Female Serial Killers Essay

The fascinating thing about women is that they often tend to not possess the common characteristics of a serial killer that a male tends to show earlier on in life. Although not always fully acknowledged, there are many early signs of a potential serial killer. These later become the characteristics of a serial killer. The most common characteristic of a serial killer is animal abuse. This particular characteristic is commonly seen during a serial killers childhood. Many serial killers see this as â€Å"practice†. Psychiatrists describe this early sign of killing as a mental disorder that should not be ignored. Another highly common characteristic of serial killer is a person who enjoys starting fires, otherwise known as Pyromaniacs. The people that possess this characteristic tend to get sexually aroused just from starting a fire. A well-known Pyromaniac was Joseph Kallinger who described starting a fire as a heavenly pleasure. Also a common characteristic would be bed wetting. Many serial killers tend to wet the bed past adolescence. Kenneth Bianchi, an American serial killer, spent most of his adulthood wetting the bed. A broken home has been noted to be a characteristic of a serial killer. Growing up father-less or mother-less highly affects a young soon-to-be serial killer’s life. Female serial killers share only some of these characteristics such as animal abuse. Women tend not to show characteristics until later on in life. At times they do not show characteristics. Most female serial killers kill for long periods of times and quietly unlike her fellow male killer. Female serial killers almost always have a strong motive driving them to commit these horrible crimes and coincidentally they are often similar. If a female serial killer is acknowledged by a community the people in that community tend to believe that because she is a woman, therefore the weaker sex, she was somehow pressured or victimized by her lover to kill. (Davis, 2001). Many refuse to believe that a woman is capable of killing on her own terms. Women have many different reasons for killing yet throughout the years and the multiple murder cases that occur where a woman is the murderer, the motive is almost always. Most of the women who tend to kill are in great debt and in need of a quick and easy way out. Belle Gunness, who was considered one of the worst serial killers in American History, did just this. Belle killed all of her children and husbands just to collect life insurance, money, and other valuables. (Edwards, 2012). She also adopted more children in order to repeat the process of collecting the insurance and got away with doing so for eight years. Another murder case in which the primary motive happened to be money was the Olga Rutter Schmidt and Helen Golay case. These two women in their 70’s conducted a $2. 3 Million insurance fraud murder scheme. Helen and Olga provided shelter and food for Paul Vados and Paul McDavid just long enough to have good amount of money to benefit from if these two men were to pass. There were multiple insurance plans that gave these two women benefits when the two homeless men were killed.

Individuals That Indulge In Sociopathic, Criminal, And Antisocial Behaviorâ€Nature Or Nurture Essay

The controversy between nature and nurture as related to the human behavior can be dated back to the 13th century and from that time there has been continued debate regarding the source of human personality. The debate is based on issue of whether the human personality develops from inheritance (nature) or from the environment in which human beings are raised (nurture). Due to the above controversy there has been a lot of research carried out and this has resulted to the belief held by most people today that the human personality is influenced by both the nature and nurture. This belief has been known as ‘interactionism’ and scholars in most of the fields believe in the concept. Adoption, Twin and family Studies A great debate between researchers has come up regarding the outcomes of families, adoption and birth of twins. Some researchers argue that there is a genetic basis to criminal behavior while others argue that there is no enough evidence in the cases of adoption, twin births and family status to show that genes play a crucial role in the development of antisocial or criminal traits. Twin studies are conducted to compare the rates of criminal behavior among identical twins and fraternal twins so as to study the role played by genes and environmental influences on the behavior of an individual. According to Joseph, 2001, there is a high degree of heritability in the behavior of fraternal and identical twins. This study was very important because it assessed the issue of different environments among twins because the twins were raised under different environments. The research concluded that hereditary factors play a less significant role in development of antisocial and criminal behaviors (Joseph, 2001; 179-218). Adoption studies have also been carried out to study the relationship between adoptive kids and their foster and biological parents because the studies separate nature and nurture. The relationship between environmental and genetic influences on antisocial behavior has also been studied by family studies although the results have been the least accepted compared to the others because of the high level of difficulty in separating nurture and nature in the family. Neurochemicals in Sociopathic, Criminal and Antisocial Behavior  According to Elliot, 2000 neurochemichals play a significant role in activating behavior patterns in a definite area of the brain. Research has been carried out to determine the role played by neurochemicals in influencing antisocial and criminal behaviors and it has been found out that there is a genetic component in the development of antisocial and criminal behavior. Recently there has been study of personality disorders in individuals who seem to develop criminal or antisocial behaviors and these have also been seen to influence human behavior (Elliot, 2000; pp. 9-21). Environmental influences Researchers have agreed that genes have a significant influence on the antisocial or criminal behavior of an individual. However, researchers have also agreed that there is need to assess the environmental component as this may also influence development of criminal and antisocial behaviors in human beings. The family environment is very important to the development of a child and if there are problems within the family then it is obvious that the child will suffer the consequences. Researchers have argued that the environment within a family influences the behavior of the child and the major risk factors within a family are family structure, poverty, level of education within the family and the parenting practices (Schmitz, 2003; 835-840). Families that have weak bonds and poor communications within the family are known to have a higher likelihood of children developing antisocial and criminal behavior. It is then obvious to conclude that those families that are not financially stable, those who have more children and those families where it is difficult to punish kids consistently will create an environment likely to create antisocial or criminal behavior among the kids. Children who were neglected or abused during their younger days are 0. 5 times more likely to develop antisocial or criminal behavior as compared to those kids who received care and were not abuse (Holmes et al, 2001; pp. 183-192). Another finding in the research on the influences of environmental and genetic findings on the development of antisocial or criminal behavior is age. Research has shown that both in children and adults, the environment is the major significant factor that influences their criminal and antisocial behaviors. Heritability has been seen to influence the behavior of adults more than the environment. Adults have the ability to choose the environment that they want to stay unlike kids and adolescents and this accounts for the high influence of environment on the behavior of kids and adolescents as compared to adults. Another factor that influences the development of sociopathic, criminal and antisocial behavior mostly in adolescents is peer group influence. The major reason as to why peer influences affects the antisocial and criminal behavior can be seen in the violent behavior common in young children which extends to their peers in the same school or neighborhood. This kind of a relationship is likely to be carried over to the adolescence stage and in some instances to the adult stage. The peers create an environment in which they tend to influence each other on matters concerning behavior and if their behavior is antisocial behavior the peer end up influencing others to adopt the behavior (Holmes et al, 2001; 183-195). So as to explain the way in which environment can influence the behavior of an individuals researchers use social learning theory. This means that a child will observe sociopathic, criminal or antisocial behavior from the parents or siblings although in some cases both the parents and the siblings. As a result of observing the aggressive behavior the kids believe that the behavior is normal and that there is no mistake in behaving just like the parents (Miles & Carey, 1997; pp. 207-217). Gene-Environment interactions Researchers have realized that there are theories related to genetic and environmental influences that show a clear interaction between the two factors and one major theory is the normal stimulation theory of criminality. This theory suggests an interaction between a group of factors that are combined of the genes and the environment; this factors lead to development of criminality among individuals. The theory argues that the individuals acquire a nervous system that does not respond to low levels of stimulation and therefore the individual has to find the right stimulation so as to increase their arousal and the stimulation includes activities that lead to antisocial, sociopathic or criminal behaviors (Miles & Carey, 1997; pp. 207-217). Conclusion There has not been enough evidence to strongly conclude that genes play a more significant role in shaping the behavior of those individual who indulge in sociopathic, criminal and antisocial behavior as compared to the environmental factors. The studies that have been carried out have shown that there is a high degree difficulty in trying to separate nature and nurture and therefore there is need to carry out research to clearly define the influence of environmental and genetic factors on the behavior of individuals. At this point it is wise to conclude that both the environmental and genetic factors play significant roles in shaping the behavior of individuals.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a disease that affects the pancreas and causes the islet cells in the pancreas to not secrete insulin. Since the body is not producing any insulin, your blood glucose in uncontrolled and becomes extremely high, this is known as hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia causes the body to feel exhausted; it can affect your eyesight and other issues. People that have diabetes have some form of getting insulin, whether it is from a pump, or injections. But sometimes with this make-shift way of getting insulin, too much is given and blood glucose levels drop too low, this is known as hypoglycemia.Hypoglycemia makes you dizzy, shaky, and makes your vision seem like there is lights flashing everywhere, making it difficult to read or focus. There are not many known risk factors for type 1 diabetes, but some include defects in your genes, such as the HLA region and the insulin gene (Adams 2011). Other causes of diabetes include having a family history, or having respiratory problems ri ght after birth. But with these risk factors, none of them are highly likely and are not great risk factors. In this form of diabetes, the target cells are your bodies T cells and B cells.The exact cause of diabetes is unknown but studies have shown that there is a defect in the immune response, leading to further issues and developing into type 1 diabetes mellitus. Once the cells have been affected, they have problems with apoptosis and pass through their checkpoints even though they are damaged cells. These damaged cells then keep growing causes a growth of bad cells and leading to disease (Creusot and Fathman, 2004). There is no current cure for type 1 Diabetes, but they are trying to undergo gene therapy and find ways to maybe fix these cells before they become fatal and cause disease.The current study took all of this into account and conducted different tests to see how hypo and hyper glycaemia affected children’s academic skills. Previous studies have found that extrem e levels of glucose on the brain, affects neural functioning because the extreme amount of sugar makes the neuron work so much harder to burn that sugar, and then the neuron overworks itself and dies out. Previous studies have also shown that severe hypoglycemia has different effects on learning depending on your age, when you developed diabetes, and how severe your glucose was.Other studies have found that children with early onset diabetes have troubles with mathematics and verbal short term memories are linked with having hypoglycemia. Continuing to have poor glycemic control can lead to more severe learning problems down the road as well. The study aimed to focus on groups that had early onset diabetes and groups that did not have diabetes at all, and to see how their learning capabilities differed between the two groups. Having type 1 diabetes has shown to have a negative effect on your academic skills, making it harder to read, or focus or poor critical thinking skills.The pur pose of this study was to try and figure out if there is a way to stop these cells from being damaged before disease occurs, and if there are any other risk factors in diabetes that play a role on children’s academic skills. Methods The study composed of two groups at first, one group was children with early onset type one diabetes that either have or have not had a history of severe glycaemia, and the second group consisted of children that had neither dyslexia nor diabetes. The first group contained 63 children, averaging age of 9 years old and was composed of 31 females and 32 males.That group was then broken down into two groups, one group was children that have had severe hypoglycemia in the past, forming the SH+ group, meaning that those children did have a history of severe hypoglycemia and contained 37 children, and the other group was consisted of children that have not had a history of hypoglycemia in the past, forming the SH- group of 26 children, making it a total of three groups at the end (Hannonen et al. , 2012). The group of children that did not have type 1 diabetes, composed of 90 children, 52 males and 40 females, also averaged at 9 years old.The first two groups were screened at various diabetes clinics in Finland, and chosen based on their qualifications. The third group had been watched since birth, so that their language and learning could be studied. They had been drawn from families that had attended maternity clinics. The groups were observed while they were in third grade, in the spring semester or in the summer. There was no level of difference between sex, age or IQ level, only whether they had diabetes or not (Hannonen et al. , 2012).Before the procedure took place, the parents and the child both had to give consent, and the parent had to fill out a detailed family history sheet of certain learning disabilities and medical history of the child. The whole assessment of the children lasted around two hours, and each child was given a break after each hour. Prior to the assessment, the children with diabetes had to test their glucose levels, and their glucose level was required to be between 4 and 18 mmol/L to partake in the assessment (Hannonen et al. , 2012).This study took various people to try and figure out what similarities and differences they saw, to figure out the specific effects of type 1 Diabetes on academic skills. In the assessment, they tested IQ, vocabulary, comprehension, and some design related tasks. These tasks were used to view the academic skills of the children, and what effect having type 1 diabetes had on the results. They also tested reading skills, spelling, mathematics, and the speed of verbal counting. If the child fell below the 10th percentile, they were to be considered to have a learning disability in that skill (Hannonen et al. , 2012). ResultsAfter comparing the SH+ and SH- groups, the study found that there was a significant difference in spelling skills when compared to the group of children that did not have diabetes at all. In mathematics, the SH- group performed worse than the comparison group. The study also found that there was no significant difference in skill level between the SH- and SH+ group, showing that whether you have experienced severe hypoglycemia often does not have a great effect on your academic skills compared to those who do have frequent low blood sugars. Spelling was one of the greatest differences in the SH groups and the comparison group.The SH+ group showed 35% failure, the SH- group showed 39% failure, compared to the comparison group who only showed 11% failure in spelling words. This study showed that the longer that the children had diabetes, even only a few weeks longer, their spelling and mathematic skills would progressively become worse as their lives go on. The study though also showed that children who had experienced hypoglycemia as an earlier age performed better in mathematics than those children who exper ienced this later in age, but this was not tested with other academic skills. (Hannonen et al. , 2012). ConclusionThe current study proved to be true that having early onset type 1 diabetes, does have a 7somewhat negative effect on your academic skills. In most of the assessments done, children with diabetes proved to do approximately at least 10% worse than children that do not have diabetes. Another study done by Rhitta Honnonen, showed that the verbal skills of children with type 1 diabetes was â€Å"significantly worse† than the compare group of children that did not have diabetes.This study showed almost the same results as the other study, in the fact that type 1 diabetes does have a significant effect on children’s ability to spell, and speak. There are not many studies that have tested this, and even the two studies that I looked at were from this year, but I suspect that many more studies will be done. I do agree to an extent with these studies that having ty pe 1 diabetes can affect your academic skills, but I only think this is true if you are experiencing hyperglycemia at that moment.I was diagnosed with diabetes in 5th grade, but I math and reading have always been my best subjects so my personal experience goes against what the study has to say. The only time I have run into issues is when my blood sugar does fall low and then I start to have major problems reading and seeing straight. I read somewhere that doctors were trying to make type 1 diabetes a learning disability, and have children that have type 1 diabetes in special classes and I do not agree with that.I believe that more studies will be done to prove that even though having type 1 diabetes might cause some road bumps, it is not a learning disability in itself. The only flaw I saw in the study was that the researchers did not keep consistent with some of the tests. When looking at whether experiencing hypoglycemia at an early age had an effect on mathematics, I think they should have also looked at whether that had an effect on other academic skills such as reading or spelling. This study was very helpful and I hope to see more similar to this one.

Collective Bargaining - Protective Services Research Paper

Collective Bargaining - Protective Services - Research Paper Example In addition, if military members, or any government employee, petitioned for higher pay, a wage increase relates directly to an increase in taxes. Although members of the military deserve equal collective bargaining rights as private sector employees, granting said rights creates adverse economic and political implications. Collective bargaining incorporates negotiations between an employer and an employee in order to create satisfactory working conditions for the employee within the employer’s means. The agreements made through collective bargaining include working hours, payment, working conditions, and union procedures (Congressional Digest 2003). In the United States, the National Labor Relations Act or Wagner Act covers the collective bargaining rights and procedures of most private sector employment. ... create collective bargaining rights for certain public and government employees, however, no constitutional act exists to protect the labor rights of the members of the United States military. For example, the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) provides labor rights for most public sector employees including postal workers and those covered by the Railway Labor Act which covers railway and airline workers (US Department of Labor 2011). While some may argue that the inability to collective bargaining is a breach of military members rights, there are economic and political implications that gravely hinder the ability to easily grant said rights. Recently several states have begun to discuss limiting the collective bargaining rights of their public employees in order to increase revenue and appease the national deficit. Protests continue in these states in response to the abolishment of rights (Wisniewski 2011). Nevertheless, the recent collective bargaining legislati on changes portray the economic implications of granting said rights to government employees. All government employees, including members of the military, are paid through tax money. If military members were given the right to collective bargaining and asked for an increase in pay, it would subsequently mean an increase in taxes for citizens. Such economic consequences hinder the accessibility to grant military members collective bargaining rights. In addition, several political circumstances prevent members of the military to have rights to collective bargaining. According to article 1 section 8 of the United States Constitution, members of the military abide by a different set of rules known as the Uniform Code of Military Justice: "The Congress shall have Power . . . To make Rules for

Assignment about two readings Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

About two readings - Assignment Example The east and the west communicated smoothly via the trade activities. The inland areas were rather aloof from this bonding. The sea kept the states united and the same water body washed different geographical regions with varying characteristics. 2) The Roman Empire began to weaken a sit was invaded from the north by the barbarians. Spain, Italy and Suevi were invaded by the Vandals, the Quadi and the Franks respectively. Their idea was not to destroy the civilization but to enjoy the mild climate and rich oil. The Germanic invasions did not take away the traditions of the ancient civilization of Europe though the balance of power was disrupted and the provinces began to be occupied by the Germans. The change actually occurred when the Moslems invaded the empire. The Prophet replaced the Christian Faith, Moslem law and the Arab tongue also came in practice. The Mediterranean Sea or the Roman Lake now turned into the Moslem Lake. The rest of the Europe was cut out from the Mediterranean region. (Pirenne, 25) 3) Einhard was a barbarian writer who resided at the court of the King Charles I or Chalemagne, the King of the Franks. He wrote many compositions on the King’s life and works. He praises the King in his works and shared a close bonding with him and his children. Einhard writes loosely about the King including his ways of living, his treatment of his children and family and his appearance, which marked a strong presence. He was moderate in eating and drinking. He planned he education of his children well and made good judgments. It is through the documents of Einhard that we come to get a properly detailed account of King Charles’ life. He uses whatever scanty knowledge he possesses about language and narrates the achievements of the Great King Charlemagne. (Pirenne, 38-42) 4) Einhard considered King Charles or Charlemagne a great man mainly because of the immense

An analysis of three women from three works by edith wharton Essay

An analysis of three women from three works by edith wharton - Essay Example Her works display her inborn wit and are characterized for their humor, incisiveness and uneventfulness (Wikipedia). As a child, Wharton lived overseas until the age of six when her family settled in New York. She was not formally schooled, but she educated herself by receiving instruction from her governess and by reading through her father's collection of books (Dwight and Winner). In 1885, aged 23, she married Edward Robbins Wharton, but the marriage was tumultuous and unhappy. The marriage ended in divorce in 1913, on grounds of her husband's public infidelity and degrading health. Wharton's first work published, The Decoration of Houses, is not a work of fiction, but a work on architecture and landscaping. In the course of her life, Wharton has traveled extensively through Continental Europe, eventually settling in France. From France, she observed the battles of World War I from the frontlines and wrote Fighting France: From Dunkerque to Belfort, a series of articles about the fighting. She was involved actively in the Red Cross and with the refugees, and was given the French Legion of Honor award for her efforts. In a writing career spanning forty years, Wharton would produce more than forty volumes of work. Her first work published, The Decoration of Houses, is not a work of fiction, but a book on architecture and landscaping. ... r work, responding particularly to the elegance and precision of her prose and the sharpness of her wit; others don't like her at all, finding it hard to "get into" her fiction because she seems so cold, the prose seems so detailed and self-conscious, and the subject matter is so elite" ("Edith Wharton"). Said Dwight and Winner, Edith Wharton "was a born storyteller, whose novels are justly celebrated for their vivid settings, satiric wit, ironic style, and moral seriousness," whose works contain characters are "[o]ften portrayed as tragic victims of cruel social conventions, they are trapped in bad relationships or confining circumstances." The three works chosen for this paper, The Other Two, The Muse's Tragedy and The Pomegranate Seed, are works of Wharton that provide examples to this statement. One such character trapped by conventions is Mrs. Alice Waythorn from The Other Two. The story is told from the point of view by Alice's third husband Mr. Waythorn, whose glowing fascination for his charming bride then turned to doubt about her personality and the fact that she was married twice before him. It is a doubt that grew each time he encountered her former husbands, to wane into numbness with familiarity with them, and to be resolved in the most humorous and unexpected of turns. The Muse's Tragedy, aptly named, is the story of a woman named Mary Anerton, who was seen by the society she moves in as the muse of the renowned poet Vincent Rendle, and immortalized in his "Sonnets to Silvia." While the public whispered of the great love affair between poet and muse, which lent fame - and after the poet's death, authority on his works - to Mrs. Anerton, the truth is that the love affair existed only in Mrs. Anerton's mind, the fruit of her unspoken longing for the

Quantitative and Academic skills in learning Economics Assignment

Quantitative and Academic skills in learning Economics - Assignment Example Economics is a comprehensive that studies various aspects of the society and is divided into a number of branches explicitly, microeconomics, macroeconomics, normative, positive economics etc. In the past two decades the erudition of economics has been revolutionized and its theories and ideas have been applied to various other sciences and areas. Importance of Studying Economics Since the end of cold war and rise of capitalism Economics has been of the areas of study apart from nuclear physics and banking that has been greatly emphasized and a lot of importance has been attached to its research and study. Globalization of markets and rising populations have intensified the economic problem i.e. resources are scarce, and have forced the policy makers into making deeper inroads into the subject and extracting various ways of looking at an economy. Thus in the past few decades this extremely vital social science has immensely affected politics, culture, ethics, religion, social institutions and society at large. Hence with the degree of impact the subject has had on the world economy lately, it has seriously attracted the interest of the youth and the number of people enrolling for business majors and specifically Economics has significantly increased. Skills that hold critical importance in studying Economics Economics is a comprehensive subject that deals with the major issues of the world economy and unlike various other subjects incorporates the economic principles into a number of other areas in order to develop policies for a greater benefit and an effective utilization of the sparse resources. In order to this a wide array of skills is considered to be necessary in order to accomplish these tasks. Some of the extremely important skills that are required for the comprehensive study of the subject are the Qualitative and Analytical Skills. Quantitative Skills Economics is one of the few subjective areas that incorporate a huge amount of quantitative methods in order to explicate its concepts. It is an analytical subject that has a strong quantitative base and utilizes a great deal of mathematical and statistical tools to demonstrate economic phenomenon. Though economists do no use mathematics deliberately but a number of tool shave become extremely vital in order to attain the goal of understanding. Graphical representation of situations is one of the most common tools that is being extensively utilized in various concepts of micro as well as macro economics. Demand and Supply one of the extremely important and core theory of Economics revolves around the graphical representation of cases and quantitative modeling. Despite the fact that economic explanation underlines these graphs and models a certain degree of mathematical acumen is tremendously vital to comprehend the trends. Moreover the use of statistical models is a common for understanding other critical concepts like inflation and unemployment. These skills are extremely important to undertake the course and will be further transferred to the job market on completing the study of the subject. Analytical Skills By virtue of being a science Economist attaches serious importance to the need of analytical skills in order to comprehend the economic theories. As explained in the previous section that economic concepts pivot on the quantitative methods for the purpose of demonstration of a concept and its practical application. Similarly economic problems and cases are

Humanties 3 Discussion 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Humanties 3 Discussion 1 - Essay Example Moreover, focus on the scientific discovery that resulted to industrial revolution made steady alteration on the prevailing economic structure in the western world. The main ideas and inspiration behind the Neoclassicism were music and theater, which were either principally or impassive form. Qualities that are emphasized by corresponding Romantic style were strong emotion, admiration of nature and break from corresponding subsequent inflexible structure (Janson & Anthony, 234-367). Artists within the Realist duration mainly conveyed a ingenuous and objective vision in regard to the contemporary life. Work of art from Neoclassicism is Painting that mainly corresponded with the underlying 18th century enlightenment epoch and extended in the early 19th century (Janson & Anthony, 234-367). Neoclassical painting is mainly characterized by utilization of straight lines, smooth paint surface, and minimal utilization of color, illustration of underlying light and corresponding distinct, crunchy description of the forms. Moreover, Neoclassicism was mainly procreated from corresponding methods within the Paris in regard to the underlying history

Apples pies as a totem food and its impact on American Health Annotated Bibliography

Apples pies as a totem food and its impact on American Health - Annotated Bibliography Example The book is useful to a variety of people including travelers, chefs, and anyone willing to use the recipes at home. The Thorndike press published the book in 2007. It has one hundred and ninety two pages. John T Edge is qualified to provide information on this article because he holds a masters degree in southern studies from university of Mississippi. He is also the director of southern food ways alliance and a contributing editor at gourmet. The source provides information about how apple pie has affected health in Americans because it begins from the history of apple pie and its impact generally on the regional and ethnical America. The source however is limited because it more leaned towards the southerners and the information is short, and not given in details. The next source is Food Fight: The inside story of the food industry, America’s obesity crisis, and what we can do about it. Kelly Brownell and Katherine Battle Horgen wrote this book. The book discusses the reasons why obesity especially in children is on the rise. It also discusses the eating habits of American children, and how they lead to obesity. It further gives suggestions on what people should do to reduce obesity in children. McGraw-hill professional publishers published the source in 2004. The book has three hundred and fifty six pages with different sub topics that discuss food habit, nutrition and its impact. Kelly Brownell is qualified to give information on this topic because he has a PhD in nutrition and weight disorders. He is also a director of the Yale center for eating and weight disorders. Katherine Battle Horgan is also a professor in the same field and co-worker at the Yale center for eating and weight disorders. The article can be used to address the eating habits of American children. Their consumption of too much fast foods including apple pies and how these fast foods lead to obesity. It also gives solutions on how to stop consumption of fast food to

Money and Success Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Money and Success - Essay Example As the United States has never had an aristocracy and thus is better able to recognize that the contingent conditions of birth are not all that are determinant in how one will fair in life. The concept of the American Dream has had many detractors, most dreams do. The condemnations that beset the American Dream typically utilize one of two strategies: 1) the lavish materialism sought is spiritually destructive and the obsessive worship of the dollar borders on the cult-like, 2) the American Dream betrays certain disenfranchised groups by feeding them false hope about the existence of a meritocracy. Dana Gioia, current chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, writes a poem entitled "Money" that examines the many metaphors that we use to describe what it is and how we use it. In understanding our obsession with the dollar his poem offers some insight into its power and hold on us. In another work, Harlon L. Dalton, author of Racial Healing: Confronting the Fear between Blacks & Whites, discusses the destructive capacities of the American myth in an essay titled, "Horatio Alger." In examining these two works this paper will reveal that how we use the myth of the American Dream is just as important as the dream itself. In the epigraph to the poem, Gioia quotes Wallace Stevens's line, "Money is a kind of poetry" (Gioia) If we think of poetry as a kind of writing which attempts to impress images on us through, symbols and metaphors rather than through explicit means, then money might be a sort of symbol or metaphor which conveys its own images and metaphors of the American Dream. In the first stanza Gioia lists a number of euphemisms and sobriquets that refer to the materiality: its color, shape, and texture. The next stanza describes some of the things we are required to do with it. One aspect of success is having money, just having it. Gioia highlights the metaphors we deploy to express the annoyance of having it to spend on necessities like rent, insurance, and the dreaded car payment (or even worse car repair). We "Chock it up, fork it over, shell it out" (Gioia, line 4-5). In this regard we are put in a double bind by the nature of success in America. Not only are individuals pressured by exter nal forces to seek monetary compensation to afford a nice house, a fast car, or designer clothing; but, within us is constructed a sense of remorse at spending money on those things, which society suggests we should need anyway. The subsequent stanza illustrates what money can do for us. It can get us through problems, sometimes through illicit means, and it can make us comfortable. Making ends meet is often considered the baseline of success in the American Dream. If that is all one can do, then he or she is not making enough-but it is a start. Part and parcel of that dream is being able to get through the day, the month, and one's life by whatever means necessary. This imperative to persevere despite odds is an integral portion of the American popular psyche, and is more developed in the work of Horatio Alger as discussed by Dalton. Dalton is critical of the myth insofar that it presumes certain features about American society that are not actually realized in his estimation, name ly

Study skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Study skills - Essay Example Excessive swaying occurred as the number of people crossing the bridge grew. It was then decided to limit the number of people crossing it at a time. The problem of swaying, however, persisted. The swaying was severe enough for people on it to stop walking and hold on to the rails for support (Newland, David E). While the number of people on the bridge swelled, the bridge began to sway and twist in regular oscillations and the worst movement occurred on the central span where the deck was moving by up to 70mm. The engineers insisted the bridge would not fall down but people were left unnerved. Finally, the engineers closed the bridge completely when limiting the number of people failed to make any difference (Millennium Bridge (c), 2000). It was closed to public on 12 June 2000 for re-examination and remedial work. It was later re-opened on 27 February 2002 and now forms part of London’s many architectural marvels (Millennium Bridge (a)). The solution to this problem â€Å"involved installing dampers under the deck and between the deck and the river piers. This has provided an excellent solution as it does not detract from the aesthetic impact of the bridge as originally designed† (Millennium Bridge (e), London, 2007). The bridge is now used by thousands of people and cyclists every day. It is a key pedestrian link and is a simple concept that has achieved a simple form via a complex and innovative design. The bridge is accessible throughout the day. The nearest underground stations are Blackfriars or Mansion House on the Circle line as well as the District line. The bridge affords breathtaking view of panoramic London. The view of St. Paul’s Cathedral majestically towering over other structures is the major attraction. There is also the fresh, cool breeze that wafts onto all those walking across. One cannot help feeling a bit of elation at the crossover without any fear of bumping into some

Trying To Sell An IPod Essay Example for Free

Trying To Sell An IPod Essay Have you ever ridden a bus or the train feeling bored without no one to talk to and wishing that you were listening to something good? Have you ever got on a car or other public transport vehicle or went to a public place where the music that is playing is somewhat not your preference and you wished that you could somehow change the station? Have you ever heard your favorite music playing and wished that you could turn the dial up so that you could enjoy it more? Well wish no more because with an iPod you can do all these things and so much more.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With todays busy and noisy world, every person tries to find a place where they can find peace to be able to concentrate and do what they have to do. This can be hard, which is why a lot of people choose to â€Å"lose† themselves in the world of music with their music players. Also, music most definitely kills boredom. There are a lot of times where you find yourself waiting in line without no one to talk to or waiting for someone to arrive and you find yourself standing there looking like an idiot without nothing to do. Other times you find yourself staring at those people with their own music players who looks like they are enjoying what they are hearing and it makes you want to listen to what they are listening to.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Digital music players are such popular devices right now because they make music and other files manageable and portable. You can see almost every teenager and young adults bobbing their heads with the beat of their music from their players. Adults also use this to play music, store files, and do other things like podcasting. â€Å"Podcasting are digital media files, such as audio or video, which are produced in a series† (Bertucci â€Å"What is Podcasting?†). Aside from listening to music, students can also find that an iPod has many other uses. An iPod can be used as a course content dissemination tool, recording tool, support tool, or a file storage and transfer (â€Å"Duke University iPod First Year Experience Final Evaluation Report†).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   So you think that you do not need an iPod? Let me tell you why you should change your mind. There are a lot of digital music players out in the market today; however, they are all basically the same because they are all capable of playing music in different formats. So why iPod in particular? The first thing that a consumer looks for is quality. With an iPod, there is no need to worry because its producer, which is Apple, is a very trusted brand when it comes to technology (Evans â€Å"Apple Most Trusted US Brand†). The iPod series are very simple yet show a class of its own that not many companies can not produce. You can find whatever kind of player you need because every player that Apple produces fits every individuals needs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Apple offers the iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod classic, and iPod touch. For those with limited budget and could settle for a memory that can hold only about 240 songs, an iPod shuffle is the best choice. The 1GB shuffle only costs $49 while the newer model with 2GB is at $69 (â€Å"iPod shuffle†). It comes in a variety of colors and with its size, no one will have any problem carrying it around. The iPod classic is probably the best choice among all the iPod products. At $249, it boasts of 160GB storage capability and a sleek design (â€Å"iPod classic†). This is enough to store all your favorite music or albums, as well as photos and podcasts, and other files that you need to carry around. An iPod is something for both the average consumer and the techies. It is simple to use and files can be stored with just a few steps yet it offers so much more to those who would like to take advantage of its full services. If money is not an issue for you and you are always on the go, then an iPhone may be the best to offer. It doubles as an iPod and a cellphone so that there is no need to carry two devices at one time. Having an iPhone lessens the probability that you might lose the other or both because you have too many things in your hand.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Imagine life without music. This will be what your life would be like without an iPod. It can become sad, boring, and quiet. Without it, you will be able to hear every other noise there is in the world, which will make it hard to concentrate. Another great thing about an iPod is that it can be a social tool. It can become something to talk about between friends or colleagues. It can be added to the long list of topics that guys can use to talk about with the girls they like. For girls, it can be something to do while trying to ignore a guy you do not want to talk to.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Many people argue that the iPod has become too commercial and the individuality is lost all together. However, people should realize and keep in mind that this is bound to happen because of its success. Other music players do not do well on the market simply because they can not beat the iPods features and looks. With its affordable price and unbeatable features, why would you settle for anything less? Everyone owning an iPod does not matter because what it does for you is more important. Works Cited Bertucci, Brian. â€Å"What is Podcasting?† About.com. 14 April 2008.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://podcasting.about.com/od/basics101/a/whatis.htm â€Å"Duke University iPod First Year Experience Final Evaluation Report.† June 2005. 14 April   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2008 cit.duke.edu/pdf/reports/ipod_initiative_04_05.pdf Evans, Jonny. â€Å"Apple Most Trusted US Brand.† Macworld. 17 May 2007. 14 April 2008   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?RSSnewsID=18062 â€Å"iPod classic.†Ã‚   Apple. 14 April 2008 http://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/ â€Å"iPod shuffle.† Apple. 14 April 2008 http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/

Drug Profile of Tizanidine HCl

Drug Profile of Tizanidine HCl Structure: Categories: Analgesics, Anticonvulsants, Parasympatholytics, Muscle Relaxants, Central, Adrenergic aipha-2 Receptor Agonists, Neuromuscular Agents, Muscle relaxant , Skeletal Weight: Average: 253.711 Monoisotopic: 253.018893678 Chemical Formula: C9H8ClN5S IUPAC Name: 5-Chloro-N-(4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2, 1, 3-benzothiadiazol-4-amine Taxonomy: Kingdom: Organic Compounds Superclass: Heterocyclic Compounds Class: Benzothiadiazoles Direct parent: Benzothiadiazoles Alternative parents: Chlorobenzenes:Thiadiazoles; Polyamines; Aryl Chlorides; Guanidines; Organochlorides. Substituents: Chlorobenzene: Aryl chloride; Aryl halide; Thiadiazole; Guanidine; Azole; Organochloride; Organohalogen; Polyamine; Organonitrogen compound; Amine. Classification: These belong to Heterocyclic. This compound belongs to the benzothiadiazoles. Description: Aromatic compound containing a benzene ring fused to a thiadiazole ring. Pharmacology: Indication: To manage increased muscle tone associated with spasticity. For the management of spasticity Tizanidine is a short- acting drug. It is a agonist at a2-adrenergic receptor sites and by increasing presynaptic inhibition of motor neurons presumably decreases spasticity. Pharmacodynamics: Tizanidine has no direct effect on neuromuscular junction or skeletal muscle fibers and in monosynaptic spinal reflexes there is no major effect, in animal models. On polysynaptic pathways the effects of Tizanidine are more. To reduce the facilitation of spinal motor neurons the overall effect of these actions are thought. Mechanism of action: By increasing the presynaptic inhibition of motor neurons reduces Tizanidine spasticity through agonist action at a2-adrenergic receptor sites. Volume of distribution: 2.4L/kg Protein binding: 30% Route of elimination: Approximately 95% of an administered dose is metabolized. Half life: 2.5 hours Affected organisms: Humans and other mammals Drug interactions: Amlodipine: Amlodipine may decrease the clearance and metabolism of Tizanidine During co-administration considers alternate use caution or Therapy. Benazepril: With ACE inhibitor Tizanidine increases the risk of hypotension. Captopril: With ACE inhibitor Tizanidine increases the risk of hypotension. Solubility: Storage: cool dry place and in well-closed container. 4.3. EXCIPIENT PROFILE: Pharmaceutical excipients are substances, alternative than the pharmacologically effective drug or prodrug, that are indicated in the manufacturing process are hold in the final pharmaceutical compound dosage form. Excipients bring enhance practicability to the pharmaceuticals, advancement the alterations in the drug development and aid to advance patent life as well. Excipients arrange the products also practical at lower cost, they use a lot aim by the pharmaceutical industry which is overflow with pressure to reduce cost. Excipients show a comprehensive change of useful in pharmaceutical dosage forms, along with: The bioavailability and solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) have been modulated. In dosage forms stability of the active ingredients have been increased. Preferred polymorphic conformations or forms are maintained by helping active ingredients. Maintaining the pH and/or osmolality of liquid productions. Acting as emulsifying agents, antioxidants, tablet binders, aerosol propellants, and as a tablet disintegrate. Preventing dissociation or aggregation (e.g., polysaccharide and actives protein). Immunogenic responses of active ingredients are modulated (e.g., adjuvant). Polymers: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose Synonyms: Hydroxypropyl methyl ether, HPMC, Methocel. Methylcellulose propylene glycol ether, Methyl hydroxypropyl methyl ether [9004-65-3]. Non- proprietary name: BP:Hypromellose USP:Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose Functional Category: Coating agent, viscosity- increasing agent, tablet binder. Description: HPMC is tasteless and an odorless, white fibrous or granular powder, white or creamy. Alkalinity /acidity: pH 5.5-8.0 for a 1%w/w aqueous solution. Melting point: Browns at 190-200 °C, chars at 225-230 °C, glass transition temperature is 170-180 °C. Moisture content: Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose consume moisture from the atmosphere, the quantity of water consumed based on the moisture content and relative humidity and temperature of the surrounding air. Solubility: Soluble in forming a viscous colloidal solution, cold water, practically insoluble in ethanol (95%), chloroform, and either, but soluble in mixtures of dichloromethane and ethanol and mixtures of dichloromethane and methanol, and mixtures of alcohol and water. Methocel productUSP 28 DesignationNormal Viscosity (cps) Methoel K4M Premium 22084000 Methocel K100M Premium2208100000 Methocel K15M Premium220815000 Most influential factors is drug solubility for designing a drug release pattern. Require higher amounts of HPMC in the tablet because they are highly water soluble drugs. Suitable types of HPMC are the methocel K100M and methocel K4M grades, which have a characteristics of quick hydration and gel formation. The higher amount of HPMC or viscosity of HPMC can decrease the drug release rate in the tablet. Generally, maximum contended of methocel in the tablet is less 20%. If the contended is below 20%, there is a danger for excess dissolution in the 1st stage or initial erosion. Application in pharmaceutical formulation or technology: Hypromellose is mostly used in oral and pharmaceutical formulation. Hypromellose is most primarily used as a binder in tablet for oral products, as an extended release tablet matrix and in film coating. Depending upon the viscosity grade, concentration of 2-20% w/w are used in film coating tablets as film-forming solutions. In aqueous film-coating solutions Lower-viscosity grades are used. While in organic solvents higher-viscosity grades are used. Hypromellose at concentration between 0.45-1.0% w/w are may be used for eye drops and artificial tear solution as a thickening agent to vehicles. Also, used as suspending agent, an emulsifier, and stabilizing agent in topical ointments and gels. In addition, for manufacture of capsule hyprmellose is used, for hard contact lenses as a wetting agent and as an adhesive in plastic bandages. Also mostly used in food products and cosmetics. Stability and storage Conditions: HPMC powder is balanced material, although it is hygroscopic after drying. HPMC powder should be stored in a in a cool, dry place and in well- closed container. Incompatibilities: With some oxidizing agents HPMC is incompatible. HPMC will not complex with ionic organic or metallic salts to form insoluble precipitates since it is non-ionic. Safety: It is generally considered as a non-irritant and nontoxic material although oral consumption may have a laxative effect39. Sodium bicarbonate Non-proprietary names: BP/EP: sodium bicarbonate Synonym: Baking soda, e-500, and monosodium carbonate. Chemical name: carbonic acid, monosodium salt, monosodium carbonate. Empirical formula: NaHCO3 Molecular weight: 84.01 Category: alkalizing agent, therapeutic agent. Description: it is an odorless, white crystalline powder with slight alkaline taste. Acidity/ alkalinity: pH 8.3 for freshly prepared 0.1m aqueous solution at 250C. Density: 2.159 g/cm3 Solubility: Practically insoluble in ethanol and soluble in water,. Stability and storage: Sodium bicarbonate is balanced in dry air but still slowly disintegrates in moist air and should accordingly be reserved in a cool dry place and in well-closed container. Safety: sodium bicarbonate balance gastric acid with the change of carbon dioxide orally ingested and that may cause stomach cramps and flatulence. Applications: Employed as a cause of carbon dioxide in effervescent tablets and granules. Also used to buffer the drug molecules that are weak acids. Used in solutions as buffering agent. Also used as freeze-drying stabilizer. As a gas forming agent40. Magnesium stearate Nonproprietary names: BP: Magnesium Stearate, IP: Magnesium Stearate, PhEur: Magnesiistearas, USPNF: Magnesium Stearate. Synonyms: Magnesium octadecananoate; Octadecanoic acid; Magnesium salt; stearic acid magnesium salt. Empirical formula: C36H70MgO4 Chemical name: Octadecanoic acid magnesium salt Molecular weight: 591.34 Structural Formula: Fig 13. Structure of Magnesium Sterate Functional category: Capsule and tablet lubricant. Applications in Pharmaceutical Technology: Magnesium stearate is mostly used in pharmaceutical formulations food and cosmetics. Most primarily at the time of tablet and capsule manufacturing used as a lubricant with concentrations between 0.25% and 0.5% w/w. And also used in barrier creams. Description: Magnesium stearate is actual accomplished milled or precipitated, light white, impalable powder of less bulk density, having faint smell of stearic acid and a quality taste. The powder readily be attached to the skin and greasy to touch. Solubility: Practically insoluble in ether, ethanol (95%), ethanol, ether and water, slightly. Soluble in warm ethanol (95%) and warm benzene41. . Microcrystalline cellulose Synonyms: Microcrystalline cellulose, Avicel, Crystalline cellulose, emocel, vivacel, Cellulosum microcrystallinum. Chemical Name: Cellulose Empirical Formula: (C6H10O5)n where n ≈ 220. Structural formula: Fig 14: Structure of microcrystalline cellulose Functional category: suspending agent, Adsorbent, tablet disintegrant, tablet and capsule diluent. Applications in pharmaceutical formulation or technology: It is primarily used as a diluent/ binder in oral tablet and capsule formulation in both wet granulation processes and direct compression. It has also got some lubricant, antiadherent, and disintegrating properties, which is useful in tableting. Microcrystalline cellulose is used in food products and cosmetics. Description: It occurs as a white, tasteless, odourless crystalline powder keeping of porous particles. It is commercially applicable in different applications and properties. Solubility: Slightly soluble in 5% w/v sodium hydroxide solution; insoluble in most organic solvents, water and dilute acids. GradeNominal mean particle size ( µm)Moisture content Avicel pH -10150≠¤5.0 Avicel pH -102100≠¤5.0 Uses of microcrystalline cellulose Density (bulk): 0.28-0.32 g/cm3 for Avicel PH 102 and 0.29-0.36 g/cm3 for Avicel PH 200 pH: 5.5-7 Flowability: 1.41 g/s Melting point: 260–270 °C. Moisture content: Typically less than 5% w/w. Solubility: Insoluble in dilute acids and water, slightly soluble in 5% w/v sodium hydroxide solution. Specific surface area: 1.21–1.30 m2/g for Avicel pH-102, 0.78–1.18 m2/g for Avicel pH-200. Stability: Microcrystalline cellulose is a stable though hygroscopic material. Storage Conditions: Storeatambientconditions.Keepcontainers sealed; material is very hygroscopic. Incompatibilities: Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents43. Xanthum gum Synonyms: Bacterial Polysaccharide, Corn Sugar Gum, Xanthan, Gomme desucre de mais, Polysaccharide Xanthane, Gomme Xanthane, Polysaccharide Bactà ©rien, Xanthane, Goma Xantana, Xanthomonas campestris. Gomme de Xanthane, Description: Xanthan gum is a sugar-like compound prepared by blending aged (fermented) sugars with assured kind of bacteria. It is used to make medicine. It is used in making some medications and foods. In these products it has different effects. It can keep textures from changing, add thickness, and hold ingredients in place. In many types of medicines Xanthan gum is found. These include: Tablets which slowly break down in the body Liquid drops for the eyes Xanthan gum is formed by heating a carbohydrate (a substance which consists of sugar) withXanthomonas campestrisbacteria, then processing it. Uses: Use as a bulk-forming laxative to treatconstipation. In people with diabetes it lowers blood sugar. In people with diabetes it lowers cholesterollevels. For dry mouth used as a saliva substitute. Side effects: Xanthan gum assume to cause some side effects. A 1987 study, in that five men who are healthy ate roughly 10 to 13gm daily, has commence no adverse effects. It may cause gas. Risks.The FDA has warned against for giving simply thick to premature infants. It has been combined to a danger digestive problem called necrotizing enterocolitis in neonate born prematurely. Interactions: Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interrelates with XANTHAN GUM. By decreasing the absorption of sugars in food Xanthan gum might lower blood sugar. To lower blood sugar Diabetes medications are also used. Blood sugar to be too low may cause by taking xanthan gum with diabetes medications. Guide your blood sugar nearly. The dose of your diabetes medication may need to change. Some medications used for diabetes be composed of glimepiride (Amaryl), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glyburide, glipizide (Glucotrol), (Micronase, Dia Beta, Pres Tab, Glynase), pioglitazone (Actos), insulin, rosiglitazone (Avandia), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others. Dosing: In scientific research the following doses have been studied. Bymouth: The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed the maximum pleasing intake for xanthan gum as a laxative of 15 grams per day and as a food additive of 10 mg/kg /day. Xanthan gum require extra fluids for effectiveness and safety, bulk laxatives such as. For diabetes: As an ingredient in muffins a typical dose is 12grams per day44. Aerosil IUPAC Name: Silicon dioxide Synonyms: Quartz, Silicic oxide, Silica, Crystalline silica, Silicon (IV) oxide, Description: Silicon dioxide, also known assilica (from the  Latinsilex), is a  chemical compound  that is an  oxide  of  silicon  with  chemical formulaSiO2. It has been known since ancient times. Silica is most usually found in nature as  quartz or sand, and also in the  cell   walls  of  diatoms  (frustule). Silica is prepared in many forms including fused quartz,  crystal,  fumed silica  (or pyrogenic silica), aerogel,  colloidal silica, and silica gel49.

Types of Poisonous Snakes and Snake Venom

Types of Poisonous Snakes and Snake Venom In the fourth century BC, India was invaded by Alexander the Greats army, which was accompanied by a number of Macedonian physicians and observers. They were impressed by the achievements of the local Ayurvedic practitioners, particularly in the treatment of snake bite (1). Unfortunately, the legacy of ancient skills, experience and wisdom may have held back rather than encouraged the application of modern scientific research methods to manage this continuing scourge of rural life in India (2).In India, snake envenomation is a huge public health problem, but unfortunately it hasnt got its due attention. There is scant information on epidemiology and minimal research on anti venom. Most of the quoted figures on snake bite are hospital based though most bites occur in villages and among poor population, who rely largely on traditional treatment. Recent Global Snake Bite Initiative of the International Society on Toxicology and by the World Health Organisation, is expected to throw more light on epidemiology and treatment of snake bites (3). Of the 3,000 or so snake species that exist in the world, only about 15% are venomous. Venomous snakes exist on every continent except Antarctica. In India the Big Four (Cobra, Krait, Saw scaled and Russels viper) are the key poisonous snakes(4).Though the hospital records show only 1,300 annual deaths but a recent Nationally Representative Mortality Survey puts this figure to approx. 45,900 deaths a year. Snakebite remains an underestimated cause of accidental death in modern India. Community education, appropriate training of medical staff and better distribution of antivenom, especially in the states with the high prevalence, could reduce snakebite deaths in India(5). Historical Background: Since time immemorial snake has been an object of worship in many countries. According to Hindu mythology this world is resting on a many-headed cobra. Lord Vishnu lies on Sheshnag. The Cobra coils around Lord Shiva. Old Egyptian nobility are pictured with cobra hood on their forehead. Some cultures held snakes in high esteem as powerful religious symbols. Quetzalcoati, the mythical plumed serpent was worshipped as the master of life by ancient Aztecs of Central America. Some African cultures worshipped rock pythons and considered the killing of one to be a serious crime. In Australia, the Aborigines associated a giant rainbow serpent with the creation of life. In Jewish texts, in the old Maya civilization, in Kundalini yoga, theosophy and in many medieval society emblems the world over, snakes form an essential symbol. This shows how intimate has been the historical, social and mythological association of snakes with the mankind and no wonder the cobra is wors hipped in India on Naga Panchami day. Ayurvedic texts written by Vagbhata and Sushruta, have given in fair detail the classification of snakes according to their symptoms and their poisoning. There are many stories about constrictors, particularly anacondas in the Amazon and pythons in the east, which are said to have strangled adult humans, these need to be treated with great deal of skepticism (6,7,10). In practice it is only the poisonous snakes that are of interest. Poisoning from snake bite is an important medical emergency in Africa, South America, India, Pakistan and greater part of south East Asia. Epidemiology As snake bite is not a notifiable illness, there is little reliable information on incidence of snakebite in many parts of the world. Snake bite is an important occupational injury affecting farmers, plantation workers, herders, and fishermen. Open-style habitation and the practice of sleeping on the floor also expose people to bites from nocturnal snakes. Bites are more frequent in young men, and generally occur on lower limbs. The incidence of snake bites is higher during the rainy season and during periods of intense agricultural activity (6). Available data shows 30,000-40,000 deaths from snakebites every year but this figure probably is an underestimate (8), because of incomplete reporting. Recent global estimates suggest 2.5 million bites and 85000 annual deaths. In India recent published literature suggests yearly 45,900 deaths due to poisonous snakebites and 5.6-12.6 deaths per 100,000 population in some states appears to be realistic(4,5). Upto 80% of snake bite patients in developing countries, first contact traditional practitioners, before visiting a medical center (6,7,9). Owing to the delay in reaching hospital many patients die enroute. Going by the fact that around 85-90 % snakes are non-poisonous and even 50% of bites by poisonous snakes are dry runs, number of snakebites in India are enormous(4). Myanmar probably has highest mortality figure in Asia, where over 70% bites are by Russells viper. In India, Maharashtra records the highest number of snakebites, followed by West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala. In Maharashtra alone, 70 bites per 100,000 population occur yearly with 2.4 per 100,000 mortality. Rajasthan and Jammu region of JK also report large number of viper bites (up to 95% of all bites (10). During rains and floods number of cases shows a steep rise. Most bites occur between 0400 hours to midnight and mere observation that majority of bites are on lower extremity suggest that snake is inadvertently trodden upon. In India 2/3rd of bites are due to saw scaled viper, about 1/4th due to Russells and a smaller proportion due to cobra and Krait. In neighboring Sri Lanka Daboiarussellii accounts for 40% and in Myanmar 70% of snake bites (11,12). For correct epidemiological studies one requires enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to identify antigen and antibody. This permits reliable identification and sensitive quantification of venom antigens and antibody. Natural antibody is detectable in serum by one week of bite, which rises to peak by one year and falls to low levels by 3 years, though may be detectable for up to 40 years after bite. Anti snake venom reduces but doesnt abolish the generation of antibodies. In some countries e.g. Australia, ELISA is routinely used for identification of poison (13). Anatomy and Habits Snakes belong to order Ophidia of the Reptilia general class. Over 3000 species are encountered in the world of which less than 15% are poisonous. Most of these are found in tropical and subtropical regions, Australia and throughout USA except in Alaska, Maine and Hawaii. In India 216 species from 9 families are reported of which 52 species from 3 families are poisonous. Most snakes are non-venomous, have no fangs and belong to colubrid family; a few colubrids are technically poisonous having a venom gland connected to a solid fang at the back of mouth. Bites from back fanged colubrids are generally harmless to man but with some species like African boomslang, Dispholidustypus, serious and even fatal poisoning has been reported in the snake handlers(13). The three families of front fanged poisonous snakes are elapids, vipers and sea snakes. Elapids are land snakes with non-mobile 3-5 mm long fangs in adults. Vipers have 10-30 mm long fangs which are easy to see when erected, but diff icult to see when folded against upper gum. Vipers are divided into crotalids or pit vipers who have heat sensing pit between eye and nose and viperidae which dont have the pit. Sea snakes have very short immobile fangs and flat rudder like tails. There are mainly 4 poisonous snakes encountered in India i.e. Cobra, Krait, Saw scaled and Russells viper. New addition to Big Four is Hump-nosed Pit viper (Hypnale hypnale), recently being reported from India though existent for more than 100 years(16). This has been mistaken for Saw Scaled Viper by most. It is identified by larger, triangular head ending in a snout with large scales on the head in contrast to the small scales of saw scaled viper. The envenomation is manifested by coagulopathy and renal failure. It is reported as one of the most poisonous snakes in India but specific anti venom against this is not available (12). Common poisonous snakes found in India are as below; Viperidae * Saw scaled viper (Echis carinatus) * Russells viper (Vipera russelli) Elapidae * Indian Cobra (Naja naja) * Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) Crotalidae * Pit Viper Hydrophidae * Sea snakes Cobra is 1.2-2.1 meters long while King Cobra may be as long as 5.5 meters. Cobra is usually slate gray to brown. The back of hood may or may not have a pattern. They raise their hood when aroused or threatened. They try to avoid mankind unless they are too close or are trodden upon. The distance a cobra can strike in forward direction is the height its hood rises above the ground. Some cobras however can spit venom upto a distance of 3 meters. This can cause redness, corneal abrasions/ulcers etc. King cobra is uniformly olive, brown or green with ringlike cross bands of black. Although it is the largest venomous snake in the world but it avoids attacking another venomous snake for fear of being bitten, therefore it feeds only on harmless species. Females build a nest and then deposit the eggs. Lying close by, she guards the nest and is highly aggressive towards anything which approaches the nest.The king cobra is found in the forests or their vicinity in the Himalayas, Bengal, Assam and South India. The common Indian cobra is found in jungles but also in open country with or without vegetation; in gardens, drains, cultivated fields, and populated areas in mans proximity; in stacks of wood and under rubbish, in loose masonry, crevices of walls and building ruins; in old cemeteries, in temples or mosques.It is often seen in dark corners of bathrooms, stables and servant quarters of old bungalows. It may be found in old hole of a tree, in ant-hill or a rat burrow. It can climb trees and swim well. It feeds on rats, mice, frog; less frequently on birds or their eggs; and sometimes on chickens, squirrels, lizards and other snakes. It is usually diurnal in habit but in populated areas it is more nocturnal(14,15). Krait is black or bluish black with white narrow crossbands and a narrow head. Its average length is 90cm 150 cm. It is found only in Asia. It is active during night and passive during the day. It is found in plains, cultivated fields and human habitations. It has tendency to seek shelter in sleeping bags, boots and tents.Kraits are mostly found in Eastern India, Assam, Bengal and parts of South India and patches all over the country. There are two varieties, banded and non-banded. Although it has most potent venom of all land snakes, it is rather shy and bites human beings least commonly (13,15). Vipers are so called because they are viviparous. There are 110 kinds of vipers and all are poisonous. Vipers have broad plates extending right across the belly and small scales on the head similar to those on the body. Body is light brown and their back is usually covered with black blotches of inverted V shaped markings. Some of the pit vipers have large shield on the head. Russells viper or Daboia is a big stumpy snake  ½-2 meters long with short tail and characteristic marking as described above. It is irritable. When threatened it coils tightly, hisses and strikes with a lightning speed, that victim has no chance of escaping. Indian pit vipers are generally found in hilly areas of Western Ghats and Sunderbans in West Bengal.Russells viper prefers open country, cultivated fields and bushy or grassy fallow lands. It is nocturnal in habit. It is commonly found in plains of Punjab, Bombay, Madras area and Brahamputravalley(4,6,20). Saw scaled viper (Echiscarinatus) is found all over India but particularly in Western India, Punjab, and around Tiruchirapalli. It prefers open dry rocky country or arid deserts.Saw Scaled Viper (Phoorsa) is responsible for maximum bites and deaths all over the world than any other snake. This small stumpy snake measures 25-60cmand camouflages well with the surroundings. Colour is light buff with shades of brown, dull red or gray. Its sides have a white or light coloured pattern. Its head usually has dark stripes that start behind the eye and extend to the rear. It gets its name from the fact it rubs its own body from sides and produces rasping sound. This ill- tempered snake attacks any intruder. It is common in rural settlements, cultivated fields and regions, barns, and rock walls(4,14). Sea snakes resemble cobra and its allies in structure of their fangs and most other characters. Most of them are 3-4 ft. long, and a few may attain a length of 8 feet. Their tails are laterally flattened and are sculled in paddle -like fashion during swimming. Most sea snakes are covered with small round scales and lack the enlarged ventral scales found in terrestrial species. The nostrils are valvularand hey can be closed when snake submerges- and may be displaced towards the top of the head. Excess salt from the sea water and diet is excreted through special glands in the snakes mouth. Venomous sea snakes mostly inhabit the waters of Australia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia and India. Of the more than 50 species some are many times more poisonous than land snakes, with venom 10-40 times more potent than that of cobra. Except for a single species found in creeks and river estuaries sea snakes are all poisonous. They however have a narrow gape and rarely bite effectively.Their bite is re latively painless and, amazingly very low percentage of patients suffer significant envenomation during the attack. In a census in Malay Peninsula less than 25% developed features of poisoning and a small percentage became critically ill (4,12,14). Snakes have a good sensory perception with primitive ears. Their vision is limited to few meters only, with better acuity for moving objects. Lower jaw is a pair of bones joined together centrally by an elastic ligament which doesnt articulate with maxilla thus enabling the snake to swallow its prey as a whole. Fangs are modified teeth on pre maxilla. Venom is secreted from parotid glands and is meant to immoblise the small creatures like rat. Man is an innocent coincident victim. Bite is a well coordinated act involving movement of head and body. It involves coordinated positioning of head, opening of mouth, attack by forward thrust of body and head, piercing the skin by fangs and injecting the venom while the wound is deepened by contraction of temporalis muscle. Vipers have holes at the tip of fangs while elapids have gutters in the fangs(14,15). Identification of Poisonous Snakes Most of the bites are by non-poisonous snakes, but the intense fear of snake bites may cause acute panic reaction or feeling of impending death. If the patient has brought snake to the attending doctor, proper identification can help institute early and appropriate treatment to the victim and also alleviate undue emotional disturbance. Some of the important differentiating features of poisonous from non-poisonous snake are appended below(13,18). (a) Fangs: The most distinctive feature of poisonous snakes is the fangs. These are modified teeth in the upper jaw, generally two in number, one on either side. They communicate with salivary glands and are hollow or grooved. In elapidae and sea snakes they are located in front, are short and immobile while they are large, curved and have wide range of movement in vipers. (b) Scales on Belly: In poisonous snakes the belly scales are large and extend all across the belly. In non-poisonous snakes belly scales are small and generally dont extend across the belly. (c) Head: Vipers have heavier triangular head with small scales all over. In case of pit vipers a pit is located between the nostril and the eye. Cobra and Krait have large head scales. In cobra upper third labial is largest and touches the eye and nasal shield. In Kraits upper third labial does not touch the eye and nose, but the fourth lower labial scale on the under surface of mouth is the largest. All the poisonous sea snakes have large scales on the head and valved nostrils. (d) Pupil: Poisonous snake have generally elliptical or vertical slit. However pupils are round in elapidae (cobra) and most non-poisonous snakes. (e) Body design: Krait has central row of large scales on dorsal side, which are almost hexagonal. It has paired white or black stripes across the body in the banded Krait. Some cobras have spectacle-like mark on their hood. (f) Fang marks: In non-poisonous snakes since all teeth are at same level so bite is stretched and bite marks are along a curved line i.e. row of bites,as in human bite. Bite site can be easily made out. In poisonous snakes since poisonous teeth are generally two (fang marks) and other teeth areat lower level, so only two,1-2 cm spaced puncture marks are seen. A distance of less than 10 mm signifies a small snake while a distance of over 15 mm is suggestive of a large snake. Sometimes one requires hand lens to identify these marks especially in cases of cobra or Krait bite. It is noteworthy that the size of the venom fangs has no relation to the virulence of the venom. The comparatively innocent Indo-MalayLachesis  have enormous fangs, whilst the smallest fangs arefound in the  Hydrophids  which possess very potent venom. (g) Sound: Most venomous snakes produce characteristic sounds, which may also help in recognition of snake. Russells viper produces Hissing, saw scaled viper Rasping and King Cobra Growling sounds. Easy identification of different snakes is as follows: Cobra: Hood while alive, large scales on head. Pupil is round and 3rd upper labial touches the eye and nostril. Large belly scales extend acrossthe width. Krait : The fourth lower labial scale on the under surface of the mouth isthe largest. Hexagonal large scales in the central row on dorsal side. Body may be banded. Belly scales extend across the width. Viper : Triangular heavy head with small scales all over. Large belly scales extend across the width. Snake Venom Snake venoms are the most complex of all natural venoms and poisons. The venom of any species might contain more than 100 different toxic and non-toxic proteins and peptides, and also non-protein toxins, carbohydrates, lipids, amines, and other small molecules. The toxins of most importance in human envenoming include those that affect the nervous, cardiovascular, and haemostatic systems, and cause tissue necrosis (21). Snake venom is primarily meant to paralyse the prey, man is only accidental victim to whom snake strikes if threatened. Proteins constitute 90-95% of venoms dry weight and they are responsible for almost all of its biological effects. Venom is made up of toxins, nontoxic proteins (which also have pharmacological properties), and many enzymes especially hydrolytic ones.  Enzymes (molecular weight  13-150 KDa) make-up 80-90% of viperid and 25-70% of elapid venoms: digestive hydrolases, L-amino acid oxidase, phospholipases, thrombin-likepro-coagulant,andkallikrein-like serine proteasesand  metalloproteinases  (hemorrhagins), which damage vascular endothelium. Polypeptide  toxins (mol weight 5-10 KDa) include  cytotoxins,  cardiotoxins, and postsynaptic neurotoxins (suchas  ÃƒÅ½Ã‚ ±-bungarotoxin  and  ÃƒÅ½Ã‚ ±-Cobratoxin). Compounds with low molecular weight (up to 1.5 KDa) include metals, peptides, lipids, nucleosides, carbohydrates, amines, and oligopeptides, which inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and potentiate bradykinin (BPP).  Phosphodiesterases  interfere with the preys cardiac system, mainly to lower the  blood pressure.  Phospholipase A2  causes  hemolysis  by lysing the  phospholipid  cell membranes  of  red blood cells.  Amino acid  oxidasesand  proteases  are used for digestion. Amino acid oxidase also triggers some other enzymes and is responsible for the yellow colour of the venom of some species.  Hyaluronidase  increases tissue permeability to accelerate absorption of other enzymes into tissues. Some snake venoms carry fasciculins, like the  mambas  (Dendroaspis), which inhibit  cholinesterase  to make the prey lose muscle control (22,23). The most lethal venoms are those of elapids and sea snakes. These toxins are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream thereby causing rapid systemic effects. Large molecular weight viper toxins are absorbed slowly through lymphatics thereby staying longer at local site, hence more local effects. Pathophysiology of ophitoxemia is basically dependent on disruption of normal cellular functions. Some enzymes like hyaluronidase disseminate venom by breaking down tissue barriers. Ophitoxemia can lead to increase in vascular permeability thereby causing loss of blood and plasma volume in extravascular space. Collection of this fluid is responsible for edema and fluid loss, if significant it can lead to shock. Venom also has cytolytic effect leading to necrosis and secondary infection. Neurotoxic effect may lead to paralysis, cardiotoxic effect can cause cardiac arrest and likewise myotoxic or nephrotoxic effect can lead to rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. Ophitoxaemia also can lead to coagul ation disturbances. Among the various species, the lethal dose of venom, for cobra is 120 mg, Krait 60 mg and for Russells viper and saw scaled viper is 150 mg respectively. But clinical features and outcomes are not predictable as every bite does not cause complete envenomation. Pathological effects of venom may not be noticed until about six hours (varying between 1.5-72 hours), and it may remain functionally active causing persistent coagulopathy even after three weeks of bite. Hence duration of antigenemia is an important determinant for the extent of pathological effect. It has been unequivocally proved by studying the venom levels by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), that effects due to envenomation depend on venom hours (i.e. Blood venom level x time elapsed between bite and institution of treatment) rather than blood levels alone. Hence with the same level of venom, features due to envenomation may become progressively severe with passage of time (14,20). There are four distinct types of venom effects: Proteolytic  venom  dismantles the molecular structure of the area surrounding and including the bite. Hemotoxic  venoms  act on the heart and cardiovascular system. Neurotoxic  venom  acts on the nervous system and brain. Cytotoxic  venom  has a localized action at the site of the bite. Pathophysiology of various biological effects of snake envenomation The following few paragraphs shall describe the biological effects of venom. (a) Local Swelling: Most viper bites cause local swelling at the site of bite, which starts within minutes of bite and massive swelling of the limb may develop within 48-72 hours. This is usually the result of hemorragins in the venom. This opens the endothelial pores resulting in leakage of plasma or whole blood. At times leakage may be so much that patient develops hypovolemic shock. This swelling is not due to any venous occlusion or infection. If the exudation is of whole blood, then later discoloration of the limb may develop. In contrast to Echis, in European adder V berus bites, spontaneous bleeding is rare but discolouration is common. Sometimes local swelling is delayed and compartment syndrome may result(10,13,17). (b) Local Necrosis: In viper bites local necrosis appears late if at all and if it occurs, it is due to ischemia, mimicking dry gangrene. On the other hand in Cobra bite local necrosis appears early. Local swelling may develop after 2-3 hours but necrosis develops rapidly after that. It is due to cytolytic factors present in the venom and is a wet gangrene. As this dead tissue provides ideal setting for anaerobes, hence the putrid smell. An early excision is warranted (13). (c) Non-specific early symptoms: With bites of some vipers e.g. V berus, V xanthina, Australian elapids, some rattle snakes etca few symptoms are common. Vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, explosive diarrhea and collapse can occur. These features resolve in 30-60 minutes, suggesting activation of kinin system followed by inhibition of bradykinin (13,17). (d) Shock: It can develop due to extensive volume leak from vessels in cases of viper bite. It can result even before a limb gets swollen. Pulmonary intra vascular clotting, pulmonary edema and cardiac effects can be contributory factors for shock. (e) Spontaneous haemorrhage: Haemorrhages can develop in patients with viper bites even days after the bite. These at times may be life threatening especially if they occur in brain. Local blisters at bite site appear to be depot of venom, which dont get targeted by anti snake venom. Therefore one must keep in mind the delayed absorption from bite site in patients who present with late bleeding manifestations despite having been given anti-snake venom a few days back. (f) Effect on Circulation: Some viper venoms contain procoagulant activity which activates prothrombin to thrombin; which in turn converts fibrinogen to fibrin while in others procoagulant venom may directly affect fibrinogen. This fibrin formed is susceptible to lysis unlike natural fibrin thus resulting in poorly clottable or non-clottable blood because of absent or very low levels of fibrinogen. It should be remembered that bleeding manifestations during envenomation are not generally due to coagulation disturbances but rather due to haemorrhagin. Platelet count may also be low though usually it is normal. Low platelet count is due to consumption of platelets in the repair of endothelial damage. Polymorphonuclearleucocytosis is common in all forms of envenomation especially severe envenomation. Both viper and elapidae bite may have hemolytic activity in vitro but abnormal hemolysis is rarely of clinical importance except probably in renal failure (13,17). (g) Renal Failure: Renal failure is a common manifestation of viperine envenomation especially where treatment has been delayed. On renal biopsy acute tubular necrosis is the commonest underlying lesion in 50-70% of cases and acute cortical necrosis (patchy / diffuse) has been found in 20-25% of cases. Hypovolemia and shock are the usual underlying mechanism. Other contributory factors are hemo/ myoglobinuria, hemolysis, associated sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (24). Glomerular lesions have also been described in snake bite cases. Merchant et al(25) have reported mesangial proliferation, splitting of basement membrane, swelling of endothelial cells and ballooning of glomerular capillaries, but the significance of these lesions in causing renal failure is not clear and is debatable. Seedat et al(26) reported two cases due to puff adder who developed oliguric renal failure and biopsy showed crescenticglomerulunephritis. Authors suspected hypersensitivity of venom as the cause. Occasional casesof severe glomerulonephritis related renal failure have been reported in the literature. Experimental studies carried out on the effect of Habu snake venom (found in Japan) has given some insight into understanding of the glomerular lesion. This venom contains hemorrhagin, like the venom of Echiscarinatus. Within 24 hours of injection of this venom destruction of mesangium occurs resulting in ballooning of capillaries which become packed with red cells and fibrin giving an appearance of blood cysts. This is followed by proliferation of mesangial cells giving appearance of segmental proliferative glomerulonephritis. Rarely crescents are observed. These studies provide evidence that these glomerular changes are due to vasculotoxic effects of hemorrhagin. However about tubular necrosis or cortical necrosis, the commonest lesion encountered in snake envenomation, there is no consensus that venom has any direct toxic effect in producing these lesions (27,28). (h) Neurotoxic effects: Elapidae venom and sea snake venom cause neurotoxic effects due to neuromuscular blockade. Commonly affected muscles in elapidae bite are those of eye, tongue, throat and chest (leading to respiratory paralysis in severe envenomation). Neurotoxins are small molecular weight positively charged molecules with less antigenecity. Neuro- muscular blockade is produced by one of the following mechanisms. (a) Post synaptic block (Cobra) cobratoxin and alpha-bungarotoxins act similar to d-tubocurarine on the post synaptic membrane. There is no decrease in acetyl choline. Response to neostigmine is satisfactory. (b) Pre-synaptic blockade (Krait)beta- bungarotoxin acts like botulism toxin pre synaptically to block the neuro-muscular junction. Post junctional membrane remains sensitive to acetyl choline. The time required for neuromuscular block varies with impulse traffic, therefore intense physical activity shortens the interval between envenomation and neuromuscular bl ock. Response to neostigmine is less satisfactory. It is important to note that these neurotoxins dont cross the blood brain barrier and therefore do not cause alteration in consciousness. Hence in case of altered sensorium an alternative cause should be found (23,29). (i) Cardiotoxic Effects: Cardiotoxin (Cobra) acts on cell membrane of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle to produce paralysis and cardiac asystole. Cobramine B and cytoxin cause irreversible depolarization of cell membrane and systolic cardiac arrest. Hyperkalemia following massive hemolysis or rhabdomyolysis also depresses cardiac function. (j) Myotoxic Effects: Although sea snake venom appears to be neurotoxic in animal experiments, the effects in man are primarily myotoxic. There is diffuse effect on all muscles though local effects at the site of bite are minimal. In humans bitten by sea snakes the findings are typical of generalized myopathic lesions in skeletal muscle. Damage to muscles- rhabdomyolysis and hyperkalemia resulting from it may be life threatening. Snake envenomation has so diverse effects that every system of the body is affected directly or indirectly (20,29). CONCLUSION Since ancient times snakes have been worshiped, feared or loathed in India. It is a common and frequently devastating environmental and occupational disease, especially in rural areas of our country. India has the highest number of death to snake bite in the world. One of the major gaps in the battle against snakebite in India is the lack of qualitative work. Most Herpetology text books give snake identification data that is overtly complex and of little use to doctors. Snakes are misidentified by doctors in most cases where snake is brought to the hospital. Without the snake, identification based on symptomatology is clearly fraught with problems. The doctors should be aware of discovery of a new poisonous snake, the Hump-nosed Pitviper (Hypnale Hypnale) which has no available antivenom at present. Community education, appropriate training of medical staff and better distribution of anti venom, especially in the states with the high prevalence, could reduce snakebite deaths in India .

Internet: The Newest Mass Medium Essay -- Essays Papers

Internet: The Newest Mass Medium In order to analyze the Internet as a mass medium, we first have to look at the original intentions of the Internet. Originally the Internet was utilized strictly by the government and educational institutions. Its primary purposes were research and education, although it soon became a form of entertainment for a portion of the population through games, chat, and email. The idea of using the Internet for entertainment and commercial use was outrageous to the current users of the technology, and when listservs began posting advertisements, they did not respond well. These users wanted to keep the focus of this particular media very narrow and two-dimensional, so to speak. However, commercialization of the Internet allowed for exponential growth in for-profit and subsidized sites, which generated a greater demand for a larger user base. Profitability became an issue as soon as the Internet became commercial. In the 1990s, the Internet wielded a significant impact on people and businesses of all types, and there were many organizations and individuals that grew concerned of this impact and new issues arose. From a business aspect, telecommunications companies began to worry that the Internet would take away their customers because people were now able to place phone calls online with no long distance charges. From an individual, or general population aspect, people were concerned with the social implications of the Internet, and the negative impact that certain content could have on individuals or groups, such as children being exposed to pornographic content. There is also the growing concern of security and privacy, because not only can personal information be used for illegal purposes, it can be used without someone’s knowledge, for marketing purposes, which some people find to be an infringement of their privacy. The Internet is a breeding ground for freedom of expression and freedom of speech, which is why certain countries such as China and Germany, have done everything in their power to restrict the content made available to citizens. However, because of the Constitution, American government is finding it rather difficult to set up a ‘gatekeeping’ system, which will restrict content available within the United States. To allow the government to do this would completely defeat the purpose of such ... ...of thought was easily manipulated by the corporate/government cooperative that ran (and still runs) traditional ‘old’ media in the United States. The versatility and multidirectional communication makes the Internet one of the most exciting mediums because content can be very diversified and users are not only able to receive messages, but they are able to respond as well. The Internet is an interactive medium with potential to expand even farther than it already has. The Internet defies the controlled, one-way broadcast model of information distribution and empowers the user with the capability to talk back to the sender. References Beacham, F. (1998, December). Dark Alleys of the Internet Frank Beacham’s Questioning Technology [Online], 20 paragraphs. Available: http:// ****CHECK**** Grant, A., & Meadows, J. (2000). Communication Technology Update (7th ed.). Massachusetts: Butterworth-Heinemann. Public Agenda (2000). Internet Speech and Privacy. Public Agenda [Online], 10 paragraphs. Available: http://www.publicagenda.org/ Schmesier, L. (1996, March 1). Why bring gender online? CMC Magazine [Online], 7 paragraphs. Available: http://www.cmcmagazine.com

What is the Meaning of Freedom? :: What Does Freedom Mean?

Freedom is often spoken of in what can be referred to as a loose sense of the word. One country has more freedom than another; a twenty-one year old has more freedom than a fifteen year old. What exactly does this word mean? For different people it may mean different things, but there has to be an equilibrium that can be reached in order to determine the meaning of freedom itself. In one form, freedom can mean that a person has "exemption from an obligation."* If only the root (free) is looked at, it can be interpreted that one is "not under the control or power of another."* However often the latter definition is used, it is also disagreed with, and for good reason: there is always a ruler, although the ruler may not necessarily be in the form of a person or group of persons. Take, for instance, the human body. It consists of basically three things, as far as ruling powers are concerned: prudence, will, and raw appetite. Raw appetite can be looked at as what we have without reason, will is what can control raw appetite (or desires that we have without reason), and prudence is that which provides a choice between will and raw appetite. Prudence has the ability to choose between the two options. This is just one example of how a ruler must always exist, although it may not have a physical form. Taking this into consideration, the meaning of freedom can further be explored. Perhaps it can be defined as having the liberty to choose who/what the ruler is to be. For, since nothing can exist without having some form of rule, if people are not permitted to choose what the ruling factor is, then that would not be considered having freedom. What is the Meaning of Freedom? :: What Does Freedom Mean? Freedom is often spoken of in what can be referred to as a loose sense of the word. One country has more freedom than another; a twenty-one year old has more freedom than a fifteen year old. What exactly does this word mean? For different people it may mean different things, but there has to be an equilibrium that can be reached in order to determine the meaning of freedom itself. In one form, freedom can mean that a person has "exemption from an obligation."* If only the root (free) is looked at, it can be interpreted that one is "not under the control or power of another."* However often the latter definition is used, it is also disagreed with, and for good reason: there is always a ruler, although the ruler may not necessarily be in the form of a person or group of persons. Take, for instance, the human body. It consists of basically three things, as far as ruling powers are concerned: prudence, will, and raw appetite. Raw appetite can be looked at as what we have without reason, will is what can control raw appetite (or desires that we have without reason), and prudence is that which provides a choice between will and raw appetite. Prudence has the ability to choose between the two options. This is just one example of how a ruler must always exist, although it may not have a physical form. Taking this into consideration, the meaning of freedom can further be explored. Perhaps it can be defined as having the liberty to choose who/what the ruler is to be. For, since nothing can exist without having some form of rule, if people are not permitted to choose what the ruling factor is, then that would not be considered having freedom.

McEthics in Europe and Asia

McEthics in Europe and Asia: should McDonald's extend its response to ethical criticism in Europe? Introduction The â€Å"McEthics† case describes how Mc Donald's, the fast food industrys market leader, faces charges concerning growing health problems in Europe and Asia. 1) Set out the main criticisms that have been leveled at Mc Donald's in Europe. To what extent are these criticisms likely to be replicated in Asia? What differences can be predicted? There are four main areas of critique that have been leveled at Mc Donald's in Europe.First, the products are said to be fat and unhealthy, which fosters health problems, especially obesity and diabetes. Secondly, the labor conditions are heavily criticized. Mc Donald's has been accused of paying too little wages and being ‘strongly antipathetic' to unions. Harsh criticism also arose concerning the companies advertising. These accusations are based on the belief that Mc Donald's ‘exploits children' and uses false adve rtisement of its food as nutritious'. The last point of criticism is the firms ‘culpable responsibility for animal cruelty.Additionally, in France a whole wave of an anti-American sentiment aggravates the negative image of Mc Donald's. In Asia the main point of criticism that is replicated is health issues. The fat foods and emerging fast food culture is especially dangerous to children's health. In Europe traditions of protests and rebellions may help people change and the treedom ot speech. Moreover, governments nave a great interest in a healthy population because offering an expensive welfare and health care system.From our point of view these factors have led to a strong resistance against Mc Donald's which would never emerge in Asia in such an extent. ) Describe and evaluate the tactics used by McDonald's in responding to their critics in Europe? Will these work to the same degree in Asia? According to the case, Mc Donald's quickly reacted to criticism in Europe and star ted various campaigns in order to improve its image. For instance, they developed a healthier menu, introducing salads and fruit packages or launched sport initiatives and awareness campaigns.By contrast, in Asia Mc Donald's is reacting very slowly, not answering to the peoples concern. One possible explanation for Mc Donald's actions in Europe could be that European governments started taxing the fast food industry. In the meantime, Asian governments seem to show now interest in such measures. This observation is also a strong indicator that Mc Donald's campaigns in Europe are not truly altruistic. It rather seems that Mc Donald's is merely after profit and stakeholders satisfaction rather than providing healthy food. ) Should Mc Donald's offer healthy alternatives to the same extent in all the countries in which it operates, or Just those where it has been criticized in the past, or is it expecting further regulation? What if customers overseas do not want healthy options? Mc Dona ld's should offer healthy alternatives in every country as ong as customers accept and buy them. If customers do not want healthy options, Mc Donald's should offer other alternatives such like sport programs or simple information packages. Scientific research clearly proofs that fast food, consumed on a regular basis, is extremely unhealthy.Mc Donald's could be said to have an ethical responsibility to educate its customers about fast food and healthy alternatives. 4) How could Mc Donald's seek to avoid further criticism in the future? Can the company realistically present itself as an ethical corporation? Only if Mc Donald's operated as truly altruistic company, benefitting the community, could they avoid further criticism. As of now, Mc Donald's is only known to be vastly successful in the economic perspective of the triple bottom line. Mc Donald's is also committed to social and environmental perspectives.The Ronald McDonald House Charities for example provide healthcare etc. to children in need. Furthermore Mc Donald's 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report clearly states how Mc Donald's tackles the environmental issues and provides examples of Mc Donald's sustainable supply chain. However this is not what comes to mind when we think about this fast food chain. The solution to Mc Donald's problem is already in place. The catch is however that no one knows about the corporations' environmental and social efforts.Through proper marketing strategies Mc Donald's could earn a much better reputation with very little effort. 5) How sustainable is the fast food industry from the point of the triple bottom line? The triple bottom line combines the three factors of environmental, economic and social sustainability. The economic sustainability in the fast food sector has been proven in the past by Mc Donald's balance sheets. Concerning the environmental angle, one can argue that there is room for mprovement. For instance in Austria Mc Donald's is starting to use local products and has sorted rubbish for several years.There are programs in place to aid Farmers become more sustainable, bringing Mc Donald's supply chain to a high standard of environmental responsibili Concerning social sustainability, the tast t industry is lacking vision. They are providing healthcare to people in need but why not tackle the cause of these children's health problems? If the fast food industry could find a successful shift to truly healthy fast food, social sustainability could prove to be a contributing factor to the fast food industries profits.