Russian Environmental Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Russian Environmental Policy - Essay Example People's health continually worsens. The middle age of men for last years has made only 68 years. Each tenth child is born intellectually or physically defective owing to abnormalities at genetic level. In the majority of industrial regions of the country one third of inhabitants has various forms of immunologic deficiency. According to World Health Organization (WHO) standards people of the Russian Federation is on the verge of degeneration. A great deal of territory of the country are occupied with zones of ecological disaster and extreme ecological situations. Only some small part of inhabitants of towns and little villages has a possibility to breathe the air, which meet the requirements of quality standards. About 50 % of potable water consumed by the population does not answer any hygienic requirements. The list of similar data is extensive enough. Until recently in Russia in general there was no state policy in the field of ecology. Russia inherited a legacy of environmental problems from the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991. 'The Soviet Union's emphasis on industrial production and blatant disregard for the environment has left Russia grappling with numerous environmental problems. ... Furthermore, Russia's ongoing transition to a market-based economy has meant that the government has been strongly disposed to promoting economic growth rather than environmental protection' (EIA, 2004).Such a situation becomes inadmissible during transition to market relations when ecological and economic interests come into conflict with each other. There is a necessity to bring to the norms of the ecological law of the Russian Federation for the conformity with the norms of international law. It assumes the development and acceptance by the Russian science and law the most effective international concepts and ideas in the field of environment protection.During the past decade, the disastrous effects of Soviet development and industrialization policies have come to light, raising awareness in Russia of the need to protect the environment and prevent future damage. It should be mentioned that Russia has made a progress in addressing the Soviet environmental legacy. According to last international summits among priority directions in the field of activity connected with an environment following three directions come to light: management of natural resources as a basis of eradication of poverty and steady social and economic development; maintenance of population with pure water and protection of water resources; preservation of a biodiversity. Following these directions, priority in universal scale, Russian Federation has worked the priority issues named in three Russian documents of a national level: The Russian State Ecological Doctrine; National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy; The federal targeted program Ecology and Natural Resources of Russia (2002-2010) From

Deep Transverse Frictions Tissue Injuries Health And Social Care Essay

Deep Transverse Frictions Tissue Injuries Health And Social Care Essay The purpose of this essay is to consider the merits of deep transverse frictions in the treatment of acute and chronic soft tissue injuries. To facilitate this I have considered a wide range of research that has been conducted into the use of frictions. I have also considered the use of alternative therapies in the treatment of similar conditions in order to evaluate the effectiveness of deep transverse frictions in comparison to each of the other treatment methods. What is deep transverse friction? Deep transverse friction was developed for the treatment of soft tissue lesions by the British osteopath Dr. James Cyriax who postulates that deep transverse friction is effective in the reduction of fibrosis and facilitates the formation of strong, pliable scar tissue at the site of healing injuries. Deep transverse friction, which is also known as cross-fibre frictioning (CFF), can help to alleviate build up of the crystalline deposits that can form between tendons and their sheaths and result in painful tendonitis. It can also help to offset the development of myofascial adhesions and soften those that are already present. Deep transverse frictions should be administered with a braced finger or thumb moving across the grain of the muscle, tendon or ligament with a deep, non-gliding, friction stroke. It is not necessary to use a lubricant as this reduces friction. The therapists thumb and the clients skin should move as one over the exact site of the lesion to create a mechanical effect on the tissue being treated. The massage must be applied directly over the site of the lesion and at right angles to the fibres, the stroke must also be wide enough to divide the fibres without skipping over them. The treatment can be painful, but should always be conducted within the pain tolerance threshold of the recipient, and should be started only with the informed consent of the client. It is contraindicated during the initial inflammatory stage of an acute injury. Deep transverse friction may be utilised in the treatment of both acute and chronic conditions. Its uses include; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ mobilisation of interstial fluid à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ reduction or modification of oedema à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ increase of local blood flow à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ decrease of muscle soreness and stiffness à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ moderation of pain à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ facilitation of relaxation à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ prevention or elimination of adhesions (Wieting 2004). There are a variety of massage techniques that can have physiological, neurological and psychological effects. These can be used to reduce pain and the formation of adhesion, mobilise fluids, increase muscular relaxation, and increase vasodilatation (Wieting 2004). Mechanical pressure on soft tissues displaces fluid which then moves in the direction of least resistance. Movement of the practitioners hand creates a pressure gradient resulting in small amounts of fluid leaving the soft tissues and entering the venous or lymphatic systems, improving lymphatic flow (Wieting 2004). In addition to its mechanical effects, deep transverse friction (and other massage techniques) causes the release of histamine which has a superficial vasodilatory effect that assists in the washing out of metabolic waste products. A noticeable decrease in lactate occurs in massaged muscles which can be associated with reduced muscle spasm, increased endurance and force of contraction. (Cox, 2007) Other beneficial effects of massage include decreased blood viscosity and increased hematocrit levels. There is also an increase in circulating fibrinolytic compounds along with substances such as myoglobin, creatine kinase, dehydrogenase, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase which probably represent local muscle cell leakage from the applied pressure. There is also release of endorphins and enkaphalin production (Wieting 2004). Impulses from the stimulation of superficial skeletal muscle fibres, cutaneous and spindle receptors reach the spinal cord and may produce segmental moderation and even somatovisceral reflex changes (Wieting 2004). The normal healing process may also be improved by the breaking of cross bridges, which will help to prevent abnormal scarring. The mechanical action of the technique causes hyperaemia and increased blood flow to the area (Brosseau et al 2002). In addition shearing stresses are created at tissue interfaces below the skin. e.g.dermis-fascia, fascia-muscle, muscle-bone interfaces, the deep pressure prevents shearing of superficial tissues and the shear force is directed at the deeper tissue surface interface (Wieting 2004). This helps release underlying adhesions and promotes improved circulation to the area (Lorenzo 2004). Sevier and Wilson (1999) describe vigorous cross friction massage for 5-10 minutes over the common extensor tendon perpendicular to underlying soft tissue structures in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Point friction may also be performed directly over the lateral eipcondyle and over the radial tunnel where it can be used in an attempt to reduce venous congestion at the extensor carpi radialis origin. This is a purely descriptive article of commonly used treatments for tennis elbow. No analysis of any evidence regarding the efficacy of any of these treatments is given. Disabella (2004) describes the use of friction massage in conjunction with ultrasound and/or electrical stimulation in the treatment of elbow and forearm overuse injuries. In a systematic review of the use of deep transverse friction massage in the treatment of tendonitis Brosseau et al (2002) found only 2 randomised controlled trials of sufficient quality. One of which looked at patients receiving treatment for iliotibial band friction syndrome and the other at tennis elbow. The outcomes of both studies suggest that transverse friction massage combined with other physiotherapy modalities does not significantly reduce tendonitis symptoms when compared to a control. However these studies were of small sample size making it difficult to draw conclusions regarding the benefits or not of treatment of iliotibial band friction syndrome or tennis elbow with transverse friction massage. The tennis elbow study looked at 9 sessions of transverse friction massage given over 5 weeks in combination with other physiotherapy modalities and in isolation. The comparison groups were as follows; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ deep transverse friction massage with therapeutic ultrasound and placebo ointment compared with therapeutic ultrasound and placebo ointment à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ deep transverse friction massage compared with phonophoresis alone No difference was found in pain relief, grip strength and functional status between the groups. This study used double blinding and a sound randomisation procedure but did not report withdrawals and dropouts (Brosseau et al 2002). Another study of lateral epicondylitis was carried out by Smidt et al (2002). 185 patients with lateral epicondylitis of at least 6 weeks were randomised using computer generated block randomisation to 6 weeks of treatment with steroid injection, physiotherapy or wait and see policy. The physiotherapy arm of the study consisted of 9 sessions of pulsed ultrasound, deep friction massage and an exercise program over 6 weeks. Outcome measures were general improvement, severity of main complaint, elbow disability, grip strength and pressure pain threshold. Prior to the main study a reproducibility study on 50 patients was carried out that demonstrated good intertester reliability for the research physiotherapists carrying out the outcome measures. Intention to treat analysis was used and at 6 weeks injection was significantly better than all other options on all outcome measures. There was a high recurrence rate in the injection group. The physiotherapy package (which included frictions) gave better long term outcomes than injection but was no better than wait and see policy. Interestingly the wait and see policy had better long term outcomes than injection and physiotherapy that included transverse friction. In a review article containing a summary of the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions for the management of tennis elbow Nimgade et. al (2005) used the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines to assess the quality of the evidence reviewed. The Cochrane guidelines have 11 score items for internal validity, 6 for external validity and 2 for statistical criteria. Thirty studies were reviewed and the quality scores awarded to each study varied between 2 and 9 (out of a possible 11). Eighteen of the studies scored between 6 and 11 points giving an indication of good quality. It appears that relative rest will eventually improve function but the use of early active interventions including steroid injection and physiotherapy modalities may speed up recovery. The physiotherapy interventions reviewed included exercise and ultrasound alone and in combination with friction massage. These authors concluded that, patients who need a rapid return to work or usual activities, may benefit from one or two steroid injections for pain relief in the first few weeks or months and physiotherapy (which may include friction massage) at any stage. Smidt et al (2003) carried out a review to evaluate physiotherapy interventions for lateral epicondylitis. This was a well conducted review that found only one RCT with acceptable validity showing exercises were significantly better than ultrasound plus friction massage. The authors therefore concluded there was insufficient evidence for the effectiveness for most interventions and there was weak evidence that ultrasound may have a beneficial effect. For the treatment of sub acute bicipital tendonitis Gonzalez (2004) recommended physical therapy involving soft tissue therapy with transverse gliding of the tendon and cross-friction massage. In the trial reviewed by Brosseeau et al (2002) involving patients with iliotibial band friction syndrome deep transverse friction massage was used in combination with rest, ice, stretching exercises and ultrasound and this was compared to a control group receiving rest, ice, stretching exercises and ultrasound only. No statistically significant difference was demonstrated in pain relief after 4 sessions of friction massage combined with the other modalities. There was however a clinically important difference in pain when running. This study was not double blinded but this is difficult to do where rehabilitation interventions are concerned and can result in trials of such modalities having consistently low methodological scores. However withdrawals and dropouts were reported which is good practice but there were problems with the randomisation procedure (Brosseau et al 2002). In a summary of aetiology, pathology and treatment of temporomandibular joint syndrome Berman (2004) suggest friction massage may help inactivate trigger points due to temporary ischemia and resultant hyperaemia produced by a firm cutaneous pressure. In addition small fibrous adhesions in the muscle formed as a result of surgery, injury, or prolonged restricted motion may be disrupted. Many studies have used subjective and non validated scales for pain measurement and the use of combined treatments causes difficulties when trying to evaluate treatment efficacy (Brosseau et al 2002). This can make comparison of outcomes between different trials particularly difficult. In studies where a lack of effect is demonstrated there are a number of variables that can contribute to this. These include characteristics of therapeutic application (experience of therapist, rate, rhythm and depth of technique application), population (age, sex, occupation, sports), disease (acute/chronic) and methodology (blinding, randomisation, validated outcome measures, sample sizes, comparison groups, massage only group to assess specific effects) (Brosseau et al 2002). Comments Conclusions Despite a lack of good quality evidence to recommend either its inclusion or exclusion transverse friction massage is a widely taught, and used, physiotherapy treatment in the management of muscle, ligament, tendon injury and pain. The majority of the literature found seems to review the usage of transverse friction massage in the treatment of tennis elbow. There is a lack of good quality, randomised, controlled trials testing the efficacy of transverse friction massage either in isolation or as part of management package. Many papers are descriptive in nature of transverse friction massage being used in conjunction with other modalities. The literature regarding mechanical, physiological, neurological effects and possible mechanisms of action is speculative which could be due to such trials being difficult to conduct.

Celtic Lifestyle :: European Europe History

Celtic Lifestyle During the period when the Celts existed, which is approximately 800 BC - 400 AD, they were just a little tribe compared to other large civilizations such as the Romans and Greeks. They still managed to conquer many regions and prove victorious in most of their battles. Who were these Celts that survived numerous struggles? Where did they originate? What kind of social structure did they have? What kinds of beliefs did they have? What sort of weapons and armor did they use in battle? What were some of their military tactics? These are some of the questions that will be evaluated in the following paragraphs. The Celts were tall, fair-skinned warriors who were well built, had blond hair and blue eyes. Some of them washed their hair in lime water to increase the hue of it. Some of them shaved their beards, but others let them grow long. Some also shaved their cheeks and let their moustaches grow so long that they would cover their mouth. While eating, they sat on wolves or dog skins. They ate at low tables, like the Chinese, and were served by young boys and girls. They cooked big quarters, usually from a pig or calf over a fire on a spit and the hero was served the biggest portion. Seeing as how the they were so aggressive and easy to anger, they often fought during meals or challenged each other to fights. The Celts lived in the Western region of Europe called the Normandy region. Normandy is a small region in the north of France, but they spread out from that region through all of France and Belgium. They also conquered areas in the western part of Germany, through the Black Forest region, along the Jura Mountains of Switzerland, along the Alps and to the upper part of Spain in the Pyrenees Mountains. They expanded their region to Spain and Portugal in 600 BC and through Italy, beyond the Alps in 386 BC. In 325 BC - 279 BC, they conquered areas throughout Greece, and in 278 BC they expanded into Asia Minor. But around 250 BC, the Romans regained their power in Italy and pushed the Celts back towards Gaul (modern day France) until 52 BC when the Romans, under command of Julius Caesar finally pushed them out of main land Europe and into England and then into Ireland, where the Celts fended themselves from any further attack from their southern and eastern neighbors.

Fish Oil Health Benefits

Fish oil health benefits are exaggerated, says a new study appearing in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. And yet, it warns, increased consumer demand for fish oil is pushing fish populations to the brink. Medical scientists from St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto have teamed with researchers from the University of British Columbia's Fisheries Centre and author Farley Mowat to closely examine the effects of health claims with regard to seafood. For years, international agencies concerned with health and nutrition have promoted seafood consumption. â€Å"Our concern is that fish stocks are under extreme pressure globally and that studies are still urgently required to define precisely who will benefit from fish oil,† says Dr. David J. A. Jenkins, a doctor at St. Michael's Hospital and a professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine's Department of Nutritional Sciences. Further, if we decide that fish oil supplementation is necessary for good health, then unicellular sources of ‘fish oil' like algae, yeasts, etc, should now be used, as they are in infant formula,† adds Dr. Jenkins. While some studies have reported fish oil health benefits healthy benefits, others have failed to show a significant effect. But these negative studies are often ignored and the result has been increased demand for seafood by consumers in the developed world, often at the expense of food security in developing nations. Governments and industry tell consumers to eat more fish because it is healthy,† explains Rashid Sumaila, director of the Fisheries Economics Research Unit at UBC Fisheries Centre and study co-author. â€Å"But where do we get these fish? They are increasingly coming from the waters around Africa and other places where food security is a problem. † At best, fish oils are just one factor out of many that may reduce ailments such as heart disease and researchers found that people who do not eat fish, such as vegetarians, are not at increased risk of illness. Furthermore, dietary recommendations to consume more fish are incompatible with the sustainability of ocean ecosystems, according to a concurrent study recently published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. â€Å"For people in Canada or the US, or in the EU, eating fish is one of many possible options, both in terms of a tasty meal, and in terms of a balanced diet,† says UBC fisheries researcher Daniel Pauly. â€Å"For many people in developing countries, fish is often their only source of protein. It would be irresponsible for us to ‘triage' food sources without verifying that fish oil indeed promotes human health. † Farley Mowat, co-author on this study, adds: â€Å"In the immediate future, human beings are going to have to find better ways to live. Our rape and pillage of the environment has to end before it becomes our end. The damage we have already done to life in the oceans is a prime example of our idiocy, and a last warning that we had better change our ways. â€Å"

Law on School Prayer Essay

The issue on school prayer has been subject to constitutional debate since 1960’s. The Court ruled against school-sponsored prayer in the Engel vs. Vitale case in 1962. Such court decision is in line with the upholding of freedom of religion (and the expression of one’s faith and belief). The Court said that one could instead do his or her prayer privately and need not impose his or her prayer to anyone (Dierenfield, 2007). This is the very basis of the Court for implementing the non-school-sponsored prayer in every school in the United States. Such ruling was put into question when another case of school-sponsored prayer occurred in 2000. The case wherein the Santa Fe Independent School District permitted the non-private conduction of prayer (done in front of other students of the school) which is aim to declare support for the football athletes (Status of Current Law on School Prayer, 2007). Although, the Congress had tried to intervene with the issue, the Court still prevailed by saying that the school violated the law against school-sponsored worship or prayer. In order to uphold the ruling of the Court against school-sponsored worship or prayer, the House and the Senate passed the ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education) in October 30 2001 (Status of Current Law on School Prayer, 2007). This act states that schools that would violate the law against school-sponsored prayer would be denied of federal funding. The Congress position was to uphold the right of students for voluntary prayer hence it disallowed the imposition of school on conducting a school prayer. The fear of losing the support of the government (for public schools) really held every school so that they became really careful about dealing with religious and faith-related issues of their students. They allowed their students to pray or not pray. They do not anymore try to make actions or sponsor events that would tend to patronize particulars faiths or religions. Legal Implications Truly, no one should interfere with other’s way of expressing himself or herself. Likewise, no one should impose his or her religion, belief or faith to anyone (Muir, 1985). Thus, the Court had a very good reason for declaring such decision concerning school prayer. By taking a closer examination on the issue, one would realize that the Court, as well as the Congress, just really wanted to protect the rights of the students for voluntary prayer. Hence, schools were ordered not to support any form or kind of religious and faith-related activities. This is due to the fact that public schools have a diverse population of students who belong to various religions. In effect, if the school would favor one student or a group of students in the school to conduct an event that would advertize their religion, there will really be a violation against the rights of other students on their religious belief (Muir, 1985). The Court provided a very plausible and rational suggestion to religious sectors and the parents of the students. It said that students can practice their own way of upholding their religious faith while not impeding other’s right of voluntary prayer. They can really do their prayers privately. By doing so, no one would complain about the imposition of school prayer. The Congress’s sponsorship and Court’s implementation of the ESEA could really help them monitoring and regulating schools in sponsoring and conducting activities. The schools, in return, would ensure that they would be hands-off regarding religious matters. They should really do that otherwise their federal funding would be denied by the government (Status of Current Law on School Prayer, 2007). To end, the issue on school prayer and the law regarding it intend to promote the rights of the students for voluntary prayer and against discrimination of religion. Schools primary duty is to ensure proper education for their students – and that should be their focus.