Herbs and Medicines

Medicinal plants or herbs have been an alternative medicine since ancient times. People living in rural areas uses this kinds of herbs to cure for their illness or diseases. Usually these herbs can be easily found in their area because they are the ones who plant and grow these herbs. Herbs are relatively a lot cheaper than pharmaceutical drugs.

Today I will compare and contrast medicinal plants and pharmaceutical drugs. Based from their effectivity, price range and availability to the society.

Medicinal plants have been identified and used throughout human history. Plants make many chemical compounds for biological functions. Including defence against insects, fungi and herbivorous mammals. Over 12,000 active compounds are known to science. These chemicals work on the human body in exactly the same way as pharmaceutical drugs, so herbal medicines can be beneficial and have harmful side effects just like conventional drugs. However, since a single plant may contain many substances, the effects of taking a plant medicine can be complex. Herbs are widely used to treat disease in non-industrialized societies, not least because they are far cheaper than modern medicines (Wikipedia (2017, Feb. 17) “Medicinal plants” Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org)

A pharmaceutical drug is a drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. Drug therapy (pharmacotherapy) is an important part of the medical field and relies on the science of pharmacology for continual advancement and on pharmacy for appropriate management. (Wikipedia (2017, Feb. 10) “Pharmaceutical drug” Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org)

Pharmaceutical drug are the basic component of modern and traditional medicine. It is important that the pharmacist ensures their products safety, effectivity and good quality.

The effectiveness of all medicinal plants have not yet been tried and tested by medicine specialists, but some herbs have been of use to the community since ages. According to clinical trials demonstrated in 2010, potentially useful activity in nearly 36% of herbal medicines; another 12% had effectively never been studied scientifically.

Drug use among elderly Americans has been studied; in a group of 2377 people with average age of 71 surveyed between 2005 and 2006, 84% took at least one prescription drug, 44% took at least one over-the-counter drug, and 52% took at least one dietary supplement; in a group of 2245 elderly Americans (average age of 71) surveyed over the period 2010 – 2011, those percentages were 88%, 38%, and 64%. (Wikipedia)

Herbs has a fewer side effects due to its natural and balanced components. While pharmaceutical medicines are processed herbs with added other ingredients. One must be very careful if they will plant herbs because it can alter its effectiveness. Wrong development of medicinal herbs can give you bad side-effects or even cause your death. It can also be dangerous during pregnancy that’s why pharmaceutical drugs is more recommended.

Though pharmaceutical drugs are a lot expensive, it is a lot safer because it is proven and tested by drug specialists. Just be careful of unapproved drugs and follow its prescribed dosage intake. I would rather spend a lot of money in medicine than to risk my health while saving my money.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 1

Journal name, Article and Author/s: Engineering Magazine – FLYING BRIDGE INSPECTORS by Adam Dove

Introduction: Imagine strapping on a harness and dangling yourself over the side of a bridge, 100 feet in the air—the wind whipping past you, the earth far below. It might sound like a scene from a spy movie or a fun idea for a vacation activity. For a bridge inspector, however, it’s just another day on the job.

Conclusion: 

“The unique aspect of this team is that it combines the robotics perspective, the vision-based data processing perspective, and the civil engineering condition assessment and structural analysis perspectives,” Akinci says. “This allows us to approach the complicated problem of infrastructure inspection from multiple perspectives and create a system that works for everyone involved in the process.”

Thanks to this unique combination of perspectives, our bridges’ near future will be safer for civilians above and below.

Article Link: http://engineering.cmu.edu/alumni/magazine/2016_fall/flying_bridge_inspectors.html

Article 2

Journal name, Article and Author/s: Engineering Magazine – ADVANCING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY by Lisa Kulick

Introduction: Carnegie Mellon engineers are leading a collaborative initiative to develop computational technologies for optimal design and fabrication of complex core structures for the aerospace industry.

Conclusion: 

Another component of the project will focus on workforce education. The project team will develop learning materials such as digitally disseminated lectures, software, and tutorials. A large-scale grand challenge will provide an active, hands-on competition to engage students as well as those in industry.

The project is titled “Optimal design and AM of complex internal core structures for high performance aerial vehicle production.”

Article Link: http://engineering.cmu.edu/alumni/magazine/2016_fall/advancing_manufacturing_aerospace.html

Article 3

Journal name, Article and Author/s: Engineering Magazine – STAMP-SIZED SATELLITE by Krista Burns

Introduction: ECE Assistant Professor Brandon Lucia and Ph.D. student Alexei Colin developed the first programming language for intermittently-powered computing devices, called Chain. Chain enables intermittently-powered systems to operate reliably, even when they are running on scarce energy harvested from their sources in their environment, like radio waves or solar energy.

Conclusion: The satellites will operate using minuscule energy from
tiny solar panels to collect and process sensor data and send information back to earth. While satellites are typically powered by solar energy, these satellites will be the first with strong software correctness guarantees furnished by Chain, ensuring continuous, reliable operation.

Article Link: http://engineering.cmu.edu/alumni/magazine/2016_fall/stamp_sized_satellite.html

Article 4

Journal name, Article and Author/s: Engineering Magazine- 3-D PRINTING BETTER THAN MEDICAL TRAINING by Hannah Diorio-Toth

Introduction: If we are learning how to drive a car or speak a foreign language, the notion “practice makes perfect” applies. But how do you learn something where the stakes are higher? How do you train a surgeon?

Conclusion: “This is a nice example of how technology from CMU can be transferred to medical education. We often think of treatment as direct-to-patient care. But this technology is about making better surgical residents, which makes for better patient care,” says Cheng. “Innovation can infiltrate the healthcare system in many different ways as long as we keep an open mind about it.”

Article Link: http://engineering.cmu.edu/alumni/magazine/2016_fall/3d_printing_medical.html

Examples of opinion cues for thesis statement:

1. Congressional elections are simply the result of who has the most money.
2. The United Nations is incapable of preventing war.
3. China’s One-Child Policy Should Be Reversed
4. Why Vaccinations Should Be Mandatory
5. Government Surveillance Is Harmful
6. Financial Compensation for Organ Donors
7. Our School Is Too Dependent on Technology
8. School Officials’ Should Fight Cyberbullying
9. Student Loans Should Be Forgiven
10. Marijuana Should Be Legalized

Sources: https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/thesis-statement-examples/

https://depts.washington.edu/pswrite/thesisstmt.html

By:Karl Calonzo, Larissa Alejandro

A good writing is free of errors in grammar and punctuation, conforms to the conventions of Standard American English, is sensitive to the level of formality required by the paper, conveys a clear sense of the writer’s purpose, carries out an effective strategy in terms of development of thoughts and argumentations, demonstrates good style, engaging the reader with its use of diction and punctuation. (Calvin College- The Characteristics of Good writing) Retrieved from: https://calvin.edu

 

As a student having knowledge about the characteristics of a well-written text will help me in my academic writing because this will guide me on how to produce a good report or journal.  This gives me an idea on what to include and not while writing.

And at the end these helps me in assessing myself if I have improved or not.

proofreadsymbol

Article 1: Death Penalty (Description)

By: Larissa G. Alejandro & Theo Dens Razonable

            Death penalty, also known as the capital punishment law, is death given by the court of law to anyone who committed any very serious crimes. It covers wide issue relating to informal way of death for different heinous crimes. Heinous crimes are hateful and illegal crimes that also deserve censure or condemnation.

            The most common form of execution for death penalty is thru Lethal Injection. Lethal injection is injecting more than one drug to the sentenced prisoner like barbiturate, paralytic, and potassium solution for immediate death. This was first proposed on January 17, 1888, by Julius Mount Bleyer because he knows that this is cheaper than the other forms of execution. Other forms of execution are: Electrocution, Hanging, Lethal gas, Firing Squad, and Gas Chamber.

According to Capital Punishment in the Philippines from Wikipedia (2017, January 5)

The Philippines was the only country aside from the United States that used the electric chair, due to its being introduced during the US colonial period. Until its first abolition in 1987, the country reverted to using death by firing squad. After re-introduction of the death penalty in 1993, the country switched to lethal injection as its sole method of execution.

In the Republic of the Philippines the death penalty is guided by the Republic Act no. 7659. This is described as an act to impose the Death Penalty on Certain Heinous Crimes, amending for that purpose the revised penal laws, as amended other special penal laws and for other purposes.

According to The Republic Act no. 7659 (1993, December 13)

WHEREAS, the Constitution, specifically Article III, Section 19 paragraph (1) thereof, states “Excessive fines shall not be imposed nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. . .”;

WHEREAS, the crimes punishable by death under this Act are heinous for being grievous, odious and hateful offenses and which, by reason of their inherent or manifest wickedness, viciousness, atrocity and perversity are repugnant and outrageous to the common standards and norms of decency and morality in a just, civilized and ordered society;

WHEREAS, due to the alarming upsurge of such crimes which has resulted not only in the loss of human lives and wanton destruction of property but also affected the nation’s efforts towards sustainable economic development and prosperity while at the same time has undermined the people’s faith in the Government and the latter’s ability to maintain peace and order in the country;

WHEREAS, the Congress, in the justice, public order and the rule of law, and the need to rationalize and harmonize the penal sanctions for heinous crimes, finds compelling reasons to impose the death penalty for said crimes.

Article 2: Death Penalty (Narration)

By: Larissa G. Alejandro & Theo Dens Razonable

 

The story of Mary Jane Veloso

Mary Jane Veloso, She was a domestic helper, a single mom, and mother of two. She was born in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. She was arrested and executed in Indonesia by Firing squad because of drug smuggling charges. However, she insisted that she was framed up and she was set-up unknowingly as a drug mule.

In February 2009, Mary Jane went to Dubai United Arab Emirates to work as a servant in a 2 year contract. After 10 months of her work, she decided to go back to Philippines on December 31, 2009 because someone attempts to rape her. As she go back to her family with insufficient amount of money to provide for her kids. So she went in an agency in Manila to re-apply to another country. After few months of trying, the agency did not contacted her and she lost hope.

A good news. After months of finding a work. Christine, Her family friend and neighbor, offered her a work. Christine is well known in their province because every week she goes to Malaysia and comebacks to Philippines with a lot of things or “pasalubong”. She offered Mary Jane to work in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a servant. Mary Jane excitedly agreed but worrying because she don’t have enough money to buy a plane ticket. But Christine offered her a plane ticket though she said Mary Jane will pay her with her 2 months salary.

April 21, 2010. Mary Jane Veloso and her friend Christine went to Malaysia.  Mary Jane, with her 2 pairs of cloths in her back pack, stayed in Sun Inn Lagoon Hotel near Pyramid Mall. In 3 days staying there. She and her friend always goes out to eat together and to buy personal stuffs. One day, she said to her friend that her bag cannot accommodate her cloths so Christine asked her Boyfriend to buy Mary Jane a bag. After a day, Christine’s boyfriend arrived with a new bag.

Christine asked Mary Jane to go to Indonesia to spend holiday for a week and to meet Christine’s friends. And after the week, she will go back to Malaysia and she will start her work. Mary Jane has no choice because she only thinks her family.

April 25, 2010. She arrived in an airport in Malaysia. And Christine told her that as she arrives in Indonesia everything will be alright because her friends will pursue her and they will go to hotel. And her plane took off.

As she arrived in Indonesia. She struggled as he walks in an x-ray machine. The security personnel checked her bag over and over again as her things put aside in her bag. Then the security brought her to the office and asked her what is inside her bag. And the officers cut her bag and they see an aluminum foil with light brown powder. And the officers asked her again if she knew what that was. And she answer that she did not know what is inside her bag. All she did was cry because she knew her life will be finished because of her friend Christine.

Article 3: Death Penalty (Exemplification)

By: Larissa G. Alejandro & Theo Dens Razonable

 

Death Penalty started from the year 1888. Since then a lot of people have been sentenced, tortured and executed.

According to The 10 death-row inmates and their stories from Inquirer.net (2017, January 7)

 

Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, Australian

Andrew Chan, 31, and Myuran Sukumaran, They were apprehended by customs on April 17, 2015 at Ngurah Rai International Airport for attempting to smuggle 8.3 kilogram of heroin to Australia.

They were both sentenced to death on February 14, 2006. And they were detained in Kerobokan Prison and went rehabilitation programs such as workshops, lessons and sports. In 2010, they filed an appeal about their sentences but both rejected after a few months. The two lost chance to save their lives in the death row in a case review after the District Court rejecting their plea.

 

Zanial Abidin, Indonesian.

Zainal was arrested at his residence on December 21, 2000 at Palembang, South Sumatra, because of possessing 58.7 kg of marijuana. In his country, possession of marijuana is illegal, although marijuana is legal in some countries.

He was given drug trafficking charges and 15 years of imprisonment. However his 15 year imprisonment charge increased to death penalty in 2001. The Supreme Court confirmed his sentence. Zanial filed an appeal for clemency earlier that year. But President Jakowi rejected it without mercy.

 

Mary Jane Veloso

Mary Jane, age of 30 and a mother of two. She worked as a housemaid in Philippines. She was arrested at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakrta on April 2010 for possessing 2.6 kg of heroin. And the District Court sentenced her a death penalty on October 2010.

 

On December, she filed an appeal at the higher Court but also rejected. And Supreme Court confirmed her sentence and President Jakowi rejected her clemency on May 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journal # 3

 

My best writing experience is when I was in second year high school. I wrote my project journal about my Christmas vacation experiences for our English subject. Every school year our English professors requires us to make this journal as one of our projects. For me this is the best year because this is the time wherein I got to meet all of my friends, get to know them more and spend more time with them. I met my friends because we all have the common thing that we love which is anime. We even made a group in facebook called ALU or Anime Lovers University. At that time we were only 15 on the group but now it was more than 20 with different year levels included.

 

Our professor announced this project two months before the Christmas break. Me, and my friends planned what and where to go, how much we should save and when are the dates we should make ourselves free. We are really dedicated to accomplish all of the things that we want to do that we even made a checklist for it and planned how much money to bring.

We did a lot of activities like going to Rainforest in Pasig to jog every morning, going to Anime and Cosplay conventions in megamall, watching movie at our friends’ house, going out to malls for food trips, playing arcade games in malls, playing computer games in party and many more. Usually we meet up in our school if we want to go together with everybody or just meet up at the place itself.

It was a great experiences because I got to go to different places, eat different kind of foods and spend quality time with my family and friends. I am very happy because I seldom experience this kind of activity with them.