Renaissance Artemisa Gentileschi Essay Example for Free

Renaissance Artemisa Gentileschi Essay My idol of the Renaissance period is the famous woman artist named Artemisia Gentileschi. She was born in Rome on July 8, 1593. Her father was a well-know Roman artist named Orazio Gentileschi and my mother was named Prudentia Monotone. She died when Artemisia was twelve. Most women artists in this post-Renaissance era were limited to portrait paintings and poses. She was the first woman to paint major historical and religious scenarios, such as her painting, Judith Beheading Holofernes, c. 1620. At an early age she experienced loss. Two of her brothers died during childhood and her mother died while giving birth. Showing some artistic skill, Artemisia received some early training from her father. After art academies rejected her, her father hired his friend, Agostino Tassi, to teach her. In 1612, she was sexually assaulted by him. The trial was seven long months. Artemisia was tortured with thumb screws in order to make her tell the truth of her claims. He was ultimately convicted, but Artemisa had a tarnished reputation after. She had been publicly humiliated and was severely criticized then and in her life forward. Artemisia’s first painting was named, Susanna and the Elder, c 1610. She was seventeen when she painted it. Michelangelo had a major influence on her style. The painting depicts the biblical story of Susanna, a young wife who was sexually harassed by the elder of her community. She shows her as vulnerable and frightened, while the men are conspiring behind her. This painting was completed before the rape, but it might be a depiction of the harassment from Tassi. The trauma of the rape impacted how she painted; she often painted graphic depictions of people dealing with pain. In 1612, she came to Florence, Italy where her father arranged for her to marry a Florentine artist name Pietro Antonia di Vincenzo Stiattesi. They became official members of the Academie del Disegno (Academy of Design) in 1616, which was a prestigious honor for me, a woman. Her first child, Giovanni Battista was born in September of 1613. Her second son, Cristofano, was born in November of 1615. Her husband is starting to prefer gambling over working. They are in much debt. In August of 1617, she gave birth to a daughter named Prudentia; sometimes called Palmira. She continued to live with Pietro even though it was loveless. He left me 10 years later. She had a second daughter in October of 1618, but she died in June of 1619. It was a difficult time and unbeknownst to Artemisia, they are even in more serious debt than I had originally thought. In 1621, she returned to her hometown in Rome as ordered by Cosmo II de Midici. She was supposed to return in order recover from an illness and her family problems. She also spent time in Venice from 1627 to 1630. She never returned to Florence. She went to Genoa for a short time with her father and painted, Jael and Sisera. Some of her patrons while back in Rome were cardinals Francesco and Antoni Barberion, both wealthy and influential prelates. By 1630, she moves to the city of Naples. Charles I of England and the Duke of Modena also purchased her paintings. Naples was the wealthiest city in southern Europe at this time. She also worked in England for a while beginning in 1638 where her father had a position at the court of Charles I. She returned after her father death in 1639. As noted above, her most famous painting, Judith Beheading Holfernes, illustrated an event from the Old Testament Book of Judith. Holofernes, the Assyrian general, was preparing to destroy the land of Judah. Judith then goes to a maidservant, Abra, to the Holorenes’ camp. She poses as a deserter from the Hebrews. Judith seduces him with her beauty, gives him alcohol, and then severs his head! After her death, her grave marker was lost during church renovations and the inscription on her headstone, rather than mentioning her artwork, remembered her sexual scandal instead. In time, Artemisia was often forgotten about in the Art world and her paintings were often wrongly attributed to her father or other artists. Centuries later, renewed interest in Artemisia uncovered her story, properly attributed her work and finally restored her reputation as one of the world’s most important female artists and a major artist of the Italian Baroque period. Gentileschi often chose historic and biblical subjects that featured a female protagonist: Susanna, Bathsheba, Esther, Judith. Her style was heavily influenced by dramatic realism and marked contrasting light and dark of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573 – 1610). The first book devoted to her, Artemisia Gentileschi The Image of The Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art. by Mary D. Garrard, was issued in 1989; her first exhibition was held in Florence in 1991. A TV documentary, a play, and more recently, a film have advanced her visibility as an important artist. As noted above, Artemisai Gentileschi, was inspired to paint by her father and by famous artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Today she is regarded as one of the most progressive and expressionist painters of her generation. After moving back to Rome French artist, Pierre Dunostier le Neveu, made a drawing of her hand holding a paintbrush. She along with her father were one of many artists invited by King Charles I of England to decorate the ceilings of the Queen’s house in Greenwhich. I am inspired by her because she chose to stand up and compete against the men of that time. Woman of that era had such difficulties trying to gain recognition for their work. She is one of the first women who eventually overcame adversity. Her technical skill showed human emotion from a â€Å"woman’s† perspective which some say is a breakthrough in art. In the words of Mary D. Garrard, she has suffered a scholarly neglect that is almost unthinkable for an artist of her caliber. [pic] Susanna and The Elders c 1610 [pic] Judith Slaying Holfernes Cited Work http://www.artbible.info/art/biography/artemisia-gentileschi http://www.artemisia-gentileschi.com/index.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_Gentileschi http://www.themasterpiececards.com/famous-paintings-reviewed/bid/31786/Female-Artists-Artemisia-Gentileschi

African Trypanosomiasis Sleeping Sickness Biology Essay

African Trypanosomiasis Sleeping Sickness Biology Essay African trypanosomiasis also known as sleeping sickness is a wide spread parasitic disease (disease caused by organism that lives in or on another from which it obtains nourishment) that can be fatal if not treated. It is estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that it has 450 000 cases each year, however in the past there have epidemics (a rapid spread or increase) such as between 1896 and 1906 where it is believed that 300 000 to 500 000 died from the disease. [1] African trypanosomiasis is common in the sub-Saharan region near rivers, lakes, in gallery forests and in Savannahs where the large brown tsetse flies are present. It occurs in these remote rural areas because the health systems are weak and because most of these areas depend on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting so they are exposed to the tsetse flies. [2]The disease has been present in Africa for a minimum of 14 centuries with millions of people being affected by it. As you can see below (in figure 1) the distribution of trypanosomiasis in Africa comprises currently an area of 8 million km2 between 14 degrees North and 20 degrees South latitude. tryp_map.gif [Fig. 1] Distribution of human African trypanosomiasis. http://www.who.int/tdrold/dw/images/legend5.gifEpidemic http://www.who.int/tdrold/dw/images/legend6.gifHigh endemicity http://www.who.int/tdrold/dw/images/legend4.gifLow endemicity http://www.who.int/tdrold/dw/images/legend7.gifAt risk http://www.who.int/tdrold/dw/images/legend3.gifAbsence of the disease   As well as African trypanosomiasis also occurs in South America it is called the American trypanosomiasis or the Chagas disease however the organism causing that disease is different to the Tsetse flies. African trypanosomiasis is however more common than the South American version and it is estimated that around 50,000 to 70,000 people are currently infected with it and around 48,000 people died from it in 2008. [3] If, like most diseases, African Trypanosomiasis is diagnosed early there is a high chance of survival. There are no effective vaccines, and the drugs used to treat this disease are often toxic and usually have many side effects. Untreated cases have a 100 percent  mortality rate. [4] The extent of African Trypanosomiasis is shown more clearly when compared to other diseases and during epidemic periods prevalence reached 50% in several villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Southern Sudan. Sleeping sickness was the first or second greatest cause of mortality in those communities, ahead of even HIV/AIDS. [5] There are two types of African trypanosomiasis which are common in humans. The first of the two sub species is trypanosomiasis brucei gambiense which causes a slow chronic trypanosomiasis in humans. This mostly occurs in central and western Africa, where humans are thought to be the primary target. The second is T. brucei rhodesiense and this causes a rapid onset of trypanosomiasis in humans and this is most common in southern and eastern Africa, where animals are the primary target. Tsetse flies are large flies which can be easily misinterpreted for a housefly but can be distinguished by various characteristics. These flies cause human sleeping sickness and animal trypanosomiasis (or nagana) as well as other diseases and its estimated it kills around 250,000 to 300,000 people a year. Tsetse flies are multivoltine (they have more than 2 generations per year) and there are 23 species of this fly existent today. Tsetse flies include all the species in the genus Glossina, which are generally placed in their own family, the Glossinidae. [6] AfrTryp_LifeCycle.gif[Fig. 2] [1] When a tsetse fly bites it takes blood from a human or animal host. [2] If the tsetse fly is infected it injects metacyclic trypomastigotes into skin tissue and the parasites enter the lymphatic system (part of the immune system) and pass into the bloodstream. Inside the host, they transform into bloodstream trypomastigotes and are carried to other parts of the body. [3] After this bloodstream trypomastigotes reach other blood fluids such as lymph, spinal fluid and continue the replication by binary fission (Asexual reproduction where parent cells divide into two equal parts.). [4/5] The entire life cycle of African Trypanosomes is in extracellular (outside the cells) stages. A tsetse fly becomes infected with bloodstream trypomastigotes when taking a blood meal on an infected host . [6] In the tsetse flies midgut (the mid section of the digestive tract), the parasites generate a cycle of trypomastigotes, they then multiply by binary fission and leave the midgut. [7] Thereafter the parasites transform into epimastigotes (a developmental stage in trypanosomes) [8] The epimastigotes reach the flys salivary glands and continue multiplication by binary fission . This cycle in the fly takes approximately 3 weeks to occur. http://www.icp.ucl.ac.be/~opperd/parasites/images/dia3.jpg[Fig.3] This picture shows an African male in the late stage of African trypanosomiasis Describe the biological processes involved in producing solutions to the problem You can spot African trypanosomiasis early if the following symptoms occur, and treating the disease early increases the chances of survival. Symptoms of sleeping sickness begin with fever, headaches, and joint pains. If untreated, the disease slowly overcomes the immune defences of the infected person, and symptoms spread to anaemia, cardiovascular and kidney disorders. The disease then enters a neurological phase when the parasite passes through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The symptoms of the second phase is what gives the disease its name, sleeping sickness, besides confusion and reduced coordination, the sleep cycle is disturbed with a period of lower level consciousness and periods of inability to sleep progressing to daytime drowsiness and night-time insomnia. Without treatment, the disease is fatal, with progressive mental deterioration leading to coma and death. Damage caused in the neurological phase can be irreversible. [7] Stage 1 illness: 2 to 3 weeks later, Stage 1 disease develops as a result of the protozoa being carried through the blood and lymph circulation of the host. This phase of the illness is represented by a high fever that falls and rises again, also irritating rashes, and headaches may occur. The Gambiense form, in particular, includes extreme swelling of lymph tissue, with enlargement of both the spleen and liver, and greatly swollen lymph nodes. During this stage, the heart may be affected by a severe inflammatory reaction, particularly when the infection is caused by the Rhodesiense variety of trypanosomiasis. These symptoms usually occur because of our immune system trying to defeat the invading organism; this is because of the increasing activity of our cells damaging organs and tissues. This may cause some blood vessels to leak and as a result of this the protozoa may spread further around the body. The immune system responds so violently because the trypanosomes survive so well by quickly changing specific markers, which are the outer coats of unique proteins. These proteins stimulate the hosts immune system to produce immune cells which will specifically target the marker, allowing quick destruction of those cells bearing the markers. Trypanosomes, however, are able to express new markers at such a high rate of change that the hosts immune system is constantly trying to catch up. Stage 2 illness This involves the nervous system, especially Gambiense sleeping sickness, which has a phase in which the symptoms involve the brain. These symptoms are that the patients speech becomes slurred, mental processes slow, and the patient sits and stares for long periods of time, or sleeps. Other symptoms resemble Parkinsons disease, including imbalance when walking, slow and shuffling gait, trembling of the limbs, involuntary movements, muscle tightness, and increasing mental confusion. Untreated, these symptoms could eventually lead to coma and then to death. [8] There are various treatments for the disease but it depends on the how bad the disease has got and what stage it is at. Suramin, eflornithine, pentamidine, and several drugs which contain arsenic (a chemical which in higher doses is highly poisonous to humans), are all effective anti-trypanosomal agents. When the disease is in its early stages it is easier to control and its treatments are the most effective, the least toxic, so the earlier the identification of the disease, the better the prospect of a cure. At the second stage the treatments depend on drugs that can cross the blood and the brain, to reach the parasite, however these drugs are more toxic and therefore carry a risk with them. There are four drugs that have been registered for the treatment of sleeping sickness which are; pentamidine, melarsoprol, eflornithine and suramin. If the disease is diagnosed early, the chances of cure are high. The type of treatment depends on the phase of the disease: initial or neurological. During which the second stage of the trypanosome parasites reside in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) so success in the latter phase depends on having a drug that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach the parasite. Four drugs have been used until now. Without treatment, sleeping sickness will lead to death. Unfortunately, however, those medications effective against the Trypanosoma brucei complex protozoa all have significant potential side effects for the patient. An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc. Object name is AFHS0604-0223Fig1.jpg Object name is AFHS0604-0223Fig1.jpg [Fig 4] Sleeping sickness in South-Eastern Uganda from 1905- 2001 As you can see in figure 5 there were a high number of deaths of people from Trypanosomiasis from 1905-1915 but even thought the number decreases there have still been a lot of cases in this small region in the past 30 years and the number has been predicted to increase from The First Stage Treatment Suramin: Suramin is a colourless derivative. The development of suramin followed observations that a number substances. Suramin has six negative charges at physiological pH, thereby preventing its diffusion across cell membranes and it could possibly be used against late stage trypanosomiasis because it does not cross the BBB. Suramin is generally considered the drug of choice for the early stages of human African trypanosomiasis, especially T. b. rhodesiense infections. Because of the size and charge of suramin it makes it unsuitable to have a specific transporter. Suramin easily binds to many proteins. At attainable levels, more than 75% of suramin is bound to proteins, which include low-density lipoproteins (LDL). LDL and transferin are taken up through a receptor-mediated endocytosis and suramin enters the parasite specifically found to LDL. Accumulation of the drug in trypanosomes is relatively slow. In some studies, suramin has interfered with the metabolism of trypanosomes in different ways: It hampers the receptor mediated uptake of LDL, the carrier of cholesterol which is required for parasite growth Suramin, which enters via receptor mediated endocytosis in association with LDL, is most likely to accumulate inside the lysosome. Several of the enzymes encountered by suramin on its way from the extracellular fluid to the secondary lysosomes become inhibited by suramin. Many glycolytic enzymes located inside the glycosome on the African trypanosome carry a high positive charge, and therefore are all inhibited by micro molar levels of suramin. Second Stage Treatment Eflornithine: Eflornithine is an off-white, odourless, powder; the compound is freely soluble in water and sparingly soluble in ethanol. It is used mainly as a backup drug for melarsoprol but now in places such as Uganda it has become the first line treatment for sleeping sickness. Adverse drug reactions during eflornithine therapy are frequent. Their occurrence and intensity increase with the duration of treatment and the severity of the general condition of the patient. Generally, adverse reactions to eflornithine are reversible after the end of treatment. Trypanosomes are more susceptible to the drug than human cells, possibly due to the slow turnover of the ODC enzyme (which is key in the biosynthesis of polyamines) in T. b. gambiense. Eflornithine can effectively inhibit ODC activity and use the supply of polyamines in trypanosomes, which bring them into a motionless state that makes them vulnerable to the hosts immune attack. Therefore, a sufficiently active immune system is required to achieve a cure. Additionally, eflornithine induces the differentiation of thin forms to larger forms which do not divide anymore and therefore become accessible to the immune system. [9] It was found in a study that the effectiveness of eflornithine was 98.7% on its patients which is a high cure rate. Explain how the processes used are appropriate in terms of producing effective solutions to address the problem As you can see a total of 6 patients died, 5 of them on the 14 day course therefore the 7 day course seems to be much more effective. The 7 day course seems to be cause less adverse events in general then the 14 day course. [Fig. 5] However concluding figure 6 we can see that the probability of cure is higher in the 14 day regime then the 7 day regime. So even though there are some side effects of the 14 day regime still has a greater chance of curing the disease.[Fig. 6] F1_medium.gif [Fig. 7] A total of 103 patients with second-stage disease were enrolled. Cure rates were 94.1% for the eflornithine group and 96.2% for the nifurtimox-eflornithine group. Drug reactions were frequent in both arms, and severe reactions affected 25.5% of patients in the eflornithine group and 9.6% of those in the nifurtimox-eflornithine group, resulting in 2 and 1 treatment suspensions, respectively. There was 1 death in the eflornithine arm and no deaths in the nifurtimox-eflornithine arm. [10] The nifurtimox-eflornithine combination appears to be a promising first-line therapy for second-stage sleeping sickness. [10] F1_medium.gif [Fig 8] shows the probability of an event free survival among 1055 patients; they were treated with eflornithine for newly diagnosed second stage human African trypanosomiasis in Ibba, Southern Sudan. 1756-3305-1-3-3.jpg[Fig. 9] The combined efforts of chemotherapy, systematic case detection and vector control led to a dramatic reduction in the incidence of sleeping sickness at the beginning of the 1960s as shown in figure 2. The grey bars represent the number of cases whilst the line graph shows the population screened. Identify 2 implications of the solution encountered Suramin As suramin can only be injected it causes problems as African Trypanosomiasis can be spread easily from the needles not bring cleaned properly. If the patients who dont have the disease are injecting with the same unclean needle as people who are diagnosed this would result in the non-infected patients being infected. Further problems of suramin are that it has many side effects which include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, metallic taste and joint pain. Less common side effects are loss of vision and swelling around eyes. It can even rarely cause fainting and death. The advantages are that many of these side effects can be stopped by using a small sample dose, 100 mg IV, to test any toxic reactions of the patients. Eflornithine The route of application makes financial difficulties due to the workload and the additional material needed. A recently investigated abbreviated course of 7 days was found to cause a high relapse rate for the treatment of new cases. The superior outcome reported for the treatment of relapses still has to be confirmed, since there were a very small number of participants in the study. If there was an oral form for the treatment of sleeping sickness it would be more appropriate as it would be cheaper and less time consuming. In a study the average cost of eflornithine per patient being 552.3 USD and the cost per patients life saved averaging 559.8 USD. [10] Eflornithine also has side effects which include acne stinging skin; headache; dry skin; itching; erythema (redness); dyspepsia(upset stomach or indigestion); alopecia Fortunately there are advantages of this drug as efforts for the developments of an oral form of eflornithine are currently being made under the World Health Organisation/World Bank special programme for research and training in tropical diseases. This drug is generally better tolerated than the first line drug melarsoprol. It was found in a study that the effectiveness of eflornithine was 98.7% on its patients which is very high and therefore if the illness is treated within its late stages, stage 2, the chances of survival are still high. Evaluate the benefits and risks to humans, organisms and the environment Benefits: The side effects of Suramin can be stopped by using a small sample dose, 100 mg IV, to test any toxic reactions of the patients, so this means it could An oral form of eflornithine is currently being made under the World Health Organisation/World Bank special programme for research and training in tropical diseases. This would lead to cheaper costs of to treat a patient; therefore more people can be treated and cured. Effectiveness of eflornithine is 98.7% on its patients which is very high and therefore if the illness is treated within its late stages, stage 2, the chances of survival are still high, so a lot less people die when using the treatment. Disadvantges: The average cost of eflornithine per patient being 552.3 USD is far too high to cure most of the people especially because the treatment mainly depends on donated money as the government of the Third World countries are too poor to afford the treatment, so by using this lots of people may never be treated and therefore there may be a rise in the death rate. As the treatment of patients decreases, if people donate less, the number of deaths from the disease will increase. Further disadvantages of the treatments are that they both carry many side effects, even though some of these side effects arent major, the lack of treatments in these poor countries could result in a gradual decrease in health over time. Also some of the side effects and over doses could lead to death or serious illnesses so it is important to administer the drugs carefully and correctly as the end result could be fatal. Discuss alternative views or solutions for the problem encountered Pentamidine: Pentamidine can be used instead of suramin for a first stage treatment of trypanosomiasis. It is medication with a very slow rate of diffusion across biological membranes and it only treats the T.B.G. form of African sleeping sickness in the first stage. It could be injected or inhaled by the patient. Because of poor GI absorption, the drug is administered IV/IM and is strongly bound to tissues, including spleen, liver, and kidney. Clinical improvement usually noted within 24 h of injection. Reported to have a >90% cure rate. Pentamidine does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively and, therefore, does not treat CNS infection. [9] Fifty-eight patients in the early-late stage (early central nervous system involvement) of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense trypanosomiasis were treated with pentamidine and divided into four groups according to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicators: white blood cell (WBC) count, protein level (CSF protein), and the presence or absence of trypanosomes. Group 1 consisted of eight patients with normal CSF WBC counts and CSF protein levels and trypanosomes in the CSF. Group 2 consisted of nine patients with elevated CSF WBC counts, normal level of CSF protein, and trypanosomes in the CSF. Group 3 consisted of 31 patients with high CSF WBC counts, normal CSF protein levels, but no trypanosomes in the CSF. Group 4 consisted of 10 patients with normal CSF WBC counts and CSF protein levels and trypanosomes demonstrated by CSF culture. Post-treatment follow-up of all patients for at least one year revealed three relapses. There were two deaths from diseases unrelated to trypanosomiasis or to the treatment protocol. Of these patients, 52 were followed for more than two years, the time necessary to confirm a complete cure, indicating a cure rate of 94%. Pentamidine is therefore effective in treating the early-late stage of T. b. gambiense trypanosomiasis, and is comparable with melarsoprol or eflornithine in terms of its tolerance and availability. [11] Side effects: Shortness of breath; closing of the throat; hives; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; rash; or faintin;, bleeding or bruising; blurred vision; chest pain or irregular heart beat; chills; difficulty breathing dizziness, fainting spells or excessive tiredness; drastic appetite changes; mouth ulcers severe stomach pain; severe headache; seizureshttp://bryanking.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/hives.jpg [Fig 10] This picture shows hives which is a common side effect of pentamidine Melarsoprol: Melarsoprol contains an arsenic element with a reactive arsenoxide group. The presence of the arsenoxide enables the ability of lipid solubility and this allows passage across the BBB. Apart from its transport function, the arsenoxide group mediates in the killing of the parasites in the bodily fluid; CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid). Modification of the melarsoprol parent ring to generate other analogous compounds can have a significant impact on its trypanocidal efficacy. The trivalent arsenicals; melarsoprol, melarsen oxide and phenylarsen are highly active with a minimum inhibitory concentration. Usually the transport of melarsoprol into the trypanosome parasite is accomplished by purine tranporters. Purine transport is highly developed in trypanosomes as they do not synthesize nucleic acids and must directly acquire them from their hosts. Resistance The failure of melarsoprol to cure 10% of the late stage sleeping sickness patients possibly relates to the fact that these individuals accumulate levels of the drug in the brain. However, one study has indicated that the levels of drug are similar in the CSF of relapsing and non-relapsing patients, so parasites at other extravascular sites may be key to the treatment failure. In some regions, treatment failures have reached high levels up to 30%. Parasites retrieved from the patients with these treatment failures were less responsive to melarsoprol than parasites isolated from other foci. This clearly points to some form of mutation towards resistance. Indeed arsenic refractory parasites do possess an unusual amino purine transporter which accumulates melarsoprol and the loss of this transporter in the parasite leads to drug resistance. T. brucei contains several of the purine nucleoside transporter activities. [9] Melarsoprol is a good alternative and is used as the first line drug against Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) in many countries. This is because the drug has longer intervals between when the dosages should be taken so it requires fewer resources and is therefore cheaper. However melarsoprol is a highly dangerous treatment, only administered by injection under the supervision of a physician. It causes a range of side effects, among them convulsions, fever, unconsciousness etc. It is fatal in and of itself in approx. 10% of the cases. Meanwhile eflornithine is a modern and far less dangerous treatment for HAT but it is expensive not widely available in the market and the money for supplies are usually dependable on donations. Melarsoprol is a good alternative and is used as the first line drug against Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) in many countries. This is because the drug has longer intervals between when the dosages should be taken so it requires fewer resources and is therefore cheaper. However melarsoprol is a highly dangerous treatment, only administered by injection under the supervision of a physician. It causes a range of side effects, among them convulsions, fever, unconsciousness etc. It is fatal in and of itself in approx. 10% of the cases. Meanwhile eflornithine is a modern and far less dangerous treatment for HAT but it is expensive not widely available in the market and the money for supplies are usually dependable on donations.

Comparative Coverage of Women Issues in Elite Press

Comparative Coverage of Women Issues in Elite Press Comparative Coverage of women Issues in Elite Press of Pakistan, India Bangladesh Key Words: Mass Media, Print Media, portrayal, Women, Issues, treatment, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Elite Press, Visual, Textual, Analysis Introduction We are living in the twenty-first century and it is a heart-throbbing fact that still most of the sections of our society do not realize the importance of women in the socio-economic fabric. It would be deplorable if the status and the role of women were not appropriately perceived, since women are a part of society and share work and responsibility. Therefore, it is indispensable to upgrade the depiction of women and to strengthen the informational role of the media. Butt Mourion (1996) says that media are one of the modern ways to maintain and promote ideology and to relate it to the national needs, but also adds that to do this promotion, a grand number of projects and actions are required constantly by the state and the people as well. Media is playing vital role in dissemination of information, shaping and reshaping the perception and public views. The mass media have an essential role reporting wrong doing following up remedial action, mobilizing public opinion, brining about social change and highlighting positive developments. In fact, media and women issues coverage important topic in every era. The study is focused to analyze the visual and textual presentation of the women related news regarding social, economical and political issues in the elite press of major countries of South Asia which includes Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. The study is important because before partition of the subcontinent these three countries enjoyed the status of united India. So these countries are having similar roots sharing common norms, values and society. In this study researcher is going to analyze the women issues in major newspapers of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh which include topics of news stories, tone of covered news, location of news stories in newspaper and amount of space is given to news. Through these aspects researcher will analyze whether the print media portrayal women image positive, negative or neutrally Media The life styles, socialization patterns, participation levels, cultural boundaries, political maneuverings, religious manifestations, educational standards, social hierarchy, and images of society these all sectors that influence by the media content (Sharma, 2005). The media is a vehicle used to inform as well as entertain the public. The media is a carrier of information, ideas, thoughts and opinions. It is a powerful force in influencing people perceptions on a variety of issues. Print media is oldest medium that educate, inform and entertain the people. In modern society is mass media responsible for construction and consumption of social knowledge and their meanings that use people make a sense abut world and act as social reality accordingly. Print media plays an important role in influencing public opinions and setting agenda for what is constructed as news. The print media which include newspapers, periodicals, newsletters and other channels are relied upon by the people as c redible source of information, education and entertainment. The print media are known for fearless criticism and service. The print media or newspaper is consists of current affairs news, articles, features, advertising. Newspaper normally publishes stories on local, national and international politics issues, entertainment, society, business, technology, education, agriculture, sports etc. Also editorials, columns and letter to editors on current issues publish in newspaper on particular pages. Print media started in these three countries with the Independence Day but some news papers were running before the partition such as Dawn, Nawa I Waqt and Jang (Pakistan) The Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Dainik Jagran (India) and The Daily Star. Women Women are an integral part of our society, and cannot be ignored due to less power and authority. They are created using the need for men and men, presenting them with a companion in the course of life. Although women are significantly in all areas of life, the long list of people in the treatment seems to be never ending. There is no denying the fact that in todays society, where women are still mostly male, is dominated by pine from the inferior place to put side-by-side with men because of social and stick are typically held social values. In fact, womens position in any of the countries varies according to the categories, regions, and rural and urban distribution unequal socio-economic development and the impact of tribal, feudal, and capitalist social formations on womens lives. Today Pakistani women have a better position than most of other Muslim women. However, on an average, the womens situation vis-Ã  -vis men are one of systemicgender subordination. However, awareness among Pakistani women to expand the educational opportunities increased from past few years. According to the United Nations development index, Pakistani women are better in gender equality, as women in India and Bangladesh. However women condition in India is worst as compared to other development countries majority of Indian population consist of female. Today average female life expectancy today in India in contrast to many others countries is below the standard line (Nautiyal Dabral, 2012). Majority of women deprived the basic facility of life such as food, health and education in India and also socially women life in India very terrible. Indian society gives the more dominancy and importance to male in any walk of life as well as male social development. The status of women in Bangladesh is defined as an ongoing gender battle, the prevailing political tide, who favors restricting the rights of women in the Islamic patriarchal patterns, and activism. The Bangladesh socio-cultural environment provides comprehensive gender inequity so that girls and women face many obstacles in their development. The girls are often considered the financial burden on the family, and since birth, they receive less investment in health, health care and education (UNICEF, 2007). In Bangladesh, women have made huge gains since the country gained independence in 1971. In the past four decades have seen increased political influence for women, better employment prospects, improving training and new laws protect their rights. Many of the women working in the States and other key positions but in issues like family violence, acid burning and rape are still persist. Media and Women The media portrayal both positive as well as negative issues of women as well as a powerful mechanism. Although the media has played an important role in highlighting womens issues, it has also had negative impact, in terms of perpetrating violence against women through pornography and images of women as a female body that can be bought and sold. (Sharma, 2005) the trend is increasing in media to represent women as victims are more alarming. Media reflects in its content the pattern of value in any society. According to (Sharma, 2005) for the purpose of promoting and disseminating information media play an important role and also it is main role in development of women in social and economic sectors. The way subjects dealing with women are treated indicated to a great extent the prevailing attitude of the society towards women. Everywhere the potential exists for the media to make a far greater contribution to the advancement of women. More women are involved in careers in the commun ications sector, but few have attained positions at the decision-making level or serve on governing boards and bodies that influence media policy. Womens appearance in sensational news stories such as glamour, sex, domestic violence and other forms of violence are still prominent (Nautiyal Dabral, 2012). Portrayal of women in the media is mostly unfair and imbalanced. They are under-represented which falsely implies that men are the cultural standard and women’s role in the social life is unimportant or negligible. Women are portrayed stereotypically that reflect and sustain socially endorsed views of gender. Their presentation in the media does not conform to their real role in the society. According to Patel (1995) the mainstream media like print more highlight the women physical body image side by side along stereotyped sexist images and the back page pin ups. She observed that one of the reasons for projection of patriarchal image of the society is disproportionate number of men in the key positions in media. As to the qualitative aspect of portrayal of women in the media that they are generally portrayed as unthinking, dependent and submissive beings with reproduction as their fundamental role. Women are either portrayed as ideal or deviant. Their real life feelings and b ehaviors are rarely depicted on screen. She is shown more in fantasy roles than her real life. Common woman in the society finds it hard to relate herself to the depiction of females in the media. The negative portrayal of women in the media not only does not correspond with the reality but also leads to promote unhealthy and harmful traits among the public. Statement of the Problem Press is prognostic the women in a totally immoral way according to society values in news. While these types of news became the sources of spreading obscenity, western style, trends and personalities are being highlighted quite indecently. The news about scandals, rapes, pregnancy, fashion shows, show-biz and private matters of wife and husband are being over played instead of the women development and social progress. The photographs related to these news are nude, and below the standards of morality. Newspapers are more focusing the sexual crimes are being highlighted in which women are badly humiliated. In fact, film stars and celebrities’ news are being accommodated as commodities. Hypothesis Whether or not Pakistani, Indian and Bangladesh press portray women as commodities? Whether or not Pakistani, Indian and Bangladesh press treating women issues in real sense and focusing social development? Whether or not Pakistani, Indian and Bangladesh press portray women issues as sensational news? Objectives of the Study The objectives of this research, which can be specified on the spot to find the answer the following questions as below: To analyze representation of women in selected newspaper of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. To examine the quality of the women related news published in selected newspapers. To find out the selected issues related to women that are discussed subject matter or not. To understand whether or not women related news are treated as traditional approach in selected newspapers. To check the nature/style of news related to women issues in selected newspapers. To understand print media reporting patterns are favorable/ unfavorable towards women Printmediaportraystereotypicalimageof womeninnewsstories Nautiyal Dabral (2012) The journals are mostly qualified for modern society and could be said to be positively harmful to the development of women as conscious individuals aware of themselves and aware of the society around them. If a woman wins a beauty contest, magazines or newspapers in particular give much importance to the news and even take her photographs on cover page but, at the same time if a woman gets the Nobel Prize she gets limited coverage. Here the difference of judgment in womens issues is quite marked in our media. Similarly the daily newspapers rarely put womens news and their development. Rather they prefer reporting on rape, atrocities, crime, sexual harassment and abuse of women prominently in their columns. UNICEF, State of the World’s Children: The Double Dividend of Gender Equality, 2007 Mariam S. Pal (2000).Women in Pakistan: Country Briefing Paper. Asian Development Bank.ISBN971-561-297-0. Pakistan: Status of Women the Womens Movement. Womenshistory.about.com. 28 July 2001. Retrieved 2012-01-24. Women Education in Pakistan. Pakcitizen.com. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-24. http://hdrstats.undp.org/images/explanations/pak.pdf Jump up^http://tribune.com.pk/story/521279/pakistan-better-than-india-on-undp-gender-inequality-index/

An Overview of Artificial Intelligence Essay -- Technology Artificial

An Overview of Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence, a concept that would make possible our most remote dreams, specially for housewives. Would not it be interesting to know what is this marvelous thing that is going to make our dreams come true? I think it is. AI(Artificial Intelligence) is a fairly new field in Computer Science, my subject, which I found very interesting. AI it is not a well defined concept yet, which it is not a surprise for me, considering that is a very new term and that it contains a word that is has not been well defined either. Through the years, psychologist have come up with many different concept for what intelligence is; some of them have become obsolete with the years, but there are a few that have transcend. Therefore, now a days we have various theories, and choosing one is a matter of opinion. This is one of the major reasons why scientific in the computer field have not been able to agree in a common concept for AI because each of then comes up with a theory based on the concept of intelligence they believe in, creating a dilemma similar to the one psychologist have with intelligence. Any way, here is the concept of intelligence that we will assume in this case: "One faction within the AI community defines intelligence as the ability to cope with change and to incorporate new information in order to improve performance"(Wash 1). This definition may not be the most popular one when we are talking about intelligence in human beings, but in my opinion it is the best one to use when defining AI. So using the previous definition of intelligence, Darrel Patrick Wash said that "Artificial Intelligence is that which mimics humans reasoning or sensing"(1). Where did it come from? Is i... ...nology like this in a very civilized way. I guess it a feeling similar to the one that the creator of dynamite had. He knew he had created a marvelous product but what he did not imaging was the kind of destruction that this will bring. With equipment like the ones Artificial Intelligence can provide, we may be able to blow, not only the earth like it would happened if an atomic war occurs, but also a great part of the universe because these machines will be able to travel everywhere and may be also through time. I can only hope that when the moment comes to use it, we will be able to control our destructive nature and to concentrate in the great positives thing we can do with equipment like this. Like for example visit and exploring other planets. Work Cited Page Wash, Darrel Patrick. "Artificial Intelligence." Occupational Outlook Quarterly Summer 1989: 2.

THE EFFECT OF PEN HOLDING CONDITIONS ON THE HUMOUR RATING OF FUNNY CART

THE EFFECT OF PEN HOLDING CONDITIONS ON THE HUMOUR RATING OF FUNNY CARTOONS ABSTRACT Previous research concerning the facial feedback hypothesis contends that manipulation of facial expression induces emotional arousal. The aim of the experiment was to determine whether holding a pen in the mouth in way that resembles certain facial expression effect humour rating of cartoons rated by participants under one of three conditions. A sample of 60 naà ¯ve second year students from Monash University was divided into the three treatment conditions to test the hypothesis. There were two separate hypotheses to be tested. Results were not statistically significant and alternative hypotheses were not supported however, results did indicate a trend supporting the notions of the hypotheses. Implications of this study show that there are trends to support the facial feedback hypothesis however, inconclusively. Future research should be undertaken to effectively ascertain the validity of the facial feedback hypothesis, an extension of the James – Lange theory of emotion. The James – Lange theory suggests that there are three stages related to the experience of an emotion. The first stage is the physiological response to the stimuli mediated by the autonomic nervous system and can include increased heart beat, sweat forming on the palms and similar symptoms. Following the physiological response is the emotional or cognitive aspect of actually realising the emotion which is then followed by the behavioural aspect which denotes what is actually done in response to the stimulus, for example running away. (Buck, 1980, p.811) The facial feedback hypothesis is an extension of the James – Lange theory of emotion and contends that emotions are the result of physiological input rather than physiological reactions being the result of experienced emotions. According to the theory, feedback is taken from muscle activity in the body and is then interpreted by the brain and translated into the feeling of various emotions. For example, rather than a smile being elicited from a feeling of happiness, the facial feedback hypothesis suggests that it is the smile which has caused the feeling of happiness. (Dalton, 2000, p.60) In the past there has been research carried out to test the validity of the facial feedback hypothesis. Laird (1974, cited in Strack, Martin & Stepper. 198... ...tional responses. Consequently, it is important that further research be undertaken to replicate past research and improve the ability to generalize results to the given population. REFERENCES Buck, R. (1980). Nonverbal behavior and the theory of emotion: The facial feedback hypothesis. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 38, 811-824 Izard, C. E. (1990). The Substrates and Functions of Emotion Feelings: William James and Current Emotion Theory. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 16, 626-635 Larsen, R. J. (1992). Facilitating the Furrowed Brow: An Unobtrusive Test of the Facial Feedback Hypothesis Applied to Unpleasant Affect. Journal of cognition and emotion, 6, 321-338 Strack, F., Martin, L., Stepper, S. (1988). Inhibiting and Facilitating Conditions of the Human Smile: A Nonobtrusive Test of the Facial Feedback Hypothesis. Journal of personality and social psychology, 54, 768-777 Dalton, T. (2000). The developmental roots of consciousness and emotional experience. Consciousness & Emotion, 1, 55-89 Winton, W. (1986). The role of facial response in self-reports of emotion: A critique of Laird. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 50, 808-812

Many Are the Crimes

The period of McCarthyism brought strong anti-communist campaign in the United States which started in the 1940s and ended in the 1950s. This era was also known as the Second Red Scare. There were fears of Communist infiltration on American organizations and â€Å"espionage by Soviet agents† (Fried, 124). It was a troubled time during the McCarthy era where many Americans where charged of being Communists or being Communist sympathizers. Many of them went through a series of investigations and interrogations by government committees and agencies. These investigations were directed at individuals who work for the government, those in the entertainment business, union members and educators. Although evidences were weak and often exaggerated, suspicions were given more weight. As a result, many Americans lost their jobs and some were even incarcerated (Fried, 150). In Ellen Schrecker’s book Many Are the Crimes, the author describes the persecution of the Communist Party in the U.S. from the 1920s until the 1950s. Schrecker believed that McCarthyism contributed to the downfall of Communism in America and thrusted the country into a gulf of right-wing sentiments which plagues the U.S. until now ( Reeves, Are You Now†¦A new study of McCarthyism and the legacy of HUAC, 1998). The first three chapters of Schrecker’s book explain the Communist Party’s emergence in the 1930s in America. She explained why the Communist Party was susceptible to attacks by the U.S. government. The second chapter â€Å"Red Baiters, Inc.† is an extensive analysis of people and institutions which characterized anticommunism in the 1920s and 1930s (Schrecker, 41). The author outlines Franklin D. Roosevelt’s stance on Communism. According to Schrecker, President Roosevelt’s approach to Communism was â€Å"non-ideological† (p. 87), there were occasions that he did not pay attention to the existence of the Communist Party and there were times that he supported political suppression. Roosevelt authorized the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover to look into the Communist Party’s movement because they saw it as â€Å"a threat to national security† (p. 89). In Chapter 4, Schrecker discusses the U.S. government’s propaganda that the Communist Party was being influenced by Moscow. In Chapter 5, the author talks about how Americans saw Communism as a national threat through â€Å"subversion, espionage and sabotage† (p. 181). In the third part of Ellen Schrecker’s book, explains the â€Å"instruments† of anti-communism and how the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover used different tactics to purge communists in America by wiretapping and surveillance (p. 239). Schrecker discussed the role of Senator John McCarthy in the â€Å"anti-communist crusade†, and his â€Å"disregard for civil liberties† (p. 265). The last chapters of the book Many Are the Crimes, Schrecker talks about the experiences of Clinton Jencks and members of the workers union and how they were persecuted and eventually lost their jobs.   Schrecker explains the impact of McCarthyism in the American society, how it â€Å"destroyed the left† and paralyzed the Communist Party (p. 369). In context, Schrecker’s book exposed the effects of the McCarthy era not only in politics but also in the entertainment business wherein the Hollywood blacklist dictated who would produce movies and star in those films. Screenwriters, actors and actresses did not escape interrogation by the anticommunist committees and those found guilty of espionage were sent to jail (Whitfield, p. 194). The unions played an important part in those days because they talked about racial concerns in terms of equality. The union also provided support for women’s issues. It showed the inequality in terms of salaries that female workers get and how they are poorly-paid in comparison with the male workers. The union also encouraged women to be strong leaders. These progressive attempts of bringing change in the role of women in society and the work force were halted during the McCarthy era (Cherny, p.10). For the most part the greatest damage done during the McCarthy era was the destruction of the American left and the decline of the Communist Party in America. In terms of social policy, McCarthyism interrupted the reforms needed for health insurance. The country’s â€Å"cultural and intellectual life† became stagnant because of censorship during the McCarthy era (Schrecker, The Legacy of McCarthyism). The downfall of the McCarthy era was due to the decline of public support and court decisions which upheld individual rights and freedom (Fried, p. 197). With the current situation in the U.S., people are more vigilant and aware of the effects of McCarthyism. This episode will serve as a â€Å"cautionary tale for future generations† (Rosen, Could It Happen Again?). Works Cited Cherny, Robert W., William Issel and Kieran Walsh Taylor. American Labor and the Cold War: Grassroots Politics and Postwar Political Culture. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2004. Fried, Albert. McCarthyism, The Great American Red Scare: A Documentary History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997. Reeves, Thomas C. â€Å"Are You Now†¦.A New Study of McCarthyism and the Legacy of HUAC†.   14 June 1998. http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/06/14/reviews/980614. 14reevest.html. Retrieved on 7 January 2008. Rosen, Ruth. â€Å"Could It Happen Again?† 12 May 2003. http://www.commondreams.org/ views03/0512-01.htm. Retrieved on 7 January 2008. Schrecker, Ellen. â€Å"The Legacy of McCarthyism†. Retrieved on 7 January 2008. Schrecker, Ellen. Many Are the Crimes: McCarthyism in America. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1999. Whitfield, Stephen J. The Culture of the Cold War. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996.                                 

Magwitch’s feelings about dying

I am going to die. Going to die I am. I am to die going. Five flittering little words, whirling round and round my head. Death. The Grim Reaper, Lucifer, the Great Crow, the Black Cat, Anubis, the Pale Horseman. Humanity's greatest mystery, oldest fear, the Hourglass we all try to run away from, finally to be unmasked; I am no longer afraid. Suddenly, there is so much I want to say, so much I want to do, but in my sudden rush of adrenaline I am confined to these four walls, this hard, rough mattress, eyes fixed on the blank, white ceiling. I want to move, say something, let the world know that this is it, I'm through, I'm done†¦but then again, who will care? It hits me; what are we, foolish human beasts? Did we really think we could cut the marionette strings that link us to Time's fiddling hands? Is it possible, that we once believed we were safe from the sharp edges of the Fates' scissors? Surely we didn't, couldn't, once imagine that we would be prepared to die, that we would know when our ferry through Acheron would embark. No, surely not; before you know it, the obolus is stuffed down your throat and Charon's dark paddle begins to glide through the gloomy waters of the underworld. I repeat, I am not afraid, just mystified by the mists of the Unknown that follow behind the curtain. I can see it, flimsy little thing; a roughly cut, black silk sheet, full of whispers and buzzing voices. Who's there? Can I touch it? I'm going insane. No Magwitch, there is no curtain, there's just the blank white ceiling, get some sleep. I don't want to sleep! I want to go! I want to touch the curtain! What does it feel like? It looks so soft†¦ too soft. Something isn't right. It's not beautiful anymore, in fact, as you get closer to it, you can see it really isn't silk, they're dirty rags, intertwined in each other's filth†¦I don't want to pull this curtain anymore, I don't like it. Pip! Come back! Come back and tell me of my daughter! May I know more of her before I die that the mere fact that she is alive and the woman of your dreams! Please†¦the Lord won't be merciful to me! Please†¦don't leave me†¦ I am not ready for this, but I let it happen anyways; with one last sweeping action, the curtain engulfs me in its sea of black. I am going to die. I am dead.