Frankenstein Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Frankenstein - Essay Example Shelley's novel opens with several letters written by the storyteller, Robert Walton to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England as Walton himself is on a grand voyage to the end of the earth. The series of letters sets the stage for introducing Victor Frankenstein who Walton meets during his voyage. And then, the rest of the book recounts Frankenstein's story of his life. I was especially glued to Shelley's vivid descriptions of locales, the changing seasons, how the characters looked and their emotions at different parts of the story. The writing was so colorful that it was better than watching a movie. Shelley's story also depicted the sensibilities of the age, especially the differing natures and primary pursuits of various countries and peoples in Europe and England. It portrayed the importance that some individuals put on science and other intellectual pursuits while others choose to occupy themselves primarily with commerce and the accumulation of wealth. Shelley depicted the interplay of good and bad in human character and very successfully did so. Personally, my realization was that there is always reason why people do certain things and that this reason is primarily good in the view of the person acting on the reason. Before I read the original text of Frankenstein, I had very many misconceptions about the story. I had thought Frankenstein was the monster, or Victor Frankenstein was a mad scientist, or that a Mrs. Frankenstein actually came into being. All this was probably brought on by the different stories I heard on the same subject. I never thought that I would consider Frankenstein a literary masterpiece that has made it become a classic. Actually reading the novel has of course changed all that. It was quite easy for me to get a copy of Frankenstein because it was available in the Project Gutenberg collection. A remarkable novel such as what Mary Shelley has written over 200 years ago can now be easily accessed, read, dissected, analyzed or merely perused for enjoyment. The Gutenberg collection has over 3 million titles and over 25,000 of these are freely accessible. Indeed, in this age of computers it is quite marvelous to be able to look back at somebody's work from hundreds of years ago, learn from it and get inspired by it. Who is Victor Frankenstein (Reflective Essay) It is amazing to realize that Victor Frankenstein, the character created by Mary Shelley in her famous novel some 200 years ago may well be any one of us, today. Shelley may have over dramatized the pursuits of Frankenstein in her book but the character of Victor, his aspirations, his focused pursuit of objectives, his joys and sorrows are as human as they were then as they are now. Victor, at the story's opening is from a family with means. But as he relates the story of his parents, it was not so in the past, rather a series of ups and downs in terms of economic well-being. That initial story already depicts human histories that are true

Impacts of technology to US children Research Paper

Impacts of technology to US children - Research Paper Example Computer games that came as a result of technology have helped improve children’s skills of abstract thinking, reflective thinking as well as evaluating information. Also, it has helped increase communication between the young ones and the health practitioners. The use of technology enables an individual to perceive images at a higher speed. Besides, an individual can watch videos that makes one feel the actual reality of the picture. Basing on various studies, kids who have been using technology for some time are viewed to have an increase in visual reasoning skills. The technology helps children to understand the operations of various apps that are employed in operating the technology. With these skills, the child will be able to coordinate various activities at the same time. Furthermore, it has given the children the ability to identify facial emotions expressions by the use of computers. As a result, technology has helped improve the literacy rate among the children. Tech nology can only be of good help to children if they are guided on what and what not to operate with their smartphones as well as the computers. Therefore, enabling young ones to poses cell phones fulfills this functionality for connectivity. The development of technology has made children ease the concerns that come along with childhood connectivity. Therefore, technology is considered an important factor in the current US generation because it is helping parents keep track of their children.

Centre for Renewable Energy Sources Literature review

Centre for Renewable Energy Sources - Literature review Example Ocean wave’s energy is solar energy in its concentrated form. Cruz (2008) describes the process of wave creation as follows: â€Å"the sun produces temperature differences across the globe, causing winds that blow over the ocean surface. These cause ripples, which grow into swells.† (p.1) Ocean waves are distinguished by the highest level of energy density in comparing with other energy sources. Brooke (2006) asserts that the density of wave energy just below ocean surface is five times higher than the density of energy of wind 20m above the sea surface, and 20 to 30 times than the density of solar energy. The theoretical potential of electricity production by using of waves is enormous, according to Tulloch (2010); it can reach up to 80,000 Terawatt hours a year, â€Å"almost five times the world’s annual electricity consumption†. Drew et al (2009) mention several other characteristics of ocean waves providing significant advantages of using them for ener gy production: Ocean wave’s energy is solar energy in its concentrated form. Cruz (2008) describes the process of wave creation as follows: â€Å"the sun produces temperature differences across the globe, causing winds that blow over the ocean surface. These cause ripples, which grow into swells.† (p.1) Ocean waves are distinguished by the highest level of energy density in comparing with other energy sources. Brooke (2006) asserts that the density of wave energy just below ocean surface is five times higher than the density of energy of wind 20m above the sea surface, and 20 to 30 times than the density of solar energy. The theoretical potential of electricity production by using of waves is enormous, according to Tulloch (2010); it can reach up to 80,000 Terawatt hours a year, â€Å"almost five times the world’s annual electricity consumption†. Drew et al (2009) mention several other characteristics of ocean waves providing significant advantages of usi ng them for energy production:†¢ Relatively low negative environmental impact. It is generally considered that using of waves as the source of renewable energy does not cause CO2 emissions.†¢ Waves are much stronger in winter by nature, so seasonal variability of their energy follows the electricity demand in temperate climates.  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Waves also can transfer energy on large distances with little losses.†¢ Wave power devices can produce electricity up to 90 percent of the time, while wind and solar power devices only 20–30 percent (p.888).

The United States of America Essay Example for Free

The United States of America Essay The year is 2039 in the United States of America. There is a new mandatory government law and procedure that requires all American citizens to adhere to. The procedure is called the Ein which is a German word that means â€Å"one†. The procedure changes all normal human beings as we know them into super intelligent people and reconstructs them into beautiful beings. The process starts on an automatic escalator on which the human being rides, and travels from one machine to the next. The first machine controls the brain by using an automatic electronic head piece that descends from above onto the human head. The electronic headpiece shocks the brain and reprograms everything that is sympathetic such as emotions, empathy and creativity. After that part of the brain is completely numbed, the computer programming begins to transform the mind, turning everyone who enters into alienated, egocentric human beings. After the process is done, the human is totally dumbfounded and automatically moves to the next machine which is called the Van-Trans. To keep the human from feeling any pain, he or she is first injected with a super pain reliever and then the human’s skeleton reshapes into a human box. After the person is shaped like a box, the Van-Trans start the reshaping procedure. After molding and trimming, the person is created into a supermodel form. This is a governmental standard requirement for all people to follow who resides within the United States. All of the humans who are recreated are referred to as Supers by the government. Finally, when the procedure is finished, the Super is now allowed to exit the Machine. On one occasion after having the procedure done, there was a young woman who witnesses a little girl who was hurt in a car accident and she needed the young woman’s help. The little girl was unconscious and no one would help her because of how the required procedure affects everyone who has the procedure done. All of their emotions and compassion is removed during the procedure. Therefore, the woman just stepped right over the child having no feeling at all for the little girl. The world has been turned into a heartless society. The government has created a society that is numb to having feelings and worships their intellect and outer man. â€Å"Power has become so subtle and complex a thing [†¦] that only a subtle mind can watch it work; here it is still limited, still visible† (LeGuin 5). The people’s only power is their knowledge but they use their knowledge to get over on others who are not Supers like them. â€Å"Nothing succeeds like success† (LeGuin 5). Works Cited LeGuin, Ursula K. The Left Hand Of Darkness. New York: Walker And Company, 1969.

Chemical And Biological Weapons Essay -- essays research papers

Chemical and Biological Weapons Chemical and biological weapons are the most dangerous threats that our soldiers face today. But just how much do most of us know about them? The American public had been bombarded by stories of how our government keeps secret weapons, does secret experiments, and the everlasting conspiracies. And many accept it all. Rather than simply trusting our government, (which is perhaps as foolish as believing several unsubstansiated theroies), I’ve compiled several simple facts regarding recent and historic developments in chemical and biological warfare.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chemical weapons are defined as chemical substances of gas, liquid, or solid which are used because of a directly toxic effect upon humans, animals, or plants. Biological weapons are living organisms, whatever their nature, or the materials that are created because of their use. Biological weapons can cause disease or death in living organisms, and are depended upon for their further ability to multiply inside the organism that it attacks. Even though the two weapons are closely related, chemical weapons are used far more commonly because they are inexpensive to make and use. Chemical weapons are more dangerous to America because of the conflicts we have involved ourselves in. Iraq for example, has a long and extensive history of using chemical weapons. In the 1980’s, Iraq released poisonous gases against Iranian troops. Iraq has even used chemical weapons against it’s own Kurdish citizens to subdue rebellions. As one of the aftermaths of the Persian Gulf War, however, Iraq agreed to giveup all materials and equipment for making chemical and biological weapons. An organization called UNSCOM or United Nations Special Commissions on Iraq was formed to ensure that Iraq followed through upon it’s promises. However, when Lt. Hussein, Saddam Hussein’s son-in-law and director of Iraq’s weapons program, defected, it was found that Iraq had been dishonest in it’s reports to UNSCOM. for four years. Today, everyone has heard even a passing reference to Gulf-War Syndrome. In 1994, a Congressional report examined eyewitness accounts and declassified operation logs. They concluded that United States troops were exposed eleven times to chemical and biological weapons. Yet, two other reports concluded the opposite. The DSB and IOM reports found that there was no reli... ...l weapons are not used exclusively for it’s harmful effects against humans. During the Vietnam War, Agent Orange was used by the Americans to destroy the rainforest, to make sure that enemy troops would be unable to hide in the dense plant growth. Chemical and biological weapons have been the subject of international debate for over 70 years, and I believe for good reason. Of course, the government should, and does, participate in the conventions and foreign event that have relation to these weapons. As citizens, we should be concerned because chemical weapons are so easily accessible to terrorists, and one result of living in such a powerful country, is being a prime target for terrorist. Mustard gas, for example, is made with two very commonly used chemical compounds, which are thiodiglycol and hydrochloric acid. Thiodiglycol is used in textile dyes, and almost all pens. Hydrochloric acid is often used here at school in experiments. While it would be impossible to completely stop the use of chemical and biological weapons everywhere, America can use it’s position as a world leader to influence other countries by showing an example of peace and strong defense, instead of offense. Chemical And Biological Weapons Essay -- essays research papers Chemical and Biological Weapons Chemical and biological weapons are the most dangerous threats that our soldiers face today. But just how much do most of us know about them? The American public had been bombarded by stories of how our government keeps secret weapons, does secret experiments, and the everlasting conspiracies. And many accept it all. Rather than simply trusting our government, (which is perhaps as foolish as believing several unsubstansiated theroies), I’ve compiled several simple facts regarding recent and historic developments in chemical and biological warfare.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chemical weapons are defined as chemical substances of gas, liquid, or solid which are used because of a directly toxic effect upon humans, animals, or plants. Biological weapons are living organisms, whatever their nature, or the materials that are created because of their use. Biological weapons can cause disease or death in living organisms, and are depended upon for their further ability to multiply inside the organism that it attacks. Even though the two weapons are closely related, chemical weapons are used far more commonly because they are inexpensive to make and use. Chemical weapons are more dangerous to America because of the conflicts we have involved ourselves in. Iraq for example, has a long and extensive history of using chemical weapons. In the 1980’s, Iraq released poisonous gases against Iranian troops. Iraq has even used chemical weapons against it’s own Kurdish citizens to subdue rebellions. As one of the aftermaths of the Persian Gulf War, however, Iraq agreed to giveup all materials and equipment for making chemical and biological weapons. An organization called UNSCOM or United Nations Special Commissions on Iraq was formed to ensure that Iraq followed through upon it’s promises. However, when Lt. Hussein, Saddam Hussein’s son-in-law and director of Iraq’s weapons program, defected, it was found that Iraq had been dishonest in it’s reports to UNSCOM. for four years. Today, everyone has heard even a passing reference to Gulf-War Syndrome. In 1994, a Congressional report examined eyewitness accounts and declassified operation logs. They concluded that United States troops were exposed eleven times to chemical and biological weapons. Yet, two other reports concluded the opposite. The DSB and IOM reports found that there was no reli... ...l weapons are not used exclusively for it’s harmful effects against humans. During the Vietnam War, Agent Orange was used by the Americans to destroy the rainforest, to make sure that enemy troops would be unable to hide in the dense plant growth. Chemical and biological weapons have been the subject of international debate for over 70 years, and I believe for good reason. Of course, the government should, and does, participate in the conventions and foreign event that have relation to these weapons. As citizens, we should be concerned because chemical weapons are so easily accessible to terrorists, and one result of living in such a powerful country, is being a prime target for terrorist. Mustard gas, for example, is made with two very commonly used chemical compounds, which are thiodiglycol and hydrochloric acid. Thiodiglycol is used in textile dyes, and almost all pens. Hydrochloric acid is often used here at school in experiments. While it would be impossible to completely stop the use of chemical and biological weapons everywhere, America can use it’s position as a world leader to influence other countries by showing an example of peace and strong defense, instead of offense.

Mechatronics Basic Pneumatics History Of Compressed Air Engineering Essay

Pneumatic devices are assorted tools and instruments that generate and utilize compressed air. The construct behind pneumatic tools has its beginnings in ancient times, but it was non until the last 500 old ages that it genuinely came to fruition.BeginningsThe first compressors were likely bellows like devices developed sometime prior to 3000 B.C. They were used to supply little whiffs of air to assistance in fire starting. These evolved into larger, but non significantly more sophisticated, units used in basic metal smelting about 1500 B.C. The manus bellows used by early smelters and blacksmiths for working Fe and metals was a simple type of air compressor and the first pneumatic tool. Grecian mathematician Hero of Alexandria ( c. 10 to 70 AD ) is reputed to hold thought of the field that gave birth to pneumatic tools ( pneumatics ) in the first century A.D. There is grounds of some of his innovations powered by steam and air current.Air Pump/CompressorGerman physicist and applied scientist Otto von Guericke ( 1602 to 1686 ) is credited with holding invented the air pump or compressor in 1650. The device sucked out air or gas from whatever vas it was attached to. He experimented with Cu enclosures called hemispheres, showing that he could utilize the pump to draw apart the two halves. It could bring forth a partial vacuity and Guericke used it to analyze the phenomenon of vacuity and the function of air in burning and respiration. Two centuries after Guericke, pneumatic tools were developing beyond being mere exciting wonders ; they were now going practical. Development of pneumatics remained comparatively inactive until late in the eighteenth century when mechanical compressors achieved the capableness of bring forthing force per unit areas every bit high as 15 pounds per square inch. It was non until the 1800 ‘s that compressed air was earnestly considered as an industrial energy transportation medium. Once compressed air was commercially available, pneumatic devices were everyplace. The tight air was used to power little air-powered electrical generators in eating houses, infirmaries, and theatres. Engineers of the clip proclaimed tight air was the hereafter in energy transmittal and another emerging engineering, electricity, had far excessively many proficient defects to of all time be successful. During the late 1800 ‘s, the usage of tight air and electricity expanded and each found its topographic point ; electricity being the most convenient signifier for large-scale energy transmittal and pneumatics for specific industrial applications including power and procedure service and control maps. In 1829, the first phase or compound air compressor was patented. A compound air compressor compresses air in consecutive cylinders. By 1872, compressor efficiency was improved by holding the cylinders cooled by H2O jets, which led to the innovation of water-jacketed cylinders. Pneumaticss in the nineteenth century was dominated by the pneumatic tubing, which was popularized by people in Victorian England utilizing grapevines to convey wires from one telegraph station to another. Besides, John Wanamaker ( 1838 to 1922 ) , an American merchandiser, introduced tube systems to the United States Post Office ( when he was postmaster general ) and section shops for transit of mail points and money, severally.Pneumatic Tubes:The best known pneumatic device is of class the pneumatic tubing. A pneumatic tubing is a method of transporting objects utilizing tight air. In the yesteryear, pneumatic tubings were frequently used in big office edifices to transport messages and objects from office to office. The first documented echt pneumatic tubing in the United States is officially listed in a 1940 patent issued to Samuel Clegg and Jacob Selvan. This was a vehicle with wheels, on a path, positioned within a tubing. The most luxuriant application of pneumatic tubings, nevertheless, was when Alfred Beach ( 1826 to 1896 ) built a pneumatic train metro in New York City based on his 1865 patent. The metro ran briefly in 1870 for one block West of City Hall. It was America ‘s first metro. Alfred Beach practically invented the pneumatic metro line by showing that a pipe was able to transport riders. The Beach tunnel was constructed in merely 58 yearss, get downing under Warren Street and Broadway, straight across from City Hall. The station was under the south pavement of Warren Street merely west of the Broadway corner. The individual path tunnel ran east into Broadway, curved south, and ran down the center of Broadway to Murray Street, a distance of one block, about 300 pess in all. The metro opened to the populace on February 26, 1870. Operated as a presentation from 1870 to 1873, the short tunnel had merely the one station and train auto. hypertext transfer protocol: //t3.gstatic.com/images? q=tbn: U-mntn_iJyitlM: hypertext transfer protocol: //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Beach_Pneumatic_Transit_01.jpgbeach-map Tunnel portal Tunnel schematic The â€Å" hard currency bearer † innovation sent money in small tubes travelling by air compaction from location to location in section shop so that alteration could be made. The first mechanical bearers used for shop service was patented ( # 165,473 ) by D. Brown on July 13, 1875. However, it was non until 1882 when an discoverer called Martin patented betterments in the system that the innovation became widespread. Martin ‘s patents were numbered 255,525 issued March 28, 1882, 276,441 issued April 24, 1883, and 284,456 issued on September 4, 1883. The Chicago postal pneumatic tubing service began between the station office and the Winslow rail route station on August 24, 1904. The service used stat mis of tubing rented from the Chicago Pneumatic Tube Company. Samuel Ingersoll invented the pneumatic drill in 1871. Charles Brady King of Detroit invented the pneumatic cock in 1890, and patented on January 28, 1894. Charles King exhibited two of his innovations at the 1893 Worlds Columbia Exposition ; a pneumatic cock for concentrating and calking and a steel brake beam for railway route autos. During the twentieth century, usage of tight air and of compressed-air devices increased. Jet engines use centrifugal and axial-flow compressors. Automatic machinery, labor-saving devices, and automatic-control systems all use pneumatics. Mass production on assembly lines as a standard industrial procedure increased the demand and application possibilities of tight air. Today, the list of industrial applications is really long.We use tight air for:Air Brakesair-blockAir Cylindersair-cylinders-for-pneumatic-system-tsc — tsu-73Air Motorsindustrial_air_motors_1Buffetingcp869p_1ChipingPneumatic-Chipping-HammerReamingMULTISPINDLE BARREL REAMING MACHINEreamer_offScrew Drivinghypertext transfer protocol: //www.pneumatictoolsonline.com/images/Screwdrivers/Screwdrivers-All-Models.jpgConveyingPneumatic-Conveying-SystemDrilling1142360549631_0306_spotlightproducts_18Promoting133073_062020076883_ExhibitPicFormingpaper-plate-machineCrunching41gFbya-SNLConcentratingpneumatic_riveting_toolTransferingiz2201Hoisting2854_1Blendingrx2k_daPaint SprayingDP6316-asturo-spray-gunPile Drivingpneumatic-pile-driverSuperchargingLow_boost_ideal_interceptProcedure ControlpneumaticStaplingCLX050108_028_1_2-de Blowguns – Using their lungs, early huntsmans could develop 1 to 3 pounds per square inchs with a capacity of about 6000 copper. in/min. Pneumatic stone drills – Early on in the nineteenth century, compressors had been developed which were capable of bring forthing 90 pounds per square inch. A tunnel undertaking was begun in Mt. Cenis, in the Alps, which was estimated to take 30 old ages to finish utilizing manual boring methods to cover 8 A? stat mis. Using pneumatic stone drills, runing from over 4 stat mis of air lines, the tunnel was successfully completed in 14 old ages. It was unfastened to traffic in 1871. This successful application attracted international involvement taking many metropolis authoritiess to speak of edifice cardinal compressor Stationss for citywide power. Compressed air used in Paris – Paris, the metropolis of visible radiations, was really the City of Air. In 1888, Paris installed a 65 HP compressor feeding 4 stat mis of brinies with 30 stat mis of subdivisions ( a converted cloaca system ) , presenting 90 pounds per square inch. By 1891, the capacity was increased to 25,000 HP Compressed air has been applied to command circuitry, dental drills, surgery, and many other industrial procedures necessitating high forces or impact blows. Light weight, lasting and safe pneumatic tools such as pneumatic stapling machines and pneumatically powered impact twists are common.Pneumatic constituentsThere are a broad assortment of pneumatic constituents available today.TubingTubing today comes in a broad assortment of sizes and can be made to the consumer ‘s demands. Air-TubeValvesvalves_1cActuatorspneumatic_automation-lAdvantagesComponents have long on the job life ensuing in thirster system dependability. Safe to utilize Merely Semi-skilled work force required for operation and care Best for usage in inflammable country. Far less traveling parts inside, therefore lower care demand. Light in weight, yet sturdy in design. Cheaper & A ; lower engineering options for control of velocity. Even sing investings on compressor, the pneumatic actuators are far more cost effectual in footings of cost of ownership and return on investing. If there is a power cut, pneumatic equipment will still work until the stored air in the compressor has been depleted. As there are no fluids involved they can be used in a cleanroom environment. Because air systems operate at comparatively low force per unit area, the constituents can be made of comparatively cheap stuffs.DisadvantagesCompressors and uninterrupted compaction can be expensive. Air intervention is required to take any oils, particulate and H2O vapor from the system. The constituents are non dependable at slow velocity. Very low efficiency, less than 50 % of input power is available at the work country.

Upon Westminster Bridge and Kensington Market

The Kashmir earthquake happened on Saturday October 5th 2005, at 8:50am local time which had a magnitude of 7. 6. 74,500+ were dead and 106,000+ were injured in the Kashmir region of Northern Pakistan which was the 14th deadliest earthquake of all time. Its focus was 26km down and the shaking lasted for 60 seconds (1 Minute). The most badly affected area was in the Epicentral area around Muzaffarabad which is the capital of the Pakistan administered region of Kashmir. It is 80km north-east of Islamabad. 20 aftershocks were followed after the earthquake. It is said to be the strongest earthquake to hit the region in a century. The primary effects of the Kashmir earthquake included: Several trains on minor lines were derailed, 3. 3 million homes were destroyed, 79,000 people were killed and 100,000 injured. Secondary effects included: Electricity, gas and water supplies were disrupted, an outbreak of diarrhea spread from contaminated water supplies, respiratory infections such as pneumonia and people died of cold and starvation during the harsh winter season especially homeless people. Longer term effects of the Kashmir Earthquake included: The overall cost of the damage was $1000,000, 3. 3 million people had to live in temporary accommodation until rebuilding could start and in rural areas the crops mostly survived and so did the animals living there. Short term responses were: Supplying food and water, rescuing trapped people, rescue and medical teams arriving from other countries, tents supplied. Medium Term responses are: Re-establishing water supplies, building temporary, prefabricated houses, providing money for temporary housing. Long term responses are: Preparing disaster plans and carrying out regular practices, training emergency services, setting up an efficient earthquake warnings and information system using the media There are many similarities and differences from the Kashmir earthquake compared to other earthquakes such as Kobe earthquake/Great Hanshin. The Great Hanshin Earthquake occurred on Tuesday, January 17, 1995, at 05:46 in Japan. The focus was about 19km below the sea whilst the Kashmir earthquake was 26km down. This will have an immense effect on the earthquake, Also, The epicentre was between Kobe and Awaji Island whilst Kashmir`s was around Muzaffarabad. For the Kobe earthquake nearly 200,000 buildings were destroyed whilst for Kashmir there were at least 1 in very 10 buildings were destroyed which will be higher than the buildings collapsed in Kobe earthquake. 5,500 people were killed and 40,000 were injured and an estimated 230,000 people were made homeless in the Kobe earthquake. In the Kashmir Earthquake, 74,500+ were killed and 106,000+ were injured which is more than double the people who were affected from the Kobe Earthquake. Other reasons for Kashmir Earthquake being more severe are: It is a mountainous area, it is in a collision zone. These stats tells us that The Kashmir earthquake was stronger and more severe and had a bigger impact to the society, economy and physical effects. Another difference is that the Kobe government made a slow response and lack of an emergency plan when the earthquake hit. In Kashmir earthquake, the government reacted instantly. Many good and bad things happened after the quake, 1 week after the quake: the death toll continued to rise, bulldozers began to clear streets and knock down unsafe buildings, some shops and schools reopened. After 2 weeks: Overcrowding in makeshift shelters became a health hazard, cold weather led to a flu epidemic, people needed help to cope with the stress and shock of the quake.