Alzheimers Disease Symptoms, Stages, Causes and Treatments - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2025 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/04/12 Category Medicine Essay Level High school Tags: Alzheimer's Disease Essay Did you like this example? Introduction The brain is a significant and complex organ with a vast array of roles necessary for sustaining human life. Some of these include cognitive functions, homeostatic regulatory responsibilities, motor controls, and sensory information reception. While the human brain has numerous capabilities essential to life, a wide range of neurological disorders can impede these, causing a variety of potentially fatal diseases, such as Alzheimers disease. German physician Dr. Alois Alzheimer first described Alzheimers disease as presenile dementia in 1906. Now known to be a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for nearly 35 million cases globally (Martorelli, et al.). In the United States today, it is speculated that someone develops Alzheimers disease every 66 seconds, however in 2050, a new case of Alzheimers is expected to develop in as little as every 33 seconds (Alzheimers Association). Subsequently, since Alzheimers disease has become much more widespread, it has also become much more fatal. As of 2014, in the United States alone, the disease was reportedly responsible for approximately 85,000 deaths. Moreover, during the years 2000 to 2013, the number of deaths caused by Alzheimers disease increased by over 71%, while mortality caused by stroke, heart disease, and prostate cancer actually decreased by 23%, 14%, and 11%, respectively (Alzheimers Association). However, it is important to suggest that these mortality statistics may be greatly underestimated since death certificates may list other complications as causes of death, rather than the underlying Alzheimers disease. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Alzheimers Disease: Symptoms, Stages, Causes and Treatments" essay for you Create order Additionally, a key aspect of the surging prevalence of Alzheimers disease as a fatal disorder is that it is only intensifying with increasing longevity in humans. For example, in his article Pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease, Dr. Russell Swerdlow, the Director of the University of Kansas Alzheimers Disease Center and the KUMC Neurodegenerative Disorders Program, references a survey of brains from persons over the age of 85 that all showed evidence having at least some degree of Alzheimers disease. He states that therefore, it is worth considering that at some point in the aging continuum, Alzheimers disease ceases to become a disease because it becomes a norm. Thus, as the facts and statistics stated above may imply, Alzheimers disease is becoming a widespread disease characterized as much more than the memory loss commonly associated with it. Unfortunately, however, the diagnosis of Alzheimers disease is primarily reliant on observations of cognitive and functional decline (Martorelli, et al.). These symptoms include: agnosia, the loss of perceptual ability regarding the interpretation of sensory perceptions; apraxia, the inability to understand the meaning or appropriate use of things; and dysphasia, the failure to arrange words in a meaningful manner (Martone and Piotrowski). Therefore, due to the complexity and extent of the neurological deficits that which it causes, Alzheimers disease is typically terminal once it has finally been diagnosed. In addition to its inability to be diagnosed through practical medical testing, Alzheimers disease is even more so fatal as a result of the uncertainty behind its physiological causes and the lac k of a known cure. Causes An early feature of Alzheimers disease is synaptic loss that renders neurons dysfunctional and prone to irreversible death, ultimately precipitating the severe brain atrophy and cognitive impairment observed in later stages of the disease (Seddighi, et al.). Simply put, Alzheimers disease causes the volume of the brain the shrink considerably. However, there are several hypotheses as to why this happens. The most well-known theory, the amyloid cascade hypothesis, has been the mainstream concept underlying Alzheimers disease research for more than 20 years (Kametani and Hasegawa). Usually resulting from genetic mutations on chromosome 21, this hypothesis states that various pathological changes occur in response to abnormally increased concentrations of beta-amyloid protein (Widmaier, et al). This protein is derived from its much larger precursor, the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), by two proteases, beta-secretase and gamma-secretase. Specifically, a mutation in two amino acids (lysine and methionine mutated to asparagine and leucine) of APP adjacent to the beta-secretase site is known to increase beta-secretase activity and thus, beta-amyloid protein production (Martone and Piotrowski). In addition to mutations affecting chromosome 21, the specific mutations of the genes presenilin 1 and presenilin 2 associated with chromosomes 14 and 1, respectively, also result in the increased production of the beta-amyloid protein. Alternatively, this protein is the much larger and more pathogenic version, which is known as the beta-amyloid protein 42 (Martone and Piotrowski). Because of this, the two presenilin mutations usually trigger an early onset of Alzheimers disease, and presenilin 1, specifically, can even occur in patients as early as age 30. Therefore, it can be inferred that Alzheimers disease caused by mutation of the presenilin 1 gene is characterized as being far more malignant than the other forms of the disease. Not only is this due to its extraordinarily early onset, but it also is the result of its increased aggression characterized by the abundance of amyloid plaques in more detrimental regions of the brain, such as the cerebellum (Martone and Piotrowski). As stated previously, the increase in beta-amyloid protein production results in a triad of of pathological changes, including the formations of senile plaques, amyloid angiopathy, and neurofibrillary tangles. To elaborate, senile plaques consist of amyloid deposits surrounded by dystrophic neurons, while amyloid angiopathy is the presence of the same deposits within the brain vasculature. Neurofibrillary tangles, on the other hand, are simply tangled fibrillary protein aggregates within nerve cells of the brain, but, however, these components have drawn quite a bit of attention lately (Martone and Piotrowski). Some scientists have begun to develop a new hypothesis focusing on the neurofibrillary tangles as the basis of their Alzheimers research. Neurofibrillary tangles specifically contain abnormally configured and excessively phosphorylated tau protein. This is significant because in most differentiated cells, tau is generally unphosphorylated and is responsible for associating with microtubules to form a permanent cytoskeleton (Swerdlow). The human tau gene is localized on chromosome 17, and as the result of mRNA alternative splicing, it has six known isoforms expressed in the adult human brain. In other neurodegenerative disorders, such as frontotemporal dementia, mutations associated with the tau gene result in either protein accumulation, which causes neuronal degeneration, or impairment of microtubule regulation, ultimately leading to extensive cell damage (Kametani and Hasegawa). Furthermore, recent positron emission tomography (PET) studies have shown that the spatial patterns of t au tracer binding are closely linked to the patterns of neurodegeneration and clinical presentation in Alzheimers disease patients (Kametani and Hasegawa). In addition, tau lesions in the brain have also been shown to occur earlier than beta-amyloid protein deposits. Therefore, it is believed that Alzheimers disease progression is more reliant on tau pathology than amplified beta-amyloid protein production (Kametani and Hasegawa). Somewhat humorously, there has been a long-standing debate regarding the significance of the pathological findings in Alzheimers disease. This argument has questioned whether beta-amyloid-protein-associated pathology or the tau-protein-associated pathology is the primary lesion in the disease, which therefore has divided investigators into baptist and aoist camps (Martone and Piotrowski). For example, on one hand, some may argue that the amyloid plaques are a result neurodegenerative processes, such as normal aging or neurofibrillary tangle-associated neuronal degeneration, rather than their cause. On the other hand, however, others may argue that there have been no direct links between the genetics of Alzheimers disease and the tau protein, even though a mutation has been identified in tau when its associated with non-Alzheimers dementia, or frontotemporal dementia (Martone and Piotrowski). Nevertheless, outside of this debate an additional theory, the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis, has recently arose. This idea assumes that similar physiological mechanisms underlie both Alzheimers disease and common brain aging. More importantly, it postulates that since Alzheimers disease mitochondrial dysfunction is systemic, it cannot be a consequence of neurodegeneration (Swerdlow). In contrast to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which is based on studies of rare, autosomal-dominant mutants, this proposal looks to determine the causes of common late-onset, sporadic Alzheimers disease. In this model, the makeup of an individuals electron-transport chain is inherited and gene-specific. The chain sets basal rates of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which therefore determines the rate at which mitochondrial damage occurs. As a result, oxidative mitochondrial DNA, RNA, lipid, and protein damage amplifies ROS production and triggers three events (Swerdlow and Khan). First, it signals a reset response in which cells respond to the elevated ROS by generating the beta-amyloid protein, which further impedes mitochondrial function. Then, it prompts a removal response in which compromised cells are disposed of through apoptosis mechanism, and finally, it generates a replace response in which neuronal progenitors unsuccessfully attempt to re-enter the cell cycle, which results in aneuploidy, tau phosphorylation, and neurofibrillary tangle formation (Swerdlow and Khan). Ultimately, the probable causes of Alzheimers disease all converge at one main idea: Alzheimers disease is the direct result of neuronal degeneration and decreased synaptic density due to some sort of protein accumulation within the tissues of the brain. Therefore, due to neuronal death, there is a widespread decline in various neurotransmitter-containing cell bodies of the brain. However, the most consistent losses throughout the progression Alzheimers disease are that of the cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain (Mufson, et al). Despite this congruence, however, understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms that drive neurodegeneration, and therefore the subsequent acetylcholine deficits, in Alzheimers disease is crucial for rationally designing neuroprotective agents capable of preventing the disease progression (Coimbra, et al.). Treatments Currently, the treatment options available for patients with Alzheimers disease are primarily palliative options that only address and temporarily alleviate symptoms of the disease. Some of the most common treatment options include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and tacrine, to name a few (Martone and Piotrowski). By inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, these agents therefore inhibit the degradation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is commonly reduced in individuals with Alzheimers disease due to neuronal degeneration (Widmaier, et al.). In addition, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are also commonly prescribed in order to limit any inflammatory responses in the brain that may have been caused by any neurotoxic effects of the accumulation of the beta-amyloid protein (Martone and Piotrowski). Furthermore, because of the limited effects of pharmacological treatments, the use of psychological and psychosocial interventions has become increasingly popular in recent years. This method, known as cognition-focused intervention is commonly partitioned into three separate approaches: cognitive stimulation (CS), cognitive training (CT), and cognitive rehabilitation (CR). In short, CS aims to enhance cognitive function through participation in a set of activities that engage mental processes, CT aims to improve specific cognitive functions through a set of standardized tasks with guided practice, and CR aims to address the impact of cognitive impairment of everyday functional ability in order to reduce disability and improve functioning in specific activities of daily living (Oltra-Cucarella). More importantly, in order to better the lives of those afflicted and to decrease the overall mortality rate caused by Alzheimers disease, research on new possible treatments is underway. For example, several groups of researchers worldwide are actively attempting to discover and develop beta-secretase inhibitors in order to limit the proteolytic processing of APP that subsequently produces beta-amyloid protein (Coimbra). Thus, by inhibiting the accumulation of this protein, these potential cures could stop the progression of Alzheimers disease in its tracks. As a result, not only would this hypothetical cure improve the quality of life for those afflicted with Alzheimers disease, but it would also increase the chance of prolonged survival. Conclusion Although Alzheimers disease was first characterized in 1906, we, as humans, still have much to learn about the neurodegenerative disorder, even over 110 years later. Despite having a plethora of possible genetic causes, this disorder is generally classified as a progressive neurodegenerative disease. On the surface, Alzheimers disease seems as though it is simply portrayed as memory loss due to a net shrinkage in brain volume. However, this is far from the truth. Alzheimers disease is characterized by neurological degeneration and degradation caused by protein accumulation, whether it be beta-amyloid plaques or tau protein. As a result, this disease is associated with a variety of cognitive deficits, including agnosia, apraxia, and dysphasia, and it typically results in fatality. In summary, Alzheimers disease research is incredibly significant to the lives of over 30 million people affected worldwide, making it one of the leading causes of death across the globe.

A Practical And Solution Focused Therapy - 987 Words

Cognitive perspectives uses cognitive behavioural therapy also known as CBT to treat mental illness. It combines two different approaches for a practical and solution-focused therapy. The therapy can be used to treat people with a wide range of mental health problems. The therapy examines learnt behaviours and negative thought patterns with the view of altering them in a positive way. CBT aims to help people become aware of when they make negative interpretations, and of behavioral patterns which reinforce the distorted thinking. Cognitive therapy helps people to develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving which aims to reduce their psychological distress. Psychoanalytic or psychodynamic psychotherapy draws on theories and practices of analytical psychology and psychoanalysis. It is a therapeutic process which helps patients understand and resolve their problems by increasing awareness of their inner world and its influence over relationships both past and present. It differs from most other therapies in aiming for deep seated change in personality and emotional development. (Jacobson, 2013) This therapy aim to help people with serious psychological disorders to understand and change complex, deep-seated and often unconsciously based emotional and relationship problems thereby reducing symptoms and alleviating distress. The difference between cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy is that psychodynamic therapy tries to understand the humanShow MoreRelatedSolution Focused Therapy And Rational Emotive Therapy1452 Words   |  6 Pages In the three introductory sessions that took place with my client Jean, I practiced Solution-Focused Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, and Humanistic Therapy. In this paper I would like to compare and contrast Solution-Focused Therapy and Rational Emotive Therapy as the primary techniques used in the introductory therapy sessions with my client. 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Air Quality as it Effects the Human Body free essay sample

Air quality, be it indoor or outdoor, has a profound, and until recently largely unknown, effect on the health and well-being of the human body.   A direct link from indoor particulate matter, biological contaminants, VOC’s and numerous other substances in the air to common health issues has been found (Garcia-Perez et al, 2009). The public is largely unaware of the problems beset them concerning this issue.   Air quality is difficult to see with the naked eye and many people are completely ignorant of some of the chemicals they breathe in on a daily basis. The most obvious effect of poor air quality is lung cancer.   Cancer clusters have been studied in the vicinity of known air pollution centers and a link has been proposed between the two (Garcia-Perez, 2009).   Other effects that are proposed to have a correlation to air quality are asthma, increased sensitization to allergens, and other respiratory symptoms. General levels of comfort are shown to be affected with an increase in headaches, sore throats, and eye irritation (Daisey et al, 2010).    Studies examining both indoor air quality and disease symptoms are not very numerous, which is an area that requires extensive further research. Children are more affected by the air in which they breathe for several reasons.   Decreased immunity when compared to adults leads to a higher airborne infection rate than those with an established immune system.   Culturally, children are not as much in command of their environment.   This is why schools and homes tend to be studied more than other areas.   Children are subjected to the air in which they are, many times, forced to breathe. While adults may be able to choose to change the ventilation of their surroundings or the materials in their area, children are not.   The leading reason for children’s susceptibility to air pollution, however,   is a factor of dosage.   Their smaller bodies naturally make them prone to a higher concentration of particulate matter or biological contaminants (Hricko et al, 2010). Some of the solutions that should be proposed to nurses and health care workers are obvious.   Proper ventilation is the first area a health care worker should look in improving air quality.   Numerous school atmospheres are below standards set by the ASHRAE standard (Daisey et al, 2010). The EPA backs up this claim but also suggesting that air be filtered continuosly, possibly by forced-air heating and cooling systems.   It is vital that air not be brought from the outside as that may create increased levels of particulate matter and pollution levels from outside (EPA.gov, 2010). Beyond the obvious implications of proper ventilation, education of the public of possible health hazards are necessary.   It is the responsibility of the health care worker to educate the public on possible hazardous materials that may be decreasing their air quality. Formaldehyde along with numerous other possible carcinogens have been found in the air of some schools (Daisey et al, 2010).   The EPA recommends that all potentially hazardous activities either be performed outside if possible or in a properly ventilated environment.   These activities include painting, welding, soldering, paint stripping even sanding along with numerous others.   Many times people are unaware of the impact simple activities can have on their own health. The immediate reaction of a concerned nurse is to change something they deem as a problem.   Caution is necessary, though, in all actions.   An example of a caring group changing a situation for the worse is that of impoverished families in 3rd world countries burning biomass fuels indoors.   It has been well documented by numerous organizations that air quality is severely diminished by burning wood or coal indoors.   However, when proper ventilation was installed in homes heated with biomass fuels, malaria increased significantly. Researchers found out after the fact that the smoke caused by burning the fuel was warding off mosquitoes that cause malaria (Biran et al, 2007).   This is not to say that nurses should not recommend accepted health precautions, it is simply a warning that all suggestions should be weighed against their possible consequences.   At the very least, a solution that benefits all those involved needs to be investigated.   In this case, proper mosquito screening needed to be installed along with better ventilation. The solutions to increasing air quality, especially for children, are simple when compared to numerous other health hazards.   Proper ventilation is both the most obvious and simplest method of improving IAQ.   Reducing the amount of air entering indoor environments by keeping windows closed and clearing indoor air of particulates and possible carcinogens via filtration systems are the two biggest ways to decrease health effects such as asthma, increased allergic reactions or even lung cancer. As with anything else, education of the public by the nurses is necessary for the problem to actually be solved.   It is important that people learn how to help themselves.   Health care workers are in the best position to do so. References Biran, A., Smith, L., Lines, J., Ensink, J., Cameron, M. (2007). Smoke and malaria: are interventions to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution likely to increase exposure to mosquitoes?. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 101, 1065-1071. Daisey, J., Angell, W., Apte, M. (2010). INDOOR AIR QUALITY, VENTILATION AND HEALTH SYMPTOMS IN SCHOOLS: AN ANALYSIS OF EXISTING INFORMATION. Indoor Air, 13(1), 53-64. Garcia, J., Coelho, L., Gouveia, C., Cerdeira, R., Louro, C., Ferreira, T., et al. (2005). Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 1, 526-531.

The Value of Thinking Philosophically By Reflecting On the Meaning of Ones Own Life

Introduction It is imperative for an individual to recognize that his or her existence has a meaning, which must achieve fulfillment before he or she dies. This philosophical piece begins by highlighting the value achieved when individuals thinks rationally as they engage in a reflection of the meaning of their life. Secondly, the piece offers an explication of conceptual foundations of human actions and believes.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Value of Thinking Philosophically By Reflecting On the Meaning of One’s Own Life specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It further explores the nature of human responsibility towards the realization of one’s full potential. In addition, in this piece, I present my philosophical understanding of the â€Å"problem of evil, the existence of God, free will, the mind and body relation, human knowledge and the question of being† (Descartes, Roger Donald 2). F inally, I will evaluate philosophical themes, which I depict from writings of major historical and contemporary philosophers. Value of thinking philosophically by reflecting on the meaning of one’s own life There is a distinct difference between critical thinkers and non-critical thinkers. I believe in the above statement because critical thinkers pose many questions to have sufficient and clear understanding of issues around them. When people think philosophically, they can replicate their livelihood and make superior decisions with constructive influence. That is, they have ample duration to consider effectively different consequences that could arise from their decisions (Descartes, Roger Donald 41). I suggest that individuals should adopt philosophical way of thinking to advance their life setting. Conceptual foundations of human actions and beliefs When human beings undertake any actions or choose to believe in certain systems, they usually follow traditions already prac ticed by previous generations. The foundation of their actions is through experiences and continuous civilizations. Consequently, different societies have crafted procedures through which members of those societies are required to behave. These procedures are set regulations aimed at fostering sanity and development of mutual relationship among various individuals. Affiliates of this societies result to following the recommended practices, which is critically how foundations of their actions originate. Further, the following also provide different foundations of human actions and beliefs; senior members of societies, religious leaders and close associations with great forces. Nature of the self and of human responsibility I believe in the existence of clear set of natural laws, which demand that human beings ought to be selfless and practice quality environmental conservation duties. These laws provide requisite guidelines to human beings towards developing a cohesive society with n oble life ideals which various individuals subscribe to with immense joy.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More I agree that individuals should take responsibility of any mistakes that they commit so that they are discouraged from practicing evil deeds. Ideally, human beings are prone to mistakes which may negatively influence their performance in various facets of life hence the imperativeness of set regulations to minimize evil occurrences effectively. The problem of evil I stand for the idea that evil is bad and has many associations with various problems that befall humanity. The following are examples that explain negative outcomes of evil. When there is committal of evil such as deceit, betrayal, murder, theft, envy and pride many problems arise. For example, when an individual deceives the other about anything they are latter bound to find out the truth after some time. When the tru th is known the person, who was deceived feels hurt and in some cases, loses his or her self-esteem. In addition, there is also a resentment feeling since the person senses that an act considered unfair was done to them. Consequently, there is also a feeling of embarrassment on the person who told the lie since his or her malice has been discovered. From the above examples of one evil, it is evident that, one evil committed results in to severe problems in human lifestyle. Major setback of evil is its reoccurrence nature that causes more trouble to people who are considered good. Evil makes human beings loose a very important thing in their life; their moral worth. It encourages human beings to be morally irresponsible towards their fellow human beings. This encourages a society in which people suspect each other because they are used to evil deeds and keep anticipating for it to come their way. There is a lack of harmonious existence, constructive ideas fail to be implemented and p eople do not embrace various innovations that come their way. The existence of God All human beings have a common origin because of the presence of similar characteristics for example body structures and ability to communicate irrespective of the diversity in their color or backgrounds. Most individuals believe a superior force pegs their existence. They equate that force that is superior to a spiritual phenomenon they call God. I believe that this phenomenon called God exists because I understand from stories of creation, which are present in the bible. This is a piece I deem sanctified, that certainly I am a conception of God. The belief that God exists also emanates from what I have experienced in life so far.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Value of Thinking Philosophically By Reflecting On the Meaning of One’s Own Life specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For example, I do not find any other suitable justification for where people originated from apart from the explanation, which states that God created human beings. Many societies’ lives with limited belief that God exists, however, they believe in a superior that supersedes their ability. In most cases, they revere and adore that force because they depend on it for their daily guidance. In the past, some very traditional societies used to present sacrifices to the force, which they deemed great. I am of the opinion that these traditional societies engaged in the practices as offering sacrifices in order to seek peace with the great force. After the creation of a peaceful environment, then the society would communicate with the force through various channels, which were known to them. The mind/body association There is an important co-existence between the train of thought in one’s mind and reactions in their bodies. For instance, when one is experiencing stress, their bodies react to the stress even though the s tress is at the mind level. It is imperative to note that, different emotions, which people display in their life, begin in their minds. I offer that the relationship is responsible for various activities, which human beings believe sometimes to be impossible. For example, one could be tired after working for extended hours, but if they fathom that, they can still achieve more they communicate to the body in achieving anything one sets to do because of the connection that already exists between the two. Whatever an individual thinks about in their minds has an immediate effect on the actions of their body. An individual could think about food then the feeling of hungriness attacks them because they have thought about food. In response to the hunger that the mind first thought of, the body demands for food, which will ensure the individual is comfortable, (not feeling hungry). In addition, one could imagine in their minds of a scenario in which they have different kinds of stresses a ffecting them. It will then follow that their bodies experience the imagined stress and they feel depressed because of that. Many people use this mind and body relationship to shun negative processes. For example, when they have thoughts that could trigger bad occurrences, they simply shun the bad thoughts and all will be well. Human knowledge Complex issues that affect human beings can be solved effectively comprehensive understanding of individual’s perception on various issues. Such issues revolve around opinionated, social and fiscal aspects of life because such issues affect human beings most of the time.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More I believe human knowledge originates from experiences that people go through and additional edification they earn from various sources. Human knowledge is important because of the following reasons; first, it enables human beings to reason with each other like knowledgeable people. It is my view that conversations between two persons who have good knowledge of the subject, which they are discussing, are more pleasant to listen to due to their immense value. I present this argument because I feel that individuals ought to have basic knowledge of whatever goes around them. Further, human knowledge enables accomplishment of solutions to problems, which could present complications to humanity. I would encourage human beings to ensure that they understand things around them and seek requisite assistance on various issues to advance their knowledge base. This knowledge also enables human beings to make superior decisions when exercising their free will. Human beings have permission to mak e decisions, which affect them. They can do this when they have adequate knowledge on whatever it is that they want to decide on. I do not believe that human beings should misuse their free will. For example, if one is in a position to compromise on issues, which affect him or her, they should choose on the right thing. Even if they are certain that, no one is watching them at that time. Whatever they do freely must not cause inconveniences to people who are close to them. Crucial philosophical themes and matters explored in the writings of the major philosophers Major historical and contemporary philosophers agree that human life is complex because it involves many challenges. They present many arguments, which relate to daily activities of human beings and circumstances that could lead to the occurrences of the activities. Philosophers contribute on suitable ways of life, which people can adopt effectively to ensure holistic reflection on their life .Philosophers encourage human b eings to lead good lives before they die. The availability of these encouragements is through their philosophical writings. According to Plato Grube, human beings experience different things, which they consider pleasurable. However, he cautions human beings on the dangers of over indulging in pleasurable activities Plato Grube (203). I agree that people need to normalize their moments of pleasure for them to get time for additional activities in their lives. It is important for human beings to please themselves but they should always be cautious not to overdo anything. Descartes (98) depicts a phenomenon called God who is responsible for the existence of all humanity. He disagrees with some philosophers who suggest that God never exists since he believes that God created human beings. I believe that theology is not fiction just as Socrates due to their strong perception on Gods inexistence. Further, he suggests that there is more knowledge about the human mind than the human body . I do not agree with this argument because according to me, there is a distinct affiliation amid the body and mind of the human being. Searle (89) offers his philosophical views on the link, which exists between the brain, language and different societies of the world. Consequently, he suggests that language is not very important because people can still communicate without language. I partially agree with this statement because there are incidences where people communicate without language. However, I propose that it should be known that for societies to exist in a harmonious way, its members must learn to converse effectively. The presence of a good communication system is normally facilitated with the presence of human language. Conclusion I offer the following conclusions; first, it is important to think about one’s own life in a philosophical manner in order to understand one’s role on earth. As a human being, one needs to have a reason before believing or acting on anything. This is because when one does that, he or she has a focus in life and can formulate processes that lack unenthusiastic effects on other people. Further, human beings ought to take responsibilities of the mistakes they make in life and understand the nature of other people they interact with. When they do this, they avoid unnecessary confrontations, which could arise from prejudices of actions of other people who are close to them. Evil actions make people fail to exhibit harmonious coexistence due to severe atrocities committed to them based on evil nature of human beings. I deem God exists due to substantive proof contained in the bible, which is the holy book. The fact that I exist proves to me that God, who is the creator of everything on earth, created me and He exists because of that. Work Cited Descartes, ReneÃŒ . Roger Ariew. Donald, Cress. Meditations, Objections, and Replies. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Pub, 2006. Print. Plato Grube, G M. A. Five Dialogues. I ndianapolis, IN: Hackett Pub. Co, 2002. Print. Searle, John. Mind, Language and Society: Philosophy in the Real World. New York, NY: Basic Books, 1999. Print. This essay on The Value of Thinking Philosophically By Reflecting On the Meaning of One’s Own Life was written and submitted by user Akira Alston to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

55 American English Words Derived from Algonquian Languages

55 American English Words Derived from Algonquian Languages 55 American English Words Derived from Algonquian Languages 55 American English Words Derived from Algonquian Languages By Mark Nichol American English has been enriched by the widespread adoption of words based on vocabulary of Native American tribes, including the many tribes that spoke (and, in some cases, still speak) one of the Algonquian languages of what is now eastern North America. The following is a list of such terms, more or less commonly used, most of which refer to animals or plants or products derived from them. apishamore (Algonquian): a buffalo-hide saddle blanket babiche (Mà ­kmaq): a leather or sinew thong or thread caribou (Mà ­kmaq): a species of large antlered mammal caucus (Algonquian): a group of people who meet to discuss an issue or work together toward a goal; also a verb chipmunk (Odawa): any of various small rodent species that are part of the squirrel family chinquapin (Powhatan): a dwarf chestnut tree or its nut cisco (Ojibwe): a whitefish hackmatack (Algonquian): a type of larch tree, or its wood hickory (Powhatan): a type of tree or its wood, or a cane or switch made of the wood hominy (Powhatan): soaked and hulled corn kernels husky (based on shortening of the Cree word from which Eskimo is derived): a type of dog; the adjective husky is unrelated kinkajou (Algonquian): a Central and South American mammal kinnikinnick (or killikinnick or killickinnick) (Unami Delaware): a mixture of dried leaves and bark smoked like tobacco, or the plant (also called bearberry) from which the materials are taken mackinaw (Menomini): a heavy type of cloth used for coats and blankets, or a coat or blanket made of the cloth, or a type of trout moccasin (Algonquian): a soft leather shoe or a regular shoe resembling a traditional moccasin, or, as water moccasin, a species of snake or a similar snake moose (Eastern Abenaki): a species of large antlered mammal mugwump (Eastern Abenaki): originally, a war leader, but in American slang, a kingpin, later a political independent, or someone neutral or undecided muskellunge (Ojibwe): a pike (a type of fish) muskeg (Cree): a bog or swamp muskrat (Western Abenaki): an aquatic rodent opossum (Powhatan): a marsupial (sometimes possum) papoose (Narragansett): an infant pecan (Illinois): a type of tree, or the wood or the nut harvested from it pemmican (Cree): a food made of pounded meat and melted fat, and sometimes flour and molasses as well persimmon (Powhatan): a type of tree, or the fruit harvested from it pipsissewa (Abenaki): a type of herb with leaves used for tonic and diuretic purposes pokeweed (Powhatan): a type of herb pone (Powhatan): flat cornbread; also called cornpone, which is also slang meaning â€Å"countrified† or â€Å"down-home†) powwow (Narragansett): a Native American medicine man, or, more commonly, a Native American ceremony, fair, or other gathering; also, slang for â€Å"meeting† or, less often, party puccoon (Powhatan): a type of plant, or the pigment derived from it pung (Algonquian): a box-shaped sleigh drawn by one horse punkie (Munsee): an alternate name for a biting midge, a type of fly quahog (Narragansett): a type of edible clam Quonset hut (Algonquian): a trademark for a type of prefabricated structure with an arched corrugated-metal roof raccoon (Powhatan): a type of mammal noted for its masklike facial markings, or the fur of the animal sachem (Algonquian): a chief of a Native American tribe or confederation of tribes; also, a leader in the Tammany Hall political machine sagamore (Eastern Abenaki): an Algonquian tribal chief shoepac (Unami Delaware): a cold-weather laced boot skunk (Massachusett): a type of mammal known for spraying a noxious odor in defense, or the fur of the animal; also, slang for â€Å"obnoxious person† squash (Narragansett): any of various plants that produces fruit, also called squash, that is cultivated as a vegetable; the verb squash, and the name of the ball-and-racquet game, are unrelated squaw (Massachusetts): a Native American woman or, by extension, a woman or a wife; the word is widely considered offensive succotash (Narragansett): a dish of green corn and lima or shell beans terrapin (Powhatan): one of various types of turtles toboggan (Mà ­kmaq): a wooden sled with the front end curved up and, by extension, a downward course or a sharp decline (the activity of using such a sled is called tobogganing); also, a slang term for a winter stocking cap with a pom-pom or a tassel tomahawk (Powhatan): a light ax used as a throwing or hacking weapon; as verb, it means â€Å"use a tomahawk† totem (Ojibwe): an object, usually an animal or plant, serving as a family or clan emblem, or, more often, a carved or painted representation, often in the form of a pole fashioned from a tree trunk and carved with figures representing one’s ancestors (also, a family or clan so represented); by extension, any emblem or symbol tuckahoe (Powhatan): a type of plant with an edible root, or the edible part of a type of fungus tullibee (Ojibwe): any one of several types of whitefish wampum (Massachusett): beads of polished shells used as ceremonial gifts, money, or ornaments; also, slang for â€Å"money† wanigan (Ojibwa): a tracked or wheeled shelter towed by a tractor or mounted on a boat or raft wapiti Shawnee): another word for elk wickiup (Fox): a hut or shelter made of a rough frame of vegetation wigwam (Eastern Abenaki): a hut or shelter made of a rough frame of vegetation or hides woodchuck (Algonquian): a type of marmot (a small mammal); also called a groundhog Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? 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Biography of Diane Nash, Civil Rights Leader

Biography of Diane Nash, Civil Rights Leader Diane Judith Nash (born May 15, 1938) was a key figure in the US Civil Rights Movement. She fought to secure voting rights for African Americans as well as to desegregate lunch counters and interstate travel during the freedom rides.   Fast Facts: Diane Nash Known For: Civil rights activist who cofounded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)Born: May 15, 1938 in Chicago, IllinoisParents: Leon and Dorothy Bolton NashEducation: Hyde Park High School, Howard University, Fisk UniversityKey Accomplishments: Freedom rides coordinator,  voting rights organizer, fair housing and nonviolence advocate, and winner of the Southern Christian Leadership Conferences’ Rosa Parks AwardSpouse: James BevelChildren: Sherrilynn Bevel and Douglass BevelFamous Quote: â€Å"We presented Southern white racists with a new set of options. Kill us or desegregate.† Early Years Diane Nash was born in Chicago to Leon and Dorothy Bolton Nash during a time when Jim Crow, or racial segregation, was legal in the U.S. In the South and in other parts of the country, blacks and whites lived in different neighborhoods, attended different schools, and sat in different sections of buses, trains, and movie theaters. But Nash was taught not to view herself as less than. Her grandmother, Carrie Bolton, particularly gave her a sense of self-worth. As Nash’s son, Douglass Bevel, recalled in 2017: â€Å"My great-grandmother was a woman of great patience and generosity. She loved my mother and told her no one was better than her and made her understand she was a valuable person. There’s no substitute for unconditional love, and my mother is just really a strong testament to what people who have it are capable of.† Bolton often took care of her when she was a small child because both of Nash’s parents worked. Her father served in World War II and her mother worked as a keypunch operator during wartime.   When the war ended, her parents divorced, but her mother remarried to John Baker, a waiter for the Pullman railroad company. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the most influential union for African-Americans. The union gave workers higher pay and more benefits than employees without such representation.   Her stepfather’s job afforded Nash an excellent education. She attended Catholic and public  schools, graduating from Hyde Park High School on Chicago’s south side. She then headed to Howard University in Washington, D.C., and, from there, to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1959. In Nashville, Diane Nash saw Jim Crow up close.   â€Å"I started feeling very confined and really resented it,† Nash said. â€Å"Every time I obeyed a segregation rule, I felt like I was somehow agreeing I was too inferior to go through the front door or to use the facility that the ordinary public would use.†Ã‚   The system of racial segregation inspired her to become an activist, and she oversaw nonviolent protests on the Fisk campus. Her family had to adjust to her activism, but they ultimately supported her efforts. A Movement Built on Nonviolence As a Fisk student, Nash embraced the philosophy of nonviolence, associated with Mahatma Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. She took classes on the subject run by James Lawson, who’d gone to India to study Gandhi’s methods. Her nonviolence training helped her lead Nashville’s lunch counter sit-ins over a three-month period in 1960. The students involved went to â€Å"whites only† lunch counters and waited to be served. Rather than walking away when they were denied service, these activists would ask to speak with managers and were often arrested while doing so.  Ã‚   Four students, including Diane Nash, had a sit-in victory when the Post House Restaurant served them on March 17, 1960. The sit-ins took place in nearly 70 US cities, and roughly 200 students who took part in the protests traveled to Raleigh, N.C., for an organizing meeting in April 1960. Rather than function as an offshoot of Martin Luther King’s group, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the young activists formed the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. As a SNCC co-founder, Nash left school to oversee the organization’s campaigns. Sit-ins continued through the following year, and on February 6, 1961, Nash and three other SNCC leaders went to jail after supporting the â€Å"Rock Hill Nine† or â€Å"Friendship Nine,† nine students incarcerated after a lunch counter sit-in in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The students would not pay bail after their arrests because they believed paying fines supported the immoral practice of segregation. The unofficial motto of student activists was â€Å"jail, not bail.† While whites-only lunch counters were a big focus of SNCC, the group also wanted to end segregation on interstate travel. Black and white civil rights activists had protested Jim Crow on interstate buses by traveling together; they were known as the freedom riders. But after a white mob in Birmingham, Ala., firebombed a freedom bus and beat the activists on board, organizers called off future rides. Nash insisted they continue. â€Å"The students have decided that we can’t let violence overcome,† she told civil rights leader the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. â€Å"We are coming into Birmingham to continue the freedom ride.†Ã‚   A group of students returned to Birmingham to do just that. Nash began to arrange freedom rides from Birmingham to Jackson, Mississippi, and organize activists to take part in them. Later that year, Nash protested a grocery store that would not employ African Americans. As she and others stood on the picket line, a group of white boys started throwing eggs and punching some of the protesters. The police arrested both the white attackers and the black demonstrators, including Nash. As she had in the past, Nash refused to pay bail, so she remained behind bars as the others went free.   Marriage and Activism The year 1961 stood out for Nash not only because of her role in various movement causes but also because she got married. Her husband, James Bevel, was a civil rights activist, too.   Marriage didn’t slow down her activism. In fact, while she was pregnant in 1962, Nash had to contend with the possibility of serving out a two-year prison sentence for giving civil rights training to local youth. In the end, Nash served just 10 days in jail, sparing her from the possibility of giving birth to her first child, Sherrilynn, while incarcerated. But Nash was prepared to do so in hopes that her activism could make the world a better place for her child and other children. Nash and Bevel went on to have son Douglass.   Diane Nash’s activism attracted the attention of President John F. Kennedy, who selected her to serve on a committee to develop a national civil rights platform, which later became the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The next year, Nash and Bevel planned marches from Selma to Montgomery to support voting rights for African Americans in Alabama. When the peaceful protesters tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge to head to Montgomery, police severely beat them.   Stunned by images of law enforcement agents brutalizing the marchers, Congress passed the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Nash and Bevel’s efforts to secure voting rights for black Alabamians resulted in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference awarding them the Rosa Parks Award. The couple would divorce in 1968.   Legacy and Later Years After the Civil Rights Movement, Nash returned to her hometown of Chicago, where she still lives today. She worked in real estate and has participated in activism related to fair housing and pacifism alike.   With the exception of Rosa Parks, male civil rights leaders have typically received most of the credit for the freedom struggles of the 1950s and ’60s. In the decades since, however, more attention has been paid to women leaders like Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Diane Nash.   In 2003, Nash won the Distinguished American Award from the John F. Kennedy Library and Foundation. The following year, she received the LBJ Award for Leadership in Civil Rights from the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. And in 2008, she won the Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum. Both Fisk University and the University of Notre Dame have awarded her honorary degrees. Nash’s contributions to civil rights have also been captured in film. She appears in the documentaries â€Å"Eyes on the Prize† and the â€Å"Freedom Riders,† and in the 2014 civil rights biopic â€Å"Selma†, in which she’s portrayed by actress Tessa Thompson. She is also the focus of historian David Halberstams book â€Å"Diane Nash: The Fire of the Civil Rights Movement.†

Change mangement in Qantas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Change mangement in Qantas - Essay Example This section will illustrate the specific principles through the application of the KT approach of project management. This approach will split the project into three basic areas, in which communication occurs over all levels as shown below; The KT process will help Qantas in the analysis of implementation of goals via a systematic process of decision-making. It will apply in this case because it aids in achievement of improved satisfaction of customers, increasing sales, and the elimination of problems in sales (Biech, 2010: p44). The first step is analysis, where they will come up with rough goals to improve business like marketing of new products to clients. The management team will collect information from market data, databases, competitors, and customer surveys and sort through it to collect information accurately since this data forms assumptions on which all KT steps in the future will be undertaken. The second step is the strategy where Qantas, using all relevant data will h ave its management craft cost effective plans that accomplish the goals. They will take into consideration all barriers that may hinder the objectives, scope and types of products and services offered, new business sources, how to attain competitive advantage, as well as goal timeframes (Biech, 2010: p45). Following the strategy creation, a project design will be created and presented to the owner. In the third step, Qantas will consider the designs presented by the managers, as well as have the managers pitch strategies in the strategy session. Qantas, using the management team, will select the best strategy and come up with a master plan. This will include the project’s purpose, its schedule, project stages, and resources that are needed to meet the objectives (Biech, 2010: p45). Following this, the next phase is the implementation of the master plan through assigning various tasks and training the management in the fulfillment of roles. The KT process is emphatic on hands- off approach, which requires little interference where managers and employees only get required skills needed to complete objectives in the plan. Qantas should also ensure that the employees are constantly informed on the progress of the plan, only becoming active in the plan implementation when deadlines are not met. The final step is review, where Qantas while using the KT process need to review whether the plan is working after it is implemented since the plans are not necessarily considerate of all relevant variables in meeting the goals of the business (Biech, 2010: p47). As the project concludes, they should update the master plan to improve on the results. Should the project fail because of inaccurate research, the plan should be scrapped altogether and more time focused on the KT process’ analysis step. It is also opined that that Qantas used the popular Kotter’s 8 steps model as it is displayed in figure 2: Figure 2 steps to successful change The first step th ey would take would be creating a sense of urgency since everyone at Qantas will have to be behind the change and believe in it. They should identify potential threats with concurrent scenarios of possibilities in the future (Cameron & Green, 2012: