Thursday, December 26, 2019

Arctic Wolf or Canis lupus arctos

The Arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos) is a subspecies of the grey wolf that inhabits the Arctic regions of North America and Greenland. Arctic wolves are also known as polar wolves or white wolves. Appearance Arctic wolves are similar in build to other grey wolf subspecies. They are slightly smaller in size than other grey wolf subspecies and have smaller ears and a shorter nose. The most prominent difference between arctic wolves and other grey wolf subspecies is their all-white coat, which remains white throughout the year. Arctic wolves have a coat of fur that is specially adapted to the extreme cold climate in which they live. Their fur consists of an outer layer of fur that grows thick when the winter months arrive and an inner layer of fur that forms a waterproof barrier close to the skin. Adult Arctic wolves weigh between 75 and 125 pounds. They grow to lengths of between 3 and 6 feet. Arctic wolves have sharp teeth and powerful jaws, characteristics fitting for a carnivore. Arctic wolves can eat large quantities of meat which enables them to survive for the sometimes long periods between prey captures. Climate and Ecosystem Arctic wolves have not been subjected to the intense hunting and persecution that other grey wolf subspecies have. This is due to the fact that arctic wolves inhabit regions that are largely unpopulated by humans. The greatest threat to Arctic wolves is climate change. Climate change has caused a cascade of effects throughout Arctic ecosystems. Climate variations and extremes have altered the composition of Arctic vegetation which has, in turn, had a negative impact on populations of herbivores in the Arctic. This, in turn, has affected populations of Arctic wolf who rely on herbivores for prey. The diet of Arctic wolves consists primarily of muskox, Arctic hares, and caribou. Arctic wolves form packs that can consist of just a few individuals to as many as 20 wolves. The size of the pack varies based on the availability of food. Arctic wolves are territorial but their territories are often large and overlap with the territories of other individuals. They mark their territory with urine. Arctic wolf populations are present in Alaska, Greenland, and Canada. Their greatest population density is in Alaska, with smaller, sparser populations in Greenland and Canada. Arctic wolves are thought to have evolved from a lineage of other canids about 50 million years ago. Scientists believe that Arctic wolves were isolated in very cold habitats during the Ice Age. It was during this time that they developed the adaptations necessary to survive in the extreme cold of the Arctic. Classification Arctic wolves are classified within the following taxonomic hierarchy: Animals Chordates Vertebrates Tetrapods Amniotes Mammals Carnivores Canids Arctic wolf References Burnie D, Wilson DE. 2001. Animal. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 p.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Qualitative Research Idealist Ontology - 887 Words

Qualitative research aims to comprehend the meaning of human action and investigates phenomenon as it occurs in its natural context through subjective means of inquiry (Carter Little, 2001 Hoft, 2011). This paper sets out to identify four features of research as they apply to qualitative research: ontology, epistemology, methodology, and sampling, through the investigation of the article The health-care environment on a locked psychiatric ward: An ethnographic study (Johansson, Skarsater Danielson, 2006). Idealist ontology holds the belief that research knowledge is made up of subjective experiences obtained through observation that is consistently influenced by the researchers interpretations (Giacomini, 2010). Qualitative†¦show more content†¦Based on the previous theoretical foundations, methodology is chosen to guide the research process and justify methods (Giacomini, 2010; Carter Little, 2007). Ethnography is a common methodology in qualitative research and was uti lized by the researchers, with a participant observational approach, to become immersed in the culture of the locked psychiatric ward to seek an intimate interpretative understanding of the patients and staff within their environment (Giacomini, 2010). Ethnography has the ability to portray life inside the study experience, which allow researchers to discover what is significant from the viewpoints and actions of the participants and include the reader in this experience (Charmaz, 2004). The researchers in the study provide examples of field notes that were collected during observations which were analyzed into themes and sub-themes. The two main themes to have control and to be controlled are then further articulated in more detail through the viewpoints of both the patients and the staff to allow the reader to fully understand the lived experience. Lastly, all participants in qualitative research are selected to serve an investigative purpose rather than be considered a statistic al representation of a population (Carter Little,Show MoreRelatedThe Epistemology Of The Decision Making Process Of Burglars1629 Words   |  7 PagesThe aim of this essay is to attempt to identify the epistemology implicated in the research conducted by Emmeline Taylor about the decision making process of burglars. Essay begins with a concise definition of Criminology and a brief outline of ‘Rational Choice Theory’ which can be utilised to understand the decision making process of offenders and to provide a background for the notion of the rationality among burglars whilst acting criminal behaviour. Then it will continue with the explanation

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Seven Years in Tibet

Question: Discuss about the Seven Years in Tibet. Answer: Introduction: Seven years in Tibet presents a nonfiction drama about the story of an Austrian climber, Heinrich Harrer. He proceeded on her journey to climb the Nanya Parbat, which is the ninth highest peak in the world. The story of the film starts in 1939 and it concludes with the occupation of Tibet by China. In this film, the Austrian climber leaves behind his seven months pregnant wife to achieve glory. However, Harrer ends up being captured and imprisoned in a prisoner of war camp from where he and his fellow climber, Peter succeeded in escaping. From there, they traveled to Tibet and then they go to the holy city of Lhasa. The director-producer of the movie, Jean-Jaques Annuad has been quite successful in depicting the cultural landscape of Lhasa. In this holy city, Harrer and Dalai Lama learned regarding the cultures of each other through the contact they have with each other. In the movie, several stereotypes and radicalized identities have been presented as we come across the fluidity of the cultural identity of Harrer (Weinraub, 1997). Seven years in Tibet overflows with stereotypes and radicalized identities of the Europeans as well of the Asians. The stereo type that is at the center of this movie is that of German pride. The reason due to which this group has decided to climb Nanya Parbat is that the four times made in the past to conquer the peak power remained unsuccessful and eleven climbers have been killed in these attempts. The result is that Harrer, yet by Brad Pitt says that "it is a national obsession and it is a matter of national pride". In the same way, the stereo type of German national pride is taken to a higher level when Harrer shows the guard who is escorting them out of Tibet wearing German boots how a German soldier marches and how a German soldier runs. In this way, Harrer is personifying the ingenuity of the Germans had the same time, he's also revealing the unwillingness of the Germans to give up. This is done by Harrer when he insists that the guard should wear his shoes. At this point it needs to be mentioned that Harrer is actually not a German but he's an Austrian but people perceive him to be a German. The complexity of Harrer's character is revealed to us in the prison camp. He repeatedly makes failed attempts to escape by himself although each failed attempt brings recriminations on his comrades who are left behind. In this way, he comes to know that he cannot escape, not from the British and not from himself. He also finds his remorse regarding abandoning his family. In a particularly moving scene in the film, Harrer is shown in the exercise yard, standing in a downpour, as he repeatedly throws himself on the barbed wire which is a self-inflicted punishment given to himself when he comes to know that he has been divorced by his wife. Eventually, Harrer succeeds in escaping, but only after learning that he will have to cooperate with some of the less impulsive prisoners like Peter Aufschnitter who was the captain of the expedition. Both of them wander through the Tibetan for a number of years seeking refuge but generally not getting it, saving themselves from bandits and clashing as enemies during the process of becoming very close friends. In some of the scenes in the movie, great comic relief is present and in the same way it also portrays the magnificent beauty in strangeness and starkness of their exile. This is also the point where the transformation of Herrar starts. In this way, both of them entered the forbidden city of Lhasa and in this city, they start their new lives for themselves. Most surprisingly, they were welcomed by the nobles of the city and very soon they became a part of them. Both of them learned their language and became unofficial engineers and architects for them. Similarly, Harrer developed a close friendship with the then teen aged Dalai Lama (Dalai Lama, 1990). After his arrival in the city, Harrer was summoned by the Dalai Lama. Several meetings took place between the two and a close friendship develops between them. Herrar takes it upon himself to educate the young boy as the majority of the Tibetans were not educated. In this way, Harrer informs the young Dalai Lama regarding the ways of the Western world and at the same time, the young boy also teaches Harrer about how to remain peaceful and not to destroy living things. Similarly, Harrer also makes a movie house for Dalai Lama certain he can watch movies there. However during the project, Harrer comes to know that according to the Buddhist religion, no living creatures should be harmed (Shakya, 1999). Therefore when during the project, digging is going on and it unearths worms, each one has to be placed at a safe place so that his life can be spared. In this context, Dalai Lama explains to Harrer that one of these worms may be Harrer's ancestor (Ebert, 1997). In the same way, the belief of the Buddhist culture in peace has also been demonstrated in this movie. The result was that when Communist China was going to take over Tibet, the people of Tibet were still looking for peace and not war. The Tibetan people did not react with a fight although they were slaughtered by the government of China. Therefore, for the purpose of avoiding a gruesome war, the people of Tibet back the down and allow the government of China to take control of their nation. References Dalai Lama, (1990) Freedom in Exile, Hodder Stoughton Ebert, Roger (1997) Seven Years in Tibet: rogerebert.com:: Reviews. Chicago Sun-Times (October 10, 1997) Shakya, Tsering. (1999) The Dragon In The Land Of Snows. Columbia University Press Weinraub, Bernard (1997). Dalai Lama's Tutor, Portrayed by Brad Pitt, Wasn't Just Roving Through the Himalayas, The New York Times (June 21, 1997)

Monday, December 2, 2019

Language and Its Characteristics Essay Example

Language and Its Characteristics Essay Language is a means of forming and storing ideas as reflections of reality and exchanging them in the process of human intercourse. Language is social by nature; it is inseparably connected with the people who are its creators and users; it grows and develops together with the development of society. Language incorporates the three constituent parts (sides), each being inherent in it by virtue of its social nature. These parts are the phonological system, the lexical system, the grammatical system. Only the unity of these three elements forms a language; without any one of them there is no human language in the above sense. The phonological system is the subfoundation of language; it determines the material (phonetical) appearance of its significant units. The lexical system is the whole set of naming means of language, that is, words and stable word-groups. The grammatical system is the whole set of regularities determining the combination of naming means in the formation of utterances as the embodiment of thinking process. Each of three constituent parts of language is studied by particular linguistic discipline. These disciplines presenting a series of approaches to their particular objects of analysis , give the corresponding descriptions of language consisting in ordered expositions of the constituent parts in question. Thus, the phonological description of language is effected by the science of phonology ; the lexical description of language is effected by the science of lexicology; the grammatical description of language is effected by the science of grammar. We will write a custom essay sample on Language and Its Characteristics specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Language and Its Characteristics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Language and Its Characteristics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Now we are going to have a good look at each of these three disciplines. [Blokh,6] The first one is Phonology. The study of speech sounds is partitioned between two distinct but related disciplines, phonetic and phonology. Both terms come from the Greek word meaning sound, and there is a fair degree of overlap in what concerns the two subjects . Thus, the boundaries between phonetics and phonology are very difficult to draw, and there is a good deal of controversy amongst linguists as to exactly where they should lie. Despite the differences, it is clear that each of these subdisciplines relies on the other to a large extent , in the sense that phonological analyses have to be grounded in phonetic facts, and phonetic research has to be geared towards those capacities of the human vocal tract which subserve language specifically. Phonetics is essentially the study of the physical aspects of speech. This means the acoustic bases of speech (linked most closely with speech production). Thus, phonetic research might investigate the collection of frequencies of sound observed in the production of particular types of vowel, or it might examine the precise movements of the tongue in producing the sound s. Phonology is connected with the linguistic patterning of sounds in human languages Grammar . In earlier periods of the development of linguistic knowledge, grammatical scholars believed that the only purpose of grammar was to give strict rules of writing and speaking correctly. The rigid regulations for the correct ways of expression, for want of the profound understanding of the social nature of language, were often based on purely subjective and arbitrary judgements of individual grammar compilers. The result of this prescriptive approach was, that alongside of quite essential and useful information, non-existent rules were formulated that stood in sheer contradiction with the existing language usage, i. e. lingual reality. Traces of this arbitrary prescriptive approach to the grammatical teaching may easily be found even in to-dates school practice. The said traditional view of the purpose of grammar has lately been restated by some modern trends in linguistics. In particular, scholars belonging to these trends pay much attention to artificially constructing and analysing incorrect utterances with the aim of a better formulation of the rules for the construction of correct ones. The nature of grammar as a constituent part of language is better understood in the light of explicitly discriminating the two planes of language, namely, the plane of content and the plane of expression. . Modern linguistics lays a special stress on the systemic character of language and all its constituent parts. It accentuates the idea that language is a system of signs (meaningful units) which are closely interconnected and interdependent. Units of immediate interdependencies (such as classes and subclasses of words, various subtypes of syntactic constructions, etc. form different microsystems (subsystems) within the framework of the global macrosystem (supersystem) of the whole of language. Each system is a structured set of elements related to one another by a common function. The common function of all the lingual signs is to give expression to human thoughts. The systemic nature of grammar is probably more evident than that of any other sphere of language, since grammar is re sponsible for the very organisation of the informative content of utterances [БÐ »Ã ¾Ã'…, 4, 11 Ð ¸ Ã' Ã ». . Due to this fact, even the earliest grammatical treatises, within the cognitive limits of their times, disclosed some systemic features of the described material. But the scientifically sustained and consistent principles of systemic approach to language and its grammar were essentially developed in the linguistics of the twentieth century, namely, after the publication of the works by the Russian scholar Beaudoin de Courtenay and the Swiss scholar Ferdinand de Saussure. These two great men demonstrated the difference between lingual synchrony (coexistence of lingual elements) and diachrony (different time-periods in the development of lingual elements, as well as language as a whole) and defined language as a synchronic system of meaningful elements at any stage of its historical can be strictly defined, which is of crucial importance for the identification of the object of linguistic science. Language in the narrow sense of the word is a system of means of expression, while speech in the same narrow sense should be understood as the manifestation of the system of language in the process of intercourse. The system of language includes, on the one hand, the body of material units — sounds, morphemes, words, word-groups; on the other hand, the regularities or rules of the use of these units. Speech comprises both the act of producing utterances, and the utterances themselves, i. e. the text. Language and speech are inseparable, they form together an organic unity. As for grammar (the grammatical system), being an integral part of the lingual macrosystem it dynamically connects language with speech, because it categorially determines the lingual process of utterance production. Thus, we have the broad philosophical concept of language which is analysed by linguistics into two different aspects — the system of signs (language proper) and the use of signs (speech proper). The generalising term language is also preserved in linguistics, showing the unity of these two aspects [БÐ »Ã ¾Ã'…, 16]. The sign (meaningful unit) in the system of language has only a potential meaning. In speech, the potential meaning of the lingual sign is actualised, i. e. made situationally significant as part of the grammatically organised text. Lingual units stand to one another in two fundamental types of relations: syntagmatic and paradigmatic. Syntagmatic relations are immediate linear relations between units in a segmental sequence (string). E. g. : The spaceship was launched without the help of a booster rocket. In this sentence syntagmatically connected are the words and word-groups the spaceship, was launched, the spaceship was launched, was launched without the help, the help of a rocket, a booster rocket. . On the basis of discriminating synchrony and diachrony, the difference between language proper and speech proper