Georg Simmel Founder of German Sociological Association

Georg Simmel was born in 1858 and for the majority of his life lived in Berlin, Germany. He was the founder of the German Sociological Association. One area of his research included how our spiritual lives were shaped by our social and geographical lives, and in turn how our spiritual lives shaped our environments. Simmel argued that the people within a society build their lives on truth and that all truth is relational. He likened this process as a bridge that connects our separateness to create one society, similar to a human bridge. He is described as a microsociologist, focused on small-group research and argues that everything interacts, on some level, with everything else. He notes the difference between a dyad, where two people are involved with a triad which includes three people. He argues that a triad is a greater threat to the individuality of each group member. Simmel’s defines secrecy as a condition, and researches relationships from this aspect of giving and receiving knowledge and keeping secrets. He describes friendship and intimate relationships, whereby friendship creates more secretiveness and discretion than that of a more intimate relationship. Simmel argues that modern societies are systems that operate from a high degree of secrecy, and notes the money economy as one example of how people can hide much of what they transact and acquire. Secrecy is described as something that is internal when the secret is possessed in common amongst severalShow MoreRelatedReaction Paper About Monetary Policy3087 Words   |  13 Pages  mathematically  andcomputationally  rigorous techniques, such as  agent-based modelling  and  social network analysis.  Sociology should not be confused with various general  social studies  courses which bear little relation to sociological theory or social science research methodology. Sociological reasoning predates the foundation of the discipline. Social analysis has origins in the common stock of  Western knowledge  andphilosophy, and has been carried out from as far back as the time of  ancient Greek philosopher  Plato  ifRead MoreThe Importance of Demography to Development11868 Words   |  48 Pagessocial relationships, institutions, etc. It generally concerns itself with the social rules and processes that bind and separate people not only as individuals, but as members of associations, groups, and institutions, and includes the examination of the organization and development of human social life. The sociological field of interest ranges from the analysis of short contacts between anonymous individuals on the street to the study of global social processes. Most sociologists work in one orRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Impo rtant Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesby Michael Adas for the American Historical Association TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PRESS PHILADELPHIA Temple University Press 1601 North Broad Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122 www.temple.edu/tempress Copyright  © 2010 by Temple University All rights reserved Published 2010 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Essays on twentieth century history / edited by Michael Peter Adas for the American Historical Association. p. cm.—(Critical perspectives on the past) IncludesRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pagesa people-centred organization The world of the management guru The ‘experimental’ Relay Assembly Test Room used in the Hawthorne Studies Neo-modernist open systems Three layers of organization culture A snapshot taken by a British Officer showing German and British troops fraternizing on the Western Front during the Christmas truce of 1914 The operation of three types of control in relation to an organizational task Factors impacting on the viability of different forms of control Postmodern pasticheRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pageswork on the chapter on gaining power and influence; Richard M. Steers of the University of Oregon for his work on the motivation chapter; Pat Seybolt and Troy Nielsen of the University of Utah for their work on the chapter on managing conflict; Cathy German of Miami University for her assistance in revising Supplement A, and John Tropman, Un iversity of Michigan, for taking the lead in revising Supplement C. Special thanks are also due to Susan Schor, Joseph Seltzer, and James Smither for writing the

Views of Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill Essay examples

None of the supposed rights of man go beyond the egoistic man, man as he is a member of civil society; that is, an individual separated from the community, withdrawn into himself, wholly preoccupied with his private interests and acting in accordance with his private caprice. Karl Marx, On the Jewish Question The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it. John Stuart Mill, On Liberty While, after reading the above two quotations, it may appear that Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill take seemingly opposing views on the proper†¦show more content†¦The real truth, however, falls somewhere between these two poles. Mill on the Individual Mill wastes no time in articulating the central thesis of On Liberty; he states, Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign (69). Mill, then, does not make the individual more important than society, but he separates the individual from society and articulates a realm of existence in which society, or the community, should have no power over the individual. Mill states, The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number is self-protectionÂ…His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant (68). Society, therefore, has no right to intervene in the private life of any person, unless they act in such a way that prevents others from enjoying their own rights. Mill is extremely clear as to why the individual should be sovereign over his or her body and mindÂâ€"to counter the effects of a possible tyranny of the majority. Mill states, It (the majority) practices a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression, since, though not usually upheld by such extreme penalties, it leaves fewer means of escape, penetrating much more deeply into the details of life, and enslaving the soul itself (63).Show MoreRelatedKarl Marx And John Stuart Mill Essay1576 Words   |  7 PagesKarl Marx and John Stuart Mill were both philosophers who lived in the 1800s. Beginning with Karl Marx, he was a German philosopher, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. In his adult years, Marx was not recognized as a citizen of any country even though he was born in Germany and he spent most of his years in London, England. There, he continued to evolve his philosophy and social thought in participation or collaboration with a German thinker cal led Friedrich Engels. They worked together andRead MoreGovernment And Societal Ideas From The 19th Century1232 Words   |  5 PagesCentury, three prominent thinkers John Stuart Mill, Giuseppe Mazzini, and Karl Marx had their own ideas of an ideal society. These individuals had their own unique view of the perfect society. However, they all have something in common with their visions: all of these excerpts discussed an oppressive entity. In all of the three ideal societies concocted by these men, tyrannical governments or oppressive societies are obstacles to their visions. In the excerpt from John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty, he discussesRead MoreMarx, Mill And Freud s Critique Of Political Economy And The Communist Manifesto Essay1133 Words   |  5 Pagesmerely implicit) notions of freedom and unfreedom we find in the texts we have read by Marx, Mill and Freud. Use the esoteric traditions we have examined thus far (from the Book of Job to Plato) as a comparative yardstick, or point of reference, but without letting them take over the foreground in your paper -- the latter should be reserved for these three figures. Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and John Stuart Mill are three authors who tackle the topic of freedom in unique ways, but their messages areRead MoreTyranny And The Social Wellbeing Of Citizens1750 Words   |  7 Pages19th century, in the age after the French Revolution, the vast majority of political and philosophical thinkers concerned themselves at some point with the issue of tyranny in society. Such writers spanned from Alexis de Tocqueville, to John Stuart Mill, to Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The interpretations and approaches taken to the subject of tyranny and how to protect against it, though, were as varied as the collection of authors who addressed it. From de Tocqueville’s stringent observationsRead More A Comparison of the Economic Philosophies of Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, and Karl Marx1781 Words   |  8 PagesSmith (18th Century), John Stuart Mill (19th Century), and Karl Marx (19th Century) are of the same cloth, but in modern terms their community is re ferenced as a government, and they each have their own distinct opinions on the drive instilled within human nature that shape their personal economic theories. I will be dissecting the views of each of these economists, in regards to the role of government within their envisioned society. While showcasing the difference in views, I want to focus onRead MoreCritical Writing Assigment 41874 Words   |  8 Pageswhich leaned somewhat to laissez-faire economics, the interpretation of John Stuart Mill, which was complex and indecisive, and the interpretation of Karl Marx, which argued against the concept of a free market. The essay concludes by discussing the complexity of the debate and the unanswered questions it still presents to modern economists. Keywords: free market, free market system, David Ricardo, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx Introduction The majority of classical economists based their workRead MoreMasterpieces Always Come With Good Reasons And Fantastic1716 Words   |  7 Pagesexcellent works. I. On Liberty by John Stuart Mill In his work On Liberty, Mill starts from historical facts, analysing facts using his reasons and gets his conclusions; then, changing his way he used to use, he starts from fictions that made by himself and are different or totally opposite to those historical facts, and gets an opposite conclusions, thus reinforcing his conclusions extracted from facts. And we shall see a lot of examples in his work. When Mill talks about the liberty of beliefRead MorePostmoderntiy: a Break from Modernity1903 Words   |  8 Pagesdefinitive and it’s up to the writers to clarify their particular usage. (Gibbins Reimer, 1996, p. 8) As such, the meaning of â€Å"post† in this paper refers a â€Å"break from†, â€Å"opposition to†, â€Å"difference to and from† and a response to†. Works of Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill; Friedrich Nietzsche and Michel Foucault will prove that there is break between Modernity and Postmodernity. Modernity Modernity refers to a way of life and state of mind that experience progressive economic and administrativeRead MoreJeremy Bentham And Utilitarianism1461 Words   |  6 Pageswould not conclude to start a food fight. Bentham taught his teachings to one of his disciples John Stuart Mill. Just as Bentham, Mill believed in utilitarianism and advocated it throughout his beliefs. He advocated for women’s suffrage, which does produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Classless Philosophy At the same time, Karl Marx advocated for a different view of society. Karl Marx (1818-1838) was a Prussian philosopher who noticed the great gap between the rich and the poorRead MoreMy Life I Have Been Exposed With Little Diversity Essay2146 Words   |  9 Pageswould change my perspective on freedom entirely). Throughout the term nearly all the books had a theme of freedom, however, five stood out in particular Democracy and Its Global Roots by Amartya Sen, On Liberty by John Stuart Mill and The Republic by Plato, The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels and Omelas by Ursula le Guin. Throughout the semester Human Experience gave me the opportunity to branch out from my credulous past and learn more struggles that occurred for society to be

Symptoms And Treatment Of Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

TERMINOLOGY CLINICAL CLARIFICATION †¢ A metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from decreased insulin secretion and insulin receptor sensitivity. Chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes leads to microvascular and macrovascular complications 1 CLASSIFICATION 1 †¢ Diabetes mellitus type 2 ââ€"‹ Accounts for 90-95% of cases of diabetes ââ€"‹ Less common types of diabetes include: diabetes mellitus type 1, gestational diabetes, diabetes due to genetic defects, drug-induced diabetes, endocrinopathy based diabetes, exocrine pancreas based diabetes DIAGNOSIS CLINICAL PRESENTATION †¢ History 1, 14 ââ€"‹ May be asymptomatic despite pathological and functional changes in target tissue; most cases are diagnosed through routine screening or†¦show more content†¦metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) – Sleep disorders (obstructive sleep apnea, chronic sleep deprivation, night shift work) in conjunction with glucose intolerance DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES †¢ Primary diagnostic tools 1 ââ€"‹ Diagnosis is confirmed with one of the below tests in combination with clinical evidence of diabetes OR one of the below tests repeated or in combination with a second test – Fasting plasma glucose OR – Oral glucose tolerance test OR – Hemoglobin A1c ââ€"‹ If patient is exhibits classic signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia (polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, unexplained weight loss, weakness, blurred vision), a

Homeschooling Essay Example For Students

Homeschooling Essay Before the beginning of American public schools in the mid-19th century, home schooling was the norm. Founding father John Adams encouraged his spouse to educate their children while he was on diplomatic missions (Clark, 1994). By the 1840s instruction books for the home were becoming popular in the United States and Britain. The difficulty of traveling to the system of community schools was provoking detractors. At this time, most of the country began moving toward public schools (Clark, 1994). One of the first things early pioneers did was set aside a plot of land to build a school house and try to recruit the most educated resident to be the schoolmarm. This led to recruiting of graduates Eastern Seaboard colleges to further the education oftheir children beyond what they could do at home (Clark, 1994). As the popularity of the public school movement began to rise behind Horace Mann many states soon passed compulsory-education laws. These were designed primarily to prevent farmers , miners, and other parents form keeping their kids home to work (Clark, 1994). Ironically another factor behind public schools was the desire to use them to spread Christian morality, with its concern for the larger good over individualism (Clark, 1994). Massachusetts enacted the first such laws in 1852 requiring children ages 8-14 to be at school at least 12 weeks a year unless they were too poor. The laws proved to be effective, from 1870-1898 the number of children enrolling in the public schools outpaced the population growth. The laws proved to be effective, from 1870-1898 the number of children enrolling in the public schools outpaced the population growth. Except for certain religious sects and correspondence schools home schooling remained limited for most of the 20th century. During the 1960s the hippie counterculture exploded into the scene. This culture led a revolt against the education establishment. Thousands of young Americans began dropping out of society and going back to the land to live on communes that generated the modern home schooling movement. Twenty years ago, many states did not allow home schooling. Constitutional protection has always been uncertain. The U.S. Supreme Court has never explicitly ruled on home schooling. Although in 1972, in Wisconsin v. Yoder, the Court did restrict compulsory school requirements in a limited ruling involving the right of Amish students not to attend high school (Lines, 1996). In Wisconsin v. Yoder, the Amish parents claimed that high school attendance was destructive to their childrens religious beliefs and would interfere with their pursuit of the Amish way of life (Fisher, Schimmel, and Kelley, 1995). Since this ruling there have been many court cases dealing with the issue of home schooling. All 50 states allow home schooling ad 34 states have enacted specific home schooling statutes or regulations (Clark, 1994). What drives many home-schoolers are the well-documented social troubles and the declining test scores in the public schools. In 1991, the total number of children being home schooled was between 248,500 and 353,500. Many public educators feel that children who are home schooled are missing out on key learning situations that come from the public school. For instance the sciene experiments, these would be very costly to duplicate at home. Also they argue that home school children miss out on the social aspect of school. Very often they are not around many children their age and socialization does not take place. As the home schooling movement has become more widespread, state and local officials have responded with more vigorous enforcement of their compulsory education laws. As a result of this there is more litigation and new regulations. As both parents and school officials evidence increasing inflexibility, the statues play a central role in the battle over the education of the child. A secondary role is played by the courts which, in resolving the disputes between parents and the schools, must interpret and test the statutes (Chiusano 1996). Parents who are being prosecuted for instructing their children at home are attacking compulsory school attendance statues on constitutional grounds. Although no case dealing specifically with home instruction has yet reached the Supreme Court, the increased activism of the home school movement may produce a ruling in the near future (Lines, 1996). Constitutional challenges have been based on the First or Fourteenth Amendment. In many of the home instruction cases parents have .

Applying Models of Health Promotion to Improve Effectiveness of Pharmacist-Led Campaign in Reducing Obesity in Socioeconomically Deprived Areas The WritePass Journal

Applying Models of Health Promotion to Improve Effectiveness of Pharmacist-Led Campaign in Reducing Obesity in Socioeconomically Deprived Areas Abstract Applying Models of Health Promotion to Improve Effectiveness of Pharmacist-Led Campaign in Reducing Obesity in Socioeconomically Deprived Areas ). The multi-factorial nature of obesity suggests that management of this condition should also take a holistic approach and should not only be limited to health promotion models designed to promote individual health. Hence, identifying different models appropriate for communities would also be necessary to address obesity amongst socio-economically deprived families. One of models that also address factors present in the community or environment of the individual is the ecological approaches model (Goodson, 2009). Family, workplace, community, economics, beliefs and traditions and the social and physical environments all influence the health of an individual (Naidoo and Wills, 2009). The levels of influence in the ecological approaches model are described as intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community and public policy. Addressing obesity amongst socio-economically deprived individuals through the ecological approaches model will ensure that each level of influence is recogn ised and addressed. Pharmacist-led Campaigns in Reducing Obesity The health belief, stages of change and the ecological approaches models can all be used to underpin pharmacist-led campaigns in reducing obesity for communities that are socio-economically deprived. Blenkinsopp et al. (2003) state that community pharmacists have a pivotal role in articulating the needs of individuals with specific health conditions in their communities. Pharmacists can lobby at local and national levels and act as supporters of local groups who work for health improvement. However, the work of the pharmacists can also be influenced by their own beliefs, perceptions and practices. Blenkinsopp et al. (2003) emphasise that when working in communities with deprived individuals, the pharmacists should also consider how their own socioeconomic status influence the type of care they provide to the service users. They should also consider whether differences in socio-economic status have an impact on the care received the patients. There should also be a consideration if th ere are differences in the culture, educational level and vocabulary of service users and pharmacists. Differences might influence the quality of care received by the patients; for instance, differences in culture could easily lead to miscommunication and poor quality of care (Taylor et al., 2004). Bond (2000) expresses the need for pharmacists to examine the needs of each service user and how they can empower individuals to seek for healthcare services and meet their own needs. In community settings, it is essential to increase the self-efficacy of service users. Self-efficacy is described as the belief of an individual that they are capable of attaining specific goals through modifying their behaviour and adopting specific behaviours (Lubkin and Larsen, 2011). In relation to addressing obesity amongst socio-economically deprived individuals, pharmacists can use the different models to help individuals identify their needs and allow them to gain self-efficacy. For example, pharmacists can use the health belief model to educate individuals on the consequences of obesity. On the other hand, the stages of change model can be utilised to help individuals changed their eating behaviour and improve their physical activities. Uptake of behaviours such as healthy eating and increasing physical activities are not always optimal despite concerted efforts of communities and policymakers (Reilly et al., 2006). It is suggested that changing one’s behaviour require holistic and multifaceted interventions aimed at increasing self-efficacy of families and allowing them to take positive actions (Naidoo and Wills, 2009). There is evidence (Tucker et al., 2006; Barkin et al., 2012; Davison et al., 2013; Zhou et al., 2014) that multifaceted community-based interventions aimed at families are more likely to improve behaviour and reduce incidence of obesity than single interventions. Community-based interventions can be supported with the ecological approaches model. This model recognises that one’s family, community, the environment, policies and other environment-related factors influence the health of the individuals. To date, the Department of Health (2010) through its Healthy Lives, Healthy People pol icy reiterates the importance of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle to prevent obesity. This policy allows local communities to take responsibility and be accountable for the health of its community members. Pharmacists are not only limited to dispensing advice on medications for obesity but to also facilitate a healthier lifestyle. This could be done through collaboration with other healthcare professionals in the community (Goodson, 2009). A multidisciplinary approach to health has been suggested to be effective in promoting positive health outcomes of service users (Zhou et al., 2014). As discussed in this essay, pharmacists can facilitate the access of service users to activities and programmes designed to prevent obesity amongst members in the community. Finally, pharmacists have integral roles in health promotion and are not limited to dispensing medications or provide counselling on pharmacologic therapies. Their roles have expanded to include providing patients with holistic interventions and facilitating uptake of health and social care services designed to manage and prevent obesity in socio-economically deprived individuals. Conclusion In conclusion, pharmacists can use the different health promotion models to address obesity amongst individuals with lower socioeconomic status. The use of these models will help pharmacists provide holistic interventions to this group and address their individual needs. The different health promotion models discussed in this essay shows that it is crucial to allow service users gain self-efficacy. This will empower them to take positive actions regarding their health. Finally, it is suggested that a multi-faceted, community based intervention will likely lead to a successful campaign against obesity. References Adams, J., Tyrrell, R., Adamson, A. White, M. (2012). Socio-economic differences in exposure to television food advertisements in the UK: a cross-sectional study of advertisements broadcast in one television region. Public Health Nutrition, 15(3), 487-494. Barkin, S., Gesell, S., Poe, E., Escarfuller, J. Tempesti, T. (2012). Culturally tailored, family-centred, behavioural obesity intervention for Latino-American Preschool-aged children. Pediatrics, 130(3), 445-456. Blenkisopp, A., Panton, R. Anderson, C. (2000). Health Promotion for Pharmacists, 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Blenkisopp, A., Andersen, C. Panton, R. (2003). Promoting Health.   In: K. Taylor G. Harding (Eds.), Pharmacy Practice (pp. 135-147). London: CRC Press. Bond, C. (2000). An introduction to pharmacy practice. In: C. Bond (ed.), Evidence-based pharmacy (pp. 1-21). London: Pharmaceutical Press. Davison, K., Jurkowski, J., Li, K., Kranz, S. Lawson, H. ((2013). A childhood obesity intervention developed by families for families: results from a pilot study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10(3). Retrieved November 21, 2014 from ijbnpa.org/content/10/1/ De Silva-Sanigorski, A. (2011). Obesity prevention in the family day care setting: impact of the Romp Chomp intervention on opportunities for children’s physical activity and healthy eating. Child Care, Health and Development, 37(3), 385-393. Department of Health (2009). Change4Life. London: Department of Health. Department of Health (2010). Healthy Lives, Healthy People. London: Department of Health. Department of Health (2011). The Eatwell Plate. London: Department of Health. Goodson, P. (2009). Theory in health promotion research and practice: Thinking outside the box. London: Jones Bartlett Learning. Jones, S., Mannino, N. Green, J. (2010). Like me, want me, buy me, eat me’: relationship-building marketing communications in children’s magazines. Public Health and Nutrition, 13(12), 2111-2118. Lubkin, I. Larsen, P. (2011). Chronic illness: impact and intervention. London: Jones Bartlett Publishers. Levin, B., Hurd, P. Hanson, A. (2008). Introduction to public health in pharmacy. London: Jones Bartlett Publishers. Naidoo, J. Wills, J. (2009) Foundations for health promotion. London: Elsevier Health Sciences. Public Health England (2014). Trends in Obesity Prevalence. Retrieved November 21, 2014 from noo.org.uk/NOO_about_obesity/trends Reilly, J., Montgomery, C., Williamson, A., Fisher, A., McColl, J., Lo Conte, R., Pathon, J. Grant, S. (2006). Physical activity to prevent obesity in young children: cluster randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal, doi: 10.1136/bmj.38979.623773.55 Retrieved November 21, 2014 from bmj.com/content/333/7577/1041.full.pdf+html Taylor, K., Nettleton, S. Harding, G. (2004). Sociology for pharmacists: An introduction. London: CRC Press. Tucker, P., Irwin, J., Sangster Bouck, L., He, M. Pollett, G. (2006). Preventing paediatric obesity; recommendations from a community-based qualitative investigation. Obesity Review, 7(3), 251-260. Zhou, Z., Ren, H., Yin, Z., Wang, L. Wang, K. (2014). A policy-driven multifaceted approach for the early childhood physical fitness promotion: impacts on body composition and physical fitness in young Chinese children. BMC Pediatrics, 14: 118 Retrieved November 21, 2014 from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24886119

The Pros and Cons of Ethanol Fuel

The Pros and Cons of Ethanol Fuel Ethanol is a relatively low-cost alternative fuel  that boasts less pollution and more availability compared to unblended gasoline, but there are a number of benefits and drawbacks to this newer form of fuel. For environmental purposes, ethanol is less harmful than unblended gasoline. Carbon monoxide production from ethanol fuel is significantly lower than that of gasoline engines, and ethanol is easier to source since it comes from processed corn. This means it also helps farms and manufacturing economies. The disadvantages of ethanol and other biofuels include the use of farmland for industrial corn and soy growth, rather than for food crops. Also, biofuels arent meant for all vehicles, especially older vehicles. There is some resistance from the automotive industry when it comes to adding biofuels to the market. However, many automakers are adapting to low-emissions vehicle standards which require vehicles to use ethanol blends rather than unblended gasoline. Ethanol Benefits for the Environment and Economy Overall, ethanol is considered to be better for the environment than gasoline. Ethanol-fueled vehicles produce lower  carbon dioxide emissions,  and the same or lower levels of hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen emissions. E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, also has fewer volatile components than gasoline, which means fewer gas emissions from evaporation. Adding ethanol to gasoline in lower percentages, such as 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline (E10), reduces carbon monoxide emissions from the gasoline and improves fuel octane. Flexible fuel vehicles that can use E85 are widely available and come in many different styles from most major auto manufacturers. E85 is also widely available at a growing number of gas stations throughout the United States. Flexible fuel vehicles have the advantage of being able to use E85, gasoline, or a combination of the two, giving drivers the flexibility to choose the fuel that is most readily available and best suited to their needs. Because ethanol is mostly a product of processed corn, ethanol production supports farmers and creates domestic jobs. And because ethanol is produced domestically, from domestically-grown crops, it reduces U.S. dependence on foreign oil and increases the nation’s energy independence. Being able to grow ethanol-producing crops reduces the pressure to drill in environmentally-sensitive places, such as the north slope of Alaska, the Arctic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. It can replace the necessity for environmentally-sensitive shale oil, like that coming from the Bakken Shale,  and reduces the need for the construction of new pipelines like the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Drawbacks of Ethanol Ethanol and other biofuels are often promoted as clean, low-cost alternatives to gasoline, but the production and use of ethanol are not all positive. The major debate about corn and soy-based biofuels is the amount of land it takes away from food production. Also, industrial corn and soy farming are harmful to the environment in a different way. Growing corn for ethanol involves large amounts of synthetic fertilizer and herbicide. Corn production, in general, is a frequent source of nutrient and sediment pollution. Also, the typical practices of industrial corn farmers, versus commercial and local food farmers, are considered more environmentally hazardous in general. The challenge of growing enough crops to meet the demands of ethanol and biodiesel production is significant and, some say, insurmountable. According to some authorities, producing  enough biofuels  to enable their widespread adoption could mean converting most of the world’s remaining forests and open spaces to farmland - a sacrifice few people would be willing to make. â€Å"Replacing only five percent of the nation’s diesel  consumption with biodiesel  would require diverting approximately 60 percent of today’s soy crops to  biodiesel production,† says Matthew Brown, an energy consultant and former energy program director at the National Conference of State Legislatures. In a 2005 study, Cornell University researcher David Pimental factored in the energy needed to grow crops and convert them to biofuels and concluded that producing ethanol from corn required 29 percent more energy than ethanol is capable of generating. Sources: EarthTalk staff. The Pros and Cons of Biofuels. James T. Ehler, February 2007. Susan S. Lang. Cornell ecologists study finds that producing ethanol and biodiesel from corn and other crops is not worth the energy. Cornell Chronicle, July 5, 2005, Ithaca NY.

Influenza Pandemic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Influenza Pandemic - Essay Example The research explained how the next influenza pandemic may arise and its possible outcome. This paper also discussed the history of Influenza happened in the year 1918, 1957, and 1968. Moreover this research used pictures and tables for effective illustrations of significant information. An influenza pandemic is a universal outbreak of flu disease that takes place when a new type of influenza virus appears that people have not been exposed to before (Kilbourne ED. 1975). According to Kilbourne ED. (1975) that pandemic flu is a worldwide outbreak of disease that takes place as soon as a new influenza virus appears in humans, causes serious illness and then spreads effortlessly from person to person worldwide. There are three types of influenza. Influenza A, B and C viruses are known to cause disease in humans. While influenza B and C viruses are strictly human pathogens, influenza Type A viruses are readily isolated from avian species, pigs and other animals. Influenza Type A viruses are divided into subtypes based on differences in the surface glycoprotein antigens, hem agglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). There are 14 known HA subtypes and 9 known NA subtypes. All of these subtypes have been isolated in birds but only 3 different HA and two different NA subtypes have been isolated in humans (See table bellow) The influenza viruses are only one of its kinds amongst the respiratory viruses in that they undergo major antigenic variation (Stuart-Harris C. 1979). Antigenic drift entails minor antigen changes from one season to the next and may result in epidemic spread of the new strain. Antigenic shift entails major antigenic changes of the HA and NA molecules and happens merely with Influenza A viruses. These changes can result in the appearance of pandemic viruses. In accordance with Stuart-Harris C. (1979) three worldwide outbreaks of influenza occurred in the 20th century: in 1918, 1957, and 1968. Of these, the 1918 Spanish Flu was the most severe, with 50 million or more deaths worldwide. The last 2 were in the era of modern virology and most thoroughly characterized. All 3 have been unofficially identified by the presumed sites of origin as Spanish, Asian, and Hong Kong influenza, respectively. According to Stuart-Harris C. (1979) they are now identified to represent 3 various antigenic subtypes of influenza Type A virus: H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2, respectively. Not classified as true pandemics are 3 prominent epidemics: a pseudo pandemic in 1947 with low death rates, an epidemic in 1977 that was a pandemic in children, and an abortive epidemic of swine influenza in 1976 that was feared to have pandemic potential. Major influenza epidemics show no predictable periodicity or pattern, and all differ from one another. Evidence implies that true pan demics with changes in hem agglutinin subtypes take place from genetic reassortment with animal influenza Type A viruses. No one can foresee when a pandemic might take place, but public health experts think it is only a matter of time before the next one arises. Experts all over the world are watching the H5N1 avian flu condition in Asia very severely and are preparing for the probability that the virus may start to spread more easily and broadly from person to person. If this happens, the next