The Abbasid Caliphate

The Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled most of the Muslim world from Baghdad in what is now Iraq, lasted from 750 to 1258 A.D. It was the third Islamic caliphate and overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate to take power in all but the western-most fringe of Muslim holdings at that time—Spain and Portugal, known then as the al-Andalus region. After they defeated the Ummayads, with significant Persian assistance, the Abbasids decided to de-emphasize ethnic Arabs and recreate the Muslim caliphate as a multi-ethnic entity. As part of that reorganization, in 762 they moved the capital from Damascus, in what is now Syria, northeast to Baghdad, not far from Persia in present-day Iran. Early Period of the New Caliphate Early in the Abbasid period, Islam exploded across Central Asia, although usually the elites converted and their religion trickled down gradually to ordinary people. This, however, was not conversion by the sword. Incredibly, just one year after the fall of the Umayyads, an Abbasid army was fighting against the Tang Chinese in what is now Kyrgyzstan, in the  Battle of Talas River  in 759. Although Talas River seemed like just a small skirmish, it had important consequences—it helped to set the boundary between the Buddhist and Muslim spheres in Asia and also allowed the Arab world to learn the secret of paper-making from captured Chinese artisans. The Abbasid period is considered a Golden Age for Islam. Abbasid caliphs sponsored great artists and scientists and great medical, astronomical, and other scientific texts from the classical period in Greece and Rome were translated into Arabic, saving them from being lost. While Europe languished in what was once called its Dark Ages, thinkers in the Muslim world expanded upon the theories of Euclid and Ptolemy. They invented algebra, named stars like Altair and Aldebaran and even used hypodermic needles to remove cataracts from human eyes. This was also the world that produced the stories of the Arabian Nights—the tales of Ali Baba, Sinbad the Sailor, and Aladdin came from the Abbasid era. The Fall of the Abbasid The Golden Age of the Abbasid Caliphate ended on February 10, 1258, when Genghis Khans grandson, Hulagu Khan, sacked Baghdad. The Mongols burned the great library in the Abbasid capital and killed the Caliph Al-Mustasim. Between 1261 and 1517, surviving Abbasid caliphs lived under Mamluk rule in Egypt, wielding more or less control over religious matters while having little to no political power. The last Abbasid caliph, Al-Mutawakkil III, supposedly handed over the title to the Ottoman Sultan Selim The First in 1517. Still, what was left of the destroyed libraries and scientific buildings of the capital lived on in Islamic culture—as did the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, especially concerning medicine and science. And although the Abbasid Caliphate was considered Islams greatest in history, it would certainly not be the last time a similar rule took over the Middle East.

Electron Capture Definition

Electron capture is a type of radioactive decay where the nucleus of an atom absorbs a K or L shell electron and converts a proton into a neutron. This process reduces the atomic number by 1 and emits gamma radiation or an x-ray and a neutrino.The decay scheme for electron capture is:ZXA e- → ZYA-1 ÃŽ ½ ÃŽ ³whereZ is the atomic massA is atomic numberX is the parent elementY is daughter elemente- is an electronÃŽ ½ is a neutrinoÃŽ ³ is a gamma photon Also Known As: EC, K-capture (if K shell electron is captured), L-capture (if L shell electron is captured) Example Nitrogen-13 decays to Carbon-13 by electron capture.13N7 e- → 13C6 ÃŽ ½ ÃŽ ³ History Gian-Carlo Wick proposed the theory of electron capture in 1934. Luis Alvarez was the first to observe K-electron capture in the isotope vanadium-48. Alvarez reported his observation in Physical Review in 1937.

The Link Between Racism and Depression

Several studies have shown a link between racial discrimination and depression. Racism victims not only suffer from bouts of depression but from suicide attempts as well. The fact that psychiatric treatment remains taboo in many communities of color and that the healthcare industry is itself perceived to be racist exacerbates the problem. As awareness is raised about the link between racism and depression, members of marginalized groups can take action to prevent discrimination from taking a toll on their mental health. Racism and Depression: A Causal Effect â€Å"Racial Discrimination and the Stress Process,† a 2009 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that a clear link exists between racism and depression. For the study, a group of researchers gathered the daily journal entries of 174 African Americans who’d earned doctorate degrees or were pursuing such degrees. Each day, the blacks who took part in the study were asked to record instances of racism, negative life events generally and signs of anxiety and depression, according to the Pacific-Standard magazine. Study participants reported incidences of racial discrimination during 26 percent of the total study days, such as being ignored, denied service or overlooked. Researchers found that when participants endured episodes of perceived racism â€Å"they reported higher levels of negative affect, anxiety, and depression.† The 2009 study is far from the only study to establish a link between racism and depression. Studies conducted in 1993 and 1996 found that when members of ethnic minority groups make up small portions of a population in an area they are more likely to suffer from mental illness. This is true not only in the United States but in the United Kingdom as well. Two British studies released in 2001 found that minorities living in majority-white London neighborhoods were twice as likely to suffer from psychosis as their counterparts in diverse communities. Another British study found that minorities were more likely to attempt suicide if they lived in areas lacking ethnic diversity. These studies were referred to in the Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities in the UK, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry in 2002. The national survey measured the experiences that 5,196 persons of Caribbean, African and Asian origin had with racial discrimination in the past year. Researchers found that study participants who had endured verbal abuse were three times more likely to suffer from depression or psychosis. Meanwhile, participants who’d endured a racist attack were almost three times as likely to suffer from depression and five times more likely to suffer from psychosis. Individuals who reported having racist employers were 1.6 times more likely to suffer from a psychosis. High Suicide Rates Among Asian-American Women Asian-American women are particularly prone to depression and suicide. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has listed depression as the second leading cause of death for Asian American and Pacific Islander women between the ages of 15 and 24, PBS reported. What’s more, Asian American women have long had the highest suicide rate of other women that age. Asian American women age 65 and older also have the highest suicide rates for elderly women. For immigrants in particular, cultural isolation, language barriers and discrimination add to the problem, mental health experts told the San Francisco Chronicle in January 2013. Moreover, Aileen Duldulao, lead author of a study about suicide rates among Asian Americans, has said that Western culture hyper-sexualizes Asian American women. Hispanics and Depression A 2005 Brigham Young University study of 168 Hispanic immigrants living in the United States for an average of five years found that those Latinos who perceived that they were targets of racism had sleep disturbances, a precursor to depression. â€Å"Individuals who have experienced racism could be thinking about what happened the previous day, feeling stressed about their ability to succeed when being judged by something other than merit,† said Dr. Patrick Steffen, lead study author. â€Å"Sleep is the pathway through which racism affects depression.† Steffen also conducted a 2003 study that linked perceived episodes of racial discrimination to a chronic rise in blood pressure.

Contemporary Ballet - 853 Words

Contemporary Ballet Ballet is a formalized kind of performance dance which originated in the Italian Renaissance Courts of the 15th century and further developed in France, England, and Russia as a concert dance form. One of the genres of ballet is Contemporary. It is defined as a form of dance that is influenced by both classical ballet, modern dance, lyrical, and jazz (Wikipedia). It takes its technique and is used of point work from classical ballet, although it permits a greater range of movement that may not adhere to the strict body lines set forth by schools of ballet techniques. Many of its concepts come from the ideas and innovations of the 20th century modern dance; including floor work and turn-in and out†¦show more content†¦George Balanchine was a huge driving factor in Contemporary Ballet, bringing on works like Apollo, Prodigal Son, and Serenade. It’s strictly ballet technique-based, but takes the rules of Classical Ballet and mixes them up. It’s not always turned out and ads in movement from Jazz and Musical Theatre (Yahoo Answers). There are many contemporary ballet companies and choreographers in the spotlight today, like Alonzo King and his company, Alonzo Kings Lines Ballet, and Jirà ­ Kalian, artistic director of the Nederland’s Dans Theatre. Classical ballet companies, such as the Kirov Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet, also regularly perform contemporary works. Contemporary Ballet was not always Accepted in the south like it was up north or on the west coast. The closet dance studio for Contemporary Ballet is located in Dallas, TX and is called â€Å"School of Contemporary Ballet Dallas.† They serve as a dedication to promoting arts appreciation and cultivating local art by serving as a platform for emerging artists and choreographers. The music of Contemporary Ballet has many different emotions. Some music is very soft And graceful, while others can be very upbeat and rocker. Contemporary ballet may use Contemporary music, deal with contemporary themes, have more abstract movement and more of an influence from other types of dance, ranging from modern to jazz to African.Show MoreRelatedClassical and Contemporary Ballet1282 Words   |  6 PagesAssignment #2 Classical and Contemporary Ballet After seeing examples of both classical ballet and contemporary ballet, I enjoy watching classical ballet more because I take pleasure in watching fairytales come to life. Classical ballet does just that and much more. Classical ballet is generally structured on a narrative pretext. It is important that the audience has an understanding of the basic storyline so as to fully understand the complex combination of movement, music and storytelling thatRead MoreClassical vs Contemporary Ballet1344 Words   |  6 Pages11 October 2012 Classical and Contemporary in the Same World Classical ballet is one of the most complex and beautiful forms of expression. This is because it has had many years to develop and evolve. Some people believe the art has evolved so much that we have lost the classical aspect of the art form. Most dance companies perform more contemporary works than classical works. This is because more and more people are drifting farther away from classical ballet. One reason for this could be thatRead MoreThe Birth And Evolution Of Ballet1691 Words   |  7 PagesHistory of Dance 22 Aug 2014 The Evolution of Ballet The birth and evolution of ballet is indeed a fascinating study. Since its early origins in fifteenth century Italian court, ballet has undergone a succession of changes and been influenced by gifted artists and choreographers alike, whose unique styles and innovative techniques left their indelible mark on the classic art form. Beginning with the Renaissance and continuing through the Romantic Era, ballet evolved as each political and social movementRead MoreSummary of the Ballet quot;Gisellequot; Essays537 Words   |  3 PagesGiselle is a romantic ballet choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. Adolphe Adam beautifully composes the music. This ballet was originally performed in Paris in 1841. The production that we viewed in class was from La Salla. Giselle is one of the last ballets of the Romantic era. The element that stood out the most to me was how effectively the music and the footwork corresponded. The best examples of this are seen through the dancers solos. Especially Albrechts solo, hisRead More The Reforms of Michel Fokine Essays1373 Words   |  6 Pagesto new levels. There seems to be a broad misconception, though, that ballet is an art form that does not progress; does not change. Many people assume that ballet’s set vocabulary of movement places limitations on how far the art can expand. Little do many people realize that this vocabulary is a mere foundation for the myriad of interpretations that the art went and will continue to go in. Michel Fokine is one revolutionary ballet choreographers, whose reforms have taken this previously monotonousRead MoreThe Evolution Of Ballet And The Human Body2010 Words   |  9 PagesEmma Weber Instructor Miller Speech 96-111 April 7, 2015 The Evolution of Ballet Influential philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, stated that â€Å"the human body is the best picture of the human soul.† A great example of the human body portraying the soul is through the art of ballet. From the Cambridge Dictionary Online, ballet can be defined as â€Å"a type of dancing in which controlled movements of the body are designed to express the beauty of physical motion, often while telling a story, or a piece ofRead MoreClassical Dance And Modern Dance1855 Words   |  8 PagesBallet and Modern are very similar forms of dance. They are both distinctive forms of dance and they both hold a specific purpose for their movements: portraying a story. These two dances were derived years ago and were carried throughout many generations of dance. Though both dances include movement that is not similar to one another, they do, in fact, have common purposes in portraying a dance through rhythm, movement, and expression. Stories portrayed within these dances are evident th rough theRead MoreAgeism, Or Prejudice And Discrimination Associated With A Person s Age Essay1275 Words   |  6 Pagesattractiveness, as well as the endurance of a dancer’s anatomy both play an integral role in age discrimination among dancers. Literature Review In Ageism and the Mature Dancer (2014), author Sonia York-Pryce discusses ageism and longevity of contemporary ballet dancers. Pryce investigates the discriminatory nature of the dance industry through the exploration of factors associated with retirement, such as gender or physicality. She argues that there exists a prejudice against mature dancers, despiteRead MoreIs Dance A Universal Language?1616 Words   |  7 Pagesand will gladly share my observations. I have noted, and read, that classical ballet is based on very specific and highly controlled movements, which the dancers seem to deliver in such a delicate in flowing way, it is mesmerizing. The amount of control over their muscles and bodies in general must be extremely precise and require an abundance of practice. I find the differences between classical and contemporary ballet to be slight, to the untrained eyes of this author, but fascinating. One simpleRead MoreMats Ek2349 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿Mats Ek Allegra Vianello English National Ballet School 2nd year Words Count: 2304 23/04/2013 Contents Page Introduction Life and career Re-making of the ballet classics Stylistic elements of his choreography: clarity and irony Themes Movement Vocabulary References Influences and Muses Bibliography Introduction In this essay I will present one of the greatest

American Express Case Study Free Essays

What are the key components of the architecture American Express has created? The key components of the architecture American Express has created were the ability to more effectively do business utilizing new payment methods and mobile devices. This was done through technology road map, reference architecture road map and utility/capacity road map. The enterprise architecture team created road maps to understand the leadership, organizational structure and directions and processes to make sure American Express’s Information Technology correlates with this changes in demand placed upon the use of new payment methods and mobile devices and their alignment with the organization’s mission, goals, and objectives. We will write a custom essay sample on American Express Case Study or any similar topic only for you Order Now This is the architecture governance. In addition, it is important to understand the strategic intent of the company so that the business architecture helps to guide and direct the processes correctly. The technology architecture ensures that the processes and templates provided work in compliance with the needs of the organization. Discuss two advantages and three disadvantages of standard enterprise architecture for American Express? An advantage of standard enterprise architecture for American Express includes the ability to provide more consistent user experience. In addition, standard enterprise architecture use can deduce risk and exposure and reduce operating costs. Optimally it will allow product and services to be brought to market more quickly. Disadvantages of standard enterprise architecture include the concept that architecture must guide rather than dictate. The architecture process must seen as a â€Å"fit† for the employees and customers of American Express. It should be value to projects and be accepted on its own merits. It must also serve a mission: in this case American Express has a strategic need for enterprise architecture that addressed the specific need of shorter time to market products and services and new delivery changes like mobile devices. Another disadvantage is that increased costs can be incurred if the system is not properly managed. How might they address the disadvantages? Since architecture must guide rather than dictate an organization it is key that the company’s strategy actually drives the architecture (which, as our text points out, drives infrastructure). IT must carefully manage the architecture to ensure that it is being managed in this manner, rather than having the company be limited by the architecture or guided by the architecture based on its perimeters, rather than careful planning of the needs of the organization. Since â€Å"enterprise architecture is the broad design that includes both the information system, architecture and the interrelationships in the enterprise† (Pearlson Saunders, 2013), it is key that each aspect works together to support strategy and more efficiently help the organization. Costs of managing standard enterprise architecture must be managed. Standardization should lead to reduced operating costs and greater consistency within the organization. However, in order to do so, IT must carefully manage the system and look forward as new technologies emerge, ensuring that the system can adapt and flex to adjust for projected needs. How to cite American Express Case Study, Free Case study samples

Recycling and Plastic Bag free essay sample

They are also cheap, light, durable, easy to carry and in many cases, free. The most commonly used shopping bag is made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This type is used in the majority of supermarkets and stores. After these bags are used, they often end up in landfills or as litter, roughly only three percent of plastic bags is actually recycled per year (Planet Ark, 2011). The materials used in making plastic bags make them non-biodegradable. According to the science dictionary, 2011 refers to â€Å"these materials cannot be decomposed into environmentally safe waste materials by the action of soil bacteria. † These harmful substances are toxic and take approximately four hundred years to break down, or in this case photo-degrade; which is how plastics made from (HDPE) break down. Since they are not biodegradable, they remain in the environment and are absorbed in soil or water (Indian Centre for Plastics in the Environment, 2010). We will write a custom essay sample on Recycling and Plastic Bag or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This essay will discuss the various harmful effects of plastic bags, and demonstrate the risks that these bags impose on humans, animals and the environment. It will also discuss a series of suggested solutions that could help reduce plastic bag usage. Although plastic bags appear to be fragile and light, their negative environmental effect is devastating. Plastic bags may cause large amounts of pollution in every step of their limited life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials, production, transportation, and recycling or disposal. Plastic bags can be defined as the most damaging form of environmental pollution. They can have a damaging effect on marine animals and wildlife in addition to the aesthetic effects on beaches, parks, and trees. Plastic bags are potentially one of the main causes of death to marine animals (Harbor keepers,2008). Up to one hundred thousand marine animals or more die each year from eating plastic bags which are mistaken for food. This can result in blocking the animal’s intestines and possibly lead to the animal’s death. Another possible situation is that wildlife, such as birds, can get tangled in plastic bags causing choking and immobility, which may eventually lead to death. (Senior, 2008) and (Citizen Campaign, 2010). In other situations, after plastic bags photo degrade they remain toxic and could be eaten by fish, shellfish or any other marine life and survive this allows the toxins to enter our food chain through bioaccumulation (Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, 2011). As a solution to these types of problems is taking action by educating and increasing the public’s awareness to the harmful affects that a plastic bag impose on our environment. Applying this would mean to get consumers involved in reducing the number of plastic bags they consume and instead of getting new bags they can simply reuse their old bags (Sea Turtles Conservancy,2011). Another important solution would be using bio degradable bags instead; these types of bags take up a shorter time to degrade and become environmentally safe to both humans and animals. These types of bags are made from natural materials therefore; they are digested if animals swallow them (Biodegradable Plastic Bags,2011). The harmful effects of plastic bags extend to affect human health and social lives. According to the US CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2011) suffocation has been a significant of death among children under the age of one. According to a report presented in 2007 by Clean up Australia, when plastic bags are thrown in the streets they may block the drains and result in flooding during heavy rain. Stagnant water in blocked drains may create a breeding ground for many forms of insects like mosquitoes, which can transmit dangerous diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and encephalitis (World Health Organisation, 2011). Reducing, reusing and recycling, in that order, could be the most viable option to decrease the social and health impact of plastic bags. Reducing the number of plastic bags can be applied by imposing a fee such as PlasTax. In 2002 PlasTax was issued in The Republic of Ireland, which is a fee on plastic bags. This new tax resulted in a ninety four percent drop in plastic bag consumption in one year (Convery F, McDonnell S, Ferreira S, 2007). The next step is to reuse, instead of disposing of plastic bags consumers should be encouraged to keep reusing their bags. The final step is to recycle the plastic bags, many supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s give the consumers the option to bring in their old bags for recycling. In conclusion, usages of plastic bags are very limited unlike their infinite damages. They are harmful to health, the environment and wildlife. The solutions to put an end to the problems associated with plastic bags are available, cooperation between governments, shops and individuals is vital to take the necessary actions by reducing, reusing and recycling plastic bags.