Friday, January 31, 2020

Leading speaker Essay Example for Free

Leading speaker Essay Although newborns can detect and orient toward laterally presented sound soon after birth, motor behaviour eliciting procedures should take into consideration the immaturity of the cortical structures of the auditory system, which is believed to be involved in complex temporal processing. For instance, Clifton et al 46 tested the â€Å"precedence effect† phenomenon on newborns, in which a sound is presented from two loudspeakers located in opposite sides of the infant and one speaker is leading the other by a few milliseconds, normally listener locate the sound of the leading speaker. Clifton et al 46 proved that newborn babies were not responsive to the â€Å"precedence effect† as to single source stimuli. This inability seems to improve as the infants get older, so by 24 weeks of age infants were found to orient reliably to both precedence effect and a single source stimuli. 57 In addition to the lack of ability to orient to precedence effect, newborns also showed irresponsiveness to brief sounds i. e. 500 msec and below. 55 Using acoustic stimulation to promote movements has also been documented in the literature. Presenting auditory stimulus in the form of either bell sound or speech by female voice was found to increase the general body movement of newborn babies of 1 to 5 days compared to the effect of pure tone 69. Four to 12 months old infants were found to be more interested in manipulating objects with sound when compared to the same objects with no sound68. Older infants have been found to use auditory and proprioceptive information to guide their reaching behaviour in the dark and they manage to do that fairly well 64-67 . Although the reaches were found to be successful in 70% 66 to 77% 64 of the trials, Perris and Clifton 64 found that the chances of eliciting or promoting reaching movement increase if there was prior motor engagement i. e. manipulation of the sounding object, and /or prior visual experience. At the time of birth the sense of vision is the least developed sense compared to other senses. Anatomical data shows that newborn’s peripheral vision is more mature than the central vision 70 . Using preferential looking to evaluate the human monocular visual acuity in the first three months of life, Courage et al 71 found that central as well as peripheral visual acuity are poor in the first month of life. At birth visual acuity was found to be around 20% of adult visual acuity 72 . A retinoscopic study estimated the focal distance of newborns when fixating an object is around 9 inches 73 . Finally, some behavioural studies found that newborns are able to detect stimuli presented in their peripheral visual field as far as 30-35 ° 74, 75, 76 from midline. Their ability to discriminate objects in the peripheral visual fields is not developed until around the 4 month after birth 77. Although newborns have not developed mature vision, several behavioural studies showed that newborn babies have the ability to process some visual information and use it to initiate motor behaviours. For instance, from the first days of their lives, newborn infants are capable of imitating simple motor actions such as opening and closing the mouth, tongue protrusion, opening and closing of the hand, and index finger movement 78-82 . Imitation of facial gestures has also been observed in babies as young as 45 minutes old 83-84. Recently Nagy et al raised the possibility of the presence of cortical mirror neuron system that may contribute to the emergence of early imitation in newborns 78. Several behavioural studies found that newborn infants are not just able to perform simple motor acts but also able to initiate motor behaviours that are voluntary, controlled and resemble reaching movement. Bower et al 89 and McDonnel 90 found that when newborn infants were presented with an object in 5 different positions, infants changed the direction of their reach to match the direction of the presented object. Bower et al 89 found that 70% of their reaches were within 5 ° and approximately 1. 5 cm of the object. Their reaches were not just considered oriented but also intentional because when they were presented with a virtual rather than a real object they became frustrated. Furthermore, van der Meer, et al 91-92 have found that newborn infants can deliberately adjust their arm movement to correct for a force applied to it, but only if they can see their arm either directly or through a monitor 91-92 . In a further study, van der Meer 93 also showed that neonates have the ability to change direction and control the velocity and deceleration of their arm to put the hand within a 7 cm cross light beam 93 . Interestingly, they noticed that approximately 74% of newborns decelerated the movement of the arm before entering the light, which provided an indication of expectation of light and thus further evidence of an ability to control the arm movement.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Birth of the Universe :: science

Birth of the Universe Your universe, as we have suggested many times, as we've suggested already this morning, is but one universe among many. It is relatively a small universe — not to suggest that you should feel badly †¦ {laughter} †¦ for despite the consensus reality that bigger is better, despite the male-dominating energy and the comparative energies that say "bigger is better," your universe, though relatively small, is not at all diminished by its size. Now we know the word universe by its definition means the totality of known or supposed objects and phenomena throughout space. We know that it is thought of as "all" and that therefore there can only be one. Yet, by experience and by fact, yours is but one among many dimensional and non-dimensional universes. Yours is a universe by a truer definition: It is that which is versus (turning into) uni (one). Universe. And it is mostly space, as you know. And it is mostly outer space as you call it. Before anything, your universe is space. Space. What about before space? To understand the Vortex of Sirius and the Sirius Connection, realize that before your universe existed, before it was even conceived, there was nothing. First space had to be created. As with any dimensional creation, first comes space. We have suggested that the Goddess energy — the original energy that creates itself without space or time — first creates God. No, we do not mean the God of religious text and doctrine Eastern or Western — not that God that so frequently comes to mind when the word is said or thought. We speak of the genuine article, if you will. We speak of the more-real God that to most remains unknown. The Goddess first creates God. She first gives birth to God, if you will, from her womb. The egg of new form, fertilized by the new spark of Her Light, gives birth to that energy — spaceless energy — that is God. Why? So that together Goddess and God can continuously create — give birth to — All That Is. Together. Together, we would suggest, because the Goddess has no desire to be the singular authority. She has no desire to have singular supremacy or to be singularly supreme. She has no desire to be absolute. She does want to work together. She always does. In the context of your language, and thus in the context of your time, the Goddess first created God so that God with Goddess could create All That Is.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Black Rock Essay

Steven vidler, director of Blackrock use a number of cinematic techniques to the theme of risk. Teenagers are notorious for risk tasking behaviour which can have devastating consequence for the future. Blackrock is a 1997 film tells the story of Jared, a teenage boy who witness a rape and murder at a teen party, and must risk his social status (and safety) by coming forward. Vidler explores the theme of risk using film techhiguc such as montage, costuming, dialog, Montage: A montage in the film’s opening credits shows teenagers surfing and having fun on the beach. Shots of teens surfing successfully are mixed in with scenes of people falling off their boards and ‘wiping out’. Part of the appeal of surfing may be the risk involved; the teenagers are rejecting the safe, over-protective world established for them by their parents. Costuming: Jade arrives to meet her friends dressed in baggy, conservative clothes, but takes them off to reveal her party, clothes underneath. Jade is defying her mother’s orders, instead choosing to go to the party and have fun with her friends. By ignoring the wishes of her mothers, jade is taking great risk-teenagers often takes risks to be accepted by their peers, at the risk of upsetting their loved ones. Dialogue: Rachael’s father tells her â€Å"you’re not allowed to go (to the party†). Rachel’s father insists that she stay at work, and so she respects his decision (reluctantly). Risks often involve teens ignoring their responsibilities; by doing what she is obliged to do, Rachael avoids risk. Tracking shot: A series of tracking shots show Ricko ‘surfing’ on the bonnet of a fast car, as a crowed watch on. Ricko is loved by his friends for his willingness to take wild risks like this; being ‘wild’ makes him popular. The greatest the risk a teenagers is willing to take the greater the respect that they often get in return. Contrast: While the teenagers are seen drinking and partying, the adults including Jared’s mother; are shown at a local pub. The risks taken by Jared and his friends, including violent and sexual behaviour, are contrasted with the financial risk taken by the adults as they gamble their money. While adults discourage teens from risk-taking they too are guilty of taking similarly large risks, only in different ways. Silence/slow-motion: As Jared watches Tracey being raped, the scene plays in slow motion and the sound fades into the background. This helps the viewer feel Jared’s shock and confusing, as he feels helpless and unsure of what to do. This is the first scene in the film to show that risk-taking behaviour can have severe consequences Characterization: Jared’s father, Len, abandoned his family and is confronted by Jared’s mother at the gym where he works. Len is an older example of the same kinds of reckless and irresponsible behaviour that can be seen in the film’s teenaged characters. Parent’ attitudes to risk-taking and responsibility can be passed down to subsequent generations. Alliteration: Jared sees â€Å"dobbers die† spray-patting in large capital letters at his school. Obviously, the boys who murder Tracey are threatening anyone who knows about it to stay quiet and not informal the police. Jared now must take another, less enjoyable risk this time to his personal safety if he decides to come forward. Montage: A later montage shows Jared surfing alone; the scene is slower, quieter and darker than the previous surfing scenes. This reflects Jared’s changing emotional stat, as the rape and murder has changed his feeling about his friends and himself. The negative outcomes of risk-taking are not limited to physical danger, but can also include guilt, stress and regret Repetition: Talking to his girlfriend, Jared repeats, â€Å"I didn’t do anything†. Jared feels guilty about the fact that he did not step in to save Tracey as she was being attacked. The negative outcomes of risk-taking are not limited to physical danger, but can also include guilt, stress and regret. Flashbacks: Jared has a series of flashbacks to the night of the murder throughout the movie. This shows that Jared continues to feel guilty and conflicted about his role in Tracey’s death. Negative consequences of risks are a main deterrent from fisk taking behaviour.

Monday, January 6, 2020

Foreign Intervention in Latin America

One of the recurring themes in Latin American history is that of foreign intervention. Like Africa, India, and the Middle East, Latin America has a long history of meddling by foreign powers, all of them European and North American. These interventions have profoundly shaped the character and history of the region. The Conquest The conquest of the Americas is probably the greatest act of foreign intervention in history. Between 1492 and 1550 or so, when most native dominions were brought under foreign control, millions died, entire peoples and cultures were wiped out, and the wealth gained in the New World propelled Spain and Portugal into golden ages. Within 100 years of Columbus first voyage, most of the New World was under the heel of these two European powers. The Age of Piracy With Spain and Portugal flaunting their newfound wealth in Europe, other countries wanted to get in on the action. In particular, the English, French, and Dutch all tried to capture valuable Spanish colonies and loot for themselves. During times of war, pirates were given official license to attack foreign ships and rob them. These men were called privateers. The Age of Piracy left profound marks in the Caribbean and coastal ports all over the New World. French Intervention in Mexico After the disastrous â€Å"Reform War† of 1857 to 1861, Mexico could not afford to pay off its foreign debts. France, Britain, and Spain all sent forces to collect, but some frantic negotiating resulted in the British and Spanish recalling their troops. The French stayed, however, and captured Mexico City. The famous Battle of Puebla, remembered on May 5, took place at this time. The French found a nobleman, Maximilian of Austria, and made him Emperor of Mexico in 1863. In 1867, Mexican forces loyal to President Benito Juà ¡rez retook the city and executed Maximilian. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine In 1823, American President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine, warning Europe to stay out of the western hemisphere. Although the Monroe Doctrine did keep Europe at bay, it also opened the doors for American intervention in the business of its smaller neighbors. Due in part to the French intervention and also to a German incursion into Venezuela in 1901 and 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt took the Monroe doctrine one step further. He reiterated the warning to European powers to keep out, but also said that the U.S. would be responsible for all of Latin America. This frequently resulted in the U.S. sending troops to countries that could not afford to pay their debts, such as Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua, all of which were at least partially occupied between 1906 and 1934. Halting the Spread of Communism Gripped by fear of spreading communism after World War II, the U.S. would often intervene in Latin America in favor of conservative dictators. One famous example took place in Guatemala in 1954, when the CIA ousted leftist president Jacobo Arbenz from power for threatening to nationalize some lands held by the United Fruit Company, which was owned by Americans. Among numerous other examples, the CIA later attempted to assassinate Cuban communist leader Fidel Castro in addition to mounting the infamous Bay of Pigs invasion. The U.S. and Haiti The U.S. and Haiti have a complicated relationship dating back to the time both were colonies of England and France, respectively. Haiti has always been a troubled nation, vulnerable to manipulation by the powerful country not far to the north. From 1915 to 1934, the U.S. occupied Haiti, fearing political unrest. The U.S. has sent forces into Haiti as recently as 2004, ostensibly to stabilize the volatile nation after a contested election. Lately, the relationship has improved, with the U.S. sending humanitarian aid to Haiti after the destructive 2010 earthquake. Foreign Intervention in Latin America Today Times may have changed, but foreign powers are still very active in meddling in the affairs of Latin America. France still colonizes mainland South America (French Guiana) and, the U.S. and U.K. still control islands in the Caribbean. Many people believed that the CIA was actively trying to undermine the government of Hugo Chà ¡vez in Venezuela; Chà ¡vez himself certainly thought so. Latin Americans resent being bullied by foreign powers. It is their defiance of U.S. hegemony that has made folk heroes out of Chà ¡vez and Castro. However, unless Latin America gains considerable economic, political, and military might, circumstances are unlikely to change very much in the short term.