Italian Renaissance Laocoon and His Sons by Baccio Bandinelli

Italian Renaissance Laocoon and His Sons by Baccio Bandinelli Introduction Sculpture, just like any other ancient work of art intrigues people to date. The special and moving expertise and creativity that characterize artistic sculptures of different eras remain a point of debate as many researchers and scholars venture into the field each trying to study and understand these pieces of work.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Italian Renaissance: â€Å"Laocoon and His Sons† by Baccio Bandinelli specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Among the most prominent eras of sculpture that has attracted much attention is the Italian Renaissance with the Laocoon and his sons sculpture being a point of interest. This paper provides a research on the artistic works of this period with the aim of constructing a reasoning concerning the artists of this period, the reasons for engaging in these activities. The paper analyzes the characteristic features of some artistic sculptures from t his period as the inference for drawing conclusions. Among these, the primary study will be on the Laocoon and his sons sculpture by Baccio Bandinelli. Laocoon and his sons Laocoon and his sons, is a sculpture created by Baccio Bandinelli between 1520-1525, yet the exact date is a mystery. It stands up in display at the Museo Pio Clementino in Vatican.1 The level of detail of this sculpture represents the hard work and the efforts Bandinelli put into that piece of work to present a perfect present of the king of France Francis I as directed by Cardinal Bernardo Divizio.2 The piece of work involved a first step in wax modeling, followed by a cartoon study and later on, the sculpture in marble. This sculpture is not just an artistic articulation that has no underlying subject matter. This sculpture tells the story of Trojan priest Laocoon and his two sons (Thymbraeus and Antiphaters) while they are struggling to free themselves from the grip of the sea serpents sent against them by Ne ptune, the god that protected the Greeks.Advertising Looking for research paper on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The story tells how Laocoon had forewarned the Trojans about the mysterious horse found outside the walls and thus brought upon himself and his two sons the wrath of Neptune.3This therefore points out to the fact that this work is not only an artistic entity but also expresses spiritual autonomy. Other renaissance sculptures In this paper, it is important to include other Italian Renaissance sculptures, which will help in creating a concrete picture of the characteristic features of the period and will be useful for the purpose of comparison. One of the sculptures from this period is Bacchus. The artistic sculpture, which was sculpture between 1496 and 1497 by Michelangelo, lay in display in Bargello Museum, Florence. This sculpture just like many others has a story to tell..4 In this statute, the s culptor painted the god as obsessed with wine. This statute, however, did not gain the approval of Michelangelos patronage but on the contrary, it was considered distasteful. For this very reason, this piece of work did not achieve fame as an outstanding artistic work. Another example of a renaissance sculpture that will be useful for this study is the Pieta by Michelangelo. As opposed to the Bacchus, this is a sculpture of a god with too many human emotions. This particular sculpture shows a young mother holding a lifeless child in her arms. Furthermore, unlike the Bacchus, this piece of work has achieved fame and it was the only Michelangelo’s work that was ever signed.5These three pieces of work will be a point of reference in this paper in examining the characteristics of the renaissance sculpture and comparing it with other periods. Characteristics Visual The Laocoon and his sons is a 123cm statute made of white marble with seven interlocking parts of marble. This sculpt ure shows Laocoon with a wrinkled face curved out of the marble and the eyes of the sculpture appear to be half shut creating the impression of struggle and pain.6Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Italian Renaissance: â€Å"Laocoon and His Sons† by Baccio Bandinelli specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The artist articulates with detail the struggle that the priest has while trying to free himself from the snakes with a detail of the exposure of veins in his left hand. Another physical representation of the struggle is the raising chest of Laocoon as he tries to prevent the head of the snake from biting his hip. The deadly serpent has bit the younger son of Laocoon and he appears to be passing out. Another stunning appearance of the sculpture is how Laocoon has his head cocked to one side with his eyes looking upward. The two sons of Laocoon appear to have their heads raised and looking up to their father in pain and desperation as the older tries to free himself from the entanglement. The highly ornamented nature of the statute, for instance, the appearance of the body parts twisting in different directions allow the audience to make deductions for meaning.7 For instance, the arrangement of limbs in this sculpture can show the confusion and desperation as the mind of the priest tries to coordinate all his limbs to free himself from the poisonous snake. Another outstanding visual attraction of this sculpture is the level of realism the artist employs. First, the size of the statute brings up the actual size of an average person. This makes it easier for the audience to identify with the statute as a representation of an actual happening. Another very important point to note in this statute is the combination of expressions, motions and physical appearance as curved out by artist. This harmonious combination brings out the statutes reality without creating mixed emotions or interpret ations. On a different note, the sculptor choice of color adds an anesthetic value to the sculpture without necessarily demeaning the theme of the work.8 The evidence to this is the fact that Bandinelli chooses white color for the priest, his sons and the snakes to represent their religious positions for the priest and son and a divine position for the snakes. Another aspect of the physical appearance that cannot escape notice is a stylistic combination of proportions and emotions. In this statute, the size of the two sons is significantly smaller than that of Laocoon. In this sculpture, as the smaller son of Laocoon collapses, his head lifted with his eyes looking at the father.Advertising Looking for research paper on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The other son goes about the struggle but again he still lifts up his face towards the father. This creates an impression of responsibility the Laocoon had over the cause. It brings out the pain of the two sons suffering because of their father’s mistake. A combination of all the visual aspects of the sculpture explains why this artistic work remained an inspiration for many artists in the renaissance era and today. Historical context The Laocoon sculpture is of a great importance and stands out as influential in history of art. In its time, it influenced art in Italy creating a great impression and impact on the Italian Renaissance art. Michelangelo is one of the people who could not forget the importance and impact of the sculpture. Michelangelo explores this interest in his consequent works the dying slave and the rebellious slave9. The Laocoon sculpture comes out as one of the highly preferred and outstanding outputs of the art of painting and sculpture. The piece of work enjoys massive support that it was a sculpture of all times. This particular work by Bandinelli stands out as exclusive. At the retrieval of original statute, records show that one of the arms, the right arm of Laocoon was missing. According to Bandinelli, the arm protruded upwards something that the consequent artists, like Sansovino, later concurred.10 However, some other artists were of a different opinion. For instance, according to Michelangelo, the arm did not have this characteristic but instead he believed the arm appeared bent. This is one of the major aspects, on which the rivalry between Bandinelli and Michelangelo was rooted. Later on, the rivalry on the arm favored Bandinelli opinion, which gained acceptance across Europe, thus marking the beginning of his rise to prominence. Chief among the reasons for support was the fact that Bandinelli casted wax for arm of the original sculpture. After this, he also received a request from Guilio to make the Cardinal’s scul pture. This showed that Bandinellis work was better that Michelangelo’s. One of the most astonishing facts is that Michelangelo was present when the Laocoon sculpture was unearthed in Rome.11This means that he knew much about the sculpture but his recognition would not match that of Bandinellis, who unlike him was not present. The classical Laocoon inspired Michelangelo in his consequent sculptures, well shown by the â€Å"Christ in the last judgment† sculpture. Later, Michelangelo’s argument received acceptance with the first bent arm discovered in Rome. Come 1950s this had spread all over with a turn of events, which saw Michelangelo, receive much recognition. Shortcomings Despite all these strengths and the influence this particular artistic work has brought to the history of sculpturing, it is not without shortcomings. First, consider the nudity of Laocoon and sons. The turning and the twisting show exaggerated emotions, which make it hard to understand the drama in the drama. Many sculptures originate from texts i.e. written materials.12 In the case of the Laocoon and sons, the sculpture uses a complicated art where several aspects need further explanation. A good example is the choice of nudity over clothing raises more questions than answers for the interpreters and thus makes it hard to interpret the work. Other aspects of the sculpture also requires support from texts, as they cannot be deducted from the sculpture. For instance, the coming out of snakes from the sea is a contextual part of the sculpture’s story, which is not evident in the sculpture. The age of Laocoon’s sons is another important aspect Bandinelli used in this sculpture, yet with possible conflicting evidence. Given that the young men stand for innocence, and the serpents, as portrayed, are too cruel to attack the innocent ones, consider the sculpture in this manner; the two sons are of medium age as their size depicts, however, their physique seems to be of grown up men.13 However, if artist matched their physique with their size, the message of the match would be lost. On the other hand, if their sizes matched their physique, also the match would be lost. Moreover, presenting the younger sons as babies would result into loss of the aspect of physique, thus loosing also the match of the sculpture and the message. Although the work by Bandinelli is more conventional, this fact does not render its worthless. The sculpture has many lessons people can learn up to date. They are more useful to art students who in their capacities would want to refer, compare, and learn. Functions One of the most important aspects of art is the fact that they are not just works that bare no meanings. On the contrary, artistic work plays an important role in the society. This requires that the information contained in these artistic works can be interpreted. In this aspect, sculpturing in the Italian renaissance era was not an undertaking for mare en tertainment or beauty but incorporated important information, which reflected the values, culture and beliefs of people. One of the most outstanding functions of sculpturing is reflection on the religion. The Laocoon sculpture heavily represents the religion of the ancient Greece by incorporating their gods in the story. Laocoon, the center of the sculpture, is a priest Trojan priest of Neptune.14 This aspect brings out the religious practice of the Greek at the time of this sculpture. The aspect of religion is not only prevalent in this piece of work alone but other sculptures like the Bacchus (Roman God of Wine); bare the same reflections in the background. These two sculptures depict intense reference to mythological beliefs of the societies in which they existed. This therefore brings out the spiritual aspect of the society. Another function of sculpturing that cannot escape our knowledge is that of passing on moral lessons. In the Laocoon and his sons, the punishment of the Lao coon priest who disobeyed the god was his death and that of his two sons. This work was not to intrigue any feelings of piety but rather to depict the deserved punishment of the deviant priest.15The interpretation of the Pieta by Michelangelo sculpture is moral in nature as it depicts the moral duties of children to their parent. Accordingly, this kind of interpretation stands out in implying the moral obligations of man to the gods. Finally, sculpturing is an important aspect of retaining the cultural heritage of a group of people. These sculptures, besides their interpretations as discussed above, play an important role in preserving history. Furthermore, they are useful for reference purposes for generations, which come after them both for religious, anesthetic and even artistic purposes. Conclusion As it can be seen above, the Laocoon and his sons sculpture is not just like any other piece of work but on the contrary is unique and influential. From the discussion, it is evident that the sculptures change the history. Its retrieval from Rome triggered a rebirth in the Italian renaissance history of sculpture and in addition to this; it triggered historical events, which remain important in the world history. Again, despite the centuries that this sculpture has lived over, it remains a source of inspiration to many students and artists. It is doubtless that this is both a historical piece of art and a conventional source of inspiration. Bibliography Barkan, Leonard. Unearthing the past: archaeology and aesthetics in the making of  renaissance culture. New York: Yale University Press, 2001. Goffen, Rona. Renaissance Rivals: Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2002. Haskell, Francis, and Nicholas Penny. Taste and the Antique: The Lure of Classical  Sculpture 1500-1900. London: Yale University Press, 1981. Hibbard, Howard. Michelangelo. New York: Harper Row, 1974. Jameson, Anna. Legends of the Madonna: as represented in the fine arts. London: Longmans, Green, 1891, 2006. Janson Horst, Titians Laocoon Caricature and the Vesalian-Galenist Controversy.  The Art Bulletin. Vol. 28, No. 1 (1946). Pollitt, John. The Art of Ancient Greece: Sources and Documents. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. Seymour Howard. Laocoon Re-restored. American Journal of Archaeology. London: Oxford University, 93.3 (1989). Stewart, Andrew. Hagesander, Athanodorus and Polydorus. in Simon Hornblower,  Oxford Classical Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.1996. Richard, Brilliant. My Laocoà ¶n alternative claims in the interpretation of artworks. CA: University of California Press, 2000. Wallace, William. Michelangelo: the Artist, the Man, and his Times. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. Footnotes 1  Leonard Barkan. Unearthing the past: archaeology and aesthetics in the making of renaissance culture. (New York: Yale University Press, 2001), 68. 2 Rona Goffen. Renaissance Rivals: Michelange lo, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian. (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2002), 122. 3 John Pollitt. The Art of Ancient Greece: Sources and Documents. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990), 49 4 Francis Haskell and Nicholas Penny. Taste and the Antique: The Lure of Classical Sculpture 1500-1900 (Yale University Press, 1981), 243. 5 Francis Haskell and Nicholas Penny. Taste and the Antique: The Lure of Classical Sculpture 1500-1900 (Yale University Press, 1981), 237. 6 Seymour Howard. Laocoon Re-restored, American Journal of Archaeology 93.3 (Oxford University Press, 1989), 422. 7 Francis Haskell and Nicholas Penny. Taste and the Antique: The Lure of Classical Sculpture 1500-1900 (Yale University Press, 1981), 233. 8 Francis Haskell and Nicholas Penny. Taste and the Antique: The Lure of Classical Sculpture 1500-1900 (Yale University Press, 1981), 233. 9 Horst Janson, Titians Laocoon Caricature and the Vesalian-Galenist Controversy, The Art Bulletin, Vol. 28, (New York: H. A. Abrams 1946), 49 10 Richard Brilliant. My Laocoà ¶n alternative claims in the interpretation of artworks, (University of California Press, 2000), 29. 11 William Wallace. Michelangelo; the Artist, the Man, and his Times. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009), 16. 12 Anna Jameson. Legends of the Madonna: as represented in the fine arts (London: Longmans, Green, 1891), 37. 13 Howard Hibbard. Michelangelo. (New York: Harper Row, 1974), 56. 14 Andrew Stewart. Hagesander, Athanodorus and Polydorus, in Hornblower, Simon, Oxford Classical Dictionary, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996), 568 15 Richard Brilliant. My Laocoà ¶n alternative claims in the interpretation of artworks, (University of California Press, 2000), 34

Essay writting critical thinking A written Critique of a given Article

Essay writting critical thinking A written Critique of a given . 1200 words. Worth 50% of the overall grade - Article Example My findings indicate that most people especially parents, teachers, and religious leaders reject Harry’s works. Their argument is plain and clear. There is no compromise especially when it comes to raising children in the right way in this dynamic world. Harry Porters works have sparked a lot of speculation with many people viewing his works as satanic. However, some people view Harry Porters work as simple magic that replicate in real life. Harry porter writes mostly to children and most of schools and religious groups have banned his books in their institutions. Most people relate his books to fairy tales and Cinderella books, which never received much criticism as his books, are receiving. According to some people, Harry Porter is a Christian though his works are simply illusions considered satanic by some people. Despite the religion attack, most of Harry Porters work avoids religion in its context. Harry Porter argues that his works avoid introducing certain religion to the targeted audience. There has been intense debate about banning the books from US schools though the public view that as intimidation considering that witchcraft is a licensed business in the US. Other countries like United Arab Emirates consider the books il legal in their schools. The books contain positive aspects of good over evil embedded in witchcraft. The books portray the culture of love and courage in witchcraft, which Christian and other religion denounces. However, a critical perception of Harry Porters works indicate that the magic and illusions can be done in real life unlike works such as Lord of Rings which cannot be practiced in real life. Others view works of Harry Porter as stemming from Wicca religion, which usually incorporates witchcraft work. Wicca is gender polarized and the religion worships the moon Goddess and Horned God. It is also important to mention that Wicca contains magic ranging from folk culture magic and low magic, which is greatly, expressed in

Response of the artical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response of the artical - Essay Example Instead of protecting the natural resources, the government inappropriately uses such resources. According to Sampath (42), placing a price on nature will safeguard the interests of future generations. Consequently, safeguarding biodiversity is the basis of sustainability. The author is supporting his argument by using the case of England in which the exploitation of natural resources is costing the economy of England. In the second article, the author is campaigning against economic valuation of natural resources within the ecosystem. He is opposed to privatization because he believes that privatization will co modify nature as noted by Juniper (2). Consequently, he is claiming that corporations will take advantage of privatization and this will lead to the destruction of unprotected forests and natural resources. Lack of bioprospecting rules will cost countries like Hawaii since the people will not benefit from the use of its resources in the absence of control measures. I accept the major claims of these articles because most of the claims are factual. For instance, research indicates that the enactment of laws has positive impacts on the conservation of the environment. Consequently, some of the resources in nature cannot be valued as claimed by the author of the article the great imposters. In England, the natural capital committee discovered that some of the resources had infinite values. Moreover, the committee advocated for responsible use of the ecosystem by private companies. This is an indication that people should be responsible in seeking services from the ecosystem. Indeed, the business community has neglected the natural world (Monbiot 1). Carelessness is leading to the environmental crisis. Henceforth, it is our collective responsibility to conserve the environment because we depend on the environment for our

Structure of Myometrium Architecture

Structure of Myometrium Architecture THE STRUCTURAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL PARTICULARITIES OF THE MYOMETRIUM ARCHITECTURE Antonella Chescà ¤1, M.A.Moga1, Mariana Tilinca2, H. Matei3 Summary The morphological aspects of the human non-pregnant and pregnant at due time myometrium were emphasized by the classical histological technique and the electronic microscopic technique. We noticed the structural changes that appear at the level of the myocytes, connective and myometrial vascular structures. Both the stage of non-pregnant uterus and the one of pregnant uterus at due time present structural and ultra-structur ­al particularities at the level of the myocytes, connective structures and of the myometrial vascular ones. Key words: myometrium, myocytes, optical microscopy, electronic microscopy The myometrium is made up of smooth muscular fibers that are internally disposed in layers with circular fibers and externally with longitudinal fibers, in-between them being a layer of coiled fibers that, during the pregnancy, allow the uterus to grow and to be properly irrigated with blood. The myometrium is crossed by numerous blood vessels, with predominant venous type structures, also known as stratum vasculosum. It was ascertained that the uterine smooth muscular fibers play a major role in the physiologic haemostasis, namely in closing the vascular structures at this level. (5) During the pregnancy both the uterine body and the cervix become violaceae, due to the strong blood irrigation. The pregnancy is featured by the hypertrophy and the hyper ­plasia of the myometrium. We may also notice an increase of the number of elastic and collagen fibers that prevent the uterine wall from breaking. The changes of the cervix are less representative and consist of edema and local congestion. (4) The normal evolution of the pregnancy takes place on the grounds of certain important transformations of the endocrine system. Besides the changes appearing at the level of the genital tract generated by the development of the embryo and of the fetus, the body of the pregnant woman will undergo a stage of more intense hormone activity. (3) The investigations were made on human fresh material taken by the specialty services of obstetrics-gynecology, with the contribution of the anatomical pathology service within Dr. I. A. Sbarcea Hospital of Brasov and of the specialized study laboratories of the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Department within Carol Davila Medical University of Bucharest. The fragments of the normal non-pregnant uterus were obtained from surgeries such as total and subtotal hysterectomies. The fragments of normal pregnant uterus at due time were taken both from the uterine body and from the cervix. The fragments taken within the specialty services were studied by means of the classical optic microscopy method and by means of the electronic microscopy. The classic histological technique used the hematoxylin- eosin and Van Gieson staining. The fragments taken for examination by means of the electronic microscope were processed according to the technique that includes as main stages the fixation with glutaraldehyde in cacodyl pad for 90 minutes at 4C, washing with cacodyl pad pH 7.4, three times for 5 minutes at 4 °C; incubation in GOMORI environment; postfixacion in 0s04 of 1%, for 90 minutes at 4 °C; rinsing in bidistilled water three time for 5 minutes each, at room temperature, block coloring in uranyl acetate for 30 minutes, at 4C in the dark, washing with 10% alcohol, twice, 3 minutes each, at room temperature; dehydration with propdenoxide, twice for 5 minutes each at room temperature; dehydration with absolute ethylic alcohol, 3 times. 5 minutes each at room temperature; dehydration with propilenoxide twice, 5 minutes each at room temperature; penetration in Epon with inclusion in propilenoxide (1:1), for minimum one hour, followed by the evaporation of propilenoxide, up to 8 hours, penetration with Epon inc lusion for 2 hours, inclu ­sion, ultra sectioning at microtoms, grids contrasting and grids examination at the electronic microscope, obtaining magnifications between lOOOxoOOOx according to Onicescu method, 1998. We monitored the structural and ultra structural changes appearing in the uterine muscular fibers, in the connective structures at this level, as well as of the vascular myometrial structures using classical histological and electronic microscopy techniques. Ultra structurally, the uterine muscular fiber presents features common to the smooth muscular fibers of the cavity organs, with a centrally located, elongated nucleus. The sarcolemma of the myocytes located at the periphery of the muscle fiber seems to have three layers. The changes appeared at the level of the sarcoplasma may be grouped in two areas. At the level of the central area, the changes of the common organelles are being emphasized, such as the rough endoplasmic reticulum made up of several cisterns and vacuoles, of whose membranes ribosomes are being attached at large intervals, free ribosomes and glycogen inclusions, rare flattened sacks and mitochondria presenting a small number of lamella-form christa. At the level of the peripheral area that occupies the larger part, are the special, organelles, forming the contrac ­tile sublayers of the uterine muscular fiber, namely the myofilaments and the dense bodies. The myofilaments, visible at the electronic microscope, are represented only by actin filaments corresponding to the thin filaments of the striated muscle fiber. The myosin filaments are missing, corresponding to the thick filaments of the striated muscle fiber. We noticed ultra structural changes of the uterine muscular fiber, where the myosin appears as dense bodies, noticed as opaque spots, dense at electrons flow, elongated, distributed among the actin filaments. (12) During the pregnancy the myometrium hypertrophies, process that by its rapidity and amplitude, is a unique phenomenon in the normal adult body, accompanied by spectacular reshuffling of the uterine muscle fiber. In these circumstances, the myocytes grow of about 5-10 times, reaching lengths of 500 micrometers. In the same time, they keep their general shape, but elongations appear extensions especially at the ends. (7)Thus, major changes of the main components of the sarcoplasma are achieved. Both the myofilaments and the dense bodies numerically grow. Unlike the myocyte from the non pregnant uterus, the commune organelles occupy large areas in the sarcoplasma and in the peripheral area of the cell. The Golgi complex shows quantity and quality changes, becoming one of the most prominent features of the sarcoplasma. The quantity determinations showed an increase of the glycogen content of the pregnant uterine muscle fiber, of approximately 50 times. (5) Under the influence of the ovaries hormones, various kinds of muscle connections appear in the myometrium, characteristic to the effect of the estrogens or of the progesterone. Under the influence of the estrogen, we may simultane ­ously notice three types of distinct cell groups, light cells oriented approximately parallel to the more or less smooth surfaces, light cells in transverse arrangement and having inter-located surfaces on wide areas and spiral dark cells, located in transverse arrangement, with wider distances between them. (9) Under the influence of the progesterone, after the ovulation and during pregnancy, we may notice rare light cells, yet, the vacuolated cells dominate, especially after the ovulation. As well, typical spiral cells, with more or less smooth surfaces highlighted. At the level of the intrauterine connective tissue, although the predominant connective cell is the fibroblast, we may also notice macrophages, plasmocytes and masto- cytes, all these cell types being reduced in number. Both the structural appearance and the activity of the connective cells undergo changes that take place under the hormonal influences occurring in the uterine functional cycle. (2) We noticed that in the uterus that prepares for gestation, fibroblasts may undergo metaplasia and may change into myocytes. The pregnancy stresses the most the connective cell, in the sense of accelerating in it the synthesis process of the specific macromolecules, such as the collagen and certain products such as the glycosaminoglycanes. (3) The cervix of the adult woman presents in its structure a large amount of connective tissue, made up of cells, fibres, fundamental substance and a small number of smooth muscle fibres. In the non pregnancy stage, the connective of the cervix seems twice more abundant than the one uterine body. (4) The blood vessels of the myometrium, of artery or vein type, represent the constant and favourable element to all myomterial cell metabolic changes, in all the uterine functional phases. This way they insure all myometrial local metabolic activity, of synthesis, on collaboration between the myocytes and the surrounding connective, of cell symbiosis changing in pregnancy compared to non pregnancy. (6) On the myometrium fragments of the non pregnant Figure 3 Non pregnant normal uterus. Myometrium. Transmission Electron Microscopy x 2950 normal uterus and pregnant uterus at due time, by means of the classical histological technique we highlight an arrange ­ment characteristic to a myometrial area where the smooth muscle fibers are placed in fascicles having different direc ­tions and sizes. In between them, we may notice weakly represented connective structures, (fig. 1) The image shows a myometrial area where the connec ­tive structures are well represented in the non pregnant uterus. In the same time, we may notice that between the fascicules of myometrial muscle fibers, blood vessels of capillary and arterioles type are present in longitudinal section, (fig. 2) Figure 1 Non pregnant normal uterus. Myometrium. Optical Microscopy. Hematoxylin-Eosin stain x 20 Using the technique of electronic microscopy, on a microphoto we notice the detail of an area of the sarcoplasma of the uterine smooth muscle fiber. We notice a large number of mitochondria positioned in groups between the myofilaments and especially in a row in the closest neighborhood and along the dense bodies. Among Figure 4 Normal uterus, pregnant at due time. Myometrium. Optical Microscopy. Hematoxylin-Eosin stain x40 the mitochondria there are frequent glycogen inclusions. We may notice the anchoring of the actin filaments of the dense body of the myocyte, (fig. 3) At an magnifying power of 40x, using the classical histological technique, we observe the smooth muscle fibers, with elongated, euchromatic nucleus, with rich sarcoplasma and a cross-sectioned arteriole. The fibroblasts between the myocytes are rare, with dark, rectilinear nucleus, (fig. 4) The figure illustrates myocytes presenting a large, oval- shaped, largely elongated, rich in euchromatine nucleus, with 1-3 nucleoli. The sarcoplasma is abundant. Near the muscle fibers, there is a large amount of connective tissue with fibroblasts and numerous connective fibers, (fig. 5) Figure 2 Non pregnant normal uterus. Myometrium. Optical Microscopy. Van Gieson stain x 20 An observed ultrastructural aspect illustrates longitudi ­nally sectioned smooth muscle fibers, with grouped charac ­teristic arrangement, namely the thinned part of a myocyte being near the thicker central area of the neighboring myocytes. Between the muscle fibers there are narrow spaces with less connective matrix. The nucleus of the muscle fibers is predominantly euchromatic and the sarcoplasma near the poles of the nucleus contains cellular organelles, besides them we may observe myofilaments and rare dense odies. The sarcoplasma shows caveolae and dense areas, lear the myocytes we find a fibroblast with large nucleus, ctively euchromatic. Around it, the cytoplasm is loaded dth cellular organelles, among which we notice the rough ndoplasmic reticulum, as dilated, inter-communicating acks. (fig. 6) Researches based on modern techniques of electronic licroscopy, lead to data related to ultrastructural organization †¢f the uterine smooth muscle fibers, with its particularities in wo distinct functional moments, non pregnancy and regnancy, in healthy women, with uterus having no We observed the vicinity relations between the nyocytes and the connective cells at this level, focusing m the fibroblasts, connective cells considered to be lormone-sensitive, moreover as this type of cells takes  »art in the composition of organs that are hormone- ensitive such as the uterus or its components. (2) The technique of electronic microscopy highlighted dtrastructural aspects of the smooth muscle fibers, of the connective cells and of the vascular structures of the nyometrium of the non pregnant and pregnant uterus. Studies of electronic microscopy highlighted various tspects. Thus, the specific functions of the smooth muscle, uch as tension, contraction and relaxation, are considered to )e the result of the coordinated activity of the muscle cells. X/e assumed the existence of a functional syncytium at least or four functional conditions. In the same time, we lescribed the fusion of the neighboring cell membranes, in ;ertain contact points, namely intercellular junctions type  »nulla occludens and it may be considered that such ;onnections would represent the morphological fundamen- :als of the functional synctyium. (11) As well, we showed that :he number of noticed contact points is small compared to :he surface of the cell. According to certain authors, the iifferent forms of cell contacts are granted to various imctional states of the same muscle. The muscle connec- :ions thus exist as interdigital cells, on wide surfaces, with anclearly defined cell membranes or as sole, distinct cells. Varied forms of muscle cells seem to help the answer to the question whether the myometrial contraction is isotonic or isometric. From this point of view, we consider that the function of the myometrium resides in an isometric contraction. The observations of other researchers suggest that in the myometrium and in the smooth muscle of other cavity organs, the isometric and isotonic contractions are just different phases of a complex contraction cycle. According to the morphological observations, it seems to be the rhythmic passing from relaxation to isometric contractions and the other way around. (10) According to recent studies, the fine structure of myometrium from pigs collected at well-defined stages dur ­ing pregnancy was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The morphology of the pregnant myometrium resembled that in non-pregnant pigs. Thick myofilaments were conspicuous during early pregnancy, unapparent during mid-pregnancy and visible again by days 80-84 and towards Figure 5 Normal uterus, pregnant at due time. Myometrium. Optical Microscopy. Van Gieson stain x20 Figure 6 Normal uterus, pregnant at due time. Myometrium. Transmission Electron Microscopy xl 500 parturition. Gap junctions were extremely rare throughout pregnancy. (8) The researches in the field are ongoing, due to the modern investigation possibilities that, besides the already known investigation methods, mainly refer to the immunohistochemical techniques.

Embracing Depression Essay -- Personal Narrative, essay about myself

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -- Oscar Wilde Perhaps I feel compelled to write on the subject of depression because it is a selfish disease. It seeps into every crevice of one's life; it refuses to be ignored, to be relegated to some obscure corner of the mind. Perhaps I'm writing about it because of what I have learned about my relationship with the disease. Perhaps the time has come when I'm ready to stop cursing the depression and start embracing it. What I'm about to say is terribly unfashionable, and I hope that you will forgive any offense that it may cause. In all truthfulness, I'm glad that I have lived with depression as a companion. This statement does not imply that I have relished the grief and guilt the disease has borne. It does not mean that I have enjoyed the fits of despair, the self-imposed isolation, or the shared sorrow of my frie... ...effe, Ray Charles, Francis Ford Coppola, John Kenneth Galbraith, Soren Kierkegaard - I can't help but wonder if their accomplishments were not just in spite of, but partially because of, their illness. Oscar Wilde once wrote, "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." I have reached a point in my life where I can concur with that sentiment. At last, I have realized that lying in the mud enhances the times when I've set my heart with the stars.

Carl Jung: The Undiscovered Self Essay

?The book of C. G Jung â€Å"The Undiscovered Self† was written during the cold war concerning communism. He saw during this time the trend toward collectivism as the utmost threat to the individual self. He expresses grief over the adoption of mass mindedness, and encourages its psychic depreciation. Witnessing the physical and psychological destruction of war, Jung provides the reader his analytic interpretation of the incomparable loss of self in the intrusion of secular religion and social collectivism. Jung shows that although science tries to impose order on the world, the unique thing about real facts, conversely, is their individuality. However, the psyche remains irresolvable puzzle. An individual have to understand not the humanity as a whole but rather than the self. Whenever individual is pressured by a group an effect will occur just like part of the individual self will be deprived in order to fit-in to the benchmark of the group. The individual stops thinking of itself as a result the group becomes the personality of the individual. The dilemma of a human being in the world he lives is losing his self in the process of balancing the factors that can affect him as an individual. We have to get ourselves in order before we can get the rest of the world in order. Yes, man as a social being cannot continue life in the long run without the link to the community. But it doesn’t mean that the community will define us. We are necessitated to have always the sense of balance between the state, religions, and of course our individual psyche. Seeing in the model these three are demonstrated by the two forces, the conscious and unconscious. Later on this paper, it will be further discuss more. Going back, if we have a propensity to maintain the balance between the three, we can attain the self-knowledge that will characterize us, as a real individual. The model shows that there are factors that can affect one’s self knowledge. In the book, Jung tries to point out that the self-knowledge of a human being is a very limited knowledge since it only depends on the social factors that can affect it. There are many blind spots in self-knowledge, and these blind spots can have negative consequences for the self and for others. For example, one who overestimates the positivity of his or her personality or status is often disliked by others, whereas having insight into how others perceive the self and acknowledging one’s flaws seems to attenuate the negativity of others’ impressions. Poor self-knowledge is also associated with negative intrapersonal consequences, such as weak academic achievement and emotional problems. Likewise, lack of insight into how one will feel or behave in the future tends to result in poor decision making, disappointment with unpredicted outcomes, and ultimately lower life satisfaction. What we primarily know about our self is the conscious state. We are not acquainted that there is an inner state that is within us that can help to shape more our own self-knowledge. What I am talking about here is the unconscious psychic. We could have known that this unconscious psychic can outweigh the conscious psychic. In short, one cannot exist without the other. These two psychic forces should team up to promote a more apparent understanding of the self-knowledge. In reality there are conscious and unconscious agendas in the brain and both are important. It does not help to play the unconscious off against the conscious. In the brain at any time most of the agendas are unconscious, much of it is, however, consciousness-prone. The conscious and the unconscious always work together, not only in dreams but also in wakefulness. Our conscience for instance can admonish us out of the unconscious core from our memory, but by doing so it becomes conscious, and it is then the task of the reasoned will to draw the consequences out of it. The unconscious is not the â€Å"bad something† Freud had conceived, a something that plays tricks on us. It is rather the ground worker for consciousness, the staff that supports the leader. And the leader is: The conscious, reasoned free will. Why the unconscious is termed as the â€Å"evil† inside us? As a normal individual whenever we don’t like something about ourselves, or whenever we refuse to admit something about ourselves, we push those energies deep within the recesses of our psyche, creating cut off versions of who we really are. And to make matters even more difficult, we give those energies, bad names like â€Å"shadows† â€Å"demons† and â€Å"negative vibes. † As stated on the book, â€Å"Since it universally believed that man is merely what his consciousness knows of itself, he regards himself as harmless and so adds stupidity to iniquity. He does not deny that terrible things have happened and still go on happening, but it is always â€Å"the others† who do them. † Man has the fear of recognizing the shadow that is in the very first place was there. This fear of the unconscious psyche to be divulged slows down the understanding of self-knowledge. Since mentioned before, the conscious and unconscious must maintain equilibrium to achieve self-knowledge to the real extent. Human must not fear the shadow that dwells inside us. Where in reality, this shadow can help us to mold the individualism we want to resolve. If a general had no idea regarding what constitutes a favorable battle outcome, there would be no utility in simulating battle formations. Evaluating potential actions is challenging because it depends on taking diverse considerations into account (e. g. , physical or social consequences). Most knowledge regarding what is favorable is already embodied in the very agentic systems that, before the advent of suppression, controlled behavior directly. Unconscious conflict resolution processes thus furnish valuable information to conscious processes of planning for the future. Given sufficiently strong motivations and commitment to the planned course of action, specific plans such as â€Å"when X happens, I will do Y† themselves operate automatically when the future opportunity arises, as in the implementation intention research of Gollwitzer and colleagues (e. g. , Gollwitzer, 1999). In this way, unconscious processes not only adapt us to the present situation, but they also influence the tracks we lay to guide our future behavior. As mention earlier in this paper, the state and religion including the individual psyche should maintain a sense of stability in an individual. Man should not let neither the state nor religion, take away his individuality. One chapter of the book was entitled â€Å"Religion as the Counterbalance to Mass-mindedness†. Religion is defined as an, â€Å"organized belief system that includes shared and institutionalized moral values, beliefs about God, and involvement in religious community,† Individuals may be spiritual not religious, religious not spiritual, religious and spiritual, or neither spiritual nor religious. Often times the spiritual not religious individual is seeking meaning, connection with others, and completeness. The religious not spiritual person typically participates in religious institutions, holds theistic beliefs, and institutionalized moral values. The spiritual and religious person holds characteristics of both while the neither spiritual nor religious person holds few if any of these characteristics. In the book, Jung distinguishes between religion and creed, labeling religion as the relationship of an individual to God and a creed as a confession of faith in a collective belief. Creeds have codified their views, customs and beliefs and externalized themselves to such an extent that the external point of reference has become of minor importance. Jung tries to point out that, religion like the state yearn for the individual to sacrifice himself. The state and the religion have the same objective towards an individual but they have different line of attack to grasp it. Neither the state nor the religion is unscrupulous. In fact, we do need them, but they must be at the same rank in one’s self. One should not override the other, for it must be keep upright. Examine the spirits that speak in you. Become critical. –Carl Jung References: Carlson, E. N. (2013). Overcoming the Barriers to Self-Knowledge : Mindfulness as a Path to Seeing Yourself as You Really Are. Perspectives on Psychological Sciences , 2. Deecke, L. (2012). There Are Conscious and Unconscious Agendas in the Brain. 4. Morsella, J. A. (2008). The Unconscious Mind. 7-8. Nickles, T. (2011). THE ROLE OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY IN COUNSELING. 3-4.

The Destruction Of The World - 1585 Words

By inhabiting every corner of the planet, razing forests, and burning fossil fuels, people are changing the world so fast that many other species can t cope(Kolbert 1). This statement tells of a bitter truth that has affected the world since the advent of the evolved mankind, through various self-serving activities such as logging, mining, burning fossil fuels and continuously polluting both land and water. People have ensured through this and other wreckless means that other species that inhabit the world have poor living conditions and in some extreme cases that they have gone extinct. Mankind has led to the irreparable destruction of both the flora and Fauna of the world and it is only right that he work towards repairing what he†¦show more content†¦There are presently over 8000 specimens of tissue samples in the San Diego frozen zoo in California. This come from 800 species or sub species and this is just a tip of the ice burg a million. Other such tissue banks are bei ng put up around the world so that â€Å"they can be revived if necessary (Lepage 2). This saving of human tissue should not be the answer to the problem of possible extinction of the various animals in the world. It is upon human beings to find ways to reduce their impact on animal life so as to safeguard instead of threaten the animals with extinction and then look to revive this animal life. It is much simpler for humans to change their ways such as stopping the rapid deforestation and encroaching in animal habitats and using of fossil fuels and polluting of the rivers with refuse from excesses of consumerism than it is to try and reintroduce this species when they go extinct because even the chances of man mimicking millions of years of creation are very slim at best. In South Africa in the Cape region they have seen that it is important to facilitate evolution instead of try to put it in a bottle. Dr. Richard Cowling of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizab eth says that You ve got to preserve the processes.(Le Page, 2) Scientists have tried to invent