Thursday, December 26, 2019

Psy midterm paper - 1429 Words

Midterm Essay ExaminationMidterm Essay Examination1.Describe the basic functioning of a neuron beginning with receiving signals from other neurons or sense organs and ending with the transmission of a signal to another neuron. Explain how a pattern of neuron firing is related to behavior. Neurons are information- processing units in the central nervous system that receive and transmit information. It is made up of an axon, dendrites and a cell body. The nucleus and cytoplasm are contained in the cell body. The axon starts from the cell body, dividing into smaller branches and then ends at the nerve terminals. The dendrites also branch from the cell body, receiving information from the other neurons. Axons from other neurons forms†¦show more content†¦A few samples of openness would be a rich vocabulary, clear creative energy, utilization of dark words, etc. Openness persons are required to be exceptionally expressive and innovative. I figure it isnt that vital as a hereditary quality. Natures turf additionally influences on it. 3.You have been hired by a large public school system to construct a musical aptitude test. Describe how you would standardize your test and assess its reliability and validity. Explain why it might be more difficult to develop a valid musical aptitude test than a reliable one. It is difficult to develop a valid musical aptitude test because most of the time, the measures of the aptitude are misunderstood and demands that are unrealistic, made on them. Validity should be seen as construct validity. The problem sources are in two groups. The first group uses composite validity criteria. This forms the assumption that they are not dimensional. The second one uses subject groups. The groups do not represent the distribution of the construct in whole. In order to maximize the ecological validity, composite measures must be used as the criteria for validity. Legitimacy is likewise harder to acquire as a rule the individuals that have been concentrated on dont speak to the populace by and large. The music variables scope of the population concentrated on is less or more limited. The musical fitness of the gathering is not a representation of the entire group. This is explainedShow MoreRelatedPsy 100 Week 8 Assignment 2 – Adjustment Case Study – New Updated Work1210 Words   |  5 PagesPSY 100 WEEK 8 ASSIGNMENT 2 – ADJUSTMENT CASE STUDY – NEW UPDATED WORK To purchase this Click here: http://www.activitymode.com/product/psy-100-week-8-assignment-2-adjustment-case-study-new-updated-work/ Contact us at: SUPPORT@ACTIVITYMODE.COM PSY 100 WEEK 8 ASSIGNMENT 2 - ADJUSTMENT CASE STUDY - NEW UPDATED WORK Write a three to six (3-6) page paper in which you: 1. Summarize the two (2) articles you selected from the NPR Website. 2. Describe the major adjustment issues discussed inRead MoreQuestions On A Psychological Test949 Words   |  4 PagesPSY 550 Midterm Megan Adams Short Answers The 25 questions below are worth 3 points each. 1. During World War II the U. S. Office of Strategic Services ( OSS), a predecessor to today’s Central Intelligence Agency ( CIA), used a variety of procedures and measurement tools— psychological tests among them— in selecting military personnel for highly specialized positions involving espionage, intelligence gathering, and the like. Why aren’t these methods used today? 2. What is a psychological testRead MoreForeign Language : A Longitudinal Study2008 Words   |  9 PagesSarah Gross PSY 254 / Professor Lew-Williams P012/ Clarice Robenalt Mindset Intervention Improves Adolescent Academic Achievement in Foreign Language: A Longitudinal Study I pledge my honor that this paper represents my own work in accordance with the University regulations. [Sarah Hirschfeld Gross] Introduction: The transition to adolescence can often be one of the most difficult periods in a person’s life. It is not only a period of rapid physical growth and change, but it isRead MoreThe Diverse Social Self And Self Verification1331 Words   |  6 PagesReaction Paper: The Diverse Social Self and Self-Verification and Self-Enhancement (PSY 138) Understanding the foundation of the social self, premise of self-verification and self-enhancement are crucial to the development and framework of the human psyche. This response paper will analyze the basic social self, the way humans perceive their own image and the importance of self-verification and self-enhancement (Swann et al., 1989). Once people have a good understanding of the different aspects

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The Price Of Plastic Surgery - 801 Words

1. What implicit assumptions are the publisher and the analyst making about price elasticity? USA Today management assumes that the price is elasticity for all newspapers is the same, so publishers sees it as elasticity of demand is elastic. The analyst assumes that the price elasticity for USA is different than the Wall St Journal, in other words people will continue to buy it at a higher price, so the analysts sees it as elasticity of demand in inelastic. Assume that the demand for cosmetic or plastic surgery is price inelastic. Are the following statements true or false? 2. A. When the price of plastic surgery increases, the number of operations decreases. True, price quantity are inversely related B. The percentage change in the price of plastic surgery is less than the percentage change in quantity demanded. False, If the percentage change in the price is smaller than the percentage change in quantity demanded the demand is elastic demand. c. Changes in the price of plastic surgery do not affect the number of operations. True. The value of elasticity will be zero. d. Quantity demanded is quite responsive to changes in price. False. the demand is price elastic, or the absolute value of elasticity will be bigger than 1. e. If more plastic surgery is performed, expenditures on plastic surgery will decrease. True. A lower price will decrease total revenue/sales/expenditures if the demand is inelastic. f. The marginal revenue of another operationShow MoreRelatedPlastic Surgery And Its Effects Essay1664 Words   |  7 Pages Each year, the plastic surgery industry brings in $10.1 billion dollars in the United States alone (Goudreau). The surgery itself consists of two types: reconstructive surgery, which â€Å"replaces damaged tissue with healthy tissue from another area of the body† (Lee), and cosmetic surgery, which is the removal or addition of tissue in order to â€Å"make a person look younger or more attractive†(Gregg). Plastic surgery comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means to shape or to form (Gregg). DatingRead MoreCosmetic Surgery : Surgery And Surgery Essay1074 Words   |  5 PagesCosmetic surgery is unlikely to change your life; it just changes your outward appearance to others. Cosmetic surgery can be very successful, but it is not risk-free; even though laser cosmetic surgery poses fewer risks than invasive surgery. After selecting and meeti ng with physicians for your cosmetic surgery, you will have to pick the one that fits your budget and personality. As people grow older, certain things play a big role in making skin look wrinkly and old that cosmetic surgery cannot correctRead More Negative Aspects of Cosmetic Surgery Essay1442 Words   |  6 PagesCosmetic Surgery - Worth the Risk? In todays society the picture of beauty is a thin super model with the body of a goddess posted on billboards all around the world. Children grow up playing with Barbie dolls with the body measurements of would be 90,60,90. Because of these pictures and other figures of beauties projected all over, a person is convinced to believe that to be beautiful and happy, one must look like these images. To most, the easiest way to achieve this is my having cosmetic surgeryRead MoreShould Teens Undergo Plastic Surgery?1565 Words   |  7 PagesShould teens undergo cosmetic surgery? In todays society the picture of beauty is a rail thin super model with the body of a goddess posted on billboards all around the world. Children are brought up playing with Barbie dolls with the body measurements of would be 39, 18, 38. Because of these pictures and other figures of beauties projected all over, today teenagers are convinced to believe that to be beautiful and happy they must look like these images. According to a survey by Bliss MagazineRead MoreCosmetic Surgery: Is It Truly A Cure-All?. It Is No Secret1312 Words   |  6 PagesCosmetic Surgery: Is it Truly a Cure-all? It is no secret that the world operates adhering to strict and unrealistic beauty standards. Rather than embrace everyone for their individuality and uniqueness, society shuns those who do not fit to the ideal, forcing pressure and negative self-images on people. In order to conform to these set standards, people take drastic and life changing measures to alter their appearance, which comes in the form of plastic surgery. According to the American SocietyRead MorePlastic Surgery : A Worldwide Phenomenon900 Words   |  4 PagesPlastic surgery is a worldwide phenomenon. This sensation, people are drawn to, can be either safe or immensely dangerous. Plastic surgery is defined as the process of reconstructing or repairing parts of the body, especially by the transfer of tissue. This surgery can be either in the treatment of injury or for cosmetic reasons. In many reasons, plastic surgery can be categorized as gambling. Plastic surgery is identical to gambling, due to a tremendous amount of stress, outrageous financesRead MoreCosmetic Surgery : The Risk Of Enhancing Beauty1328 Words   |  6 Pages Bascom 1 Gerniva Bascom English 1101-105 Mrs. Karen M. Holley 28 October 2014 Cosmetic surgery : The Risk of Enhancing Beauty Cosmetic Surgery has become popular over the years due to the advertisement of celebrities who embrace their surgery to refine their beauty. For example, an article by Anthony Elliot, he labels cosmetic surgery as Drastic plastic: The rise of cosmetic surgical culture; Celebrity obsession: Fame, fortune and faking it; Want-now consumerism:Read MoreEssay on Overview of Plastic Surgery1611 Words   |  7 Pages Plastic surgery is a corrective specialty that is used for personal or medical purposes. Many people think about plastic surgery is just used for making your nose smaller or breasts bigger, when actually it is used for much more. For example, plastic surgery can also help someone who has gotten burned, by placing skin from another part of the body to the burn. Plastic surgery is primarily used for fixing themselves because they feel self-conscious or feel uncomfortableRead MoreInformative Speech : Plastic Surgery819 Words   |  4 PagesOUTLINE Topic: Plastic Surgery Specific purpose: Allowing people to know the pros and cons of plastic surgery. Thesis: The cosmetic, issues, and beauty. We need to understand every possible outcome while considering plastic surgery. Introduction I. Attention-getter: Modern plastic surgeons can alter almost any aspect of physical appearance, from facial features to body shape. II. Credibility statement: According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 14.6 million plastic surgery proceduresRead MoreWhy Is Sec Important For The Smooth Functioning Of Both Securities And Stock Markets1607 Words   |  7 Pagesregulations will increase the short run price of stock. The investors will respond to a change of regulation by holding their money lest they may lose. Additionally, some of the investors will recall their money for fear that some companies will close down before they are paid back. As a result, shortage of stock will occur in the market, resulting in high short term prices. Besides, public corporations tend to compete for the little stock in the market. Consequently, prices of the stock will be increased

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Anthrax Attack on the United States for Bacillus - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theAnthrax Attack on the United States for Bacillus Anthracis. Answer: Given that the United States can be attacked with a bio-weapon and the identity of the attacker remain a mystery, how seriously should we as a nation take this threat? Since no one was ever convicted for these crimes, could this embolden others to try and carry out similar attacks due to the apparent ease of escaping prosecution? A nation should take the threat that is posed by biological weapon very seriously and implement new measures that will help in mitigating the threat posed by this deadly weapon that can cause a huge amount of destruction. It is caused on account of Bacillus Anthracis which is the bacterium that spreads this disease. The bacterium creates spores that lie dormant when subjected to harsh conditions and they are reactivated on being inhaled (Tao et al., 2017). When they come into contact with the skin, the skin gets affected leading to deterioration in ones health. The spores of anthrax can withstand harsh climate and hence the threat posed to a nation remains acute. No one being ever convicted for this crime would embolden the terrorists and they would find this weapon very suitable for them. Since it is very difficult to trace the person who was responsible for spreading this disease hence the criminals in the modern age are trying to build up these weapons that will be catastrophic for a nation (Ellis, 2014). Given the danger and complexity of handling anthrax spores, what is the likelihood that a novice could pull off such an attack without having access to a research laboratory? Was the FBI correct in focusing mainly on bio-weapons researchers early on in the investigation? Could this have given them "tunnel vision" and prevented them from looking at other less likely suspects? To make the anthrax will require the skill sets of an experienced person. It deals with a lot of chemical products and the intricacies of the weapons make it extremely difficult for a novice to carry out such an attack. One should be well acquainted with the necessary temperature along with that of the carbon dioxide level that will be necessary for activating the dormant spore. The spores have to be ground to less than 5 micons so that they can remain aerosolized will require the master services of an individual who is well acquainted with different chemicals and the domain of biotechnology (More, 2015). It cannot be done individually and will require the help of expert people who will be able to carry out such an attack. The FBI was not correct in focusing only on bio-weapons researcher because such an attack can be carried out by someone who has acute knowledge about animal skins, chemicals and different processes of technology. The letters could be the result of terrorist act that is sponsored by the state or it can also be the work of a terrorist organization that functions internationally. It can also be the work of a domestic based group or it may even be an isolated act (Dormady, Szelazek Rose, 2014). Concentrating only on bio researchers will send the investigators in a wrong trail and in the initial stages of the organization they should not focus on any particular group but carry out a detailed investigation in all areas. Business records should be analysed and corporate information should be glossed through in order to specifically identify any organization who could have acted as a motivator in carrying out the anthrax attack for some financial gain. Bio-pharmaceutical along with veterinary industries should be interrogated thoroughly in order to find out the perpetrators of this crime. 3) Since many of those killed were post office employees, how could we set up screening processes at mail distribution centers to stop similar attacks in their earliest stages? Is the current BioDetection Systems set up by the United States Postal Service (USPS) a good first start? Since anthrax is basically a living spore and can be killed by gamma irradiation, should all letters be subjected to this type of radiation in order to kill any possible anthrax spores hidden inside? How much could this hinder the efficient delivery of mail within the United States? The facility of package screening can be incorporated within the remote delivery system and they will trace all the items. Mail along with packages will be screened and sorted in this facility in order to detect the infiltration of any hazardous chemical. The campus and office security system can render helpful service for protection. Mail centres that have a single room, a containment system called the NPMR can be integrated to provide protection. Intrusion detection system, X-ray screening room that contains blast equipment and package quarantine rooms can help in detecting any threat. The communication system for internal and external along with emergency power generator can prove to be immensely helpful. Mail center personnel should be undergoing a security check before they start their work. Mail centres need to possess redundant capabilities that is consistent with the operation plan of the organization. An off-site mail centre can provide superior protection as compared to one that is situated within the main floor of the primary office building. A CBRNE screening process will be able to identify medium to high risk. In case of low risk facility, visual screening that is done aggressively along with X-ray screening can prove to be adequate (Fajardo et al., 2015). An HVAC system that is isolated can identify medium risk in relation to mail borne threats. The mailroom should be sealed from all sides and there should be instruments that will be able to check the pressure relationship that is established by an isolated system. The United States Postal Service biohazard detection system makes use of latest technology and it was designed solely in respect to the postal service. It makes use of sophisticated DNA matching that will be able to check anthrax presence within the mail. It is instrumental in collecting air samples from different mail cancelling equipment as it operates. Northrop Grumman and Smiths Detection of Edgewood were responsible for designing the BDS system which is operating in Baltimore processing since the year 2002. Cepheid Inc. In Sunnyvale and Sceptor Industry of Kansas City were the other members who were involved in the designing of the hi-tech BDS system (Alakpa Collins, 2015). The BDS equipment collects all the samples of air when the mail goes through cancelling machine. The air borne particles are absorbed within a water base that is sterile. A liquid sample is then created that can be subject to testing. Afterwards, the liquid sample is put into the cartridge and the DNA match is then done. The tests done shows that 4.0k gamma radiation carried out over a 12 minutes can completely inactivate Erwinis Herbicola. Bacillus atropheus powdered dry can be inactivated with 25k gamma ray by subjecting it above 75 minutes and Bacillus atropheus can be held in liquid suspension over a period of 105 minutes in order to inactivate it (Lundberg Willis, 2015). The results bring out the fact that spore preparations can be sterilized by using gamma radiation. Proper planning can ensure that not sufficient amount of time is lost while the letters are subjected to this process. This is done for the security of people so even if a bit more time is required in the mail delivery system the people should be able to understand this and support the protective measures implemented (Tsai Morris, 2015). 4) Many of the first victims were wrongly diagnosed with other ailments, or their illness remained a mystery. Is this indicative of a weakness in our nation's first response to such an attack? Could we be under attack for weeks by a similar biological agent and never even realize it until it was far too late? The initial after effect of anthrax inhalation is itchy skin that looks like the bite from an insect. It thus went unrecognized and those who got affected thought that it was some skin infection and did not devote much attention to it. After some time, the sore becomes a blister and finally the outcome is a skin ulcer. It has a black centre which does not cause too much pain. It was accompanied by a fever and sore throat and went unrecognized in the early stages. Diagnosis of anthrax can be done with the help of CT scan and blood test and people did not go for testing which proved to be extremely detrimental as the severity wrought by anthrax was multiplied as it went unnoticed (Fajardo et al.,2015). Endoscopy was not done in the initial stages that are a test which makes use of a small tube containing an attached camera and inspects the intestines. The illness of the first victims remained a mystery and most were wrongly diagnosed was not on account of the weakness of the nation but due to the callousness of the lay people who did not have much knowledge about anthrax attack (Alakpa Collins Jr, 2015). Yes, we can be under attack from anthrax for weeks and not realize it until it is too late because we would not be able to link the symptoms with the deadly infection. 5) Prophylactic medications are available that can mitigate the damage caused by anthrax if provided to victims early on. How widespread should this program be? Should all first responders have easy access to these prophylactic medications? American military soldiers are immunized against certain strains of weapons grade anthrax. The immunization process is dangerous though and some soldiers have died. That is why the CDC has not approved this vaccination program for civilian use. Should we look into creating a safer immunization/vaccination process against anthrax for all Americans or would this be far too costly and largely unnecessary? For people suffering from bioterrorist anthrax, quinolone can be used for the 1st 1-2 weeks. Clindamycin can also be added for providing the anti-exotoxin effect. In order to prevent inhalational anthrax, Levofloxacin can be used. The postexposure prophylaxis can be continued for a period of 60 days to curb inhalational anthrax. Raxibacumab is a monoclonal antibody that directs towards the protective antigen in relation to Bacillus anthracis. (Lundberg Willis, 2015). Antimicrobial therapy makes the lesions culture-negative within a few hours. Treatment can be provided in the initial stages, but persons who are infected with gastrointestinal, inhalational or meningeal anthrax have very poor prognosis. Prophylaxis along with vaccination can provide complete protection however providing immunity in relation to a exposed community can prove to be extremely difficult (Fajardo et al., 2015). Yes, first responders should have easy access to these medications so that their chance for survival are increased. Threat caused by anthrax outbreak along with the searching for improvements within the prophylaxis tool is a matter involving great interest in the arena of biodefense for the forthcoming future (Wanying, Alain Angel, 2016). The AVA and AVP vaccines point to a step forward in the time when the danger posed by these biological weapons is increasing at a rapid pace. Numerous strategies have been devised that will involve molecular alteration and they throw open vast opportunities that will enhance the efficacy in relation to PA-based approach but question still remains pertaining to the fact whether a vaccine that solely relies on PA can provide adequate solution (Salvatore Gorman, 2014). New approaches are being developed that will significantly help in enhancing the latest protection scheme that is based on PA. A resultant of multi-pronged approach can target distinctive aspects in relation to B.anthracis organism and this will be the primary logical goal designed for the future an thrax vaccine (Vogel, 2016). References: Alakpa, G. E., Collins Jr, J. W. (2015). The possibility of a human-borne with bioagent (HBBA) terrorist at foreign FOB ECPs: the perceptions of US military or security personnel, a preliminary report.Military medical research,2(1), 34. Dormady, N., Szelazek, T., Rose, A. (2014). The potential impact of an anthrax attack on real estate prices and foreclosures in Seattle.Risk Analysis,34(1), 187-201. Ellis, R. (2014). Creating a secure network: the 2001 anthrax attacks and the transformation of postal security.The Sociological Review,62(1_suppl), 161-182. Fajardo, G. C., Posid, J., Papagiotas, S., Lowe, L. (2015). Comparing Electronic News Media Reports of Potential Bioterrorism?Related Incidents Involving Unknown White Powder to Reports Received by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Bureau of Investigation: USA, 20092011.Journal of forensic sciences,60(s1). Larsen, J. C., Disbrow, G. L. (2017). Project BioShield and the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority: A 10-Year Progress Report on Meeting US Preparedness Objectives for Threat Agents.Clinical Infectious Diseases,64(10), 1430-1434. Lundberg, R., Willis, H. (2015). Assessing Homeland Security Risks: A Comparative Risk Assessment of 10 Hazards.Homeland Security Affairs,11(10). More, R. (2015). A Study of The 2001 Anthrax Terror Attacks and the History of Biological Warfare.The FASEB Journal,29(1 Supplement), 735-3. Salvatore, C., Gorman, B. J. (2014). Gender-based perceptions of the 2001 anthrax attacks: Implications for outreach and preparedness.Security Journal,27(4), 399-420. Tao, P., Mahalingam, M., Zhu, J., Moayeri, M., Kirtley, M. L., Fitts, E. C., ... Rao, V. B. (2017). a Bivalent anthraxPlague Vaccine That can Protect against Two Tier-1 Bioterror Pathogens, Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis.Frontiers in immunology,8. Tsai, C. W., Morris, S. (2015). Approval of raxibacumab for the treatment of inhalation anthrax under the US Food and Drug Administration Animal Rule.Frontiers in microbiology,6. Vogel, K. M. (2016). Aftershocks of the 2001 Anthrax Attacks. InBiological Threats in the 21st Century: The Politics, People, Science and Historical Roots(pp. 211-237). World Scientific. Wanying, C., Alain, G., Angel, R. (2016). Modeling the logistics response to a bioterrorist anthrax attack.European Journal of Operational Research,254(2), 458-471.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Patterns of World History Vol 1 Essay Example

Patterns of World History Vol 1 Essay â€Å"Humans and Ideas† Some of the most powerful ideas humans developed during early divination of 3000 BCE to 618 CE have been about techniques to improve living. New technological ideas from the invention of the wheel to the hand crank pump have transformed how millions of people live. The way technological ideas have accumulated over time and the effects they have had on society is one of the main themes of world history. Shortly before 3000 BCE, Mesopotamians invented a technological idea which ended in a writing system called cuneiform that increased communication, record keeping, and abstract thought. Through symbols written on wet clay tablets that represented objects and sounds, history could be recorded for the first time. Writing was a major expansion of the conceptual horizon of humankind that reached back to the first flaked stones, ornaments, figurines, and cave paintings in the Paleolithic (Von Sivers 44). Early metallurgists discovered that by adding tin to copper they were able to make bronze which was much harder than copper and provided a sharper cutting edge which was the start of the Bronze Age (Lecture). By 2800 BCE Sumer entered into what is described as the protoliterate period where scribes would work with pictograms and official seals but there was still no official written language (Lecture). Harappan cities were unique to the 1700’s BCE due to the meticulously planned grid-like design that included a most elaborate urban sewer system for ancient times. Remarkably straight, brick paved streets ran in north/south, east/west axes forming square blocks of public buildings, temples, and markets in convenient locations. We will write a custom essay sample on Patterns of World History Vol 1 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Patterns of World History Vol 1 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Patterns of World History Vol 1 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Houses had brick-lined indoor wells and primitive toilets emptying into terra-cotta cesspits whose overflow connected to the city’s drains and sewers (Von Sivers 80). Located several miles up the Sabarmati River from the Gulf of Khambat, Lothal was a large, perhaps the chief, of all trading seaports around 1700 BCE. Lothal central structure is an enormous basin, approximately 120 feet long and 70 feet wide. The location of Lothal on the Arabian Sea indicates a link between Harappan cities and trade that would have reached Mesopotamia and possibly Egypt. Lothal was also a famous regional craft center, with micro beads used for decorative craft items and jewelry as its chief product for internal trade and export (Von Sivers 80). Around 1700 BCE, the chariot and composite bow made their entry into the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean region, transforming armies who previously relied solely on foot soldiers. Black smiths mastered the art of iron making and incorporated iron into their chariot armies, in the form of swords, helmets, and protective armor (Von Sivers 53). The Shang Dynasty used the horse to drive chariots, which transformed the Chinese warfare for transportation, which linked disparate regions of China and helped the Shang to expand. It was a featured in art and poetry and thus offered a new symbol for artist and poets to work with. It will also link China to nomadic horse people from the north and west (Von Sivers 110). The people in Meroe mined, smelted, and forged iron which they were the first to do so in sub-Saharan Africa. The craft of iron smelting evolved gradually in Hittite Anatolia during several centuries after 1500 BCE. The possible spread of iron-working sills from the Middle East to Africa has not been satisfactorily proved. Iron workers in African villages adapted iron-making to local village circumstances. The production of iron, or greater import was the knowledge f how to forge the bloom-the combination of raw iron and slag- into an iron- carbon allow that was neither too soft nor too brittle (Von Sivers 165). Chariots and bows were introduced to the Shan army between 1300-1200 BCE. Around 1200 BCE, The Olmec crafted figurines, mask of clays, and made figurines from jade and serpentine. The Olmec heads were carved from 18 ton blocks of basalt that were quarried 70 miles away from San Lorenzo. Large groups of workers shouldered beams from which the basalt blocks, weighing 18 tons on average, hung in slings. They carried these blocks to the coast and shipped them to San Lorenzo on rafts. There, sculptors fashioned the blocks into fierce-looking, helmeted heads, kneeling or sitting figures, and animal statues (Von Sivers 145). The Lydians are notable for having created in 615 BCE the first minted money in world history, coins made of silver and gold and used in trade (Von Sivers 199). The Achaemenids created an elaborate system of roads known as the royal roads around 550 BCE for communication and transportation of troops and trade. The Persian Empire in particular covered vast amounts of land, from Anatolia to Egypt and Mesopotamia, to modern day Afghanistan. The Persian Empire was both centralized and decentralized. One centralized aspect, as revealed by the roads, was the need to pay taxes and tribute to the shahinshah, the emperor. Even more revealing is the style of the Persian roads, with distance markers at regular intervals, inns and depots indicating the sophistication of the Persian infrastructure. The centralization of the empire is further revealed by the regulation that local parts of the road had to be maintained by the local governors, appointed by the emperor; thus even to the local level the emperor had influe nce (Von Sivers 200). The Achaemenids achieved their conquests with the help of lightly armed; highly mobile mounted archers as well as heavily armored, slow-moving cataphracts-horsemen with protective armor consisting of iron scales sewn on leather shirts. Quilts and iron scales protected the horses. The archers fought with composite bows and the cataphracts, with 5-foot long, iron-tipped lances for thrusting. Infantry soldiers armed with bows, arrows, shields, and javelins provided support for the cavalry, complementing its tank-like thrust (Von Sivers 200). The Well-Field System was an attempt to untangle the more confusing aspects of land arrangement around 500 BCE. The Zhou was the first among many dynasties to attempt to impose a uniform system of land tenure in China. Each square Li(one li is about one-third of a mile), consisting of 900 mou(each mou is approximately one-sixth of an acre) was divided into a grid of nine plots. Individual families would each work one of the eight outside plots while the middle one would be farmed in common for the taxes and rents owed the landowner or local officials (Von Sivers 117). In the 5th Century BCE, sculptors began to explore physical movement, emotion, and individual character by Greek Painting and Sculpture. Greek vase paintings and sculptures achieved a remarkable wide range, from figures exerting themselves in their chosen sports to serene models of human beauty. Greek sculptors and painters abandoned symbolism and instead, embraced realism as their style of representation in which we call today photographic representation (Von Sivers 229). Craftspeople from the Chavin de’ Hauntar around 500 BCE made beads, pendants, stone tools and leather goods, but pioneered new techniques combining the wool from llamas with cotton to create a new blended cloth. They decorated it using new methods of dyeing and painting. Goldsmiths demised new methods of soldering and alloying gold and silver to make large ornamental objects. Small objects, such as golden headbands, ear spools, beads, and pins, signified prestige and wealth. Gold artifacts found in the graves of the wealthy attest to the value residents of Chavin placed on gold (Von Sivers 144). What technical and cultural development allowed the people of the Lapita culture to spread throughout the Pacific Islands? 500 BCE-200 BCE- The Polynesian Islands were settled in part due to sail and paddle-driven canoes, which were further improved by the addition of outriggers or double hulls. These boats improvements allowed the Polynesians to sail further and reach some of the more distant islands. Cultural developments included the ability to retain elaborate, detailed mental maps of islands, ability to read wind patterns and currents, and retention of celestial information that allowed for navigation (Von Sivers ). The Silk Road was an overland trade routes that connected eastern and western Eurasia, beginning at the end of the fourth century BCE (Von Sivers 286). Mayans developed writing that was a complex combination of glyphic and syllabic script as early as 400-300 BCE. Mayan writing is a glyphic as well as a syllabic script, numbering some 800 signs. It is structurally similar to Sumerian cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphic. The glyphic part consists of pictograms, one-word images of the most essential features of what is to be depicted. Glyphs as syllables consist of one, two, or three of syllabic glyphs, or syllabaries, are pronounced as a series of syllables. Given the mixture of pictograms and syllabaries, which is potentially immense, the complexity of Mayan writing appeared for a long time to be an insuperable obstacle to any effort at deciphering (Von Sivers 182). Around 300 BCE, The Upanishadic writers, or which one hundred are known, thought that the Vedic religion had become too distracted due to the thousands of gods. The Upanishads instead sought a monist, rather that polytheistic approach, and sought for a first principle, a universal truth that did not require the worship of many different gods. The Upanishadic writers were hermits who wanted to reach unity with the universal self, which would remove them from the cycle of rebirth and redeath that characterized earthly life. Salvation in this system was moksha, escape from reincarnation. This salvation was achieved through meditation and brief aphorisms becoming a vital part of a new evolving tradition (Von Sivers 248). Around 221 BCE, the Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of the Qin, accomplished a significant part of empire and state building. These are several accomplishments of Shi Huangdi to include: building the Great Wall of China that was massive project stretching over 1400 miles to safeguard against attacks by nomadic people in the north; standardized weights, measures, and coinage; building roads, canals, irrigation, water conservancy projects; his tomb with life-sized warriors; use of conscripted labor; and the implementation of Legalism as the primary philosophy of the realm. Each of these was designed primarily to increase the centralized power of the Qin leader and his state. Babylonians were great mathematicians, who worked fractions, whole numbers and square roots as well as some of the elementary theorems of geometry (Lecture). Starting from the foundations of the Sumerians, the Babylonians made advances in arithmetic, geometry, and algebra. Buddhism, the most profound intellectual influences from India on the surrounding regions was in science and mathematics. During the period from the second century BCE until the second century CE India was an importer of scientific and mathematical concepts from the Greco-Roman and Persian spheres. Greek geometry, made its way into northern India during this time. Concepts of Indian health regimens-some involving yoga discipline-along with the vast body of Indian medicine, with its extensive knowledge of herbal remedies, also seem to have moved west. In the area of mathematics and astronomy an important synthesis of ideas took place in the developing the first Indian calendars, which were based on the lunar months, through a year consisted of six seasons and an intercalary period was inserted every 30 months to make up the difference with the solar year. The Indians then adopted the calendar of the eastern Mediterranean and southwest Asia, which had a 7 –day week, a 24-hour day, and a 365-day solar year-along with the 12 zodiacal signs of the Greco-Roman world (Von Sivers 264). The earthenware produced during the Tang dynasty 618 CE is among the most coveted in the world today. Perhaps even more impressive, by this time, too, artisans were producing a kind of â€Å"proto-porcelain† that, with increasing refinement, would be know in the succeeding centuries to the outside world as â€Å"china† (Von Sivers 284). Throughout history, humans have adapted their ideas to their environment and learned to overcome obstacles, thus paving the way for new elements of technology. Humans expressed themselves and communicated with one another in sophisticated ways through paintings, sculptures, and the decorative arts as well as writing, construction, and metals. Of more recent, humans invented writing systems that gave birth to many forms of literature. Humans have wrestled with ideas and beliefs regarding technology.