THE BIG DIG essays

THE BIG DIG essays Once upon a time there used to be a me. Now there are empty remains where there once was a celebrator of life. Feelings I felt are no longer there. The person I was, is gone. Ive been hiding in an empty grave for such a long time there is no more me. Where there was laughter; there are now tears. I was brave, now I am fearful. Where there was passion, now I am colorless. Where there was compassion, I find contempt. As I reach down within me to find these emotions I am shocked. I have been living like this for over ten years, not totally unaware of my misery but trying to stay on the surface of the grief as best I could without feeling anything. Ten years of mourning for the death of a husband and lover; the father of my children. Ten years that I have been laying in the mud. I can feel the shovel digging at my heart as I excavate the canyons of the soul I have been guarding for so long. The same shovel I used to bury my best friend. English Composition March 8, 2000 THE BIG DIG -Page 2 I look in the mirror and even my physical self does not resemble who I once was. Would I be recognized if I were to be seen by someone who knew the other me? I cant distinguish myself from this ghost Ive been living as all these years. The empty shadows in my eyes are not familiar, for when I looked in them in the yesteryear they glistened. The gray pallor of my skin does not compare with the healthy, vibrant surface that once shone through. My shoulders once aligned are now hunched. The body once sensuous is now lifeless and dull by comparison. As I plod instead of strut through life I do not acknowledge me, for I do not know who I am. My fog filled brain carries me through each day as I search for peace, yearning to escape from pain. I ha ...

Inventor Joseph Bramah Patented a New Safety Lock

Inventor Joseph Bramah Patented a New Safety Lock Joseph Bramah was born April 13, 1748, in   Stainborough Lane Farm, Stainborough,  Barnsley  Yorkshire. He was an English  inventor  and  locksmith. He is best known for having invented the  hydraulic press. He is considered along with William George Armstrong, a father of hydraulic engineering. Early Years Bramah  was the second son in the family of  four sons and two daughters  of Joseph Bramma (different spelling), a farmer, and his wife, Mary Denton. He studied at the local school and after finishing school he completed a carpentry apprenticeship. He then moved to  London, where he began working as a cabinet-maker. In 1783 he married Mary Lawton and the couple established their home in London. They eventually had a daughter and four sons. Water Closet In  London, Bramah worked installing water closets (toilets) which were designed by Alexander Cumming in 1775. He discovered, though, that model being installed in London houses had a tendency to freeze in cold weather. Although it was technically his boss who improved the design by replacing the usual slide valve with a hinged flap that sealed the bottom of the bowl, Bramah obtained the patent for it in 1778,  and began making toilets at a workshop. The design was produced well into the 19th century. Bramahs original water closets are still working in  Osbourne House,  Queen Victorias home on the  Isle of Wight. Bramah Safety Lock After attending some lectures on technical aspects of  locks, Bramah patented the Bramah  safety lock  on August 21, 1784. His lock was considered unpickable until it was finally picked in 1851. This lock is now located in the Science Museum in London. According to lock expert Sandra Davis, In 1784, he patented his lock which for many years had the reputation of being absolutely unpickable. He offered  £200 to anyone who could pick his lock and although many tried it - it was not until 1851 that the money was won by an American, A.C. Hobbs, although it took him 16 days to do it! Joseph Bramah was deservedly  honoured  and admired as one of the earliest mechanical geniuses of his day. The same year as he received his lock patent, he  set up the Bramah Lock Company. Other Inventions Bramah went on to create a hydrostatic machine (hydraulic press), a beer pump, the four-cock, a quill sharpener, a working  planer, methods of paper-making, improved fire engines and printing machines.   In 1806, Bramah patented a machine for printing banknotes  that was used by the Bank of England. One of Bramahs last inventions was a hydrostatic press capable of uprooting trees. This was used at Holt Forest in  Hampshire. While superintending this work Bramah caught a cold, which led to pneumonia. He died at on December 9, 1814. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Marys,  Paddington . Bramah ultimately obtained 18 patents for his designs between 1778 and 1812. In 2006 a pub in  Barnsley was opened named the Joseph Bramah in his memory.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) - Essay Example Further, with the 16-detector row CT (16D-CT), the spatial resolution increased and the contrast medium efficiency improved. Finally, with the 64-detector row CT (64D-CT) scanner, a true isotropic high spatial resolution of the entire volume was possible. Thus, the multi-detector row CT angiography (MDCTA) has developed as an accurate method in assessing the peripheral arteries. Clinical history This is the clinical history of a 70-year old man who presented in the hospital with symptoms of pain in the calf muscle with walking that was relieved with rest. He also gave a history of diabetes and hypertension for the past 25 years. Although he was taking medication for both diabetes and hypertension, it was poorly controlled. Blood analysis revealed an elevated fasting and postprandial sugar values. Physical examination revealed an elevated blood pressure measurement. Examination of the feet revealed distal hair loss, trophic skin changes and hypertrophic nails. There was ulceration in the heel. Social history revealed that he was a chronic smoker for the past 30 years and had a sedentary lifestyle. His physician advised him to undergo a CT angiography and he presented in the radiology department for the same. Pathology Atherosclerosis, which primarily is a systemic inflammatory process, is the most common cause of PAD. Histopathologically, an atherosclerotic lesion is initiated with the appearance of fatty streaks, which initiates an inflammatory process. This promotes the deposition of cholesterol, and finally, plaque buildup (Garcia 2006). Plaque is made up of fat, fibrin, cellular waste products, cholesterol and calcium.

Managing the Curriculum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing the Curriculum - Essay Example to the identification, implementation and evaluation of policies that aim to support the various phases of learning, as these activities are also known as management of the curriculum. The review of the literature related to this subject has revealed an important fact: the state has the key role in defining the curriculum, both as a syllabus and as a learning process; still, the decisive role of principal/ head of educational institute in managing the curriculum cannot be doubted. In fact, the terms on which the management of curriculum is based are highly influenced by the decisions of principals and educators; the latter are those who apply the curriculum in practice and can, therefore, introduce important changes in each management on the basis that the key principles of education, such as equality and diversity are not violated, as analyzed below. A critical issue when managing Curriculum is the right of all children/ students to education no matter their physical or mental conditions. This right has been also described as the right to inclusion and refers to the need for securing the access to education for all children and students despite their potential disability (Wearmouth et al. 2013). Inclusion, as described above, is considered as a reflection of social justice, i.e. the need for the elimination of discrimination in all aspects of social life (Wearmouth et al. 2013). However, in order to be effectively promoted inclusion needs to be based on specific criteria. In other words, without a carefully planned strategy inclusion cannot be achieved at the level that delays would appear in regard to each of its processes (Sydney 2013). From a similar point of view it is noted that inclusion cannot be achieved only by applying a specific policy (Sydney 2013). Rather, it should be based on the understanding of all people in the educational site involved of the value and the necessity of inclusion; in other words, inclusion is

Cyrano De Bergerac Essay -- Cyrano De Bergerac Essays

Cyrano de Bergerac, the Play vs. Roxane, the Movie In an effort to attract the audience of today, the producers of the movie Roxane retold the play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rustond in a way that is appropriate and at the same time appealing. In order to give the audience of today a story that they can understand and relate to, the producers have adjusted and manipulated the play itself. As a result, several similarities and differences exist between the play Cyrano de Bergerac and its movie reproduction. The characteristics of a romantic hero in Rustond’s time is not equivalent to the characteristics of a romantic hero today. In the play for example, Cyrano, a very ugly, old, yet intellectual man who loved Roxane, his cousin, with all his heart and soul was unable to profess his love for fear that she will have rejected him because of his looks. Enter Christian in the story, a young, average, yet handsome individual who also loved Roxane. The two made a pact with each othe r to create Roxane’s image of a perfect romantic hero—one that was breath-takingly handsome and at the same token, smart in a fun and interesting way. Together they charmed Roxane and she ultimately fell in love with Cyrano’s enchanting personality and Christian’s captivating appearance. Cyrano is portrayed as a great romantic hero because he died in silence to honor his friendship with Christian. When all the while he could have accumulated enough courage to pronounce his love for Roxane. During his life of silence, Cyrano looked after Roxane when Christian died in the war. Everyday for fifteen years he would go to the convent, where she stayed because of her vow to Christian, and recite to her the local news. In this manner, he has proven himself worthy to the title of a romantic hero during Rustond’s time. On the other hand, someone in Cyrano’s position in the present would not have neccessarily kept his secret for that long. Eventually, that someone would probably approach the person that they were in love with and declared their love. Just as Charlie in the movie, the equivalent of Cyrano in the play, was about to tell Roxane that it was him who wrote the letters illustrating his love for her with his alluring and sincere words, before she had found out for herself. For this reason, the majority of people today would appeal to the movie more than the play. Aside from the obvious ... ...rlie to help him in order to transfer the words of love from their hearts to Roxane. In the play, Christian served as a permanent barrier for Cyrano’s and Roxane’s happiness because Cyrano refused to say that he loved Roxane up until his death to honor his friendship with Christian. Although Christian served as an obstacle in the movie, the block for Cyrano’s and Roxane’s happiness was only temporary. At the end of the movie, Christian decided to go to Reno with one of Roxane’s friend. Therefore, Cyrano and Roxane were finally able to come together when Cyrano had finally told Roxane the truth. All in all, Christian was a barrier to the coming together of Roxane and Cyrano immediately or at all. Overall, Cyrano de Bergerac interested the people of Rustond’s time because Cyrano reflected their views of a true romantic hero—someone who was willing to sacrifice the profession of his love to honor his friendship with Christian. The end ing of the story was very dramatic and much respected as well as expected. On the other hand, Roxane got people of today’s attention because its plot was more light-hearted as a whole and ended with the hero living "happily ever after".

Global Warming Report Essay

Over the past few decades scientist have been observing a warming trend in the over all temperature of the earth. Although the earth has been known to go through warm and cold periods, it seems that we humans are causing the earth to heat up this time. The greenhouse effect is causing the earth to go through this warming trend that we call global warming. The greenhouse effect is caused when the infrared radiation from the sun is absorbed in atmospheric gasses such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and methane. All of these gasses escape slowly from the atmosphere, therefore the heat stays here longer in a short of warm airy blanket. Without the occurrence of the greenhouse effect scientist say that the earths average temperature would be around 30 degrees C. or 50 degrees F. There are many greenhouse gasses that can trap the infrared rays of the sun. Carbon dioxide can be released into the atmosphere in several ways, the bulk of it is produced by car exhaust, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels. It is a colorless, odorless, non flammable gas, and it is also the most prominent greenhouse gas in earths atmosphere. CO2 is recycled through the earths atmosphere using the process photosynthesis, which makes most life on earth possible. Another greenhouse gas is methane and it is one of the most common gasses in the universe. methane is colorless odorless gas that is lighter than air and is produced by organic decay. Deposits of methane can usually be found in areas where lots of natural decay takes place, such as swamps, and land fills. Each year we add 350-500 million tons of methane to the atmosphere through mining, raising livestock, rice cultivation, and landfills. In fact a cow can release up to a half pound of methane into the air everyday. Nitrous oxide is another colorless and greenhouse gas, however it does smell sweet. It is mostly used medically because it deadens pain, because of this it is called laughing gas. It is released naturally from oceans and by bacteria is soil. It is important to reduce our emissions because nitrous oxide we release today will still be trapped in the atmosphere 100 years from now. The set of greenhouse gasses are fluorocarbons, that is a general term for any group of synthetic organic compounds that have fluorine and carbon. These can be found in aerosol cans, refrigerators, and air conditioners. When fluorocarbons are released into the atmosphere they breakdown molecules of the earths ozone layer. The effects of global warming are also good for human beings, because it could increase food production. The most important factor in crop production is climate, and global warming would facilitate a better climate for the growth of more crops. It would also create much more space for businesses were there was once ice and harsh climate. Also without global warming the earth temperature would be about 30 degrees F. n average. With global warming there would be far fewer deaths from cold exposer. If global warming caused enough arctic melt then shippers would have many new shortcut routes to take from place to place. After glacier melt we would have access to many new mining areas. However global warming will also have some large negative effects. Such as health concerns, scientist predict that there will be ma ny more deaths from diseases that are irritated by heat, including heart attacks and heatstroke. Another downside to global warming is the amount of flooding that will occur with coastal cities. Scientist have predicted that about a sixth of the country will be under water after global warming has taken full effect. The Maldive Islands are a nation of 1190 islands that are home to over 200,000 people. These islands are only 1. 5 meters above sea level and if global warming occurs then all of those people will have to be relocated. There are many things that we as human beings can do to help prevent global warming from happening. We can start to take advantage of all the different types of renewable energy instead of burning fossil fuels that pollute the atmosphere in multiple ways. There are many types of clean, efficient, renewable energy sources. There are many energy sources that the earth has provided for us that we need to take advantage of. We need to build more wind turbines, hydro electric plants, and solar power plants. Another way of producing clean energy include using fission through nuclear power to create a clean renewable energy source. Government can also be doing there part by funding research about global warming and raising awareness about how individuals can be doing there part to reduce pollution. In conclusion, Global warming is a very serious thing, it can affect the orld in many different ways. We just need to decide which effects help or harm the world the most and then make an educated choice as to which ones the earth can handle while taking the least amount of stress, and having the best long term effect. ————————————————â €”———————————————————————————————————— Patrick Michaels, â€Å"The Satanic Gasses† Henry Willis, â€Å"Earths Future Climate† Fred Singer, â€Å"Hot Talk and Cold Science† Ronald Bailey, â€Å"Global Warming and Other Eco Myths†

Health Risks Associated With Chromium-6

Chromium-6 is recognized as a human carcinogen when it is inhaled. Chronic inhalation of chromium-6 has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer and may also damage the small capillaries in kidneys and intestines. Other adverse health effects associated with chromium-6 exposure, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), include skin irritation or ulceration, allergic contact dermatitis, occupational asthma, nasal irritation and ulceration, perforated nasal septa, rhinitis, nosebleed, respiratory irritation, nasal cancer, sinus cancer, eye irritation and damage, perforated eardrums, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, epigastric pain, and erosion and discoloration of ones teeth. An Occupational Hazard NIOSH considers all chromium-6 compounds to be potential occupational carcinogens. Many workers are exposed to chromium-6 during the production of stainless steel, chromate chemicals, and chromate pigments. Chromium-6 exposure also occurs during work activities such as stainless-steel welding, thermal cutting, and chrome plating. Chromium-6 in Drinking Water The potentially adverse health effects of chromium-6 in drinking water have become an issue of growing concern nationwide. In 2010, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested tap water in 35 U.S. cities and found chromium-6 in 31 of them (89 percent). Water samples in 25 of those cities contained chromium-6 at concentrations higher than the safe maximum (0.06 parts per billion) proposed by California regulators, but far below the safety standard of 100 ppb for all types of chromium combined that was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That doesnt mean the EPA was declaring drinking water with a chromium-6 safe for human consumption. Rather, it underscored the lack of confirmed knowledge and clear guidelines concerning the level at which chromium-6 in drinking water becomes a public health hazard. In September 2010, the EPA launched a reassessment of chromium-6 when it released a draft human health assessment that proposes classifying chromium-6 as a likely carcinogenic to humans who ingest it. The EPA expects to complete the health-risk assessment and make a final determination about the cancer-causing potential of chromium-6 through ingestion in 2011  and will use the results to determine whether a new safety standard is needed. As of December 2010, the EPA has not established a safety standard for chromium-6 in drinking water. Evidence of Adverse Health Effects From Chromium-6 in Tap Water There is very little evidence of chromium-6 in drinking water causing cancer or other adverse health effects in humans. Only a few animal studies have found a possible connection between chromium-6 in drinking water and cancer, and only when the laboratory animals were fed levels of chromium-6 that were hundreds of times greater than the current safety standards for human exposure. Concerning those studies, the National Toxicology Program has said that chromium-6 in drinking water shows clear evidence of carcinogenic activity† in laboratory animals and increases the risk of gastrointestinal tumors. The California Chromium-6 Lawsuit The most compelling case for human health problems caused by chromium-6 in drinking water is the lawsuit that inspired the film, Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts. The lawsuit alleged that Pacific Gas Electric (PGE) had contaminated groundwater with chromium-6 in the California town of Hinkley, leading to a high number of cancer cases. PGE operates a compressor station for natural gas pipelines at Hinkley, and chromium-6 was used in cooling towers at the site to prevent corrosion. Wastewater from the cooling towers, containing chromium-6, was discharged into unlined ponds and seeped into the groundwater and contaminated the towns drinking water. Although there was some question whether the number of cancer cases in Hinkley was higher than normal, and how much of a danger the chromium-6 actually posed, the case was settled in 1996 for $333 million—the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in U.S. history. PGE later paid nearly as much to settle additional chromium-6-related claims in other California communities.