the black middle and working classes were struggling to move out of poverty. Hip-Hop originated from other traditional forms of African American music such as jazz, soul and gospel. It was cre ated by African Americans like Herc who was working and had the ability to create a form of music and culture that expressed and shaped the culture of black people in New York City in the 1970s. However, since the development of hip-hop culture the society associated hip-hop with negative messages from the American urban streets such as drugs, violence and crime. Hip-hops representation in the media and the society is contrary to the original purpose that was to offer black people a forum to express personal feelings in an artistic and rhythmic manner (Reese par. 5).The different elements of hip-hop culture provide avenues and creative outlets through which African American people can practice and express the black culture. Most people use hip-hop to express their political and emotional feelings to the rest of the world.  

Summary Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 9

Summary - Research Paper Example The New York Times Media Group: The New York Times Media Group comprises of the New comprises of the New York Times which is a daily and Sunday newspaper media house; the New York Times index which is a print publication and in addition producing and licensing the New York Times Index; the International Herald Tribune which is a daily Newspaper; NYTimes.com; Digital Archive Distribution business that is responsible for licensing electronic archive database to resellers of that information in the professional, business, and library markets (Drexler, 2007). The New York Times Media Group is also responsible and management of the New York Times News Services Division (New York Times (Firm), & In Claiborne 1966) The New England Media Group: This segment of New York Times comprises BostonGlobe.com which is a paid subscription Web site; the Boston Globe which is a daily and Sunday newspaper. Boston.com is also part of the New England Media Group. Boston.com is a regional news and information web site. In addition, the New England Media Group comprises of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette which is a daily and Sunday newspaper and Telegram.com (BYERS, 2012). The New England Media Group sells advertisement through various channels that basically include digital, print, niche magazines, direct marketing and internet radio and events (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2007). The company has started in a strong financial background this 2014. This is because of a strong finish of the year 2013. The New York Times’ operating profit for the 3rd of 2013 before depreciation, severance, and amortization was nearly $40 million. This represents 35% increase from the same year 2012 which was $30 million (Verbeke, 2013). During the same quarter of 2013, the company increased overall revenue by 2% with the continued building of the digital scriber numbers and notable sequential improvement in print advertising revenue trends.

Economics of Labor Immigration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Economics of Labor Immigration - Essay Example Evidently, those countries do not have enough skilled workforces to meet their labor needs and therefore they are compelled to depend on skilled immigrant workers. Hence, immigration greatly assists a developed/developing economy to meet its growing demand for labor in different sectors. As Kenny (2012) reports, immigration significantly contributes to the sustainability of Americans’ quality of life, which is a direct indicator of a nation’s economic development. The author strongly argues that immigration notably benefits the US to obtain a skilled group of workers from overseas countries. To justify his views, Kenny refers to a study conducted by Patricia Cortes and Jessica Pan. This study reports that the percent of foreign-educated nurses who attend the US licensure exam increased from 6% in the mid-1980s to over 20% in current days. The study also indicates that nurses who were educated in Philippines earn nearly 4% more than the average nursing wage due to their high quality work. In short, many vacancies for qualified and skilled workers in US would be left unfilled if the Federal government adopts a hostile approach towards immigration. Similarly, an aging population in the United States and Europe is likely to impede their growth rate because old people are less productive. Evidently, an elderly individual cannot complete his job task as fast and efficiently as one of his young colleagues does. Hence, an aging workforce would negatively impact organizational productivity and ultimately a nation’s economic performance. However, immigration can better address this issue because there are millions of qualified immigrant workers searching for employment. Kenny (2012) points out that... This essay analyzes how immigration influences the factors contributing to economic growth. Considering the impacting changes in the economic profile of the developed countries and the challenges facing the conservative business models, the need for luring the innovative thoughts is of prime requirement now. In addition, the recovery of an economy that had undergone severe financial crises and a series of corporate failures has to be backed up by uninterrupted supply of potential human capital. It seems that industrially developed countries largely depend on immigrants to meet their workforce needs. However, many people argue that growing immigrant population steals a notable percent of Americans’ jobs and this situation would adversely affect the overall economic development of the country. From the discussion, that was presented in the essay it is clear that immigration can positively influence factors contributing to economic growth. Immigration is essential to meet the gro wing demand for labor in the United States. In addition, the researcher states that it is a better solution to the problem of an aging workforce population in the country. Employment of skilled immigrants is a recommendable strategy to boost the technological advancement of the US. Finally, immigration can noticeably contribute to technology and innovation. In conclusion, the researcher suggests that it is advisable for the United States Congressman to make necessary arrangements for liberalizing immigration laws in the nation.

Bicycle Frame Materials

Bicycle Frame Materials Introduction Throughout history the concept of the bicycle has been used and manipulated with materials from all over the spectrum exercised. In recent years, machining methods have become advanced enough to manipulate all different grades of metals, from the most popular being steel, to alloying titanium based alloys, however not only metal materials are being used. Carbon fibre, a generic term of the composition of carbon fibre weave and epoxy resin, is the worlds most recent popular material to be used on practically everything in the automotive industry, from gear knobs to the complete chassis on the Porsche Carrera GT for example, which is slowly expanding into the bicycle market and beyond. Nowadays bicycle manufacturers have an apparent unlimited array of materials, joining processes and finishing techniques, which should theoretically be able to produce the best bicycle frame on the market. Taking modern day complications into account, the best bicycle frame material(s) are perhaps inappr opriate in terms of manufacturing price and market sale value. Despite this, using Cambridge Engineering Selector (CES Software), by setting up engineering constraints, looking at material selection indices and loading patterns on components; a single best material is to be determined. Product Definition As not all bicycles are aimed at the same user market, with the intention to design a bike for different purposes such as; mountain bikes, city bikes, leisure bikes, road bikes, race bikes, etc. the constraints and objectives of how the bicycle frame should react under pressure during use are different. It is because of this, the best material can differ from bicycle type, and therefore a category of bike must be specified. The bicycle category to be specified is a small sub-category of road bikes called fixed gear bikes or fixies. This category of bike has recently sprung up all over the world, with its major uprising leading back to Brooklyn, New York; however a cult following has arisen in major cities around the globe. This type of bike and cycling style lends its origins back to track racing, where the same style of bike is used in the Olympics and other bike sporting events. The fixie style has become popular on the road for its agility and acceleration around town for commuting as well as its fitness affiliation for of course only having one gear. This sub category of bike is often used for part recreation, part fitness use, yet mainly as a means of transport in and around town. This recent uprising has uncovered many different materials of bike frame, from old 1980s track bikes made from steel to recently manufactured aluminium and carbon fibre composite frames which are used on this type of bike and style of riding. Materials Selection Possible Constraints The frame components will be subject to different forces, of which several will experience the same force depending on different loading conditions. The seat tube will experience constant compression forces from the weight of the rider as well reactions from road pushing back up towards the rider, whereas the down tube will experience tensional forces holding the crank area together with the fork assembly; however braking will give rise to compression. Other features such as the seat stays will experience constant compression and lateral stress from the braking mechanisms, of which stiffness is a vital property of the material. Youngs modulus or stiffness is also very important in the design of the forks due to instantaneous braking encouraging the forks to bend. Density The density of the material will affect highly the efficiency and feel of the bike when ridden. More energy is required to brake or accelerate the bike that has a high density frame, consequently making the bike hard to control and manoeuvre. A lightweight material is vital to create the ideal bicycle frame to improve manoeuvrability, braking and acceleration performance. This is why a constraint of density is to be limited at 5000 KG/M^3. This encompasses common frame materials such as aluminium and titanium alloys. [4] Youngs Modulus The stiffness of the frame is vital to prevent plastic deformation of the frame when ridden over obstacles, however if the frame is too stiff there will too much vibration from road surfaces. A constraint of materials above 30GPa are acceptable for the intended use, however materials above 400GPa are considered too stiff and will result in a harsh incontrollable bicycle. [4] Tensile and Compressive Stress Tensile stress occurs on many of the components of the bicycle frame and is a common failing property by overloading the frame which consequently makes it a high priority factor. Materials above of tensile stress value 300MPa and above are acceptable. Compression is also a major stress force abundant in the bicycle frame, in places such as the rear seat stays and seat tube from gravity pulling the weight of the rider toward the ground. Poor compressive forces will translate into a mess of buckled piping. [4] Yield Strength The yield strength determines the amount of force required to plastically deform the material of which the material is permanently deformed after yielding. This can be applied to sudden impacts or over loading of the frame which can lead to failure of the frame, perhaps resulting in injury when ridden. The higher the yield strength, the higher force the frame will be able to withstand which is favourable in frame design. [4] Elongation Elongation relates to brittle and ductile properties of a material, where high percentage elongation leads to ductile properties and low percentage elongation leads to brittle properties. If a material is too brittle, it theoretically could fracture into small parts which are to be avoided when cycling. It would be preferable for the material to plastically deform to a large extent before failure as this will prevent injury if a sudden stop is experienced. A material with a very high percentage elongation is also to be avoided as the frame will not keep its shape and deform with the weight of the rider. Materials below 40% elongation will provide favourable elongation properties. [4][5] Fatigue Strength The maximum cyclical stresses can be examined and applied to a bicycle frame directly, mimicking the repetitive stresses when ridden. This can therefore extrapolate the life of the bicycle frame given the amount of repetitive load applied when ridden. [4][5] Torsion Stress Torsion loading occurs upon acceleration of the bicycle where the frame is moved from side to side under the lateral forces applied by the rider from the torque applied. The usual lateral loading on the frame is transferred to slight longitudinal loading. The torsion capabilities of the material must be taken into account which also highly affects the joining processes of the bicycle frame. [4][5] Material Objectives Set-up and Index Selection To find the best material for a fixed gear bike frame, the main objective is to prioritise engineering performance; reducing weight, increasing stiffness. The agility of the frame is the main characteristic of which turning reactions, acceleration and deceleration performance are vital to a successful fixed gear bike to be used in and around town as well as for training purposes. The indices used to input into CES will define stiffness-limited design at minimum mass. The frame features that are tensile loaded, creating a tie between two other frame beams will use the index Youngs Modulus / Density, E/ à Ã‚ . Increasing this index will locate suitable materials that exert stiffness, combined with low density, however also giving the best tensile properties. The compression index, for components loaded in compression, is (Youngs Modulus ^  ½)/Density, E1/2 / à Ã‚  will also locate the best materials for that type of loading. For components loaded in bending the index (Youngs Modulus ^  ½)/Density, E1/2 / à Ã‚ , will also be used. For strength limited design, locating the best material for tensile strength before yielding and plastic deformation of the frame occurs, the index yield strength/density, à Ã†â€™f / à Ã‚ , is to be used. Locating the best material for compression strength will also use this index. For the seatstays and fork components, loaded in bending, the index à Ã†â€™f2/3 / à Ã‚  will be used. Maximising these indices will locate the best materials for each specified type of loading. [6] Outcomes using CES Function: Bicycle frame Constraints: Must not fail under rider weight and road reactions. Objective: Overall mass of bicycle frame is to be reduced, without sacrificing stiffness and strength. Variables: Material choice, material section shape, finishing techniques. Before inputting constraints, the graphs of Youngs Modulus over density and yield strength over density appear as follows using education level 2: Figure 5. Youngs modulus over density CES. Figure 6. Yield strength over density. CES. Inputting the constraints, CES outlines groups of materials that meet the constraints: Figure 7. Youngs modulus over density using constraints. CES. Figure 8. Yield strength over density using constraints. CES. CES software has outlined different materials from the groups: composites, metals and alloys, and technical ceramics. These materials are: Aluminium alloys Titanium alloys Beryllium alloys Carbon fibre composites Magnesium alloys Silicon based technical ceramics Aluminium alloys Aluminium alloys are extremely light and shows signs of high elongation, these factors direct aluminium toward being a good candidate for a bicycle frame, however aluminium has a low youngs modulus value and certain alloys exhibit low tensile strength values. These properties may give the bicycle frame flexibility, however current aluminium bicycle frames are certainly not flexible as they tend to have a larger diameter top tube and general radii over the frame components to counter act this. The fatigue values for aluminium alloys are very low, which indicates that after a while the frame will crack and fail, which is definitely something to avoid. Current bicycle frame manufacturers use butting technology in aluminium frames to combat this, by increasing the thickness of the tube at where the material is needed most. [4] Titanium alloys Titanium alloys are around double the weight of aluminium alloys, yet around half that density of steel alloys, making up for this are the high tensile strength and Youngs modulus values which enable to frame to be manufactured from thinner tube sections than aluminium which reduce overall weight. The fatigue values are also high which means that the frame will last for a long time. [4][7] Magnesium alloys Magnesium alloys are even lighter than aluminium alloys and have a slightly better fatigue value. Magnesium alloys also have a low Youngs modulus value, lower than aluminium which indicates flexible frame properties which will have to be yet again solved using tube section thickness design. Magnesium alloys look promising and have good properties that can be applied to a bicycle frame, however they have low corrsosion resistance which has to be overcome by surface treatments. On the current market, few frames have been made from the material as they tend to be very expensive. [4][7][8] CFRP, Carbon Fibre Re-enforced Plastic CFRP, a composite material, is lighter than all the metals previously mentioned as well as having high a Youngs modulus, tensile value, and relatively high fatigue strength values. This material is currently being used all over the bicycle market, from strictly track bikes to road racers, complete frames or part CFRP frames, and components used in mountain bike off road frames. The modulus of the epoxy resin is extremely low, resulting in a brittle material; which consequently affects the method of which the CFRP layers are applied. CFRP has good tensile properties, however not very high compression or torsion properties, so the angle at which the carbon fibre layers are applied must be taken into consideration, otherwise turning bends could turn the frame into a fractured mess. This is also evident in the extremely low elongation value, 0.032% 035% [3][4][8] Technical Ceramics, Silicon Carbide Silicon carbide, unlike ceramics in general has a good tensile value similar to that of titanium, aluminium and CFRP, and a youngs modulus value four times that of titanium. This implies that silicon carbide has a positively good outlook on a perspective bicycle frame, displaying high fatigue values and having a slightly lower density than titanium. Silicon carbide does however have a low percentage elongation at 0% [3] which boasts the potential for producing a hybrid material to increase this value. [4][11] [10] Beryllium Beryllium is often used as an alloying material to increase hardness properties, however it also has a very high youngs modulus value and is lightweight. Beryllium could not be used to solely manufacture a bicycle frame as it is poisonous, especially with inhalation. [12][5][4] It is visible to see the groups of materials commonly used on bicycle frames from the graphs produced; however there are not any specific materials shown. Enabling education level 3, the database of materials becomes more specific and materials that do not meet the constraints are ignored. By maximising the indices, individual materials can be identified. CES software has located Cyanate ester/HM carbon fibre UD composite 0 ° lamina by maximising the indices as the best material for a bicycle frame. The unidirectional lamina allows the tensile and youngs modulus values to be uniform within the material, rather than have a directional flow providing room for failure by torsion. The composition of 30-40% polymer and 60-70% carbon fibre maintains a high level of stiffness and fatigue strength from the carbon fibre and reduces the brittle properties of the polymer resin. The CES outcome may have located the best material for a fixed gear bike frame, with the objective minimise the weight of the overall frame, without sacrificing stiffness and strength, however joining processes, surface treatments/coatings and shapes need to be considered. Joining processes Current CFRP frames are either manufactured by using tubular lugs of aluminium or titanium, and then pre-made CFRP tubes aligned and stuck into place with further layered CFRP and epoxy adhesives. The joining between the two different types of materials has led to corrosion and failing, which has directed manufacturers to create frames solely using CFRP. Continuous laminating can be used to cover a mandrel of which the removal of the mandrel gives rise to a shaped tube or hollow section necessary for the specified component. One method used to create low batch numbers of CFRP frames is autoclave moulding, which builds up the CFRP layers by hand, this technique creates a monocoque CFRP shell which has superior stiffness, strength and is extremely lightweight; frames lower than one kilogram have been produced. [8] Shape Factors Cyanate ester/HM carbon fibre UD composite 0 ° lamina has a maximum shape factor value for elastic bending (Max à Ã¢â‚¬ ¢eB) of 12.3. By using this value, the shape efficiency can be compared against other materials determining if other materials exhibit better stiffness and resistance to bending properties. Using CES a graph can be drawn of Youngs modulus over density with the index à Ã‚  /E1/ 2, which will show the maximum bending stiffness whilst reducing weight. As the shape of the material is not fixed, in general materials used for lightweight structural objectives require low à Ã‚ /(à Ã¢â‚¬  eBE)1/2 values. The materials will be selected as they provide the best properties. [10] By comparing alloys used frequently in the manufacture of bicycle frames against the CFRP based material CES located, it is possible to see the benefits of firstly the shape factor attributed to aluminium, giving it good structural properties despite its low youngs modulus value. However the lower value of the determined CFRP material means that it has better shape efficiency and will have better in service properties at providing a lightweight stiff bicycle frame, resistant to bending forces. The titanium, given its stiffness will be able to produce a lighter frame than one made of steel and aluminium, yet does not have a better bending shape factor shown by the aluminium alloy. Magnesium, despite having the lowest modulus has a maximum bending factor lower than the aluminium alloy, which is one of the reasons why it is becoming an increasingly popular base alloy for bicycle frames. [10] Hybrid Bicycle Frame The extreme stiffness of the Cyanate ester/HM carbon fibre UD composite 0 ° lamina bicycle frame will create a very stiff ride, of which the road surface will be felt through the frame to the rider. One way to prevent this is to use larger or thicker tyres, which will reduce vibration, however will significantly increase friction and reduce top speed and acceleration times. A method to reduce these problems would be to develop a frame that utilised a couple of materials and blended them together to give longitudinal damping properties yet maintain the transverse stiffness and lightweight properties. This could be achieved by using titanium on the main triangular frame due to its 5-10% elongation property, extremely high fatigue, tensile and lightweight properties; and using the CFRP on the chain stays, seat stays and fork components for its extremely high shape factor and bending stiffness value. This will also create a high fatigue resistance of the frame making it last for m any miles of riding, however problems may occur with the joining of the two materials when using acrylic based or epoxy glues to bond the two sections together as this interferes with the structure and could lead to corrosion or failure from loading. [8][7][6] A hybrid material could be answer to creating the perfect bike frame using silicon carbide, boron carbide and aluminium, also known as MMC duralcan alloys, or alumina B4C alloys. Alloys using these materials have already been created, making use of silicon and boron carbides mechanical properties and combining them with aluminiums structural advantages. The aluminium carbide composites exhibit good bending factor values as well as high Youngs modulus values, fatigue strength, tensile strength and very high compressive strength, which makes the material promising for use as a bicycle frame. Surface Treatments Surface treatments such as anodizing are common in todays current bicycle market, for example on aluminium where the reactive surface is covered with an oxide layer and the thickness controlled using anodizing. This prolongs the life of the frame by reducing the risk of corrosion. Electroplating is also used for corrosion resistance or to improve hardness, this method is usually used on metals; however non-metals can be plated once painted with an electrically conductive material. This can give metals shiny mirror finishes, synthesizing the look of commonly expensive materials such as gold or silver. For metals and non-metals, organic solvent based paints are widely used to give the frame exciting colours and finishes. Organic solvent based paints are usually applied to carbon fibre; however it is sometimes preferred to show the craftsmanship of the carbon fibre in its natural form showing the weave pattern. [4][10] Conclusion The best materials for a fixed gear road bike come in the form of carbon fibre re-enforced plastics; this is because of the lightweight, high modulus frames they create. The shape factor contributes highly to the success of the material by creating stiff tubular sections that are resistant to bending and plastic deformation also improved by their high yield strength values. The tensile and compression properties shown by the material are very high and work well at absorbing shock, distributing the stress throughout the frame. The orientation of the carbon fibre is very important as this affects the tensile and compression values that the material can take before fracture in the longitudinal and transverse directions, vital to the frame staying in one piece when turning, decelerating or accelerating rapidly. A uni-directional laminate is preferable as the fibres provide optimum stress and strain abilities. The metals mentioned provide lightweight solutions to the bicycle frame; however each has issues, whether it is low youngs modulus or fatigue limits that need to be addressed. These issues are usually solved by means of alloying or using shape factors to increase or decrease tube thicknesses or use of butting and other joining processes.

Robert Penn Warrens All the Kings Men Essays -- Warren All Kings Me

Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men â€Å"If the human race didn’t remember anything it would be perfectly happy" (44). Thus runs one of the early musings of Jack Burden, the protagonist of Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men. Throughout the story, however, as Jack gradually opens his eyes to the realities of his own nature and his world, he realizes that the human race cannot forget the past and survive. Man must not only remember, but also embrace the past, because it teaches him the truth about himself and enables him to face the future. As he begins to understand the people in his life and their actions, Jack learns that one can rarely make sense of an event until that event has become a part of the past, to be reconstructed and eventually understood in memory. T.S. Eliot expresses this idea in â€Å"The Dry Salvages†: â€Å"We had the experience but missed the meaning, / And approach to the meaning restores the experience / In a different form, beyond any meaning / We can assign to happiness" (194). Only by deliberately recalling the past can one understand the metaphysical and spiritual significance of his experiences. For this reason, Jack cannot make sense of the fateful day of Willie Stark’s murder until â€Å"long after†¦when I had been able to gather the pieces of the puzzle up and put them together to see the pattern" (Warren 407). The pattern of the past reveals the pattern of fallen human nature, thus opening man’s eyes to his own folly and enabling him to grow in wisdom. Man must not only remember his past, but also choose to remember it as it really happened—for, to again quote Eliot, â€Å"What might have been is an abstraction" (175). Fantasizing about an abstract, idealized past will never give success i... ...176). History provides a moral and spiritual point of reference for each new epoch. In All the King’s Men, Jack Burden the historian discovers that the past, honestly considered, does not deceive, nor do its vivid object lessons lead men astray. As Jack replays in his memory the actions of the characters (including himself) in the drama of his life, he grows to understand the roles played by those characters in his spiritual development, and to love them for their true nature. By contemplating the past in this manner, Jack builds out of truth and time a foundation that will raise him to stand strong in an uncertain future. Works Cited Eliot, T. S. Collected Poems 1909-1962. Harcourt: New York, 1963. Warren, Robert Penn. All the King's Men. New York: Grosset, 1946. Weaver, Richard. Ideas Have Consequences. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1948.

The New Yorker July 21, 2008 Cover: Satire or Racist?

On the fourth week of July 2008, people were astonished as The New Yorker Magazine graced the stands. The cover page showed Barry Blitt’s illustration depicting Barrack Obama wearing a traditional Muslim outfit with a white cap or taqiyah, a white robe or thawb in light brown overtones covering a pair of black pants and brown sandals. Obama’s taqiyah covered a turban that showed his ear prominently unlike Middle Eastern Arab turbans that cover their ears. Moreover, his thawb length is midway between the knee and the ankle which reflects an orthodox Muslim dress code. Obama is also shown doing a knuckle greeting with his wife Michelle that â€Å"Fox News’ E. D. Hill calls a ‘terrorist fist jab’†¦ [that is] †¦usually seen used by other prominent terrorists†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (The Acropolis). Meanwhile, Michelle Obama was shown in an afro hairstyle, a black blouse, camouflage pants and combat shoes. She also has a bandolier and a grayish-greenish, banana-type assault rifle slung at her back. The rifle looked much like an AK47 variant without the AK’s trademark brown, wooden stock. Barrack and Michelle stood at the oval office in a happy demeanor. Barrack was portrayed with his usual serious, but smiling face while Michelle’s smile was more obvious that revealed her prominent cheekbones in a blush. Michelle stood by the left side while Barrack stood by the right side. At Barrack’s back is a golden framed half-faced portrait of Osama Bin Laden in pure white cap and robe and just below the portrait is a fireplace showing the American flag with flames but not yet burnt. The New Yorker’s cover page certainly had shock value yet after careful thought and research, the illustration was really a satire rather than a racist statement. According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, a satire is â€Å"a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn; and trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly† (â€Å"satire†). The Encyclopedia Britannica further elaborates that a satire is an â€Å"artistic form, chiefly literary and dramatic, in which human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, parody, caricature, or other methods, sometimes with an intent to inspire social reform† (â€Å"satire†). Racism, on the other hand, is â€Å"a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race; and racial prejudice or discrimination† according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (â€Å"racism†). Racism is further elaborated as â€Å"any action, practice, or belief that [says]†¦that humans are divided into separate and exclusive biological entities†¦[and that]†¦a causal link between inherited physical traits,†¦personality, intellect, morality, and other cultural behavioral features†¦[make]†¦some races†¦innately superior† than others by the Encyclopedia Britannica (â€Å"racism†). As a satire, the illustration has a meaning behind it and should not be taken literally as what it is shown. However, some people will easily take the meaning of the illustration as a racist statement and think that the artist, Barry Blitt, thinks Barrack Obama and Michelle are not worthy to lead this country. The New Yorker Magazine has been published since February 21, 1925 and is sold nationwide. Its format deals with political commentary and cartoon covers that are somewhat ‘unreal’ yet funny. It is also quite proud of its Cartoon Bank and â€Å"sells prints of†¦cartoons and covers†¦Ã¢â‚¬  A quick view on the contents of its July 20, 2009 issue show some topics as follows: a) Hendrik Hertzberg on Sarah Palin; b) John Colapinto on Senator Al Franken; and c) Elizabeth Colbert on America’s obesity problem, to name a few. The Obama cartoon was published on July 21, 2008 right at the heat of the US Presidential Election campaigns. Various rumors during that time have circulated accusing Barrack Obama as a â€Å"‘radical Muslim’ who ‘will not recite the pledge of allegiance’† (Snopes. om, â€Å"Barrack Obama†) and have sworn in on the Quran as Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison did (The Acropolis) (Snopes. com, â€Å"Who is Barrack Obama†). Issues also included President Barrack Hussein Obama Junior’s middle name ‘Hussein’ which was associated with former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein (Snopes. com, â€Å"Who is Barrack Obama†). Moreover, Obama’s wife, Michelle, was not spared from close public scrutiny. Her undergraduate thesis at the Princeton University in 1985 with the statement â€Å"blacks must join in solidarity to combat a white oppressor† has been quoted out of context (Snopes. om, â€Å"Michelle Obama’s Thesis†) and detractors have associated such statement with Black Panther Party for Self Defense political activist, Angela Yvonne Davis (Davis). The State of California charged Davis as an accomplice to conspiracy, kidnapping, and homicide for the shotgun registered to her name that killed Judge Harold Haley in an escape attempt of the ‘Soledad Brothers’ that the Black Panthers supported (Davis). Davis has been acquitted then she temporarily re located to Cuba before going back to the United States and ran as a candidate for the Communist Party USA (Davis). With these rumors, the Blitt cartoon cover for the New Yorker can now be more easily understood. Obama has been dressed as an orthodox Muslim to depict rumors about him as an Islamic radical. In addition, since Obama has been educated in Indonesia as a kid, his Muslim attire closely resembled Indonesian Muslim dress codes rather than the Middle Eastern Muslims’. Accusations against Obama for his ‘unpatriotic behavior’ have also been symbolized by the American flag thrown into the flames of the Oval Office’s fireplace. Michelle has also been portrayed in an Afro hairstyle that was synonymous to Angela Davis. Moreover, since Davis had ties to Cuba, Michelle was dressed as a Revolutionary in camouflage pants with an assault rifle at her back that looked like an AK47—a popular symbol among Communist revolutionaries. It can now also be easily discerned why Osama Bin Laden’s portrait was in the backdrop. First, Obama sounded like Osama. Second, Obama’s middle name ‘Hussein’ is the same as former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s. These two world figures tied Obama to the rumors that Barrack was a Muslim extremist. As John Aravosis of Weblog described the cartoon: â€Å"†¦New Yorker thinks it’s funny to make Mrs. Obama some radical black panther, Barrack Obama basically a terrorist†¦and they’re even burning the American flag in the Oval Office†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Stirland). The New Yorker cover on Barrack and Michelle Obama is a satire for the following reasons: a) the magazine has a reputation for satirical cartoons portraying political issues and personalities; b) the artist, Barry Blitt, is a known satirist and has made statements on the issues and rumors surrounding Obama; and c) the cartoon or artwork itself is full of symbolisms that convey irony and sarcasm. Following the same track, Blitt’s illustration is really not a racist statement against Barrack Obama because the New Yorker is a liberal, cosmopolitan publication and the symbolisms of the cartoon show otherwise. A quick look into the New Yorker archives show that the magazine has been consistent since 1925 on its satire, focus on American politics, and political humor. It has developed its reputation along these lines. In a pro-Obama blog entry in The Acropolis, Dylan the blogger has this to say: â€Å"Obviously, the New Yorker cover was satirical. It also elaborates that: â€Å"Even faithful Fox News watchers will have to see the cover and hear anchors admit that it is a satire—that the images it depicts are making fun of rumors that are not true. † Likewise, in an anti-Obama blog entry in the ‘Old Atlantic Lighthouse’ notes: â€Å"The New Yorker Magazine†¦is now in full retreat mode to say it was simply mocking Christianity, Israel, America, the West, white people, the Constitution, self rule, and the resistance to Islam. Most of all, New Yorker editor, David Remnick, explained the controversial cover: â€Å"The idea is to attack the lies and misconceptions and distortions about the Obama’s and their background and their politics† (Stirland). Also, Barry Blitt is a known satirist. He has nine illustrations in the New Yorker with the title â€Å"The Politics of Satire. † He has also made statements about the cover like: â€Å"I think the idea that the Obamas are branded as unpatriotic in certain sectors is preposterous,† and â€Å"It seemed to me that depicting the concept would show it as the fear-mongering ridiculousness that it is. Most of all, his illustration is titled:  "The Politics of Fear. † The title alone that Blitt has coined on his work conveys a message that certain politicians are playing on people’s fear that Obama was black, a Muslim, a terrorist and unpatriotic. Most importantly, the illustration was a satire because the artwork itself is full of symbolisms that convey irony and sarcasm. One, the Obamas were smiling. Two, Barrack’s thawb is not pure white unlike Osama Bin Laden’s pure white cap and robe at the backdrop portrait. A pure white cloth has unique symbolisms in the Islamic faith. Three, Michelle crossed her legs while standing up as if crossing her fingers in wishful thinking. Four, the assault rifle’s color did not really feel like the real AK47 with a brown, wooden stock and wooden barrel encasement. Finally, although the American flag was in the fireplace with flames, the flag was not in flames and is not burning. The flag stayed whole and was not even partially consumed by fire. Nevertheless, some people disagree and contend that the cover was an insult and racist. Jane Hamsher of FireDogLake observed: â€Å"†¦Most people who see this cover are just going to see the image of Obama in a turban. It reinforces a critical piece of misinformation that right wing propagandists have advanced in order to poison the political climate in this country and make it that much more difficult for a person of color to be elected president†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Stirland). Roger Simon noted: †It probably doesn’t encourage people to vote for him in America today. (Stirland). Likewise, John Aravosis of Weblog said: â€Å"†¦Is the New Yorker so out of touch that they don’t realize that much of America, or at least too much of America, harbors these very concerns about Obama and his wife? † (Stirland). Finally, Matt of The Acropolis, sarcastically observed: â€Å"†¦I’ve heard so many students at MSU tell me, ‘Aw, come on, man. Ever yone knows that guy’s a freaking Muslim. ’ Ok, maybe it was only, like two students, but I’ve heard even more adults say the same thing. It’s truly insane. † In conclusion, Blitt’s cartoon cover of The New Yorker magazine is a satire. The magazine is widely known for its criticisms and satires and literary views on social and political issues. This cartoon is not the first satire that The New Yorker had published or Blitt created. The magazine had no bad intentions for Obama’s political career or his personal life. The New Yorker was just trying to make business and doing what they were known for. Perhaps people should look more closely before making a judgment when they see something out of the ordinary.

Commanders of the Army of the Potomac essays

Commanders of the Army of the Potomac essays In his civil war book Commanders of the Army of the Potomac Warren Hassler Jr. fantastically recounts the events that transpired between 1861 to 1865 during which seven men were given the reigns of the North's Army of the Potomac and asked to lead the Union to victory. However, one of the greatest commanders in history stood in their way; Robert E. Lee, and each was pitted against this great general one by one and given the chance to make history. The first, Irvin McDowell was regarded in this book as a great soldier in his own right but a terrible leader who displayed visible gaps in his preparedness, in his tactics, and in his strategy. He was the first to take control of the northern army. Not much later towards the end of May of 1861 General Lee established a defensive hold along the small stream of Bull Run located in Manassas. During the Battle of Bull Run McDowell was crushed by Confederate generals Joseph E. Johnston and Pierre Beauregard due to weak planning and it b ecame apparent that this in fact would not be a short-lived war. Next up was the most popular and perhaps the greatest of the commanders, George B. McClellan. After the embarrassing defeats at Bull Run he masterfully regrouped and disciplined the AOP as he himself showed outstanding military presence and was constantly increasing his knowledge of offensive tactics. From spring of 1862 till July of that year General McClellan was successful in driving the Confederates out of West Virginia and he was inching toward the southern capitol of Richmond when General Jeb Stuart under Lee encircled and outmaneuvered McClellan's forces who were driven back and finally held at Malvern Hill during the Seven Days Battle. During this time period there was some shifting of control and the AOP was put into the arms of General John Pope. This book regards Pope as one of the most pathetic leaders of the Civil War as he screwed up and changed his ways during the second ...

Using City Directories for Genealogy Research

Using City Directories for Genealogy Research For anyone researching ancestors in a city or larger community, standard genealogical resources often fall short. Newspapers generally mention only the influential, interesting or most newsworthy residents. Land records offer little help when researching renters. Census records dont tell the stories of individuals who moved multiple times between census years. Cities, however, offer an invaluable historical and genealogical resource not available to those of us researching rural ancestors- namely, city directories. City directories offer anyone conducting family history research in a city or large town a nearly annual census of city residents, as well as a window into the community in which they lived. Genealogists all know the value of placing an ancestor in a particular time and place, but city directories can also be used to follow an individuals occupation, place of employment, and place of residence, as well as potentially identify life events such as marriages and deaths. Looking beyond the names of your ancestors, city directories also provide invaluable insight into your ancestors community, often including sections on neighborhood churches, cemeteries, and hospitals, plus organizations, clubs, associations, and societies. Information Often Found in City Directories Name and occupation of head of household (often men and female widows; later single employed females)Name of spouse (often in parentheses following name of husband; mid to late 19th century)Sometimes the names of children, often only those employed outside the homeStreet name and house number of residenceOccupationWork address (if employed outside the home) Tips for Research in City Directories Abbreviations were often used in city directories to save printing space and costs. Locate (and make a copy) of the list of abbreviations, usually located near the front of the directory, to learn that n Fox St. indicates near Fox St., or that r means resides or, alternatively, rents. Properly translating the abbreviations used in a city directory is essential for correctly interpreting the information it contains. Dont miss the late listing of names received too late for inclusion in the alphabetical portion. This can usually be found located just before or after the alphabetical list of residents and may include people who had recently moved to the area (including those moving within the city limits), as well as individuals the canvasser missed on his initial visit. If youre lucky, you may find a separate list of individuals who migrated from the city (with their new location), or who died within the year. What If I Cant Find My Ancestor? Just who was included in a city directory was up to the discretion of that directorys publisher, and often varied from city to city, or over time. Generally, the earlier the directory, the less information it contains. The earliest directories may list only people of higher status, but directory publishers soon made the attempt to include everyone. Even then, however, not everyone was listed. Sometimes certain parts of town weren’t covered. Inclusion in a city directory was also voluntary (unlike a census), so some people may have chosen not to participate, or were missed because they werent home when the agents came calling. Make sure you have checked every available city directory for the time period when your ancestors were living in the area. People overlooked in one directory may be included in the next. Names were also often misspelled or standardized, so be sure to check name variations. If you can locate a street address for your family from a census, vital, or another record, then many directories also offer a street index. Where to Find City Directories Original and microfilmed city directories can be found in a variety of repositories, and an increasing number are being digitized and made available online. Many may be available either in original format or on microfilm in the library or historical society that covers that particular locality. Many state libraries and historical societies have large city directory collections as well. Major research libraries and archives such as the Library of Congress, Family History Library, and American Antiquarian Society also maintain large collections of microfilmed city directories, for locations across the United States. Over 12,000 city directories for cities across the United States, most from the collection of the Library of Congress, have been microfilmed by Primary Source Media as City Directories of the United States. Their online collection guide lists the cities and directory years included in the collection. The Family History Library Catalog also lists a large collection of city directories, most of which can be borrowed on microfilm for viewing at your local Family History Center. Where to Find Old City Directories Online A large number of city directories can be searched and viewed online, some for free and others as part of various subscription genealogy collections. Large Online City Directory Collections Ancestry.com has one of the largest online collections of city directories, with a focus on coverage between the 1880 and 1900 U.S. federal census, as well as 20th century data. Their U.S. City Directories collection (subscription) offers good search results, but for best results browse directly to the city of interest and then page through the available directories rather than relying on search. The City Directories collection online at subscription-based website Fold3, includes directories for thirty large metropolitan centers in twenty U.S. states. As with the collection at Ancestry.com, better results are achieved by browsing the directories manually rather than relying on search. The Historical Directories Searchable Library is a free website from the University of Leicester in England, with a nice collection of digitized reproductions of local and trade directories for England and Wales for the period 1750–1919. Additional Online Sources for City Directories A number of local and university libraries, state archives and other repositories have digitized city directories and made them available online. Use search terms such as city directory and [your locality name] to find them via your favorite search engine. A number of historical city directories can also be found through online sources for digitized books, such as Internet Archive, Haithi Digital Trust, and Google Books.

Despite the failure of the Constitutional Treaty in 2005, Europe truly Essay

Despite the failure of the Constitutional Treaty in 2005, Europe truly has a constitution. This fact gives support to the existe - Essay Example The implication is that the positive impact is founded on the existence of European Public Law. It is important to understand whether European Public Law does exist today and what form it has at present. Various manifestations have been seen throughout the years, including the Roman Law during the Roman Empire (Birkinshaw, 2001). The discussion shall now cover an overview of public law, moving into a more detailed attempt to determine the manifestation of the European Public Law. Discussion Public law implies a system of provisions which manages public activities and affairs. It mainly relates to the application and non-exercise of public powers, including the private actors, legality, and rationality. It also represents provisions which are founded on historical and cultural elements, including political practice (Birkinshaw, 2003). Public law also manifests differently in other European processes where it is indicated via special courts and differentiated from private law as it is not as stable as in the English and Irish laws. There are various incarnations of the European Public Law. ... EU law includes the relations between the EU, the member states, the citizens, EU organizations and agencies, citizens from non-member states, as well as regulatory law. Such regulatory laws have become more imposing throughout the years, with competition laws impacting so much on Europe. A common law of Europe seems to be viewed negatively, even as it supports the growing number of scholars and their research goals in public as well as private law (Birkinshaw, 2003). It is not favourable if it is perceived as a monument being imposed by higher authorities without much consideration to the general sensitivities for member states, possible new members, the Council of Europe, including other non-members (Majone, 2002). The goal of supporters is to secure provisions inching towards common effects and goals. There should be an acceptance on the lack of boundaries in common laws. There are rich sources for common law, including those which relate to human rights, political, and religious ideals. Another possible incarnation for the European Public Law is the European Convention on Human Rights (Birkinshaw, 2001). The success of this law has also impacted on English legal practitioners, specifically in instances where there is an objection to the fact that treaties set by these practitioners seek to prevent the mistakes of the Second World War; such contention has often been used mostly against the UK, not other ratifying countries (Hunt, 1997). English judges have suggested preferences for patriation, not the blending of the Convention into the UK laws with the Human Rights Act of 1998. Even prior to the incorporation, case laws have indicated the focus on common laws on its traditions for the management of human rights, with the inclusion of US and the

Clinical psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Clinical psychology - Essay Example A licensed clinical or counseling psychologist usually requires a doctoral degree for employment. Psychologists with a Ph.D. qualify for a wide range of teaching, research, clinical, and counseling positions in universities, elementary and secondary schools, private industry, and government. To work in a clinical position a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree is usually required. (College Grad.com.) The prospects for job growth are expected to be faster than the average for all careers through 2012. The average yearly income of clinical psychologists in 2003 was $58,640, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists study about the human mind and behavior. They formulate hypotheses and collect data to test their validity. Depending on the topic under study, the research methods may vary. Controlled laboratory experiments, personality, performance, aptitude, and intelligence tests may be used to collect information. In addition, other methods like observation, interviews, questionnaires, clinical studies, and surveys may also be used. The knowledge gained by psychologists is applied to health and human services, management, education, law, and sports. Clinical psychologists constitute the largest specialty in psychology. They often work in counseling centers, independent or group practices, hospitals, or clinics. Some clinical psychologists work in physical rehabilitation centers. Others may work in universities and medical schools, where they train graduate students in mental health and behavioral medicine. Some are involved in community mental health programs. The range of work includes helping mentally and emotionally disturbed persons, helping people deal with personal crisis like divorce or death of a close person, helping medical and surgical patients to deal with their illnesses or injuries, treating patients with spinal cord injuries, chronic pain or illness, stroke, arthritis, and neurological conditions. They often