Just a Minute Topic Essay Example

Just a Minute Topic Essay Mobile phones: A not-so-silent killer? Sunday, Jun 23, 2013, 8:42 IST | Agency: Daily Telegraph To some scientists, theyre deadlier than cigarettes; to others theyre (mostly) harmless. Will we ever know the truth about mobile phones? Julia Llewellyn Smith finds out. Representational image DNA In 1996, Neil Whitfield, a sales manager from Wigan, was given his first mobile phone by his company. It was introduced as a nice, cuddly friend. It had all of your mates contact details on it. It was always in your pocket or pressed against your ear, he says. However, within a short space of time Whitfield, a father of six who was then in his late thirties, started suffering terrible headaches. Then my hearing deteriorated and I kept forgetting things, which was not like me. A scan revealed he had an acoustic neuroma a rare brain tumour that grows on a nerve in the brain near the ear. Without surgery, he was told, he had five years to live. The specialist asked if I used a mobile a lot. When I said yes, he replied: Mobiles will be the smoking gun of the 21st century. He sowed a seed in my mind. Whitfield, now 56, is one of a growing and vociferous group of people who are convinced that mobile phones are killing us. A phone, they point out, along with cordless phones and Wi-Fi, works in the same way as a miniature microwave, emitting electromagnetic radiation. Admittedly, this radiation is at too low a frequency to heat human tissue, but theres a large amount of evidence that it could affect the protective barrier between the brain and blood, allowing toxins to enter. We will write a custom essay sample on Just a Minute Topic specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Just a Minute Topic specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Just a Minute Topic specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer There is also evidence that mobiles could be damaging our immune systems, reducing sperm motility and causing tumours, Alzheimers, strokes and autism. Its not just individuals like Whitfield who believe this, but a number of eminent scientists and physicians. Two years ago, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency of the World Health Organisation, published a report, reclassifying radiation from mobiles from category 3, with no conclusive evidence of causing cancer, to category 2b a possible human carcinogen along with diesel exhaust, chloroform, jet fuel, lead and DDT. In October, the Italian Supreme Court ruled that a businessmans brain tumour was caused by his use of a mobile for five or six hours a day for 12 years, paving the way for a potential host of legal actions from employees against employers. Yet bodies like Cancer Research UK assure me not to worry. We think its incredibly unlikely theres any link between phones and cancer, with the slight caveat its a relatively new technology so we cant be sure of any long-term effects, says Sarah Williams, senior health information and evidence officer. To the layperson, the science behind all of this is mind-numbingly complex. For virtually every assertion of risk, theres another asserting no risk. None of the research has been conclusive. When we do a meta-analysis of it all theres no clear effect in either direction. The studies that show phones dont cause cancer are balanced out by studies that show they do, says Williams. The anti-mobile lobby disagree. They cite the precautionary principle a statutory requirement in EU law that basically can be translated as: new technology is guilty until proven innocent. Until more research is done and phones have been in general use longer, they say its better to be safe than sorry. Official advice from the NHS is to limit our mobile usage if we want to avoid exposure to radio waves. Children in particular should only use them in emergencies, because if there is any risk, their thinner skulls and developing brains would make them much more vulnerable to potential damage. Other countries have taken this a step further. France has banned all mobile phone advertising aimed at under-12s, while legislation is being introduced to make it compulsory to sell all phones with earphones. Canada and Russia have also advised caution and the Israeli government is considering printing health warnings on phones, as on cigarette packets. Meanwhile, several countries are implementing or considering a total ban of Wi-Fi in schools. So what is the truth of the matter? Are mobiles really dangerous? There is no question that some of those sounding the alarm belong to that subset of humanity who see conspiracies everywhere they look. But, investigating the subject, it became clear to me that the arguments against phones are not all the products of paranoid minds. Far from it. The fact is, considering how widespread phones are (more than 5. 3 billion mobiles are in use out of a global population of 7 billion) anything that proved they were dangerous would be a highly inconvenient truth. Mobile phones is an issue we all bury our heads in the sand about, confirms Denis Henshaw, professor of physics and head of the Human Radiation Effects group at Bristol University. The first mobile phone technology was rolled out without really any consideration for the long-term effects, just like asbestos and smoking. The government rakes in billions from the technology, in taxes from the mobile phone companies and licensing of the networks. The new generation really doesnt want to know about any potential ill effects. Think of the tobacco companies says the anti-phone lobby who concealed the dangers of smoking and the addictiveness of nicotine and supported their position with numerous deceptive studies. Or asbestos producers who hid evidence that the mineral was dangerous even though tens of thousands of workers were dying from exposure. Mobiles are a multi-trillion-dollar industry, even bigger than pharmaceuticals, and with a sizeable lobbying arm. Nearly every study thats proven mobiles to be safe has been funded by the industry, though scientists involved in such studies point out funds are usually distributed by neutral bodies, so they have no way of knowing the source. Scientists whove discovered displeasing evidence have spoken about threats being issued to remove funding and pressure put on employers to sack them. But, at the same time, scientists accused of being in cahoots with big business are indignant. Anthony Swerdlow, professor of epidemiology at the Institute of Cancer Research, headed last years International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) report into mobile safety, concluding there was no clear evidence mobiles threatened public health. Online, I find all sorts of attacks ranging from accusations that Swerdlow has shares in the mobile industry (he has a few shares in BT) and doesnt own a mobile (he does). Where scientists do have a great deal of self-interest is in getting the answers right as far as possible, he says. Our long-term careers depend not on money from the phone industry but on having a reputation and track record for doing good science and making sound scientific judgments. If scientists conduct poor studies or make biased judgments, they harm their reputations and damage their careers. While researching this article, word reached me from impartial sources of reputable scientists whose research had led them to banning their children f rom using mobiles and a neurologist who refused to sleep with her phone charging in the bedroom because she was convinced the electromagnetic fields emitted by mobiles were responsible for the rising umber of strokes she was seeing. But they didnt respond to my emails or calls. Are they reluctant to express their doubts publicly because they rely on the industry to provide them with data, or because without hard evidence to support them they dont want to be dubbed crackpot? The crux of the debate hangs on whether this radiation can damage cells. The pro-mobile lobby stress that ionic radiation is associated with cancer because it can break biochemical bonds in the body. A mobiles electromagnetic radiation, on the other hand, has too low frequencies and too weak a signal to be able to heat human tissue and damage DNA molecules. But many disagree. In 1975, before mobiles were invented, US neuroscientist Allan Frey surprised the scientific community with a paper describing his work on the blood-brain barrier, the vital protective layer between the brain and our blood supply. The barrier is so protective that normally when blue dye is injected into animals or humans, the body turns blue while the brain remains its natural, grey colour. But in Freys experiments, microwaves pulsed at certain modulations sent dye leaking into rats brains within minutes. Rats have very similar brains to humans. This would mean that the brains environment, which needs to be extremely stable for nerve cells to function properly, can be perturbed in all kinds of dangerous ways and exposed to toxins. Subsequent research has expanded and compounded this work. People say theres no plausible biological hypothesis for how electromagnetic radiation can damage cells well speak for yourself, says Prof Henshaw, who is an adviser to Mobilewise, a group that issues safety guidance to children. Research is moving so fast, I receive five to 10 papers a day on the effects of radiofrequency. We dont know everything. Prof Henshaw does not agree that primary DNA damage is needed to cause cancer. He cites research into magnetite crystals, that are found in the human brain. Electromagnetic radiation is shown to physically vibrate these particles and theres speculation this could make cells think theyre under attack. Theyll find it stressful and this could affect the mec hanism and we know that some cancers are caused by mechanics, he says. There is also a growing school of thought that mobiles can make us more vulnerable to disease. Experiments on birds cryptochrome, a molecule in their eyes used for navigation, have shown it can be disturbed by the use of radio frequencies, far below those of mobile frequencies. These cryptochromes, also found in humans, help us detect light and therefore have a vital effect on our secretion of melatonin, the hormone that plays an important role in bolstering the immune system. An increasing number of people are claiming to be electrosensitive, allergic to the electromagnetic fields that power mobiles, to the point where theyve had to quit their jobs or move house, because of the ill effects. Over the past three or four years, Ive seen a dozen or so patients whove had problems because of electromagnetic fields, from those suffering occasional headaches to those left quite severely disabled, says Dr Andrew Tresidder, a GP in Chard, Somerset. When I advise them to switch off their Wi-Fi routers and cordless phones at night, it often appears to alleviate their symptoms. Many official bodies, including the Health Protection Agency, dismiss electrosensitivity as a psychological phenomenon. They havent seen the patients Ive seen, says Dr Tresidder. Whenever theres anything that disrupts conventional thinking, theres rearguard action trying to dismiss and rubbish any study. I think technologys wonderful and we cant escape it, but I also think in five years time if we dont pay attention to the evidence, we could be facing a public health disaster. Cancer Registry statistics for the past decade show that the number of brain tumours has remained fairly static the period in which mobile phone uptake has been greatest. But this, the doubters argue, is insufficient reassurance as brain tumours have a long latency period of up to 40 years. Although the phone industry strenuously denies its products have any links to cancer, it covers its back, using tiny print to counsel holding the phone at least 15mm from the body. BlackBerrys instructions advise a distance of 25mm and keeping phones away from pregnant abdomens or the abdomens of teenagers. I still cant contemplate abandoning my phone. But I have dusted off the Bluetooth earpiece Ive never used and persuaded my reluctant husband not to leave his phone charging in the bedroom. Im considering buying a shield, placed in the ear, that is supposed to deflect radiation, but I can find no studies to prove such gadgets actually work. Neil Whitfields operation on his neuroma was successful, but he was left deaf in his left ear and still gets headaches and facial twitches. He left his job, which relied on mobile use, and now refuses to use a mobile. Now, when I havent a number to give people they think Im trying to avoid them, or Im silly, a crank. They think: That will never happen to me. But when you have had a brain operation like me, you err on the side of caution. In my opinion, if phones were a food, theyd long have been taken off the shelves and sent back to the lab for further investigations.

Content analysis Why is it that many US citizens are not well informed about international events

Content analysis Why is it that many US citizens are not well informed about international events Media coverage of local and international events plays a critical role in reproduction, dissemination, construction and expression of prevailing perspectives and dominant ideologies when carried out without bias.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Content analysis: Why is it that many US citizens are not well informed about international events specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Unbalanced treatment in the provision of local and international news by different sources of media as well as the perception of media on domestic news has drawn much concern on the level of information citizens of a country get on international news. This paper examines the excerpts of New York Times and Los Angeles Times media coverage of local and international news to determine the reporting bias of their content on whether they are positive, negative or neutral. Hence, this paper focuses on the front pages of the New York Times, Washingt on Post and Los Angeles Times newspapers of 1st February 2012. Research question: Why is it that many US citizens are not well informed about international events? Hypotheses The disclosure made by media on both domestic and international news plays an important role of revealing how events or even power interplay across cultural encounters. Groeling argues that balanced media coverage that considers both positive and negative dimensions of international matters acts as a very powerful tool that influences citizens of a nation on how to develop global public opinions.1 However, this has not been the case with many US newspapers due to their bias coverage of international news. In most cases, they have given more attention to domestic events and covered some sections of international news which are of less significance to the American public. Groeling posits that less significant does not mean that it lacks value per se, but that most stories of international events are normally nega tive reports of either terrorism, loss of lives or war with little on developments and inventions. From these concerns, the paper develops the following hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: News outlets stressing US domestic over international news coverage causes US citizens to be uninformed about international events.Advertising Looking for coursework on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Hypothesis 2: News outlets tending to report primarily negative stories about international events causes US citizens to be uninformed about international events. Hypothesis 3: News outlets tending to focus their international coverage on Mexico, Canada, Western European countries, and countries where US military forces are engaged in conflicts causes US citizens to be uninformed about international events. Definition of terms Negative media coverage: Refers to the media presenting stories which are of negative nature. Issue s which are negative in the society are often highlighted with an intention of awakening members of the society on the bad issues that are happening in the modern world or in people’s lives.2 Neutral coverage: Offering of stories or events that are neither negative nor positive. Positive media coverage: Refers to presentations by media on stories which are of positive nature such as those which involve accomplishments and award. Newspaper content analysis New York Times stressing local and domestic news over international news New York Times newspaper is one of the major American newspapers whose main sections business news, Washington updates, national, sports and international news as well as an opinion and features section.3 Of greatest importance for this paper is the newspaper for 1st February 2012 whose front page clearly depicted how unbalanced it is in presenting both domestic and international news. Babad and Peer point out that inasmuch as events in a nation should take a better portion of media coverage, international events are also important in informing a population on matters that would affect them and that have significant information.4 In the New York Times 1st of February 2012 edition, over 60% of the front page events were domestic news.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Content analysis: Why is it that many US citizens are not well informed about international events specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of the key news included Romney’s election campaigns in Florida where he won in primary, issues of health especially cancer in America and matters related to donors who are interested in rising above Obama. The front page had very little on international news band and whatever was presented was a negative report related to violence in Syria.5 In fact, international bits of news have been included in inside pages such as in section A of page ten which gives international events only the negative perception. A case example is the massive deaths occurring in Eastern Europe. Limited reporting of positive international news as well as biased coverage of international news on the front page denies the American public better and sufficient international information. Los Angeles Times and negative media reporting on international news Los Angeles Times is a daily American newspaper that offers both national and international news coverage on areas such as politics, business and sports. Its coverage for 1st February 2011 has about 75% local or domestic news on its front page and about 25% of international news most of which are negative reports. One such report was published by Brian Bennett on threats of terror and a possible attack on US by Iran.6 Domestically, Los Angeles news presents positive news such as that of Romney’s win and other neutral ones like raising cash to develop a cash reserve in California.7 Media coverage on Mexico , Canada, Western European countries, and countries where US military forces are engaged in conflicts While this may be partly true to news papers such as Washington Post whose front page has a section on US developments in war zones, it is important to note that international news related to war do not take center stage in front pages like domestic news.8 International news for this paper is mostly negative and feature in inside pages. Inasmuch as the events presented in the newspaper as international news are real, they create the impression that many international events are negative this deny most Americans the ability to gain other useful information on matters happening around the world. Conclusion: To sum up, it is vital to note that unbalanced media coverage of domestic and international news and the perspectives both positive and negative created by news on daily events play a critical role of denying American public sufficient and beneficial information on international ma tters.Advertising Looking for coursework on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Media coverage on most front pages of US national newspapers such as Los Angeles and New York Times gives a lot of cover mostly positive and neutral to US’s domestic events and paint a bad impression on international events by negative news. There is great need for media groups to create a balance of both local and international news and major on positive aspects of events happening internationally as these not only motivate readers’ interested international affairs, but also provide them with information they can use to develop opinions. Bibliography Babad, Elisha Peer, Eyal. Media bias in interviewers nonverbal behavior: potential remedies, attitude similarity and meta-analysis. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 34, no. 1 (2010): 57-78. Bennet, Brian. â€Å"Al Qaeda weakened, Iran a threat, U.S. intelligence officials say†. Los Angeles Times. Feb. 1, 2012. https://www.latimes.com/ Gadner, Amy. â€Å"Panetta says U.S. hopes to end Afghanistan combat mission in 20 13†. Washington Post. Feb.1, 2012. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ Groeling, Tim. Whos the fairest of them all? An empirical test for partisan bias on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News. Presidential Studies Quarterly 38, no. 4 (2008): 631-657. Shear, Michael. â€Å"Still Battling G.O.P. Foes, Romney Turns to Face Obama†. New York Times. Feb. 1, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/ Appendix Content Analysis Tally Sheet: Story Number US Domestic or International Content If International, Country or Region Covered Story is Positive, Negative, or Neutral Inches of Text in Story 1 New York Times domestic positive 1. 5† International Syria Negative 1 2 Washington post Domestic positive 5† International Afghanistan Negative 3 Los Angeles Times Domestic 5† International Afghanistan Negative 4 Continue to end of newspaper with enough rows for total number of stories Footnotes 1 Tim Groeling. Whos the fairest of them all? An empirical t est for partisan bias on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News. Presidential Studies Quarterly, 38, no. 4 (2008): 650. 2 Ibid. p.650 3 Michael Shear. â€Å"Still Battling G.O.P. Foes, Romney Turns to Face Obama†. New York Times. Feb. 1, 2012. 4 Elisha Babad Eyal Peer. Media Bias in Interviewers Nonverbal Behavior: Potential Remedies, Attitude Similarity and Meta-analysis. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 34, no. 1 (2010): 67. 5 Ibid. p.67 6Brian Bennet. â€Å"Al Qaeda weakened, Iran a threat, U.S. intelligence officials say†. Los Angeles Times. Feb. 1, 2012. 7 Ibid. 8 Amy Gadner. â€Å"Panetta says U.S. hopes to end Afghanistan combat mission in 2013†. Washington Post. Feb.1, 2012.

Miller-Urey Experiment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Miller-Urey Experiment - Essay Example There is no denying the fact that this experiment till date is regarded to be a classic experiment pertaining to the origins of life. This experiment was carried on by Harold C Urey and Stanley L Miller at the University of Chicago in the year 1953. The scientific community was in doubt about the chemical components that constituted the atmosphere of the early earth. Thereby in their experiment, Miller and Urey selected Water, Hydrogen, Ammonia and Methane, considering them to be the salient components constituting the atmosphere of the early earth, when the life was still not there (Willis, 2000). These chemicals were made to circulate in an array of flasks and glass tubes which were completely sterilized. These glass tubes and flasks were connected together in a loop as is shown in the above figure. One of the flasks was half filled with water, while the other flask in this loop was fitted with electrodes. The water in the half filled flask was heated to create water vapors in the loop and the gases so created were circulated through the loop to simulate the atmosphere of early earth. The water vapor so produced represented the water in the lakes and rivers on the early earth which eventually evaporated and consequently precipitated down as rain. The electrodes in the other flask were intermittently fired to create lightening storm like effect, which was believed to be pervasive on early earth (Willis, 2000). After carrying on the experiment for one full week, Miller and Urey found out that that almost 10 to 15 percent of the carbon existent in the system they contrived in their experiment had turned to organic compounds (Willis, 2000). They also discovered that nearly 2 percent of the carbon now constituted 13 of the 22 amino acids that went into the making of proteins in living cells (Willis, 2000). Glycine was found to be the most abundant amino acid in this protein soup (Willis, 2000). No doubt the

Health Care Law (Obamacare) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Health Care Law (Obamacare) - Essay Example This paper will critically evaluate the impact of the new health care law (Obamacare). It will recognize the advantages and disadvantages of the law and its significance in nursing practice. The new health care law influences the insurance market rules. It affects both the public and private health insurances. Individuals get private health insurance by buying directly or through the employer. The public health insurance consists of Medicare and Medicaid. The concept of grandfathering is utilized to imply that the existing insurance policies would not be affected by new market rules. The act removed lifetime caps in all plans; this is inclusive of the grandfathered plans for all important health benefits stated in the law. The annual limits for group coverage and individual plans purchased after March, 2010 are prohibited starting 2014 (Marcovici, 2013). The health reform act restricts the percentage of income that should be paid in respect to health insurance. In addition, it gives subsidies to help with the buying of the health insurance. Moreover, it gives cost-sharing help to restrict the out-of-pocket expenditures. The increased premium and choice help ensures that coverage is affordable and available to medium income Americans. The uninsured population of New York is expected to qualify in premium aid and constitute eighty seven percent (Gokhale, Erickson & Lawrence, 2011). The Obamacare gives Americans a chance to seek medical care early and have access to the physician consultation. This would ensure that the diseases are identified early enough and are cheap to treat. This will cut down the cost incurred in treatment diseases. When more people are insured then, the cost of health insurance premium is reduced because the risks and costs are spread in a large population. In regard to employment, the health reform will ensure that the workforce is healthy that will result to fewer hours lost in absence and hence more productivity.

Reflect on the alignment between your skills and attributes and those Essay

Reflect on the alignment between your skills and attributes and those required in commonwealth bank of the accounting profession - Essay Example There is an array of environmental characteristics to which an accountant working with Commonwealth Bank is exposed to. Some of the major operations taking place at the Bank are private and business banking, enterprise and group services, dealing with markets and institutional banking, retail banking service and wealth management. No matter what kind of environmental traits an accountant is exposed to his skills and attributes must be always aligned. To work as an accountant at the Commonwealth Bank one need to have some professional skills as well as some expertise in his or her respective field. In addition to having the basic accounting skills the accountants must also have some other essential skills such as being computer literate and possessing in depth understanding of spreadsheets. As an accountant at Commonwealth one has to deal with petty cash, the investments and bank accounts of other people, so it is necessary that he or she is trustworthy and honest. It is important that the accountant adheres to all the organizational and accounting policies. Commonwealth Bank likes to include individuals in the firm that are good at multitasking. The Commonwealth Bank also likes to include fresh graduates as interns in their team. The reason the Bank likes to welcome new talent is because it wants that minds with new and innovative idea should be the part of the organization and come up with creative new ideas. The firm does not desire for graduates having much experience as interns. All they are looking for are interns willing to work and learn with the bank on a contractual basis. All they require to have is the basic accounting knowledge and computer and presentation skills. Commonwealth Bank may ask its accountants to lead teams for various important projects. They are also required to oversee projects and enforce the policies of the Bank. It will be an advantage for the Bank if the accountant possesses strong communication skills as it will be

A Review of Literature of Erosion of Soils

A Review of Literature of Erosion of Soils Introduction Numerous work and research have been undertaken on erosion of soils for many decades. The following literature review is focusing on the relevant topics in terms of soil erosion process as well as the parameters and factors of soil erosion .Moreover, the literature reviews is primarily focusing on the management and control the soil erosion. 1 Soil Erosion by Water To perform this study, it was necessary to understand how soil erosion occurs. Usually it occurs at a low level but can become a problem when the ecological balance disturbed by humans activities or severe weather .The risk of erosion by water when soils with a high sand or silt content that exposed to heavy rainfall. (Defray 2005). It is crucial that considering rainfall and runoff factors when assessing a water erosion problem (BC.S.Baldwin 2003) .Although the soil erosion caused by long-lasting or less-intense rainfall is not as spectacular .But soil movement by rainfall is most noticeable during the short-time, high-intensity thunderstorms and the amount of soil loss can be considerably, especially when compounded over time. While the excess water on a slope that cannot be absorbed into the soil or trapped on the surface, the runoff will occur. The amount of runoff can be increased if infiltration is reduced due to soil compaction. (BC.S.Baldwin 2003) Two stages process involved in the soil erosion, which depend on water detaching and transporting soil. Rainsplash is a key determinant of detachment of soil particles in the first stage of erosion. However, if a growing crop covers the soil surface, the erosive power of rain will dramatically reduced. Once it detached, surface water run off plays a key role in the process of soil particles being transported. Surface run-off can be easily happening during the heavy storms or prolonged rainfall. (BC.S.Baldwin 2003) Tess Wynn investigated the streambank retreat. Normally it is called streambank erosion, the occurrences involved the combination of three processes, subaerial process, fluvial entrainment and mass wasting. Specifically. The term â€Å"subaerial process† is used to describe the climate- related phenomena that reduce the strength of soil .It mainly controlled by climatic conditions, and overly independent of flow. Subaerial processed are often called â€Å"preparatory processes† due to they increase the susceptibility of soil to erosion at high flows (Wolman, 1959;Lawler, 1993) Apparently. Fluvial entrainment means the direct removal of soil particles or aggregates from the streambed or banks by flowing water. (Tess Wynn 2006), but the fluvial erosion of cohesive soils is extremely complex and related to soil properties and test conditions (Grissinger, 1982). The susceptibility of a cohesive soil to erosion influenced by numerous of the parameters of soil, including grain size distribution, soil density, pore water content and chemistry (Grissinger, 1982) Mass wasting also known as bank failure, it occurs when the weight of the bank exceeds the shear strength of soil. The mass wasting can be attributed to increasing the bank height or bank angel due to fluvial erosion or the presence of tension cracks (ASCE, 1998).Research has proved that bank geometry, properties of bank materials and the density and the type of bank vegetation play the key role the occurrence of mass wasting. Hu Liu, Theodore G. Cleveland, and Keh Han Wang conducted the laboratory tests of dependence on properties of soils and. In their study, rainfall was generated by the rainfall simulator; along with flume .The rainfall simulator consist of a wooden frame and a group of PVC pipes with small holes. The soil sample was placed at one end of the flume .In the experiment, the simulator activated by the adjustment of the slope. In addition, six type of soil with different texture and classifications used in this laboratory experiments. The results show more soil erosion produced by the higher rainfall intensity. Besides, the unit soil volume loss affected by shear strength, compressive strength and rainfall intensities but less influenced by the bed slope. (Hu Liu, Theodore G. Cleveland, and Keh Han Wang, 1999) Jill Fernqvist and Ida Florberger conducted their research in South Africa .Their study indicated the fires are one the important factor that changes the soil properties .their study has been taken in the Western Cape,. The fieldwork focused on water repellency has detrimental influence upon the post-fire erosion Jill Fernqvist and Ida Florberger(2003) 2 Soil Erodibility Soil erodibility is an estimate of the ability of soils to resist erosion in term of the physical characteristics of soil. Generally, the faster infiltration rates of soil, the higher levels of organic matter and improved soil structure have a greater resistance to erosion silt, very fine sand, and certain clay textured soils tend to be more erodible than Sand, sandy loam and loam textured soils cropping practices which lower soil organic matter levels, cause poor soil structure, and result of compacted contribute to increases in soil erodibility. Compacted subsurface soil layers result in decreased infiltration and increased runoff. A formation of a soil crust, can create the decreased of infiltration, however, normally the growth of runoff water is attended by the greater soil erosion problems. (BC.S.Baldwin 2003) There is a definite link between Past erosion and soils. The original soils tend to be less erodible than the exposed subsurface soils on eroded sites were, owing to their lower organic matter or poorer structure .The lower nutrient levels usually related with subsoils contribute to lower crop yields and generally poorer crop cover, which in turn provides less crop protection for the soil. (BC.S.Baldwin 2003) Gregory J. Hanson provided the complex problem about how to predict the erodibilty of soil material by flowing water. Base on the knowledge of hydraulic characteristics and the characteristics of cohesive soils .Laboratory Jet tests were carried out on soil samples compacted at different moisture content dynamic. Jet detection apparatus and method description of the excess stress parameters determined kd and tc. An example of this is used to test the soil in the laboratory to determine the appropriate placement in the field. The flume tests and field trials were carried out to verify the plane corrosion. (Gregory J.2002) 3 Slope Gradients and Length Basically. The steeper slope areas, the greater amount of soil erosion by water.Soil erosion of water also increased with slope length due to the greater accumulation of runoff. The consolidation of small fields into larger results is often no longer the slope length of the potential for erosion, because water with an increase rate that allows a greater degree of scouring (carrying capacity of the sediment) (BC.S.Baldwin 2003) 4 Soil Deposition Soil particles of all sizes may be moved during run-off. When flow stopped, these start to settle. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), sediment is a root cause of water quality impairment (USEPA, 2002).excess Suspended sediments to reduce diversity and rich of aquatic organisms, reduce reservoir capacity, improve drinking water treatment costs, and serve as a carrier of pollutants.(Tess Wynn,2006) The erosion process of cohesive sediment was studied in Masato Sekine and Nobuaki Iizuka study .To full understand the process, they also conduct an experiment .Clay mixed with different compositions were used to test samples of the form of erosion of water pipes in a closed experimental apparatus. Specifically .Experiments carried out a square circle closed pipeline system cross-section 400 centimeters in length and 10 centimeters wide, 10 centimeters deep. 5 Vegetation The potential of soil erosion is increased, if the soil with little or no vegetation, plants and crop residues. Residue cover to protect plants and soil from rain splash, tends to slow down surface runoff flows, and ensures excess surface water infiltration. Erosion soils reducing the efficiency of the plant or residue cover depends on the category, degree and quantity of cover. Combination of vegetation and residue completely covered the soil, and to intercept all falling raindrops, and near the surface and the most effective control of soil (such as forests, permanent grassland). Part into the residue and the root is also very important because they provide the channel that allows surface water into the soil. The effectiveness of any crop, management system or protective cover also depends on how much protection can be at different times during the year, the relative amount of erosive rainfall during these periods belong to. In this aspect , the crops with food, protective cover a major part of the year (for example, alfalfa or winter cover crops) can reduce soil erosion can be far more than crops leave the soil bare for a longer period of time (such as row crops) , especially during the high erosive rainfall (spring and summer).( C.S.Baldwin 2003) I.J. Shelton also investigated tillage operations influence upon the soil erosion, which depending on the depth, direction and timing of the plowing, the types of farming equipment and a number of passes. Generally speaking, the less interference or residual vegetation cover at or near the surface, the more efficient farming practices, and reduce soil erosion (I.J. Shelton 2003) Soil erosion potential is affected by tillage operations, depending on the depth, direction and timing of plowing, the type of tillage equipment and the number of passes. Generally, the less the disturbance of vegetation or residue cover at or near the surface, the more effective the tillage practice in reducing erosion. Regarding the effects of vegetation on streambank stability , Tess Wynn examined the vegetation influences the chemical and properties of steambanks and the local micro climate .The multiple effects on subaerial process produced by riparian vegetation including the dense cover of vegetation absorbs the energy of rainfall ,reducing soil detachment by raindrop . But it should be noted that the effects of vegetation on stream hydraulic varies with the stream stage, width and season. Additionally. Distribution of energy and sediment in a stream influenced by the vegetation. (Tess Wynn 2006) Tess Wynn 2006 addressed the vegetation cover problem. Extensive erosion by wind may result from the lack of permanent vegetation cover in certain locations. Loose, dry, bare soil is the most susceptible; however, crops that produce low levels of residue also may not provide enough resistance. Besides, crops that produce a lot of residue which not protect the soil in severe conditions. Therefore, an adequate network of living windbreaks along with good tillage, residue management, and crop selection are considered to be the most effective vegetative cover for protection. (Tess Wynn 2006) South Africa is a country which lack of the water, but the Jill Fernqvist and Ida Florberger have described the theory of fire -induced water repellency and the following soil erosion in their study. Generally, In South Africa, alien species require more water than the indigenous one. Therefore, alien vegetation provides a poor ground cover compared to the indigenous vegetation, which could result in surface run off and soil erosion (.Jill Fernqvist and Ida Florberger 1996). Jill Fernqvist and Ida Florberger observed the Alien vegetation apparently has been considered as a key issue in the ecosystem of Western Cape. Water yield was decreased in the long term due to the alien vegetation consume a large amount of water, as a result, the biodiversity is threatened. In addition, fire in the alien vegetation for the results of erosion-prone slopes. (Jill Fernqvist and Ida Florberger, 2003) Defra (2005) summarized the Management Practices using Vegetables and Salad Crops in soil erosion Control. And offered some solutions to prevent the soil erosion when undertaking the cultivations, irrigation and harvest. (Defra 2005) 6 Soil Erosion by Wind Soil is also erosion by wind, although the effect is not noticeable like the erosion by water. C.S.Baldwin studied the rate and magnitude of soil erosion by wind is decided by many factors: Erodibility of Soil The wind suspends very fine particles and then transported great distances. Fine and medium size particles can be lifted and deposited by wind. While coarse particles can be blown along the surface (commonly known as the saltation effect). Soil Surface Roughness Soil surfaces only provide little resistance to the wind. However, ridges can be filled in and the roughness broken down by abrasion to produce a smoother surface susceptible to the wind in a long time. Excess tillage is a threat to soil, because it breakdown the soil structure and increased erosion. Climate There is a define link between the speed and duration of the wind and extent of soil erosion. The levels of Soil moisture can be very slightly low at the surface of excessively drained soils or during periods of dro ught, and releasing the particles for transport by wind. It occurs in freeze drying of the surface in winter. Adverse operating conditions maybe created by wind erosion in the field. Crops can be completely ruined so that costly delay and reseeding is necessary (C.S.Baldwin 2003) 7 Effects of Soil Erosion The negative changes from bank erosion including farmland productivity losses, damage to building structures such as bridges, roads etc. I.J. Shelton defined the on-site effects and off-site effects. On-site effects mean extension of the elimination of the impact of soil erosion of valuable topsoil. Crop emergence, growth and yield a direct impact on the loss of, natural and applied fertilizer and soil nutrients. Seeds and plants may interfere with or completely abolish the erosion site. Organic matter in soil, residues and any applicable fertilizer, a relatively light weight, can be transported off-site, especially in the spring thaw conditions. While the off-site effect is not always obvious as on-site effects, but Eroded soil, deposited down slope can inhibit or delay the emergence of the seed, bury small seedling, need to replant in the affected areas. Soil quality, structure, stability and texture can be affected by the loss of soil. The breakdown of aggregates and the removal o f smaller particles or entire layers of soil or organic matter can weaken the structure and even change the texture. Textural changes can in turn affect the water-holding capacity of the soil, making it more susceptible to extreme condition such a drought. (I.J. Shelton 2003) According to the C.S.Baldwin (2003), Sediment can contribute to road damage, accelerate bank erosion, and reduce downstream water quality. What is worse, Pesticides, and fertilizers, which contained in the soils. They frequently transported with eroded soil pollution or contamination of water downstream and entertainment district. 8 Conservation Measures While, based upon research, various conservation measures can be taken to reduce soil erosion by both water and wind. Tillage, cropping practices, and land management practices, have a direct impact on the overall soil erosion problem and solutions to a farm. When crop rotations or changing tillage practices are not enough areas where erosion control method or a combination of more extreme measures may be necessary. For example, contour plowing, strip cropping, or terracing may be considered. (C.S.Baldwin 2003) The defra (2005) advised measures about how to control the soil erosion. In their study, four categories of solution were presented. It is crucial to understand that erosion control on susceptible soil types can be successfully achieved to reduce the impact of rainfall erosion and maintain soil infiltration rate, so that the surface flow are avoided. It can be achieved by 1 To protect the soil from rainfall impact, whether it is permanent vegetation cover or land rotation, timely crop establishment and retention of surface crop residues. 2 Avoiding smooth, flat finishes to exposed field surfaces, so that good water seepage rates remain unchanged. 3 Avoiding tramlines, wheeling or cultivation features that can channel surface flow. 4 Seeking to increase the organic matter content in the means of improving the stability of the soil in the longer term. Steep slope and erosion because of increased risk, the efficiency of these measures is becoming increasingly important. When deciding on the combination of measures to apply in any particular situation, consideration should always be the serious erosion that may occur, if the case happened. In some cases, a measure aimed at controlling erosion may increase. For example, work along the contour is sometimes used to reduce runoff, but if the profile is not strictly followed, the accumulation of water at low points which might break over the cultivation features. (Defra 2005) Meanwhile, good management practices play a pivotal role in the control of soil erosion. Some examples and considerations were presented in defra (2005) study. In order to minimize the soil erosion when soil in the most vulnerable condition, the different type and timing of cultivations should be planned. Obviously, the overall aim should be the soil maintain in a less vulnerable condition as long as possible .Therefore, defra (2005) provided the good management of the farm to reduce erosion risks in terms of seedbed preparation, directions of cultivations and irrigation. 9 Conclusion Soil erosion is a natural and slow process. It has the detrimental effect on the environmental. Normally the agents of soil erosion are water and wind, the soil erosion is affected by many factors .But soil erosion could be effectively controlled and minimized by taken appropriate measures. References Abernethy, B. and I. D. Rutherfurd. 1998. Where along a rivers length will vegetation most effectively stabilize stream banks? Geomorphology. 23(1):55-75 ASCE. 1998. River width adjustment. I: Processes and mechanisms. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. 124(9):881-902. Coppin, N. J. and I. G. Richards. 1990. Use of Vegetation in Civil Engineering. Butterworths.London Department for environment food and rural affairs .2005 .Controlling soil erosion, Defra Publications, London. G.J.de Boer .2002.on the consolidation and erosion of cohesive sediments.Deflt University of Technology .Civil Engineering and Geosciences G. Wall, C.S. Baldwin and I.J. Shelton. 2003. Soil Erosion Causes and Effects .Face Sheet.Queen`s print for Ontario Jill Fernqvist, Ida Florberger 2003. Fire and post-fire soil erosion in the Western Cape, South Africa: Field observations and management practices. Committee of Tropical Ecology, Uppsala University, Sweden. Tess Wynn.2006. Streambank Retreat: A Primer. Vol. 4, No.1 January March 2006. Watershed Update Thorne, C. R. and N. K. Tovey. 1981. Stability of composite river banks. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 6(5):469-484

Offreds Narrative - What is the purpose and function of the Historical

Offred's Narrative - What is the purpose and function of the Historical Notes and how do they assist your interpretation of the novel? The historical notes are not part of Offred’s narrative, they are a transcript of a symposium held at a university in 2195 – two hundred years from where we left the end of Offred’s harrowing tale. The purpose of these notes if any, is to put Offred’s narrative into a historical purpose to help these academics understand the life of Gilead. It seems to me that another purpose of these historical notes is to provoke a very strong reaction in the readers who have followed the emotional journey with the narrator Offred. The significance of the university name ‘Denay, Nunavit’ is that Atwood took the name from a group of people called Dene from Canada’s North west territories and they are about to become the first self-governing group of North American native people in an area called Nunavit. Atwood has chosen names such as Maryann Crescent Moon and Johnny Running Dog for the professors suggesting that the native Americans overbear the academy which strongly contrasts with the white male-dominated patriarchy in the Gilead times in this future world Atwood has made the white males become the vulnerable subjects of a study and nit the dominant rulers and scholars they once were. Also the name of the university sounds like the sentence ‘Deny None Of it’ suggesting that Offred’s story was all true despite what my be said or not said in the historical notes. The purpose of the lecturer that Atwood created Professor James Darcy Pieixto is to give readers a masculine view of Offred’s story which is ironic due to the domineering and powerful roles that the males played in Offre... ... see themselves progressive but hold the seeds of patriarchal oppression. With Pieixto’s appeal for some understanding feelings toward Gilead which was then followed by an applause this also suggests such moral ambivalence getting ready for such future evils. Another purpose for these notes is also to show how academics miss the point completely when looking at some historical facts and Atwood shows an example of this with these notes, how people can be sending out the wrong message and doing false teachings. The finishing sentence â€Å"Are there any questions?† gives the story a deliberate open-ended conclusion, here I think Atwood wants readers to discuss or at least think about the message she has just shown us, that the end of The Handmaids Tale is only the beginning of a discussion of the issues raised in the story, of what will our world finally become?