Quality Vs Old Fasion Essays - Videotape, Consumer Electronics

Quality Vs Old Fasion Quality vs. Old Fashion With the introduction of DVD technology, VHS videotapes are eventually going to be put out of production. Just like compact disks have taken over cassette tapes. Although cassette tapes are still being produced, they are not as popular as they were during the late 70s and early 80s. There are different aspects between a DVD and a VHS movie that include picture quality, sound quality, and special features that were not in the theater version. The first thing someone will notice when watching a DVD movie is the Significantly better video quality than standard VHS. The picture is more crisp and clear than it is on a VHS. This is because DVDs are made from digital technology. Some DVDs offer a wide screen version or a formatted screen version of the movie. The difference between the two is that the formatted screen version is cropped and fits a television screen. The wide screen version is the version that is played at the movie theater. More of the picture can be viewed with the wide screen version than the formatted version, but there are two black bars at the top and bottom of the screen that have to be ignored while watching the movie. Another difference between the two concerning picture quality is the tracking feature on VHS. This is not a feature on a DVD. As long as the disk is in good condition there will be no locked or chattered images (DVD vs. Video Tape, home page). The next noticeable difference between DVD and VHS is the sound quality. The sound quality on DVD is very clear. Whereas a VHS will have some static in the sound. Some companies include a surround sound feature called Dolby Surround Sound. Those who have a home entertainment system can take advantage of this feature. Although the feature is still noticed without an entertainment system. The surround sound feature on a DVD will have better quality than a VHS. Someone could be satisfied with the VHS surround sound quality, but the static that would not be on a DVD video will still be there. One of the most magnificent features of a DVD is the special features screen. Different options can be selected from the special features screen on a DVD that you would not find on a VHS. More information can be learned about the film with the special features. Features like out takes, soundtrack video, the making of the movie, choice between different languages, and various other options. Some VHS videos may have out takes and other features at the end of the movie, but then there is the inconvenience of having to fast forward to the end of the movie just to view them. With a DVD you can simply choose the option and go right to the selection. Another feature of a DVD is the not having to rewind feature. You still have the rewind button so you can search through the movie, but you dont have to rewind the movie when its over. In conclusion, DVDs may cost a little more than VHS videotapes, but it will be worth the extra couple of dollars. When you buy a DVD you are buying a better quality of the movie than you would get with a VHS tape. DVDs have more features to offer, better picture quality, and better sound quality. With this said, why would anyone still decide to buy a VHS tape? Works Cited Cisco Inc. DVD vs. Video Tape. Todds DVD Page. (17 February 2001) *http://www.ultranet.com/~tshort/dvdframe.htm* English Essays

Nutrition Month Essays

Nutrition Month Essays Nutrition Month Paper Nutrition Month Paper Did you know that we celebrate Food Conservation Month in January; Heart Month and National Arts Month in February; Fire Prevention Month, National Women’s Month, and Tax Consciousness Month in March; Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa and National Lung Month in August; National Science Club Month in September; National Children’s Month and Consumer Welfare Month in October; and Filipino Values Month in November? Did I forget a month? Oh, yes! So, what are we celebrating this month? Oh my gulay, it’s Nutrition Month! By virtue of Presidential Decree 491 (aka Nutrition Act of the Philippines), the National Nutrition Council is spearheading this nationwide celebration, now in its 38th year, that carries this very meaty theme: Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain. The 38th Nutrition Month celebration underscores the importance of vegetables to increase vegetable consumption as part of a healthy diet to address micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases, promote vegetable gardening as a source of additional food and income, and increase demand for vegetables to help local vegetable farmers. Nutrition Month focuses on vegetables for several reasons: Filipinos are eating less and less vegetables. From 145 grams per day in 1978, consumption has decreased to 110 grams per day in 2008. In terms of age groups, children six months to five years old consumed only a little amount of vegetables. Studies show that among the reasons for low vegetable consumption are: influence of family members who do not eat vegetables, dislike for vegetables because of taste and texture, cultural beliefs about vegetables, cost, preparation time, and fear of chemicals. In eating such vegetables, we can get nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, E as well as potassium, folic acid, iron, and calcium. In eating vegetables, we can get health benefits unlike other foods; and the following are the benefits that we can get. Vegetables as part of a healthy diet can help prevent major non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Consumption of vegetables can help prevent micronutrient deficiencies. Vegetables ensure an adequate intake of most micronutrients, dietary fibers, and a host of essential non-nutrient substances. Eating vegetables may help decrease bone loss as vegetables decrease the amount of calcium excreted in the urine. It may help lower calorie intake and thus help in maintaining healthy weight because vegetables are low in calories and do not contain cholesterol. Vegetables contain antioxidants and protectants such as carotenoids, lycopene, and phytochemicals, which can help strengthen the immune system, reduce the risk of diseases, and contribute to well-being. Our school, Our Lady of Caysasay Academy, first celebrated Nutrition Month which had certain contests for us students that we really enjoyed. Contests like The Making of the Nutri-Board, by section, which will be divided into 2 groups and will compete for the representative of the class and the other contest was Veggie Fest, which is also by section, wherein, 3 representatives will be picked to cook a certain dish that will test our creativity. For Grade 7, the dish given to them is Vegetable Salad; sophomore, Malunggay Dish; Junior, Chop Suey; and for the seniors, their own and original dish. Well, I’ll just mention the places that we’ve got. For the Nutri-Board, even though the other group won, I’m still grateful that they got the first place. And for the Veggie Fest, we earned the second place. It is our first time to celebrate it, I can say that it’s a success and we had a lot of fun. There are certain students who won and who didn’t, but whatever happens, we accepted reality. We still have the next year to further make a lot of practice and such to really win. I’m hoping that our school will still celebrate it next year, for it is such a wonderful experience. .

Quotes Showing Why Anakin Skywalker Turned Evil

Quotes Showing Why Anakin Skywalker Turned Evil If you are a Star Wars fan, you have probably read up everything about Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader. Darth Vader is one of the most popular sci-fi villains. The transformation of pristinely good and golden Anakin Skywalker into the dark and dangerous Darth Vader is interesting. So what makes Anakin Skywalker, the most powerful Jedi, turn evil? Who Is Anakin Skywalker? Anakin Skywalker, the hero, once worshiped by the Jedi Order becomes a victim of his circumstance. His love for his wife Padme Amidala becomes his undoing. He turns to the dark side when he realizes that it was the only way he can save his beloved wife from dying. After a vicious battle with the Jedi led by his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin is left badly injured. He is saved by Palpatine, his Jedi mentor who is secretly a Sith Lord. Of course, Palpatines motives are to use Anakin against the Jedi Order, as he wants to manipulate Anakin Skywalkers strengths and weaknesses. The Rise of Darth Vader Lord Palpatine turns Anakin Skywalker into the dark and deadly Darth Vader for his selfish pursuits. Darth Vader rises like a phoenix with his mind filled with hatred for the Jedi. He becomes the oppressor and tyrant that fills the Jedi with trepidation. Darth Vader, the ruthless slayer of Jedi younglings, is a victim of political vendetta. He is an agent of evil with a heart of goodness. What Can You Learn From Anakin Skywalkers Character? Anakin Skywalkers complex personality makes him one of the most popular characters in sci-fi movies. The two faces of Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader remind us that it is good and evil in every one of us. It is your choice to be what you want to be. You can blame your circumstances for your misdeeds. Or you can accept reality, and work hard to be good despite the negative energy around you. The choice is yours. Here is some soul-stirring Anakin Skywalker quotes that will put you in a reflective mood. For those who love Darth Vader, read some quotes from the evil Sith Lord himself. Anakin Skywalker Prequel Quotes Episode II - Attack of the ClonesYoure asking me to be rational. That is something I know I cannot do. Believe me, I wish I could just wish away my feelings, but I cant. Episode I - The Phantom MenaceMom, you said that the biggest problem in the universe is no one helps each other. Episode II - Attack of the ClonesAttachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion- which I would define as†¦unconditional love- is essential to a Jedis life. So, you might say that we are encouraged to love. Episode II - Attack of the ClonesWe will find out whos trying to kill you, Padmà ©. I promise you. Episode II - Attack of the ClonesSomeday I will be the most powerful Jedi ever. Episode II - Attack of the ClonesI killed them. I killed them all. Theyre dead, every single one of them. And not just the men, but the women and the children, too. Theyre like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals. I HATE THEM! Episode II - Attack of the ClonesIts all Obi-Wans fault. Hes jealous. Hes holding me back. Episode II - Attack of the Clones[Anakin uses his Force levitation to slice a fruit for Padme] If Obi-Wan caught me doing that, he would be very grumpy. Episode III - Revenge of the SithIm going there to end this war. Wait for me until I return. Things will be different, I promise. Please wait for me. Episode II - Attack of the Clones[Anakin Skywalker, after Obi-Wan Kenobi cuts off Zam Wesells arm] Jedi business, go back to your drinks!

The lack of cultural awareness in the average American Soldier served Essay

The lack of cultural awareness in the average American Soldier served as a detriment during the early phases of the Iraqi War - Essay Example Firstly, culture is not a static entity. Rather, it`s a dynamic and an ever changing concept. Since people are the driving force behind a culture, it keeps evolving and changing according to the change in circumstances. Secondly, culture is not inherited, i.e. it can`t be transferred via genes to the next generation. In fact, it is transmitted through socialization from one generation to another. Culture can also be multi-faceted, which implies that one person might be exposed to various cultures at the same time, which incarnates values and beliefs in an individual which are a blend of various other cultures. Fourthly, there are various means of transmitting a culture, including our family, friends, school, religion, media and any other modes of communication we experience. Thus, acquiring a culture is a continuous process which goes on through our entire lives. Lastly, culture is expressed though various means, which is reflected in the way our beliefs are carved, the way we dress up, talk, eat, our work habits etc (Colbert). Thus, culture is a very important entity which leaves an impact on almost all aspects of the lives of an individual, who is a member of a community or a nation. Since shared cultures and meanings are an important part of an individual`s identity socialized via various modes, it is important to understand the culture of a region to understand the dynamics of that area. For this reason, the lack of cultural awareness in American soldiers acted as a detriment during the Iraqi war. To analyze the situation closely, it is important to study the geography and the history of the military conflict in detail, the weather analysis of the region, and the ASCOPE (areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people and events) of the region of interest. To understand the culture, however, it is important to

Analyse Cast Away (Dir. Robert Zemeckis, 2000) in depth as an example Essay

Analyse Cast Away (Dir. Robert Zemeckis, 2000) in depth as an example of New Hollywood and examine film from industrial, formal- - Essay Example A FedEx delivery van pulls into a ranch with a big overhead iron sculpture which reads Dick and Bettram. The ranch is an island in a sea of prairie. The radio plays Elvis Pressley â€Å"Heartbreak Hotel† as the driver picks up a package stamped with a logo of two wings embraced by three halos. As the driver leaves, Elvis sings â€Å"I’m All Shook Up†; it’s not a radio, she’s an Elvis fan. The van door reopens in Russia. The package is delivered to her husband who is with another woman. The next package is delivered by a little boy to Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) who pulls a timer from the packet and continues his lecture on urgency, how time rules life. Back in Memphis, Chuck proposes marriage, actually he doesn’t, but promises to discuss it on New Years Day when he returns, to Kelly Frears (Helen Hunt) in a car at the airport. He was paged at Christmas dinner for this troubleshooting trip. She has given him a family heirloom, a railroad pocket w atch used by her grandfather on the Southern Pacific, with her picture in the case. Chuck rushes to the plane. The plane crashes in the Southern Pacific. Chuck washes ashore, alone, on a small island. Chuck must learn survival skills such as building a fire, collecting edible plants, fishing and crabbing. An episode of self-help dentistry caps his early time on the island. Four years later, he is a competent provider and will survive. One day half a portable toilet shed washes up. He sees it as a sail to get past the breakers. He designs and builds a raft and awaits the changing winds and tides to escape. Finally, he is cast adrift again hoping for a sea rescue. When a freighter finds him, he is on his way to a home that no longer exists. He is dead in his home. Kelly has married and has a child. He knows he must find a new life. The Socio-Cultural Perspective of Cast Away Cast Away is set from 1995 to 1999. The coming millennium brought discussions of time or urgency versus the com pass or importance (Covey, 2004). The religious aspects of the millennium and associated doomsday scenarios concerned the populace. The man versus the machine debate gained momentum. This film addressed these pressing and timely issues. The Clock Versus the Compass (Covey, 2004) The first speech Chuck Noland gives involves the importance of time. The film opens in rural Texas, a crossroads in the middle of nothing, where time is measured in days, not seconds. An artist listens to Heartbreak Hotel, foreshadowing the sight of the husband in Moscow. Chuck is in Moscow to troubleshoot the truck delivery issues faced by FedEx. He rewards the boy delivering the package with a portable CD player and an Elvis tape; Chuck is a fan too. Chuck is explaining through an interpreter that time is a relentless master, time rules over everything, time is like fire, it can give warmth or burn. Logistics is life, more important than his asking Kelly to be his wife. Christmas is a pager at dinner and t wo minutes in a car at the airport. Scheduling dinner requires both people with calendars looking for gaps in urgent activities. Kelly and Chuck are not priorities in their own lives. Traditional Hollywood views time as a â€Å"ticking bomb†. A deadline is set, for instance, the kidnappers will call for the money by noon. The action centers on accomplishing a task by a certain time. This film reverses that trend. Time is irrelevant on that island. Survival is relevant. Then in Act III, when Chuck is exhausted and just hanging on, time becomes relevant

Anti-Inflammatory Drug Tests

Anti-Inflammatory Drug Tests The method described by Lorke with slight modification was used to determine the safety of the MEA. Briefly, normal healthy male mice were divided into groups of five mice in each cage. MEA (100 and 1000 mg/kg) or vehicle were intraperitoneally administered. Access to food and water, toxic symptoms and the general behavior of mice were observed continuously for 1 h after the treatment, intermittently for 4 h, and thereafter over a period of 24 h. The mice were further observed for up to 14 days following treatment for any signs of toxicity and mortality. Result Over the study duration of 14 days, there were no deaths recorded in the groups of mice given 100 or 1000 mg/kg IP of MEA. During the observation period, MEA administration did not induce any variations in the general appearance or toxic signs in the animals. The writhing test has long been used as a screening tool for the assessment of analgesic or anti-inflammatory properties of new substances (Collier et al., 1968). This method presents a good sensitivity, although it has poor specificity. To avoid misinterpretation of the results, in the present study the antinociceptive effects of MEA were confirmed in the formalin test, a model of inflammatory pain which has two distinctive phases which may indicate different types of pain (Hunskaar and Hole, 1987). The early and late phases of formalin test have obvious differential properties, and therefore this test is useful not only for assessing the analgesic substances, but also for elucidating the mechanism of analgesia (Shibata et al., 1989). The early phase,  named non-inflammatory pain, is a result of direct stimulation of nociceptors and reflects centrally-mediated pain; the late phase,  named inflammatory pain, is caused by local inflammation with a release of inflammatory and hyper algesic mediators (Hunskaar  and Hole, 1987). The thermal model of the tail-flick test is considered to be a spinal reflex, but could also involve higher neural structures, and therefore this method identifies mainly central analgesics (Jensen and Yaksh, 1986; Le Bars et al., 2001). Due to their implication in virtually all human and animal diseases, inflammation and pain have become the focus of global scientific research. Adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids have necessitated the search for new drugs with minimal side effects (Dharmasiri et al.,2003; Vittalrao et al., 2011). The current trend of research is the investigation of medicines of plant origin because of their affordability and accessibility with minimal side effects. The thermal model of the tail-flick test is considered to be a spinal reflex, but could also involve higher neural structures, and therefore this method identifies mainly central analgesics (Jensen and Yaksh, 1986; Le Bars et al., 2001). The analgesic activity of Cyathula prostrata in this study was investigated using the hot plate and mouse writhing tests. The hot plate test is useful for the evaluation of centrally acting analgesics which are known to elevate the pain threshold of mice towards  heat (Hiruma-Lima et al., 2000). It also indicates narcotic involvement with opioid receptor (Turner, 1965). The writhing model is a sensitive method for screening peripheral analgesic efficacy agents and it is more sensitive to non-steroidal analgesics (Collier et al., 1963). The analgesic effect of acetic acid is due to the liberation and increased level of several mediators such as histamine and serotonin which act by stimulation of peripheral nociceptive neurons (Cui et al., 2010). Over the centuries, phytopharmaceuticals have been utilized by different communities of the world [1]. Acetic acid-induced writhing is a well recommended protocol in evaluating medicinal agents for their analgesic property. The pain induction caused by liberating endogenous substances as well as some other pain mediators such as arachidonic acid via cyclooxygenase, and prostaglandin biosynthesis [10,23]. This pain paradigm is widely used for the assessment of peripheral analgesic activity due to its sensitivity and response to the compounds at a dose which is not effective in other methods. The local peritoneal receptor could be the cause of abdominal writhings [24]. Pain sensation in acetic acid induced writhing paradigm is elicited by producing localized inflammatory response due to release of free arachidonic acid from tissue phospholipids via cyclo-oxygenase (COX), and producing prostaglandin specifically PGE2 and PGF2ÃŽ ±, the level of lipoxygenase products may also increases in peritoneal fluids [10,23]. These prostaglandin and lipoxygenase products cause inflammation and pain b y increasing capillary permeability. The substance inhibiting the writhings will have analgesic effect preferably by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, a peripheral mechanism of pain inhibition [23]. Thermal nociception models such as hot plat and the tail immersion tests were used to evaluate central analgesic activity. The management of pain and inflammation related problems is a real challenge that people face daily. Although several drugs are available for these conditions, medicinal plants are believed to be an important source of new chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects (Gupta et al., 2006). Formalin test The formalin test was carried out as described by Santos and Calixto, (1997). Groups of mice (n=5) were treated with HAAE (150 and 200 mg/kg), HAME (150 and 200 mg/kg), Aspirin (100 mg/kg), Morphine (10 mg/kg) and distilled water. Formalin (1% v/v) was injected into the sub-plantar region of the right hind paw of the animals, one hour post treatment. The duration of paw licking was measured for 0-5 minutes (neurogenic phase) and 15-30 minutes (inflammatory phase) after formalin administration. Result The formalin test exhibited the characteristic biphasic response. Phase 1 response which was recorded from the time of formalin injection and 5 minutes post-injection was not affected by either extract at either dose level. Morphine however, showed significant (p minutes post formalin injection. The extracts of HAAE (150 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) and HAME (150 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) as well as aspirin and morphine showed significant (p Acetic acid induces pain by the release of endogenous mediators of pain such as prostaglandin through the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) (Satyanarayana et al., 2004; Ballou et al., 2000). Therefore this model of pain should be inhibited by peripheral analgesics through the inhibition of COX activity. Our results therefore show that the higher doses of HAAE and HAME have peripheral analgesic properties similar to aspirin by inhibition of the release of endogenous pain mediators The formalin test is said to be a model of pain which closely resembles clinical pain compared to the other nociceptive models (Tjolsen and Hole, 1997). This test has two distinct phases: the first phase (neurogenic pain) due to direct chemical stimulation of nociceptors, results from the stimulation of myelinated and unmyelinated nociceptive afferent fibers, mainly C fibers, which can be suppressed by opioid analgesic drugs like morphine (Sayyah et al., 2004). The second or late phase seems to be an inflammatory response which elicits inflammatory pain and can be inhibited by anti-inflammatory drugs (Young at al., 2005). The second phase is caused by the release of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and histamine in the peripheral tissues, as well as functional changes in the neurons, of the spinal cord which may facilitate transmission in the spinal cord (Franca et al., 2001; Garcia et al., 2004) Cotton pellet induced granuloma tissue formation FPEO, BPEO and diclofenac sodium were orally administered for 16 consecutive days in Groups III-VII. On eighth day, the animals (Groups II-VII) were mildly anaesthetised with ether, four sterile cotton pellets (50 mg) were subcutaneously implanted in the dorsal region of the rats and two at the axilla and two at the groin regions. On 16th day, all the rats were killed using anaesthetic ether and the cotton pellets were dissected out without affecting the surrounding granuloma tissues (Winter and Porter 1957). Chronic inflamed tissues (from axilla and groin regions) were excised and stored in 0.9% saline at -20_C for biochemical analysis. The moist pellets were weighed and then dried at 60_C for 48 h and then again reweighed. The percentage reduction in cotton pellets weight of the test samples was observed and compared with that of respective cotton pellet and diclofenac sodium treated groups. This provides a measure to assess the anti -inflammatory effect of the test samples. Experimental design Seven groups were employed in the present anti-inflammatory study. Each group consists of six rats and experimental protocol included 16 days study. Each group of animals was employed with sterile cotton pellets (50 mg each) implantation in the dorsal region of rats at eighth day. Group I (vehicle control group): 1% of carboxy methyl cellulose (1 mL, p.o.) was administered to the rats for 16 consecutive days. Group II (negative control group): four sterile cotton pellets, 50 mg each were implanted in the dorsal region of rats at eighth day. Group III (positive control group): reference standard drug and diclofenac sodium (12.5 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered to the rats for 16 consecutive days. Groups IV-VII (test groups): rats were pretreated with free and bound phenolic compounds of E. officinalis (20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) for 16 consecutive days. Result Effect of E. officinalis on granulomatous tissue formation Table 1 shows the effect of FPEO and BPEO on granulomatous tissue changes due to cotton pellet induced chronic inflammation. Changes in the cotton pellets weight (wet weight-dry weight) of the test samples were compared with the cotton pellet and diclofenac sodium (12.5 mg/kg) treated groups. Pretreatment (i.e. on days 1-8) of diclofenac and the phenolic fractions of E. officinalis did not show any behavioral changes. Both the fractions have shown reduction in granulomatous tissue mass as compared to cotton pellet treated group. However, only high doses (40 mg/kg) of each fraction have shown  significant (p.05) reduction which was comparable to that of diclofenac sodium pretreated group. The hot plate method is very effective for evaluating drugs possessing analgesic property, which act centrally (Vale et al., 1999; Haque et al., 2001; Silva et al., 2003; Al-Naggar et al., 2003). Prolongation of reaction time in hot plate test inferred possible central analgesic effects of the oil. The oil increased the reaction time significantly at the dose levels used compared to control group. Acetic Acid-induced writhing has been used to evaluate drugs possessing peripheral analgesic effects (Koster et al., 1959; Viana et al., 2000). Acetic acid has been reported to cause hyperalgesia by liberating endogenous substances such as prostaglandins, leukotrieines, 5-HT, histamine, kinins, H+ and K+, etc. which have been implicated in the mediation of pain perception (Forth et al., 1986; Rang et al., 1999). Yin et al (2003) reported that many studies have shown that the earlier phase (1st phase) of formalininduced pain reflects the direct effect of formalin on nociceptors whereas the late phase (2nd phase) reflects inflammatory pain, which has been linked to prostaglandin synthesis (Hong and Abbot, 1995; Yin, et al., 2003). Opioid analgesics have been reported to possess antinociceptive effects in both phases having more effect at the 2nd phase (Le Bars et al., 2001). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as indomethacin is said to be effective only in the 1st phase especially if the formalin is injected at high concentration (Yashpal and Coderre, 1998). In this study, the oil dose-dependently inhibited nociception induced in the Formalin Test significantly compared to control group in the 1st phase (neurogenic) and 2nd phase (inflammatory). These results therefore further suggest that the oil contain constituents that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties Commonly used Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as aspirin and indomethacin are widely used to reduce swelling associated with pain and inflammation through inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by direct effect on cyclo-oxygenase (COX) in the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism (Amos et al., 2001; Nwafor and Okwuasaba, 2003) Inflammation is a disorder involving localized increases in the number of leukocytes and a variety of complex mediator molecules [4]. Prostaglandins are ubiquitous substances that indicate and modulate cell and tissue responses involved in inflammation. Their biosynthesis has also been implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, colonic adenomas and Alzheimers disease [5,6]. Medicinal plants are believed to be an important source of new chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects [7,8]. The research into plants with alleged folkloric use as pain relievers, antiinflammatory agents, should therefore be viewed as a fruitful and logical research strategy in the search for new analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs [9]. Acute toxicity test The animals were divided into six groups containing eight animals in each group. MEPA was suspended in normal saline and administered orally as a single dose to groups of mice at different concentrations (500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500 and 2000 mgkg-1 b.w). These animals were observed for a 72 h period. The number of deaths was expressed as a percentile and the LD50 was determined by probit a test using the death percentage versus the log dose [12]. Result Acute toxicity test In the acute toxicity assay no deaths were observed during the 72 h period at the doses tested. At these doses, the animals showed no stereotypical symptoms associated with toxicity, such as convulsion, ataxy, diarrhoea or increased diuresis. The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined to be higher than highest dose tested i.e., 2.0 gkg-1 b.w. Cotton pellet-induced granuloma The cotton pellets-induced granuloma in rats was studied according to the method DArcy et al., 1960 [16]. The animals were divided into four groups of six animals in each group. The rats were anaesthetized and sterile cotton pellets weighing 10  ± 1 mg were implanted subcutaneously into both sides of the groin region of each rat. Group I served as control and received the vehicle (0.9% NaCl, 5 mlkg-1 b.w. The extract MEPA at the concentration of 250 and 500 mgkg-1 b.w was administered orally to groups II and III animals for seven consecutive days from the day of cotton pellet implantation. Group IV animals received indomethacin at a dose of 10 mgkg-1 b.w for the same period. On 8th day the animals were anaesthetized and the pellets together with the granuloma tissues were carefully removed and made free from extraneous tissues. The wet pellets were weighed and then dried in an oven at 60 °C for 24 h to constant weight, after that the dried pellets were weighed again. Increment in the dry weight of the pellets was taken as a measure of granuloma formation The antiproliferative effect of MEPA was compared with  control. Statistical analysis The values were expressed as mean  ± S.E.M. The statistical significance was determined by using the student t-test [17]. Values of P Result Cotton pellets-induced granuloma The effects of MEPA and indomethacin on the proliferative phase of inflammation are shown in table 1. A significant reduction in the weight of cotton pellets was observed with MEPA (250 and 500 mgkg-1 b.w) compared to the vehicle treated rats. However the degree of reduction was less than the effect caused by indomethacin. The cotton pellet method is widely used to evaluate the transudative and proliferative components of the chronic inflammation. The wet weight of the cotton pellets correlates with the transuda; the dry weight of the pellets correlates with the amount of the granulomatous tissue [20,21]. Administration of MEPA (250 and 500 mgkg-1 b.w) and indomethacin (10 mgkg-1 b.w) appear to be effective in inhibiting the wet weight of cotton pellet. On the other hand, the MEPA effect on dry weight of the cotton pellet was almost near to that of indomethacin. These data support the hypothesis of the greater effect of the MEPA on the inflammation in rats. This effect may be due to the cellular migration to injured sites and accumulation of collagen an mucopolysaccharides.

Coach of the Army Crew

Army Crew Case Analysis Coach of the Army Crew; Coach P. selected the top eight rowers for the Varsity boat after a long series of objective tests measuring each member’s speed, strength and coordination. The Varsity team had a clear advantage over the Junior Varsity team. So, how could Junior Varsity team beat the Varsity team in two-thirds of the time in practice races? There are obvious reasons behind the bad performance of the Varsity team. Coach P. lacking a leadership couldn’t see the signs of Varsity team having serious problems as a team.The problem with Coach P. ’s coaching mistake started with the team selection process of Varsity team members. He managed to measure individual performances successfully by using ergometer and weight records. However, as important as individual skills were, it was crucial for the eight individual members to be a team and synchronize their rowing. His performance and team building criteria lacked personality factors. Howev er, rowing needs a perfect teamwork and mental strength of the crew members. U. S.Olympic Committee’s research project showed that the master coaches those who were most experienced and successful tended to focus on psychological variables as the most important criteria for a successful crew team whereas novice coaches tended to focus on technique just like Coach P. did. Selecting a team solely dependent on individual technical performance resulted in very serious problems among team members. Coach P. lacking leadership skills had no vision about the team having serious trust and coordination problems.Just before National championships races, he –for the first time- included personality dimensions to analyze the team. It revealed that the Varsity team had no team leaders and had team disrupters instead. He brought in an external party to improve their confidence, concentration and motivation of the Varsity team which the Varsity team labeled it as â€Å"touch-feelyâ⠂¬ . Other than bringing in an external party, he should have acted as a leader and make the best decision for the group by using Rational Decision Making Model steps: first by identifying the problem, generating solutions, selecting the best solution and implementing it.He should have showed a transformation leadership which would increase acceptance and support from the Varsity Team. Each set of the transformational leadership behavior was very crucial for the disrupted team: * Inspirational motivation (establishing a vision using emotion): It is very obvious that the Varsity team had superior performance individually and they can perform much better if they believe in their team. However, they are demotivated and lost their beliefs in the team. Coach P. encouraged competition between JV and V groups which affected Varsity team negatively.Other than creating a tension between teams, he should have motivated each team separately and should have built close relationships with membe rs and provided an open and direct communication with them. * Idealized influence (sacrificing for the greater good): Team disrupters decreased the motivation of the team and the team had no leaders. Coach P. relied on third parties such as Center of Enhanced Performance (CEP) and asked the group â€Å"What is your solution? † other than trying to make the best decision himself and then take the right step.For the greater good of the team, he should have demoted the team disrupters. For the rest of the team she should have worked with each member individually to set their goals and increase their motivation. * Individualized consideration (providing support): The Varsity team’s most important problem is motivation and lacking a team spirit. To overcome this problem, Coach P. should have showed his support and provide open communication with the team. Instead, he tried to find the â€Å"right combination† by switching members of the teams and causing a tension am ong Varsity and JV boats.He should have realized from the very beginning that the problem is not about physical but it was psychological. By trying different combinations, he made the team’s psychology even worse. * Intellectual stimulation (encouraging employees to question the status quo): Coach P. should have let them negotiate and come to an agreement about the situation but it was very late for him to hold a group meeting just before National championships. Coach P. should have realized the trust and coordination problems of the team and should resolve the problems much earlier.As a good leader, he should have built the team depending on both physical and personality factors in the first place. He should have demoted team disrupters for better teamwork and motivation among the rest of the team members. To resolve the conflict between Varsity team, he should have provided a better communication among them. That way, they would have come to an agreement without any support from an external party like CEP. To create a team spirit, he should have done team building games and activities and make them socialize with each other. Both the team members and the coach don’t know and trust each other.Just like basketball coach, Coach K. ’s leadership style he should have been a loved leader who creates personal interaction and drives performance through respect. He should have built trust and respect among teammates and himself. After achieving these goals, it is very important to motivate the team to achieve a better performance. For Varsity team, following Locke’s Goal Setting Theory, creating SMART (goals that are specific in their orientation, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based) and right level of goals would increase the motivation and effort.Returning to case, Coach P. should not switch Varsity and Junior Varsity boats even though Varsity will perform badly in the Championships. That way, he will show his support and tru st to Varsity team. If he chooses JV team to compete, he might lose the Varsity team forever. He shouldn’t switch team members other than the team disrupters. Varsity boat has a clear advantage over Junior Varsity team but they lacked a teamwork and synergy. As a coach he should make them feel like a team again and perform their best in the Championships.