Killer Whale Dorsal Fin Collapse

Killer Whale Dorsal Fin Collapse For some time, theres been a heated debate about why  killer whales in captivity have dorsal fins that are flopped over or collapsed. Animal-rights activists say that these fins collapse because the conditions under which killer whales - or  orcas - are held in captivity are not healthy. Others, such as water parks that keep killer whales in captivity and use them in theme-park shows, argue that there are no health threats to killer whales held in captivity and that dorsal fin collapse is natural. The Lowdown on Dorsal Fins All killer whales have a dorsal fin on their back, but the males dorsal fin is much taller than a females and can grow up to 6 feet tall. Despite the fact that the dorsal fin is very straight, it is supported not by bone but a fibrous connective tissue called collagen. All males in captivity have collapsed dorsal fins, but the condition, also known as dorsal fin collapse, flaccid fin, or folded fin syndrome, ​does occur in many captive females. Scientists are not certain why orcas have dorsal fins or what purpose the appendages serve. But, there is some speculation.  Whales Online  says that the large dorsal fin enhances the hydrodynamics of killer whales: (The dorsal fin) helps them slip through the water more efficiently. Similar to the ears of elephants or the tongues of dogs, dorsal, caudal and pectoral fins also help eliminate excess heat during intense activities such as hunting. Orca Live  agrees that the fins help regulate a killer whales body temperature: Excess heat, generated as they swim along, is released into the surrounding water and air via the dorsal fin - much like a radiator! Though there are different theories about their specific purpose, its a fact that dorsal fin collapse is far more prevalent in whales that are held in captivity. Dorsal Fin Collapse A wild orca often travels far, and quickly, in deep water. The water provides pressure to the fin, keeping the tissues inside healthy and straight. One theory as to why dorsal fins collapse in captivity is because the orca spends much of its time at the water surface and doesnt swim very far. This means that the fin tissue gets less support than it would if the orca were in the wild, and it starts to fall over. The whales also often swim in a repetitive circular pattern. Other potential causes for fin collapse may be dehydration and overheating of fin tissue  due to  warmer water and air temperatures, stress due to captivity or changes in diet,  reduced activity that causes low blood pressure, or age. SeaWorld of Hurt, a website operated by animal rights organization PETA, takes this stance, noting that dorsal fins of captive whales likely collapse Because they have no space in which to swim freely and are fed an unnatural diet of thawed dead fish. SeaWorld claims that this condition is common - however, in the wild, it rarely ever happens and is a sign of an injured or unhealthy orca. SeaWorld announced in 2016 that it would stop breeding whales in captivity immediately and  phase out killer whale shows  at all its parks by 2019. (In San Diego, the shows ended in 2017.) The company has said, however, that the shape of a killer whales dorsal fin is  not an indicator of its health. The dorsal fin is a structure like our ear, said Dr. Christopher Dold, SeaWorld’s head veterinarian: It doesnt have any bones in it whatsoever. So our whales spend a lot of time at the surface, and accordingly, tall, heavy dorsal fins (of adult male killer whales) without any bone in it, will slowly bend over and assume a different shape. Wild Orcas While less likely, it is not impossible for a wild orcas dorsal fin to collapse or become bent, and it may be a trait that varies among whale populations. A study of killer whales in New Zealand showed a relatively high rate - 23 percent - of collapsing, collapsed, or even bent or wavy dorsal fins. This was higher than that observed in populations in British Columbia or Norway, where only one male from the 30 studied had a fully collapsed dorsal fin, the study said. In 1989, the dorsal fins of two male killer whales collapsed after exposure to oil during the  Exxon Valdez  oil spill- the whales collapsed fins were thought to be a sign of poor health, as both whales died soon after the collapsed fins were documented. Researchers have theorized that dorsal fin collapse in wild whales may be due to age, stress, injury, or altercations with other killer whales.   Sources Matkin, C. O., and E. Saulitis. 1997. Restoration Notebook: Killer Whale (Orcinus orca). Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, Anchorage, Alaska.  National Marine Fisheries Service Northwest Regional Office. 2005. Proposed Conservation Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales, ). orcaOrcinusVisser, I.N. 1998. Prolific Body Scars and Collapsing Dorsal Fins on Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in New Zealand Waters. Aquatic Mammals  24.2,71-81.

The Function of the Diencephalon Section of the Brain

The Function of the Diencephalon Section of the Brain The diencephalon and the telencephalon (cerebrum) comprise the two major divisions of your prosencephalon or forebrain. If you were to look at a brain, with the skull removed, you would not be able to see the diencephalon, it is mostly hidden from view. It is a small part of the brain nested  under and between the two  cerebral hemispheres, just above the start of the  midbrains brain stem. Despite being small in size, the diencephalon plays a number of critical roles in healthy brain and bodily function within the central nervous system. Function The diencephalon relays sensory information between  brain  regions and controls many autonomic functions of the  peripheral nervous system. It connects structures of the  endocrine system  with the nervous system and works with the  limbic system  structures to generate and manage emotions and memories.   Several structures of the diencephalon work together and with other body parts  to affect the following bodily functions: Directing sense impulses throughout the bodyAutonomic function controlEndocrine function controlMotor function controlHomeostasisHearing, vision, smell, and tasteTouch perception Structures of the Diencephalon The main structures of the diencephalon include the hypothalamus, thalamus, epithalamus (along with the  pineal gland), and subthalamus. Also located within the diencephalon is the third ventricle, one of the four brain ventricles or cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Each part has its own role to play. Thalamus The thalamus assists in sensory perception, regulation of motor functions, and control of sleep and wake cycles. The brain has two thalamus sections. The thalamus acts as a relay station for almost all sensory information (with the exception of smell). Before the sensory information reaches your brains cortex, it stops at the thalamus first. The sensory information travels to the area (or nuclei) that specialize in dealing with that sensory information and then that information passes to the cortex for further processing. The thalamus processes information it receives from the cortex as well. It passes that information on to other parts of the brain and plays a big role in sleep and consciousness.   Hypothalamus The hypothalamus is small, about the size of an almond, and serves as the control center for many autonomic functions through the release of  hormones. This part of the brain is also responsible for maintaining homeostasis, which is your bodys attempt to maintain normal balance, for example, body temperature and blood pressure. The hypothalamus receives a steady stream of information about these types of factors. When the hypothalamus recognizes an unanticipated imbalance, it enacts a mechanism to rectify that disparity. As the main area that regulates hormone secretion and the control of hormone release from the  pituitary gland, the hypothalamus has widespread effects on the body and behavior.   Epithalamus Located in the rear or bottom area of the diencephalon that includes the pineal gland,  the epithalamus aids in sense of smell and helps to regulate sleep and wake cycles. The pineal gland is an endocrine gland that secretes the hormone melatonin, which is thought to play an important role in the regulation of circadian rhythms responsible for sleep and wake cycles. Subthalamus A portion of the subthalamus is made of tissues from the midbrain. This area is densely interconnected with the basal ganglia structures that are part of the cerebrum, which assists in motor control. Other Divisions of the Brain There are three divisions  of the brain. The diencephalon along with the cerebral cortex and brain lobes make up the forebrain. The other two parts are the midbrain and hindbrain. The midbrain  is where the brain stem starts and connects the forebrain to the hindbrain. The brain stem travels all the way through the hindbrain. The hindbrain regulates autonomic functions and coordinates most bodily movement.

The Influence of Sociodemographic Factors on the Likelihood of Youth Essay

The Influence of Sociodemographic Factors on the Likelihood of Youth Entering - Essay Example In this study the author further asserts that these youth gangs develop negative identification with the law enforcers as well as the neighborhood residents. He further provides that youth gangs is not a new phenomenon in the society asserting that it dates back in 17th century where they were characterized with wearing of distinct colors for their identification and arose mainly from social and economic vacuum in their neighborhoods and their contemporary societies. Thus ascribing from this it can be argued that youth gangs have evolved leading to emergence of larger gangs. The notable emerging larger gangs are having sophisticate organization, have access to powerful and dangerous weapons and they continue to recruit young children into these gangs (Wiener 2005). Attributing to this youth gangs are considered a threat to the peaceful coexistence in the society at large. According to Howell (2005) in his research provides that the origin of youth gangs is greatly attributed to the e conomically and socially disadvantaged background. He asserts that these backgrounds have broken families and lack of community cohesiveness (Howell 2005). These youth gangs in most societies and neighborhoods are perceived by its members to fill several needs (Howell 2005). These needs range from psychological, physical, economic and social needs. It is notable that these underlying needs are associated with the failure of the family to fill the arising gaps from this. Taking into consideration these societal needs it can be asserted that gangs notable intents is focused on provision of friendship, sense of identity, searching for wealth and finally for the purpose of security (Howell 2005). Nature and organization of youth gangs According Brantingham (2006) in his publications describes how various youth gangs operates and how they co-ordinate their activities. The authors provide extensive understanding in regard to various youth gang behaviors by identifying and examining its le adership structure and its primary objectives. In this study it is notable that youth join gangs majorly for due to increasing trusting relationship within the gang family (Brantingham 2006). This is attributed to negligence as well as incompetence on the parents, clergy and teachers in performing their traditional roles of counseling and guiding the youth in the society. In the examination of youth gangs in general, it is notable that gang members have developed trusting solid relationships with their mentors who is considered the gang leader (Brantingham 2006). According to Campbell (2011) this relationship of the mentor and the mentee comes along with patience and the willingness and commitment of the mentor in pursuing of a strong relationship. It can be argued that the concept of being real comes in place which is a key attribute of any youth gang leader (Campbell 2011). This involves the gang leader relating genuine concerns on behalf of the gang members. The leader should act in accordance with the youth gang culturally appropriate manner without it being perceived by the gang members as preachy or contrived. Therefore the mentor needs not to condemn the mentee for their actions or their immorality but the real attribute ensures that the gang leader listens, understands and help the

Human Rights in Saudi Arabia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human Rights in Saudi Arabia - Essay Example Political prisoners arrested and killed during a demonstration with no charge The ruling party, which consist of the al-Saud family, tolerate no forms of political and the dissents are harshly treated beyond the human rights standards. The government deploys the tactic of arbitrary detention without charge or trial thus amounting to gross violation of human rights. The prisoners are also subjected to staging sham trials lacking the minimum requirements for any judicial process. The government supporters who have voiced their mild allegations of the ruling class have also found their way into kangaroo courts or subjected to imprisonment without trial.3 The political prison is full beyond capacity since its projected to hold about 10, 000 prisoners yet it now has over three times this number. This number of political prisoners is extremely high considering it is a country of about 27 million people most of which are young adults. The crisis of imprisonment keeps on getting worse at the dawn of each day since more and more people are arrested and imprisoned on unclear grounds. The prisoners are made to live and endure in critical inhumane conditions with less medical care and lack of other basic needs required in standard prisons.4 This makes the prisoners suffer as they serve their imprisonment some of which die in the course of their sentences. The family members of the prisoners are rarely awarded an opportunity to visit their imprisoned relatives in those dilapidated conditions and thus are less aware of the jubilations faced by their people.5 The government of Saudi Arabia has shown little interest in helping the prisoners, most of which who are because of a political challenge against their dynasties. The government feels that this is the best means of treating the prisoners to remove any kind of political uprising, which may challenge their authority and leadership. The government conditions are so severe that even the released prisoners are still pressured with travel bans and other forms of threats to avoid. Those who fight for human rights are also subjected to employment bans, teaching bans, and imprisonment of other family members and close relatives so that they stop their calls for change in the autocratic leadership witnessed in Saudi Arabia. 6 Women Rights This is the country where women lead stranger life than any other part of the word. In Saudi Arabia, women are treated like second-class citizens, as they are not allowed all the privileges enjoyed by women.7 Human rights in Saudi Arabia is amongst the most talked about yet the murkiest topic in the country due to low regards women are held. The challenges facing women in Saudi Arabia range from political to legal disenfranchisement along with curtailed liberties that make their life extremely uncomfortable in their daily lives.

Problems and flaws in the American Education Essay Example for Free

Problems and flaws in the American Education Essay In this class we have read many articles related to the problems and flaws in the American Education. Many people in the United States believe our educational system is in crisis. In this essay, I will be comparing and contrasting the differences and similarities between two articles. The author of Idiot Nation takes us on a tour of failings of America’s schools. He touches on topics of cultural illiteracy and the relationships between schools and corporations. In another article, the author of In the Basement of the Ivory Tower confirms some of the suspicions about the policies and standards of American higher education. These articles share similarities and differences as well. Professor X, the author of In the Basement of the Ivory Tower, is a part-time instructor of English in a college. The author describes how many of his students need serious work in â€Å"basic skills†. Few of his students can do well in his classes. Other students may never pass, because they cannot write a coherent sentence. The Professor has encountered many students lacking the capacity to succeed in his English classes. Similarly, the author of Idiot Nation, explains how many of the students attending college are ignorant. They have serious problems in learning and knowing facts that they should know for fact. These two articles demonstrate the problems that college students have when it comes down to education. In contrast, Professor X relates to the students and has sympathy towards their problems, but the author of Idiot Nation, does not seem to relate to these students. Michael Moore is aggressive and does not justify the idiocy of the students. Professor X talks about how he wishes to help his students write more intelligent essays. He understands the students’ difficulties in learning and frustrations. Furthermore, he tries to find solutions, such as relating the literacy techniques they will have to study to novels that the students may have already read. As we can see, the United States faces major problems in today’s education. Many attempts have been made to establish and demonstrate these problems to the public. We may be able to read and view these problems in newspapers, advertisements, and book articles. Michael Moore and Professor X are authors of articles which depict and give a better understanding of the issues that are found in education throughout the country. Today many college students face problems because of their lack of intelligence.

Beowulf (Christianity vs. Paganism) Essay -- Epic of Beowulf Essays

Christianity vs. Paganism   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the story of Beowulf, there is a noticeable struggle between Christianity and Paganism, and the characters personal battle between the two. Throughout the story the characters display actions that lead towards Paganism and Christianity. Contrary to Pagan belief Beowulf is seen as the epitome of good and beneficent to all of mankind. In Beowulf, the people showed their faith and love in God, however due to horrific events, paranoia caused them to look for a quick fix and turns them to Paganism.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman personifications. Beowulf is depicted as a superhero. Beowulf takes it upon himself to save the Danes from Grendel. In his battle with Grendel, Beowulf chooses not to use weapons; he relies on his super strength. During the fight, Beowulf's strength takes over, and Beowulf wrestles with Grendel until he is able to rip one of the monster's arms out of its socket. Superhuman feats also appear in the fight with Grendel's mother. When Beowulf enters the water, he swims, without the use of oxygen, downward for an entire day before he sees the bottom. During the battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf realizes that Unferth's sword is useless against the monster’s thick skin. He grabs an enormous sword made by giants, almost too heavy to hold, and slashes through the monster's body. This superhero strength continues into t...

Meno’s Dialogue

I have always been fascinated at the idea of the saying: â€Å"if at first you don’t succeed, try try again. † Learning to me has always been upon the idea of problem solving, that we must attempt to figure out the truth while stumbling upon questions and false answers. In Meno’s dialogue with Socrates, Meno attempts to ask Socrates if virtue can be acquired. Expecting a bold and grand statement as heard upon by his sophist peers from Thessaly, Meno was amazed to hear that Socrates had no clue to his question, even going further by stating that Socrates hasn’t met anyone who knows what virtue is. While in their quest to find out if virtue can be acquired by teaching, they struggle through the logic behind it. Meno points out by defining virtue as a list: â€Å"there will be no difficulty, Socrates, in answering your question. Let us take first the virtue of a man-he should know how to administer the state, and in the administration of it to benefit his friends and harm his enemies. A woman’s virtue, if you wish to know about that, may also be easily described her duty is to order her house, and keep what is indoors, and obey her husband. Every age, every condition of life, young or old, male or female, bond or free, has a different virtue: there are virtues numberless, and no lack of definitions of them; for virtue is relative to the actions and ages of each of us in all that we do†. But Socrates manages to debunk this error with his example of Meno’s list of virtues being like a swarm of bees. A second attempt by Meno makes the same mistake as the first, as Meno manages to say that health is a virtue: â€Å"I should say that health is the same, both in man and woman. A third attempt at defining what virtue also comes up empty handed. After coming up with no luck, Meno states that he feels numb and confused, and this is known in the story as paradox of inquiry. The paradox states that learning isn’t possible, because you either know what you’re looking for or you do not. But rather than being arrogant or simply giving up, Meno manages to listen to what Socrates is about to teach him, unlike the old and conceited politician Anytus, who is insulted after Socrates debunks his theory of â€Å"talking to any gentleman on the streets of Athens to see true irtue† by explaining that not all the sons of well-respected Athenian men turned out to be perfect and well off. Thus, both Socrates and Meno are problem solving to find out if virtue can be taught to an individual by using one of Meno’s slaveboy as an example. Socrates then manages to draw a square with four equal sections and asks the slave to find the length of the side of a square that has an area that’s double in size. As the slave incorrectly attempts to answer time after time the correct answer, it proves to us something about how learning proceeds. The slaveboy manages to figure out the correct answer with Socrates only telling him hints to figure out the problem. We ultimately are not stuck in a paradox and learning is possible by constantly using the dialectic method, that is, constantly questioning oneself. What does all this mean for the nature of reasoning or logos and its importance in coming to know things? It ultimately shows us that mankind wonders for things and are willing to learn, even if they are unknown to them. Even in the ancient days of Athens, people were curious to learn and obtain new knowledge. The way people learn is by through dialectic method, as I mentioned earlier, to have back and forth discussion with your arguer or yourself until you have come to right conclusion or answer. As we have with the slaveboy, he repeatedly wondered and questioned himself until he manages to stumble upon the correct answer, rather than being spoonfed by Socrates. A common analogy to this story I grew up with that’s common to me is the education system I went through in Indonesia and here in the United States. In Indonesia, learning and being spoonfed are both intertwined, as teachers would give you the answer to the questions ahead of time and students are supposed to regurgitate the information back. Here in the United States, more critical thinking comes into play into the education I got here, I was forced to think through for my answers rather than the teacher giving me the answer. As in the story of Meno, such dialectic reasoning or critical thinking is prevalent in trying to find out the truth.