Research Development free essay sample

These activities include initiating and nurturing partnerships, networks, and alliances between and among faculty at their institutions and funding agencies; and designing and implementing strategic services for their faculty and researcher constituents (such as workshops, trainings, program officer visits, proposal editing, PR communications, funding opportunity searches and dissemination, budget preparation, forms and submission assistance, research team building and administering campus limited submission reviews). 2] Research Development professionals initiate and nurture critical partnerships and alliances wrought the institutional research enterprise and between institutions-?and with their external stakeholders. With the goal of enabling competitive individual and team research and facilitating research excellence, Research Development professionals build and implement strategic set-vices and collaborative resources that span across disciplinary and administrative barriers wit hin their organizations and beyond. 3] Research Development differs significantly from university development (institutional fundraising or advancement) in that RD is not aimed at attracting contributions or nations. Rather, RD strengthens research programs and proposals to make them more competitive for extramural contracts and grants from federal and state agencies, and grant-making foundations that fund research. We will write a custom essay sample on Research Development or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Similarly, RD should not be confused with Research and Development or RD which refers to investments in (often) corporate scientific and technological research that leads to new products and applications. Recent contractions in the availability of public and private research funding have intensified competition for fewer resources among universities. This trend has amplified the need for Research Development assistance and interventions at universities in order to enhance research excellence and competitiveness-[4] These services have not traditionally been offered through university sponsored research and projects offices that administer the submission of grant proposals and research funds management. In response to these challenges, Research Development is increasingly becoming a standard practice at universities, particularly Doctoral/research universities-extensive (AKA Research I University as defined by the Carnegie Classification Of Institutions Of Higher Education that place a high priority on research and rely heavily on extramural funding. 5] Research Development professionals and services are typically housed in a universitys central Office of Research (or similar), or within a more specific department or research unit devoted to a particular discipline or school. Research Development activities are also included in some sponsored research and projects offices. There are also independent consulting firms that provide Research Development services. According to the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NOR), there are currently over 245 research development professionals employed at over 1 20 institutions (colleges/ universities, teaching/not-for-profit hospitals, independent not-for-profit research organizations, national laboratories, research organizations wholly organized and administered by a college or university, consortia of colleges and universities, associations/societies with individual or institutional members predominantly from colleges and universities) across the united States. Research Development Activities Strategic Research Advancement ; Collaborate to identify areas of institutional research priorities ; Strategic Planning Support (information to leadership about opportunities/strengths/weaknesses) ; Advise UP/PVC for Research on issues related to research ; Serve as Ups/Vics for Research representative to university community and external visitors ; Manage or contribute to decisions regarding internal funding ; Provide research areas development support to include such things as formal partnerships with external entities or facilitating faculty participation ; Interactions with political leaders related to research initiatives at your institution ; Industry elaboration and partnerships ;

How To Measure Mass Using a Balance

How To Measure Mass Using a Balance Mass measurements in chemistry and other sciences are performed using a balance. There are different types of scales and balances, but two methods can be used on most instruments to measure mass: subtraction and taring. Key Takeaways: Measure Mass Using a Balance A balance or scale is an instrument used to measure mass in the science laboratory.One common method of measuring mass is to tare the scale and measure the mass directly. For example, this is how people weigh themselves.The other common method is to place a sample into a container and measure the mass of the container plus sample. The mass of the sample is obtained by subtracting the mass of the container. Proper Use of a Balance Before using a balance, its important to take some preliminary steps. This will help ensure you get the most accurate and precise measurement. Be sure you understand how to use a balance before taking mass measurements.The balance should be clean and free of debris.The balance should be on a level surface.Never place a sample directly on the balance. You should use a weighted boat, weighing sheet, or another container to hold the sample. Some chemicals you may use in a lab could corrode or otherwise damage the surface of the weighing pan. Also, make certain your container will not chemically react with your sample.If the balance has doors, be certain to close them before taking a measurement. Air movement impacts the accuracy of mass measurements. If the balance does not have doors, make certain the area if free of drafts and vibrations before measuring mass. Mass by Difference or Subtraction If you place a container full of sample and weigh it, youre getting the mass of both the sample and the container, not just the sample. To find the mass: mass of sample mass of sample/container - mass of container Zero the scale or press the tare button. The balance should read 0.Measure the mass of the sample and container.Dispense the sample into your solution.Measure the mass of the container. Record the measurement using the correct number of significant figures. How many this is will depend on the particular instrument.If you repeat the process and use the same container, do not assume its mass is the same! This is particularly important when you are measuring small masses or are working in a humid environment or with a hygroscopic sample. Mass by Taring When you use the tare function on a scale, you are making certain the reading starts from zero. Usually, there is a labeled button or knob to tare the balance. With some instruments, you need to manually adjust the reading to zero. Electronic devices do this automatically, but require periodic calibration. Zero the scale or press the tare button. The scale reading should be 0.Place the weighing boat or dish on the scale. There is no need to record this value.Press the tare button on the scale. The balance reading should be 0.Add the sample to the container. The value given is the mass of your sample. Record it using the proper number of significant figures. Sources of Error Whenever you take a mass measurement, there are several potential sources of error: Air gusts may push the mass up or down.Buoyancy can affect measurements. Buoyancy is directly proportional to the air volume that is displaced and is affected by air density changes due to temperature and pressure fluctuations.Condensation of water on cold items may increase apparent mass.Dust accumulation can add to mass.Evaporation of water from damp items may change mass measurements over time.Magnetic fields may affect components of the scale.Temperature changes can cause components of the balance to expand or contract, so a measurement taken on a hot day may differ from one taken on a cold day.Vibration may make it difficult to obtain a value, as it will fluctuate. Is It Mass or Weight? Remember, a balance gives you a mass value. The mass would be the same whether you measured it on the Earth or on the Moon. On the other hand, the weight would be different on the Moon. While its common to use the terms mass and weight interchangeably, they are only the same values on Earth! Sources Hodgeman, Charles, Ed. (1961).  Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 44th Ed. Cleveland, USA: Chemical Rubber Publishing Co.  pp.  3480–3485.Rossi, Cesare; Russo, Flavio; Russo, Ferruccio (2009). Ancient Engineers Inventions: Precursors of the Present. History of Mechanism and Machine Science. ISBN 978-9048122523.

Four Criteria for Identifying a Rock

Four Criteria for Identifying a Rock What is a rock, exactly? After some thought and discussion, most people will agree that rocks are more or less hard solids, of natural origin and made of minerals. But to geologists, all of those criteria have exceptions. Are All Rocks Hard? Not necessarily. Some common rocks can be scratched with your fingernails such as shale, soapstone, gypsum rock, and peat. Others may be soft in the ground, but they harden once they spend time in the air (and vice versa). And there is an imperceptible gradation between consolidated rocks and unconsolidated sediments. Indeed, geologists name and map many formations that dont consist of rock at all. This is why geologists refer to work with igneous and metamorphic rocks as hard-rock geology, opposed to sedimentary petrology. Are All Rocks Solid? Some rocks are far from completely solid. Many rocks include water in their pore spaces. Many geodes   hollow objects found in limestone country hold water inside them like coconuts. Two rocks that are barely solids include fine lava threads known as  Peles hair  and the fine open meshwork of exploded lava reticulite. Then theres the matter of temperature. Mercury is a liquid metal at room temperature (and down to -40 F), and petroleum is a fluid unless its asphalt erupted into cold ocean water. And good old ice meets all the criteria of rock-hood too...in permafrost and in glaciers. Are All Rocks Natural? Not entirely. The longer humans stay on this planet, the more that concrete accumulates. Concrete is a mixture of sand and pebbles (aggregate) and a mineral glue (cement) of calcium silicate compounds. It is a synthetic conglomerate, and it acts just like the natural rock, turning up in riverbeds and on beaches. Some of it has entered the rock cycle to be discovered by future geologists. Brick, too, is an artificial rock in this case, an artificial form of massive slate. Another human product that closely resembles rock is slag, the byproduct of metal smelting. Slag is a complex mixture of oxides that has many uses including road-building and concrete aggregate. It has found its way into sedimentary rocks already. Are All Rocks Made of Minerals? Many are not. Minerals are inorganic compounds with chemical formulas and mineral names such as quartz or pyrite. Coal is made of organic material, not minerals. The various types of stuff in coal are instead called macerals. Similarly, what about coquina...a rock made entirely of seashells? Shells are made of mineral matter, but they arent minerals any more than teeth are. Finally, we have the exception of obsidian. Obsidian is a rock glass, in which little or none of its material has gathered into crystals. It is an undifferentiated mass of geological material, rather like slag but not as colorful. While obsidian has no minerals in it per se, it is unquestionably a rock.

Is Theseus an example of a typical ancient Greek hero Essay

Is Theseus an example of a typical ancient Greek hero - Essay Example The story follows the same motifs that are followed by other hero stories. These motifs include the background of the hero, the heroic tasks accomplished by the hero, his love life and his downfall due to his own mistakes. Similar to several other Greek hero stories, the story of Theseus even focuses on the background of the heroes. Lord Raglan has provided events that occur in the lives of a Greek hero and some of these events relate to the background regarding the birth of the hero. Raglan states that a Greek hero is mostly born to a royal mother and his father is either mortal or an immortal person (Dowden 104). The father of a hero in most cases is either a God or a King. In Theseus case, he was actually born to a king named Aegeus but was brought up by a king named Pittheus who was also his grandfather (Grant 14). Raglan even states that just before or just right after the birth of a Greek hero, the child is tried to be killed by his own father or even by his own grandfather. In the story of Theseus, he was not tried to be killed by any of his relatives at birth. Raglan even noted that most of the Greek heroes are brought up by either one of the parents or by parents who are not related to him by blood. In case of Theseus, he was brought up by her mother, but he even had his grandfather as a father image and is not brought up by foster parents. Furthermore Raglan argues that when the Greek hero grows up or reaches the life stage of manhood, he is informed about his actual father and later sets out to claim the kingdom he is going to control in future (Dowden 104). In case of Theseus, his mother later informs him that his father is a King and guides him to perform a task that will prove to the king that Theseus is his son. He completes the task which is to lift a stone and obtain the sandal and sword of his father and sets out on a journey to meet his father and live under his father’s Kingdom. Another important element of a heroic story

PTSD Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

PTSD - Research Paper Example The victims become hopeless and if the shock does not subside the victims get disturbed by painful memories. They feel that their normal status cannot be restored. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder usually occurs with battle scared military officers who go through a win or die battle. Many soldiers suffer from the disorder situations when they are fighting a losing battle. Traumatizing incidences such as bombast makes them scared. The soldiers get maimed while some die. The incidences and aftermath of the war have been the leading cause of the mental disorder. The disease is also prevalent in emergency care workers. Most of the emergency care workers who suffer the disorder are those who take care of the victims whose life is in danger. The death of the victims leaves shocking memories that they cannot forget. The medical officers who treat and take care of the victims of emergency events are also at risk of suffering from the disorder. Children are less likely to develop the disease than adults. They have weak memories, and they are less engaged in life-threatening events. The primary cause of Post-Traumatic Disorder among children is bullying. Bullying also affects adults. Individuals facing domestic violence are predisposed to the disorder. Disasters such as earthquakes and Tsunami results to the massive destruction. The victims of the disaster are traumatized. For many years terrorist attacks has been threatening peoples life. The effects of the attacks are unbearable and terrible. The disorder is prevalent among the people held hostages by terrorists. The torture the in the cells leaves the freed culprits traumatized. Drug abuse especially alcohol also co-occur with the mental disorder. Intake of narcotics hinders the recovery of the PTSD by medication. Alcohol abuse worsens the PSTD conditions (Krippner, 2012). Childhood neglect, kidnapping and sudden death of loved ones also put individuals at risk of gettin g the disorder. The police

Neurofibromatosis Case Essay Example for Free

Neurofibromatosis Case Essay Effects / Symptoms Neurofibromatosis causes a deficiency targeting the nervous system as part of a genetic disorder. The two most common types are abbreviated into NF1 and NF2. NF1 is characterized by cafà © au lait spots, or patches of tan and light brown skin. Another characteristic would be neurofibromas, which are soft, fleshy growths that grow on the skin, and in some cases, under it. The disorder also enters the skeletal level and enlarges and distorts bones as well as adds curvature to the spine. Occasionally tumors develop on the brain or spinal cord. Half of the people with NF1 also inhibit learning disabilities. The less common disorder, NF2, characterizes itself by multiple tumors on cranial and spinal nerves. Hearing loss will nearly inevitably occur in the early teens for people with NF2. Genetic Cause Most commonly Neurofibromatosis is passed on by family members through genes. However, 30 to 50% of newly diagnosed people have no family history of the condition, which can be attributed to a spontaneous mutation in the gene. Once this mutation has occurred, future generation will be at risk of getting the disorder. Genetic Cause The causes of Nf1 are a mutation on the 17 chromosome at q11.2. The mutation mainly affects the development of nerve cells and tissues. The changes in nerve tissues cause tumors or other abnormalities. The tumors can be harmless, in some situations. Nf1 is dominant and autosomal; meaning it will affect males and females equally. Nf2 is a slightly different. Nf2 is characterized by a mutation on the 22q12.2 chromosome. Nf2 is also autosomal dominant. The mutations has significant physical causes consisting of meningiomas and other symptoms consisting of a lot of big words that not even spell check understands. The main idea of the symptoms is that they’ll grow deformities, usually internally, on the spinal cord and other nerve tissues. These deformities can result in loss of hearing, blindness, etc. Treatment/Cure There is no cure for each Nf1 and Nf2, so tough luck if you have it, but there is some good news. Type one of neurofibromatosis is less potent than type two because type two forms tumors on spinal tissue, brain tissue, and other nerve tissue that cause problems to motor skills, with this knowledge it can be concluded that surgery is the best course of treatment for type two. Surgery focuses on removing these tumors, increasing the effectiveness of the effected nerves. However false hope is not being circulated through this class brochure and it should be known that surgery will not serve as a cure, only an attempt to reduce the symptoms of the disease. For type one surgery can be used for treatment, however because the tumors don’t affect nerve tissue the surgery won’t be as an effective treatment. It should be noted that new laser techniques have been promising, however nothing has completely removed the cafà © au lait spots, so if your aiming to get rid of those than your luck hasn’t come through for you, because no technique has permanently removed them. Chemotherapy has been used for this disease, but is widely controversial. However it simply comes down to a personal decision. Work Cited – Websites OMIM Entry # 162200 NEUROFIBROMATOSIS, TYPE I; NF1. OMIM Entry # 162200 NEUROFIBROMATOSIS, TYPE I; NF1. John Hopkins University, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. Evans, D. Gareth. Summary. Neurofibromatosis 2. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Oct. 1998. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. NINDS Neurofibromatosis Information Page. Neurofibromatosis Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. Work Cited – Book Rubenstein, Allan E., Richard P. Bunge, and David E. Housman. Neurofibromatosis. New York, NY: New York Academy of Sciences, 1986. Print. DiSimone, Ronald E., and Arnold T. Berman. Neurofibromatosis. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1989. Print.

The Theme of Carpe Diem in Francis Macomber and Capital Of The World Es

The Theme of Carpe Diem in Francis Macomber and Capital Of The World  Ã‚   The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber and The Capital Of The World  Ã‚     A lot of Hemingway’s stories deal with life and death. Death even found it’s way into some of the titles we have read so far. However, in discussing death, we first have to look at life or rather how a life was lived, to truly understand what death meant in the particular instance. Both short stories, The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, and The Capital Of The World deal with lives cut short by a chance and accidental encounter with death, while the soon to be deceased seem to gamble and court death. Both also seem to have secondary characters that serve as guides of sorts into this journey. However only one of these characters seems satisfied when cut down, and that is what Hemingway thinks makes all the difference.   For example, in The Capital Of The World, were are introduced to the character of Paco. Early in the story, Hemingway writes, â€Å"Madrid is full of boys named Paco†(29). And, as stated in class, Francis, from The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, to bears a rather unusual name. While â€Å"Paco† is told to be common, we recognize â€Å"Francis† as being an odd name for a man. The names are different, but the effect seems to be the same. Hemingway named his characters to give us a picture of who they are. With â€Å"Paco†, we see just another faceless boy, and with Francis we assume a poor example of a â€Å"Hemingway man†. Both of these are then set up to be unremarkable characters that may have to prove their worth. And that is what drives each particular story.   Both stories also have characters that drive each respective protagonist into his... ...;The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber ends with Wilson saying, â€Å" ‘I’m though now†, he said,’I was a little angry. I’d begun to like your husband’†(28). What Hemingway is telling us plainly is that Macomber was able to achieve something. His death, although tragic, is not as tragic as Paco’s. As we have said many times in class, Hemingway knows death does indeed come for everyone. From short stories like The Killers to novels like For Whom The Bell Tolls, death can almost even be described as a reoccurring character in Hemingway’s work. However death impact is weighed by comparing it to life. For Macomber, death came at his highest point. He went down like man. Paco however, lost his life before he could lose his innocence. He was not even given the chance to live. And that is what Hemingway thinks is all the more tragic. To die not like a man, but a boy.   

Assessment Record and Feedback Sheet Essay

1. Understand the communication principles of computer networks 2. Know the main elements of data communications systems 3. Be able to implement different forms of network communications. (P5 – P6 – M2 – D2) Assignment Target Grade Final Grade Achieved Tutor Signature and Date Pï  ± Mï  ± Dï  ± Grading Criteria Date Achieved Date Ref’d 1st Date Ref’d 2nd Assessor Comments Address all comments directly to grading criteria. Please state clearly whether Formative or Summative feedback. Assessor Initials P5 – Describe the principles of signal theory P6 – Describe different transmission methods used M2 – Explain why particular transmission methods are chosen in particular situations D2 – Compare the effectiveness of different transmission methods Functional Skills Feedback Please include comments on English / Maths / IT General Comments and Performance Against Standards STUDENT’S COMMENT Comments on assignment feedback, including your Action Plan for next assignment. CHOOSE ONE of the following questions to answer with regard to your assignment: 1. What did you find difficult about the assignment? 2. What did you find enjoyable? 3. What else would you like to know about this particular subject/topic? 4. How are you going to improve your grade in future assignments? 5. How could you improve your literacy, numeracy or IT skills? 6. What do you feel needs to be done to improve this assignment and how will you do this? 7. Your lecturer’s comments Assignment-2 (Brief) Unit No. 10 Unit Title: Communication Technologies P/M/D Criteria covered: (P5 – P6 – M2 – D2) Learning outcomes – On completion of this unit you should: 1Understand the communication principles of computer networks 2Know the main elements of data communications systems 3Be able to implement different forms of network communications. Scenario A client wishes to know more about the issues surrounding the transmission of data. In this assignment, you will produce a series of mini reports to demonstrate your understanding of the various aspects of data transmission and the principles of signal theory. Task 1 (P5) This task will provide evidence for: P5 Describe the principles of signal theory 1. Signal Theory: With the aid of a diagram explain how data is represented in a digital format. What is a bit? What is a data packet? Draw a data packet and explain the individual parts. Explain synchronous and asynchronous transmission. Define bandwidth and give four common measurements from slow to fast (e.g. Bits Per second (bps) being the lowest). What is data compression and how is it beneficial to a network? 2. You should also explain with the aid of clearly labelled diagrams, how data gets from one point to the other by describing the following: Simplex, half-duplex and full-duplex. Serial and parallel communication. Task 2 (P6) This task will provide evidence for: P6 Describe different transmission methods used 1. Describe with the aid of drawings the features and benefits of the following transmission methods: a. Coaxial: i. Thinnet ii. Thicknet b. Optical Fibre: i. Single Mode ii. Multi Mode c. Twisted Pair: i. Unshielded ii. Shielded d. Wireless solutions: Radio- i. Explain how computers convert digital signals into radio waves. ii. List three strengths and weaknesses associated with radio transmission. Microwave- iii. What is microwave? iv. What are the main benefits of using microwave for data transmission? v. Explain point-to-point and point-to-multipoint microwave with suitable examples. http://www.intelephony.com.au/Networking/microwave Satellite- vi. What is a communication satellite? vii. What are the three main categories of satellite with regards to their position in orbit. viii. Explain the following MAC protocols for satellite links: 1. ALOHA 2. FDMA 3. TDMA 4. CDMA http://www.cse.wustl.edu/~jain/cis788-97/ftp/satellite_data/index.htm Task 3 (M2) This task will provide evidence for: M2 Explain why particular transmission methods are chosen in particular situations Based on the information produced for (P6) create a series of scenarios to aid your explanation of why certain transmission methods are chosen in particular situations. Task 4 (D2) This task will provide evidence for: D2 Compare the effectiveness of different transmission methods For this part of your assignment develop a detailed report comparing the effectiveness of the transmission methods described in P6. *Note: your report must focus on the good and bad points and not just be a description of the various methods.

Historical context: book of lamentations Essay

Mourn, grieve, dirge, and wail are some words related to lamentation. There are deep emotions involved in lamentation. The author of the Book of Lamentations had experienced real, actual events that caused bereft of hope to his soul. Believed to author the Book of Lamentations, prophet Jeremiah had not only vividly narrated what happened to Jerusalem but also detailed the very reasons Jerusalem had to suffer its fate. (Easton’s Bible Dictionary) The Book of Lamentations has five poems. The first poem compared Jerusalem before and after the destruction. The once great nation was ruined and desolated. Weeping and wailing was heard. Hopelessness was evident. Jeremiah declared that such destruction happened because the people of Israel had sinned and rebelled against the Almighty God. The Lord, being a just God, had caused the fall of Jerusalem. (Easton’s Bible Dictionary) The second poem showed God’s wrath over the rebellious people of Israel. The Israelites had experienced the power of God’s anger. He became an enemy and in His anger, God had allowed the people of Israel suffer too much. This poem also tells us the worst condition of those who left in Jerusalem. (Easton’s Bible Dictionary) Having hope and asking the Lord’s forgiveness are depicted in the third poem. Jeremiah was pleading to the Lord to extend His help once again to His people. On the fourth poem, Jeremiah had stressed that everything that happened and everything the people had experienced were because of their uncountable and grievous sins. In the last poem, Jeremiah prayed to God. He begged to God to look at His people again. He begged to God to restore His loving relationship with His children. (Easton’s Bible Dictionary) 2 Chronicles 36. 15-19 tells us the fall of Jerusalem. Israel and Judah both sinned greatly to the Lord, so in 587 BC, God had allowed Nebuchadnezzar to take over Jerusalem (Lamentations, J. W. Rogerson and J. D. W. Dunn). The temple and the wall of Jerusalem were set on fire. All articles and treasures from the temple and from the king and his officials were carried to Babylon. Many were put to death by the sword. Those who were not killed were exiled to Babylon and became slaves. (The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV) The emotions of the author of the Book of Lamentations were so intense. If we were living in those time and we saw the killings by sword, the great fire, the wailing and weeping, we could explain the anguish in Jeremiah’s heart as he wrote the poems. Jeremiah had seen Jerusalem before its fall. The city was busy. Yet after its fall, Jeremiah described it as a place of desolation. The priests who were highly respected also experienced hardships (Lamentations 1. 4 and 2. 20b). Since the city was destroyed, there was no food (Lamentations 2. 12 and 2. 19) and proper shelter (Lamentations 2. 10). Such situations led some women to cook their children just to survive (Lamentations 4. 10). The Israelites were God’s chosen people. God had brought them out of Egypt to the promise land. God made them powerful. In fact, God was the one fighting for them in order to conquer the promise land. But in spite of the many signs of wonders God had showed to them, the Israelites kept sinning against the Lord. The Holy Bible gives us the account of the many events in the lives of the Israelites. The fear of the Lord had spread through many nations. The sins of the Israelites were too great that God’s presence could not withstand. Because of His love to His people he sent messages calling them to repent, return, and obey God (2 Chronicles 36. 15). But they did not listen. They became overconfident that the Lord won’t leave them. The Book of Lamentations is not just an account of the fall of Jerusalem. It’s more on what had caused the fall. God was in control. He allowed the miseries in order to correct His children.

How to Request a Bug Identification

How to Request a Bug Identification There are lots of insect enthusiasts, both professional and amateur, on social media today, and based on my own experience, most of them are probably getting inundated with bug identification requests. While I appreciate everyones interest in learning about the insects and spiders they encounter, and I really do wish I could answer every ID request, its simply impossible for me to do so. Lately, Ive been receiving dozens, sometimes even hundreds, of ID requests per week, by email, by Twitter, on Facebook, through instant messaging, and even by telephone. Because I can only answer very few ID requests myself, I thought it would be helpful to readers if I provided you with information on where you can get mystery bugs identified by reliable experts (who have more time to do so than I do). How to Submit a Bug Identification Request First things first. There are, by most expert accounts, several million kinds of bugs living on our planet. If you send me a photo of a bug you found in Thailand, theres a good chance I wont know what it is, beyond the basics (Looks like a sphinx moth caterpillar.). Find the expert in your own area, if possible. If you want a bug identified, you will need to provide either the bug itself, or several good photos of the bug you encountered. Its very difficult (and sometimes impossible) to identify insects or spiders from photographs, even good ones. Bug photos should be: Taken close-up (macro photos).Clear, not blurry.Well-lit.Taken from different angles: dorsal view, side view, ventral view if possible.Taken with something in the photo to provide scale and size of the insect. Accurate bug identification may require the expert to get a good look at the subjects feet and legs, antennae, eyes, wings, and mouthparts. Try to get as much detail as possible. If you can, place something in the frame of the photo to give some perspective regarding the size of the bug – a coin, a ruler, or grid paper (and please report the size of the grid) all work well. People often overestimate the size of bugs they see, especially if they are phobic, so having an objective measurement is helpful. Its also important to provide as much information as you can about where you found the mystery bug. Include specifics on the geographic location and habitat, as well as the time of year when you caught or photographed it. If you dont mention where and when you found the bug, you probably wont even get a reply. A good insect identification request: Can you identify this insect I photographed in Trenton, NJ, in June? It was on an oak tree in my backyard and appeared to be eating the leaves. It was about a half inch long. A poor insect identification request: Can you tell me what this is? Now that you have good photographs and a detailed description of where and when you found your mystery insect, heres where you can go to have it identified. 3 Places to Get Mystery Bugs Identified If you need an insect, spider, or other bug from North America identified, here are three excellent resources available to you. Whats That Bug? Daniel Marlos, known to his loyal fans as The Bugman, has been identifying mystery insects for people since the 1990s.  After responding to bug ID requests for an online magazine in the early years of the Internet, Daniel launched his own website called Whats That Bug? in 2002. Hes identified well over 15,000 mystery insects from all over the world for readers. And if Daniel doesnt know what your mystery insect is, he knows how to reach the right expert to get your answer. Daniel cant respond to every ID request, but when he does, he provides a short natural history of the bug in question. Ive often been able to identify insects just by using the search feature on the Whats That Bug? website, by entering a short description (large black and white beetle with long antennae, for example). His site also features a sidebar menu where hes grouped previous IDs by type, so if you know you have a bumblebee but arent sure which one, you can try looking at his past bumblebee identifications for a match. To submit a bug ID request to the Bugman, use the Ask Whats That Bug? form. Bugguide Anyone who has even a remote interest in insects knows about Bugguide, and most of those insect enthusiasts are registered members on this crowdsourced, online field guide to North American arthropods. The Bugguide website is hosted by Iowa State Universitys Department of Entomology. Bugguide posts a disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. These naturalists may be volunteers, but I can tell you from my experience using Bugguide for many years that they are some of the most knowledgeable arthropod enthusiasts on the planet. To submit a bug ID request to Bugguide, youll need to register (for free) and log into the site. Then add your photo to the ID Request area of the database. Bugguide volunteers also run a Facebook group where you can submit ID requests. Cooperative Extension Cooperative Extension was created in 1914 by the passage of the Smith-Lever Act, which provided government funding for a partnership between the US Department of Agriculture, state governments, and land-grand colleges and universities. Cooperative Extension exists to educate the public about agriculture and natural resources. Cooperative Extension provides research-based information about insects, spiders, and other arthropods to the public. Most counties in the U.S. have a Cooperative Extension office that you can call or visit if you have questions about bugs. If you have a bug-related concern or question, I highly recommend that you contact your local Extension office. Their staff know the insects and spiders specific to your area, as well as the right way to address pest problems in your region. To find your local Cooperative Extension office, use this interactive map from the USDA. Simply choose your state and Extension in the Type field, and it will take you to your states Cooperative Extension website.

Alzheimer’s Disease Biological Causes

Alzheimers Disease Biological Causes Alzheimer’s disease is driven by two processes: extracellular deposits of beta amyloid and intracellular accumulation of tau protein.[9] â€Å"It is characterized by accumulation of amyloid-ÃŽ ² peptide, generated by proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by ÃŽ ²- and ÃŽ ³-secretase.†[10p554] The APP gene provides instructions for making APP. This protein is found in many tissues and organs including the brain and the spinal cord. It plays a role in cell growth, formation of new synapses, differentiation of neurons, cell adhesion, calcium metabolism, and protein trafficking.[10] The length of APP varies between 695 to 770 amino acids. Protein breakdown generates AÃŽ ², a 39- to 42-amino acid peptide. This form is the primary component of amyloid plaques found in the brains of AD.[10] APP may be processed via a non-amyloidogenic pathway that prevents AÃŽ ² formation or through a toxic, amyloidgenic pathway, resulting in AÃŽ ² plaque formation. In the non-amyloidogenic pathway, APP is processed in peripheral cells. In this pathway, APP is cleaved by an enzyme called ÃŽ ±-secretase followed by ÃŽ ³-secretase. These are integral membrane proteins where cleavage by ÃŽ ±-secretase occurs within the AÃŽ ² domain. Cleavage by ÃŽ ±-secretase prevents AÃŽ ² formation and releases the extracellular secreted APP ÃŽ ± fragment.[11] Research shows that secreted APP ÃŽ ± protects neurons, regulates stem cell production, plays a role in brain development, and promotes the formation of synapses and cell adhesion. The remaining C-terminal fragment of APP then undergoes either lysosome degradation or ÃŽ ³-secretase cleavage, which generates p3 and the APP intracellular domain.[11] In the amyloidogenic pathway, APP is primarily processed in neuronal cells. Within this pathway, APP is cleaved by ÃŽ ²-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 ( BACE1 ), followed by ÃŽ ³-secretase. BACE1 initiates the production of the toxic AÃŽ ² that plays a crucial role ea rly in the pathogenesis of AD.[11] Cleavage of APP by BACE1 releases the extracellular secreted APP ÃŽ ² fragment which is thought to assist with axon pruning and cell death.[12] BACE1 cuts APP to produce a membrane-bound C-terminal fragment C99 that is further processed by ÃŽ ³-secretase to generate AÃŽ ². The site of ÃŽ ³-secretase cleavage within the transmembrane domain of APP can vary and determines the type of AÃŽ ² that is produced, AÃŽ ² 39-42. Once produced, AÃŽ ² is usually secreted into the extracellular space via exocytosis.[12] AÃŽ ² is a major component of plaques that are found in both intracellular and extracellular locations. AÃŽ ² 42 is considered to be one of the main causes of these plaques because it clumps together more quickly than other isoforms, forming clusters and fibrils.[10] In individuals with AD, elevated concentrations of AÃŽ ² plaques can lead to many cellular dysfunctions. The presence of AÃŽ ² plaques alone is not enough to diagnose AD since ma ny people without cognitive decline have plaques. Tau is a protein in the microtubule-associated protein family. It has several physiological functions in healthy axons including microtubule assembly and stability, vesicle transport, neuronal outgrowth and neuronal polarity. This protein consists of 352 to 441 amino acids and presents in various isoforms in the brain.[10] In AD, tau protein is hyperphosphorylated, causing disruption in microtubule transport and loss of neuronal transmission. Tau phosphorylation is the addition of phosphate to a tau protein through regulation of tau kinases. In humans, the tau gene is positioned on chromosome 17. In a normal brain, there are two to three moles of phosphate per one mole of tau, indicating that this amount of phosphorylation is necessary for tau to perform its normal biological functions. When tau becomes hyperphosphorylated, the ratio of phosphate to tau increases three to four fold compared to normal phosphorylation levels. This incr eased amount of phosphate alters the function of tau, making it insoluble and lacking affinity for microtubules. This leads to the degradation of the microtubules and neuronal cell death.[10]

Micro Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Micro - Assignment Example This will result in an outward shift of the PPF curve. 2) The reason why countries such as Costa Rica and Bangladesh are better placed to produce shirts and then export them to the United States is because of their competitive advantage, not an absolute advantage. Let’s use Vietnam as an example. The wages that have to be paid to Vietnamese workers are far less than those that would be expected by American workers. This means that it is better for America to import goods such as shirts from third-world countries because it can be produced far cheaper. Even with the added costs of transportation, this option is still better than America producing the goods domestically. So even though the United States has an absolute advantage in almost every good, it makes logical sense for them to outsource work that can be done cheaper somewhere else. 3) The reason why countries such as China and India use manual laborers is because it is cost effective to do this in those countries. Also, these countries may not have the same technological expertise to produce machines to do the work for them. Even if this is the case, the average wage is so low that it does not cost very much to pay for human workers. On the other hand, in the United States, the minimum wage is so great that is would be too expensive to have to pay individual laborers to perform the work. Also, the United States is a technologically advanced country and can thus produce street cleaning machines to do the work. The total cost of making and using these machines is probably less than what it would be to have to pay manual laborers; thus it makes sense to use heavy street cleaning machines. 4) The reason why there is so much opposition to international trade is that some people argue that it hurts the local economy because of the loss of jobs for home workers. While international trade can be a good thing for the