Pranent-Community Involvement Program Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Pranent-Community Involvement Program - Essay Example California department of education is an organization that supervises public education. This organization aims to provide guidance, support, supervision and teaching sources with material; so that every student can get good education. Various researches have been conducted in order to study educational programs ranging from teachers` training strategies to parents awareness programs. By studying such education related programs it has been observed that all those programs which includes parents involvement in their kids` studies has been proven the most influential ones for the prosperity of children as well as for the success of educational system (Rutherford & Billig, 2010). Researches have shown that education standard has been improved because of the involvement of parents and family in school programs. There are five booming plans that have brought changes at National level in United States specifically in New York and California. Various benefits have been observed because of th is program and individuals belonging to education world appreciated parents for their interest in children studies and other activities that can help their kids to learn something innovative. It is considered very important that parents should try to understand the importance of their role in their child`s career and education because they are the only ones whose active participation can bring an incredible change in their children`s life (Rutherford & Billig, 2010). There are certain National Standards for parent community involvement programs which are based on qualitative research and are important for children`s career, parents satisfaction and for the success of educational institution. There are three motives of this standard that includes encouragement of parents and families for their active contribution. Secondly, to provide knowledge about all those influential elements, that can play vital part in such programs and also to give moral and material support to those institut ions that aim to raise their standard of education through various strategies and programs (Hurley & Tinajero, 2001). These are some important guidelines for principals and owners of the schools who wish to divert parents` attention towards child`s education through strategic programs. National standard intended to guide those people in very sophisticated manner who administer educational institutes because they have authority to deal with staff members and also they can apply such strategies within district level for parents to grab their attention as much as possible (Riley, Douglas, & Koop, 2004). According to amendments to community-based English tutoring program of California, when everyone plays its part to support learning system with full dedication, then children show positive response towards their studies and they show more interest in every school related activity. Many schools have adopted the program designed by California department of education which includes few bas ic goals. Their first goal is that they want to break all blocks that restrict parents` involvement. It is emphasized that parents should be made comfortable when they entered in school in order to encourage their spirit. All parents should be kept updated with their child`s academic progress (Hurley & Tinajero, 2001). To make it easier for parents to get information about institute and their kid keep updating websites or practice any other volunteer process that could

Environmental management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Environmental management - Essay Example When compared to the other aspects, ozone depletion has more impact on the environment, since the level of poisonous gases getting into the atmosphere has increased.(Jones, 1989). Most of the factories and manufacturing industries are the major reason for this ozone depletion. As these gases do not mix with the air easily, they stay in the atmosphere and this in turn creates health hazards. Ozone layer is one of the important components that protect the earth. It filters ultra violet rays emitted by the sun and protects the earth from this radiation. Ozone layer is not a plain surface, instead it is depleted and this increases the chance of damage in the layer. The gases and radiation from sun spoils its layer thereby increasing the level of diseases. Chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons and methyl chloroform increase the chances of the ozone layer getting depleted. If there is an increase in the level of emission of these chemicals, the ozone layer will get severely depleted, leading to sever environmental

MAN SEARCH FOR MEANING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MAN SEARCH FOR MEANING - Essay Example Uninterrupted and successive strokes of negative impacts naturally cause gloom leaving a sense of bleak future. Although intermittent, impacts of positive feedbacks create a sense of over confidence which many times pave way to egotism and subsequent pitfalls thereby maintaining a vicious cycle. Oscillation between these two ends weakens human mind to land on a clear cut understanding what the meaning of life is. In fact, it is very fluid. To conceptualize the concept the phenomena and the factor of time have necessarily to be judged in the right sense. For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a persons life at a given moment. As such, according to Frankl, any verdict, judgment or assessment at a moment is subject to change at any other moment. This passes much light on our sheer incapacity to act on the strength of our ideology framed already on the basis of previous affixing of meaning. Going by the events around us becomes inevitable in several circumstances especially when under the influence of fetters. Multifaceted approach is practically impossible as the only process of thinking is concentrated in getting the fetters released. Even the various aspects of ideologies are diverted towards the same direction. Only by allowing a very strong contention of good hope of release would make it possible to think outwards. Such strong contention allows accepting things as such. Once we begin to accept things as they are, a ray of brightness enters. Lateral thinking feasible only under conditions of complete fulfillment or contentment. However, honing of our thinking process is made convenient under fettered situations. Several mighty works of great people have emerged at prisons. This proves the truth that man begins to observe his own

Environmental management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Environmental management - Essay Example When compared to the other aspects, ozone depletion has more impact on the environment, since the level of poisonous gases getting into the atmosphere has increased.(Jones, 1989). Most of the factories and manufacturing industries are the major reason for this ozone depletion. As these gases do not mix with the air easily, they stay in the atmosphere and this in turn creates health hazards. Ozone layer is one of the important components that protect the earth. It filters ultra violet rays emitted by the sun and protects the earth from this radiation. Ozone layer is not a plain surface, instead it is depleted and this increases the chance of damage in the layer. The gases and radiation from sun spoils its layer thereby increasing the level of diseases. Chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons and methyl chloroform increase the chances of the ozone layer getting depleted. If there is an increase in the level of emission of these chemicals, the ozone layer will get severely depleted, leading to sever environmental

Research Methods Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Research Methods - Coursework Example County hospital records detailing the age, ethnicity, level of education, gender, etc. of each individual treated for drug overdose during the period in which the spike is usually recorded, from the time when it became prevalent; The list is by no means exhaustive. However, in analyzing these records, frequency distribution will most likely isolate a major group or two, which will facilitate success in further investigation. In dealing with a subject of such nature, this research method is arguably more effective than a survey, which, according to Wikipedia, depends on â€Å"subjects’ motivation, honesty, memory, and ability to respond.† Drug users may not be willing respondents in a survey. Observer participation is another method that is very useful not only when â€Å"the phenomenon is sufficiently limited in size and location to be studied as a case† but also when â€Å"the phenomenon is hidden from public view (crime and deviance, secretive groups and organizations, such as drug users & dealers†¦)† (Jorgensen, 1989; 13). The data obtained from the statistical analysis of official records is the blueprint upon which this research method will be employed. That is, the group(s) that most frequently occur(s) in his analysis will be the focus. In a manner of investigation, the researcher can ease himself into the social environment of the group(s) in question, within and (if his study demands) outside the period in which drug overdose is common. Here, â€Å"the research problem can be addressed by qualitative data gathered by direct observation and other means pertinent to the field setting† (Jorgensen, 1989; 13), thereby helping the researcher gain firsthand information on the attitudes, behavior, practices and habits of (each of) the group(s) in question. This ‘investigation’ will most likely see them open up about drug

Reliability of Methylphenidate as a Cognitive Enhancer

Reliability of Methylphenidate as a Cognitive Enhancer Methylphenidate (amphetamine), an inhibitor which acts on the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has been widely cited in Bioethicist literature as having the capability to improve cognitive ability in healthy individuals (Husain Mehta, 2011). Methylphenidate is widely used a wake promoting agent during training, in students to in the aim to increase their grades and in many academic professionals to maintain their performance. However, the effects of cognitive enhancement by methylphenidate are somewhat modest and large amount of variability exists between individuals. In patients with ADHD methylphenidate drugs such as Ritalin, perform well promoting attention; similarly, in healthy individuals an improvement is seen as Ritalin aids spatial working memory performance and improves executive functions in novel tasks (Mehta et al., 2000; Elliot et al., 1997). In the analysis of the effects of Ritalin through PET scans Mehta et al., (2000) conveyed that methylphenidate induced a reduction of blood flow in the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, increasing performance accuracy in spatial working memory tasks ( SWM) (Owen et al., 1996). SWM is localised in the prefrontal cortex, where damage to this area will lead to impairment in SWM tasks (Murphy et al., 1996). This suggests the increase of visual attention and improvement on visual working memory tasks may be due to the selective modulation effects of methylphenidate on the parietal, frontal and extra striate occipital regions- a finding synonymous with early research into monkeys and mono aminergic modulation of cognitive functions (Bernardi et al., 1982). However, recent exploration into fMRI and DCM studies on the brain show noradrenergic systems can influence neuronal excitability in regions engaged in sensory processing and visuospatial attention, thus suggesting that perhaps methylphenidate is less specific and affects functional connectivity across the brain network (Grefkes, 2010). The neural mechanisms by which, methylphenidate effects are primarily evident in the CNS; where the concentration of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain is caused by the blocking their reuptakes-thus increasing the expression of the dopamine transporter DAT and blocking of the monoamine transporter 2. By doing so reducing activity of monoamine oxidase and increasing the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase is inhibited (Fibiger et al., 1971). Where levels of DAT are high in ADHD patients, inducing Ritalin restores catecholamine and alters dopaminergic firing systems, subsequently reducing synaptic transmission on the D2 and D3 dopamine receptors (Goldstein et al., 2000). Thus dopamine levels would be reduced and normalise deficiencies and improve concentration. A clear example of this is shown in Volkow et al., (2012) , where methylphenidate given orally blocks 60% of DAT sites whilst increasing dopamine concentrations in the striatum ( by 8% to 16%) reducing hyperactivity in in A DHD patients. However, in normal patients the intake of methamphetamine could result in a DAT overexpression or hypo-dopaminergic activity and could possibly lead to enhanced cognition. Additionally, the prolonged use of methylphenidate could result in the downward regulation of dopamine D2 receptors and uptake sites, similar to the reinforcement effects in amphetamines like cocaine, emphasizing impulsive behaviour like gambling and hyper sexuality (Voltz, 2008 Cools.,2007). Additionally, hypodopemenergic activity within the basal ganglia could lead to involuntary movements (Dyskinesia) it is often difficult to test the neuro-enhancement in healthy individuals caused by methylphenidate. In general cognitive processes one would subsume an enhancement would be on the emotional, motivational and cognitive functions within healthy individuals. Unlike other drugs such as AChEI (used in the treatment of the neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer’s) where Emre etal., (2004) and McKeith et al.,(2000) convey positive effects of AChEI on cognition and neuropsychiatric measures such as mood , anxiety and visual hallucinations- the use of methylphenidate conveys quite modest results on cognitive enhancement (Mehta et al., 2011). Although previous research by Rependatis (2010), found the use of methylphenidate increases memory, there was no consistent evidence to support a substantial effect. Additionally, though Mehta et al ., (2000) did convey that Ritalin did improve spatial working memory, a finding supported by Elliot et al., (1997). However, in a recent analysis Mehta et al (2011) attributes previous findings to the variance of baseline ability. The plethora of research surround the effect of methylphenidate is largely inconsistent and there is little evidence to suggest methylphenidate can be used as a cognitive enhancer. Contrariwise to popular belief, there has been evidence to suggest that methylphenidate could actually impair previous cognitive abilities (Schaaf et al.,, 2013 ). In testing the effects of Ritalin on reward and punishment learning in healthy students, Schaaf et al., (2013), conveyed that the effect of Ritalin on baseline spatial working memory tasks varied in terms of tasks and demand between individuals. Although, methylphenidate improved reward and punishment behaviour in high working memory subjects, it impaired those with low working memory . These inconsistent results may be partially due to the inverted U shape, whereby dopamine D1 antagonist can selectively modulate cognitive processes, such as SWM. Excessive levels of D1 in the prefrontal cortex can impair working memory (Vijayraghavan et al.,2007). However, adverse effects of methylphenidate can also been seen in repeated use ( Lapworth et al.,2009). Lapworth et al., (2009) suggest that methylphenidate is associated with hostility, aggression, and psychotic symptoms in repeated users, where the repeated use of methylphenidate increases â€Å"positive psychotic symptoms that contribute to a perception of the environment as a hostile and threatening place as well as by increasing impulsivity†. The reliability and validity of the aforementioned research comes into context when looking at the methods for testing the cognitive effects of methylphenidate on healthy individuals. A large body of research lacks substance and is largely inconclusive do to the variability in methods, additionally the generalizability attributed to methylphenidate be taken with a reasonable amount of judicious concern (Tucha O,2006) . So far there have been no comprehensive studied in normal subjects showing a fair effect of methylphenidate as a cognitive enhancer. A fundamental flaw in research is largely evident in a lack of standardized testing methods. For example, In ADHD patients there is a clear deficiency which one is able to target and improve to normalise baseline levels of hyperactivity however, in normal individuals there is no baseline. How one compare against a â€Å"standard of enhancement† when there does is no standard for which to compare. Additionally, when using methods su ch as SWM It’s difficult to subsume that the change in cognition is due to methylphenidate rather than other cognitive processes. A researcher is yet to be able to pinpoint the source of effect as the brain involves a process of complex, interlinked networks. A classic example of this exists in Mehta et al (2000) research to test the effects of methylphenidate. Participants were presented with a spatial working memory task, tested with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Battery Test (CANTAB). Results showed the dependent variables like spatial memory were enhanced by the IV (Mehta et al 2001). However, in a later study Mehta et al (2011), attributed the findings to the effect sizes, where average ratings for the effect of ADHD are produced by caregiver and parent responses, thus they are not correct methods of analysis for cognitive effects rather they convey behavioural effects. Furthermore, the majority of research presented on methylphenidate does not fairly analys e the negative effects with inducing methylphenidate, instead Elliot et al., (1979) purely focus on the positive effects and do not report any negative side effects, thus resulting in a bias portrayal of the overall cognitive effects of methylphenidate. Moreover on further analysis of the literature it is also evident that there is a large disparity in the duration of the trials presented and the dosages of methylphenidate given. For instance Mehta et al.,(2000) uses almost 20 mg more than Elliot et al., (1979) and Reprantis et al., (2000). In a larger context the reliability of methylphenidate as a cognitive enhancers is somewhat limited due to a complete lack of evidence and dubious testing methods. Research would benefit from further analysis to improve standard baselines and methods of comparison within pharmacology. References Bernardi, G., Cherubini, E., Marciani, M.G., Mercuri, N., Stanzione, P. (1982) Responses of intracellularly recorded cortical neurons to the ionto-phoretic application of dopamine. Brain Res 245:267–274. Cools R (2007). Impulsive personality predicts dopamine-dependent changes in frontostriatal activity during component processes of working memory. J. Neurosci.27:5506–5514. Emre, M., Aarsland, D., Albanese, A., Byrne, E. J., Deuschl, G., De Deyn, P. P., Lane, R. (2004). Rivastigmine for dementia associated with Parkinsons disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(24), 2509-2518. Elliott, R., Sahakian, B. J., Matthews, K., Bannerjea, A., Rimmer, J., Robbins, T. W. (1997). Effects of methylphenidate on spatial working memory and planning in healthy young adults. Psychopharmacology, 131(2), 196-206. Fibiger, H. C., McGeer, E. G. (1971). Effect of acute and chronic methamphetamine treatment on tyrosine hydroxylase activity in brain and adrenal medulla. European journal of pharmacology, 16(2), 176-180 Gibbs A.A.(2007). The role of dopamine in attentional and memory biases for emotional information. Am. J. Psychiatry, 164 :1603–1609. Goldstein, R. Z., Volkow, N. D. (2002). Drug addiction and its underlying neurobiological basis: neuroimaging evidence for the involvement of the frontal cortex. American Journal of Psychiatry, 159(10), 1642-1652. Husain, M. Mehta, M.A. (2011). Cognitive enhancement by drugs in health and disease Trends in Cognitive Sciences 15, 28-36. Lapworth, K., Dawe, S., Davis, P., Kavanagh, D., Young, R., Saunders, J. (2009). Impulsivity and positive psychotic symptoms influence hostility in methamphetamine users. Addictive behaviors, 34(4), 380-385. Mehta, M. A., Owen, A. M., Sahakian, B. J., Mavaddat, N., Pickard, J. D., Robbins, T. W. (2000). Methylphenidate enhances working memory by modulating discrete frontal and parietal lobe regions in the human brain. J Neurosci, 20(6). McKeith, I., Del Ser, T., Spano, P., Emre, M., Wesnes, K., Anand R.(2000). Efficacy of rivastigmine in dementia with Lewy bodies: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled international study. Lancet f; Vol. 356, issue 9247: 2031–6 Owen A.M., Evans A.C., Petrides, M. (1996) Evidence for a two-stage model of spatial working memory processing within lateral frontal cortex: a positron emission tomography Study. Cereb Cortex 6:31–38. Repantis, D. (2010) Modafinil and methylphenidate for neuroenhancement in healthy individuals: a systematic review. Pharmacol. Res. 62:187–206. Tucha O. Methylphenidate-induced improvements of various measures of attention in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.(2006) J. Neural. Transm. 113:1575–1592 van der Schaaf, M. E., Fallon, S. J., ter Huurne, N., Buitelaar, J., Cools, R. (2013). Working memory capacity predicts effects of methylphenidate on reversal learning. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(10), 2011-2018. Vijayraghavan, S., Wang, M., Birnbaum, S. G., Williams, G. V., Arnsten, A. F. (2007). Inverted-U dopamine D1 receptor actions on prefrontal neurons engaged in working memory. Nature neuroscience, 10(3), 376-384. Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. J., Tomasi, D., Kollins, S. H., Wigal, T. L., Newcorn, J. H., Swanson, J. M. (2012). Methylphenidate-elicited dopamine increases in ventral striatum are associated with long-term symptom improvement in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Journal of Neuroscience, 32(3), 841-849. Volz, T. J. (2008). Neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of methylphenidate. Current neuropharmacology, 6(4), 379.

Senior Capstone :: Free Essay Writer

Senior Capstone Observations I visited the Ronald McDonald House on September 15, to meet a family that was staying there because they had a very ill child. I was there to interview Mr. and Mrs. Davis who’s had their five-year-old son, John was at Children’s Mercy Hospital. The Davis family was there because John has leukemia and needed chemotherapy. When I first met John, I was at a loss for words. I saw a five-year-old boy that didn’t have any hair (like me) and was thin like a cable wire. I thought it was great that John got to say with his family on good days. What amazed me so much was his spirit and thrust for life. Because they had faith in their little boy getting better, his parents were very much the same. I asked them what made them so upbeat and positive. They told me that they were getting the best treatment around and being close to him everyday really helped. I didn’t quite understand what they meant and asked them to explain. They told me that staying at th e RMH with their son meant everything to the whole family. Instead of being in a hospital bed, or hotel room, the Davis’s kept close and were able to do everything that a family would do. Such things included playing with toys, having meals together, taking walks, enjoying closeness with one’s family, and all in the comfort of a home. The Davis family had been there for almost a week and was very happy to find a place that allowed them to stay without having to pay. They were also elated to know that they could watch after their child and not worry about how he was doing alone in some hospital bed. While I was interviewing the Davis family, I saw so much activity going on around me that it was difficult to concentrate. It was awesome to see, because everyone was interacting with everyone. Parents were relaxing and enjoying themselves, while children were playing together and loving every bit of it. Basically, what I learned from the Davis family is that they were very grateful to the Ronald McDonald House for allowing them to stay close to their child, affording them all the comforts of home while so far away from family and friends.