Living Fossil Plants - Ginkgo, Metasequoia, Wollemia

A living fossil  is a species that is known from fossils looking just the way it looks today. Among animals, the most famous living fossil is probably the  coelacanth. Here are three living fossils from the plant kingdom. Afterward, we will point out why living fossil is no longer a good term to use. Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba Ginkgoes are a very old line of plants, their earliest representatives being found in rocks of Permian age  some 280 million years old. At times in the geologic past, they have been widespread and abundant, and the dinosaurs surely fed upon them. The fossil species Ginkgo adiantoides, indistinguishable from the modern ginkgo, is found in rocks as old as Early Cretaceous (140 to 100 million years ago), which appears to have been the ginkgos heyday. Fossils of ginkgo species are found throughout the northern hemisphere in rocks dating from Jurassic to Miocene times. They disappear from North America by the Pliocene and vanish from Europe by the Pleistocene. The ginkgo tree is well-known today as a street tree and ornamental tree, but for centuries it appears to have been extinct in the wild. Only cultivated trees survived, in Buddhist monasteries in China, until they were planted across Asia starting about a thousand years ago. Ginkgo Photo GalleryGrowing GinkgoesLandscaping with Ginkgoes Dawn Redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides The dawn redwood is a conifer that sheds its leaves every year, unlike its cousins the coast redwood and giant sequoia. Fossils of closely related species date from late in the Cretaceous  and occur all over the northern hemisphere. Their most famous locality is probably on Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian Arctic, where stumps and leaves of Metasequoia sit still unmineralized from the warm Eocene Epoch some 45 million years ago. The fossil species Metasequoia glyptostroboides was first described in 1941. Its fossils were known before that, but they were confused with those of the true redwood genus Sequoia and the swamp cypress genus Taxodium for more than a century. M. glyptostroboides was thought to be long extinct. The latest fossils, from Japan, dated from the early Pleistocene (2 million years ago). But a living specimen in China was found a few years later, and now this critically endangered species is thriving in the horticultural trade. Only about 5000 wild trees remain. Recently, Chinese researchers described a single isolated specimen in Hunan province whose leaf cuticle differs from all other dawn redwoods and exactly resembles the fossil species. They suggest that this tree is truly the living fossil and that the other dawn redwoods have evolved from it by mutation. The science, along with much human detail, is presented by Qin Leng in a recent issue of Arnoldia. Qin also reports vigorous conservation efforts in Chinas Metasequoia Valley. Wollemi Pine, Wollemia nobilis The ancient conifers of the southern hemisphere are in the araucaria plant family, named for the Arauco region of Chile where the monkey-puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) lives. It has 41 species today (including the Norfolk Island pine, kauri pine and bunya-bunya), all of them scattered among the continental fragments of Gondwana: South America, Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand and New Caledonia. Ancient araucarians forested the globe in Jurassic times. In late 1994, a ranger in Australias Wollemi National Park in the Blue Hills found a strange tree in a small, remote canyon. It was found to match fossil leaves going back 120 million years in Australia. Its pollen grains were an exact match to the fossil pollen species ​Dilwynites, found in Antarctica, Australia, and New Zealand in rocks as old as Jurassic. The Wollemi pine is known in three small groves, and all specimens today are as genetically alike as twins. Hard-core gardeners and plant fanciers are very interested in the Wollemi pine, not just for its rarity but because it has beautiful foliage. Look for it at your local progressive arboretum. Why Living Fossil Is a Poor Term The name living fossil is unfortunate in some ways. The dawn redwood and Wollemi pine present the best case for the term: recent fossils that appear identical, not just similar, to a living representative. And the survivors were so few that we may not have enough genetic information to explore their evolutionary history in depth. But most living fossils dont match that story. The plant group of cycads is an example that used to be in the textbooks (and may still be). The typical cycad in yards and gardens is the sago palm, and it had supposedly been unchanged since Paleozoic time. But today there are about 300 species of cycad, and genetic studies show that most are only a few million years old. Besides genetic evidence, most living fossil species differ in small details from todays species: shell ornamentation, numbers of teeth, configuration of bones and joints. Although the line of organisms had a stable body plan that succeeded in a certain habitat and lifeway, its evolution never stopped. The idea that the species became evolutionarily stuck is the main thing wrong about the notion of living fossils. There is a similar term used by paleontologists for fossil types that disappear from the rock record, sometimes for millions of years, and then appear again: Lazarus taxa, named for the man that Jesus raised from the dead. A Lazarus taxon is not literally the same species, found in rocks millions of years apart. Taxon refers to any level of taxonomy, from the species through the genus and family up to the kingdom. The typical Lazarus taxon is a genus—a group of species—so that matches what we now understand about living fossils.

Lone Pair - Chemistry Definition

A lone pair is an electron pair in the outermost shell of an atom that is not shared or bonded to another atom. It is also called a non-bonding pair. One way to identify a lone pair is to draw a Lewis structure. The number of lone pair electrons added to the number of bonding electrons equals the number of valence electrons of an atom. The lone pair concept is important to valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, as it helps to explain the geometry of molecules. Sources Albright, T. A.; Burdett, J. K.; Whangbo, M.-H. (1985). Orbital Interactions in Chemistry. New York: Wiley. p. 102. ISBN 0471873934.Ansyln, E. V.; Dougherty, D. A. (2006). Modern Physical Organic Chemistry. Sausalito, CA: University Science Books. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-891389-31-3.Kumar, Anmol; Gadre, Shridhar R.; Mohan, Neetha; Suresh, Cherumuttathu H. (2014-01-06). Lone Pairs: An Electrostatic Viewpoint. The Journal of Physical Chemistry A. 118 (2): 526–532. doi:10.1021/jp4117003

The Evolution of Engineering Free Essays

It’s no secret that technology has not only changed life as we know it, but has also changed the face of most every career field known to man.   Nowhere is this evolution more evident than in the field of engineering.   In order to better review the impact that advancements in technology have had on the field of engineering, exploration of past versus present comparison is necessary. We will write a custom essay sample on The Evolution of Engineering or any similar topic only for you Order Now    Upon reviewing the variations between engineering of the past and engineering of present, the dramatic involvement of technology in the field becomes inherently evident. Over the course of the last two decades, the field of engineering has come into its own.   One major component of the ‘new and improved’ field of engineering is the utilization of modern technology.   In fact, engineering itself is considered a frontier of development in modern technology itself.   â€Å"Scientific discovery and advancement affect our lives in two different ways—through new policies and regulations that provide broad national direction and through new products and processes that enhance our lives and communities. Technology and engineering translate scientific knowledge into action.† (USDA 2007) Engineering, in the 1980s, was a field wherein the predominant research and development process surrounded countless instances of trial and error.   Due in part to the fact that all experimentation and designed was based solely on human ability and human ideas, engineering was primarily considered a ‘thinking man’s’ career choice.   For example, in the early 1980s, when mechanical engineers designed motor vehicles, much of their design was dependant on tangible models and hand drawn blueprints.   Today, on the other hand, computer technology allows for the use of computerized 3D models and AutoCAD architecture.   This same fact holds true for not only the vehicle industry, but the building industry, property development, and many more. Upon close examination of the implications of technology on engineering, it is revealed that this phenomenon began far earlier than many believe.   In fact, students at Virginia Tech have been required to own a personal computer since the year 1984.   However, improvements in computer technology have dramatically improved engineering accuracy and performance, have increased efficiency, and have made it possible for a wider variant of individuals to enter the engineering field.   â€Å"In terms of the difficulty level of problems, the computer has helped tremendously. In the pre-computer era, we’d spend a couple of weeks on a serious problem. Now it can be done overnight. In terms of the actual mode of teaching, we present less hand-calculation procedures than in previous times. It’s just not needed.† (EE/CPE VanLandingham 97) A variety of modern technologies have added to the dynamics of the engineering field.   However, it is arguable that computer advancements have affected the field more than any other.   Because much of engineering is design, the use of computers as a design tool is prevalent.   Thanks to the precision and speed offered by the use of certain computer programs during the engineering design process, problems that once seemed impossible are now considered trivial.   â€Å"Students can do design and some calculations that were real tough to do before.   â€Å"We use computers a lot in the lab to take data and analyze data off the equipment. Most research projects take data using computers, and our folks have to know how to write programs and microprocessor code.† (EE/CPE Claus 97) Experts also agree that the integration of computers into the field of engineering have made the job more ‘fun’.   Computers allow engineers to heighten levels of creativity in their work while allowing for less stress in problem solving.   In short, engineers can now focus more heartily on the creative aspects of their project because they spend less time in problem solving. Interestingly though, the speculation surrounding technological and computer advancements in the field of engineering is not all positive.   There are many people who believe that the overt use of computers in the field of engineering provides engineers with a crutch that allows for less thorough problem examination.   It is also argued that engineers become ‘lax’ in analysis because they trust computers to be accurate.   The problem with this fact is that computers are not infallible.   If one data set is entered incorrectly, the entire analysis will be incorrect.   Basically, computers should moreover be used to verify analysis as opposed to actually perform the analysis itself. Many engineering professors and argue that the overuse of computers will promote carelessness in the field.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"I see students relying too much on computers, computation programs and symbolic manipulators – which is leading them away from self-discipline.   â€Å"They are using tools and have no way to check them. They come up with an answer on the computer and don’t know enough to challenge their answer. They are using tools and have no way to check them. They come up with an answer on the computer and don’t know enough to challenge their answer. They figure if the computer came up with the answer, it’s got to be right.† (EE/CPE Brown 97) There is also evidence the integration of computer technology in engineering will ‘kill’ programming in the field.   Because of the incredible technology and dynamic computer programs available to engineers as a whole, there is a decreased need for new programming.   Certain computer programs offer engineers ‘ready to use’ packages for problem solving, which eliminates the need for writing code in problem solving.   The question as to whether or not this is a ‘good thing’ is perhaps most prominent in engineering education.   ‘†Technology as the magic bullet for education is being vastly oversold,† cautioned Professor Jim Armstrong. â€Å"We can use the computers for computation and communication, but we must maintain the interpersonal aspect of teaching,†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (EE/CPE 97) The integration of modern technology and the integration of computers in particular, into the field of engineering has changed the face of all engineering disciplines as we know it. It is largely agreed that these advancements have improved the field of engineering in ways never before thought possible.   However, it is pertinent to note that not every implementation or change is considered beneficial. While, for the most part, computers and technology have only improved engineer problem solving and efficiency, it is also argued that these integrations have given birth to the ‘lazy’ engineer.   In fact, there are those who believe that today’s engineer is already considered lax because they now have the computer to do the work for them.   â€Å"Engineers are lazy. Engineers don’t like to work hard and like to come up with ways to make their lives easier† (iPaw 2009) This view creates a paradox for many, because the very definition of innovation is the search for ways to make life more simple. In summation, modern technology and computer advancement has made the field of engineering more exciting for those engaged.   It has also allowed for more a more variant professional base within the field.   However, perhaps the most notable change in the field that comes as a direct reflection of computer advancement is the increase in the speed and efficiency with which engineers solve an assortment of problems.   This increased efficiency allows for a more rapid development of a product or and outcome and also allows for a heightened opportunity to concentrate on creativity and design.   Basically, computers and modern technology make the field of engineering more fun. While it must be acknowledged that not all views surrounding computer advancement and engineering are possible, it is widely accepted that computers have drastically improved every discipline of engineering while also acting as a catalyst behind creative engineering and innovation. From a personal perspective, we have entered the dawn of a new engineering age.   The field of engineering is rapidly becoming as much an art as it is an analytical career field.   This advancement and innovation is solely credited to the integration of modern technology into the engineering disciplines.   In the last five years, computer technology has taken not only engineering, but every career to new and exciting levels.   From the farmer to the fighter pilot, computer technology has changed the dynamic of ‘work’ as we know it, and nowhere is this truth more evident than in the field of engineering. Works Cited â€Å"Catspaw’s Guide to the Inevitably Insane.† Catspaw’s Guide to the Inevitably Insane. 29 Apr. 2009 http://www.insanecats.com/cgi-bin/single.py?month=feb09msg=18. â€Å"Computers and Engineering: Instructional Boon or Crutch?.† Virginia Tech | Electrical and Computer Engineering. 29 Apr. 2009 http://www.ece.vt.edu/ecenews/ar97/boon.html. Govil, Rekha. Recent Advancements in Computer Science and Technology. new york: Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 1999. â€Å"Technology Engineering.† Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). 29 Apr. 2009 http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/technology/technology.cfm. Fundamental Concepts in Computer Science (Advances in Computer Science and Engineering: Texts). London: Imperial College Press, 2009. How to cite The Evolution of Engineering, Essay examples

Forest Policy In Malaysia Essay Research Paper free essay sample

Forest Policy In Malaysia Essay, Research Paper Malaysia is among the states in Southeast Asia which has experienced singular economic growing and industrialisation in the past decennary. It is alone in that its success is non a consequence of following any one theoretical account for development. Rather, Malaysia? s authorities identified its ends and sought to make a country-specific theoretical account of development suited to their demands for growing. An illustration of this is the Malayan authorities? s addition in exports of manufactured goods instead than concentrating on natural resource trade goods as suggested by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. ( pg.6, HBS ) Unlike its neighbour Singapore, Malaysia is blessed with an copiousness of natural resources. Although its exports of natural resource trade goods have declined in recent old ages in favour of manufactured goods ( pg. 6, HBS ) , Malaysia? s natural resource industry remains an of import portion of the state? s economic and political docket. Malaysia? s Forest Products Industry It is hard to disregard the fact that 60 % of Malaysia is covered with natural wood and that timber generates more foreign exchange than any other natural resource in Malaysia. The Malayan authorities recognized the economic potency of the forest merchandise industry early in the decennary and proceeded to play a cardinal function in farther developing and advancing this peculiar sector of its economic system through a grants system and the encouragement of downstream industries. The Concession System granted logging rights to private parties in exchange for royalties paid to the Malayan authorities ( pg. 11, HBS ) . Allowing logging grants to private parties besides allowed Malaysia? s authorities to bring forth involvement in the wood merchandises industry while keeping a grade of control over the countries and peculiar usage the lumber could be logged for. This system did non turn out to be really effectual in the custodies of private involvement groups in hunt of increased net incomes. With merely 1,600 employees to police the undeveloped forest countries, the Sarawak Forest Department found it hard to forestall illegal logging ( pg. 12, HBS ) . Protection of domestic markets from foreign competition is a common pattern among industrialising states. In the instance of Malaysia? s wood merchandises industry, the authorities encouraged local production of timber, furniture, and other wood merchandises through the limitation of exporting unrefined logs. This was known as downstream industries. The encouragement of downstream industries was another of import docket for the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, a authorities subdivision for the overseeing of Malaysia? s wood merchandises industry. # 8220 ; The thought that the woods could be used as a springboard for downstream integrating, or? resource based industrialisation? appealed to many Malaysian officials. # 8221 ; ( pg. 13, HBS ) To these functionaries, downstream integrating allowed for the employment of a big per centum of the market labour force every bit good as a lessening in the sum of lumber needed to bring forth occupations and export grosss. ( pg. 13, H BS ) To farther encourage downstream int! egration, the Malayan authorities granted revenue enhancement interruptions, subsidies, and other inducements to domestic makers. The Problem Developing industries which deal with the production of natural resource merchandises are really likely to be placed in the international limelight by pulling unfavorable judgment from environmental groups around the universe. Such is the instance for the Malayan authorities as explained in the Harvard Business School instance survey in which Malaysian premier curate Mahathir bin Mohamad was faced with media examination sing his state? s forest merchandise industry during a visit to the United States. Bing a state that is to a great extent dependent on foreign investing for its economic growing, Malaysia could non afford to merely disregard the unfavorable judgment its state receives from westerners whose investings they are trying to pull into the state. The job lies in differing positions on the side of western conservationists and the Malayan authorities. Western Critics Although Malaysia contains merely 2 # 8211 ; 3 % of the universe? s tropical woods ( pg.3, HBS ) , the biological potencies and environment potencies found in its rain forests are a cause for concern among western conservationists. These environmenta lists are speedy to indicate out that frequently times, the public assistance of the environment is far from the heads of those regulating a freshly industrializing state seeking to capitalise on its ownership of valuable natural resources. Harmonizing to the London Rainforest Movement and the Singaporean and Malaysian British Association, â€Å"the rapid devastation of the Sarawak rain forest means that a enormously rich natural research lab with huge potency for the wellness of world will be destroyed FOR EVER.† ( pg. 3, HBS ) Where an conservationist may see the medical and environmental values of a life wood, the Malayan authorities sees a trade good perfect for foreign exchange and economic growing. The conservationists besides accuse the Malayan authorities of excusing Acts of the Apostless such as forest # 8220 ; mining # 8221 ; ( pg. 3, HBS ) in which the sums of lumber harvested exceed the growing of the staying lumber, and intervention in the rights of autochthonal people populating within the woods. Harmonizing to western critics, the most effectual manner of making alteration in Malaysia? s wood merchandises industry would be to originate a world-wide boycott of Malayan wood merchandises to which the Malayan authorities strongly opposed. The Malayan Government Despite the accusals from western conservationists and critics of development of Malaysia? s rain forests, the state? s authorities insists they have taken important stairss in guaranting the long term saving of the woods through new techniques, research and development, and the constitution of particular commissions and undertaking forces. Harmonizing to the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia ( FRIM ) , Malaysia is presently researching options to conventional logging techniques such as chopper logging. The advantage of this method of logging is a decrease in wood perturbation because the demand to build roads is minimized. This system would besides minimise dirt eroding which leads to deluging. The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia ( FRIM ) was established to develop guidelines for forestry direction and biodiversity preservation. The National Forestry Policy 1978 ( revised 1992 ) was established to # 8220 ; preserve and pull off the forest through sustainable direction and keep its of import functions in the national economic system and saving of environmental stableness # 8221 ; ( WWW ) . This papers inside informations specific strategies the Malayan authorities seeks to accomplish in protecting its rain forests. However, western conservationists question the effectivity of such a well intentioned papers without the proper resources to implement them with. Possible Solutions It is hard to follow and implement policies curtailing Malaysia? s usage of its resources because of its importance of prolonging economic growing and development as a freshly industrializing state. From reading the instance survey and researching current information sing Malaysia? s wood policy on the World Wide Web, there is no uncertainty that the Malayan authorities is cognizant of the international concern of its forest merchandises industry. In recent old ages, the Malayan authorities has sought to diversify its industries. The success of Malaysia? s forest preservation policies greatly depends on its ability to win in increasing exports of assorted manufactured goods every bit good as pulling greater foreign investing. In the interim, there are several possibilities the Malayan authorities can research in converting the international community that its attempts in forestry are sincere. In footings of the grant system in the logging industry, one possibility would be to do it more hard for private parties to obtain logging grants by holding the Malayan authorities demand higher royalties in return. The addition in gross can so be redirected to help attempts in patroling the rain forest in order to forestall illegal logging patterns. A first measure for both the Malayan authorities and western conservationists would be to keep a forum to discourse relevant issues of concern with one another instead than relay dissensions and unfavorable judgments through the international media. By keeping a forum affecting both representatives from the Malayan authorities and assorted environmental groups, the international limelight is briefly taken off the accusals which would so let for free treatments towards a solution both sides are satisfied with.

Air Pollution in India Essay Example

Air Pollution in India Paper Air pollution in India From Wisped, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Traffic congestion on inadequate road infrastructure is a daily reality of Indians urban centers. Slow speeds and idling vehicles produce, per trip, 4 to 8 times more pollutants and consume more carbon footprint fuels, than free flowing traffic. This 2008 image shows traffic congestion in Delhi. Air pollution in India is a serious issue with the major sources being followed and biomass burning, fuel adulteration, vehicle emission and traffic congestion. L India has a low per capita emissions of greenhouse gases but the country as a hole is the third largest after China and the United States. [3] The Air (Prevention and Control Of Pollution) Act was passed in 1981 to regulate air pollution and there have been some measurable improvements. However, the 201 2 Environmental Performance Index ranked India as having the poorest relative air quality out of 132 countries. 4] Contents * 1 Fuel wood and bioma ss burning * 2 Emissions standards 3 Fuel adulteration * 4 Traffic congestion * 5 Greenhouse gas emissions * 6 Recent trends in air quality * 7 Specific issues * 8 References I Fuel wood and biomass burning Cooking fuel in rural India is prepared from a wet mix of dried grass, followed pieces, hay, leaves and mostly cow/livestock dung. This mix is patted down into disc-shaped cakes, dried, and then used as fuel in stoves. When it burns, it produces smoke and numerous indoor air pollutants at concentrations 5 times higher than coal. A rural stove using biomass cakes, followed and trash as cooking fuel. Surveys suggest over 100 million households in India use such stoves (Chula) every day, 2-3 times a day. Clean burning fuels and electricity are unavailable in rural parts and small towns of India because of poor rural sways and limited energy generation infrastructure. Followed and biomass burning is the primary reason for near-permanent haze and smoke observed above rural and urban India, and in satellite pictures of the country. Followed and biomass cakes are used for cooking and general heating needs. These are burnt in cook stoves known as Chula or Chula in some parts of India. These cook stoves are present in over 100 million Indian households, and are used two to three times a day, daily. As of 2009, majority of Indians still use traditional fuels such as dried cow dung, agricultural wastes, and firewood as cooking fuel. L] This form of fuel is inefficient source of energy, its burning releases high levels of smoke, IMP O particulate matter, KNOX, SOX, PARS, polychromatic, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and other air pollutants. 5][6][7][8] Some reports, including one by the World Health Organization, claim 300,000 to 400,000 people die of indoor air pollution and carbon monoxide poisoning in India because of biomass burning and use of Chula. [J Burning of biomass and firewood will not stop, unless electricity or clean burning fuel and combustion technologies become reliably available and widely adopted in rural and urban India. India is the worlds largest consumer of followed, agricultural waste and biomass for energy purposes. We will write a custom essay sample on Air Pollution in India specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Air Pollution in India specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Air Pollution in India specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer From the most recent available nationwide study, India used 148. 7 million tones coal replacement worth of followed and biomass annually for domestic energy use. Indians national average annual per capita consumption of fuel wood, agric water and biomass cakes was 206 kilogram coal equivalent. CIO] In 201 0 terms, with Indians population increased to about 1. 2 billion, the country burns over 200 million tones of coal replacement worth of fuel wood and biomass every year to meet its energy need for cooking and there domestic use. The study found that the households consumed around 95 million tones of followed, one-third of which was logs and the rest was twigs. Twigs were mostly consumed in the villages, and logs were more popular in cities of India. [1 1] The overall contribution of followed, including sawdust and wood waste, Was about 46% of the total, the rest being agric waste and biomass dung cakes. Traditional fuel (followed, crop residue and dung cake) dominates domestic energy use in rural India and accounts for about 90% of the total. In urban areas, this traditional fuel constitutes about 4% of the total. [12] Fuel wood, agric waste and biomass cake burning releases over 1 65 million tones of combustion products into Indians indoor and outdoor air every year. To place this volume of emission in context, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States estimates that fire wood smoke contributes over 420,000 tones of fine particles throughout the United States mostly during the winter months. United States consumes about one-tenth of followed consumed by India, and mostly for fireplace and home heating purposes. EPA estimates that residential wood combustion in he USA accounts for 44 percent of total organic matter emissions and 62 percent of the PAP, which are probable human carcinogens and are of great concern to EPA The followed sourced residential wood smoke makes up over 50 percent of the wintertime particle pollution problem in California. [1 3] In 2010, the state of California had about the same number of vehicles as all of India. India burns tenfold more followed every year than the United States, the followed quality in India is different than the dry firewood of the United States, and the Indian stoves in use are less efficient thereby reducing more smoke and air pollutants per kilogram equivalent. India has less land area and less emission air space than the United States. In summary, the impact on indoor and outdoor air pollution by followed and biomass cake burning is far worse in India. A United Nations study[14] finds firewood and biomass Stoves can be made more efficient in India. Animal dung, now used in inefficient stoves, could be used to produce biogas, a cleaner fuel with higher utilization efficiency. In addition, an excellent fertilizer can be produced from the slurry from biogas plants. Switching to gaseous eels would bring the greatest gains in terms of both thermal efficiency and reduction in air pollution, but would require more investment. A combination of technologies may be the best way forward. Between 2001 and 2010, India has made progress in adding electrical power generation capacity, bringing electricity to rural areas, and reforming market to improve availability and distribution of liquefied cleaner burning fuels in urban and rural area. Over the same period, scientific data collection and analysis show improvement in Indians air quality, with some regions witnessing 30 to 65% reduction in Knox, Sox and suspended particulate matter. Even at these lower levels, the emissions are higher than those recommended by the World Health Organization. Continued progress is necessary. Scientific studies conclude biomass combustion in India is the countrys dominant source of carbonaceous aerosols, emitting 0. 25 trigram per year of black carbon into air, 0. 94 trigram per year of organic matter, and 2. 04 trigram per year of small particulates with diameter less than 2. 5 microns. Biomass burning, as domestic fuel in India, accounts for about 3 times as much black carbon air elution as all other sources combined, including vehicles and industrial sources. [15] Emissions standards Other sources of pollution in Indian cities are vehicles and emissions from industry. Until 1992, India protected its automobile industry using license raja. Many two wheel, three wheel and four wheel vehicles lacked catalytic converters. Per vehicle emissions were amongst the highest in the world. The refining of oil and supply of fuel was owned, regulated and run by the government; the fuel quality was lax. In 2005, India adopted emission standard of Brat Stage IV for vehicles, which is equivalent to Euro IV European standards for vehicle emissions. Nevertheless, the old pre-2005 vehicles, and even pre-1992 vehicles are still on Indian streets. Fuel adulteration Rubbish being burnt on a Kola street. Some Indian taxis and auto-rickshaws run on adulterated fuel blends. Adulteration of gasoline and diesel with lower-priced fuels is common in South Asia, including India. [2] Some adulterants increase emissions of harmful pollutants from vehicles, worsening urban air pollution. Financial incentives arising from differential taxes are generally the primary cause of fuel adulteration. In India and other developing countries, gasoline carries a much higher tax than diesel, which in turn is taxed more than kerosene meant as a cooking fuel, while some solvents and lubricants carry little or no tax. As fuel prices rise, the public transport driver cuts costs by blending the cheaper hydrocarbon into highly taxed hydrocarbon. The blending may be as much as 20-30 percent. For a low wage driver, the adulteration can yield short term savings that are significant over the month. The consequences to long term air pollution, quality of life and effect on health are simply ignored. Also moored are the reduced life of vehicle engine and higher maintenance costs, particularly if the taxi, auto-rickshaw or truck is being rented for a daily fee. Adulterated fuel increases tailpipe emissions of hydrocarbons (HCI), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (Knox) and particulate matter (PM). Air toxin emissions ? which fall into the category of unregulated emissions ? of primary concern are benzene and polychromatic hydrocarbons (Pass), both well known carcinogens. Kerosene is more difficult to burn than gasoline; its addition results in higher levels of HCI, CO and PM emissions even from totally-equipped cars. The higher sulfur level of kerosene is another issue. The permissible level of fuel sulfur in India, in 2002, was 0. 25 percent by weight as against 0. 10 percent for gasoline. The higher levels of sulfur can deactivate the catalyst. Once the catalyst becomes deactivated, the amount of pollution from the vehicle dramatically increases. Fuel adulteration is essentially an unintended consequence of tax policies and the attempt to control fuel prices, in the name of fairness. Air pollution is the ultimate result. This problem is not unique to India, but prevalent in many developing entries including those outside of south Asia. This problem is largely absent in economies that do not regulate the ability of fuel producers to innovate or price based on market demand. Traffic congestion Traffic congestion is severe in Indians cities and towns. Traffic congestion is caused for several reasons, some of which are: increase in number of vehicles per kilometer of available road, a lack of intra-city divided-lane highways and intra-city expressways networks, lack of inter-city expressways, traffic accidents and chaos from poor enforcement of traffic laws. Traffic congestion reduces average traffic speed. At low speeds, scientific studies reveal, vehicles burn fuel inefficiently and pollute more per trip. For example, a study in the united States found that for the same trip, cars consumed more fuel and polluted more if the traffic was congested, than when traffic flowed freely. At average trip speeds between 20 to 40 kilometers per hour, the cars pollutant emission was twice as much as when the average speed was 55 to 75 kilometers per hour. At average trip speeds between 5 to 20 kilometers per hour, the cars pollutant emissions were 4 to 8 times as much as when the average speed was 55 to 70 kilometers per hour. 6] Fuel efficiencies similarly were much worse with traffic congestion. Traffic gridlock in Delhi and other India cities is extreme. [1 7] The average trip speed on many Indian city roads is less than 20 kilometers per hour; a 10 kilometer trip can take 30 minutes, or more. At such speeds, vehicles in India emit air pollutants 4 to 8 times more than they would with less traf fic congestion; Indian vehicles also consume a lot more carbon footprint fuel per trip, than they would if the traffic congestion was less. In cities like Bangor, around 50% Of children suffer from asthma. CA] Greenhouse gas emissions India was the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide in 2009 at 1. 65 Get per year, after China (6. 9 Get per year) and the United States (5. 2 Get per year). With 17 percent of world population, India contributed some 5 percent of human- sourced carbon dioxide emission; compared to Chinas 24 percent share. On per capita basis, India emitted about 1. Tons of carbon dioxide per person, in comparison to the United States 17 tons per person, and a world average of 5. 3 tons per About 65 percent of Indians carbon dioxide emissions in 2009 was from heating domestic uses and power sector. About percent of Indians emissions were from transportation (cars, trains, two wheelers, airplanes, others). Indians coal-fired, oil-fired and natural gas-fired thermal power plants are inefficient and offer significant potential for CA emission reduction through better technology. Compared to the average emissions from coal-fired, oil-fired and natural gas-fired thermal power plants in European Union (E-27) countries, Indians thermal power plants emit 50 to 120 percent more CA per kHz produced. [3] This is in significant part to inefficient thermal power plants installed in India prior to its economic fertilization in the sass. Between 1990 and 2009, Indians carbon dioxide emissions per GAP purchasing power parity basis have decreased by over 1 0 percent, a trend similar to China. Meanwhile, between 1990 and 2009, Russians carbon dioxide emissions per GAP purchasing power parity basis have increased by 40 percent. India has one of the better records in the world, of an economy that is growing efficiently on CA emissions basis. In other words, over the last 20 years, India has reduced CA emissions with each unit of GAP increase. [3] Per Copenhagen Accord, India aims to further educe emissions intensity of its growing GAP by 20 to 25 percent before 2020, with technology transfer and international cooperation. Nevertheless, it is expected, that like China, Indians absolute carbon dioxide emissions will rise in years ahead, even as International Energy Agencys Annex I countries expect their absolute CA emissions to drop. A significant source of greenhouse gas emissions from India is from black carbon, Knox, methane and other air pollutants. These pollutants are emitted in large quantities in India every day from incomplete and inefficient combustion of biomass (fuel wood, crop waste and cattle dung). A majority of Indian population lacks access to clean burning fuels, and uses biomass combustion as cooking fuel. Indians poorly managed solid wastes, inadequate sewage treatment plants, water pollution and agriculture are other sources of greenhouse gas Annas Luau has proposed that as the aerosol particles rise on the warm, connecting air, they produce more rain over northern India and the Himalayan foothill, which further warms the atmosphere and fuels a heat pump that draws yet more warm air to the region. This phenomenon, Luau believes, changes the timing and intensity of the monsoon, effectively earrings heat from the low-lying lands over the subcontinent to the atmosphere over the Tibetan Plateau, which in turn warms the high-altitude land surface and hastens glacial retreat. His modeling shows that aerosols?particularly black carbon and dust?likely cause as much of the glacial retreat in the region as greenhouse gases via this heat pump effect. [21] Recent trends in air quality Monsoons scrub Indians air, bringing its natural diversity in better view.

Free Essays on Psychology Research Project

When I began this research project I wasn’t sure how much information there would be on Childhood Behavioral Disorders, and I was afraid it would all be the same and I would already know most of it. I was surprised, then, to find a lot of new information on this topic. For my magazine article I chose a U.S. News article entitled â€Å"When Does A Child Need Help?†(11/11/02). It gave me some information on different types and causes of social and behavioral disorders in children, and it had examples of symptoms so one might be able to determine if their child has a disorder. It’s a good beginning for parents seeking a foundation of information, but there are no helpful numbers to call or organizations to contact. One fact that I had learned is that if a child is constantly insistent on doing everything by themselves then it could be possible that child has Oppositional Defiant Disorder. During my Internet search on my topic, I came across a website called â€Å"Understanding and Treating Childhood Behavioral Disorders†. This article provided the reader with eight different disorders, with a definition and/or symptoms. It was easy to understand, and it didn’t confuse me with a lot of â€Å"medical mumbo-jumbo†. One fact I learned from this article was that social phobia is caused by a fear of ridicule. I only knew that people with that disorder did not like to be around other people. This article also tells the reader that their child’s condition may be inherited. That is, one or more of the child’s blood relatives may also have it. When I looked for my peer-reviewed journal it was harder because there were a lot more resources, and the terms were harder to understand. I found one, however, entitled â€Å"Conduct Disorder†(Gale Encyclopedia Of Medicine, 1999). I chose this article because it included how to recognize a conduct disorder, who can diagnose it, and how it can be treated. One thing that this article offered that ... Free Essays on Psychology Research Project Free Essays on Psychology Research Project When I began this research project I wasn’t sure how much information there would be on Childhood Behavioral Disorders, and I was afraid it would all be the same and I would already know most of it. I was surprised, then, to find a lot of new information on this topic. For my magazine article I chose a U.S. News article entitled â€Å"When Does A Child Need Help?†(11/11/02). It gave me some information on different types and causes of social and behavioral disorders in children, and it had examples of symptoms so one might be able to determine if their child has a disorder. It’s a good beginning for parents seeking a foundation of information, but there are no helpful numbers to call or organizations to contact. One fact that I had learned is that if a child is constantly insistent on doing everything by themselves then it could be possible that child has Oppositional Defiant Disorder. During my Internet search on my topic, I came across a website called â€Å"Understanding and Treating Childhood Behavioral Disorders†. This article provided the reader with eight different disorders, with a definition and/or symptoms. It was easy to understand, and it didn’t confuse me with a lot of â€Å"medical mumbo-jumbo†. One fact I learned from this article was that social phobia is caused by a fear of ridicule. I only knew that people with that disorder did not like to be around other people. This article also tells the reader that their child’s condition may be inherited. That is, one or more of the child’s blood relatives may also have it. When I looked for my peer-reviewed journal it was harder because there were a lot more resources, and the terms were harder to understand. I found one, however, entitled â€Å"Conduct Disorder†(Gale Encyclopedia Of Medicine, 1999). I chose this article because it included how to recognize a conduct disorder, who can diagnose it, and how it can be treated. One thing that this article offered that ...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Case Study Example (Neenan & Dryden, 2006). In many cases patients that require cognitive behavior therapy exhibit traits like self-destructive and repulsive habits, shame, avoidance, harbor unproductive thoughts and entertain blame games. (Willson & Branch, 2006). Stan's case is not isolated as he depicts similar traits. For example, he avoids the people he used to associate with while he was still in employment, he is unwilling to take work he is over qualified for hence has been unemployed for six months. At the same time he feels ashamed of his unemployment status hence avoids going out of the house at all, he drinks during the day rather than look for another job, he feels entitled to provide financially as the firstborn in his family irrespective of his impossible situation. His panic attacks are as a result of the anxiety he feels from the overwhelming responsibility of being a father, a first born and a husband and the fact that he is not able to get himself out of the situation. The source of Stan's problems is in his pattern of thoughts. The way he perceives his situation has led to the outward show of his frustration and depression. For example, he lost his job and hence he thinks that he has failed. Highly likely are thoughts like 'I am no good' or 'I am a failure' and in that case a self-prophecy has been written in his mind. It is from this thought that he now behaves like a failure and has no time to look for a job but drink during the day or avoid going out of the house to hide his failure. Of course, his problem aggravates because he avoids doing the very things that might be helpful in bringing forth a solution. For example he avoids former colleagues and friends and turns down employment because he is 'over' qualified. Stan's panic attacks root from anxiety linked to distorted thoughts and idealistic expectations. Intervention strategies As seen Stan's problems are birthed from own thoughts and this has affected his behavior. Therapy will focus on helping Stan change his way of thinking. His panic attacks will be dealt with by challenging Stan's thoughts and fears. This will entail encouraging Stan to confront his object or subject of fear in this case going out of the house, not providing financially towards his fathers funeral and the new baby, fear of failure and so on. The aim here will be to desensitize these fears by helping Stan realize that he needs to react to situation in reality rather than from his own distorted perception of the situation. First, the therapist will guide Stan in exploring his thoughts and situation the identify thought patterns and link them to behavior. (Neenan & Dryden, 2006). He might be required to document his thoughts, habits, feelings, events in a journal for review during therapy session. This will help the client and the therapist identify unproductive thoughts in Stan and guide him in replacing each of them with productive and positive thoughts. For example, 'if am jobless, I should not go out' can be replaced with 'I need to go out and network with friends so that I get a job' or 'I am a failure because I did not provide financially to my father's funeral yet am the first born' can be replaced