The Royal Hunt of the Sun :: essays papers

The Royal Hunt of the Sun The Royal Hunt of the Sun is a story mainly based on the conquest of Peru by Spain. Along the way it explores many different sub-themes and ideas. Questions are raised about faith, friendship, leadership, greed and two distinctively different ways of life. The two main characters exhibit conflicting views on all the issues. The overthrow of the Peruvian Empire is a phenomenal story as it demonstrates the vulnerability of a society that considered itself almost indestructible. It showed how focused a civilisation can be on one leader, and how simply it can collapse when this leadership is removed. Pizarro recognised this and that is how his small army of almost two hundred conquered a nation of millions. He told his men "One man: that^s all. Get him, the rest collapse." (page 28) The conquest of Peru was a clash between two religions that were immediately very different but similar in principal. Christianity was a religion with a rapidly expanding following. Its leaders virtually granted permission for Christians to kill in order to spread the faith. This occurred in The Royal Hunt of the Sun when the priests inferred that Pizarro should take the life of Attahuallpa so that the Spanish would survive and the Christian belief would spread throughout South America. The priest Valverde said "^the lives of a hundred and seventy of the faithful. Are you going to sacrifice them for one savage?" (page 70) On the other hand the Inca belief was a lot more settled and humane. The Inca God and ruler Atahuallpa claimed "I have priest power^I confess my people of all crimes against the sun." (page 19) They both believed in a supreme being, who would be killed by its enemies and rise from the dead. Pizarro and Atahuallpa came from similar backgrounds but their immediate appearance was quite different. When they came together their similarities became evident and their friendship flourished at an early stage. While Atahuallpa was Pizarro^s captive he said "Make me free. I would fill this room." (With gold) (page 43) However, when Atahuallpa produces the gold Pizarro qualifies his promise thus; " ^Atahuallpa, you must swear to me that you will not hurt a man in my army if I let you go." (page 60) "I will not swear this" Atahuallpa replied. "Three thousand of my servants they killed in the square. Three thousand, without arms. I will avenge them." (page 60) This

Transmission of the Plague to Humans Essay -- Biology Medical Biomedic

Transmission of the Plague to Humans Abstract Yersinia pestis is a bacterium that has been well known to mankind for centuries. Its mechanisms of survival in wide variety of species are extraordinary. The power of this bacterium is dependent on its manipulation of the immune system of its host’s. Its means of survival in the flea and its use of the flea as a vector to other desirable hosts portray this bacterium’s true capability. This flea is the main cause of the bacterium to other animals, especially humans. However, the bacterium does not just stop here; it uses its coded proteins to inhibit the host’s immune system and the host’s cellular functions to aid in its survival in the organism. One of the most deadly diseases to strike mankind is the plague. The plague has survived for centuries and has claimed the lives of millions throughout the years. The plague is caused by a gram-negative bacterium known as Yersinia pestis. There have been three major pandemics due to this bacterium. Although it does not seem as deadly now as it was in the Middle Ages, it is still very much alive and present. There are three types of plague: the bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic plague. The bubonic and septicimic plague are only transmitted by the flea, but the pneumonic plague can spread through the air in droplets or by physical contact. At times, transmission can also occur from infected rodents, cats or other animals through bites and scratches (Phillips, 2004). The bacteria’s key for survival lies in its vast variety of hosts. Its mechanism in manipulating the host’s cellular functions has enabled it to take control and survive through the years. However, the process that the bacteria must go through in order to infect a human relie... ...berlain/Website/lectures/lecture/plague.htm 2. Jarrett, C. et al. Transmission of Yersinia pestis from an infectious biofilm in the flea vector. Journal of Infectious Diseases. (2004) v190 I4 p783 3. Kool, J. (2005). Risk of Person-to-Person Transmission of Pneumonic Plague. Healthcare Epedimiology. July 24, 2005: http://www.nycosh.org/workplace_hazards/Biosafety/PlagueArticle4-05.pdf 4. Kopp, E, Medzhitov, R (14 October 2002). A Plague on Host Defense. The Journal of Experimental Medicine. July 24, 2005: http://www.jem.org/cgi/content/full/jem.20021311v1 5. Phillips, F. (2004). Bioterrorism: Plague. Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Maryland. July 27, 2005: http://www.aahealth.org/physicianslink/bioterrorism_plague_overview.asp 6. Velendzas, D (2005). Plague. Emedicine. July 21, 2005: http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic428.htm#section~author_information

Information on Oak Trees

Oaks are among the hardiest of hardwood trees and over time can become large shade trees. These trees are popular for their size, long life and beautiful fall colors, but be prepared to wait many years for this grandeur if planting a seedling. Oaks can live and grow for hundreds of years. Attention to soil conditions, diseases and other factors can lead to long-living, beautiful trees. Deciduous Oaks Among the most common oaks are white, red and pin oaks. These types are deciduous, meaning leaves change color and fall from branches in autumn. The leaves of oaks distinguish between the types. White, pin and red oaks all exhibit lobed leaves that branch off in a half-dozen or more appendages. White oaks possess rounded lobes on leaves that are green in spring and summer and change to bright red come fall. Because of their large size when fully grown, white oaks are a popular shade tree. Red and pin oaks have leaves with pointed lobes and follow similar seasonal color patterns to the white oak. Branches tend to droop lower on pin oaks than on red oaks, making the pin a bad choice for growing near streets and sidewalks because of possible obstructions. The red oak tends to be sturdier and more tolerant of city pollutants. Live Oaks Live oaks are the odd men out in the oak family. These trees produce evergreen leaves that are broad without lobes. The foliage is bright green, and the trees are known for abundant shade and do well in cold climates. Planting and Care Pick a spot not too crowded where the tree will have room to branch out. Measure the distance from the soil surface to the bottom of the container or soil ball containing the tree, then dig a hole a little shallower than that distance. Make sure the hole is about three times as wide as the pot or tree ball. After placing the tree in the hole, fill the depression in with loosely packed soil, leaving a mound near the base of the plant. Newly planted trees will need good soakings every four days or so in warmer months for the first year for best results. Anthracnose Anthracnose is a common disease among oaks through which fungi cause defoliation. The best way to fight this disease is to prevent it in the first place. For smaller oaks, spray with fungicide in the spring to prevent unwanted growth. If trees become infected, immediately rake up any affected leaves for disposal. Prune and burn any dead twigs and branches. Then treat with fungicide. Products of the Oak Tree The hardness of oak makes it a popular lumber for construction and furniture production. Its rich tones make for attractive tables, shelves, moldings and trim. As a member of the hardwood family, oak also can be used in the smoking and grilling of food. Natural oak-based lump charcoal is a favorite among grilling purists.

Talbos Ng Kamote Tea Recipe and It’s Advantages

This is how to make it: 1. Wash the camote tops (talbos ng camote) with water and vegetable and fruit liquid cleanser like that of Pigeon's cleanser for baby bottles and toys. (It's made of 100% food grade or edible ingredients and removes pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables. ) 2. Boil water in a pot. 3. Once the water is boiling, put the camote tops (leaves only) and let them boil for at least 5 minutes. 4. Steep some more for 5 minutes. 5. Remove the leaves (or talbos) using a strainer and set aside.You can make these leaves into a salad. It's delicious too! 6. Pour on glasses (or cups if you want hot tea). 7. Squeeze 1-2 calamansi to get the juice and mix into the tea. You can add some more if you want it to have a stronger calamansi flavor. 8. Add a teaspoon (or more if you have a sweet tooth) of honey and mix. 9. Add some ice cubes for a refreshing and nutritious iced tea! Now, while you're enjoying your glass/cup of camote tops tea, let share some of its medicinal quali ties.It's a remedy for constipation or aids in regular bowel movement. It's a remedy for stomach distress like those cause by indigestion. It helps maintain thyroid hormones that prevents the thyroid from getting big. It helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol of patients with type 2 diabetes. According to Wiki. answers. com: Sweet potato tops are excellent sources of antioxidative compounds, mainly polyphenolics, which may protect the human body from oxidative stress that is associated with many diseases including cancer and cardiovascular diseases.Sweet potato greens have the highest content of total polyphenolics among other commercial vegetables studied. Sweet potatoes contain protein, dietary fiber, lipid, and essential minerals and nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, aluminum and boron. Sweet potatoes are also important sources of vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid. In recent years, it has been reported as well that this tea can help Dengue patients recover.Read more about this on an article here. Below is the nutritional value that every 100g of camote tops contain as taken from First Vita Plus website : 30 calcium 24 magnesium 373 potassium 13 sodium 49 phosphorus 85 chlorine 26 sulphur 0. 8 mg/kg iodine traces of manganese, copper and zinc Were you surprised that this cheap vegetable can be this nutritious? In fact, some people plant this in their backyards and just harvest them when they want to have them for salad or tea.

General Safety and Security Essay

* Investment in surveillance camera systems by school districts ensures parents and guardians that the general safety and security of children are being addressed during schools hours and at all after-school extracurricular activities and programs. 2. Crime Deterrent * The presence of highly visible surveillance cameras at strategic locations in buildings and public areas/premises of a school property prevents theft, vandalism and acts as a deterrent to thieves and criminals from indulging in illegal activities. 3. Sexual Predators * One of the biggest threats that school children face is the threat of sexual predators and pedophiles hanging around unobtrusively on school campuses or in parking lots. Camera systems’ footage is very useful in tracking down predators or helping inform police about threatening situations in real time. 4. Prevent Bullying * New-generation surveillance camera systems have audio, voice and sound capturing capabilities. Teenagers bullying or harassing other students can be disciplined based on video and audio footage records. 5. Emergency Evacuation * School security personnel manning surveillance camera systems in real-time can take quick action about evacuating children, faculty and staff in case of emergencies related to fire or other potentially dangerous situations. Prevent Theft and Illegal Activities * The primary purpose of installing surveillance cameras is to act as deterrence to robbers, criminals, petty thieves and unscrupulous elements from indulging in theft, illicit and criminal activities. Security cameras are installed in bungalows, townhouses, apartment buildings, condominiums, schools, university campuses, offices, stores, malls and other public areas. These cameras monitor suspicious activities; stop theft, vandalism and shoplifting; and alert stationed security officers about real-time thefts. Staff monitoring cameras and centrally manned systems in large businesses can also inform county and state law enforcement officials about developing dangerous situations.

Case Brief: London v. Directors of the DeWitt Public Schools

DeWitt Middle School teacher and coach Jeff Rader found Carl Avery and another student engaged in a â€Å"horseplay† in the school cafeteria. Rader asked both boys to leave the cafeteria of which the other student immediately complied. Rader again asked Avery to leave but the boy refused to comply the second time. At this point, Rader began to remove Avery from the cafeteria by force.The boy, however, fought back and slammed the coach into a table. During the encounter, Rader was able to drag the boy on the floor and banged the boy's head against the metal pole outside the cafeteria. They proceeded to the principal's office where each were asked for their version of the story, but Avery struck the hands of the principal in his frustration during the course of the interview, at which point the principal called the police.School authorities recommended for Avery to be expelled, of which DeWitt School District Superintendent Emerson approved. They informed Ms. London, mother of A very, and explained the procedures. A hearing was conducted and the school board decided to expel Avery for the remainder of the school year. Ms. London filed a lawsuit where the District Court granted the defendants' motion for judgement on partial findings, of which Ms.London filed for an appeal on three grounds, that the District Court erred: â€Å"(1) in holding that Rader did not violate Avery's substantive-due-process rights; (2) in holding that there were no procedural-due-process violations in Avery's suspension or in his expulsion; and (3) in not ordering the DeWitt School System to submit a remedial plan concerning discrimination in hiring† (United States Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit 1999). The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed with the District Court judgement and dismissed the appeal.They held that Rader could not have violated Avery's substantive-due-process rights as he has asked Avery to leave the cafeteria twice. Although Rader banged Avery's head on a pole, the injury which the boy may have suffered could not have been severe to shock judicial conscience due to the fact that the boy could not even remember which side of his head had been banged. There could also not have been any violation of procedural-due-process as Avery and his mother was appraised of the charges and was given the opportunity to present his side, first in the principal's office, then on the board hearing.The plaintiff has also failed in proving a condition of segregated schooling in accusing the DeWitt School System with discrimination hiring. The decision of the Court of Appeals stressed the importance of effective discipline and order to educational processes. This means that educators have their own discrimination how to discipline students but with restrictions that are provided by law. References United States Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit. (1999). London v. Directors of the Dewitt Public Schools, 194 F. 3d 873, 139.

He Desire to Change the Subservient Role Essay

The Desire to Change the Subservient Role of Women in Old Chinese Society Chinese women stayed in an unequal status with men in old Chinese Society. Shen Congwen’s â€Å"Xiao Xiao† and Ding ling’s â€Å"When I Was in Xia Village† are two stories about village women’s lives during modern time in China. The stories in both of these works present an important traditional Chinese belief that it is profitable to raise geese than to raise daughter. In â€Å"Xiao Xiao†, she is a twelve-year-old girl who is married with a two-year-old husband, Chunguan, and as his caretaker in her youth. While â€Å"When I was in Xia Village† is a period when narrator spends his/her time in Xia village and make friends with a village girl Zhenzhen. She is sent to Japan to spy Japanese government after she is raped by Japanese soldiers. When she goes back village due to her disease, people look down upon her and laugh at her. Finally she runs away from Xiao Dabao’s propose and seeks for a fresh life in city. Xiaoxiao and Zhenzhen have something in common that they are both independent-minded woman; also they are from village and ever desired to live in city to find new life and to have education; they live under the tradition of gender discrimination in old China. While their experiences are different, and, at the end, Zhenzhen is seeking for her new life in another place, yet we see Xiaoxiao and her husband’s family is still within traditions in their small village. In men’s world, women are like a tool which they can use to make their life good, but we see some of women have desire to change their subservient role to become independent in Chinese society. Xiaoxiao and Zhenzhen are independent-minded women compared to other women at that time in Chinese society. They are not afraid of break down the present life and live in their owns. When Xiaoxiao’s grandpa and other relatives make joke on her about figuring out her should become a coed when she grows up. Then she has thinking that how coeds’ life is, â€Å"†¦she felt vague stirrings of unrest, and took to imagining herself as a ‘coed’. Would she behave like the ‘coed’ Grandfather talked about? In any case, there was nothing frightful about these ‘coeds’ and so these notions began to occupy this smile girl’s thoughts for the first time† (Shen 86). Although the author does not mention Xiaoxiao’s desire to become a coed directly in the story, I feel that Xiaoxiao wants to have a different life from her present life as a caretaker in village. She is young and hopes her life to be colorful and meaningful. After her stomach gets bigger, she wants to have a new life in city, â€Å"After a while, Xiaoxiao would finger her snakelike black braid, and, thinking of life in the city, she said: ‘Brother Motley, why don’t we go where we can be free in the city and find work there? What do you say? ’† (Shen 91). She knows if she keeps living with her husband’s family, she would go to dead. No more clearly than herself that she knows her situation is worse. If she elopes with Brother Motley, she could be same as those coeds in the school and live her own life with a normal marriage. Obviously, Xiaoxiao has her idea what her life she wants. In â€Å"When I was in Xia Village†, Zhenzhen is an independent-mind woman as well. Even though she has been raped and treated unrespectable. Zhenzhen does not care about surrounding people’s misunderstandings. For others’ sneer, she thinks she need to find another life but not surrender to marry Xiao Dabao, so she said to narrator â€Å"I feel that living among strangers and keeping busy would be better than living at home where people know me†¦ It’s better for each of us to go our own separate ways than it is to have everyone stay together in one place. I’m doing this for myself, but I’m doing it for the others â€Å" (Ding 146). Just like Xiaoxiao, Zhenzhen wants a new life in city and to start over. She hopes in a new place where not many people know her, so she could start over, â€Å"A person’s life is not just for one’s father and mother, or even for oneself. Some have called me young, inexperienced, and bad-tempered. I don’t dispute it. There are some things that I just have to keep to myself† (Ding 146). From these two stories, Xiaoxiao and Zhenzhen are two women who have their own thought instead of under control of traditions. Xiaoxiao and Zhenzhen have the same desire which moving from village to city. On one hand, Xiaoxiao wants to escape from her offence, on the other hand, she has desire to have sex with a real man, she cannot wait her little husband to grow up when she is twenty years old. So she cheats on her little husband â€Å"involuntarily† on surface. In addition, her husband’s families take her in but she never drops the idea to be like a coed, â€Å"One day, word spread that the coeds were back again. When Xiaoxiaoheard this, she eyes stared out unseeing, as if in a daze, her gaze fixed on the eastern horizon for some time† (Shen 93). She bent on joining the coeds on their way to the big city in search of freedom, unfortunately she is discovered. I guess Xiaoxiao does not have any ideas about having education in the city; she just has to get away from village. However, from her grandpa’s description on coed, she is interested in coed’s life and she thinks if she becomes a member of coed, she has holidays and does not need to do farm works. Zhenzhen is different. Although she is from village too, she has live in Japan many years. So she knows she goes to city because she wants a bright future and escape the sad village then to be educated in order to get a job with other communists, â€Å"What I do feel is that after I go to [Yan’an], I’ll be in a new situation. I will be in a new situation. I will be able to start life fresh† (Ding 146). Their movements illustrate that new Chinese women are changing people’s views and have sense of education is more and more important. Life in city is realistic and bright for them. Gender roles is very similar between â€Å"Xiaoxiao† and â€Å"When I Was in Xia Village†, they both present that women stand subservient role in society. Starting from Xiaoxiao’s marriage, her marriage is arranged by her uncle when she is only twelve. People at that time set this tradition because they think girl is useless because daughters will be others’ sooner or later, so it is better to send her earlier to save family’s food. To the bride’s family, accept a girl into their family is not only a way to take care of children, but also add a worker to help farming as a free labor. That’s why to be contrast with other female students in town, Xiaoxiao is adulterer. To punish Xiaoxiao’s cheating on her husband and families, Xiaoxiao is arranged to wait for her second marriage but no one come. Nevertheless, Xiaoxiao is lucky that her child turns out is a boy; she does not have to be married off after all. This tradition does not change after Xiaoxiao, then her son who is ten-year-old and have his wedding ceremony. Women in tradition could not hold any position of power. In the other story, people in Xia village are uneducated, so when Zhenzhen came back from Japan, they laughed at her and think she is dirty. Women have physical disadvantage than man, therefore, chastity becomes extremely crucial especially at that time. People in the village can not understand her grievance, this is one of the reason why Zhenzhen wants to go to [Xi’an] where most people are educated, at least not so care about her background. No matter from which aspect, Xiaoxiao and Zhenzhen seems like a tool in men ruled the world. Xiaoxiao is portrayed as â€Å"object† sold from a place to another. She could not have her own happiness because she belongs to her husband’s family. Zhenzhen looks like more freedom than Xiaoxiao physically, but in fact, she is slaved by internal. Something she cannot shake off is her hatred and interiority, â€Å"†¦in a very calm voice, she said, ‘I can’t say that I hate him. I just feel now that I’m someone who’s diseased. It’s a fact that I was abused by a large number of Jap devils. I don’t remember that exact number. In any case, I’m unclean, and with such a black mark I don’t expect any good fortune to come my way†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Ding 146). Zhenzhen is used to her reputation and body to help Chinese government but at the end, she could not get any sympathy. These things always happened to women, but not men. In conclusion, Xiaoxiao and Zhenzhen are two uneducated women living in old Chinese society where unbalanced gender roles and old traditions exist. They both from village and dream to move to city meanwhile they have â€Å"sins† could not be excused. Through their different experience, they have similarities that they both independent-minded to change their lives to take education in big city. The ending of stories are different that Zhenzhen’s regardless of objection enable her goes to city as she wants, but Xiaoxiao still stays in village and keeps her original life. In old Chinese society, woman is absolutely not profitable than men. So people use women like a functional object to help working or take care of family. I think women are living a hard life and very powerless in society. Even thought they want to take education to change their lives, reality makes them difficult. However, women play many different roles which cannot be ignored. The authors express their thought and show the current situation through these good works.