Wednesday, November 27, 2019

War And Psychology Essay Example For Students

War And Psychology Essay The experience of war places stresses on the human spirit that can scarcely beimagined in peacetime. Dilemmas that can be largely avoided in time of peacemust be faced in a time of war. Concern for ones own physical safety is oftenat odds with concern for the wellbeing of ones countrymen. The dictates ofthe mind often fight the dictates of the emotions. In such a tug of warsituation, where practical and moral factors align themselves in strange andironic patterns, it is hardly surprising that individuals respond in highlydivergent ways. In this paper, the dangers that war poses to the human psychewill be considered and an attempt will be made to account for the some of thevariability that can be seen in the way in which individuals respond to thesethreats. An examination of two books suggests that certain character traits helpinoculate people in time of war, better enabling them to withstand the assaultsof war. It also suggests that the absence of certain traits makes peoplevulnerabl e when they are placed in threatening circumstances. In examining twoliterary works: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and The English Patient byMichael Ondaatje three character traits that were necessary in order to ensurespiritual survival were clearly shown. These traits were faith, courage, andloyalty. In the course of this paper, special attention will be given to thecharacter traits described above. The significance of their presence or absencein the personalities of a number of literary characters will be considered. InThe Screwtape Letters, Lewis portrays an anonymous English protagoniststruggling to maintain his spiritual integrity against the assaults oftemptations of Hell during World War Two. In The English Patient, Ondaatjeportrays a group of characters, brought together by their circumstances,reacting to what the author portrays as the tidal wave of war. The importance offaith, courage and loyalty enable Lewis character to spiritually survive allthe assaults of warti me. The absence of these characteristics cause Ondaatjescharacters to flounder. Faith, courage and loyalty provide a necessary frameworkfor moral thought and action, enabling the soul to survive even under theadverse conditions presented by war. C.S. Lewis deals extensively with thedangers that war poses to the human psyche. In his wartime work entitled TheScrewtape Letters, he presents an essentially hopeful view concerning theability of the soul to survive the assaults of war. He proposes that having theright perspective is the key to the souls survival. Lewis deals with a widevariety of temptations that serve to undermine the integrity of man in hisjourney through life. All of these temptations assert their power to some degreein peacetime. Yet, their power is often strengthened by the pressures of war. InThe English Patient, Michael Ondaatje presents an entirely different perspectiveconcerning the effects of war on the human psyche. Although he never spells itout, Ondaatje seems to take a fairly deterministic view. The fate of hischaracters often seems to lie beyond their control. It is almost as if hischaracters have been struck by a giant tidal wave and are helpless to resist asthey are carried away. The reader seldom gets the impression that Ondaatjescharacters have alternatives other than to think and act the way they do. Theyare presented as victims of circumstances who warrant our compassion but not ourjudgment. Each leaves the war deeply scarred in the spiritual sense. In the workof C.S. Lewis, faithfulness to God is the factor that ensures the soulssurvival. Lewis describes the danger of being overwhelmed by the stream ofimmediate sense experiences (Lewis pg.12). A mans tendency to focus on theimmediate and the personal at the expense of the universal threatens his abilityto survive in any spiritual sense. When focusing on his own inconvenience,hunger and pain, a man tends to lose sight of broader concerns, such as hisspiritual wellbeing and the co mmon good. Faith enables a man to focus on thespiritual and the eternal, to face each days trials with commitment anddetermination and to survive war with his psyche intact. Lewis grapples with theparadox of war. Lewis argues convincingly that, while some may be destroyed bywar, others may actually experience spiritual growth through adversity. Alertedto the finite nature of life and made more conscious of the needs of others, amans faith and strength may flourish in ways that he never dreamed possible. .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c , .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c .postImageUrl , .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c , .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c:hover , .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c:visited , .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c:active { border:0!important; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c:active , .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u50874588cec140a3385170e43a3b4e0c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Chemistry And Atom Essay We will write a custom essay on War And Psychology specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Lewis dispels the belief that a long, relatively peaceful or painless life isany guarantee of spiritual survival. He expresses fear for the souls of thosewho die in costly nursing homes amid doctors who lie, nurses who lie, friendswho liepromising life to the dying, encouraging the belief that sicknessexcuses every indulgence, and even withholding a priest lest is should betrayto the sick man his true condition. (Lewis pg. 32). During wartime, the needfor courage cannot be ignored. Lewis sees courage as not simply one of thevirtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means thepoint of highest reality. A chastity or honesty, or mercy, which yields todanger will be chaste or honest or merciful only on conditions. Pilate wasmerciful till it became risky (Lewis pg. 148). Yet, courage must be groundedin faith and resignation to Gods will. Lewis explains how worrying about thefuture and taking precautions against the dangers of war tend to underminecourage. When a man begins to obsess about all the things he can do to increasehis chances of survival, his commitment to doing his duty becomes honeycombedall through with little unconscious reservations. In a moment of terror,these reservations will assert themselves and his overriding concern will bephysical self-preservation.(Lewis p150). Only by putting his full trust in Godcan a man avoid the threats to the spirit that uncertainty brings and actcourageously under all conditions. Key characters in The English Patient eachpossess some of the traits that Lewis deems to be important: Yet each ofOndaatjes characters displays certain frailties that weaken his chances ofspiritual survival. Each of the characters is profoundly influenced by the?stream of immediate sense experiences that Lewis analyses so vividly inthe Screwtape Letters. Each allows the pain and suffering that he has witnessedto destroy any faith he had in God, country or the war effort. Caravaggio is aman who possesses tremendous courag e. In his role as a spy for the Allies, herisks death and torture on a daily basis throughout the war. After beingcaptured by the Germans and having his thumbs cut off by them, he finds his wayto a villa in Florence where Hana, a Canadian nurse and daughter of an oldfriend is caring for a burned and dying patient. There, he devotes his days toconvincing Hana and Kip, the sapper whom Hana loves, to abandon theirresponsibilities. He urges Hana to leave her dying patient even though there isno one left to care for him. Referring to the Bedoin tribesmen who rescued theburning man, he says, Those men in the desert were smarter than you. Theyassumed that he could be useful. So they saved him, but when he was no longeruseful, they left him.(Ondaatje pg. 45) Confiding to Kip, he blames the waron the rich who have to follow the rules of theircivilized world. Theydeclare war, they have honour and they cant leave. But you two. We three. Were free. How many sappers die? Why arent you dead yet? Be irresponsible. Luck runs out. (Ondaatje p.123) Caravaggio is portrayed as warm, human andvery likable. Yet, he is a man who has lost his faith, his loyalty and hisconfidence. The English Patient is portrayed as a man of great intellect. He is?the wise man who sees ?the greater picture. Yet, at critical times,he reacts in a manner that is narrow and self-serving. He has an affair with thewife of friend and colleague, a man whom he claims to love. This is portrayed asa natural response of one caught up in a tidal wave of emotion. He blames ?thewar for destroying his research, his adopted homeland, and his friendships;yet he makes no credible attempt to come to terms with the terrible events thatmade war inevitable. He collaborates with the Germans, dooming thousands in thedesert to torture and death. He rationalizes his behaviour and abdicatesresponsibility for his actions by blaming the war on international financial andmilitary interests rather than on Nazi aggression. Yet the English Patient ispor trayed as a thoroughly likable victim. Never is it suggested that he is theproduct of the choices that he himself has made. Kipp, the Sikh sapper, is a manof tremendous discipline. Charged with the unenviable task of diffusing bombs,he survives against all odds through a combination of resourcefulness and agreat ability to concentrate. He possesses many admirable qualities, traits thatshould have enabled him to withstand the assaults of war with integrity. Yet,Kip never seems to reflect upon the issue of why he is at war until the end whenhe falls apart . Kips wartime relationships with the English arecharacterised by mutual respect, acceptance and, in several instances, love. .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f , .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f .postImageUrl , .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f , .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f:hover , .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f:visited , .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f:active { border:0!important; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f:active , .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uec4ac3ffd856191cc830018fff72610f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: My Thoughts on Marriage EssayThroughout the story, Kip is glued to his radio where he would, no doubt, haveheard of the German and Japanese atrocities that were being revealed on a dailybasis in 1945. Yet, suddenly, he is swept away with revulsion at the news of thedropping of The Bomb on Hiroshima. He literally blames the English for all ofthe evils of the world, including the dropping of the bomb. In response to anact that he sees as racist and imperialistic, he abandons his post and allloyalty to the war effort. Hana, the heroine of the novel, is, in many respects,the noblest of Ondaajes characters. After months of sustained and intensiveexposure to the pain and sufferi ng of others, she refuses to move on with theAllied troops as they travel north in their occupation of Italy. Instead, shechooses to remain with one horribly burned patient who is too ill to move. Hanas psyche is deeply damaged by the pain that she has witnessed. She istotally caught up in what Lewis would term ?the stream of immediate senseexperience. She is portrayed as half-mad, prone to mania and depression. Attimes she is completely overwhelmed with her sorrow and sense of helplessness. At other times, she rejoices as the rain drenches her through the gutted roof ofthe villa that she calls home. She seems to be lacking in religious faith andfeels nothing but scorn for the leaders of the Allied war effort. Still, sheremains loyal to a cause that goes beyond her own wellbeing. She risks death ona daily basis as she fulfils her duties in a villa that the Germans left full ofmines and booby traps. Her devotion to the English Patient and her stubbornrefusal to abandon him redeem her. They help compensate for her frailties,giving her something greater than her self to live for during the dreary springof 1945. Faith, courage, discipline and loyalty preserve the soul, though notthe body of Lewis anonymous hero. The absence of one or more of these traitsweakens the spiritual immune system of each of Ondaatjes leading EnglishPatient characters. Carvaggio faces post-war life lacking confidence and faith. Kip returns to India hating the system that he has given his heart and soul for. At best, he can see himself as a helpless pawn, a victim or a fool. At worst, hecan see himself as a willing agent of death and destruction. The EnglishPatient, presumably, dies muddled as much by his own rationalisations as by hismorphine. He clings to a love that he uses to excuse acts of personal andcollective treachery. Hana finds herself in an extremely vulnerable position asshe faces her post-war future. She has abandoned any faith that she ever had inGod, her country and her civilisation. She has placed all of her faith, trustand loyalty in the hands of her patient and her lover. This has given hersomething to live for as the war winds to an end. But when these two abandonher, she has no faith in anything but herself to fall back on. She returns toCanada, completely distrustful of human relationships. Many who have endured thehorrors of war may relate to the disillusionment portrayed by Ondaatjescharacters. Many who would never claim to possess the virtues promoted by C.S. Lewis clearly reflect them in the way in which they live their lives. These arethe wartime survivors who continue to inspire those who have never endured thehorrors of war. These are the survivors who show what it means to live a goodlife, even under the most adverse conditions. BibliographyLewis, C.S. The Screwtape Letters. Great Britain: Fontana Books, 1942Ondaatje, Michael. The Engish Patient. Toronto: Vintage Canada, 1996

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Free Essays on The Communist Manifesto

of The Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto lays out the objectives, principals, and ideas of the Communist point of view. The Communist Manifesto consists of 4 sections. The first section discusses the Communist’s theory of history and the relation between the bourgeoisie and the proletarians. The second section explains the relation between the Communists and the bourgeoisie. In the third section, Marx points out the problems with the other previous socialist and communist literature. The final section points out the political plan for Communism. Marx explains in the first section the nature and the history of the bourgeoisie. The topic of class antagonism is brought up. In the past there has always been a conflict between classes in a society. Every conflict has either ended in a revolutionary construction of the society or a particular class has been ruined. Marx points out that the class antagonism has split society into two feuding classes, the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat. The bourgeoisie class consists of Capitalists, which are the owners of the means of production. The proletariat class contains the working class. The bourgeoisie have been the reason for several revolutions in the mode of production. They were the ones that gave the development of the Modern Industry. The bourgeoisie also started the world-market. These were the people that had most of all the political say in the state. The state merely just followed what the bourgeoisie wanted. In order for the bourgeoisie to survive they have to keep revolutioni zing means of production. With the new Modern Industry the proletarians have become the majority of society because of ... Free Essays on The Communist Manifesto Free Essays on The Communist Manifesto The Communist Manifesto â€Å"Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have the world to gain. WORKING MEN OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!† These are the last words of The Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto lays out the objectives, principals, and ideas of the Communist point of view. The Communist Manifesto consists of 4 sections. The first section discusses the Communist’s theory of history and the relation between the bourgeoisie and the proletarians. The second section explains the relation between the Communists and the bourgeoisie. In the third section, Marx points out the problems with the other previous socialist and communist literature. The final section points out the political plan for Communism. Marx explains in the first section the nature and the history of the bourgeoisie. The topic of class antagonism is brought up. In the past there has always been a conflict between classes in a society. Every conflict has either ended in a revolutionary construction of the society or a particular class has been ruined. Marx points out that the class antagonism has split society into two feuding classes, the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat. The bourgeoisie class consists of Capitalists, which are the owners of the means of production. The proletariat class contains the working class. The bourgeoisie have been the reason for several revolutions in the mode of production. They were the ones that gave the development of the Modern Industry. The bourgeoisie also started the world-market. These were the people that had most of all the political say in the state. The state merely just followed what the bourgeoisie wanted. In order for the bourgeoisie to survive they have to keep revolutioni zing means of production. With the new Modern Industry the proletarians have become the majority of society because of ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Exclusionary Rule Evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Exclusionary Rule Evaluation - Essay Example The Exclusionary rule is applied where a connection between illegal act by police or law enforcement authorities and the obtained evidence is proven. It is also applied when there is an indirect connection between the evidence and an illegal search. If evidence is collected in good faith, considering that the obtained search warrant is legally correct although it is not. Evidence is retained if the police officer is unaware of mistakes in the issued search warrant. There should be no legally significant mistake. However, technical mistakes can save evidence from being destroyed due to an incomplete warrant (Shestokas, 2008). The Exclusionary rule is widely criticized because in some way, it harms criminal trial proceedings. Due to the application of the Exclusionary rule, important evidence can be missed out due to lack of a search warrant or proper knowledge of police officers and the culprit might be unchained due to lack of legal evidence. Exclusionary rule diverts the attention of the court of law from the original case to details of legal and illegal evidence. Police officers have to work for more and more evidence so that if some of them will be considered illegal, others can work. This clearly depicts wastage of precious time. Cost of evidence collection is also a major issue. Although Exclusionary rule has brought more professionalism to the evidence search department of police and law enforcement agencies of society, it has done a lot to save the constitutional privacy of citizens of the state against professional misconduct of police officers, as it was observed in the past, in order to obtain evidence. Due to observance of the Exclusionary rule in criminal trials, society has to bear the greatest cost of this rule in terms of criminals that go unpunished because of excluded evidence (Lungren, 1996). Once freed from court of justice, culprit’s moral increases and this may consequently result in

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Post traumatic stress disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Post traumatic stress disorder - Research Paper Example The first public alert on the disorder was from the war veterans (Mueser, Rosenberg & Rosenberg, 2009). They spent so much time away from home, and when they came back home, they had persistent flashbacks. The flashbacks caused them to feel threatened wherever they were and could not trust anyone with their lives. Over the years, the disorder has recorded a rise and it has become a socio-cultural problem. The traumatic experiences like terrorist attacks, earthquakes, floods, kidnappings, rape, child abuse, and many others have contributed to more victims suffering from the disorder (Cash, 2006). Statistics has shown that very soon the disorder may be one of the major public health concerns (Cash, 2006). Changes in the methods of treatment are therefore necessary to curb the growing menace. Over the years, the method used for the treatment of PTDS is only focused on the short-term treatment of the disease (Steele, van der Hart and Nijenhuis, 2001). The formulation has not characterized the significant symptoms seen on the victims who have suffered prolonged mental afflictions. They are mainly attributed to repeated domestic or sexual abuse together with political torture. A substitute diagnostic formulation â€Å"complex PTSD† should replace the method of treatment. This treatment will ensure that multiple symptoms are treated, and it will deal with the long-term effect of the disease on the individual for them to heal completely (Steele, van der Hart and Nijenhuis, 2001). The current PTDS deals only with the treatment of single acute trauma and leaves out the bigger picture caused by multiple sources of trauma (Steele, van der Hart and Nijenhuis, 2001). Judith Herman, a professor of psychology at the Harvard, was the first person to propose this treatment. Her book â€Å"Trauma and Recovery† accurately spells out how the treatment should be carried out using the â€Å"complex PTDS†. Most of the clinicians have been of the

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Environmental Economics Essay Example for Free

Environmental Economics Essay Agriculture has an instrumental role and close association in preservation and conservation of the environment and economic development. It promotes environment diversity and enhances the creation of artificial habitats. The green biomass that covers many fields forms a basis of aesthetic to the human emotions. Intensified uses of chemical in agricultural production threaten the above benefits that arise from agricultural fields. In the recent past, a growing concern has been raised with regard to the negative impact arising from agricultural related activities and policies. Legalization of substances such as pesticide and fertilizer enhance negative consequences on the environment. They contain toxic elements thus causes pollution of surface water and underground water, drainage of wetlands, air pollutions and loss of diverse life forms and habitats. Settlement scheme in implemented on fragile lands such swamps, disturbances the ecological balance in the area. Environmental issues can be resolve by promoting organic agriculture, establishing relevant institutions, formulation of legislation and policies. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members agreed that reforms should, to the extent possible, simultaneously enable progress to be made on trade liberation and environment. They also agreed to uphold the need to integrate agricultural development with environmental issues. (OECD 1993, p, 24-50) The focus of this study is therefore to examine the risk of inorganic agriculture against organic agriculture on the environment and thereafter formulate alternative strategies to foster sustainability. Environmental issues are diverse and multi-disciplinary in nature since they cut across all sectors of the economy and cultures. Unsustainable agriculture and increase in populations in the world modifies environmental issues. Population increase exerts high pressure on the economic processes to stretch, in most cases beyond the natural sustainable limit, to accommodate the excess demand (Sandler, Todd. 1997, p, 34-73) In response, the world has embarked on intensified adoption to scientific invention and advancement in technological development to improve production. Organic means of production are therefore considered redundant and barbaric in favor of inorganic agriculture. Unsustainable means of production, consequently, have widened and continue to widen environmental global challenges that threaten to cripple and suffocate the world’s economy. Studies have shown that increased use of chemical, such as pesticides and fertilizers for production in farming activities perpetuates the environmental global challenges. This puts the future livelihood for mankind at a stake and uncertain. It is therefore important to examine environmental challenges attached to intensive use of chemical for agricultural production and thereafter provide an alternative strategy to enhance sustainability. (Dutch Committee, 1994, p, 30-50) Intensified use of chemical for production is largely attributed to agricultural and industrial revolution. Population has also influenced the need to use chemicals to increase food production to meet the ever growing world demand for food. Initially, the above means of agricultural production were common in Europe and Asian continent. Abject poverty in the world has created great desire and demand for technological innovation to increase food production. Globalization and scientific advancement has therefore provided a solution to the world food demand problem. However, the solution comes with a bundle of side effects. Technological and scientific information transfer, particularly, to African countries, where poverty is obsolete and unsustainable (Andersons, L. and Bruce, Yundle, 2001, p, 50-200) Over the last three decades there has been an increasing global use of chemicals for agricultural production. Traditionally, production was based on organic means thus less environmental concerns. Merchandised agriculture has raised the public concern over the nature of the problems that arises from agricultural production. These problems are diverse and wholly attributed to environmental pollution caused by intensified use of pesticide and fertilizers. (Uri, Noel, 1999, p, 23-123) The problems are aggravated by improper management of agricultural chemicals thereby causing serious environmental issues. These pose a great problem to the survival and well-being of humanity, particularly those living in developing world. This is because fertilizers and pesticides are agent of pollution to water bodies, food sources, land, air and vegetation. The development of agriculture production through specialization and intensification of land use in recent decades has given rise to a wide range of environmental effects, both within the agricultural industry itself and increasingly, externally to it. The recognition and understanding of these consequences of modern high technology agriculture developed in the 1970s and during the 1980s progress was made in addressing these impacts. Some problems still remain however and will be of increasing importance. (OCED, p, 177) The use of chemicals for agricultural production therefore will continue to compromise the environmental sustainability. The World Health Organization estimates that about a quarter of the diseases facing mankind today occur due to prolonged exposure to environmental pollution. Most of these environmental related diseases are however, not easily detected and may be acquired during childhood and manifest later in adulthood. The indiscriminate and excessive use of agrochemicals for crop protection represents by far the greatest threat to human health, to the genetic stock of the population and to sustain agriculture and environment. At a United Nations seminar in Nairobi Kenya in 1984, it was reported that almost 370,000 people suffer from pesticide poisoning and about 10,000annually die due to poisoning. Recently, the World Health Organization estimated 500,000 fatalities due to pesticide poisoning in developing world. This WHO’s report further claims that another 400,000 cases of poisoning were due to pesticide handling and usage. (Mervyns, p, 12) From the quotation above, it is clear that the impacts of agrochemical increases with time and magnitude. This kind of trend is unsustainable and therefore threatens the future of humanity. The impact of pesticide and fertilizer on human health is crucial and therefore should never be under-estimated. The traces of these chemical causes inhalation problems. Accumulation of the elements in the body system affects the free circulation of blood in the body. Biodiversity forms a basis upon which the world’s beauty, emotional fulfillment and aesthetic appeal are based. Agriculture spices up the aesthetic-array of the world. It also creates artificial habitats that shelter migratory organisms such as birds, insects and animals. It therefore follows that agricultural production is a gene bank for scientific development. Intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers puts the existence of nature in it natural form at stake. This is because chemicals kill organisms that perpetuate natural fertilization processes thereby hindering the natural form of nature stabilization. Chemical enhances the process of mutation. This leads to evolution of hybridized species of pests which are resistant to natural mean of pest control and at times even resistant to pesticides. Loss of biodiversity as a result of chemical use in agricultural production is therefore eminent. It has been reported that, â€Å"The first sub lethal effect of a pesticide on a bird was probably the eggshell thinning phenomena first described by Ratcliff. DDE, the stable metabolite of DDE is reported to be the cause of eggshell thinning and consequent decline in the breeding success of birds of prey. † (Mervyns, p, 78) Equity is a controversial aspect of resource distribution in the world. The gap between the rich and the poor is quite disheartening. Economic processes and advancement also work towards widening the gap. Commercialization of agriculture with intensive use of chemicals, poses environmental degradation. This consequently deprives the land of its ability to naturally produce food thereby lowering its production yield. The poor depend totally on the environment for their livelihood. Inorganic agriculture is a world’s strategy to check the gap between the poor and the rich. It is widely believe that many people in the world sleep without food for many days. Increased food production, will therefore help to resolve one of the greatest challenges that is threatening to tear the earth a part. However, inorganic farming has failed to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich. The efficiency of using chemicals to increase food production is questionable. Traditional means of production were more manual, labor intensive and time consuming with minimum negative impacts to the environment. Current means of agricultural production are merchandized and more efficient as compared with the traditional methods. However, with regard to the environmental challenges, the efficiency of inorganic production to address the abject poverty in the world is low. Ecology is defined as the domestic site of organism, knowledge and the sum of the relation of the surrounding world. It is a self sustaining environment. Ecology is always sensitive to changes. Introduction of foreign substances such as traces of pesticides and fertilizer modify the ecological characteristic and identity. Nutrients like nitrate and phosphate are normally washed down into water bodies when it rains. This initiates the process of eutrophication. Eutrophication is a process whereby the water experiences enrichment with nutrients of nitrate and phosphate. Consequently water lilies, phytoplasm and algae blooms to experience luxuriant growth. This phenomenon has negative impacts on the functions of the water body. In the first place, Algae bloom forms a green like layer on top of the water thereby hindering penetration of light to the water body. Due to high accumulation of substance in the water, decaying process increases. This causes a biological oxygen demand which leads to suffocation of aquatic lives in the water body. Bad smell arises from the water body as a result of decaying processes. The value of water for domestic use therefore reduces.

Friday, November 15, 2019

What Are The Effects Of Acid Rain?

What Are The Effects Of Acid Rain? Part I What is Acid Rain? Acid rain is a general term that refers to the deposition of acidic materials from the atmosphere on the surface of the earth. Therefore it is more appropriately called acid deposition. There are two types of acid deposition, wet deposition and dry deposition. Wet deposition, or acid precipitation, refers to acidic rain, snow, hail or sleet. It occurs when pollutants such as Sulphur and Nitrogen oxides (SOx, NOx) are present in the atmosphere and react with water vapor to form acidic solutions such as Sulphurous Acid (H2SO3), Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4), Nitrous Acid (HNO2) and Nitric Acid (HNO3) that fall to Earths surface as precipitation. Dry deposition refers to the deposition of particles and gases of Sulphur and Nitrogen oxides (SOx, NOx) on Earths surface. These particles and gases become acids when they react with water on the surface of the Earth. Natural precipitation has a pH of about 5.6. It is slightly acidic due to dissolved Carbon dioxide (CO2). I n comparison, acid deposition usually has a pH of about 4.3 5.0. As stated above, acid deposition is caused by pollutants in the atmosphere. The majority of these pollutants are released in to the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels. Fuels such as coal and oil contain Sulphur and when they are burned they elease it. When Sulphur is released into the atmosphere by combustion it reacts accordingly: S + O2 Æ’Â   SO2 Sulphur released by the burning of fuels such as oil and coal reacts with Oxygen in the air to yield Sulphur dioxide. 2SO2 + O2 2SO3 Sulphur dioxide reacts with the Oxygen in the air to yield Sulphur trioxide SO2 + H2O Æ’Â   H2SO3 SO3 + H2O Æ’Â   H2SO4 Sulphur dioxide and Sulphur trioxide react with water, either in the atmosphere or on the surface of the Earth, to yield Sulphurous Acid and Sulphuric Acid Combustion of fuels in cars releases another pollutant, Nitrogen gas. Once Nitrogen gas is released in to the atmosphere by combustion it reacts accordingly: N2 + O2 Æ’Â   2NO N2 + 2O2 Æ’Â   2NO2 Nitrogen gas reacts with Oxygen in the air to yield Nitric oxide and Nitrogen dioxide 2NO + O2 2NO2 Nitric oxide reacts with oxygen in the air to yield Nitrogen dioxide 2NO2 + H2O Æ’Â   HNO2 + HNO3 Nitrogen dioxide reacts with water, either in the atmosphere or on the surface of the Earth, to yield Nitrous Acid and Nitric Acid. Small amounts of these pollutants are also released into the atmosphere naturally. Decomposing vegetation releases gases that contribute to pollutants in the atmosphere. Lightning produces Nitric oxide (NO) and volcanic eruptions release Sulphur dioxide (SO2). Some atmospheric chemists such as Dr. Ronald Prinn believe that acid rain has been around for millions of years. Dr. Prinn believes that acid rain could be responsible for the extinction of dinosaurs. However, the first known observation of acid rain did not take place until the 19th century, around the time of the Industrial Revolution. It was Robert Angus Smith, an English scientist, who came up with the term acid rain in 1872 when he observed that acidic precipitation was damaging plants. Acid rain was not considered a major environmental concern until the 1970s when scientists observed the effects of acid rain on ecosystems. When it was made clear that acid rain has negative impacts on ecosystems and that it is not only a regional issue but rather an international one, governments began to get involved. In 1991, Canada and the United States signed the Canada-US Air Quality Agreement and committed to reduce SOx and NOx emissions. Part II How does Acid Rain affect our Society? Acid rain has an extremely negative impact on our society. The most devastating consequence of acid rain is the affect that it has on terrestial as well as aquatic ecosystems. In terrestrial ecosystems, acid rain destroys plants. Acid rain causes toxic metals such as aluminum, copper, lead, manganese and zinc to leach out of rocks and soils. Additionally, nutrients present in topsoil leach down to the subsoil. Plant growth is significantly decreased in soils lacking nutrients and rich in poisonous alumnium. The other toxic metals released by acidic soil kill earthworms and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, both of which are essential to plant growth. Acid rain can also wears away the protective coating of leaves. These consequences also have an effect on the agriculture industry. Many crops cannot grow in soils that are lacking nutrients and contain aluminum. Furthermore, acid rain destroys many food crops such as radishes, tomatoes and apples. The effects of acid rain extends to aquatic eco systems. The toxic substances that are leached out of rocks and soil can be washed in to lakes and rivers. Fish are easily poisoned by these toxic substances. The acidic environment that acid rain creates in lakes and rivers is also harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms. The acidity kills many organisms that are usually at the bottom of a complex aquatic food chain. The food chain then collapses and the populations of many organisms significantly decrease. Acid rain also interrupts fish reproduction as it can destroy fish eggs. There are many more negative effects of acid rain. Fresh water supply can be contaminated by the acidity as well as by the metals that are leached from rocks and soil due to acid rain. Acid rain can also corrode water transportation pipes, allowing metal to enter the water supply. Another consequence of acid rain is the effect that it has on a cityscape. Acid rain can significantly damage metal and stone structures. Finally, acid rain can have an affect on human health. Contaminated water can cause health concerns. The SOx and NOx in dry deposition can cause numerous respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. Furthermore, Nitrogen oxides (NOx) can react with volatile organic compounds in the air near the surface of the Earth to yield Ozone, which can be very detrimental to the respiratory system. Part III What should we do about Acid Rain? There are two methods that can be taken when approaching the issue of acid rain. We can either ignore the issue or we can do something about it and attempt to control the problem. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. If we ignore acid rain, nothing will be done to control or stop it and we will continue to suffer from its consequences. The advantage of this method is that no resources have to be expended. Governments, industries and citizens do not have to invest any money in to attempting to solve the problem. Governments do not have to invest in new energy sources. Industries can go on using current techniques without having to invest in new strategies in order to assist in solving the problem. Citizens can also go on without trying to conserve resources in order to attempt to stop acid rain. However, the disadvantage of this method is that acid rain will remain a threat to terrestrial ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, the agriculture industry, cityscapes, fresh wate r supplies and human health. If acid rain continues the effects could be devastating. The second method is to do something about the problem and attempt to control acid rain. In order to do so pollutant emissions must be reduced, alternative sources of energy must be found and used, resources must be conserved, polices must be put in place in order to protect air quality and lakes and rivers must be neutralized. The advantage to this method is that it has the potential to control or even stop acid rain. By doing so we can save many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, increase yield of crops, prevent damage to cityscapes, keep supplies of fresh water clean and eliminate any risk of human health being put at risk due to acid rain. However, the disadvantage to this method is that it is very expensive. It also requires governments, industries and citizens to take action. To reduce pollutant emissions, companies have to invest in new cleaner technology. Such technology includes Sulphur s crubbers in factories and catalytic converters in cars. These technologies are expensive and require a large investment from industries. Furthermore, if policies are put in place in order to maintain air quality, many companies will have to invest in new technology in order to meet these new regulations. In order to find and use new energy sources industries as well as governments will have to invest a large amount of money into research and implementation. Additionally, neutralizing lakes and rivers that have been damaged by acid rain with limestone will also require the government to spend a large amount of money. All of these costs will eventually be passed down to the consumer as well as the citizen. In order to control acid rain we must also conserve our natural resources. This will be very hard for a society that is driven by exploitation. Revenues of many companies might go down if consumers begin to conserve. Revenues also may go down if companies begin consider the environm ent before they consider profit. After examining the advantages and disadvantages of ignoring the situation and controlling the situation, I think that we must control it. It would be wrong to ignore acid rain and the advantages of controlling it really outweigh its disadvantages. Controlling and trying to eliminate acid rain will be expensive and require governments, industries and citizens to take action but it is the right thing to do. We must save our ecosystems, our crops, our cities, our water and our health from the detrimental effects of acid rain. Ebola Virus: History, Causes and Effects Ebola Virus: History, Causes and Effects K.G Shayani Upulika Ebola Virus Outbreak: The deadline and incurable Hemorrhagic fever. Contents (Jump to) 1.1 Introduction to Ebola virus 1.2 History of Ebola virus. 1.3 Characteristics of Ebola virus 1.4 Symptoms of Ebola virus 1.5 Diagnosis methods of Ebola virus. 1.6 Treatments for Ebola virus 1.7 Conclusion. References: 1.1 Introduction to Ebola virus Identification of natural reservoir for Ebola virus was not possible by researchers for decades but recently a scientist named Leroy presented most acceptable evidence that three species of fruit bats called Hypsignathus monstrosus, Epomops franqueti and Myonycteris torquata are wildlife reservoirs for Ebola virus (Biek et al, 2006). Ebola virus is associated with acute fatal hemorrhagic symptoms for human and non-human primates when they get escaped from their wildlife reservoir hosts, Ebola virus is consider as a filo virus and one of the most lethal viruses known the five species of Ebola virus have been identified as Ivory Coast Ebola virus, Sudan Ebola virus, Zaire virus, Reston Ebola virus Ebola and Bundibugyo Ebola virus (Yuan et al, 2012). In the present situation of Ebola virus has a 90% death rate and the main site of first immerging is the region of Guinea’s southeastern forest region and this spilled throughout the entire Africa and some regions of the world (Bausc h and Schwarz, 2014). 1.2 History of Ebola virus. Ebola virus was first identified in 1976 in Congo of central Africa, It initially named as Zaire as it first found in town of Yambuku and after Yambuku outbreak the virus was vanished, but Ebola reappeared again in 1989 (Draper, 2002).The biomedical scientists first discovered the family of virus filoviridea when Marburg virus first appeared in 1967 and at that time commercial laboratory workers with sever and unusual disease symptoms were admitted to hospital in Marburg, Germany (peters and Ledue, 1999). After the discovery of Ebola it has re-appeared cyclically; most of the Ebola outbreaks are restricted to rural regions in central Africa and have never participated more than 500 cases, first Ebola case were noticed in February in wild areas of south Guinea and it has grown so strongly and spread so rapidly in terms of affected people and earthly spread those are Guinea, large parts of Liberia and Sierra, Lennon are disease ridden (Klenk, 2014). The virus has persisted in Africa and many fatal outbreaks in human and non-human primates have been reported and the History of Ebola virus is still unclear when doing researches Ebola virus strains with complete glycoprotein genes, including Zaire, sudan.reston, Tai forest, and bundibugya were analyzed (Li and Chen, 2013). After finding the way of coming the Ebola virus to south Africa scientists have found that the virus have always been there in the region but people just never noticed, therefor it has recently introduced then the first report and phylogenetic investigations on the Guinea outbreak proposed that the Ebola virus found in Guinea is a noticeable strain from that observed in central Africa, Therefore Ebola virus is not a newcomer to the region, it has been circulating for some time in Guinea,and have become a sudden threat to human beings (Schwarz, and Bausch, 2014). Figure 1.1 Map of the three countries involved in the 2013-2014 outbreak of Ebola virus as of June 20 2014(Schwarz and Bausch, 2014). 1.3 Characteristics of Ebola virus The family filoviridae with order Mononegavirales contains two generas, as Marburg virus and Ebola virus (EBOV) (Kuhn et al., 2012). Ebola virus is again divided in to many species such as Zaire Ebola virus (ZEBOV) Sudan Ebola virus, Ta forest Ebola virus and Reston Ebola virus (REBOV) (Kuhn et al., 2012). VP40 is the major Ebola virus matrix protein and it plays a major role in virus assembly and budding. This virus have a diameter averagely 57 .58 nm and it differ slightly for VP40+VP35 at 63.64nm, VP40+VP35+NP at 66.75nm (Johnson, Bell and Harty, 2006).Ebola virus particle is uniform with uniform diameter of 80 nm but Ebola virus particles are greatly varying from their morphology including long up to about 14  µm, sometimes these particles are branched filaments or shorter filaments shaped like ‘6’, ‘u’ or a circle and the size of this viral genome considered as 19 kb (Cencciarelii et al, 2014). However this fever referred as a group of illness that ca used by viruses belongs to diverse range of families which includes Lassa fever, rift valley fever and so on and It may lead to overall vascular damage and usually accompanied by hemorrhage (Ratanshi et al, 2014). Filo virus outbreaks are specific because these viruses can intersperse by years or even decades without showing any disease activity and last new species of Ebola virus was found 14 years before in Ivory Coast (Towner et al., 2008). Ebola virus is characterized by secondary transmission and high case fatality and also by filamentous enveloped particles however treating Ebola virus was a challenged situation after infection because these virus consists recombinant human activated protein C(rhAPC) ,recombinant nematode anticoagulant protein c2 (rNCPc2), small interfering RNA(si RNA) ( Qui et al, 2014). 1.4 Symptoms of Ebola virus Ebola virus is an invasive pathogen that can cause a highly lethal hemorrhagic fever in both human and non-human beings this virus runs its course within 14 to 21 days and the infection initially present with non-specific symptoms like fever, myalgia and malaise as infection proceeds patients starts to show large bleeding and coagulation deformities including gastrointestinal bleeding, rash and a wide varieties of hematological irregularities (Sullivan, Yang and Nabel, 2014).The initial symptoms of Ebola virus are non-specific, including fever, rash and vomiting, The most generally experienced symptoms were non-bloody diarrhea (81%) and asthenia (77%) and Seven patient reported were observed with hemorrhagic symptoms, and out of seven six of patient died(Roddy et al, 2012).The incubation period after exposure to virus is typically 8 to 10 days but it can be as short as 2 days and extended to 21 days and the net death rate is high as 90%.Most people with Ebola die within 2 weeks of di sease onset (Turner, 2014). 1.5 Diagnosis methods of Ebola virus. Numbers of newer technologies were applied for the diagnosis of Ebola virus infection some of them are antigen detection assay, utilized extensively in the Reston outbreak and its investigation, these methods allowed a fast and unique recognition of Ebola virus in the blood of severly ill individuals even in rural areas also nonspecific detection of antibodies by the unintended fluorescent antibody test in humans during Reston investigation led to the adaptation of the enzyme (Kaslow, Stanberry and Due, 2014). Ebola virus disease can proved with various lab tests depending on the on the stage of the disease, within a few days of infection immunosobent assay, antigen detection tests, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and virus location by cell culture is used (Plotkin, Oreanstein an Offit, 2008). after the patient get back to normal immunoglobulin M and Immunoglobulin G can be found, after death immunohistochemistry, PCR and isolation of the virus can be done the exact diagnosis can be done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA antigen testing furthermore clarifications on viral replication inside cells can be done through measurements of IgM antibodies ( Plotkin, Oreanstein an Offit, 2008). Diagnosis of Ebola comes in to play when symptoms and signs of fever, illness, petechial rash and disseminated bleeding are observed and most of the accurate diagnosis is done by using a polymerase chain reaction detection assay and can be confirmed by detection of viral replication in Vero cells (Plotkin, Orenstein and Offit, 2008). Ebola is mainly diagnosed from the symptoms and blood test here mainly looks for the presence of antibodies in the virus at earlier days detecting a infected patient was not easy and once recognized the patient must be isolated and relevant authorities should notified (Horobin, 2008). 1.6 Treatments for Ebola virus No effective treatments for Ebola virus at this time. Anti-viral medications currently available have no effect on Ebola virus. Care for patients with Ebola virus infection consists maintaining fluid and electrolyte equilibrium via oral or I.V. hydration, supporting oxygenation and BP, Adjustments of coagulation and treating comorbidities such as a concurrent bacterial infection (Turner, 2014). However without recommended vaccines or treatments Ebola virus management has been limited and barrier methods and prevention methods also become limited but a combination of monoclonal antibodies (ZMapp), optimized from two previous antibody cocktails, is able to rescue 100% of rhesus macaques when treatments is only initiated up to 5 days, High fever, abnormalities in blood count and vireamia were some evidences in animals before ZMapp invention after that advanced disease as indicated by increased liver enzymes, mucosal hemorrhage and generalized petechial could be reversed leading to a ful l recovery (Qiu et al, 2014). There are no licensed vaccines currently available against Ebola virus but many applicable vaccine platforms have been tested for their efficiency against the virus and this treatment includes exposed or lipid encapsulated DNA, particles like virus arrangements, Vesicular stomatitis virus, strain Indiana, Human parainfluenza virus 3 (HPIV-3) , vaccinia, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) and replication-deficient human adenovirus serotype 5 (AdHu5) vectors(Richardson et al, 2011). Due to the absence of specific therapies, filo virus ward clinicians give infected patients with the supportive care regime consist of oral medication, oral fluid rehydration, nutritional additives and physiological aid (Roddy et al, 2012). 1.7 Conclusion. Ebola virus is considered as one of the most lethal virus found so far and it has extremely high mortality rate therefore according to the doctors and experts point of view anyone who has stayed in areas where Ebola outbreak have recently been reported should have knowledge about the symptoms of infection and seek medical advices at the first sign of illness. Many reasons are there for this highly lethal disease to be spread largely, the most important reason is hospitals lack medical equipment such as surgical gloves, masks and hypodermic syringes to inject medicines to patients and clean water and also the lack of high standard medical laboratories for the medical tests to done on the virus is also a major issue. The spread of knowledge about the Ebola virus is expected to solve another big part of the problem therefore prevention of a worldwide outbreak lies within the education of the virus, how Ebola victims can properly treated and by performing suitable action to isolate the v irus before it has spread and maintaining hygienic conditions as much as possible.   References: Biek, R., Walsh, P. D., Leroy, E.M. and Real, L. A. (2006) ‘Recent common ancestry of Ebola virus found in a bat reservoir’, Plos pathogens, 2(10) pp. 1-3. [Online] DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0020090 (Accessed: 20 October 2014). Bausch, D. G. and Schwarz, L. (2014) ‘Outbreak of Ebola virus in Guinea: where ecology meets Economy’, PLOS Neglected tropical diseases, 8(7) pp. 1-5. [Online] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003056 (Accessed: 20 October 2014). Cenciarelii, O., Pietropaoli, S., Frusteri, L., Malizia, A., Carestia, M., Amico, F. D., Sassolini,A., Giovanii, D. D., Tamburrini, A., Palombi, L.,Bellecci, C. and Gaudi, P. (2014) ‘Biological Emergency Management: The Case of Ebola 2014 and the air transportation involvement’, Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 6(5) pp. 1-7. [Online] DOI: 10.4172/1948-5948.1000152 (Accessed: 22 October 2014). Draper, A. S. (2002)’ Epidemics, deadly disease throughout the history Ebola’ .Google Books [Online]. Available at: http://books.google.lk/books?id=FohdK6o-8WICpg=PA1focus=viewportdq=history+of+ebolaoutput=html_text. (Accessed: 20 October 2014). Horobin, W. (2008) Diseases and Disorders. Google books [Online]. Available at: http://books.google.lk/books?id=-HRJOElZch8Cpg=PA303dq=diagnosis+of+ebolahl=ensa=Xei=FB4-VNrvJ5fpoASNrIGwAgved=0CEwQ6AEwCQ#v=onepageq=diagnosis of ebolaf=false. (Accessed: 25 October 2014). Johnson, R. F., Bell, P and Harty, R. N. (2006) ‘Effect of Ebola virus proteins GP,NP and VP35 on VP40 VLP morphology’, Springer, 9(11) pp.1-20.[Online] DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-3-31 (Accessed: 22 October 2014). Khun, J.H., Becker, S., Ebihara, H., Geisbert, T. W. and Jahrling, P. B.(2012) ‘Virus taxonomy ninth report of the international committee on taxonomy of virus’, filoviridae , 8(8) pp. 665-671.[Online] .Available at: www.plospathogens.org (Accessed:28 September 2014). Klenk, H. D., (2014) ’Lessons to be learned from the Ebola virus outbreak in west Africa’, Emerging Microbes and Infections. 11(3) pp. 1-1. [Online]. DOI: 10.1038/emi.2014.68 (Accessed: 20 October 2014). Kaslow, R. A., Stanberry, L. R. and Due, J. W. L.(2014) Viral infection of human. Google books [Online]. Available at: http://books.google.lk/books?id=sxakBAAAQBAJpg=PA344dq=diagnosis+of+ebolahl=ensa=Xei=PRM9VPCVLpeMuASM6YKoDgved=0CDYQ6AEwAw#v=onepageq=diagnosis of ebolaf=false. (Accessed: 25 October 2014). Li, Y. H, and Chen, S. P.,(2013) ‘ Evolutionary history of Ebola virus’, Epidemiology and infection, 142(6). pp.1-3. [Online]. DOI: 10.1017/SO950268813002215 (Accessed: 20 October 2014). Peters, C. J. and Ledue, J. W. (1999) ‘An introduction to Ebola: the virus and the disease’, Ebola: The Virus and the Disease, 179(1) pp. 1-8. [Online] DOI: 10.1086/514322 (Accessed :20 October 2014). Plotkin, S. A., Orenstein, W. A. and Offit, P. A. (2008) Vaccines. Google Books [Online]. Available at: http://books.google.lk/books?id=hoigDQ6vdDQCpg=PA1061dq=diagnosis+of+ebolahl=ensa=Xei=PRM9VPCVLpeMuASM6YKoDgved=0CDEQ6AEwAg#v=onepageq=diagnosis of ebolaf=false. (Accessed: 25 October 2014). Qiu, X., Wong, G., Audet, J., Bello, A., Fernando, L., Alimonti, J. B., Bovendo, H. F., Wei, H., Aviles, J., Hiatt, E., Jhonson, A., Morton, J., Swope, K., Bohorova, O., Goodman, C., Kim, D., Pauly, M. H., Velasco, J., Pettitt, J., Olinger, G. G., Whaley, K., Xu, B., Strong, J. E., Zeitlin, L. and Kobinger, G. P.,(2014) ‘Reversion of advanced Ebola virus disease in nonhuman primates with ZMapp’, Nature, 1 (0), pp. 1-15.[Online] DOI: 10.1038/nature13777 (Accessed: 23 October 2014). Qiu, X., Wong, G., Audet, J., Bello, A., Fernando, L., Alimonti, B., Bovendo, H. F., Wei, H., Aviles, J., Hiatt, E., Johnson, A., Morton, J., Swope, K., Bohorov, O., Bohorova, N., Goodman, C., Kim, D., Pauly, M. H., Velasco, J., Pettitt, J., Olinger, G. G.,Whaley, K., Xu, B., Strong, J. E and Zeitlin, L. (2014) ‘Reversion of advanced Ebola virus disease in nonhuman primates with ZMapp’, Nature, 11 (7) pp. 1-4. [Online] DOI: 10.1038/nature13777 (Accessed: 26 October 2014). Ratanshi, R. S., Elbireer, A., Mayanja, F., Coutinho, A., Merry, C. (2014) ‘Ebola outbreak response; experience and development of screening tools for viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) in HIV center of excellence near to VHF epicenters’, VHF screening during an Ebola outbreak in large Ugandan HIV clinic, 9 (7), pp. 1-8.[Online] Available at: www.plosone.org. (Accessed: 22 October 2014). Roddy, P., Howard, N., Kerkhove, M. D. V., Lutwama, J., Wamala, J., Yoti, Z., Colebunders, R., Palma, P. P., Sterk, E., Jeffs, B., Herp, M. V., Borchert, M. (2012) ‘Clinical Manifestations and Case Management of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Caused by a Newly Identified Virus Strain, Bundibugyo, Uganda, 2007–2008’, Ebola Clinical Manifestations and Case Management, 7 (12) pp. 1-12. [Online] Available at: www.plosone.org (Accessed: 24 October 2014). Richardson, J. S., Wong, G., Pillet, S., Schindle, S., Ennis, J., Turner, J., Strong, J. E., and Kobinger, G. P. (2011) ‘Evaluation of Different Strategies for Post-Exposure Treatment of Ebola Virus Infection in Rodents’, Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense, 11 (7) pp. 1-1. [Online] DOI: 10.4172/2157-2526.S1-007 (Accessed: 26 October 2014). Roddy, P., Howard, N., Kerkhove, M. D. V., Lutwama, J., Wamala, J., Yoti, Z., Colebunders, R., Palma, P. P., Sterk, E., Jefffs, B., Herp, M. V and Bochert, M. (2012) ‘Clinical Manifestations and Case Management of Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever Caused by a Newly Identified Virus Strain, Bundibugyo, Uganda, 2007–2008’, Ebola Clinical Manifestations and Case Management, 7(12) pp. 1-12. [Online] Available at: www.plosone.org (Accessed: 26 October 2014). Schwarz, L. and Bausch, D. G., (2014) ‘Outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Guinea:where ecology meets economy’, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 8(7) pp.1-5.[Online] Available at: www.plosntds.org. (Accessed: 20 October 2014). Sullivan, N., Young, Z. Y. and Nabel, G. J. (2014) ‘Ebola virus pathogenesis: Implications for vaccines and therapies’, Journal of virology, 88 (21) pp. 1-4. [Online] DOI: 10.1128/JVI.18.9733-9737.2003 (Accessed: 24 October 2014). Turner, C. (2014) ‘Ebola virus disease: An emerging threat’, Nursing, 44 (9) pp. 1-1. [Online] DOI: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000453010.02525.ca (Accessed: 24 October 2014). Towner, J. S., Sealy, T. S., Khristova, M. L., Albarino, C. G., Reeder, S. A., Quan, P.L., Lipkin, W. L., Downing, R., Tappero, J. W., Okware, S., Lutwama, J., Bakamutumaho, B., Kaiwa, J., Comer, J. A., Rollin, P. E., Ksiazek, T. G., Nichol, S.T. (2008) ‘Newly discovered Ebola virus associated with hemorrhagic fever outbreak in uganda’, New species of Ebola virus in Uganda,4 (11), pp. 1-6. [Online] Available at: www.plospathogens.org (Accessed: 23 October 2014). Turner, C. (2014) ‘Ebola virus disease: An emerging threat’, Nursing, 44 (9) pp. 1-1. [Online] DOI: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000453010.02525.ca (Accessed: 25 October 2014). Turner, C. (2014) ‘Ebola virus disease: An emerging threat’, Nursing, 44 (9) pp. 1-1. [Online] DOI: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000453010.02525.ca (Accessed: 26 October 2014). Yuan, J., Zhang, Y., Li, J., Zhang, Y., Wang, L. F. and Shi, Z. (2012) ‘Serological evidence of Ebola virus infection in bats, China’, Virology Journal, 9(236) pp. 1-5. [Online] DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-9-236 (Accessed: 20 October 2014). 1

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Analysis of Howard Carter’s Diaries

Tahirih Osborne 11. 16. 11 HHIS 101 Jeff Bibbee Tutankhamen: Anatomy of an Excavation. Howard Carter's diaries. The first excavation season in the tomb of Tutankhamen. Part 1: October 28 to December 31, 1922  © Griffith Institute, Oxford OX1 2LG Otter Box This document provides an in-depth description of Howard Carter's initial discovery of the ante-chamber to King Tutankhamen's tomb. November 26th describes the discovery of an unidentified room filled with artifacts, while November 27th describes the initial excavation of this room and identifying it as Tutankhamen's tomb.Howard Carter's passion for Egypt and archeology is prominent in his careful description of the excavation of this tomb. While written in a diary format, it is obvious that he intends to later share his findings with his academic community (which was indeed later published. ) His use of exacting language and in-depth description of what he experiences, down to a laundry list of items the ante-chamber contains, is included for those scholastically inclined, but his personal awe still shows through. Howard Carter was a dedicated egyptologist, and this excavation became the hallmark of his career.Discovering Tutankhamen's tomb was an explosion to the Egyptology community. With only two minor robberies to its name (thought to have happened shortly after the paraoh's death), the tomb stood as a virtual time capsule. No other tomb is thought to be as complete. This gives a very good insight into the climate of the period. Having such a number and range of artifacts from the same time period allows scholars to draw conclusions about everything from the religious practices of the period, to the way furniture was made, and to make guesses about the wealth of the pharaoh and of Egypt itself.These artifacts went on to be some of the most-exhibited and well known works of art from the period, and are now synonymous with one's mental image of Egypt. What is perhaps most overlooked and most interesting a bout Howard Carter's recordings is his care during excavation. Each detail of each piece was put down to paper. Carter's meticulous record keeping and care of individual pieces meant that the tomb took nearly ten years to fully excavate, document, and transfer. Despite onstant media coverage of the excavation, Carter only permitted a single reporter to visit the site. Carter was obsessed with keeping the excavation complete, and unharmed, and the exacting nature of his proceedings made it so. Though Egyptomania had already begun spreading with the discovery of Queen Nefertiti's bust in 1912, it was largely Tutankhamen's tomb that was responsible for the obsession's peak in the 1920s. During and after full excavation and documentation, Howard Carter published his diary into three volumes, in 1923-1933.They quickly became best-sellers, and, along with the artifacts being put on exhibition, started to influence pop culture. Egyptian art influenced jewelry, clothing, architecture, and w as a big part of the art deco movement. Women became obsessed with dressing and looking like Cleopatra, and hotels, restaurants, and theaters all decorated their buildings with pyramids and hieroglyphs. Even literature took a page out of Egypt's book, with tales of African adventure becoming best-sellers, and most memorably, Agatha Christie writing her seminal mystery A Death on the Nile.Egyptomania still has currency. For instance, look at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which 1978 began to resurrect the Temple of Dendur. See also the Louvre, which in 1989 built its own glass pyramid. And in 1993, Luxor Las Vegas opened, a multi-million dollar casino built thirty stories high in black glass to resemble the pyramids of Giza, with its own replica tomb of Tutankhamen. Songs like the Bangles' â€Å"Walk Like an Egyptian† play through the heads of the masses, and Liz Taylor's Cleopatra has become a cult favorite.Egyptomania has even descended to such depths as to remake Boris Kar loff's The Mummy, with parts one, two, and three. Few other events have infiltrated the public conscious the way the discovery of King Tut's tomb has. One clear example in my life has been the events of September 11th, 2001. If the side effects of Tutankhamen's discovery has infected us for one hundred years, 9/11 will surely do the same. The consequences of that attack are part of my daily life, and it is difficult for me to think of a time when it wasn't.Instead of Egyptomania, there is now terrorist-mania. Since the plane crash at the World Trade Center, our public and private image has changed completely. A whole new department was created by excutive authority- the Department of Homeland Security. Instead of going from check-in to boarding the plane in thirty minutes, airport security takes hours because of high intensity screening. People are no longer free to enter and exit public buildings, most especially governmental buildings.The attacks spurred a rise in hyperpatriotism and a social climate that is dependent on â€Å"being an American. † Immigration has been tightened down until it is almost impossible for some people to enter the US. Arabs especially are discriminated against because of the percieved terrorist threat by the Muslim fringe. Strangers no longer smile at each other on the streets. The American obsession with terrorism has even led to acts such as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the passing of the Patriot Act, which allows warrant free wire-tapping of suspected terrorists.Americans have been giving up their civil liberties to feel safe, arguably without any increase in safety at all. Instead of opening the paper and reading fantastic stories about the discovery of ancient tombs and grand exhibitions, we open the paper and read yet another story about a dictator being ousted or a terrorist being taken down. While Egyptomania was a postive cultural phenomenon, we are now living in an entirely different world of war and strife c aused by an attack that our country can never let go of.