Guns and school violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Guns and school violence - Essay Example that any profile of a student shooter would fit too many students, since it has emerged that while some are children of divorcees, others are loners while still others are children of an ideal American family (Cavanaugh, et al, 317). However, the fundamental aspect of the Guns and school violence is the fact that; as opposed to the act of shooting the students being a snap action, the acts of shooting other students have been found to be premeditated and planned, since the student shooters were found to acquire the weapons well in advance, and even follow a considerable public path of violence (Redding and Sarah, 297). While some of the student shooters were found to plan their acts quietly, others were found to make their plans well known over a period of time, through consistent threats that eventually turn into the actualization of the violent act of shooting. The major concern is the motivating factors that drive the gun violence to increase at such a significant rate in schools. While it is worrying to think that guns can find way into schools and be used for violence perpetration, the truth is that the case is affirmative, and the incidences are even higher than could be anticipated. In fact, such occurrences have made many students and parents fear schools, preferring to undertake their learning at homes or in different private settings. According to the indicators of school crime and safety 2011 report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 6% of high school students in the USA stayed home for the feeling of being insecure either at school or on their way to school (Cavanaugh, et al, 322). This fact serves to indicate how the gun and school violence have affected the education sector in the USA, and it is threatening to paralyze public learning, especially in areas where crimes and gang violence are rampant. The report also indicated that around 7% of students in school between 9th and 12th grade admitted to have been threatened with a weapon within the

Impacts of Alcoholism on Family Welfare Essay Example for Free

Impacts of Alcoholism on Family Welfare Essay CHAPTER ONE 1. 0 Introduction 1. 1 Introduction This chapter contains the background of the problem, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, objectives of the study, research questions, justification of the study, limitations of the study, the scope of the study and the conceptual framework. 1. 2 Background to the Problem Seventy percent of Kenyan families are affected by alcoholism (Simiyu, 2006). Man has, over time, indeed come to acknowledge the fact that alcoholism is indeed destructive to the human race. This explains the reason as to why numerous studies have been conducted and some are still underway in relations to various areas where alcoholism is indeed a major threat. It is however important to note that most of these studies are mainly centered on the alcoholic. Alcoholism is a term that has many and sometimes conflicting definitions. In current and historic usage, alcoholism refers to a condition that results from continued consumption of alcohol despite the social and medical impacts that are raised by the vice. Alcoholism also referred to, in the nineteenth century and partly in the twentieth century, as dipsomania, may also refer to pre-occupation with or compulsion towards the consumption of alcohol and/or impaired ability to recognize the negative impacts of excessive alcohol consumption. The Macmillan dictionary (2002) defines the word alcoholism as a medical condition that makes it difficult to control the amount of alcohol you drink. 1. 2. 0 Alcoholism The dictionary definition of alcoholism is, a disorder characterized by the excessive consumption of and dependence on alcoholic beverages leading to physical and physiological harm and impaired social and vocational functionality. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research defines alcoholism as 1 a layman’s term for alcohol dependence and abuse. The medical encyclopedia defines alcoholism as a popular term for two disorders, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependent. The definition of alcoholism adopted for this study was a disorder that involves long term, repeated, uncontrolled, compulsive and excessive use of alcoholic beverages that impairs the drinker’s health and social relations. In this study alcoholism was characterized by frequent drinking, drinking five or more days in a week. 1. 2. 1 Family Welfare The Macmillan dictionary (2002) defines a family as a group of people who live together and are all related to one another, usually consisting of parents and children. It also defines welfare as the health and happiness of people. The definition of family welfare adopted in this study encompassed physical and psychological health, finances, employment, social life and relationships Velleman, (as cited at www.alcoholandfamilies. org). Family welfare was characterized by economy, health and safety, legal proceedings, marriage stability, responsibilities, and withdrawal. The Macmillan dictionary (2002) defines economy as the careful use of money, products or time that very little is wasted. Family economy in this study was characterized by the amount of money spent on alcohol, investment ventures and savings in respect to individual’s income. The dictionary definition of health is the condition of your body especially whether or not you are ill. Safety on the other hand refers to the fact that a thing is safe. For purpose of this study health and safety was characterized by instances of alcohol related illness or disorders, domestic violence both on women and children attributable to alcohol, accidents or any other act done which exposed the individual to harm as a result of the influence of alcohol on the person (Alcoholic) or on the family, and psychological state. 2 Responsibility is defined by the Macmillan dictionary (2002), as a state of being in charge of someone or something and of making sure that they do or what happens to them is right or satisfactory. In the study responsibility was characterized by instances of family roles of individuals (for example paying school fees by the parents), good physical and psychological availability for the family, work problems due to alcohol and its consequent negative impacts (Alcoholism). Marriage stability is a situation where marriage can raise up beyond the challenges which can lead to its break-up (Akem, 2009). For purpose of this study marriage stability was characterized by instances of divorce, separation, quarrels and disagreements. Withdrawal is to no longer take part in something or stop someone from taking part (Macmillan 2002). The definition of withdrawal adopted for this study was helping the person to get rid of his/her body off alcohol as well as the harmful physical effects of alcohol, Schuckit mace, (as cited at www. answers. com) Withdrawal in this study was characterized by attempted instances to stop alcohol consumption by either the individual or third party efforts and the respective challenges posed by the same. 1. 2. 2 Alcoholism Unmasked Up-to 50 percent of murders involves alcohol, and three or more people die in Britain due to alcohol (Holden, 1996). Approximately fourteen million people in the United States of America are alcoholics, alcohol being the third leading killer in the United States, killing twenty thousand people and injuring 1. 5 million due to drunk drivers, Drink, (as cited in Katherine, 2009). Drink also reported that 65 percent of the aggressive attacks against women involve use of alcohol by the offender with more than 60 percent of the homicides involving the use of alcohol by either the offender or the victim. According to Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) alcohol abuse affects 70 percent of families in Kenya. 3 In November 2001, over 140 people died and scores of others lost their sight after consuming an illegal laced drink. In June 2005 illegal brew laced with industrial alcohol caused the deaths of 49 people and more than 174 people were hospitalized after drinking the home made Kwona-Mbee, literally ‘see the way ahead’, brew containing methanol a toxic wood alcohol added to the concoction to give it more kick (Simiyu, 2006). According to a study carried out by WHO (2004) involving 188 patients evaluated after motor vehicle crashes in all hospitals located in Eldoret found out that 23. 4 percent were blood alcohol concentration (BAC) positive and 12. 2 percent were intoxicated. This research work indicates the impacts of alcoholism on health and safety of the alcoholic, but they fail to mention the impacts of this disorder in the family setting. Holden (1996), states that alcohol does no good for the economy, costing the British industry 1. 7 British billion pounds. There thus existed need to establish a clear link between family economy and alcoholism. About a third of alcoholics recover whether they are in treatment program or not, Vallant, (as cited in Santrock, 2005). Studies from the national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism (NIAAA) in United States of America indicate that of all drugs, withdrawal from alcohol differs most significantly. This is so because it can be directly fatal, with an alcoholic having no serious situations having a significant risk of dying from the direct effect of withdrawal if not managed properly. This established the need to investigate how withdrawal as an aspect of family welfare is affected by alcoholism. One in three divorces is due to behavioral problems linked to drinking (Holden, 1996). In Kenya, most domestic misunderstandings are attributed to alcohol, (Simiyu, 2006). The study, therefore sought to find out the impact of alcohol on marriage stability. 4 1. 3 Statement of the Problem Research has shown that alcohol indeed has major impacts on the life of its victims. Indeed no man is an island; hence an alcoholic does not live in isolation. It is therefore expected that whereas alcohol is not good for the drunkard, it is also not good for the family of the drinker. It robs them the morally upright person that they looked up to. What might be the various aspects of the family that might be affected by having an alcoholic in the family? According to Cork, (as cited at www. alcoholandfamilies. org), researchers have often shown much concern for the alcoholic, while overlooking his/her family. There was therefore need to determine the various aspects of the family that were affected by having an alcoholic in the family. 1. 4 Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study was to investigate and establish the nature of relationship that existed between alcoholism and various aspects of family welfare of reforming alcoholics in Suneka division, using case study research design with a view of bringing to the light the intensity of alcoholism in our society. Alcoholism was characterised by frequent drinking, drinking five or more days per week. Family welfare was characterised by family health and safety, family economy, responsibility, marriage stability, instances of legal proceedings and withdrawal. 1. 5 Research Objectives The research sought to establish the impacts of alcoholism on family welfare by specifically finding out: 1. The challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on family economy. 2. The challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on marriage stability. 3. The challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on family health and safety. 5 4. Problems associated with withdrawal from alcoholism. 5. The impacts and frequency of alcoholism influence on legal proceedings perpetrated against alcoholics within the family. 6. The link between alcoholism and neglect of responsibilities. 1. 6 Research Questions In order to establish the kind of relationship that existed between alcoholism and family welfare, the research was guided by the following research questions: 1. What are the challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on family economy? 2. What are the challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on marriage stability? 3. What are the challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on family health and safety? 4. What are the problems associated with withdrawal from alcoholism? 5. What is the impact and frequency of alcoholism on legal proceedings perpetrated against alcoholics within the family? 6. What is the link between alcoholism and neglect of responsibilities? 1. 7 Significance of the Study The findings of the research sought to help: 1. Site out the impact of alcoholism in the local context which will act as an eye opener to the stakeholders concerned for instance the Ministry of Health, Human rights activists and the entire NGO community to see the need to help the affected parties. 2. Occasion, as a result, setting up of appropriate programs to help curb the menace caused by alcoholism, for instance setting up a rehabilitation centre. 3. Alcoholics see the need to stop taking alcohol, having realized the pain they inflict on their families. 6 1. 8 Limitations of the Study The study was based on a sample size of 30 respondents drawn from an accessible population which consists of individuals from Suneka community in Kisii south district. Owing to scarcity of resources, precautions should therefore be taken while generalizing findings of this research to other localities. This may be majorly due to environmental and social factors that may factor in to invalidate the findings. 1. 9 The Scope of the Study The study primarily focused on the impact of alcoholism on family welfare, a case study of Suneka division, Kisii south district, Nyanza province in Kenya. The study was based on a sample of 30 respondents and was conducted between the months of February and March 2009. 7 1. 10 Conceptual Framework ALCOHOLISM FAMILY WELFARE FAMILY HEALTH AND SAFETY MARRIAGE STABILITY FAMILY ECONOMY ALCOHOLISM RESPONSIBILITY WITHDRAWAL LEGAL IMPLICATIONS Fig. 1. 0 A conceptual framework on the relationship between alcoholism and family welfare. The study sought to find out the relationship that existed between alcoholism and components of family welfare namely: family health and safety, marriage stability, family economy, withdrawal, and the legal implications. 8 CHAPTER TWO 2. 0 Literature Review 2. 1 Introduction This chapter contains past studies in relation to alcohol and alcoholism. It has also highlighted the historical background. It particularly focuses on the impacts of alcoholism on the economy, health and safety, legal implications, marriage stability, withdrawal and responsibilities which were the pillars of this study right from the global, continental and local point of view. It also contains the critical review and the summary. 2. 2 Past Studies This section will shade light on the historical background of alcoholism, researched impacts, and the global, continental and local implications here in Kenya. 2. 2. 0 Historical Background The word alcoholism was first introduced by a Swedish physician Magnus Huss (1849) to mean poisoning by alcohol. It was later mentioned in France by M. Gabriel (1866) in his medical dissertation. This marked the evolution of the word alcoholism (as cited at www. asnwers. com/library/psychoanalysisdictionary). The most rigorous definition of an alcoholic (a person suffering from alcoholism) is the one provide by Pierre Fouquet, â€Å"An Alcoholic is any man or woman who has lost the ability to do without alcohol. † The production of alcohol dates back, to around 1400-1600 BC (Before Christ), in the Munainus region between black and Caspian seas. Commercial production of alcohol was well underway by 1500 BC, Court Wright, (as cited at www. asnwers. com/library). Alcohol is probably the oldest drug known to humanity. It was easy for the primitive people to discover that fruits and juices left to stand in warm places easily fermented to form alcoholic mixtures. Alcohol production is mainly founded on yeast cells, which in presence of warmth and 9 water continue to grow by using up the sugar until the sugar is finished or alcohol content kills them. Alcohol is a deadly poison and in high enough quantities, it kills all living things including the yeast cells that produce it, Weil Rosen, (as cited at www. alcoholicsanonymous. org)! It was initially believed (Sigmund Freud, Karl Abraham, Sandor Ferenczi) that alcohol does not create symptoms but only promotes them, removing inhibitions and destroying sublimation (Descombey, 2002). The theory of alcoholism (1905d) is summarized in terms of predominance among men, beginning at the onset of puberty, Sigmund, (as cited at www. answers. com/ library). Magnus the Swedish professor of medicine distinguishes between two types of alcoholism that is, Acute alcoholism, which is due to temporary effects of alcohol taken within a short period of time- drunkenness and intoxication; Chronic alcoholism, which is a condition caused by habitual use of alcoholic beverages in poisonous amounts over a long period of time. Prior to the nineteenth century, alcoholism was seen as a moral weakness or criminal, rather than an illness. The new, â€Å"Disease† approach to alcoholism was started in America perpetrated by the, â€Å"Alcoholism movement. † It consisted of Alcoholics Anonymous (A self help group, setup in 1935), National committee for Education on alcoholism (later The National Council on Alcoholism) and the YALE, centre for alcohol studies. The, â€Å"Alcoholism movement† Quickly spread to Britain and subsequently to the rest of the world (Heather Robertson, 1997). According to WHO (2004) In Africa, for instance, alcohol related beverages are very predominant among ethnic groups branded in different names passed from one generation to another. Among the common alcoholic beverages are: Chang’aa-Which is common among Samburu pastoralists living in northern Kenya and the whole of Kenya at large. In fact the word seems to have gained a national appeal in Kenya along with Busaa which are often used in Kisii among 10 the Gusii community. Others include: Palm wine (common along the Kenyan coast), banana beer (made from a fermented mixture of banana and sorghum flour) and Muratina (made from sugarcane and Muratina fruit-a fruit grown in Kenya). Among the Gusii community, the common alcoholic beverages used from times immemorial include Chang’aa and Busaa. Chang’aa is a distilled product resulting from malted millet, maize or sorghum alongside molasses the mixture of which has been fermented for a number of days, for instance a week. The fermented malted millet, maize or sorghum mixture in its crude state (nondistilled) produces Busaa. 2. 2. 1 Global Impact 2. 2. 1. 0 Health Alcohol has raised major attention on the international ground mainly due to its negative impacts in the society. Topping the list is the link between alcohol and its impact on health. It is important to note that alcohol on its own can cause a medical disorder known as alcoholism which was the pillar stone of this study. Studies indicate that alcoholism can arise in a genetic disorder which can be transferred to the offspring of the victim just like any other genetic disorders. It is estimated that 60 percent of those who become alcoholics are believed to have a genetic predisposition for it, Vallant, (as cited in Santrock, 2005). Hamgin and others (1999) also reported that there is a high frequency of alcoholics in first degree relatives of alcoholics. Research has shown that alcohol damages various organs in our bodies resulting to chronic diseases. Some of these organs include: 1. The Liver: Excessive consumption of alcohol results to liver cirrhosis and liver hepatitis. Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver while liver cirrhosis is a liver ailment that interferes with the livers normal structure and function. Both diseases can be fatal 11 2. Blood: Excessive consumption of alcohol interferes with both the structure and function of blood. High quantities of alcohol damages red blood cells making them to become abnormally large as well as the destruction of white blood cells which results to low immunity whereas damaging of red blood cells may lead to cancer in extremities (NIAAA). The NIAAA in the United States of America suggests that a connection exists between heavy alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. In fact 3. 56 percent cancer cases all over the world are related to alcohol drinking resulting to 3. 5 percent of all cancer deaths. 3. Heart and circulatory system: Alcohol drinking affects these body systems causing such disease as heart attacks, stroke (which arises when a blood clot from the heart enters the circulatory system into the brain blocking blood circulation in the brain) Alcohol is also not good for pregnant women for it can lead to various birth disorders such as, Fetal Alcohol syndrome (FAS), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). These are permanent birth defects on off-springs of women who consume material alcohol during pregnancy (NIAAA). Other health implications include Sexual dysfunction and epilepsy and in extremities even causing death directly. Despite the numerous researches on the implications of alcohol on health, not much has been done on the frequency of such health implications on families affected by alcoholism. However, for an alcoholic it is important to note, perhaps not for his/her sake but for the children’s sake, that if they continue the path to alcoholism they are putting their children at the exposure to this disorder since comprehensive studies have shown that children of alcoholics’ show a three-to-four times risk of developing the disorder. Recent studies have proved that alcoholism is 40 to 60 percent attributed to genes, leaving 40 to 50 percent on environmental influences, Schuckit; Anthenelle Schuckit, (as cited in Schonbeck, 2004). Alcohol is not also good for the brain causing psychological harm in the long run with instances such 12 as depression and anxiety with as many as 25 percent of alcoholics presenting severe psychiatric disturbances. Alcohol effect reveals an overall sluggish brain activity (Revolution health, 2007). 2. 2. 1. 1 Safety Alcoholism has also raised eye blows in relation to its influence on safety in the society. Top on this list is road accidents. Indeed in most accidents grossly impaired judgment reduced reflex activity and reduced visual perception all play their part. In the United States 41 percent of all traffic fatalities are alcohol related. On average, alcohol related motor vehicle accidents occur after every 30 minutes injuring 500,000 Americans yearly with 30 percent of all Americans involved in such accidents at one time during their life time while 50 percent of such trauma cases end up dead, (www. niaaa. nih. gov). According to Santrock (2005), 60 percent of homicides involve use of alcohol by either the offender or victim and 20 percent of suicide cases involve use of alcohol by the victim, with 65 percent of aggressive instances against women involving the use of alcohol by the offender. Santrock also reports that alcohol increases instances of aggressiveness; to be precise alcoholics are more easily provoked when drunk than when they are sober to unleash harsh words, throw a punch or pull a trigger of a gun, Dougherty, Benelt others; Fale-Steward, golden Schumacher, (as cited in Santrock, 2005). According to Seto Barbaree (as cited in Santrock, 2005), it is unfortunate that the people who are already prone to aggression are also the ones who are likely to drink and then become violent when they become intoxicated! People under the influence of alcohol, almost commit half of the rapes and other violent crimes, Abbey, Ross McDuffie; Abbey others, (as cited in Santrock, 2005). All these comprehensive research focuses on the impacts of alcoholism on the alcoholic’s safety but fails to shade light on the suffering which the family has to undergo as 13 a result. Equally most of these research findings do not bring out clearly the frequency of such hazards among families of alcoholics’. 2. 2. 1. 2 Marriage Stability It is estimated that more than 40 percent of separated or divorced women were married to or live with a problem drinker with more than three fourths of non-fatal female victims of domestic violence having reported that the assailant had been drinking (www. alcohlics-info. com). According to Holden (1996) one in every three divorces are attributed to alcohol drinking. It is clear while alcohol seems to be a clear threat to stability in marriages it is unclear, on where exactly it impairs on marriage stability. 2. 2. 1. 3 Responsibility It is estimated that a bulk of 10 percent work force in the United Kingdom have problems due to alcohol (Holden, 1996). According to Velleman, alcohol affects the quality of parenting, although the aspects of quality of parenting are not well defined (as cited at www. alcoholandfamilies. org). At the prime of alcoholism the alcoholic manifests an utter disregard to everything, including shelter, family, food, and job. These occasional flights into oblivion are best described, ironically, as, ‘Drinking to get away from the problems’ caused by drinking (www. alcoholics-info. com). These studies indicate a clear link between alcoholism and the role it plays in the execution of responsibilities at large but fails to pin-point the particular impact of alcoholism on family responsibilities and the frequency of the items mentioned above in a family setting. Santrock (2005), acknowledges the fact that binge drinking, usually associated with high BAC, to be associated with class absences, physical injuries, trouble with police and unprotected sex all instances of neglect of responsibilities by children (college students) who are a unit of the family. 14 2. 2. 1. 4 Legal Implications There are at least fifty thousand recognized alcoholics in Victoria-Australia, with one-hundred thousand drunk and disorderly convictions each year (Wright, 1991). Drinking at inappropriate times can lead to legal proceedings such as Drinking and driving, beyond the legal set limits, or public disorder. According to NIAAA (1997) forty percent of assaults are alcohol related. About 3/4 of all prisoners in 1997 were involved in alcohol or drug abuse in some way leading to their current offence (United States Department of Justice Statistics, 1997). From research already conducted there seems to be a link between alcohol and crime but on the other side no studies exists on the frequency of legal situations encountered by alcoholics in a family setting or their families or challenges faced by such families when faced by such occurrences. 2. 2. 1. 5 Withdrawal Unlike withdrawal from other drugs, withdrawal from alcohol differs most significantly from other drugs, since it can be directly fatal (NIAAA, 1997). For example it is extremely rare for heroin or cocaine withdrawal to be fatal. When people die from heroin or cocaine withdrawal they typically have serious underlying health problems which are made worse by the strain of acute withdrawal. An alcoholic however, who has no serious health, issues has a significant risk of dying from the direct effects of withdrawal if it is not properly managed. When alcohol is stopped, especially abruptly, the persons nervous system suffers from great brain imbalances. This can result in symptoms that include anxiety, life threatening seizures, delirium tremens and hallucinations, shakes and possible heart failure. During withdrawal especially acute withdrawal symptoms tend to subside after 1 3 weeks. Less severe symptoms (e. g. insomnia and anxiety) may continue as part of a post withdrawal syndrome gradually improving with abstinence for a year or more. Withdrawal symptoms begin to subside as the body and central nervous system makes adaptations to reverse tolerance and restore 15 functions towards normal body functioning. It is evident that from completed research the habitual user experiences hangover (a combination of head ache, nausea, fatigue and depression) a situation which may be very challenging. According to Hamigan others, (as cited in Thom, 2009) one in nine individuals who drink continue the path to alcoholism. However, according to Vallant, (as cited in Santrock, 2005) by the age of 65 a third of alcoholics are dead or in terrible shape; a third is still trying to bear addiction and a third is abstinent or drinking only socially. Vallant found the factors leading to successful withdrawal to be predicted by: 1. Having a strong negative experience with alcohol, for instance serious medical emergency 2. Finding a substitute depends, for instance meditation, exercise or overeating (which also has serious medical implications) 3. Developing a positive relationship such as a caring employer or a new marriage 4. Joining a support group such as Alcoholics anonymous (AA). Vallant acknowledges that more than 18 million patients currently need alcohol treatment and only one fourth ever get treatment for a number of reasons such as lack of availability of such facilities lack of adequate space, limited funding or because drinkers object to the treatment. These studies clearly depict the challenges facing withdrawal from the medical stand point. However, it is important to note that not much has been done on the impacts of withdrawal on the family set-up. 2. 2. 1. 6 Economy Alcohol also does no good for the economy. In 1989 it cost British industry 1. 7 billion United Kingdom pounds (Holden, 1996). According to a recent special report prepared for United States Congress by NIAAA, the impact of alcohol on society including violence, traffic accidents, lost work productivity and premature deaths, cost America in aggregate an estimated 188 billion United States dollars 16 annually. However, not much has been done on the impacts of alcohol on family economy and personal financial management and stability as separate from National or Global economic impacts. 2. 3 Continental Impact The continent Africa is characterized by poverty and unemployment. Extensive research has shown that these factors are a contributory to the start of alcohol intake and consequently alcoholism. African countries have high reported cases of domestic violence which are largely attributed to consumption of alcohol. Since most of the drinking population is poor and they can’t afford ‘expensive and classy’ commercial brands, they have opted for the cheap non-hygienical local brews. The drinking population also spends most of their finances on alcohol leaving their families financially unstable hence their family economy is in a terrible state. Excessive alcohol consumption also causes serious negative effect on fertility in both men and women: decreasing testicular and ovarian size, interfering with sperm and egg production and viability, disrupting menstrual cycles, and reducing libido. When pregnancy is achieved reduced quality of sperm and egg may significantly and permanently affect the quality of life, pre and post-natal, of the child. A child born to an alcohol using woman has a great risk of being born with fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes distinctive cranial and facial defects, including a smaller head size, shortening of the eyelids, and a lowered brain capability. Developmental disabilities, heart defects, and behavioral problems are also more likely. There has been an outcry among women from Mombasa, a town in the Kenyan coast, that alcohol intake among their men folk is making them incapable of performing their conjugal duties. Alcohol consumption has also caused numerous health hazards within the continental standing similar to what is being experienced globally. Among such diseases common in Africa include: liver disease, physical injuries due to short 17 term effects of alcohol leave alone the psychological ailments that the family of the alcoholic has to go through (Asenjo, 2009). It is however important to note that unlike in western countries, in Africa alcohol is more reserved to the male population. Women who drink are seen as a social vice associated with prostitution and immorality hence, as such alcohol has gained much prevalence among men and as such most alcoholics are men. It is ironical that since times immemorial women have always prepared the brew, but they give it to their male counterparts for consumption. Alcoholism also increases instances of marriage break down due to such factors as domestic violence, neglect of responsibility (a major problem) and the psychological impacts involved mostly among the women fork and the children of the alcoholic husband cum father. However, unlike in the developed countries where there exists, in abundance, institutions dedicated to aid alcoholics shake off their habits, such facilities are very rare in the black continent. These can be attributed to the fact that in most communities, alcohol consumption is regarded as a traditional artifact and as the saying goes, â€Å"Mwacha mila ni mtumwa â€Å"(A Swahili proverb which translates into, â€Å"He who abandons tradition is a foreigner†. Also this can be cited as a reason mainly responsible for low instances of withdrawal in the continent. Withdrawal, if any, is due to ones own efforts or in some instances pressure from a particular class in the community for instance, church or ones own family. It is, however, important to note that despite the ‘naked’ impacts (negative) caused by alcohol all over the continent, not much has been done to better understand the problem from a continental stand point and whatever presumptions that exists about alcoholism, are just mere generalizations, in that case, of what happens in the west to be applicable in Africa as well, which might not always be the case owing to the so obvious cultural and social difference 18 2. 4 Local Impact The devastating effects of alcohol and drugs on young people can be felt bare today. Experts have sounded alarming bells after two studies revealed that school children as young as eleven are falling prey to alcohol. Research at the African Mental Health foundation says that in the last four years the use of alcohol and other drugs among young people has increased by a staggering 71 percent. In Kenya, unrecorded alcohol consumption is estimated to be 5. 0 litres of pure alcohol per capita for population older than 15 years for the years after 1995, estimated by a group of key alcohol experts (WHO, 2004). A 1997 to 1998 survey sponsored by the Economic ad Social Research council and The British Institute

Franklin Delano Roosevelt :: essays research papers

Franklin Delano Rooesvelt   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This essay will focus on the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Roosevelt devoted much of his later years in life to help the needy. As president, Roosevelt passed as many bills, lobbing for as much congressional support as he could get to aid him in his attempts to help the unemployed, starving and poor people that society had forgotten. President Roosevelt has often been called the most beneficial president that America has had in the twentieth century, some may argue that he was the best president since Lincoln. Roosevelt truly dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts worldwide, never stopping to take a break until his unfortunate early death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Never in the history of the United States had there ever been such a terrible, long-lasting, economic depression then the one that began just before President Roosevelt ran for his first presidential election. Thirteen million people were out of work, about one quarter of the working age population and cities - as well as states - were losing money fast, as there were no taxes to be collected. Schools were closed because the states did not have enough money to fund them and people were homeless and starving; living - and dying - on the very streets where just a few years ago America experienced its first economic boom. This sets the stage for the most triumphant presidency this country has ever seen. Triumphant not only over the war that was to follow but also over economic as well as social barriers. It would be nothing short of the truth to say that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his staff saved this country from total economic collapse. President Roosevelt’s heritage traces all the way back to our great nation’s colonial times. Being of Dutch and English ancestry, his ancestor, Klaes Martensen had been a Dutch immigrant, settling in New York in 1645. Almost two hundred years later, on January 30, 1882, Franklin Delano was born. Both of his parents had come from upper-class families. His father, James Roosevelt was the vice president of the Delaware and Hudson Railway Company. Franklin lived a life almost all would envy, growing up about 100 miles north of New York City on his parents’ Hyde Estate. The estate, totaling about 100 acres in size overlooked the Hudson River and had a breathtaking view of the Catskill mountains. He led a good life, going to well-renound private schools then graduating, to attend Harvard and later Colombia Law School.

Animal Testing :: essays research papers fc

Animal testing is an issue in today's society that, whether anyone realizes it, does affect each of us. Such as transplants, vaccines, and medicine. Nearly each and every one of us today have received vaccine shots. We have all used medications. We have all heard of transplant technology. This above example I have used is farfetched. Brain transplants are not an everyday occurrence. They are not yet, at least. However, kidney and heart transplants are beginning to become a more and more common every day. Who knows what is possible with the proper research. Today there are a great deal of people who oppose animal testing in laboratory research. This is limiting our medical capabilities . Could we be holding ourselves back from medical breakthroughs such as a cure for cancer or AIDS? Animal testing is already controlled to a great extent. Many cats and dogs are killed annually by shelters and pounds. Animal testing is not as cruel as it is portrayed and is an essential to reaching medical breakthroughs. Special controls on laboratory animals have been in place since 1876. These have been revised in 1986. These laws are now more commonly known as the revised Animals Act of 1986. This law allows for scientist to perform testing while also safe guarding the animals. Prior to any testing a cost benefit analysis must be applied. In this analysis they review the potential research benefits with the potential for animal suffering. All registered facilities are also required to establish an Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) that reviews and approves procedures involving animals before they take place. This organization also inspects facilities semiannually for compliance with the AWA. At least one member of the committee must be a veterinarian. At least one member must be a "public" member, not affiliated with the institution, who represents the general community interest in the care and treatment of the animals. Research facilities must undergo many regulation to ensure animal safety. These regulations are being met on a monthly basis. (#2) There are approximately 56-100 million cats and 54 million dogs in the United States. It is estimated that 2,000 cats and 3,500 dogs are born every hour. There are an estimated 15 million dogs and cats that are put to death in pounds and shelters each year. These cats and dogs are put to their death for the lone reason that the pounds and shelters are overcrowded. Approximately 17-22 million animals are used in research laboratory's each year. That is just about 5 million more animals put to death in labs than are put to death in

Animal Cruelty’s Effect to Society Essay

People often think that animals are just unconscious creatures that don’t care about their daily lives. But they are actually just like us, they are living breathing creatures with simple lives and priorities. They prioritize more important things like, food, shelter and caring for their young and not like unimportant things like what they’re going to wear, who’ll look better and the like. But since we are the dominant species, then we are the ones who are supposed to help them when they are in need and care for them if they need medical care. But sometimes people just underestimate them and abuse them for fun, money , scientific experiments, etc. But they don’t see that they’re actually causing harm to them and to the society, they just think that they’re only here for food and entertainment. But that’s where they’re wrong, they’re actually the ones that should be the dominant species since they’re here first and we’re the ones that are supposed to help them know more about the world. So we should also help while they’re alive so we’ll have more use to them and we should spend our lives, sharing the world with them and not trying to wipe them out of the face of the earth. Some people say, â€Å"We help them, they help us. † That is true because if you’re kind enough to them then they’ll help you when you’re in trouble but some people misunderstood that, they think that we should help them by feeding them and they should help us by letting us kill them for profit. But that’s not how it should be, we should treat them as our own, help them as if they’re humans. Because without them, then we wouldn’t exist right now because all life begins from animals from the sea and they evolved to be available to be on land until they evolved to turn into us. Also if some animals disappeared from existence, it may have some chaotic results If the bees, butterflies, bats and other animals that can pollinate disappear then plants will not bear flowers, other plants might get extinct and lower the oxygen from our planet. If frogs, lizards, chameleons and the like disappeared then flies, locusts and possibly mosquitoes would be everywhere causing food contamination, damaged crops, dengue fever and more catastrophic things. But in some cases when animals attack people, they still shouldn’t kill them because it’s just in their instinct to attack if hey feel threatened or if their territory has been crossed. But people could still defend theirselves by tranquilizing them and sending them for check up after because in some instances they are sick and confused which causes them to attack. Sometimes they might not understand us but we should also learn understand them. Animals help humans, humans must also help animals. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals. If you treat them nicely then people would know that you can do the same to other people. But if you treat them violently then that means you have the ability to harm or kill people. â€Å"Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives,† wrote humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer. And according to Robert K. Ressler, who developed profiles of serial killers for the FBI, â€Å"Murderers †¦ very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids. † This proves some murderers start out as an animal abuser which then would make them curious on if killing animals is just as â€Å"fun† as killing people. Animal cruelty is not just caused by the abusers’ curiosity, it’s also a symptom of a mental disturbance. Some researches in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit animal cruelty rarely stop there, many of them later moves on to abusing or killing their fellow humans. Most of the records of the FBI shows a history of animal cruelty to many murderers and other criminals. There was a study in Northeastern University and the SPCA of the Massachusetts(USA) which shows that people who commit animal cruelty are five times more likely commit violent crimes against humans. The majority of the inmates at San Quentin penitinary who are sentenced to be executed for committing murder, â€Å"practiced† their crimes on animals before committing their crimes according to the warden. Some people who are cruel to animals are also cruel to children and their family. People who often neglect the needs of their pets often also neglect their children’s needs. Animal abuse is also an important indicator of child abuse, sometimes when children witness their parents abusing animals they can get influenced by their parents to do so too because of reacting to anger and frustration. Their violence might be directed at the only individuals in the family who are more vulnerable than they are: animal companions. One expert says, â€Å"Children in violent homes are characterized by †¦ frequently participating in pecking-order battering,† in which they might maim or kill an animal. Childhood cruelty to animals is indeed in the history of domestic violence. But in some cases animal cruelty is often discovered before the child abuse because it is more obvious to the neighbours that often hear the cries and howls of the animals because children are often threatened not to scream by their parents or else they’ll get hurt even more. Because of that, animal control agents which are possibly called by the neighbours are allowed to go into the house to investigate and then later possibly see the children with their scars and bruises which leads to being reported to social workers. This means that both the most vulnerable creatures in the house (the children and the pets) are abused by the adults. This proves that discrimination is present in the house. Some organizations such as the Baltimore police, The New Jersey Coalition of Battered Women and The Guelph Humane Society(Canada) work with animal control. Working with other agencies is called Cross Reporting which helps solve multiple cases. A study shows that 40% of battered women delayed seeking refuge from their abuser if their animal companion is included. This could possibly mean that the animals are also being abused along with the women since they find comfort from each other. These studies have led to a collaboration among social services and government agencies to develop a program for foster care of those animals. There are currently 100 programs in the US. Violence begins early specially for boys, some adults consider their children’s abusive behaviour to animal to the saying that â€Å"Boys will be boys. † Children who abuse animals should be treated with special care or else it might lead to a horrible way of life. Animal cruelty also proves the fact that most people don’t think before they do stuff because they don’t think of the consequences of their actions. Everyone should treat animals, children and women fairly because we are all here to help each other on going through our daily lives. People should stop discrimination and learn how to live peacefully together.

The India Video essays

The India Video essays In the video describing ancient India the filmmakers goal was to educate the audience by showing various places that still exist in India and describing the cultures of those times. The tone of the coverage was serious and straightforward with no biases made from the individuals interviewed. They all spoke from an educators point of view, which helped the videos credibility. Unfortunately, it was very difficult to understand what the commentators were saying due to their thick accents and the audiences limited knowledge on the subject. The text is a much better coverage source because one can read, and if necessary reread, the text at leisure to learn and understand the ancient Indian civilizations. This type of video should not play a large role in the overall education process for several reasons. The video was extremely difficult to understand, everything was explained very fast and no time was given to pause for note taking, and the names and places mentioned were not spelled f or the audience so there was no way one could look up the information when they returned home. The filmmakers goal to educate the audience was fulfilled to some degree. There were many interesting facts and explanations mentioned throughout the video. One of these interesting facts being that a man should marry at age twenty and his bride should be one-third his age, with the man promising sex and wealth and women had no independence in the Brahamian society. The filmmaker also covered a large period of time, starting with early paintings before 8000 BCE and ending with architecture and culture well after the nineteenth century AD. He included various landmarks such as the Arc and Temples, the Harrappan, Aryan, and Ashukas cultures and customs, and several religions like Hindu, Buddhism, and Mormonism and how they pertained to India. However, one problem that seemed to arise is that the video seemed to be on an interme ...

Goldfields of Australia

Goldfields of Australia Introduction Historically, past Australian developments emanated from the discovery of gold. However, many towns that contributed to this phenomenon are no longer recognizable.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Goldfields of Australia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Faster developments were established in almost all states as more goldfields were established. The discovery of gold attracted thousands of miners from different places. The influx of miners into these places contributed to the establishment and growth of ancient Australian towns. Concurrently, this was associated with hardships, triumphs, and disappointments for the miners and their families. This article discerns various aspects of the Australian goldfields and the rise and fall of the associated towns. Major Incidences When people received information about the discovery of gold in Australia, they moved to the concerned places (goldfields) in search of wealth.Advertising Looking for article on archeology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Unfortunately, there were no facilities like houses in the places where the discoveries were made. This steered settlements in the concerned goldfields. Conversely, they used horses and wheelbarrows to execute duties. The majority incorporated men although women later joined them. In Bendigo, a woman discovered various goldfields. Historically, it is crucial to understand these provisions. Gold diggers formed campsites at places where they mined gold; nonetheless, they lived in tents. Later, they made huts using timber as the population increased. Consequently, shops emerged while other social amenities developed. Some traders built hotels and lodges using wood. The government equally erected facilities to handle criminals. It also established accommodation facilities for solders. Entertainment facilities also emerged at the gold fields and these included theaters. However, life in the gold mines was still hard. This is a critical provision in various contexts. The growing population at the mentioned goldfields emerged with various challenges. Gold diggers settled in small areas with inadequate facilities and comforts.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Goldfields of Australia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consequently, tension easily emerged. Conflicts were mainly caused by inadequate dispute resolution. Miners had to work continuously the whole week so as to keep their ‘claims’. Contextually, a ‘claim’ is the specific locations people mined. This was because another person would easily take unclaimed sites. There were also dangers in moving to and from Melbourne since there were robbers along the way. The police who were tasked with keeping peace in the goldfields were brutal and violent. Some of the people who went to the goldfields were lucky and they became rich. However, the majority of gold diggers were unlucky. People who were lucky were mainly traders and landlords who sold food and land respectively. Traders were lucky because food and other equipment were expensive. They were brought from far regions. Land owners succeeded because some people preferred to settle permanently in the goldfields. The goldfields of Australia attracted people from various countries. Most of them were hopeful of becoming wealthy before returning to their countries. The distance covered to reach Australia was long. Some took nearly eight months to complete their journey. They used ships to reach Australia. There were disease and epidemics during the journey. Unfortunately, the few people who managed to reach the goldfields were weak hence could not manage the hard life experienced at the goldfields. Later, food inadequacy engulfed the concerned goldfields.Advertising Looking for article on archeology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Additionally, there was inadequate supply of clean water. The environment was dirty due to poor disposal of human and domestic wastes. This led to the outbreak of diseases in the goldfields. After some time, gold began to deplete forcing people to move out of the fields. Ultimately, most towns mystified.

The reality of Andrew Jackson essays

The reality of Andrew Jackson essays Andrew Jackson, who was believed to be a man of dignity and self respect, was in addition, incredibly undemocratic. Jacksons followers presented him as the hero to the common man and although Jackson as well viewed himself as a man of the people, he was anything but that. Even though born in a log cabin, in truth he was no frontiers man at all, rather a wealthy farmer. He lived luxuriously by building a highly successful career in Tennessee in regards to law, politics, land speculation, cotton planting, and soldering. Through his action with the establishment of the spoil system, the imposing of tariffs in South Carolina, forced removal of the Native Americans and the destruction of the Bank of United States, it is obviously clear that Jackson was not for the common man as people had perceived him to be. In 1828, the year he was elected president, his biggest support came from the west and south, in which the overwhelming majority of people were from the farming community. Several implications can be made as to why Jackson was undemocratic. As the dictionary so eloquently states, democracy is defined as attempting to treat people of all classes in the same way. Once in power, Democrats who were immensely suspicious of the federal government had created the spoil system which rewarded political supporters with public office. Although Jackson defended the spoil system by declaring every man is as good as his neighbor and why should there be an encouragement for a development of an aristocracy, ironically Jackson was considered to be a frontier aristocrat, who owned many slaves, cultivated broad acres and owned one of the most expensive mansions at the time. Another unfairness that was demonstrated occurred in South Carolina with the issue of the tariffs. The Tariffs protecte d the American industry against competition from the European manufactured goods, however it also drove up prices for the Americans and...

Mexican American War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Mexican American War - Essay Example D. Eisenhower, Frederick Merk, and David M. Pletcher in three important works on the Mexican American war. These works are, respectively: So Far From God: The U.S. War With Mexico, Manifest Destiny and Mission in American History, and The Diplomacy of Annexation. The paper begins by discussing each author's thesis, arguments and evidence provided to support the thesis one at a time. It then discusses the works in a comparative fashion. While this author agrees most strongly with Merk's argument that U.S. expansionism-Manifest Destiny was not some unique strategy that was only pursued by Americans, there are merits to the arguments presented in the two other works. The paper ends with a conclusion summarizing the major points covered. John S. D. Eisenhower's book, So Far From God: The U.S. War With Mexico is a narrative history of the Mexican American war. Eisenhower has a distinctly "top down" militaristic, traditional historgraphy approach. It is one that emphasizes the VIPs of the war such as presidents and generals - essentially a "great men" view of history. The book is peppered with military details such as battle actions and tactics. One of Eisenhower's contentions is that the great military man, Santa Anna y Perez de Lebron (Santa Anna), who fought for Mexican independence from Spain was just an indiscreet popular figure. Eisenhower argues that these indiscretions in his pleasures and private life of Santa Anna's effectively barred him from belonging to the elite of Mexican society.2 However, Eisenhower doesn't discuss the possibility of a person being able to be both a populist and a member of this elite at the same time. Eisenhower used primarily books as his sources, though some of the books contain collections of primary resources such as letters and official government documents of the day.3 He also used newspapers and periodicals, though again, the majority of these are not primary or contemporary sources4. This is perhaps a reflection of his preference for traditional, "great men" history, in respecting the opinions of other already published historic works. First hand anecdotes are frequently used when Eisenhower discusses the details of events from the battlefields. There are maps included both assist the reader in following and understanding the text, as well as serve to emphasize the author's "headquarter's history" approach.5 The full title of the book So Far From God: The U.S. War With Mexico 1846-1848 suggests that the book is from the U.S. Side of the war. Substantial sections are written based on earlier writing by North American historians. The breath of research is limited to English sources and, with the exception of three sources, all of non-Mexican origin.6 One of the 'non-Mexican sources is of Fanny Caldern de la Barca's memoirs and de la Barca was born in Scotland7. Eisenhower attempts to be unbiased towards Mexico and Mexicans. This is especially evident in his references to Mexican soldiers who, he concludes, had to fight an unbalanced war just to maintain their national pride. Eisenhower frequently draws attention to their courage as well, especially in reference to the poor, rough leadership they were under. It is rare that a work is completely unbiased, however, and that is the case for So Far From God. Eisenhower's biasis is revealed through the language he uses to refer

Nursing Shift Handover Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Nursing Shift Handover - Research Paper Example The key feature not present in this approach is the individual care planning and the gathering of all the information about patients was written inward diaries using nurses notes (Kasseau). In post-modern nursing, shift handover includes communication between the change of shift, communication between care providers about patient needs, handoff, records and information tools to assist communication between care providers about the care provided for patients (Clinical handover). Shift handover procedures are essential when considering that nurses take breaks from tasks of which they have joint responsibility and that under these conditions communication fosters coordination of activities and accountability. Nursing provides continuous care services to patients and a shift handover is generally a time of; preparation by outgoing personnel; shift handover wherein incoming and outgoing nurses exchange information; and cross-checking of information by the incoming nurses as they take on the responsibility for tasks. The ideal outcome of shift handover is precise and reliable communication of task-relevant information across shifts to guarantee continuity of safe and efficient working environments.   Hospital in the UK, and a relevant literature review. Firstly, an example of a shift handover will be presented. Secondly, a literature review will outline communication theory in regards to nursing handover, as well as review the most up-to-date studies into efficient shift handover in a nursing setting. Thirdly, the key principles involved in developing efficient shift handover will be listed.  Ã‚  

Albatross anchors part 2 Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Albatross anchors part 2 - Case Study Example Moreover, the plant which includes the functions of manufacturing, storage of raw materials and shipping fails to abide by the safety along with environmental standards in the United States (US) presently. Thus, in order to achieve an obvious as well as a sustainable competitive position, Albatross Anchor requires making certain long as well as short term direct and definite operational changes. In this discussion, definite long and short term operational alterations that Albatross Anchor should create in order to attain a sustainable as well as an apparent competitive advantage will be taken into concern. Moreover, a few of the operational issues which would support the company to improve the aspect of job retention, morale and dedication of its employees will also be highlighted in the discussion. Question One Long-term operational changes 01 Albatross Anchor needs to transform its administrative offices as a part of the long-term operational change for the purpose of attaining a c omprehensible as well as a sustainable competitive benefit. It has been observed that the company already has certain issues concerning its administrative offices which are considered to be somewhat disorganized and operated inefficiently. In order to run its administrative offices more efficiently as well as in an organized manner, the company should properly utilize its valuable resources such as the deployment of workers should be made in a manner so as to ensure efficiency in terms of performing different operational functions. Moreover, the company should build an effective form of communication with its other members which would ultimately support it to run its administrative offices in an organized way (Curristine, Lonti & Joumard, 2007). 02 Apart from making the operational changes relating to the administrative offices, the company should also make certain changes in its plant which involves functions related to manufacturing, storage of raw materials, shipping and storage of finished products. It has been viewed that the plant of the company lacks the inclusion of modern technology, is antiquated as well as dirty and most importantly it fails to comply with the US safety and environmental standards. In this similar context it can be mentioned that the company should apply innovative as well as new technologies which are supposed to comply with the safety as well as environmental standards. Moreover, in relation to the operational change, the company should also expand the limited space of the plant by building new blocks in order to run its business operations efficiently. By building new blocks, different innovative technological equipments can be stored and implemented which might support the company to attain a superior competitive position (Curristine, Lonti & Joumard, 2007). 03 Another operational change that Albatross Anchor should adopt in order to achieve a sustainable competitive benefit relates to the procedure of selling its products. The company usually sells its manufactured products to the distributors who act as middlemen. Moreover, the company also sells its products to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) who purchases the products of the company in large batches. Apart from selling the products to the distributors and the OEM’s, the company can sell its valuable products online for the motive of accomplishing significant competitive advantage. In this regard it can be mention

Business article (Auto Bailouts) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business article (Auto Bailouts) - Essay Example However, expending some financial assistance using the money coming from the taxpayers does not directly address the main factors why most of these large-scale businesses fail to cope with the challenges that usually arise during economic decline and slow growth. This is the main reason why most of the Americans oppose the idea of auto bailout. Based on a national poll survey, â€Å"six out of 10 Americans oppose using taxpayer money to help the ailing of major U.S. auto companies. (Steinhauser)† Upon analyzing the historical effects of auto bailout in the U.S. auto industry, it is clear that shredding out billions of dollars from the U.S. taxpayers will not solve the declining U.S. economy. Aside from the fact that extending a large portion of collected tax would be unfair to most Americans who will not receive any direct benefits from the auto bailouts (Steinhauser), extending large sum of government funds on U.S.-based automobile companies would only provide the people with temporary solution. Without focusing on the importance of implementing organizational re-engineering and restructuring, there is no way for the automobile companies to survive the financial crisis even if the government provides them with financial assistance. Extending auto bailout to car makers is not a good option since providing them with excessive amount of financial assistance would only impede further improvements in their management and business practices of the local companies. Instead, one of the best solutions that will enable the major automobile companies to survive the global financial crisis is to shoulder the short-term negative consequences of having limited financial resources in order to restore the companies’ long-term viability (Mitchell). Aside from negatively affecting the business practices and management behind the large-scale automobile companies, allowing the U.S. government to grant auto

The Nightmare by Fuseli and Death of Marat by David Essay

The Nightmare by Fuseli and Death of Marat by David - Essay Example Fuseli’s Nightmare in of the Romanesque/Romantic/Gothic style. As expected of many paintings produced in Romantic style, the Nightmare portrays some level of sexuality. In fact, this painting is cloaked in mystery yet dripping with scandalous sexuality. Romanticism involves the use of decorations, light colors, and smooth surfaces. These features are brought out well in the Nightmare. The woman is depicted as wearing a white, light nightdress and has a smooth body (Detroit Institute of Arts).      In this piece of art, it is evident that the movements and the gestures of this figure are exaggerated. Fuseli produced this painting as a reaction to the rejected marriage proposal. He wanted to marry a woman called Miss Anna Landholdt. Fuseli, therefore, presents himself as the demonic incubus perched on the woman's chest. This was a great expression of jealous and emotional revenge. The Nightmare exemplifies Fuseli’s style and romanticism in general by bringing out elements of passion and lust. This is evidenced by the type of dressing the woman is wearing and the blood red curtain behind the scene. These features create a light contrast which intensifies the woman’s eminent glow. The woman also lies in a vulnerable position. In this painting, Fuseli has also used chiaroscuro style to add to the effects of the contrast created by dark and light colors. This has given the scene an eerie glow (Detroit Institute of Arts).David’s work, the Death of Marat, drew from Neoclassicism. This style emerged as a result of the reaction of artists to Rococo style. The style was meant to do away with Rococo features which included being gaudy, cluttered and over-decorative. The painters were also receiving inspiration from the archeological digs of Pompeii and Herculaneum. In terms of theme, paintings produced under neoclassicism typically presented a narra tive with a flair for the dramatic (Berghe and Plesca 97). Neoclassicism uses styles and subjects from the past and applied them to the current situations for every theme ranging from decoration to propaganda. This feature made David’s Death of Marat one of the most instrumental commentary and propaganda during the French Revolution.

Business article (Auto Bailouts) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business article (Auto Bailouts) - Essay Example However, expending some financial assistance using the money coming from the taxpayers does not directly address the main factors why most of these large-scale businesses fail to cope with the challenges that usually arise during economic decline and slow growth. This is the main reason why most of the Americans oppose the idea of auto bailout. Based on a national poll survey, â€Å"six out of 10 Americans oppose using taxpayer money to help the ailing of major U.S. auto companies. (Steinhauser)† Upon analyzing the historical effects of auto bailout in the U.S. auto industry, it is clear that shredding out billions of dollars from the U.S. taxpayers will not solve the declining U.S. economy. Aside from the fact that extending a large portion of collected tax would be unfair to most Americans who will not receive any direct benefits from the auto bailouts (Steinhauser), extending large sum of government funds on U.S.-based automobile companies would only provide the people with temporary solution. Without focusing on the importance of implementing organizational re-engineering and restructuring, there is no way for the automobile companies to survive the financial crisis even if the government provides them with financial assistance. Extending auto bailout to car makers is not a good option since providing them with excessive amount of financial assistance would only impede further improvements in their management and business practices of the local companies. Instead, one of the best solutions that will enable the major automobile companies to survive the global financial crisis is to shoulder the short-term negative consequences of having limited financial resources in order to restore the companies’ long-term viability (Mitchell). Aside from negatively affecting the business practices and management behind the large-scale automobile companies, allowing the U.S. government to grant auto

What is security Why network security is important Coursework

What is security Why network security is important - Coursework Example Although there are thousands of definition available on the Internet related to security.The definition available on ‘www.businessdictionary.com’ covers the basics and states it as â€Å"Prevention of and protection against assault, damage, fire, fraud, invasion of privacy, theft, unlawful entry, and other such occurrences caused by deliberate action†. In the context of network security definition, it consists of concerns related to network communication privacy, confidentiality of data over the network, accessing unauthorized classified data, access to prohibited network domains and utilizing Internet for concealed communication (Network Security. 2007) It is the twentieth century where improved communication technologies are inventing one after another. Internet has become a powerful and interactive carrier providing extensive activities and web services. Organizations expand their resources with the help of Internet. Websites are created, for informational purp oses, advertisement, online shopping etc. In the modernized countries, Internet is utilized for education, electronic shopping, blogs, social networking and information. Even today, where every technology interrelated to Information technology involves the dot com phenomenon; Internet is relatively an evolving field which is persistently changing. The widespread use of computing technology has facilitated small, medium and corporate organizations to achieve goals in an efficient way. The revolution of Information Technology has created new trends of doing business and communication. Moreover, the technology has provided a new approach of operating businesses during the past several years, and continues to provide many benefits as it spreads all over the globe. However, with its widespread adoption, threats and vulnerabilities are also rising. Organizations spent enormous funds to secure their data and network environment. Moreover, hardware security modules taken into consideration for securing highly classified data. However, these modules require frequent updates for virus definitions and new threats, which may affect the network anytime. Every now and then, new threats are designed and developed by hackers or cyber criminals. In spite of securing the networks and data centers, with the most updated and advanced security modules, there is still a probability of a new threat to intrude into the network. In addition, hackers and cyber criminals are exploring efficient codes day by day to improve the hacking software, in order to breach in to classified information, banks, online websites etc. As the threats and vulnerabilities are infinite, no one can memorize them in order to take a measured approach, the initial step is to identify the vulnerability type. An organization named as CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposure) provides a database to search for a particular public known vulnerability. The sponsors for CVE are US-CERT and managed by MITRE Corporatio n. The goal is to provide common names for all publicly known security threats and exposures. In order to extract information from CVE, access of National Vulnerability Database is mandatory (NVD) (Cve. 2011). Why Network Security is Important This is an era of digital connectivity along with digitized attack of hackers, cyber criminals, electronic eaves dropping and online fraud. Moreover, there is no room for risk and threats in a computing network where thousands of online transactions are in process. The volatile expansion of computer systems and the interconnectivity of these devices via a network have significantly amplified the dependence of organizations on the information systems. Moreover, due to vast dependency of organization on information systems, security and protection of these systems has become a mandatory factor. Furthermore, by considering these factors, the network security is triggered, in terms of protecting data and resources from revelation to ensure the aut henticity of digital transmission. The functionality of the network depends on the

Rebecca Walker Short Biography Essay Example for Free

Rebecca Walker Short Biography Essay Rebecca Walker is a writer, philanthropist, feminist, and mother. She is the daughter of Alice Walker, who was also a famous feminist and writer. Growing up with a mother who was an active radical feminist heavily influenced her ideologies, although she states in her autobiography that she disagrees with many of Alice Walker’s more radical views. She has worked as a consultant on cultural diversity and gender roles for businesses like Sony, Microsoft, and JP Morgan. Rebecca Walker was born November 17, 1969 in Jackson Mississippi to Alice Walker and her husband Mel Leventhal, and Jewish American Lawyer. Her parents divorced when she was eight and she spent her childhood moving back and forth between her mothers home in San Francisco in a predominantly African American neighborhood and her Fathers home in New York in a Jewish neighborhood. While Walker was staying in San Francisco, she spent most of her time being looked after by relatives or neighbors because her mother was frequently away working in the feminist movement. Walker had the drive and determination to be able to receive an excellent education. She was able to receive an education at a private high school, the Urban School of San Francisco. She graduated from Yale University in 1992. In the same year, she helped found the Third Wave Foundation, a women’s leadership and activism organization. During her career as a writer, Walker has written in the subjects of gender roles, racism, sexism, politics, sexual orientation, and third wave feminism. In her autobiography Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self she speaks about her parents’ divorce and how her bisexuality, and her biracial and bicultural heritage has affected her life. Walker had also been a contributor to several magazines and other publications. In her book To Be Real: Telling the Truth and Changing the Face of Feminism, Walker talks about her feminist views and call out her mother’s generation of feminists for â€Å"for denigrating men and encouraging women to seek independence whatever the cost to their families. † (Walker 1995). Walker became an active member of the feminist movement in 1992 shortly after she graduated from Yale. She helped co found the Third Wave Foundation Walker speaks at universities and conferences about multiculturalism, equality, intergenerational cooperation, and third–wave feminism. Walker says that the goal of third-wave feminism should not be to raise women above men, as she said her mother believed should be done, but to seek true equality for all people. Her books explained that feminists also need to work towards equality for other people in need like victims of racial discrimination and those living in poverty. As an adult, Rebecca Walker became estranged from her mother. The two frequently disagreed over Rebecca’s ideologies, which were not as radical as her mother’s. In 2004, Rebecca and her partner Choyin Rangdrol, a Buddhist teacher, had their first son Tenzin when Rebecca was thirty five years old. In 2007, Walker published her book Baby Love: Choosing Motherhood After a Lifetime of Ambivalence. Walker encourages feminists to pay attention to their age and not to miss out on the opportunity to be a mother and states the fact that she regrets waiting so long herself, as she is now unable to have second child. She argues against radical feminist ideas that motherhood is a burden to women and instead calls it a blessing. Walker has received many awards for her writing and for her activism work. She has received the â€Å"Feminist of the Year† award, the â€Å"Woman of Distinction† award, and the â€Å"Women Who Could be President† award. Her autobiography Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self was given the Alex Award by the American Library Association.

Migration Rate of Colo16 Cells Exposed to UV Light

Migration Rate of Colo16 Cells Exposed to UV Light Introduction: Cells exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays of light often supress signalling pathways associated with inflammation as well as the immune system and as a result of activating the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Radiation from UV light is from the electromagnetic spectrum and can be divided into two primary wavelengths; UVA 320 – 400 nm and UVB 290 – 320 nm. UVA rays are more dominant than UVB, however both UVA rays reaching the subcutaneous layer of skin and UVB rays reaching the dermis are known to cause the development of skin cancers via damaging the DNA of skin cells (1, 2, 3). The effect of UV light on cells can be measured by determining the time the cells take to migrate back to their normal positions after the creation of an artificial wound. An inexpensive and easy assay to perform to make such measurements is the scratch assay. The scratch assay uses a pipette tip to create an artificial gap between the cells under aseptic conditions and uses high resolution imaging devices connected to an inverted microscope to take pictures of the cells migrating at specific time intervals. The images can then be used to calculate the distances travelled under the different UV exposures and therefore a comment on how the cells were affected under the different conditions can be made (1, 2, 3, 4). In this experiment, Human squamous cell carcinoma (SSC) cells that are known to have a dysfunctional p53 proteins were taken from the epithelial Colo16 cell line and used to measure the migration distances of the cells under different UV exposures. Then the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor GM6001 was added to the Colo16 cells in order to determine if it had an effect on the cell migration distances under the same UV exposures (1, 3, 5, 6). GM6001 is a MMP inhibitor that inhibits the enzyme collagenase which destroys the peptide bonds of the protein collagen found in the extracellular matrix. Collagen is an important component of the connective tissue and helps the cells adhere to their surrounding surfaces. GM6001 has been shown to block the phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) and inhibit cell migration responses (3, 5). Aims: To determine the migration rate of Colo16 cells exposed to UV light at intervals of 12 hours over 48 hours after the creation of an artificial wound (gap). To determine the effect of the MMP inhibitor GM6001 on the migration rate of Colo16 cells exposed to UV light at intervals of 24 hours over 72 hours after the creation of an artificial wound (gap). Hypothesis: If cells from the Colo16 cell line are treated with the MMP inhibitor GM6001 then it is expected that the mean gap distance will increase when compared with untreated Colo16 cells under the same exposure to UV light due to the inhibition of collagenases that breakdown collagen and the blocking of EGFR phosphorylation. Materials and methods: As per the BIOL2299 2014 Prac 4 lab notes. Results: Raw class data for the untreated and treated Colo16 cell gap distance (mm) is shown in Table 1 and Table 2 respectively. From the class data our group was Group A shown in Table 3 and Table 4, and the mean class data along with its standard deviation values is shown in Table 5 to Table 8. Table 1. Class Untreated Colo16 Cell Gap Distance (mm). Table 2. Class Colo16 GM6001 Treated Cell Gap Distance (mm). Table 3. Group A Colo16 Untreated Cell Gap Distance (mm). Table 4. Group A GM6001 Treated Colo16 Cell Gap Distance (mm). Table 5. Mean Class Colo16 Untreated Cell Gap Distance (mm). Table 6. Class Standard Deviation (SD) of Colo16 Untreated Cell Gap Distance (mm). Table 7. Mean Class GM6001 Treated Colo16 Cell Gap Distance (mm). Table 8. Class Standard Deviation (SD) of GM6001 Treated Colo16 Cell Gap Distance (mm). Figure 1. Line graph showing the mean gap distance of Untreated Colo16 cells under different UV exposures along with the standard deviation values after the creation of a synthetic gap using a pipette tip at intervals of 12 hours over 48 hours post-irradiation. Figure 2. Line graph showing the mean gap distance of Colo16 cells treated with the MMP inhibitor GM6001 under different UV exposures along with the standard deviation values after the creation of a synthetic gap using a pipette tip at intervals of 24 hours over 72 hours post-irradiation. Discussion: From the line graph in Fig. 1, the Colo16 cells under UV radiation showed a slower decline in gap distance compared with the control. And the Colo16 cells exposed to UVA + UVB rays had the slowest decrease in gap distance over 48 hours after the creation of the artificial wound with a gap distance of only 0.200 mm suggesting that both UVA and UVB work with synergy together and the p38 MAPK pathway and therefore cause a delay in wound healing. From the line graph in Fig. 2, the Colo16 cells treated with the MMP inhibitor GM6001 exposed to different UV conditions had a delayed cell migration response when compared to the control GM6001 Colo16 cells that were not exposed to UV irradiation. This may be due to the inhibition of collagenases that help breakdown the collagen found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the Colo16 cells via the action of GM6001. GM6001 is a MMP inhibitor that inhibits the enzyme collagenase that normally is involved in the breakdown of collagen of the ECM. This inhibition may affect the cell migration of Colo16 cells during wound healing as a result of the collagen not being broken down by the collagenases in the ECM and therefore resulting in the cells being adhered to their surrounding for a longer time; increasing the time required to close the gap and complete the wound healing process. Discussion questions: What other ways are there to determine whether cells are migrating into the wound or proliferating into it? (Are there morphological characteristics of cell migration or proliferation?) Other ways of determining cell migration or proliferation include: 1 – Immunofluorescence staining: cells can be stained using fluorescence markers that use antibodies to bind to specific antigens associated with cell migration or proliferation such as the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (7). 2 – Laser scanning confocal microscopy: cells can be viewed under high resolution and the morphological features of migrating cells can be observed such as the formation of fibrin matrices, an increase of length, width and total spread of fibroblasts (7). 3 – Boyden chamber: which measures cell migration via the determination of a chemical gradient based on chemicals release via chemotaxis during cell migration (7). What is a Boyden chamber and why would you use it? Give 3 examples of where it can be used. A Boyden chamber is an in vitro chemotaxis assay that measures cell migration via the analysis of leukocyte chemotaxis, where cells are placed in pores at the top of a chamber and allowed to migrate through its pores containing chemotactic agents. After incubation the cells are stained and the number of cells that have migrated to the lower portion of the chamber (8). The Boyden chamber can be used to measure: 1 – Cell migration based on chemicals released to the cell’s surrounding, and determine if a specific chemical causes the cells to migrate towards or away from the stimulant (Chemotaxis) (8). 2 – Cell migration based on the gradient of specific extracellular matrix proteins, and determine if a particular protein causes the cells to migrate towards or away from the protein. This can be done via the coating of the chamber with the protein of choice (Haptotaxis) (8). 3 – Cell migration rate of tumour cells through the vascular endothelium toward specific chemokines (8). Describe 3 limitations of the scratch method. Some limitations of the scratch method include: 1 – Creation of an artificial wound of the same approximate width can be extremely difficult and any variance in the gap distance between the different cells at time 0 hr can greatly affect the significance of the results (4). 2 – The incubation of the cells after the creation of the wound (scratch) has to be long enough to help the cells migrate during the fastest time frame and any variance in this may lead to the cells not migrating equally, therefore affecting the results. Also, the temperature and environmental conditions of the incubator have to be at their ideal values for healthy cellular migration (4). 3 – Highly time consuming, in order for the readings to be statistically significant at least 100 readings of distance for each sample and each experiment must be repeated at least three times. As a result, this creates copious amounts of data that consumes a lot of time and energy to analyse (4). If you are investigating cell growth factors on cell migration, should serum be present in the media? Explain your answer. Yes, Serum containing the growth factors should be found in the media in order to study its effects and the growth factors should be soluble in the serum and added to the media before the addition of cells in order to be equally distributed in the solution (4). What are the main differences in investigating a scratch assay using non-transformed vs transformed cells? Transformed cells are transfected with a plasmid coding the gene of interest along with a plasmid marker before the conduction of a scratch assay, whereas non-transformed cells are investigated without being transfected with a specific plasmid (4). Apart from taking photos of the cells over time, propose another way you may be able to show cell migration. Cell migration can be shown via the conduction of an electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) in vitro cell migration assay that measures cell migration via the creation of a wound by passing an electrical current through the cell and causing electroporation. Then cell migration is measured via the calculation of the cell’s impedance in ohms over a specific time as seen in Fig. 3 (9). Figure 3. Typical ECIS data involving the electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) in vitro cell migration assay (http://www.biophysics.com/woundhealingpubs.php#ECIStheory). Which of the methods is the one that most labs would not use, explain why you think this would be so. Most labs would not use the ECIS in vitro migration assay due to its expensive cost and it’s relatively time consuming cell type dependant incubation times. Another in vitro migration assay that would not be used in labs is the microfluidics-based system due to its need for nanofabrication facilities and its reasonably very expensive cost (4). Conclusion: In conclusion, Colo16 cells under UV radiation showed a slower decline in gap distance compared with the control. And the Colo16 cells exposed to UVA + UVB rays had the slowest decrease in gap distance over 48 hours after the creation of the artificial wound with a gap distance of only 0.200 mm suggesting that both UVA and UVB work with synergy together and the p38 MAPK pathway and therefore cause a delay in wound healing. Whereas, the Colo16 cells treated with the MMP inhibitor GM6001 exposed to different UV conditions had a delayed cell migration response when compared to the control GM6001 Colo16 cells that were not exposed to UV irradiation. This may be due to the inhibition of collagenases that help breakdown the collagen found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the Colo16 cells via the action of GM6001. This inhibition caused by GM6001 may affect the cell migration of Colo16 cells during wound healing as a result of the collagen not being broken down by the collagenases in the ECM and therefore resulting in the cells being adhered to their surrounding for a longer time; increasing the time required to close the gap and complete the wound healing process. References: BIOL2299 Biology of Tissue Growth and Repair Manual, 2014. Reichrath J, Rass K. Ultraviolet damage, DNA repair and vitamin D in nonmelanoma skin cancer and in malignant melanoma: an update. Advances in experimental medicine and biology. 2014;810:208-33. Muthusamy V, Piva TJ. A comparative study of UV-induced cell signalling pathways in human keratinocyte-derived cell lines. Archives of dermatological research. 2013;305(9):817-33. Liang CC, Park AY, Guan JL. In vitro scratch assay: a convenient and inexpensive method for analysis of cell migration in vitro. Nature protocols. 2007;2(2):329-33. Grobelny D, Poncz L, Galardy RE. Inhibition of human skin fibroblast collagenase, thermolysin, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase by peptide hydroxamic acids. Biochemistry. 1992;31(31):7152-4. Moore GE, Merrick SB, Woods LK, Arabasz NM. A Human Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line. Cancer Research. 1975;35(10):2684-8. Chen HC. Boyden chamber assay. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, NJ). 2005;294:15-22. http://www.cellbiolabs.com/boyden-chamber-assays http://www.biophysics.com/woundhealingpubs.php#ECIStheory

Stalingrad :: essays research papers

The attack came as a complete surprise to the leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin. Despite repeated intelligence warnings, which included the precise day and hour of Germany's incipient assault, Stalin remained convinced that Hitler would not risk an eastern war as long as the British Empire remained undefeated. It has been argued that Stalin in fact planned a pre-emptive attack on Germany for the early summer of 1941, and was then thrown off-balance by the German invasion. 'For two years Soviet forces pushed the German army back into Germany ...' The evidence makes clear the defensive posture of the Soviet Union in 1941. Stalin did not want to risk war, though he hoped to profit from the German-British struggle if he could. In the event, the shock of attack almost unhinged the Soviet state, and by the autumn German forces had destroyed most of the Red Army and the Russian air force, surrounded and besieged Leningrad - where over one million people died of starvation and cold - and were approaching the outskirts of Moscow. The Red Army had sufficient reserves to stop the German army from completing the rout in December 1941, but the following summer German offensives launched far to the south of Moscow, to seize the rich oilfields of the Caucasus and to cut the Volga shipping route, created further chaos. Hitler hoped that German forces would capture the oil and sweep on through the Middle East to meet up with Axis forces in Egypt. The Volga was to be blocked at Stalingrad, after which German forces could wheel northwards to outflank Moscow and the Soviet line. The southern attack failed at Stalingrad. After weeks of chaotic retreats and easy German victories, the Red Army solidified its defence and against all the odds clung on to the battered city. In November 1942 Operation Uranus was launched by the Soviets, and the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad was encircled. Some historians have seen this as the turning point of the war.

Educational Programs In Prisons Essay examples -- essays research pape

Educational Programs in Prisons   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"It is not a surprise to see that prisoners all have a low education level. I guess a more educated person has enough sense not to be involved with crime†¦the relationship between crime and education is easy to see when viewing these facts† (Cordes 1). This is the view of most people when asked why people are in prison. People simply say that criminals were ill educated. As hard as we may try, we cannot do a lot about what happens before they enter prison, but there are many programs inside prisons to help rehabilitate them for when they leave the prison.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The New York Theological Seminary for Afro-American male prisoners (NYTS) runs a program at Sing Sing Prison that allows inmates to get their master’s degree. This program meets five times a week and has only about fourteen to sixteen men admitted every year. The program has become so popular that there is a waiting list of one or more years. The NYTS program helps these men prepare for community service. Forty-two credited hours must be completed in order to receive the degree. Students must also complete a minimum of fifteen hours of field service within the prison. Since the program was established, more than two hundred men have received their degrees. The program is offered in other prisons, and inmates are allowed to transfer to Sing Sing in order to complete the program. Everyday men and women alike challenge themselves, but none as much as those men and women living behind bars. â€Å"Freedom is a struggle that begins in one’s mind. These Af rican American men [in Sing Sing Prison] behind bars challenge themselves daily to live as free human beings. Their courage should inspire us to do the same† (Marable 2).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is another federal program that is called Credits for Cons. This is a program proposed by the Clinton administration. They proposed a â€Å"fifteen hundred education income tax credit† (Stanglin 1). This would allow volunteers to get the credit if they sponsored an inmate who took college courses. Many believe church members would take part in this plan, as many have done in the past to help drug addicts. Though the proposal has not yet been passed, many people have said they would be an active member in a program like this one.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  North Carolina also... ... Write Way’ is a wonderful program held at the Stillwater Correctional Facility.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion, educational programs in prison range from very good with programs like â€Å"Reaching Out the Write Way† and the programs North Carolina has to the ones that aren’t all that good like credits for cons. â€Å"Education, in combination with work programs, can give inmates the skills they need to be successful when they return to their communities...It can enable them to do a job that reduces prison costs, such as taking messages, running a library, like Andy in Shawshank Redemption, or reading recipes to work in the kitchen† (Young 2). Many people think that educating prisoners is â€Å"being soft on crime,† but when you think about it, all it really is doing is working to make sure that the â€Å"revolving door† will stop revolving (Young 1). If this door keeps going around in the circle it is now, it will come to cost the taxpayers up to if not more than one hundred dollars a day. â€Å"The cost of education is mi nute in comparison to its benefits† (Young 2).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Case Study of Architect Looi Mun Kit

1THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & A ; URBANISM [ ARC61303 ] Undertaking: Theorizing Architecture Introduction1.1 Project Description The purpose of this undertaking is to convey and understanding of architect’s architectural theory through a direct observation and analysis of his undertakings. Each of the architectural elements in the chosen edifice will be broken down and matched with the relevant architectural theories. Besides that, analysis of the relationship between architecture and its societal, cultural and rational context will be elaborated through assorted diagrams and description. 1.2 Background of the Architect Architect: Looi Mun Kit LAM I.D: A/L 344 Ar. Looi Mun Kit is one of the managers in LNL SDN BHD. He spent most of his childhood in a market as it gives a distinguishable life experience. Therefore, it shapes his characteristic and his slogan in this field. His instruction life brought him up as a leader, a commanding officer. Good opportunities were provided to develop his subject and be precise on what he wants. During his Diploma old ages, he does non understand the theories of architecture at all due to the feverish sum of assignments. After he graduated from his Diploma, he went to work earlier continues on his farther surveies at overseas. He gained the most valuable lesson about architecture field from his wise man. He to the full understands how this field works after two old ages of preparation. He passed through his Masterss instead easy. After his graduation, he continued work under his old house to pay off his debt. After five old ages of working experience, he passed his professional paper by first test. Ar. Looi has his ain theory on architecture is a portion in our lives. Every individual line formed the architecture in average clip it creates a life style to the user. He besides focuses on phenomenology or the sense of topographic point. Human activities or experiences of the infinites are focused and planned exactly. Every infinite was engaged with alone characteristic to heighten the overall spacial experience. The circulation flow was designed in consistently to let users to appreciate every individual corner of the edifice, holding no wastage of infinite. 1.3 Background of the Firm Ar Looi together with his class mate, Mr Adrian Liew decided to open their ain house. LNL SDN BHD was established in the twelvemonth 2009. LNL is a design company associated with MK LOOI Architect. The beginning of LNL is from the both manager Looi and Liew. Besides that, it stands a farther significance of their company slogan which is â€Å"Lines into a Lifestyle† . LNL has a studio like office atmosphere. LNL consist of a group of designers that believes in the integrating of the client’s needs with their design doctrine that each â€Å"lines† could be made into a â€Å"lifestyle† . The house is presently focuses largely on bungalow undertakings. LNL believed that the society needs to better their life style, and a good life style is inculcated foremost and first in homes. By planing better homes, the quality of the occupants’ lives will be improved. Not merely that, LNL besides believe on good work deserves a good wage. Hence, their rates were ne'er lowered to guarantee the ideal quality and their repute. In future, LNL is easy taking in developer’s undertaking to further widen their concern in building field.Undertaking Analysis2.1 Background of the Iron Leaf, Bentong The site is located at Bentong, Pahang which is 45 kilometers north from Kuala Lumpur. The map of this edifice is a retreat house for the client. It is an idle infinite for weekends escaped. The client wants to bask the quiet and peaceable province of ambiance with nature sound milieus. She besides wished to hold a edifice design to let her to experience nearer to the nature. The construct of this undertaking is to make an constitution that emulates the form and the feature of a foliage. This modern-day design edifice stands out in a rain forest puting due to its materiality and the site context. Steel was used as the chief construction for this edifice. It creates the lightweight and elevated feeling, it besides portraits the whole thought of a foliage hanging on a tree. 2.2 Architectural Theories 2.2.1 Modernism The theory of modernism can be observed through a several elements in the edifice. Modernism is seeking the order and simpleness of the edifice manner. The edifice had shown its simpleness through exterior design and spacial layout. Louis Sullivan’s theory on ‘form follow function’ is applied in good in this edifice. Spatial agreement of the edifice is every bit arranged in a additive signifier. Public and private infinites are classified clearly. Besides that, to heighten the overall spacial experience, the public infinites are located at the corner of the edifice where the sound or noise would non impact the user in private infinites. The following feature of a modernism theory applied on the edifice design is the unfastened planning. The map of the gap programs is to film over the lines or boundary between exterior and interior. Glass panels were used as separation line between exterior and interior. The use of glass panel will non blockade the perfect positions of the encompassing nature and it was brought into the inside ( Figure2.2.1 ) . Besides film overing the boundaries, unfastened floor programs were interpreted as an unfastened life, kitchen and dining country as public infinite or as a node. Following, accent of rectangular signifiers and horizontal lines were one of the most signifying modernism architecture. Diagram 2.2.1 has shown that Iron foliage is design with strong accent on horizontal lines. As compared to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling H2O, both of these houses have the similar feature. Last, honestness on stuff represented one of the characteristic in modernism architecture. Building stuffs were remained to its most original signifier and texture. Material texture is exposed and without any coatings ( Figure2.2.2 ) . Concrete wall was used to contrast with the wooden floor. 2.2.2 Deconstructivism Deconstructivism focused on making pandemonium and disjuncture. The roof is the highlighted point in this undertaking, where it besides stand foring the component of deconstructivism. The roof is non an ordinary pitch roof but it was arranged depicting as a foliage hanging on a tree. The agreement of beams gives ocular impacts towards the user when they foremost enter the infinite. The singularity of the roof gave a sense of suspended in a quiet hush and a modern-day reading of environing nature, like a drifting foliage from a tree. It besides gives a ocular visual aspect of stimulating capriciousness and a controlled pandemonium. 2.2.3 Critical Regionalism and Phenomenology Critical regionalism motion is a combination of Modernism and Regionalism. Critical regionalism focused on the individuality of a civilization while at the same clip holding an international manner of design. Architecture of critical regionalism makes mentions to the site ; it besides can be interpreted as mastermind venue. Iron foliage is design harmonizing to its site context. Concrete stilts to back up the edifice besides the incline. The edifice is situated at the high land concealing behind the alcoholic of verdures. Hence, the house should be provided with maximal unfastened infinites to take full advantage on the cool air flow for airing every bit good as the fulfilling ocular visual aspect to the user. Theory of phenomenology is farther added in to the design to heighten the overall experience for the user. The use of natural stuff and gaps enhance the whole journey through the house where creates the sense of topographic point. When the user enters the edifice, they could ex perience the sense of belonging towards the nature where it blends together with the edifice. 2.3.1 Climatic As the site is located on top of the hill, the utmost perpendicular place of the land harmonizing to the contour caused the design to be a additive stretch edifice. The overall signifier of the edifice is dynamic because of its form. Long and rectangular edifice was topographic point on the site. Important infinites are planned at the both sides. A long stretch of corridor is connected straight to the chief public country. The edifice orientation is design based on the climatic factors. Design based on climatic factors will assist to make a sustainable design edifice ( Diagram 2.3.1 ) . Besides that, it besides will assist to salvage the cost of the edifice by cut downing unneeded gaps. The northern and south way of the edifice is the forepart and rear lifts. Both of these lifts have a longer facade. This is to avoid the direct sunshine enters to the edifice during the twenty-four hours clip. Large gaps on the front lift are to catch the position of the brow and besides let daytime to perforate into the edifice. In contrast with the left and right lift, both of it has a shorter facade. Additionally, louvres or shadowing devices are used to avoid direct sunshine or heat enters the edifice ( Diagram 2.3.2 ) . The extra use of the big gaps at front lift is to let the prevailing air current enters the edifice. Taking in history of the airing, edifice is design in a rectangular signifier. The longer side of the facade leads the air current enters the edifice. Hence, the airing does non interrupt and straight out from another side of the facade ( Diagram 2.3.3 ) . It helps to make the cross airing taking topographic point inside the edifice. Mechanical airing does non necessitate in this edifice because of the well design of gaps. In nutshell, the edifice is design in its best orientation whereby daytime and airing are maximized to come in the edifice. It besides a sustainable design edifice because of the consideration of constructing orientation helps to cut down most of the mechanical or unreal visible radiation and airing. Artificial lightings were non required to exchange on during twenty-four hours clip. Last, the house is ever ventilated, hence mechanical airing are unneeded. 2.3.2 Material and Technology Most of the stuffs are precast. Materials are selected or take carefully to prolong and requires minimum care with consideration of the natural environment. Therefore, steel is the chief high spot of the stuff. Roof construction is made from steel and screens with a bed metal sheet to reflect the edifice to its surrounding. Steel besides used as frames to gives a lightweight consequence as reference before with the construct. Besides that, steel construction is fast and easy to construct in building industry. Furthermore, concrete was chosen as built stuff. Walls were built utilizing concrete. Unpolished concrete or cement rendered surfaces are used to carry through the construct of modernism whereby honestness on stuff. Concrete besides used to strike the immense contrast between wooden decks and floorings. It will give the sense of integrating with natural and built. Furthermore, glass panels are used to supply the maximal positions to the user while they can bask the positions even inside of the edifice. Additionally, maximise daylighting and airing can be brought into the edifice. Artificial illuming were non required during the twenty-four hours. The edifice is ever ventilated because of the big gaps at the prevailing air current way. Last, trees that cut on the site are recycled and used as a stuff for furniture to heighten the overall materiality inside the edifice. Another component to foreground on is the roof construction. The column that supports the roof is designed as a tree-like-structure. It was a interruption off point from a traditional unit of ammunition or square column, the designer chose this progress engineering method to back up the roof. The tree-like-structure functioned as a infinite framing and the building method was derived from umbrella construction. The whole thought of this tree-like-structure is to give an semblance to the user as a tree subdivision back uping a elephantine metallic foliage. The whole roof construction is fundamentally exposed. Inner construction ( beams ) was exposed to the inside. It allowed the user experience as a elephantine foliage covers the whole inside. The agreement of beams is non in a common consecutive lines as it followed the construct of deconstructivism, where created a controlled pandemonium signifier. The construction is pre-fabricated before puting at the site. Last, the construction is made from several steel columns and welded together to make the form of the tree subdivision. 3.0 Decision ‘Lines into a lifestyle’ is the slogan of LNL, a simple line can make an incalculable potency and shapes the quality of infinites that support a life style. The slogan besides matches Ar. Looi’s theories in architecture. Each and every infinite engaged with alone characteristic to heighten the overall spacial experience. Circulation of the interior edifice is design in consistently and non a individual infinite is being left out. Ar Looi emerged successfully on the theories of Modernism, Deconstructivism and Critical Regionalism into this edifice design. All the feature of different theories blends in harmoniously as one whole design. Furthermore, to heighten the overall experience in the edifice he uses the theory of phenomenology. Human’s senses are added on to see the edifice as a topographic point instead than a infinite. He besides produced the design that respects the tropical environment and suiting with the client’s life style. The theories or past experience he learnt during his life have successfully made him a good designer. Ar Looi and his theories have successfully creates a new architectural individuality of the Malaysian while conveying the life quality to a whole new degree for the society.