Mitigation Strategies and Solution Water Pollution Essay Example

Mitigation Strategies and Solution: Water Pollution Paper In addition to innocent organisms dying off, our drinking water has become greatly affected as is our ability to use water for recreational purposes. In order to combat water pollution, we must understand the problems and become part of the solution. Keywords: water pollution, sustainability, earth, oxygen All around the world there are issues with our water resources, from conservation and preservation to pollution and depletion. We need to increase public awareness within our local governments, citizens of our country, and the world on how important clean and fresh water are to every vying organism. With the increase in human population, increase in pollution, the demand for clean water is essential for the existence of mankind. Water pollution is a concern in the world today. The governments of many countries have looked to find solutions to reduce the problem. Many different pollutants threaten the water ways, especially in underdeveloped countries where disposal of raw sewage in natural waters are a common place, the constant new construction that is being done around the world also appears to be a factor which is affecting pollution to our water resources. Construction developments affect the waters by the chemicals they use and the regard for proper disposal of toxic chemicals that run-off in the soils and then into the water systems which in turn affects our drinking water. These disease causing contaminants enter our systems in our water, from untreated sewers, septic tanks, boats and storm drains not properly cleaned. Water borne ailments can cause hookworms, intestinal parasites, typhoid fever, diarrhea and numerous other bacterial and viral diseases. We will write a custom essay sample on Mitigation Strategies and Solution: Water Pollution specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Mitigation Strategies and Solution: Water Pollution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Mitigation Strategies and Solution: Water Pollution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Water that is polluted has caused earaches, conjunctivitis, upper expiratory infections skin rashes, hepatitis, gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammation of the brain and other ailments. These types of water borne disease are more prevalent in third world countries or in severe poverty stricken states. According to the American College Dictionary, pollution is defined as: to make foul or unclean; dirty. Water pollution occurs when a body of water is adversely affected due to the addition of large amounts of materials to the water. When it is unfit for its intended use, water is considered polluted. Two types of water pollutants exist; point source and Nippon source. Point sources of pollution occur when harmful substances are emitted directly into a body of water. The Exxon Valued oil spill best illustrates point source water pollution. A Nippon source delivers pollutants indirectly through environmental changes. An example of this type of water pollution is when fertilizer from a field is carried into a stream by rain, in the form of run-off which in turn affects aquatic life. The technology exists for point sources of pollution to be monitored and regulated, although political factors may complicate matters. Nippon sources are much more difficult to control. Pollution arising from Nippon sources accounts for a majority of the contaminants in streams and lakes. Many causes of pollution including sewage and fertilizers contain nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. In excess levels, nutrients over stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae. Excessive growth of these types of organisms consequently clogs our waterways, use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters. This, in turn, proves very harmful to aquatic organisms as it affects the respiration ability or fish and other invertebrates that reside in water. Pollution is also caused when silt and other suspended solids, such as soil, wash off plowed fields, construction and logging sites, urban areas, and eroded river banks when it rains. Under natural conditions, lakes, rivers, and other water bodies undergo Transportation, an aging process that slowly fills in the water body with sediment and organic matter. When these sediments enter various bodies of water, fish respiration becomes impaired, plant productivity and water depth become reduced, and aquatic organisms and their environments become suffocated. Pollution in the form of organic material enters waterways in any different forms as sewage, as leaves and grass clippings, or as runoff from livestock feedlots and pastures. When natural bacteria and protozoan in the water break down this organic material, they begin to use up the oxygen dissolved in the water. Many types of fish and bottom-dwelling animals cannot survive when levels of dissolved oxygen drop below two to five parts per million. When this occurs, it kills aquatic organisms in large numbers which leads to disruptions in the food chain. Several forms Of legislation have been passed in recent decades to try to control water pollution. In 1 970, the Clean Water Act provided 50 billion dollars to cities and states to build wastewater facilities. This has helped control surface water pollution from industrial and municipal sources throughout the United States. When congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1 972, states were given primary authority to set their own standards for their water. In addition to these standards, the act required that all state beneficial uses and their criteria must comply with the feasible and assumable goals of the act. This essentially means that state beneficial uses must be able to support aquatic life and recreational use. Because it is impossible to test water for every type of disease-causing organism, states usually look to identify indicator bacteria. (Puzzle, 2010)One for an example is a bacterium known as fecal coli forms. These indicator bacteria suggest that a certain selection of water may be contaminated with untreated sewage and that other, more dangerous, organisms are present. These legislations are an important part in the fight against water pollution. They are useful in preventing environmental catastrophes. The graph shows reported pollution incidents since 1989-1994. If Stronger legislations existed, perhaps these events would never eave occurred. Water quality is closely linked to water use and to the state of economic development. In industrialized countries, bacterial contamination of surface water caused serious health problems in major cities throughout the mid sass. (ADLER T. 2007) BY the turn of the century, Cities in Europe and North America began building sewer networks to route domestic wastes downstream of water intakes. Development of these sewage networks and waste treatment facilities in urban areas has expanded tremendously in the past two decades. However, the rapid growth of the urban population especially in Latin America and Asia) has outpaced the ability of governments to expand sewage and water infrastructure. While waterborne diseases have been eliminated in the developed world, outbreaks of cholera and other similar diseases still occur with alarming frequency in the developing countries. Since World War II and the birth of the chemical age, water quality has been heavily impacted worldwide by industrial and agricultural chemicals. Transportation of surface waters from human and agricultural wastes and nitrification of groundwater from agricultural practices has greatly affected rage parts of the world. Acidification of surface waters by air pollution is a recent phenomenon and threatens aquatic life in many area of the world. In developed countries, these general types of pollution have occurred sequentially with the result that most developed countries have successfully dealt with major surface water pollution. In contrast, however, newly industrialized countries such as China, India, Thailand, Brazil, and Mexico are now facing all these issues simultaneously. Action Items (in the correct order) I Action Steps Timeline I Research and identify the effects of water pollution. I Review environmental Web sites and journals. Document the sources of water pollution and both environmental and health effects of water pollution. Document video interviews of environmental researchers and facilitators. I Month 1-31 Develop an education program about water pollution effects. Develop a presentation about why this program is needed and include examples such as: never pouring toxic substances down the drain. Although water is cleaned, cities do not have the equipment to eliminate all toxic substances from the water supply. I Month 1-31 Contact Government. I Tell your local officials that you ant information on the communitys water supply and local polluters. Make sure officials recognize your right to know about your water supply. I Month 4 Find Waters Source. Review environmental Web sites and journals. L_earn about where your communitys water comes from. Keep a close eye on this water source and encourage others to do the same. I Month 1-3 Read Well Reports. Community well operators often produce monitoring reports on the safety of local wells. Ask the operators to give you a copy of these materials and stay up-to-date on your wells. I Month 4 Schedule a presentation day and time to educate the public. I *You can make your own non-toxic versions of many popular products, such as insect repellents. Doing so prevents the toxic chemicals found in these products from entering the environment and the water supply. *If you can avoid purchasing products containing toxic chemicals, do so. Otherwise, there is a threat that these chemicals could enter the environment and the water supply. I Month 5 Identify and invite community participants. I Tally the number of homes in the community. Create and distribute flyers to homes announcing the next meeting and the educational program that will be introduced. I Month 5 Test Your Water. I Especially if your water comes from a private well, you should perform periodic tests for bacteria, metals, and toxic chemicals. (Help of labs, etc. ) I Ongoing Making people aware of the problem is the first step to solving it. In the early sass, when surfers in Britain grew tired of catching illnesses from water polluted with sewage, they formed a group called Surfers Against Sewage to force governments and water companies to clean up their act. People whove grown tired of walking the worlds polluted beaches often band together to organize community beach-cleaning sessions. Anglers who no longer catch so any fish have campaigned for tougher penalties against factories that pour pollution into our rivers. Greater public awareness can make a positive difference. Most environmental experts agree that the best way to tackle pollution is through something called the polluter pays principle. This means that whoever causes pollution should have to pay to clean it up, one way or another. (ADLER T. 2007) Polluter pays can operate in all kinds of ways. It could mean that tanker owners should have to take out insurance that covers the cost of oil spill cleanups, for example. It could also mean that shoppers would have to pay for their plastic grocery bags, as is now common in Ireland, to encourage recycling and minimize waste. Or it could mean that factories that use rivers must have their water inlet pipes downstream of their effluent outflow pipes, so if they cause pollution they themselves are the first people to suffer. Ultimately, the polluter pays principle is designed to deter people from polluting by making it less expensive for them to behave in an environmentally responsible way. Life is ultimately about choices-?and so is pollution. We can live with sewage-strewn beaches, dead rivers, and fish hat are too poisonous to eat. Or we can work together to keep the environment clean so the plants, animals, and people who depend on it remain healthy. We can take individual action to help reduce water pollution, for example, by using environmentally friendly detergents, not pouring oil down drains, reducing pesticides, and so on. We can take community action too, by helping out on beach cleans or litter picks to keep our rivers and seas that little bit cleaner. And we can take action as countries and continents to pass laws that will make pollution harder and the world less polluted.

What Pilot Studies Are and Why They Matter

What Pilot Studies Are and Why They Matter A pilot study is a preliminary small-scale study that researchers conduct in order to help them decide how best to conduct a large-scale research project. Using a pilot study, a researcher can identify or refine a research question, figure out what methods are best for pursuing it, and estimate how much time and resources will be necessary to complete the larger version, among other things. Key Takeaways: Pilot Studies Before running a larger study, researchers can conduct a pilot study: a small-scale study that helps them refine their research topic and study methods.Pilot studies can be useful for determining the best research methods to use, troubleshooting unforeseen issues in the project, and determining whether a research project is feasible.Pilot studies can be used in both quantitative and qualitative social science research. Overview Large-scale research projects tend to be complex, take a lot of time to design and execute, and typically require quite a bit of funding. Conducting a pilot study beforehand allows a researcher to design and execute a large-scale project in as methodologically rigorous a way as possible, and can save time and costs by reducing the risk of errors or problems. For these reasons, pilot studies are used by both quantitative and qualitative researchers in the social sciences. Advantages of Conducting a Pilot Study Pilot studies are useful for a number of reasons, including: Identifying or refining a research question or set of questionsIdentifying or refining a hypothesis or set of hypothesesIdentifying and evaluating a sample population, research field site, or data setTesting research instruments like survey questionnaires, interview or discussion guides, or statistical formulasEvaluating and deciding upon research methodsIdentifying and resolving as many potential problems or issues as possibleEstimating the time and costs required for the projectGauging whether the research goals and design are realisticProducing preliminary results that can help secure funding and other forms of institutional investment After conducting a pilot study and taking the steps listed above, a researcher will know what to do in order to proceed in a way that will make the study a success.   Example: Quantitative Survey Research Say you want to conduct a large-scale quantitative research project using survey data to study the relationship between race and political party affiliation. To best design and execute this research, you would first want to select a data set to use, such as the General Social Survey, for example, download one of their data sets, and then use a statistical analysis program to examine this relationship. In the process of analyzing the relationship, you are likely to realize the importance of other variables that may have an impact on political party affiliation. For example, place of residence, age, education level, socioeconomic status, and gender may impact party affiliation (either on their own or in interaction with race). You might also realize that the data set you chose does not offer you all the information that you need to best answer this question, so you might choose to use another data set, or combine another with the original that you selected. Going through this pilot stu dy process will allow you to work out the kinks in your research design and then execute high quality research. Example: Qualitative Interview Studies Pilot studies can also be useful for qualitative research studies, such as interview-based studies. For example, imagine that a researcher is interested in studying the relationship that Apple consumers have to the companys brand and products. The researcher might choose to first do a pilot study consisting of a couple of focus groups in order to identify questions and thematic areas that would be useful to pursue with in-depth, one-on-one interviews. A focus group can be useful to this kind of study because while a researcher will have a notion of what questions to ask and topics to raise, she may find that other topics and questions arise when members of the target group talk among themselves. After a focus group pilot study, the researcher will have a better idea of how to craft an effective interview guide for a larger research project. Further Reading If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of pilot studies, take a look at an essay titled  The Importance of Pilot Studies, by Drs. Edwin R. van Teijlingen and Vanora Hundley, published in Social Research Update  by the Department of Sociology, University of Surrey, England. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Divorce Regulations in Great Britain Research Paper

Divorce Regulations in Great Britain - Research Paper Example One answer no doubt lies in what could be called 'the spirit of the age'. 1963 was, after all, the year in which (according to Philip Larkin) 'sexual intercourse began'. It was also the year of the so-called Profumo affair in which a Minister of the Crown admitted lying to Parliament about his relationship with a woman, and unprecedented press publicity was given to the surrounding events and rumors. (For example, another Minister was said to indulge in 'weird sexual practices' involving his appearing naked--save for a mask--at parties.) Lord Denning's exhaustive investigation into these matters (concluding that although there had indeed been orgies where guests indulged in 'sexual activities of a vile and revolting nature' and that it was true dinner had been served by a naked masked man yet there was not a 'shred of evidence' that the man in question was a Minister) did little to calm the fevered atmosphere. In the circumstances, it became increasingly difficult to believe that civ ilisation would be endangered by allowing the thousands of (often elderly and usually eminently respectable) couples living together in what came to be called 'stable illicit unions' to crush the 'empty legal shell' of an earlier marriage so that they could become in law what they had long been in fact (Castles and Flood, 1991). The massive increase in divorce associated with ...At a somewhat less lofty level, those concerned with the administration of the family justice system became preoccupied with avoiding its collapse under the apparently relentless pressure of divorce petitions. 1But even amongst those who firmly believed the ideal of marriage--in particular as a way of providing children the 'settled and harmonious life on which so much of their future happiness depends' --to be the traditional union 'for better for worse, for richer for poorer . . . till death we do part' there was concern about a lot of the hundred thousand or more people living apart from their legal spouses in stable unions to which the law denied recognition. The impossibility of legalizing such relationships against the will of an 'innocent' legal spouse denied many men and women (and in particular the children they bore) adequate social and financial protection (Ceschini, 1995).In 1951 in an attempt to meet this concern, Mrs. Eirene White had introduced a Private Member's Bill into the House of Commons, avowedly intended 'to deal with marriages in which the spouses have lived separately for seven years, but in which no hitherto recognized ground for divorce exists or in which one partner, having grounds for action, declines to take it and keeps the other partner tied against his or her will, generally for life'. The Bill did this by invoking 'a new principle, in that it looks to the breakdown of the marriage as the ground for divorce (whilst not prejudicing the right of an injured party to seek divorce under the existing matrimonial offense provisions). This was to be achieved by adding seven years' separation to the existing grounds for divorce.

Multiple Governments and Intergovernmental Relationships Essay

Multiple Governments and Intergovernmental Relationships - Essay Example US system of government has become more and more federal as time has gone by. As federalism increases the nature of co-operation also changes between the different forms of government. A local government which depends on the provincial government for its existence would certainly be less demanding and more co-operative as compared to a local government which has been given constitutional status. In US federal governments have a right to make laws in variety of spheres. The congress can pass only certain laws related to certain fields specified in the constitution. However experts believe that this autonomy or freedom is mainly on paper than in practice. As federal government control the purse strings they have the power to convince local governments to follow model bills prepared by the congress. In some areas these powers are beneficial but may also be prove contrary to local benefits in some cases. This is probably the most important aspect of intergovernmental relations as a government interacts through their bureaucrats. At a particular point of time FBI is represented by the agent who is interacting with the LAPD.These officers can cause conflicts between two governments and can also make them very reactive to each other depending upon their personal rapport or enmity. One of the most important examples in the recent times of intergovernmental relation has been anti-terrorist inquiries. Some of these inquiries are carried out parallel by the both the FBI as well as state police. In major terrorist attack cases even the homeland security may be involved. Local police officers do not like any case which happens even their area to be transferred to the FBI. They see this as a personal insult. This lead to enmity between the forces and lead to an atmosphere of mistrust. It has been documented by various investigators that prior information about a 9/11 plot was

Social Media for PR: Implications and Opportunities

Social Media for PR: Implications and Opportunities Mandy Soh The Role and Implications of New Media for PR Introduction With the introduction of the internet comes new media, which in recent years have seen PR practitioners having to adapt and change their approach to cater to the online community. According to Dewdney Ride, new media can be described as â€Å"the preferred term for a range of media practices that employ digital technologies and the computer in some way or another (James, n.d.). New media also provides a wider reach than traditional media, being portable and easily accessible. This essay seeks to explore the opportunities and threats presented to PR practitioners with the introduction of new media. Using a local case study, this essay will also discuss how new media has changed the way PR practitioners engage with their organizational stakeholders, as well as how it has impacted public relations practices today. Case Study – SMRT In 2011, SMRT trains experienced periodical breakdowns during the months October through December. The most prominent incidents being the December 15 and 17 breakdowns, believed to have been the worst train breakdowns in 24 years of operations, sparking angry netizens to take to social media platforms such as Twitter to express their outrage over the unreliability of the train service (Low, 2011). These breakdowns affected some 5,000 commuters during the evening peak hour (Sim, 2011). Netizens were further enraged by the surfacing of a photo on Twitter depicting a photo taken on an SMRT taxi which shows the message starting with â€Å"Income opportunity† before explaining the breakdown (Barimen, 2011). Prior to the episodes, an announcement was made by SMRT to increase train fares starting the following year. This fostered a sour attitude towards SMRT among Singaporeans, and negative comments were buzzing around the various social media sites. Impact of New Media on SMRT’s PR Practice Throughout these incidents, SMRT continued to disregard feedback on their official Facebook and Twitter pages, instead going on to offer vouchers to its subscribers and followers. The only â€Å"official† responses to confused commuters among the chaos seem to be coming from only one SMRT Ltd Feedback, a troll account which emerged during the crisis. Without any clear answers on SMRT’s official channels, the comments from the troll account only further added to the public’s confusion and doubt. Only after 15 hours have elapsed has SMRT began providing information and responding to the situation. The organization, in its failure to communicate timely with the public in times of crisis, has lost their trust. This is despite the fact that there have been no major episodes in their history of operation. The incident has shown that organizations should have a tested plan in place to be able to communicate with the stakeholders efficiently in times like this. Because of the fast transfer of information in the age of new media, employees who manage the social media platforms have to exercise discretion on the appropriate times to put up certain content. In the case of SMRT, instead of responding to queries during the crisis, employees instead put up voucher offers, which was of no help clearing the air of doubts. Opportunities for Better Engagement with Stakeholders Despite the negative impact that new media has on public relations practices, it has also presented a series of opportunities for PR practitioners. Because of its wide reach, organizations can now use new media to launch a direct dialog with their stakeholders with ease. Platforms such as forums and blogs allow for PR practitioners to establish a two-way communication, allowing them to better understand the feedback of the public. When the public is engaged in this process, it creates brand awareness and a word-of-mouth effect. It is also easier for the organization to rally support from the public, by empowering them to make certain decisions. This will result in a higher number of people who would champion the organization’s cause. When there is a need for fast transfer of information, like in times of crisis, organizations can harness the use of new media to get their messages out. This allows for control of the situation on the organization’s part. The organization can even garner the public’s comments and come up with better solutions to solve the problem. Social media sites such as YouTube and Facebook can also be used as publicity vehicles. One such example is from Coca-Cola, which in 2012 released a YouTube video titled â€Å"Hug Me by Coca-Cola†. In the video, several Singaporeans can be seen obtaining a bottle of Coca-Cola from a vending machine. Instead of the traditional vending machine which dispenses with the slotting of coins, this particular machine dispenses upon a hug to it. The video generated more than a million views, with many netizens praising the organization’s creativity. Threats to PR Practices In spite of the opportunities for PR practitioners to effectively use new media as a source of communication with the public, certain threats are present as well. Janal (1998) argues that â€Å"too many companies go on the web without a set of goals†, suggesting that there are no incentives to move the public to be committed instead of just curious. In such cases, Theaker (2004, p. 264) suggests that PR practitioners work with the marketing department to ensure that sites are tested before they are fully launched, instead of conducting such testing on the public. PR practitioners also have to work harder to keep up with the trends to be able to fully understand the social media lingo. On top of that, they have to be more responsive because of the fast transfer of information with lesser effort. Organizations also have to work harder to establish credibility with the reduction of face-to-face interaction, which may create misunderstandings easily. Conclusion In the age of new media, there are many considerations and skills PR practitioners have to be sensitive to and develop to better reach out to their intended public. However, with proper research and strategizing, new media can be a very powerful tool for PR practitioners. Apart from this, PR practitioners also have to remember that having a better engagement with the public will lead to better reach for the organization. Instead of using new media to generate a large number of likes, genuine engagement of the public will ultimately lead to brand loyalty. The use of new media can be a double-edged sword in cases like SMRT. If PR practitioners are able to be well attuned to the sensitive nature of it however, new media can be effectively used to reach out to a wide number of stakeholders, thereby establishing their organization’s reputation. References Barimen, A. (2011, December 21). Not So SMRT: A Case Study of Communications Failure. Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.skribeproductions.com/2011/12/21/not-so-smrt-a-case-study-of-communications-failure/ James, M. (n.d.). A review of the impact of new media on public relations: Challenges for terrain, practice and education. Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal, 8. Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://www.academia.edu/1529188/A_review_of_the_impact_of_new_media_on_public_relations_Challenges_for_terrain_practice_and_education Low, I. (2011, December 16). Singapore’s MRT Breakdown Chaos Leaves Thousands Stranded. Straits Times Indonesia. Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/archive/singapores-mrt-breakdown-chaos-leaves-thousands-stranded/485081/ Sim, R. (2011, October 18). In Singapore, 5,000 Commuters Affected by MRT Disruption. Straits Times Indonesia. Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/archive/in-singapore-5000-commuters-affected-by-mrt-disruption/472390/ Theaker, A. (2004). Using the internet effectively in public relations. InThe Public Relations Handbook(2nd ed., p. 264). England, Abingdon, Oxfordshire: Routledge. Malaria: Causes, Prevention and Treatments Malaria: Causes, Prevention and Treatments Introduction There are over 100 species of malaria parasites the most known to cause death is in Africa called plasmodium falciparum (Malaria No More 2014). Only female anopheles mosquitos can transmit malaria (Malaria No More 2014). The malaria parasite is a member of the apicomplexa they are characterized by a set of organelles (Greenwood et al., 2008). These organelles are known as apical organelles because are located at the end of the parasite (Greenwood et al., 2008). This plasmodium parasite has cycles to develop in the mosquito (Greenwood et al., 2008). When this parasite enters the body through the mosquito it invades the liver there it multiplies 10,000 times two weeks in, the parasite goes into the blood stream where it infects the red blood cells (Malaria No More 2014). Currently 1 million people are dying from malaria and 500 million cases (Greenwood et al., 2008). As of now 2 billion are at risk of malaria mostly affecting poor populations around subtropical and tropical areas because the temperature and rain are better for the development of the malaria causing parasites in mosquitos (Greenwood et al., 2008). Malaria is a mosquito borne disease caused by a parasite (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). It usually causes chills, muscle pain, fever, and flu like illness (Malaria.com, 2011). It can also cause severe problems such as damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, and lungs (Malaria.com, 2011). When malaria is untreated it develops severe complications and causes death (Malaria.com, 2011). Malaria is caused when a mosquito infected with parasites bites a person (Malaria.com, 2011). In some rare occasions people can get it when they come in contact with infected blood (Malaria.com, 2011). Review and Results of Case Study In this study a 46 year old male was admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia (Hussain et al., 2008). 10 days before he was admitted had many symptoms which included abdominal pain, vomiting, and loose stools. He also got bloody diarrhea a day before his admission (Hussain et al., 2008). He didn’t appear to have a fever or cold and flushing of face and his medical history was great (Hussain et al., 2008). Once he was admitted he had a report of his blood film which was negative for malaria parasites (Hussain et al., 2008). His examination showed that he had diffuse congested mucosa of the stomach (Hussain et al., 2008). His blood, urine, and stool culture reports were all negative (Hussain et al., 2008). They did find hematological findings which were anaemia with hemoglobin because of the destruction of the red blood cells (Hussain et al., 2008). He had a slightly impaired renal function but his liver function tests were normal. 5 days after his admission on a routine peripheral smear they reported a sexual form of plasmodium malariae (Hussain et al., 2008). They didn’t know if he had malaria because he had no signs of organ damage and didn’t fulfill the World Health Organization criteria of sever malaria (Hussain et al., 2008). The patient had recent history of travel to Pakistan without taking chemoprophylaxis for malaria since malaria is widely distributed in Pakistan (Hussain et al., 2008). This patient was given drugs and blood to correct anaemia from malaria and gastrointestinal bleeding (Hussain et al., 2008). He was later released four weeks later (Hussain et al., 2008). Analysis Malaria is a parasite called plasmodium malariae which starts of in the mosquito (Collins Jeffery, 2007). The mosquito has a small number of sporozoites that go to the salivary duct it is then injected to the venules of the bitten human (Collins Jeffery, 2007). When the parasite enters the blood stream, within an hour the sporozoites attack’s the liver (Collins Jeffery, 2007). Once inside a parenchymal cell the parasite matures in 15 days (Collins Jeffery, 2007). Within this time period thousands of merozoites are produced. These merozoites invade the red blood cells and start the erythrocytic cycle (Collins Jeffery, 2007). After a developmental cycle happens in the red blood cells, for a couple of days some merozoites are released and reinvade more red blood cells (Collins Jeffery, 2007). While the malaria parasite is multiplying in the red blood cells it has to be moving between cells otherwise it will get cleared out by the immune system (Harvard School of Public Health, 2012). In the parasites nucleus there is a gene called virulence which encodes a protein on the surface of the parasite to allow it to enter the blood cells where it can turn off and on to hide (Harvard School of Public Health, 2012). It is able to turn off the gene by packing the gene up into a tight ball in the nucleus to turn back on it simply unpacks itself from the ball (Harvard School of Public Health, 2012). The parasite forms a protein which binds to a specific antigen called Duffy antigen (GenePlanaet, 2012). This antigen is common in our blood cells this makes a Duffy antigen system which is like the AB0 blood system (GenePlanaet, 2012). People with Duffy positive have these antigens Duffy negative doesn’t (GenePlanaet, 2012). The malaria parasite needs these Duffy proteins to enter the blood stream and develop the infection (GenePlanaet, 2012). People with Duffy negative are resistant to malaria because they don’t have this antigen (GenePlanaet, 2012). Symptoms and Tests There is uncomplicated which last 6-10 hours which has a cold stage a hot stage and a sweating stage (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). In a cold stage the person has a sensation of a cold and shivers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The host stage consists of fever, headaches, vomiting, and seizures in young children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The sweating stage is when the person sweats and returns to a normal temperature and experience tiredness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Some symptoms of this are fever, chills, sweat, headache, nausea and vomiting, body aches, and general malaise (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Some physical symptoms may include increased respiratory rate, weakness, elevated temperature, enlarged spleen, enlarged liver and perspiration (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Sever malaria has different results a person might have seizures go into a coma or other neurologic abnormalities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). They can also experience server anemia because of the destruction of their red blood cells. Acute respiratory distress, abnormalities in the blood, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and metabolic acidosis are other results of server malaria (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Tests that were given in this case study were blood smears, endoscopic examination, and abdominal ultrasound. Blood smears are taken from a finger prick (webmed, 2011). When the doctors do blood smear tests they use thick and thin blood smears to know if someone has malaria (webmed, 2011). It will let them know the percentage of red blood cells that are infected with the parasite (webmed, 2011). When they do a thick blood smear a drop of blood is put on a glass slide for examination (webmed, 2011). These tests are more useful to determine the presence of the parasite because they use a larger sample of blood to examine (webmed, 2011). A thin blood smear is a drop of blood that is spread across the slide this helps them know what type of malaria the patient has (webmed, 2011). In this case the blood film came back negative for malaria parasites (Hussain et al., 2008). They performed an endoscopic exam in which they found a diffuse congested mucosa (Hussain et al., 2008). They also did an abdominal ultrasound which came out normal (Hussain et al., 2008). There are other ways to test for malaria for example there are various test kits to detect antigens form malaria parasites these kits are usually used where microscopic diagnosis is not available (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). There is also a molecular diagnosis where the parasite nucleic acids are detected through a reaction using polymerase chain (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). They can also do a serology test that detects antibodies against malaria parasites (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). This test uses indirect immunofluorescence or enzyme linked immunosorbent (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). This test does not detect the current infection what it detects is the past exposure (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). There are lateral strip tests what these tests allow them to do is to target histidine rich protein 2 of the malaria parasite and its specific lactate dehydrogenase (Kakkilaya, 2011). Theses don’t require any type of machinery so they can be performed anywhere (Kakkilaya, 2011). The kidney and liver are checked to see if they have any damage to see if they have malaria or rule it out. Treatments There are several treatments and that are given to stop the malaria parasite from developing in the blood. Some of them are chloroquine, malaron, lariam, quinine, doxycycline, clindamycin, and quinidine (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Chloroquine helps prevent the malaria parasite to develop in the blood (WebMed, 2014). Cholorquine stops the parasite by blocking the chemical that protects the parasite from haem which is toxic to it (NetDoctor, 2013). This drug is taken orally and it is taken weekly for 4 weeks (NetDoctor, 2013). Malarone stops the parasite from reproducing by blocking an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase which helps reproduce (NetDoctor, 2013). The dihydrofolate reductase enzyme makes folinic acid from folic acid and this is essential for the parasite to make a new DNA which is needed to reproduce (NetDoctor, 2013). Lariam kills the malaria parasite but it is not understood how it does this (NetDoctor, 2013). This drug is useful for travellers to areas where it is known to be (NetDoctor, 2013). Quinine is used to treat malarial infections it attacks the parasaite once it enters the red blood cells and stops it from multiplying (NetDoctor, 2013). Doxycycline is an antibiotic that stops the parasite (NetDoctor, 2013). It stops it from producing proteins that are needed to stay alive and multiply once it stops it then it is killed by the immune system (NetDoctor, 2013). Quinidine is used for severe cases of malaria it is directly given into a vein for 7 days in a hospital because the person’s heart needs to be monitored (NetDoctor, 2013). In this case the patient was given quinine infusion for 48 hours after the 48 hours he was given 600 mg of quinine orally (Hussain et al., 2008). He was also given some supportive drugs orally for a week which consisted of 500 mg of doxycycline, 40 mg of pantoprazole, and 200 mg of ferrous fumarate for 7 days (Hussain et al., 2008). He was has also given two pints of blood. Four weeks after these drugs were given to him he was discharged from the hospital with a negative blood film for malaria and he did not have any symptoms since his arrival to the clinic (Hussain et al., 2008). He was asked to come back to do further tests to be assured the malaria parasite was gone but he did not return to the clinic (Hussain et al., 2008). Conclusion Malaria can be prevented and if infected it can be treated. It is caused by a parasite that only female mosquitoes can carry. When these mosquitos go and take blood meals they transmit the human it bites. The parasite makes its way to the liver by masking itself from the body so it won’t detect it and eliminate it where later it makes its way to the blood stream and attacks the red blood cells. As of now there are many cases of malaria mostly in the African regions. Although there are treatments for malaria there are still a lot of people who die from it. Children and pregnant women have a higher risk of dying of malaria. Malaria can also be confused with other diseases because the symptoms are similar. This parasite is a very sneaky which likes to hide and wait for a period of time to multiply and prepare to attack the body. Although this might be the case there are plenty of test given to find out if someone has malaria to stop it before it can really do some server damage to the liver. There are some good drugs to help eliminate this parasite from our bodies. Sometimes people might think that this parasite is gone some people that have recovered from the first episode of this illness there might be several attacks called relapses this could happen within a moths or even years of having no symptoms. This usually occurs because they have stage parasites in the liver that reactivate. There are treatments given to reduce the chances of having these relapses. This can be a dangerous disease if not treated on time, but it can be prevented by tests to diagnose it before it is too late.

Not Much Just Chillin Essay

Change is known to be the most constant thing in the world. Hence, individuals are often changing which leads to conflicting issues in life. Moreover, every person gets into a stage where in a person needs to change. Most of us experience change during our moments in middle school. Every person during this time of his or her life experiences changes. In addition to this, there are interests which are discovered by these individuals. More so, the changes lead to the various kind personality developments. In the book written by Linda Perlstein titled â€Å"Not Much Just Chillin’† she discussed the reality of middle school. Through her observation, research and writing, Perlstein is able to provide a very vivid and realistic condition of the students in middle school. Hence, it is very evident that middle school children are usually confronted with issue to their families, environment as well as the media which are highly influential to the development of young people. The book written by Perlstein provided a vivid example of the types of individuals within the middle school setting. There are the typical individuals such as the popular group, the geeks, the minor ethnicities and the likes. More so, the people who are reading the book could easily relate to the various types of individuals being portrayed in the book. Definitely, the book is presenting a very important aspect of the teenage life. Different parts of the book present a very good perspective of the situation in middle school. Moreover, the writing of Perlstein focuses on the perspective of the youth during their development into adulthood. In the light of this, the book provides a very easy reading to different individuals. For the book is discussing about the youth and their development, the book somehow reaches to the young audiences who are interested in reading and understanding the stages of their development. The varieties of stages that are being experienced by different groups in the middle school setting are discussed through a very descriptive style. On the other hand, parents must also read this book for it provides insights regarding the development of their children. Although it is known that parents have been in the same stage of youth, the changes and liberation of teenagers are still different in the current era. Also, professors and teachers must be able to comprehend the various types of students in school. More so, the book presents a descriptive perspective of the situation in the middle school setting however Perlstein does not provide any type of resolution regarding this matter. The readers are left hanging of what they could do in order to have a safe environment for different students. In conclusion, the book is a good read for individuals who are interested in the psychological perspective of middle school age group. More so, there is nothing really shocking about the book provided by Perlstein. Through the very clear influence of media and the environment many youth are led to very complicated situations such as teenage pregnancy, drug addiction, and a changing perception with regards to responsibilities and adulthood. These problematic cases are stated to be caused by different entities provided in the earlier paragraphs. Therefore, all the entities become an important influence to the lives of each student. Definitely the book written by Perlstein is very informative however; it also has the similar type of theme compared to other books available. Although this is the case, the book was able to reach to me as a reader. Through the experiences which I had in the past, I know have a better understanding of myself. Furthermore, I have a better understanding of the people surrounding me. Hence, I was able to create my own methods of addressing the issues of different personalities and perspectives. Due to the book written by Perlstein I was able to enjoy a book relating to various kinds of individuals.

My Life as a Basketball Player Essay

My lifestyle of basketball part 1 Basketball is not a sport for everyone it takes a lot of dedication, strength, focus ,and teamwork. I have been playing basketball since I was seven years old. The love that I have for the game is indescribable, if by chance I could never play again, my soul would be a hollow lifeless shadow. From the Separating White Line I glance up at the scoreboard; the clock reads 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter. My team is down by 4 points; we have to score a three-pointer and have no time-outs left. I yell out the play for a three-pointer and a two-pointer, now the perfectly spherical ball is put in my hands. Taking a short glance to the clock I saw time was running out. The only objects I see are two tall defensive players bearing down on me. Somehow I release the ball, just in time as a defender tries to block my shot. Miraculously the ball finds its way into the hoop, with 6 seconds left and the clock stopped, the other team calls a timeout. I jog to our bench, my coach waiting on the sideline to discuss the most effective play for the situation. Upon my arrival I realize the scowl usually on my raging coach’s face has disappeared; in its place is a huge grin. He slaps me on the hand and tells me how good the offense is looking. The many things he has instilled in his players appear to be coming together for at least four quarters. It’s about time we have suffered through six straight losses, and have barely put any points on the scoreboard all season. My coach brushes the few hairs that have kept their pigment through the strenuous season. He is a man that really yells a lot†¦until he asks me how you get talented then I begin to tell him the story of my origins†¦