Coronary Artery Disease - 1327 Words

Heart disease, also known as the â€Å"silent killer†, is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, though many people live with this disease for many years without knowing it. Types of heart diseases include coronary artery disease, cardiomyopath, valvular heart disease, pericardial disease, and congenital heart disease. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is when the arteries that supplies blood for the heart muscle gradually hardens and thickens (artherosclorosis) because of the buildup from salt, fat, cholesterol and other substances (plaque) on their inner walls. This process leaves the heart with a lack of oxygen and blood, forcing it to work harder (high blood†¦show more content†¦In other words, less than 1% of the people who die are brain dead. A person who is brain dead means he/she has an irreversible damage in the brain, causing the brain to lose its functions. There are two definitions of death in Australia. One of them refers to brain death, and the other is defined as, â€Å"Irreversible cessation of circulation of the blood (cardiac death-the heart stops forever)†. Before a heart may be taken from an organ donor, his/her family would have to give consent under very short circumstances. This is a very hard decision for families to make because many people fantasize about brain dead people coming back to life again. Many people have these thoughts, because a person who is brain dead may seem perfectly normal while lying on the hospital bed with normal skin colour and continuous breathing. If the donor’s family agrees to donate his/her heart, a transplant may be performed within a few hours. The drawback after a heart transplant is that the new heart may be rejected by the immune system or other organs, causing the immune system to send out antibodies to destroy the new heart. Rejections of the heart may lead to symptoms like dizziness, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath and fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the biggest problems about organ transplants is the number of people who areShow MoreRelatedCoronary Artery Disease ( Cad )1468 Words   |  6 PagesCoronary artery disease (CAD), also known as heart disease, is defined as the â€Å"narrowing or blockage of the arteries and vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the heart† (Milto, Odle, p.1). The main cause of CAD is an accumulation of fatty materials on the lining of arteries. Once the fatty materials line the inner arteries, it restricts blood flow to the heart. When blood is can no longer long flow to the heart, it causes a heart attack. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of deathRead MoreCase Study On Coronary Artery Disease1516 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Æ' Case Study on Coronary Artery Disease The following summary is an updated case study of a 47 year old male patient, Jim who was diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease. The patient did receive information on what CAD is and was informed that test were needed to fully diagnose and be evaluated for underlying conditions (high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, diabetes and blockage. I will discuss the type of test needed for this condition and tests for any underlying conditions thatRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Coronary Artery Disease939 Words   |  4 PagesD.L., a 33 year old female with history of Coronary Artery Disease was admitted with complaints of chest pain. The patient had Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty or PCTA in 2011. The chest pain started 3 days ago upon admission and described the pain as 3 out of 10 in pain scale for severity. The patient stated that the pain feels like a squeezing pain on the chest and no aggravating factors caused it as she recalls. The patient used Nitroglycerine to alleviate the pain, which lastedRead MoreCoronary Artery Disease Is Caused By Impaired Coronary Blood Flow Essay1616 Words   |  7 Pagesthose two things can be a huge sign of one of the deadliest diseases in the world. This disease is called coronary artery disease. Most people with this disease don’t even know they have it which is interesting because it is reported as one of the most deadliest. This disease is not only important to me but it should be to everyone else because we could have it and not realize it by the subtle symptoms. Everyone should be aware of this disease because simple symptoms can lead to death. It’s importantRead MoreCoronary Artery Disease Is The Most Common Type Of Heart Disease861 Words   |  4 PagesCoronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart disease and is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women. It is caused by a buildup of cholesterol and other materials on the inner wall s of arteries. The buildup is called atherosclerosis. As the buildup grows the heart gets less and less blood supply thereby depleting it of oxygen. This eventually leads to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack which is usually caused by a clot that suddenly breaks off theRead MoreA Brief Note On Coronary Artery Disease Prevention1472 Words   |  6 PagesCoronary artery bypasses surgery, percutaneous angioplasty-stent, aspirin use, cholesterol-lowering therapies, and increased awareness of coronary artery disease prevention are the main strategies for the preventive treatment of SCD [166]. As the main etiology behind coronary artery ischemia is the plaque rupture, methods to prevent plaque rupture, plaque stabilization, decreasing plaque formation and searching risk markers for sudden plaque rupture should be discovered. The role of cholesterol inRead MoreThe Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease in Saudi Arabia Essay716 Words   |  3 PagesCoronary artery disease is come t o be the major reason for mortality in developing countries (Zahid, et al., 2013). Cardiovascular disorder provokes more disability and financial loss in industrialized countries than any other group of disorder (Sullivan, et al., 2001). A community-based national study, about adult Saudis ages range from of 30 and 70 years, revealed that the overall prevalence of coronary artery disease in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 5.5% (Al-Nozha, et al., 2004). NeverthelessRead MoreIntroduction Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by reduced blood flow in the coronary1100 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by reduced blood flow in the coronary arteries. This subsequently leads to reduced oxygenation to the myocardium, resulting in transient ischemia or angina. CAD may cause permanent damage to myocardial cells or infarction. The left ventricle of the heart is most susceptible to CAD. The causes of CAD include atherosclerosis, congenital defects, coronary artery spasm, dissecting aneurysm, infectious vasculitis and syphilis. Atherosclerosis and vasospasmRead MoreCoronary Artery Disease ( Chd )871 Words   |  4 PagesCoronary artery disease (CHD). Coronary artery disease is characterized by damaged or diseased coronary arteries, the major blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen. The major cause of CHD is atherosclerosis, the build-up of fat deposits (plaque) and other cellular waste products on the walls in arteries that cause further inflammation and narrowing or complete blockage of major heart vessels. As a result, the decreased blood flow cause chest pain and shortness of breath. In some cases, aRead MoreCoronary Artery Disease Essay535 Words   |  3 PagesCoronary Artery Disease, also known as CAD, is the most common form of heart disease. (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009) Coronary Artery Disease obstructs the blood flow in vessels that provide s blood to the heart which is caused by the buildup of plaque on the artery walls. (Rogers, 2011, p.87) (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009) Plaque is a yellow substance that consists of fat substances, like cholesterol, and narrows or clogs the arteries which prevents blood flow. (Heart and Stroke Foundation

Role of IMF and World Bank Essay example - 1433 Words

Introduction The world’s major international financial institutions represent paradoxical ideals in their quest to satisfy the needs of both developed and developing nations. These institutions are chartered with helping poor nations but are criticized for their neo-colonial policies. Member nations are all considered equal, but contributions make some more equal than others. Mostly, these organizations are managed by rich nations that usurp the autonomy of developing nations in the pursuit of free markets and economic reform. This paper will examine the roles of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank with parallels to the Asian Development Bank and African Development Bank Group. It will include descriptions of these†¦show more content†¦The IMF was first conceptualized in 1944 at the UN-sponsored Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Renowned economist John Maynard Keynes and Assistant Secretary to the U.S. Treasury, Harry Dexter White, are credited as â€Å"principal architects† of the organization that began financial operations in 1947. Along with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the World Bank, these institutions define the monetary policy shared by almost all countries with market economies. Countries apply for membership in the IMF, then once approved, receives a quota to determine their voting weight, access to IMF financing and other provisions. Today, a primary mission of the IMF is to provide financial assistance to countries experiencing serious economic difficulties. Member states request assistance in the form of loans or management support in return for agreeing to enact economic reforms within their country. The role of the three Bretton Woods institutions became controversial during the Cold War as policy makers allegedly supported unsavory governments that favored U.S. and European corporations. Additionally, IMF critics say the organization is apathetic to abuses in human rights abuses, labor rights and democracy, sparking the modern anti-globalizationShow MoreRelatedThe International Monetary Fund And World Bank Group1644 Words   |  7 PagesThe International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have had enormous impact upon the world’s economies since their inception, after World War II. Although each of these organizations has a similar history, their role, objectives and funding are unique. These Washington DC-based organizations have drawn more than their share fair share of criticism as well as praise. Modern nations require thoroughly understand of these organizations. TheRead MoreInternational Economic Organizations Are The Interest Of Rich And Poor Countries As A Case Study708 Words   |  3 PagesInternational economic organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World World Bank have been challenged on whether they represent the interest of rich and poor countries equally. These institutions, created by the world powerful states, are thought to be more incline with the interests of major western powers such as the United states and Great Britain. As the world was still engaged in the Second World War, forty-four nations met at Bretton wood, New Hampshire, in July 1944,Read MoreGlobalization and Its Discontents1109 Words   |  5 PagesOrganizations – powerful institutions today A. International Bureaucrats – the â€Å"faceless symbols of the world economic order† are under attack B. Protests of Int’l Org Meetings – continual flashpoints/conflict 1. WTO – Seattle, 1999 protest 2. Annual IMF/World Bank protests 3. Protests not new in developing world, ARE new in developed world 4. Now, with communications advances, even 16-year olds have an opinion on NAFTA 5. AsRead MoreThe International Monetary Fund ( Imf )1501 Words   |  7 PagesFUND (IMF) The IMF was set up during the Second World War in the year 1944. It started operation in 1947 and it has been working with the UNO since. Its headquarters is in Washington D.C in America. IMF provides short term loans to countries having problems of balance of payments. It also provides technical advice to its members and ensures free flow of trade by removing all trade restrictions. It establishes and maintains stable exchange rate between member countries. Each member of the IMF FundsRead MoreThe World Banks Role and Contribution across the Globe728 Words   |  3 PagesThe World Bank consists of two related institutions, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association. These bodies provide financing to poor countries with the objective of eliminating poverty in the world. The Bank provides financial products and services where they are needed most, and also contributes to knowledge sharing around the world. World Bank development projects for example include the development of water projects. By helping toRead MoreThe Impacts of the IMF and the World Bank Essay937 Words   |  4 PagesThe Impacts of the IMF and the World Bank The World Bank and the International Monetary fund make up major parts of the UNs Economic sector. For both institutions the groundwork was laid in the Bretton Woods conference. The World Banks initial task was to facilitate reconstruction in the post- World War II Europe. It generates capital fund from member state contributions and from international financial markers. Its loans are not designed to replace private capitalRead MoreThe World Bank And The Imf Essay1328 Words   |  6 PagesThe World Bank and the IMF are collectively known as the Bretton Woods institutions. They were formed at a conference in Bretton Woods in New Hampshire with the aim to addressing concerns to do with stability of world economic markets. IMF is mainly tasked with offering surveillance, financial aid and technical assistance. IMF has 187 member states who each appoint a representative to the IMF’s board of Governors. The World Bank has its voting power controlled by the USA and it was built with theRead MoreThe World Trade Organization Essay1690 Words   |  7 Pagesinstitutions i will be talking about include the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation. These organisations provide loans, grants and practical assistance to governments, in addition to loaning money to assist private businesses within developing countries. They also play a significant role in the privatisation and overseeing of public utilities and natural resources. The World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), often called the Bretton Woods InstitutionsRead MoreWhy Do I Think It Is A Macroeconomics Issue? Essay889 Words   |  4 Pagesstudies nature, relationships and behaviour of economic aggregates: national income, total consumption expenditure, total employment and the general price level (Dwivedi, 2010, p.7). In macroeconomics money is considered as a critical element playing the role of encouraging the trading of goods and services. The term Money laundering is used to describe an illegal way of putting money in circulation which is not printed by lawful powers of the country (Nkumunue, 2014, p.143). In 1997 Quirk showed thatRead MoreThe International Monetary Fund ( Imf )1089 Words   |  5 PagesInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) was established in 1946, along with the World Bank. The IMF was developed to promote all monetary cooperation and remed y economic problems incurred during the post - war reconstruction period (Baylis; 2008: 245). The IMF was therefore considered as the â€Å"rule keeper† and an important component in public international management. In the pursuit to stabilise the exchange rate system, the IMF reserves the authority to change exchange rates. Another vital role is control over the

Internal Conflict in Poe and Hawthorne Free Essays

Critics of early American literature argue that, â€Å"the conflict present in early American Literature is internal,† and that it, â€Å"is often presented as having a cosmic scale,† with â€Å"characters [who] are often alienated and isolated† (class handout).   These internal conflicts take place in the protagonists’ minds and they drive the plot’s action by focusing on struggles about the very nature of life so that the characters pitted against them suffer from their problems on a personal level thereby rendering them utterly alone and separate from other characters. It is their loneliness in a time of mental anguish that creates the drama and suspense necessary for reflecting the interior action of the story that leads to a reader’s understanding of the character is split in arriving at a solution to the problem. We will write a custom essay sample on Internal Conflict in Poe and Hawthorne or any similar topic only for you Order Now Two authors that support this idea are Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allen Poe.   Both authors tend to focus on protagonists that are both figurative and literally split from society and suffering emotionally from internal struggles over choices and actions of their pasts.   Moreover, these two authors’ characters demonstrate conflicts that examine the consequences of past acts on the present and the grand schemes of their lives. Edgar Allen Poe’s story, â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher† is one example of this type of internal conflict and its effects on the character, Roderick Usher.   This story uses the gothic elements of the dark, depressing setting to communicate the isolation of first Roderick and Madeline Usher and then the story’s protagonist and narrator whose mental capacities weaken within the diseased setting of the Usher household.   The narrator seeks to help his friend, Roderick Usher overcome some mysterious malady described as, â€Å"some oppressive secret, to divulge which he struggled for the necessary courage†Ã‚   (cite here). Clearly, Poe creates the idea of Usher’s desire to overcome an internal conflict of cosmic proportions, but by the end of the story it is the narrator who has become isolated in a struggle to overcome an internal conflict created in the dark, empty hours of his time spent in the alienated and spiritless world of the Usher’s once grand house.   The conflict that never fully materializes culminates in the narrator’s discovery of the evil working of Roderick Usher upon his â€Å"sick† sister, Madeline and his complicity in burying her alive and the witnessing of Roderick’s well-planned death alongside his sister in her tomb. His conscience then splits like the Usher house and choosing good over evil, the narrator resolves his conflict when he, â€Å"fled aghast† from the house as it shook and crumbled to the ground.   His survival and surmounting of the internal struggle he helped to create as he sought ways to help his sick friend is shown through his retelling of the story from a present perspective that recognized the horror and emotional torture of his the conflict that moved forward the story’s action. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story, Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment† presents another example of a character who suffers from an internal conflict of cosmic proportions that leads to his isolation from the rest of society.   Dr. Heidegger possesses an elixir that when consumed reverses aging and renders people young again.   He tempts others with its seductive promises of eternal youth but he does not desire that state for himself; he is content to live reflect the decay of his study, â€Å"a dim, old fashioned chamber, festooned with cobwebs, and besprinkled with antique dust†Ã‚   (Hawthorne). Dr, Heidegger’s interest in the potion is only its ability to breathe life into a faded, fifty-year-old rose given to him by his love that has long since died.   His guests are only a part of his experiment to create a potion strong enough to give everlasting life to his rose so that it may accompany him to death, â€Å"’My poor Sylvia’s rose!’ ejaculated Dr. Heidegger, holding it in the light of the sunset clouds† (Hawthorne). Upon the realization of his failure and his miserable, lonely struggle to bring back the past and the love it bore, he resolves his internal misery with the realization that the rose is no less beautiful dead than alive.   He states, â€Å"I love it as well thus† at the moment he concludes that it is really Sylvia that he loved and the rose, in its withered state was nothing more than a symbol of that love. Both Poe and Hawthorne are known for creating story’s with characters who suffer internal conflicts against dark, depressing setting that support deeply disturbing atmospheres and moods.   Moreover, their characters grapple with issues that seek to answer questions that have no solutions available to man.   They only resolve their internal struggles when they recognize the futility of their struggles. The narrator in â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher† and Dr. Heidegger in â€Å"Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment† reflect critics ideas about early American literature’s treatment of conflict and its impact upon individuals who find themselves utterly alone and alienated through the choices they made.   The horror of this realization leads them to ultimately resolve and overcome the misery they are responsible for cultivating.       How to cite Internal Conflict in Poe and Hawthorne, Essay examples

Venezuela Essay Research Paper VenezuelaGeographical Features Venezuela free essay sample

Venezuela Essay, Research Paper Venezuela Geographic Features- Venezuela has seven physical geographic parts ; The Andes Mountains, which include the highest extremums in the state, widen northerly into Venezuela in two subdivisions divided by the Lake Maracaibo Lowlands. Pico Bolivar is the highest point of the Venezuelan Andes at 16,427 pess and it is located in the eastern subdivision, the Cordillera de Merida The Sierra de Perija, the western subdivision, extends along the boundary line with Colombia. The Lowlandss of Lake Maracaibo are overlooked by the Andean ranges. The lake itself is about 100 stat mis long from north to south and 75 stat mis in breadth at its widest point. The lake itself is a big shallow recess of the sea with a narrow sound linking the lake to the Caribbean. This country is the chief oil-producing part of the state. The 3rd geographical characteristic of Venezuela are the coastal fields and islands that makeup another part which are located to the North and nor-east of the state. It includes Caribbean islands such as Margarita, Tortuga and Los Roques. The coastal fields extend from the Colombian boundary line and the Gulf of Venezuela due east to the foothills of the Coastal Range, a coastline being 1,512 stat mis long. The coastal fields includes the Orinoco+s delta which is Venezuela+s longest river at 1,600 stat mis long. The coastal mountain system consists of two scopes that are parallel to each other, the Coastal Range and the Interior Range. This country makes up 3 % of the national district and contains the bulk of Venezuela+s population. In the vales are the major metropoliss of Caracas, Valencia, and Maracay, with all but the steepest inclines being populated. In the northwest vales and hill ranges lies the lone desert in Venezuela wherein lies the metropolis of Coro. The 6th country is the Llanos, a savanna part, which is located between the Merida mountain scope and the Orinoco River. The Llanos extend about 800 stat mis with a width varying from 100 stat mis to 300 stat mis. The 7th part is the Guiana Highlands which occupies about 50 per centum of the state and is the most distant and least explored country. A most frequently visited landmark is located in this part, the Angel Falls, which is world+s highest waterfall at 3,212 pess. Climate- Venezuela is considered tropical with its southernmost point about touching the equator. There is small fluctuation in temperature in Venezuela throughout the twelvemonth, with an mean one-year temperature of above 75. , with the lone differences in temperature due to the alterations in lift. There are two climatic seasons in Venezuela ; the moisture season occurs from May to November, and the dry season begins in December lasting until the terminal of March. Language- Spanish is the national linguistic communication of the bulk ( 97 % ) . Local parlances, conversational phrases, and simplified verb use distinguish Venezuelan Spanish from other Latin-american and Iberian signifiers. English is the country+s most popular 2nd linguistic communication with it being favored in concern communications, and private schools in Caracas have encouraged bilingualism in their pupils. Historical # 8211 ; The capital metropolis of Caracas has historical memorials like the Plaza Bolivar marking the liberator of Venezuela, Simon Bolivar. Bolivar+s place of birth is unfastened to the populace, every bit good as a museum in his award. A memorial stand foring the Battle of Carabobo is important. It represents the concluding major military battle of the War for Independence in Venezuela on June 24, 1821. There is a statue observance Romula Gallegos, celebrated Venezuelan writer and who besides has the award of being the first popularly elected civilian president in Venezuelan history, in 1948. There are many illustrations of colonial architecture in major metropoliss such as Valencia, Merida, Isla Margarita, every bit good as in Caracas. Pico Bolivar in the Andes Mountains has a beautiful statue of a Virgin Mary. Cathedrals stand in all major metropoliss, every bit good as a Basilica in the metropolis of Maracaibo. Religion- Ninety-two per centum of Venezuelans pattern Roman Catholicism. The other eight per centum is made up assorted Protestant religious orders with little groups of Jews and Muslims. Some of the Indian population continue to pattern their native faiths but most have converted to Catholicism with the aid of the Franciscans, Capuchins, Dominicans, Jesuits, and Augustinians who were active in Venezuela during the colonial period. The Venezuelan fundamental law warrants freedom of faith with spiritual tolerance by and large observed. Venezuela is officially a secular province even though the Roman Catholic church has over clip go more and more an instrument for societal advancement. Festivals- Carnival Probably the most famed event of them all, Carnival takes topographic point during the month of February, 40 yearss before Good Friday, but has no fixed day of the month because Easter is a floating vacation. Carnival has existed in Venezuela since the colonial period, and was much celebrated in Caracas. Today, nevertheless, Carnival has lost its importance in the major metropoliss, and is taken more earnestly in the coastal towns, and other states, particularly in El Callao. LA CRUZ DE MAYO This spiritual act is in the name of the Holy Cross. Every cross found in public topographic points in the smaller towns and states is decorated with flowers on the 3rd of May. The people of these towns light tapers and take them to the cross with offerings and a wish. The jubilation that follows varies harmonizing to the town # 8217 ; s traditions. SEMANA SANTA / EASTER Easter is a Catholic festival, but it has become a vacation around most of the universe. It begins 40 yearss after Carnival, so its day of the month oscillates between March and April, and would officially get down on Good Friday. On Palm Sunday people visit the church nearest to them to pick up a piece of holy thenar. This is likely the lone Catholic ceremonial that has non been altered in Venezuela, and would therefore demand no account. In merely the same manner as Catholics in the US fast on certain yearss, and pray on others, Venezuelans would besides be making the same things. The official faith of the state is, after all, Catholicism, even though people do non go to church on Sundays every bit frequently as in Spain. LOS TAMBORES DE BARLOVENTO The Drums of Barlovento are celebrated at the beginning of the rain season in March, near Corpus Christi, in Barlovento, Miranda province. This country comprises the towns Curiepe, Higuerote, Caucagua, Tacarigua and others where there is a big black population due to the java and banana plantations that existed there in the colonial period. Therefore, this is an Afro-Caribbean tradition in which the membranophones are the chief subject complemented by assorted other wooden instruments, largely of African beginning. Transportation- There are 42,001 entire roadway stat mis including 12,300 of those being paved. The figure of rider cars utilizing those roads sums to about 1,615,000 and 438,000 goods vehicles. Expansion of railwaies dwindled because of the development of the route system and the comparatively low domestic fuel monetary values. The entire milage in rail links is 293 stat mis. Caracas begun a 50km belowground railroad undertaking in 1976 and completed it in 1989. Caracas is serviced by two major airdromes: the Simon Bolivar handles international services and Maiquetia handles domestic flights. Venezuela has a sum of 61 commercial airdromes, of which seven are of international position. Economic Base- Venezuela+s chief export at the beginning of the twentieth century was java ; the 3rd largest manufacturer after Brazil and Indonesia. By 1935, crude oil had overtaken java as the figure one export and it continues to be so to this present twenty-four hours. Venezuela was one of five founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) which was officially legalized in Venezuela, in January 1961. Until 1970, Venezuela was the world+s largest crude oil exporter. Because of fallen oil monetary values that began in 1986, Venezuela began puting in other countries of economical development such as increased steel and aluminium end product. In order to non depend so much on oil exports, Venezuela decided after 20 old ages of nationalized oil, that it would come in into joint ventures with the private sector, including 20 from the U.S. In January, 1996, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, the authorities owned oil company, awarded its first joint- venture contract. This determination was non done with a smiling, but with bitterness because it was in agreement with the International Monetary Fund guidelines which is regarded as an intervention upon the independency of Venezuela. An economical job has been the inability to supply plenty nutrient for its population, although there has been betterment in production end product in the last decennary. By the early 1990+s, merely 20 % of entire nutrient demands had to be imported, compared to 40 % of a decennary earlier. Recently, Venezuela has had to import about $ 700 million yearly in nutrient. The lone agricultural merchandise in which they are self-sufficing is meat. Other economical jobs include an rising prices rate of 71 % , the highest in Latin America and unemployment of 11 % due to the banking system about fall ining in June of 1994. Form of Currency- Venezuelan money is called the bolivar. 1.Type of Government- Venezuela+s formal name is the Republic of Venezuela and its authorities type is a Federal Republic. The Legislature is exercised by Congress which is divided into two Chambers: the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Senators are elected by the population with two stand foring each province, and two to stand for the Federal District. There are in add-on other Senators, their figure being determined by jurisprudence, who are selected on the rule of minority representation. Ex-presidents of the Republic are life members of the Senate. Executive Power is vested in a President of the Republic elected every 5 old ages, who may non function two back-to-back footings. The President has the power to dispatch the Constitution and the Torahs, to put up or take Curates, to take bid of the Armed Forces, to direct foreign dealingss of the State, to declare a province of exigency and retreat the civil warrants laid down in the Constitution, to convene extraordinary Sessionss of the Congress and to administrate national finance. The President besides appoints an Attorney-General to move as a legal supreme authority for the province. Judicial Power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Justice and by the Tribunals. The Supreme Court forms the highest Court of the Republic and the Magistrates of the Supreme Court are elected by both Chambers in joint Sessionss. Venezuelan political parties are considered extremely organized as compared to the remainder of Latin America. The political parties are: Accion Democratica # 8211 ; AD ( Democratic Action ) . In September, 1941, AD was officially established with its beginnings dating back to 1928 formed by a group of university pupils who organized in protest of Juan Vicente Gomez+s absolutism. Ideologically, it is a member of the Socialist International and is considered as the most influential Latin American Party. AD, along with COPEI, has dominated national politics.Partido Social Cristiano ( COPEI ) was established after WWII as a Christian Democratic political party. It was founded in 1946 and is one of the two chief political parties in Venezuela. It has its roots in the Congress of Catholic Youth in Rome organisation. Rafael Caldera, the present president, was a founding member. The party has a Christian socialist orientation with its members supporting the Democratic system, civil and political autonomies, a societal benefits plan, single freedoms, and the inducement of private belongings. Movimiento Al Socialismo # 8211 ; ( MAS ) was formed in January 19, 1971 by seceding off from the Venezuelan Communist Party. The MAS criticized the bureaucratization, inordinate centralism, and massive nature of the Communist Party, which they felt held back argument and the exercising of democracy. It criticized the importing of socialism from one state to another because they felt each state should be treated separately. It has established itself as the 3rd strongest political party although representation has non surpassed 10 % . Population- Venezuela+s entire population as of an 1994 estimation is 20,562,405. The state is chiefly made up of immigrants. with merely 2 % being Amerind, the autochthonal Indian groups. The bulk group consists of 69 % Mestizo, 20 % White, and 9 % Black. There are immigrants who enter illicitly and stay, which make up about one-quarter of the population. The bulk come from neighbouring Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The cultural and racial groups are regionally oriented. White persons and ladinos are found chiefly in the major metropoliss, with the Indians being able to keep their civilization in the distant interior countries. Blacks and the mulatto-mestizo groups concentrate along the Caribbean seashore.

The Quality of Education within Bangor University

Vincent Van Gogh Essay Example

Vincent Van Gogh Essay Example Vincent Van Gogh Paper Vincent Van Gogh Paper Vincent Van Gogh was born in 1853 in Groot-Zundert, which is located in the Netherlands, and died in 1890 at the tender age of 37. This story details his lack of acceptance in society during this period, in addition to how his paintings affected modern-day society, the critics, and the censorship of art. Van Goghs father was a Dutch protestant minister. In addition to Vincent, his father had other children: Anna, Willamina, and Theo, who was very close to Vincent.Theo went on to become a very successful art dealer through the acquisition and sale of impressionist paintings. Eventually, his father saved up enough to send his children to boarding school but it wasnt right environment for the young children. The children were forced to endure cold showers, lack of proper nutrition, in addition to not being able to form a bond with the other students. At the age of 15, Vincent was no longer interested in the mundane topics of school and withdrew from it. He wanted to follow his passion of painting, and he had a keen eye for color. From the early 1880s on, van Gogh was supported by his brother Tho, who was an art dealer in Paris who was financially backing Vincent. He corresponded frequently with Tho for most of his life, describing in detail his daily life and the ideas for his works. Later Vincent moved to Paris and found a whore named sin and she had already two children from previous guys but Vincent wanted to marry her. Van Gogh contracted syphilis from her and she later left him. He had started to believe he was an exile of the public. Vincent later wrote a man by the name Paul Gauguin and asked him to live with him. Gauguin wrote back saying your crazy, shortly after Gauguin left and meet up with him. Van Gogh and Gauguin got in a lot of brutal conflicts, after an argument one night Van Gogh cut off the lower portion of his ear lobe. These comflicts caused Gauguin to leave but hi

Agora film review Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Agora film review - Research Paper Example The film Agora follows the philosopher Hypatia, a historical person portrayed in the film, through the process of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire near the end of the fourth century AD. It also follows a central cast of character who surround Hypatia, and her school in Alexandria, through this tumultuous time period.The film consciously inverts the understanding of religion that we have in Western society today, where the Christians are dominant and other religions are more in the minority. In this film, Christians are the minority religion, though growing quickly and set to replace Pagans as the most powerful religion in the Roman Empire, but much of the state is still in the control of the Pagans. Hypatia and those around her get into frequent conflict with the Christians, including at one point being mobbed by a group of them during conflict over the teaching and interpretation of science. The Christians then go on to vandalize a library, one of the first assaults on scien ce in the film. Hypatia frequently refuses to bow to demands that she stops studying sciences, which end up in her getting persecuted, and eventually stoned (though she is mercifully killed before the stoning by a good friend of hers, who strangles her). Hypatia was a scientist who taught at a platonic school that taught the most powerful people in the Empire. She had a love of science that rivaled almost anything else. She began the film as a highly respected person of a relatively high cast of society – her father was an important person and a slave owner, and she had a small cadre of very loyal follows and students in her school. Hypatia has several admirable qualities that are important to her. Firstly, she is a vastly intelligent person, as demonstrated by her qualification as one of the most important teachers in one of the most important schools in the most scientific city in the Ancient world. Beyond this alone, Hypatia is also a brave, and to be quite frank, an incre dibly stubborn person. When put on by a mob of Christians who begin burning down the most important library in the world, Hypatia risks her life to save many of the scrolls of science that might be completely irreplaceable if they end up destroyed. Furthermore, she continues studying subjects that are forbidden by the newly powerful Christian religion, such as the theory of heliocentrism, which says that the sun is at the center of the universe instead of the earth, despite the fact that her life is threatened again and again because of her refusal of studying. Even when her former students, such as Orestes, give up and on several occasions review to answer questions regarding what they believe and do not believe because of their fear of consequences (or possibly because they have genuinely changed their minds because of conversions to Christianity), Hypatia stands firm with her beliefs in science over religion, despite the threats to her life. Finally, she is a good person, which i s shown by the incredible loyalties that she develops, with her friends willing to stand firm with her through thick and thin, and even kill her mercifully when there is no other option. This film displays the decline and fall of the Roman Empire as centering around one issue and almost entirely one issue: the rise of Christianity and its replacing traditional Paganism. This represented a fundamental shift in the Roman Empire for several reasons. Firstly, the traditional Pagan religion allowed for the worship of a wide variety of gods and a great deal of different cultures and backgrounds. It would allow for other traditional religions to also exist in addition to the Roman one, it allowed for a great deal of cultural plurality. Christianity, on the other

The Doctrines of Pythagoras- Doing in Ovids The Metamorphoses Essay

The Doctrines of Pythagoras- Doing in Ovids The Metamorphoses - Essay Example Overall the stories and connected by idea of transformation, starting with the physical changes which created the world, and in the manner in which the gods, in their longing to disrupt with life on the continent, are persistently changing their own presence and form. However, the most famous changes in the book are those remarkable time when a living being is transformed into something else. Many of the stories of transformation are concerned with severe suffering. This grants to practically all them a naturally dramatic superiority because they irregularly focus on a vulnerable and objecting character suffering from godly or human vindictiveness. Further, the main characters are frequently innocent females, trailed by celestial or human rapists. In more simple terms, Metamorphoses is a catalogue of famous Greek and Roma stories, most which deal with violence, phenomenal transformation of appearance and suffering, organized in a loose series. Ovid’s style so frequently change s the relatively simple details of famous legend into convincing, extremely dramatic, and multifaceted tale (Due 12-30). Befitting Ovid’s continual poem, interest in the precise meaning of the Pythagoras’s speech in â€Å"Metamorphoses† 15 has proved to ever be unceasing. ... Since it appears in the final book, we can presume that it has some kind of programmatic function or, as is always is the case with Ovid, numerous functions. With regard to the preceding 14 books, Ovid incredibly regales to us with an enormous assortment of style and genres. Further, it is absolutely clear that this multiplicity as opposed to the analysis in terms of generic restraints, is the actual importance of the function of genre in the† Metamorphoses.† However, there has been the lack of philosophical disquisition until the last book. One of the many reasons, therefore, for Ovid’s insertion of this philosophical boastful bluster is merely to round out his whole virtuoso collection with, yet still, another magnificent piece (Mandelbaum 20-50). Secondly, the selection of Pythagoras was agreeable for that function and numerous others. At his time, Pythagoreanism represented a syncretistic assortment of the teachings of various philosophical schools, pseudo-scie ntific assumption, spirituality, and spiritual and religious dispensations. Accordingly, Ovid’s Pythagoras provides an diverse cause of mixture indebted to all types of philosophical teachings, including his own, Empedocles’, Heraclitus’s, and the Stoics’, alongside irregular insinuation, mostly for the purpose of counterargument, to Epicureans and Lucretius. The process finds its appropriate analogue in Ovid’s consideration of the material for the masterpiece â€Å"Metamorphoses†, which in the same way varies, not dogma, and inconsistency. For this case, Ovid’s poem is amid other things a collection of themes and styles. Meanwhile, Pythagoras speech is a collection of philosophers (Brunauer 40-50). Hardie thus argues that through the

Southwest airlines Comparative Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Southwest airlines Comparative Analysis - Essay Example s the customers choose increasing demand, the company also receives less complaints compared to other airlines and this has made it to become a market leader in the airline industry. There are however other factors that has led to the success of South west airlines and they include the organization structure, organization culture and leadership, the following is an analysis of the company’s structure, culture and leadership compared to its competitors. Organization structures include the flat structures, tall structures, hierarchical structure, centralized and decentralized structures and each structure adopted has advantages and disadvantage associated. The company is organized in a hierarchical structure whereby top workers include the CEO and executive vice presidents. (Hoffer, 29) The advantage of this structure is that authority and a responsibility are clearly defined. Clearly defined roles help in reducing conflicts in an organization and also help in improving productivity and specialization. The other advantage associated with the hierarchical structure is that promotion paths are clearly defined. This means that workers are well motivated to achieve higher positions in the organization, promotion is based on performance and therefore top managers are well aware of the operations and activities in their division. High productivity is achieved where worker are motivated to improve performance which in turn leads to high profitability. (McCartney, 2007) Managers are specialized in the hierarchical structure, managers are promoted from non managerial positions in the organization and also from the same division they work and therefore they specialize in the same position and this ensures efficiency in the company. The other advantage of this structure realized by the Southwest airline is that workers are more loyal to their divisions; the company is divided in several divisions and these department help in improving productivity of workers through

Attentional Bias In Alcohol Drinkers Psychology Essay

Attentional Bias In Alcohol Drinkers Psychology Essay Attentional Bias refers to the term not allowing one to examine all possible outcomes when judging about an association. Previous research stems from the famous â€Å"Stroop effect† that was discovered in 1930 by J.Ridley Stroop. This was an experimental effect in which he discovered that the individuals cognitive processing ability was very powerful. In other words ‘The Stroop effect (Stroop, 1935) is a prime example of the human failure to attend selectively to a particular aspect of a complex stimulus (Algom, D., Chajut, E., Lev, S. (2004). Since most researchers are interested in finding out things, the logical next step would be to develop further on and ask whether this actual delay in reaction time is due to moderate drinkers compared to light drinkers. In order to test the effectiveness of this Stroop effect, one uses the colour words example. By this, we mean words that are written using same coloured ink i.e. red written in red ink, and words written in differ ent coloured ink i.e. red written in blue. The participants are asked to read the words and not the colour. This sounds easier to do than it actually is. In this study the methodology and the affects of the Stroop test will be critically evaluated. To achieve this, previous research and literature will be drawn upon. A study of Duka and Townshend (2001) demonstrated attentional bias associated with alcohol cues: differences between heavy and occasional social drinkers, they used a dot probe (alcohol-related pictures and words) and questionnaires, and the aim was to examine whether non-dependent heavy drinkers would differ in their selective attention towards alcohol-related stimuli compared to social drinkers, the results showed attentional bias amongst the heavy drinkers in relation to alcohol-related stimuli, scores in factors such as sociability and sexuality shown to also be high, but low on personality and persistence. A further study of Duka and Townshend (2004) demonstrated the priming effect of alcohol pre-load on attentional bias to alcohol-related stimuli; they used a dot probe and questionnaires, and the aim of this study was to examine whether attentional bias towards alcohol-related stimuli wound increase after priming with either one or two doses of alcohol/placebo, the results on mood ratings showed dose dependent increased in positive mood radar after alcohol pre-load, and in the dot probe task, all participants showed attentional bias towards the alcohol-related stimuli, and the neutral bias was only positive at low alcohol dosage. A study of Sharma, Albery, and Cook (2001) demonstrated selective attentional bias to alcohol-related stimuli in problem drinkers and non-problem drinkers; they used a modified Stroop task (computerized), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in order to measure Anxiety, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to allow scoring (high or low), the participants were divided into three groups: local community alcohol service (CAS), student volunteers who were divided into two control groups, the aim of this study was to examine whether patient of problem drinkers selectively attend to alcohol-related stimuli compare to the two control groups of non-problem drinkers, the results indicate significance amongst the CAS group in longer reaction times in responding to colour of alcohol-related words compared to neutral words, with reduced interference for the high AUDIT group, therefore significant; in the low AUDIT group no significance was found. Additionally, no evidence is provi ded in the interference habituated amongst the three groups. A study of Stetter, Ackermann, Scherer, Schmid, Straube, and Mann (1994) demonstrated whether alcoholics develop an information processing bias towards disease-related stimuli, the results indicated an increase of error amongst alcoholics when presented with the disease-related stimuli compared to the neutral conditions, and controls. A further study Stetter, Ackemann, Bizer, Straube, and Mann (1995) by testing their hypothesis that alcoholics develop a disease-related attentional bias, with 40 male alcohol-dependent, and 40 male healthy, and used the Stroop colour-naming task, the results showed alcoholic inpatients performed significantly poorer than the control group under the critical experimental condition (colour-naming of disease-related words), as compared with the non-critical condition (colour-naming of neutral words; p = 0.03), no effects were found on the reaction times. A study of Johnsen, Laberg, Cox, Vaksdal, and Hugdahl, (1994) conducted in Norway demonstrated attentional bias in the processing of alcohol-related words on alcoholic subjects, using the Stroop colour and word test, the results indicate the alcoholics respond slowly on all categories, more so on alcohol-related words compared to the control group, and both groups responded slowly to colour interfering words than neutral words, the findings suggests that the alcoholic subjects allocated their attention to alcohol-related words, therefore allowing their cognitive processes take over making it impossible to ignore the alcohol-related words. Method Participants The participants were recruited the students at London South Bank University. There will be 170 participants in total, 34 males (17-moderate and 14-light drinkers) and 139 females (68 moderate and 71-light drinkers), and all the participants were adults aged 18years plus. Apparatus All participants were asked to complete the tasks on a computer (PC), and the same apparatus was used to store data, and later analyse the data collected. Design The Stroop task method is used and the two-way ANOVA test will be used to analyse data (2 X 2 Mixed subject design). There are two independent variables i) Group (light vs. moderate alcohol drinkers) ii) Word Type (neutral vs. alcohol-related words), and the dependent variable is the reaction time to identifying the colour the word is presented in. In order to verify differences that may occur, the between group and within group will be looked at in more depth. Procedure In this study, the following was explained. Each participant was asked to follow the instructions provided on the screen. Labels were placed on the buttons on the keyboard for each subject to make their responses. There are two set type of words (alcohol-related words and neutral words). The participants were required to complete a serious of trials in responding to the colour of the ink that the word is written in (BLUE, RED, YELLOW, and GREEN) and (VODKIA, J.DANIELS, GIN, and BEER) rather than word. Part of the instruction was that they must complete each trail as quickly and accurately as possible, as their reaction time would be recorded Results The results of the 2 x 2 ANOVA was used to analyse the data. The effects of word type (alcohol-related words and neutral words) f = (1,168) 140.16, p = (moderate drinkers and light drinkers) f = (1,168) 26.68, p = . Neutral Word Alcohol Word Main Effect of Drinking Type Light 840.00 mean score (34.28) sd 870.52 mean score (28.51) sd 855.26 mean score (31.66) sd Moderate 849.91 mean score (28.86) sd 892.67 mean score (21.26) sd 871.29 mean score (24.73) sd Main Effect of Word Type 845.01 mean score (31.95) sd 881.73 mean score (27.39) sd Discussion For this study the hypotheses do support, in other words significance was found. The literature of the prior studies using the Stroop paradigm with alcohol-related stimuli has a number of fundamental methodological problems. According to Sharma, Albery, and Cook (2001) the first problem identified is that the multitude of different variables that could potentially be manipulated giving a totally different set of results. It therefore becomes apparent that one needs to be very clear on exactly what the variables are and what exactly the researcher wants to achieve. Another problem identified is that of the actual format administered. Again, many issues may arise regarding the way in which the test is formatted. If the format is changed, will the result change along with it? As more development is completed in this area of study on alcohol addiction, the researcher no doubt will see that, the variables and the modes of administration discussed above will have a huge effect on the study. For example, one set of results could construct stronger effects than others, and that the other probable central variables make no difference at all to the outcome. The researcher should also take into account that however, a task is administered to the participants is bound to have both advantages and disadvantages, and can be improved upon. This does not mean that one way is better than the other. It just means that the researcher needs to be aware of this and choose a methodology that best works for them. Choosing the correct methodology in any study therefore can be just as important as the actual study itself. What becomes apparent is that there is no particular way of carrying out a study. Either way studies will carry certain advantages and disadvantages. One particular study related to our discussion was the single-word presentation of the Stroop stimuli. In this case, the stimuli were given in card format. One card had all the needed stimuli for alcohol -related words while the other had neutral words. The time taken by each subject to colour name the words on the first card compared to the second was recorded. In other words, recorded reaction time. This format, although used on many studies, comes with its limitations. Evidence obtained concludes that it is difficult to accurately measure the response time by the individuals and that the process evolved is very time consuming and involves a lot of calculations. In other words this type of format may be seen as being time consuming and tedious for the researcher to carry out. Its not all bad however, the card format can have an advantage in that it ‘produces stronger interference effects (e.g. McNally, Amir and Lipke, 1996; Williams et al., 1996), presumably because it provi des a semantic network of words in a given category (Sharma, et al 2001). In addition, the individuals words recorded in terms of its reaction time are not used with any presentation mode, as each participants reaction times to each category of stimuli are averaged prior to statistical analysis. Other objections to the use of card presented stimuli were that the total time measured included both correct and incorrect responses. Previous research shows that the amount of trials where errors occurred is in fact rare and equivalent for different categories of stimuli. Furthermore, studies by Stetter et al also seem to agree. His study shows that card format stimuli does not allow for the measurement of time-cause of alcohol attentional bias. For instance, with these card presentations one would not know if the strongest bias occurred for alcohol words presented earlier and then the bias attenuated. An attempt to rectify this issue was to assess participants habituation to the stimuli across time. This was achieved by observing how reaction times to the alcohol and neutral stimuli changed during the course of the experiment. In relation to Johnsen et al studies, it was criticized in many aspects such as, the word types not being matched on the frequency. Additionally being assured in using two words alcohol-related words, for example ‘liquor store; ‘red wine. (Sharma, et al 2001).However, Johnsen et al stated clearly that since the studies were carried out in Norway, the words were obviously translated in Norwegian ‘vinmonopol = liquor store, and ‘rodvin = red wine, and as you can see, when translated its single words. Further criticisms were put forward to why the participants were asked to press the key response button; and call out the name of the colour. Sharma et al study contained a number of problems. Firstly, the neutral words were long to a given category (environmental features), which affects the reaction times. Secondly, the number of neutral words being associated closely to the four ink colours (e.g. blue, red, brown, green), also how these colours were closely link ed to the words (e.g. blue sky, green grass). Also concerns were put forward on the manner of design (e.g. low, middle, and high) drinking groups. Lastly, problems occurred with the problem drinkers, who may have resolved their alcohol problems being placed amongst the heavier drinkers. To conclude, there are two opposing thoughts with the methodology used; one that the Stroop paradigm is highly objective, valid and reliable, and the other that some are not worthy of inclusion. Many researchers are continuing to offer theoretical explanations to account for the Stroop paradigm, and still trying to make sense on how it could be adapted to be more advanced in being improved. References Algom, D., Chajut, E., Lev, S. (2004). JourA Rational Look at the Emotional Stroop Phenomenon: A Generic Slowdown, Not a Stroop Effect. nal of Experimental Psychology General. 133 (3), 323-338. Duka, T., Townshend, J. M. (2004). The priming effect of alcohol pre-load on attentional bias to alcohol-related stimuli. Psychopharmacology. 176 (3), 353. Johnsen, B. H., Laberg, J. C., Cox, W. M., Vaksdal, A. (1994). Alcoholic Subjects Attentional Bias in the Processing of Alcohol-Related Words. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors : Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors. 8 (2), 111. Sharma, D., Albery, I., Cook, C. (2001). Selective attentional bias to alcohol related stimuli in problem drinkers and non-problem drinkers. Addiction. 96 (2), 285-295. Sharma, D., Albery, I.P., Cook, C. (2001) .Selective attentional bias to alcohol- related stimuli in problem drinkers and non-problem drinkers, Addiction, 96, 1261-1265. Stetter F, Ackermann K, Scherer E, Schmid H, Straube ER, Mann K. (1994). Distraction resulting from disease related words in alcohol-dependent inpatients: a controlled dichotic listening study. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. 244 (4), 223-5. Stetter F, Ackermann K, Bizer A, Straube ER, Mann K. (1995). Effects of disease-related cues in alcoholic inpatients: results of a controlled Alcohol Stroop study. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research. 19 (3), 593-9. Townshend, J. M., Duka, T. (2001). Attentional bias associated with alcohol cues: differences between heavy and occasional social drinkers. Psychopharmacology. 157 (1), 67.

The Only Fish I Wanted To Catch :: essays research papers

The Only Fish I Wanted To Catch A sensation of astounding warmth enshrouded my mind and body as I blankly stared out on to the choppy lake. I realized that the blinding sun was sure to burn me by the end of the day. I was completely clueless as to where the day would take me. At first I was a little apprehensive about climbing into the small rowboat and heading out there for the entire day. What if I didn’t make it back? I had never been fishing alone. All I craved was to catch the perfect fish. It didn’t have to be big or fat, just perfect for me. So I mustered up the courage and took a chance. The last time I had taken a chance I had paid for it dearly.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sarina was the perfect girl, and I was determined to let her know how I felt about her. She didn’t make me happy. Happiness was not exactly the emotion she brought out in me. Her presence brought out something within me that was much deeper and more sincere. She was the foundation of my utopia. She had a special quality about her. Most people I know walk around with their souls being held prisoner by their bodies. She was one of those unique people whose body was held captive by her soul. Thirty seconds out of every minute I thought about her. I always made sure she had everything. It took me six months before I could even tell her how I felt. When I finally told her how I felt she took the news really well, but I knew she wasn’t interested. After telling me that our friendship was too close for us to get involved romantically, I swept up the pieces of my shattered heart, put them in my pocket and walked away. I had her snagged on my hook but she thr ew it. I used kindness, and patience, and she used me. I gave her everything she asked of me. She took the bait and ran. She avoided me at all costs for the next two months. Suddenly, I was at the mercy of the wide-open water of my misery, and was fearful of drowning. Had I been coerced into believing we were best friends? We squandered for hours and hours resolving each other’s personal dilemmas. We called each other religiously on the phone when we were apart.