Behavioral Genetics Essay - 2274 Words

Is behavior learned? It is inborn? What of aggression, intelligence, and madness? There is a crucial relationship between the behavior of humans toward their own kind and the view of life they hold. Interest in behavioral genetics depends on wanting to know why people differ. According to Jack R. Vale, in Genes, Environment, and Behavior, recognition of the importance of hereditary influence on behavior represents one of the most dramatic changes in the social and behavioral sciences during the past two decades. A shift began toward the more balanced contemporary view that recognizes genetic as well as environmental influences on behavior. Behavioral genetics lies in its theory and methods, which consider both genetic and†¦show more content†¦However, genetic hypotheses should also be considered. Research in behavioral genetics is directed toward understanding differences in behavior. Methods are employed that consider both genetics and environmental influences, rather than assuming that one or the other is solely important. Behavioral genetics research studies whether individual behavioral differences are influenced by hereditary differences. Then, estimates the relative influences of genetic and environmental factors. Although genetic and environmental influences interact within an individual, this does not imply that the separate effects of genes and environment cannot be untangled when we focus on differences among individuals Controversy arises when nature (inheritance) is combated against nurture (environment). This controversy began with the development of the behavioristic point of view. â€Å"Behaviorism arose as a protest against all form of â€Å"introspective psychology,† which was concerned with mental states such as consciousness and will†(Plomin 3). It led to an environmentalism that rejected the possibility of genetics influences on behavior. The burden of explaining individual differences fell completely to environmental factors. Genetics involve genes, which are chemical structures that control the production of proteins, thereby indirectly affectingShow MoreRelatedPsychiatric Genetics : Psychology And Behavioral Neuroscience Essay2208 Words   |  9 Pages Psychiatric Genetic Studies: Correlations, Ethics, and Counseling. Introduction Psychiatric genetics is a subtopic of behavioral genetics, evolutionary psychology and behavioral neuroscience. The research began with evolutionary psychology, the field of psychology that studies how much human thought and behavior is determined by genetics. Evolutionary psychology was then narrowed down to behavioral genetics, which focused directly on how much of behavior is determined by genetics or the environmentRead MoreBehavioral Genetics : How Does Genes Influence Brains Behavior1600 Words   |  7 PagesBehavioral Genetics: How does Genes Influence Ones Behavior Many believe that the environment such as the individuals people associate with, the extracurricular activities people are involved in, the music people listen to, including things shown on tv and video games all influence behavior. Though all of the things listed above are said to be true, and do indeed play a role in behavior. There are major things inside the body that trigger peoples behavioral responses. Those major things are calledRead More Behavioral Genetic Determinism: Do Genes Equal Behavior? Essay2523 Words   |  11 PagesBehavioral Genetic Determinism: Do Genes Equal Behavior? Human behavior is a loosely defined foundation for individuality, generally considered to be influenced and developed by the environment. However, recent molecular studies have exposed genetic factors that suggest a more biological origin for behavior. Gene segments in the genome of humans and other animals have been identified and associated with particular behavioral traits. Is it possible that the presence or absence of even a singleRead MoreThe Biological Contribution Of Human Conduct Essay1716 Words   |  7 Pagescontribution to behavior A few scientists are endeavoring to find particular genes, or groups of genes, connected with behavioral characteristics and to comprehend the unpredictable relationship amongst genes and the environment. This is the examination in behavioral hereditary genes. As opposed to the research about the genetic premise of illnesses and disorders, specialists in behavioral hereditary genes examine parts of identities, for example, knowledge, sexu al introduction, weakness to animosity andRead MoreThe Discovery Of Genetics And Inheritance Essay1688 Words   |  7 Pages Abstract After the discovery of genetics and inheritance it was thought that the genes which were inherited from our parents were what we were so to speak stuck with. The chromosomes from each parent with all the great things they possess as well as any conditions or diseases they have can be inherited as well. Recently, however, researchers have realized this information to be completely inaccurate. There seems to be another key factor that exists and enables the expression of every gene withinRead MoreGenetics Of Animals And Animals Essay1253 Words   |  6 PagesGenetics of Domesticated Behavior in Foxes Genotyping-By-Sequencing (GBS) Detects Genetic Structure and Confirms Behavioral QTL in Tame and Aggressive Foxes Being able to look into animal behavior and seeing what makes them aggressive or tame can change the way we look at domesticated animals. It also allows room for breeding animals for certain behavioral traits. Doing research in this area allows use to understand how pets came to be. Provided that, when looking at the domesticated behavior inRead MoreHomosexuality, Genetics or Preference? Essay800 Words   |  4 Pagesunderstand the genetic argument that homosexuality is inborn, it is imperative to understand the basic concepts of behavioral genetics. Behavioral genetics, as stated by Baker – a scientific journalist for the [National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality] otherwise known as NARTH, is the study of genetic influences on human behavior. Basically it is the study of genes, operating within the environment. There are basically three kinds of inquiries to demonstrate the genetic basis forRead MoreCharles Darwin s Theory Of Behavior Genetics970 Words   |  4 PagesBEHAVIOR GENETICS 2 It is possible to tell where one receives his physical traits from. One can look at a person, then at his parents, and see that he gets his brown hair from his father and blue eyes from his mother. There are other traits that people can receive from their parents that are not as easy to see. The idea that people can receive behavioral traits from one’s parents isRead MoreEssay about Homosexuality is a Choice Rather than Genetics749 Words   |  3 Pagesdiscovery of a link between a certain gene and homosexuality, but hasnt it been considered a choice for such a long time? Is homosexuality a choice rather than genetic? To answer this question well start off by revealing some myths of homosexuality. The next part will explain the difference between a behavioral trait and a genetic trait. Finally Ill end be unveiling the truth behind the homosexual gene. There are many things that the homosexual activists say are true, but those truths areRead MoreA Brief Note On Prader Willi Syndrome ( Pws )1358 Words   |  6 Pages Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) first was recognized in 1956 by three Swiss doctors, Andrea Prader, Alexis Labhart, and Heinrich Willi. PWS is a genetic disorder that is present at birth and causes many different cognitive, physical, and behavioral problems. This is a result of an abnormality of chromosome 15, which is one of the most complex regions of the human DNA system. This disorder affects about one out of every fifteen thousand births in both males and females. It doesn’t particularly reach

Essay on Innovation During the Middle Ages - 2066 Words

The Middle Ages, contrary to its name, was a dynamic period of innovations. Throughout this period, visual arts were employed to communicate important messages to the public as well as private wealthy patrons. A variety of mediums were used to disseminate ideas. Though, the sense of decorum shifted, the purpose of these moralizing images of religious figures remained the same. Art was, as it still is an extremely useful and powerful tool for both religious and political advancements. The two pieces to be considered in this paper were created using scenes from the life of Christ. Themes from the old and new testaments were frequently used in art of the Middle Ages to convey important messages to a largely illiterate populous, display the†¦show more content†¦Charlemagne became committed to reviving the Roman Empire, â€Å"a Carolingian Renaissance† , during which he commissioned many important art pieces and numerous manuscript pages . History shows that he sought to u nite the populous under Christianity , the Pope crowned him on Christmas day, establishing his divine right to rule. This manuscript can be dated to the ninth century because of its links to the Charlemagne empire, as well as its rendering of holy figures as separate from this world: a trend that would change with humanism in later centuries. The theme of this manuscript page is the Resurrection, an account of perseverance. Christ is a visitor from the heavenly realm; his wounds continue to bleed yet there is no suffering. Typical of representations of Christ at the time, his human traits were ignored . Christ, with one foot remaining in the grave effortlessly steps out of his open tomb. The mysterious nature of this moment is emphasized to show the power of Christ’s divinity. He holds the symbol of benediction towards himself, simultaneously blessing the Emperor who was directly tied to him. Two angels surround Christ, whose body dominates the page, forming a triangle. The viewer’s eye is drawn directly towards Christ. The page employs a hierarchical scale, typical of the period. Christ is significantly larger than the surrounding angles and unconscious guards in the lower plane. In his right hand Christ holds a heraldic flag, typical ofShow MoreRelatedHistorical And Philosophical Movement Of The Renaissance1596 Words   |  7 Pageswriters, and poets. Although it has no fixed beginning, most theories placed the beginning era in the early 14th century. The renaissance profoundly affected European Intellectual life through the introduction of different perspectives, ideas, innovations, literature, art, science, religion among many other aspects that continue to shape modern philosophy. By focusing, on ideas presented by Southern, Petrarch, and Burckhardt I will argue that the historical and philosophical movement of the renaissanceRead MoreThe Middle Ages And The Renaissance1137 Words   |  5 PagesThe Middle Ages is thought to be a time period of obliviousness by many historians, where diminutive or no developments took place. The church was the focus of attention, and rather than a logical outlook of the world, beliefs were concentrated around fallacies; on the other hand, the resurgence of education and innovations that followed the Middle Ages and was branded as the Renaissance. There have been disagreements as to whether the Renaissance is actually a isolated time period, or instead, justRead MoreTechnology and The Crusades1361 Words   |  6 Pagesfrom Muslim control, then one may make the conclusion that the Crusades failed. Although the Christians did not win over the Holy Land, Europe as a whole benefited greatly from the revival of East to West trade, and new inventions and innovations that arose during the time of the Crusades. Before the Crusades, the average European’s idea of medicine was vague, or nonexistent. Europeans believed that there were four bodily fluids; black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood. An unbalanced bodilyRead MoreAdvantages And Disadvantages Of The Gilded Age1035 Words   |  5 Pagesof the nineteenth century to the middle of the twentieth century many economic changes occurred, from booms to busts, but all effected minorities less favorably. At the end of the nineteenth century began an era of industrialization that created an economic upturn called the gilded age. Hallmarks of this age were technological advances, banking innovations, and wealth concentrations. Railroad construction, advances in steel production, and electrical innovation drove industrial and economic growthRead MoreArt and Architecture in the Middle Ages and Renaissance Essay949 Words   |  4 PagesThe difference between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is most visible through art and architecture, demonstrated specifically through an emphasis on religion or classical antiquity, and humanity. During the Middle Ages, art was more religious because it had a very religious influence from the church having such great power in the community. When the Renaissance started, art became more focused on ancient Greece. The Greek influence was because scholars were broadly studying the revival of classicalRead MoreThe Technology And Advancements Of Middle A ges886 Words   |  4 PagesThe technology and advancements of Middle Ages have often been misrepresented throughout the years. The excruciating amount of effort to create a book that skillfully describes the aforementioned innovations could overwhelm any author. However, renowned historians and authors, Frances and Joseph Gies, a dynamic couple, successfully collaborated on several books on the medieval history, including the book, Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel, which is the subject of discussion and review. Within theRead MoreTransforming the High Middle Ages Essay932 Words   |  4 Pagesculture reflected the economic, political, and social changes from the 11th through 14th centuries. The life and monarchy of the English nation during the High Middle Ages relied heavily on the influences of the Normans, the Christian church, and technology. The educational and technological innovations developed in England during the High Middle Ages brought quick improvements in agriculture, war, and knowledge. Education and scholasticism were encouraged and were increasing in importance. â€Å"ThomasRead MoreEssay On The Golden Age Of The Middle Ages1195 Words   |  5 PagesThe Medieval times were encompassed by years of both prosperity and conflict. During the first years of the Middle Ages, 8th century to 13th century, the Islamic Empire was at its peak, this time period was known as the Islamic Golden age. The Islamic empire didn’t have to worry about war or conflict, so it shifted its focus towards innovation, it flourished in various fields that included science, mathematics, astronomy, engineering, and medicine. This empire was home to one of the most influentialRead MoreThe Late Middle Ages : The Age Of Discovery And Innovation1224 Words   |  5 PagesThe Late Middle Ages were characterized by both periods of declin e and periods of transition into the Renaissance. Therefore, if only viewed through some aspects, the overall quality of the Late Middle Ages can be interpreted in vastly different ways. When all events are taken into account, it is evident that even though there were periods of extreme decline and cultural deficiency, numerous events helped transition Europe into an age of discovery and innovation. The Late Middle Ages are sometimesRead MoreThe Period Of The Renaissance Period887 Words   |  4 Pageslearning during this period. There was a tremendous revival of classical literature and art, but in the end it was the joining of this with the intellect of the Italian people that lead to the change of the Western World. This period was definitely more than just a rebirth though, it was also an age of new discoveries, both geographic and intellectual. Both of these resulted in changes of tremendous importance for Western civilization. In the economy, for example, there were many innovations that

Management Decision Making Software Solutions Ltd

Question: Discuss about the Management Decision Making for Software Solutions Ltd. Answer: Introduction: Software Solutions Ltd is engaged in selling software products to the accounting and small business entities. The company acquires software packages from the software developers and sells these to the accounting firms and small business entities. Mr. Brad Shelton works for Software Solutions Ltd as consultant and he has been given an authority to analyze and finalize a software package that is the most suitable for cost accounting purpose. In this connection, Jennifer Jolie, who works for Pitt Ltd, a software developer, comes to Mr. Brad Shelton to discuss features of her companys software package. She offers Mr. Brad Shelton a trip to Los Angeles where her companys engineers would help Mr. Brad understand the specialties of the software package offered by the company. Further, for this trip, she also offers Mr. Brad to accompany her wife and children. The entire cost of the trip involving official and non official expenses is to be borne by Pitt Ltd. The analysis of the facts of the case indicates that Mr. Brad Shelton should not take this trip on ethical grounds. This is a clear case of inducement being offered by Pitt Ltd to Mr. Brad Shelton. The company may ask Mr. Brad Shelton to finalize its software package disregardingthe others (BredesonGoree, 2012). The management of the company should be alert to the situations of conflicts of interest by maintaining a proper mechanism to identify the circumstances wherein an employee of the company may prefer his personal interests over the companys overall interest. In the situation outlined in the current case, it is clear that Mr. Brad in may prefer personal gains over the companys overall interest. He has been offered freebees by Pitt Ltd to finalize its software package. Pitt Ltd is offering him a family trip to Los Angeles, the cost of which is to be borne by Pitt Ltd. It is essential to take a view here that Mr. Brad Shelton may finalize the software developed by Pitt Ltd even if it fails on certain parameters. Further, Mr. Brad has alone been assigned the task of finalization of the software, which also gives rise to suspicions that he may earn personal gains at the cost of the company. Thus, overall it could be inferred that Mr. Brad is in a position to breach the ethical principles and hence, the management of Software Solutions Ltd should not allow him to go on the trip offered by Pitt Ltd (BredesonGoree, 2012). The code of conduct is a charter that guides conducts of the individuals working in the company. It provides a set of instructions to the employees to act in the situations when they encounter ethical issues (BredesonGoree, 2012). Framing a code of conduct is crucial for guiding and controlling the human behavior and creating ethical environment, which is necessary for the achievement of the organizational goals. Since, code of conduct is crucial for the achievement of the goals and vision, thus, every organization needs to have it. Software Solution Ltd is no exception and thus, it should also have suitable code of conduct in place. There are various advantages that accrue to the organization by having a code of conduct in place. The most important among them is the positive atmosphere (BredesonGoree, 2012). The code of conduct creates a positive atmosphere among the employees and directs their activities in the best of the organizational interest (BredesonGoree, 2012). Further, it helps to build equalities among the employees, which motivates them to work harder to the fulfillment of the objectives of the entity. Apart from this, maintaining a proper code of conduct is a legal requirement for the companies, thus, it is necessary that a company maintains a code of conduct for legal compliances. Above all, the reputation and goodwill of the company is strengthened to a great extent if the company maintains code of conduct and its working is ethical. Carrying out business ethically is a booster to the companys reputation and goodwill (BredesonGoree, 2012). Although, it is necessary as well as always beneficial to maintain a code of conduct but in some instances it may be frustrating for employees. For example, poorly drafted code of may restrain the employees from raising their voices against wrongdoers, particular, against those who are in the top management. Further, the compliances with the code of conduct may reduce the efficiency of the employees at the workplace (BredesonGoree, 2012). In respect of the companies operating under common control, it is essential for the investors to analyze the financial performance and position taking a consolidated view. For this purpose, the entity having majority interest in others which is called parent company is required to prepare the consolidated profit and loss account (Pwc, 2011). The consolidated profit and loss account is prepared by combining the results of the operations of the parent with its subsidiary companies. In the current case, Greencross Limited is the parent company and therefore it prepares consolidated profit and loss account and consolidated balance sheet for the financial year 2016. Te consolidated profit and loss account presented by parent company shows the financial performance for the group as a whole (Pwc, 2011). S.No. Item As at 30 June 2016 $000 Classification with reason i. Cash and cash equivalents 62,583 Asset: An asset is a resource controlled by an origination and cash is certainly a resource owned and controlled by the entity, thus, it is classified as asset. ii. Marketing cost 17,821 Expense: an item of cost is termed as an expense when its benefits have accrued to the entity. iii. Occupancy costs 10,880 Expense: an item of cost is termed as an expense when its benefits have accrued to the entity. iv. Cost of goods sold 324,949 Expense: cost of goods sold comprises the items the benefits of which have accrued to the entity, thus, it is charged to the profit and loss account in the period in which it is incurred. v. Provisions 10,118 (5,601+4,517) Liability: Liability is an item that results in future payout. Provision is made for possibility to pay in future, thus, it is classified as liability. vi. Inventories 92,002 Asset: Inventories are the items that are used in production process or sold in normal course of business. The entity earns economic benefits by selling the inventory, thus, these are classified as asset. vii. Property, plant and equipment 156,867 Asset: Property, plant and equipment forms part of non- current assets because these are used in business for longer time period. Item 2016 2015 % Change Summary (what this means for Greencross Ltd) Gross margin percentage 55.73% 54.42% 1.31% Gross profit margin has increased by 1.31%, which indicates that Greencross has secured savings in the cost of goods sold. Operating expenses 339,404.00 302,219.00 12.30% Operational expenses have risen by 12.30%, which indicates managements operational inefficiencies (Bohm, 2008). Revenue Growth 734,009.00 (Greencross, 2016) 645,016.00 13.80% Growth in revenues by 13.80% is indicativeof enhancement in the demand and customer base of the company (Bohm, 2008). NPAT 54,649.00 35,723.00 52.98% Substantial increase in NPAT indicates improvement in the profitability of the company. Finance cost 15,986.00 13,580.00 17.72% Increase in finance cost reflects addition in the borrowings. Non-current assets 726,404.00 682,509.00 6.43% The non-current assets have increased by 6.43%, which is quite substantial. The non-current assets largely represent property, plant and equipment and increase in property, plant and equipment represents expansion of the business (Bohm, 2008). Number of stores and veterinary clinics at the end of the year 440= (220 stores+120 clinics) 332= (200 stores+132 clinics) 108 Increase in no of stores and veterinary clinic is a clear indication of growth and expansion of the business of the company. Cash flow from operating activities 78,636.00 14,691.00 435.27% The operating activities are primary activities of the business. Thus, increase in cash from operations indicates operational efficiency as well as superior liquidity state. As per most of the financial reporting frameworks prevailing in the world, the companies are required to present comparative figures in the financial statements. Comparative figures mean the figures in relation to the items of the financial statements of the preceding years (Bohm, 2008). The primary purpose behind presenting the comparative figures is to inform the investors and other users of the financial statements about the trend. The information as regards trend is essential for the investors to take investment decisions. The analysis oftrend gives understanding of the directions to which the companys financial progress is headed, which is crucial for the investors to base their future investment decisions. In respect of Greencross Limited, it could be observed that the company has presented comparative figures for the financial year 2015 in the financial statements of the year 2016. From this information, the investors of Greencross Limited would be able to analyze and evaluate the value of their investments and take decision for future course of action (Bohm, 2008). References Bohm, A. (2008). Interpretation of key figures in financial analysis. GRIN Verlag. Bredeson, D. Goree, K. (2012).Ethics in the Workplace.Cengage Learning. Greencross.(2016). Annual report of Greencross Limited. Retrieved November 22, 2016, from https://www.greencrosslimited.com.au/Docs/2045-GXL0002-_Greencross-Annual-Report-2016.pdf Pwc. (2011).Illustrative IFRS Corporate Consolidated Financial Statements for 2011 Year Ends. AC Black.

Women In Mens Sports Essays - Gender Studies, Misogyny,

Women In Men's Sports Should women be allowed to play on male sports teams? Method of Development: What physical and mental differences do males and females have which might affect the game or moral? Tentative Thesis: As far as mental and physical attributes are concerned, men and women are not created equally. Neither is superior, however, the differences between a man and a woman could affect how they participate in competitive sports. I. Introductory Paragraph: Use examples of differences/stereotypes. Women's soccer taking off shirt after winning game/ vs. men's game. Women want to compete w/men to earn more respect and to be treated equally. Insert thesis. Finish with a few points of support from below for transition. II. Support Paragraphs: Mental and Physical differences A. Men have more endurance. 1. It is scientifically proven that women often tire before men in aerobic exercise. 2. So are the lengths of the quarters, periods, matches etc. shortened to women's games? B. Men are stronger and faster 1. Teams would be competitively uneven when Men outnumber women. 2. Women might complain of discrimination when chosen for the lesser positions. C. What will be done to avoid injury to women's chests? 1. List sports where special care will have to be taken if women join in. 2. Fouls to women's chests can be considered sexual harassment. 3. Men will have to avoid women or relearn the sport they have come to know. Transition Paragraph D. Men are taught to hit hard and break down the offense. 1. Women are taught to be nice and polite. 2. Men have years of experience over women in the hit em' till they fall department. 3. Transition sentence re: physical- mental aspects. E. Years of good manners have taught men that ladies are first and to never harm a lady. 1. All of the time spent teaching boys to be nice and respectful of girls is out the window. 2. Most men will just back off rather than get competitively physical with a woman. 3. If a new generation of boys grow up knocking down girls in pee-wee football will the violence end on the field? F. Sexual Tension will affect the game and the team. 1. Getting a co-ed bunch of great athletes together in a competitive situation is a prime place for sexual tension to fester. 2. There will be love triangles and flings that will affect the game. 3. Men will tend to act macho and show off more for females even when not in best interest of the team. G. Sexual harassment will be a major issue that will not allow boys to be boys. 1. What is to be done about the locker room(s)? 2. Coaches will have to completely change their language and attitudes to avoid accusations. 3. In physical sports there is often touching/hitting that would be considered sexual harassment when occurring male vs. female. 4. Boys can't be boys in the one last place they have always been able to act like themselves. III. Concluding Paragraph: Start with the fall of the man (sarcasm) as he looses his locker room spirit. Use some shock headlines of future sports with mixed gender teams. Conclude with serious points mentioned above about why it just won't work.

How Sarin Nerve Gas Works (And What to Do If Exposed)

How Sarin Nerve Gas Works (And What to Do If Exposed) Sarin is an organophosphate nerve agent. It most commonly is considered a nerve gas, but it mixes with water, so ingestion of contaminated food/water or liquid skin contact also are possible. Exposure to even a small amount of Sarin may be fatal, yet treatments are available that may prevent permanent neurological damage and death. Heres a look at how it works and how exposure to Sarin is treated. Key Takeaways: Sarin Sarin is an organophosphate nerve gas- a type of chemical weapon.The gas dissolves in water, so Sarin can be delivered in food or liquids as well as air.Sarin works like a pesticide. It inhibits acetylcholinesterase, preventing muscle relaxation.Although Sarin can be deadly, mild exposure can be survivable. If exposed, get away from the nerve agent, remove all exposed clothing and clean skin with soap and water. Seek emergency medical attention. What Is Sarin? Sarin is a man-made chemical with the formula [(CH3)2CHO]CH3P(O)F. It was developed in 1938 by German researchers at IG Farben for use as a pesticide. Sarin gets its name from its discoverers: Schrader, Ambros, Rà ¼diger, and Van der Linde. Pure Sarin is colorless, odorless, and has no flavor. It is heavier than air, so Sarin vapor sinks into low-lying areas or toward the bottom of a room. The chemical evaporates in air and mixes readily with water. Clothing absorbs Sarin and its mixtures, which can spread exposure if contaminated clothing is not contained. Its important to understand you can survive a low concentration of Sarin exposure as long as you dont panic and do seek medical attention. If you survive initial exposure, you may have several minutes to several hours to reverse the effects. At the same time, dont assume you are in the clear just because you survived initial exposure. Because effects may be delayed, its important to get medical attention. How Sarin Works Sarin is a nerve agent, which means it interferes with the normal signaling between nerve cells. It acts in much the same way as organophosphate insecticides, block nerve endings from allowing muscles to stop contracting. Death may occur when the muscles controlling breathing become ineffective, causing asphyxiation. Sarin acts by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Ordinarily, this protein degrades acetylcholine released at the synaptic cleft. The acetylcholine activates nerve fibers that cause muscles to contract. If the neurotransmitter is not removed, the muscles dont relax. Sarin forms a covalent bond with the serine residue at the active site on the cholinesterase molecule, making it unable to bind to acetylcholine. Symptoms of Sarin Exposure Symptoms depend on the route and intensity of exposure. The lethal dose is incrementally higher than the dose producing minor symptoms. For example, inhaling an extremely low concentration of Sarin may produce a runny nose, yet a very slightly higher dose may cause incapacitation and death. The onset of symptoms depends on dose, usually within minutes to hours after exposure. Symptoms include: Dilated pupilsHeadacheSense of pressureSalivationRunny nose or congestionNauseaVomitingTightness in chestAnxietyMental confusionNightmaresWeaknessTremors or twitchesInvoluntary defecation or urinationAbdominal crampsDiarrhea If an antidote is not given, symptoms may proceed to convulsions, respiratory failure, and death. Treating Sarin Victims Although Sarin can kill and cause permanent damage, individuals who suffer mild exposure usually recover completely if given immediate treatment. The first and most important action is removing Sarin from the body. Antidotes to Sarin include atropine, Biperiden, and pralidoxime. Treatment is most effective if given immediately, but still helps if some times passes (minutes to hours) between exposure and treatment. Once the chemical agent is neutralized, supportive medical care is helpful. What to Do If You Are Exposed To Sarin Do not administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a person exposed to Sarin, since the rescuer can be poisoned. If you think you have been exposed to Sarin gas or Sarin-contaminated food, water, or clothing, its important to seek professional medical attention. Flush exposed eyes with water. Clean exposed skin with soap and water. If you have access to a protective respiratory mask, hold your breath until you can secure the mask. Emergency injections typically are used only if symptoms of severe exposure occur or if the Sarin is injected. If you have access to injectables, be sure to understand when to use/not-use them, since the chemicals used to treat Sarin come with their own risks. References CDC Sarin Fact SheetSarin Material Safety Data Sheet, 103d Congress, 2d Session. United States Senate. May 25, 1994.Millard CB, Kryger G, Ordentlich A, et al. (June 1999). Crystal structures of aged phosphonylated acetylcholinesterase: nerve agent reaction products at the atomic level. Biochemistry 38 (22): 7032–9.Hà ¶rnberg, Andreas; Tunemalm, Anna-Karin; Ekstrà ¶m, Fredrik (2007). Crystal Structures of Acetylcholinesterase in Complex with Organophosphorus Compounds Suggest that the Acyl Pocket Modulates the Aging Reaction by Precluding the Formation of the Trigonal Bipyramidal Transition State. Biochemistry 46 (16): 4815–4825.

Medicare and Medical Nutrition Therapy Essay Example

Medicare and Medical Nutrition Therapy Essay Example Medicare and Medical Nutrition Therapy Paper Medicare and Medical Nutrition Therapy Paper p. 3, 10). A Brief Comparison of the Nutrition Care Process for Nutrition Education and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Nutrition Education may be defined as the strengthening of the fundamental or vital nutrition-related information while Medical nutrition therapy is a more detailed application of the whole nutrition care process in any medical setting which centers mainly on the examination and management of ailments. As compared to nutrition education, Medical nutrition therapy involves a deeper assessment of the nutrition level of a certain individual. In nutrition education, interested persons often take the initiative to go to healthy nutrition classes or to consult a physician while in Medical nutrition therapy, the primary care provider sends the dietetics professional or registered dietitians (DTR or RD) written referrals for examinations of kidney related diseases or diabetes. In nutrition education, the dietetics professionals inquire about the person’s concern and any nutritional questions and sometimes they often make the person answer a certain questionnaire prior to setting up an appointment. In MNT the Dietetics professional himself gauges the nutrition level using the MNT Evident-based guidelines and the best available client information such as the medical records and then makes his diagnosis after proper analysis. In nutrition education, dietetics professional gives the client information about nutrition and taking care of the heart and body and relays information as to what he needs to most but in MNT; the good thing is that the dietetics professional himself identifies the client’s needs and sets up goals to be achieved by the client. After setting up the goals and motivating the client, the registered dietitian arranges several visits in order to monitor and check if the client is indeed doing some adjustments in his lifestyle in order to solve his nutritional problems and medical condition (The American Dietetic Association, 2006). Training is essential for a registered dietitian in order to attain a cost-efficient medical nutrition therapy program. Registered dietitians are recommended to attend seminars and special classes in order to hone and enhance their skills. Medical nutrition therapy follows a certain guideline in order to guarantee that the patient is getting the best care and treatment possible. The main purpose of evaluation in medical nutrition therapy is to find out and measure the persons’ need for therapy and to set the boundaries and generate ideas as to how to develop an effective plan that should give the best results on the individual. The medical background and history of an individual is necessary in order to administer the proper care to the individual. Prior operations, medication and maintenance should be investigated because it may affect the outcome of the therapy. A prior history of paralysis for instance, may affect the person’s capacity to eat thereby restricting his mobility and increasing the risk of complications which calls for a good nutrition intake in order to be cured. Some medicinal components may react badly and impede with the absorption of nutrients. Several dietary supplements and vitamins may also cause nutritional imbalance (Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z, 2008). Physical assessment for medical nutritional therapy includes information about the individual like the sex, body mass index, weight and height. Physical feature is also necessary because some nutritional deficiencies manifest in appearances such as iron deficiencies which appears in the hair and nails. Weight history is also important because sudden increase or loss of weight indicates a nutritional dilemma (Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z, 2008). Psychosocial assessment pertains to the profile of the person’s financial status, cultural and ethnical background, educational attainment, career or occupation, mental health and access to proper food source in order to consistently achieve good health. These factors help determine a person’s ability to follow through on his therapies. If a person is living in a house plenty of occupants or has a small income, there is a tendency of limited food access. Some exceptional situations provide for a total change in living environment in order experience development in his nutritional health. For example, a person with amputated legs has been diagnosed with diabetes and is living alone may eat only once or twice a day. There is a big possibility that his access to food may be very limited due to the difficulty of his situation. It would be best if he transferred to another facility where he can ask for assistance anytime. Reviewing the dietary history is a necessary assessment. It can be evaluated through the use of a food questionnaire or a food diary. In determining the quantity of sodium and fat in the diet, examination of the food preparation methods is necessary (Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z, 2008). Studies show that there are several public related health benefits of medical nutrition therapy. The American Diabetes Association recommended a new guideline that prioritizes nutrition intervention as an essential part of a change in lifestyle which is extremely necessary in diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention. It is also beneficial to put attention on the totality of the dietary pattern of a person as compared to individual nutrient approach. Studies also show that there is a twelve percent decrease in the risk of heart disease if the dietary regimen of a person focuses on increasing fruit and vegetable intake and avoid eating sodium rich products. A combination of diet therapy and food consumption of garlic, low cholesterol and low fat diets would greatly lower the risk for the development of a chronic heart disease. Research provides that counseling provided by registered dietitians produce more effective results in decreasing the cholesterol level as compared to the counseling done by physicians (Health Steps, Rx, n. d. ). Medical Nutrition Therapy plays a very significant part in improving the quality of care of persons who have various complications and diseases. Most of the time, people with chronic kidney diseases do not consult a dietitian is because of the deficiency of insurance treatment for medical nutrition therapy. Undergoing this therapy can help improve their health and lifestyle. As a matter of fact, it is encouraged that even people without sickness should have their nutritional assessment just to make sure that they are getting the right amount of nutrition the body needs. When it comes to a person’s health, it pays more to be careful. Most people go through life day by day without realizing that little by little their nutritional intake is going to a dangerous level that might cause or aggravate any present disease that they have. weber. edu/WSUImages/athletictraining/Medical%20Nutrition%20Therapy%20%5BCompatibility%20Mode%5D. pdf References American Dietetic Association. (2009). Medical Nutrition Therapy. Retrieved April 28, 2009, from eatright. org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs. xsl/advocacy_2162_ENU_HTML. htm Benedict, M. (2008). Medical Nutrition Therapy. Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from faqs. org/nutrition/Kwa-Men/Medical-Nutrition-Therapy. html Berlin, R. (2009). What are Payroll Taxes?. Law. com. Retrieved April 28, 2009 from alllaw. com/articles/tax/article5. asp Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2007). Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, 2008. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from cms. hhs. gov/apps/media/press/release. asp? counter=3200 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2005). Medical Nutrition Therapy Services. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from cms. hhs. gov/MedicalNutritionTherapy/03_BeneResources. asp Global Legal Information Network. (2008). Medicare Improvements for Patients and providers Act of 2008. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from glin. gov/view. action? glinID=63996 Health Steps Rx. ( N. d. ). Evidence Supports Medical Nutrition Therapy for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from healthstepsrx. com/services/other/files/MNTevidence. pdf (2000). Medicare. The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery. The Thompson Gale Group Inc. Retrieved April 28, 2009, from answers. com/topic/medicare Investment Dictionary. (N. d. ). Medicare. Retrieved April 28, 2009, from investopedia. com/terms/m/medicare. asp Investopedia Staff. (2009). What Does Medicare Cover?. Investopedia, A Forbes Digital Company. Retrieved April 28, 2009, from investopedia. com/articles/05/030405. asp? partner=answers Medicare Coverage of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). N. d. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from www. rd411. com/diabetes_center/article_download. php? ID=26pro Medicare. (2008). Medical Nutrition Therapy. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from medicare. gov/Health/nutritiontherapy. asp Medicare. com. (2008). Medical Nutrition Therapy. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from medicare. com/services-and-procedures/medical-nutrition-therapy. html Medicare premiums and coinsurance rates for 2009. (2008). Medicare. Retrieved April 28, 2009, from http://questions. medicare. gov/cgi-bin/medicare. cfg/php/enduser/std_adp. php? p_faqid=2100 Moon, M. (2002). Medicare. The Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health. New York; MacMillan. Snetselaar, L. (N. d. ) Nutrition Counseling Skills for Medical Nutrition Therapy. Retrieved April 28, 2009 from http://books. google. com. ph/books? id=kXaiWrLYLbACpg=PA3lpg=PA3dq=definition+of+medical+nutrition+therapysource=blots=LlPrjejFPbsig=A5nP8fm343viXPhmWvi402k5QNAhl=tlei=5oL2SZq_F4yIkAWRp6X3Cgsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=4#PPR5,M1 The American Dietetic Association. (2006). Comparison of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) Nutrition Care Process for Nutrition Education Services and the ADA Nutrition Care Process for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Services. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from eatright. org/ada/files/chart_of_mnt_vs__nut_ed_revised_short_version_8_06. pdf

Understanding the Chesapeake Colonists Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Understanding the Chesapeake Colonists - Essay Example It is to be understood that during the early settlements of the Europeans in Chesapeake, native settlers posed some danger to them because of the threat they felt from the invaders. In addition, their new environment exposed them to diseases that were deadly. With the few numbers of the early colonists, they were vulnerable to defeat from the attacks of the Indians, coupled with the weakening of the team through death brought about by sickness. Misunderstandings occurred among them which aggravated their situation, causing them not to be united for their purpose. Having a closer look at the aforementioned circumstances of the voyagers, one could not simply say they were ignorant. They came from one of the most civilized nations during that time, able to send expeditions in search of more lands to own and had the benefits of the latest scientific findings. To the educated, they could not be said to be ignorant rather are well informed and with such knowledge are therefore driven by ambition to explore a world unknown to most of them. Competing with the strong Spanish reign during that time who were already settled in America could be considered quite ambitious especially so that England was just recovering from her own turmoil at home. The early colonists to the region understandably had issues to settle among themselves, however, their inability to do so in a civilized manner could let a viewer think that they are ignorant and as savage as the native settlers. Their attitude toward each other and their circumstances may not seem to be strongly driven by their ambition as they first thought about the expedition. For a plan of colonizing a place, extended efforts should have been done in preparation for the unknown that they might encounter in the seas and upon arrival to their intended colony.  

Singapore and Its Legal System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Singapore and Its Legal System - Essay Example Some of their beliefs have influenced the way the country handles issues to do with discipline and the respect for nature, and has differentiated Singapore’s laws and rules from those of other countries like Australia. People say that Singapore has fine cities because of their fines, but it is really more of common sense and good etiquette. Tan (2007), highlights that â€Å"the most powerful judicial institutions in Singapore is made up of Supreme and subordinate courts†. The president does appointment of judges in Singapore, and the prime minister recommends other judges after consultations with the chief justice. Specialist judges were appointed to the bench in the year 2006, drawn from legal practitioners and academia with an aim of supplementing expertise to the subordinate courts (Tan & Chan, 2007). However, since 1992, capital offences trials have been heard and addressed by a single judge after amendment of the constitution. Capital punishment is still legally in force in Singapore, and offenders are executed according to the laws of the land. The United Nations terms the executions in Singapore to have the highest rates in the world, which are executed by hanging at down on Friday. The practice of capital punishment in Singapore was borrowed from Britain since Singapore was a British colony, and this is different from what other countries in Europe, America and Australia do(Tan & Chan, 2007). The legal system in Singapore includes the common law and higher courts decisions are binding to other less status courts. The judiciary system is made up of â€Å"the court of appeal, the high court, the constitutional tribunal, the subordinate courts, the district and magistrates’ courts, the small claims tribunals and the family courts† (Tan & Chan, 2007). â€Å"The court of appeal is the highest court,† and is mandated to hear civil and criminal appeals, which come from the high court and other subordinate courts (SamSim, 2007 ). The high court in Singapore comprises of judges who have security of tenure and contracted judicial commissioners. The high court in Singapore has powers to hear civil and criminal cases and their appeals. In addition, the high court has specialist roles of specializing in arbitration cases. The constitutional tribunal was founded in the Supreme Court with jurisdiction of hearing cases and issues that the president refers on the effect of provisions of the constitution (SamSim, 2007). All other courts and small claims tribunals in the country make up the subordinate courts. In addition, there are criminal and commercial civil courts that were established under the subordinate courts and they deal with business transactions and complex cases (SamSim, 2007). The district and magistrates’ courts both have equal powers over jurisdictions such as claims on debts, damages, and monies recovery actions. Their difference is on the monetary limits jurisdiction of each, and the power s on criminal sentences. The small claims tribunals are courts that have jurisdiction on small claims cases with $ 20,000 limits, and they offer faster and cheaper administration of justice (Tan & Chan, 2007). Finally, there are family courts which have jurisdiction on divorce, maintenance child and property custody and adoption cases. There are various laws and rules observed in Singapore in order to avoid legal actions and penalties. However, some of these laws and rules are

The Dublin environment and entrapment within it Essay Example for Free

The Dublin environment and entrapment within it Essay Dubliners: The stories are variations on the theme of rebellion from the Dublin environment and entrapment within it. Discuss how these themes (rebellion/entrapment) are explored in at least THREE of the stories in the collection. Throughout Dubliners the themes of rebellion from the Dublin environment and entrapment within it occur in each story. One story where the protagonists are particularly trapped is Two gallants where Corley and Lenehan are stuck in a vicious cycle involving easy money for drink and easy women for sex, their rebellion from the mundane life of Dublin. Similarly, Gallaher in A Little Cloud is an immoral character but he has escaped Dublin ans by contrast, Little Chandler is trapped with an unhappy marriage and thwarted ambition. The title of Two Gallants is highly ironic, with neither of the central characters being close to gallant, in fact they are the least respectable in the entire collection. The story is in the adolescent phase of the novel though Corley and Lenehan are in their thirties; Joyce describes Lenehans hair as scant and grey showing him to be prematurely aged, exacerbating the contrast between their maturity and their age. This arrested development is an important element in their entrapment, as they are stuck at a level of maturity short of their age, their development paralysed. Moreover, their amoral behaviour is like an unconscious rebellion against the dismal nature of their existence. Joyces intention to portray Dublin in a very negative light is conveyed clearly in this story, not only through the leech like Lenehan and large, globular Corley, but also with his description of Dublin. The circular structure of the story reflects the entrapment of the characters. The fact that Lenehan, with nothing better to do, just wanders the streets, getting nowhere adds to the idea that there is no escape from Dublin. In addition to the circular structure, Joyce refers explicitly to circles. The word circulated is used in the first line and later Lenehans gaze was fixed on the large faint moon circled with a double halo. To consolidate the circular idea, Joyce later refers to a girl Corley used to see off the south circular. The unity of a circle is eternal and confined, like the misery of Dublin. In A Little Cloud, Little Chandler is trapped, not only in the stagnant Dublin but in a miserable marriage: He looked coldly into the eyes of the photograph [of Annie, his wife] and they answered coldly. Certainly they were pretty and the face was pretty. But he found something mean in it. He is in awe of Gallaher who has experienced and seen the world outside Dublin; Gallaher rebelled against Dublin by escaping. Though he is no longer trapped in the city, like the protagonists in Two Gallants, he is another example of arrested development, trapped instead in the adolescent stage of his life. Little Chandler is similarly in a state of arrested development with his child-like characteristics including his hands, which are white and small, also his voice was quietand when he smiled you caught a glimpse of a row of childish white teeth. Little Chandler has his own rebellion at the end of the story when he finds a disturbing outlet for his frustration. Joyce uses the technique of the interior monologue to convey Little Chandlers great anger: It was useless, useless! He was a prisoner for life. His arms trembled with anger and suddenly bending to the childs face he shouted: Stop!' This act, which borders on violence from Chandler whose manners were refined, illustrates the great extent of his dissatisfaction. This lack of fulfilment stems from the entrapment he feels from living in Dublin, which in turn implies the severity of Dublins stagnancy. Another story in the collection with the themes of rebellion and entrapment is Counterparts where Farrington, the protagonist, is trapped like Chandler in an unfulfilling career as a clerk. Farrington spends an inordinate sum on alcohol in the story but at the end of the night he felt humiliated and discontented; he did not even feel drunk. This emphasises the pointlessness of his existence as he drinks to alleviate the monotony of his life, but the money he earns from his unfulfilling job is not even sufficient to make him drunk. Farrington also provides a parallel to Little Chandler in his loveless marriage: His wife was a little sharp-faced women who bullied her husband when he was sober and was bullied by him when he was drunk. In addition, he likewise takes out his rage on his son but the two characters differ considerably as, unlike Chandler, Farrington does seem to be a violent man. He struck his son vigorously with the stick as opposed to Chandler whose cheeks suffused with shameand tears of remorse started to his eyes. A further example would be the entrapment in Eveline which is less metaphorical than in the other mentioned stories, as she is trapped by duty to her abusive father, in addition to her mental prison like that of the other protagonists. She fears the unknown, preferring to embrace a future of certain misery than an uncertain pursuit of happiness: It was hard work a hard life but now that she was about to leave it she did not find it a wholly undesirable life. Each story in the collection contains reference to either rebellion or entrapment, implying Joyces anti-Dublin opinions. It is made clear that without leaving Irelands capital, it is impossible to prosper or advance, a prime example being the Two Gallants arrested development or Little Chandlers and Farringtons increasing frustration resulting in violence. Joyce explores these central themes in detail and uses the ideas of rebellion and frustration to comment on the disparity of Dublin, reiterating repeatedly that people become trapped: You could do nothing in Dublin. Gallaher, however has achieved escape and although Chandler initially elevates him, his vulgarity is exposed leaving the reader uncertain as to whether true success, even outside Dublin, is possible for the Dubliners.

Progeria Report Essay -- essays research papers fc

Genetics determine the traits an individual will inherit from their parents. In society today, the role of genetics is crucial; they decide ones physical appearance as well as their personality. However, if there is a mutation located in one of the genes that a child receives it is very likely a deformity will be present. A rare yet fatal defect from a gene mutation such as this is Progeria. This disorder is an unfortunate one that may occur in two forms, either Hutchison-Gilford Progeria or Werner syndrome. Not only do they affect the bone structure and appearance of the child, but they substantially shorten their life spans. Hutchison-Gilford disorder was first discovered and described by John Hutchison in 1886. However, in 1904 Hastings Gilford named the disorder Progeria after doing some of his own research on it (Malady). Approximately a year after Gilford presented his Progeria research, Otto Werner discovered a disorder by which he called "inaugural-dissertation". It was not until about 1935 that Oppenheimer and Kugel named â€Å"innaugaral dissertation† Werner Syndrome (Werner). Progeria is a very rare disorder, affecting one out of eight million children in the Hutchison-Gilford form. Werner Syndrome is more common yet still infrequent, affecting one out of one million children. Both types of Progeria affect specific ethnicities; Hutchison-Gilford occurs most frequently in Caucasians, while Werner Syndrome affects mostly children of the Japanese and Sardinian background. This disorder is fatal in both cases, although the life span of one with Werner Syndrome, living to the age of approximately 46, is significantly longer then one with Hutchison-Gilford who will only live to the age of 13 (Werner). Progeria is commonly referred to as "early aging disease"; however, this disorder has nothing to do with a child aging rapidly. The symptoms of Progeria in both Hutchison-Gilford and Werner are very similar and they do appear to speed the aging process. A child with Hutchison-Gilford has an entirely bald head and face. Their scalp, veins and eyes are clearly more prominent then a child without this disorder. The child's jaw will appear small and many times, he will be toothless, for Progeria causes delayed tooth formation. In addition, a child will ... ... Werner is more common, but much less well known (Kugler). Progeria is a fatal, unfortunate disease. The fact that deformed children are completely mentally fit, and know they are different is terrible. It must be hard to handle stares, smirks, pointing fingers, and still have to cope with the fact that you will probably not live past fifteen years old. The public needs to be more educated on this disease, and not treat it as so much of a sick deformation. Infected children may look different, but they are the same as anyone else. There are many organizations around that are collecting money for the furthering of research, and to educate the public. I could never imagine being the parent who has to make a choice of having a possibly mutated baby. Even with the odds in your favor, imagine choosing to have a baby, than discovering he will be born infected and you will outlive your son. Making that choice must be incomprehensivly difficult for both parents involved. Progeria is a mutation that needs to be dealt with very soon. Works Cited Malady of the Month-Progeria. Kugler, Mary. Progeria Syndroms. Werner Syndrome.

Exploring the Past Essay

All of us have little secrets which we don’t want to share with others – things which we are ashamed of, things which are too intimate to tell or just things which happened in the past and we don’t want to tell them because they may hurt someone or they may cause troubles to us. I have the perfect example that exploring the past sometimes may be painful. I have a friend – Lora- which is very amorous and gives all of herself for her boyfriend. But her ex one didn’t understand that. Tom – her ex-boyfriend was very weird and he wanted to know all about Lora’s previous relationships. One day he asked her why she has broken up with her last boyfriend. At first she didn’t want to talk about that but he was urging her. So she told Tom that she has betrayed her last boyfriend and that was the reason of their parting. When she has been at a party at a friend of her she has got very drunk and a boy from the party has embraced the opportunity and got alone with her. In the morning she couldn’t remember anything but it has been too late. The lover had gone off. Her only fault was that she had drunk so much but she wasn’t guilty for the rest of the occurrence. But her then boyfriend didn’t understand that and he left her although she loved him very much. As for Tom he thought Lora could do that again. They have been together for two years and he chucked her up because she might repeat the same mistake again. It was such a stupid reason. She could correct her mistake but she loved Tom very much. He loved her too but feelings were obviously insufficient to keep them together. They both pined after each other for a long but they didn’t get together again. We can’t return the time and fix our mistakes, nobody can change the past. So it is extremely purposeless to explore the old times. It’s just a waste of time which we can spend in creating the future.

Marrying someone from a different country Essay

Is marrying someone from a different country more problematic than marrying someone from your own country? In today‘s fast-moving world, travelling and connecting with people all around the globe is becoming more and more comon. Because of the increasing globalisation, it often leads to international marriages. It is a new age concept and an endless discussion. However, I believe marrying a foreigner to be a norm rather than an anomaly. The main positive aspect of international marriage is learning so much about different cultures. It is a great way to broaden your horizons and to learn a foreign language because practicing it with your spouse is an inevitable routine. In other words, international marriage is a symbol of cultural integration and gives a great opportunity to have an open mind. Furthermore, children from international marriages are likely to become bilingual. Although raising a bilingual child requires hard work, it is generously rewarded. Children with the ability to handle multiple languages profit in many aspects of life. Finally, international couples are obliged to travel more. With relatives in different countries, holidays are often spent abroad. In line with cultural challenges, travelling expands one‘s way of thinking and opens up new perspectives on life. Every marriage requires commitment, dedication and work. International marriages need even more attention because of the additional issues. In some cases, cultural shock may be a serious issue for the new family. However, the key to a successful intercultural marriage is to develop understanding and patience. Discussing the expectations in every area brings a positive vibe to a relationship and helps to build a strong international family.

Essay about AP English

Essay about AP English Essay about AP English In society there are choices that determine whether you fit in or stand out. Challenging the status quo is both morally or appropritely right. We are slaves to society. We follow the rules, and god forbid we ask the question why? What is the problem with challenging the staus quo? The problem is the judgement and shame we get for doing so. People act so shocked if you do something that is different. Standing up for your beliefs and what’s right. "We know through painful experience that we are not free." Even when society and the government tell us we are free we know the truth. Reality sinks in and slaps us in the face telling us its a lie. â€Å"Everyday they tell us we are a free people, fighting to defend freedom... It is not true that we are free. We are prisioners...† When we speak of freedom we come to the conclusion that it comes with a price. Challenging the status quo is not simple. If you want change or to do the right thing you have to stop following the rule s and be the change you seek. The problem with doing that is you are damned if you do damned if you don’t. You can go against society, yet deal with the judgement of others or You could do what society would want you to do, but always regret it. â€Å"I was a coward. I went to war.† It was morally and acceptably right to everyone that O’Brien go to a war he didn’t understand or agree with . The regret sinks in when he realizes that it wasnt worth the praise. He should’ve done what he knew was right and go to Canada. â€Å"Women have not a word to say in politics† The women who stated that was wrong what Woolf did was morally and acceptably right. She challenged all women telling them to speak up even when it was at a time where women had no rights â€Å"Rationality will not save us.† Only we can save ourselves. â€Å"You can’t

The Coffered Ceiling in Architecture and Your Home

The Coffered Ceiling in Architecture and Your Home A coffered ceiling is a pattern of indentations or recesses in an overhead surface. In architecture, a coffer is a sunken panel in a ceiling, including the interior surfaces of domes and vaults. If a surface is coffered, it is not smooth. The architectural detail has been popular since Renaissance architects imitated Classical Roman techniques. Modernist architects often play with the depth and shape of the coffer. Key Takeaways: Coffered Ceilings A coffered ceiling is a series of indentations or hollows on the surface of a ceiling. Coffered ceilings decoratively hide ceiling imperfections and create the illusion of height. Historically, the design is considered dignified and formal.Simple coffered ceilings are created by crisscrossing beams that create geometric patterns, usually squares or rectangles. The word coffer comes from the ancient Greek word kophinos, which means basket. The Latin word for basket, cophinus, was adopted by the old French to mean various types of hollowed containers. The words coffer, a chest or strongbox to hold money, and coffin, a box for the dead, are both French derivations. The Latin word capsa, meaning box, evolved into the words caisson (an ammunition chest) and casket (same as coffin). Caisson ceiling is another term used to describe this type of ceiling hollow. The Chinese name for this type of ceiling, zaojing, means a well for plants that grow in water. The Latin word lacus, meaning lake or basin of water, is also used for this type of sunken panel (lacunar) ceiling. Coffers have been used in ceilings for centuries. Sometimes they were used to disguise the architectural engineering, where one beam or brace would be structurally necessary but others were built neaby for visual symmetry and to hide the necessary beam. Although hollows are sometimes used for structural weight distribution, coffers have always been used decoratively. Historically, a coffered ceiling can make a room look larger and more regal, as it does in the Palace of Versaille. Coffered ceilings are sometimes called caisson ceilings, plafond caissons, lacunaria, cross-beamed ceilings, and zaojing. Sometimes the English refer to these ceilings as coffer ceilings but never cougher ceilings. Coffered ceilings are found throughout architecture, from the Pantheon in Rome to the mid-century modern residence called Sunnylands at Rancho Mirage, California. The architect of Sunnylands used coffers inside and outside, to visually connect interior spaces with the outdoors. Exterior Detail at Sunnylands. The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company via flickr.com, Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) cropped Coffers are not to be confused with latticework, a particularly important element in Islamic architecture. Like coffers, lattice is created with crisscrossed building materials, often pieces of wood, but lattice is arranged in decorative patterns to allow air through screens and windows, as in mashrabiya and jali. Coffered ceilings also should not be confused with the popular tray ceilings found in many large suburban homes. A tray ceiling is often a feature that enlarges a small kitchen or dining room without manipulating the footprint of the room. A tray ceiling has one, large sunken area in the ceiling, like one coffer, or an inverted tray. Creating Coffers Coffers are the sunken geometric areas in a ceiling, but most ceilings begin as a flat surface. Where do the coffers come from? Coffers can be created in at least two ways: (1) place a roof beam or crossbeam framework that naturally creates a space between the beams - the space appears sunken because the beams protrude; or (2) remove ceiling material, as you would carving a hole, or press into a flat surface to create an indentation, as you might create a sunken imprint into uncured concrete. Choosing the first method will take away ceiling height. Choosing the second method gains extra space for the rooms overall volume. Most coffered ceilings are created using the first method carried out in different ways. Unfinished Coffered Ceiling. Brian Moloney The Finishing Company Richmond via flickr.com, Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) cropped Creating the design framework can be handcrafted by a carpenter like Brian Moloney, owner of The Finishing Company in the Richmond, Virginia area. Maloney is a finish carpenter, but that doesnt mean he comes from Finland. In fact, he comes from Ireland. Finishing is just one of the many carpentry skills of a master carpenter. Coffered Ceiling Built by Brian Moloney, Finish Carpenter from Ireland. Brian Moloney The Finishing Company Richmond via flickr.com, Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) cropped An easier drop ceiling method is often used by commercial developers, manufacturers, and do-it-yourselfers (DIYs). Companies such as Classic Coffers can be hired to install a grid (sometimes beneath a fixed ceiling), then the panel coffers are placed within the grid. These arent the tacky looking drop ceilings of your grandmothers basement. A coffered drop ceiling can be created to look exactly like the wood finishing of a master carpenter. Only Brian Moloney could tell the difference. The DIY may buy a box of polystyrene foam tiles - faux tin like tiles - that purportedly can be installed right over Pop Corn ceiling. Its your choice. A less well-known method of creating coffers is offered by none other than Michelangelo. The Renaissance master manipulated the illusion of space with trompe loeil, a painting technique that tricks the eye into believing a certain reality. Michelangelo used his artistic skills to paint many of the three-dimensional moldings and crossbeams, creating the illusion of coffers in the most famous ceiling of all time, the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Rome. Which is wood and which is paint? Detail of Sistine Chapel Ceiling by Michelangelo. Fotopress/Getty Images (cropped) Photo Credit Tray Ceiling, irina88w/Getty Images

The book YO by julia alvarez Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The book YO by julia alvarez - Essay Example Because her family members and a couple of her friends are incapable of doing anything but rail at their depiction in the â€Å"fiction story†, they each find an opportunity to redeem their images by telling their own tales and giving their sincere opinions about Yo. They give tales about her not mincing to reveal how she was always deceitful, how she stole the plot for a story from a fellow scholar (plagiarist) and not forgetting how her professor endlessly struggled to stop her from destroying her life and talent. In Alvarez’s Yo, she narrates Yolanda’s story through different characters, while Yo is given no slightest chance to shield herself from all the â€Å"venoms† spat in her way. It is quite paradoxical in that the novel initially has Yo as the central focus and her family and close friends, who become angry when she publishes information about them, consequently uncovering private life of each one of them. Different characters are striving to set the story straight and portray the exact Yolanda Garcia they know. Yo’s mother is depicted saying that Yo’s murky tales have endangered her life. The family is quite infuriated, especially because their associates and acquaintances keep asking them which character corresponds to them in the book. Yolanda’s mother is ominous to take legal action against her while her sisters vehemently avoid talking to her. It is true that Yo-yo loves telling stories as is confirmed by her teacher but it is this attitude that glides her into trouble. With rumors of disappearing friends, house apprehension in the middle of the night, narrow escapes as well as stories of torture chambers, Yo’s family had a reason to worry about their father’s subversive activities, let alone the likelihood of snooping Yo narrating her â€Å"stories† to the authorities. Yo’s parents make known to her that her stories could end their lives. Did they imagine that telling Y o that her story could spell their destiny would be a punch line to the narrator? Even after leaving for the United States, Yo’s mother cannot disentangle her self from her worries about Yo’s stories. Why the visit by a case worker in school? Was Yo unleashing something about the family behind doors? Well, perhaps it is Yo’s strategy of making her family to bite a humble pie. Lou Castellucci is another character that exposes Yo true identity in self defense. He is Yo’s student, pursuing a writing course. In the entire course, Yo criticized Castellucci’s writing. However, she motivated and assisted him to improve. Yo was very happy by the end of the course, particularly by the stories Lou could write. She takes Lou’s story and refurbishes it by changing the characters and also altered the sport from bawling to baseball. This brings out the nature of Yo as a great plagiarist. Professor Garfield is one individual who never ditched Yo. College p rofessor is destined to reiterate the phrase â€Å"once in a career comes a student† (Alvarez 1997, pg 73) in trying to assist Yo to get through with her doctoral program in order to uncurl her already tainted life. In many occasions, Yo would ask for his approvals or any form of assistance to bring her life back on to the right track. In fact, the professor would never let her down. Garfield got inspired by Yo and had gigantic dreams for her than she held for herself. As a tradition, many teachers usually give up on students who quit

The History of Pharmacy and its effects on Western Civilization Essay

The History of Pharmacy and its effects on Western Civilization - Essay Example It is the pharmacist’s role to ensure the purity and effectiveness of drugs. At the same time, pharmacists collaborate with other health professionals in order to provide the best healthcare to afflicted patients. Right at the dawn of civilization, human began attempting to use natural substances to fight against diseases. Early medicine consisted of readily available plants and minerals. The first pharmacists were selected individuals in society known in some cultures as ‘medicine men’ or ‘healers.’ The basis of this early practice was a combination of superstitious belief and natural science. Early practitioners were sometimes referred to as ‘sorcerers’ or ‘magicians’. The English word pharmacy itself traces its etymology to the Greek word pharmakeia, which means sorcery or witchcraft. Te empirical shift in perspective came with the advent of Greek medicine. The study of the history of pharmacy is to understand the practice in its wider concept of modern society, understand its functions and its trend in the future. Mesopotamian civilizations were among the earliest producers of medicinal drugs between 3000Bc and 539BC. Medicine is this era was intertwined with religion. Sickness was considered punishment for sin. Healing, on the other hand, was considered cleansing or purification (Kremers, 1986). Medicine mainly was made from plants. An examination of clay tablets revealed the use of plant drugs and minerals. Milk, wax, honey and various fats and oils were also used for medicinal purposes. A document dated 2000BC shows a record of powdered seeds to be dissolved in beer and offered to the patient. Mythology played a huge role in this early practice. Dispensation of drugs included drug formulas and incantations involving the mention of mythical gods like ‘Ea’ and ‘Gula.’ Ninazu was considered god of the healers, and his son messenger of the gods. They were symbolized by a rod and a serpent. Kremers (1986)notes the

Human Rights Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human Rights - Case Study Example By enforced disappearance, the abductor not only violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and his right to life but also denies the abducted the right to a family life, as well as, various economic, social and cultural rights. Furthermore, they take away the victim's right to adequate standard of living and his right to education. Also, if death is not the ultimate outcome of the disappearance, then the victim might suffer an extended period of physical and psychological torture which also contradicts Article 6 of Body of Principals for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, which states that "no person under any form of detention or imprisonment shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment3 4." In the case of P.D.S' wife, where the state failed to take any sort of action against the disappearance of the victims, the victim's family and friends, who experience slow mental torture, have the right to plead their case to the international human rights bodies. If the appeal is made to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, then the report to be admissible, it has to originate from the family member or a friend of the missing person, in this case, P.D.S' wife. A written report, giving clear indication of the sender, that is, P.D.S' wife, has to be submitted and if she mentions the Utopian Government, then the Government have to provide the Working Group with some basic data including the missing person's full name, date and place of disappearance, where was the person last seen and any steps taken for the determination of the whereabouts of the abducted. If the case is pleaded to any other Treaty-Based International Human Rights Organizations, then the complaint or the admissibility procedure is that the person putting forward the complaint should have sufficient authorization or justification if complaining on behalf of someone else. It has to be clearly proven and shown whether the individual is being affected by the violation or not. Also, the complaint made should be compatible with the provisions of the treaty invoked. The complaint has to be sufficiently substantial as if substantial facts are not provided then the complaint might be rejected as a case of "manifestly ill-founded". All the domestic remedies should be exhausted before bringing a claim to the committee. According to the Treaty-Based International Humans Rights Organizations, if a complaint is being examined by some other international organizations such as Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights or the African Commission o

Factors affecting the resistance of a wire Essay Example for Free

Factors affecting the resistance of a wire Essay Theory: When an object is lifted up, work is done. Once the object is in the raised position, it has gravitational potential energy. The energy it is has is the same as the work done to get there. When the ball is lifted to the height it will be dropped from it will, therefore, gain gravitational potential energy. This means that when my ball is in the raised position it will have gravitational potential energy. The equation for this is: Potential energy = Mass x gravity x height When the ball is dropped this is converted into K. The equation for this is: Kinetic Energy = 1/2 x mass x velocity2. However, the energy transfer is not perfect. Some of the energy will be wasted as non-useful energy, mainly heat and sound. This means that when the ball bounces upwards again, it will not have as much energy as when it was dropped and will therefore not bounce up to the same height. Because some of the energy is wasted as heat and sound. The amount of kinetic energy at the end is always less than the amount of potential energy you had to start with. This means that the ball will not bounce up as high, and therefore not have as much potential energy as it started with. Prediction: In this investigation I will investigate the percentage energy loss when a ball bounces. The variables that could affect the amount of energy lost are:   The height the ball is dropped from. The type of ball used   The size of the ball The temperature of the ball.   The type of surface the ball is dropped on. The height the ball is dropped from will affect the energy lost because the higher the ball is dropped from the more force it will it the surface with, and therefore the more power it will lose through sound, vibrations, and heat. The type of ball I use will effect my results, because some balls will have more elasticity than others, causing them to bounce higher. Also, balls will have different levels of pressure inside them. The higher pressure is the higher the speed of the molecules. When the molecules go at a higher speed they will have more kinetic energy, so the molecules will hit the walls with a greater frequency and force, and so the pressure on the walls will increase. This will make the ball bounce higher because it will hold more energy. The size of the balls will effect my results because Force=Pressure x Area so a change in area would also cause a change in force. The temperature of the ball will effect my results because if there is a higher temperature then the molecules will move at a greater speed and the ball will have more energy causing it to bounce higher. The surface I drop my ball onto will effect the amount of energy lost because some surfaces, like softer surface, will absorb more energy and cause the ball not to bounce up as high. To ensure a fair test I will choose one variable to change, and keep the others constant throughout the investigation. There are other variables that could effect the outcome of my investigation, for example gravity. However, gravity is always constant on the earth, and is a force of about 9. 8 m/s2. This would be too hard for me to change in a classroom situation. I will also not exert any force on the ball other than those already acting on it, because it would be to hard to keep the force constant, and would mean the test was not fair. For this investigation I will only change the height the ball is dropped from. I have chosen to use the height because, although all the variables are hard to accurately measure, height is easier than the others. Height is also a constant variable (unlike, type of ball or type of surface dropped on), which will help me when recording my results. Using a variable that I can measure fairly accurately will help ensure a fair test. By investigating the percentage of energy lost when I drop the balls from different heights, I will be able to see if there is a relationship between bounce height and drop height. This is also the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy. Because some of the energy will be transferred into non-useful energy, mainly heat and sound, I do no think the ball will bounce up to the same height as it is dropped from. I think that the percentage of energy lost will remain approximately the same no matter what height I drop the ball from. This is because the amount of energy lost to non-useful energy such as heat and sound is proportional to the gravitational potential energy the ball has to start with. Method: I will drop my balls from various heights up to a meter. (The Heights I will use will be: 40cm, 60cm, 80cm and 100cm) I will then record how high they bounce up on the next bounce. I will do each experiment 3 times and take an average to ensure I have accurate results. I will time all my experiments using a stopwatch. I learnt in my preliminary work, that if I drop a ball from lower than 40cm it is very hard to measure the bounce height. This is why I have left out the bottom height which would have been 20cm. I will try and drop the balls straight downwards because this will make it easier when I measure the height they bounce up to, as I wont have to move the ruler too much. This will also ensure a fair test, as my results will be more accurate if I am not moving the meter rule, as moving it could mean it is not entirely straight and would cause me to take an inaccurate measurement. I will not exert any force on the balls as I drop then, because it would be virtually impossible to keep the force constant, and would therefore make my results unreliable. I will calculate how much energy my balls have using the equation PE = mgh, this will be PE1. I will then drop my ball and record the height it bounces up to. I will then record its potential energy, again using the formula PE = mgh, this will be PE2. I will then find the percentage of energy they have lost using the formula.

American Hegemony in the Twenty-First Century: Consensus and Legitimac

American Hegemony in the Twenty-First Century: Consensus and Legitimacy Abstract: Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has been the world’s only unquestioned superpower. How the United States evaluates its position as global hegemon has important consequences for American foreign policy, particularly with regards to the potential for future policy constraints. Thus, this paper seeks to consider the question: How durable is American hegemony? The paper first defines the state of American hegemony and then considers the primary challengers: Europe, Russia, China, Japan and imperial overstretch. It will conclude that in the long-term, East Asian geopolitical instability poses the greatest threat to American hegemony, but that in the short-term, the hegemony will prove to be quite durable as long as the United States can counteract the phenomenon of imperial overstretch. In order to diffuse both internal and international threats to hegemony, American leaders should work to pursue national interests within a framework of consensus an d legitimacy as much as possible. American Hegemony in the Twenty-First Century: Preserving the Status Quo by Fostering Consensus I. Introduction: Why Hegemony Matters The Soviet Union’s collapse at the end of the Cold War left the United States without its major global rival. Now alone at the top, the United States’ strategic imperatives have shifted remarkably. The shift has been significant enough to prompt fundamental questions about the international order and whether this new â€Å"unipolar moment† will last. Indeed, since 1989, political scientists have clamored to define the United States’ status relative to the rest of the world. Indispensable nation? Sole super... ...002. Mastanduno, Michael and Ethan B. Kaplan. â€Å"Realism and State Strategies after the Cold War.† Unipolar Politics: Realism and State Strategies after the Cold War. Eds. Ethan B. Kapstein and Michael Mastanduno. New York: Columbia University Press, 1999. 1-27. Nye, Jr., Joseph S. The Paradox of American Power: Why the World’s Only Superpower Can’t Go It Alone. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Rielly, Dr. John. â€Å"The Future of American Hegemony,† Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 29 November 2004. Sicherman, Harvey. â€Å"A Cautionary Tale: The U.S. and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.† In Eagle Rules? Foreign Policy and American Primacy in the Twenty-First Century. Ed. Robert J. Lieber. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002. 152-172. Wohlforth, William C. â€Å"The Stability of a Unipolar World.† International Security, 24.1 (Summer 1999), pp. 5-41.

American Education

American Education is provided mainly by the government, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. At the primary and secondary school levels, curricula, funding, teaching, and other policies are set through locally elected school boards with jurisdiction over school districts. School districts can be (but are not always) coextensive with counties or municipalities. Educational standards and standardized testing decisions are usually made by the states through acts of the state legislature and governor, and decisions of the state departments of education.Education of the learning disabled, blind, deaf, and emotionally disturbed is structured to adhere as closely as possible to the same experience received by normal students. Blind and deaf students usually have separate classes in which they spend most of their day, but may sit in on normal classes with guides or interpreters. The learning disabled often attend for the same amount of time as other students; however, they also usually spend most of their day in separate classrooms, commonly known as special education or special ed; here they often receive extra instruction or perform easier work.The goal of these programs, however, is to try and bring everyone up to the same standard and provide equal opportunity to those students who are challenged. Some students are identified early on as having dyslexia or being significantly slower learners than other students. The federal government supports the standards developed in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. The law mandates that schools must accommodate students with disabilities as defined by the act, and specifies methods for funding the sometimes large costs of providing them with the necessary facilities.Larger districts are often able to provide more adequate and quality care for those with special needs. It was noted that the country has a low literacy rate as compared with other develop ed countries, with a reading literacy rate at 86-98% of the population over age 15, while ranking below average in science and mathematics understanding. The poor performance has pushed public and private efforts such as the No Child Left Behind Act.In addition, the ratio of college-educated adults entering the workforce to general population (33%) is slightly below the mean of other developed countries (35%) and rate of participation of the labor force in continuing education is high. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, all American states must test students in public schools statewide to ensure that they are achieving the desired level of minimum education, such as on the Regents Examinations in New York or the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA); students being educated at home or in private schools are not included.The Act also requires that students and schools show â€Å"adequate yearly progress. † This means they must show some improvement each year. Althou gh these tests may have revealed the results of student learning, they may have little value to help strengthen the students' academic weakness. For example, in most states, the results of the testing would not be known until six months later. At that time, the students have been promoted to the next grade or entering a new school.The students are not given a chance to review the questions and their own answers but their percentile of the test results as compare to their own peers. There are several undesirable phenomena seen in the administration of the testing. In Illinois, for example, the state government delegates the printing and distribution of the test questions and booklets to private companies . There are questions about the security of the tests through this management.In 2006, some school districts did not receive the test questions until after other school districts had finished the tests weeks later. During high school, students, usually in their junior (That is, third ) year (11th grade), may take one or more standardized tests depending on their postsecondary education preferences and their local graduation requirements. In theory, these tests evaluate the overall level of knowledge and learning aptitude of the students. The SAT and ACT are the most common standardized tests that students take when applying to college.A student may take the SAT, ACT, or both depending upon the college the student plans to apply to for admission. Most competitive schools also require two or three SAT Subject Tests, (formerly known as SAT IIs), which are shorter exams that focus strictly on a particular subject matter. However, all these tests serve little to no purpose for students who do not move on to postsecondary education, so they can usually be skipped without affecting one's ability to graduateHowever, many conservatives believe that American public education is in poor shape today because of cultural and social trends, most beginning in the 1960s, which d estroyed classroom discipline, the moral basis for education, and a national consensus on what students should learn. There is some truth in this proposition, but ultimately it fails to explain why American students do not possess the communication and computational skills they need today to succeed in college or in the working world. By any standard, California students are observed to be not performing up to their full abilities.While some within the public school system claim that poor performance is due to inadequate government spending on education, more in-depth research demonstrates that such is not the case. The Pacific Research Institute’s California Index of Leading Education Indicators compiles data on the performance of students in California’s public education system. The findings in the Index reveal that poor student performance is the result not of too few taxpayer dollars, but of poor policy decisions by government education officials.Reform blockers of the American political system advantages those who prefer the status quo, which is why so little has changed in American education Twenty years ago â€Å"A Nation at Risk† set off alarms about the quality of America's schools, and ever since our country has been caught up in a frenzy of education reform. But the frenzy hasn't produced much, After untold billions of dollars and lofty reform packages too numerous to list, very little has been accomplished. Why such disappointing results?Many factors are no doubt responsible, but much of the answer rests with the politics of education. The problem is that, with rare exceptions, reforms that make it through the political process tend to be those that are acceptable to establish. Terry M. Moe , Mar 22, 2003 Further more he stated that â€Å"the teachers unions have more influence over the public schools than any other group in American society. They influence schools from the bottom up, through collective bargaining activities t hat shape virtually every aspect of school organization.And they influence schools from the top down, through political activities that shape government policy. They are the 800-pound gorillas of public education. Yet the American public is largely unaware of how influential they are–and how much they impede efforts to improve public schools. The problem is not that the unions are somehow bad or ill-intentioned. They aren't. The problem is that when they simply do what all organizations do–pursue their own interests–they are inevitably led to do things that are not in the best interests of children.To appreciate why this is so, consider the parallel to business firms. No one claims that these organizations are in business to promote the public interest. They are in business to make money, and this is the fundamental interest that drives their behavior†. Terry M. Moe | Jan 22, 2005. The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 13 On the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math test (last administered in 1996), 54 percent of California fourth graders scored below a basic ability level.The average test score of those taking the fourth-grade math surpassed only the average scores of students in Louisiana and Mississippi. While the 1994 NAEP reading test, the average test score of California fourth graders ranked at the very bottom of all states, tied for last with Louisiana. Not only did 59 percent of all California fourth graders score â€Å"below basic,† an even more appalling 71 percent of African American fourth graders and 81 percent of Hispanic fourth graders scored below basic.Interesting performance indicator is the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores of public versus private high school students. From 1987 to 1995, the average verbal score of public high school SAT takers in California dropped from 421 to 412 (with a low of 408) in 1994, while public school SAT math scores stayed constant at 485. Over that same time p eriod, however, the average verbal score of parochial high school SAT takers increased from 432 to 442, while parochial school math scores increased from 464 to 484.Similarly, both the average verbal and math scores of independent private school SAT takers increased during that period. (See Figure 1. ) The public and private school systems seem to be headed in opposite directions, which is why school vouchers are becoming a more attractive option. The rhetoric of school reform often ignores the crucial role of individual decisions (by students, by parents, by business owners, by educators) in determining educational outcomes. You can lead a horse to water, the old adage goes, but you can't make him drink.It's a folksy way of imparting an important individualist truth. Providing students opportunities at school does not guarantee success if students watch television rather than do their homework – and parents let them. By assuming that any set of reform ideas can magically cre ate a well-educated citizenry, we oversell the role of policy-making. Education requires initiative, a trait notoriously difficult to create or impose. American business leaders began to see a decentralized, â€Å"patchwork† education system as a liability in international competition. U. S.manufacturers, especially, saw the rise of Germany as a significant economic threat and sought to imitate that country's new system of state-run trade schools. In 1905, the National Association of Manufacturers editorialized that â€Å"the nation that wins success in competition with other nations must train its youths in the arts of production and distribution. † German education, it concluded, was â€Å"at once the admiration and fear of all countries. † American business, together with the growing labor movement, pressed Congress to dramatically expand federal spending on education, especially for vocational instruction.Also, business and education leaders began to apply n ew principles of industrial organization to education, such as top-down organization and a â€Å"factory-floor† model in which administrators, teachers, and students all had a place in producing a standardized â€Å"final product. † These leaders created professional bureaucracies to devise and implement policy. Perhaps the most important boosters of America's new public education system were what we might today call â€Å"cultural conservatives. † The turn of the century, after all, was a time of tremendous immigration.As more and more immigrants arrived in America, bringing with them a plethora of languages, cultural traditions, and religious beliefs, American political leaders foresaw the potential dangers of Balkanization. The public education system, once designed primarily to impart skills and knowledge, took on a far more political and social role. It was to provide a common culture and a means of inculcating new Americans with democratic values. Public s chools, in other words, were to be a high-pressure â€Å"melting pot† to help America avoid the dismal fate of other multi-national polities.American political leaders were all too familiar with the Balkan Wars of the early 1900s, and were intent on avoiding a similar fate. Educators today lack the tools for dealing with unruly children thanks to two supreme court decisions of the late 1960's and 1970's. The bureaucratic lament that curriculums need to be revised, salaries should be raised, money should be poured into the system, teachers are not qualified, teachers salaries should be tied to students' performances, are not the reasons for students not learning. Rather it is a lack of discipline in the classroom.One decision declared that schools do not have ‘absolute authority' over their students and the other that a school had violated students' ‘free speech' by suspending them for not adhering to the school's dress code. To compound the situation students have learned quickly that if a school official does something they do not like they can sue or just threaten to sue with sometimes very telling results. More importantly, the ever-present threat of lawsuits transforms a teacher from an active, authority figure into a fearful, hapless, down-trodden passive public servant.Discipline is key to learning and acquiring skills to be prepared for the rigorous task of facing the world. It certainly was in place and largely effective before the tumultuous '60's came along and â€Å"discipline† became sinister in connotation. Today classroom disruption is no longer of the mundane sort – feet on the desk, loud talking, noise-making and fighting. Schools are now dealing with sex offenders, pistol packing students, cursing, students and/or parents fighting with teachers and litigation, all of which undermine the teaching profession.When discipline goes out of the window, the pillars of civility get pushed aside. The universal moral valu es of self-control, self- respect, and respect for others and for property cease to exist. The door is flung wide open for all types of self-serving stress. Counselors, psychologists, psychoanalysts, television commentators, lawyers and many charlatans too, first on the scene of every school tragedy, screaming the blindingly obvious, blaming one parent, two parents, dysfunctional and functional, poor and not so poor families for the troubles of society's young, and creating more chaos than calm in the lives of the young.The Solution There was a time when schools were counted always for stability, discipline, knowledge, caring and shaping the minds of young people. In addition, schools forged cohesive societies with very clear-shared values that conferred a sense of worth on all. That sense of worth could be revisited by a restoration of discipline; by teachers and parents working together, to make educating children their number one priority in life; by a system that instills charac ter and spirituality and equips each student with cultural skills.The quest for social improvement and for making societies better rests with the future generation and if students are to have a sense of social responsibility and desire to live up to social obligations, then they must be armed with a real education premised on discipline. The alternative is not to be savoured. References Judy Gelbrich, OSU . 1999 – School of Education. Section II – American Education Part 1. Colonial America Patricia Caton (562) Technical Contact: [email  protected] edu 951- 4807 Peter Sacks, Standardized Minds: The High Price of America's Testing Culture