Impact of Health Technologies

nextscience.org

Humans have always needed solutions to illness, injury, and other related health issues. These issues range from cancer to childbirth. As more and more is understood about the human body, more discoveries and treatments can be made. These discoveries undergo new forms of treatment that are more efficient and safe. Today, we can see the increase in longevity of humans. This can be due to cleaner living conditions, more specific antibiotics and vaccines, isolation of harmful genes, and better organized health care systems.

However, the improvement of technology has also introduced multiple problems that are currently being solved. One deadly example is heart and cardiovascular disease. This disease that dates all the way back to the Egyptians and medieval times has risen up again. This is a prime example to see the response of physicians and scientists to this deadly disease.

To better understand the impact discoveries in the area of health have in our lives, let us focus on the development of cardiovascular treatments.

Reflective Blog Post 2

One thing I love about Honors Civ 202 is the passion our professors have for their fields. Dr. Zappala teaches with such enthusiasm and excitement about numbers and programming and these cool things I want to know more about. Dr. Burton writes sonnets daily! He shares experiences from his work and serving and travels. Their passion is contagious and encourages me to discover things I am passionate about myself. I realize that since the last midterm, I have grown to appreciate history and digital civilization more fully. I even see various forms and influences of history in my daily life! This post is a reflection of the past few weeks and my progress in digital civilization.

quick note: one of my favorite blogs to read is by Sarah, and I use a similar format to hers in this blog post.

A whole new world- the atomic century

Yearly Growth of Total Structures

As the world progressed into the 19th century, many scientific discoveries were made. Some most notable discoveries were the development of evolution, the understanding of energy, knowledge of the solar system, and the ability to manipulate the ever-so-small atom (to give you an idea, and helium atom is 10^-10 meter, something you can't see with the naked eye). Interestingly, the knowledge of chemistry and physics we have today arose from the upheaval of scientific progress in recent times, which replaced eons of previous discoveries. (see the example of protein structures that have been characterized and discovered from pdb). With these new ways of thinking and incredible new technologies also came a great issue of power and ethical use of these technologies. More specifically, the atomic age.

Peer Review of Danny Patterson's Blog

I am very lucky to be the reviewer of Danny Patterson's blog titled, "Danny Patterson". Honestly, Danny's blog was one of the first ones I have ever read and I have been following it ever since. It is an honor to write a review about his blog and the insights he shares. This review will be mainly focusing on Danny's fulfillment of class goals of "Consume, Create, and Connect" along with highlights of his exceptional posts.

CONSUME!!! Boolean Searching

Have you ever seen this before and wondered, "HOW IN THE WORLD AM I GOING TO FIND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR?" With so many options, AND, OR, NOT, how does this all work?
HAVE NO FEAR! This is not as hard as it seems, and it will help! It has helped me!

Boolean Searching provides a very efficient way for searching things in databanks or the web. Because there is so much information, the more specific you are with your search, the more applicable your search results will be. This skill has saved me so much time, and will save you plenty of time as well!

I apply this type of searching as I gather information for research papers.

For this specific research paper, I am interested in finding articles about the structure of the cyclooxygenase protein active site. Because all three topics are the focus of my research paper, I use 'AND' so that the search engine will know that I am looking for articles on all of these topics. As a result, I get articles that fit my interest :)

This post is a simple explanation on Boolean Searching

CREATE!!! FLYERS

Ever want to make an awesome flier?
Ever want to publicize an event?

Now you can with www.band-flyers.com

Band-flyers is a web site that provides you the free service (you have to print your own stuff still) of creating fliers and sending them to friends or posting them on websites or printing them and posting them on billboards. You can print in a variety of sizes! It's fast and easy! This blog is a simple walk through of how to create this flyer.

Mind boggle

Remember those crazy algorithms introduced by Dr. Zappala? What sort of algorithm can solve 100% of the innumerable variables one puts in? There are just some algorithms that cannot be written to solve some problems. For example, an algorithm to check another algorithm is an example of an impossible algorithm. When I think of the why, it blows my mind. Here is another interesting example of an interesting problem in the world of biochemistry. These ideas are taken from Dr. Gregory A. Petsko's "On the Other Hand".

This question has to deal with amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. These amino acids are chiral molecules, a molecule that "lacks an internal plane of symmetry and has a non-superimposable mirror image". (wikipedia) For example, our hands are chiral. They cannot be superimposed on each other, however, they consist of the same 5 fingers and palm.

tonga.usip.edu

A picture of the two types of chiral amino acids are on the left. L-Amino acids and D-Amino acids are mirror images of each other, but not superimposable.

So, why is this important?

In chemistry, when forming these compounds, there is a 50% chance the product will be in the L-configuration and a 50% chance that the product will be in the R-configuration. However, within the human body, there are only L-configured amino acids.
This leads to the big question of "why L-amino acids?"

When prebiotic experiments were performed and electrical discharges were passed through mixtures designed to mimic the chemical composition of the early world's atmosphere, there was a formation of 50% L and 50% R! So now what?

From Rezoan Ratul

Perhaps something in the environment favored L-amino acids? but that is presumably random. Perhaps the earliest life forms were imported onto Earth from other planets, so the chirality on our Earth is a reflection of that on other planets? We don't know how to prove that yet. The most productive theory is that D-amino acids are more prone to beta decay than L-amino acids? That is not enough reason to explain why all proteins in animals are L-configured. D-amino acids are just as good.

Now just like the different colored tiles Dr. Zappala presented, the L and D amino acids are not compatible with each other. Proteins must be made of 100% L amino acids or 100% D amino acids (these D amino acids, rarely occurring naturally, must be synthesized). There is just no way to make an L and D protein. There would be unacceptable side chain clashes. Furthermore, L amino acids can only act upon other L-configured proteins/molecules. A D-configured protein remains unaffected by the L-configured enzyme. Using this principle, much research has been performed to enhance immune systems, prepare antibiotics, and create long-lasting proteins. crazy.

To end this thought like Dr. Petsko did, with the science fiction writer. Science fiction writers often speculate about parallel universes. If the choice for L-amino acids on our planet was random, then perhaps other universes consist of the opposite. Their molecules may be incompatible with ours. Either way, the mystery of why L was chosen is still up in the air.

A big bubble

John Maynard Keynes is one of the most influential people in the economic history of the world. His excellent economic analysis of reparations in the aftermath of World War I and the quantity theory of money revolutionized the economic world. His major policy was that the way to stabilize the economy is to stabilize the price level. The government's central bank must lower interest rates when prices tend to rise and raise interest when prices tend to fall. And finally, his great controversial theory of "the key to a healthy economy was by spending, not saving." (slideshare)
John Maynard Keynes has influenced the world of economy so much, but he is still a great example of evolution. Many of his original works have remained untouched or unmodified today. His ideas have formed the base for endless new economic theories. His principles have been expanded and even criticized. Many of his principles stay true today. Here is one example:

Today, there is a great economic crisis known as the bubble effect. The government, with an effort to improve prospects for home ownership, began making homes increasingly expensive and beyond the economic reach of first-home buyers. This causes a problem once interest rates rise and housing prices fall, many home buyers are stuck in an investment that they cannot afford. However, when this economic bubble "pops", the home owners are left with a house less than what they paid for.
Housing prices peaked in early 2005, but began to decline in 2006 and 2007. The impact not only harms home value, but also mortgage markets, real estates, wall street, foreign banks, overall, a nationwide recession. This drop became so serious that President George W. Bush announced a limited bailout of U.S. housing market for homeowners unable to pay mortgage debts. So, the United States government then allocated over $900 billion dollars to special loans and rescues related to the US housing bubble.

Pretty crazy things going on in the economy these days.

Don't get me started on Healthcare reform. Great idea, but a lot of holes. Talk to me about it if you have questions. :)

Blog Check

In Class Topics                                                    My blog posts    
Democracy and the Social Contract                     In God We Trust
The Industrial Revolution/Marxism                     Labor Unions
Romanticism                                                        The influence of romanticism
The Frontier/ Civil Disobedience                         The new frontier
Origins of Computing                                           Evolution: look what we can do
Evolution                                                              Evolution and LDS theology
Mormonism                                                           Mormon Media
Final Projects Introduction                                    Results of Microfinance
Modernism                                                            Shapings of Modernism
Psychology                                                            Applying Sigmund Freud
Computing and Intelligence                                   Does History Matter?
Economics                                                             (On it's way)

Does history matter?

Possibly, a person could go on with his or her life without knowing about how everything got there. Just hop into cars, read Shakespeare, go vote, see old friends, eat, and sleep. Life would move on. People live in the present and plan for the future. So why history and the past? The American Historical Association states the following reason. "History should be studied because it is essential to individuals and to society, and because it harbors beauty." History helps us understand people and societies. History helps us understand change and how the society we live in came to be. For example, the book, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is a great story! How cool that Dr. Frankenstein could create a living creature from dead materials. How interesting it is that the creature became a monster. Cool story. However, as I read the book in the context of the classroom discussion on Romanticism and the history behind this era, I learned so much more from the book Frankenstein, which I put on my blog under a post titled Book Review of Frankenstein.

So, with the importance of history determined, can the same themes be applied to science and, more specifically, computing?

Results of Microfinance

From Accion

Microfinance is defined as "financial services for poor and low-income clients." (http://www.microfinancegateway.org) These "financial services", often loans, are provided by "microfinance institutions" (MFIs). MFIs deliver small loans to unsalaried borrowers, providing these borrowers with access to banking and related services originally out-of-reach. Robert Peck Christen in his article Financial institutions with a double-bottom line: implications for the future of microfinance, states that the object of microfinance is "a world in which as many poor and near-poor households as possible have permanent access to an appropriate range of high quality financial services, including not just credit but also savings, insurace, and fund transfers." Just think about the similarities of needs between people in developing countries and ourselves. As cited in Stuart Rutherford's book The Poor and Their Money:
Lifecycle Needs: weddings, funerals, childbirth, education, homebuilding, widowhood, old age.
Personal Emergencies: sickness, injury, unemployment, theft, death.
Disasters: fire, flood, cyclones, war
Investment Opportunities: expanding a business, buying land or equipment, improving housing.

So much good can be done from simple microfinancing. As a final project headed by Jeff Whitlock, we are brainstorming with ideas to form some group, publicize on the internet, use connecting tools to spread the word of microfinance, and establish a desire and curiosity to help people through this means.

missionlocal.org

The Women's Initiative provided basic business training and funding to 2,600 clients. These clients took about 10 or more hours of business training between 2004 and 2008. They created 2,244 jobs at a cost of a little over $4000 per job.






Microfinance Innovations is a group that discusses IDEAS which would help the nation and masses grow.

The Jamii Bora Trust, a microfinance group in Kenya, is building a new, self-contained town that may be home to 10,000 people!

As we explore the world of microfinance, more doors and opportunities of service will be open! I am the happiest when I put others first. This is a wonderful opportunity to help.

Applying Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud is best known for his theories of the unconscious mind and the defense mechanism of repression. This diagram from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/freud.html depicts Freud's theory quite simply and completely. His theory consists of three main portions, conscious, preconscious, and unconcscious.

The conscious mind is, "what you are aware of at any particular moment, your present perceptions, memories, thoughts, fantasies and feelings.
The preconscious mind is "anything that can easily be made conscious, the memories you are not at the moment thinking about, but can readily bring to mind. Interestingly, these two portions consist of the smaller part of the mind.
The largest portion is the unconcscious, which includes "all the things that are not easily available to awareness, including many things that have their origins there, such as our drives or instincts, and things that are put there because we can't bear to look at them.

The unconcscious portion of our mind is what motivates us, the driving force behind our actions. These include food, sex, art. Sometimes, these portions or our minds are not appealing and dark. As a defense mechanism, we force these underneath and attempt to hide these feelings. This mechanism is often known as the ego defense mechanism.

Missionaries ONLINE!

In class, we were lucky enough to have an incredible experience...talking to Elders through Skype! These Elders, missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, proselyte on the web! Through the use of blogging, email, facebook, skype, prezi, and other forms of digital civilization, these powerful missionaries spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world! This new medium is effective and successful, resulting in wonderful conversion stories.

If the Church is taking advantage and learning how to adapt to the new technological world, so should I!

My dearest friend and wife of my mission companion, Kaylie, received an email from her brother's mission president (California Santa Rosa Mission) informing family members of the introduction of internet proselyting. A copy of the letter, with suggestions for family and friends, is posted on Kaylie's blog On, on to the victory!

Her brother's mission blog is http://armiesofheaven.blogspot.com/

Let's do as the MTC Elders and our Professors encourage! This is another great way to participate in something so dear to our hearts!

Shapings of Modernism

"One does not replace the past, one only adds a further link to it" - Paul Cezanne

The Card Players by Paul Cezanne

Paul Cezanne is an excellent person to start with as we begin the study of Modernism. Paul Cezanne (1839-1906) was a French artist whose work laid the foundations of the transition from 19th century artwork to modernistic art. His works convey intense study of the subjects, searching gaze, and a successful attempt to portray the world from the complexity of human visual perception. "Cezanne's use of colour as tone and his obsession with the formal elements of composition made it possible for artists who came after to question what they saw and how they represented what they saw on their canvas." (theartgallery.com)

The Forest by Paul Cezanne

Cezanne's influence on American artists and on modernism can still be seen through paintings using "patches of color, affinity for vibrant colors, tilted table tops, multiple views, and complex structures." (Cezanne and American Modernism) These pieces of art not only soothe the soul, but also convey the spirit of Modernism.

Modernism is a revolt against realism. In other words, the olden ways of art, architecture, literature, and even religion were outdating, boring, and non-applicable especially in this new age of social, economic, and political advancement. Furthermore, modernism rejects Enlightenment thinking, including the idea of an all-powerful creator.

But what was the purpose? Many modernists believe that "Modernism, aside from its virtuosity and playful approach, offers greater opportunities of inclusion through its questioning of natural distinctions, of language, culture, and politics." (blog of Rhys Tranter) Modernism allows for discovery and progression. Following are some examples of influences of modernism:

1) Arnold Schoenberg strayed away from "tonal harmony" in music and shifted towards a new way of organizing sound! Piano Concerto op. 42 (Exerpt)

2) Abstract artists, like the earlier mentioned Paul Cezanne, started the assumption of color and shape as the essential characteristic of art, not the depiction of the natural world.

From Artur Sikora

3) Photography strove to depict objects more as a spiritualist phase of development rather than a materialistic object.

4) Modern buildings with a newer/machine look emphasized materials and geometrical forms. Just take a look at the new skyscrapers.

So, in summary, Modernism is a fine example of our adaptation to the changing environment. With more technology and faster paced world, modernism is a necessary and excellent era that introduces deeper appreciation and beauty of the advancing society.

What makes me unique?

"We have 500 plus applicants in this pile and only 80 seats. Why should you be admitted to our school?"

From Ben Heine

This question is one of the most frequently asked questions as I interview with medical schools. In other words, if you are currently applying, or will apply to medical school, know the answer to this important question...WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?
As I think about this question, I am reminded of the emergence of uniqueness in America. Many of the topics discussed in Honors Civ 202 have been essential to the development of this attitude.