Food for Thought Essay

As of 2005, hunger continues to be a worldwide problem. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, â€Å"850 million people worldwide were undernourished in 1999 to 2005, the most recent years for which figures are available† and the number of hungry people has recently been increasing. The official poverty rate in the U. S. has increased for four consecutive years, from a 26-year low of 11. 3% in 2000 to 12. 7% in 2004. This means that 37. 0 million people were below the official poverty thresholds in 2004. This is 5. 4 million more than in 2000. The poverty rate for children under 18 increased from 16. 2% to 17. 8% over that period. Poverty is the state of being without the necessities of daily living, often associated with need, hardship and lack of resources across a wide range of circumstances. For some, poverty is a subjective and comparative term; for others, it is moral and evaluative; and for others, scientifically established. That is why it is so important to start a Food and Clothing program. This program will be funded by the church and it members, but benefit the community. Non church member would be able to reap the benefits from this program as well as church members. There is no such program in the other sister congregations that are affiliated with us. By instituting a program of this nature to the community. We will assist in reducing the fight against hunger. The food distribution program will be a place where food is offered to the poor for free. The project objective would to meet the needs of the community by filling there physically need as well as there spiritual needs. The mission is to provide food and fellowship, to feed the hungry in body and spirit. Also we would like for all the members of the congregation to assist in donating to the needs of others. By provide food items, toiletries and clothing they no longer want or need. Contribution will be tax deductible. The assumptions that can be made is that we are only funding this program to gain membership to the church. It can be said more members the more money coming into the church. Other assumptions are that we may want to play self-righteous. This project may be more than the church can handle alone. All department of the church should be involved especially food preparation. The minister, secretary, treasure deacons, elders, food committee and any volunteers. The risk involve are the lack of volunteers, the limited amount of donations. The element this program may attract, such as the drug, and alcohol abusers. There will be those seeking drug treatment, counseling, housing and etc. If we do not provide these things do we stand a chance of losing that person because we can not meet all that persons needs? The participates could abuse the program; by falsify information, health issues, food poisoning or spoilage. This program has never been done before and is much needed in this community. This is a much need program in this community for it is a rural farming community. Not many people have access to transportation and many are elderly, sick and shut-in. No one should go to bed hungry. The idea is to provide food to needy people. Food would be distributed freely; the receipts would be required to fill out information sheet. We will reach other receipt through referrals and meet and greets in the neighborhood. There are no food program in the town in which I live the need is a great one. There are food pantries but no food program We will provide those in need with food and with fellowship, responding to all with humanity and respect. The food distribution program will provide needy families with groceries on a weekly basis for meal preparation at home. In this community we want to make life better for low-income and needy individuals and families. By establishing this needed program in the community. We plan to help families and individual in poor nutritional status gain stability, good health and dignity. The goal is to meets the needs of the hungry in this community. Feed their physical need as well as their spiritual needs. Budget. 2 years with a million dollar budget, with donations for church members and all in-kind donations, (donations include, food, clothing, money and counseling) Overhead cost – The is no rent because the program is using the church building which is paid in full. Office supplies are going to average out to be about $ 500 dollars a year. There will be cost for new equipment, and health and liability insurance. Which I will allocate $100,000 dollars toward. Salaries most of the staff will be volunteers, but we are looking at about 50,000 dollars allocated toward salaries Miscellaneous Costs 100,000 Total budget of 1 millions dollars. The project objective is to feed the poor and disadvantage for as long as we can. Feeding the physical as well as meeting the spiritual needs of the people. This will be an ongoing program with a budget of 2 million dollars for 2 years. We will solict donations from community member such as Restaurants, grocery stores. We will start to gain potential clients from data bases from human service agencies, WIC, and health care centers. Posting flyers and mailing out flyers. We are looking into starting this program which we will name Food For Thought. A target time to start will be in 4 months starting with an Easter Dinner for the community. Hours of operation are Sunday in between Sunday services 12:00 p. m. to 5:00 p. m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday five days a week from the hours of 10:00 a. m to 6:00 p. m. â€Å"We need to raise community awareness on hunger and raise community participation,† Duffield said. â€Å"We are calling upon religious organizations, business and civic groups such as Scouts and service clubs especially, because this is where we have the best skilled volunteers. † Duffield said many at the table were homeless people who normally eat at shelters in the downtown area, but there were also people fed who are not homeless. â€Å"It’s just awesome to see all of these organizations united in a focused effort,† he said. â€Å"Every American deserves a place at the table,† said Carol Trahan, a volunteer with Second Harvest. She pointed out that about 14 percent of the population in Northeast Tennessee lives at or below the poverty line. About a quarter of that population often has to choose between buying food or paying rent, more than a third had unexpected expenses and little or no money left for food. That means almost half has skipped a meal or gone to bed hungry, and more than half worries about running out of food before their next paycheck or food stamp allotment. Individuals, organizations and businesses can help by donating food, donating money, volunteering help or becoming an agency identifying an unserved area of the community. * Of the 475,000 people living in Tennessee’s eight northeastern most counties, U. S. Census figures show 14 percent, or about 68,000 people, live in poverty. The figures equate to more than one in five Northeast Tennessee children with families at or below the federal poverty line. * According to the state Department of Education, more than 30,000 children attending public schools in the region qualify for government subsidized meals at schools. * At 15 schools in the region, more than 75 percent of the student body is eligible for free or reduced-cost meals. * Of the more than 200 hunger relief agencies served by Second Harvest of Northeast Tennessee, 30 agencies are designed exclusively for children. Food Bank director Rhonda Chafin said hunger is more prone to go unnoticed in rural areas like Northeast Tennessee than in larger cities where homelessness is more visible. â€Å"In rural communities like ours, people sometimes don’t think about hunger because they can’t see it,† she said. â€Å"It’s the working poor† who most often seek help from the agencies Second Harvest works with, Chafin said. â€Å"They may not be homeless, but they do struggle and their children do miss meals at home because they are struggling just to pay their bills. † The hope is to receive more than 3. 4 million pounds of food. We will also seek a contract with The Pampered Chef to receive donations of $ 918. 45 worth of food once a week. This will be a year-long campaign to benefit the food program. The Pampered Chef is a direct seller of kitchen tools nationwide. Over $7. 5 million dollars have been donated to such programs in the past. â€Å"According to America’s Second Harvest, more than 33 million people in America are food insecure,† said Julie Christopher, vice president and spokesperson for The Pampered Chef. â€Å"There are children, the elderly and working poor who must choose between paying for food or for utility and housing costs, medicine and other necessities. â€Å"These people in need are the reason we at The Pampered Chef are so passionate about raising money. Everyday in Northeast Tennessee hundreds of men, women and children depend on soup kitchens for a hot meal. Each person or family has a different circumstance, a different reason for needing assistance with food. Whatever the reason, hunger in Northeast Tennessee is a reality. The Second Helpings Food Rescue program of Second Harvest Food Bank is there to help. ______What is Prepared & Perishable Food Rescue? We will use, perishable food prepared by, but not used by, commercial donors to hunger relief agencies in the community. Wholesome food that would have otherwise been disposed of by restaurants, caterers and other vendors will be now able to be donated directly to our program. We will in turn provide food for hungry men, women and children in our region program How does the Program Work? Using a refrigerated truck and industrial food containers, Madison County FP will picks up perishable food from food service providers and transports it to local soup kitchens and other agencies that serve meals directly to those in need. Second Helpings operates under the safe food handling guidelines approved by the Tennessee Department of Health. How does Second Helpings benefit the community†¦ It reduces the dependence on public funds It decreases feeding agencies operational expenses Permits more efficient use of the charity’s staff and volunteer time It feeds the hungry Over 250,000 pounds of food rescued annually Serving an estimated 2,000 individuals each week How you can help†¦ Volunteers will be need to help pick up and deliver food; make monetary donation; ask restaurants to donate food; Food for thought will be sponsored by†¦ Proctor and Gamble Martha White The Pampered Chef Reggies Kappa’s Steak House. Jumbo Buffet Food for thought would also like to develop a mobile food bank program that has deliveries. We would have a refr truck deliver to the elderly, shut in and those unable to get to the church. We would also reach out to those individuals living in public housing communities throughout the region. This will prevent items from going to waste. Before you begin, you may want to look up the amounts of your income (wages, SSI, social security, VA payments, child support), rent or mortgage, utility bills, day care expenses, and medical bills (if you are 60 or older, or disabled). This information will be needed for the tool to work. For the past several months, we have seen repeated footage of hungry Afghan refugees on television news. These images of hungry people in faraway places touch and disturb us, but for many of us they also seem distant and far from our own reality. Maybe that’s because hunger in America is largely invisible. There are no pictures of distended stomachs and hollow eyes among America’s hungry. In the United States, we have practically eliminated starvation and malnutrition. There are, however, children whose only meal of the day is a school lunch, seniors who do not have enough to eat for several days at the end of the month until their Social Security check arrives, and families who stretch the income of several part-time jobs to pay for rent, utilities, transportation and medical bills with little to spare for wholesome food. Yet, hunger is real and, in fact growing. Hunger in America 2001 has four primary objectives: provide a comprehensive profile of the nature of hunger in the U. S.; compare date between the 1997 study and the 2001 study to identify trends; provide extensive demographic profiles of emergency food clients at feeding agencies and the efficacy of those programs to meet the need; and provide comprehensive demographic information about hunger and the charitable response to hunger in local communities. Demographics †¢74% of clients at food pantries are women – a disproportionate number †¢24% are households with single parents †¢63% of single parent households have children under age 18 †¢39% of two-parent households have children under 18. †¢29% of households have a family member over age 65 †¢26% of the clients are the elderly – people who compromise good health with weaker immune systems or more alarming symptoms of illness such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure due to poor nutrition Food Stamps Hunger in our communities has remained at a high level even though food stamp and welfare rolls have decreased. As a result of obtaining low-income employment, many families formerly receiving welfare still cannot provide both shelter and food for family members. Most mistakenly believe they are no longer eligible for food stamps. †¢25% of clients are using the food stamp nutrition program, while more than 70% are income eligible for the food stamp nutrition program that would help provide more food for their families. †¢In Nevada, only half those eligible for food stamps are using the program, often due to red tape, language problems or complex eligibility requirements. The State of Nevada application for assistance is 11 pages in length. †¢Most people who use food stamps report benefit levels of 70 cents per meal are inadequate and often last only two weeks or less. Even if all who are eligible do apply and receive benefits, the need will continue to exceed the resources without reform. Food Insecurity Nearly three fourths of all those who sought food assistance in 2001 were â€Å"food insecure. † These are people who meet a standard government definition of hungry or at risk of hunger. Food insecurity means regularly not having food or the money to buy enough food. Among all clients of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, 73. 5% are classified as food insecure and 65. 6% are food insecure with hunger. Among families with children, 69. 2% are food insecure and 59. 6% experience hunger, with almost half of adults reporting that they missed meals due to lack of food. Most families with children provide the food to children with adults skipping meals when food is scarce. Many clients must choose between food and necessities: †¢42% choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel. †¢42% must choose between buying food and paying rent/mortgage †¢Local and state officials can help by increasing access to child nutrition programs such as the Summer Food Service Program, the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Municipalities and states can also help by supporting the work of food banks and food rescue programs in local communities. Hunger is a solvable problem. As this report makes clear, however, food banks and food pantries cannot solve the problem alone. Beyond the public-private partnership through which corporations and individuals make contributions of food for distribution to needy individuals, public policies can help end hunger in our lifetimes. †¢Federal nutrition programs – particularly the Food Stamp program and child nutrition programs – are an essential part of the food assistance safety net. †¢Less than a third of people nationally and one fourth of people in Nevada who turn to charity are receiving food stamps, while more than three fourths are income eligible. †¢Food stamp proposals recently passed in the U. S. Senate strengthen the Food Stamp program and increase funding for food stamps and commodity donations. †¢Local and state officials can help by increasing access to child nutrition programs such as Summer Food and School Breakfast, and by supporting the work of food banks and food rescue programs in local communities. AT THIS TIME. Forty six percent of pantries, a third of kitchens and 45% of shelters report increases since 1998 in the number of people they serve. Food banks are by far the single most important source of food for most food bank member agencies, accounting for 68% of the food used by pantries and two thirds of the food used by shelters. Locally, food pantries provided 1,306,360 pounds of food, particularly staple and high value nutritional items, to more than 24,000 different individuals in 2001; this accounts for 65% of the total amount of food distributed by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. † The Food Bank is reporting low levels of food resources needed to assist hungry people through the year. â€Å"The emergency food pantries and shelters we supply with food need help all year long. The 2. 3 million pounds of food we distribute annually may not be enough to meet the needs of the newly jobless along with people who experience food insecurity every winter when the utility bills and medical expenses increase,† said Cherie Jamason, Food Bank CEO. While help at the holidays is great, long-term help will be needed for the 70,000 people in Nevada who have lost jobs or had hours cut back due to the slumping economy in the last year. News Relehttp://www. fbn Donate now with our Virtual Holiday Food Drive Fill out our on-line donation form here! The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is grateful for support from a wide range of organizations and individuals in the community and across the region. Private foundations and corporate gifts and sponsorships provide significant funding for programs such as Kids Cafe, food distribution and child nutrition. While critical to our mission, these major gifts alone are not enough. It takes donations from individuals and local businesses within our community to keep the Food Bank working, day in and day out, throughout the year. Grants will help Food Bank and partners reach out In recent months, the Food Bank has applied for and received some significant grants that will increase our ability and that of our partner agencies to serve hungry populations in Nevada. The Food Bank has received several significant grants recently: †¢$25,000 from the Antioch Company. †¢$50,000 from the E. L. Cord Foundation †¢$125,000 from the McCabe Foundation †¢$60,000 from the Nell J. Redfield Foundation †¢$20,000 from the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation †¢$7,500 from the Terry Lee Wells Foundation for the Back-pack Kids Program †¢A 26-foot refrigerated truck valued at $110,000-$120,000 from the 2006 ConAgra Feeding Children Better Rapid Food Distribution Program to be delivered sometime during 2006. Approximately 55% of our operating budget comes from private foundations, individual donations and special events. The Food Bank depends on donations to fund everyday functions, from keeping the roof over our head to delivering food resources to the agencies that we support. With an estimated 33. 6 million Americans in danger of going hungry and more than 49,000 at risk locally in Northern Nevada, hunger is a problem that affects us all. At the Food Bank of Northern Nevada we take community investments as far as we can and monetary donations go even further. $1 dollar translates into 4 meals for the needy. $25 will provide food for 5 families for 3 to 4 days. $50 will distribute 270 pounds of food to agencies serving hungry people. $100 will provide 3 to 5 days of emergency food to more than 50 people. We are able to distribute enough food for 4 meals with every dollar donated! There are many ways for people to join The Food Bank in our mission to end hunger. Make a financial contribution to the Food Bank and your donation goes a long way. Ask us about a regular pledge program, electronic fund transfers, bequests and honorariums or memorials. Major contributions specifically dedicated to support special events or programs like the Food for the Soul Concerts, Kids Cafe and other activities help increase the effectiveness of our fundraising efforts and provide more resources to the community. Varied, fun ways to give: Pampered Chef’s Round-Up from the Heart ® gives all year! Pampered Chef Consultants have support a program to invite their customers to round up their purchase totals to the nearest dollar or more to benefit America’s Second Harvest food banks in their region. When you place your order with a Pampered Chef Kitchen Consultant, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada will receive your Round-Up dollars. Thank you, Karen Munson, for sharing this great program with us! Contribute at the grocery store! Albertsons links Community Partners Card to Albertsons Sav-on Preferred Savings Card Recently, we’ve mentioned that Kids Cafe has been included in the Albertsons Community Partners Card program as an authorized partner. Now, Albertsons has just announced that shoppers who use an Albertsons Sav-on Preferred Savings Card can register the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for additional donations. Albertsons will distribute up to $2. 4 million among the partners in the northern California and Reno markets through July 2005. Partners can receive up to 4 percent of each shopper’s Albertsons Sav-On Preferred Savings Card purchases. The Food Bank has set a goal of $25,000 as part of this new fundraising program. If you have an Albertsons Community Partners Card, simply present your card along with your Preferred Savings Card for scanning at checkout during your next shopping trip at Albertsons or Sav-On Drugs. Or go to www. albertsons. com, click on â€Å"In The Community† then click on the Community Partners logo link. Once you log in, click on â€Å"Sign me up. † You may also fill out the form included on page 11 of this newsletter and mail it to the Community Partners Program Headquarters, as noted in the lower left corner of the form. Raley’s Food for Families and Smith’s Coins for Community support the Food Bank by providing money to purchase and distribute food in the communities we serve. Look for the sign up book at your favorite Scolari’s and designate the Food Bank to receive Scolari’s Friendship Fund donations — the Food Bank’s account number is 1302. Special events: Invite people coming to your event to bring non-perishable food, either for an admission fee or a donation in honor of the event. Workplace campaigns: You may make a donor-designated gift through the United Way in your place of work. Employee/employer matching gifts: Ask your personnel office about your employer’s matching gift program; matching gifts can double your contribution. Gifts in honor or memory of a special person: You may designate your contribution as a gift in honor or memory on the Food Bank’s remittance envelope. Stocks and bonds: We accept gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Our Financial Officer can provide you with assistance with information regarding transfers to the Food Bank. Bequests: Your legacy can make a difference to the lives of many. Plan a lasting gift to help our community By Nancy and Dick Bostdorff Thousands of children and senior citizens in the Truckee Meadows would not have enough to eat every day, were it not for the terrific programs provided by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. That’s one of many important reasons why we made the decision to include the Food Bank in our estate planning. While we all strive to eliminate hunger, the need is never-ending, and more people are moving into northern Nevada all the time. With programs like the innovative and award-winning Kids Cafe, community gardens and the Nevada Child Nutrition Initiative, the Food Bank does an extraordinary job of supporting the community and the more than 80 agencies that count on the Food Bank for food and financial support. The Food Bank is also one of the most efficient non-profit organizations around, with an administrative overhead of around 8% and a warehouse that distributes nearly 2 million pounds of food each year. We want our assets to be used well in the future, and believe we can count on the Food Bank to live up to that desire. We encourage you to help provide for the future through planned giving to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Together we can continue to strive for a truly hunger free community. Planned Giving with a Bequest By Doris Phelps, FBNN Director of Marketing & Fund Development Perhaps one of your New Year’s resolutions is to review your estate planning and to update your will. Your will provides you with the opportunity to thoughtfully and intentionally provide for those you cherish and to continue to support your favorite worthwhile charities. Your decision to include the Food Bank of Northern Nevada as a beneficiary will help assist programs and accomplish our important mission to create hunger-free communities in our region through direct services, advocacy, outreach and education. Your bequest to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada will benefit thousands of children, seniors, the ill, needy and families with nutritious meals and related services into the future. A bequest may be established in any amount and may be designed by you and your attorney in any number of ways to enhance tax benefits to your estate. For more information about this donor opportunity, please contact the Food Bank, your attorney or financial consultant. Donate canned goods: Individuals, employee groups and community organizations can make a difference by donating items in high demand at the Food Bank: canned meats, fish and peanut butter; macaroni & cheese and pasta meals, powdered milk, baby formula and baby food; complete meals in a can such as stew, chili, ravioli and hearty soups; canned fruits, juice and vegetables; dry cereal, oatmeal, rice and pasta. Approximately 24% of the food we distribute comes from food drives and individual contributions while about $275,000 of our budget is spent on purchasing food. Donate non-food resources: The Food Bank benefits from the support of many who provide in-kind services and donations of supplies and equipment. Please call to discuss your ideas. With an estimated 33. 6 million Americans in danger of going hungry nationally, and more than 49,000 at risk locally in Northern Nevada, hunger is a problem that affects us all. As an individual, you can help in the fight against hunger. Simply click on the button below to fill out the on-line form and donate today! Resources: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/poverty http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/needy http://www. casanet. org/program-management/resource-dev/gntwrite. htm http://sofia. usgs. gov/projects/scopesofwork03/wca2elev. html http://www. netfoodbank. org/inthenews. htm Hunger and th http://www. fbnn. org/study. shtmle Elderly. Work Breakdown Structure Responsibility Matrix Promotion Newspaper Radio Mailings Flyers Counselors Recruiting Volunteer Greeters Interviewers Food Cooking Equipment Prepares Eating Areas Services Set-up Clean-up Food storage Restrooms Sercuity.

Mice and Men and Great Expectations Essay

Of Mice and Men and Great Expectations, have many similarities. They both show the way certain characters are treated by society. These similarities may be strong but there are natural differences that come from the different times and places the stories are set in.-as well as the way the authors approach the topic.  Steinbeck begins Of Mice and Men by creating a tranquil scene where everything is seemingly at peace. Steinbeck creates with words images of paradise such as when he writes: â€Å"A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hill-side bank and runs deep and green. The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight before reaching the narrow pool.† A river, which is said to â€Å"run deep†, is calm and slow moving. Its water is clear too, â€Å"twinkling over yellow sands,† it has warm water too and seems perfect-almost too good to be true. Inevitably it is. Of Mice and men is set in the 1930s during America’s great depression. After the stock exchange crashed in New York, money and jobs became hard to find. There was poverty all over America and California, which affected everything. Like the American dream, paradise can only exist with money. Therefore only the wealthy can enjoy this and even then it is spoilt by the poverty surrounding it. The American Dream is a paradox, just like the paradise of Salinas River. They cannot exist because they contradict themselves. Paradise is bliss but how can this exist with so much poverty and suffering in the world? The Salinas River seems briefly to have escaped the paradox. There is no sign of poverty, just peace and tranquillity. Then human life enters the scene. Human life is introduced when a path is described; â€Å"There is a path through the willows and among the sycamores, a path beaten hard by boys coming down from the highway.† It’s the point that the track has been â€Å"beaten hard† that really emphasises what effect humans have had on the river. Other animals leave tracks that are temporary and blend into the scene. Humans have left their path permanently, like a scar it proves that not even the Salinas River can reach paradise. But it is not the only scar, â€Å"In front of the low horizontal limb of a giant sycamore there is an ash pile made by many fires; the limb is worn smooth by men who have sat on it.† Two more scars. The introduction of humans into the scene sees the end of the animal life in the scene. As the humans approach all the wildlife is scared of and the area is completely deserted. â€Å"For a moment the place was lifeless.† The peace is broken and with it any chance of the Salinas River truly becoming paradise.  The story is set in California where few people owned land. They had either lost it due to the financial problems the depression caused or were just too poor to afford any in the first place. The people needed to find work; one of the most common jobs was to work on a farm. These people became known as migrant farmers. They would drift from one farm to the next, rarely settling for long. The two characters that enter the scene are migrant farmers and are looking for work. This is the first introduction of human life into the scene. Great Expectations is set in Victorian England, where just like in 1930s California, the rich thrived and the poor suffered terribly. Even more distressing perhaps was the disease that swept through towns and killed many children as well as adults. This led to an increase in orphans, who have the same feelings of being alone and poor. They have the same problems as many others and weren’t much better off than the criminals in jail. Criminals were treated like animals, as were the poor community as a whole. Just like during the dust bowl, if you weren’t rich then you were a social outcast. After introducing the character Pip, Dickens begins describing his surroundings. Dickens goes into great detail to set the scene. He describes the area as â€Å"Marsh Country† which stretches for twenty miles up to the coast. Pip is in a secluded graveyard overgrown and derelict. Beyond the graveyard is a â€Å"dark flat wilderness,† â€Å"Intersected with dykes and mounds and gates, with scattered cattle feeding on it, was the marshes.† It is a â€Å"raw afternoon towards the evening.† The setting is dark and there is a sense of evil and death about the place. It seems to be building upto something sinister, and does so when the criminal enters the scene. He is described as a â€Å"fearful man, in all course grey with an iron on his leg.† He almost represents death in this scene, an evil presence trying to seize Pip.

Exercise 7 Respiratory System Mechanics

EXERCISE 7 Respiratory System Mechanics O B J E C T I V E S 1. To explain how the respiratory and circulatory systems work together to enable gas exchange among the lungs, blood, and body tissues 2. To define respiration, ventilation, alveoli, diaphragm, inspiration, expiration, and partial pressure 3. To explain the differences between tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, vital capacity, residual volume, total lung capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, and minute respiratory volume 4. To list various factors that affect respiration 5. To explain how surfactant works in the lungs to promote respiration 6. To explain what happens in pneumothorax 7. To explain how hyperventilation, rebreathing, and breathholding affect respiratory volumes T he physiological functions of respiration and circulation are essential to life. If problems develop in other physiological systems, we can still survive for some time without addressing them. But if a persistent problem develops within the respiratory or circulatory systems, death can ensue within minutes. The primary role of the respiratory system is to distribute oxygen to, and remove carbon dioxide from, the cells of the body. The respiratory system works hand in hand with the circulatory system to achieve this. The term respiration includes breathing—the movement of air in and out of the lungs, also known as ventilation—as well as the transport (via blood) of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and body tissues. The heart pumps deoxygenated blood to pulmonary capillaries, where gas exchange occurs between blood and alveoli (air sacs in the lungs), oxygenating the blood. The heart then pumps the oxygenated blood to body tissues, where oxygen is used for cell metabolism. At the same time, carbon dioxide (a waste product of metabolism) from body tissues diffuses into the blood. The deoxygenated blood then returns to the heart, completing the circuit. Ventilation is the result of muscle contraction. The diaphragm—a domeshaped muscle that divides the thoracic and abdominal cavities—contracts, making the thoracic cavity larger. This reduces the pressure within the thoracic cavity, allowing atmospheric gas to enter the lungs (a process called inspiration). When the diaphragm relaxes, the pressure within the thoracic cavity increases, forcing air out of the lungs (a process called expiration). Inspiration is considered an â€Å"active† process because muscle contraction requires the use of ATP, whereas expiration is usually considered a â€Å"passive† process. When a person is running, however, the external intercostal muscles contract and make the thoracic cavity even larger than with diaphragm contraction alone, and expiration is the result of the internal intercostal muscles contracting. In this case, both inspiration and expiration are considered â€Å"active† processes, since muscle contraction is needed for both. Intercostal muscle contraction works in conjunction with diaphragm muscle contraction. 87 88 Exercise 7 (a) Atmospheric pressure Parietal pleura Thoracic wall Visceral pleura Pleural cavity Transpulmonary pressure 760 mm Hg 756 mm Hg 4 mm Hg 756 760 Intrapleural pressure 756 mm Hg ( 4 mm Hg) Lung Diaphragm Intrapulmonary pressure 760 mm Hg (0 mm Hg) (b) F I G U R E 7 . 1 Respiratory volumes. a) Opening screen of the Respiratory Volumes experiment. (b) Intrapulmonary and intrapleural relationships Respiratory System Mechanics 89 Respiratory Volumes Ventilation is measured as the frequency of breathing multiplied by the volume of each breath, called the tidal volume. Ventilation is needed to maintain oxygen in arterial blood and carbon dioxide in venous blood at their normal levels—that is, at their normal partial pressures. [The term partial pressure refers to the proportion of pressure that a single gas exerts within a mixture. For example, in the atmosphere at sea level, the pressure is 760 mm Hg. Oxygen makes up about 20% of the total atmosphere and therefore has a partial pressure (PO2 ) of 760 mm Hg 20%, close to 160 mm Hg. ] Oxygen diffuses down its partial pressure gradient to flow from the alveoli of the lungs into the blood, where the oxygen attaches to hemoglobin (meanwhile, carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood to the alveoli). The oxygenated blood is then transported to body tissues, where oxygen again diffuses down its partial pressure gradient to leave the blood and enter the tissues. Carbon dioxide (produced by the metabolic reactions of the tissues) diffuses down its partial pressure gradient to flow from the tissues into the blood for transport back to the lungs. Once in the lungs, the carbon dioxide follows its partial pressure gradient to leave the blood and enter the air in the alveoli for export from the body. Normal tidal volume in humans is about 500 milliliters. If one were to breathe in a volume of air equal to the tidal volume and then continue to breathe in as much air as possible, that amount of air (above and beyond the tidal volume) would equal about 3100 milliliters. This amount of air is called the inspiratory reserve volume. If one were to breathe out as much air as possible beyond the normal tidal volume, that amount of air (above and beyond the tidal volume) would equal about 1200 milliliters. This amount of air is called the expiratory reserve volume. Tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, and expiratory reserve volume together constitute the vital capacity, about 4800 milliliters. It is important to note that the histological structure of the respiratory tree (where air is found in the lungs) will not allow all air to be breathed out of the lungs. The air remaining in the lungs after a complete exhalation is called the residual volume, normally about 1200 milliliters. Therefore, the total lung capacity (the vital capacity volume plus the residual volume) is approximately 6000 milliliters. All of these volumes (except residual volume) can be easily measured using a spirometer. Basically, a spirometer is composed of an inverted bell in a water tank. A breathing tube is connected to the bell’s interior. On the exterior of the inverted bell is attached a pen device that records respiratory volumes on paper. When one exhales into the breathing tube, the bell goes up and down with exhalation. Everything is calibrated so that respiratory volumes can be read directly from the paper record. The paper moves at a pre-set speed past the recording pen so that volumes per unit time can be easily calculated. In addition to measuring the respiratory volumes introduced so far, the spirometer can also be used to perform pulmonary function tests. One such test is the forced vital capacity (FVC), or the amount of air that can be expelled completely and as rapidly as possible after taking in the deepest possible breath. Another test is the forced expiratory volume (FEV1), which is the percentage of vital capacity that is exhaled during a 1-sec period of the FVC test. This value is generally 75% to 85% of the vital capacity. In the following experiments you will be simulating spirometry and measuring each of these respiratory volumes using a pair of mechanical lungs. Follow the instructions in the Getting Started section at the front of this lab manual to start up PhysioEx. From the drop-down menu, select Exercise 7: Respiratory System Mechanics and click GO. Before you perform the activities watch the Water-Filled Spirometer video to see the experiment performed with a human subject. Then click Respiratory Volumes. You will see the opening screen for the â€Å"Respiratory Volumes† experiment (Figure 7. 1). At the left is a large vessel (simulating the thoracic cavity) containing an air flow tube. This tube looks like an upside-down â€Å"Y. † At the ends of the â€Å"Y† are two spherical containers, simulating the lungs, into which air will flow. On top of the vessel are controls for adjusting the radius of the tube feeding the â€Å"lungs. This tube simulates the trachea and other air passageways into the lungs. Beneath the â€Å"lungs† is a black platform simulating the diaphragm. The â€Å"diaphragm† will move down, simulating contraction and increasing the volume of the â€Å"thoracic cavity† to bring air into the â€Å"lungs†; it will then move up, simulating relaxation and decreasin g the volume of the â€Å"thoracic cavity† to expel air out. At the bottom of the vessel are three buttons: a Start button, an ERV (expiratory reserve volume) button, and an FVC (forced vital capacity) button. Clicking Start will start the simulated lungs breathing at normal tidal volume; clicking ERV will simulate forced exhalation utilizing the contraction of the internal intercostal muscles and abdominal wall muscles; and clicking FVC will cause the lungs to expel the most air possible after taking the deepest possible inhalation. At the top right is an oscilloscope monitor, which will graphically display the respiratory volumes. Note that the Yaxis displays liters instead of milliliters. The X-axis displays elapsed time, with the length of the full monitor displaying 60 seconds. Below the monitor is a series of data displays. A data recording box runs along the bottom length of the screen. Clicking Record Data after an experimental run will record your data for that run on the screen. A C T I V I T Y 1 Trial Run Let’s conduct a trial run to get familiarized with the equipment. 1. Click the Start button (notice that it immediately turns into a Stop button). Watch the trace on the oscilloscope monitor, which currently displays normal tidal volume. Watch the simulated diaphragm rise and fall, and notice the â€Å"lungs† growing larger during inhalation and smaller during exhalation. The Flow display on top of the vessel tells you the amount of air (in liters) being moved in and out of the lungs with each breath. 2. When the trace reaches the right side of the oscilloscope monitor, click the Stop button and then click Record Data. Your data will appear in the data recording box along the bottom of the screen. This line of data tells you a wealth of information about respiratory mechanics. Reading the data from left to right, the first data field should be that of the Radius of the air flow tube (5. 00 mm). The next data field, Flow, displays the total flow volume for this experimental run. T. V. stands for â€Å"Tidal Volume†; E. R. V. for â€Å"Expiratory 90 Exercise 7 Reserve Volume†; I. R. V. for â€Å"Inspiratory Reserve Volume†; R. V. for â€Å"Residual Volume†; V. C. for â€Å"Vital Capacity†; FEV1 for â€Å"Forced Expiratory Volume†; T. L. C. for â€Å"Total Lung Capacity†; and finally, Pump Rate for the number of breaths per minute. 3. You may print your data at any time by clicking Tools at the top of the screen and then Print Data. You may also print the trace on the oscilloscope monitor by clicking Tools and then Print Graph. 4. Highlight the line of data you just recorded by clicking it and then click Delete Line. . Click Clear Tracings at the bottom right of the oscilloscope monitor. You are now ready to begin the first experiment.  ¦ A C T I V I T Y 2 6. Click Clear Tracings before proceeding to the next activity. Do not delete your recorded data—you will need it for the next activity.  ¦ A C T I V I T Y 3 Effect of Restricted Air Flow on Respiratory Volumes 1. Adjust the radius of the air flow tube to 4. 00 mm by clicking the ( ) button next to the radius display. Repeat steps 2–5 from the previous activity, making sure to click Record Data. How does this set of data compare to the data you recorded for Activity 2? The breathing isn't as strong ________________________________________________ the flow and tidal volume have decreased ________________________________________________ Is the respiratory system functioning better or worse than it did in the previous activity? Explain why. functioning worse, it isn't moving as much air or expanding ________________________________________________ the lungs as far because of the decreased space for intake ________________________________________________ and output of air 2. Click Clear Tracings. 3. Reduce the radius of the air flow tube by another 0. 0 mm to 3. 50 mm. 4. Repeat steps 2–6 from Activity 2. 5. Reduce the radius of the air flow tube by another 0. 50 mm to 3. 00 mm. 6. Repeat steps 2–6 from Activity 2. What was the effect of reducing the radius of the air flow tube on respiratory volumes? furthur decrease of flow and tidal volume ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ What does the air flow tube simulate in the human body? trachea ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Measuring Normal Respiratory Volumes 1. Make sure that the radius of the air flow tube is at 5. 00 mm. To adjust the radius, click the ( ) or ( ) buttons next to the radius display. 2. Click the Start button. Watch the oscilloscope monitor. When the trace reaches the 10-second mark on the monitor, click the ERV button to obtain the expiratory reserve volume. 3. When the trace reaches the 30-second mark on the monitor, click the FVC to obtain the forced vital capacity. 4. Once the trace reaches the end of the screen, click the Stop button, then click Record Data. . Remember, you may print your trace or your recorded data by clicking Tools at the top of the screen and selecting either Print Graph or Print Data. From your recorded data, you can calculate the minute respiratory volume: the amount of air that passes in and out of the lungs in 1 minute. The formula for calculating minute respiratory volume is: Minute respiratory volume tidal volume bpm (breaths per minute) Calculate and en ter the minute respiratory volume: _7,500________ Judging from the trace you generated, inspiration took place over how many seconds? __2 seconds_____________ Expiration took place over how many seconds? What could be some possible causes of reduction in air flow to the lungs? obstruction, inflammation from illness or allergic ________________________________________________ reaction ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 7. Click Tools > Print Data to print your data. _____2 seconds____________ Does the duration of inspiration or expiration vary during yes ERV or FVC? _____ Respiratory System Mechanics 91 FIGURE 7. 2 Opening screen of the Factors Affecting Respiration experiment. Express your FEV1 data as a percentage of vital capacity by filling out the following chart. (That is, take the FEV1 value and divide it into the vital capacity value for each line of data. ) Factors Affecting Respiration Many factors affect respiration. Compliance, or the ability of the chest wall or lung to distend, is one. If the chest wall or lungs cannot distend, respiratory ability will be compromised. Surfactant, a lipid material secreted into the alveolar fluid, is another. Surfactant acts to decrease the surface tension of water in the fluid that lines the walls of the alveoli. Without surfactant, the surface tension of water would cause alveoli to collapse after each breath. A third factor affecting respiration is any injury to the thoracic wall that results in the wall being punctured. Such a puncture would effectively raise the intrathoracic pressure to that of atmospheric pressure, preventing diaphragm contraction from decreasing intrathoracic pressure and, consequently, preventing air from being drawn into the lungs. Recall that airflow is achieved by the generation of a pressure difference between atmospheric pressure on the outside of the thoracic cavity and intrathoracic pressure on the inside. ) We will be investigating the effect of surfactant in the next activity. Click Experiment at the top of the screen and then select Factors Affecting Respiration. The opening screen will look like Figure 7. 2. Notice the changes to the FEV1 as % of Vital Capacity Radius FEV1 Vital Capacity FEV1 (%) 5. 00 4. 00 3. 50 3. 00 3541 1422 822 436 4791 1962 1150 621 1. 35% 1. 37% 1. 39% 1. 42%  ¦ 92 Exercise 7 quipment above the air flow tube. Clicking the Surfactant button will add a pre-set amount of surfactant to the â€Å"lungs. † Clicking Flush will clear the lungs of surfactant. Also notice that valves have been added to the sides of each simulated lung. Opening the valves will allow atmospheric pressure into the vessel (the â€Å"thoracic cavity†). Finally, notice the changes to the display windows below the oscilloscope screen. Flow Left and Pressure Left refer to the flow of air and pressure in the left â€Å"lung†; Flow Right and Pressure Right refer to the flow of air and pressure in the right â€Å"lung. Total Flow is the sum of Flow Left and Flow Right. A C T I V I T Y 4 3. Click Flush to remove the surfactant from the previous activity. 4. Be sure that the air flow radius is set at 5. 00 mm, and that P ump Rate is set at 15 strokes/minute. 5. Click on Start and allow the trace to sweep the length of the oscilloscope monitor. Notice the pressure displays, and how they alternate between positive and negative values. 6. Click Record Data. Again, this is your baseline data. 7. Now click the valve for the left lung, which currently reads â€Å"Valve closed. † 8. . Click Start and allow the trace to sweep the length of the Click Record Data. oscilloscope monitor. Effect of Surfactant on Respiratory Volumes 1. The data recording box at the bottom of the screen should be clear of data. If not, click Clear Table. 2. The radius of the air flow tube should be set at 5. 00 mm, and the Pump Rate should be set at 15 strokes/minute. 3. Click Start and allow the trace to sweep across the full length of the oscilloscope monitor. Then click Record Data. This will serve as the baseline, or control, for your experimental runs. You may wish to click Tools and then Print Graph for a printout of your trace. 4. Click Surfactant twice to add surfactant to the system. Repeat step 3. When surfactant is added, what happens to the tidal volume? It increases the amount of air being inhaled ________________________________________________ As a result of the tidal volume change, what happens to the flow into each lung and total air flow? ________________________________________________ they all increase Why does this happen? urfactant decreases teh surface tension of water in the ________________________________________________ fluid that lines the walls of the alveoli ________________________________________________ Remember, you may click Tools and then either Print Data or Print Graphs to print your results.  ¦ A C T I V I T Y 5 What happened to the left lung when you clicked on the valve button? Why? The lung deflated due to the change in the intrapleural ________________________________________________ pressure ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ What has happened to the â€Å"Total Flow† rate? t reduced ________________________________________________ by half 0 What is the pressure in the left lung? ___________________ no Has the pressure in the right lung been affected? _________ If there was nothing separating the left lung from the right lung, what would have happened when you opened the valve for the left lung? Why? Both lungs would have collapsed due to pressure ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Now click the valve for the left lung again, closing it. What happens? Why? nothing , there is excess air remaining in the lung ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Click Reset (next to the Flush button at the top of the air flow tube). What happened? the lung reinflated ________________________________________________ Describe the relationship required between intrathoracic pressure and atmospheric pressure in order to draw air into the lungs. intrathroacic pressure must be greater or lower than ________________________________________________ atmospheric pressure to draw air in and out of the lungs _______________________________________________ Effect of Thoracic Cavity Puncture Recall that if the wall of the thoracic cavity is punctured, the intrathoracic pressure will equalize with atmospheric pressure so that the lung cannot be inflated. This condition is known as pneumothorax, which we will investigate in this next activity. 1. Do not delete your data from the previous act ivity. 2. If there are any tracings on the oscilloscope monitor, click Clear Tracings. Respiratory System Mechanics 93 FIGURE 7. 3 Opening screen of the Variations in Breathing experiment. Design your own experiment for testing the effect of opening the valve of the right lung. Was there any difference from the effect of opening the valve of the left lung? no ________________________________________________ Remember, you may click Tools and then either Print Data or Print Graphs to print your results.  ¦ Variations in Breathing Normally, alveolar ventilation keeps pace with the needs of body tissues. The adequacy of alveolar ventilation is measured in terms of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2). Carbon dioxide is the major component for regulating breathing rate. Ventilation (the frequency of breathing multiplied by the tidal volume) maintains the normal partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide both in the lungs and blood. Perfusion, the pulmonary blood flow, is matched to ventilation. The breathing patterns of an individual are tightly regulated by the breathing centers of the brain so that the respiratory and circulatory systems can work together effectively. In the next activity you will examine the effects of rapid breathing, rebreathing, and breathholding on the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Rapid breathing increases breathing rate and alveolar ventilation becomes excessive for tissue needs. It results in a decrease in the ratio of carbon dioxide production to alveolar ventilation. Basically, alveolar ventilation becomes too great for the amount of carbon dioxide being produced. In rebreathing, air is taken in that was just expired, so the PCO2 (the partial pressure of carbon dioxide) in the alveolus (and subsequently in the blood) is elevated. In breathholding, there is no ventilation and no gas exchange between the alveolus and the blood. Click Experiment at the top of the screen and select Variations in Breathing. You will see the next screen, shown in Figure 7. 3. This screen is very similar to the ones you have been working on. Notice the buttons for Rapid Breathing, Rebreathing, Breath Holding, and Normal Breathing—clicking each of these buttons will induce the given pattern of breathing. Also note the displays for PCO2, Maximum PCO2, Minimum PCO2, and Pump Rate. 94 Exercise 7 A C T I V I T Y 6 How does the rebreathing trace compare to your baseline trace? (Look carefully—differences may be subtle. ) ________________________________________________ Why? _______________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Click Clear Tracings to clear the oscilloscope monitor.  ¦ A C T I V I T Y 8 Rapid Breathing 1. The oscilloscope monitor and the data recording box should both be empty and clear. If not, click Clear Tracings or Clear Table. 2. The air flow tube radius s hould be set to 5. 00. If not, click the ( ) or ( ) buttons next to the radius display to adjust it. 3. Click Start and conduct a baseline run. Remember to click Record Data at the end of the run. Leave the baseline trace on the oscilloscope monitor. 4. Click Start again, but this time click the Rapid Breathing button when the trace reaches the 10-second mark on the oscilloscope monitor. Observe the PCO2 levels in the display windows. 5. Allow the trace to finish, then click Record Data. What happens to the PCO2 level during rapid breathing? it decreased ________________________________________________ Why? co2 was removed more than during normal breathing ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Remember, you may click Tools and then either Print Data or Print Graphs to print your results. Click Clear Tracings before continuing to the next activity.  ¦ A C T I V I T Y 7 Breath Holding 1. Click on Start and conduct a baseline run. Remember to click Record Data at the end of the run. Leave the baseline trace on the oscilloscope monitor. 2. Click Start again, but this time click the Breath Holding button when the trace reaches the 10-second mark on the oscilloscope monitor. Observe the PCO2 levels in the display windows. 3. At the 20-second mark, click Normal Breathing and let the trace finish. 4. Click Record Data. What happens to the PCO2 level during breath holding? t rose ________________________________________________ Why? co2 exchange could not take place ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Rebreathing Repeat Activity 6, except this time click the Rebreathing button instead of the Rapid Breathing button. What happens to the PCO2 level during rebreathing? it increase ____________________________________ ____________ ________________________________________________ Why? there was more co2 in the inhaled air ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ What change was seen when you returned to â€Å"Normal Breathing†? the rate and depth of breathing increased ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________  ¦ Remember, you may print your data or graphs by clicking Tools at the top of the screen and then selecting either Print Data or Print Graph.  ¦ A C T I V I T Y 9 Comparative Spirometry In Activity 1, normal respiratory volumes and capacities are measured. In this activity, you will explore what happens to these values when pathophysiology develops or during episodes of aerobic exercise. Using a water-filled spirometer and knowledge of respiratory mechanics, changes to these values in each condition can be predicted, documented, and explained. Did the total flow change? just a little ________________________________________________ Why? increase pump rate ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Respiratory System Mechanics 95 FIGURE 7. 4 Opening screen of the Comparative Spirometry experiment. Normal Breathing 1. Click the Experiment menu, and then click Comparative Spirometry. The opening screen will appear in a few seconds (see Figure 7. 4). 2. For the patient’s type of breathing, select the Normal option from the drop-down menu in the Patient Type box. These values will serve as a basis of comparison in the diseased conditions. 3. Select the patient’s breathing pattern as Unforced Breathing from the Breathing Pattern Option box. 4. After these selections are made, click the Start button and watch as the drum starts turning and the spirogram develops on the paper rolling off the drum across the screen, left to right. 5. When half the screen is filled with unforced tidal volumes and the trace has paused, select the Forced Vital Capacity button in the Breathing Pattern Options box. . Click the Start button and trace will continue with the FVC maneuver. The trace ends as the paper rolls to the right edge of the screen. 7. Now click on the individual measure buttons that appear in the data table above each data column to measure the lung volume and lung capacity data. Note that when a measure button is selected, t wo things happen simultaneously: (1) a bracket appears on the spirogram to indicate where that measurement originates on the spirogram and (2) the value in milliliters appears in the data table. Also note that when the FEV1 measure button is selected, the final column labeled FEV1/FVC will be automatically calculated and appear in the data table. The calculation is (FEV1/FVC) 100%, and the result will appear as a percentage in the data table. What do you think is the clinical importance of the FVC and FEV1 values? ________________________________________________ Why do you think the ratio of these two values is important to the clinician when diagnosing respiratory diseases? _______ demonstrates how the lungs are functioning ________________________________________________ FEV1 /FVC 100% 80% ______________________ 96 Exercise 7 Emphysema Breathing In a person with emphysema, there is a significant loss of intrinsic elastic recoil in the lung tissue. This loss of elastic recoil occurs as the disease destroys the walls of the alveoli. Airway resistance is also increased as the lung tissue in general becomes more flimsy and exerts less mechanical tethering on the surrounding airways. Thus the lung becomes overly compliant and expands easily. Conversely, a great effort is required to exhale as the lungs can no longer passively recoil and deflate. A noticeable and exhausting muscular effort is required for each exhalation. Thus a person with emphysema exhales slowly. . Using this information, predict what lung values will change in the spirogram when the patient with emphysema breathing is selected. Assume that significant disease has developed, and thus a loss of elastic recoil has occurred in this patient’s lungs. 2. Select Emphysema from the drop-down menu in the Patient Type box. 3. Select the patient ’s breathing pattern as Unforced Breathing from the Breathing Pattern box. 4. After these selections are made and the existing spirogram screen clears, click the Start button and watch as the drum starts turning and a new spirogram develops on the paper rolling off the drum. . Repeat steps 5–7 of the Normal Breathing section in this activity. 6. Now consider the accuracy of your predictions (what changed versus what you expected to change). Compared to the values for normal breathing: reduced Is the FVC reduced or increased? ______________________ reduced Is the FEV1 reduced or increased? _____________________ fev1 Which of these two changed more? ____________________ Explain the physiological reasons for the lung volumes and capacities that changed in the spirogram for this condition. _______________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 1. Using this information, predict what lung values will change in the spirogram when the patient who is having an acute asthma attack is selected. Assume that significantly decreased airway radius and increased airway resistance have developed in this patient’s lungs. 2. Select Asthmatic from the drop-down menu in the Patient Type box. 3. Select the patient’s breathing pattern as Unforced Breathing from the Breathing Pattern box. . After these selections are made and the existing spirogram screen clears, click the Start button and watch as the drum starts turning and a new spirogram develops as the paper rolls off the drum. 5. Repeat steps 5–7 of the Normal Breathing section in this activity. 6. Now consider the accuracy of your predictions (what changed versus what you expected to change). Compared to the values for normal breathing: reduced Is the FVC reduced or increased? _____________________ reduced Is the FEV1 reduced or increased? _____________________ fev1 Which of these two changed more? ___ ________________ Explain the physiological reasons for the lung volumes and capacities that changed in the spirogram for this condition. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ How is this condition similar to having emphysema? How is the fvc is less reduce than emphysema and it different? ______________________________________ the fev1 is more reduced, the fcv/fev1 % is also reduced ________________________________________________ Emphysema and asthma are called obstructive lung diseases as they limit expiratory flow and volume. How would a spirogram look for someone with a restrictive lung disease, such as pulmonary fibrosis? decreased fev1/fev ________________________________________________ What volumes and capacities would change in this case, and would these values be increased or decreased? normal or above normal volume ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ In an acute asthma attack, the compliance of the lung is decreased, not increased as it was for emphysema, and air flows freely through the bronchioles. Therefore, will the FEV1/ FVC percentage be less than normal, equal to normal, or higher higher than normal? ______________________________________ Acute Asthma Attack Breathing During an acute asthma attack, bronchiole smooth muscle will spasm and thus the airways become constricted (that is, they have a reduced diameter). They also become clogged with thick mucous secretions. These two facts lead to significantly increased airway resistance. Underlying these symptoms is an airway inflammatory response brought on by triggers such as allergens (e. g. , dust and pollen), extreme temperature changes, and even exercise. Similar to emphysema, the airways collapse and pinch closed before a forced expiration is completed. Thus the volumes and peak flow rates are significantly reduced during an asthma attack. However, the elastic recoil is not diminished in an acute asthma attack. Respiratory System Mechanics 97 Acute Asthma Attack Breathing with Inhaler Medication Applied When an acute asthma attack occurs, many people seek relief from the symptoms by using an inhaler. This device atomizes the medication and allows for direct application onto the afflicted airways. Usually the medication includes a smooth muscle relaxant (e. . , a beta-2 agonist or an acetylcholine antagonist) that relieves the bronchospasms and induces bronchiole dilation. The medication may also contain an antiinflammatory agent such as a corticosteroid that suppresses the inflammatory response. Airway resistance is reduced by the use of the inhaler. 1. Using this information, predict what lung values will change in the spirogram whe n the patient who is having an acute asthma attack applies the inhaler medication. By how much will the values change (will they return to normal)? 2. Select Plus Inhaler from the drop-down menu in the Patient Type box. 3. Select the patient’s breathing pattern as Unforced Breathing from the Breathing Pattern box. 4. After these selections are made and the existing spirogram screen clears, click the Start button and watch as the drum starts turning and a new spirogram develops as the paper rolls off the drum. 5. Repeat steps 5–7 of the Normal Breathing section. 6. Now consider the accuracy of your predictions (what changed versus what you expected to change). Compared to the values for the patient experiencing asthma symptoms: Has the FVC reduced or increased? Is it â€Å"normal†? ________ no no Has the FEV1 reduced or increased? Is it â€Å"normal†? _______ fev1 Which of these two changed more? ____________________ Explain the physiological reasons for the lung volumes and capacities that changed in the spirogram with the application of the medication. _________________________________ ________________________________________________ How much of an increase in FEV1 do you think is required for it to be considered significantly improved by the not sure medication? _______________________________________ when the feve1 is closer to normal? ________________________________________________ a. In moderate aerobic exercise, which do you predict will rv change more, the ERV or the IRV? _____________________ b. Do you predict that the respiratory rate will change yes significantly in moderate exercise? ____________________ c. Comparing heavy exercise to moderate exercise, what values do you predict will change when the body’s significantly increased metabolic demands are being met by the not sure respi ratory system? _________________________________ ________________________________________________ d. During heavy exercise, what will happen to the lung volumes and capacities that have been considered thus far? hey will increase ________________________________________________ e. yes Will the respiratory rate change? If so, how? _________ 1. Select Moderate Exercise from the drop-down menu in the Patient Type box. The existing spirogram clears. 2. Click the Start button and watch as the drum starts turning and a new spirogram develops. Half of the screen will fill with breathing volumes and capacities for moderate exercise. 3. When the trace pauses, click on the individual measure buttons that appear in the data table above each data column to measure the lung volume and lung capacity data. . Select Heavy Exercise from the drop-down menu in the Patient Type box. 5. Click the Start button and the trace will continue with the breathing pattern for heavy exercise. The trace ends as th e paper rolls to the right-hand edge of the screen. 6. Now click on the individual measure buttons that appear in the data table above each data column to measure the lung volume and lung capacity data. 7. Now consider the accuracy of your predictions (what changed versus what you expected to change). Which volumes changed the most and when? ___________ Compare the respiratory rate during moderate exercise with that seen during heavy exercise. __________________  ¦ Breathing During Exercise During moderate aerobic exercise, the human body has an increased metabolic demand, which is met in part by changes in respiration. During heavy exercise, further changes in respiration are required to meet the extreme metabolic demands of the body. Histology Review Supplement For a review of respiratory tissue, go to Exercise H: Histology Atlas & Review on the PhysioEx website to print out the Respiratory Tissue Review worksheet.

Looking at the factors which cause significant movement in property Dissertation

Looking at the factors which cause significant movement in property prices within the UK and Europe' - Dissertation Example There is a variety of journals, press releases, research papers that look into the property market, however not many actually focus on what actually causes the price movements. When we start to look into this, we shall be able to clearly see what the factors are and how they relate. Evidence in the property markets, about returns, yields and price movement behaviours seem to be misunderstood from the traditional investment perspective. Firstly, it must be broken down, to what the actual components are that affect the property price movements and then understand how each of them play a part or if some components have any affect at all. The ‘real’ value of property would be another question all together because of how prices fluctuate from the actual fundamental value. Constant price movements in the market have allowed investors to make predictions and systematically make clear profits. To see what the property market forces are within the UK and Europe, the indices of se veral factors would need to be investigated including: House Price Index Property Yields Unemployment Inflation Gold Price (other investments available) Interest Rates Exchange Rates Property is known for the ‘prudent long term investment’ because of the worthwhile returns alongside the minimized efforts. Looking at these figures will give a good intake on what exactly is forcing the property market to fluctuate and even allow some predictions for the future. Under an efficient market, since the property prices already represent the available information, they will move only when new, unexpected information becomes available. The predictability of the information is impossible as to whether it is good or bad, it is equally impossible to predict the direction in which the property prices will move in the future based on such information. To establish that there are factors which create efficiency of the property market, which implies that at any given point of time the p rices do react to factors within the financial markets of the country and its surroundings. The price fluctuations do react to all the market information positively or negatively depending. †¢ To make a complete report on the above and explore the market which will allow us to see the movements in the past and also make predictions for the future. †¢ To make an in-depth study of all the available literature and make a report on the property market factors and items that contradict. †¢ To present a comprehensive and critical analysis of the property market hypothesis and present arguments to drive home the fact that which factors actually play a part in causing significant property movement. ‘Looking at the factors which cause significant movement in property prices within the UK and Europe’ The Literature Review Supervisor: Bijan Hesni For: Shafeen Shiraz Daya ‘Looking at the factors which cause significant movement in property prices within the UK and Europe’ With the objectives of the study in sight, this part of the dissertation paper makes a detailed review of the available literature on the property market efficiency and the factors of the property market. In order to enable the readers to understand the term market efficiency the following words of Robert

Environmental Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Environmental Analysis - Essay Example The Company has been appearing as the sales leader among global automakers in China over the last four years. In 2008, the estimated market shares of the GM in China were 12.1percent of the total GM Sales (GMChina). In this report, the environment analysis of GM China has been done. Through PESTLE analysis, Porter’s Five Forces Analysis, SWOT Analysis and other theoretical models, the current situation of GM in China has been analysed. External Analysis PESTLE Analysis Political Two factors are contributing to the growth and development of automobile industry of China: first, the suitable domestic policies and market openings: second, supply of vehicles and parts throughout the country in the logistic and commercial aspects (Kamiya & Ramirez, 2004). Chinese government authorities including local and central government do not only issue the automobile industry development plans but they are also involved in the operations of the companies to maintain such developments (Bungsche , 2007). Government of China has eliminated most of the fixed fees imposed on vehicles such as road maintenance fees of around $210 per year (Brogan, 2009). In 2010, Chinese government has introduced policies that could support new-energy auto industry. In the new policy, government is paying a subsidiary of up to 50,000 Yuan to any individual who buys a hybrid vehicle and 60,000 Yuan to any individual who buys battery electric vehicle or all-electric vehicle (Xinhua, 2010). The Chinese government is planning to pursue a new policy which could encourage industry consolidation thereby, promoting the development of Chinese-brand passenger cars and it has been estimated that by 2015 domestic sedans will be 40% of nation’s car market (Chinacartimes, 2010). This example shows that Chinese government aims to promote domestic car industry. Chinese government has imposed 10% sales tax on small cars which is effective from Januray 1, 2011. Analysts argue that small cars comprise of 60 percent of all passengers cars in China therefore, this policy of government will stop the growth of small cars thereby, increasing the demand of foreign companies especially the U.S. companies which have comparative advantage in manufacturing large cars (Hsu, 2010). The government inclination towards local companies is also evident from subsidies in China. According to an auto analyst, Zhang Zhiyong, the subsidies in China only promote local protection and they do not consider the model lines and technological improvements brought by foreign companies. Zhang Zhiyong argues that Chinese government should use subsidies to promote domestic automobiles which do not always mean foreign or local companies, rather it includes the companies which have significant ties with the city (Chinaenvironmentallaw, 2010). Economic Gross domestic product (GDP) has increased from 7.6 percent year-of-year in 1999 to 11.9 percent on 2007 (World Bank, 2008). In 2010, the GDP has grown by 10 percent (Chi natoday, 2011). Consumer price index (CPI) has increased from 98.6 percent year-of-year in 1999 to 104.8 percent in 2007 (World Bank

Assistive Technology Research Proposal Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assistive Technology Proposal - Research Paper Example or values within a targeted population while Quantitative research is mainly based on measurement of quantity or amount and is applicable on to phenomenon that can be expressed in quantitative form. (Kothari 2004) The research topic, â€Å"advantages and disadvantages of assistive technology†, seeks to find out opinions from the population therefore it qualifies to be a qualitative research rather than quantitative research. It engages the use interview schedules, closed questionnaires. These research interview instruments should be properly designed. (Denscombe1998) Before obtaining data it is necessary to come up with a sample size which should be the true reflection of the characteristic of the population targeted. Sampling is done to help save time, money among other resources. It is not easy to conduct research one by one to capture the entire population thus the necessity of sampling. (Kothari 2004) As noted earlier, qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon relating to or does involve quality. In order to obtain data the researcher will engage various techniques of; focus group interview, projective interview, and in depth interview. In depth interview is commonly used technique due to its effectiveness in collecting data in a given face to face research problem. During in depth interview the interviewer ask questions and the respondent answers, in this case the interviewer is considered student and the respondent is considered expert. (Denscombe1998) Researcher engage with the participant by posing questions one after the other in neutral manner to avoid leading answers. Interviewer pays attention to the responses given by the respondent and applying probing techniques where necessary to get more information. After the interview the data obtained shall be coded according to participant’s response to each question Focus group is mainly concerned with obtaining information that relates to community or sub group. Here two or more

Purchasing and SC Management in practice Assignment

Purchasing and SC Management in practice - Assignment Example In actual practice, supply chain management ensures integration of supply as well as demand management both within and across businesses (Monczka and Trent, 2009, pg. 57). The major goal of the process is aimed at collaboration as opposed to competition in all parts involved in supply chain management but eventually leads to the creation of a competitive advantage. Through collaboration, personal and mutual satisfaction results from cost cuts as well as increased profitability. The retail businesses continuously realize the need to rely on effective supply chains or networks to ensure effective competition in the current global market comprised of the networked economy. In most scenarios, retail businesses engage in inter-organizational supply processes forming a network that is like a new form of organization. However, interactions tend to present complicated scenarios making it difficult for businesses to present the best structure that fully fits any particular market. The paper, therefore, presents a critical examination of purchasing and supply chain management practices in the retail sector while also illustrating with specific examples how the practices contribute towards creating competitive advantage in the retail market. While the issue of supply chain management (SCM) is mentioned, majority of individuals tend to relate the benefits related to the process to manufacturing and other big companies. However, with the concept of globalization and competitive markets arising in the recent past, SCM has also proved essential and to some extent beneficial in retail business, though at times attributed to side effects. In the retail business perspective, the focus is different from other market players in that it focuses on more specific factors like the retail business itself as opposed to a broader category (Weele, 2010, pg. 87). In the retailing

Humanities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Humanities - Essay Example The main aim of building this amphitheater was for conducting gladiator fights where slaves fought against each other and against cruel animals like the tigers. The romans came to view and cheer these fights which ended with the death of a slave (gladiator) or the animal (in the fights with the animals). This was a cruelty that was unheard of and especially the fact that people came to watch the arena and even made bets. The floor of the arena in the Colosseum was constantly covered with blood and in order to ask this, red soil was poured on regular basis (Connolly 106). This mammoth building was constructed by the emperor Vespasian and finished by his two sons: Titus and Domitian during their separate reign. It was built in the city center indicating how much power it held. Even after the main purpose of the building was done, years later, the Christians specifically the Roman Catholic Church took up the building and constantly uses it and especially during good Fridays where the Pope starts the way of the cross procession there (Hopkins 164). The Pope is powerful and hence his use of this building continues to indicate its powerful importance both historically and

The Effect of the Increase and Decrease of Inheritance Tax in the UK Essay

The Effect of the Increase and Decrease of Inheritance Tax in the UK Economy - Essay Example Exchange rate is the value of two currencies relative to each other, like exchanging the US dollar for a certain number of British pounds. This may be floating which means it changes from day to day or it may be pegged to another which means that it may have a certain amount of its currency held in another currency. The former is volatile while the latter is more stable since their setting is by the government fiat. [Aguirre, A., Ferreira, A. & Notini, H., 2003] The exchange rates have been experiencing fluctuations in different regions of the world and this has had major impacts in these regions which have involved the private sector as well as the government and in some cases the government has had to play the role of the private sector so as to stabilise the rate. In this context the exchange rate rise has been on the fore front and this has had adverse effect and implications on the economic activities as well as the social aspect of the people in these regions. The rise if the f oreign exchange affects the foreign direct investment [FDI]. This is an international flow of capital that provides the multinational organisations and companies with control over foreign affiliates. The foreign exchange can influence both the total FDI and the allocation of this investment across different countries. The increase reduces the countries production costs and the wages relative to those of the foreign country. This means that the value of its currency depreciates relative to that of the other country. This means that the overall rate of return to foreigners is increased and this contemplates the overseas investment projects in a country. The increase in the foreign exchange may be sometimes anticipated and this will leads to higher costs of financing of the projects due to interest rate parity conditions. In these cases, multinationals prefer to fund their overseas projects from the local kit as financing from the local become relatively expensive. This covers their mo nitoring costs and even the capital that keeps on increasing. The volatility of the exchange rates affects the production flexibility and also the risk aversion. There arises a problem where the producer produces the goods without the knowledge of the exchange rates as they affect the rate of production and the actual level of employment. Where there was risk aversion, the investors demand that they be paid compensation for the risks they incurred as the higher exchange rate raises the variability of and lowers the certainty. In this case therefore, the high rates of exchange tend to raise the values of the investment projects and due to the high costs; the profits are reduced. [Goldberg and Kolstad, 1995] The Australian bank decided to leave the rate of cash unchanged, while the central bank highlighted on its ability to lower the benchmark of the nation’s interest rate so as to ease the inflation pressures. Fig 1: Graphical illustration of Australian Interest rates from Jan uary 2004 through January 2010 This rising exchange rate leads to the tightening of the monetary policy. This in effect raises the interest rates to higher levels which are visibly seen to rise faster in the short run than in the long run. The result of this is that the foreign investors hold foreign assets because of the increased rate of return on the domestic assets with the tightened monetary policy and they expect that the domestic value will fall in future. There arises foreign debt due to the high appreciation of the real exchange rate. These may make the local currency to reach parity against the foreign currency like it was for the euro against the dollar between Australia and US. [Aron, J., Elbadawi, I.A. & Kahn, B., 1997] Identify the possible causes of this appreciation and analyse the extensive implications on the Australian economy which was saved by the collapsing economy of the Australian government and economy. The appreciation of the real exchange rate brings diver se effects which are extensive the short term aspect of

Course Project Rough Draft Essay Example for Free

Course Project Rough Draft Essay I have learned a lot in achieving goals, time preferences, and pathways of learning; analyze statements, types of thinking, reading and information literacy, bring something new to taking notes, explores types of memory, diversity, communication and stress management, managing money and reflections so I can be successful in my education. In this class I have been giving good tips on every aspect on criminal justice. It also makes me know that it is to learn all the important information in the class so I can success in my education. I am a Verbal-Linguistic and more of a reader/writer then visual person. I have learned all the ends and out of criminal justice. This class has benefited me in every aspect in my life. I am not only motivated to make a difference in the communities, but also motivated to join the ranks of a new family. I chose this path because I have always enjoyed the idea of solving situations. I can honestly say I can’t imagine myself doing anything else because I am extremely fascinated by the role and intensity of these fields. Just watching what it takes to do their job is remarkable. That’s why I love this class so much because it’s a learning process for me and my life. It makes my family so proud of me that I’m taking criminal justice and going forward with my education. So all I have to do is stay with it so I can success in this degree.

Street gangs in America

Street gangs in America Street gangs in America: Street gangs are the new big problem of organized crime in America. Gangs started out as a minor nuisance to society, but they have become to a massive crime force in America. They account for much of Americas violence as well as trafficking drugs throughout the states (Drugs and Gangs). If they are not taken care of soon, they will get out of hand. Street gangs in America are growing in size due to increases in poverty as well as the influence of peer pressure, and they are becoming increasingly violent because of gang wars and drug trafficking. The old street gangs were very different from the modern day gangs. In early street gangs groups of kids, usually poor children would come together for support (Gardner, 19). These groups would spend a lot of time together and get into trouble with the law, but they were not dangerous to innocent bystanders, and did not pose a threat to America (20). These groups would gather to talk, insult and make fun of each other jokingly, and shoot hoops at the park (20). Modern street gangs are changing into profit driven groups that traffic drugs throughout the nation and are committed to violence. Modern gangs are much larger having about 731,000 active gang members (Organized Gangs). National street gangs pose the greatest threat of all because they smuggle, produce, transport, and distribute large quantities of illegal drugs throughout the country and are extremely violent. Early gangs were not very organized, modern day gangs are very organized. Modern gangs have ranking system that they follow. Gang activity rises and falls periodically and the ranks of members are determined by who has recently been arrested or killed (Stewart 31). The core of the gang is made up of the â€Å"hard-core† members. These are the members that are actually committing the bad crimes and will probably be in the gang for the rest of their life. The rest of the gang is made up of â€Å" wanna-be† members. These members are either not really part of the gang or have not committed any initiation crimes to become a part of the gang. In todays gangs teens as old as nine or ten can be a part of drug trafficking, all they have to do is hand over the little bag and hold on to the money until an overseer comes and grabs the money (â€Å"Drugs and Gangs†). Although some gangs have leaders, many do not. Typically, gangs with leaders are not very well organized because most of the time gang crimes are nearly all carried out on impulse (Gardner 21). Some national street gangs are very organized, with as many as 100,000 members and associates. The most highly organized gangs, such as Latin Kings, Gangster Disciples, and Vice Lords, Bloods and the Crips have centralized leadership cores (â€Å"organized gangs†). Usually there is little forethought when it comes to gang crime and violence because most gang crime occurs when two rival gangs encounter each other, no matter where they are or what they are doing. Most gangs will have different rankings. For example, an O.G or Original Gangster will usually teach the younger members how stuff works before they take their spot. Gang hierarchy is followed by nearly every gang. Street gangs have increased in size because of the bad economy in America. There are roughly 21,500 gangs in America and more than 731,000 active gang members (â€Å"Organized gangs†). The poor state of the economy is causing many people to lose their jobs, and forcing more Americas into poverty. People who are faced with a lack of money may turn to crime if they cant earn enough with a real job. This partly explains why gangs exist in poor, areas of cities. Although not everyone who decides to joins a gang is poor, and not every gang member is poor (Gardner 51). While poverty does draw much of Americas youth to gangs there is still many poor teens who are not in gangs. Siblings in gangs have a strong influence for their brothers or sisters along with teens to join and become a member of their street gangs. Gangs also provide a way to make money, and sometimes lots of it. Poverty is one of the main reason teens and young adults get pulled into joining street gangs. Although poverty does attract many youth to gangs, peer pressure is also a big factor. There is peer pressure in every teens life. A lot of gang members are very young, gangs intentionally recruit teenagers (Gardner 41). They do this because no matter what kind of trouble a teen gets into they cannot go to jail for their crime. Some young teenagers may join gangs to earn respect from others (Osman 36). Most teens that live in parts of a city with gang presence usually have friends that are in at least one gang. Those friends will pressure the teen into joining their gang. Often youth will get harassed or â€Å"beat up† until they accept and join the gang (37). Another reason teens may end up joining a gang is for protection (33). But joining a gang often brings bigger threat because are vulnerable to getting attacked by a rival gang. Gang influence in schools is also a big problem, if they youth goes to a school with a strong gang presence, they might find that many of their f riends are joining gangs and follow them (â€Å"a reputation for being tough and a good fighter is important for many kids† (Gardner 41). About twenty-eight percent of schools have reported street gang presence in their school (Drugs and Gangs). Gang presence in schools is just another factor that pushes teens to join gangs. â€Å"Resisting peer pressure as every teenager knows is tough†. You have to have a high self esteem, strong motivation and a good support system (Gardner, 30). As gangs increase in popularity, gang violence does to. Gang violence is rising due to availability of new guns and cars. Gang members are now getting their hands on AK-47s, Submachine guns, M 16s, Uzis, and semi automatic pistols. Sgt. Joe Guzman, a sheriff gang expert told the Los Angeles times â€Å"Today instead of brawling, its all about the fire power and taking people out† (qtd. in Osman 55). This is because in the past gang fights would be a brawl of twenty to thirty using just fists. These modern day guns are way more effective and dangerous than guns in the past, these guns kill much quicker with even a single bullet can end someones life. Any gang member can easily hide a gun while walking on the street, quickly pull it out and kill someone within seconds. Guns are one of the leading reasons why gang violence is increasing. Having more than one gang in a city is also a major cause for gang violence. Because gangs have their territories or turf even living around a certain area is enough to get attacked, robbed, or even killed (Gardner 13). Gang territories are marked by crews.† Crews claim they are non violent, but they mark their turf with graffiti encouraging vandalism and gang violence over the turf (street gangs in America 60). When more the one gang is present in a single city or area, there is bound to be a rise in crime in the area. The Los Angeles Crips and their enemies the Bloods are famous their rivalry and fighting over turf with each other (Gardner 40). On top of the acts of violence, street gangs are now seeking profit by dealing illegal durgs throughout America. Many gangs that started as turf gangs are now evolving into money making criminal organization whose activities include not just drugs but, smuggling, transportation, and wholesale distribution of the illegal drugs (â€Å"Organized gangs†). â€Å"Large, nationally affiliated street gangs pose the greatest threat because they smuggle, produce, transport, and distribute large quantities of illegal drugs throughout the country and are extremely violent† (Drugs and Gangs). â€Å"About 3.5 million individuals age 18 and older have admitted to having injected an illegal drug during their lifetime. Of these individuals, 14 percent or (498,000) were under the age of 25† (National Drug Intelligence Center). Gangs convert cocaine into crack cocaine and make almost all the PCP in America. Some gangs make millions per month selling illegal drugs, distributing weap ons, operating prostitute businesses, and selling stolen property (Drugs and Gangs). Street gangs have now moved to new areas, specifically rural and suburban areas, to avoid the police and get new customers (â€Å"Organized Gangs†). Profit driven gangs relentlessly traffic drugs throughout America, and they will use violence without a second thought to continue their operation. There are also Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) outside of America that are distributing drugs into the United States. Mexican Drug trafficking organizations are one of the biggest problems of why there is such a large amount of drugs in America. Street gangs in America are seeking to establish connections with Mexican DTOs to expand their drug trafficking organizations (â€Å"Organized Gangs†). Mexican DTOs and criminal groups exhibit far greater influence over drug trafficking in the United States than any other group, and their influence is increasing, particularly with respect to cocaine and methamphetamine distribution (â€Å"Organized gangs†). Many gangs have developed or relationships now with nationwide criminal organizations and DTOs. These relationships provide gangs with access to much more illegal drugs then the gangs can get their hands on in just the United States alone (â€Å"National Level†). Most of the illegal drugs come from out o f the country, but still find their way into America. The threat posed by gangs will increase as gangs become better structured; more sophisticated, and develop their markets. This threat is magnified by the high and increasing level of violence associated with expansion of drug trafficking activities by gang. Street gangs in America are growing in size due to the increase in poverty as well as the influence of peer pressure and these gangs are becoming increasingly violent because of gang wars and drug trafficking. Gangs are growing in size and their use of violence becoming a much bigger problem. These gangs constantly distribute drugs through the states around the country and are getting more and more youths addicted too these illegal substances. If gangs are not dealt with and stopped soon they will get way out of hand. Americans must realize what gangs are doing to the country and our youth. The modern street gang problem must be solved so that America can live in peace and knowing that the youth will be safe from street gangs.

Oscar Wildes Impacts To Crime And Punishment English Literature Essay

Oscar Wildes Impacts To Crime And Punishment English Literature Essay With his witty charm and consistent plays Oscar Wilde has inspired some of the most intelligent minds of our generation. The attitudes of society towards homosexuality have altered significantly since the sentence of Oscar Wilde in 1895. But to suggest his trial for sodomy had a minimal short term impact on crime and punishment is a gross understatement, it rocked the laws on sodomy and the harsh prison system to their core. As Oscar Wilde would say I made the 20th century able to look itself in the face. Male homosexuality was made a capital offence in England under the Buggery Act of 1533 and the first man to be convicted was playwright Nicholas Udall in 1541, who was imprisoned for a year. The law became eternal in 1563 until replaced by the Offences Against the People Act of 1828. The death penalty was the sentence until 1861 though it was only exacted on a few occasions. Thereafter punishment became imprisonment being from ten years up to life. However the law became stricter: the 1885 Criminal Law Amendment Act made any homosexual act illegal and amid the prosecutions was of course, Oscar Wilde. Underneath the Criminal Law Amendment Act, the maximum penalty for gross indecency was two years incarceration, which was reduced from life in prison, which had itself been condensed from hanging. But what appears to be a softer approach towards homosexuality is really just an elusive disguise, since the prejudice towards homosexuality had been at an increase towards the late 19th centur y and considered to be a monstrous vice. But how did Wilde end up in jail? On 18th February the Marques of Queensberry left his calling card decorated for Oscar Wilde, posing sodomite. Wilde, (influenced by his lover and Queensberrys son Lord Alfred Douglas) initiated a trial against Queensberry which ultimately back-fired. The trial in fact led to details of Wildes homosexuality and overwhelming evidence led to The Crown VS Wilde trial and on 25th May 1895 Wilde was convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years hard labour. File:Oscarwildetrial.jpg With the law passed in 1895 that made any act of gross indecency a crime and the celebrity of Oscar Wilde, same sex relationships that might once have been seen as innocent now became suspect. The Wilde trials caused social attitudes toward crime and punishment for homosexuals to become harsher and less tolerant.   Whereas prior to the trials there was a certain compassion for those who engaged in same-sex passion, after the trials homosexuals were seen more as a hazard.   The Wilde trials also had other effects.   They caused the public to begin to connect art and homosexuality and to analyse effeminacy as a signal for homosexuality.   Many same sex relationships seen as guiltless before the Wilde trials became suspect after them. People with same sex relationships grew anxious about doing something that might suggest indecency. Wilde was jailed in Pentonville Prison originally; however he was then transported too Wandsworth prison in London. The regime at the time was tough; hard labour, hard fare and a hard bed was the guiding philosophy. Wilde was required to work on a treadwheel during his time in prison and I would suggest that the banning of the treadwheel was credit to Oscar Wildes acquaintanceship with it. Wilde in fact became very ill from the hard labour of the treadwheel which later contributed towards his early death. I do not think it was mere coincidence that the banning of the treadwheel happened so soon after Wildes release and I believe it is one of the greatest short term impacts Wilde had on crime and punishment. Oscar Wildes trial engrossed the nation, the subject matter a cause of intense rumour and speculation. But how did this have the effect of changing social attitudes towards the crime and punishment of homosexuals? The status of Wilde had a great deal to do with the magnanimity that the trials grew to. The factors that made him different in the eyes of the public, particularly his nature, transformed him into a model threat. At this time, the fear and threat of homosexuality was growing, and Wildes trial took part in that expansion. However I would not agree that Wildes case alone dramatically changed the attitudes of the public, but rather that it was one of several other incidents during the span of two decades that caused a more aggressive fear of homosexuals. For example the Cleveland Street Scandal of 1889 fuelled the attitude that homosexuality was a tool to destroy male youths. The Cleveland Street Scandal in essence was when a homosexual brothel in Cleveland Street, London, wa s found by police. Therefore, this, toppled with the new Criminal Law Amendment Act enacted in the late 1800s, was what truly impacted attitudes in England. Analysing the Jury is pivotal to understanding how the Wilde trial impacted public attitudes to crime and punishment for homosexuals and the divisions amongst the jury reflected current public opinion very well. At first the public couldnt cry crucify him loud enough, but afterwards the figures increased of those who hoped Wilde would be acquitted, in view of the meagre quality of the prosecution witnesses, even if he had done what he was accused of. One clergyman, the Reverend Selwyn Image, even found the nerve to describe the entire law under which Wilde is charged, as pernicious.The judge even called the Wilde trial as the worst case he had ever tried and proclaimed that the maximum sentence of two years was in fact lenient. I wrap up that the reaction from the judge during the trials sentencing statement is enough evidence to confirm the horrific views of the public towards crime and punishment for homosexuality. Not only his trial but Wildes imprisonment and exile changed public attitudes on the prison system. He drew from his experience to produce The Ballad of Reading Gaol and several articles against the poor conditions in British prisons, one of which contributed to the passing of a law to prevent the imprisonment of children. During Wildes imprisonment, a hanging took place. Charles Thomas Wooldridge had been a trooper in the Royal Horse Guards. He was convicted of cutting the throat of his wife, Laura Ellen, earlier that year. This had a profound effect on Wilde, inspiring the line Yet each man kills the thing he loves. The ballad had some influence on public perception as well as it described what life in gaol was like. Although it could be argued that he didnt have a long term impact on hanging in prisons as it was banned in 1969, I strongly believe Wilde had an impact on attitudes toward capital punishment in the short term as it must be remembered that The ballad of Reading Gaol wa s published and was rather popular. Such was the sphere of influence on the trial of Oscar Wilde that it had a negative impact on how crime and punishment for homosexuality was perceived across the Atlantic. American Newspaper New York Times stressed a need for a law on gross indecency which being the distinguished newspaper it is, quite obviously impacted public attitude towards sodomy. After Wildes arrest, the April 6 New York Times discussed Wildes case as a query of immorality and would not specifically address homosexuality, discussing the men some as young as 18 that were brought up in the witness box. The treatment of the Wilde case in American newspapers reflects the American attitude towards the subject in the 1890s; although in discussion, homosexuality could not be named. Furthermore Englands national newspapers also had a negative impact on short term attitudes towards homosexuality as the news about the trial was biased and faulty at best. It is no secret that newspapers are in business to make money so analysing newspaper articles is vital to understanding public attitude that the Oscar Wilde trials brought, after all, they are a sounding board for current attitudes. They caused Oscar Wildes trial as well as his conviction to be an extremely exposed event, strongly influencing the way the  public  interpreted homosexuality and the crime of sodomy. The articles of the Evening Standard and the Morning among others portrayed Wilde as having a particular tendency toward committing sexual acts with other men. The newspapers also most effectively described Wilde as a languorous, long-haired lover of sunflowers. I would therefore analyse that newspapers transformed homosexual acts into a homosexual identity. Despite the substance of homosexual categor ies in medical books by 1869, Victorian journalism created a new homosexual parable that the Oscar Wilde trials can lay claim to producing the category of the homosexual. National newspapers were overall a vice for what public attitude was for crime and punishment for homosexuals 1895. One could argue that in the short term, Wilde influenced the origins of many pressure groups. For example in 1895 Earl Lind created Cercle Hermaphroditos which was the 1st group to announce a political agenda to clash against the discrimination of homosexuals. As well as this, in 1897 George Cecil Ives structured the first homosexual rights group in England, the Order of Chaeronea. These pressure groups in my opinion clearly give a positive indication that the Oscar Wilde trial increased public awareness and influenced attitudes of political persecution of homosexuals. But how could the formation of two small pressure groups suggest that the Wilde trial impacted attitudes in the short term? Pressure groups have played and continue to play an important part in the development of political and social systems and it must not be forgot that pressure groups influenced the governments decision to allow homosexual acts in 1967. Douglas O. Linder, author of Famous Trials summed up the Oscar Wilde scandal quite appropriately when he stated Celebrity, sex, witty dialogue, political intrigue, surprising twists, and important issues of art and moralityis it any surprise that the trials of Oscar Wilde continue to fascinate one hundred years after the death of one of the worlds greatest authors and playwrights. He has no idea how right he is as after his 1895 trial for gross indecency, Oscar Wildes name became a byword for immorality. But in the 20th century, gay men embraced Wilde as an icon of gay history and changes were made to the law in 1967, when same-sex acts were finally decriminalised. This proves that Wilde irrelevantly did have a long term impact on attitudes to crime and punishment for homosexuals which proved to be positive. Despite some positive impacts Wildes trial produced such as influences on hanging and the abolition of the infamous treadwheel, there is no denying that the Oscar Wilde trial mos t definitely had a negative impact on attitudes to crime and punishment for homosexuals in the short term. The trials brought media attention on them and public attitudes turned from ignorance to hatred. Even the Church could no longer pacify homosexuality as something unspoken, conceivable to the modern day dont ask dont tell policy historically used by the US army in relation to homosexuals until being abolished under President Obama. By the time of his conviction, not only had Wilde been established as the main sexual deviant of the nineteenth century, but he had become the model for an emerging public definition of a new type of menace, the homosexual.