Free College Admissions Essays: Geography :: College Admissions Essays

Geography The diverse nature of Geography has always attracted me to the subject, and the bridge it forms between the Arts and the Sciences reflects many of my interests. I am greatly enjoying the work which I am doing for the A level syllabus, on both the human and physical sides of the course, and would like to continue to study in both these fields. Geography gives the opportunity to accumulate a valuable range of skills, and I particularly enjoy the variety of analytical, numerical, bibliographical and research skills which I am called upon to use. The study of Geography will enable me to consider complex interactions between the human and physical environments, and the scope for useful research within the subject is very appealing. I have attended a number of Geographical Association lectures organised by my local branch, and look forward to taking responsibility for my own work in response to such stimulus. My interest in Geography is reflected in my choice of supporting A level subjects. I have found them very helpful in furthering my understanding of issues such as ecology and the processing of raw data, where subjects overlap. The study of French has also helped me to appreciate European issues whilst maintaining a language which I enjoy. I plan to take a Gap Year with the G.A.P. Organisation, to work as a support teacher in a developing nation. This, I believe, will be a valuable experience, and allow me to gain some first hand case studies in social, spatial and physical geography, which may provide a foundation for further study. I am very interested in the developing world, and have actively supported Christian Aid campaigns, as well as speaking on the Economic and Environment Committee at a "Model United Nations" Conference. Whilst completing the Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards, I have been able to improve my cartographic skills, and observe a variety of landscapes, w hich has added to my interest in physical geography. Taking part in the Tall Ships race on an S.T.A schooner for my Gold Residential Award has also helped me to appreciate the value of team work and perseverance.

Economy of US Essay

President George W. Bush, in a speech before his economic team on August 8, 2007 talked about the nation’s thriving economy. President Bush said: â€Å"I just finished a productive meeting with members of my economic team. We discussed our thriving economy and what we need to do to keep it that way. We care a lot about whether our fellow citizens are working, and whether or not they’ve got money in their pockets to save, spend, or invest as they see fit. We talked about America’s role in the global economy. † (President Bush Meets) Looking at some major economic indicators, the President’s claim on the growth of the economy has some sense. For this paper, the following indicators will be discussed: the Gross Domestic Product – which measures overall economic productivity of the nation; Inflation rate – which measures the rise in the general level of prices; Unemployment or employment rate – which reflects the number of people with jobs; and Balance of Payments – which reflect the relationship between exports and imports. The United States Government uses two sets of tools that affect the American Economy. These tools are Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy. The first one deals with how the government controls the supply of money and therefore the general stability of prices. The second one deals with government expenditures specifically how much the government is earning (taxes and revenues) and where will it spend the money (budget). Monetary policy is executed by the Federal Reserve System through its Board of Governors while Fiscal policy is carried out by Executive branch with or without the support of Congress. The U. S. Economy in Review The U. S. Economy is the largest and most powerful economy in the world. By the end of the third quarter of 2007 its Gross Domestic Product was close to $14 Trillion. Starting in 2004, the U.  S. economy was hit by significant events that tested its resiliency. The aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks led to major shifts in national resources to fight global terrorism. The costly war in Iraq led to a more costly U. S. occupation in Saddam Hussein’s country. Huge investments were made by the country for the war – investment in budget, resources and human capital. During the same period, Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage in the Gulf Coast. Resources were diverted to aid those who suffered from the natural calamity. Oil prices soared between 2005 and 2006 also threatening the economy. Despite these setbacks, the U. S. economy posted strong growth during the period 2004-2007. Gross Domestic Product The U. S. Gross Domestic Product recorded growth rates of 2. 9 percent in 2004, 3. 2 percent in 2005 and 2006 and a leap to 4. 2 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2007. According to the Bureau of Economic Accounts, the increase in GDP primarily reflected increases in consumer spending, investment in equipment and software, federal government spending, and residential fixed investment. The President, in his State of the Economy address in January 2007, highlighted the strong and dynamic economy, and discussed the challenges faced in keeping the economy growing. The President stressed that the U. S. economy is resilient and responsive, adding more than 8. 3 million jobs since 2003 despite numerous challenges including a recession, corporate scandals, the 9/11 attacks, and the worst natural disaster in American history. Inflation Inflation is generally reflected through the rise and fall in the Consumer Price Index. CPI measures the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. During the period 2004 to 2006, CPI rose at a manageable level – indicating inflation is under control. No data was shown for 2007. In 2004 – CPI rose 3. 3 percent over the previous year. In 2005, the rate was at 3. 4 percent and in 2006 it slowed down to 2. 5 percent. The recent behavior of inflation shows it remains low and stable and has minimal impact on the economy (U. S. CPI) Unemployment and Employment  The number of unemployed persons was 7. 2 million in October 2007 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A year earlier, the number of unemployed persons was 6. 7 million, and the jobless rate was 4. 4 percent. Also according to the BLS, total employment was at 146 million in October. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, and leisure and hospitality. Manufacturing employment continued to decline, and construction employment was little changed. The employment-population ratio was at 62. 7 percent. The civilian labor force was at 153. million and the labor force participation rate was at 65. 9 percent. Balance of payment The country’s balance of payment particularly the relationship between the country’s exports and imports still show a deficit. The deficit decreased to $190. 8 billion in the second quarter of 2007 from $197. 1 billion in the first quarter. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, a decrease in net unilateral current transfers to foreigners and increases in the surpluses on services and on income more than accounted for the decrease. Monetary Policy The Federal Reserve System, the independent U. S. central bank, manages the money supply and use of credit (monetary policy), while the president and Congress adjust federal spending and taxes (fiscal policy). The government’s monetary policy is governed by the Federal Reserve System Board of Governors. The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy has stressed preventing rapid escalation of general price levels which usually leads to inflation. The Federal Reserve acts to slow economic expansion by reducing the money supply, thus raising short-term interest rates. When the economy is slowing down too fast, or contracting, the Federal Reserve increases the money supply, thus lowering short-term interest rates. The most common way it effects these changes in interest rates, called open-market operations, is by buying and selling government securities among a small group of major banks and bond dealers. A particularly tricky situation for monetary policy makers, called stagflation, occurs when the economy is slowing down and general price level (inflation) is rising too fast (U. S. Monetary Policy). The Federal Reserve’s recent monetary policy is towards keeping the overall economy on an adjustment path where growth is moderate and sustainable. As Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke mentioned in his Testimony Before the Committee on Financial Services, U. S. House of Representatives on July 18, 2007: â€Å"At each of its four meetings so far this year, the FOMC maintained its target for the federal funds rate at 5-1/4 percent, judging that the existing stance of policy was likely to be consistent with growth running near trend and inflation staying on a moderating path† (Bernanke). Given these conditions, the Committee decided to leave its target for the federal funds rate unchanged at 5-1/4 percent. The Committee further stated in its policy statement that some inflation risks remained and that additional action would depend on changes in the outlook for both inflation and economic growth (Monetary Policy Report 6). According to Janet L. Yellen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco in her speech on The U. S. Economy and Monetary Policy, â€Å"I think the current stance of policy is likely to foster sustainable growth with a gradual ebbing of inflationary pressures† (2). However, Yellen further stated that â€Å"a sustained moderation in inflation pressures has yet to be convincingly demonstrated† (15). Policy Actions taken by the Federal Reserve The Federal Open Market Committee in its meetings on June 27 and 28 and voted to hold the federal funds rate, the Federal Reserve’s main policy tool, unchanged at 5? percent (Monetary Policy Report 6). At the time the report was made to Congress, the funds rate has been kept at that level for the last twelve months. According to the Committee, this decision would avoid exposing the economy to the risk of a recession, while, at the same time, hoping that this policy will produce enough slack in goods and labor markets to relieve inflationary stresses. This direction will enable the Federal Reserve to achieve its dual mandate—low and stable inflation and maximum sustainable employment. In the past year, then Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan wrapped up an eventful 18-year career Tuesday with a final interest rate hike and cleared the way for his successor Bernanke to bring the long credit-tightening campaign to a close. Acting on Greenspan’s final day in office, Federal Reserve Board raised the benchmark overnight lending rate another quarter-percentage point to 4. 5 percent, pushing up borrowing costs for consumers and businesses in their ongoing bid to keep a lid on growth and inflation (Wolk). In the months after that, the Board came up with a series of cuts in interest rates to address the prevailing economic condition. This balancing act is in line with the Federal Reserve’s responsibility of trying to maintain full employment (generally considered to be around 4 to 5 percent unemployment) while keeping inflation low. One can imagine the risks and uncertainties involved in such act. Alan Greenspan once said, â€Å"Policymakers often have to act, or choose not to act, even though we may not fully understand the full range of possible outcomes, let alone each possible outcome’s likelihood. As a result, risk management often involves significant judgment as we evaluate the risks of different events and the probability that our actions will alter those risks (Greenspan). † . This delicate balancing act is done by using interest rates as a tool. When interest rates are low, capital is easier to acquire. Left unchecked, however, this leads to inflation. If interest rates are too high, however, the result can be a recession and, in extreme cases, deflation; the result of which can be economically devastating. There are two ways as to how the Federal Reserve influences the direction of interest rates: by raising or lowering the discount rate or by indirectly influencing the direction of the Federal funds rate. The discount rate is the interest rate banks are charged when they borrows funds overnight directly from one of the Federal Reserve Banks. The Federal funds rate is the rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans (U. S. Monetary Policy). Fiscal Policy When President George W. Bush first stepped into the Whitehouse in 2001 he promised several things to the American public. Among his list of promises which was an ambitious $1. 3 trillion tax cut. President Bush promised that â€Å"whoever pays taxes gets a tax break. † Campaigning for his second term in office in 2004, President Bush promised to make tax cuts that were earlier adopted in 2001 permanent. In his August 8 speech the President said: â€Å"Real after-tax income has increased by an average of more than $3,400 per person since I took office. † The President further stated: Tax cuts let Americans keep their own money. It stimulates entrepreneurship. † The President emphasized that he is against the plan to increase taxes and turn them into additional government programs and said: â€Å"We want the people to keep more of their own money because we understand that the American economy, entrepreneurs and small business owners are the ones who create jobs. † However, there is a growing opposition to his fiscal policies. Some say these cuts were distributed disproportionately. Higher income tax payers got the biggest breaks they say as opposed to lower income individuals. It is also important to note that during the first term of President Bush, federal spending increased by 26 percent. This seems to go in a different direction with the tax cut measures. On one hand tax cuts mean lesser revenue for the government, on the other, more money is needed as more money is being spent. It will not take a genius to figure out that the tax cuts, and significant increases in spending will have effect on the budget deficits during the Bush administration. From a surplus of $127 Billion when President Bush assumed office, the budget went to a deficit of $929 billion. Future impacts of these fiscal policies have been also widely discussed. Shapiro and Friedman believe: â€Å"Over the next 10 years, total tax-cut costs will equal $3. 9 trillion, reaching nearly $600 billion or 3. 3 percent of the economy in 2014 alone. The resulting higher deficits will slow future economic growth, saddle future generations with sizable interest payments, and leave the nation ill-prepared not only for the retirement of baby boomers but also for responding to potential future crises from security matters to natural or environmental disasters the particulars of which are unknown today. Even Former President Clinton went on record to criticize President Bush’s fiscal and tax policies: â€Å"Tax cuts are always popular,† Clinton said. â€Å"But about half of these tax cuts since 2001 have gone to people in my income group, the top 1 percent. I’ve gotten four tax cuts. Now, what Americans need to understand is that that means every single day of the year, our government goes into the market and borrows money from other countries to finance Iraq, Afghanistan, Katrina and our tax cuts,† Clinton added. We depend on Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Korea primarily to basically loan us money every day of the year to cover my tax cut and these conflicts and Katrina. I don’t think it makes any sense. I think it’s wrong† (Stephanoupoulos, 2005). Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan also had a few words to say about President Bush’s policies. Greenspan criticized President George W. Bush for pursuing an economic agenda driven by politics rather than sound policy, with little concern for future consequences (Benjamin. 2007). Greenspan was quoted as saying: â€Å"The Bush administration turned out to be very different from the reincarnation of the Ford administration that I had imagined. Now, the political operation was far more dominant. † (Benjamin 2007). Comparing past presidents and the current Chief Executive, Greenspan said Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton were the most intelligent; Ford the most normal and likeable; Ronald Reagan was the most devoted to free markets; George H. W. Bush, the current president’s father, was very cordial. However, Greenspan saved his harshest criticism for Bush. `Little value was placed on rigorous economic policy debate or the weighing of long-term consequences,† he wrote. (Benjamin 2007). Still President Bush remains steadfast saying: â€Å"When people earn money, tax revenues go up. This year, tax revenues are expected to be $167 billion higher than last year’s, because the economy is growing. Growing tax revenues combined with spending restraint has helped us drive down the federal deficit, and we were able to do so without raising the taxes on the people who work, or without raising taxes on small business owners or farmers. Estimates show the deficit will drop to $205 billion this year. That is well below the average of the past 40 years as a percentage of our economy. † (President Bush Meets) Conclusion Not too many believed that the U. S. economy can rebound so fast from the series of unfortunate events of 2004 to 2007. Yet the number one economy in world has proven its resiliency and durability by weathering these storms. Much of the credit should go to the managers of the economy. The adoption of effective policies and strategies were the keys to sustaining the growth even in the midst of uncertainties. However, the growing opposition to the President’s Fiscal Policies needs to be given more attention. The clamor does have its points. Tax cuts, everyone must understand, have side effects. Remember, it is from taxes that the government generates revenues. Revenues that are badly needed to fund the operations of the government. These are the same revenues that run schools, hospitals, provides welfare to the poor, and funds homeland security and the war against terror. Without revenues where does the government go? What does it do? It borrows money. Huge amounts of money that, in the end, would be marked as owed by every individual in this country to some bank or foreign government. Overall, greater challenges loom ahead. The economy still faces long-term problems including inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. The country will call on again the time tested policies to deal with these adversities. As President Bush said â€Å"Our economy is on the move and we can keep it that way by continuing to pursue sound economic policy based on free-market principles. â€Å"

Character analysis of Myrtle and Daisy in “The Great Gatsby”

Two of the main characters in â€Å"The Great Gatsby† are Myrtle and Daisy. There are definition connections between Daisy and Myrtle. For instance both of them are unhappy with the person that they are married to. This is because they are both in love, in different ways, with Tom. Myrtle attempts to appear as a high class citizen but the reader notices that there are many holes in this disguise. Myrtle wishes to emulate the appearance of a high-class citizen but the reader see a clear disparity between her ideal vision of herself and reality. Myrtle does not have the figure of a high-class woman. She is neither skinny nor beautiful. † †¦her face contained no facet or gleam of beauty†. Unlike Daisy Myrtle is not a physically attractive person. The book makes reapeated references to her being â€Å"stout† or â€Å"thick figured† All of the high-class people that live on East egg come across as physically attractive. This quality comes though very clearly in Daisy. Myrtle clothing is one of the ways that she tries to project this upper class image. At one point in the book she changes her clothes three time in one chapter. This repeated changing of costume is her attempt to be seen as though she os wealthy and can afford to have many different dresses. The material that her dresses are made out of is also very expensive and this is one of the ways that the author makes it look like she is attempting to emulate a wealthy status. This contrasts with Daisy. She displays all of the qualities a high-class person that would inhabit East Egg. She is attractive and wears expensive clothes as if they are an everyday item. â€Å"I like your dress remarked Mrs McKee†¦Its just some old crazy thing. she said I just slip it on when I don't care what I look like† Myrtle attempts imitate this my wearing expensive clothes and saying that she doesn't think much of them. They also dress in different ways Daisy wear mainly white while Myrtle dresses with more colour. Myrtle says this in order to keep up her image of being rich. The reader can observe a noticeable disparity in the myrtle's environment when compared to Daisy's. This is principally due to the difference in wealth that they have. Myrtle live in an old dusty house that doubles as a garage that here husband runs. This is located in the valley of ashes with is described as â€Å"†¦a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hill and grotesque gardens.† From this description, it is lucid to the reader that the valley of ashes in an undesirable and unsightly place to live. There is a reason that they the author has chosen for Myrtle to live in such unpleasant surroundings. It could possible be because it her soundings reflect the way in with she uses people in order to climb the social ladder. This is in sharp contrast with Daisy who has a â€Å"cheerful red-and-white Georgian mansion, overlooking the bay.† They also live on East Egg, which is the one of the most fashionable parts of the island. She also has numer ous luxurious items at her disposal. For instance, they have â€Å"a snub nosed motor boat† and expensive cars as well as lots of horses. Another way that they differ is in the enjoyment that they get form life. Daisy is very bored with her life doesn't seem to have much fun even though she has lots of money. † I've been lying on that sofa for as long as I can remember.† This helps the reader form an image of her a person that has very few tasks to carry out. Throughout the course of the book it surfaces that although she has a comparatively meaningless existence. Myrtle on the other hand takes great pleasure in attempting to climb the social ladder. Although she makes attempts to appear bored the reader can see though these. It is apparent that she is delighted by the attention and complements that she gets while in the company of Tom. Daisy and Myrtle are discontented with the person that they are married to. However they are so for different reasons. Daisy discontent stems from Toms love for another woman Myrtle, while Myrtle is dissatisfaction is there because he has married a man that she sees as a loser. â€Å"He (her husband) is not fit to lick my shoe†, this sums up that way that she fells about her husband. Daisy takes the opposite view of the way the Tom is treating her. â€Å"It couldn't be helped† is her response when she finds out that Tom has another woman. She sees it as if it where fait that he would in the end love someone other than her. Overall the reader can see that there is a sizeable difference between Daisy and Myrtle. These two characters are not entirely dissimilar because they both share some dissatisfaction with their husbands but have different ways of handle there discontent.

Essay on Legalization of Same-Sex MarriageEssay Writing Service

Essay on Legalization of Same-Sex MarriageEssay Writing Service Essay on Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage Essay on Legalization of Same-Sex MarriageEveryone would agree that the increase of humanism and tolerance in the society is a positive tendency. At the same time, such tendency leads to the transformation of the society and the changes caused by greater tolerance are often controversial. One of highly controversial social issues is the legalization of same-sex marriage. Some 50 years ago, people could be arrested for having a partner of the same sex. Nowadays the attitudes have changed, and although there still exist many stereotypes, gays and lesbians are finally recognized as equal members of the society along with heterosexual persons. Despite greater tolerance, there are ongoing debates on the legalization of same-sex marriage. The main thesis of this paper is the following: same-sex marriage should be legalized since it will further reduce discrimination of same-sex couples, provide opportunities for realizing their social potential and will strengthen the equality and toleranc e in the society in general.The institution of marriage is changing along with other social institutions in the society. The number of countries and states where same sex marriage was legalized is increasing. By the end of 2011, 10 countries and 7 states legalized same-sex marriages (Chamie Mirkin, 2011). Such legal changes contribute to the promotion of non-discrimination in the society and enhance social equality. Indeed, a family is defined as the fundamental social group usually consisting of two parents and their children (Meezan Rauch, 2005) or a group of two or more people sharing goals and values and having long-term commitments (Clarke Finlay, 2004). Most of the definitions of family do not require partners to have different genders; children can be adopted or born using in-vitro fertilization or the help of surrogate mother. Therefore, legalizing same-sex marriage will help such families to become equal in rights with traditional families. Such equality will promote bet ter psychological, social and physical well-being of same-sex couples.The children who are reared in same-sex couples will also benefit from legalization of same-sex marriage because they will be able to receive adequate social support and protection. Furthermore, such children will perceive their parents and families as an integral part of the society; such changes of perception will contribute to greater social tolerance and equality in the future. Furthermore, the legalization of same-sex marriages will also have positive economic consequences for LGBT couples and for the country in general. Indeed, same-sex partners will be able to optimize their taxes and combine their earnings; they will get access to spousal health insurance, joint retirement investments, etc. According to Clarke Finlay (2004), federal budget and local budgets will also benefit from the legalization of same-sex marriage in the long-term perspective due to the reduction of cash assistance requests and Medicar e spending.There are several key arguments used by the opponents of same-sex marriages. The first and foremost argument is the negative impact of same-sex families on children. According to Muhlestein (2007), the argument against same-sex marriage is that it is damaging the traditional institution of family. The research of Joslin (2011) shows that marriage has an equally positive effect on financial well-being and on the stability and durability of the relationship between spouses. Furthermore, it was determined that children in same-sex families demonstrate similar development, social skills and life satisfaction compared to children from traditional families. Joslin (2011) states that the key factor influencing the well-being of children in same-sex families was the presence of prejudiced attitude to such non-traditional family: the lower the rate of prejudice was, the smaller was the difference between well-being of children from same-sex families and traditional families.Anothe r major argument against the legalization of same-sex marriage is the suggestion that it will encourage young people to choose same-sex partners and therefore will affect the processes of natural reproduction in the society. However, it is shown that both genetics and society influence the choices of homosexual people (Chamie Mirkin, 2011); in other words, the tendency to choose same-sex partners is driven by biological characteristics of a human being. The environment might indeed increase the chances for a child with LGBT inclination to engage in same-sex relationships. However, the legalization of same-sex marriages will help to reduce the ongoing debate about the discrimination of LBGT people and will help them to integrate in the society. This means in particular that the legalization of same-sex marriage will lead to the decrease of attention to LGBT questions and therefore children will be exposed to less information pertaining to LGBT than nowadays. In such circumstances, c hildren will be more likely to follow their natural preferences than in the situation of the ongoing social debate and increased social attention to homosexuality.Therefore, it is necessary to legalize same-sex marriage in order to make the society more equal, more efficient and more tolerant. In this case, same-sex couples will have the rights comparable with the rights of traditional couples. Same-sex families and children growing in these families will be better off due to the legalization of same-sex marriages, and there will be economic benefits influencing the whole society. Furthermore, the research of Joslin (2011) refutes the key argument of the opponents of same-sex marriage: it was shown that the well-being of children in same-sex families is the same as that of children in traditional families, and can be decreased mostly by the stereotypes pertaining to same-sex families. The legalization of same-sex marriage will help to eliminate these stereotypes and therefore improv e the well-being of children in these families. In addition, such decision will reduce the attention paid by the public to the questions of same-sex relationships and therefore reduce the potential impact of LGBT information on personal choices of young people. Therefore, due to the perceived positive effects on the society same-sex marriage should be legalized in the United States and worldwide.

4 Key Facts about MLA Referencing - Proofread My Paper

4 Key Facts about MLA Referencing - Proofread My Paper 4 Key Facts about MLA Referencing It’s easy to get bogged down in detail with referencing. But having a good overall sense of the system you’re using is important. As such, today we’re looking at MLA referencing in overview, which should give you an idea of how to use MLA citations effectively. 1. What is MLA Referencing? MLA referencing is a citation format developed by the Modern Language Association (MLA). Since the MLA is an association for scholars of language and literature, MLA referencing is most commonly used in the liberal arts and humanities. 2. When Do I Need to Cite a Source in MLA? Many worry about not having â€Å"enough† citations in their work, but it’s more important to know when a citation is required. MLA specifies citing a source when: Quoting a source directly to support your own arguments Using data or other content published elsewhere Paraphrasing someone else’s ideas in your own words However, it isn’t necessary to give a citation when referring to something that is common knowledge, such as â€Å"snow is cold† or â€Å"people in France speak French.† French snow is cold, too. (Photo: Yann Caradec/flickr) 3. Citation Format The general citation format in MLA requires giving the author’s surname and page numbers (if available) in parentheses after the relevant passage: Freedom creates â€Å"obstacles from which we suffer† (Sartre 495). If the author is named in the text, simply give the page numbers instead: According to Sartre, freedom also creates â€Å"obstacles† (495). This format differs slightly when citing multiple works by the same author. When this occurs, you should also give a shortened version of the source title in the citation instead to avoid confusion: Sartre says that freedom creates â€Å"obstacles† and that this is part of existentialism (Being and Nothingness 495). We also use the title in citations when a source has no named author. 4. The Page MLA requires all cited sources to be listed on a â€Å"† page at the end of your document. This list should: Begin on a new page at the end of your paper Order sources alphabetically by author name, surname first List multiple works by the same author alphabetically by title, using three hyphens () in place of the author’s name for each entry after the first Capitalize each of the main words in titles, but not articles, prepositions or conjunctions unless they’re the first word of a title or subtitle Italicize titles of longer works (e.g., books and films) and use quotation marks for shorter works (e.g., journal articles and poems) Use a half-inch hanging indent for each line after the first for each reference The information to include in the list for any given source depends to some extent on its format. However, it will almost always feature the author’s name, a title, and publication details. For instance, the book used in the examples above would appear as: Sartre, Paul. Being and Nothingness. Translated by Hazel E. Barnes. Routledge, 1969. Its possible that nobody has ever looked more like a French philosopher than Sartre does here.

The Structure of Biological Membrane Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Structure of Biological Membrane - Essay Example However, membranes are not only passive barriers. They include a set of proteins specialized for promoting or catalyzing various cellular processes (Nelson & Cox 2004, p.369). Molecular transportation is the most important function of membranes facilitated by carrier and channel proteins (McKee 2004, p.62). General questions of transportation and channeling across biologic membranes are well considered in the encompassing textbooks of Lodish (2003, p.245-300), Nelson & Cox (2004, p.369-420), Kuchel & Ralston (1997, p.171-184), McKee (2004, p.353-366), Garrett & Grisham (1999, p.259-326), etc., in special monographs, e.g. Keizer (2000) and also in a variety of articles. All cells acquire from its environs the raw materials for biosynthesis and for energy production, and also release to its environment the byproducts of metabolism. Only some nonpolar compounds can cross the membrane unassisted. However, for polar or charged compounds or ions, a membrane protein is essential for transmembrane movement. Membrane transport mechanisms are vital to living organisms. Ions and molecules constantly move across cell plasma membranes and across the membranes of organelles. This flux must be regulated to meet each cell's metabolic needs. For example, a cell's plasma membrane regulates the entrance of nutrient molecules and the exit of waste products. Additionally, it regulates intracellular ion concentrations. Because lipid bilayers of membranes are generally impenetrable to ions and polar substances, specific transport components must be inserted into cellular membranes (McKee 2004, p.372). In the simplest cases a membrane protein facilitates the diffusion of a solute down its concentration gradient. However, transportation often occurs against a gradient of concentration, electrical charge, or both. In such cases, solutes must be "pumped" that requires energy. The necessary energy may come from ATP hydrolysis (i.e. directly), or may be supplied indirectly, e.g. in the form of movement of another solute down its electrochemical gradient with enough energy to carry another solute up its gradient (Nelson & Cox 2004, p.389; Garrett & Grisham 1999, p.296). Ions may also move across membranes via ion channels formed by proteins, or they may be carried across by ionophores, small molecules that mask the charge of the ions and allow them to diffuse through the lipid bilayer of membrane. With very few exceptions, the traffic of small molecules across the plasma membrane is mediated by proteins such as transmembrane channels, carriers, or pumps (Nelson & Cox 2004, p.391). So, ions cannot pass freely through the cell's phospholipid membrane. Instead, most ions flow through special channels built from multiple protein subunits. These subunits together form a pore across the membrane. Some channels are gated, fitted with proteins that act "as hinged doors, blocking the opening until

Role of the a3b4 nicotinic receptor in drug addiction and in the Essay

Role of the a3b4 nicotinic receptor in drug addiction and in the antiaddictive action of novel ibogaine analogs - Essay Example The abnormalities that produce addiction, however, are wide-ranging, complex, and long-lasting. They may involve an interaction of environmental effects, for example, stress, the social context of initial substance use, and psychological conditioning. Many factors, both individual and environmental, influence whether a particular person who experiments with drugs will continue taking them long enough to become dependent or addicted. For individuals who do continue, the drug's ability to provide intense feelings of pleasure is a critical reason (Kalivas and Volkow, 2007). Historical and social factors are keys to the understanding of addictive disorders. These factors affect the rates of addictive disorders in the community, the types of substances abused, the characteristics of abusive users, the course of these disorders, and the efficacy of treatment. Addictive substances aid expression of several human functions that can enhance both individual and social existence. On the individual level, desirable ends include the following: relief of adverse mental and emotional states, relief of physical symptoms, stimulation to function despite fatigue or boredom, and â€Å"time-out† from day-to-day existence through altered states of consciousness. Substance use and dependence cause a significant burden to individuals and societies throughout the world. The World Health Report 2002 indicated that 8.9% of the total burden of disease comes from the use of psychoactive substances (World Health Organization, 2004). The report showed that tobacco accounte d for 4.1%, alcohol 4%, and illicit drugs 0.8% of the burden of disease in 2000. Much of the burden attributable to substance use and dependence is the result of a wide variety of health and social problems, including HIV/AIDS, which is driven in many countries by injecting drug use. Over the past decade, use of addictive substances has infiltrated its way into the mainstream culture in certain countries. Younger people in particular seem to possess a skewed sense of safety about these substances, believing rather erroneously that they are safe and benign. Meanwhile, addictive substances are posing a serious threat to the health, social and economic fabric of families, communities, and countries. For many countries, the economic burden is relatively new, but