The Kostenki Archaeological Sites

Kostenki refers to a complex of open-air archaeological sites located in the Pokrovsky Valley of Russia, on the west bank of the Don River, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Moscow and 40 km (25 mi) south of the city of Voronezh, Russia. Together, they contain important evidence concerning the timing and complexity of the various waves of anatomically modern humans as they left Africa some 100,000 or more years ago The main site (Kostenki 14, see page 2) is located near the mouth of a small steep ravine; the upper reaches of this ravine contain evidence of a handful of other Upper Paleolithic occupations. The Kostenki sites lie deeply buried (between 10-20 meters [30-60 feet]) beneath the modern surface. The sites were buried by alluvium which was deposited by the Don River and its tributaries beginning at least 50,000 years ago. Terrace Stratigraphy The occupations at Kostenki include several Late Early Upper Paleolithic levels, dated between 42,000 to 30,000 calibrated years ago (cal BP). Smack dab in the middle of those levels is a layer of volcanic ash, associated with the volcanic eruptions of the Phlegrean Fields of Italy (aka Campanian Ignimbrite or CI Tephra), which erupted about 39,300 cal BP. The stratigraphic sequence at the Kostenki sites are broadly described as containing six main units: Modern levels at the top: black, highly humic soil with abundant bioturbation, churning by living animals, in this case mainly burrowing by rodents.Cover Loam: loess-like deposit with several stacked occupations dated to the Eastern Gravettian (such as Kostenki 1 at 29,000 cal BP; and Epi-Gravettian (Kostenki 11, 14,000-19,000 cal BP)Upper Humic Complex/Bed (UHB): yellowish chalky loam with several stacked occupations, early and mid-Upper Paleolithic, including Initial Upper Paleolithic, Aurignacian, Gravettian and local GorodsovianWhitish Loam: homogenous loam with some sub-horizontal lamination and in the lower part in situ or reworked volcanic ash (CI Tephra, independently dated 39,300 years agoLower Humic Complex/Bed (LHB): stratified loamy deposits with several stacked horizons, early and mid-Upper Paleolithic, including Initial Upper Paleolithic, Aurignacian, Gravettian and local Gorodsovian (similar to UHB)Chalky Loam: upper alluvium stratified with coarse deposits Controversy: Late Early Upper Paleolithic at Kostenki In 2007, the excavators at Kostenki (Anikovich et al.) reported that they had identified occupation levels within and below the ash level. They found the remnants of the Early Upper Paleolithic culture called the Aurignacian Dufour, numerous small bladelets quite similar to lithic tools found in similarly dated sites in western Europe. Prior to Kostenki, the Aurignacian sequence was considered the oldest component associated with modern humans at archaeological sites in Europe, underlain by Mousterian-like deposits representing Neanderthals. At Kostenki, a sophisticated tool kit of prismatic blades, burins, bone antler, and ivory artifacts, and small perforated shell ornaments lies below the CI Tephra and Aurignacian Dufour assemblage: these were identified as an earlier presence of modern humans in Eurasia than previously recognized. The discovery of modern human cultural material below the tephra was quite controversial at the time it was reported, and a debate about the context and date of the tephra arose. That debate was a complex one, best addressed elsewhere. Read more about the Pre-Aurignacian deposits at Kostenki Comments from John Hoffecker concerning initial criticism of the age of the site Since 2007, additional sites such as Byzovaya and Mamontovaya Kurya have lent additional support to the presence of early modern human occupations of the eastern Plains of Russia. Kostenki 14, also known as Markina Gora, is the main site at Kostenki, and it has been found to contain genetic evidence concerning the migration of early modern humans from Africa into Eurasia. Markina Gora is located on the flank of a ravine cut into one of the river terraces. The site covers hundred of meters of sediment within seven cultural levels. Cultural Layer (CL) I, in the Cover Loam, 26,500-27,600 cal BP, Kostenki-Avdeevo cultureCL II, within the Upper Humic Bed (UHB), 31,500-33,600 cal BP, Gorodsovian, mid Upper Paleolithic mammoth bone industryCL III, UHB, 33,200-35,300 cal BP, blade-based and bone industry, Gorodsovian, Mid Upper PaleolithicLVA (layer in volcanic ash, 39,300 cal BP), small assemblage, unipolar blades and Dufour bladelets, AurignacianCL IV in the Lower Humic Bed (LHB), older than the tephra, undiagnostic blade-dominated industryCL IVa, LHB, 36,000-39,100, a few lithics, large numbers of horse bones (at least 50 individual animals)Fossil Soil, LHB, 37,500-40,800 cal BPCL IVb, LHB, 39,900-42,200 cal BP, distinctive Upper Paleolithic, endscrapers, possible horse head out of carved mammoth ivory, human tooth (EMH) A complete early modern human skeleton was recovered from Kostenki 14 in 1954, buried in a tightly flexed position in a oval burial pit (99x39 centimeters or 39x15 inches) which had been dug through the ash layer and then was sealed by Cultural Layer III. The skeleton was direct-dated to 36,262-38,684 cal BP. The skeleton represents an adult man, 20-25 years old with a robust skull and short stature (1.6 meters [5 foot 3 inches]). A few stone flakes, animal bones and a sprinkle of dark red pigment were found in the burial pit. Based on its location within the strata, the skeleton can be generally dated to the Early Upper Paleolithic period. Genomic Sequence from Markina Gora Skeleton In 2014, Eske Willerslev and associates (Seguin-Orlando et al) reported the genomic structure of the skeleton at Markina Gora. They perfomed 12 DNA extractions from the skeletons left arm bone, and compared the sequence to the growing numbers of ancient and modern DNA. They identified genetic relationships between Kostenki 14 and Neanderthals--more evidence that early modern humans and Neanderthals interbred--as well as genetic connections to the Malta individual from Siberia and European Neolithic farmers. Further, they found a fairly distant relationship to Australo-Melanesian or eastern Asian populations. The Markina Gora skeletons DNA indicates a deep-aged human migration out of Africa separate from that of Asian populations, supporting the Southern Dispersal Route as a possible corridor for population of those areas. All humans are derived from the same populations in Africa; but we colonized the world in different waves and perhaps along different exit routes. The genomic data recovered from Markina Gora is further evidence that the population of our world by humans was very complex, and we have a long way to go before we understand it. Excavations at Kostenki Kostenki was discovered in 1879; and a long series of excavations have followed. Kostenki 14 was discovered by P.P. Efimenko in 1928 and has been excavated since the 1950s via a series of trenches. The oldest occupations at the site were reported in 2007, where the combination of great age and sophistication created quite a stir. Sources This glossary entry is a part of the About.com guide to Upper Paleolithic , and the Dictionary of Archaeology. Anikovich MV, Sinitsyn AA, Hoffecker JF, Holliday VT, Popov VV, Lisitsyn SN, Forman SL, Levkovskaya GM, Pospelova GA, Kuzmina IE et al. 2007. Early Upper Paleolithic in Eastern Europe and Implications for the Dispersal of Modern Humans. Science 315(5809):223-226. Hoffecker JF. 2011. The early upper Paleolithic of eastern Europe reconsidered. Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews 20(1):24-39. Revedin A, Aranguren B, Becattini R, Longo L, Marconi E, Mariotti Lippi M, Skakun N, Sinitsyn A, Spiridonova E, and Svoboda J. 2010. Thirty thousand-year-old evidence of plant food processing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107(44):18815-18819. Seguin-Orlando A, Korneliussen TS, Sikora M, Malaspinas A-S, Manica A, Moltke I, Albrechtsen A, Ko A, Margaryan A, Moiseyev V et al. 2014. Genomic structure in Europeans dating back at least 36,200 years. ScienceExpress 6 November 2014(6 November 2014) doi: 10.1126/science.aaa0114. Soffer O, Adovasio JM, Illingworth JS, Amirkhanov H, Praslov ND, and Street M. 2000. Palaeolithic perishables made permanent. Antiquity 74:812-821. Svendsen JI, Heggen HP, Hufthammer AK, Mangerud J, Pavlov P, and Roebroeks W. 2010. Geo-archaeological investigations of Palaeolithic sites along the Ural Mountains - On the northern presence of humans during the last Ice Age. Quaternary Science Reviews 29(23-24):3138-3156. Svoboda JA. 2007. The Gravettian on the Middle Danube. Paleobiology 19:203-220. Velichko AA, Pisareva VV, Sedov SN, Sinitsyn AA, and Timireva SN. 2009. Paleogeography of Kostenki-14 (Markina Gora). Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia 37(4):35-50. doi: 10.1016/j.aeae.2010.02.002

Essay on Hrm 531 - 884 Words

Team Reflection: Principles and Strategies HRM/531 July 15, 2013 Tiffany Mytty-Klein Team Reflection: Principles and Strategies Principles and strategies that applies for a small, medium and large organization is what Team A had to discuss this week for each of our chosen business to be compliant with state and country laws while starting their businesses or expanding to a new state or country. We collectively analyzed three businesses that were exploring different possibilities for expanding operation in Texas, Arizona and India, however, none of us chose to write about the expansion to India project in our individual papers. Each business will decide the strategic plan that is appropriate for their business however; it was each†¦show more content†¦Effective January 1, 2013, Arizona’s minimum wage is $7.80 per hour. Every employer covered under the Act is now required to pay each employee wages not less than this amount (Arizonas Official Web Site, 1987). The Federal minimum wage is $7.25 (United States Department Of Labor, 2013). The consequences of noncompliance of this law is according to Arizona’s Official Web Site (1987), â€Å"an employer who fails to pay the minimum wage is required to the pay the employee the wages owed with interest and an additional amount equal to twice the underpaid wages. An employer who retaliates against an employee is required to pay penalties sufficient to compensate the employee and deter future violations, but not less than $150 for each day that the violation continued or until legal judgment is final. The Commission and courts also have the authority to order other appropriate legal or equitable relief for violations of the Act.† Be aware of any special regulation must be part of the training process for the Human Resource staff in the Arizona State. Landslide Limousines would be most impacted by the Fair Labor Standards Act, EEOC related laws, and OSHA related laws. 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Medical Article Essay Example For Students

Medical Article Essay December 21, 1999The Hope, and Hype, of Cord BloodBy DENISE GRADYShould parents pay a blood bank to store the blood from their newborn babys umbilicalcord and placenta, in case that child or another family member ever needs it to treat canceror leukemia? Expectant parents are being urged to do so by companies that have sprung up during thepast few years to sell cord-blood banking as a form of biological insurance against suchdreaded diseases. The pitch is based on reports in medical journals, such as a major studypublished last week in the New England Journal of Medicine, showing that cord blood cansometimes be used in place of a bone marrow transplant. Like bone marrow, cord blood is rich in stem cells, which can churn out many differenttypes of cells to rebuild a patients blood supply and immune system after high doses ofradiation and chemotherapy. And a patients own cord blood, or that from a relative, ismore likely than cord blood from an unrelated donor to be a good tissue match and to beaccepted by the recipients body. Some experts in bone-marrow transplantation and blood banking frown on the cord-bloodbusiness, arguing that people are being frightened into wasting money on a service theywill probably never need. Moreover, private companies are growing in tandem with publicbanks, and some scientists worry that private banking will limit public access to cordblood. They are concerned because the cord blood in private banks remains the propertyof the donor family and is not available to patients seeking a compatible donor. But the companies say that however remote the possibility that the blood will be needed,people who choose to bank their own cord blood have a right to do so. In most cases theircord blood would be thrown away in the delivery room if they did not pay to bank it. There are only a few cord-blood banks in the United States, and most hospitals do nothave specially trained staff members to collect the blood. Like bone marrow, cord blood must be matched to the recipient by tests for six inheritedtraits that determine an individuals tissue type. Cord blood does not have to be asprecisely matched as bone marrow, but still, the closer the match, the better the odds ofsuccess. The weaker the match, the more likely it is that the recipients body will reject thetransplant, or the transplant will attack the recipients tissues, in a life-threatening reactioncalled graft versus host disease. The companies that freeze cord blood and bank it point out that a persons own cordblood is a perfect match, and a siblings cord blood a more likely match than a specimenfrom a stranger. And so, the argument goes, the best way to protect an entire family fromthe unthinkable is to save the newborns cord blood. Promotional literature for one company, Cord Blood Registry, in San Bruno, Calif.,emphasizes that people with cancer in the family may have a special interest in cord-bloodbanking, along with those who have the hardest time finding matches, which includesmembers of racial minorities, especially families in which the parents are of different races. According to a spokeswoman, Scoti Kaesshaefer, the company reaches parents-to-be bypromoting itself to doctors, nurses and childbirth educators, and by leaving information athospitals. Among the promotional materials the company provided to the New YorkTimes were copies of articles from other newspapers suggesting that cancer amongchildren is on the rise. The company also has a Web site and an 800 number with arecorded greeting that instructs callers to have their credit cards ready. The idea of saving ones own cord blood seems to be catching on. Cord Blood Registry,which describes itself as the largest private cord-blood banking firm in the United States,has stored 10,000 samples during the past th ree years: 1,500 in 1995, 3,000 in 1996 and6,000 in 1997. The company charges an initial fee of $1,200 to collect a sample and freezeit, and then $95 a year to keep it stored in liquid nitrogen at the blood bank at theUniversity of Arizona. Customers include people with perfectly healthy children, who justwant extra peace of mind, as well as some families who have lost a child to leukemia oranother disease and fear for the health of their other children. In its three years of operation, eight customers have retrieved their cord blood for use inmedical treatment, said Kaesshaefer. All eight samples were used for siblings or relatives,she said. By contrast, the largest public-access bank of cord blood, at the New YorkBlood Center in Manhattan, has collected only 8,686 specimens in six years. But nearly800 of those samples have been used to treat patients, many of them children, in theUnited States and overseas. Critics of private cord-blood companies point out that even if a person wi th banked cordblood does need a transplant later, the stored blood may not be the best choice. Dr. PabloRubinstein, who directs the cord-blood program at the New York Blood Center, saidthere was a compelling medical argument against using a patients own cord blood in somecases. In some young children with leukemia, he said, malignant cells were already presentat birth in the cord blood, and transfusing those cells back into the child later mightcontribute to a relapse. In addition, he said, bone marrow from a donor could help destroydiseased cells, an effect known as graft versus leukemia. A persons own cord blood mightnot have that effect, and in some cases even a siblings might not. Dr. John Wagner, associate director of bone marrow transplantation at the University ofMinnesota in Minneapolis, said that for a child being treated recently, he deliberatelyrejected cord blood from a sibling in favor of a well-matched unit from an unrelateddonor, hoping to take advantage of its antile ukemic effect. Dr. Robertson Parkman, director of bone marrow transplantation at Childrens Hospital inLos Angeles, said he saw no point in banking cord blood for most families. Its motivatedby fear, he said. But in families with an ill child who might need a bone-marrow transplant, he said, itmakes sense to collect cord blood from any siblings born later and save it. Medical centerswith transplant programs will often perform that service, he said. So will some of the private companies, without a fee. When a bone-marrow donor couldnot be found for 4-year-old Joshua Kelton, who was suffering from leukemia, his parents,stationed at a military base in Honolulu, conceived another child in the hope that thebabys tissues would match Joshuas. They did, and Cord Blood Registry collected thecord blood at birth, stored it in Arizona for a month, and then, when Joshua was ready forthe procedure, transported it to a medical center at Stanford University. Joshua wastreated with his infant brother s cord blood in August, and has been declared free ofleukemia. Right now, hes 100 percent, his father said in a telephone interview, a normal child, theway he was before this happened. But the Keltons experience is hardly representative. That the family was certain it wouldneed the cord blood sets it apart from most families that store the blood. Wagner is waryof the hard sell of some of the cord-blood companies. My concern is that it be presentedfairly to expectant mothers, who are already fairly vulnerable, he said. I have a lot ofobstetricians and parents calling me and complaining its too late, they missed theopportunity. Others call saying, Should I do this? Its hard to answer. I dont want to biasthem. We have someone now who takes the calls for me because it got to beoverwhelming.

Isaiah Berlin, John Rawls and Values Pluralism an Example of the Topic All Posts by

Isaiah Berlin, John Rawls and Values Pluralism Every society has to appropriate and adopt for itself fundamental notions of justice if society is to function well and flourish. The Greek philosopher Plato and his mentor, Socrates, for instance, deem it necessary that a society be in the process of continuously trying to articulate the form and requirements of a satisfactory theory of justice through a healthy form of discourse. Philosophy is essentially, discourse and it seeks to account for justice through the very process of rational inquiry and deliberation. Need essay sample on "Isaiah Berlin, John Rawls and Values Pluralism" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed This paper seeks to explicate the notion of justice in the context of the views of two prolific Twentieth Century political thinkers, Isaiah Berlin and John Rawls. For the sake of clarity, the specific task of this is to provide a critical examination and appraisal of Berlin's views on the ideals of liberty and equality as it is weighed against Rawls' theory of justice. The thesis statement of this paper is that "Both Berlin and Rawls agree that in a liberal and democratic setting, Berlin's contention regarding value pluralism holds true and that certain inequalities are permissible trade-offs in exchange for other social goods that we consider as primary". People Frequently Tell EssayLab writers:I'm not in the mood to write my essay. Because I want to spend time with my girlfriendEssay writer professionals recommend: Follow Essaylab Writing ServiceEssays Already Done For You Academic Essay Writing Cheap Essays Not Plagiarized Essay Writer Service Being the political liberal that he was, Berlin remained an advocate of "objective pluralism" and "value pluralism" until his death in 1997. In Ramin Jahanbegloo's book entitled "Conversations with Isaiah Berlin" Berlin explores the idea that liberty and equality oftentimes present us with a dilemma and that faced with such a dilemma, we feel the inevitability of making a choice. Berlin says: "if you have maximum liberty, then the strong can destroy the weak, and if you have absolute equality, you cannot have absolute liberty, because you have to coerce the powerful ... if they are not to devour the poor and the meek. ... Total liberty can be dreadful, total equality can be equally frightful..." (Jahanbegloo, 1992). What does he mean by such a statement? Clearly, the way in and through which we may properly construe what he meant is by understanding the philosophical underpinnings of his views. Let us start with Berlin's value pluralism. The governing idea in his value pluralism is the contention that in any given society, there exists a plurality not only of views but more importantly, of values. The problem, might seem simple at first glance but if one will look closely into the matter, Berlin is pointing out that it is not only the case that there exists a plurality of views and of values, the problem is much more complex; these views and values are "in conflict" with one another. The problem now has an added dimension; it now has a political dimension. At this point, we may proceed to our construal of what Berlin meant by the statement he made in the conversation that he had with Jahanbegloo. The statement may properly be understood in the context of value pluralism. In the statement, Berlin presents to us a dilemma; on the one hand, we have liberty, and equality, on the other. Notice that the statement in itself has a character of "urgency" and the "necessity" of making a choice. The human condition, as Berlin sees it, is one by which he must choose. At this point, one might be tempted to think that making a choice among competing and incommensurable values seems a province of ethics and not of social and political philosophy. For Berlin, ethical theory is an integral aspect of political philosophy. Jahanbegloo adds up to the idea that for Berlin, the ethical is connected to the political via the doctrine of "teleology". He writes: "The task of political philosophy is, for Berlin, to be concerned with the examination of the ends of life, human purposes, social and collective. The business of political philosophy is to examine the validity of various claims made for various social goals, and the justification of the methods of specifying and attaining these" (Jahanbegloo, 1992). The dilemma, as presented by Berlin, involves the process of "weighing conflicting values" such as liberty and equality. As an advocate of liberalism, Berlin puts premium on liberty than equality. Human beings possess the capacity for rational thought. Since human beings are forced to choose over conflicting values and given that human beings are beings that are capable of rational thought, it is not difficult to see that in such situations, every man will, to the best of his judgment, choose to do what is best for himself. Our next task is to explain why the choice between liberty and equality brings forth issues regarding the fundamental notion of justice. It is at this point that we shall now turn to the ideas of John Rawls. In 1971, Rawls wrote A Theory of Justice; with the aim of defending an egalitarian liberal vision of justice by adopting the social contract theory. I will mention two important aspects of Rawls' theory; first, the "original position" and second, the principle of "justice as fairness". In Rawls' theory, the original position, like the social contract, is a "thought experiment". Social contract theorists like Hobbes for instance do not contend that there was actually a corresponding historical fact to the idea of a "social contract". For the most part, the social contract theory has an explanatory function and that is to provide a justification for the formation of the state. In the same vein, Rawls' original position has an explanatory function to explain "what and how will we arrive at the principles of justice" given that there is a "veil of ignorance"? The veil of ignorance was employed by Rawls to mean that the parties involved are "mutually disinterested" since they do not know who they represent. The idea is actually simple. For instance, we have decided to think of a principle of social justice that we ought to apply to our society and let us say that we are generally knowledgeable on issues regarding human affairs. In addition to this, let us also say that we are not aware of our positions or whom we represent in society because of the veil of ignorance. The question is, will we devise laws that may be called "unjust"? The answer is "No". What is "Justice as Fairness"? What are the principles of justice that Rawls speaks of? According to Rawls, we may arrive at two principles of justice through the original position and the veil of ignorance. A just society, as Rawls sees it, ought to assure that each citizen has "an equal claim to a fully adequate scheme of equal basic rights and liberties in which the scheme is compatible with the same scheme for all" (Rawls, 1999). This is the Rawls' First Principle. The Second Principle must address those aspects of the basic structure that affects the distribution of opportunities, offices, income, wealth, and resources. Collectively, these are identified as "social advantages". The second principle, according to Rawls, has two parts. In the first part of the second principle, Rawls contends that the social structures or institutions that mold the aforementioned distribution must satisfy the requirements of a "fair equality of opportunity." In the second part of the second principle, Rawls discussed the "Difference Principle." In the his work entitled Political Liberalism, Rawls writes: "social and economic inequalities are to be to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged members of society" (Rawls, 1996). Like Berlin, Rawls had a liberal orientation. For Berlin and as well as Rawls, personal and civil liberties are social goods and there are occasions when certain inequalities are permissible in society. The point is that we cannot totally be equal and even if it is possible, it would lead to more losses than gains. Absolute equality is never achievable. In addition to this, Rawls agrees with Berlin in the point that he raised regarding value pluralism. Finally, I would like to end with a remark on justice in a liberal and democratic political setting. The issue of coming up with a satisfactory account or theory of justice is a necessary condition for a society to be considered humane. True, liberal ideologies opened up new ways of looking at things, different ways of looking at things. This is the thrust of Berlin's value pluralism. References: A Theory of Justice, rev. ed., Harvard University Press, 1999 Political Liberalism, rev. ed., Columbia University Press, 1996

Free Essays on Richard Cory

Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poem, Richard Cory, is a modern day Aesop fable. It educates us about the things that we think we should have, but truly do not want. The story starts off by saying, â€Å"Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him.† The people on the pavement were people who looked up to Richard Cory. This is because Richard Cory was a well-distinguished businessman. This can be seen from the fact that Richard Cory continually â€Å"went down town†. I know that he went down town on business because of the way the speaker says that he was dressed. The author makes it appear that the people on the pavement had low-income jobs, while the poem says that Richard Cory was rich. The people on the pavement therefore wanted to be like him. It seems that the people did not truly know every thing that went on in the life of Richard Cory. The man Richard Cory had a good bit of money, was schooled in every grace, and was a gentleman from sole to crown. Yet, Richard Cory one calm summer night took his own life by shooting himself in the head. The type of death that Richard Cory suffered is usually the result of someone who was not very stable. Cory is considered, however, to be very financially stable. He is also considered to be very stable all the way around. This cannot be true, however, because he committed suicide and stable people do not do that sort of thing. The physical appearance of Richard Cory’s life may have been very stable, yet the mental outlook of his life was most likely in shambles. While the people on the pavement only saw the outward manifestation of Cory’s wealth, they did not stop to consider what the contents were of his inward treasure. It is in this area of his life that I believe Richard Cory was poor. The people on the pavement did not consider this. Many times we as humans hastily make assumptions that are based on incomplete information. The peopl... Free Essays on Richard Cory Free Essays on Richard Cory Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poem, Richard Cory, is a modern day Aesop fable. It educates us about the things that we think we should have, but truly do not want. The story starts off by saying, â€Å"Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him.† The people on the pavement were people who looked up to Richard Cory. This is because Richard Cory was a well-distinguished businessman. This can be seen from the fact that Richard Cory continually â€Å"went down town†. I know that he went down town on business because of the way the speaker says that he was dressed. The author makes it appear that the people on the pavement had low-income jobs, while the poem says that Richard Cory was rich. The people on the pavement therefore wanted to be like him. It seems that the people did not truly know every thing that went on in the life of Richard Cory. The man Richard Cory had a good bit of money, was schooled in every grace, and was a gentleman from sole to crown. Yet, Richard Cory one calm summer night took his own life by shooting himself in the head. The type of death that Richard Cory suffered is usually the result of someone who was not very stable. Cory is considered, however, to be very financially stable. He is also considered to be very stable all the way around. This cannot be true, however, because he committed suicide and stable people do not do that sort of thing. The physical appearance of Richard Cory’s life may have been very stable, yet the mental outlook of his life was most likely in shambles. While the people on the pavement only saw the outward manifestation of Cory’s wealth, they did not stop to consider what the contents were of his inward treasure. It is in this area of his life that I believe Richard Cory was poor. The people on the pavement did not consider this. Many times we as humans hastily make assumptions that are based on incomplete information. The peopl...

Portia in Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice

Portia in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' Portia in Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice is one of the Bards most beloved characters. The Love Test Portias fate is determined by the love test her father gives to her suitors. She is unable to choose her own suitor but is forced to marry whoever passes. She has wealth but has no control over her own destiny. When Bassanio passes the test, Portia immediately agrees to divest all her riches, property, and power over to him in order to be his loving and dutiful wife. She is passed from one man’s control- her father’s- to another- her husband’s: As from her lord, her governor, her king.Myself and what is mine to you and yoursIs now converted: but now I was the lordOf this fair mansion, master of my servants,Queen oer myself. And even now, but now,This house, these servants and this same myselfAre yours, my lord’s (Act 3 Scene 2, 170-176). One wonders what is in it for her... other than companionship and, hopefully, love? Let’s hope that her father’s test really is foolproof, in that the suitor is proven to love her through his choice. As an audience, we know the lengths to which Bassanio has gone to win her hand, so this gives us hope that Portia will be happy with Bassanio. Her name is Portia, nothing undervaluedTo Cato’s daughter, Brutus’ Portia.Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,For the four winds blow in from every coastRenowned suitors, and her sunny locksHang on her temples like a golden fleece,Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchis’ strand,And many Jasons come in quest of her (Act 1 Scene 1, 165-172). Let’s hope Bassanio is not just after her money but, in choosing the lead casket, we are to assume he is not. Character Revealed We later discover Portia’s true grit, resourcefulness, intelligence, and wit through her dealings with Shylock in court, and many a modern audience might lament her fate at having to go back to court and be the dutiful wife she promised to be. It is also a pity that her father did not see her true potential in this way and, in doing so, he may not have determined his ‘love test’ necessary but trusted his daughter to make the right choice off her own back. Portia ensures that Bassanio is made aware of her alter ego; in disguise as the judge, she makes him give her the ring that she has given him. In doing so, she can prove that it was she posing as the judge and that it was she who was able to save his friend’s life and, to and extent, Bassanios life and reputation. Her position of power and substance in that relationship is therefore established. This sets a precedent for their life together and allows the audience some comfort in thinking that she will maintain some power in that relationship. Shakespeare and Gender Portia is the heroine of the piece when all the men in the play have failed, financially, by the law, and by their own vengeful behavior. She swoops in and saves everyone from themselves. However, she is only able to do this by dressing up as a man. As Portia’s journey demonstrates, Shakespeare recognizes the intellect and abilities that women have but concedes that they can only be demonstrated when on a level playing field with men. Many of Shakespeare’s women show their wit and cunning when they are disguised as men. Rosalind as Ganymede in As You Like It is another example. As a woman, Portia is submissive and obedient; as the judge and as a man, she demonstrates her intelligence and her brilliance. She is the same person but is empowered by dressing as a man and, in doing so, she hopefully gains the respect and equal footing she deserves in her relationship: If you had known the virtue of the ring,Or half her worthiness that gave that ring,Or your own honour to contain the ring,You would not then have parted with the ring (Act 5 Scene 1, 199-202).

Institute of applied entrepreneurship Assignment

Institute of applied entrepreneurship - Assignment Example I would like to personally thank you for reviewing my letter of employment and genuinely hope you will find my entrepreneurial competencies to be a valuable fit for your grand organisation with a rich history in the United Kingdom. 1. Introduction Thornton’s Chocolate was founded in 1911 by Joseph William Thornton, establishing a very recognisable brand in the United Kingdom ever since. Now that Cadbury has been taken over by Kraft company, Thornton’s is now considered the largest independent chocolatier and confectionary business in the UK. Through decades of brand-building activities and increases in sales revenues, Thornton’s now boasts 360 different shops and a variety of franchises across the United Kingdom supported by 2011 revenues of ?218 million (Thornton’s 2012). Thornton’s has, however, experienced problems with maintaining market share among major competitors and the business is losing sales revenues, especially in the High Street stores that sell Thornton’s products. Thornton’s has always maintained a premium positioning strategy, justifying a higher-priced model associated with legitimate and consumer-perceived brand quality. Because of this, the business is seeking a revitalisation and restorative business strategy designed to give the business a more contemporary brand image with important target markets. This letter of employment is to illustrate entrepreneurial characteristics both internally and as related to the employment candidate to illustrate how the candidate’s competencies can benefit the new positioning of Thornton’s for sustainable success and profitability. 2. Defining the entrepreneurial organisation An entrepreneurial organisation is one that is willing to absorb risks, as being able to compete against well-established competitors, such as Cadbury, requires making decisions that are innovative and do not have a precedent established. This is necessary to achieve unique competitive advantage and differentiate one business from another that offers similar products with like characteristics and benefits. It is the risk-taking prowess of important organisational leaders that establish the foundation for an entrepreneurial organisation (Covin and Miles 1999). Once this entrepreneurial spirit has been established, the entrepreneurial organisation becomes one that is equipped to develop new products and services. A corporate entrepreneur focuses on establishing efficiencies and productive structures that can assist the organisation in aligning strategic intentions with external market conditions (Dess, Lumpkin and McKee 1999). Outside of basic managerial or executive-level decision-making such as budgeting and cost control, the entrepreneurial organisation recognises opportunities to make positive changes and then aligns the internal operational and staffing models to achieve strategic goals related to the opportunity. The entrepreneurial organisation m aintains staff and managers that are able to juggle innovative ideas in their imaginations that translate into creative work to better position the business competitively. This type of organisation looks toward people and product as tools for achieving profit growth (Gaglio and Katz 2001). Innovations should occur in human resources policies and procedures as well as related to the actual product or service in order to be considered

Historic Sustainability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Historic Sustainability - Essay Example It is worth noting that the prices of tea in the world market is falling drastically day by day, which have had nasty implications not only to the producers but also to the workers. All stakeholders need to join hands in unison and address the issue finally. The inauguration of tea as a major drink has been a milestone in not only the economic development of India but also worldwide countries. Essentially, tea has become a core part of majority of people’s daily lives. History shows that the current tea bushes did grow as wild vegetation in India. The natives’ settlers in India had a tendency of utilizing it in form of vegetables. It was a popular component of a locally made soup. Tea consumption has recorded an impressive evolution over time. This is an indicator of its crucial importance as a world’s second consumed drink. In India, tea remains the leading drink. It is available almost everywhere and all the times. Indian tea is named according to the region it emanates from (Hicks, 2009, pg. 253). Having been in the market for 172 years, Indian tea remains detrimental to the economy of the country. The industry is the backbone of the economy, employing millions of its citizens in diverse fields and bringing up an impressive foreign exchange count. The core tea growing regions in India are the highlands located in Eastern and Southern states. Its contribution to the Gross Domestic product is renowned. Its exports does account for 31% of the global tea production (Lutgendorf, 2012, pg. 14). The last 20 years have seen tea sector in India stabilize, gaining popularity in the world markets despite stiff competition from other countries. India remains both the largest consumer and producer of tea. 85% of its population consume tea. The country also account for at least 27% of the tea produced worldwide. Its exports account to 13% of

Statement of the problem Essay Example for Free

Statement of the problem Essay This study explored the experience of subjective well-being (SWB) among the institutionalized aged: concept of well-being, indicators of the cognitive and affective components, and the factors which contribute towards their sense of well-being. It also looked into the perception of their close associates on the SWB of the elderly under investigation. Specifically, the study addressed the following questions: 1. What is the concept of subjective well-being among the institutionalized elderly? 2. What are the indicators of the cognitive and affective components of subjective well-being? 3. What are the factors which contribute towards the subjective well-being among the institutionalized elderly? 4. How do the close associates of the elderly view the following: the concept of SWB, the indicators of cognitive and affective components, and the factors contributing toward SWB among the elderly? 5. Are there similarities and differences observed in the view of the elderly and their close associates with regard to the experience of SWB among the institutionalized aged? This chapter presents in detail the research design, the description of the participants, the instruments used, the data gathering and analysis procedures. Research Design The present study employed the qualitative research design (Heppner, Kivlighan, Wampold, 1999; McLeod, 2001). Qualitative research involves doing one’s utmost to map and explore the meaning of an area of human experience. Generally it examines people’s words or actions in narrative or descriptive ways more closely representing the experiences of the people involved. It emphasizes the importance of looking at variables in the natural setting in which they are found and the qualitative researchers believe that human behavior cannot be understood outside of its context. According to McLeod (2001), the knowledge generated by qualitative research through eliciting peoples’ stories, sensitive listening, building up an understanding, and checking it out is usually holistic, nuanced, personal, contextualized and incomplete. Key (1997) observes that in qualitative research detailed data is gathered through open ended questions that provide direct quotations, and the interviewer is an integral part of the investigation. The present study was exploratory in nature (Westman, 2004) and employed case study as well as interview method to collect the data. It helped in understanding the concepts and personal meanings and theories held by the people who were being studied. The study also contributed to the understanding of how the elderly in the home for the aged conceived and defined quality of life or subjective experience of well-being in their lives as perceived by their administrators. Case Study. The rationale for including case studies were: (1) case studies strive towards a holistic understanding of cultural systems of action (Tellis, 1997). The interviews on the elderly elicited holistic information and nuances about their life and subjective sense of well-being. Content analysis alone could not do justice to the nuances came across in the accumulated data. According to Tellis (1997), selecting cases must be done so as to maximize what can be learned. (2) Case study is known as a triangulated research strategy (Tellis, 1997). The present study being qualitative, employing triangulation confirmed the validity of the findings (Yin, 1994). Interviews are one of the most important sources of case study information. Interview Method. In a qualitative study human person is the primary collection instrument. Insisting upon measurable outcomes to determine the quality of life is a disservice to elders (Moberg, 2001) and the world has many accounts of what aging looks like from the outside, but we have little insight into what aging looks and feels like and their sense of well-being from the perspective of older adults (Ray, 2002). It is an unquestionable truth that questions about what makes life worth living and what is their subjective experience of well-being to individuals are answered only by asking the individuals themselves. It helped to explore and explain the complexity of the fabric of life entering to its labyrinth, expressing the personal which is always interpersonal. In other words it gave access to the phenomenological data, which is the respondents’ perception, of themselves and their world. Exploring the concept of well-being, the indicators of cognitive and affective components of subjective well-being among the elderly and different features that they thought were helping toward their subjective experience of well being in the given situation of life, the researcher was able to gather the subjective description of the lived experiences of the institutionalized elderly.

The Internet Market In Kuwait :: essays research papers

Many competitive markets have been appeared in Middle East lately, and specially in Kuwait. The One which I will discuss is the Internet competitive market in Kuwait . Internet has been a great demand in all over the world. In 1992, The ministry of communication in Kuwait provided the internet service. Since there was no community attraction toward the internet, the price of the provided service was pretty high. Since this company was the only one produced a certain market's product, they had inflated the price to the absolute highest cost that people would still pay. Because of that, there was an absolute need for competition. Competition lowers the price because of the competition for costumers. Moreover, the provided service by the only company didn't have the quality that worth its price, like the lines were always busy or even if you get connected to the network the connection speed wouldn't be higher than 2400 bps. Companies were rarely thinking of joining this market, because the number of people demanding this service was unstable, and depending just on the high educated class or the university. Over the last 6 years, the demand of the internet has greatly increased, and many competitive companies showed up to satisfy the consumer's demand. Many companies started to break the monopolization of this market, and the price has been dropped incredibly. Thus, the demand of this market started to raise up again. This competition among companies also raises the quality of the products because if a company put little technology and capital into their output, consumers would not buy from them, rather they would buy from the competition. In my own opinion, the companies would receive better advantages if they made a special discount for students. The Internet Market In Kuwait :: essays research papers Many competitive markets have been appeared in Middle East lately, and specially in Kuwait. The One which I will discuss is the Internet competitive market in Kuwait . Internet has been a great demand in all over the world. In 1992, The ministry of communication in Kuwait provided the internet service. Since there was no community attraction toward the internet, the price of the provided service was pretty high. Since this company was the only one produced a certain market's product, they had inflated the price to the absolute highest cost that people would still pay. Because of that, there was an absolute need for competition. Competition lowers the price because of the competition for costumers. Moreover, the provided service by the only company didn't have the quality that worth its price, like the lines were always busy or even if you get connected to the network the connection speed wouldn't be higher than 2400 bps. Companies were rarely thinking of joining this market, because the number of people demanding this service was unstable, and depending just on the high educated class or the university. Over the last 6 years, the demand of the internet has greatly increased, and many competitive companies showed up to satisfy the consumer's demand. Many companies started to break the monopolization of this market, and the price has been dropped incredibly. Thus, the demand of this market started to raise up again. This competition among companies also raises the quality of the products because if a company put little technology and capital into their output, consumers would not buy from them, rather they would buy from the competition. In my own opinion, the companies would receive better advantages if they made a special discount for students.

Development in Early Childhood

In chapter 8, the author highlights the development of a child’s body as he/she goes through different stages of development both physically (body growth and brain) and at the same time acquires different motor skills and begins to manifest different health conditions. In the chapter, focused on different important concepts that included the parts and functions of the body that is beneficial for a child’s growth and development. Due to their relative importance, the chapter also points out important steps that parents and early childhood educators can do to enhance a child’s capabilities.It included different approaches in improving a child’s (1) emotional wellbeing, (2) nutrition, and (3) prevention of different diseases children are prone to during such stage. In addition to that, the chapter also focused on the concept of heredity and how it influences the physical growth of a child. It also stimulates the creation of different bodily functions. Lastly, the chapter mentions the development of motor skills. It elaborated on different situations wherein such skill can be improved and enhanced. Looking at Chapter 9, it relatively focuses on the cognitive development during early childhood.It first elaborates on important theories surrounding the concept. It included (1) Piaget’s Preoperational Stage and (2) Vygotsky’s Sociocultural theory. These two theories explained the realm of cognitive development among children. Looking at Piagets theory, it explains the way children’s cognitive processes are developed and enhanced. In his theory, Piaget advocates that as children advance in age, they also increase their capabilities to decipher mental representations like language and the ‘make believe’ concept among children becomes complex in nature.As children progress in age, they begin to understand the reality in their individual ‘make believe’. This process is called dual representation. In addition to such, the preoperational stage can be characterized as egocentric in nature. sensitivity to children's readiness to learn, and acceptance of individual differences† Vygotsky’s theory on the other hand roots his analysis in the way society affects the development of children’s speech.It is through this that Vygotsky advocated the importance of language as the main contributor for the cognitive process. It emanates from the concept called ‘private speech’ that deals with inner, verbal thought. In addition, the theory points out the creation of intersubjectivity which is a neutral zone for communication and the element of scaffolding by parents as the main components of social interaction that is vital for cognitive development among children. Chapter 10 on the other hand focuses on the emotional and social development in early childhood.It looks at Erikson’s theory of initiative versus guilt and points out important concepts such as : (1) emotional development, (2) peer relations, (3) cultural influences, (4) morality, (5) gender typing and (6) child rearing. In the chapter, the author pointed out the importance of Erikson theory in the analysis of the diverse emotional and social changes during childhood. In addition, the factors mentioned above also have their own fair share of contributions to the development of a child. The chapter pointed out different factors that can affect the way children behave.Due to this, the responsibility is left to parents and educators to effectively enforce and promote the correct values among children since this is an important stage in their overall development as an adult. Another important factor pointed out by the chapter is the relative occurrence of violence and aggression among children. It pointed out the relative influence of media in the increased violent tendencies of children. The chapter points out that parents should create rearing mechanisms that will shield the ir children to such violent behavior at a young age. References (n.d.) Chapter 8:Physical Development in Early Childhood. Retrieved June 23, 2008. (n.d.) Chapter 9:Cognitive Development in Early Childhood. Retrieved June 23, 2008. (n.d.) Chapter 10: Emotional and Social Development in Early Childhood. Retrieved June 23,  2008.

Animal Abuse Essay

Taking a stand against animal abuse In today’s society people tend to turn to a blind eye to the animal abuse that occurs every day in America, whether it is by their decision to support certain companies that use animals for experimentation or choosing to be neglectful to animal abuse. Animal Cruelty is a big problem today, anyone could help stop it by adopting animals from shelters, rescuing animals or reporting problems like people leaving animals in hot cars or leaving them in their backyard without food or water.Helping animals is really easy you can do something as simple as checking A random dog you see for tags, and if you see that it has no tags then you should most likely take it to an animal shelter somewhere nearby, or you could do something like checking for abusive signs on animals, you could look how their living environment is and see if it’s an healthy environment for that animal to live in, Check for burns hair loss or any other abusive signs on the an imals skin or coat, and if you see these signs on the animal make sure you know who to call as in the animal shelter or the police to get it taken care of so that problem can be dealt with.Adopting animals is a great way to help with problems like this you could do something like going to an animal shelter and looking for an abused animal in need that you could take care of so you could bring it home and give it the love it deserves instead of getting abused, or if you saw a stray dog that looks hungry and lonely you could take it in to your home and take care of it or if you didn’t want to take it with you, something else you could do is bring it down to an animal shelter so someone else could adopt it and take care of the animal, Animal abuse isn’t a hard thing to handle you could do something as easy as checking inside hot cars to check if people left their animal inside to adopting an animal from a shelter to rescuing or taking in stray animals, every year 1,654,54 5,000,000 animals are killed from animal cruelty.Animal cruelty is wrong in so many ways and it an a big Epidemic that needs to be stopped it anyone can easily help by doing some of these things and it is not all that hard to do simple things like checking cars or looking at an animals skin is really fast and simple and all you would have to do is report it so many animals are abused every year and if someone were to do these things it would greatly help. Animal Cruelty in today’s world is becoming a growing problem; I myself have gone and become a helping hand in preventing Animal Cruelty by Helping, Check, and Adopting AnimalsDoing these things can really help prevent Animal abuse this is how I stand against Animal abuse.

Writing a Reaction Paper

Writing a Reaction Paper Writing a Reaction Paper Writing a Reaction PaperIf you are writing a reaction paper, you should keep in mind a number of specific rules. In particular, reaction paper should be written critically, it is your task to provide critical response to a book, film, event, or even a person. The following example reaction paper is written about sex education. If you need individual help with reaction paper writing, do not hesitate to try our custom paper writing services. We are open 24/7 to provide high quality assistance with your academic assignments and essay papers! Do not forget to review free term papers medieval knights and sample term paper on cholesterol and lipids . You may also read an interesting article on how to write 3,000 words term paper SFU .Writing a Reaction Paper: Sample on Sex EducationThe effects of excessive secrecy, such hush-hush methods run counter to every principle of psychology and defeat their own purpose. One cannot successfully ignore such a significant theme in life as sex. Eve n a small child soon becomes conscious that his queries are being shunted aside in the most unsatisfying manner. But this does not allay his curiosityit merely intensifies it. He perceives that on certain subjects, which he did not know were different from any other subjects, his guileless questions produce a strange result on his parents. They seem disturbed, even shocked, and he doesn't know why; they will help him satisfy his curiosity on every subject but one. He soon realizes that he must look elsewhere for his information, for he must have it; it must be very interesting, or his parents wouldn't act so mysterious about it. His determination to know takes him to every source he can find, and so the typical method of acquiring sex information has begun. From tough boys, from the crude jokes and smutty stories of men, and sometimes from oversexed girls he picks up his information bit by bit, the whole often forming a most amazing mosaic. Such is the inevitable result of attemptin g to place sex in a special category by itself, something that is powerful but shameful, about which it is necessary to know yet about which one must not be taught. Such tactics automatically engender a curiosity far out of proportion to that felt about other factors in life, thus magnifying enormously the very thing parents sought to minimize. We can now perceive why Galloway was right when he said that sex education is more a matter of psychology than of biology, for our sex attitudes determine our whole physiological treatment of sex. The sex facts that children find out surreptitiously are not very important, but the emotional responses that develop are extremely important. Boys and girls who get their sex knowledge on the street frequently carry all through life the shame and fear reactions so commonly associated with certain words and actions. The mental images that they would forget are stamped indelibly upon their memories, making them ashamed to converse naturally on subjec ts properly related to sex. They may become overly self-conscious in the normal associations with the opposite sex, fearful lest some words of double meaning be wrongly interpreted. Such a preoccupation with unwholesome sex patterns often carries over into marriage, marring the relationship from which so much joy was rightly expected and proving the statement that sex education, in its end result, is marriage education.

5 Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid in Business Writing - BestEssay.education

5 Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid in Business Writing 5 Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid in Business Writing If you own, operate or represent a business, it is extremely important that you are able to communicate effectively in writing. This includes communicating in advertisements, in blog posts, when sending emails, when posting on social media, and when interacting with customers or vendors. A big part of this is learning to avoid embarrassing grammar mistakes. The problem with bad grammar is that it damages credibility. If your writing is riddled with spelling and grammar errors that you have left uncorrected, people will wonder about the care you put into your products and services. Grammar errors also make your writing less effective. In fact, if you are stating a strong opinion, or you are making an emotional appeal, poor grammar can make your words unintentionally humorous. There are many grammatical errors that you can make in business writing. However, there are 5 that we believe are most common. Here they are, along with some advice on how to recognize and avoid them 1. Confusing i.e. and e.g. The reason that these two abbreviations are commonly confused is that they both have Latin roots and they have somewhat similar meanings. The translation of the abbreviation i.e. to English means 'that is'.   When you see this abbreviation, replace it in your head with the phrase, 'in other words'. The abbreviation e.g. means for example. You would use this at the beginning of a list of supporting examples after you make a statement. Usage Examples: We aren't getting the foot traffic we used to get on Sunday afternoons, i.e., we only had five customers come through our door last Sunday. We employ several different methods of measuring the success of our brick and mortal location, e.g., number of customers per day, dollars in sales per week, and the feedback on our customer comment cards. 2. Using I Instead of Me and Vice Versa For some reason, many of us instinctively want to replace the word me with the word I when we are referring to more than one person. How many times have we sent or received emails with sentences like the following: Will you follow up with David and I via email? Just tell David and I when you are ready to go forward with the project. At first glance, they might seem okay, but they are both incorrect. How do you tell? One way is to take the other person out of the equation, then look at the sentences again. Will you follow up with I via email? Just tell I when you are ready to go forward with the project. Grammar Hint: Now, it is easy to see the difference. It may help to try and remember that... I do something, and something is done to me. 3. Writing Utilize Instead of Use This one is fairly black and white. If you are writing the utilize in your business writing, you should stop doing that. It is one of those words that appears to be more formal and more professional, but it simply is not. If you find yourself typing the word utilize, back space and replace it with use. Better yet, set up an auto correct option to change the word when you type it. 4. Participles that Dangle Any word that ends in 'ing' is a participle. They are intended to modify the word or phrase that follows them. If you place the noun following the participle in the wrong place, you can unintentionally change the meaning of your sentence. Here's an example: Working more efficiently than ever, the computer room staff were thrilled with the new servers. This sentence appears to say that the computer room staff was working more efficiently than ever. However, if that is true, what about the servers? Here is the sentence after it has been corrected: Working more efficiently than ever, the new servers thrilled the computer room staff. 5. Using Quotation Marks Where They Are Not Needed For some reason, many people believe that placing a word or phrase in single or double quotes indicates emphasis. It does not. In fact, single quotes around a word or a phrase, especially one that makes a claim is read as an indication that something is not quite true. For example: We keep your financial information 'safe' and 'secure'! Customers will read this as if you are stating that you won't keep their information safe or secure. It may help to visualize a very sarcastic man using air quotes while reading your statement aloud. There are times when it is okay to use quotes around a word or phrase. If you are indicating to the reader that something isn't exactly true, it is acceptable to use quotes. Here is an example: We offer a vegan wrap with hummus, diced cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, and 'cheese'. Your readers would know both from the context clues and the apostrophes that you were referring to a cheese like food, but not to real cheese. Replacement Options: Try using bold print, underlining, or even beginning and ending a word or phrase with an asterisk. Each of these indicates emphasis. Just remember to avoid using all capital letters for emphasis. This is often interpreted as anger or hostility.

Genetics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Genetics - Assignment Example Explain: This the coding sequence at any place of the gene and depending on the genetic material that is translocated an entirely new protein will be coded. Missense, point mutation, deletion of 3 bases or nonsense mutation at the end has a less severe effect. As these are all point mutation hence have a smaller influence on the entire structure of the protein. Explain: Cro- Magnon is also referred to as Homo sapien inhabited the earth approximately 10Â  000 to 40Â  000 years ago. This species lived in coexistence with the Neandethals in the Middle East and Europe for many years. The Neanderthal is assumed to have become extinct approximately 33Â  000 years ago. Australopithecus had already faced extinction by the time the Neanderthals came into existence. In addition, since Australopethicus had already become extinct it cannot coexist with homo erectus in the above mentioned time frame. Explain: Sickle cell anaemia is disorder that results from a monogenous disorder that leads to heterogenous clinical presentations. However, the disorder can be considered epistatic due to the fact that the phenotype of the disorder can be influenced by epistatic modifier genes Telomeres have repeated sequences and are located on the endings of each of the chromatids. They serve a protective role at these ends either from deterioration or fusing with the neighbouring chromosomes. In the process of cell division there is degradation of the telomeres which means that the repeated sequences are necessary to ensure that even after this process, there are still other sequences to protect remaining genes. In the Avery MacLeod and MacCathy experiment there were more possibilities and several techniques were utilized attempt to retrieve organic compounds and assess how the inheritance too place. These techniques were not yet present during the Griffith experiment. Griffith utilized heat in his experiment and live strains which

Blood doniation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Blood doniation - Essay Example Blood donation is one of the noblest acts any person could do for another. A. Blood Donation: It is believed by the World Health Organization that safe access to blood is a basic human right. This is something that is yet to be achieved in developing countries. There has been a great concern about blood access from paid donors being very risky. This is why today we gather here to advocate for free unpaid blood donation. Blood donation is very crucial and especially the safe donation. Statistics show that out of eighty million blood donors, only a third is form developing countries. C. It is the aim of WHO to triple the number of blood donors who are unpaid. This is because it is both safe and cheap. There are procedures that are undertaken when voluntary blood donations are being taken. Blood testing is compulsory to ensure only safe blood is given to patients. There are many diseases that could be passed through blood donatio0n like HIV/AIDS. There is an unceasing scarcity of blood all through the year in several parts of the country. However, in toting up, heightened scarcity occurs during summer months and the holiday period. The rate at which blood is donated blood donation drops significantly. A number of patients are perishing because of a lack of blood for transfusion. The good news is that there are millions of people who are saved from blood donations each day most of which are women and children from poor and rural countries (Brown et al 29). The process of blood donation is very simple. A volunteer must be over the age of sixteen to donate blood. He or she must also be over a hundred and fifty pounds and must be physically fit. A patient simply lies on their back and blood is removed from the upper hand and pumped into a plastic bag which is sterilized. This blood is then taken to the laboratory for testing of any pathogens. It is then stored in the blood

A Novel of Nature and Love Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

A Novel of Nature and Love - Personal Statement Example I suppose nature did not accept my ultimate presence on the scene forever and in no time a roaring sound of thunder rejected my proposal and the sky went black with it, bashing the windscreen of our car with heavy rain, thunder shook the whole mountainous range which made me think of my death (Sprague, 2005). We all in response to the shattering flood decided to pull over the side by the road. Unfortunately, not everyone on the road had the same decision of stopping by. As we pulled over, I heard a gaudy scratching of tires and shouts which passed our car and then bang. The driver had faced the music of his erroneous all rushed to the scene and found the eventual misery of nature (Anderson & Alison, 2004). The driver and the front seat passenger unfortunately by the will of God had flown to their final destinations, though children at the back seat were safe. I couldn’t stand the decision of nature and roll back to the car with mourn and grief. It was an unforgettable trip whe re joy drowned me into the positives of nature but as I seemed to forget the balance of nature, it made me taste the dip of its flipside too. I had visited this hill station before in winter too but now coming back here in summer again helped me realize its natural significance again with a different perspective. Whistling breezes, musical sounds of pine trees, carved attractive mountains, sunshine, frosting waterfall, cuddling of clouds, fearlessness of monkeys, colorful rainbows and elegant landscapes had taken my heart which helped me inhibiting natural positives to my memory but soon enough the thundering rain spoiled the whole attraction of hill stations and revealed the flipside of nature (Lawrence and O'Brien, 2000), I experienced the ultimate grief of humanity in the form of death. In the incident of accident and death, I forgot every joy of this trip what I saw, what I felt, what I touched, what I heard? Every inch of my dream and desirable memory got deleted within seconds . I asked my father to proofread my essay, his feedback encouraged me to submit this point of view essay for grading. He stated that the description is overwhelming, in contrast, were the first para explained the positive elements of nature than the other side of the picture. The essay used and explained all the rhetoric tools of writing. The event described follows consistency and transition in happening and occurrence according to the features specified. The storyline progresses as we move from one para to another as the journey and trip decision is made then with the car moving to the hill station, sceneries progress, cold breezes, sounds of pine trees, rain, mountainous landscapes, waterfalls, aqueducts floating water down the range, sunshine, clouds, rainfall, thunderstorm, heavy rain, scratching of tires, accident and consequences of accidents etc.

Concepts and Definitions of Mental Illness

Concepts and Definitions of Mental Illness INTRODUCTION The conceptualisation and definition of what is meant by the term ‘mental illness’ is not a straight forward task. This is because of two key reasons. Firstly, a given definition of mental illness will be significantly affected by the specific characteristics of the source of the definition. For example, a member of the general public would be likely to provide a definition which is significantly different from a person who worked within the legal profession. The perceptions of the member of the general public are likely to have been influenced by factors such as the media and their experiences involving people who are viewed as being mentally ill. In contrast, the legal profession would be influenced by the guidelines and recommendations set out by law (e.g. the Mental Health Act 1983 and subsequent amendments). The definition used within the health care profession is likely to differ again from these alternative approaches Such differences are likely to exist within th ese categories. For example, the definition used by a Psychiatrist may not be the same as that which is used by a General Practitioner. Therefore, whenever one is discussing ‘what is meant by mental illness’, it is important to note the significant impact which is made by the perspectives and experiences of those providing the definition. For the purposes of the following discussion, the definitions which are employed within the health care industry will be predominantly focussed upon but references will be made to the perceptions of other relevant groups. The second reason why the definition of ‘mental illness’ is not a simple one is because of the wide range of different symptoms, behaviours and personal characteristics which may be perceived as signs of mental illness. A person may be perceived as mentally ill if they claim to hear voices, experience prolonged episodes of depression, are addicted to drugs or even because they are extremely scared of spiders. These wide range of symptoms ensure that it is difficult to derive a definition of mental illness which encompasses all of the relevant aspects and issues. In terms of behaviours, a person who is going through a period of extreme optimism may be viewed as being a very positive person by some and as experiencing a manic episode by others. Therefore, it is difficult to clearly define the boundaries as to when behaviour moves into the realm of being a sign of mental illness. Finally, the personal characteristics of the person being observed are likely to influence whet her or not they are perceived as being mentally ill. For example, a young person who is forgetful may be viewed as simply having a poor memory. However, if an elderly person was to perform the same episodes of memory loss, they may be more likely to be viewed as suffering from the early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. Therefore, the definition of mental illness is made more difficult by the range of applicable symptoms, the problems associated with clearly defining boundaries and the effect of the personal characteristics of the person being observed. The following review will discuss these relevant issues and highlight the key elements of the debate regarding ‘What is Mental Illness?’ THE CONCEPT OF MENTAL ILLNESS This section will consider the statistical approach to mental illness along with the importance of social desirability. The roles played by cultural and societal factors in determining what is labelled as mental illness will then be discussed. Finally a theoretical definition of what is meant by mental illness will be provided. 2.1 THE STATISTICAL APPROACH TO MENTAL ILLNESS The more traditional approach to mental illness was based on the concept of how rare a given person’s characteristics, thoughts and behaviours were viewed as being. Somebody who is acting very differently and in a way which is rarely seen, had the potential to being perceived as mentally ill. For example, the extreme behaviour and actions performed by Adolf Hitler would lead many to claim that he was ‘insane’ However, This statistical approach to mental illness can be criticised in two ways. Firstly, the extreme behaviours of somebody like Picasso are viewed as talent and ability rather than as being a sign of mental illness. Rarity, it could be argued, is only relevant when it is combined with behaviour which is socially undesirable. The statistical approach can be criticised in a second way. There are certain categories of mental illness which are not that rare. For example, a significant number of people in the world suffer with depression. One could not argue that depression is not a mental illness merely based on the theory that there are too many people suffering with it. Thus the traditional statistical approach was shown to not be a comprehensive and appropriate conceptualisation of mental illness. 2.2 CULTURAL AND SOCIETAL FACTORS IN MENTAL ILLNESS Subsequent approaches to mental illness have focussed on the concept of ‘deviance’ (Maher 1966). This highlights the key role which is played by cultural and societal factors in determining what is labelled as mental illness. The case of homosexuality provides a good demonstration of this point. In previous centuries, performing homosexual acts was seen as a sign of mental illness by both society and the mental health profession. However, over subsequent years homosexuality has become a more accepted form of sexual behaviour. Although some people would still view it as a mental illness, a societal shift appears to have taken place relative to the historical treatment of homosexual people. Heather (1976) argues that there is a moral aspect to mental illness as well as the underlying medical condition. The case of homosexuality outlines this point of view and shows that the concept of mental illness is not a fixed one but rather has the capability to change over time. Szasz (1962) also supported this view and argued that mental illness is as ‘real’ as witch craft was in the past. It is the way in which society perceives mental illness which has a significant impact on what is actually labelled as mental illness. Other cultural aspects have a part to play. Cultural norms regarding a situation are important. For instance, undressing is an acceptable behaviour if one is just about to have a shower However, if one was to undress in the middle of the high street then it would not be seen as acceptable. Similarly there are developmental norms within given cultures. Temper tantrums are expected when a child is around two years of age. However, if the same behaviour was performed by a 30 year old then it is likely that this would be seen as unacceptable and potentially viewed as a sign of mental illness. This section has shown that cultural and societal factors have an important influence on what is seen as mental illness. A given behaviour i n one community may be acceptable but the exact same behaviour in a different community may be seen as a sign of mental illness. 2.3 DEFINING MENTAL ILLNESS Johoda’s (1958) Framework of mental illness will be outlined here as well as the importance of distress and consequences. CATEGORIES OF MENTAL ILLNESS This section of the review will outline three of the more prevalent categories of mental illness. This discussion will enable a more comprehensive understanding of what is meant by mental illness. Within each category, an example of a mental illness will be provided as a further illustration. The first category is Psychosis. A definition of psychosis will be given and the case of Schizophrenia will be discussed as an example. The second broad category to be considered is Substance Abuse.. The case of people being addicted to recreational drugs will be provided as a modern example. The third and final category is Depression. Bipolar Disorder will be discussed as another example of mental illness. For each of these examples, both the causes and different treatments will be briefly outlined. 3.1 PSYCHOSIS The first category of mental illness to be covered in this discussion is Psychosis. The term ‘psychosis’ has been defined as a range of symptoms that can be found within the diagnostic categories of Schizophreniform illness[1] (Gregory 1987). A variety of different experiences can be described as psychotic symptoms. They can be viewed as ‘highly convoluted expressions of everyday experiences (Beck Rector 2000). They include auditory hallucinations (e.g. the patient may hear a voice instructing them to perform certain behaviours), disturbing thoughts (e.g. the patient may become paranoid that they are being targeted by someone) or a distressing inability to distinguish what is ‘reality’. Combinations of these psychotic symptoms are associated with different forms of psychosis, including both Acute and Chronic Schizophrenia. The mental illness which is labelled as ‘Schizophrenia’ will now be outlined in more detail. The symptoms associated with this illness will be outlined along with the different possible causes and treatments. 3.1.1 SCHIZOPHRENIA The term Schizophrenia was first used by Bleuler (1911). It was intended to mean ‘Split Mind’ or ‘Divided Self’. Clare (1976) stated that a person can be said to be suffering from Schizophrenia if they have at least one of the ‘first rank’ symptoms, outlined below, and do not suffer from a diagnosed brain disease. The ‘First Rank’ Schizophrenic symptoms were outlined by Schneider (1959). They are: Passivity experiences and thought disturbances Auditory hallucinations in the third person Primary delusions or false beliefs The potential consequences for a person suffering with Schizophrenia are both serious and wide ranging. One of the most significant problems can be social exclusion. This has the potential to cause great distress on the part of the patient and may lead to a relapse and or increase in their psychotic symptoms. Therefore it is an important issue to consider and one which needs to be carefully addressed by the mental health nurse. 3.1.2 CAUSES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA Information regarding the different causes of Schizophrenia will be added here. 3.1.3 TREATMENTS Many different approaches to the treatment of Schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms have been taken over the past fifty years. These have ranged from Neuroleptic medication and Electro-Convulsive Therapy through to Social Support and Family Therapy. The 1960s witnessed the introduction of Phenothiazine as a medication for treating psychotic symptoms (Fenton 2000). Subsequent research evaluating a purely drug-BASED approached suggested that it may be somewhat limited. For example, research has revealed that between 25 and 50% of patients ON medication still experience persistent psychotic symptoms (Garety et al 2000). Furthermore, even when the patients strictly adhere to their medication regime, they still can experience difficulties (Hogarty Ulrich 1998). Other research has supported the view that patients suffering from psychotic symptoms who are on medication still experience residual symptoms as well as social disabilities such as having difficulty with interpersonal skills (Sand ford Gournay 1996). Such social disabilities can negatively effect the patient’s ability to socially interact and to form relationships. This in turn may help to reinforce the stereotypes that people have regarding the mentally ill and hence contribute to the stigmatisation which they have to suffer. Other alternative and supplementary approaches to the treatment of psychotic symptoms have been offered. For instance, based upon Social Learning Theory, Social Skills Training was developed. This involves training and re-training the motor and interpersonal skills of the patient. However, evaluations of this approach have suggested that any positive effects were short term and that rather than dealing with the psychotic symptoms Social Skills Training merely allows the patient to disguise them and to avoid talking about them (Bradshaw 1995). It may be the case that such training needs to be provided via the mental health nurse and this could be one way in which they could help a patient who is suffering from Schizophrenia. Other treatments based on a psychodynamic approach have also been tested and evaluated in terms of their effectiveness and efficacy for the treatment of psychotic symptoms. It was found that there was no significant effect (Malmberg Fenton 2002). However, other s imilar research suggested that approaches which emphasise problem-solving seem to be more effective than those which simply focused on analysis (Fenton 2000). Such findings have led people to advocate the psychological management of psychotic symptoms whilst also emphasising the possible role that could be played by the mental health nurse in addressing problems which are not effectively overcome by the treatments which are presently given for Schizophrenia. 3.2 SUBSTANCE ABUSE Another major area of mental illness concerns addiction. It has been included here as it is not generally perceived as being a mental illness by the public although it is included within the DSM-IV classification framework. Humans can become addicted to a wide range of different stimuli from gambling and sexual behaviour through to drugs and alcohol consumption. As a result of the prevalence of such addictions, and the potentially serious consequences for the sufferer, the topic of addiction has attracted a considerable amount of research projects and theories from a variety of different theoretical perspectives. The case of people being addicted to recreational drugs will now be provided as an example which is of particular relevant to the modern debates within this field. 3.2.1 ADDICTION TO RECREATIONAL DRUG USE The system within the brain which is activated by the consumption of water and food, as well as during sexual activity, can also respond to the taking of drugs. This is associated with an increase in the release of dopamine from the nucleus accumbens within the brain. This effect has been seen with amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, PCP, opiates and cannabis. Recreational drugs are primarily taken by individuals because of the feelings of euphoria, alterations in sensory perception or to experience an increase in their perceived mental or physical abilities. The issue of recreational drug use has seen a significant amount of coverage within the UK media over the last decade. Through a combination of the prevalence of recreational drug use, the reporting of drug-related deaths and the Government’s deliberations over the relevant legal considerations, a growing interest in the topic has been facilitated. The Government and researchers in the field are working to gain an understand ing of the drugs which are being used, who is using them, how addictive behaviour can develop and what interventions can be taken in order to ensure the safety of those at risk. Research has been conducted which has attempted to quantify the extent to which recreational drugs are used within the United Kingdom. For instance, Wadsworth et al (2004a) conducted a postal survey which revealed that 12% of the respondents had taken elicit recreational drugs within the last year and 7% had done so within the last month. For respondents under the age of 25, it was found that 34% reported having taken recreational drugs in the last year and 19% in the last month. It appears that these figures are increasing and that they have been increasing for a number of years. Bauman Phongsavan (1999) performed a review of the epidemiology of drug use and found that it had been steadily increasing since 1990. They also note, however, that it is difficult to collect accurate data regarding the true extent of recreational drug use as people may be reluctant to admit using drugs and to report the amount that they usually take. 3.22 CAUSES OF ADDICTION An addiction involves a person having a compulsion to take a given substance or perform a specific behaviour. They also have an inability, or find it very difficult to limit their in-take of the substance or to control their performance of the given behaviour. Explanations for the development of an addiction have been proposed from a number of different theoretical perspectives. Some of the more prominent approaches will now be outlined. The biological approach, often cited as ‘the disease model’, suggests that a person has a pre-disposition to becoming addicted to a specific stimuli. This does not necessarily mean that they will become addicted, just that they are vulnerable to it and that the onset of any addiction may occur more easily or rapidly. The Genetic approach suggests that people may inherit addictions from their parents through their genetic make-up. Therefore, the children of a person who is addicted to a specific stimuli are said to be more vulnerable to becoming addicted to that stimuli than would normally be expected. The Sociological perspective emphasises the role played by societal factors in the development of addictions among its members. For instance, within a society which creates a stressful environment, high levels of conflict and which allows significant advertising of products to which people may become addicted, more people with addictions may exist relative to another less s tressful society with lower levels of conflict and advertising. Other explanations have been offered which are fundamentally based on psychological principles. It is these approaches which are being proposed as most appropriate for understanding recreational drug addiction. This approach is fundamentally based on the assumption that human behaviour is learned. Such learning is said to be shaped by positive and negative reinforcements which are associated with performing the behaviour. A negative reinforcement may come in the form of information regarding recreational drugs. Such information may be provided by family members, a friend, the media or through the education system. Through emphasising the potential health-related consequences of recreational drug use, the likelihood of an individual taking recreational drugs should be reduced. Negative reinforcement could also occur through an individual experiencing or witnessing an unpleasant event regarding drugs and involving themselves or their friends. Positive reinforcement regarding recreational drug taking could also be provided by an individual’s friends. It could also occur through witnessing other people taking recreational drugs and focussing on the positive consequences of such behaviour. Perhaps the most powerful positive reinforcement, however, occurs when an individual takes recreational drugs and experiences positive feelings as a result. These positive feelings are likely to go beyond the actual physical reaction to include potential factors such as the individual’s acceptance into a social group or scene and a significant rise in their reputation. All of these positive reinforcements are likely to combine, to varying degrees, to encourage the individual to repeat the recreational drug taking behaviour in the future. The addiction can begin when they become tolerant to such positive feelings. This psychopharmacological approach suggests that this tolerance takes two forms. Firstly, the individual can become Contingency Tolerant This relates to their behaviour after the stimuli and it is this which they become tolerant of rather than the stimuli itself. Therefore, to continue with the recreational drug-taking example, the individual may become tolerant of the positive feeling experienced when taking a drug and hence they go in search of a larger effect by taking more of the same drug or by experimenting with other substances. The second form of tolerance is Conditioned Tolerance This relates to the environment in which the behaviour is performed. The drug taker may experience a positive response when they walk into a night club or to a friends house where drugs are usually taken. It is suggested that the individual with the addiction can become conditioned to consuming the given substance or performing the specific behaviour when in a given environment or situation. 3.3 MOOD DISORDERS The two major conditions which are included within this category of mental illness are Depression and Bipolar Disorder. They are both amongst the more common forms of mental illness. As an example of this kind of mental illness, the case of Bipolar Disorder will now be outlined in more detail. 3.3.1 BIPOLAR DISORDER Bipolar Disorder is a form of psychotic illness which involves the patient experiencing episodes of mania and depression. The periods of mania may involve the patient being in extremely high spirits and exhibiting high levels of optimism. In contrast, depression may witness the patient feeling very low and even suicidal. These extreme moods will be separated by times in which the patient is in a ‘normal’ mood. This cyclical pattern of moods can become more rapid over time (Goodwin Jamison 1990). A distinction can be drawn between two forms of the disorder. Bipolar Disorder 1 is the classic form in which the patient experiences recurrent episodes of mania and depression. Bipolar Disorder 2 involves milder episodes of hypomania and depression. If the patient is witnessed to go through four or more episodes in a year then they can be categorised as suffering from Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder. It has been estimated that around 1% of people who are over the age of 18 can suffer with Bipolar Disorder in any one year (Regier et al 1993). As a result of the prevalence of this illness, combined with the potential for it leading to suicide (Brent et al 1993), research has been conducted in order to gain an understanding of the causes and the most effective treatments for Bipolar Disorder. This field of investigation has attracted theorists and researchers from a psychological and sociological perspective. This move has been facilitated by the findings of research which has demonstrated that the traditional approach of medication may not address all of the relevant issues. For example, Ameen Ram (2001) suggest that only 60% of patients respond to Lithium and other Anti-Convulsion medication. Furthermore, they also suggest that just 40% of sufferers remain without relapse for three years after initial treatment despite adhering to their medication regime. Such statistics have ser ved to highlight the potential role that could be played by people working from a psychological and/or sociological perspective. The following discussion will now consider and critically review these perspectives with reference to the causes and then the treatment of Bipolar Disorder. 3.3.2 CAUSES OF BIPOLAR DISORDER A significant amount of research has been conducted to investigate the underlying causes of Bipolar Disorder. The role played by genetics and biological factors does appear to be a significant one. Research has demonstrated that one identical twin can suffer with Bipolar Disorder where as the other identical twin may not. However, they are significantly more likely to suffer with the illness relative to another sibling (Genetics Workgroup 1998). Therefore genetics seem to have a significant impact but it is not the only potential contributory factor. Other psychological and sociological factors have been offered as possible explanations for the development of Bipolar Disorder. These will now be discussed with reference to three key areas, the individual, their family and environmental factors. The psychological perspective would highlight the potential causal factors which relate to the individual sufferer themselves. Factors such as substance abuse and alcoholism have been linked with Bipolar Disorder (Winokur et al 1996). A number of psychological issues could under-pin such behaviour and these need to be addressed if a comprehensive understanding of Bipolar Disorder is to be gained. For example, the individual may not be equipped with sufficient coping skills or an ability to manage stress which in turn leads to their use of alcohol or drugs which then contributes to their Bipolar Disorder. The psychological perspective emphasises the influence of factors relating to the individual’s characteristics which cause or contribute to their illness. The second key area which relates to the psychosocial perspective is the family. The interactions between family members during a person’s developmental years appears to have a significant impact on the onset of Bipolar Disorder. Research has been conducted which has assessed what sufferers of Bipolar Disorder view as the main causes of their illness. Lish et al (1994) found that sufferers believe that their illness started in their childhood. The way in which parents act towards a child in forming their behavioural patterns is an important consideration. This is of particular importance when the parents themselves suffer with Bipolar Disorder (Grigoroiu-Serbanescu et al 1989). The child will observe the behaviour of their parents and this in turn will play a significant part in developing their behaviour in given situations. The learning of social skills and the interactions which take place within the family are viewed by those from a psychosocial perspective to be an import ant consideration in understanding the causes of Bipolar Disorder. As well as family related issues, general environmental factors are also advocated by the psychosocial perspective as a cause of Bipolar Disorder (Pike Plomin 1996). The social environment in which an individual lives and the events which they experience may contribute to the development of their illness. The social support which a person has when they are first experiencing a manic or depressive mood can significantly impact the course of the mood and potentially facilitate the development of a more serious problem. Furthermore, the general lifestyle of the individual, and the social settings which this puts them in, will be another influencing factor. If they live or work in an environment which facilitates significant high and low periods then this could facilitate the onset of a psychotic symptom. Therefore, if an individual lives in an environment which encourages alcoholism, provides no real social support and incurs significant episodes of highs and lows, then the environment may lead to them suffering with Bipolar Disorder. Thus far the discussion has demonstrated that those coming from a psychosocial perspective would argue that individual, family and environmental factors all have a part to play in causing, and contributing to, Bipolar Disorder. The empirical evidence, however, for such assertions is somewhat limited and hence the argument exists mainly from a theoretical perspective. It is difficult to conduct experiments which control for all of the potentially confounding variables and because of the relevant ethical considerations involved. Research generally focuses on people with Bipolar Disorder and tries to identify the causes of their illness. Having said this, the relevant research which has taken place involving identical twins would lead one to conclude that psychological and sociological factors do merit consideration when assessing the onset of Bipolar Disorder. The remainder of this discussion will now address the treatment of Bipolar Disorder from a psychosocial perspective. Again the categories of the individual, the family and the environment will be used to structure the discussion. 3.3.3 TREATMENT OF BIPOLAR DISORDER Although Bipolar Disorder is a serious illness, it can be successfully treated (Sachs et al 2000). Due to the fact that the traditional medication-based approaches have significant side-effects (Vainionpaa et al 1999), and because they are not always fully effective, psychosocial treatments have been proposed. These approaches will now be discussed with reference to individual, family and environmental methods as these were the areas addressed in terms of the causes of Bipolar Disorder. Fundamentally based on psychological principles, therapy has been offered as a possible treatment for Bipolar Disorder. For example, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been used to treat mild episodes of depression and post-manic dysphoria (Leahy Beck 1988). This approach aims to foster an improvement in the patient’s coping skills, self control technique and on their ability to manage stress. Also the patient can be taught useful strategies such as combining the taking of medication with a routine task. In evaluating this approach Satterfield (1999) used an empirical case study to demonstrate that it can enhance the treatment of rapid cycling. Therefore, CBT is a possible approach for treating the individual factors associated with Bipolar Disorder. An alternative individual approach comes from the psychodynamic perspective. It focuses on abandonment fears, repressed rage, manic defences and the need for engagement through the testing of limits. Limited evaluations of this approach have been made. Early research indicated that there are some long term benefits (Scott 1963). However, this research only used a small sample and hence the extent to which these findings can be generalised is questionable. Much of the research in this area involves single case studies (Kestenbaum Kron 1987). Therefore this approach is predominantly supported by theory rather than sound scientific research. Therefore therapy based on a psychological perspective has been advocated as a method by which individual factors can be addressed. Indeed the Expert Consensus Guideline Series (1996) recommended the use of psychotherapy alongside medication so that a more comprehensive treatment programme can be achieved. Conflict within the family can result from the patient’s desire for the situation to ‘go back to normal’ after an episode, their dependency on a family member for medication and because the family become concerned at the first signs of anger or sadness. Such conflicts can be addressed with therapeutic programmes like that which is proposed by Miklowitz Goldstein (1990). Family Focussed Therapy (FFT) involves assessing and educating the family as well as providing training in communication and problem-solving skills. Evaluations of this approach for treating Bipolar Disorder have shown that it significantly reduces relapse rates whilst improving communication (Miklowitz et al 2000). A key element of approaches within this field is education. Information and hence improved knowledge can help to enhance the patient’s illness management skills. Spouses, other family members and care-givers all need to be involved within this process. Honig et al (1997) found t hat a psycho-educational family approach can reduce relapse rates, increase social support and significantly improve a family’s expression of their emotions. Therefore Family Therapy can be used to help address some of the causes of manic and depressive episodes whilst also improving the family’s ability to cope with them if and when they do occur. The third and final area of treatments of Bipolar Disorder from a psychosocial perspective concerns environmental factors. By manipulating the environment, it should be possible to both reduce the number of manic or depressive episodes whilst also reducing the negative consequences of them should they happen. For example, Frank et al (2000) proposed Social Rhythms Training. This aims to stabilise a patient’s social rhythms, such as sleeping patterns, and their patterns of behaviour. It also aims to identify the factors which disrupt a person’s social rhythms. Similarly, Wehr et al (1998) advocates the creation of an environment which facilitates regular and healthy sleepi