Permian Mass Extinction essays

Permian Mass Extinction essays A mass extinction about 250 million years ago, which destroyed almost of the species on Earth, happened very quickly and it is demonstrated in the fossil record by the collapse of one-celled organisms called protests. Something suddenly killed off more than 90 %of all species on earth, and that led to the age of the dinosaurs. Evidence indicates the massive die-off was linked with an abrupt drop in productivity, the rate at which inorganic carbon is turned into organic carbon through processes such as photosynthesis. Terrestrial faunal diversification occurred in the Permian and 90-95% of marine species became extinct. Among terrestrial fauna affected included insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammal-like reptiles. The terrestrial flora was predominately composed of gymnosperms, including conifers. Life in the sea consisted of common groups of brachiopods, bony fish, sharks and fuslinid. Corals and trilobites were also present, but were exceedingly rare. During the Permian period all the worlds land masses joined together into a single super continent named Pangaea. The collision between Laurasia and Siberia-Kazakhstania and China finalized and assembled into Pangaea by the end of Permian. This was the first time since the late Protrusion super continent of Rodina that such a landmass had formed. Pangea was shaped sort of like a giant pacman with the mouth on the east. There was a corresponding large single ocean, called Pathalassa. The body of water enclosed by the pacman mouth constituted a smaller area, the Tethys, which covered much of what is now southern and central Europe. Throughout the Permian, Europe was covered by a very salty inland sea, the Zechstein Sea, which advanced and receded at least twice. This was home to an impoverished fauna, mainly brachiopods and bivalves, which were able to cope with the hyper saline conditions. ...

Definition and Examples of Reflected Meaning

Definition and Examples of Reflected Meaning In semantics, reflected meaning is a  phenomenon whereby a single word or phrase is associated with more than one  sense or meaning. It is also known as  coloring and contagion.   The term reflected meaning was coined by linguist Geoffrey Leech, who defined it  as the meaning which arises in cases of multiple conceptual meaning when one sense of a word forms part of our response to another sense. . . . One sense of a word seems to rub off on another sense (Semantics: The Study of Meaning, 1974). When comedians use reflected meaning in their jokes its an example of wordplay. The joke is usually funny because it uses a word that is technically correct for the situation but that will elicit a different often opposite image in the mind of the listener.   Examples and Observations In the case of reflected meaning, more than one meaning surfaces at the same time, so there is a kind of ambiguity. It is as if one or more unintended meanings were inevitably thrown back rather like light or sound reflected on a surface. For instance, if I use the medical expression chronic bronchitis, it is difficult for the more colloquial emotive meaning of chronic, bad, not to intrude as well. . . . Sometimes, such coincidental, unwanted meanings cause us to change a lexical item for another. Thus, if I think that dear in my dear old car may be misinterpreted as meaning expensive, I can substitute lovely and eliminate the potential ambiguity. . . .Reflected meaning may be used deliberately. Newspaper headlines exploit it all the time: DISASTER TANKER ADRIFT IN A SEA OF BAFFLING QUESTIONSTHE ZAMBIAN OIL INDUSTRY: NOT JUST A PIPE DREAM Naturally the success of such word play will depend on the standard of education, linguistic experience or mental agility of the readership. From  Introductory Semantics and Pragmatics for Spanish Learners of English  by Brian Mott Intercourse Perhaps a more everyday example [of reflected meaning] is intercourse, which by reason of its frequent collocation with sexual tends now to be avoided in other contexts. From  Translation, Linguistics, Culture: A French-English Handbook  by Nigel Armstrong    Reflected Meanings of Product Names [S]uggestive [ trademarks] are marks that call to mindor suggestan association related to the product they name. They imply strength or softness or freshness or flavor, depending on the product; they are subtle marks, created by marketers and ad people who are very skilled at making artful associations. Think of TORO lawn mowers, DOWNY fabric softener, IRISH SPRING deodorant soap, and ZESTA saltine crackers. None of these marks is obvious, but we perceive nonetheless the strength of TORO lawn mowers, the softness DOWNY fabric softener imparts to laundry, the fresh scent of IRISH SPRING soap, and the zesty taste of ZESTA saltines. From The Trademark Guide by  Lee Wilson The Lighter Side of Reflected Meaning A [baseball] player with an unfortunate name was pitcher Bob Blewett. He pitched five games for New York during the 1902 season. Blewett lost both of his decisions and gave up 39 hits in only 28 innings. From  Baseballs Most Wanted II  by Floyd Conner

Fallacies Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Fallacies Analysis - Assignment Example This is a type of question that is intended to make the opponent look unavoidably bad and uncomfortable. It can be found in political campaigns aimed at the citizens’ noble feelings: e.g. do you favor voting for a party that will legalize drugs, promote gay marriages and diminishes importance of religious spirituality justifying it with democratic aspirations? In this fallacy, the premises supporting the conclusion imply that the conclusion is true. For example, one can say that the United States is the best country to live in the world because there are no other countries better than the U.S. Drawing conclusions based on the available evidence, we often suppress both available and unavailable evidence that might make the conclusion more consistent. A common instance is insisting that America is an inherently Christian nation relying on the fact that ‘in God, we trust’ is inscribed in money. However, this conclusion is inconsistent due to a suppressed evidence: this inscription was added in the middle of the 20th century because of the fear of communism. Lack of proportion is over- or underestimation of actions, arguments, and outcomes used to convince people. An instance of this fallacy can be seen in downplaying important arguments for the sake of less significant ones. For example, a mother can be worried about the risk her child faces at school, i.e. risk of a mass school shooting; but she ignores the significance of the risk the child faces going to the school by bus daily.

Auditing&Assurance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Auditing&Assurance - Assignment Example Auditors go evaluate reports to ensure that they are accurately presented 1. The work of auditing should be conducted by independent professionals who demonstrate a high level of integrity. They should be honest, unbiased and sincere while discharging their duties. Most organizations experience cases of fraud, mismanagement of resources, and corruption among other vices. The vices are very costly to the organization and sometimes may be the beginning of the downfall of an organization. Most organizations lose their resources through fraudulent activities that are carried out by employees and sometimes senior managers. It is not easy to establish the fraudulent activities since it is performed by skilled individuals such as accountants. The cases might go easily unnoticed if a prima-facie approach is used to verify transactions. In order to unearth anomalies and discrepancies, a proper and independent investigation must be initiated. Auditors are the only professional that can be able to launch a thorough investigation that can assist the management discover fraudulent transactions and other illegal activities2. Auditing entails a number of activities. It analyses the books of account of an organization critically. Groups carry out numerous transactions that are recorded in the books of account. Conversely, fraudulent activities may take place during the recording stage. Accountants may alter the figure so that they can embezzle funds. The role of auditors is to look into the books to ensure no suspicious transactions have been recorded. In addition, they confirm the arithmetic accuracy of the documents that have been provided. Secondly, they are mandated with the responsibility of verifying the assets and liabilities of an organization. In the case of the body, the auditors had to undertake quarterly inventory counts. Furthermore, they detect and prevent errors and fraud from occurring. Finally, they report to the management n matters relating to

How Aircraft and Aircraft Carriers helped the U.S in WWII Research Paper

How Aircraft and Aircraft Carriers helped the U.S in WWII - Research Paper Example Air power facilitated the surveillance of the U.S land. The use of aircraft in the World War II was part of a national grand strategy. Higham observes that the use of aircraft in the war during the 20th century consisted of strategic planning by the government and tactical operations, which follows the, principles of war and commerce (2002, 1). In this paper, we focus the discussion on how aircraft and the aircraft carriers were of help to the U.S army during the World War II. Air power consists of the air forces, airlines, aircraft and the ancillary industry. For the operation of this industry, it requires management that entails command control communications and intelligence. All this things were a vital part for any U.S air force soldier to be familiar with before taking command of any U.S air force airline. During World War II, Higham points out that the air power was still a not an area familiar to the American army. However, over the years the airpower became a force to reckon with, the air force was vital to the ground power in the World War II. ... At the pacific, see the land, based air forces and the carrier task forces were in use. The U.S utilized the air force to patrol the sea-lanes in the north Atlantic; photoreconnaissance was also a part of the role done by the air force in the wars. The British and Americans used the air power for guerrilla warfare. In his book, the rise of American Air power, Sherry examines the American bombing strategy of specific interest is the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing. The author approaches this from the cultural point of history. Sherry points out that the U.S utilized the dropping of the atom bombs as a defence and due to its terror potential. Culturally speaking the use of air power was not because of the technological advancement of the weapons used in war but it was a continuation of the fantasy of scientific warfare and the evolving of political social and military views (1987,239). With the technological advancement in the air power, the dropping of the atom bombs was an easy way fo r the U.S to block the enemy’s ability to wage war. The Japanese according to sherry’s observation gave in to an unconditional surrender. Sherry does point out that in the use of aircraft; the aerial bombing was a chaotic and haphazard affair that yielded unintended consequences that included massive civilian casualties. This to sherry was a failure because it did not in any way address the necessity to defeat the main body of the enemy military forces (1987, 145). Sherry observed that the use of aircraft as an offensive strategy in the warfare did achieve its target because it did fuel for revenge between combatants. This was because of the inhumane pain inflicted upon the civilian population. The whole idea of developing technology related to aircraft warfare

Actual families Essay Example for Free

Actual families Essay The views of actual families and perceived families on inner city family values are different in the sense that reality hits actual families. Our minds can perceive what should be done but if we check reality, poverty is a serious problem that should be dealt with fervor. Teaching family values is the foundation of all solutions to these problems. Why is that so? If children learn family values at home and the parents show them good example in practicing these values, children will most likely emulate the parents (Learning Family, 1999, p. 1). Then there will be no existence of violent crimes since people practice compassion. There will be no extreme poverty since people practice being industrious. All these could be perceived in the mind but can be transformed into reality. Finally, it is not true that inner societies should believe that poverty is part and parcel of the society they belong. Poverty can be eradicated by all means if cooperation of the people concerned can be given. However, there are people who become poor because of the things that they do not have control of. And other people experience poverty because they are too indolent to work hard. The former cause of poverty deserves to be treated as recoverable and can be solved. See more: Beowulf essay essay And there is nothing we can do for people who become poor due to idleness and slothfulness. Thus, family values of industry and integrity must be upheld in both actual and perceived families on inner cities. References Ashman, K. Hull, G. 1999. Understanding Generalist Practice. USA: Nelson-Hall, Inc. International Herald Tribune. 2008. Global Food Shortage; America’s light still shines; moving too fast. Retrieved September 30, 2008, from http://www. iht. com /articles/2008/03/13/opinion/edlet. php. Learning Family. 1999. Learning Family Values. Retrieved September 30, 2008, from http://www. learningfamily. net/about/values. htm. News 24 Website. 2008 August 25. Poverty, parenting cause crime. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www. news24. com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2382088,00. html. Overpopulation Website. 2008 September 7. Impacts. Retrieved September 30, 2008, from http://www. overpopulation. org/impact. html. Vogel, S. 2008 August 24. Gazette Extra. Does Poverty Equal Crime? Scholars disagree. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://gazettextra. com/news/2008/aug/24/does-poverty-crime-scholars-disagree/. Wattenberg, M. , Edwards III, G. Lineberry, R. 2003. Government of America. USA: Addison- Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland

Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland Take-home Test Describe the three different types of volcanic eruptions that have given rise to Iceland’s volcanic landforms. Effusive: An effusive eruption is a volcanic eruption characterized by the flow of lava onto the ground. Lava flows generated by effusive eruptions vary in shape, thickness, length, and width depending on the type of lava that erupted, the type of discharge, the slope of the ground over which the lava travels, and the duration of the volcanic eruption. Explosive: This is a violent, explosive type of eruption. This is a result of when sufficient gas has dissolved under pressure within a viscous magma, such that the discharged lava violently bubbles up into volcanic ash as pressure is suddenly lowered at the vent. Explosive eruptions can send rocks, dust, gas and lava fragments into the atmosphere. A cloud is then created which then collapses, creating a flow of hot volcanic matter (gas + rocks). Mixed: This eruption is a mixture of both lava and tephra (fragmental material produced by a volcanic eruption). Describe the characteristics of a Tuya. How does this acquire its distinctive shape? A Tuyais a flat-topped, steep-sided  volcano  formed when  lava  erupts through a thick  glacier  or  ice sheet. Such volcanic formations are restricted to regions which were covered by  glaciers  and had volcanic activity during the same period. Their formation is due to lava that erupts under a glacier and cools very quickly. It cannot travel far, so it piles up into a steep-sided hill. Define the term jà ¶kulhlaup and explain its significance to Iceland. Jà ¶kulhlaups in Iceland may originate from marginal or subglacial sources of water melted by atmospheric processes, permanent geothermal heat or volcanic eruptions. Glacier-volcano interactions produce meltwater that either drains toward the glacier margin or accumulates in subglacial lakes. Iceland is a unique and valuable study-site for glacio-volcanic interactions. The jà ¶kulhlaups can be seen as modern analogues of past mega floods on the earth and their exploration may improve understanding of ice-volcano processes on other planets. Jo ¨kulhlaups, both those draining meltwater stored in subglacial lakes and meltwater produced during a volcanic eruption, have significant landscaping potential: they erode large canyons and transport enormous quantities of sediment and icebergs over vast outwash plains. What are the origins of Icelandic river waters? Describe the relevant main characteristics. Icelandic rivers are of three general types: The glacial-fed rivers which carry large quantities of fine silt and are typically brown in colour. Their runoff, being conditioned by ice melt, is high in the summer and low in the winter. Glacial rivers are close to freezing at source but warm up considerably in lowland areas. They typically divide into many interlinked distributaries which constantly change direction. The direct runoff rivers; are relatively clear. They are characteristic of old basaltic areas where the bedrock is impermeable. They have their greatest flows in the spring during snowmelt and in autumn following heavy rains. Water temperature in these streams generally follows the air temperature. The spring-fed stream drains areas covered by permeable post-glacial lava fields. In these zones the ground is more porous; therefore water emerges in springs at lower levels to supply the rivers with a constant flow of generally clear water. These spring-fed rivers have a water temperature of 3–5 °C at source and never freeze over at that point. Their beds and banks are usually stable. Explain the following terms: Tephrochronology: A geo-chronological technique that uses discrete layers of tephravolcanic ash from a single eruption to create a chronological framework in which archaeological records can be placed. Cryptotephra: Very few studies have looked in detail at the sedimentation and distribution of cryptotephra deposits within sequences and, more importantly, the criteria for defining the correct stratigraphic position of the volcanic event. Cryptotephra is a tephra-derived glass shard which is not that visible to the naked human eye since they are less than 125micrometers. Isopachs: Lines on a map or diagrams which connect points beneath which a particular stratum or group of strata has the same thickness. One measure used to tackle the problem of soil erosion is re-seeding with appropriate floral species. What characteristics of a plant would make it suitable for such a purpose? Soil stabilizing plants range in size, root type (ideally long), degree of ground cover (fast growth) and visual appeal, and selecting a variety of plants is essential for combating the impact of wind and water erosion. Low plants provide ground cover from wind, while higher trees slow down the force of rain before it hits the ground or more delicate ground cover plants. Once plants are established, their life cycles help return nutrients to the soil to encourage future plant growth (important to have an easy seed dispersal process as well) and maintain adequate moisture levels to avoid soil drying or oversaturation. Describe one method that could be used to measure the profile of a beach. Select sampling points for beach profiles across the width of the beach. At each sample point in turn, place a pole at the start and finish. The first point should ideally be the low tide mark, or as close to it. The next step is to note the main changes in slope angle up the beach, each change is to inform the ‘sections for the profile. For each change in slope, use a clinometer to take a bearing to record the slope angle (It is important to ensure that the bearing is taken from a point on the pole that corresponds with the eye level of the person using the clinometer). Measure the distance along the ground of the section, and record this information alongside the slope angle. Repeat processes for each break in slope that you have identified. Explain the following: Lateral moraines: Parallel ridges of debris deposited along the sides of a glacier. The unconsolidated debris can be deposited on top of the glacier by frost shattering of the valley walls or tributary streams flowing into the valley. Because lateral moraines are deposited on top of the glacier, they do not experience the postglacial erosion of the valley floor and therefore, as the glacier melts, lateral moraines are usually preserved as high ridges. Lateral moraines stand high because they protect the ice under them from the elements, causing it to melt or sublime less than the uncovered parts of the glacier. Multiple lateral moraines may develop as the glacier advances and retreats. Kettle Lake: Kettles are depressions left behind after partially-buried ice blocks melt. Kettle Lake describes the way the lake basin was formed. While glaciers were forming, a block of ice broke of, and found a uniform position. As the glacier continued to melt, the debris from the glacier (soil, rocks, stones, gravel, etc.) filled in around the block of ice. When the block of ice finally melted, all the debris surrounding it fell into the hole, creating the kettle type basin, which when filled with water, became a lake as we know it. Outwash plain: is a flat region formed of glacial sediments deposited by melt water outwash at the terminus of a glacier. Explain the presence of wave-cut platforms in areas of Iceland presently distant from the coast. A wave-cut platform is the narrow flat area often found at the base of a sea cliff or along the shoreline of a lake, bay, or sea that was created by the erosion of waves. Wave-cut platforms are often most obvious at low tide when they become visible as huge areas of flat rock. In Iceland, some cases, the rock is relatively easy to erode. Sea-level changes have left a stamp on the coast, and wave-cut platforms can be seen in many around Iceland. Distinguish between mafic and felsic lava: These words are used to indicate the chemical composition of silicate minerals, magmas, and igneous rocks. Mafic is used for silicate minerals, magmas, and rocks which are relatively high in the heavier elements. The minerals are usually dark in color and have relatively high specific gravities and also represent material which is newly differentiated from the upper mantle. Felsic is used for silicate minerals, magmas, and rocks which have a lower percentage of the heavier elements, and are correspondingly enriched in the lighter elements, such as silicon and oxygen. Felsic minerals are usually light in color and have specific gravities. The most common felsic rock is granite, which represents the purified end product of the earths internal differentiation process. What is the nominal fix accuracy of a GPS? Why can a DGPS improve this nominal accuracy? The nominal fix accuracy of a GPS is of 100 meters with a selective availability enabled on the system. The GPS has a number of small errors (e.g signal delay), so a DGPS can be used to improve nominal accuracy since it transmits messages from local stations that are connected to satellites, producing better and accurate data readings. In cartographic terms, explain why the datum used by a GPS navigation set must be the same as for the reference chart being used. A datum is a set of reference points on the Earths surface against which their position can be associated with a model of the shape of the Earth to define a geodetic coordinate system. Horizontal datum is used to describe a point in latitude and longitude. A vertical datum measures elevations or depths. Because the Earth is an imperfect ellipsoid, all localized datums can give a more accurate representation of the area which is being covered than the latest version of the World Geodetic System datum (84). Marie Claire Attard Bason