Bipolar Disorder and Society Essay Example

Bipolar Disorder and Society Paper Depression has been known to be a leading cause of disability in the world, because depressive moods can hinder someone from acting normally and thus hindering the capabilities to be productive (Fink, 2007). It may be considered normal for human beings to have mood swings. For women it may even be worse especially when they have their monthly period, as hormones generally affect their emotions. But when the mood swings start to get abnormal in frequency and sequence there may already be a disorder, in this case bipolar disorder or mania. It is characterized by heightened mood, hyperactivity, restlessness and extreme depression to the point of distorted judgment. Individuals with this disorder acts in a very different manner than their usual ways, and the onset of the syndrome is slow and gradual, taking weeks or months before it is considered complete (Belmaker, 2004). Bipolarity is a very distinct disorder that has many names across different cultures all over the world. Manic is only one term, insane may also be one view of society towards individuals with this disorder, because it leads to a person acting beyond the normal. We will write a custom essay sample on Bipolar Disorder and Society specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Bipolar Disorder and Society specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Bipolar Disorder and Society specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This may affect not only how an individual is viewed by society, but also how that individual interacts with another person and with society as a whole. As such, this paper aims to look deeper into the different aspects of the disorder including its history, symptoms experienced by patients suffering the disease, the factors that influence the occurrence of the disease, and treatments that are discovered in order to prevent worsening of the syndrome. In regards the treatments, this may include some therapies or medication that this paper shall try to present and explore. This may help to find out the different effects of bipolar disorder of those suffering from it and those surrounding the patient. Bipolar Syndrome As earlier mentioned, bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by an irregularity of moods. It may make a shift from a heightened happiness to extreme depression or lonesomeness. Even a single episode of mania or extreme depression may be a symptom of bipolar disorder (Belmaker, 2004). But not all depressive moods characterize bipolar disorder. Some depressive moods may be induced by intake of substances if not are naturally occurring. If the depression is caused by intake of medication or any certain drugs, it is not considered as bipolarity but classified as substance induced mood disorder. If it was due to a medical condition that may have been affecting the brain, it is considered as a mood disorder due to a general medical condition. Naturally occurring extreme depression is thus symptomatic of Bipolar Syndrome alone (First et al, 2002). History the Disorder Bipolar Disorder is a very old disease although it was not recognized before as it is now. It was Aretaeus of Cappadociam who first recognized the existence of both manic and depressive moods but it was only these days that this existence was given a name. Following this is a book written by Richard Burton, titled The Anatomy of Melancholia. As the title implies, it tackled the subject melancholy or what is called today as depression. Then a French researcher proposed that suicide and depression are related, that there is also a relationship between a manic state and depression and that there may be a disorder called manic-depressive disorder (Bloch and Naser, 2006). Following this research is another Frenchman’s proposal. Francois Baillarger proposed that Bipolar disorder is different from schizophrenia and that its symptoms are distinct from that of the latter mentioned. He called the disorder as double-insanity. This study is further upheld by a German researcher, Emil Krapelin who proposed ideas regarding manic depression. The ideas contained the symptoms and guiding principles that are generally the ones still being used in the diagnosis and research of Bipolar Disorder today (Bloch and Naser, 2006). Symptoms Bipolar syndrome is categorized as Bipolar I and Bipolar II depending mainly on the severity of the mania or depression. Bipolar I is usually differentiated from Bipolar II as the level of depression that occurs in patients suffering from it is considered mild. As compared to Cyclothymic Disorder, Bipolar I is characterized by manic episodes, and a major depressive episode. It may be diagnosed if the interchanging episodes happen after two years at the least of having Cyclothymic Disorder (First et al, 2002). When compared with psychotic disorders, Bipolar I stands out as it does not present any psychotic symptoms that are not induced by known mood symptoms. It may only be diagnosed based on manic episodes induced by chronic psychotic disorder (First et al, 2002). Bipolar II on the other hand, is characterized by mood episodes not induced by medical conditions that may be affecting the brain. It is also diagnosed when the depressive moods or mania is not induced by substances or drugs taken into the body. Another characteristic of Bipolar II are occurring hypomanic episodes that may be diagnosed neither as Major Depressive Disorder nor Dysthymic Disorder. It may also be distinguished from Psychotic Disorders if there are periods of psychotic symptoms induced by known mood symptoms. When compared with Bipolar I, Bipolar II may be distinguish by the absence of Manic or Mixed episode. Mixed episodes are occurring mood episodes in which there is heightened happiness suddenly switching to extreme depression or sadness (First et al, 2002). Course of the Disorder As mentioned on the earlier part of the paper, the onset of Bipolar disorder, either I or II, on an individual happens gradually or slowly until is completion, during which an individual experiences the symptoms given (Belmaker, 2004). It is a curable disease which worsens over time if not tended to. From simple episodes of mania and depression it may progress into frequently occurring symptoms. These frequent episodes may gradually increase in severity and may soon include Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, or delusions that are relative to the mood of the individual in a certain moment. For instance, there may be a hallucination of an extravagant event or thing when the patient is in a heightened mood or there may be a delusion when the patient is depressed and low. These things may become severe in the course of time and due to the severity of the disease, the symptoms that accompany it also becomes severe leading to some individuals to become a danger to the people surrounding him and even to himself (Zimney, 2008). As in the case presented by Cohen et al (2008) where a woman who had a history of Bipolar Disorder and is under maintained medication decided to have a child. Under the prescription of her psychiatrists she stopped taking her medicines and soon she got pregnant, during which she experienced episodes of anxiety, insomnia and the other symptoms of her disorder. Doctors started to suggest for her to get back to her medication but she declined as it might harm the child she was carrying and may affect her planned breastfeeding. Because of this, she continued experiencing Bipolar Disorder-related episodes and it affected her pregnancy. She had to undergo caesarian section because of premature labor that was induced by her episodes. After the delivery, she seemed to have been back to normal but eventually symptoms of her illness started and they were worse than they were before she got pregnant and was under medication. Because of this, the patient was put under another observation and was found that other than her record showing bipolar sickness, there was a history of the same disease in the family (Cohen et al, 2008). They have found that she had relatives who had severe mood disorders and one was even driven to suicide and died. The same almost happened to the woman. Due to the discontinuation of maintenance medications, she had recurrent hallucinations and even tried to hurt her child. With this, she decided to discontinue breastfeeding and was advised not to have more children after (Cohen et al, 2008). With this study, it may be said that Bipolar Disorder is manageable through intake of medication. Discontinuation of treatment medicines may be said to affect the state of the patient suffering from the disease more so when left completely neglected (Cohen et al, 2008). This is why bipolar female patients becoming pregnant still pose a huge matter for researchers concentrating on treatments for the syndrome. As may be seen in the case presented some drugs or medication for treatment of the disease may be harmful for a child inside a bipolar mother, resulting to the mother having to stop maintenance drugs and thus inducing episodes symptomatic of the disorder. It also became a risk for the disease to progress into a more severe level since, discontinuation of treatment and medicines is almost equal to neglect of the situation (Cohen et al, 2008). This also shows that Bipolar Disorder may be inherited or may be passed within members of a family, as the patient indicated to have had a relative who died from suicide induced by hallucinations that entail the disease at its worse level. Treatments of the Disorder There are many known treatment of bipolar disorder. There are medications or medicines that are prescribed by doctors to patients in accordance to the severity of their condition and to the symptoms relative to the disease that manifests in them. Psychiatrists may recommend drugs that prevent mania, hypomania or antidepressant drugs depending on the mood of the patient. Doctors may recommend mania-preventive drugs or anti-depressant drugs to patients depending mainly on the recurrent mood of the patient. They may also give mood stabilizers that a patient may take in on the onset of mania or depression. Antipsychotic agents may also be administered when called for (Mann, 2005). There are also therapies that are recommended to patients in order to help them manage and treat their illness. They may suggest regular psychosocial interventions or psychotherapy that includes monitoring of responses, the checking of outcomes of past therapies or treatments, and education of parties involved especially of parents with children suffering from the disorder. The therapies have three phases, the acute, continuation and maintenance phase. The treatment and therapy varies in accordance to the phase (Mann, 2005). Society, Culture and the Disease Although bipolar disorder is a leading cause of disability in the world, there are still some countries that do not generally accept this concept. The culture from which they grew up in influences their beliefs and reactions toward the disease. It also influences the treatment of the disease, the interaction between patients, the effects of the symptoms, and even how the symptoms are reported (Kleinman, 2004). For instance the Chinese people do not recognize depression as a term or condition of a person or an individual. The country from which they belong denies the existence of this predicament in their culture. This becomes a problem especially for the Chinese immigrants in countries that recognized bipolar disorder as disease. As soon as a person shows signs of developing Bipolar disorder it may only be seen as normal so rather than be given appropriate treatment, the patient’s condition may become worse (Kleinman, 2004). Sometimes even when it is the culture or the society that becomes the risk factor for the development of the diseases, as in the case of war-related acquisition of bipolar disorder, or post-trauma induced bipolar cases, it is still denied and left without proper treatment (Kleinman, 2004). Conclusion Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that have been long existing but only denied by some nations worldwide. It is a leading cause for disabilities and some deaths. It has a number of symptoms including sudden manic moods shifting to depressive moods. Sometimes it also entails psychotic symptoms. But Bipolar disorder is a curable and manageable disease. Many studies have been conducted in order to check on the risk factors of the disease and from there develop a cure. But some countries do not accept this cure for the disease, even when sometimes it is the culture that is the cause of the disease. Thus it may be said that the society and the culture being practiced influences the disease greatly, that views on patients and patients’ views on society, whether positive or negative is affected in more ways than one. References Belmaker, R. H. MD (2004). Bipolar Disorder. The New England Journal of Medicine 351(5). Bloch, J. P, Nser, J. A. (2006). The Everything Health Guide to Adult Bipolar Disorder: Reassuring Advice to Help You Cope. USA: Everything Books. Cohen, L. S MD. , Emmerich, A. D. MD. , Viguera, A. C. MD. (2008). Case 24-2008: A 35-Year-Old Woman with Postpartum Confusion, Agitation, and Delusions. The New England Journal of Medicine 359(5). First, M. B, Frances, A. Pincus, H. A. (2002). DSM-IV-TR Handbook of Differential Diagnosis. USA: American Psychiatric Pub. Fink, M. , Taylor, A. M. , (2007). Melancholia: The Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Depressive Illness. The New England Journal of Medicine 356(6). Kleinman, A. MD. (2004). Culture and Depression. The New England Journal of Medicine 351(10). Mann, J. J. (2005). Management of Depression. The New England Journal of Medicine 353(17). Zimney, E. MD. (2008). Bipolar Disorder. HealthTalk Retrieved November 20, 2008 from http://www2. healthtalk. com/go/mental-health/bipolar-disorder/disease-basics/how-does-bipolar-disorder-progress

If I knew today was my first day

If I knew today was my first day Raul FloresAlex KurianENGL 130110 October 2014My Last DayWaking up to a new day it's something to be thankful about it. Not everyone is fortunate enough to get another chance at life. A life in which days go by really fast, yet it's full of moments, and experiences that shape the way we live it the way we do. However, what if I knew that today was my last day on earth? That sure will be a scary situation. Panicking will probably be a reason for my uncontrollable fear and anxiety at first, but then later I would realize the things I must complete before leaving this world. Three things I would do during my last hours of existence would be; forget about the pass, have fun, and help my family and friendsSt5-instruments engl

How to Use Market Growth And Market Share to Develop Strategy Assignment

How to Use Market Growth And Market Share to Develop Strategy - Assignment Example Knowing the market share of a business organization, will most definitely help in assessing the impact of changes in staff, products, services, prices, distribution channels, and even advertisement campaigns. Having knowledge on the growth of the organizations market will help in identifying the better strategies that the organization needs to enact in order to increase its customer base. This paper examines the strategies an organization can use to increase their market growth, and share. These strategies are vertical integration, and diversification strategies. In explaining these strategies, this paper focuses on an airline company, for example, the Emirates air line company. Strategies: Vertical Integration: One of the strategies that an organization can develop because of possessing knowledge on its growth and share is the vertical integration policy. Vertical integration refers to the expansion of a business organization into other areas that are related to its area of operatio n (Thorson and Duffy, 2012). Take for instance the emirates air line. The air line company might decide to buy a jet fueling company. This strategy is important to the organization because it will help it to refuel a large percentage of its refueling needs. Vertical integration is important because it helps a company to improve efficiency, and reduce the costs of its operation. For example, the transportation costs of the emirates airline will be reduced because it is the main supplier of its fuel. This in turn will increase the profitability of the organization, leading to a growth in its market share and its operations. The company might also aim at gaining control of its main competitors. For example, the competitors of the emirates airline company can be the British Airways, the... This report stresses that most companies intend to achieve growth in its market, and also increase its market share. There are several methods that these organizations can use to achieve this objective. However, this paper has focused on two main methods, that is vertical integration strategies, and diversification strategies. Vertical integration strategies mainly concern itself with the expansion of the organization into other areas that are related to its production and supply. This paper manages to effectively identify the various methods of vertical integration strategies, and how they are useful to an organization. The author declares that diversification strategies on the other hand involves the sale of part of the organizations ventures, for purposes of using the money gained to restructure the business organization so as it may compete effectively in its other markets. This paper makes a cocnlusion that a company can also decide to sale some of its business ventures because of higher operational costs in a given market, and hence the need of cutting costs. It is important to denote that an organization that manages to reduce its costs, will most definitely achieve some aspects of profitability. Finally, the greatest joy of a business organization is to manage capturing a given segment of a market. Capturing these new markets by introducing new products and influencing consumption habits will create a vibrant growth for the company, and an increase in its market share.

International Business of Botswana Country Essay

International Business of Botswana Country - Essay Example When Botswana appeared on the face of the map, there was no army for the defence and protection of the country. In 1977 Botswana Defence Force was formed and today almost 12000 armed men are an integral part of the system (Botswana, 2007). The government of Botswana has perfectly maintain the outflow of diamonds for the economic well being of the country and from last three decades Botswana is a leader in the production of quality diamonds. Thus, the revenue generated from diamond mining is very rightly used to carry out the essential expenditures of the country (Background Note: Botswana, 2007). The other chief sources of income in Botswana include tourism and cattle industry. Before 1971 the market was based on agriculture and farming, but then diamond mining started that heightened the economic growth and also increased the per capita income of the country as compared to many other African countries (The World Fact Book, 2007). Whenever we consider the economic structure of a place, we cannot deny the fact that there are some threatening issues related to that area which have an immense effect on the expansion and progression of the nation. Similarly, Botswana is dealing with the victims of HIV- AIDS as the country has the second highest infection rate and as a result huge amounts are needed to tackle the problem every year (Structure of the economy, 2007). In addition to it, the nation is also facing crisis in the employment sector. A large number of population is unemployed and the government is taking keen interest in facilitating the service sector. Cultural values of Botswana In the northern areas of Botswana trained and skilful women are working in their villages. They are famous for weaving and crafting. Moreover, few writers of that part of the world are famous for their work primarily Bessie Head, who wrote about Botswana until her death in 1986 (Binsbergen, 2002). In the same manner people from different fields have entered the global market in order to promote the culture of Botswana and to strengthen its economy in the world (Botswana, 2007). Botswana - International trade today and 25 years back After the independence of Botswana in 1966, agriculture had been its major economic sector. Its main emphasis had been on agricultural goods which shared about forty percent (40%) of the Gross Domestic Product of Botswana and forms the basic exports of the country. Even today the primary sector contributes highest to the country's GDP, which now, not only includes agricultural goods but also mining. Now Botswana is on the path of diversification. It is working hard to diverse its economy and emphasizing more on manufacturing goods and mining than on agricultural goods. Its main manufacturing products include meat products, dairy products, textiles, chemical and leather products, wooden products and many others. In 1983 the mining sector contributed 52.6 percent to the GDP (Kapunda, 2003, 3). The major exports of Botswana are focused to Common custom area, USA, UK, Zimbabwe and to other European countries. In the year 1985 the total exports of Botswa

Comparative Literature Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Comparative Literature Paper - Essay Example People from all over the world wish to embark the â€Å"land of milk and honey†, only to find out that there are still enormous challenges they have to face to obtain that elusive â€Å"milk and honey†. More than stories about poverty, their ugly house and their families, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros are similar in many ways as these weave tales about strong women (both immigrant women of color) as they confront their lives in the US together with their families. They will show their courage and forge enormous strength to conquer the challenges they have to face. They will have to prove something, not just for themselves, but for their families as well. Comparing the two essays, we could almost smell the characters’ well-being as they are bound to resolve the various conflicts that they face. In the past twenty five years, the field of women’s immigration history in the United States has transformed itself from a minor disciplinary field to a major way of understanding one of the largest 20th century topics for the social sciences in general: the mobility of people and its impact upon the relationship of genders. In fact, the study of women immigrants has also served as a major connector between traditional disciplines and fields of inquiry in the United States (Schneider, 2003). The two stories by Hansberry and Cisneros, incidentally by women too, weaves a showcase of what immigrant women have to face living in the US. The common thread that binds these tales is the challenges they face as minority women in America as they look for their own place in an unknown country; and seek the liberation and freedom from lives slowed down by bondage. Not only these women demonstrate the assorted hostilities many women face as they are viewed as the inferior sex, but they also seek to supersede the discrimination caused by the color of their

Growth and Lipid Production of L. Starkeyi Mutants

Growth and Lipid Production of L. Starkeyi Mutants CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Diesel is one of the components in fossil fuel. However, the over-use of diesel is producing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide gases which are the major elements leading to global warming. Hence, due to increase in demand and source limitation, biodiesel is introduced as a substitute for diesel fuel (Wild et al., 2010). Biodiesel is a diesel fuel substitute that is extracted from renewable biomass. Biodiesel can be produced from plant oils, animal fats and microorganisms. Traditionally, biodiesel is produced from plant oils which were transesterify with methanol (Dai et al., 2007). However, production of biodiesel from plant oils is not suitable due to the quality of tillable land (Li et al., 2008) and competition with food production (Wahlen et al., 2012). Furthermore, the increase in animal fats prices due to the increase in animal feed makes it not suitable as biodiesel feedstock (Li et al., 2008). Hence, oleaginous microorganisms have been introduced as good candidates for biodiesel feedstock. Oleaginous microorganisms can accumulate lipid up to 20% of its cell dry weight (Ageitos et al., 2011). Oleaginous microorganisms have the ability to utilize different carbon source (Ageitos et al., 2011). In this study, Lipomyces starkeyi will be used. This type of yeast has the ability to produce lipid up to 70 % of its cell dry weight (Wild et al., 2010). L. starkeyi can utilize different types of carbon as its sole carbon and it is flexible in terms of culture conditions (Ageitos et al.,2011). However, L. starkeyi is still not economically practical because of the limitations in the wild-type strains (Ageitos et al., 2011). Therefore, in our research, we will be using L. starkeyi mutants in an attempt to produce more lipid more lipid in the fungal cells. The L. starkeyi mutants will be cultured in modified media consists of glucose, (NH4) SO4, yeast extract, Na2HPO4.7H20, KH2PO4, MgSO4. 7H20, CaCl2. 2H20, FeSO4, ZnSO4.H20 and CuSO4 supplied with 2.5% (w/v) and 5.0% (w/v) of glucose and sago effluents in separated schott bottles. pH 5 and pH 6 will also be used in order to optimize the production of lipid. The temperature that will be used is room temperature ( ± 27 °C). In this experiment, sago effluent and glucose would serve as carbon source for L. starkeyi. The total carbohydrate that would be consumed by L. starkeyi will be tested using phenol-sulphuric test. Our objectives in this research are: To optimize growth and lipid production of L. starkeyi mutants To measure the amount of lipid produced by L. starkeyi mutants cultured in 2.5 % and 5 % of glucose medium To measure the amount of lipid produced by L. starkeyi mutants cultured in sago effluent CHAPTER 2:  LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Biodiesel Biodiesel consists of alkly ester of fatty acids or triglycerides. Conventionally, triglyceride is produced from soybeans oil with the addition of alcohol and acid or base catalyst. This process is known as transesterifications which will produce Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) (Wahlen et al., 2012). Basically, biodiesel can be derived from 3 sources which are plants oil, animal fat and microorganisms (Meng et al., 2008). Plant oils that involve in the production of biodiesel are rapeseed, palm oil, soybeans, cottonseed, sunflower and many possible crops (Perritano, 2010). However, the practical used of plant oils raises critical issues on the decreasing in quality of land that is needed to plant the crops could affect the quality of the crops produced (Li et al., 2008). In addition, it also competes with the food production (Wahlen et al., 2012). Animal fat is also not a good biodiesel feedstock due to economical reasons (Meng et al., 2008). Hence, oleaginous microorganisms stand out as a potential feedstock provider. 2.2 Oleaginous microorganisms Oleginous yeasts (OY) are known producers of single cell oil (SCO). SCO produced from this organism are triacylglycerides (TAG) that have long-chain of fatty acids and have similar properties with plant oils. TAG acts as source of energy and it assist in phospholipid membrane formation. OY also utilizes various its carbon sources from waste substrate thus the cost to culture this microorganism is low (El-Fadaly et al., 2009). There are four groups of oleaginous microorganisms that capable of producing biodiesel which are bacteria, algae, filamentous fungi and yeast (Kitcha and Cheirsilp, 2011). The genera of oleaginous yeast are Yarrowia, Candida, Rhodotorula, Rhodosporium, Crytococcus, Trichosporon and Lipomyces (Ageitos et al., 2011). The specific name for the most preferable candidates for production of lipid are Cryptococcus albidus, Rhodosporidium toruloides, Rhodotorula glutinis, Lipomyces starkeyi and Yarrowia lipolytica. These microorganisms are capable of producing intracellular lipid more than 20% of its cell dry weight (Tapia et al., 2012). The duplication rate of yeast is lower than 1 hour and it is easy to culture compared to other microalgae. Other than that, certain oily yeast also has the ability to produce lipid up to 80% of their dry weight, while utilizing different carbon source including the lipid present in media (Ageitos et al., 2011). 2.3 Factors affecting lipid accumulations in Oleginous yeast Lipid accumulations occur when yeast is cultured under high amount of carbon source but in limited source of nitrogen. This is due to the nutrient imbalance that helps in triggering the accumulation of lipid because the remaining substrate would be assimilated by the yeast’s cells hence convert it into fat for storage (Ageitos et al., 2011). The fat that accumulated could be extracted to produce biodiesel. In addition, the accumulations of lipid also affected by other factors such as the present of microelements and inorganic salts in media. These elements help in ATP (AdenosineTriPhosphate) citrate lyse which important in lipid production (Ageitos et al., 2011). 2.4 Lipomyces starkeyi L. starkeyi is one of the members of Saccharomycetales and considered as true inhabitant of soil which have a worldwide distribution (Ansschau et al., 2014). L. starkeyi have the ability to accumulate lipid up to 70% of its dry weight (Wild et al., 2010). It also has a high flexibility in utilization of carbon source and culture environment. Other than that, fatty acid produced by L. starkeyi is almost similar to the vegetable oil (Tapia et al., 2012). According to Wild et al. (2010), L. starkeyi need a high ratio of carbon to nitrogen in order to optimize the production of lipid. The lipid bodies (LB) of L. starkeyi will receive the excess carbon source in the form of triglycerides (TAGs) (Ageitos et al., 2011) 2.5 Sago effluent Sago effluent is a form of sago liquid waste. In normal processes, this effluent would be channeled into the river, thus polluting the river and environment (Awang-Adeni et al., 2010). The releasing of sago effluent into the river can cause decreasing in water pH and increase in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (Ayyasamy et al., 2008) Sago effluent contains a high amount of organic materials and non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) (Awang-Adeni et al., 2010). NSP are made of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. In cellulose, the sub-components are 89% glucose and small amount of xylose, rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, fructose and galactose. In contrast to cellulose, hemicellulose main components are glucose and xylose accompanied with arabinose, galactose, rhmnose, fucose and uranic acid. Lignin functions in rigidity and stability of the wood. To sum up, sago effluent contains up to 66% of starch, 14 % fiber and 25 % lignin (Awang-Adeni et al., 2010). Sago effluents which flow from the sago mill usually have the ratio of carbon to nitrogen high which is 105: 0.12 (Awang-Adeni et al., 2010). As stated by Ageitos et al. (2011), L. starkeyi have the ability to utilize starch as its sole carbon. Hence, sago effluent is an excellent choice because it has a high amount of starch which can helps in optimizing the lipid production. 2.6 Phenol-sulphuric test Phenol-sulphuric test is the quantitative assays which often used in estimation of carbohydrate. This test could detect the presence of neutral sugar in oligosaccharides, proteoglycan, glycoproteins and glycolipids (Albalasmeh et al., 2013). When phenol-sulphuric is added, the glucose that presence in samples would dehydrate thus forms hydroxymethyl furfurax. It would yield a yellow-brown product and the OD could be checked at 490 nm (Albalasmeh et al., 2013). CHAPTER 3:  MATERIALS AND METHOD 3.1 Materials Modified media as suggested by Wild et al. (2010). Lipomyces Starkeyi mutants (LS R1 and LS R2) 2.5 % (w/v) and 5.0 % (w/v) of glucose (Ee Syn, Malaysia) 2.5 % (w/v) and 5.0 % (w/v) of sago effluent (Pusa, Malaysia) 80 % (w/v) of Glycerol stock (HmbG, Germany) 5 % Phenol (Nacalai Tesque, Japan) Hexane (Reagents, USA) Isopropanol (Amresco, USA) Microcentrifuge (Hettich EBA 21, England) Schotts bottles (Duran, Germany) 3.2 Glycerol stock A single colony of L. starkeyi mutants R3 will be inoculated into 100 ml of modified media. 800 ÃŽ ¼l of L. starkeyi mutants R3 that have grown will be transferred into vial that contained 1200 ÃŽ ¼l of glycerol stock. The glycerol stock steps of L. starkeyi will be repeated for L. starkeyi mutants R4. The solution will be stored in freezer at -20  °C. 3.3 Propagation of cell 1.5 L of modified media with pH 5 will be prepared into two Liter schott bottles and L. starkeyi mutants R3 and R4 will be inoculated in respective bottles (Wild et al., 2010). This step will be repeated for pH 6. For day 1 until day 6, three (3) falcon tubes will be autoclave and weight. After that, 50 ml of the cultured from first bottle will be transferred into each three (3) falcon tubes and it will be weighted again. The sample will be sent for centrifuge for 5 minutes at 5000 rpm. The supernatant will be discarded and the pellet with falcon tube will be weight again for its wet weight. The sample will be dry in the oven for 1 or 2 days. After that, the sample will be weight again for its dry weight. All experiments will be performed in duplications. 3.4 Standard curve for L. starkeyi 1 ml of culture which will be incubated for 3 days earlier will be added into 9 ml of modified media in test tube. Serial dilution will take place with the factors of 10-1 until 10-7. For factors of 10-1 until 10-7, their OD will be checked for 600 nm. For factors 10-5 until 10-7, 300 ÃŽ ¼l from each sample will be taken and poured onto plate count agar. The plate will be incubated overnight before colony counting will be performed. 3.5 Lipid accumulation stage for L. starkeyi mutants The L. starkeyi mutants culture will be incubated for 3 days (optimum growth) at room temperature. After 3 days, 750 ml of 10.0% (w/v) of glucose will be added into 750 ml modified media to achieve final concentration of 5% (w/v) in the schott bottle and it will be incubated further for 6 days. From day 1 to day 6, 150 ml of cultured will be harvested into each three (3) falcon tubes. This step will be repeated for pH 5 with 5.0% (w/v) of glucose and pH 6 with 10.0% (w/v) and 5.0% (w/v) of sago effluent. 3.6 Sampling biomass The samples will be weighted in wet condition before dry in the oven. After that, the samples will be dried in the oven for 3 days. The dried mass will be taken and weighted again for dry weight. 3.7 Lipid extraction Hexane: propanol in the ratio of 3:2 will be added into the falcon tubes consists of the dry mass. The mixture will be homogenized for 2 minutes. The homogenized sample will be incubated for 1 hour before centrifuge for 5 minutes. The supernatant will be taken and placed in an empty beaker and weight. The supernatant will be heated until the hexane and propanol solution have evaporated completely. The remaining oil will be weighted again. This step will be repeated for 5.0% (w/v) of glucose, 2.5% (w/v) of sago effluent and 5.0% (w/v) of sago effluent. 3.8 Phenol-sulphuric carbohydrate test Phenol test is used to detect the amount of carbohydrate that is not consumed by L. starkeyi. For each sample, phenol-sulphuric carbohydrate test will be performed by adding 0.2 ml of 5% (w/v) of phenol and 1 ml of 96% (w/v) of sulphuric acid. After that, 1 ml from each mixture will be placed into a clean cuvette and read at 490 nm in a spectrophotometer. EXPECTED OUTCOME By the end of this experiment, we expect to measure the amount of lipid produced by Lipomyces starkeyi mutants in 2.5% (w/v) and 5.0% (w/v) concentration of glucose and sago effluent at different pH. WORK SCHEDULE Project Activities 2014 2015 Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March Apr May Data collection à ¢-  Proposal writing and presentation à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢-  Bench work and sample processing à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢-  Progress report à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢-  Data analysis à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢-  Data validation: Statistical analysis à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢-  Report writing and presentation à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢- º à ¢-  Legends à ¢- º: In progress à ¢-  : End of progress REFERENCES Ageitos, J.M., Vallejo, J.A., Veiga-Crespo, P., Villa, T.G. (2011). Oily yeast as oleaginouscell factories. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnoogy, 90(12), 1219-1227. Albalasmeh, A.A., Berhe, A.A., Ghezzehei, T.A. (2013). Method for rapid determination of carbohydrate and total carbon concentrations using UV spectrophotometetry. Carbohydrate Polymers, 97(2), 253-261. Anschau, A., Xavier, M.C.A., Hernalsteens, S., Franco, T.T. (2014). Effect of feeding  strategies on lipid production by Lipomyces starkeyi. Bioresource Technology, 157, 214-222. Ayyasamy, P.M., Banuregha, R., Vivekanandhan, G., Rajakumar, S., Yasodha, R., Lee, S., Lakshmanaperumalsamy, P. (2008). Bioremediation of sago industry effluent and its impact on seed germination (green gram and maize). Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 24(11). 2677-2684 Awang-Adeni, D.S., Abd-Aziz, S., Hassan, M.A. (2010). Bioconversion of sago residue into value added. African Journal of Biotechnology, 9(14), 2016-2021. El-Fadalay, H.A., El-Naggar, N.E., Marwan, E.M. (2009). Single Cell Oil Production by an Oleginous Yeast Strain in a Low Cost Cultivation Medium. Research Journal of Microbiology, 4(8), 301-313. Kitcha, S., Cheirsilp, B. (2011). Screening of Oleaginous Yeasts and Optimization for Lipid. Energy Procedia, 9, 274-282. Li, Q., Du, W., Liu, D. (2008). Perspectives of microbial oils for biodiesel production. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 80(5), 749-756. Meng, X., Yang, J., Xu, X., Zhang, L., Nie, Q., Xian, Mo. (2008). Biodiesel production from oleaginous microorganisms. Renewable Energy, 34(2009), 1-5. Perritano, J. (13, December 2010). 10 top biofuel crops. Retrieved from HowStuffWorks:http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/biofuels/10biofuelcrops. htm#page=2 Tapia, E. V., Anschou, A., Coradini, A. L., Franco, T. T., Deckmann, C. (2012). Optimization of lipid production by the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi by random mutagenesis coupled to cerulenin screening. AMB express, 2(64), 1-8.

Floating Armless :: Philosophy, God

In A Prayer for Owen Meany John Ivring uses several symbols to explore the themes of fate and divine control. Ivring describes several objects and characters as being armless to represent a sacrifice made by a divine influence. Owen Meany in particular is often described as being above the ground to represent what he sees as his position as God’s instrument. Owen is first described as being held in the air when attending Sunday school(p 2). Later in the book John repeatedly picks up Owen and raises him to a basketball hoop so he can practice a slam dunk that becomes known as â€Å"the shot.† Before Owen’s death he is once again lifted to a high window using the shot in order to protect a group of children below (p 612). Finally Owen floats above the pine trees after his death (p 615). In part, Owen’s repeated flight is practical. Practicing the shot gave Owen and John the ability to place the grenade on the windows. However, Owen’s flight, particularly after his death also alludes that Owen is closer to the heavens and reinforces his role as â€Å"God’s instrument (p 87)†. After Owen’s death, John points out that â€Å"†¦There were forces that contributed to our illusion of Owen’s weightlessness; they were forces that we failed to believe in-and they were also lifting up Owen Meany, taking him out of our hands. (p 617)† This suggests that Owen was being lifted be divine forces from childhood until they lifted him above the palm trees. Owen was confident throughout the novel throughout the novel that nothing happens by accident and that he was fated to die on July 8, 1968(p 607). Owen feels his death is a part of God’s plan and does not attempt to change his fate. This ties into the theme of divine control. He was carried by spiritual beings through his life to fulfill his role in saving the children. In A Prayer for Owen Meany many characters seem to suffer amputations. The Indian chief Watahantowet draws an armless totem when he sells his land(p 8). Owen amputates the stuffed armadillo’s claws to represent his guilt and grief after accidentally killing Tabitha Wheelwright (p 86). The Meanys’ nativity set features a one-handed Joseph and a three-legged cow (p 183). Tabitha’s dressmaker’s dummy is armless until Owen gives it the arms he removed from a statue of Mary Magdalene (p 553), one of which is later separated again from the dummy (p 555).