An Analysis of Elvis Presley’s Popularity Essay Example for Free

An Analysis of Elvis Presley’s Popularity Essay The article points three of the most salient reasons behind the huge success and enormous impact of Elvis Presley to the American society the unique personality of Elvis, the way his manager has handled him, and the right timing when he emerged. Although these factors apparently shows direct effects on Presley’s popularity and impact, it should still be noted that his success would not be possible if he sticks to bigotry and conservatism. According to the article, Presley’s singing like a Black man primarily attracts people’s interest. However, it should be emphasized that Presley’s popularity could be contributed as well to his rich background in music. Presley’s music was considered having the combined elements of Gospel, Country, and Blues. (Saffle, 2009). In fact, he was a church singer when he was just young, explaining his exposure to gospel songs. However, just like what the author of the article has pointed out, Presley was not the sole artist who is like that during the time. In fact, he was not the first White American to sing blues. (Gilmore 1998). To make things worse, when Presley started to perform songs of that particular genre, he was even accused of stealing it from the Black Americans (Bertrand 2000). Amidst controversies like these, Presley somehow managed to continuously attract the eye of the public not only through his flamboyant costumes, teasing movements, and energetic performances but through his unique and charismatic personality. It could also be argued that part of this huge success came from the effective handling of his manager—Colonel Tom Parker. The presence of Presley’s manager was also considered a great help for the King’s success. Identifying the potentials and the unique gift of his talent, Colonel was able to utilize the man’s gift to transform into a name that would be forever engraved in the history of American music. It could be true that Presley would have never achieved such success without the partnership with Colonel. Though this could be primarily attributed to Colonel’s outstanding management, the treatment of the two for each other also helped. Their relationship has surpassed that of a manager and a talent. There came a time that people were joking that they were like a married couple (Nash, 2003). They spent most of their time together that is why Colonel has successfully crafted Elvis’ career. However, when Colonel decided to stop Presley’s world tours and accepted television and movie projects instead, critics considered it a wrong move and death of Presley’s music career. They accused Colonel of being too greedy by accepting lucrative projects for his client, thus sacrificing the true talent of Presley. Nonetheless, Colonel has managed to regain his glory when Presley had his successful comeback in the music scene. There is also no doubt with the article’s argument regarding the emergence of Presley at the right time in the American history. However, in this particular situation, time is not the factor. Presley’s enormous impact to the American society could be accounted for his liberal ideas and decisions. He opted not to conform to bigotry. Instead, he used his music to propagate liberating ideas to his audience, who were mainly adolescents looking for freedom. Presley also paved way for the introduction of the Black music into the music mainstream. That would undeniably resolve the question as to why he is worthy for the title King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Works Cited Gilmore, Mikal. Night Beat: A Shadow History of Rock Roll. USA: University of Michigan, 1998 Nash, Alanna. The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley. USA: Simon and Schuster, 2003 Saffle, Michael. The Musical Characteristics of Elvis Presley. Published by The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Education Bureau, 2009

Effect of Tulsi and Neem Extract on Mosquito Larvae

Effect of Tulsi and Neem Extract on Mosquito Larvae Research question: What are the effects of medicinal plants like Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) and Azadirachta indica (neem) extract on the mortality of Culex larvae? ABSTRACT The effect of Neem and Tulsi on mosquito larvae. The project is aimed at finding natural pesticides or bio-pesticides that effectively control the mosquito population by killing mosquito larvae. They could be used as alternatives to the current pesticides used that have adverse effects on the environment and other species besides the target pest. Mosquitoes are hosts for a very large number of diseases and therefore keeping larvae under control and disallowing the emergence of adult mosquitoes is essential. Two plant extracts have been tested; Neem and Tulsi. The initial hypothesis was that both extracts would have some effect on the larval development and cause mortality in the larvae due to the properties of both plants. The secondary initial hypothesis was that Neem extract would be significantly more effective in killing the larvae than Tulsi at the same percentage. Concentrations of 1% to 10% of each extract were prepared and 10 trials each performed with 10 larvae were undertak en. The samples were checked on after 12 hours and once again after 24 hours and the number of larvae killed in each case was recorded. The results were conclusive and both extracts were very effective at killing larvae at 10% with Neem killing an average of 10 larvae out of 10 and Tulsi 9.6  ± 0.52. However t-values showed that the initial hypothesis stating that Neem would be more effective at all concentrations was incorrect and only 2%, 9% and 10% were significantly more effective in 24 hours with t values of 3.13, 2.92 and 2.43 respectively (> table value of 2.10). This means that in 2%, 9% and 10% concentrations, Neem should be used instead of Tulsi as it is significantly better. This is all very exciting as environmentally safer pesticides can be developed from these two plant extracts. 1. Introduction Research question: What are the effects of medicinal plants like Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) and Azadirachta indica (neem) extract on the mortality of Culex larvae? The conservative pesticides are augmented to combat complicated pest problems in mosquitoes. In human health during the past few decades these pesticides played an important role in the inhibition of diseases caused by mosquitoes either by inactivating or killing these mosquitoes. Later on when these pesticides are getting accumulated in the environment proved to be hazardous to the environment and mankind. Frequent application of synthetic organic insecticides resulted into pest resistance and outbreak. Most of the insecticidal compound falls within four main classes namely organochlorides, organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids. Out of these the major classes of insecticides, the insecticides used in present situation are organophosphates and carbamates. There are problems of pesticides resistance and negative impacts on non-target organisms including man and the environment.[1] Environment problems due to the insecticides and pesticides such as destruction of beneficial organisms, non-target pest, some of the pesticide residues in the host plant resulting in stunted grow or killing other organisms have come to an end. This work is basically taken up by some of the herbal plants. These herbal plants possess some of the active ingredients which are eco-friendly but simultaneously have a severe effect on the mosquito populations.[2] Medicinal plants are the most promising source and under extensive trails for their biological activity against various mosquito larvae. During the last 10 to 15 years, interest in botanical insecticides has increased to look for substitutions for synthetic insecticides with those based on naturally occurring substances. The use of botanicals in pest management is not only useful for suppression of pest population but also helps to maintain the sound ecological balance.[3] BOTANICALS IN USE The groups of plant possessing insecticidal substances are enormous. More than 2400 species of the plants in India possess insecticidal properties3. In the middle of the 17th century, most of the economically important natural plant compounds obtained from the plants like neem, tulsi, adathoda, chrysanthemum, turmeric, garlic, tridax etc. are used in commercial insect control. Despite the relative safety of the well-known botanical insecticides, most of these substances have their drawback hindering large-scale application. The chemicals obtained from these plants are unstable in the sunlight and are rapidly metabolized thus limiting their potency and application.[4] Botanical insecticides break down readily in soil and are not stored in animal and plant tissue. Often their effects are not as long lasting as those of synthetic insecticides and some of these products may be very difficult to find. The plant parts used for extraction or assay were the leaves, roots, tubers, fruits, seeds, flowers, the whole plant, bark, sap, pods and wood. The most commonly utilized parts were the leaves, roots. The plant families Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae contain most of the insecticidal plant species reported. Recently several other plants viz. Neem, Adathoda, Chrysanthemum, Turmeric, Onion, Garlic, Ocimum, Ginger and some other plants have been reported as insecticidal plants which can be used in insecticide preparation. The leaf extracts of Tulsi (Ocimum basilicum, O. sanctum) and vetiver (Vetivera zizanoides) are useful in controlling leaf miners in potato, beans, eggplant, tomato, chilies, etc. Some of the plants having herbal insecticide princip les are presented on table. Source of Plant Nature of action Chemical Group Plant parts Azadirachta indica Contact poison Azadirachtin Leaves, seed Ocimum sanctum Contact, Repellent Tulsin Leaves Chrysanthemum Contact, Repellent Pyrethrin I Flower, seed Tridax procumbens Contact poison Flower Zingiber officinale Repellent zingiberene Rhizome Among all the important insecticidal plants, Neem (Azadirachta indica) is the most promising source of bio-pesticide and its various formulations are extensively used for pest control.[5] Neem leaves, stems, seeds and oil have been used for pest control in sericulture.[6] The limonoids present in it and its products have made it a harmless to mankind while functioning as insecticide, bactericide, fungicide, pesticide etc. It is likely to provide a solution to many of pest and disease problem in sericulture.[7] Generally, extracts of plant leaves or seed are prepared and sprayed; otherwise, seeds are dried under sunshade, powdered finely and applied as dust. More than 20 Neem based biopesticides are available in the market (Table 3). Neem gets biodegraded in a matter of weeks when exposed to sunlight or in soil. Neem products are highly photodegradable and normally degrade within a week. No problem of development of pest resistance and resurgence has been reported from neem products. Hence they have characteristics suitable for IPM strategy. Much of the informations are available on insecticidal properties of plants having some sort of toxic property against insects. The plant parts to be used should be removable: leaves, flowers or fruit and harvesting should not mean destruction of the plant. Azadirachta indica: Neem is perhaps the most well known of all herbs and has been used in ayurveda in India for centuries. The active ingredient in Azadirachta indica (neem) is azadirachtin. It a member of the Meliaceae family and is a botanical cousin of mahogany. Neem is very hard and virile. Neem is especially useful due to its climatic tolerance that allows it to be grown all over the world though it is usually found in tropical regions. It has insecticidal, antifeedant, growth regulating and development-modifying properties and has properties that make it attractive in insect control. It reduces fecundity and longevity as well as increased development time of immature insects. On insects it has been shown to act as a growth retardant and cause molting disorders, change of behavior and morphogenetic defects. Mosquito control is essential as they act as carriers for malaria, filariasis and a host of other diseases as well as being a nuisance. There is a high demand for a less environmentally harmful insecticide as the ones currently used have high neurotoxic effects. Recent studies have also demonstrated neem-induced effects on vitellogenesis and severe degeneration of follicle cells during oogenesis in mosquitoes. It also has several medical properties such as a cure blood morbidity, biliary afflictions, itching, skin ulcers, burning sensations and pthysis. It is also an effective cure against ringworm, eczema and scabies. In English the tree is known as margosa and attains a maximum height of 40 to 50 metres. Ocimum Sanctum: Tulsi is an aromatic plant in the Lamiaceae family. Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda due to its diverse healing properties. Tulsis extracts are used in ayurvedic remedies for common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria. Traditionally, tulsi is taken in many forms: as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf, or mixed with ghee. Essential oil extracted from Karpoora Tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal cosmetics, and is widely used in skin preparations due to its anti-bacterial activity. For centuries, the dried leaves of Tulsi have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects.[8] These plants in harmonious integration with other safe methods of pest control like biological control can provide eco-friendly and economically viable solutions for pest problems in near future. ADVANTAGES Plants producing the compounds having insect growth regulators (IGR), feeding deterrents, repellents and confusants activities are known by the farmer because most of the time they grow in the same general area. Some of these products may be these products act very quickly inhibiting insect feeding even though long term they do not cause insect death. Since most of these products have a stomach action and are rapidly decomposed they may be more selective to insect pests and less aggressive with natural enemies. Most of these compounds are not phytotoxic and have rapid action and low toxicity to mammals and plants. Resistance to these compounds is not developed as quickly as with synthetic insecticides. DISADVANTAGES Most of these products are not truly insecticides since many are merely insect deterrents and their effect is slow. They are rapidly degraded by UV light so that their residual action is short and breakdown is rapid, requiring more precise timing of and/or more frequent application. Not all plant insecticides are less toxic to other animals than the synthetic ones. They are not necessarily available and sometimes cost is more. Most of them have no established residue tolerances and there is lack of test data and sometimes lack of state registration of some materials. There are no legal registrations establishing their use. Not all recommendations followed by growers have been scientifically verified. The above statements are altered if you find anything that can be added or deleted you can do it. Insects adapt themselves to aquatic habitats inspite of their terrestrial origin. The aquatic and semi-aquatic insects are remarkable for their diversity of forms, reflecting adaptation to a wide variety of niches such as salt water pools, saline ponds, hot springs, high mountain lakes, large rivers, temporary and permanent ponds. Mosquitoes are known as vectors of the pathogens causing human diseases. They belong to the order Diptera; the true flies. Like all flies they have two wings but unlike other flies they have scales and the females have sucking proboscis. There are over 2500 species of mosquitoes. Culex mosquitoes are known to be painful and persistent biters and are a nuisance. The reason why I chose this topic is because the pesticides that are currently used in pest control contain chemicals that have diverse side effects on the environment and organisms other than the target pest. I decided to use natural substances found in nature and see if they would work as a form of pest control instead. I have used two extracts; Neem and Tulsi, in order to see which one was more effective in killing these mosquitoes. Neem, Tulsi and eucalyptus have been used as they are prevalent in the tropical and sub-tropical countries of Africa and Asia with a large mosquito population and there have been significant prospects of being used as an insecticide on a commercial scale due to their useful properties. Aim: In early literature mentioned above it was noted that the mosquitoes inhibit both temporary and fresh water stagnant bodies and they are found in abundance causing nuisance to the human population. The aim of the present study was undertaken on the following aspects 1. To determine the number of Culex larvae killed in 12 hours and 24 hours using different plant extracts like Neem and Tulsi in crude form. 2. To determine the number of Culex larvae killed in 12 hours and 24 hours by Neem and Tulsi under various concentrations (1%-10%). 3. To determine the statistical analysis t tests were performed. 2. Materials and Method 2.1. Materials / Equipments 250 ml beaker, Mortar and pestle, Pipette, Stirrer, Water, Fishing net (for catching larvae), Dropper, Watch glass, Petri dishes. Culex larvae: For the present study, the larvae of Culex mosquitoes were used throughout the investigation. These larvae were chosen because they were most abundant in the water bodies which are very active fast wriggling movement. The Culex larvae were collected from stagnant water bodies at Varthur Lake in Bangalore (fig.1) using a hand net. They were transported in plastic buckets containing clean water to the lab. Larvae were categorized based on their size as large and small. The large sized Culex larvae were about 0.7 cm and the small sized Culex larvae measured about 0.2cm in length. For the present study I have used only large sized larvae (3rd and 4th instars stage). Medicinal plants used as extracts: Botanical name Common name Medical Purposes Part of plant used Ocimum sanctum Tulsi Used to treat digestive problems Young leaves Azadirachta indica Neem Kills pathogens. Used to cure skin ailments. Young leaves Preparation of Stock solution: Azadirachta indica: [Neem] I collected neem leaves from my school campus. Only young leaves were collected and dried in the absence of sunlight in the shady region. The complete method of preparing 10% stock solution of this plant extract is mentioned below. 10 grams of dried young leaves were then grinded using mortar and pestle along with methanol and dried. Then add 100 ml of distilled water to make out 10% stock solution. Then the 10% neem stock solution was decanted after centrifugation. Now from this 10% stock solution different concentration solutions in percentage were prepared [ranging from 1% 10%] i.e., 10ml of 10% stock solution in 90ml of distilled water gives 1%, 20ml of 10% stock solution in 80ml of distilled water will give 2%, 30ml of 10% stock solution in 70ml of distilled water will give 3%, 40ml of 10% stock solution in 60ml of distilled water will give 4%, 50ml of 10% stock solution in 50ml of distilled water will give 5%, 60ml of 10% stock solution in 40ml of distilled water will give 6%, 70ml of 10% stock solution in 30ml of distilled water will give 7%, 80ml of 10% stock solution in 20ml of distilled water will give 8%, 90ml of 10% stock solution in 10ml of distilled water will give 9%, and for 10% the stock solution itself was used. Ocimum sanctum: [Tulsi] I collected Tulsi leaves from my school campus. Only young leaves were collected and dried in the absence of sunlight in the shady region. The complete method of preparing 10% stock solution and the different concentration of this plant extracts in percentage was done by same method as mentioned above in Neem. 2.2. Method / Procedure Mortality of larvae using crude plant extracts: 1. The large sized Culex larvae were taken in the petridishes. 2. 5 ml of crude plant extracts of neem and tulsi were taken in the different test tubes. 3. 10 larvae were introduced in each test tube at the same time. 4. Ten trails were carried out for the two different plant extract. 5. The number of larvae killed was recorded for 1hr, 12hr and 24 hr. 6. Larvae were feed with dog biscuit powder. 7. Comparative analysis was carried out graphically between the two plant extracts at different time period. Mortality of larvae using different concentration of plant extracts: 1. The large sized Culex larvae were collected and separated in the petri dishes. 2. 5 ml of 1% Neem extract was pipetted in the test tube using a graduated pipette. 3. 10 Culex larvae were introduced and the time was noted. 4. Ten trials were carried out at the same time for different concentration. 5. The larval mortality was recorded for 12 hours and 24 hours. 6. The same procedure was followed for different concentrations [2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% 10%] of the Neem extract. 7. During this experiment the larvae was feed with dog biscuits in powdered form. 8. The above mentioned procedure was also carried out using Tulsi plant extract. 9. A comparative study of larval mortality was made by using these two plants extract on the Culex mosquito larvae. The percentage of mortality (which will give us an indication of the effectiveness of the extract) will be calculated using the following formula. Percentage of mortality = Number of dead larvaeNumber of larvae introduced X 100 2.3. Variables Dependant variable- Number of larvae killed Independent variable-Different concentration of neem extract and tulsi extract, different time period [1hr, 12 hrs, 24 hrs] Controlled variable-Number of larvae, Volume of water, Temperature, food 2.4. Hypothesis Hypothesis 1 Null Hypothesis (Ho): Neem and Tulsi have no significant the mortality of the Culex larvae. Positive hypothesis (H1): Neem and Tulsi have a significant effect on the mortality of the Culex larvae. Hypothesis 2 Null Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant difference in the rate of mortality between Neem and Tulsi plant extracts. Positive Hypothesis (H1): There is a significant difference in the rate of mortality between Neem and Tulsi plant extracts. 3. Results 5.1 Mortality of larvae using crude plant extracts The Culex larvae were exposed to different plant extracts in crude form to study the mortality rate. The number of Culex larvae killed was recorded after 1 hour, 12 hours and 24 hours separately (Table 1). In one hour the mean number of larvae killed by Neem was 4.9 ±0.74 and for Tulsi it was 3.5 ±1.08. As time progresses the difference in effectiveness becomes less and the two extracts are approximately equal. The crude extract of Neem was more effective than Tulsi in one hour duration. At 12 hours the mean number of mosquitoes killed were 9.2 ±1.14 and 8 ±1.05 respectively. At 24 hours the Neem and Tulsi extracts showed almost the same level of effectiveness with mean values of 10 and 9.7 ±0.48 respectively. The crude form of Neem extract was significantly more effective than Tulsi in killing the Culex larvae in 1 hour and 12 hours. However in 24 hours there is no significant difference in the effectiveness of Neem and Tulsi plant extracts. 5.2 Mortality of larvae using different concentration of plant extracts: 5.2.1. Neem: The mortality of the larvae using different concentrations of Neem extract was recorded. At 1% concentration the mean number of larvae killed was noted to be 2.4  ± 0.52 in 12 hours and 3.5  ± 0.53 in 24 hours. At 10% concentration the highest mortality rate was recorded as 9.6  ± 0.52 and 10 for 12 hours and 24 hours respectively. As the concentration of the Neem extract increased, the mortality of the larvae also steadily increased (Table 2). 5.2.2. Tulsi: The mortality of the mosquitoes for Tulsi extract was recorded in the same way as Neem. At 1% concentration the mean number of larvae killed was noted to be 1.8  ± 0.63 in 12 hours and 3  ± 0.67 in 24 hours. At 10% concentration the highest mortality rate was recorded as 8.7  ± 0.67 and 9.6  ± 0.52 for 12 hours and 24 hours respectively. As the concentration of the Tulsi extract increased, the mortality of the larvae also steadily increased (Table 3). Table 1 : Mortality of larvae using crude plant extract Trail s No. of larvae killed 1 hour 12 hours 24 hours Neem Tulsi Neem Tulsi Neem Tulsi 1 5 2 10 9 10 10 2 4 3 10 6 10 9 3 5 5 7 7 10 10 4 6 4 10 8 10 10 5 4 3 8 7 10 9 6 5 4 10 9 10 10 7 6 4 9 8 10 10 8 4 5 10 9 10 10 9 5 3 8 9 10 10 10 5 2 10 8 10 9 Mean  ± S.D 4.9 ±0.74 3.5 ±1.08 9.2 ±1.14 8 ±1.05 10 ±0 9.7 ±0.48 T- test 3.38 2.45 1.96 Calculations T value= Degree of freedom = 20 -2 = 18 Level of significance= 0.05 Table t value = 2.10 Neem and Tulsi in 1 hour Calculated T value= 4.9- 3.5 / √(0.74)2 + (1.08)2 /10 = 3.38 Neem and Tulsi in 12 hours Calculated T value = 2.45 Neem and Tulsi in 24 hours Calculated T value = 1.96 Graph Showing the mortality of larvae using crude plant extract Table 2 Mortality of larvae using different concentration of Neem extracts S. No. Different concentration of Neem extract [%] Mean No. of larvae killed 12 hours 24 hours 1 1% 2.4  ± 0.52 3.5  ± 0.53 2 2% 3.2  ± 0.63 4.3  ± 0.48 3 3% 3.9  ± 0.57 5  ± 0.67 4 4% 4.6  ± 0.7 5.9  ± 0.74 5 5% 5.3  ± 0.67 6.4  ± 0.7 6 6% 5.8  ± 0.42 7  ± 0.67 7 7% 6.5  ± 0.85 7.5  ± 0.53 8 8% 7.4  ± 0.52 8.6  ± 0.7 9 9% 8.6  ± 0.84 9.8  ± 0.42 10 10% 9.6  ± 0.52 10 Graph Showing the mortality of larvae using Neem plant extract Table 3 Mortality of larvae using different concentration of Tulsi extracts S. No. Different Concentrations of Tulsi Extract Mean No. of larvae Killed 12 hours 24 hours 1 1% 1.8  ± 0.63 3  ± 0.67 2 2% 2.6  ± 0.7 3.6  ± 0.52 3 3% 3.3  ± 0.67 4.4  ± 0.7 4 4% 4.1  ± 0.74 5.3  ± 0.82 5 5% 4.8  ± 0.79 5.8  ± 0.79 6 6% 5.4  ± 0.52 6.7  ± 0.48 7 7% 6.2  ± 0.79 7.4  ± 0.7 8 8% 7  ± 0.67 8.1  ± 0.57 9 9% 7.9  ± 0.57 9.1  ± 0.63 10 10% 8.7  ± 0.67 9.6  ± 0.52 Graph Showing the mortality of larvae using Tulsi plant extract Table showing the comparative mean mortality of the larvae using Tulsi and Neem extracts Different Concentrations Mean No. of larvae Killed in 12 hours Mean No. of larvae Killed in 24 hours Tusli Neem Tulsi Neem 1% 1.8  ± 0.63 2.4  ± 0.52 3  ± 0.67 3.5  ± 0.53 2% 2.6  ± 0.7 3.2  ± 0.63 3.6  ± 0.52 4.3  ± 0.48 3% 3.3  ± 0.67 3.9  ± 0.57 4.4  ± 0.7 5  ± 0.67 4% 4.1  ± 0.74 4.6  ± 0.7 5.3  ± 0.82 5.9  ± 0.74 5% 4.8  ± 0.79 5.3  ± 0.67 5.8  ± 0.79 6.4  ± 0.7 6% 5.4  ± 0.52 5.8  ± 0.42 6.7  ± 0.48 7  ± 0.67 7% 6.2  ± 0.79 6.5  ± 0.85 7.4  ± 0.7 7.5  ± 0.53 8% 7  ± 0.67 7.4  ± 0.52 8.1  ± 0.57 8.6  ± 0.7 9% 7.9  ± 0.57 8.6  ± 0.84 9.1  ± 0.63 9.8  ± 0.42 10% 8.7  ± 0.67 9.6  ± 0.52 9.6  ± 0.52 10 Graph comparing number of larvae killed using both plant extracts in 12 hours Graph comparing number of larvae killed using both plant extracts in 24 hours T Values at Different concentrations of Neem and Tulsi extract Concentration of Neem and Tulsi Calculated t value in 12 hours Calculated t value in 24 hours 1% 2.32 1.85 2% 2.14 3.13 3% 2.16 1.96 4% 1.55 1.72 5% 1.53 1.80 6% 1.89 1.15 7% 0.82 0.36 8% 1.49 1.75 9% 2.18 2.92 10% 3.36 2.43 4. Discussion A t-test was performed for the values obtained for the comparison of the crude extracts. The t-test values for crude Neem and Tulsi extracts are effective if seeing if Neem is significantly more effective than Tulsi in a certain time period. The calculated t value for 1 hour is 3.38. This is higher than the table t value of 2.10. Hence in 1 hour Neem is significantly more effective in killing larvae. In 12 hours the calculated t value is 2.45 and therefore we can draw the same conclusion. However in 24 hours the calculated t value in 1.96 and thus there is no significant difference in the effectiveness of Neem and Tulsi. By this point it is evident that, as far as Hypothesis 1 is concerned, that both Neem and Tulsi are effective in killing mosquito larvae. With regard to the crude extract we can say that in 1 and 12 hour periods, Neem is more significantly more effective but not in 24 hours (Hypothesis 2). T-tests were also performed to compare the significant difference in mortality of Neem and Tulsi extracts at different concentrations. Separate t-tests were performed for 12 hours and 24 hours. As seen in the tables above the t-values are significant in 12 hours for 1%, 2% and 3%. They are significant as at these concentrations the calculated t values are greater than the table t value of 2.10. It is also observed in 9% and 10% concentrations in 12 hours. In 24 hours significance is observed in 2%, 9% and 10%. What these means is that for these concentrations in their respective time periods, Neem is significantly more effective than Tulsi in killing larvae. The main effect that Azadirachta indica has on larvae is the growth regulatory effect. It is because of this property that Neem acts as an excellent natural insecticide. Exposure of culex larvae to sub lethal doses prolongs the larval development and causes reduced pupal weight and oviposition. Neem works by intervening at several stages of the insects life. The ingredients present in Neem are approximately the same shape and structure of vital hormones for the insects. The larvae absorb these Neem compounds as if they were real hormones which blocks their endocrine systems. This leaves the insects so sonfused in brain and body that they cease to reproduce and thus the population plummets. Tulsi extract exhibits high mortality, especially during the molting process. The molting of larvae takes place under the influence of the ventral nerve cord neurosecretory cells. These cells release the tanning hormone. The extract may have an inhibiting effect on such cells. They may also act on epidermal cells that produce enzymes necessary for the circular oxidation process. Both plant extracts affect reproduction and inhibit the emergence of adult mosquitoes from their larvae. They also decrease the feeding time for larvae and cause less food to be ingested. This has been noted to cause a fall in the carbohydrate levels of the larvae. A study noted that the extracts cause the amount of DNA and RNA in the larvae to fall thus suggesting that the extracts may affect nucleic acid synthesis. The feeding in the larvae may have decreased due to indigestion caused by the plant extracts as they inhibit metabolic processes. [9] Both Ocimum sanctum and Azadirachta indica are available easily and in large quantities. They do not require professional handling, are inexpensive and safe which makes them very valuable as pesticides. Additionally Tulsi has properties that enable it to disinfect water. The extracts could help replace harmful pesticides used such as DDT as they are safe for non target animals and do not pose residue problems but are still effective in killing larvae and suppressing the adult mosquito population. In conclusion further effort should be taken to produce bio-pesticides from Neem or Tulsi as well as research to find other plants products that may be more ideal. UV rays may affect the Neem and Tulsi extracts thus making them ineffective so research should be done in order to find plant products that do not degrade in the presence of sunlight thus making them completely versatile. 5. Summary * The findings have important implications in the practical control of mosquito larvae, especially, in a polluted aquatic environment. * Ocimum sanctum and Azadirachta indica are the two plants out of which the extracts were prepared. * Solutions of concentrations varying from 1% to 10% were prepared from the stock solution for each plant. * Each concentration was tested on 10 larvae. 10 trials were undertaken and the results were noted. * Both plants were deemed effective as far as larval mortality in concerned. Neem extract had a slightly higher mortality rate. 6. Bibliography (Singh et al. 2000, 2004). Pest management in sericulture (2000), Properties and potential of natural pesticide against sericulture pests. Publ. Zool. Soc. India. pp. 200-206 (Singh and Saratchandra, 2002). An Integrated approach in pest management in sericulture, Int. J . Indust. Entomol. 5, 141-151 (Baskaran and Narayanswamy, 1995) Traditional pest control. Caterpillar Publications. Tamil Nadu, India. (Casida, 1983). Development of synthetic insectide from natu ral products. Case History of pyrethroids from pyrethrins. (Schmutterer, 1990). Properties and potential of natural pesticide from Neem tree. Ann. Re

The Root of Success in Korean Cloning Essay -- Genetics

Korea is currently leading the industry of cloning. There are many cultural and social aspects to why Koreans are leading this industry. David Plotz identifies a theory identified as the â€Å"Chopstick Theory of Scientific Supremacy† in his article titled, â€Å"The Seoul of Clones.† Plotz states Koreans eat with â€Å"narrow, metal chopsticks. Nabbing grains of rice with slippery, steel sticks requires a surgeon’s dexterity† (Plotz, 2005). While this example seems ridiculous, if one dissects the meaning, it can make sense. Koreans are the only Asians that utilize chopsticks that are, quite frankly, hard to use. Japanese and Chinese use thick wooden chopsticks and everyone else in the world uses western utensils or their bare hands to eat. Korean ethics in the workplace is just as meticulous as the chopstick example; they constantly work, sometimes seven days a week, through holidays, and usually until their task is complete, not when their business closes for the day. This ethos of work is highly influenced by the deep cultural beliefs of Confucianism that is embedded in their society. â€Å"Confucianism teaches that workplaces should be run as benevolent hierarchies, with younger and junior people obediently taking guidance from seniors† (Plotz, 2005). Western ideologies promotes individualism, while Confucianism based societies work to support the balance of the chain of command, ultimately giving the boss/supervisor credit for their hard work. Especially with the men (and women) in the Korean workforce, this chain of command structure is nothing new due to the mandatory military service (for men, ages 18 to 35) requirement that is enforced by the government. There are most influences within the social patterns of South Koreans ... ...s/documents/endeavors/volume3/JoshPark.pdf Assessed May 23, 2012. Poleg, Dror. â€Å"Was ‘Confucianism’ important to the Economic Development of Japan and South Korea?† Drorism, January 26, 2011. Web: http://www.drorism.com/2011/01/the-role-of-confucianism-in-the-economic-development-of-japan-and-south-korea.html Assessed May 23, 2012. Plotz, David. â€Å"The Seoul of Clones.† Slate Magazine, October 19, 2005. Web: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/how_they_do_it/2005/10/the_seoul_of_clones.html Assessed May 22, 2012. Scanlon, Charles. â€Å"S Korea’s ‘disgraced’ national hero.† BBC News, November 25, 2005. Web: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4468812.stm Assessed May 23, 2012. Veale, Jennifer. â€Å"South Korea’s Pet Clone Wars.† TIME, February 10, 2009. Web: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1878398,00.html Assessed May 23, 2012. The Root of Success in Korean Cloning Essay -- Genetics Korea is currently leading the industry of cloning. There are many cultural and social aspects to why Koreans are leading this industry. David Plotz identifies a theory identified as the â€Å"Chopstick Theory of Scientific Supremacy† in his article titled, â€Å"The Seoul of Clones.† Plotz states Koreans eat with â€Å"narrow, metal chopsticks. Nabbing grains of rice with slippery, steel sticks requires a surgeon’s dexterity† (Plotz, 2005). While this example seems ridiculous, if one dissects the meaning, it can make sense. Koreans are the only Asians that utilize chopsticks that are, quite frankly, hard to use. Japanese and Chinese use thick wooden chopsticks and everyone else in the world uses western utensils or their bare hands to eat. Korean ethics in the workplace is just as meticulous as the chopstick example; they constantly work, sometimes seven days a week, through holidays, and usually until their task is complete, not when their business closes for the day. This ethos of work is highly influenced by the deep cultural beliefs of Confucianism that is embedded in their society. â€Å"Confucianism teaches that workplaces should be run as benevolent hierarchies, with younger and junior people obediently taking guidance from seniors† (Plotz, 2005). Western ideologies promotes individualism, while Confucianism based societies work to support the balance of the chain of command, ultimately giving the boss/supervisor credit for their hard work. Especially with the men (and women) in the Korean workforce, this chain of command structure is nothing new due to the mandatory military service (for men, ages 18 to 35) requirement that is enforced by the government. There are most influences within the social patterns of South Koreans ... ...s/documents/endeavors/volume3/JoshPark.pdf Assessed May 23, 2012. Poleg, Dror. â€Å"Was ‘Confucianism’ important to the Economic Development of Japan and South Korea?† Drorism, January 26, 2011. Web: http://www.drorism.com/2011/01/the-role-of-confucianism-in-the-economic-development-of-japan-and-south-korea.html Assessed May 23, 2012. Plotz, David. â€Å"The Seoul of Clones.† Slate Magazine, October 19, 2005. Web: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/how_they_do_it/2005/10/the_seoul_of_clones.html Assessed May 22, 2012. Scanlon, Charles. â€Å"S Korea’s ‘disgraced’ national hero.† BBC News, November 25, 2005. Web: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4468812.stm Assessed May 23, 2012. Veale, Jennifer. â€Å"South Korea’s Pet Clone Wars.† TIME, February 10, 2009. Web: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1878398,00.html Assessed May 23, 2012.

Literary Review: Hedda Gabler Essays -- essays research papers

Title: Hedda Gabler Author: Henrik Ibsen Setting: Un-named city in Norway (probably Christiania - the Norwegian capital then) Time Period: 1890 Major Characters Hedda Gabler - (married name: Hedda Tesman) Daughter of an aristocratic general who spoiled her. She’s used to a life of luxury in which she gets anything she wants. She is bored with her life because there’s nothing new for her to see or experience. She marries George Tesman so that she won’t be an oddball in society. She’s nearly thirty and realizes that she’s not getting any younger or desirable. He’s the only one of her suitors who grovels for her hand in marriage, so she chooses him. She immediately sees that she will be able to manipulate him into giving her anything she wants. She puts up with the fact that he’s only interested in past civilizations and he doesn’t satisfy any of her needs. She wants the power to shape the lives of others, and her obvious ennui wrecks not only her life, but the lives of all who come in contact with her as well. George Tesman - very kind and intelligent man. He was raised by his aunts, Juliana and Rina. He remains devoted to them, even though Rina is an invalid. He does everything in his power to give Hedda the life she’s used to. He annoys not only characters in the story, but readers as well. After almost all his sentences he asks the question â€Å"Eh?† (or â€Å"What?† depending on the translation). He is a gentleman and serves Hedda as if he were her slave and not her husband. He even accepts financial support from his aunt Juliana so that he can provide the kind of life Hedda is used to, and to pay for the house he though she really wanted. He even depends on becoming the professor of history so that she’ll be proud of him and they’ll have more financial security. He doesn’t realize Hedda is manipulative, despises him, and doesn’t even want to have their child. He believes her lies that she burnt the manuscript for him as an act of love. Judge Brack - likes to gossip and be know everything going on in people’s private affairs. He has connections around the city and uses that to provide information to Tesman about his candidacy for professorship in history. He informs them of the competition from Eilert Lovborg for the professorship, and also of his death. Brack shares an intimate relationship with Hedda, and she confides in him about her boredom she has with he... ...straight ahead of her and comments, â€Å"So that pretty little fool has had her fingers in a man’s destiny.† Lovborg asks Hedda, â€Å"Was there no love in your friendship for me either? Not a spark--not a tinge of love in it?† In this he expresses that he truly felt love for her, and that is what gave her power over him. Hedda asks herself, â€Å"Oh, why does everything I touch become mean and ludicrous? It’s like a curse!† This comment emphasizes the fact that her ennui is affecting all of those around her. It has caused her to become nihilistic and wreak havoc on the lives of others for her own amusement. Hedda comments, â€Å"I think I have a natural talent for boring myself to death.† She realizes that much of her boredom is self-inflicted, just like when she told Judge Brack that â€Å"as you make your bed so you must lie†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Lovborg tells Hedda, â€Å"It wasn’t secret knowledge you wanted. You wanted life.† They were discussing her curiosity in the past about his sinful life. She replies, â€Å"I want to have the power to shape a human being’s destiny.† Hedda says, â€Å"Yes, there’s something in [the house] of the odor of death†¦Oh, my dear Judge--you can’t imagine how horribly I’m going to bore myself here.†

Edgar Allan Poes The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar Essay -- Facts

Edgar Allan Poe's The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar Edgar Allan Poe's The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar is one of his more interesting works. Granted, this is one of his lesser-known works, but nevertheless this short story is clear example of the obsession theme that is so prominent in the majority of Poe's work. In fact, the obsession the narrator in the story closely resembles Poe himself because he was somewhat obsessed or infatuated with mesmerism for a while. This could be one example where Poe allows the reader into himself (as the narrator) or this could be yet another of Poe's tricks on his audience. In either case, this is a fascinating work that combines his trademark Gothic style with numerous customs and ideas of the day in a short yet substantial work. It would be somewhat accurate to call Poe "the inventor of American Gothic." American gothic did exist before Poe, but he was the man who took this genre to its zenith. Poe's stories generally have some element of the supernatural or mysterious in them, a solitary speaker who is normally "not normal" (many ask "Am I mad?" or insist they are not mad), usually set somewhere in Europe in some remote place at midnight. His brand of American Gothic allows for both the supernatural and physiological interpretations. Many of his narrators show some degree of madness and obsession. In fact, obsession seems to be evident in nearly every Poe tale. Poe's concept of madness is two-fold: physiological and mental/ psychological. Roderick Usher in The Fall of The House of Usher is an example of being mad from a psychological condition of his family practicing incest. The narrator in Ligeia is another example of this physical madness, this man was suffering from al... ...ffman, Daniel. Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe. New York: Doubleday, 1972. Howarth, William. Twentieth Century Interpretations of Poe's Tales. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 1971. Forclaz, Robert. "Psychoanalysis and Edgar Allan Poe: A Critique of the Bonaparte Thesis." Ed. Eric W. Carlson. Critical Essays On Edgar Allan Poe. Boston: G.K. Hall & Co., 1987. 187-195. Gauld, Alan. A History of Hypnotism. Cambridge UP, 1992. Matthews, Terry C., . Writing Scientific Papers. Decatur, Il: Millikin University Biology Department. Ostrom, John Ward. The Letters of Edgar Allan Poe. Vol 2. NewYork: Gordian Press, 1966. 2 vols. Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Facts of M. Valdemar's Case." The Works of the Late Edgar Allan Poe, 1850. The Works of Edgar Allan Poe. The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore. 19 Nov. 2001. 9 Dec. 2001. http://www.eapoe.org/works/tales/vldmard.htm.

Two Ways of Seeing a River (1883)

This passage is excerpted from Mark Twain’s 1883 book Life on the Mississippi, in which he shares his experiences as a river steamboat pilot and explores the many facets of the great river. As you read, consider his masterful use of language as he reflects on his changing relationship with the river. Now when I had mastered the language of this water and had come to know every trifling feature that bordered the great river as familiarly as I knew the letters of the alphabet, I had made a valuable acquisition. But I had lost something, too. I had lost something which could never be restored to me while I lived. All the grace, the beauty, the poetry, had gone out of the majestic river! I still kept in mind a certain wonderful sunset which I witnessed when steamboating was new to me. A broad expanse of the river was turned to blood; in the middle distance the red hue brightened into gold, through which a solitary log came floating, black and conspicuous; in one place a long, slanting mark lay sparkling upon the water; in another the surface was broken by boiling, tumbling rings that were as many-tinted as an opal; where the ruddy flush was faintest was a smooth spot that was covered with graceful circles and radiating lines, ever so delicately traced; the shore on our left was densely wooded, and the somber shadow that fell from this forest was broken in one place by a long, ruffled trail that shone like silver; and high above the forest wall a clean-stemmed dead tree waved a single leafy bough that glowed like a flame in the unobstructed splendor that was flowing from the sun. There were graceful curves, reflected images, woody heights, soft distances, and over the whole scene, far and near, the dissolving lights drifted steadily, enriching it every passing moment with new marvels of coloring. I stood like one bewitched. I drank it in, in a speechless rapture. The world was new to me and I had never seen anything like this at home. But as I have said, a day came when I began to cease from noting the glories and the charms which the moon and the sun and the twilight wrought upon the river’s face; another day came when I ceased altogether to note them. Then, if that sunset scene had been repeated, I should have looked upon it without rapture and should have commented upon it inwardly after this fashion: â€Å"This sun means that we re going to have wind tomorrow; that floating log means that the river is rising, small thanks to it; that slanting mark on the water refers to a bluff reef which is going to kill somebody’s steamboat one of these nights, if it keeps on stretching out like that; those tumbling ‘boils’ show a dissolving bar and a changing channel there; the lines and circles in the slick water over yonder are a warning that that troublesome place is shoaling up dangerously; that silver streak in the shadow of the forest is the ‘break’ from a new snag and he has located himself in the very best place he could have found to fish for steamboats; that tall dead tree, with a single living. Two Ways of Seeing a River ranch, is not going to last long, and then how is a body ever going to get through this blind place at night without the friendly old landmark? † No, the romance and beauty were all gone from the river. All the value any feature of it had for me now was the amount of usefulness it could furnish toward compassing the safe piloting of a steamboat. Since those days, I have pitied doctors from my heart. What does the lovely flush in a beauty’s cheek mean to a doctor but a â€Å"break† that ripples above some deadly disease? Are not all her visible charms sown thick with what are to him the signs and symbols of hidden decay? Does he ever see her beauty at all, or doesn’t he simply view her professionally and comment upon her unwholesome condition all to himself? And doesn’t he sometimes wonder whether he has gained most or lost most by learning his trade? 1. What is Twain’s argument here? What is his claim? What are his reasons? How does he construct his essay to help the reader be persuaded by his claim? How does he draw connections between the ideas in the first two paragraphs and those in the third? 2. What is the purpose of Twain’s argument? To explore? Inform? Convince? Meditate or pray? Something else? 3. Twain is known for his beautiful, rich use of language. Find the phrases or images that are the most powerful to you. What tools of stylish language are he using? How do they help make his argument persuasive?

Swot Analysis of Meru

SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths: Meru Cabs was one of the first companies to launch metered â€Å"Radio cabs† in India under its brand â€Å"Meru. † Meru has captured the first mover advantage in this segment. Meru is very famous among its customers so much that when people think of air conditioned cabs they associate it with Meru. Meru cabs offer good training to their drivers so that they can maintain the Meru level of consumer service. They also regularly maintain their cabs which make it neat and clean and so commuters enjoy their ride.They have digital tampered proof meters so there is no chance cheating. Weakness: Meru cabs largely depend on technology right from the moment to pick up customers to drop them. They use GPRS system to track the customers and to drop them to their location and also to show them the real estimated time. So if there is any server failure or breakdown it becomes difficult for the cabs to function smoothly. Usually Meru cabs are available when cu stomers call for it. So there is time lag between the call time and actual ride. They are not as easily available as local non air conditioned cabs.People usually prefer meru cabs for long distance travel. Opportunity: Meru so far is catering only to major metro cities. They should consider upon extending their services to tier two cities because these cities are growing rapidly. They can also consider upon renting cars without chauffeurs. They can also update their customers with real flight time schedules through Infotainment services. Meru should also think for strategic partnership with various travels portals so that they can extend services like pick up and drop to customers to their hotels and so on. Threats:Although Meru was the first player in this segment; it is now facing stiff competition from players like Tab Cab, Mega Cabs and so on. There is very less level of differentiation among all these cabs. So this is eroding the market share of Meru. Air conditioned buses star ted by BEST in Mumbai is also competition to Meru cabs. Driver unions also prove to be a problem many a times. Government regulations and sudden changes in policies is also a threat. CRM of Meru to retain customers * No additional or hidden charges because of tamper free meters * Printed receipts produced at the end of every trip In case of any complaints, feedback etc. , passengers can call Customer Service Center at 44224422 * Lost and found belongings due to trustworthy drivers * Usage of clean green fuel because it uses LPG and CNG cars now a days to reduce pollution * Thoroughly trained Chauffeurs in a smart MERU uniform, fluent in English and Hindi and regional languages * Users are encouraged to make profiles on the website for faster and easier bookings next time * Round the clock availability of cabs backed by a location tracking GPS – based dispatch technology and a 24Ãâ€"7 Customer Service Center.This means a quicker pickup and faster response time to call for a c ab. * Tamper-proof digital cab meters, integrated with the GPS-system to ensure that every fare is tracked, thereby ruling out any possibility of overcharging by the driver. * Ability to track the location of the cab ‘real-time’ through the GPS technology * Emergency security features installed in the taxi for complete safety, including display of our Customer Service Center numbers inside each cab – provides security in case of an emergency-PANIC BUTTON BENEFITS OF CRM * Customer segmentation Market analytics like records of customer profiles, profile, payment history etc. * Generation of accurate leads and SMS bursts that target only the right customers based on their segmentation is possible * First time retention has increased from 40 % to more than 90 % * Customized and simplified bill formats, payment collection through cards * Better value added services were provided * It facilitated knowledge sharing amongst employees * Option of booking a cab in less th an 60 seconds * Reduced cost of customer acquisition * Has resulted in savings because of fewer calls