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.

Analysis and Evaluation of Aspects of Pastoral Care and Mentoring in Essay

Analysis and Evaluation of Aspects of Pastoral Care and Mentoring in the Educational Contest - Essay Example ..............................10 Opportunity Costs V Opportunity Gains.....................................................11 Specific Pastoral Needs and Strategies.......................................................12 Conclusion †¦..............................................................................................14 References...................................................................................................15 Introduction This paper undertakes an in-depth enquiry into the concepts of pastoral care and mentoring in the educational context. This involves a critical analysis meant to evaluate aspects of pastoral care and mentoring. In attaining this end, the researcher undertakes a critical evaluation of the specific pastoral needs of students and examines the strategies for the attainment of this end in educational institutions. The paper examines how pastoral care and mentoring supports in effective learning. This is done through an examination of t he needs of people in the educational system. It also analyses the various strategies in the attainment of these ends. There will be an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the strategies. The analysis will conclude on the ends that each strategy meets in terms of specific pastoral care. The following objectives are examined: 1. A critical analysis of pastoral care and mentoring in the educational system. 2. ... Best states that â€Å"pastoral care marks an evolution of education from a purely academic system to one which incorporates social and family oriented lessons† (2000 p3). This means that Pastoral care seeks to integrate the important aspects of life that were primarily taught by parents and the society to children in the society before the coming of the Industrial Revolution. In other words, the social system of Britain was quite distinct in about five hundred years ago. However, in modern times, changes in the socio-economic system of Britain and other nations has caused the focus of society to shift from social values to one where efficiency, economic gains and independence are emphasized. As such, pastoral care attempts to recreate and inculcate the social value systems and structures that were taught informally before fundamental changes to the society occurred. The system through which most schools do this is through pastoral care, affective education, guidance and couns elling and personal/social education (Best, 2000). This is strongly steeped in Christian traditions and systems of trying to get people to be morally and socially upright right from an early stage. The world Pastoral care has a Latin root, pascere which means to feed. Best traces it to the early Anglican systems of Britain where Pastors were required to 'feed' their 'flocks' through care and other forms of mentoring and supervision systems which ensured that the members of the Church carried out what was taught in the Church and also raise their children in accordance with acceptable standards and traditions (Best, 2000). Pastoral Care became common in Cambridge and Oxford and gradually spread to secular state

Economic Integration has been the Most Concrete and Visible Essay

Economic Integration has been the Most Concrete and Visible Achievement of the EU Since its Creation - Essay Example The process of economic integration has been developed by the EU through involving the facet of political integration amid the member nations in order to establish a well-built monetary paradigm which could facilitate to strengthen the trade activities through considering efficient monetary guidelines (Seller, 2007). Political integration has been considered as the practice whereby countries pass over the desire as well as the ability to perform domestic and foreign guidelines of each other in an independent manner. This process is intended to strengthen decision making process of the nations rather than seeking mutual decision in terms of developing their new central organ. The term ‘political integration’ is also defined as a framework whereby the political leaders in different settings of national districts are influenced to alter their desired expectation as well as political activities to a well-structured new centre (Bache & et. al., 2011). Emphasizing upon the different practices and decisions of the EU in the context of monetary phenomenon, the major purpose of this report is to discuss the concept of economic integration in the EU. ... The process is intended to uphold lower prices both for the distributors and customers with the intention of enhancing the joint economic efficiency of the nations (Jovanovic, 2002). The concept of economic integration has been derived from Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) which had been taken by the European Council in the year 1991 and was preserved later under the treaty of EU. EMU has been recognized as an early step in terms of practicing the process of economic integration. The extent of economic integration can be segregated into six different steps which are designed to augment efficiency and empower the economic development of the states. In accordance with the economic integration process designed by the EU, the six major steps are namely the Preferential Trading Area, Free Trade Area, Customs Union, Single Market, Economic and Monetary Union as well as Complete Economic Integration (European Commission, 2012). Preferential Trading Area (PTA): Preferential trading areas (P TA) can be stated as certain areas, regions, states or nations among which the trade activities are conducted in a minimum custom barrier (Holden, 2003). Free Trade Area: It can be recognized as a group or collection of certain countries that appeal to maintain low trade policies as well as control mechanisms in terms of tariffs while performing trade activities amid each other. Free trade areas endorse the approving nations to freely execute trade activities of their products and/services so as to create economic efficiency of both the countries (Rodrigue, 2013). Customs Union (CU): The step tends to set widespread external tariffs between the member nations and

W6 Disc IT Strategy in Difficult Economic Situations Essay

W6 Disc IT Strategy in Difficult Economic Situations - Essay Example Likewise, the number of participants or organizations applying IT-related applications are greater during economic prosperity. As such, its governance within an economically prosperous status would be more challenging. On the contrary, in times of economic decline, IT governance still faces difficulties in areas such as the need to be cognizant of costs associated with support and sustenance of IT systems, updates, and adherence to policies and regulations that abide by privacy and confidentialty; as well as security of information. In economic decline, the number of participants or organizations are perceived to decline due to tendencies for bankruptcies or financial losses. Thus IT governance issues are lesser, as compared to periods of economic prosperity. The strategies that could be suggested to cope with economic decline include: (1) establishing a core competence or competitive advantage through â€Å"operating at a lower cost, by commanding a premium price, or by doing both† (Galliers & Leidner, 2013, p. 388); (2) enhancing operational effectiveness through the online medium; (3) establishing an effective strategic positioning stance; (4) designing strategies that complement and balance traditional marketing strategies with that of digital or online medium. It was emphasized by Galliers & Leidner (2013) that â€Å"only by integrating the Internet into overall strategy will this powerful new technology become an equally powerful force for competitive advantage† (p. 402). Atkinson, R., & McKay, A. (2007, March). Digital Prosperity: Understanding the Economic Benefits of the Information Technology Revolution. Retrieved from The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation:

Stop the Massacre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Stop the Massacre - Essay Example Palestinians only get to hear of the data regarding their fellow citizens who have passed due to the conflict. However, the reporting is also compromised by media houses that are rooting for a western perspective, which has labeled Palestinians as terrorists yet the majority of Gaza residents are peace-loving citizens and have no arms that threaten Israel’s peace and tranquillity. The Israel army claims that it is undertaking surgical strikes aimed at only killing Hamas fighters (Yaakov 1). However, the grim reality on the ground paints a different picture. Most of the dead are innocent civilians who include children, women and the elderly. The support of the western nations for the conflict points at the eroded moral values of the strongest nations, which ought to stand for the enforcement of human rights. The above story paints a bleak future for Gaza’s residents who have become used to the torrential blasts of Israel mortar. This is a story about the contrast in the lives of Israelis and Palestinians. On the onset of the operation dubbed protective edge, Israelis, in amusement, watched from cinemas and cliffs facing Gaza as their army bombarded Gaza from the air leading to the death of innocent people (Yaakov 1). The Israelis, whom the army claims to be protecting, were celebrating as it pounded and destroyed the lives of Palestinians. This was in contrast to the picture painted by Israel’s media, which claimed that its citizens live under the constant threats of rockets. The war against Gaza was based on a false premise publicized by the Western-backed media so that world can turn a blind eye on the atrocities that are occurring during the military incursion into Gaza. The result of this war is the creation of a modern-day concentration camp and the death of even the unborn babies in the wombs of Palestine’s women. Palestinians cannot leave Gaza since they will be exposed to attacks.  

The issues of politics and administration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The issues of politics and administration - Essay Example This paper will look into the issues of politics and administration. It will also discuss the possibility of separating politics from administration. Holding or having an opinion about such a view is very critical. It is, however, very easy to agree with all those who do not think that Wilson was right. The involvement of politics in the administration process is an everyday occurrence (Naidu, 2005). It has been there ever since the beginning, and it is here to stay. To try and stop the involvement of a higher, organized group of elite people who are out to benefit themselves is a very hard task. It is hard to hide the fact that these two are linked. It is very unlikely for any administration to make a decision without there being any outside influence. That mainly comes from the politics side of that administration. It is fair to say or point out that the dichotomy displayed by Wilson in today’s world is not applicable. The distinction is neither workable nor is it practical. Take, for example, a public school. A public school that gets its funding from the local government is usually very easy to fall prey to the involvement of politics. As the school administration wants to implement their policies, local politics comes into play. It is very easy for them to get side-lined. They get other policies to implement while being given ultimatums if they do not do as they are required (Sapru, 2006). Some of the advantages of this dichotomy would be the fact that, some policies that these administrations are forced to adopt may end up helping people. This is in line with the fact that incentives are always factors that are used to control these administrations, and the people around them. Another advantage would be the rise of more powerful individuals that may be able to run the administration. The recognition that politics gives to individuals is very appealing to many, and the fact that a politician is willing to spend time in the local areas would

Savil Building by Glen Howells Architects Essay

Savil Building by Glen Howells Architects - Essay Example In its design, its response to the site, the climate, the design requirement, it has surpassed the programme. That's what makes it unique, 'high architecture' or in plainer words an award winner! This essay investigates the architectural qualities of the Savill Building with specific reference to the following themes: Beauty or the aesthetic value of every building is an important feature of every structure established within certain locations. It is also closely related to the time and place of the architectural event. Thus, modernists like Philip Johnson see deconstructivism as 'warped' and the International Style as 'pure'. It is about the contrast between 'perfection and violated perfection'.1 The many trends in architecture after modernism suggest a pluralist society where too many issues are equally important. However, in the collective concern for the environment and attempts at conserving and reusing and generally trying to contain one's carbon footprint, we may have finally, the one world- religion that will generate an aesthetic that may be most persuasive of recent trends.2 And the Savill Building illustrates this beautifully both figuratively and literally. Through improving the landscape of the park, the building creates a profound experience for the visitors making them feel like they belong to the landscape itself. The dome shape of the roof creates an illusion that the entire building is one continuous structure that follows the dictates of the landforms so sensitively that it is difficult to perceive where building ends and landscape begins. It fits in with its surroundings hand-in-glove, not just in terms of building profile but also in terms of its material for construction that was judiciously selected and felled on site itself. Of all the other features of the complex, the structure of the building stands out as the chief characteristic of the complex. Being a part of the whole landscape works well for the Savill Building as it utilizes the natural beauty of the location where the structure is established. The complete building created not only for catering to its distinct functions it aims also to enhance the entire natural landscape of the site3. This capability of the structure to bring out the natural essence of the beauty that the location itself posses makes the complete conception a complimentary element to the landscape. 2. Nature Seen and Sensed The major features of the shapes and elements that make up the building actually create a more sophisticated presentation of nature. The carefully crafted design that mimics the entirety of scale and location highlights the abundance of nature creating an 'environment of seemingly untamed, ever-productive free growth'4. A curved glazed curtain wall allows the visitor to view the 'spectacular' landscape over the terrace.5 The glazing allows natural light to enter the building giving it better chances of being appropriately lit during the day right up to mid afternoon. The glazing 'frames' the scenic view of the natural landscape of the gardens for which the interiors of the building create a perfect foil. Hills and