The First Transcontinental Railroad :: American History

The First Transcontinental Railroad missing works cited â€Å"May God continue the unity of our country as this railroad unites the two great oceans of the world† (Mayer 213). This famous quotation was engraved on the gold spike that connected the two fragments of the first transcontinental railroad. It describes the significance of the railway to the rapidly growing United States. The transcontinental railroad was of tremendous importance to the development of the Union because it opened the western frontier to increased settlement and represented the growing integration of the country. It stimulated trade between east and west, and transformed the dormant frontier into an essential component of the Union. A very different situation existed before the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The western region of the United States was almost completely separated from the east. Travel between the two regions was agonizingly long and difficult, and transportation of goods was costly and inefficient. There were three main routes that could be taken to travel from the east to the west. The first was an expensive four-month sea voyage around the tip of Cape Horn. The second route was the particularly challenging horseback journey through the malaria-infested swamps of the Isthmus of Panama. The final option was to travel across the US mainland by wagon, which a strenuous and lengthy expedition. The settlement of the Oregon boundary dispute, the acquisition of Mexican territory, the discovery of gold in California, and the spirit of manifest destiny were various motives that inspired people to undergo the journey across America. Many people soon believed that a transcontinental railroad would be enormously beneficial to the country. The bitter feelings between the North and South resulting from divergent economies, life styles, and opinions on the divisive issue of slavery needed to be resolved before attention could be concentrated on the transcontinental railroad. By 1860, the North and South had developed two very different economies. The primarily agricultural South relied on its chief crop, cotton, which accounted for a good deal of US exports. To produce cotton in such large amounts, the South depended on the plantation system, and thus on slavery. The North however, was an industrial giant and had no desire for slave labor. The South avoided industrialization and imported nearly all manufactured goods. Therefore, they vehemently opposed high tariffs.

Everything you Need to Know About Human papillomavirus Essay

Chances are you have at least came into contact with the human papilliomavirus and had no clue you did. Most adults have whom are sexually active have been exposed to HPV, with as many as 20 million estimated Americans to be infected with the strains that cause genital warts. The good news, most cases have no symptoms of health problems. Now for the bad news, it causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer . In many ways, you can compare HPV to genital herpes. Both are incurable and rarely have symptoms. However, both are capable of causing medical problems and are both widespread in this country. Luckily, HPV only causes cancer in a small percentage of those infected. Besides cervical cancer, which is usually all that ever gets mentioned when discussing this infection, HPV can also cause cancer of the vulva, penis, head, neck, and anus, but these are extremely rare. These viruses are called papillomavirus because they tend to cause warts, or papillomas. Which are benign tumors. Warts caused from HPV can appear in the hands, feet or on/around the genital area. The strains of HPV that cause warts on the hands and feet are rarely the same as the ones that cause genital warts. There are about two hundred different types of HPV. Only about forty strains are caused from some form of sexual contact and only a handful are associated with cervical cancer. More than ninety-five percent of HPV viruses cause no symptoms and problems. The Gardasil vaccine, a serious of three shots over a period of six months, was approved for women between the ages of thirteen and twenty-six. This vaccine was shown to prevent HPV strains sixteen and eighteen, strains causing seventy percent of cervical cancer. Gardisil does not cure or prevent all strains of HPV. Researchers don’t know if patients who show no symptoms are as contagious as the ones who are.

Ada Solution Manual

This ? le contains the exercises, hints, and solutions for Chapter 1 of the book †Introduction to the Design and Analysis of Algorithms,† 2nd edition, by A. Levitin. The problems that might be challenging for at least some students are marked by ; those that might be di? cult for a majority of students are marked by . Exercises 1. 1 1. Do some research on al-Khorezmi (also al-Khwarizmi), the man from whose name the word â€Å"algorithm† is derived. In particular, you should learn what the origins of the words â€Å"algorithm† and â€Å"algebra† have in common. 2. Given that the of? cial purpose of the U. S. patent system is the promotion of the â€Å"useful arts,† do you think algorithms are patentable in this country? Should they be? 3. a. Write down driving directions for going from your school to your home with the precision required by an algorithm. b. Write down a recipe for cooking your favorite dish with the precision required by an algorithm. 4. Design an algorithm for swapping two 3 digit non-zero integers n, m. Besides using arithmetic operations, your algorithm should not use any temporary variable. 5. Design an algorithm for computing gcd(m, n) using Euclid’s algorithm. 6. Prove the equality gcd(m, n) = gcd(n, m mod n) for every pair of positive integers m and n. 7. What does Euclid’s algorithm do for a pair of numbers in which the ? rst number is smaller than the second one? What is the largest number of times this can happen during the algorithm’s execution on such an input? 8. What is the smallest and the largest number of divisions possible in the algorithm for determining a prime number? 9. a. Euclid’s algorithm, as presented in Euclid’s treatise, uses subtractions rather than integer divisions. Write a pseudocode for this version of Euclid’s algorithm. b. Euclid’s game (see [Bog]) starts with two unequal positive numbers on the board. Two players move in turn. On each move, a player has to write on the board a positive number equal to the difference of two numbers already on the board; this number must be new, i. e. , different from all the numbers already on the board. The player who cannot move loses the game. Should you choose to move ? rst or second in this game? 10. The extended Euclid’s algorithm determines not only the greatest common divisor d of two positive integers m and n but also integers (not necessarily positive) x and y, such that mx + ny = d. a. Look up a description of the extended Euclid’s algorithm (see, e. g. , [KnuI], p. 13) and implement it in the language of your choice. b. Modify your program for ? nding integer solutions to the Diophantine equation ax + by = c with any set of integer coef? cients a, b, and c. 11. Locker doors There are n lockers in a hallway, numbered sequentially from 1 to n. Initially all the locker doors are closed. You make n passes by the lockers, each time starting with locker #1. On the ith pass, i = 1, 2, . . . n, you toggle the door of every ith locker: if the door is closed, you open it; if it is open, you close it. For example, after the ? rst pass every door is open; on the second pass you only toggle the even-numbered lockers (#2, #4, . . . ) so that after the second pass the even doors are closed and the odd ones are open; the third time through, you close the door of locker #3 (opened from the ? rst pass), open the door of locker #6 (closed from the second pass), and so on. After the last pass, which locker doors are open and which are closed? How many of them are open? 2 Hints to Selected Exercises 1. 1 1. It is probably faster to do this by searching the Web, but your library should be able to help, too. 2. One can ? nd arguments supporting either view. There is a well-established principle pertinent to the matter, though: scienti? c facts or mathematical expressions of them are not patentable. (Why do you think this is the case? ) But should this preclude granting patents for all algorithms? 3. You may assume that you are writing your algorithms for a human rather than a machine. Still, make sure that your descriptions do not contain obvious ambiguities. Knuth ([KnuI], p. 6) provides an interesting comparison between cooking recipes and algorithms. 6. Prove that if d divides both m and n (i. e. , m = sd and n = td for some positive integers s and t), then it also divides both n and r = m mod n and vice versa. Use the formula m = qn + r (0 ? r < n) and the fact that if d divides two integers u and v, it also divides u + v and u ? v. (Why? ) 7. Perform one iteration of the algorithm for two arbitrarily chosen integers m < n. 9. a. Use the equality gcd(m, n) = gcd(m ? n, n) for m ? n > 0. b. The key is to ? gure out the total number of distinct numbers that can be written on the board, starting with an initial pair m, n where m > n ? 1. You should exploit a connection of this question to the question of part (a). Considering small examples, especially those with n = 1 and n = 2, should help, too. 10. Of course, for some coef? cients, the equation will have no solutions. 11. Tracing the algorithm by hand for, say, n = 10 and studying its outcome should help answering both questions. 3 Solutions to Exercises 1. 1. Al-Khwarizmi (9th century C. E. ) was a great Arabic scholar, most famous for his algebra textbook. In fact, the word â€Å"algebra† is derived from the Arabic title of this book while the word â€Å"algorithm† is derived from a translation of Al-Khwarizmi’s last name (see, e. g. , [KnuI], pp. 1-2, [Knu96], pp. 88-92, 114). 2. This legal issue has yet to be settled. The current lega l state of a? airs distinguishes mathematical algorithms, which are not patentable, from other algorithms, which may be patentable if implemented as computer programs (e. g. , [Cha00]). 3. n/a 4. ALGORITHM Exchange valueswithoutT(a,b) //exchange the two values without using temporary variable //Input:two numbers a,b. //Output:exchange values of a,b a=a+b; b=a-b; a=a-b; ALGORITHM Euclid (m,n) // Computes gcd(m. n) by Euclid’s algorithm // Input: Two nonnegative, not-both-zero integers m and n // Output : Greatest common divisor of m and n while n ? 0 do r 5. 6. Let us ? rst prove that if d divides two integers u and v, it also divides both u + v and u ? v. By de? nition of division, there exist integers s and t such that u = sd and v = td. Therefore u  ± v = sd  ± td = (s  ± t)d, i. . , d divides both u + v and u ? v. 4 Also note that if d divides u, it also divides any integer multiple ku of u. Indeed, since d divides u, u = sd. Hence ku = k(sd) = (ks)d, i. e. , d divides ku. Now we can prove the assertion in question. For any pair of positive integers m and n, if d divides both m and n, it also divides both n and r = m mod n = m ? qn. Similarly, if d divides bot h n and r = m mod n = m ? qn, it also divides both m = r + qn and n. Thus, the two pairs (m, n) and (n, r) have the same ? nite nonempty set of common divisors, including the largest element in the set, i. . , gcd(m, n) = gcd(n, r). 7. For any input pair m, n such that 0 ? m < n, Euclid’s algorithm simply swaps the numbers on the ? rst iteration: gcd(m, n) = gcd(n, m) because m mod n = m if m < n. Such a swap can happen only once since gcd(m, n) = gcd(n, m mod n) implies that the ? rst number of the new pair (n) will be greater than its second number (m mod n) after every iteration of the algorithm. 8. Algorithm: While i 0) && (numbers[j-1] > index)) { numbers[j] = numbers[j-1]; j = j – 1; } numbers[j] = index; } } 3. Align the pattern with the beginning of the text. Compare the corresponding characters of the pattern and the text left-to right until either all the pattern characters are matched (then stop–the search is successful) or the algorithm runs out of the text’s characters (then stop–the search is unsuccessful) or a mismatching pair of characters is encountered. In the latter case, shift the pattern one position to the right and resume the comparisons. 4. a. If we represent each of the river’s banks and each of the two islands by vertices and the bridges by edges, we will get the following graph: 0 a a b c b c d d (This is, in fact, a multigraph, not a graph, because it has more than one edge between the same pair of vertices. But this doesn’t matter for the issue at hand. ) The question is whether there exists a path (i. e. , a sequence of adjacent vertices) in this multigraph that traverses all the edges exactly once and returns to a starting vertex. Such paths are called Eulerian circuits; if a path traverses all the edges exactly once but does not return to its starting vertex, it is called an Eulerian path. b. Euler proved that an Eulerian circuit exists in a connected (multi)graph if and only if all its vertices have even degrees, where the degree of a vertex is de? ned as the number of edges for which it is an endpoint. Also, an Eulerian path exists in a connected (multi)graph if and only if it has exactly two vertices of odd degrees; such a path must start at one of those two vertices and end at the other. Hence, for the multigraph of the puzzle, there exists neither an Eulerian circuit nor an Eulerian path because all its four vertices have odd degrees. If we are to be satis? d with an Eulerian path, two of the multigraph’s vertices must be made even. This can be accomplished by adding one new bridge connecting the same places as the existing bridges. For example, a new bridge between the two islands would make possible, among others, the walk a ? b ? c ? a ? b ? d ? c ? b ? d a a b c b c d d If we want a walk that returns to its starting point, all the vertices in the 21 corres ponding multigraph must be even. Since a new bridge/edge changes the parity of two vertices, at least two new bridges/edges will be needed. For example, here is one such â€Å"enhancement†: a a c b c d d This would make possible a ? b ? c ? a ? b ? d ? c ? b ? d ? a, among several other such walks. 5. A Hamiltonian circuit is marked on the graph below: 6. a. At least three â€Å"reasonable†criteria come to mind: the fastest trip, a trip with the smallest number of train stops, and a trip that requires the smallest number of train changes. Note that the ? rst criterion requires the information about the expected traveling time between stations and the time needed for train changes whereas the other two criteria do not require such information. . A natural approach is to mimic subway plans by representing stations by vertices of a graph, with two vertices connected by an edge if there is a train line between the corresponding stations. If the time spent on changing a tra in is to be taken into account (e. g. , because the station in question is on more than one line), the station should be represented by more then one vertex. 22 7. procedure Queens(unused, board, col, N) if col > N then print board else{ col

Financial Analysis of Hershey and Tootsie Roll Essay

Introduction Tootsie Roll and Hershey are two similar companies with a similar product offering, but they operate on entirely different scales. In an effort to determine the better investment of the two companies we will utilize multiple financial analysis ratios to gauge the health of the respective companies in terms of liquidity (the ability to pay short-term liabilities and respond to opportunities), solvency (the long-term viability of the company) and profitability (the efficiency at which the can turn it’s resources into profits). However, the snapshot picture of health that a single years worth of financial statements provide is not enough. Below we have offered a horizontal analysis of the respective companies to show the change in their health from 2012 to 2013 and analyzed the two companies against each other to show why we recommend Hershey as the better investment. Liquidity and Solvency Current Ratio The current ratio is defined as the current assets divided by the current liabilities for a given period. This ratio is important because it helps measure a company’s ability to pay their current liabilities with their current assets. This shows helps determine the liquidity of the companies and their ability to respond to market opportunities. Tootsie Roll has a current ratio of 3.25 in 2012 and 3.99 in 2013(an 18.5 percent increase). Hershey, on the other hand, has a current ratio of 1.44 and 1.77 (also an 18.5 percent increase) respectively. Both companies have increased year over year. As the current ratio shows, the Tootsie maintains a healthier ratio, but both have improved at the same rate. Debt to Asset Ratio This is a comparison of the debt-to-total asset ratio; also known as the leverage ratio, of both companies. This ratio is a good measure of solvency as it shows the percentage of assets that are financed with debt. Tootsie Roll has a ratio of 23 percent for both years while Hershey has a ratio of 78 percent and 70 percent respective to 2012 and 2013. Generally, this number should not be too high. While Hershey’s numbers are higher than Tootsie Roll’s, Hershey’s numbers have improved over the year. Furthermore, we believe Tootsie Roll may actually be under-leveraged since, â€Å"Having a healthy amount of debt can actually enhance a company’s profitability, in terms of the shareholders’ investment† (Harrison, Horngren, Thomas, 2013). As will be seen from the following ratios on profitability, Hershey is more efficiently turning their assets into profits, suggesting a better use of the healthy leverage shown in the debt to asset ratio. Profitability Gross Profit Rate A major factor for investors will always be the profitability of a company. One of the fundamental ratios to utilize when measuring the ability of a company to create a profit is the gross profit ratio, which is important for internal use as well as external use. For example: â€Å"Gross profit percentage is markup stated as a percentage of sales†. (Harrison Jr., Horngen, Tomas, 2013) This ratio will identify how much gross profit is being generated by every dollar the company generates though sales. Investors will always want to carefully keep track of the gross profit ratio in order to identify a downturn or an upturn in profits. Furthermore, The Hershey Company had a higher increase in gross profit ratio than Tootsie Roll Industries. The Hershey Company managed to increase the profit ratio from 43 percent in the year 2012 to 48 percent in the year 2013. This shows that The Hershey Company managed to increase their profit ratio by 11.5 percent from previous year. Tootsie Roll, on the other hand, also improved year over year, but only by 5.5 percent to reach a gross profit rate of 35 percent in 2013. It is important to note that the minimum increase in gross profit for every dollar of sales can make a huge difference in profits. For example: â€Å"an upturn by a small percentage can mean millions of dollars in additional profits†. (Harrison Jr., Horngen, Tomas, 2013) Even though the cost of goods sold consumes $0.52 of each sale, The Hershey Company managed to generate a  profit of $0.48 for each dollar of sales. Profit Margin Ratio The profit margin ratio demonstrates the ability of a company to increase the percentage of net income earned for every dollar of sales. For example: â€Å"this ratio shows the percentage of each sales dollar earned as net income†. (Harrison Jr., Horngen, Tomas, 2013) The Hershey Company was able to increase the profit margin ratio from 10 percent in 2012 to 11 percent in 2013. The increase in profit margin from the previous year 2012 shows that the performance of the company is increasing which means that revenue is increasing or expenses are decreasing. Furthermore, The Hershey Company is managing their performance efficiently and this is directly reflected in profit margin ratio. Return on Assets The return on assets (ROA) ratio helps measure how profitable a company is in relation to its total assets. In the case of Tootsie Roll, the company had an ROA of .06 in 2012 and an ROA of .07 in 2013. This is an increase of close to 16.7 percent year over year. Hershey, on the other hand had an ROA of .14 in 2012 and .16 in 2013. Hershey’s rising ROA is comparable at 14.3 percent. With change 16.7 percent and 14.3 percent being so similar, we favor Hershey’s ROA at the higher rate of .16 in 2013 as opposed to Tootsie Roll’s relatively meager .07 ROA. Payout Ratio The payout ratio will help make the final case of Hershey as the better investment of the comparable companies. The payout ratio measures the proportion of earnings that are paid to investors and shareholders. Because dividends are so important to the investment opportunity, this is an important ratio when looking at a company for investment income. In 2012 Tootsie Roll had a high payout ratio of 1.01 percent where Hershey’s was 52 percent in comparison. However, in 2013 Tootsie Roll’s payout ratio dropped a huge, 77 percent to 23 a percent ratio. Hershey’s payout ratio also dropped, but only 7.6 percent to 48 a percent ratio. Not only is 48 percent a better current number than Tootsie Roll’s .23, but as a long-term investment Hershey shows much more stability. Therefore Hershey continues to stand out as the stronger investment opportunity. Conclusion Determining the better of two companies to invest in is risky business and involves many factors outside of the numbers provided on financial statements. However, we have seen that by looking at the liquidity, solvency and profitability of the companies against each other an over time, we can gain valuable insights as to how well the respective companies are performing in the current environment and how well they are positioned to take advantage of rising opportunities and threats. Our analysis of Tootsie Roll and Hershey show that while Tootsie Roll has safer numbers in respect to liquidity and solvency, Hershey is clearly more efficiently using both it’s assets and liabilities to turn higher profits and pass that money on to it’s investors. Therefore, The Hershey Company is the clear choice to invest with. Bibliography Harrison, W. T. (2013). Financial Accounting, VitalSource for DeVry University, (9th ed.). Pearson Learning Solutions. Hershey. (2013). SEC Annual Report. SEC. Hershey: The Hershey Company. Tootsie Roll Industries. (2013). SEC Filing 10-K 2013. Chicago: Tootsie Roll.

Field research is Primary research Essay

I will write short, concise notes. A mix of both types of recording is needed, given the type of primary data wanted at the end of the questioning.  On our fieldtrip we will go to a small area called Ballyhackamore as it is very close to our school and has a very wide range of shops. There are also a lot of people that shop here every week. These people are of a very varied age range and also an even proportion of males and females. We have decided to use field and desk research.  Field research is Primary research.  This means that we go out and collect the information ourselves, so we do not have to sift through many pages of useless information, trying to find out one small piece of information that we could use.  However we will also use desk research. This is where we look at information other people have gathered and use it to our advantage. This includes looking through newspapers, surfing the Internet or going to a library and examining records or books and the Companies Office if they are a limited company. This is going to be used to find out what businesses are in the area and what sort of profit they are making per annum. Market Research – Market research is the process of gaining information about customers, competitors and market trends through collecting primary and secondary data. I will use market research to find the answer to my questionnaire i.e. what sort of business the local people in the Ballyhackamore area thought was missing and what they would like to see in the area. This is Primary research. It is also called Field Research. This will be our Questionnaire. There is also Secondary Research. This involves looking at status from different years about topics and drawing conclusions from it. I could look at maps of Ballyhackamore to make sure I don’t create a business where it is not needed, or indeed duplicate a similar business, unless I feel the demand is there for a second one.  Bank – I am using the bank for the purpose of collecting information about anything financial, from loans to pay for property, mortgage on property and starting the best bank account to suit my circumstances. They will act like a Financial Advisor. I will check Interest Rates and get the best deal. Estate Agents – The estate agents job will be to show me the best available premises to start my business. I will look around many different estate agents until I can find the property and price that suits my business. I will also keep checking in the local press.  Internet – the Internet will be used to show me available properties in the area but also to find out about the competition from rival companies in the area. It will also be used as advertising once the business has been set up. I could use E-Mail to send people information on the business. This may be unsuccessful because people will probably think it is Junk Mail and delete it. Therefore I will not depend on this as my only source of advertising. Newspaper – this will be used while searching for the property but also as advertising after the business has been opened. It will also be used to advertise jobs in the business.  Invest NI -I will talk to Invest NI (the new name for LEDU) about the possibility of both capital and revenue to help until the initial set up phase of my business. Also in the medium to long term I will hope to keep my relationship with Invest NI and be eligible for future grants. Shell Livewire – Shell Livewire is another company, the same as Invest NI that helps businesses to begin and grow. They give grants to entrepreneurs to help them in their quest for a successful business.  After completing all my questionnaires I will now put all my information into a database. I am using a database because I can perform searches on the information I have gathered to try and find exactly what I need to know. I can find different age groups, different sexes and even if the people are married or not. I will be using the database a lot until I discover which business I am going to open. I will then analyse my database and from that, hopefully find out what the public want in the area.    On a search of properties in East Belfast I found there were no available properties in Ballyhackamore that would suit setting up a business. However I did find a lot of buildings in East Belfast that could be possible sites for setting up a business.  I found a sound property on Castlereagh Street.  I also found a property on the Cregagh Road. It is in a good location because this is near Ballyhackamore, however it is an upstairs premises so this could limit the type of people who could visit my business e.g. people in wheelchairs. New legislation coming in the next few years regarding access for the disabled means that an upstairs coffee shop without a lift to the first floor would not be viable.  I have also found a suitable building in Kings Square. This is very close to Ballyhackamore and has a small shopping community itself. This would be a brilliant place for a coffee shop or trendy coffee bar. However on further examination of the area I discovered a coffee shop above a light shop in the Square, but again, access to the first floor could be a problem in the future.

Addiction Definition Essay

Teens all across the world are facing addiction; they are becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. It’s happening right under our noses whether they are getting it from their house, grocery stores & pharmacies, even at schools and parties. Teen addiction comes with a lot of consequences anywhere from jail time to even death. It is important to watch for signs such as blood shot eyes, knowing how to prevent it from happening in your teens life, find out all the treatment plans for you teen if it comes down to it. There are a number of resource’s out there to help you with talking to your teen. â€Å"People experiment with drugs for many different reasons. Many first try drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or in an effort to improve athletic performance or ease another problem, such as stress, anxiety, or depression.† (Robinson, Lawrence, Smith, Melinda, M.A., Saisan, Joanna, M.S.W., 2013, Drug Abuse & Addiction,). Teens start abusing drugs and/or getting addicted to drugs in stressful situations such as moving to a different city or state, changing schools, parents getting divorced, as well as being abused physically, mentally, sexually, emotionally. As well as hanging out with the wrong crowd can make your teen get into addiction with drugs and alcohol. Situations like this can make teens start to experiment with drugs and alcohol. The most common signs of drug addiction in teens is they always have bloodshot eyes, using eye drops to mask what’s really going on with them. One of the biggest signs is probably missing class; grades are starting to go down, & getting into trouble at school. Money and valuables missing from the house; some other signs can be signs of addiction are not acting like themselves or behaving rather weird. Loss of interest in things they once loved such as hobbies, being with friends and families, school. How can you prevent addiction or drug use in a teen? Speaking with your teen about the addiction to drugs and how it can affect them in the future may prolong the use of it. Sometimes that’s not always enough for some teens! â€Å"That’s why delaying the age of first use of alcohol and a drug is a critical goal of prevention. However, other protective factors, especially proactive parenting and strong family bonds, can help delay adolescents’ experimentation with drugs and alcohol and thus help reduce long-term problems.† (Author Unknown, Preventing adolescent substance abuse). Having a strong family bond with your children, always be in their life as much as possible can prevent them from touching that first drink or smoke that first blunt. Preventing teen addiction should be from different sources just not from parents or family, but schools should have something every year that explains the risks and dangers of addictions. My dad started using drugs when he was a teenager got addicted to coke and then he met my mom stopped using for a while. Then all of a sudden he’d take me and my sister to his drug house to get high off of whatever was there that day, I seen how messed up it made my family and how badly it hurt my mom to find out that my sister and I were being exposed to drugs at this drug house. My dad’s addiction tore my family apart because shortly after this my parents got a divorced and then on November 28 1998 he passed away from a brain aneurysm due to the long term drug use. I had to beat the stereotype that since my dad was a drug addict that I would be one too. I stayed focused on graduating on time, spent time with my family and friends that were good for me, as well as be being aware of what my dad went through and how he passed away too early. â€Å"The most important thing that can be done for teenagers who have an addiction problem is to ensure that they are able to get treatment for their problems, and getting the right treatment that will help them overcome their addiction. Although many of the options that are used for treating addiction among adults can be successful in treating teenagers, there are a number of additional things that will be of great help to teenagers trying to overcome their addictions.† (Author Unknown, Treatment options for Teenage Addicts, 2009-2013,) There are so many treatment centers and â€Å"cures† for any kind of addiction, but what one is the right one for you and your family? Is it to put your teen into rehab to get over their addiction or is it to just let them sit in jail and detox from whatever job they are on that’s just if they get caught. Or would you rather find out that your child is dead because of a drug over dose? Drug treatment programs could help for many reasons they provide general therapy, awareness, and education on getting treated for addiction. Counseling sits the addicted person down and makes them realize what they dealing with as far as drugs. There are also many drugs that doctors say â€Å"help with addiction† but I don’t know how true that is for a teenager that’s dealing with addiction. There are so many different types of treatment for addictions those were just to name a few. If your teen is suffering from addiction get them help fast from any of the above treatments. Teens all across the world are dealing with this deadly thing called addiction whether it’s from drugs or alcohol to even social media addiction to sex. There are ways to see if your teen has signs of addiction by their attitude, to their lack of attendance in school, to their bloodshot eyes. There are so many types of preventions for your teen, having a strong family bond, to being active in your teen’s life (even though it can be hard at times when it comes to teens and their parents). If your teen is suffering from addiction and you’d like to get them help there are drug treatment programs, counseling, medications, self-help groups, rehab, and possibly jail time if caught. Teens shouldn’t have to go through this alone. Reference page Preventing Adolescent Substance Abuse (2013) http://www.hazelden.org/web/public/substance_abuse_prevention.page Robinson, Lawrence, Saisan, Joanna, M.S.W., Smith, Melinda, M.A (2013). Drugs Abuse & Addiction, http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatments.htm#top Treatment Options for Teenage Addiction, (2009-2013), http://www.troubledteensparenting.com/treatment-options-for-teenage-addicts.php

Existential Vacuum can be Overcome by Finding Meaning of Life Research Paper

Existential Vacuum can be Overcome by Finding Meaning of Life - Research Paper Example Frankl stresses on the importance of meaning of life repeatedly in his book â€Å"Man’s Search for Meaning† and how attaching a real meaning to life can save one from the clutches of existential vacuum and escape the path to nihilism forms the main bulk of this essay. Existential vacuum is basically a disturbed psychological condition that results when one deliberately negates the meaning of one’s own life, loses interest in life and willingly enough gives up all the radiant aspirations to build up a better future. Defiant rejection of meaning of life, which plays a major role in stimulating the development of existential vacuum. ... The state of a person suffering from existential vacuum can be related to the state of a person who is imprisoned in a closed cell for numberless days and is unable to think or function properly, let alone build constructive plans for the future. Existential vacuum cuts down all the thinking abilities of a person and leaves him/her to be utterly incapable of attaching a meaning to his/her life and trust his/her own instincts rather than copying other people or doing what others demand of him/her. In the present industrialized world, people have engrossed themselves in maintaining their high life standards to such level that concepts like individualism, meaning of life, sacrificing for others, embracing sufferings, and high moral standards have become more of old-fashioned despised fantasies than anything. This fake pattern adopted by people which results in negative take at things and development of existential vacuum, actually induces Frankl to lay phenomenal stress on searching for the meaning of life so that one can follow a right path that can help in achieving feats that are entirely unachievable when the meaning of life is deliberately stifled by oneself in futile pursuit of a self-centered life and worthless pleasures. Industrialization and loss of traditional values are identified by (Cox and Klinger) to be the most common causes of existential vacuum. According to Frankl, as the concept of individualism became significantly reduced, people became less reliant on social traditions and their own instincts which reinforced their behaviors, due to which they rarely know what to do themselves. This leads to a state of loss of confidence, paranoia, loss of