War on Drugs and Its Effects

Introduction Drug trafficking has become a common problem in modern societies due to the high number of its effects. People have intentionally abused drugs by using them for purposes other than the prescribed ones. This has led to the formation of laws to govern drug trafficking and drug use in most countries that are determined to eradicate this problem. Drugs are not a problem to the society; however, drug abuse causes complications that make them harmful to users and other people.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on War on Drugs and Its Effects specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A drug is a substance taken to give the user pleasure and satisfaction. People take drugs due to various reasons including treatment of diseases, pain relieving and disease prevention (Mendoza 2010). However, some drugs are used for refreshment and entertainment like alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, bhang and heroin. Even though, some drugs are used for curative or pain relieving purposes some people misuse them hence causing unintended effects in their bodies. Even though, there are no exact figures to represent the actual problem of drug abuse in the modern society, there are credible statistics that offer information about drug dealing and abuse. The results show that Afghanistan, Russia, United States, Mexico, Colombia, Iran and Australia record high number of drug trafficking, use and abuse. Most drug abusers are youths and adults experiencing stress and depression (Global Commission on Drug Policy 2011). Most people abuse drugs due to lack of jobs that make them desperate and idle. As a result, they resort to abuse drugs to escape from world realities. Moreover, constant family conflicts between couples make them start using drugs and without knowing they end up abusing them. In addition, loss of jobs due to retrenchment or recession makes people abuse drugs as they seek ways of forgetting their predicaments (United Nations 2012). However, most youths abuse drugs after failing to meet their academic expectations. Some also abuse drugs due to pressure from their peers and curiosity to experiment the effects of these drugs. The â€Å"War on Drugs† refers to military steps taken to curb drug abuse, production and trade. These steps include fighting the production of prohibited drugs, educating the public on dangers of drug abuse and creating rehabilitation centres for drug addicts.Advertising Looking for essay on criminal law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The United States formulated this policy to control the production of prohibited drugs through the provision of monetary support to finance projects aimed at curbing this problem (United Nations 2012). This fight was started in 1914 after various drug abuse cases were reported. Even though, this policy took various faces it has since been adopted by many nations as a way of fight ing the effects and prevalence of drug abuse. It is necessary to note that the legalization of prohibited drugs will have various effects in the society. Even though, this will offer room for employment opportunities and development of more houses to act as stores dealing with drugs, the side effects will be more than the benefits accrued (Cave 2012). It is true that legalizing these drugs will reduce the number of unemployed youths and offer sources of income to many families. However, the negative effects of legalizing prohibited drugs will be beyond the society’s imaginations. Families will breakup as a result of abusing drugs at the expense of family responsibilities. Therefore, there will be separation and divorce cases. Children will suffer the consequences of being raised by single parents (Global Commission on Drug Policy 2011). Additionally, family conflicts will result in violence, injuries, death and destruction of family property like furniture and electronics. Th ere will be a high number of unemployed people in the society because most of them will be sacked due to engaging in drug abuse at the expense of work. This will contribute to a high number of social evils like prostitution and robbery because people will be idle and unable to raise money through legal means. Most countries’ economies will drop due to the reduced number of manpower required to participate in productive activities. There will be less productive people as many will be spending their time in drug dens (Global Commission on Drug Policy 2011). There will be an increase in the rate of sexually transmitted infections since people will engage in carless sexual activities. The effects of drug abuse include irrational thinking that will result in unprotected sexual activities among drug addicts. Sometimes this behaviour may extend to their families, friends and relatives leading to incest, defilement and rape. Although, alcohol affects people’s health, it is not prohibited since there are guidelines that regulate its production (Ogutu 2012). This involves the labelling of alcohol bottles and tins to show their alcohol concentration.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on War on Drugs and Its Effects specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Additionally, alcoholic products are brewed or distilled in a clean environment; therefore, this guarantees their users healthy products. The United Nations is against any attempts to legalize prohibited drugs. There are various seminars that continue to highlight the plight of drug users as attempts are being made to fight drug peddling. Conclusion The fight against prohibited drugs is not a complete failure since various nations and institutions are making considerable steps that will eradicate this menace. Various rehabilitation centres have been established and thus rehabilitated many drug addicts. However, people must volunteer and offer essen tial information to law enforcement agencies to help fight this problem. References Cave, D., (2012). Uruguay Considers Legalizing Marijuana to Stop Traffickers.   The New York Times.  Web. Global Commission on Drug Policy, (2011). War on Drugs. Report of the Global Commission on Drug Policy. Web. Mendoza, M., (2010). U. S. Drug Wars has Met None of Its Targets. U. S. Security News.  Web. Ogutu, J., (2012). Three Charged over Sh4m Drug Trafficking. The Standard Digital Media. Web. United Nations, (2012). Mexico General Debate, 67th Session. General Assembly.  Web.Advertising Looking for essay on criminal law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This essay on War on Drugs and Its Effects was written and submitted by user Beau T. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

High

High High-rise building refers to any building used for human occupancy that exceeds 75 feet (23 m) in height. This definition depends upon the fact that ladders on fire department vehicles mostly do not reach past this point. In this case, the height of the building starts from the lowest ground level a fire truck can access outside the building to the floor of the highest story human can occupy (Harmon and Katherine 62).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on High-Rise Building specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More High-rise buildings have occupancy classification to ensure that everyone is safe in a high-rise building. Occupancy classification depends on how the occupants will be using the space. Occupants may use the space for an office now, but later turn it into a conference room for training. As such, we may classify the high-rise building as an assembly instead of business such that the design focuses on stringent co de requirements. The International Code Council (ICC) classification of occupancy may have slight difference in the way the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes define the occupancy type. There are 10 most common occupancy classifications adopted throughout different buildings and life safety codes. Some of the occupancy types may also have sub-classifications. Occupancy classifications include assembly, business, educational, factory or industrial, hazardous, institutional, mercantile, residential, storage, utility or miscellaneous occupancies. Before 1970s in the US, there were no rigid criteria for high-rise buildings in the national codes. In 1970s, various codes combined to form the International Building Code (IBC). These codes developed requirements for high-rise buildings. The NFPA Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) provides the requirements for high-rise buildings, which may differ depending on the occupancy classification. Many jurisdictions in the US have revised th e original definition of a high-rise building of at least 75 feet to include a height ranging from 35 feet (11 meters) to 55 feet (17 meters). High-rise building provisions aimed at providing protection in building structures where access rescue was not possible. The standard height of 75 feet was the longest accessible point that rescuers could access. Therefore, the codes aimed at addressing the safety of the occupant who could not be reached from outside. Apart from stack effect delayed evacuation, all the factors with regard to high-rise building depended on the ladder reach idea.Advertising Looking for research paper on architecture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Provisions regarding high-rise building emerged due to requirements for voice communication, automatic sprinklers, emergency power and pressurized stairs. Most locations also insisted on smoke control systems. Other codes in other countries referring to the provisions in high-rise buildings are similar to the US provisions such as 75 feet tall. However, some countries have more restrictive provisions regarding the number and locations of elevators for firefighters, width, compartmentation, travel distance to stairs of escapes, and structures of fire resistance. The US building codes now target new areas, which are addressing the conditions in existing buildings, which do not comply with the new building codes requirements. There are retrofitting sprinkler ordinances in many buildings, in the US cities. However, the challenge is that retrofit laws vary from city to city. NFPA 101 requires that existing high-rise buildings install automatic sprinklers. The public cannot determine the level of protection they have in high-rise buildings due to sporadic application of the new codes requirements. Another change in code requires additional protection in buildings as high-rise buildings go higher. People may picture a building of a 7-s tory as a high-rise. However, the level of protection they get is similar to those they get in a 50-story building. The only similarity exists in the exterior rescue measurement of 75 feet. Factors such as air movement, evacuation viability, staged evacuation, and the information occupants and fire department need are different from tall buildings to mid-level buildings. These are some of the new areas of concern the codes are addressing. Safety in high-rise buildings is of a paramount concern to its occupants. This is because high-rise buildings pose additional dangers to its occupants due to increased height and characteristics of a high-rise building in the event of a fire. The prominent danger is that it is often impractical to evacuate all the occupants within a reasonable time. Another danger is that fire is more often than not beyond the reach of the fire department equipment. Fire must be fought in place within the building. Therefore, a need to address safety in high-rise b uildings becomes fundamental in relations to compartmentation, means of egress, and the active fire protection systems. The need to pay attention to smoke control is crucial since high-rise buildings have stack effect of smoke in case of fire outbreak. The codes put mandatory requirements such as additional use of automatic sprinkler systems and the overlapping of detection and suppression systems (Moncada 2).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on High-Rise Building specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Let us consider the case of the World Trade Center (WTC) events. The WTC events raise several questions concerning future designs to defend against extreme events and at what costs. There have been several proposals to harden the stairwells. According to James Quiter, people should not react to one event without fully comprehending the negative consequences as a result of the building’s response to other extreme events. James argue that it is difficult to use collective thinking as we respond to extreme events of security threats, which are unlikely, unpredictable, and dependant on emotions. However, we must apply rigor to improve the overall performance of a building (Quiter 1). Another concern is the safety of other high-rise buildings like WTC. The issue, which comes out, is whether occupants are comfortable with other high-rise complex. The damages in WTC 1 and 2 spread to other surrounding buildings such as WTC 7. The problem became worse due to inadequate supply of water, presence of fuel, and fire causing the collapse of WTC 7. The fundamental lessons from the WTC events show that it is significant to ensure protection of high-rise buildings and compartmentation are adequate. Buildings should have automatic sprinkler to make them safer. However, the challenge is that sprinklering existing buildings is not simple. In this case, the government should provide tax breaks and additional time for such buildings to install automatic sprinklers. James sees solutions to high-rise fire issues in the automatic sprinkler. Otherwise, there would be significant risks of fire and safety of occupants. High-rise buildings have several problems associated with them. There is the life hazard. High-rise building contains more people than ordinary buildings. The occupancy classification determines the people in it. However, these people may be senior citizens, children, physically challenged, transitory or asleep occupants. The nature of height of high-rise buildings may make evacuation time consuming, and to some extent, impossible. Another problem of high-rise building is the structural deficiencies. There are always possibilities that a high-rise building fire may be confined in the floor of origin, particularly if the building is sprinklered. However, if the renovation or remodeling violated this integrity of fire concern, then the possibilities of fire spreading to other floo rs are high. Occasionally, strong fire may spread to upper floors through windows.Advertising Looking for research paper on architecture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This increases the intensity and amount of fire causing more danger to the occupant. Open fire doors lead to spread of fire to other areas. At the same time, improper maintenance of firefighting equipment may render them less effective and doubtful. Lastly, high-rise buildings have tactical limitations. Firefighters do not have many options in fighting high-rise buildings fires. Accessing the floor where there is fire outbreak may take time. These situations aggravate the problem. At the same time, the access ladder is limited to 6th or 7th of high-rise buildings. This will force the firefighters to access the fire using the staircases, which in most cases the occupants of the building are using. These conditions increase the amount of time needed to fight the fire leading to spread of fire to other areas. Building codes cannot protect occupants of a building in every situation as we witnessed during the 9/11 attacks. Since then, there have been concerns aiming at creating and imple menting stricter codes, standards, and federal regulations for the aim of making buildings safe to the occupants. The problem is that we cannot construct all buildings to withstand every an imaginable catastrophe. Building codes emphasis the construction needs of a whole building and place with strict restrictions on dangerous materials or equipment used in the building. The purposes of these codes are to ensure public safety, health, and welfare of the people using the buildings. Building codes focus on electrical, structural, plumbing, life safety/egress, natural light and air, fire safety (detection and suppression), accessibility standards and energy conservation. Existing building codes have undergone various changes in the past few decades. Today, we have the ICC and the NFPA building codes which look at the conditions of existing buildings with regard to safety. These codes strive to provide requirements for reasonable upgrade and improvements based on the type and extent of the work. Occupants of existing buildings must confirm that the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) is in use within the jurisdiction. The IEBC determines the extent of repairs, additions, alteration and any other modification in the building based on the level of code compliance. Some of the requirements in IEBC may be lenient than those in the building code. Fire codes are present in both the ICC and NFPA. The first fire code the ICC produced was in the year 2000. However, in the year 2003, the NFPA developed a new fire code in partnership with the Western Fire Chief Association (WFCA). The NFPA revises fire codes after every three years. The NFPA develops the standard fire code but makes references to various sources so that users are aware of the origins of the codes. Fire codes work in conjunction with related building code. Fire code looks at existing high-rise building conditions that are risky and could cause possible fires and explosions. Fires and explosions can oc cur due to several reasons such as type of occupancy and use of space or storage and handling of some materials. Fire codes are almost applicable to all buildings. However, building codes may not cover some requirements. Fire code is specific to the kind of material to use in a different section of the building. However, it is necessary to make references to areas such as means of egress, interior finishes, fire-resistant structures, furnishing and decorative materials. Fire codes have emergency planning to address problems concerning evacuation procedures and fire drills depending on the building occupancy. Fire codes appeal to building owners, occupants and fire departments. Certain fire codes may affect occupancy with regards to signage and other fundamental requirements. Occupancy codes look into occupancy type, which addresses how the occupants of a building are using the building or space. Occupancy codes address the varied hazardous situations or risk factors associated with different occupancy classifications. Hazardous situations consider both the occupants using the space and the activity they will carry in it. Any building risk factors focus on spatial characteristics, fuel loads, types of occupants, concentration of occupants and in some cases, the knowledge of the building. Some situations may require additional occupancy code due to varying characteristics of occupants and building use so that the building is safe. For instance, assembly occupancy may require more exits because of the large number of people using the space. Hospitals may require alternate exiting methods due to the characteristics of patients such as age, health, or security reasons. These various characteristics define occupancy codes of high-rise buildings. Occupancy codes address these various characteristics, so that occupants may feel safe in every high-rise building, or any other space they occupy. Occupancy codes also influence the occupant load (the number of people assum ed safely occupying a building or a space) and occupancy classification. Conversely, occupant loads influence the occupancy code a building requires and other code requirements. Life safety code (LSC) or NFPA 101 was among the first codes NFPA published. This code is subject to revision after every three years. LSC is not a building code rather it concentrates on the evacuation and removal of all persons in the building during an emergency situation. LSC establishes and provides the minimum requirements that give a reasonable degree of safety from fire in buildings and structures. LSC does not address all the issues concerning construction of a building. It leaves out issues concerning accessibility, plumbing and glazing. This is because it is not a building code. LSC focuses on occupancies, fire protection and means of egress. Means of egress may include stairwells, horizontal exits, exit passageways, and other exit enclosures. Sometimes, fire-resistance rating is available both ho rizontally and vertically and get strict towards the exit. LSC provides a table of fire-resistance ratings. LSC provisions for stairs are that they must meet similar requirements as vertical shafts. Normally, the stairs have a 1-hour rating in 3-stories or less and provision for 2-hours in more than four stories. At the same time, there are also provisions for smoke. LSC provision for an exit stair needs a fire-related enclosure if it links more than two floors. A rated stairwell must be vertically continuous through each floor and fully enclose the stair. In order to protect the fire ratings, only a minimum number of penetrations are necessary and allowed. Large high-rise buildings may require smoke-proof to serve as an area of refuge during fire. LSC provision for an exit stair needs a fire-related enclosure if it links more than two floors. A rated stairwell must be vertically continuous through each floor and fully enclose the stair. In order to protect the fire ratings, only a minimum number of penetrations are necessary and allowed. Large high-rise buildings may require smoke-proof to serve as an area of refuge during fire (Puchovsky 4). Horizontal exits provide alternative exit routes within a building. They also have fire barriers to provide an exit within the same floor. High-rise buildings have exit corridors leading to an exit or an exit stairwell. Buildings, which are sprinklered, are easy to determine the rating of a corridor. Business occupancy, which has no sprinkler and has an occupant load of more than 30, requires rating of an hour. On the other hand, if business occupancy has less than a 30 occupant load, then we do not need to rate an exit corridor. Occasionally, corridors, which serve small tenant space, do not require a rating. Exit access corridors, which serve the whole floor must be rated, more so in non-sprinklered buildings. An IBC provision for an exit access corridor is that they serve as a type of fire partition. Evacuation may in volve fire, explosions, toxic release, and other events of extreme danger in high-rise buildings. Occupants of the high-rise story buildings should take safety precautions to avoid incidences of fire. However, we must note that we cannot prevent and control some events like the terrorists attack of 9/11 on WTC. Therefore, uncontrollable fire is likely to occur in high-rise buildings. In this case, the assigned authority must order for evacuation of the building occupants in order to save lives and avert destruction of property. Evacuation starts at where there is an emergency fire, then it can spread to several other floors or the whole building. The best method to complete an evacuation process is through the fire stairwells. In cases of fire or smoke penetrating stairwells, then alternative routes and stairwells should be used. Some cases of evacuation require a joint effort of the police, fire department, building management and tenants. Elevators are only safe for bomb-threat em ergency evacuation but not for fire. Instead, fire stairwells should be used to assist the occupants to safe floors. When fire emergency occur, all elevators should return to the lobby floor as per the American National Standard Elevator Code. Elevators should have installed automatic devices to allow them pass through all the fire-affected floors. Elevators should never be stopped at the floor of the fire incidence. Evacuation should be a controlled and coordinated process. Therefore, an emergency rescue team must take into account the number of occupants per floor, emergency fire stairwells available, and the number of floors directly under threat of a fire. Evacuation priority should focus on directly notifying the occupants to leave the building. At the same time, a priority must focus on the occupants who are directly under threat of fire (Colonna 1). Methods of evacuation depend on the building control systems. This is responsible for determining efficient and safe methods of evacuating the building with attention to the nature of the fire and extent of the damage. People must be controlled during emergencies. Therefore, the floor personnel must control the number of occupants exiting through a single stairwell. At the same time, alternate floors should have different stairwells to provide for full flight between two floors to safe grounds (Blackley 1). Disabilities in people manifest themselves through mobility, hearing, speech, visual and cognitive impairments. These various degrees of impairments and other functional issues are essential in emergency evacuation processes. There should be a plan of evacuation to cater for all manner of disabilities listed above. People with disabilities should be moved down the fire stairwell to an upper part of the building where there is unengaged elevator bank, and then taken by the elevator to the fire rescue officials. In cases of seriously physically handicapped persons, the floor evacuation coordinator should as sist them exit the building (NFPA 1). We must acknowledge the fact that it is impossible to plan for every possible emergency that might occur in high-rise buildings. However, preparation is possible in crucial emergency situations. Preparation for evacuations must involve the input of different occupants including people with disabilities in the building. Evacuation guides must address the needs of people with disabilities in the high-rise buildings during emergencies. The Fair Housing Act Design Manual has general guidelines and provisions for people with disabilities, which new buildings must adhere to as provided for in the building codes and LSC. The manual addresses four areas of evacuating five types of people with disabilities. Therefore, accessibility and evacuations standards must adhere to these five categories. There are several factors design and code people should focus on when high-rise buildings are in consideration. Risk evaluations in high-rise buildings must be gi ven first priority. Designing of high-rise buildings must be integrated, rational and holistic with regard to engineering approach. Risks in high-rise buildings increases as its height increases. Increase in the number of occupants results into an increase in potential hazard to the occupants. Engineering decisions must take such factors as occupant load, potential target to threats, space and its uses, suppression efforts, and other building facilities. These analyses must be present so that the standards meet the building rigor and public safety. The rigor must enable the engineers to make informed designs. High-rise buildings must meet this specification of rigor, instead of putting pieces in the codes together in order to meet engineering requirements and safety standards (Goode 5). There should be some thresholds of protections in all buildings. Codes have gaps particularly where old high-rise buildings are concerned. High-rise buildings also have varied degrees of height. The standard height of 75 feet based on access of fire ladder may not help to fight fire at 20 stories high. At the same time, time to evacuate occupants may vary depending on the height of the building. There are thresholds where elevators may not be useful in evacuation processes and where there is smoke stack effect. At these stages of varying thresholds in emergency responses, the prescriptive code may no longer apply, and the rescuers must use the performance code approach as an alternative. The existing code procedures for evaluating the building fire structural resistance are out-of-date. The system codes should abandon the hour rating and implement the simulation techniques which can give accurate response of building behavior in cases of emergency. Building codes should use simulation techniques to determine the structural and fire resistance ability of the structures. Likewise, the focus should also shift to how much time a high-rise building can withstand an event of fire. Th e current code provisions only match the structural fire-resistance with a reasonable full-time evacuation in medium height buildings. However, very high buildings do not have such provisions. The changes in the energy sector have shifted to energy use in high-rise buildings. There is a voluntary system for evaluating the energy consumptions of a building. Modern building constructions adopt the techniques of building energy friendly buildings. While this may not be important in fighting fire in high-rise buildings, it is necessary to show how such buildings can save both costs and energy usage for the occupants. This new development has ignited the NFPA and the Tall Building Council to search for similar potential system for life safety. The method tries to influence the building owners to improve safety in high-rise buildings with little financial incentives. Blackley, William F. High-Rise Fire and Life Safety: Hazards and Education for Older People. National Fire Academy 1.5 (20 06): 1-46. Print. Colonna, Guy. Introduction to Employee Fire and Life Safety. National Fire Protection Association 4.2 (2001): 1-31. Print. Goode, Michael G. Fire Protection of Structural Steel in High-Rise Buildings. Building and Fire Research Laboratory 3.4 (2004): 5-86. Print. Harmon, Sharon Koomen and Katherine E. Kennon. The Codes Guidebook for Interiors, 3rd Edition. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons, Inc., 2005. Print. Moncada, Jaime A. Fire Unchecked. NFPA Journal 1.1 (2005): 2-4. Print. NFPA, (National Fire Protection Association). Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People with Disabilities. NFPA Journal 5.3 (2007): 1-60. Print. Puchovsky, Milosh. High concept: Proposed NFPA code changes for high-rise buildings. NFPA Journal 5.4 (2007): 4-6. Print. Quiter, James. High-Rise Buildings: What Should We Do About Them? Fire Protection Engineering 1.2 (2011): 1-1. Print.

The principles of ELISA and its application Essay

The principles of ELISA and its application - Essay Example The sensitivity of simple enzyme assays together with the specificity of antibodies/antigens aid in qualitative and quantitative determination of antigen or antibody concentration in samples. The various biological samples, like plasma, serum, urine, and cell extracts containing unknown antigen/antibody concentration can be analysed in ELISA. This biochemical technique employs polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies depending upon the specificity requirement for the sample to be assayed. The assays involving monoclonal antibodies increases specificity; and therefore give reproducible and accurate results. The enzymes employed in ELISA should be simple, easily analysed and should have a high turnover number. The substrates used for the enzyme assay should be stable, safe, inexpensive, and should generate soluble end products. The chromogenic colourless substrates are utilized which give colored reaction products after the reaction. This visible color reaction is quantified spectrophotomet rically. Other options for detection include analysis using fluorescent or radioactive probes.The most commonly used enzymes in ELISA are horse raddish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, urease, ÃŽ ²-galactosidase etc. (Axel 1999). When alkaline phosphatase is used for labeling the antibody, p-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP) is used as substrate which forms yellow color product p-nitrophenol after the reaction. The chromogneic substrates employed with peroxidase are 2,2’-azo-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), o-phenylenediamine (OPD) and 3,3’5,5’- tetramethylbenzidine base (TMB), which gives end products with green, orange and blue colors, respectively. A 96-well microtiter plate is used to execute the ELISA constituted of polystyrene or PVC. Direct ELISA: In this technique, a sample containing the target antigen is adsorbed in a well of the microtiter plate. An enzyme labeled primary antibody reacts directly with the antigen. Direct ELISA excludes the use of

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Speech or Presentation

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey - Speech or Presentation Example Their data is comprehensive and nationally representative, drawing from a large and diverse sample of participants. Current presentation focuses on the contribution made by NHANES to research chronic disease like obesity and hearing disorders and infectious disease like tuberculosis (TB). Current trends and risk factors associated with these disorders are also highlighted. Is there a fine line between healthy weight and overweight, or between overweight and obesity? Body mass index (BMI) is a widely used tool to determine overall health and nutritional status of individuals over time. NHANES have made a significant contribution in studying weight issues. Their reports indicate that the percent of overweight and obese adults is continuing to increase (NHANES). The percent of people, who are overweight or obese, with a BMI of 25.0 or higher, increased from 56 percent in 1988-1994 to 64 percent in 1999–2000. Moreover if we look at the longer period from 1960s to 2000, there is ab out 18% decline in healthy weight. The bottom line is that there is increase in the prevalence of obesity in men and women both, and in all age groups (20-72 years) (Flagel et al., 1723-27). These numbers obviously raise question about the implication of these trends on health outcomes since obesity is a risk factors for many chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and some types of cancers. Diabetes is more closely linked to obesity and its prevalence is also increasing along with obesity. Lifestyle change, education, low fat-low energy diet and regular physical activity can bring a modest change of 5-10% reduction in body weight. The benefits of reduction in overweight and obesity are of significant public health importance. Hearing disorder is another chronic disease affecting tens of millions of people in US. A maximal threshold levels that range from 15 dB to 25 dB can be defined as normal hearing. Loud sound exposure is one of the risk factors for acquired loss of hearing. NHANES report that infection, genetic syndromes, complications of prematurity, perinatal complications, ototoxic medications, and head trauma are other possible risk factors for this disease. According to NHANES, the prevalence of hearing loss in adolescents aged 12-19 years in significantly increasing. It increased from 14.9 % in 1988-1994 to 15.2-23.8% in 2005-2006 (Shargorodsky et al 772-8). This is about 31% increase over these years. Both unilateral and bilateral hearing loss showed increased incidences. Unilateral hearing loss increased from 11.1% to 14.0%, while bilateral hearing loss increased from 3.8% to 5.5% during these periods. NHANES 2005-2006 report show that 1 in every 5 adolescent demonstrated loss of hearing. 1 in every 20 adolescent has mild or worse hearing loss (>25dB). The interval factors between 1988-1994 and 2005-2006 like vaccination against influenza, pneumonia or awareness towards hearing loss due to loud music, had not effect on the reduction of hearing loss, although it was expected. Hearing loss at this age can affect learning, social skill development and self-esteem; hence it becomes important that young adults do no underestimate the symptoms of loud sound, tinnitus, and temporary hearing impairment during music exposure. Slight or worse hearing loss has also been associated with lower school grades, low self-esteem and increased stress. 2005-2006 NHANES report that higher incidences of hearing loss come from the participants living below the national

Commedia DelArte - Character Analysis Essay Example for Free

Commedia DelArte Character Analysis Essay PANTALONE: Pantalone is of top pecking order. He is wealthy and controls the finance in the character world of commedia, therefore his orders are usually obeyed by all. He is the father of Isabella. He wears dark colours of black, grey and red; dynamic Pantaloons, tight-fitting long red trousers or red breeches and stockings, a short tight-fitting jacket, a loose long black cloak with plain sleeves, red-woollen skull-cap and yellow turkish slippers. He is lean and scrawny and often short in stature. He wears a mask with a long, hooked nose with bushy eyebrows, sometimes also a moustache. Pointed beard just forward as if to meet the nose coming down, thus giving a very dynamic profile. His signature props are a gold chain hung around his neck with a large medallion as well as a dagger and a money pouch. He also carried a ubiquitous handkerchief and used a walking cane. His back bends giving him a hunched old mans stoop, which protected his purse and effectively restricted the motion of his legs. His feet are together, toes apart, knees well bent and facing apart creating a focus on his crutch. His legs are also much more muscled with the possibility of sustaining extreme forward positions of the torso or making large strides. Bullying, aggressively and mean-minded, Pantalone, a pauper who had squandered his dignity along with his cash. Hes always on the prowl and he could be termed a Beelzebub of sex. Any woman who happens to cross his path becomes at once an object of winks, leers and nudges he parades up and down in a series of showily self-important struts, trips, trots and sudden halts. His walk is small and slow and he can only walk at one pace; whatever his feet do his legs cannot go any faster, whatever the motive or stimulus. Hes  old in body, but his head, feet and hands are still active. The hands (which he cant keep to himself) flutter continuously, gesticulating each thought as it comes into his head. The only way he can stop this is to hold them behind his back, underneath his cloak. His voice is similar to a high pitched squawk that continuously breaks. Its cold and prudish and demanding. Pantalone gives voice to the darker side of the male consciousness, a secret hero to the unenlightened males in the audience. He is mean to his servants, narrow-mindedly proscriptive to his children, fawning to Il Dottore, scheming with Il Capitano, lecherous with Colombina and indulgent to himself. He is too self-interested to be aware of spectators, therefore takes no notice of them. Pantalone operates on the assumption that everything can be bought and sold, and this turns out to be true, with the exception of loyalty (and love). But he also loves money for its own sake and will therefore only part with it when there is no other option. He always wants to marry his daughter to a wealthy man and avoid giving her a dowry. When things do not go his way he quickly slips into emotional extremes, particularly enraged petty tyranny. He has a long memory and never forgets or forgives the slightest past transgression. Pantalone is action, not words. IL CAPITANO: IlCapitano is a loner. He is never indigenous to the town where the scenario is set and is able to pretend to high status as a result. His downfall to the level of actual social standing is an essential part of the denouement. Being a Capitan he wore a feathered helmet or hat, huge boots and exaggerated garters. His clothes were sometimes diagonally striped or slashed, but whatever the style, close scrutiny reveals the truth: Magnificent in words, but his purse is always empty and under his beautifully richly damascened cuirass he wears but a frayed and tattered leather jerkin. Il Capitano himself, however, always claims that his  tattered undergarments are caused by the amazing virility of his body hair bursting through whenever he gets angry. Il Capitano appears large, whether physically or egotistically, he is a large presence on stage. He trys to attract attention from women and intimidate men. He wears a mask with a great menacing nose and  fierce, bristling moustaches, which seemed like veritable iron spikes defending the entrance to a citadel only too ready to capitulate. The mask, in its general aspect, was intended to emphasize the contrast between a brave appearance and a craven nature. His signature prop is a long sword that he never actually uses for fighting. His feet are planted apart in order to occupy maximum space, his chest is pushed forward and his back is always straight and tall standing with his hips wide. His walk is a long stride where the heels of his boots come down first, then the foot rolls onto the ball, then he steps again off the ball of his foot giving him rise and bounce in his step so his head can be among the clouds. However, his actual steps are small (he is in no hurry to get to war, but wants to do so with maximum effect). When he hears a frightening noise he drops everything, but only succeeds in running on the spot, head thrown back, arms in the air, kicking his feet forward and howling piteously. When he hears a wolf (or small dog) he shrinks little by little until he has made himself unnoticeable as possible, then scurries away in a crouch. When fleeing from a mouse he adopts a kind of leaping promenade walk in order to prevent it running up his legs. When scared witless he occasionally runs to be seen, to show off his legs. He often stands at attention or with his hand on his sword, nose in the air and his chest puffed out. When hes not pretending to be brave he is cowering with fear. His movements are slow, deliberate and mechanical with his gestures being extravagant and sustained. His speech is loud and proud turning to a squeak when frightened. He was originally employed by Pantalone to do his dirty work for him. They worked  well together as lechers with financial aspirations: IlCapitano to get rich, Pantalone to remain so. Pantalone would often congratulate Il Capitano on his efforts, and then betray him to others. He is almost used as a prop by all the other characters. The whole world is an audience. He stops whenever he sees the actual audience and makes a salutation so that he can be admired. Initially his magnificence may take in the other characters, but never the audience: something in his very first entrance (a trip for example) should give him away. IL DOTTORE: Il Dottore is the head of another family and is often the father of a lover, usually Lelio. He is the equivalent of Pantalone who thinks he has brains. He wears a black academic dress satirising Bolognese scholars, a long jacket with black coat over-reaching to his heels, black shoes, stockings and breeches, and black skull-cap. His appearance is grand: his huge size comes directly from Carnival and contrasts with Pantalone. His mask covers the nose and forehead and sometimes the cheeks, which are red as he is apparently fond of the bottle. His signature props include a book and a white handkerchief. He would stand with his weight back on his heels, belly forward and his hands gesturing in front. He walks peripatetically in figures of eight, using tiny, mincing steps. His walking posture descends while he thinks (out loud, of course) and rises up again on the solution of the problem. When posing, he leans forward with a hand on his face, usually tapping his forehead or stroking his beard in a pensive manner. When posing behind another performer, he sometimes does something malicious such as preparing to knock them out with a mallet. His movements are relatively static in front of the audience. He needs all  the space to himself and gains it by gesturing out from the body as if sowing a seed. He parps like a trombone when speaking and pronounces S as Sh. He is a neighbour and friend or rival of Pantalone (either way, the two are inseparable), and since he is a natural parasite, sees the advantage of being patronized by him. To acknowledge or talk to the audience he needs a context in order to make a direct address the giving of a lecture for example. He gives the other characters a break from physical exertion by his prolixity sometimes to the point where he has to be carried off by them, still talking. For this reason he stays a relatively long time onstage. A survivor, not a target figure like Pantalone. He is essentially belly, not intellect and is extremely vocal. IlDottore is inclined, like Pantalone, to be stingy, but in his case it is because he doesnt have any money. The doctor is an eternal gasbag; he cannot open his mouth without spitting out a Latin phrase or quotation. He believes someone suffers from an ailment, which they obviously do not, and offers to cure them. He spontaneously diagnoses performers on stage, tries to enlist assistance to help him perform experimental surgeries on himself and others, as well as performs random experiments in the name of science and medicine.

Agent Orange :: Vietnam War Essays

Agent Orange In 1961, the United States began spraying herbicides in its military campaign to defoliate the jungles of southern Vietnam. Mimicking Smokey Bear, American pilots chuckled "Remember! Only you can prevent forests," as they dropped weed killers over target sites. But as research progressed, the true nature of the chemicals which they were spraying came to light. It is certainly no longer a laughing matter when it is realized that Agent Orange, a major herbicide used, could be as deadly to humans as it is to plants. The military research of herbicides dates back to World War II (1). Ineffectiveness prevented them from being used in the war. By the late 1950’s, however, herbicides developed could defoliate a large variety of plants. Naturally, they were thought to be a great weapon in combating jungle warfare. Applied to the Vietnam War, herbicides were used to defoliate the jungle and to destroy crops. Defoliation stripped the jungle of vegetation. Left barren, it no longer provided camouflage for the Viet Cong, their supply routes and base camps which would be more prone to aerial attacks. Crop destruction denied the communists of local food sources. This forced them to divert more resources to provide and transport foods other regions. But just as important, crop destruction also weakened enemy morale and forced villagers to move to cities where they could be more easily controlled. The program for spraying herbicides over Vietnam was code named Operation Trail Dust. It began in 1961 and peaked from 1967 to 1969 (2). Various methods were employed to systematically spray these chemicals. On ground, they were used by soldiers to clear the perimeters of their base camps. Riverboats were used to spray the riverbanks. Most damage to the jungle was done by air. The Air Force Operation Ranch Hand, as it was called, used C-123 cargo aircrafts and helicopters to drop the majority of the herbicides used. There were many types of herbicides used by the United States in Vietnam. Each was named after the color of the 4-inch band painted around the 55-gallon drums in which it was contained: Agent White, Purple, Blue, Green, Pink and Orange. In all, 19.4 million gallons of herbicides were used, 60% of which were Agent Orange (2). The effects of the sprayings on the jungle were immediately recognizable. Estimates show that six million acres or twenty percent of the entire land area of the Republic of South Viet Nam was covered with chemical poisons (3).

Concept Of Promoting Healthy Ageing Health And Social Care Essay

Ageing is non an event that can happen over a period of clip but a procedure which begins at construct and continues throughout the life ( Crandell 1980 ) . Harmonizing to Cheng ( 2006 ) & A ; Baltes ( 1990 ) , ageing is more than the series of biological alterations. Ripening can be defined by gender, category, societal standing, and civilization instead than twelvemonth alone.Ageing is an inevitable and irreversible procedure ( Brown 1994 ) . Shukla and Brooks ( 1996 ) province the constituent of successful ripening. Harmonizing to them successful ageing depends in the capacity of the person to accommodate, version to alterations in the bodily map, to relationships and to alterations in outlook and resources. The paradigm definition of healthy ageing harmonizing to Lin ( 2006 ) , as healthy independency, household, fiscal security, life adaptation, personal growing and friends/relative relationship. Harmonizing to single perceptual experience, ageing is regarded as something unplea sant, utile, and unneeded and above all, unwanted ( Mesec,2000 & A ; ; Zupancic,2004 ) Rountree ( 2010 ) describes the ageing procedure. Rountree ( 2010 ) in his article told that as the age increases, the organic structure bit by bit loses the ability to react to environment abuses. This lead to effects on a cellular and molecular degree, such as dislocation of cell organs, membranes and enzymes in the organic structure. In the scientific term, this biological procedure of ripening is called Senescence. Senescence leads to loss of organ revere ; diminishing the ability to react to emphasize ; loss of flexibleness ; decelerating of cognitive procedures ; degenerative joint disease ; diminishing centripetal sharp-sightedness ; loss of tolerance to trouble or temperature alterations ; impaired alimentary soaking up ; worsening immune responses and other alterations. These Physiologic alterations in bend, consequence in an increased hazard for common disease, such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, dementedness, malignant neoplastic disease, degenerative arthritis ( OA ) , autoimmunity and others. Rountree ( 2010 ) describes the assorted internal and external factors that leads to Aging. In molecular degree, everybody tonss of tissue, mundane tonss of tissue harm takes topographic point. This all consequences in the release of free groups. Further will damage DNA and the delicate membranes in our cells and cell organs particularly chondriosomes. The Elaborate system of enzymes will assist us to neutralize free groups and mend the harm to our cells and tissues. As age increases the system of enzymes become inactive and familial look of these enzymes diminutions. This all consequences in relentless weariness, decreased staying power, stiffness and achings and strivings that occur after reasonably everyday exercising. External factors include things like fume, firing organic stuffs, ultrasound ( UV ) radiation and other signifiers of ionising radiation. Even medical look into up or testing trials such as X raies, bone scans and computed axial imaging ( CAT ) scans generate free g roups that will ensue in harm of tissue, which leads to long term effects ( Rountee,2010 ) . Rountee ( 2010 ) besides states that presences of sugar/glucotoxity is besides one of the factors that causes ageing. Every clip we eat tonss of sugar, the chondriosome leaks alots of free groups that damage tissue. Besides, high degree of fruit sugar are converted in the liver to triglycerides. These triglycerides normally pack the liver with fat and hence interfere with insulin sensitiveness. So, glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity will take to increased redness in the organic structure. When we are immature, the inflammatory procedure heals rapidly. The relentless low- class redness induced by bad diets and unhealthy life style actively contributes to the wear and tear of the system over clip ( rountree,2010 ) . It means toxic chemicals and metals are the root cause of accelerated ripening. Westendorp ( 2006 ) states some of the reasons/ factors that lead to additions in chronic lessening. They are increasing life anticipation along with better sanitation, interventions for infective d isease, and improved entree to medical attention, understanding of wellness hazards and modified hazard factors. Research based lifestyle recommendations to keep physical and cognitive verve include womb-to-tomb acquisition and rational stimulation, regular exercising, ongoing societal activities, emphasis reduction patterns, sound slumber with graphic dreaming ; emotional fluidness and look ; regular sexual activity, optimum nutrition with appropriate Calories intake. Kaw & A ; Colleagues ( ) stated that the mortality hazard for people who are non tobacco users, who exercise on a regular basis, have a moderate intoxicant consumption and who have a plasma Vitamin C & gt ; 50 mmol/L ( bespeaking fruit and vegetable consumption of at least five helpings a twenty-four hours ) was the equivalent of being 14 old ages younger in chronological age, compared with people who engaged in none of these behaviors. So that means by following simple four things like exercising, make non smoke, devour low to chair sum of intoxicant, eating an copiousness of fruits and veggies in their repasts will assist to be tter their opportunities of life thirster and healthier In the scenario, Dorris wellness was all right before the decease of her hubby. She has enjoyed comparatively good wellness over the old ages and have no important episodes of sick wellness. Used to make house keep plants. But after the decease of her hubby she lost involvement, finds hard to get by with mundane life. Dorris wellness was deterioting as she was non eating decently, non keeping hygiene, non making any activity. She has besides become physically frail and was sing mild confusion and freak out. Dorris should be explained the significance of self-care. Traditionally, self-care is defined as activities associated with wellness publicity ( Backman, Hentinen 1999 ; Backman, 2003 ) . She should be encouraged to take part in activities of day-to-day life, such as exercising, nutrition and relaxation, in order to advance or reconstruct their wellness. Stanner and Denny ( 2009 ) has summarised the cardinal findings in relation to some common diseases in ulterior life and provides an overview of dietetic steps that can be put into advancing healthy ripening. Kirkwood ( 2006 ) associated the biological alterations with ageing as a consequence of a long life accretion of molecular harm in the cells and variety meats that constitute the human organic structure, finally interrupting the cells ability to do the energy they need to work. Kirkwood ( 2006 ) besides province that cistrons and perchance foods supply can act upon fix to this harm and diet, lifestyle and environment all have the possible to determine the rate at which harm to cells is accumulated. Harmonizing to National Statistics ( 2004 ) , the morbidity informations from the UK general study indicated that, in 2004, prevalence rates of bosom and go arounding system status were 340 per 1000 population for grownups aged 75 old ages and over compared with 280 per 1000 population. The prevalence rate of long standing musculoskeletal conditions were 296 per 1000 population for grownup aged 75 old ages and over, compared with 274 per 1000 population for grownups aged 65-74 old ages ( Office for National Statistics 2004 ) .National Health Service ( NHS ) ( 2007 ) estimated that about 6 in 100 people over the age of 65 will develop some grade of dementedness and this figure increases to about 20 in 100 among those over the age of 85 old ages. Coronary Vascular Disease ( CVD ) and shot are the major cause of decease in aged work forces and adult females ( Stanner and Denny 2009 ) . That means ripening is clearly an of import hazard factor. The younger age group have the similar hazard factor as the older grownups because of fleshiness, dyslipidaemia, Hypertension, smoke, low degree of physical activities and diabetes ( Stanner 2009 ) .World Health Organisation ( 2003 ) clearly mentioned that the diet for the people who have an increased hazard of developing CVD and other chronic disease. That includes diet that is energy-dense, high in fat and salt and low in complex saccharides, fruits and veggies. Stanner ( 2005 ) advised some important nutrient material that will assist in protection against CVD. They are integrating non-hydrogenated unsaturated fatty acids as prevailing signifier of fat, whole grains as the chief signifier of saccharide, an copiousness of fruits and veggies, equal Z 3 fatty acids and non excessively mu ch salt. Besides with diet physical activity, reasonable imbibing wonts, turning away of smoke and care of healthy organic structure weight may forestall bulk instances of CVD in western population. Cognitive diminution is besides the most common disease that occurs in the ulterior portion of life. It means mental damage and dementedness ( Stanner 2009 ) . It occurs as the consequence of chronic degenerative encephalon disease. It has a great impact on a individual liberty and independency. That ‘s why there is a great demand of forestalling or proroguing cognitive damage ( WHO, 2002 ) . By following many facets of life styles including the increased physical activity rational mental stimulation, turning away of smoke and assorted facets of life have been associated with healthy ripening ( Clarke, 2009 ) . The hazard of cognitive diminution and shot include high consumption of Na ( salt ) , fat, energy and intoxicant. Stanner and Denny ( 2009 ) province that under nutrition and nutritionary lacks in older grownups besides are a beginning of concern in relation to cognitive diminution. The Hazard of Dementia and Alzheimer ‘s disease increases as the addition in the de gree of sulfur incorporating aminic acids additions. To forestall the hazard of Alzheimer ‘s disease the Mediterranean diet, which contains plentifulness of fruits and veggies, leguminous plants, unsaturated fatty acids and fish, can be helpful ( Scarmeas, Stern & A ; Tang, 2006 ) . Osteoporosis and arthritis are besides one of the jobs that ageing people has to endure. Stanner and Denny ( 2009 ) mentioned the consciousness sing the bone wellness and bar in osteoporosis. As current figures estimate that one in three adult females and one in 12 work forces over the age of 55 old ages will endure from osteoporosis. In order to forestall osteoporotic break, equal consumptions of Ca and vitamin D are cardinal to guarantee optimisation of peak mass attainment ( Loveridge & A ; Lanham – New, 2009 ) . Lack of vitamin D position is besides one of the causes of falls ( Finch & A ; Doyle, 1998 ) . A diet that contains equal protein and vitamin K is rich in fruits and veggies and low in salt may besides assist to detain bone ageing. Avoiding fleshiness will assist in order to forestall degenerative arthritis and weight loss will move as an effectual manner of cut downing hurting and disablement in patients with knee degenerative arthritis ( Dieppe, 2009 ) . Oral wellness is besides one of the of import points to be kept in head to advance healthy ageing. In the UK 58 % of grownups aged 75 old ages and over have no natural dentitions and rely on dental plates ( Steele, Sheiham & A ; Marcenes, 1998 ) . The older people holding tends to eat un healthy diet holding low in fruit and veggies, low in of import foods such as vitamin C and potentially higher in fat ( Walls, 2009 ) . There are so many factors that will in tooth loss. One of the most common grounds is nutrition on dentitions that result in development of dental cavities and therefore consequence in tooth loss ( Moynehan & A ; Petersen, 2004 ) . The frequence of sugar consumption ( in the signifier of sugar incorporating medical specialty ) is one of the common grounds of holding dental cavities. That ‘s why dentist normally recommended restricting consumption of sugar incorporating nutrients and drinks to four occasions per twenty-four hours ( Moynehan & A ; Petersen, 2004 ) . Besides some minerals such as Ca, Zn, Mg, Sr and fluoride are involved in remineralisation of dentitions and can assist protect against cavities. Besides Fe, vitamin B12 and foliate may assist in building in the immune system and assist them from unwritten infection and protect unwritten wellness. In the scenario, Dorris have age of 87years.She is populating entirely. Her hubby died some 6 months ago because of MI Core. Earlier when she was populating with her hubby the wellness was good. As shortly her hubby died, she was non at all making anything merely sitting on the chair. She was non at all taking attention of her nutritionary position. She lost 13 kilogram of weight in the past 6 month. Her hubby had a history of MI Core. So she must be advised sing the diet healthy for her bosom, as she is excessively holding a hazard of holding CVD. The diet must incorporate energy-dense, high in fat and salt and low in complex saccharides, fruits and veggies. Besides, she must be encouraged to take part in physical activity, reasonable imbibing wonts, turning away of smoke and care of healthy organic structure weight.