Diffusion Confusion

Diffusion Confusion Diffusion Confusion Diffusion Confusion By Maeve Maddox The Latin verb diffundere, â€Å"to pour in different directions,† gives us the noun diffusion, the verb diffuse, and the adjective diffuse. The noun and the adjective present few difficulties, but the verb is often used ambiguously or incorrectly. Note: The si in diffusion represents the zh sound. The adjective is pronounced with a soft s sound; the verb is pronounced with a hard s sound: diffusion noun /di-FJU-zhn/ diffuse adjective /di-FJUS/ diffuse verb /di-FJUZ/ The noun diffusion refers to the action of spreading or dispersing something. In the context of physics, diffusion is â€Å"the permeation of a gas or liquid between the molecules of another fluid placed in contact with it.† Photographers and painters use the word diffusion to refer to â€Å"the process of slightly scattering a portion of the image-forming light to give a pleasing artistic softness to a photograph [or painting].† Figuratively, diffusion refers to the spreading or scattering of people, customs, or knowledge: In his Researches into the Early History he  ascribes the  curious custom of couvade  to diffusion, an interpretation that few modern ethnologists would countenance. Carnegie donated $300,000 to build Washington, D.C.s oldest library. The building was dedicated to the diffusion of knowledge. The adjective diffuse means â€Å"spreading out.† A tree, for example, might have â€Å"diffuse branches.† A â€Å"diffuse writing style† is wordy. An artist paints a picture in which the light is â€Å"diffuse and ethereal.† A population that is not concentrated in one area, but scattered over a region, is diffuse: Variation in state laws is related to whether the gay and lesbian population is concentrated (where laws permit inequality) or  diffuse  (where laws promote equality).- The Washington Post. Like the other words derived from diffundere, the verb diffuse conveys the sense of â€Å"scattering or spreading abroad†: The Japanese  intended to diffuse  Japanese language and culture throughout the archipelago. Efforts have been made  to diffuse Christianity  throughout the world.   When an artist diffuses the light in a painting, the particles of paint that represent light are spread out, producing a softened effect. Perhaps it is this use of diffuse that causes some speakers to use diffuse as if it means â€Å"to soften† or â€Å"to make less tense.† For example: While there have been signs that China’s leadership is taking some initiatives intended to diffuse the situation, there are no indications whatsoever that the present tough policy on Tibet will mellow.- Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. Or, the writer of the above example may have confused the words diffuse and defuse. Literally, the verb defuse means â€Å"to remove the fuse from an explosive device.† Taking the fuse out of a bomb makes it totally ineffective. Figuratively, defuse means â€Å"to make a situation less tense† or â€Å"to make something ineffective.† If the intended meaning is â€Å"make less tense† or â€Å"forestall,† ambiguity may be avoided by choosing defuse or some word other than diffuse to express it. Here are some options: ease calm soothe mitigate palliate moderate reduce lighten Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:When to Capitalize Animal and Plant NamesHow Long Should a Paragraph Be?6 Foreign Expressions You Should Know

The eNotes Blog Participating in National Novel WritingMonth

Participating in National Novel WritingMonth In November I will be participating in National Novel Writing Monthor NaNoWriMoan international contest where I will, once again, write a 50,000+ word novel in 30 days. I participated in 2013 and, with the help of my hometown NaNoWriMo chapter, completed my utterly awful first novel that no one will ever read ever. What is NaNoWriMo, how does it work, and why should you participate? image via instagram.com/nanowrimo A long time ago authors relied on wealthy patrons like kings and queens  to fund their work. Writing was a laborious manual process in which relatively few could engage as a hobby, much less turn into a livelihood. Our world is very different. Word processors have made writing cheap and easy, and the combination of electronic commerce and self-publishing places the power of sales and distribution at the fingertips of all. Anyone can be an authoreven youand that is why NaNoWriMo exists: to help literary aspirants unlock their dreams. For one month, starting on November 1st, NaNoWriMo contestants will write furiously for thirty days. During that period there will be 4.5 weekends, 21 weekdays, and 1 holiday. To meet the 50,000 word goal each writer must compose 1,667 words a day, or spend roughly 3 hours a day writing 500 words an hour (a reasonable target for new writers). These words must all tie character, plot, and setting together into some cohesive whole, telling a story that is a unique product of the writers imagination, hopefully filled with a little bit of the writers own passions and convictions. image via instagram.com/nanowrimo Though NaNoWriMo is billed as a competition, writers do not compete with each other, but against the clock and their own discipline and creativity. Most cities have local NaNoWriMo regional communities that host write-ins during the month of November, often at coffee shops, libraries, or homes. Write-ins are perhaps the only socially acceptable way to meet with a bunch of like-minded friends and then completely ignore them all while typing furiously away on a keyboard! Okay, writers take frequent breaks to refill their coffee mugs, discuss stories, give encouragement, and laugh at atrocious prose. Writing together can be a rich, rewarding,  bonding  experience for all. NaNoWriMo  provides pep-talks from seasoned professional writers to help motivate and encourage new (and old!) participants, as well as a rich forum for connecting with WriMos (yes, that is what we call ourselves) from around the world. When you sign up, you will have a personalized dashboard on which you can track your own writing progress and connect directly  with other members in your home region. Each regions Municipal Liaison (ML) will direct and coordinate group activities, distribute helpful internet links,  publish forum posts with writing tips and tricks, and generally be available to answer any questions you might have. Whether a writer reaches the 50,000 word goal or not by November 30th, their effort is celebrated and applauded by  the  community.  Some people finish their books early, some people  write more than  50,000 words before December, and others who dont finish often  take time in December to wrapup  because their own excitement and energy compels them. My home region throws a party in December to celebrate every St. Louis participants accomplishments, no matter what they are. If you want to be a writer, or just want to challenge yourself personally, consider becoming a WriMo and connecting with your home regions members. No matter the result, a part of you will grow with the experience, and your work will be something you can take pride in for the rest of your life. Even if no one will ever read it ever.

Cases reslution of one organaizations in the UAE Essay

Cases reslution of one organaizations in the UAE - Essay Example The commercial and sales strategy of Mubadala revolves around the creation of long-term investments that yield credible returns. It also prioritizes capital-intensive projects with high-risk factors. Al Yah Satellite Communications has enjoyed plenty of successes since its incorporation in late 2007. The company has undertaken broad research programs so as to create a multipurpose satellite network. This system comprises of two satellites supported by an intricate network of infrastructure. Meaningful interactions with consumers have also contributed to making this the first multipurpose satellite system within the United Arab Emirates. Al Yah Satellite Communications has developed an in-depth understanding of specific requirements of the Middle Eastern market (Staff, 2011). Therefore, it has been able to create workable solutions not only for the surrounding region, but also for continental territories. Moreover, the company has satisfied the satellite needs of the Abu Dhabi government. Al Yah Satellite Communications is a pioneer in the field of satellite communications. Therefore, it is expected that the corporation will have issues at law concerning copyrights. These legal matters would be geared towards either defending their exclusive blueprints or patenting their unique productions. Whenever there is an alleged problem, the complaint is addressed either to the company directly or through the customer service section. The company lawyers are contacted so as to handle the matter in a manner that limits the liability of the enterprise. In the event where a favorable settlement cannot be obtained, the company takes the issue to court (Staff, 2011). The company lawyers are instructed to file charges only as a last resort. From that time forward, the court system is responsible to conduct conclusive investigations so as to examine the merits of the complaint. The courts issue a ruling once all deliberations have been made. If punitive measures are

Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 36

Accounting - Essay Example Failing to provide the cash flow statement, the company will lack the proper information on telling the sources of cash and its use. Additionally, the company will not have adequate planning tool for its business success in the long term (â€Å"Cash flow statements†, 2000). To improve operations, I would compare the expenses that accumulate for a given operation to its budget and provide management warning if the expenses appear to be ahead of projections (Lawrence, 2004). This will give the company time to control cost over the remaining part of the project. I would also approach the client about the increase in billing to cover the cost overrun. Assuming the costs are reimbursed to the clients, I would carry out cost precision where the customer will pay all the expenses incurred plus the revenue. Some of the accounting activities that I would take into consideration will be the cost of materials, cost of labor, and overhead. I would use cost information history to arrive at standard rates and then assign this standard costs to jobs based on the activity units (Drury, 2002). I will allocate the manufacturing overhead cost via Departmental machine hours (Innes & Mitchell, 2003). This is because the manufacturing companies studies and controls the time for direct labour and motion. They have started using machines to replace the direct labor. Using machines increases the factory overhead due to machinery depreciation, machinery maintenance, and set up of machines. Reducing the direct labor and increasing the manufacturing overhead, the correlation between the manufacturing overhead and direct labour tends to wane. Therefore, the logical response is to allocate manufacturing overhead based on the machine hours rather than direct labor hours (Carroll, 2004). I would use break-even analysis to determine the optimum output level below which will

Attachments theory as it affects adolescants Essay

Attachments theory as it affects adolescants - Essay Example According to attachment theory, primary caregivers become increasingly differentiated from other people in the minds of infants during their first year of life. During childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, many individuals encounter difficulties in their relationships with parents and spouses that shake their confidence in the availability of these attachment figures. Such difficulties may fundamentally disrupt attachment bonds and dramatically reduce an individual's capacity to adapt to challenges outside the family. In the second volume of Attachment and Loss, Bowlby (1973) refined his definition of the set goal of the attachment system. In considering the effects of separations on children, he moved toward the notion that security derives from a child's appraisal of an attachment figure's availability (Bowlby, 1973). The child needs to experience a parent who is not only accessible but also responsive. This aspect of security incorporated Ainsworth's findings that it is the quality of day-to-day interactions, not just major separations, that influences infants' attachment expectations. In contrast, various nonresponsive or insensitive f orms of care can undermine the infant's confidence or even lead to expectations for rejection or inconsistent response. Separation distress results from the appraisal that a parent is inaccessible (Ainsworth et al., 1978). This perceived threat to a parent's accessibility activates the attachment system and motivates a child to reestablish contact. Emotional reactions accompanying the appraisal of threat include fear and anger. Fear activates the attachment system and signals the child's distress. Anger results from frustrations that the child encounters in trying to regain access, and it mobilizes efforts to reestablish contact. Adolescents The adolescent, by contrast, may act out her conflict about separating through fights with her mother and open defiance. Her upheaval may be more visibly apparent in her relationship with her mother, more provocative and dramatic. Girls may direct their acting out toward their bodies and engage in behaviors that are outside of the domain of parental control. They are at increased risk for eating disorders, reckless or promiscuous sexual activity, and self-cutting or other forms of mutilation. Adolescents may also use drugs and alcohol to rebel, explore, and escape painful feelings. Self-defeating or destructive behavior may provide an illusion of independence while also serving to defend against regressive longings. The thrill and power of reckless acting out can reduce their sense of vulnerability and distract from feelings of loss associated with the transition from childhood dependence. The attachment to a therapist can take pressure off the mother-daughter dyad, as some dependenc e needs are being met in a relationship outside the family. However, the stage is then set for the adolescent to recreate with the therapist elements of her struggle with her mother. Her dependence on the therapist can trigger resistance to treatment. Like the defiance at home, acting out within therapy may serve both to rebel against therapeutic influence and to pull for protective intervention (Cassidy et al., 2003). Similar patterns of maladaptation have been identified in adolescents and adults who are classified as

Endocrine Gland and Adrenaline Essay Example for Free

Endocrine Gland and Adrenaline Essay Adrenaline is a hormone that is produced in the adrenal medulla, which is in the inner adrenal gland. This gland sits atop the kidney. When put under stress this gland is stimulated by the nervous system and releases adrenaline into the blood stream. The release of adrenaline is a three step process. First, the hypothalamus produces hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland. Next, the pituitary gland then produces corticotropin hormones which are hormones that stimulate the adrenal glands that eventually produce adrenaline. In 1895, George Oliver and Edward Schafer discovered that that when the secretions of adrenal glands were extracted and injected into an experimental animal, they could raise blood pressure. The purification of this principle became a matter of interest, and in 1897, John Abel and Albert Crawford thought that they had succeeded when they purified a crystalline principle they named epinephrine. Adrenaline is used for many different purposes. It is used to control hemorrhages in surgery and to treat asthma and other allergies. According to the MSDS, excessive digestion of adrenaline is fatal. It can also be very irritant to eyes and can be absorbed through skin. Adrenaline can also be used to prevent cardiac arrest. Adrenaline can also be found in some nasal sprays to open up nasal passages. This has a short term effect. Adrenaline is helpful to survive in dangerous situations. If you were pinned down by a boulder, adrenaline would kick in and would help you to move the boulder off of you. This process is natural and you can find your way out of unhappy states. When you are put into a dangerous situation like that, your heart rate is elevated and your blood pressure is elevated. Adrenaline redirects blood to large muscle groups so that you are given more strength and stamina to get out of the dangerous situation.

Free Essays - All Quiet on the Western Front :: All Quiet on the Western Front Essays

  All Quiet on the Western Front   The setting of this novel takes place in Germany during World War I. the war is being fought at the fronts- which is almost every side of Germany where other countries lie. For the most part, Paul Baumer stays on the western front, (north west of Belgium), during the three years when the novel takes place. The setting is very important because it shows the darkest part of the war, when most of Germanys fighting takes place.   Paul Baumer, a young soldier who enjoys writing poems and plays, becomes a man during his three years of service. He wants the war to be over so he can go back home to his family and read and write again with out being disrupted by his thoughts of the front. By the end of the novel, he does not achieve this because he was killed on the western front. When they found his body, it had an appearance of calm gladness because the war was finally over for him. In this novel, Paul faced drastic changes. He went from a child who knew nothing about death, despair or fear to a grown man who only knew those three things. At the end of the novel Paul had nothing, for every thing he had loved or cared about was taken from him by the war. I liked this character because he was well written. He was head strong about life or what he knew of it.   Stanislaus Katczinsky also know, as Kat is a forty-year-old veteran of war who teaches Paul and others about life on the battlefield. He is head strong and very smart and is depended on by Paul and others for food, and helping them cope with war. I believe Kat wants what every soldier wants, for the war to be over. I liked this character he was fun to read and a great teacher to me about the war.   The minor character that was most interesting to me was Corporal Himmelstoss because he was unfair to other soldiers, in a mean bullying manner. However, when it finally came down for the Corporal to fight, he became a coward. In the end, he gained the respect of Paul and others for rescuing Haie.   I believe the most important conflict in the story was when Paul volunteered to be part of a patrol to spy on the allied position.