The Teacher as a Hero

The teacher as a hero LESSONS PLANNED from the teacher's pen (The Philippine Star) Updated October 01, 2009 T here are heroes and heroes, national and local. Some of them are born, others are made. Many are still living while many others have long been gone. It is to the latter that monuments and museums were built to keep alive their memory in our hearts and mind. Public buildings, parks and plazas, streets and a few provinces have been named after them. Important dates and events are usually marked red in the calendar to remind us of their birth or death anniversary. During the celebration of these events, program speakers take turns extolling to high heavens whatever good they had done for the country. Sad enough the hero who is apparently taken for granted and therefore unsung is the poor teacher. Not having a pedigreed name, she has no influence, no power. She is regarded as belonging to the marginalized sector of society. Tactless people look down on her with contempt saying, â€Å"She’s only a teacher. † After all, unlike OFWs, teachers do not contribute to the national economy. What many do not seem to realize is that a teacher is truly a hero in her own way. For a teacher is not only about her lesson plans, her teaching methods, strategies and techniques. A teacher is also about her personal character, her values and her attitude. And more importantly a teacher is also about her missionary work which entails a great deal of sacrifice on her part and her family. Indeed, the pro-bono services that she renders involve numerous risks to life and limb. We have heard of teachers who were kidnapped for ransom, forced into marriage under pain of bodily harm, physically abused and the unfortunate, even beheaded. I remember a male teacher who reprimanded a student for provoking trouble in class. That afternoon the huffy father with fire in his eyes sought the teacher in school and mercilessly hacked him to death. I had a relative who was summoned to the Comelec office in Manila and made to explain her inadvertence to affix her signature on a pair of election forms. The financially distressed teacher was forced to take a long-term loan which she used to pay for her transportation fare, board and lodging while in Manila. In the meantime her family had to be sparing and frugal in order to tide them over until such period that the loan was fully paid. While other government employees are off after five, the teacher spends long hours of work at home writing lesson plans, checking test papers or preparing visual aids and similar teaching devices. Compared to those who work in the comfort of their office, thousands of our teachers go on long hours of journey to their far-flung stations over hill and dale, many times in harsh weather condition. It is no wonder that many of these teachers become decrepit long before their age or they get pitifully sick before retirement from the service. And yet their take-home pay is a mere pittance. Any increase in their starvation salary comes far apart and in trickles because this is dependent upon the members of Congress who remember the teachers only on election time. Come May of next year teachers will again be called upon to man the electoral ramparts of our democracy. They will be there to help safeguard the sanctity of the ballot, armed only with the nobility and integrity of their profession. Whatever people say to the contrary, the teacher as a hero is ready to lay down her life for the sake of country sans a loud flourish of trumpets. I salute our teachers as heroes, living or dead! ANTONIO A. MORAN of Camalig, Albay is a retired general education supervisor of the Department of Education.

The Glorification and Horrors of War Through the Arts

Artistes have always painted scenes of war from the Ancient worlds of Egypt and Greece. The relief inside the Abu Simbel Temple showing Ramses in the Battle of Kadesh and of his victory over the Hittites is an excellent example. The Athena Frieze depicting the battle of Greeks against the Persians, which are some of the earliest example of a specific historical event being, sculptured (Greek Art). To the photographs that are coming from the current war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the flagged draped coffins of the dead in the cargo hull on their way home. In the periods of art, before Goya’s the Third of May tended to glorify war and make it seem romantic and heroic without the effects of the bloodshed and horrors that war brings. Benjamin West’s The Death of General Wolfe does show the effect of war, however, he has made a martyr of General Wolfe surrounded by his officers making this painting seems to be Romanizing the death (Class Lecture-The Neoclassical 2 of 3). Benjamin West was an American Neoclassical painter who turned art historical order upside down by not depicting a classical theme and used clothing of the time (Gehmacaher). The Neoclassical period of art was a reaction to the Baroque and Rococo style of art where a renewed interest for classical antiquity of the ancient Greek and Roman seeking the geometric harmony of the time (Kleiner 330). The Neoclassical period of art was during the Enlightenment period where critical thinking of the world and humankind spurred the great political, social and economic changes resulted in Revolutions in France and America (Kleiner 319). Writers such as Rousseau, Voltaire, and Jefferson help the change the critical thinking in political, social and economic toward humankind and what was going on in the world helped inspired the French and American Revolutions (Class Lecture-The Neoclassical 1 of 3). This influenced the people to put a new light on all thinking and question the traditional ideas and ways of doing things whether it was in painting, sculpture, writing, science, politics, and nature (Smart History). The Death of General Wolfe is the final stages of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which takes place in Quebec, Canada, when the French and British fought during the Seven Year’s War for control of Canada or as it was called then New France (Gehmacher). General Wolfe, a British officer, won the battle but lost his life in this campaign on September 13, 1759, the French surrendered Quebec five days later and by 1760 surrendered in Montreal after a failed attempt to regain control of the capital (BBC). West has distorted the events surrounding General Wolfe death to heighten the drama in this painting (Gehmacher). West does not depict General Wolfe in armor like that of ancient soldiers but he has paid close attention to the details of the uniforms and the clothes of the Indians (Stacey). To me, West has made a martyr of General Wolfe by having him surrounded by his officers and Indians with the front lines not far off. This also glorifies and romanizes war, everyone around the dying General seem unaffected by the battle that is raging nearby. Jacques-Louis David preferred the ancient and Renaissance works, and agreed with the Enlightenment philosophy that the subject matter should have a moral balance reflect the artwork of ancient times and depicting noble events in history would civil virtues and patriotism (Kleiner 332) inspire. David’s Oath of the Horatii is an excellent example of the Enlightenment philosophy and of Neoclassical style. David became the painter of French Revolution and was on the board that voted to behead the King; he also became the official painter for Napoleon (Zucker). Oath of the Horatii is keeping with the neoclassical style, by the David has used colors and by classicizing contemporary subject matter (Gersh-Nesic). David has used diagonal movements with heroic poses of the father and sons, and grouping the women behind the focus of the painting to give this painting the classic feel, that it has (The Neoclassical 3 of 3). Oath of the Horatii is about three brothers swearing on oath on their swords with their father gives them, the sons swear to fight to the death for their country (Zucker). David has a group of women that seem in despair over the oath of the brothers, he has also bathed the women in light to show their despair. David has used the dark archways to give depth to this painting and light on the swords and arms of the brothers to show their bond with their father. The one thing I have noticed about David style of painting is that has fluidness about his work and there are no brush strokes visible. David’s male figures appear statuesque and virile like the ancient Greek and Roman soldiers; he has also used soft colors to make this painting more alluring and dramatic. This painting like that of West seems to glorify the act of war. These painting are done in the Neoclassical style but they both have a different feel to them. West’s has the act of dying on the battlefield and has used the clothing of the times and no reference to the past. David on the other hand has depicted an ancient Roman scene. To me this is the last art period that depicts war as heroic and glorifies it. The Romantics were about getting back to nature and the common people to evoke individualism, subjectivism, imagination and emotions (Romanticism). The Romantics were the first group of artists to turn away from the academic style of the Neoclassical, this movement started in the late 18th century and early 19th century because of the Napoleonic wars (Romanticism). The transition from Neoclassicism was a shift from reason to feeling and uses the social and political climate to draw their inspiration (Kleiner 340). Goya, a Spanish Romantic artist, Third of May is an example of the radical shifts from the Neoclassicism. Here Goya has used light and dark to emphasis the scene that is unfolding before us. The Spanish King, Charles IV, asked Napoleon to help Spain defend them against Great Britain, Napoleon saw this as a weakness and took control of Spain by putting his brother in control of Spain (Zucker). The Spanish who first liked the idea of the French getting rid of the British, the Spanish people soon realized the French as invaders and on the 2nd of May, the Spanish attacked Napoleon’s men in a violent clash (Kleiner 341). Napoleon’s men then responded by executing several Spanish citizens, Goya is painting that massacre. The Third of May is the result and Goya has done an excellent job here is showing the senseless act by the French soldiers. Goya has used the light on the man in the front with his arms outreached about to be executed to draw your attention to the brutal act of the soldiers and to evoke empathy to common man. Goya has the French soldiers back to the viewer so they cannot see their face to show the injustice unfolding. He has used the mountain or hill in the background to show the people as trapped and no way to get away from the soldiers and dead bodies around to show how helpless these people are (Zucker). Goya has used several things to draw attention to what is going on in this painting, the rifles pointing at the man in the white shirt on his knees, the blood in on the ground in front of him, the lantern to shed light on the man about to be shot and his face that shows no fear. All of this helps show the ruthlessness of the French soldiers. He has also used earth tones in this painting with strong brushstrokes and used shadows that show the Romantic styles break from the Neoclassical style. While I find this painting, somewhat disturbing Goya has used his coloring, shadowing, and lines to draw to viewer into this painting and feel the helplessness of the Spanish people and Goya has made a martyr of the man about to be shot. Realism was a moment the developed out of the Industrial Revolution when artist in France rejected the fantastic and focused on the reality of the world and painted the everyday life (Photography and Realism 4 of 6). Painters like Gustave Courbet and Jean-Francois Millet painted wonderful scenes of the everyday peasant life in The Stone Breakers and The Gleaners but it was during this time that photography came into the world and could capture life and preserve that moment forever. Timothy O’Sullivan’s photography A Harvest of Death, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania shows the true horrors of war; this was taken after one of the worst battles during the American Civil War. The Civil War was due to the Industrial Revolution effects of the northern states becoming more industrial than the south that was still an agricultural society that was using slaves for the work. In this photograph, there is a fog over the battlefield in the distance you can see men on horses, as you look closer at the dead soldiers you can see that the Confederate soldiers’ shoes have been removed. The shoes of the dead were removed for use of surviving soldiers who needed them and it did not stop at the shoes for once again the Confederate soldiers’ pockets have been gone through for their pockets appear turned out (Cornell University). This photography shows the true reality of the horrors of war in the awful details this photography has taken. Photographs of other wars also show the horrible reality of war, and the power of the picture speaks for the horrors of war. The photos of the oncentrations camps after World War II are excellent examples of man’s inhumanity to man, and I will not describe any of these here because to are too horrific to look at. The photograph of the flag being raised on Iwo Jima shows six men raising an American flag after a battle for the island. This picture is showing a simple act of raising the flag to show their support for their country. While this photo does not show the horrors of war, it shows that despite the battle that fough t and the loss of life there can be a simple act that defines us. Then there is the photograph of the aftermath of a napalm attack in Vietnam taken by Nick Ut, here you see Vietnamese children running through the streets screaming and one little girl has no clothes on, soldiers are behind the children and in the background you can see the smoke of the bombs. Photographer Ut said that he had seen two airplanes and each one dropped four bombs and minutes later he saw the people running away and the little girl that appears to be the focus of the image yelling for water because she was to hot (BBC News). The terrified face of the children screaming speaks volumes in this photo and shows how war affects everyone not just the soldiers fighting the battles. Photographs show the reality of war in unflinching view, while painters interrupt what they see. The German Expressionists did just that after World War I. German Expressionists used disorganized outlines and angry brushstrokes to connive their message in their works and to illustrate the injustice of society that was growing during this time of global uncertainty (German Expressionism). There were several movements in the German Expressionist; the first was called Der Brucke (The Bridge), Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) and Neue Sachlickeit (New Objectivity). Franz Marc was one of the founders of the Der Blaue Reiter, which got its name from Marc and Vassily Kandinsky’s interest in horses and the color blue (Kleiner 386). However, Marc did not paint Fate of the Animals during World War I, but while serving during the war he wrote a letter to his wife that â€Å"is like a premonition of this war—horrible and shattering. I can hardly conceive that I painted it† (Kleiner 388). Here Marc is showing us a forest that is being destroyed uses vivid colors and jagged forms to connive his message (Labedzki). I have used this painting because I think had Marc lived through World War I, he would have painted another form of this to show the horrors he saw during that time. He said to his wife that this was a premonition; I can only image what he would have painted after the war. Wilhelm Heinrich Otto Dix, known for his work under the name Otto Dix, was a German Expressionists in the Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity). This movement formed after World War I by artist that severed in the German army and their experiences military influenced their art (Kleiner 400). Otto Dix’s aim was to show the world those experiences with wrenching, ruthless and harsh depictions of the war as depicted in his Shock Troops Advance under Gas and The Trench (Henshaw). The Trench is filled dead bodies at different stages of decomposition did cause a public outcry that the museum director show the painting was forced to resign (WWI, Otto Dix). Dix said of his work â€Å"that life is not colorful at all. It is much darker, quieter in its tonality, much simpler. I wanted to depict things as they really are† (Heller). Dix depicted the war as it actually was and drew great criticism for his works with the war as the subject. Dix’s medium for Shock Troops Advance under Gas was an etching, portraying the soldiers need to wear gas masks due to the invention of mustard gas used in World War I. Once again showing man’s inhumanity to man. This reminds me of Munch’s Scream.

Persuasive Speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Persuasive Speech - Essay Example the food that is served to us in the school cafeteria, they may actually be serving us Frankenstein foods or genetically modified foods which are not healthy. This is not to blame the canteen administrators because many of the foods sold at our groceries are in fact genetically modified and it is very difficult to figure out whether they are organic or not (Kenner). Genetically modified foods are already prevalent. They are a product of the factorization of our food industry that seeks to produce food in scale, albeit of lower quality than those that are naturally grown by our farmers. They are also peppered with chemicals so do not be surprised if you still do not feel nourished after a plentiful meal because most of the food you ate was not really food but were mostly composed of chemicals. This is not to say that natural foods are already gone and totally replaced by genetically modified foods. They are still present and are still grown by our farmers. Only that their products are seldomly picked by our grocery stores because they favor the GMO’s more than the healthier organic foods. Being such, GMO is ever present in the current servings of our cafeteria through its fast food servings. I understand that my fellow students love fast foods because of its taste and convenience. I do not like to contradict only that fast foods are not healthy both to our body and environment. This is supported by experts who concluded that â€Å"consumption of fast food, which have high energy densities and glycemic loads, and expose customers to excessive portion sizes, may be greatly contributing to the escalating the rates of overweight and obesity in the USA†. This was supported further by the study of Currie who suggested that the increase in the supply of fast food restaurants have a significant effect on obesity. It is evident that consuming non-organic food is unhealthy both to the body and environment. GMO’s food which is present in fast foods and most

PEPSI Advertisement - A Lot More Than You Think Essay

PEPSI Advertisement - A Lot More Than You Think - Essay Example A young Hispanic boy starts off in by an apartment complex in this commercial, and by using an urban Hispanic setting with a monotone color scheme, a sense of confinement is instilled and something must be done about it.   With this set-up, Pepsi comes in to â€Å"save the day† or, in this case, this boy’s life from normality.   Pepsi’s product promises to lift this particular Hispanic youth out of a lower-middle class inner-city barrio environment into a drummer for a popular band.   Once the boy has tried the product, he becomes inspired giving him confidence and motivation to follow his dream of becoming a drummer.   And while everyone else is still living their mundane lives, he has transcended this barrio environment to pursue his dream.   He ascends to the high-class stardom status instantaneously in the commercial.   He is suddenly taken out of the boring lifestyle he was living in, ages about ten years older, and is put in a rock band on stage entertaining a massive crowd of fans most likely with his professional drumming. The boy’s younger years are portrayed in the sunlight, but not necessarily in a cheerful, happy way.   The sun just seems to be part of the whole monotonous picture.   When the boy’s dream is finally reached, the whole set-up is changed.   Instead of it being day, it is night (or at least in an indoor stadium or concert hall).   The only light is the light coming from the stage lights.... The boy's younger years are portrayed in the sunlight, but not necessarily in a cheerful, happy way. The sun just seems to be part of the whole monotonous picture. When the boy's dream is finally reached, the whole set-up is changed. Instead of it being day, it is night (or at least in an indoor stadium or concert hall). The only light is the light coming from the stage lights, which represent the fact that he is now the only one being focused on whereas before everyone was under the sunlight. No one would seem to have any fortune in the boy's town, and there are a lot of "mom and pop shops" or "bodegas" as the production notes in the video Production Notes state. This would imply that when the children are old enough, they end up taking over the family shop or store, which represses the child's dreams of becoming rich and famous. Since they will have to spend so much time and have so much responsibility over their bodega, they will never have enough time to pursue their dream, but drinking Pepsi will put them on par with the rest of the rock stars and celebrities because they drink it too. And when you drink Pepsi, you are a rock star too, metaphorically or in the instance of this commercial realistically as well. The main Hispanic boy of the commercial purposefully does not look like a rock star until he grows up into one after drinking the Pepsi, and neither does anyone else in the town. Everyone is meant to just be an average, stereotypical, Hispanic person living their daily lives kind of mindlessly. The boy however has been energized, motivated, and inspired by the Pepsi-cola he drank and he shows this in his

Position Paper On Negative Campaigning In The Local Politics Essay

Position Paper On Negative Campaigning In The Local Politics - Essay Example This is perhaps the only reason for its dislike with the general public. The medium for negative campaigning can include ads, speeches, pamphlets etc. but is most successful in ads especially in modern elections. Trevor Parry-Giles and Shawn J. Parry-Giles in their paper "Embracing the Mess: Reflections on Campaign 2000", believe that modern politics has degenerated gravely. They take issue with a section of academics who believe that the problem of negative campaigning and especially negative advertising has been greatly exaggerated. The two contend that the issue of negative campaigning and its harmful effects are underestimated. They do agree that the most used negative ads are contrast ads which show a difference in position between a candidate and his opponent. However they also point out that negative ads that insult, that are false and misleading and plain dangerous thrive "under the radar of mainstream media" (722). Before we go any further, we need to explain exactly what is meant by the term negative campaigning. Richard R. Lau and Gerald M. Pomper in their paper "Effectiveness of Negative Campaigning in U.S. Senate Elections" describe negative campaigning as focusing on the defects of your opponents, be they campaign policies or personal failures. Positive campaigning is the simple opposite, with the focus on a candidate's own persona, his policies, strengths and successes. Early studies in experimental research have indicated that people were indeed repelled by negative campaign ads which in turn led to low voter turnout. Recent research, which has been generally survey research, on the other hand vindicates the view that people may be influenced more by negative campaigning than they would like to believe. Psychologically it has been attributed to the fact that humans are wired to respond more to negative information than the positive. As explained by Paul Martin in his essay, "Inside the Black Box of Negative Campaign Effects: Three Reasons Why Negative Campaigns Mobilize" man's involuntary stimulation to negative information is primeval, generated by the need for a quick response to what can be a threat to us. Martin cites a host of critics and theorists to prove that negative information generates a quick and heightened level of awareness in people. He claims in his paper that a predisposed susceptibility to negative information or in this case negative campaigns move people toward political participation rather than away from it.Though there is felt to be a preponderance of negative campaigns today, they have been around for decades. A famous negative campaign ad was the Daisy ad utilized by Lyndon B. Johnson to defeat Barry Goldwater in the 1964 U.S. Presidential elections. The ad shows a young girl counting the petals of a daisy, symbolizing innocence and fragility. The image of the girl then is replaced by the mushroom cloud effect of a nuclear explosion. The point of the ad was to convey to the American people that only Johnson was equipped to handle the responsibility of being the President of a country with nuclear power. Johnson won by a landslide. According to Martin, negative campaigns work in three ways to influence voters. They raise awareness of pertinent public issues; they stimulate "anxiety" about a particular candidate and influence perceptions of a close and tight race

Literary analysis of The Darling written by Anton Chekhov Research Paper

Literary analysis of The Darling written by Anton Chekhov - Research Paper Example On receiving the telegram informing her of his death, Olga is devastated. For some time she is lonely and heart-broken. She then meets Pustovalov, a timber merchant who helps Olga to get over the loss of Kukin. She begins to like him and marries him. Once again Olga adopts his beliefs and opinions as she did when she was married to Kukin. She finds happiness for the second time. But a tragedy strikes again as Pustovalov is struck by illness, from which he never recovers. After Pustovalov’s death, Olga has an affair with Smirnin, a veterinary surgeon. Smirnin who is separated from his wife has a son. This time too Olgas views are the views of Smirnin. Meanwhile Smirnin gets relocated, and Olga again is alone. She stays alone for many years and continues to have no views or opinions of her own. Few years later, Smirnin returns with his wife and son and looks for a place to stay. Olga offers them her place. She begins to love Smirnins son, Sasha, as her own child. Once again, Olg a finds someone to love, and gets a chance to share views and opinions. However Sasha feels suffocated by her excessive love. At the end of the story we find that Olga has no intellectual life that she can call her own. She is always agreeing and following the opinions and views of the persons she loves. She does not have any personality of her own and finds happiness in reflecting the beliefs of her husbands or lovers. Olga is shown as trying to fill her empty life with the love, thoughts, views opinions of others. So it can be said that the story is a negative commentary on the life of a woman who has no identity of her own but only reflects the beliefs and opinions of others. Chekhov’s short stories and plays usually do not have strong plots and focus more on characterization than action. Olga is the protagonist of the story. She is attractive, compassionate and eager to help people. She cannot make up her mind on any

Old Turtle Story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Old Turtle Story - Essay Example Thus, it is vital for humans to handle nature with most peculiar care and respect. Moreover, presence of ancestors and voices of natural entities proclaim the need to preserve them for human survival and future generations. Thus, a supernatural force has always been needed for humans to guide them of their wrong actions. ‘Old Turtle’ by Douglas Wood is a tale which revolves around many themes. However, the most notable of those are two, which declare that the presence of God can be seen and felt in his creation and natural life of Earth has been a power and sign of God’s presence. Since, the inception humans argued about the presence of God and that created a chaos and discord on Earth. Therefore, the author eventually signifies through animals, rock, mountain, river and breeze (every God created entity) that God is present and need not to be seen but felt and believed in. Existence of God, spirits, and life on Earth is closely intertwined and that was the core religious ideas for the preliminary habitants of Earth. According to Ake HultKrantz, due to geographical location Native American tribes mainly believed in spirits, shamanism, hunting and animal rituals as both cultural and religious practices (12). Same can be observed in ‘The old turtle’ when different animals associated God’s presence in the excellence of their personal trait. In the tale, animals and natural entities like breeze and rocks have voices so to speak of their presence and significance. Thus, wise turtle sums up how to consider mightiness of God at the supreme level of each and every trait of all the species of Earth (Wood). Simultaneously, Native American life style was closely associated to nature (popular perceptions like mother Earth) thus, hunting and belief in spirits were considered religious trait and due to tribal life style differences in religious norms appeared as none of the tribes

PARASITIC WORMS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

PARASITIC WORMS - Essay Example A holistic approach that involves preventive measures, drug therapy and non-drug measures is employed in tackling the menace of worm infestation. Human parasitic worms are a major health challenge in the developing world. To a far less degree, however, worm infestation in the developed countries is also a problem. Broadly speaking, three groups of worms cause parasitic worm infestation in man. These are the roundworms (also known as the nematodes), the flukes (also called the trematodes), and the tapeworms (the cestodes). The roundworms are responsible for the majority of parasitic worm infestations in the developing world. These roundworms are usually the large roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), and the hookworm (Acyclostoma duodenale). A few cases of infestation by these worms in the developed world are found in travelers and immigrants. On the other hand, threadworm (Enterobius vermicularis) is the roundworm that causes the most parasitic worm infestation in the United Kingdom. Other known roundworms include Strongyloides stercoralis that causes strongyloidiasis, and the Necator american us (the new world hookworm) that causes necatoriasis. The flukes include all members of the Schistosoma species, and the cause schistosomiasis or bilharzia depending on the species that is contacted. The tapeworms are the Taenia species and their intermediate hosts are beef (Taenia saginata), pork (Taenia solium), or fish (Dipyllobothrium latum) from where they are passed to man (the definitive host). The dwarf tapeworm (Hymenolepsis nana) is passed from man to man.(Clark, 2006) Pathophysiology Threadworms are threadlike in structure and their infestation is commoner in children. They are passed from one person to another by the ingestion of their eggs. These eggs develop into larvae in the small intestine and are hatched to produce young worms. The worms mature in a couple of weeks and the adult females migrate to the anus where they lay numerous microscopic eggs. As a result of itching felt in the anus where these eggs are laid, the anus is scratched by the human and the eggs are reingested through the hand-to-mouth route. Infestation could also be through migration of hatched eggs up to the rectum (Clark, 2006). Strongyloides stercoralis is commoner in warm region, though its distribution is world wide. First infestation is through larvae deposited in soil that enter the skin and develop in the small intestine. Subsequent infestation is by larvae passed in stools of infected individuals which re-penetrate the skin of the same individual. A possible complication is the life threatening strongyloides hyper infestation syndrome(Clark, 2006). In infected individuals, the Schistosoma species lay eggs that are excreted in the human stool (Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma manson) or in the urine (Schistosoma haematobium) Larvae hatched from these eggs are called the miracidia, and they enter snails which are the intermediate hosts. Consequently, infective larvae called the cercariae are released from these snails and enter humans that wade in water in which they are present. These larvae migrate to the human intestine or the bladder where they mature, mate and produce eggs. Initial infestation may be asymptomatic, causing only a transient itching or

Answer the questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Answer the questions - Essay Example The paper takes into account the quality of voluntary narrative disclosure, evaluates the overall presentation of the report and the impact of reporting corporate responsibility matters on the information received by users regarding corporate performance of Imperial Tobacco. Finally, an evaluation of the IIRC agenda upon the quality of financial information coupled with the role of the accountant in safeguarding this agenda is undertaken. Viewing from the development of information disclosure system, voluntary disclosure appears after compulsory information disclosure (Tian & Chen, 2009). Specifically, the paper addresses the use of voluntary reporting on the Annual General Meeting notice. Quality of Voluntary Narrative Disclosure at Imperial Tobacco: Imperial Tobacco has made bold steps in ensuring that it integrates corporate responsibility into its ordinary financial operations. The firm understands that it has social and economic roles to play in order to safeguard positive gains already made by other players in society. The issues that ITG generally endeavors to engage in at various levels, according to the 2012 financial reports include: 1) Tackling child labour, The company understands the temptation that comes with the expectation for higher returns and it has undertaken to fight the vice of child labour at all levels of production. As a result, we joined the movement â€Å"Eliminating Child Labour in Tobacco Foundation† where ITG is a board member. 2) Consumer support: Various municipalities have lately come up with extremely exaggerated laws in the company’s view not only undermine free trade in tobacco products, but also limit the rights of the consumer to the extent they are prevented from freely enjoying their freedom at using tobacco products. 3) Response to environmental challenges: Among the most common environmental challenges associated with tobacco use is emission of carbon dioxide. The company has lately adopted latest technolo gy in cigarette manufacturing and as a result the products have seen a 4% reduction in carbon dioxide emission, as research into how to reduce this rate further continues. Furthermore, the company has reduced energy consumption by 5%. 4) Fighting illicit trade: The sale of counterfeit products bearing the company’s name is seen as a major blow to the trust bestowed upon the company by consumers of its products, and therefore the company has made bold steps in ensuring that this vice dies completely. The company has employed personnel in various major shipping centers to track any suspicious trade in ITG’s products while working closely with local authorities. 5) Job creation: Being a multi-national, ITG Plc has directly and indirectly employed thousands of persons who are instrumental in the company’s daily operations while scooping their living out of the mutual relationship thus established. 6) Issuance of dividends Each financial year, the company establishes a certain amount of returns per share owned by shareholders and disperse the same to the esteemed shareholders who gladly get returns for their trust in the company and their choice to invest in Imperial Tobacco. The 2012 annual report surpassed all other reports given earlier, especially due to the attempt to indicate corresponding figures alongside the activities. The ratios relating to various aspects of the report are easy to work out, since all the required figures are

Teen Pregnancy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Teen Pregnancy - Essay Example The ages of these girls ranged from 15 years to 19 years. These statistics declined and in the year 2005, the conceptions dropped to 40.5 in every 1000 teenage girls. It was further highlighted that in this era between 1991 and 2005, 750,000 teenagers conceived in the United States. It has been proved that the problem has a higher rate in the United States in comparison to other nations like England, Wales and Canada. There has been a decrease in the rates of teen pregnancy but still the issue is known to be present in the society. This has led to the analysis of the causes of teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is a serious issue of concern and the major contributing reasons for teen pregnancy include low socioeconomic status, lack of education and societal forces (Donaldson et al 2003; Miller 2006; Thomas 2009). The socioeconomic factor is a major causative factor of teen pregnancy. A low socio-economic status means that the parents have lower educational qualifications which do not war rant for a good job. This means that the heads of the families have to work for longer periods of time and stay away from home. Furthermore, despite of this increased working, the overall income of the house is not very high. These families survive in poor conditions. The long working hours of the parents result in a lack of regulation and command over the activities of the children as the parents tend to stay out of the house most of the time. This allows for opportunities for the teens to engage in sexual behavior without the approval of their parents. The parents who possess low educational qualifications may be less learned and they would not be able to explain their children about safe sex strategies owing to their own lack of knowledge. This would result in decreased sexual knowledge amongst the teenagers which would lead to higher cases of teen pregnancy. A low socioeconomic status also serves to result in living conditions beyond satisfactory and these tend to disturb the te enagers. These disturbances provoke them to opt for sexual pleasures and therefore teen pregnancy results. Thus it can be seen that a low socioeconomic status is a cause of teen pregnancy as it results in a lack of supervision over the teenagers accompanied with decreased parental guidance and poor living conditions which tend to result in teen pregnancy (Donaldson et al 2003; Thomas 2009). Teen pregnancy has also been associated with many societal forces that tend to promote sexual behaviors amongst the teenage groups. Cultural variations serve to provide as a major community factor that leads to teen pregnancies. Teenage pregnancies are considered to be normal in a few cultures and this trend continues from the parents to their children. Statistics have revealed that the teen conception rate is very high amongst the Mexican Americans and the blacks. This rate is considerably lower for the whites and the Asians. It has been seen that Mexicans and blacks have disturbed family lives which may be a leading cause for higher teen pregnancies in their communities. It has also been analyzed that the Mexican culture instills values of obedience and compliance amongst girls. The Mexican tradition also upholds the characteristics of â€Å"machismo† and â€Å"virility† amongst boys. This results in the indulgence of these teenagers

Use of Measurement Essay Example for Free

Use of Measurement Essay A measurement is a way of obtaining data that are used in researches and data analysis. Measurement is regarded to be an estimate most of the time. The reason behind the idea is that precision in measuring a certain object during a time interval is not as good as the measurement taken after the said time interval or for another time interval. Researchers, experimenters and even nonprofessional persons all have the same goal; to make good estimates of the object they are measuring (Hoult, 2009). In physics, one does not only measure an object as it is. The person measuring the object needs to put in his mind the right unit of measure should he or she use. An example is a bucket. A bucket has different attributes that can be measured. Some of these attribute are the weight, mass, volume, area (surface area), density, length, etc. This attributes can be measured but there are many units of measure involve in each of the attributes. Standard units of measure are developed so that the confusion between what unit of measure to be used is resolved (Jones, 1998). The following are the standard unit of measure for a certain attribute: Weight – Kilograms Mass – Kilograms Volume – Liters Area – square meters Length – meters As said above, measurement is a way of obtaining data. One cannot obtain the right data without the right tool to be used. As with measurement, a right measurement instrument must be used in order to get the right data and in order to estimate with precision and accuracy the object that you want to measure. The following attributes that are stated can be measured with the use of the right measuring instrument. For clarification, weight is not the same as mass. Weight is the amount of mass that is present when it is suspended in a spring scale when acted upon by the earth’s gravity. On the other hand, mass is the amount of matter present in an object. Weight is measured with the use of spring scale or a weighing scale. The value of the weight in the earth can be the same as the value of the mass. But once the force acting on the object changes the value of the weight will change and the mass will stay the same. Generally, masses like mass of a person can be obtained by the use of the same instrument used in measuring weight in earth. Volume can be measured by the use of some known instruments like measuring cup for liquid, pipette for liquid, graduated cylinder (for liquid and solid) and pneumatic trough for gases. Area is measured by the use of a planimeter. Length is usually measured by the use of instruments like ruler, tape measure, meter stick, yard stick etc (Fuchs, 1996). The attributes being measured is deeply related to the unit of measure being used. First, the attributes maybe too large or too small for unit of measure, in that case there are other units of measure given. The hierarchies of units are given in a unit system. There are two unit systems that are popular today. The SI system and the English system give a complete list of all the unit of measures according to the quantity (Abbot, 2003). Some of the attributes of the bucket can only be obtained by the use of measuring devices. Other attributes, however, can be obtained with the use of some formulas. For example: Volume and area can be obtained by formulas like V = 1/2? r2h, and A = 2? rh + ? r2. The formula for the volume is obtained by the use of the formula for the volume of a cylinder. Bucket is usually cylindrical in shape. The formula for the area is obtained by using the formula of the surface area of an open cylinder. Other formulas can be obtained for the attributes of the bucket. Another example is the density of the bucket. In general, the density is equal to the mass divided by the volume of the bucket. Since mass can be obtained with the use of a measuring device and volume can be obtained with the use of the given formula then one can solve for the density of the bucket with the general formula (Manura, 2005). Another concept that should be discussed is approximation and estimation. As said earlier, measurements are always an estimate. Approximation and estimation are very important concepts regarding measurements because they will be the basis of the accuracy and precision of a measurement. One does not get accurate and precise results all the time with the use of measuring devices. There might be errors that can come up from time to time. To properly record results obtained using measuring devices, one must take note of the errors in measurements and put it in the resulting measure to obtain a more precise and accurate result. Results should be written in the form: result + uncertainty. For example, if a buckets height according to a 9 different rulers is 20 centimeters. And another reading from a different ruler is 20. 3 centimeters. Then the resulting measurement should be 20 Â ± 0. 3 centimeters (Hoult, 2009). References Abbot, D. (2003). Assessing Student Understanding of Measurement and Uncertainty. Retrieved March 20, 2009 from http://www. compadre. org/precollege/items/detail. cfm? ID=4417 Fuchs, H. (1996). The Dynamics of Heat. New York: Springer Hoult, D. (2009). Measurements. Retrieved March 20, 2009 from http://www. saburchill. com/physics/chapters/0065. html Jones, N. (1998). Units of Measurement. Retrieved March 20, 2009 from http://www. sli. unimelb. edu. au/planesurvey/prot/formulae/unit1. html Manura, D. (2005). Areas, Volumes, Surface Areas. Retrieved March 20, 2009 from http://math2. org/math/geometry/areasvols. htm

Computer network Essay Example for Free

Computer network Essay Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as  justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network   Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology  offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete  network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for  centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access  should be segmented from the company POS services.   Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized.

An overview of atrial fibrillation

An overview of atrial fibrillation Section1: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition when the heart does not beat to its normal speeds or rhythm, often it beats faster than it should. This irregularity leads to an increased risk of stroke and death. The pump function of the heart deteriorates as a result of the un-coordination (due to uncoordinated excitation of muscles). The net result of impaired pump action is the upper chambers of the heart contract randomly and at times too quick for the heart to relax before it can contract again effectively. At the junction of the pulmonary veins in the left atrial musculature, abnormal impulses fire which override the heart natural pace maker. There are 3 major classifications for AF: Paroxysmal AF- lasts from 30 seconds to 7days Persistent AF- longer the 7days Permanent AF- AF that fails to terminate using cardioversion, or is terminated but relapses within 24hours. If there are no obvious cause and all investigations are normal, this is known as lone AF. Lone AF tends to occur in Paroxysmal cases. Otherwise the most common causes are ischaemic heart disease hypertension mitral stenosis hyperthyroidism Other causes which arent as common are can be classified into 3 sub catagories; Cardiac: Rheumatic heart disease, Sick sinus syndrome, Pre-excitation syndromes (such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) and heart failure. Less commonly, congenital heart disease, atrial myxoma , atrial septal defect, pericardial disease, and cardiomyopathy. Non-cardiac: Drugs (e.g. bronchodilators/thyroxine), Electrolyte depletion infection, Pulmonary embolism, Lung cancer Diabetes. Lifestyle: Obesity, high caffeine or alcohol intake1. A fast pulse (often >140bpm) which may or may not be irregular is the most common symptom of AF however it is also accompanied by tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness, angina1, syncope, reduced exercise tolerance, or polyuria2. The decreased efficacy of the pumping of the heart may result in the reduction of blood pressure. AF is diagnosed by the use of an ECG and is characterised by the absence of consistent P waves and presence of fibrillation. The method of management of suffers of AF has two main strategies, either by the control the arrhythmia aspect of the condition or by the tachycardia side of the condition. Rhythm controlling drugs include flecainide (and other similar drugs), beta-blockers (particularly sotalol), and amiodarone. Rate controlling drugs such as beta-blockers bisoprolol atenolol or the calcium channel blockers verapamil ordiltiazem. Thrombolytic and antiplatelet drugs are also used to manage the thromboembolic risk. There are non pharmacological ways to manage AF, the most common being cardioversion. Aspirin inhibits cycloxygenase from producing thromboxane A2 which is responsible for platelet activation and thus aggregation Diltiazem of use in AF for its affects on calcium channels on the heart. The blocking of calcium channels reduces excitability of cardiac muscle and hence decreasing fibrillations it also decreases the force of contraction Atenolol is a beta receptor blocker(a classII), it decreases the effects of the sympathetic drive to the heart, such that the neurotransmitters adrenaline and noradrenaline are competitively blocked. Thus the levels of cAMP decrease. cAMP mediates many events in the heart:decreases stability in resting potentials (phase 4) of nodal tissue(AVN conduction SAN firing). In nodal tissue(myocytes) a decrease in cAMP reduces Ca2+ entry thus action potentials take longer, it also causes repolarisation to longer i.e. increasing the refractory period Amiodarone has all four classes of activity (of Vaughan Williams system MAKE APPENDIX) however its main method of action is its class III mechanism. By the blocking potassium channels the potassium efflux in an action potential is blocked, thus action potentials duration is a prolonged refractory period (causing a region of unidirectional block remain refractory for longer effectively having a bi directional block)3 Verapamil a non selective calcium channel blocker (classIV), by reducing the Ca2+ into the cell through L-type channels in the nodal tissue (SAN AVN) depolarization takes longer as does the refractory period causing slower AVN conduction. Reduces tachycardic impulse from AVN to the ventricles and also AVN re-entrant rhythms. Phase 2 is limited in nodal tissue (myocytes and purkinje fibres) reduces triggered automaticity4. Warfarin inhibits the effective synthesis of biologically active forms of the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors: II, VII, IX and X, as well as some regulatory proteins. Flecainide a class1c sodium channel blocker.There is decreased diastolic excitability and Phase 0 (depolarization) takes longer as does the refractory period together causing slower conductions4. Propafenone is a class1c sodium channel blocker.There is decreased diastolic excitability and Phase 0 (depolarization) takes longer as does the refractory period together causing slower conductions4. Digoxin is a K+/Na+ ATPase inhibitor which leads to an increase in the intracellular concentration of sodium this stimulates of sodium-calcium exchange as a result there is an increase in the intracellular concentration of calcium causing stronger less frequent contractions. Cardioversion may be tried in some people with AF. The heart is given a controlled electric shock to try to restore a normal rhythm1. Catheter ablation is a procedure that very carefully destroysthe diseased area of your heart and interrupts abnormal electrical circuits. It is an option if medication has not been effective or tolerated1. A pacemaker may be fitted alternatively to drug treatment when it is not appropriate of failing1. Section 2: AF is the most common rhytm disorder of the heart with up to 500,000 sufferes in the UK1. In the UK over 46,000new cases of AF are diagnosed each year5. The incidences increase with age, with a higher incidence in men, when data is adjusted for age6. AF is uncommon in the young unless there is an existing heart disorder. At 50-59years of age, the prevalence is around 0.5%. At 80-89years of age, the prevalence is around 9%. Section 3: AF is a significantly increases the chance of stroke and emboli. The decision to use antithrombotic therapy involves a complex balancing of risks, benefits, and costs. The probabilities of stroke, bleeding complications, and death; the associated costs of all treatment options and outcomes; and the quality of life associated with treatment and disability. These have shown that warfarin therapy is generally cost-effective and often cost-saving. However, the economic value of antithrombotic therapy in terms of cost-effectiveness is most strongly influenced by 2 factors: stroke risk and perceived quality of life. The cost-effectiveness models indicate that warfarin can be cost-effective or, indeed, cost-saving for a wide variety of patients with AF, provided that it is prescribed appropriately based upon stroke risks7 In patients at high risk of stroke, anticoagulation is most cost effective, but not for those at low risk of stroke8. Aspirin 75mgx28 Â £1.66, Aspirin 300mgx28 Â £0.55, Warfarin 1mgx28 Â £1.10, Warfarin 3mgx28 Â £1.15, Warfarin 5mgx28 Â £1.21, Atenolol 25mgx28 Â £0.82, Diltiazem MR 60 mgx84 Â £3.52, Diltiazem MR 60 mgx56 (or over 70yrs), verapamil 40mgx80 Â £1.55. Section 4: Symptoms should be monitored; often AF has no symptoms, however you should look for the common presenting symptoms (stated in section 1). Tests: Heart Rate- Should be done when treating with rate lowering drugs Electrocardiography- every 12months blood electrolytes, urea and creatinine- 1-2 weeks after initiation, and 1-2 weeks after reaching the maintenance dose, then every 6 months. For Beta-blockers, digoxin, amiodarone Monitor blood pressure Liver function tests- every 6months for amiodarone Thyroid function test- when using amiodarone eye examinations- annual eye examinations. Plasma levels- for digoxin, shortly after initiation or after a dose increaee. 0.7and 2.0nanograms per millilitre Drugs to reduce the risk of thromboembolism (warfarin, aspirin and clopidogrel) The target INR for oral anti coagulants is 2-3 usually 2.5. Patients should be considered for warfarin use if risk is perceived to be medium or high according to nice (see appendix)9. It is important that INR be measured daily or alternate days at initiation of treatment. Then at longer intervals depending on dose response up to 12 weeks10. Note the importance of increased monitoring as drugs are added to the regimen, pre-adjustment to warfrin are sometimes necessary e.g. decreasing dose by one or two thirds before initiation of amiodarone1. Section 5: Although systematic reviews have shown that aspirin reduces the rate of stroke by 25%8 The Atrial Fibrillation, Aspirin Anticoagulation Study demonstrated a reduction of strokes by 64% per year with warfarin (INR 2.8-4.2), compared with placebo, a 3.5% per year reduction. A non-significant reduction in stroke was seen with aspirin 75mg8. Where warfarin is contraindicated or patient requests not to initiate therapy, it has been found that a combination of antiplatelets (aspirin and clopidogrel) was associated with a significant reduction in major vascular events compared with aspirin alone. The number of people that would need to be treated with aspirin plus clopidogrel for 3.6years to prevent one vascular event was 421. According to a meta-analysis the combination of both aspirin and warfrin yielded no significant reduction in stroke rates and had increased side effects8. No mortality difference was found between rhythm control and rate control. Although for people older than 65years of age or those with coronary artery disease, a significant difference was found in favour of rate control in terms of all-cause mortality. Studies showed significantly higher rates of hospitalisation and adverse events in the rhythm control group and no difference in quality of life between the two groupsa.Incidence of ischaemic stroke, bleeding and systemic embolism was similar in the two groups, but certain malignant dysrhythmias were significantly more likely to occur in the rhythm control groupa. No cognitive decline was seen with the use of rhythm controlling drugs. Quality of life scores were similar in both groups. Therefore it is recommended that rate control, is used as it is less costly11. IA, IC and III drugs are effective in maintaining sinus rhythm but increased adverse effects. Class IA drugs may increase mortality. Calcium antagonists versus digoxin Seven studies found no difference in average heart rate between calcium antagonists verapamil or diltiazem and digoxin either at rest or during periods of normal daily activity. Studies have found calcium antagonists resulted in a lower heart rate during exercise, compared with digoxin2. Beta-blockers versus digoxin Three studies found no difference in average heart rate between digoxin and beta blockers while at rest or during periods of normal daily activity. However, the beta blockers atenolol and labetalol controlled heart rate during exercise more effectively than digoxin did2. Beta-blockers versus calcium antagonists One crossover study found no difference between the calcium antagonist diltiazem and the beta-blocker atenolol in terms of either the mean heart rate over 24 hours or during exercise2. Beta-blockers with digoxin versus beta-blockers One crossover study found no statistically significant differences in heart rate during periods of exercise. Some studies found the beta-blocker atenolol used in combination with digoxin to be associated with a lower heart rate over 24 hours than atenolol alone2. Calcium antagonists with digoxin versus calcium antagonists Four crossover studies found that calcium antagonists diltiazem or verapamil used in combination with Digoxin to be more effective in controlling heart rate over 24 hours, as well as during periods of exercise, than either diltiazem or verapamil alone2. Section 6: Many people whom suffer from AF suffer no symptoms, some have been diagnosed incidentally1. It is in these patients that concordance is a particular issue. Education as to the risks and complications of the condition are necessary to achieve optimum concordance. It is important that patients are aware the side effects (SE) as well as the dosage regimen. Many of the dugs used in the management of AF have common and serious side effects which patients should be trained to spot. Interactions and side effects of note. Further information can be derived from the British National Formulary (BNF) and a comprehensive analysis available in the most current Stockleys drug interaction. Classes of drugs have been mentioned although this does not mean that the entire class will interact Amiodarone Interactions: Anti-arrhythmic (rate and rhythm modulating), Antibiotics, Anti coagulants, Tricyclic antidepressants, mizolastine, thyroid hormones, diuretics and phenytoin10. it is of note that due to its long half life amiodarone may still interact several months after treatment is stopped particularly relevant in the switching over of treatments. Amiodarone reduces the clearance of warfarin, prolonging prothrombin times (PTs) and elevating international normalized ratios (INRs). To avoid bleeding complications, the patient being put on amiodarone must have their current dosage of warfarin reduced by at least one-third and PT and INR closely monitored until they are stabilized15. Although routine eye examinations should occur to asses the ocular effects of amiodarone, if a patient experiences any visual impairment the treatment should be stopped10. Patients should be aware for the signs of thyroid dysfunction (signs and symptoms of which included in appendix 1) Warfarin interactions: Alcohol, amiodarone, propafenone, analgesics, antibiotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, thyroid hormones, ulcer healing drugs, lipid regulating drugs, hormones, corticosteroids Warfarin levels are easily effected by changes in diet, major changes in diet should be done in consultation with healthcare professional, commonly eaten foods that are known to interact with warfarin are cranberry, grapefruit and vitamin K rich foods16. bleed or bruise easily. Also, if you bleed, the bleeding may not stop as quickly as normally. For example, you may have: bleeding gums; nosebleeds; prolonged bleeding from cuts; blood in the urine. Beta blocker interactions: Antiarrhythmics (rhythm and rate modulating), antibiotics, antidepressants, mizolastine, antipsychotics and diuretics. Beta blockers should be avoided in people with asthma, or with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease13, Beta-blockers should not be stopped suddenly unless absolutely necessary; there is a risk of rebound in the condition13. Doses are titrated for patients and are gradually increased10. Digoxin interactions: Antiarrhythmics (rate and rhythm modulating), diuretics, anti biotics and anti epileptics. Signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity are important to report promptly. Digoxin toxicity may cause drowsy, dizzy, and affect your vision, disorientation, confusion, headach or disyurbed vision14. Flecainde interactions: Antiarrhythmics (rate and rhythm modulating), antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotics, diuretics and tolterodine Roughly 1% of the general population and 10% of asthma suffers are allergic to aspirin12. Each drug has the potential for interaction with other medication and even food. Self help advice In order to minimise the risk of stroke and heart attacks it is important for patient to receive practical advise on diet as this will impact on blood cholesterol levels, weight management and blood pressure it is of particular importance when the patient is diabetic. Important components in a healthy diet are low fat and salt intakes, with an emphasis on complex carbohydrates found in vegetables. Advice on the sources of esstential fatty acids should be given (for example nuts and oily fish). Smoking cessation counseling and Nicotine replacement therapy should be offered, discussing the statistical significance smoking alone contributes to the Cardio vascular events. Section 7: Pharmacists have contact at various stages along a patients treatment. A specialist PCT pharmacist may manage patients, prescribe, review and monitior. A community pharmacist should attempt medicine use reviews and prepare to make interventions on prescriptions when appropriate. Clinical pharmacists are involved in monitoring and providing guidance on protocols and current evidence. In the future there will be an increased scope for pharmacists to play a larger role when full patient records become available, full clinical reviews may be conducted taking into account the persons history (familial, drug, treatment, condition) and make appropriate interventions and recommendations according to the most current evidence. Section 8: In order for the condition and the services to run effectively is necessary to run audits regularly. This will ensure the national standards are met. Nice guideline audit criteria: All people presenting to primary or secondary care with a hypertension, heart failure, diabetes made or stroke and noted to have an irregular pulse to be offered an ECG and any new diagnosis of AF recorded2. All AF patients in whom a rate-control or rhythm-control strategy is initiated to have their involvement in choosing a treatment strategy recorded2. All patients who are prescribed digoxin as initial monotherapy for rate control to have the reason for this prescription recorded where it is not obvious (e.g. sedentary patient presence of contraindication to alternative agents)2. All patients should be assessed for risk of stroke/thromboembolism and given thromboprophylaxis according to the stroke risk and have this assessment and any antithrombotic therapy recorded2. It is important for pharmacists to keep uodate and maintaining a high levels of competenacy. Advice should be evidence based and current. There are regular updates produced by nice NICE and the Guidelines for atrial fibriliation are a good source of information. Section 9: the National Service Framework for coronary heart disease has a chapter pertains to AF. Arrhythmias are of great importance Cardiac arrhythmia affects more than 700,000 people in England and is consistently in the top ten reasons for hospital admission, using up significant AE time and bed days. AFis the most common arrhythmia, affects up to 1% of the population (rising to 4% in the over 65s) and absorbs almost 1% of the entire budget of the NHS to the NHS16. Of the three quality requirements there are two relevant in AF. Quality requirement one: patient support. People with arrhythmias receive timely and high-quality support and information, based on assessment of their needs16. Markers of good practice People with arrhythmias receive a formal assessment of their support needs and those at significantly increased risk of anxiety, depression or a poor quality of life receive appropriate care16. People with long-term conditions receive support in managing their illness from a named arrhythmia care co-ordinator16. Good quality, timely information about arrhythmic conditions is given by appropriately trained staff16. Quality requirement two: diagnosis and treatment. People presenting with arrhythmias, in both emergency and elective settings, receive timely assessment by an appropriate clinician to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment and rehabilitation16. Markers of Good Practice Initial Treatment All patients receive a hard copy of the ECG documenting their arrhythmia and a copy is placed in their records. Patients who survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and patients presenting with pre-excited AF are assessed by a heart rhythm specialist prior to hospital discharge. The following patients are assessed urgently by a heart rhythm specialist: Patients with syncope or any other symptom(s) suggestive of an arrhythmia and a personal history of structural heart disease or a family history of premature sudden death Patients with recurrent syncope associated with palpitations Patients with syncope and pre-excitation Patients with documented 3rd degree AV block (not associated with acute MI) Patients with recurrent syncope in whom a life-threatening cause has not been excluded Patients with documented ventricular tachycardia The following patients are referred to a heart rhythm specialist: Patients with a presumed diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia Patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome or asymptomatic pre-excitation Patients with symptomatic regular recurrent supraventricular tachycardia which is unsuccessfully treated with one type of medication or who would prefer not to take long-term medication Patients with recurrent atrial flutter Patients with symptomatic AF despite optimal medical therapy First degree relatives of victims of sudden cardiac death who died below the age of 40 years Patients with recurrent unexplained falls Markers of Good Practice Ongoing Treatment Mechanisms are in place for urgent referral of patients with sustained or compromising arrhythmias for prioritisation of appropriate treatment. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are considered in patients presenting with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and in those without demonstrable arrhythmia but identified as being at high risk. Catheter ablation is considered as the treatment of choice in patients presenting with sustained supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) other than AF, and cardioversion of recent onset AF is considered as early as is clinically safe. Where further hospital treatment is not recommended, a care plan is agreed between the patient, GP and the arrhythmia care team, including follow up and support as required. Management of long term conditions and elderly also have a priority in the governments plans and frameworks for the future. Section 10: Emphasis should be on patient centered care, projects such as near patient testing for warfarin have proved to be effective at managing patients and their potential complications. Primary care workers such as GPs PCT pharmacist should screen at risk patients. They shall be involved in the management of there condition frequently monitor patients. If required a referral can be made on lifestyle issues to manage the risk of stroke, e.g. if lipids are elevated may want to refer to a dietitian. Community pharmacists have a role in conduction medicines use reviews and be prepared to make inventions in prescribing, regimen concordance and side effect management/referral. It is of utmost importance that the specialist (cardiologist) makes clear recommendation and maintains communications with their counterparts in primary care.

The Problems with Fracking Essay -- Environmentalism, Human Health

No Fracking Way Imagine a world where fresh and clear water was a luxury. Imagine water so contaminated with chemicals that every plant it comes into contact with dies. As the trees begin to die, oxygen levels drop. As the vegetation dies, wildlife begins to die out. The polluted water which flows through the ground into wells causes instant contamination. As the water flows out of the sink, one can strike a match and light the liquid on fire. Showering in these chemicals is out of the question. Fresh water has become a comfort, rather than a given. Could planet Earth survive this existence? If hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking, were deemed legal, this question may be put to the test. Fracking is a process in which chemicals, sand and water are used in â€Å"high volumes†¦ to fracture gas-bearing layers of rock† (Dolesh 2). As the rock breaks, natural gas is released and then collected to be used as energy. The United States is currently sitting on a gold mine of natural gas which could stimulate our ever declining economy. The question is what price are we willing to pay for a temporary fix? Fracking is a dangerous process that should be deemed illegal due to its harmful short and long-term environmental effects. Before one can see the devastating effects of fracking, one must first understand how fracking works. As previously stated, the main intent of hydro-fracking is to access and harvest natural gas that lies below the surface of the Earth. Having formed over 400 million years ago by the collision of tectonic plates (Marsa 3), the Marcellus Shale plays host to a gold mine of natural gas, which is currently at the center of the fracking debate in the Northeastern region of the United States. Unfortunately, access... ...er, Cyril Josh. â€Å"Fracking Up: New York State Continues The Debate Over Gas Extraction Process.† New York Amsterdam News (2011): 4. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. Dolesh, Richard â€Å"Fracktured Parks.† Parks & Recreation 46.6 (2011): 56-61. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. Marsa, Linda. â€Å"Fracking Nation.† Discover 32.4 (2011): 62-70. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. Morriss III, James C., and Christopher D. Smith. â€Å"The Shales And Shale-Nots: Environmental Regulation Of Natural Gas Development. (Cover Story).† Energy Litigation Journal 9.4 (2010): 1-23. Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. Peltier, Robert. â€Å"Fracking Problems.† Power 155.8 (2011): 6. Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. Rahman, Hashim. â€Å"New York Puts Fracking On Hold.† Planning 77.2 (2011): 4. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.

Anne Spencer :: essays research papers

The Atypical Woman in a Typical World Do many people know who Anne Spencer is? Probably not. Anne Spencer was a Harlem Renaissance poet who actually lived in Lynchburg, Virginia. She immensely enjoyed working in her garden and spending time in Edankraal, a small cottage in her garden where she wrote most of her poetry. Though Anne was a hard worker, she definitely was not a typical woman of the early 20th century. Anne and her husband, Edward, did many things that were not typical during the early 20th century, but these "atypical" characteristics made the couple very unique. Anne was the "unannounced" valedictorian of her class at the Virginia Theological Seminary and College (Potter 129). This was unusual because at the time African American women were able to attend school, but most did not go to college, much less become the valedictorian of the graduating class. Though some say that Anne was not the valedictorian of her class, but rather a shy girl was the valedictorian, and Anne definitely was not shy ("Anne Bethel"). Anne’s intelligence definitely shows throughout her work. Spencer did not work simply to earn money; she worked because she enjoyed what she was doing. According to A History of Women in the West, the women of the early 20th century were still working at home, keeping the children, doing house chores, and some even worked on the farm. When World War I broke out because of the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, most women went to work in factories (24). Anne did not work in a factory; but she did work at Jones Memorial Library’s Dunbar Branch for $75 a month. Anne was not the typical librarian hired for this job. Though the library only served African American patrons, the position as a librarian normally went to a white person. She convinced the employer that she was qualified by showing him/her that she was a published poet. She also taught at her alma mater, the Virginia Theological Seminary and College for free, just because she loved teaching (Clark). On the other hand, Edward was Lynchburg, Virginia’s fir st parcel postman. Not only was this an enormous achievement for the city of Lynchburg, but also because Edward was an African American. Edward also helped out with the family grocery store which was close to their home on 1313 Pierce Street. The pay he received helped the family’s financial situation tremendously (Salmon 18).

The Civil Rights Movement :: African-American Civil Rights Movement

The first massive direct action in the civil rights movement came in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. Under SCLC leadership, the black community boycotted the city’s bus system, which required them to ride at the back of the buses. After many months of boycotting, the U.S Supreme court declared that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional, and the boycott was bought to an end. This was a very significant event for the civil rights movement. It caught the attention of the entire nation. People around the country were made aware of the event because it was launched on such a massive scale and lasted for more than a year. It also set the tone for the civil rights movement, which led to more struggles and protest. There was the school integration in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, where nine black students were admitted to Little Rock’s Central High School. President Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to enforce desegregation. There were public accommodation sit-ins in North Carolina and Georgia in 1960, when four black college students began protesting racial segregation in restaurants by sitting at â€Å"white only† lunch counters and waiting to be served. There were the freedom riders who traveled around the South in buses to test the effectiveness of the 1960 Supreme Court decision of illegal segregation in bus stations. There was also education and voter registration drives in Mississippi in 1961, which organized voter registration campaigns in black counties. Many of these protests where organized by the student affiliate of SCLC, many northern white liberal supporters, and the SNCC which stands for Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The SNCC was founded in Raleigh, North Carolina in April 1960 to help organize and direct the student sit-in movement. They also concentrated on voter registration, believing that voting was a way to empower blacks so that they could change racist policies in the South. Southern whites counter mobilized by reviving the infamous Ku Klux Klan who used violence or threats against anyone suspected of favoring desegregation or black civil rights. There was also the start of a new organization called White Citizens Councils. There goal was to maintain segregation. One of the last meetings between civil rights demonstrators and southern whites came in Montgomery, Alabama in 1963.

A/c term paper

HOOF-iffy has the acceptable stability and the compatibility properties with HOFF-AAA. It is also mildly flammable but not as flammable as previous refrigerant. This is why company's such as Volkswagen who has refused to use the new refrigerant. This new product also has a low toxicity level. Comparing the two refrigerants of HOFF-AAA and HOOF-iffy the AAA is a hydro fluorocarbon while the iffy is a hydrofluoric-olefin refrigerant. HOFF refrigerants are have one single bong while the HOOF refrigerant is bonded with at least one double bond between the carbon atoms.HOOF-iffy has the same physical properties as HOFF-AAA therefore iffy may be used in current AAA systems without making many modifications to the system. According to DuPont iffy has the potential to be retrofitted to the existing HOFF-AAA systems. The only problem with this that it can cause is that HOOF-iffy is said to be tens times more expensive then the existing HOFF-AAA which then brings the idea of shops recharging t he system with â€Å"HOOF-iffy† but actually refilling it with the cheaper HOFF-AAA since they will be so similar. Studies have proved that HOOF-iffy has improved performance beating the HOFF-AAA.HOOF-iffy will have a lower total contribution to climate change. It has a more environmentally sustainable refrigerant for automobiles that has a 99. 7% better GAP score than the currently used refrigerants, test have also proved that it will lead to better fuel efficiency. Thus also leading it to be more efficient in warmer climates rather than using CO. Performance Test First begin doing your test with selecting your temperature knob to cold then your selector to Max LLC. This will now recalculate the cabin air without letting outside air thus resulting in colder temperature.Then turn blower switch to full blast. Now start engine, put pressure on gas petal until reaching two thousand RPM. Now make sure to close all windows and doors. The next step would be to place an auxiliary fa n in front of the car facing the condenser. Allow the system to stabilize which will take approximately five to ten minutes. Now begin to place a thermometer in the register closet to the evaporator and check the temperature. When you read the temperature it should be around thirty-five to forty degrees Fahrenheit with an ambient air temperature of eighty degrees Fahrenheit.At this time if you have a set of gauges, this would be a good time to put them on to read your pressures and see when the impresser is cycling or cycling at all in some cases. If outlet temperature is high, check compressor cycling time. After this process now first check the cycling clutch switch operation. Second and final step for this process, is if clutch is energize continuously, discharge the system and check for missing orifice tube, plugged inlet screen, or any other restrictions in the suction line. Diagnosis using Manifold Gauge Test 1 . ) Low side should read 30 SSI and high side should read 200 SSI. This is considered a normal pressurized system. 2. ) Low side reads 12 SSI and high side reads Pepsi. When the gauges read this, this will cause the clutch to cycle more often thus resulting in the clutch having to be bypassed to be diagnosed. Your diagnosis should conclude with a possible partial restriction in the metering device, screen clogged, or moisture in the system or a possible kinked hose on the low pressure side. You should visually inspect to see if there faulty blower or a faulty cycling switch. Also check to see if the evaporator so dirty or the filter and to see if it is iced. . ) Low side will read very low around Pepsi. High side will read normal at first but then drop. Your diagnosis will conclude that you are low on refrigerant. First perform a leak test to see if that is why your refrigerant is so low. Then check and see if there is a total restriction on the low side. Another possibility is the TXT being stuck closed. If so warm the sensing bulb and check press ure, sensing bulb may have lost its charge. 4. ) Low side will read low. High side will read high. This will mean there is restriction in the discharge line. 5. ) Low side will read high or equalized.High side will read low or equalized. If equalized check hand valves to make sure they are open all the way. Possible electrical problem with the clutch not engaging. Also check fuses, clutch coil, wires, relay, switches, and compressor to see if there are any defects. Check to see if the clutch is engaged, valves are open and rings, belt, bearings and seal are in good working condition. 6. ) Low side will read high. High side will read normal. In this case the TXT will be stuck open. Sensing bulb may not be insulated or loose. Also could have a flooded evaporator. 7. ) Low side will read high. High side will read high.This will result in a overcharged system or air contamination. Also a oil overcharge or dye overcharge. Also check to see if the condenser is blocked. Check for dirt, pla stic bags, bent fins. Could need to be cleaned and replace broken fans if need be. Now check the electrical side such as the fans, clutch, and check to see if the engine is overheating because of poor air flow. Suggests that could be caused from the timing being off or contaminated refrigerant. Leak Detection To first do leak detection you will need to get your system to at least Pepsi for a minimum. Second you must I. D your refrigerant.One detection method is a Halide torch. This will only work on Cuff's and Hooch's. You will need propane and a search hose. Next heat your reactor plate until it is red hot. The color of the flame will change once it finds a leak depending on the size of the leak. The second method of doing leak detection is the Soap Solution. Use a premixed soup solution mixed with water then spray on Joints and suspected areas of possible leaks, now look for leaks. A third method is the fluorescent dye. Take dye and inject into system while it Is in vacuum. Let th e dye cycle through the system for three to four days then bring back in to check for leaks.This method does not harm the systems performance, once back not the shop check system for leaks with a black light. The dye comes in two colors which are yellow and red. The drawback of using this method is the dye stains and will never come out. The fourth method of leak detection is using an electronic leak detector. A new and old type of these systems. The older year detects the chlorine in R-12 and the newer models can detect both. They are self-calibrating and can self I. D leak rates as low as . Jazz per year. Once you hear a beep that's when it has found a leak. You never want to touch the leak detector to the refrigerant.