Human Cloning and the Future Essay

In his work from 2002 â€Å"Religion and Human Cloning: An Exploratory Analysis of the First Available Opinion Data†, John Evans proudly states a few possible benefits, or advantages, of human ‘therapeutic’ cloning. While talking about embryonic stem cells, he states â€Å"these cells can eventually be used to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and kidney failure, to name but a few†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (748). These possibilities have mostly been confirmed since the publishing of Evans’ piece and other more incredible possibilities have come about. The benefits of both reproductive and therapeutic cloning are endless, yet many still disagree. They say that cloning is dangerous and that it would end human evolution and bring disaster to society as we know it (Mautner, 68). Do most people really think this is true? Or is modern society simply scared of the unknown and not ready for change? Many scientists and authors constantly debate the ethics and possibilities of human cloning, both for reproductive use and therapeutic use. A couple of possible risks would accompany the beginning of human cloning, however the benefits are legitimate, and we as a species should reconsider. It is common knowledge that mother and father love one another. And it’s the classic ideal for a family to begin, in the act of spousal love through sexual reproduction. Alix Magney, in his work â€Å"Cloning Me, Cloning You: Reflections on the Ethics of Cloning for Individuals, Families and Society†, argues that since human cloning would cause childbearing to lose its proper origins as an act of spousal love, it â€Å"†¦plainly poses a threat to the dignity and equality of women†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (25). I don’t think this is true at all, as adopting a child has been practiced for thousands of years and in vitro fertilization was invented in 1978. In vitro fertilization is where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the female body and then inserted into the uterus for maturation only once the egg is fertilized. Sperm donors have been used for decades, completely negating any ‘spousal love’ from the equation that is reproduction. While people continue to fight over equality for women, which has been true since the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, other people continue to debate greater concerns about cloning. I have always heard it said ‘You’re special’, or ‘Just be yourself’, and these are sayings of encouragement to develop your own identity, not to follow others when unnecessary, and to accept that everyone is different. Giovanni Berlucchi, in his work â€Å"The Myth of the Clonable Human Brain†, states that â€Å"†¦most human values are corollaries of the concept that each person is unique and identical to himself or herself through space and time. (160) and â€Å"†¦that this kind of genetic manipulation may interfere with psychological and biological diversity, and therefore with the distinctiveness and autonomy of the individual† (160). I do think that the overuse of a single genetic identity for reproductive cloning would cause a disruption in the common value of individuality, but only in that physical aspect of things. Th e benefits of reproductive cloning and the possibilities of advancing the individual through therapeutic cloning could greatly outweigh any disruptions. Berlucchi continues, â€Å"Nature has, of course, been producing genetically identical humans from time immemorial†¦ in trifling pairs of monozygotic twins, and even less frequently in batches of monozygotic triplets†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (160). Prenatal uterine environment differences, along with other environmental differences post-conception, can significantly affect the psychological outcome of the child and is a main reason for psychological differences between monozygotic twins. The concept of environmental determinism dispels the myth that cloning humans would eliminate the core value of individuality. The controversy over abortion is one of the biggest issues for politicians and the rest of society alike. The debate over whether or not an embryo is to be considered a human being with rights is a ‘hot topic’ among the public and continues to be an important argument for almost everyone. In his aforementioned piece â€Å"Religion and Human Cloning†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , John Evans says that the Roman Catholic Church has the most clear-cut position against cloning, simply based on the status they give to a human embryo. They believe embryos are equivalent to fully grown humans: â€Å"Embryos are to be treated the same as born persons and therefore cannot be used as means toward an end. Most obviously, they cannot be destroyed to benefit others† (748). The church also opposes cloning because it â€Å"†¦severs human reproduction from sexuality† (748). If a couple is attempting to have a kid with each other, by any means, they are more than likely sexually active with one another, and therefore cloning doesn’t remove the sexuality from the overall situation, even if it is not directly involved with the contraception. Also, new technology has been developed since the writing of this article, and it is now possible to extract stem cells from embryos without destroying the embryo. You can take a single stem cell, or blastomere, and coax it to become an endlessly proliferating stem cell. Although these cells can’t form embryos, they can form major types of human tissue just as any embryonic stem cells do. So, therapeutic cloning is possible without the destruction of embryos. Other people fear the end of what Charles Darwin so valiantly discovered and explained to us all over 150 years ago – human evolution. Michael Mautner, in his piece â€Å"Will Cloning End Human Evolution? †, argues that a result of human cloning would be the end of human evolution. He states â€Å"Cloning will, in contrast, reproduce the same genetic makeup of an existing individual. There is no room for new traits to arise†¦ The result: Human evolution is halted† (68). Only an insane situation where cloning was the only method for reproduction and the same genetic makeup was used over and over again would lead to the end of human evolution. This is an extreme situation and would almost definitely never happen. New science behind non-embryonic stem cell research has shown incredible potential for stem cells in general, as embryonic stem cells show significantly more potential than stem cells extracted from other parts of the human body, like the yellow bone marrow. Stem cells are beginning to be used to regrow hair, teeth and cartilage in damaged joints. Since the procedures and research are incredibly expensive, treatment is limited to those wealthy enough. Professional North-American athletes have led the way, being human guinea pigs for the non-invasive procedures in hopes of returning their bodies to their prime, pre-injury, form. Stem cell treatments are growing in popularity and legitimacy, and the use of embryonic stem cells shouldn’t be limited as it can only advance our species. Scientific tests and studies have proven limitless benefits to stem cell transplants, yet ethical concerns and moral-based laws are constraining what could be groundbreaking and life-saving science. There is possible potential for embryonic stem cells to be grown into whole, functional, organs or entire limbs of the human body. The uses could range from a ounded amputee war veteran in need of a new leg, or an elderly woman in need of a new kidney as hers is failing, and the possibilities are endless. Human fear of the unknown is instinctual, but as the realm of the previously impossible comes more into the lights of reality, we need to change our minds on the practicality and usefulness of cloning and embryonic stem cells. For our ailing parents, for our children, and our children’s children, we need to advance as a society, and take hold of the opportunities and benefits sitting right in front of us.

Easy to Learn Essay

Here are some interesting stories for all the god’s fan†¦. 1.Sachin was given a pair of pads by his cricket hero Sunil Gavaskar when he was a schoolboy – and he made his Test debut for India against Pakistan aged just 16-years old in 1989 wearing those very pads†¦.. 2.Like loads of other cricketers, Sachin is pretty superstitious – he’ll always put on his left pad before his right whenever he’s getting padded up†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 3.â€Å"He hasn’t spent Diwali at home since we got married. But it really doesn’t matter that it’s Diwali†¦ any time he spends at home is great!† – Anjali, his wife, told once†¦ Once in a BBC interview when asked about his dream women, Sachin answered ‘my wife’ without batting an eyelid. 4.†He scored a fantastic 148 in Shane Warne’s debut Test in Sydney and then followed it up with another century at Perth, one of the toughest pitches in the world , where Indians have traditionally struggled. The value of his hundred increased because all the other Indian batsmen struggled. His weakness is the fact that he is so talented. His adrenaline pumps strongly when he walks out to bat with the noise of the crowds. You can’t hear yourself think with that noise. I would pay $1000 to watch Sachin bat. To score a 148 at Sydney – and that too when you are 18 — was out of the ordinary though the wicket was a lot like the ones you encounter in India, flat with lots of runs for the taking†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.† The above facts are told by Allan Border. 5.The entire cricket world is convinced of one thing : Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is the world’s best batsman. Not just for his extraordinary skill, not just for his ability to tear even the most formidable of bowling attacks to shreds; but also for a rare never-say-die spirit, an insatiable hunger for runs and victory, a desire to dominate the opponent ; commitment, dedication †¦ These are what the little champion has built his reputation on. .. 6.Tendulkar was a person who would never show any disrespect to the national flag..He respects the national flag most and had even sought permission to use the tricolour on his helmet†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ It’s not the riches or the records but the love for the game that keeps the world’s richest cricketer going day after day. It is his hard work, determination, temperament & dedication for the country that keeps him charged†¦. 7.Tendulkar, now in his eighteenth year in international cricket says, †I still play†¦ because I still love the game.† †I would like to clarify this. It’s not about records. It’s all about loving the game and enjoying being out there in the middle. That is extremely special to me and far bigger than breaking records or creating new ones.† †Creating records happens after you’ve gone on the cricket field, but you’ve got to find a reason to go on the cricket field, and for me the reason is very clear.† †From the age of three I’ve loved this sport and I’ve never thought about scoring the most number of centuries or runs in international cricket. Everyone enjoys breaking records, I’m enjoying it too, but that is not the reason for playing cricket.† â€Å"Whatever level you reach, getting better never stops†-Sachin. Tendulkar said †When I started playing, I always wanted to be regarded as one of the best and the idea was that when I stopped playing, people would remember my name. Being regarded as one of the best players is always a good feeling, and that drives you, it refuels you completely. You want to be on top of your game all the time and push yourself harder and harder. There’s a huge responsibility and it is a great challenge. I love that,† he added†¦.. 8.Some quotes by GOD himself†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ My big sister gave it to me after returning from a trip to Kashmir, which is known for its high-quality willows. It wasn’t the best bat, but it was like a piece of gold to me. I used to imagine myself batting for India, hitting fours and sixes, the people cheering. I used that bat until it broke .. I was the only one supporting John McEnroe — everyone used to call me â€Å"Mac† because I styled myself on him. I made my father buy me the same headbands and sweatbands and even grew my hair long. You wouldn’t believe the pictures of me from that time. I was also extremely naughty. Very, very difficult to handle. †¦I had a nanny who used to run after me virtually 24 hours a day, because I never wanted to go home My father, who died in 1999, was never a cricket fan, not at all. He was a writer and a poet: he taught Marathi, my mother tongue, at the local university. But he understood exactly how to get the best out of me. He always encouraged me and told my mother that he had full faith in me. It was probably reverse psychology, but as I got older I felt like I could not misuse that trust. He warned me against taking short cuts and told me to just keep playing, despite the ups and downs. My parents taught me that it is important to live every day of your life with grace and honour.When it came to choosing between cricket and going to university, he said: â€Å"You can play cricket, I know that is your first love, so go for it.† Of course, my parents were extremely happy when I became the youngest player to play for India, at 16. .. Cricket is something very, very special to me. It has never been about owning this or that car and the other things that come with this life.. An obsession with money or worldly matters was always thumbed down. My only dream was to wear the Indian cap and the Indian colours. In that respect, my childhood dreams have come true†¦.. Having children brings back all my old childhood memories, wonderful years. Now, every minute is measured and calculated. I still dream — without dreams, life is flat, you stagnate. I don’t go to the temple every morning, but I do pray. I thank God for everything he has given me, because life has been very good to me. 9.Chappell should remember how Tendulkar has achieved his greatness and carried the weight of expectations of a billion people since the age of 16, Jadeja said. He added â€Å"When tendulkar enters the field, the crowd says-SACHIN! SACHIN! This is something what every cricketer wants†.. Sachin Tendulkar, the brightest star in the world of cricket has achieved his greatest prices with his intellectual and skilful cricketing brains.. SACHIN dreamt a world of superstars and great triumph and he achieved it.. At the age of 10 he walked to the field at 6 am with a cricket bag bigger than him for the practice. At the age of 11 he moved with his paternal uncle to get trained in cricket by the most renowned coach Ramakanth Achrekar. .. 10.Billions of hearts weep†¦..on the day when Sachin (GOD) retire. Indians wish that day never comes. It would be one of the most disappointing days of our life. Ever since Indians started watching cricket, it was Sachin, Sachin & only Sachin who made them feel cricket so special. Sachin is only responsible for making cricket a religion in India. They haven’t experienced watching cricket without Sachin. Whether he was injured/rested, there was always a ray of hope that he comes back to team soon. But after retirement, he will never be backing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..If anyone wants to achieve anything in life, Sachin is the best example for them. I feel most people find it hard to digest that Sachin will no more be a part of Indian cricket†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.on that day, isn’t it? JUST imagine that day, when Sachin plays his last game. He comes to bat for the last time, and everybody in the stadium claps & the chants of SACHIN!!! came for the last time after he gets out, while walking back to the pavilion, the entire crowd gives him a stand awaition. Many of them will be in tears, millions of eyes wet watching their hero play for the last time. An era ends. The end of a legend came†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..The bond between every generation breaks. Would you miss Sachin a lot? I think most of people would say â€Å"YES†. The saddest day of Indian cricket- when genius retires†¦LOVE YOU SACHIN!!! 11.From the early 90s to the early years of the new millennium represented the decade of Brian Lara, Richardson, Martin Crowe, Steve and Mark Waugh, Mathew Hayden, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Gary Kirsten and Rahul Dravid. But there can be any doubt that the No.1 batsman in the world for a decade now has been Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar. . But figures, however important they may be, are something that Tendulkar’s achievement should not be measured by. He should be judged by the manner of his batting & that is what Bradman did. Symbolized by Sir Bradman naming him in his dream team of all time. The team in which Tendulkar is the only Indian player. He has scored runs on slow pitches of the subcontinent, fast tracks of West Indies, bouncy wickets in Australia and South Africa and in whirling conditions in New Zealand and England. The thought of having Tendulkar as an opponent gives bowlers bad dreams. No batsman has inflicted such psychological damage to bowlers at any time in the world like Tendulkar did to Shane Warne!!!(Warne said Tendulkar is my nightmare). His technique is so well organized that he is able to encounter any delivery with ease and comfort, giving the impression of having all the time in the world to play the stroke, the hallmark of the greatest of batsmen.

Prons and Cons of Corporate Reporting Essay

We succinctly lay out arguments put forth both for and against the regulation of corporate disclosure and standard-setting. We then examine current developments suggesting that accounting standard-setting is at risk of becoming entangled in a web of political forces with potentially significant consequences. The crisis has brought into sharp focus the reality that the regulation of corporate reporting is just one piece of a larger regulatory configuration, and that forces are at play that would subjugate accounting standard-setting to broader regulatory demands. Recent actions by the European Commission relating to IFRS 9 and proposed legislation in the US Congress to create a systemic risk council serve to illustrate this point. We conclude by discussing in detail the recent fair value debate as a case study of the way in which bank regulatory policy and accounting standard-setting decisions were jointly determined as a potentially socially optimal means to mitigate the effects of the financial crisis. Keywords: regulation; corporate reporting; politics 1. Introduction History attests to the influence of crisis and scandals as an impetus for regulatory intervention by politicians (Banner, 1997; Reinhart and Rogoff, 2008). After a series of scandals in the UK in the 1990s culminating in the collapse of Barings Bank, there was a dramatic shift in the structure of nnancial regulation that consolidated regulation responsibilities under the auspices of the Financial Services Authority. A wave of financial scandals epitomised by the Enron debacle catalysed swift and sweeping ciianges to US securities regulations with the passage of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. Today, in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2007-2009, financial accounting standard-setting finds itself drawn into the orbit of complex political processes focused on restructuring the regulation of the world’s financial markets. The crisis has ignited woddwide debate on issues of systemic risk and the role played by financial regulation in creating and exacerbating the crisis. Proposals abound for how regulation of financial markets and financial institutions should be changed to mitigate the potential †¢The authors are at Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina. This paper has been prepared for presentation and discussion at the Information for Better Markets Conference, sponsored by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, 14-15 December 2009. We thank Dan Amiram, Mary Barth, Elieia Cowins, Martien Lubberink, Brian Singleton-Green and Steve Zeff for helpful comments. Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor Robert Bushman, Kenan-Flagler Business School, The Unversity of North Carolina, CB #3490, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3490, USA. E-mail: Bushman@unc. edu. for such large-scale financial meltdowns in the fixture. The scope of regulatory issues under debate spans many aspects of the financial system, including the alleged role played by financial accounting standards in deepening the trajectory of the crisis. The crisis has energised politicians, regulators, and economists to scrutinise financial accounting standards as never before, creating significant pressure for change (see, e. g. G-20, 2009). Given mounting momentum for potentially far reaching regulatory change, this is an opportune moment to step back and carefiilly consider how to organise the analysis of efticient regulatory choice.

Dutchtown High School Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Dutchtown High School - Research Paper Example From the discussion it is clear that  Dutchtown High School is located in Geismar, which is an unincorporated area in  Ascension Parish,  Louisiana.  This town has two schools, which are often ranked among the best schools in Louisiana. These are the Dutchtown elementary or Middle School and  Dutchtown High School. The school environment is an attractive scene since the Mississippi river runs across the town.  However, the area where the school is located is vulnerable to hurricanes and the tropical systems since the area is lowly elevated, and has a close location to the coast of southeast Louisiana. The town lies 23 feet above the sea level, which is slightly lower than most areas of United States.This paper discusses that  Geismar in turn is located in Louisiana, a state found in the US, which is found in the southern region. The state of Louisiana is among the most extensive and populous states of the United States. This has contributed greatly in shaping the demogr aphics patterns of Ducthtown High School in that the school boasts of a large population of students and teachers. The average ratio of students to teacher is 25:1, which is actually a moderate ratio. The capitals of Louisiana are found in Baton Rouge whereas the largest city in that state is New Orleans. One interesting political fact is that the state of New Orleans is the only state in the US whereby the three are political subdivisions known as parishes.

Biometrics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Biometrics - Essay Example In the present contemporary era of computer science, a different role is being played by the biometrics applications. A particular class of identification technologies has been referred by the high technology sector of the biometrics. In specific, an individual’s identity is determined by the utilization of different technologies that refer to the individual biological traits. In this regard, fingerprints, retina, facial recognition, iris patterns, etc. are some of the major examples of the biological traits that are considered in the field of biometrics. Technical ability of the humans in terms of cataloguing and tracking the biological traits is considered during the selection of individual traits in the contemporary biometric applications. It is observed that a number of biological traits are easy to acquire; however, some are difficult to obtain, which has resulted in the creation of a number of complexities in the field of biometrics. In this regard, a number of experts are endeavoring for the improvement of biometric technology for the advancement of security of life measurements that can provide and ensure foolproof security in different organizations. Today, more reliability has been shown by the fingerprint readers that are available in different markets at very low cost. On the other hand, retina scanners are very costly, and therefore, it will take years to replace the less-accurate fingerprint scanners in different parts of the globe. Nowadays, digital and computer security is confronting immense demand, which has been ca used by the security breaches in different organizations around the world. In this regard, a number of studies are being carried out to ensure effective security, which is now one of the major concerns of the present technological globe. (Thieme, pp. 25-28) In the dominion of computer security, physiological and individual human characteristics are

Financial Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financial Management - Case Study Example Every foreign exchange market is in a position to mitigate the risk of uncertainty occurred due to the variations in the exchange rates on cash flows of both payables and receivables. â€Å"Under the hypothesis of efficient foreign exchange markets, the validity of the Purchasing Power Parity theorem may take care of the company’s uncertainty with respect to the mean value of its foreign currency portfolio. The remaining uncertainty, i.e. the variance of the value of the foreign currency portfolio around its mean, can be reduced by hedging† (Soenon 2006). Under this kind of marketing, generally, there should be equilibrium between the estimated cost of hedging and the actual cost. In addition, the chances of risks and uncertainty will be higher in case of exchange rates and its variations. It is necessary to consider the uncertainty caused by fluctuating exchange rates on cash flows both payable and receivable. This is due to the fact that one of the important tools with the finance manager to determine the changes in cash in hand and at bank is the cash flow statement. The statement of cash flows, both inflows and outflows can be analyzed to reveal significant relationships. Cash generating efficiency is the ability of an organization or a company to generate cash from its current or continuing operations. To evaluate this, fundamentally, certain ratios are used. Similarly, free cash flow is significant in this regard. It is the amount of cash that remains after deducting funds a company must commit to continue operating as its planned level. Such commitments must cover current continuing operations, interest, income tax, dividend, and net capital expenditures. When the free cash flow is positive, it means that the company has met all its planned commitments and has cash available to reduce debt or expand. A negative free cash flow would mean that the company needs to sell investments, borrow money or issue stock, in a short term, to carry on its finance at the planned levels. Besides measuring the cash efficiency and free cash flow with the help of cash flow statement, the financial analyst also calculates various ratios on cash figures rather than the earnings of the company. Such major ratios are- 1. Price per share/free cash flow per share 2. Operating cash flow/Operating profit 3. Self financing investment ratio, which is the internal funding/ Investment activities (net). It helps to indicates how much of the funds generated by the business are reinvested in assets. It is evident that the concepts of investment and risk are related to each other. Every business entity aims to maximize its returns. The business that deals with the investment in different securities by the investors is beneficial to a great extend but at the same time is quiet risky. More

Op-ed Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Op-ed - Research Paper Example Another relationship that such a shift would affect is that between the US and Israel, especially as Israel also views Iran as being the main destabilizing player in the region. These rifts between Iran and almost every other Arab power have largely shaped US-Iranian relations in the past decade. In the aftermath of the US’ overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003 and the Arab Spring movements, the US and Iran have been pitted in intense battles for influence in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq (Singh 1). While US officials continue to state that military action against Iranian nuclear installations remains an option, several developments in the Middle East have acted to realign relations between the two countries. The need for cooperation between Iran and the US in ensuring successful political transition in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as in coordinating a successful military operation against ISIS, has worked to align both countries’ foreign policy (Cullis 1). One notable result of this lull in political tensions has been the US government’s softened stance towards Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. As a result, even with US foreign policy still identifying Sunni Arab states like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey as its closest ally, the convergence of Iranian policy and US policy has led to common interests. However, rather than being part of a conscious change in US foreign policy, it is more of a geo-political reality. President Obama’s admi nistration has stressed that the US is not coordinating the ISIS effort and regional policies with Iran, although the recent intensive negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program has led to increased understanding (Cullis 1). For analysts like Laura Rozen at Al-Monitor, however, the chance for any rapprochement between Iran and the US is slim at best, if the history of

Criminal Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Criminal Law - Essay Example It was held that in determining whether or not the defendant lost his/her self-control, the jury may consider that are not confined to the defendant’s age and gender.6 Therefore Douglas, having just returned from a long road trip and having found his young wife in bed with his neighbour may be mitigating factors. Douglas appears to have been in total control however. He went to a pub which might indicate that the incident did not provoke him to such an extent that he lost control and acted in the heat of passion. However, by virtue of Section 54(2) of the 2009 the loss of self-control element does not have to be sudden.7 Therefore the fact that Douglas went to a pub after finding his wife in bed with the neighbour prior to stabbing the neighbour will not be a factor in his defence of provocation. The most significant problem for Douglas is proving that the stabbing was not an act of revenge. According to Section 54(4), Section 54(1) will not apply if â€Å"D acted in a consid ered desire for revenge†.8 However, since the 2009 Act fails to define what is a â€Å"considered desire for revenge† this part of the provocation defence is difficult to assess at this time. It may be that Douglas’ intoxication may act as evidence that he was not acting in revenge since the word considered tends to suggest that some thought and preparation preceded the act. The ultimate test for Douglas is provided for under Section 55 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. Section 55 provides that the qualifying trigger is satisfied if things that were said and/or done were of an â€Å"extremely grave character† and â€Å"caused D to have a justifiable sense of being seriously wronged†.9 In this regard, having returned home from a long road trip and finding his young wife in bed with the neighbour may be considered conduct of a seriously grave character to justify a sense of being seriously wronged. Unfortunately, Section 55(c) will deprive Douglas of this defence because, infidelity is not a qualifying trigger. 10 Douglas will therefore not be able to use the provocation defence by virtue of Section 54 of the 2009 Act. The defence of intoxication relies on distinguishing between being drunk and intoxicated. For instance an individual may be drunk when he/she commits a criminal act that he/she would not otherwise commit in a sober state. However, the defence of intoxication is not available if the mens rea for the offence charged was formed while the defendant was drunk.11 As the court cautioned in Sheehan, â€Å"a drunken intent is nevertheless an intent†.12 The court went on to state that: The jury should merely be instructed to have regard to all the evidence, including that relating to drink, to draw such inferences as they think proper from the evidence, and on that basis to ask themselves whether they feel sure that at the material time the defendant had the requisite intent.13 This ruling is very important to Do uglas’s defence of intoxication. This means that the jury is entitled to take into consideration the facts and circumstances occurring prior to Douglas’

Business plan - how a bank can penetrate Bulgaria's market Research Paper

Business plan - how a bank can penetrate Bulgaria's market - Research Paper Example Bulgaria has been able to attract a significant level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the year 2001. The financial Crisis that hit Bulgaria market in the year 2007-2010 marked an economic decline of up to 5.5% in the year 2009. Fortunately, the country regained a positive growth of close to 0.2 % in the year 2010, contrary to the rest of Balkan Countries (Lapteacru, 85). The country operates using one of the most stable currencies in Eastern Europe the Lev termed Leva when in plural form. The currency is pegged with the Euro with a prevailing rate of 1.95583in every Euro. Bulgarian strongest sectors include the energy, metallurgy, machine building, mining, agriculture and tourism. The primary exports from the industries include steel and iron, machinery and refined fuel, and clothing. The major obstacles towards foreign investment and economic growth involve inadequate R&D funding coupled with the development policies with unclear definition. The European and international ma rkets also experiences lower levels of competition and productivity. In the year 2012, the Bulgarian GDP attained a nominal of $ 50.78 billion, with $ 103.15 billion (PPP) in the same year. This marked a growth of 0.8% with a nominal of $ 6, 903. The GD per capita ranked at $ 14, 020 (PPP) with 5.6% in Agriculture, 31.1% in Industry and 63.2% in service. In the year 2012, inflation rate was experienced at 3%, with a population of 215 living under the poverty line by the year 2011. The Gini Co efficient ranked 28.2 in the year 2007 (Bulgarian - American Credit Bank AD 1200). The sources of wealth Top company profiles by name, revenue/profit, and ownership Lukoil Neftochim Bourgas locates at B urgas, Bulgaria. Lukoil acts as the chief oil refinery company in Bulgaria and South East Europe. The ownership of the company lies under Russian Oil giant LUKOIL. The refinery accounts for close to 7% of Bulgaria’s GDP, AND 25% in revenue to the state budget. LNB remains the chief produc er and supplier handling liquid fuel and related materials including petrochemicals and polymers in the country, and remains the leading company in the line of petroleum related products in Europe. The company provides a minimum of 8,500 Bulgarians with employment opportunities (Elenkov and Petkova 4). SWOT more geared towards Bulgarian economy as a whole rather than Private Wealth market Strengths A better part of the Bulgarian communist period concentrated on heavy industry despite the fact that biochemical and computer products came in play as valuable products in the year 1980. Since Bulgarian market relied on the Soviet market, the culmination soviet market coupled with the Warsaw Pact resulted into a major crisis that hit the country in the year 1990s. The first growth noted in the year 2000 has seen gradual but progressive growth the early 2000. Individual manufacturing industries’ performance appears uneven. The industry that experienced loss and has not been able to catch up with the Western Europe market includes food and tobacco processing companies. The textile industries experienced a decline in the mid-1990s, but since the year 2000 the clothing exports has experienced a steady growth (Erd?nc 78). The Bulgarian economy has experienced stability in the macroeconomic environment with low direct taxes over the years. The fiscal policy of the country also tends to have a significant element of

Early Years Foundation Stage Setting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Early Years Foundation Stage Setting - Essay Example According to Palaiologou (2010, p4) and the Department of Education (2012, p.1), under the EYFS setting, each and every child must be helped acquire the best possible start in life and this refers to every child early years development. EYFS suggests a standard policy and curriculum that, in the view of the Department of Education, ensures that every child has enjoyed its rights to equal treatment whether the child requires special care or not. EYFS outlines the fundamentals of a child’s early years curriculum that every practitioner, providers and/or responsible carers must be committed to ensuring that children are safe and healthy, children achieve various EYFS goals, equal treatment of the children irrespective of their background whatsoever (Goffin & Wilson, 2001, p12; Palaiologou, (2010, p6); Department of Education, 2012, p1) is observed, the children performance reflects their individual abilities (Pound & Hughes, 2005, p33), and that every child is dealt with as a uni que entity in the context of learning. The respective institutional administrations must ensure that EYFS guidelines are followed to the letter and so are implemented. But, according to Callaway (2005, p.19), Carr (2005, p7), Silberfeld (2009, p27), Glazzard, Chadwick, Webster and Percival (2010, p51), EYFS is a policy just like other existing policies and it is subject to failure especially as it comes to implementation. Important as it is, however, implementation of EYFS is crucial as it concentrates on the welfare of the children, that the efforts used in handling the children, in this context, determine the ways a particular child grows into adulthood and how such a child relates to its environment in the future. In other words, if EYFS could be defined as a policy, then it is a special kind of policy that must be implemented. But uniformity in implementation may not be a reality (Pound & Hughes, 2005, p38). While thus implementation becomes important a subject, this study asses ses how various children handlers implement EYFS curriculum guidelines. By doing so, various observations and conclusions are made as the study advances. Various EYFS guidelines: summary The EYFS supposes that every child must be helped to grow and develop fast and the various early year providers must ensure that this is attained (Palaiologou, 2010, p8; Department of Education, 2012, p1). The key goals of EYFS it to provide quality and consistency, equal learning opportunities at all levels, partnership between carers and academic practitioners, and anti-discriminating practice. EYFS also introduces specific areas of learning, goals and assessment criteria that must always be adhered to. It specifies educator-children ratios under different circumstances and other key requirements such as the essence of a key person for every child and the qualifications of various child educators. All these are coined in as being of paramount and equal importance in the learning and developmental processes of any child (Pound & Hughes, 2005, p53; Palaiologou, 2010, p17). Implementation strategies, analysis and critique of EYFS Curricula The curriculum provides a wide range of guidelines regarding various childhood requirements. The respective authority in the education sector ensures compliance as far as implementation of the curriculum is concerned. For example, all practitioners must make normative assessments and make each child’s profile detailing its abilities, achievements, areas of strengths and those of weaknesses and so on. While such a strategy may prove a cutting edge in this respect, only about 73% of public early years settings and 55% of private year settings fully comply with the curriculum (Goffin &

The upper and even middle class Essay Example for Free

The upper and even middle class Essay Ever since the beginning of civilization, there has been a difference in economic and social, creating two separate classes. The wealthier and educated made up the upper status of society making up what is today called upper class. The poor and uneducated made up the people which were often looked down upon by the upper class, and now make up what is considered lower class. This was true in the earliest times of the bible, through the Renaissance time period and even to today. It is nearly impossible for the lower class to become higher class, much less middle class, without being provided a full education by the higher classes. Why can these people of lower class never achieve crossing the class boundary? Most of lower class does not have an education. Therefore their opportunities for having profitable and non-dead-end jobs are nearly impossible by all standards. Because of their lower education, their job selection is limited to mostly manual labor, where pay is minimal, at best. Due to their low-paying salaries, a good college education is usually completely out of the question for their children. College is too much money and they got along fine without a college education, which is sometimes the case, but severely limits future opportunities for their children. Lower class is a vicious cycle. These people represent the people in the cave which can only see the shadows of what is happening around them. They are never allowed out to see the light of a true education, and have to remain in the dark all of their lives. The upper and even middle class, which usually has a good education, have the duty to show the lower class the light and to get these people out of the shadows for good. This can and is being done minutely to help the uneducated by providing scholarships, but for the most part no one is doing anything to help the less fortunate. Unfortunately, today has a very everyone for themselves attitude. Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life. We need to be concerned for their future, if no one else is, because their future depends solely on their education. We need to make it our goal as a society to educate the uneducated. If everyone is educated then there is equal opportunity and pay therefore eliminating social class. If the enlightened educated class can just come into the cave, relate with the people, and then actually show them the light, rather than telling them what to do, we can actually make a positive difference and make the lives of a lower class citizen much easier. The easiest solution to this problem is to create a utopian society, but those are bound to fail before even being attempted. A utopian society would completely obliterate the class system, because everyone would receive equal pay and equal education, or at least opportunity for education. The best suggestion that is plausible and possible is to create countless scholarships. It would be just like the armed forces; education is free but a certain amount of service is demanded in return. Even though everyone does not have money, everyone has time. All education can be provided by the state and the jobs, needed by the state, can be filled by the graduated students. This can potentially give an education to everyone and keep the jobs needed. It is a win-win situation. If someone could just show society and our leaders the light.

Special Education Needs Essay Example for Free

Special Education Needs Essay Ronald Gulliford and Graham Upton say that special educational needs (SEN) came in use as a result of dissatisfaction: The term special educational needs began to come into use in the late 1960s as a result of increasing dissatisfaction with the terminology used in the Handicapped Pupils and School Health Service Regulations (1945), which classified handicapped children into ten categories according to their main handicap. (Gulliford and Upton, 1992). The definition of SEN in the Education Act 1996 is: ‘a child has special educational needs. if he has a learning difficulty which a medical condition does not necessarily imply a ‘difficulty in learning’ or a ‘disability’ and therefore may not constitute a learning difficulty requiring special educational provision’. Tomko (1996) defined inclusion in education as ‘ the act of attending regular education classes, with the supports and services needed to successfully achieve the individual’s IEP goals, while actively participating in activities as a member of the class who belongs’. The writer believes inclusion is a desired state to be achieved, that may or may not occur by simple placement alone. It is an ongoing process. I believe that unless a child has sense of identity with the class, and unless he or she has the supports and services needed and is reaching his or her IEP goals then inclusion has not been achieved. 2. 0 AREA CHOSEN The writer is currently working at School X, a school in Malaysia and she finds that an element of provision that possesses a barrier to the learning and participation of some students in the school is teaching assistant. The barrier that is faced by School X in connection with teaching assistant to support SEN students is teaching assistant in School X do not clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. Thus, will they to be able to play their roles and responsibilities towards SEN students? Besides that, teaching assistant in school X do not have the necessary knowledge and skills in identifying and handling with Special Educational Needs students. Thus, will the teaching assistant(TA) be able to handle emergency cases involving SEN students or will the TA cause a worse situation which may lead to the SEN student being injured or harmed. The writer chose teaching assistant as an element of provision that possesses a barrier to support SEN and Inclusive education in her school because she personally feels that teaching assistant plays a vital role in dealing with students with SEND. Groom, B. and R. Rose supports the researcher’s statement that a teacher assistant (TA) plays an important role in supporting pupils with SEN: The role of the TA has undergone something of a transformation from the time when classroom assistants were seen as ‘an extra pair of hands’ in the classroom to the present day where they are perceived to have a more professional role. (Groom, B. and R. Rose, 2005) 3. 0 RESEARCH The writer carried out a few informal interviews with the school staff and among the barriers listed to support SEN students in school X, she finds the barrier of a teacher assistant an interesting aspect to research on. The writer was a teacher assistant in school X for a year and she is keen to know how as a teacher assistant she could have assisted SEN students. Based on the writer’s observation and interview with the school staff, the writer found out that in school X there is no full-time teacher assistant in all reception and primary grades. A school with SEN students requires at least one assistant teacher in all the reception and primary classrooms. The writer personally feels that it is essential for all the reception and primary level classrooms to have a full – time teacher assistant because it may affect a SEN student if there is a frequent change in the teacher assistant of a classroom. A SEN student may need to adapt to a new TA each time there is a change in the TA of the classroom and this may affect a SEN Child’s learning behaviour and attitude in classroom. Thus, the writer strongly believes that in order to support SEN students, a full time teacher assistant is important. The teachingexpertise (no date) claims that teacher assistant ‘are often required to work with learners who have special educational needs, either individually or in small groups, and are used to help interpret the class material and ensure students stay focused during teaching sessions’ (teachingexpertise, no date). Thus, if there are no full-time TA in school X, then how is it possible for SEN students to have one to one assistants. Besides that, based on a few informal interviews with teacher assistant in school X, the researcher identified that teacher assistant in school X does not clearly understand their roles and responsibilities towards SEN students. Thus, how are the TA in school X able to support SEN students when they are not briefed and explained on their duties and responsibilities? TA in school X also does not know how to identify and assess students with SEN, including gifted, talented and slow learners. The writer questioned a few TA whether if there were able to exactly proof and identify a SEN student with no assumptions and the writer received a negative response for her question. TA’s in school X do not have the necessary knowledge and skills in handling with Special Educational Needs and Disability student. The TA’s in the school are neither receiving any special educational needs training so that they can augment the classroom teacher in inclusive education. In addition, TA’s are not provided with institutional support to become more effective in practising inclusive education. According to Adults Supporting Pupils with SEN, teacher assistant will have some typical duties: †¢ Maintaining an up to date file on individual pupil(s) †¢ In high schools, ensuring that individual education plans (IEP’s) are circulated/brought to the attention of subject/form tutors †¢ Contributing to group/individual education plans from knowledge of the child’s/young person’s progress †¢ Helping to gain the child’s/young person’s view of the IEP †¢ Collating relevant information from any other assistants who work with that pupil †¢ Contributing to the Annual Review process. †¢ Attending the Annual Review meeting †¢ Involvement in target setting for the pupil in line with the aims of the IEP. (Adults Supporting Pupils with SEN, 2004) TA’s in school X are not provided with any policy on their duties and responsibilities in supporting SEN students. Thus after much research, the writer feels that school X should have a policy on TA’s role in Supporting SEN and Disability. 4. 0 CONCLUSION School X provides the teacher trainees with continuous professional developments (CPD’s) training once a week. The topic discussed during CPD’s are usually on how to make a more effective IB environment classroom, teaching strategies and approaches and International Baccalaureate (IB) related topics. According to teaching expertise, ‘CPD is strategically focused and integrated with performance management and school improvement, to raise standards of teaching and learning’. Thus, it would be better if SEN and Inclusion is discussed during CPD’s, so that teacher assistant can become more effective in practising inclusive education. Besides that, TA’s should be equipped with the knowledge and skills in handling with Special Educational Needs and Disability students. A TA should be provided with sufficient guidance on how to identify students with SEND, including gifted, talented and slow learners. School X should take full responsibility of providing TA’s employed with sufficient knowledge on SEN and Inclusion before placing them in a classroom. School X should also employ full time teacher assistant not only for the creche and reception but also for the primary grades in order to support SEN students. The writer believes that if School X was to look into the aspect of teacher assistant and provides the entire teacher assistant with the training on SEN and Inclusion, TA would not be a barrier to the learning and participant of SEN students in the school. PART 2 TITLE Part 2 – Critical Reflection A critical reflection on the barrier(s) to learning and provision identified in Part 1. This should explore the strengths and weaknesses of a particular aspect of provision and an analysis of its implications for practice both at institutional and individual levels. This will be informed by literature (research, legislation, policy documentation) and your own evidence. 1. 0 INTRODUCTION The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2001) published by the Department for Education states that ‘children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational needs provision to be made for them’. The writer strongly supports the statement as she personally feels a child should not be labeled as a Special Educational Need (SEN) student if he or she does not have a learning difficulty which a SEN term needs to be named for them. Teacher assistants (TA) are supporters of a class teacher or homeroom teacher who ‘works under a teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction’ (BLS, 2012). A TA plays several roles in an institution: †¢ Provide extra assistance to students with special needs, such as non-English-speaking students or those with physical and mental disabilities. †¢ Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips. †¢ Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers. †¢ Enforce administration policies and rules governing students. †¢ Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts. †¢ Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage. †¢ Observe students performance, and record relevant data to assess progress. †¢ Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role-playing methods. †¢ Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations. †¢ Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development (BLS, 2012) The writer agrees to the tasks of a teacher assistant as stated in (BLS, 2012), teacher assistant should be able to provide support and help to a student who is categorized as SEN. Thus, a school with SEN students will need teacher assistant in order to support the classroom teacher and the student. The writer is currently teaching Visual Arts for Grade 1 students and on her free periods she assists and observes Reception students at School X, a school in Malaysia. Based on the writer’s observation throughout her experience working in School X, she finds teaching assistant as an element of provision that possesses a barrier to the learning and participation of some students Teaching assistant is a barrier in school X because there are lack of teaching assistant to support SEN students. Teaching assistant who are present in school does not clearly understand the roles and responsibilities that they play for the school, teachers and students. Thus, teaching assistant in school X is unable to play their roles towards SEN students. In addition, teaching assistant in school X does not have the necessary skills and knowledge in identifying and handling SEN students. Thus, how are they going to be able to identify or classify a student as SEN student, gifted or talented student? A wrong assumption on a student can lead to a great impact on his education. The writer chose teaching assistant as the barrier lacking in school X to support SEN students because she is very much keen to know how she as a teaching assistant can support and assist SEN students. 2. 0 STRENGTHS OF HAVING TEACHER ASSISTANT IN SUPPORTING SEN LEARNERS The writer was a TA in school X for more than a year and based on her observation her beliefs that there are several strengths in having a teaching assistant to support SEN learners. First of all, a TA would be a great aid in one to one guidance for SEN learners. A homeroom teacher will not be able to handle a classroom with SEN students all alone without support from additional staff. A TA plays the role to help the homeroom teacher in handling a group of students in the classroom while the homeroom teacher will handle the rest of the students. SEN learners seek for a person whom they are comfortable with or could rely on to request or say a thing. A teacher will not remain in classroom for the whole schooling hours. An average of three to five teachers would enter a classroom per day. Thus, A TA will be the person that a SEN student would look forward for any help or assistance as a TA usually will spend more schooling hours with students compared to any teachers. Besides that, a teacher needs to have a detail observation of the steps or moves taken by a SEN student as every of their movement is meaningful. It is impossible for a teacher to observe and record all the SEN learners’ progress by themselves. Thus, A TA will be needed to support the teacher and also observe students. A TA observation will provide a teacher with additional feedback on a SEN student progress. It would seem to follow from reports of teachers that assigning support staff to particular pupils, usually those with problems of learning, behaviour or attention, would give the pupils more individual attention and help them develop confidence and motivation in their work, good working habits and the willingness to finish off tasks (Blatchford et al., 2009a). It is a sensible solution to have a teacher assistant in supporting SEN learners as the teacher can then attend to the rest of the class without interruption. This is a productive arrangement for teachers and seems also to be having a positive effect in terms of pupil engagement, classroom control, and measures of confidence, motivation, independence, and good relationships with other pupils (Blatchford et al. , 2009a). 3. 0 WEAKNESSES OF HAVING TEACHER ASSISTANT IN SUPPORTING SEN LEARNERS The writer belief’s that having a TA in the classroom does have its weaknesses too. The writer’s belief is supported by TeachingTimes (No Date) where it states that a new report from the Institute of Education proofed those students from primary and secondary level whom receives supports from teaching assistant, show less progress than a student of the similar ability. Finn, Gerber, Farber, and Achilles (2000), on the basis of data from the often –cited Tennessee STAR project, found that there was no compensatory effect of having extra staff in larger (‘regular’) classes, a result similar to that of Reynolds and Muijs (2003). Klassen (2001) found that students with SEN who were assigned additional support for literacy made less progress than their unsupported peers. Giangreco et al. , in a series of publications, have argued that overreliance on one-to-one paraprofessional supports leads to a wide range of detrimental effects on pupils (e. g. , Giangreco et al. , 2005) Schlapp et al. (2003) identify the benefits of classroom assistants more in terms of the range of learning experiences provided and effects on pupil motivation, confidence and self esteem, and found less effect on pupil progress. On the other hand there is a well established concern that TAs can encourage dependency, e. g. , because they prioritise outcomes of activities rather than encouraging pupils to think for themselves (Moyles and Sushitsky, 1997). There are also concerns that support staff can have negative effects on pupils’ learning identity, e. g. , in terms of interference with ownership and responsibility, separation from classmates (Giangreco et al. , 1997).  ofsted (2004) suggest that TAs may be less likely to stress understanding and skills and ‘This was common reason why a significant number of pupils with SEN made too little progress, despite good teaching to the majority of the class (2004, p16). 4. 0 IMPLICATION OF HAVING TEACHING ASSISTANT AT INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL A TA does not only guide and assist SEN students in classroom or a teacher in reducing her workload, a TA also needs to play his or her roles and responsibilities towards the school. There are many tasks that a TA can play in an institute in order to aid the school staffs and support the development of the school. On the other hand, the school should also clearly understand the roles and responsibilities that a TA can play in the school and not overload them with additional task where it results in a TA being unable to accomplish his or her task as a teaching assistant in the classroom. One of the tasks that a TA can do at institutional level is to help the school staffs in decorating and creating an environment in connection to an upcoming event or festival. The writer as a TA has supported the school by decorating the school for festival such as Chinese New Year and Deepavali. The writer has also decorated the school for an environment of Celebration of Learning (COL). COL in school X means a celebration where its students oriented as parents are invited to view and observe students work and progress. The writer has decorated the school for exhibition purposes too where parents and invited guest are welcomed to the school. Besides that, the writer as a TA has helped the school in making events a successful one. The writer has come to school after working hours for special occasions in order to ensure the task allocated to her is completed. Duties which she has done as a school staff in school X are gate duty and ushering parents to specified allocations on Parent’s Day. 5. 0 IMPLICATION OF HAVING TEACHING ASSISTANT AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL The impact of having a teacher assistant at individual level is countless. There are good and bad of having a teacher assistant to support SEN learners. The good impact of having a teacher assistant at individual level is a SEN learner will be able to receive one to one attention and guidance from teaching assistant. Thus, an individual will be able to progress at a faster rate and catch up to the pace of rest of the students in the classroom in a shorter period. The writer was assisting for a year in Grade 1 and based on her personal observation and some research, she and her homeroom teacher identified a SEN learner in the classroom. They did not label the child or exclude the child from participating in several activities conducted in the classroom as they did not want to classify the child into any terms. The writer and the homeroom teacher believed that if they were to provide the child with additional guidance and support, they child would surely show progress and improvement. Additional guidance and support was provided by the writer as the homeroom teacher handled the rest of the students. The writer assisted the student by breaking down task given by the teachers into smaller instruction and instructing the child using a simple terms including more of body language for the student to understand the instruction. The writer and the homeroom teacher succeeded in their hard work of making the student to progress as towards the end of the term, the child showed improvement in communication skills and writing skills. On the other hand, a teaching assistant can be harmful to a SEN learner if there are not filled with the essential knowledge and skills in identifying, assisting and guiding a SEN learner. Thus, to place a teaching assistant with insufficient knowledge on SEN would affect the academic progress and development of a SEN learner. 6. 0 CONCLUSION. In a nutshell, teaching assistant has many roles and responsibilities to be played not only at individual level but also at institutional level. A teaching assistant should clearly understand their roles and responsibilities before playing their roles as a misunderstanding in their task would create a great impact to the school and also students. The writer feels that in supporting and assisting SEN learners, a teaching assistant’s main aim is to assist the SEN learner with the objective and aim of showing and proving a progressive development of a SEN learner and not focusing on the completion of task. The writer as an individual who has experienced being a teaching assistant personally and strongly beliefs that a TA should not be misused and given additional task which results in TA being unable to fully do his or her roles and responsibilities towards the students. A TA’s main focus should be towards assisting students and not school work. The writer beliefs that if a TA is provided with all the necessary knowledge and skills n identifying SEN learners, a TA would be a great help in supporting, assisting and guiding SEN students towards the right path. BIBILIOGRAPHY A ND REFERENCING. Adults Supporting Pupils with SEN, (2004) The role of the Assistant, Available at: http://www. wakefield. gov. uk/NR/rdonlyres/D391ED9E-2BE4-4CC5-829F-953C07157DFB/0/Adults_Supporting, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Blatchford, P. , Bassett, P. , Brown, P. , et al. (2009a) The impact of support staff in schools, Deployment and Impact of Support Staff (DISS) Project. (Strand 2 Wave 2), DCSF Research Report 148 (London, Department for Children, Schools and Families), Available at: http://www. ioe. ac. uk/DISS_Strand_2_Wave_2_Report. pdf, (accessed: 29/10/12) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, (2012) Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Teacher Assistants, Available at: http://www. bls. gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/teacher-assistants. htm, (accessed: 29/10/12) Department for Education and Skills, (2001) Special Educational Needs: Code of Practice, DfES0581, London: DfES Publications, Available at: https://www. education. gov. uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DfES%200581%202001#downloadableparts, (accessed 29/10/12) Education Act 1996, Chapter 56, (1996) London: HMSO, Available at: http://planipolis. iiep. unesco. org/upload/Malaysia/Malaysia_Education_Act_1996. pdf, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Finn,J. D. , Gerber, S. B. , Farber, S. L. Achilles, C. M. (2000) Teacher aides: an alternative to small classes? in: M. C. Wang J. D. Finn (Eds) How small classes help teachers do their best (Philadelphia, PA, Temple University Center for Research in Human Development), Available at:: http://psycnet. apa. org/journals/edu/97/3/454/, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Giangreco, M. F. , Edelman, S. , Luiselli, T. E. MacFarland, S. Z. C. (1997) Helping or hovering? Effects of instructional assistant proximity on students with disabilities, Exceptional Children, 64, pp. 7-18, Available at: maureenmcquiggan. com/files/Helping_or_Hovering. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Giangreco, M. F. , Yuan, S. , Mackenzie, B. , Cameron, B. Fialka, J. (2005) ‘Be careful want you wish for ’ Five reasons to be concerned about the assignment of individual paraprofessionals, Exceptional Children, 37(5), pp 28-34, Available at: http://www. uvm. edu/~cdci/parasupport/reviews/giangreco37-5. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Groom, B. and R. Rose, (2005), ‘Supporting the inclusion of pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in the primary school: the role of teaching assistants’, in Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 5, (1) pp. 20–30, Available at: http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1111/j. 1471-3802. 2005. 00035. x/full, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Gulliford, R. G. Upton, (ed. ) (1992) Special Educational Needs, London: Routledge, Available at: http://books. google. com. my/books? id=InjfpvVYbSECpg=PA218lpg=PP1ots=OrRgxw8lBddq=special+educational+needs, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Klassen, R. (2001). After the statement: Reading progress made by secondary students with specific literacy difficulty provision, Educational Psychology in Practice, 17(2), pp121 – 133, Available at: http://www. schoolsupportstaff. net/publications/otherpubs/aera_paper. pdf , (accessed: 30/10/2012) Moyles, J. Suschitzky, W. (1997) The employment and deployment of classroom support staff: head teachers’ perspectives, Research in Education, 58, pp21-34, Available at: http://www. uwl. ac. uk/files/instil/SoTL%20Abstracts%202010. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Office for Standards in Education (2004) Remodelling the school workforce: Phase 1 (London, Office for Standards in Education), Available at: www. ofsted. gov. uk/resources/remodelling-school-workforce-phase-, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Reynolds, D. Muijs, D. (2003) The Effectiveness of the use of learning support assistants in improving the mathematics achievement of low achieving pupils in primary school, Educational Research, 45(3), pp219-230, Available at:: http://www. fisme. science. uu. nl/staff/christianb/downloads/p1-11759185. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Schlapp, U. , Davidson, J. Wilson, V. (2003) An ‘extra pair of hands’?! managing classroom assistants in Scottish primary schools, Educational Management and Administration, 31(2), pp189-205, Available at: www. edupa. uva. es/schemesofwork/research/themes/teaching_assistants/WedFeb181416312004/wordfile. doc, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Teachingexpertise, (no date) An introduction to CPD, Available at: http://www. teachingexpertise. com/articles/cpd-teaching-profession_252, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Teachingexpertise, (no date) Meeting the needs of SEN students, Available at: http://www. teachingexpertise. com/articles/meeting-the-needs-of-sen-students-1907, (accessed: 03/10/2012) TeachingTimes, (no date) Pupils Using Teaching Assistants Make Less Progress, Available at: http://www. teachingtimes. com/articles/teaching-assistants-less-progress. htm,

Detection of Low Level Sex Chromosome Mosaicism

Detection of Low Level Sex Chromosome Mosaicism Abstract Turner syndrome (TS) is most commonly due to a 45,X chromosome defect, but is also seen in patients with a variety of X-chromosome abnormalities or 45,X/46,XY mosaicism. The phenotype of TS patients is highly variable, and depends largely on the karyotype. Patients are at an increased risk of gonadoblastoma when a Y derived chromosome or chromosome fragment is present. Since constitutional mosaicism is present in approximately 50% of TS patients, the identification of minor cell populations is clinically important and a challenge to laboratories. Aim: The purpose of the present study was the application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to identify low level mosaicism for an XY or XX cell population for TS patients with monosomy X and also to identify the nature of sex chromosome markers detected by conventional cytogenetic studies. Methods: The study included 65 female patients with a clinical suspicion of TS, they were selected from the Genetic Clinic, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria. Chromosome analysis by G-banding technique was done. FISH was performed using centromere probes for the X and Y chromosomes. Results: Chromosome analysis by G-banding technique revealed the following results: twenty patients (30.77%) had a 45,X karyotype; mosaicism for a second normal or structurally abnormal X was observed in 27 (41.54%) cases, mosaicism for Y chromosome in 5 (7.69%) cases, 7 (10.77) had mosaicism involving a marker chromosome; and non mosaic structural abnormalities of the X chromosome was present in 6 (9.23%) patients.To further investigate the possibility of mosaicism in the 20 patients with an apparently nonmosaic 45,X karyotype, and to identify the nature of chromosome markers in the 7 patients carrying a marker, FISH was performed using centromere probes for the X and Y chromosomes. A minor XX cell line was identified in 6 patients, XY mosaicism were identified in 3 cases and the 45, X result was confirmed in 11 samples. FISH analysis performed on the 7 patients with chromosome markers, identified the origin of these markers as X chromosome material in 3 patients, and Y-derived chro mosome in 4 patients (idic Y with a double hybridization signal corresponding to double centromeric region). Conclusion: FISH is a useful tool in the detection of low frequency cell lines and identification of the nature of unknown chromosome markers that have important implications for the management of patients with Turner syndrome. FISH as an adjunct to karyotype analysis provides a sensitive, specific, rapid, and informative technique to identify sex chromosome mosaicism in TS patients. Key Words: Turner syndrome, monosomy X, mosaicism, 46, XY cell line, gonadoblastoma. INTRODUCTION The incidence of Turner syndrome (TS) is approximately one in 3,000 newborn girls and is associated with an apparently nonmosaic 45, X karyotype in many of these patients.(1) Based on chromosome analysis 30%-50% are mosaic with  a second X or a structurally abnormal X, and  fewer than 10% of TS patients have mosaicism with a 46, XY cell population or a Y chromosome rearrangement. The mosaic status of the remaining TS patients remains uncertain but of clinical interest because if they do have cells with a Y chromosome or Y-derived fragment, they may have an increased risk of gonadoblastoma.(2) Because a 45, X karyotype usually causes fetal death, it has been postulated that all liveborn 45,X infants must be mosaic with either a Y or a second X in some cells.(3) The hypothesis of the necessity of mosaicism for survival is supported by the argument for the existence of a feto-protective effect of one or more genes on the sex chromosomes (X or Y). According to this concept, two copies of the gene(s) should be present, either in the fetus or in the extra-embryonic tissues.(4) Both, embryonic mortality and the Turner phenotype, are considered to be a result of monosomy of a common gene (s) of the X and Y chromosomes. It is assumed that, in women, these genes are expressed in both active and inactive X chromosomes as a means of ensuring the right quantity of genetic product.(5) The American College of Medical Genetics recommends cytogenetic analysis of 30 metaphase cells to rule out sex chromosome mosaicism.(6) This analysis can identify 10% mosaicism with  a confidence level of 95% but a more sensitive  level of detection requires analysis of many more metaphase cells, which is costly. PCR-based assays have been used to identify low-level mosaicism.(7) Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using X and Y chromosome probes has been validated (8) as a reflex test in apparently nonmosaic 45,X individuals to identify low-level mosaicism.(2,9) One of the advantages of applying the FISH technique is the possibility of studying mosaicism in both interphase nuclei and metaphases.(5) The purpose of the present study was to show the value of FISH analysis to identify low level sex chromosome mosaicism in Turner syndrome with nonmosaic monosomy X, and also to identify the nature of marker chromosomes detected by conventional cytogenetic studies. METHODS The study included 65 patients with clinical features suggestive of TS, they were selected from the out patient clinic, Human Genetics Department, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria over a period of 4 years. Chromosomes were prepared according to standard techniques for culturing lymphocytes from peripheral blood, and the preparation was treated with trypsin to obtain G-banding.(10) A minimum of 30 metaphases were analysed, and 3 were photographed for each patient. FISH analysis using the classic alpha-satellite probes for the X [DXZ1] and Y [DYZ3] centromeres (CEP-X and CEP-Y, Vysis Inc., spectrum green hybridizes to the centromere of human chromosome X, and spectrum orange hybridizes to the centromere of human chromosome Y) was performed in cases with nonmosaic 45, X karyotype to detect low level sex chromosome mosaicism and also in cases with chromosome markers to identify the nature of these markers. The protocol followed was that provided by the manufacturer. The normal cutoff was determined to be 1.0% for a second X signal and 0.6% for a Y signal in analysis of 500 interphase cells. (11) Whenever interphase FISH analysis revealed evidence of a second cell population, a search was undertaken using FISH for metaphase cells to confirm its presence and examine the structure of the sex chromosomes in that population. FISH was performed in the Genetic Center, Genetic Counseling Society, Alexandria. Statistical analysis: Data were presented in the form of frequency and percentages. RESULTS Based on G-banded chromosome analysis of a minimum of 30 metaphase cells for the 65 patients included in this study, 45,X karyotype was found in 20 cases (30.77%), various mosaic complements was detected in 39 (60%), and non mosaic structural abnormalities of the X chromosome in 6 (9.23%) (table I). Mosaicism detected were as follow: 8 (12.31%) with numerical mosaicism involving  the X chromosome, 19 (29.23%) with structural mosaicism of the X chromosome, 5 (7.69%) with Y chromosome mosaicism, and 7 (10.77%) with mosaicism involving a marker chromosome, the level of mosaicism ranged from 8% to 86%. FISH analysis, using centromere probes for the X and Y chromosomes, identified mosaicism with a second X chromosome in 6 of the 20 patients with an apparently non-mosaic 45,X karyotype. The level of mosaicism detected ranged from 3.8% to 8.2%. Mosaicism with a Y chromosome was detected  in 3 patients, the level of mosaicism ranged from 2.4% to 7.2% (table II) (figure1). FISH improved the identification of mosaicism from 60% (39/65) to about 73.85% (48/65). FISH analysis performed on the 7 patients with chromosome markers, identified the nature of these markers as X chromosome material in 3 patients, and Y-derived chromosome in 4 patients (idic Y with a double hybridization signal corresponding to double centromeric region) (table III). FISH highlighted the differences between the initial diagnosis, based on G-banding, and the final diagnosis, determined by specific probes for the  X and Y chromosomes. FISH analysis detected  more Y-chromosomal material than karyotyping (18.46% (12/65) vs. 7.69% (5/65), respectively), and also detected more X-chromosomal mosaicism among the TS patients (55.38% (36/65) vs. 41.54% (27/65), respectively). Clinical, ultrasound and laparoscopic examination of gonads in patients with Y chromosome material revealed normal females with bilateral rudimentary streak gonads in 9 patients and females with clitoromegaly, unilateral streak gonads, and contralateral intraabdominal testis in 3 patients. Interphase cells showing one green signal of the X chromosome Interphase cell showing 2 green signals for X chromosome Interphase cell with one green signal for X chromosome and one red signal for Y chromosome Metaphase cell with one green signal for X chromosome and one red signal for Y chromosome DISCUSSION An estimated 1 in 50 conceptuses is affected with TS. However, only 1% of TS conceptuses survive to birth. It has been observed that there is a higher ratio of mosaic karyotypes to monosomy X in live births compared to aborted fetuses. This finding has led to speculation that most if not all patients born with TS must have mosaicism.(3) Phenotypic expression in TS patients largely depends on the karyotype, and identification of  sex chromosome mosaicism plays a key role in clinical management. Patients with documented mosaicism for a 46, XX or duplication of the  long arm have a moderate phenotype. Mental retardation is seen more frequently in patients with a small ring chromosome and deletion of the X-inactivation center (XIST).(12) Patients with a Y or Y-derived chromosome identified by routine  G-banding analysis may have as high as a 30%  risk of developing gonadoblastoma, although  most reports suggest an incidence of 7%-  10%. Therefore, identification of low level  Y chromosome mosaicism is also clinically important.(13)   Out of the 65 patients included in the present study, 45, X karyotype was found in 20 cases (30.77%), various mosaic complements was  detected in 39 (60%), and non mosaic structural abnormalities of the X chromosome in 6 (9.23%). Previous studies reported constitutional mosaicism in approximately 50% of TS patients based on chromosome analysis.(14) The detection of mosaicism is mainly influenced by the type and number of tissues analysed, the number of cells studied, and the sensitivity of the techniques applied.(4,5,15) FISH analysis of the 20 patients with 45, X karyotype included in the present study detected mosaicism in 9 patients: 6 had an XX cell line, and  3 had Y chromosome material. Therefore, FISH improved the identification of mosaicism from 60% to about 73.85%. Van Dyke and Wiktor (11) reported that FISH analysis improves the identification of mosaicism from 55% to 67% in patients with nonmosaic 45,X karyotype.They concluded that the identification of a cell population with a second X chromosome is sufficient to exclude, with a high degree of confidence, the presence of a Y-bearing cell population in that patient. Other investigators compared the results of lymphocyte G-banded karyotype with the use of interphase X/Y FISH analysis. They detected more Y-chromosomal matrial by FISH than karyotyping (in 15% vs. 11% of the women, respectively) and also detected more X-chromosomal mosaicism among the TS women (in 70% vs. 45% of the women respectively). They suggested the use of X/Y interpha se FISH as a complement to karyotyping in order to obtain a more complete knowledge of the chromosome constitution of each individuals with TS.(16) The Y-chromosomal material in TS individuals  is often present in the form of small marker chromosomes, which are difficult to positively identify by routine karyotyping. Furthermore, small markers are frequently missed altogether using  this technique, especially if limited numbers of metaphases are evaluated.(17) In the present  study, 7 (10.77%) patients were detected with mosaicism involving a marker chromosome, FISH analysis identified the origin of these markers as X chromosome material in 3 patients, and Y-derived chromosome in 4 patients, the nature of the Y chromosome was defined as isodicentric with  two centromeres. Approximately 20% of mosaic patients with TS have a sex marker chromosome.(14) The use of fluorescence in situ hybridization  (FISH) analysis has been well documented as  being effective in detecting and identifying sex chromosome markers.(18,19,20) In the present study, final diagnosis followed G-banding and FISH analysis identified Y-bearing cell population in approximately 18% of TS patients. Review of the literature suggested that 6-12% of patients with TS had 45,X/46,XY cell lines with  or without structurally abnormal Y.(21) This variation is a reflection of the numbers of patients studied,  the technique used, and the strategies employed  by different investigators to search for small populations of Y containing cells. Virilization with clitoromegaly was found in  3 cases in the present study with Y cell line mosaicism. It is believed that virilization in patients with TS is due to the presence of Y cell line within the gonad even if the Y cell line is not identified in peripheral blood. Therefore, virilization is an indication for detailed studies looking for the presence of Y mosaicism. (22) Early detection of Y-derived material in the genome of TS individuals is of great importance because of the relative high risk (10-30%) of developing gonadal tumors (i.e., gonadoblastoma or dysgerminoma).(23,24) Gonadoblastoma is a precursor tumor which may undergo malignant transformation into one of the virulent germ cell neoplasms (dysgerminoma, embryonal carcinoma, endodermal sinus tumor, chorioepithelioma or yolk sac tumor).(21) It has been suggested that a locus (GBY) predisposing to the development of this tumor is located in the pericentromeric region of Yp.(25) Although the natural history of gonadoblastoma in prepubertal patients is unknown, this tumor can be evident even in the first decade of life in streak gonads with Y mosaicism and may be bilateral. Therefore, prophylactic gonadectomy should  be recommended in patients with TS and Y chromosome mosaicism, because fertility is not an issue, surgical morbidity is minor, and the potential for malignant transformation is unknown.(26) If a patient declines gonadectomy, monitoring for germ cell neoplasm is the only option. However,  it is unclear whether methods in common use  today (vaginal ultrasound, biochemical markers, proteomics, etc.), even with compliant patients,  are able to identify germ cell neoplasms at early enough stages to improve the natural history of the disease. It is possible that a predictable and specific marker of malignant potential may be identified in the future. Until then, physicians will need to be continually updated on these important issues as they relate to the clinical management of patients with Turner syndrome.(21) In conclusion, FISH for the X and Y centromere probes is a useful adjunct to conventional cytogenetic studies in patients with apparently nonmosaic monosomy X. This additional assay improved the identification of mosaicism from 60% to about 73.85%. FISH method provides a sensitive, specific, rapid, and informative means of identifying low level X and Y mosaicism in TS patients, and can be employed on the same blood sample that is used for the conventional cytogenetic studies. FISH helped in identifying the nature of the unknown markers which has an important implication in the development of gonadal tumors. Metaphase FISH, and interphase FISH should complement and validate each other in the detection of covert Y and identification of rearranged X vs Y chromosomes.

Low Birthweight Piglets Essay -- Food, Pork Industry

Introduction Low birth weight piglets have high mortality and poor growth postnatally. The pork industry has strategies to increase the piglets’ birth weight. Maternal growth hormone treatment with developmental timing and dose difference increased fetal growth in pigs [1-4]. As GH cannot cross the placenta [5], the increase in fetal growth must due to changes in maternal metabolism and/or placental development and function. Placental weight was increased with maternal GH treatment [4]. However, none of the above studies has demonstrated the effect of maternal GH treatment on placental structural development and function in pigs; therefore, this is the gap that will be addressed in this study. Birth Weight Determinants of fetal growth and birth weight in pigs Birth weight is influenced by several factors during pregnancy, such as parity, maternal nutrition, uterine capacity and litter size. Pigs have two parity groups, sows and gilts. Sows are pigs which have given birth at least 3 times before, and gilts, are pigs that had never been pregnant. The low birth weight of the progeny from gilts might be due to first pregnancy. As gilts are growing when they pregnant, so mother and fetus were competing for limited nitrogenous substrates to meet their needs, and leads to low birth weight in fetus *gatford 2009 & Schoknecht 1993. Piglets from dam which has restriction in food intake or specific nutrients during gestation have reduced in birth weight. The progeny of gilts fed with protein-deficient diet (0.5% protein) in early (d 1 to d44) or late (d 82 to term) during gestation have lower birth weight compared to the control (with 13% protein in diet); whereas protein deficient diet throughout pregnancy caused the progeny weigh... ...reased maternal lean meat percentage *rehfeldt 2001. The backfat depth of pGH treated dams in *gatford 2010 was lower than the controls at farrowing and weaning *. This suggested that GH treatment can stimulate lean growth and inhibiting adipose tissue growth in pigs. The gestation length of sows, but not gilts was being shortened by long term GH treatment. Maternal GH treatment would also affect the concentration of maternal circulating metabolites and hormones. There was an increased in amino acids nitrogen and decreased in free fatty acids in maternal circulation by a 2 or 4 mg GH dose treatments from d 25 to d 51(gatford, 2000). Maternal plasma urea concentration was decreased by 28% by GH treatment with a dose ~15ug/kg from days 25 to 50 *gatford 2009. There was a similar finding in another study with maternal GH treatment in underfed gilts *gatford 2000.

Love in To His Coy Mistress, Shall I Compare Thee, Let Me Not, and The

Love in "To His Coy Mistress", "Shall I Compare Thee," "Let Me Not," and "The Flea" The four poems I am going to be comparing are, â€Å"To His Coy Mistress,† â€Å"Shall I Compare Thee,† â€Å"Let Me Not,† and â€Å"The Flea.† All four of these poems are based on the subject matter of love. The four poems have a lot in common but each poem touches a different aspect of love. Two of the poems, â€Å"Shall I Compare Thee†, and â€Å"Let Me Not†, are sonnets and both were written by Shakespeare. â€Å"To His Coy Mistress† is written by Andrew Marvell and â€Å"The Flea† was written by John Donne. All four of the poems have three parts to them each posing a different argument. I will be analysing and comparing the four poems in the purpose of the poem, the nature of love, the effect of outside influences on their love, the form of the poem and the techniques the poets use convincingly. The main purpose of ‘To His Coy Mistress’ is to persuade Marvell’s mistress to consummate their relationship together, this is also the same purpose of ‘The Flea’. The other purposes are to brag about how good he is at writing; this is shown in his arrogant style of writing. It is for seduction, a satire of legal persuasive speech and the final purpose is a reminder of mortality, and they should seize the day. It also says that the woman is very shy and that if they had all the world but enough time so being shy is not a crime, this is shown in the opening lines, â€Å"Had we but world enough, and time, This coyness, Lady, were no crime.† Phrases such as, â€Å"amorous birds of prey,† and â€Å"tear our pleasures† show that they consummate their relationship. â€Å"Time’s wingà ¨d chariot hurrying near†, is a reminder that death will soon dawn upon then and so there is more reason ... ...hat he is a fantastic writer. All four of the poems are very persuasive and are written effectively by the poets’ techniques. ‘Shall I Compare Thee’ and ‘Let Me Not’ are both romantic and flatter the lady Shakespeare is writing for. Both the sonnets make Shakespeare’s loved one seem extremely special and Shakespeare does it convincingly. ‘To His Coy Mistress’ is humorous in places and maintains the politeness throughout the poem. ‘To His Coy Mistress’ is also very persuasive and Marvell convinces his beloved to consummate their relationship. ‘The Flea’ is effective because a flea is so insignificant but the way the poet describes it makes it seem so important. All of the poems are very similar and definitely have many similarities between them, the main one is obviously love but they all talk about death being the main outside influence on their love.

Free College Admissions Essays: Strength and Weakness :: College Admissions Essays

Strength and Weakness Everyone has strengths and weaknesses but as a child, it's hard to deal with your weaknesses. It's not until you grow up and realize that you have to use your strengths to overcome your weaknesses. Combining logic with technology can be a useful tool. For me it was the way to overcome my disability. Early on in my education I encountered learning disabilities. These learning disabilities included reading, spelling, grammar, and difficulty in time writing reports. These learning disabilities have frustrated me. I wondered " Why couldn't I do this?" I knew that I had the intelligence, but I just could not finish the assignments. I would then become angry. My anger sometimes led me to break pencils and throw them across my room. The basis of my learning disabilities, I discovered, was in transferring my thoughts and ideas from my head to paper. Reading was also a challenge for me in the early grades. I never had trouble understanding stories themselves; but when I had to answer question s about what I had read, I often had difficulty formulating an answer. Another major issue I had was the slow pace of my work. In elementary school I usually didn't finish my homework until 10 o'clock at night. Other students in my grade were finished by 7 o'clock. Although this was difficult for me to deal with, I did not let it stop me from completing my homework. Originally I felt sorry for myself. I believed that I would never overcome these problems. This led me to complain how unfair it was. Perhaps, I thought, someone did not want me to succeed. Word processing was a huge benefit to me in overcoming my learning disabilities. Before I had a desktop computer I had great difficulty writing reports. This was due to the fact that I had to type up my reports using a typewriter. After every sentence, my mother had to check my spelling. Due to this my progress was at a snail's pace. Also, throughout elementary school, and into the beginning of high school, I had illegible notes. Then , at the beginning of junior year, I purchased a notebook computer. This aided me greatly. I could now actually take notes since I could type far faster than I could write. Free College Admissions Essays: Strength and Weakness :: College Admissions Essays Strength and Weakness Everyone has strengths and weaknesses but as a child, it's hard to deal with your weaknesses. It's not until you grow up and realize that you have to use your strengths to overcome your weaknesses. Combining logic with technology can be a useful tool. For me it was the way to overcome my disability. Early on in my education I encountered learning disabilities. These learning disabilities included reading, spelling, grammar, and difficulty in time writing reports. These learning disabilities have frustrated me. I wondered " Why couldn't I do this?" I knew that I had the intelligence, but I just could not finish the assignments. I would then become angry. My anger sometimes led me to break pencils and throw them across my room. The basis of my learning disabilities, I discovered, was in transferring my thoughts and ideas from my head to paper. Reading was also a challenge for me in the early grades. I never had trouble understanding stories themselves; but when I had to answer question s about what I had read, I often had difficulty formulating an answer. Another major issue I had was the slow pace of my work. In elementary school I usually didn't finish my homework until 10 o'clock at night. Other students in my grade were finished by 7 o'clock. Although this was difficult for me to deal with, I did not let it stop me from completing my homework. Originally I felt sorry for myself. I believed that I would never overcome these problems. This led me to complain how unfair it was. Perhaps, I thought, someone did not want me to succeed. Word processing was a huge benefit to me in overcoming my learning disabilities. Before I had a desktop computer I had great difficulty writing reports. This was due to the fact that I had to type up my reports using a typewriter. After every sentence, my mother had to check my spelling. Due to this my progress was at a snail's pace. Also, throughout elementary school, and into the beginning of high school, I had illegible notes. Then , at the beginning of junior year, I purchased a notebook computer. This aided me greatly. I could now actually take notes since I could type far faster than I could write.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin-Response Paper

Running head: PATH TO AUTO-IMPROVEMENT 1 The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: The Path to the Auto-improvement Luis A. Cruz Prof. Jerry Wallace HIST 1301 University of Texas at El Paso PATH TO AUTO-IMPROVEMENT 2 The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: The Path to the Auto-improvement The main reason that Franklin had to write his autobiography was to show how to live the life in a better way, at least in Franklin? experience. Franklin added two letters that eventually convinced him to finish his project of writing his autobiography. The letters (one from Mr. Able James and the other from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan) said to Franklin about the importance that had others would know about his life. Actually this book was not destined to talk about his role during the American Revolution. In fact, this book is about a way to get a life of excellence. During his autobiography Franklin remarked the facts that he thought more relevant for the auto-betterment.The main factors that I like were: the importance of reading, the education that Franklin? s father gave him and the accepting mistakes. During four parts of the autobiography, Franklin talked about how the books make him better. Franklin? s love for the books during his childhood was very important for his success. It is easier to acquire knowledge from books if you like reading than if it is just done as a task. His abilities for reading grew enough to develop his writing. At the time Franklin had developed reading (to gain knowledge) and writing (to transmit it) he is converted in a respectable man.In the most part of his life, due his knowledge, Franklin was very helpful in the development of the town where he lived. Also, with reading, Franklin reshaped his life style. For example, just consuming vegetables (sometimes ate fish), or just drinking water and nothing of beer although others laughed of it. Maybe getting a healthy life helped to the long life of Franklin. PATH TO AUTO-IMPROVEMENT 3 Next, Franklin? s father was too important in his development as person.I think the most important fact was when Franklin stole some quarry stones for a wharf. But when his father took notice of this, he taught to Franklin that when something bad is done to accomplish anything, then this does not worth it. Also, Franklin during his childhood and youth notice the importance of knowledge. Franklin saw his father as a respected man due his impartiality and capacity to solve problems. This example became a model to live in society for Franklin. Finally, Franklin showed the significance of accepting mistakes.Franklin said that he committed a very big mistake when he loses contact with Miss Read. At the time he returned from England, he married with Miss Read. Franklin believed that left her in the past was a big mistake because when they are married, they became happier. Also, accepting mistakes meant for Franklin the happiness. When he took notice that he could not be perfect, then just does not live mo re under pressure to reach perfection. This did not mean leave his life style. In conclusion, I think this is a very helpful book.Actually I believed that it would be more engaged with American history, but eventually, the lessons were very interesting like the importance of reading, the thirteen virtues, or working for the community. On the other hand, I think that the book is very hard to read due the differences and useless of some words, it is necessary a dictionary. Also, the way to write an autobiography is not the better. I remembered had read The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and this had a better sequence. Although this book was not made as a history resource, it helps to know the way of life in this era.