Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Essay -- sexuality, biology, ch

In today’s day in age, different sexualities and gender identities are quickly becoming more accepted in mainstream society. Despite this change, there are many people who believe that having a different sexual orientation or gender identity is a choice that is frowned upon. In order to refute this belief, research and biology of the brain is necessary. Researching the brain on the basis of sexuality is a fairly new topic of discussion because it is somewhat difficult and confusing. This paper will explore the different identities of gender, sex and sexual orientation and the main biological reasons behind these. There is also some validity of different sexual orientations and identities through the evidence of sexual disorders like Klinefelter’s and Turner’s Syndrome and gender dysphoria. In order to discuss the biology of gender identity and sexual orientation, it is necessary to first examine the differences between multiple definitions that are often mistakenly interchanged: sex, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Sexual orientation is defined by LeVay (2011) as â€Å"the trait that predisposes us to experience sexual attraction to people of the same sex as ourselves, to persons of the other sex, or to both sexes† (p. 1). The typical categories of sexual orientation are homosexual, heterosexual and bisexual. Vrangalova and Savin-Williams (2012) found that most people identify as heterosexual, but there are also groups of people that identify as mostly heterosexual and mostly gay within the three traditional categories (p. 89). This is to say that there are not three concrete groups, but sexual orientation is a continuum and one can even fluctuate on it over time. LeVay (2011) also defines gender as â€Å"the ... ...ved October 9, 2015 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/klinefelter-syndrome/DS01057. Swaab, D. F. & Garcia-Falgueras, A. (2009). Sexual differentiation of the human brain in relation to gender identity and sexual orientation. Functional Neurology, 24(1), 17-28. Turner Syndrome Society. (2011). Learn about TS: Fact Sheet. Turner Syndrome Society of the United States. Retrieved October 9, 2015 from http://turnersyndrome.org/learn-about-ts/fact-sheet Vrangalova, Z., & Savin-Williams, R. C. (2012). Mostly heterosexual and mostly gay/lesbian: Evidence for new sexual orientation identities. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41, 85-101. doi: 10.1007/s10505- 012-9921-y. Zhang, S., Liu, Y., & Rao, Y. (2013). Serotonin signaling in the brain of adult female mice is required for sexual preference. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(24), 9968-9973.

Early Religion Essay

Religion is something unique to a man. It makes us different from any other animals. Nowadays, religion has a great impact on man’s life. It one of the major factors why man still manage to survive in this cruel and unfair life. It helps man to keep holding on especially in times of down. It is something man can lean on. But those religions we are affiliated today are not the exact same religion in the early times. Even the simplest religion has a very complex history indeed. Religions have developed over thousands of years ago due to its adaptation to environmental changes such as social and ecological (Hopfe and Woodcraft, p. 15) Although archaeologists and anthropologists have found remains and of ancient people and society, still, evidences for early religions were hard to interpret. Writings were very few because they don’t actually write in their times. They preferred vocal communication. Sad to say but these gave us limited knowledge of early religions. However, their arts and symbols somehow gave little information about their religion. There was also transmission of myths from one generation to another. Stories about gods’ relationship with man are common to every religion. These stories are myths telling the truth about the religion. It helps man visualize abstract concepts (Hopfe and Woodcraft, p. 25). Like every other religion today, early religion also has initiation. After proper training, a man or woman will be initiated which serve as the end of their social cohesion and individual fulfillment (Ellwood and McGraw, p. 31. ). Shamans have a big role in spirituality of early religion. They are believed to have special powers like healing and confronting gods. Ceremonies and rituals that went with hunting and gathering were also present (Ellwood and McGraw, p. 49). Early religion, even somehow have a lot of difference with today’s religion, have shaped the lives of early people. Just like today, religion is a part of their everyday lives. Whatever the differences they may have, religion still have one good reason for existence—guidance to mankind. References: Ellwood, Robert S. and McGraw, Barbara A. Many Peoples, Many Faiths: Women and Men in the World Religions, Seventh Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 2002 Hopfe, Lewis M. and Woodcraft, Mark R. Religions of the World, Eighth Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 2001

Evolution on Tasmainian Devils Essay

The world’s largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, the Tasmanian devil has a thick-set, squat build, with a relatively large, broad head and short, thick tail. The fur is wholly black, but white markings often occur on the rump and chest. Body size also varies greatly, depending on the diet and habitat. Adult males are usually larger than adult females. Devils once occurred on mainland Australia, but have been confined to Tasmania since pre-European times. The survival of Tasmanian Devils is threatened by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), and the species is now listed as Endangered. Devil facial tumour disease emerged in 1996 and causes tumours around in and around the mouth, face and neck and sometimes other parts of the Devils. The disease develops rapidly and is fatal: affected animals die within six months of the lesions first appearing. DFTD is contagious – the cancer cells are spread by biting during feeding and mating. It has spread across approximately 60% of Tasmania and has caused a rapid decline in wild Devil populations. Characteristics of Tasmanian devil cells have fourteen chromosomes, while the oldest-known strain of the tumour cells contains thirteen chromosomes, nine of which are recognizable and four of which are mutated. More recently-evolved strains have an additional mutant marker chromosome, for a total of fourteen chromosomes. The karyotype anomalies of DFTD cells are similar to those of cancer cells from canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT), a cancer of dogs that is transmitted between canines by physical contact. DFTD cells are not only genetically identical to each other, but also genetically distinct from their hosts, and from all known Tasmanian devils. The cancer originated in a single female individual and spread, rather than arising separately within each individual. Later the devil developed tumours from lesions caused by infected devil’s bites, confirming that the disease is spread by allograft, and that the normal methods of transmission include biting, scratching, and aggressive sexual activity between individuals. Infectious facial cancer may be able to spread because of low diversity in devil immune genes. The same genes are also found in the tumours, so the devil’s immune system does not recognise the tumour cells as foreign. There are at least four or more strains of the cancer, showing that it is evolving, and may become more virulent. The strains may also complicate attempts to develop a vaccine, and the mutation of the cancer may mean that it could spread to other related species. Devil facial tumour disease was originated in the Schwann cells, of a single devil, most likely a female. Schwann cells are found in the peripheral nervous system, and produce myelin and other proteins essential for the functions of nerve cells in the peripheral nervous system. The researchers sampled 25 tumours and found that the tumours were genetically identical. Several specific markers were identified which may enable veterinarians to more easily distinguish DFTD from other types of cancer, and might eventually help identify a genetic pathway that can be targeted to treat it. Due to the decreased life expectancy of the devils due to DFTD, they have begun breeding at younger ages in the wild, with reports that many only live to participate in one breeding cycle. Tasmanian devils have changed their breeding habits in response to the disease. Females previously started breeding at the age of two, then annually for about three more years until dying normally. Now they commonly breed at the age of one, and die of tumours shortly thereafter. It is speculated that the disease is spread by devils biting each other during the mating season. Social interactions have been seen spreading DFTD. It is one of three known contagious cancers. Wild Tasmanian devil populations are being monitored to track the spread of the disease and to identify changes in disease prevalence. To determine where the presence of the disease is and determine the number of affected animals. Areas are visited repeatedly to characterise the spread of the disease over time. Field workers are also testing the effectiveness by trapping and removing diseased devils. It is hoped that the removal of diseased devils from wild populations should decrease disease prevalence and allow more devils to survive beyond their young years and breed. At present with the population reduced by 60% since 1996, if a cure is not found then scientists predict they will become extinct by 2035. Scientists and vets are working to find out how the disease can be stopped. Meanwhile, healthy pairs of Tasmanian devils have been moved to the mainland to breed in captivity. When Tasmania is once again disease free, those devils will be released into the wild.

Brazil nuts reproduction ecological report Essays - Free Essays

Brazil nuts reproduction ecological report Essays - Free Essays Brazil nuts reproduction ecological report Dr. Alan Rizzo IB Biology SL Y1 January 13, 2014 Brazil nuts reproduction ecological report Brazil nuts contain exceptional nutritious elements and can only be harvested in the Amazon forest of Brazil. Each Brazil nut tree towers high up to 200 feet; its branches provide habitat and food for other animals. Despite the fact in which only those Brazil nut trees that grow in undisturbed forests bear fruit, their reproduction has high dependency on other organisms of the forest. In accordance to my research, there are two main organisms that every Brazil nut tree depends on for its own reproduction: the orchid Coryanthes vasquezii and the agouti of genus Dasyprocta. Only an insect strong enough to lift the coiled hood on the flower can pollinate Brazil nuts and with a tongue long enough to reach the complex flower spiral. Nut production depends on the presence of Coryanthes vasquezii, an orchid that attracts long-tongued male orchid bees of genus Euglossa, with its scent that male bees need to attract females. The large female long-tongued orchid bees then pollinate the Brazil nut trees. If there is no orchid, the bees will not mate, and the lack of bees means that Brazil nut trees will not get pollinated. Brazil nut fruits will take 14 months to mature after the pollination. Each fruit has a diameter of 10 to 15 cm and weighs up to 2 kg, which is called Ourio. Its shell, similar to wood, is 8 to 12 mm of thickness, and it has about 8 to 24 seeds, which are the Brazil nuts, inside. The agoutis, South American rodents that appear similarly to large guinea pigs, possess the ability to penetrate the hard-rock case of Brazil nut fruits. Their small and chiseled teeth crack open Brazil nut pods. They eat some of the nuts before burying them for future meals. When those nuts are forgotten, they stay dormant for years in nature before finding optimal conditions to germinate, and grow into a new Brazil nut tree.

How To Pronounce Swath and Swathe

How To Pronounce Swath and Swathe How To Pronounce Swath and Swathe How To Pronounce Swath and Swathe By Maeve Maddox When I wrote a post on the confusion between the meanings of the nouns swath and swatch, I discovered that considerable disagreement exists regarding the pronunciation of the noun swath and the verb swathe. NOTE: The noun swath denotes the narrow path of cut grass made by a scythe or mower. The verb swathe means â€Å"to wrap up, swaddle or bandage.† If all you want from this article is to know how to pronounce swath and swathe, please skip the middle and read the part that begins, â€Å"My advice to speakers.† If like me you enjoy exploring changes in pronunciation, read the middle as well. Daniel Jones Pronouncing Dictionary This British reference, published 1967, gives one pronunciation for the spelling swath: /swÉ”Ë ÃŽ ¸/ [swawth] and one for swathe: /sweÉ ªÃƒ °/ [swayth]. Note: The spellings between square brackets are for readers unfamiliar with the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) symbols. Plain a represents the broad a of father. Plain th represents the unvoiced sound of th heard in thin. Th represents the voiced sound of th heard in then. Ay represents the long a heard in late. Oxford English Dictionary For the verb swathe, the OED shows /sweÉ ªÃƒ °/ [swayth] as both British and US pronunciation. For the noun swath, the OED shows /swÉ’Î ¸/ [swath] for both British and US pronunciation. It gives /swÉ’Ã °/ [swath] as a variant US pronunciation. The spelling swathe is noted as a variant spelling of the noun swath. Merriam-Webster Unabridged The main entry for the noun shows the spelling swath, followed by an audio pronunciation that models broad a with voiced th: /swÉ’Î ¸/ [swath]. The spelling swathe is given as a variant spelling, but the pronunciation modeled for it on the audio is /swÉ’Ã °/ [swath]. Dictionary.com The noun swath is shown with the pronunciation /swÉ’Î ¸/ [swath]. Two pronunciations are given for the verb swathe: â€Å"/swÉ’Ã °/ [swath] or /sweÉ ªÃƒ °/ [swayth].† Howjsay.com This site usually gives the British pronunciation of a word first, followed by US pronunciation is applicable. However, the principal pronunciation given for swath is not OED’s /swÉ’Î ¸/ [swath] but voiced /sweÉ ªÃƒ °/ [swayth]. Four â€Å"American† pronunciations are given: [swath], [swath], [sworth], and [sworth]. No doubt about it, English speakers have problems with swath and swathe. Charles Elster (The Big Book of Beastly Pronunciation) devotes nearly an entire page to the pronunciation of the verb swathe. He begins by showing [swayth] as the â€Å"traditional† pronunciation, acknowledging that the word is â€Å"now often† heard pronounced as [swath]. He prefaces his discussion by lamenting: I find it nothing short of remarkable that- viewed from the perspective of the dictionaries- a pronunciation that has prevailed in cultivated speech for more than 150 years can be replaced, seemingly overnight, by a newly minted variant that no authority has recognized, rejected, or even remarked upon. He blames Merriam-Webster for the aberration, pointing out that in 1961, â€Å"in an astonishing bit of lexicographic legerdemain,† Webster’s Third Edition â€Å"gave priority to the heretofore unknown and unbaptized SWATH and labeled the traditional SWAYTH â€Å"infrequent.† He ends his rant with a reluctant acceptance of broad a for the verb as well as for the noun, but pleads that speakers keep the voiced th: However you choose to pronounce the a, do not, under any circumstances, pronounce the th with a dental hiss as in breath and death. It must be voiced, as in seethe, breathe, and rather. My advice to speakers who are not yet set in their ways regarding swath and swathe is this: If you mean the noun, spell it swath and pronounce it /swÉ’Î ¸/ [swath]. Example: â€Å"The mower cut a swath six feet wide.† If you intend the verb, spell it swathe and pronounce it to rhyme with bathe. Example: â€Å"Do not swathe the baby too tightly.† Note: The spelling swathe [pronounced /sweÉ ªÃƒ °/ [swayth] can be used as noun to mean â€Å"a band of linen or other fabric used to wrap something; a length of fabric.† British author Marjorie Eccles uses swathe as a noun in her mystery The Superintendent’s Daughter (1999): Abigail eased her waybetween the stands of wallpaper books and rolls of furnishing fabrics jostling modern and antique pieces of furniture. Swathes of rich, stained-glass-coloured old silk and velvet lay side by side with currently fashionable jujube-coloured cottons, lemon and lime and orange. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Apply to, Apply for, and Apply with34 Writing Tips That Will Make You a Better Writer50 Tips on How to Write Good

Micro economics Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Micro economics - Term Paper Example Minimum wage is also controlled by local and state governments, which implies that different states in the US may have different statutory minimum wages. While the statutory minimum wage has significant benefits on workers, it is nevertheless known to have some economic effects on businesses, local employment, and individuals. This paper entails minimum wage in the United States and the associated effects. By July 2009, the US federal government had set an overall minimum wage of at least $7.25 per hour. On the contrary, some municipalities and states in the same country had set minimum wage levels slightly higher than the federal government statutory minimum wage level. In the Washington State for instance, the minimum wage level was set at $9.32 per hour by January 2014 (Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 2014). Connecticut passed legislation in 2014, on March 26, that advocated for the raise of minimum wage to $10.10 from $8.7 by 2017. It was the first state in the United States to address the call by President Obama to increase minimum wage in the country. Further, Seattle City Council, in Washington passed an ordinance on June 2 2014 to increase the city’s minimum wage to $15 per hour (New York Times Editorial Board, 2014). This legislation placed the city in the topmost position regarding the highest minimum wage in the entire country. The overall minimum in the United States wage has remained as $7.25 since it was re-set in 2009, specifically on July 24. This increase was basically the third and the last step of the US Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, which had become a low in 2007, on 25th May. It was held by the Supreme Court that this federal minimum wage was constitutional and hardly exceeds the Commerce Cause’s scope in the United States v. Darby Lumber Co. ( U.S. v. DARBY, 312 U.S. 100 (1941) ). Nevertheless, some of the U.S.

Management accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Management accounting - Essay Example 20-25, 2003). The type, number, or volume of the products does not directly drive these costs. Several costs even within a factory are questionable for the same reason. Moreover, substantial material vendors and customer also impel quite a few costs. â€Å"In fact there is no single correct (product) cost figure† (Walker, 22, 1999). Costs centers hold records of the financial transactions of the organizations, which they use to calculate their product costs. Several methods for this exist where different organizations may employ unique methods. The simplest of the aforementioned methods for product costing, employs only direct costs. Earlier, labor costs received greater importance. Companies carried out everything manually. The number of employees involved dictated the output volume. Then came the time when machines began to substitute labour in production. This progress posed a problem to the prevailing costing method because most of the machine costs are depreciation costs and are not comparable to direct labor costs (Fritzsch, pp. 83-89, 1997). Organizations and experts highlighted several more weaknesses of the traditional accounting system because it was not compatible with the development of the new business methods. To overcome the weaknesses of the simple product costing method, accounting experts introduced standard costing. Standard costing method uses Bill of Material (BOM) and the capacity demand of the product to calculate the product cost. To calculate direct costs, the accountant considers raw material costs and labor costs, as incurred per unit of production. Whereas, to calculate indirect costs, they use the product of multiplier factors (predetermined rates) and the direct costs (Broadbent et al., pp. 31-37, 2003). Although standard costing is an easy and appropriate way for actual cost follow-up, it may lead to inappropriate decisions when used erroneously in future planning. The basic issue with standard product costing is that it do es not provide sufficient information to facilitate the user to control the overheads and other indirect costs related to the product. For instance, accounting experts express the production overheads multiplier as an additional percentage of the product direct cost. Recursive calculations from past accounting figures drive this value and it usually allows a rising trend for overheads when managers use it as a standard for a new product (Shank & Fisher, 77, 1999). Having seen the drawbacks of simple and standard costing systems, experts in the field have been attempting to formulate generic costing methods since decades. For example, traditional costing methods include only the manufacturing costs in the total unit cost of each product. However, the new concepts in cost management require the accountants to cross the usual limits of product costing methods by applying all organizational costs in a more applicable and informative way and attaching them to cost objects such as a proce ss, product, customer etc (Broadbent et al., pp. 41-48, 2003). The design of such advance cost management system (ACMS) requires companies to integrate the new concepts practically in the business processes and operating systems (Schnoebelen, 52, 1993a).  Ã¢â‚¬ËœActivity-based costing’ is one of such advance cost management systems. Activity based costing technique is a way of assigning