Monday, September 30, 2019

Connections between 4 texts Essay

I have been studying four texts for this report, â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† by Harper Lee, â€Å"A Party Down at the Square† by Ralph Waldo Elison, â€Å"Mississipi Burning† by Alan Parker and â€Å"Green Mile† directed by the famous Frank Darabont. All these texts show connections and have similarities to help us to explore the idea of key individuals or group of people or the justice system shows racist attitude. They can do this verbally, physically or turning the blind eye. Verbally means using derogatory language towards Black American. Physical means using violence to make themselves feel superior. Justice system meaning that there is no fair legal trial. Turning the blind eye means bystander effect that is affected by this. â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† by Harper Lee is set in a fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during 1930’s. It charts the small town life of a young white girl, Scout, living in a deeply segregated society. Her father, Atticus, is a lawyer, is given a task of representing Tom Robinson. He is a young black man who is falsely accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Her father Bob Ewell, humiliated and vows revenge. He spits at Atticus’ face tried to get into the judges house and stalks the judges’ wife and tried hurting Jem and Scout during the Halloween pageant. During this time Atticus was called a â€Å"nigger lover† by Bob Ewell and the townspeople and he still kept his head high and did the best he can do to defend Tom Robinson. The short story â€Å"A Party Down at the Square† is the story of a boy who witnesses lynching. The young boy is at his uncles somewhere Deep South when a bunch of men yelling there will be a party down at the square. The reader then realizes that the party consists of a lynching of a young black man. The whole town is attending except of course the black community and everyone is screaming for excitement. With a storm causing confusion, an airplane crashes through power lines but successfully land near the town square. A young woman gets electrocuted and dies instantly. Despite the chaos of the storm and the crashed airplane, the mob turns into focus back  on the young black man who is getting burned to death. When the black man asks politely for a quick death, Jed Wilson who is the leader refuses saying â€Å"ain’t no Christians here tonight, we’re just one hundred percent Americans.† The black man burns to death. After the events the young boy falls i ll causing him to be mocked by southern relatives. Later at a general store, a white sharecropper speaks about lynching.The towns people just told him to shut up. â€Å"Mississippi Burning† directed by Alan Parker, is a movie based on a true story about one black and two white civil rights activists disappeared near Philadelphia, Mississippi on June 21st 1964. The three activists in real life, James Chavey, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner but there were not named in the movie are driving, tailed by several cars. When they stopped they are murdered and their bodies hidden by a nib if white men who are connected to the KKK, Ku Klux Klan, Later the FBI turned up to resolve this problem. Agent Anderson and Agent Ward, these agents are from Washington who uses violent and somewhat not violent methods to investigate who the murderers are. The film â€Å"Green Mile† directed by Frank Darabont is set in 1930 in prison, death row. Paul Edgecomb is slightly cynical veteran prison guard on death row. His faith and sanity is deteriorated by watching mean live and die. His life completely turned around, attitude changed when John Coffey, a seven feet tall black man, who’s hands are a size of waffle irons arrived in his prison. John Coffey is big and all but he is very emotional and shy and who is afraid of the dark. This shows us that when he found the two white girls covered in blood in the woods. He was so shocked of what happened, he began to hold them and started crying because he couldn’t believe what happened. He was then accused of murdering these girls with no questions asked was sent to death row. Edgecomb, Brotus the sympathetic guard, and Percy, a stuck up perverse and violent person going on a strange ride that involves intelligent mice, brutal executions and revelation about John Coffey†™s innocence and true identity. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, A key individual that shows his  racist attitude is Bob Ewell. Bob Ewell is a drunkard and an abuser who is despised by the whole community and very likely his family as well. He is a lowlife white trash who lives in the dump just outside the town. He shows his racist attitude by calling the black community a â€Å"nigger nest† also he called Atticus a â€Å"nigger lover† for defending Tom Robinson. Bob Ewell has no respect for himself and no respect for others. When the lawyer defending Mayella asks, â€Å"Are you the father of Mayella Ewell?† Bob responds, â€Å"Well, if I ain’t one, can’t do nothing about it now, her Ma’s dead.† Bobs position is to be the antagonist to everyone. His response is not only a rude attempt to impress others by making a joke it also hints what he sees about women in general, liars and cheaters whose deaths are to be laughed about. After the trial Bob wasn’t satisfied about the sentence of Tom Robinson, so for revenge he spits at Atticus’ face, stalks the judges’ wife and tried to kill Jem and Scout. Bob had a taste of power. In his mind the whole town thinks he’s a hero, he’s superior in reality the community found out that he is a liar and treats his family bad. The townspeople just told him to go back to the dump where he belongs. Harper Lee tells us that racism and sexism is the only way Bob can feel superior to anybody. No white man in the Maycomb community who is not about Ewell heirachy. So he puts people who are below him, Black Americans and women. Another key individual who shows their racist attitude is in the short story â€Å"A Party Down at the Square† by Ralph Waldo Elison, the character called Jed Wilson. Jed shows his racist attitude when he â€Å"tied and dragged the nigger to the back of Jed Wilsons truck.† HE is also the leader of the lunching mob that is going to burn the young black man to death. Jed hollered â€Å"What you say there, nigger?† and it came back through the flames in his nigger voice â€Å"Will somebody cut my throat like a Christian?† and Jed responded â€Å"sorry , but ain’t no Christians around tonight. Ain’t no Jew boys either. We’re just one hundred percent Americans.† This shows me that he is not only racist, it also tells us what his religious beliefs are and that he does not want Jews nor Christians in his lynching mob. Since the black people are God-fearing and God-loving community, Jed Wilson doesn’t like it. He thinks that Amer ican for him is a religion. Just as long as your American and you’re white you are accepted by â€Å"his† community. Jed Wilson says this to make  himself feel superior just like Bob Ewell. Unlike Bob Ewell, Jed is known to anybody and everybody in the town. He does not live in the dump like Bob does. Jed is very known that â€Å"ain’t no black man can stand in his way, no white man either.† Jed makes himself superior, he is selected as the new sheriff in town for burning a black man alive. Although whether its using derogatory words by calling a black community a nigger nest or through violence like burning a black man alive. They still lead to one thing, death. Jed and Bob are similar in a way that they are both racist and hate the black community. They put people who are below them to make themselves feel good and superior and feel like they are the hero, a savior for killing a man with different skin color, race and religious beliefs. They judge them straight away because they have something different to them and want them out of their community. The only difference is that Bob Ewell uses oral derogatory words to get rid of the black community in the area, but both still similar in a way to show their racist attitude towards the black community. In the film â€Å"Mississippi Burning† directed by Alan Parker, the character Clayton Townley is very racist qualities and attitudes. He says he is a â€Å"local businessman† but his actions and words spoken weren’t the words of a local businessman. An example is when he was giving a speech at a large audience at a night time pro-white rally â€Å"They hate us because we present a shining example of successful segregation.† He said this to make himself feel good and feel superior towards black people in an inhumane way. Words can’t describe his ways of killing methods. Differences in To Kill a Mockingbird and Mississippi Burning is that the white people who were out to get the black people had an organized plan. Clayton Townley is the spokesperson or the representative leader of the group called Ku Klux Klan. They create consistency throughout their actions. The Ewells and the racist community of Maycomb weren’t consistent in their actions against the black people. Bob had a plan on his head but Atticus’ strong evidence depicted Bobs pride. Character conflicts that are the same in the book and in the movie was that many white people didn’t want to be seen with blacks because they would be considered as an outcast. Similarities between these characters are that Clayton Townley and Bob Ewell share the same thing in  their mind. They both want power and superiority to make themselves feel good. They are both seen as heroes in their community but eventually they are caught dead or in prison. Also the difference between the film and book is that they are set 30 years apart. In Mississippi Burning, there are many civil rights movements and civil rights activists and in the book To Kill a Mockingbird, it was just a small town community in Alabama with local people. â€Å"We do not accept Jews because they reject Christ. We do not accept Turks, Mongrels, Tartars, Oriental nor Negroes because we are here to protect Anglo-Saxon Democracy and the American way!† Similar words were also spoken by Jed Wilson in the short story â€Å"Party Down at the Square†. As long as you are American and you’re white, you are accepted. This tells me that all three characters are similar in a way that they all racist and have different qualities. In the movie â€Å"Green Mile† directed by Frank Darabont shows us that racism does not only come from individuals or group of people, it also shows us that the justice system is corrupt and people aren’t given free trial. John Coffey falsely accused of murdering two white girls. Justice system says you are not guilty until proven but John was never given this. Therefore shows us that the justice system is corrupt and shows racism. John Coffey was convicted and executed for crime he never committed. Paul Edgecomb asks if he can do something or anything else, John replied â€Å"I’m tired of feeling pain in the world it’s like pieces of glass in my head all the time. Can’t you understand?† this quote is referring to the way John feels about discriminated on a constant daily basis. Another example of racism is conviction itself. This movie shows John Coffey a big man with a big heart. He found two white girls dead in the woods, shocked of what h appened, he began to hold them and started crying because he couldn’t believe what happened. He was found with the girls and immediately convicted with no questions asked. This is a clear example of racism. Just because a black man sitting with two white girls doesn’t mean he committed the crime. The legal system should never make assumptions based on race but only n scientific facts. This led us also to, To Kill a Mockingbird justice system. John Coffey and Tom Robinson in a way are in a similar position. Tom Robinson was a young black man accused of raping a white girl. Although given strong  evidence that he did not rape the white girl. The white jury still found him guilty because the color of his skin. Although the judge himself thought that Tom Robinson was not guilty, the justice system is corrupt and racist by concluding and making assumptions that a black man, different race is inferior and whites are superior. This tells me that not only key individuals show their racist attitude but also the legal and justice system is corrupt and racist. I’ve reach in conclusion that the causes of racism are similar to bullying, where people put each other down because they are different. In this case racism, the white community is putting down the black community because they have different skin color, they have different religious beliefs and have different values and culture. The white community refers to them as an outcast and Bob Ewell refers their community as a â€Å"nigger nests†. I found that key individuals show different qualities of racism that make them stand out from others. In To Kill a Mockingbird, A Party Down at the Square, Mississippi Burning and Green Mile the authors and directors were conveying important ideas and themes within them that relates to the characters racist attitude and also the legal system were corrupt and racist however even though they use inhumane and derogatory language to show their racist attitude they still lead to one thing, that is death. A similar idea that these texts showed me was to never lose hope and keep your head up and not let other people put you down because you are different. You are unique in your own way. I say â€Å"They laugh at me because I’m different but I laugh at them because they are the same.†

Sunday, September 29, 2019

What did the people of the Upper Paleolithic period eat and how did they obtain this food?

Throughout Africa, the Middle West, Asia, the Americas, and Australia, complicated and elaborate technologies and other cultural decorative artifacts are found in abundance (Scupin, 2008). This is known as the Upper Paleolithic period, which dated between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. This was the earliest era of human development and transformation of the entire human species from apelike to true Homo sapiens. During this period, the development of specialized tools, weapons, engraving, sculptures, and cave painting were formed.This evolution was the longest and it spread over three consecutive periods. The key development that came out of this period, were the creation of tools and weapons, which were made of stone, wood and bone. Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers lived in areas that was rich of resources and consumed a significant amount of meat. Today’s technology reveals that early modern Homo sapiens were clever and excellent hunters. Not only did they make tools, but th ey developed weapons with long, narrow blades (known as harpoons) used for hunting. They became great spear throwers with good accuracy.The weapons helped the Upper Paleolithic protect themselves as well as help from any harm during their hunting trips. Vast amount of animal bones, both large and small, were found at the bottom of high cliffs. This indicated that hunters not only used their weapon to kill, but use their weapons as aid by stampeding the animals off the cliffs. This would allow other hunters to wait and butcher the dead animals at the bottom of the cliff. Upper Paleolithic people also gathered fish, shellfish, leafy vegetables, fruit, insects, and plants to supplement their food resources.Plants were probably used for both nutritional and medicinal purposes (Scupin, 2008). Having other resources, other than hunting, enable Paleolithic foragers to have enough food without expanding excessive amount of energy. In conclusion, the Upper Paleolithic was characterized by hi gher intake of meat and lower intake of other resources. They developed their own tools and weapons, made of stone, wood and bone, which made them excellent hunters. They obtain their food through their use of weapons and strategic planning and took advantage of the area resources.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

A Farewell To Arms †Love And War Essay

Love and War Love is an unexplainable relationship between a man and a woman. The relationship can start one way and then transform into something completely different without warning. Each character in this novel has a different understanding of love. In A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway, the relationship between Catherine Barkley and Frederick Henry closely parallels Rinaldi and the priest’s different views of love. The character Rinaldi does not take love seriously; he is always in and out of love and always has many short-term flings. For example, Rinaldi is always looking for a new girl conquer, â€Å"That’s nothing. Here now we have beautiful girls. New girls never been to the front before† (Hemingway 12.) Rinaldi looks at girls and relationships as if they are a game that he can play. Girls to him are material possessions that he can keep as long as he wants, and then get rid of. Furthermore, Rinaldi can only see one facet of relationships, â€Å"Where did you meet her? In the Cova? Where did you go? How did you feel? Tell me everything at once. Did you stay all night?† (Hemingway 11.) He can only see the physical and sexual side of his and others love affairs. He doesn’t go deeper into what truly makes up the relationship, the feelings that a couple has for one another. In addition, Rinaldi is phony towards the women, he does whatever it takes to get what he wants, â€Å"I must make on Miss Barkley the impression of a man of sufficient wealth† (Hemingway 12.) When it comes to women, Rinaldi is never his true self. He feels that it is better to be someone you aren’t and get what you want, than not get anything at all. He is unlike the priest in his views of love, he is shallow and does not understand what it is to love. The priest has a sincere and deep understanding of love, his relationship with God symbolizes the true awareness of what love is. For example, the soldiers try to make fun of the priest because he does not take advantage of girls like they do, â€Å"He should have fine girls. I will give you the addresses of places in Naples. Beautiful young girls†Ã¢â‚¬ accompanied by their mothers. Ha! Ha! Ha!† (Hemingway 8.) The priest is the butt of all the jokes because he is unlike the other men. He does not always have to be involved in the physical act of love like the others do. Furthermore, he does not participate in the immoral actions that the soldiers do, â€Å"We go  whorehouse before it shuts† (Hemingway 9.) The men have a constant desire for physical gratification, it is like a emptiness they always have to fill. The priest’s relationship with God keeps him continuously satisfied. In addition, God provides the priest with an endless fulfillment of all his spiritual needs, â€Å"People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water. But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life† (John 4:13-14) The physical needs the men have are short term and will not last. The spiritual needs the priest has, the ones that are most important, are met by God. The soldier’s relationships leave them empty and wanting more, while the priests relationship with God keeps him full with love. Catherine and Henry start off as a fling, but then grow into something more, a love that is real. For example, when the relationship first takes shape, it is not a true love that exists between them, â€Å"The love that he feels is almost entirely sexual, however, and derives from the pleasure she gives him†Ã‚ ¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Donaldson 157.) The love Henry feels for Catherine it is more of a lust. It is purely physical and he is using her for the pleasure he gets from being with her. In addition, throughout the novel Henry does not show any true feelings for Catherine, it is not until the end of the novel where he begins to show true love, â€Å"Throughout their affair, Frederic rarely displays honest and thoughtful concern for Catherine’s feelings. Where she invariably thinks of him first, he often does not think of her at all. Only when she lies dying of childbirth in the Lausanne hospital does he finally begin to want to serve and to sacrifice for her† (Donaldson 160.) It is not until Catherine is threatened with death that Henry’s true emotions begin to form. The thought of life without her sparks this reaction inside Henry. Furthermore, Henry’s sacrifices show how his love for Catherine has changed, â€Å"Please go and get something to eat,’ Catherine said. â€Å"ËÅ"I’m fine, really.’ â€Å"ËÅ"I’ll stay awhile,’ I said.† (Hemingway 314.) Henry gives up eating so he can stay be side her. This action shows a big change in Henry, he is beginning to think of her before himself. This is the beginning of what true love really is. In conclusion, Henry’s love for Catherine began to mature when he put her  needs above him. In reality this is what true love is. True love is not just a physical one; it is emotional, and spiritual as well. â€Å"Mature lovers share equally: they give and gain by giving† (Donaldson 173.) Works Cited Hemingway, Ernest. A Farewell to Arms. New York: Scriber Paperback Fiction, 1995. Donaldson, Scott. â€Å"Contemporary Literary Criticism.† Rev. of A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. Gale Research Company 1980 The New Living Translation: American Bible. â€Å"John 4:13-14† Bible.Crosswalk.com 2001.

Friday, September 27, 2019

The Depicting Graphs Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Depicting Graphs - Assignment Example The decrease in the cost of production will increase the profit margins of the company. Hence, it will be willing to supply more t-shirts. This is depicted by the outward shift of the supply curve from S1 to S2. Therefore, the increased quantity supplied decreases the shortage in the market. The curve of Marginal Revenue depicts the extra revenue that is earned from selling an extra unit of output. It declines linearly as the output increases. The curve of Marginal cost shows the extra cost that is incurred from producing an extra unit of output. It is the U-shaped curve that first declines reaches a minimum cost and then rises as the output increases. The curve of Average Cost portrays the mean cost of producing a certain level of output. It declines sharply at first, reaches a minimum average cost and then steadily rises as the output produced is increased. The demand curve depicts the quantity demanded at different prices. It is a downward sloping curve. As the price decreases, the quantity demanded increases. I believe that the firm will not face severe competition for a long time as barriers to entry are high in this monopolistic market structure. This will guarantee the firm sure profits in the long run as well. One of the first impacts will be the increased price of the imported goods and services. This will increase the cost of these commodities in the UK market. As well as the producers will increase their cost to cover their rise in price in their imported raw materials. Therefore, this will lead to cost-push inflation in the UK market. On the other hand, the depreciation will boost the UK exports and lead to increase in their demand. All in all, the increases exports and the reduced imports will lead to a growth in the GDP of the country. At the same time, the other European markets will face tough competition from the low priced UK exports.  

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Which country builds best cars, Germany or Japan (Mercedes vs Lexus) Assignment

Which country builds best cars, Germany or Japan (Mercedes vs Lexus) - Assignment Example On the other hand Japanese made Lexus has comparatively lesser models in the market (Dawson, 2011). For a better comparison we can select the two top selling Luxury models of both cars, S class Mercedes versus LS class Lexus. The choice of best build cars can be done by setting specific criteria. Customer who wants to make a decision before buying any of these two cars will consider all of the below mentioned aspects. 1. Reliability: In earlier models, Mercedes had some issues in electrical wiring, suspension and brakes but after their out-sourcing, these issues have been resolved. Speaking of today, Mercedes is no doubt a reliable car. Japanese Lexus on the other hand is not equally known for its reliability. 2. Safety: German cars are no doubt much safer then Japanese as proved by crash tests carried out on these cars. 3. Quality: Mercedes and Lexus both are comparable in terms of quality but still Mercedes has an edge over Lexus. 4. Prestige: Mercedes has its origin back in year 1 885 and is the oldest automotive brand still in demand. Over the years, Mercedes has set a bench mark for other companies and a lot of customers are willing to pay extra bucks for its prestige and brand name, while Lexus firstly introduced in 1989 is also making its way to set a better standard for their company. 5. Style: Mercedes Benz has always been famous for its stylish design. Lexus however is not very famous for this, they have few exceptional models but there are many cars which are not very famous because of their outer look. 6. Paint quality: Mercedes and Lexus fall in same category in terms of good paint quality. 7. Performance: Mercedes gives a better performance; it has a upper hand in dealing high speed controls while Lexus falls a little behind at high speed. 8. Technology: Germans pay too much focus on technology, they launch a car with special features one year and the next year same features happen to hit the market by Japanese in their new edition. That is how Jap anese keep their prices cheaper; they don’t have to spend extra on research and development. German cars are very well engineered. 9. Fuel economy: In Japan Gas prices are high, that is why they focus on fuel economy while making a car and Lexus is more fuel efficient then a Mercedes Benz. Mercedes S class proves to be heavy on fuel efficiency. 10. Interior design: Although Lexus offers a very nice interior but since it is affiliated with Toyota, much of it resembles like a Toyota. Mercedes however has a very genuine appealing Interior. It depends on personal taste but Mercedes ranks higher in interior. 11. Spare parts: If a Mercedes car breaks down then one has to pay a lot to get it fixed again in terms of expensive spare parts and labor cost but a Lexus offers much cheaper spare parts and maintenance. 12. Price: Lexus LS is way cheaper then S class Mercedes. If a customers wants features like leathered seats, universal remote transmitter, heated seats then he has to pay ex tra for a Mercedes Benz but these features come as standard in a Lexus series. In view of above mentioned criteria Mercedes leads in most of the aspects while Lexus proves to be more economical. According to Galanes and Adams â€Å"question of policy†, recommendations that can be given to Lexus for improving its market value include i) more focus on innovation and genuine designs ii) focus on safety features iii) focus on technology . Which country builds best cars, Germany or Japan? In this era of global market competitions, it becomes very difficult to make a decision about choosing a brand best suitable for you. Automobile industry over the past few years has grown tremendously but there are still some leading companies who have managed to establish their repute. Mercedes is one of those

Formal organizations Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Formal organizations - Research Paper Example Microsoft Company has various divisions depending on the functional aspects and the products produced at the divisions. At the head of the hierarchy are the two parallel but complementary positions; there is the CEO who is concerned with product development, sales and marketing, operations, administration, consulting and support, as well as financial management. The Chairman and Chief Software Architect is charged with the responsibility of developing the technical strategy in order to help in planning for the future operations of the organization. The discussion shall be concentrated on the business solutions under business divisions. c. Connection to a specific social institution Microsoft companies have a connection to several social institutions. It particularly has an important relation to the economic growth and development in a given society. The company is a developer and distributor of a variety of computer software and employs tens of thousands of professionals worldwide. The software developed by the company is useful in small businesses and the large enterprises as well. This helps in promoting the business operations hence encouraging economic growth. d. Connection to one or more ‘essential tasks’ of the social institutions Just like any other institution, Microsoft Company has an elaborate system for hiring employees and replacing the old employees who have left or died. We have also seen cases where a top serving officer in the organization resigns from his position and establishes a strategic senior position to help manage the organization. This was seen when the former Chief Executive Officer, Billy Gates, surrendered the position to be the Chairman and Chief Software Architect of the company. Another essential task performed by social institutions is producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services. In deed, Microsoft is the leading world producer of computer packages that are applicable in many sectors of the economy. 2. Using micro sociology a. Routine day to-day interaction patterns in the organization The day-to-day interactions are not very common at the organization at the lower level. The employees are often charged with individual responsibility under certain rules and regulations. The nature of the tasks that require consistent inventive and innovative abilities call for limited interactions. b. How concepts

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Education Literature Questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Education Literature Questions - Assignment Example A well planned and methodological teaching incorporates all the relevant information and beyond. It is also thought provoking and interactive to incite thinking and application aptitude in the students. In today's' scenario where an exponential rise in technology is mounting, freedom must be given to students to come up with their thoughts and views. Such a balance between structural framework and innovative thoughts, coming out of freedom or open discussion is important not only for local knowledge but also for public knowledge. A constant interaction with the students enhances teaching skill of the teacher as well (as in the case of Crouse). 2) How was the knowledge created or generated? According to Crouse, students and teacher work together in a manner to formulate a curriculum. It is a phase of learning for both, the teacher as well as the student, where the teacher understands how to enhance skills in order to generate better understanding in students while the children enrich their understanding towards the subject. Teacher could improve teaching by being thoughtful and by finding out ways where students grasp and learn well. Appropriate teaching methodology, clear, coherent and lucid explanation generates understanding for the subject. However, in order to impart appropriate knowledge to the students it is essential that the teacher must recognize their level of understanding and awareness of students. Moreover, a psychological implication is also essential. One parameter of classroom research cannot be implemented in diverse cultural environments, as culture of the geographical region also plays an imperative role in classroom studies. Some of the developing nations do not promote interactive studies which hampers the cognitive development of the students and potential and skills of the students remain underdeveloped. The cultural background of some nations of Asia do not promote female education. Thus, females in these nations remain underprivileged a nd contribute little to the growth and progress of their children and hence the nation. Generating understanding, awareness and knowledge therefore, directly relates and depicts cultural predisposition which plays pivotal role in knowledge creation and generation. 3) Was it shared with other practitioners? How? Crouse appears to consider knowledge generation as both the rationale of education and theme of her own research and shared these ideas with various researchers including Marilyn Cochran-Smith (2010). With the technological advances and availability of resources, internet accessibility, awareness is generated at a rapid pace. Findings in education, research and technology could be easily shared across the world. The world is now connected and sharing information is just a click away. B. Topic:- Classroom Studies: Why it should be counted as research? Ref. Lytle, S.L., Cochran-Smith, M. (1992). Teacher research as a Way of Knowing. Harvard Educational Review,62(4), 447- 474. C lassroom teaching involves direct interaction between teacher and the students, a face-to-face interaction. During this interaction the expression and explanation of the teacher is of paramount significance. The depth of knowledge of the teacher and explicit explanation needs constant

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Film Analysis - The Pianist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Film Analysis - The Pianist - Essay Example However, just before he is about to board, one of the Jewish guards pulls him out of line and inadvertently saves Szpilman’s life. Over the next few years, Szpilman goes from place to place while trying to avoid the German troops. He manages this successfully, although there are a few close calls. In one apartment where he was staying, Szpilman tipped over some plates, creating a loud bang. Immediately a neighbor was banging on the door and asking who was there. Once Szpilman opened the door, the woman asked for identification. We he could produce none, the woman started shouting that he was a Jew and that he needed to be caught. Szpilman managed to run down the stairs and get away as fast as possible. A little while later, a key turning point in the film began. The Polish Uprising began in August of 1944 and resulted in the last remaining Jews being executed. Szpilman is almost killed throughout this battle, but manages to stay alive. Once the Germans are mostly forced to lea ve the city, Szpilman is one of the few to still be living in the war-ruined city of Warsaw. Barely managing to stay alive, Szpilman attempts to find whatever food he can. As he is trying to open a can of pickles, a German captain, Wilm Hosenfeld, discovers Szpilman all alone. After a few short questions, Captain Hosenfeld asks Szpilman if what he does for a living. Szpilman responds that he was a pianist. To this, Captain Hosenfeld simply said, â€Å"A pianist. Come. Play.† Szpilman decides to play â€Å"Ballade in G-Minor, Op. 23† by Chopin. At the sound of this, Captain Hosenfeld felt touched enough to spare Szpilman’s life. This scene is one of the most impacting in the movie because it shows that even though two people may be at war, they can still see the goodness in each other. The filmmaker, Roman Polanski, is trying to show the Holocaust through the eyes of one man’s true story. Quite often Holocaust movies focus on the Jewish race as a whole, wh ich is fine, but it maybe not always the best way to represent the Holocaust. In looking at it from one person’s point of view, the audience is able to feel the emotions of the character and how stressful that time would have been. In the piano scene with the German captain, Polanski is trying to show that not all Germans are as evil as many people think. The stereotypical German of that day, and to some extent of the modern day, is one who is always yelling and putting other people down because of their race. This German Captain Hosenfeld gives the audience a side of a German war character that is, for some, not normal. In many Hollywood movies, Germans are always portrayed to be the bad guys. This is because, generally, many Americans of Jewish descent wield great power in high places and can thus get their views across easily. When Captain Hosenfeld asks Szpilman to play something on the piano, he is giving the Jew a chance to display his talents. Many people would have ex pected Szpilman to be shot instantly simply for the fact that he was Jewish, yet Captain Hosenfeld saw something in Szpilman that perhaps many others could never see. Once he began listening to the piano, Captain Hosenfeld was so captured by what he was hearing that he felt mercy for Szpilman and his situation. It could be that hearing the piano triggered something in Captain Hosenfeld’s memory. Maybe he had a happy memory of the piano as a child. The point is that Polanski is showing how

Monday, September 23, 2019

The most important concepts in the business-supply chain relationship Essay

The most important concepts in the business-supply chain relationship - Essay Example For example, the supply chain of an automaker is different from that of a consumer electronics goods manufacturer, meaning their infrastructure also contrast (Oliveira and Gimeno 29). Suppliers in the automotive industry must have adequate capital and facilities to provide materials at competitive prices, and these materials are unique to that industry. On the other hand, automakers should have the capacity to store and process these materials to develop the product and then sell it through the distribution networks. Suppliers and producers must observe relevant legal requirements in their specific industries to avoid attracting punitive measures that would handicap their capacity and freedom to operate (Oliveira and Gimeno 54). Industry-specific legal and regulatory requirements must be observed by both parties, or their relationship would be compromised by interruptions and constraints. For businesses, social and working conditions are part of company policy regarding employee welfare and the employer-employee relationship. They are also closely related to the labor policies of whichever countries they operate in. In recent times, there have been reports of employee maltreatment involving poor working conditions, extremely low wages, and lack of employee rights, especially among suppliers (Stadtler, Kilger, and Meyr 42). Large companies like Nike have been accused of working with rogue suppliers who do not respect labor rights, and this has damaged their reputations. As such, businesses and supply chains must demonstrate adherence to ethical practices and respect for labor laws. This involves communication and operational efficiency. To keep the supply chain running optimally, suppliers must communicate with their partners at various levels and ensure that all processes run seamlessly. There has to be good communication between businesses and suppliers, to reduce

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Later Adulthood Essay Example for Free

Later Adulthood Essay Aging in our society can be a very stressful time regarding our elderly. They are going through tremendous changes not only physically, emotionally, but also socially. It is in our best interest to help them make the proper adjustments during what can be a difficult time for some. Retirement is not always the best thing for our senior citizens. It can be a trying time as they no longer feel useful. We need to insure they remain productive by maintaining relationships with friends and family, volunteering, finding a hobby, and most important maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Because our society is so obsessed with youth, many of our senior citizens feel left out. In Japan, they treat their elders with the utmost respect. (Maslow, Kirst 2010). It is our turn to treat our senior citizens with the same respect instead of shunning them from society. At times their living accommodations are not suitable and the amount of healthcare they may need can cause stress in their lives. Their relationships with their spouses, children, friends, and coworkers change dramatically. It can be a difficult transition and is up to us to make sure they can ease into later adulthood with positive attitudes and a foundation of hope for their future. In their later adulthood years, the elderly experience changes in their roles and social position. Upon retirement, many aging individuals may withdraw from their social network circle. This may happen when the individual is not ready to retire and resents being forced to retire. They begin to feel unwanted and feel they no longer have anything in common with their friends. Our society does not incorporate the elderly desires of remaining productive which may cause them to disengage in socializing with their peers. Their social status changes from teacher, pharmacist, and store manager to perhaps a regular Joe in the neighborhood. This can impact their mentality and their ability to maintain a positive attitude during retirement. One of the best ways for the elderly to continue to feel worthy during their later years is perhaps volunteering and influencing our youth with their knowledge and wisdom. Determining the best suited living accommodations for the elderly can be a daunting task for their loved ones. Many elderly are determined to stay in their homes living independently and if they are not ill than that option may work for them. There are many  factors that determine if they can stay in their home. Do they have transportation? Are they close to stores and medical care? If their loved one has health issues and requires medical attention around the clock than a nursing home would be their best option. Another option would be a retirement community, senior apartments or senior homes. Trying to find the best living accommodation for the elderly to spend their days living productive lives is very important. They also need access to affordable healthcare. Many elderly are plagued with health issues and cannot afford prescriptions or doctor visits. They do benefit from senior citizen discounts but it is not enough to cover all their medical expenses. Our society needs to find a better solution in terms of our aging population and health care needs. Kim Moen stated† On the one hand, the retirement experience may promote a sense of well-being, as workers move out of demanding and/or stressful career jobs. On the other hand, the retirement passage itself may lead to diminished well-being, as individuals lose their occupational attachments, their social network of coworkers, and a major anchor for their identities.† (Headnote, para 2). Regarding our aging population, the most difficult time for them can be transitioning from working all their life to retirement. Our society has stressed the importance of youth and our elderly start to feel useless. Going into to retirement can cause more burdens on the elderly. By living on a fixed income and not being able to spend on eating out, movies, or even vacationing can takes its toll on the elderly. They can become depressed, which can then lead to suicidal thoughts. Another factor of going into retirement is the elderly may lose contact with coworkers since they no longer have work to discuss, they start to avoid contact with friends. Many elderly couples may not get along during retirement, they are not accustomed to being around their loved ones all day and this can cause problems in their marriage. Our society needs to encourage our elderly to remain productive after retirement so they can feel needed and participate in volunteer programs offered in their communities. If they are able to work and can continue to contribute to society, it will be a positive situation for everyone including our economy. There are many factors that can contribute to our elderly populations marital, family and peer relationships. During retirement, an elderly couple may experience more  marital strife as they are attempting to get used to being home all day. Their health also plays a part on their marital relationship. If one partner is ill, than the other partner has to care for the ill partner and this will cause stress. As couples, our elderly may not have the bond the once had at a younger age. They need to maintain a close relationship and focus on their positive aspects of their relationship. Regarding their own children, some elderly attempt to withdraw and not maintain close relationships with their children or grandchildren. Some will engage more and try to interfere in raising their grandchildren, which will cause problems with their own children. In their peer relationships, they may withdraw also. It does depend on the individual and their circumstances on how they handle the important relationships in their lives. Bookwala and Franks (2005) found that having a successful marriage will enhance the physical wellbeing of elderly couples as they progress into their golden years. There are many social policies impacting our aging population. Many of these social policies were designed to assist our elderly during their retirement years. â€Å"One out of ten older people live in poverty.† (Zastrow Kirst-Ashman, 2010, para. Financial Problems of Older People). This information demonstrates the dire situation our elderly are experiencing. How are they able to make ends meet if they have no savings and living entirely on Social Security benefits? Another factor is the cost of healthcare that many aging individuals have to deal with. If they are in poor health and are in need of constant doctor supervision and medicine, they are relying on the governments Medicaid program and at times this can cause added stress in their lives. If their health is deteriorating, it makes sense that we need to implement new strategies to assist the elderly with aging. We should also encourage them to work if they are physically fit and able instead of discriminating against them based on their age. Our focus should be campaigning for them to engage in exercise, eating healthy and maintaining an active lifestyle throughout their lives to delay the effects of aging. In order for our elderly to continue progressing in later adulthood, our society needs to change our way thinking. We should encourage elderly people to work and be productive. A national campaign for our elders should address the benefits of physical fitness, eating right, and  maintaining close relationships with their loved ones. We should make them feel wanted and treat them with the utmost respect. They have lived life, have wisdom and experience to share with everyone. By incorporating those into volunteer programs will also be highly beneficial for everyone involved. Making sure they are happy and living in acceptable conditions should also be our concern. Now is the time, to turn the tables around and ensure that we are doing our best to take care for our aging population. Works Cited Bookwala, J., Franks, M.M. (2005). Moderating role of marital quality in older adults depressed affect: Beyond the main-effects model. The Journal of Gerontology, 60B (6), p.338-p.341. Kim, J.E., Moen, P. (2002). Retirement transitions, gender, and psychological well-being: a life course, ecological model. The Journal of Gerontology, 57B (3), p.212-p.222. Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K.K. (2010). Understanding Human Behavior the Social Environment (8th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Structure of Collagen Proteins

Structure of Collagen Proteins Collagen forms the majority of the protein that is found in mammalian organisms and constitutes 30% of the total protein mass of a human. By being used as a gibbet, collagen is utilized by body cells towards the molding of their surroundings. This eventually creates an atmosphere favorable for normal cell function as well as the development of the tissues. Apart from providing mechanical support, collagen have several ligands which improve the performance of factor receptors and integrins that can control cellular procedures such as cell union, cell migration commonly known as chemotaxis, remodeling of tissues, as well as the healing of wounds. Collagen comprises of between 25 and 35 percent of the total protein tissue present in a mammals body. The hair, connective tissues as well major connective tissues are made up of collagen. Collagen is structured into fibrous strands, precise to their role (Lamberg 226). Collagen is broken down into several sub-units known as tropocollagen. A Tropocollagen has a form of a triple helix attached to a hydrogen bond to form a polypeptide chain. A sample Collagen is predominantly made up of amino acids. It has high levels of proline and glycine alongside hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline. Vitamin C is essential during the building up process of collagens, although it is not a direct constituent of the amino acid chain. Currently, there are 29 known collagen types of fiber. The most prevalent in the body are the type 1, 2, 3 and 4. The type one collagen is present in all soft tissues inclusive of the internal organs, the bones and tendons as well as the skin. On the other hand, Type 2 collagen is found in the cartilage of the body structures while type 3 is common in reticular membranes and tissues. Additionally, Type 4 collagen is only found in the membranes of the cell basement. If the formation of collagen happens inside the cell, then the process is known as vivo formation. In this process, three peptide chains appear in the ribosomes all along the rough endoplasmic reticulum. On the contrary, if the collagen is formed outside the cell, then the method of formation is known as vitro formation. According to this process, Collagen is produced in a laboratory through manual procedures. One collagen is made up of a chain of five small tropocollagen molecules. The protein strand is made up of the ami no acid base. The staggered arrangement of Tropocollagen molecules permits them to adhere to adjoining strands and thus providing the fibers with additional strength (Murrieta 16). By designation, a collagen molecule is made up three ÃŽÂ ± chains also known as polypeptide chains and contains on the least, one domain having a repeating Gly-X-Y sequence in all of the essential chains (Myllyharju and Kivirikko 26). At present, all vertebrates are made up of at least 27 collagen types each having 42 distinct ÃŽÂ ± chain. A number of collagens make up homotrimers having three ÃŽÂ ± chains whereas others have two or even three distinct ÃŽÂ ± chains. The X and Y locations can contain any amino acid apart from glycine. Characteristically, proline is only available in the X spot with 4-hydroxyproline in the Y position. Whereas 4-hydroxyprolines are necessary for the solidity of the triple helix, glycines are essential for filling the three chains into a coiled-coil configuration. This formation is exemplified as a left-handed helix that is wound about a regular axis to form a triple helix with a one-dimensional right-handed superhelical pitch, producing the ultimate arrangement of a rope-like rod. Collagen Types With the aim of avoiding confusion, collagens are given roman numerals in the order that they have discovered. Whilst referring to the composition of a collagen, each of the three ÃŽÂ ± chains is initially quantified for chain number (1, 2, or 3) and thereafter the type of the collagen is identified. For instance, ÃŽÂ ±2 (I) refers to the second ÃŽÂ ± chain is type I whereas ÃŽÂ ±1 (II) refers to the first ÃŽÂ ± chain is type II collagen. Collagen division into families is made essentially by the apparatus and organization of matrix gathering. The following are the nine collagen families along with their respective types. fibril-forming (I, II, III, V, XI, XXIV and XXVII), fibril-associated collagens with interrupted triple helices (FACITs) positioned on the exterior of fibrils (IX, XII, XIV, XVI, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII and XXVI), hexagonal form (VIII and X), basement membrane forming (IV), beaded filaments (VI), affixing fibrils for basement membranes (VII), transmembrane domains (XIII, XVII, XXIII and XXV), and the family of type XV and XVIII collagens (Kivirriko 123). Definite collagens are articulated in a tissue definite approach, as depicted in types II, IX and XI that are set up almost entirely in cartilage, although type XVII is just found in skin hemidesmosomes. In addition, some collagen forms are ordinary in the majority of extracellular matrices, as in the case of type I. Furthermore, collagen fibrils that frequently comprise more than one kind of collagen. Such a type I collagen may also possesses smaller amounts of types III, V and XII. Additional heterogeneity in the super family may be as a result of unusual splicing of the records of several genes as well as the use of option promoters in a number of genes. Through the huge figure of structurally distinct members of the super family involves being caught up in numerous biological functions (Kadler 124). Collagen assembly Most of the collagens have a similar formulation procedure thats characteristically linked with type I. By starting inside the cell, three peptide chains are produced in ribosomes all along the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER). The chains formed are then referred to as preprocollagens and each one of them possess registration peptides on the end as well as a signal peptide. Upon completion, these peptide chains are then sent into the lumen of the RER somewhere they are slashed into their procollagen shapes. Whilst in the RER, the chains progress to undertake a chain of efficient changes. Initially, the lysine as well as proline amino acids are hydroxylated, a procedure that depends on ascorbic acid. Subsequently, precise hydroxylated amino acids are glycosylated, permitting the three chains to relate into a triple helical formation. Lastly, the procollagen is transported to the Golgi apparatus for packaging as well as secretion in a process known as exocytosis. The moment the collagen is outside the cell, it is again reordered into a functional matrix. listing peptides are sliced via procollagen peptidase, to form tropocollagen, which can which has the potential to aggregate itself and form collagen fibers. In the case of non-fibular collagen, the N- and C-propeptides remain in the cell where they assist in directing super molecular assembly. Following the formation of fiber, inter-chain cross-linking of collagen take place between lysine and hydroxylysine residues subsequent to deamination from lysyl oxidase (Kivirriko 123). Molecular Structure A collagen molecule also known as tropocollagen is a sub-unit of bigger collagen collection as in the case of fibrils. The molecule has a diameter of around 1.5nm and is 300nm long. It is made up of three polypeptide strand, each having left-handed helix conformation. In addition, the three left-handed helices are twisted collectively to form a right handed super helix, a joint quaternary structure alleviated by several hydrogen bonds. The association of type I collagen with possible fibrillar collagens to form a branded triple helix is referred to as microfibril. Every microfibril is interdigitated with its adjoining microfibrils to an extent that may propose that they are independently unbalanced even though within collagen fibrils they are so well structured to be crystalline. Since glycine is the least amino acid having no side chain, it has a unique responsibility in fibrous structural proteins. In the formation of collagen, Gly is essential at all third position since the assemblage of the triple helix holds this residue at the inner (axis) of the helix, wherever there is no gap for a larger side group than glycines sole hydrogen atom. For similar basis, the rings of the Pro and Hyp should point outward. The function of the two amino acids is to help stabilize the triple helix. Fibrillar Structure The tropocollagen subunits impulsively assemble itself with recurrently spread out ends, into even bigger arrays in the extracellular vacant places of tissues. In the case of fibrillar collagens, the molecules are spread out from each other by 67nm. Each and every D-period has 4 and fraction molecules of collagen. This is due to the fact that if you divide 300 by 67 doesnt yield a large integer. Therefore in each D-period duplicated of the microfibril, there exists a part having five molecules in a cross-section known as overlap. On the other hand, the part consisting of four molecules is known as the Gap. The triple-helices may also be prearranged in a hexagonal or quasi-hexagonal arrangement in section, both the overlap region and the Gap. Equally the gap and overlap regions (Xie 549). There exists a covalent is cross connections in the triple helices, as well as an amount of covalent cross connections involving tropocollagen helices outlining a well structured collection like fibrils. Bigger fibrillar bunches are produced with the support of numerous diverse categories of proteins as well as diverse collagen brands, proteoglycans and glycoprotein to shape the diverse kinds of fully-grown tissues from alternating blends of the similar major players. The insolubility of collagens has been a barrier to the research carried out on monomeric until it was discovered that tropocollagen from immature animals could be removed since by then, is it not yet completely cross connected. Nonetheless, progress in microscopy systems microscopy of electron (EM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the diffraction of X-ray have facilitated those doing research to acquire gradually more comprehensive figures of collagen configuration in situ. This afterward progress is predominantly significant to improved perception of the system in which collagen configuration influences communication in both intracellular and cell-matrix stages, and how tissues are build in development and restoration, and altered in growth and infection. For instance by means of AFM -based nanoindentation, researchers have been able to show that a particular fibril of collagen is a varied substance alongside its axial course with extensively diverse automatic functions in its fissure and partly covered areas, connecting with its diverse molecular associations in these two areas. The fibrils of collagen are partially crystalline collections of molecules made of collagen. Collagen fibers (filaments) are bunches of fibrils. Fibrils/ collections of collagen are prearranged in diverse arrangements and attentiveness in a variety of tissues to offer unstable tissue elements. In fillets, complete triple helices of collagen are positioned in a parallel, reeled display. Forty nm spaces involving the endings of the tropocollagen subdivisions-roughly equivalent to the breach section- almost certainly act as nucleation position for the deposition of long, hard, fine crystals of the mineral component, which is (approximately) hydroxyapatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 with some phosphate. It is in this way that certain kinds of cartilage turn into bone. Type I collagen gives bone its tensile strength. Prolyl 4-Hydroxylase (P4H) As formerly stated, hydroxylation of the Y-position proline residues is a critical modification for generating stable triple helical collagen. This modification is carried out in the lumen of the RER by the enzyme prolyl 4-hydroxylase (Tandon 199). The vertebrate forms of these P4Hs are ÃŽÂ ±2 ÃŽÂ ²2 tetramers in which the ÃŽÂ ² subunit is identical to the protein disulfide isomerase PDI (Myllyharju, 2003). Various isoforms of the catalytic a subunit have been found in organisms of varying size and complexity; from humans to Drosophila. Another family of P4Hs in the cytoplasm has been uncovered and has been linked to the regulation of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF. Cytoplasmic P4Hs have no PDI subunit, require different sequences flanking the prolines that are hydroxylated, and have markedly higher Km values (Kivirikko and Myllyharju 199). No overall amino acid sequence homology is detected between the collagen and the cytoplasmic HIF P4Hs, with the exception of critical catalytic residues. HIF is continuously synthesized and under normoxic conditions a critical proline residue in a -Leu-X-X-Leu-Ala-Prosequence is hydroxylated by the cytoplasmic P4Hs, not by collagen P4Hs. The resulting 4-hydroxyproline residue is essential for HIFÃŽÂ ± binding to the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex for subsequent proteasomal degradation. However, under hypoxic conditions hydroxylation ceases, allowing HIFÃŽÂ ± to escape degradation and instead forms a stable dimer with HIFÃŽÂ ² (Jaakkol a, 2001). Once formed, the dimer is translocated into the nucleus and becomes bound to the HIF-responsive elements in a number of hypoxia-inducible genes, such as those for erythropoietin, vascular endothelial growth factor, glycolytic enzymes and even for the ÃŽÂ ±(I) subunit of human type I collagen (Takahashi 200). Illinois Institute of Technology biologist Joseph Orgel used the high-energy X-rays produced by the APS to examine the structure of collagen, a protein that composes more than a quarter of all protein in the human body and forms the principal component of skin, teeth, ligaments, the heart, blood vessels, bones and cartilage. In these tissues, collagen molecules pack themselves into overlapping bundles called fibrils. These fibrils, which each contain billions of atoms, entwine themselves into collagen fibres that are visible to the naked eye (Xuyang 2760). Scientists have known the basic molecular structure of collagen since the 1950s, when several different international groups of scientists discovered that it had a triple-stranded helical structure. However, researches had never before had the ability to study the structure of an entire fibril in the same way that they could study an individual collagen molecule, according to Orgel. Orgel and his team performed diffraction studies on intact collagen fibrils inside the tendons of rat tails in order to understand just how the protein functioned within unbroken tissue. We tried to draw a highly accurate map of the molecular structure of tissues, Orgel said. By doing so, we hope to transform a very basic understanding that we have of the molecular structure of tissue into a much more tangible form. Since the scientists kept the tendon tissue intact, they could see how the collagen molecule binds to collagenases, a class of enzymes which when working properly help to regulate the normal growth and development of animals but when malfunctioning can lead to the metastasis of cancerous tumors or rheumatoid arthritis. The visualization of this interaction could help drug developers to create an inhibitor to prevent the pathological action of the enzyme, Orgel said. Previous studies of the structure of collagen had looked only at crystals of small fragments of the protein, so scientists had little idea of how it looked within intact tissue. Its impossible to get the information that we did by removing tiny chunks of the tissue, Orgel said. We couldnt obtain this data by single-crystal crystallography. This research was made possible only because of the BioCAT beam line provided by the APS. Applications Collagen has been extensively used in beauty surgical procedures, hemostats, mechanism coatings, recovery fluids, formulation recipients, tablets, cartilage rebuilding, medicine release, in addition to skin substitutes for patients with burns. However, both medical and cosmetic use is declining because most commercially available collagens are derived from bovine or porcine tissues. Mainly enriched in type I collagen, these preparations also contain small amounts of type III as well as other collagens that are difficult and expensive to remove from the desired material. Moreover, there is a high rate of allergic reactions from animal-derived collagens, causing prolonged redness. Using collagen derived from cows also poses the risk of transmitting prion diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The scientific community also uses collagen in its studying its role in tissue development and disease. Extracting sufficient quantities of nontraditional or less prominent colla gens is a costly and difficult task (Kadler 196). A processed form of collagen commonly used is gelatin. Derived from denatured collagen, gelatin is composed of a mixture of collagen chains of different length, structure, and composition. This distribution depends on what type(s) of collagens are extracted, the extraction method, as well as the pH and ionic strength of the solution used for processing. Because gelatin is a heterogeneous composition, especially in size and isoelectric point, the resulting products will inevitably have variable gelling and physical properties. This variability presents a significant challenge for medical applications where stability, safety, and control are necessary (Crissman 192). Cheaply produced recombinant collagens and gelatins have the potential to alleviate many of the issues associated with animal derived versions. Given the large number of aforementioned applications there is also a large market in this area. Scalable technology is needed to make microbial expression of recombinant collagens a viable alternative to tissue extraction. Using microbes to engineer collagen allows for greater control over collagen synthesis and organization, which in turn increases the quality, consistency, and safety of collagen production. It would also provide an easy platform for introducing altered primary sequences into recombinant collagens. Such genetic control over collagen structure is crucial in studying the impact of specific mutations on collagen structural hierarchical assembly and associated functions and also would allow for the creation of designer collagen-mimetic materials. Recombinant expression would also allow for the extraction of sufficient quantities of native collagen forms that are present at low levels which are otherwise mainly characterized at cDNA and genomic levels. This would allow for structural and functional analysis of these rarer collagens (Baneyx 114). Biomaterials applications for collagens in hemostats, as skin substitutes, in cartilage reconstruction, and for drug delivery can benefit from the improved purity of cloned sources of collagen. Purity in this case would include both reducing other extracellular matrix components that may be carried through the purification process leading to potential inflammatory responses, or bioburdens with potential impact on human heath, particularly neurological disorders due to prion concerns. Recombinant human collagen seems to avoid immune reactions previously described and is therefore more biocompatible. Recombinantly derived collagen was shown to have superior mechanical strength and haemostatic activity compared to animal derived collagen when formed into a matrix. They can be altered to include bioactive peptide sequences as well as to be collagenase resistant. Recombinant gelatins can be tailored to alter their gelling temperature by controlling their hydroxyproline content. Moreover, they have been shown to be less allergenic. As they are widely used in the food and drug industry, recombinantly derived gelatins can be made animal-free and thus open for consumption by vegetarians (Baez 252).