Friday, January 31, 2020

Discuss how the constant improvement of diagnostic techniques drives Essay

Discuss how the constant improvement of diagnostic techniques drives improvements in our understanding and treatment of disea - Essay Example Although these techniques were helpful for initial evaluation, they could not effectively anticipate responses to treatment or risk of complications to specific treatment methods. However, there are many recent developments in the area of cancer diagnosis. The development of molecular based technologies for cancer detection facilitated the identification of an inherited risk of breast cancer in people. In addition, this development assisted physicians to more accurately evaluate the prognosis of those who already living with the disease. By predicting an inherited risk of developing breast cancer, it is possible to treat the disease at the earlier stages and to avoid complex procedures like breast amputation. Likewise, an accurate evaluation of the prognosis would assist physicians to introduce suitable intervention mechanisms timely and prevent the diseases from getting deteriorated. Some recently developed diagnostic methods particularly focus on the identification of patients who are most likely to respond to certain type of treatment. This is very beneficial for reducing future complications associated with cancer treatment. Currently, analysis of gene expression data and computer aided imaging are the good techniques to predict the risk of cancer in patients and the response to particular treatments (Alexe et al 2009). In addition, cancer screening method has been developed to diagnose the disease even before the symptoms appear. As a result of these improvements in cancer diagnostic techniques, today people are increasingly aware of the benefits of early detection of cancer. In addition, such improvements have led to the development of more effective cancer treatment procedures. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease affecting the human immune system and is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). During the initial period of infection, the affected person may experience influenza like illness. This initial stage is generally foll owed by a long period without symptoms. As the diseases progresses, the patient becomes more vulnerable to other infections like opportunistic infections and tumors. Unsafe sexual intercourse and unsecure blood transfusions are the major causes of the HIV transmission. As per 2010 data, nearly 34 million people have contracted AIDS worldwide. Currently, statistical data indicate that the incidence of AIDS has decreased relative to the past decades. This decline in the prevalence rate can be attributed to improvements in HIV diagnostic techniques. Traditionally, the first generation immunoassay tests have been employed to diagnose the presence of HIV. Under this technique, HIV lysate was used as the source of antigen to capture the presence of the antibody in the sample (Chappel et al 2009). The first generation tests had many shortcomings because they often gave false-positive results as a result of the contamination of the antigen and variations in the lysates. The failure of first generations tests led to the introduction of second generation anti-HIV-1 immunoassays. The mean infectious window period was reduced from 56 to 42 days as a result of this invention. The second generation tests were based on ‘recombinant Escherichia coli- derive antigen preparations’

Thursday, January 23, 2020

The Joys of Studying Literature :: College Admissions Essays

The Joys of Studying Literature One of the main joys of studying English is what could be called its liberating ambiguity. With Science or, to a greater extent, Mathematics, there is often only one ‘right’ answer, and all else is wrong. Even where there may be some scope for divergence, that scope is often minute; the answer must be correct to a specific number of decimal places and/or certain range of digits. English, however, is an almost boundless field of possibilities in which one may argue as one pleases, so long as one is able to back up that argument. Even if the argument is somewhat radical or unexpected, it can be argued, and indeed read, with as much reverence as a more standard or typical answer if the evidence to support the claims is there. This ambiguity is what gives a real sense of freedom to studying, in particular, literature, but also extends of course to more language-oriented aspects in certain cases. For, although one is unlikely to contest the purpose of a particular grammatical function, one may discuss how the use of that particular function, or indeed the lack of it, can highlight deeper issues within a text. Thus it is possible to construct an argument based simply on the lack of, for example, a certain function or word. To be able to argue about what is effectively not there indicates that the world of criticism is one of much opportunity and open possibility. One could not, for example, write an essay so easily on the lack of river names on a map or of the implications of not writing out an equation in full. Another aspect of studying English which makes it so enjoyable is that one is able to use this licence of ambiguity with a range, and indeed a choice, of texts. As well as studying the numerous prescribed texts, one is able to make reference to one’s broad reading experience, or even, in certain cases, base an essay or argument upon a favourite text. It is also possible

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Martha J. Coston Essay

Martha Coston was born in Baltimore in the year of 1826. She was left with four children to take care of after the death of her husband. This happened when she was only 21. Even though her husband was now gone she was determined to make money so she could raise her precious children. She then came up with the idea to signal flare on her dead husband notebook. Although the plans didn’t work she was still determined to find a successful way to make signal flare work. After some attempts she finally discovered that she could use phyrotechnice to make it. The green, red, and white flares worked so well that the navy bought them from her for $20,000 they even awarded Martha the contract to make them with. After the run in with the money she had just received her flares served as the bass of a system of communication that helped save lives and win battles during the civil war. So even after the war, Martha continued to improve her invention that has helped continuesly through out wars and such. The flares she had created became so popular that they sold in very many places. Such as France, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Haiti. The system of bright, long-lasting signal flares revolutionized naval communication and continues to be in use. Coston’s invention saved many lives. The effectiveness of Pyrotechnic Night Signals attracted the U.S. Navy and till now these devices are still used. Later on her son Benjamin got a bad fever and died at age 26. Martha’s life was then full of tragedies, her infant son had died and her mother also died. Even after all these tragic moments, she got money for her flares and saved the lives of millions people.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

The History of the Compass and Other Magnetic Innovations

A compass is one of the most commonly used navigation instruments. We know that it always points north, but how? It contains a freely suspended magnetic element that displays the direction of the horizontal component of Earths magnetic field at the point of observation. The compass has been used to help people navigate for many centuries. Though located in the same part of the public imagination as sextants and telescopes, its actually been in use for a lot longer than the sea voyages that discovered North America. The use of magnetism in inventions doesnt stop there, though; its found in everything from telecommunications equipment and motors to the food chain. Discovering Magnetism Thousands of years ago, large deposits of magnetic oxides were found in the district of Magnesia in Asia Minor; their location led to the mineral receiving the  name of magnetite (Fe3O4), which was nicknamed lodestone. In 1600,  William Gilbert published De Magnete, a paper on magnetism that details the use and properties of magnetite. Another important natural element to magnets is ferrites, or magnetic oxides, which are stones that attract iron and other metals. While the machines that we make with magnets are clearly inventions, these are natural magnets and should not be considered as such. The First Compass The magnetic compass is actually  an old Chinese invention, probably first made in China during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). Back then, the Chinese used lodestones (which align themselves in a north-south direction) to construct fortune-telling boards. Eventually, someone noticed that the lodestones were better at pointing out real directions, which led to the creation of the first compasses. The earliest compasses were designed on a square slab that had markings for the cardinal points and the constellations. The pointing needle was a spoon-shaped lodestone device with a handle that would always point south. Later on, magnetized needles were used as direction pointers instead of the spoon-shaped lodestones. These appeared in the eighth century CE—again in China—and from 850 to1050. Compasses as Navigational Aids In the 11th century, compasses use as navigational devices on ships became common. The magnetized-needle compasses could used when wet (in water), dry (on a pointed shaft), or suspended (on silk thread), making them valuable tools. They were employed mostly by voyagers, such as those traders who traveled to the Middle East, and early navigators looking to locate the magnetic North Pole or pole star. The Compass Leads to Electromagnetism In 1819,  Hans Christian Oersted  reported that when an  electric current  in a wire was applied to a magnetic  compass  needle, the magnet was affected. This is called  electromagnetism. In 1825, British inventor William Sturgeon displayed the power of the electromagnet by lifting nine pounds with a seven-ounce piece of iron wrapped with wires through which the current of a single-cell battery was sent. This device laid the foundation for large-scale  electronic communications, as it led to the invention of the telegraph. It also resulted in the invention of the electric motor. Cow Magnets The use of magnets continued to evolve beyond the first compass. U.S. patent No. 3,005,458, issued to Louis Paul Longo, is the  first patent  issued for what is called a cow magnet. Its goal was the prevention of hardware disease in cows. If cows happen to consume scrap pieces of metal, such as nails, when theyre feeding, the foreign objects can cause internal damage to their digestive tract. Cow magnets keep the metal pieces confined to the cows first stomach, rather than traveling to the later stomachs or intestines, where the fragments can cause the most damage.