Water Properties: Polarity

Water Properties: Polarity CHRISTABEL SAMPA Discuss the assertion that water has several unique properties that make it vital not only for human beings, but for all living organisms to survive. Introduction Water is a normal oxide made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. It has a chemical formula of H20 where the ratio of the two different atoms it is made up of two to one ie two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen covalently bonded to each other. Water is one of the most abundant of the smaller molecules and makes up to 60-90% of the fresh mass of an organism. Survival of all living organisms on earth hence is dependant on water. Therefore it is quite vital to understand the properties of water that makes it important to all living organisms. Polarity Of all the properties of water, polarity can be considered very important as it somehow contributes to almost all the other properties in one way or the other. Water is polar substance because it shows uneven change distribution within its molecule. One part of the water molecule is partially positive and the other is partially negative and this is known as a dipole. The polarity of water occurs because the oxygen atom in the molecule has greater electron attracting power than hydrogen atoms. Hence, oxygen has a slightly negative charge as compared to the hydrogen atom. The polarity makes water molecules to have weak force of attraction for each other, the opposite charges come together making the molecules behave as though they were sticky like magnets. The above property enables water posses several unique properties such as:- High Surface Tension Surface tension comes about due to forces of attraction between molecules of a liquid at its open boundary surface. In a water molecule however the high surface tension is due to unequal distribution of hydrogen bond at the surface of water. Hydrogen bonds exist between each water molecule of water, but molecules at the surface of liquid water have fewer neighbors and as a result, have greater attraction to the few water molecules that are nearby. The surface tension makes the surface of water slightly difficult to break through thou the interior. This is very important to living organism such as plants. As the water required for health plants is obtained from the soil which is down the plant, the high surface tension of water enables water to be pulled up a narrow tube by gravity without breaking its surface. â€Å"Cohesion of water molecule gives water a high tensile strength which enables water column in xylem elements of stem to be pulled upon to the top of tall trees without breaking.† Jain V.K, 2011:24. Surface tension is also responsible for the survival of small organisms that are dependent on the water surface as a mode of transport and living. The Basilisk lizards for instance, makes use of the high surface tension of water to accomplish the incredible feat of walking on waters surface. Some insects also are capable of moving on top of water without its surface breaking. Humans are also capable of skipping rocks on water. Low viscosity However, despite water having a high surface tension, water has a low viscosity. It is capable of sliding over each other easily. This property enables blood to move through thing capillaries and cytoplasm inside cellular boundaries. in animals, the capillaries are the smallest blood vessels found within the tissues of the body and are the ones that transport blood to larger vessels, for instance during gaseous exchange oxygen from the lungs is delivered to the capillaries around the air sacs to reach the blood inside it which latter is transported to the heart inorder to be pumped to all other blood’s mayor components is water this function of the capillaries is well carried out and animals such as human beings, survive. Therefore the low viscosity of water is important to human survival. not only what has been mentioned above, but also when molecules of others substances dissolve in mater, they low the surface tension of water and they tend to collect at the interface between the liquid phase and other phases. vermar and ararwal, 1974. this fact make water important in the development of a plasma membrane and aids the movement of molecules between it. Water is a universal solvent Water is referred to as a universal solvent as it is able to dissolve a wide range of substances dues to its polarity nature. Water dissolves substances by surrounding charged particles and pulling them into solution. It decreases the electro static interactions between charged substances and increasing yheir solubility. This property is very important to both plants and animal. According to verma and Agrival 1974:75. â€Å"The sol-valency is of great biological importance because all the chemical reactions that take place in the cells, do so in acqueous solution.† these solutions have the solvent water. This simply means that without water, biochemical reactions can not take place. All water alet acts as a transport medium, it is responsible for the transportation of all dissolved materials in blood such as food substances, gases excretory products and many other essential; and wastes products. in plants, it transports mineral salts and other nutrients to where they are needed. Water is a solvent for polar substances meaning that it does not dissolve non polar substances. This is of great importance in the formation of membranes and helps to determine the three dimensional properties of molecules of proteins, nucleic acids and their cel structure. Taylaor et al 1997. High capillarity The tendency of water to move up a narrow tube against the force of gravity is referred to as capillary action water has a high capillarity action water has s high capillarity. The high capillarity of water is due to its adhesives and cohesive forces. Cohesion is the mutual attraction between like molecules, water has cohesive properties as the molecules of water attract other water molecules. This is important in the transportation of water through a plant. Mader S. 2010:29 states â€Å"because water molecules are cohesive, a tension created that pulls the water column up from the roots.† the roots are anchored in the soil where the plant obtains water from. as the plant continuously transpierce through leaves which are up the plant, the water evaporating is immediately replaced with water molecules from the transport vessels from the roots to leaves. Adhesion, however, is the attraction between the water molecules and the container in which it is. Adhesion can also be described as the ability of one thing to stick firmly to another. Water is therefore attracted to substances such as cells walls, or glass surface. This is also important to living organisms. In the transport of water to the wall of the vessels also help in preventing the column of water from breaking apart. In general, adhesive and cohesive properties of water work hand in hand in the movement of water from the roots up to the leaves. Specific heat capacity Water has a high heat capacity, specific heat capacity is the amount of energy that must added to a unit mass to raise the temperature by one degree, and â€Å"the high specific heat capacity of water is due to the hydrogen bonds between the molecules. Water absorbd a lot of heat before it begins to get hot. The above property is important to organism that line in water such as fish. water organisms do not die due to excess heat and coldness as it take time for water to gain and lose heat, hence the temperature is well maintained for water life. According to Mader 2010:29, â€Å"because the temperature of water rises and falls slowly, organisms are better able to maintain their normal internal temperatures and are protected from srapid temperature changes.† most of the chemical reactions in cells take place within a small range of temperature. Transparency Water is idourless, hence transparent. This property is also very important as it enables tight to penetrate through it and reach photosynthetic organalles, the chloroplast inside cells which require sunlight to manufacture food.. Having discussed the above property of water, and this importance to all living organisms, it can be concluded that without water, life on earth is practically impossible as all living organisms depend on water. BIBLIOGRAPHY Jain V.K. (1974); Fundamentals of plant Physiology, S. Chand and Company Ltd. New Delhi. Kormondy E.J (1996); Concepts of Ecology, Fourth Edition. Pearson Education New Jersey. Mader S.S (2010); Biology, tenth Edition. McGraw – Hill Education. Singapore. Taylor D.J et al (1997); Biological Science 1 and 2 third edition. Camridge University Press. New York. Verma P.S and Agarwal V.K. (1974); Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Evolution and Ecology, Multicolour edition. Rejendra Ravindra Printer New Delhi. An Avocado Is A Fruit: Analysis An Avocado Is A Fruit: Analysis An avocado is a fruit and not a vegetable that grows on a tree and can be technically classified as a berry. The avocado is from evergreen tree which is native to Mesoamerica. Its natural range covers diverse environmental conditions from the central highlands of Mexico where frosts occur to the rain forests of northwest Columbia. They have a taste that ranges from rich, creamy and buttery to light and fruity, depending on the variety. There are many varieties of avocados, several of which are grown commercially. The Hass variety is the most popular commercially grown variety and has a deep, rich flavor. Avocados are ready to eat when they are slightly soft and yield to gentle pressure. The skin is peeled away and the flesh of the fruit is eaten. Avocados can be eaten by themselves or used for guacamole, sandwiches, salads, omelets, desserts and much more. (Smith et al. 1992,) History In 1519, Spanish soldier of fortune Hernando Cortez (1485-1547) set foot in Mexico City, the first white man to do so. Cortez found that the avocado. The avocado is native to the area stretching from the eastern and central highlands of Mexico through Guatemala to the Pacific coast of Central America. There is evidence that avocados have been utilized in Mexico for 10,000 years. The Spanish Conquistadors were the first Europeans to discover the fruit, native to the Americas, which the indigenous people of Mexico, Central America and South America had been using for thousands of years. Avocado its name comes from Latin America Nahunta word, meaning testicular fruit shape obvious reference. It is found in Mexico about 291 BC avocado easier to significant name because Sir Henrys Sloan, who created it in 1669. Naturalist Sir Hans Sloan was the first to use the name avocado, in a catalogue of Jamaican plants he published in 1696. During the 1700s, European sailors used the avocado as a spread for biscuits, which led to the name midshipmans butter. Avocado trees were introduced to California by 1856, when tree brought from Nicaragua was noticed growing near San Gabriel. In 1911, Carl Schmidt, a plant explorer, collected bud wood of a seedling that eventually became the Fuertes. This variety was the basis of the California avocado industry for many years. Avocados were introduced in Florida by 1850, and, in the 1930s, autumn and winter varieties were adapted. While commercial varieties of avocados arrived in Chile from California in 1928, avocados have been growing in that country since colonial times. The avocado arrived in Indonesia in 1750, Brazil in 1809, Israel in 1908, and South Africa and Australia in the late 19th century. In the late 1920s, Mr. Rudolph Hass discovered what would become the Hass variety. It is currently the most widely grown commercial and popular avocado variety. Early Spanish explorers found Aztecs enjoy avocado, but it has long been considered a tasteless food. The Aztecs also used avocados as a sexual stimulant. This is Spanish explorers brought avocado English. The first Florida crop included to the gardener Henry Ryan plantation in 1833. However, avocado and did not become a commercial crops, until the 20th century. Except in California, Florida, Hawaii, they generally planting, most consumer exit from the fruit. Finally, in the 1950 s, avocado to become popular for salad project and consumption become more common. In 1995, 40.9% of American families consumed of avocado. (Peggy, 2012) Geography map.png Mexico is the world leader for avocado growing, accounting for almost 35% of global production. Other important avocado producers include the USA and Indonesia (each with 7% of the world total), Colombia (6%), Brazil (5%) and Peru (4%). Land Aspects- Frost free, is the ideal avocado north, there is a warm climate. The site should be flat, or of a very slight slope, to allow easy mechanical access. Climate- Growth and fruit appropriate temperature is the most important requirement, the successful development of avocado. Suitable for planting avocado microclimate temperature must meet the following requirements: Occasional winter frosts warmer than -4 °C Day temperatures above 19 °C during flowering (September to November) Night temperatures above 10 °C during flowering No frosts during flowering Soil- Soil The avocado tree has shallow feeding roots that need a good permeability and well drained soils. Ideal soil should have the following features: A depth of more than 1.5m Be uniform and free draining Not be compacted or have impervious layers Have moderate fertility Have a high organic matter component Wet poorly drained soils will lead to major problems with root rot Types of avocado Hass Avocados Hass avocados are commonly seen year-round in the United States and some other areas. Generally easy to peel and usually weigh between 5 and 12 oz. Bacon Avocados Bacon avocados are common in the mid-winter months when other varieties are less prevalent. Bacon avocados have a fairly thin green skin that only gets slightly darker when they reach full maturity. Bacon avocados are usually about 6 to 12 oz. Fuerte Avocados The fuerte avocado is harvested from late autumn to early spring. The fuerte variety was the most common in the western part of the United States, which is oval shaped, the fuerte has a pear shape. Reed Avocados Reed avocados are large, round avocados that usually weigh between 8 and 18 oz. and are widely available in the summer months. Pinkerton Avocados Pinkerton avocados grow in the winter and yield more fruit than most avocados because of their small seeds. Approximately 8 to 18 oz. (Peggy, 2012) Propagation, Planting, Harvesting Propagation Seeds: Rapidly lose their viability: ~28 days. Fresh seeds germinate in 4-6 weeks. Seeds germinate well if placed in warm, moist compost and are only partially buried. You can remove the brown seed coat and cut a thin slice off the apex and base of the seed to aid germination. When roots and leaves are well formed, carefully plant seedlings in deep pots to establish before planting out. Avoid repotting to avoid root damage. Progeny from seedlings are variable. Cuttings: Generally difficult. Layering: Air-layering is successful with some cultivars, with Mexican-types rooting well. This is best done in spring and early summer. Grafting: Grafted or budded trees are more predictable in quality. Grafting is mainly done by whip, side- or cleft- grafting. Mexican- type rootstocks make the strongest growth, are hardier and are often used. Trees are sometimes top- worked. Planting Space plants at least 6-7 m apart; branches can die back if they touch those of their neighbor. Trees benefit from organic mulch, and from staking until established. Best site in a protected, warm area. Harvesting Avocados are harvested with hand-held poles and baskets. In flat areas in California, man-positioning machines are used to lift the pickers. Fruits are picked when mature but still hard. Determining when to harvest avocados can be difficult and may require experience. A slight change in skin color, loss of glossiness, or a brown seed coat is a sign of maturity. Pruning shears or special clippers should be used to harvest avocados. The pedicel should also remain attached to the fruit. (Chia, C. L. et. al. and Yokoyama, K. M., et. Al, 2009) Culture European sailors used the avocado as a spread for biscuits, which led to the name midshipmans butter. In Japan sushi avocado dishes are well-liked in international cuisine. Early Spanish explorers found Aztecs enjoy avocado, but it has long been considered a tasteless food. The Aztecs also used avocados as a sexual stimulant. Culinary (Unknown, 2004) Slices of avocado are widely served in sandwiches and on toasted bread as a snack. Even avocado puree has varied uses such as it can be spread in hotdog and hamburgers and also used as a thickener in various liqueurs. Sushi avocado dishes are well-liked in international cuisine. Being a fruit, avocado is used for various culinary purposes but it is popularly eaten raw or added to various fruit salads in raw form. The subtle-flavor and creamy texture of the fruit makes it a very popular ingredient of avocado recipes such as avocado juice, avocado salad and avocado dip. All these avocado dishes are well-liked in almost all households. Various seasonings and spices can be mixed in the avocado dips to provide flavor to the dish. In the list of sweet dishes, avocado recipes are quite popular. It is often included in several ice creams and milkshakes and other desserts. Salads and juices are some other additions to the list of avocado dishes. In savory dishes also avocado is a well-liked ingredient. Medical/Non- Culinary (Ruby S, 2009-2012) From the ancient times avocado is used as an excellent beauty aid. They truly offer wealth of health and significant beauty benefits. You can easily use Avocado in your daily beauty routine and save some money too. Here are the various beauty uses of Avocado. Take one avocado, half teaspoon of olive oil and one egg yolk. Mash it thoroughly in a bowl. Apply this mix to wet or damp hair. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Massage it in your scalp properly. Rinse with warm water and shampoo your hair as usual. So can Amazing soft, silky and shiny hair. It is also believed to be an effective sexual stimulant and is used to make ointments aimed at delaying old age. Change Agents Hernando Cortez- In 1519, Spanish soldier of fortune Hernando Cortez (1485-1547) set foot in Mexico City, the first white man to do so. Cortez found that the avocado was a staple in the native diet European sailors- In 1700s, European sailors in the 1700s called it midshipmans butter because they liked to spread it on hard tack biscuits Manashita Ichiro- Avocado in sushi was the idea of a Japanese chef Manashita Ichiro in Los Angeles about 40 years ago who used it as a replacement for Toro because it offered a similarmalty mouth feel ¼Ã…’It was subsequently used in California rolls. Its a Japanese invention. Innovation (April, 2011) Avocado oil- Avocado oil may have anti-ageing properties like those attributed to olive oil. Avocado oil is very rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and extremely low in saturated fat. It also contains no cholesterol. Avocado Face Mask- Gives deep cleansing which helps in getting rid of the dirt and grime accumulated on the face, it opens up the tiny ducts for cleansing and clearing the dead skin cells and thereby prevents acne breakouts. Avocado Sushi- Avocado in sushi was the idea of a Japanese chef in Los Angeles about 40 years ago who used it as a replacement for Toro because it offered a similarmalty mouth feel ¼Ã…’It was subsequently used in California rolls. Avocado Butter- Our Avocado Butter s produced by hydrogenating cold pressed Avocado Oil with other vegetable oils. The light hydrogenation process creates butter with good oxidative stability and a smooth, silky feel. Nutrition Per 230g avocado including Calories 384 KJ, Fat 55%, cholesterol 0%, Sodium 1%, Carbohydrate 7%, Protein 5g, Vitamin A 7%, Vitamin C 34%, Calcium 3%, Iron 8%. (Unknown, 2010-2012) Resources (Unknown, 2012) Human Resources- Natural Resources- Avocado growing need air, sunlight, water, soil, especially free frosts and warm climate. Wet poorly drained soils will lead to major problems with root rot. Mechanical Resources- Workers can use man-positioning machines to lift them to pick mature fruit. Future Trends Contemporary uses Current applications (Unknown, 2004) In bakery to avocado flavor cakes, biscuits and bread. In Japan, sushi avocado dishes are well-liked in international cuisine. Being a fruit, avocado is used for various culinary purposes but it is popularly eaten raw or added to various fruit salads in raw form. In restaurant, various seasonings and spices can be mixed in the avocado dips to provide flavor to the dish. It is often included in several ice creams and milkshakes and other desserts. Salads and juices are some other additions to the list of avocado dishes. In savory dishes also avocado is a well-liked ingredient.

Physical Activity Recommendations for the Elderly

Physical Activity Recommendations for the Elderly Introduction Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 1946). There are many factors which have an impact on health and quality of life, including lifestyle choices of each individual. Diets high in fruits and vegetables and participation in regular physical activity are associated with a lower risk for several chronic diseases and conditions (US department of health and human services, 2005). Physical inactivity is very common globally with 31% of adults over 15 years old being insufficiently active. Insufficient physical inactivity results in about 3.2 million deaths per year (WHO, 2008). Elder adults are generally more vulnerable to malnutrition. This is because both lean body mass and basal metabolic rate decrease with increasing age. It has been found that many diseases suffered by the older people are diet- related. Other factors contributing to malnutrition include dietary, psychosocial, physiological and economic changes (DiMaria-Ghalili, R. A., Amella, E., 2005). Global Recommendations on physical activity for 65 years and above according to the WHO Older adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or do at least 75 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes duration. For additional health benefits, older adults should increase their moderate intensity aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes per week, or engage in 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or an equivalent combination of moderate-and vigorous-intensity activity. Older adults, with poor mobility, should perform physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls on 3 or more days per week. Muscle-strengthening activities, involving major muscle groups, should be done on 2 or more days a week. When older adults cannot do the recommended amounts of physical activity due to health conditions, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow. Inactive people should start with small amounts of physical activity and gradually increase duration, frequency and intensity over time. Inactive adults and those with disease limitations will have added health benefits when they become more active. (WHO, 2011) Physical activity and bone loss Exercise plays an important role in building and maintaining bone and muscle strength. Physical activity positively influences most structural components of the musculoskeletal system that are related to functional capabilities and the risk of degenerative diseases. Physical activity also has the potential to postpone or prevent prevalent musculoskeletal disorders, such as mechanical low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, and osteoporosis and related fractures. Exercise can contribute to the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders and recovery from orthopedic surgery. Muscles and bones respond and strengthen when they are stressed. This can be achieved by weight bearing or impact exercises which make the bones denser. Physical activity helps prevent weak bones and falls in the elderly. One-third of people over 65 have a fall each year and the risk of falling increases as age rises. People who have suffered fractures can benefit from special exercises and training (under medical supervision) to improve muscle strength and muscle function for greater mobility and improved quality of life. Balance training and Tai chi have been shown to decrease falls by 47% and reduce the risk of hip fracture by approximately 25%. Physical activity and hypertension Hypertension is defined as the constant pumping of blood through blood vessels with excessive force (WHO, 2011). Hypertension prevalence increases with advancing age and is higher in men than in women until the age of 55 years, but is slightly higher in postmenopausal women (Kannel WB, 2003). According to the 2009 NCD report, 38.1% of Mauritian people aged 65 and older were considered as hypertensive but were not on medications. 45.5% were being treated for hypertension. Hypertension is the major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and coronary artery disease in older adults, while all of these disorders are important contributors to mortality and functional disability. Primary hypertension is the result of multiple conditions, such as genetic, nutritional, psychosocial, and life style factors. One of the life style factors leading to hypertension is obesity, which is usually related to a sedentary life style and inadequate physical activity. Since most elderly people have an inactive routine, they are at a much higher risk of developing high blood pressure. Therapeutic lifestyle changes, such as reduced dietary sodium intake, weight loss, regular aerobic activity, and moderation of alcohol consumption, have been shown to benefit elderly patients with hypertension. Regular aerobic exercise, consisting of a minimum of 30 min of interval training on a treadmill done three times a week, has been shown to be well tolerated and beneficial (Westhoff TH et al., 2007). The physiological effects of exercise on hypertension are complex and not fully understood. Specific mechanisms have been found to be relevant. An immediate (acute) reduction in BP following exercise has been termed ‘post-exercise hypotension’ and is agreed to be caused by reductions in vascular resistance. (Hamer, 2006). The chronic benefits can be partially explained by a decreased systemic vascular resistance in which the autonomic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system are most likely the underlying regulatory mechanisms (Cornelissen and Fagard, 2005). Another factor contributing to this decrease in vascular resistance is the increase of nitric oxide production (from different sites in the body) causing a vasodilation in response to regular aerobic exercise. Physical exercise and diabetes Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia). Diabetes is classified in three main categories: Type 1 diabetes (also known as insulin-dependent) Type 2 diabetes (also called non-insulin-dependent) Gestational diabetes 347 million people worldwide have diabetes (Danaei G et al., 2011). The prevalence of diabetes in adults aged 20-74 years was 21.3%: 21.9% in men and 20.6% in women (NCD report, 2009). Physical activity plays an important role in the management of type 2 diabetes, particularly glycemic control (Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee, 2003., Zinman B, et al., 2004., Boule NG et al., 2001., Ronnemaa T et al., 1986) and improvements in cardiovascular risk profile such as decreased hyperinsulinemia, increased insulin sensitivity, reduced body fat, decreased blood pressure and better lipid profiles (Lehmann R et al.,1997., Schneider SH et al.,1992). Regular moderate physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are also associated with reductions in mortality of approximately 45 to 70% in type 2 diabetes populations (Wei M, Gibbons, et al., 2000) Moreover, regular moderate physical activity can decrease glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) to a level associated with reduced risk of diabetic complications (Boule NG et al., 2001) and is therefore favorably delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups (Knowler WC et al., 2002., Lindstrom AM et al., 2003). The decline in insulin sensitivity with aging is relatively due to a lack of physical activity. It is likely that maintaining better levels of fitness in the older population will lead to less chronic vascular disease and an improved quality of life (ADA, 2004). Physical activity and obesity Obesity is defined as an unhealthy excess accumulation of fat in the body, which increases the risk if medical illness and premature mortality. It is due to an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Physical activity contributes to the creation of an energy deficit by increasing total energy expenditure, and this can promote weight loss. Aging is associated with a decrease in all major components of total energy expenditure (TEE) including resting metabolic rate (RMR; which accounts for ≈70% of TEE), thermic effect of food (which accounts for ≈10% of TEE), and physical activity (which accounts for ≈20% of TEE). Physical activity decreases with increasing age, and it has been estimated that decreased physical activity accounts for about one-half of the decrease in TEE that occurs with aging (Elia M, Ritz P, Stubbs RJ., 2000). Hormonal changes such as reduced responsiveness to thyroid hormone, decreased secretion of growth hormone, decrease in serum testosterone and resistance to leptin that occur during aging can also enhance the accumulation of fat ( American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005). Obesity is associated with a number of complications as decreased survival metabolic abnormalities high blood pressure insulin resistance dyslipidemia pulmonary abnormalities arthritis urinary incontinence cataracts cancer Moderate weight loss in conjunction with physical activity improves physical function and health-related quality of life in obese older persons. Physical activity and cardiovascular health A higher rate of cardiovascular events and a higher death rate have been observed in those individuals with low levels of physical fitness (Pate RR et al., 1995., US Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General, 1996). Even midlife increases in physical activity, through change in occupation or recreational activities, are associated with a decrease in mortality (Paffenbarger RS et al., 1993). Despite this evidence, however, the vast majority of adults remain effectively inactive. According to AHA, a sedentary lifestyle is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Evidence from many scientific studies shows that regular exercise decreases the chance of having a heart attack or experiencing another cardiac event, such as a stroke, and reduces the possibility of needing a coronary revascularization procedure (bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty). Benefits of regular exercise on cardiovascular risk factors include: Increase in exercise tolerance Reduction in body weight Reduction in blood pressure Reduction in bad (LDL and total) cholesterol Increase in good (HDL) cholesterol Increase in insulin sensitivity In addition, exercise training positively impacts the above risk factors even in patients older than 75 years (American Family Physician, 2005). There is also evidence that exercise training improves the capacity of the blood vessels to dilate in response to exercise or hormones, consistent with better vascular wall function and an improved ability to provide oxygen to the muscles during exercise. As one’s ability to transport and use oxygen improves, regular daily activities can be performed with less fatigue. This is particularly important for patients with cardiovascular disease, whose exercise capacity is typically lower than that of healthy individuals. Patients with newly diagnosed heart disease who participate in an exercise program report a more positive outlook in terms of quality of life, such as more self-confidence, lower stress, and less anxiety. Importantly, researchers have found that for heart attack patients who participated in a formal exercise program, the death rate is reduced by 20% to 25%. This is strong evidence in support of physical activity for patients with heart disease (Circulation, 2003). Physical activity and cancer The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that 25% of cancer cases worldwide are caused by obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. These factors may increase cancer risk by several mechanisms such as increased estrogens and testosterone, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, increased inflammation, and depressed immune function. Several studies have shown that physical activity and diet changes can alter biomarkers of cancer risk (Journal of Nutrition, 2007). There is strong epidemiologic evidence for reduced risk of some cancers with increasing physical activity. The strongest evidence exists for colorectal and postmenopausal breast cancer, with possible associations for prostate, endometrial, and lung cancer (Friedenreich CM, Orenstein MR., 2002). Types of physical activities There are 4 main types of physical activities namely aerobic, muscle strengthening, bone strengthening, and stretching and balance activities. (Dairy Council of California, 2014) (National heart, blood and lung institute, 2011). Aerobic activities also called cardiovascular exercises help improve the condition of lungs and heart, increase stamina, improve blood circulation and burn body fat. Such activities might include walking, jogging, bicycling, climbing stairs, walking on a treadmill, dancing, swimming or jumping rope. These types of activities help to raise your heart rate and increase your breathing for an extended period of time as well as decrease the blood pressure. Muscle strengthening increases the body metabolism by burning more calories after having stopped exercising. This is achieved by an increase in muscle mass. Muscle-strengthening activities improve the strength, power, and endurance of muscles. Doing pushups and sit-ups, lifting weights, climbing stairs, and digging in the garden are some examples. Strength training helps make bones stronger, improves balance and increases muscle strength. All of this helps prevent osteoporosis and lowers the risk of hip fractures from falls. Strength training has also been shown to lessen arthritis pain. Stretching helps to ease movement, improve flexibility and prevent muscle strain and injury. Stretching also helps to warm up the body and prepare for exercise. Balance activities help you maintain posture and balance to keep from falling. This is particularly important for the elderly who are at risk for bone fractures. Levels of physical activities by intensities Intensity refers to the rate at which the activity is being performed or the magnitude of the effort required to perform an activity or exercise (WHO, 2014). The levels of intensities of physical activities are usually expressed in METs, Metabolic Equivalents. MET is the ratio of a persons working metabolic rate relative to their resting metabolic rate. One MET is defined as the energy cost of sitting quietly and is equivalent to a caloric consumption of 1kcal/kg/hour. It is estimated that compared with sitting quietly, a persons caloric consumption is three to six times higher when being moderately active (3-6 METs) and more than six times higher when being vigorously active (>6 METs). One limitation to this way of measuring exercise intensity is that it does not consider the fact that some people have a higher level of fitness than others. Thus, walking at 3 to 4 miles-per-hour is considered to require 4 METs and to be a moderate-intensity activity, regardless of who is doing the activity whether a young marathon runner or a 90-year-old adult. Light-intensity activities require the least amount of effort, compared to moderate and vigorous activities. Light intensity activity is related to energy expenditure of less than 3 METs. It does not increase the heart rate. Moderate-intensity physical activity raises the heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature. During such type of activity, one can talk but not sing. The caloric consumption is from 3 to 6 METS. Vigorous intensity physical activity causes the greatest amount of oxygen consumption. It burns more than 6 METS. A person cannot utter more than a few words without gasping for breath. Examples of physical activities based on intensity Light Activity less than 3.0 METS* (less than 3.5 calories per minute) Moderate Activity less 3.0-6.0 METS* (3.5 – 7 calories per minute) Vigorous Activity greater than 6.0 METS* (more than 7 calories per minute) Casual Walking Bicycling less than 5 mph Stretching Sitting Light weight training Dancing slowly Leisurely sports (table tennis, playing catch) Floating Boating Fishing Golf—using cart Light yard/house work Occupations requiring extended periods of sitting Brisk walking (3 4.5 mph) Walking uphill Hiking Roller skating at leisurely pace Bicycling 5-9 mph Low impact aerobics Aqua aerobics Light calisthenics Yoga Gymnastics Jumping on a trampoline Weight training Moderate dancing Boxing—punching bag Most aerobic machines (e.g., stair climber, elliptical, stationary bike)—moderate pace Competitive tennis, volleyball, badminton, diving Recreational swimming Canoeing Horseback riding Golf—carrying clubs Housework that involves intense scrubbing/cleaning Shoveling snow Carrying a child weighing more than 50 pounds Occupations that require an extended amount of time standing or walking Race walking (more than 4.5 mph) Jogging/Running Wheeling a wheelchair Mountain climbing Backpacking Fast pace in-line skating Bicycling more than 10 mph High impact aerobics Step aerobics Vigorous calisthenics Karate, judo, tae kwon do, jujitsu Jumping rope, jumping jacks Circuit weight training Vigorous dancing Boxing—sparring Most aerobic machines (e.g., stair climber, elliptical, stationary bike)—vigorous pace Competitive basketball, soccer, football, rugby, kickball, hockey, lacrosse Swimming laps or synchronized swimming Treading water Water jogging Water polo Downhill or cross country skiing Pushing non-motorized lawnmower Occupations that require heavy lifting or rapid movement Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1999). Promoting physical activity. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Countertrade :: essays research papers

CounterTrade Paper Countertrade is a trade between two countries by which goods are exchanged for other goods rather than for hard currency. Countertrade is often the solution for exporters that may not be able to be paid in his or her home currency and according to the text few exporters would desire payment in a currency that is not convertible. "Sometimes both parties are happy with the goods they receive, other times one country will liquidate the received asset, ultimately receiving cash in the deal. This is also referred to as "using barter to complete a trade." (www.investopedia.com, 2004) An example of countertrade is, the former Soviet Union would often countertrade, agreeing to trade, say, Soviet oil for another country's vehicles. After researching this subject, I have learned that countertrade is an umbrella term covering a wide range of commercial mechanisms for reciprocal trade. Reciprocal trading (two-sided trading, trade in return) occurs when the trade customers is also a supplier. The reciprocal trading arrangements may or may not be formally linked. In practice, reciprocal trade may strengthen an existing trading relationship, and may even create mutual dependencies, which may create new trade relationship. Barter is probably the oldest and best known example of countertrading, however others, such as offset, buyback, tolling and switch trading, have also evolved to meet the requirements of a more sophisticated world economy. All of these generally involve the exchange of goods or services to finance purchases, rather than using cash alone. "The importance of countertrade as a trading tool has increased since early 1970s -especially in markets where there is a shortage of foreign exchange and countertrade may be the only effective marketing mechanism for doing business." (www.barternews.com, 2003) "One of the unique risks of countertrade transactions is that companies often find themselves handling products with which they are not familiar. This is probably the greatest risk in a countertrade transaction." ((www.barternews.com, 2003) Approximately 130 out of 192 countries in the world require countertrade, one form or another, in their procurements. Many of them did so after having undertaken intensive and serious studies. Many global companies have dedicated in-house specialists dealing specifically with countertrade. Some 20% to 30% of world trade is countertrade. The annual global market size for countertrade is estimated to be between US$200 to US$500 billion. No one really knows what are the correct percentages are and how large the true market size is.

The Rabies Virus and Treatment Essay -- Biology Medical Biomedical

Rabies Virus and Treatment Rabies is a virus that is characterized under the family name Rhabdoviridae and genus name Lyssavirus which travels to either the brain or the spinal cord, where it attacks a victim's nervous system until death occurs as discovered by Pasteur. It is rabies unique bullet-shaped body and tubular extensions, along with its specialized proteins that contribute to its deadliness. Aside from one case of rabies that occurred in 2004 in Wisconsin, rabies has proven fatal; there is no real treatment besides prevention. Vaccinations and precaution serve to be most effective pre-exposure, while post-exposure treatment can be a combination of respiratory and cardiac support, and intensive care. As part of the Rhabdovirus, Rabies is similar to 75 other viruses, but only closely related to 5, which are believed to have originated in Africa. Each year, around 7,000 cases of rabies are recorded according to an article for parents on Kids health website, but because of vaccinations, only one or two die. All, including Rabies virus, have a bullet shaped body accompanied by â€Å"bizarre elongated filaments V or Y shaped†(Kaplan, et al. 2). Once the rabid viruses infect the blood stream, they begin their migration to the brain where the virus begins to multiply effectively and abundantly in cerebral matter, producing defective interfering particles, as described in the book Rabies by Kaplan, Turner, and Warrell. Like many other viruses, rabies has an excellent way of transmitting itself, allowing it to be efficient-saliva. While it is true that simple UV rays found in the sun can kill the virus in a dead body laying around, as well as acidity and soaps, because organic matter like soaps are able to dissolve the virus’ out... ...y day, doctors look for new and more effective methods of treatment, looking for solutions in vaccinations and in the infamous G protein, but again, prevention is key. Works Cited Center for Disease Control. (2003). Rabies: The Virus. Retrieved July 19, 2006, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/the_virus/virus.htm. Center for Disease Control. (2004). Rabies Prevention and Control: General Questions. Retrieved July18, 2006, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/ques&ans/q&a_transplants_general.htm Faqs. (2005). Rabies. Retrieved July 19, 2006, from http://www.faqs.org/health/Sick-V4/Rabies.html Kids Health. (1995-2006). Infection: Rabies. Retrieved July 24, 2006, from http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/rabies.html Kaplan, Colin, et al. Rabies. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986 Rabies. San Diego: Academic Press, 2002

Essay --

The Irises Plant is a bush with hundreds of flower’s on it. Currently the plant is dying because the Irise plant needs at least half a day of sun and well drained soil without both the plant will not bloom, that’s why they are mostly planted in the summer. Usually this plant when bloomed attracts a wide variety of animals and insects such as Verba bud moths, white flies, iris weevil, Thirps, slugs, snail, aphids, and nematodes may also be troublesome to the iris plant. There are three inner petals called standards, and three outer petals called falls which make up the irises plant. There are three hundred species of this plant and they come in all different colors and sizes, and some colors they come in are pink, orange, yellow, blue, purple, white as well as multi-color. The most common irises is the bearded German iris. Even though â€Å"The Extinction of Experience†, â€Å"Where have all the Animals Gone?† are referring mostly to animals, plants and ani mals are both apart of nature. Without plants some animals could not survive because they feed off of them. All of the stories are similar in a way because each one of the main characters are forcing themselves to face or confront something that is personally affecting them. For instance â€Å"I’ve always enjoyed my visits to our cities’ old public zoos. It was there harsh Juxtapositions, I think, the very characteristic that make them so sad, so unconscionable to some, that made them so compelling to me.† (Siebert 16). This quote expresses how the way they had these animals in cages was so unnatural because these different creatures would never be by each other in a natural habitat peacefully it would be chaos. This was compelling to Siebert because he knew this would never happen outside of... ...an never replace.† (Pyle 261). This quote to me is explaining how people find animals fascinating as far as the unknown about animals life’s even though we can see whales and fish we will never get to experience their lives and things that they go through on a daily basis. We could never live in their habitat and that unknown about not only there lives but the lives and habitats of other animals keeps us imagining what it would be like. That is what keeps us as humans interested and fascinated with animals. The overall concept of these three stories are focusing on animals, nature and how if we continue to take animals out of there natural habitats it may continue to cause animals to be extinct because they animals are not adapting. So if we do not face this problem head on we not only will face local extinction but they have a chance to face global eradication.

Workplace Problems

A: Britani Franklin, Kellie Johnson, Jennifer Vendura, & Rob Vendura PSY/435 August 7,2013 Carla Kuhiman I/O Psychology and Workplace Problems Many individuals struggle with feeling overworked on the job. Unbalanced workloads lead to several negative aspects that can hurt an organization’s ability to function as a cohesive unit. In this analysis, Team A will relate Kellie’s issue of feeling overworked. Team A will then choose a research method that will best solve the issue, while applying more specific methods to gain the clearest picture possible of the problem at hand.Finally, Team A will relate the ethical considerations that must be iincluded in providing an applicable solution. Work Related Problem: Unbalanced Workload- Kellie Speaks Working in one of the largest school districts in Colorado, one would think the communications department would be at the top of the priority list when it comes to the number of people they would have to keep those gears moving. Being a five-year veteran of the establishment, I have seen people come and go. I am what you call the utility player.I spend my day trying to figure out what everyone else needs to be happy. My technical job title is ‘Community Relations Coordinator. ’ I spend 40 to 50 hours a week supporting the public information officer and the community relations officer- setting their meetings, filling their calendars, and reminding them of what they need to do and where they need to be. I need to make them look good. A great deal of my job consists of answering the phone for them and the Superintendent of Schools.These phone calls usually are upset parent's that want to talk about why little Johnny didn’t get into the special art class they requested or, ‘did you realize there is 3 inches of snow on the ground and why didn’t we cancel school today? ’ I also have two videographers that I have to send out to shoots at locations tthroughout our 900 mile distric t. We have over 84 schools. The Superintendent runs the district like a Fortune 500 company. This can have its positives and negatives. I understand that having over 6,000 employees could compel an individual to run things like this- but ometimes it can also make it very impersonal. I am the only support staff these people have. I do, however, get a 3o minute lunch that I usually take at my desk. This is usually a delicious frozen entree or leftovers of some sort that I bring from home. Even when I skip lunch I still cannot find enough time in the day to finish my tasks, which mearns they get pushed back to the next day. This can be very frustrating as the tasks pile up. By the end of the week, sometimes I have more than I started with and I end up taking work home.For these reasons, my case is relevant to the study of I/O psychology; unbalanced workloads are not limited to my job and solutions to this will be welcomed by individuals in every employment sector. Analyzing the Issue: Research Method(s) If Team A was composed of Industrial/Organizational psychologists, we would begin our analysis of Kellie’s workplace problem with a research question. Research questions can be general or specific, but to ascertain a better understanding of the problem a specific question is of greater benefit (Spector, 2012).To this end, our research question would likely be ‘What is causing employees to feel overburdened by an unbalanced workload? ’ In this way, Team A has defined the objective of the study and identified the specific problem at issue (Spector, 2012). Our next step is to decide what research method is most appropriate in addressing the issue. Although a thoroughly balanced study generally includes qualitative and quantitative research methods- with quantitative methods used to garner empirical support for qualitative findings- Team A will opt to employ only qualitative methods at this point (Mahoney ; Goertz, 2006).We must also take into acco unt that the issue will be perceived differently by employees, supervisors, and ourselves as the psychologists researching the issue (Stagner, 1982). Our research question has a high degree of subjeactivity; what is considered too much work by one employee can be considered entirely manageable by another. For these reasons, Team A will use more than one method of qualitative research with the goal of reaching a realistic and applicable solution. Qualitative methods involve several mearns of studying organizational issues.Among these are observational studies, case studies, interviews (Spector, 2012). Team A will begin by conducting structured oral interviews of employees and supervisors. In this way, we will begin to paint a broad picture of the issue with the goal of identifying different employee perspectives to be reconciled through other research methods in the future (Rojon, McDowell, ; Saunders, 2011). Conducted face to face with staff members, Team A will pose specific questi ons in the interviews.Likely questions include: What is your hourly wage or salary? How many hours per week do you work? What are your specific tasks and duties? Do you have support staff? Does your company have an employee break/lunch ppolicy and if so, is it enforced? Do you have one supervisor, or do you report to several? Do you feel you have adequate technological resources and/or support? How well do you get along with your fellow employees? How many, if any, tasks are left incomplete each day? Why are those tasks left unfinished?Although the above list of questions is hardly exhaustive, Team A will get an idea of the varying perspectives bound to be held by different employees in this manner. Following the collection of interviews, Team A will attempt to interpret the results through content analysis (an evaluation of the details and implications of the aanswers received) and thematic analysis in which recurring themes among responses will be identified (â€Å"Siop. org†, 2013). Because Team A wants to get the clearest picture of the issue possible, observational research methods will also be used.Team A will rely on the participant observation method whereby we will become members of the workplace group by conforming to the collective culture of the cohort. In this way, sharper insight will be gained into the cohort’s methods, group and individual motivation, behavior, and emotions (Mahoney ; Goertz, 2006). This method has inherent problems Team A will try to avoid. For example, observer bias can come into play; events are often interpreted through the lens of an individual’s unique experiences and are not always objective in relation to solving problems.Team A is also aware of the problem of reaactivity- a phenomenon by which an observer inadvertently influences the environment he or she is observing (â€Å"Ucdavis. edu†, n. d. ). Team A hopes that by utilizing structured oral interviews and participant observation enough d ata will be gathered in relation to the problem of an unbalanced workload. The data gathered will then be subjected to more quantitative methods to garner empirical support for our findings (Mahoney ; Goertz, 2006). Tthroughout the process, Team A will remain cognizant of the ethical considerations to be taken into ccount. Ethical Considerations When considering the problem of unbalanced workloads in the workplace, Team A came across some ethical considerations. According to Industrial and Organization Psychology, there are six ethical codes an I/O psychologist must consider when researching an issue (Spector, 2012). These are competence, integrity, professional and scientific responsibility, respect for others and dignity, concern for others’ welfare, and social responsibility. Competence describes the work an I/O psychologist has the ability to perform.Integrity describes that an I/O psychologist is fair and honest when he or she deals with others. Professional and scientif ic responsibility describes an I/O psychologist’s ability to maintain professional behavior. Respect for rights and dignity describes that an I/O psychologist respects the confidentiality of other’s privacy. Concern for others’ welfare describes an I/O psychologist’s attempt in helping others through professionalism. Social responsibility describes that an I/O psychologist uses his or her professionalism to benefit society (Spector, 2012).In studying these principals, Team A decided that the ethical considerations most important in this research case are competence, professional and scientific responsibility, and concern for others’ welfare. Competence in this research case is the most important ethical consideration. To begin, Team A has to make sure that they are all willing and able to carry out this study. In being competent, one shows that he or she is able and ready to carry out tasks necessary to complete and carry out the goal- which is in this case how to remedy an unbalanced workload in Kellie’s workplace.The second consideration, professional and scientific responsibility, is important because in researching this case it may be easy to gain biased opinions of views. It may be hard to remain unbiased and consider how the people being overworked can benefit from figuring out how to give the people being underworked more tasks. Team A could easily gain a biased opinion of those not carrying their weight and slant the research unfairly. In remaining professional, all parties will be heard and spoken for, and professionalism can help to make sure that happens.The last element, concern for others’ welfare, is the best way to describe how Team A can come to a conclusion in this case study. The main goal is to make life easier for those in the workplace. Team A believes that helping those who do not carry their weight mearns to show them the value of hard work and how they can continue this lesson in life to better themselves. That is what this last ethical consideration entails. Team A, as professionals, commits to the ethical consideration of using their professionalism to help and better others.In this case study, the end goal is to help and improve others by taking some pressure off those who have been given heavy loads of work and giving more work to those individuals deemed underutilized. In conclusion, Kellie is hardly alone in feeling overworked on the job. Although Kellie’s story is a common one, solutions need to be found. In this analysis, Team A related in detail the ways in which Kellie feels overburdened at her place of employment. Team A then went on to choose qualitative research methods, including structured oral interviews and participant observation, to further analyze the issue.Finally, Team A highlighted specific ethical considerations- competence, professional and scientific responsibility, and concern for others’ welfare- to take into account while c onducting research on the issue. References Mahoney, J. , ; Goertz, G. (2006). A tale of two cultures: Contrasting quantitative and qualitative research. Political Analysis, 14, 227-249. Rojon, C. , McDowell, A. , ; Saunders, M. N. (2011). On the experience of conducting a systematic review in industrial, work, and organizational psychology: Yes, it is worthwhile.

Arthur Schopenhauer Essay

Arthur Schopenhauer is a German philosopher who was born on February 22nd, 1788 and died on September 21st, 1860. He was born in the city of Danzig but later moved to the city of Hamburg where he became interested in studying metaphysics, ethics and psychology. Schopenhauer is known as the philosopher of Pessimism because he created a theory that challenged the value of existence. Schopenhauer’s main focus was on individual motivation ‘the will’ and how human desires cause pain and suffering. He wrote a book on the will called The World as Will and Representation. This book was a collaboration of Kant’s idea of idealism with his own theory on that the will is the thing-in-itself. Schopenhauer was greatly influenced by thinkers like Kant and Plato. He as well influenced thinkers like Sigmund Freud, Ludwig Wittgenstein and Friedrich Nietzsche. Summary of Ideas: The ‘Will†: Schopenhauer believed that humans were only motivated by their basic desires. He believed that human desires only cause suffering and pain. As well he believed that human desires are illogical and directionless. He believed that the will controls all aspects of human life. Schopenhauer’s ideas on the will are similar to the ideas of Buddhism and the four noble truths. He believed that free will exists but humans are not able to achieve it because everything is determined by how the body reacts to a situation. He stated that â€Å"Man can indeed do what he wants, but he cannot will what he wants. †(On the Freedom of the Will) Ethics: The basics of Schopenhauer ethics is about compassion. He believes compassion can’t be taught but only learned by experience. Compassion is the knowledge of seeing someone suffer equally to a suffering they have faced in their life and being able to relate and have sympathy for them. Schopenhauer distinguishes a good person not from the nature of their actions but the level of compassion they have for them. He believes that the difference between a good person and a normal person is distinguished by when seeing someone suffer the good person will sacrifice his own well-being for the other person. Therefore he takes on all their troubles. Schopenhauer believes this is the highest degree in ethical conduct. Pessimism: Schopenhauer believes since the will has no purpose or goal that the will can never achieve satisfaction. He believes the main goal of existence is to gain satisfaction but trying to achieve it is unsustainable because it leads to frustration. For that reason he says existence of human beings can only be characterized by suffering. He believes this theory is for all animals and since humans have a higher intellectual capacity that they will suffer more in life than any other animal. He as well stated that even using reasoning will not change the amount of suffering the person experiences because reason only increases the suffering. Schopenhauer concludes that nonexistence is and should be more preferable then existence. He believes people should realize that to exist is to suffer and the goal in life for people should be to try and resist one’s desires. Application: Animal Welfare: Schopenhauer believed humans and animals are essentially equal and the same. He believed that everything is basically will and that humans and animals are the same because they can recognize characteristics and emotion in each other. Schopenhauer stated â€Å"Unlike the intellect, it [the Will] does not depend on the perfection of the organism, but is essentially the same in all animals as that which is known to us so intimately. Accordingly, the animal has all the emotions of humans, such as joy, grief, fear, anger, love, hatred, strong desire, envy, and so on. The great difference between human and animal rests solely on the intellect’s degrees of perfection. † (On the Will in Nature, Physiology and Pathology) He believed that a good person will have compassion for animals when they are hurt because they are fellow sufferers. People who are cruel to animals are not good people because they do not have compassion.