Design, Drawing and Practical Skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Design, Drawing and Practical Skills - Essay Example This it does by providing the describing the conceptual structure and empirical design. The document further applies the knowledge and skills for executing or developing product effectively and efficiently. Effective design specification gives a clear understanding of the objective of the project and helps identify the constraints involved. It further assists the design concept by allocating the required tools and resources for the whole project. It can help in installing checkpoints and regulations and ensuring the quality of the product by tracking progress (Landa 2011, p78). The required tools for the multi design include design requirement description and the work plan or the enterprise framework of the design, which carries the principles, policies and the regulation guiding the processes. It is vital for the team members of the design team have the guide that enables them get solution to their queries. The design specification document assists in the identification of the risks projected and ways of minimizing their chances of occurrence. Effective Project management in a multi-disciplinary design team is essential as it guides the activities in the project, in line with the available time and resources. Without a systematic project management framework, it is possible that the some tasks will take unnecessarily longer durations to complete, or may consume more resources. There are many project management tools as presented in the list below, Each of the tools is applicable in different project environments and specific nature of projects. Activity network for example applies in projects where the calculation of the critical path is required. Gantt chart is necessary where the sequence of activities, resources consumed and the time spent in each task is required. It also presents a graphical representation of the project activities. Work schedule is very simple as it contains the timing of each task

Celia Cruz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Celia Cruz - Essay Example She was a Cuban singer who came from a humble background until she rose to fame in the US. It is through her music that she encouraged the conservation of marginalized people, as well as, promoting a world Latin American identity, principally utilizing the different syncretic threads of Salsa, originated from Cuban. By doing so, she was able to make a huge contribution to the Cuban music. By doing so she made Salsa a highly historical genre, by using her influence of musical aspects from different countries. Salas is defined by ethnomusicologists, as a genre that has Cuban traditions, mixed with guaracha in addition to rumba (Abreu 96-100). Moreover, salsa also has a huge influence of Colombian cumbias, and merengues from the Dominican Republic in addition to Puerto Rican bombas, (Abreu 105-107). However, the final form of this genre was developed by Latin musicians in the US by combining all the named contributions with aspects of American rock and jazz (Brill 2011). Nevertheless, S alsa contains some African melodious elements, apparent in the principal percussive instrumentation especially the drums, as well as, the call and response approach which is used to improve the vocal layers. Additionally, there is a Spanish influence that can be identified in some instrumentation of the genre. In general, salsa’s structure is in a pattern of the main body piece followed by the call-and-response aspects (Brill 120-126). This is what offers Salas a rhythm which is fast and lively which is valued in its performance. This can be depicted in some of the famous Cuban music. For instance, â€Å"Flor de Mayo,† starts with the clear guitar timbre. Chord strumming is fast in tempo, with slight tension between notes. The melody’s structure is followed by guitar notes that can only best described to have a Spanish style. These are some of the aspects that are identified in Salsa music that are in Cruz songs. Therefore, one can say that her songs contributed a lot in the invention of Salsa music and mostly because she made it acceptable to different people of diverse origins and culture. This does not mean that the genre was accepted by all genertons. In the 1960s, the trending music was the American rock and pop and many Lation youths did not accept the Salsa rhythm as expected. The genre was associated with the old generation and termed as outdated. This is attributed to the fact that many of them wanted to assimilate into the prevailing American culture. However, decade later, there was an overwhelming popularity of Salsa with the emergence of Celia Cruz as the most popular artist and she was ready to satisfy the transformed enthusiasm portrayed by the Latin American music. Cruz was born in Barrio Santos Suarez in Havana, which was a black neighborhood of Cuba in in October 21, 1924 (Ortiz 5-7). She had 13 siblings but she is the only ones that showed interest in singing. This is because as a child, one or her key chores was singing to her younger siblings to sleep. This encouraged her to sing as a child and in her first appearance, she was able to earn a pair of shoes given to her by some tourist that were watching. She developed to a teenager and performed in numerous talent shows in the community and also at school. Her aunt took her to cabarets and nightclubs. She was supported by her family but the

Positive and Negative Associations Essay Example for Free

Positive and Negative Associations Essay Cognitive social psychology describes the â€Å"self† as a dynamic, flexible, and complex set of self-conceptions, emotions, images and memories that are stored in the long-term memory. Some of the self-related material in working memory is associated with the transient conditions of the present time frame. These self-conceptions serve the important function of guiding behavior, affection, and perception. Core self-conceptions are enduring and stable self-conceptions tend to endure over time, and are activated across situations which mean they influence a person in giving meaning to circumstances and choice on how to behave. The perspective about the self in the memory has been referred to as the self-structure where it is proposed that the self-related memory representations are not neutral, but rather carry with them an emotional quality or evaluation tone known as valence (Zephyr 91). Because self-evaluation is based on the prevailing norms and expectations of the cultural milieu, the meaning of the valence component of the core-descriptions is likely to show cultural specificity in which the positive and negative associations are mutually based. Positive and negative associations Cultures have been described in terms of interpersonal values they socialize in their members. Culture is the patterns of social institutions, relationships, and expectations that guide the development of culturally competent individuals. The social values and practices are the major basics in the cultural construction of the positive and negative social associations in a society’s culture. The Haitian culture has been overtly portrayed on racial terms by many white writers something that African American writers have been deconstructing to dispel these negative associations. On the positive associations, anybody who is Haitian upholds highly about his/her self-conceptions will regard everything with self-esteem and more so respect his/her culture; trying to paint a positive image of it. Zephyr (118) points out that Haitians are to some extent positive about their culture and that is the reason why they would like very much to change the negative perceptions the world has. Their music has transcended class boundaries expressing the greatness of the people’s culture and their nation at large. People who talk well of themselves usually have that attitude that keeps their cultural boundaries open to constructive criticism for the better. Superstitions which have for a long time dwarfed development and people’s association are being negated for a society that embraces change. Haitians have changed the African American negativism by whites which has brought new light on the racial issues as a people with equal dignity and who are supposed to be respected. Haiti had remained in the dark and students and other groups have drummed up support in peeling away the darkness and letting people learn more about the place and its people. The United States initially viewed Haiti as a threat to its existence but now that has changed with the view of Haiti as a nation that contributes to its well-being. The historical slave revolution of Haiti is very much part of its proud history. Haiti is considered as a beacon of hope for its model of self-emancipation. This much inspired Negroes in slave plantation to rise and strive for their liberties which were held at ransom by the slave masters. It also strikes positively that Haitians fought bravely against French troops which points to the strong urge among the people to resist oppression from the white masters. Their culture has been without intrusion for many years which has accounted for the people’s strong will of independence leading to self-conceptions that glorifies their lives. The positive self-descriptions of the Haitian people therefore fits within their cultural frame because of the image as a free people from the chains of colonization which are to blame in many African countries for denigrating indigenous cultures, leading to many Africans neglecting their butchered cultural values (Zephyr 89). The critique of the cultural practices of Haitians has provided culturally relevant psychiatric practice very important in the cultural mindset of the Haitians. However, the Haitian culture has not been without negative self-descriptions that are to account for the stereotypes which have influenced the society in a great way. Gender issues, like in every other patriarchal society in the world rears the ugly muzzle to the world view. Also, the Voodoo culture has had negative effects on the socio-economic and political advancement of Haitians. Zephyr (108) reminds us that the belief in cultural practices that hinder development due to inhibiting beliefs that changes will be a bad omen to the society are to blame for the situation of Haitians. The negative stereotypes are of bad influence on the self-conceptions and description which are normally based on the cultural milieu of the people. The voodoo belief has bad influence on the economic bearing in that some practices deny people the opportunity to enterprise in what can economically uplift their living standards. With this culture bearing impact on the mindset of people, ignorance and backwardness set in which make the associations with other people very difficult as these have moved from the perspective of stereotype to beliefs that oppress the people. Like any other society, oppression of women is evident on gender lines, with boy-girl privileges at stake, where education for the male child is done at the expense of the girl who might be a better achiever than the boy. But the Haiti society is changing to adapt to changes that have affected all societies in the world. Neglecting the oppressive beliefs has been a step towards building that global society that embraces change negating the ignorance of many indigenous societies of the past. With these changes, the perspective or the view of the world on Haiti has still remained negative with efforts made by the Haitian society not recognized (Zephyr 122). These degenerative views on Haiti need to change and the world to view the big picture of a changing society for there is no society without blemish. In conclusion, the positive and the negative associations in any society are embedded in the cultural frame of that society, and there is no way one can define such a society without meeting such associations. Whether positive or negative associations, they can be understood on the cognitive social psychology in terms of the self-conceptions defined by the larger cultural milieu. Societies due to globalization influence are changing and so should be our perceptions on particular societies like the Haitians. Works Cited Zephyr, Flore. The Haitian Americans. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2004.

Proteins from Mammalian Cells Extraction

Proteins from Mammalian Cells Extraction Introduction: The aim of this practical was to generate protein material from Caco-2 cells and measuring the amount collected by using a bicinchinonic assay (BCA assay). The Caco-2 cell line is widely used in laboratories since it has very similar morphologic characteristics to normal enterocytes. This provides the cells with similar functions such as transport of nutrients and enterocytic differentiation when cultured in a monolayer in vitro. Therefore, Caco-2 cells have been shown to be a suitable model system to investigate the structure and function of the small intestinal epithelium (Ismael J. HIDALGO). By breaking up these cells, the collected components can be analysed in further experiments. This is usually done by using a detergent based solution to lyse the cell but other methods can also be used such as electrical lysis. Once this process has undergone, a homogenous extract of the broken-down cell is obtained and various techniques can be performed to analyse the components. The first use of the broken-down cell material in this practical was in a BCA assay to help measure the amount of protein yielded from the extraction step. The BCA technique is very commonly used in laboratories to measure the total protein concentration of a sample by comparing it to a protein standard. This method is popular because it can not only accurately determine the protein concentration of most sample types, but can also have various other applications such as measuring column fractions after performing an affinity chromatography or studying protein to protein interactions. The method measures the concentration of protein by analysing the reduction of Cu2+ to Cu1+ in an alkaline environment (known as the biuret reaction) combined with the colorimetric detection of Cu1+ by the bicinchoninic acid. This produces a signal that can be read by a spectrophotometer. The results can then be analysed to determine the concentration of the protein sample (Measure of protein using bca, PK SMITH RI KROHN). Protein extraction Materials Pipettes and tips Deionized water NaCl Trizma base lot#SLBH1724V (sigma) opened on 13/12/2013 Triton-x-100 lot#48H0208 (sigma) Sodium dodecyl sulphate Protease inhibitor Caco-2 cell culture plate (2 wells) Cell scraper Centrifuge tube 3x 1,5mL, 1x 50mL Plate reader Method Firstly, a buffer was prepared by adding 0.174g of NaCl with 0.303g of Tris to a 50mL plastic tube. 2,5mL of triton-x-100 and 0,5mL of Sodium dodecyl sulphate were then added to the tube. Water was finally added to create a final volume of 25mL. The buffer pH was then measured using a standard pH meter. Hydrogen ions were slowly added combined with a continuous monitoring of the pH change to obtain a final pH of 8,6. Buffer calculations: NaCL (Mr=58) 120mM needed => (58g/M)x(0.12M) =6.96g 6.96g/40=0.174g for 25mL Tris (Mr=121) 100mM needed => (121g/M)x(0.1M) =12.1g 12.1g/40=0.3025g for 25mL Triton-x-100 1% needed from 10% stock solution => 25mL/100 (to get to 1%) =0.25mL 0.2510 (10% stock solution) =2.5mL Sodium dodecyl sulphate 0.2% needed from 10% stock solution => 25mL/500 (to get to 0.2%) =0.05mL 0.05mlx10 (10%stock solution) =0.5mL Next, 1mL of protease inhibitor solution was prepared by adding 10 µl of protease inhibitor to 1mL of the buffer prepared earlier in a 1.5mL Eppendorf tube. The tube was then placed on ice. The next step was the addition of 200 µl of protease inhibitor buffer each to 2 wells of the caco-2 cells followed by vigorous scraping at the bottom of the well using a cell scraper. The cell suspension was then removed and placed into a microfuge tube and placed on ice. The tube containing the cell suspension was left to incubate on ice for 30 minutes receiving a resuspension by inverting the tube every 10 minutes. The tube was then centrifuged at 13000 rpm for 5 minutes.   After noticing that the sample needed more centrifugation, the tube was centrifuged for another 3 minutes at 13000rpm. The supernatant was then collected into a fresh tube. BCA assay Materials Pipettes 1x 96 well plate Bovine serum albumin (BSA) 2mg/mL Deionized water BCA reagents A and B Ependorf tubes Extracted protein Method Firstly, 6 standards were prepared by diluting Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) (2mg/mL) with water as followed: Table 1. Preparation of standards volumes Concentration (mg/mL) BSA (mL) Water (mL) 0 0 100 0.25 12.5 85.5 0.5 25 75 1 50 50 1.5 75 25 2 100 0 25  µl of each standard was loaded on the 96 well plate in duplicate as shown below. 5 µl of cell extract mixed with 20 µl of water to create a 1/5 dilution of the extracted protein was then loaded in 3 separate wells. Also, 2.5 µl of cell extract mixed with 22.5 µl of water to create a 1/10 dilution of the extracted protein was also added to three separate wells of the plate. Table 2. 96 well plate distribution 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 A 0 0 Sample 1 (1/5) Sample 1 (1/5) Sample 1 (1/5) B 0.25 0.25 Sample 2 (1/10) Sample 2 (1/10) Sample 2 (1/10) C 0.5 0.5 D 1 1 E 1.5 1.5 F 2 2 G H The next step was to prepare a working reagent which was made by mixing 5mL of BCA reagent A with 100 µl of BCA reagent B. 200 µl of this BCA reagent was added to all the wells containing standards and samples. And the plate was then incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. Finally, the plate was read at 540nm on a plate reader. The remaining cell extract was stored at -20C for further experiments. Results After cell extraction and the BSA assay, the sample absorbance results from the plate were as followed: Standards: Table 3. Standards absorbance Standards (mg/ml) 0.000 0.250 0.500 1.000 1.500 2.000 Absorbance Date: 23/01/2017 0.077 0.338 0.495 0.828 1.083 1.438 Date: 23/01/2017 0.083 0.348 0.500 0.799 1.056 1.469 Mean 0.080 0.343 0.498 0.814 1.070 1.454 Standard deviation (n=2) 0.004 0.007 0.004 0.021 0.019 0.022 CV % (n=2) 5.303 2.062 0.711 2.521 1.785 1.508 Table 4. Standards mean absorbance recapitulative Standards Concentration Mean Abs 1 0 0.08 2 0.25 0.343 3 0.5 0.498 4 1 0.814 5 1.5 1.07 6 2 1.454 Using these results, a standard curve was plotted (Figure2.). Figure 1. Standard Curve (Absorbance over concentration) Samples: Table 5. Samples absorbance results and mean Absorbance Results Sample 1 (1/5) (n=3) Sample 2 (1/10) (n=3) 0.529 0.319 0.539 0.332 0.536 0.368 Mean 0.535 0.340 By extrapolating the known absorbances obtained from the samples on the standard curve, a final absorption can be calculated. Note that the dilution factor is considered to create an end concentration and the mean of both samples was calculated to finalise the measurement of extracted protein (Table 6.). Table 6. Final extracted protein concentration Sample 1(1/5) sample 2 (1/10) End concentration (mg/ml) absorbance 0.535 0.34 Sample 1 sample 2 mg/ml Concentration (mg/mL) 0.609 0.312 3.04 3.12 Mean 3.08 Total error (n=2) 0.057 CV % (n=2) 1.837 Finally, after the extraction of the protein from the caco-2 cells and the BCA assay we can affirm that the amount of protein yielded had a concentration of 3.08 mg/ml. Discussion This practical shows the essential mechanisms involved in breaking down a cell to analyse its material. This is firstly done by lysing the cell to release its contents. The most common method in doing so is by using a detergent-based solution such as sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Sodium dodecyl sulphate is used in many methods such as in gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE see practical 2) or nucleic acid extraction. The structure of SDS gives it an amphiphilic property, meaning it is both hydrophilic and lipophilic, both essential properties to be used as a detergent. It works by disrupting non-covalent bonds of proteins which produces dissociation of protein complexes. This results in the solubilisation of cell membrane proteins for example. There are different types of detergents, some can be denaturing reagents such as SDS, and others can be non-denaturing. The other detergent used in this practical is Triton X-100 which is a non-denaturing, non-ionic detergent. This detergent contrib utes to maintaining the protein structures to a minimum (size and charge) (thermos fischer SDS). Another important step in the extraction of cell material is the centrifugation of the cell suspension following cell lysis. The centrifugation step is used to separate the components of a homogenate, in this case, the cell suspension. The extract is rotated at high speeds, creating a separation of the components by size and density. The larger the component, the greater centrifugal force will be applied, hence they will move the most rapidly. By altering the speed of centrifugation, different components can be isolated. Using this technique, we can collect the components by forming a pellet. If the pellet is impure, as it was during the experiment, repeated centrifugation may improve its quality (fractioning of cells, molecular biology of the cell 4th edition). After successfully obtaining the cell extract and performing the BCA assay, a standard curve can be plotted. But how accurate and precise is this curve? This depends on the quality of the results from the BCA assay standards. In other words, the precision of these. The precision of the standards was determined by testing two replicates on the plate. And was expressed as a coefficient of variation percentage (CV% where CV=standard deviation (SD)/mean) (Desvignes). Figure 2. Comparison of the coefficient of variations of the standard duplicates As shown above, the CV% for all standards were very low (usually acceptable below 20%). This means that the precision of the results was good and that the standard curve is precise(Desilva)(EMEA). In this experiment, the cell line that was used were Caco-2 cells derived from a tumour of the human gut epithelium and are a model of enterocytes. (The human intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2; pharmacological and pharmacokinetic applications) A monolayer of caco-2 cells exhibit very similar characteristics to the cells found in the small intestine due to its morphology. For example, they express microvillus hydrolases and nutrient transporters commonly found in the small-intestine. This makes them very useful in mimicking the gut in a laboratory setting. Conclusion         Ã‚   By using a detergent based solution, it is possible to break up cells to collect their material for further analysis. The quantification of the material can be achieved by performing a BCA assay which involves various techniques such as centrifugation followed by plotting a standard curve using standards prepared. This material can then be used in further experiments to analyse their components. In this experiment, the Caco-2 cell line was used, this cell line was derived from a tumour of the human gut epithelium and share various similarities with the cells commonly found in the small intestine.

Characterization of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Diseases, Necrotizin

Characterization of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Diseases, Necrotizing Faciitis Abstract Invasive Group A Streptococcus has been around the human civilization since the beginning of our existence, and it continues to be a threat today. Invasive Group A Streptococcus, known as invasive GAS, occurs around 9400 times a year in the United States alone, while it is unknown about the rest of the world due to recording inconsistencies. This bacterium exists as one of the most common flora in humans, and can only start infection when there is a region which has been opened. For example, these regions could include the blood, muscles, and other various locations. Necrotizing fasciitis, dubbed as the "flesh-eating bacteria" by the media, is one of the known bacteria within the invasive group A Streptococcus. Although the mortality and morbidity rate of necrotizing fasciitis is at 70-80%, treatment may reduce it to 30-50%. Invasive Group A Streptococcus disease, known as invasive GAS, is a disease that stems from the Group A bacterium found on the throat and skin. This bacterium is known as Streptococcus pygoenes. A bacterium of this strain is a gram-positive, nonmotile, nonsporeforming coccus that occurs in chains or in pairs in cells. The individual cells of this bacterium are round cocci, about .6-1.0 micrometer in diameter. The bacteria divides in 1 plane, therefore, cells occur in pairs or in chains of various lengths. Streptococcus pygoenes is also a catalase-negative nervetolerant microbe anaerobe. It requires certain encriched mediums that contain blood in order to divide and grow. GAS contains a capsule of hyaluronic acid, which makes it exhibit hemolysis, which are white colonies on blood agar. S. pyogenes is always foun... ...hould take care to protect themselves from this bacteria. Although it is not always possible, since this bacterium is found in 5-15% of humans as normal flora, there are always ways to help Characterization of Invasive Group? 5 prevent it. While this invasive Group A Streptococcus is not as rampant as before antibiotics were introduced, it is still a major problem in certain areas in the world, so research on better ways to eliminate this disease should continue. References: Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee. (1999, April 4). Invasive Group A Streptococcal Diseases. Streptococcal Diseases. July 26, 2005: http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/ID/id98-05.htm Maynor, M. (2005, January). Necrotizing Fasciits. Infectious Diseases. July 26, 2005: http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic332.htm Skinner, F. (1987). Streptococci. New York: Academic Press Inc.

Menace II Society and Colonization :: essays research papers

â€Å"A crooked childhood it's what the way I am, It's got me in the state where I don't give a damn, Somebody helped me but now they don't hear me, I guess I be another victim of the ghetto So I guess I gotta do what so I ain't finished I grew up to be a streiht up menace, geah.† -â€Å"Streiht Up Menace† by MC Eiht   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The song lyrics above are from the soundtrack of the film Menace II Society and correspond directly to the hardships that people are given when growing up in the ghetto and when surrounded by a life of violence. Because they know nothing other than this aggressive and brutal way of life, they continue this violent cycle and rarely break away to begin a new way of life. Twin brothers Albert and Allen Hughes direct the film. The Hughes began making movies at age 12, but their formal film education began their freshman year of high school when Allen took a TV production class. They soon made a short film entitled How To Be A Burglar and people began to take notice. Their next work, Uncensored Videos, was broadcast on cable, introducing them to a wider audience. After high school, Albert began taking classes at the Los Angeles Community College Film School. Two short films established the twins’ reputation as innovative filmmakers and allowed them to direct Menace II Society (1993), which made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and grossed nearly 10 times as much as its $3 million budget. After following up with Dead Presidents (1995) they directed the feature-length documentary American Pimp (1999). From the very first scene, detailing Caine and O-Dog's fatal armed robbery of a Korean market, violence is cruelly graphic. â€Å"In this instance, the film succeeds in painting a disturbing picture of violence, one in which the characters' lack of remorse, rather than stylistic convention, shapes and colors the horror of the image.† Although most of the violence is filmed realistically and unfolds in real time, the Hughes can't seem to resist stylizing some of the more important narrative events. Thus, while the robbery introduces violence, O-Dog's shooting of the Korean market owner is shown directly only further into the story, when black and white images of the store's stolen surveillance video are played and replayed for the entertainment of Caine, O-Dog, and their friends. While an innovative means of conveying action, the video becomes nothing more than a diversion.

Chemical element

True The half-lives of unstable isotopes vary from milliseconds to billions of years. The combining of atoms is known as nuclear fusion. Multiple choice (271)mints) The man responsible for discovering that the atom is mostly space is: Rutherford false statement concerning matter is: All matter contains mass. The true statement concerning the atomic nucleus is: It is made up of electrons only. The element has how many protons? 7 has how many neutrons? 146 Which statement is true? Isotopes of a given element have very similar chemical properties. The atomic number of an atom is equivalent to the number of: protons Rutherford coined the term used for the simplest positive charged particle and called it the: neutron An alpha particle is: an electron Select all that apply. In the vertical columns of the periodic table: All the physical properties are identical.The number of positive charges in the nucleus of an atom is equal to: its atomic number Most of the mass of an atom is made up of: The protons and neutrons Movement of electrons about a central nucleus is a concept by: Boor Periodicity is best defined as: The repeating nature of physical and chemical properties with increasing The last element in any period always has: eight electrons in the outermost energy level The maximum number of electrons in a p sub-level is: 3 The 3 in up represent TTS: the number of electrons Name the element that corresponds to the following electron configuration. 2 , as , up neon 22 61 What does the p mean in Is as the p shell What causes the lines in the spectrum for elements? None of the above What is the maximum number of electrons found in any shell of the known elements? 8 A principal quantum number refers to: The numbered energy levels starting from the nucleus outward 2 2 The electron configuration of En is: Is In the vertical columns of the periodic table, as the atomic numbers increase: The numbers of electrons in the valence shell increase.