Museum Writing Assignment Formal Analysis Paper

Since times immemorial people have exploring the mysterious connection between the man and the nature. The ancient people believed that life was governed by mysterious natural powers to which divine omnipotence was ascribed. With the coming of the industrial era, the distance between the man and the nature grew larger until a disastrous point was achieved when mechanical and artificial things substituted what would normally come from nature.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Museum Writing Assignment: Formal Analysis Paper specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, in the modern era of environmentalism, people appear to be turning back to their origins in an attempt to save the planet from an ecological catastrophe. This tendency is reflected in modern art that chooses the unity of the man and the nature as one of its main topics. One of the examples illustrating the unity of the man and the nature is an artwork by Lloyd Walsh Flesh to Earth (1995). This is an oil on canvas diptych that consists of two images, 40 by 30 inches each: a rose in its full blossom and a torso of a mature woman with loose hair and arms crossed to cover her naked breasts . The thematic affinity of the two paintings can be traced in the way Walsh manages the formal elements: the color, the light, and the composition. Both paintings are performed in a brown color scheme that reminds sepia effects in photography. The light falls on both the rose and the woman from the right, which is emphasized by a distinct shift in the tints of the color from a very light beige to the darkest brown. Each of the two paintings has only one item depicted in it, which immensely focuses the viewer’s attention and evokes contemplation on the deeper meaning of the paintings. A second illustration of the connection between the man and the nature can be found in an artwork by Betty Ward Man with Sunflower, The man with the sun flower hand making love to the woman whose hair is a river (2004–2006). The first thing that turns the viewer’s attention is the medium of this 54 by 54 inches round image: it is a cotton embroidery set off with silk petals and put in a hand-carved metal frame. The composition of the artwork clearly comprises three zones. The right half of the embroidery depicts a body of a naked woman whose long luxuriant hair curls and flows in blue waves as the waters of a river. In the bottom left part of the embroidery, there is a body of a naked man whose green hair reminds grass blades and who is stretching his hand – in shape of a sunflower – to the woman. Yet another image is featured at the top left part of the embroidery: a woman sitting on a chair with her legs crossed.Advertising Looking for critical writing on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The body of the woman and the chair itself ar e done in shades of grey and black, which sets this image off as extraneous to the colorful unity of the other two bodies. Such a contrast suggests a semantic opposition between the world of nature filled with color and love, and the colorless world of civilization. Both works attracted my attention and won my appreciation by their sincerity and suggestion of a deeper meaning. Although it is possible to enjoy each of them simply for the beauty of line, color, light, and composition, it appears even more exciting to think about the ideas underlying the artworks. The titles of the works provide sufficient hints for deciphering their meaning. Flesh to Earth suggests categorizing the woman as ‘flesh’ and the rose as ‘earth’ and uniting them on the basis of their similar nature. The rose is splendid in its bloom, and so is the woman in her heyday. From this parallelism stems the idea that human life cycle is similar to that of plants, and thus the immediate conn ection between the man and the nature is established. An analogous idea comes to one’s mind when looking at Man with Sunflower: the couple in love merge with each other and with powers of nature, while the image of a colorless woman remains solitary in the seclusion of civilization. Trough observation of modern artworks, it becomes possible to realize how much significance is given by artists to the connection between the man and the nature. The message of such artworks reads that only via this ultimate bond is happiness and harmony possible on this planet. Works Cited Walsh, Lloyd. Flesh to Earth. 1995. San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, Texas. Ward, Betty. Man with Sunflower, The man with the sunflower hand making love to the woman whose hair is a river. 2004–2006. San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, Texas.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Museum Writing Assignment: Formal Analysis Paper specifically for you for onl y $16.05 $11/page Learn More This critical writing on Museum Writing Assignment: Formal Analysis Paper was written and submitted by user Yaritza Reese to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Cushing’s Syndrome Essay Example

Cushing’s Syndrome Essay Example Cushing’s Syndrome Paper Cushing’s Syndrome Paper Prolonged, extensive and inapt exposure to extreme glucocorticoids gives rise to Cushing’s syndrome. These glucocorticoids include topical as well as inhaled ones. This syndrome is a hormone problem, which is also called hypercortisolism additionally happens when the body is making a great deal of cortisol. If left untreated, this syndrome will result to a considerable rate of morbidity and mortality. When its signs and symptoms are florid, its diagnosis is uncomplicated. Incidence of Cushing’s syndrome is dependent on the population being studied. Prevalence of this syndrome ranges from 0. 7 to 2. 4 million population per year (Newell-Price et al, 2006). It is suggested by new data available that this syndrome is more common than it was formerly thought. There is a reported incidence of Cushing’s syndrome being 2% and 5% of those patients screened with type 2 diabetes; particularly those who had poor blood glucose control and had hypertension. These studies proved the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome not based on its clinical manifestation but based on its patient’s metabolic control improvement after the intervention of clinical measures for Cushing’s syndrome. Roughly 1 in 500,000 and a projected 10 to 15 of every million people are affected with Cushing’s syndrome each year. Cortisol is a hormone that has a number of essential functions. It sustains the body when it is faced with physical stress. It is also the hormone responsible for preserving the blood pressure within normal limits when there is blood loss due to accidents. The body makes more cortisol during stress brought about by physical illness as well as psychological problems. This hormone is also vital in the body’s metabolism (Health Source, 2008). The brain and pituitary gland are in charge as to how much cortisol the body makes. This hormone is particularly produced in the adrenal glands. These glands are the two small glands located on top of each kidney. Too much body’s production of cortisol may be a consequence of having a tumor (benign or malignant) in any of the glands. Widespread and frequent tumors are pituitary adenoma and adrenal adenoma. In some instances, tumors from other parts of the body may also cause an increase in the amount of cortisol that the body produced. Oftentimes, these tumors are in the lungs, thyroid and pancreas. Although this syndrome may be brought about by the body’s increase production of it due to tumors, most incidence of this syndrome is due to an increased, extreme and lengthy consumption of cortisone medications. Cortisol has a natural anti-inflammatory function. Physicians prescribed cortisol to treat and manage diseases where inflammation is the major dilemma. These diseases include asthma, rheumatoid arthritis as well as lupus. A familiar example of a cortisol medication is prednisone. These medications as a group are well known as corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, or steroids (Health Source, 2008). This medication is also utilized in preventing the rejection of transplanted organs. In cases like this, this medication may then be taken all throughout the particular patient’s lifetime. Signs and Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome Being vigilant of the early signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome is very important for its early detection, diagnosis and management. Recognizing its early mental manifestations and demonstrations will avert frustrations and spare patients a number of morbidity. When typical physical signs of Cushing’s arise, patients are already suffering enormously. The following early signs of Cushing’s syndrome are as follows: being depressed, irritable (Cushing’s patients illustrates themselves as having a â€Å"short fuse†), experiences insomnia, decreased / loss of libido, complains of memory problem especially impaired short-term memory and failure to focus attention and maintain their usual concentration (Kubetin, 2000). Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include the presentation of a moon facie. An increased of fat in the abdomen, trunk area and upper back also persists causing a buffalo hump look. The most distinguished physical manifestation of Cushing’s syndrome from that of obesity is the presentation of protein wasting-presence of thin skin. Patients may show skin bruising as their skin easily gets bruised. Stretch marks may be common in the abdomen, breasts and thighs. Women may experience an increased body hair and may have an irregular and even cessation of menstrual periods. Also, excess cortisol inclines to an elevated blood pressure. With this, patients may also experience high blood pressure. Increased incidence of occult Cushing’s syndrome is found in overweight and in patients with type 2 diabetes (Fonseca, 2004). Since an increased in cortisol can cause type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent); symptoms of diabetes like increased and frequency of urination, tiredness and exhaustion and blurred vision may also be manifested (Chiodini et al, 2007). Purple striae, osteoporosis, muscle atrophy and kidney stones are more numerous and common in men. Male and female patients presented the same gonadal dysfunction. Decreased bone-mineral density was revealed as one of the side effects of glucocorticoid use. Bone loss is worse in primary adrenal Cushing’s syndrome compared to the pituitary-dependent Cushing’s syndrome (Newell-Price et al, 2006). Moreover, Cushing’s syndrome attributed from production of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) from solid tumors also causes life-threatening hypercortisolemia. These tumors may be bronchial carcinoids, lung squamous cell carcinoma or even carcinoid from the duodenum. All these tumors presented ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone producing cortisol leading to excess cortisol in the body(Uecker Janzow, 2005). Diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome Physicians (health care providers) will do a complete and thorough physical examination and history when obvious signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome is presented by the patient. Signs and symptoms like: an increased blood pressure, thin skin bruises, buffalo hump look (fat in trunk and abdomen and thinning of arms and legs) and moon facie will be given a significant account. Patient will be assessed for any usage/treatment of steroid medications. There is an uncomplicated diagnosis once the patient presented the features and manifestations stated above and steroid management and therapy is being used. If the patient is not taking any cortisol/steroid medications at all, the following tests may be crucial and necessary: skull X-ray, MRI, CT scan, 24-hr urine cortisol test, dexamethasone suppression test and midnight cortisol assessment or late-night salivary cortisol(Health Source 2008). Biochemical verification of the hypercortisolaemic state must be recognized prior to any effort of obtaining differential diagnosis. This is done to prevent any misdiagnosis leading to unsuitable treatment and poor management (Newell-Price et al, 2006). No single test is perfect for the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. Since each test has different sensitivities, the use of several tests is beneficial. The skull X-ray, MRI and CT scan are ordered to rule out tumors in the pituitary and other parts of the body. 24-hour urine cortisol test is done to verify if the body is making excessive amounts of cortisol. The binding proteins are saturated by excess circulating cortisol whereby it is then sent out in the urine as free cortisol. This is a straightforward evaluation of circulating free cortisol. This circulating free cortisol is biologically effective. Results showing 4x greater than its upper limit of its normal value is indicative of Cushing’s syndrome. The dexamethasone suppression test is done to prove and confirm the extra cortisol produced by the body is from the pituitary tumor or a tumor existing from other part of the body. There are two tests that are commonly used: the 48-hr or the overnight dexamethasone suppression test. For the 48-h suppression test, 0. 5mg dexamethasone is given every six hours x 4 times. Serum cortisol measurement is obtained during the first and last administration of dexamethasone. For the overnight dexamethasone test, 1mg is administered at midnight and the serum cortisol measurement is obtained the following morning. To rule out Cushing’s syndrome, the concentration of serum cortisol should not exceed 50nmol in either of the two tests mentioned above. Studies revealed that this test sometimes gives false-positive results. It is important to repeat this test as well as include other investigations if medical doubts remain high. Individuals with Cushing’s syndrome have no normal cortisol circadian rhythm. Midnight plasma cortisol concentration not exceeding 50 nmol/L rules out Cushing’s syndrome. In addition, salivary cortisol signifies the amount of free circulating cortisol. This screening is greatly appropriate due to its effortless collection of sample. Saliva is also stable in room temperature thus making it more suitable screening method. This test had been proven to be a good screening method based on its non-invasiveness and diagnostic performance (Cardoso et al, 2009). Once a diagnosis is established, apt initiation of medication therapy should then be made. The treatment and management of Cushing’s syndrome is dependent on the amount of extra cortisol in the body. Treatment of Cushing’s syndrome If the cause of the extra cortisol in the body is just due to the administration of cortisol medications, the physician may just lower the dosage of cortisol taken. In other cases, physicians may change the frequency of treatment. Every day dose may then be changed to every other day. If the body itself is making the excess cortisol, treatment includes medical therapy to lower cortisol and may also require surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to remove and treat the tumor. Medications like Metyrapone, Ketoconazole and Mitotane are prescribed to lower cortisol . The mechanism of action of these medications directly inhibits the synthesis and secretion of cortisol in the adrenal glands. These drugs may not be as efficient for long-term management of the syndrome. These medications are prescribed primarily as a preparation prior to the upcoming surgical procedure or as an adjunctive management post surgery (Newell-Price et al, 2006). Transsphenoidal surgery is done to remove the tumor from the pituitary gland without harming the pituitary function. Its results showed 60% to 80% of initial remission rate. If the disease persists, urgent reoperation is conducted. Ongoing requirement of alternative therapies are needed, as this procedure does not promise possible recurrences. Pituitary radiotherapy may then be required for persistent hypercortisolism after transsphenoidal surgery. The existing treatment of choice for Cushing’s syndrome is laparoscopic surgery for unilateral adrenal adenomas. The prognosis of this procedure is good, however, the results are uniformly unfortunate for patients with adrenocortical carcinomas. Adrenocortical carcinomas occasionally present metastases. Patients are also given a five-year survival duration. In addition, total bilateral removal of the adrenal glands produces rapid and great results in decreasing the clinical manifestations of patients. However, patients requiring a unilateral removal of the adrenal glands have the most excellent recorded results (Poulin et al, 2003). The need for a lifetime therapy of corticosteroids and glucocorticoids will be needed after the removal of both adrenal glands. Laparoscopic adrenal procedures give low morbidity that’s why this is considered as the main treatment for patients with Cushing’s syndrome. Some clinicians promote pituitary radiotherapy together with adrenalectomy to decrease the risk of Cushing’s syndrome. Prevention of Cushing’s syndrome It is really important to seek medical attention right away if one is taking steroid medications and are showing signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome. Blood pressure as well as blood sugar levels should also be checked regularly. Individuals should be knowledgeable in terms of the medications they are taking and its side effects. The use of non-steroidal medications in managing inflammatory diseases should be given priority first prior to the use of steroids. References Cardoso, E. M. L. , Aggreger, A. L. , Tumilasci, O. , R. Contreras, L. N. (2009). Diagnostic value of salivary cortisol in Cushing’s syndrome. Endocrinology 70. 4, p516. Chiodini, I. , Adda, G. , Scillitani, A. Coletti, F. (2007). Cortisol secretion in patients with type 2 diabetes: relationship with chronic complications. Diabetes Care, 30, 83. Fonseca, V. , (2004). Occult Cushing’s syndrome. Diabetes Care, 27:5, 1253. Health Source – Consumer edition. (1 January 2008). Cushing’s syndrome. Kubetin, S. K. (2000). Early signs of Cushing’s. OB GYN News. International Medical News Group. Newell-Price, J. , Bertagna, X. , Grossman, A. Nieman, L. K. (2006). Cushing’s syndrome. The Lancet, 367, 1605. Poulin, E. C. , Schlachta, C. M. , Burpee, S. E. , Pace, K. T. Mamazza, J. (2003). Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: pathologic features determine outcome. Canadian Journal of Surgery, 46, 340-345. Uecker, J. M. Janzow, M. T. (2005). A case of Cushing syndrome secondary to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone producing carcinoid of duodenum. The American Surgeon, 71, 445-446.

Kant and Locke Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Kant and Locke - Essay Example The two are not only concerned with the individual, but also the manner in which the individual interacts within a group, and the consequent tensions that may occur out of these interactions. This essay attempts to explore the manner in which both Locke and Kant address the concept of human freedom. Freedom, or the manner in which individuals are in a position to act on their own accord, is an important philosophical argument in the contemporary world. History indicates that Kant supported multinational organizations and the republican government. He had a strong faith in the universality of humanity. However, Kant argued that the natural end that everybody seeks to accomplish is personal happiness (Kant 98). However, the concept that people act out their own accord does not communicate all that Kant meant. According to Kant (6), nothing in the world can be regarded as good without sufficient reasons. Kant argues that as humans, we cannot prove that freedom is something real within o urselves and in the human nature. In Kant`s thinking, human thinking revolves around a circle. People tend to assume that they are free so that they think the moral law as are meant for them and as a result, they must obey them. To Kant, freedom is a subjective state of the mind, a concept of reason, which may be difficult to comprehend in reality. Thus to Kant, human freedom is embedded in the term enlightenment which to him is a process through which people free themselves from immaturity state of which they themselves take the responsibility. Locke believed that every person has the ability to govern himself and that each individual is equal to every other person. He refers to this as state of nature where he says every man has total liberty to act as he wills, free from interference by any other person. To Locke, in the state of nature, the enjoyment of freedom is uncertain because it is invaded by others who act as they wish; making enjoyment of property a person has in this st ate very unsafe. This natural state eventually comes into a state of war where men turn against one another. When men are faced with this condition, they quit the state of nature which is full of dangers and put themselves in government for the protection of their property giving up their freedom to do as they wish. To this extent, it’s true to point out that everyman is naturally free and that nothing subjects him to any power or authority without his consent. Consequently, human freedom in a consented government is where the people trade off their liberty and power entrusting them to the government they form in exchange of protection of their property peace and safety. The issue of the relationship of the concepts of natural rights construal, and freedom and equality is at the centre of discussion today as it was many centuries ago. Whereas Kant’s concept of freedom and equality and the views of Locke’s natural rights are generally accepted as the epitome of l iberalism, the equality concept in relation to liberty still remains a subject of discussion. Kant views individual freedom in the context of equal opportunity for all. He claims that a person has one natural right only, that is freedom - the state where one is actually independent from being influenced or constrained by another person’s choice. Because of this right an individual may not be coerced arbitrarily, and not because of property right that covers self-ownership. In addition, Kant suggests that the pursuit for equality is lawful when there is no interference with the enjoyment of individual autonomy. Kant holds that equality and freedom is a state where an individual enjoys liberty without necessarily interfering with another person’