Contemporary Issues in Information Systems Research Paper

Contemporary Issues in Information Systems - Research Paper Example Additionally, at the present there are numerous CASE tools which can be used by software development teams. These tools offer rigid policy and standards about implementation and design of the systems (Lamb, 2012; VisualCase, 2012). In addition, a number of the advantages offered by CASE and other similar techniques are that, by making the client element of the software development process (for instance by analyzing the marketplace and focus groups); a product is further possible to convene real-world requirements and features. In view of the fact that software development process heavily relies on redesign and testing, hence the price of servicing an application over its lifetime can be reduced considerably. In this scenario, a carefully established technique to development offers assurance for the code and design reuse, minimizing expenditures and improving value. Ultimately, quality software products are likely to develop a company’s image, offering a competitive edge in the market (Rouse, 2005). This report presents a detailed analysis of two major market leaders of CASE tools. Basically, this report presents an analysis of two major applications IBM Rational Software and Oracle Designer. These tools contain wonderful features and provide an excellent support throughout the software development process. This report will present the comparison of these two applications and specification of major features for more enhanced performance management of the application development. In this scenario, this research will assess these two products on the basis of different features and quality parameters. Analysis This report presents a detailed analysis of two leading CASE tool applications by comparing their features and attributes. In this scenario, I will compare and contrast IBM Rational Software and Oracle Designer on the basis of Repository (it demonstrates how the selected tools is using repository), Forward engineering features, Reverse Engineering feat ures and Modeling tool features. I will assess both applications of above stated characteristics to suggest a most excellent application. Repository IBM Rational The IBM Rational Case tools offer information that is able to improve quality of software development groups to function more efficiently and productively. Additionally, IBM Rational Rose permits development teams to uphold, capture and take benefit of software knowledge by means of a repository available to people through a web and Eclipse interfaces as well as to programming through a RESTful web based interface (IBM, 2012). In this scenario, Eclipse plug-in integrated in Rational Developer for System development connects the software developer to local as well as remote RAA repositories. In fact, it as well scans software application source files from local and remote workplace IDE software development projects into a local RAA system repository (IBM, 2012). In addition, the capability to scan symbols in some kind of fil e scanned by the Rational Asset Analyzer representation scanner, including the results into the Rational Asset Analyzer repository and comprising the data and information in the inquiry and analysis services. Moreover, it integrates information from a wide

Market Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Market - Research Proposal Example This necessity also entails multiple other concepts of marketing that encompasses the techniques based on which the factors related to customer dissatisfaction are identified and apprehended in an effective manner (Pearson Education, Inc., 2010). In relation to the above context, the proposal will be mainly designed for gathering the viewpoints of the customers in determining their satisfaction level towards the purchase made in relation to the selected product of ‘Cornish pasty’. In this proposal, multiple outcomes that project the emergence of customer complaints concerning the above product from domestic as well as international levels will also be evaluated. If seen from a logical perspective, it can be stated that the rise within the compliant levels amid the customers towards the selected product might impose greater level of threat to the business process of the company involved in manufacturing the product in the business markets of the UK (Cornish Pasty Association, 2015). Thus, with this concern, an attempt has been made to explore the reasons as to why there has been an increase in the percentage of complaints associated with this specific food product and also determine the nature of the customers’ complaints. Considering the above stated aspects, the proposal will also lay utmost focus on accumulating customers’ feedback relating to taste, quality, price and design of the product. From a theoretical perspective, it can be affirmed that the decrease within the interest levels of the customers eventually minimises the scope of developing multiple other products of similar category and also the revenue attainment opportunity. Rest apart, another credential objective of preparing this proposal is to focus upon collecting credential information regarding the potential changes that the customers intend to see within this product. Further part of the proposal will mainly encompass preparing two specific types of

Capital Punishment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Capital Punishment - Research Paper Example The final results were seven votes for Georgia Supreme Court and two votes against. The court in a seven to two decision stated that a death penalty did not violate the Eight and the Fourteenth Amendment under all circumstances. In extreme cases, when the defendant has been convicted of killing another person in a deliberate fashion, the appropriateness of death penalty is robust, provided it is carefully employed. There was an assurance of death penalty statute in Georgia’s Supreme Court by several jury findings as associated with the severity of the crime and the nature of the defendant as well as a comparison with each of the circumstances of the capital sentences. The court stated that capital punishment imposition with careful scrutiny acted as a useful deterrent to future capital crimes and that it was a proper means of the social retribution against the most serious offenders (Gregg v. Georgia, 1975). If the main concept behind death penalty is to put the dead person to justice, then no form of genteel behavior should be shown to the condemned person. â€Å"If our motive in executions is revenge or even instant punishment, let's let the bastards suffer as much as possible. â€Å"Let them fry," as some proponents of capital punishment say. Why bother to put them to sleep?† (R.E.B., 1996, p.2) It is also stated in the article that Americans favor capital punishment even if by a small margin. It must also be mentioned that there were some instances where seven innocent men were awarded the sentence but were set free after spending considerable time in prison (R.E.B., 1996, p.2). In a separate case of McCleskey v. Kemp (1987), McClesky was a black man who was convicted of killing... This essay describes the controversial issue of the capital punishment that is present in modern society today. The researcher describes the history of the capital punishment in different countries and cultures as well as debates on the necessity of such possibility. The researcher states that death sentence is an arguable phenomenon in our times, but it can become the only form of imparting justice in some rarest of the events. Though it may appear immoral and uncivilized in the high tech society of today, it helps in sending a strong message to the society. In some cases, the capital punishment also helps in relieving the inmate of the agony to wait for years deciding his fate. The essay presents that there are instances where people had begged to be executed as a form of moral liberation for their sins, and in of the cases discussed in this essay by the researcher, there is an instance of pure discrimination. As it is also mentioned in the essay as the highest form of all punishme nts, the jury needs to be extremely careful in awarding its sentences. It is important that no innocent must be killed for the sake of protecting the law. Justice must be done fairly at all times, considering both the defendant and the prosecution sides. It is also concluded by the researcher that death sentences are awarded to cleanse the society of social evils. It is also important to remember that the jury needs to ensure that it does not send a wrong signal to the society by building a silent anger amongst the people.

Criminal Law and Procedure Assignment Essay Example for Free

Criminal Law and Procedure Assignment Essay 1) At the Trial of Scissors Lee, the prosecution would like to produce to the court the caution statements of Scissors Lee as evidence of his confession. Can you write out a list of your objections you will raise with the court to the production of the caution statement at the trial? Ans:  Upon the production of the caution statement of Scissors Lee, I would like to raise some objections in term of its arresting procedure, reliability and voluntariness. Arresting Procedure: PC34567 should have cautioned Scissors Lee at the football ground According to the Rules and Direction for the Questioning of Suspects and the Taking of Statements issued by the Secretary for Security in 1992, when PC34567 has evidence that Scissors Lee might have committed an offence, he must caution Scissor Lee before putting him into further questions. In the caution statement, DPC13579 first quoted the conversation between Scissors Lee and PC34567 to induce Scissor Lee to have a consensus in the fact described in that conversation, however that conversation record was not obtained under caution and therefore it should not be mentioned in questioning Scissors Lee. Therefore, the caution statement is not obtained in a proper procedure and should be inadmissible. Arresting Procedure: DPC13579 did not tell Scissors Lee his rights fully under arrest After Scissors Lee was brought to the police station, he was not told by the police that he should have the chance to contact his family or get a lawyer. In that circumstance, Scissors Lee may be put in a situation of helpless and unassisted. Besides, DPC13579 told Scissors Lee that he could only go if he had given him a statement, therefore, there is a reasonable doubt that Scissors Lee may be induced to cooperate to work out the caution statement. If he was told that he may get a lawyer to represent him, he should have stayed silence during the interview of DPC13579. Reliability: The caution statement is recorded in English The interview should be conducted in the mother tongue of Scissors Lee, that seems not to be English but Cantonese, upon the conversation between Lee and PC34567 to avoid any ambiguity and misunderstanding. Scissors Lee is only a Form 4 student at a secondary school and do not do well in academic. Therefore, there is a reasonable doubt that Scissors Lee has the proficiency in English that he understood all the statements made by DPC13579 and stated concisely in his speaking about the whole story of the event. Voluntariness: The length of the time of the interview is too long The duration of the interview is 2 hours. It may be a factor that sapping the free will of Scissors Lee in signing the cautioned statement. When the interview time is lengthened, Scissors Lee was anxious to go home, and there is a reasonable possibility that Scissors Lee just signed the cautioned statement for letting DPC13579 to release him to go home, therefore the cautioned statement may not be made voluntarily and thus should be inadmissible. Voluntariness: Scissors Lee was in hunger but was rejected to take snack Throughout the interview, Scissors Lee was not given any refreshment. The interview was held at the time of having dinner (2000-2200), as he was quite hungry during the interview, he asked DPC13579 for some snack, however DPC13579 ignored him. In such circumstances, it is reasonable to object that the voluntariness of Scissors Lee to sign the cautioned statement was greatly affected by hunger and ignorance of DPC13579, thus the cautioned statement should be inadmissible. Voluntariness: Scissors Lee was deceived in signing the cautioned statement DPC13579 showed the cautioned statement to Scissors Lee, and simply asked him to sign on it without explaining the content. Scissors Lee thought the cautioned statement was a paper stating his right after his arrest and signed on it without full acknowledgement. There is a reasonable possibility that Scissors Lee was deceived into signing the cautioned statement and therefore, he was not voluntary in admitting hitting Ah Ho, therefore the cautioned statement should be void and thus inadmissible. Voluntariness: Scissors Lee was afraid of prejudice in admitting the offence Scissors Lee was told by DPC13579 that he was the only one arrested by the police and he must admit hitting Ah Ho otherwise the police would be very angry and come to his school to see him every day. Scissors Lee was afraid that if he did not admit the offence, the police would really come to see him every day which will obviously cause unexpected harassment to him. Therefore, the cautioned statement is clearly involuntary as it has been obtained by â€Å"a fear of prejudice†. Voluntariness: Scissors Lee was promised in admitting the offence Scissors Lee was told by DPC13579 that hitting is a common assault and he would get away with a fine. Since Scissors Lee thought that he already has a criminal conviction of bound-over and so that one more common assault would not further taint his character. DPC13579 had made an offer of release from police custody and therefore, it is obvious that Scissors Lee signed the cautioned statement in the hope of release, thus that statement is inadmissible. Voluntariness: Scissors Lee was unsuitable for confession upon his emotional status Throughout the interview, Scissors Lee was scared and anxious to go home. Under this mental condition, he was easily affected by external factors, such as the persuasion or threat by DPC13579, impatient to go home; therefore, it appears a reasonable doubt that he admitted the offence in absolute voluntary. As a result, the cautioned statement should not be admissible as it is not fair to demand Scissors Lee to make a comprehensive decision in the interview. Voluntariness: Scissors Lee may be affected by alcohol On the day in question, before PC34567 brought him back to police station, Scissors Lee was forced to drink whisky. It was hard to determine that whether the decision of Scissors Lee was affected by the alcohol. Therefore, there is a reasonable doubt that Scissors Lee signed the cautioned statement in an unconscious status, thus the cautioned statement may not be made in voluntary and so inadmissible. 2) Supposed Scissors Lee would plead guilty at his trial, can you advise him what mitigating factors you should address the court on his behalf? Ans:  After having a detailed analysis in Scissors Lee’s background and the circumstance of the offence, I may address the court some mitigating factors upon the facts of this case and of his background. Case Fact: Scissors Lee was scared of offending Mr. Big Mr. Big was an older boy who started to offer Scissors Lee drinks and snacks and treated him to bar after the match. He taught Scissors Lee how to drink and everybody in the football ground treated Mr. Big like their leader. In this case, Scissors Lee’s offence was instigated by Mr. Big. Mr. Big told Scissors Lee to be at the football ground at 3.30 pm so that he would like Scissors Lee to â€Å"teach Ah Ho a lesson.† Mr. Big continued to threaten Scissors Lee that if he did not come, Mr. Big would treat him naughty and teach him a real nasty lesson. Scissors Lee committed the offence only in fear of Mr. Big but not intentional. Case Fact: Scissors Lee was not the prime mover In this case, Mr. Big was throughout the only prime mover of the offence. Scissors Lee was only in control of Mr. Big because of fear of Mr. Big. He played a less important role than his accomplices in this offence and therefore he should be held less guilty. Without the threat by Mr. Big, there appears no evidence that Scissors Lee would commit the offence and cause any harm to Ah Ho, therefore, Scissors Lee was only a puppet of Mr. Big for his offence to Ah Ho. Case Fact: Scissors Lee attempted to stop others hitting Ah Ho When Ah Egg, Zero, Ah Kin were hitting Ah Ho, Scissors Lee went up and shouted to them to stop. His attempt to stop others hitting Ah Ho shows that, at first, he had no intention of hitting Ah Ho. Scissors Lee only pushed Ah Ho once after Mr. Big yelled at him, the purpose of his offence was only to make a false appearance to Mr. Big that he was hitting Ah Ho but not intended to cause bodily damage to Ah Ho. In such circumstances, his offence was relatively unsubstantial when compared to his accomplices. Case Fact: Scissors Lee was affected by alcohol which was forced to drink by Mr. Big Scissors Lee never like drinking wine. But before the offence, Scissors Lee was forced by Mr. Big to drink a lot of whisky. His offence may be affected by alcohol. Therefore, in such unconscious status, Scissors Lee was partly involuntary to commit the offence. There was no evidence that Scissors Lee will commit similar offence in the future. Case Fact: The injury of Ah Ho was not too serious Ah Ho was sent to the hospital for medical treatment, from his medical report, he was discharged with no complication from his wound and he would be expected to recover fully within two weeks. Although Scissors Lee and his accomplices did damage to Ah Ho, there was no evidence that the offence of Scissors Lee was causing any substantial damage and left any unrecoverable wound to Ah Ho. The offence committed by Scissors Lee was relatively light and it can be seen that the intention of Scissors Lee was not to cause serious harm to Ah Ho. Case Fact: Scissors Lee did not attempt to approach Ah Ho after the offence Scissors Lee has not tried to harass Ah Ho after the event and he stays a distance from Ah Ho, even if they are still in the same class. Scissors had shown genuine remorse for his offence and regret to what he had done to Ah Ho. Base on these circumstances, Scissors Lee is less likely to recommit any offence to Ah Ho. Case Fact: Scissors Lee pleaded guilty in sincere manner and cooperated with the police Scissors Lee was regret for his offence to Ah Ho, and he pleaded guilty in sincere manner. Throughout the arrest, Scissors Lee cooperated with the police and told the fact without any concealment. From the above evidence, we can see that Scissors Lee has the intention to repent and reform, he is less likely to commit any similar offence in the future. Therefore, the court should sentence him in high discretion. Background: Scissors Lee has good relationship with people surrounded From the background report of Scissors Lee, he came to Hong Kong 10 years ago to reunite with his father. However, his father since divorced his mother 8 years ago and left them. Scissors Lee is although come from a complicated family background his relationship with his mother is good. At school, he always has good relationship with school friends, class teacher and the principal. Scissors Lee has good personality and there is no substantial risk of reoffending. Background: Scissors Lee is a person of responsibility Scissors Lee is an active participator at school and he always help the school in important events like open-day, parents-day and whenever Justices of Peace come to visit them. It shows that Scissors Lee has a good character and a good work record at the school. Besides, Scissors Lee is also the sports captain of his school. He is responsible for organizing sport events and taking care of other schoolmates during sport events. All of his achievements at school show that, he is a person of responsibility and therefore he chose to bear the consequence of his offence. Background: Scissors Lee has a clear direction of future career Scissors Lee planned to be a footballer, a dancer or an artist after he has finished Form 5. He has a realistic prospect of career and therefore is outstanding from others of the same age. It shows that he is a mature and thoughtful youngster and therefore the criminal conviction of this minor offence would be a stain in his personality which may substantially affect his career and life in future already. Background: Scissors Lee was not really familiar with the prime mover Mr. Big Scissors Lee was not really familiar with the prime mover Mr. Big and his accomplices, Zero, Ah Kin and Egg. They are only met at the football ground and play football together. After this event, Scissors Lee is much likely to aloof from those people and he will no longer be influenced by these bad friends. Background: Although he was in bind-over, that offence was not relevant to this case Although Scissors Lee has a criminal conviction of fighting in public place on 5 Jan 2009 and he is under bound-over in $1000 for 12 months to be of good behavior and refrain from acts of violence. However, that offence was obviously provoked by the victims and it is not relevant to this case as in this case, Scissors Lee was in threat of Mr. Big. Therefore, the court should not impose any relationship from this record to the present case. Proposed Sentence Since Scissors Lee’s mother who earns only about $8,000 a month is the only financial support in his family, and the maintenance from his divorced father is always received on an irregular basis, to impose a fine may not be suitable as it may cause financial problem to his family. Therefore, a community service order should be imposed as Scissors Lee (1) is one with a light criminal record, (2) has a stable home background and good relationship with his mother, (3) has a good record in school important events, (4) has a realistic prospect of being a footballer, a dancer or an artist, (5) has shown genuine remorse upon his confession and (6) has no more than a slight risk of re-offending upon his background and facts in this case.

Micronucleus Assay Procedure | Literature Review

Micronucleus Assay Procedure | Literature Review Micronucleus (â€Å"MN) is defined as microscopically visible, round or oval cytoplasmic chromatin mass next to the nucleus. Micronuclei (â€Å"MNi†) originate from aberrant mitoses and consist of eccentric chromosomes, chromatid fragments or whole chromosomes that have failed to be incorporated into the daughter nuclei during mitosis. The MN assay has been widely accepted as an in vitro genotoxicity test and a biomarker assay for genotoxic exposure and effect in humans. In the earlier times, the MN assay used to be carried out on lymphocytes, since 1990s this technique has evolved magnificently to be carried out on buccal cells. As collection of buccal cells require a simple non-invasive cytological smear, MN assay has played a vital role in reviving the application of cytology in the field of diagnostics and research. An attempt has been made to review all the studies carried till date, utilizing micronucleus assay of buccal cells as a novel marker of genotoxicity in head a nd neck region. The literal meaning of the word Micronucleus (MN) describes it as a small nucleus in a large cell, or the smaller nuclei in cells that have two or more such structures. Schmid (1975) defined MN as a microscopically visible, round or oval cytoplasmic chromatin mass next to the nucleus (Fig. 1). MN is the name given to the small extra-nucleus that forms whenever a chromosome or a fragment of a chromosome is not incorporated into one of the daughter nuclei during cell division.1 4 The two basic phenomena responsible for the formation of MNi in mitotic cells are dysfunction of the mitotic apparatus and chromosome breakage (Fig. 2). Micronuclei (MNi) are formed from the whole chromosomes or chromatid fragments that lag behind in anaphase and are separated out from the daughter nuclei in telophase. Additionally, some MNi gets originated from fragments derived from broken anaphase bridges formed due to chromosome rearrangements such as dicentric chromatids, intermingled ring chromosomes or union of sister chromatids.5 – 9 In the course of telophase these chromosomal regions are included in the daughter cells where they can fuse with the main nucleus or can form one or more smaller secondary nuclei.8 This smaller secondary nucleus is known as MN and its number can vary from one to many. Now the MN formed can either go with the daughter nucleus they derive from or the other daughter nucleus. In the former scenario, neither of the daughter cells is aneuploid, and in the latter case the micronucleated cell has gained a chromosome, while its daughter cell has lost it.5 Micronucleus Assay The Micronucleus assay is defined as an investigative procedure carried out to analyze micronuclei quantitatively. It is one of the standard cytogenetic tools implemented to assess micronuclei formation (signifying chromosomal damage) subsequent to exposure to genotoxic/cytotoxic agents.11 In humans, MN assay can be easily employed in lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and exfoliated epithelial cells (e.g. oral, urothelial, nasal) to obtain a measure of genome damage induced in vivo.12 In the earlier times, once-divided cultured cells (mostly peripheral lymphocytes) were considered ideal for expressing MNi and the procedure used was known as cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. In the CBMN assay, once-divided cells are identified by their BN appearance after blocking cytokinesis with cytochalasin-B (Cyt-B).13 In the last three decades, ever since the advent of MN assay on exfoliated cells, the buccal cells have completely replaced the usage of lymphocytes for the obvious reason of non-invasive collection of cells and simpler method for analyzing the MNi. The general genotoxicity results by both the methods of MN analysis are comparable.12 The basal cells in the oral epithelium are the cells which possess the capability of mitosis, the new cells formed gets differentiated and mature as they migrate to the surface finally replacing the cells which are shed. Thus any genetic damage (expressed as MNi formation) instigated in these basal cells is reflected in the exfoliated cells; thus analysis of MNi in these cells can be correlated with the amount of genetic damage. As the oral epithelium acts as the first barrier for the inhalation or ingestion route and approximately 90% of cancers originate from epithelial cells, therefore, these cells represent a favored target site for early genotoxic events induced by carcinogenic agents entering the body via inhalation and ingestion.12 The procedure for MN assay has been summarized in Table 1-3. Through this review, we intend to highlight the application of MN assay on buccal cells by reviewing significant studies from the English literature. We also aim to emphasize the pitfalls associated and the measures to overcome the same. Review of Literature In the early studies from the 1980s, exfoliated buccal mucosa cells were used to evaluate the genotoxic effects of betel nuts and quids and of chewing tobacco. Most studies showed higher MN frequencies at the site within the oral cavity where the quid or tobacco mixture was kept compared to the opposite, control site. The MN assay in buccal cells was also used to study cancerous and precancerous lesions and to monitor the effects of a number of chemopreventive agents. It is notable that the first studies of Stich and Rosin conducted between 1983 and 1984 had higher baseline MN frequencies than subsequent studies. This may have been due to a lack of defined scoring criteria and a relatively small number of scored cells (in some cases less than 500). Since then, published biomonitoring studies using the MN assay in buccal mucosa cells have investigated the effects of multiple factors including environmental and occupational exposures, radiotherapy, chemoprevention, vitamin supplementat ion trials, lifestyle habits, cancer, and other diseases.12 Micronuclei as a novel biomarker Occupational and environmental exposures In the last 15–20 years the MN assay has been applied to evaluate chromosomal damage for biological monitoring of human populations exposed to a variety of mutagenic and carcinogenic chemical or physical agents. Significantly higher frequencies of MN have also been observed in exfoliated buccal cells from people exposed to organic solvents, antineoplastic agents, diesel derivatives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead-containing paints and solvents, and drinking water contaminated with arsenic.12, 18-20 MN and radiation Ionizing radiation plays an important role in the treatment of many neoplasias, but it also produces genetic damage. As a consequence, secondary tumors may develop years after the primary tumor treatment. Several studies evaluated MNi in buccal cells of patients undergoing radiotherapy in the head and neck region. The most striking increase in cytogenetic damage (150– 300 MN/1000 cells) was observed in an early study of three patients exposed to a cumulative dose of 3400–4000 cGy.12 MN frequencies in buccal cells of patients with some specific diseases A site-specificity was observed for Xeroderma pigmentosum patients, with a higher MN frequency in cells from the dorsal tip of tongue, possibly due to greater light exposure. Down syndrome was associated with a 733% increase in MNi in comparison to younger healthy controls, and the MN frequency was 78.5% higher than in older controls. An increase in MN frequency in buccal cells was reported for Diabetes mellitus with the patients having double the level of genetic damage in comparison to matched controls and for treated pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis in comparison with controls or children with Crohn’s disease.12 Findings of the study carried out at Genetics Research Unit, National Council Research Institute of Clinical Physiology, Italy supported the hypothesis that CBMN assay may provide an useful tool for screening of the obesity and metabolic syndrome and its progression to diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adults as well in children.21 Results of the stud y carried out in Mexico demonstrated a strong association between HPV type infection and MN frequency.22 Lifestyle and Host Factors Lifestyle factors that are associated with genetic damage include smoking, alcohol consumption, and diet, especially vitamin deficiencies and supplementation. The majority of the studies reporting a significant increase in MN in buccal mucosa cells related to a risk of oral cancer were performed in subgroups of subjects with specific lifestyle habits, i.e. chewers of betel quids (areca nut, betel leaves, slaked lime and tobacco) from India, Taiwan and Philippines; reverse smokers (who hold the lit end of the cigarette inside their mouths) from India and Philippines; snuff dippers from Canada; users of Khaini tobacco (tobacco mixed with slaked lime) from India, and other similar practices.12 The HUMN project is an effective vehicle for the development and implementation of an international collaborative validation effort to bring together the various buccal MN databases, and to identify and quantify the key variables affecting this biomarker.12 EXFOLIATIVE CYTOLOGY AND MICRONUCLEI RELATED STUDIES Studies in relation to Oral Cancer Potentially Malignant Lesions: Biomonitoring of the changes in patients with diagnosed diseases or pathological changes that may lead to the development of cancer and other illnesses is becoming increasingly popular, and may be the most rapidly growing area of application of the MN assay to epithelial cells.12 A study carried out in France, in the year 1987, found out a baseline of 1.30 Micronucleated cells/1000 Cells in patients with carcinoma of upper digestive tract, using Feulgen Stain.12 A revised protocol for the exfoliated cell micronucleus assay was field-tested in a population exposed to a genotoxic agent, snuff, at levels associated with a significant increase in cancer risk in North Carolina. The assay was revised to increase specificity and to include separate scoring of other nuclear anomalies associated with cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The prevalence of micronucleation was elevated in the snuff users as compared with the nonusers (prevalence ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1–5.2) and, to a lesser extent, at the usual contact site as compared with a distal buccal site in the snuff users (prevalence ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.9–2.5).23 In a study carried out in India, frequencies of micronucleated cells (MNCs) were analyzed in the exfoliated buccal mucosa of normal healthy individuals from different parts of India who were regularly using either areca nut alone, mava, tamol, tobacco with lime, dry snuff or masheri. The analyses were also carried out among oral submucous fibrosis patients who had the habit of chewing either mava or areca nut. Compared with no habit healthy individuals, all the groups, irrespective of their type of habit, had significantly higher frequencies of MNCs.24 A study carried out in Texas, using Feulgen stain, found out an increase in Micronuclei frequency at the site of lesion in Leukoplakia, which got decreased after the administration of ÃŽ ± – tocopherol. 25 A study done in India in year 1996, found out an increased micronuclei count in oral exfoliated cells of patients suffering from Leukoplakia, Lichen Planus and Oral Submucous Fibrosis, using Giemsa stain. A baseline of 1.9 Micronucleated cells/1000 cells was found in each of the lesions as compared to normal subjects.12 A study done in Germany in year 2000, found out a baseline of 9.0 Micronucleated cell/1000 cells each in patients suffering from Squamous Cell Carcinoma of upper digestive tract and Leukoplakia, using Giemsa stain.12 A study done in Brazil in the year 2002 found out a baseline of 1.13 Micronucleated cell/1000 cells in patients diagnosed with oral cancer, using Feulgen stain.12 In another study carried out in West Bengal, India, 50 patients with precancerous o r malignant oral epithelial lesions were compared with 50 age and sex matched healthy controls without any oral lesions, using Giemsa stain. The MN frequency was increased in preoperative cancer cases and decreased in postoperative cases, while in pre-cancerous cases it was higher than in the controls.26 A group of researchers from Italy, studied Micronuclei and p53 accumulations in preneoplastic and malignant lesions of head and neck and concluded that both these biomarkers were found in precancerous lesions, suggesting that they are early event in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression. The two biomarkers were not related to each other, indeed micronuclei frequency was found out to be higher in p53 -negative than in p53 – positive cells.27 Another study done in India, in year 2007, found out a baseline of 1.6 Micronucleated cell/1000 cells each in patients diagnosed with Oral Cancer and pre malignant lesions of the oral cavity, using Giemsa stain.1 In an infield study carried out on smokers in Egypt, Papanicolaou (PAP) stain was compared with May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG) for staining of micronuclei in exfoliated buccal cells. Researchers found out that PAP stain was faster and easier to process and transport in the field study than was MGG stain. Regarding MGG smears, bacteria and cell debris masked the MN as compared to PAP smears, in which the fixative destroyed the bacteria and made the cell boundaries clearly demarcated. Using PAP stain, MN were seen easily in transparent cytoplasm. Finally they concluded that PAP stain is the preferred method infield studies for scoring and detecting MN in cells of buccal mucosa.28 A study carried out in JIPMER, Pondicherry, India screened 25 patients in varying stages of squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and 25 patients with premalignant lesions for the presence of Micronuclei in the epithelial scrapings obtained from the site of the lesion. Highest Micronucleus Index was found in carcinoma and erythroplakia among the premalignant lesions, using the MayGrunwald Giemsa and Giemsa stain.3 In a study carried out in Thailand on patients with Oral Lichen Planus(OLP), it was found out that the frequency of Micronucleated Epithelial Cells(MEC) in OLP patients was 3.79% and 0.37% in the lesions and normal-appearing mucosa, respectively. Using a paired t-test, it was found that the MEC frequency in the OLP lesions was significantly elevated (p 29 In another study carried out in India, Micronucleus frequencies in oral exfoliated cells stained with Papanicolaou stain were counted and correlated with the histopathological grades and clinical stages of squamous cell c arcinoma patients. They were also compared with the healthy control subjects. Micronuclei (MN) frequencies were found higher in squamous cell carcinoma patients than in control subjects. MN frequencies were also found to be raised with increasing histological grades of squamous cell carcinoma.30 Grover et al observed a significantly raised micronuclei count in potentially malignant disorders like Leukoplakia, Lichen planus and OSMF, when compared to normal healthy mucosa.31 In another study, Grover et al applied Hematoxylin Eosin stain, the most commonly used stain for histopathological examination, for staining the cytosmears and found statistically significant results.32 Studies not in relation to Potentially Malignant Lesions: The micronucleus test was applied to exfoliated cells of the buccal mucosa of four population groups: (A) non-smokers and non-drinkers of alcoholic beverages, (B) non-smokers but alcohol drinkers, (C) smokers but non-drinkers, and (D) smokers and drinkers. An elevated frequency of micronucleated buccal mucosa cells was observed only in group D (smokers and alcohol drinkers). Neither smoking alone of up to and over 60 cigarettes per day nor ethanol drinking alone of up to 1.21 per day led to a detectable elevation of micronucleated buccal mucosa cells.33A study carried out in Amsterdam, Netherlands in an attempt to define a standardized protocol for counting micronuclei to assess the genotoxic damage in human exfoliated cells, concluded that atleast 10,000 exfoliated cells should be screened to monitor a significant reduction of 50% in the number of micronuclei (for a patient with an initial frequency in the micronuclei frequency range given). Since it takes ~7 h to evaluate this numb er of cells, it was also concluded that counting of micronuclei requires automation.2 A structured literature review done on smoking and smokeless tobacco associated changes concluded that the assay used most frequently for tobacco-associated buccal cell changes was the micronucleus assay. The biological significance of the micronuclei in buccal cells of the oral mucosa is that the micronuclei are a manifestation of a readily identifiable clastogenic event that, has been associated with smoke and smokeless tobacco.34 A study carried out on Gas Station Attendants in Brazil, found out an increased Micronuclei frequency in exfoliated buccal cells of the exposed as compared to the controls, using Feulgen stain.35 A group of researchers from West Bengal, India, in an attempt to study the genotoxic effects of combustion fumes on targeted sites carried out Micronucleus assay using Feulgen stain in buccal epithelial cells of 47 firefighters and they found a 3 fold increase in Micronuclei fr equency as compared to the controls.36 To study the effects of occupational exposure to petroleum derivatives such as benzene, exfoliated buccal cells from 50 petrol station attendants and 50 age- and sex-matched control subjects were examined for micronucleus (MN) frequency by a group of researchers in Turkey. Frequencies of nuclear abnormalities (NA) other than micronuclei, such as binucleates, karyorrhexis and karyolysis, were also evaluated, using Feulgen stain. Analysis of buccal cells revealed that MN and NA frequencies in petrol station workers were significantly higher than in control subjects (P P 37 Another study in Brazil was carried out to comparatively evaluate the DNA damage (micronucleus) and cellular death (pyknosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis) of exfoliated buccal mucosa cells from children and adults following dental X-ray exposure. The results indicated no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in childrens as well as in adult’s micronucleated oral mucosa cells before and after dental X-ray exposure.38 In a study conducted in Europe, a total of 239 agricultural workers and 231 unexposed controls were examined for cytogenetic effects in lymphocytes of peripheral blood and exfoliated cells of the oral mucosa. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) was evaluated in both cell types and their relationship to different confounding factors (e.g. sex, country, smoking habit, etc.) was determined, using Giemsa stain. The results obtained indicated that there are no increases in MN frequencies in the agricultural workers when compared with the controls for either lym phocytes or buccal cells.39 Conclusion MN formation is generally considered as a manifestation of genetic damage or chromosomal breakage. Many investigators already and unequivocally have called MN as an upcoming marker of tumorogenesis. MN is thus a potential biomarker to screen genotoxicity, biomonitoring of various diseases, detection of malignancies and preneoplastic conditions and also a lot of other diseases. Since MN is a manifestation of day to day exposure to environmental pollutants, infections, nutrition, radiation, foods, and the genetic make-up or ethnicity which again varies around the globe. So there must be an upper limit of the base-line MN frequency only beyond which we can label it as increased MN frequency.

Types Of Natural Resources

Types Of Natural Resources Resource is a general term for substance, energy and information that can be exploited and developed by human. It is a naturally occurring substance that widely exists in nature and human society which can bring wealth to humanity. According to Elcome (1998), natural resources are the natural commodities and features of the Earths physical environment that are exploited by the human populations. Natural resources are extracted from the Earth to use in their existing form and often changed in form during the manufacturing process, which turns natural resources into products. The world is heading for an ecological credit crunch far worse than the current financial crisis because humans are over-using the natural resources of the planet, an international study warns today. The Living Planet report calculates that humans are using 30% more resources than the Earth can replenish each year, which is leading to deforestation, degraded soils, polluted air and water, and dramatic declines in numbers of fish and other species. (Jowit, 2008) Basically, natural resources are classified into two major categories, which are renewable resources and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are further sub-categorized into sustainable and perpetual resources, while non-renewable resources are divided into consumable, recoverable and recyclable resources. Renewable resources are the first major category of the types of natural resources. Renewable resources are the resources which regenerate through natural processes within a reasonable time period. They have the potential to regenerate as long as it is not used up faster than it is replaced (Bagad, 2009). As shown in Diagram 1, renewable resources are sub-distinguished into sustainable and perpetual resources. A sustainable resource has a few characteristics which make it naturally to be classified as one of the sub-classes of renewable resources. One of its characteristics is the ability to maintain its resources for a period of time because its supply are currently available to be used and believed to sustain for the coming hundred and even thousand of years. It is also reliable in a perspective way as its usage hardly or does not cause any pollution to the environment. In turn, this uncountable and environmentally friendly resource can be utilized effectively. Examples of this cla ss resource include soil, forest, and water in aquifers. To improve the perspective towards sustainable resource characteristics, forest is chosen to be illustrated. Forest is formed with thousands of trees and every single of them has the capability to reproduce and renew themselves, where need not human to assist for growth or produce. Forest has large production capacity, long rotation time, and multiply uses (Nine unique features of forest, n. d). To be qualified holds the position as the second sub-class of the first major category of natural resources, perpetual resource has certain features which differ as well as share with sustainable resource. Particularly, perpetual resource has unbounded supply of its resource to be repetitively used forever, as compared to that of sustainable. While its reliability to be used and cause free-pollution to the environment is the characteristics sharing with sustainable resource. Tidal, wind, wave and solar energy are the examples for perpetual resource. Let further discuss on wind and solar energy for better understanding of the characteristics for perpetual resource. Wind contains tremendous amount of energy and it uses sophisticated turbines to convert this energy to electric power. Wind is just moving air created as the sun heats the earths surface. As long as the sun is shining, the wind remains an infinite. Though wind only generated little power in the United States in 2009, it is the fastest growing source of the new electric power, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration. For the case of solar energy, the Sun has produced energy in the form of heat and light since the Earth formed. This formation of the heat is categorical as solar. Since solar energy is originated from the Sun, it does not bring harmful pollution to environment and its infinity supply definitely make it has feasibility and might substitutes any other form of resources. Ashok (n.d.) stated that in the 21st century solar energy is expected to become increasingly attractive as an energy source because of its inexhaustible supply and its nonpolluting character, in stark contrast to the finite fossil fuels coals, petroleum, and natural gas. In addition to the first major category pointed in above, the non-renewable resources likewise make up the second major category of the types of natural resources. As discussed by Perman, Yue, McGilvray and Common (1999), non-renewable resources are formed by geological processes that usually take millions of years, so that they can be viewed as existing in the form of fixed stocks of reserves which, once extracted, cannot be renewed. Most experts and scientists translate non-renewable resources as not environmental friendly, cause to damaging effects towards living things, lead to imbalance of the ecosystem. In fact, non-renewable resources are sub-classified into three forms, which comprised of consumable, recyclable and recoverable resources as illustrated in Diagram 1. The first sub-class of the second category of natural resources is consumable resource and as its name implied, it can be consumed either partially or completely of its supply. In order to indicate the quantity of this resource that could be undertaken before its depletion occurs and requiring replenishment, a rate of consumption or capacity has been introduced. Fossil fuels are the best example to fit into this sub-class because it is consumable and it has limited resource to be supplied for long term. It is composed of oil, natural gas and coal, these 3 major types and they are all have broad usage to anyone in any country, which makes it be the most useful resource among others. Now, with only about 4.5 percent of the world population, the United States accounts for a quarter of total fossil fuel use, the largest per capita consumption of any country (Pimental Patzek, 2006). Whereas, the second sub-class of the second category of natural resources goes to recyclable. Recyclable resource has a unique characteristic, which is it can be reused again by applying some technological advance such as in machinery to reproduce it into either a brand new product or renew it alike original product. This recycling resource is beneficial to society as well as can remains its scarce resource, and thus it is worth to be recycled. Materials from discarded industrial products are usually being recycled. Holechek, Cole, Fisher and Valdez (2000) discussed that recycled metals become increasingly important as resources are depleted in the U.S. because metal recycling is cost-effective, progress continues to be made in recycling technology. Metallic ores are compatible to be an example for this sub-class as it is now widely being recycled and modified into different types of products. The third sub-category of non-renewable resources is recoverable resource. Recoverable resources are the amount of resources identified in a reserve that are technologically or economically feasible to extract. Mineral reserves and all other deposits that may eventually become available, either known deposits that are not economically or technologically recoverable at present, or unknown deposits, rich or lean, that may be inferred to exist but have not been recovered yet. Rock, though it is hard and strong, does not stay that way forever. When it undergoes the process of weathering, small grains and tiny particles are worn out and sand is formed. One of the examples of recoverable resources is sand. Mattern (2005) mentioned that weathering and erosion are processes that use natural forces like wind, water, and ice to break down and transport rocks and other material. It takes thousands or millions years to form sand, depending on the climate changes and environmental elements. The m ost abundant constituent of sand is silica, usually in the form of quartz. There are lands on Earth that are still unexplored. It is believed that much sand will be discovered in the future. In conclusion, the types of natural resources are classified into renewable and non-renewable as its two major categories. While each of this major category can be sub-differentiated into several classes, i.e. sustainable and perpetual for renewable and consumable, recyclable and recoverable for non-renewable. Each of these sub-classes has its unique and specific characteristic which holds it from being categorized into the others.

Violence in the Media Essay -- Entertainment Television Crime Papers

Violence in the Media Media is all around us. Everywhere we look, there is someone, somewhere trying to communicate his or her thoughts to us. And with the new technologies in media, this message is stronger than ever. Almost every home in America has a television or radio in it. The messages that are portrayed through these mediums are unmistakable; buy me, listen to me, think what I think. With all of these messages spinning around there are bound to be some bad seeds. Violence has become an important issue, something that has become almost part of our daily lives. So often we lose sight of just how serious violent messages in media can affect our daily lives. Violence in the media has become so much more accepted in the past few decades, that no one seems to even take notice to it anymore, it has become almost 'normal' to us as a society. But its effects can be dangerous. Violence in the News Some of the most violent television today is the evening news. The news gives the Public the day?s events. The reason why the news is so violent is because of what goes on in the world. Between 1993 and today, crime stories are the headlines in the news. On average since 1993, the evening news reports 7448 crime stories in the top headlines. The problem with the news airing the violent crimes that take place through out the day is that children are easily able to access the news. The televised news is not rated and cable is not needed for people to receive the news. On top of crime, the news also broadcasts militant events and shows clips from the front lines. This is used to show people what is going on with the armed forces. The cameras often catch heavy combat and it can be shown live, and there ... ...olence in the media needs to become a concern for everyone, as it affects all of us in our daily lives. References Book Chapter: 1) 1) Jaeger, James R: Violence in Movies Study, 1999 2) 2) One Voice Communications: Grading the movies, 2001 Book: 3) 3) MacKenzie, Catriona M: Violence in movies, 1999-2001 Online/Web Site 4) 4) Killer Ducky Movie Reviews (2001). Ducky Reviews: Southpark-Bigger, Longer and Uncut. Retrieved from the World Wide Web: http://www.killerducky.com/r00012.htm. 5) 5) http://www.nctv.org/ 6) 6) http://www.cep.org/tvviolence.html 7) 7) http://gradingthemovies.com/ 8) 8) http://www.ridgenet.org/szzaflik/tvrating.htm 9) 9) http://www.policyreview.com/nov98/mayhem.html 10) 10) http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/documents.asp 11) 11) http://www.massmic.com