Substance Abuse Among Teenagers A Survey - 1201 Words

Substance Abuse Among Teenagers Hannah is a fifteen year old girl who was recently sent to a rehabilitation center for the result of abuse of prescription medication. 6.1 million high school students currently use addictive substances, and like Hannah, 1 in 3 of them are addicted (â€Å"National Study Reveals,†2011). Although the number of teens using these drugs are decreasing, the numbers are still dangerously high. Due to it’s high risk of addiction, dangerous consequences, and growing availability, substance abuse among teenagers is a serious trend being presented among all United States adolescence. A survey entitled â€Å"Monitoring the Future† was conducted among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders throughout the United States in 2014 (â€Å"Monitoring The Future 2014,†2014). Compared to 2009, the results showed a decrease in alcohol use, showing 9% of eighth graders, 23.5% of sophomores, and 37.4% of seniors have drank alcohol in the past month. Whereas there has been a decrease in binge drinking also, for since 1998, where 31.5% of seniors consumed five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks, the 2014 results showed a decrease to 19.4% (â€Å"Monitoring The Future 2014,†2014). Along with these positive declines in results, cigarette smoking is at it’s lowest rate in the survey s history. Unfortunately, while these results all show a positive decline and an optimistic future for the teenagers of America, not all results turned out this way. Other forms of tobacco use are gainingShow MoreRelatedDrug Abuse Essay1546 Words   |  7 PagesThesis: Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Many teens turn to marijuana, prescription drugs, club drugs, alcohol, or other substances as a means of coping with stress, peer influence, and failure of parents to prevent their children from making unreasonable decisions. According to the yearly â€Å"Monitoring the Future† survey of high school age teenagers in theRead MoreTeen Abuse Prescription Drug Abuse1422 Words   |  6 Pagesdrugs used and abused by teenagers in America. According to Elizabeth Larsen, â€Å"The Centers for Disease Control classifies prescription drug abuse as the worst drug epidemic in United States history† (Larsen p.4). This is the worst drug epidemic in history because of the percentage of teenage usage. Based on different studies, pills are the most commonly abused drug among twelve- and thirteen- year olds because of how easy they are to access. In fact, many teens that abuse prescription medication hasRead MoreJuveniles and Drug Abuse946 Words   |  4 PagesJuveniles and Drug Abuse America Abstract A drug is a substance that modifies one or more of the bodys functions when it is consumed. Therefore, many common foods qualify as drugs. According to this definition, some of our most cherished beverages such as tea, coffee, and cola are drugs. However this paper focuses on drugs that are abused by teenagers. Surveys show that cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and inhalants are the most commonly used drugs among teenagers age thirteen through eighteenRead MoreThe Negative Effects of Teenage Dating1512 Words   |  7 Pagesinability to maintain a relationship. Teenagers mostly, do not understand the necessity of sustaining a relationship over a period of time. Therefore, frequent break ups and arguments lead to attempts of suicide, teenage pregnancy, STD’s, teen violence, and substance abuse. This happens due to lack of experience and a broader understanding of what relationships are (Dasgupta, 2011). The problems of teen dating involving violence, sex, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide are primarily caused by stressfulRead MoreTeenage Drug Use Of Drugs1560 Words   |  7 PagesVictoria Hoverman Teenage Drug Use In today’s society, one of the common problems among teenagers is the use of drugs. Teen age is probably one of the most challenging periods in life. It is a stage of self identity crisis that leads to great confusion amongst the teens. Belonging and being accepted in a group is very important in the minds of the teens; where many regard the act as cool. During these years of growth, teenagers encounter their share of positive and negative experiences. Peer pressure, curiosityRead MoreDrug Abuse Among Teenagers And Young Adults1114 Words   |  5 PagesFor several generations now drug abuse among teenagers and young adults has been a major problem in American society. To address the problem successfully in term of diminishing the amount of illegal drug use among this age demographic, we must first understand the patterns and trends over time in terms of what drugs teenagers use, how they obtain them and then use them, and what factors cause or influence them to engage in such activities. First we should define our terms and limits of discussionRead MoreAdolescent Drug Abuse1306 Words   |  6 PagesAdolescent Drug Abuse I.) Introduction: Crack, booze, pot, crystal- from the inner city to the suburbs to small towns, the world of the adolescent is permeated by drugs. When a little harmless experimentation becomes addiction, parents, teachers, and clinicians are often at a loss. For this age group (roughly ages 13 to 23), traditional substance abuse programs simply are not enough (Nowinski, inside cover). Today s society provides many challenges for adolescents that ourRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effects On Society Essay1416 Words   |  6 PagesInstagram, provide opportunities for people to connect with each other and have become exceedingly popular in recent years. However, there are increased numbers of mental health problems such as mood problems, emotional issues, and addiction in teenagers as they overuse social media. Advocates of social media may claim that social networking platforms benefit adolescents by increasing connectivity, helping people make friends, and giving young adults a sense of belonging. However, they overestimateRead MoreDrug Abuse And Addiction Among Teenagers1704 Words   |  7 PagesStudies have shown that prescription drug abuse and addiction among teenagers is on a steady incline. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, â€Å"prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescr ibed, of for the experience or feelings elicited.† This is a pervasive problem that is in fact consuming the lives of many teens, primarily because prescription drugs are easily accessible in their environment. There are several interpersonalRead MoreAlcohol and Drug Abuse Essay1671 Words   |  7 PagesAlcohol and Drug Abuse Alcohol is a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent. (Online Dictionary) Although it is legal in the United States it is still illegal to those who aren’t twenty one years of age and other. This includes those persons of age purchasing alcohol for those under age. To some college students, heavy drinking that leads to vomiting is not alcohol abuse but simply having a good time. Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a chronic disorder characterized by compulsive

The Challenges African Americans Faced in America - 963 Words

The Challenges African Americans Faced In America Raymon Rice ETH125 March 11, 2012 The Challenges African Americans Faced In America African Americans had a turbulent history in the United States ever since they were brought to the country as slaves. â€Å"Slavery in America began when the first African slaves were brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619, to aid in the production of such lucrative crops as tobacco. (Slavery in America, 2012) During the 17th and 18th centuries, slavery was practiced throughout most of the American colonies. (Slavery in America, date). During these times, the amount of slaves that were brought to America enormous and could possibly be near the 10 million mark in the 16th†¦show more content†¦This act occurred during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were the constitutional amendments that gave African Americans a new start in life. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery; the 14th amendment gave former slaves rights of citizenship and equal protection under the U.S. Constitution, and the 15th amendment g ave former slaves the right to vote. (Slavery in America, 2012) It would not be for another hundred years after the Civil War until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights of 1965 was passed by the U.S. Congress. These two laws were a direct response to the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and early 1960s. â€Å"Such movements have not only secured citizenship right’s for blacks but have also redefined prevailing conceptions of the nature of civil rights and the role of government in protecting these rights. (Civil Rights Movement, 2012) The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 did more for minorities and women by providing them a voice against discrimination. References Civil Rights Movement. (2012). The History Channel website. Retrieved 2:58, March 12, 2012, from http://www.history.com/topics/civil-rights-movement. Peoples, K. (2008). The History of The Black Codes of 1865 Read more at Suite101: The History of The Black Codes of 1865: Jim Crow Laws Kept African American New-Found FreedomsShow MoreRelatedThe War On The Home Front1112 Words   |  5 PagesIn a very short amount of time, America went a serious of events which had great influence on the home front. Those two events were WWII and the Cold War. Civil rights, the cultural norms, and society at large, had changed greatly during a short amount of time due to these events. The United States was fight a war on two fronts, both at home and overseas. The wars overseas had great influence and impact on the successes that would come over time on the home front. Without these wars and times ofRead MoreThe Superiority Complex: Suketu Mehta Essay544 Words   |  3 PagesIn his article, The Superiority Complex, Mehta focuses his analysis on Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld’s book, The triple package: How three unlikely traits explain the rise and fall of cultural groups in America. Suketu Mehta is the author of Maximum City: Bombay lost and found and a teacher at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism institute at New York University. Mehta compares this book to several others books written in previous years like Passing of the Great Race by Madison (1916) and The Clash of CivilizationsRead MoreBeing An African American Woman1052 Words   |  5 Pagesa woman living in America is not only a task but a daily job. Women in the United States are not held to the same standards as men but are expected to work just as hard as a man to work in a higher role that has normally dominated by men. Women have to appear just a tough as a man if not tougher, show no emotion and also think like a man. Being an African American woman is even more of a daily challenge. Not only are you expected to be smart, but also as an African American woman you have toRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement During World War II955 Words   |  4 PagesDuring World War II, America as a nation faced many challenges both at home and abroad. Some of these challenges at home included Strikes and protests in war production factories, which was due to increasing differences between the government and employers, with the workers/labor unions. Another was the Civil rights movement for African-Americans, which advocated for equal rights for all Americans, when African Americans joined the war efforts by both joining the military and working in the war factoriesRead MoreAmerica Is Not A Democracy1592 Words   |  7 Pages How America is not a Democracy â€Å"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America...and to the republic for which it stands...one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.† (â€Å"Is the United States a Democracy?†) The United States’ pledge is taught to children of all ages, plays an active role in the patriotism of the people, and it symbolizes the citizen’s promise to never violate the Republic of the United States of America. The founding fathers built the foundationRead MoreStill I Rise By Maya Angelou Essay1649 Words   |  7 Pagesshows a repetition of strength stanza after stanza. African Americans were faced with the challenges of oppression and slavery. African American women not only as a minority of African American race, but as a female, were faced with all those challenges, along with woman’s rights. It took 55 years after the abolishment of slavery for females to finally have the right to vote, under the 19th amendment. Maya Angelou’s poem expresses these challenges and overcoming them, in contrast. The 1st lineRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie The Negro Soldier 938 Words   |  4 Pagesthe short film, â€Å"The Negro Soldier,† the whole focus was to get African Americans to join the military. With the use of propaganda, the U.S. government hoped to promote getting African Americans to want to fight for their country. It hoped to instill patriotism in them. It showed that Germany and the Nazis had no respect for them and considered them the scum of the earth. It also portrayed them being accepted as equals into the American society. It was used to make them think they were wanted and playRead MoreEssay Letter From Birmingham Jail1025 Words   |  5 PagesThe â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† written by one of the key figures of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr., is one of the most powerful and influential writings in american history. The letter was written while he and fellow protestors were being held in custody for protesting in the city of Birm ingham, Alabama. King was a very passionate and selfless man. He only had love in his heart for all living beings regardless of their race or religion. He believed in a peaceful way of protestRead MoreThe Challenges Of Stereotypes Within Africa1513 Words   |  7 PagesThe Challenges of Stereotypes within Africa Between America and other European nations, stereotypes and misrepresentations have ultimately plagued the continent of Africa. To every side there is often another story, yet unfortunately for the many countries of Africa, they are ultimately victimized and suffer through further oppression. According to Curtis Keim’s book Mistaking Africa, Keim suggests that Africa is essentially under the public microscope, it tends to be scrutinized, and compared toRead MoreAfrican American Dancers With Pink Ribbons1392 Words   |  6 Pagesthat provides insight into the obstacles/challenges encountered by African American dancers with regards to being successful in the world of dance and key figures that have overcome this struggle. There are many major obstacle facing African American dancers that contribute to racial segregation in the dance world. For instance flesh coloured shoes with pink ribbons are the traditional foot wear for ballet which dates back the 1820’s. Many African American dancers have questioned major dance wear

OSHA Lawsuit Free Essays

In this article, there are no details given on what was the nature of the complaints filed by the employee originally, however, searching the internet for other related articles, I found one of a reason for which the employee may had been ruminated, â€Å"OSHA says the employee was fired after complaining about a potentially unsafe situation of finding the building unsecured when she arrived, alone, to open the store. The worker also filed a safety and health complaint with OSHA, which triggered an OSHA inspection that identified two unrelated violations. (Two Whistler’s†¦ , n. We will write a custom essay sample on OSHA Lawsuit or any similar topic only for you Order Now D. , p. Xx-xx). In my opinion, the employer, Xebec Inc. Could have done a lot to address the situation as soon as It learned of the complaint. First of all, securing the doors of the business should have been of outmost priority, not only to Insure the safety of the employees, but to safeguard the equipment, Inventory and other Items that may been left In the store overnight. Launching an Investigation to find out why the door was not secured, should not have been a major issue as it was. Making sure the employee’s was heard and safety precautions put in place should be a first priority to every employer, these safeguards could not have been costly at all either, there should not have been any excuse. Secondly, the employer should have reassure the employee once the safeguards were put into place, that a situation such as this would be addressed every time she rough it up, to make her feel secure on the performance of her duties. Also, if the employee had any suggestions as to how to better guard her well-being when she enter the store first-thing In the morning, should have been part of a plan of action. Often, employers are not present at all times to Insure that everything goes smoothly during business hours and they must rely on their employees to be their eyes and ears during their absences. Lastly, terminating the employee was not going to end the employer’s responsibility to other employees and their community. If the store’s door was constantly left open overnight, word could have gone out the undesirable members of community as a place where they could commit crimes, therefore, putting the rest of the business owners at risk. References; Todd, E. , Rodriguez,J. (201 3, January 31 Us department of labor files whistle- blower lawsuit against Helena, Mont. Based xebec Inc.. Retrieved November 8, 2013, Unknown (n. D. ). Two Whistler’s Lawsuits Filed over Workplace Violence Allegations Ð’Â » Safety’s. Retrieved November 8, 2013, from http://safety’s. Com/ Article How to cite OSHA Lawsuit, Papers

The philippine is a government of laws and not of men free essay sample

American lawyer, politician and 2nd President of the United States In his 7th â€Å"Novanglus† letter, published in the Boston Gazette in 1774 The concept of â€Å"a government of laws, and not of men† reflects a political philosophy that dates back to the ancient Greeks. But the phrase itself was enshrined in history and quotation books by John Adams. Prior to the start of the American Revolution, Adams used it in one of his â€Å"Letters of Novanglus,† which argued that Great Britain’s treatment of American colonists violated their rights under British law. In the seventh Novanglus letter, Adams wrote that â€Å"the British constitution is much more like a republic than an empire a government of laws, and not of men. † http://www. quotecounterquote. com/2010/08/government-of-laws-and-not-of-men-is. html Government of Laws The Corona impeachment case seems to be shaping up as a publicity contest between the Lower House of Representatives represented by 188 Congressmen/women who signed the Complaint and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who is the accused in said complaint. We will write a custom essay sample on The philippine is a government of laws and not of men or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The course of the action has turned into how to win the hearts and minds of the populace through press releases showing the strength or weakness of their case, rather than on how to win the case through presentation of convincing proofs of facts and the applicable law. This case is indeed one of the few, if not the only case where both parties see the need of hiring a PR man to serve as their mouthpiece in presenting to the public their own versions of the blow by blow account of the trial inside the halls of the Upper House. Apparently this need arises mainly because the entire nation will be intently watching the proceedings which may be quite difficult for the common man to understand. The foreseeable problem and danger here is that the contending spokespersons will necessarily depict their side as â€Å"leading or winning in the game† when they explain the developments of the case. There is also the very proximate possibility that the case will be decided in the streets rather than inside the chambers of the Senate. Here Corona will be at a great disadvantage mainly because of his low trust rating and the adverse publicity he has been getting as a result of the continued criticisms and attacks against him and the judiciary by the highly popular P-Noy. Besides, it is highly likely that the intricate and too technical rules in the presentation and appreciation of evidence which are hard to fathom, will not be strictly observed or will even be completely disregarded if they are unpopular and against the swelling public opinion shaping up in the case. If this happens, the whole truth that is supposedly determinable through established rules will never come out. Of course, it has been repeatedly argued that impeachment is more of a political process rather than a judicial one. So in a democratic and republican state like ours where sovereignty ultimately resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them, their â€Å"voice† must reign supreme: â€Å"salus populi est suprema lex†. The problem with this argument is that when our Constitution says that â€Å"sovereignty resides in the people† (Article II Section 1), it does not mean that the most numerous and boisterous among them, whose voices sound the loudest, should be heeded. Neither does the â€Å"voice† here refers to the results of popularity surveys. While sovereignty indeed resides in the people, that sovereignty is exercised not directly through the mass action of an indeterminate number of faceless people but through their representatives and leaders in the Legislative and the Executive Departments of government and in the local government units chosen in an election officially conducted. They are chosen on the basis of their competence, qualification and ability to represent the people, articulate their voice and promote their interest in accordance with the fundamental law of the land and the statutes enacted pursuant thereto. They are precisely chosen because they are more knowledgeable in the workings of a government of laws and not of men. Sovereignty is therefore asserted either through the ballot in the exercise of the right of suffrage (Article V) or directly through peoples’ initiative in proposing amendments to the Constitution or enacting or amending statutes (Article XVII). Opinion ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In the unfolding events we are now witnessing, it is becoming clearer that certain basic principles embedded in our Constitution are forgotten or ignored all in the name of an avowed objective to clean and reform the government specifically the judiciary which has been pictured and assailed as putting up the biggest stumbling blocks to attaining those â€Å"noble† aims. There seems to be a dangerous tendency to arouse the ire of the people and stir them into action against certain officials in the government particularly in the SC who are perceived as the enemy of this administration and therefore also enemy of the people who catapulted it to power. The times indeed require some counter moves that will uphold and preserve the principles in our Constitution providing for a government of laws and not of men. And the only institution that can adopt those moves are the courts, ultimately the Supreme Court (SC) pursuant to its power of judicial review or the power to interpret the Constitution and to declare any legislative or executive act invalid because it is in conflict with it. (Article VIII Sections 4 [2,3] and 5 [2 a. b. ]). Through this power, the judiciary, particularly the SC, is not asserting its supremacy over the other departments of government but merely enforcing and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution. Ironically, the credibility of the judiciary particularly the SC is now at its lowest because of attacks and criticisms; and its independence is threatened by moves of the executive and the legislative branches particularly the impeachment of its Chief Justice whose appointment is still being questioned up to now. If the judiciary is no longer credible, independent and free then there is no more assurance of having a government of laws. Fortunately, the SC still has the opportunity to assert its independence and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution through its actions on the four petitions filed before it asking for the dismissal of the impeachment rap against its Chief Justice on the ground of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Lower House of Congress. To be up to the task it should take cognizance of the petitions and determine whether a grave abuse of discretion has indeed been committed. If it believes the Constitution has been violated, then it should dismiss the impeachment complaint even if it is an unpopular and seemingly awkward decision. The administration and the supposed majority should respect such ruling. If they do not agree with it, they should blame the lawmakers and the framers of the Constitution and take steps to amend it by removing that power of judicial review from the SC or limiting it. This is how a government of laws works. http://www. philstar. com/opinion/762929/government-laws It means that laws are to be interpreted objectively, not reread by individuals and are to be applied to everyone without regard for their positions, reputations or personal relationships with others. A government of men, on the other hand, would be one that is subjective, depending on the relationship of those enforcing the laws and those against whom the laws might be enforced.

The philippine is a government of laws and not of men free essay sample

American lawyer, politician and 2nd President of the United States In his 7th â€Å"Novanglus† letter, published in the Boston Gazette in 1774 The concept of â€Å"a government of laws, and not of men† reflects a political philosophy that dates back to the ancient Greeks. But the phrase itself was enshrined in history and quotation books by John Adams. Prior to the start of the American Revolution, Adams used it in one of his â€Å"Letters of Novanglus,† which argued that Great Britain’s treatment of American colonists violated their rights under British law. In the seventh Novanglus letter, Adams wrote that â€Å"the British constitution is much more like a republic than an empire a government of laws, and not of men. † http://www. quotecounterquote. com/2010/08/government-of-laws-and-not-of-men-is. html Government of Laws The Corona impeachment case seems to be shaping up as a publicity contest between the Lower House of Representatives represented by 188 Congressmen/women who signed the Complaint and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who is the accused in said complaint. We will write a custom essay sample on The philippine is a government of laws and not of men or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The course of the action has turned into how to win the hearts and minds of the populace through press releases showing the strength or weakness of their case, rather than on how to win the case through presentation of convincing proofs of facts and the applicable law. This case is indeed one of the few, if not the only case where both parties see the need of hiring a PR man to serve as their mouthpiece in presenting to the public their own versions of the blow by blow account of the trial inside the halls of the Upper House. Apparently this need arises mainly because the entire nation will be intently watching the proceedings which may be quite difficult for the common man to understand. The foreseeable problem and danger here is that the contending spokespersons will necessarily depict their side as â€Å"leading or winning in the game† when they explain the developments of the case. There is also the very proximate possibility that the case will be decided in the streets rather than inside the chambers of the Senate. Here Corona will be at a great disadvantage mainly because of his low trust rating and the adverse publicity he has been getting as a result of the continued criticisms and attacks against him and the judiciary by the highly popular P-Noy. Besides, it is highly likely that the intricate and too technical rules in the presentation and appreciation of evidence which are hard to fathom, will not be strictly observed or will even be completely disregarded if they are unpopular and against the swelling public opinion shaping up in the case. If this happens, the whole truth that is supposedly determinable through established rules will never come out. Of course, it has been repeatedly argued that impeachment is more of a political process rather than a judicial one. So in a democratic and republican state like ours where sovereignty ultimately resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them, their â€Å"voice† must reign supreme: â€Å"salus populi est suprema lex†. The problem with this argument is that when our Constitution says that â€Å"sovereignty resides in the people† (Article II Section 1), it does not mean that the most numerous and boisterous among them, whose voices sound the loudest, should be heeded. Neither does the â€Å"voice† here refers to the results of popularity surveys. While sovereignty indeed resides in the people, that sovereignty is exercised not directly through the mass action of an indeterminate number of faceless people but through their representatives and leaders in the Legislative and the Executive Departments of government and in the local government units chosen in an election officially conducted. They are chosen on the basis of their competence, qualification and ability to represent the people, articulate their voice and promote their interest in accordance with the fundamental law of the land and the statutes enacted pursuant thereto. They are precisely chosen because they are more knowledgeable in the workings of a government of laws and not of men. Sovereignty is therefore asserted either through the ballot in the exercise of the right of suffrage (Article V) or directly through peoples’ initiative in proposing amendments to the Constitution or enacting or amending statutes (Article XVII). Opinion ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In the unfolding events we are now witnessing, it is becoming clearer that certain basic principles embedded in our Constitution are forgotten or ignored all in the name of an avowed objective to clean and reform the government specifically the judiciary which has been pictured and assailed as putting up the biggest stumbling blocks to attaining those â€Å"noble† aims. There seems to be a dangerous tendency to arouse the ire of the people and stir them into action against certain officials in the government particularly in the SC who are perceived as the enemy of this administration and therefore also enemy of the people who catapulted it to power. The times indeed require some counter moves that will uphold and preserve the principles in our Constitution providing for a government of laws and not of men. And the only institution that can adopt those moves are the courts, ultimately the Supreme Court (SC) pursuant to its power of judicial review or the power to interpret the Constitution and to declare any legislative or executive act invalid because it is in conflict with it. (Article VIII Sections 4 [2,3] and 5 [2 a. b. ]). Through this power, the judiciary, particularly the SC, is not asserting its supremacy over the other departments of government but merely enforcing and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution. Ironically, the credibility of the judiciary particularly the SC is now at its lowest because of attacks and criticisms; and its independence is threatened by moves of the executive and the legislative branches particularly the impeachment of its Chief Justice whose appointment is still being questioned up to now. If the judiciary is no longer credible, independent and free then there is no more assurance of having a government of laws. Fortunately, the SC still has the opportunity to assert its independence and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution through its actions on the four petitions filed before it asking for the dismissal of the impeachment rap against its Chief Justice on the ground of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Lower House of Congress. To be up to the task it should take cognizance of the petitions and determine whether a grave abuse of discretion has indeed been committed. If it believes the Constitution has been violated, then it should dismiss the impeachment complaint even if it is an unpopular and seemingly awkward decision. The administration and the supposed majority should respect such ruling. If they do not agree with it, they should blame the lawmakers and the framers of the Constitution and take steps to amend it by removing that power of judicial review from the SC or limiting it. This is how a government of laws works. http://www. philstar. com/opinion/762929/government-laws It means that laws are to be interpreted objectively, not reread by individuals and are to be applied to everyone without regard for their positions, reputations or personal relationships with others. A government of men, on the other hand, would be one that is subjective, depending on the relationship of those enforcing the laws and those against whom the laws might be enforced.

USA- Spain an Example by

USA- Spain Spain is as diverse as any other country, especially for non-natives. However, several principles of human resources still apply to companies based in Spain where employees are most likely Spanish. These general principles along with specific ones can help improve job satisfaction, improve motivation, and increase performance in all departments. Need essay sample on "USA- Spain" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed First, it should be understood how diversity should be put to an advantage. Differences among employees are nothing new to international businesses. Thus, the differences should be identified and all efforts should be put in understanding them and putting them in their proper perspectives. For instance, adjusting in the time differences in the work schedules of workers in Spain should be made. The first consideration is that superiors should understand the culture of siesta. Because workers used in this culture may find it difficult to go back to work with the same level of energy that they have in the morning, managers should promote activities that will perk them up when they go back to work in the afternoon after the siesta break. Siesta is not the only cultural difference that Spain has over the United States and other countries. The Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions (Hofstede, 2003) indicate some job-related factors that make Spanish workplaces different from those in the United States. First, the power distance index in Spain is greater than in the United States. This shows that hierarchy is important for Spanish workers. Thus, line of functions if there are any should be closely observed. Superiority should be well respected and job descriptions should be followed. Giving regard to hierarchy is important for the Spanish so non-natives should be sensitive about it to avoid offending them. Americans are more liberal than the Spanish. This is evident in the high margin that it maintains over Spain in terms of individualism. Thus, American workers can be used to speaking out and speaking up, while the Spanish can keep restraint and avoid deviance. This can pose a problem for Americans new to Spain especially in the workplaces where team work is essential. (Hofstede, 2003) In view of this, Americans should not take it negatively if they find it hard for their Spanish workers to contribute actively at work. While Spanish workers can also exercise initiative, it is not a general practice for them to precede the initiative of their superiors because, as mentioned above, they highly regard hierarchy and power distance. Americans, thus, should mean well by being more encouraging to their Spanish workers and giving constructive criticism to their initiatives. It should also be noted well that the lack of individualism can make the Spanish sensitive with outright negative criticism. Unlike in the United States, Spanish workers may not take criticism told straight up easily. Americans in Spain should know this so that they may avoid this which can greatly affect the work performance of their workers. Where history was discriminative and regarded women as second-class citizens everywhere once, Hofstede (2003) claims that masculinity is greater in the United States than in Spain. This may induce the fact that American workplaces can be more male-dominated than Spanish workplaces. However, it should not be concluded that American workplaces are more discriminative. In fact, American firms are drastically enforcing measures to avoid all forms of discrimination including against women. In view of an American in a Spanish workplace, however, care should be taken that discrimination against women that may be normal in a United States setting is avoided. In fact, discrimination of any form should be eliminated at any angle. It should be noted that diversity does not make a specific culture more superior than others. This will foster good relations among employees and employers however diverse the setting may be. Americans are individualistic, and so it follows that they can be adventurous as well. Hofstede (2003) showed that the Spanish avoid uncertainties and can play things safely more than their American counterparts. This is essential especially for stakeholders and high-ranks. Knowing that the Spanish can be less adventurous, they should make sure that every step they take in the business that they are handling are carefully studied and backed up with relevant and updated data. This lessens the risks in their decisions which may repel Spanish partners and officers from supporting their proposals. If they show that every single detail of the proposal has been studied, they are more likely to endorse the proposal and enforce it. As with workers, managers should show workers how a decision has been made, and how it can affect the workers and the company both positively and negatively. Laying the cards straight will enable the workers to get a view of the situation and clarify doubts and qu estions that they may have early on. As risk-taking behavior is evidently essential for businesses to maintain their competitive edge, Americans should be sensitive about the play-safe behavior of the Spanish and should work around it. The more one adheres to the culture of one country, the easier it is for him to blend in. Reading about the country and its people as well as seeking guidance from a native can very well improve ones staying power in a Spain-based company. Avoiding saying words that one does not understand is one key. The Spanish uses a language that is totally different from that of Americans, and so it should be understood that using the language should be taken with care. This will dispel slip-of-the-tongues and mispronunciations which can be funny and worse offensive to native speakers of the language. Dressing is another consideration. While corporate dressing is a universal language, it can still be highly variable in consideration of the climate changes in the country and the comfort of the people there. Thus, while one is get used to specific clothing items in his centrally air-conditioned office, if it does not fit well in the workplace in Spain (even if it is equally air-conditioned and the position and company is the same), deviant clothes should go and replaced with ones which will allow one to blend in. Diversity is a challenge that multinational companies face every single day. Yet, this should not stifle companies from prospering. Again, fostering these differences for the advantage of the company is the key to creating a homogenous group of workers who can co-exist despite major incompatibilities. In the end, it will appear true that managing diversity in the workplace is the only way that companies can penetrate the global business scene. References Hofstede, G. (2003). Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions. Retrieved June 7, 2007, http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_dimensions.php This essay is written by top academic experts from our essay writing service (USA).

Concepts and Styles of the Leadership

Concepts and Styles of the Leadership Leadership refers to the process of influencing and managing people in order to achieve intended outcomes. Leaders adopt different leadership styles depending on prevailing circumstances. Leadership styles base on different leadership concepts. However, certain concepts apply to all styles.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Concepts and Styles of the Leadership specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For example, action is an important aspect of effective leadership. Research has revealed that leaders who focus on personal development and growth not only change themselves but also lead their organizations to great levels of success. The seven action logics include Achiever, Expert, Opportunist, Diplomat, Alchemist, and Strategist action logics (Rooke and Torbert, 2005). Microsoft founder Bill Gates, is an exceptional leader who has transformed the technology industry through his visionary leadership style and great skills. Ac cording to Rooke and Torbert (2005), only Individualist, Strategist, and Alchemist action logics enable leaders to transform organizations through sustained innovation. Bill Gates transformed the world of technology through his innovativeness. He believed that innovation is an important condiment of organizational success and transformation. When he developed the windows software, he maintained quality by incorporating innovative ideas into subsequent versions of the software. As such, he continued to develop improved versions of windows during his term at Microsoft. Innovation is a characteristic of the Strategist action logic. Gates’ strategy was to incorporate innovation into the operations of Microsoft and make it part of its organizational culture. This has enabled Microsoft to withstand the unpredictable and rapidly changing technology market. Strategists capitalize on organizational constraints and perceptions in order to achieve personal development (Rooke and Torbert , 2005). In addition, they are able to lead people in ways that help them to overcome resistance to change. Gates used his strength as an effective leader to introduce change at Microsoft despite resistance and numerous obstacles. Alchemist action logic involves creativity, open mindedness, and deviation from commonplace attitudes and values (Rooke and Torbert, 2005). Bill Gates valued change. When he was at the helm of Microsoft, he ensured that the organization changed its operations in order to adapt to changes in technology. This is evident from the stability and success that Microsoft has enjoyed for many years despite obstacles such as patent lawsuits and stiff competition. The leadership style of Gates has enabled Microsoft to be one of the market leaders in technological innovation for many years. However, after his departure, the company was overtaken by emerging technology-oriented enterprises. This was because the new leader failed to adopt a similar action logic that Gat es had adopted.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Achievers realize organizational goals through teamwork and balancing their roles as leaders and managers (Rooke and Torbert, 2005). In addition, they are action and goal oriented. Bill Gates is an action and goal oriented leader. He believes that well-defined goals are necessary for achievement of organizational success. As the CEO, he ensured that Microsoft maintained creativity and innovation by reiterating the importance of teamwork. Teamwork encouraged open sharing of ideas and knowledge, which enhanced innovation and creativity. Below-average leadership is characterized by Diplomat, Opportunist, and Expert action logics (Rooke and Torbert, 2005). For example, opportunists are egocentric and manipulative. As CEO, Gates never manipulated his employees and never allowed his ego to take a toll on his organization. M oreover, he delegated leadership roles. This is contrary to opportunists’ behavior of controlling people and treating them like objects. Unlike opportunists who reject feedback, Gates valued feedback because it was the foundation of innovation at Microsoft. Diplomats avoid conflicts and are resistant to change (Rooke and Torbert, 2005). This is in contrast to the leadership style of Gates. He believed in change and incorporated it into Microsoft’s organizational culture in order to ensure organizational success. Rooke, David, and Torbert, William. Seven Transformations of Leadership. 1 April. 2005. Web. https://hbr.org/2005/04/seven-transformations-of-leadership.

Immigrants and nativism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Immigrants and nativism - Essay Example This political party would oppress any immigrants for the existing job for the Native Americans (Bennett 179). During the potato famine in the mid 19th century, a huge wave of nativism took part in unite states after the migration of Irish Catholics to the country. Petitions to the congress from the northeastern state suggesting that the immigrants right to vote be limited. The Irish Catholics were barred from holding any public office across many states when the constitution became the law of the land in 1806. In Massachusetts and other colonies by the 1870s, a celebration of Guy Fawkes Day was done by burning the pope in effigy. Allegiance to the pope was viewed to bring political unrest in America by the natives. A national nativist movement was organized by November 1837 by anti-Catholics. With the increase in numbers of immigrants between 1820s-1850s, there was reinforcement of economic, social, and political concern in New York and other points was done. A native majority select committee in the House of Representatives endorsed legislation extending the naturalization period for all the immigrants especially the Irish Catholics who they deemed as uneducated, superstitious and dominated by their priests (Bennett, 174). Though, with much support, the legislation did not pass. A lot of legal restriction soon followed all trying to oppress the immigrants and even trying to get rid of

The Galapagos Island Tortoise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Galapagos Island Tortoise - Essay Example The Galapagos Tortoise are the largest living breed of tortoises in the world. They inhabit the nine islands of the Galapagos archipelago. While Charles Darwin was the first to research these animals, they were actually discovered by a Spanish explorer in the 1500’s. â€Å"Galapago† means tortoise in Spanish and most likely derives from the word saddle. The Galapagos turtles have a distinctive shell that is in the shape of a saddle. The size of these creatures is what sets them apart from other species. The adults can weigh over 660 lbs while they are approximately 4 feet long. Scientists have not figured out a maximum life expectancy for the tortoise however they are expected to live around 200 years. They are believed to belong to one species called Geochelone elephantopus, with approximately 14 different sub speciesThe arrival of the Galapagos tortoises is thought to be descended from a common ancestor that arrived from the mainland. They are capable floating quite e asily on the water. Scientists believe that the original colonist of tortoise washed aboard one island then its descendants were dispersed around the other islands-floating on the ocean currents. In the 1600’s buccaneers used the Galapagos Islands as a home port to repair their boats before attacking Spanish colonies on the South American mainland. They collected the tortoises and stored them aboard their ships because they lived for a long while. They were eaten as a source of food as well as killed for their turtle oil. The early settlers hunted them for their meat up through the 1800’s. ... If they feel threatened by another animal, they withdraw its head, neck and forelimbs into its shell for protection. Sometimes this is not enough as the top of their shell opening can leave a gap. Originally, this was never an issue because there were no native predators on the Galapagos Islands. It is only when settlers introduced domesticated animals that went wild that they became susceptible. And of course, they were hunted by the settlers for food. The conservation efforts of the tortoise populations still face challenges today. Rats, dogs, and pigs eat the eggs and young tortoises. Goats are in direct competition with them when acquiring food so many of them devastate the vegetation. Also, cattle, donkeys, and horses trample the ground squashing the tortoises nests. Efforts have been made to safeguard tortoises nests. One such example is that eggs are collected in the wild and incubated at the Charles Darwin Research Station. After they hatched, they would remain under vigil until they were large enough to fend off attacks from rats, dogs, and pigs. There have also been campaigns to eradicate the wild animals that pose a threat to the tortoise. These methods of preserving the giant tortoises have worked really well as it is predicted that only 120 turtles have been killed over the last 17 years. With all the work that has been put into the effort to keep the main attraction of the Galapagos islands from becoming extinct, there is still more work to be done. Many of the animals that are not native to the island should be removed in the effort to keep the these fascinating turtles alive and well. When Charles Darwin made a trip to the Galapagos Islands, he found a huge

Forms and Substance Dualism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Forms and Substance Dualism - Essay Example If, conversely, dualism can be convincingly maintained, then our evidence obtained from studies of the brain would simply not suffice in gaining any form of insight into the human mind. Dualism is a logical necessity: sustained as a question that does not need to be answered as it can be fulfilled a priori, owing to the fact that humans have the ability to seek introspection regularly. (Almog, 129-34) Indeed, we experience the separation between our body and mind, which would support the notion that they are separate entities and empirical evidence is not required to prove such a concept. However, this does not mean that dualistic theory is foolproof: for example, can our experience be enough to prove such a concept Indeed, many philosophers are not in favor of dualistic ontology. The first classical representation of dualism can be recognized in Plato's work; more specifically originating in The Phaedo. Interestingly, in dualism, 'mind' is contrasted with 'body', but in different historical periods, different aspects of the mind have been the center of attention. For example, in the classical period it was the intellect of the mind, which was considered to be the crux of what separated us from the physical. However, from Descartes onwards, the opposition to materialism came from our apparent 'consciousness' and experience of 'sensation'. The emphasis on intellect is certainly echoed in Plato's work: as he believed (as did many other Greeks) that the body was a prison for the intellectual soul. Indeed Plato believed that the true substances are not physical bodies, which are ephemeral, but the eternal Forms of which bodies are imperfect copies. He came up with the idea of a realm of "Forms" and said that intellect was immaterial, for it does not last you, the refore Forms are immaterial, and thus intellect must link to those that it apprehends. He then continued to say that such a link forced the soul to want to leave the body to enter a realm of Forms. In his later writings, The Republic, Plato furthered his ideas on Forms and the soul; he claimed that not only was the soul the true form but belonged to a higher status within reality than the body did, and that the soul was a separate, immortal substance. Plato's study of dualism in The Phaedo was indeed complex, and more a metaphysical study regarding the imprisoned soul. However, it can be seen, especially amongst his writings in The Republic, that Plato was clear on his belief that the body and soul were separate entities, forming the base for philosophical extensions in more recent times. Continuing from Plato, St Thomas Aquinas extended earlier works on dualism in his endeavor to unite philosophy with proof of God. Aquinas agreed with the Aristotelian notion that when the soul entered the body it animated it and gave it life; calling it anima. Moreover according to Aquinas, the soul operates independently of the body and it cannot decay; for only things that can break into parts can decay, Thus, following Aquinas' argument, the soul is able to survive death. He also said that through

Treatments of Parkinsons Disease

Treatments of Parkinsons Disease Parkinsons disease is a neurological condition that affects the sufferers mobility and speech. It affects the central nervous system, leading to a persons inability to control muscles throughout the body. It is a disease whose treatment does not intend to cure it but instead, aims at controlling its manifestation. There are various ways in which this can be done. It may involve the use of drugs or the performance of surgery. Doctors strongly recommend exercise to try to keep muscles strong. It progresses gradually or severely from the early stages with mild symptoms to later stages with severe symptoms. The disease is a result of lowered formation and action of dopamine which is produced by the dopaminergic neurons found in the brain. This knowledge led to the formation of drugs that will either increase the formation or mimic the actions taken by dopamine in the brain. This was important because an increase in the levels of dopamine would lead to a reduction of the effects of the disease. All the drugs used to control the disease include dopamine as their main active agent regardless of how it works. Depending on which class of drugs it belongs to, it may either mimic or produce dopamine. Among the earliest forms of treatments are the anticholinergics. These were used even before the introduction of Levodopa, which is now the most widely used drug. The anticholinergics had very little benefits when compared to the harmful side effects caused by usage. The side effects include having a dry mouth, urine retention (which especially occurs among men), and very severe constipation and nausea. There are some other side effects that occur that are more serious and are among the major reasons why the use of these drugs has become minimal. These include confusion, memory loss, and hallucination (http://www.mayoclinic.com). The realization that the benefits seen were much less than the side effects it causes has led to the reduction of its prescription. Since some anti-depressants and antihistamines tend to have almost the same effect as the anticholinergics, doctors will prescribe them to older people who are suffering from this terrible disease. Once an individual experiences any of the serious severe symptoms, it is advised that the use of the drug be stopped immediately. Levodopa is a drug that was introduced in 1967 and is currently the most commonly used drug. It is most commonly referred to as Sinemet and is used to help restore ones control over ones muscles. Levodopa is referred to as the gold standard of Parkinsons treatment because it is usually used as the first line of defense. The reason a sufferer of Parkinsons cant just take Dopamine itself is because Dopamine cannot breakthrough the blood-brain barrier. Levodopa can get through this barrier and is converted to Dopamine once it reaches the brain. It therefore increases the level of Dopamine and counters the effects of the disease. The conversion to Dopamine is what leads to the positive effects that a patient experiences when using the drug (Henkel). Levodopa however has very serious side effects which include nausea and dyskinesias (involuntary movement). This occurs because only a small percentage of the drug actually reaches the brain to be transformed into Dopamine. The rest of it is transformed into dopamine in the body. It therefore becomes necessary to use Carbidopa, which delays the metabolism of Levodopa until it reaches the dopaminergic neurons in the brain. The combination helps reduce the side effects caused by the drug. Carbidopa delays the metabolism of Levodopa, keeping it from metabolizing in the body. This helps to greatly reduce the side effects felt by the user. The other problem posed by the use of this drug is that its dosage needs to be increased over time. It has also been observed to work on and off without any explanation or reason. This makes it unreliable because its effects are not constant, and at times the patient gets violent attacks while still under medication. The various side effects and unreliability of levodopa leads to the necessity to combine it with various other drugs to make it more effective. Some of these drugs can be used on their own while others actually require to be used with the Levodopa-Carbidopa combination. A cluster of drugs called Dopamine agonists are usually used in a combination with the Levodopa-Carbidopa drugs. They can however also be used on their own if the disease has not greatly progressed. Also, it is recommended that these drugs only be used alone in young adults. This class of drugs does not produce or help in the production of dopamine but instead imitates the effects that Dopamine has in the body. They tend to act on behalf of Dopamine (http://www.mayoclinic.com). This class of drugs include; Apokyn, Requip, Parlodel and Mirapex. Parlodel has been used very little of late. This is because it had very serious side effects that endangered the patient more than it benefited him/her. It would cause inflammation in the lungs and/or heart valves of the user and would lead to further deterioration of the patients health. In general this class of drugs has side effects that are almost similar to those of carbidopa-levodopa but with slight differences. The effects of having involuntary movement are reduced while those of hallucinations and/or sleepiness are increased. The drug Mirapex takes up the role of dopamine in the body as it is one of the dopamine agonists. When it is used in the absence of Levodopa-Carbidopa, it causes a 30% improvement in the health of the patient. When used in combination, it is able to reduce the intake of the Levodopa dosage by about 25%. Requip is also a dopamine agonist that can also be used either alone or with Levodopa. When used together with Levodopa, it can reduce the intake of Levodopa by around 31%. The reduction of Levodopa dosage decreases side-effects to the patient (Henkel). Catechol-o-methyltransferace inhibitors, which are usually abbreviated as COMT inhibitors, are used to block the enzymes that break down the Levodopa into Dopamine before it reaches the brain. They can be used in combination with the Carbidopa-Levodopa therapy. The two main COMT inhibitors are Tasmar and Entacapone. Tasmar is rarely used because of its severe impact on the health of the user. It causes severe liver damage and hence is only used as a last resort if the patient has failed to respond to any other therapy (http://www.mayoclinic.com). Entacapone does not have side-effects as severe as those of Tasmar and is therefore recommended over Tasmar. Its major side-effect is the involuntary movements experienced by the user. It works in conjunction with the Carbidopa-Levodopa therapy by increasing their availability. This is done by blocking the enzymes that break down the substance into Dopamine until the drug is already in the brain. This then means that the effects of Levodopa-Carbidopa are prolonged because they occur only in the brain. Stalevo, another drug, is the result of a combination of Carbidopa, Levodopa and Entacapone. Selegiline, also referred to as Eldepryl, is another drug that can either be used with or without the presence of Carbidopa-Levodopa therapy. It works by preventing the metabolism of Dopamine. It does this by slowing down the activity of one of the enzymes that metabolize Dopamine. This is the monoamine oxidase B which is abbreviated as MAO-B. The use of Selegiline has other positive effects like delaying the need of Carbidopa-Levodopa. When combined with Carbidopa-Levodopa it improves the effectiveness of the drug. It can however have some adverse toxic reactions when combined with Demerol which is a narcotic drug. Apart from ingesting drugs, they can be administered through the skin through the use of a silicon-based patch. Rotigotine is a dopamine agonist drug that can be administered through the skin, but can only be used in the early stages of the disease. This is called Neupro-rotigotine transdermal system. The patch has to be changed every 24 hours. It works by stimulating the Dopamine receptors in the body. Its side-effects include skin reaction where the patch is, hallucinations, insomnia, drowsiness, sleep-attacks, nausea, vomiting and the most severe is the reduction in blood pressure once the person stands up (http://www.fda.gov). Amantadine is another drug that is used in treatment of Parkinsons disease but its use was discovered by accident. Initially it was created to be an antiviral used in the treatment of influenza and was approved as such in 1976 by the Food and Drug Administration. It was however discovered to provide short term relief when used alone in the early stages of the Parkinsons disease. When it is combined with Carbidopa-Levodopa it can be used by those in the later stages. It has side effects that mostly involve swelling of the ankles and turning skin color purple (http://www.mayoclinic.com). In every human beings body, there is the presence of coenzyme Q10 which is produced by the mitochondria. This enzyme is used in the transport of electrons so that they can gain energy from the oxygen inhaled. This is done in the process called cellular respiration. The levels of this enzyme are very low in those suffering from Parkinsons disease. These people can therefore benefit greatly by having more of this enzyme. This can only be achieved by taking supplements which can be bought from a pharmacy. This aids in helping to slow down the onset of the disease. Apart from the use of drugs, there are various surgeries that can be used to control the effects of the disease. One of the surgeries is pallidotomy which involves the destruction of a small bit of the globus pallidus. Doctors believe all people who are suffering from Parkinsons have an overactive globus pallidus. The procedure is done by drilling a small hole in the skull and using an electric probe to kill part of the pallidus. It can only be done when the patient is sedated but awake so the doctor can judge the patients reactions to stimuli. There is a globus pallidus on each side of the brain, but the operation can only be done on one side at a time. Its side effects mostly involve impaired speech (http://www.fda.gov). Thalamotomy is another surgical procedure used in the control of Parkinsons disease. It is only performed on those patients who are experiencing tremors in either the hands or the arms that become too severe to handle. Usually the tremors are so bad they disable the person. It involves the destruction of a specific group of cells that are located in the thalamus in the brain. The surgery reduces or completely eliminates the tremors in around 90% of those who undergo the procedure (http://www.fda.gov). There is also the presence of a gadget that can be compared to the pacemaker used for cardio problems. It is known as the brain pacemaker (http://www.fda.gov). This form of therapy is referred to as Active Tremor Control Therapy. It involves the surgical implantation of an insulated wire to the brain. It is placed in the thalamus region of the brain, the subthalamic nucleus, and also the globus pallidus area of the brain. The whole system includes three components which are the: lead, extension and the neurostimulator. This system is referred to as Deep Brain Stimulation because it occurs directly inside the brain. A small hole is made in the skull and through it the lead is inserted into the brain. The lead is a very thin insulated wire. The tip of the lead is in contact with the area that has been targeted. Once it has been implanted, it is connected to the neurostimulator by the extension which is also an insulated wire (http://minds.nih.gov). The extension passes under the skin and moves from the head, to the neck, the shoulder and finally to where the neurostimulator is located. The neurotransmitter is located either under the collarbone, in the abdomen or the lower chest area just directly under the skin. The neurotransmitter involves a battery pack that sends electrical impulses to the brain. This is done through the extension and the lead. When the person is undergoing tremors, he or she is supposed to pass a handheld magnet over the location of the neurostimulator. The electrical impulses that are sent by the neurostimulator work by blocking the electrical signals that are the cause of the Parkinsons disease symptoms. They are dysfunctional brain signals and they are the cause of the tremors. This procedure is preferred because it does not destroy the nerve cells and when one wants to stop its use it is as easy as having the system surgically removed. Works Cited Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinsons Disease Information. NINDS. 22 Nov. 2007 . Henkel, John. Parkinsons Disease: New Treatments Slow Onslaught of Symptoms. FDA. 22 Nov. 2007 . Neupro Patch for Parkinsons Approved. FDA. 22 Nov. 2007 . Parkinsons Disease: Treatment. MayoClinic. 22 Nov. 2007

You Must Depend Only on Yourself :: Arguementative

Depending on Yourself Have you ever been told something by somebody, acted upon what you were told, then found out what they told you was wrong? This just goes to show that you should never rely on anybody else's word. I have always been told that attitute is everything. If you want to do accomplish something, your attitute towards your goal is the most important factor in your success. However, my personal experiences say otherwise. In seventh grade P.E. class, I had taken up the attitute that P.E. is a waste of time, and was not motivated to actively exert effort in the class. This kept up throughout the year, and my grade at the end was a "B". The next year, I decided I had better change my ways. I made sure to show enthusiasm and effort throughout the year. My final grade this time? Still a "B". This has forever disheartened me from trying to get an A in P.E., since it seems that nothing you do can change your grade. Even if you change your attitute, the result can be the same. The necessity of self-reliance becomes more and more apparent if you start to search for examples. For instance, several of my friends had a certain teacher for a physics class, who was often wrong in his teachings, but unwilling to admit to his mistakes. They had to compare what he had taught them with information in other places, to make sure he wasn't teaching the lessons incorrectly. Due to his mistakes, they had to rely on themselves, not the word of the teacher. My parents always tell me that if I don't want homework to be such a chore, that I have to motivate myself. I took their advice with an open mind, and got myself motivated for a history essay. But when the time came to write it, it was just as bad as any other. You Must Depend Only on Yourself :: Arguementative Depending on Yourself Have you ever been told something by somebody, acted upon what you were told, then found out what they told you was wrong? This just goes to show that you should never rely on anybody else's word. I have always been told that attitute is everything. If you want to do accomplish something, your attitute towards your goal is the most important factor in your success. However, my personal experiences say otherwise. In seventh grade P.E. class, I had taken up the attitute that P.E. is a waste of time, and was not motivated to actively exert effort in the class. This kept up throughout the year, and my grade at the end was a "B". The next year, I decided I had better change my ways. I made sure to show enthusiasm and effort throughout the year. My final grade this time? Still a "B". This has forever disheartened me from trying to get an A in P.E., since it seems that nothing you do can change your grade. Even if you change your attitute, the result can be the same. The necessity of self-reliance becomes more and more apparent if you start to search for examples. For instance, several of my friends had a certain teacher for a physics class, who was often wrong in his teachings, but unwilling to admit to his mistakes. They had to compare what he had taught them with information in other places, to make sure he wasn't teaching the lessons incorrectly. Due to his mistakes, they had to rely on themselves, not the word of the teacher. My parents always tell me that if I don't want homework to be such a chore, that I have to motivate myself. I took their advice with an open mind, and got myself motivated for a history essay. But when the time came to write it, it was just as bad as any other.

The Things They Carried

Tim O’Brien’s novel, The Things They Carried, provides an incredible realization of what life was like for an American soldier who fought in Vietnam from perspectives before, during, and after the war. The story’s power draws you in. It makes the events in the story seem real and provides the reader with a sense of what it feels like to be one of the soldiers. O’Brien’s talent as a writer made a fictional story more than believable to the reader. When reading this book, the reader struggles with depicting what is factual and what is fictional. O’Brien provides this effect by blurring the line between reality and fantasy. The book recollects many stories from O’Brien’s own experiences as a soldier and includes fictional aspects to enhance the story and to help O’Brien get his point across. O’Brien teaches us in all of these stories that there is no difference between what is factual and what is fictional in war. By doing this, the reader experiences the feelings that O’Brien and his comrades felt. The Things They Carried describes what those men carried to battle and back home, both tangible and intangible. The novel questions what war is and what the individual soldiers received out of it. This novel is an eye opener. Any person’s perspectives on the war and its soldiers are most certainly to change after reading this book. The Things They Carried brings the Vietnam War to life like no civilian could have ever imagined. The things the soldiers carried in Vietnam were both tangible and intangible. The tangible items include the usual equipment that soldiers carry, but most important is the intangibles. This book emphasizes that the intangibles the soldiers carried influenced everything about their lives, before, during and after the war. These things included the mental and psychological weight carried by the soldiers. This weight included shame, horrid memories, death and destruction. It included relationships and personal trials and temptations. It also included the soldiers’ way of handling the war. Many soldiers described in the novel used things such as drugs, pain, or fantastical illusions to deal with the war. The author, who is the narrator, was against the war. The book displays the weight of the personal struggle that he felt as someone against what he was doing over there. Another aspect that the book describes is the inexperience that the soldiers carried. This came from their age. Most, including the author, were of 21 years of age or younger. They carried the weight of large futures being destroyed by their involvement in the war. All of these aspects put extreme emotional stress on the lives of these soldiers during and after the war. The author deals with his emotional dilemmas by wiring about the tragedies and emotions he and his comrades felt. The book is entirely based off of these things. Its purpose is to help those who were not there to understand what it felt like to be them and for us to never forget the things they carried. The Things They Carried is about death. It questions death. It asks what death feels like. It also answers these questions by pulling death up and bringing it back to life. It brings it back to life and tells its stories. These stories share with the reader what death feels like. They show the reader what death is like for you and those who care about you. The author includes this topic, because it relates to something important to him that he â€Å"carried† over there. He carried his first experience of feeling what death is like. This was the story he wrote at the end of the novel about his first love, Linda, as a nine year old dying of a brain tumor. He took this story and related it to the death of his comrades and the people he killed. It provides the reader with the experience of not just knowing about death, but living it. This book impacted United States history greatly. It provides a perspective of not just the Vietnam War, but all war. It is a testament to Americans of what life is like defending freedom, whether or not you agree with the cause. This book impacted United States history by helping finishing the story. It helps write the last few pages of what this war was about; not by filling it with more facts, but by filling it with questions, experiences, and life. This book demonstrates to Americans why views and opinions were made and also the purpose for many controversial decisions in our history. This book impacted our country’s history by giving the Vietnam War a personal touch. Without this book, Americans would be left with only facts, information, and brief explanations for what life was like for the soldiers. The Things They Carried continues to impact readers and helps give understanding of current events. Because of this, it will continue to impact United States history for generations and its importance to our nation and its history will only grow. The Things They Carried also greatly impacted history in general. It did this especially for those living in Vietnam who were impacted by the war. It shares with them the trials and tribulations that Americans encountered. The book shares with these people an emotional side to the war and helps them understand our soldiers’ many motives. On an international scale, the book helps those who question American tactics and procedures to understand our nation’s motives, principles, and character. Many mistakes were made on our country’s part during the war and this book helps those who question those mistakes and or were impacted by them a sense of understanding and mercy. This book also helps people to understand what life was like for all those who fought in wars throughout the Earth’s history. It provides a sense of understanding of what all soldiers are impacted by in war starting from the beginning of time. I have been greatly impacted by this book in both a positive and negative way. I have been positively impacted by the new sense of understanding and compassion for the Vietnam War Veterans. I can now see clearly what experiences they faced during the war. I can also understand the feelings of those who were against the war and attempted to avoid fighting in it, much like the author. Another aspect I understand better now is their lives after the war. The emotional turmoil that veterans go through once they arrive home from war can be greatly understood by reading this book. Even though it is disturbing and I find it more than sinful, I have a greater sense of understanding for those like Norman Bowker from the novel who took his own life. Even though I am highly against his action, I understand why he felt lost, empty, and purposeless on Earth after the war. Norman felt like he died in Vietnam and he struggled to find his place and purpose in life. This led to his suicide. Because O’Brien included this story, it is much easier to find compassion for someone who would do what Bowker did. After reading this book, I have a new found respect for Veterans. I have felt their emotions and their tragedies, because of the power and realism of this book and now my compassion and respect for them has heightened greatly. The book also impacted me in a negative way. I hate to ever imagine that the things described in the book ever happened, but this book made these things a reality for me. Many of the tales told in this book are very disturbing and horrifying. Though without the truthfulness and realism of this book and its stories, we would never be able to truly understand what happened to those who served in the Vietnam War. I am forever grateful for reading this book. All Americans need to read it. Without it, they will never be able to understand what the Vietnam War Veterans truly went through in Vietnam and what horrible memories they are faced with remembering today. Tim O’Briens talent as a writer is what makes this novel such a compelling and eye opening experience. The Things They Carried is truly an American timepiece and a pivotal piece of American and historical literature. The Things They Carried OutlineLiterature Summary: â€Å"The Things They Carried†, published in 1990 tells a true story of Tim O’Brian, author and main character, who is drafted for the Vietnam war. He tells about the different items that him and his fellow soldiers carried with them to help cope with the traumatic environment that they were placed in.Thesis Statement: com/tim-obrien-the-things-they-carried-and-his-writing-style/">The Things They Carried is a perfect example that shows that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an issue as old as war, only recently have we discovered its true effects on our servicemen and women, and we have yet to find a truly effective remedy. I. What are the causes of PTSD?A. Tony Dokoupil claims â€Å"moral injury† is the leading cause of PTSD. B. Robert Burns says army suicides are way to high. II. How current treatment for PTSD is failing? A. Lindsey Tanner reveals that dangerous painkillers are given to vulnerable veterans. B. Tony Dokoupil exa mines the changes in a group of veterans once they return from battle. III. How could treatment be better?A. William Becker shares his belief on the ideal treatment. B. What is our job as civilians for our veterans? PTSD: An Epidemic Does America Need to Improve Treatment?Most Americans know that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is something that effects veterans when they come back from war. However, most Americans don’t know the full extent of PTSD in a veteran’s life. There are some very serious effects of war that change the lives of veterans and those close to them. Most soldiers want to protect their country and still make it home alive. This sometimes forces an innocent man to do things that he is ashamed of.Also, just the trauma and risk of being in a war can cause a man to be changed drastically when he returns from war. The treatment for this common disorder is lacking effectiveness. In some cases veterans end up being worse after finishing treatment and others just cover up their guilt and sadness with prescription drugs. Being one of the most advanced countries in the world it is only reasonable that America could find a better way to treat this devastating syndrome. It is the least American citizens can do for sending thousands of troops into a traumatic situation.The Things They Carried is a perfect example that shows that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an issue as old as war, only recently have we discovered its true effects on our servicemen and women, and we have yet to find a truly effective remedy. In the book The Things They Carried Lieutenant Jimmy Cross feels guilty because he believes that he is not the leader that the men in his company need (1990). Tony Dokoupil also discusses this in his article, â€Å"Moral Injury†, by stating that recent studies have discovered that guilt may be a major factor of PTSD.Dokoupil talks about a group of marine preservatives, the Saints and the Sinners. He explains how Fox Company, members of The Saints and the Sinners, were walking through the streets of Baghdad when their radio operator was shot in the head. Fox Company began taking heavy fire, so they started shooting at everything that moved. Instantly bullets rained down and a grenade even bounced behind their cover. However it was a dud. Tony claims that â€Å"moral injury† is the leading cause of PTSD. Most marines talk about guilt, shame, or regret, not about being scared.Dokoupil continues to write about Lu Lobello who was a machine gunner in Fox Company. When Lobello talked to a group of people about his experience, he revealed that they had killed about 20 civilians that particular day in Baghdad. Lobello describes the many cars holding families in them that were lifeless after the firefight. His most disturbing image of that day was a fellow marine who turned to Lobello and screamed, â€Å"We shot a baby† (as cited in Dokoupil, 2012)! Dokoupil explains that marines arenà ¢â‚¬â„¢t scared, they feel guilty and regretful (2012).In Robert Burns article, â€Å"Military Suicides are at a Record High†, he stresses â€Å"Suicides in the U. S. Military surged to a record 349 last year. † Burns explains that not only is this number way too high, but is 48 suicides more than the year before (2012). Warren Kinghorn, a psychiatrist at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), stresses that in 2012, suicide was a greater cause of death than combat for Army soldiers. â€Å"An estimated 10%-20% of returning combat veterans meet criteria for PTSD,† says Kinghorn.She explains that when a veteran  walks into the VA, the treatment often involves a short-term talk therapy course and medication. â€Å"That is far from enough†, Kinghorn expresses. The definition of PTSD is having â€Å"experienced, witnessed, or (have) been confronted with death or serious injury in oneself or others. † This is very misleading because most veterans suffe r due to taking the life of other human beings. Shira Maguen, a psychologist at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, has documented that PTSD is worse and thoughts of suicide are higher among veterans who have killed someone (as cited in Kinghorn, 2012).  (2012)According to an article by Lindsey Tanner, a government study claims that pain killers such as morphine are being prescribed to veterans who suffer from physical pain along with PTSD, and the results are often dangerous. The same study mentions that not only are these veterans prone to drug and alcohol abuse but they are twice as likely to be prescribed addictive pain killers over veterans with only physical pain. Along with addiction, suicides, and other self inflicted injuries, are more common for veterans with PTSD who received those drugs.Michael Von Korff, a chronic illness researcher, stresses that the emotional problems involved in PTSD are often made worse by these opioids (as cited in Tanner, 2012). Tanner goes on to say, â€Å"These prescriptions went to almost 18 percent of vets with PTSD and 12 percent of those with other mental health problems, compared to about 7 percent of vets without these problems. † Dr. William Becker, a Yale university instructor, says â€Å"The study brings much needed attention to the complexity of this problem (2012). † Tony Dokoupil’s article points out that even though Fox Company made it home alive they were changed forever.One in four of them had PTSD. The men of Fox Company tried to hide it, but careers crumbled and marriages fell apart. Dokoupil adds, â€Å"Self harm is now the leading cause of death for members of the army†¦ Every month 1,000 of them attempt to take their own lives (2012). † This is similar in the novel The Things They Carried. Tim introduces us to his daughter Kathleen, he tries to tell her the meaning of war and why we participate in it but he just cannot tell her the whole truth. Just like Fox Company T im had done things that he was ashamed of and he could not talk about them openly to his family.Which is why treatment is such an important foundation for veterans (1990). In Lindsey Tanner’s article â€Å"Vets Prone to Drug Addiction Get Risky Painkillers†, William Becker says â€Å"The ideal treatment includes behavioral counseling therapy for war wounds and management of chronic pain† (as cited in Tanner, 2012) (2012). â€Å"On Guard Against PTSD† is an article that explains that security professionals who get assigned to dangerous, stressful situations will also experience post-traumatic stress. This is normal says the article, but when this occurs continuously and intensely is when it gets dangerous.The article continues by stating that sooner or later the human body runs out of ways to cope and is overwhelmed mentally and physically, leading to PTSD (2013). Warren Kinghorn also explains in his article, â€Å"The Moral Dimensions of PTSD†, tha t as civilians it is our job to take care of the veterans and have patience with their recovery, we sent them to war in the first place, it’s the least we can do (2012). PTSD going untreated is still a current epidemic. â€Å"Gunman killed by police was Iraq vet who spoke of PTSD† is an article explaining the story of Santiago A. Cisneros III.He lived in Multnomah county and on Monday, March 4th, 2013 he opened fire on two police officers. The officers had no choice to shoot back and kill Cisneros. This Oregonian veteran had frequently talked about PTSD and how he may have it, but he never got treatment. This just shows how these men and women are expected to be tough and strong and how they can feel ashamed to ask for help (2013). â€Å"Take heart; Post-traumatic stress disorder† says that the death and suicide of too many veterans has prompted the Army to promise that seeking treatment will not affect a soldiers job.This article also says that the idea of givi ng PTSD sufferers a Purple Heart award has been tossed around among government officials. This only seems fair due to the life-changing risk that they took to end up with this dramatic disorder (2009). America should take Ted Lavender into account when they think of how not to treat PTSD. He is another character that O’Brian writes about in The Things They Carried. Sadly he dies shortly after the novel begins but up until that point he is popping tranquilizer pills to calm himself down. This illustrates the type of addiction that could occur in a veterans life (1990).Post-traumatic stress disorder is extensively described in the book The Things They Carried. It shows that PTSD is an injury that hasn’t changed in decades. The only thing that has changed is America’s knowledge of it. It has been called shell shock, battle fatigue, accident neurosis, PTSD, and even more recently it is known as â€Å"moral injury. † Even though America cannot precisely pinpoi nt what causes this disorder, the doctors who treat veterans can narrow it down by using examples of previous patients, examples such as guilt and taking another man’s life.Currently the system for treating veterans with PTSD is failing, and in some situations making patients worse, like supplying addicted veterans with drugs. Short amounts of therapy and large amounts of painkillers are not what they need. Veterans need time and support with years of talk therapy to work through the moral dimensions of PTSD. For veterans who have this disorder it is a scary and helpless situation. They deserve good quality medical care, but if America cannot find a way to better treat this dilemma then future veterans will be faced with the same trauma that previous veterans have faced for years. The Things They Carried Tim O’Brien’s novel, The Things They Carried, provides an incredible realization of what life was like for an American soldier who fought in Vietnam from perspectives before, during, and after the war. The story’s power draws you in. It makes the events in the story seem real and provides the reader with a sense of what it feels like to be one of the soldiers. O’Brien’s talent as a writer made a fictional story more than believable to the reader. When reading this book, the reader struggles with depicting what is factual and what is fictional. O’Brien provides this effect by blurring the line between reality and fantasy. The book recollects many stories from O’Brien’s own experiences as a soldier and includes fictional aspects to enhance the story and to help O’Brien get his point across. O’Brien teaches us in all of these stories that there is no difference between what is factual and what is fictional in war. By doing this, the reader experiences the feelings that O’Brien and his comrades felt. The Things They Carried describes what those men carried to battle and back home, both tangible and intangible. The novel questions what war is and what the individual soldiers received out of it. This novel is an eye opener. Any person’s perspectives on the war and its soldiers are most certainly to change after reading this book. The Things They Carried brings the Vietnam War to life like no civilian could have ever imagined. The things the soldiers carried in Vietnam were both tangible and intangible. The tangible items include the usual equipment that soldiers carry, but most important is the intangibles. This book emphasizes that the intangibles the soldiers carried influenced everything about their lives, before, during and after the war. These things included the mental and psychological weight carried by the soldiers. This weight included shame, horrid memories, death and destruction. It included relationships and personal trials and temptations. It also included the soldiers’ way of handling the war. Many soldiers described in the novel used things such as drugs, pain, or fantastical illusions to deal with the war. The author, who is the narrator, was against the war. The book displays the weight of the personal struggle that he felt as someone against what he was doing over there. Another aspect that the book describes is the inexperience that the soldiers carried. This came from their age. Most, including the author, were of 21 years of age or younger. They carried the weight of large futures being destroyed by their involvement in the war. All of these aspects put extreme emotional stress on the lives of these soldiers during and after the war. The author deals with his emotional dilemmas by wiring about the tragedies and emotions he and his comrades felt. The book is entirely based off of these things. Its purpose is to help those who were not there to understand what it felt like to be them and for us to never forget the things they carried. The Things They Carried is about death. It questions death. It asks what death feels like. It also answers these questions by pulling death up and bringing it back to life. It brings it back to life and tells its stories. These stories share with the reader what death feels like. They show the reader what death is like for you and those who care about you. The author includes this topic, because it relates to something important to him that he â€Å"carried† over there. He carried his first experience of feeling what death is like. This was the story he wrote at the end of the novel about his first love, Linda, as a nine year old dying of a brain tumor. He took this story and related it to the death of his comrades and the people he killed. It provides the reader with the experience of not just knowing about death, but living it. This book impacted United States history greatly. It provides a perspective of not just the Vietnam War, but all war. It is a testament to Americans of what life is like defending freedom, whether or not you agree with the cause. This book impacted United States history by helping finishing the story. It helps write the last few pages of what this war was about; not by filling it with more facts, but by filling it with questions, experiences, and life. This book demonstrates to Americans why views and opinions were made and also the purpose for many controversial decisions in our history. This book impacted our country’s history by giving the Vietnam War a personal touch. Without this book, Americans would be left with only facts, information, and brief explanations for what life was like for the soldiers. The Things They Carried continues to impact readers and helps give understanding of current events. Because of this, it will continue to impact United States history for generations and its importance to our nation and its history will only grow. The Things They Carried also greatly impacted history in general. It did this especially for those living in Vietnam who were impacted by the war. It shares with them the trials and tribulations that Americans encountered. The book shares with these people an emotional side to the war and helps them understand our soldiers’ many motives. On an international scale, the book helps those who question American tactics and procedures to understand our nation’s motives, principles, and character. Many mistakes were made on our country’s part during the war and this book helps those who question those mistakes and or were impacted by them a sense of understanding and mercy. This book also helps people to understand what life was like for all those who fought in wars throughout the Earth’s history. It provides a sense of understanding of what all soldiers are impacted by in war starting from the beginning of time. I have been greatly impacted by this book in both a positive and negative way. I have been positively impacted by the new sense of understanding and compassion for the Vietnam War Veterans. I can now see clearly what experiences they faced during the war. I can also understand the feelings of those who were against the war and attempted to avoid fighting in it, much like the author. Another aspect I understand better now is their lives after the war. The emotional turmoil that veterans go through once they arrive home from war can be greatly understood by reading this book. Even though it is disturbing and I find it more than sinful, I have a greater sense of understanding for those like Norman Bowker from the novel who took his own life. Even though I am highly against his action, I understand why he felt lost, empty, and purposeless on Earth after the war. Norman felt like he died in Vietnam and he struggled to find his place and purpose in life. This led to his suicide. Because O’Brien included this story, it is much easier to find compassion for someone who would do what Bowker did. After reading this book, I have a new found respect for Veterans. I have felt their emotions and their tragedies, because of the power and realism of this book and now my compassion and respect for them has heightened greatly. The book also impacted me in a negative way. I hate to ever imagine that the things described in the book ever happened, but this book made these things a reality for me. Many of the tales told in this book are very disturbing and horrifying. Though without the truthfulness and realism of this book and its stories, we would never be able to truly understand what happened to those who served in the Vietnam War. I am forever grateful for reading this book. All Americans need to read it. Without it, they will never be able to understand what the Vietnam War Veterans truly went through in Vietnam and what horrible memories they are faced with remembering today. Tim O’Briens talent as a writer is what makes this novel such a compelling and eye opening experience. The Things They Carried is truly an American timepiece and a pivotal piece of American and historical literature.

Critical Analysis of the Liver functions and medical science The WritePass Journal

Critical Analysis of the Liver functions and medical science Introduction Critical Analysis of the Liver functions and medical science IntroductionReferences:Related Introduction The liver, with over 500 functions, is one the most significant and versatile organ of the human body. It weighs around 1.5kg and it is divided into four lobes; left, right, quadrate and caudate. It is wrapped in a fibrous capsule which is covered by the visceral peritoneum. 30% of the bloody supply of the heart reaches the liver at a region called the Hilus every minute, of which two thirds is through the portal vein and a third through the hepatic artery, it then leaves the liver through the hepatic vein. Blood pressure is low, usually at 10mm Hg or less. The cells of the liver are known as Hepatocytes. Hepatocytes serve many roles in the functions of the liver of which include:   Metabolic regulation; it plays a key role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, Haematological regulation; it is the primary organ that regulates the composition of blood, and Bile synthesis. [2] During carbohydrate metabolism, most of the glucose that is derived from the breakdown of carbohydrates is stored as glycogen in the liver cells (Glycogenesis) until it is needed, which is when the liver will convert the glycogen back into glucose to be used for respiration (Glycogenolysis). Examples of such situations are when there is a short supply of glucose in the body during the times between meals or when fasting. When the body is starved from carbohydrates, the liver can produce glucose by a process called Gluconeogenesis by converting amino acids from dietary and body proteins, lactate or glycerol into glucose. This prevents the individual from having hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels), so by this it can also be said that the liver has an integral part of maintaining blood glucose levels. The liver serves a major role in fat metabolism by producing the lipoproteins that are needed to transport fat, cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood throughout the body. Protein metabolism takes place in the liver as it goes through amino acid conversion, most of the amino acids are synthesised into proteins that are needed for the body, especially albumin which is the main plasma protein. Amino acid metabolism however produces a waste product, Urea, which is transported to the kidneys via blood and excreted through urine. Haematological regulation is the way in which the liver processes the blood by regulating the amount of chemicals it holds and breaking down the nutrients within it so it is easy to use. It also detoxifies toxic substances such as drugs or alcohol that come via blood and breaks it down before being released back into the blood into amounts that can be handled by the body. In addition to its metabolic functions, it is also responsible for the production of bile. Bile is a yellow alkaline fluid that is produced by the hepatocytes made up of mainly water (85%) and bile salts (10%).   Bile salts acts as a fat emulsifier so it is needed for the normal digestion and absorption of ingested fats. Bile also serves as a route in which substances such as drugs and wastes produced from metabolism that aren’t removed by the kidneys, such as bilirubin, is removed from the body through the faeces. Hepatocytes secrete bile into tubes known as Bile Canaliculi, which jointo form Bile Ductules. Bile ductules then transport bile to the nearest portal area. The right and left hepatic ducts collects the bile from the ductules at the portal areas and merge to form the Common Hepatic Duct.   This leaves the liver to go to the gall bladder through the Cystic Duct which joins onto the Common Bile Duct which transports bile to the duodenum through the Duodenal Ampull a and then goes into the small intestine ready to act upon the absorption of fats. [2] These are only a few functions of the liver, all of which if do not function properly can lead to many liver diseases.   Diseases can generally be classified into two types; Hepatocellular, which results in damage to the hepatocytes and Cholestatic which restricts bile flow due to blockage in ducts. Most patients suffering from a liver disease develop jaundice resulting from high levels of the bilirubin in the blood stream (hyperbilirubinemia).   Jaundice makes whites of the eyes yellow and then gradually the skin start becoming yellow. Bilirubin is produced from dead red blood cells; at the end of their life span, the haemoglobin found within them is released and split into haem and globin. Iron from haem is recycled for the production of more haemoglobin and any remains of the haem molecule are converted to bilirubin. It is excreted in the faeces and some in the urine. It is elevated in most liver diseases as they cause some sort of damage to hepatocytes which means bilirubin cannot conjugate with glucuronic acid in order to be excreted, so it stays in the bloodstream where its levels continuously increase. One of the common diseases to occur in the liver is Hepatitis. It results in inflammation of the liver cells. Viral Hepatitis can be caused by Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, yellow fever or Herpes Simplex. Patients usually start off small with flu like symptoms. Non viral hepatitis can be due to auto immune reasons, drugs, toxins found in mushrooms and alcohol. [3] ‘As alcohol consumption is very high in the western world, alcohol hepatitis is a common problem. Symptoms include enlargement of the liver, development of fluid in the abdomen (ascites), increased blood pressure in the portal vein and later development of jaundice. If alcoholic hepatitis is diagnosed it is important to stop consuming alcohol at once otherwise it could lead to more serious damage such as cirrhosis or even liver failure.’ [2] Cirrhosis is an irreversible liver disease. Patients with cirrhosis develop ascites, jaundice and the formation of fibrous tissue where liver cells should be, the liver cells are destroyed in response to toxic chemicals, a viral hepatitis, or most commonly, high alcohol consumption. These are examples of Hepatocellular liver diseases. An example of a Cholestatic liver disease would be Cholestasis.   Cholestasis is a state when there is a blockage in the bile ducts so bile cannot be released. Again, jaundice develops when a patient suffers from cholestasis as bilirubin is also unable to reach the small intestine to be excreted. Other symptoms include pale faeces and dark urine. There are a number of tests available that determines liver diseases. These include bilirubin, ALP, ALT and the GGT tests. A slightly abnormal bilirubin concentration indicates it may be haemolytic anaemia (abnormal rate of red blood cell destruction). A higher concentration is due to diseases which have damaged the hepatocytes therefore bilirubin cannot conjugate or be excreted properly. These diseases are acute hepatitis and alcoholic hepatitis. A very high concentration indicates cholestasis as it means bile flow is completely blocked (most commonly by gallstones) and so bilirubin cannot be excreted. Bilirubin can be measured by taking a blood test; conjugated, unconjugated or total bilirubin. Conjugated bilirubin is bound to glucuronic acid and so is called direct bilirubin. Unconjugated bilirubin is measured by subtracting the direct bilirubin from the total bilirubin, so is called indirect bilirubin. Total Bilirubin is the term used when both are measured. GGT, ALP and ALT are all enzymes that are present in the liver cells. Hepatocyte death (necrosis) leads to large amounts of these enzymes to be released into the blood stream which if measured will serve as an indicator of liver disease. These enzymes can be measured by taking around 5 ml of venous blood. Abnormal ALT (alanine transferase) results are found in diseases that have come about as a result of necrosis. In acute hepatitis, ALT rises before jaundice develops and then usually goes back to normal within 8 weeks. A continuous raised level of ALT means that it chronic liver disease such as chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. High GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase) levels are found in all liver and biliary tract diseases. GGT doesn’t determine an actual disease but it is used to predict who may be at risk of liver disease due to alcohol as it is the only enzyme that is produced due to alcohol, so high continuous levels would mean alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Moderately results of ALP (alkaline phosphatise) indicate acute hepatitis but extremely high results show cholestasis may have developed. However, ALP is also present in the cells of the bone, so only measuring it by itself would not be an accurate indication of liver disease. It is usually measured alongside GGT; if both levels are high then it confirms that the problem is definitely within the liver. These are a few diseases and tests that are commonly used today to identify one of the biggest causes of death in the UK today. References: [1] Martini, F., H., 2004, Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, 6th edition, San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings, ISBN: 0-13-120346-0. [2] Higgins, C., 2000, Understanding Laboratory Investigations, Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd, ISBN: 0-632-04245-1 [3] Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010, Alcoholic Hepatitis, Mayo Clinic, DS00785