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As this Idea being applied to Frost's writing career, Frost Is being drawn to wildness and darkness In life and forgets about his responsibilities of writing poems. In ‘Gathering Leaves', â€Å"but a crop is a crop† (ALL) has two levels of interpretation. The first â€Å"crop† refers to the gathered leaves and harvested crops while the second â€Å"crop† refers to reward and value. This suggests that the value lies in the effort of gathering leaves. As for Frost's poetic creations, the effort in gathering ideas is its own value.He confirms his value in poetic creations and finds his motivations to carry on. Moreover, the two poems have stated that Frost has to go on with his life and work hard to fulfill his responsibilities in life and work. In Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening', â€Å"l have promises to keep† (L 14) refers to Frost who has to keep his promises to fulfill responsibilities in real life. Also, â€Å"miles to go before I sleep† (ALL-LA 6) has two levels of meaning. On the surface, it means that Frost still has a long way to cross the woods before he can rest.Frost deep down wants to express that he has a long Journey before his death. In ‘Gathering Leaves', â€Å"and whiffs to say where the harvest shall stop? (LOLL) Is a rhetorical question which Is used to show that the harvest shouldn't stop. It symbolizes Frost's work as a poet. It tells that Frost should not stop but get on with his Job and collect ideas for his writing instead to fulfill his responsibilities as a poet. Next, I'm going to discuss about the three differences In content between the two poems by Robert Frost.Firstly, the durations of the two actions, stopping by woods and harvesting, are different. For Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening', Frost is Just attracted by the nature and stop by the woods to observe the beauty of the nature. He will soon leave and continue his Journey in life to fulfill his responsibilities of writin g. However, for ‘Gathering Leaves', it Is a continuous working routine. It symbolizes the repeating routine of writing, Including gathering Ideas and poetic creations. Frost won't stop because he knows that he has to get on with his life as a poet.Secondly, the reasons to go on are different in the two poems. In ‘Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening', it is said that Frost has miles to go before he sleeps (Al 5-ALL) which indicates that he has to continue his Journey in life to fulfill his responsibilities. Is hard work in L 16. â€Å"But a crop is a crop† (ALL) suggests the value of gathering leaves lies in the effort itself. Therefore Frost carries on with his Journey because he finds it rewarding. Thirdly, the emotions throughout the two poems differ.In ‘Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, the repetition of â€Å"and miles to go before I sleep† in L 15 and L 16 suggests a tired tone of the speaker. However, Frost has to go on to fulfill his respo nsibilities and resist the attraction from the darkness. As in ‘Gathering Leaves', â€Å"but a crop is a crop† (ALL) suggests a determined tone of the speaker since he knows he he can get the reward by putting effort in gathering ideas for writing. To discuss about the similarities in form between the two poems, there are two. To begin with, the two poems are quatrains.They have regular patterns which suggest that Frost has to take regular steps to move on the Journey. Also this indicates the routine tasks of the writer as a poet. Besides, the two poems used the poetic device of enjambment. In ‘Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, the use of enjambment suggests that Frost goes on with his journey as a poet. While in ‘Gathering Leaves', it suggests the continuous routine asks of gathering ideas as a poet and also the movements of light leaves when they try to escape from the catch of Frost.The last word on the second line rhymes with the last word on the fou rth line in each stanza. This suggests the continuous routine tasks of a poet again. In addition, the lengths of line and rhythms are different. ‘Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening' has longer lines and the rhythm is comparatively slower. It is because Frost enjoys admiring nature and he is not rushing through his Journey. For ‘Gathering Leaves', it has a faster rhythm and the lines are shorter. It is use to mimic the movements of leaves. The leaves are very light in weight. Hey keep escaping and running away fast.

Judaism and Passover

* This essay will describe Passover a Jewish Holy Days. This essay will discuss the time of the year of the holy day(s), the historic origin of the holy day(s), and the religious practices associated with the day(s). This essay will also identify the theological or cultural differences that may lead to differences in the observance of the holy day by the various branches of Judaism. * Passover is a Jewish holidays, best known maybe because Christian history, the Last Supper was said to be a Passover meal. The last and greatest of the plagues is the death of the first-born sons of the Egyptians.The Israelite’s son weren’t killed because they have followed Yahweh’s warning and have marked the doors of their homes with the blood of a substitute – a sacrificial lamb (Exod. 12:13). Because God has â€Å"passed over† Egypt, the event is thereafter called the Passover or Pesach, and its yearly memorial has become one of the major Jewish festivals. Passover begins on the 15th day of Nissan (Nissan is 30 days between March-April). Passover is the first of the three major holidays (Passover, Shavu’ot and Sukkot) with both historical and agricultural significance.Historically Passover observes the Exodus from Egypt after many years as slave to the Egyptians, as told in Exodus. Agricultural receives little attention, it is the beginning of the harvest season in Israel. The weeklong holiday of Passover starts on the first lunar month and may have originally begun as a renewal springtime nature day. It recalls the Hebrew’s escape from Egypt slavery. Placing lamb blood from the Passover meal, as told in Book of Exodus, over the doors of the Hebrews, keeps the angel of death from killing their first born sons and the power of God â€Å"passed over† Egypt.The Passover Meal is a memorial meal, the Seder or order, at which Jews eat several symbolic foods (bread, a meal, salad of nuts and fruits). The bread, a thin flat bread called matzah, does not have yeast. Matzah shows how there was no time for bread to rise in the Hebrews’ rush to leave Egypt. This is also refer to as chametz (leaven; sounds like â€Å"hum it's† with that Scottish â€Å"ch†), it symbolizes a way of removing the â€Å"puffiness, arrogance, pride† from their souls. Chametz includes anything made from the five major grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats, and spelt) that have not been completely cooked within 18 minutes after coming into contact with water† (Judaism 101). A shank bone of lamb or other animal is in the meal, symbolizing the sacrificial lamb. A salad of nuts and fruits, or haroseth, symbolizes the mortar used by the Hebrews in their forced labor. To remember the suffering of the Hebrews during their oppression, diners dip parsley in saltwater and eat bitter herbs. During the meal the story of Moses, and the Israelites is retold.A place and cup of wine is set up at the table for the prophet E lijah, â€Å"actions representing the hope that he will return to earth to announce the coming of the Messiah. A delicious meal follows the ritual part of the supper. Today many Jews invite non-Jews to share in their Seder and celebration of Jewish customs† (Molloy (2010)). The text of the Passover seder is written in a book called the Haggadah. â€Å"Orthodox Jews of Ashkenazic background also avoid rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes (beans) as if they were chametz.All of these items are commonly used to make bread, thus use of them was prohibited to avoid any confusion. Such additional items are referred to as kitniyot† (Judaism 101). * In conclusion this essay described Passover. The essay discussed the time of the year of the holy day(s), the historic origin of the holy day(s), and the religious practices associated with the day(s). This essay also identified the theological or cultural differences that may lead to differences in the observance of the holy day by the various branches of Judaism.

Greenhouse gasses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Greenhouse gasses - Essay Example Some greenhouse gases originate from natural sources. Typical, evaporation adds water vapor into the atmosphere. Animals release CO2 when they breathe, or respire while methane is released from some low-oxygen environs naturally, such as swamps. In the other hand, nitrous oxide is formed by certain processes in water and soil. Volcanoes - both under the ocean and on land - release greenhouse gases, hence periods of high volcanic activity level tend to be warmer. From the time of the Industrial Revolution in the late 1700s to early 1800s, mankind have been releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere (King, 2010). That amount has rose steeply in the previous century. Greenhouse gas emissions augmented by 70% between 1970 and 2004. CO2 emission, the most significant greenhouse gas, rose by around 80% during that time. The quantity of atmospheric CO2 today far exceeds the normal range seen over the previous 650,000 years (Steinberg, 1998). Big amount of the CO2 that human being put into the atmosphere originates from burning fossil fuels. Vehicles, trucks, trains, machinery, and planes all combust fossil fuels. Most electric power plants do, also. Another way humans discharge CO2 into the atmosphere involves by cutting down trees, because trees hold large amounts of carbon through photosynthesis. People increase methane to the atmosphere by livestock farming, landfills, and relic fuel production such as natural gas processing and coal mining. Nitrous oxide comes from fossil fuel burning and agriculture. Fluorinated gases include hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These gases are used in refrigeration and aerosol cans (Steinberg, 1998). All of these human practices add greenhouse gases to the Earth’s atmosphere. As the level of greenhouse gases rises, so does the Earth’s temperature. The rise in Earth’s

Project Progress Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Project Progress - Assignment Example The cases of identity theft and information un-safeness have increased in many countries and hence the passing of laws for citizen protection. Organizations are expected to create risk management plans that will take precaution on data security and prevent occurrences that threaten the private data of their customers. Information is important to all stakeholders(Gray & Larson,2008). Flayton electronics has recently been involved in digital purchasing by providing the service of purchasing using credit cards. They have failed in protecting the customer’s data and cases of fraud using the credit card information were reported. With this happening, the company exposed its failure to fulfill their legal duty to protect the customer information. The company was expected to have a self-sufficient risk management plan that would analyze and access risks of any project that they are involved in. This would ensure that they design specific responses to any anticipated risk. The risk management manager did not analyze the risks involved in the new business trend and hence the risk occurred hitting the company by surprise. The number of bad cards purchased was above average and hence many goods were purchased wrongly. This means that the company lost a lot of money through purchases made without real or using accounts of other people without their knowledge. The company has not lost only in terms of product reduction but also in terms of capital. This is a draw back to the company since it impossible to retrieve back the goods and is expensive to compensate the customers. The company will also suffer in terms of losing the loyalty of the customers(well-stam,2004). The customers had entrusted the company with their bank information that they failed to protect. It is the expectation of all the customers that their information is kept private and free from being damaged by other people. The customers whose information was wrongly

Group World Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Group World Culture - Essay Example There are two official languages in Israel, Hebrew, the biblical language and Arabic. The two languages are written from right to left. Less than half a century ago, the Hebrew language faced extinction as it was considered as a language to be used only for prayers. The Hebrew language was revived through the efforts of a Lithuanian known as Eliezer ben Yehuda. The two languages, Hebrew and Arabic, are taught in schools. Israel is a multilingual country with people from over 120 countries across the world living in the country. Good English is spoken virtually by everyone in Israel. Other languages that are used include Russian, French, Spanish, Yiddish and ten other dialects. Highways and street signs are usually in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. There are many newspapers, journals and magazines published in English. (Torstrick, 2004) Approximately 79% of is Israel’s population belong to Jewish religion. Other religions are Islam (15%) and Christianity (2.5%). There are also other minor religions. Despite the different ethnic and religion affiliation, Israel is a democratic country that allows freedom of worship and other democratic rights to all its citizens. However, there exist division among Jews who define themselves as either secular (hiloni), ultra –orthodox (haredim), modern orthodox (dati-leumi), and traditional (masorati).Tension exist between the religious and secular Jews. Secular Jews differ with rabbinical principles which influence some of their life aspects whereas the ultra-Orthodox Jews advocate more incorporation of Jewish traditions and law in the countrys law. There has also been mild tension between the Arabs who are Muslim and the Christians. The government funds all non-Jewish religions, mainly Christianity and Islam and the groups coexist peacefully. (Myjewishlearning.com, 2 014) Israel is a Jewish state, and the Jewish holidays make part of the national calendar. Sabbath day that is the Jewish

Inventory Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Inventory Management - Essay Example This type of inventory management also enables Toyota to quickly adapt to the demand conditions and prevent wastage of expensive inventory (Monden, 2011). Samsung Electronics is one of the largest consumer electronics manufacturing companies. Samsung follows the Short Cycle Time and Low Inventory in Manufacturing (SLIM) type of inventory management system. It is the largest company, which manufactures digital integrated circuits. The company with the support of Leachman’s consultants had developed the SLIM inventory management technique whereby optimal use of resources gets facilitated. The SLIM inventory system has helped Samsung to calculate cycle times required in individual manufacturing stages and the time required in work in process stage. SLIM inventory systems also allow implementing heuristic algorithms at the factory floor (Leachman, Kang & Lin, 2002). Toyota’s integrated production design system begins with designing the flow of inventory, framing support measures, reducing lot sizes and determining set up time. The next stage in the process is to set up total quality control measures for detecting errors and faults in the production system. The third stage is to prepare the capacity schedule, which involves analyzing the amount of work that can be taken up by individual departments at a time. The integration of goods and services design of Toyota also includes implementing the Kanban system whereby lot sizes are reduced and controlled on the basis of demand pull. Toyota also works with suppliers and vendors for estimating the real time required for goods delivery and communicating the quality related expectations (Berry, Whybark & Jacobs, 2005). The integration process of Samsung’s production system mainly concentrates upon efficient management of targeted cycle times. In order to manage targeted cycle times, it becomes essential to allocate buffer

Community Service Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Community Service - Essay Example Though there is a school of thought which argues that putting so much burden on the young minds may prove to be little too much. Their contention is, the young minds be allowed to study and enjoy their teens instead of a day's physical labor. But, it must be emphasized here that, the young minds happen to be quite receptive towards the issues, if these are explained to them in right perspective, as these young one's are free from bias and prejudice. If at this age, they are allowed to get a feel of the society and how their small contributions can bring happiness on the faces of many people; these teenagers are bound to integrate these learning experiences in their life ahead. There are critics of such a proposal who contend that it is important to hold one's own lives as his/ her highest value. They contention is that being needy doesn't confer on some people a moral claim to free labor from others. Such critics could be terms as correct in their argument if we look the individual lives as individual identities. Unfortunately this is not the case, for survival, we are all very much dependent on each other, the surrounding, the environment and the society at large.

Search Engine Optimization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Search Engine Optimization - Research Paper Example This is to mean that, white hats use terms appropriately to ensure that their websites are visible. On the other hand, black fill their websites with content or words that get plenty of hits from search engines. White hats, when compared to black hats have distinct characteristics that put them apart in favor or against one another as one of the uses unscrupulous means and makes attractive promises (Creative Momentum 1). In relation to white hat search engine optimization, it follows regulations and guidelines to the letter, as provided by search engines to ensure that websites are visible to all that require information from them. This includes careful use of words that get numerous hits from search engines such that the words used are not meant to bloat documents or articles in the website. Instead, the words used are of a unique nature in that they are informative and, at times, act as support words for the whole article and not for exploiting the abilities of search engines. As s uch, websites are designed with certain aspects in mind; these include rules and norms, as well as a code of ethics to ensure that all internet activities are conducted with transparency. Based on this, following the guidelines of search engines for optimizing visibility, ensures that the ever-changing algorithms applied by search engines (Revenuewire 2) achieve transparency. This shields legal or appropriate sites from relegation, and thus gets high ratings by following meeting the terms of use on multiple levels. The white hat optimizers or designers, therefore, apply to the intelligence and needs of internet users to deliver quality content that does not fool search engines by giving false information, including in the titles of the websites. In relation to domain naming, white hat optimizers allow the actual intent of the website to appear rather than mislead the search engine user into logging into it for irrelevant content. These are the distinct characteristics of â€Å"whit e hat† search engine optimization due to their compliant nature, which offers protection from removal and relegation. On the other hand, black hat search engine optimizers have their own code of ethics, or lack of it thereof that sees them dump the rulebook and carry the day, but only for limited moment (Smith 5). Black hat optimization in search engines involves the application of hidden content, where there are numerous links and articles, as well as documents that are spammed with keywords, which serve as crucial gateway points for search engines. This is in relation to search engines accessing the site due to its heavy saturation with such words that are mainly used by internet users to query information from the internet. Information is usually hidden in scripts and non-script parts of code in a website, where search engines only expose it as its algorithms crawl the internet. In addition black hat optimizations tends to have meta-keyword stuffing, where in the descriptio n of the website, or even in its headers, it has numerous keywords (Wilding). These words raise the flags, both red and white for search engines thus improving the ranking of a website, especially in marketing and sites that market content to generate revenue. Through this, it is evident that black hat optimizers are only

Authorities Having Jurisdiction Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Authorities Having Jurisdiction - Research Paper Example Accreditation and license can be obtained after complying with the requirements set by Canadian Architectural Certification Board- Conseil Canadien de Certification en Architecture (CACB-CCCA) and Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA). Terms of Reference The purpose of this report is to profoundly inform the aspiring architects of the preparations and requirements for their chosen career. The report focuses on the authorities with jurisdiction to architectural practice in Canada. Introduction The design and creation of a home is one of the most important things an architect can do (www.raic.org, Becoming an Architect). A home is not just a place made of cement, bricks or wood. It becomes alive, a source of energy and love, of hope and of comfort. It is the foundation where the family share and pursue its purpose. It is where families get together, talk heart-to-heart, and rest. Home also offers privacy and safety. Hence, architects matter because †there’s n o place like home.† Besides home, architects build offices, schools, towers, churches and a lot more. According to the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (2010), â€Å"architecture is the art, the science and the business of building.† The â€Å"versatile† and talented people with finesse for design, solid engineering skills, and knowledge of the social trends and understanding of codes or laws are called the architects (www.raic.org, Becoming an Architect). It is very important to have a better understanding of the work of the architects. Architects do not just get the title for themselves. They have to earn it. Architects have to abide to the rules and regulations. They are to follow the guidelines set by the authorities who have jurisdiction, impact and influence to their works. This research report aims to have a better understanding of these authorities and their requirements. Discussion Before a person becomes an architect in Canada, he or she needs to meet the requirements of the provincial or territorial architectural regulatory body. In Canada, a document by seven validation or accreditation agencies called Canberra Accord exists to aid the portability of educational licenses between the signatory countries (www.canberraaccord.org, Canberra Secretariat). One of the signatories to the Canberra Accord is the Canadian Architectural Certification Board- Conseil Canadien de Certification en Architecture (CACB-CCCA). There are two purposes of CACB-CCCA. The first is â€Å"to administer the programme of accreditation of the Canadian School of Architecture in accordance with established criteria and procedures† and second is â€Å"to certify educational qualifications of architectural graduates as individual applicants† (www.canberraaccord.org, CACB-CCCA). The CACB certifies the educational qualifications of the graduates of architecture and this certification is the mandatory first step towards licensure and registratio n after graduation (pmeenligne.ca, Certification). Prior to registration or licensure, an examination called ExAC is developed. ExAC or the Examination for Architects in Canada is adopted by all Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities, except the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, to â€Å"test the minimum standards of competency acquired by an Intern during the Internship period, to ensure both public safety and he professional and skilled delivery of architectural services†

The Wage setting model of unemployment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Wage setting model of unemployment - Essay Example Wage setters cannot factually set the actual wage. In fact, the real wage weighs the purchasing power of those earning wages and is thus equivalent to the cash wage divided by the level of consumer prices. Wage setters can therefore set the money in their firm or in their economic sector. These wage setters set cash wage as per their expectation of the price level of consumers. Consequently, they set an expected actual wage in relation to the level of unemployment. Using the wage setting model of unemployment to explain and discuss the following statements: a). Competition between the employed and the unemployed is critical in Maintaining a low natural rate of unemployment A natural rate of employment refers to the unemployment rate when the labour market is at its equilibrium. NRU can also be the difference between people who would wish to get a job at the present wage rate and the people who are willing and at the same time, able to take a job. It is caused by supply side factors a s opposed to demand side factors. In connection to the wage setting model, it can be argued that, competition between the employed and the unemployed is critical in maintain a low natural rate of unemployment because it enables the wage negotiations to be more decentralized. This takes place at a smaller economic unit level. The lower the specified unit, the more competition it faces, which makes the labour demand more flexible (Blanchard & Katz 1970). To maintain law natural rate of unemployment, there must be competition of the unemployed and unemployed so that there can be at one end, an individual’s level and infinite elasticity on the other. Since an employed person fears the risk of being replaced with another person who is ready and willing to take up the job, thus lowering the equilibrium wage. If the centralization level of wage bargains goes up and if trade unions are inclusive, then an economy that is highly unionized can attain low unemployment rates. Nations with very decentralized wage-setting obtain a low rate of employment because of competition in the labour market. In an economy without competition the employed and unemployed, there might be a two-tier society, having a class of unstable workers who may be forced to wonder between poor-waged jobs and unemployment. As far as this is concerned, the bottle tends to be half full/half empty. While the labour market is actually dual when one looks solely at the jobs, one should also look at the unemployed individuals. At one extreme, this may imply that only specific people would always hold specific jobs, but on the other hand, the unemployed may have better skills and ready to work but with no opportunity to do so. Competition is therefore important in maintaining low natural rates of unemployment because it gives firms an opportunity to effectively screen and pick employees, an option that is vital in determining the amount of wages to be allocated in accordance to the work experience and skills, thus ensuring that there is a balance between the employed and unemployed (Burda & Wyplosz, 2013). It is also important to note that competition is crucial for the reason that, the employed personnel working on contract terms may wield pressure on the benefit systems of the unemployed, in case they are eligible to do so. The increase in job turnover may adversely raise the number of qualified claimants and place wage pressure on the unemployment benefit administration.

Dialysis Experience Essay Example for Free

Dialysis Experience Essay Hemodialysis (HD) is one of several renal replacement therapies used for the treatment of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) and kidney failure. Dialysis removes excess fluids and waste products and restores chemical and electrolyte balance. HD involves passing the patient’s blood through an artificial semipermeable membrane to perform the filtering and excretion functions of the kidney. One important step before starting regular hemodialysis sessions is preparing the vascular access; ideally, a vascular access should be placed weeks or months before you start dialysis. The early placement of the vascular access will allow sufficient time for the access to heal and mature. The three basic kinds of vascular access for hemodialysis are an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, an arteriovenous (AV) graft, and a venous catheter. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) occurs though diffusion and osmosis across the semipermeable peritoneal membrane and capillaries. The peritoneal membrane is large and porous. It allows solutes and water to move from an area of higher concentration in the blood to an area of lower concentration in the dialyzing fluid (diffusion). The fluid and waste products dialyzed from the patient move through the blood vessel walls, the interstitial tissues, and the peritoneal membrane and are removed when the dialyzing fluid is drained from the body through a siliconized rubber (Silastic) catheter that is surgically placed into the abdominal cavity. PD is slower than hemodialysis (HD), however, and more time is needed to achieve the same effect. As far as treatment options, both have complications. Hemodialysis includes Disequilibrium syndrome, muscle cramps, hemorrhage, air embolus, cardiac dysrhythmia, and Hemodynamic changes such as hypotension and anemia. Peritoneal dialysis complications include protein loss, peritonitis, hyperglycemia, respiratory distress, and bowel perforation. Hemodialysis Nursing care and roles are to monitor the patient immediately and for several hours after dialysis for any side effects from the treatment. Common problems include hypotension, headache, nausea, malaise, and vomiting, dizziness, and muscle cramps. The nurse must obtain vital signs and weight for comparison with pre-dialysis measurements. Blood pressure and weight are expected to be reduced as a result of fluid removal. Hypotension may require rehydration with IV fluids, such as normal saline. The patient’s temperature may also be elevated because the dialysis machine warms the blood slightly. If a fever results, sepsis may be present and a blood sample is needed for culture and sensitivity. The heparin required during hemodialysis increases the clotting time and thus the risk for excessive bleeding. All invasive procedures must be avoided for 4 to 6 hours after dialysis. Continually monitor the patient for hemorrhage during dialysis and for one hour after. Peritoneal dialysis nursing care and roles are to start and monitor during PD. Before treatment, assess baseline vital signs including blood pressure, apical and radial pulse rates, temperature, quality of respirations, and breath sounds. Weigh the patient, always on the same scale, before the procedure and at least 24 hours while receiving treatment. Weight should be checked after a drain and before the next fill to monitor the patient’s dry weight. Baseline laboratory tests, such as electrolyte and glucose levels, are obtained before starting PD and are repeated at least daily during the treatment. Vital signs need to be recorded every 15-30 minutes. Assess for signs of respiratory distress, pain, discomfort. Dressing around the catheter site must be checked every 30 minutes for wetness during procedure. Maintain accurate inflow and outflow records. The nurse monitors the treatment to make sure the client is getting the right amount of hemodialysis to remove enough wastes from the blood. About once a month, the client’s blood will be tested by using one of two formulas; urea reduction ratio (URR) or total urea clearance (Kt/V). The physician may adjust the hemodialysis intensity and frequency based on the test results. These labs are crucial and must be checked monthly while being on dialysis. Mr. L was the gentleman I chose to assess, he was very friendly and talkative; has been a dialysis client for the past three years. He has dialysis treatments three times a week, and treatments are approximately 3 to 4 hours long depending on his level that day. I asked Mr. L how he felt about being on dialysis and his response was â€Å"In the early days of dialysis, I would not even drive myself home. I would just collapse on the couch in he living room and be there until morning. But all that has changed. I now drive myself to and from dialysis, and I feel just fine after. I even have a part time job now. I tend to be very hungry after dialysis so I try eating something as soon as I get home. Just one evening recently it was like old times. It was because the nurse took off more than I wanted and my body really reacted to it. I just went home and collapsed. I was not even able to work the next day. But that is very rare for me. † I enjoyed our conversation and my experience at the dialysis center.

Parasitic Plants and Their Hosts: Types and Characteristics

Parasitic Plants and Their Hosts: Types and Characteristics Survival of one life form is dependent not only on its ability to search and utilize available life sustaining resources but also upon its healthy competition for various such requisites with other life forms belonging to either the same or different species. To facilitate this, different life forms have evolved with special assets of abilities to exist, work and exhibit a tendency to proliferate so as to flag their dominance on ecological niche. Scientific communities at times are amazed by the kinds of interaction in which different life forms co-exist with each other and also with the surroundings. In plants, interaction science has emerged as a major area of research which deals with investigating and studying such phenomena in detail, their mechanism, reasoning for interactions of plant with plant, animals, and/or micro-organism. Evolution of a new species from an existing ancestral mob assures adaptation to new and more efficient modes of existence, wherein lesser inputs are in vested for more possible benefits. One such example is the parasitic plants or epiphytes. Parasitic plants comprise 19 families in angiosperms and constitute to about 4,100 species (Nickrent. and Musselman, 2004). Among these with various parasitic habits, mistletoes are well known as perrenial, polyphyletic group of angiospermic aerial plant parasites (Devkota, 2005) infecting generally host stem and/or branches, and belong to families, Viscaceae and Loranthaceae. Mistletoes are considered as an important component of biodiversity (Watson, 2001; Shaw et al., 2004), and have been appraised not only due to their unique parasitic relationship with their respective hosts, their growth habits, mechanism of seed dispersal but also because of their miraculous medicinal values which includes their use as sympathetic medicine to take down abnormal tissue growth under cancer (Kunwar et al.2005). They are predominantly known to occur on fruit trees. Mistletoes are characterised by the development of a root like absorptive organ called haustorium which forms the host parasite interface and draws nutrients from the host conductive tissues to the parasite (Devkota, 2005). Dendrophthoe falcata is a hemi-parasitic plant belonging to the Loranthaceae mistletoes and is considered as the commonest of all other mistletoes widely occurring in India (Parker acnd Westwood, 2009). The genus Dendrophthoe comprises of about 31 species spread across tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia (Flora of China, 2003) among which 7 species are found in India. The sp. falcata has its hold in India since ancient times and has been in use as traditional folklore medication for various ailments. Though a parasite incurring huge losses to commercial fruit and timer production, it is considered and welcomed as a sacred sign of prosperity in few areas of rural India. Well globally, much of the advanced scientific investigations have centered on other mistletoes such as Orobanche, Viscum etc. These studies have aimed towards understanding the parasite behaviour, sap flow dynamics at the host parasite interface, chemical compositions of floral organs, designing successful control st rategies, evaluating medicinal potentials etc. The present review will focus on the existing literature earlier attempts aiming study of various scientific aspects associated with D.falcata. The review considerably outlines the variety of studies performed revolving around the host-parasite relationship, morphology and geographical distribution, and studies aiming towards in vitro establishment and attempts towards scientific justification of the ethno-medicinal properties, and various existing and possible control strategies for this mistletoe family member. Morphology and biogeography: Evolutionarily, mistletoes belonging to Loranthaceae are considered older than those of Viscaceae and ever since their origin from dense Gondwanan forests; they have successfully encompassed tropics, subtropics and arid portions on the globe through their nutritional competition-driven conquests (Devkota et al, 2005). Notes on floral morphology and embryology in D.falcata have been provided by Singh (1952). D.falcata bears grey barks, thick coriaceous leaves variable in shape with stout flowers (Wealth of India. 2002). The flowering inflorescences in D.falcata was previously referred to as axillary or as developing on the scars of fallen leaves, but Y.P.S Pundir (1996) verified it to be of strictly cauliflorous nature and also notified that it shares fundamental similarity to that of Ficus glomerata, F. pomifera and F. hispida. Two of its varieties are widespread in India namely, var. falcata (Honey Suckled Mistletoe) and var. Coccinea (Red Honey Suckled Mistletoe) distinguished by occurrence of white and red flowering, respectively (Flowers of India, a World Wide Web resource). A comprehensive list of almost all the species within the genus Dendrophthoe can be availed (from web source at http://www.naturekind.org/taxpage/0/binomial/Dendrophthoe_falcata). Haustorial polymorphism, leaf mimicry, explosive flowering, fruit adhesive pulp etc. Singh, B., 1952. A contribution to the floral morphology and embryology of Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Ettingsh. Jour. Linn. Soc., Lond., 53, 449. Dendrophthoe homoplastica (mistle- toe) mimic those of its common host, Eucalyptus shirleyi. (Robert L. Mathiasen, David C. Shaw, Daniel L. Nickrent, David M. Watson,2008 Plant Disease / Vol. 92 No. 7) Hosts and host-parasite relationships: Mistletoes occur mostly on forest, fruit and ornamental host trees preferentially harboring zones rich in biodiversity and thus are found excessively on mountain ridges provided with favorably optimum light intensities and in few in slopes and plains (Devkota, 2005 and references therein). Mistletoes do not follow a uniform pattern of distribution which is affected by local environments and effected by habits of seed dispersing avian visitors. Host range: Earliest, B.Singh (1962) reported that the leafy mistletoe D.falcata is parasitic on over 300 hosts in India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. Indiaà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s rich plant biodiversity in 1977 could report exclusive host range numbering 345 plants susceptible to infection from this mistletoe (Siva Sarma and Vijayalakshmi 1977) which is a significant number as it contributes to its comparatively recent global record for 401 hosts (Shaw 1993). Till date, D.falcata represents the only known mistletoe with the largest global host range (Calvin and Wilson, 2009) which is continuously and rapidly widening. Haustoria: Mistleoes are known to form haustorial structures at the point of attachment to the host. Among angiosperms, parasitic relationship through the formation of haustorial linkages is known to be widespread (Wilson and Calvin, 2006). In general, haustorial connections among 72 (of the 75) ariel parasitic genera may belong to either of the four types viz., epicortical roots (ERs), clasping unions, wood roses, and bark strands (Calvin and Wilson, 1998). ERs may run along the host branches in either direction forming haustorial structures at variable intervals while à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½unionsà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ occur as single points of attachment of individual parasites hence pronounced as solitary. In D,falcata on different hosts two of the haustorial kinds have been observed viz., solitary unions as on Sugar apple (Annona squamosa), and epicortical roots as on sugar apple (Achras sapota), guava (Psidium guajava), pomegranate (Punica granatum) have been observed. It is unknown about what factors decide formation of different haustorial types by the leafy mistletoe on different hosts. The host branches infected with D.falcata show a gradual reduction in growth and diameter as compared to other healthy uninfected branches (Karunaichamy et al, 1999). It has also been reported that the development of mistletoe plants on the host tree is a dynamic process which necessarily leads to the death of the host tree and that the whole process may last for about a decade (Karunaichamy et al, 1999). It is known that mistletoes have higher nutrient titer than their host (Lamont, 1983; Karunaichamy et al, 1993) and this could probably be attributed to a competitively higher water (including dissolved nutrient and growth promoting metabolite) uptake rate by the parasite at its haustorium at a point in the host branch in comparison to that in the protruding lateral ends of the branch (that extends after the haustorium). This might render key nutrients be unavailable to the host branches that could repress growth post-infection (Stewart and Press, 1990). But in work by Karunaichamy et al (1999) one D.falcata seed per stem of Azadirachta indica seedling has been tested which has shown the life threatening effect on whole plant which again itself i s at an immature seedling stage (so death of the whole plant could be expected). In a broad sense, physiological and metabolic perturbations induced by the parasite in the whole host plant outlined at the seedling stage surmised by the reduced host leaf area, leaf number, growth performance upon infection cannot be correlated to that in a fully mature host. (statement in bold italics) could be justified by that there may be an increment in the probability of multiple mistletoe seed dispersals or extended reach of haustorial structures to other branches of the same tree (as we saw in Guava) that might possibly lead to a gradual depletion of key metabolites (thereby lowering an essential threshold titer for the same) required for growth of the host plant altogether. Alternatively though unknown, it might also be possible or still unknown if the hemi-parasites dissipate any unknown metabolite in to the host xylem at the point of anchor formation that may inhibit growth and metabolism in the hostà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s axillary meristems and the whole host plant life may only be at stake if such inhibitory effects are perceived by all plant parts. This again is contradictory hypothesis as evident from fact that the haustorial connections of the parasite with the plant are devoid of any retranslocation system (Smith and Stewart, 1990, also see later). Once more, a report by Sridhar and Rama Rao (1978) unraveled the infection of D.falcata surprisingly hosting itself directly on the fruit (Table 1) of Acharas sapota (Sapota). Almost all the hemi-parasitic members of the Loranthaceae tap the xylem vessels of their host to avail water and minerals but to a considerable extent produce their own supply of assimilates (Kuijt, 1969). D.falcata does not have an indigenous rooting system and is dependent on the host for water and minerals. Nutrient dynamics have shown that a higher titre of N, P , K, Mg and Na in the leaves of mistletoe than the leaves of uninfected and infected hosts which may be due to differential translocation of elements within the host phloem (Prakash et al, 1967; Karunaichamy et al, 1999). Nitrogen loss is well pronounced in mistletoe infected hosts and a higher potassium levels in mistletoe is an indicative of higher transpiration rates and a lack of re-translocation system (Karunaichamy et al, 1999 and references t herein). Though outlined above that the total phosphorous in mistletoe leaves is present in excess as compared to that the host leaves, fractionation studies have elucidated that percentage acid-insoluble phosphate is comparatively lesser in the parasite and also that further fractionation again infers a lower percentage of phospholipid, RNA, DNA and phosphoproteins. The DNA content of the infected host leaves however demonstrate a dramatic increase compared to the healthy uninfected leaves (Prakash et al, 1967). Mistletoes are believed to mimic their hosts in floral structures. At some instance it was supported by a hypothesis which explains that such behaviour imparts protection to the mistletoe from the herbivores. Later, the hypothesis was field tested, rejected and replaced by a belief that a host parasite resemblance might help to safeguard hostsà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ individual fitness by signaling the birds to expel mistletoe seeds on other uninfected hosts (Atsatt, 1979). Moreover, the hosts and parasite follow individual developmental scheduling of events under which the parasite might experience an influence from a firm epigenetic hormonal control on leaf size and shape thus evolving the mimicry or resemblance to the host(). List of hosts: Loranthaceous parasites were known in India since 1885 and until then only 35 species were known. Specifically for D.falcata from among the earliest of the reports, 268 host species have been known to be under the clutch of the deadly hemiparasite (Ravindranath and Narsimha Rao, 1959), and shortly later B.Singh (1962) reported its parasitic relation with over 300 hosts reported in India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. Until 1993, a report by Shaw III depicts a global increase of host range to 401. In Indian tropics 37 species of tree have been reported as the favourite hosts for D.falcata (Ghosh et al., 2002). Due to the ever increasing host range (Sridhar and Rama Rao, 1978) currently it is difficult to draw a margin between the more and less common host genera. Vectors for seed dispersal and pollination: Seed dispersal as well as pollination is usually mediated by the birds that thrive on fruits from the parasite and/or host. Particularly in southern India, Tickelà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s Flowerpecker which is also named as Pale-billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum erythrohynchos, Latham) is reported to facilitate seed dispersal of D. falcata among Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss. belonging to Meliaceae) through fecal excretions or regurgitations (Karunaichamy et al, 1999; Hambali, 1977 and references therein). The mistletoe bird also eats insects and therefore has a grinding gizzard. When eating the mistletoe berry the bird is able to close the gizzard and the toxic seeds are usually swallowed as a whole and are shunt through their gut in about 3-4 minute (Murphy et al., 1993) and because the seed has a sticky coating, to get rid of the seed the bird applies its vent to the edges of the host tree branches and may turn around whereby the seed then sticks onto the branch where it may subsequently germin ate (Ali, 1931; Ali 1932; Davidar, 1985). These birds also act as vectors for pollination in the hemi-parasite whose flowers bear a mechanism that causes pollen to explosively spray on the plumage of the visiting flowerpeckers (Karunaichamy et al., 1999; Vidal-Russell and Nickrent, 2008). Studies conducted in the higher altitudes of Western Ghats (where both the mistletoes and the flowerpeckers occur predominantly), which parallel the western coast of India infer that the flowerpecker pollinated mistletoes have particularly developed feature specialized to attract a unique vector both to facilitate pollination and seed dispersal: the fruit and flowers have similar resemblance and more significantly, the fruiting time overlap with the next flowering season (Davidar, 1983). Hair-crested Drongo or Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) is an Asian bird of the family Dicruridae and sunbirds (family=Nectariniidae) also known to feed on the nectar from the D.falcata flowers also adds to the list of pollinators to this mistletoe (Kunwar et al, 2005 and references therein). Phytochemistry: Results for the preliminary tests in phytochemical screening analyses using ethanolic extract of the whole plant reports the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, steroids, tannins phenolic compounds, flavonoids and triterpenes (Sahu et al, 2010). Chromatography of D.falcata fruits has recently added new members to the list of naturally occurring terpenes which has taxonomically been considered significant (Mallavadhani et al., 2006). Total phenolics in mistletoe have a comparatively higher concentration but it failed to correlate to any resistance by the host or its susceptibility to infection by the hemiparaste (Khanna et al,, 1968). Later a phenolic inhibitor of the enzyme a-glucan phosphorylase was reported ((Khanna et al,, 1971). A study by Ramchandra and coworkers (2005) indicated that an elevated antioxidant potential in the mistletoe is due to sequestration of phenolic compounds from the host plants. Their HPTLC data on samples from mistletoe hosted on Mangifera indica (Mango), reportedly contained mangiferin, a C-glucosyl xanthone synthesized by the host plant. The report raises query concerning further investigations for whether the transfer of phenolics to the hemi-parasite indicates a preliminary host mediated defense or a mode of host identification by the parasite or as a mechanism from within the parasite to bypass rejection from the host plant. In mature seed embryo 0.65 mg chlorophyll/g fresh wt; chlorophyll a : b ratio of 1.6 per mg chlorophyll has been evidenced. Moreover, in context to titre of enzymes for photorespiration, phosphoglycolate activity in the embryo has been recorded to be 16.7 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½mol substrate/min and 3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase activity 6.8 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½mol substrate/min. Similarly, NADH-linked glyoxylate reductase activity has been demonstrated in the embryo (0.09 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½mol substrate/min/g fresh wt) by Kachru, and Krishnan (1979). Chroamatography of the ethanolic extract followed by NMR and Mass spectrometry could isolate and identify Quercitin, a rhamnoside (Shihab et al, 2006). Hexokinase has been partially isolated and studied for its properties from D.falata leaves (Baijal and Sanwal, 1976). In a comparative evaluation of this parasitic plant grown on various host plants, Nair et al.10) reported the accumulation of kaempferol, quercetin, myrecitin, and their glycosides. Medicinal Properties: D.falcata possesses remarkable potentials as a medicinal plant evident from the wound healing, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, antinociceptive properties of its ethanolic extracts (Pattanayak and Sunita, 2008, Shihab et al, 2006). Medicinal properties of this hemiparasite may vary in effects respective to different hosts it establishes a relation with (Mallavadhani et al., 2006). The whole plant is used in indigenous system of medicine as cooling, bitter, astringent, aphrodisiac, narcotic and diuretic (Alekutty e al., 1993) and is useful in treating pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma, menstrual disorders, swelling wounds, ulcers, renal and vesical calculi and vitiated conditions of kapha and pitta (Anarthe et al., 20081; Anarthe et al, 2010; Sastry, 1952; Pattanayak et al., 2008 ). Also, the decoction of plant used by women as an anti-fertility agent has been evidenced to possess anticancer activity (Nadkarni, 1993). The leaf ethanolic extract significantly and dose dependently inhibits the acetic acid induced writhing in mice (Shihab et al, 2006) and has indicated a low level toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality assays. Besides, a more recent work by Pattanayak and Mazumder (2010) shows significant tumor reduction in induced mammary carcinogenesis in Wistar female rats when fed with hydroalcoholic extracts of D. falcata. Ethno-medicinal aspects: Ethnomedical studies are generally characterized by a strong anthropological and/or biomedical approach and in this context the use of D.falcata as a traditioal remedy for most if not all the ailments has been well appraised. Perhaps, the variety of knowledge available has not yet been exploited full fledgedly due to the currently over-recommended chemial analogs that are predominant over market most of which have side-effects associated under frequent use. In vitro regeneration and gene introgression studies: It is known that long term caulogensis from the endosperm tissue exhibits a high degree of polyploidisation of its cells associated with abnormalities such as chromosome bridges and lagging chromosomes but mistletoe endosperms have exceptional stability in their chromosome number (Razdan, 2003). In the past, in vitro studies aiming towards investigating behavior of mature embryos have been reported in D.falcata (Johri and Bajaj, 1962). The effects of light, endosperm, endosperm extract, and position of the embryo on media have been studied on in vitro germination of D.falcata (Bajaj, 1968). Shoot induction has been successfully achieved in D.falcata (Bhojwani and Razdan, 1983). Shoot buds in Loranthaceae directly differentiate from the peripheral cells of the endosperm cultures though D.falcata may particularly require media supplemented with a combination of cytokinins and a low concentration of IAA or IBA. Among other cytokinins, 2-ip has been most effective and also addition of Casein hydrolysate (2000mg/l) has been necessarily recommended for shoot bud differentiation. For optimal shoot bud growth frequent subcultutres on fresh media is crucial. Caulogenesis from these shoot buds may be followed by differentiation into shoot and haustoria. The latter could be avoided by increased kinetin concentration and for such kinetin induced shoot bud differentiation, a low concentration of auxin (IAA or IBA) is necessary (Nag and Johri, 1971). Ready to use tissue culture strategies have been discussed by a review article by Pattanayak and Mazumder (2008). Advanced molecular level studies are surprisingly lacking for D.falcata with only single report where tests for amenability of this plant in gene introgression studies have been investigated via successful agrobacterium mediated transformation of its embryogenic cultures for GUS expression (Rohini et al, 2005). Diseases of D.falcata: Very little is known about diseases that victimize this hemiparasitc plant. The pathogen species that have been reported in association are generally known to commonly infect a wide range of plants off genera. There are realizations that propose that mistletoe specific pathogens are rare and develop endemism and be localized to favorably optimized areas where their growth requisites and nutritional demands are inline with the host mistletoe species and their host nutrient and sap flow dynamics. Fungal: The hemi-parasite itself is susceptible to diseases such as leaf blight caused by Colletotrichum state of Glomerella cingulata which has been reported on D.falcata which seriously infects Teak (Tectona grandis) plantations (Ali and Florence, 1987) in Kerala, India. Epiparasitism Plant: A surprising evidence of hyper-parasitism has been reported in the Mohand Range Forest (Dehradun, India) where D.falcata itself receives haustoria from Scurrula cordifolia (another mistletoe), both hosted together by Ougeinia oojeinensis (fabaceae) (Pundir, 1979). Similaly, Viscum orientale (Viscaceae) has also been reported to grow on D.falcata (Saxena, 1971). In another instance Cuscuta reflexa (Convolvulaceae) has been shown to act as a rival to the leafy mistletoe (Nath and Indira, 1975). Viscum capitellatum. Sm has also been evidenced from Sri Lanka to be an obligate epiparasite for D.falcata (Calvin and Wilson, 2009) and symplastic continuity exists between their phloem (Glatzel and Balasubramaniam, 1987) which is an indicative of the aggressive epiparasitism depicted more vividly by the presence of graft-resembling à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½unionsà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½. Viscum loranthi Elmer, thus has been advocated to have potentials for biological control of Loranthaceae hemiparasites (Pundi r, 1981) damaging commercial timber crops. Well, other species such as D.glabrata has also been reported to be parasitized by Viscum articulatum (Robert L. Mathiasen, David C. Shaw, Daniel L. Nickrent, David M. Watson,2008 Plant Disease / Vol. 92 No. 7). On the whole, 88% of Viscaceae and 61% Loranthaceae epiparasitize Loranthaceae (Calvin and Wilson, 2009). Hyperparasitism in Other mistletoes in the same genus: Notothixos subaureus (Viscaceae), parasitic on Dendrophthoe glabrescens (Loranthaceae) on Eucalyptus (source: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1876445) Insects: Recently, Cockerell Scale insects, Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli Cooley (Diaspididae) have been reported to settle on the leaves, stems and haustoria of D.falcata parasitizing Senna siamea (unpublished communication). These scale insects are known to thrive on sap nutrients and their reproduction and hence their proliferation rate has depicted relation with the nitrogen status of the host. Well in this regard mistletoe particularly D.F indicates a favorable choice as their nutrient uptake seems more biased towards drawing more nitrogen rich species from the host sap. The host S.siamea, though is a non-nodulating leguminous tree specie but can produce more nitrogen than the nodulating relatives. Controlling the parasite: Backed by easy seed dispersal by fruit eating birds, widespread and ever increasing host range of Dendrophthoe falcata continues to pose heavy losses in economically valuable fruit trees and those with medicinal properties whether growing in forests, orchards or gardens (Sridhar and Rama Rao, 1978). Healthy tree hosts can tolerate few branch attachments with mistletoes but a heavily infected host slowly moves towards its decline as the mistletoe feeds upon its nutrients and spreads on all its ariel parts (Aly, 2007). Hostsà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ death is more probable when they become more prone to other forms of biotic ad abiotic stresses. Reports from 1930s evidence that until then no proper control and eradication methods were available rather the only alternative used was excising off the parasite (before seed production) completely from below the point of infection in the host and their immediate incineration (Sridhar and Rama Rao, 1978). Mechanical pruning of the infected host branches with cuts at least one foot below the point of mistletoe attachment in order to completely remove embedded haustoria has also been suggested as a method of choice but severe heading (topping) which is often used to remove heavy tree infestations weakens the host tree structure. Instead, it is best to remove severely infested trees entirely because they are usually a source of mistletoe seeds. Another method employed when mechanical pruning gives up upon mistletoe infection uses painting the infected area using a pruning paint or spray and wrapping it with layers of opaque polyethylene cover so as to restrict light source required by this leafy mistletoe. In another method, use of ethephon (a growth regulator) in form of spray to completely wet leaves of mistletoe harboring dormant host trees is recommended (Aly, 2007). Regrowth of the parasite may be prevented by pruning it and painting the spot in the host branch (Koski et al., 2009). Lately, adopted method of control uses application of 50% diesel oil emulsion sprayed on mistletoe leaves. The said morbid effect of emulsion significantly increases the intra-molecular respiration rates in the leaves followed by a gradual decline in capacity of stomatal closure consequently leading to death of the hemiparasite (Singh and Sharma., 1970). Delias eucharis, a medium sized pierid butterfly (Common Jezebel) commonly occurs in South and South-East Asia (Bingham, 1907) and is particularly known to lay its eggs and feed on leaves of mistletoes (Roychoudhury, 2005) and has been suggested in its use to control the parasitic mistletoes (Sevastopulo, 1950, Mushtaque and Baloch 1979). Alternatively, resistance to D.falcata using herbicide (metribuzin) infusion of its host, Tectona grandis (Teak) has also been tested but is of limited help as the efficiency of parasite killing was not proportional to the amount of herbicide used which is required to estimate exact dosage and infusion time for multiple of infection on one host (Balasundaran and Ali, 1989). In one of the papers from the proceedings of the 6th Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society conference, G.G. Hambali (1977) has discussed beside other uses the exploitaton of scolytid and cerambycid beetles in controlling Dendrophthoe spp. Several similar or other control alternatives have been suggested by Khan et al. (1987). Approaches as highlighted above towards control of parasitic weeds by traditional methods are limitedly effective and best control via herbicides and fumigants may be hazardous to Mother Nature (Jacobsohn 1994). Removal of mistletoe by hand is effective considerably under small degrees of infection but extensive infestation might render this approach as inevitably expensive (Aly, 2007) and cumbersome more particularly when the infestation spans large tree plantations or dense forests. Replacing the infected plantations with resistant trees has also been a method of choice. Though not reported yet specifically for D.falcata, resistance for broadleaf mistletoe (Phoradendron macrophyllum) was evidenced in some tree species viz., pear, Chinese pistachio, crapemyrtle, ginkgo, sycamore, and conifers such as redwood and cedar (Perry 1995). These few resistant species are of significance to the plant breeders but raising parasitic plant resistant crop genotypes have been very difficult and yet lack success. Use of high and low intensity fires has also been noted but is rather undesirable in plantations as wonà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½t result in complete cure but only subside heavy infestation from the mistletoes in stand without suppression of re-infestation (Carnegie et al, 2009). Chemical control of mistletoes has been extensively researched in Australia which points out the reasons for their limited routine practice in forests as these methods are labour intensive, cost-effective, variable or limited in results. Use of biological control strategies including mistletoe targeting fungi has also been evidenced (Carnegie et al, 2009). Recent efforts by S. Aly and his workgroup (at the Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Yaar Research Center, Israel) enlists successful biotechnological approaches which guarantee prospects towards achieving effective parasitic weed control and ensure environmental safety (Aly, 2007). Adoption of these tools within biotechnology viz, trait gene introgression, gene silencing, promoter technology etc accordingly towards generating transgenic host trees remain the only promising alternative to combat losses incurred from D.falcata infestations. Aspects of biodiversity: Management and control strategies whether mild or exhaustive and whether practiced on a low to high area of coverage should not overlook that mistletoes are considered a valuable component of biodiversity. They are seen as à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½a keystone resourceà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ of food and shelter for diverse population of vertebrates and invertebrates (Carnegie et al, 2009). Conclusions: (KEY: take up the previous issues in above topics and be general and also take examples from other species or genera about the same, for medicinal values and products again search for other existing natural resources. Parasitic plants and their origin Parasitic plants constitute to about 1% of the total angiosperms in nature. Studies explaining the science behind the evolutionary origin of the ariel habit in Loranthaceae have recently been initiated where primitive hypotheses are being investigated with use of phylogenetic tools and analyses (Wilson and Calvin, 2006). Phytochemistry: Though in a recent review by DCruz et al (2010) considerable reproductive toxicity that may cause upon consumption of extracts from the hemiparasite and other plant extracts had been advocated. The article also appeals for extensive research on neutralizing the toxicity of plant based products before they could be validated for their health benefits. Medicinal uses: Antioxidants are considered important for preventing human diseases but the synthetic antioxidants viz., butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) that have a restricted use as preservatives in oils and fatty foods to minimize their oxidation are considered carcinogenic (Andlauer and Furst, 1998) which can be altered by use of ethanolic and/or methanolic D.falcata extracts as

Developing Independence in Client with Disabilities

Developing Independence in Client with Disabilities Critical Perspective on Diversity Introduction Mandy, a 44-year-old female with moderate learning difficulty, epilepsy, and with a congenital deformity of her limbs has restricted mobility, and limited manual dexterity. Mandy’s condition has caused her to be cared for by her parents since she was born, with the exception of two incidents. Mandy’s father was well informed, he managed to obtain for Mandy full benefit entitlement as well as a substantial payment from the independent living fund before he passed away. Mandy’s mother is the primary caregiver, and the funds that her father set into place before he died pays for her share of living expenses, food, medication, and related allowable expenses. Additionally, the money that Mandy receives permits her to have a carer visit the home for two hours, five days a week, to assist in helping Mandy’s mother. The carer assists in helping to move and wash Mandy as well as dress her and other tasks as a result of the advancing age of Mandy’s mother, wh ose health is deteriorating. The loss of her mother’s husband has left her in a state of long term grieving, for which she has been taking anti-depressants as well as anti-inflammatory drugs. Mandy’s mother has always been there for her, but she is approaching 60 years of age. Over the years, Mandy’s mother has become rather rigid in her beliefs concerning what Mandy can as well as cannot do. Mandy attends a respite care unit at a long stay hospital and has informed her key worker she wants to leave home as things there have become tense and Mandy does not get along with her mother presently as she did in the past, owing to her new condition. Mandy’s respite care is a short term break for patients from their caregivers as well as vice versa, whereby in Mandy’s situation, she is away from home as opposed to someone coming to the house (Rett Syndrome Association, 2006). Respite care is an official program that is a part of the ‘National Strategy for Carers’ that specifically is designed to provide carers with a break from devoting their time to the individual they look after, which is seen as an important component in maintaining a healthy relationship between the caregiver and the patient (Department of Health, 2007a). Prime Minister Tony Blair, in a forward to the ‘National Strategy for Carers’ document stated â€Å"The national strategy for carers – the first ever by a Government in Britain – sets out what we have been doing, and what we are going to do. It offers practical help in ways which are needed, and which will work. Carers will have better information. They will be better supported. They will be cared for better themselves† (Department of Health, 2007a). And while Mandy’s mother performs her care giving activities out of love for her daughter, the implication is clear. The publication for the government informs us that the important service rendered by carers is performed primarily by paid caregivers, representing three-fifths of the total number of people that are looking after an individual with a disability (Department of Health, 2007a). The publication states that women are more likely to be carers than males, and that throughout the United Kingdom there are over 855,000 individuals that care for someone over 50 hours a week, with over 5.7 million, representing one out of every six households (Department of Health, 2007a). In Mandy’s mother’s case, it represents just the ten-hour break she gets on a weekly basis. Respite care is one of the initiatives under the program-implemented buy the government to provide assistance to carers. As mentioned, Mandy has told her key worker that she would like to leave home. Because Mandy attends a respite care unit, there are no cost implications as it is a part of the national program under the National Strategy for Carers (Department of Health, 2007). Mandy’s disability allowance, as is the case with all social care allotments, requires residency in the United Kingdom, as per the following requirements 1). That the applicant must normally be a resident in Great Britain, 2). The applicant must not be subject to immigration control, 3). The applicant must be in Great Britain when making the claim, and lastly 4). That the applicant must have been in Great Britain, the Isle of Man, and either Jersey and or Guernsey for at least 26 weeks of the last 52 weeks (Directgov, 2007a). As Mandy qualifies and has qualified under the preceding, her desire to change her circumstances from home assisted living to a long stay hospital requires a local council assessment (Directgov, 2007b). The preceding is a part of the regulations and requirements in order for the local council to assess as well as work at the support the patient needs for such a change. As Mandy is learning impaired, and her mother has stated that she is the one who decide s what Mandy can or cannot do, Mandy will be filing for the change in carers without the aid of her parent. The learning disability impairment makes the preceding a difficult proposition for Mandy to take on herself, thus she will need help. Her key worker at the respite care unit has offered to help Mandy and thus in order to do so, needs to contact the disabilities teams social worker that is assigned to Mandy’s case, or simply the disabilities team itself, as well as the ‘Valuing People Support Team’ (Care Services Improvement Partnership, 2007a). The Valuing People Support Team was established by the government to address an unintended yet real concerns and problems faced by people with learning disabilities attempting to either be their own voice, or to be heard in the social care system regarding their own personal desires and wishes (Department of Health, 2007b). Prime Minister Tony Blair aptly sums up the purpose of the Valuing People Support Team in stating that People with learning disabilities can find â€Å"†¦ themselves pushed to the margins of our society †¦Ã¢â‚¬  as a result of unintentional circumstances in being able to find â€Å"†¦ the right care, health services, education †¦Ã¢â‚¬  and other aspects (Department of Health, 2007b). He continued that â€Å"At best they feel obstacles are constantly put in their way by society† (Department of Health, 2007b). The foregoing is easy to understand when one realizes that an individual with a learning disability has problems in not only fi nding out things to help themselves, they have problems in completing the paperwork and other facets of the system that has been put there to help them, but in many instances in the past did not as a result of the gap between their learning disabilities and communicating their needs to the system without the help of family members or other parties who either might not desire them to take such an action or simply do not have the time to assist them in wading through the process (Department of Health, 2007b). The Department of Health describes people with learning disabilities as being the most vulnerable as well as socially excluded individuals in the British society (Department of Health, 2007b). In terms of social services, as well as other branches of governmental aid, individuals with learning disabilities faced, in the past, poorly coordinated services, poor planning, and most importantly they had little choice and or â€Å"†¦ control over many aspects of their lives† (Department of Health, 2007b). The publications continues that day services, the contact point for people with learning disabilities, were â€Å"†¦ not tailored to the needs and abilities of the individual†, the last point being ‘abilities’ as the operative word in this instance. People with learning disabilities may be able, over a period of time, or instantly, to verbalise their wants, needs and desires, however, under a system with so many departments and layers, getting in touch with the right department represented a problem. Under the Valuing People Support Team they have a governmental agency that is their road map as well as navigator and operative arm to help them through the system as quickly as possible to the services they needs and or desire. If one thinks about it, the Valuing People Support Team also serves another highly important service, one of being in the position of patients accessing the system. Through a governmental agency helping people to use the system their experiences will provide a wealth of feedback from cases via which to monitor the effectiveness of the entire spectrum of services offered and provided by the government in this area, and make recommendation that have power. This inside system handling of the problems of users of services through its cases is the ideal manner by which to not only put the system on its toes, it represents the perfect feed back mechanism via which to implement improvements and change. In Mandy’s case, this means the first break from one of her parents in her entire life. A prospect, if one is to put themselves in her shoes, that must seem quite intimidating and fearful, in that she has to put her trust in what can be termed as strangers to treat her as family and see to her best interests as her father did. The Valuing People Support Team operates under four key principles, which are 1), Rights, 2). Independence, 3). Choice, and 4). Inclusion as its operational foundation Department of Health, 2007b). Applying these to Mandy’s situation enables one to see the fit and vision of the preceding. The idea is to provide them with choices, thus giving them control over their lives as opposed to being immersed in a society whereby their prospect of finding the appropriate services and or information is left to a ‘well-informed carer’ such as Mandy’s father who waded through all of the necessary steps and information gathering processes to obtain the full benefit for his daughter. In terms of where Mandy is today, in desiring to take control over her life, she needs that same type of assistance, something that was difficult to find. In order to accomplish the objective of providing individuals with learning disabilities with the options to access the system in the manner in which it is intended to work, the Valuing People Support Team was established to function as a ‘well-informed carer’. In the instance of Mandy, the Valuing People Support Team white paper set forth that it understands and has been established to help learning disabled individuals to access housing and other services that fit their needs. In this instance it entails the shift of Mandy from home care assisted living to hospital stay assisted living. Acting in a real sense as her advocate, the Valuing People Support is there to walk Mandy through the maze of social services to aid her in the achievement of her objective. As per its web site, under the Care Services Improvement Partnership, the Valuing People Support Team is there to work with 1), Learning Disability Partnership Boards, 2), Local people and organizations, and 3), Gov ernment Departments (Care Services Improvement Partnership, 2007a). The ‘Team’ 1) offers support as well as advice to people who want to and or are seeking to change services, 2) help people to get together for the purposes of talking and sharing ideas, 3) to listen to what people are saying, and 4) to feed this information back to the government to enable them to have the direct information from the users of the system so that things can be changed and improved for the better (Care Services Improvement Partnership, 2007a). In Mandy’s instance, the Valuing People Support Team as an advocacy department that has been specifically set up for patients with problems like herself (Care Services Improvement Partnership, 2007b). Advocacy The preceding represents the solution to Mandy’s problem, an advocate to listen to her concerns, counsel her as to her options, obtain agreement from Mandy as to the direction she would thus like to take knowing and understanding her options, and then to take the appropriate action based upon the foregoing. The advocacy services segment of the Valuing People Support Team offers the following services 1) self advocacy to enable individuals to speak up for themselves, 2) citizen advocacy whereby people can get to know an individual that has a learning disability and thus be able to get their wishes understood as well as heard, and 3) a short term issue based or crisis advocacy whereby a person is usually paid to speak up for someone regarding a particular issue and or when that person is in a crisis (Care Services Improvement Partnership, 2007b). The Advocacy Toolkit was set up to aid individuals in waking through what this service offers and how it can help. In Mandy’s i nstance, she received the help of her key worker at the respite care unit to get her to the Valuing People Support Team, which is the same course of action that would have been taken by the disabilities team. The disabilities team would have also been able to aid and assist Mandy in the getting to her destination. These teams, disabilities, represent service groups in the individual councils that are positioned within the individual authorities, whose service parameters are limited, however, they are there to assist. A typical disabilities team web site indicates its purpose as being a point of contact regarding disabilities issues that affects young people from partner organizations and other agencies (connexions, 2007). It is in place to offer and provide specialist services to young people between the ages of 13 and 25 who have a statement of special education need. They function as well as offer a limited and lower level specialist service in the pattern of the Valuing People Support Team that is on a lower level, yet in the same vein. Specifically they offer 1) support as well as guidance to personal advisers concerning individual cases, 2) training to personal advisors concerning di sability issues, 3) a direct service for young people that have complex needs, 4) an innovative working arrangement with partner organizations to help young people identify need as well as secure funding, 5) independent advice, along with guidance and information regarding local as well as national special needs provisions, 6) working with individuals as well as groups as advocates and brokers, 7) and provide access to other personal advisors whereby they can help to fulfill requirements as well as guidance as set by the government concerning young people that have a learning disability and or any other type of disability (connexions, 2007). The disabilities team would have not been able to assist Mandy in obtaining her objective of changing her carer, as a result of her age, but could have referred her to the Valuing People Support Team in order for Mandy to complete the process. Advocacy, as stated by Valuing People is that the government’s purpose and aim in putting this service into place was to provide a range of independent advocacy services in each area that permits people with learning disabilities to be able to choose the service(s) that best meet and fulfill their needs. The independent nature of the advocacy services represents one of, if not its most important features and facets as it ensures impartiality on the part of the patient (Care Services Improvement Partnership, 2007b). In addition to advocacy services, the Valuing People Support Team handles many, many other services, including arrangement to place someone at an appropriate residence. Specifically, the Valuing People Support Team states that a long stay hospital does not represent a good place for people with learning disabilities to live in (Care Services Improvement Partnership, 2007c). This option for Mandy is closed as all learning disability patients at long stay hospitals were moved as of March 2006 (Care Services Improvement Partnership, 2007c). Thus, the Valuing People Support Team will need to work with Mandy to hear her needs, wants and desires and advise her on her options. Mandy could not be in better hands than these, as they oversee the full range of services that are available within the health care and social services system. The fact that the Valuing People Support Team oversees the full range of services under the health and social care makes it invaluable to patients as well as t hose seeking help for the first time. It represents a resource that aids all of the departments in getting the person to the right area quickly and avoid moving people around form service to service, and or having them call, hunt and become frustrated in obtaining the assistance and help that they need. . Conclusion Mandy’s situation is in no way unique! There are others that have either similar and or drastically different problems who need empowerment in order to avail themselves of assistance and help when either in trouble or seeking the right governmental services for their condition. The existence of the Valuing People Support Team would be helpful for an immigrant without papers under hospital care in finding out exactly what their options are in terms of support, aid and immigration as a result of a recent event that ended them in that position. Specifically, the case of a gentleman named Boris who arrived in England twenty years ago and never secured his papers. Having had a reversal in circumstances, Boris has been living illegally in England and would up in a hospital as a result of kidney failure. His circumstance in living in an unheated room at the rear of a commercial establishment was unsuitable for return to after his hospital incident that requires follow up care. And as a result of his status, housing options were not open. The Valuing People Support Team represents a resource to aid Boris and the hospital to help this individual. The Valuing People Support Team represents an important governmental resource to aid the citizens of the United Kingdom in wading through he huge maze of services regulations and requirements that is the system of health and social services care. It is helping Mandy and countless others, and will be of aid to Boris as well Bibliography Care Services Improvement Partnership (2007b) Advocacy. Retrieved on 1 May 2007 from http://valuingpeople.gov.uk/dynamic/valuingpeople61.jsp Care Services Improvement Partnership (2007c) Long Stay Hospitals. Retrieved on 1 May 2007 from http://valuingpeople.gov.uk/dynamic/valuingpeople127.jsp Care Services Improvement Partnership (2007) What is the Valuing People Support Team? Retrieved on 1 May 2007 from http://valuingpeople.gov.uk/dynamic/valuingpeople16.jsp connexions (2007) What is this service. Retrieved on 1 May 2007 from http://www.connexionsteesvalley.co.uk/practitioners/aboutus/diabilities/ Department of Health (2007a) National Strategy for Carers. Retrieved on 1 May 2007 from http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4006522 Department of Health (2007b) Valuing People. Retrieved on 1 May 2007 from http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm50/5086/5086.pdf Directov (2007b) Care Homes and hospital. Retrieved on 1 May 2007 from http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HealthAndWellBeing/HealthServices/CareHomes/DG_10031519 Directgov (2007) Disability Living Allowance – what else you need to know. Retrieved on 1 May 2007 from http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10012424 Rett Syndrome Association (2006) Guidance Note 1: Respite Care or ‘Short Term Breaks’. Retrieved on 1 May 2007 from http://www.rettsyndrome.org.uk/_downloads/respite_booklet.pdf

Issues of Survival :: Essays Papers

Issues of Survival â€Å"We will only change if we survive, but we will only survive unless we change.† I believe that the Dalai Lama, in his book Ethics for a New Millennium, discusses many issues pertaining to the current state of our society that are of dyer importance if we hope to survive into the next few generations. Primarily, I am referring to his discussion of happiness as it relates to inner peace, the acknowledgement of universal responsibility, and the need to educate our children responsibly, inside and outside of the classroom. The Dalai Lama makes the assertion that, as humans, we are all ultimately searching for happiness. The way we can become truly happy is by acknowledging that, â€Å"the principal characteristic of genuine happiness is peace: inner peace.† (55) We can achieve this inner peace by putting others needs on the same plane as our own needs and by recognizing that our own well-being is intimately attached to that of others. I believe this is crucial to our survival. By raising others needs to a level of our own, we are acknowledging that they are an asset to our lives and equally contribute to the human family. This, in my mind, guarantees them the universal rights of food, water, shelter, education, health services, and safety. We are improving our own lives when we lift up the lives of others. Whether one believes in karma or not, it is true that we feel a positive emotion after thinking of or helping others. â€Å"The impact of our actions—both positive and negative—register deep within us.† (88) That is why we need to continue to think of others well-being; it lifts our spirits and helps us achieve inner peace. True inner peace and happiness cannot be achieved, in my opinion, without the acceptance of the Dalai Lama’s ideas of universal responsibility. My thoughts regarding this are based off the idea that we can never be truly happy while there is human (or environmental) suffering. If it is true happiness for which we are searching, we have a responsibility to everyone’s happiness.

Paolo Veroneses Painting Mars and Venus United by Love :: Veronese Painting Essays

Paolo Veronese's Painting "Mars and Venus United by Love" â€Å"Mars and Venus United by Love† by Paolo Veronese is done in the Renaissance style of painting. This is done in this style, because Poalo Veroneses was a Renaissance painter as well as his teacher Titan. The painting takes place in Rome in the Mythological Era. It is not known who commissioned this work. Emperor Rudolf II in Prague owned this piece of artwork as well as four others of Veronese’s paintings. Mars is the God of war; and Venus is the Goddess of love.(These are the Roman names for the Greek Gods; which in Greek Venus was called Aphrodite and Mars was actually called Aries.) The theme of this painting has to do with Roman mythology. Cupid is tying Mars and Venus together. There are many different explanations that people have came up with to explain this painting. There is always that tie between love and war, even the saying â€Å"make love not war†. The most common translation would be [Venus, the woman symbolizes chastity transformed by love into charity and that the horse held back by an armed cupid is an emblem of passion restrained](Metropolitan Museum of Art, pg.185) The painting clearly shows Mars and Venus being tied together by a cupid. So I can see why this is the most popular translation of this painting. My personal response was really strong after seeing the painting for the first time. As soon as I saw this painting I knew that it had a deeper meaning to it; and not just some people being tied together by a cupid. I knew right away that it had to do with Roman mythology just from the names. After looking at this painting for a while there is still something that the artist is trying to portray, that is really tough. It feels like there is more going on than what seems. The painting has such a calm tone to it but it gives a little hint of roughness with the sword and the horse, which I think, helps to balance this painting.

Twains Huck Finn Compared To The Movie :: essays research papers

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a classic novel about a young boy who struggles to save and free himself from captivity, responsibility, and social injustice. Along his river to freedom, he aids and befriends a runaway slave named Jim. The two travel down the Mississippi, hoping to reach Cairo successfully. However, along the way they run into many obstacles that interrupt their journey. By solving these difficult tasks, they learn life lessons important to survival. The reader will find Huck and Jim more knowledgeable at the conclusion of the novel, and notice their love for life and for each other.After reading the novel and watching the Disney film Huck Finn, one will find many dissimilarities. Many of the classic scenes have been switched around and combined in the 1993 version. There are a few scenes in particular that I will focus and comment on.The major difference between the movie and the book is an important character named Tom Sawyer, who is not present or mentioned in the film. It is evident from reading the story that Tom was a dominant influence on Huck, who obviously adores him. Tom can be seen as Huck's leader and role model. He has a good family life, but yet has the free will to run off and have fun. Tom is intelligent, creative, and imaginative, which is everything Huck wishes for himself. Because of Tom's absence in the movie, Huck has no one to idolize and therefore is more independent. Twain's major theme in the novel is the stupidity and faults of the society in which Huck lives. There is cruelty, greed, murder, trickery, hypocrisy, racism, and a general lack of morality. All of these human failings are seen through the characters and the adventures they experience. The scenes involving the King and Duke show examples of these traits. The two con-artists go through many towns playing the same tricks and scams on the gullible townspeople hoping to make money. They put on acts in the novel such as the "Nonesuch" that get them almost killed as they run out of each town. These scenes, which prove as examples of the foolish society are not in the film.The naivetà © of the Wilks sisters is disturbing to Huck who attempts to help them stop the frauds from stealing their inheritance. The movie is dissimilar to the book in that it concludes with Mary Jane and her two sisters as the heroes who save Jim from being hanged and Huck from dying of a gun wound.

Agent of the Disease Essay

The term â€Å"awareness† has become a popular expression for the past decade. It is now so extensive that its meaning can span from being physically to socially aware. Societal consciousness is kept in a lot of ways because of the vast number of researches in different fields and constant media exposure. People have learned millions of facts about the human body unknown to our ancient ancestors. Yet Dr. Bob Moorehead (1995) has once put that we have â€Å"more medicine, but less wellness†. For instance, cancer is known to be a potent killer of human beings yet until now we have no cure for it. In this sense, let’s take cervical cancer differently. This type of cancer occurring in women is the only one known to be caused by a certain type of human papillomavirus (HPV) (â€Å"Genital HPV Infection,† 2004). Viruses can be destroyed by antiviral agents such as chemicals, ionizing radiation and vaccines (Tortora, 1995). This is the reason why there are a large number of groups around the world promoting awareness about this disease believing that it could be the easiest cancer to fight. The World Health Organization (2007) has categorized human cervical cancer as one of the leading types of cancer in women affecting over 510,000 cases annually. It is often asymptomatic which means that the person infected may not immediately know that she is infected. Tests should be done to detect the presence of this disease. Agent of the Disease A group of DNA viruses from the family Papovaviridae cause cervical cancer. This family also includes viruses that cause warts. Human Papillomavirus is the causative agent of cervical cancer. Certain strains are responsible for the simple warts but a few â€Å"high-risk types† of strains lead to cervical cancer (Parkin, 2006). Although viruses can lead to this disease, the American Cancer Society also lists smoking, secondary infection and genetic predisposition as risky factors (â€Å"Cervical,† 2007). HPV strains 16 and 18 are especially risky to women as it causes a certain change in the cervical cells detected through a Pap test. Thus, a woman can be diagnosed of cervical cancer if there is an HPV infection but not all women with HPV can lead to cervical cancer. Vulnerability to the Disease In 2005, lung cancer is the leading cause of death of American citizens and cervical cancer statistics are low (WHO, 2007). Pregnant women can also be affected by this virus but cases of vertical transmission to the offspring are rare. Basically, men and women are prone to infection and transmission of the virus. Women who get infected by HPV are usually sexually active or may have been exposed to the virus previously. They may have multiple sex partners or a single infected partner (â€Å"Genital HPV Infection,† 2004). Again, the HPV strain that causes warts is different from the one causing cervical cancer which means that having warts is not directly linked to having cervical cancer. Environmental Factors As far as infection is concerned, sexual contact is enough to elicit a possibility especially if the partner is infected by the virus. WHO considers poor diet, primary HIV infection, taking oral contraceptives and multiple pregnancies as environmental risks too. Dietary factors such as having foods that are carcinogenic and unhealthy eating habits can lead not only to cervical cancer but to other diseases too. HIV infection, which impairs the human’s immune system against diseases, may bring about cervical cancer making HPV an opportunistic pathogen. There is no clear basis of the link of oral contraceptives and having multiple pregnancies to cancer but hormonal drugs may induce cellular changes in lining of the cervix. There have been recent reports that the use of condoms reduces the risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer in women (â€Å"Condoms help†¦. ,† 2006). Further studies are conducted about this claim and is still a topic of debate in the scientific community. Modes for Disease Transmission Since cervical cancer is primarily caused by a virus, transmission of the disease is through direct contact, in this case, genital contact. An infected genitalia may have sores or ruptures that may come into contact with an uninfected genitalia. Oral sex can also transmit the virus. HPV infection from mothers to newborns is rare or may lead to respiratory papillomatosis. A recent study has reported that a person that may have been infected earlier by a milder strain of the HPV may lead to cervical cancer. Persistent strains may remain dormant in the body and in later years alter its physiology and cause cervical cancer (Cason, Rice & Best, 1998). Thus, the early claim that only â€Å"high-risk types† of strains can cause cervical cancer needs to be re-assessed. Controlling the Spread of the Disease With the increased awareness of the benefits of early detection and prevention of cervical cancer, there are a lot of ways to avoid contracting and preventing the spread of the disease. Cellular analysis, vaccination, use of condoms and the use of microbicides are few suggestions (â€Å"Human Papillomavirus,† 2007). Cytological analysis of the lining of the cervix, commonly called a Pap smear test is effective in distinguishing cellular growth abnormalities. If the Pap smear test results are abnormal, an HPV test that detects the presence of the DNA of the virus can be subsequently done. There are also latest additions of tetravalent vaccines developed by multinational pharmaceutical companies that are now commercially available for women only. The vaccines are still not fool-proof as there are reports of minor side-effects like having fever and redness of the skin (â€Å"HPV,† 2006). Avoiding sexual contact is the most effortless and cheapest way of prevention. Another simple and convenient technique of preventing spread is through the use of condoms. Although condoms are believed to be preventive of sexually transmitted diseases, the effectivity of this practice is still under deliberation. Still there is no harm in using condoms because prevention is always better than cure. Lastly, latest idea in disease control is the production of topical microbicides that can kill the virus before sexual contact. Social and Cultural Influences It is a stigma in this society being labeled as someone having a sexually transmitted disease. Having the disease is already tough, plus the collective prejudice one is subjected to. In the context of social relevance, people have become liberal about having sexual contact where there is no issue about unmarried couples having sex. Teens under legal age also commit this act. It is therefore incontestable that the chances of contracting the disease are really high in this modern age. Awareness of the cause, prevention, detection and treatment of cervical cancer is indubitably crucial. Social beliefs can sometimes prevent the treatment of the disease. The use of condoms is an issue to the Catholic persuasion. Contraceptives are not an option for Catholics, as instructed by the Vatican. Another issue about the treatment of cervical cancer is the use of vaccines that are not yet suitable for use of everyone and may cause side-effects. From the past decades, there have been significant steps in promoting awareness of sexually transmitted diseases. Princess Diana of Wales guilelessly reduced the stigma put by the society to HIV infected patients all over the world. Other famous figures followed her lead to not only erase prejudice but also to let everyone know what these diseases are and find ways to cure them. In the modern world, certain groups educate people worldwide and create ways to reach out to people such as the Digene Corporation. Conclusion Cervical cancer in women is primarily caused by an infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are certain strains that are â€Å"high-risk† for cervical cancer. It is believed that the virus causes an alteration in the cells of the cervix that can lead to cancer. Transmission of the disease is through direct sexual contact or through oral sex where the uninfected skin comes into contact with an infected sore or lesion. Since the cancer is caused by a virus, it is believed to be treated easily and preventable in some ways. Vaccination, the use of condom and topical microbicides, and undergoing the Pap test are some suggested ways to avoid and control the spread of the disease. Due to its curable nature, steps are now done to promote awareness about the disease so that people can avoid contracting and find ways to cure it. References Cason, J. , Rice, P. , & Best, J. (1998). Transmission of cervical cancer-associated human papillomaviruses from mother to child. Intervirology, 41:213-218. Retrieved July 6, 2007, from http://content. karger. com/ProdukteDB/produkte. asp? Doi=24939 â€Å"Cervical Cancer†. 2007, Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia (2007).. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Cervical_cancer Condoms help protect against cervical cancer 2006. Associated Press. Retrieved July 6, 2007, from http://www. msnbc. msn. com/id/13461194/ â€Å"Genital HPV Infection – CDC Fact Sheet† 2004. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from http://www. cdc. gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV. htm â€Å"HPV (Human Papillomavirus)†. 2006. U. S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from http://www. fda. gov/WOMENS/getthefacts/hpv. html â€Å"Human Papillomavirus† . 2007. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia (2007).. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus â€Å"Human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer†. 2007. World Health Organization. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from http://www. who. int/vaccine_research/diseases/hpv/en/ Moorehead, B. (1995). â€Å"The Paradox of our age. † Retrieved July 6, 2007, from http://www. trans4mind. com/counterpoint/moorehead. shtml Parkin DM (2006). â€Å"The global health burden of infection-associated cancers in the year 2002†. Int. J. Cancer 118 (12): 3030-44. PMID 16404738. Tortora,G. J. et. al. 1995. Microbiology: An Introduction. 5th ed. USA: The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company. â€Å"The Impact of Cancer† 2007. World Health Organization. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from http://www. who. int/ncd_surveillance/infobase/web/InfoBasePolicyMaker/reports/ReporterFullView. aspx? id=5