The Depression, Recession, and Business Cycle Essay example

The phrase â€Å"History repeats itself† is a commonly used paradigm when it comes to events that happen in a repetitive notion. The recession that has recently been witnessed by the millions is a great example of history repeating itself. How did it happen, did we know it was going to happen, and was there anything that could have been done to prevent it? There are a multitude of questions that could be asked, with the most important of them all, will it happen again? In just the past two hundred years, the United States has seen â€Å"Black Friday† in 1869, â€Å"The Great Depression† in 1929, and the most current recession of 2009. Recessions, depressions, inflation, economic boom, these are all terms used to describe the financial events that†¦show more content†¦will see much more financial heartache between 1837 up to the largest downturn in history in 1929, the Great Depression. The great depression, up to date, was the longest and most devastating financial period recorded in history. This time it didn’t have to do with land prices falling, or the falling out of cotton exportation, but it was primarily affected by the stock market prices falling. This event would change the American ideals of economics and politics forever. President Herbert Hoover was in office during the onset of the depression. Hoover was a well rounded individual He worked in mining as a young man, traveling the world to develop and supervise mining operations. He published the book â€Å"Principles of Mining† which became a staple text book in most mining schools and helped spread his reputation across the nations. During the beginning stages of his reign as president, which began in March of 1929, he made several successful accomplishments from stopping the twelve hour workday in the steel mines, reorganizing the European economy, reopening mines, and creating the Agricultural Marketing Act. Although he had many early successes, they would be short lived. By October of 1929, the stock market had crashed. Hoover would become the victim of a devastating event that he had no control over. Although congress felt that Hoover had failed, economist such as William Foster and Waddill Catchings felt that he had been very well prepared. Even the NewShow MoreRelatedMacro Economics - Business Cycles1410 Words   |  6 PagesBusiness Cycles Business Cycles ââ€" º The value of real GDP over time shows periodic fluctuations in its movement ââ€" º The business cycle refers to the periodic fluctuations of economic activity about its long term growth trend ââ€" º The Business cycle is the more or less regular pattern of expansion (recovery) and contraction (recession) in economic activity around the path of trend growth. ï‚ § At cyclical peak, economic activity is high relative to trend ï‚ § At a cyclical trough, the lowRead MoreEffects of Business Cycles1731 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction In general the economy tends to experience different trends. These trends can be grouped as the business/trade cycle and may contain a boom, recession, depression and recovery. A business/trade cycle (see figure 1) is the periodic but irregular up-and-down movements in economic activity, measured by fluctuations in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other macroeconomic variables. Samuelson and Nordhaus (1998), defined it as ‘a swing in total national input, income and employmentRead MoreThe Growth And Peak Stage Of A Business Cycle1498 Words   |  6 PagesBusiness cycles contain several stages which span GDP and time itself. These stages are growth, peak, recession and a trough or depression. These cycles repeat themselves over and over through out time in the business world. The growth and peak stage of a business cycle are when companies are building and providing great products and services. This is also the period when jobs are most abundant and harder to fill because job positions are in demand. After the peak stage a risky point in time followsRead MoreEssay on Analysing the Recent Economic Recession and Its Effects1122 Words   |  5 PagesThe business cycle is the short-run alternation between economic downturns and economic upturns (Investopedia n.d.). A recession is an economic downturn and happens in every country and some recessions are worse than others and the output of GDP and employment are falling farther and faster. The great depression lasted from 1929-1933 and was a deep prolonged downturn in the business cycle before a recovery/expansion of the business cycle occurred and GDP and employment started to rise (Krugman Read MoreBusiness Cycle1566 Words   |  7 PagesASSIGNMENT 1 Introduction In macroeconomics, business cycle played an important role to show what a national economy is going; therefore, this essay will define what business cycle is and its characteristics. Besides, all of variables such as Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP), inflation and unemployment rate and their behaviour in the business cycle will be also demonstrated in the second part. The final part of this essay will analyse and compare the situation of Australian economy and USARead MoreEssay On Leading And Lagging Indicators1336 Words   |  6 Pagespeak of the cycle refers to the last month before several key economic indicators—such as employment, output, and retail sales— begin to fall. The trough of the cycle refers to the last month before the same economic indicators begin to rise. Because key economic indicators often change direction at slightly different times, the dating of peaks and troughs is necessarily somewhat subjective. (Romer, 2017) The peak occurs when the econ omy has grown all it is going to grow in a given cycle. FollowingRead MoreEssay about Divisions of The Field of Economics1407 Words   |  6 Pagesyour companys position in the business cycle as needed. Economics works hand-in-hand with corporate strategy. While strategy addresses the â€Å"how† and â€Å"why† of business decision-making, macroeconomics tries to pinpoint the â€Å"when† of strategic decisions. As a member of the management team in a growing business part of your responsibilities will be to analyze economic conditions and predict recessions and recoveries based on the business cycle. If you anticipate a recession, you will probably propose cuttingRead MoreThe United States Economy: Recession Policy Recommendations651 Words   |  3 PagesThe United States economy: Recession policy recommendations According to classical Keynesian theory, the best way to deal with a recession is for the government to spend at a deficit to stimulate demand. Waiting for the business cycle to rectify itself, at least during a very severe economic downturn, shows little understanding of real world economic and psychological wisdom. When people are worried about losing their jobs, they spend less and hide money under the mattress. They do not buy consumerRead MoreBusiness Cycle Theories : A General Comparison1625 Words   |  7 Pages Business Cycle Theories: A General Comparison Maria Sciarrino Niagara University ECO101HON â€Æ' Business Cycle Theories: A General Comparison Throughout history, economies have experienced times of high growth and low unemployment as well as times of little or negative growth and high unemployment. It is controversial whether or not these instances occurred from regular fluctuations in the market. These alternating up and down fluctuations typically occur over several years, with each individualRead MoreEconomics...In Real Life1567 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1920s were a time of luxury and economic stability in the United States, that is, until the day the stock market crashed and the country was plummeted in to a time of misery and uncertainty called the Great Depression. The ten year span from 1929 until 1939 is one of the worst episodes the United States has ever experienced; it held a great shortage in the money supply, massive unemployment, and despair and doubt for all of the people who lived through it. Frederick Lewis Allen’s book Since Yesterday:

Essay on US Constitution - 992 Words

â€Å"While the authors of the United States Constitution are frequently portrayed as noble and idealistic statesmen who drafted a document based upon their conception of good government, reality is that the constitution reflects the politics of the drafting and ratification process. Unfortunately, the result is a document that is designed to produce an ineffective government, rather than a government that can respond to issues in a timely fashion.† In support of this conclusion, the issues of slavery, The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and the civil rights struggle keenly demonstrate the ways in which our constitution hinders the expediency and effectiveness of America’s government. The constitution’s provisions towards voting eligibility and†¦show more content†¦The constitution details, â€Å"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state†¦and each senator shall have one vote.† This equal representation a long with careful maintenance of regional balance in the Senate allowed for Southern states to retain their national veto over slavery. Lastly, the constitution’s allowance for the establishment of the Supreme Court that could, with a single decision, overturn years worth of legislation provided a monumental setback. In the court case Dred Scott v. Sandford, the court ruled that the federal government did not retain the power to prevent slavery in the territories. Although slavery was eventually abolished by the fourteenth amendment, the long struggle and numerous constitutional roadblocks demonstrate how a number of provisions within the constitution hindered the ability of the national government to efficiently overcome a national concern. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The 1906 Earthquake in San Francisco also exemplifies the way in which the constitution impedes government action. After hearing a short report regarding the earthquake, President Roosevelt sent a telegram to the California governor, expressing his sympathy and offering national assistance. The governor replied that state troops were handling the disaster and that if federal aid was needed, it would be promptly requested. What followed this disaster were continuing coordinationShow MoreRelatedThe Us Constitution1758 Words   |  8 Pagesavailable, etc.). Be sure to integrate what you find with what you are learning in your text and other readings and supplement it with additional research. ALSO, as September 17th is Constitution Day, I want you to reflect on this and comment on it in your forums for this week. The preamble of the US Constitution directs the Federal Government to promote the general welfare....secure the blessings of liberty. ..and protect ourselves and our posterity. When thinking about our obligation toRead More The US Constitution Essay1425 Words   |  6 PagesThe US Constitution states â€Å"We The People of the United states in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for more common defense, promote the General Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.† The main purpose of the U.S Constitution is to establish the basic rights of all American Citizens. This follows that every United States CitizensRead MoreThe Creation Of The Us Constitution1589 Words   |  7 PagesThe creation of the US constitution was prompted my many different things going on. What established America’s national government and fundamental laws is the U.S constitution. It also guarantees basic rights for its citizens. The U.S constitution was signed on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pa. The first document before the U.S constitution was the Articles of Confederation, with that the government wasn’t very strong and the states didn’t act like they do today. In 1787, at the 1787 conventionRead MoreThe US Constitution Essays1703 Words   |  7 Pages33:22; â€Å"For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us.† http://www.eadshome.com/QuotesoftheFounders.htm The founding fathers of the American Constitution divided the government up into the following three branches to prevent the majority from ruling with an iron fist; legislative, judicial, and executive. The three braches were created by the Constitution: Article 1, Legislative branch made up of the House and the Senate, collectively known as Congress;Read MoreEssay on US Constitution870 Words   |  4 Pages Transformed beyond recognition from the vision of the Founding Fathers’. Discuss this view of the modern US constitution. On March 4th 1789 the constitution of the United States of America came into effect. Derived from the visions of seven political leaders and statesmen and consisting of only seven articles, the US constitution would become the first of its kind, the bedrock of democracy and lay the foundations for democratic political systems across the world. Since 1789, America has progressedRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence And The Us Constitution1746 Words   |  7 Pagesthe US Constitution. The Declaration of Independence marked the birth of our republic and set forth our â€Å"unalienable rights† to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Later, the Constitution outlined our style of government and defined the rights that are protected from intrusion by government. These documents have been a beacon to all men and women who value freedom. They are just as meaningful now as when they were written. As the American statesman Henry Clay said, â€Å"The Constitution of theRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article The Us Constitution 1347 Words   |  6 PagesFBI background check system, (Ellen Nakashima; Washington Post) and commit this act of racial violence. â€Å"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.† The US Constitution, written in 1787, asserts that it is essential for a Free State citizen to bear arms. However, recent acts such as mass shootings, intercity violence and accidental gun shootings, have enlightened the controversy of the issue. The United StatesRead MoreThe Articles Of Confederation And The Us Constitution979 Words   |  4 PagesThe United States has governed with two constitutions, the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution. The Articles of Confederation was the first attempt of forming a legal government from March 1, 1781 to March 4, 1789. There were many problems as the articles became to take effect so it was replaced with the US Constitution in June 21, 1788. The Articles of Confederation failed because of its weaknesses which were that â€Å"each state regardless of its size, had one vote in congress.†(JandaRead MoreAnalysis Of The Nevada And Us Constitutions1883 Words   |  8 PagesAn Analysis of the Nevada and US Constitutions and Government Structures Denisse Bustillos, 5432 PSC 101 Introduction to American Government and Politics Fall 2014 Section number: 101-1003 88311 Professor: William Eric Davis Ph.D. Author Note This assignment represents my own work. It is not a recycled assignment from another course and it has not been purchased, borrowed, or obtained from another source. Nor has any part of it been plagiarized. I did not include sections written by or summarizedRead MoreThe Process Of Amending The Us Constitution1759 Words   |  8 Pages1. The process of amending the US Constitution is an intentionally difficult one. Yet those in each branch of government have found ways in which the Constitution can be changed informally. Describe the methods, both formal and informal, of constitutional change. Article V of the Constitution was formed through a compromise that stated that congress or a convention of states has amendment power. This is known as the formal process, in which two steps are utilized: proposal and ratification. Any

Romeo and Juliet speaking and listening Free Essays

Shakespeare’s way of writing stunned many people for decades and still to this day; we haven’t fully grasped how powerful and how significant his writing style is. Many directors have pounced upon Shakespeare’s plays to convert his excellence into a visual perspective that abuses all techniques conjured by the great man himself. The hall is full of people in their costumes, sipping their drinks intently and socializing; the mood is suddenly broken by a loud voice, ‘silence! ‘ people immediately bring their talking to a halt and look up in respect. We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo and Juliet speaking and listening or any similar topic only for you Order Now Capulet, Juliet and other members of the house are perched atop a balcony looking down on the guests below to show superiority while also standing in a pyramid formation with Capulet at the front as I want show a hierarchy of power within the Capulet’s. When Capulet continues to speak I want the camera to flick from the crowd to his bellowing mouth to capture the force he applies to his voice, Capulet should stand very up-right with his head held high and clasped hand’s behind his back to portray his very formal and disciplined nature. Half way through, Capulet’s welcome speech is interrupted by the music starting to play followed by the dancing of the crowd due to the encouragement of the music, at this point the camera should flick to a birds-eye-view of the guests then to a long shot of the hall to capture the excitement. Capulet’s anger builds as he try’s to restore order without succession, meanwhile Juliet and other members bury their faces in their hands at the whole ordeal, finally Capulet gives up and storms back to join the crowd along with the camera closely following behind his shoulders, his little tantrum triggers a ripple of laughter throughout the contented guests, the other Capulet’s soon follow suit. After a few cut scenes of the guest’s dancing; the camera flicks to Romeo wading his way through the crowd like a lost puppy, anxiously moving and depicting how he is an outsider to these people but is stopped in his tracks as he first lays eyes upon Juliet through a thin, porous, red curtain. The red symbolically representing passion and love and with it being in-between them; shows that it’s making connection between them. His shoulders relax, his eyes blink incessantly and his anxiety goes away as he just stands there and watches while slow and romantic music plays throughout the hall, the camera then goes into an over the shoulder shot of Juliet on the other side of the red curtain showing her fiddling with a ring, then to look up and see Romeo slowly walking towards her, for a brief moment she blushes and let’s out a long shaky breath. She then turns and walks away showing that she isn’t that easy; Romeo then follows her like a dog on heat, Juliet weaves in and out of people and puts obstacles in-between her and Romeo to tease and test him to weigh if he is worthy or not, meanwhile the camera follows and focuses on them from a long shot as they move and talk. Finally she stops teasing him and he asks her for a dance, she flutters her eye lashes and reluctantly accepts as she takes his hand and they both slowly dance under dim glow of the hall. After a few short shots of the two of them dancing the camera changes to a shot that is filled by dark eyes and brow; the guests including Romeo can be seen in the reflection of his eyes, after a few second’s the eyebrows slowly turn into a deep frown shortly followed by a deep and enraged voice as he spits out words to Capulet; asking for consent to stir up trouble with Romeo. The camera zooms out quickly to show the whole of Tybalt in a very stylish and slick tuxedo along with finely polished shoes, the corner of the hall where he is situated is darker in contrast to its merry surroundings; this is to immediately imply that this man is the evil one as that’s the symbolic notion of darkness. Then I want the camera to focus on a candle up-close, with Tybalt and Capulet blurred out in the background, the flame should flicker when Tybalt speaks violently to show that he is almost connecting with evil and his anger is being expressed through the flame; further showing his wickedness. Capulet is gleefully clapping to the music and telling Tybalt in a firm voice, to restrain himself and leave the Montague alone, to not ruin this great day, Tybalt storms off back upstairs leaving behind strong grunt of frustration to the incapability of creating a fight with the enemy Montague, as he leaves, I want the camera to go back to the candle and as the shadow that is Tybalt slowly leaves; the flickering flame also slowly subsides to a still. After Romeo and Juliet’s dance, they sit down on a nearby red sofa, Yet again red symbolising a deep connection of passion. They talk to each other romantically with the camera circling them slowly; Romeo then takes Juliet’s hand and speaks in a very smooth and gentle voice. Juliet then leans closer to his face and they both kiss while harmonious music plays throughout the hall, as they kiss, the camera blurs out all the other people around them so only Romeo and Juliet are clearly presented in the shot and how they are so indulged and oblivious to the world around them. How to cite Romeo and Juliet speaking and listening, Papers

Writing and Comparative Reading free essay sample

Handout on Comparative Reading for English 2 Description: The requirement is Inspired by Lisa Bus experience with reading. She found happiness in the world of books after losing her dream of becoming a Chinese opera singer. Her experience synthesizes the reading texts covered In the first part of the preliminary grading period on: What is Reading, Stages of Reading, Importance of Reading, Processes of Reading, and The Types of Reading. Having her experience and Insights as a model, you are expected to come up with the same reflection process on your experience with reading and how it influenced your skills or perspective about the world. Guidelines in Writing the Comparison and Contrast Essay On Content: The Comparison and Contrast Essay consists of: 1 . a complete argument on the reading experience, an analysis of the likenesses and differences between two texts, and an evaluation of the superiority of one text over the other 2. We will write a custom essay sample on Writing and Comparative Reading or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page an interesting introductory paragraph with a clearly defined thesis statement that illustrates the purpose, audience and contents of the essay 3. five or more evidentiary body paragraphs that presents the comparisons and contrasts that are carefully supported by accurate and strong evidential support from the text Note: Three Writing Techniques from Muller Weiner (2013, p. 257): a. The Block Method requires that the writer put all the points about one side in one part of the essay, and all the points about the other side together in another part of the essay. b. In the Alternating Method, the writer explains one point about (the text) and then immediately gives the contrasting point about (the other). c. The Combination Pattern allows the writer to use both alternating and block techniques. 4. an insightful conclusion on the reading experience and ones relationship with reading upon completion of the project On Format:

Poverty Race Gender free essay sample

Examines relationship between race (black vs. white), gender (female-headed households) poverty rates. History since 1960, statistics, unemployment, earnings, welfare. This paper will discuss the disparity in poverty rates between blacks and whites, focusing upon the issue of female-headed households. Specifically, this paper will argue that the increase in female-headed households in the black community has not in itself contributed to increased rates of black poverty. Rather, this phenomenon is largely the result of increased poverty among young back men. The first part of the paper will examine the trends in poverty since 1959, looking at the poverty rates for the population overall and comparing the rates for blacks and whites. The second part of the paper will discuss the relationship between poverty and the increase in female-headed households, comparing the situation in the black community with that in the white community and arguing that poverty leads to more female

How to Make Job Search Sites Work for You

How to Make Job Search Sites Work for You The Internet provides job seekers with an abundance of information about jobs that are currently available. Some online databases are immense. While this provides greater opportunity than job classifieds, the amount of time you might spend going from one job search site to another may be overwhelming. Improvising a plan to utilize the Internet to find a job is a solid decision. However, it is important to choose where you intend to look. Deciding on a job site that gives you what you need increases productivity. Why Use an Online Job Search Site?A primary reason for using an online job search site is the large quantity of jobs available for you to browse. This makes jobs in multiple fields and locations accessible. You are able to look for jobs at different levels from senior to entry levels, letting you target jobs for which you are qualified. Since the pay scale varies according to the job responsibilities and your qualifications, you will not undersell yourself. In addition, you w ill be able to preview jobs you might not have pursued before or look for positions in a different city or state.Important Aspects of the SearchDepending on the job search site, you might need to use keywords in your search. Choosing the right keyword is important, and some job search sites will offer advice on the way to do that. Being able to save searches and specific jobs is likewise important, since you might want to revisit each later.Choosing a Job Search SiteThere are basic questions you need to ask before you decide on one job search site over another. It is vital that a site is trustworthy and checking on a site before using it is a good idea. Making sure that the site updates their listings frequently ensures that you will not be applying for a job that has been filled. In addition, you might determine if using the site will fit in with the amount of time you have to spend. According to Forbes, looking for a full time job should take roughly 25 hours per week.Privacy Poli cyMaking sure that the job search site has a well-defined privacy policy is essential. Since you provide a good deal of information on your application and resume, you want to make sure the information will be protected. A job search site should clearly state its privacy policy for you to review before using it.Using TheJobNetworkTheJobNetwork offers a comprehensive plan for finding a job. You can search using a browse feature and apply for jobs as you find them, or you can upload your resume. In addition, the network searches for jobs on a 24-hour basis, sends you an alert when one is available using skills and preferences you provide and ranks the job according to its match level.When you fill out an online profile at TheJobNetwork, you provide your email address, any demographics you wish to list as well as skills and job qualifiers. You need not list your name or contact information. This allows for anonymity while using the search site and helps to protect your information. How ever, when you fill out an application for a specific job, you will need to provide the employer with your contact information. The more skills and preferences you list, the greater likelihood your search will be successful. As your information updates, you can modify your profile.TheJobNetwork makes it convenient to look for a job online, saves time, matches your search to available jobs, and sends an email alert. Using this strategy widens your job search base and can help you find the best job for you.

Introduction to International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Introduction to International Business - Essay Example Dells’ competitive environment, target market in other countries and communication strategy are also detailed in this paper. Dell Inc: Business and Market Overview Dell Inc designs, develops, manufacturers and markets computers, computer accessories and software products for both the customers of US and other countries. Dell Inc has long been marketing its computer products primarily based on a very strong marketing strategy of ‘going direct’ to its customers. In 2008, Dell was able to be placed as second in the worldwide PC market just behind Hewlett-Packard company. Dell has been gaining considerable growth in its market share during 2008 and 2009, with an increase of 1.2% growth which was the highest growth in the market (Gartner, 2009). The market share and related statistics of the major market players in 2010 show that Dell grew by 11.5 percent which is relatively less as compared to HP’s growth rate of 19.8 percent and Acer’s growth rate of 13 .5 % (Magee, 2010). ... In accomplishing this target, Dell will be meeting the customer expectations of highest quality, leading technology, competitive prices, accountability, flexible customization and financial stability (Farfan, 2011). Product Strategy Dell has been prospering on innovation and product differentiation as well. in 2003, Dell has been offering Latitude laptops, that were designed and developed to help business, government and institutional customers fulfill their computer-needs, and Inspiron laptops that were developed for users seeking the latest technology and high performance in more stylish and affordable packages (Ignatiuk, 2009, p. 20). Later, Dell added a number of different computer lines, they are Vostro, Precision, Alienware etc, to facilitate customers use different computers for their varying requirements. Distribution Strategy Dell is very known for ‘direct marketing’ as it has directly been selling its computer and accessories to the customers. Customers choose their items and order through either mail, or phone calls and the company send items to customers through its own delivery services or third party delivering facilities. As Bozarth (2005, p. 22) stressed, Dell’s direct-marketing strategy has been primarily based on a build-to-order manufacturing system. It means that Dell manufacturers computers only when they have actual customer orders and demands and this has been a reason why Dell succeeded within few years despite rigorous competition in computer marketing. Thomas (2002, p. 163) stated that Michael Dell has long been pursuing ‘going direct’ to customers approach, being aligned with virtual integration strategy. The company was using web-technology to blur

Robert McNamara and the Vietnam War Research Paper

Robert McNamara and the Vietnam War - Research Paper Example He took a number of steps to reform the military strategy and capabilities, for instance, by lessening the vulnerability of missile attacks in addition to the establishment of the United States Strike Command which was mandated to draw forces when necessary from the military services. The United States Strike Command was to report to the Joint Chiefs of Staff who would, in turn, report to the secretary of defense. â€Å"Other major reforms on the military service include an increase of long-range airlift and sealift capabilities, consolidation of military functions to have all the powers center on the secretary of defense.†1 During the War, McNamara gradually doubted whether the war was in a real sense necessary. â€Å"He objected the idea posed by the military commanders to increase troops to South Vietnam as well as the intensifying bombing of northern Vietnam.†2, McNamara’s declaration that he had supported Vietnam War strategy out of his loyalty to the admini stration complicated matters with President Lyndon Baines Johnson who later announced that McNamara was to leave the secretary of defense job to join the world. ... The speculations and rumors came to pass later in November 1967, after McNamara gave a recommendation to President Lyndon Baines Johnson to stop attacks on North Vietnam, lessen the size of troops and hand over ground fighting to South Vietnam, this idea was immediately rejected by President Johnson. According to his belief, the military strategy in the Vietnam War had failed. From the reasons for objection as presented by McNamara, it almost became apparent that Vietnam War lacked the necessary support to achieve its objectives as stated in his documentary ‘the Vietnam war’, â€Å"None of our allies supported us†¦if we can’t persuade these nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we’d better re-examine our reasoning.†3 According to him, the war would have had a justified reason had it been fully supported by America’s close allies such as Japan, Germany, Britain, and France. He later announced his resignation in November the same year and joined the World Bank. After his departure, a number of questions arose on what actually compelled him to leave the defense job with some like Baral in his book The Pentagon and the making of U.S. foreign policy alleging that McNamara was fired by President Lyndon Baines Johnson.4 This paper seeks to look at McNamara’s life and the war’s moral consequences and the reason behind his haunting after he was fired. It seems from history that McNamara was up to a different agenda from that held by President Lyndon Baines Johnson and the military chiefs during the Vietnam War.  

The Formation of Florida as a New State Research Paper

The Formation of Florida as a New State - Research Paper Example Unification of Florida and the USA is a significant event in American history. It is reflected in the fact that formation of Florida as a new state proved its beneficial effect for safety and development of American lands, as well as harmonious life of their residents. Being the territory actively inhabited by the Seminole tribe of Indians, which caused serious troubles to the US Army, Florida received necessary assistance of American Government regarding the issue of the Seminoles’ outrage. In particular, such acute factors as safety matter and an issue of slavery appear to be the main aspects of Florida’s formation as a new state of America. Safety Matter as a Reason for Florida’s Becoming the US State The first condition, which caused unification of Florida and America, is a consequence of active migration of the Seminoles from north to Florida after weakening of Spanish positions on the peninsula. Actually, it was the beginning of long-lasting opposition between the Seminoles and American Army, as a result of Indians’ aggression towards Americans, resulted in three Seminole wars. Actually, Indians motivated their actions as a desire to protect their territory. Despite this fact, American government was aware of another one, that is, the Seminoles constantly made devastating raids on neighboring Georgia (Florida Becomes a Territory). All in all, the outrage of the Seminoles became a threat to peace of Americans and their harmonious development.

Stages of Decomposition: Effect of Time and Temperature

Stages of Decomposition: Effect of Time and Temperature Chapter I INTRODUCTION Watson, can you determine cause and time of death? I knelt over the woman and began a cursory examination â€Å"Rigor mortis has set in, so Id estimate shes been dead about 10 to 12 hours. Holmes stood up and brushed himself off with his hands. So, that puts her death between midnight and 2 am†(Anonymous 2007). After the question of cause of death; the question of time of death is the most sought after piece of information associated with a medical death investigation. As a consequence, death investigators find themselves in need of a means of ascertaining the period of time between when an individuals body is found and when they died, sometimes referred to as the post mortem interval. Establishing the time of death through the determination of post mortem interval may have a direct bearing on the legal questions of guilt or innocence by confirming that a suspects alibi covers the period when the victim died, or demonstrating that it does not. If the time of death can be established to within hours, days, months or even years, an individual may be able to prove that they were at some other place at that time. On the other hand, if the suspect is known to have been in the vicinity of the victim during the appropriate time period, then they can be shown to have had an opportunity to commit th e crime. Currently, there are multiple techniques for determining post mortem interval that incorporate methods in almost every discipline of forensic science. Depending on the circumstances, these techniques can yield results that vary from a narrow accurate estimate (video of the victim, the victims stopped watch etc.) to a wide range estimate (counting tree rings on trees growing over or through the remains). Regardless of the of the method used, the calculation of post mortem interval is at best an estimate and should not be accepted as accurate without considering all of the factors that can potentially impact the result. Post Mortem Interval Estimation â€Å"For everything there is a season, And a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 The techniques currently utilized for estimating post mortem interval can be broken down into two broad categories based upon the methodology used. The first of these categories are the concurrence-based methodologies. Concurrence based methods relate or compare the occurrence of a known event, which took place at a known time, with the occurrence of death, which took place at an unknown time. Examples of concurrence-based methods include the determining the years of manufacture of clothing found on a body, tree ring development, dates on personal effects, etc. Concurrence based methods rely on both evidence associated with the body, and anamnestic evidence such as the deceaseds normal pattern of movements. The second grouping of techniques include rate of change methodologies. Rate of change-based methodologies measure some aspect of a evidence, directly associated with the body, that changes at a known or predictable rate and is started or stopped at the time of death. Examples of the rate of change based methods include body temperature, tissue decomposition, insect succession and bone weathering. Some of these methodologies can be considered to fall into both categories. Examples of these would be tree ring development (Coyle, Lee et al. 2005) and insect succession. Previous post mortem interval Estimation Methods The variety of approaches for estimating post mortem interval spring from the varied expertise and experiences of their proponents as such the different methods tend to be focused on the immediate needs of the investigator, and limited to a particular stage of the post mortem interval or type of observation. As a consequence, the period of time for which a procedure is effective will overlap others. Algor, Rigor and Liver Mortis â€Å"Tis after death that we measure men.† James Barron Hope The earliest recorded methods for estimating early post mortem interval were a rate of change methodology based on the most easily observed changes. The cooling of the body after death (algor mortis), the gradual stiffening of the body (rigor mortis) and the fixed pooling of the blood resulting in discoloration of the lower portions of the body (livor mortis) can be easily assessed with minimal or in some instances no instrumentation. Since the time of the ancient Greeks when the following rule of thumb was developed: Warm and not stiff: Not dead more than three hours; Warm and stiff: Dead between 3 and 8 hours; Cold and stiff: Dead between 8 and 36 hours; Cold and not stiff: Dead more than 36 hours; (Starkeby 2004) until modern times, the basis of most temperature based post mortem interval analyses is the assumption that the human body, which averages 98.2 oF +/- 1.3 oF (Mall and Eisenmenger 2005), was at 98.6 oF (Mackowiak, Wasserman et al. 1992) at death and that after death the body looses heat in a predictable manner. There have been many temperature based methods for estimating post mortem interval. As early as the 1800s, Dr. John Davy had developed a method using the fall in body temperature (algor mortis), measured rectally, to determine the post mortem interval (Henssge and Knight 2002). This method was refined by De Saram by recording detailed temperature measurements collected from executed prisoners (De Saram G. 1955). More recent approaches to this technique have included measuring rectal temperature, body surface temperature, ear canal temperature, eye socket temperature and liver temperature (Simonsen, Voigt et al. 1977; Henssge and Knight 1995; Baccino, De Saint Martin et al. 1996; Kanetake, Kanawaku et al. 2006). Improvements to these techniques have included multiple progressive sampling, and the introduction of concepts such as the initial temperature plateau, core temperature, heat gradients, the effects of insulation, the ratio of surface area to volume, the effects of humidity and the effect of conductive surfaces, Microclimates and postmortem skin cooling (Green and Wright 1985; Nokes, Flint et al. 1992; Nelson 2000). However, most methods that attempt to use body temperature changes to determine the post mortem interval are hampered, as most methods are, by individual variability. Even when complex calculations and algorithms have been designed to model for tissue density, initial temperature distribution, post mortem exothermic reactions and heat loss, these refinements have not appreciably narrowed the estimate window for post mortem interval. Multiple studies outlining instances of initial temperature increase of a body soon after death (Hutchins 1985) associated with post mortem chemical changes such as rigor mortis, cell lysis and the conversion of cellular energy production to anaerobic respiration (Nelson 2000); variations in the core body temperature ranging from 0.5 1.2  °C during a 24 hour period (Chisholm 1911; Mackowiak, Wasserman et al. 1992); the effect of variable environmental temperatures (Green and Wright 1985; Green and Wright 1985); and the effect of environmental temperatu re on overall body surface temperatures (Mall, Hubig et al. 2002) have all contributed to limit the usefulness temperature as a consistent indicator of post mortem interval. Additionally, once the body has reached ambient temperature temperature ceases to be a factor. Marshall said it best when he said ‘‘It would seem that the timing of death by means of temperature can never be more than an approximation(Henssge and Knight 1995). Soft and Hard Tissue Decomposition â€Å"Now, a corpse, poor thing, is an untouchable and the process of decay is, of all pieces of bad manners, the vulgarest imaginable†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Aldous Huxley Cadaveric decomposition is a complex process that begins immediately following death and proceeds beyond the time when recognizable human remains have ceased to exist. Decomposition can be broken down into two major stages. The first stage, soft-tissue decomposition, is caused by autolysis and putrefaction. Autolysis is the digestion of tissue by cellular enzymes and digestive processes normally present in the organism. Putrefaction is the digestion of whole tissues systems caused by the enzymatic activity of fungi and bacteria that are either present in the organism or the environment that opportunistically invade the tissue. Both autolysis and the microorganisms responsible for putrefaction are normally held in check in living organisms. However, when an organism dies the cellular and systemic mechanisms responsible for regulating autolysis and inhibiting putrefying microorganisms stop. â€Å"Without these controlling processes the body becomes fancy (bacterial) culture media† (Carayannopoulos 1992). These early postmortem changes in soft tissues can be used to provide an estimate of the post mortem interval from death until skeletonization. However, the rate of soft tissue decomposition can be dramatically affected by both internal and external factors that affect the body (i.e. ambient temperature, cause of death, scavenging, trauma, environmental conditions, clothing, body size, mummification and adipocere formation) (Rodriguez and Bass 1985; Micozzi 1986; Mant 1987; Vass, Bass et al. 1992; Komar 1998; Campobasso, Di Vella et al. 2001). There are reported instances of rapid decomposition associated with acute illness (Frisch 2001) and the author is personally aware of an instance of a post mortem interval of less than eleven days resulting in complete skeletalization of an individual that died of complications related to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Watson 1994). Additionally, there are a number of examples of bodies remaining intact for year s after death (Bass and Jefferson 2003). Beyond gross observation for assessing decomposition, researchers have developed multiple morphometric and chemical methods for assessing soft tissue decomposition. These have ranged from early (ca.1800s) methods such as the Brouardel method which examined the shift in flammability of putrefaction gases in the early post-mortem interval, and the Westernhoffer-Rocha-Valverde method examining the formation of crystals in the blood formed after the third day of putrefaction (Cengage 2006); to more modern methods such as ultrasound assessments of organ condition (Uchigasaki, Oesterhelweg et al. 2004) and the use of electron microscopy to examine measurable physical changes in mitochondria (Munoz, de Almeida et al. 1999) and platelet count (Thomsen, Kaatsch et al. 1999). Chemical methods used to assess time since death include the assessment of volatile organic compound formation (Vass, Bass et al. 1992; Statheropoulos, Spiliopoulou et al. 2005; Statheropoulos, Agapiou et al. 2007; Dekeir sschieter, Verheggen et al. 2009); the concentrations of non-protein nitrogen (Sasaki, Tsunenari et al. 1983; Gallois-Montbrun, Barres et al. 1988) and creatinine (Gallois-Montbrun, Barres et al. 1988; Brion, Marc et al. 1991). Bony tissue decomposition, the second major stage of decomposition, consists of a combination of surface weathering due to environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight) and erosion from soil conditions (pH, mineral content, etc.) (Behrensmeyer 1978; Janjua and Rogers 2008). While not much detailed study has been done on the environmental factors that affect bony tissue breakdown, it has been established that environmental factors such as pH, oxygenation, hydrology and soil flora and fauna can affect the long term stability of collagen (Garlick 1969; Henderson 1987; Bell, Skinner et al. 1996). Collagen, the primary protenatious component of bone, slowly hydrolyzes to peptides and then to amino acids leading to the breakdown of the collagen-mineral bonds which weakens the overall bone structure leaving it more susceptible to environmental weathering (Henderson 1987). By examining the effects of related changes (cracking, flaking, vacuole formation, UV-fluorescence of compa ct bone) the investigator can estimate the period of time a bone sample has been exposed to weathering (Yoshino, Kimijima et al. 1991; Bell, Skinner et al. 1996; Janjua and Rogers 2008; Wieberg and Wescott 2008). Current methods of assessing time since death using bone weathering rely heavily upon the experience of the investigator (Knight and Lauder 1969) and are limited to immediately post skeletalization to 10 to 100 years based on environmental conditions (Haglund and Sorg 1997). As with the assessment of soft tissue decomposition for time since death, investigators examining bone decomposition have supplemented observational methods with quantifiable testing techniques that analyze changes that are not directly affected by the physical environment (Lundquist 1963). Radiocarbon dating of carbon-14 and strontium-90 have been used to group remains pre and post 1950 (Taylor, Suchey et al. 1989; Maclaughlin-Black, Herd et al. 1992). Neis suggested that, with further study of strontium-90 distributions, determination of times since death should be possible (Neis, Hille et al. 1999). Bradley suggested that measuring the distribution of 210Pb and 210Po in marrow and calcified bone could prove forensically significant (Bradley 1993). This work was built upon by Swift who evaluated using 210Pb and 210Po distribution in conjunction with trace element analysis to provide a meaningful estimate of the post-mortem interval (Swift 1998; Swift, Lauder et al. 2001). Maclaughl in demonstrated that chemical changes due to environment could measurably affect isotope levels (Maclaughlin-Black, Herd et al. 1992). In addition to radionucleotide studies, investigators have also measured the changes in both organic (amino acids, urea, proteins, DNA) and inorganic compounds (nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, phosphorous) in bone. (Jarvis 1997; Prieto-Castello, Hernandez del Rincon et al. 2007). Stomach Contents/Rate of Digestion â€Å"Govern well thy appetite, lest sin surprise thee, and her black attendant Death.† John Milton The presence or absence of food in the stomach is often used as an indicator of post mortem interval. Its use as an indicator of post mortem interval is predicated on the assumption that under normal circumstances, the stomach digests and empties at a predictable rate taking from two to six hours to eliminate a full meal (Jaffe 1989). If a person had eaten a light meal the stomach would empty in about 1.5-2 hours. For a medium-sized meal the stomach would be expected to take about three to four hours to empty. Finally, a large meal would take about four to six hours to exit the stomach. Regardless, it would take from six to eight hours for the initial portion of the meal to reach the large intestine (Hallcox 2007). This information, coupled with reliable ante-mortem information relating to when an individual last ate is used by some pathologists when providing an estimate of the times since death. It is for this reason, among others, that comprehensive autopsies usually include an ex amination of the stomach contents (Batten 1995; Siegel 2006). Although it provides another useful indicator of time since death, there are serious limitations to the assessment of the stomach contents as an accurate indicator of time since death. Its reliance on reliable anamnestic evidence such as eating habits, the extent to which the victim chews their food (Pera, Bucca et al. 2002), the physiological state of the victim (Troncon, Bennett et al. 1994; Jayaram, Bowen et al. 1997; Lipp, Schnedl et al. 1997; Phillips, Salman et al. 1997) and the state of mind of the victim (Jaffe 1989); as well as verifiable antemortem evidence such as what the last meal consisted of (protein vs. fiber vs. fat)(Dubois 1985; Tomlin, Brown et al. 1993), the amount of liquid consumed with the meal, alcohol consumption and the time when it was consumed limits its usefulness to a small number of cases (Jaffe 1989). These factors combined with evidence that digestion can continue after death (Koersve 1951) makes the estimation of post mortem interval using stomach co ntents difficult at best. Insect Succession â€Å"Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms.† Clint Eastwood from the Outlaw Josey Wales Insect colonization of a body begins within hours of death and proceeds until remains cease to be a viable insect food source. Throughout this period, multiple waves of colonization by different insect species, as well as multiple generations of previously established species can exist. Forensic entomologists can use the waves of succession and generation time to estimate the postmortem interval based on the variety and stage of development of the insects, or insect remnants, present on the body (Archer and Elgar 2003). In addition to information regarding time since death, forensic entomology can provide useful information about the conditions to which the body was exposed. Most insects have a preference for specific conditions and habitats when colonizing a body and laying their eggs. Modifications to that optimal habitat can interrupt the expected insect colonization and succession. The presence of insects or insect larva that would typically be found on bodies colonized indoors o r in shade on a body discovered outside in direct sunlight may indicate that the body was moved after death (Sharanowski, Walker et al. 2008). Aquatic insects found on bodies discovered on land could indicate the body was originally in water (Wallace, Merritt et al. 2008; Proctor 2009). Although insect succession varies by season, geographical location and local environmental conditions, it is commonly assumed to follow a predictable sequence within a defined habitat. While there are a multitude of studies that have examined regional succession patterns (Archer and Elgar 2003; Tabor, Brewster et al. 2004; Tabor, Fell et al. 2005; Martinez, Duque et al. 2007; Eberhardt and Elliot 2008; Sharanowski, Walker et al. 2008) these studies use different approaches towards defining habitat and assessing insect succession making cross-comparisons of their data difficult. Also, the majority of these studies do not rigorously address the statistical predictability of a species occurrence making their results of limited use as post mortem interval indicators (Michaud and Moreau 2009). Additionally, beyond the presence or absence of clothing, the majority of the post mortem entomological studies conducted do not examine non-habitat external factors that may affect succession. For example, only a few studies have been conducted that assess the affect of drug ingestion (George, Archer et al. 2009) or the presence of chemicals (bleach, lye, acid etc.) used to cover-up evidence (Charabidze, Bourel et al. 2009) on the insect life cycle. As with other means of assessing time since death, more extensive studies with different insect species and drugs in a wider variety of habitats is necessary. Electrolyte Concentration â€Å"Death is a low chemical trick played on everybody†¦Ã¢â‚¬  J.J. Furnas Cellular activity does not immediately cease when an organism dies. Rather, individual cells will continue to function at varying metabolic rates until the loss of oxygen and metabolic substrates caused by the cessation of blood flow results in hypoxia (low oxygen). As cell metabolism shifts from aerobic to anaerobic, oxidative phosphorylation and ATP generation, the cellular processes keeping autolysis in check, begin to decrease and eventually cease all together. Without energy to maintain osmotic gradients membranes begin to fail. As lysosomal membranes begin to fail the enzymes within are released and begin consuming the cell from the inside out. With autolysis comes a cascade of metabolic chemicals, released ions, originally bound up in various cellular processes begin to diffuse due to the diffusion gradient according to Ficks law into the intracellular spaces (Madea 2005). Forensic researchers have used the presence, absence or effects of inorganic ions such as potassium, phos phorous, calcium, sodium and chloride as a means of estimating time since death (Schleyer and Sellier 1958). In most instances the higher the concentration gradient, the more suitable is the analyte for the estimation of the time since death. When analyzing body fluids for the purposes estimating post mortem interval, early researchers tended to focus their studies on body fluids such as, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and pericardial fluid (Schleyer and Brehmer 1958; Coe 1972; Henssge and Knight 1995; Yadav, Deshpande et al. 2007) with a few others examining other compartmentalized bodily fluids (Madea, Kreuser et al. 2001) and the largest numbers focusing on vitrious humor (Madea, Henssge et al. 1989; Ferslew, Hagardorn et al. 1998; Madea and Rodig 2006; Kumagai, Nakayashiki et al. 2007; Thierauf, Musshoff et al. 2009). Chemical methods used to assess these analytes in blood and spinal fluid as an indicator of post mortem interval have failed to gain general acceptance because, for th e most part, they failed to produce precise, reliable, and rapid results as required by the forensic community (Lundquist 1963). Current chemical methods which have primarily focused on vitreous fluid tend to suffer from the same limitations demonstrated by the fact that with notable exceptions (Pounder 1995) very few statistically rigorous field studies on the reliability and precision of estimating post mortem interval are available in the literature (Coe 1993; Madea 2005). Enzyme Activity As previously discussed, cellular activity does not cease when clinical death occurs. In any circumstances where the cellular metabolism shifts from a homeostatic balanced state to an imbalanced state biochemical changes occur. Changes in the levels and/or activity of enzymes (i.e. cardiac troponin, c-reactive proteins, and G proteins) have long been used as indicators of cellular stress (Li, Greenwood et al. 1996; Katrukha, Bereznikova et al. 1998; Tsokos, Reichelt et al. 2001; Uhlin-Hansen 2001). Assessing similar changes in cellular biochemistry as a function of time since death provides investigators with a wide variety of tissues, testing methods and analytes for consideration. As a consequence, forensic investigators have assessed and suggested enzymes from heart, pancreas, muscle, blood and brain as potentially suitable markers for time since death (Wehner, Wehner et al. 1999; Wehner, Wehner et al. 2001; Kang, Kassam et al. 2003; Jia, Ekman et al. 2007; Poloz and ODay 2009). C omparisons of total proteins analyzed ante and post mortem analyzed using two dimensional gel electrophoresis and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight have demonstrated changes in metabolic enzymes, (Jia, Ekman et al. 2007; Hunsucker, Solomon et al. 2008). Assessing the changes in enzyme activity provides examiners a means to assess time since death, in many instances long before visible cellular changes. However, in at least a few of these studies results indicate that enzyme degradation during extraction and partial enzyme activity observed with degradation products these markers better suited to qualitative analysis rather than quantitative analysis (Sabucedo and Furton 2003). Muscle/Nerve Excitation Both neurons and myocytes retain the ability to respond to electrical stimulation for at least a short period of time after organism death. (Sugioka, Sawai et al. 1995; Briskey, Kastenchmidt et al. 2002; Sams 2002). The response of nervous and muscle tissue to external electric stimulation has also been investigated and proposed as means to estimate time since death (Kline and Bechtel 1990; Straton, Busuttil et al. 1992). Methods developed to investigate myocyte excitability assess the relative magnitude and duration of the muscle contraction during the application of external stimulation. To assess the contractile response, a combination of observational based assessments (Madea 1990; Jones, James et al. 1995) and measurement based assessments (Henssge, Lunkenheimer et al. 1984; Madea 1992) have been suggested and reported. Similar investigations have examined post mortem excitation of nervous tissue by measuring a variety of neurological reactions to stimuli. These include the alteration of Compound Muscle Action Potential (Nokes, Daniel et al. 1991; Elmas, Baslo et al. 2001; Elmas, Baslo et al. 2002), lengthen of the refractory or non-propagating period immediately following the CMAP (McDowall, Lenihan et al. 1998), the extracellular impedance/resistance (Querido 2000), the chronaxie measurement or the time over which a current double that necessary to produce a contraction is applied before the contraction occurs (Straton, Busuttil et al. 1992) and the changes in the amplitude of the F-wave (the secondary CMAP observed after the initial CMAP) have all been examined, and been suggested as potential indicators of time since death. The results of studies examining the response of excitable tissue to electric stimulation have been consistent in that the stimulation response varies predictably over time. However, suitability for absolute indicators of time since death remains in questions as investigators have reported contradictory results related to the effect of the manner of death on the stimulation response (Madea and Henssge 1990; Elmas, Baslo et al. 2002). RNA Degradation RNA degradation, both antemortem and postmortem, is a complex process that is not well understood. Unlike with DNA degradation, continuous degradation of inducible mRNAs by native ribonucleases is used as a means of translational control. After cell death these ribonucleases, no longer kept in check by the mechanisms of cellular homeostasis, combine with exogenous ribonucleases from bacteria and fungi to begin un-inhibited digestion of all cellular RNA. Investigators have noted extensive variability in RNA degradation rates in different tissues (Bauer 2007). Not surprisingly such variability appears to be related to the antemortem ribonuclease activity of the tissue; with relatively ribonuclease poor tissues such as brain and retina exhibiting greater RNA stability (Johnson, Morgan et al. 1986; Malik, Chen et al. 2003) when compared to ribonucleases rich tissues such as liver, stomach and pancreas (Humphreys-Beher, King et al. 1986; Finger, Mercer et al. 1987; Bauer, Gramlich et al. 2003). Additionally, but also not surprisingly, some constitutively expressed mRNAs have been shown to be more stable, or perhaps simply more prevalent, than inducible mRNAs (Inoue, Kimura et al. 2002). Additionally, while intrabrain mRNA levels are fairly constant, interbrain levels vary considerably (Preece, Virley et al. 2003). As a consequence of these observations, the degradation of RNA (total and/or mRNA) have been suggested as a potential analyte to assess time since death. Researchers examining the effect of post mortem interval on RNA stability have examined a variety of targets (mRNA, both tissue specific and constitutively expressed, and total RNA) with an assortment of methods including Reverse Transcriptase (RT) PCR(Ohshima and Sato 1998; Fleige, Walf et al. 2006; Haller, Kanakapalli et al. 2006; Zhao, Zhu et al. 2006), RNA (cDNA) microarrays (Bahn, Augood et al. 2001; Catts, Catts et al. 2005; Son, Bilke et al. 2005; Popova, Mennerich et al. 2008) and quantitative RT-qPCR (VanGuilder, Vrana et al. 2008). Based on these studies, there are indications that beyond time and temperature, factors such as hypoxia, tissue pH, antemortem physiological conditions (coma, seizure activity and injury) postmortem transcriptional activity and RNA sequence can dramatically affect the stability and measurable levels of RNA (Burke, OMalley et al. 1991; Harrison, Heath et al. 1995; Ohshima and Sato 1998; Catts, Catts et al. 2005; Bauer 2007). When examining the sem inal question regarding time since death and temperature some researchers have reported temperature and time as significant factors affecting mRNA levels (Burke, OMalley et al. 1991), while others have reported the reverse (Harrison, Heath et al. 1995; Preece and Cairns 2003). These contradictory data are not surprising given the changes in the specificity, sensitivity and application of the assays used; however, the ultimate question has not been resolved. What is clear from the research is that RNA degradation (mRNA or total) is a complex process (Preece and Cairns 2003; Preece, Virley et al. 2003; Heinrich, Lutz-Bonengel et al. 2007) effected by multiple factors indicating more study will be required before RNA degradation can be considered a reliable indicator of time since death. DNA Degradation and its Effect on DNA Typing Since the initial application of molecular biology techniques to samples of forensic significance in the latter half of the 1980s, forensic scientists have noted that increased exposure to environmental insults can negatively impact DNA quality. Developmental validation studies performed to evaluate the efficacy of new typing techniques (SWGDAM 2008) have found that environmental variables such as heat, high humidity, direct moisture, fungal/bacterial contamination and ultraviolet light can impact the quantity or quality of the DNA sample making them unsuitable for DNA analysis (McNally, Shaler et al. 1989; Graw, Weisser et al. 2000; Takayama, Nakamura et al. 2003; Bender, Farfan et al. 2004; Schneider, Bender et al. 2004; Niemcunowicz-Janica, Pepinski et al. 2007). During transitions in technology from Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based testing, researchers noted that samples too degraded to produce an RFLP pattern could still produce profiles using a variety of PCR based markers that evaluated loci shorter in length (Hochmeister, Budowle et al. 1991). This finding supports the hypothesis that degradation in the forensic setting is (not surprisingly) processive. Additional research found that while the DNA in some samples like cadaveric blood and kidney tissue could degrade to the point where it was no longer suitable for DNA fingerprinting after as little as a week (Ludes, Pfitzinger et al. 1993); other samples such as bone (Hochmeister, Budowle et al. 1991; Frank and Llewellyn 1999) and teeth (Schwartz, Schwartz et al. 1991; Pfeiffer, Huhne et al. 1999) could, under most conditions, provide typeable DNA for months. The fact that DNA degradation has a detrimental effect on larger genetic loci, and affects different tissues at different rates is considered to be of extraordinary forensic significance is evidenced by the numbers of studies that seek to examine, and overcome this effect (42 validation studies specifically mentioning DNA degradation from 1995-2009 in PubMed). This makes perfect sense when the observer considers the impact that degradation can have on selecting suitable samples and evaluating the resultant DNA profiles. However, a number of researchers have looked beyond the simple question of how degradation affects the typing of samples to broader questions such as the mechanisms of postmortem degradation (De Marà ­a and Arruti 2004; Foran 2006) and synthesis (Oehmichen, Frasunek et al. 1988) and how that knowledge can be used to assist in the assessment of time since death. DNA degradation by RFLP: Since Sir Alec Jeffreys first applied Southern blotting (Southern 1975) techniques to the testing of forensically significant samples in 1985 (Jeffreys, Brookfield et al. 1985) DNA analysis has revolutionized forensic science. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism DNA analysis relies on variations in the lengths of DNA fragments generated by enzyme restriction. With restriction fragments ranging from approximately from 2 33 kilobases (Baird, Balazs et al. 1986) successful typing and analysis requires high quality (un-fragmented) DNA. Researchers noted from the outset that in some cases involving older and/or postmortem samples that DNA degradation, tied to the exposures of higher temperatures, resulted in the gradual disappearance of the longer fragments reducing the evidentiary value of older samples (Bar, Kratz

Abraham Lincoln Essay -- essays research papers

Abraham Lincoln, from the backwoods of Hodgenville Kentucky, rose to become one of the greatest presidents of the United States. During his attempt to keep the Union in the Civil War, he gained more power and authority than any president before him. A excellent politician, Lincoln was always looked upon for leadership for he put reason and thoughtful decisions behind his word.Abraham Lincoln, born to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hawks on February 12, 1809, was conceived in a log cabin built by his father. Abe had one older sister, and a younger brother that died as an infant. The Lincoln family moved a lot, from Kentucky to Indiana, and back to Kentucky. Abe read a book titled Mason Locke Weems's Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington, this book mad a lasting impression on him that persuaded him throughout his life. By the time he was nineteen Abe reached his full grown height of six feet four inches. He held small jobs such as a clerk, postmaster and a few others through his early twenties. Then in 1832 he ran for county candidate against 13 others. Only four were to be elected and Lincoln finished eighth. In '834 he ran for a representative to the Illinois legislature, by this time Lincoln was well known and he got the election.Abe began to study law, and in 1836 became a licensed attorney. In 1837 he made his first public stand against slavery, Lincoln avoided extreme abolitionist groups though he was greatly against slavery.On November 4, 1842 Lincoln married Ma...