Discuss the economic and social significance of interracial marriages Research Paper

Discuss the economic and social significance of interracial marriages and families - Research Paper Example In the opinion of Root â€Å"while hate, fear, and anger are common responses to interracial marriage and have powerful short-term affects, love has proved a formidable opponent† (Root, 1). However, the degree to which interracial marriages are affected by distinctions of values, habits, raising children, friends, in-laws etc are found to be greater than any other type of marriage (Interracial Marriages). As Roots (43) believes subtle difference between caste and class is enough for causing higher hostility between interracial partners than others. To illustrate, the couples of interracial marriages often share different ethical values which lead to disagreements and conflicts among them. The difference in eating habits and type of food consumed are found to be one of the major problems encountered by couples particularly in interracial marriages. In addition, they share different notions on the preparation methods and the way of consumption. Interracial couples encounter diss imilarities and unlike views in their outlook and gender roles. The western and non-western societies have distinct outlook on the role of women in family and society. The extent of liberty and freedom enjoyed by women also influences the relationship of interracial couples. When individuals of different societies with dissimilar races bind in the relationship of marriage, they often fail to play their roles effectively. The expectation of higher dignity and consideration from other races often persuade individuals to get into interracial relationships. But this over expectation and other moral disagreements restrict the success of interracial marriages. Thus gender role expectations significantly influence the decisions and actions of interracial couples (Interracial Marriages). The root cause for the problems out of interracial marriages is that it is not accepted and encouraged by the society. The society tends to classify people on their races and culture. As a result, interraci al couples usually encounter problems including lack of friends and well-wishers in the society. They tend to maintain less interaction with society or remain isolated from the society. The in-laws of interracial couples have different views on the lives of their children which also will directly influence the relationship of interracial couples. Most of the problems of interracial marriages start when it comes to the upbringing of children born to them. The method of child rearing differs from one race to the other. They often find trouble with choosing the best strategies for their children’s development. Furthermore, interracial marriages are found to have great impact on the lives of their multicultural children too. For instance, the children of interracial couple normally face discrimination and inequality in society and sometimes even at home. They face challenges on their racial identity; and often fail to categorize them into a particular group. Moreover, there may b e pressure from parental side to choose a particular identity while the child may wish to pursue the other one. In addition, there may also be a situation of agreement of child and parents for a particular racial identity but when the society may not accept it. Children get mentally disturbed and annoyed with unfairness and inequity at the school level. Racism becomes one of the key issues in the school environments. Children of interra

What are the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers Research Paper

What are the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers - Research Paper Example Teenagers, today indulge in a wide array of activities which may stretch well into the night for example, partying, playing games, online socialising and studying for exams etc. It is recommended that an average teenager needs about 9-9.5 hours of proper sleeps. However, today teenagers barely sleep for the recommended period of time which has negative consequences both on their body functioning and mental health. In fact long term deprivation of sleep may even have serious implications on the health. This has become a matter of concern for parent, educators and researchers who recommend that proper sleep is absolutely essential for both physical and mental growth. Sleep is the period in which the body rests and recovers from the stress it experienced during the day. The body and all its metabolic processes are accustomed to a particular biological clock which is affected severely by sleep deprivation. Several research studies have focused on the association between lack of sleep and hormonal release in the body. Hormones play an important role in the development of the teenagers; however owing to lack of sleep hormonal release is altered which has negative effects on the body mechanism. Researchers have pointed out that sleep restriction alters metabolic and endocrine systems. Hormones that regulate glucose metabolism have been shown to be influenced by changes in sleep patterns. Young adults who are deprived of sleep show increased glucose tolerance, reduction in insulin sensitivity, enhanced cortisol and ghrelin concentration in the evenings and a loss of appetite (Leprult and Cauter, 2010). The altered regulation in glucose metabolism has not only led to an increase in obesity among teenagers but has also led to an increase in Type II diabetes. Lack of sleep also affects immunity of developing teenagers. Sleep deprivation has been associated with increased lymphocyte activity and enhanced levels of Interleukin-1

Learning and Good Manager Essay Example for Free

Learning and Good Manager Essay Good managers are born, not made. Discuss this idea whilst exploring key characteristics of an effective manager. For a long time, many people have questioned whether a good manager is born naturally, or they can learn and train to become a good manager. For people who think that a good manager is born, they believe that an effective manager is born with some specific skills and characteristics that ordinary people do not have. â€Å"Charisma and trait are qualities which are generated from inside a person† (Junaid 2010). However, a stronger believes in nobody born with perfect competence. In fact, it is rarely to find people who just naturally good at anything. Achievement in life requires hard work, experience, and skills (Lash, J. 2007). Everyone can develop by learning and training to become better. They can change their attitude and acquire appropriate capability and attribute that required for a good manager. It is ambiguous in the aspect of good managers are born, not made, because there are many evidences and researches that explain how ordinary people can become a good manager. First and foremost, people who support the first reason that nature select a specific group of people to be a good manager by giving charisma and trait. According to Weber (1947) as cited by Raktabutr (2007), supernatural and particular forces grant charisma which is a precise quality of a personality to extraordinary person. Charisma and trait are the main factors that can make anyone become a well manager. For example, motivation is one of the key characteristic of an effective manager which is generate from inside, this type of characteristic is difficult to learn and understand. In such circumstance a proficient manager can considered as a leader, they have to know how to motivate other people in workplace. As Edward Deci (n. d. ) as cited by Llewellyn and Holt (n. d. ) write in why we do what we do: Understanding self-motivation. A place that feels connected, independent, and authorized is lead people to be self-motivated. Failure is a part of process that managers have to concede, because they have to encourage risk-taking and creativity. Effective managers have to build up the dynamic atmosphere in workplace to ensure that his co-worker and subordinate have passion to complete their task, and then it will make the outcome of their task effective and efficiency. Whereas, people who do not have this key distinctive, they can get in trouble when they have to motivate other people, because it is inconsistent to motivate to different people. Another key determinant that essential is self-confidence. Manager has to show his confidence to make his underling believe and respect to him, because manager cannot do everything they can only manage and assign task to his subordinate. While people who do not born with this ability, they can face the problem about how to act to other people to gain their trust and respect. These key characteristics are come from aptitude that manager can know immediately how to deal with problem. It could be said that other people who do not have charisma and trait cannot be a good manager, because these attributes ingrained with special people since they were born. There was an early psychological research, which were studied inborn characteristics or traits from successful leaders. The ascription is people can be a good manager if they could be found with these traits. Stogdill (1974) determine the following traits and skills as needful to manager, which consist of intelligence, conceptually skilled, imaginative, sagacious, management ability , convincing , interpersonal relations, adjustable to situations ,active to social environment ,commitment and achievement-orientated ,assertive ,cooperative , decided , trustworthy ,dominant, ardent, relentless, self-confident ,and repressive of stress. In the other hand, there are some evidences that explain how normal people who do not born with inherited specialties can learn and practice to become a good manager. Every person has to learn to acquire skills and cognition. â€Å"The most important skill for everyone is the ability to manipulate their learning† (Mcnamara, C. n. d. ). Everyone can gain a lot of benefit from learning, if they have high level of stimulus and self-directed reader. People can be a good manager by using Management development program, which is include both informal and formal method. For informal method, it can help everyone improve some key characteristics that requisite for a good manager by reading some articles, and discussing management with other people. Taking a course, seminar or workshop is another good opportunity for regular people to develop themselves to be a capable manager. There is an executive education program for manager has been provided by Harvard business school, the length of this course is around three months. This course accepts managers from all over the world. This full time course at Harvard business school offer precise learning experiences that allow managers to learn how to use vision to create effective management decision, and how to see organization as a whole picture. It is also cover all areas of management from accounting, finance, technology, operations, strategy, and marketing, international economy and organizational change. This program offers opportunity to participants to understand the key characteristics of a good manager. Almost 12,000 managers who have gone on to top leadership positions in some of the most well known companies in the world, after they graduated from this course. Therefore, it is clear that good manager can be made by training and learning, since there are plenty of ways to develop skills and characteristics by both formal and informal method. In conclusion, although, the people who born with unique skills and knowledge take advantage more than other people, normal people who want to be a good manager can expand their capability to acquire these requirements, if they have high commitment on their goal and work hard enough. Since nowadays, there are many courses and programs that provide for people to improve their abilities such as training class, which can determine and supply special skills that manager needs, and these type of programs are accepted by most organizations in the world. Thus, in my opinion, it is irrational that good manager is born. Every people can make themselves to become an effective manager, because everyone can define their own destiny.

Effect of Solanezumab on Alzheimer’s Disease

Effect of Solanezumab on Alzheimer’s Disease Solanezumab Introduction Alzheimer’s disease is chronic neurodegenerative disease which has a slow development which worsens over a period of time (Alzheimers Disease 2009). This disease is commonly linked with the overabundance of aggregated amyloid-beta (AÃŽ ²) peptide within the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (Doody et al. 2014). Solanezumab an Alzheimer’s drug is a monoclonal IgG1 antibody which is used against the mid-domain of the AÃŽ ² peptide (Alzforum.org 2015). This paper will cover aspects of this drug such as its development, chemical structure and mechanism of action and looking at issues the drug had during its development, regulatory approval and its post market surveillance. Development The development of this type of antibody is different from other monoclonal antibodies which are being tested currently. Comparing it to that of another drug called bapineuzumab, which binds to the N-terminal, Solanezumab was created to bind to the soluble AÃŽ ² peptide because it was predicted to it being far more effective than binding to the N-terminal portion of a molecule (Imbimbo et al. 2012). In the In Vitro studies which were undertaken for this drug, the parent’s antibody m266 which binds to the AÃŽ ² had been tested in a dialysis system involving the antibody solution in the bottom chamber which was divided by a dialysis membrane from the top chamber which had the human CSF. It was seen that a great amount of CSF AÃŽ ² was sequestered when the bottom chamber had PBS plus m266 at 48.91% as compared to PBS with a nonspecific mouse IgG being at 2.18% (Imbimbo et al. 2012). The result demonstrated in relation to AÃŽ ² binding that m266 was not able to bind to AÃŽ ² depos ited in parenchyma and cerebral vessels (Imbimbo et al. 2012 cited from [49]). Class of drug and Mechanism of action Solanezumab as defined by the WHO’s International Nonproprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances (INN) is an neuroprotectant (WHO 2007). Neuroprotection as dictated by Rafi and Aisen (2009) is the mechanism by which neurons are protected from degeneration; their use can be seen in patients who have suffered recent ischemic injury or a result from neurodegenerative diseases. It is seen that solanezumab’s mechanism of action is different to that of other passive immunotherapies. This is due to it targeting the central domain of AÃŽ ² peptide, which has been proposed as more effective in clearing N-terminal truncated or modified forms of AÃŽ ² peptide (Siemers et al. 2010). This has separated this drug from others such as bapinezumab which targets the N-terminal of the molecule exclusively (Samadi and Sultzer 2011). In the murine model, the M266 antibodies are seen to enter the cerebral spinal fluid at a concentration of 0.1% compared that that of in plasma, as with patients with AD, a single injection intravenously of the dose of .5, 1.5, 4 and 10 mg/kg resulted in the maximum plasma concentration for solanezumab (Bruno P Imbimbo, et al. 2012). Furthermore the mean total half-life of the drug was found to be 334 hours (14 days) after an injection of .5mg and 631 to 709 hours (26 to 30 days) when injected with 1.5, 4, or 10 mg which indicated that the lowest dose half-life compared to that of the high doses was most likely due to the drug concentrations falling below quantification limits, thus possibly preventing complete characterization of the terminal elimination phase for the dose given (Imbimbo et al. 2012 cited from Siemers et al. 2010). Chemical Structure Solanezumab is a humanized IgG1 derivative of the m266 AÃŽ ² monoclonal antibody of a mouse in which binds to the central region of the human AÃŽ ² peptide (Stefan DÃ ¼bel 2014). This antibody was produced inside A/J mice using a synthetic AÃŽ ² peptide conjugated with an anti –CD3 immunoglobin (Bruno P Imbimbo, et al. 2012). (Expand a bit more here) Identifying issues during drug development, regulatory approval or post marketing surveillances Currently 9 studies have carried out concerning the Solanezumab drug, 5 of which have been completed and the other 4 which are recruiting or currently active in their research (ClinicalTrials.gov 2015). The most well regarded and referenced is the Phase 3 Trials which were carried out by Eli Lilly in 2014 which looked at using Solanezumab for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. In in murine model of the preclinical trials for the drug were tested for their safety and effectiveness. It was seen that the mice treated with the murine version of solanezumab called m266.2 were at risk to develop cerebral microhemorrhaging as compared to mice treated with 3D6 which the bapinezumab model for mice (Samadi, seltzer 2011 cited from [50]). The reasoning for this result was predicted to be that of the different binding paths of the drugs where solanezumab binds to the AÃŽ ² peptide exclusively as bapinezumab binds to both AÃŽ ² plaque and the n-terminal of the AÃŽ ² peptide (Samadi, seltzer 2011 cited from [43]). Phase I studies showed that when 19 test subjects were subjected to a single dose of solanezumab containing either .5,1.5,4.0 or 10 mg/kg that serious adverse side effects occurred in 4 , 1 in which had a placebo (add in results for this phase 1)( Samadi , Sultzer 2011). The events that occurred was syncope, fatigue and vertigo occurring from the does size given, although it was noted that these effects were not fault of the drug given (Imbimbo et al. 2012 cited [55]). The results of the study had shown that there altogether no changes in the cognitive scores which would indicate that the drug did not provide any benefit. In the phase II study was conducted looking at the drug being given over a period of 12 weeks. The various issues that occurred in these studies was that 8 patients had suffered from serious adverse side effects from the drug, these included cardiac, neurological and even gastrointestinal issues (Farlow et al. 2012). The table Figure (1) gives a summary to the adverse events that occurred between the placebo and varying dosage groups of the patients receiving the drug. (expand) When looking at the cognitive measurements in the patients to assess their cognitive abilities, the results showed that between the drug and the placebo, no important differences were seen on the 11 item or 14 item scores. Table figure (3) demonstrates these results showing these differences. This table can then indicate that there was no suggestion that any significant clinical benefit occurred. The Phase III trials which involved 2 double blind trials which the patients were treated with either the drug or the placebo given periodically over a period of 18 months. The outcomes were measured using the 11 item and 14 items cognitive scores to which the previous phase studies had used. The results showed that for the baseline characteristics that there were no differences between the control and drug group but for the cognitive and clinical outcomes they The adverse events that occurred during this trial were that cardiac arrhythmia occurred in 5% of patients who received the drug and 3.7% in the placebo (Doody et al. 2014). As well as the cardiac issues, 33 deaths had occurred, 24 in which were in the group who received Solanezumab In the discussion section of the studies they mention that from both the studies that were undertaken, none of them had shown any benefit that Solanezumab and the current studies have failed to show treatment effects on the hippocampal , total brain volume or the amyloid accumulation (Doody et al. 2014). Doody et al. (2014) goes on to mention that although the study did not show the efficacy of the drug being tested that further studies into the drug will be required to assess the particular approach they’ve taken. It can be seen a major issue concerning all the studies which were carried out is the lack of efficacy. As can be seen for all the results for the phase studies that all of them showed no significant improvement when it was concerning the 11 item and 14 item scores for the patients. Conclusion Solanezumab has also proven to provide a poor efficacy for the patients in which has taken it. The phase studies in which have been reported demonstrate this result occurring which can give evidence toward this particular monoclonal antibody to be ineffective as slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s. Although there was seen adverse side effects in the studies which may call for concern , it has been properly ruled out that the issues were not related to the drug as can be seen in the table results when comparing the control to the drug groups. To summarise solanezumab is not created the same as compared to other monoclonal antibodies, when discussing their binding site on the AÃŽ ² peptide, although this drug has proven to have a poor efficacy, it has shown that it causes minimal adverse side effects in comparison to other monoclonal antibodies currently being tested. If more study was to be taken place into altering the drug, in attempt to improve efficacy whilst minimising the adverse effects, it may come into market someday to help people. References Bruno P Imbimbo, Simone Ottonello, et al. Solanezumab for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimers disease. 2012. Stefan DÃ ¼bel, Janice M. Reichert. Handbook of Therapeutic Antibodies. John Wiley Sons, 2014. http://informahealthcare.com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/doi/full/10.1517/14712598.2011.578573 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=solanezumabSearch=Search https://books.google.com.au/books?id=CiCOAwAAQBAJpg=PA336dq=solanezumabhl=ensa=Xei=fj5fVdixGMHbmAWRkYC4CAved=0CCwQ6AEwAw#v=onepageq=solanezumabf=false https://books.google.com.au/books?id=cTsTAAAAQBAJpg=PA165dq=solanezumabhl=ensa=Xei=fj5fVdixGMHbmAWRkYC4CAved=0CCcQ6AEwAg#v=onepageq=solanezumabf=false https://books.google.com.au/books?id=svHsBQAAQBAJpg=PA907dq=solanezumabhl=ensa=Xei=fj5fVdixGMHbmAWRkYC4CAved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepageq=solanezumabf=false http://www.alzforum.org/therapeutics/solanezumab

Lewis Carroll Essay -- essays research papers fc

Lewis Carroll is one of the most well known Nonsense Writers. Though using nonsense in poetry has been dismissed as simply "for entertainment purposes", most nonsensical poetry acts as an allegory, has deep symbolism and leaves the door wide open for varying interpretations. Lewis Carroll has utilized this sense with nonsense through his poems and prose found in his novels Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass . Through Carroll's interactions with his close friends and family, and the innovative and eccentric society and politics of the Victorian Era, he has created beautiful poetry with many different levels. The Victorian Era lasted from 1837 until 1901, which was the time during Queen Victoria's reign in England. The term Victorian has "conveyed connotations of ‘prudish', ‘repress', and ‘old fashioned'"(Landow 1). This era is now seen as a time of " great expansion of wealth, power, and culture"(Landow 1). This change in ideas and politics led to great change in democracy, and saw a rise in other modern movements. Since the era lasted for so long it is comprised of several different periods including Socialism, Darwinism, and scientific Agnosticism. The widespread use of opium during the Victorian period may have influenced or been reflected in Carroll's work. "In Carroll's time five out of six families used opium habitually"(Wohl 34). The Victorian Era, ideology, and politics had a great impact on Lewis Carroll's poetry. Lewis Carroll, formally Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was born at Daresbury, Cheshire, on January 27, 1832. His parents were Charles and Frances Dodgson. He was the oldest of 11 children.All through his life he loved to write, and take photographs. During 1854 Carroll continued to write and compiled a scrapbook of his best writings, called "Mischmasch". "Mischmasch" included a four line verse, titled "Stanza of Anglo-Saxon Poetry". Later this became the first verse of his nonsense poem "Jabberwocky". In 1855, Henry Liddell arrived as the new Dean at Christ Church and Carroll was introduced to his children. He had a son, Harry, and three daughters: Lorina, Alice, and Edith. Carroll had begun to photograph the family and had become especially charmed by the little girl Alice. Alice later b... ...nbsp; Works Cited Carroll, Lewis. Alice in Wonderland. Norton Critical Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1992. Connell, Kate. "Opium as a Possible influence upon Alice Books" 22 Mar 2000. The Victorian Web. <http://landow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/victov.html>. Graham, Eleanor. Lewis Carroll and the Writing of Through The Looking Glass Great Britain: Puffin Books, 1981. Landow, George P. "Victorian and Victorianism" 23 Mar 2000. The Victorian Web. <http://landow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/vn/victor4.html> Sewell, Elizabeth. The Field of Nonsense London: Chatto and Windus LTD., 1952.

Uses of Archetype, Foreshadow, and Symbolism in One Hundred Years of So

Uses of Archetype, Foreshadow, and Symbolism in One Hundred Years of Solitude Throughout all works of world literature, certain passages will have special significance to the plot progression of that novel. This key passage must provide insight upon the overall theme of that work through characterization, symbolism, and imagery. In Gabriel García Márquez's novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, the passage selected for commentary uses the literary techniques of archetype, foreshadow, and symbolism to inform characterization. The concept of consanguineous love affairs is also reinforced in this passage along with the idea of the necessity of outside influence on a family. These concepts inform the characterization of all of the characters presented and provides insight on the cyclic nature of the Buendía family history. From the beginning of the passage, García Márquez demonstrates that outside influences are beginning to impact the Buendía family lineage. The newborn son of Aureliano Segundo by Fernanda del Carpio, José Arcadio, is described as having "no mark of a Buendía." This shows the family's shift from repeated love affairs involving family members, such as that of the first José Arcadio and Rebeca. Also, the newborn's lack of a mark eludes to Fernanda's gaining power within the family; no mark of the traditional Buendía, Úrsula, is to be found. This idea is further suggested when Fernanda does not hesitate in naming him José Arcadio, despite Úrsula's doubts. This shows Úrsula's ability, having been the supreme matron of the Buendía family over... ...ir respective names and dressed them in different colored clothing marked with each one's initials, but when they began to go to school they decided to exchange clothing and bracelets and call each other by opposite names. The teacher, Melchor Escalona, used to knowing José Arcadio Segundo by his green shirt, went out of his mind when he discovered the latter was wearing Aureliano Segundo's bracelet and that the other one said, nevertheless, that his name was Aureliano Segundo in spite of the fact that he was wearing the white shirt and the bracelet with José Arcadio Segundo's name. From then on he was never sure who was who. Even when they grew up and life made them different, Úrsula still wondered if they themselves might not have made a mistake in some moment of their intricate game of confusion and had become changed forever.

Interagency disaster management Essay

Introduction: A disaster can be defined as a serious disruption of the functioning of a society, causing widespread human, material, or environmental losses which exceed the ability of affected society to copy using only its own resources. Disasters are often classified according to their speed of onset (sudden or slow), or according to their cause (natural or man-made). Recent disasters like Hurricane Katrina have exposed the vulnerability of the nation in times of disaster and this has lead to discussions on disaster management. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, ice storms, severe weather, and wildfires can strike any time. They can build over days or weeks, or strike suddenly without warning. Throughout history, people in various parts of the world have suffered due to the unpredictability of natural disasters. Some disasters can be predicted such as floods in valleys, droughts in areas of low rainfall and oil spills in shipping lanes. There can also be manmade unpredictable disasters such as bioterrorism that involves the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Disaster Management: Disasters are inevitable but the destructive impact of disasters can be substantially reduced by adequate preparation, early warning, and swift, decisive responses. Disaster Management encompasses all aspects of planning for and responding to disasters. It applies to management of both risks and consequences of disasters. However, disasters need to be declared to secure the release of government resources for intervention. Government through its various agencies plays a huge role in such prevention and mitigation. This is done through legislation, through resource allocation and through rational planning and sustainable development. State and local governments are closest to those affected by natural disasters, and have always been the lead in response and recovery. The federal government acts in a supporting role, providing assistance, logistical support, and certain supplies. Local government is responsible for providing for the safety and security of citizens in advance of a hurricane. That means they are in charge of developing emergency plans, determining evacuation routes, providing public transportation for those who can’t self-evacuate, and setting up and stocking local shelters with relief supplies. State government is responsible for mobilizing the National Guard, pre-positioning certain assets and supplies, and setting up the state’s emergency management functions. They are also in charge of requesting federal support though the formal disaster declaration process. Federal government is responsible for meeting those requests from the state – before, during and after the disaster. This includes providing logistical support for search and rescue, providing food, water and ice, establishing disaster centers and processing federal disaster claims, and participating in short and long-term public works projects, such as debris removal and infrastructure rebuilding. National Response Plan: The National Response Plan, published on May 25, 2006, by the DHS, provides an all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the nation to manage domestic disasters. The plan includes best practices and procedures from incident management disciplines—homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, firefighting, public works, public health, responder and recovery worker health and safety, emergency medical services, and the private sector and integrates them into a unified structure. It forms the basis of how the federal government coordinates with state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector during incidents. The National Response Plan aims to save lives and protect the health and safety of the public, responders, and recovery workers and thereby ensure security of the homeland. The National Response Plan establishes a comprehensive all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic incidents. It forms the basis of how federal departments and agencies will work together and how the federal government will coordinate with state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector during incidents. It establishes protocols to help protect the nation from terrorist attacks and other natural and manmade hazards; save lives; protect public health, safety, property, and the environment; and reduces adverse psychological consequences and disruptions to civilian life. The Plan identifies police, fire, public health and medical, emergency management, and other personnel as responsible for incident management at the local level. The Plan enables incident response to be handled at the lowest possible organizational and jurisdictional level. The Plan ensures the seamless integration of the federal government when an incident exceeds local or state capabilities. There are some new Coordinating Features in the National Response Plan such as: †¢ Homeland Security Operations Center (HSOC): The HSOC serves as the primary national level multi-agency hub for domestic situational awareness and operational coordination. The HSOC also includes DHS components, such as the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), which has primary responsibility for coordinating communications with the Nation’s critical infrastructure during an incident. †¢ National Response Coordination Center (NRCC): The NRCC, a functional component of the HSOC, is a multi-agency center that provides overall federal response coordination. †¢ Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC): At the regional level, the RRCC coordinates regional response efforts and implements local federal program support until a Joint Field Office is established. †¢ Interagency Incident Management Group (IIMG): A tailored group of senior federal interagency experts who provide strategic advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security during an actual or potential Incident of National Significance. †¢ Joint Field Office (JFO): A temporary federal facility established locally to provide a central point to coordinate resources in support of state, local, and tribal authorities. †¢ Principal Federal Official (PFO): A PFO may be designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security during a potential or actual Incident of National Significance. While individual federal officials retain their authorities pertaining to specific aspects of incident management, the PFO works in conjunction with these officials to coordinate overall federal incident management efforts. The Department of Homeland Security/Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in close coordination with the DHS Office of the Secretary, will maintain the National Response Plan. The Plan will be updated to incorporate new Presidential directives, legislative changes, and procedural changes based on lessons learned from exercises and actual events. The Department of Homeland Security: In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. The department is responsible for providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. According to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 the mission of the Department of Homeland security is to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism; and minimize the damage, and assist in the recovery, from terrorist attacks that do occur within the United States. Biohazards: Biohazards are biological agents or substances that present or may present a hazard to the health or well-being of the worker or the community. Biological agents and substances include infectious and parasitic agents, noninfectious microorganisms, such as some fungi, yeast, algae, plants and plant products, and animals and animal products that cause occupational disease. Generally, biohazards are either infectious microorganisms, toxic biological substances, biological allergens or any combination of the above. Today, biohazards ar also used as weapons of mass destruction in the hands of terrorists – the use of anthrax virus to spread disease, death, fear and panic among the public is a case in point. As such, biohazards not only come under the purview of the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) but also under Department of Homeland Security.