Life of Pi :: essays research papers

Life of Pi Pi Patel is on a ship to a whole new world. He’s leaving his whole world behind except the zoo, it‘s on board with him. When awoken by a sound, Pi goes to explore. He finds that the ship is sinking and before he can wake his family he is thrown into a lifeboat. A zebra falls into the lifeboat, breaking its leg. Without truly realizing what he is doing, Pi helps Richard Parker onto the lifeboat. Then he realizes, he is on a lifeboat with a 450 pound Bengal tiger. Pi builds a raft out of oars and life jackets so that he can stay a safe distance from the lifeboat. The lifeboat doesn’t seem to have the tiger on it at all. Just a zebra and a hyena and orangutan. The hyena attacks both zebra and orangutan and then the tiger appears. He is sleek and quiet about his approach. None the less, Pi Patel is now alone on a lifeboat with Richard Parker. He wonders how he will survive with a tiger. Pi decides that it would be best to keep the tiger alive, to act as the alpha. He trains Richard Parker to understand which space belongs to who. Pi uses a solar power water filter for fresh water and fishes for food. He feeds himself and the tiger. This keeps them at more of a alpha relationship because Richard Parker knows where his food and water come from. When there is no fish to caught and no more supplies, the only option is to starve for that day. Finally, Pi and Richard Parker land on an island. It is a very mysterious place. The trees seem to grow straight out of the algae and the meerkats do no seem to be afraid of anything. There are fresh water ponds and for some reason Richard Parker always returns to the lifeboat at night to sleep. Pi finds out the algae is acidic and that’s why Richard Parker sleeps in the boat at night.

Der Euro, Unser Geld :: Euro Money Finances Essays

Der Euro, Unser Geld On January 1, 2002, it was the talk of the town, the talk of the world, actually. The Euro – the largest financial creation known to our modern world. Living in Germany during this momentous transition has provided for interesting insight into the Euro’s true impression on the people. Of course, the change from using the deutsch Mark to using the Euro was not the only real impact. It is the deeper financial integration with 11 other countries that permeates and concerns the minds of the Germans. The physical transition of the currency ran very smoothly. Overnight, ATM machines here were fully â€Å"Euro† competent, and bank personnel were trained to handle questions and problems that could arise. Fortunately, with the exchange rate having been locked in at almost 2 (1.95583) Marks to 1 Euro, the math conversion has been relatively simple for the average person. And along with many product prices having been published in both Marks and Euros for several months, most Germans have experienced few problems with the turnover. For a country whose people are said to travel more often outside of their borders than inside, using new bills and coins has not been a chore. From the beginning of October, the government sent heavy Euro advertising around the entire country. Posters were plastered everywhere displaying the new currency, the various adaptations by each country (all coins have a common front, while each country prints its own back), and information on where to go for questions. Advertisements were seen everywhere, boasting â€Å"Der Euro Kommt† (The Euro is coming) or â€Å"Der Euro, Unser Geld† (The Euro, Our Money). Therefore, within the last three months of the Mark’s existence, the atmosphere seemed to be that of excitement. Euro Starter Kits, including the new coins, became publically available in December, giving everyone a chance to both join in on the excitement and also ease themselves into this new step. Now, people are thrilled when they receive a coin printed in Portugal or Holland that has already made its way over to Germany. Naturally, in a capitalist country, many businesses took advantage of the change to sell new products, and in turn, generated more publicity for the Euro. For example, children can now play the beautiful EuroMonopoly, complete with simulation currency and in which buying Water Works now translates into buying the European Parliament and buying streets now translates into buying European countries.

Picassos Guernica Essay -- Essays Papers

Picassos Guernica While it may seem at first glance that Guernica, by Pablo Picasso, is a political statement against the tragedy of the bombing of a small Basque town during the Spanish Civil War, this painting holds connotations beyond the syllogism for which it is given credit. Picasso, unlike Romantic period artists, who are attributed to great political propaganda, is not suggesting an emotionally based judgment should be made about the contemporary event, but rather a focus on the contemplation of the forces of good and evil at work throughout timeless humanity. On the afternoon of April 26, 1937, German forces under the command of the Spanish fascist leader Francisco Franco embarked on the first aerial bombing of a civilian target, the small town of Guernica. The attack was due to the conflict in Spain, the Spanish Civil War: an issue of Democracy against Fascism. The war heightened the threat of Communism and Fascism in Western Europe to a new level. Franco’s attack on the small town, a center of culture in Basque, made it clear that his forces were strong and unrelenting. His allegiance with German forces spawned one of the most tumultuous times in modern history. The aerial bombing of Guernica became a symbol of his unmerciful, cruel political power. Guernica was almost completely destroyed. News of the mounting death toll spread rapidly. However, universally, the impact of the Guernica bombing could have been minimal. While Spain would surely never have forgotten Franco’s reign of terror and its zenith with the bombing of Guernica, Picasso contributed an everlasting reminder to the entire world of the threat of Fascism and the evil of unrelenting power. Having been invited to contribute a piece to the Spanish Pavilion for Paris’ World’s Fair in 1937, Picasso was inspired by the grief of Spain to present an image that would make the most powerful statement against Franco yet. His creation became not only the symbol of the Spanish crisis but of protest of Fascism for all time. Not only is the size of the mural overwhelming, but the shocking images that mix classic symbols with modern technique provide an emotion and passion that is unforgettable. While passion and empathy undeniably drove Picasso to choose his subject, Guernica, it is not the fruit of spontaneous emotion, but of a ... ... agenda is unworthy of praise because he was most focused on creating more a shocking piece for his exhibition, in which the tragedy was merely an outlet for his desire. However, Picasso’s careful treatment of the subject, the fury with which can be seen in him through the grotesque distortions of his figures, and the sympathy for which he begs of humanity in the helpless, horrified faces which look upon the world from his mural, make an everlasting impression on civilization of the brutality of war. Whether Picasso’s political agenda was his priority is certainly debatable, but Picasso once said, â€Å"I like what continues†. Guernica must be a source of great satisfaction to him. Works Cited Becraft, Melvin E. Picasso’s Guernica. New York: The New York Times Company, 1981. Blunt, Anthony. Picasso’s ‘Guernica’. London: Oxford University Press, 1969. Fisch, Ederhard. ‘Guernica’ by Picasso. London and Toronto: Associate University Press, 1988. Russell, Frank D. Picasso’s Guernica. Montclair, NJ: Allanheld, Osmun & Co., 1980. Zervos, Christian. â€Å" Historire d’un tableau de Picasso†, Cahiers d’ Arte. Vol.12 no. 4-5, Paris, 1937, pp. 109-111.

Coordinated School Health Programs Essay

1.Identify the eight components of a coordinated school health program. The eight components of coordinated school health consist of the following services: 1. Health education is taught to K-12 students on ways to make healthy decisions through health literacy. 2. Physical education is a sequential K-12 curriculum that provides cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas. 3. Health services are designed to ensure access or referral to primary health care services or both. 4. Nutrition services should provide access to a variety of nutritious and appealing meals that accommodate the health and nutrition needs of all students. 5. Counseling, psychological, and social services is provided to improve students’ mental, emotional, and social health and includes individual and group assessments, interventions, and referrals. 6. Healthy and safe school environment includes the physical and aesthetic surroundings and the psychosocial climate and culture of the school. 7. Health promotion for staff can provide opportunities fo r school staff members to improve their health status through activities such as health assessments, health education, and health-related fitness activities. 8. Family and community involvement is the combination of school, parent, and community that enriches the health and well-being of students. 2.SCHOOL/DISTRICT-BASED STUDENTS: Identify the components of a CSHP that are functional in your school and/or district. Briefly explain if, or how, these components coordinate their programs and activities. Not applicable. NON-SCHOOL-BASED STUDENTS: In your current or future position, describe how you could support a district’s or school’s CSHP. The United States Department of Education indicates the effects of bullying can have a lifelong negative impact on the lives of youths. Besides bullying being one of the number causes of death among youths, especially boys, it increases the chance of academic failure, health problems (e.g., mental and physical), low self-esteem, and increases the inability to connect socially with others, especially peers. In my future position as an educator, I would be supportive and proactive in a CSPH that is aimed at preventing bullying because nowadays, it is crucial that schools provide a safer school and community environment that also prevent teen suicide, decrease school failure, and the drop-out rates. I would create ways for students to be creative in their personal and academics efforts that would build positive social interactions through attributes that includes respect, tolerance, and self-discipline. Most importantly, I would be diligent in my efforts on teaching students how to list en and solve problems in positive ways, by providing them with the tools, such as referrals to prevention programs, counseling or psychologists to aid them and prevent negative outcomes on them physically and educationally. 3.In this age of academic accountability in public schools, CSHPs need to demonstrate a positive impact on academic achievement in order to receive maximum support. Briefly summarize the research that supports this position and describe improvements most needed in CSHPs. Academic achievement and success of youths is linked to their health. According to research from the Center for Disease and Control (CDC) school health programs reduces the frequency of health risk behaviors among young people, and good health has shown to have a positive effect on academic performance. The CDC provides ways in which CSHPs can maximize their support to improve the well-being of young people through educating them on their health. The CDC analyzes research findings to develop guidelines and strategies for CSHPs program to address health risk behaviors among students by creating tools to help schools implement certain guidelines through four overlapping interdependent goals. Through resources and concurrent coordinated approach from education, health, and social service agencies, the goals of CSHPs must includes ways to increase health knowledge, attitudes, and skills, which has to increase positive health behaviors and health outcomes among youths, and ultimately, the results must have a positive impact on young people that improves their educational and social outcomes.

Database Environment Paper Essay

In the business world, the use of many different types of databases is not only commonplace, but an essential part of day to day operations. A database is a structured collection of information that is stored on a computer or server that allows the data to be quickly accessed, analyzed, and allows the ability for queries to be run. The use of a database allows businesses to greatly increase efficiency accessing data and accuracy maintaining data. The Sacramento Capital Art Museum is currently in need of a database to accurately track the artwork, the name of the artist, and each piece of artworks location. Before moving any further, it is important to analyze the type of environment that you are working with. Database Environment A database environment describes all of the hardware, software, data, procedures, and personnel that you are working with. It directly relates to a projects scope and boundaries (part of the DBLC), as the boundaries are contained within the environment. Sacr amento Capital Art Museum is a relatively new museum that was established in 2012 by a group of avid art collectors living in the capital city. As a result of this, there is not any type of established database currently running inside of SCAM. While Excel databases have been used by employees on and off, there is nothing that is permanently kept on a public drive. The need to track all the artwork throughout the museum is a direct result of a piece of valuable art that was misplaced. Currently, the museum has 20 employees, each with their own work PC. There is a small server that is kept in house that stores the company’s information and is accessible by all work PC’s via a unique user login. The company is open to using any type of DBMS that will fit Database Environment Paper 3 their needs. I have chosen Microsoft Access as the DBMS for SCAM. Microsoft Access is a â€Å"tool for gathering and understanding all of your information†¦and providing a convenient way to enter, navigate, and report your data.† (Microsoft SQL and Access, 2014) We will be using a relational database for this project. A re lational database was developed in 1970 by an IBM researcher named E.F. Codd. (What are relationship databases, 2001) With a relational database, information is stored in uniform. Instead of one long, flat line of information, data is stored in tables. This allows data to be represented in columns and rows. This type of representation of data allows for quick comparisons, sort information by entity or attribute. They are referred to as relational databases because of the ability to use the relationship of other similar data to increase the speed and overall versatility of the database. Because of the type of data used for this database, a relational type would make the most sense. This DBMS will also allow for easy database maintenance. SCAM currently wants all employees to be able to access the database, while only allowing 10 of the 20 employee’s access to modify the database. Access will be given via unique personal logins and all access to the database will be monitored and logged in an attempt to deter theft. Attributes and Entities An entity is a person, place, or thing, or concept about which data can be collected. (Attributes, n.d.) An attribute describes the facts, details, or characteristics of an entity. For this project, the entities we are using are the individual pieces of artwork, the name of the artist, and the location of the artwork. The attributes that we are using are the type of art, the origin of the artist, whether it is stored or on display within the museum. Using a data modelling approach, such as the entity relationship model (ER) that was created by Peter Pin-Shan Chen, allows for the proper conceptual process to be laid out prior to the actual construction of the database. Database Environment Paper 4 Essentially, it is a database blueprint of how everything will be mapped out. During this process, you want to ensure that all the entities and attributes you wish to represent are logically and concisely laid out. Once the database is mapped out, construction of the database can begin. In the end, the database will be able to give the employees of the Sacramento Capital Art Museum immediate access to the location of every piece of art in the museums custody. The employees will be able to run queries to find out specifics about the art. For example, if they wanted to do an exhibit on Chinese art, they could run a query to find all the art that originated from China within their collection. Database Environment Paper 5 References â€Å"Microsoft SQL and Access† (2014) Retrieved from: http://www.computerhouse.com/microsoft- sql-and-access/ â€Å"What are relational databases?† (2001) Retrieved from: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question599.htm â€Å"Attributes† (n.d.) Retrieved from: http://www.teach- ict.com/as_a2_ict_new/ocr/AS_G061/315_database_concepts/attributes_entities/miniweb/pg3.ht

Psychology week 5 Assignment Essay

Take a look at the material on sensation seeking on page 286 (Ch. 11). Do you consider yourself a sensation seeker? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of your level of sensation seeking? Based on the questions in the text, I think right now I’m a good mix of both. I like travelling and gaining new experiences but I don’t go out of my way to do it. However, I also like the stability of being able to stay in one place. I also know that the more experience you gain the more your priorities seem to change and that means that whether you’re a sensation seeker or not might be where you are in life. The advantages of my level of sensation seeking are that my life experiences have given me a good balance of both. Right now, I’m comfortable where I am. The disadvantage would be maybe I’m too comfortable and I might get complacent. How would you rate your own achievement motivation? Why? In what ways is this advantage to you? In what ways is it a disadvantage? My own achievement motivation is pretty high. I set goals for myself and those who report to me. The goals I set for myself and my team are pretty high and I am driven to achieve those goals. This is an advantage because being goal driven is important in being successful in my career. It’s a disadvantage because it takes time away from my family. What did you learn about yourself from reading about the trait theories of personality? Based on the theories, supposedly I’m a mild mannered extrovert that is sometimes obsessive but easily adjusted. I’ve always found myself somewhat of a balanced person but after reading the traits I had to question that. I’m not one of anything but I am many of everything at different times in my life. What did you learn about yourself from reading the other theories of personality? (List and explain at least three things.) Based on the biological theories of personality I learned that my own personality is a combination of many things and not just one thing. Using Freud’s psychodynamic theory, I learned that my ego is what keeps the id and superego in check and that sometimes the failure of the ego to satisfy both results in my anxiety about certain things. Roger’s humanistic approach suggests that children are influenced by their parents and need their approval by doing things to please them in order to receive more love. I learned that one of the reason I am the way I am is because deep down I still seek approval not just from my parents but also those who have significance in all aspects of my life. How will you use this material on personality to improve your relationships (personal and/or professional)? I will make use of the material on personality to improve my relationships by recognizing situations that make me anxious or where I am quick to be angered. I will take a step back to assess the situation and learn to be more patient. I will try to be more understanding and put myself in the shoes of the other person. The personality theories have taught me that the way I am and the way I react to situations is a result of many things including the way I was raised as well as my environment. References: Siri Carpenter. Visualizing Psychology, 2nd Edition., 2009. Bookshelf. Web. 10 June 2013 .

Decision Making in an Addicted Brain Essay

Decision making is a mental process of selecting a course of action. We exercise this right to free will on a very regular basis. We often think this right comes easily to us, however in individuals with neurological addictions decision making can be a difficult process. With individuals who are addicted to a substance or habit decision making is abnormal (Fecteau, 2010). When an addict partakes in the substance they are addicted to there is often a rush or feeling of relief. If an addict is attempting to quit using a substance, they often attempt to obtain a similar feeling of satisfaction. Typically recovering addicts turn to risky decision making due to the fact that when one makes a risky choice the two experiences share similar behavioral sensations (Fecteau, 2010). Understanding how addicts make decisions based on their addiction is crucial in planning treatment options in order to suppress drug cravings in substance abusing patients. Through certain testing, scientists have discovered that specific, noninvasive brain stimulation can aid in the suppressing of drug cravings in addicts. The inference was made that if we can stimulate a portion of the brain that controls decision making in the average human, we can aid in the suppression of cravings. This portion of the brain is called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Fecteau, 2010). It is located in the frontal cortex of the brain which controls other things such as mannerisms, social and sexual behavior, as well as decision making. With this technique of addiction suppression, there are many things to take into consideration. These things could be possible implications with the therapy, moral values as to whether testing this method on humans is humane, as well as whether or not there could be possible health risks in the future. This method of addiction suppression is an interesting one that could potentially make shaking an addiction much less difficult if the risks turn out to be minimal. References Fecteau, S., Fregni, F., Boggio, P. S., Camprodon, J. A., & Pascual-Leone, A. (2010). Neuromodulation of Decision-Making in the Addictive Brain. Substance Use & Misuse, 45(11), 1766-1786.