Friday, November 8, 2019
The History of Pinball and Pinball Machines
The History of Pinball and Pinball Machines Pinball is a coin-operated arcade game where players score points by shooting metal balls on an inclined playfield, hitting special targets, and avoiding losing their balls.​ Montegue Redgrave Bagatelle In 1871, British inventor, Montegue Redgrave was granted US Patent #115,357 for his Improvements in Bagatelle. Bagatelle was an older game that used a table and balls. Redgraves patented changes to the game of Bagatelle included: adding a coiled spring and a plunger, making the game smaller, replacing the large bagatelle balls with marbles, and adding the inclined playfield. All common features of the later game of pinball. Pinball machines appeared in mass, during the early 1930s as countertop machines (without legs) and they featured the characteristics created by Montegue Redgrave. In 1932, manufacturers began adding legs to their games. First Pinball Games Bingo made by the Bingo Novelty Company was a countertop mechanical game released in 1931. It was also the first machine manufactured by D. Gottlieb Company, who were contracted to produce the game. Baffle Ball made by D. Gottlieb Company was a countertop mechanical game released in 1931. In 1935, Gottlieb released an electro-mechanical standing version of Baffle Ball with a payout. Bally Hoo was a countertop mechanical game with optional legs released in 1931. Bally Hoo was the first coin-operated pinball game and was invented by the founder of the Bally Corporation, Raymond Maloney. The term pinball itself as a name for the arcade game was not seen until 1936. Tilt The tilt mechanism was invented in 1934 as a direct answer to the problem of players physically lifting and shaking the games. The tilt debuted in a game called Advance made by Harry Williams. Powered Machines The first battery operated machines appeared in 1933, Harry Williams made the first. By 1934, machines were redesigned to be used with electrical outlets allowing for new types of sounds, music, lights, lighted backglass, and other features. Bumpers, Flippers, and Scoreboards The pinball bumper was invented in 1937. The bumper debuted in a game called Bumper made by Bally Hoo. Harry Mabs invented the flipper in 1947. The flipper made its debut in a pinball game called Humpty Dumpty, made by D. Gottlieb Company. Humpty Dumpty used six flippers, three on each side. Pinball machines during the early 50s began to use separate lights behind the glass scoreboard to show scores. The 50s also introduced the first two player games. Steve Kordek Steve Kordek invented the drop target in 1962, debuting in Vagabond, and multiballs in 1963, debuting in Beat the Clock. He is also credited with repositioning the flippers to the bottom of the pinball playing field. The Future of Pinball In 1966, the first digital scoring pinball machine, Rally Girl was released Rally. In 1975, the first solid-state electronic pinball machine, the Spirit of 76, was released by Micro. In 1998, the first pinball machine with a video screen was released by Williams in their new Pinball 2000 series machines. Versions of pinball are now being sold that are completely software based.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
English Role Play Practice - A Business Presentation
English Role Play Practice - A Business Presentation This dialogue focuses on asking questions about a business presentation with the present perfect and past simple tenses. Make sure you understand the differences between these two tenses, practice the dialogue and then have your own conversations about work. Ask questions about what he or she has done, and use the past simple to ask specific questions on details. Teachers can use this guide to teaching the present perfect to further practice this form. On a Business Trip: A Presentation Betsy: Hi Brian, this is Betsy. How are you doing?Brian: Ive just returned from the Head Office. The weather is great! Boston is a great city!Betsy: Have you met Frank yet?Brian: No, I havent seen him yet. We have a meeting at 10 oclock tomorrow morning. We are going to meet then.Betsy: Have you made your presentation yet?​Brian: Yes, I made the presentation yesterday afternoon. I was very nervous, but everything went well.​​Betsy: Has management given you any feedback yet?Brian: Yes, Ive already met with the sales director. We met immediately after the meeting and he was impressed with our work.Betsy: Thats great Brian. Congratulations! Have you visited any museums yet?Brian: No, Im afraid I havent had any time yet. I hope to take a tour around town tomorrow.Betsy: Well, Im happy to hear that everything is going well. Ill talk to you soon.Brian: Thanks for calling Betsy. Bye.Betsy: Bye.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
To what extent (if any) is racism a product of modernity Answer with Essay
To what extent (if any) is racism a product of modernity Answer with reference to the writings of David Goldberg - Essay Example It is vital, however, to demonstrate its modernity if we are to show how racism, rather than being a problem of individual pathology, is embedded in the structures of the modern nation-state.†(Lentin) David Theo Goldberg, leading scholar of critical race theory, contends, â€Å"Race is one of the central conceptual inventions of modernity" and that "we have come, if often only silently, to conceive of social subjects foremost in racial terms.†(Goldberg, Racist Culture p.3) Throughout his work, The Racial State, he further argues â€Å"that race has marked modernity and its development constitutively, that the racial state is in this sense the paradigmatically modern social formation." (Goldberg, Racial State, p.148) In his view the modern state sees itself as homogenous, seeing anyone who does not fit the social mold as worthy of exclusion. The exclusion can be as literal as segregation or figurative as in the sense that members must assimilate or be ostracized. This shows the central racist tendency of the modern state and racism as a product of that tendency. Anthropologist Audrey Smedley views race and racism in this way. â€Å"I argue that race was institutionalised beginning in the 18th century as a worldview, a set of culturally created attitudes and beliefs about human group differences.†Smedley is convinced of this, and along with many modern anthropologists believes that the basis for current racism has its roots in African slavery specifically. She does not make the claim for slavery itself as the root of racism, since before the modern era many people were enslaved. In Malik’s view, Smedley’s contention is somewhat courageous. â€Å"For much of the past half century, politicians and scientists have largely spoken with a single voice on the issue of race. The experience of Nazism and the Holocaust made racial science politically unacceptable. It also shaped the scientific consensus that race was a social myth, not a
Friday, November 1, 2019
Experiences of Colonization by Indigenous People Essay - 4
Experiences of Colonization by Indigenous People - Essay Example And who furthermore have maintained at least in part their distinct linguistic, cultural and social/organizational characteristics and, in doing so, remain differentiated in some degree from the surrounding populations and dominant culture of the nation-state Several other related terms are also in vogue e.g. aborigines, native peoples, first peoples, Fourth World, first nations and autochthonous (derived from Greek, meaning â€Å"sprung from the earth†). However, in this era of political correctness, the term Indigenous People is more commonly used to avoid implications of racism etc. [1]. Indigenous peoples living in more than 70 countries, of whom approximately 150 million live in the Commonwealth countries. These are; Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea (South Pacific), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and Malaysia (South and South East Asia), Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda (Africa), and Canada, Guyana, and Belize (North Americas and the Caribbean).†[2]. Despite the diversity of indigenous peoples, it may be noted that they share common problems and issues in dealing with the prevailing, or invading, society. They are generally concerned that the cultures of indigenous peoples are being lost and that indigenous peoples suffer both discrimination and pressure to assimilate into their surrounding societies. This is borne out by the fact that the lands and cultures of nearly all of the peoples listed at the end of this article are under threat. Notable exceptions are the Sakha and Komi peoples (two of the Northern Indigenous Peoples of Siberia), who now control their own autonomous republics within the Russian state.Â
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Total Reward (Google) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Total Reward (Google) - Essay Example ng high compensation that is contingent on the performance of the employee; higher salary that what is normally paid for a comparable job and specific performance related incentives, such as bonuses. As Pfeffer (1998) points out, one of the means most companies use to attract high calibre employees to their organization is to offer them high salaries and added monetary benefits. In the case of Google, the Company not only offers a good monetary package, it also offers other rewards such as a sum of up to $8000 a year in tuition reimbursement, unlimited sick leave and 27 days of paid time off after a year of employment. (www.greatplacetowork.com). Additionally, the Company also provides employees the opportunity to avail of a five year leave of absence to pursue an education worth up to $150,000. Additional perks are also available on the job, such as medical, dental and child care facilities, valet parking and free meals. A total rewards programs helps employees to feel motivated and valued. It helps them feel that their organization really cares about them and about their welfare. A study that was carried out by Batt (2002) to examine the relationship between the quit rates of employees in call centres and their organizational performance to the kind of human resource reward practices that were being used at the firm. The findings in this study showed that quit rates were lower and there were high levels of sales growth in those call centres where employees participated in decision making and were offered HR incentives such as job security and high levels of pay. Since there is a great demand for talented employees in the workforce, the level of competition among employers to attract such employees is high and the offer of greater monetary benefits may serve to achieve this objective. Google requires very skilled and talented employees and its higher salaries, bonuses and incentives have proved to be very effective, because it is ranked as one of the best
Monday, October 28, 2019
Treatments of Parkinson’s diseases Essay Example for Free
Treatments of Parkinson’s diseases Essay Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that affects the sufferer’s mobility and also the speech. It affects the central nervous system leading to a person’s inability to control body movement and also speech. It is a disease whose treatment does not intend to cure it but instead, aims at controlling its manifestation. There are various ways in which this can be done. It may involve the use of drugs, performance of surgery and also physical exercise is encouraged. It progresses gradually from the early stages with mild symptoms to later stages with severe symptoms.            The disease is as a result of lowered formation and action of dopamine which is produced by the dopaminergic neurons found in the brain. This then led to the formation of drugs that will either increase the formation or mimic the actions taken by dopamine in the brain. This was important because an increase in the levels of dopamine would lead to a reduction of the effects of the disease. All the drugs used to control the disease all include dopamine as their main active agent regardless of how it works. Depending on which class of drugs it belongs to, it may either mimic or produce dopamine.            Among the earliest forms of treatments are the anticholinergics. These were used even before the introduction of levodopa which is the most widely used drug. The anticholinergics had very mild benefits when they were compared to the harmful side effects that followed its use. The side effects include having a dry mouth, urine retention which especially occurs among men, it also causes very severe constipation and nausea. There are some other side effects that occur that are more serious and are among the major reasons why the use of these drugs has become minimal. These include confusion memory loss and hallucination (http://www.mayoclinic.com).            The realization that the benefits realized were much less than the side effects it causes has led to the reduction of its prescription. Since some anti-depressants and antihistamine diphenhydramine tend to have the almost the same effects as the anticholinergics, some doctors prescribe them to older people who are suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Once an individual realizes that they are having hallucinations and the other severe symptoms, it is adviced that the use of the drug be stopped immediately.            Levodopa is drug that was introduced in 1967 and is currently the most commonly used drug. It is mostly addressed to as Sinemet and is used to help restore the control that one has over the muscles. It is referred to as a gold standard because it is introduced at the time when the symptoms are very mild at the onset of the disease. Once it gets into the body, it is converted inside the brain into dopamine. It therefore increases the level of dopamine that is found in the brain and counters the effects of the disease. (http://www.fdu.gov). the conversion to dopamine is what leads to the positive effects that a patient experiences when using the drug.            It however has very serious side effects which include nausea and dyskinesias (involuntary movement). This occurs because only a small percentage of it enters the dopaminergic neurons to be transformed into dopamine in the brain. The rest of it is transformed in to dopamine in the body. It therefore becomes necessary to use cardibopa which delays the metabolism of levodopa until it reaches the dopaminergic neurons in the brain. The combination hence helps reduce the side effects caused by the drug because once the metabolism takes place only in the brain it means that the side-effects are not felt as much as when it occurs in the body.  The other problem posed by the use of this drug is that its dosage needs to be increased over time. It has also been observed that it works on and off without any explained cause as to why this happens. This makes it unreliable because its effects are not constant and at times the patient gets violent attacks while still under medication. The various side effects and unreliability of levodopa leads to the necessity to combine it with various other drugs to make it more effective. Some of these drugs can be used on their own while others actually require to be used with the levedopa-cardibopa combination.            A cluster of drugs called dopamine agonists are usually used in a combination with the levodopa-cardibopa drugs. They can however also be used on their own. If used without the use of cardibopa-levodopa therapy, it can only be when the diseased has not progressed far and also only works well in younger adults. In other words it is used alone when the symptoms are mild and only in younger adults. This class of drugs does not produce or help in the production of dopamine but instead imitates the effects that dopamine has in the body. (http://www.mayoclinic.com). In other words, they tend to act on behalf of dopamine.            This class of drugs include; Apokyn, Requip, Parlodel and Mirapex. Parlodel used to be administered some time back but of late its use has become less. This is because it had very serious side effects that endangered the patient more than it benefited him/her. It would cause inflammation in the lungs and/or heart valves of the user and thus would lead to further deterioration of the patients’ health. In general this class of drugs has side effects that are almost similar to those of carbidopa-levodopa but with slight differences. The effects of having involuntary movement are reduced while those of hallucinations and/or sleepiness are increased.            The drug Mirapex takes up the role of dopamine in the body as it is one of the dopamine agonists. When it is used in the absence of levodopa-cardibopa, it causes a 30% improvement in the health of the patient. When used in combination, it is able to reduce the intake of the levodopa dosage by about 25%. Requip is also a dopamine agonist that can also be used either alone or with levodopa. When used together with levodopa, it can reduce the intake of the close by around 31%. The reduction of the dosage is on top of increased benefits to the patient (http://www.fda.gov). Catechol-o-methyltransferace inhibitors which are usually abbreviated as COMT inhibitors, are used block the enzymes that break down the levodopa into dopamine even before it reaches the brain thus causing severe side effects and minimal benefits to the patient. They can be used in combination with the levodopa-cardibopa therapy. The two main COMT inhibitors are Tasmar and Entacapone. Tasmar is rarely used because of its severe impact on the health of the user. It causes severe liver damage and hence is only used as a last resort if the patient has failed to respond to any other therapy (http://www.mayoclinic.com)            Stalevo is the result of a combination of cardibopa, levodopa and entacapone. Entacapone does not have side-effects as severe as those of tasmar and hence is preferred than tasmar. Its major side-effect is the involuntary movements experienced by the user. It works in conjunction with the cabidopa-levodopa therapy by increasing their availability. This is done by blocking the enzymes that break down the substance into dopamine until the drug is already in the brain. This then means that the effects of cabidopa-levodopa are prolonged because they occur only in the brain.            Selegiline also referred to as Eldepryl is another drug that can either be used with or without the presence of carbidopa-levodopa therapy. It works by preventing the metabolism of dopamine. It does this by slowing down the activity of one of the enzymes that metabolize dopamine. This is the monoamine oxidase B which is abbreviated as MAO-B. The use of selegiline has other positive effects like delaying the need of carbidopa-levodopa. When combined with carbidopa-levodopa it improves the effectiveness of the drug. It can however have some adverse toxic reactions when combined with Demerol which is a narcotic drug.            Apart from ingesting drugs, they can be administered through the skin through the use of a silicon-based patch. Rotigotine is a dopamine agonist drug that can be administered through the skin but can only be used in the early stages of the disease. This is called Neupro-rotigotine transdermal system. The patch requires to be changed every 24 hours. It works by stimulating the dopamine receptors in the body. Its side-effects include skin reaction where the patch is hallucinations, insomnia, drowsiness, sleep-attacks, nausea, vomiting and the most severe is the reduction in blood pressure once the person stands up (http://www.fda.gov).            Amantadine is another drug that is used in treatment of Parkinson’s disease but its use was discovered by accident. Initially it was to be an antiviral used in the treatment of influenza and was approved as such in 1976 by Food and Drug Administration. It was however discovered to provide relief if only short term when used alone in the early stages of the Parkinson’s disease. When it is combined with carbidopa-levodopa it can be used by those in the later stages. It has side effects that mostly involve swelling of the ankles and also turning the skin color to purple (http://www.mayodinic.com).            In every human beings body, there is the presence of coenzyme Q10 which is produced by the mitochondria. This enzyme is used in the transport of electrons so that they can gain energy from the oxygen inhaled. This is done in the process called cellular respiration. The levels of this enzyme are very low in those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. These people can therefore benefit greatly by having more of this enzyme which can only be done by taking supplements. This then aids in helping slows down the onset of the disease and these supplements can be brought from a pharmacist.            Apart from the use of drugs, there are various surgeries that can be used to control the effects of the disease. One of the surgeries is pallidotomy which involves the destruction of a small bit of the globus pallidus. This is because it is overactive in those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. It is done by drilling a small hole in the skull and using an electric probe to do the destruction. It can only be done when the patient is sedated but awake so as the judge his or her reactions to stimuli. It is done on one side of the brain at a time and may be done more than once if necessary. Its side effects mostly involves impaired speech (http://www.fda.gov)            Thalamotomy is another surgical procedure used in the control of Parkinson’s disease. It is only performed on those patients who are experiencing tremors in either the hand or the arm and these tremors become too severe to the point of disabling that person. It involves the destruction of a specific group of cells that are in the thalamus in the brain. It has been found to be successful in that it reduces or completely eliminates the tremors in around 90% of those who undergo the procedure (http://www.fda.gov).  There is also the presence of a gadget that can be equalized to the pacemaker used for cardio problems and is referred to as a â€Å"brain pacemaker†(http://www.fda.gov). This is a form of therapy is referred to as Active Tremor Control Therapy. It involves the surgical implantation of an insulated wire to the brain. It is placed in the thalamus region of the brain, the subthalamic nucleus, and also the globus pallidus area of the brain. It is referred to as a neurostimulator whose main task occurs in the process of a tremor occurring. The whole system includes three components which are: lead, extension and the neurostimulator. This system is referred to as Deep Brain Stimulation because it occurs directly inside the brain. A small hole is made in the skull and through it the lead is inserted into the brain. The lead is a very thin wire that is insulated. The tip of the lead is in contact with the area that has been targeted. Once it has been implanted, it is connected to the neurostimulator by the extension which is also an insulated wire (http://minds.nih.gov). The extension passes under the skin and moves from the head, to the neck, shoulder and finally to where the neurostimulator is located. The neurotransmitter is located either under the collarbone, in the abdomen or the lower chest area just directly under the skin. The neurotransmitter involves a battery pack that sends electrical impulses to the brain. This is done through the extension and finally the lead. When the person is undergoing tremors, he or she is supposed to pass a handheld magnet over the location of the neurostimulator. The electrical impulses that are sent by the neurostimulator work by blocking the electrical signals that are the cause of the Parkinson’s disease symptoms. These are dysfunctional brain signals and they are the cause of the tremors. This procedure is preferred because it does not destroy the nerve cells and hence when one wants to stop its use it is as easy as having the system surgically removed. This is then makes it possible for one to use it comfortably especially as it has minimal if any side effects. This system has no reported side effects as yet as it only involves inserting and removing a piece of wire in the brain. Works cited Henkel John, Parkinson’s Disease: New Treatments Slow Onslaught of Symptoms U.S Food and Drug Administration 1998. Retrieved on 22 November 2007 from http://www.fda.gov/fdac.features/19981498.html Mayoclinic.com Tools for healthier lives Parkinson’s disease Treatment April 12 2007 Retrieved on 22 November 2007 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/parkinsons-disease/DS00295/DSECTION=8 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NINDS Deep Brain Stimulation For Parkinson’s Disease Information Page last update Nov 19 2007 Retrieved on 22 November 2007 from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/deep_brain_stimulation/deep_deep_stimulation.htm U.S Food and Drug Administration Neupro Patch for Parkinson’s Approved May 14 2007 Retrieved on 22 Nov 207 from http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/neupro051407.html
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreaus Religions Essay -- Frankli
Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau's Religions Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau are by no means religious in any traditional sense of the word. If, however, â€Å"religious†is taken to mean the â€Å"belief in any sort of supreme being...that obliges ethical or moral conduct†, then both Franklin and Thoreau fall into this category. Though the two are strikingly opposite in their manner and social interaction, they are both held to a religious and personal standard. Their individual spiritual beliefs, ethical codes, and their â€Å"quality of life†show that all of their actions and thoughts are held by themselves to a higher standard. Both men have specific beliefs about the existence of God and man’s place in the world. Franklin is a self-proscribed â€Å"deist†, one who believes in God but not church, because of its nature. His attitude was that man runs the church, it’s the beliefs that are important, the praising and honoring of God on a daily basis, not the institution. Throughout the Autobiography, he mentions his prayers and the fact that he enjoyed going to non-formal sermons. He also supported the church monetarily for the benefit of others. Thoreau did none of these things, but he was still a highly spiritual individual. He did not proscribe to any particular religion but did hold the belief in one supreme being who created the universe. He believed that one should have a true experience with the world according to how it was made and that man was endowed with common sense by the creator. He says that humans â€Å"no longer camp as for a night, but have settled down on earth and forgotten heaven†( Thoreau 25). This is why he believed societ... ...reets of Philadelphia. This is consistent with his religious views. Thoreau on the other hand was anti- machine, almost anti-society. He said that there are â€Å"a thousand [people] hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root†(Thoreau 51). He believed society would be better off not through inventions but if every individual took it upon themselves to find their own true path. Though differing, these two views express the same idea: leading humanity towards what is right. Regardless of their differences, Franklin and Thoreau are focused on a spiritual, humanist, non-shallow viewing of the world. Both don’t just do things because it is the thing to do or out of fear, but because of their beliefs. They feel obliged to a higher conduct because of their religious views of the world, whether â€Å"religious†or not.
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