“Words that Wound” Summary and Reaction Essay Example

â€Å"Words that Wound†: Summary and Reaction Paper â€Å"Words that Wound† by Kathleen Vail Words that Wound by Kathleen Vail is an essay about the effects of bullying on students in American schools. The essay starts with a re-enactment of Brian Heads public suicide. Brian was apparently being bullied in school and resolved into committing suicide to escape the torture. Statistics of how many students are bullied are then showed afterwards, claiming that the performance in class of a staggering number of students is affected by bullying. Despite the statistics, authorities have not paid much attention to bullying, prompting William Head, the father of Brian, to start an advocacy against bullying. However, even with Mr. Heads efforts, bullying continues in their area. Teachers often ignore the abuse that is going on in campus, and some of them even think it is part of the learning that the school provides. As a result of the fatal bullying incidents in Georgia, the state has passed an anti-bullying law. Reactions My first reaction to the essay based on the opening paragraph is that it reminds me a lot of the Pearl Jam music video Jeremy. We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"Words that Wound†: Summary and Reaction specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"Words that Wound†: Summary and Reaction specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"Words that Wound†: Summary and Reaction specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Jeremy in the music video also committed suicide in front of his classmates. There is reason to believe that the video is partly inspired by the incident mentioned in this essay, although it is not really clear. My second reaction is that I am surprised that there are people who would take their own lives just because of bullying. I know kids can undergo physical and emotional suffering, but I dont think it is enough reason to commit suicide; I believe that there is no reason in the world to commit suicide. I may be just saying this either because I never experienced bullying or I am just really optimistic in life. At any rate, I agree with one of the teachers in the essay that bullying is partly the victims’ fault. Bullied students should not allow themselves to be bullied. They should stand up for themselves even if the bullies are physically superior. Resistance, no matter how futile, can have some positive effects. Reference Vail, K. (1999). Words that Wound. American School Board Journal, 186 (9), 37–40.

Review of Pans Travail essays

Review of Pan's Travail essays J. Donald Hughes, Pans Travail, (Baltimore, 1994), 277 pp. Oddly enough, there is little biographical information available on J. Donald Hughes. His special interest in the Mediterranean and sacred groves is evidenced by the numerous books and articles he has published on the subject. He is multilingual, fluent in German, Greek, and Spanish with basic skills in French and Russian as well. He received his doctorate in History from Boston University and then taught at several different colleges. He is currently a History professor at the University of Denver, and the author of eight other books and articles about environmental history. The first four chapters (out of eleven total) are dedicated to providing the reader with background information. Hughes gives an overview of environmental history and ecology as a whole, preparing the reader to narrow the focus of these concepts to a single area: the Mediterranean Basin. He also describes this region and discusses why it is such a unique ecosystem. Not only are climate, land, and sea addressed, but a charming section on the different winds of each section of the region is also included. Pre-history is touched upon, and Hughes examines Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies and their relationships with nature. By showing how each city dealt differently with the flooding of their respective rivers, Hughes illustrates two opposing views towards nature. Literary evidence shows how Greek and Roman religion viewed the world as a sacred place. This contrasts with the view eventually offered by such philosophers as Aristotle which placed nature in hierarchical order, with plants exist[ing] for the sake of animals, animals for the sake of man, and...inferior men [as] natural slaves of the superior (60). These four chapters effectively give the reader enough information about the basis of Greek and Roman society to understand the following arguments regarding the...

Learning Style Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Learning Style - Essay Example Learning styles are unique aspect of a learner’s initiative to gain new knowledge and are important as basis for the mode of instruction that should be used. Learning Styles and Kinesthetic Learner Experiences The VARK questionnaire is a multiple choice type of test which provides questions about normal day-to-day activities which aims to identify the test taker’s learning style. Learning styles are â€Å"biological and developmental set of personal characteristics that make the identical instruction effective for some students and ineffective for others† (Dunn & Dunn, 1993, as cited in Dunn & Griggs, 1998). All answers are to be evaluated which would be the basis of the type of learning style the test taker prefers. There were items in the questionnaires in which I have to check two choices, but most of the time, I choose the answers similar or close to what I usually do. The answers are mostly involving body movements and actual involvement of the activity. In other words, I usually prefer to learn by doing it myself or with the guidance of others. As expected, I came about with the result â€Å"kinesthetic learner† which I think is very true according to my previous learning experiences.

American Architecture in the Gilded Age Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American Architecture in the Gilded Age - Essay Example The researcher of this essay focuses on the discussion of The Gilded Age, that is a term that came to reflect the time of the greatest economic, territorial, industrial, and population expansion in American history. It was Mark Twain who gave us the Gilded Age, a novel that humored this period and most importantly portrayed its people , the time and the structures that can only be measured in the standards of opulence and fast transformations. The researcher states that although there are two sides on this term as it was coined as a satire, the period, which started from 1876, indeed, marked an epoch whose achievements are felt in the great men it has produced and the monuments that would influence what is to be the modern American architecture. Thus, it is not surprising to know that the â€Å"Gilded Age† provided a period of dynamism in the area of American architecture, that is a main focus of this essay. Firstly, the researcher discusses the Chicago World Fair of 1893 or m ore popularly known as the Columbian Exposition, that brought together the brightest minds of the â€Å"Gilded Age† in the field of architecture. Seconsly, the researcher discusses The Central Park, also called as â€Å"the Greensward,† designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux and was build in the 19th century. The researcher then concluds that architecture provides us not only an unparalleled insight if we are to study a society, but also an era or history as a whole and a sphere that will shape the history and the public.

The Level of Empathy in Waste Land Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Level of Empathy in Waste Land - Essay Example The task of having to go through the process of capturing events on film without instigation to preserve objectivity is one that is an integral part of the entire process. At the same time, to be able to keep in mind that they are working with people yields the necessity of participating. The fact that Muniz was already involved and is in charge of the process gives the filmmakers the chance to encapsulate the interaction between the world-renowned Brazilian contemporary artist and his advocacy to help. As the director herself has pointed out, â€Å"There’s no limit to the responsibility you have as a documentary filmmaker to portray ordinary people. I think it’s fantastic that in the film, you see Vik arguing with his wife about whether to bring to London or not for the auction† (Steinberg, n.p.). This scene actually built the most tension and a thought-provoking one in fact as both sides have equally persuasive arguments. The level of empathy that was instilled throughout the documentary set out the emotional flow that enabled to send its message across. Near the end of the film, the audience sees Muniz in a pensive mood contemplating how his life could easily have been in the same direction as the garbage-pickers. â€Å"Vik Muniz diligently cleared a trail for himself, which he studied, expanded, and further elaborated, until gleefully setting a distinctive course for his work† (Amaral, par.2). This may have been the case but his life has been one of amazement from the cause which led him to New York to his success as a modern artist. Halfway through the film, any viewer would realize that the story is not about him and how he helped the poor people of Brazil. No, right after Isis’ posing for the camera one immediately realizes that there is more than charity that fuels it.

Ganglioneuroblastoma During Pregnancy †Case Report

Ganglioneuroblastoma During Pregnancy – Case Report Rare case of ganglioneuroblastoma during pregnancy – case report Abstract Ganglioneuroblastoma is a very rare tumor, especially in pregnancy. So far the association between this tumor and pregnancy has not been reported. We present a case of ganglioneuroblastoma relapse at a 3rd trimester pregnant woman. Neurological symptoms developed late, increased by the effects of pregnancy on the brain tumor. Therapeutic management in this case represents a medical dilemma regarding mode setting and timing of delivery, taking into account the maternal-fetal risk-benefit. In this case caesarean section under general anesthesia was settled, with the need of postpartum brain tumor excision. Keywords: ganglioneuroblastoma, pregnancy, treatment, caesarean section Introduction Ganglioneuroblastoma is a neuroblastic tumor containing malignant elements characteristic to neuroblastoma and benign elements found in ganglioneurinoma (1). Intracranial tumors are extremely rare in pregnancy (2). By their rarity and their diagnosis in the last trimester of pregnancy, intracranial tumors have an increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Cranial tumors tend to increase and become symptomatic in the last trimester of pregnancy, the causes not being entirely known. Therefore any woman with an existing neurological condition should consult her obstetrician and her neurologist before she becomes pregnant (3). Management of these cases should evaluate whether the mothers and the fetuss lives are threatened. A multidisciplinary team recommends the optimal timing for the termination of pregnancy, as determined by the fetus maturity and mothers neurological condition (4). The present study reports one case of pregnant women in the third trimester with ganglioneuroblastoma. The patient underwent caesarean section under general anesthesia at 36 weeks gestation with favorable postoperative evolution. So far, there are no well-established protocols regarding the management of intracranial tumors (especially ganglioneuroblastoma) in pregnant women. Case report I.A., 20-year-old woman, G1P1L0, was admitted to our hospital due to weak, irregular uterine contractions in her 36th week of gestation. Patient’s history: in 2005 the patient was diagnosed with right parietal lobe ganglioneuroblastoma. She had undergone surgery followed by radiochemotherapy and anticonvulsive therapy with phenytoin for about one year with favorable outcome. Six years following resection, the patient had no radiologic recurrence. The pregnant woman was taken out by a gynecologist in the first trimester of pregnancy, with the usual analyzes of pregnancy, ultrasound and regular prenatal checkups without objective neurological signs until the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Therapeutic attitude assumed identification of neurological symptoms in order to determine the optimal treatment, maintaining a low fetal risk and continuing uncomplicated pregnancy until birth. Methods Investigation protocol included routine tests and imaging tests. Neurological examination revealed vestibular syndrome and nystagmus which recommended contrast MRI. MRI conclusions: In the right parietal lobe, postcentral, viewed a well-shaped image of 32mm in diameter, nongadolinium-enhanced, sequel looking. An area of oedema with irregular outline in white matter was surrounding it. In the right temporal lobe, adjacent to the sylvian seizure, in hyposignal T2 image showed a nodular-shaped tumor of about 7mm in diameter with discrete central heterogenity (gadolinium-enhanced). No perilesional oedema. Ventricular system located on the midline. MRI based neurosurgical consultation has determined that the tumor was operable and stated the need of postpartum surgery (excision of the brain tumor). All fetal biometric parameters studied were below the 10th percentile for gestational age, showing a linear decrease with gestation until the end of pregnancy. The difference between menstrual age and gestational age determined by ultrasound was 3 weeks and 3 days. Estimated fetal weight was 2420 g, which placed the infant in the 6th percentile. The amniotic fluid index was 7.5 cm, confirming the diagnosis of IUGR. The patient had received dexamethasone treatment with double purpose: fetal lung maturation and reduced perilesional cerebral oedema in order to decrease focal neurological symptoms. The association between IUGR, repeated variable cardiotocography decelerations and brain tumor recurrence with emphasized neurological symptoms imposed urgent caesarean section. Medical committee composed of obstetrician, anesthesiologist, neurosurgeon and neonatologist decided caesarean section under general anesthesia, which was performed 5 days after the admission of the patient. Results A 20 year-old patient, I.A., known with operated and radiochemotreated ganglioneuroblastoma eight years earliar, with ongoing pregnancy (36 weeks) was admitted to our clinic for weak uterine contractions and associated neurological symptoms (vestibular syndrome, nystagmus, slightly right motor deficit). She followed a protocol of blood tests, imaging and interdisciplinary consultations establishing the diagnosis of brain tumor, possible relapse of old pathology. Fetal biometry measurements and fetal biological parameters objectified the existence of fetal distress risk of premature birth or miscarriage. Those set the need for preoperative corticosteroid therapy (Dexamethasone) for lung maturation and perilesional brain oedema control and emergency caesarean under general anesthesia. Caesarean section was performed 5 days after admission, without early nor late intraoperative and postoperative complications. It resulted an unique live female newborn, weighing 2670g, 9 Apgar, with physiological vital functions, not requiring special follow-up. Recovery of the mother was complication-free with persistent, constant postoperative neurological symptoms. When discharged, the patient was recommended ambulatory neurosurgical exam to establish the opportunity of surgery targeting the brain tumor. Discussions Ganglioneuroblastoma is a tumor of the sympathetic nervous system that arises from primitive sympathogonia and is composed of both mature gangliocytes and immature neuroblasts and has intermediate malignant potential (5). These tumors are rare. They occur in fewer than five out of one million children each year (6). Ganglioneuroblastomas are extremely rare in adults, with only about 50 cases documented in people over the age of 20, and only five cases observed in the adult brain (7). There are no reports of ganglioneuroblastoma presenting during pregnancy in medical literature (8). Objectification of brain tumor by contrast MRI was necessary to establish the subsequent therapeutic management, although in literature there are â€Å"not enough studies to determine the safe use of contrast in pregnancy (9). MRI is probably the imaging diagnostic procedure of choice and should be performed when a brain tumor is suspected (10). Before pregnancy the patient was declared cured, as no clinical nor radiological tumor relapse existed for six years. It is likely that pregnancy-induced changes have a tumorigenic effect, due to several factors such as fluid retention, increased blood volume and hormonal changes (11). Pregnancy is an aggravating factor for brain tumours on which it acts by three mechanisms: acceleration of tumor growth, increase of peritumoral oedema and the immunotolerance to foreign tissue antigens that is proper to pregnancy (12). Normal physiological changes during the pregnancy, such as increased levels of gonadotropins and augmented fluid volume status may accelerate the growth of some types of brain tumors (13). The combination of oligohydramnios and IUGR portends a less favorable outcome, and early delivery should be considered (14). Treatment of brain tumor in pregnancy requires an integrated multidisciplinary approach, which includes neurosurgery, ophthalmology, radiology, obstetrics, neonatal pediatrics (15). Indication for type of delivery is controversial. The best moment to recommend the craniotomy and the neurosurgical removal of the tumor will depend of the mothers neurological condition, the histological tumor type as well as the gestational age. In a study published in 2011, performed on 10 patients with brain tumors diagnosed during pregnancy, prior to craniotomy, five patients had caesarean sections, two others had vaginal deliveries, in three patients the delivery took place after the brain tumor treatment(16). The caesarean section was made under general anesthesia. Studies have shown that general anesthesia remains safe and dependable for operative delivery in parturients with intracranial tumor. Tracheal intubation allows maternal hyperventilation thereby controlling raised intracranial pressure. Hemodynamic stability is readily achieved to maintain cerebral perfusion (17). Conclusions Ganglioneuroblastoma is a rare brain tumor in childhood, and appears exceptionally in pregnant women. Pregnancy and brain tumor have mutual negative effect on the patient. Brain tumors that develop in pregnant women have to be diagnosed and assessed through MRI, although the effect of gadolinium contrast on the pregnancy is yet unknown and needs further medical studies. The order of obstetrical an neurosurgical treatment of pregnant women with brain tumors requires an integrated multidisciplinary approach, including neurosurgery, radiology, obstetrics, neonatal pediatrics which have to assess all maternal-fetal risks and benefits. Lack of brain tumor reccurence 6 years after currative neurosurgical treatment was not enough to establish that the patient was cured. The patient suffered a brain tumor relapse 8 years after brain surgery probably due to metabolic and hormonal changes induced by pregnancy. References 1.Robertson H.E. Das Ganglioneuroblastom ein besonederer Typus im System der Neurome. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat]. 1915;63: 147-168 2. Pavlidis NA. Coexistence of pregnancy and malignancy. The Oncologist 2002;7: 279-87. 3. Carmel Armon, Stephen A Berman. Neurologic Disease and Pregnancy. Medscape reference; 8 nov 2012 4. Ducray F, Colin P, Cartalat-Carel S, et al. Management of malignant gliomas diagnosed during pregnancy. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2006;162: 322–9. 5. Lonergan GJ, Schwab CM, Suarez ES, Carlson CL. Neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma: radiologic-pathologic correlation. Radiographics 2002; 22: 911-34. 6. Linda J., Vorvick, MD and Yi-Bin Chen, MD. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Ganglioneuroblastoma; Last reviewed: February 7, 2012. 7. Schipper MH, van Duinen SG, Taphoorn MJ, Kloet A, Walchenbach R, Wiggenraad RG, Vecht CJ. Department of Neurology, Medical Center Haaglanden, The Hague, The Netherlands. Cerebral ganglioneuroblastoma of adult onset: two patients and a review of the literature. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2012 Jul;114(6):529-34. 8. Manjusha Sanjay Rathi. Ganglioneuroblastoma: First presentation during pregnancy; Program: Abstracts Orals, Featured Poster Presentations, and Posters Monday, June 17, 2013; Kings Mill Hospital, Sutton in Ashfield, United Kingdom 9. Black P, Morokoff A, Zauberman J, Claus E, Carroll R. Meningiomas: science and surgery. Clin Neurosurg. 2007;54:91-9. 10. Awada A, Watson T, Obeid T. Cavernous angioma presenting as pregnancy-related seizures. Epilepsia, 38 (7): 844-6, 1997. 11. Wlody D: Neurosurgery in the pregnant patient. Newfield P, Cottrell J, editors. Philadelphia: WW Lippincott; 1999. 12. Depret-Mosser S, Jomin M, Monnier JC, Vinatier D, Bouthors-Ducloy AS, Christiaens JL, Krivosic-Horber R. Cerebral tumors and pregnancy. Apropos of 8 cases. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 1993; 22(1):71-80. 13. Poisson M, Pertuiset BF, Hauw JJ, Philippon J, Buge A, Moguilewsky M, et al. Steroid hormone receptors in human meningiomas, gliomas and brain metastases. J Neurooncol 1983;1:179-89. 14. Golan A, Lin G, Evron S, Arieli S, Niv D, David MP. Oligohydramnios: maternal complications and fetal outcome in 145 cases. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1994;37:91–5. 15. Khalil E Rajab, FRCOG, FFFP Nouf Behzad N, MD, Arab Board. Brain Tumor in Pregnancy. Bahrain Medical Bulletin, Vol 35, No 1, March 2013. 16. Lynch JC, Gouvà ªa F, Emmerich JC, Kokinovrachos G, Pereira C, Welling L, Kislanov S. Management strategy for brain tumour diagnosed during pregnancy. Br J Neurosurg. 2011 Apr;25(2):225-30. doi: 10.3109/02688697.2010.508846. Epub 2010 Sep 8. 17. Lily Chang, Lian Looi-Lyons, Lydia Bartosik, Simon Tindal; Anesthesia for cesarean section in two patients with brain tumours. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. January 1999, Volume 46, Issue 1, pp 61-65 1

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Organizations have long sought to provide employees with consolidated desktop access to the various applications, business processes, and sources (both technology and human) required to perform knowledge-based work. But as recently as five years ago, the desktop environment was still woefully inadequate to this task. The ability to access aggregated enterprise information on-demand required a more reflective, process-centric model of desktop computing-that is, if someone were to look over your shoulder as you work, would their view of your desktop reflect the nature of the work (i.e., the business processes) in which you're engaged? The classic desktop computing interface did not allow this kind of on-demand access-much of the integration between information, enterprise apps, and business process still occurred in the "gray matter" between the ears of knowledge workers. The enterprise information portal (EIP) addresses this need.. At their core functional level, EIPs are all about access-a single point of personalized, on-line access to business information and knowledge sources, as well as, increasingly, real-time access to core applications and processes. Key enabling technologies here include advances in security (including sophisticated directory/authentication services), the proliferation of "portlets" or "gadgets" (API-like chunks of code for plugging enterprise apps into the portal), as well as the maturation and widespread adoption of XML (for "active" or "intelligent" content). As the technology behind portals evolves, so do the ways in which enterprises are using enterprise portals to achieve their business goals. Originally adopted by small departments and subsets of employees, the portal concept has expanded to encompass virtually all employees as well as the extended organization's partners and su ppliers. Enterprise portals are reaching all the way out to individual customers, providing them with a personalized view of the organization or enterprise.