Memory Loss and Cognitive Impairment of the Elderly

Memory Loss and Cognitive Impairment of the Elderly CHAPTER V DISCUSSION, SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, IMPLICATIONS LIMITATIONS AND RECOMENDATIONS This chapter deals with discussion, summary and conclusion drawn. It also clarifies the limitation of the study, the implications and recommendations given for different areas such as nursing practice, nursing education, nursing administration and research. Memory loss is unusual forgetfulness. May not able to remember the new incidents, recall more memories of the past or both .Memory loss can be distressing for the person affected as well as for their family. Mild cognitive impairment is a syndrome defined as cognitive decline greater than expected for an individual’s age and education levels but that does not interfere notably with activities of daily life. Age related changes in cognitive function vary considerably across individuals. Some cognitive functions appearing more susceptible than others to the effect of aging. DISCUSSION: The present study was designed to assess the memory loss and cognitive impairment for the elder peoples. The investigator adopted descriptive research design. The data collected for the study were analyzed statistically and discussed below based on objectives. i) Demographic Description: Demographic variables included Age , Sex , Education , Monthly income before coming to the old age home , Marital status , Occupation before coming to the old age home , Duration of stay in the old age home , Family history of mental illness , Source of income . Out of 60 elderly majority of the people 26 ( 43.33%) were between the age group of 76 – 80 yrs , regarding the sex 36 ( 60%) people are males ,regarding the educational status 50 ( 83.33 %) people had primary education , regarding the monthly income 46( 76.66%) people are getting RS ,3000-5000, 39 ( 65%) people married , 24 ( 40%) people are in private job , 30 ( 50%) people are staying 1-2 years in the old age home , 55( 91.66% ) people are not having family history of mental illness , 20 ( 33.33%) people are having source of income from the children. 1) The first objective of the study was to assess the memory loss and cognitive impairment among elder people. Among 60 samples 1 (1.66%) of them scored between 61-80 (Mild memory loss), 19 (31.66%) of them scored between 41- 60 (Moderate memory loss), 40 (66.66%) of them scored between 21- 40 (Severe memory loss), and there is no people in very severe memory loss among elderly. This study was supported by Chips .J Pillai., et al (2009), conducted a early assessment of memory impairment in people over 65 years old . Tests used for the early diagnosis with memory loss are Wechsler memory scale. They recorded 74.5 % of memory complaints for old age people. Memory consultations were assessed at clinical settings and improve the access to early medical and behavioral support. Among 60 samples 3(5%) of them scored between 21-25 (Mild cognitive impairment), 56 (93.33%) of them scored between 11- 20 (Moderate cognitive impairment), 1 (1.66%) of them scored between 0-10 (Severe cognitive impairment) among elderly. This study was supported by Cynthia Thomas et al ( 2005 ) , conducted the study on cognitive assessment for elderly ; A brief screening test for mild cognitive impairment. Mini mental status examination administered to all the participants. 94 Participants meeting mild cognitive impairment clinical criteria. The study concluded that 55%people detect mild cognitive impairment. 2) The second objective of the study was association between the memory loss with demographic variables: The chi square value for the association of age and memory loss among elderly is significant 0.001 levels. Hence, a significant association between age and memory loss. There is no significant association between memory loss with sex , education , occupation before coming to the old age home , marital status , income before coming to the old age home , duration of stay in the old age home , family history of mental illness , source of income among elderly. This study was supported by Gary .J Kennedy (2008), assessed the age associated memory impairment. 160 participants were selected with the age group of 70 -80 years. Used 4 computerized 3 non computerized memory tests. The participants score was low on two memory test. The data suggest that 80 % subjects had memory impairment. 3) The third objective was to associate the cognitive impairment with demographic variables. There is no significant association between cognitive impairment with demographic variables such as age , sex , education , occupation before coming to the old age home , marital status , income before coming to the old age home , duration of stay in the old age home , family history of mental illness , and source of income among elderly. This study was supported by John .M Starr et al (1999) conducted a study on age associated cognitive decline in healthy older people. Results were the study fails to support the hypothesis that cognitive decline can be attributed to age alone in healthy older people. They detected 57% older people had moderate cognitive impairment. 4) The fourth objective was to assess the correlation between memory loss and cognitive impairment. Mean value for memory loss is 38.3 and standard deviation value is 5.60, and mean value for cognitive impairment is 15.5 and standard deviation value is 2.89. Correlation of memory loss and cognitive impairment score is 0.407. It is evident that there is a positive correlation between memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly. This study was supported by Noboru Habu., et al (2010). Conducted a cross sectional study on relationship between mild memory impairment and cognitive impairment. Results were the study there is a correlation of coefficient of memory loss and cognitive impairment(r = 0.391). There is a positive correlation between memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly. SUMMARY The present study aimed to assess the memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly at ST. JOSEPH old age home in Coimbatore. The objectives were to: 1) Assess the memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly. 2) Associate the memory loss with demographic variables among elderly 3) Associate the cognitive impairment with demographic variables among elderly. 4) Correlate the memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly. Review of literature facilitated the investigator to collect the relevant information to support the study. The researcher adopted descriptive research design for conducting this study. The conceptual frame work was based on Modified bio psychosocial model 1999. The researcher to identify the memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly. 60 elderly were selected by convenient sampling technique .The tool used for data collection consists of Wechsler memory scale, mini mental status examination. The data was collected for a period of 6 weeks in ST. JOSEPH OLD AGE HOME Coimbatore. Based on the objectives, data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: According to statistical analysis, 1(1.66%) elderly had mild memory loss. 19(31.66%) elderly had moderate memory loss. 40(66.66%) elderly had severe memory loss. 3(5%) elderly had mild cognitive impairment. 56(93.33%) elderly had moderate cognitive impairment. 1(1.66%) elderly had severe cognitive impairment. Chi square value for the association of age with memory loss is significant at 0.001 levels. So these findings indicated that as age progress the memory will get decreased. Chi square value for the association of cognitive impairment with demographic variables is not significant. Mean value for memory loss is 38.3 and standard deviation is 5.60. Mean value for cognitive impairment is 15.5 and standard deviation is 2.89. The findings indicated that the Correlation value of memory loss and cognitive impairment is 0.407. It was evident that there is positive correlation between memory loss and cognitive impairment. It can be assumed when memory loss get increased the cognitive impairment also will increase. CONCLUSION: That it is concluded that elderly are suffers from memory loss and cognitive impairment, there is a significant association between age and memory loss. As the age progress the memory will get decreased. And there is no significant association between cognitive impairment with demographic variables. There is a positive correlation between memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly. IMPLICATIONS: The present study findings have several implications in nursing practice, nursing education, nursing administration and nursing research. Nurse can assess the problems of elderly and prevent further complication. Nursing practice: Increased attention towards family members regarding care of elderly. Nurses can provide memory training for the elderly. Nurses can advice the elderly to maintain the diary for remembering important matters. Nurses can provide counselling for psychological problems of the elderly. Nursing Education: Nursing educator plays an important role for preparing the nurses for caring the elderly and meets the psychological and physical needs of the elderly. Nursing educator Involve the students in memory training program. Nursing educator ways to improve and maintain cognitive health. Nursing Administration: Nursing administrator can plan and organizing community based classes to the community people regarding improving memory and cognitive impairment among elderly. Nursing administrator can encourage students to participate in health education and counselling programme for the family members. Nursing administrator can conduct in-service education, workshop, continuing nursing education to the nursing students and update their knowledge about needs (physical psychological) for the elderly. Nursing Research: This study can be baseline for future studies to build on. Nursing research provides evidence based clinical practice. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited to single setting. This study was limited to the sample size of 60 elderly. This study was limited to only assessment of memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly. RECOMMENDATIONS: A study can be conducted to find out the needs of the elderly A study can be conducted in various settings. A study can be conducted to psychological and physical problems of elderly. A study can be conducted to compare the memory loss and cognitive impairment of elderly staying in old age home and staying in home. A study can be conducted in community settings. A study can be conducted memory loss and cognitive impairment can affect the activities of daily living and occupational functions of the elderly. ABSTRACT The present study entitled, study to ASSESS THE MEMORY LOSS AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AMONG ELDERLY AT ST. JOSEPH OLD AGE HOME COIMBATORE. The objectives of the study were to assess the memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly, associate the memory loss with demographic variables among elderly, associate the cognitive impairment with demographic variables among elderly, and correlate the memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly. Descriptive research design was adopted for this study. This study was conducted in ST.JOSEPH old age home, Coimbatore. The sample size was 60 elderly. The Conceptual frame work adopted for this study was Modified bio psychosocial model (1999). The study was conducted for a period of six weeks. The tools used to assess the memory loss and cognitive impairment is Wechsler memory scale and Mini mental status examination. The results of the study were Among 60 samples, 1.66% elderly had mild memory loss, 31.66% elderly had moderate memory loss , and 66.66% elderly had severe memory loss. In cognitive impairment 5% elderly had mild cognitive impairment, 93.33% elderly had moderate cognitive impairment, and 1.66% elderly had severe cognitive impairment. There is a significant association between age and memory loss .There is no significant association between cognitive impairment with demographic variables. Positive correlation between memory loss and cognitive impairment among elderly. The study concluded that as the age progress the memory will get decreased.

Construction of Investment Portfolio

Construction of Investment Portfolio To: Mr Bernard Riemann From: Investment Manager Date: 28 November 2007 Subject: Construction of Investment Portfolio Overview: The investment portfolio recommended is based on the discussion with you. The key points that emerged from our discussions are as follows: Total investment required to be made is  £1,000,000 The portfolio should include at least 5 equity securities and at least 3 debt securities. Besides these some other investment products may also be included. The portfolio break up should be at a minimum: Equity investments:  £400,000 Investment in Debt securities:  £200,000 Investment in other products:  £350,000 Cash:  £50,000 You do not want to invest in ‘very risky’ investments, but are willing to accept some additional risk if there is adequate compensation in the form of increased returns Investment will be made for a medium to long term. Two months are considered as medium to long term. Investment in the recommended portfolio will be made on 28th November 2007 Your total wealth is approximately  £500,000. This includes: Business:  £3,000,000 Residential Property:  £800,000 Loans to Relatives:  £200,000 Amounts proposed to invest:  £1,000,000 Suggested Portfolio You are advised to adopt a lower risk and a more diversified institutional approach. This will require you to have a portfolio of assets. In general, riskier investments, such as equities provide the best returns over the long term, but they are also most volatile. However, because you are only planning to invest in short to medium term, you will not be much affected by the volatility. Nevertheless, combining different types of investment in a portfolio can help you minimise and variations especially if the securities in your portfolio are non-correlated (i.e. their prices move independently). On the basis of above information and the investing assumptions (Refer appendix A), the most appropriate asset model for you appears to be: Medium Risk Individual securities and investment products You are therefore advised to make your investments in the securities given in the table below: Asset Class Investment Sector Amount ( £) Percentage of Total Equity Securities (FTSE 100) British Airways Airlines 76,260 7.6% Land Sec (R.E.I.T.) Real Estate 94,250 9.4% Barclays Banking 78,600 7.9% Sage Group Technology 77,480 7.7% Morrison Supermarkets Retail 73,255 7.3% Debt Securities and Funds 9% Treasury Loan Bond 2008 Bond 100,000 10% SWIP Defensive Gilt Securities 100,000 10% HSBC Gilt Fixed Interest Inc 150,000 15% New Star UK Property A Acc Property Funds 150,000 15% Cash 100,155 10% Total 1,000,000 100% (Source: Yahoo finance) Rationale for the selection of each security/product (Refer Appendix B) Equity Securities The equity securities are all FTSE 100 securities. These securities belong to five diverse sectors, namely, Airlines, Real Estate, Banking, Retail and a sunrise sector of Technology. These sectors are not correlated thus reduce the portfolio risk. The rationale for selection of these and not other FTSE 100 securities are: British Airways Plc. is the leading airline in the United Kingdom and is one of the biggest in the world. It also has holdings in other airlines, such as the Australian, Qantas, and the Spanish Iberia. In addition the airline has recently signed a partnership with the American Airlines and companies such as Cathay Pacific Airways and Finnair. Therefore, it has bright prospects. Though the price trend in the medium term is bearish volatility has been increasing during last month. The Property sector is represented by Land Securities. Land Securities has a huge amount of real estate all over the UK. It manages a series of properties. The company has played a major role in transforming cities such as Birmingham, Canterbury, Bristol and York by working closely with the city authorities, and with the support of the government. The market is bearish but volatility is increasing. One may make massive profits in the short term. The banking or financial sector is represented in the portfolio by Barclays. Barclays began its operations in the 17th century in London. It is an international bank with 800 global branches. It is a strong entity in 60 international countries, in Europe, the United States, Africa, and Asia. The group remains a very important member of the UK banking community. Even though the Banking sector may have not performed very well in the past, its prospects are good. An investment portfolio should have at least one category of securities from this sector. Though medium term price trend for Barclays is bearish the boom conditions may benefit the portfolio as its volatility has been increasing. Sage group represents the sunrise sector in the portfolio. It is a British company that is considered a leader in management software sector. It has its presence in all major European countries and India, South Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and North America. Sunrise industry presents extremely good prospects. The Morrison Supermarkets Group represents the retail sector in the portfolio. The group specializes in supermarket distribution, offering quality products and increasing diversity. It has purchased Safeway, an owner of more than 500 supermarkets in Great-Britain. Medium term price trend is bullish. This market keeps a relative behaviour greater 16.232 than FTSE 100 INDEX. Volatility has been increasing during last month. It is a good time to make profit in the short term. Debt Securities/Funds 9% Treasury Loan Bond 2008 are Gilt edged bonds issued by the UK Government that will mature in 2008. These bonds offer the investor a fixed interest rate of 9% for a predetermined, set time. These bonds are especially recommended as you require a fixed, predictable income. These bonds also ensure a guaranteed return of capital. Though these securities like shares are prone to fluctuation, they are much more secure. Though the bond has a redemption date (July 2008), it can be sold at any time for the present market price. Investors are not tied down and there are no penalties for selling the stock. Gilts prove to be the best option in times such as the current times when interest rates are high and look likely to fall. Due to a decline in the interest rates the value of the stock will rise and can be sold profitably. SWIP Defensive Gilt Securities and also HSBC Gilt Fixed Interest securities have been included in the portfolio as they will provide a regular income. The investments do not have a minimum or maximum investment period. New Star UK Property is another place where investment should be made. Though in recent times a few large fund holders have got out of UK commercial property funds, for the next one year the fund is expected to give more or less stable returns. As you want a return of  £500 per month, the portfolio requires that  £100,155 should be deposited in the bank. This will carry an interest of 5.75% (at the current rate) and will meet your requirement for  £500 per month for the tuition fee of his niece. Expected returns of the portfolio over the two month investment period The portfolio is expected to give a return of 1.26% in the two months (Refer xls in Appendix C and E). Each month the portfolio will give  £500 per month from the cash deposited in the bank. Risk attached to the portfolio The risk percentage is 0.98% for the entire portfolio (Refer xls in Appendix C). Thus at no point of time investment portfolio will fall below the acceptable value over a two-month period. Total risk of 0.98% indicates how much risk your portfolio will bear over the two month period. This risk is primarily due to high level of expected variance in the share prices of British airways shares and also shares of Morrison Supermarkets. The debt securities and funds have an almost negligible variance and standard deviation. Therefore, this evens out the excessive risk in equity securities. Since, debt securities do not have much risk, the individual equity securities need to be closely monitored for risk. The easiest way is to monitor their beta levels. A beta measures a stocks volatility relative to the market. Stocks with betas of 1 move up or down more or less in along with the market. Stocks with betas of less than 1 tend to be less volatile than the market as a whole. Volatile stocks have betas higher than 1. However, betas too should be examined with care as if the market itself is volatile, then a stock with a beta of 1 or less still could be very risky. In conclusion, you should take the above portfolio as a recommendation. The market may change very fast and therefore needs to be closely monitored. APPENDICES Appendix A: Assumptions for the Report Mr. Riemann does not have any industry preferences It should be 10 asset portfolio The customer would be unhappy if the investment portfolio were to fall more than 10% in value over a two-month period. The customer would expect a monthly return of around 1%. The customer expects at least  £50,000 of the total  £1,000,000 to be retained as cash The economic conditions are defined as: Boom 0.6 normal 0.3 and recession 0.1 For equity securities only use FTSE 100 and 250 and for debt use popular markets. UK Bonds have been preferred. Appendix B: Movement of Equity Securities (Source: Yahoo finance) Appendix C Appendix D: Other Documentary Evidence British Airways Land Securities Barclays (Source: Yahoo finance) Morrison Supermarkets (Source: Yahoo finance) Sage Group (Source: Yahoo finance) Std Lf UK Gilt Rtl Inc SWIP Defensive Gilt A Inc HSBC Gilt Fixed Int Inc (Source: Yahoo finance) New Star UK Property A Acc (Source: Yahoo finance) Appendix E: Calculation of the Return under Boom, Normal Conditions and Recession Return on equity securities Return under normal conditions has been calculated. This is based on the movement of the stock prices. The return on the equity stock will arise from sale of shares at a higher price over the near future. On the basis of the past data the share prices under normal conditions have been estimated two months from November 2007. The % increase in the share prices is taken as the return during normal times. Variance in share prices are thereafter taken into account and the boom and recession values are calculated. Return on debt securities and funds This is based on the three year total return percentage. Two months percentage is worked out and then adjustments are made for variance. Return on 9% Treasury Loan Bond 2008 The bond pays a 9% coupon (divided into two semi-annual payments) and matures in July 2008. The bond has been bought at par. The income 9% per annum on the investment will be there until maturity. Return for 2 months = (9% / 12)*2 =1.5% If an amount less than par were paid for the return would be=Par/purchase price * coupon = running yield References The Financial Times, Markets Equities, accessed from http://www.ft.com/markets/equities Yahoo! Finance, FTSE 100 Companies, accessed from http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=%5eftset=c= Barclays Financial Planning, Investment Planning, accessed from http://www.barclays.co.uk/financialplanning/investment-planning.html Investment Planning, accessed from http://www.bestinvest.co.uk/planning/portplan/index.htm

Angelas Ashes - Brief Plot Summary :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Angela’s Ashes, the author Frank McCourt gives his whole self in the telling of this story. It is his life’s journey- the hardship, horrors, pain and suffering that he endures.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Set in 1936, Angela’s Ashes follows the difficult lives of Angela McCourt, her husband, Malachy and their children. The oldest child of the family Frank McCourt was born into the worst kind of poverty in Brooklyn, New York. Frank and his family wore nothing more than rags and the little food they had came from the charity of kind people. His mother, Angela didn’t work and his father always drank his paycheck away. Even with out steady income to support one child, the McCourt family kept on growing extending to Malachy, Margaret, the twins- Eugene and Oliver, and eventually Michael and Alphonsus. Thus, beginning at a young age, Frank had the responsibility of tending to his brothers and sisters while his mother was desperately trying to find food to feed the family, and his father was getting drunk in the bars.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although Frank’s father was not around for most of Frank’s life, Malachy did nurture in Frank an appetite for the one thing he could provide: a story. Throughout Angela’s Ashes Frank lives for his father’s tales of Cuchulain and The Angel on the Seventh Step, Frank’s very own angel who also brings his mother babies. â€Å"Would the Angel on the Seventh Step tell you what to do, if you didn’t know what to do?† â€Å"He would son, he would. That’s the job of an angel. Even the one of the Seventh Step.† I know he’s there because the seventh step feels warmer Than the other steps†¦ (Pg.125)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After the death of Margaret, the McCourts move to Ireland where the situation only worsened. Frank’s father continued to drink the money away and most nights the family was left to starve. â€Å"I want ye to stand in the middle of the pub and tell every man your father is drinking away the money for the baby. Ye are to tell the world there isn’t a scrap of food in this house, not a lump of coal to start the fire, not a drop of milk for the baby’s bottle.† (Pg.183-184) Life for the McCourts was testing and difficult. The children wore rags for diapers, Malachy and Frank wore torn shoes in the winter, and Angela was forced to gather scraps of coal and paper from the roadside just to light a fire.

The African Athena Controversy Essay -- Ancient History

With the absence of certainty, competitive plausibility is a realistic approach to trying to determine the influences that the Egyptians and Phoenicians had on the Ancient Greeks. Since the publication of the Bernal’s Black Athena volumes I and II, a great debate has surfaced. There is no question that the Egyptians and Phoenicians had an influence on the Greek culture, the questions that are being disputed is the exact nature of the relationship and what period of time this relationship existed. After reading the three articles presented, I have come to agree with Martin Bernal and his Revised Ancient Model of Greek origins. At one time Egypt was accepted as European, but that status began to erode and in the 1790’s Egypt was regarded as an African Nation. Prior to the 1820’s the most widely accepted theory of the origins of Greece was the Ancient Model. In this model, primitive tribes, Pelasigians, and others inhabited Greece. In certain regions of Greece, the Egyptians and Phoenicians settled, built cities, and civilized the natives. The Phoenicians were credited with having introduced the alphabet while the Egyptians taught the Pelasgians about irrigation (Bernal, p. 7). It was during this period, the Northern European scholars began to cast doubt on the colonization of ancient Greece by the Egyptian and Phoenicians and their cultural development of that time (Bernal, p. 7). â€Å"Historiographical developments cannot be linked to the availability of any evidence† (Bernal, p. 7). Sadly, there were some great discoveries found after the models changed, but they were ignored, like Jean-Francois Champollion findings, he had begun to decipher the hieroglyphics during 1820’s, the decipherment of cuneiform, and the first arc... ...ilization and led me to agree with Bernal’s Revised Ancient Model. References Berlinerblau, J. (1999). The Aryan Models. Heresy in the University: The Black Athena controversy and the reponsibilities of American intellectuals [Portfolio reading set]. Retrieved from University of Massachusetts at Boston: http://www.UMB.edu Bernal, M. (2001). Introduction Black Athena writes back [Portfolio reading set]. Retrieved from University of Massachusetts at Boston: http://www.UMB.edu Lefkowitz, M. R. (1996). Ancient history, Modern Myths. Black Athena Revisited [Portfolio reading set]. Retrieved from University of Massachusetts at Boston: http://www.UMB.edu The African Athena Controversy [Portfolio reading set]. (2012, June). Retrieved from University of Massachusetts at Boston, CEHD, CLA, CPCS, CSM, and CNHS Writing proficiency evaluation (WPE): http://www.UMB.edu The African Athena Controversy Essay -- Ancient History With the absence of certainty, competitive plausibility is a realistic approach to trying to determine the influences that the Egyptians and Phoenicians had on the Ancient Greeks. Since the publication of the Bernal’s Black Athena volumes I and II, a great debate has surfaced. There is no question that the Egyptians and Phoenicians had an influence on the Greek culture, the questions that are being disputed is the exact nature of the relationship and what period of time this relationship existed. After reading the three articles presented, I have come to agree with Martin Bernal and his Revised Ancient Model of Greek origins. At one time Egypt was accepted as European, but that status began to erode and in the 1790’s Egypt was regarded as an African Nation. Prior to the 1820’s the most widely accepted theory of the origins of Greece was the Ancient Model. In this model, primitive tribes, Pelasigians, and others inhabited Greece. In certain regions of Greece, the Egyptians and Phoenicians settled, built cities, and civilized the natives. The Phoenicians were credited with having introduced the alphabet while the Egyptians taught the Pelasgians about irrigation (Bernal, p. 7). It was during this period, the Northern European scholars began to cast doubt on the colonization of ancient Greece by the Egyptian and Phoenicians and their cultural development of that time (Bernal, p. 7). â€Å"Historiographical developments cannot be linked to the availability of any evidence† (Bernal, p. 7). Sadly, there were some great discoveries found after the models changed, but they were ignored, like Jean-Francois Champollion findings, he had begun to decipher the hieroglyphics during 1820’s, the decipherment of cuneiform, and the first arc... ...ilization and led me to agree with Bernal’s Revised Ancient Model. References Berlinerblau, J. (1999). The Aryan Models. Heresy in the University: The Black Athena controversy and the reponsibilities of American intellectuals [Portfolio reading set]. Retrieved from University of Massachusetts at Boston: http://www.UMB.edu Bernal, M. (2001). Introduction Black Athena writes back [Portfolio reading set]. Retrieved from University of Massachusetts at Boston: http://www.UMB.edu Lefkowitz, M. R. (1996). Ancient history, Modern Myths. Black Athena Revisited [Portfolio reading set]. Retrieved from University of Massachusetts at Boston: http://www.UMB.edu The African Athena Controversy [Portfolio reading set]. (2012, June). Retrieved from University of Massachusetts at Boston, CEHD, CLA, CPCS, CSM, and CNHS Writing proficiency evaluation (WPE): http://www.UMB.edu

Food and Agriculture in Panama Essays -- Panama Farming Agricultural E

Food and Agriculture in Panama Agriculture is big business in Panama. Not only does it account for much of the country's exports (over 50%), but subsistence farming still employs many Panamanians who only grow enough food to feed their families (nationalencyclopedia.com). The main crop in Panama is bananas by a large margin, and is also one of the countries largest exports. Besides bananas, the other main exports are sugar and coffee beans, while the largest domestic crops are corn, rice, cocoanuts, tobacco and the exotic root vegetable yucca (Bennett 78). In spite of the fact that agriculture employs a large portion of the population and uses approximately half of the land, agriculture in Panama is in trouble. Panama’s tropical maritime climate poses some restrictions to the growth of crops, but the troubling issue at hand is the erosion of soils. As Panama’s population grows rapidly and the rainforest is cleared, overuse of soils and improper agricultural methods are threatening t he growth of crops and draining Panamanian soils. As much of Panama’s political history and current economy is tied to agriculture, this is an issue that will raise many questions for the future of Panama. Bananas have a long history in Panama. Bananas are grown best in humid lowland regions, and in Panama, this means on the Atlantic side of the country (Bennett 70). Production does, however, extend to the Pacific side of Panama with successful irrigation methods (Bennett 71). United Fruit, an American company, moved into Panama in 1899, and owned as much as 70% of the Panamanian banana industry up until the 1970’s (country-studies.com). As bananas can count for as much as 33% of Panama’s total exports, very li... ...e and thus crop yields are declining (Croat 465). To avoid an agricultural crisis, sustainable agricultural practices must be developed and implemented in Panama. Works Cited Bennet, H. (1926). Agriculture in Central America. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Vol. 16, No.2. pp. 63-84. http://www.country-studies.com/. Agriculture. Retrieved 11/27/07 from www.country-studies.com/panama/agriculture.html. Croat, T. (1972). The Role of Overpopulation and Agricultural Methods in the Destruction of Tropical Ecosystems. Bioscience, Vol.22, No. 8. pp. 465-467. http://www.frommers.com/. Food and Drink. Retrieved 11/27/07 from www.frommers.com/destination/panama/3285020880.html. www.nationsencyclopedia.com . Panama Agriculture. Retrieved 11/27/07 from www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Americas/Panama-AGRICULTURE.html.

Animal Testing: Helps Both Humans and Other Animals

Animal Testing People argue that animal testing kills to many animals. 20 million animals are used for animal testing each year. 90 percent of them are rodents such as rats and mice. If indeed the animals are killed its most likely to be a rodent. people try to kill and get rid of rodents just for the sake of getting rid of them. People who are against animal testing say that pain is afflicted on the animals. Most all research projects do not even include pain towards the animal. If the research does include pain the pain would be alleviated with anesthetic drugs.It is very important that the animal is free of stress because if the animal felt pain the data would not be sufficient. Animal helps both humans and other animals. More than 15 million people have diabetes and an additional 600,000 people develop it every year. More than 1 million people in America require a daily dose of insulin. Dogs were crucial to the research that identified the cause of diabetes, which lead to the dev elopment of insulin. Dogs were also very important for the research and development of open-heart surgery, pacemakers, and heart transplants.The techniques discovered from animal testing have revolutionized the therapy for people who have severe heart disease. Vaccines are created for many animal sicknesses and viruses including Feline Leukemia and canine parvovirus. Not only medical products and procedures have been tested on animals. All make-up products are tested on animals before it go on the market. They are tested to make sure no irritation or rash is created wile using the product. Testing everyday products not only help keep buyers satisfied it may help them not die in the process of using the product.More satisfied buyers mean they will be more likely to buy more stuff which helps the economy. Heart diseases, diabetes, and animal viruses have been cured threw the process of animal testing. Almost everyone has been benefited from animal testing whether they know it or not. Testing on animals before humans is the right thing to do, so many lives have been saved from doing this ever since it has been started in the early 1900’s. we have to encourage others to vote towards animal testing so that there are less regulations. Animal testing is the best way to make sure products, medicines, and medical procedures are safe.

Anthropology-The Tuareg Group

The Tuareg are nomadic pastoralist people who initially inhabited the Saharan dessert in north of Africa. Presently they are mostly found in West and Northern African countries.Their settlement spreads in the countries; Mali, Niger, Algeria, Libya and Burkina Faso. They no longer practice long distance nomadisim as they did before mainly because of the independence of the country. The Toureg group currently faces many problems due to different changes in environment, political and cultural issues that have forced them to change their way of living (Rodd, 1966).Problems and Threats facing the TuaregsThe Tuareg face threat of their culture being completely extinct. Tuareg are losing their culture as they interact and get assimilated into other cultures. The Tuareg way of life has been disrupted by political changes where their territories have been split and brought under different governance by different independent countries in North Africa. The Tuareg for example can no longer freel y practice nomadism or the long Trans – Saharan trade they used to practice before.They have to adhere to the rules and regulations set up by the different countries that occupy the territories that were once theirs (Ghoubeid, Prasse & Mohamed, 2003).Tuaregs can no longer use their way of governance that was characterised by an assembly of chiefs who made rules, solved problems and generally governed the community. They have to adhere to the modern forms of governance used by the country in which they live. The fact that they can no longer do things the way they used to threatens the survival of their culture.Competition for resources with other West and North African groups resulting into conflicts is a major problem facing the Tuareg. These conflicts are intense in the Sahel region which is a less arid savannah belt that has greener pastures and more water as compared to the other parts of the Sahara Dessert.The fact that they can no longer practice pastoralism and nomadism as it has been restricted by the independent countries has made their life so difficult that they have to look for alternative sources of income (Mortimore,  Ã‚   1972).Desertification is a threat to the Tuaregs. This activity which is enhanced by human activities such as logging of trees to meet the firewood and charcoal needs of individuals in the society has greatly affected the Tuaregs (Keenan, 1973).It has made pastures and water more scarce making the lives of these individuals hard. Constant occurrence of draughts and famines which usually leave the livestock of the Tuaregs dead is a threat as they depend most on livestock for their living (Ghoubeid, Prasse & Mohamed, 2003).The Tuaregs have had to take farming or try look for jobs in cities so as to earn some income that will enhance their survival.The independence of Mali and Niger has led to several uprisings that put the Touregs against the governmental officials in these countries. The Tuaregs have been fighting for th eir independence as the Mali and Niger regimes have been very repressive to them.This resulted to the Touregs moving towards urban centres and to other neighbouring countries where they became refugees. Return to their countries has always been met with hostility and violence which pushed the Turaegs into arming themselves against these oppressive regimes.The war between this group and the government military has resulted to loss of lives, destruction of property (in this case livestock for the Tuaregs) and left many wounded (Geels, 2006). The Turaegs who went back to their countries have been severally arrested by the police and put under constant surveillance. The two governments basically treat these individuals with a lot of discrimination.The Tuaregs also face the problem of being ignored by the international community. They never receive international aid and no one seems to be addressing their needs and plight. In 1992, the Tuaregs were declared the most threatened group in t he world as thousands had died as a result of desertification and repression yet no international aid had been availed to them. This was reported by the Humanitarian Organization Mà ©decins Sans Frontià ¨res.