Abstract This paper discusses the phenomenon of circadian rhythms. First, it discusses exactly what circadian rhythms are. The paper then discusses how the brain and environment regulate circadian rhythms. Next, the paper looks at why people sleep. Finally, the paper discusses the factors that affect how much time people sleep and are awake.
From the Paper "Whether asleep or awake, busy with daily activities such as work, play, or eating, humans show a very complex, yet very base, form of evolutionary progress. This evolution has allowed human beings to adapt to the natural 24-hour day/night routine that is dictated by the sun's rising and setting, and also dictates when certain activities must be done. This paper will look at the biological rationale for such activity, a process known as circadian rhythm. First, circadian rhythm will be defined and explained. Then, the brain and the environment's affectations upon circadian rhythms will be discussed. Third, the reasons why human beings must sleep will be studied. Finally, the essay will investigate the factors that dictate the time invested in sleep and awake states. Circadian rhythm is what has allowed human beings to adapt to the 24-hour cycle that makes up day and night in this world."
Abstract This paper examines how the circadian rhythm is a very important biological rhythm to every living organism on Earth except for plants. The paper relates that circadian rhythm is important to different bodily functions and allows organisms to keep a mental clock of the world around them. The paper also looks at how our circadian rhythm is affected by different stimuli and how it prepares us for the next 24-hour day.
From the Paper "Disruptions in circadian rhythms can have an effect on serious situations in the professional world. As noted above in the example of workers who are at risk of disruptions in their biological clocks due to late night hours, such as truck drivers and night shift security guards, workers must regulate strict sleep schedules in order to perform the best to their ability at their jobs. It is very dangerous for truck drivers to not get adequate sleep if they are driving long distances throughout the night because it puts both the truck driver and other drivers on the road at risk while driving. Truck drivers can easily fall asleep, swaying off the road and causing horrific traffic accidents that can pose serious threats on highways. Security guards on the other hand, especially ones who guard entrances to buildings, malls, stores, and private communities, must remain awake to ensure no suspicious individuals or criminals enter the facilities they are guarding."
This paper discusses three Internet sites that examine the role "biological clocks", or circadian rhythms, play in regulating the human body's internal activities.
Abstract This paper explains that an important point that is illustrated in the "Biological Clocks, Brain Briefings" web site is the role that light, specifically sunlight, plays in affecting the activities, not only of humans, but also of mammals in general. The author points out that the Circadian Rhythm Information Web centers its attention on circadian rhythm disorders and provides three categories containing links to web sites that provide information about the topic. The paper concludes that further studies about this phenomenon may be applied to the studies of jet lag and alteration of biological clocks in the context of aging.
From the Paper "The article cites scientific experiments conducted on animals to illustrate how circadian rhythms, and any alteration or irregularity in its pattern, may result to changes in the body's internal rhythm. The article's simple, yet illustrative, explanation of circadian rhythm disorders among animals show how sleeping disorders such as jet lags are understood on a scientific basis. Apart from circadian rhythm disorders, the article also centered its discussion on the biochemical reactions that take place in the human body in response to these circadian rhythms."
An analysis of the quantitative research article "Sleep is Related to Physical Function and Emotional Well-Being after Cardiac Surgery" by Nancy S. Redeker, Jeanne S. Ruggiero and Christine Hedges.
Abstract This paper explains that the research question, reported in the "Nursing Research" article "Sleep is Related to Physical Function and Emotional Well-Being after Cardiac Surgery" by Redeker e.al., is "What is the relation of daytime napping to physical function and emotional well-being?" The author points out that this reported study has a multi-center, nonrandomized, prospective design. The paper also reports that the weaknesses of the study are that preoperative data on sleeping patterns were not available, dropout caused issues of internal validity and the sample was not representative. The author concludes that a randomized, case-control design would afford more validity.
Table of Contents:
Study
Problem
Study Purpose
Research Question
Hypotheses
Study Variables
Review of Related Literature
Study Design
Sample and Setting
Identification and Control of Extraneous Variables
Study Instruments/Tools
From the Paper "The hypotheses examined by the study were based on two theoretical models that regulate sleep patterns, namely: a) the chronobionic or circardian rhythm model of sleep regulation, and b) homeostatic model of sleep regulation. The circadian rhythm regulates the need for sleep according to the time of day while physiological homeostasis regulates the need for sleep in response to the body's tiredness due to physical exertion or extended wake periods."
Abstract This paper studies contemporary African-American music, calling it an amalgam of several music styles of our time. The author explains that with its roots in jazz, African-American music today is taking elements from all over the world to create a tapestry of styles united by one ineffable ingredient: rhythm. That rhythm is being immeasurably influenced by technology -- namely electronic music. However, the author is careful to point out that electronics do not preclude the use of traditional African instruments, but rather enhance their sound.
From the Paper "Electronic Music is how electronic musical instruments can be used to produce music. The types of instruments this refers to include electronic keyboards, synthesizers, samplers and any other musical instrument, which is largely electric or electronic in nature. This is not however a complete list of the equipment which is used in electronic music as the complete process of generating music electronically also includes the process of recording the music and the processing of sounds using signal processors (effects processors) to produce the required effect."
Abstract The paper defines circadian rhythms as what has allowed human beings to adapt to the 24-hour cycle that makes up day and night in this world. The paper examines how the brain and environment regulate circadian rhythms. The paper looks at why people sleep and the various factors that affect how much time people are asleep and awake.
From the Paper "In this manner, our circadian rhythm gives our brain a real biological clock, that genetically gives us a checkpoint and outline for when to act and when to be inactive. This occurs because of an even more minute biological instance. These SCN neurons that we have discussed and defined "link to the tiny pineal gland, which secretes melatonin, a hormone that has a relaxing effect on the body" (Atkinson et al., 2003, p. 211). What occurs in this biological exchange is that during the day, the pineal gland is more dormant and relaxed and then, conversely, during the nighttime, "SCN neurons are inactive, allowing melatonin levels to increase and promoting relaxation and sleepiness" (Atkinson et al., 2003, p. 211). Thus, the brain has adapted and evolved to a night-and day-setup that the human body has enacted upon it."
Abstract The paper examines a study on why adverse life events result in depression only in some individuals, a study on whether genetics has any association with the onset of depression following stressful life events, and a study on the treatment of major depressive disorders. The paper also discusses studies on the topics of bipolar disorder and recovery time from adverse life events, the variables that affect depression, recurring depression and finally, circadian rhythms and their affect on the mental processes of human beings.
Outline:
Introduction
Life Events and Depression
Stressful Life Events and Major Depression
Treatment of Major Depressive Disorders
Bipolar Disorder and Depression
Variables of Depression
Recurring Depression
Alcohol and Anxiety
Circadian Rhythms Conclusion
From the Paper "The researchers studied individuals that had suffered from depression after a significant life event and those that had not. It was determined that the impact of adverse life events on people is dependent on two factors. First, that the event be associated with "adverse interpersonal events" rather than "adverse achievement events". Adverse interpersonal events are related to death of a close family member, while adverse achievement events as associated to accomplishments in life. The authors also found that cognitive personality characteristics were a significant factor in the individual's likelihood of developing depression because of the thought processes that altered the outlook of the individual."
Abstract The paper relates that Gerald Manley Hopkins' use of vocabulary, rhythm techniques and innovative poetry writing styles makes him one of the most influential poets in history. The paper explains Hopkins' innovations of sprung rhythm, his use of vocabulary and rhyme and his idea of 'inscape' and 'instress', two words to describe the inner nature of his poetry.
From the Paper "Gerald Manley Hopkins was born in Stratford, England in 1844. His father was a writer of poetry and technical books, so one can see where he got his unique gift of poetry. As a young boy, he already showed a great attraction to poetry, and he received many awards throughout his school career. His life had a great impact upon his poetry. He converted to Roman Catholic at the age of twenty-two, and was estranged from his family. He ended up burning many of his early poems because he felt poetry was not the proper selection for a serious religious man."
Abstract An analysis of Robert Frost's poem "Desert Places" according to X. J. Kennedy's analytic categories concentrating on imagery, but also demonstrating how Frost weaves poetic elements into an artistic whole merging rhythm, rhyme, and symbol with imagery.
From the Paper "Robert Frost's poem "Desert Places" provides an excellent example of how a poem may be analyzed according to analytic categories devised by X. J. Kennedy. This discussion will primarily concentrate on the imagery of Frost's poem, but will also show how a poetic genius weaves together the various elements of poetry, as defined in Kennedy's analytic categories, to form an artistic whole. What happens in this poem is that other categories such as rhythm, rhyme, and symbol merge with the imagery to create a unique entity -- sixteen lines of lyric verse capable of traveling from the heart and mind of one man to the innermost depths of millions of humans far distant in time and place."
Abstract This paper takes a look at James Joyce's "Ulysses" which was transformed from a novel into an opera. It analyzes the impact that each of these art forms has on the work and how the format changes. It provides a background of James Joyce's life and the background to his writing the novel. Within the novel itself, the "Siren Song" chapter is analyzed.
From the paper:
"Historians with idle time on their hands occasionally may indulge in moments of wishful revisionism. ?What if,? they say, "That young dreamer named Adolph Hitler had been accepted into art school" Wouldn"t the world be different"? History is littered with celebrities who, for better or worse, had as youngsters fervently wished to be doing something different than their allotted role. Among them was one James Joyce, who, as it so happened, wanted to be a musician. If Hitler had been an artist instead, he probably would have been drawing propaganda posters for a second World War that would have persisted without his figure head. If James Joyce has been a musician, would he still have created Ulysses? At first glance, of course one must say not. This book is, after all, celebrated as one of the best modern examples of the novel -- not an opera. However, if what we look for in Ulysses is not its obviously visible shape, but rather, its messages, its rhythms and stories and symbolisms, then it is entirely possible that it would be the same creation if it were suddenly transmutated into music."
Abstract This paper looks at William Shakespeare's "Sonnet III". It examines the rhythm, vocabulary and verbal images. The author uses several examples to demonstrate the patterns he used in his poetry. The inspiration for this type of poetry is examined, including his upbringing and early influences.
From the Paper "In line two, "form another" means to reproduce. Shakespeare continues to make the point throughout the poem that the young man should have children because he is so handsome and his children would be attractive. He says that this is the way for the young man to preserve ("repair") his good looks ? by passing them on to another generation. In this poem, "beguile" means to cheat or deprive someone of their rights. So to "beguile the world" is to cheat the world. This must have been a very handsome young man."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth examination of the Blues. It begins by taking a look at the Deep South roots of the original Blues during slavery and how it began to spread north to Harlem in the late 1900s. The birth of contemporary Blues in the 1940s is detailed and it looks at some of the musicians, such as Scott Joplin who began incorporating these rhythms into their music. The next area covered is the building of the Blues, and traces the growth of different genres from the original blues. According to this author, the legacy of the blues was set, when it reached the ears of Elvis Presley, which led to the birth of rock and roll.
From the Paper "The music that was originally known as the blues developed from a variety of hereditary and regional musical influences and practices popular among the people of the southern portion of the United States. The roots of all varieties of blues music can be traced to the southern states, particularly those that comprise the area of the nation known as the Deep South. The music originating in the hills and backwoods of Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky, music that has become most commonly associated with "hillbilly" bands and rhythms, is in fact a variety of the blues genre that is often referred to as "country blues" (Pooley 86). The style and genre that is most commonly associated with the blues, however, is also commonly associated with the nation's African-American sector and stems from the "Delta blues", a form of the blues that originated among the slave populations of the antebellum south and developed alongside its country "cousin" (86). This distinct musical style and form developed from the West African rhythms and beats that were brought to America by African slaves imported during the early years of slavery, rhythms and beats that were kept alive and passed down from generation to generation by the traditional music and songs of southern slaves."
Tags: musicians, south, deep, harlem, genre, rhythm, slavery, music, american, ragtime, emancipation, style, note, rock, roll
Abstract The paper begins with a brief summary of the poem's plot, tone and message. The poem's musicality and rhythm is discussed, as is the effectiveness of the dialogue form. The purpose and meaning of the series of questions in the poem is explored. The paper concludes by looking at the use of exclamation marks instead of question marks in the later portion of the poem, along with two-line stanzas instead of four.
From the Paper "Langston Hughes's father was the first black man to be elected to public office, in 1855. Therefore, the poet was heavily influenced by his experiences with racism and the relatively recent repeal of slavery. However, when Hughes wrote "Ballad of the Landlord" in 1943, he reflects society's continued prejudice toward African-Americans. "Ballad of the Landlord" is a sad allusion to the suppression of blacks in America. It progresses through a dialogue between the narrator and his landlord, who neglects his duties but continues to demand rent monies. The black narrator takes issue with the landlord, who calls the police instead of addressing the leaky roof and broken steps. The frustrated tenant is then accused not only of threatening the landlord but also of ?trying to overturn the government.? As a result, he lands in jail. The tone of the poem is bitter and exasperated; Hughes seems to recognize the futility of the black man's predicament while simultaneously trying to change the status quo."
Abstract The paper begins by looking for a common thread in the seventeen poems, and states the main theme as that of eternity. The idea of death as just another state of being is discussed and the meaning behind the grouping of poems is explored. The paper then takes the reader through poems #441 to #455, discussing them individually in order to explain their meaning and their connection to the overall theme of eternity. The paper concludes by commenting on such aspects as the tone, mood, format, rhythm, rhyme and use of capitalization in the poems.
From the Paper "The seventeen poems that make up Fascicle #21, nonetheless, have obvious thematic linkages, their images repeated and interwoven to form a delicate pattern. The main thread that seems to run through the fascicle is the concept of eternity. There is a sense of timelessness, and of time collapsed upon itself. The first poem in the fascicle, #440, describes a visit to "home" after many years; the soul is filled with fear and alienation, and rushes away like a thief. The metaphor of the ocean for an unbridgeable expanse is introduced in this poem. By the last poem, #455, the soul owns a treasure and her wealth is recognized by others ? she is not a thief but the recipient of a priceless gift. The progression from this fearful disentitlement to the proud, confident ownership of #455 takes place as a pilgrimage through eternity depicted in the other intervening poems."
