The Closet free essay sample

Wow! What a kiss. It was my second kiss, but it was so spectacular that it seemed like it was my first. His name was Matt and he was supposed to be my friend, but then things got a little too friendly. The problem? He was supposed to be dating my best friend Rebecca. Im not sure how it really happened, but I started to fall for him (if Rebecca had known, she would have said that I crashed for him). I spent about a week sitting with him at lunch and going out of my way to see him in the halls, but he was so dense that he thought that I was just being super nice to him.My other best friend Meri (who was also best friends with Rebecca) was having her thirteenth birthday party. She invited Matt in hopes that he and Rebecca would hook up. We will write a custom essay sample on The Closet or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page At the party, I told Meri that I really liked Matt, but to keep it a secret. I soon realized that if you tell one person a secret, it is no longer a secret. I was in trouble. Within minutes the party-goers were buzzing about my news. I went upstairs to escape the pressure of Hey, ask him to dance, and the ever-famous phrase He told me he likes you.I sat on the foot of Meris bed gathering my thoughts for about five minutes when somebody knocked on the door. It was Matt. He thought that I was mad at Meri. Mad didnt even begin to describe my feelings toward her at that moment. I know that you want to be more than friends, and Im sorry, but I really dont think that it would work out between the two of us. As he said this I could have sworn that my heart was shattering. Are those your shoes? He was making a feeble attempt to change the subject. I wanted to be cold and tell him that if they were on my feet they most likely belonged to me, but I just sat there with my mouth shut. Hide-and-go-seek in the dark! Meris mother yelled up the stairs. Meri picked the teams. Matt and I were coupled up. The lights went out, and I realized that nights were darker than I remembered. My hand found its way into his and we went up the stairs to find a place to hide. We chose the closet in Meris room. My heart was pounding in my throat while we stood there in the silence. I was concentrating on the rhythm of my breathing when he spoke up. Did you mean what you said before? His voice cut through the silence. Yeah. I could have kicked myself for that response. But what was I supposed to do? Lie?I really do like you I I just didnt want to ruin our friendship. As he said this he started to kiss my neck. I felt this warm heat run through my body as the tips of his fingers brushed over my neck. He tilted my head and kissed me. At that moment I felt as if I was finally in synch with somebody else. All time stopped. To me it was the most beautiful thing in the world Then Rebecca opened the door. My friendship with Rebecca lasted about another two weeks, but I think it was over in her mind that night. My relationship with Matt lasted a record-breaking five days. I soon learned that friendships are too precious to risk over boys. After all, boys come and go as frequently as airplanes at any international airport. Joni Mitchell described this lesson best in Big Yellow Taxicab when she sang, Dont it always seem to go that you dont know what youve got till its gone? Taking things for granted is a mistake that many people make over the course of their lives. I never knew how much my friendship with Rebecca meant to me until it ceased to exist.

Lebanese Culture essays

Lebanese Culture essays It was Saturday, the first Saturday of the month, and the girls were at it again. Mohammed left early when he heard his mom clanging pots together in the kitchen. "MaMaaa, is Sana and Marina coming for lunch today'" he called from the flat roof after morning prayers. "Yes, you sister and grandmother are coming for the day. You know we meet every month on the first. Marina your sister has a new job at the retail store in town, and your grand mother is, well, she is the same as ever. Ready to complain about the politician, the food, and the way you kids dress, but she is still my mother, and I enjoy her company. We have seen many changes . . and you should . . ." Mohammed already had grabbed his work vest, and was headed out the door as his mother's voice changed from one of telling him about the day to judging his modern attitudes. "Good by MaMaa, I will be back after evening prayer." He called over his shoulder. The last thing he wanted to do was to be lectured on his attitudes by his mother. He was a young man, and as he pulled on his brightly colored woven vest, Mohammed stepped onto his red Honda scooter, Lillianna went back to work on the layers of pastry. She was fixing her momma's recipe of Baklava which had been passed down to her by her mother. The dough had to be just right, or Sana would have something else to complain about. Although Lillianna respected her mom as the oldest living members of the family, her days were not often filled with the energy she was putting into the baking this morning. Having her mom and daughter Marina over was one of the bright spots of her monthly calendar. Since her husband was killed in the 1980 civil war, Mohammed, Marina and her mom were the focus of most of her life's energy. She still couldn't get the image out of her mind. Her husbands business had been bombed during fighting in the neighborhood. He wasn'...

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 17

Management - Essay Example It is to this end that the vital aspect of external validation is crucial, allowing educators to examine the various courses and programs offered. This has been in light of globalization, recent trends and discipline demands, as well as socio-political implications Management education regards the effective administration, utility and coordination of available resources, be it in terms of capital (both human and resources), materials and affiliate auxiliaries. This is towards achieving the defined objectives as found within an institution of learning, with maximum efficiency. Accordingly, this definition of management looks at not only the human resources, but more so the entire arrays of pertinent resources vital towards following a set plan. Thus, it focuses more on efficiency, by way of choosing the best possible path to follow (PewResearchCenter, 2012). Management in education operates primarily within educational organizations, entities involved in one way or the other, in the provision of education services to existing student populations. Accordingly as Harvey (2013) presents, in both theory and practice, it pertains to both the administration and organization of existing systems and establishments of education. As management implies to the presence of an orderly way of thinking and subsequent acting, it hence is descriptive (in operator terms) of what must be done, how it is to be carried out and how to analyze if it has been accomplished. Through external validation, there is present an opportunity through which one is able to distinguish the existing curriculum of a given education setting; from that of other universities and colleges. Through interactive and comprehensive efforts in dealing with prevailing educational practices and standards, there is need for consideration of prevailing dynamics. This is due to the

Crime fiction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Crime fiction - Essay Example Violence in the media is not confined only to fictional shows and does not serve only the purpose of shock value. Rather, as people face greater and greater exposure to the outside world at an earlier and earlier age and as they get more and more conditioned to learn through all five senses rather than just one, suddenly, being told about a murder isn’t enough. We need to see the murderer to be able to visualize it and have it feel real. If that fails to get the message through, we need to see the site of the crime and the people affected and the way it was done. It is less sadism as it is natural in us to want to grasp the full reality of something, and as the definition of that reality has changed over time, so have the depictions we are shown.News channels and television shows alike rely on graphic details to illustrate the full impact of a crime. Crime shows will often show gruesome depictions of these crimes through highly realistic make-up and body models, with these cri mes being described in highly intricate details. The problem however is that crime fiction isn’t classified as specifically for adults of a certain age and therefore these shows are shown in time slots where even children can have more or less unrestricted access to them. Violence on television isn’t as the same taboo as perhaps nudity or drug use might be, despite studies showing that it has negative effects just at par with them. Since property offences have no mass appeal, they are replaced by the more gory and exciting crimes of violence. Studies (Barker & Petley, 2001) have shown explained the popularity of crimes in these shows by the fact that it depicts life in a far more exciting light. Two men arguing are shown to resort to fist fights rather than drawing out legal orders through a long tedious process. Things happen faster and with exaggerated emotion and magnitude, exactly as we fantasize but never actually do. Television violence plays into these subconsci ous desires and fantasies and plays out for us in visual detail what fails to form into concrete thoughts in our minds.

The Value of Educational Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

The Value of Educational Research - Essay Example Educational research could be related to scientific analysis or could also be on teacher's role in setting and changing curricula, and on the extent to which individuals have access to high quality education. Educational research thus encompasses general issues on education as well as specific issues on scientific discovery and use of new and advanced technology in education. The value of educational research would be directly related to what lessons are drawn from analysis of general and specific issues on education, both in terms of scientific advancement and administrative policies related to education. A recent debate on educational systems and the evaluation of the national curriculum in the UK has moved from general discussions to specific standards of education along with highlighting the role and status of the teacher in promoting education. The teacher is considered a professional and an innovator and reducing them to followers or implementers of certain educational curricula is seen as a mistake. Osborne et al (1988) pointed out to the centralisation of the educational system and the rigidity of the curriculum, funding and assessment against the projected freedom of choice and parental involvement in education planning. Osborne et al suggest that curricula do not develop according to a set of objectives and procedures and behavioural sequences, but that educational objectives are set in accordance with what has already been done and the decisions made on the curricula. Schooling has been criticised as being too focused on offering teacher proof knowledge and packaged rather than what it should be. Of course what education should project is debatable and some have considered it as a moral and ethical activity that would prepare moral agents of society and developing value systems would be one of the important aspects of education. The role of education is to prepare a morally responsible society although it is also true that its effects cannot be predicted. Educational change could be described as an objective planning procedure although issues of morality and ethics would make it less objective and that is how educational systems become loaded with values and is not exactly value free. Osborne et al (1988) suggest that it is important for curricula of schools to be different as all kinds of educational standardisation would make the system too rigid although the value systems and ethical standards followed will have to be similar between schools. However this essay is not particularly focused on value systems within education but the inherent value of research on education. Value systems in education are related to issues of planning and objectives although any research in education would go beyond value systems and ethics or morality to include training, technology, innovation, teacher's role, educational st andards, socioeconomic activity, cultural factors and theoretical models of educational change and development. This essay being focused on the values of educational research, the mission or objectives of any educational research institute could be understood in terms of the following conditions laid down by the National Centre for Educational Research in the US MISSION.-The mission of the Research Center is- (1) to sponsor sustained research that will lead to the accumulation of knowledge and understanding of education, to- (A)

Uncontrolled Proliferation of Cells: Lung Cancer

Uncontrolled Proliferation of Cells: Lung Cancer Exhibit the uncontrolled proliferation of cells and constant progress of malignant cells in the body. 1.6.2.1. Lung Cancer: The normal lungs tissues are composed by normal cells and they are intending to determine the right size, appropriate shape and the normal function of the lungs. In a cancerous cell, the genetic material DNA is altered by the encoding of the genes which are responsible for the transformation of normal cells into muted or cancerous cells. The lung cancer is classified into two major categories, known as small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The SCLC is exceptionally assertive, and it spreads all over the body very rapidly. A high percentage of the lung cancer patients, when diagnosed, are already in metastatic phase of the disease (48). NSCLC is the most common type oflung cancer. It usually grows and develops gradually, and progress at moderate rate as compared tosmall cell lung cancer. Therefore, it is treatable most of the times when NSCLC is diagnosed. 1.6.2.1.1. Risk Factors for Lung Cancer: Research has proposed numerous risk factors that may contribute to enhance the chances of getting lung cancer. They may include air pollution, and exposure to inorganic compounds. Additionally, family history, use of tobacco, mineral oil exposure, and occupational contact may contribute to the development of lung cancer. Furthermore in certain cases it was also observed that the previous cancer and treatment, silica interaction, inhalation of welding fumes, are also responsible for developing lung cancer in humans as well. 1.6.2.2. Blood Cancer: Blood is a unique type of body fluid. The main component of blood is plasma, which is a yellowish high viscous liquid and is more than 90% of the blood. The solid material present in the blood consist of platelets, red and white blood cells, whereas whole blood is a mixture of about 55 percent plasma and 45 percent blood cells. It has been observed that 7 to 8 percent of the total body weight is consist on blood whereas an average-sized man has about 12 pints of blood in his body, and an average-sized woman has about 9 pints of blood (49). The blood looks like a red fluid due to the presence of a great numbers of red blood cells called erythrocytes, and more than 40 – 45 % of blood volume consist of erythrocytes. The leukocytes are white blood cells and they are part of our immune system. The task of immune system is to offer defense to the body of an organism against undesirable entities present inside the body as well as in the environment. Another specialized type of white blood cells is neutrophil, which get stimulated immediately after the invasion of any foreign particles and disease causing agent to the body. Blood plasma is composed of 92% of water and 8% plasma proteins, mineral ions, glucose, clotting factors and carbon dioxide, serum albumin, lipoprotein particles, immunoglobulin electrolytes, etc. Blood plays a vital role in keeping an organism alive. If for some reason blood is not healthy enough or it is not able to perform its functions properly, the situation could be life threatening. Blood performs many different functions inside the body that include, supplying oxygen and nutrients all over the body. It has specific proteins that help in forming blood clots to avoid excessive blood loss, which is a natural mechanism for the repair of cells. In addition, it manages waste products such as urea; lactic acid and carbon dioxide by collecting from our body take them to the kidneys and liver, which sieve out harmful species from blood. Furthermore, blood normalizes and maintains normal body temperature. It also keeps the normal pH inside the body. The homeostasis mechanism remains dependent on regular circulation of blood inside the body. Blood maintains pressure inside the body in order to coup the out side pressure i.e. atmospheric pressure exerted by air and this pressure i s approximately 14lb/ sq inch (50). There are various types of blood cancer that have been discovered in human beings. The most frequent diagnosed blood cancers areleukemia, lymphoma, andmyeloma. All cellular blood components are derived fromhaematopoietic stem cells. The hematopoietic process is controlled through a series of chemical reactions, which are regulated with the support of immune system. A failure in any of these steps can lead to the uncontrolled division of immature blood cells. These types of malfunction can occur due to a variety of reasons, including spontaneous gene mutation and chromosomal aberrations and exposure to chemicals and radiations etc. Blood cancer is the result of abnormal development of bone marrow or the collapse of lymphatic system. Malignancies caused by blood cancer have shown distinct rate of augmentation that are directly associated with the type of blood cancer, and patient’s capacity of tolerance. However, rate of survival with blood cancer has dramatically increased in late 20th century due to the improvement of invasive treatment and the development of new strategies with the compliance of revolutionary medicines. Despite this fact, the timely diagnosis of blood cancer is highly manageable in these days. Like every cancer, blood cancer also starts from a single cell that has abnormal or mutant DNA in its nucleus. That muted cell divides rapidly and forms a bulk of abnormal cells. This bulk of cells, rather than maturing and completing its life cycle and following a pattern of natural death, it starts accumulating in the body of an organism until the individual is diagnosed with blood cancer. Nevertheless the causes of blood cancer remain unidentified. However, it is imperative to know the rationale explanation for the initiation of these irregularities in the bone marrow, which is the main cause of transformation of a healthy cell to cancerous cell. 1.6.2.2.1. Risk Factors for Blood Cancer: The immune system has an assigned and a prominent role endowed by nature, which is to provide protection to a body against internal and external factors that may initiate a chain of disorders and in turn can cause serious consequences for the body in the form of disease. The defective or damaged immune system cannot perform in adequate manners and therefore, in this situation, the risk of having cancer increases at the magnitude of many folds. Certain factors that can influence the immune system are exposure to viruses and chemicals. Furthermore, contaminated environment and infections have also been associated with poor defense system and, consequently, have been linked to a cause of blood cancer as well. It is also reported that there are many other cancer triggering agents such as tobacco, radiation exposure, growing older, and family history, which may also contribute to the etiology of blood cancer. Blood cancer may also be inherited but cancer usually skips generations and can be transmitted to more than one member of a family. There are two types of blood cancer; chronic type of blood cancer develops slowly over a period of years while acute cancer develops rapidly and when it diagnosed it could be too late to be cured (51). 1.6.2.3. Breast Cancer: Although it has been observed that the occurrences of cancer have considerably decreased in United States in last three decades. The breast cancer is still at the top among the other types of cancers in European nations such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Italy (52). It has been observed that for a long period of time breast cancer was the foremost cause of death in North America and Northern Europe (53) while least number of breast cancer cases were registered in Asia and Africa. In addition, other countries such as Southern Europe and Latin America show that the number of breast cancer patients remains the same and not very distinct among the other types of cancer (54). Therefore, it is a distinguished feature that could be monitored and enable the scientist to a point where they can speculate the reasons for the existence of this type of trend. Moreover, they were being able to establish some guidelines that were helpful in determining the order of severity of the disease in these regions. Breast cancer is known to have a long latency period; there may be several decades between the initiation of the carcinogenic process and clinical detection (55). Environmental factors during embryogenesis, childhood, and adolescence may affect breast cancer occurrence in adulthood by enhancing or deterring carcinogenic processes (56). The embryo develops rapidly and toxic agents that do cross the placental barrier can have specific effects on organ development depending on the time at which the exposure occurs (57). Even though breast tissue begins to differentiate by the fourth week of development, the breast has distinct features among body parts in contrast to other body parts in that it remains relatively unchanged until puberty or later. Environment in which we live and breathe is already contaminated with various types of chemicals. These chemicals present in the environment can behave as an impersonator of certain hormones and they can impact the other chemical reactions inside the body of an organism, as well as the cell division. Some breast tumors depend on estrogen for their occurrence and progression. The chemicals and trace elements that can influence the metabolism of estrogen, prop the development of breast tumor. For example, preliminary research suggests that the exposure to an environment that is contaminated with estrogen 4-octylphenol is highly linked with the risk of breast cancer (58). In another study it was found that the metal ions in the environment are capable of promotion of DNA double-strand breaks and the process of strand-breakage is complicated however it has the ability to replicate the altered DNA. This is probably the consequence of conversion of a DNA single-strand break into double-str and breaks (59). Nevertheless, the authors have reached the consensus that the metals ions have the ability to initiate many trails that can make a cell vulnerable and expose it to toxic elements, which could increase the risk of breast cancer. Antioxidants that have selenium as an essential part of their structure can provide protection by pursuing free radicals in the upper lining of epithelial cells in the breast. 1.6.2.3.1. Risk Factors for Breast Cancer: The involvements of certain factors, which are consistently found in the history of cancer patients, are known to be as â€Å"established risk factors†. For instance, getting older and having regular menstrual periods earlier or going through menopause later in life are considered as established risk factors. Moreover, having a first baby late in life or not having any pregnancy in their life time is well known established risk factor. It was also observed that the risk was significantly elevated among those who have family history of having breast cancer in their blood relatives such as mother or sisters and the siblings of parents as well. It is also important that the breast cancer victim have the radiation exposure in their record (64). A study shows that trace elements exposure increases the risk of breast cancer occurrence as well. 1.7. Cancer and Trace Elements: The physiochemical properties of a metal greatly contribute to the determination of the toxicity of their compounds such as oxidation state, charge and ionic radii, the coordination number, ionization potential, etc. The similar physiochemical properties of a toxic metal, such as charge and size as those of essential ions, may compete for the biological binding sites of the latter and cause structural perturbations resulting in peculiar function of biochemical macromolecules. 1.7.1. Cancer and Chromium: Chromium is a human carcinogen primarily through inhalation exposure in occupational settings. Although lung cancer has been established as a consequence of hexavalent chromium exposure in smokers and nonsmokers, some cancers of other tissues of the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems have also been noticed (65). Several studies of the chrome-plating industry have demonstrated a positive relationship between cancer and exposure to chromium compounds (66). The chromium (VI) compounds are toxic and carcinogenic. These compounds have a wide range of capabilities and can contribute to the development of cancer. The bronchial tree is the major target organ for carcinogenic effects of chromium (VI) compounds. Chromium (VI) is a powerful epithelial irritant and a confirmed human carcinogen. Cancer primarily occurs following inhalation exposure and uptake in the respiratory organs. This is of great significance with respect to the subsequent risk of lung cancer in humans. IARC has stated that chromium and certain chromium compounds have shown sufficient evidences for considering the chromium as a carcinogen for humans. Moreover, the most recent carcinogenic risk of chromium and its compounds was evaluated in another study and an increased incidence of lung cancer has been observed among workers in the chromate producing industry. In addition, it was observed that the chromium alloy workers were diagnosed with lung cancer (67-69). The findings were consistent with the hypothesis that soluble hexavalent chromium compounds are potent human lung carcinogens (70). Subsequently, the same was reported by a prospective cohort study of the same cohort of 1,193 workers at small Japanese plating facilities, while a trend toward statistical significance for risk of lung cancer was seen in the chromium plating subgroup (71). Several studies have shown that chromium (VI) occupational exposure was identified as an important risk factor of lung cancer. Higher percentage of SCLC was found in chromium exposed individuals (72). 1.7.2. Cancer and Selenium: The epidemiological survey and the data collected by several scientists have irrefutably reported that selenium is an antioxidant and can be used as an inhibitor of cancer. The flux in genetic material generated by carcinogens or endogenous means has been believed to be crucial for the development of cancer. The role of selenium in a biological system as an anti-carcinogen and the extent of its protective behavior are not implausible. It has been widely recognized, and recommended that the combination of vitamin E, selenium and methionine must be taken as an essential nutrient, however the dose has the ultimate edge over the recommended theory (37). The role of selenium as an essential trace mineral in human health and disease is currently a subject of keen interest. The essential role of selenium for animals was discovered in the 1950s (73) and for humans in the 1970s (74). Selenium has shown to benefit in reducing the risk of cancer incidence and mortality in all cancers, and specifically in liver, prostate, colon-rectal and lung cancers (75). 1.7.3. Lung Cancer and Chromium: Industrial uses of hexavalent chromium compounds include inks, chromate pigments in dyes, anticorrosive agents to paints, and plastics. The use of chromates is tremendously increased due to the development of high technology, such as chromic acid is utilized for electroplating and ornamental purposes as well. Hexavalent chromium can also be formed when performing jobs at elevated temperature such as welding metallic objects. The high temperature favors the conversion of chromium, from one oxidation state to another oxidation state and most likely during the process of welding or coating, the chromium transforms into chromium (VI) (76). Therefore, the excess risk can be contemplated to be the result of exposure to hexavalent chromium. It is important to measure hexavalent chromium exposure and lung cancer risk along with cigarette smoking as a risk factor as well. As a whole, the chromium exposure was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (77). Hexavalent chromium is not on ly a carcinogenic form of chromium, its adverse health effects have long been known as a risk factor as is reported by Mancuso (78-79). The International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that chromium and certain chromium compounds were known as human carcinogens (80). The Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for hexavalent chromium is 1 g Cr/m3 (approximately 2 g CrO3/m3) (81). An elevated risk of lung cancer among workers in chromate production facilities has previously been reported. This excess risk is accepted to be the result of exposure to hexavalent chromium. However, the results of other studies indicate that moderate or heavy exposure to zinc chromate may give rise to a severe risk of developing lung cancer, but that exposure is relatively mild or lasts less than a year and may not constitute an effective risk (82). 1.7.4. Blood Cancer and Trace Elements: Bone marrow is the soft tissue located in the cavities of bones and is the source of generating all types of blood cells. It has been observed that the malfunction, nutrient deficiency and the trace elements alteration leads to a condition where the risk of cancer escalates considerably. The various types of blood cancers have been discovered, and it would be very difficult to explain all of them individually. Therefore, it is appropriate to use the general term ‘cancer’ where it permits for all types of blood cancers to be characterized without mentioning their names separately. There are multiple reasons as to why the normal bone marrow starts developing malignant cells. It has been observed that there is a depletion of bone-marrow cells due to deficiencies of trace elements (83). A study revealed remarkable alteration in thetrace elemental concentration of zinc and selenium in both pre-cancer and cancer patients as compared to the control group. In this study it was concluded that there is a critical relationship between alternation in the level oftrace elements, oxidative stress and leukoplakia (84). Another study has suggested that the trace element concentration in the blood of cancerous and controls subjects present a significant difference and it can be related distinctively to the carcinogenesis (85). For instance, copper deficiency affects various physiological characteristics that may be important in immunological defense to pathogenic challenge (86), while certain trace elements level in leukemia patients are considerably higher as compared to the normal individuals (87). Trace elements play an important role in biological processes through their action as activators or inhibitors of enzymatic reaction, or by influencing the permeability of cell membrane or by their essential role as direct anti-oxidant enzymes (88-89). Several researchers have found that the depressed antibody response is the result of deficiency of certain trace elements (90-92). Therefore, malfunctioning of the immune system which in turn creates a suitable environment for the development of leukemia and it has especially demonstrated a high negative correlation between the selenium content of soil and the mortality ofleukemia (93). 1.7.5. Breast Cancer and Trace Elements: Breast tissue is unique due to its complex hormonal influences and dramatic changes during various life events. Individual hormonal levels and metabolism are affected by environmental factors as well and some frequently used chemical and metals that have the ability to disrupt endocrine function and thus mimic the effects of estrogen (94). On a daily basis we interact with various chemicals and some of them are naturally present in our environment and others are the by-products of several industrial process. The breast is a sensitive organ and it responds to even a minor event that occurs in the form of chemical changes inside the body. However, the exposure of certain elements brings changes in the concentration levels present in our body even though these elements are indispensable for the life and also have significant importance for our livelihood. These elements play a very critical role in the body and in certain amount they are advantageous. However, their concentration variat ion may impact the gene activation and is an example of gene-environment interaction as well. For example, in a study it was mentioned that if a woman is already exposed to an organic complex known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) she still does not have an extraordinary risk of developing breast cancer. While in another research work it has been reported that if a woman shows the combination of both factors, such as if she already has been exposed to PCBs and exhibits the alteration in their CYP1A1 gene, she has immense chances to develop breast cancer in her life time (95). For example, the result of a recent study suggests that cigarette smoke exerts a dual action on the breast, with different effects in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. It is relevant because investigators found an association between environmental carcinogens and putativeendocrinedisruption and risk ofbreast cancer (96). Selenium is an important cofactor in the production of antioxidant enzymes that may influence cancer progression. However, the findings suggest that selenium intake before breast cancer diagnosis may improve breast cancer-specific survival and overall survival (97). On the other hand, the association between selenium and breast cancer has been studied and it was concluded that selenium levels were significantly lower among patients suffering from breast cancer. However contrary reports were also submitted by other researchers and they concluded that they did not find any direct relationship between selenium levels in the blood of patients and breast cancer (98). A study was conducted on Dutch women aged 55–69 years. In this study they tried to find out the association between selenium and breast cancer. The analysis was based on the diagnosis of breast cancer in various patients between one and more than three years. It was found that selenium concentration was considerably lower in the blood of individuals diagnosed earlier during follow-up process. The authors provided no evidence for an inverse association between selenium status and breast cancer (98). 1.8. Analytical Techniques: Analytical techniques are the basic tool for the analysis of chemical elements from major to smaller trace levels in variety of matrices. These tools provide complete information about the composition of a simple to complex substrate and these techniques are usually applied for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples of interest. There are many types of analytical techniques available for the analysis of elements in biological matrices in terms of their sensitivity and accuracy. The choice of an analytical technique is contingent to many factors, such as the nature of the problem, type of the sample, elements of interest, and moreover the attention of the analyst that dictates the end use of analytical results (99). However, there are some other traits that may also influence the use of a particular technique for the elemental analysis, for instance the principle, and instrumental limitations. Therefore, every analytical technique may not be considered appropriate for the analysis of certain elements. Moreover, the interference due to the presence of other elements and due to the instrumental technology is another important contributing factor in selection of an analytical technique, as well as the intentions of the scientist which inadvertently dictates the results the analyst would like to obtain from the experiment. A few analytical instrumental techniques are concisely discussed with their limitations and preferences over one another because of their sensitivity and accuracy for the analysis of certain trace elements in human whole blood. 1.8.1. Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry (ICP): The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) is a multi-elemental technique that has ensured its place with established techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. It has detection limits that are usually attainable at the parts per billion (ppb) levels, while most of the samples are introduced in liquid form as aqueous solutions. The technique has widespread applications in the fields of metallurgy, geology, environment, agriculture, industries, and biology. The excitation source for ICP is argon plasma that operates at atmospheric pressure and sustained by inductive coupling to a radio frequency electromagnetic field. The plasma furnishes a chemically inert, high temperature environment that is very effective for vaporization, atomization, ionization and excitation of the sample material that is injected into it. Two types of ICPs are discussed here: 1.8.1.1. Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry: The Inductive Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) is inherently a multi-element technique with two types of spectrometer configurations that are used to detect the atomic emission radiations of elements of interest. Simultaneously, Poly-chromators are used for multielement analysis and mono-chromators for sequential multi-element analysis (100). The ICP-AES consists of an excitation sources for atomic emission and a spectrometer that helps in order to detect the emission spectra. Changes in the concentration of coexistent elements may generate gradual changes in the background. These background shifts are assumed to have great importance for the determinations and are made at declining concentration levels. However the stray light may be responsible for this effect (101). The disadvantage of this technique is that some elements readily form non-emitting and refractory oxides that result in an underestimation of their concentration. 1.8.1.2 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: In this set up, the ICP source is mounted horizontally and the sample is introduced into the plasma by standard ICP nebulization process. The mass spectrum can be recorded in a short period of time i.e. approximately one minute, and can enable the instrument to analyze the sample at a faster rate than the conventional mass spectrometric technique. The advancement in technology has made the ICP-MS more efficient, and improved its performance due to altering its design of the interface between the atmospheric plasma and the vacuum spectrometer. ICP-MS is incredibly sensitive, with its detection limits of parts per billion (ppb) for most of the elements and exhibit comparatively less spectral interferences. This technique is particularly useful in the analysis of rare earth elements, and appropriate for the analysis of the actinides. These are characterized to produce complex optical spectra. The natural applications of the ICP-MS technique include isotope ratio measurements and isotope dilution analysis as well (101). The emission techniques always presented an incomplete resolution of radiations emitted by the analyte and the back ground interferences. The high temperature supports transitions to various excited states of the atom thus the wavelength of the emission line selected for an analyte may coincide with a line emitted by another component of the sample i.e. direct spectral overlap or the two lines may be so close that they partially overlap i.e. partial or wing overlap with each other. If these lines are not disti nctively separated, the spectral interference may occur, and hence demonstrates a counterfeit level that is higher than the true concentration of the respective element. The ICP-MS is not a pertinent analyzing technique for noble gases. Similarly, halogens and some non-metals are difficult to be analyzed by setting standard parameters of this technique. In addition to that, poor sensitivity of ICP may also be observed for alkali metals. Another disadvantage of this technique is the spectral overlapping generated by the interferences of polybaric, polyatomic and doubly charged ions. As a result, elements like manganese, vanadium, and arsenic are sometimes difficult to determine with good precision at low concentration with ICP-MS. The technique imparts accuracy for solutions; therefore, sample dissolution procedures are recommended, however dissolution may involve additional steps for sample preparation and consequently add up contamination in analyte and introduce more problems to the method of analysis. Therefore, it is not recommended for high purity materials and for those samples that have low levels of elements concentration. In this technique, varieties of interference are met, such as nebulization interferences, transfer and desolvation interferences, chemical interferences, ionization interferences, and atomization and volatilization interferences (102). All interferences introduce the transformation or rotation of the calibration curve. However, ICP-MS is a technique that offers reduced spectral and isotopic interferences. 1.8.2 Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV): The most sensitive analytical technique is anodic stripping technique (ASV) that is convenient and cost effective analytical method for the detection and quantization of metals in drinking water as well as in biological materials (103). The advantage of this technique is that the various metals such as Pb, Cd and Cu can be analyzed simultaneously. The ASV can be considered as a small scale electroplating experiment. The metals are present as an ion form in the solution, and are plated on an electrode by applying a negative potential that initiate deposition on it for a specific period of time. The deposition serves to concentrate the metal ion from the solution on the electrode as metal (0). For example, if the electrode is mercury, the metals often develop a form of amalgam on it. After deposition the potential is switched towards positive potential. The peaks of the current appear at a point where potential corresponds to the oxidation of metal as they are oxidized and back strippe d from the electrode into the solution. The peak height/ area can be correlated with the concentration of the metal ions in the solution. It is necessary to calibrate the procedure with the standard solutions of known quantities of respective metal ions. Along with advantages of ASV, some disadvantages are also associated with this technique as well. For instance, only mixture of metals can be analyzed, however the analysis time is longer than usually taken by spectroscopic method. In addition, the technique is extraordinary sensitive for interferences as well. It is also important to start the analysis by a profe

Team Empowerment Essay -- Business Administration, Team Building

ANTECEDENTS OF TEAM EMPOWERMENT Previous research has identified several organizational characteristics that may act as antecedents to team empowerment. Frequently cited antecedents include autonomy (Chen et al., 2007; Langfred, 2000; Campion et al., 1993), task meaningfulness (Stewart, 2006; Thomas & Velthouse, 1990; Hackman, 1987; Hackman & Oldham, 1980), and team-based human resources practices (Kirkman & Rosen, 1997; Mathieu et al., 2006), such as rewards (Balkin & Montemayor, 2000; Kirkman & Rosen, 1999). To build effective teams, an organization has to redesign the work process and to modify a wide range of organizational systems to support the design (Wellins et al., 1991). In the following discussion, I divide the antecedents into two groups: organizational design and organizational support. The reason for such a generalized dichotomy lies in the fact that many antecedents are interdependent with each other within the same group. For example, cross-functional team will enhance employees’ task meaningfulness; and both practices contribute to increasing employee autonomy. However, there are other factors that may increase employee autonomy, such as expanded responsibilities through improving role clarity. Also, in many case studies the implications involved not only one antecedent. Thus, a broader discussion framework is used as it better accommodates these interdependent antecedents and practices that employ different approaches to team empowerment. Organizational Design – Multi-functionalism is the best approach. Empowerment often requires taking a new look at the organizational design. The ultimate goal is to improve organizational effectiveness by promoting ownership of work. The fundamental approach, and also ... ... created a greater sense of ownership and responsibilities among hospital professionals. †¢ BSD, a software inventory control firm (Belasco, 1991), reorganized its team into multidisciplinary teams, which include sales, service, and technical experts, and each is in charge of a specific customer. By introducing the cross-functional teams, the company give its employees greater empowerment for being responsible for making all decisions. Another corporate practice for cross-functional team is to integrate different department, such as human resources, finance, and information technology, into one shared serviced team. Shared serviced team is often viewed as an alternative to outsourcing (Janssen & Joha, 2006). By integrating multiple functions into one team, shared services team is able to deliver more efficient service to internal customer, and the team members.

Musical Instrument Essay

It seems that no matter what at some point in a child’s life they wander up to their parents and ask, â€Å"Mom, Dad, can I learn to play an instrument?† Whether or not it is the guitar, drums, piano, or flute a child could possibly have the thought of wanting to learn how to play an instrument. When Mom and Dad end up saying no to their child they should stop and realize that when a child knows how to play a musical instrument it can help them out in many more ways than they know (iDiva). Having a young kid learn an instrument can help develop better coordination, build better concentration, help with stress relief, and enhance a child’s intelligence, along with many other positives (o5). I personally play the guitar, and it has helped me out throughout the years. Probably the largest positive that comes out of a kid learning how to play a musical instrument is that it enhances their brainpower. It improves their memory, helps the child out socially and can even give them some extra intellect (Caron). Why would a parent not want to put their kid through music lessons? If playing an instrument can improve the child’s brainpower, it is a no brainer to give the kid a musical instrument to try out (Caron). Parents should let their children at the very least try out the instrument. With enhancing the brain comes enhancing other skills. â€Å"Studies show that learning music can help improve reading comprehension, mathematics, and cognitive skills (o5).† Parents today seem like they are pushing harder and harder for their offspring to do better in school; if these parents give their children a musical instrument it can increase their IQ (iDiva). Not only does learning an instrument help improve brainpower it also has other benefits to it. Being a typical American I am not accustomed to having any patience; however whenever I sit down and start to play the guitar I have all the time in the world. Once I start to learn a new song patience has to be sitting there right next to me, because no one can learn a whole song in only five minutes. Playing an instrument teaches kid’s to have patience (Caron). When people are in a band slamming away on the guitar, or pounding on the drums they have to be able to wait for the right time to play. â€Å"You need to work together in a group to make music (Caron).† One person in the band can’t be playing faster or slower than everyone else because then the music ends up sounding out right bad. This is where patience comes into play. Having to be able to wait for the right time to strike a chord or beat the snare drum. Patience will not just be used only when someone is playing in a band, they can take the patience that they learned from all the practice of the instrument and put that towards everyday use. Having patience is a wonderful trait to have, but every now and then patience are going to run thin and one may become angry, and this is another area where knowing how to play an instrument can help. I myself can say that whenever I am angry, sad, depressed, or flat out stressed my guitar has always been right there waiting for me to pick it up. It is a way for me to let my emotions out; it is a superb way to relax. â€Å"Engaging in a calming expressive ability proves more effective than merely sitting down to relax; music calms the nerves and stimulates the brain. It also increases the ability to absorb more information (iDiva).†Ã¢â‚¬ ¨I cannot tell people how jamming on my guitar has helped me get through those stupid middle school and high school problems. Parents should want to get their kid’s into an instrument simply for this reason. Would a parent rather have their child dealing with their problems with drugs and alcohol, or by locking themselves in their room and getting lost in their instrument? Stress is something that everyone has; studies have shown that playing an instrument can lower heart rates and blood pressure (o5). Having a way for their children to get their frustrations out is why parents should let their kids play a musical instrument, but it also lets them be creative (Caron). Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach are some of the most creative people in the history of the World, and what did they do? They played instruments. Playing a musical instrument for a child is a creative pursuit (Caron). Parents are always pushing their children to be more and more creative, well parents why not buy them an instrument and let their creativity be expressed? â€Å"Everybody is born creative, but many people don’t realize it because it’s not encouraged in their early years (iDiva).† Having your child play an instrument would let that creativity that is bundled up inside them, that they did not even know they had, and would let it sore out. Look at the creativity that the guitarist in the last thirty to forty years have. Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Angus Young are three of the greatest guitarist. Imagine if their parents would have never bought them a guitar. Then some of the best music ever would have never been written. It is the ultimate feeling someone can receive when they are just playing along on an instrument and all of a sudden compose some sort of music. When I’m playing my guitar just doing really nonsense chord progressions, or playing random riffs, and I build a song on the guitar the feeling is unreal. Once that happens the only thought that goes through my head is, â€Å"Whoa, I just made music on my own.† I’ve been playing for about 8 years now and that feeling never goes away. Along with being creative a musical instrument is a way for a young child to express his or herself (Caron). Today people express themselves in different ways. Whether it would be through protest, or occupying the stock market everybody expresses himself or herself in one way or another. Playing a musical instrument can be a way for a person to express their identity (Caron). Moms and Dads are always telling their children to be themselves, or don’t follow the crowd. Well how can they not follow the crowd if they do not have anyway to express themselves, or have a different identity? Giving a kid a musical instrument can help him express emotions and give that kid an identity (Caron). For me in middle school me being the so called â€Å"guitar guy† was my identity. It did not stick with me through high school, but that was because I didn’t want to be that guy anymore. Having the guitar right by my side through middle school helped out a huge amount, â€Å"It gives pleasure and expresses nuances of emotional life for which there are no words (Caron).† Of coarse with anything positive people will try to come back and say that there is something bad about it. Well the positives far out way the negatives. The biggest arguments against learning a musical instrument are not even the fact that you should not learn how to play the instrument, but that one should not take formal music lessons (Oldenburg). Another argument is that a child should not learn how to play more than one instrument (Turtenwald). Let’s see why that a child should not take formal music lessons. One of the simplest arguments against formal music lessons is the cost (Oldenburg). I took formal music lessons when I was a kid to learn guitar, and yes the lessons may not have been the cheapest; however, having the one on one experience definitely helped hone out my guitar skills. Something else that is a negative to formal music lessons is the time. Driving back and forth to music lessons and having to sit and wait for your child is a downfall to lessons (Oldenburg). Parents, who is learning the instrument? It is the child who is getting the experience of learning an instrument. If the parent isn’t close enough to be able to go home and wait bring something to do: work, read a magazine, maybe even learn an instrument yourself. The last argument against formal music lessons is the loss of passion (Oldenburg). This is certainly not true. Having lessons helps one build passion. Teaching oneself how to play an instrument can be very hard, if anything I would loose passion doing that. In formal lessons you get that one on one time and learn something new. When you teach yourself how to play you have to read out of a book, and there is no one around to help you out if you don’t get something. Learning the instrument on your own will mean that no one is around for you to ask questions to. Finally the other argument against playing a musical instrument is that a child should not learn how to play more than one instrument (Turtenwald). There are two main arguments against learning how to play more than one instrument. The first is, like against formal music lessons, the time (Turtenwald). Learning how to play one instrument can be challenging enough, but taking on a second one at the same time will be tough (Turtenwald). This is completely understandable, but notice that she never says anything about not playing a musical instrument she only says do not play more than one. â€Å"Taking on the challenge of learning more than one instrument requires a greater time commitment (Turtenwald).† The second argument is lack of commitment. What this means is a child may not put forth the same effort towards both instruments. Again she is not saying do not play an instrument, but don’t play more than one. Teaching a child how to play an instrument can help them in school, and throughout life. Parents it may be a good idea to buy your child the guitar or drum set they have been talking about, and get them started as soon as possible. Works Cited â€Å"5 Reasons to Encourage Kids to Learn a Musical Instrument.† 5 Recipes For Life. o5. n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. Caron, Sarah. â€Å"10 Ways Music Benefits Children.† Sheknowsparenting. SheKnows, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. Oldenburg, Chris. â€Å"Why Your Child Shouldn’t Take Formal Music Lessons.† Benefits of Music Lessons. Better Parenting, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. Turtenwald, Kimberley. â€Å"Advantages & Disadvantages of Learning a Secondary Instrument.† eHow. Demand Media, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. â€Å"Why Your Child Should Learn a Musical Instrument.† iDiva. Times Internet Limited. n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.

adolescence depression essays

adolescence depression essays Adolescent Depression: The Under Acknowledged Disease Depression is a disease that afflicts the human psyche in such a way that the afflicted tends to act and react abnormally toward others and themselves. Therefore it comes to no surprise to discover that adolescent depression is strongly linked to teen suicide. Adolescent suicide is now responsible for more deaths in youths aged 15 to 19 than cardiovascular disease or cancer (Blackman, 1995). Despite this increased suicide rate, depression in this age group is greatly under diagnosed and leads to serious difficulties in school, work and personal adjustment which may often continue into adulthood. How prevalent are mood disorders in children and when should an adolescent with changes in mood be considered clinically depressed? Brown (1996) has said the reason why depression is often over looked in children and adolescents is because "children are not always able to express how they feel." Sometimes the symptoms of mood disorders take on different forms in children than in adults. Adolescence is a time of emotional turmoil, mood swings, gloomy thoughts, and heightened sensitivity. It is a time of rebellion and experimentation. Blackman (1996) observed that the "challenge is to identify depressive symptomatology which may be superimposed on the backdrop of a more transient, but expected, developmental storm." Therefore, diagnosis should not lay only in the physician's hands but be associated with parents, teachers and anyone who interacts with the patient on a daily basis. Unlike adult depression, symptoms of youth depression are often masked. Instead of expressing sadness, teenagers may express boredom and irritability, or may choose to engage in risky behaviors (Oster & Montgomery, 1996). Mood dis orders are often accompanied by other psychological problems such as anxiety (Oster & Montgomery, 1996), eating disorders (Lasko et al., 1996), hyperactivity (Blackman, 1995...

Work Violence essays

Work Violence essays Violence in the United States has reached epidemic proportions (Mason 1). Increasingly, violent behavior is being observed in the American workplace (McCune 52). This research examines the phenomenon of work-related violence. An overview of the problem is followed by a discussion of possible explanations for such behavior. The increase in the incidence of work-related violence in the United States is characterized by behaviors that range from telephonic threats to murder (Filipczak 39-40). Homicide is now the second most common cause of on-the-job deaths in the United States. Approximately 7,000 work-related homicides occur each year in the United States (Segal 33). More than 80 percent of work-related homicides result from gun-related injuries (Windau 58-9). A general profile of the perpetrator of violent work-related acts is a white male under a high level of stress (Filipczak 39). A more specific profile narrows the age range to 30-40 years old and adds the condition that the individual is entirely dependent financially on the individual's current employment (Schut 125). Victims of work-related violence are predominately males (83 percent) between the ages of 25 and 54 years old (Windau 58-9). The proportion of American workers who have been the victims of physical attacks in connection with their employment over the span of their career is estimated at 15 percent (Lipman 15). Four percent of the total number of homicides in the United States are work-related (Schut 125). With respect to non-fatal violent incidents, however, 16 percent of all such incidents in the United States are work-related. Almost one million non-fatal work-related violent incidents occur each year in the United States (Friedman 4). Approximately 10 percent of these incidents involved the use of handguns (Friedman 4). Violence is most typically an outgrowth of conflict. By definition, conflict is simply a disagreement betw...

Discuss the factors that affect the market price of a product (part A) Essay

Discuss the factors that affect the market price of a product (part A) and (part B) describe the trend in world price of oil over the past two decades and discu - Essay Example However, the broader description of a product as anything that is made available in a market, as provided by Philip Kotler in his book Marketing Management needs to be taken into account in this discussion. In simple terms again, the price of any product is controlled by the demand of the product and the supply of the product and yet there are many factors that play a role on the supply side and the demand side of the product and it is these factors that need to be examined (Fletcher. T & Russell-Jones N. 1997. VALUE PRICING: How to Maximise Profits Through Effective Pricing Policies. Pp 14 to 43). The initial factors on the supply side are availability of the product and cost of production of the product. The greater availability of the product will tend to lower the price of the product. The more the cost of production the higher will be the price. The next factor is competition. Competition in normal circumstances is present for all products and acts as a control on prices, unless a single entity or a group of suppliers is in a position to dominate the supply of the product and therefore exact higher prices. (Competition and the Effects of Price Controls in Hawaiis Gasoline Market. 2003.). The next factor is legislative control on the price of the product in the market. Legislative action is normally used as a measure to protect the consumers from being over charged by suppliers. The next factor is changing markets. Changing markets could have a positive or negative impact on prices. The next factor is technology, which tends to increase efficiency and thereby reduce the pr ice of the products. Then we come to management strategies in terms of profit goals and growth objectives. These have an effect of raising the prices of a product. On the demand side there is only one factor and that is consumer demand for the product. Consumer demand is however controlled by the economic state of

Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 6

Psychology - Essay Example rts claim that mental illness is nothing but a brain disorder like other illnesses, and there are no causes of mental illness such as ill-fated or bad deeds in the past/previous life. Analysis of the material (Corrigan & Watson, pp. 162-179, 2003) related to mental illness has indicated that mental illness has now become a usual notion in contemporary era, and most of the studies have specified that mental illness does not have a physical existence, and thus, it always required support of a theory or concept for its justification. For instance, during ancient and medieval periods, and even today in some parts of the globe, people relate magic, fate, witches, and unseen forces as causes of mental illness. Such perspective has increased the efforts of organizations and experts (Corrigan & Watson, pp. 162-179, 2003) to claim that mental illness is a brain disorder and that people with mental illness should acquire treatment accordingly rather than confront detestation, isolation, and magical interventions. Further analysis has indicated that experts (Farmer, pp. 40-46, 2001) have related intoxication of brain, and particularly, syphilis of brain as the major cause of mental illness in humans. Although very few experts (Stein, pp. 37-41, 2004) have accepted this notion, however, introduction of recent technologies in medical science has resulted in efforts made to prove such intoxications. In psychology, experts (Nestler, pp. 61-68, 2008) believe that abovementioned intoxications enforce patients to confront certain disorders in their thinking patterns that justify the unpredictable behavior of people confronting mental illness. In addition, experts have indicated that usually all types of brain disorders cause alterations in thinking and behavior patterns similar to mental illness, and thus, mental illness is a brain disorder that has been able to influence an enormous number of experts and psychologists globally. On the other hand, adversaries (Corrigan & Watson,