precision agriculture essays

precision agriculture essays Soil can vary from one point to the next in its chemical and physical makeup, which makes it very diverse. Crop yield and variations within the field can be influenced by soil properties, or pollutants that move through soil, and then into the groundwater, or runoff into lakes and streams. The importance of precision agriculture is to determine the exact areas that need to be managed to maximize yield, minimize environmental impacts, and optimize the use of resources. Precision agriculture also helps determine changes in soil quality over time, and the presence of pollutants such as salts, pesticides, and fertilizers. Many farmers face the same dilemma everywhere; How to increase profitability on their farms, so that they can remain competitive? The old solution would be to increase the size of the farm by economies of scale. However, many farmers believe that there could be something more accurate then just keeping daily journals of farming activities that include: planting dates, crop variety, and relying on crop consultants. Local cooperatives are now educating farmers on precision agriculture and the benefits of putting fertilizer where it is needed the most (Robert, Roggenbuck, Oct. 2002). Precision Agriculture is defined as information and technology based agricultural management system to identify, analyze, and manage site-soil spatial and temporal variability within fields for optimum profitability, sustainability, and protection of the environment. Precision agriculture requires information about soil properties, elevation, and landscapes, and how these characteristics affect plant growth and crop progress throughout the field each season. To determine crop production from one part of the field to another, yield monitors can be used. There are many different types of sensors being used in precision agriculture. The measurement of light reflected from a field are the most common sensors used. A camera with color, or co...

Origins of Yoga History Essay Example

Origins of Yoga History Essay Example Origins of Yoga History Essay Example Origins of Yoga History Essay Example The film presented for discussion in this paper is Origins of Yoga: Quest for the Spiritual. This is the movie made up by Paula Force in 2005 in the U.S. This 50 minute documentary researches the way of life and main habits of Indian yogis. However, the main idea of this documentary is the statement that hatha yoga, which is practiced by most of the Western population, is just a small element of the life of an average yogi. Moreover, the main aim of yogi lies not just in finding peace and harmony with the surrounding environment but in the lifelong search for connection with the Divine, as well. Origins of Yoga: Quest for the Spiritual The documentary begins with showing Swami Vidyanand Swaroop Brachmachari, who has experienced the life of yogi for 35 years. He speaks about the sense of being a yogi that lies in the search for connection with God. Yoga could not be considered just the branch of study or science; it is a certain way of life. Yogis travel during all their life, and that is how they live. While watching the movie, the viewers could see different yogis. It is important to underline that most of them do not wear ordinary clothes; they rub ashes onto their skin to cover body with color. Most of them spend their life traveling to northern India and Nepal. The way of life presented in documentary shows that yogis spend most of their time praying, meditating, seeking the inner harmony with God, and performing different yoga postures. Commentaries to the film are given by yogis themselves and by Dr. Georg Feuerstein, a professional Western writer about traditions and origins of yoga. The presentation of the plot of the film is rather simply organized for the better understanding. Moreover, it is presented in the way of interviews and analysis that were held at the moment. It brings the feeling of real picture of the traditions and way of life observed by yogis. In the film, one could notice that Dr. Georg Feuerstein asked people strict and simple questions that came to his head in the process of this filmmaking. There were several questions about the nature of their beliefs, the reason of women absence among yogis, positions of their families regarding their decisions to devote their lives to yoga. One would discuss the answers to these questions in the review. This documentary is easy to understand; thus, it does not look as a serious scientific research. However, it gives the viewers an opportunity to understand the origins and spiritual bases of yoga. However, most part of this film is devoted to ordinary life of yogis. Modern Western society realizes the essential value of yoga, its main ideas, and key principles. However, the origins of yoga are not widely presented and researched. People are used to the thought that yoga is a certain amount of exercise that one may perform from time to time. However, it has been already mentioned that it is the specific path to the harmonization of the inner world. It is connection with Devine that gives the understanding of real life values (Origins of yoga, 2005) It is necessary to underline that physical benefits that could be achieved with yoga are just a small part of positive results that one could gen practicing yoga. In the film, it is said that there are about 15 million yogis around the world. A real yogi is devoted to this idea of connection to the God and serving higher goal for all his life. It is something like a secret science that could open the doors to a new life. It is said that the story of formation of yoga could be said to start almost five thousand years ago. The first place that is connected with the development of yoga is the Indus Valley. The Himalayan caves are considered as the place where ancient people decided to stop their ordinary way of life and to devote their life to the Divine. That was the reason they left society and became yogis. However, the Himalayas are said to be the place fool of mystery. People there always differ from others. That is some kind of connection with nature and inner world. Origins of Yoga: Quest for the Spiritual is a feature film that presents the interviews with yogis in the places of their ordinary location. It is done to show the real picture of their life and everyday habits. That is why the viewers could see their real lifestyle, activity, habits. It is the opportunity to see yoga from the side, which shows that it not just as a number of exercises. Yoga should be considered as a lifestyle. Modern Western society possesses yoga as the mainstream as fitness, feng shui. It became popular, but people do not actually realize the real meaning of yoga. This film shows the connection of modern people to the ancient ones who began practicing yoga more than five thousand years ago. This film could be very useful for those who practice yoga or just want to start doing so. The only thing one needs to do to realize the essence of yoga is just follow this man through the streets and mountains of India. However, one needs to know this documentary is created by the fellow traveler from Los Angeles. This fellow traveler is Paula Fouce, a filmmaker, whose aim is to bring light into the story concerning the real live and habits of yogis. This film determines the main treasure of Indian yogis. They share their wisdom and their vision of the values of life. This documentary could be considered as a good material for yoga education. This movie describes and researches the science of yoga. It is even possible to speak about the interesting travelling to India without living home. There is an objective view on the origin of yoga and real habits of people who choose yoga as the lifestyle. After watching this movie, one could understand that it really differs from other films on the same topic. Others concentrate mostly on the exercises and specific techniques of yoga. This video presented the viewers with the ancient practice and its story that shows the main aim of yoga. One of the most essential benefits of this documentary is that facts are shared by yogis themselves. Paula Fouce spent a lot of years traveling and researching South Asia. She became an expert in Asian culture and traditions. It is necessary to stress that she has even co-authored Shiva (specific photographic book). Origins of Yoga is not the only film directed by Paula. She directed and produced such films as Naked in Ashes and By Many Names. Moreover, she worked on the new film Vanising nation: Tibet (Lama, 1998) This documentary gives the understanding that yoga is something more than a number of specific postures and exercises that serve to increase ones flexibility and strength. The real aim of yoga always has a deeper value that lies in the lightening the life through the inner harmony and through the transformation of the personality and his or her ego. It should be stressed that in Hinduism, Buddism the term â€Å"yoga† means â€Å"spiritual discipline†. Physical activity is just the element of yoga. To find inner harmony one needs to bring harmony to both: one’s body and one’s soul. The way one understands the world would be the result of the world`s attitude to an individual. One needs to realize that attachment brings bad habits. There exists no exact tendency as to how to present the history of yoga. One fact that is clear about the history of yoga is that it took its roots from the East. It is possible to find first sighs of yoga in ancient Shamanism. The research shows that the yoga postures were found on the artifacts that date back to 3000 B.C. Moreover, some more evidence of yoga could be found in the oldest text Rig Veda. This text is considered as the composition of hymns. The topics of these texts include ancient prayers, divine power and energy, and life of the highest value. Firstly, yoga was created and developed in order to be the science of understanding the world and search for the inner peace and harmony. However, one needs to realize that self-enlightenment become the secondary goal of yoga. Yoga actually has faced a lot of criticism during it existence. People who do not understand its purposes find it not useful for the development and enlightenment. Modern yoga differs from what has been shown in the documentary. Today, it is based on five main principles that were mentioned by Swami Sivananda: Right relaxation; Physical exercises; Proper breathing; Meditation and positive attitude to the surrounding environment (White, 2003) Even in present time, the origins of yoga are still the matter of debates in scientific society and among ordinary people. There are a lot of essential benefits of practicing yoga in one’s life. It helps one find spiritual connection with the inner world and search for the Divine power that is beyond human ordinary existence. This practice needs to be used every day in case if one is interested in getting positive results. One cannot achieve inner harmony practicing yoga twice a week in some fitness center. As it is underlined in the documentary, yoga needs to become a lifestyle. The viewers have learned from the Origins of Yoga that in order to find harmony and peace, yogis have at least two meditations a day. It is necessary to remember about balance and spiritual food. These meditations could be considered as one’s spiritual food. There are different meditations that need to be used for certain purposes. Each of them gives a different feeling. One needs to realize what emotion one is going to experience. During the meditation, one can clear one’s mind from any thoughts and relax. That is how the body and soul become free of everyday thoughts and actions. Only in such a situation, one becomes able to fee extra energy that gives the connection with the inner world and feeling of the presence of Divine. Proper breathing while meditation helps one feel relaxed and concentrate on a certain issue from one’s soul. However, one needs to remember that food that one eats influences one’s life a lot. Yogis always control their food. Certain products could help one relax (green herbal tea) and some would make one’s brain follow the inner aggression (meat). Moreover, it is necessary to remember that one should not be food oriented. Moreover, everybody should know that that one eats to live, but not lives to eat. The main food yogi concentrate their attention is spiritual food. Thus, it plays more important role in their life. People do not have not so much time to keep their mind full of different useless thoughts. Yogis understand that their main role is to be the way of connection between ordinary people and Divine powers. That is why they travel a lot. It is connected with two main reasons: Exploring new places that may bring proper energy; Sharing their knowledge and experience with others. It is important to mention that it is quite unlikely to see a woman yogi. There are several explanations given in the documentary. Women are not able to become the way of connection with the Divine, and they do not have enough skills to live the life of yogi. History shows men practicing yoga. Modern yoga concerns not only men, but women, as well. Thus, today woman practicing yoga could be seen rather often. Time changes and views regarding most ancient traditions could be changed. In the conclusion, it should be said that this documentary has high value for both: practicing yogis and ordinary people. However, film demonstrates the real life and habits of yogis in their native location. Moreover, the main aim of yogi lies not just in finding peace and harmony with the surrounding environment, but the lifelong seeking the connection with the Divine. While watching the movie it is possible to see different yogis and hear to their opinion about the aim and value of yoga. Most of them spend their life traveling to northern India and Nepal. We need to underline that yogis have life that differs from the life of ordinary people. Thus, most of them spend their time praying, meditating, seeking the inner harmony with God, and performing different yoga postures. The plot of the film is rather simple to understand. Thus, it is presented in the way of interviews and analysis that were held at the moment. It brings the feeling of real picture of the traditions and way of life observed by yogis. Modern Western society realizes the essential value of yoga and its main ideas and key principles. Nevertheless, the origins of yoga are not widely presented and researched to have the real picture of its origins. Most of people are mistaken when thinking that yoga is a certain amount of exercise that one may perform from time to time. Modern Western society possesses yoga as the mainstream as fitness, feng shui. The real spence of yoga lies in the strong connection of the inner world of person with Devine. There are a lot of essential benefits of practicing yoga, as it helps to find spiritual connection with the inner world and seek for the Divine power that is beyond our ordinary existence. This practice needs to be used every day in case if one is interested in getting positive results. This film broadens the mind of ordinary people and shows the real essence and origins of yoga. There is no need to research yoga before watching it. Thus, the language and presentation of this documentary are easy to understand and realize. Origins of Yoga could be considered the guide to the real world of yogis, their habits, and the history of yoga.

Ethical review on preimplanation genetic diagnosis (PGD) Essay

Ethical review on preimplanation genetic diagnosis (PGD) - Essay Example hemophilia or cystic fibrosis). The procedure of PGD involves the following steps. It is usually performed after a woman’s eggs have been harvested and fertilized by her partner’s sperm but before the fertilized eggs have been transferred back to her uterus. When the fertilized egg has multiplied to four and 10-cell development stage, one or two cells known as blastomeres are gently removed from each embryo. This is usually done using a microsurgery technique similar to that used in ICSI. The DNA from the removed blastomeres is then studied for any genetic diseases or disorders. If any are found to be having diseases or disorders, then those embryos are destroyed. Only those healthy embryos with no diseased genes will be transferred back to the mother. PGD has helped to diagnose numerous diseases and disorders classified as either chromosomal disorders, single gene defects or sex-linked disorders. The science of PGD has advanced so much that specific chromosomes are tested for specific disorders, for example Chromosome 13 is analysed for Breast and ovarian cancers, deafness, Wilson Disease; Chromosome 15 for Marfan Syndrome, Tay-Sachs Disease; Chromosome 16 for Polycystic kidney disease, Alpha thalassemia; Chromosome 17 for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease; Chromosome 18 for Niemann-Pick Disease, pancreatic cancer; Chromosome 21 for Downs Syndrome; Chromosome X for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Turners Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome; and Chromosome Y for Acute myeloidleukemia (Pregnancy-Info.net. 2005). The purpose of this paper is to explain current and likely future uses of PGD, and provide a complete review on the ethical issues on PGD. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a common topic for debate as it is the technique by which early human embryos are genetically screened and then discarded or placed in the uterus. Reports that embryos are being screened for new indications such as

Module 3 SLP - microbial metabolic and environmental growth Essay

Module 3 SLP - microbial metabolic and environmental growth - Essay Example Different microbial species present varying degrees of thermal stability of its proteins and enzymes (Brooks et al., 2007). Hence, microorganisms display different temperature ranges that are optimal for their growth and metabolism. Those organisms which grow best at low temperatures (15-20 OC) are called psychrophiles. Mesophylic groups grow best at 30-37 OC while thermophilic forms grow best at a temperature range of 50-60 OC. According to a study conducted by Radke-Mitchell and Sandine (1986), L. bulgaricus has an optimum growth temperature range of 43-46 OC. On the other hand, E coli grows best at 37 OC, similar to the normal body temperature (Don, 2008). This is not surprising because E. coli forms a part of the body’s normal bacterial flora (Don, 2008). The significance of maintaining a certain range of pH for bacterial metabolism and growth is demonstrated by the fact that hydrogen ion concentration influences the integrity and functions of proteins, and other biochemical processes (Campbell and Reece, 2004). The acidity and alkalinity of the environment also affects the availability of nutrients essential for the growth of microorganisms. Those species that grow best at a pH range of 6.0-8.0 are called neutralophiles. Meanwhile, microorganisms with optimum pH growth of 3.0 or lower are classified as acidophiles while those with optima at a pH of 10.5 or higher are called alkaliphiles (Brooks et al., 2007). Beal et al. (2009) reported that L. bulgaricus achieve its highest biomass in culture when maintained at pH 5.0. Cell viability was also noted to be at its peak at pH 5.0 (Beal et al., 2009). On the other hand, the optimum pH for growth of E. coli is 6.0-8.0 (York et al., 1984). The process of energy production, termed respiration, operates by virtue of electron acceptors. Oxygen serves as an electron acceptor in bacterial respiration (Brooks et al., 20097). Organisms which strictly require oxygen for its

The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy - Research Paper Example The Soviet Union created the Eastern Bloc which comprised of the eastern European countries. The US aided the western European countries for post war recovery and later formed NATO to contain communism. The two powers never had direct military action, but the period contained sets of high tension crisis and race for supremacy. Different doctrines were followed over time to contain spread of communism. The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to worst patch of relationship between the two. Strait of Hormuz forms a bottleneck at the Persian Gulf, therefore, a strategic position to control the oil flow from the region (Rodrigue, 2004). The Afghanistan invasion brought Soviet Union in close proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, which could have been accessed through invasion of Iran. Soviet actions posed threat to the stability of the entire region. US along with other countries were dependant on the oil for functioning of their economies. The supply was also crucial for the military to maintain its operational capabilities. Saudi Arabia, therefore, was assured of security by US from communist adversaries. Iran was a key ally in the region to guard against spread of communism. Iran and Saudi Arabia were given aid to counter Soviet Union and ensure stability in the region. The Iranian revolution in 1979 complicated the situation; therefore, a new doctrine had to be formulated. The exclusion of Iran demanded a doctrine to present suitable threat to guard against spread of Soviets in the region and to find reliable replacement for supply of oil to US. President Carter’s doctrine was a paradigm shift from previous doctrines of President Truman, Eisenhower and Nixon. It was aimed to make clear the importance of the Persian Gulf as key vital interest. The doctrine made clear that any effort by hostile power to block the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf would be considered an attack on US vital interest and would be dealt with military force. It was a direct warni ng to the Soviet Union to stay out of the region (Stork, 1980). The doctrine also demanded close cooperation of surrounding countries in the region to support against this security threat. Implementation Rapid Deployment Force The US did not have significant military presence in the region at the time of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The US was dependant mainly on the NATO, which were conventional strategic forces and needed time to start its operation. President Carter formed Rapid Deployment Force, which was aimed to respond to international crisis immediately. The force consisted of five Army divisions and was stationed near the Persian Gulf. Elements of all four arms i.e. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine were incorporated in the organization of the force. The major aim was to create deterrence for the Soviet Union against possible intervention in the region and to ensure continuation of the oil flow from the Persian Gulf (Noel, 2006). The force was mobile and did not require f orward military bases as compared to NATO deployment. Nuclear Policy Nuclear weapons were used as deterrence as well but its policy kept changing over time. The Carter Administration outlined the US policy for use of nuclear weapons. The new policy stressed that US must remain prepared to fight a protracted nuclear war (Siracusa & Coleman, 2001). Nuclear deterrence was used before Carter, but its new policy was aimed at backing

A summary of the Chapter ‘We Cheer Jim Up Essay Example for Free

A summary of the Chapter ‘We Cheer Jim Up Essay In the chapter ‘We Cheer Jim Up,’ Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer are faced with the challenge of stealing Jim from Tom’s Aunt Sally Phelp’s plantation without being caught. The fact that they have to dig Jim out of a small, dark shack does make this task much harder for the two boys, especially since it is guarded with dogs and other African American slaves. Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer both scheme together to come up with a brilliant plan. They even lie to a slave about their relation to Jim, so to keep their actual friendship with Jim, and their plot to free him, secret. Â  In this chapter, Huck actually feels extremely guilty for committing a sin—stealing some-one’s slave. Normally, Huck enjoys the thrill of living on the edge and engaging in unlawful activities. However, he suddenly feels very apprehensive about this act he and Tom are about to commit and even questions Tom about this. Â  His experience of being held hostage by his drunken father has also enabled Huck to cope and deal with difficult situations in a more mature manner than when he lived with the widow. Nevertheless, Huck is faced with a personal conflict within himself. While he desperately wants to free Jim, he is bothered by the potential consequences that he and, especially Jim, will have to face if caught. A main theme being developed in this chapter is the idea of superstition. The slave that takes Huck and Tom to the shack to see Jim talks about nothing but witches and how he is constantly pestered by their voices. Every sound he hears, he believes it is the witches returning to trouble him. This chapter also introduces one powerful symbol. One might say that the tiny shack symbolizes the bondage African American people experienced on plantation farms back in those days. The darkness and dismal conditions of the shack where Jim was chained and confound also represents the cruel treatment run-away slaves, and African slaves in general, were treated.

bias or not? :: essays research papers fc

Bias or Not? The most political news story that is being reported on these past few weeks has been the nomination and debate over President Bush’s nomination of John R. Bolton to be ambassador to the United Nations. One of the most watched and influential news channels, CNN has been following this routine story closely. The President nominated Bolton in March of 2005 but the Senate has been delaying the vote of the nominee for several weeks. The story on CNN was headlined Vote to end debate on Bolton fails. Though the story did discuss that it was mostly the Democrats that were causing the delay in the vote the channel also stated that their were some republicans that did not agree with the nomination. The channel tried to stand by the facts but the story did seem to state that it was the Democrats that voted against closing the debate. The story did seem slanted when discussing the issue over the Democrats wanting to obtain access to information about Bolton and Syria. The channel st ated that the was good and bipartisanship until the Democrats resorted back to a partisan approach. This seemed slante because throughout the debate both the Republicans and Democrats have been resorting to a partisan approach. Despite the slight slant ness in some of the story the primary contents of the story did stick to the facts and remained bias. Democrats Mull Politicizing Iraq War Intelligence this article found on the Fox News Channel in November of 2003 is an insider story. The following story discusses a informal memo was found concerning the planning and timing of a possible investigation into pre- war Iraq Intelligence. The memo suggested that Democrats "prepare to launch an investigation when it becomes clear we have exhausted the opportunity to usefully collaborate with the [Senate] majority.† Then the story goes on further to discuss how upset the Senates Republicans were by the leak but especially by the memo itself. A republican Senator went as far as saying that the â€Å"Democrats intended to politicize what should have been bipartisan†. Such comments seemed to elude that the Democrats were at fault for thinking of conducting investigation but that was not the matter at hand. The matter was the leak of a memo was a draft that had not even been approved. Lawmaker Hopes to Open Churches to P olitical Speech this headline on Fox News refers to a bill that Representative Walter Jones of North Carolina has introduced the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act of 2005