Estimating Cranial Capacity Essay Example for Free

Estimating Cranial Capacity Essay Human beings share approximately 94% of their DNA with their closest living relative, the chimpanzee. Yet, when one compares the proliferation and accomplishments of these two closely related species, one finds huge differences: human beings have spread across every continent but Antarctica; erected towers and pyramids hundreds of meters tall; crafted millions of beautiful works of art, literature, and music; travelled far beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, and deep into the crevices of its oceans; and engineered enough weapons to wipe the whole world of life. In contrast, chimpanzees have remained largely confined to their jungle habitats, and amongst their greatest accomplishments is the discovery that twigs can poke insects out of holes. So, if humans and chimpanzees are so closely related, what can account for such a huge difference in their abilities? One needs not think very hard to realize that the answer is brain-size. The chimpanzee brain is about half the size of the human brain, and this difference, of about 600 cubic centimeters, is the difference between sticks and space shuttles. Thus, because larger brains confer such an overwhelming evolutionary benefit in hominids, it is safe to say that a study of hominine brain size is no less than a study of hominine evolutionary advancement, as illustrated in the graph below, which is indicative of the results obtained from such studies. Fig 1: Scatter graph typical of results obtained when comparing cranial capacities of various species of fossil hominid. Since brain tissue deteriorates over time, the only way paleontologists can approximate the brain-size of extinct species is by studying the capacity of their fossilized craniums. This is known as craniometry. Given that it is such an important area of investigation, study into craniometry has been widespread and diverse, encompassing research from such eminent and eclectic figures as the evolutionary biologist T. H. Huxley and the physician and anthropologist Paul Broca. Although such studies vary greatly in their scopes and applications, almost all utilize one of two standard craniometrical methods: the glass-bead technique (and variations like the lead-shot technique) and the caliper measurement technique. Because craniometrical researchers rely so much on these two methods, it is important that the accuracy of the methods is thoroughly investigated. Aim: The purpose of this practical is to use the glass-bead and caliper techniques to measure the cranial capacity of hominid skulls, and compare the two sets of results obtained in an attempt to determine their concord, and therefore their accuracy. Materials and Methods: The Glass Bead Technique: †¢ Measuring Cylinder †¢ Glass Beads (or items of similar size such as mustard seed or lead shot) †¢ Funnel †¢ Cotton Wool †¢ The following skull specimens: P. troglodytes (male and female specimens), G. gorilla (male and female specimens), P. pygmaeus (male and female specimens), H. sapiens (male specimen) To begin with, all of the foramina (holes) in the skulls, except for the foramina magnum, were plugged with cotton wool. Next, each skull was placed upside down. A funnel was then inserted into the foramen magnum of each skull and glass beads were poured into the cranial vault. Note that glass beads were used because they are small enough to approximate the viscosity of water, and large enough to prevent them falling through minor cracks in the skulls. When the cranial vault was completely packed with glass beads, they were transferred to a measuring cylinder, and their volume was recorded.

A Comparison of Heroes in Beowulf and A Lesson Before Dying :: comparison compare contrast essays

Everyday Heroes in Beowulf and A Lesson Before Dying Ernest Gaines novel, A Lesson Before Dying, is a story about, Jefferson, a black man who is wrongfully charged with a crime he did not commit. He cannot get a fair trial because he is a black man in the south. He is sentenced to be executed, but before he dies Grant, an educated black man, teaches him how to walk like a man, so people do not think of him as a hog. "Beowulf" is an epic poem over one thousand years old, which was told from one generation to another. It is about, Beowulf, a great hero who defeats three different monsters to save the kingdom. In his last battle he is much older than before and is killed by a dragon. A hero does something that other people do not do and he does things for others, and other people look to a hero for guidance. Grant does something that other blacks can not do he goes to college. Most blacks do not get the opportunity to go to college, but Grant went as soon as he was old enough. When he returned he was a well-educated man, but he was still treated the same way as he was before he went to college. Grant is able to teach Jefferson how to be a man, and Jefferson learns that he is somebody. " ... I cry cause you been so good to me mr wigin an nobody aint never been that good to me an make me think im somebody"(Gaines 232) No one else is qualified to help Jefferson they all depend on Grant to teach him, and Jefferson appreciates it so much it brings him to tears. Beowulf is able to do something that no one else has ever done even though many people have tried. He is able to kill Grendel because he uses Grendels own size to hurt him. Beowulf grabs Grendels arm and pulls it until Grandel finally escapes. "He twisted in pain, And the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder Snapped, muscle and bone split And broke"(Beowulf 34). Grendel was so big that when Beowulf pulled his arm there was too much pressure on it and it started to tear.

Ethical and Moral Issues in Business Essay

Ethical issues and Moral issues are completely different and it has different values. Morals are more of a motivational word based on ideas and if you are right are wrong. You give yourself a certain expectation and nothing can change that. This is standards that are set by you in order to have a great career in the future. Ethics is a professional based word that is based on your performance. The techniques in a workplace are professional and represented well if you can say you have good ethic skills. Your morals can be there but if you don’t have good ethics in the working environment, you may not be with that employer long. You can have good morals but your ethical issues can be a problem with lack of dedication. It is important to have good ethical and moral issues because it shows good leadership and in order to succeed in today’s job industry and be successful you have to have both. Let’s take me for instants; I work for a multi-million dollar company and we have a mission statement this year that states â€Å"ALL IN† meaning we have to give it our all and we have to know that at the end the day, if I did not get that display or sell, at least I tried and the next day try it again. That is giving your all. My standard is set high which would include my morals to be the best. My working skills are recognizable from all management, so that means I have great work ethics. If I don’t set myself to have my morals and ethical issues intact, I will not keep a job and be successful in the future. Business Ethics is when the business has to make a conscious decision on its problems such as harassment, employee relations and discrimination to name a few. It is everyone’s hope that businesses choose to do what is right meaning ethical. Businesses become driven by profit and margins and as they grow, the hunger to achieve more money increases and the businesses starts to fall off its ethical mission statements. Managers play a major role in this process because they tend to forget what there position is in place for and they forget about the values that the company need when it comes to work relations. Personal Ethics could be defined as what a person believes to be right. This varies from person to person as these are influenced by culture, beliefs, experience, law and religion. This person may have their own expectations in the work environment and feel that there way is right and not what the business says it is. The personnel ethics of a person is influence by the business ethics because the expectations can be high are low. If a worker feels that the ethics that the business proceeds is not right, then he are she should confront the person in charge and come to an agreement of the problem. There should be balance when it comes to people in the working environment. A couple of months ago at my job, we had a problem with some of the salesmen’s personnel ethic issues. The business ethics had its own standards but it was not agreeable with the market feedback that is giving to us; meaning the sales. The salesmen would focus on the criteria one way and when we had a market tour, some of them were dealt with in ways when it could have been avoided. The issue was resolved before any further action had taken place, but if communication would have been a priority, disciplinary action would have not taken place. If we take control our personal & business ethics, we would create a better social responsibility.

Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis - 1777 Words

Chapter 2 Vendor Evaluation and Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis 2.1 Vendor Evaluation Supplier or vendor selection decisions are complicated by the fact that various criteria must be considered in decisions making process. The analysis of criteria for selection and measuring the performance of suppliers has been the focus of many scientists and purchasing practitioners since 1960s. The majority of research about supplier selection problem mentions Dickson’s study [9]. It is based on a questionnaire sent to 273 purchasing agents and managers selected from the membership list of the National Association of Purchasing Managers, which include agents and managers from the United States and Canada. Dickson’s study describes the importance of 23 criteria for supplier selection which are classified with respect to their importance observed in the beginning of the sixties. At that time, the most significant criteria are quality of the product, the on-time delivery, the performance history of the supplier and the warranty policy used by the supplier. Table 2.1 Dickson’s Supplier Selection Criteria Rank Criteria 1 Quality 2 Delivery 3 Performance history 4 Warranties and claim policies 5 Production facilities and capacity 6 Price 7 Technical capability 8 Financial position 9 Procedural compliance 10 Communication systems 11 Reputation and position in industry 12 Desire of business 13 Management and organization 14 Operating controls 15 Repair service 16 Attitude 17 Impression 18Show MoreRelatedPlatform Strategies For Multiple Criteria Decision Making899 Words   |  4 PagesOrganization [44]. 2.3Overview of Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) Decision making is the study of identifying and choosing alternatives based on the values and preferences of the decision maker. 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