Communication Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 9

Communication - Assignment Example He is concerned about the impact of their current behavior on the quality of their event performance and on the health of the director. Q: There is indeed some deficiency in the team’s commitment and enthusiasm with regards to the envisaged event. Is there anything in particular that is diluting the interest and sincerity of the team members? The CEO of a major American company (owned by an Italian firm) was advised that he had to step in and take over more responsibilities with another company the Italian firm had acquired in Texas. He has to fly once a month from the US to Italy for a headquarters’ meeting, fly to Texas once a week to work with the staff there, and meet with all of the teams at the Italian-owned, Texas Company. The CEO has let the owners know that he is developing burn-out and exhaustion. The high school swim team meets every other week to plan for the summer fundraiser. The team’s seniors know that the next summer will be hectic for them because they will be working and planning college entrance activities. Because the swim team is a national competitor and travels to meets all over the country, they have to acquire these funds to offset the costs. The team’s coach advises them that they must help. They are balking and resist attending any of the planning meetings. The coach says that the lack of enthusiasm is undermining the work and potential fundraising of the entire

Role of US Military in Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Role of US Military in Gulf of Tonkin Incident Military Intelligence Organizations They do it by performing an analysis and assessment of the available data which they gathers from wide range of sources, guiding and directing the commanders to make decisions or respond to focused questions as part of their operational campaign. The collected information is first identified and then incorporated into the process of intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination. Military Intelligence Organizations have played their role in resolving conflicts in any nation. Discusses here is the Gulf of Tonkin Incident and the role of U.S. Military Intelligence Organizations to resolve it. The incident took place on August 2 4 1964 (Kim, 1999). This was the incident that helped the America’s involvement in Vietnam War. Gulf of Tonkin Incident Overview Due to several early failed attacks, it was transferred to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group in 1964, and the focus of it was shifted towards maritime operations. In due course of time, U.S. Navy was also instructed to conduct Desoto patrols off the North Vietnam. The Desoto Patrols consisted of American warships cruising in international waters in order to conduct electronic surveillance operations (Shane, 2001). As a result of 34A and the Desoto Patrols, the ships offshore were made able to collect important information about the North Vietnamese Military capabilities. The First Attack After ordering the airstrikes, soon Johnson went on to address the nation on television regarding the incident. He in his address requested the passage of a resolution, expressing the unity and determination of the United States in support of freedom and in the hope to protect peace in the Southeast Asia (Cohen Solomon, 1994). He also argued that he didn’t want a wider war, and said that United States would continue to protect its national interests. As approved on August 6, 1964, the Southeast Asia (Gulf of Tonkin) Resolution, gave Johnson the power to use military intelligence and force in the region without requiring a declaration of war. Later on over the next few years, Johnson used this resolution to rapidly escalate the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Intelligence has fulfilled the wider ranging and very important functions of in security, diplomacy and statecraft (Augustin, 2009). However in recent years, the role of military intelligence in resolution of conflicts has expanded and broadened its range and now it forms the core element of conflict management policies and procedures. Ancient Greece is the first democracy in the world. It has established several institutions that served as intelligence services. Proxenia were the upper class citizens of Greece who served as top class agents. They used to collect information and even executed the assassinations if required. The Heralds collected the public and private information. Both the Proxenia and the Heralds were protected by the Law of Greece and only the Heralds used to get the rewards of bringing good news back to the nation. Greece impressive political and military achievements really lacked the true intelligence system like today. Although they didn’t have the prope r intelligence system like today but still they had the intelligence cycle existed in their military endeavors. The two major requirements of intelligence services are democratic control and the effectiveness of the actions and activities (Augustin, 2009). African countries always had difficulties in managing and creating the solid intelligence systems. The territory of the Sahara Dessert is always problematic so the military intelligence related to that area is restricted. In 1997, the African countries created a security sector reform trying to narrow the challenges and constraints of developing a proper military intelligence system in the area. The major challenges that African countries are facing these days include the legacy of the African socialism and colonialism, autocratic military and security services and the unknown and informal activities of the military intelligence services. Gambia established the National Intelligence Agency in order to protect the regime. The unsuccessful attempts of Eisenhower and Kennedy to remove Castro from the power are considered as the failed military intelligence actions (Augustin, 2009). According to them the biggest threat to democracy is the communism. In Cuba, the America supported the Batista leading anti-communist government. After Castro being elected to power, he started quickly eliminating his enemies. And started to nationalize the economy and created knots with the USSR. His actions made it clear by 1960 that he was following the communism path for the Cuba. Eisenhower tried to remove the Castro from power by training Anti-Castro forces and sneaking them into Cuba. They began to target the Cuban sugar fields and the CIA developed an assassination program to eliminate Castro. Although such attempts were failed again and again, Kennedy tried to invade the Cuba by the Bay of Pigs operation but that was again a failure. This was all due to the strong military intelligence of Castro which saved him from all the American attacks. The Shah of Iran has a weak legitimacy and had lot of enemies (Augustin, 2009), so in 1957, he formed the SAVAK, the national intelligence and security organization. The SAVAK served a tool to torture and eliminated anyone who could prove as a threat to the Shah and his dynasty. No open opposition was allowed against the institution in Iran during Shah Regime, but with the passage of time the resistance of people became worst. Khomeini got exiled to Iraq and then to France because of his increasing popularity and threat to his life. In 1977, censorship law was introduced in Iran in order to retain the Shah’s power but due to his detachment from the public, the public dismissed him and Khomeini came to power after the over throw of the Shah of Iran. In 1980 under the rule of Reagan (Augustin, 2009), The U.S. Intelligence Community realized a need for more intense intervention in Central America in order to stop the communist expansion. El Salvador’s military government was considered as the only potential barrier against the communism in the Central America. The DIA tried to help the government of El Salvador to fight against the leftist group called as FMLN. The DIA worked and operated with the direct military intelligence information sharing and between 1987 to 1989 a guerilla attack was made by the FMLN which surprised the El Salvador and the American armies. This also showed that how little the U.S support helped. Over all the defense of the El Salvador is considered as the failure in the history of the U.S. military intelligence. Intelligence is basically the sociological phenomenon that is used for the information gathering and to ensure the prevention of hostility (Augustin, 2009). It is important to distinguish between the intelligence that has been existed in any nation and the intelligence that is established as a result of state concept. Intelligence cycle, covert actions and counter intelligence are all the components necessary for decision making process. Intelligence focuses on hostility both in democracies and non-democracies. Intelligence in democratic system must have strong relations with the citizens and must work under a legal framework. The functions and scope of working of intelligence agencies must be clarified and their methods of working and sources of information must be protected. However intelligence in the non-democratic system concentrates more on internal opposition rather than external threats. So the intelligence is outside of the scope of legal framework in non-democratic system w hile intelligence in democracies should only be used to measure level of democracy in the country. In 1960, the Egyptian forces entered in Sinai which was a big surprise to Israel (Augustin, 2009). The IDF couldn’t respond in time and it lead to the result that intelligence was needed for an earlier warning of possible Egyptian attack. The methods or tools for an earlier warning were HUMINT, the SIGINT and the VISINT. The 1960 rotten affair and the 1973 Vom Kippur war failure show failure of the intelligence system and a need for strong intelligence system. References [1] Sankt Augustin (2009), Intelligence and Democracies in Conflict and Peace, retrieved from  http://www.kas.de/israel/en/publications/18450/ [2] Tom Kim (1999), The Gulf of Tonkin Incident 1964, retrieved from  http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/usa/GulfTonkin.html [3] Chris Trueman (2000), Gulf of Tonkin 1964, retrieved from  http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/gulf_tonkin_1964.htm [4] Scot Shane (2001), The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, retrieved from  http://911review.com/precedent/century/tonkin.html [5] Lieutenant Commander Pat Paterson, U.S. Navy (2008), The Truth about Tonkin, retrieved from  http://www.usni.org/magazines/navalhistory/2008-02/truth-about-tonkin [6]  John Parados (2004), The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, 40 Years later, retrieved from  http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB132/ [7] Jeff Cohen and Norman Solomon (1994), 30-Years anniversary, Tonkin Gulf Lie Launched Vietnam War, retrieved from  http://fair.org/media-beat-column/30-year-anniversary-tonkin-gulf-lie-launched-vietnam-war/

Socialization test :: essays research papers

Socialization Test #2 1. Social interaction is absolutely necessary for one to develop a sense of self and of oneness. Our sense of self is not an inherited or instinctual realization. Rather it is a co-developed understanding of ourselves and those around us. We can’t solely develop an understanding of who we truly are any easier than we could examine the features of our face w/o the use of a mirror. Social interaction is that mirror for us. Its allows us to see inside of ourselves based on the interactions we have with others like us, or society as a whole. It allows us to make a sort of measuring stick to see where we stand in life. To develop a sense of who and where we are. Social interaction is the dominant creating feature in the way we view ourselves as humans and as members of society. Without social interaction we would never begin to be able to live at the mental capabilities that we have now. A good example of this I believe is to compare two dogs raised in different habitats. The first dog will be an example of our society, it will be raised by a loving family who provides it with attention similar in itself to our own social interaction. The second will be left to raise itself in a kennel or what have you. The first dog, dog A, will learn things such as its own name. When you call to dog A using its name it will respond to you where as the second dog, dog B, will not. Eventually you might get the second dog to come to you or to respond, but it wouldn’t care what you said, it would simply respond to the noise it hears. Dog A however would respond to its name and its name alone. This demonstrates how the constant interaction between two beings helps to develop one’s sense of self. 2. Education plays a major part in our socialization by providing acting as a social institution. By this I mean it is a place from which we draw interaction that stimulates us to further develop as social beings. Schools provide a uniform behavioral learning pattern in relating to socialization that is not found within different families. This helps the children achieve a social "common ground" with which to base their relationships and interactions amongst each other.

Is It Possible to Prove the Existance of God Essay

Is it possible to prove the existence of God? Throughout time many philosophers have been searching for an answer to creation and whether it is actually possible to prove (or not prove) if God exists. Some of the philosophers include Thomas Aquinas, William Paley and Blaise Pascal they came up with various different theories and arguments to prove the existence of God and why they believed he did exist. Another philosopher Karl Marx thought that his theory could convince people not to believe in God. One philosopher, Thomas Aquinas believed that God did exist and that he could prove this simply by arguing that the Universe could not have been made by nothing at all, saying that it was impossible for something to come from nothing. He believed that the universe was caused to exist by something which itself is uncaused, or else there would be an infinite regress. He thought that the only way to explain the start of the universe in a rational way was to say that it was created by God. I think that Aquinas may be right, but I doubt that he is right as he is saying that God was created by nothing but I feel that something must have created God and therefore there must have been an infinite regress. There is also no solid evidence or proof that God does exist and since there isn’t I think that not even Aquinas is 100% sure that God exists. Also, Aquinas’ theory seems rather contradictory as he says that the Universe must be caused by something and cannot just simply be made by nothing but that God is an uncaused causer. Another Philosopher, William Paley, like Aquinas was convinced that God does exist and that he could prove it. Paley ‘invented’ the thought experiment to encourage people to agree with him that God exists. He called his argument that Teleological argument (coming from the Greek word ‘telas’ meaning purpose). Story Imagine you are walking across open countryside with some friends. Then you suddenly come across something lying on the grass. You are so impressed with the workmanship that you are your friend. Who do you think made this watch? † The friend says†Nobody made this watch it was always there† Paley said that the universe, like a watch is too complicated and intelligently designed to have no creator. Paley used the Analogy of the watch to argue the existence of God. Paley argues that if a simple watch has a creator then the universe, which is so much more complicated and in some ways more beautiful than a watch must have a creator and that creator must be God. I think that Paley’s theory does seem reasonable but I do not fully agree with it completely. I think that the world must have a creator but not necessarily God anything could have been the creator and that the creator might not be Omnipotent, Omnibonevelant and Omniscient the creator could have simply just created the universe and then just left it or done nothing else to it. Another philosopher who also likes Aquinas and Paley ‘believed’ in God and thought that he could use his theory to encourage others to do so was Blaise Pascal. However, Pascal’s theory was very different to Aquinas and Paley’s. Pascal believed that God’s existence can neither be approved nor disapproved and whatever you decide about this problem will be uncertain and that your answer can be nothing more than a gamble. Pascal said that you cannot avoid making a gamble on God’s existence and you have to place your bet whether you like it or not. Pascal soon came to the conclusion that it would be better to believe that God existed than not to as you will not lose anything by doing so. He thought that if you believed that God existed and then after your death he actually did you would have a big gain by going to heaven. If, however God didn’t exist and you believed that you did you would not lose anything apart from some of your time praying and going to religious places etc. Pascal also thought that if you did not believe in God and came to know after your death that he did you would be most likely to go to hell therefore have a big loss. He called his theory Pascal’s wager. I strongly disagree with Pascal’s theory mainly because he only believed in God for selfish reasons and wanted people to believe in God only because of the happiness they would get in heaven which is not the actual idea. Also I think that God does not decide to put people in heaven and hell based on whether they believe or not but by the good deeds they have done in their life, so people who believe in God just for reasons like Pascal’s probably would not go to heaven anyway. I think that Pascal seems rather greedy to believe in God just to go to heaven after his death. The last philosopher I’m going to talk about is Karl Marx. Marx thought that that â€Å"Religion is a tool of oppression† meaning that Religion is something that you do not actually need but use to distract yourself from other things and something that someone just gets pleasure and happiness from. So he thought that everyone should just reject religion and this would make people aware of their own true situation and this may give them a chance to improve the conditions in which they live. Marx used quotes from the bible to back up quotes from the bible to back up his theory. â€Å"Blessed are the poor in spirit†¦ inherit the earth† Marx would argue that this quote is trying to say that it is not the rich and powerful who are most fortunate but actually the poor, as they will go to heaven because of all the suffering they have endured. He would say that the poor are often given quotes like this to make them content with their own miserable lives and that religion makes a virtue of poverty and meekness and unacceptable lives have been glamorised. Therefore I do not agree with Marx argument mainly because his theory may have been applicable at that time but it is not now, as people do not use religion just to have a distraction or something to comfort them when everything else is a mess. To conclude I think that although there are many different theories for whether God exists or not it is not actually possible to prove that God exists and that if you believe in God you should not just believe that he exists because of some theory but because you actually believe he exists and want to believe in him. Although it is probably not possible to prove whether God exists or not (unless he came down to earth and told everyone) the most convincing way would be to experience a miracle. Miracles can prove that God exists to a certain amount because most miracles would be far too big to be just a coincidence. Even though there are many stories about miracles in the news and in religious books such as the bible you cannot actually be sure until you experience one yourself. Miracles may not prove that God as people know him exists (Omnipotent, Omnibonevelant and Omniscient etc) but they do prove that there is an all powering/ supernatural being.

Stanislavski- Method Acting and Its Importance

Stanislavski and ‘The Method’ â€Å"To become a successful actor one must erase personal experience and emotions and build their character from nothing. † – Lee Strasburg. Konstantin Sergeyevich Alexeyev was born in Moscow, Russia in 1863. He was first seen on stage at the age of seven and at the age of twenty-one he changed his stage name to Konstantin Stanislavski. He was founder of the first acting â€Å"system†, co-founder of the Moscow Theatre (1897), and a renowned practitioner of the naturalist school of thought. In 1987 he also met Russian playwright, Anton Chekov.Stanislavski’s process of character development, the â€Å"Stanislavski Method†, was the means for method acting. It was, and still is, the most influential acting system on the modern stage and screen. After enrolling at Moscow’s Drama School, he left after three weeks of not being satisfied with the training. Back then, rehearsals were very casual. Actors woul d walk on stage and deliver their lines with the text in front of them. There was no attempt in making the acting a reality. He felt the need to change theatre and thought that it was important that the actor’s skill should involve more than shallow techniques.The acting needs to have genuine feeling. To give the audience feeling we must first create the feeling for ourselves. This is why personal experiences are important as they possess what we have felt in the past, present and future. We can re-collect emotions such as happiness or sadness and use these to act with feeling and convey a message to the audience. Humans have many emotions that they mask at one time. In class, students are shown experiential learning. Methods and activities such as; Emotional recall and Lady Macbeth (Act 1, scene 7) can help actors create appropriate actions, thoughts and emotions for certain characters or scenes.In emotional recall, students were to recall something, where at that moment the ir lives changed or made them feel something they would never forget. Most were sad, but people tried to hold back tears while trying to speak. Most of the time the tears would just eventually flow and this gave students the sense of method acting. Collecting personal experiences helped them act with a sense of feeling and emotion. When creating a character you may need personal experiences although, you must wipe out idiosyncrasies to create an original character.Exercises such as; ‘slaps’ and ‘milling and grooving’ helped students show a part of their idiosyncrasies. ‘Slaps’ required all concentration and this established how a student would react throughout the exercise. ‘Milling and grooving’ was being able to make a connection with the eyes and communicating without speaking a word. These exercises helped maintain control and focus, while showing their idiosyncrasies without realising it. There are many techniques that have be en learnt in the Stanislavski system in relation to Lee Strasburg’s statement. Stanislavski’s method was to encourage actors to become artists in their own right.Stanislavski had to design a method to inspire his three-part System. This is now known as ‘method acting', the mechanisms used to take on a role are varied, but all focus on making an actor put their own experience, imagination and feeling into a role. Strasburg taught Stanislavski’s system, but is famous for the â€Å"Method† that he developed at the Group Theatre (although the term â€Å"method acting† generally refers to the use of Stanislavski’s system in America – â€Å"Method† with a capital M refers specifically to Strasberg’s approach). The ‘Method’ was used to create reality within an actor.Lee Strasberg suggested to the students and theatre film performers to â€Å"try not to act, be yourself, use gesture in a manner that you use i n private life. † Stanislavski wanted acting to feel and be real. Some exercises in class were; ‘Circle of attention’ and ‘beats and thoughts’. Circle of attention was making a connection with the eyes without speaking, where you had to concentrate on a set of eyes and move when the time was right. There was an inner and outer circle. If a student was about to move, the person from the outside circle could tap the student and stop them from moving. This maintained focus. Beats and thoughts’ is a skill where the actor breaks down a scene into â€Å"beats† or â€Å"bits,† short sections that end with each change of objective. Take out all your idiosyncrasies and make characterisation for your role. Break up each line and give it meaning, using pauses where necessary. This will give you the effect you need. We do this, because we must make the piece as convincing as possible and make your audience believe what you are saying, or doin g is real. You must incorporate lights and shades for the dramatic side to take effect. You need to be able to produce a convincing tone so the actions can flow when you act.As a student studying drama this made me feel like I could portray or master any character thrown at me. Beats and thoughts created emotion and characterisation that was needed to create and portray any necessary role. Method acting needs to be portrayed in theatre. Without it, the audience wouldn’t be moved by the performance. The world is better for it. Actors can persuade, make people laugh, cry, surprised, frightened, all by using method acting. Lee Strasburg’s statement is false although to act correctly you must wipe out idiosyncrasies but keep the truth (personal experiences) of emotions.This makes method acting the most influential acting system around the world. Bibliography Copyright 2011 Bradley Bishop and Trevor Jones http://www. kryingsky. com/Stan/Biography/bot. html (Last accessed 14 th March 2012) h2g2 – 2012 http://h2g2. com/dna/h2g2/A5133151 (Last accessed 14th March 2012) 2008, All rights reserved, Jamactors. com http://www. jamactors. com/articles/method_acting. php (Last accessed 14th March 2012) Class Drama Notes 2012 (Last accessed 14th March 2012) Shanelle Fairhall

Buriganga River Pollution by Tannery Industry Essays

Buriganga River Pollution by Tannery Industry Essays Buriganga River Pollution by Tannery Industry Paper Buriganga River Pollution by Tannery Industry Paper Tannery industry fulfills a growing international appetite for leather and earns a large amount of foreign revenue. But the tanneries which are located at Hazarding are the major cause of Brigands river pollution. Tanneries of that area do not contain any treatment plant for treating their chemical effluents coming from tanneries processing. These tanneries discharge their liquid chemical and solid wastes into the river Brigands. As a result Brigands river pollution has reached to extreme level and its polluting rate is increasing rapidly. . 2 Wastes of Tanneries Tanneries of Hazarding produce a large quantity of solid and liquid wastes at the time of processing of hides and skins of animals. Table. 4. 1: Average amount of wastes produced by Dacha Hides and Skins Limited Waste Type Percentage (%) 19 91 100 I Waste Amount (ton) I Solid Liquid I I total 12 120 122 Source: Questionnaire Survey July, 201 2) It has been seen that, tanneries produces more liquid tox ic waste than solid waste, which are mostly responsible for water pollution on Brigands. Tanneries of Hazarding produce 25000 tons of solid waste and 40,000 tons Of toxic liquid waste everyday (Daniel 2010). Processing and production of leather and leather products are finished in three sectors, named a) Wet Blue ? processing of raw hides. B) Crust coloring of leathers. C) Finishing producing leather products. [pick Figure 4. 1 : Percentages of waste from three sectors. Source: Questionnaire Survey. Date: July, 2012. Most of the wastes are produced at the primary stage of raw skin Processing. 4. 2. Solid waste 250 tanneries located at Hazarding produces 1 50 metric tons of solid waste everyday. These solid wastes are being produced at the initial and final stage of processing. Solid wastes produced from tanneries includes: Shaving Dust while processing raw hides and skins. Scarp of hides and skins. These solid wastes are being reused and produce leather boards, Syllabic, Chicken feed, fertilizer, soap etc. 4. 2. 2 Liquid Chemical Waste Liquid chemical effluents are pr oduced during tanning and dying. Different types of Chemicals are being in tanneries at the different stages of leather processing, including processing of raw hides and skins, chrome tanning turning a skin into bluish white colored leather. These chemicals includes:- Lime Sodium Sulfide Sulfuric acid Sodium hydrochloride Caustic Soda Arsenic Sulfide Calcium hydrochloride Chromium Chloride Dyes. 4. 3 Brigands River Pollution from Tanneries Water pollution of Brigands river is being affected and accelerated by 250 large and small tanneries located at Hazarding, at the bank of the Brigands. These tanneries do not have any effective waste treatment facilities or any treatment plant [pick] Figure 4. 2: Status of treatment plant containment by tanneries. The diagram represents that nearly 99 percent of tanneries do not contain any treatment plant, less than 1 percent tanneries contain treatment plants. As these tanneries do not have any treatment plant, the tannery effluent with high organic and inorganic polluting loads is discharged on the Brigands river in the vicinity of the tannery area. Table 4. : Tannery Waste Disposal System. Disposal Place Brigands river (Liquid waste) Canal Road Open Space ( Solid waste) Others I Percentage (%) 80. 00 100. 00 | 00. 00 120. 00 From the table it is seen that most of the tannery wastes, which are liquid disposals are being disposed from Brigands river through drains. And some of that wastes which are solid disposals are being disposed on open space, on he low lands inside the Dacha flood protection embankment. Figure 4. 3: Drain car rying liquid chemical wastes from tannery to the river. Source: Field Survey (June 2012) The wastewater carrying chemicals from the tanneries is discharged through open drains into a stagnant pond named Initial Bell which is located between the Hazarding area and the flood protection embankment along the Brigands River. Ultimately, this wastewater is released through Arbitrary sluice gate into the river as every tannery is linked with Brigands river through drains 4. 3. 1 Location of Tanneries Most of the tanneries are located on the Brigands river bank and near the Dacha flood protection embankment. Every tannery of Hazarding is linked with Brigands river through drains. Generally tanneries are being located besides river because of availability of sufficient amount of water to clean animal skins into the river. (Torque Islam, Leather technologist of Dacha Hides and Skins Limited) And all of these tanneries release their untreated effluents into Brigands river through these drains, as a result the magnitude of water pollution of Brigands river is severe. 4. 3. 2 Effluents Discharged to Brigands River Daily quantity of waste water produced by these tanneries varies from 0. 5 to 0. Cubic meter per meter square of hides and skin processed (Aimed M. A. Froze) According to DoE, the tanneries discharge 22000 cubic meters of untreated liquid toxic waste into the river daily. Tanneries of Hazarding generate 7. 70 million liter liquid waste and 88 metric ton solid waste everyday, which are discharge into the Brigands river and 80 % of the pollution of the river Brigands is caused from ta nnery wastes. 4. 3. 3 Polluting Loads Discharged to Brigands River Different kinds of chemicals are being used in tanneries at the time of recessing of animals skin to turn on leather and leather products. The polluting loads which are generated from tanneries are being discharged to Brigands river includes: Suspended Solids Chromium (Cry) Chloride (CIO Different types of acids such as Nitric acid (HON.), Sulfuric Acid (HOSTS), Formic Acid (HOOCH) Salts of sodium Chloride (Nasal) Lime (Calcium Hydroxide-Cash) sodium sulfate (Nassau) Hazardous dyes etc. Due to indiscriminate discharge of these polluting loads to Brigands. The quality of water of Brigands as degraded to a great extent. The physical look ND smell of the water of Brigands is frightening intolerable and horrendous. 4. 4 Status of Brigands River Pollution at Hazarding 250 tanneries and their generated wastes cause huge pollution of Brigands river at Hazarding. To realize the level of pollution at Hazarding a few Water quality parameters pH, T DES, DO, BODY, COD and Cry are being analyzed by comparing with standard drinking water quality determined by DoE. PH is the indicator of acidic or alkaline condition of water status. The standard for any purpose in-terms of pH is 6. -8. 5; in that respect the value of Brigands River water are 7. 8 to 8. 9 in dry season. The overall result indicates alkaline water. From 1 983 to 1 993 the increasing rate of pH concentration was very high and in 201 1 it has slightly decreased. PH. Figure 4. 4: Concentration of pH on Brigands river at Hazarding (dry season). Source: DoE (June 2012). TTS. Figure 4. 5: Concentration of TTS on Brigands river at Hazarding (dry In case of TTS Bangladesh Standard in terms of inland surface water is 1 000 MGM/L. Figure 4. Shows that TTS concentrations in Brigands river in dry season was found to be 6583 MGM/L in 1983, 2475 MGM/L in 1 993 and 1 188 in 201 1, which indicates that TTS concentration is decreasing. Alkalinity. Figure 4. 6: Concentration of Alkalinity on Brigands river at Hazarding (dry Bangladesh standard Alkalinity concentration in drinking water is pumps. Figure 4. 5 reveals that in Brigands river water at Hazarding Alkalinity concentration was 1580 in 1983, 1220 in 1993 and 284 in 2011. Alkalinity concentration at Hazarding in Brigands river water is too high and this water is not suitable for drinking and sustaining aquatic life. DO. [Pick] Figure 4. 7: Concentration Of DO on Brigands river at Hazarding (dry source: DOE (June 2012). DO standard for sustaining aquatic life is 4 MGM/L, whereas for drinking purposes it is 6 MGM/L. Figure 4. 5 reveals that DO concentration at Hazarding in Brigands river water from 1983 to 2011 was O in dry season, which indicates that the water is not suitable for sustaining aquatic life BODY. Figure 4. 8: Concentration of BODY on Brigands river at Hazarding (dry In the case of BODY standard for drinking purpose is 0. OMG/L. Figure 4. Shows that BODY concentration at Hazarding in Brigands river water was MGM/L in 1983, 386 in 1993 and 42 in 201 1. Figure 4. 9: Concentration of COD on Brigands river at Hazarding (dry Source: DoE dune 2012). Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is other important parameter of water quality assessment. A standard for drinking purposes is 4 MGM/L which are not acceptable in-terms of Brigands river water. From figure 4. 8 it is seen that concentration of COD at Hazarding in Brigands river water was 101 Omg/L in 1983 and MGM/L in 2011. Chromium. Figure 4. 10: Concentration of Cry on Brigands river at Hazarding (dry source: WAS (June 2012). A standard for drinking purposes for Cry is 0. 5 MGM/L. But figure 4. 9 shows that concentration of COD at Hazarding in Brigands river water was 0. 104 MGM/ in 1983 and 0. 093 MGM/L in 1993 and 0. Mini 201 1. 4. 5 Affected Area The pollution of Brigands river from tanneries not only affect the environment and people of Hazarding, it also affects the downstream areas as well as some upstream areas of the river. The tannery pollution exposed to the residents of Arbitrary, Agitated, Kernighan, southern part of Diamond and Saver. Map 4. 1 . Areas affected by Brigands river pollution. Bangladesh 2012. Source: The pollution is even bleaker in the villages along the river, in the upstream of the Brigands. Thousands of families living in Zanzibar, Kilogram, Cunningham, Charcoal, Matriarchy, Wasp, Basil and Altogether. These areas face severe water crisis for at least six months a year.

Why the Population Growth Is Such A Serious Problem and The Effect It Is Having on the Earths Environment essays

Why the Population Growth Is Such A Serious Problem and The Effect It Is Having on the Earth's Environment essays The world's population has grown more in the last 50 years than it had done in the previous 4 million years[1]. This quantum leap in the human population has put severe strains on the finite resources and the fragile environment of our planet. What is more, the present rate of the galloping population growth shows no signs of slowing down, especially in the developing countries. Such a high rate of growth is clearly unsustainable and needs to be controlled before the runaway human population proves to be the ultimate undoing of the human race itself. In this essay I shall discuss why the population growth is such a serious problem and the effect it is having on the earth's environment. Debate about the effects of population growth has raged ever since, Thomas Malthus, a British intellectual wrote his famous Essay on the Principle of Population in 1798. Malthus contended that the tendency for the population was to grow exponentially while food supplies could only grow arithmetically. His theory meant that the human population was destined to outstrip the global food supplies that would eventually lead to widespread starvation and disease. This has clearly not happened[2] so far, mainly because Malthus had not foreseen the extent to which technology, farming techniques and the Green Revolution' would increase food production. (Hardaway 1188) Despite adequate availability of food in the world as a whole, the WHO reports that as many as 19,000 people (mostly infants and children) die each day from hunger and malnutrition. (Quoted by Brown et al, 6) The difference in the situation predicted by Malthus and the present scenario is that large numbers of people starve, not due to shortage of food, but due to poverty. It is arguable, of course, whether poverty too is the result of over-population. The Malthusians[3] fervently believe it is so, while the anti-Malthusians are equally...

Multiple Intelligences in the ESL Classroom

Multiple Intelligences in the ESL Classroom The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. Here is a discussion of the eight different intelligences Dr. Gardner proposes and their relationship to the ESL / EFL classroom. Each explanation is followed by lesson plans or exercises which can be used in class. Verbal / Linguistic Explanation and understanding through the use of words. This is the most common means of teaching. In the most traditional sense, the teacher teaches and the students learn. However, this can also be turned around and students can help each other understand concepts. While teaching to other types of intelligences is extremely important, this type of teaching focuses on using language and will continue to play the primary role in learning English. Example Lesson Plans (re)Introducing Phrasal Verbs to ESL StudentsComparative and Superlative FormsCountable and Uncountable Nouns - Noun QuantifiersReading - Using Context Visual / Spatial Explanation and comprehension through the use of pictures, graphs, maps, etc. This type of learning gives students visual clues to help them remember language. In my opinion, the use of visual, spatial and situational clues is probably the reason learning a language in an English speaking country (Canada, USA, England, etc.) is the most effective way to learn English. Example Lesson Plans Drawing in the Classroom - ExpressionsVocabulary Charts Body / Kinesthetic Ability to use the body to express ideas, accomplish tasks, create moods, etc. This type of learning combines physical actions with linguistic responses and are very helpful for tying language to actions. In other words, repeating Id like to pay by credit card. in a dialogue is much less effective than having a student act out a role-play in which he pulls out his wallet and says, Id like to pay by credit card. Example Lesson Plans Lego Building BlocksYoung Learners Games for ESL Classes - Simon SaysTelephone English Interpersonal Ability to get along with others, work with others to accomplish tasks. Group learning is based on interpersonal skills. Not only do students learn while speaking to others in an authentic setting, they develop English speaking skills while reacting to others. Obviously, not all learners have excellent interpersonal skills. For this reason, group work needs to balanced with other activities. Example Lesson Plans Conversation Lesson: Multinationals - Help or Hindrance?Creating a New SocietyGuilty - Fun Classroom Conversation GameLets Do Tourism Logical / Mathematical Use of logic and mathematical models to represent and work with ideas. Grammar analysis falls into this type of learning style. Many teachers feel that English teaching syllabi are too loaded towards grammar analysis which has little to do with communicative ability. Nonetheless, using a balanced approach, grammar analysis has its place in the classroom. Unfortunately, because of certain standardized teaching practices, this type of teaching sometimes tends to dominate the classroom. Example Lesson Plans Match-up!English Grammar ReviewDifferent Uses of LikeConditional Statements - Reviewing the First and Second Conditional Musical Ability to recognize and communicate using melody, rhythm, and harmony. This type of learning is sometimes underestimated in ESL classrooms. If you keep in mind that English is a very rhythmic language because of its tendency to accent only certain words, youll recognize that music plays a role in the classroom as well. Example Lesson Plans Grammar ChantsMusic in the ClassroomPracticing Stress and IntonationTongue Twisters Intrapersonal Learning through self-knowledge leading to understanding of motives, goals, strengths and weaknesses. This intelligence is essential for long-term English learning. Students who are aware of these types of issues will be able to deal with underlying issues that can improve or hamper English usage. Example Lesson Plans Setting ESL ObjectivesEnglish Learning Goals Quiz Environmental Ability to recognize elements of and learn from the natural world around us. Similar to visual and spatial skills, Environmental intelligence will help students master English required to interact with their environment. Example Lesson Plan Global English

Compare two styles of art Da Vinci's Last supper and Tintoretto's The Essay

Compare two styles of art Da Vinci's Last supper and Tintoretto's The Last Supper - Essay Example The most prominent is obviously the use of lit halos – Jesus’s head is fully enshrined by a glowing sun of light, while is apostles each have their own much smaller halo as well. But Tintoretto also includes common people in his composition, washing the floor, serving people and so on – these people have no halos at all. This disparity in that visual element creates a clear hierarchy – Jesus is the most holy, and is on a plane wholly above the apostles, who are, in turn, more holy than the common people – the composition emphasizes the otherness and superiority of Jesus and his companions. DaVinci’s composition, on the other hand serves almost the opposite purpose. The only prominence given to Jesus is his place at the centre of the table, somewhat separated from his companions. But otherwise he bears no particular marks of holiness, and his companions jostle together in the conviviality of the meal. This connects the subjects of the painting, Jesus and the Apostles, to the viewer, who has no doubt also experienced such an occasion amongst friends. This emphasizes the humanity of Jesus and his companions, and encourages the viewer to follower their examples, showing that they, as amazing as they were, they were people too, and can be emulated. These two paintings, though both quite striking, diverge drastically in the connection they make between their subject and their viewer, with Tinteretto’s creating distance, and DaVinci’s creating

Answering questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Answering questions - Essay Example The object of knowledge is on that which altogether is real. In contrast, the object of belief is on one which is real and not real (Plato et al. 181; par. 477e). Thrasymachus makes two assertions regarding what is just or right. He points out that justice is the action of serving the interest of a stronger one. It is an advantage of the strong. He also adds that just actions are those that obey the state’s law (Plato and Grube, 15; par. 338c). Glaucon takes up the argument from Thrasymachus in terms of defining justice in a contrasting way. Glaucon points out that justice is a compromise between fear and advantage. People comprehend that being unjust is usually to their advantage; nevertheless, they fear being a victim of injustice. Hence, if one could act in an unjust manner and not suffer consequences, one could (Plato and Grube, 38; par. 358e). Plato describes the ideal city as one based on human virtue and justice. An ideal city is a form of political and social organization that allows individuals to maximize their potentials. The ideal city has three classes of people; the guardians, the auxiliaries and the producers. The leaders and citizens must have courage, wisdom, justice and moderation. This will allow individuals to serve their citizens and live according to the universal truths and laws. The role of the ideal city is to preserve and protect the universal principles. In plato’s ideal city, the guardians serve to protect and lead. There is a division of labor in his ideal city hence enables the satisfaction of the needs of the community. Each man should be given the best job in which he is suited in for. This will ensure productivity in the ideal city (Plato and Grube, 105; par. 412c). It is imperative for the ideal ruler to understand the forms. When one understands the forms, the soul reaches an understanding that is far beyond the thought stage. An ideal ruler should understand the true

Proposal- how alcohol and drugs affect drosophila mutation Essay

Proposal- how alcohol and drugs affect drosophila mutation - Essay Example In this research, the researcher will show how tolerance effects last in Drosophila, an incidence that can be related to human beings. Sometimes alcohol and drug use may extend to the withdrawal stage and the researcher will show whether stress affects the return to a tolerant state after this no drug usage stage of withdrawal. Lastly, the research will show the different behaviors of Drosophila mutants that lack donamine receptors to determine whether they behave differently or not. Alcohol use can lead to addiction that is simply the compulsory use of drugs for survival. Human beings and animals are all subject to drug abuse with recent studies using animals in their studies to explain both behaviors witnessed by humans. The two are proved of having the same body genes that behave the same under alcohol or drug use. In studying the effect of alcohol and drug use in Drosophila mutation, the research will examine the fruit fly Drosophila. Drosophila gets in touch to alcohol and ethanol almost daily from the fermented fruits they eat, but they are resistant to them, unlike ethanol and alcohol in labs that they show some level of sensitivity when exposed to them. When exposed to alcohol, the fruit flies become hyperactive and show somebody imbalance. Just like humans, fruit flies have genes like alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetylaidelyde dehydrogenase (ACDH). Then when exposed to alcohol fumes, ADH changes alcohol into an aldehyde that is then changed to citri c acid by ACDH. The citric acid generates the energy responsible for the hyperactivity realized when humans and the fruit flies are exposed to alcohol. The first alcohol exposure results in the hyperactivity but with continuous exposures, the behavior changes and the fruit flies become tolerant to the ethanol and alcohol effects (Speicher, Motulsky and Antonarakis, 2010). At the tolerance stage, flies have to take more alcohol than earlier for them to start feeling the effects.

Poetry paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Poetry paper - Essay Example It is also vivid that no single chapter is written without the use of a song or a poem (Tolkien 183). Chapter One, An Unexpected Party, shows the humor of the scenario when a baffled Bilbo Baggins is paid a visit by 12 unwelcome dwarves, who swiftly make themselves comfortable and begin to have a great feast. They compassionately propose to help in cleaning their mess. However, Bilbo becomes worried about the senseless handling of his favorite dishes. The Dwarves respond by singing the poem, Chip the glasses and crack the plates. In this poem, it is not easy to determine if the dwarves are ridiculing Bilbo or attempting to do as he requests. It can be said that they are doing both. Generally, the lyrics achieve various purposes which include providing humor, character development and bring about reader interaction. This is evident in line 3, first stanza of page 31. The formulation of the poem torments by providing contradictory instructions. This is where the reader realizes that th e dwarves are fanatical, teasing or both, and that Bilbo becomes worried by having his pleasant tiny silent home messed up. The reader is also provided with a chance to formulate their own tunes for the crazy song. The poetry in The Hobbit draws attention to the vast disparity flanked by varying races of Middle Earth and how they select to articulate their views. Dwarves make use of a simple eight syllable configuration in their poetry, with 4 lines to every stanza. There are no convoluted metaphors applied and the themes are real and concrete. Poetry of the Dwarves involves ancient history, customs, and ways of life, retrieving the lost inheritance and looking into the depths of the earth. This is evident in line 2, 4, stanza 1 of page 14-15. The Elves in chapter 19, however, have a free formation in their poems where they make use of vivid adjectives and metaphors. Their rhythm is more of a song as compared to the Dwarves’ march, which echoes the physical features of the El ves. Their poetry depicts attractiveness, tranquility, and happiness as compared to material objects. The Orcs, polar contrary to the Elves in attractiveness and goodness, can generate merely unpleasant sounding poetry. A race formulated via the deformation of Elves, Orcs are attracted only to ruin, authority and killing. Goblin poetry seems like the smacking of lips and the crashing of jaws and the subject matter are hunting, killing, mistreating creatures and intimidating foes. The sounds that Tolkien applies in these poems are by design insensitive, piercing, monosyllabic, and rushed to echo the nature of the loathsome creatures who sing them. This is evident in the following stanza. â€Å"†¦Clap! Snap! the black crack! Grip, grab! Pinch, nab! And down down to Goblin-town You go, my lad!...† The disparity flanked by the language selection of the Orcs and the Elves presents euphonic backing to the imagery of the manifestation and the actions of the characters. Where th e Elves are lilting, easy and alliterative, the Orcs words may not be formulated devoid of clashing teeth and opening and shutting the mouth suddenly. Language as part of a character appears instinctive, however a reader is less often provided with undeviating link flanked by the sound of speech and the personality of the speaker. A number of the poetry of The Hobbit is, effectively sung by a Hobbit. Bilbo Baggins is at the center of the story and his songs borrow heavily from

Dunlaps aim for ailing companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Dunlaps aim for ailing companies - Essay Example During 1997, Sunbeam's management also showed hoax guaranteed sales, improper bill and hold book sales and also resorted to other fraudulent practices. Out of the net income of US$ 189 million, it is estimated that at least US$ 62 million was from fraudulent accounting practices followed by the company. Dunlap was a management expert who specialized in quick fix solutions for ailing companies. Critics say that he specialized in streamlining the bottom-line of the ailing firms by firing employees and resorting to other cost cutting measures. This would make the company more profitable in the short term, but add to difficulties since such measures would equally strip the company of both talent and capability to compete in the international environment. They point to the fact that most of Dunlap's previous firms have been put up for sale after the dramatic recovery they staged and have never been capable of outdoing its competition on its own. Dunlap's aim has always been to improve the performance of the company on the books and then sell it off at higher prices as the stock value escalates in the expectation of higher returns. At Sunbeam, he attempted the same strategy and did nothing creative about it. In order to cut short the time frame to correct the company's book, he resorted to sales and accounting frauds and the debt financing of three acquisitions to increase the turnover and asset base of the firm. The celebrity CEO was also followed closely by the media who was highly skeptical of his style of aggressive and inhuman decisions. The over ambitious CEO was overpowered by the media who alerted the shareholders and the authorities about his way of functioning and the glorification of the company destined to doom. The senior management of the company also did little to control the massive information leakage once the media opened the lid of the mismanagement can. The CEO had cut over half of Sunbeam's jobs soon after he took over. The share price shot up to over US$ 53 in 1997 from a mere US$ 12. Many share holders had already sold their stake in the company. But growing public concern led to the CEO himself being victimized at the end. The board of directors fired Duncan to save their embarrassment and filed for closure. 3. Identify ethical issues that Dunlap's management team may have created by adopting a short - run focus on financial performance. What lessons could be learned from the outcome Dunlap's management team had overlooked the primary aim of all businesses - to create social wealth. He had specialized in the short run concept after he discovered the pleasure of making money by selling off his previous firms to high bidders who bought the revived companies to add to their wealth. But in the process of streamlining a sinking firm, he had thrown overboard a large chunk of its employees and the beneficiaries of its functioning. His focus was always the small community

Against Green Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Against Green Energy - Essay Example The cost of subsidizing green energy is therefore spread to individual and corporate taxpayers. The economic condition is likely to worsen due to the fact that generational effects of green energy utilize funds that could be pumped into other developmental projects. Green energy subsidies suppress sustainable development goals and objectives. This is more so when these subsidies increase energy consumption. With increased consumption of energy, wastes from such consumption would increase negative effects on the environment. The process is therefore prone to exacerbate harmful energy effects on environmental welfare. Burden to maintain low pollution levels in the environment is likely to increase and government spending doubles in that case (Douglas F, et al. 2000, p.60–66). Subsidies will be made available for green energy, but government and corporate efforts to combat environmental pollution will remain unchanged. Organizational operating costs should not be covered through subsidies. However, this has been the characteristic phenomenon in the use of subsidies. Organizations that formulate green energy projects and want to implement them seeks for subsidies. Rather than assisting companies to implement such projects, the subsidies should be used for the purposes of enhancing accessibility to contemporary sources of energy. The focus should be directed to households whose access to modern sources is limited as well as to those who cannot afford it. Since this is not the case, subsidies for green energy are argued against. World Bank and World Resource Institute have as well argued against subsidies for green energy in the same context (Brown, 2006, p.

Dunlaps aim for ailing companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Dunlaps aim for ailing companies - Essay Example During 1997, Sunbeam's management also showed hoax guaranteed sales, improper bill and hold book sales and also resorted to other fraudulent practices. Out of the net income of US$ 189 million, it is estimated that at least US$ 62 million was from fraudulent accounting practices followed by the company. Dunlap was a management expert who specialized in quick fix solutions for ailing companies. Critics say that he specialized in streamlining the bottom-line of the ailing firms by firing employees and resorting to other cost cutting measures. This would make the company more profitable in the short term, but add to difficulties since such measures would equally strip the company of both talent and capability to compete in the international environment. They point to the fact that most of Dunlap's previous firms have been put up for sale after the dramatic recovery they staged and have never been capable of outdoing its competition on its own. Dunlap's aim has always been to improve the performance of the company on the books and then sell it off at higher prices as the stock value escalates in the expectation of higher returns. At Sunbeam, he attempted the same strategy and did nothing creative about it. In order to cut short the time frame to correct the company's book, he resorted to sales and accounting frauds and the debt financing of three acquisitions to increase the turnover and asset base of the firm. The celebrity CEO was also followed closely by the media who was highly skeptical of his style of aggressive and inhuman decisions. The over ambitious CEO was overpowered by the media who alerted the shareholders and the authorities about his way of functioning and the glorification of the company destined to doom. The senior management of the company also did little to control the massive information leakage once the media opened the lid of the mismanagement can. The CEO had cut over half of Sunbeam's jobs soon after he took over. The share price shot up to over US$ 53 in 1997 from a mere US$ 12. Many share holders had already sold their stake in the company. But growing public concern led to the CEO himself being victimized at the end. The board of directors fired Duncan to save their embarrassment and filed for closure. 3. Identify ethical issues that Dunlap's management team may have created by adopting a short - run focus on financial performance. What lessons could be learned from the outcome Dunlap's management team had overlooked the primary aim of all businesses - to create social wealth. He had specialized in the short run concept after he discovered the pleasure of making money by selling off his previous firms to high bidders who bought the revived companies to add to their wealth. But in the process of streamlining a sinking firm, he had thrown overboard a large chunk of its employees and the beneficiaries of its functioning. His focus was always the small community

International businesscoca cola Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International businesscoca cola - Essay Example During economic recession, specific tariffs afford the local producers protection from foreign competition. The tax does not consider the value of the imported products but is based on the specific quantity of the imported products such as the volume or weight of the imported product (Carbaugh 2011). Specific tariffs affect the competitiveness of any company importing raw materials abroad. The tariffs will increase the prices of the products that are manufactured through use of raw materials that have been charged specific tariffs. For instance, if Coca Cola sets up operations in Myanmar and decides to import raw materials from other countries, the costs of production per unit will be high due to the specific tariffs that have been charged on the imported raw materials. Specific tariffs will be used by developing countries like Myanmar in order to protect the infant beverage industry from international competition from established players like Coca Cola and Pepsi. In addition, the My anmar government will also benefit through increased tax revenues by charging Coca Cola specific tariffs for the imported raw materials. Unfortunately, the domestic consumers will incur suffering due to higher prices for the Coca Cola brands. Generally, in the short term, the higher prices of products due to specific tariffs on raw materials will reduce the consumption by the customers, but the government will benefit from the increased revenues. On the other hand, free trade benefits the global economy through increased competition that leads to reduction in consumer prices and a variety of innovative products in the market (Tallman 2010). Question two: Coca Cola is a beverage manufacturing multinational company that was established in 1886. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, USA, and has operations in more than 200 countries. The brand portfolio includes more than 450 brands that are consumed to close to 1.5 billion people daily across the globe. The company has attained a 9 0 percent customer loyalty, and about 45 percent of the global beverage market share due to quality and innovative brands. The mission of Coca Cola is to refresh the world, create value to customers and inspire moments of happiness and optimism among the customers. The vision of the company is to provide a great working environment for the employees, provide quality brands to customers, act responsibly to the communities and maximise the long term returns to the investors. Coca Cola has operated in most of the countries in Southeast Asia except North Korea, Cuba and Myanmar. Due to the recent easing of the trade embargos by the European Union and United States on Myanmar, Coca cola can now enter the market after six decades. The European Union and the United States have allowed the US Corporations and citizens to invest in Myanmar after the ruling junta turned in to a democratically elected government thus paving way for civil authority in the country. Coca Cola international busine ss strategy is to operate a local business model in every target country; thus, Coca Cola has the opportunity of entering Myanmar. The company can sell bottled water, juices and sodas that are considered important in Myanmar. 2. Competitive position 2.1 Competitive position Coca Cola has attained a global leadership position in the soft drinks industry. The company has more than 400 brands and serves almost over 1.5 million customers daily. Coca

Corporate social responsiveness analysis

Corporate social responsiveness analysis Corporate social responsiveness refers to how business organizations and their agents actively interact with and manage their environments. In contrast, corporate social responsibility accentuates the moral obligations that business has to society. Responsiveness and responsibility can be viewed as a balance in that responsiveness can be shaped or triggered by public expectations of business responsibilities. Generally speaking, these responsibilities implied by the term of the social contract, which legitimises business as an institution with the expectation that it provides a service whilst adhering to societys laws and ethical norms. From this perspective, businesses are in a dynamic relationship with society of which responsiveness is a key aspect. More broadly, there is the issue of why business should bother. After all, as neoclassical economists have long argued, business owes abstractions such as society nothing-shareholders are the owners of business and it is the organizations obligation to do everything legal and legitimate to advance shareholder value, not waste it on well-meaning but irrelevant CSR projects. On the other hand, the stakeholder model of the firm would insist that shareholders are only one set of stakeholders and that there are plenty of other significant stakeholders, including customers; non-governmental organisations (NGOs); and communities more generally; as well as activist groups claiming to articulate the interests of the environment and climate change and other silent stakeholders. If businesses serve only shareholder value interests in the short term and do so in such a way that jeopardises other stakeholder interests, this can have an adverse impact on the business by attacking its legitimacy or reputation. It may well be that in standard business practice that the primary responsibility of companies is to create wealth for their shareholders. The emergence of CSR and activists associated with it however adds another dimension, in order for companies to do well financially; they must also be good, ethically, by acting virtuously. Civil society organisations have increased the energy they devote to directly lobbying and exposing the malpractice of companies, which has helped to change consumer preferences and citizens attitudes towards human rights, the environment, and exploitative relationships. This paper has been divided into several headings. The purpose of the paper is to discuss the state of corporate social responsibility at multinational corporations (MNCs), using the examples of Shell and Emirates Airlines. Introduction Corporate Social Responsibility at MNCs There have been increasing demands on multinational enterprises (MNCs) to provide community development programmes and assistance to their host communities, particularly, in developing countries. In other words, meeting locally defined social and economic goals. This is mainly because developmental projects and other social infrastructures are lacking in most of these countries and most of all the time that are not provided by the government. For example, oil companies, particularly, those operating in developing countries are now constantly under pressure to be more open and accountable for a wide range of actions, and to report publicly on their performance in the social and environmental arenas. Because of their impact on politics, economics and society in host nations, they must be more attentive that others in demonstrating social responsibility through initiatives to reduce their negative impact. Blowfield and Frynas (2005) mention that MNEs need to take account of the social, ethical and environmental perceptions of their operations and how these are likely to shape the future attitudes and actions of stakeholders. Following this argument, oil companies attach greater importance to their social and environmental impact and they engage more with local communities that they used to do in the past. Various community and environmental initiatives may be seen as a response to the threat of stakeholder sanctions (Blowfield and Frynas, 2005). The purpose of the report is top discuss the state of corporate social responsibility at multinational corporations (MNCs) using the examples of Shell and Emirates Airlines in a comprehensive way. First the paper will start with a brief on each of these companies. Secondly it will go on to the Stakeholder Salience model and the Stakeholder Power Interest matrix followed by a basic chart illustrating stakeholder dynamics for both companies. The third section will focus on Corporate Social Responsibility at Shell and Emirates Airlines and Shell Oil and Emirates Airlines Launched in 1985 in Dubai with just two leased planes, the global air giant Emirates Airlines now consists of a fleet of over 120 planes and approximately 44,000 employees. The privately owned Emirates Airlines group consists of Emirates Airlines and a number of subsidiary companies including Emirates Airlines Holidays Limited. Emirates Airlines is one of the worlds leading airlines with a network that provides passenger and freight services to 149 destinations in 72 countries. Shells head office is based in The Hague, Netherlands and the parent company of the Shell group is Royal Dutch Shell plc, incorporated in England and Wales. Shell currently operates in over 100 countries and employs 102,000 staff worldwide. Shell produces 2% of the worlds oil supplies and 3% of the worlds gas supplies. Shell Stakeholder Power Interest Matrix LOW INTEREST / LOW POWER Sub-contractors HIGH INTEREST / LOW POWER Country Leaders (if corrupt) Employees Proximate Communities Future Generations Community Initiatives LOW INTEREST / HIGH POWER Government Suppliers / Supply Chain Customers Shipping Industries Oil Reserve Companies HIGH INTEREST / HIGH POWER Price Governing Bodies Shareholders Competitors Petrol Price Governance Environment Lobbying Groups Legal Representation Companies Marketing Web Design Emirates Stakeholder Power Interest Matrix LOW INTEREST / LOW POWER Government (as privately owned) Future Generations Price Governing Bodies Sub-contractors Community Initiatives HIGH INTEREST / LOW POWER Employees Proximate Communities LOW INTEREST / HIGH POWER Suppliers / Supply Chain Customers Air Space Control HIGH INTEREST / HIGH POWER Shareholders Competitors Petrol Price Governance Environment Lobbying Groups Legal Representation Companies Marketing Web Design Corporate Social Responsibility at Shell and Emirates Airlines Shell Canada attempts to make all levels of management and corporate governance aware of these guiding Business Principles through strong Lines of communication between all organizational levels for the management of health, safety, environmental and social responsibility and must also consider having regard to the legal industry and community standards in those areas (Cannon, 1992). In Shell Canadas reports are regarded as their commitment to SD, and SD is used as an overarching corporate goal, alongside growth and profitability, each essential to delivering long-term value to their shareholders. The companys reports are part of its commitment to two guiding principles, transparency and stakeholder engagement, which attempts to strengthen the linkages between its conduct, and societys expectations. (Miles, Munilla and Darroch, 2006). Furthermore, decline in economic and social development in host communities due to neglect and lack of development initiatives from host governments, has sparked a global debate about the social responsibility of corporations. According to experts, stakeholders increasingly are looking to the private sector for help with a myriad of complex and pressing social and economic issues (Blowfield and Frynas, 2005). Similarly, it has been argued that it is good business to actively engage all stakeholders in the development of sustainable strategies that reflect both economic and socially responsible outcomes (Eweje, 2001). Emirates mission is to deliver services that matter to people who value how they fly. To realise this, Emirates Airlines recognises the importance of working in partnership with its stakeholders. This has influenced its approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Its approach has also been influenced by the recognition that airlines generate major social and economic benefits, but also have significant impacts on the environment (for example, through noise and air quality) and on communities around airports. (needs referencing) There are several reasons why Emirates Airlines chose to engage in CSR. The first is because it is a tool to help achieve the companys long term strategic goals in providing growth opportunities around Heathrow airport. Secondly, improving business efficiency and reducing costs through waste and energy programmes provided a strong business case for CSR (Frynas, 2005). The company also thought CSR could help them with risk management by identifying risks to health, safety and environment that could hinder its opportunity to attract investors and grow the business. Lastly, it recognised that it needed to act to enhance its corporate reputation, and customer feedback (both corporate and from the general public) revealed that they expected Emirates Airlines to do the right thing. (Warhurst and Mitchell, 2000). Climate change is increasingly relevant to Emirates Airlines as aviation is a growing contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions, a main greenhouse gas, and consequently to climate change. The increase in emissions-stimulated by a rise in a passenger and freight travel-coincides with many politicians and civil society groups calling for industry to reduce carbon emissions. this presented a problem for Emirates Airlines, especially when it seeks to be a leading player in the industry for environmental issues (Eweje, 2001). In response to this Emirates Airlines board decided to develop a programme of work on climate change. The programme first sough to identify ways in which the company could reduce its own impacts. By auditing its emissions and energy use, targets for reduction in these areas were developed-for example, a fuel efficiency target of a 30% improvement between 1990 and 2010. To date this represents a saving of 50m tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (Eweje, 2001). Emirates Airlines set a target of total reductions in annual emissions of 125,000 tonnes of CO2, to be achieved over five years (Culverwell, Lee and Koziell, 2003). One inhibiting factor has been the increase in fuel surcharges, which may have made passengers less interested in paying for other additional costs (Frynas, 2005). Emirates Airlines has attempted to deal with these challenges by improving understanding of the issues, proactively leading and stimulating the debate through direct advocacy with government and participation at various fora (Miles, Munilla and Darroch, 2006). Feedback from government and from experts on the environment has revealed that the climate change programme has positioned Emirates Airlines as a responsible airline. By becoming more involved in the debate, it has been able to steer that debate towards (in its view) the most sensible proposal of emission trading, rather than other interventions that could be expensive for the industry. In this way Emirates Airlines has been better able to manage its risks. The investment community has acknowledged this, and because of this it has enable Emirates Airlines to attract investment. A final benefit has been that, owing to its and other companies attitudes to environmental sustainability, there is a genuine prospect of expansion at Heathrow airport offering new opportunities for growth to Emirates Airlines (Warhust and Mitchell, 2000). The climate change programme is CSR because it is about taking actions to reduce its impact on the environment. Growing threat to the environment and to societies everywhere. Emirates Airlines actions on climate change go beyond compliance demonstrating that it is taking voluntary actions to reduce its contribution to carbon emissions and better understand its impact on climate change (Eweje, 2001). Emirates Airlines wishes to maintain its industry leadership position by continuing to develop policy and advocacy for cost effective instruments that benefit the environment. As part of this, it seeks to improve its customer engagement on climate change, to raise awareness and communicate Emirates Airlines work in the area. It will further develop its ground energy strategy to include actions to further reduce its internal impacts, for example, improving energy efficiency in its maintenance hangers. Lastly, it is continuing to develop and seek improvements in meeting its fuel efficiency target with a view to settting a new target for 2010 onwards. In Nigeria today, the most critical issue that affects the oil and gas is the Niger Delta (oil-producing region). There has been enormous pressure on both the Nigerian government and the MNCs to double their efforts and develop the region that contributes more that 80 per cent of Nigeria foreign earnings. Experts such as Carson, 1993 argue that oil companies have initiated, and implemented significant community development schemes. For example, MNCs provide education, scholarships, and build roads in Nigeria. He also suggests that global spending by oil, gas and mining companies on community development programmes in 2001 was over 500 million dollars (Carson, 1993). It could be argued that in economic terms, these are not the functions of businesses, but in less developed countries these roles, or rather duties, are expected from MNCS. Indeed, there have been times when local people in oil-producing regions have turned against MNEs precisely because they feel, as Mitte the president of Movement of the survival of the Ogoni people. One of the communities in the Niger Delta put it: they were not getting enough social and economic infrastructures/assistance from the MNEs that operate in their communities (Carson, 1993). Regrettably, the lack of visible and positive impact of CSR initiatives in oil-producing communities has been questioned. Evidence suggests that there is a gap between the MNCs stated CSR objectives and the actual results on the ground. What follows is the criticism of the community development initiatives of the companies because the host communities believe that MNCs CSR initiatives are not addressing both the social and environmental problems they are intended to resolve (Cannon, 1992). This assertion is somewhat similar to the argument of experts who suggest that numerous claims have been made about the contribution CSR can make to poverty alleviation and other development goals (Culverwell, Lee and Koziell, 2003). They further argue that contributes to this issue have reached the conclusion that currect CSR approaches do not warrant such claims. MNCs CSR initiatives in the Niger Delta have many aspects which include employment issues, environmental issues and local community issues (Cannon, 1992). MNCs CSR Initiatives in the Niger Delta In Nigeria, Charges of unethical behaviours include: total neglect of the Niger Delta (oil-producing areas in Nigeria) and lack of educational facilities such as classroom, teachers, and scholarships which will enhance the literacy development of the indigenes of the communities (Culverwell, Lee and Koziell, 2003). Over the years, the oil exploration and producing companies witnessed endless communal agitation, as the host communities have looked up to them for support and assistance in the provision of social and economic infrastructure and employment The poorests parts of Nigeria are where these oil companies are, and this has heightened conflict (Miles, Munilla and Darroch, 2006). Recourse to violence has resulted in a lot of damage to property and casualties on both sides. In some instances, it has resulted in the withdrawal of operations by oil companies form some locations. While planned seismic and drilling activities have been abandoned in others (Miles, Munilla and Darroch, 2006). In the past, the oil companies approach was to help or appease the communities whenever the need arose. More recently, however, they have established a more proactive and thoughtful approach to community assistance. This has resulted in the emergence of a fully developed community relations department in each of the companies, solely set up to anticipate and plan the needs of the communities (Miles, Munilla and Darroch, 2006). The Nigerian Petroleum News, 1998, who understand better their own real needs and future aspirations. During interviews with senior managers of oil companies in Nigeria, it was confirmed that community relations departments were created solely to meet local needs and situational politics. The argument here supports the theoretical position of experts who argue that corporations tend to listen to the demand of powerful stakeholder groups. In this case, the MNCs listen carefully to the demands of host communities and changed their approach towards them. The host communities also demand social welfare projects from the MNCs. In many developing countries, national and local governments have taken a more hands- off approach (Frynas, 2005) to regulating business due to such things as changing policies, the globalisation of commerce and shrinking resources. Against this background, companies are relying less on government for guidance, and instead they are pursuing their own policies with regard to such matters as environmental performance, working conditions and ethical marketing practices. This approach can be problematic. The secretary of the chiefs council of the oil-producing village of Bonny in the Niger Delta accused the oil companies of: Apartheid in its residential areas where all the state of the art welfare facilities including good water, constant electricity, good roads, super markets, schools with high-tech equipment, swimming pools and other facilities were in existence while the people of Bonny, the host community suffer absolute squalor and neglect (Frynas, 2005). This is one example of a charge of double standard brought against multinationals in developing countries. The host communities believe they should have the same facilities that are on offer to the companies workers since the bulk of profits of the MNEs comes from their land. As one observer pointed out: Communities in the Delta area in particular, where most of the exploration and production activities take place, feel generally ill-treated in the entire process of oil prospecting and production and consider themselves as being at the end of only the adverse effects of these activities (Frynas, 2005). They believe that they have not received an equitable share of the tremendous oil revenues which are being derived from their land and territories, especially in the light of disruptive consequences on their health and sources of livelihood. Nor have they been recognised as the inhabitants of oil-producing areas who should benefit from the natural resource that abounds in their ancestral lands. Trust and Discontent Issue It is argued in this paper that issue of trust plays a significant role in the relationship between the host communities in the Niger Delta and the MNCs. The past behaviour of MNCs for unfulfilling promises to the host communities has created a negative perception and mistrust. Hence, any CSR initiative no matter how laudable it is, does not always receive positive reaction in host communities. According to experts, managers can find a wealth of benefits from trust, including cost savings and enhanced organisational capacities. According to these researchers, what is evident is that the willingness of managers to create mutually trusting relationships is a matter of strategic choice. In other words, managers can, through their behaviour, help determine levels of trust in relationships between their firm and its various stakeholders. Trust is thus define as an integral part of the strategy formulation process (Warhust and Mitchell, 2000). High figures suggests that the Nigerian government rakes billions of US dollars in form of revenue from the oil industry. However, the host communities in the Niger Delta are neglected; corruption and mismanagement is rife amongst officials hence some projects earmarked for the development of the region are never completed (Warhurst and Mitchell, 2000). Charges of unethical behaviour include: total neglect of the Niger Delta and lack of educational facilities such as classrooms, teachers, and scholarships which will enhance the literacy development of the indigenes of the communities. Over the years, the oil exploration and producing companies have borne the brunt of endless communal agitation, as the host communities have looked up to them for support and assistance in the provision of social and economic and infrastructure and employment. The host communities believe they should have the same facilties that are on offer to the companies workers since the bulk of profits of the MNEs come from their land. On the issue of electrification of the communities, the companies are accused of neglecting the areas where they work by only providing electricity to their installations. The communities do not benefit from the same developments that the companies undertake for their installations and workers (Warhurst and Mitchell, 2000). Conclusion In short, the paper presents the examples of two multinational corporations and their responsiveness towards corporate social responsibility. The main points of the paper can be summarised that corporate social responsiveness, corporate social responsibility, and corporate social impacts are encapsulated in the phrase corporate social performance. Of these three concepts, responsiveness is the most forward looking, action-oriented, and malleable, since it is based on the precept that corporations have the capacity to anticipation and adapt to environmental factors. The potential is that corporate managers can learn to prevent or minimize the kind of unwelcome surprises that necessitate crisis management and government intervention while responding proactively to public expectations of how business can serve the greater good.

The Positive Effects of Media Violence Essay -- Media Violence, 2014

A school shooting has just taken place. As I write this, the newscaster wonders if there is any connection between this and other school shootings, whether through method or motive. There will likely be a discussion on one of the myriad talk shows later, the ubiquitous scrolling headline at the bottom reading something along the lines of â€Å"Shooters Played Violent Video Games† or â€Å"Teen Killers Watched Action Movies.† And why not? Violence in the media has received an ample amount of attention in the past few years. The prevailing opinion seems to be that the effects of violent television programming and video games on children is harmful, damaging, and possibly influencing violent acts in turn. Yet children have long been drawn to violent fantasy scenarios, whether it be Beowulf or Gunsmoke or Mighty Morphing Power Rangers. There is a magnetic pull for children toward these types of stories and there has been since the dawn of time. Children like the shooters i n Helsinki are an aberration, the sociological equivalent of a defective gene. Far from creating generation after generation of serial killers and gang bangers, violent stories can be and usually are beneficial to the young people that they target.   My own development would be sorely lacking without such tales. In my youth I was an awkward, overweight child with no social skills. In this vacuum of social input, I was instantly drawn to comic books. Spider-Man was by far my favorite. There was an appeal there in reading about the hero beating up his villains, and I admired this fictional character so much that I took to heart his credo: "With great power comes great responsibility." The violence that drew me in and thrilled me also inspired me.   Later, as a still awkward teenager, I fell in love with martial arts films. Again, the violence and action drew me in. In the fantastic athleticism of Bruce Lee, Yuen Biao, and Jackie Chan, I also discovered a sense of right and wrong, of honor and nobility. There was a moral code in these films imparted through the characters, not much different from the moral codes extant in Medieval tales of knights slaying dragons or in the stories of Wild West lawmen. Lacking a father figure in my own life, these characters (who were no doubt strong and in control of their lives) gave me something to aspire to, some sense of what a grown man should be and how he should i... ...y purposeless. Comic books and fantasy films offer a way for these children to escape such stresses, if only for a small period of time. The heroes of such stories usually pummel their foes into complacency, and this can offer a feeling of empowerment to outcast youth, even if only vicariously, that they tend to not experience in their lives. For every bully that has ever picked on them, or every verbal abuse that they've received, they are able through such media to gain some measure of confidence back. Like most issues, violence in the media is a complicated and gray issue. But put aside the knee-jerk reaction that incidents like Columbine and Helsinki engender, and it's easy to see how every child needs to slay a dragon, even if it’s just a virtual one.   Works Cited Sipes, Richard G. "War, Sports and Aggression: An Empirical Test of Two Rival Theories." American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 75, No. 1. (Feb., 1973), pp. 64-86. Lorenz, K. (1963)  On Aggression. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, reprinted in 2012. Block, Jerald J, MD. "Lessons From Columbine: Virtual and Real Rage." American Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, Vol. 28, Issue 2. (Feb., 2007), pp. 3-25.

Re-creating Visions of Childhood in Livelys Oleander, Jacaranda :: Oleander Jacaranda

Re-creating Visions of Childhood in Lively's 'Oleander, Jacaranda'  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Penelope Lively's 'Oleander, Jacaranda' is a novella that incorporates three large, complex issues. Lively describes aspects of her childhood, discusses the philosophy behind these 'frozen moments' as she tells of the incidents she recollects and gives a thorough portrayal of Egypt in the nineteen thirties and forties. Lively uses a number of different techniques and language skills in this rather complicated novel. I will discuss the way she attempts to achieve this and will summarize with my personal opinion as to whether or not I think she succeeds. The author writes about the 'brilliant frozen moments' that are the static images from her childhood that are lodged firmly in her' head. I think the statement she makes regarding these 'moments' in that they are 'distorted by the wisdom's of maturity' is an accurate point to make. The images are presented in the present tense giving the feeling of realism to her childhood perceptions. I think Lively demonstrates her passion for these memories in the language she uses to describe them. The images are not always pleasant ones. For example, she writes about her fear of the animals that she doesn't understand: 'The stuffed form of a Nile catfish of great size' leaves her 'shuddering'. Her fear of the ferocious creatures that inhabit the environment she lives in are brought alive by her vivid descriptions. The lion house where the animals 'slink to and fro' harbors a potent 'unmistakable' smell, which she imagines she smells at Bulaq Dakhrur.   Here she illustrates her fear by the use of clipped short sentences that are questions as she is obviously uncertain for her safety as she'belts towards the house, given wings by primeval terror'. I think it is apparent that the frozen moments have remained with clarity in her mind due to the enormous emotional content of each one. She remembers leaving Bulaq Dakhrur and discovering the kit bags of the boys who never came back. At the beginning of Chapter 4, at the young age of six, she is taken by her mother (another unpleasant event linked with her mother) to a'pre-Dynastic burial' where she views a skeleton lying in the 'foetal position'- a startling juxtaposition of life next to death. At other times, she uses sensual descriptions to emphasise a single moment- 'the blurry chintz' the 'clacking needles' all sounds and textures and smells that engulfed her in her 'filmy white tent'. Re-creating Visions of Childhood in Lively's 'Oleander, Jacaranda' :: Oleander Jacaranda Re-creating Visions of Childhood in Lively's 'Oleander, Jacaranda'  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Penelope Lively's 'Oleander, Jacaranda' is a novella that incorporates three large, complex issues. Lively describes aspects of her childhood, discusses the philosophy behind these 'frozen moments' as she tells of the incidents she recollects and gives a thorough portrayal of Egypt in the nineteen thirties and forties. Lively uses a number of different techniques and language skills in this rather complicated novel. I will discuss the way she attempts to achieve this and will summarize with my personal opinion as to whether or not I think she succeeds. The author writes about the 'brilliant frozen moments' that are the static images from her childhood that are lodged firmly in her' head. I think the statement she makes regarding these 'moments' in that they are 'distorted by the wisdom's of maturity' is an accurate point to make. The images are presented in the present tense giving the feeling of realism to her childhood perceptions. I think Lively demonstrates her passion for these memories in the language she uses to describe them. The images are not always pleasant ones. For example, she writes about her fear of the animals that she doesn't understand: 'The stuffed form of a Nile catfish of great size' leaves her 'shuddering'. Her fear of the ferocious creatures that inhabit the environment she lives in are brought alive by her vivid descriptions. The lion house where the animals 'slink to and fro' harbors a potent 'unmistakable' smell, which she imagines she smells at Bulaq Dakhrur.   Here she illustrates her fear by the use of clipped short sentences that are questions as she is obviously uncertain for her safety as she'belts towards the house, given wings by primeval terror'. I think it is apparent that the frozen moments have remained with clarity in her mind due to the enormous emotional content of each one. She remembers leaving Bulaq Dakhrur and discovering the kit bags of the boys who never came back. At the beginning of Chapter 4, at the young age of six, she is taken by her mother (another unpleasant event linked with her mother) to a'pre-Dynastic burial' where she views a skeleton lying in the 'foetal position'- a startling juxtaposition of life next to death. At other times, she uses sensual descriptions to emphasise a single moment- 'the blurry chintz' the 'clacking needles' all sounds and textures and smells that engulfed her in her 'filmy white tent'.

A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review Essay

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) is a native flowering or weed that is endemic in the Philippines and other tropical countries. It is a popular herb especially for its healing properties including antidiarrhetic, antigastralgic, expectorant, stomachic, and antispasmodic, among others. Aside from these, sambong is also popular for being emmenagogues, or for stimulating menstruation or the blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus. As cure for menstrual cramps, the sambong leaves are boiled to create a sambong tea, which is then consumed by the patient. Aside from easing the painful cramps by facilitating menstruation, sambong also helps in cleaning the kidneys. The plant is actually especially known as a natural cleansing herb. Since the plant is emmenagogues, drinking the sambong tea is not advisable to pregnant women as well as women who wanted to be pregnant. Moreover, drinking sambong should also be regulated because it also has hallucinogenic effects when excessively consumed Blumea b alsamifera (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), also known as sambong, has been used as medicine for thousands of years in Southeast Asia countries, such as China, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines. Sambong is the most important member of the genus Blumea and is an indigenous herb oftropical and subtropical Asia, especially in China. This plant grows on forest edges, under forests, riverbeds, valleys and grasses [4,5]. In China, it is generally a common used herb in the areas south of theYangtze River, such as Hainan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangdong provinces and Taiwan [6–8].B. balsamifera is commonly called â€Å"Ainaxiang† and â€Å"Dafeng’ai† in Chinese and used as incensebecause it has a high level of essential oils [9]. It was originally recorded in â€Å"Bei Ji Qian Jin YaoFang† in 652 by Sun Simiao. The whole plant or its leaves were used as a crude Chinese traditional medicinal material to treat eczema, dermatitis, beriberi, lumbago, menorrhagia, rheumatism, skininjury, and as an insecticide [10]. Bing Pian and Aipian are two important traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) extracted from plants and have been used as one in prescriptions for centuries in China. Both of them mainly contain borneol and are similar in efficacy [11]. They are synonymous in the Chinese  pharm aceutical industry nowadays. Before 2010, sambong was one of the most important plant sources for Bing Pian, but since 2010, the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China records B. balsamifera as the only plant source for Aipian [11], with a consistent efficacy with B.  balsamifera medicinal materials, which could induce resuscitation, clear heat, and relieve pain. Recently, extracts of its leaves have been verified do display various new physiological activities, such as antitumor , antifungal [13,15], radical-scavenging [16], and anti-obesity properties . The main active compound is L-borneol, which was characterized by a high volatility. Besides, essential oils, flavonoids, and terpenoids with several different biological activities were also reported . These studies could explain why this plant has multiple pharmacological effects. In this review, botanical descriptions, herbal authentications, and phytochemical constituents of B. balsamifera are covered. In addition, the previous in vitro and in vivo studies conducted on its biological activities are reviewed, concentrating on antitumor, hepatoprotective, superoxide radical scavenging, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, antiplasmodial, antityrosinase, platelet aggregation, wound healing, anti-obesity, disease and insect resistant activities as well as enhancing percutaneous pen etration. Sambong is a half woody, strongly aromatic shrub, densely and softly hairy, 1 to 4 meters high. Stems grow up to 2.5 centimeters in diameter. Leaves are simple, alternate, elliptic- to oblong-lanceolate, 7 to 20 centimeters long, toothed at the margins, pointed or blunt at the tip, narrowing to a short petiole which are often auricled or appendaged. Flowering heads are stalked, yellow and numerous, 6 to 7 millimeters long, and borne on branches of a terminal, spreading or pyramidal leafy panicle. Discoid flowers are of two types: peripheral ones tiny, more numerous, with tubular corolla; central flowers few, large with campanulate corolla. Involucral bracts are green, narrow and hairy. Anther cells tailed at base. Fruits are achenes, dry, 1-seeded, 10-ribbed, hairy at top. – Considered anthelmintic, antidiarrheal, antigastralgic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, stomachic, and vulnerary.Leaves used a flavoring ingredient. Folkloric – Leaves as poultice for abscesses. – Decoction of roots and leaves for fevers, kidney stones, and cystitis. – Decoction of leaves used to induced diuresis for purpose of treating kidney stones. – Sitz-bath of boiled leaves, 500 gms to a gallon of water, for rheumatic pains of waist and back. – Used in upper and lower respiratory tract affections like sinusitis, asthmatic bronchitis, influenza. – Applied while hot over the sinuses. Used for wounds and cuts. Fresh juice of leaves to wounds and cuts. – Poultice of leaves applied to the forehead for relief of headaches. – Tea is used for colds and as an expectorant; likewise, has antispasmodic and antidiarrheal benefits. Postpartum baths. – In Vietnam, decoction of fresh leaves used for cough and influenza or as inhalation of vapour from boiling of leaves. Poultices of pounded leaves applied to hemorrhoids; an alcoholic maceration used as liniment for rheumatism. – 3% ethanol solution used to soothe itching. – In Thailand, dried leaves are chopped, made into cigarettes and smoked for treating sinusitis. – For fever, leaves boiled and when lukewarm used as sponge bath. – Decoction of roots used for fever. – Decoction of leaves, 50 gms to a pint of boiling water, 4 glasses daily, for stomach pains. – In SE Asia widely used for various women problems. Postpartum, leaves are used in hot fomentation over the uterus to induce rapid involution. Also used for menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, functional uterine bleeding and leucorrhea. – Roots used for menorrhagia. – Decoction of roots and leaves used for rheumatism and arthritis; also used for treatment of post-partum joint pains. – Poultice of fresh leaves applied to affected joint. – In Chinese and Thai medicine, leaves used for treatment of septic wounds and other infections. – A sitz-bath of boiled leaves used in the treatment of lumbago and sciatica. – In Chinese medicine, used as carminative, stimulant, vermifuge, expectorant, and sudorific. Preparations †¢ Fever: decoction of roots; boil 2 – 4 handfuls of the leaves. Use the lukewarm decoction as a sponge bath. †¢ Headaches: apply pounded leaves on the forehead and temples. Hold in place with a clean piece of cloth. †¢ Gas distention: boil 2 tsp of the chopped leaves in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Drink the decoction while warm. Also used for upset stomach. †¢ Postpartum, for mothers’ bath after childbirth. †¢ Boils: Apply pounded leaves as poultice daily. †¢ Diuretic: Boil 2 tbsp chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Take 1/2 of the decoction after every meal, 3 times a day. Reference: Am J Chin Med. 2008;36(2):411-24. International Journal of Applied Science and Engineering . 2005. 3, 3: 195-202 3. Biological Activities 3.1. Antitumor Activity Hasegawa et al. extracted a dihydroflavonol from B. balsamifera as a result of screening among more than 150 plant materials [12]. The dihydroflavonol components showed the most significant synergism with tumor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL). It enhanced the level of TRAIL-R2 promoter activity and promoted the expression of surface protein in a p53-independent manner. The ethanol extract of B. balsamifera leaves was tested on male mice to investigate its hepatoxicity. The results exhibited that the hepatic cells, sitplasm, nucleus, and sinusoid of the mice liver were damaged through some changes in the liver color and texture . The methanol extract of B. balsamifera inhibited the growth in rat and showed no cytotoxicity on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The methanol extract decreased the expression of cyclin-E and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein resulting in cell cycle arrest. Likewise, it decreased the level of the proliferation related ligand (APRIL) [60,61]. Moreover, the methanol extract of B. balsamifera was used to determine its cytotoxicity on a panel of human cancer cell lines by MTT assay. There was no regular or acute cytotoxicity on the cells of HepG2, HCT-116, T-47D, NCl-H23 and CCD-18Co [62]. Saewan et al. found six compounds out of nine isolated flavonoids to have cytotoxicity against KB, MCF-7, and NCI-H187 cancer cell lines [14]. These six compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against KB,  MCF-7, and NCI-H187 cancer cell lines. Three compounds were active against the KB cells with the IC50 values of 17.09, 47.72, and 17.83 ÃŽ ¼g/mL, respectively. Another three compounds exhibited a moderate activity against the NCI-H187 cells with the IC50 values of 16.29, 29.97, and 20.59 ÃŽ ¼g/mL. Luteolin-7-methyl ether showed a strong cytotoxicity against human lung cancer (NCI-H187) cell lines with an IC50 of 1.29 ÃŽ ¼g/mL and a moderate toxicity against oral cavity cancer (KB) cell lines with an IC50 of 17.83 ÃŽ ¼g/mL. Li et al. studied the antitumor activity determined by means of 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay [13]. The three endophytic streptomycetes strains of B. balsamifera, including: YIM 56092, YIM 56093, and YIM 56099 exhibited anticancer activity. Yet, different strains displayed different antitumor activities. The YIM 56092 strain displayed a cytotoxic activity on polyketide synthases I (PKS-I) nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) and P388D1. The YIM 56093 strain displayed a cytotoxic activity on PKS-â… ¡, NRPS, and P388D1. The YIM 56099 was on the PKS-I, PKS-II, and NRPS. Fuijimoto et al., extracted blumealactone A, B, and C from sambong’s dried leaves and found them could inhibit the growth of Yoshida sarcoma at the concentration of 5–10 ÃŽ ¼g/ml [54]. Lee disclosed a medication combination including sambong (Ainaxiang) and found it could enhance the efficiency of curing hepatoma and pancreatic cancer treatments [63]. Molecules 201 4, 19 9462 3.5. Anti-Microbial and Anti-Inflammation Activity Ongsakul et al. claimed that the crude aqueous and ethanolic extracts of B. balsamifera displayed no significant antibacterial activity against the strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli [73]. However, the stain of B. balsamifera, including YIM 56092 and YIM 56093, displayed a significant activity against S. epidermidis, such that YIM 56099 was active against E. coli. There seems to be no antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Candida albicans [13]. Chenisolated twelve new compounds [9], four of which displayed inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 with the IC50 values of 40.06, 46.35, 57.80, and 59.44 ÃŽ ¼g/mL, respectively. Sakee et al. reported the essential oil of B. balsamifera to have a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 150 ÃŽ ¼g/mL and 1.2 mg/mL against Bacillus cereus, S. aureus and Candida  albicans, respectively [74]. Furthermore, the hexane extract inhibited Enterobacter cloacae and S. aureus. These results suggested that the extracts of B. balsamifera possessed an activity against certain kinds of infectious and toxin-producing microorganisms. It could potentially be utilized to prevent and treat microbial diseases. 3.6. Antiplasmodial Activities According to the traditional efficacy of relieving fever, the methanol extract of B. balsamifera from Forest Research Institute Malaysia was investigated for any potential antiplasmodial activity. The extracts of roots and stems exhibited some activity against Plasmodium falciparum D10 strain (sensitive strain) with an IC50 value of (26.25  ± 2.47) ÃŽ ¼g/mL and (7.75  ± 0.35) ÃŽ ¼g/mL, respectively [75]. 3.8. Platelet Aggregation Activities The concentration of 1.26 ÃŽ ¼mol/L blumeatin displayed a significant promoting activity on the rat and human platelet aggregation caused by arachidonic acid, 5-hydotypamice, and epinephrine. However, concentrations of 0.315 and 2.52 ÃŽ ¼mol/L inhibited platelet aggregation. It suggested that the effects of blumeatin on the platelet aggregation were dependent upon the concentration used. The injection of B. balsamifera extracts decreased the blood pressure, expanded the blood vessels, and inhibited the sympathetic nervous system in order to address the high pressure and insomnia. The infusion of the plant also had the function of diuresis [67] Mayana (Coeus blumei Benth.) Coleus leaves are commonly known as ati-ati leaves in Malaysia. Previous study has shown that the Coleus leaves have high antioxidant activity and nutritional value. The present work is to investigate whether antioxidant, minerals and phenolic content can be extracted by boiling the leaves in water. The antioxidant was determined by mixing the extract solution with DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl) solution using different ratios. Acid ascorbic acid was used as standard in measurement by Uv-Vis Spectrophotometer. Phenolic content was measured by Uv-Vis Spectrophotometer using Gallic acid as standard. There is about 40.77 wt % of antioxidant  activity, 6.256998 wt% of total phenolic content, and some minerals (magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc) existing in solution after the Coleus blumei leaves were removed. The wt% of the phenolic content is directly proportional to the wt% of antioxidant activity. The mineral concentration, antioxidant activity and phenolic content seemed to be highly correlated. As a conclusion, it is proven that the Coleus blumei leaves have high potential value for the nutritional purpose. 2.1 Definition of Coleus Coleus is a name which derives from an earlier classification under the genus name Coleus, species of which are currently included in either Solenostemon or another genus, Plectranthus. The word Coleus come from the Greek â€Å"koleus’, meaning sheath. It is believed that there are 150 species of Coleus .It is a genus of perennial plants, native to tropical Africa, Asia, Australia, the East Indies, the Malay Archipelago, and the Philippines. Many cultivars of the Southeast Asian species Coleus have been selected for their colorful variegated leaves, usually with sharp contrast between the colors where the leaves are green, pink, yellow, maroon, and red. Typically, in Malaysia this plant known as ati-ati. The plants need a well condition of in moist-drained soil to grow, and typically grow 0.5-1 m tall, though some may grow as tall as 2 meters. They are heat-tolerant, though they do less well in full sun in subtropical areas than in the shade. The leaves of the green type are often eaten raw with bread and butter. The chopped leaves are also used as a substitute for sage (Salvia officinalis Linn.) in stuffing. C. aromaticus is used for seasoning meat dishes and in food products (Uphof, 1959) while a decoction of its leaves is administered in cases of chronic cough and asthma (CSIR, 1992). It is considered to be an antispasmodic, stimulant and stomachic and is used for the treatment of headache, fever, epilepsy and dyspepsia (Khory &Katrak, 1999; Morton, 1992) . 2.2 Antioxidant An antioxidant in food is really important as it can protect human body from free radicals activity. It is also has capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. When electrons are transferred form a substance to an oxidizing agent, it called as oxidation reaction. Free radicals can be produced during the Oxidation reactions, where the start  chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols. Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging; hence, plants and animals maintain complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and various peroxidases. Low levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the antioxidant enzym es, causes oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells. As oxidative stress might be an important part of many human diseases, the use of antioxidants in pharmacology is intensively studied, particularly as treatments for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. However, it is unknown whether oxidative stress is the cause or the consequence of disease. Antioxidants are also widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements in the hope of maintaining health and preventing diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease. Although some studies have suggested antioxidant supplements have health benefits, other large clinical trials did not detect any benefit for the formulations tested, and excess supplementation may be harmful In addition to these uses in medicine, antioxidants have many industrial uses, such as preservatives in food and cosmetics and preventing the degradation of rubber and gasoline. Current research into free radicals has confirmed that foods rich in antioxidants play an essential role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. As far as our literature survey could ascertain, antioxidant activities of this plant have not previously been published. Hence, the previous work investigated the possible antioxidat ive effects of freeze-dried powder obtained from aqueous extract of fresh leaves of C. aromaticus. In this study, they had examined the antioxidant activity of CAE (C.aromaticus hydroalcoholic extract) employing various in vitro assay systems, such as the ÃŽ ²- carotene-linoleate model system, DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl)/superoxide/ nitric oxide radical scavenging, reducing power and iron ion chelation, in order to understand the usefulness of this plant as a foodstuff as well as in medicine. 2.2.1 Antioxidant Assay using a ÃŽ ²-carotene-linoleate Model System On the previous experiment, the antioxidant activity of the extract was measured by the bleaching of  ÃŽ ²-carotene. By adding CAE and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) at various concentrations, it can prevent the bleaching of ÃŽ ²-carotene to different degrees. ÃŽ ²-Carotene in this model system undergoes rapid discoloration in the absence of an antioxidant. This is because of the coupled oxidation of ÃŽ ²-carotene and linoleic acid, which generates free radicals. The linoleic acid free radical, formed upon the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from one of its diallylic methylene groups, which attacks the highly unsaturated ÃŽ ²-carotene molecules. As a result, ÃŽ ²-carotene will be oxidized and broken down in part; subsequently, the system looses its chromophore and characteristic orange colour, which can be monitored spectrophotometrically. The presence of different antioxidants can hinder the extent of ÃŽ ²-carotene bleaching by neutralizing the linoleate free radical and other free radicals formed in the system (Jayaprakasha, Singh, & Sakariah, 2001). It also showed that the CAE was found to hinder the extent of ÃŽ ²-carotene bleaching by neutralizing the linoleate-free radical and other free radicals formed in the system. In comparison, the CAE showed an appreciable antioxidant activity of 83.0% at 250 ÃŽ ¼g/ml, while BHT, a synthetic antioxidant had 89.6% antioxidant activity at 100 ÃŽ ¼g/ml. Table 2.1: Antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of C. aromaticus in ÃŽ ²-carotenelinoleate System Sample Concentration (ÃŽ ¼g/ml) Antioxidant activity (%) Aqueous extract 125 53.2  ± 1.04 250 83.0  ± 1.33 500 91.3  ± 1.41 BHT 50 64.2  ± 1.81 100 89.6  ± 1.52 200 95.3  ± 1.33 2.2.2 DPPH Radical-scavenging Activity The CAE showed a concentration-dependent antiradical activity by inhibiting DPPH radical with an EC50 value of 210 ÃŽ ¼g/ml (Table 2). DPPH is usually used as a substrate to evaluate antioxidative activity of antioxidants (Oyaizu, 1986). The method is based on the reduction of methanolic DPPH solution in the presence of a hydrogen donating antioxidant, due to the formation of the non-radical form DPPH-H by the reaction. The extract was able to reduce the stable radical DPPH to the yellow-coloured diphenylpicrylhydrazine. It has  been found that cysteine, glutathione, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, polyhydroxy aromatic compounds (e.g., hydroquinone, pyrogallol, gallic acid), and aromatic amines (e.g., p-phenylene diamine, p aminophenol), reduce and decolorise 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl by their hydrogen donating ability (Blois,  Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.)  oregano (É™rÄ•gˈənÃ… ) [key], name for several herbs used for flavoring food. A plant of the family Labiatae (mint family),Origanum vulgare, also called Spanish thyme and wild marjoram, is the usual source for the spice sold as oregano in the Mediterranean countries and in the United States. Its flavor is similar to that of marjoram but slightly less sweet. In Spain and Italy many other Origanum species are also grown as oregano. A related herb ( Coleus amboinicius ) of the same family, called suganda in its native Indomalaysia, is known as oregano in the Philippines and Mexico, where it is a popular flavoring. Several other herbs also provide spices called oregano, e.g., species ofLippia and Lantana of the verbena family. In all cases the flavoring is made from the dried herbage. Oregano is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Lamiales, family Labiatae . All rights reserved. genus Origanum is a member of the Lamiaceae family and has a complex taxonomy [1]. O. vulgare plays a primary role among culinary herbs in world trade [2]. It is distributed all over Europe, West and Central Asia up to Taiwan [3]. The use of O. vulgare as medicinal plant is believed to be due to biological properties of p-cymene and carvacrol. Bernà ¡th [4] has noted that there are intras- pecific taxa of oregano having no â€Å"oregano† character that is based on the presence of carvacrol. Oregano is the common name for a general aroma and flavour primarily derived from more than 60 plant species used all over the world as a spice [5]. Four main groups of plants com- monly used for culinary purposes can be distinguished, i.e., Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart); Spanish origano (Coridohymus capitatus (L.) [2]; Turkish oregano (Origanum onites L.); and Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens HBK [6]. Origano is the commercial name of those Origanum species that are rich in the phenolic  monoterpenoids, mainly carvacrol and occasionally thymol [7]. A number of chemically related compounds i.e. p-cymene; ÃŽ ³-terpinene, carvacrol methyl ethers, thymol methyl ethers, carvacrol acetates and thymol acetates; as well as p-cymenene, p-cy- men-8-ol, p-cymen-7-ol, thymoquinone, and thymohy- droquinone are present in the oil of Origanum vulgare which is extremely rich in essential oils (up to 7%) with carvacrol as a major constituent present in very high quantity (75% – 95%), followed by p-cymene (4% – 14%) and ÃŽ ³-terpinene (1% – 10%). It seems possible that the uses of the plant in traditional medicine can be attributed to the known biological properties of p-cymene and car- vacrol [8]. Many of the studies confirmed the medicinal effects of oregano for human health. The Origanum spe- cies, which are rich in essential oils, have been used for thousands of years as spices and as local medicines in traditional medicine [9]. About 20 European public in- stitutions hold genetic resources of different species of oregano [10]. Marjoram (Origanum vulgare L.) is one of medicinal aromatic plants found wholesale almost in all areas of Albania, which is a perennial plant usually grows in dry area in smaller groups. Oregano plants are collect- ed from natural habitats and used as raw materials in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry [11]. But many countries start to cultivate it in different areas. In botanical aspects, the oregano populations differ from one to another, that is they vary depending on the content and composition of essential oils [12]. From the quantity and quality of essential oils the values of this plant were determined [11,12]. The different results showed that the effects of oregano antioxidante are associated with high content of essential oils, thymol and carvacrols, and these are the main ingredients in oregano oil. The con- tents of Thymol and Carvacrol in oregano give it differ- ent properties [13]. According to the studies, carvacrol is a powerful bactericidal agent, and provides protection against mold and other common bacteria. The main ob- jective in our study was to investigate the different re- gions and to find the variation for oil content in oregano plant populations. The research expedition was organized in 2012 in the whole territory of Albania. During this expedition are identified and collected 62 accessions. At each location were taken of the 50 samples which derived a main rep- resentativ sample. From the total samples collected, were selected 16 samples mostly widespread of natural popu- lations of  origano (Origanum vulgare L. sp. vulgare and sp. hirtum). Those samples you perform analyzes for content of oils and their components. The confirmation of 53 essential oil was made to analyses: ÃŽ ²-Pinene, p- Cymene, ÃŽ ³-Terpinene, Linalool, Terpinene-4-ol, Thymol, Carvacrol dhe Caryophyllene oxide. The overground parts of the flowering plants (20 – 25 cm from the top) were collected during the summer of 2012. The plant material was air dried, packed in paper bags and kept in a dark and cool place until analysis. Plant identity was verified and voucher specimens were deposited at the Institute of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Skopje. 2.2. Essential Oil Isolation Essential oil isolation from oregano was performed by hydro distillation in all-glass Clevenger apparatus fol- lowing this procedure: 20 g of the plant material was stored in 500 mL flask where 250 mL of water R was used as distillation liquid and 0.5 mL of xylene R was added in the graduate tube. The Distillation was per- formed for 2.5 h with a rate of 2 – 3 mL/min. GC and GC-MS analyses: Agilent 7890Ð  Gas Chro- matography system equipped with flame ionization de- tector (FID) and Agilent 5975C Mass Quadrupole detec- tor as well as capillary flow technology which enable simultaneous analysis of the sample on both detectors. HP-5 ms (30 m Ãâ€" 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 ï  ­m) cap- illary column was used. Operating conditions were as follows: GC Method for essential oils: oven temperature 60 °C (0 min), 3 °C/min to 240 °C (held for 1 min) and 10 °C/min to 280 °C (held for 1 min); helium as carrier gas at a flow rate of 1 mL/min; injector T = 220 °C and FID T = 270 °C. 1 ï  ­L of injection volume was injected at split ratio 1:1. The mass spectrometry conditions were: ionization voltage 70 eV, ion source temperature 230 °C, transfer line temperature 280 °C and mass range from 50 – 500 Da. The MS was operated in scan mode. GC Method for Head Space: oven temperature 60 °C, 20 °C/min to 280 °C; helium as carrier gas at a flow rate of 1 mL/min; injector T = 260 °C and FID T = 270 °C. 1000 ï  ­L of injec- tion volume was injected at split ratio 1:1. The mass spectrometry conditions were: ionization voltage 70 eV, ion source temperature 230 °C, transfer line temperature 280 °C and mass range from 50 – 500 Da. The MS was operated in scan mode. Head Space method: Incubation Temperature 80 °C, Incubation Time 5.00 m:ss, Syringe Temperature 85 °C, Agitator Speed 500 rpm, Fill Speed 500 ÃŽ ¼l/s, Pullup Delay 500 ms, Inject to GC, Injection speed 500 ÃŽ ¼l/s, Pre  Inject Delay 500 ms, Post Inject De- lay 500 ms, Flush Time (m:ss) 0:10, GC Run time (m:ss) 10:00. Identification of the components: Identification of the components was made by comparing mass spectra of components in essential oils with those from Nist, Wiley and Adams mass spectra libraries, by AMDIS (Auto- mated Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System) and by comparing literature and estimated Ko-vat’s (retention) indices that were determined using mix-ture of homologous series of normal alkanes from C9 to C25 in hexane, under the same above mentioned condi- tions. The percentage ratio of the components was com- puted by the normalization method of the GC/FID peak areas and average values were taken into further consid- eration (n = 3). 2.3. Statistical Analyses All statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS software (version 15.0, SPSS) [14]. Means values and variation coefficients were used in the statistical analyses. Effects of the studied traits were evaluated by ANOVA. In order to assess the differentiation of plants of oregano based on all variables that were measured, the Canonical Discriminate Analyses (CDA) was applied Psidium guajava (Guava): Chronic degenerative diseases have reached epidemic proportions in industrialized and developing countries. Many studies have shown that plant can be helpful to prevent or treat diseases. Psidium guajava is a small medicinal tree that is native to South America and Brazil is among the world’s top producers and most of the country’s production is destined for the food industry. It is popularly known as guava and has been used traditionally as a medicinal plant throughout the world for a number of ailments. The aim of this review is to present some chemical compounds in P. guajava and their pharmacological effects. The main constituents of guava leaves are phenolic compounds, isoflavonoids, gallic acid, catechin, epicathechin, rutin, naringenin, kaempferol. The pulp is rich in ascorbic acid, carotenoids (lycopene, ÃŽ ²-carotene and ÃŽ ²-cryptoxanthin). The seeds,  skin and barks possess glycosids, carotenoids and phenolic compounds. All parts of the plant have been used for different purposes: hepatoprotection, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, anti-hyperglycemic, analgesic, endothelial progenitor cells, anti-stomachache and anti-diarrhea. P. guajava has many effects on health and that it should be researched more extensively in clinical trials. Furthermore leaves, seeds and peel are treated as wastes by the food processing industry and are discarded, so their use may reduce the disposal of these parts of guava as pollutants. Psidium guajava; Anti-inflammatory; Antioxidant; Cancer; Diabetes; Dyslipidemia Industrialization has led to many modifications in the lifestyle of the world’s populations, giving rise to increase the indices of several diseases, including chronic degenerative diseases such as insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases, reducing the quality of life and increasing costs on hospitalizations, medications and other public health interventions. Studies have demonstrated that the consumption of fruits, vegetables and seeds can be helpful to prevent the risk factors of many diseases due to the bioactive compounds. Many plants have been used for the purpose of reducing risk factors associated with the occurrence of chronic disorders and for many other purposes Psidium guajava L. is a small medicinal tree that is native to South America. It is popularly known as guava (family Myrtaceae) and has been used traditionally as a medicinal plant throughout the world for a number of ailments. There are two most common varieties of guava: the red (P. guajava var. pomifera) and the white (P. guajava var. pyrifera) All parts of this tree, including fruits, leaves, bark, and roots, have been  used for treating stomachache and diarrhea in many countries. Leaves, pulp and seeds are used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, and as an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, as a cough sedative, anti-diarrheic, in the management of hypertension, obesity and in the control of diabetes mellitus. It also possesses anticancer properties . The seeds are used as antimicrobial, gastrointestinal, anti-allergic and anticarcinogenic activity. Brazil is among the world’s top producers of guava and most of the country’s production is destined for the food industry to produce candies, juices, jams and frozen pulp. As result of the fruit process there is a discard of the leaves, seeds, part of the peel and pulp fraction not separated in the physical depulping process. The high cost of pharmaceutical medications conduces to the search for alternative medicines to treat many ailments. In view of this, studies are necessary to confirm the effects of medicinal plants. The aim of this review is to show that several studies have demonstrated the presence of many different chemical compounds in P. guajava and their pharmacological effects. Medical Properties and Composition of Guava Pulp The main constituents of guava are vitamins, tanins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, essential oils, sesquiterpene alcohols and triterpenoid acids. These and other compounds are related to many health effects of guava . Some authors have found high concentrations of carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene, and beta-cryptoxanthin), vitamin C and polyphenols in guava pulp. Lycopene has been correlated with the prevention of cardiovascular damage because of its positive effects on dyslipidemia . Ascorbic acid is recognized for its important antioxidant effects . Shu et al. isolated nine triterpenoids from guava fruit: ursolic acid; 1beta, 3beta-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid; 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxyurs-  12-en-28-oic acid; 3beta,19alpha-dihydroxyurs-12en-28-oic acid; 19a-hydroxylurs-12-en-28-oic acid-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyrano- side; 3beta, 23-dihydroxy urs-12-en-28-oic acid; 3beta, 19alpha, 23beta- tri-hydroxylurs-12-en-28-oic acid; 2alpha, 3beta,19alpha, 23beta-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid and 3alpha,19alpha,23,24-tetrahydroxyurs -12-en-28-oic acid. Ursolic acid and other triterpenoids are associated with anti-cancer properties. Shu et al. found three benzophenone glycosides in ripe edible fruits of P. guajava L: 2, 6-dihydroxy-3, 5-dimethyl-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-benzophenone; 2, 6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-4-O-(6’’-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-benzophenone and 2, 6-dihydroxy-3, 5-dimethyl-4-O-(6’’-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-benzophenone. Benzophenone glycosides have inhibitory effect on triglycerides accumulation. Thuaytong and Anprung found antioxidant activity in guava and the major constituents identified in white and red guavas were ascorbic acid, gallic acid, catechin equivalents, cinnamyl alcohol, ethyl benzoate, ß-caryophyllene, (E)-3-hexenyl acetate and ÃŽ ±-bisabolene. The antioxidant properties of the guava pulp can be related to anti-cancer effects. Studies with humans have found that the consumption of guava for a period of 12 weeks reduced blood pressure by 8%, total cholesterol levels by 9%, triacylglycerides by almost 8%, and induced an 8% increase in the levels of HDL-c. Farinazzi et al.showed that animals treated with guava pulp juice had significantly lower body weight, glycemia, cholesterol and triglycerides levels and significantly augmented the levels of HDL-c when compared to the animals from the control group. Lyophilized pulp of P. guajava in diabetic rats induces to significant hypoglycemic effects probably due to its antioxidant activity of compounds present in the pulp. Medical Properties and Composition of Guava Leaves Guava leaf extract has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. These effects are probably due to the presence of phenolic compounds.   Jimà ©nez-Escrig et al., Wang et al. and Haida et. reported the presence of higher amounts of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity in the leaves of white (Psidium guajava var. pyrifera L.) and red guava (Psidium guajava var. pomifera L.) when compared with other vegetable species. Wu et al, Melo et al. and Chen et al found gallic acid, catechins, epicatechins, rutin, naringenin and kaempferol in the leaves. Studies have shown that gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin inhibit pancreatic cholesterol esterase, which decreases cholesterol levels. Catechins are important as a preventive treatment for diabetes type 2 and obesity. Quercetin has been associated to decreased mortality from heart disease and decreased incidence of stroke. Quercetin presents hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant activity. Rutin is effective in the inhibition of triglyceride accumulation in adipocytes. Naringenin and kaempferol can promote moderate cytostatic activity against all cell lines and kaempferol can be useful as anticancer . Fu et al.elucidated the structure of three novel sesquiterpenoid- based meroterpenoids of psidials A-C found in guava leaves. Matsuzak et al.isolated two new benzophenone galloyl glycosides, guavinosides A and B, and a quercetin galloyl glycoside, guavinoside C as well as five known quercetin glycosides from guava leaves. The structures of the novel glycosides were elucidated to be 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzophenone 4-O-(6’’-O-galloyl)-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (1, guavinoside A); 2,4,6-trihydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzophenone 4-O-(6’’-O-galloyl)-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (2, guavinoside B), and quercetin 3-O-(5’’-O-galloyl)-alpha-L: -arabinofuranoside (3, guavinoside C). Kim et al.related that the guava leaves contain ascorbic acid, citric acid,  acetic acid, epicatechin, xanthine, protocatechuic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, malonic acid, trans-aconitic acid, maleic acid and cis-aconitic acid. Ghosh et al.isolated two terpenoids from the leaf extract of P. guajava (betulinic acid and lupeol) and reported their potential antimicrobial and phytotoxic activities. Betulinic acid and lupeol can be used in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular desease, obesity and atherosclerosis. Shao et al. isolated two terpenoids from guava leaves: Psiguadials A and B, two novel sesquiterpenoid-diphenylmethane meroterpenoids with unusual skeletons, along with a pair of known epimers, psidial A and guajadial. Shu et al.identified one diphenylmethane, one benzophenone, and eight flavonoids from guava fresh leaves(2,6-dihydroxy-3-formaldehyde-5-methyl-4-O-(6†³-O-galloyl-ÃŽ ²-D-glucopyranosyl)-diphenylmethane; 2,6-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethyl-4-O-(6†³-O-galloyl-ÃŽ ²-D-glucopyranosyl)-benzophenone; kaempferol; quercetin; quercitrin; isoquercitrin; guaijaverin; avicularin; hyperoside and reynoutrin. Guaijaverin has high potential antiplaque agent by inhibiting the growth of the Streptococcus mutans. Avicularin and guaijaverin work as urease inhibitors (against Helicobacter pylori urease). Shao et al. isolated four new triterpenoids, psiguanins A-D (1-4), and with 13 known compounds from the leaves of guava.   Guava aqueous leaf extract showed anti-trypanosomal properties in rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei.   Rahim et al.evaluated the effects of aqueous mixture and water soluble methanol extract from guava leaves and bark against multi-drug-resistant Vibrio cholera and found strong antibacterial activity. They concluded that this plant offers potential for controlling epidemics of cholera. Birdi et al. and Birdi et al. related that P. guajava leaves have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial action (as antigiardial and antirotaviral activity) that could be effective in controlling diarrhea due to a wide range of pathogens. The antimicrobial activity can be linked to the presence of flavonoids  extracted from guava leaves. Deguchi and Miyazaki reported that guava leaves infusion not only reduced postprandial glycemia and improved hyperinsulinemia in murine models but also contributed to reduce hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hypoadiponectinemia in the animals of their study. Rutin and kaempferol found in guava leaves are compounds related to the decrease of HMG-CoA reductase activity in hepatic tissue and improve lipid profiles. Akinmoladun et al. studied methanol extracts of some fruits, including P. guajava, and demonstrated that there is a good correlation between total phenolic contents and reductive potential and a fair correlation between total phenolic contents and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. Several studies have shown that aqueous extract of Psidium guajava contains components with LDL-c antiglycation activity, suggesting its contribution to the prevention of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases Other studies have found cardioprotective effects of aqueous extract of P. guajava in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts, primarily through their radical-scavenging actions. Ojewole identified the presence of phenolic compounds in the leaves demonstrating their hypoglycemic and hypotensive effects on diabetic rats treated with aqueous leaf extract. Soman et al. reported a decline in the levels of glycated hemoglobin and fructosamines, as well as a significant reduction in the glycemic levels of diabetic rats treated with guava leaf extract. Singh and Marar studied the effects of Psidium guajava leaves on the inhibition of the activity intestinal glycosidases related with postprandial hyperglycemia, suggesting its use for the treatment of individuals with type 2 diabetes.Other studies have demonstrated that guava leaf and peel extracts also had hypoglycemic effects on experimental models drug-induced to severe conditions of diabetes. Wu et al.found that the phenolic compounds, gallic acid, catechins and  quercetins in guava leaves inhibited the glycation of proteins suggesting its use for the prevention of diabetes complications.The Psiguadials A, B and guajadial isolated by Shao et al. exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the growth of human hepatoma cells. Kim et al. related that the guava leaves contain compounds that promote free radical scavenging activity showing promising antioxidant properties. Dutta and Das identified significant anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract of guava leaves in experimental models, while Kawakami et al. observed the antiproliferative activity of the leaves through inhibition of the catalytic activity of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthases involved in the inflammatory process. Guava budding leaves aqueous extract possesses an extremely high content of poly phenolic and isoflavonoids and suppresses the cell migration and the angiogenesis. In view of this, clinically it has the potential to be used as an adjuvant anti-cancer chemo preventive . Matsuzak et al. isolated phenolic glycosides from guava leaves and showed significant inhibitory activity against histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, and nitric oxide production from a murine macrophage-like cell line. Roy and Das studied the hepatoprotective activity of different extracts of P. guajava (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous) in acute experimental liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride and paracetamol. The effects were compared with a known hepatoprotective agent and observed that the best effects came from guava methanolic leaf extract that significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase) and bilirubin. P. guajava leaves exhibit high capacity to reduced polymerization and aggregation of sickle cell hemoglobin molecule. This molecule is a product of a defective genetic code of hemoglobin molecule and is prone to deoxygenation-induced polymerization and has low insolubility. The development of chemical modification agents that reduce the tendency of sickle cell hemoglobin molecule to aggregate represents an important  chemotherapeutic goal. Guava extract leaves can be responsible for membrane stabilizing effect on sickle erythrocytes that are susceptible to endogenous free radical-mediated oxidative damage. This effect can be attributed to the flavonoids, triterpenoids and host of other secondary plant metabolites . Chen et al. found that aqueous extract of guava budding leaves possess anti-prostate cancer activity in a cell line model and concluded they are promising anti-androgen-sensitive prostate cancer agent. Han et al. studied the effects of P. guajava ethyl acetate extract on atopic dermatitis and found that it inhibits chemokine expression in keratinocytes what suggests this extract can have possible therapeutic application in atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory skin diseases. Methanol extracts of the leaves can also be useful in the treatment of gastric ulcer disorders possibly due to the presence of volatile oil, flavonoids and saponins Methanolic extract of guava leaves can exhibit wound healing effects and this property can be explained by the presence of tannins and flavonoids. Guava leaves extract also can show anti cough effects as shown by Jaiarj et al. Medical Properties and Composition of Guava Discarded Products As told before, the fruit process results in the discard of the leaves, seeds, part of the peel and pulp. Some studies showed the presence of total phenolic compounds in the agroindustrial wastes (seeds, skin and pulp) of guava, confirming its antioxidant activity . Leaves, seeds and peels of fruits have significant proportions of bioactive compounds with beneficial physiological and metabolic properties. Its antioxidants can control body weight and biochemical variables like glycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension and other risks of cardiovascular diseases. The antioxidant properties of the guava seeds extracts can be associated to anti-cancer effects on both hematological and solid neoplasms  and the antioxidant properties of the guava peel can be related to anti-cancer effects. Castro-Vargas et al.and Ojewole extracted and identified significant levels of carotenoids and total phenolic compounds from guava seeds. Seeds exhibit antimicrobial, gastrointestinal and anticarcinogenic activities probably due to the presence of phenolic glycosides in the composition. Farinazzi et al. showed that Wistar rats treated with guava seed had significantly lower glycemia, cholesterol and triglycerides levels and body weight. These animals significantly increased HDL-c levels. Rai et al. reported hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects in diabetic rats treated with aqueous extract of lyophilized guava peel.   Psidium guajava stem-bark extract can be used to treat malaria because it presents antiplasmodial activities possibly due to the presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, seccoirridoids and terpenoids. Related study Many researchers have been demonstrating the presence of a wide variety of bioactive compounds in the leaf, seed and bark of Psidium guajava that are capable of showing beneficial effects on human health. If we consider that chronic degenerative diseases have reached epidemic proportions in many countries and increase the socio-economic burden for the public health system, it is necessary to find non-allopathic alternatives that minimize risk factors of these diseases and help in the treatment. Furthermore, population consumes medicinal plants also to treat other kind or diseases because of high costs of allopathic medications. The studies using P. guajava bring information that may provide validation for its medicinal uses but it should be researched more extensively in clinical trials so it could be used for prevention and as an adjuvant in the treatment of numerous disorders. Nevertheless we should emphasize the importance of experimental and clinical  studies involving more specific factors related to the bioavailability of the compounds, as well as the effective and safe doses to be used by individuals for the prevention and treatment of various disorders. Katakataka( bryopphyllum pinnatum) Constituents †¢ Phytochemical screenings have yielded alkaloids, triterpenes, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, butadienolides, lipids, and organic acids. †¢ Yields arachidic acid, astragalin, behenic acid, beta amyrin, benzenoids, bersaldegenin, beta-sitosterol, bryophollenone, bryophollone, bryophyllin,caffeic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, steroids, and taraxerol. †¢ Phytochemical evaluation of leaf extract yielded bryophyllum A, B and C, a potent cytotoxic bufadienolide orthoacetate. †¢ Bufadienolide has been reported to be poisonous with digitalis-toxicity type cardiac effects (slowing of heart rate, heart blocks and potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias. †¢ Bryophillin A, a bufadienolide compound, has shown anti-tumor promoting activity. †¢ Leaves yield malic acid. Fractionation of an EtOAc extract yielded seven kaempferol rhamnosides: kaempferol 3-O-ÃŽ ±-L-(2-acetyl)rhamnopyranoside-7-O-ÃŽ ±-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-ÃŽ ±-L-(3-acetyl)rhamnopyranoside-7-O-ÃŽ ±-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-ÃŽ ±-L-(4-acetyl)rhamnopyranoside-7-O-ÃŽ ±-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-ÃŽ ±-D- glucopyranoside-7-O-ÃŽ ±-L-rhamnopyranoside, afzelin, and ÃŽ ±-rhamnoisorobin. (19) Properties †¢ Leaves considered astringent, antiseptic, hemostatic, refrigerant, emollient, counterirritant, mucilaginous, vulnerary, depurative, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, and tonic. †¢ Pharmacologic studies have showed pharmacologic properties: immunomodulatory, CNS depressant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antianaphylactic, antileishmanial, antitumorous, antiulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, febrifuge, gastroprotective, immunosuppressive, insecticidal, sedative, muscle relaxant. Folkloric – Leaves used as astringent, antiseptic, and counterirritant against  poisonous insect bites. – Pounded fresh material is applied as a poultice for a variety of conditions: Sprains, eczema, infections, burns, carbuncle and erysipelas. – Leaves, made pliable by hold over fire, are applied to wounds, bruises, boils; also, used as poultice or power in bad ulcers. – Juice is mixed with lard and used for diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and phthisis. – Pounded leaves are applied as poultices to the soles of the feet to stop hemorrhages. – Leaves are used as topicals in dislocation, ecchymoses, callosities. – Leaves, pounded and mixed with salt, used as plaster and applied to stomach to relieve enuresis – For boils, the whole leaf is pressed by hand, to and fro, until it becomes moist with the leaf extract. A small opening is made in the middle of the leaf which is then placed on the boil with hole over the pointing of the abscess. – For asthma, leaves of leaves places in hot water for 15 minutes, then juice squeezed out of the leaves, and drunk. – Juice of leaves used in bilious diarrhea and lithiasis. – In Ayurveda, useful in vitiated conditions of vata and pitta, cuts, wounds, hemorrhoids, menorrhagia, boils, sloughing ulcers, burns and scalds, diarrhea, dysentery, headaches, vomiting, bronchitis. – In Puerto Rico, leaf juice used as diuretic. – Leaves are rubbed or tied on the head for headaches. – Leaf decoction usually taken to lower blood pressure. – Leaf juice used for earache and ophthalmia. – In Sierre Leon, cough medicine is made from the roots. – In Brazil leaves, heated over fire and mixed with oil, are used as emollient and refrigerant for facial swelling associated with neuralgia or tooth trouble. Also, used for asthma and bronchitis. – In Jamaica, leaves used for coughs and colds. Sometimes, it is mixed with salt or honey, for headaches, colds, bronchial affections, and hypertension. Heated leaves used for swellings and abscesses. – In Africa, used for earaches, eye problems, and as diuretic. – In China used for rheumatoid arthritis, bruises, burns and ulcers. – In Nigeria, plant is considered sedative, wound-healing, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and cough suppressant. Leaf juice used to treat boils and skin ulcers. Plant used for intestinal parasites, bronchitis,  pneumonia. Banana (Musa sapientum Linn.) The banana plant is the largest herbaceous flowering plant. The main or upright stem is actually a pseudostem, growing from a corm, to a height of 6 to 7.6 meters. Leaves are spirally arranged, as long as 2.7 meters and 60 cm wide, fragile and easily torn by wind, with the familiar frond look. Each pseudostem produces a single bunch of bananas; the pseudostem dies after fruiting, as offshoots usually develop from the base of the plant. Each pseudostem produces a single inflorescence, the banana heart, containing many bracts between rows of flowers. The banana fruits develop from the heart, in a hanging cluster made up of tiers (hands), up to 20 fruit to a tier. Distribution Cultivated throughout the Philippines in many varieties. Constituents †¢ Juice of the flower-stem contains potash, soda, lime, magnesia, alumina, chlorine, sulfuric anhydride, silica and carbon anhydride. †¢ High potassium content – a medium banana contains about 450 mg of potassium. (Because of potassium homeostasis in the body, 40K ingested is balanced by 40K potassium excreted. The net dose of a banana is zero.) †¢ Preliminary phytochemical screening of fresh steam juice yielded vitamin B, oxalic acid, sulphate, vitamin C, starch, tannin, glycosides, phenolic compounds, gum mucilage. †¢ Study yielded 6 triterpenes: 6 triterpenes: cyclomusalenol, cyclomusalenone, 24-methylenecycloartanol, stigmast-7-methylenecycloartanol, stigmast-7-en-3-ol, lanosterol, and a-amyrin and eight flavonoids. – Mineral content and nutritional value of varieties (lakatan, latundan, saba, and bungalan) Properties †¢ Demulcent, nutrient, cooling, astringent, antiscorbutic, antifebrile, restorative, emmenagogue, cardialgic, styptic. †¢ The ripe fruit is laxative, demiulcent, and nutrient. †¢ Unripe fruit is cooling and astringent. †¢ Dried fruit considered antiscorbutic. †¢ Root is antibilious and alterative. †¢ Juice of the plant is styptic. †¢ Because of its high potassium content, bananas are naturally slightly radioactive, more than other fruits. †¢ Good sources of vitamin A, fair sources of vitamin B, and good sources of vitamin C. All are deficient in calcium and phosphorus, and only fair in iron. †¢ Studies have attributed biologic activities: antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic, antiatherogenic, antidiarrheic, antitumoral, antimutagenic, antihypertensive. Parts used Leaves, fruit. Uses Edibility / Nutritional – The â€Å"puso† (male inflorescence) of saba is extensively used as a vegetable. – Unripe fruit is sugared and candied. – Ripe fruits also used in making brandy, rum, and wine. – Rich in vitamins A, B, and C; a fair source of iron. Folkloric †¢ Young leaves used for cool dressing of inflamed and blistered surfaces and as cool application for headaches. †¢ Powdered roots used for anemia and cachexia. †¢ Mucilage prepared from seeds used for catarrhal and mild inflammatory forms of diarrhea. †¢ Juice of tender roots used as mucilage for checking hemorrhages from the genitalia and air passages. †¢ In China, juice of roots used as antifebrile and restorative. †¢ Juice of the trunk applied to scalp to increase hair growth and prevent hair from falling. †¢ In West Africa, used for diarrhea. †¢ In Gambia, sap of inflorescence used for earaches. †¢ In French Guiana, flowers used as emmenagogue. †¢ In the Gold Coast, sap from roots given as enema for diarrhea. †¢ In Cambodia, Java and Malaya, juice from trunk used for dysentery and diarrhea. †¢ Juice from flowers, mixed with curds, for dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. †¢ Flour made of green bananas used for dyspepsia with flatulence and acidity. †¢ Ripe fruit, mixed with half its weight in tamarinds and a little salt, is a valuable food in chronic dysentery and diarrhea, †¢ Cooked flower used for diabetes. Flowers also used as cardialgic. †¢ Sap of the flower used for  earaches. †¢ In Western Ghat in India, leaves are used for bandaging cuts, blisters and ulcers. †¢ Ripe bananas combined with tamarind and common salt used for dysentery. †¢ In traditional medicine in India, used for diabetes. †¢ In South-Western Nigeria, green fruits used for diabetes. Others †¢ Papermaking / Clothing: Plant fibers used in the manufacture of paper and clothes. A related species, Musa textilis (Abaca, Manila hemp) is produced on a commercial scale for its fiber use in the manufacture of paper. †¢ Wrapping / Cooking: Leaves used for wrapping food for cooking. Leaves used for polishing floors, lining pots for cooking rice. Studies †¢ Hypoglycemic / Flowers: Study on the chloroform extract of M sapientum flowers showed hypoglycemic activity with significant reduction of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and improvement in glucose tolerance. †¢ Hypoglycemic/ Fruits: Study on the green fruits of M paradisiaca indicate it possesses hypoglycemic activity and lends credence to its Nigerian folkloric use for diabetes. †¢ Antioxidant: (1) Musa sapientum flower extract showed improved antioxidant activity in diabetics. (2) A study of extracts of M. sapientum var. sylvesteris showed concentration-dependent scavenging effects, with antioxidant activity stronger than that of vitamin C. †¢ Gastroprotective: Study on the unripe plantain extract of M sapientum and unripe pawpaw meal showed alteration of the gastric phospholipid profile and through a prostaglandin pathway may have a profound effect on the gastroduodenal mucosa and implications for gastric and duodenal ulcers in rabbits. †¢ Flowers / Antihyperglycemic / Antioxidant: Study showed banana flower extract to have an antihyperglycemic action and antioxidant properties, comparatively more effective than glibenclamide. †¢ Analgesic: Study of the aqueous and ethanolic extract of Musa sapientum showed central analgesic action. †¢ Wound healing: Study of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Musa sapientum showed wound healing properties through increased wound breaking strength, reduced glutathione, decrease percentage of wound area, scar area and lipid peroxidation. Wound healing was probably through antioxidant effect and various biochemical parameters. †¢ Anti-Ulcer  Activity: Study of dried powder of banana pulp showed anti-ulcerogenic activity, esp in the unripe, mature green plantain banana (var. paradisiaca). †¢ Banana Peels Phytochemicals: Study showed the peel can be a good source of carbohydrates and fiber. The study of anti-nutrients showed generally low values except for saponins. Study suggests, properly processed and exploited, the peel could be a good source of livestock feed, providing a high quality and cheap source of carbohydrates and minerals. †¢ Antimicrobial Activity: (1) Study of ethanolic extracts of unripe bananas, lemon grass and turmeric showed antimicrobial activity at stock concentrations. Unripe bananas showed a high antimicrobial activity against all test organisms. (2) Ethanol extract of Musa sapientum showed antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms – Gram-positive and Gram-negative bateria (B. subtilis, B. cereus, and E coli.) †¢ Anti-Helicobacter pylori / Anti-Internalisation Activity: In a study of 9 Thai plant extracts used for gastric ailments, Musa sapientum and Allium sativum showed marked anti-internalisation and present a potential benefit in H pylori , prevention eradication, therapy and avoidance of antibiotic resistance. †¢ Anticonvulsant: Study in mice showed AMS prevented convulsions possibly through prevention of inhibition of vitamin B6 metabolism with subsequent increase in GABA synthesis in the CNS or due to facilitatory effect on GABAergic neurons – an effect mediated by the antioxidant potential of phytoconstituents present in the AMS. †¢ Indigenous Antiulcer Activity / Leucocyanidin: Study investigated the anti-ulcerogenic activity of an aqueous extract of M. sapientum. Study yielded an active compound–a monomeric flavonoid, leucocyanidin, that showed anti-ulcerogenic activity, in congruous with standard drug esomeprazole. †¢ Antioxidant / Antibacterial /Hemagglutination Inhibition: Study of methanolic extract of leaves of M. sapientum var. Sylvesteris showed antioxidant and antibacterial activity in vitro. It also showed hemagglutination inhibition activities and hydrogen peroxide induced hemolysis inhibition activity of human red blood cells. †¢ Antimicrobial / Cytotoxicity: A methanolic extract of M. sapientum L subsp. sylvestris showed good antimicrobial activity the pulp, moderate activity with the peel, and insignificant activity with the seed. On cytotoxicity evaluation using Brine Shrimp Lethality, pulp>seed>peel.