Chalicotherium Facts and Figures

Name: Chalicotherium (Greek for pebble beast); pronounced CHA-lih-co-THEE-ree-um Habitat: Plains of Eurasia Historical Epoch: Middle-Late Miocene (15-5 million years ago) Size and Weight: About nine feet high at the shoulder and one ton Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Horse-like snout; clawed feet; longer front than hind legs About Chalicotherium Chalicotherium is a classic example of the bizarre megafauna of the Miocene epoch, about 15 million years ago: this gigantic mammal is virtually unclassifiable, having left no direct living descendants. We do know that Chalicotherium was a perissodactyl (that is, a browsing mammal possessing an odd number of toes on its feet), which would make it a distant relative of modern horses and tapirs, but it looked (and probably behaved) like no plus-sized mammal alive today. The most notable thing about Chalicotherium was its posture: its front legs were significantly longer than its hind legs, and some paleontologists believe that it brushed the knuckles of its front hands along the ground when it walked on all fours, a bit like a modern gorilla. Unlike todays perissodactyls, Chalicotherium had claws instead of hooves, which it probably used to rope in vegetation from tall trees (a bit like another prehistoric mammal it vaguely resembled, the giant sloth Megalonyx, which lived a few million years later). Another odd thing about Chalicotherium is its name, Greek for pebble beast. Why would a mammal that weighed at least a ton be named after a pebble, rather than a boulder? Simple: the chalico part of its moniker refers to this beasts pebble-like molars, which it used to grind down the soft vegetation of its Eurasian habitat. (Since Chalicotherium shed its front teeth during adulthood, leaving it bereft of incisors and canines, this megafauna mammal was clearly unsuited to eating anything except fruits and tender leaves.) Did Chalicotherium have any natural predators? Thats a tough question to answer; clearly, a full-grown adult would have virtually impossible for a single mammal to kill and eat, but sick, aged and juvenile individuals may have been preyed on by contemporary bear dogs like Amphicyon, especially if this distant canine ancestor had the ability to hunt in packs!

Physician Assisted Suicide And The Hippocratic Oath

Physician assisted suicide or PAS is a topic that has long been debated throughout history dating back as far as the ancient Greeks and Romans. During that time, physician assisted suicide was an accepted and tolerated practice by giving patients poison to help them die rather than have them suffer a long and painful death. Even though it went against the Hippocratic Oath which in part states â€Å"I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect† (Medicinenet.com, 2015), very few ancient Roman and Greek physicians followed the Hippocratic Oath faithfully. (ProCon.org, 2013). It wasn’t until the beginning of the 12th century and the rise of Christianity that physician assisted suicide viewpoints changed because of the religious belief that life is a gift from God and that no one had the right to take a life. Consequently, the Hippocratic Oath was taken seriously and faithfully followed by physician thus sparking the debate for legal assisted suicide for centuries to come. There are various terms used for this topic area so to clear up any misunderstanding of the meanings, I will give the definitions of those terms. First, the term Euthanasia is Greek for â€Å"good death† and â€Å"is the act or practice of ending the life of a person either by lethal injection or the suspension of medical treatment.† (Legal-Dictionary) Under the big umbrella term of euthanasia there are the following terms: 1) â€Å"Voluntary Euthanasia is theShow MoreRelatedThe Legal And Ethical Issues Involving Physician Assisted Suicide1134 Words   |  5 Pageswhat conditions is physician assisted suicide morally acceptable, is the question at hand and did these states make the right decision on such a slippery slope debate. This paper will go on to explain one side of this very touchy debate, it will also consider objections from the other side, and ultimately defend the position physician assisted suicide is wrong not only morally but also, ethically. My argument for this thesis is provided below: P1: Physician assisted suicide violates the doctor’sRead MoreEssay about Arguments against Physician-assisted suicide1173 Words   |  5 Pagesthis is true in terms of physician-assisted suicide. The ongoing struggle between those in favor and those opposed to this subject has ravaged the medical field, bringing into question what is morally and ethically right. The fact of the matter is that physician-assisted suicide is neither morally nor ethically acceptable under any circumstance. Not only is it a direct violation of a doctor’s Hippocratic Oath, but it is not constitutionally binding. Physician-assisted suicide would also lead to unnecessaryRead MoreEuthanasia And Assisted Suicide : A Patient s Choice1742 Words   |  7 Pages Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: A patient s choice in their type of death. When a patient is terminally ill or is experiencing extreme pain, often Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide can both be plausible options to end any suffering. Euthanasia is currently legalized in seven countries and parts of the United States (New Health Guide). This number is not likely to increase soon because of the high controversy, which is due to the very serious topic of this matter: a person s life. The generalRead MoreThe Ethics of Euthanasia Essay1742 Words   |  7 Pagesmisery, however in the state of North Carolina, physician-assisted suicide is illegal. Luckily, her father passed away this year and is finally free of pain and suffering. However, if physician-assisted suicide was legal, her father would not have had to suffer as long as he did. Before we explore the sides of physician-assisted suicide, let’s go over exactly what physician-assisted suicide entails. When the topic of physician-assisted suicide comes up, many individuals believe it is the sameRead MoreEuthanasia And Physician Assisted Suicide983 Words   |  4 PagesEuthanasia or Physician-assisted suicide and how they should or should not be legal. In some cases people feel as if the patient who are suffering from a terminal painful disease should have the right to commit suicide in other cases people feel as if the patient is being selfish to end their life when you have loved ones that are going to suffer because they killed themselves. People feel it should or should not be legal because of right to die, living wills, and Hippocratic Oath. Right to dieRead MoreAssisted Suicide : An Unknown Lung Disease Essay1148 Words   |  5 PagesJonathan Rubio Mr. Williams ERWC 19 October 2016 Assisted Suicide Sixty-Eight year old Robert Rubio from Fresno California was diagnosed with an unknown lung disease that was not curable. The doctors told him that the only way to live was to get a lung transplant. To get a lung, it can take several years and Robert said he would wait so he could live longer to be with his family. After months of waiting in a hospital 169 miles away from his family, he decided that he didn’t want to wait forRead MorePhysician-Assisted Suicide Essay1038 Words   |  5 Pagesof their patients, or to assist them in ending their lives? Many people may believe that physicians would never perform the latter, but in actuality one practice does so. Physician assisted suicide is the intentional ending of one’s life brought on by lethal substances prescribed by a doctor. In the majority of cases, the patient is terminally ill and simply does not desire to live any longer. Their physician provides the medication necessary to end their life. Many supporters aver that this practiceRead MoreEuthanasia 1044 Words   |  5 Pagessides of this bioethical topic. Before either side of the argument is discussed the biological process of euthanasia must be examined as well as the background of the practice. In most cases euthanasia is performed intravenously. The attending physician administers a drug into the patient causing the patient to go comatose. When the patient is comatose, they are in a state of unconsciousness preventing responses to painful stimuli, light, or sound. Once the patient is in the coma state, a secondRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide Should Be Legal1494 Words   |  6 PagesPhysician Assisted Suicide A tough issue on the rise in the United States is whether or not Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) should be legal. Physician Assisted Suicide allows a physician to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to a patient to end their life. However, the patient has to take the drugs on their own. PAS would be only offered to those suffering from a terminal illness with less than six months to live. The way these patients go about treating and or living with a terminal illnessRead MoreLegalizing Physician Assisted Suicide1140 Words   |  5 Pagescurrent society, legalizing physician assisted suicide is a prevalent argument. In 1997, the Supreme Court recognized no federal constitutional right to physician assisted suicide (Harned 1) , which defines suicide as one receiving help from a physician by means of a lethal dosage (Pearson 1), leaving it up to state legislatures to legalize such practice if desired. Only Oregon and Washington have since legalized physician assisted suicide. People seeking assisted suicide often experience slanted judgments

Essay on General Motors - Financial Ratio Analysis

General Motors - Financial Ratio Analysis I. General Motors History Highlights In its early years the automobile industry consisted of hundreds of firms, each producing a few models. William Durant, who bought and reorganized a failing Buick Motors in 1904, determined that if several automobile makers would unite, it would increase the protection for the group. He formed the General Motors Company in Flint, Michigan, in 1908. Durant had bought 17 companies (including Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Pontiac) by 1910, the year a bankers syndicate forced him to step down. In a 1915 stock swap, he regained control through Chevrolet, a company he had formed with race car driver Louis Chevrolet. GM created the GM Acceptance†¦show more content†¦That year GM sold its National Car Rental business to a group of investors led by former Chrysler executive William Lobeck. In 1996 the United Auto Workers struck at 2 GM plants in Ohio over the companys increasing its outsourcing of brake parts. The strike lasted 17 days, idling 24 of the automakers 29 North American plants (reflecting the vulnerability of just-in-time supply chains), and ended with neither side satisfied. GM sued Volkswagen in 1996, alleging the German automaker encouraged former GM executive Ignacio Lopez to defect to Volkswagen with boxes of proprietary company information. The bitter dispute led to Lopezs resignation from Volkswagen and was resolved in early 1997 when VW agreed to pay GM $100 million and purchase $1 billion of parts from GM over 7 years. In 1996 GM spun off EDS (with a market value of $27 billion) to shareholders. Also that year GM agreed to sell 4 of its parts plants to Peregrine Inc. (formed by investment firm Joseph Littlejohn Levy) for an undisclosed amount. In late 1996 GM began producing Chevrolet Blazers in Russia. II. General Information Competitors BMW, British Aerospace, Chrysler, Daimler-Benz, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. Nameplates Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Geo, GMC, Oldsmobile, Opel/Vauxhall, Pontiac andShow MoreRelatedThe Financial Position Of Ford Motor Company1084 Words   |  5 PagesFinancial ratios are significant tools of measurement of the soundness and stability of a firm within its internal structures and operations. The computation of the various financial ratios enables a firm in evaluating its financial and market position relative to the industry competition. This paper aims to assess the financial position of Ford Motor Company in comparison with General Motors Company. The evaluation will consider the computation of ratios such as; liquidity ratios, profitabilityRead MoreGm Financial Report Analysis Essay1265 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the worlds largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. General Motors was founded 1908, in Flint, Michigan and currently employs approximately 284,000 people around the world. GMs global headquarters is the Renaissance Center located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, They currently manufacture their cars and trucks in 35 different countries. Its European headquarters are based in Zurich, Switzerland, and its Holden headquartersRead MoreGm Financial Report Analysis Essay1481 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the worlds largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. General Motors was founded 1908, in Flint, Michigan and currently employs approximately 284,000 people around the world. GMs global headquarters is the Renaissance Center located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, They currently manufacture their cars and trucks in 35 different countries. Its European headquarters are based in Zurich, Switzerland, and its Holden headquartersRead MoreInternational Automotive Manufacturing Companies For This Annual Report Project Essay1668 Words   |  7 Pagesinternational automotive manufacturing companies for this annual report project. General Motors Co. a Delaware Corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and its international competitor Daimler AH a German Corporation located in Stuffgart, Germany. These two companies build and sell cars, trucks and automotive parts. The two auto giants also provide financial services to their cu stomer base. General Motors brands include Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Holden, Open and Vauxhall. DaimlerRead MoreEssay on Ford Motor Company Analysis1652 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Unit 5 Final Project: Ford Motor Company Executive Summary Ford Motor Company is an American automobile manufacturer founded and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan but incorporated in the state of Delaware. The company was started by Henry Ford in 1903 and is historically famous for the creation and implementation of the assembly line in manufacturing processes. Ford’s mission is to produce and sell automobiles – cars, trucks, SUVs, etc – from the ones initially designed and engineered by HenryRead MoreFord Motor Company A Good Investment960 Words   |  4 PagesFord Motor Company became incorporated in 1903 with 12 investors and 1000 shares of stock. The company spent most of the cash on hand before the first vehicle was sold. However, before October 1, 1903, Ford Motor Company was showing a profit. In the upcoming years, Ford Motor Company continued to grow by opening a plant in Canada and a sales branch in Paris. In 1956, despite Henry Ford’s wishes, Ford Motor Company went public with the largest IPO (i nitial public offering) in history at the timeRead MoreFord Motor Company Financial Analysis Essay890 Words   |  4 PagesFord Motor Company Financial Insight Ford Motor Company’s financial analysis reveals their long-term commitment to future growth, innovation, and efficient management. Their financial statements expose their strategy for investing in long-term assets, sales and administration development and fixed assets. Furthermore, the financial statements demonstrate their resiliency to their initiatives while dealing with fluctuating market conditions. All of which empower the organization to meet their goalsRead More GM Financial Overview Essay1482 Words   |  6 PagesGM Financial Overview Introduction The General Motors Corporation is a multifaceted company but its primary function is the manufacturing of automobiles and light trucks (SIC 3711). The General Motors stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has approximately 1,426,592,046 outstanding shares on the marketplace, as of 10/14/2001. It is headquartered in Detroit Michigan with offices around the world. General Motors has many other operations besides automobile manufacturing including:Read MoreFord Motor Company Case Analysis1230 Words   |  5 Pages Company Summary: The Ford Motor Company is one of the most largest and profitable U.S. automakers in the world. Today the company headquarters operates in the Motor City, located in Dearborn, Michigan. The Ford Corporation was found by Henry Ford back in 1903, after a disagreement with his financial investors. He then decided to pursue his passion for owning his own business. The Ford Company designs and manufactures durable automobiles, automotive components, and systems. This corporation isRead MoreGeneral Motors in China1729 Words   |  7 PagesGeneral Motors Company in China Huseyin Akbulut Southern New Hampshire University Abstract This paper aims to explore the cultural barriers that GM encounters while doing business in China especially in terms of language and Asian mind difference. As a matter of fact, we cannot examine all the cultural barriers due to the scope of the paper. On the other hand, some differences emerging from different thinking behavior between US and China are exemplified in the second part of the paper

The Visit free essay sample

The life of Claire Zachanassian of Friedrich Durrenmatt’s The Visit is an endless pursuit of liberation – she offers the people of her depression-stricken hometown one million dollars in return for the death of her high school sweetheart, protagonist Alfred Ill. Claire believes that Ill’s death will justify the wrong she was done so many years ago when Ill testified against her in court and claimed to not be the father of her child, tacitly sentencing her to many a year spent in brothels. No matter how Claire tries to liberate herself from the past, however, the means she uses in order to liberate herself end up hurting her as well as those who initially suppressed her. Because society has for so long imprisoned Claire, Claire must ultimately imprison society in order to liberate herself. The Guellen townspeople are initially appalled at Claire’s offer, the mayor proudly telling Claire that â€Å"in the name of all citizens of Guellen, I reject your offer; and I reject it in the name of humanity. We would rather have poverty than blood on our hands†(Durrenmatt 39). Claire, however, has a different plan in mind. When Guellen’s doctor and schoolmaster try to talk Claire out of demanding the bloody price of Ill’s death in return for her one million dollar offer, Claire politely but firmly assures them that â€Å"the world turned me into a whore, I shall turn the world into a brothel† (67). This is exactly what Claire does. Despite how repulsed the town is by the unethical terms of the offer, the town members ultimately cave in to the point that when they gather in order to vote on whether or not to accept Claire’s offer, all but Ill vote in favor of accepting it. Claire also convinces the town’s gymnast to strangle Ill, the doctor to diagnose this cause of death as a heart attack, and the policeman into â€Å"[winking] a blind eye† (22) so that her unethical deed of paying one million dollars for the murder will go unreported. It is only by forcefully isolating the Guelleners from their morals that Claire is able to find freedom from the imprisoning past society thrust upon her so many years ago. This freedom, however, comes at a bargaining price. In order to obtain liberation, Claire imprisons herself by pursuing a lifestyle which causes her to have â€Å"grown into hell itself†(29). She spends her life working as a prostitute, despite her belief that â€Å"you should always fulfill your childhood dreams† (33). Claire’s over-brimming level of resentment towards Ill forcing her into becoming a prostitute makes it highly unlikely that, as a child, Claire dreamt of becoming a whore. Without becoming a prostitute, however, Claire wouldn’t have been in the Hamburg brothel where her first husband, â€Å"old Zachanassian† (29), met her, married her, and endowed her with the millions that now allows her the luxury of affording the liberation she so desires later on in life. While freedom is naturally perceived as a positive attainment, the means Claire uses in order to liberate herself imprison her in a number of ways that make the audience question if the means taken in order to obtain this freedom outweigh the relief of being liberated. Claire’s ultimate portal to liberation – the death of Alfred Ill can only be obtained through imprisoning herself as well as the other Guelleners. Claire explicitly tells Guellen, â€Å"I’m buying myself justice† (36) as she pays them off in order to kill Ill and free herself from her past. Bribery, forcing someone to do something in return for money, is by all means imprisoning. The Guelleners become willing to sacrifice their morals and aid in the process of liberating Claire only at the point at which Claire offers them financial compensation. The town, facing abject destitution, has no choice but to go along with Claire’s proposal – and Claire knows this. She intentionally imprisons the Guelleners as well as Alfred Ill –terminating a life perhaps being the most imprisoning condition a human can inflict upon another living organism – in order to obtain the liberation she has so long desired. The means she takes in order to free herself, however, also imprison her own well being. With blood on her hands, Claire’s soul is now anything but a clean slate and she is instead subject to a lifetime of a past coming back to haunt her. Claire is not able to create a scenario in which she liberates herself without somehow imprisoning herself or someone else. While Claire ultimately and praiseworthily frees herself from the unjust done to her so many years ago, the means it took for her to do so comes at the high expense of abandoning her childhood dreams to spending her young adult life in brothels, living with a murder on her hands as well as  ending the life of Alfred Ill, and forcing the Guelleners to partake in this fatal case of bribery. Why Claire chooses to stay in Guellen and lead the imprisoning life of a prostitute is left unknown. She claims that â€Å"the judgment of that court made [her] one† (38) but she never elaborates so as to explain why she couldn’t have found liberation by leaving Guellen and starting somewhere else with a cle an record. She seems to accept her so-called imprisoning fate with exceptional ease, indulge in playing the role of the martyr, and use these as justification for killing Ill. Her decision to stay in Guellen makes it seem as if some measure of imprisonment truly is necessary in order to obtain any measure of liberation – being able to grasp it without some level of sacrifice would not result in genuine liberation but rather an attainment of an illusion of freedom and justice. The audience comes to extol Claire’s quest for freedom and eventual self-liberation but simultaneously scorn the means she undertakes to achieve these ends. Durrenmatt does not try to answer whether or not it is possible for an end to justify the means it takes in order to achieve this end, but rather wants the audience to consider the high costs of liberation and whether or not freedom can be considered truly free.