Thursday, April 30, 2020

Need for Lesson Plan in Teaching

Introduction Effective lesson pacing is important because it determines how well students grasp new information. Information takes time to be processed at any level of learning process. Therefore, it is essential for the teacher to present new information at a pace that will not leave any student behind the lesson. This calls for the teacher to come up with a lesson plan that will be able to actively involve all students in every lesson activity.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Need for Lesson Plan in Teaching specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Need for Lesson Plan A lesson plan is a comprehensive description of the course of instructions for a lesson. Teachers develop lesson plans for everyday teaching. The content of a lesson plan varies depending on the needs of the students and subject taught. The school may lay down rules on how to prepare the lesson plan. A good lesson plan must cover the interest of the stud ents. Pacing the lesson plan is necessary so as to ensure that the presentation of the lesson helps the students understand the material despite differences in their abilities and interests (Echevarria, Vogt, Short, 2004). A teacher needs a lesson plan so as to individualize the teaching. Individualizing a lesson plan ensures that no student is left behind and also, no student will be bored. In a class environment, there are some students who are able to grasp materials and solve challenging tasks faster than others. Individualizing the lesson is necessary so as to move each student from the level where he/she is currently to the next, more advanced level. The reading level of students in a class may vary according to the ability and interest of the students. Therefore, they all do not need the same focus for skills and concepts (Echevarria et al, 2004). Pacing for a Class that includes English Language Learner It is necessary for teachers to know the strength and weaknesses of eac h student in the class; this will enable the teacher to plan effective lessons. Effective teaching plans help in keeping the students interest on the subject. It also gives room for independent development of each student (Jones, Jones, 2004). A student who is learning English as a second language will require more time to grasp the conceptions. This is because; such students may have to think in their native language and then try to interpret their thoughts in English. A teacher in such a class has to slow the material and give the students time to catch up with it.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More ELL students may require that the teacher breaks down the concept and presents the material gradually. A teacher must consider slowing the pace of lesson if the class consists of ELL students. However, a teacher should make sure not to slow down too much so as not to distort the natural rh ythm of English language. Slowing the pace of the lesson ensures EEL students are not left behind (Jones et al, 2004). ELL students may require the teacher to involve extra activities in the lesson, and keep checking their progress regularly. If there is something that the student does not grasp as quickly as it is required, the teacher should try to present it slower or break the presented material into smaller steps. When conducting the lesson, the teacher may include pauses, and allow students time to discuss and digest. This is because ELL students learn more from their peers than from their teacher. This is as a result of EEL students always interacting with their peers, as opposed to their teachers. The teacher must also give the students time to ask questions. This will give the teacher an idea of what the students do not understand (Hofmeister, Lubke, 1999). Educators should pair up ELL student with their peers who speak English as their first language. Teachers should intr oduce songs. A song will boost the memory of a student and reduce the learning tension. Music boosts the memory because it is rhythmic and learning a song comes more freely. The teacher should also encourage group reading. This way, ELL students will be able to master pronunciations. Pacing for a Class that does not include English Language Learner If a class consists of gifted students, the teacher will need to make the pacing faster than for ELL students with lower level of knowledge. Normally, students with exceptional learning abilities often find themselves in trouble.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Need for Lesson Plan in Teaching specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This happens because the lesson is too slow for them, or it is not challenging enough. The students are left with plenty of time doing nothing. The teacher should be able to recognize the presence of gifted students in a class and increase the pa ce of the lesson as necessary. Conclusion Pacing a lesson plan narrows down to one thing, the students. Teachers may increase or slow the pace of their class as per individual preference, but if students are familiar with the material, or they do not understand the lesson at all, then, no matter how much the teacher may try, it will not make any difference for students. The teachers must ensure not to relinquish the quality of the class lesson to the quantity of materials they want to cover. Effective educators must be able to adjust their lesson pacing depending on the ability of the students. They must also reflect on the lesson plan and change it according to the needs of the students. References Echevarria, J., Vogt, M., Short, D.J. (2004). Making content comprehensible for  English learners: The SIOP model (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson. Hofmeister, A., Lubke, M. (1999). Research into practice: Implementing effective  teaching strategies (3rd ed.). Logan: Utah State Universit y. Jones, L., Jones, V. (2004). Comprehensive classroom management: Creating  communities of support and solving problems (7th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. This essay on Need for Lesson Plan in Teaching was written and submitted by user Roland R. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Biography of Captain Henry Morgan, Welsh Privateer

Biography of Captain Henry Morgan, Welsh Privateer Sir Henry Morgan (c. 1635–August 25, 1688) was a Welsh privateer who fought for the English against the Spanish in the Caribbean during the 1660s and 1670s. He is remembered as the greatest of the privateers, amassing huge fleets, attacking prominent targets, and being the worst enemy of the Spanish since Sir Francis Drake. Although he made numerous raids all along the Spanish Main, his three most famous exploits were the 1668 sack of Portobello, the 1669 raid on Maracaibo, and the 1671 attack on Panama. Morgan was knighted by King Charles II of England and died in Jamaica a rich man. Fast Facts: Henry Morgan Known For: Captain Morgan was one of the most notorious privateers of the 17th century.Born: c.  1635 in Llanrhymny,  WalesDied: August 25, 1688 in Lawrencefield, Jamaica Early Life   Morgans exact date of birth is unknown, but he is believed to have been born sometime around 1635 in Monmouth County, Wales. He had two uncles who had distinguished themselves in the English military, and Henry decided as a young man to follow in their footsteps. He was with General Venables and Admiral Penn in 1654 when they captured Jamaica from the Spanish. Privateering Morgan soon took up a life of privateering, launching attacks up and down the Spanish Main and Central America. Privateers were like pirates, only legal- they were mercenaries who were allowed to attack enemy ships and ports. In exchange, they kept most of the loot, although they did share some with the crown. Morgan was one of many privateers who had a â€Å"license† to attack the Spanish as long as England and Spain were at war (they fought on and off during most of Morgan’s life). In times of peace, the privateers either took to outright piracy or more respectable trades such as fishing or logging. The English colony on Jamaica, a foothold in the Caribbean, was weak, so it behooved the English to have a large privateer force ready for times of war. Morgan excelled at privateering. His attacks were well-planned, he was a fearless leader, and he was very clever. By 1668 he was the leader of the Brethren of the Coast, a group of pirates, buccaneers, corsairs, and privateers. Attack on Portobello In 1667, Morgan was sent to sea to find some Spanish prisoners to confirm rumors of an attack on Jamaica. He had grown legendary  and soon found that he had a force of some 500 men in several ships. He captured some prisoners in Cuba, and then he and his captains decided to attack the rich town of Portobello. In July 1668, Morgan took Portobello by surprise and quickly overran its meager defenses. Not only did his men loot the town, but they essentially held it for ransom, demanding and receiving 100,000 pesos in exchange for not burning the city to the ground. Morgan left after about a month. The sack of Portobello resulted in huge shares of loot for everyone involved, and Morgans fame grew even greater. Raid on Maracaibo By October 1668, Morgan was restless and decided to head once again to the Spanish Main. He sent out word that he was organizing another expedition. Morgan went to Isla Vaca and waited while hundreds of corsairs and buccaneers rallied to his side. On March 9, 1669, he and his men attacked the La Barra fort, the main defense of Lake Maracaibo, and captured it without much difficulty. They entered the lake and sacked the towns of Maracaibo and Gibraltar, but they lingered too long and some Spanish warships trapped them by blocking off the narrow entrance to the lake. Morgan cleverly sent a fireship against the Spanish, and of the three Spanish ships, one was sunk, one captured, and one abandoned. After that, he tricked the commanders of the fort (which had been rearmed by the Spanish) to turn their guns inland, and Morgan sailed past them at night. It was the privateer at his most devious. Sack of Panama By 1671, Morgan was ready for one last assault on the Spanish. Again he gathered an army of pirates, and they decided to attack the rich city of Panama. With about 1,000 men, Morgan captured the San Lorenzo fort and began the march overland to Panama City in January 1671. The Spanish forces were in terror of Morgan and abandoned their defenses at the last moment. On January 28, 1671, the privateers and the defenders met in battle on the plains outside the city. It was an utter rout, and the city defenders were scattered in short order by the well-armed invaders. Morgan and his men sacked the city and were gone before any help could arrive. Although it was a successful raid, much of Panamas loot was shipped away before the pirates arrived, so it was the least profitable of Morgans three major ventures. Fame Panama would be Morgans last great raid. By then, he was very rich and influential in Jamaica and had a great deal of land. He retired from privateering, but the world did not forget him. Spain and England had signed a peace treaty before the Panama raid (whether or not Morgan knew of the treaty before he attacked is a matter of some debate) and Spain was furious. Sir Thomas Modyford, the governor of Jamaica who had authorized Morgan to sail, was relieved of his post and sent to England, where he would eventually receive a light punishment. Morgan, too, was sent to England, where he spent a couple of years as a celebrity, dining in the fancy homes of lords who were fans of his exploits. He was even asked his opinion on how to improve Jamaicas defenses. Not only was he never punished, but he was knighted and sent back to Jamaica as lieutenant governor. Death Morgan returned to Jamaica, where he spent his days drinking with his men, running his estates, and fondly telling war stories. He helped organize and improve the defenses of Jamaica and administered the colony while the governor was absent, but he never again went to sea. He died on August 25, 1688, and was given a royal send-off. Morgan lay in state at the Kings House in Port Royal, ships anchored in the harbor fired their guns in salute, and his body was carried through town on a gun carriage to St. Peters Church. Legacy Morgan left behind a complicated legacy. Although his attacks put constant pressure on relations between Spain and England, Englishmen of all social classes loved him and enjoyed his exploits. Diplomats loathed him for violating their treaties, but the almost supernatural fear the Spanish had for him most likely helped drive them to the negotiating table in the first place. Still, Morgan probably did more harm than good. He helped build Jamaica into a strong English colony in the Caribbean and was responsible for lifting Englands spirits during an otherwise grim time in history, but he also was guilty of the death and torture of countless innocent Spanish civilians and spread terror far and wide on the Spanish Main. Captain Morgan remains a legend today, and his effect on popular culture has been considerable. He is considered one of the greatest pirates ever, even though he was actually not a pirate but a privateer (and would have been offended to be called a pirate). Certain places are still named for him, such as Morgans Valley in Jamaica and Morgans Cave on San Andres Island. His most visible presence today is probably as the mascot for the Captain Morgan brands of spiced rum and spirits. There are hotels and resorts named after him, as well as any number of small businesses in the places he frequented. Sources Cordingly, David. Under the Black Flag: the Romance and the Reality of Life among the Pirates. Random House, 2006.Earle, Peter G. The Sack of Panam Captain Morgan and the Battle for the Caribbean. Thomas Dunne Books, 2007.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Make Your Own Flash Paper (Nitrocellulose)

Make Your Own Flash Paper (Nitrocellulose) If youre a chemistry enthusiast with an interest in fire or history (or both), you probably ought to know how to make your own nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose is also known as guncotton or flashpaper, depending on its intended purpose. Magicians and illusionists use flash paper for a fire special effect. The exact same material is called guncotton and may be used as a propellant for firearms and rockets. Nitrocellulose was used as a film base for movies and x-rays. It may be mixed with acetone to make nitrocellulose lacquer, which was used on automobiles, aircraft, and musical instruments. One unsuccessful use of nitrocellulose was to make faux ivory billiard balls. The camphored nitrocellulose (celluloid) balls would sometimes explode upon impact, producing a sound much like that of a gunshot. As you might imagine, this didnt go over well in gunslinger saloons with pool tables. Its unlikely you will want to make your own exploding billiard balls, but you might want to try nitrocellulose as a model rocket propellant, as flash paper, or as a lacquer base. Nitrocellulose is extremely easy to make, but be sure to read through the instructions carefully before proceeding. As far as safety goes: Any protocol which involves strong acids should be performed by qualified persons wearing proper safety gear. Nitrocellulose cannot be stored for long periods of time, as it gradually decomposes into a flammable powder or goo (which is why many old films have not survived to the present day). Nitrocellulose has a low autoignition temperature, so keep it away from heat or flame (until you are ready to activate it). It does not require oxygen to burn, so once it ignites you cannot put out the fire with water. With all that in mind, heres how you make it. Key Takeaways: Make Nitrocellulose or Flash Paper Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable polymer. It is also known as flash paper, guncotton, or flash string.All you need to do to make nitrocellulose is treat cellulose with nitric acid or any other strong nitrating agent. The cellulose can come from paper, cotton, wood, or other plant matter.Nitrocellulose was first made by Alexander Parkes in 1862. This was the first man-made plastic, which was named Parkesine.While useful as a plastic, nitrocellulose is equally popular for its flammability. Flash paper burns almost instantaneously and leaves no ash residue. Nitrocellulose Materials Christian Friedrich Schà ¶nbeins procedure has been widely used. It calls for 1 part cotton to 15 parts acid. concentrated nitric acidconcentrated sulfuric acidcotton balls (almost pure cellulose) Nitrocellulose Preparation Chill the acids below 0 °C.In a fume hood, mix equal parts nitric and sulfuric acid in a beaker.Drop cotton balls into the acid. You can tamp them down using a glass stirring rod. Dont use metal.Allow the nitration reaction to proceed for about 15 minutes (Schà ¶nbeins time was 2 minutes), then run cold tap water into the beaker to dilute the acid. Allow the water to run for a while.Turn off the water and add a bit of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to the beaker. The sodium bicarbonate will bubble as it neutralizes the acid.Using a glass rod or gloved finger, swirl around the cotton and add more sodium bicarbonate. You can rinse with more water. Continue adding sodium bicarbonate and washing the nitrated cotton until bubbling is no longer observed. Careful removal of the acid will greatly enhance the stability of the nitrocellulose.Rinse the nitrated cellulose with tap water and allow it to dry in a cool location. Shreds of nitrocellulose will burst into flame if exposed to the heat of a burner or a match. It doesnt take much (either heat or nitrocellulose), so dont get carried away! If you want actual flash paper, you can nitrate ordinary paper (which is primarily cellulose) in the same manner as cotton. Chemistry of Making Nitrocellulose Nitrating cellulose proceeds as nitric acid and cellulose react to produce cellulose nitrate and water. 3HNO3 C6H10O5 → C6H7(NO2)3O5 3H2O Sulfuric acid is not required to nitrate the cellulose, but it acts as a catalyst to produce the nitronium ion, NO2. The first order reaction proceeds via electrophilic substitution at the C-OH centers of the cellulose molecules.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Medicare vs. Medicaid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Medicare vs. Medicaid - Essay Example It covers inpatient expenses such as rooms, meals and tests. Part B, known as supplementary medical insurance pays for necessary doctor, laboratory and some outpatient medical costs. It is financed by premiums paid by enrollees. Part C is the Medicare Advantage Program through which private plans provide benefits to enrollees. Part D is a prescription drug plan that covers some costs of drug and is extended to anyone eligible for Medicare. Taxes collected through the Federal insurance Contributions Act and Self employment Contributions fund the program. The government uses this to refund the services providers (Stanfield, Hui & Cross 2011). On the other hand, Medicaid is the second largest health insurance program that serves low income citizens. Each state has its own Medicaid eligibility criteria. Recipients include children under 6years and family income is at or below 133% of Federal poverty level, adults, elderly (over 65 years) and disabled persons who have no or no income and receive state assistance such as foster care assistance (Stanfield, Hui & Cross 2011). As mandated by the Federal government, Medicaid covers the cost of outpatient and inpatient care, family planning services, laboratory tests, X-rays, transportation, rehabilitation and physical therapy services. Payments by the State are made to the healthcare providers based on a fee for service terms or through health maintenance organizations. Then each state is reimbursed for a share of their Medicaid expenditure. Beneficiaries are exempted from copayments from family planning and emergency services. Both Medicaid and Medicare have had an impact on all stake holders. These programs have increased the number of citizens seeking medical and health services, therefore, is predicted growth in employment in the health sector. Demand for primary care is on the rise especially from physicians and nurses with advanced degrees. According to Stanfield, Hui & Cross (2011), as more

Monday, February 3, 2020

Event management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Event management - Coursework Example Event Management in Hotels Hotels cater to a specific set of events, mostly wedding, social and corporate related, which is why they all have ballrooms and seminar/conference halls, meeting rooms and boardrooms with office supplies to cater to this audience. Hotels today also have event planners specifically to take care of the needs of their customers’ events. There are very many organizations that operate within the events sectors that hotels would need to liaison with. From production houses to sound and light technicians, to suppliers of various products like florists, bakers, printers to DJs or musicians and entertainers, anything can be required at an event. People today look not only at convenience, but they know what they want. What they really need is the friendly event planner that will ensure their event flows smoothly and will cater to all their needs. There are various types of organizations that work within the event sector. ... Next come Suppliers. ‘Suppliers’ is a very broad term to describe the various items that an event may require. Right from decorations to party favors, there are companies that specialize in producing custom made items for every type of event, such as Wright Event Supplies and Event Supplies. These are the two main industries within the event industry spectrum. It may also involve the need for entertainers and other service suppliers based on the type of event. Other organizations hosting events There are various other organizations that host events, such as parks and schools. These differ from hotels in hosting events, in various ways. For starters, the clientele is completely different, and so, the planning execution must be too. Hosting events involves a lot of ‘Plan B’ arrangements, or Crisis Management. You never know what will go wrong and it is essential that arrangements be made for almost any accident or unfortunate occurrence. Especially in places l ike schools and parks, where the clientele may as well be children, over stiff corporate form the hotels, event managers must always be prepared. Trends in Event Management A major development in the Event industry is that of use of better technology. Be it in the production or printing, people are using new developments in technology for all sorts of events. New technology may also be used in entertainment, communication and connectivity, not to mention ticketing and innovations in cashless payment. (Etherlive to present future technologies) Event Management is not what it used to be. It is more professional and a team effort, whether it is a small event or a big one. Events are a bigger deal today than they were last decade. They no longer are

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Rhythmic Contractions And Relaxation Of Isolated Gut

Rhythmic Contractions And Relaxation Of Isolated Gut The isolated gut has a spontaneous activity with rhythmic contractions and relaxation of its smooth muscles. Various drugs that affect the smooth muscles by either direct or indirect stimulation were used (Day Vane 1963). These drugs were acetylcholine, atropine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and d-tubocurarine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter (Martini 2009, p. 304) that is released by a neuron and acts directly on the plasma membrane of another cell, in this case smooth muscles. It affects both the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors located on the smooth muscle membrane (Broadley Kelly 2001). The effects of acetylcholine on the muscarinic receptors can be identified by another drug, atropine (Broadley Kelly 2001). Atropine is an alkaloid found in several plants (Broadley Kelly 2001) and inhibits binding of acetylcholine to post synaptic membrane of smooth muscle cells (Martini 2009, p. 425). Adrenaline and noradrenaline are hormones released from the suprarenal glands and induce relaxation of the smooth muscles by binding to the adrenergic receptors. They are called catecholamines because of their structure (shown in figure 1). D-tubocurarine is an alkaloid drug derived from curare and is a neuromuscular nicotinic receptor antagonist1. It prevents acetylcholine from binding to the postsynaptic membrane of muscle fibres (martini 2009, p. 425). AIM The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of acetylcholine, atropine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and d-tubocurarine on the smooth muscles of the gut. MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials Transducer Heater Heat exchanger chart recorder experimental tissue (rat intestine) organ bath with carbogen-bubbled Krebs Henseleit solution at 37ËÅ ¡C drugs used in the experiment were: 1 mg/mL acetylcholine 1 mg/mL atropine 1 g/mL adrenaline 1mg/mL noradrenaline 1 mg/mL d-tubocurarine Methods At the start of the experiment, the transducer was calibrated using weights to allow conversion of the amount of displacement of the intestine into electrical signals which are then recorded. The amount of movement measured corresponds to the type of drug added. The experimental rat tissue that was dissected previously was supported in a 100 mL organ bath containing carbogen-bubbled Krebs Henseleit solution at 37ËÅ ¡C aerated with a mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide. The tissue was anchored to the device that applied force to stretch the muscle until a steady rate of contraction was obtained. The force of contraction was then measured and converted to electrical signals which were recorded by the chart recorder. Some equilibration time was allowed for the preparation to stabilise its activity in the organ bath before starting the experiment. The smooth muscles of the tissue had spontaneous activity before the administration of any drug. The exact concentration and volu me of the drugs administered were then calculated to obtain the right concentration. A volume of 0.1ml of 1mg/mL of acetylcholine was first administered to the muscles and its effects were recorded. The organ bath was drained and refilled so as to resume its baseline activity. Three increments of 0.025 ml of 1mg/mL atropine were added to the organ bath periodically to see its effect on the smooth muscles. Another dose of 0.5 mL of 1mg/mL acetylcholine was added into the organ bath without draining and refilling. The effects were then observed on the chart recorder. The organ bath was drained and refilled again. 0.1mL of 1gm/mL adrenaline was added to the water bath. The organ bath was again drained and refilled. 0.1mL of 1mg/ml noradrenaline was added to the organ bath. The organ bath was again drained and refilled. 0.5mL of 1mg/mL acetylcholine was added and the effects were observed. The organ bath was again drained and refilled. 0.025 mL of 1 mg/mL d-tubocurarine was added to the water bath and the effects were recorded. Lastly without draining the organ bath, two increments of 0.5ml of 1mg/mL of acetylcholine was added at regular intervals and its effect was recorded. RESULTS Calculation of the volume of the drugs used: acetylcholine Original concentration C:Documents and Settings7168241Local SettingsTemporary Internet FilesContent.Word22032011079.jpg Figure 1: Experiment setup Table 1: Effect of the drugs administered on the smooth muscles of the gut Drug administered Effect on smooth muscle observed. Acetylcholine Increase in contraction rate Conductance and amplitude increased Atropine Decrease in contraction rate- muscle relaxes Decrease in amplitude, tone and frequency Adrenaline Large decrease in amplitude Effect was very strong ( alpha and beta receptors on smooth muscles) Noradrenaline Small decrease in amplitude ( it has alpha receptors) Acetylcholine Increase in contraction rate Conductance and amplitude increased D-tubocurarine No effect as the muscle tone remained constant Acetylcholine Increase in contraction rate Conductance and large increase in amplitude when first dose was added and slight decrease in the amplitude when second dose was added DISCUSSION The muscle had spontaneous activity before the addition of the drugs. They were self excitatory and depolarized without the addition of any drugs. WHY As observed in table 1, acetylcholine increased the rate of contraction in the smooth muscles. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter released at the neurojunction of the nerve and the smooth muscles. Contraction of the smooth muscle achieved is due to acetylcholines effect on membrane permeability via the second messengers since it cant enter the cells interior. Acetylcholine binds to the muscarinic receptors and causes GTP binding to the alpha subunit of the G-protein. The GTP-bound alpha subunit activates the production of the second messengers by activating phosphoinosidase C (PIC). PIC hydrolyses phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-biphosphate which then forms inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). IP3 and DAG bind to the receptors on the sarcoplasm reticulum and cause the release of calcium ions into the intracellular f luid to initiate contraction of the muscle (Broadley Kelly 2001). Acetylcholine also causes the contraction of the smooth muscles by depolarizing the membrane directly via the nicotinic receptors. As seen in the table 1, adding atropine to the water bath caused decrease in the amplitude of the stimulus. This is due to the fact that atropine is a reversible competitive antagonist for acetylcholine at the muscarinic receptors. It has no effect on its binding on nicotinic receptors (Evers Maze 2004). It prevents acetylcholine that has built up at the neuromuscular junction from binding to the receptors and depolarizing the post synaptic membrane thus preventing the generation of an impulse in the cell. Acetylcholine produces a response when it binds to the receptors whereas atropine binds to the same receptors as acetylcholine without producing a response. It just makes the receptors unavailable for acetylcholine (Abel 1974, p.106). When another dose of acetylcholine was added to the water bath, the amplitude is seen increasing to a lower intensity than before atropine was added and transmission is restored and the muscle begins to contract. This is due to the fact that this new dose of acetylcholine displaces atropine from the receptors since it is a reversible antagonist. When adrenaline was added to the organ bath, the amplitude dropped by a large amount due to its combination with alpha and beta receptors on the smooth muscle. When noradrenaline was administered, the amplitude decreased was a small amount compared to the large drop in adrenaline. This small response obtained due to addition of noradrenaline is due to its sensitivity to alpha receptors only. Combination of noradrenaline with alpha receptors increases the K efflux and influx in depolarized smooth muscle (Bulbring 1970, p.286). This increase in K conductance caused an increase in membrane permeability and inhibited depolarization. Adrenaline caused the relaxation of the smooth muscles coupled with hyperpolarization of the membrane as a result of increase of potassium ions. The action of the sympathetic transmitters; adrenaline and noradrenaline involved direct action via the alpha and bet a receptors (Paton Vizi 1969). Acetylcholine added again resulted in high increase in the amplitude, which decreased gradually. D-tubocurarine added to the organ bath had no effect on the contraction of the muscle as it maintained a constant tone. Lastly the acetylcholine added resulted in an increase in the amplitude. This observation agreed with the expected result. It was expected for the amplitude to be constant since there wasnt any acetylcholine in the organ bath for d-tubocurarine to replace. A spike in the amplitude was observed when acetylcholine was added. Acetylcholine replaced d-tubocurarine from the nicotinic receptors and restores the transmission of the stimulus2. This shows that the neuromuscular transmission block produced by d-tubocurarine is abolished when acetylcholine is added (Bradley 1989, p.47). CONCLUSION It was found that both adrenaline and noradrenaline affect the smooth muscles via alpha and beta receptors and produce a similar effect that is relaxation. Adrenaline is more potent than noradrenaline since it utilizes both alpha and beta receptors while the other one only affects beta receptors. Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that causes contraction of smooth muscles via both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Atropine is a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine on the muscarinic receptors. D-tubocurarine is a mu

Friday, January 17, 2020

25th Hour Movie Analysis Essay

1. 25th Hour, directed by Spike Lee, presents men partially in a typical way. The typical representation of men in Hollywood film defines them as being aggressive and powerful. They are expected to bear pain silently, suppress their emotions easily, and dominate their women. Also, typical males usually don’t pay any attention to their sicknesses and try to prove their masculinity to others. However, the movie includes a hegemonic negotiation of emotional outbursts over the traditional image of masculinity. Therefore, the main character, Monty, is a famous and respected drug dealer who spends his last day of freedom. He is presented as being powerful throughout the movie because he was living the American dream, driving an expensive car, owning a fancy apartment, having a beautiful, exotic girlfriend and hanging out in luxurious clubs. Although he is independent, being a provider for Naturelle and living an expensive life, he depends on drugs to maintain his power. Monty’s apartment has hardwood floors and tall windows facing the brownstones across the street. There are some black-and-white photographs, lining the walls, and the largest photo, hanging above the sofa, represents Brogan’s Bar; the design of Monty’s apartment shows his power and wealth that came from drugs. Monty’s costuming and appearance illustrate his classy personality. His black and shiny shoes, sober and dark clothes, stylish and well-groomed hair reflect his past glamorous and wealthy life. Although Monty is going to prison in 24 hours, he suppresses all his emotions and sufferings. He walks slowly with Doyle, his dog, and reflects quietly on his life. The length of these shots is around fifteen seconds and shows his masculine insensitivity for the last day of his freedom. When he goes to the Coventry Preparatory School, he looks at his team picture smiling at his past happy memories. Monty goes to talk to Jacob about a change of plans as nothing has happened; he is very calm and doesn’t show any emotion. He even notices Mary saying that she looks cute. Monty tries to pretend that everything is fine, being indifferent and not affected by his imprisonment. Also when Naturelle asks him to talk to her, he answers as if there is nothing to talk about. Montgomery tries to show that he is emotionally powerful to overcome his fear of going to prison. Moreover, when Frank beats Monty, the latter ignores his pain and doesn’t even want to go to the doctor. He is getting prepared mentally and suffers in silence, as he would have to endure prison pain without complaint. Additionally, the traditional male expects to control females, and Montgomery dominates Naturelle throughout the movie. For example, when Montgomery comes home and they walk on the stairs he walks first and Naturelle follows him. He is in a dominant position and the woman just follows and listens to his concerns. Throughout Naturelle and Monty’s conversation Monty is shown in low camera angles, which present his power and control over his girlfriend. On the other hand, Monty shows indifference to people but inside he is furious and terrified. The hegemonic negotiation of traditional masculinity is presented because Monty also shows some emotional breakdowns showing his weakness and powerlessness. This is a more modern representation of masculinity similar to 1950s American films. There are several film form elements that present men as being weak. Monty doesn’t emulate his father but he follows his masculine instinct. The music emphasizes the hidden emotions and feelings of Monty and of other characters affected by his imprisonment. The music provides a very powerful perception of anger, fury, regret, and sorrow. It is in perfect equilibrium to Monty’s inner feelings. For example, from the opening scene the music played represents tension and sorrow and although the tempo changes constantly it is still in relation to Monty’s reactions and emotions of his last day of freedom. After the opening scene, Monty is sitting with his dog getting harassed by a drug addict; the mise en scene of this scene illustrating Monty behind bars foreshadows his future as being lonely, sad and weak. The high camera angles of Monty show him as fragile, humble and vulnerable. The depressing, gloomy and dark weather accentuates his vulnerability. Also, although he is dominant over Naturelle he cares about her future and tells her to forget about him. His strong, exterior armor is cracked by his emotional outbreak during Monty’s washroom monologue. In a collage of over-exposed images of different stereotype people, Monty curses and blames every group, and race for his downfall and for his wealth greed. More importantly he curses himself saying:† No, fuck you Montgomery Brogan† (25th Hour). He finally understands that it is not the society that is accountable for his actions but he is, and it is time for him to pay for the choices he made throughout his life. Therefore, this scene reveals his sensitivity and emotional pain. It presents how love for life can flip into hate. The dark light and self- reflection of Monty resent his inner fury that is ready to explode, while the intense music highlights Monty’s personal rage. Therefore, there’s a bright and heroic strength to Monty, together with a charismatic and sympathetic side, but also a quiet desperation and sorrow in Monty’s last hours of freedom. Monty’s friend, Jacob is presented as a simple teacher that has a crush on his rebellious teenager. He is unable to cope with his feelings. His character is a hegemonic negotiation of traditional masculinity because he is afraid of being judged for his feelings. He acts passively and seems weak in front of females. He is emotional and humble in front of Mary; but he is white so he doesn’t challenge the patriarchal dominance. High camera angles of Jacob show his inferiority and humbleness over other characters. His poor costuming represents his simple personality because he feels guilty for being born rich. When the bell rings and the class lecture is over, Jacob remains alone; a close up of his face show his deep emotions. In the teacher’s lounge scene, Jacob is presented as being stressed and unable to take control over his life. His glasses represent intelligence and rationality, as the typical representation of male. Jacob is afraid of expressing his feelings, so he is lying his friend Frank about his feelings for Mary, saying that Terry a colleague professor likes her. He even tries to make a good impression over Mary stating that he likes a young DJ. In the club Jacob can’t resist Mary’s seductions and he kisses her. The red lights accentuate the danger Jacob is going through. He acts frantically and the mixed song â€Å"but it’s alright â€Å" highlights Jacob’s feelings. He made the choice of kissing her, and his choice will be reflected throughout his life. On the other hand, Frank represents the typical representation of men. He is rich, powerful and successful. He works as a Wall Street stockbroker and is ready to take risk in order to achieve success. His costuming and makeup present him as a male that cares about his appearance and tries to create an impression on people. The mise en scene of his work environment presents a very busy, stressing and hectic workplace but in order to succeed he has to endure the hardship. When he talks to Jacob about Monty’s imprisonment he is very hard on Monty but realistic. He says that the friendship with Montgomery will end after that night; the music, the dark setting and visualization of the devastating Ground Zero depict the cruel reality. Some close ups of Frank portray his emotions and guilt concerning Montgomery’s prison years. Frank tries to make Naturelle feel guilty but doesn’t take into account his mistakes of not helping Monty. As other typical male who throw the guilt to everyone else except himself.  Therefore, throughout the movie males are represented in a typical Hollywood way but Spike Lee introduces a hegemonic negotiation where men appear more sensitive, emotional and vulnerable. 2. In the film 25th Hour, female’s representation is stereotypical. Naturelle, Monty’s girlfriend, is presented as the beautiful, loyal and exotic girlfriend. Naturelle might be considered the femme fatale being smart and sexy. Her smartness is reflected in the scene where she is waiting for Monty to come home, she is reading a book; so she is not as naive as people consider her. At the beginning, male characters think that she is the traitor, so she represents a threat for men. Monty has doubts and trust issues towards Naturelle because she knew where the drugs were. However, in the end Naturelle wasn’t the traitor, wasn’t the woman that destroyed the man that provided for her, instead it was Monty’s bodyguard. It turns out that Naturelle’s loyalty and love is genuine, as one of a housewife. When Montgomery comes home from his long walk, he finds out that Naturelle waited for him the whole day, which shows her concern for Monty’s life. She kisses him first and shows her care and affection throughout the movie. While Naturelle and Monty walk inside the apartment, Monty lies down on the couch whereas Naturelle goes first to kitchen, as a feminine instinct. Her fragility is shown when she tries to open the honey jar. Eating raw honey suggests that she is actually sweet and tender. Close ups of Naturelle deepen her emotions and feelings about Montgomery; and in the bathroom scene Naturelle expresses her love and happiness while being with Monty. Her Puerto Rican tattoo shows that although her boyfriend, who was providing for her didn’t agree with the tattoo, she still got it; her action shows her sense of independence while being faithful to her man. Throughout the movie, fetishization of Naturelle’s body occurs. During the bathroom scene, her legs are being fetishized while in the club close ups of her breasts accentuate her sexy curves. The men around her, such as Frank, always admire her; and her costuming and makeup emphasize her sexy figure. She is dressed in short, sexy, red, silver dresses that make her look powerful and sexy. During a flashback of Monty, when he remembers how he met Naturelle, she appears very sweet, innocent, young and with a provocative skirt. Monty admits that Naturelle is the only girl that he slept with and he keeps fantasizing about her. This demonstrates that she is a source of temptation and happiness for Monty. It is happiness because even in his illusionary ending Naturelle is the mother of his kids and he would have a happy life with her. On the other hand, Mary, the young student, is presented as a moist, innocent but tempting girl. She might also be presented as a femme fatale because she represents a threat for the professor. She is smart enough to argue for her marks. She uses her sexiness to make Jacob weak. Her makeup, costuming and tattoo present her as a rebellious and independent woman. She is independent because she fights for her opinions; for example she came to argue about the fairness of her mark. She is playful and tries to seduce her professor. Also, while she was reading a play in the class, Mary is shot in low angle while the professor in high angle; this implies that Mary controls Jacob through her sexiness and Jacob appears as weak and unable to defend himself from Mary’s seductive allure. However, Mary is still innocent because when Jacob goes to kiss her she has her eyes closed waiting for him, this show her inexperience and fragility. Fetishization of her legs and waist appears and Jacob is tempted by it. Therefore, women appear as a source of temptation for the actors and, their representation is stereotypical; Naturelle’s representation implies love and affection for her boyfriend whereas Mary’s representation presents a rebellious and provocative spirit. 3. Hero or victim, there’s no one to blame or honor for our actions than ourselves.  Each person has to take responsibility and hopefully survive the hard life trials. In 25th Hour, the protagonist has to be accountable for his own actions and not blame others for his imprisonment. All the viewers could relate to Montgomery’s situation because at one point we all have to pay for our mistakes even though it mentally destroys us; but we have to be able to isolate the cruel reality from the beauty of living a dream. The film opens with a black sky and two beams of light, which come from where the twin towers used to be. World Trade Center is presented as Ground Zero, an empty, devastating and ghostly space. This empty space reflects the future of Monty’s life because even though he had everything he threw it away, therefore he is responsible for neglecting what he owned. The music creates a more dramatic and mysterious effect. The viewers are expected to act sympathetically to Monty because although he did not perform heroic deeds, he expresses sincerely his feelings. The ending of the movie is as illusionary as Montgomery’s social power; it lasts till the reality takes over. Also, Monty’s father describes the happy and humble life Monty would have if he would not go to prison and run away. It is an illusionary representation of the typical Hollywood end living happily the American Dream. However, it’s just a dream and Montgomery takes responsibility for his actions because he cannot hide or blame others for what he did. Also, the director presents Monty in a smart way as being able to survive in prison, to become enlightened and who knows maybe after seven years to start an honest and simple life. The audience is given the choice of offering to the hero, a second chance, as he offered one to Doyle, his loving dog. The film ends with a road, which suggests that Monty’s life paths depend only on him. Although the weather creates a melancholic state, the presence of green trees symbolizes Monty’s rebirth. Therefore, there is still hope for Monty after he takes responsibility for his life choices. The ending of the movie makes us feel reflective because we start to contemplate over what is wrong or right in life, over what we should praise or value and that we are all heroes and victims, but is our individual choice that makes us distinctive.