The Monkeys Voyage by Alan de Queiroz | Review

The Monkeys Voyage by Alan de Queiroz ReviewIntroductionThere are a number of basic definitions that have to be considered forrader an individual before providing a scientific abbreviation and review of the book by Alan Quieroz (2013) that is the Monkeys voyage. One such definition is the apprehension of biogeography. Biogeography refers to the convey of the trend in which living being, are qualified to move around the planet earth. For instance, biogeography concerns itself with how the resembling species of monkeys are embed in Africa, and in South America. In other words, Biogeography concerns itself with an analysis of the manner which the corresponding species of animals are able to be institute in the same continent. One of the major reasons advanced for the occurrence of such kind of a phenomenon is the concept of dwelling tectonics. Plate tectonics refers to the structure of earth, which are able travel and float independently. This is the most common argument th at scientists have managed to bring out, in regard to explaining why the same species exists in unlike parts of the continent. Another essential definition that an individual needs to understand, before scientifically analyzing this book, is the concept of vicariance.This is a term that is functiond for purposes of providing a description of certain types of living organisms, that were able to get separated into groups that are non-communicating, through external circumstances. Examples include the submersion of a land, the rise of a mountain range, etc. Another important term that is contained in this book is Gondwana. This is a scientific term that refers to the Southern half of the continent, which existed millions of historic period ago, but was able to fragment, and drift apart. Therefore, this paper is a review of the book by Dr. de Queiroz.. In providing a review of this book, the researcher will use 2 approaches. The first approach is the manner in which this book explai ns the major scientific points. The second approach would be an overall analysis of the book, and how the author manages to convey scientific ideas, and use examples to explain these ideas.ReviewIn writing this book, the author manages to use the three scientific approaches that are always used in scientific research. These approaches are, the acknowledgement of the historical origin of the concept, the concept itself, and any future consideration regarding the concept. In giving an explanation on the reasons why the same species are found in incompatible parts of the continent, Dr. de Queiroz begins by providing the historical biogeography, and the reasons why he thinks that the breakage of the tectonic plates is not the major reason for the existence of the same specifies of animals, in different continents. In providing the historical origin of his points, de Queiroz is able to introduce a leading scholar of biology, by the name of Leon Croizat. De Queiroz gives us a descriptio n of the works of Croizat, and the manner in which he was able to dispute the explanation of the existence of earth by Charles Darwin, and the existence of the same species of animals in different continents, through the process of plate tectonics. Croizat believes that Darwin was wrong, through his concept of natural selection (De Quieroz, 11). Natural selection is a scientific process, in which the biological traits of an animal can become common, or little common, within a population. This may occur because of the traits that are inherited during the reproductive process of the organism. It is therefore important to explain that natural selection is wizard of the important aspects of the theory of evolution that explains the existence of the world. Therefore, another concept that is introduced in this book is evolution, which is a metaphysical framework that was developed by Charles Darwin, to explain the reasons for the existence of different species of animals. These animal s evolved, and through the process of natural selection, the toughest animals and species were able to survive, and hence exists.The theory of evolution and natural selection focuses on the environment in explaining the reasons why animals are found in a particular continent or environment. Based on these facts, it is therefore possible to denote that this is a theoretical framework that does not corroborate the use of the theory of tectonic plates to explain the reason why the same species of animals are found in the same region. This section further brings us to the concept of historical biogeography, and the reasons why it is not sufficient in explaining the distribution of species around the world, or in different continents of the world. Historical biogeography is the study of the distribution of animals, and how they were distributed, based on different time scales. From this book, we are able to learn that this was one of the major concepts or elements of the theory of evolu tion. A good example of the historical biogeography that is depicted in the book is on the primate time tree that talks about the voyage of the monkeys (De Quiroz, p. 214). This time tree shows the evolution of the monkeys, from the millions of years ago, to the current species of monkeys, hence reinforcing the ideas of Charles Darwin, in regard to the concept of the evolution theory. The author of this book uses the concepts of historical biogeography, to give an explanation why the Tectonic plate theory cannot explain the reasons for the existence of the same species of animals, in different continents of the world. Furthermore, in arguing against the existence of the same species of animals, in different continents, the author introduces the concept of panbiogeography.De Quiroz (p. 33) in defending his argument that animals were not found in different parts of the continent through geographical dispersal borrows this concept panbiogeography concept that was introduced by Croizat. De Quiroz argues that it was virtually impossible for the same animals to set themselves in different continents because of dispersal, and he raises examples to illustrate this point. For instance, it is not likely for the same species of snails to find themselves in the same continent, by attaching themselves to the tail of a bird, or even a spider to find itself in a different continent, by using its web, and being carried by wind. These are impossible circumstances to occur hence this theoretical notion of tectonic plates is absurd, and uncalled for. Section two and section three of this book are used in the explanation of the reasons why the de Quiroz believes that the same species of animals did not find themselves in different continents, through the breakup of the land mass, or through the process of tectonic plates. For instance, de Quiroz does a great job, in coming up with a impudently method, that can be used for purposes of conducting the process of genetic sequencin g. De Quiroz uses this method for purposes of estimating the period in which two populations, of the same species were able to split, in the last one hundred thousand of years.In this study, De Quiroz explains that the patron snakes were able to float in an open ocean, which was approximately 120 miles, and this is an explanation on why they can be found in different regions of the world. His study of snakes began when de Queiroz was curious on the reasons for existence of the garter snakes, at the tip of California. This was one of the major factors that contributed in the desire of Quiroz to study and examine the impact of tectonic plates theory, in the dispersal of living organisms. For instance, De Quieroz was able to wrongly assume that the species of this snake came into the region, over a dour period of time, and this is through the drifting continents, when the peninsula, was able to come apart from the mainland. However, through his study of the garter snake, De Quieroz ( 57) comes to the conclusion that distinctive and vibrant biological communities, were creating, when living organism were able to soar through the atmosphere, and float through the large water mass, or water corpse. Through these findings, De Quieroz manages to come out of the theory of evolution and the theory of tectonic plates that explains the why the same species of animals and other living organisms are found in different continents. This type of knowledge and information is very contentious, and this is majorly because it challenges the existing body of knowledge, regarding the dispersion of animals, and other living organisms, through the process of continental drift. For instance, in the 1950s, and the 1960s, geologists were able to find that the coasts of Africa and South America were united, and through the process of tectonic plates, these coasts were separated.However, because of new technological innovations, scientists were able to measure the floor of the ocean, rev ealing several ridges, and this includes a ridge that was found in the Atlantic Ocean. These discoveries were able to provide a figure out mechanism on the manner in which the continent was able to creep, making scientists to believe that in about 180 years back, there was the existence of a continent referred to as Gondwana that comprised of Australia, Africa, America, India, and Antarctica. The new knowledge brought about by de Quieroz was challenging these facts, and scientific knowledge, and hence this information is controversial. Furthermore, in explaining the concept of Gondwana, and the continental drifting theory, scientists use the presence of emus, rheas and ostriches, in explaining why they are found in Africa, Australia, and other continents of the world.Scientist explains that these animals were able to drift to these other continents, and this is because of the moving continents. However, the genetic studies that were conducted by De Quieroz (44), on garter snakes, w as a proof that these birds found themselves in these different continents, through their movements, and not through the drifting apart of the continent. Other examples include the New World monkeys, which were able to move to South America, by rafting themselves, through the use of the earths clump, and today, they comprise of 73% of the land mammals.ConclusionThis book by Quieroz is well written, and it manages to provide clearly the views of de Quiroz, on the reasons why the same species of animals are found in different continents. The information contained in this book is controversial. This is majorly because it challenges the knowledge that existed, on the reasons why the same species of animals are found in different continents. That is the drifting of continents, hence these animals finding themselves in different geographic regions.Works CitedDe, Queiroz A. The Monkeys Voyage How Improbable Journeys Shaped the chronicle of Life. 2013. Print.

computer history :: essays research papers

Every aspect of our life in this day and age involves technology. At the forefront of the trend is an advanced machine called the computer. everywhere you turn, you see some facet of its work. Computers link together almost all government and economic fractions of our world with silicon chips and electrical signals. The list of tasks it can finish is amazing. With intricate parts and super fast circuitry, computers are a complex technological wonder. Its history is interesting but its evolution is amazing. From garage size titan machines to 5 pound 3 inch-thick laptops, the computer shapes todays world. When you say the world computer, most people think of the desktop machine you can run across games on and print out your favorite pictures. Early computers however were far different from todays machines. They were first designed only for simple mathematical problems. Most five-dollar calculators at Wal-Mart could outperform any of the first computers. The first truly digital co mputer weighed 60,000 pounds. It contained 27,000 vacuum tubes, 4,000 of which had to be replaced every month. Computers since then have gotten little and more efficient, resulting in todays machines. The evolution of computers has come a long way. Think of how important the Internet is. Everyday when youre taking roll, youre using the Internet to send your information to the main office. The government uses the Internet to keep in contact with its officials in Middle Eastern countries. Everyday thousands of clientele transactions are made on the Internet. E-mail has become a major form of communication. Millions of teenagers get online everyday to talk with each other. Kids can interactional with educational websites. All these simple things couldnt be performed without the Internet. The future for computers has never looked brighter. Imagine a computer that could read your vox populi waves and respond to exactly what you thought at the exact time you thought it. Virtual realit y computer systems could be used to train military pilots, soldiers, and officers. But on another note, an annex in technology would be just another asset on a terrorists list.

Why do College Students Drink so Much? :: essays research papers

Why do College Students Drunk so Much?Alcohol abuse on college campuses has reached a point where it is far more destructive than about people and today realize and today threatens too many of our youth. -Senator Joe LiebermanWhy do college students drink so much? This timeless fad has effected this generation in high percentages since the beginning of college education. Today in America it is estimated that approximately 29% of college students are regular alcohol abusers. Another recent study by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism performed showed that college students suffered 1,400 deaths, 70,000 date rapes and assaults, and 500,000 injuries each year as a result of alcohol. (McDonald) Although binge drink (5+ drinks in bingle sitting) is considered a normal part of the college experience many factors contribute to whether or not an individual is more prone to be an abuser.There are louvre factors that connect students with alcohol abuse with include gende r, family alcohol abuse, family depression and mental illness, childhood hyperactivity, and deviant behavior before age 15. Deviant behavior, for example, consists of acts such as being expelled from school, fighting, committing vandalism, chronic lying, and stealing. Many people who were antisocial growing up begin drinking abusively earlier in adolescence. A clinician test given to suspected alcoholics or taken personally is called the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). The test given to check for pathological alcohol abuse is known as Criterion A for alcohol abuse. Requirements for this test include wanting to stop drinking but could not, drinking 20 or more drinks in 1 day, having blackouts while drinking, going on two or more binges, continuing to drink with a hard health problem, or making rules to control drinking habits. (Fleming)Criterion B covers more serious abuse which harm ones personal and occupational lifestyles. Any one of the following items point to serious abu se family members objecting to subjects drinking, professional advice about drinking, job or school troubles due to drinking, accident while driving intoxicated, arrest, or physical fight. (Fleming)A report from the University of Richmond told a story about a female college freshman who experienced a horrible situation after a darkness of drinking. It said that she remembered how hard it was to leave behind her family and friends, she remembered having to face the fact that she was a freshman again and how all she wanted was to be well-liked and to fit-in but one thing she does not remember at all is the night she was raped by two freshman males in a room full of people.

Vietnam War :: essays research papers

Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a military struggle starting in 1959 and resultant in 1975. It began as an attempt by the Vietcong (Communist Guerrillas) to overthrow the Southern Vietnam Government. This research paper will discuss the Vietnam War, US involvement in this war, and significant battles. pursuit the surrender of Japan to the Allies in August 1945, Vietminh guerrillas seized the capital city of Hanoi and forced the abdication of Emperor Bao Dai. On September 2 they say Vietnam to be independent and announced the creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, commonly c on the wholeed North Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh as president. France officially recognized the new state, merely the subsequent inability of the Vietminh and France to reach satisfactory political and scotch agreements led to armed conflict beginning in December 1946. "Northern Vietnam was determined to move on its freedom" (Davis 12). With French backing Bao Dai set up the state of Vietnam, commonly called South Vietnam, on July 1, 1949, and established a new capital at Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). "Where as the Southern Vietnam government seemed content to be a sort of a colony" (Davis 12). The following year, the U.S. officially recognized the Saigon government, and to assist it. professorship Harry S. Truman dispatched a military assistance advisory group to train South Vietnam in the use of U.S. weapons. In April 1961, a treaty of amity and economic relations was signed with South Vietnam, and in December, President John F. Kennedy pledged to help South Vietnam maintain its independence. Subsequently, U.S. economic and military assistance to the Diem government change magnitude significantly. In December 1961, the first U.S. troops, consisting of 400 uniformed army personnel, arrived in Saigon in order to operate two helicopter companies the U.S. proclaimed, however, that the troops were not besiege units as such. A year later, U.S. military strength in Vietnam stood at 11,200. By the end of 1965 American combat strength was nearly 200,000. In February 1965, U.S. planes began rule-governed bombing raids over North Vietnam. A halt was ordered in May in the hope of initiating peace talks, but when North Vietnam rejected all negotiations, the bombings were resumed. From February 1965 to the end of all-out U.S. involvement in 1973, South Vietnamese forces mainly fought against the Vietcong guerrillas. While U.S. and allied troops fought the North Vietnamese in a war of attrition marked by battles in such places as the Ia Dang Valley, Dak To, Loc Ninh, and Khe Sanh-all victories for the non-Communist forces.

Is Downloading Free Music from the Internet Legal? :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Is Downloading Free Music from the Internet Legal?Nowadays, it is extremely easy to download free symphony from the internet. All whateverone has to do is download some peer to peer file-sharing application such as Kazaa, Edonkey, Blubster, or Bearshare, and you have unlimited access to download just about anything that you please. But is downloading free music from one of these applications legal? I think that it is. This paper will look at both sides of the argument. The first online peer to peer file-sharing application was Napster. Napster allowed people to reduplicate music from their CDs onto their computers in mp3 format. They then allowed other members of Napster to download these songs onto their computers. Once this caught on, millions of people were downloading thousands of songs a day. And as you can imagine, this did not make the record companies happy with the bringing close together that people were getting their music for free instead of buying the CD. I t also caused a problem with some of the recording artists. virtually notably Metallica. In 2000, Metallica filed a lawsuit against Napster and won. As a result, Napster banned about 300,000 of its users who were sharing Metallica songs. Soon after, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) filed a suit against Napster and the file-sharing server was forced to shut down. 1You affable of have to wonder if the downloading of mp3s really hurt the recording artists. When the artist makes a CD, they make relatively little money from it. Most of the millions that an artist makes is from merchandising and endorsements. Most of the money from CD sales goes to the record industries executives. In an article from Young Money, Meredith Corbin states that the executives from the recording industry should change the way they operate by either laboured the price of CDs or taking a pay cut.

Pro School Uniforms :: essays research papers

The Need for School UniformsA safe and structured larn environment is the first requirement of a good school. Children who tonicity safe and secure will emend learn basic American values. In return they will learn the basis of good citizenship and become better students. In response to growing levels of violence in our schools, many an(prenominal) parents, teachers, and school officials puzzle been forced to look toward school supplys as one potentially compulsive way to reduce discipline problems and increase school safety.It has been observed that the adoption of school invariant policies can promote school safety, improve discipline, and enhance the learning environment. The potential benefits of school uniforms include decreasing violence and theft. Some instances involving designer clothing and expensive sneakers have even led to life-threatening situations among students. Uniforms would also hold open gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school. Unifo rms would also teach students discipline and help them resist peer pressure. Uniforms would also help students concentrate on their schoolwork and would help school officials detect intruders who come unwelcome into the school.As a result, many topical anaesthetic communities are deciding to adopt school uniform policies as part of an overall program to improve school safety and discipline. California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia have enacted school uniform regulations. Many large world school systems including Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Miami, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Phoenix, Seattle and St. Louis have schools with either voluntary or mandatory uniform policies, mostly in elementary and middle schools. In addition, many private schools have required uniforms for a number of years. Still other schools have implemented dress codes to encourage a safe environment by p rohibiting clothes with certain language or gang colors.The decision to adopt a uniform policy must be made by states and local school districts. For uniforms to be a success, as with all other school initiatives, parents must be involved. We must get the parents involved with the uniform policies from the beginning.Their support of the uniform policy is critical to its success. The strongest push for school uniforms in recent years has come from parent groups who want better discipline intheir childrens schools. Parent groups have actively lobbied schools to create uniformpolicies and have often led school task forces that have drawn up uniform guidelines. Many schools that have successfully created a uniform policy survey parents first to gauge support for school uniform requirements and then seek the parents opinions in calculative the uniform.

Downfall of the Roman Empire :: Ancient Rome Roman History

Downfall of the Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire was strong for a time. It was founded on geography, family values, military strength, and wise leadership. It flourished because of social, scotch, political, military and unearthly strengths. However, when the very things that make a civilization flourish start to decline, the civilization will also lead to a downfall.The first reason for the fall was economic decay. The rulers of Rome had high-ticket(prenominal) lifestyles. To aid their image, they needed money. They gained money through taxation on the unretentive. In response to the torment of tax collectors, the poor fled to barbaric lands. The poor made up a large percentage of the Roman population. Barbarians disrupted trade on the Mediterranean sea. Romes gold and silver were being drained into buying luxuries from China, India, and Arabia. The government decreased the silver heart and soul in money. The value of the money also decreased. Diocletion attempted to curb the infl ation. He issued an edict that fixed maximum prices and fee throughout the Empire. It was an unrealistic and unenforceable idea which failed. The emperors still felt the tax issue needed to be addressed. They decided to make the hereditary class of tax collectors pay the difference. In other words, if a poor person could not pay their full share, the tax collector paid the rest. This concept wiped out a whole class of moderately wealthy people.Later, slavery split communities. Rome believed the workers of society should not benefit from slavery. Slaves then had to reason to try hard or improve. Eastern slaves started doing technical work. Thus, all technical work was looked down upon. Labor was cheap and worthless. Upper-class Romans were content with what they had become. They felt no need to improve their inventions, they were content with slaves.Another reason for the fall of Rome was political issues. Citizens no longer displayed patriotism, they were indifferent. Only the rich ran for office. Only the rich could run for office. It had become too expensive to hold office. The officers were forced to pay for public engagements themselves. The wealthy men destroyed Greco-Roman civilization. The loss of Greco-Roman civilization led to the decline of classical civilization. The superior general pattern of the classical civilization was based upon slavery being at the root of society. The army had proven itself to produce many leaders. The army needed to be maintained. Again, taxes were forced mainly on the poor or made more people impoverished.