Abstract The mechanical clock is one of the most common technologies in the Western world. The fact that the mechanical clock is so common means that many people have a difficult time believing that there have been periods of time in which the mechanical clock did not exist. In this bibliographic essay the origins of the mechanical clock are examined. The paper demonstrates that the mechanical clock did not simply spring into existence as a result of a single innovation. Instead the mechanical clock resulted from a number of technological and social developments.
Abstract This paper discusses the development and evolution of the clock, with a focus on earlier developments. There is also brief mention of the wristwatch and its development.
From the Paper "The first clocks were very different from today's digital timepieces. They included such forms of time-telling as sand clocks, water clocks, and shadow clocks. Shadow clocks, including sundials, utilize the rotation of the earth to measure the passage of time. There are also early calendrical arrangements, such as Stonehenge, which depended upon the sun to inform people about changing seasons and special days, such as the solstice and equinox times (Trefil, 1999)."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the film 'Twelve O'Clock High' by Darryl F. Zanuck. The paper discusses this film as one that depicts different leadership styles and management theories. The paper further discusses how the film, through its lead character of General Frank Savage, played by Gregory Peck, accurately shows how a transformational character can be a dynamic force on those around him.
From the Paper "Due to his ineffective leadership style, Davenport is removed from command of the 918th group and replaced by General Savage. Savage is Davenport's antithesis when it comes to leadership. The two officers are friends, yet Savage sees the weaknesses of the other's style and consciously makes the decision to be a different kind of leader. As Savage arrives on the base, he immediately makes it known to all that there is a new authority figure in command. Savage witnesses the sloppy discipline of the group in several ways in his first few minutes on base. The MP at the gate waves him through without checking his identification, a sergeant is out of uniform, and, even worse, officers are drunk and scattered. The base is in drastic need of a transformational leader which it gets in Savage. However, it is the process of establishing himself as that leader which proves to be challenging for Savage."
From the Paper " The History of Clocks
The perception of time most likely developed through the observation of natural phenomena. Early humans survived without quantifying time. As behavior became more complex, increasingly advanced societies required timekeeping devices. The history of clocks may be thought of as a chronicle of human progress. Horologists have responded to specific technical and social problems by creating new methods of measuring time. Even in the modern era, technological needs determine clock accuracy.
Time and Its Measurement
For the earliest humans, time may have been related to the movement of the sun. Repetitive phenomena such as the sunrise and sunset could have led to a conception of time span. Eventually, primitive humans began to estimate the day's length."
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."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the Grimm's 1857 version of "Cinderella" with Tanith Lee's "When the Clock Strikes", highlighting the differences between each author's target market, one being early 19th century parents in search of a primer in manners for their children, and the other, a modern audience reading for pleasure. It explores character motivation, conflict and resolution, and the role of religion in short stories.
From the Paper "The Cinderella character's motivation in the Grimms? tale is different to that of Ashella, her abused and motherless counterpart in Tanith Lee's ?When the Clock Strikes.? The two characters share a strong sense of duty, with both characters vowing to carry out their dying mothers? instructions to the letter. However, Cinderella's vow is that she remain "good and pious" (Zipes 93). Her reward is to be the Lord's assistance and access to her mother's spirit. While not entirely clear, it seems that the Lord is represented in the story by tame birds and the mother by a hazel bush."
Abstract This paper discusses various facets of computers and information processing, including the choice of best input or output methods for various situations, the best storage devices to use for different information storage needs, and the role of RAM, clock speed, and data storage medium in computer speed.
From the Paper "Different methods of data input are appropriate for different situations. For example the best way to input printed questionnaires is by keying in the data because scanning it in is likely to result in errors ..."
Tags: input methods, output methods, hard disk, floppy disk, RAM, CD ROM, tape, clock speed, computer speed
Abstract In this article, the writer provides an overview of Network Time Protocol (NTP), followed by a general discussion concerning its current applications and potential future trends. A summary of the research and important findings are provided in the conclusion. The writer notes that the research shows that Network Time Protocol is a longstanding Internet protocol that is used to ensure the accurate synchronization to the millisecond of computer clock times in a network of computers. The writer concludes that NTP is here to stay for the foreseeable future and further refinements in its functionality can reasonably be expected to follow industry and user needs.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Figure 1. NTP Architecture.
Conclusion
From the Paper "Furthermore, Mills maintains that NTP can reasonably be said to be the longest running, continuously operating, ubiquitously available protocol in the Internet; the NIST, as well as their counterparts in other countries, currently provide multiple NTP primary servers directly synchronized to national standard cesium clock ensembles and GPS. More than 230 Internet primary servers are already in Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Holland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the United States and NTP provides function to more than a million Internet servers and clients are all over the world. Network Time Protocol is used by agencies and organizations such as the U.S. Weather Service, U.S. Treasury Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Public Broadcasting Station, Merrill Lynch, Citicorp, GTE, Sun, DEC, Hewlett-Packard and others etc. Moreover, private networks are reported to have more than 10,000 NTP servers and clients behind firewalls; one (GTE) reports in the order of 30,000 NTP workstations and PCs and NTP has even been used on the NASA Shuttle and in the Antarctica in planning efforts for the envisioned Mars Internet."
Abstract This paper discusses the differences in perception and use of time between cultures. Although time carries with it different aspects and holds different values, it is constrained and used as a tool to constrain the actions of the individual for the betterment of a society. The author of this paper concludes that from the constraints of time there are rewards and punishments to allow a society to control individual behavior.
Outline:
Introduction
Sources
Analysis
Perception of time of each culture
The reason for time
Cultural valuations of time
Nature, event and clock time
Linear and Monochronic Time
Conclusion
From the Paper "Culture can be defined as a shared behavior--a behavior that unites people together in their actions and allows them to co-exist with each other--of course this is not to say that there are not rewards and punishments for helping the group to be functional or not co-operating with the group at all. Time then is a way in which a group (society) maintains a certain amount of functionality by exercising the constraints of time on everybody in the group. Those who do not work within these constraints of time cause chaos within the subsets in the group. Each culture has its own definition of time constraints--many European countries have siesta in the afternoon, in areas if the US where the heat in the summer is well over 100 degrees people schedule their days so they won't be out doing physically labor during the hottest part of the afternoon and in the United Kingdom they have tea time which is different than the traditional American supper time. The concept of time is one way that a culture is defined."
Abstract This paper begins with a brief review of literature and then outlines the methodology of a basic experiment of human behavior. The work outlines the development of simple forethought in human existence, specifically what drives individuals to think of doing things like setting an alarm clock for an appropriate time in the morning. The paper proposes a research study that will be conducted in a sleep lab, where people are present to diagnose or rule out sleep disturbances, and that will be secondary and separate from the experimentation done for that purpose.
Outline:
Introduction
Review of Literature
Methodology
Discussion
Limitations
Conclusion
From the Paper "Behavior of human and animals has always been a curious aspect of the physical condition. Many theories have been applied to human behavior in an attempt to understand both the low and high order reasoning that is applied to elicit behavior. Humans and human behavior is specifically interesting to researchers who seek to understand and develop ideas regarding the reasons why individuals and groups act as they do, and to experiment upon such actions in an attempt to develop reasoning as to what is significant and what is not significant in the development of a thought into an action."
An analysis of the article "Lighting for the Human Circadian Clock: Recent Research Indicates that Lighting Has Become a Public Health Issue" by S. Pauley.
Abstract The paper examines the article "Lighting for the Human Circadian Clock: Recent Research Indicates that Lighting Has Become a Public Health Issue" that reveals that certain illness rates, such as colorectal cancer and breast cancer, are much higher among nighttime shift workers than in the rest of the population. The paper explains the article's evidence that the disruption in the normal circadian rhythm of sleep-wake cycles inhibits the production of melatonin that in turn increases cancer rates. The paper discusses the implications of this research for nighttime workers and for the general public.
From the Paper "Prior to the Industrial Revolution, most people worked and carried on their daily life activities exclusively in the daytime and slept at night, primarily because without artificial lighting, there was no other choice. Once kerosene, gas, and incandescent lighting became widely used during the nineteenth century, people were able to make more productive use of nighttime hours, and 24-hour production became a possibility. Artificial lighting has become so common, that in modern societies, we take nighttime sporting events, all-night restaurants, and 24-hour casinos for granted. Certain industries run 'round the clock, with rotating shift workers on duty at all times."
Abstract This paper discusses the difficulties associated with introducing changes for a general in the military. It describes how often times a leader (whether a politician or an officer) who attempts to institute changes is challenged by those who are entrenched at their positions. The paper looks at the leadership shown through the film "Twelve O'Clock High" with Gregory Peck and the leadership abilities of British Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, who led British ships into battle in the late 1700s.
From the Paper "Meanwhile, the development of leaders - according to Be-Know-Do-Learn (BKDL) - requires a certain set of strategies that are very important and date back to the foundations of the Army. BKDL is a description that affirms the Army values of "...loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage." All of those values can be linked to Peck's character in Twelve O'Clock High. He certainly showed courage by flying in the lead B-17 bomber day after day (until he finally broke down towards the end of the film). He expected loyalty from his troops and once they settled into his style of management and leadership, he got that loyalty. "Honor" and "integrity" are things he demanded of his men, along with a sense of duty. It took Savage awhile to achieve the respect he wanted and needed, but he got that done too."
Abstract This paper describes some of the many technological advancements that took place in China prior to the fourteenth century under the Shang and Chou dynasties. The paper relates that under Chinese Shang rule, bronze metallurgy was developed that then evolved into the development of blast furnaces and advanced iron-casting capabilities. The paper also discusses the development of a distinctive writing system and examines China's contributions to the lives of Europeans. This included the glazed pottery known as china or porcelain as well as other inventions of the compass, paper, gun powder, natural gas, mechanical clocks and row planting.
From the Paper "The era of the Shang and Chou dynasties represent the formative years of Chinese history. Prior to this period, China was politically unified, yet comparable to India before its unification by the Mauryan Dynasty. This was the time when a majority of China's cultural traditions that exist today materialized. For many centuries, the country of China was in an isolated state away from other civilization, seas, deserts, and mountains. This helps to explain the originality and uniqueness of the Chinese culture. China's transition from Neolithic culture to civilization was complete with the establishment of Shang rule over most of North China in addition to the first written texts ("Notes on China")."
Abstract This paper looks at the book "Warriors Don't Cry" which is the story of a young African American child who was one of the first who forced racial integration into the Little Rock school system. The writer analyzes how the book, which is written through the eyes of a child, helps people realize the stupidity of their bigotry.
From the paper:
"?We are not these bodies, we are spirits, God's ideas,? Grandma India explained to Melba Pattillo Beals one afternoon as they tended Grandma's garden of four-o?clocks. "You don"t want to be white, what you really want is to be free, and freedom is a state of mind? (6). It was perhaps those words of wisdom spoken to a child only six years of age that helped create the courage that would one day be needed by Melba to fulfill her destiny. Melba Pattillo would, ten years later, be among the first Black children to attend and help integrate Little Rock's previously all-White Central High School."
Abstract The paper begins by listing the frog's external characteristics and order of taxonomy. It continues to describe its physiology. It studies the behavior of the frog, dividing this topic up into behavior (including a look at its biological clock), learned behavior and social behavior. The paper includes a picture of the frog.
From the Paper "Rana boylii sierrae Camp. or foothill yellow-legged frog is found mostly in rivers and riverbanks, hiding around the rocks or emerges for sunlight. Ashton et al. writes that the species is morphologically identified in about 37.2 - 82.0 mm adult size, with dark and light gray dorsal color with some brown or red spots, much vague in the juvenile appearance. It is described that Rana boylii has ?rough skin, inconspicuous tympanum, horizontal pupils, fully webbed hind feet, poorly developed dorsal lateral folds, lack of dorsal stripe, and lack of black eye mask.?
Tags: external, characteristics, appearence, taxonomy, physiology, behavior, innate, learned, social
