Social groups Essay Example

Social groups Essay Example Social groups Essay Social groups Essay Belonging to a social group is one of the fulfilling things that can happen in a man’s life. Such membership creates an opportunity to create new and modify existing schemata about life and human interactions on a large scale. An effective contribution to and adherence to the shared values of a social group has a way of changing one’s attitude personally. In a situation where the social group has a link with a particular career, such affords increased awareness of information in this line, and forestalls greater career pursuit. The fact is that an active social group affects lives in several ways. THE GROUP: THE COMPASSIONATE FOUNDATION This is the non-profit no-governmental organization that I belong to; it has been created a s a way of pooling resources together to improve all aspects of rural dwelling. It also encourages the religious activities and missionary works of Christianity with a large emphasis of improved academic standard in sub-urban regions. Its activities and arms are organized in such a way that a life is touched positively on the long run, and somebody can point to the banners of the group and say, ‘Thanks a million’ with a large smile on the face. The ideas implemented are not esoteric; they are contemporary ideas that improve academic performance among students in primary and high schools across the country, and in the continent. It is an evolving social group with a view of reaching the whole world not just in s smile train but with the air of rest and comfort. The vision is to see a world of uniform education such that unnecessary unrests can be reduced, environmental degradation can be assuaged and other social vices stemming from the poverty and ignorance can be adequately dwelt with. This way, the society is better and the world becomes an easier to live. Community Reports Community reports are obtained through the following means: à ¼Ã‚   Visitation to Sites of Impact à ¼Ã‚   Obtaining information from stakeholders à ¼Ã‚   Information from similar bodies and other relevant organizations. This forms the basis of all the trips and activities done including major projects and proposals. Community services The community services embarked upon are targeted at the following groups: à ¼Ã‚   The young people directly at all levels of institutions, Hospital patients, Prisoners, Market women, Missionary houses, rural dwellers. These services include 1. Programs 2. Provision Small Scale à ¼Ã‚   Provision of educational aids for the young people à ¼Ã‚   Organizing Interschool interactions among students and rewarding excellence à ¼Ã‚   Organizing profitable programs aimed at increasing interest in Education à ¼Ã‚   Career talks à ¼Ã‚   Provision of fund for major Christian programs à ¼Ã‚   Rehabilitation and Restoration programs à ¼Ã‚   Provision of useful materials and information for hospitalized patients à ¼Ã‚   Health awareness programs à ¼Ã‚   Educating rural dwellers on the need for education, health and other relevant matters à ¼Ã‚   Provision of fund and other useful items for missionary work à ¼Ã‚   Mini-Job creation for young unemployed people à ¼Ã‚   Skill Acquisition and Training program Large Scale: this includes à ¼Ã‚   Peace Talks and Conflict negotiations à ¼Ã‚   Education on Emergency response and service provision SOCIAL IMPACT It is interesting to get feedbacks from lives that have been touched by these activities, detailing their ordeal before the Foundation’s intervention and the impact our programs and services have had on their environment and perspective on life issues. Really, in assisting people who you are not familiar with, there is the added responsibility of geographical, language, and even religious differences. This has made it a paramount agenda for me to inculcate skills of communication that can easily penetrate any culture and make the required impact with the limited time available. This, combined with the advantage of seeing real changes to lives, has made me reconsider my values for living; that life is best lived when it is dedicated to make someone else happy. I have come to learn that fulfillment in life is a product of fulfilling the needs of other people. What is then more important than diverting all efforts, knowledge, belief and even career to such cause: that someoneâ₠¬â„¢s needing be met within your very eyes, even when there would be no direct reward for such devotion. This is really a substantial impact on my life, and the meaning of life. This change can obviously be attributed to just one source: my commitment to the values of the Foundation. This has indeed contributed to my success in the family and at work. CONCLUSION The changes are enormous; they have created a major turn from frivolous extravagance to meaningful expenditure. They have set the pace for investing selflessly in others rather than concentrating a whole life on ‘me’, ‘myself’ and ‘mine’. Lives are changing positively, society is benefiting tremendously and the ecosystem is becoming easier to inhabit. Isn’t that a wonderful social change just because of belonging to a social group?

Defining Histology and How Its Used

Defining Histology and How It's Used Histology is defined as the scientific study of the microscopic structure (microanatomy) of cells and tissues. The term histology comes from the Greek words histos, meaning tissue or columns, and logia, which means study. The word histology first appeared in a 1819 book written by German anatomist and physiologist Karl Meyer, tracing its roots back to 17th-century microscopic studies of biological structures performed by Italian physician Marcello Malpighi. How Histology Works Courses in histology focus on the preparation of histology slides, relying on previous mastery of anatomy and physiology. Light and electron microscopy techniques are usually taught separately. The five steps of preparing slides for histology are: FixingProcessingEmbeddingSectioningStaining Cells and tissues must be fixed to prevent decay and degradation. Processing is required to prevent excessive alteration of tissues when they are embedded. Embedding involves placing a sample within a supporting material (e.g., paraffin or plastic) so small samples can be cut into thin sections, suitable for microscopy. Sectioning is performed using special blades called microtomes or ultramicrotomes. Sections are placed on microscope slides and stained. A variety of staining protocols are available, chosen to enhance the visibility of specific types of structures. The most common stain is a combination of hematoxylin and eosin (HE stain). Hematoxylin stains cellular nuclei blue, while eosin stains cytoplasm pink. Images of HE slides tend to be in shades of pink and blue. Toluidine blue stains the nucleus and cytoplasm blue, but mast cells purple. Wrights stain colors red blood cells blue/purple, while turning white blood cells and platelets other colors. Hematoxylin and eosin produce a permanent stain, so slides made using this combination may be kept for later examination. Some other histology stains are temporary, so photomicrography is necessary in order to preserve data. Most of the trichrome stains are differential stains, where a single mixture produces multiple colors. For example, Malloys trichrome stain colors cytoplasm pale red, the nucleus and muscle red, red blood cells and keratin orange, cartilage blue, and bone deep blue. Types of Tissues The two broad categories of tissues are plant tissue and animal tissue. Plant histology usually is called plant anatomy to avoid confusion. The main types of plant tissues are: Vascular tissueDermal tissueMeristematic tissueGround tissue In humans and other animals, all tissue may be classified as belonging to one of four groups: Nervous tissueMuscle tissueEpithelial tissueConnective tissue Subcategories of these main types include epithelium, endothelium, mesothelium, mesenchyme, germ cells, and stem cells. Histology may also be used to study structures in microorganisms, fungi, and algae. Careers in Histology A person who prepares tissues for sectioning, cuts them, stains them, and images them is called a histologist. Histologists work in labs and have highly refined skills, used to determine the best way to cut a sample, how to stain sections to make important structures visible, and how to image slides using microscopy. Laboratory personnel in a histology lab include biomedical scientists, medical technicians, histology technicians (HT), and histology technologists (HTL). The slides and images produced by histologists are examined by medical doctors called pathologists. Pathologists specialize in identifying abnormal cells and tissues. A pathologist can identify many conditions and diseases, including cancer and parasitic infection, so other doctors, veterinarians, and botanists can devise treatment plans or determine whether an abnormality led to death. Histopathologists are specialists who study diseased tissue. A career in histopathology typically requires a medical degree or doctorate. Many scientists in this discipline have dual degrees. Uses of Histology Histology is important in science education, applied science, and medicine. Histology is taught to biologists, medical students, and veterinary students because it helps them understand and recognize different types of tissues. In turn, histology bridges the gap between anatomy and physiology by showing what happens to tissues at the cellular level.Archaeologists use histology to study biological material recovered from archaeological sites. Bones and teeth are most likely to provide data. Paleontologists may recover useful material from organisms preserved in amber or frozen in permafrost.Histology is used to diagnose diseases in humans, animals, and plants and to analyze the effects of treatment.Histology is used during autopsies and forensic investigations to help understand unexplained deaths. In some cases, a cause of death may be evident from microscopic tissue examination. In other cases, the microanatomy may reveal clues about the environment after death.

Free Essays on Fred Astaire

Astaire, Fred (1899-1987), American dancer and actor, known for his graceful, sophisticated dance style and for his musical comedy films. Born Fred Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska, Astaire appeared in vaudeville at the age of seven with his sister Adele. From 1917 to 1932 they were a noted Broadway dancing team, appearing in such musicals as Over the Top (1917), Lady Be Good (1925), and Funny Face (1927). After Adele Astaire retired from the stage, Fred Astaire began a career in films. His first film was Dancing Lady (1933). His films with the dancer Ginger Rogers, beginning with Flying Down to Rio (1933), include Roberta (1935), Top Hat (1935), Shall We Dance? (1937), and The Barkleys of Broadway (1949). Astaire and Rogers developed an elegant dance style, noted for its technical excellence and intimacy. Astaire's other films include Easter Parade (1948), with Judy Garland; Daddy Long Legs (1955), with Leslie Caron; Funny Face (1957), with Audrey Hepburn; and Silk Stockings (1957), with Cyd Charisse. Perhaps the greatest popular dancer of his time, Astaire combined a technical mastery with a sense of ease and good humor. In 1949 his film work was recognized with a special Academy Award. The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences recognized Astaire with a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989. His autobiography is titled Steps in Time (1959). Rogers, Ginger (1911-1995), American motion-picture actor, singer, and dancer, best remembered for her graceful ballroom dancing as the partner of Fred Astaire in classic musical comedies of the 1930s. Born Virginia Katherine McMath in Independence, Missouri, she began dancing professionally at the age of 14 and toured the vaudeville circuit until 1929, when she was cast as the second lead in the popular Broadway musical Top Speed. She began her film career while still starring on the New York City stage and in 1931 went to Hollywood, where she shot a series of minor co... Free Essays on Fred Astaire Free Essays on Fred Astaire Astaire, Fred (1899-1987), American dancer and actor, known for his graceful, sophisticated dance style and for his musical comedy films. Born Fred Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska, Astaire appeared in vaudeville at the age of seven with his sister Adele. From 1917 to 1932 they were a noted Broadway dancing team, appearing in such musicals as Over the Top (1917), Lady Be Good (1925), and Funny Face (1927). After Adele Astaire retired from the stage, Fred Astaire began a career in films. His first film was Dancing Lady (1933). His films with the dancer Ginger Rogers, beginning with Flying Down to Rio (1933), include Roberta (1935), Top Hat (1935), Shall We Dance? (1937), and The Barkleys of Broadway (1949). Astaire and Rogers developed an elegant dance style, noted for its technical excellence and intimacy. Astaire's other films include Easter Parade (1948), with Judy Garland; Daddy Long Legs (1955), with Leslie Caron; Funny Face (1957), with Audrey Hepburn; and Silk Stockings (1957), with Cyd Charisse. Perhaps the greatest popular dancer of his time, Astaire combined a technical mastery with a sense of ease and good humor. In 1949 his film work was recognized with a special Academy Award. The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences recognized Astaire with a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989. His autobiography is titled Steps in Time (1959). Rogers, Ginger (1911-1995), American motion-picture actor, singer, and dancer, best remembered for her graceful ballroom dancing as the partner of Fred Astaire in classic musical comedies of the 1930s. Born Virginia Katherine McMath in Independence, Missouri, she began dancing professionally at the age of 14 and toured the vaudeville circuit until 1929, when she was cast as the second lead in the popular Broadway musical Top Speed. She began her film career while still starring on the New York City stage and in 1931 went to Hollywood, where she shot a series of minor co...

AP Test Dates 2020 Complete Calendar

AP Test Dates 2020 Complete Calendar SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Looking for the 2020 AP exam dates? We have the complete 2020 AP test datesas well as advice for getting through the busy May exam season. Keep reading to stay on top of your 2019-20 study schedule and to get tips for dealing with the stress of endless AP tests! 2020 AP Exam Dates Here are the AP exam dates for 2020. All exams take place during the first two weeks of May (you'll receive your results in mid-July). Note that there is not an exam for AP Studio Art, but the portfolio deadline falls during the exam period. All AP test dates have been confirmed by the College Board. If you’re taking two AP classes whose exam times conflict, talk to your school counselor; the College Board will work with you to give you a late testing slot for one of them. Week 1 AP Schedule (2020) Morning (8 am) Afternoon (12 pm) Afternoon (2 pm) Monday (May 4) United States Government and Politics Physics C: Mechanics Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Tuesday (May 5) Calculus AB German Language and Culture Calculus BC Human Geography Wednesday (May 6) English Literature and Composition European History Physics 2: Algebra-Based Thursday (May 7) Chemistry Japanese Language and Culture Spanish Literature and Culture Physics 1: Algebra-Based Friday (May 8) United States History Art History Computer Science A Friday, May 8, 2020, is the deadline for AP Studio Art (2-D Art and Design, 3-D Art and Design, and Drawing). It's the last day for Coordinators to submit digital portfolios (by 8 pm ET) and to gather students in 2-D Design and Drawing for portfolio assembly. Teachers should have already forwarded completed digital portfolios to Coordinators before this date. Week 2 AP Schedule (2020) Morning (8 am) Afternoon (12 pm) Monday (May ) Biology Chinese Language and Culture Environmental Science Tuesday (May 12) Seminar Latin Spanish Language and Culture Psychology Wednesday (May 13) English Language and Composition Microeconomics Music Theory Thursday (May 14) Comparative Government and Politics Italian Language and Culture World History: Modern Macroeconomics Friday (May 15) Computer Science Principles Statistics French Language and Culture Want to get a perfect 5 on your AP exam and an A in class? We can help. PrepScholar Tutors is the world's best tutoring service. We combine world-class expert tutors with our proprietary teaching techniques. Our students have gotten A's on thousands of classes, perfect 5's on AP tests, and ludicrously high SAT Subject Test scores. Whether you need help with science, math, English, social science, or more, we've got you covered. Get better grades today with PrepScholar Tutors. How to Stay Focused During the AP Exam Period It can be tough to manage your time in May and feel prepared for each AP test- whether you’re taking two AP exams or five! I’m actually pretty familiar with the AP time crunch. In my last three years of high school, I had multiple exams every May, and each year had a different but equally challenging schedule. Sophomore year I had three AP tests in one week. Junior year I took two tests in two days. Senior year was more of a marathon: I took four tests, stretching from the first day of testing to the last! Whether your AP schedule feels like a sprint or a marathon, you can expect it to be challenging. From experience, I know it can be challenging to keep your energy and motivation up during the exam period. So my main piece of advice is to memorize your AP exam schedule as early as possible so you can start preparing for May. As an example, if you realize you’re going to have three AP tests in three days, you should get all of your studying out of the way before AP exams start. This way you can focus on staying rested during the exam period and not stress yourself out with last-minute cramming. On the other hand, if you have tests on the first Monday, the second Monday, and the last Friday of the exam period, you should plan to do some studying during May for your last two tests. That said, definitely prioritize the test you’re taking soonest, and make sure you’re prepared for it before May rolls around. Consult the tables above and figure out what your AP exam schedule looks like for 2019. Next, follow our rules for staying focused and motivated during May. #1: Don’t Cram! By May, you should have learned all major concepts and taken at least one practice exam for each AP test you're taking. Trying to pull off last-minute studying during the exam period, such as by rushing through a prep book or taking tons of practice exams, will just stress you out. You’ll study more effectively if you give yourself plenty of time. If you finish major studying before May, you can use any extra time to review tricky concepts and to ensure you're getting enough rest. #2: Focus on Your Weak Points If you have one exam that you know is going to be the hardest for you, prioritize any extra time you have in May toward that test. For example, if you’re taking both AP Calculus AB and AP US History- and you’re pretty confident about Calculus- you can use any extra time in May to keep working on AP US History. Memorize dates, practice essay questions, or review your notes. If you try to spend equal time on every upcoming exam in May, you risk spreading yourself too thin. Again, this is why it's so important to begin studying early so you have enough time to learn all the major concepts for your tests well before May! #3: Timing Is Everything When doing practice sections in April or May- either multiple choice or free response- be sure to time yourself strictly so you're prepared for actual AP test timing. Earlier in the year, it’s appropriate to take a few untimed multiple choice or free-response sections. But right before your AP tests, you need to make sure that you're prepared for what the actual exam timing will be like. Do this, and it'll make taking the AP tests much less stressful, since you'll be used to the time constraints! #4: Don’t Burn Yourself Out If you have multiple exams in a week, or two days in a row (or two in a day!), limit heavy studying during that time and instead confirm that you’re getting enough rest. Right before an AP test, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy, balanced breakfast or lunch will do far more to improve your score than will memorizing a few more facts or doing one more practice test. #5: Be Self-Reflective If you’re the type to obsess over studying and get really anxious about tests, try to actively make time to do something fun or get some exercise in during the AP exam period. Whether that's doing yoga, going for a run, or reading your favorite book, taking time to relax is key, since anxiety can (and will!) negatively affect your performance on test day. However, if you’re having a tough time staying motivated late in the year and have been slacking on studying, definitely take the time you have left in May to do some practice sections or review key terms. Remember, finishing strong and doing well on your AP tests is important to getting the most out of your AP classes! #6: Don’t Forget Your Other Classes Most teachers should be sympathetic about homework and assignments during the AP test period, but you still want to be surethat your schedule isn’t crammed with cramming in case you have to deal with non-AP class assignments, too. Your high school GPA is very important for college admissions, so don't let AP exams completely distract you from your other classes! #7: Remember Your Goals Whether you’re hoping to ace AP Spanish so you won’t have to take a language in college, or you're aiming for high scores across the board to make you competitive for top schools, don't lose track of your goals during May. Even though it can be exhausting and stressful to have a handful of AP exams, make sure to keep your reasons for taking the tests in the back of your mind. This will give you the motivation you need to finish strong and pass your exams! What About AP Test Dates for Future Years? You might be wondering what the AP exam schedule is for 2021 and beyond. Unfortunately, we cannot predict the schedule exactly. This is because the AP Calendar tends to change a bit from year to year. Since there are always slight changes, we can’t say for certain what the 2021 calendar will look like- even though the changes from year to year are often minor. Here are the schedules from the last three years, with changes from the previousyear highlighted in yellow: 2019 AP Testing Schedule Week 1 (2019) Morning (8 am) Afternoon (12 pm) Monday (May 6) United States Government and Politics Chinese Language and Culture Environmental Science Tuesday (May 7) Seminar Japanese Language and Culture Spanish Language and Culture Physics 1: Algebra-Based Wednesday (May 8) English Literature and Composition European History French Language and Culture Thursday (May 9) Chemistry German Language and Culture Spanish Literature and Culture Psychology Friday (May 10) United States History Computer Science Principles Physics 2: Algebra-Based Week 2 (2019) Morning (8am) Afternoon (12pm) Afternoon (2pm) Monday (May 13) Biology Physics C: Mechanics Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Tuesday (May 14) Calculus AB Art History Calculus BC Human Geography Wednesday (May 15) English Language and Composition Italian Language and Culture Macroeconomics Thursday (May 16) Comparative Government and Politics Statistics World History Friday (May 17) Microeconomics Computer Science A Music Theory Latin 2018 AP Testing Schedule Week 1 (2018) Morning (8 am) Afternoon (12 pm) Monday (May 7) Chemistry Psychology Spanish Literature and Culture Tuesday (May 8) Seminar Art History Spanish Language and Culture Physics 1: Algebra-Based Wednesday (May 9) English Literature and Composition Japanese Language and Culture Physics 2: Algebra-Based Thursday (May 10) United States Government and Politics Chinese Language and Culture Environmental Science Friday (May ) German Language and Culture Computer Science Principles United States History Week 2 (2018) Morning (8am) Afternoon (12pm) Afternoon (2pm) Monday (May 14) Biology Physics C: Mechanics Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Music Theory Tuesday (May 15) Calculus AB French Language and Culture Calculus BC Computer Science A Wednesday (May 16) English Language and Composition Italian Language and Culture Macroeconomics Thursday (May 17) Comparative Government and Politics Statistics World History Friday (May 18) Human Geography Latin Microeconomics European History 2017 AP Testing Schedule Week 1 (2017) Morning (8 am) Afternoon (12 pm) Monday (May 1) Chemistry Psychology Environmental Science Tuesday (May 2) Computer Science A Art History Spanish Language and Culture Physics 1: Algebra-Based Wednesday (May 3) English Literature and Composition Japanese Language and Culture Physics 2: Algebra-Based Thursday (May 4) United States Government and Politics Chinese Language and Culture Seminar Friday (May 5) German Language and Culture Computer Science Principles United States History Week 2 (2017) Morning (8am) Afternoon (12pm) Afternoon (2pm) Monday (May 8) Biology Physics C: Mechanics Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Music Theory Tuesday (May 9) Calculus AB French Language and Culture Calculus BC Spanish Literature and Culture Wednesday (May 10) English Language and Composition Italian Language and Culture Macroeconomics Thursday (May ) Comparative Government and Politics Statistics World History Friday (May 12) Human Geography Latin Microeconomics European History 2016 AP Testing Schedule Week 1 (2016) Morning (8 am) Afternoon (12 pm) Monday (May 2) Chemistry Psychology Environmental Science Tuesday (May 3) Computer Science A Art History Spanish Language and Culture Physics 1: Algebra-Based Wednesday (May 4) English Literature and Composition Japanese Language and Culture Physics 2: Algebra-Based Thursday (May 5) Calculus AB Chinese Language and Culture Calculus BC Seminar Friday (May 6) German Language and Culture European History United States History Week 2 (2016) Morning (8am) Afternoon (12pm) Afternoon (2pm) Monday (May 9) Biology Physics C: Mechanics Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Music Theory Tuesday (May 10) United States Government and Politics French Language and Culture Spanish Literature and Culture Wednesday (May ) English Language and Composition Italian Language and Culture Macroeconomics Thursday (May 12) Comparative Government and Politics Statistics World History Friday (May 13) Human Geography Latin Microeconomics There was quite a bit of change in AP test scheduling from 2018 to 2019- nearly half of all the AP exams moved around time- or day-wise (although most of the change happened to tests in the afternoon of week 1). From 2017 to 2018, just four changes in the AP schedule took place. These were as follows: Spanish Literature and Culture switched from the afternoon in week 2 to the morning in week 1 AP Seminar shifted from the afternoon late in week 1 to a morning slot earlier in week 1 Environmental Sciencechanged from week 1 in the morning to week 1 in the afternoon Computer Science A went from a week 1 morning slot to a week 2 afternoon slot There were also some minor schedule changes between 2016 and 2017.The Calculus AB/BC and US Government and Politics tests switched slots in weeks 1 and 2, while European History moved from week 1 to week 2. Lastly, 2017 welcomed the new Computer Science Principles test, which began as an AP course in 2016. If you look back five or even 10 years, the dates change more, and the exams evolve as well. Some AP tests have been added over time (such as the new Physics exams), and some have been taken away, such as French Literature and Studio Art. In short, you can expect the AP test schedule for the next year or two to look somewhat similar to the 2020 schedule- but you can’t do any longer-term planning beyond that! What’s Next? Learn more about AP tests- how long they are, how many you should take, and which ones are the easiest and hardest for students. Also studying for the SAT or ACT? Develop a target SAT score based on your top schools (ACT version here). Studying for the SAT? Check out our complete guide to the SAT. Taking the ACT instead? Then get a complete guide to the ACT. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Gray Seal Facts (Halichoerus grypus)

Gray Seal Facts (Halichoerus grypus) The gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) is an earless or true seal found along North Atlantic coasts. It is called the gray seal in the United States and the grey seal elsewhere. It is also called the Atlantic seal or the horsehead seal, for the males distinctive arched nose. Fast Facts: Gray Seal Scientific Name: Halichoerus grypusCommon Names: Gray seal, grey seal, Atlantic seal, horsehead sealBasic Animal Group: MammalSize: 5 feet 3 inches - 8 feet 10 inchesWeight: 220-880 poundsLifespan: 25-35 yearsDiet: CarnivoreHabitat: North Atlantic coastal watersPopulation: 600,000Conservation Status: Least Concern Description Like other earless seals (family Phocidae), the gray seal has short flippers and lacks external ear flaps. Mature males are much larger than females and have a different coat color. Males average around 8 feet long, but may grow to over 10 feet in length. They weigh up to 880 pounds. Males are dark gray or brownish gray with silver spots. The species scientific name, Halichoerus grypus, means hook-nosed sea pig, and refers to the males long arched nose. Females range from around 5 feet 3 inches to 7 feet 6 inches in length and weigh between 220 and 550 pounds. They have silver-gray fur with dark scattered spots. Pups are born with white fur. The gray seal bull has a distinctive horsehead face. Noemi De La Ville / 500px / Getty Images Habitat and Distribution Gray seals live in the North Atlantic Ocean. There are three large gray seal populations and numerous smaller colonies. The species occurs in great numbers in the coastal waters of Canada south to Massachusetts (with sightings in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina), the Baltic Sea, and the United Kingdom and Ireland. The seals are most often seen when they haul out in winter. They frequent rocky coasts, icebergs, sandbars, and islands. Gray seal distribution. Darekk2 using IUCN Red List data /  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license Diet Seals are carnivores. Gray seals eat fish, squid, octopuses, crustaceans, porpoises, harbor seals, and seabirds. Mature males (bulls) will kill and cannibalize pups of its own species. Gray seals can dive for as long as an hour at depths up to 1,560 feet. They use sight and sound to hunt their prey. Behavior For most of the year, gray seals are solitary or live in small groups. During this time, they rest in open water with only their head and neck exposed to air. They gather on land for mating, pupping, and molting. Reproduction and Offspring Males may breed with several females during the mating season. Gestation lasts 11 months, resulting in the birth of a single pup. Females give birth in March in the Baltic, from December to February in the western Atlantic, and from September to November in the eastern Atlantic. Newborn pups have white fur and weigh around 25 pounds. For 3 weeks, the female nurses her pup and does not hunt. Males do not participate in pup care but may defend females from threats. After this time, the pups molt into their adult coats and head to the sea to learn to hunt. Pup survival rate ranges from 50-85%, depending on weather conditions and prey availability. Females become sexually mature at 4 years of age. Gray seals live between 25 and 35 years. Conservation Status The IUCN classifies the gray seal conservation status as least concern. Although the species was nearly extirpated in the mid-20th century, it began to recover in the 1980s following the passage of the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act in the United States and the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 in the United Kingdom (which does not apply to Northern Ireland). Gray seal population size has continued to increase. As of 2016, the population was estimated to be 632,000 gray seals. Some fishermen have called for a cull, believing high seal numbers are at least partly responsible for low fish stocks. Threats Gray seals are legally hunted in Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic Sea. Risks to the seals include entanglement in fishing gear, by-catch, collision with ships, pollution (especially PCBs and DDT), and oil spills. Climate change and severe weather also affect the seals and their prey. Gray Seals and Humans Gray seals do well in captivity and are commonly seen in zoos. They were traditionally popular in circus acts. According to Scottish scholar David Thomson, they gray seal was the basis of the Celtic seal legend of the selchie, a creature that could assume human and seal form. While gray seals frequent inhabited areas, people are advised to avoid feeding or harassing them, as this alters seal behavior and ultimately endangers them. Sources Ailsa j, Hall; Bernie j, Mcconnell; Richard j, Barker. Factors affecting first-year survival in grey seals and their implications for life history strategy. Journal of Animal Ecology. 70: 138–149, 2008. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2656.2001.00468.xBjrvall, A. and S. Ullstrà ¶m. The Mammals of Britain and Europe. London: Croom Helm, 1986.Bowen, D. Halichoerus grypus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T9660A45226042. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T9660A45226042.enBowen, W.D. and D.B. Siniff. Distribution, population biology, and feeding ecology of marine mammals. In: J.E., Reynolds, III and S.A. Rommel (eds), Biology of Marine Mammals, pp. 423-484. Smithsonian Press, Washington, D.C.. 1999.Wozencraft, W.C. Order Carnivora. In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0.

ENG Topics in Litersture Discssion Board Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

ENG Topics in Litersture Discssion Board - Essay Example a bill from Jamestown Liquors indicates that Allyson has been drinking with her husband, Clark, who is more than twice her age, because time is running out. Clark’s varied pumpkin carvings is an expression of shock, sadness, and eventually acceptance of Allyson’s condition. As Allyson is faced up with death, Clark imparted to Allyson’s soul to move on, for there is no need to worry about him. In the end, the pumpkins became the symbol of Allyson’s loving memory, of the memories Clark and Allyson spent with each other. Initially, I found the story too sad to read. The presence of the pumpkins in the story gave me a premonition that the story is all about death and sorrow. The similarities in Allyson and Clark’s facial features, despite their wide age difference, made a perception that Allyson looks too old for her age. Is she sick or something? Clark is old enough to be her father. But when it was mentioned that Allyson has been wearing a wig, it was only then that my guess were confirmed. She is indeed sick. Sick with cancer? Maybe she had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments which may explain her baldness. Her volunteer work for a daycare center further gave me an idea that she is seriously ill, despite maybe of her chemotherapy treatments. She can still work, had she wanted to if she is in a dire financial need. But she opted to spend her afternoons in a volunteer work, thus giving readers an indication that she is spending her remaining time in a me aningful way, the most meaningful way that she possibly could. Going through the mail, the bill Allyson found from Jamestown Liquors can be interpreted that Allyson and Clark had been drinking these past few months or days. On the other hand, I found it puzzling when they had received a letter from â€Å"Clark’s relations up North† and enclosed with a gift check signed by Jesus H. Christ. Reading the word North, I thought it was a letter from Santa Claus hearing out Clark’s Christmas wishes. But

Contemporary Issues in International Business Essay

Contemporary Issues in International Business - Essay Example Thus, globalisation has very strong economic, governmental, educational and social dimensions. Globalisation is the way by which people, companies and government of different nations integrate and interact with each other. The process of globalisation has effects on the cultures, atmosphere, governmental systems, economic developments, wealth and on individual’s physical comfort in nations all around the globe (Hill, 2009). Globalisation is the process by which normal life around the globe is noticeable by calibration of communication, transportation, financial activity, Ecological and social interdependence. As a term, globalization is very often used to refer to economic globalization that is integration of national economies into the international economy through foreign direct investment, trade, capital, migration, spread of technology and flows. Globalization has melted national borders, international business has improved economic incorporation and the communication and information revolution has made time and geography irrelevant. Globalisation has a comparatively new thought and idea that the world has been implementing. OPPORTUNITIES: There are thousands of opportunities for career advancement, profit and valuable experience in international business. As Entrepreneurs come to grips with contemporary challenges and new opportunities, they define the new rules of engagement on the economic landscape. Globalisation has been the most successful affluence and anti-poverty movement in modern history. Following mentioned are some of the opportunities posed by globalization to international business. International Trade: Countries exchange a lot of money in goods and services every year. This fact demonstrates that international business makes good economic sense. Importing and exporting are the oldest and most common form of international trade. Globalisation greatly affects the global economy and the impact of foreign trade on economy is very immense. Comparative benefit has always been a factor even in the history. Trade has been institutionalized due to globalisation. Globalisation has improved free trade among nations and has improved liquidity of capital permitting investors in established countries to invest in undeveloped countries. It benefits businesses as it brings foreign exchange to the countries due to the increase in foreign trade. It also improves the global economy by increasing GDP. Trade between nation’s increases as it provides freedom to the global marketing exchange of goods and capitals. Established companies can invest in developing countries. This augments positive competition that helps in improving businesses. Licensing and Franchising: Another opportunity for to international business is franchising and licensing. A company that wants to go global rapidly while taking limited legal and financial risks might consider licensing agreements with foreign corporations. This agreement permits a foreign company to sell the products and to utilize its intellectual property in exchange for royalty fees (Hill, 2009). Franchising is the other opportunity to expand overseas. International franchise agreement is the agreement in which a company grants the right to a foreign company to use its brand name and to sell its services and products. The foreign company agrees to operate