Reflection Paper 2

All through high school I took basic level writing classes. It is not that I was a poor writer, I just did not want all of the extra work. Therefor, I never learned any other type of formatting than MLA. When I arrived here at UCA my writing I teacher required us to write using MLA formatting as well. This semester has been a challenge for me because Mrs.Bowles required all of our writing in APA format. I learned the process mostly through the website The Owl at Purdue. Also, I utilized the writing center for spot checking any reference questions I had. Learning this process has been the second greatest thing I am taking away from this class.

I am also in Oral Communication this semester and we have had to do papers for speech using APA formatting. References and citing withing the text has been the most challenging aspect for me.With referencing resources I used, I found that there are many areas I could make a mistake on. Different types of sources require different layout, or formats. I had the hardest time writing a reference that had many authors. Citing within the text for APA formatting is not very different than it is for MLA. Deciding to use the authors last name with the date of publication or page number is one of the things I needed the most help with. Also, I found that the running title at the top of the page to be odd.

Reflection Paper

One of the best things I am taking away from this class is the critical reading exercises we did at the first of the semester. I know how to read but my retention level was low because I was not understanding what I read the majority of the time. When we analyzed the McKracken article, I learned to read slower and more carefully, making sure I understood all of the vocabulary and phrases used. Making little notes out to the side of the passage, making a comparison with a memory, helped me to not only make a connection but also remember what I read better. Whenever we wrote paragraph summaries after we read a passage, I was able to retain so much more information. I will not only be able to use this technique in future writing classes but also in all of my other classes. Being able to transfer this type of skill to other subject areas makes me a better reader and a more productive student. I may not have to re-read an article as many times, utilizing my time more efficiently and more productively on other subjects. Hopefully I can apply this skill to my advantage whenever I take the P-CAT or M-CAT; their reading comprehension sections are usually lengthy and full of details.

Portfolio composition

I have never put together a portfolio. Mrs. Bowles' instructions seem simple enough but I know that I will meet many areas of confusion. Hopefully the class time we will spend on the portfolio will help clarify these aspects of the assignment.

The portfolio being our mean of basically begging our grade I believe is a great idea. By presenting all of the work and research from the beginning of the semester Mrs. Bowles can see how we have tried and put our best effort into the class. I believe that the majority of the class will be lacking the acceptable number of blogs required for the grade they would like.

The blogger is a good idea for the people who are willing to go the extra mile and really want to succeed in this class. One of the only draw-backs from using this as a main source of the grade is that it is really easy to forget to update regularly. I believe that the blogger can be used to determine the grade a student should receive because it shows how much effort they were willing to put into the class outside of the classroom.

Collecting Brochures

I never realized how many ways a brochure can be made until I had to make one myself. Today I went across campus collecting pamphlets from different departments, seeing the variety of styles. Some of the ones had big, bold headings and font. Others had lots of pictures with tiny font. Many posed questions then answered in a paragraph. I really liked the pamphlets that had a statement as a heading and then elaborated the statement underneath the heading. The ones that had pictures I found to be more helpful and very aesthetic. I think I have a good idea about how to design my brochure now that I have looked at so many examples.

Not so Good Friday

I do not know why but it seems like the entire state of Arkansas school systems is off today for this beautiful sunny day. Why is it that UCA is still in session and teachers feel like they should give tests? The majority of students are skipping today, most of the already on their way to a beach and a bar. So why is the world so cruel that it keeps the kids at school who are always doing what is right? I guess maybe it is because we care and actually want to get somewhere in this life. Not that the others at the beach don't want the same thing but, the world is weird sometimes in its ways. The only good thing about today is that it IS Friday and next week we DON'T have class. Even though the majority of students do have homework to keep them occupied all week. I hope everyone has a great Spring Break and good luck with all the homework Sunday night!

Dreary

I don't know why, but it seems like on days such as today events are just not in your favor. Your roommate turns off your alarm because it was waking her up so then you miss your first class. Or perhaps you have a quiz in chemistry and not know how to even start the problem?! This is how my last couple of days have gone. But this morning I was suppose to have an appointment with the writing center to go over my paper. I woke up and it was pouring down rain. So I go online to try and cancel my appointment and the server cannot find the page-this goes on all morning. I also call the number of the UCA writing center, no answer, just the answering machine every time! I was trying to be polite and call to let them know that I was canceling but oh well. So now I am going to have to figure out a way to reschedule for tomorrow in the early morning. I guess on days like these, when the world is fighting against you, it is best to just go back to bed!

Monday's meeting

I thought I had narrowed my topic enough to write a research paper worthy of 10 pages, but I was wrong. I might have narrowed it too much. Finding information is not my problem its just that all of the information tends to say the same thing! Right now I have 3 pages worth of text and I need to expand that to 8. So, Mrs. Bowles suggested that I change the paper a little and compare Chorionic Villus Sampling and Amniocentesis while showing CVS should be the chosen procedure. There are a few differences in the two test, such as the different diseases detected and the test result rate, but they both eventually produce the same results in regards to gene abnormalities. The only thing I am not for sure about is, since I am doing even more research if I need to re-do my annotated Bib and Literary Review. Hopefully I wont have to redo it all since the paper is due Friday!

Peer Review Letter

Mrs. Bowles likes when we do activities so that we get feedback from our peers and I think this is a great way to not only get to know your classmates, but to also be told from a different point of view. My letter from CaRhonda about my research paper told me a lot of things that I did not notice when I was writing. She brought up some questions about procedures and regulations that can help me extend the length of my paper. It's funny that when you write a paper, you spends so much time learning about this topic, that you forget to include the little details that make the bigger picture clear. I always have to keep this in mind so that my purpose comes across noticeably without having to reiterate my arguments a thousand times.

I enjoy doing work that involves class interaction; I learn more because I am usually having a better time and the tone of the class is not as serious. I hope that we can have more class interaction projects and discussions.

Connection

It is amazing sometimes how things can just fit together, like a jigsaw puzzle. Lately, my classes seem to be talking about the same concepts just in a different way. Biology and Chemistry are always like that but more recently it has been my speech class that I have really noticed.

I am not the best person when it comes to public speaking but I do okay. My speech class is by far one of my favorite classes this semester, even though it make me nervous when I have to present. The people in there are so nice and we all make fun of the teacher, nicely. The class work is much easier than most of my classes but I still study as much for it. It is in this class that I learn most of the principles for my writing II class, especially for the persuasive paper we are having to do.

In high school I did not take the upper level English classes offered so therefor I did not learn the essentials. I took in enough to get by well but I never tried in English, I thought it was a little boring. But now I am regretting it. I now see that in order to succeed it is best to be well read and have great writing skills. Having to relearn everything is not fun and I am trying my hardest to go out side of the box with my writing. Its working a little but I still have a long way to go.

Wednesday

I usually do not like to free write because when I am told to write I cannot think of one thing. But today was different, today was a great free writing day. Even though it was only for ten minutes, it seemed much longer and I got some good information out of my free write. I discovered that since I have been studying this subject so much recently, that when I went to write my rough draft, I left out a lot of details that are essential to my paper. These were mostly descriptive, process type of details. And since I am doing a topic that has more medical terms than normal, I saw that I need to explain these words more. Also, my order of paragraphs could be better organized to flow in a chronological order. But most of all, I found that it may be best to address my audience as if they do not know anything about pregnancy or the medical aspect that is being addressed in my paper.

Literature review

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2006, May 15). Chorionic villus sampling: Answers to common questions. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chorionic-villus-sampling/PR00145

This article presented information on: who may need a CVS test, when it is performed, what happens during the test, and what the results may reveal. Chorionic villus sampling is offered if a baby has an increased risk of chromosomal or genetic defects. Also, it is suggested if there is a concern over the first-trimester screening. For early detection of genetic disorders CVS is performed during the first trimester of pregnancy. During chorionic villus sampling a small sample of the chorion tissue is extracted from the placenta around the baby in the mother’s vagina either by means of transcervical or transabdominal incision. The results of CVS may be available anywhere from two days to two weeks after the procedure depending on the complexity of the lab analysis. There are only certain abnormalities CVS can detect yet the results can be life saving. But from these results, doctors can determine whether a baby has chromosomal disorders such as Down’s syndrome, Tay-sach’s disease, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, or Hemoglobinopathies. Also, the results can be used to determine paternity. Chorionic villus sampling is ninety-nine percent accurate. One of the only downfalls of this test is that it is not able to identify birth defects like spina bifida or other neural tube defects.

Robertson, Audra (September 19, 2006). "Medical Encyclopedia: Chorionic Villus Sampling." Medline Plus. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003406.htm

I found this article to be very informative on the procedure of chorionic villus sampling. Depending on where the placenta is located, CVS may be performed either transcervical (through the cervix) or transabdominal (through the abdomen). Both of these techniques are aided by ultrasound guidance. Doctors suggest the patient drink fluids the morning of the procedure and abstain from urinating. Having a full bladder allows for a more sufficient visualization from which a sample is taken. Patients have reported pain similar to a pap smear and menstrual cramping. A small amount of bleeding may occur after the procedure. This procedure is a way of detecting over two hundred genetic defects including Down syndrome, Hemoglobinopathies, and Tay-Sachs disease. Fetal loss only occurs about two percent of the time but there are a number of possible complications. Some of which include; rupture of the amniotic membrane, spontaneous abortion, infection, bleeding, Rh incompatibility in the mother, or contamination of the sample with maternal cells. Two to four days after the CVS, a follow-up ultrasound is usually scheduled to ensure that the fetus survived the procedure. It is suggested that if there are any signs of excessive bleeding, vaginal discharge, fever, or miscarriage that they be reported to you health care provider as soon as possible.

"Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)" (April, 2007). March of Dimes. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://www.marchofdimes.com/printableArticles/14332_1165.asp

This article focuses mainly on who is offered chorionic villus sampling. People concerned about a genetic defect because of a first-trimester screening, previous children or pregnancies with birth defects, maternal age, or family history are offered to take this test. The major decision, after choosing to have the test done, is to select an experienced doctor. When CVS was first introduced as a prenatal test, the risk of miscarriage was much higher. But as doctors gain experience performing the test, the rate of miscarriage decreases. CVS is not very painful, menstrual cramps and similar feelings of a pap smear are common. Women who are diagnosed with an abnormal baby are offered treatment. But currently doctors are able to diagnose more diseases than are treatable before birth. Because of the accuracy of CVS, future planning is available to those families who will be facing an especially able child. Discussion with genetic counselors, physicians, and religious and ethical counselor are very helpful when couples are deciding about genetic testing, diagnosis, treatment, and other reproductive issues. There are some basic ways women can reduce the risk of genetic defects and improve their chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Planning for pregnancy by seeing a health care provider, getting early and regularly prenatal checks, taking multivitamins, having a well balanced diet, not drinking or smoking during pregnancy, no drug use, or eating of undercooked meats can help improve these chances.

Division Of Medical Genetics, Department Of Human Genet (2002). "About Chorionic Villus Sampling." Emory University School of Medicine. Retrieved March 1, 2008, from http://www.genetics.emory.edu

The process of chorionic villus sampling is described in full detail. The main purpose for this procedure is to determine any possible genetic defects. A small sample is taken from the mother’s uterus either transvaginally or transabdominally. Ultrasound is used as a guide to locate the placenta where the best sample may be taken. If performed transvaginally, the cervical and vaginal areas are cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A thin catheter is then inserted through the cervix into the uterus in order to extract the tissue sample. This process takes about two to three minutes with only mild discomfort. When CVS is performed transabdominally, a thin needle is inserted through the mother’s abdomen into the uterus. Pain such as menstrual-like cramping is common for both of these procedures. Exercise and heavy lifting is not suggested for two to three days after CVS along with avoiding sexual intercourse and use of tampons. Chorionic villus sampling is offered to: women who will be thirty five years of age or greater at delivery, individuals who already have children with chromosome problems, individuals who have chromosomal abnormalities themselves, couples who have a family history of genetic diseases, or an ultrasound indicating possible fetal abnormalities.

American Academy of Family Physicians (2005). Information from Your Family Doctor: Prenatal Diagnosis: Amniocentesis and CVS. American Family Physician, 72(8), 1577-8. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 921526311).

The information I found in this article was excellent. Reading and understanding was made easy by a posed question followed by answers. The main focus of this article is the risks involved with the CVS test. There is a greater risk of having a baby with a gene condition, such as Down ’s syndrome or spina bifida, if the woman is over thirty-five years old. Possible complications include a risk of miscarriage, problems with fingers or toes, infection, and bleeding. These risks increase when the procedure is done before 10 weeks of gestation and if the doctor has minimal experience. There are numerous diseases CVS can detect but neural tube defect is a disorder that has yet to be discovered through chorionic villus sampling. Counseling with a doctor is urged when considering this process. Not everyone may be qualified for this test .

Cheap test for Down's babies. (2006, March). Hospital Doctor, 8. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Complete database. (Document ID: 1011318301).

I located this article through the library’s database. Prior to 2006, prices for the CVS test had been about $300. Now CVS test is not only cheaper, but it is less time consuming and labor intensive. Currently the chorionic villus sampling is about $200 and provides faster results. A study conducted at the Institute of Child Health and King’s College Hospital in London showed CVS saved sixty percent of previous cost for genetic diagnosis. This study comprised of 17,446 pregnancies in which an abnormality was discovered. The new process of CVS sampling involves, not karyotyping as before, but measurement of the distribution and expression of DNA by quantitive fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. This procedure produces faster results and is less time consuming but is not as accurate as karyotyping. The diagnosis is only ninety-seven percent as compared to ninety-nine percent.

Furman, Boris (2005). Zvi Appelman. Genetic diagnosis in multiple pregnancies: Amniocentesis versus chorionic villus sampling. Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 5(1), 69-74. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 940400361).

In this article, the authors discuss the advantages associated with CVS. Chorionic villus sampling allows for an earlier decisions of termination of the fetus or of the total pregnancy, assuaging the couple’s apprehension of a receiving a disabled child. Depending on the maternal age, physical health of the mother, and placement of the incision the risk of miscarriage is anywhere from one to six percent. The sampling success is ninety-nine percent and the accuracy of diagnosis is high. With the transabdominal procedure, the discomfort and anxiety of CVS is less than the transcervical insertion. The time frame of the baby’s diagnosis is about seven to ten days as compared to other test which can take up to 4 weeks. Counseling is strongly suggested before having CVS done. Possible outcomes are discussed and the steps to take after the results are calculated. Couples that are concerned about potential abnormalities are offered information and assistance regarding their child’s possible condition. If there are any defects, selective reduction can be performed, reducing the number of pregnancy losses. Although CVS may be performed in multiple gestations, the first trimester is best for early detection and treatment.

C Papp (2003). Chorionic Villus sampling. Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3(4), 279-284. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 548015861).

This article I found to be very helpful for my research on chorionic villus sampling. History and indications are first mentioned, detailing the popularity and process of this procedure. CVS has not always been the preferred choice of genetic diagnosis. It wasn’t until the 1970s when a chorionic tissue sample taken successfully as early as nine to ten weeks after conception did this test become well known. This time period is known as the first-trimester and by performing CVS this early in pregnancy emotional and physical strain on couples can be reduced. Sampling of the placenta may be performed one of two ways depending on the anatomical location of the chorion frondosum, either transcervically or transabdominally. Whichever location the sample is taken from, the catheter is guided by ultrasound to the chorion. At the beginning of the 1990s the use of CVS decreased because of a possible link between the test and fetal limb defects surfaced. Experiments and research were not conclusive on this relationship except for a possibility of CVS performed before the ten week traditional sampling. Nevertheless, chorionic villus sampling is on the rise because of advancements in molecular genetics. This now enables for a more precise diagnosis and the detection of many more disorders. Because of the low rate of complications associated with this test, chorionic villus is the preferred genetic procedure by many doctors and mothers.

Annotated Bibliography

Robertson, Audra (September 19, 2006). "Medical Encyclopedia: Chorionic Villus Sampling." Medline Plus. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003406.htm

I found this article to be very informative on the procedure of chorionic villus sampling. Depending on where the placenta is located, CVS may be performed either transcervical (through the cervix) or transabdominal (through the abdomen). Both of these techniques are aided by ultrasound guidance. Doctors suggest the patient drink fluids the morning of the procedure and abstain from urinating. Having a full bladder allows for a more sufficient visualization from which a sample is taken.

"Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)" (April, 2007). March of Dimes. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://www.marchofdimes.com/printableArticles/14332_1165.asp

This article focuses mainly on who is offered chorionic villus sampling. People may be concerned about a genetic defect because of a first-trimester screening, previous children or pregnancies with birth defects, maternal age, or family history are offered this test. The major decision, after choosing to have the test done, is to select an experienced doctor. When CVS was first introduced as a prenatal test, the risk of miscarriage was much higher. But as doctors gain experience the rate of risk is decreasing.

Division Of Medical Genetics, Department Of Human Genet (2002). "About Chorionic Villus Sampling." Emory University School of Medicine. Retrieved March 1, 2008, from http://www.genetics.emory.edu

The process of chorionic villus sampling is described in full detail. Ultrasound is used as a guide to locate the placenta where the best sample may be taken. A thin catheter is inserted through the cervix into the uterus in order to extract the tissue sample. This process takes about two to three minutes with only mild discomfort.

American Academy of Family Physicians (2005). Information from Your Family Doctor: Prenatal Diagnosis: Amniocentesis and CVS. American Family Physician, 72(8), 1577-8. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 921526311).

The information I found in this article was excellent. Reading and understanding was made easy by a posed question followed by answers. The main focus of this article is the risks involved with the CVS test. A small risk of miscarriage, problems with fingers or toes, infection, and bleeding can occur. These risks increase when the procedure is done before 10 weeks of gestation or the age of the woman is higher than 35.

Cheap test for Down's babies. (2006, March). Hospital Doctor, 8. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Complete database. (Document ID: 1011318301).

I located this article through the library’s database. Prior to 2006, prices for the CVS test had been about $300. Now CVS test is not only cheaper, but it is less time consuming and labor intensive. Currently the chorionic villus sampling is about $200 and with faster results.

Furman, Boris (2005). Zvi Appelman. Genetic diagnosis in multiple pregnancies: Amniocentesis versus chorionic villus sampling. Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 5(1), 69-74. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 940400361).

In this article, the authors discuss the advantages associated with CVS. This procedure allows for early decisions of termination of the fetus or of the total pregnancy, assuaging the couple’s apprehension of a receiving a disabled child. The risk of miscarriage is anywhere from 1-6% depending on the placement of the incision. The sampling success is 99% and the accuracy is high. The time frame of the diagnosis is about 7-10 days as compared to other test which can take up to 4 weeks.

C Papp (2003). Chorionic Villus sampling. Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3(4), 279-284. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 548015861).

This article I found to be very helpful for my research on chorionic villus sampling. History and indications are first mentioned, detailing the popularity and process of this procedure. CVS has not always been the preferred choice of genetic diagnosis. It wasn’t until the 1970s, when a chorionic tissue sample taken as early as nine to ten weeks after conception, did this test become well known.

You guessed it.....Chorionic villus sampling!

Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology had a great article in the December 2003 issue about chorionic villus sampling history and risks. The opportunity for testing chorionic cells gained ground in the 1970's and initial attempts were made to introduce CVS. It was confirmed that chorionic tissue obtained with a hysteroscopic device at 9-10 weeks of gestation was suitable for cytogenetic testing of the fetus. In the 1980s it became apparent that chorionic tissue sampling permits the diagnosis of monogenic diseases in the first trimester. Diagnosis in the first trimester offers advantages such as reduced emotional and physical strain on couples belonging to high-risk groups, assurance of the greatest possible discretion regarding the pregnancy, and a decreased maternal strain in the case of a possible spontaneous abortion. The increase of the use of CVS slowed down at the beginning of the 1990s when a possible relationship was hypothesized between CVS and fetal limb defects. But studies have not found any firm evidence of a link.

Since then the demand for CVS has increased again in recent years. One of the consequences of the developments that have taken place in the field of molecular genetics is that gene defects leading to particular illnesses are now being identified in an ever-increasing number of disorders. This permits fetal diagnosis at gene level via fetal DNA testing for an ever-larger group of illnesses. Since chorionic cells are more suitable for molecular genetic testing (as well as enzyme diagnosis) than amniocentesis.

CVS can be performed in two ways: transcervically(through the cervix) and transabdominally (through the abdomen). Both of these approaches are done under ultrasonographic control. It is suggested that the transabdominal procedure is done but it also depends on the position of the baby.

C Papp (2003). Chorionic villus sampling. Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3(4), 279-284. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 548015861).

Prenatal Diagnosis: CVS

This is another article I found on the databases from the library but this one is from the magazine American Family Physician, October 15, 2005; 72, 8; page 1577. The information presented is lay ed out very basic with questions titling new paragraphs. All women do not get this test done but it is especially suggested if you are a woman over 35 because you have a greater risk of having a baby with a gene problem. It was mentioned that there may be some mild bleeding after the test. CVS does not test for neural tube defect which causes spina bifida. In some babies CVS may cause problems with fingers or toes, but this only seems to happen if the test is done before the ninth week of pregnancy.

American Academy of Family Physicians (2005). Information from Your Family Doctor: Prenatal Diagnosis: Amniocentesis and CVS. American Family Physician, 72(8), 1577-8. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 921526311).

Amniocentesis versus chorionic villus sampling

An article entitled "Genetic diagnosis in multiple pregnancies: Aminocentesis versus chorionic villus sampling" provided much information that I had not found previously. As indicated in the title, this article compares amniocentesis to chorionic villus sampling. Both of these procedures produce information for genetic defects.


According to Boris Furman and Zvi Appelman, chorionic villus sampling has a significant advantage over amniocentesis, because it offers rapid karyotyping and biochemical or DNA studies at an earlier stage of pregnancy. CVS is done in the first-trimester whereas amniocentesis is in the second-trimester.

The process of CVS is performed by inserting a 22 gauge needle, guided by ultrasound, into one sac and fluid is retrieved. One to two milliliters of an inert dye is injected and the needle is withdrawn. In the same fashion a second needle is inserted into the second gestational sac under ultrasound guidance and clear, dye-free fluid is retrieved. Amniocentesis is performed the same way but without using a dye.

CVS article

I found a very interesting article on chorionic villus sampling through our library's databases. This information came from the magazine Hospital Doctor, the March 9, 2006 issue. Entitled "Cheap test for Down's babies," this article tries to persuade women who may be at risk for having a baby with Down's to get this procedure done. The cost of similar procedures are about 150 pounds or $300 US dollars. The CVS test is not only cheaper but it is less time consuming and labour intensive. Now the chorionic villus sampling is about $200 and faster results.

Cheap test for Down's babies. (2006, March). Hospital Doctor,8. Retrieved February 21, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Complete database. (Document ID: 1011318301).

Leap Day!

Today is such a special today because it only comes ever four years! It is amazing to me how, if we didn't have this day, our whole calendar system would be wrong.

Class today was very good! I loved Tanya's topic on the origin of world war II. I had no idea that's where it all started from, but then again I don't know my history very well. And her handout was very intriguing with the symbol at the top of the page.

Oscar's presentation was excellent! The immigration problem the US is having is not getting any better and most of the people our age are not informed about all the issues. Commercials are played on television, utilizing the pathos appeal, are urging us to stop immigrants from crossing the Mexican border. They want our support for the wall dividing the borders, volunteering for "Border duty", and anyother crazy things against the people coming over. I really enjoyed Oscar's talk about this because he informed the class about all the steps involved in coming over here legally. I had no idea how difficult it was to get this process done properly. The fact that some illegal immigrants pay taxes makes this issue a little better but the majority of them dont.
This topic is very debatable and causes many heated conversations. But I believe that this issue needs to be talked about more and have all of the true details released.

Class this week

I have really enjoyed listening to everyone tell about the topics they chose for their papers. So far everyone has had a different idea. The visuals have been great, especially the power points. Jessica's visual of the HPV warts was very effective, it really helped her get her point across.

It was disappointing on Monday when so many people were not prepared. They might have not been ready because of the weekend or the schedule change. Plus, the flu is going around and so many people are out for that. Getting caught up can sometimes be hard when your not totally over the bug. There are so many different strands of the flu that getting a flu shot doesnt necessarily help.

I hope to see more diversity from the boys who have yet to present. Most of the girls have chosen a topic relating to health, maybe the boys will bring an entertaining aspect to the classroom.

CVS illustration

Change can sometimes be good

Class today was great. I loved bringing my laptop and being able to work on the task at hand then and not have to wait til I got back to my room or the library. Usually if I do not do an assignment right after class it wont get done until the day before its due. But today in class I found many articles and scholarly journals in an instant and I have most of my research done (as far as sources go). I would like to be able to do this more often. I am a visual learner and if Mrs. Bowels can show me how to do something I believe I would enjoy the class much more.

The article I found today talks about pregnacy loss after having had a chorionic villus sample. This article mentioned that the demand for early prenatal diagnosis of genetic abnormalities is expected to increase. One of the main reasons for this risky process is to find out if the baby will have abnomalities that are hereditary. But because of this very invasive procedure, some couples opt not to know. In the end it comes down to the couple and their decision they have discussed with their doctor. Counseling is crucial when making this choice.

Articles and Journals

I have come to love the research databases online at our library website. They have been much more helpful for me on this assignment than the last. There have been many articles written about chorionic villus sampling because it has been such a hot topic amongst pregnate women. The million dollar question for these ladies is,"Am I better off not knowing?" For some, it is yes but others who have had family histories of diseases cannot. With the advance in technology the rate of miscarriages should drop, allowing for more discoveries.

The Proquest database I used to research CVS gave me 6 very helpful journals. They came from four different scholarly journals: American Family Physician, Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Hospital Doctor. These journals each mentioned information that will be very useful when compiling all information needed to write this paper.

CVS- not the grocery store!

I have changed my mind again about my research topic. My problem was narrowing my subject down in order to focus on one aspect of gene therapy or genetic engineering. CVS stands for chorionic villus sampling and it is a procedure performed on pregnate women who maybe concerned about their soon to be child. CVS is basically the removal of a small piece of tissue (chorionic villi) from the uterus during early pregnancy to screen the baby for genetic defects. This biopsy may indicate more than 200 disorders including Down syndrome, Hemoglobinopathies, and Tay-Sachs disease, which is a disease that causes damage to your nervous system. Many couples chose this procedure to find out if a family disease has been passed down to their innocent child.

Even though this type of test has many benefits numerous women do not take it because of the risk of miscarriage. There is only a 2% chance of fetal loss but to some women that is something they don't wany to risk.

Some other useful websites I found are baby center , march of dimes, American Pregnancy Association, MayoClinic, and Web MD.

Heart disease

Some people say smoking is a major killer in America, the person next to you might say it is strokes. For women, our worst nightmare is heart disease. This is the 3rd leading cause of death among women aged 25-44 and the 2nd leading cause of death among 45-64 aged women.

Heart disease has increased as obesity has increased which causes higher blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. All of these factors contribute to heart disease but there are no certain symptoms. Some signs to watch for may be pain or dis comfort in the chest and other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath, and a feeling of throwing up.

But, like most diseases, heart disease can be monitored by taking care of you body and the proper medication. Exercise, eating right, and psycologically health can make all the difference. In some families, this disease is hereditary but every member may not get it.

This is yet another possible research topic because it really hits home for me. My grandfather has had many heart problems and my maternal grandmother has had a few heart-related problems.

Possible Research Topic

Finding a research topic that is not overused or too contraversial is pretty hard. But I chose a topic that really interest me, the human body. I am fasinated by genetic and heredity, how they all work together and can have so many different outcomes. Science is advancing to where they can go in and find mutated genes and correct them, or erase them. This type of science is called gene therapy, a type of medicine for abnormal or mutated cells.

Gene therapy is only a temporary solution as of now with the available technology. Some of the main problems facing the progress of this therapy is getting access to affected tissues and manipulating the human genome. Because genomes interact with other genomes it is hard to say that the gene that is inserted would be accepted by all.

The website I found was very informative. It only gives a general overview of the whole process but it also tells the pros and cons of gene therapy. The future of this medicine is very promising as advancement in technology continues. I may decide that gene therapy is going to be my research topic. Finding enough information and educational journals will be one of my deciding factors.

Synthesis

The cause of the low housing market can be found in Andrew Laperriere's "House of Cards" article because it informs the reader about the bank loans and tendencies of the borrowers. He tells how people do not have to provide verification of income or have a down payment for these housing loans. Many people are taking the "lower rate" loans in hopes to purchase a newer house or get out of the finacial burden they were in by refinancing. In Grant McCracken's "The Evocative Power of Things" society is always trying to advance to bigger and better things. McCracken also says that the pull on these worldly goods is getting to be more powerful because we have more access to easy money as we can see in Laperriere's article. The subprime loans he mentions can sometimes be used to consolidate credit card bills. This is a pull of the world because the majority of items purchased with credit cards are possessions we do not need, impulsed buying. But these loans are available to almost anyone that has credit already established. Customers do not have to go through a background check or credit history in order to qualify for these loans. Americans may be getting these risky loans because of their displaced meaning with consumer goods, trying to fix one problem with another.

Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers

I could not believe that I was able to find a few more articles about the seemingly forgotten Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers. Digging through article after article that mention nothing about the actress rather the jewlry designer, I finally found websites that told about this legendary performer's history. Entertainment Insiders provided an obituary that said Mrs. Rogers died of complications of a series of strokes and lung cancer at the age of 70. Filmbug goes on to say that Mrs. Rogers relationship with producer Irwin Allen helped her get roles in many of his disasterous films. The Memory Alpha Database mentions Elizabeth's involvement of the television series Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Bewitched, and The Waltons. Even though she was a texan, she passed away in Tarzana, California.


Elizabeth Rogers. February 5, 2008 from http://www.filmbug.com/db/202461

Elizabeth Rogers. February 6,2008 from http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Elizabeth_Rogers

Obituaries. February 5, 2008 from
http://www.einsiders.com/features/columns/nov04obituaries.php

Critique

I have discovered that it is very hard to find an article about Elizabeth Rogers without having to pay for a subscription. Learning about different search engines and different methods of searching are still not helping me uncover Elizabeth's past.

Fortunately, I was able to find a website with a list of Mrs. Rogers' film appearences. One aspect of this website that I really appreciated was the year of the show's production. Elizabeth was mostly in television series long before the time I was even thought about. I am not a fan of old television shows so having these production years helped me put together a timeline of her appearences. There was also a section on the website that listed when the episode of t.v show she was in will be showing next on TVLAND. The only thing I wish this website had done differently is include a complete biography of Mrs. Rogers. This would have enabled me to utilize their information even more!

Elizabeth Rogers (1). February 1, 2008 from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0736861/

Elizabeth Rogers

I chose Elizabeth Rogers for my Wikipedia revision. She was a Texas native, born May 18, 1934. She is best known for her role in three episodes of Star Trek. She guest starred in 13 different television shows, sometimes appearing more than once. Her more well known performances are seen in the movies "An Officer and a Gentleman", " Grand Theft Auto", " and "The Towering Inferno".

The article I found to summarize was very short. It was just a list of t.v. episodes Mrs. Rogers had appeared in and her character's name. It has been hard to find any information to support my stub. Since she was not too well known and wasn't a major star, there are no books or articles written about her. There are a few more website that I am going to look at. Hopefully I will be able to find a few more articles that can beef up my revision.

Elizabeth Rogers. January 28, 2008 from
http://www.tv.com/elizabeth-rogers/person/44655/summary.html

Complaining

This month is only January, the beginning of a new year! People should be happy that there is a chance to make this year better than last year, start over! But lately all I have heard is complaining.
People are stressed now more than ever with the thought of a recession in our economy, new year resolutions, jobs, and school. Another major factor in this unhappiness is the receiving of the holiday bills.
I have noticed lately though,that it is not our situations that are getting harder, but that our patience is getting shorter. I know that my generation is called the "now" generation because we want things now, not next week. We have become so accustom to instantaneous gratification that we believe everything should be immediate. With technology advancing at the rate it's going, how do you think our kids are going to be when it comes to patience? We are also becoming more acclimatized to old, set procedures. We do not care about other people's views or opinions, we only care about how this situation will affect our lives.
To me, I see this up on Capitol Hill the most. I know that the legislatures are trying to fix some major issues but when it boils down to how much an individual can do I believe that many are falling short.
Complaining for most people is a way to vent anger and frustration. Seeing the ways of the world pointing towards Armageddon and the end of creation, no wonder people are starting to go crazy. I wish that a creative entrepreneur would create some type of way to release these complaints without wearing on other's ears.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism to me is taking someone elses words or thoughts and using them as your own without giving proper credit to the author.
Today more than ever it is easy to plagiarise. Some people do it without realizing and others do it to cut time or find shortcuts. Taking another person's ideas and compiling them into something of your own is becoming harder as technology advances. But plagiarism can easily be avoided if you know how to properly cite your information sources.

Get to know Me!

I consider myself an open-minded person , but my deal breakers are arrogance, prejudice, and pride. These three things can tell a lot about a person. The majority of the time these aspects of a person's character get in the way of proper communication, group goals, and can influence every angle of society today.
Arrogance has been around since the beginning of time, man's way of trying to raise himself up. This causes nothing but trouble, frustration and could ruin relationships. No one is more important than anyone else. Well, you may be in the eyes of your parents but in the real world everyone has the same opportunity to succeed. It is the choices that we are making right now that will either open or close many of these great "doors of opportunity". And having the right attitude or mind set can make all the difference.
Everyone is raised differently and comes from different backgrounds. Usually people in the same area that experience similar things have like understandings. But being from the south things are put in a different light. Although the newer generations are becoming more accepting of diversity and individuality, our values are losing their significance. Attitudes and opinions are modifying into a more accepting and understanding comfort. But there are still people who disreguard other's thoughts, feelings, and situations. There are music albums, television shows, and cold hard history to show that as much as we try to eradicate this attitude, we will never be fully free.
Pride; something that is shown everyday on tv, can be seen in every newspaper, and heard all across the world on radios. This is the main reason we are at war today and why man can't ever stop fighting. I wish that pride, prejudice, and arrogance would be modifed by 75% then we would have less "super egos" and more understanding. Whenever we meet, as long as you dont throw one of these three things in my face, I believe we could work great!