In Night by Elie Wiesel, what is Moshe trying to do with his stories?

In Night by Elie Wiesel, Moshe is trying to convince the Jewish people of Sighet to prepare for the worst and to possibly find a safe haven somewhere else. Moshe was in the first group of Jews expelled from his home, and he miraculously escapes the fate of many of his peers. He makes it back to Sighet, but nobody will take him seriously. The other Jews will not believe him when Moshe tells them that the Nazis took him and his fellow Jews into the woods, forced them to dig their own graves and then summarily shot them and buried them there. Nobody will believe Moshe when he says he managed to escape the same fate. The townspeople look at him as though he is crazy. He tells his student Elie:

"'You don't understand,' he said in despair. 'You can't understand. I have been saved miraculously. I managed to get back here. Where did I get the strength from? I wanted to come back to Sighet to tell you the story of my death. So that you could prepare yourselves while there was still time. To live? i don't attach any importance to my life any more. I'm alone. No, I wanted to come back, and to warn you. And see how it is, no one will listen to me (Wiesel 5).

In Their Eyes Were Watching God, what might Janie's learning to shoot even better than Tea Cake be foreshadowing?

In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie's learning to shoot even better than Tea Cake foreshadows her having to shoot him at the end of the novel.  In the setting of the novel, 1930's Florida, there are strict gender roles that the characters are expected to follow, particularly that women's place revolves around the domestic realm.  But when Janie marries Tea Cake, the two partake in activities that are not bound by these gender norms, and Tea Cake feels that Janie should learn to shoot because it's a helpful skill.  For a woman to learn to shoot serves as a source of gossip in the town, but Janie is happy to let her independent spirit shine while learning.  Learning to shoot comes in handy later when Tea Cake is bitten by a rabid dog, and the disease takes over his mind.  Tea Cake is no longer himself, and he makes a move to harm Janie, causing her to shoot him.  Luckily she's a good shot, and the bullet stops Tea Cake in his tracks, saving Janie and preventing Tea Cake from suffering.  So, Janie's learning to shoot foreshadows her having to use this skill to end Tea Cake's life.

Why do you think religion is the reason people fight?

Of all the reasons for human conflict throughout history, it seems that many stem in some way from religion. From the crusades to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, people have been fighting in defense of their religion for a very long time.

Many would argue that it's the differences in religious philosophies that spur conflict. For example, many Israelis believe that the teachings of Judaism give them  ownership of the state of Israel, regardless of its current inhabitants. This has resulted in much conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis, who have been fighting over this place of religious significance for decades.

Another possible reason why people fight in the name of religion is because they feel the need to prove, through any means necessary, that their beliefs are superior to others'. As is seen countless times throughout history, men will often go to extreme lengths to convert people to their religion. By doing this, one implies that all differing belief structures are inherently wrong. For people who have lived their entire lives adhered to a different religion, this attempt of conversion could seem like a threat to their beliefs.

An important thing to note is that it is not religion in and of itself that creates conflict. Instead, conflict can arise for a multitude of reasons. Let's look at the United States war against Vietnam in the 60s and 70s as an example. Although these two countries shared little in terms of common religious belief, it was their contrasting political views that ignited conflict. The U.S. did not approve of the growing popularity of communism in Vietnam, thus starting one of the most costly wars in American history.

While religion has played large role in many wars that have occurred, there are numerous other factors that lead to conflict.

Why is it important that a cell membrane does not allow all dissolved substances to diffuse freely through it?

The overarching imperative the cell needs to follow is, basically, to maintain its identity and distinction from its environment. Life is inherently a process that depends upon highly organized and localized events that rarely or never occur in large, regulated amounts outside of those conditions. The cell needs to sustain its unique environment in order to fuel the reactions that keep it alive.

If the cell allowed everything to diffuse through the membrane freely, it would probably die promptly. A significant part of the cell's internal conditions depend upon creating concentration gradients that drive reactions; if the cell was fully permeable at all times, the effort it put into creating these gradients would be irrelevant. For example, the ATP synthase system is driven by a proton gradient; if the cell could not create the proton gradient, its ability to generate ATP would be severely diminished and unpredictable.

Additionally, the cell would probably have its electrochemical conductivity disrupted as well; on the scale of a eukaryotic organism, this would almost certainly result in near-instant death because the nervous system would become incapable of generating action potentials. This would essentially mute the system and shut down any control the brain has over the body. 

Finally, there is the simple consideration of toxicity and infection; the cell wants to avoid these things, and since they tend to be fairly large, it makes sense that the cell would be impermeable to things that meet a certain size criteria because they can safely be assumed to be a potential threat.

How did Macbeth's own ambition lead to his downfall?

Macbeth's ambition was not merely a desire to become king of Scotland but was an overriding ambition, meaning he was not prepared to wait for the normal rules of succession to apply for him to become king. This would have meant King Duncan and his heirs would have to die before Macbeth could even be considered. Macbeth wanted to bypass this tedious and lengthy process. This meant Macbeth had to assassinate all those who would stand in his way, which leads to his downfall.  

Obviously, usurpation of the throne meant Macbeth had to do evil. He was encouraged in this malicious venture by the witches' favorable predictions that he would be thane of Cawdor and "king hereafter." When the first part of their prediction is realized, Macbeth feels confident the second will naturally follow. 

Lady Macbeth also shares her husband's lust for power and urges him to act. Macbeth initially expresses doubt about the success of such a malevolent enterprise, but Lady Macbeth was relentless. She calls him a coward, challenging his love for her and questioning his trust to such an extent that Macbeth eventually gives in. He then says, in the closing lines of Act 1, Scene 6:

I am settled, and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
Away, and mock the time with fairest show:
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

This decision marked the beginning of Macbeth's descent into ignominy and eventual doom. He and his wife carefully plotted the king's murder, and, once they successfully murder Duncan, Macbeth is crowned king. Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's sons and heirs, fled, which makes them the prime suspects in their father's demise. 

Once Macbeth is king, he becomes paranoid and suspects practically everyone around him. He begins a malicious campaign in which he plans to destroy everyone he believes is a threat. This leads Macbeth to have Macduff's entire family and Banquo killed. 

Macbeth's tyranny was spurred on by the fact that his counsel with the witches made him believe that he was invincible. Through apparitions, the witches told Macbeth,

Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn
The power of man, for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth.

Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care
Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are:
Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill
Shall come against him (IV. 1. 79-91).

Macbeth takes everything the witches say literally and believes he is indestructible. Later, Macbeth is confronted by reality when he learns Malcolm's troops are moving up Dunsinane hill, camouflaged by branches cut from the trees of Birnam wood, making the wood appear to be moving. When confronted by Macduff, Macbeth learns Macduff was not naturally born; he was 'untimely ripped' from his mother's womb.   

It is then—just before Macduff kills him—that Macbeth realizes he was deceived by the witches' use of equivocation and paradox, and he curses them. The witches made Macbeth believe he is charmed when, in fact, he is as mortal as everyone else.

What are some literary devices used in Macbeth Act 5, Scene 4?

In this short scene, Malcolm instructs his troops to disguise themselves by cutting down the boughs of trees from Birnam Woods and carrying them in front of them, so the enemy (Macbeth) can't see clearly how many men are approaching. One literary device Shakespeare uses here is dramatic irony. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows what the people in the play don't. We have left Macbeth in the previous act clinging emotionally to the witches' prophecy that says he can't lose unless Birnam Woods move--and we, as an audience, now know what Macbeth doesn't--that the woods will "move" because the soldiers will cut down the boughs and carry them forward. We can at this point guess, if we haven't already, that the battle is not going to go well for Macbeth.

The scene also uses characterization, characterizing Macbeth's abilities as a king. We learn that Macbeth wants a siege so that his men can't desert him, which they have been doing. This shows he is unable to command loyalty; he is not a good ruler. This not only characterizes Macbeth but foreshadows his doom: even if he were to win the battle, his leadership abilities point to his eventual defeat.

At the end of the scene, Shakespeare uses the literary device of verse, with the rhymes "know/owe" and "relate/arbitrate." The rhyming verse emphasizes the importance of what is being said:

The time approaches

That will with due decision make us know

What we shall say we have and what we owe.

Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate,

But certain issue strokes must arbitrate.

Towards which, advance the war.

In other words, we can talk, speculate and hope, but, in the larger picture, it's action that will make the difference, the action of war. In other words, we are now in suspense, anxious for the resolution to come as the two armies meet. 

What are cayenne's therapeutic uses?

Overview

Cayenne and related peppers have a long history of use as digestive aids in many parts of the world, but the herb’s recent popularity has come through conventional medicine. The capsicum family includes red peppers, bell peppers, pimento, and paprika, but the most famous medicinal member of this family is the common cayenne pepper.

Requirements and Sources

Many people think that hot peppers cause inflammation of tissues and that this is the source of the classic hot pepper sensation. However, hot peppers do not actually have any damaging effect; they merely simulate the sensations produced by damage. (Herbs such as garlic, ginger, horseradish, and mustard actually can cause tissue damage.)

Therapeutic Dosages

Capsaicin creams are approved over-the-counter drugs and should be used as directed. If the burning sensation that occurs with initial use is too severe, using weaker forms of the cream at first may be advisable. For treatment of dyspepsia, cayenne may be taken at a dosage of 0.5 to 1.0 grams (g) three times daily (prior to meals).

Therapeutic Uses

All hot peppers contain a substance called capsaicin. When applied to tissues, capsaicin causes release of a chemical called substance P. Substance P is ordinarily released when tissues are damaged; it is part of the system the body uses to detect injury. When hot peppers artificially elicit the release of substance P, they trick the nervous system into thinking that an injury has occurred. The result: a sensation of burning pain.

When capsaicin is applied regularly to a part of the body, substance P becomes depleted in that location. This is why individuals who consume a lot of hot peppers gradually build up a tolerance.

It is also the basis for a number of medical uses of capsaicin. When levels of substance P are reduced in an area, all pain in that area is somewhat reduced. Because of this effect, capsaicin cream is widely used for the treatment of various painful conditions.

Under the brand name Zostrix, a cream containing concentrated capsaicin has
been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for
the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia, the pain that often lingers after an
attack of shingles. There is also relatively good evidence that
topical capsaicin can modestly decrease the pain of diabetic peripheral
neuropathy, other forms of peripheral neuropathy nerve pain following cancer
surgery, as well as the pain of arthritis. Capsaicin cream may also be helpful for
other forms of pain, including fibromyalgia, back pain, and cluster headaches.
However, the benefits seen with capsaicin are seldom dramatic; in many cases,
other pain-relieving treatments are used simultaneously. Besides pain-related
conditions, some evidence indicates that topical capsaicin may be helpful for
psoriasis and possibly other skin conditions as well (especially those that
involve itching).

Cayenne can be taken internally as well. It appears that oral use of cayenne
might reduce the pain of minor indigestion (dyspepsia). This may seem
like an odd use of the herb; intuitively, it seems that hot peppers should be hard
on the stomach. However, remember that hot peppers do not actually damage tissues;
they merely produce sensations similar to those caused by actual damage.
Apparently, by depleting substance P in the stomach, they reduce sensations of
discomfort. In fact, some evidence suggests that oral use of cayenne or capsaicin
can actually protect the stomach against ulcers caused by anti-inflammatory
drugs. However, contrary to some reports, cayenne does not
appear to be able to kill Helicobacter pylori, the stomach
bacterium implicated as a major cause of ulcers. In addition, it appears that,
contrary to long- standing belief, hot peppers do not cause increased pain in
people with hemorrhoids.

Scientific Evidence

Oral uses of cayenne. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, thirty individuals with dyspepsia were given either 2.5 g daily of red pepper powder (divided up and taken prior to meals) or a placebo for five weeks. By the third week of treatment, individuals taking red pepper were experiencing significant improvements in pain, bloating, and nausea compared with a placebo, and these relative improvements lasted through the end of the study. A placebo-controlled, crossover study failed to find benefit, but it only enrolled eleven participants, far too few to have much chance of identifying a treatment effect.

Topical uses of cayenne. All double-blind studies of topical capsaicin (or cayenne) suffer from one drawback: It is not really possible to hide the burning sensation that occurs during initial use of the treatment. For this reason, such studies probably are not truly double-blind. It has been suggested that instead of an inactive placebo, researchers should use some other substance (such as camphor) that causes at least mild burning. However, such treatments might also have therapeutic benefits; they have a long history of use for pain as well. Because of these complications, the evidence for topical treatments cited here is less meaningful than it might at first appear.

Capsaicin cream is well established as a modestly helpful pain-relieving treatment for post-herpetic neuropathy (the pain that lingers after an attack of shingles), peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain that occurs most commonly as a complication of diabetes, but may occur with human immunodeficiency virus infection and other conditions), pain after surgery for cancer or hernia repair, and osteoarthritis.

Weaker evidence supports the use of topical capsaicin for fibromyalgia. Capsaicin instilled into the nose may be helpful for cluster headache.

Actual cayenne rather than capsaicin has been tested for pain as well. A three-week double-blind trial of 154 individuals with back pain found that cayenne applied topically as a “plaster” improved pain to a greater extent than a placebo.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of nearly two hundred individuals
found that use of topical capsaicin can improve itching as well as overall
severity of psoriasis. Benefits were also seen in a smaller double-blind
study of topical capsaicin for psoriasis. Topical capsaicin is thought to be
helpful for various itchy skin conditions, such as prurigo nodularis, but
double-blind studies are lacking.

Intranasal uses of cayenne. One study of 208 patients with idiopathic rhinitis found that using a capsicum nasal spray three times daily for three days (4 micrograms per puff) may reduce symptom frequency.

Safety Issues

Capsaicin creams commonly cause an unpleasant burning sensation when they are first applied; this sensation disappears over subsequent days as treatment is continued. As a commonly used food, cayenne is generally recognized as safe. Contrary to some reports, cayenne does not appear to aggravate stomach ulcers.

Important Interactions

Cayenne might increase the amount of absorption of the asthma drug
theophylline, possibly leading to toxic levels. However,
cayenne might protect the stomach from damage caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs.

Bibliography

Alper, B. S., and P. R. Lewis. “Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” Journal of Family Practice 51 (2002): 121-128.

Bortolotti, M., et al. “The Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia with Red Pepper.” Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 16 (2002): 1075-1082.

Frerick, H., et al. “Topical Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain with a Capsicum Plaster.” Pain 106 (2003): 59-64.

Jensen, P. G., and J. R. Larson. “Management of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy.” Drugs and Aging 18 (2001): 737-749.

McCleane, G. “Topical Application of Doxepin Hydrochloride, Capsaicin, and a Combination of Both Produces Analgesia in Chronic Human Neuropathic Pain.” British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 49 (2000): 574-579.

Rodriguez-Stanley, S., et al. “The Effects of Capsaicin on Reflux, Gastric Emptying, and Dyspepsia.” Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 14 (2000): 129-134.

Stander, S., T. Luger, and D. Metze. “Treatment of Prurigo Nodularis with Topical Capsaicin.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 44 (2001): 471-478.

Todd, C. “Meeting the Therapeutic Challenge of the Patient with Osteoarthritis.” Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association 42 (2002): 74-82.