Treating Diabetes with Transplanted Cells Essay Example For Students

Rewarding Diabetes with Transplanted Cells Essay Rewarding Diabetes with Transplanted Cells Essay Seventy-five years back the kind of diabetes that influenced kids and youthful grown-ups was deadly. During the 1990s examiners found that a hormone, that was created in Islets of Langerhans, was not being delivered in diabetes patients. This hormone, called insulin, empowers different cells to take up sugar glucose from the blood for vitality. Diabetes patients who were not making insulin had glucose from food collecting in the blood while different tissues were starving. Their are two sorts of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes has stopped totally from making insulin and the individuals who had this sort typically passed on. Type 2 diabetes despite everything makes a little insulin so endures of this sort typically lived. During the 1920s possibilities for individuals who experienced sort 1 diabetes expanded when it was found out that insulin extricated from creatures and set in people could forestall demise. Sadly, this isn't a fix. Patients can get possibly deadly diabetes-related disarranges. These incorporate visual impairment and, or kidney disappointment. Atherososclerosis, deadness and torment in furthest points brought about by limited vessicles, may likewise be an issue. These impacts are caused on the grounds that insulin infusions cant entirely impersonate normally made insulin. That is the reason a treatment that keeps up glucose esteems inside ordinary from the asking is required. A perfect treatment would be the implantation of islets. This, in principle, would just must be done once and would safeguard appropriate insulin creation. Effective unions would likewise forestall diabete-related ills. At Paul E. Lacys lab, tests have been accomplished for a quarter century on such a procedure. From the start they were simply attempting to comprehend the mechanics of hormone discharge. To begin this they required an approach to isolate islet groups from the pancreas. These comprise just 2% of the whole pancreas, however, and are dispersed all through it. In 1967 they found an answer and took the islets from rodents. These islets were transplanted in innate rodents to check whether it would control insulin creation in diabetes patients. It was a triumph and kept blood sugar levels ordinary. It even fixed early entanglements in the eyes and the kidneys. The subsequent stage was to test the procedure on people. Lamentably, the process that was utilized to isolate rodent islets from the pancreas didn't take a shot at people. They needed to locate another approach to take care of the issue. The issue took a couple a long time to explain yet in the mid 1980s they at last found a self-loader technique to do it. This strategy figured out how to detach 400,000 islets from the pancreas. It would take only the sum they assessed to keep up the glucose level. In 1986 the main trial began. A ton of insusceptible suppresent drugs are required so the remote tissue would not be dismissed. These medications are unsafe, however, so the trial was performed on patients who have had kidney transplants and are as of now on these medications. They concluded that the best spot to place the islets was into the entry vein prompting the pancreas. This would give the islets sustenance from the earliest starting point and would be less hazardous than putting them legitimately into the pancreas. The outcomes were empowering. Subjects were given 400,000 islets and the joins worked. Yet, it was insufficient to stop insulin infusion. Later when the islets were expanded to 800,000, the insulin infusions had the option to be halted, at any rate for a period. They likewise discovered that the islets could be solidified and put away. Since 1990 around 145 patients have had the procedure done. Most were incapable to control the glucose level. Strain on the islets may have been a issue and at times enough most likely werent utilized. Specialists are proposing to give these transplants with diagrams despite the fact that the outcomes werent great. The procedure is less exorbitant and simpler than complete pancreas transplantation. .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a , .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a .postImageUrl , .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a .focused content zone { min-tallness: 80px; position: relative; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a , .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a:hover , .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a:visited , .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a:active { border:0!important; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a .clearfix:after { content: ; show: table; clear: both; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a { show: square; change: foundation shading 250ms; webkit-progress: foundation shading 250ms; width: 100%; darkness: 1; progress: haziness 250ms; webkit-change: obscurity 250ms; foundation shading: #95A5A6; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a:active , .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a:hover { mistiness: 1; progress: murkiness 250ms; webkit-progress: darkness 250ms; foundation shading: #2C3E50; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a .focused content zone { width: 100%; position: relative; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a .ctaText { outskirt base: 0 strong #fff; shading: #2980B9; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: intense; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; text-design: underline; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a .postTitle { shading: #FFFFFF; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: 600; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; width: 100%; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a .ctaButton { foundation shading: #7F8C8D!important; shading: #2980B9; fringe: none; fringe span: 3px; box-shadow: none; text dimension: 14px; textual style weight: striking; line-stature: 26px; moz-outskirt sweep: 3px; text-adjust: focus; text-adornment: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-tallness: 80px; foundation: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/modules/intelly-related-posts/resources/pictures/basic arrow.png)no-rehash; position: supreme; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a:hover .ctaButton { foundation shading: #34495E!important; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800 a .focused content { show: table; tallness: 80px; cushioning left: 18px; top: 0; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a-content { show: table-cell; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; cushioning right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-adjust: center; width: 100%; } .ud8a6ebebdab9fd6d89c895fc2a47800a:after { content: ; show: square; clear: both; } READ: The Liability Of A Car Accident Essay Numerous ideas have been thought of however to tackle the last piece of the issue. One is being investigated by Kevin J. Lafferty. That will be, that on the off chance that you wreck traveler luekocytes, the tissue would not be rejected.This has been credited to the hypothesis that it takes two signs for have white platelets to assault remote specialists. These two signs are sent by the traveler luekocytes. Sadly, to wreck these luekocytes you additionally obliterate the hormone- creating cells. Joseph M. Davie has contrived a refined method, however, that slaughters the traveler luekocytes without harming the hormone-creating cells. He put 1,500 rewarded islets from one rodent strain to an entryway vein of another. There was no dismissal! .

Municipal Solid Waste Management in Beijing Assignment - 2

Civil Solid Waste Management in Beijing - Assignment Example The difficulties area of the article is sagacious all the more so in light of the fact that it contains recommendations that can help conquer the difficulties (Wang and Wang 71). Â The information that the debris squander segment is high I country territories are significant in light of the fact that it demonstrates that the provincial zones are as yet relying upon nonrenewable wellsprings of vitality. The information on the effect of dampness content on the genuine calorific estimation of metropolitan strong waste is critical as it clarifies why squander cremation is less viable. The article includes onto the current information by including information that shows that dismissal of city strong waste administration by network individuals is a significant obstruction since network individuals are a key partner in the undertaking (Wang and Wang 71). Â I concur with the end that monetary advancement prompts increment in city strong waste. This is on the grounds that monetary improvement gives individuals moderateness and this along these lines expands the waste items that originate from the things they purchase. The expansion in food and paper squander segment in city strong waste is evidence of the impact of monetary turn of events, particularly in the urban territories.

Scientists Debunk the Myth That 10,000 Hours of Practice Makes You an Expert

Scientists Debunk the Myth That 10,000 Hours of Practice Makes You an Expert Can a magic number define your expertise or really make you an expert at anything?A 1993 psychology paper, by the psychologist Anders Ericsson of the Florida State University, first introduced this widely touted idea that 10,000 hours of practice can make you an expert at anything.This theory was pushed into the social and scientific sphere again with Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers claiming that anyone can master a skill if they put in 10,000 hours of practice.Despite imminent skepticism from the scientific community, there was a general rise of hope in the masses that if they really tried hard and put on that many hours of practice they can be exceptionally good at something, even masters of a skill they desired. There is even a Macklemore song about it.However, being exceptional at a skill is often attributed not only to the genetic talents passed down to the child but also to the environmental factors.Whether it be musical ability, skill with numbers or artistic talent, there are a multitude of factors involved and if the skills are nurtured, remarkable genes can result in equally remarkable talent.Gladwell’s theory encapsulates the idea that talent can be learned and through an extended practice of a skill and intense training it can be earned as well. No pain no gain, they say. Source: Code7700Let’s trace the idea.Can 10,000 hours of practice really bring out the best in you and is enough to help you master your chosen field of interest?SO WHAT IS THE ACTUAL THEORY?   According to the actual theory, if you put in 10,000 hours of practice into a skill, it is a surefire way to become an expert.This concept has wormed its way into social consciousness due to the fact that it simplifies the mysticism of achieving greatness with easily definable steps.People have now generalized the fact from Ericsson’s and Gladwell’s works into extrapolating that talent can be learned as well as earned through intense practice.Dedicated practice in your chosen field can be the precursor to success and the secret to bringing out the best in your innate abilities.Gladwell and Ericsson both insisted on deliberate practice and to reach the threshold of 10,000 hours, it would require 90 minutes each day for approximately 20 years, which might explain an average child learning a piano might never reach concert level.Additionally, the 10,000-hour mark is not such a “skill tipping point” according to Gladwell who states that skills are developed gradually and evolved with practice.There is a variance in the range of time periods, where different individuals reach a peak of proficiency, in their chosen field.However, the theory’s tainted result might be due to the domain dependency which is better explained in Frans Johansson’s book, “The Click Moment”, in which the author explains that deliberate practice can be proven successful in domains with a stable structure and predefined steps.For example, Richard Branson started with a record business, but ventured well beyond music and is now launching rockets into space.Take Sex Pistols for instance, who rocked the stage of the world with their music even though Sid Vicious was a poor excuse of a bass player.Brooke Macnamara, the lead author of the Princeton study, states:There is no doubt that delibe rate practice is important, from both a statistical and a theoretical perspective. It is just less important than has been argued. For scientists, the important question now is, what else matters?INSPIRATION FROM ERICSSON’S ORIGINAL THEORYGladwell’s inspiration came from K. Anders Ericsson, whose theory validates the points that if sufficient practice is applied to any particular skill, anyone can achieve proficiency level, equivalent to a classical musician on the top of their field.Ericsson’s key study was based on the violinists of the Berlin Academy of Music, in which most musicians begin their musical training by the age five with varying number of hours for practice and by age eight the practice times start diverging.According to the researchers, by the age of twenty, some expert performers have an average of 10,000 hours of practice or even more while good performers totaled hours amount to 8,000 and lesser-abled performers can account their performance hours to just 4, 000. Ericsson and his fellow psychologist found similar patterns in expert and amateur pianists.An amateur pianist, by the age of 20, has put in more than 2,000 hours of practice while professionals had put in considerably more effort with their hours of practicing amounting to more than 10,000. The study clearly states,“The maximal level of performance for individuals in a given domain is not attained automatically as a function of extended experience, but the level of performance can be increased even by highly experienced individuals as a result of deliberate efforts to improve.”The 10,000-hour rule is further consolidated by the claim,“Our basic assumption is that the amount of time an individual is engaged in deliberate practice activities is monotonically related to that individuals acquired performance. It follows from this assumption that individuals should attempt to maximize the amount of time they spend on deliberate practice to reach expert performance.”IS MALCOLM GLAD WELL’S OUTLIERS JUST A BUNCH OF LIES?  According to Gladwell, this magical formula of practicing 10,000 hours is the key to success in any field and all sportsmen, computer programmers, and performers have more or less put in more than 10,000 hours of practice, which eventually allowed them to become shining stars in  their fields as compared to their less diligent counterparts.For example, he extrapolates the success of the Beatles with the extended opportunity afforded them to play in clubs and bars in Hamburg, Germany, which gave them plenty of time to hone their skills. Source: Indo MT5Gladwell also cites Bill Gates, who in contrast to his contemporaries was given access to a computer at an early age of 13, in 1968, which gave him an excellent foundation to become the co-founder of the software giant Microsoft.While others his age were playing soccer, he was putting in hours of practice, which gave him a prominent head start to become beacon head in programming and building his company at such a young age.However, it may seem like an unattainable goal to achieve because most experts who are best in their fields have accumulated an average of 10,000 of practice hours as opposed to a total, while winners of international musical competitions have put in more than 25,000 hours of dedicated practice.Moreover, if the area of expertise is less competitive, it is much more likely that you will succeed, which is strengthened by the findings by Ericsson and his colleagues, who stated that college students can reach expertise in memorizing digits with just 50 0-1,000 hours of practice.And while deliberate practice might be a big contributor to success, it cannot be the whole story.It is still a bone of contention between psychologists that no matter the amount of practice, the absence of proper motivation can become a hindrance in the acquisition of expertise in any field, may it be mathematics, physics, sports, arts or music.The question is, what makes other people slightly more motivated than others their age and what pushes them to do well in the first place?Even when two people, with the same amount of practice hours are observed and studies, there are still disparities that cannot be explained.What if the seductive notion of the 10,000 rule is all wrong? Some might argue that excellence is only reserved for a selected group of individuals and they are the real winners of the genetic lottery that has skimmed past us.Gladwell’s book doesn’t qualify with the activities requiring deliberate practice.The questions isn’t of how many hours of practice you put in, but rather if people are born with a particular set of skills and have enough motivation and spare time to realize their dream in pursuit of a single goal.That is the point of difference from Ericsson’s study that observed British musicians and found that the top performers in the field are not fast learners, even when they are compared to the average performers in their field.The psychologists studied various musician groups for hours and found that most of them improved or learned at the same rate. The only disparity was that top performers practiced for more hours.Further studies explained their excellence as the fact that most top performers possessed an early natural gift for music or had the distinct advantage of being taught at home by parents or private tuitions.Similar observations were recorded when child prodigies in art and music were studied. At first glance, they might have seemed to be blessed with natural raw talent, but closer inspec tion revealed a different story.For example, Rudiger Gamm, a German mathematician who assisted in finding the quotient of two primes up to 60 decimals was dubbed a “Walking Miracle” by science magazines, but it is now revealed that he devoted his life to the study of numbers and practiced no less than four hours every day relentlessly until he mastered the number facts and the procedures behind them.Deviating from the core principles of Ericsson’s study is the reason Tim Ferris mocks the 10,000 hour rule. SORRY! JUST PRACTICE WON’T TURN YOU INTO THE BEATLESWhen they say practice makes perfect, it is not always the essence or replacement for talent, which is inherent. Scientists have remained quite skeptical in face of Gladwell’s theory.A recent group of psychologists, from 5 reputable universities, has rebuffed the claim as well as Gladwell’s wisdom. According to the authors,“leaving the majority of the reliable variance unexplained and potentially explainable by other factors.”According to the study, several levels of varying deliberate practice only accounts for one third of excellence in the performance levels recounted in musicians and chess players.It also depends on the age that you start practicing, personality, intelligence or another X factor, which leaves us with the idea that while practice is great, it won’t suddenly instill in you a natural born talent where there was none. “Practice only accounts for one third of excellence in performance levels.”The team of psychologists analyzed data from previous studies, spanning chess competitions with 1,083 participants in total and 8 studies with 628 musicians to find the correlation between success and practice.What they found, left Gladwell’s study in the dust.Huge disparities were found in the way grand musicians and chess grandmasters practiced.For example, it took 26 years for one chess player to reach a level of expertise that another reached in just two years.It is quite clear, that there is so much more at work than just mere practice and the sheer number of hours it takes. The scientific journal Intelligence published their study as well as their claim,“The majority of the reliable variance unexplained and potentially explainable by other factors.”, “The evidence is quite clear that some people do reach an elite level of performance without copious practice, while other people fail to do so despite copious practice.Researchers found a 12% difference in the performance, through 88 deliberate studies of several domains. What’s shocking is that the domain made a huge difference.For example, while practice made 26% difference in games, in education, it accounts for just a measly 4%.This cross examination of six previous studies strengthened the claims that excellence is reliant on two factors, genetic ability and natural talent. Source: HubSpotERICSSON AND MALCOM GLADWELL’S WEAK DEFENSE IN FACE OF CRITICISM  Anders Ericsson, the psychologist that Gladwell cited in his infamous paper has publicly disagreed with these new findings by arguing that the critics have focused their studies on too many beginners and not many experts in their fields. According to him,  â€œMy review rejects the assumption that data on large samples of beginners can be extrapolated to samples of elite and expert performers”. He also published a revised paper to reaffirm his believes on how the masses perceive the concept all wrong and the study is focused on what the current performance of a trainee is and what it could be after sufficient training.He also elaborated in his new study the unknown variable of heritability related to expert performers, meaning that where expert performers are concerned, cognitive ability is not correlative with performance.Ericsson himself, among many others, have found several inaccuracies where Glad well’s book is concerned and he has faced a lot of backlash over claims mentioned in his book.Sports Illustrated author David Epstein went as far as to publish a new book called, “The Sports Gene” in which he disapproves of Gladwell’s theory.Business Insider went as far as to state that Gladwell’s theory is destroyed by Epstein’s book. Gladwell however defended his claims by stating,  â€œEpstein has written a wonderful book. But I wonder if, in his zeal to stake out a provocative claim on this one matter, he has built himself a straw man.”Gladwell, you see, applied the 10,000 rule to activities that required cognitive thoughts and not those of swimmers and runners.According to him, the critics cannot refute his claims or invalidate the 10,000 hours rule, as in fields, demanding cognitive thoughts, natural ability is unheard of and the rules work better for activities and instances where there is a specific number of instances and possibilities that can be mastered and expertise attained in a given amount of time.WHERE DOES THE THEORY OF ‘NATURAL TALENT AND GENETIC ABILITY’ STAND?  The truth about talent is often attributed to preordained genius or innate abilities, which is what the Theory of Natural Talent and Genetic Ability is all about.The idea behind it is that heredity and genetics are the only explanations for physical attributes but our mathematical, musical, sporting and scientific prowess, which gives us precedence over others.In short, our excellence in a domain hinges on our genetic inheritance.This concept is in stark contrast to Gladwell’s theory.We use the word talent to rationalize and understand this idea that brilliant musicians, scientists, mathematicians are born with a distinct advantage of a superior DNA with excellence encoded in them since birth.While supporters of Gladwell and Ericsson harp about the notions of deliberate practice and extended hours of hard work to achieve excellence, it cannot be ignored that peopl e are born with natural and innate ability to do well than others in their field and achieve excellence with less practice than their counterparts.Chrissie Wellington, for instance, was a four-time Ironman Triathlete, who competed professionally when she was 30 and won her very first world championship just a year later.According to Dean Keith Simonton, a psychologist, natural talent allows a person to get more bang for their buck or help them get better faster and improve their expertise in a record amount of time.According to Matt Ridly,Genes are the mechanisms of experience.”Which means that talent is a gradual development through a stabilized interaction of environment and genes, where talent and practice are complimentary if not at all at odds.IF PRACTICE ISN’T THE ANSWER, THEN  WHAT  IS?      There has been an ongoing debate over the quantity of practice over the quality.Attaining exceptional mastery in any field can be attributed to not just practice or innate ability or talent, but also to certain learning strategies and tactics that can help you tide over the average counterpart in your field and become a proficient master of a specific domain.While deliberate practice is a precursor to excellence, it is important to set specific and definable goals, facilitate swift and accurate feedback in an orderly progression and also create an environment that not only permits progress but expedites it. Here are some more ways that can facilitate expertise.1. Acquiring Extensive Knowledge And  Research  Accumulating necessary information to achieve any desired objective is what swift skill acquisition is all about. It will tell you exactly how to reach your goal and what you need to reach it.Tracking your progress and measuring yourself with the received feedback can provide an exceptional way to adapt yourself to changes required for better results.2. Baby Steps  Of  Learning And  Observation  Learning a skill can become easy with information gathering and observation, which can facilitate your innate ability.Learning about a subject or a skill can help your chances of mastering it and general observation is always helpful in the form of demonstrations or workshops.3. Creating  Short Term Goals For Self    It is much more sensible to create goals you know you can achieve.Realistic goals have a better chance of being achieved than setting up high expectations and then disappointing yourself.Achievable goals can be broken down into steps and small steps can be taken to gradually ascend to the top.4. Teaching  Others  Lectures, reading, audio-visual aids, demonstrations, group discussions, practice comes second only to teaching others which is termed as a participatory teaching method.Teaching others improves your own proficiency level, which gives you the necessary motivation as well as responsibility to master a subject before you can teach it to others.FINAL THOUGHTSIt is often a great idea to research claims of any study or scientifi c research before adopting their findings in a closed-eye haze.It is a stark reality that no amount of practice can help you in any sports field if your body and fitness level is not up to the mark and 10,000 hours to pile up on top of natural talent to hone a skill is just overkill.The combination of natural ability and time however is not a guarantee of expertise but development of deliberate practice as a concept.And while it may be your best bet on mastering a skill, burning yourself out with extended periods of practice can do more harm than good.It is always a good idea to focus your energies on the quality of your focus on learning skills rather than the quantity of hours that you put in.

Recent Legal History of the Death Penalty in America

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is the government-sanctioned execution of a person sentenced to death by a court of law as punishment for a crime. Crimes that can be punished by the death penalty are known as capital crimes and include serious offenses such as murder, aggravated rape, child rape, child sexual abuse, terrorism, treason, espionage, sedition, piracy, aircraft hijacking, drug trafficking and drug dealing, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Currently, 56 countries, including the United States allow their courts to impose the death penalty, while 106 countries have enacted laws abolishing it completely. Eight countries sanction the death penalty in special circumstances such as war crimes, and 28 countries have abolished it in practice. As in the United States, the death penalty is a matter of controversy. The United Nations has now adopted five non-binding resolutions calling for a global moratorium on the death penalty, calling for its eventual abolition worldwide. While most countries have abolished it, over 60% of the world’s population live countries where the death penalty is allowed. China is believed to execute more people than all other countries combined. The Death Penalty in the United States While the death penalty has been an integral part of the American judicial system since the colonial period, when a person could be executed for offenses like witchcraft or stealing grapes, the modern history of American execution has been shaped largely by political reaction to public opinion. Between 1977 and 2017—the latest year available in U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics data—34 states executed 1,462 people. The Texas state criminal correctional system accounts for 37% of all executions. Voluntary Moratorium: 1967-1972 While all but 10 states allowed the death penalty in the late 1960s, and an average of 130 executions per year were being carried out, public opinion turned sharply against the death penalty. Several other nations had dropped the death penalty by the early 1960s and legal authorities in the U.S. were starting to question whether or not executions represented cruel and unusual punishments under the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Public support for the death penalty reached its lowest point in 1966, when a Gallup poll showed only 42% of Americans approved of the practice. Between 1967 and 1972, the U.S. observed what amounted to a voluntary moratorium on executions as the U.S. Supreme Court wrestled with the issue. In several cases not directly testing its constitutionality, the Supreme Court modified the application and administration of the death penalty. The most significant of these cases dealt with juries in capital cases. In a 1971 case, the Supreme Court upheld the unrestricted right of juries to both determine guilt or innocence of the accused and to impose the death penalty in a single trial. Supreme Court Overturns Most Death Penalty Laws In the 1972 case of Furman v. Georgia, the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision effectively striking down most federal and state death penalty laws finding them arbitrary and capricious. The court held that the death penalty laws, as written, violated the cruel and unusual punishment provision of the Eighth Amendment and the due process guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment. As a result of Furman v. Georgia, more than 600 prisoners who had been sentenced to death between 1967 and 1972 had their death sentences commuted.   Supreme Court Upholds New Death Penalty Laws The Supreme Courts decision in Furman v. Georgia did not rule the death penalty itself to be unconstitutional, only the specific laws by which it was applied. Thus, the states quickly began to write new death penalty laws designed to comply with the courts ruling. The first of the new death penalty laws created by the states of Texas, Florida and Georgia gave the courts wider discretion in applying the death penalty for specific crimes and provided for the current bifurcated trial system, in which a first trial determines guilt or innocence and a second trial determines punishment. The Texas and Georgia laws allowed the jury to decide punishment, while Floridas law left the punishment up to the trial judge. In five related cases, the Supreme Court upheld various aspects of the new death penalty laws. These cases were: Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153 (1976)Jurek v. Texas, 428 U.S. 262 (1976)Proffitt v. Florida, 428 U.S. 242 (1976)Woodson v. North Carolina, 428 U.S. 280 (1976)Roberts v. Louisiana, 428 U.S. 325 (1976) As a result of these decisions, 21 states threw out their old mandatory death penalty laws and hundreds of death row prisoners had their sentences changed to life in prison. Execution Resumes On January 17, 1977, convicted murderer Gary Gilmore told a Utah firing squad, Lets do it! and became the first prisoner since 1976 executed under the new death penalty laws. A total of 85 prisoners - 83 men and two women - in 14 U.S. states were executed during 2000. Current Status of the Death Penalty As of January 1, 2015, the death penalty was legal in 31 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have abolished the death penalty: Alaska, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Between the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976 and 2015, executions have been carried out in thirty-four states. From 1997 to 2014, Texas led all death penalty-legal states, carrying out a total of 518 executions, far ahead of Oklahoma’s 111, Virginia’s 110, and Florida’s 89. Detailed statistics on executions and capital punishment can be found on the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Capital Punishment website.

East of Eden The Nature of Human Choice - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1735 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/08/15 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: East of Eden Essay Did you like this example? Circumstances can only shape a persons life to the extent that they allow them to. The truth is that peoples lives are determined by their choices not their circumstances. This is not to say that circumstances like a tragedy that occurs in ones life does not play a role in shaping an individual. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "East of Eden: The Nature of Human Choice" essay for you Create order However, an individual always has the ability to choose their response, despite not being able to choose their circumstances. The power of choice produces lessons and values that form peoples overall characteristics. Over time, people realize that who they become is not determined by outside sources, but instead dependent on their responses to the outside influences they face. A simple example comes from a set of children being raised under similar conditions, yet they develop different types of characteristics due to the different life choices they make. Larger scale examples can be found in the texts used in this analysis. Texts used to further dive into this analysis are the Bible and East of Eden by John Steinbeck. The main topics being discussed in this paper address mans nature versus mans nurture, and how nature plays a more significant role in a character being good or evil. These topics ultimately aim to show how mans nature of choice develops an individuals character more than the amount of nurture they receive during their life time. First is an overview at how the nature compares to the nurture of an individual. Next is an explanation of how free will is given to man by God and how the power free will is determined by choosing good or evil. Lastly, the focus shifts to how mans pursuit of good or evil choices shapes the individuals character. This break down highlights how every human being has the same nature, which includes choice and good and evil. Man can choose good or evil, because he has the power to pursue the life he wants. An individuals character is dependent on mans nature of free will, which is man being able to choose good or evil more than people or circumstances that may play a role in his nurture. The significance of a short introduction into both books is important as it shows the idea of human choice and good and evil. The Bible gives some of the very first accounts of God presenting man with having to make choices for himself. Looking at the story of Cain and Abel, found in the book of Genesis, each brother develops a character based on the choices they make. Cain and Abel are known for having a long-standing testimony of brother rivalry, focused on the idea of human free will. When God asked these men to bring forth the best of what they had to offer, Abel follows the instructions given to him by God and automatically wins favor with him. Abel gives what is asked of him to God gaining Gods favor; The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look (NRSV, Genesis. 4:4). God favors Abel because he gave what he had and more. Cain only gave half of what he had to God, causing God to look past Cain for not being true to his request. This irritates Cain for he does not understand (NRSV, Genesis.4:7). Cain grows jealous of his brother Abel because he holds a stronger relationship with God. An anger inside Cain grows and he develops a solution to the problem by killing his brother Abel; Listen! Your brothers blood cries out to me from the ground (NRSV, Genesis. 4:10). In East of Eden, Steinbeck devotes much of the plot to the exploration and championing of human nature. For in East of Eden also has a family of two generations, the Trask family, and its ultimate triumph is about overcoming the forces of evil. The two brothers, Adam and Charles, have a jealous relationship fraught with tension and violence. Charles envies his brother Adam because he feels that their father Cyrus treats him with preference. The second generation of Trask boys Cal and Aron struggle will similar issues. Steinbeck mostly examines how the nature of man is developed through the concept of Timshel. The novel is concerned with the idea of self-determination as the true measure of mans moral character, and his key to triumph in the eternal struggle between good and evil that takes place within him. It particularly celebrates the power of human beings to determine their own destiny through exercising free will. This novel shows the unique development of human potential and gr ants a power of action and responsibility to man. One of the major questions being addressed in this paper is how the development of the characters in the East of Eden connect to the nature of good and evil. In the way that East of Eden depicts generations struggling with the choice between good and evil, it might be referencing a call to salvation. It comes as no surprise, that many say that the tale has close ties to the old testament story of Cain and Abel including how it mirrors Cains offering being rejected, Cain murdering his own brother, Cain becoming guilty and Cains punishment for his choice. Both the theme and structure of East of Eden come from biblical influence. A central biblical idea Steinbeck uses in East of Eden is the Hebrew word, Timshel, to demonstrates the idea of overcoming evil. Timshel is defined as the idea that human will is the strongest force on earth and can overcome anything. Steinbecks novel tries to escape evil and do good by focusing on the end of the story of Cain and Abel: thou mayest rule over sin (NRSV, Genesis. 4:7). Steinbeck sees this in the Bible as a key term for men to remember. East of Eden was different from many of Steinbeck earlier novels t hey never rose to such a height of glory in their view of what human begins can be. East of Eden reveals the source of human evil, and its forms. Nothing compared to the word Timshel that says, the way is open (Steinbeck 303). This idea was completely new to Steinbecks writing. First of all, nature is more influential to ones character because an individuals nature gives them the power of making choices as passed down from one generation to the next. When Steinbeck introduces the characters of Adam and Charles Trask, he describes the two boys. Adam is described as: Young Adam was always an obedient child. Something in him shrank from violence, from contention, from the silent shrieking tension that can rip a house. He contributed to the quiet he wished for by offering no violence, no contention, and to do this he had to retire into secretness, since there is some violence in everyone. He covered his life with a veil of vagueness, while behind his quite eyes a rich full life went on. this did not protect him from assault, but it allowed him an immunity (Steinbeck 20). Charles on the other hand, is strong and closer to the perfect child that his father would want: his half-brother Charles, only a little over a year younger, grew up with his father assertiveness. Charles was a natural athlete, with instinctive timing and coordination and the competitors will to win over others, which makes for success in the world (Steinbeck 20). The description of these two brothers is key because it plays a role in showing that physical and personal traits exist but are not the only things that shape the character. Further character development comes from the choices that they make between good and evil. Both of these men have the ability to choose between good and evil due to the fact that this is their nature. They have the same nature but not every mans nurture is the same. Since Adam Trask was the weak one, he always received more love and recognition from his father; whereas because Charles was the stronger brother, his father never felt the need to give him as much affection. Both these characters are developed by circumstances and relationships showing that mans nurture influences a piece of who they become. Although nurture has a slight influence on the way these characters develop, their nature forms a stronger foundation towards their overall character. As previously stated, nature has to do with genetics, but more importantly nature has to do with free will. In the old testament, the story of Adam and Eve begins with God giving humanity free will ,And the LORD God commanded the man, you may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall, not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die (NRSV, Genesis. 2:16-17). Free will was given to man in the form of choosing between good and evil, which can be translated as mans nature. If Adam and Eve were to make the choice to go against the one restriction that God had for them, they would be bringing sin into the world. Adam and Eve did bring sin into the world by later eating of the tree of knowledge, thus man is faced with having to overcome sin. Mans nature comes from God, which means that God gives all man free will. This gives man the opportunity to use free will to overcome sin. Therefore, the key element to nature having more influence on an individuals character is free will. This being said man has control over whether or not he becomes good or evil because he has the ability to choose between good and evil. Man can never choose his circumstance, but he can choose how he is going to responds to things that are out of his control. He is able to do so because God has given every man free will. Even though Adam is favored over Charles, which leads to conflict between the two, both are able to make a choice on how to deal with the conflict. The same can be said for the conflict that Cain and Abel find themselves having to resolve. Each of these examples of character of dealing with conflict points back to the key concept of Timshel in Steinbecks novel. When facing adversity, a character will be developed by his choosing of good or evil.

Naturalistic Observation Free Essays

Naturalistic observation happens when they are studied naturally, which means the observer cannot control the conditions. The structured observations are set up to provoke certain behaviors of interest. These most of the time are not normal behaviors for the children who are being observed. We will write a custom essay sample on Naturalistic Observation or any similar topic only for you Order Now The benefits of using naturalistic observation is the fact that there are no factors that are making the child act different. This could limit though the responses that you get from the child because they don’t know what you are doing, and they may make themselves act a little different because they are being observed. I believe that using naturalistic observation is a good way because you can see naturally how the child is and what they do without any directions or orders. The benefits of using structured observations are you asking the children questions or giving them tasks and kind of being prepared for what they may do. This helps you compare data of children of the same age on what they would do. Structured observation This method had limits because the children aren’t acting as they would naturally, yes, they have the freedom to answer the questions to their desire or perform the task as they wish, but that isn’t how the child is naturally. This type of observation is kind of controlled observation, which could make the child feel more nervous than just getting observed. The observation style that I agree with is the naturalistic observation. I say this because you get to see how the child is naturally, without any limitations. This could help you compare the acts of children with disabilities versus the children without disabilities. Using naturalistic observation, it allows you to see the true actions and emotions of the child because you don’t have any restraints or objectives of the observation. How to cite Naturalistic Observation, Essays Naturalistic Observation Free Essays Naturalistic observation is considered as one of the basic methods in psychological research and study. This fundamental research methodology is known to divulge and aid the psychologist in his or her critical analysis of the human behavior and characteristics while in socially acceptable public domain in his or her course of interacting with other individuals in their aspect of addressing their sociological needs. In this aspect of human interaction, psychologist try to significantly analyze the human nature as shown by their actions both involving the verbal and non-verbal communication style and how individuals manifest their motives while adhering to the social values and cultures pertaining to public communication. We will write a custom essay sample on Naturalistic Observation or any similar topic only for you Order Now Naturalistic observation is commonly an actual observation of subjects mainly while they are in their course of social interaction specifically while they are in the public place. In the course of implementing this method, the researcher must also observe social values and cultural manners thus preventing any offensive act during the observation. In addition, the concept of personal privacy and inappropriate intrusion should also be constantly observed while the researcher is observing the subjects. All of these limitations must be implemented while the researcher observed the subjects in an isolated nature keeping his or her presence unnoticed and ideally absent to the personal space of the subject during their interaction. The only aspect to be focused on in this project is the psychological behavior of the subject as manifested by their very intricate details such as gestures, voice, reaction, facial expression and impression and others. Project: Naturalistic Observation In this aspect of applying the method of naturalistic observation during an actual psychological study, this author conducted a personal project using the said methodology. In this study, the researcher particularly this author will try to support the psychological hypothesis postulated by Aronson (et al, 2004) and Lesko (2000) regarding the psychological behavior and actions of individuals during an actual social interaction. This hypothesis will significantly govern the psychological observation project and will guide the researcher in establishing an interactional pattern as observed through the subjects. In this observation, the researcher presumptively hypothesized that the dominant speaker in the first part of the conversation will likely speak more frequently in the later part of the conversation. The chosen subjects are a man and a woman both Caucasians who are dining in a restaurant and are observably conversing with each other regarding a specific matter which both of them can relate. It is very apparent from the observable verbal and non-verbal aspect of their communication that the topic they are conversing is very critical as they both stresses their own involvement and awareness to it. Verbal recording is not very likely in this situation as an attempt to push this is prevented by the environment and the situation at hand however, few notes of recorded key words denotes that they are talking about a legal and ethical issue in their work environment. Words mentioned such as â€Å"management†, â€Å"chief-of-executives†, â€Å"a settlement bargain† and â€Å"what the labor union ought to do† will denote that they are both involve in the same job and in the same issue they are both probably working with. This will suggests that the situation is likely an informal meeting between the two, possible from different party, to discuss some important details regarding their business issue or a settlement for the resolution of their topic. This is established to be informal by the researcher as suggested by their attire as they are into casual wear. In non-verbal observation, the actions and gestures of the subjects will denote that they are with a professional background as their etiquettes and manners are significantly refined for the matter (Aronson et al, 2004; Lesko, 2000). In addition, their gesture mainly the speaker, at their specific chances, will suggests a clear and direct emphasis on his or her point thus suggesting that their topic is indeed of high importance (Lesko, 2000). This concept is further followed with the high intention of the other to listen carefully and then reply with his or her personal opinion on the matter with a language that is concise and direct to the point. The observed intonations and voice volume is noticeably well modulated suggesting that both of the subjects as well versed in the field of the topic and that they are cautious of offending the other. With critical and empirical observation of the subjects, this researcher has noted that the man seems to be speaking more frequently while the woman speaks primarily in response to the man’s idea. This factor suggests that the man has the part of proposal or he is the one with the main intention for the meeting, which is likely established by him. The verbal aspect of the woman can thus be regarded to be as a commentary or a supplementary mean in this conversation making her the character that the proposal is focused with. In the aspect of considering the hypothesis that is previously stated, the man is postulated to speak more frequently in the following period. And in the observed subjects, the man is indeed noted to have spoken more frequently than the woman, which establishes the hypothesized interactional pattern in the social behavior of the observed individuals. Conclusion As observed in the conducted naturalistic observation, it has been determined by this author that social interaction of individuals are indeed influenced by their natural nature and motives manifesting through the creation of the dominant speaker and the other being the receiver. The person who has the greater aim and intention in each social interaction who is more likely than one who established the said meeting has the greater possibility of becoming the main speaker in the conversation. On the other hand, the other party becomes the main receiver as his or her speech becomes supplementary or commentary with that of the other. Thus, in social interaction, it is very likely that one party manifest as the dominant side to guide and focus the conversation as he or she has the greater intention in the said interaction. Bibliography Aronson, E. Wilson T. D. Akert R. M. (2004). Social Psychology. Prentice Hall, NY, USA. 5th Edition. Lesko, W. A. (2000). Readings in Social Psychology: General, Classic and Contemporary Selections. Allyn and Bacon, Boston, USA. 5th Edition. How to cite Naturalistic Observation, Essays

Case Study about the Biggest Bankruptcy Case in Australia

Question: Case study about the biggest bankruptcy case in Australia. Answer: Introduction The study is a detailed analysis of a case study related to bankruptcy in U.S.A. The analysis of the case study seeks to identify the inherent problems in the organization and what lead to the downfall of the organization. It will explain the events in the case study with the use of different theories on leadership. It will analyze those theories and ideas to find solutions to the problem identified in the case study. Based on the issues identified, effective solutions will be provided to improve similar kind of situations in the organization. It will recommend the best solution available for the problem and give detailed information on how specific solutions need to be implemented to bring the change in the organization. It will also identify types of unethical behavior demonstrated in the case study and what intervention needs to be done minimize this kind of behavior in an organization. Identifying problems from case study The case study is about the biggest bankruptcy case in Australia. It is about US Company Enron formed by the merger of natural gas pipeline companies Houston Natural Gas and Internorth in 1986. In 15 years time span the company expanded to other products like natural gas, electricity, and communication. The company's downfall became evident from the third quarter of 2001. During that period, the stock market collapsed all of a sudden. Enron could not make new borrowings, and eventually, they ran out of cash. This leads to loss of confidence in leaders of Enron. Though their assets and earnings showed a satisfactory progress of the company but it was just an illusion. Due to partnership and financial deal with the different company, they were in a huge burden of debt. They created false earnings, avoided taxes and hide losses. Another major problem was a conflict of interest. The employees were not united for common objectives. At Enron, the employee appraisal was based on profit gene rated by the employee but not on delivering core values of the organization. There were also unethical practices in the organization. The proof was the case of California was they used unethical means to generate extra profits. They were involved in just raising the companies to share and undermined ethical issues in practice. Even after the retirement of Enron's CEO Jeff Skilling, Ken Lay also followed his steps. They continued to buy more shares and ultimately failed completely and became bankrupt. Board of Directors should monitor unethical behavior in an organization, but they were Enron's CEO themselves were into unethical practice. There was no proper collaboration between employees, and the Directors did not brief on partnerships. Many were sued in the company for insider trading. Though Enron's values were "Respect, Integrity, Communication, and Excellence", but it was not followed in reality. Therefore, major problem analyzed was the conflict of interest (Individualism), lack of borrowings, massive debts and unrestrained pursuit of profit. The risk-t aking a culture of Enron further promoted unethical practices (Leonidou et al., 2013). Explanation of case studies by theories on leadership The action of CEOs of Enron will be identified by relevant theories on leadership. One of them is the Trait theory. This theory suggests that characteristics of a person make them a good leader. Common traits include empathy, integrity, good decision making skills, etc. This believes influences one's action. But Enron failed because both CEOs Jeff Skilling and Ken Lay were lacking in this regard. Though they were involved in creating more profits and earnings, but they did not pay heed to unethical means of achieving it (Colbert et al., 2012). Another theory is the behavioral theory of leadership. It explains the involvement of leaders in team and organization development. Kurt Lewin developed this theory, and he identifies three types of leaders- autocratic, democratic and Laissez-faire leaders. According to the case study, it can be analyzed that the Board of Directors at Enron were autocratic leaders. They did not consult team, there was no briefing on new development or partnerships, and they did not encourage new input from employees. They were just in the pursuit of profit irrespective of unethical means (Chemers 2014). Affect of leadership on culture Leaders can influence organization both positively and negatively. Leaders at Enron had risk taking a culture. They even paid a bonus to employees who manipulated profit estimates. So they encouraged all sorts of unethical behavior in the organization ultimately leading to its downfall. Culture in an organization is created by actions of leaders, focus of leaders, how they reward or penalize employees and their attention to resource development in the organization. Good leaders focus on the above points to nurture and develop the organization culture. They help in molding and shaping the culture of the organization. They act as role models whose actions employees try to emulate. They are the reason for the long-term effectiveness of the organization. They set up an environment within which each team members strive and work together for the excellence of the organization (Klein et al., 2013). Suggest solutions to the problem Enron was dealing with major issues like the conflict of interest, unethical means of business, huge debt, lack of effective leaders, bankruptcy situation and unfair ways of earning profits. This section suggests some solutions to the suggested problems identified in the case study. One of the biggest problems was the error of action of leaders at Enron. They had poor leadership skills, and they could not manage a team according to company's core values. Their focus was only on generating profits, no matter it comes by what means. Such action is encouraged in the organization only because of faulty leaders. This problem can be solved only if leaders take the initiative to improve situations. Leaders may be affected by factors which are beyond the workplace culture. At Enron, they were facing financial problems due to the sudden collapse of the stock exchange. This kind of situations distracts the focus of leaders. So they could have addressed problems in organization and took logical steps to solve it with team members effort. Poor leadership has an impact on overall turnover, employee satisfaction, productivity and culture of the organization. If leader accepted the responsibility for the problem and spent their time on reviving and inspiring workplace, the maj or problems can be solved. Strategic leadership gives clarity of vision and provides a chance for the team members to pursue it in an ethical manner. They provide tools and resources for avoiding obstacles in the work environment (Schoemaker et al., 2013). Another major problem with Enron was an accumulation of huge debt ultimately leading to bankruptcy. Organizations can effectively deal with such situation if they perceive things beforehand. The first step towards dealing with such situation is to do a realistic assessment of companys expenditure and profit. In the case of a financial problem, one can contact creditors and make the modified payments plan that reduces their burden of debts. Any company must have debt management plan in place to better deal with such situations. So Companies should analyze financial situations from the beginning and manage expenditures to avoid accumulation of debts in future. Taking the right amount of debt and at the right time also help in making situations better. Huge debts could be managed by making better borrowing decision earlier. But once it is too late for retroactive financial analysis, there are only two options left. One is to try to save the problem by settling accounts and an exit strat egy that minimizes financial risk. The first option can be executed by cutting cost, contacting employers to improve business model and contacting creditors for lowering interest rates or restructuring payment options. The loan could be consolidated by one payment option which reduces monthly cost and does not put debt burden. The last and the final route is filing for bankruptcy. Though it requires services of a bankruptcy attorney, it is a better option for reducing the debt burden. If any business has assets lesser than debts, bankruptcy allows to pay only the value of assets and not the entire amount (Segal, 2013). Another solution is required for unethical behavior in organizations. If this kind of issues is not addressed, it will lead to serious consequences, and ultimately the organization will suffer for it. There were several unethical practices at Enron such as manipulation of profits for employees, unethical pursuits for profit, etc. A human resource manager could play a role in tackling in unethical issues. To actively address unethical behavior at work, Company's direct can take steps like creating a strict code of ethics in the organization. It establishes those values which are critical for particular business and creates a framework of objectives for the workplace. Such framework helps employees to understand the boundaries within which they have to work. The ethical vision of the company should be communicated to each employee in the form of a broadly written statement. There should be a clear protocol for reporting unethical behavior in the workplace. It could be in the form of me eting with team manager or supervisor. Managers can play a role in helping employees identify and handle ethics violation. New employees could be given ethics training to increase the effectiveness of ethical code. Creating a better and ethical workplace will ultimately lead to improved work process, happier environment and success of business (Jacobs et al., 2014). Recommendation A lot of have been said about the possible solutions to the problem identified in the case study. Another recommendation is related to the effort of team members. Companies prosper due to good team management, and it may also collapse due to the disordered and chaotic team. So team development could be a significant intervention to solve the problem. Improvement in this section will help in getting work done efficiently, and the competent team can also handle all hurdles or obstacle in business (Fransen et al., 2013). Ways of implementation Effective team and good leadership skill is the key to success in the workplace. Building a successful team also depend on the leadership. These approaches could be taken by Enron to improve their problems in the workplace. The following are the ways for team development and accessing the sustainability of team in organization: Clarity about work: The leader must access how well they are accepted by their team members and evaluate areas where they can improve. A leader must ensure that they modify approaches to strengthen the team and lead them to achieve new heights. Making each member aware about the accuracy and clarity of task is important in this regard. Getting to know each member of the teams: It is important for leaders to know the strength and weakness of each team members. It encourages better cooperation in work. Leaders can give the particular task to skillful members and provide training to those members who are lacking in some specific aspects of work. Great leaders know exactly which members to utilize in the urgency of the task and handling tricky situations. Defining clear goal and responsibilities: Once leaders recognize the fundamental skills of each team member, their next task is to define role and responsibilities clearly to each one of them. Each team member is dependent on each other. Talent in the individual should be identified not just by the ability to perform a task but also by checking whether they will fit into organization culture or not. Being proactive with feedback: Getting regular reviews and feedback about teams performance helps a team to improve and develop each day. It will help a team to stay on the right track. One should not give feedback only when the problem arises. Constant and proactive feedback is the key to the success of a team and organization (Broadbent 2013). Conclusion From the analysis of case study about Enron Company, it can be concluded that most organization suffers from similar problems. Problems like financial losses and unethical behavior are common in all organization. But what distinguishes a successful organization from their opposite counterpart is the role of leaders. Effective leaders take the organization forward. But leaders at Enron were more involved in profitable pursuits, but they forgot about ethical issues and core values of the company in their quest for unfair means of money. So the report analyzed the specific problems in the company and suggested relevant solutions to those problems. It explained several theories on leadership style. Finally, it gave ways of effectively implementing a solution to the problem. Reference Broadbent, M. (2013). Focus early on team member capability.Government News,33(2), 12. Chemers, M. (2014).An integrative theory of leadership. Psychology Press. Colbert, A. E., Judge, T. A., Choi, D., Wang, G. (2012). Assessing the trait theory of leadership using self and observer ratings of personality: The mediating role of contributions to group success.The Leadership Quarterly,23(4), 670-685. Fransen, J., Weinberger, A., Kirschner, P. A. (2013). Team effectiveness and team development in CSCL.Educational psychologist,48(1), 9-24. Jacobs, G., Belschak, F. D., Den Hartog, D. N. (2014). (Un) ethical behavior and performance appraisal: the role of affect, support, and organizational justice.Journal of business ethics,121(1), 63-76. Klein, A. S., Wallis, J., Cooke, R. A. (2013). The impact of leadership styles on organizational culture and firm effectiveness: An empirical study.Journal of Management Organization,19(03), 241-254. Leonidou, C. N., Leonidou, L. C., Coudounaris, D. N., Hultman, M. (2013). Value differences as determinants of importers perceptions of exporters unethical behavior: The impact on relationship quality and performance.International Business Review,22(1), 156-173. Schoemaker, P. J., Krupp, S., Howland, S. (2013). Strategic leadership: The essential skills.Harvard business review,91(1), 131-134. Segal, D. (2013). High debt and falling demand trap new vets.New York Times,23.

In the Lonely Hour by Sam Smith free essay sample

Flawlessly executed vocals and lyrics drenched with soul and passion make up Sam Smith’s new album, â€Å"In the Lonely Hour.† Recognized for his powerful voice that pours meaning into every syllable, Smith has turned from singing catchy, fun pop to heart-wrenching ballads and redefined his place in the music industry. Smith’s voice sets him apart from similar artists. It flows like honey and oozes emotion. Whenever he sings, it is just so honest. His vocals are best showcased in â€Å"Stay With Me,† the hit single that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The gospel chorus proves that Smith has a wide vocal range and can pull off any musical style. One of his less popular songs, â€Å"Lay Me Down,† is angelic. The unique ensemble is something one would expect to hear in a Broadway musical, further proving his versatility. Smith hits each note effortlessly; the control and power he has over his voice is amazing, considering how many other artists of the same genre cannot perform live without vocal difficulties. We will write a custom essay sample on In the Lonely Hour by Sam Smith or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Most of today’s pop music relies heavily on Auto-Tune and a catchy beat, and the lyrics are rarely given much thought. However, Smith’s songs are beautiful not only because of his sweet voice and stunning accompaniments, but also due to the thoughtful lyrics that capture the essence of love and heartbreak. Smith sings so convincingly about these topics; he has admitted that this album is about a man he loved who didn’t return his feelings. In the hit song â€Å"I’m Not the Only One,† Smith sings: â€Å"For months on end I’ve had my doubts/Denying every tear/I wish this would be over now/But I know that I still need you here.† The song, from the perspective of a woman being cheated on by her husband, honestly portrays how the woman is unable to let go of the relationship even though he broke her heart. One of my favorites is â€Å"Leave Your Lover,† a relatable ballad about pining for someone who’s taken. The music that accompanies Smith’s voice is just as stunning. My absolute favorite track on the album is â€Å"Good Thing.† After classical violins kickstart the ballad, an acoustic guitar is revealed. This startling contrast brings more depth to the song, and when the violins return halfway through, it shocks the listeners and draws them in. Additionally, the lyrics, which address releasing feelings associated with unrequited love, fit in perfectly with the tone of the music. Of course, the album has its downsides. The out-of-place â€Å"Restart,† a failed attempt at an upbeat dance track, just didn’t provide the emotion and depth I was looking for. Smith’s Naughty Boy collaboration on a similar song titled â€Å"La La La† is also included on this album. I do not understand the need to include a song that has already been released and does not resemble most of the album. â€Å"In the Lonely Hour† makes up for these disappointments, however, by including pieces that are perfect in every way. I adored the acoustic version of â€Å"Latch† because I could sense purpose and feeling in Smith’s voice that was nonexistent in the original single. Also, â€Å"Money on My Mind† is an ingenious addition, because although it is also a catchy, upbeat pop song, it works in ways that â€Å"La La La† and â€Å"Restart† do not. The sincerity that seeps through this single makes me fall in love with Sam Smith all over again. Smith does not receive the recognition he deserves. Hopefully, this wonderful artist will one day be acknowledged as an equal to pop legends like Madonna and Lady Gaga. Sam Smith will continue to captivate his audience with soulful singing and heartfelt lyrics for ages.

5 Para. Character Sketch On A Seperate Peace Essays - Free Essays

5 Para. Character Sketch On A Seperate Peace Essays - Free Essays 5 Para. Character Sketch On A Seperate Peace Friendship is a bond that is held together by mutual respect and common benevolence. John Knowles explores this realm deeply in his novel, A Separate Peace. Phineas and Gene are best friends, but their friendship is challenged as Gene feels that Finny is superior. Finny, unlike Gene, has no inner conflict, but instead he mentally creates a perfect universe. When Gene finally unleashes his suppressed anger by use of violence, Finny is unable to accept it as intentional in an effort to sustain his perfect world. Unfortunately, he permits this hidden truth to fester until ultimately it destroys his mental paradise along with himself. Finny utilizes his idealistic views of life, genuine caring for others, and charismatic abilities to make people love him in order to preserve his inner utopia. Finnys idealistic views of the real world are optimistic and show the naivet of his character. He has standards of perfection for life, and he is willing to sacrifice the truth to uphold this perfection. This is true even when the truth is openly admitted, such as when Gene confesses that he deliberately jounced the limb so you [Finny] would fall off (Knowles 62). Finny simply denies it and even shows some anger by threatening to kill you [Gene] if you dont shut up (62). This anger becomes the first step in the deterioration of his perfect universe. Finny cannot accept the fact that there are imperfect feelings in the world, such as losing, because Finny never permitted himself to realize that when you won, they lost (27). Furthermore, Finny has a genuine heart, which aids in his friendship with Gene. His sincerity and honesty significantly depicts how uncorrupt his character is. He sets aside certain rules to live by, of which he strongly believes to Never say you are five feet nine when youre five feet eight and a half (26). This reveals how true Finnys character is, and the fact that it is a commandment shows how his morals are the basis for his life. Finny is also very sincere with his friendship towards Gene, by openly revealing that At this teen-age period in life the proper person is your best pal. He hesitated and then added, which is what you are, (40). Whereas Gene is insecure about their friendship, Finny readily admits his true feelings. This genuine attitude deteriorates in the end along with his world as he lies in an effort to suppress the truth. Additionally, Finny has an undeniable charisma that gives him the natural charm respected by all, all but Gene. He has an extraordinary power to make people love him, and it is that love which Gene envies. His power is shown when he was forced to speak himself, the hypnotic power of his voice combined with the singularity of his mind to produce answers, which were often no right but could rarely be branded as wrong (46). His charisma allows him to slip out of difficult situations, such as when Finny wears the Devon School tie as a belt, the substitute Headmaster seemed pleased or amused in some unknown corner of his mind (19). Gene, however, envied this, and it gives him an excuse to unleash his anger and the violence. So consequently, Finnys charisma ultimately leads to his demise. Finny is idealistic in his visions of the world, genuine in his caring for people, and charismatic in his convincing nature, and these qualities make him highly revered by many. Unfortunately, Gene tries to compete with Finny, which is impossible for Gene, so he envies Finny. When Gene releases his anger, Finny is unable to accept the truth, because he wants to preserve his utopia. This perfect world is created by Finnys mind in order to not see the evils of the real world. The friendship between the two of them is not mutual. This is why one must keep their enemies close, but their friends closer, because friends are most likely to stab their friends in the back.

Ethics and Law in Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Ethics and Law in Nursing - Essay Example This paper will focus on the professional, ethical, and legal implications of the case scenario. Patient analysis Evidently, the patient is under severe depression. An untreated clinical depression may generally last from six to 24 months. Clinical psychologists opine that the chance of recurrence of this disorder is high unless the symptoms have not been resolved properly with treatment. Clinical reports reflect that the condition of major depression often co-occurs with a sequence of other psychiatric problems including lifetime anxiety. Richards (2011), indicates that anxiety symptoms will worsen the depressive illness with a slow pace recovery, increased risk of reoccurrence, greater health problems, and increased suicide tendency. It is also seen that individuals with severe depression may develop cardiovascular diseases if they do not obtain effective treatment on time. In the view of experts in clinical psychology, people with severe depression would not be willing to follow m edical recommendations for eliminating the chances of cardiovascular diseases, and this situation may further increase their risk. In short, people suffering from a major depressive disorder must get proper treatment to completely recover from the disorder. Similarly, the individual has been recently diagnosed with leukaemia and it greatly increases his risk as this disease may lead to complications including repeated infections that are potential to reduce the immunity of the patient. Physicians opine that kidney failure and a fall in number of neutrophils will be the common complications of leukaemia. Finally, the case context tells that the patient is currently undergoing an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in a psychiatric care setting. The ECT treatment can have a great influence on the patient’s memory, general cognition, and brain structure and hence he may face troubles with normal thinking and decision making. Legal implications From the patient analysis, it is obviou s that the patient is suffering from a severe depression and leukaemia and he may also get impacted by the side effects of ECT treatment. However, the patient is not in an extreme critical situation and he has the ability to see and hear events around him and respond to it verbally. Hence, the nursing staff cannot legally plan a nasogastric (NG) tube insertion for force-feeding the patient. According to Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), nurses must treat patients as separate individuals and respect their dignity. While stating the significance of treating individual differences, the NMC specifically says that a nurse has to act as an advocate for the patient and assist them to access relevant health and social care information. The case scenario indicates that the person had not been properly informed about why NG tube insertion became necessary for him. Hence the nurses’ practice is the violation of the code of conduct of the NMC. The NMC guidelines for NG tube insertion cl early say that care providers must obtain consent from the patient if he has the ability to express his views. In the given context, the nursing staff obtained consent from the patient’s relatives even if the patient had the ability to express his interests. Hence, the nurses violated the rule of NMC

Team Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Team Analysis - Essay Example Alexies is another flexible, charming, extraordinary caring and social lady. She ensures that everything required to make the team moving such as writing materials are provided. She is also able to change very first with situations, hence flexible and understanding. Dre is another excellent administrator who shows traits of a very dedicated and a curious thinker who is not able to resist an intellectual challenge. The then complements the team by reminding us always of the rules and regulations of the team that must be followed and ensures participation by every group member. Jawon is another charismatic and inspiring man who is able to mesmerize his listeners. He therefore help the team with inspiring quotes and related experiences to help us make informed decisions as we work together as a team. Sharon closes the list as a spontaneous energetic and a strategic thinker who always has a plan for everything. She therefore helps the team with its planning of activities in a logical man ner, which has been a milestone in enabling the team to achieve its some of its goals. On my side, I am also another smart, energetic and very perceptive person who always adds in the gap in the team to join all the ideas presented in order to make logical conclusions, hence making the team make steps towards completion of its tasks. After we were assigned team members, we went ahead to work with the team members as assigned as we believed in working with anybody as a team to uplift each other. We did not therefore add or drop any team members. The team therefore was not affected in anyway due to new members getting in it or other members being dropped. Some of the biggest challenges have been those concerning place and time to meet. Initially, after the members had been assigned to the team, we were faced with the challenge of finding the most appropriate place to meet. We wanted a quiet place with minimal

Secretors and Non-secretors Disease Susceptibility

Secretors and Non-secretors Disease Susceptibility Human population can be categorized into secretors and non-secretors based on A, B and H antigen on basis of presence or absence of these blood group antigens in the body fluids and secretions, such as saliva, sweat, tears, semen, serum, mucus present in the digestive tract or respiratory cavities etc. Secretors are individuals that secrete blood group antigens in their body fluids while non-secretors are the individuals that do not secrete them in their body fluids and secretions. It is a known fact that ABO blood type is controlled by blood type coding genes present on the chromosome 9q34 but the secretor status of an individual is decided by interaction of a separate gene (called secreting gene) with these blood type genes. The presence of the secreting gene in a persons genome makes him a secretor and absence makes him a non secretor. The gene is designated as (Se) for Secretors and (se) for Non-secretors and it is entirely independent of the blood type A, B, AB or O. The individuals secreting antigens in the body fluid are designated as ABH secretors in blood banks. Individuals having O blood group secrete antigen H, A blood group secrete A and H antigens, B blood group secrete B and H antigens in the fluids. A secretor gene helps a person to gain a degree of protection against different environmental conditions especially the micro flora of a particular environment and also the lectins present in them. It helps them in promoting the growth of friendly, stable blood type intestinal bacterial ecosystem which depends on the blood type antigens present in the mucus of an individual. Secretor status does modify carbohydrates in the fluids present in the body and their secretions and it also affects and influences the attachment and persistence of the micro flora present in the body. Secretors are at a higher advantage than non-secretors. Non-secretors have a potential health disadvantage. They possess many metabolic traits such as carbohydrate intolerance, immune susceptibilities. Different tests are available for determining an individuals secretor status. Most common test uses saliva or other body fluids of an individual for testing the secretor status. These tests are based on the principl e of Agglutination Inhibition where the antigens are neutralized by the corresponding antibodies so that these antibodies will not be further be available to neutralize or agglutinate the same antigens residing on the red blood cells. ELISA could also be used for determining the presence of the secreted Lewis antigens in the saliva or other body fluids. The alleles Se and se differ in the frequency and have an anthropological value. They occur in different frequency in different populations. They have a high frequency in the American Indiana and a low frequency in the southern Indians. In US 20% of the population is secretors whereas 80% of the population consist of non-secretors. The fusion allele of the FUT2 (secretor type alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase) gene at a high frequency and a new se385 allele in a Korean population SECRETOR AND NON-SECRETOR A person secreting blood group antigens into the body fluids and other secretions like saliva, semen, tear, mucous in the digestive tract and respiratory cavities are named as secretors. In similar terms they put their blood type antigens in the body fluids. They secrete antigens according to their blood type, A secrete antigen A and H, B secret antigen B and H, O secrete antigen O and AB secrete A, B and H antigen. Secretors expresses Lewis b (Leb) antigens on the RBC where as non-secretor expresses Lewis a (Le a) on their RBC.These antigens in the body fluids give additional protection to the individual against the various microorganisms and the lectins present all around us. 15- 20% of the population consists of non-secretor. These individual fail to secrete the blood group antigens in their body fluids hence they become susceptible to bacterial and superficial yeast infections. A large no of them sometimes also suffer from the autoimmune disorder. This could also be correlated with the secretor and non-secretor phenotype. The body secretions of secretors and non-secretors differ quantitatively and also qualitatively. The type and quantity of the antigens present in it differ among different individuals. In some cases the non-secretors may contain the A and B antigens in the saliva but the quantity is less and even quality is very low hence they have similar functional problem. There are certain properties which are specific for secretors and differ in non-secretors. Some are listed below: Intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity ABH secretor correlates the activity of alkaline phosphatase and serum alkaline phosphatase present in the intestine. Non-secretors have low activity of alkaline phosphatase and serum alkaline phosphatase which is responsible for the breakdown of fat and assimilate calcium. Low molecular weight alkaline is present in both secretors and non-secretors and high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase is present only is secretors. Bacterial flora The ABH blood types influence the population of bacteria residing in the local vicinity of the gut mucin glycoproteins. Bacteria produce enzymes that have the capability to degrade the end sugar of A, B, and H blood antigens and which are consumed as food by them. The B antigen degrading bacteria produce enzyme to remove the end alpha-D-galactose and A antigen degrading bacteria produce enzyme to detach N-acetylgalactosamine which are used as a source of food by them. Blood clotting The secretor and the ABO genetics influence each other and effect upto 60% of the vWf concentration variation in plasma. Raised levels of factor VIII and vWf may cause thrombotic and heart disease in future. Secretors have the slowest clotting time, thinnest blood, least tendency of platelet aggregation, low amount of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWf). The non-secretors have highest clotting time, thick blood, high amount of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWf) and low bleeding time. The blood viscosity is also influenced by the secretor status of that individual. Phenotype Lewis Characteristics of Clotting Le (a- b-) maximum action of factor VIII and vWf Very Low bleeding times (seen in A, B and AB) Le (a+ b-) intermediary action Low bleeding times (seen in O) Le (a- b+) minimum action of factor VIII and vWf Very Long bleeding times (seen in O) Blood Type Lewis and Factors effect Blood Clotting Immunoglobulin Variations ABH non-secretors express low concentration of IgG immunoglobulin. The secretion of varying concentration of diverse constituents of the blood group is controlled by the secretor gene and it also affects the phagocytic activity of the leucocytes which provides an added advantage to the non-secretors. The leucocytes of the non-secretors possess a greater ingestion power when compared to the secretors. The O and B blood group non-secretors have the highest phagocytic activity. The presence of different concentration of anti-I in the an individuals serum is affected by the ABO group, secretor status and sex of the individual. The secretors females have a high level of anti-I in the serum as compared to the males. The non-secretor have low levels of IgA and IgG antibodies and hence have frequent problems with the heart valve. Genetics and Biochemical pathways The secretion of the blood group antigens in the body fluids and other secretions are genetically influenced by certain allelomorphic genes. Secretor gene contains two alleles (Se) and (se). The dominant gene Se is present in the homozygous or heterozygous condition in the secretors which lead to the secretion of antigens into the body fluids. se is recessive allele and is present in non-secretors in the homozygous condition. SeSe and seSe produces a dominant secretor phenotype and sese produces a recessive non-secretor phenotype. Basically three genes are responsible for the formation of the A and B antigens. They are namely ABO, Hh, and Sese genes encoding glycosyltransferases which produces the A and B antigens. H antigen present in the individual with O blood group is the precursor for the formation of A and B antigens. H antigen act as a backbone for A and B antigens. The O gene is considered as amorphic. The allele Hh and Sese reside on each locus and are closely linked together. It is also suggested that one of the allele has arisen by the gene duplication of the other. The second allele on the same locus is really rare. The product related to this allele hasnt been discovered yet and hence it is considered as amorph. The oligosaccharide responsible for the formation of the A and B antigen can exist in a simple linear fashion or a complex branched fashion. Infants A, B and H antigens contain high amount of linear chained oligosaccharide whereas oligosaccharides present in an adult contain high amount of branched chained oligosaccharides The A and B antigen is synthesized from a common intermediate known as substance H. The conversion is carried out by the addition of a sugar molecule to the non reducing end of the H oligosaccharide chains. This addition affects the reactivity of H antigen. The ABH substances are secreted in the Urinary respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract by mucous glands residing there. The secretor gene regulates the synthesis of blood group antigens in the glands of small intestinal mucosa. The secretors and non-secretors produce A and B substances which are basically glycoproteins in pylorus and Brunners glands and produce A and B substances those are soluble in alcohol and glycosphingolipids in nature. The secretors also produce ABH substances in the prostate and lactating mammary glands. The secretion of breast is rich in H substance but poor in substance A and virtually absent in substance B. The synthesis of these constituents in the pancreas and secretory cells of sweat gland is not controlled by the secretor gene. The blood groups substances were also found in the calyxes and collecting tubules of the secretors (Se) but it could not be concluded that whether they are produced by the kidneys or are generally excreted. These secretions were noticed in the eight to nine weeks old salivary glands and stomach and later it appears throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Glycosphingolipids carrying the A or B oligosaccharides are present on the membranes of RBCs, epithelial and endothelial cells and are also present in the plasma in the soluble form. The glycoproteins carrying the similar A and B oligosaccharides are responsible for their activity in the body fluids. In the body fluids they are present in the secreted form. The A and B oligosaccharides which do not contain the carrier proteins are present in the milk and urine. The chromosome 19 containsFUT 1 and FUT 2 genes which code for fucosyltransferase. FUT genes numbered from 1-7 and form clusters which are responsible for the production of enzymes called as fucosyltranferases. The cluster is located on chromosome 19q13.3. Fucosyltranferase helps in the formation of fucose moiety which is added to the H antigen and further gylcosylate the A or/and B antigens. H antigen is a basic blood group antigen present in each and every human being but the content varies in different individuals of the same ABO group. A general pattern indicates that its strength varies as O>A2>A2B>B>A1>A1B. Water soluble H antigen has been demonstrated in the saliva and the body fluids of the individuals.H antigens are fucose containing glycan units which are present on the glycolipids or glycoproteins residing on the erythrocytes membrane or in the secretions. The fucosylatedglycans are the substrate for the enzyme glycosytransferases that are responsible for the formation of the Lewis and A, B blood group antigen epitopes. Secretors contain both the alleles whereas non secretor contains the null allele for FUT2 gene. The FUT 2 gene codes for fucosyltranferaseenzyme in the exocrine tissues which lead to formation of antigens in the body secretions and body fluids. The A and B genes produce glycosyltranferase that add sugar to oligosaccharide chains that is converted to H antigen. The H antigen are constructed on the oligosaccharide chain. The oligosaccharide chains could be of two type : Type 1 and type 2. The glycosphingolipids present in the plasma and on the membranes of glandular and parenchymal cells and glycoproteins present on the cell surfaces or body fluids carry either the type 1 or type 2 chains. The glycolipids antigens present on the RBC contain type 2 chains. A gene encodes N-acetyl-galactosaminyl-transferase and B gene-encodes galactosaminyl-transferase and add   GalNAc   and  Gal   in alpha (1-3) linkages which is acts on the H gene transferase. The H gene produces fucosyltransferase that add fucose to the terminal Galactose molecule of type 2 chain. It forms an alpha (1-2) linkage. A and B antigens are constructed when the A and B transferases attach respective sugars to the type 1 or type 2 chain substituted with Fucose. The secretor gene FUT2 located at 19q13.3 and codes for the activity of the glycosyltransferasesin concert with the FUT1 gene coding for H antigen, needed to assemble both the ABO and Lewis blood group and are active in mucous gland and goblet cells which interact with each other and lead to secretions of antigens in the fluids. The expression patterns of both the genes are different. The FUT1 (H) gene is dominantly expressed in the erythroid tissues which lead to the formation of the H enzyme whereas the FUT2 (secretor) gene is expressed in the secretory tissues and lead to the formation of secretor enzyme. The product of the H enzyme or H gene resides on the erythrocytes and product of secretor gene resides on mucins in secretions. If an individual lack these alleles, he/she will not be able to express the above active enzymes therefore they would be deficient of the substrates which are required by the A or B glycosyltransferases. Therefore they would not express the A and B epitopes. Correlation between Lewis Phenotype and ABH Secretor status The Lewis typing also helps in finding the ABH secretor status. The production of Lewis antigens is genetically controlled. Individuals possessing the Lewis (Le) gene would produce the Lewis antigens which are carried in the plasma by different substances and are absorbed onto the Red blood Cells present in ones blood. The ABO determinants and H/h blood groups factors seem to show structurally corelation to Lewis blood determinants. FUT1 provide the glycans for glycosyltransferases which convert Lewis antigen to ABH antigens. FUT2 allele is expressed in the secretor and is responsible for the expression of type1 H determinant. The secretors convert their Lewis a antigen to Lewis b therefore they are (a-b+) and the non-secretor are (a+b-) as they lack the FUT2 responsible for glycosyltransferase which could convert Lewis a antigen to Lewis b antigen. Lewis (Le) gene and Secreting (Se) gene interact with each other. Initially Lewisais formed and if Se gene is absent in an individual the Lewisa substance is absorbed on the RBC and the individual is typed as Lewisa but in secretors the Se gene controls the activation of the H gene which causes addition of an additional sugar to Lewisa which convert it to Lewisb. Secretors contain both Lewisa and Lewisb in their plasma but absorb Lewisb preferentially on the red blood cells and the individual is typed as Lewisb. Hence we could interpret that presence of Lewis gene would type an individual as Lewisa positive or Lewisb negative or vice versa. An individual could not be positive for both. A person containing both Lewis gene and Secreting gene are typed as Lewisa negative and Lewisb positive whereas a person having the Lewis gene but not the secretor gene is typed as Lewisa positive and Lewisb negative. Individual who does not have Lewis gene regardless of secretor gene is typed as Lewisa negative and Lewisb negative. Note: Lewis Double Negative (LDN) is a sub type of non secretors but Lewis typing cannot be used for them to determine the ABH secretor status. Detection methods The presence and absence of the antigens in the body fluids could be detected by Agglutination Inhibition and Lewis typing. Agglutination Inhibition test could be divided into two parts:- Part I Antibody Neutralization: To determining ones secretor status, the saliva of the individual is mixed by the antiserum (Anti-A, Anti-B or Anti-H) available commercially. In secretors the soluble substances i.e. blood group antigens will react with the antibodies present in the antiserum and will get neutralized. Part II Agglutination Inhibition: The bed blood cells obtained commercially are added to the test mixture. In secretors agglutination of the RBC do not take place as no free antibodies are available to agglutinate them. All the antibodies have reacted with the soluble antigens present in the saliva whereas in non-secretors agglutination would occur upon addition of the RBC as no blood group antigens are present in the saliva so antibodies present in the antiserum are not neutralized and hence would be free to react with the test RBC cells which are added to the test mixture. Hence agglutination is a negative test for secretor status and positive test for the non-secretor status. Note: Anti-H lectin containing phytohaemagglutinin virtually specific for human RBC. Thirteen Cucurbitaceaespecies have been investigated for the anti-H activity present in their seed lectins. Lectins has been extracted and purified from Ulexeuropaeus seeds. It could be used to demonstrate the H secretor status of blood group O individual and also for subgrouping the blood group A individuals. Lewis typing: Individuals carrying the Lewis gene produce Lewis antigens that are carried by the plasma and are also adsorbed on the red blood cells. Lewis antigens do not reside only on the red blood cells. Initially the gene gives rise to Lewisa. If Se gene is present it activates H gene which interact with the Lewisa and add a sugar to Lewisa and hence get converted it to Lewisb. Both Lewisa and Lewisb in present in the plasma of the secretors. If the Se gene is not present then the Lewisa substance is adsorbed on the red cells and individuals are typed as Lewisa. The secretor status of an individual could be determined with help of Lewisa and Lewisb antibodies mixed with an individuals saliva and observing the agglutination macroscopically. Disease Susceptibility among Secretors and Non-secretors Digestive system Non-secretors are more prone to the diseases caused by the oral bacteria in the digestive system of an individual. It includes ulcers, celiac diseases gastric carcinoma pernicious anemia etc. It could lead to dysplasia or increase in the number of cavities present in the digestive tract. Non-secretors are less resistant to the infection caused by Helicobacter pylori which could lead to the formation of peptic and duodenal ulcers. It could easily colonize and cause inflammation in the non-secretors. The non-secretors lack the blood group antigens in the mucus secretions therefore H.pylori attach to the walls of the digestive tract and cause infection. The secretors have a tendency to secrete free ABH antigens in their intestinal secretions which effect the bacterial and lectins adherence to the microvilli present in the gut. The secretors produce these antigens and prevent H.pylori attachment. These antigens act as a decoy in the secretors which prevent them from attaching with the ho st tissues. The non-secretors also show a lower IgG immune response to the H.pylori. They have extreme rate of bleeding and stomach ulcers but correlation between these complications and the secretor status have not been documented yet. The non-secretors are not able to turn off the digestive enzymes and hence they produce large amount of enzyme pepsin and hence are more prone to duodenal ulcers. 50% of the duodenal ulcers are present in non-secretors. 30-40% of group O individuals are affected by the duodenal ulcers and 15- 20 % are affected by the gastric ulcers. They show a high risk factor along with the gene coding for hyperpepsinogenemia I which impact in the risk of duodenal ulcers. Group A individuals have a higher tendency of having gastric cancer and pernicious anemia. Statistics shows that 20% of the group A individuals are affected by gastric cancers and 25% are affected by the pernicious anemia. Oral pathology The non-secretors are more prone to oral diseases like mouth and esophagus cancer, epithelial dysplasia etc. They have more cavities than secretors. Diabetes The ABH non-secretors and Lewis negative (Le a-b-) individuals have a high risk of developing insulin dependent diabetes or complications arising from diabetes. Secretors with juvenile diabetes have a low chance of developing retinopathy. The ABH non secretors which are affected by insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, they show mean levels of C3c and C4 is lower as compared to ABH secretors. Metabolic Syndrome X The Lewis negative men are predisposing to syndrome X and prothrombic metabolism. They have high levels of BMI, SBP, triglycerides and low levels of insulin in serum and plasma glucose while fasting. This relationship is not true for women and is only applicable for the men. Respiratory System   Secretors have an added protection against the harmful environmental assaults directed towards our lungs and as usual non-secretors have a health disadvantage. They are over represented among the people suffering from influenza viruses A and B, rhinoviruses, respiratory synsytial virus and echinoviruses. The secretors who are miners or smokers do receive a protection against the disastrous effects of the cigarette smoking. Asthma is very common among the individuals working in the coal mines. Upon research it was concluded that asthma among them is also related to the non-secretor phenotype present in them. The non-secretor has a tendency to snore and are more prone to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Heart disease The ABH non-secretor phenotype have a high risk of developing myocardial infarction and Lewis negative individuals have a high risk of developing chronic heart disease (CHD) and also ischemic heart disease (IHD). They contain high levels of triglycerides. Alcoholism has a positive interaction with the Lewis negative individuals. Alcohol consumption is protective in these individuals. Autoimmune Disease   Autoimmune disorders such as Sjogrens syndrome, spondylitis, sclerosis, arthropathy, arthritis, and Graves disease are more prone in non-secretors. The ABH non-secretors affected with graves disease produces high levels of antitubulin antibodies as compared to secretors and are unable to produce the water soluble glycoproteins in the saliva. Fetal Loss and Infertility ABO antigens are also found on the sperm of the secretors. These are obtained from the seminal secretions present in them. ABO incompatibility could exist between the wife and husband if could affect the fertility of an individual. This issue has not been properly studied and is therefore under research. Rheumatic Fever The secretors and group O individuals are resistant to Rheumatic fever and more number of cases have been recorded in the non-secretors. Secretor status could also determine whether the rheumatic fever would be followed by streptococcal pharyngitis or not. Neisseria species The non-secretors who do not produce water soluble antigens in the saliva are at the risk of getting infected by Neisseria meningcococcal disease. The immune capabilities of the secretor provide a relative protection in the secretors. The ABH non-secretors produce low level of anti-meningococcal salivary IgM antibodies which provide protection to the secretors against the microorganism. Candida species Non-secretors are barriers of candida species and therefore are frequently affected by the candida infections. The glycocompounds secreted by secretors in the body fluids inhibit adhesins present on the yeast which are responsible for their adhesion with the body tissues. This leads to the development of the chronic hyperplastic Candidiasis. Statistics shows that 68% on the non-secretors are affected by chronic hyperplastic candidiasis. Non-secretor women are affected by recurrent idiopathic vulvovaginal Candidiasis. An individual with a combination of non-secretors and absence of Lewis gene are at relative risk of developing recurrent idiopathic vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Tumor Markers The individuals with homozygous active Le alleles (Le/Le) and inactive (se/se) alleles shows a highest mean value of CA19-9 tumor marker. The Lewis negative individuals irrespective of Se genotype have negative values for CA19-9. The Lewis negative individuals have higher mean value for DU PAN-2 as compared to Le-positive individuals. We can conclude that CA 19-9 marker is not an appropriate tumor marker for Le-negative individuals but DU-PAN-9 is an appropriate tumor marker. UTI Non-secretors show a higher risk of getting recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and renal scars as compared to secretors. This susceptibility is higher among negative Lewis subset. Statistics of a study done on women affected with recurrent urinary tract infection stated that 29% of the non-secretor women were affected by UTI and 26% of Lewis (a-b-) women were affected by the UTI. The non-secretor phenotype and blood group B and AB phenotype work together to increase the risk of UTI among women. Women and children suffering from renal scarring with and without the antibiotic treatment for UTI are prone to UTI and pyelonephritis. 55-60% of non-secretors develop renal scars and 16% on secretors develop renal scars. C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and body temperature are higher in the non-secretors that in secretors with recurrent UTI. Conclusion It concludes that there exist a statistical association between the individuals blood-group secretor phenotype and the diseases they are susceptible to. So knowing your secretor status is advantageous as we can use the nutritional supplements more intelligently and effectively. It also makes us aware of the diseases, illness and metabolic dysfunction we are prone to, difference in the levels of intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity, propensities towards blood clotting, tumor markers and different ingredients of breast milk so that we can manage them before hand and would be prepared for them in the near future.