DOCSLIB.ORG

He Cries Crocodile Tears

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
He Cries Crocodile Tears Br J Ophthalmol 2002;86:23 23 Br J Ophthalmol: first published as 10.1136/bjo.86.1.23 on 1 January 2002. Downloaded from Coverillustration......................................................................... He cries crocodile tears... The saurian triumph which occurred dur- although there may be an appendix-like ing the Mesozoic era probably ended with remnant of a conus on the disc. But there a cosmic bomb slamming into the Yuca- is no demonstrable inner retinal nutritive tan 65 million years ago annihilating the support for the alligator eye. Perhaps the dinosaurs. Somewhere in the dark ooze closest analogous structure is the choroi- that remained after that catastrophic dal gland of some fish, but the alligator explosion, some opportunistic creatures does not seem to have even this seething were able to survive by capturing live prey, vascular knot found in the choroid, be they fish or terrestrial animals, feeding usually in the posterior pole. Inner retinal exclusively on carrion, or even going for nutrition remains a mystery especially long periods without eating anything since oxygen can diffuse only 143 µm in whatsoever. These grisly veterans are tissue. old—very old, as they can trace their line- The retina has other interesting adap- age to at least the Middle Triassic epoch tations. The retinal pigment epithelium is about 240 million years ago, and they modified in the superior half of the poste- were not about to let a comet interfere the eye from flying debris or kicking limbs rior pole to be a guanine containing non- with their longevity. From those tough during predatory attacks. The lacrimal occludable tapetum lucidum creating the and resistant predecessors come our gland is found under the dorsal orbital eerie primeval blood red glow seen at the modern day crocodilians, with surpris- roof but, in addition, the crocodilians also water’s edge at night in any swamp ingly few, and mostly conservative, mor- have a series of glands lining the under- inhabited by these predators. The tape- phological changes in their skeletal struc- surface of the leading edge of the tum allows the animal to maximise ture. nictitans. These are called Harderian nocturnal photons by reflecting light back The American alligator (Alligator missis- glands, and are seen in many birds and to the photoreceptors after these photons sippiensis) is one of the 23 species of croco- other reptiles. They are ancillary tear have passed through the retina unab- dilians. Living in the southeastern United glands and may produce specialised tears. sorbed. The retina contains cones but is States in swamps and bayous with a In the case of the crocodilians, the predominantly a rod retina, as might be maximum length of 5-6 metres and Harderian glands produce oily tears that expected. Even the cones could be de- weighing as much as two Sumo wrestlers presumably protect what was evolution- scribed as “rod-like” in their histological (between 800–1000 lb (364–455 kg)), this arily a terrestrial eye that returned to appearance, and may be an evolutionary species is important to the biodiversity water and had to readapt to the chronic intermediary as the cones “become” rods and ecology of the area, but may also offer osmotic effects of water on the cornea. So, or are simply lost. The photograph in the us an unintended glimpse into our evolu- the proverbial crocodile tears do exist, and lower right hand portion of the cover tionary past by looking through their in two forms, at that. reveals the fundus and the tapetum. http://bjo.bmj.com/ eyes. The iris is thick and darkly pigmented Although we are taught that these The crocodilians, represented here by and acts as a shade, preventing any stray lethargic appearing predators are closely the American alligator (including an light from entering the globe. The ante- related to other reptiles, they are not. albino shown in the upper left portion of rior layer of the iris is filled with Birds are perhaps their closest relatives, the cover), have several amphibious adap- lipophores giving a light brown or cream and these diapsid cousins probably split tations which are interesting and shed coloration to the iris. Sporting the vertical from the crocodiles during the Middle light on ocular evolution. The eyes are set slit pupil of many terrestrial predators, as Triassic epoch as the ancestral thecodonts above the principal dorsal surface axis of can be seen in the lower left portion of the split into Crocodilia and Aves. This conclu- on September 24, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. the body so that only the eyes and nostrils cover, alligators have a surprisingly large sion is supported by homologous neuro- remain out of the water for camouflage, eye similar in structure to other verte- logical design as well as genomics (Janke leaving a shadowy outline of the rest of brate tetrapods and, surprisingly, similar A, et al, Mol biol Evol 1997;14:1266–72), but the body. The eye is large, often reaching to birds. Alligators even have the horizon- may be deduced from other evidence as 20 mm in diameter in the alligator and tal strip of concentrated photoreceptors well. larger in other crocodilians. The cornea is that resembles the infula of certain bird The eye should not be overlooked as a flatter than ours and this might be species, such as the flamingo, (see August site for biological data to understand expected as an aquatic adaptation. Conse- 2000 BJO cover). This horizontal strip of phylogenetic relationships. Recently, in- quently, to compensate for the loss of the concentrated photoreceptors can be seen vestigators, discovered that the photopig- refractive power of the cornea, the lens is above the optic disc in the posterior pole ments of A mississippiensis are more closely quite large and round or ellipsoidal much of the alligator eye (lower right portion of related to chickens, and presumably other like a piscine lens. The nocturnal nature the cover). But there are some differences, birds, than to reptiles or mammals (Smith of the species and the participation of and at least one difference asks startling WC, et al, Exp Eye Res 1995;61:569–78). other senses for prey capture probably questions. While many of the ocular The eye proves to be a window to the have put little emphasis on, or need for, structures are homologous, and even evolutionary soul. accommodation. For support, cartilage analogous to humans, the difference in lines much of the sclera, again in piscine retinal nutrition is perplexing. Many ver- Ivan R Schwab fashion. The upper lid contains a bony or tebrates have a direct retinal vascular Dennis E Brooks very tough cartilaginous tarsus with a supply such as our central retinal artery. University of California, Davis, 4860 Y St, Suite cartilaginous plate in the translucent nic- Birds have a pecten to serve inner retinal 2400, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA titans (or third eyelid). The retractor bulbi metabolism; many fish have a falciform ([email protected]; Brooks [email protected]) muscles are able to pull the eye beneath process for the same purpose; turtles and the horizontal plane of the skull, and with other reptiles have a conus papillaris, and Thanks to Judy Gire for assistance and to Bern the bony plate in the upper lid, cover the these intraocular structures are homolo- Levine, DVM of the Parrot Jungle and Gardens eyeball with a fortress-like lid to protect gous. Alligators have none of these, in Miami, Florida. www.bjophthalmol.com.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 112 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 112 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 157 WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011 No. 177 House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. and was PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE And that’s just the way it is. called to order by the Speaker. The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman f from Texas (Mr. POE) come forward and f lead the House in the Pledge of Alle- PRAYER giance. FOREIGN AID The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick Mr. POE of Texas led the Pledge of (Mr. PRICE of North Carolina asked J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: Allegiance as follows: and was given permission to address Eternal God, we give You thanks for I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the the House for 1 minute and to revise giving us another day. United States of America, and to the Repub- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, and extend his remarks.) We come to the end of a week where indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. we have given thanks for the heroism Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. of our astronauts. They answered the f Speaker, of all the extreme statements call to service of their Nation, and of ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER we’ve heard coming out of the Repub- their race, to leave the comfort of The SPEAKER. The Chair will enter- lican Presidential debates in recent home to expand the horizons of us all. tain up to five requests for 1-minute weeks, perhaps none is more alarming We have honored as well the elders of speeches on each side of the aisle.
    [Show full text]
  • Crocodile Tears”
    CHAPTER THREE QUEER KINSHIP IN NEW QUEER INDIA: FROM WADIA’S BOMGAY TO R. RAJA RAO’S “CROCODILE TEARS” ROHIT K DASGUPTA Established academic debates surrounding representation of queer identities in India have time and again illuminated the relationship between sexual (and gendered) subjectivities and the state. More often than not queer individuals themselves have fixated on heteronormativising their queerness. For many, such articulations of “fitting in” with the rest evidence a social/cultural and even political progress, but for radical queer activists and scholars this signifies a backward trend of servicing the neo- liberal agenda. Lisa Duggan (2002, 179) has called this homonormativity and has argued that it is “a politics that does not contest dominant heteronormative assumptions and institutions but upholds and sustains them while promising the possibility of a demobilized gay constituency and a privatized, depoliticized gay culture anchored in domesticity and consumption”. This essay therefore is a mediation of and an argument against this neo-liberal progress which assumes a universal queer identity (see Massad 2007 and Altman 1997) structured around normative family structures (through same sex marriages and adoption) and a de-essentialising of the queer body through hyper masculinity/femininity (Dasgupta and Gokulsing 2014). As recent research has suggested,there are newer ways to understand queerness beyond the state sponsored homonormativities (Puar 2006). Scholar and activist Judith Halberstam’s recent work on Gaga feminism (2012) sifts through popular cultural artefacts to uncover how these media artefacts contain within them a blueprint of dominant (heteronormative/mainstream) culture with its emphasis on stasis, norms and conventions.
    [Show full text]
  • Best Best Best
    GO ORBIG GO HOMELESS The Best of the Best. CCDʼs Journalism THE BESTOF Excellence THEBEST Award PHOTO PHOTO OF MISCHIEVOUS GRANDMA’S BOOK SAVES EIGHTIES TEEN THE THE NOT GONE, BUT BEST BEST SOMEHOW FORGOTTEN OF OF THE PURSUIT OF PHOTO PHOTO ACCOMPLISHMENT A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS Pg. 27THE BEST CCD’S HIDDEN GEM OF I BELIEVE IN VINYL PHOTO 1 Fall 2014 The Star, Community College of Denver’s student run Journal of Excellence, incorporates visual and written media to provide a platform of expression available to all CCD students. We adhere to Associated Collegiate Press guidelines. SENIOR EDITORS: Troy Elenga Aaron D. Graff SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR: Chanel Ward GENERAL EDITORS: Tanaka Machisa Theresa Cole Elijah Basore ART DIRECTOR: Lysander Romero DESIGNERS: Jordan Chavez Sam Doran Lynette Fry Michael Hynoski Kristel Irvine Joe Rollman Derek Washington FACULTY ADVISORS: K. Strother, Professor, English/ Journalism Lisa Erickson, Adjunct Faculty English John Kjos, Chair Graphic Design Program The Star is a student run publication and does not represent the official opinions or views of the Community College of Denver. 2014 © 2 Fall 2014 I believe in “digging”. Digging I believe good vinyl can bring is the hunt for good vinyl. It’s people together. Creating a CONTENTSmore often reserved for DJs playlist on an mp3 player is as searching for that perfect simple as click and drag, but sample but can be enjoyed sitting down with someone by anyone with access to a and pulling out a stack of vinyl turntable. Everyone who col- to listen11 to is a much more lects vinyl has a list of albums rewarding experience.
    [Show full text]
  • The Crocodile
    The Crocodile An Extraordinary Incident Fyodor Dostoyevsky Translated by Constance Garnett Downloaded from www.holybooks.com THE CROCODILE A TRUE STORY OF HOW A GENTLEMAN OF A CERTAIN AGE AND OF RESPECTABLE APPEARANCE WAS SWALLOWED ALIVE BY THE CROCODILE IN THE ARCADE, AND OF THE CONSEQUENCES THAT FOLLOWED. Ohe Lambert! Ou est Lambert? As-tu vu Lambert? I ON the thirteenth of January of this present year, 1865, at half-past twelve in the day, Elena Ivanovna, the wife of my cultured friend Ivan Matveitch, who is a colleague in the same department, and may be said to be a distant relation of mine, too, expressed the desire to see the crocodile now on view at a fixed charge in the Arcade. As Ivan Matveitch had already in his pocket his ticket for a tour abroad (not so much for the sake of his health as for the improvement of his mind), and was consequently free from his official duties and had nothing whatever to do that morning, he offered no objection to his wife’s irresistible fancy, but was positively aflame with curiosity himself. “A capital idea!” he said, with the utmost satisfaction. “We’ll have a look at the crocodile! On the eve of visiting Europe it is as well to acquaint ourselves on the spot with its indigenous inhabitants.” And with these words, taking his wife’s arm, he set off with her at once for the Arcade. I joined them, as I usually do, being an intimate friend of the family. I have never seen Ivan Matveitch in a more agreeable frame of mind than he was on that memorable morning-how true it is that we know not beforehand the fate that awaits us! On entering the Arcade he was at once full of admiration for the splendours of the building and, when we reached the shop in which the monster lately arrived in Petersburg was being exhibited, he volunteered to pay the quarter-rouble for me to the crocodile owner — a thing which had never happened before.
    [Show full text]
  • An Extraordinary Incident
    The Crocodile: An Extraordinary Incident Fyodor Dostoevsky The Crocodile: An Extraordinary Incident Table of Contents The Crocodile: An Extraordinary Incident............................................................................................................1 Fyodor Dostoevsky........................................................................................................................................2 I.....................................................................................................................................................................3 II....................................................................................................................................................................8 III.................................................................................................................................................................12 IV................................................................................................................................................................17 i The Crocodile: An Extraordinary Incident The Crocodile: An Extraordinary Incident 1 The Crocodile: An Extraordinary Incident Fyodor Dostoevsky Translated by Constance Garnett A true story of how a gentleman of a certain age and of respectable appearance was swallowed alive by the crocodile in the Arcade, and of the consequences that followed. Ohe Lambert! Ou est Lambert? As−tu vu Lambert? Fyodor Dostoevsky 2 The Crocodile: An Extraordinary Incident I ON the thirteenth
    [Show full text]
  • The Damaging Effects of Perceived Crocodile Tears for a Crier’S Image
    fpsyg-11-00172 February 15, 2020 Time: 17:3 # 1 ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 18 February 2020 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00172 The Damaging Effects of Perceived Crocodile Tears for a Crier’s Image Inge van Roeyen1, Madelon M. E. Riem1,2*, Marko Toncic3 and Ad J. J. M. Vingerhoets1* 1 Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic Disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands, 2 Clinical Child and Family Studies, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 3 Department of Psychology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia Emotional tears are uniquely human and play an essential role in the communication of distress in adults. Several studies have shown that individuals are more willing to offer emotional support and help a person in tears. Preliminary evidence suggests that this greater willingness to provide support is mediated via perceived warmth and helplessness. Moreover, tearful individuals are regarded as more reliable and honest. In the current study, we examined whether people can reliably distinguish genuine and Edited by: fake crying, and what the consequences for the further evaluation of the crier are. A total Stephanie A. Shields, The Pennsylvania State University, of 202 participants (73 men, 129 women) were exposed to brief movie clips of genuine United States and fake crying adults and were asked to assess the criers. Results show that women Reviewed by: were slightly better at identifying fake and genuine crying. How the crying was perceived Elliot Clayton Brown, subsequently seemed to have a strong influence on the further evaluation of the “crier.” Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Germany Criers qualified as pretenders were perceived as significantly more manipulative, less Konstantinos G.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Tears Were and Still Are Crucial for Our Functioning'
    W E I complex: we have found that it has four V dimensions – attachment tears, societal R tears, sentimental/moral tears, and E compassionate tears. T ‘Tears were and still are N You found that people cry in response I to a wide range of emotional triggers – crucial for our functioning’ what are the most common reasons? We are most likely to cry in response to Ad Vingerhoets speaks to Gail Kinman feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Crying is a social trigger for empathy – a communication system that signals to others ‘I need your help and support’. ou have gained an international with? Who was responsible for making There may be an element of sadness along Yreputation for your research on you cry? Which emotions did you feel? with the feelings of helplessness – indeed crying. What first got you interested? How did other people react? We the loss of or separation from loved ones, It was by accident really. I had just differentiated between crying frequency such as through death and divorce or in completed my PhD on stress and became (how often people cry) and proneness homesickness, are among the strongest involved in an international study on (the type of events and emotions that are triggers of crying. Interestingly, our emotions. At a party, somebody asked likely to induce crying). We gained a great research has found major differences in me whether I thought crying was healthy. deal of valuable information that informed the situations that people think are most I had no idea, but thought it was a very our subsequent research.
    [Show full text]
  • A Cognitive Behavioral Perspective of Drivers of Threat of Victimization Involving Local and International Tertiary Students
    A Cognitive Behavioral Perspective of Drivers of Threat of Victimization Involving Local and International Tertiary Students A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Lin Xiong MSc (Geography), BBus (Management) School of Management College of Business RMIT University October 2011 Statement of Authorship I certify that except where due acknowledgement has been made, the work is that of the author alone; the work has not been submitted previously, in whole or in part, to qualify for any other academic award; the content of this thesis is the result of work which has been carried out since the official commencement date of the approved research program; and, any editorial work, paid or unpaid, carried out by a third party is acknowledged. Lin Xiong October 2011 ii Acknowledgement I would like to express my genuine appreciation and thanks to all who supported and helped me during this journey. Special gratitude is given to my supervisor, Professor Kosmas Smyrnios, for his strong support, encouragement, friendship, caring attitude, and flexibility. The completion of this thesis would not have been possible without his guidance and mentoring. His multidisciplinary background, open-door policy, excellent supervisory capabilities, strong methodological skills, wide-reaching knowledge, enthusiasm, and invaluable advice helped me to reach new heights. Not only is he a supervisor, Kos is like a father, a good friend, and a spiritual mentor. I remember all my crocodile’ tears! I am deeply grateful to Dr. Stephanie Smyrnios, senior counsellor, RMIT student services, who sparked my interest in Psychology and encouraged me to attend a range of international conferences, across the fields of applied psychology, forensic psychology, and cross-cultural psychology.
    [Show full text]
  • My Name Is Erin Williams and I Have Been a Model in New York City Since 2002
    To The Commissioner on Human Rights in NYC: My name is Erin Williams and I have been a model in New York City since 2002. During my time as a model, I have worked with well known clients, photographers and major agencies. As these recent news events have shown, there is rampant sexual abuse and assault within the fashion industry. When I began to read the stories of other brave models had come forward, I was saddened and horrified. I had always considered myself lucky that I had not been a victim of events like that. But as I began to speak with friends, I realized that I had become so accustomed to behaviors that, anywhere else, would not be acceptable. So while yes, I am one of the lucky ones not to have been physically assaulted, there is certainly a normalization of predatory behavior. From inappropriate sexual comments, to uninvited touch, and pressures from agents, clients and photographers to “do what it takes” is par for the course. A couple of years ago I was shooting in Miami with a photographer who was well known and shoots with all of the major agencies. It was just he and I shooting on the beach and he commented that I had “great tits”. I laughed and thanked him, later thinking how backwards it was that I heard that as a compliment and not the inappropriate sexual comment that it is. When I was about 21 I was sent to test shoot with a photographer that the agency was using to shoot most of their female models.
    [Show full text]
  • The Crocodile's Tears Martin Lalumiere
    Lalumiere, M. L. (2006). The crocodile's tears (pp. 115-120). In J. R. Vokey & S. W. Allen (Eds.), Psychological Sketches (7 edition-revised). University of Lethbridge, Alberta. Chapter 14 The Crocodile's Tears Martin Lalumiere eople are fascinated by criminals, especially clever criminals who have the ability to con others. The most vicious offenders are often the subjects of movies and true-crime books. Canadian Paul Bernardo, for example, P kidnapped, raped, killed, and mutilated two teenage girls, was involved in the rape and death of his sister-in-law, and raped dozens of women in the late 1980's and early 1990's. His story has already been written in several books, and a movie about hira and his wife was released in the spring of 2006. During his trial he received numerous love letters and marriage proposals from complete strangers. Famous criminals are often the inspiration for great literature. Robert Louis Steven­ son, for example, is said to have based his story of Jekyll and Hyde on "William Brodie. Brodie was a well-respected Deacon by day and a gambler, womanizer, and burglar by night Our ready fascination for these offenders demands an explanation, but in this chapter I will focus on discussing a group of men who are often considered to be the worst criminals, psychopaths. I begin by describing the concept of psychopa­ thy and showing how unique psychopaths are. Then I discuss the question of whether psychopathy is a mental disorder, and describe an alternative view of psychopathy. 14.1 What is Psychopathy? Psychopaths are typicaDy described as deceitful, selfish, manipulative, irresponsible, and impulsive.
    [Show full text]
  • The End of Crocodile Tears, Or Child Literature As Emotional Self-Regulation
    JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE AND LITERACY EDUCATION Citation Kellogg, D. (2010). The Ends of Crocodile Tears, or Child Literature as Emotional Self- Regulation. Journal of Language and Literacy Education [Online], 6(1), page 75-92. Available The End of Crocodile Tears, or Child Literature as Emotional Self-Regulation David Kellogg Seoul National University of Education [email protected] This article begins by revisiting an old dispute between the children’s writer Chukovsky and the child psychologist Vygotsky on whether and how child literature should mediate development. It then considers child language language lessons in South Korea for clues about how such mediation might happen, and finds the development of rote language, the creation of concrete roles, and the formulation of abstract rules. The real aim of child literature in the classroom is not story sharing per se, but rather sharing-for-development, specifically development away from other-regulation and towards self-regulation, particularly emotional self-regulation, through role play and rule play. Chukovsky’s work, rich in sonorous rhyming language suited to rote learning, is a good example of children’s literature, but not a good example of child literature serving the emotional self-regulation of older children through the formation of roles and rules. Child literature is that which can be mastered by children as producers rather than passive consumers. Introduction: Crocodile’s Tears With its arrant nonsense and artful wordplay, Kornei Chukovsky’s Crocodile (1999) was, and is, wildly popular with Russian children. It opens with the eponymous monster devouring a dog and a policeman. Thrills follow relentlessly, with African animals kidnapping Little Lollie and attempting a prisoner exchange for all animals held in zoos.
    [Show full text]
  • Conversations with Employees
    BLUEPRINT INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE Conversations With Employees A Proven Framework That Works / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / BLUEPRINT 27 Scripts 25 Things Special Of What To Say To Never Say In The Toughest Bonuses Conversation Conversations PRACTICAL TOOLS PRACTICAL TOOLS Difficult Conversations With Employees A Proven Framework That Works / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Difficult Situations Series BLUEPRINT BLUEPRINT Dear Resourceful Manager, When you first became a manager, more than likely it was because you did your old job well. You may even have had a manual for the technical stuff to guide you. But for the important task of managing people, you were on your own. That’s why we created the ResourcefulManager Blueprint. Each Blueprint focuses on a specific aspect of your role as a manager. It takes you deep inside, puts that aspect into proper perspective and provides a real-life how-to guide that can make you successful. Each Blueprint is broken into four sections: 1. The view from 10,000 feet. An overview that gives you perspective. 2. Success plan. A detailed, step-by-step approach. 3. Stumbling blocks. A heads-up on the traps you need to avoid. 4. Summary. A wrapup that emphasizes the key points of the Blueprint. The Blueprints are researched and written by the ResourcefulManager’s veteran staff of managers and editors. We review hundreds of sources and read thousand of pages from leading authors, thought leaders, news outlets and research firms. We hand select the most useful content, distill complex theories and give it to you in a practical form that allows you to become a great manager – a Resourceful Manager.
    [Show full text]