Advantages of Metamaterials

Focal points of Metamaterials Juan Castellanos What's to come is here and you wouldn’t accept how far exploration has come. Through innumerable examinations and difficult work researchers have extended the cutoff points on what we thought to be incomprehensible by means of advances in metamaterials. These supposed â€Å"metamaterials† are misleadingly developed enhancements over normally happening materials usually utilized in innovations. These metamaterials are changed at a Nanoscopic scale to give them new properties. Advances in the field of metamaterials could affect numerous parts of life including: innovation, medication, and military battle. To completely comprehend what metamaterials are, we have to totally see how they work. Metamaterials are made from a more minor perspective so as to control or change approaching waves, making them carry on uniquely in contrast to they typically would. This can incorporate light, mechanical, sound, or electromagnetic waves. Using metamaterials you could possibly â€Å"stretch the law of refraction as far as possible since you could make light curve toward any path you liked†(Grant Hapgood). For instance, water has standard refraction, which delivers a twisted picture since light voyages throughwater at an unexpected speed in comparison to it does throughair while â€Å"Metamaterials can make questions in waterappear to edge the other way, whichis known as negative refraction† (Clark). Metamaterials ordinarily procure their properties from structure as opposed to arrangement since they are designed to have unexpected properties in comparison to those found in nature. Metamaterials will develop the following flood of innovative advances that could make life simpler. For example, metamaterials can majorly affect the business showcase by making remote charging a chance, influencing millions around the globe that are in consistent need of an advantageous strategy to charge their convenient gadgets. As indicated by Business Insider significant organizations, for example, Samsung, Hewlett-Packard and Panasonic have refered to metamaterials in late patent filings (Wagstaff). Besides, metamaterials might keep families in contact by empowering access to the Internet in regions around the globe where it is right now inaccessible. This is accomplished by â€Å"an radio wire on a moving item, for example, a plane or vehicle, to a satellite, encouraging a consistent connection† (Clark). This reception apparatus produces an association that empowers satellite-associated Internet to exist anyplace on the planet. Moreover, Metamaterials can spare lives an d forestalls disasters by having the option to shield and divert seismic waves from structures and other significant structures. Scientists led an analysis in 2013 where seismic waves were falsely delivered in soil and within the sight of metamaterials; tests decided there was a â€Å"modification in seismic vitality distribution† (Brule, Javelaud, Enoch, Guenneau). The shrouding of seismic waves can be more perplexing than state that of acoustic waves because of the idea of the medium (Sheng) yet the advantages of such a development could restrict harm from cataclysmic events by securing significant structures, for example, power plants, private structures, and emergency clinics. Just in ongoing memory, seismic shrouding could have profited Japan when their capacity plants were struck by a wave bringing about atomic emergencies and a 2010 tremor injured Haiti leaving a huge number of individuals crushed. These are only scarcely any instances of how metamaterials are changing the world we live in. Furthermore, the military is likewise putting resources into metamaterial research so as to increase a favorable position on the front line. As recently referenced, metamaterials are intended to have attributes their partners would not ordinarily have, a conspicuous model is the capacity to â€Å"produce plastic metamaterials that are superconductors of electricity† (Scharrett, Garrison). Supplanting electric leading metals with plastic conveyors would bring about less electrical opposition and â€Å"large drops in electrical obstruction make an interpretation of straightforwardly into decreased warm development and significant increments meanwhile between disappointments of electrical components† (Scharrett, Garrison). Also, a maritime examination program is financing a model that twists sound around a submarine so as to make it undetectable to adversary sonar using metamaterials that can control sound waves. Likewise, Army is exploring metamaterials to construct organ ic and compound finders. These metallic nanostructures respond electromagnetically to approaching atoms distinguishing single particles that could be of incredible use for traveler or payload screening (Hambling). The Holy Grail in all the exploration being poured in to metamaterials is the improvement of â€Å"invisibility cloaking†, the sort we have just had the option to envision in motion pictures and comic books. Duke University’s Yaroslav Urhumov says the U.S. Division of Defense is a â€Å"major backer of metamaterials and imperceptibility examination and support this up further is Miguel Navarro-Cia of Imperial College London who asserts the military’s essential intrigue was in â€Å"making a cloak†(Wagstaff). Other than the undeniable objective of having the option to approach and assault foes without any inspection, there are other potential capacities for the military that could likewise be applied to regular citizen utilize, for example, â₠¬Å"rendering parts of an airplane undetectable for pilots to see beneath the cockpit, or to free drivers of the vulnerable side in a car† (Wagstaff). Every one of these upgrades and advances might spare losses and be the distinction among triumph and destruction. Maybe the most significant use of metamaterials will happen in the field of medication where it can legitimately help treat and spare a great many patients. Instead of bowing light waves so as to make something undetectable, metamaterials could likewise conceivably lead path to a super magnifying lens that can see objects as little as a solitary strand of DNA. As Discover magazine puts it, this could â€Å"turbo charge natural research† (Grant, Hapgood). Customary optics are blocked by as far as possible, just permitting articles to be seen up to a specific goals, in the interim â€Å"metamaterials having negative refractive list is conjectured to make a focal point having better capacities past regular focal points. A British researcher, Sir John Pendry, recommended that a slender piece of negative metamaterial may conquer the issues with basic focal points to accomplish â€Å"a immaculate lens† that would center whole spectrum† (Pendry 3966). Probably the great est device against malignant growth is early location; the distinction among life and passing is regularly dictated by the stage the disease is found. â€Å"By creating microwave gadgets and consolidating it with structures enlivened by metamaterials, it can prompt an extremely savvy gadget that can confine with high exactness a variation from the norm inside the human body† (Raghavan, Rajeshkumar 368). Also, later on metamaterials could â€Å"absorb all light, to make warmth to obliterate malignant tissue† (Tufts University). The analysts at the Tufts University School of Engineering and Boston University focused on metamaterial silk composites that are full at the terahertz recurrence. At this recurrence numerous organic and substance segments could be utilized for biosensing in the human body. As per this examination â€Å"The silk metamaterial composite is touchy to the dielectric properties of the silk substrate and can screen the association between the silk and the neighborhood condition. For instance, the metamaterial may flag changes in a bio-receptive silk substrate that has been doped with proteins or compounds (Tufts University). All these potential advances show how metamaterials will affect the clinical field with extraordinary significance. Taking everything into account, metamaterials can have a bit of leeway over normally happening materials because of changes made at a little scope that consider control of any approaching waves that come in to contact. Metamaterials have presented a wide exhibit of potential outcomes recently thought inaccessible. The utilization of metamaterials will be generally utilized in various fields and will bring about advantageous improvements for mankind. Subsequently, metamaterials will affect the fate of mankind and the impression of what we know. Works Cited Clark, Marjorie. Metamaterials Are Quietly Shaping the Future of Radar 425 Business. 425 Business. N.p., 19 Feb. 2015. Web. 05 Apr. 2015. http://425business.com/metamaterials-unobtrusively molding future-radar/>. Hambling, David. 5 Metamaterials That Make Matter Invisible, Silent or Blindingly Fast. Famous Mechanics. Hearst Digital Media, 05 Mar. 2010. Web. 05 Apr. 2015. Luan, Pi-Gang. The Physics of Metamaterials. N.p.: National Central University, n.d. PDF. Metamaterials. Metamaterials. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015. http://www.iop.org/assets/theme/file/metamaterials/>. Tufts University. Implantable silk metamaterials could propel biomedicine, biosensing. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 August 2010. www.sciencedaily.com/discharges/2010/08/100812135938.htm>.

Marketing research about people motivation and behavior toward TOMS Paper

Advertising about individuals inspiration and conduct toward TOMS shoes - Research Paper Example Hoboken, N.J: Wiley. 13 Mycoskie, B. (2012). Begin something that issues. London: Virgin. 13 Russo, M. V. (2010). Organizations on a crucial: systems for developing economically, dependably, and beneficially. Stanford, Calif: Stanford Business Books. 13 Tables 14 8. Figures 19 9. Supplement 24 1. Unique People inspiration and conduct are basic towards items. This showcasing research paper endeavors to examine individuals conduct and inspiration towards TOMS shoes. The fundamental grouping of the examination is about ladies points of view towards TOMS shoes. This is an examination that involves auxiliary and essential information assortment systems. Where optional information comprises of writing audit and essential information concerns review and poll discoveries. To break down the mentality of ladies towards TOMS shoes, TOMS shoes advertising procedures is a factor that must be surveyed (Russo, 2010). There is a hardened rivalry inside shoe industry and inspiration factors every par tnership embraces either draw positive or negative discernment from shoppers. Clients who have an idealistic mentality about a genius that advances TOMS may thus have a hopeful discernment about TOMS, which will support their inspiration and genuine conduct of purchasing their items. 2. Presentation TOMS is a brand that numerous individuals have bolstered because of their motivation showcasing methodologies. ... In understanding to their site, TOMS has given ten million sets of shoes across more than 60 countries (Russo, 2010). A persuasive impact behind the TOMS item is their presentation of corporate obligation by means of their craving to help others out of luck. Client conduct can be affected by issues, for example, inspiration, observation and learning. Those variables are perceived as interior issues or individual issues. Moreover, issues, for example, normal practices, family duties and social qualities establish outside or social components. Those factor, specifically the outer ones, can be affected by the earth and patterns. Similarly as local and outside components can be applied to underwrite social change on account of TOMS Shoes, they can be consistently as effective in advertising procedures intended to keep shoppers from including in certain practices (Cakim, 2010). Analysts have been examining customers’ conduct and inspiration towards different items in different mark ets. Ladies inspiration and conduct towards TOMS shoes is an examination subject that has been looked into by different scientists. The general result in the current writing recommends that inspiration and conduct of client are impacted by the showcasing (Russo, 2010). TOMS cause promoting system can be refered to as the explanation ladies are persuaded towards TOMS shoes (Mycoskie, 2012). This advertising research looks to contemplate ladies inspiration and conduct towards TOMS shoes. Ladies are extraordinary spenders on shoes and like to relate to incredible brands. This why it is important to comprehend their inspiration and conduct factors in towards TOMS shoes. Ladies are widely proficient about shoes from various brands. This paper begins with writing

Birth Defects Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Birth Defects - Essay Example The paper targets investigating a portion of the strong birth absconds that are tormenting the humankind; likely explanations behind these birth deserts and the measures that can be applied to forestall the birth surrenders in infants. Ebb and flow Scenario in the UK Smith (2011) contends that one out of 80 infants endures an a birth imperfection in the UK, for example, Down's condition or neural cylinder deformities, for example, spina bifida or inherent coronary illness. The astonishing part is that the extent of birth surrenders in the infants has nearly multiplied from the past gauge. The ascent in numbers is simply credited to a superior information assortment framework and that's it. In 2009, there were, according to the researchers’ gauge, 14,500 infants with a birth abandons in England and Wales. Coincidentally, London had the most noteworthy instances of Down's condition (34 for each 10,000 youngsters) at that point among significant towns. Heart issue is seen as the most well-known birth imperfection among the infants in the UK requiring medical procedure. In any event six percent of infants with coronary illness are not prone to endure. Spina bifida or neural cylinder deserts are found in at any rate one of every 1,000 children and specialists state that the birth imperfections could have been just forestalled if moms were given folic corrosive in satisfactory amount during pregnancy. Essentially, congenital fissure or sense of taste is seen as in 15.2 infants per 10,000; Edwards’ disorder in seven for each 10,000 and Patau’s condition in two for each 10,000 children of England and Wales. In any event, 50 percent of the deformities were distinguished during pregnancy itself. It is vital that quantities of birth deserts due to Down's disorder are expanding maybe because of pregnancy occurrences at higher age (Smith, 2011). Birth Defects because of External Agents Chiras (2012) underscores that most birth deserts are caused because of a synthetic, physical or organic operators. Dietary lack of folic corrosive additionally assumes a urgent job in birth surrenders. The hour of introduction to any of these specialists assume a critical job in causing a birth-imperfection. Organ frameworks are the most influenced parts because of the introduction to any of unsafe operator. The focal sensory system is more in danger since it begins creating during the third seven day stretch of pregnancy †when lady isn't even mindful that she is pregnant. Ladies prone to devour liquor or medications are well on the way to hurt focal sensory system, heart, appendages and eyes of the infant as these organs begin creating as right on time as third seven day stretch of pregnancy. Birth Defect Classifications Broadly, birth imperfections can be arranged into two sorts: Functional and Structural. Useful birth imperfection relates with the unusual working of some body part. Mental hindrance, learning handicaps, discourse challenges are the mind deserts that show about the useful impedance. Instances of birth abandons relating to sensory system incorporate Down’s condition, chemical imbalance, and Fragile X disorder. Metabolic clutters, for example, phynylketonuria (PKU) or hypothyroidism are instances of useful issue. Congenital fissure or sense of taste, spina bifida are the instances of Structural birth surrenders. Missing heart valve, irregular appendages, for example, a club foot likewise fall in this classification. A portion of the birth deserts that follow will clarify how they impede body’s typical working and learning capacities. Down’s condition Down's disorder is an innate issue affecting physical and mental development of the youngster. The youngsters with Down's disorder are additionally seen as affected with high rate of coronary illness, hearing or vision issues, Alzheimer's malady. Down's condition is discovered more in young men (by 15%) than young ladies. More frequencies of Down' disorder is seen at the spots where moms give births at higher age. Mother with age 45 or above conveys the

Assessing Maslows Pyramid From Essay Example For Students

Evaluating Maslows Pyramid From Essay So as to comprehend the human condition, one should initially comprehend what it is that inspires people. It follows that we should then look to the help, the mind. The human cerebrum works so as to fulfill a progression of necessities. Abraham H. Maslows hypothesis of human inspiration (1954) clarifies the grouping by which people travel through degrees of fixation in order to best fulfill these necessities. Maslows pyramid (1954), a five-layered structure, speaks to a synopsis of this hypothesis. Maslow (1954) proposes that with the end goal for one to center his/her consideration on a definitive objective at the pinnacle of the pyramid, self-completion, one should initially satisfy the necessities at the subordinate levels. At the most reduced degree of the diagram are the physiological needs, trailed by the requirement for security, the belongingness and love needs, the regard needs, lastly coming full circle in self-completion. This paper will show how different cerebrum systems work to fulfill every echelon of necessities, and further, how as every single lesser need are met, the individual may pull together his/her fixation to climb the order towards self-realization. As per Maslows pyramid, the basest of human needs are physiological, specifically homeostasis and hunger. These necessities must be met before human cognizance can advance to the following degree of fixation. Maslows hypothesis picks up help after inspecting the breakdown of how the mind capacities. Carter (1998) clarifies that the sidelong and ventromedial hypothalamic cores are generally liable for controlling when one feels hungry. While the sidelong core is liable for distinguishing declining blood glucose levels, the ventromedial faculties rising glucose levels. In this way, the parallel core signals hunger while the ventromedial signals totality. These cores are subsequently answerable for ensuring that the human body has the correct measure of fuel and supplements. While these capacities are not constrained by the cognizant brain, in instances of outrageous craving the need to satiate ones hunger turns into the essential helper in ones activities (Maslow 1954). At the point wh en an individuals concern lies at this degree of the pyramid, it very well may be said that (s)he is worried about increasingly basic issues, instead of the higher levels when keeps an eye on perspective is centered around higher idea;. At the point when the nerve center is done requesting that the prefrontal cortex (the territory partnered with conciousness Carter 1998) look for food, the cognizance psyche would then be able to concentrate on the issue of security. The following level in the chain of importance of necessities relates to security. The amygdala assumes a key job in guaranteeing the security of an individual. It is here where dread begins (Carter 1998). When the frontal cortex distinguishes a wellspring of dread, a strategy to cure a perilous circumstance can be figured by the frontal cortex (Carter 1998). On the off chance that an individual is engrossed with a perilous or riotous circumstance, (s)he will be not able to concentrate consideration on the less fundamental parts of presence. Be that as it may, when an individual is both physiologically well and not in dread of any peril, (s)he may focus on the adjusting of his/her enthusiastic state. The human cerebrum discharges the synthetic substances dopamine and oxytocin, which add to satisfying what Maslow (1954) considered the belongingness and love needs; (Maslow, 1954, 43). Dopamine, in relationship with the compound phenylethylamine, has been said to instigate the elation one feels in the underlying phases of affection (Carter 1998 ). Oxytocin, which has been related with the sentiment of unwinding that outcomes from climax (Carter 1998) and which is likewise discharged during the terminal phases of labor (Carter 1998), makes a warm, floaty, adoring inclination that supports pair holding; (Carter, 1998, 76). In close connections, for example, those common by sexual accomplices and by mother and kid, it is important to make a sentiment of affection and having a place. The cerebrum attempts to guarantee this happens by means of the utilization of these synthetic concoctions. .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 , .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 .postImageUrl , .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 .focused content territory { min-stature: 80px; position: relative; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 , .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63:hover , .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63:visited , .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63:active { border:0!important; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 .clearfix:after { content: ; show: table; clear: both; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 { show: square; progress: foundation shading 250ms; webkit-change: foundation shading 250ms; width: 100%; mistiness: 1; change: murkiness 250ms; webkit-change: obscurity 250ms; foundation shading: #95A5A6; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63:active , .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63:hover { haziness: 1; progress: darkness 250ms; webkit-progress: haziness 250ms; foundation shading: #2C3E50; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 .focused content zone { width: 100%; position: relativ e; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 .ctaText { fringe base: 0 strong #fff; shading: #2980B9; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: intense; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; content enhancement: underline; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 .postTitle { shading: #FFFFFF; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: 600; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; width: 100%; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63 .ctaButton { foundation shading: #7F8C8D!important; shading: #2980B9; outskirt: none; fringe span: 3px; box-shadow: none; text dimension: 14px; text style weight: striking; line-tallness: 26px; moz-fringe range: 3px; content adjust: focus; content beautification: none; content shadow: none; width: 80px; min-stature: 80px; foundation: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/modules/intelly-related-posts/resources/pictures/basic arrow.png)no-rehash; position: outright; right: 0; top: 0; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63:hover .ctaButton { foundation shading: #34495E!important; } .u34701542544 1fa0d6c76142e994efc63 .focused content { show: table; tallness: 80px; cushioning left: 18px; top: 0; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63-content { show: table-cell; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; cushioning right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-adjust: center; width: 100%; } .u347015425441fa0d6c76142e994efc63:after { content: ; show: square; clear: both; } READ: Philippine Lit EssayIn the occasion that one dwells in a humanized society (i.e., one in which every subordinate need in Maslows pyramid are met decently reliably) (s)he may have the advantage of seeking after the regard needs. As per Maslow (1954), confidence is achieved when one feel skilled and furthermore when ones friends perceive that competency. The requirement for regard isn't one which is met in a straightforward way. So as to accomplish confidence, an individual must settle on cognizant choices which are helpful for meeting sentiments of competency. So as to be capable, to accomplish, one should likewise have the op tion to design imminent activities, a movement completed by the Supplementary Motor Area (Carter 1998). When an individual has made an arrangement, (s)he must have the option to concentrate on the job needing to be done. The foremost cingulate cortex directs this capacity (Carter 1998). When an individual has arranged and adequately did an errand, his/her capacity is ideally perceived by his/her companions, accordingly making confidence inside him/her. All needs in Maslows pyramid are preface to the requirement for self-completion. Albeit self-completion is insignificant as far as endurance, it is demonstrative of a general public in which residents can focus on the higher; types of reasoning. Self-completion, or the way toward turning into all that one can possibly be (Maslow 1954), is maybe one of the most looked for after accomplishments according to enlightened man. In any case, dependant on the extraordinary adaptation of each cerebrum is the potential for how high an individua l can climb the social stepping stool. For example, so as to be a fruitful representative, one must be able to put aside prompt fulfillment for long haul rewards. The piece of the cerebrum typically connected with this capacity is the orbito-frontal cortex (Carter 1998). Individuals with harm to this region, or in whom it isn't completely evolved, won't can do such errands as would make them fruitful in the field of business. In the more novel instances of profoundly masterful people, the regions of the cerebrum that relate to their subject matter might be strange, subsequently making the completion capability of these people to a great extent not quite the same as that of non-creative people. One such model can be found in those regarded synaesthetes. These people have an exceptional technique for preparing tangible data (Carter 1998) as they may profess to hear; hues. Studies show how their cerebrum movement is disparate from most. In the vast majority, reaction to explicit improv ements just initiates neurons in the sound-related cortex, making sound. In synaesthetes the visual cortex is likewise enacted, making this inquisitive condition (Carter 1998). Such was the situation with Vladimir Nabakov who guaranteed that various sounds, for example, letters, each evoked divergent tints (Carter 1998). Acknowledging individual potential in individuals like Vladimir may incorporate making masterpieces speaking to their one of a kind encounters, while individuals not brought into the world with this condition will self-complete in different manners, for example, business. The basic topic is that every individual has a particularly extraordinary capacity to support him/her move upwards through the social class framework. Using the foremost cingulate cortex and concentrating on ones explicit abilities, is the manner by which the cultivated mind accomplishes self-completion. As can be seen, human needs as directed by the mind follow a particular hierarchy. Albeit human needs and wants are satisfied in unquestionably more intricate habits than a straightforward level-to-level rising, Maslows pyramid gives a more clear comprehension of the essential procedures by which the human br

Process and Procedure Essay Samples

Process and Procedure Essay SamplesIf you're applying for a better paying job and you need to showcase your ability to write in a standardized format, then writing a standardized essay or a process and procedure essay sample could be just what you need. These can help you secure an interview or position where you can continue working. With a standardized writing sample, you'll be able to demonstrate to an employer that you're well-versed in a specific area of study or industry. By knowing a bit about the topic at hand, you'll be able to better convince an employer that you have the skills to write in the format they expect of their employees.Whether you're taking a basic course material such as algebra or calculus, or an advanced course such as business management, you'll be given several essay examples with information written in a standardized format. This will ensure that you're able to show your ability to write in a standardized format. With this, you'll be able to justify why y ou were able to successfully complete your assignment or dissertation.After completing a standard essay sample, it's up to you to try and compose the information into a well-written paper. After all, it's your responsibility to provide an unbiased report on a topic or subject. The same is true when you're trying to compose a unique and creative piece of work.You can't create a unique essay topic on the spot. This means that it's important to spend time researching the topic and material beforehand. Doing so will allow you to be able to structure a well-written paper that's free from errors.Through this, you'll be able to know what critical information to include in your writing. If you don't know how to find information, then try to learn how to do this through research and understanding of the subject and the course material at hand.Documenting what you learn in class can be as easy as writing down notes after each lecture. You can save these notes to a folder to read later, or you can take notes on your own computer and create a file for yourself on your hard drive. This is an ideal way to record your lessons because you won't forget anything!Additionally, writing out the process and procedure essay samples will provide you with the structure needed to complete your assignments. This means that you'll be able to organize your materials, remember the materials and sources you used, and determine how you're going to break down your material. This will also help you get things done in the most efficient manner possible.In conclusion, the next time you're writing your final thoughts or papers, make sure you organize yourself and your ideas. Researching and preparing yourself in advance will allow you to come up with the best essay ideas possible. With this, you'll be able to come up with high quality essays that'll help you meet your standards for work.

Books write our life stories

Books write our life stories “Books wrote our life story, and as they accumulated on our shelves (and on our windowsills, and underneath our sofa, and on top of our refrigerator), they became chapters in it themselves. How could it be otherwise?” -Anne Fadiman, in the preface to her essay collection Ex Libris * * * There are 37 days before graduation, so I decided that Room Cleaning must begin. I started with my bookshelf, since that seems to be where clutter ultimately accumulates. I unfolded a cardboard box, switched on my desk lamp, and sat down cross-legged on the carpet. I pulled out loose papers. What if I need those vector calculus equation sheets in six years?! Anna, you have them now and you still look everything up on Google. Recycling bin. What if, in ten years, getting a job hinges on having my notes from organic chemistry lecture freshman spring?!? Um, right. Recycling bin. At some point, I took a break to refill my mug, pausing on my way out the door to switch off the desk lamp. One night during the summer before tenth grade, I put a similar lamp and mug on the floor of a dorm room closet at Franklin Marshall College. I dutifully turned off the room lights (my summer camp had a strict lights-out policy) then crawled into the closet, pulled the doors shut behind me, and read the newly-released Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows from cover-to-cover while crouching underneath my t-shirts. When I shut the book, I cried. That series had been a steady companion. * * * First into the cardboard box were the books I forgot I owned, followed by the books I had no intention of revisiting. Three categories of books survived the cull: used â€" but still useful â€" textbooks, books I haven’t yet read but am eager to read, and books I regard as old friends. The first category includes Shankars  Principles of Quantum Mechanics  and the second includes Le Morte d’Arthur and The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien (I owe Prof. Bahr for much of my current reading list.) The third category fills a half-shelf that I would gladly haul across the globe. On the far left is Plato’s Gorgias. There is a convoluted flowchart opposite the inside cover, in some previous iteration of my handwriting. “Callicles” points to “pleasure” and “Socrates” points to happiness. “Pleasure” and “happiness” are boxed and connected, and labeled “Callicles mistakenly assumes that they are the same.” There is an arrow from “happiness” to “orderliness,” and another from “orderliness” to “cosmic order.” On the top of page 105 I wrote “what is the ultimate goal of the good life?” and on the very last page I underlined “to such a degree of lack of education have we come!” I read Gorgias in 11th grade, in a semester elective called Early Classical Thought. Mr. Potchatek stood at the window gazing at passers-by while we students sat around an oval table and grappled valiantly with the following question: what the heck is Socrates talking about? I could tell that Mr. Potchatek was listening intently because every now and then our conversation made him smile or frown, and occasionally he wandered over to pose new questions that stunned us all into silence. He never answered his own questions; he let us sit in silence until one of us answered. One day, at the end of class, he told me that the text was still confusing him. He handed me a board marker and asked for my help. I got up at the board while he sat on the table, and together we drew a flowchart that I very happily copied into my copy of Gorgias. Sometimes, when the psets are getting me down and I need a boost, I peek at that flow chart and remember how that moment felt. * * * In July, my annotated Gorgias will travel with me to Marburg, Germany, for an intensive German language course. Then we’ll head south to Heidelberg, and Gorgias will live in my new apartment for a year while I commute to and from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy. My research question is “how did the Milky Way form?” and my approach will be to measure and calculate the ages of stars and watch the process unfold. I decided to try out astronomy research during my sophomore year at MIT, partly because I was captivated by a book called First Light. First Light resides two books away from Gorgias, separated by The Language of God by Francis Collins (a gift from a friend as part of our ongoing discussion about whether religion can be reconciled with science) and The Invention of Love by Tom Stoppard (which I read in Prof. Diana Henderson’s wonderful Studies in Drama course at MIT). First Light was written by Richard Preston, a science writer who spent many months with a group of astronomers, like (in his own words) “Jane Goodall among the chimpanzees”. The book is an intimate portrait of obsession: of the kind of person who can be an astronomer, of marching to the slow pace of scientific progress, of the persistence required for discovery. Exaclty how this came to pass is a long story and Ill skip it here, but Preston autographed and mailed me this copy of the book, writing: “For Anna Ho, Good luck in all your adventures â€" keep looking up.” One of the main characters in First Light is Jim Gunn. Preston describes him as a professor at Princeton University overflowing with awards and prizes, but most comfortable in a brown sweater drilled with moth holes and glasses padded around the nose with a wad of electrical tape. I met Jim Gunn a little over a month ago. Actually, it’s probably more accurate to say that I hunted Jim Gunn down, a little more than a month ago. I was on a graduate school visit and asked Prof. Jill Knapp (his wife) where he was. She led me down to the basement, explaining that “he hides behind the vacuum tube.” Knock, knock. “Jim?” Jim Gunn peeked out from behind the metal monstrosity. “This is Anna Ho. She’s on a graduate school visit and wants to meet you.” And just like that, I was sitting with Jim Gunn behind an enormous vacuum tube. I asked what it was used for, and he said that it’s not used for anything and it’s just too big to get out of the room. We spent the next twenty minutes chatting about First Light, what good science writing is, our favorite science fiction authors, and the importance of having breadth as a scientist. Finally, I asked him for his signature and now “best of everything! Jim Gunn” is taped next to Preston’s note. * * * Much of First Light takes place at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory, so there will be something deeply romantic and satisfying about taking the book with me when I move from Heidelberg to Pasadena in order to begin pursuing my astronomy PhD at Caltech. When Im banging my head against the wall fitting datasets or writing telescope proposals, Preston and Gunn will remind me of the big picture. I love astronomy and doing astronomy research, but I’m a little nervous about becoming a graduate student. In his book Awakenings, the neurologist Oliver Sacks describes the feeling as follows: “we are over-developed in mechanical competence, but lacking in biological intelligence, intuition, awareness; and it is this, above all, that we need to regain, not only in medicine, but in all science.” For Sacks, a doctor, the point is that “treating or curing a human being is a lot more than wielding a syringe. It can and should involve compassionate listening and emotional support. We risk forgetting that as we become more technologically advanced. I’m not a doctor and my science is less obviously related to human beings, but as an undergraduate Ive happily engaged with people through teaching and public outreach, and enjoyed pursuing a variety of interests through classes. At MIT, surrounded by the very highest mechanical competence, I feel like I was rescued by my humanities classes and my various extracurricular activities: I became a much better teacher and writer and speaker, and learned about cultures and civilizations in addition to scientific ideas and numerical techniques. All that said,  I’ve been told that the goal of graduate school is to “focus” and I’m not sure how to best stay in touch with other interests and values.  Awakenings reminds me of all of this, so it sits on my bookshelf, leaning on  First Light. * * * I spent the first semester of senior year frantically trying to make plans for the future: interviews, phone calls, essays, applications, letters of recommendation, presentations. This semester, those plans are set and my task is to transition out of here. The hardest part is deciding what should come with me and what should stay behind.  It took me two hours spread over three days to trim down my bookshelf, and Im still not feeling comfortable about all those old psets Next up are my clothes. I just took out a new cardboard box, and tossed in a pair of sweatpants that I want to donate. While I work on that, go take a look at your bookshelf (if you havent already) and tell me (Im curious): which books have kept you company for a long time?

How to Improve Your ACT Score By 10 Points

1KIf your score on the most recent ACT has you down, dont worry. Tons of students have improved their scores after retaking the ACT. All it takes are some amazing tips, an awesome study schedule, and some helpful ACT prep. Good luck, and let us know if you have any questions! Howdy, Magooshers! Today we’re going to cover a very important topic: How to Improve Your ACT Score By 10 Points. According to Google, that exact phrase was one of the most common searches after the last ACT, so it’s near and dear to a lot of you! Start improving your ACT score today with Magoosh! The problem with answering this particular question, though, is that, no matter how strong your Google-Fu, you’ll never find the answer that way. Improving your ACT score largely depends on who you are. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you need to improve? Trying to improve your score by reviewing content when you’re having trouble with time management is, obviously, not going to help you. Generally speaking, these resources can’t hurt any student preparing for the ACT, so I’ll put them first. Read them, love them, and use them: Top Ten Ways to Prepare for the ACT Exam, 10 Tips for Smooth Sailing on ACT Test Day, and Free ACT Practice Test. Now, let’s talk about you. If your score isn’t where you’d like it to be, take a look and see if any of these common troubles sound like ones you’re having. When you look at a question, do you often think to yourself, â€Å"I have no idea how to answer this?† If so, you would probably benefit from some content review. Look at the sections where you seem to be making a lot of random guesses. Since the ACT is a high school content-based test, look through your class notes and textbooks. You may just find something. We at Magoosh also have some articles that can help you. You should identify which sections you’re having the most difficulty with and read whatever we have on the subject. Here are good places to start, separated by section: ACT English, ACT Math, ACT Reading, ACT Science, and ACT Writing. Do you find that you have lots of time left over at the end of each section, but your score isn’t where you want it to be? If so, you may be rushing and making silly mistakes. Slow down. Although the ACT is timed, it is not a race. Try taking timed practice sections until you’re familiar with the pacing. Take a look at this article: The Complete Guide to ACT Pacing and Time Management And remember: always make sure to double-check your answers if you have time left at the end of a section. Alternately, do you find that you have no time left at the end of each section, and there are still questions left unanswered? If so, you’re probably taking too long. You would also benefit from taking some practice tests with a timer until you’re familiar with the timing. Remember, if you’re going to answer every single question, you have 36 seconds per question on the English test, 1 minute per question on the Math, 52 seconds per question on the Science and Reading tests, and 30 minutes for the essay. Make sure you’re not wasting your time. If you find yourself struggling with a question, make a guess and move on. You can come back to it later if you have time, and the ACT doesn’t penalize you for wrong answers. When you read a question, do you have trouble understanding what is being asked? Do you think to yourself, â€Å"what do these people want me to do?†Ã‚   And do you have a lot of trouble with the Reading section in particular? Then you may have some trouble with reading comprehension. Some quick tips to help you with that can be found here [see if there is an article about reading comprehension]. Use the format of the test (particularly in the Reading section) to help you. The main idea will likely be found in the first paragraph; each body paragraph will usually have one piece of evidence to back up the main idea; etc. Jot down quick notes in the margin, summarizing the main idea of each paragraph. This will help you keep track of everything when you’re answering questions. Read actively. Ask questions as you read. It works on every section! â€Å"How does the author feel about this? Did the author mean ‘denigrate’ or ‘degenerate’? What conclusion can I draw from this data? Could I use the quadratic formula to help me solve this problem?† Does the thought of taking the test just make you feel nervous in general, making it difficult for you to concentrate? If so, test anxiety may be getting in your way. Take some practice tests, if you can. Make sure to time yourself. If you can do it at home, you won’t be so afraid on test day. Learn everything you can about the ACT and what will be on it. If you know what will be tested, you probably won’t be as nervous. Give these articles a read: Dont Let ACT Anxiety Get You Down and ACT Tips for Test Day. For everyone taking the ACT, please remember: you got this. If you start to feel anxious, take a few deep breaths and remember that the ACT is testing you on things you already know. You may need to brush up here and there, sure, but you’re being tested on high school content. You got this. Pssst. Bonus hint: If you want to see a huge improvement in your ACT scores, start early and study for the PreACT.