Decreasing Population of Bachelor of Secondary Education Essay Example for Free

Decreasing Population of Bachelor of Secondary Education Essay INTRODUCTION Anyone who chooses a teaching career in the Philippines must hold a degree in teacher education. Teachers in public and private elementary schools must have at least a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. High school teachers are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with specialization (a major and a minor) in high school subjects. Both degrees are awarded upon successful completion of approved teacher education courses in recognized institutions. Teaching in colleges or professional degree programmes at the tertiary level requires at least a master’s degree in a particular area of specialization. But obviously, population of Bachelor of Secondary Education students were decreasing ultimately. Because of these, quality of education in the Philippines will likely face a crisis if the current trends in decreasing college enrolment and increasing dropouts especially Bachelor of Secondary Education and Bachelor of Elementary Education will continue. There are several factors to consider why the population of Education students diminished. Due to continuing tuition hikes, many college students decided to take vocational courses. Recently, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission of the Philippines reported that approximately 22 percent overall student survivals from first to fourth Year College. And undeniably, teacher is a very stressful profession. Teacher engaged in actual classroom teaching that render not more than eight hours of actual classroom teaching a day, preparation and correction of exercises and other work incidental to his/her normal teaching duties. Secondary teachers shall be assigned to no more than six daily forty-minute periods of instruction. For college, the normal teaching load of a full-time instructor shall be eighteen hours a week. The teaching load of part-time instructors who are full-time employees outside of teaching shall not exceed twelve hours per week. However, the average teachers’ salary at present is inadequate as source of livelihood. Teaching is a noble profession companied by the fact that they have a lot of pressure responsibilities to mould people in the society they belong. RELATED LITERATURE Teaching is a profession whose rewards have the potential to be great, yet its challenges have the potential to be frustrating at the same time. Teachers have the opportunity to positively impact their students lives. Helping young people reach their potential is extremely rewarding. However, some students are difficult to connect with, or have problems that interfere with their behavior and performance in the classroom. Aside from that, they also encounter difficulties in their work schedule, most teachers arrive at school early, stay late or bring work home. Planning, grading, meetings, conferences and professional development must be accomplished in addition to the daily teaching of lessons. They are also a typical 10-month employee and are off when school is closed for holidays and vacations. However, teachers may have to get summer jobs to supplement their salaries (Sally Miller, 2005). All higher education institutions in all countries have experienced tension between the demand to be specifically applicable to local needs and the desire to maintain ideas and values of universal reference (Hargreaves, 1973). Basically in Bachelor of Secondary Education or in any other teaching/education courses. The management structure of primary teaching education is inadequately organized to guide teacher education institute in accordance with the national development strategy. Rigidity and inefficiency in the schooling process result from the absence of effective, central and complete planning(Dunkley, 1981). Because of this, teacher’s wanna be decreasing extremely. According to Dr. Rupert Maclean(1988), there are some important implications for the development of the system of teacher education in the region such as: (1) need to recognize that the pursuit of learning is a lifelong process, (2)an examination of the extent to which educational institutions should be autonomous, and the consideration of the social and economic cost and benefits involved when greater autonomy occurs, (3)the reform and expansion of teacher education as a vital step towards the rejuvenation of public education. On the other hand, A Unesco Publication, The Changing Role of the Teacher, states â€Å"There was a time when the teacher’s roles was to pass down to the younger generation the knowledge, experiences and mythology of a slow evolving society The pace of change in contemporary society has made his role redundant. The role of teacher must be, among other things, a change agent. It does not matter whether one is addressing the situation in a developing country or an industrialized nation, the problem remains the same. What are the new dimensions of his/her role, and how is the teacher to be trained to fulfil that role. In examining the changing role of the teacher we need to see the changes as being a response to, and an attempt to confront the pressure of a society undergoing constant transition† (Goble and Porter, 1977). For this statement, we can say that teachers play an important role in changing the education in the society. For example, in Malaysia, education is envisioned to serve two important functions: (1)a means to achieve national unity and (2) a vehicle for national development. Since 1964, English was slowly replace by Bahasa Malaysia, the argument being that a nation system of education using a common medium of instruction, in addition to a common syllabus , will provide a strong base for promoting national unity. Unfortunately, the policy has created inter-ethnic tension, in view of the fact that in Malaysia about 53% are Chinese and about 11% are Indian origin(S. Husin Ali, Chang Yii Tan, Tan Boon Kean, 1987). Teacher is responsible in almost every job in the society especially when we are talking about the future of every student they handle in primary, secondary and tertiary level. Focusing in higher education, according to Trow(1938:132) higher education itself ‘a stratified system of institution, graded formally or informally in status and prestige, in wealth, power and influence of various kind. Moreover, teacher in the Philippines had its beginning as early as Spanish period. Teacher education programs have always been dictated by the urgent needs of the time, Before 1950, there were only a few state colleges offering a teacher education program. However, when the Department of Education reported the gravity of the problem of undersupply of professionally qualified teachers, enrolment in teacher education registered slowly upward. To encourage more schools to offer teacher education courses, requirements for opening normal schools and college were relaxed(Carson, 1978). Furthermore, most countries in the region of Asia recognize the crucial importance of pre-service education for teachers. For instance, the 1986 National Policy on Education states that â€Å"no people can rise above the level of its teachers† (de la Cruz, Leandro, 1988). Lastly, most important evidence of quality in an education system is to be found in the quality of the pupils/students produced. The problem, however, is to arrive at satisfactory indicators which will show that better quality education has been achieve (Adams, 1988). Accordingly, much discussion in quality and standards will show in this research. And also this study will attempt to show what was really the factors we can consider in the change in population of education students. For future studies, it will be necessary to analyze different data that related in the given topic. This research will have the great contribution in people awareness especially students on what are the trends in higher education. METHODOLOGY In order to gain information, the researcher conducted an interview with the highschool teacher including Mrs. Carol Isidro (Filipino II), Mrs. Crisamie Mendieta(Physics), Mrs. Laudato (Filipino II), Mrs. Musa (English I) and university instructors namely Ms. Michelle Zuniga (ITEC), Ms. Rona Feranil (Math), Ms. Jeneth Menil (P.E. and English), Mrs. Cherry Rose S. Uminga (Biology), Mrs. Grace Balingit ( Campus Asst. Librarian). It was made on March 3-5, 2010 at the Carmona National Highschool and Cavite State University- Carmona Campus. The researchers were able to perform an interview through the use of interview sheet/form/guide which the data currently record. They also used a pen to write every single information that the interviewee provide. During the pre-interview stage, the researchers put all the possible questions in a sheet of paper and improve it through the use of Microsoft word 2003. They also used Xerox machine to multiply the number of interview form/ guide. At the interview proper, the researchers used English language as the mode of communication. They apply formal way of gathering the point of views of the target population. And at the post interview stage, the researcher combined all ideas that the sample population had provide. Some of the information they were able to gather play an important role in interpreting the different ideas in understanding the cause of the issue of decreasing population of Bachelor of Secondary Education. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In pre-Spanish times, education was informal, unstructured, and devoid of methods. Children were provided more vocational training and less academics by their parents and in the houses of tribal tutors. Major changes in education system happened during the Spanish colonization. The tribal tutors were replaced by the Spanish Missionaries. Education was religion-oriented. It was for the elite, especially in the early years of Spanish colonization. But education during that period was inadequate, suppressed, and controlled. According to a new report of Commission on Higher Education (CHED), that the number of tertiary population in schoolyear 2002-2003 was 1.87 million compared to 2.4 million in 1994-1995. It cites however that general population of college students in the universities without classifying the program they belong was decrease incredibly. Even though there have not been any formal studies and analysis about this subject, there are several people and organization that will contribute in the explanation of the issue. According to Raymond Palatino, vice president of Anak ng Bayan (nation’s youth), college students who can no longer afford to study a four year course are planning to shift in other program usually vocational just to achieve their dream of earning a college diploma. In the lowering economic status of the Philippines, teachers play an important role in molding a future to a better one. Bachelor of Secondary Education program and many other teaching-related program students will likely face a doubt in pursuing their profession. They are more responsible in all aspects of an economy rather than any other job. Thus, they have great mission in everyone’s life. The purpose of this research is to provide consciousness towards the current issue of diminishing number of college students specifically Bachelor of Secondary Education students. Knowledge about this topic would make people aware in possibilities and reasons behind education status of a country. Concerning the standard of education in the Philippines, in June 2009 the president of the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) cited the Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) notice a continuing decline in the quality of education in this country. He said this was due to four main factors: a) mismanagement of the educational system, b) not investing wisely in education, c) lack of management competencies, d) systemic corruption. Another reason why the Philippines is not a major supplier of tertiary education for overseas students in the region is because some instructors and professors in SUC’s (state universities and colleges) be deficient in several abilities in professional teaching. These mandated subjects include the life and works of Filipino national hero Dr Jose Rizal, three subjects of Filipino language, and basic mathematics, science, and Filipino cultural subjects more appropriate for senior high school than for tertiary level. Also in order for the researcher to have primary information about the certain matter, they conducted an interview and look some documents that will testify the population of Bachelor of Secondary Education students in Cavite State University and Carmona National Highschool located at the community of Carmona, Cavite. The basic purpose of the interview was to gather different opinions and personal point of views of the people which generally related to the issue and the aim of the documents was to show relation of different information. The mode of communication during the interview proper is in English language in order to show formality and may give highly appropriate information. The prepared question in the interview guide/form was commonly as regards to the behavior, characteristics and ability of the sample population. From the school documents of Cavite State University, the researcher was able to identify the number of Bachelor of Secondary Education during first and second semester since 2002 at given university. As a follow up to this information, the Graph 1 shows the overall population of the enrollees of BSE program. Figure 1 Graph of enrolled students in BSE program at CvSU Carmona Campus, (Mrs. Mojica, Campus Registrar) As can be seen by the graph, the population of Bachelor of Secondary Education was inconsistent. At school year 2002-2003, during first semester of given year, the recorded population was 22 enrollees. At the latter part or in second semester, the population increased by 26. The population through that year (2002-2003) was said to be slightly increased. At first semester of 2003-2004, the enrollees were 84, and at the second semester in decreased by 76. At the first semester of 2004-2005, the documented enrollees increased by 119, and at the second semester, the enrollees extremely increased by 124. The inconsistency of the population appears at the middle of the year between 2002 to 2007. During the first semester, the population of Bachelor of Secondary Education at year 2005-2006 was 132 and at the second semester it declines to 121. At reach of 2006, the population on that particular campus noticeably decreases. The year 2006-2007, first semester, the enrollees was 110, it decrease to 104. And at the following year (2007-2008), the BSE students was consisted of 86 (first semester) and 93(second semester). At 2008-2009, the BSE program students got their smallest population at only 71 during first semester and 66 at second semester. Fortunately, it survives and reaches 84 enrollees at first semester of the year 2009-2010 and at second semester it decreased to 71. The population in that particular campus was the number of Bachelor of Secondary Education students in all year levels. The researchers also gather information from the teachers of Carmona National Highschool and instructors of Cavite State University-Carmona Campus through interview. From 5 sample population that the researchers were able to interview, such results only shows that people are aware in the tertiary level issue especially in teaching program. The first question at the interview guide was the reasons why did they choose Education program as their profession. From 5 interviewees 2 of them answered that that’s their parent’s choice. Also 2 of them proclaimed as their passion at the remaining one said that it’s their childhood dream. The result of first question shows that variation in reasons on choosing their program occurs. There are several aspects in choosing a program. It may be the behavior of a students or the behavior of the people around them. Another question although too broad to discuss â€Å"what are the factors to consider in choosing a program?† According to the observation of teachers/instructors there are too many factors they consider in entering the field of teaching. It can be the (1)parents choice, (2)job demand, (3)stability or security of the future job, (4) location of the school, (5)availability of the school, (6)scholarship offered, (7) line of interest, passion, personal choice or childhood dream (8) affordability or in financial matters, (9)relatives or friends influence. Another question answered by the interviewee, â€Å"What did you notice in the population of Bachelor of Secondary Education nowadays?† tested the attentiveness of the respondents. The result was interesting because majority showed that they see population of BSE students was said to be decreased. Only 1 of them, out of 5 answered that it increased. In order for the researcher to identify point of views of the sample population about the factors that affect the decreasing population of BSE students, they include it in their interview guide. The results of the question give ideas about the aspects which is much related in a given topic. The main factors given by the teacher/instructors were: (1) financial, (2) job demand, (3) unable to reach the standard, (4) majorship offered in the universities, (5) stressful, (6) issues or bad images of the teachers nowadays, (7) salary, and (8) chance to go abroad. The result of this question provides an appropriate answer about the certain topic. Although no longer the main component of this research, most of the target population that researchers able to interview has smaller number of colleagues whom they really want to be a teacher. According to Ms. Jeneth Menil (Engl and P.E. teacher in CvSU), and Ms. Tita Salamatin (English instructor in CvSU) approximately 10 % of her overall classmates in highschool really wants to be a teacher. And base on the observation Ms. Michelle Zuniga (ITEC teacher in CvSU) there are only 5 % wishes to be a teacher. Mrs Crisamie Mendieta (Physics teacher in CNHS) proclaimed that 2 out of 40 of her secondary classmates has a passion of teaching. While Mrs. Musa (English teacher in CNHS) notified that there are about 20 % of her highschool colleagues would like to be an educator. Fortunately, according to them, most of their highschool classmates including the teachers/instructors they interviewed whom wants to be a teacher pursued what they really want to be. Luckily, after several years of studying in teahing profession most of them succeed to be a teacher. But during their stage of studying in college, their college colleagues their population inside the campus as the Bachelor of Secondary Education students, their population said to be diminished as they reach their senior year. They give possible reason on why this condition occurs. The target interviewee told so that money is one of the greatest possible reasons for that. Some of their classmates choose the more convenient, time-saving courses such as vocational courses. Another reason was some of their colleagues realized that it is not their line of interest or their passion. According to Mrs. Mendieta others would like to take medicine/nursing for they think that it is in demand abroad. Lastly, the researcher confirmed that the population of Bachelor of Secondary Education decline after several years of establishing a teaching related field. They also give an idea about several factors on why this circumstance triggers. CONCLUSION The researchers prove that the population of students taking up of Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE) is decreasing due to the different reasons. The researchers also conclude that there are several factors that really affect on students in order for them not to choose teaching programs. Those factors include: (1) financial, (2) job demand, (3) unable to reach the standard, (4) majorship offered in the universities, (5) stressful, (6) issues or bad images of the teachers nowadays, (7) salary, and (8) chance to go abroad. Each factor was perceived by the target population which consists of highschool teachers and university instructors. This research show that aside from giving readers an idea about the condition in terms of population of the tertiary level students specifically Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE) program, it also provide awareness about the factors that affect in this phenomenon. Although not really a main part of the research, the researchers still provide information about the vast majority of teachers interviewed indicate that they are satisfied with their jobs, but there are problems. While teachers salaries have improved, many teachers believe that their pay is still inadequate. Local conditions have a major impact on teacher satisfaction. On the teachers wish list for job improvement are lighter workloads, more parental support, fewer discipline problems, and greater administration support. Students at tertiary level have a freedom to choose what program they were able take, but researchers tries to identify the major causes, effects, and explanation in the current trends in the society. They also supply needed information and data in order to understand what really the topic is. Recommendations, suggestions, clarifications and point of views by different kind of people combined in only one research paper and organize it according to purpose. This research aims to promote the Bachelor of Secondary Education program and it also intends to increase the number of enrollees to certain program.

The Current State of Development in Latin America Essay Example for Free

The Current State of Development in Latin America Essay Throughout this paper I will be making reference to Peter Winns book Americas. Winn states on page 4 that Latin America is equally an invention, devised in the nineteenth century by a French geographer to describe the nations that had once been colonized by Latin EuropeSpain, France, and Portugal. In attempting to establish the current state of development in Latin America, historical chronology serves as the foundation necessary for a broad logical position. Latin American development has evolved in distinct phases, which lead to the present day standings of the politics and peoples throughout the region. The conclusion of distinct historical attributes: conquest, colonialism, immigration, capitalism, and industrialism, serve as the developmental path from the past, to allow an understanding of the current state of development. The conquest is a major factor in shaping Latin America. In 1492 Christopher Columbus landed on the shores of the Caribbean and claimed the new land in the name of Spain and God. From then on the world was changed forever in the sense that there was a whole New World to conquer. Conquistadors like Cortez and Pizarro then followed and claimed entire new lands and people in the name of gold and wealth. These men started a revolution that changed an entire continent. It was transformed from a free race of people at one with the land to one of slavery and oppression in which man was bound to the land. This was the beginning of colonialism in the New World. The newly founded colonialism changed everything about the land, its inhabitants, culture, and religion and even created new races of people, of which we still do not know everything about. With the curiosity of European countries piqued and rumors of cities made of gold, the Old World decided that there were no boundaries established within the New World and the land was for the taking. The controlling influence of the Catholic Church in the social and spiritual life of the colonies was deeply rooted in the Spanish past. Royal control over church affairs, in both Spain and the Indies, was founded on the institution of the royal patronage. As applied to the colonies, this patronage consisted in the absolute right of the Spanish kings to nominate all church officials and found churches and monasteries in the Americas. They converted prodigious numbers of natives, and some championed the rights of the Indians against their Spanish oppressors. Immigration and migration has held a major role in shaping our country. Immigrants have provided many things such as customs, manufacturing, inventions, and entertainment. Many people today dont realize how greatly we have been affected by immigration. Indian culture and the ways in which the Indians responded to the Hispanic invaders were shaped by their own long history on these continents. The Indians arrived from Asia by way of the Bering Strait no less than forty thousand years ago and in the course of time spread over both the American continents and eventually developed a wide range of cultural types, ranging from nomadic groups of hunters and food gatherers to the elaborate empires of the Aztecs and the Inca and the culturally advanced Mayan states. These three civilizations had certain features in common. All three were based on intensive farming that made possible the development of a large sedentary population and considerable division of labor. These civilizations, however, also evolved along distinctive lines. Mayan culture was distinguished by impressive achievements in writing, calendrical science, mathematics, and architecture. The Aztecs were mighty warriors, and a distinctive feature of their religion was large-scale human sacrifice. The Inca were the greatest empire builders of ancient America, and they made a serious and largely successful effort to unify the institutions and language of their extensive empire. On page 21 Winn states that as a result of these migrations, Latin America and the Caribbean is now a polyglot region with diversity of races, ethnicities, and cultures. Industrialism and capitalism go hand in hand in the shaping of Latin America as Winn states on page 13, Yet its geology has also helped the region, forming rich deposits of metals and minerals, as well as petroleum and gas reserves that are among the largest in the world. Side by side with the subsistence-and tribute economy of the Indians, there arose a Spanish commercial agriculture producing foodstuffs or raw materials for sale in local or distant markets. Stock-raising was another important economic activity in the colonies. The introduction of domestic animals represented a major Spanish contribution to American economic life. Mining, as the principal source of royal income, received the special attention and protection of the crown. Silver, rather than gold, was the principal product of the American mines. As in other times and places, the mining industry brought prosperity to a few and either failure or small success to the great majority. These points that I have mentioned are just a few of many that contributed to the shaping of Latin America. Many of the contributions follow the conquest and its consequences. As you can conclude the conquest gave birth to combining of cultures and a collision of European, Native American, and African people in which all helped mold Latin America into what it is today. Work Cited Winn, Peter. Americas. Los Angeles, California: University of California Press. 1992.

The Coevolution of Human Immunity and Helminthic Parasites

The Coevolution of Human Immunity and Helminthic Parasites Most multicellular organisms, both vertebrate and invertebrate, have an evolutionary history of infestation by extracellular parasitic worms known as helminths. The immune systems of these species have adapted to the stress of helminth infection, or helmnithiasis, through the development of mechanisms to modulate worm load in chronically infested individuals. Most marsupials and mammals, including humans, use a particular immune response mediated by IgE antibodies molecules that identify and neutralize foreign objects to defend against helminths (Poulsen Hummelshoj 2007). In parts of the world where helminthiasis is still prevalent, there is a selective advantage for genes that increase production of IgE antibodies. However, the adaptation to the stress of chronic worm infestation accounts for the maladaptive response to innocuous substance allergy upon removal of the stress. The presence of parasites triggers the production of molecules known as interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokines that damped the inflammation response. However, in the absence of parasites, IgE antibodies target harmless proteins and the lack of IL-10 production results in a potentially dangerous inflammatory response. In addition to the removal of the early evolutionary stress of helminths, many technology and infrastructure changes in developed countries have increased human exposure to allergens, thus increasing hypersensitivity to seemingly innocuous substances.   Many species, including humans, evolved under the stress of helminth infestation. As early hominids expanded their ecological niche and encountered new foods, they became hosts for an increased number of helminth species, which would have, in turn, evolved with the hominids. Today, humans act as hosts for more than 25 species of helminths (Warren et al 1990). The shift from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture increased sedentism and disease, including parasitic infection. Such disease was spread through contact with animals, other humans, and their wastes. The development of agricultural methods such as irrigation and the use fertilizer would have increased the exposure of early humans to soil-transmitted helminths (Cockburn 1971). For contemporary humans, parasitic and infectious diseases are controlled in some areas of the world, while chronic, noninfectious, degenerative diseases are on the rise. Although new technology has allowed some human populations to benefit from the control of infectious disease, many individuals throughout the world are still affected by infection and parasites. Globally, more than two billion people are chronically infected with soil-transmitted helminths such as schistosomes and hookworms (Florh et al. 2008). These numbers indicate there is still selection for protective mechanisms against helminthiasis in a large proportion of the contemporary human population. Given the prolonged mammalian history with parasites, the immune system has evolved protective mechanisms to safeguard the heath of a host in the event of a parasitic infection. When a helminth enters a host, antigens from the parasite diffuse across the hosts internal membranes. Two types of white blood cells, B cells and T cells, recognize antigens in the blood stream. B cells are released into the blood and carried to capillary beds serving the tissues and organs of the lymphatic system a system of vessels and organs that helps balance the fluid content of blood and the surrounding tissues while participating in the bodys defense against invading disease organisms (Russel et al. 2008). T cells are released into the blood and carried to the thymus, an organ of the lymphatic system. The adaptive immune responses are regulated by two mechanisms: antibody-mediated immunity and cell-mediated immunity. During antibody-mediated immunity, derivatives of B cells known as plasma cells secrete antibodies that circulate throughout the blood and lymphatic fluid, recognizing, binding, and removing antigens. Each plasma cell is specific for at least one particular antigen, but some are capable of recognizing any antigen, even if it has never before been encountered. Plasma cells are capable of secreting are five major classes of antibodies. These antibodies are, in order of decreasing concentration, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE (Barnes et al. 1999). Each type of antibody has a specific function in the immune system and IgE is most relevant in combating infection by parasitic worms and mediating many allergic responses such as hay fever, asthma, and hives (Russell et al 2008). Cell-mediated immunity serves as the primary mechanism for killing parasite larvae. During cell-media ted immunity, a subset of T cells becomes activated and, with other cells of the immune system, attacks and kills foreign cells directly. These two mechanisms interact to defend the host against extracellular parasites. Parasitic antigens are first detected by plasma cells in the membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, triggering the production of two types of IgE antibodies: those that are specific for a particular parasite and those that are nonspecific (Grant et al 2008). These antibodies bind to mast cells. Mast cells are a particular type of cell found within many body tissues that contain granules of molecules such as histamine. The mast cells are activated to degranulate when the antigen binds to the attached IgE antibody, causing the internal histamine to be released. The release of histamine causes various physiological changes associated with inflammation (Flohr et al. 2008). The cascade of reactions functions to damage and expel the parasite (Barnes et al. 1999). Inflammation is complex biological process that occurs in vascular tissues as a response to pathogens (such as helminths), damaged cells, or irritants. In an inflammatory response, an individual may experience bronchial constriction, vascular dilation, and an increase in mucous secretions, which lead to the associated symptoms of wheezing, coughing, itching, sneezing, and vomiting. During anaphylaxis, a severe form of inflammation, there is an intense generation of mast cells and release of their mediators. Such a response has effects on various organs and may be fatal. Examples of anaphylaxis-inducing antigens include antibiotics, foods, and foreign proteins, such as venom. Thus the inflammatory response to the presence of a particular antigen may in an of itself harmful to the organism (Florh et al. 2008) Once an immune reaction has run its course and the invading parasites have been eliminated, long-lived T helper cells, derived from the encounter with the antigen remain in an inactive state in the lymphatic system and provide an immunological memory of the foreign antigen (Poulsen Hummelshoj 2007). When a foreign antigen enters the body for a subsequent time, a secondary immune response is triggered. The helper T cells recognize the antigen and secrete small proteins known as cytokines that regulate or assist in an immune response. Helper T cells can be divided into TH1 and TH2 subsets that fulfill separate functions in regulating response to infection. TH1 cells produce the response to intracellular infections while TH2 cells produce responses to extracellular infections and allergens. During helminth infections, the number of TH2 cells is greater than the number of TH1 cells. When TH2 cells detect previously recognized parasitic antigens, they secrete a particular cytokine, or known interleukin-4 (IL-4) (Barnes et al 1999). IL-4 promotes parasite-specific IgE antibody, helper T cell, and mast cell production. The adaptation of the IgE antibody immune response is beneficial during helminth infection. High levels of IgE minimize the number of parasites that infest a host during chronic exposure (Dunne et al. 1992). Individuals infected with helminths may have IgE antibody levels that are up to 100 times greater than the normal level, which typically decrease after anti-helminth treatment (Poulsen Hummelshoj 2007). Additionally, the type of IgE antibody produced may change throughout a humans life to better target a particular parasite. Studies have shown that humans acquire a natural immunity to schistosome infection in adolescence (Grant et al 2008). This natural immunity corresponds to increased levels of IgE from schistosome-specific antigens and decreased production of non-specific IgE. For young children, the greater nonspecific component in IgE production occurs at the expense of schistosome-specific IgE, resulting in a less protective antibody-mediated immune response when compared to adolescents and adults. To establish long-term immunity and because contacts between vector an agent that transmits an infectious disease and host may be infrequent, it is important for the both the host and parasite to maintain chronic infections. Most human parasitic infections last for years and must therefore not overwhelm the host. Parasites produce self-limiting infections that allow the host to defend against lethal infection while maintaining a viable population. One strategy is through concomitant immunity, a response seen in adult schistosomes, where an immune response is induced to limit, but not eliminate, subsequent infections of the host by infective larvae, without causing the rejection of the adult worms (Sher Ottensen 1988). Schistosomes and hookworms also trigger the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) in parasite-induced T cells. IL-10 protects the host from extreme mast cell degranulation and the initiation of intense inflammation (Florh et al. 2008). T he level of IL-10 decreases after anti-helminth treatments once the parasite is no longer present to induce production. In summary, the immune system of most mammalian and marsupial hosts is highly adapted to battle parasitic disease. The generation of parasite-specific IgE antibodies by plasma cells initiates an inflammatory response and killer cell activity. During subsequent encounters with an antigen, the synthesis of IgE is controlled by TH2 cells and up-regulated by the cytokine IL-4. The inflammatory response is, however modulated by the release of anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines, in order to protect the host from the dangerous effects of intense mast cell degranulation. Through these mechanisms, the more successful human host will produce higher levels of parasite-specific IgE antibodies with which to prevent overwhelming worm infestation. Hosts less proficient at producing sufficiently high levels of parasite-specific IgE antibodies are more likely to succumb to greater worm loads. Allergy is hypersensitivity to a typically innocuous substance. Allergy begins after sensitization of a specific allergen, an antigen that elicits an allergic response. Similar to a helminthic infestation, plasma cells generate IgE antibodies during sensitization that are specific to the allergens to which an individual has been exposed. These IgE antibodies bind to receptors on mast cells. The binding of the allergen to an IgE antibody triggers a cascade of events resembling the immune response to helmthiasis (Zanders et al. 1992). The mast cells degranulate to release mediators, including histamine. Unlike in helminthiasis, in which IgE antibodies are directed at the worm and its by-produces, the allergic response is directed at seemingly innocuous substances. Also, the allergens are not capable of initiating the parasite-induced production of IL-10 that protects the host from the potentially harmful effects of the inflammatory response (Flohr et al. 2008). Thus, humans have adapte d to respond to the outside world in the presence of helminths and in their absence we are unable to modulate the maladaptive inflammatory response that may result in annoying or dangerous symptoms. In industrialized countries, the prevalence of allergies and conditions such as asthma have increased over the last three or four decades (Poulsen Hummelshoj 2007). These countries have better-developed infrastructures that have resulted in the elimination of helminths and an increase in noninfectious disease. Similarly, allergic disease prevalence is increasing in industrializing countries such as India and China (Flohr et al. 2008). Besides the removal of helminths, a significant consequence of modernization is the creation of a microenvironment that increases our exposure to domestic arthropods, such as dust mites, and other pests. Research has shown that there is a positive correlation between level of infestation of household pests and the degree of urbanization (Barnes et al. 1999). Evidence suggests that allergic reactions are less pronounced in individuals infected with helminths. Thus, areas where helminthic infection is endemic typically have lower levels of allergic disease when compared with areas free of helminths (Grant et al. 2008). Studies have consistently found that most helminths investigated imbue their hosts with protective effects during skin prick tests (SPT) tests used to diagnose allergies by eliciting a small, controlled allergic response. However, while all helminths increase the level of IgE antibody produced by a host, infection by schistosomes and hookworms parasites found to trigger the production of IL-10 have the strongest association with protection against allergy and asthma (Flohr et al. 2008). Individuals are more likely to develop asthma during the absence of helminthiasis, or during mild helminthiasis a time during which less parasite-specific IgE antibody is produced than during a chronic infection, and less IL-10 is produce d to reduce inflammation (Lynch 1992). Therefore, helminthiasis and allergy are not likely mutually exclusive, but allergy is much less likely to occur in severe helminthic disease than in mild helminthic disease (Barnes et al. 1999). The removal of helminths from infected populations in Venezuela, Vietnam, and Gabon has shown a resultant increase in allergic skin sensitization during SPT (Florh et al. 2008). Marsh et al. (1980) found that non-European descendents living in developed countries have a higher propensity for allergic response. These results are expected because those individuals likely had a greater genetic propensity to produce IgE, resulting in an increased inflammation response, a decrease in IL-10 production to modulate inflammation, and an increased exposure to inhalant allergens. There is a selective advantage for a predisposition to produce high levels of IgE, as this antibodies serves as a key regulator in the maintenance of helminthic infection in populations that are chronically exposed to parasites. Additionally, it has been found that certain levels of allergens affect people with family histories of allergy, but do not trigger an allergic response in most other people (Sporik et al. 1990). These finding imply that allergy and asthma reactions occur only in genetically susceptible individuals after adequate or persistent exposure to specific allergens. While the total level of serum IgE does not appear to directly reflect natural immunity against asthma in helminth infection-endemic populations, linkage studies have implicated a particular chromosome locus, or region, in controlling asthma and intensity of schistosomiasis in Brazilian and Senegalese populations. Because this same locus is identified with both helminthic infection and for allergy suscept ibility in a number of independent studies, there may be a common genetic basis for host protection against helminthic infection and susceptibility allergic disease (Grant et al. 2008). Through modernization, populations acquire objects that promote allergens such as upholstered furniture, carpeting and domestic pets. The introduction of such objects has been correlated to a rapidly increase the prevalence of asthma in populations with either high or low helminthiasis prevalence. An example in a study by Dowse et al. (1985) showed that asthma incidence increased over ten years within Eastern Highland villages of Papua New Guinea that was attributed to the introduction of wool blankets to the villagers and the sudden and profound exposure to house dust mites within the blankets. Barnes et al. (1997) found that house dust mite allergen concentrations in Barbados were higher in better-built homes, likely because the plumbing contributed to a higher humidity levels that were more conducive to dust mite proliferation than the drier wood homes. During the process of modernization, in addition to the acquisition of homes and objects that increase allergen exposure, the red uction or elimination of helminthiasis, increases the risk of allergic disease more dramatically. Adaptation often results in trade-offs that may compromise an individuals adjustment to his or her environment. The coevolution of helminths and humans shaped the immune response to be highly sensitive to parasitic antigens. This response, which is beneficial to host and parasites, is modulated by many mechanisms. TH2 activation stimulates the production of IL-4 cytokines that trigger production of IgE antibodies. IgE mediate an immune response targeted the antigens released by parasites as well as allergens. Parasites presence triggers anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines production by specialized T cells that reduce the inflammatory effects of mast cell degranulation. Removal of the stress helminthiasis also removes the modulation of the inflammatory response through IL-10. Under these conditions, the maladapted response of IgE antibodies reacting to harmless allergens is allergy in the form of disproportioned, potentially dangerous inflammation event. Although levels of IgE are highe st during a parasitic infection or an allergic response, levels are also affected by genetic predisposition. Selective pressures maintain high levels of IgE expression in regions of the world with high helminthiasis prevalence. Through modernization, the stress of helminthiasis has been removed while the stress of allergen exposure has increased. Activation of IgE by innocuous allergens triggers the maladaptive response of an allergic reaction. Individuals who are not infested by helminths with a genetic propensity for high IgE antibody expression are most susceptible to allergic hypersensitivity. In developed countries, decreased helminthiasis prevalence in junction with increased allergen exposure are responsible for the increase in allergic disease prevalence.

The Evolution of the Telephone and Operator :: Communication Technology Papers

The Evolution of the Telephone and Operator A few nights ago I was sitting at the dining room table reviewing my research, when my roommate, Lucy, walked in and inquired as to my progress. We started talking a bit about telephones and telephone operators and she related a story about the telephone in her hometown. Lucy is from a small town in Ireland. She clearly remembers when, at the age of four (about twenty eight years ago), her family installed their first telephone. To make a call her family would turn the crank on their telephone which would then alert Mrs. Murphy at the post office who would connect the call. Everyone in the village, Lucy explained, resisted making phone calls on Christmas Day in order to give Mr. Murphy break for the holiday. It was not until Lucy was in her teens that her town phone switched to automatic. She remembers calling home from school one day and receiving a pre-recorded message informing her that her number had been changed. Needless to say, she was greatly surprised. Lucy is not much older than I am; we grew up in virtually the same period of time, but in obviously different worlds. Her story of the telephone recalls memories of the endless episodes of Little House on the Prairie I used to watch where Mrs. Nelson would nosily listen into a phone call after making a connection. Lucy's story is an abbreviated version of that of America's. What occurred in her town over a period of ten or twelve years, transpired over the late 19th and a good part of the 20th centuries in the United States. While the technology of the telephone has transformed considerably since it's creation in the late 1870's, the basic job and job-related stresses of the telephone operator have changed significantly, but to a lesser degree. Most of my data falls within two time periods: then (before the 1920's) and now (the 1990's). While we will be missing a large chunk of detailed information, what I have found allows us enough to piece together the missing periods. In the first two years after the invention of the telephone, all subscribers in a particular area were linked to each other via a telephone line. When one wished to call another party, s/he would call directly across the line indicating the desired recipient by the number of rings sounded.

The Process of Mitosis Essay -- essays research papers

The Process of Mitosis Mitosis is the term used to describe cell division for replication. The product at the end of mitosis is two daughter cells both genetically identical to the original (parent) cell. This process (mitosis) is used for growth and repair within an organism (and also for asexual reproduction). There are five main stages to mitosis, called Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase. Although the process has been divided up into these stages the process of mitosis is actually continuous. Interphase --------------------------------------- In this, the first stage the cell will look just like any other 'normal' cell although this is far from the case because very much is actually happening. All cell organelles are being produced in quantity and the chromosomes - DNA molecules are being copied exactly. The two identical copies of DNA are called a "pair of chromatids" and they are linked together by an item called a "chromomere". During this stage a store of ATP is also built up. [Best put a labelled diagram of a cell during Interphase here.] Prophase --------------------------------------- In this second stage changes to the cell become visible. The chromosomes condense, coiling up to about 5% of their original length, now clearly visible when a stain is added. The centrioles move to the opposite poles of the cell and small microtubules around the centrioles become visible (called "Asters"). The nuclear membranes...

The New Deal :: essays research papers

The New Deal "How well did the New Deal combat the Depression?" I think that the answer to this question is that it did very well and I would give it a grade of an A. When Roosevelt took office, in 1933, he had three goals in mind, to save the banks, save the people, and to rebuild the economy. He set his sights on returning the banks to their prosperous days of the pre-depression age. Since the beginning of the Depression, banks were closing faster than the people could withdraw all of their money. He countered this by closing all the banks and had Congress pass an Emergency Banking Act that made federal loans available to private bankers. At the same time he passed an Economy Act that required the government to balance the budget. These helped ease the financial problems throughout the nation and then he began to restructure the banking system with such acts as The Glass-Stegall Act and the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. He also set up the Securities Act and the securities Exchange Act that were overdue regulations for the Stock Market. In order to enforce all these new acts, he started the Securities and Exchange Commission. These actions got the banks and the financial system started in the right direction of what would be a slow recovery process. Roosevelt's next objective was to take care of the people. Though Roosevelt was a conservative, he realized the extreme need to help the poor. He had Congress respond promptly, and established the Federal Emergency Relief Administration that gave $500 million in relief to the poor people of the country. Roosevelt then went on to create organizations that would offer jobs and a sense of self-esteem to the unemployed of the country. One of these organizations was the Civilian Conservation Corps that provided young men with jobs to improved the environment. They had such jobs as planting trees and helping to stop erosion. Another government activity was the Civil Works Administration that paid unemployed people $15 a week to perform government projects. Many people during this time were also in jeopardy of losing their homes. To this, Roosevelt established the Homeowners' loan Corporation that allowed people to restructure or take out another mortgages on their homes. His ensuing step was to rebuild the economy. Roosevelt felt that recovery would not only come from relief efforts, but also with the cooperation from agriculture and industrial groups. Probably the most significant acts by him and Congress were the Agricultural Adjustment

Technical writing style

Technical Writing Style As you draft and edit, it is helpful to keep in mind the effective ways to present sentences and paragraphs. When you revise your drafts, check the language and remove any area of possible confusion. If you have repeated any word, see whether you can change the sentence. The following passages will help you to be aware of any difficult construction of sentences, so that you can modify the same and ensure reader's comfort. Write Clear Sentences Follow these guidelines for writing sentences which will be clear to the readers. Keep the main idea on top. Use active voice.Employ parallelism. Repeat for emphasis. Write sentences of 15 to 25 words. Provide transitions. Avoid wordiness. Avoid redundancy. Keep the Main Idea on Top This is the key principle in writing so that your sentences are easy to understand. Place the sentence's main idea, the subject, first. The subject makes the rest of the sentence accessible. Readers therefore orient themselves and they are ab le to interact with the subsequent discussion. See this example from a popular newspaper. â€Å"Doubts persist over World Cup 2007. † (Note how the interest of the reader is immediately captured. Now the details follow. )†Clouds are gathering over the West Indies, and they are more than rain-bearing masses of cumulous. With eight months and a few days to go for the 2007 World Cup, doubts are increasingly being aired about the ability of the region to host a venture of such and complexity. † Thus readers are informed about the crux of the problem so that they are interested to read on. Use Normal Word Order The normal word order in English is subject-verb-object. This order makes it easier to read as it reveals the topic first and the structures the idea.This order produces entences which are clear to the readers and do not cause any contusion. Read the following sentence. â€Å"Finance Minister on Tuesday backed the Central Bank's decision to increase interest ra tes, stating that the move was aimed at containing inflation. † The sentence is clear, though a little long (23 words) and follows natural flow. Use Active Voice Active voice emphasizes performer of the function and not the receiver. Active voice helps the reader follow the meaning quickly as it is sticking to subject-verb-object pattern. When the subject acts, the verb is in the active voice.When the subject is acted upon, the verb is in the passive voice. Use passive voice sparingly and when it is absolutely required. Examples: I completed the work in time (active voice as the subject acts here. ) My mobile was stolen (passive voice as the subject is acted upon. ) Go through the following example. Manufacturers add preservatives to food products to increase their shelf-life (emphasis is on manufacturers, which is not correct. ) Preservatives are added to food products to increase their shelf-life (emphasis is on preservatives, which is correct. In uch cases, passive voice sh ould be used. Use Parallelism Use similar structures for similar elements. The vendors promise that they will replace the old machine and to attend to the new order (wrong). The vendors promise that they will replace the old machine and will attend to the new order. (correct) Repeat for Emphasis Repeat key words for emphasis so that the reader has better recall. Read the following example. The doctrine of â€Å"No work, no pay† is a fundamental axioms in industrial relations. The philosophy is very simple. When a person is employed, he is expected to carry out the ork assigned to him.When he does not do so, he is not eligible for payment of any salary. Even when a general strike disrupts public transport systems, and consequently employees are unable to reach their work places, the same principle prevails. Of course corporate may permit their staff to avail themselves of any leave to their credit. Even die-hard trade union leaders respect this principle. â€Å"No work, no pa y† lays a strong foundation to industrial peace and harmony in the long run. Provide Transitions Connect sentences by using words that signal a sequence or pattern. Sequence: first, second, next.Addition: and, further. Contrast: but, however, nevertheless. Avoid Wordiness Generally, concise expressions are more effective than verbosity. Eliminate all repetitions, subordinate clauses etc. to make the writing compact and pointed. Examples of Wordiness Came to the conclusion Utilization of Make Revisions Make an amendment to Examples of compactness Concluded Use Revise Amend Avoid Redundancy Redundancies are words that say the same content. Conciseness is achieved by saying anything only once. In the following examples, what is bracketed may be mitted for conciseness.During (the year) of 2006 (Needless to say) (New) innovation The (other) alternative is Choose a Tone Now you can prepare clear, effective documents. Your documents are easy to read. However, we are assuming that the writer and reader are equal and unemotional. In practice, it may not be so. Hence it is important to control ‘tone'. The ‘tone' can communicate as much as the content of the message. Consider some possible ‘tones' depending on the situation. forceful passive personal impersonal The forceful tone implies that the writer is in command.This is appropriate when the writer addresses subordinates. While writing forcefully, Use the active voice. Use imperatives. Clearly indicate that you are responsible. For example: I have decided to introduce Performance Appraisal System forthwith in our organization. When the reader has more power than the writer, use passive voice. For example: The instructions to implement the new Evaluation System has been complied with The personal tone implies that reader and writer are equal. David thanks for your suggestion about maintenance routine. It has given good results.The impersonal tone is employed when the writer is not important and the situation is neutral. For example: A proposal to introduce quality circle has been made. Use Positive Words and Verbs A sure way to involve your audience is to sprinkle positive words and positive verbs throughout your text. Positive words and verbs convince the reader the benefits of your subject matter. Positive Words Advantage asset effective profitable satisfied value favorable success Benefit Positive Verbs Positive verbs motivate your readers. Some ot the verbs that motivate your readers nto action are here.Accomplish plan achieve produce implement Prepare promote exceed organize assess Tune to the Audience Tuning to the audience is the key for effectiveness of your document with the reader. Remember the following points. Not all your readers will understand acronyms and abbreviations. Readers need glossaries. Provide extended definitions for technical terms. As multiple audiences have different levels of technical knowledge, choose carefully the amount of technical conten t in your document. Show your reader how he or she will benefit from your document