Insects and Other Arthropods That Make Galls

Insects and Other Arthropods That Make Galls Have you ever noticed unusual lumps, spheres, or masses on trees or other plants? These strange formations are called galls. Galls come in many sizes and shapes. Some galls look and feel like pompoms, while others are hard as rocks. Galls may occur on every part of plants, from the leaves to the roots. What Are Galls? Galls are abnormal growths of plant tissue trigger in response to an injury to or an irritation of the plant, usually (but not always) caused by some living organism. Nematodes, bacteria, fungi, and viruses can all cause the formation of galls on trees, shrubs, and other plants. Most galls, however, result from insect or mite activity. Gallmaking insects or mites initiate gall formation by feeding on a plant, or by laying eggs on plant tissues. The insects or mites interact with the plant during a period of rapid growth, such as when leaves are opening. Scientists believe that gallmakers secrete chemicals that regulate or stimulate plant growth. These secretions cause rapid cell multiplication in the affected area of the meristematic tissue. Galls can only form on growing tissue. Most gallmaking activity occurs in the spring or early summer. Galls serve several important purposes for the gallmaker. The developing insect or mite resides within the gall, where it is sheltered from the weather and from predators. The young insect or mite also feeds on the gall. Eventually, the mature insect or mite emerges from the gall. After the gallmaking insect or mite leaves, the gall remains behind on the host plant. Other insects, such as beetles or caterpillars, may move into the gall for shelter or to feed. Which Insects Make Galls? Insects that make galls include certain kinds of wasps, beetles, aphids, and flies. Other arthropods, like mites, can cause gall formations, too. Each gallmaker produces its own unique gall, and you can often tell which kind of insect made the gall by its shape, texture, size, and host plant. Psyllids  -  Some jumping plant lice, or psyllids, produce galls. If you find galls on hackberry leaves, theres a good chance it was caused by a psyllid. They feed in spring, triggering the formation of two well-known leaf galls: hackberry nipple galls, and hackberry blister galls.Gallmaking aphids  -  Aphids  belonging to the subfamily Eriosomatinae cause gall formations on the stems and petioles of certain trees, most notably cottonwood and poplar. Aphid galls vary in shape, from a cockscomb-shaped growth on elm leaves to a cone-shaped gall that forms on witch hazel.Gallmaking adelgids  -  Gallmaking adelgids target conifers, for the most part. One common species,  Adelges abietis, causes pineapple-shaped galls on Norway and white spruce twigs, as well as on Douglas fir. Another, the Cooley spruce gall adelgid, makes galls that look like cones on Colorado blue spruce and white spruce.Phylloxerans  -  Phylloxerans (family Phylloxeridae), though tiny, do their sha re of gallmaking, too. The most notorious of the group is the grape phylloxera, which produces galls on both the roots and leaves of grape plants. In 1860, this North American insect was accidentally introduced into France, where it nearly destroyed the wine industry. French vineyards had to graft their grape vines onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock from the U.S. to save their industry. Gall wasps  -  Gall wasps, or cynipid wasps, comprise the largest group of gallmaking insects, with over 1,000 species known globally. Cynipid wasps produce most of the galls on oak trees and plants within the rose family. Some gall wasps oviposit in galls created by other species, rather than induce the growth of their own. Cynipid wasps sometimes develop within galls that have fallen from the host plant.  Jumping oak galls  are so named because they roll and bounce around the forest floor as the larva inside moves.Gall midges  -  Gall midges or gall gnats make up the second largest group of gallmaking insects. These true flies belong to the family Cecidomyiidae, and are quite tiny, measuring 1-5 mm in length. The maggots, which develop within the gall, come in strangely bright colors like orange and pink. Midge galls form on various parts of plants, from the leaves to the roots. Common galls formed by gall midges include the pinecone willow gall and the maple leaf spot. Gall flies  -  Some genera of fruit flies produce stem galls.  Eurosta  gall flies develop and overwinter within goldenrod galls. Some  Urophora  gall flies were introduced into North America from their native Europe, as biocontrols for invasive plants like knapweed and bull thistle. Gallmaking sawflies  -  Sawflies produce some unusual galls, most commonly on willows and poplars. The leaf galls induced by  Phyllocolpa  sawflies look like someone crimped or folded the leaves. The sawfly larva feeds within the crinkled leaf.  Pontania  sawflies produce strange, globular galls that protrude through both sides of a willow leaf. Some  Euura  sawflies cause petiole swelling in willows.Gallmaking moths  -  A few moths make galls, too. Some micromoths in the genus  Gnorimoschema  induce stem galls in goldenrod, where the larvae pupate. The midrib gall moth produces an odd leaf formation in buckthorn. The center of the leaf is rolled tight, with the sides joining to form a pouch in which the larva resides.Beetles and weevils  -  A handful of metallic wood-boring beetles (Buprestridae) are known to produce galls in their host plants.  Agrilus ruficollis  induces galls in blackberries.  Ruficollis  translates to redneck, a specific name that refers to this insects red  pronotum. Another species,  Agrilus champlaini, creates galls in Ironwood. Long-horned beetles of the genus  Saperda  also produce galls, in stems and twigs of alder, hawthorn, and poplar. A few weevils also cause swellings in their host plants tissues.  Podapion gallicola, for example, causes galls in pine twigs. Gall mites  -  Gall mites of the family Eriophyidae produce unusual galls on leaves and flowers. The mites begin feeding on their host plants just as buds are opening in the spring. Eriophyid galls may form as finger-like projections or warty bumps on leaves. Some gall mites produce a velvety discoloration of the leaves. Will Galls Damage My Plants? Insect enthusiasts and naturalists probably find insect galls interesting or even beautiful. Gardeners and landscapers, though, may be less enthused to discover insect galls on trees and shrubs and may be concerned about insect gall damage. Fortunately, with few exceptions, insects galls do not damage trees and shrubs. While they may look unsightly, particularly on specimen trees, most healthy, well-established trees and shrubs will be unaffected by galls in the long run. Heavy gall formations may slow growth. Because the negative impact of galls on plants is largely aesthetic, control measures for galls or  gallmaking insects  are rarely warranted. Leaf galls will fall off, either with the leaves themselves or from the leaves once the insect or mite has emerged. Galls on twigs and branches can be pruned out. A gall that has already formed cannot be treated or sprayed to eliminate it. The gall is part of the plant itself. Gallmaking insects, it should be noted, will attract their own biological controls in the form of  parasitoids  and predators. If your landscape is riddled with galls this year, give it time. Nature will restore the balance in your ecosystem.

Commodification vs. Commoditization

Commodification vs. Commoditization Commodification vs. Commoditization Commodification vs. Commoditization By Maeve Maddox When I first encountered the word commoditization, I thought it was just an ugly synonym for commodification. I’ve discovered that–in American business parlance– commoditization is not at all synonymous with commodification. The Oxford English Dictionary has separate entries for both nouns, but assigns commoditization the same definition as commodification: the action of turning something into, or treating something as, a (mere) commodity; commercialization of an activity, etc., that is not by nature commercial. American usage would agree with this as a definition of commodification, but commoditization receives a different definition in Merriam-Webster: commoditization: to render (a good or service) widely available and interchangeable with one provided by another company. In a business context, commoditization occurs when a manufacturer’s product or a provider’s service loses its initial uniqueness in the market. The Web abounds with articles about this phenomenon: Avoiding the Black Hole of Commoditization How Dow Corning Beat Commoditization By Embracing It How to Avoid The Commoditization Trap Software Commoditization vs. Customization 4 Ways Energy Utilities Companies can Beat Commoditization For the consumer, a commodity is merchandise, something to be purchased. For the businessman, a commodity is a product or service that a consumer feels is interchangeable with any other of the same type. Bottom line: Commodification is putting a price on things that shouldn’t have a price, things like friendship, knowledge, and beautiful women. Commoditization is what happens when a name brand is perceived as being no more desirable than the store brand. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Farther vs. FurtherThe Letter "Z" Will Be Removed from the English Alphabet20 Slang Terms for Law Enforcement Personnel

Hazards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hazards - Essay Example Because of the large area that the fire covered, as many as 563 fire personnel, 39 fire engines, 20 fire crews, a helicopter, five dozers, up to nine water tenders, and four fire departments were working side-by-side in order to put a large fire under control. The management responses as well as recovery efforts were deemed successful because compared to other reported incidents in areas up to 400% smaller, the time spent in managing the fire in Flynn Creek Road was comparable in brevity, considering the large area where the wild fire occurred. California Wild Fires as Environmental Hazards Fires have been an integral part of ecosystems and human societies for as long as history has been known. When properly used, it can give a lot of benefits such as clearing lands for agriculture, oxidizing all possibly flammable organic materials, hastening the decomposition process of detritus, and inducing growth in forests (Omi, 2005). However, when fires are left to burn on their own and uncon trolled in rural or woodland areas, fired could gain enough power to destroy nearby buildings, acres of land, or large parts of forest areas, causing numerous damage not just in human settlements but also in the natural environment as well. Thus, it is essential that fires occurring in places that contain many flammable materials and things such as forests and woodlands be controlled as much as possible in order to prevent damages (Omi, 2005). One of the most well-known places often seen in news having reported incidents of uncontrolled fires is the State of California. Fire ecology has been most extensively studied in California, mainly due to its numerous and diverse ecosystems (Sugihara et al., 2009). Wildfires occurring during the hot summer months have been reported as a part of the complex interactions between the environment, the atmosphere, and the climate of California. Due to the natural occurrence of fires in its forests, many plants in California have evolved into fire-t olerant species, some of which even need the fires to complete their life cycles (Sugihara et al., 2009). Still, these wild fires are still needed to be controlled because aside from the potential dangers posed to humans and settlements, entire ecosystems could also get wiped out, disrupting the balance of nature. It is good to know that the number of ignitions reported each year is less important than the size of the area burned, due to the wild fires being controlled at the earliest time possible (Omi, 2005). The knowledge that wild fires are attended to by the Fire Departments give assurance to residents not just in California but also in other places that most wild fires are stopped before extending over larger areas. In one of the most recent reported and managed wild fires by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CAL FIRE, a large area had to be attended by numerous fire personnel in order for the fire to be controlled at the least time possible. In Men docino County in California, an area 195 acres and enclosed by Flynn Creek Road and the Comptche Ukiah Road near the Comptche Community caught fire October 1, at around 2:20 PM (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE, 2012). It was fully controlled October 4, at around 6:15 PM, 75 hours after it was first reported. Despite

Art Appreciation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 5

Art Appreciation - Essay Example Although these artists came from different places, their works exhibited some similarities. Equally, they had many differences including the intention and purpose of their artworks. During the ancient time, the pharaohs and other Egyptian authorities were powerful and had much influence on every economic sector. As a result, Egyptians were subjected to strict artistic laws. The authorities ensured every artist in the country worked and performed his/her acts under the specific rules of symmetry enacted by the government (Robins 12). In addition, the authorities dictated their work and used them mostly for ceremonial activities organized in the country. On the other hand, Greeks had freedom and power to perform their arts freely without interference from the government. They had the freedom to use their talents and gifts to experiment with every style and concept they liked or saw. As a result, art in Greece was a way of expressing ones thoughts and ideas freely as opposed to Egypt where artists were restricted and had suggestions of what to do from the authorities. Furthermore, Egyptian artist`s works were much more religion-oriented. They did pictures and portraits depicting their gods with holy writings of the scriptures on their artworks. Most of their royal hieroglyphs and incantations were written throughout their beautiful and attractive pyramids (Robins 18). Furthermore, due to the authoritative and influential nature of their kings and officials, artists viewed their king as holy and divine and did most of their artworks to honor and respect them. In contrast, in Greece artworks were not religious oriented. These groups of brilliant and creative artists did their work based on the philosophy and moral balance. Most of their artworks reflected their thoughts and views on various important and pressing issues in the society and world at large. For instance, Greeks statues exhibited emotions. Greeks brought out their real

The Stereotypical Male Character and Masculinity Essay Example for Free

The Stereotypical Male Character and Masculinity Essay Social pressure often compels people to do things against their own will. The role of the male in a society is based on a stereotypical figure which represents what all real men should be like. In Romeo and Juliet, the protagonist is an effeminate version of the males in his society. As a result, he is depressed and feels left out. Contrarily, Mercutio is a manlier and more provocative male which portrays the alpha male and all his obligations and responsibility that comes along in his society. In Brokeback Mountain, Jack and Ennis portray the image of American cowboys, but ultimately are unable to maintain this image due to their desire for each other. In Romeo and Juliet and Brokeback Mountain, the term masculinity differs depending on the time frame and restrains the role of the male in the society in which they live in. Masculinity works differently in Romeo and Juliet and Brokeback Mountain as it can be represented as an obligation, a facade or a constraint due to social pressure. In Romeo and Juliet, masculinity is regarded as a role that the male is obligated to take in order to satisfy the social construct of his time. Romeo is forced into real society and he feels that he does not have any alternative in his life. Consequently, he is depressed and hopes for someone that could free him of this desperation. Juliet serves as a catalyst in Romeo’s life as she convinces him to be who he is. Unfortunately, his role of the alpha male takes priority as his best friend, Mercutio dies: â€Å"My very friend, hath got this mortal hurt O sweet Juliet, / Thy beauty hath made me effeminate, / And in my temper softened valour’s steel† (Shakespeare act 3. 1, 110-15). Even though Romeo does not want to fight, he is forced to do so or else he would be seen as a coward who let his best friend die in vain. To mask his own weakness, he finds the excuse that Juliet’s beauty blinded his judgement. Furthermore, the harsh reality of the social construct is directly reflected through the family feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. For instance, Tybalt is portrayed as a ruthless thug powered only by his hatred of the Montagues. As such, he is convinced that â€Å"[Romeo] art a villain† (Shakespeare act 3. 1, 60). Romeo represents the complete opposite of the role of the male in his society. He is portrayed as an effeminate man driven by poetry and romance. In contrast, Tybalt plays the role of the straight forward stereotypical male of his time and shows that Romeo’s world is strictly based on duty. Shakespeare shows that masculinity reflects all males in a particular society and that it is displayed differently depending on social construct. In Brokeback Mountain, Jack and Ennis use a masculine facade to repress their own sexuality, but ultimately, their love for each other prove to be stronger. The story takes place in the Bible Belt, a place where sexuality and races are oppressed. Due to this setting, the two lovers are unable to express their affection for each other with normal means. In fact, the fake identities that they create ultimately lead them to destruction. Jack and Ennis are unable to express their true feelings and this restricts them to reach the happiness that they strive. For instance, after their separation, â€Å"Within a mile Ennis fe[els] like someone [is] pulling his guts out [Ennis] fe[els] about as bad as he ever had† (Proulx 18). Unconsciously, Ennis pours his feelings out for Jack and feels that he has lost someone very important. Even though their reality does not allow their union, the desire that they have for each other is real and their bond cannot be broken easily. Furthermore, the relationship between them is special; they are unconditionally attracted to each other and express this attachment with contact. In fact after four years not seeing each other, Jack and Ennis â€Å"seiz[e] each other by the shoulders, hug[s] mightily their mouths came together, and hard† (Proulx 21). As they do not know how else to express their feelings, the best way for them to show their love is by actions. Jack and Ennis’ forbidden love prove to be difficult, but their strong desire for each other proves to be stronger than the image of masculinity that they forged. In both works, masculinity is an insurmountable wall that constrains the characters to move out of their comfort zones. In Romeo and Juliet, the role of the alpha male plays an important part in the story mainly because it is a stimulant which makes the story progress. For instance, Mercutio’s mouth cannot rest and this often puts him into difficult situations. Mercutio’s ego is bigger than he can wield and this reflects in his actions in the dispute between him and Tybalt: â€Å"Men’s eyes were made to look, and let them gaze / I will not budge for no man’s pleasure† (Shakespeare act 3. 1, 53-4). Mercutio is ready to fight till the very end for his own beliefs; he is obstinate and never backs down. This show how little options the alpha male or males in general in this society have as they have to fight every moment for their beliefs since it is the only way for them to feel that they are free. In Brokeback Mountain, Jack and Ennis are engulfed in a world where males are judged by their sexuality. Jack and Ennis are engulfed in a world where love is one dimensional. The forbidden love that the two experience is something that they cannot understand and as such, they try to hide its very existence. In fact, even after many sexual intercourses, Ennis still claims that: â€Å"‘I’m no queer,’ and Jack [also adds] in with ‘Me neither. A one-shot thing. Nobody’s business but ours’ † (Proulx 15). By living in this oppressing environment, the two lovers are unable to express their true feelings as there are no words to express what they really feel for each other. Jack and Ennis are afraid of the boundary that exceeds what they already know as such, they want to stay inside what they already know about love and refuses to believe that their relationship is more than physical. In both works, the stereotypical male role dictates the men’ responsibilities and thus creates a dystopia where men are unable to come across this boundary that they set for themselves. In conclusion, masculinity is an ever changing aspect of a society. It is something that defines the very being of the male in his environment. The man in a particular society holds responsibilities that he cannot escape nor hide from where violence and viciousness is at its peak. In Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio abides to his role as the alpha male, but only receive grief and misfortune. In Brokeback Mountain, Jack and Ennis try to hide their love by acting masculine, but ultimately cannot resist to their temptations. As masculinity evolves throughout societies, the term remains straightforward and stereotypical where there is no escape and where tragedy ensues.

The Third Bank of the River :: Third Bank River Essays

The Third Bank of the River Beginning shortly before the turn of the last century, there was a noticeable trend towards the ambiguous in modern Brazilian literature. Writers such as Machado de Assis and Jorge Amado have both explored the use of the unstated and the forced compromise between extremes that have grown to be so crucial to the modernist movement. No Brazilian author, however, has mastered the compromise quite like Joà £o Guimarà £es Rosa, a man who was once described as not only leading, but preceding the reader "to a place where there is discord and cacophony under which there is a strange harmony†¦the third bank of the river†¦the land every soul craves for." In his collection of short stories, Primeiras Està ³rias (1962), Rosa pays particularly close attention to ambiguity as a main theme in Brazilian backland writing. First translated to English in 1968 under the title First Stories, Primeiras Està ³rias, and in particular, "The Third Bank of the River," is in many ways the defining work of the Brazilian short story. Carl Jung once said "the confrontation of the two positions [of opposites] generates a tension charged with energy and creates a living, third thing."1 In "The Third Bank of the River," Joà £o Guimarà £es Rosa does just that by first exploring these separate, symbolic opposites in the lives of members of the narrator’s family. He then crafts, out of the conflict, a third position which can be, at best, described as a compromise between the two extremes. Often times, these extremes are the very definitions of characterization we come to expect in a short story, and, by blurring these lines, Rosa is able to also blur "The Third Bank of the River" into a work of ambiguous and allegorical nature. By never exactly defining the third essence that is created, the author is able to explore this clearly important topic in greater depth. The importance of the crossing is that, in every case the author presents, it represents the journey from one position to its opposite, continuing un til the characters reach their final destination: the third, intermediate situation. It is in this way that father’s crossing has a profound effect on the family (most notably the narrator) and the way they conduct the rest of their lives. The important thing to recognize immediately about "The Third Bank of the River" is that it can either be read as a literal retelling of the events or as a metaphor concerning the death of a loved one.

Administrative Policy

The case of Mrs. Kelly and Mr. Eldridge are different in nature. Mrs. Kelly is fighting for her welfare benefits, while Mr. Eldridge is fighting for his disability benefit. Under the same point, they are both claiming that the terminations of their benefits were made without giving them the opportunity to undergo a â€Å"pre-evidentiary hearing†, which they both believe is a deprivation of their rights to enjoy the benefits of due process of law.While both of them are entitled to be given pre-evidentiary hearing, but the nature of their benefits, and the circumstances that they are fighting are totally different. Mr. Eldridge’s case can be easily won; it only requires an effort of collecting medical information, as the case itself tackles disability benefit eligibility, Compared to Mrs. Kelly’s case, Mr. Eldridge has lots of options for proving his eligibility.On the other hand, Mrs. Kelly’s case requires a deeper type of inquiry to prove her eligibility. However, under both are entitled to be given due process. But the court had prioritized Mrs. Kelly’s case as it requires broader scope of study compared to Mr. Eldridge. The court just wants to set priorities on their caseloads at hand. Under the Goss v. Lopez, and the Ingraham v. Wright cases, again the weight of the interest and the liberty which is at stake is given higher value. In the first case, there were two major areas which are considered. First, students are entitled to avail education at schools. Second, expulsion, suspension, or any disciplinary actions imposed by schools can have an effect on the morality of the student.Considering these two points, the school can’t impose disciplinary actions to students without pre-evidentiary hearing, because the degree of risk associated with imposing penalties is very high, therefore, it should be cautiously done. On the second case, complainants were fighting against imposing corporal punishment at schools. Imposing physical punishments such as paddling, betting, or forcing students to do shameless activities is against the law.Students have the rights to be protected from such actions. However, this strategy of disciplining students has been traditionally applied by the school. Although this also involves degrading the morality of the students, or inflicting physical abuse, but this is still different from the Goss v. Lopez case.The first case was characterized by imposing suspension, or expulsion, therefore, the student’s right to avail the right education is suppressed. But in either case, the presence of pre-evidentiary hearing is required; however, this is again another issue of prioritizing caseloads at the hands of the courts. Pickering and Nurse Churchill’s cases differ in nature. Both employees were entitled to their rights to speak about their opinion. However, Pickering’s allegations are more viewed as an issue of public concern. The nature at which Mr. Pickerin g spoke of his idea is more reasonable and formal in nature, he wrote it in address to the people whom he wants to question.But Churchill’s case was somewhat like spreading rumors or hearsay. Mr. Pickering’s case can be easily protected under the rights to speech while Churchill has more complexities.All cases have good grounds on due process recognition. However, the aspect of how it can be processed under their claims requires more effort which the courts and other judicial system prioritize in terms of the validity of its claims and the level of interest and liberty of the different parties at stake.

Traditions in British Culture

Traditions in Britain Culture Britain is full of various types of traditions. They have been around for hundreds of years. When most people think of Britain they think of eating Fish and Chips, or drinking tea and wearing bowler hats. There is a lot more to it than just that. St. George’s day is one of the most important days for England. It is known as their national day. April 23rd is when St. George’s day is celebrated. St. George is the patron saint of England, he protested against the Romans torture of Christians and died because of his beliefs.On Sundays the main meal of the day is often eaten at midday instead of in the evening. This meal usually is a Roast Dinner consisting of roast meat, Yorkshire pudding and two or three kinds of vegetables. Symbols that identify British Culture include: †¢The three national symbols: †¢The Union Jack: The flag of the United Kingdom, it dates back to 1603. When James VI (6th) of Scotland inherited the English and Iris h thrones. Joining together the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland in a personal union. The Red Rose: It is the national flower of England. †¢And the three Lions Crest also known as the Royal Arms of England: The three golden lions on a red background, symbolizing England †¢The Royal Family: Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry. †¢Royal Guards: Life Guard, Foot Guard and Beefeater †¢On the Streets of England: Red double decker buses, Black taxi cabs, Pillar box (Post Box) and Telephone Box †¢ Song:God Save the Queen is the English anthem, it can also be known as God save the King when the Monarch is a male. When sung people usually only sings one or two of the verses, since over the years many people have contributed into adding another verse into the song. The many candidates for authorship on this song include John Bull, Thomas Ravenscroft, Henry Purcell, and Henry Carey. Currency: The pound sterling, often simply called the pound, is the currency of the United Kingdom. It is subdivided into 100 pence. Singular form is a penny) Education: British children are required by law to have an education until they are 16 years old and after that they are free to not go to school. Education is compulsory, but school is not. Children aren’t required to attend school, but the only other option is to be educated at home. The main school holidays are: Christmas (2 weeks long), Spring- 2 weeks long, and summer that is 6 weeks long. There are also one-week holidays that are at the end of October, the middle of February and the end of may.

Brevity in Speech and Writing

Brevity in Speech and Writing Brevity is shortness in duration and/or conciseness of expression in a  speech  or a  written text. Contrast with verbosity. Brevity is generally considered a stylistic virtue as long as its not achieved at the expense of clarity. Examples and Observations If you would be pungent, be brief; for it is with words as with sunbeamsthe more they are condensed, the deeper they burn.(Robert Southey)Brevity is a great charm of eloquence.(Cicero)How brief? Well, as brief as possible but not so brief that the message doesnt get across. But messages vary so. Beat it! is short enough but very long when you reckon in the attitude that comes with it. . . . Brevity, then, depends on the message. . .Brevity, in most human communication, remains a variable governed by social relationships as much as by factual baggage. One is brief in all kinds of ways, and Poloniuss objection, This is too long, always means Too long for this person, place, and time.(Richard Lanham, Analyzing Prose, 2nd ed. Continuum, 2003)[S]ince brevity is the soul of wit,And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,I will be brief . . ..(Polonius in William Shakespeares Hamlet, Act 2, scene 2)There are no hard and fast rules in writing for the ear, but after more than fifty year s of working at it, I believe in some rough guidelines.Two of them are: short is usually better than long and dont waste words. The bank robber Willie Sutton got it right when he was asked why he robbed banks. Thats where the money is, he replied. Have you ever heard three words that convey a message better than stick em up, or Ive had it! or Im outta here? Have you ever heard anyone express himself better, faster, or more to the point than the judge who had the following exchange in his courtroom: As God is my judge, the defendant said, I am not guilty. To which the magistrate answered, Hes not! I am! You are!Now thats good writing. No unnecessary adverbs or adjectives, just telling it like it is. Dont be afraid to write the way people talk.(Don Hewitt, Tell Me a Story: Fifty Years and 60 Minutes in Television, PublicAffairs, 2001) Brevity in Presentations Edit ruthlessly. Brevity, always a virtue, is doubly so when youre trying to avoid watering down your impact. Matt Eventoff, principal of Princeton Public Speaking, in Princeton, N.J., says: This is stuff we’ve all known instinctivelyanyone who’s sat in a corporate meeting over the past 20 years, with slide after slide after slide of information. It can be very powerful information, but it’s overwhelmingyou don’t know what it’s saying. Are we in good shape or in bad shape? You can’t tell. When all the points of your presentation don’t back up your streamlined theme, you really risk losing people and also potentially turning them off. (Christopher Bonanos, Quit While Youre Ahead. Bloomberg Businessweek, Dec. 3-Dec. 9, 2012) Brevity and Conciseness Brevity is often used indifferently with conciseness; but when any difference is implied, then properly speaking, brevity refers to the matter, conciseness to the style. In fact, when brevity of style is spoken of, it may be considered synonymous with conciseness. Strictly speaking, however, brevity merely implies the use of few words, while conciseness implies a great deal of matter concentrated in a small space. (Elizabeth Jane Whately, A Selection of English Synonyms, 1852) Brevity and Clarity It must be recognized that it is very difficult for those giving attention to brevity also to give due care to clarity; for often we either make the language unclear for the sake of clarity or for claritys sake we have to speak at length. It is necessary, then, to be on the lookout whether the brevity is proportional, neither leaving out anything necessary nor including more than is needed. (Nicolaus the Sophist, quoted by George A. Kennedy in Progymnasmata: Greek Textbooks of Prose Composition and Rhetoric. Society of Biblical Literature, 2003) Safires Contrarian View of Brevity Every book on writing you can find these days says essentially the same thing: keep it short. Take it a bite at a time. Dispense with the adjectival frills. Put the punch in the verb and not the adverb (he added weakly). Edit, edit, edit, and avoid repetition. Less is more, spare is fair. . . Maybe we are going overboard. The burst of the business memo, the snap-and-spit of the television news bite, the mincing sentences of post-Hemingway novelistsall have led to the canonization of brevity.. Introduce it, lay it out, sum it up. The dash is dead. It is not for nothing, as the Communists say, that the hottest word in communication is briefing. (William Safire, Introduction: Watch My Style. Language Maven Strikes Again. Doubleday, 1990) The Lighter Side of Brevity People whose vision is perfect in every other respect suffer from a curious astigmatism which prevents them from recognizing a stopping point when they come to it. We suggest to some ingenious inventor that he devise a combination of time clock and trip hammer by which a dull, blunt instrument shall be liberated at the end of five minutes so that it may fall with great force, killing the after dinner speaker and amusing the spectators. (Heywood Broun, We Have With Us This Evening. Pieces of Hate and Other Enthusiasms. Charles H. Doran, 1922)[Calvin Coolidges] most celebrated trait was his taciturnity. An oft-told story, which has never been verified, is that a woman sitting next to him at dinner gushed, Mr. President, my friend bet me that I wouldnt be able to get you to say three words tonight. You lose, the president supposedly responded.(Bill Bryson, One Summer: America, 1927. Doubleday, 2013) EtymologyFrom the Latin, short

The Tragic Life, Murder Case of Dr. Sam Sheppard

The Tragic Life, Murder Case of Dr. Sam Sheppard Marilyn Sheppard was brutally murdered while her husband, Dr. Sam Sheppard, slept downstairs. Dr. Sheppard was sentenced to life in prison for the murder. He was eventually freed from prison, but the scars of the injustices he had to endure were permanent. Attorney F. Lee Bailey fought for Sheppards freedom, and won. Sam and Marilyn Sheppard Sam Sheppard was voted the man Most Likely to Succeed by his senior high school class. He was athletic, smart, good looking, and came from a good family. Marilyn Sheppard was attractive, with hazel eyes and long brown hair. The two began dating while in high school and eventually married after Sam graduated from the Los Angeles Osteopathic School of Physicians in September 1945. After he had graduated from medical school, Sam continued his studies and received his Doctor of Osteopathy degree. He went to work at the Los Angeles County Hospital. His father, Dr. Richard Sheppard, and his two older brothers Richard and Stephen also doctors, were running a family hospital and convinced Sam to return to Ohio in the summer of 1951 to work in the family practice. By this point, the young couple had a four-year-old son, Samuel Reese Sheppard (Chip), and with a loan from Sams father, they purchased their first home. The home sat on a high cliff overlooking Lake Erie shore in Bay Village, a semi-elite suburb of Cleveland. Marilyn settled into the life of being married to a physician. She was a mother, homemaker, and taught Bible classes at their Methodist Church. A Marriage in Trouble The couple, both sports enthusiasts, spent their leisure time playing golf, water skiing, and having friends over for parties. To most, Sam and Marilyns marriage seemed free of problems, but in truth, the marriage was suffering due to Sams infidelities. Marilyn knew about Sams affair with a former Bay View nurse named Susan Hayes. According to Sam Sheppard, although the couple experienced problems, divorce was never discussed as they worked to revitalize their marriage. Then tragedy struck. A Bushy Haired Intruder On the night of July 4, 1954, Marilyn, who was four months pregnant, and Sam entertained neighbors until midnight. After the neighbors left, Sam fell asleep on the couch and Marilyn went to bed. According to Sam Sheppard, he was awakened by what he thought was his wife calling his name. He ran to their bedroom and saw someone who he described later as a bushy haired man fighting with his wife but was immediately struck on the head, rendering him unconscious. When Sheppard awoke, he checked the pulse of his blood-covered wife and determined she was dead. He then went to check on his son and found him unharmed. Hearing noises coming from downstairs, he ran down and discovered the back door open. He ran outside and could see someone moving toward the lake and as he caught up with him, the two began to fight. Sheppard was struck again and lost consciousness. For months, Sam would describe what happened over and over- but few believed him. Sam Sheppard Is Arrested Sam Sheppard was arrested for the murder of his wife on July 29, 1954. On Dec. 21, 1954, he was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. A pre-trial media blitz, a biased judge, and police that focused only on one suspect, Sam Sheppard, resulted in a wrongful conviction that would take years to overturn. Soon after the trial, Sams mother committed suicide on Jan. 7, 1955. Within two weeks, Sams father was dead from a gastric ulcer that hemorrhaged. F. Lee Bailey Fights for Sheppard After the death of Sheppards lawyer, F. Lee Bailey was hired by the family to take over Sams appeals. On July 16, 1964, Judge Weinman freed Sheppard after finding five violations of Sheppards constitutional rights during his trial. The judge said the trial was a mockery of justice. While in prison, Sheppard corresponded with Ariane Tebbenjohanns, a wealthy and beautiful blond woman from Germany. The two married the day after his release from prison. Back to Court In May 1965, a federal appeals court voted to reinstate his conviction. On Nov. 1, 1966, a second trial began, but this time with special attention given to ensuring that Sheppards constitutional rights were protected. After 16 days of testimony, the jury found Sam Sheppard not guilty. Once free, Sam returned to work in medicine, but he also started drinking heavily and using drugs. His life quickly dissolved when he was sued for malpractice after one of his patients died. In 1968, Ariane divorced him and said he had stolen money from her, threatened her physically, and was abusing alcohol and drugs. A Life Lost For a short time, Sheppard got into the world of pro wrestling. He used his neurological background to promote a nerve hold he used in competition. In 1969, he married his wrestling managers 20-year-old daughter- although records of the marriage have never been located. On April 6, 1970, Sam Sheppard died of liver failure as a result of heavy drinking. At the time of his death, he was an insolvent and broken man. His son, Samuel Reese Sheppard (Chip), has devoted his life to clearing his fathers name.

Fuel Cells Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fuel Cells - Essay Example The fuel cell is designed such that a proton-conducting polymer membrane separates the anode and the cathode. On the anode electrode, hydrogen diffuses to the anode catalyst, and it later dissociates into protons and electrons. The protons will react with oxygen molecules at the cathode side, infusing via the polymer electrolyte membrane as well as the electrons coming through the outer circuit to make water molecules. The protons are conducted through the membrane to the cathode while the electrons travel through an external circuit since the covering is insulated electrically. The reaction on the cathode electrode involves oxygen molecules and both the electrons and the protons (Scherer 35). Phosphoric acid fuel cell In this type of cell, hydrogen ions are passed to the cathode using phosphoric acid. These cells usually work at moderate temperatures. The relatively high temperatures cause a heat and energy loss if the heat is not removed and properly used. The heat can be turned into a useful source of energy for air conditioners and other thermal energy consuming systems (Onovwiona ans Ugursal 389). This property makes the phosphoric acid fuel cell more useful and improves the efficiency to about 80%. The anode electrode in this cell uses a platinum catalyst that accelerates the conversion of hydrogen into free ions and electrons are produced (Scherer 34). The electrons travel from the anode to the cathode cell through an external electrical circuit since phosphoric acid is a non-conducting electrolyte.