Why Do Fingers Prune in the Water

If youve had a long soak in a bathtub or pool, youve noticed your fingers and toes wrinkle (prune up), while the rest of the skin on your body seems unaffected. Have you ever wondered how it happens or whether it serves a purpose? Scientists have an explanation for the phenomenon and have proposed a possible reason for why it happens. Why Skin Prunes in Water The prune effect is different from true wrinkling of skin because the latter results from the degradation of collagen and elastin, making the skin less resilient. Fingers and toes prune, in part, because the layers of the skin dont absorb water evenly. This is because the tips of your fingers and your toes are covered with a thicker outer skin layer (the epidermis) than other body parts. However, most of the wrinkling effect is due to blood vessel constriction just below the skin. Nerve-damaged skin doesnt wrinkle, even though it has the same composition, so the effect may be a reaction to water by the autonomic nervous system. However, the hypothesis that wrinkling is under autonomic nervous system control doesnt account for the fact pruning occurs in cold water as well as warm water. How the Epidermis Reacts to Water The outer layer of your skin protects the underlying tissue from pathogens and radiation. Its also fairly waterproof. The keratinocytes at the base of the epidermis divide to produce a layer of cells rich in the protein keratin. As new cells are formed, the old ones are pushed upward and die and form a layer called the stratum corneum. Upon death, the nucleus of a keratinocyte cell involutes, resulting in layers of a hydrophobic,  lipid-rich cell membrane alternating with layers of hydrophilic keratin. When skin soaks in water, the keratin layers absorb water and swell, while the lipid layers repel water. The stratum corneum puffs up, but its still attached to the underlying layer, which doesnt change size. The stratum corneum bunches up to form wrinkles. While the water hydrates skin, its only temporary. Bathing and dish soap removes natural oils that would trap the water. Applying lotion can help lock in some of the water.   Hair and Nails Get Soft in Water Your fingernails and toenails also consist of keratin, so they absorb water. This makes them softer and more flexible after doing the dishes or bathing. Similarly, hair absorbs water, so its easier to over-stretch and break hair while its damp. Why Do Fingers and Toes Wrinkle? If pruning up is under nervous system control, it makes sense that the process serves a function. Researchers Mark Changizi and his colleagues at 2AI Labs in Boise, Idaho, demonstrated that wrinkled fingertips provide improved grip on wet objects and that the wrinkles are effective at draining away excess water under damp conditions. In one study, published in Biology Letters, subjects were asked to pick up wet and dry objects either with dry hands or after soaking them in warm water for half an hour. Wrinkles didnt affect the participants ability to pick up dry objects, but the subjects picked up wet objects better when they had pruned hands. Why would humans have this adaptation? Ancestors who got wrinkled fingers would have been better able to gather wet food, such as from streams or beaches. Having wrinkled toes would have made barefoot travel over wet rocks and moss less risky. Do other primates get pruney fingers and toes? Changizi e-mailed primate labs to find out, eventually discovering a photograph of a bathing Japanese macaque monkey that had wrinkled fingers. Why Arent Fingers Always Pruned? Since wrinkled skin offered an advantage manipulating damp objects yet didnt hinder abilities with dry ones, you may be wondering why our skin isnt always pruned. One possible reason might be that wrinkled skin is more likely to snag on objects. Its also possible that wrinkles diminish skin sensitivity. More research could give us additional answers. Sources Changizi, M.,  Weber, R.,  Kotecha, R.  Ã‚  Palazzo, J.  Brain Behav. Evol.  77,  286–290. 2011.Kareklas, K., et al. â€Å"‘Water-Induced Finger Wrinkles Improve Handling of Wet Objects.’†Ã‚  Biology Letters, The Royal Society.

Walt Disney Co. - Company and Investment Ovewview

Company History Overview Between the resorts, motion pictures, and merchandising Disney has done it right. They have diversified the company. With not focusing all their attention on one product or idea they have become well know all over the world. Most families take their kids there at least once, and some families return every year to the resorts. It is a child’s dream to go to Disney World and when you get there you cannot imagine anything better as a child. The Disney Company was founded in 1923. The company’s foundation was studio entertainment. Disney distributes pictures under Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Miramax Films, Buena Vista and many more. Everyone knows Disney movies, Bambi, Cinderella, Beauty the†¦show more content†¦In 2005 the consumer product segment remained in their current declining trend at 2.1 billion. The contribution from media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, and consumer products totaled the company revenues in 2005 to 31.9 billion. This increased from 2001, which totaled 25.1 billion. The overall operating income for Disney is as follows: in 2001 they grossed over 4 billion dollars, in 2002 operating income drastically decreased to 2.8 billion dollars, in 2003 the gradually increased to 3.1 billion dollars, in 2004 they continued increasing to 4.5 billion dollars, and in 2005 they slightly increased to 4.6 billion. (See figure 1.0 for graph). Stock Trend Analysis/Analyst Opinion Given the information in Figure 1.1 (see appendix), general conclusions can be drawn. Between now and the last three months, recent trends have not been to sell Disney stock, but to strongly buy and retain them. This shows that Disney’s financial health is strong due to high demand to retain and invest in the Disney Company. This table displays that the financial health of the company is likely to grow and keep their current trend of financial success. According to an analyst opinion at the yahoo finance website, the media industry trend is to buy and hold onto media stocks. This is reflective of Disney’s stock rating of 2.1. When analyzing Disney’s corporate information, we

tragmac Free The Real Tragedy of Shakespeare Essay Example For Students

tragmac Free The Real Tragedy of Shakespeare Essay s Macbeth Macbeth essaysTragedy of Macbeth In a tragedy the main character rises to greatness, then continues to fall down a shame spiral which leads to their down fall. An example of a tragedy is Macbeth. Macbeth is driven up the hill of greatness a rise, then his untamed ambition leads him to death. The process of a tragedy is slow to let the audience become comfortable with the power and happiness of the main character. Then all of the sudden signs appear that the end is coming and the main character heads toward downfall. In the beggining of the play a battle goes on between King Duncan of Scotland and Macdonwald of Norway. Macbeth fought bravely on Scotlands side and even killed Macdonwald himself. King Duncan hears of Macbeths brave and noble qualities and crowns him the new Thane of Cawdor. The king states that the old Thane should not device, .. . Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth. (1.2. 63-65) Macbeth is hostile to except the rank because earlier three witches prophesied that Macbeth would become Thane of Cawdor even though there was one at that time. Since Macbeth was crowned Thane of Cawdor, Banquo and Macbeth think that the three withches adre able to correctly tell them their fate. Macbeth now having higher-ranking authority begins to have his ambition act up on him and crave more power. Lady Macbeth organizes King Duncans murder, which increases Macbeths ambition and enables Macbeth to rise up to the ultimate height. The murder is carried out but not as planned and Macbeth is driven to kill the king himself. Macbeth states after everyone found the dead king, Loyal and neutral, in a moment? no man. The expedition of my violent love.. . (2.3.111-112) This was the only done to destroy and thoughts that may have targeted Macbeth that he could have killed the king. The greediness for power and the witches prophesies have made Macbeth a very disturbed man. Believing in everthing that the witches say, Macbeth hires three murders to kill both Banquo and his son. By having them killed no one shall be in line to take the crown away from Macbeth. Macbeth then hears that Macduff is pondering on ways to seek revenge so Macbeth plans for death of Macduffs family. Macbeth went for his family hoping to hurt him on the inside to show Macduff not to mess with Macbeth. This shows that Macbeth finds that every person is against him and wants to strip him of his glory. Macbeth during this period of insanity loses all respect from what followers he did have and is referred to as the Devil. Eventually Macbeth is killed by Macduff during thier fight for revenge which ends Macbeths tragic life as king. In the story of Macbeth he is a man of great nobility and honor. He is highly ranked and loved by everyone around him and is very courageous in the battlefield. This play is a tragedy because a man of such high authority, at first, rises to greatness and then falls tragically to death.

Thesis For Enders Game Essay Example For Students

Thesis For Enders Game Essay One of the most popular tasks for a modern student in the literature field is writing an essay, review or thesis. There is a huge amount of various interesting topics for this assignment. Thus, we present a good example of leadership essay about a well-known book in the world of science fiction â€Å"Ender`s Game.† Orson Scott Card is one of the most prominent names in modern science fiction. He is an American science fiction writer. His cycle of novels about Ender is one of the most striking examples of present fiction. At the first blush, the storyline is sadly ordinary. In the introduction it is said that the action takes place in the future: 2135. We will write a custom essay on Thesis For Enders Game specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The mankind slowly developed space and scientific technologies, changed the political map, suffered from an excess of population, revealed the possibilities of a worldwide computer network. But one terrible day, the Earth was not lucky to be in the path of the scouts of a different civilization – â€Å"the buggers,† whose ancestors hundreds of millions of years ago probably built anthills under the pines and suffered from the invasion of local wildlife lovers. The two races could not come to an agreement, and a war broke out, called the First Invasion, in which mankind managed to win with difficulty and not without luck. The Second Invasion people also managed to repel, but time passes, and earthlings live in fear of a possible Third Invasion. Outline1 The future of our planet Earth2 How people should behave in order to save the planet3 Orson Card and his point of view The future of our planet Earth Waiting for the inevitable third war, the International Space Fleet staff organized a battle school for super-gifted children. The training model is aimed at searching among students of a potential commander in chief who would have the strategic talents like Napoleon and Alexander the Great. Ender Wiggin was one of those who entered this school. Unfortunately, he was too quick-witted and became an ideal candidate for the role of the future savior of the Earth. Enders Game is a book about inescapable loneliness. Ender Wiggin is a boy, special in everything from the very beginning of his existence. Even his birth was sanctioned by the government because Ender is the one who must save humanity from the invasion of ruthless alien creatures. And he knows about it. A boy from his earliest years shows very outstanding abilities. It seems that this is enough to become a renegade. But adults think otherwise. Teachers want to isolate the hope of mankind from their peers so that the boy will understand how to find a way out of difficult situations. The literary analysis shows that this hides a good literary move: from the first paragraph Card puts Ender in the position of the victim, that prompts the reader to empathize with the hero and with him rejoice in victories, successes, and achievements. How people should behave in order to save the planet The school of great space commanders is the power and the most interesting line of the novel, but the future of 2135 is somewhat scary. The birth of children is put under strict control; the third child is considered an unaffordable luxury. As can be seen from the history of Enders parents, resistance to order somewhere else was present at the level of religious organizations of Mormons and Catholics. The mother and father of the main hero broke with their environment, their conformism towards the system completely broke the parent will. They do not resist the implantation of a computer into the brain of their child; they allow them to take their son to participate in dubious and unsafe experiments. .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 , .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 .postImageUrl , .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 , .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475:hover , .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475:visited , .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475:active { border:0!important; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475:active , .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475 .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4437044f61186a08dc372bb581eb8475:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Capital Punishment Essay PdfOrson Card and his point of view The time of writing the novel affected the political preferences of Orson Card. He so persuasive fears such a hostile structure as the Warsaw Pact that he even made Enders father ashamed of his Polish origin, and presented the country as a pariah of the international community. The heroes of the novel are recognizable. Everything is like in life: there are those who envy others successes, those who are used to achieving goals by force, not by their mind, and those who are ready to recognize the superiority of another in any field. Realistic characters combined with the realism of the world. This is achieved by the fact that the writer skillfully uses the manipulation of smoothly introducing a character into an unfamiliar system both for him and for the reader in this case, then it is the battle school. Beginning with the title â€Å"Ender Game† as an almost childlike, adventure space fantasy about an alien invasion, the cycle is becoming more serious and deep from novel to novel. The deeper analysis demonstrates that this is philosophical, social, psychological and, what is especially interesting, religious, â€Å"openly† theological prose. The main topic is contacted with others, in particular, the religious side of contact (another race adopts Christianity, despite the opposition of some clerics; theological problems around it, etc.). Other themes include issues of peace and violence (the cycle begins with the destruction of an entire race, and the main question is whether another race will survive), death, love and family, sin, responsibility for the sin, thirst for redemption and so on. In conclusion, the skillful game on the emotions of the reader, realistic characters, truly original plot twists, correctly found trends in the development of civilization, successful fantastic assumptions all this makes â€Å"Enders Game† one of the best science fiction novels of the last twenty years.