Monday, September 30, 2019

Education †Morality Essay

Education is not only cognitive and intellectual learning, and learning of skills and work-related competences. It is much broader to include moral and ethical issues, values, attitudes, religion, spiritualism, art and more. It is, indeed, important to focus on this when education in schools and universities has become a large â€Å"industry† and when the world, instead of becoming more peaceful, seems to be more confrontational than before. The main reason behind this scenario, that I see, is that students are being taught and not trained and also the fact that teachers do not have any target for teaching instead they teach for the pay they get and sincerity with the profession is waning very fast. EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM The educational system that I see should be one that suits all the citizens of the country. It should consider the cultural, ethical, moral, religious and economical norms of the society and should produce respectable and responsible citizens for the society as a whole and a dignified and confident person. |This point arises due to the fact that every country consists of multi-cultural and multi ethical societies with different religious and economic backgrounds. Thus the system should have contents that may not hurt the morals and values of any person and also produce effective results that can be calculated as per the prosperity of that particular society or country as a whole. PURPOSE OF EDUCATION The foundation of our work as educators is moral and ethical education. We must teach the right values and the right ways of analyzing issues. We must seek what is true and act accordingly. Part of that is to learn that we are all responsible for our own attitudes, decisions and actions. We must use education to foster equality between sexes, classes, people of different geographic areas, creeds, colors, cultures and religions. We must learn to understand the importance of solidarity among groups at home and across the borders in order to create peace, development and prosperity. Besides this we are also imparted with the responsibility of teaching science, commerce and arts subjects to the students using latest techniques, information and research to enable our students to prepare themselves to be a productive part of the society and compete with the world in the respective fields of their study. Major areas that a teacher may address are as follows: 1. To help students gain literacy: This is supposed to be the top most priority as if a student is literate he or she may mold in any society and get adapted to its culture and norms without losing its own. 2. To enable students to use and enjoy their learning experiences: Here a student gets in hand expertise to use what it learned during the schooling period to better their social and personal life in a given environment. 3. To teach students to believe and respect others, to contribute to the well-being of their community: A learned person better knows whom to respect and whom not too, who deserves to be valued and who does not, and gets bold enough to express its feelings in a dignified and respectful way in the society. He is able to distinguish between duties bestowed upon him by the community and tries to serve the community within available resources. 4. To give students the opportunity to learn how to inquire and discover new information: When a student learns through experimentation and reasoning he tries to use the same technique throughout his life and does not accepts all and sundry information without analyzing it. 5. To help students develop broader understandings of new information: This enables a student understand and characterize given information and then apply it in his daily life. 6. To help students develop the skills and values they will need to function in a free and just society: Last but not the least it makes sure that a student is made aware of the morals and values of religion and society and to act accordingly not hurting any ones feelings and making progress accordingly in the society individually and as a community as a whole. In the process of enabling the students to get all the above qualities they are supposed to be taught different subjects but should be encompassed under the umbrella of a just religion and that is Islam not because we live in the Islamic Republic Of Pakistan but due to the fact that Islam is the only religion that addresses to all the matters discussed with command and covers all the topics amicably, may it be the moral, cultural, and or ethical values or upbringing, or the contemporary studies of science, commerce and arts. Reference: 1. http://www. intime. uni. edu 2. www. nation. com. pk †º Columns.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Inbound Tourism of South Africa

Inbound Tourism of South Africa There are two main factors in recent history that contributed to the increased number of Inbound Tourists to South Africa. The First would be because of the political history of South Africa. After the Second World war there were serious segregation laws implemented. Separating blacks from whites – they named it Apartheid. Play clip: http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=Rz4F_InsBeo If you were a tourist in South Africa and you weren’t white you would have to make use of the non-whites facilities – which were usually of poor standards.In an attempt to put an end to Apartheid, South Africa was sanctioned by the UN and naturally this put South Africa on the global stage. Shortly After ,the UK and USA boycotted South Africa with: * Economic sanctions * Military sanctions * Cultural boycotts * Sporting boycotts Later 23 countries joined in these boycotts. This meant that none of those countries traveled to South Africa . Musicians, actors, writers or other artists did not publish any of their material of South African nature.South Africa was isolated from the world, in the sense that foreigners did no longer invest or visit South Africa but South Africa was still getting a lot of attention internationally. The protests against the Apartheid movement became more violent and the political unrest even worse. Of course this made tourists skeptical of travelling to South Africa. 1990 marked the end of Apartheid; in 1994 South Africa had their first democratic elections. Nelson Mandela was voted the first black President of South Africa.Since 1994 South African Tourism growth has been exceptional Million people Year Only 16 years after being a democratic and free country , South Africa had the opportunity to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup . This event made the world even more aware of South Africa, everyone was talking about the Soccer World Cup and therefore South Africa as a country received even more publicity. Even wit hout the number of tourists that visited South Africa for the Soccer , the number of tourists still increased. http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=SPEG8Gn6Qxk&feature=relatedSouth Africa can cater for almost every type of tourist: * Business tourism * Cultural Tourism * Eco-tourism * Paleo-tourism * Adventure tourism * Sports tourism Today Tourism is one of the biggest industries in South Africa it even surpassed the Gold exports as the earner of foreign currency. Germany , the UK and North American countries used to make up most of the inbound tourist , but over the past year India and China have increasingly visited South Africa. The department of tourism is investing more into marketing in India and China.There are also a couple of strategies put into place to improve the Tourism market in South Africa as a whole. OUTBOUND TOURISM Since the end of apartheid the majority of the population is no longer oppressed. The people of South Africa no matter what race can get better education and as a result they can also pursue better careers. Since more and more South Africans earned decent salaries they could put more money aside for travelling. Although domestic travel is higher than Outbound Tourism , the number of residents Traveling out of South Africa do increase every year.Another factor contributing to outbound travel is globalization, people are getting more curious about the world and they want to experience different destinations first hand. There are also of course business trips as South African companies grow. Sources http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=WTiml3HNFtY (UNTWO) * http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=SPEG8Gn6Qxk&feature=related * http://www. statssa. gov. za/publications/Report-03-51-02/Report-03-51-022011. pdf * http://www. southafrica. info/travel/tourism-030912. tm#ixzz27Yai8HuF * http://www. southafrica. info/travel/tourism-030912. htm#ixzz27YaTs4rg * http://www. sagoodnews. co. za/tourism/tourist_arrivals_up_3. 3_. html * http://www. info. gov . za/speech/DynamicAction? pageid=461&sid=30329&tid=82144 * http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=Rz4F_InsBeo * http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_South_Africa_during_apartheidhttp://www. mongabay. com/reference/country_studies/south-africa/ECONOMY. html * http://www. euromonitor. com/travel-and-tourism-in-south-africa/report

Saturday, September 28, 2019

One-Dimensional Man

The introduction of Herbert Marcuse’s book, â€Å"One-dimensional Man,† shows us the problem that a democratic society creates. Though this book was written back in 1964, many can agree that what he says is true in today’s society. Different scenarios are also brought up to show us how things will be affected due to the advancements of technology. Marcuse wants us to see what will happen and what has happened to society through a series of changes. Marcuse talked a lot about the necessities and luxuries of life. He called these the â€Å"true needs† and the â€Å"repressive needs. He makes it a point to show us that the changes in society cause us to think differently. Most people are beginning to mistaken the â€Å"true needs† with the â€Å"repressive needs. † Instead of actually spending their money on things they need for themselves or their families, they splurge. Marcuse believes this to be due to the advancement of technology. Marcuse also believes that the media, in all its forms, influence what the individual believes to be â€Å"true needs. † Through social media, we are convinced that we must have something, therefore we go out and get what we want.All of the advertisements that you see are purposely developed so that you would want the product. With this the individual is blinded by what is truly needed and what is wanted. Marcuse compares this kind of behavior to a disease. He states that the individual indulges on these products so that they may satisfy their happiness within. But Marcuse says that this happiness is not a condition which has to be maintained (5). Instead, it is temporary and will go away once this person has satisfied their need. Then what is left is euphoria in unhappiness (5).Marcuse believes that an individual indulges in these â€Å"repressive needs† because they want equality. Buying these products give them a sense of equality to others in society. Marcuse believes tha t they are blinded by these products so much that they don’t even care about â€Å"true needs† anymore. They would rather have a big screen TV like their boss has rather than having health insurance. Marcuse says â€Å"Mass production and mass distribution claim the entire individual, and industrial psychology has long since ceased to be confined to the factory† (10).Anything that can be found within a household is mass produced. Most of which are machines that are used to help make everyday life easier. Society has become so accustom to having certain gadgets around that some people don’t even know how to perform simple tasks. Being able to mass produce an item is good in itself, but being able to distribute that product to an entire nation or even several nations is something else. This creates the potential of having the entire world depending on one company for a particular product. Technology has become just another part of everyone’s life.Tec hnology is constantly advancing and new products are always invented to help the daily routine of life, easier. Some examples of how certain inventions make life easier are the car, computer and internet. Being able to travel twice the distance in half the time makes the task of going to work and tending to your family much easier. Being able to send someone a document with a click of the mouse or even keeping in touch with family or friends that live far away. Since the workforce mainly consists of machines creating everything, people have begun to find things to do with their free time.Having actual free time to do things with the family or friends or even oneself is starting to become common according to Marcuse. Marcuse clearly states that technology has taken over the entire work force. Marcuse states â€Å"The very structure of human existence would be altered; the individual would be liberated from the work world’s†¦. † (2). By this he wants us to realize t hat humans will soon be replaced by technology. There would be no need for people to be around factories anymore because everything can be done much faster and much more efficient with machines.This is the type of society that we are heading into. This is all due to the people that own these factories. The uses of machines have proven to be much more efficient and much more productive. Humans just can’t perform certain tasks that are needed to mass produce products. They just may be able to but the quality of the work wouldn’t compare to that of a machine’s work. â€Å"Today political power asserts itself through its power over machine process and over the technical organization†¦. † (3). We can all agree that this statement still holds true today.The executive decisions, which are made in today’s society, are all made by those who own major companies or corporations. They have the most power because they have the most money. Their factories a re mainly machines that create their product. Though they still require some manpower to run their system, they mainly rely on their machines, These select few people utilize the full potential use of technical, scientific and mechanical productivity (3). Marcuse makes a good point in saying â€Å"†¦ economic freedom would mean freedom from the economy†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (4).Those who have utilized the full potential of machines have already found their freedom from the economy. Everyone else is struggling to earn freedom from the economy, making just enough money to support their families. We know these people as the middle class or the working class. Their jobs give them a decent amount of money to live comfortable lives. In this passage, Marcuse talks about how liberty can become something that is used for controlling the masses. The ability to be able to elect ones leader doesn’t necessarily mean that the government isn’t in control.The government is always going to have some type of influence on everything that is put on the media. For example, if the government isn’t influencing the media, why is there censorship? The truth is that the government controls most aspects of our life. Marcuse argues that the right of freedom of speech is good yet it also creates the right for censorship. Marcuse believes that the purpose of technology is to help us live easier lives. Assisting us with jobs that humans just don’t have the strength for should be the true intention of a machine. A machine is supposed to take the job of several humans.It is there to perform tasks that a normal human does not have the strength or ability to do. Instead, the capitalist government is using machines to increase their power and wealth. Instead of using technology advances as something to help the people, they instead use it to oppress the people with weapons and propaganda. Being able to determine one’s leader may sound like an ideal but Marcuse m ay disagree. He states that this system is not perfect. The idea of having a free trade system allows the government to publish people with trade sanctions.Going between countries would require one to meet all of these rules in order to proceed with the transaction. Sanctions for one country may be completely different from a neighboring country. These sanctions would not have existed before but must still be enforced. Even though this was written back in the mid 1960s, we can see that some of what Marcuse says is true in today’s society. Though the change process was gradual, there were still significant changes that we can see. The advancement in technology is one key factor in the gradual changes that we see.Everything has technology integrated into it in one way or another. Because of this people began to lose sight of what was truly needed in life to survive and live. Instead, people have been blinded by things that they want and work until they have actually gotten what they wanted. They have fed their hunger for materialistic things for the time being but will soon realize that this hunger will eventually fade away. The government also influences the society through media. Censorship is a method in which the government influences the media.

Friday, September 27, 2019

APA Style Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

APA Style Writing - Essay Example be revisited, for example, the approach could be implemented by having students in business schools chose to take business ethics or business history (Cuilla, 2011, p. 342). In Nigeria, as in many other developing countries of black Africa, the socio-economic climate is characterized by such negative features as perversion of the course of justice, profiteering, black-marketing and racketeering among industrialists and business persons; hoarding of essential commodities and remorseless inflation of prices by traders; the questionable and devious activities of multi-national corporations etc. (p. 478). In these spheres of our social life, unethical business deal is chronic and rampant, with very few exceptions. Often political appointments are not based on evident competence and merit. The vested interests of the appointing authorities account far more than other factors. According to Ochulor and Okpo (2010), our social life is greatly influenced by unethical business deals, for example, many political appointments have unethical influences since the interests of some people override ethical conduct. According to McGowan and McGowan (2011), â€Å"The history of free markets appears to support the view that Locke allowed unrestrained acquisition of property. Certainly in America, we observe free market advocates relying on Locke’s ideas to oppose intrusion into anyone’s fairly acquired property† (p.75) Locke appears to allow the possibility that if people do not consent to the inequality, that other arrangements might be made, regardless of any prior right to property as established in a state of nature. In other words, the amount of property a person has is limited by reason in a state of nature or by consent after government is formed. According to McGowan and McGowan (2011), the quantity of property owned by a person is determined either by natural forces or by regulatory factors like the government. This happens if people do not agree to unequal statuses

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Should the Multinational Firm Be Involved In International Business or Essay

Should the Multinational Firm Be Involved In International Business or Investment with a Developing Country - Essay Example In this study, Supermart is taken as a frictional multinational company which is based in the United Kingdom. It is a developed country. Supermart is a retail company doing its business for a long time in various countries of the world. It is one of the largest companies in the retail industry segment of UK. But for the large numbers of players the market of UK has become very much saturated which limits the growth of the company. Therefore expanding its business internationally will help this retail company to generate more revenue by acquiring the new customer base. For this reason, this UK based company has made a plan of expanding its business in the emerging market of China. Supermart can have many benefits and advantages of this decision. China is experiencing a huge growth in its retail market. A significant rise in the income of household people influences the retail industry of China to grow. China is a developing country having an emerging market. The improvement of the Chi nese economy Influences its people to spend more which becomes an advantage in its retail industry. The purchasing power of the people is increasing in this country which leads to the rise in demand. A positive marketing environment is created for this reason. The government of China is providing business licenses to many new companies for the development of the country. But in some cases, its government policies create many difficulties in case of foreign companies for establishing its business. Some of the reforms of China opens the country’s market and attracts many big companies. The political factor of China influences a lot in its national institutional system. Previously there were many trade regulations in the retail industry sector of this country. This industry was not considered as a prestigious industry by its government and it was not sanctioned. But modernization of China facilitates the growth of its retail industry. The open market system of the country influe nces its institutional system. The economic system of China has become market-oriented economy. The country has become a significant player in a global economy. It supports the growth of its private sector industry. For business operations, the country maintains strict regulations and laws. There is a specific framework under which the companies have to operate its business.

Consumer decision making process on muller rice Essay

Consumer decision making process on muller rice - Essay Example The source of the competitive advantage is in the name of the company and the ability to price its products in a competitive manner. The main challenge that it faces is the increased competition from the other producers. Its opportunity is in the increased awareness in people about the food that they take. The marketing objectives of the company are to penetrate the market and attain the most market share possible. The company also aims at cementing its position in the global arena. The growth strategies that the company can use include the introduction of new products such as new flavours. The company may also expand its cream division since this will be able to utilize the excesses in the capacity (Pride and Ferrell, 2008). The understanding of the customer decision making is important for the company since this is the approach that the company will use to come up with new products. The targeting can be made in such a way that it focuses on the individual needs of the different classes of people (Pride and Ferrell,

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Asbestos Contamination in Libby Montana Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Asbestos Contamination in Libby Montana - Essay Example These diseases are incurable and terminal with mesothelioma directly and exclusively linked to asbestos dust exposure. (Peacock, 2003). The GAO (2003) acknowledged that its study was conducted as records showed that between 1979 and 1998, the number of deaths in Libby, Montana from lung disease asbestosis was 40 to 80 times higher all over the United States. In the investigation, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported contamination of asbestos in vermiculite ore processing in Libby. By year 2001, about 18 % of current and former Libby residents who received x-rays were identified having asbestos related lung abnormalities as per record of the Department of Health and Human Services (GAO, 2003). The business mining operations began in 1923. W.R. Grace operated vermiculite mine and dispensation mill in Libby from 1963 until the year of 1990 when it was closed. The mining company employed up to 200 people annually at its vermiculite mine and mill. Workers inhaled asbestos-contaminated dust during mining operations and moving the vermiculite ore and this contaminated dust remains in worker’s clothes and vehicles and it is brought to town. The product of the company is Zonolite ® Attic Insulation was used in resident’s homes and in new home construction in various locations around Libby. The vermiculite ore was distributed to extension plants throughout the country and processed into fireproofing materials and insulations, exposing many more workers. At its peak of mining operation, vermiculite mining production reached more than 200,000 tons annually. And W.R. Grace is believed to have 80% of vermiculite around the world. Sources In the early 1920s, initial mining operations began for vermiculite ore body seven miles northeast of Libby, Montana. Full-scale mining operation resumed a decade later under the Universal Zonolite Insulation Company (Zonolite). The vermiculite mined from Zonolite Mountain is contaminated with asbestos fibers, including tremolite and actinolite, and contains the related fibrous asbestiform minerals winchite, richterite, and ferro-edenite. Mining and processing operations, as well as home use of waste rock and products from the Zonolite mine, resulted in the spreading of asbestos throughout the town. Thousands of people in Libby, including former mine workers, their relatives, and other residents, have exhibited signs and symptoms of asbestos-related disease. Since 1999, in response to reports of extensive disease among Libby, Montana residents, EPA's Region 8 Emergency Response Branch has been conducting sampling and removals to tackle the most highly contaminated areas in the Libby valley (EPA, 2002). Exposure Pathways Occupational- miners were exposed to high levels of asbestos in the air at the mine, during convey and handling operations, and during processing operations. Household contact- families of workers were exposed to

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Marketing Management of Verizon Wireless Case Study

Marketing Management of Verizon Wireless - Case Study Example Consumer analysis is an important part of the market strategy. Every marketing campaign is aimed at consumers. In order to develop an effective marketing strategy, it is important to understand the buyers' needs and wants to be attached to a product. In order to understand how consumers actually make their buying decisions, marketers must identify the motivators and the decision-makers. The aim of the report is to undertake a thorough analysis of the marketing strategy of the Verizon Wireless. In order to undertake the analysis, secondary data is used. Adding recommendations for the improvement of the marketing practices of the Company has increased the effectiveness and usefulness of the report. The main strategy of the Verizon Wireless is the constant introduction of new ranges of products and services to the customers. Hence the company uses the strategy of product differentiation. The company keeps on innovating new packages fulfilling the demands of all ages from youngsters to a dults. The market share of the Verizon Mobiles has been increased at a tremendous level in 2005 outperforming all its competitors in 2005. The Company has remained innovative from the beginning, which is key to its success. The Company furthers aims to get the profits from ethics and to build the brand across the US. The purpose of branding is to achieve a market position that will represent a sustainable competitive advantage. Companies are increasingly extending the line of variants available under a given brand, resulting in a family of related offerings. The reason for this is essentially economic and Verizon Wireless has gained many such advantages by successful introducing a range of products.   Product development is ongoing and the company keeps on introducing new packages according to the needs of customers. The latest introduced in September. The Company has a strong brand name, which can be used as an economic benefit in the future but the two important factors should be prope rly addressed: 1. The benefits from the brand 2. The expectations of the target markets. Advertising, as a form of social communication, is particularly reflective and indicative of culture and its norms. To the extent that advertising does reflect cultural differences, and there exist clear differences between distinct cultural patterns, advertising appeals, which are specific approaches advertisers use to communicate how their products will satisfy customer needs (Arens & Bovee, 1994), should manifest such differences across these countries.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Answers Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Answers - Assignment Example In the organization setting, performance management is created with an objective to understand the depth as which the company’s objectives are being achieved. Through technology, an organization is able to create more efficient performance management systems (Grossberg, 2012). Technology eliminates the traditional performance appraisal systems that also required employee interviews. The traditional approaches had bias. What do compensation, benefits, and payroll all have in common as related to employees? Share an example of how HR technology can impact the value and efficiency of each of these HR functions: compensation, benefits, and payroll. Compensation, payroll and benefits can be referred to as reward systems. A rewards system is aimed at providing compensations to employees for the employees in the organization. Moreover, all employees require a rewards system to improve their performance. Technology enables the creation of a reward system that eliminates error and employee elimination from the system. For instance, an organization may have a system that monitors performance and provide a detailed reward system that considers the performance of each employee (Grossberg, 2012). Before its creation, it is an obvious assumption that employee management was poorly handled. Human resources systems were mandated with numerous activities that increased their exposure to errors. In addition, their consideration of the performance of employees was biased and based on personal opinion (Petrescu & Simmons, 2008). With the HRIS, employees feel more comfortable with the rewards system and how salaries are

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Overview of Ancient Greece Essay Example for Free

Overview of Ancient Greece Essay Athens, Sparta, Alexander, the Parthenon and other ancient ruins are vivid reminders of Greece’s almost hallowed past. Greece is a mountainous land surrounded by over 1000 islands and almost completely circled by the Mediterranean Sea. The first farmers settled there in around about 7000 BC due to the ideal weather of hot dry summers and rain only in winter and soon developed into small independent communities cut off from each other by the mountains and often competing for the best land, because the fertile soil was in short supply. These small communities later developed into the city-states and each had a strong individual identity, although very little is known about these early settlers. The Bronze Age is considered the first historical period, and it was within this period that the early writing systems were developed. During the Bronze Age there were two great civilisations- the Minoans and Mycenaeans. The Bronze Age witnessed major social, economic, and technological advances that made Greece the main centre of activity in the Mediterranean; it was characterized by its rapid growth of population and development of trade. It was in the Bronze Age that metals were first used. The Minoan civilization was the first great civilisation of the Aegean world; it emerged around 3200 BC on the island of Crete. The rich Cretan soil produced oil, grain and wine in abundance. The Minoan’s were not Greek and may have originally come from western Asia as early as 6000 BC. The civilization grew wealthy through trade with countries such as Egypt, Asia Minor and the Levant. The Minoans were skilled artists and craftsmen, creating beautiful objects, their architecture reaching near perfection. The Minoans also ruled the other Aegean Islands and various cities on the mainland. New buildings constantly replaced the cave dwellings of the previous age. The great Minoan fleet ruled the Mediterranean, providing wealth to the island from trade and commerce as well as providing protection from any invaders. They were peaceful people with a love of life and equality between men and women. A major earthquake hit Crete around 1450 BC, causing large-scale destruction of the palaces; but the palaces were rebuilt soon afterwards and the Minoan civilization continued to flourish. Not everyone was as lucky as others to live in the palaces but whoever didn’t, then lived in small farmhouses. A new disaster hit Crete around 1450 BC, causing large-scale destruction to the palaces and settlements and resulting in the eventual demise of the great civilization. The Mycenaean civilization flourished on mainland Greece from around 1600 BC. It was a warlike society and weapons and armour have been found in their graves. Mycenae, city of Agamemnon, was one of several heavily fortified strongholds. They are also known for being great traders as they sailed far and wide. They traded with Egypt, Asia Minor, Italy and Cyprus. The Mycenaeans were very wealthy and archaeologists have uncovered many objects in gold, silver and ivory from their towns. Their writing system called ‘Linear B’ was adapted from a Minoan script. Unlike the Minoans, the Mycenaeans spoke Greek. Around 1250 BC the Mycenaeans started to build huge defensive walls around the major towns because they were under threat from foreign invaders. By 1200 BC the cities began to be abandoned or destroyed. 1100-700BC, after the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, Greece was plunged into a Dark Age. The rich Mycenaean towns and palaces fell into decline or were destroyed, writing was no longer used and trade with other countries decreased dramatically. Although very little is known about this period it is thought the population of Greece became much smaller with people living in fewer and smaller settlements possibly due to famine and the depopulation. The Archaic Period was a time of great change in Greece from 700 -480 BC. Many cities like Athens, Corinth, Argos and Sparta, grew rich and powerful. Great temples to the gods were built in many places around Greece. The cities developed new ways to govern themselves. Many cities were ruled by kings or rich families. Others were ruled by a small group of people called an oligarchy. At the end of the 6th century BC, Athens developed a system in which many of its citizens helped to make the rules and decisions. This type of government was called democracy. Sparta invaded the neighbouring land of Messenia and forced most of its inhabitants into slavery. To make sure they could control such a large number of slaves, Sparta became a military society. Men and women were expected to be fit and strong. The men were forbidden to have jobs or trade because they were full-time soldiers. Many of the Greek cities joined together when faced with a common enemy. At the beginning of the 5th Century BC Greece was invaded twice by the Persians and even thought the Greeks were outnumbered they were still able to drive the invaders away from their land. From 323-31 BC, the Hellenistic Period was the time from the death of Alexander the Great to the beginning of the Roman Empire. The Greek world was now dominated by large kingdoms ruled by dynasties rather than individual city states. This was a time when Greek influence spread throughout a great deal of the world. The countries that Alexander had conquered adopted the Greek language, religion and styles of art often mixing them with local traditions. Greek towns with gymnasia, temples and theatres were built in all parts of the empire, even as far away as Afghanistan. The word politics come from the Greek word ‘polis’, meaning city-state or community. Greece was a collection of some 1500 separate communities scattered round the Mediterranean. Those cities that were not democracies were either oligarchies – where power was in the hands of the few richest citizens- or monarchies, called ‘tyrannies’ in cases where the sole ruler had complete power by force rather than inheritance. Of the democracies, the oldest, the most stable, the most long-lived, but also the most radical, was Athens. Athens was the first city to develop democracy. Democracy meaning that all the citizens had a say in how a state or city is governed. In Athens the people, who acquired power and freedom, drove out the tyrants. All decision is Athens had to be voted for by the majority of the people. The assembly was the main forum of political life. At least 6000 people had to be present for a meeting to take place. The assembly made important decisions, for example, whether or not to declare war. In times of war, decisions were made about the defence of the city by a group of ten military commanders called ‘strategoi’. These were elected annually and could be re-elected many times. However, not everyone in Athens was allowed to take part in the democracy. Only male citizens had the right to vote. This meant that women and children could not take part in the government. An Ancient Greek soldier was known as a Hoplite. He had to provide his own weapons and armour. A hoplite’s weapons and armour were very simple and left large areas of the body unprotected, but worked well when he fought in a phalanx. The hoplite’s armour consisted of; a bronze helmet with long nose guard and cheek guards, bronze cuirass (breastplate) designed to protect the top part of the body, large shield to protect the body and bronze greaves (leg guards) to protect the lower part of the legs. A hoplite’s weapons were a long spear and short sword. The ancient Greeks believed that there were a great number of god’s and goddesses. They believed that all the gods were descendants of Gaia (the earth) and Uranos (the sky). These gods had control over many different things on earth. In many ways the Greek gods were very human. They could be kind or mean, angry or pleasant, cruel or loving. They fell in love with each other, argued with each other, argued with each other and even stole from each other! The ancient Greeks built great temples and sanctuaries to their gods. They held festivals in their honour, with processions, sports, sacrifices and competitions. Religion played a large part in the lives of ordinary people. Worshippers believed that the gods would treat them well and meet their needs if they offered the fruits of the harvest and animal sacrifices. Stories of the god’s lives were told to children by their mothers and to large audiences by professional storytellers. One key individual of Greece was Alexander the Great. The story of his life sounded more like that of a Greek hero. He was a great military leader and courageous. Many thought he was a descendant of Hercules and another legend claimed he was the son of Zeus. His loyal army would follow him anywhere and he won the respect of the people he conquered. He died aged 33 thousands of miles from home in Macedon with an enormous empire. Another individual was Homer. He was a storyteller and a poet who lived sometime in the 8th century BC. He was greatly admired and created two of the most popular and enduring stories ever told, The Iliad and the Odyssey. Homer’s stories about Mycenae are still told today and reflect real incidents of war, battles and sieges. Drama and theatre were Greek inventions. They held great festivals where plays were performed. At the end of the festival they would choose one of the plays as the winner. The two main types of play performed were tragedy and comedy. Tragedies dealt with terrible events like war or murder. Often they recreated famous Greek myths and legends. A comedy poked fun at current events and people. Many thousands of people would attend these festivals which were dedicated to the god Dionysus.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Treating Alzheimers Disease with Vitamin A, C E (ACE)

Treating Alzheimers Disease with Vitamin A, C E (ACE) ACE Alzheimers: An adjuvant strategy of treating Alzheimers disease with Vitamin A, C E (ACE) ABSTRACT Alzheimers disease (AD) is a chronic and slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder which has become a major concern with regards to health, worldwide. This disorder is characterised by progressive dementia and cognitive decline. Pathologically, AD is characterised by the presence of AÃŽÂ ² plaques and tau neurofibrils. However, literature has shown that oxidative stress is one of the most important risk factor behind the cause of AD. Oxidative stress often leads to production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which further increases structural and functional abnormalities in neurons of the brain, which subsequently, presents as dementia and cognitive decline. In order, to curb the oxidative stress, antioxidants can be of great help. There have been many evidences that supports the use of antioxidants in the treatment for AD. Vitamins A, C and E are an example of antioxidants that can be used as adjuvants in the treatment of AD. This article will focus on current literature and will present forward the evidence based advantages of using Vitamin A, C and E as an adjuvant treatment for AD. Keywords: Antioxidants, ACE, Adjuvant therapy. INTRODUCTION A clinical psychiatrist and neuroanatomist, Alois Alzheimer, reported A peculiar severe disease process of the cerebral cortex to the 37th Meeting of South-West German Psychiatrists in Tubingen, thus marking the discovery of one of the most interesting pathologies in medicine Alzheimers disease. His invention was based on the observations in one his patient named Auguste D, suffering from profound memory loss, unfounded suspicions about her family, and additional worsening psychological changes. Her post mortem findings further revealed dramatic shrinkage of the brain and abnormal deposits in and encircling the nerve cells [1]. AD has proven to be a significant public health issue, as it consumes a major amount of heath budget in developed as well as developing countries. AD has become one of the leading causes of dementia in patients less than 65 years, other causes being Lewy body dementia (LBD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), vascular dementia (VaD) and alcohol associated dementia [2]. United States alone has documented a $200 billion annual expenditure on patients affected by AD. Moreover, one person develops Alzheimers dementia every 68 seconds emphasizing the incidence of the disease [3]. Dementia can be defined as a chronic progressive disorder marked by memory deficits, personality changes, and impaired reasoning. Results from population-based studies have shown a significant relationship between the certain risk factors and development of AD. Increased risk was shown with an increase in age, fewer years of education, and head trauma. Genetic factors do contribute to the early development of AD increased risk with mutations on chromosome 21 (cases of downs syndrome) as it carries the amyloid precursor protein, the presence of apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele and the presenilin 1 and 2 genes. The strongest factor identified till date are the apolipoprotein E genes located on chromosome 19 which exists in three forms ÃŽÂ µ2, ÃŽÂ µ3, and ÃŽÂ µ4. ÃŽÂ µ2 has been found to reduce the risk, ÃŽÂ µ3 is found to be neutral whereas ÃŽÂ µ4 has been associated with a tremendous increase in risk as well as early development of symptoms (Figure 1) [4]. Chromosome Genes 21 AMYLOID PRECURSOR PROTEIN 19 APOLIPOPROTEIN E 14 PRESENILIN 1 1 PRESENILIN 2 Figure 1. Genetic factors causing a risk to develop Alzheimers Ad is difficult to differentiate from other causes of dementia like LBD, FTD and Vad [5]. It may present with dysfunction of various fields such as vision, touch voluntary movements, personality deficits and judgemental disorders depending upon the area of the brain affected [6].The National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimers disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS/ADRDA) has proposed a diagnostic criteria for differentiating between AD and other known causes of dementia. In compliance with NINCDS/ADRDA , AD is diagnosed if: (I) Cognitive functions decline progressively over a period of time including/ not including memory impairment or (Ia) Inability to understand language and verbal commands (aphasia); (Ib) Loss of ability to accomplish tasks due to incoordination of muscles (apraxia); (Ic) Failure to recognise previously known objects and loss of ability to use them(agnosia); (Id) Unable to plan, organise and execute dail y chores; (II) All above mentioned under I do get progressively deteriorated with time; (III) Other known causes of dementia as well as cognitive deterioration must be eliminated [6,7]. Neurofibrillatory tangles and extracellular amyloid plaques have been the initial histopathological findings associated with AD. Recently several other features have been recognised which include degeneration of neuronal synapses, aneuploidy and loss of neurons in the hippocampus. Despite the recent inventions, presence of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular NFT have been taken into account as the main histopathological criteria for establishment of AD [8]. Among all the different hypothesis, AÃŽÂ ² cascade has been the most accepted. Previously, a mutation in beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), which contributes to the normal function of neurons and cerebral development, was thought to be the sole culprit since the accumulation of AÃŽÂ ² proteins had lead to the pathogenesis of AD [9]. Eventually, mutated presenilin genes (both 1 and 2) have been discovered to play a role in the formation of AÃŽÂ ² pools [10]. But the exact mechanism underlying how AÃŽÂ ² a ggregation contributes to the pathophysiology of AD largely remains unclear. Formerly, toxicity of neurons was believed to be caused by intracellular plaques. But recent data has suggested the role of intracellular AÃŽÂ ² proteins, which do not become sequestered into the extracellular plaques, as the toxic triggers stimulating the progression of AD [11]. Recently, it has also been shown that intracellular accumulation of AÃŽÂ ² proteins precedes the formation of extracellular AÃŽÂ ² protein plaques and NFT formation [12]. The role of intracellular AÃŽÂ ² protein in the progression of AD has also been demonstrated in recent experiments on transgenic mice. Results of these experiments indicate that increased deposits of AÃŽÂ ² proteins within the cells are associated with accelerated cell death [13]. Other important causative factors in the development of AD include oxidative stress and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) [14]. Susceptibility to oxidative damage is due to several factors which include relatively lower levels of antioxidants, significantly higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, (these fatty acids rapidly fall prey to ROS), the presence of metallic ions and high oxygen utilisation [15]. Oxidation have been prove to be fatal for several constituents of the cells including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, RNA and DNA [16]. Indirect mechanisms do play a vital role in the damaging process. Oxidation has been proven to accelerate the expression of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and accentuate the activity of neuronal NOS (nNOS). This leads to increased production of nitric oxide (NO). NO is known to interact with super oxide anions thus forming a highly reactive peroxynitrite anion. These transient molecules exerts their effects mainly on sulfhydryl groups of cells. [17 ]. The entire process has been depicted in figure 2. Figure 2. Nitric Oxide Pathogenesis In addition to the indirect mechanisms, oxidative stress alters the protein structure. Impaired proteins are known to accelerate oxidative damage, thus proven to be interrelated. ROS causes the protein to be oxidised leading to a modified structure and causing them to be dimerized and aggregated [18]. Thus the oxidised protein which is both structurally and functionally abnormal gather as inclusions within the cytoplasm of the neurons, seen in the form of NFT (tau aggregates) and AÃŽÂ ² plaques [19]. Alternatively, AÃŽÂ ² plaques can also lead to the increased production of ROS. The entire process has been depicted in figure 3. OXIDATION ALTERED PROTEIN STRUCTURE CYTOPLASMIC INCLUSIONS DIMERISATION AGGREGATION Figure 3.Displaying Correlation between Oxidation and Protein Dimerization, thus forming a Vicious Cycle AÃŽÂ ² (1-42) is an abundant species of AÃŽÂ ² proteins seen in AD [20]. AÃŽÂ ² (1-42) peptides is known for its toxicity which can be attributed to a residue of methionine at position 35 [21]. Oxidation of methionine contributes to the formation of methionine sulfoxide, which generally leads to irreversible oxidation and subsequently, forming methionine sulfone [22]. Methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSR) can even help the reduction of methionine sulfoxide into methionine [23]. However, the activity of MSR is also observed to be impaired in AD [24]. Methionine peroxide plays an important role in oxidative stress and toxicity caused by AÃŽÂ ² (1-42) peptides. The lone-pair of electrons present on the S atom of methionine undergoes oxidation of one atom and as a result, sulfuranyl radicals (MetS.+) are generated [21,25]. Sulfuranyl radicals are known to trigger the generation of other ROS like sulfoxides and superoxides by interacting with molecular oxygen [26]. The reason behind this intense oxidative damage could be attributed to the relative absence or decreased function of different antioxidant mechanisms of the body. Glutathione is one of the major antioxidant which can protect the brain tissues by causing detoxification of damaging ROS [27]. One of the main reasons of increase in oxidative stress in AD is the decreased glutathione levels in the brain [28]. The other members of the cellular antioxidant mechanism which plays a pivotal role includes Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT). SOD is an antioxidant which is responsible for converting toxic superoxide ions into far less toxic hydrogen peroxide [29]. CAT evolves this reaction in to one step further and turns hydrogen peroxide into water [30]. Investigations have revealed that the levels of SOD and CAT decline in patients with AD [31]. Glutathione reductase (GR) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) represent the other crucial parts of the cellular defence mechanism which acts against oxidative stress. GPx is responsible for the metabolism of hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides [32] and GR accelerates the reaction which helps in the regeneration of Glutathione (GSH) [33]. In total, the combination of an oxidative stress with above mentioned cellular defence mechanism against ROS, leads to the pathogenesis of AD. The pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease is mentioned in Figure 4. Figure 4. Pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease (MG : Microglia ; AS: Astrocyte; AP: Amyloid protein beta; NFT: Neurofibrillary tangles) ACE ALZEIHMERS: VITAMIN A, C E (ACE) THERAPY   Ã‚   ROLE OF VITAMIN A Vitamin A and beta carotene have been shown to have multiple benefits for people suffering from AD. Various studies have found that patients suffering from AD have significantly lower levels of Vitamin A level and beta carotene in their CSF as well as blood [34]. The development of neurodegenerative disorders has shown to be influenced by Vitamin A and beta-carotene. Vitamin A plays an active role in neuronal development both in early life and in the adult nervous system. It protects and assists in the regeneration of neurons during recovery from neurodegeneration [35]. Inhibition of formation and destabilization of AÃŽÂ ² fibrils is an additional effect of Vitamin A and beta-carotene [35]. Since oligomerization of AÃŽÂ ² fibrils is an important mechanism contributing to neuronal toxicity in AD, Vitamin A supplementation has been shown to decrease the aggregation and oligomerization of AÃŽÂ ²40 and AÃŽÂ ²42 fibrils [36]. It has also been shown that Vitamin A and beta carotene decrease the decline of cognitive function in AD. Moreover, higher levels of these vitamins have been associated with better memory performance and spatial learning in these patients [3436]. ROLE OF VITAMIN C Various studies both in vivo and in vitro have shown to have significant effect in the brain due to decreased levels of vitamin C. Decreased plasma levels despite adequate intake in patients further confirmed the belief of protective effects of vitamin C in the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases [37]. Hence, it can be proved that oxidative stress induces damage in AD and protection against this stress is offered to a certain degree by antioxidant vitamins. The progression of AD is altered by Vitamin C by interfering with various different aspects of pathology. Numerous studies, both in-vivo and in vitro, have shown that Vitamin C can decrease oxidative stress. The structural progression of AD is prevented by Vitamin C by hindering the oligomerization of AÃŽÂ ² peptides [38]. Brain injury induces oxidative stress and reduces the level of antioxidants like vitamin C and SOD. Vitamin C supplementation improves the level of SOD, which consecutively helps to decrease oxidative stress and subsequent brain injury [39]. It has been suggested that even without additional supplementation, a normal intake of Vitamin C can have a neuroprotective effect in patients with AD. Cognitive decline in AD patients has shown to decrease is patients taking adequate Vitamin C [40]. In addition, results from a prospective observational study (n=4740) over a period of 3 years have shown that additional supplementation with antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C and E may be associated with both decreased incidence and prevalence of AD [41]. ROLE OF VITAMIN E Vitamin E represents a cluster of 8 antioxidants composed of 4 tocotrienols and 4 tocopherols. It has been reported that there is a greater risk of neurodegenerative disorders like AD and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) with lower plasma levels of vitamin E. Additionally, the level of vitamin E metabolic products (5-nitro-ÃŽÂ ³-tocopherol etc.) is shown to increase significantly in AD and MCI [42]. Deficiency of Vitamin E can lead to the damage and destruction of neurons and has been implicated in cases of cerebellar atrophy [43]. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant which can delay the progression of AD at several levels. Increased oxidative stress induced by AÃŽÂ ² plaques is known to be a risk factor for neuronal death and ensuing brain injury in AD. Vitamin E behaves like a scavenger for these free radicals and therefore, is neuroprotective. [44]. Vitamin E also provides protection against AD via various other methods. For example, the 12-lipoxygenase pathway leads to glutamate-induced neuronal cell death by inflammation. Vitamin E can reduce this inflammation induced neuronal death [45]. Furthermore, consumption of vitamin E has been linked with the regeneration of SOD, levels of which are shown to decline in AD [39]. Among the different forms of vitamin E, the greatest degree of protection against AD is provided by ÃŽÂ ±-tocopherols and ÃŽÂ ³-tocopherols [46]. A population-based cohort study of 5395 individuals was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary supplementation of antioxidants to provide protection against AD. Among all the antioxidants used, results showed that the most significant degree of protection (p=0.02) against dementia and AD was provided by Vitamin E [47]. Moreover, supplementation of 30 International Units of alpha-tocopherols can act as a valuable adjuvant in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases, including AD [48]. Conclusion Alzheimers disease represents one of the most significant age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Oxidative stress is one of the most important mechanisms involved in the development and progression of this condition. In order, to curb the oxidative stress, antioxidants can be of great help. The use of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E as adjuvant therapy for AD has always been given consideration. Thus, further clinical research is necessary to study the potential of these vitamins such that it can be integrated into clinical treatment to accelerate the recovery of patients afflicted by this disorder. REFERENCES Alzheimer A, Uber eine eigenartige Erkrankung der Hirnrinde Allgemeine Zeits Psychiat Psychisch Gerichtlich Med 1907 64:146-48. Harvey RJ, Skelton-Robinson M, Rossor MN, The prevalence and causes of dementia in people under the age of 65 years J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2003 74:1206-09. Alzheimers Association2012 Alzheimers disease facts and figures Alzheimers Dement 2012 8:131-68. 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Levy-Lahad E, Wasco W, Poorkaj P, Romano DM, Oshima J, Pettingell WH, Candidate gene for the chromosome 1 familial Alzheimers disease locus Science 1995 269:973-77. Lesne S, Kotilinek L, Amyloid plaques and amyloid-beta oligomers: An ongoing debate J Neurosci 2005 25:9319-20. Gouras GK, Tsai J, Naslund J, Vincent B, Vincent B, Edgar M, Intraneuronal Abeta42 accumulation in human brain Am J Pathol 2000 156:15-20. Bayer TA, Wirths O, Intracelluar accumulation of amylois beta- A predictor for synaptic dysfunction and neuron loss in Alzheimers disease Front Aging Neurosci 2010 2:8 Butterfield DA, Amyloid beta-peptide (1-42)-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity: implications for neurodegeneration in Alzheimers disease brain. A review Free Radic Res 2002 36:1307-13. Butterfield DA, Castegna A, Lauderback CM, Drake J, Evidence that amyloid beta-peptide-induced lipid peroxidation and its sequelae in Alzheimers disease brain contribute to neuronal death Neurobiol Aging 2002 23:655-64. Butterfield DA, Reed T, Newman SF, Sultana R, Roles of amyloid ÃŽÂ ²-peptide-associated oxidative stress and brain protein modifications in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease and mild cognitive impairment Free Radic Biol Med 2007 43:658-77. Koppenol WH, Moreno JJ, Pryor WA, Ischiropoulos H, Beckman JS, Peroxynitrite, a cloaked oxidant formed by nitric oxide and superoxide Chem Res Toxicol 1992 5:834-42. Hensley K, Hall N, Subramaniam R, Cole P, Harris M, Aksenov M, Brain regional correspondence between Alzheimers disease histopathology and biomarkers of protein oxidation J Neurochem 1995 65:2146-56. Butterfield DA, Kanski J, Brain protein oxidation in age-related neurodegenerative disorders that are associated with aggregated proteins Mech Ageing Dev 2001 122:945-62. Selkoe DJ, Alzheimers disease: genes, proteins, and therapy Physiol Rev 2001 81:741-66. Butterfield DA, Boyd-Kimball D, The critical role of methionine 35 in Alzheimers amyloid beta-peptide (1-42)-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity Biochim Biophys Acta 2005 1703:149-56. Moskovitz J, Berlett BS, Poston JM, Stadtman ER, Methionine sulfoxidereductase in antioxidant defence Methods Enzymol 1999 300:239-44. Maher P, Redox control of neural function: background, mechanisms, and significance Antioxid Redox Signal 2006 8:1941-70. Gabbita SP, Aksenov MY, Lovell MA, Markesbery WR, Decrease in peptide methionine sulfoxidereductase in Alzheimers disease brain J Neurochem 1999 73:1660-66. Pogocki D, Schoneich C, Redox properties of Met(35) in neurotoxic beta-amyloid peptide. A molecular modeling study Chem Res Toxicol 2002 15:408-18. Milller B, Williams T, Schoneich C, Mechanism of sulfoxide formation through reaction of sulfur radical cation complexes with superoxide of hydroxide ion in oxygenated aqueous solution J Am Chem Soc 1996 118:11014-25. 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Montilla-Là ³pez P, Muoz-à gueda MC, Feijà ³oLà ³pez M, Muà ±oz-Castaà ±eda JR, Bujalance-Arenas I, Tà ºnez-Fià ±ana I, Comparison of melatonin versus vitamin C on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity in Alzheimers disease induced by okadaic acid in neuroblastoma cells Eur J of Pharmacol 2002 451:237-43. Ishaq GM, Saidu Y, Bilbis LS, Muhammad SA, Jinjir N, Shehu BB, Effects of ÃŽÂ ±-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in the severity and management of traumatic brain injury in albino rats J Neurosci Rural Pract 2013 4:292-97. Harrison FH, A critical review of Vitamin C for the prevention of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimers disease J Alzheimers Dis 2012 29:711-26. Zandi PP, Anthony JC, Khachaturian AS, Stone SV, Gustafson D, Tschanz JT, Reduced risk of Alzheimer disease in users of antioxidant vitamin supplements: the Cache County Study Arch Neurol 2004 61:82-88. Mangialasche F, Xu W, Kivipelto M, Costanzi E, Ercolani S, Pigliautile M, Tocopherols and tocotrienols plasma levels are associated with cognitive impairment Neurobiol Aging 2012 33:2282-90. Aoki K, Washimi Y, Fujimori N, Maruyama K, Maruyama K, Yanagisawa N, Familial idiopathic vitamin E deficiency associated with cerebellar atrophy Rinsho Shinkeigaku 1990 30:966-71. Yatin SM, Varadarajan S, Butterfield DA, Vitamin E prevents Alzheimers amyloid ÃŽÂ ²-peptide (1-42)-induced neuronal protein oxidation and reactive oxygen species production J Alzheimers Dis 2000 2:123-31. Khanna S, Parinandi NL, Kotha SR, Roy S, Rick C, Bibus D, Nanomolar vitamin E ÃŽÂ ±-tocotrienol inhibits glutamate-induced activation of phospholipase A2 and causes neuroprotection J Neurochem 2010 112:1249-60. Morris MC, Evans DA, Tangney CC, Bienias JL, Wilson RS, Aggarwal NT, Relation of the tocopherol forms to incident Alzheimer disease and to cognitive change Am J Clin Nutr 2005 81:508-14. Devore EE, Grodstein F, van Rooij FJ, Hofman A, Stampfer MJ, Witteman JC, Dietary antioxidants and long-term risk of dementia Arch Neurol 2010 67:819-25. Pham DQ, Plakogiannis R, Vitamin E supplementation in Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, tardive dyskinesia, and cataract: Part 2 Ann Pharmaco ther 2005 39:2065-72.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Animals and Man Essay -- Analysis, G.W. Leibniz

G.W. Leibniz asserts that humans are superior to all other creatures. Admittedly, Leibniz’s ideas on this matter are somewhat ambiguous, making it difficult to ascertain his exact position. In some instances within the Discourse on Metaphysics, he appears to hold that animals do not have souls. On other occasions, however, he seems to express beliefs to the contrary. For example, Leibniz first expresses doubt about souls of animals when he questions â€Å"if they [animals] have any [souls]† (Leibniz, 11). In another example, on the contrary, he hints that â€Å"the souls †¦ of other bodies are entirely different from intelligent souls† (12). This gives the impression that both other bodies and humans (â€Å"intelligent souls†) have souls albeit different to some degree. Later, however, Leibniz definitively remarks â€Å"that animals have souls† (37). In The Monadology, any remaining uncertainty vanishes. Here, he first mentions that â €Å"nature has given heightened perceptions to animals, from the care she has taken to furnish them organs †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (71). Then, a few words later Leibniz vows to explain â€Å"how what occurs in the soul represents what occurs in the organs† (71). What he implies with this passage is that animals, just like humans, have souls which are influenced and impacted by sensory perceptions. Then, in XXVI of The Monadology, he explains that â€Å"[m]emory provides a kind of sequence in souls, which imitates reason, but which must be distinguished from it† (71). Leibniz continues, providing an example of a dog remembering abuse with a stick to suggest that animals have some form of memory or perception. As a result of the memories of abuse and a recollection of the pain, the dog flees when presented with a stick. In arguing as much, Lei... ...ecies. Since humans cannot catch prey, without the use of tools or weaponry, as efficiently as a lion, the lion could then be deemed superior. Reframing what supposedly makes man superior out of an anthropocentric view hopefully elucidate the idea that no trait makes any being superior over any other. I agree with Leibniz that a mind created in the image of God should, indeed, â€Å"act with knowledge in imitation of the divine nature† (39). This includes acting as moral agents to consider the good and inherent worth of all beings. After all, in many respects, animals and man are very similar. But, assuming human superiority is an abuse of our unique position as moral agents of God. Moreover, if we believe God has infinite and perfect virtues who acts in a divine nature, then it seems that such an omnibenevolent being would not value any creature over any other.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

The Field of Medicine Essay -- Medical Care, Treatment

Introduction One among the fields that have profited from the rapid technological progress in the previous centuries is the field of medicine. Conditions and Diseases that scientists had trouble in understanding and curing are now cured successfully and with virtual ease. More people as well as the incurably-ill now survive longer than before. Development in the global population has been distinguished in the 20th century. The old and young population has increased pressure on medical care resources internationally with the intention that no nation is currently capable to compete with the demand for medical -care and its supply. Scientists hence are under growing pressure to extend fresh technologies to raise consumers prompt access to medical -care A most noteworthy and ground-breaking progress in the field of medicine has been development of point-of-care testing. Consistent with (15) POCT is described as patient samples examination at or close to the patient carrying the supposition that test outcomes will be obtainable instantaneously or within an extremely short timeframe thereby helping caregivers in the instantaneous diagnosis and medical intervention(26) .Point-of-care testing is performed away from the traditional central laboratory setting , and has created easier self-management as individuals can examine themselves and react to the outcomes as counseled by their doctors. POC testing machinery is vital to the accomplishment of life-saving and disaster management undertakings as assessments can be conducted in intensive care units or in an ambulance where judgments are time-susceptible. Reliability of POCT and central lab testing As mentioned, POCT is regularly executed outsi... ...surement faults. Laboratory personnel have more information and skills to distinguish and deal with these forms of circumstances. In other terms, it is vital to obtain the balance accurately and capitalize on the benefits exciting technologies obtainable while ascertaining the results quality of the patient safety is not put in jeopardy. This is realized by encompassing a POCT maintained Service united through a Trust POCT Policy and multi-disciplinary POCT committee. The POCT maintain Service offered by Laboratory Medicine comprises of structured training series, procedure for inspecting and filing the proper performance of the mechanism, regular ability testing methods for employees to display their unrelenting skills obtained during training; quality assessment to recognize possible problems with recommendation and troubleshooting if a few are established.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Abortion Essays -- essays research papers

Abortion is a very controversial subject that has been continually argued over for the past few years and probably many years to come. The main controversy is should abortion be legalized? First before we get into the many sides of abortion we must first define abortion. Abortion is the destruction of the fetus or unborn child while the child is still in the mothers womb. This can be done by almost anyone from the mother herself to back alley abortions and even to abortions by clinics set up especially for this purpose. There are two sides to this abortion topic the PRO-LIFE which is those who are against abortion altogether and the PRO-CHOICE or those who believe it is the womans right to choose if she wants to have an abortion. These two groups offer different solutions to problem. The pro-life solution is to have the child and basically live with it. They believe abortion is not an answer. The pro-choice solution is abortion because of reasons they feel are appropriate. Although abortion is morally and ethically wrong should it be legal for victims of rape or incest who have no other alternative? There is no real answer to this controversy, there are two sides to it though which have been arguing for many years over the subject. The first is the pro-life group. This group does not believe in the abortion factor. To understand where the pro-life stands we must first understand its beliefs and reasons for its beliefs. Then we can discuss what their solution to the abortion topic is. Pro-life believes that rape and incest are very emotional topics. "They often elicit throughout the population feelings of revulsion; people draw back from the issue of rape and incest. People don't know how to handle a person who is in that much pain. There is no quick fix. That is why it is difficult for even pro-life people to come to grips with the argument over abortion in cases of rape and incest." Some of those who are pro-life will allow abortion in these cases because they don't know what else they can do for the victim and except it as a rare case. But it is known that allowing abortion in these cases usually does not help the victim, instead it only worsens the problem because the victims needs are not being met. But what the facts suggest is that only a minority of rape and incest victims actually choose abortion. This is where ... ... legal for all. When a person chooses to have sex she is taking a chance. This she does of her own free will, and she has control over what she is doing. This is the total opposite of the rape victim. If a person decides to have sex whether it is safe or not, what happens after that is her responsibility as well as his. And if you are going to chose to participate in this risky and unsafe practice then you must be ready to pay the consequences. I also believe that a fetus is still a child contradictory to the beliefs of the Pro-Choice. I think that when two people create something like a child, even if it is as small as a fetus it should still be considered a child because it is a living breathing organism made by the two people. I think that even a fetus has rights to a good life, love and happiness no matter how small it is and no one should be able to take that away from him. Therefore my solution to the abortion problem is it should be legal for only those who are victims of rape or incest if they so chose to have an abortion. But should be illegal for those who are not victims because they chose to do what they did and they must deal with what they have created.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

What time you call this?

She returned a few seconds later, there was a little glimmer of satisfaction on her face. She paused in the centre of the' hall, as though wondering what to do next. Then, suddenly, she turned and went across into her husband's study. On the desk she found his address book, and after hunting through it for a while she picked up the phone and dialled a number. â€Å"Hello,† she said. â€Å"Listen – this is Nine East Sixty-second Street . . . Yes, that's right. Could you send someone round as soon as possible, do you think? Yes, it seems to be stuck between the second, and third floors. At least, that's where the indicator's pointing . . . Right away? Oh, that's very kind of you. You see, my legs aren't any too good for walking up a lot of stairs. Thank you so much. Good-bye.† She replaced the receiver and sat there at her husband's desk, patiently waiting for the man who would be coming soon to repair the lift. â€Å"What time do you call this?† she said The repairman replied, † well sorry for running late but my car broke down† â€Å"Oh well don't worry but I will not be paying you full price† she declared He replied in a rudely manner â€Å"Okay madam, I'm really sorry, it wasn't entirely my fault† She interrupted â€Å"Quick, quick!!! I'll have to dust the house before my husband comes home, im tired as it is† The repairman started fixing the elevator, it was continuously playing up. the repair man said â€Å"this is too dangerous to be in use and someone should have been called out weeks ago other than that it should be working in any second now† She replied, â€Å"Oh thanks dear, I shall be paying you nineteen dollars† â€Å"Oh yes that will do† he said with a disappointed sigh. The repairman started fixing the elevator, he took out a few tools, a spanner, screw driver and a hand drill, he tried and tried to open the jammed elevator but it wouldn't open, Mrs Foster saw this so she offered to help, † do you need help there mister?† â€Å"Well†, he said with a surprised face â€Å"mrs I haven't got the right tools so ill have to come back tomorrow† â€Å"No you will not!!! I need it fixed now, so it will get fixed now also I have some tools under the sink in the kitchen† she declared Ill have a look, hopefully you have a crowbar, that's all I need† he replied Fast, fast I don't much have time,† she said. So the man got the crowbar, put one end in the gap and put all his weight in the other , Then a little gap emerged and a sudden stench infested the nose of the repairman. â€Å"Orrghh that bloody smells† he shouted â€Å"What, what is the matter?† She shouted Mrs foster then went towards the elevator and said â€Å"open up we'll see what has made that ghastly smell if you be quick† Then man opened up the rest of the lift so they could see what in the lift. â€Å"Oh my little smooch, my cat, my cat its dead† she wailed â€Å"I better get a bag† he said with a confused face. He got a bag for the cat. Mrs foster was surprised and disappointed, and she showed a glimmer of dissatisfaction, the cry sounded rather unreal, not usual cry that her pet had got stuck in the lift and died but an obvious exaggerated cry. â€Å"Here's nineteen dollars,† she said â€Å"Oh thanks, hopefully no problems should reoccur† he said So the man left the house, she was slightly upset. She got in the elevator and went up to her bedroom, she put down the suitcase and lied down on the luxurious bed that she had, it consists of a king bed, which had a crown looking thing at each corner of the bed. Half asleep she heard a creeping noise of footsteps; she thought it was nothing but her mind playing on her. The noise got closer and closer, but she was getting sleepier and sleepier. With her eyes slightly closed she could feel a shadow over her, She reluctantly opened her eyes and to her amazement it was Mr foster, â€Å"Its alright your safe with me, go back to sleep† he muttered While she was falling into deep asleep, he quietly went to the closet and opens the draw He took a sharp object and walked over to the bed was went towards Mrs foster, put his hand in a plastic bag then stabbed her in the neck.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Pepsi Total Reward

Business Ethics Business ethics is a topic that is often on the forefront of media and journalism reports in the United States of America today. To someone that doesn’t have a background in business, or a general understanding of the business world, these reports can be cumbersome and hard to follow. One must first understand what business ethics actually are. Dictionary. com defines business ethics as the study and examination of moral and social responsibility in relation to business practices and decision-making in business (dictionary. com). Once one understands the meaning of business ethics, they often wonder what major companies do to stay ahead of the curve, and excel in the area of business ethics. Sadly, it seems as if the general media is only interested in companies with poor business ethics and practices. Media outfits are able to sell more papers, and gain more viewers, and honest companies such as PepsiCo never get the positive publicity that they deserve. Ethics and compliance are present in PepsiCo’s day to day operations. PepsiCo also has procedures in place to ensure ethical behavior for both their employees, and the company as a whole. Next, one must take a look at processes within the organization PepsiCo employs to comply with SEC regulations. Finally, the financial statements of PepsiCo will be analyzed with the intent of looking into the trend for different ratios and what it tells investors, and the public alike about the organization’s financial health. In a world that is filled with unethical companies that are lying to their investors, employees, and the public, it is encouraging to still have companies like PepsiCo that are both ethical and compliant. PepsiCo goes to great lengths to attain economic success while still complying to the unwritten laws of business ethics. PepsiCo does this based on three main elements of influence: environmental, talent, and human sustainability. PepsiCo offers consumers a wide array of products from health conscious foods, to comfort foods, to athletic drinks. PepsiCo’s financial stability is greatly influenced by the decision to offer so many products. By doing so, PepsiCo gets to appeal to a variety of consumers, as opposed to just one type. When PepsiCo speaks of environmental sustainability, they are talking about their efforts to â€Å"go green† or lessen their environmental footprint. PepsiCo is planning on taking the necessary steps toward reducing their electrical consumption by 20% and reducing fuel consumption by 25% by the year 2015. In 2007, PepsiCo saved nearly five billion liters of water, and nearly five-hundred million kilowatt hours of energy worldwide in 2007 when compared to their use in years past (PepsiCo, 2009). PepsiCo is looking out for the best interests of the environment, an ethical and admirable decision made by the company. PepsiCo is also an equal opportunity employer and they are often praised for the diverse workforce that they develop. When PepsiCo speaks of talent, they are talking about their diverse workforce. PepsiCo also believes in equality, they show this by offering employment to individuals without worrying about gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. PepsiCo was named one of Business Ethics Magazine’s â€Å"100 best corporate citizens†. PepsiCo shows loyalty to their employees by trying to promote from within. They also participate in various surveys to prevent any issues, and to address any problem areas. The current CEO of PepsiCo is a woman by the name of Indra Nooyi; since she took over in 2006 she has promoted workplace diversity. PepsiCo’s workplace policies are available in thirty different languages to accommodate many ethnic groups. PepsiCo also does their best to try to spend as much as they could with minority owned businesses, while still looking out for the company’s best interests. (PepsiCo, 2009). PepsiCo is extremely ethical and compliant when looking at their hiring practices. Human sustainability at PepsiCo is their vow to offer more healthy choices for consumers. PepsiCo is dedicated to their consumers, and is focused on creating and innovating new products that will offer less sugar and staying away from â€Å"empty calories†. PepsiCo has been partnering with the World Health Organization to find new ways to improve the diets of consumers while promoting physical activities. When looking at PepsiCo’s promotion of human sustainability, it is evident that PepsiCo values their consumers, which is valued and ethical. PepsiCo much like any other well respected company, complies with the regulations that are determined by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). PepsiCo demonstrates their SEC compliance through their hiring of an independent registered public accounting firm. PepsiCo utilizes the well-known and respected accounting firm Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler which is more commonly referred to as KPMG. KPMG is one of the largest professional services firms in the world and one of the Big Four auditors. The Big Four auditors are KPMG along with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, and finally Ernst and Young. KPMG’s global headquarters are located in the Netherlands . By employing an outside source, PepsiCo allows the auditing firm KPMG to clearly analyze their numbers, ultimately making independent judgments for the soft drink company. KPMG complies with the laws and guidelines that are set up by the Securities and Exchange Commission through a published report to the SEC that is created quarterly and annually for PepsiCo. The reports that are then created by KPMG offer the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as shareholders, and anyone else interested detailed information on what and where the company is spending money as well as on what and where the company is receiving money. Near the end of PepsiCo’s annual report, there is a statement that speaks of the honesty and integrity of the report. This statement reads: â€Å"Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we conducted and evaluation of the effectiveness of our control over financial reporting based upon the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 26, 2009 (PepsiCo, 2009). † Based on that quote, one must believe that PepsiCo is both ethical and compliant with respect to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Despite the worldwide economic turmoil that companies have been forced to deal with, PepsiCo has done their best to rise above the state of the economy, and still post good numbers. PepsiCo’s current ratio for 2008 came out to 1. 23 and the current ratio for 2009 was 1. 35. This means that PepsiCo can pay back its short-term liabilities (debt and payables) with its short-term assets (cash, inventory, receivables) 1. 299 times in 2008 and 1. 435 times in 2009. To properly compute the current ratio for each year an individual would divide the current assets by the current liabilities. The 2008 current ratio for PepsiCo can be calculated by dividing 10,806 by 8,787. This comes out to 1 . 23. The 2009 current ratio for Pepsi is calculated the same way dividing 12,571 by 8,756. This equates to 1. 435. PepsiCo improved their current ratio year over year. A debt ratio is a ratio that indicates what proportion of debt a company has relative to its assets. Thus having a lower percentage would be ideal. PepsiCo’s debt ratio for 2008 was 23%. This can be computed by taking the total debt, which was $ 8,227 and dividing that by the total assets which were $ 35,994. In 2009 the total debt was $7,864 and the total assets were $ 39,848, giving PepsiCo a debt ratio of 19. 7%. Return on equity is known as the amount of net income returned as a percentage of shareholders equity. It can be calculated as the net income divided by common equity, and a higher percentage is favorable. In 2008 the net income was $ 5,166, which is divided by the common equity $ 12,203, this comes out to 12%. In 2009 the net income was $ 5,979 and the common equity was $ 16,908, meaning that the return on equity was 35%. Again, PepsiCo shows improvement year over year. Finally, comes the days receivable. The days receivable are a measure of the average time a company's customers take to pay for purchases. The days receivable are equal to accounts receivable divided by annual sales on credit times 365. In 2008 PepsiCo’s accounts receivable came out to $ 4,683, annual sales on credit were $ 20,351, meaning that the days receivable in 2008 equated to 83. 99, or simply 84 days. In 2009 PepsiCo’s accounts receivable came out to $ 4,624, annual sales on credit were $ 20,099, meaning that the days receivable in 2008 equated to 83. 97 or 84 days as well. Year over year, it seems as if PepsiCo remained constant in the area of days receivable. In closing, PepsiCo establishes itself on the forefront of ethics and compliance. PepsiCo also has procedures in place to ensure ethical behavior of employees and shareholders. Finally, PepsiCo has processes that they utilize to comply with SEC regulations. PepsiCo seems to have improved financially year over year between 2008 and 2009. In a world that is filled with unethical companies that are lying to their investors, employees, and the public, it is encouraging to still have companies like PepsiCo that are both ethical and compliant. References Business ethics. (n. d. ). Dictionary. com's 21st Century Lexicon. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from Dictionary. com website: http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/Business ethics PepsiCo. 2008 Annual Report. Purchase, NY: PepsiCo, 2008. Annual reports. September 27, 2010. http://www. pepsico. com/Investors/Annual-Reports. html PepsiCo. 2009 Annual Report. Purchase, NY: PepsiCo, 2009. Annual reports. September 27, 2010. http://www. pepsico. com/Investors/Annual-Reports

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Research countering the student-teacher ratio effect Essay

Graddy and Steven (2005) examines several studies of secondary school performances throughout the U. K. and concluded that there is little to no effect of the student-teacher ratio on the achievement of students. Borland, Howsen & Trawick (2005) also found no noticeable connection between student achievement and either reduced or enlarged class sizes. The Congressional Budget Office presented results and analysis of 1986 SAT scores. Analysis revealed a relationship between student performance and student-teacher ratios. Lower student-teacher ratios were consistent with lower SAT scores (as cited in Hanushek, 2000). School size, which is another important consideration that also affects the student-teacher ratio, does not demonstrate an effect on student performance either, according to Lamdin (1995). There is also very little long-term effect of student-teacher ratio on student performance and lifelong achievement. Though Vignoles (1998) found a slight correlation between student-teacher ratio and student performance on O Levels exams in the United Kingdom, the observed effect was so small as to be insignificant. In fact he argues that true effect on student achievement is actually non-existent. This conclusion is based on the finding that the effect of a lower student-teacher ratio was not reflected in later years on the job market and in terms of earnings 17 years later. True achievement, he argues, is measured not by the standard of achievement tests, but by later success in life. He safely concludes therefore that there is no true effect of class size on student accomplishments. Schweitzer (1991) suggests that moves by institutions to decrease the pupil-teacher ratio are counterproductive and will only result in additional government spending with little effect on student performance. He believes that the old-fashioned method of â€Å"hard work on the part of the student, good teaching by the faculty, and strong motivation by both† (Schweitzer, 1991, p. 297) are the key ingredients to improved student achievement. Thus, as Gursky (1998) surmises, there is very little magic to class size or student-teacher ratio. Some researchers have proposed that the optimal size for any classroom is between 15 and 17 students. What the research is confirming is that there is presently very little in the way of consensus on the issue of whether or not reduced student-teacher ratios result in improved student performance. In the comprehensive review conducted by Hanushek (2000), 14% of the researches showed that there was a positive relationship between increased student-teacher ratio and a similar 14% found the opposite association. The remaining 72% found the relationship to be too insignificant to matter (p. 5). It is fallacious to suppose that all factors that may impact student performance can be isolated and controlled in order to discover a causal relationship between the variables of lower or higher student-teacher ratios and higher student performance. As researchers such as Hanushek (2000) and Preece (1987) would argue, there are a myriad of home-environmental and societal factors over which the state or school have very little control but which may impact student performance in either direction regardless of existing student-teacher ratios. Without a doubt the family background from which the students come plays a significant role in impacting achievement. Dustmann et al. (2003) proposes that the financial resources of the family, the quality time parents spend with children, the size of the family, a child’s birth order and the interest the parent shows in the child’s performance are important in analyzing factors that influence success in school. The socioeconomic context and location in which the child resides could also be a constraining factor. Preece (1987) adds that another factor, the heterogeneous nature of the classroom could be a significant key in understanding student achievement. He proposes that more homogeneous classrooms foster a better learning environment for students, regardless of class size or student-teacher ratios. Research has not proven either side of the debate but has demonstrated the possible merits of both. Educators seem determined, despite the lack of evidence to support the claim, to reduce the student-teacher ratios in an effort to impact student achievement. These educators are not completely misguided in their position however. It is a combination of factors too complicated to isolate that determines the how well each student achieves individually. Reduced class sizes have not proven to be harmful to any significant extent and thus existing policies to continue to reduce the student-teacher ratios cannot possibly do any notable amount of harm. ferences Alspaugh, J. W. (1994, Summer). The relationship between school size, student teacher ratio and school efficiency. Education, 114(4), 593-601. Borland, M. V., Howsen, R. M. & Trawick, M. W. (2005, Mar). An investigation of the effect of class size on student academic achievement. Education Economics, 13(1), 73-83. Colorado Association of School Boards, Colorado Association of School Executives & Colorado Education Association. (n. d. ). Believe in a better Colorado. Retrieved November 19, 2007, from http://www. believeinabettercolorado. org/images Dustmann, C. , Rajah, N. & van Soest, A. (2003, Feb). Class size, education, and wages. Economic Journal, 113(485), F99-F149. Ehrenberg, R. G. , Brewer, D. J. , Gamoran, A.& Willms, J. D. (2001, Nov). Does class size matter? Scientific American, 285(5), 78-85. Graddy, K. & Stevens, M. (2005, Apr). The impact of school resources on student performance: A study of private schools in the United Kingdom. Industrial & Labor Relations Review, 58(3), 435-451. Gursky, D. (1998, Oct). Class size does matter. Education Digest, 64(2), 15-18. Hanushek, E. A. (2000, Aug). Evidence, politics, and the class size debate. Retrieved November 19, 2007, from http://www. utdallas. edu/research/tsp/pdfpapers/paper19. PDF Lamdin, D. J. (1995, Apr). Testing for the effect of school size on student achievement within a school district. Education Economics, 3(1), 33-42. Morisi, T. L. (1994, Jul). Employment in public schools and the student-to-employee ratio. Monthly Labor Review, 117(7), 40-44. National Center for Education Statistics. (2001, Sep). Elementary and secondary school enrollment. Education Statistics Quarterly, 2(2). Retreived November 19, 2007 from, http://nces. ed. gov/programs/quarterly/Vol_2/2_2/q3-3. asp Preece, P. F. (1987, Jul/Aug). Class size and learning: A theoretical model. Journal of Educational Research, 80(6), 377-379. Sable J. & Garofano, A. (2007, Jun). Public elementary and secondary school student enrollment, high school completions, and staff from the common core of data: School year 2005-06. Retrieved November 19, 2007, from, http://nces. ed. gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo. asp Schweitzer, T. T. (1991, Summer). Collective bargaining, teachers, and student achievement: Comment. Journal of Labor Research, 12(3), 297-298. Vignoles, A. (1998, May). Raising standards in our schools: Does class size really matter? Economic Outlook, 22(3), 18-23.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Forrest Gump

Alma F. Florendo STUDENT NUMBER:   2009-5226 Fil-Canadian Training & Devt. Center for Caregivers- Makati Subject: Special Needs Instructor: Sir. JV Vergara Reaction Paper â€Å"Forrest Gump† Based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom, Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn,Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field. It is a story of Forrest Gump’s epicjourney through life meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture, and experiencing first-hand historic events of the late 20th century while being largely unaware of their significance, due to his borderline mental retardation. The story started off with Forrest Gump, sitting at a bus stop in Savannah,Georgia, where a feather falls on him. When he picked up and put that feather on a book entitled Curious George, he then starts to tell his story to the woman sitting beside him. During the course of the story, the listeners at the bus stop change regularly where each shows different attitudes towards him, from disbelief and indifference. As the film that we had watched, we learned about his story from childhood to during his time after the war in Vietnam. There, we witnessed his struggles and the struggles of the people around him. First, there is his mother, who taught him many wonderful things and even had sex with the principal of the school just to let Forrest enter the school and be treated equally like any other normal students. During the first day of school Forrest met his very first friend, Jenny Curran, and became best friends with her. Despite having a below level intelligence quotient (IQ), Forrest develops an ability to run at great speed due to his running from bullies from school and this gets him to college through a football scholarship. After his college graduation, he got enlisted to the army and makes friends with a black man named Bubba, who talks nothing but shrimp and even convince Forrest to go into a shrimping business after the war. They were sent to Vietnam where he had saved many members of his platoon including his platoon leader during an ambush and where Bubba was killed in action. He was then awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. While on recovery from a gunshot wound on his buttocks, his discovers his uncanny ability for ping-pong and even gain popularity and later on competitively play against Chinese teams in ping pong diplomacy. He is subsequent promoted to sergeant and during an anti-war rally held in Washington, D. C. he reunites with Jenny, who has been living a hippie counterculture lifestyle. This is where the film ended and I can say that it has been enough to show us that the disability that Forrest Gump had can be compared to that of an innocent child who has been taught a simple life by his mother. The struggles that he had encountered, especially during the war in Vietnam, can be considered as a hard part of anyone’s life if they we’re on his shoes but Forrest did just wel l in war and did not even considered it as a big thing. There are many lessons that we can learn from his story, not just about how to treat people with disabilities or how they walk on a normal environment, but from the story of Forrest Gump, I had learned how lucky he is to be taught properly and greatly by his mother, on how he handles the people that we saw treating him improperly, and how he goes on with his life without even blaming other people or himself, that he had just accepted who he is and just like what his mother taught him, he is not different and is just like any other normal kids. If only normal people can be just like Forrest Gump, taking the struggles in life as a challenge and not as a problem, that everything that happens is according to God’s plan and that he has a reason for it, just imagine the wonderful things that can happen in one person’s life or even the influence that we can give to other people. Forrest Gump Alma F. Florendo STUDENT NUMBER:   2009-5226 Fil-Canadian Training & Devt. Center for Caregivers- Makati Subject: Special Needs Instructor: Sir. JV Vergara Reaction Paper â€Å"Forrest Gump† Based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom, Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn,Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field. It is a story of Forrest Gump’s epicjourney through life meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture, and experiencing first-hand historic events of the late 20th century while being largely unaware of their significance, due to his borderline mental retardation. The story started off with Forrest Gump, sitting at a bus stop in Savannah,Georgia, where a feather falls on him. When he picked up and put that feather on a book entitled Curious George, he then starts to tell his story to the woman sitting beside him. During the course of the story, the listeners at the bus stop change regularly where each shows different attitudes towards him, from disbelief and indifference. As the film that we had watched, we learned about his story from childhood to during his time after the war in Vietnam. There, we witnessed his struggles and the struggles of the people around him. First, there is his mother, who taught him many wonderful things and even had sex with the principal of the school just to let Forrest enter the school and be treated equally like any other normal students. During the first day of school Forrest met his very first friend, Jenny Curran, and became best friends with her. Despite having a below level intelligence quotient (IQ), Forrest develops an ability to run at great speed due to his running from bullies from school and this gets him to college through a football scholarship. After his college graduation, he got enlisted to the army and makes friends with a black man named Bubba, who talks nothing but shrimp and even convince Forrest to go into a shrimping business after the war. They were sent to Vietnam where he had saved many members of his platoon including his platoon leader during an ambush and where Bubba was killed in action. He was then awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. While on recovery from a gunshot wound on his buttocks, his discovers his uncanny ability for ping-pong and even gain popularity and later on competitively play against Chinese teams in ping pong diplomacy. He is subsequent promoted to sergeant and during an anti-war rally held in Washington, D. C. he reunites with Jenny, who has been living a hippie counterculture lifestyle. This is where the film ended and I can say that it has been enough to show us that the disability that Forrest Gump had can be compared to that of an innocent child who has been taught a simple life by his mother. The struggles that he had encountered, especially during the war in Vietnam, can be considered as a hard part of anyone’s life if they we’re on his shoes but Forrest did just wel l in war and did not even considered it as a big thing. There are many lessons that we can learn from his story, not just about how to treat people with disabilities or how they walk on a normal environment, but from the story of Forrest Gump, I had learned how lucky he is to be taught properly and greatly by his mother, on how he handles the people that we saw treating him improperly, and how he goes on with his life without even blaming other people or himself, that he had just accepted who he is and just like what his mother taught him, he is not different and is just like any other normal kids. If only normal people can be just like Forrest Gump, taking the struggles in life as a challenge and not as a problem, that everything that happens is according to God’s plan and that he has a reason for it, just imagine the wonderful things that can happen in one person’s life or even the influence that we can give to other people. Forrest Gump Forrest Gump Alma F. Florendo STUDENT NUMBER:   2009-5226 Fil-Canadian Training & Devt. Center for Caregivers- Makati Subject: Special Needs Instructor: Sir. JV Vergara Reaction Paper â€Å"Forrest Gump† Based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom, Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn,Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field. It is a story of Forrest Gump’s epicjourney through life meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture, and experiencing first-hand historic events of the late 20th century while being largely unaware of their significance, due to his borderline mental retardation. The story started off with Forrest Gump, sitting at a bus stop in Savannah,Georgia, where a feather falls on him. When he picked up and put that feather on a book entitled Curious George, he then starts to tell his story to the woman sitting beside him. During the course of the story, the listeners at the bus stop change regularly where each shows different attitudes towards him, from disbelief and indifference. As the film that we had watched, we learned about his story from childhood to during his time after the war in Vietnam. There, we witnessed his struggles and the struggles of the people around him. First, there is his mother, who taught him many wonderful things and even had sex with the principal of the school just to let Forrest enter the school and be treated equally like any other normal students. During the first day of school Forrest met his very first friend, Jenny Curran, and became best friends with her. Despite having a below level intelligence quotient (IQ), Forrest develops an ability to run at great speed due to his running from bullies from school and this gets him to college through a football scholarship. After his college graduation, he got enlisted to the army and makes friends with a black man named Bubba, who talks nothing but shrimp and even convince Forrest to go into a shrimping business after the war. They were sent to Vietnam where he had saved many members of his platoon including his platoon leader during an ambush and where Bubba was killed in action. He was then awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. While on recovery from a gunshot wound on his buttocks, his discovers his uncanny ability for ping-pong and even gain popularity and later on competitively play against Chinese teams in ping pong diplomacy. He is subsequent promoted to sergeant and during an anti-war rally held in Washington, D. C. he reunites with Jenny, who has been living a hippie counterculture lifestyle. This is where the film ended and I can say that it has been enough to show us that the disability that Forrest Gump had can be compared to that of an innocent child who has been taught a simple life by his mother. The struggles that he had encountered, especially during the war in Vietnam, can be considered as a hard part of anyone’s life if they we’re on his shoes but Forrest did just wel l in war and did not even considered it as a big thing. There are many lessons that we can learn from his story, not just about how to treat people with disabilities or how they walk on a normal environment, but from the story of Forrest Gump, I had learned how lucky he is to be taught properly and greatly by his mother, on how he handles the people that we saw treating him improperly, and how he goes on with his life without even blaming other people or himself, that he had just accepted who he is and just like what his mother taught him, he is not different and is just like any other normal kids. If only normal people can be just like Forrest Gump, taking the struggles in life as a challenge and not as a problem, that everything that happens is according to God’s plan and that he has a reason for it, just imagine the wonderful things that can happen in one person’s life or even the influence that we can give to other people. Forrest Gump