Getting Up: Finding My Way Back in a Flash, 2011-2014

Nonfiction

Isotopes in Archaeology

An isotope is the dissimilar versions of an atomic element whereby it has protons and a different number of neutrons; therefore, producing either stable isotopic elements or radioactive ones. An isotope produces a signature that can be examined in the chemical compounds of a human or animal's teeth and bones. In archaeology, this signature gives way to what is called isotope analysis, and this analysis can be used to determine how well they ate, what they lived on, and where they came from.
Carbon and nitrogen isotope signatures determine diet, and oxygen isotopes determine origin and geographical location. It must be noted that how long teeth and whole bone fragments lie encased within an area of sediment, diagenesis occurs. This is the time of initial deposit until it becomes solid rock. The challenge to isotope analysis and how many signatures can be analyzed after this is the composition of the samples and how well they fared the deterioration of their organic and chemical phases, as well as microbial attack, thus determining preservation or destruction.
It has been found that isotopic deposition can last longer in the teeth because teeth do not constantly rejuvenate and are resistant to the soil it clings to, so after a subject dies there is an elevated amount of isotopic signatures to analyze. However, due to diagenesis, the enamel becomes vulnerable to the degradation and deterioration, culminating into a solid process. Lithification also plays a synonymous role because it is the compaction and cementation of sediment into rock under gradual pressure and expelling fluid to make it porous, but, unfortunately, this porosity decreases with time.
Archaeologists have found that isotopes attach themselves to humans and animals during their time through drinking, eating, and inhalation of airborne particles. Isotopic signatures stop multiplying in animal and human tissue at death and are at their most enhanced. This is advantageous for the forensic archaeologist because the processes of diagenesis and lithification have not yet set in.
Isotope analysis is a useful method that is sent to and engaged in university laboratories, because it is too expensive to use in the field. It is an archaeological tool utilized in contributing to the strides that are made toward the preservation and study of the archaeological record.

http://www.archaeologyexpert.co.uk/isotopeanalysis.html
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/isotopes/index.html
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/isotope
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagenesis

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Equality and Growth of the Earth's Population

The earth has populated itself. From the tiniest, breathing creature toeing a foothold in the muck to Homo sapiens slugging it out in an ever-changing world arena, life continues to explode. Through sickness, war, prosperity, or biblical disaster, population growth will never stop as long as the ability to replicate exists.
Gender is another word to define sex; male or female; another term to classify what someone or something is; human; animal; nonhuman. Gender determines the roles in which everything co-exists; head of household, top wage-earner, who can afford the best car, strength, beauty, communication, and other keywords that define gender in each generation that has existed or will ever exist.
Population growth promotes gender inequality naturally. Will the same number of women be born as men on any given day in history? If a woman gave birth to one male child, would she be as equal as the next woman who gave birth to two females?
Science has made it possible to choose gender, by developing techniques such as the MicroSort technique, which uses laser light and dye, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and chorionic villous sampling. The X and Y chromosome sperm in these procedures are sorted out which determines a girl or boy. Once the sperm are examined, they are inserted back into the uterus using in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination. MicroSort has a 91% success ratio and is considered the best option available. However, these techniques still undergo field trials and are not 100% dependable alternatives, due to physical factors in both a man and woman's chemistry that may inhibit the sperm from surviving at all. Science also cannot guarantee population equality because one gender will always outweigh the other in popularity, in such an extreme, preplanned way.
There are also external factors that arise from being born which tip the scale to inequality. In history, certain cultures have swayed population growth by showing bias to one gender over the other; whether by homicide or making it evident that one gender is more intelligent, qualified to earn, to learn, or to even exist on an equal plane.
As the world continues to populate, equality in gender is but an odd number with the odds being played every time another life is born. However, equality as a whole in beliefs, the ability to get along, and the continued fight in protecting where both genders live, work, and love is an attainable goal in making our population cerebrally equal as it grows.