Wednesday, December 25, 2019

The s Fight For Equality - 1266 Words

August 9th, 2014, another seemingly ordinary day in Ferguson, Missouri, that in fact would go down infamy and as day that many would use as a basis in the fight for equality. According to BBC, it was around noon when Michael Brown, who was African American, was walking down the middle of a busy street with a friend. Darren Wilson , a caucasian police officer, approached the two because of the traffic they were creating by walking in the middle of the road. They refused to comply with the officer s request, to which the officer once again asked the two to leave the road. Shortly after, Officer Wilson realized they were suspects in a robbery that had happened earlier that day. In response, Wilson attempted to restrain Brown resulting in a†¦show more content†¦Would Michael Brown still be alive if the proportion of arrests had been balanced? Throughout the world, an ongoing pandemic is occurring, but has gone unnoticed by many. However, while most people are unaffected by this, one group in particular is hit hard the most, minorities. The problem at hand is not one of late, it has plagued civilizations since the beginning of times, perhaps in different forms, but the idea has largely remained unchanged. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of racism, or the idea in question is defined as, â€Å"A belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.† A close analysis of the events that occurred on April 9, 2014, reveal that racism continues to thrive in America’s modern society. In all cases similar to the occurrences in 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri, there is one correlation that can be seen across the board; in most if not all cases involving a caucasian against a minority in whatever form of dispute, the caucasian has the advantage in terms that they either win the dispute or if are found at fault, receive a less severe consequence, if any at all, than if the minority had been found at fault. The novel

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Communication Studies Syllabus- Caribbean Students

S CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination Correspondence related to the syllabus should be addressed to: The Pro-Registrar Caribbean Examinations Council Caenwood Centre 37 Arnold Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica, W.I. Telephone Number: (876) 630-5200 Facsimile Number: (876) 967-4972 E-mail address: cxcwzo@cxc.org Website: www.cxc.org Copyright  © 2010 by Caribbean Examinations Council The Garrison, St. Michael BB 14038 Barbados This document CXC A2/U1/10 replaces CXC A2/U1/03 issued in 2003. Please note that the syllabus has been revised and amendments are indicated by italics and vertical lines. Revised 2003 Revised 2010 Please check the website†¦show more content†¦It focuses primarily on the development of advanced competencies in Standard English, particularly Caribbean Standard English. ¹ At the same time, it attempts to develop an appreciation of the linguistic diversity of the Caribbean, which comprises the small island states, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, all the other islands in the Caribbean Sea (including the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, islands of the Francophone Caribbean and the islands of the Netherlands Antilles) and Belize, Suriname, Guyana and Cayenne. In addition, it explores the implications of this diversity for social, cultural and economic transactions. The syllabus emphasises the wider framework of communication principles, systems and processes within which language use has context, achieves coherence and is enhanced. The role of technology in the enhancement or retardation of communication is also considered important. In summary, a teaching programme based on this syllabus must be characterised by the following: 1. consideration of linguistic and non-linguistic communication, so that the dynamics of any communicative act can be clarified; 2. provision of opportunities for students to be exposed to the dynamic range of communicative experiences and to appreciate how language functions as an instrument of educational, social, personal, vocational and spiritual development. Particularly, it must provide opportunities for studentsShow MoreRelatedCaribbean Studies Syllabus5959 Words   |  24 PagesMODULE 1: CARIBBEAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE OVERVIEW Module 1 introduces students to the role played by geography in shaping the society and culture of the Caribbean region as well as the historical evolution of Caribbean society, the cultural characteristics of the Caribbean people, and the ways in which Caribbean society and culture influence and are influenced by societies and cultures outside the region. GENERAL OBJECTIVES On completion of this Module, students should: 1. Understand the factors whichRead MoreEDPM CSEC15093 Words   |  61 PagesCARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate ® CSEC  ® ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT PREPARATION AND MANAGEMENT SYLLABUS Effective for examinations from May-June 2014 CXC 34/G/SYLL 12 Published by the Caribbean Examinations Council All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the author or publisher. CorrespondenceRead MoreFasting Feasting18686 Words   |  75 PagesSyllabus Cambridge International A AS Level Travel and Tourism Syllabus code 9395 For examination in June and November 2013 Contents Cambridge International A AS Level Travel and Tourism Syllabus code 9395 1. Introduction ..................................................................................... 2 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Why choose Cambridge? Why choose Cambridge International A AS Level Travel and Tourism? Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) HowRead MoreEducation and Economic Growth in Trinidad and Tobago1959 Words   |  8 PagesEducation is generally seen as a formal process of instruction, based on a theory of teaching, to impart formal knowledge to one or more students (Cogburn, n.d.). Henceforth, individuals seek to acquire some form of schooling from pre-school through secondary school while others may go on to tertiary to better him or her in some way. A definition of education according to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary is that education is â€Å"a process of teaching, training and learning, especially in schoolsRead MoreElements of the Law of Contract24180 Words   |  97 Pages page 6 University of London External System Introduction This subject guide is designed to help you to study the Elements of the law of contract in England and Wales. This guide is not a textbook and it must not be taken as a substitute for reading the texts, cases, statutes and journals referred to in it. The purpose of the guide is to take you through each topic in the syllabus for Elements of the law of contract in a way which will help you to understand contract law. The guide is intendedRead MoreElements of the Law of Contract24194 Words   |  97 Pages16 page 6 University of London External System Introduction This subject guide is designed to help you to study the Elements of the law of contract in England and Wales. This guide is not a textbook and it must not be taken as a substitute for reading the texts, cases, statutes and journals referred to in it. The purpose of the guide is to take you through each topic in the syllabus for Elements of the law of contract in a way which will help you to understand contract law. The guide is intendedRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesnot in any way that suggests that the book Logical Reasoning or its author endorse you or your use of the work). (2) Noncommercial You may not use this work for commercial purposes (for example, by inserting passages into a book that is sold to students). (3) No Derivative Works You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work. An earlier version of the book was published by Wadsworth Publishing Company, Belmont, California USA in 1993 with ISBN number 0-534-17688-7. When Wadsworth decided

Monday, December 9, 2019

Cloning Essay Research Paper In Case You free essay sample

Cloning Essay, Research Paper In Case You Were Sleeping On June 22nd 1999, the universe was changed in such a extremist manner that it will neer be the same. A group of Scots scientists from the Roslin Institute did the impossible and created the universe # 8217 ; s first familial ringer, a sheep named Dolly. She was an exact reproduction of her female parent # 8217 ; s nucleic DNA, but the most unbelievable portion was that Dolly # 8217 ; s DNA came from her female parent # 8217 ; s bag, non a monoploid sex cell. What Makes This So Particular What happened with Dolly is even different from the natural procedure of twining, which creates two indistinguishable twins. Twinning is the consequence of sexual reproduction ; each giver, or # 8220 ; parent # 8221 ; , contributes one half of the fertilized egg # 8217 ; s genome. This fertilized egg so divides into two ( or more ) offprint eggs, each with an indistinguishable genome, and each of these develop into genetically indistinguishable siblings ( NCGR # 8211 ; GPI Program ) . Dolly is once more different from how bacteria reproduce of course through nonsexual reproduction ( Barth, 987 ) . Many other beings besides do this but it happens of course for them, though procedures such as binary fission and budding. Alternatively the scientists used atomic transportation engineering ( Figure 1 ) . An grownup bag cell was taken from an Ewe, and an early egg cell, called and oocyst, was taken from a different Ewe. The egg cell was stripped of it # 8217 ; s karyon and the karyon from the bag cell was joined with the usage of an electronic pulsation. The egg believes it has been fertilized and begins to turn and split like normal. It is so left to turn in a civilization dish until it becomes a blastodermic vessicle, an early embryonic province. The immature embryo is so implanted into a alternate female parent and is, if all goes good, a genetically indistinguishable Ewe ( to the bag cell # 8217 ; s DNA ) is born 5 months subsequently ( Coglhan, Andy ) . The ability to take the karyon from any life grownup mammal cell and make a new being is rather significant. Even 5 old ages ago it was believed to be impossible. The applications for this technique are huge, but so are the jobs. The Problems With every new progress we make there are complications, cloning is no exclusion. The largest job is the success factor. It took over 277 egg and bag cell mergers to hold a success with Dolly. This would be wholly unacceptable to make with many species as the gestation clip would be longer and excessively much clip and money would be invested into abortions and stillborns. Over the last three old ages other efforts have been made. A 3 % success factor was achieved when trying to clone male lab mice and is considered rather high ( Cohen, Philip ) . Many of the animate beings born from these processs, such as cattles have died in early babyhood for assorted grounds. Some have had underdeveloped immune systems and died from infections or other comparatively easy to bring around jobs. ( Cohen, Philip ) Another early job was shortened telomeres. Telomeres are the terminals of the chromosomes which are of course worn off through mitosis, hence reflecting the age of the being and possibly doing the marks of old age. However it was found that Dolly had shorter than usual telomeres, which could do premature aging. This was originally one of the biggest reverses for the research workers. However, there is beliing grounds of this though in late cloned, and still populating, cowss. Their telomeres are remarkably long when compared to those of the parent cell. No 1 has an account for this, but they are certain it has nil to make with the difference in species. ( Tenove, Chris ) It has late been discovered that Dolly, the lamb and her mother/twin sister, are non genetically indistinguishable. They have the same atomic Deoxyribonucleic acid, but their mitochondrian Deoxyribonucleic acid differs. This could do the difference between the ringer being a super-athelete or a couch murphy ( Cohen, Philip ) . The most mind boggling job is the fact that some species may be uncloneable. Experiments done with specific types of lab mice have shown that some mice with specific traits are uncloneable, but if this applies more by and large to specific species all together remains unknown, largely because of the public # 8217 ; s job with cloning ( Cohen, Philip ) . When Dolly was brought into this universe there was a assorted reaction. Some people were overjoyed, and others instantly feared the engineering. Some thought it could convey immortality, and spiritual cults thought it could make the perfect individual but many others feared this ( Cohen, Philip ) . They feared that 1000000s of # 8220 ; test-tube babes # 8221 ; would be born, and the ethical conflict was on. Three old ages later it still rages with no victor in sight, but many carbon monoxides untries have already made Torahs to forbid the usage of human embryos in cloning. Their reaction is, of class, expected. Through history people have ever feared alteration, and feared by doing adult male more godlike they would destroy life for all of us ( Bernstein, Maurice ) . The possible applications are excessively many and lifesaving for some research workers though. Applications of Cloning Even with all the barriers, ethical, scientific and otherwise physical, some research workers believe the good that can come from this engineering is worth more than all the adversities, largely from society and their ain co-workers, that they have to digest. Hogs are presently being cloned to do their variety meats more # 8220 ; human-like # 8221 ; , at least from an immune system # 8217 ; s position. Some people are alarmed by this though, as there is a opportunity of presenting viruses that affect hogs into the human population ( Cohen, Philip ) . Sheep are a premier campaigner for cloning every bit good because their variety meats, such as the lungs, are even closer to our ain than a mouse # 8217 ; s is. This would let for more efficient proving for diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Cows and other farm animate beings are already being cloned with human cistrons in order to synthesise specific proteins. Scientists hope in the hereafter to be able to pull strings the cistrons in such a manner to clone cattles that would hold thin meat, or even low-fat milk ( Wilmut, Ian ) . The ultimate application of cloning would be to clone specific organic structure parts in order to replace those destroyed by disease or physical hurt. This application is non merely the ultimate end of the research workers, it would be the holy grail of scientific discipline and possibly the Jesus to all world with such diseases as malignant neoplastic disease and AIDS on the rise. Not merely could you replace affected tissues, but you could replace them with 100 % compatible tissues that could hold been genetically enhanced to do them immune to the disease or upset. Skin is already being cloned in labs for usage in terrible burn instances. If it hadn # 8217 ; t been noticed already, this list of applications did non include making an ground forces of ace intelligent, super strong ringers to take over the universe. Although scientific discipline fiction fans would be really interested in that scenario the chance of that go oning at any clip, much less any clip shortly and without anyone noticing, is incomprehensibly little. The clip and resources would merely be far excessively much for our current province ( Bernstein, Maurice ) . The Jury is Still Out It is still far excessively early to come to decisions about how cloning will impact our society. There will be an impact left on society, that has already begun to go on, but whether it is a positive or negative impact is still unknown. It may stay this manner until a utile merchandise arises from the current experiments, such as enhanced drugs or cloned variety meats for graft or until something goes awfully incorrect, or authoritiess neer loosen Torahs that restrict the use of human tissues in experiments. Whichever comes foremost, be it good or bad, will do the most impact on how we view the potency of this fantastic engineering. Bibliography Barth, Frances. # 8220 ; Cloning. # 8221 ; The Volume Library. Nashville, Tennessee: The Southwest Company: 1989. pg. 984-1002 Bernstein, Maurice M.D. Bioethics Discussion Pages. [ web page ] 7 May 2000 ; U of Southern California. . [ accessed 8 June 2000 ] Coghlan, Andy. One little measure for a sheep. [ web page ] 1 March 1997 ; . [ accessed 9 June 2000 ] Cohen, Philip. Dolly # 8217 ; s Mixture. [ web page ] 4 September 1999 ; [ accessed 9 June 2000 ] Cohen, Philip. Double problem. [ web page ] 6 February 2000 ; [ accessed 10 June 2000 ] Cohen, Philip. Le ringer est mort. [ web page ] 18 April 1998 ; [ accessed 10 June 2000 ] Cohen, Philip. Cults eccentric vision rekindles cloning argument. [ web page ] 31 May 1997 ; [ accessed 9 June 2000 ] Cohen, Philip. Designer Donors. [ web page ] 25 March 2000 ; [ accessed 9 June 2000 ] Levine, Louise. # 8220 ; Cloning. # 8221 ; Groiler Multimedia Encyclopedia. 1999 erectile dysfunction. CD-ROM. Danbury, Connecticut: Groiler Interactive, 1998 NCGR # 8211 ; GPI Program. Genetic Cloning V Genetic Twinning. [ web page ] 7 August 1997 ; . [ accessed 9 June 2000 ] Stewart, Colin. # 8220 ; Cloning. # 8221 ; TIME Magizine. . 1997. Tenove, Chris. Forever Young. [ web page ] 6 May 2000 ; . [ accessed 10 June 2000 ] Wilmut, Ian. Potential benefits of cloning and Nuclear Transfer. [ web page ] 3 March 1998 ; Roslin Institute. [ accessed 11 June 2000 ] Figure 1 # 8211 ; The creative activity of Dolly the sheep. Note that egg and bag cell were removed months before the experiment. Picture courtesy of New Scientist

Monday, December 2, 2019

No Laughing Matter a Comprehensive Overview of Nitrous Oxide Abuse Essay Example

No Laughing Matter: a Comprehensive Overview of Nitrous Oxide Abuse Paper No Laughing Matter: A Comprehensive Overview of Nitrous Oxide Abuse Ryan Ardelle Anatomy Physiology, Period 3 Mr. Syvret Due: March 14, 2013 SUBSTANCE OVERVIEW The issue of inhalant abuse is a multifaceted problem, stretching across many communities and locales in the entirety of the United States. Inhalants as a class of drug vary widely, ranging from volatile solvents and aerosol propellants, to more broadly, any drug delivered by inhalation. Nitrous oxide straddles these categories, as it finds use not only a common dental analgesic, but also as a propellant, in such uses as whipping cream, automotive racing, and rocketry. As a result, nitrous oxide is found in many forms: medical-grade, food-grade, and industrial-grade, with various purities (Erowid). Commonly known as â€Å"laughing gas,† nitrous oxide wears many hats and goes by many names. For example, those who use nitrous oxide in automotive racing or rocketry applications know it as NOS (Alai). In this usage, nitrous oxide is applied as a powerful oxidizer, allowing a vehicle’s engine to combust gasoline more rapidly, with an associated increase in horsepower (Winter). This form of nitrous oxide is packaged with many additives to not only improve its performance but also to deter its abuse (Erowid). We will write a custom essay sample on No Laughing Matter: a Comprehensive Overview of Nitrous Oxide Abuse specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on No Laughing Matter: a Comprehensive Overview of Nitrous Oxide Abuse specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on No Laughing Matter: a Comprehensive Overview of Nitrous Oxide Abuse specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer When abused recreationally however, nitrous oxide finds many more colorful nicknames, such as â€Å"hippie crack† and â€Å"nangs† (Erowid). It is a true gas, existing as a gas under atmospheric pressure at room temperature, although it assumes a liquid state when compressed in a gas cylinder (Alai). Nitrous oxide is a strong oxidizing agent with a density of 1. 9kg/m 3, and it has a linear molecular form consisting of two atoms of nitrogen and one atom of oxygen (Winter). Nitrous oxide has no color and has a sweet odor, familiar to anybody who has tasted whipped cream (Erowid). Nitrous oxide is commercially manufactured by heating ammonium nitrate to 240C. Impurities such as ammonia and nitric acid in addition to excess water vapor are removed through an extensive gas scrubbing process. Food-grade nitrous oxide is often stored in white, 8-gram cylinders with a sealed metal puncture cap and packaged in boxes of 100 cylinders. Medical-grade nitrous oxide is stored in French-blue cylinders and is pressurized to ~4400 kPa at room temperature. The Pin Index Safety System configuration for nitrous oxide cylinders is 3-5 (Banks and Hardman). HISTORY OF NITROUS OXIDE ABUSE British chemist and Presbyterian minister Joseph Humphrey first synthesized nitrous oxide gas in England in 1772. Priestly later published his work in a 1776 journal, â€Å"Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air† (Priestly). This publication proved extremely intriguing to the scientific community, leading to additional research and Humphry Davy’s influential 1800 book, â€Å"Researches, Chemical and Philosophical: Chiefly Concerning Nitrous Oxide. † Throughout the remainder of the nineteenth century, nitrous oxide’s usage as a recreational drug became increasingly popular. Traveling medical shows and carnivals featured affectionately named â€Å"Nitrous Oxide Capers,† in which attendees paid a small fee to inhale a minute’s worth of gas (Brecher). In 1844, Dr. Horace Wells, a British dentist, first demonstrated the use of nitrous oxide as a dental anesthetic. His initial testing on a patient at Harvard Medical School was unsuccessful, resulting in the public dismissal of nitrous oxide as a legitimate anesthetic. Nevertheless, nitrous oxide had a sudden resurgence in the dental community in the early 1860s, thanks to a series of dental institutions opened by lecturer and showman Gardener Quincy Colton. These practices utilized nitrous oxide as their primary form of dental anesthesia, henceforth standardizing its usage in the United States (Erowid). METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION Nitrous oxide is administered via inhalation of compressed gas. Users most frequently obtain nitrous oxide from small, 8-gram canisters used to charge whipped cream dispensers. These canisters are readily available for purchase in most restaurant supply stores, on the Internet, and in head shops across the nation (Narconon). Once obtained, the contents of the canisters are released into empty whipped cream dispensers or into a balloon. A pressure release valve, or â€Å"cracker†, must be used in order to safely siphon the gas into a balloon (Erowid). These valves are also available for purchase online or in head shops (Narconon). Users with access to larger cylinders of nitrous oxide sometimes inhale the gas through a nasal hood or anesthesia mask, as used in dental surgery. However, this method is extremely dangerous without proper medical supervision, as users can inhale larger amounts of gas without access to fresh oxygen. As a result, the vast majority of nitrous oxide users prefer to use the aforementioned whipped cream dispenser or balloon methods of inhalation (Wagner, Clark, Wesche, Doedens, and Lloyd). Whipped cream canisters and standard latex party balloons have a maximum capacity of approximately three 8-gram cylinders. Depending on personal preference, users can fill their vessel of choice with one, two, or three cylinders at a time (Creamright). Once the whipped cream dispenser or balloon is filled to the user’s liking, the gas inside is rapidly inhaled into the user’s lungs. The gas is often held in the lungs for twenty to sixty seconds to induce hypoxia and enhance the euphoric effects. The gas is then exhaled normally, and the user resumes regular respiration of room air (Erowid). IMMEDIATE EFFECTS Once inhaled, nitrous oxide is immediately absorbed through the lungs, dissolving directly into blood plasma. Within ten to fifteen seconds, nitrous oxide molecules replace oxygen molecules in the user’s lungs, thereby stimulating a euphoric sensation. Users then experience a brief â€Å"high† usually lasting between thirty seconds and two minutes with a standard dose (Erowid). Symptoms of nitrous oxide abuse include slurred speech, impaired coordination and balance, difficulty thinking clearly and processing information, unresponsiveness to verbal and painful stimuli, and occasionally loss of consciousness. Assuming the user returns to regularly breathing room air after the initial gas inhalation, these symptoms should subside within two minutes. The onset and peak effect timing of nitrous oxide is determined by the quantity consumed (Narconon). Nitrous oxide inhalation impacts the function of numerous physiologic systems. First, nitrous oxide decreases tidal volume and increases respiratory rate following activation of the central nervous system. Myocardial depression and an increase in central sympathetic outflow also occur following nitrous oxide inhalation. Inhaled nitrous oxide may produce the second gas effect, as nitrous oxide has a more rapid rate of diffusion across alveolar basement membranes than nitrogen gas. This rapid exit of nitrous oxide from the alveoli initiates a concentration of other alveolar gases, thereby accelerating the uptake of nitrous oxide into the bloodstream (Banks and Hardman). The primary method of nitrous oxide elimination is via the exhalation from the lungs. Nitrous oxide exits the body entirely unchanged in chemical formula and structure. Small amounts of nitrous oxide diffuse through the skin and the renal system, and anaerobic bacteria in the GI tract reduce any outstanding nitrous oxide into nitrogen gas (Erowid). ACTION ON THE BRAIN Nitrous oxide causes vasodilatation, resulting in an increase in cerebral blood flow and causing a corresponding increase in intracranial pressure (Erowid). Unlike most inhalants, nitrous oxide does not augment the effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers. Accordingly, nitrous oxide does not produce the same neuromuscular depression experienced with other inhalant abuse. Nitrous oxide activates opioid receptors in the periaqueductal grey of the midbrain, stimulating a release of norepinephrine and activation of 2-adrenoceptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (Banks and Hardman). LONG TERM EFFECTS Risks involved in nitrous oxide inhalation revolve primarily around displacing oxygen. Although nitrous oxide does not bind with hemoglobin and instead dissolves into the blood, continued inhalation of pure nitrous oxide without supplemental oxygen can lead to hypoxia. Nitrous oxide-induced hypoxia is especially dangerous because users may not realize that they asphyxiating themselves – the impulse to breathe is triggered by a build-up of carbon dioxide, rather than a lack of oxygen (Banks and Hardman). Aside from hypoxia, there are relatively few physiologic dangers associated with nitrous oxide abuse. The most significant of these effects is Vitamin B depletion and deficiency. This can potentially lead to acute or chronic paresthesia, the sensation of â€Å"pins and needles,† and can inhibit the activity of methionine synthetase, thereby interfering with DNA synthesis in leukocytes and erythrocytes. However, Vitamin B and Folate supplements can prevent these side effects (Banks and Hardman). Nitrous oxide can also induce potentially dangerous airspace expansion in the body, such as pneumothorax or bowel obstruction, due to its rapid diffusion properties. Other potential side effects include respiratory depression, apnea, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, dizziness, neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, ileus, bone marrow depression, and malignant hyperthermia. Pregnant women should not use nitrous oxide, as the gas diffuses into the placenta and can cause fetal depression (Erowid). A few cases of frostbite on the vocal cords have been recorded following direct inhalation of nitrous oxide from a canister (Banks and Hardman). Also, nitrous oxide users are at risk of traumatic fall injuries such as broken extremities and concussions due to impaired balance and possible loss of consciousness (Narconon). STATISTICS Nitrous oxide abuse is most common among younger adolescents aged 16-17, although abuse does occur among older individuals. A 2011 study from the University of Michigan showed that 13% of 8th grade students reported abusing inhalants at least once (National Institute on Drug Abuse). A similar study from the University of Virginia revealed that nitrous oxide was one of the top five substances abused by adolescent inhalant users (Narconon). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the rates of inhalant abuse â€Å"increased steadily from 3. 4 percent at age 12 to 5. 3 percent at age 14, then declined to 3. 9 percent by age 17 from 2002-2006. † Data from this study also showed that â€Å"adolescents age 12 to 17 represented 48 percent of all substance abuse treatment admissions reporting inhalants. Among these adolescent admissions reporting inhalant abuse, 45% had a concurrent psychiatric disorder (SAMHSA). Erowid. com, a popular website that provides information on psychoactive drug use, conducted a series of online surveys in September 2009 in a study examining the possible presence of contaminants in nitrous oxide chargers. One of the surveys asked regular nitrous oxide users their preferred method of inhalation; 46% p referred using a cracker with a balloon, 34. 4% preferred inhaling directly from a whipped cream dispenser, 11. % percent preferred a whipped cream dispenser with a balloon, 1. 7 % preferred a cracker with a bag, 0. 7% preferred a whipped cream dispenser with a bag, and 5. 0% preferred other methods (Erowid). Nitrous oxide is not physiologically addictive, although certain individuals can use it compulsively. While psychological addiction is possible, the only symptom of withdrawal is the desire to inhale more nitrous oxide (Dartmouth College). Furthermore, statistics on inhalant-related deaths are difficulty to determine, as most deaths are severely under-reported. Most of the time, death is attributed to cardiac or respiratory failure subsequent to inhalant abuse. Studies from the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse between 1990 and 1993 revealed an average of 15 inhalant abuse-related deaths per year in the state of Texas. Of those deaths, 94% of victims were male, and 91% were Caucasian, on average (National Inhalant Prevention Coalition). Most recreational nitrous oxide-related deaths are caused by hypoxia when users affix masks without oxygen or place bags over their heads to concentrate the gas (Erowid). EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ABUSE The topic of inhalants has been addressed by multiple small grass-roots efforts in local communities, but has also seen national discussion. Although no national legislation is in place restricting the sale, consumption, and distribution of nitrous oxide, several states and municipalities have passed laws in an attempt to curb usage. Most of these laws specifically target underage consumption and sale of nitrous oxide to minors (Center for Cognitive Liberty Ethics). For example, the Article 34 Title 7  § 3380. 5a-5b of the New York State Controlled Substances Act states: a) No person shall use nitrous oxide for purposes of causing intoxication, inebriation, excitement, stupefaction or the dulling of the brain or nervous system of himself or another. (b) No person shall sell any canister or other container of nitrous oxide unless granted an exemption pursuant to this subdivision. In no event shall any canister or other container of nitrous oxide be sold to a person under the age of twenty-one years. â€Å"Any person who violates any provision of subdivision four or five of this section shall be guilty of class A misdemeanor† (New York State Legislature). A number of non-governmental organizations such as the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition work to educate the public on the facts and dangers of inhalant abuse. These organizations frequently lobby on the state and federal level in attempt to pass more restrictive anti-inhalant abuse legislature. These preventative efforts have helped to several states integrate inhalant abuse education into primary and secondary school health education curricula (National Inhalant Prevention Coalition). Works Cited Alai, Nili N. Nitrous Oxide Administration. Ed. Rick Kulkarni. Medscape Reference, 30 Jan. 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://emedicine. medscape. com/article/1413427-overview. Banks, Amelia, and Jonathan G. Hardman. Nitrous Oxide. British Journal of Anaesthesia: Continuing Education in Anaethesia, Critical Care, and Pain (2005): 1-4. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://ceaccp. oxfordjournals. org/content/early/2005/08/22/bjaceaccp. mki039. full. pdf. Brecher, Edward M. The Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs. Consumer Reports Magazine 1972. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. druglibrary. org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/CU43. tml. Drug Facts: Inhalants. Inhalants. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Sept. 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. drugabuse. gov/publications/drugfacts/inhalants. Erowid Nitrous Oxide Vault. Erowid, 21 Feb. 2013. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. erowid. org/chemicals/nitrous/nitrous. shtml. Frequently Asked Questions. Nitrous Oxide Whipped Cream Chargers. Creamright, 2013. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. creamright. com/faq. html . Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas). Health Promotion. Dartmouth College, 21 Jan. 2009. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. lt;http://www. dartmouth. edu/~healthed/groups/dapa/otherdrugs/no. html. Nitrous Oxide. Nitrous Oxide. Narconon, 2013. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. theroadout. org/drug_information/inhalants_(huffing)/nitrous_oxide. html. Priestly, Joseph. Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air. Vol. 2. London: n. p. , 1776. 6 vols. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. gutenberg. org/files/29734/29734-h/29734-h. htm. Public Health. Laws of New York. New York State Legislature, n. d. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://public. leginfo. state. ny. us/LAWSSEAF. cgi? QUERYTYPE=LAWS+[emailprotected]+LIST=LAW+BROWSER=BROWSER+TOKEN=38530670+TARGET=VIEW. Statistics on Inhalants Show Young Teens at Risk. SAMHSA News. SAMHSA, Mar. 2008. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. samhsa. gov/samhsa_news/volumexvi_2/article14. htm. US Nitrous Oxide Laws. State Laws Concerning Inhalation of Nitrous Oxide. Center for Cognitive Liberty Ethics, May 2002. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. cognitiveliberty. org/dll/N20_state_laws. htm. View Point. National Inhalant Prevention Coalition Quarterly Newsletter. National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, 2013. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. inhalants. org/VPT. htm. Wagner, Scott A. , Michael A. Clark, David L. Wesche, David J. Doedens, and Alan W. Lloyd. Asphyxial Deaths from the Recreational Use of Nitrous Oxide. Journal of Forensic Sciences 37. 4 (1992): 1008-15. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://library-resources. cqu. edu. au/JFS/PDF/vol_37/iss_4/JFS374921008. pdf. Winter, Mark. Nitrous Oxide. WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements. WebElements, n. d. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www. webelements. com/compounds/nitrogen/nitrous_oxide. html.