Erythropoietin Essay Essays - Hematopoiesis, Growth Factors

Erythropoietin Essay Introduction. Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein that is produced primarily in the kidneys in adults and, to a lesser extent, in the liver. It behaves like a hormone, regulating the level of erythropoiesis, and keeping the RBC count within a narrow range It is used widely in medicine as a treatment for a number of serious illnesses, ranging from types of anaemia, to the treatment of certain types of cancer, and also in the battle against AIDS. Unfortunately certain athletes, who will do anything to win, have realised its ergogenic benefits, and also the severity of its misuse. Regulation of Erythropoietin Production. In the kidneys, erythropoietin is produced in fibroblastoid interstitial cells in the inner renal cortex, while in the liver, the hormone is produced by both hepatocytes and interstitial fibroblastoid cells. Although a variety of growth factors influence erythroid progenitor cell proliferation, erythropoietin is the most important, and erythropoiesis cannot continue in its absence. Among the haematopoietic growth factors, erythropoietin is one of few that behaves like a hormone. It is unique because its production, under normal circumstances, is controlled solely at the level of its gene, by tissue hypoxia and not by the absolute number of circulating erythrocytes. Hypoxia is the sole physiologic stimulus for erythropoietin production, and an excess of oxygen suppresses its production but never completely. Some facts about EPO. (Birchard K, Lancet 1998; 352: 42.) ? Neither age nor gender influences the plasma erythropoietin level, ? Plasma erythropoietin is constant in a given individual, ? Erythropoietin production is regulated at the level of its gene, ? Hypoxia is the only physiologic stimulus for erythropoietin production, ? There are no pre-formed stores of erythropoietin, ? There is only one form of circulating erythropoietin Following production in the kidneys and liver, erythropoietin travels to the bone marrow to interact with specific haematopoietic progenitor cells where it maintains RBC production. What evidence is there that people take erythropoietin? There are two current tests for EPO abuse. Prior to these however was a Haematocrit count. If the count was too high then the athlete in question would not be allowed to compete, but there would be no ban, as the test didnt actually prove that they were taking an illegal substance. The first of the current tests is to check the urine for recombinant EPO (an artificial type made by drug companies). This can easily be overcome by stopping the administration of EPO two or three weeks prior to competition. This way, the high levels of EPO will be out of the system, yet the large benefits of it will last for a number of months. The other test is a blood test. EPO injections produce high quantities of immature RBCs in the blood, but again this can be over come by knowing how long it takes the immature cells to mature and stopping the injections enough in advance of the competition. The way around this is obviously random testing out with the events, but this is not always viable. What is the rationale that leads people to take it? Athletes use erythropoietin to stimulate erythropoiesis, Until now, detection was a problem because erythropoietin is normally found in urine, and blood-sample analyses indicate only that erythropoiesis had been stimulated, not that drug use is to blame. EPO regulates erythropoiesis, keeping the packed-cell volume within a narrow range. Muscles of elite athletes need a lot of oxygen. A higher packed-cell volume can be achieved by injecting EPO. A higher packed-cell volume increases delivery of oxygen to tissues and enhances performance during competitions that require stamina, such as long-distance cycling and cross-country skiing. Theoretically, a person could continue indefinitely to increase his/her work rate and remain in an aerobic state as long as the blood can continue to supply sufficient oxygen to the increasingly worked muscles. A greater blood volume increases the amount of blood returning to the heart and therefore will allow a greater amount to be pumped out each heart beat, allowing the heart to pump more blood without increasing the heart rate. This is known as the Frank-Starling mechanism. Red blood cells are an important acid buffer as well. With more blood cells you should be able to buffer more lactic acid. This means that EPO use may boost both the aerobic

Free Essays on Wow

The Harlem Renaissance, a flowering of literature (and to a lesser extent other arts) in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s, has long been considered by many to be the high point in African American writing. It probably had its foundation in the works of W.E. B. Du Bois, influential editor of The Crisis from 1910 to 1934; DuBois believed that an educated Black elite should lead Blacks to liberation. He further believed that his people could not achieve social equality by emulating white ideals; that equality could be achieved only by teaching Black racial pride with an emphasis on an African cultural heritage. Although the Renaissance was not a school, nor did the writers associated with it share a common purpose, nevertheless they had a common bond: they dealt with Black life from a Black perspective. Among the major writers who are usually viewed as part of the Harlem Renaissance are Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Rudolph Fisher, James Weldon Johnson, and Jean Toomer. While the Renaissance is often thought of as solely a literary movement, some historians of the period also include artists and musicians. Major Book Sources Because of its importance in the historical development of African American literature, the Harlem Renaissance has been the subject of a number of excellent books. Bontemps, Arna. The Harlem Renaissance Remembered. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1972. Special Collections PS153.N5B63 Huggins, Nathan I. Harlem Renaissance. New York: Oxford, 1971. Doheny Stacks; Leavey; Special Collections NX512.3.N5H8 -. Voices From the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Oxford, 1976. Doheny Stacks PS509.N4V6 Kellner, Bruce. Harlem Renaissance: A Historical Dictionary for the Era. New York: Methuen, 1987. Doheny Stacks NX511.N4H37 Porter, James A. Modern Negro Art. New York: Arno Press... Free Essays on Wow Free Essays on Wow The Harlem Renaissance, a flowering of literature (and to a lesser extent other arts) in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s, has long been considered by many to be the high point in African American writing. It probably had its foundation in the works of W.E. B. Du Bois, influential editor of The Crisis from 1910 to 1934; DuBois believed that an educated Black elite should lead Blacks to liberation. He further believed that his people could not achieve social equality by emulating white ideals; that equality could be achieved only by teaching Black racial pride with an emphasis on an African cultural heritage. Although the Renaissance was not a school, nor did the writers associated with it share a common purpose, nevertheless they had a common bond: they dealt with Black life from a Black perspective. Among the major writers who are usually viewed as part of the Harlem Renaissance are Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Rudolph Fisher, James Weldon Johnson, and Jean Toomer. While the Renaissance is often thought of as solely a literary movement, some historians of the period also include artists and musicians. Major Book Sources Because of its importance in the historical development of African American literature, the Harlem Renaissance has been the subject of a number of excellent books. Bontemps, Arna. The Harlem Renaissance Remembered. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1972. Special Collections PS153.N5B63 Huggins, Nathan I. Harlem Renaissance. New York: Oxford, 1971. Doheny Stacks; Leavey; Special Collections NX512.3.N5H8 -. Voices From the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Oxford, 1976. Doheny Stacks PS509.N4V6 Kellner, Bruce. Harlem Renaissance: A Historical Dictionary for the Era. New York: Methuen, 1987. Doheny Stacks NX511.N4H37 Porter, James A. Modern Negro Art. New York: Arno Press...

Abraham Lincoln, Charleston Debate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Abraham Lincoln, Charleston Debate - Essay Example From the excerpt, Lincoln desists from encouraging equality in the country. In fact, he supports that fact that races are not equal, and the white race should reign supreme. In essence, Lincoln says that equality cannot be attained without upsetting the social balance, which could have more adverse effects. He asserts that the ethnic differences between whites and black is enough hindrance for these people not to be equal. Lincoln argues that a stable society must have people to take up superior places and others to take inferior places. He claims that although Negroes cannot be denied everything, they should not take up leadership positions and reign over the white people (â€Å"Fourth Joint Debate at Charleston† para. 2). Despite his stance on race and equality, Lincoln is opposed to the expansion of slavery in the country. The northwestern states had abolished slavery and were agitating for abolishment of slavery throughout the country. Lincoln argued that although Negroes could not have equal rights, it was improper to discriminate them when the constitution had granted their citizenship (Lincoln n.p). The debate in the excerpt closely resembles current political rhetoric. Lincoln and Douglas used the ethos, pathos and logos to attract support from the electorate. The use of rhetoric in the then politics and today’s politics was to humiliate the opponents and pose them as against the people. In the excerpt, Lincoln uses rhetoric to attack Douglas on the issue of slavery and how he altered the law to allow Kansas choose the fate of slaves in the state (â€Å"Fourth Joint Debate at Charleston† para. 3). The rhetoric in the debate is manifest in today’s politics where politicians use issues of concern to the electorate to attack opponents. Political rhetoric in 1858 concentrated on finding fault in the system and proposing the way forward. Lincoln attacked Douglas as a person who could not be trusted because he had changed the contents of a

Sociopolitical Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sociopolitical Paper - Essay Example vel will require to use a lot of time and resources in studying the pros and cons of the car and even more time in changing the existing road safety laws and having to formulate new ones on manufacturing, production as well as distribution. This will lead to political implications both negative and positive. The automotive industry owners will also need to get new manufacturing equipment, seek scientists and software technocrats to install the technology or use billions in purchasing the technology from Google with the returns not being felt for several more years. The first users have to incur the high cost of production through the high price of the vehicles. The impacts are acceptable. The future stakeholders are the consumers and the automotive industries that have to bear and meet the high costs of production as well as the laws changing. However, even though the initial costs may be high, the returns in the long run will be worth it with the numerous benefits these cars are promising to bring to the human generation. The government is bound to adopt the technology because in the long it will save lives and billions of dollars in road repairs and other infrastructure that are constantly damaged by road accidents, it will save on money used when drivers are arrested and charged for traffic violation among offences in relation to cars and roads. The consumers will adopt as it will save on insurance money, expenses of car repair and traffic violation as well as letting people text while still driving. When people adopt the technology and view its advantages, the other stakeholders will benefit in increased profit through mass production due to high demand. The engineers are concerned with making the car as safe as possible as their main aim is to reduce the human loss and health problem brought about by accidents. The engineers are therefore concerned with adding as many safety features as possible while at the same time ensuring the cost will not be too much

Fire Protection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fire Protection - Essay Example Even if is not the primary extinguishing agent, it may be found combined with other agents such as foam or may be used extensively for cooling containers in liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fires. It is essential that every fire fighter understand the behaviour of water in difference circumstances. Most of the motions that we find on earth involve friction. Friction is a force which occurs when two surfaces rub against one another. If you roll a ball slowly across the floor, the ball's speed decreases and eventually it stops. It stops because the friction between the ball and the floor pushes against the ball and reduces its motion. When you rub your hands together, you feel the resistance due to friction. By rubbing your hands together, you are doing work. The result of this work is the heat produced. Water when pure is colourless, odourless, and liquid with a molecular composition to two atoms of hydrogen combined with one atom of oxygen. A liter of water has a mass of 1 kilogram (1 kg), corresponding to a downward force of 9.81 newtons (N). A cubic meter of water exerts a downward force of 9810 N, or 9.81 kilonewtons (kN). This is more commonly reckoned as 10 kN. The mass of water varies with the degree of purity. Ordinary sea water 'weighs' approximately 10.0 newtons per liter (N/litres). Pure water has a freezing point of 0... It is virtually incompressible, and an increase of 1 bar only causes a decrease in volume of 0.000 002 per cent. As a fluid, water has volume but is incapable of resisting change of shape, i.e. when poured into a container it will adjust itself irrespective of the shaper of the latter, and will come to rest with a level surface. This is because there is very little friction or cohesion between the individual molecules of which water is composed. 2. PrincipalCharacteristicsofPressure There are six basic rules governing the principal characteristics of pressure in liquids. These are: a. Pressure is perpendicular to any surface on which it acts If a vessel having flat sides contains water, and that water has attained a position of rest, then the pressure on all sides of the vessel due to the weight is perpendicular to those sides, as shown by the direction of the arrows. b. Pressure at any point of a fluid at rest is of the same intensity in all directions In a line of piping or hose, two pressure gauges are inserted. If the water is at rest because a valve or hand-controlled branch has been shut down, the pressure gauges will register identical readings showing that the pressure at any point of a fluid at rest is the same in all directions. c. Pressure applied from outside to a fluid contained in a vessel is transmitted in al directions A hollow sphere with pressure gauges around the circumference has been filled with water, and pressure is applied. All the gauges will show the same pressure reading, providing that when pressure is applied to a fluid in a confined space, that pressure is transmitted equally in all directions. d. Downward pressure of a fluid in an open vessel is proportional to its depth If there are three

Child Labor in the 19th Century

Child Labor in the 19th Century The Industrial Revolution, one of the mainly crucial periods of change in Great Britain, occurred because of the stable political, social, and economic, stance of the country, as well as brought lasting effects in Britain in each of these areas. With its rapid growing monopoly on ocean trade, its renewed interest in scientific invention, and its system of national banks holding tight to its financial security, Britain was, at the time of the Industrial Revolution, ready for change. It was the great historical era we call the Industrial Revolution which would forever revolutionize city life, social class structure, the power of the British nation amongst others of the world, the fabrication of machinery, and the power of the economy of Britain. Because of the Industrial Revolution, never again would the British have to suffer the results of no changes concerning the inequalities of the working world, nor doubt the power of their country, yet come to view the word technology in a compl etely new way. Throughout the early 19th century, the Industrial Revolution extend hugely all over Britain. The use of new Technology such as steam-powered machines, led to an massive raise in the number of factories particularly in textile factories or what is called mills. Samuel Greg who owned the large Quarry Bank Mill was one of the first factory owner to use the new technology . With the increase of those factories, families began to move from the countryside into towns searching for better life and better paid work. The incomes that a farm worker was getting ,were very low, were not enough to feed his family and there were less jobs working on farms because of the of new machines such as threshers and other inventions. Also thousands of new workers were needed to work machines in mills and the factory owners built houses for them. Cities packed to overflowing and Manchester was mainly bad. To conquer this labour shortage factory owners had to find other ways of obtaining workers. One key to the problem was to get children from orphanages and workhouses. These children became known as pauper apprentices. This involved them signing contracts that nearly made them the property of the factory owner. even Many families were unwilling to let their children to work in these new textile factories. Children of poor and working-class families had worked for centuries before industrialization assisting around the house or helping in the familys enterprise when they were capable. The practice of placing children to work was first documented in the Medieval period when fathers had their children roll thread for them to weave on the loom. Children did a range of tasks that were auxiliary to their parents but critical to the family economy. The familys household needs determined the familys supply of labor and the interdependence of work and residence, of subsidence requirements, family relationships constituted the family economy', and household labor needs. Body: Britain became the first country to industrialize. And for that reason, it was also the first country where childrens nature in work changed so radically at a point child labor was seen as a leading political issue and a social problem. One of those first factory owners that used the system (pauper apprentices) was Samuel Greg who had the huge Quarry Bank Mill . Greg had complexity finding sufficient people to work for him. Manchester was a bit far, by eleven miles away and local villages were extremely small. The workers that have been imported needed cottages, and these cost about  £100 each. By 1810 Greg became certain that the best solution to the labour problem was to build an Apprentice House near the Quarry Bank mill and to obtain children from workhouses. The building for the apprentices cost  £200 and provided living accommodation for over 90 children. The first children to be brought to the Apprentice house came from local parishes like Macclesfield and Wilmslow, however, later he went as far as London and Liverpool to look for these young workers. To give confidence to the factory owners to take workhouse children, people like Greg were rewarded between  £2 and  £4 for each child they employed. Greg also demanded that the children were sent to him with two shifts, two pairs of stockings and two aprons. The 90 children (30 boys and 60 girls) made up 50% of the total labor force. The children received their lodging and board, and two pence every week. The younger children worked as scavengers and piecers, but after a two years, they were permitted to become involved in spinning and carding. Some of the more older boys became skilled mechanics. John Kay published The Moral and Physical Conditions of the working Classes in 1832, Engels wrote his well-known The Condition of the Working Class in England in 1844 based on the plight of the Manchester underclass, and in 1842 Edwin Chadwick published his Report on the Sanitary Conditions of the Labouring Population. Official paupership figures for the Township of Manchester were the highest in Britain higher even than in Londons east end. Children faced a huge change as they observed working in textile mill was completely different from working at home. In the textile mill, Children worked from Monday to Saturday, beginning work from six in the morning and finishing at seven in the evening, with only one hour break for lunch between twelve and one. If children were late because of the work they were fined. If children fell asleep or made just a mistake on the job they were beaten. Childrens income were very low, sometimes just a few pence for working sixty hours in a week, there were rules and regulations. Children workers must arrive at the mill by certain time. Lateness was punishable with a fine. Everybody worked a number of hours and no-one was allowed to leave before a certain time. All this was a new experience for children, even where they lived. The circumstances they used to live in were awful, the apprentice House jerry built, without control or regulation of any kindthere was even less water and services, and no effort to give privacy of any kind. Children worked in shifts and shared beds. Nine or ten children were sharing one bedroom, and al thosel ninety children shared the three toilets. It was moist there were no double brick walls, and no damp-proof courses. Rain leeched between the walls, and even in summers, damp rose up the walls. The only break from damp was the building of cellars to contain it. However, these cellars unavoidably became dwellings for subtenants. Even the conditions at the Mill working environment were horrible; it was built on a massive open plan scale so that the foremen could see every single child worker. If they thought that workers werent working hard enough or absent they were punished. The rules for working in the mill were posted on walls but that was not enough as most of the children workers were not educated and could not read them. Child workers had no rights and sometimes missed their dinner breaks because the foreman ordered them to keep on working. Children who worked long hours became very exhausted and found it hard to maintain the rapidity required by the superiors. Children were usually beat with a strap to make them work quicker. Some were dipped head first into the water reservoir if they became sleepy. Children were also punished for arriving late for work and for chatting to the other children. Parish apprentices who ran away from the factory were in danger of being sent to jail. Children who were cons idered potential runaways were located in irons. One of the main complaints made by factory reformers concerned the state of the building that they children were forced to work in. A statement published in July 1833 confirmed that Quarry Bank Mill was ill-drained, no conveniences, low-roofed, dirty;; ill-ventilated;; for dressing or washing; no contrivance for carrying off dust and additional effluvia. Robert Southey (1774-1843), the poet and historian, arrived in Manchester in 1808, pretending to be a Spanish traveller. He was given a guided tour at Quarry Bank mill and saw sights which makes me thank God I am not an Englishman. While his guide was praising the principles of child labour, Southey was looking at the unnatural dexterity with which the fingers of these little creatures were playing in the machinery, and when his guide told him that the mill worked twenty four hours a day, Southey concluded that if Dante had inhabited one of his hells with children, here was a scene worthy to have supplied him with new images of torment. Until the Factory Act of 1833, the factories were free to decide on the working hours. The laborers usually worked for more than twelve hours without breaks. Consequently, child laborers suffered lack of sleep and were more vulnerable to mistakes and injuries. Matthew Crabtree was one of the forty-eight people whom the Sadler Committee interviewed in the year of 1832. According to the Sadler Report that catalyzed the Factory Act of 1833, Crabtree had worked in a factory from the age of eight. He had worked sixteen hours a day, from five a.m. to nine p.m. He usually went to sleep immediately after supper, and was woken up by his parents every morning. According to Crabtree, he was very severely and most commonly beaten whenever he was late to work. The fear of being beaten, said Crabtree, was sufficient impulse to keep up with his work despite his drowsiness. a few child laborers were from deprived working families who could not afford to feed themselves without the children contributing financially. Even with the childrens income, the majority of families were hardly capable to sustain themselves. in addition, the child laborers regularly complained about the quality of food given in the place of work. Some testified before the Parliament that they could not eat the meager meal they were given because of exhaustion and pollution. The photographs of childhood workers testify malnutrition and abuse. Child laborers have smaller build than their wealthier peers, yet the wrinkled faces covered with soot block the viewer from accurately concluding the childrens age. The child workers were under the supervision of strangers factory managers who were employed by the factory owners. Also, the work did not require much finesse, and there were many unemployed children willing to substitute the workers place. Consequently, the factory managers did not carry the responsibility of the welfare of the workers; they were simply paid to ensure that the factory is operated smoothly. As we can convey from the above text the treatment of children in the factories was often cruel and extreme. The childrens safety was generally neglected and it did prove fatal on numerous occasions. The youngest children, around the age of eight, were not old enough to activate the machines and were commonly sent to be assistants to adult main workers. The people in charge of the factorys whereabouts would beat and verbally abuse the children, and take little consideration for the workers safety. Girls could not be the exception to beatings and other harsh forms of pain infliction; children were dipped head first into the water cistern if they became drowsy. The girls were also vulnerable to sexual harassment. Trivial mistakes due to lack of sleep resulted in serious injuries or mutilation. The Sadler Report commissioned by the House of Commons in 1832 said that: there are factories, no means few in number, nor confined to the smaller mills, in which serious accidents are continually occurring, and in which, notwithstanding, dangerous parts of the machinery are allowed to remain unfenced. The workers were in most cases abandoned from the moment of the accident with no wages, no medical attendance, and no monetary compensation. The regulation was harsh and the punishment inhumane and sporadic. Such punishment for being late or not working up to the work assigned would be to be weighted. An overseer would tie a heavy weight to workers neck, and have him walk up and down the factory aisles so the other children could see him. This punishment could last up to an hour. Weighting led to serious injuries in the back and the neck. In addition to the above the violators sometimes had to pay the consequence monetarily! Elizabeth Bentley, before the Sadler Committee in 1832, mentioned that she was usually quartered; If we were a quarter of an hour too late, they would take off half an hour; we only got a penny an hour, and they would take a halfpenny more. Some witnesses compared themselves as slaves, and the overseer as slave drivers. One could argue that lack of schooling had forced the children to factories, and mandatory schooling was the key to eradicating industrial child labor. It is true that illiteracy blocked the children from elevating the social and economic hierarchy. However, the Education Act of 1870 contained provisions to allow school boards to compel attendance but necessary by-laws were not enforcement to implement these provisions. In short, the mandatory schoolings in Britain were introduced too late to critically contribute to the reform. Also, one could argue that mandatory schooling would only wear off children who are already exhausted from long hours of tiring labor. Schooling did little good to children who were physically deprived. Lack of sleep will most likely risk dangers of lethargy and expose the children to more accidents. Child workers generally labored to assist the task of the adult workers; the two labor populations did not directly compete with each other. Therefore, one could argue that the child workers considerably contributed to the impoverished family income. As the children were regarded source of labor for long, some did not object to sending their children to factories. Even if others did not approve of the treatment in workplaces, they had no valid and legal means to protest. Most statistics that are available could not be completely trusted. One especially was careful not to depend entirely on skewed numbers or individual case studies. Also, throughout history, many scholars and ideologists have distorted the facts to prove their assertions. Until the child labor issue became a state issue, most of the investigators touched only the surface of the problem. The factory overseers could easily usher the investigators away from the truth. Also, the survey has not been conducted systematically as to portray an accurate sketch of the labor picture. On the other hand, some reports have been accused of exaggerating the current situation to bring the child labor issue to a state concern. Major government reports on child labor were uneven in the coverage, focusing predominantly upon children in industrial occupations. In addition, some determined historians have maneuvered the statistics to exaggerate child labor as an example of corruption and depravity when child labor helped improve the familys financial status. Conclusion Industrial child labor has occupied only a small portion of the child labor population. Also, it had lasted for a fleeting moment in British history. However, child workers in industrial workplaces need to be highlighted as history in which children were placed under the custody of a stranger in a confined, unwholesome space; the children were exposed to a higher possibility of abuse and mistreatment. Although child labor in Britain shared similar characteristics with other industrialized countries of a later period of time, the British government relatively peacefully restricted the employment of children. The publicity of the special commission reports and the attention of the public had contributed greatly. Child labor, as much as it is criticized for its faults, should be analyzed, considering every possible factor. It is true that the child laborers have suffered from exploitation and unintended neglect, yet the family wouldve starved if not for the contribution of the children. History should not be hastily judged, but observed objectively for futures sake.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Essay -- OCD Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that traps people in endless cycles of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Pierre Janet described obsessive-compulsive disorder by using the term psychasthenia. Sigmund Freud described obsessions and compulsions as psychological defenses used to deal with sexual and aggressive conflicts in the unconscious mind (Bruce Bower: 1987). OCD is also known as â€Å"The Doubting Disease,† because it’s as though the mind doesn’t register when the person does a certain action, which triggers the source of the obsession (USA Today:1995). Unlike most people with anxiety disorders, those diagnosed with OCD are more obsessed with what will happen to others instead of themselves (Edna Foa: 1995). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder occurs in a spectrum from mild to severe. At some point the person will see the actions or thoughts as unreasonable and senseless. All people have habits and routines, but what makes obsessive-compulsive people different is the fact that their obsessions and compulsions interfere with their daily lives (American Family Physician: 2000). They spend large amounts of time doing odd rituals. The rituals can take hours a day and make the sufferers miserable and doesn’t allow them for much of a business or social life (Harvard Mental Health Letter). At one OCD clinic, many had lost years of work to their symptoms. Seventy-five percent said the disorder interfered with their family lives and thirteen percent had attempted suicide (Harvard Mental Health Letter: 1998). Phebe Tucker, a psychiatrist at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, explained, the most common obsession is washing hands for fear of contamination. Other acts are counting over and over, checking locks, hoarding items such as newspapers or cartons, repeatedly dressing and undressing, and walking in and out of doorways. The thought and behavior patterns are senseless and distressing. They can make it very difficult for a person to function properly at work, school, or even at home. Obsessions take the form of doubts, fears, images, or impulses. (Harvard Mental Health Center: 1998) Obsessions are unwanted ideas, images, and impulses that run through a person’s mind over and over again. They are intrusive, unpleasant and produce high anxiety. (www.lycos.com: April 2000) Sometimes the obsessions come once and a while and other... ...ehavioral therapy. Eventually they will overcome their compulsions and be able to control their obsessions.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Works Cited Kendall, Phillip C. and Constance Hamman. (1998). Abnormal Psychology: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Understanding Human Problems. Boston New York OCD: What it is and how to treat it. (March 1, 2000). American Family Physician, V61 pg. 1532 General Review: Obsessive Compulsive Part I. (Oct. 1998) Harvard Mental Health Letter, v15 I 4 General Review: Obsessive Compulsive Part II. (Nov. 1998) Harvard Mental Health Letter, v15 i5 OCD Meds not likely to replace therapy: the challenge is to tailor the right combination of treatments for patient. (Jan. 1997). Behavioral Health Treatment, v2 n1 pg1 Begely, Sharon and Nina A. Biddle. For the obsessed, the mind can fix the brain. (Feb. 26, 1996) Newsweek, v127 n9 pg. 60 Help for obsessive-compulsive disorder. (aug. 1995). USA Today, v124 pg. 12 Foa, Edna B. How do treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder compare?. (July 1995). Harvard Mental Health Letter v12 n1 pg.8 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: review of drug treatment. (Sept. 15, 1994). American Family Physician, v50 pg. 831

Informative Speech on Leukemia Essay

Hope, denial, anger, fear, and worry are words that come to mind when we think of the word cancer. Cancer is a word we never want to hear. I’m sure at some point in your life, everyone in here knows someone who has been affected by cancer. On September 19th of this year, not even a month ago, I did one of the hardest things I was ever faced to do†¦ I attended one of my best friend’s funeral. Kali suffered from Leukemia since the young age of 10 and fought her battle until the age of 24. This topic is so dear to my heart because it was not until after she passed away that I found out exactly what she suffered from. So today, I would like to inform you about Leukemia’s symptoms, treatments, and who can be affected by it. So, what exactly is Leukemia and what are some symptoms to be aware of? Leukemia is characterized by an increase of abnormal white cells in the blood and bone marrow. In lamer terms, â€Å"Cancer of the blood cells.† If you have Leukemi a, the first thing affected are your white blood cells that fight infections. If you have Leukemia, your white blood cell count becomes almost non-existent making it extremely difficult to fight any infection. A simple cold would feel like pneumonia to a Leukemia patient. Kali told me that her immune system was equal to a 6 month old baby. In addition to your white blood cells, your red blood cells are also affected. Red blood cells help carry oxygen from your lungs throughout your entire body. If you lack red blood cells, you will most likely experience shortness of breath. This explains why at times Kali would speak very slowly in order to catch her breath. Lastly, your platelets are affected. Platelets help control bleeding and bruising on the body. When affected you are more likely to experience excessive bleeding and easily bruised. When the oncologist, a doctor that specializes in cancer, suspects that you have cancer he or she will question your symptoms. Common symptoms include fever, paleness of the skin, fatigue, pain in the bone and joints, weight loss, discomfort in the abdomen, and night sweats. Furthermore, the oncologist will perform a bone marrow biopsy. If the patient is not put to sleep, this procedure can be extremely painful. They take a 12 inch needle, stick it into your hip, and extract the bone marrow. The bone marrow is then tested to determine if you have Leukemia and wha t type of treatment is best for you. This brings me to my next point. Medicinenet states there are three major types of treatment: Chemotherapy,  steroid therapy, and stem cell transplant. With the stem cell transplant, doctors use high dosages of chemotherapy and basically remove your entire immune system and replace it with someone else’s. This person can be a related or unrelated donor. If it is a related donor, this person is usually someone very close to the patient such as a parent, sibling, or close relative. Kali was given the stem cell transplant and had new blood in her body. She informed me that her childhood vaccine shots were no longer in her bloodstream and she could not get them again because they could work against her in a negative way sort of putting her between a rock and a hard place. Like Kali, once a patients transplant is complete, they are given lots of medicine to help support the body and pain in hopes of preceding with a normal life. This brings me to my final point. Are you at risk? Can you be affected? According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, approximately every 3 minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer and approximately every 10 minutes someone dies from a blood cancer. There were an estimated 310,000 people living with or in remission from Leukemia in th e United States. In this year alone, roughly 52,000 people were diagnosed and 24,000 are expected to die- 14,000 males and 10,000 females. While there is no known ways to prevent Leukemia, the National Cancer Institute states that developing Leukemia increases with several factors such as: smoking cigarettes and air pollution. Why should this be important and relevant to you? According to the Washington Post, Louisiana has been given the name â€Å"Cancer Alley† because of the 150 petrochemical companies and 17 refineries that line the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Baton Rouge releasing dangerous levels of toxins in the air we breathe in every day. We live in a state where cancer rates are to the roof. Leukemia is most frequent in Caucasian males than in any other population. Kali was an African American female. This lets me know, no one is susceptible. I’m sure after listening to me, you are more knowledgeable about Leukemia, its symptoms, treatments, and risks. Although it may not affect you directly, I encourage each and every one of you to get regular check-ups, stay healthy, and give to those who are affected. I’ll leave you with this quote by John F. Kennedy, â€Å"When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two components, one represents danger, the other represents opportunity.†

5 situaciones migratorias que se pueden tener en USA

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Desde el punto de vista migratorio, ser ciudadano tiene importantes ventajas como: imposibilidad de ser deportadosà ³lo en casos extremos y concretos se pierde la ciudadanà ­ase pueden pedir los papeles para varias categorà ­as de familiares y en aplicacià ³n de DAPA los ciudadanos podrn extender proteccià ³n frente a la deportacià ³n a sus padres y madres. Por à ºltimo recordar que la ciudadanà ­a americana se extiende a los territorios de Estados Unidos como, por ejemplo, Puerto Rico (estos son los documentos que se necesitan para viajar a la Isla). Residentes permanentes legales (LPR por sus siglas en inglà ©s) Los residentes permanentes legales tienen a su nombre una green card, tambià ©n conocida como tarjeta de residencia. Pueden vivir y trabajar indefinidamente en Estados Unidos, pero no son ciudadanos, por los que sus derechos estn ms limitados y tienen obligaciones que sà ³lo aplican a a ellos. Estas son 13 diferencias entre ciudadanos y residentes que hay que tener presentes. Una vez que se tiene una tarjeta de residencia, en casos muy concretos es temporal (inversores y algunos casos de esposos de ciudadanos), convirtià ©ndose ms tarde en definitiva, si todo va bien y se cumplen con todos los requisitos legales. En todos los dems casos es permanente, debià ©ndose renovar antes de que expire.   Los inmigrantes con una green card pueden optar por conservar ese estatus de residentes permanentes o pueden solicitar convertirse en ciudadanos mediante el proceso que se conoce como naturalizacià ³n, una vez que transcurren los plazos mà ­nimos que tienen que esperar los residentes para aplicar por la ciudadanà ­a. Extranjeros con visa no inmigrante En esta categorà ­a entra un amplio grupo de personas. Cada una debe respetar las condiciones de su visado (o, en su caso del Programa de Exencià ³n de Visas).En là ­neas generales y para ilustrar las diferencias pueden establecerse las siguientes subcategorà ­as: Visas de doble intencià ³n Son las visas de trabajo H-1B para profesionales y modelos y la L-1 (versià ³n A y B) para ejecutivos, directivos y personal con conocimiento especializado que trabajan para multinacionales.  Son visados muy cotizados.Una de sus grandes ventajas es que son consideradas como visas de doble intencià ³n. Esto quiere decir que su titular no tiene que demostrar la intencià ³n de regresar a su paà ­s y que puede buscar activamente quedarse en Estados Unidos como inmigrante y que le patrocinen una green card. Visas especiales Como la K-3/K-4 para esposos/hijos de ciudadanos americanos, que es poco utilizada o la K-1/K-2 para novios/as de ciudadanos y sus hijos, que es ms utilizada. Particularmente la K-1 puede dar problemas si no se siguen sus reglas. Se otorga al novio o prometida de un ciudadano americano para que ingrese a Estados Unidos para casarse y a partir de ahà ­, mediante lo que se llama ajuste de estatus, solicitar la green card. Una vez que se ingresa a EEUU hay que seguir todos los requisitos de la visa. Es decir, no casarse a tiempo, de ninguna de las maneras o casarse con otra persona distinta a la que solicità ³ la visa es un error (grave).   Visas no inmigrante Son muchas y muy diversas entre sà ­, con distintas reglas. Pero tienen un elemento en comà ºn: se tiene que demostrar la intencià ³n de no quedarse en Estados Unidos y de tener lazos econà ³micos y/o familiares fuertes en el paà ­s de residencia habitual.   En esta categorà ­a entran visas como las de trabajo, las de estudiante o la de turista e incluso las de inversià ³n como la E-1 para casos de negocios de importacià ³n/exportacià ³n o la E-2 donde hay una inversià ³n sustancial de dinero.   En cuanto a los turistas, pueden ingresar a Estados Unidos con visa B2, en el caso de mexicanos en la frontera con la lser y chilenos  y espaà ±oles sin visado (si llegan por avià ³n necesitan una ESTA).   Todos los turistas deberà ­an tener en cuenta  con  cunta frecuencia se puede ingresar a EEUU como turista  y quà © pasa si una persona se queda en Estados Unidos ms tiempo del permitido. Es cierto que en circunstancias especiales es posible cambiar una visa no inmigrante por  otra visa o incluso una residencia. Pero no siempre. Hay que tener siempre presente las circunstancias y requisitos de la visa que se tiene (o no visa, en su caso) y cà ³mo se quiere hacer el cambio y si es posible y cà ³mo. Para evitar problemas siempre es aconsejable consultar con un abogado de inmigracià ³n e informarse sobre quà © tipo de visa se tiene. Situaciones especiales Algunas personas presentes en Estados Unidos tienen una situacià ³n especial debido a sus circunstancias personales, como por ejemplo: AsiloVisa U para và ­ctimas de violenciaVAWAVisa T para và ­ctimas de trata de personas En general, esas personas con el paso del tiempo y si se cumplen los requisitos acabarn obteniendo una tarjeta de residencia (green card).Especial mencià ³n merece el caso de los cubanos  que al  aà ±o y un dà ­a de ingresar legalmente pueden pedir la residencia permanente (green card) por  ley de ajuste cubano. Lo que ocurre es que esto à ºltimo suele suceder antes de que se resuelva el caso de asilo y asà ­ la residencia por ajuste cubano cancela al proceso de asilo. Indocumentados Se calcula que en Estados Unidos pueden vivir como indocumentados ms de 11 millones de personas. Los indocumentados pueden ser deportados, carecen de acceso a beneficios sociales excepto los ms bsicos como WIC, en la mayorà ­a de los estados no pueden obtener la licencia de manejar (aunque hay importantes excepciones), etc. Pero no todos los indocumentados son iguales desde el punto de la ley. En la actualidad los jà ³venes que llegaron a Estados Unidos siendo nià ±os pueden acogerse a DACA que les protege frente a la deportacià ³n y les permite obtener un permiso de trabajo por dos aà ±os. Para el resto de los indocumentados que no pueden beneficiarse de DACA las posibilidades de legalizacià ³n son escasas, siendo estos 15 posibles caminos. A tener en cuenta Ciudadanos, residentes permanentes e indocumentados que son jà ³venes y varones tienen todos una misma obligacià ³n: cumplir con el Servicio Selectivo. Y donde hay migrantes, desgraciadamente hay personas que intentan tomar ventaja de su situacià ³n y prometen beneficios migratorios que no son posibles a cambio de dinero. Si se es và ­ctima de un fraude migratorio, considerar reportarlo. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Human Papillomavirus essays

Human Papillomavirus essays The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the topic of human disease. Specifically, it will discuss the human papillomavirus. It will include a thorough description of the disease/condition; current statistics of those affected; discuss how the various body systems are affected; and any medications/treatments that are available, if any. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is actually a group of viruses with over 100 different strains ("Genital HPV infection," 2004). At least 30 of these strains are transmitted sexually (STD), and they can affect various areas of the genitals in both males and females. They can also cause complications in pregnancy, and can lead to some types of reproductive and genital cancers. HPV can affect the skin and/or mucous membranes around the genital area, including the anus, penis, and vulva, and can affect the linings of these areas, as well. These viruses are extremely common. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates there may be 20 million or more people infected with HPV in the United States, and about 6.2 million Americans will acquire an HPV infection each year. They also estimate that by age 50, at least 80 percent of women have some type of genital HPV infection ("Genital HPV infection," 2004). In fact, it is currently the most common form of STD. In addition, there are a significant number of people who do not know they suffer from the virus, or do not know they have genital warts. One magazine notes, "According to a nationwide survey of adults ages 18-40, external genital warts remain unrecognized by 97% of respondents as one of the most common STDs" ("Genital Warts Have No Cure," 2004). Since so many women are affected with the different forms of HPV, it is crucial to educate women about the dangers of some HPVs and encourage them to have pap smears annually to ensure their reproductive health. HPVs are classified in two types, low-risk and high-risk. Low-ris...

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Healthcare delivery compare and contrast - Research Paper Example outline the historical aspect of care delivery in the US for the preceding 100 years and recognize the changes in healthcare delivery that resulted from industry forces. Moreover, a comparison would be made between the past healthcare delivery methods or models and the recent ones in light of expected future changes in the research paper. Specially mentioning, one of the driving forces, which changed the overall healthcare system of the US, is the augmentation in healthcare expenditures. This extensive growth in healthcare expenses eventually restricted in offering quality care to the people belonging to the nation by a certain level. Apart from this, the other driving force, which changed the entire healthcare delivery system of the nation, is the advancements made in technology. Notably, diverse market forces are viewed to be challenging in making changes in the US healthcare segment. It is expected that the above framed driving forces would certainly make the US to realize about the significance of developing the healthcare segment, based on which effective care can be provided to the patients (Etheredge et. al., 2014). While determining the changes in healthcare delivery methods or models, it would be vital to mention that today’s healthcare is quite complex, which required to be upgraded for accomplishing intended targets. In this similar context, certain alterations particularly in healthcare delivery methods of the US have been apparently noted that resulted from diverse industry forces. These changes can be measured in the form of lessening both unnecessary as well as underutilization particularly of expensive resources, standardizing varied levels of quality of care and optimizing healthcare facilities among others (Conklin, 2002). In addition, the other changes include raising healthcare expenditures such as in terms of advancing healthcare delivery models or methods and effectively utilizing accessible resources among others. In recent times, the

Family Literacy Program Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words - 1

Family Literacy Program - Essay Example This essay discusses a plan for developing a Center and it's program that aims to develop the mind and character of every child by platforms of English language literacy program with support basically coordinated and extended to their respective families. The main puproses of a program explained is to reduce English language illiteracy rate of the community by teaching Spanish children the classroom method of learning and understanding English. This task shall deliberately open the doors to information and present computer technology available for speech articulation utilizing the Center’s present resources for such mission. The essay also focuses on funding resources of the program, such as resources from non government organizations and other private foundations available abroad like the EU, Spain, Germany, and Canada. Educators. The essay also presents some organizationals strategies to use. Firstly, transportation is described. A minimum of one vehicle shall be purchased b y the Center to serve as a school bus. Schedule of classes and center operations as well as benefits of the program are also analyzed. Participant’s feedback is an SOP for the program so the Center will know how their program stands to their participants and find ways and means to improve both program and Center’s operations. In conclusion, the researcher mentiones that the most important benefits of such project will be enhancing understanding, reading and speech skills in the English language that could eventually provide more seats in work’s consideration for promotion.