Theories of nursing

Theories of nursing HLTEN508B – Apply reflective practice, critical thinking and analysis in health. Pre-unit reading and preparation Nursing theorists and theories Henderson The Nature of Nursing Model Introduced The Nature of Nursing Model. She identified fourteen basic needs. She proposed that role of the nurse is to assist the patients during when they are sick or well, in recovery and rehabilitation. She believed that nursing involves assisting the client in gaining independence as quickly as possible or assisting them to achieve peaceful death if recovery is no longer possible (Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, 2014). Roper A Model for Nursing Based on a Model of Living This model incorporates a life span approach, where the characteristics of the person are considered with respect to prior development, current level of development, and likely future development. In combination with the life span approach an independence/dependence category used. The model then incorporates a set of twelve activities of living (ADLs), which represent activities engaged in by individuals whether sick or well. Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory Defined nursing as â€Å"The act of assisting others in the provision and management of self-care to maintain/improve human functioning at home level of effectiveness.† (Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, 2014). Focuses on activities that adult individuals perform on their own behalf to maintain life, health and well-being. Has a strong health promotion and focus. Identified 3 related concepts: Self-care, Health and Nursing System Peplau Theory of Interpersonal Relations Defined nursing as â€Å"An interpersonal process of therapeutic interactions between an Individual who is sick or in need of health services and a nurse especially educated to recognize, respond to the need for help (Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, 2014). Nursing is a â€Å"maturing force and an educative instrument† Identified 4 phases of the Nurse Patient relationship Watson The Philosophy and Science of Caring Nursing is concerned with promotion health, preventing illness, caring for the sick, and restoring health. She defined caring as a nurturing way or responding the needs of a client. Caring accepts the person as what he/she may become in a caring environment (Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, 2014). Abdellah Twenty One Nursing Problems Established 21 problem areas to guide care and promote the use of nursing judgement. Introduced Patient – Centered Approaches to nursing model She defined nursing as service to individual and families; therefore the society. Furthermore, she theorized nursing as â€Å"an art and a science that moulds the attitudes, intellectual competencies and technical skills of the individual nurse into the desire and ability to help people, sick or well, and cope with their health needs† (Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, 2014). Explain the difference between a theory and a model? A theory is a group of related concepts that propose action that guide practice. Theories are composed of concepts, definitions, models, propositions and are based on assumptions. Whereas models, are representations that allow the concepts in nursing theory to be successfully applied to nursing practice. They may demonstrate how theory can be introduced into practice, for example, through the specific methods of assessment. What are the common themes in nursing theorist’s views on caring? Four concepts common in nursing theory that influence and determine nursing practice are: The person (patient) The environment Health Nursing (goals, roles, functions) What are the age and gender issues facing nurses today? Nursing in a male-dominated world Nursing is dominated by females and if often regarded as an oppressed profession. This gendered hierarchy of women in lower roles emphasizes male domination and marginalization of women in society (Cordon, 2014). The unequal power balance between physicians and nurses has resulted in nurses lacking the confidence to question doctors decisions and not speaking up in the workplace. Reason for this includes fearing conflict and stress (Cordon, 2014). Gender discrimination Nursing, in the past, has been seen as womens work because it is a caregiver role. Due to this, men who enter nursing may face with barriers and discrimination. For example, men who enter the nursing profession may be perceived as more feminine†. Male nurses may face the perception that they are gay (Cordon, 2014). Male nursing students or graduate nurses may also have less male role models in the profession as it is largely dominated by females. While both men and women in the nursing profession can be excellent clinical mentors, the male nurse may have some issues that he cannot comfortably discuss with female colleagues (Cordon, 2014). In the field of health define the following terms: a) Best practice Refers to nursing practices that are based on the â€Å"best evidence† available from nursing research. The goal of â€Å"best practices† is to apply the most recent, relevant, and helpful nursing interventions, based on research, in real-life practice. b) Philosophy The philosophy of healthcare is the study of ethics, processes and people which establish the maintenance of the health for human beings. c) Vision An aspirational description of what an organization would like to achieve or accomplish in future. d) Mission statement – A formal summary of the aims and values of an organization, or individual. How do the following Professional Standards of Practice apply to you as an Enrolled Nurse? a) ANMC code of conduct These are the principles guiding behaviour between colleagues, between staff and those receiving care. The Department of Health places high importance on maintaining patient confidentiality and protecting privacy and as enrolled nurses we must follow these standards to ensure that all sensitive documents including patients case notes are stored in a safe and secure area and discussions of personal information about clients/patients do not occur. b) ANMC code of ethics It is essential and important, as enrolled nurses, to ensure that the relationship between a patient/client and a health professional is safe, helpful and therapeutic and is always within professional boundaries as determined by the Code of Ethics. Standards include identifying the fundamental moral commitments of the profession, reflection on ethical conduct for professional and self-development and ethical practice. c) ANMC national Enrolled/Division 2 nurse competency standards The national competency standards for the enrolled nurse are the core competency standards by which your performance may be assessed to retain your license to practice as an enrolled nurse in Australia. As an enrolled nurse, these core competency standards provide you with the framework for assessing your competence. d) State/Territory Nurse Regulatory Nurses Act The state and territory nursing and midwifery authorities (NMRAs) to produce national standards – an integral component of the regulatory framework to help enrolled nurses and midwives deliver safe and competent care. It also keeps the public safe by ensuring the services they will receive are from competent nurses. e) State/Territory Nursing and Midwifery Regulatory Authority Standards of Practice The state and territory nursing and midwifery authorities (NMRAs) to produce national standards – an integral component of the regulatory framework to help enrolled nurses and midwives deliver safe and competent care. f) Scope of Practice decision making framework The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has endorsed national decision-making frameworks for both nurses and midwives. As enrolled nurses, these two flowcharts will assist us in our professional decision making through a structured and transparent process. It also provides us with and an evidence-based process (approved by the regulatory authority) in our decision-making that we may use in support/defence of our decisions should we be required to provide it. REFERENCE i. Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Virginia Henderson Bibliography: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, (2014). Virginia Henderson. [online] Available at: http://nursingtheories.weebly.com/virginia-henderson.html [Accessed 15 Jul. 2014]. ii. Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Dorothea E. Orem Bibliography: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, (2014). Dorothea E. Orem. [online] Available at: http://nursingtheories.weebly.com/dorothea-e-orem.html [Accessed 15 Jul. 2014]. iii. Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Hildegard E. Peplau Bibliography: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, (2014). Hildegard E. Peplau. [online] Available at: http://nursingtheories.weebly.com/hildegard-e-peplau.html [Accessed 15 Jul. 2014]. iv. Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Jean Watson Bibliography: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, (2014). Jean Watson. [online] Available at: http://nursingtheories.weebly.com/jean-watson.html [Accessed 15 Jul. 2014]. v. Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Faye G. Abdellah Bibliography: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, (2014). Faye G. Abdellah. [online] Available at: http://nursingtheories.weebly.com/faye-g-abdellah.html [Accessed 15 Jul. 2014]. vi. Cordon, C. Structural Inequality and Diversity in Nursing | Minority Nurse Bibliography: Cordon, C. (2014). Structural Inequality and Diversity in Nursing | Minority Nurse. [online] Minoritynurse.com. Available at: http://www.minoritynurse.com/article/structural-inequality-and-diversity-nursing [Accessed 15 Jul. 2014]. Tabbner’s Nursing Care: Theory and Practice Tabbner’s Nursing Care 5th Edition: Rita Funnell, Gabrielle Koutoukidis, Karen Lawrence (2009)

Review on the Biomedical Importance of Taurine

Review on the Biomedical Importance of Taurine M.K.Vanitha, K. Baskaran, K.Periyasamy, D.Saravanan, A.Ilakkia, S.Selvaraj, R.Venkateswari, B.Revathi Mani, P.Anandakumar, D. Sakthisekaran ABSTRACT Objectives: To briefly outline the effects of taurine on different organs, in order to elucidate the biomedical importance of taurine. Summary: Taurineis a sulfur-containing amino acid that is found in mammalian tissues.Taurinehas different biological and physiological functions. It is a component of bile acids, which are used to help absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins. It also helps regulate the heartbeat, maintain cell membrane stability and prevent brain cell over-activity. In addition,taurine chloramine, an endogenous product derived from activated neutrophils, has been reported to suppress obesity-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in adipocytes. Conclusion: This review is an attempt to reveal the biomedical importance of taurine including its effect on heart, lung, kidney, bone, fetal tissue, retinal photoceptors, oxidative stress and cancer. Key words:taurine, endothelium, lung, kidney, antioxidant 1. INTRODUCTION Taurine originated from the Latin word taurus, which means bull or ox, as it was first isolated from ox bile in 1827 by Austrian scientists Friedrich Tiedemann and Leopold Gmelin.1 It is often considered an amino acid in scientific literatures. It is a vital nutrient for cats, and probably also for primates, since it is essential for the development and survival of neural cell.2 In healthy humans, dietary foodstuffs are the main sources of taurine. High concentrations of taurine are found in animal sources whilst undetectable in vegetables.3 Figure 1: Structure of taurine Since vegetarians have no dietary intake of taurine and often eat low sulphur amino acid diets, plasma concentrations are lower in vegetarians. Methionine and cysteine are precursors of taurine, however synthesis ability varies widely amongst species, the maximal human synthesis rate is unknown. The average daily synthesis in adults ranges between 0.4 1.0 mmol (50-125 mg) 4 under stress the synthesis capacity may be impaired; therewith some authors consider taurine as a conditionally essential amino acid, whereas for others it remains non essential. Fish is a good source of taurine and tests for taurine content for a variety of fish have been conducted. Figure 2: Biosynthesis of taurine 2. CHEMISTRY OF TAURINE The molecular formula of taurine is C2H7NO3S and its molecular weight is 125.15. It has a pKa of 1.5 (at 25 Â °C) and a melting point of 300 Â °C (decomposition) and shows a bulk density of 0.65–0.75g/cm3 and a density of approximately 1.7g/cm3. It is soluble in water (10 g dissolves in 100 mL at 25 Â °C) and insoluble in ethanol, ethyl ether and acetone. The pH of a 5 % solution in water is 4.1 – 5.6. Taurine is a white crystalline powder that is almost odourless but with a slightly acidic taste. It contains by specification at least 98.0 % taurine in dried substance. Taurine is a monobasic acid that has unique physical constants compared to other neuroactive amino acids. The uniqueness of taurine is mainly due to the functional group containing sulfur, the sulfonic group, unlike the carboxylic group typical of all the other natural amino acids. This difference may provide the rationale behind the unique biological nature of taurine which is not shared with other ne uroactive amino acids. With its sulfonate group, it is a stronger acid (pKa 1.5) than glycine, aspartic acid, ÃŽ ²-alanine, and ÃŽ ³-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Similarly, having a pKb value of 8.82, it is less basic than GABA, ÃŽ ²-alanine and glycine. Its solubility in water is 10.48g/100mL at 258Â °C, which is lower than that of ÃŽ ²-alanine, GABA or glycine. Table 1: Properties of taurine 3. BIOMEDICAL IMPORTANCE OF TAURINE 3.1 TAURINE IN FETAL DEVELOPMENT AND NEONATAL GROWTH The human fetus has no ability to synthesize taurine, but considerably high levels of taurine have been recorded, and this may be due to a very efficient placental role of taurine in disease prevention. The amount of taurine was found to be very high in human breast milk compared to cow’s milk, on which a large portion of infants are fed, and this may be due to the high concentration of taurine in placenta. Thus, taurine is now added to many infant formulas to provide improved nourishment.5 Several types of organ dysfunction develop from abnormalities of taurine levels in growing children. In neonatal cardiomyocytes (as in adult ones), taurine functions as an organic osmolyte. During pregnancy, taurine accumulates in the maternal tissues, from where it is periodically released to the fetus via the placenta. In infants, taurine is acquired through the mother’s milk. This is the stage when taurine accumulates more in fetal and neonatal brain. A low maternal taurine concen tration will lead to low fetal taurine concentration.6 3.2 TAURINE AND THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in the brain after glutamate, and it is found in all cell types in the CNS. A high concentration of taurine occurs in the developing brain, but with maturity, its levels fall to 30%.7 Taurine is extensively involved in neurological activities, including protection, modulation of neural excitability, maintenance of cerebellar functions and modulation of motor behavior through interaction with dopaminergic, adrenergic, serotonergic and cholinergic receptors and through glutamate.8 Free radicals are particularly detrimental to brain tissue where there is a high concentration of lipids, suitable target for oxidation. Taurine is now being explored for its capacity to protect tissues against oxidative stress. In cerebellar neurons, stimulation by excitatory agents was effectively countered by taurine. While taurine may not directly decrease the levels of free radicals, it does increase cell viability. This may become an important alternate protective mechanism against free radical damage to brain cells. 3.3 TAURINE AND THE LIVER Liver synthesizes bile, which is a mixture of bile acids, salts, bilirubin, cholesterol and fatty acids, stored in the gallbladder. It is also responsible for the detoxification of harmful substances, but only if available in sufficient quantities. The bile acids act as detergents to solubilize or emulsify food into digestible components. This detergent action is due to the presence of both lipophilic and hydrophilic ends in the bile acids. The hydrophilic regions include sulfonates or carboxylate backbones. Mammals mainly use taurine and, to a lesser extent glycine, as the major amino acids that conjugate with bile acids to form biliary salts. Among the tauro-conjugates, taurocholic acid (TC), taurodeoxycholic acid (TDC), taurolithocholic acid (TLC), and taurocheno- deoxycholic acid (TCDC), can act as cholagogues (agents that promote the flow of bile into the intestine) or choleretics (agents that stimulate the liver to increase production of bile). The ratio between tauro-conjugate s and glycocholate in humans is about 3 : 1 and this ratio is adversely affected in cases of low taurine supply. In the absence of TC, bile salts can precipitate and form gallstones.9 3.4 TAURINE AND HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA In blood, cholesterol is carried in low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). Elevated LDL levels are implicated in a range of heart and vascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (heart attack) and atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries). Taurine can attenuate the increased levels in total and LDL cholesterol in animals consuming a high fat, high cholesterol diet.10 High fat diets produce hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and accumulation of lipids on the aortic valve of the heart. Dietary taurine supplements are known to be beneficial in situations when the body cholesterol status is high, as well as normal. In particular, it has been demonstrated that taurine is capable of reducing plasma lipid concentration and visceral fat in diabetic rats as well as in obese humans.11 3.5 TAURINE AND OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LIVER DAMAGE Exposure to toxic chemicals, which is a common hazard for industrial workers, has been linked to birth defects, sterility, headache, chronic fatigue, arthritic-like inflammation and many other symptoms. These chemicals have a deleterious effect on the liver and taurine is able to moderate the extent and severity of their side. Furthermore, it reduces the number of cancer antigen-positive hepatocytes and in several cases of chemical exposure, taurine also protected against DNA damage.12 3.6 TAURINE AND DIABETES Type II diabetes mellitus is one of the most common human diseases and its prevalence is constantly growing. This pathology is characterized by the reduced sensitivity of the cellular targets, mainly adipose and muscle cells, to insulin stimulation. Such alteration can lead to insulin resistance, hyper-insulinemia, hyperglycemia, and several other metabolic dysfunctions. Lifestyle, dietary habits, and environment can influence the appearance of diabetes.13 Taurine supplements administered to patients with type 2 diabetes were proven to be beneficial. Also, taurine alleviates clinical complications of diabetes, having beneficial effects on nephropathy and retinopathy. In animal models of experimental insulin resistance, it has been demonstrated that the metabolic alterations associated with diabetes are ameliorated by taurine administration.14 3.7 TAURINE AND THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Taurine concentration is found to be high in the mammalian heart. The maintenance of cardiac taurine content is governed by a series of processes, which include transport, accumulation, binding, release, as well as metabolism. The availability of taurine in cardiac tissue is generally dependent on the transport process, because of its limited ability to be effectively synthesized in the cardiac tissue. Taurine deficiency may possibly be linked to cardiomyopathy, as it has been well reported in cats. Furthermore, conclusive evidence of the relationship between taurine and heart health was provided by studies with transgenic mice knocked out of its taurine transporter.15 3.8 TAURINE AND ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION Endothelial dysfunction is common among cardiovascular diseases and diabetes and it is known as one of the primary events in the development of atherosclerosis and diabetic angiopathies.16 Taurine has been shown to be a protector of endothelial structure and function after exposure to inflammatory cells, their mediators, or other chemicals. Treatment of activated macrophages with taurine inhibits the generation of NO and other inflammatory mediators, which is present in high amounts in inflammatory cells, seems to be uniquely capable of modifying homeostasis in both target and receptor cells through antioxidant calcium flux and the osmo regulatory pathway. Finally, taurine was proven to protect endothelial cells from damage induced by hyperglycemia and oxidized LDL.17 3.9 TAURINE AND LUNG FUNCTION The depletion of taurine is particularly harmful to pulmonary tissue. Alveolar macrophages, which reside on the surface of lung alveoli, ingest inhaled particulates to clear the alveolar spaces. However, alveolar macrophages, much like the general macrophages, become more susceptible to ROS and more pro-inflammatory when deprived of the antioxidant protective capacity that taurine provides. Fibrosis may also result from toxic chemical exposure. There are numerous factors responsible for toxin-induced damage to lung cells and tissue in animal models of induced interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. In several cases, the administration of taurine, niacin or a combination of both, yielded promising results, and can reverse increased lung lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the ability to scavenge ROS and to stabilize cell membranes contributed to the suppression of lung collagen accumulation and oxidative stress damage. Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by bronchial obstruction and airwa y hyper reactivity with neutrophil accumulation. There is increasing evidence that excessive production of ROS along with defective endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms may be responsible for asthma. In an animal model of allergic asthma, taurine content was found to be reduced and oral treatment with taurine produced anti-inflammatory responses. Similar effects have also been demonstrated in humans.18 3.10 TAURINE AND THE KIDNEY In the kidneys, taurine is found at a high concentration, which is regulated by the reabsorption at the modulating proximal tubule according to its dietary intake. In alleviating the diabetic nephropathy, taurine serves as an osmolyte, an endogenous antioxidant and an inhibitor of phosphokinase C (PKC) in mesangial cells. The beneficial effects of taurine may be due to its well-known anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities.19 3.11 TAURINE AND RETINAL PHOTORECEPTOR ACTIVITY The common eye disease cataract demonstrates the importance of lens condition. It is speculated that cataract formation may be largely due to the oxidation of protein in the lens. Consequently, a lack of antioxidants could be a major factor in the development of cataracts. Since taurine acts as an antioxidant directly, it prevents changes in the levels of glutathione, ATP and insoluble proteins, molecular factors that predispose to cataract formation.20 Furthermore, taurine plays a critical role in the structure and function of the photoreceptors, specifically rods, which are responsible for seeing in both low illumination and night conditions. The promotional effect of taurine in cellular regeneration is compromised with drugs that induce the activation of PKC or phosphate inhibitors.21 Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is characterized by visual field loss and night blindness. Nutritional factors are now recognized as important factors in the reversal of RP. Experimental finding suggests t hat RP patients recover their visual capacities with the addition of nutrients, including taurine, which has been found to be beneficial. Taurine and zinc interact with each other to influence the development of the retinal structure and function in the eye. Both molecules promote the healthy oscillatory potentials necessary for vision. Deficiency of taurine has been identified as the cause of all these diseases and clearly demonstrates its vital role in vision.22 3.12 TAURINE IN BONE TISSUE FORMATION AND INHIBITION OF BONE LOSS Bone tissue contains cells and the extracellular matrix, which is composed of collagen fibers and noncollagenous proteins. In bone tissue, taurine is found in high concentration, similar to that found in the liver and kidneys. This taurine-bone interaction is one of the latest added to its long list of actions.23 In bones, taurine acts as a double agent. It is involved in both bone formation and inhibition of bone loss. In addition to these two major actions, taurine has beneficial effects in wound healing and bone repair. 3.13 ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF TAURINE Taurine has been found that taurine has radio protective properties and anti-mutagenic effect, reducing nucleic acid damage. The chemo-preventive activity of taurine and, in particular, 1-(2-chloroethyl)- 3(2-dimethyl sulfony) ethyl-11-nitrosourea derivative (e.g., tauromustine), have been used against colon and hepatic cancers. In hepato-carcinogenesis, the degree of membrane damage and the fall in glutathione function were reduced when oral taurine was given prior to exposure to carcinogens. These findings suggest that taurine, by inhibiting lipo-peroxidation and preserving the glutathione antioxidant system, offers protection against membrane breakdown.24 Recombinant interleukin-2 immunotherapy is utilized as a therapeutic approach in certain types of cancers. However, it may produce a cytotoxic effect on both tumor cells and healthy vascular endothelial cells. In such cancer therapy programs, taurine reduces interleukin endothelial cell cytotoxicity without compromising the antitumor activity of the immunotherapy. In addition, when taurine is used in conjunction with interleukin, it actually increases the tumor cytotoxicity. For the treatment of intra peritoneal (abdominal) tumors, researchers have studied a taurine derivative, taurolidine, as both an alternative and an adjunct to heparin, a standard substance used to prolong the clotting time of blood. In certain cancers, the amino acid profile yields data about the disease that is useful to better assess the therapeutic approach. Colorectal cancer patients exhibit a characteristic amino acid profile with significantly lower intracellular levels of taurine, glutamic acid, methionine , and ornithine and elevated levels of valine. Likewise, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck exhibit a profile that is marked by decreased taurine.25 4. CONCLUSION This review highlights the divergent effects of taurine on different tissues. Thus, further studies on taurine could exemplify the beneficial role of taurine in human health and disease. 1

Essay --

Should an age limit be placed on child beauty pageants? Every Wednesday night, millions tune into TLC to see Toddlers & Tiaras and of course their ‘Crazy Pageant Mums’. The series has run for 6 seasons so far and follows the preparation before the pageants and the contests. The TLC hit has failed to show the dark side of child beauty pageants and the dangers that come with it. The show doesn’t show the 6am starts and the near starvation beforehand. This puts immense stress on the children and that is why I believe there should be a law which stops parents entering children into pageants under the age of 8. On one hand, many parents, promoters and judgers of such competitions believe that the beauty version of the Hunger Games is good for the young children. They believe that it creates confidence in the girls and helps them embrace themselves. It also is good for their self-esteem and attitude. It gives the girls a sense of structure and routine in their lives and prepares them for adult hood. On the other hand, people believe that it sexualizes children far too early and puts them ...

It’s Time to Include Gays and Lesbians in Our Study of Literature Essay

The growth of gay people as a group has been astonishing. It is not possible to guess how exactly we will grow from our experiences in the years ahead, but it is possible to predict that growth will continue, one way or another. A diverse and strong global community has been established.(Clark 60) Dr. Don Clark, clinical psychologist and university professor, boldly expresses his views on the changing nature of the gay and lesbian community in his text, Loving Someone Gay. Clark describes how far gay people have advanced in the last thirty years, moving from isolated and fearful existences to lives marked by political power and potential. Indeed, the gay community, and lesbians in particular, have transformed into large and respected forces in American culture. As with any societal group, their cultural contributions have continued to expand and develop along with their newly acquired political finesse, giving the gay community a sense of pride in its artistic and literary achievements. Since education is a primary source of transferring cultural understanding and awareness, it is essential that educational institutions respect the achievements of this newly empowered community in the selection of relevant curriculum. But they must also be careful; while many texts offer a rep resentative portrayal of the gay community, there are others which reveal a more narrow view. For example, in 1973, author Rita Mae Brown published a shocking exploration of one girl’s growing up lesbian in America. Creating images of rape, incest, and promiscuity, Brown portrayed a cold, angry character willing to blame her sexual identity on a dysfunctional family and an unyielding educational system. While uniquely American in both its authorship and... ...EBSCOhost. Glenbrook North H.S. Lib., Northbrook, IL. 8 Apr. 2002 . Randolf, E. â€Å"Women and Other Women.† Art Journal Sum. 1991: 29-34. MasterFILE Elite. EBSCOhost. Glenbrook North H.S. Lib., Northbrook, IL. 8 Apr. 2002 . Roberts, Edgar V., and Henry E. Jacobs. Literature—An Introduction to Reading and Writing. New Jersey: Prentice, 2001. Ruoff, A. Lavonne Brown, and Jerry W. Ward, Jr. Redefining American Literary History. New York: MLA, 1990. Worth, Chrissie. â€Å"Rita Mae Brown verifies outspoken attitude during Oxford visit.† The Daily Mississipian 23 Apr. 1996. 1 Apr. 2002 . Zacks, Rebecca. â€Å"LeVay Shares Thoughts on ‘Gay Gene’ Research.† Scientific American 7 June 1996. 3 Apr. 2002 .

Essay on Euthanasia and Doctor-Assisted Suicide -- Euthanasia Physicia

Understanding Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide    This paper will address some of the more popular points of interest involved with the euthanasia-assisted suicide discussion. There are less than a dozen questions which would come to mind in the case of the average individual who has a mild interest in this debate, and the following essay presents information which would satisfy that individual's curiosity on these points of common interest.    Euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal in the state of Oregon and in the country of the Netherlands; these are the only two jurisdictions in the world where laws specifically permit euthanasia or assisted suicide. Oregon permits assisted suicide.(Oregon) The Netherlands permits both euthanasia and assisted suicide.(Review) In 1995 Australia's Northern Territory approved a euthanasia bill.(Rights) It went into effect in 1996 but was overturned by the Australian Parliament in 1997. Also, in 1997, Colombia's Supreme Court ruled that penalties for mercy killing should be removed.(Republic) However the ruling does not go into effect until guidelines, still to be drafted, are approved by the Colombian Congress.    The difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide is seen this way: One way to distinguish them is to look at the last act - the act without which death would not occur. Using this distinction, if a third party performs the last act that intentionally causes a patient's death, euthanasia has occurred. For example, giving a patient a lethal injection or putting a plastic bag over her head to suffocate her would be considered euthanasia. On the other hand, if the person who dies performs the last act, assisted suicide has taken place. Thus it would be assisted suicid... ...1 Medscape. Available at http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/psychiatry/clinicalMgmt/CM.v03/pnt-CM.v03.html, citing Jamison K.R., Night Falls Fast, New York, NY: Alfred Knopf; 1999. Accessed 3/19/01. Oregon's "Death with Dignity Act" (ORS 127.800-897) passed in November 1994 and went into effect in 1997. Republic of Colombia Constitutional Court, Sentence # c-239/97, Ref. Expedient # D-1490, May 20, 1997. "Review of cases of termination of life on request and assistance with suicide" was approved in April 2001. "Rights of the Terminally Ill Act," Northern Territory of Australia (1996). Wanzer,Sidney H. M.D. et al., "The Physician's Responsibility toward Hopelessly Ill Patients: A Second Look," 320 The New England Journal of Medicine (March 30, 1989), p. 848. Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second edition (1976).

Life for blacks in nazi germany

All mighty has created human being, a miracle of nature, superior to all other creations. God has bestowed man with all his grace and gifts of nature. To him all men are equal, but man with his contemptuous ideologies divided mankind in classes and creeds, instead of creating bridges, created walls between their hearts.   The insects of racial discrimination, the curse of civilization, are gradually eating up out society, dissolving harmony and affection, transforming human being in weapons of carnage.   Thus the society no longer remains a better place to live in. (Lamb, 243)According to some historians the first significant influx of Africans to Germany originated from Germany's African colonies in the 19th century. Like all other West European countries, Germany established colonies in Africa in the late 1800s which later became Namibia, Cameroon, Togo, and Tanzania. Some Afro-Germans living in Germany today can assert lineage dated back five cohorts to that time. Hitherto Ger man’s colonial experiences in Africa from 1890 to 1918 were relatively limited and concise, far more self effacing than that of the British, the Dutch, the French, or other European powers.But German colonies in South West Africa were the spots of the first mass genocide committed by Germans in the 20th century. German genetic experiments set in motion there especially involving hostages taken from the 1904 HERERO mass execution that left 60,000 Africans dead, followed by a subsequent   four year rebellion of German colonization. In the year 1904 German colonial company had to counter a rebellion with the mass execution of three quarters of the Herero inhabitants in what is now Namibia. Now after the passing of a full century to that incident Germany reluctantly issued a formal apology to the Herero in the year 2004 for that act of violence, which was aggravated by a German annihilation order (Vernichtungsbefehl). But Germany still turns down the appeal to pay any reimburse ment to the Herero survivors, even though it agrees to make available foreign assistance to Namibia. Subsequent to the shellacking Germany received in World War I, it was stripped of its African colonies in the year 1918. (Dollard, 89-90)The history of Africans, living in Germany, dates back further than most people assume. Anton Wilhelm Amo was probably the first Africans known to have resided in Germany. In the year 1703 he was born in what is today's Ghana, Amo was taken to Europe where he came under the shelter of the Duke (Herzog) of Wolfenbà ¼ttel in Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) and grew up in the duke's castle. Later he became a respected philosopher and professor at the universities of Jena and Halle in Germany He was not only the first African known to get admission in a German university (Halle) but also the first to achieve a doctorate degree in the year 1729.As a professor, he had taught at two German universities and created a number of scholarly works, a Latin dissert ation entitled as De Arte Sobrie et Accurate Philosophandi   published in 1736, On the talent of Philosophizing Soberly and precisely. According to the assembled information, he encountered severe racial discrimination in Germany and had to return to his native land Africa in 1747. Thus there lies the unavoidable fact Africans in Europe were always considered as something unusual and alien. (King, 433)The Second World War was a mid-20th century clash that swallowed up much of the globe and is considered as the biggest and deadliest combat in human history. As a mess up of war, the French were permitted to take up Germany in the Rhineland, an astringent portion of territory that has gone back and forth between the two countries for centuries. The French deliberately set out their colonized African territorial army as the inhabiting force. Germans took this as the ultimate abuse of World War I and almost immediately after that 92% of them voted in the Nazi party. (King, 434)Many of these African Rhineland based soldiers intermarried with German ladies and brought into being their offspring as Black Germans. When Hitler came to authority, one of his first commands was meant to torture these mixed children. Giving emphasis to his obsession with ethnic limpidness, by the year 1937, every identified mixed race child in the Rhineland had been by force sterilized to put a stop to further â€Å"race polluting† as he named it. According to the records thousands of Africans were immigrated to Germany during the past 500 years, many of them were transported to Germany as living curiosity or as slaves. With the establishment of German colonies in Africa during the end of the 19th century made greater than before the instances of encounter between Africans and Germans, but earlier to World War II, their numbers were comparatively less. Countless of them became victim of the Third Reich's racial hypothesis and its consequential crusade of enforced sterilization and murder. (Dollard, 90-91)Even though most Black Germans tried to escape their fatherland, going for France where persons like Josephine Baker were gradually assisting and supporting the French subversives, but unfortunately many of them ran into troubles reaching somewhere else. Each and every country was shutting its doors to the Germans, as well as the Black ones. Some Black Germans however managed to make out a living during Hitler's reign of fright by performing various roles in vaudeville shows. But many Black Germans, unwavering in their principles that, first they were Germans by blood, mind and sole, afterwards partly African by blood, choose to stay behind in Germany. Some waged battles against the Nazis, a few even became Lutwaffe pilots. Unluckily, many Black Germans were put into detention, charged with subversion, and dispatched in cattle cars to concentration camps.Over and over again these trains were so charged with people, with provision of no food or bathroom facili ties carried people, after the four day ride, when box car doors opened, piles of the dead and dying were decanted out. In the concentration camps Afro-Germans were forced to do the worst jobs imaginable. Some Black American soldiers who were taken into custody and held as prisoners of war gave an account of the situation while they were kept ravenous an forced into hazardous labor, even violating the Geneva Convention, they were still in better condition than Black German concentration camp prisoners who were forced to do the unimaginable jobs, such as managing the crematoriums and working in labs where genetic experiments were carried out. (Lamb, 245)As an ultimate let go, these Blacks Germans were killed after every three months, so that they would never be able to make public the internal mechanism of the Final Solution. In each case of Black subjugation, regardless of the fact how incarcerated, en-shackled or beaten they may be they always find a way to continue to exist and at the same time set others free. Suppose consider the case of Johnny Voste, a Belgian confrontation combatant who was taken under arrest in 1942 for sabotage and taken to Dachau. (Dos, 441) One of the jobs assigned to him was loading up vitamin crates. Putting his own life in danger, he disseminated large numbers of vitamins to camp captives, which helped many of them to stay alive, for the reason that they were ravenous, feeble, and in poor health, conditions became worse by acute vitamin insufficiency.His determination was to fight for his own life as well as save others lives. According to information collected by Essex University's Delroy Constantine-Simms, there were Black Germans who refuse to give in to Nazi Germany, such as Lari Gilges, who brought into being the Northwest Rann, an association of entertainers that struggled against the Nazis in his home town of Dusseldor and who was put to death by the SS in 1933, the year in which Hitler came to supremacy. Very little inform ation could be collected about the numbers of Black Germans captivated in the camps or put to death under the Nazi rule.Some sufferers of the Nazi sterilization mission and Black survivors of the Holocaust are still living and acquainting with their story in films such as Black Survivors of the Nazi Holocaust. But they are also required to say their piece for justice, not just history. Dissimilar to Jews living in Israel and in Germany, Black Germans were given no war compensations for the reason that their German citizenship was invalidated, instead of the reality that they were German born. The only allowance they received is from those who are prepared to put in the picture of their stories before the world and go on with their combat for recognition and reimbursements. (Fletcher, 188)After the end of the war, numbers of Blacks Germans, who had by hook or by crook managed to continue to exist the Nazi rule were rounded up and convict as war criminals. Have a discussion about the final insult. There are thousands of Black Holocaust narrations from the triangle trade, to slavery in America, to the gas ovens in Germany.  The comparatively less numbers of blacks in Germany, their extensive scattering from corner to corner of the country, and the information that the Nazis concerted on the Jews were some aspects due to which   many Afro-Germans managed to survive the impediments of the war.One such survivor Hans-Jà ¼rgen Massaquoi, the retired managing editor of Ebony magazine in United States, who was born in Hamburg to a Liberian father and a German mother in 1926, published a book about his experiences as a black child growing up in Nazi Germany. (King, 435) The social and cultural problems of concern that black Germans have to face still today and the way their experiences can enhance our analysis of historical and present day racial issues have been considered at UB at a symposium titled as â€Å"Not So Plain as Black and White: A Multidisciplinary Ex amination of the Afro-German Experience.† (Kar, 77)After World War II with the occupation of Americans of Germany, came the next influx of Africans to Germany. After 1945, as African-American GIs were stationed in Germany, Afro-Germany again thrived from increasing associations between black American GIs and German women. African-American black GIs, especially those from the South, instead of few cases of resentments, were given full liberty. Their positions puffed up further becoming several hundred thousands of immigrant human resources from countries like Mozambique, Angola and Namibia were brought in to encounter with East Germany's never ending scarcity of manual labor. Even the African students and persons in exile, who settled in Germany, have added to the spilling over depth and extensiveness of the Afro-German cultural blend. (Kar, 78)Hans-Jà ¼rgen Massaquoi, who now lives in the United States, in his autobiography â€Å"Destined to Witness†, describes his chi ldhood and youth in Hamburg during the rise of Nazi power. His biography makes available an exceptional viewpoint, for the reason that he was one of very few dark-skinned inhabitant Germans in all of Germany under Nazi regime, turned away from, but not Nazi mistreated by the Nazis. This dichotomy remained a key theme all through his whole life. When the war approached to Germany, Hans-Jà ¼rgen had more, other than the Nazis, to be concerned about.Heavy associated bombing required him and his German mother Bertha Baetz to run away from Hamburg. He credits his endurance to good luck and the help of his mother and German friends. In 1947 he went to Liberia prior to immigrating to the United States and joining the army as a paratrooper and afterward studying journalism at the University of Illinois. That show the way to his career at Ebony. In Germany Massaquoi had luckily stayed away from the awful destiny of many blacks during the Nazi era, but it was more often than not more easier said than done for adult blacks. The fortunate ones were forcibly sterilized but permitted to live. Others were captivated and sent to concentration camps. Some associated prisoners of war, together with black French colonial soldiers and African Americans, were incarcerated in Stalag-III-A at Luckenwalde near Berlin. (Dos, 442)The experiences of Afro-Germans in today's Germany offer imminent look into the conversion of that nation-willing or not-into a multicultural society,† Blacks living in Germany today are classified into several categories. German-born blacks are sometimes called â€Å"Afrodeutsche†, this category comprises of people of African inheritance born in Germany, with either of the parents African. Another class is blacks from Africa, the Caribbean, the United States, or some other place, who are living and earning their livelihood in Germany, sometimes for decades. Unlike many other countries, German citizenship is based on the citizenship of oneâ€℠¢s parents, and is received in inheritance by blood. Thus the blacks born in Germany, and grew up there, are not German citizens if not they have at least one German parent. However, in the year 2000 a new German naturalization law provided blacks and other foreigners the permission to submit an application for citizenship after living in Germany for three to eight years. (Kar, 79)In conclusion it should be mentioned that history helps out us to identify ourselves, recognize who we are and be acquainted with the origin where we come from. We over and over again shrink back from hearing about our chronological times of yore for the reason that so much of it is excruciating. On the other hand, this has brought the black Germans together in their great effort for rights, self respect, and yes, compensations for wrong done to them in the course of the centuries. But at the same time they need to remember the past until the end of time, so that they can do something to make certain that these treacherous occurrences on no account come to pass for a second time. (Dollard, 92)References:Dos, M; Fundamentalist Thought Process: The Dark Side of Human Intellect. (Mumbai: Alliance Publications; 2005) pp 441-442Dollard, John; Nazi Frustration: A look into Holocaust. (New Haven and London: Yale University Press. 2000) pp 89-92Fletcher, R; Swastika: Beliefs and Knowledge: Believing and Knowing. (Mangalore: Howard & Price. 2003) pp 188Kar, P; History of the Third Reich (Kolkata: Dasgupta & Chatterjee 2001) pp 77-9King, H; Skin Color: Texture & Torment in Germany (Chennai: HBT & Brooks Ltd. 2001) pp 433-5Lamb, Davis; Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization on the Strategic Strata. (Delhi: National Book Trust. 2004) pp 243-245

CE Student Recounts the Different Faces of His Life Essay

Life as a student, a working student to be exact, is but a small part of my world since there are more things that give color into my life. My relationships with my family, friends, and well girlfriend to be are the other spices of my life. I enjoy doing my hobbies, too. Cheers for I will be a civil engineering graduate on fall of 2009 in the University of Austin. After graduation, I will try to get an internship in the city to add credentials in my resume. I plan to go to graduate school next. Like I said, I am a working student. I work as a handyman in Four Leaf Tower. Also during weekends, I work as a security in one of city towers. When I finish college, I will be the best civil engineer in the whole wide world. My family is valuable to me. Though I don’t see them often, last time was 3 years ago, I love them so much. They will come to visit me. We plan to go to LA to visit my grandmother. You might want to know, I have an older brother and sister. My brother is a professional civil engineer while my sister is a fourth grade teacher. Hanging out with friends is one thing I definitely enjoy. Recently, my friends and I went to Corpus Christi. We stayed there for 5 days. There we had a lot of fun time together engaging in different activities like swimming, fishing, and eating barbecues! I’m a bit timid when it comes to girls. So I rarely go out to date someone.   It’s nerve-wracking for me to approach women. But very recently, I had a date and I think we will be meeting again. We really had a nice conversation. I love to cook, go out fishing, and read books. I had a Turkish dish called Donar the last time I cooked for a friend. Galveston is a great place to fish. This is where my friends and I hang out to fish. During free time, cool books are my amigos.