Comparison Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Comparison Paper - Essay Example There are things new and exciting to some, strange and threatening to others, that have accelerated changes in our way of life. These two schools of thought, apparently in reaction to the changing socio-technical landscape, appear to hurtle headlong into each other. However, as in all discourses, this paper shall seek a reconciliation in principle between them in the context of present-day life. It will be noted that Fosdick used the term â€Å"fundamentalist† to describe the group of people whom we refer to here as â€Å"traditionalist,† for purposes of avoiding the negativity of recent connotations conveyed by the term â€Å"fundamentalist†. Basically, both authors contend on the ground of Christian congregationalism. They express their adherence to the Christian faith, except that they have varying views on what the Christian faith should encompass. The traditionalist view elaborated by Machen holds the Christian faith as defined by institutions, and teachings that have been handed down with the wisdom of the generations must remain essentially intact. Incorporation of beliefs that run counter to this body of beliefs essentially negate the Christian faith and erode its moral ascendancy over non-Christians until nothing differentiates one from the other. On the other hand, the liberal view discussed by Fosdick admits of new truths, and new ways of understanding old truths, and that such new knowledge enhances and deepens understanding of the Faith. Under this view, people could, despite differences of opinion, co-exist in one church, and the Christian label should not be denied anybody. As a point of observation, it is evident that Machen is not so much against change as he is for preserving definitive core beliefs against this change, while the liberal view welcomes changes as part of a gradual, shifting development. The traditionalist is for continuity, which the liberal is

Polyurethane heart valves - current development and technical Essay

Polyurethane heart valves - current development and technical challenges - Essay Example Recently, a polyurethane tri-leaflet valve has been developed. This valve has three, thin polyurethane leaflets of approximately 100 µm thickness, which are suspended from the inside of a flexible polyurethane frame. In the closed position, the valve is elliptical in the radial direction and hyperbolic in the circumferential direction. Hydrodynamic tests have shown that the polyurethane valve exhibits pressure gradients similar to those for a bioprosthetic valve, and lesser regurgitation and leakage than a bileaflet mechanical valve or the bioprosthetic valve. Accelerated fatigue tests have shown six consecutively manufactured polyurethane valves to have exceeded the equivalent of 10 years function without failure, and three valves have reached 527 million cycles (approximately 13 years equivalent). The only failure occurred after the equivalent of approximately 12 years cycling (Gonzà ¡lez, et al., 2003). A new family of polymers, called the segmented polyurethane elastomers display high flexure endurance, strength, and inherent non-thrombogenic characteristics (Gonzà ¡lez, et al., 2003). polyurethanes, EV3.34 and EV3.35, to manufacture a flexible trileaflet heart valve. This valve was implanted in 12 young adult (18 month) sheep in the mitral position. At 6 months, six valves were electively explanted while the remaining six valves were explanted at 9 months follow-up. Surface Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (ATR/FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to examine the leaflet material. The leaflet was also put through cyclic mechanical testing and was compared with non-implanted control material, to see if there was any change in mechanical properties during implantation. There was no degradation of functional groups. The study also observed that EV3.35 might have superior long-term fatigue properties. It has a two-phase microstructure of hard