Does learning how to properly express oneself help Dissertation

Does learning how to properly express oneself help - Dissertation Example The study does not attempt to supplant existing programs, rather, it seeks to work with it, and enhance existing programs. This is done by opening and providing alternative means with which violence may be prevented. Social scientists believe violent crimes to be crimes of expression. While conducting motivational speaking sessions at schools in New Orleans, I have noticed that there are not many school-based programs in the district. The programs that currently exist do not look at the juvenile problem of violence as a possible problem of expression. Disciplinarian measures such as suspension and expulsion along with tight security methods seem to be the proposed solution to the problem of school violence. In this state of ‘tight security’ to curb juvenile violence, the study offers an innovative method - creative expression as a means of violence reduction, of juvenile violence prevention. This approach is novel, as no such programs currently exist, especially in New O rleans. Problem Statement Despite data showing reductions in violent crime nationally, youth violence remains a serious problem (Feder, Levant, & Dean, 2010). According to the Bureau of Justice Statistic, more crimes are committed against students’ ages 12-18 at school than away from school (Roberts, Zhang, Truman, 2010). Students who ranged from ages 12-18 experienced approximately 1.2 million nonfatal crimes at school compared to about one million nonfatal crimes away from school. The figures represent total crime victimization rates of 47 crimes per 1,000 students at school and 38 crimes per 1,000 students away from school. The number of school days in a year is essentially equivalent to the number of non-school days in a year. Despite the balance of days between school and non-school days, most (63%) violent crimes committed by juveniles occur on school days (OJJPD, 2010). Violence is the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among young people (Hammond, Haegerich, & Saul, 2 009). According to 2008 FBI statistics, New Orleans had the highest per capita murder rate in the nation (Murder Capital Title, 2009). The intersection of teen violence and the murder capital was evident more than ever in 2006. As New Orleans was scrambling to rebuild from Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans emerged as the murder capital once again. Five teenage juveniles ranging from ages 16-19 were gunned down in a one incident. The horrific event prompted the mayor of New Orleans to call for the deployment of the Louisiana National Guard to patrol the streets of New Orleans. Despite turning New Orleans to mirror an Iraqi city with armed military soldiers patrolling its streets, the violence remained. Juvenile violence remained a problem in New Orleans despite the presence of the Army. Once again, another attempt of increased security results in no answer. Tighter security looks good, but it has not proven to reduce violent crime. In this regard, the urgency of finding alternative mean s of addressing the problem of juvenile violence on top of existing programs is of intrinsic value. This is to promote existing programs, and open other venues that may help the young person express their experiences. Purpose Statement The purpose of this mixed research study is to

Bipolar Disorder Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Bipolar Disorder - Article Example The basis of this study is an association between the deregulation of HPA axis and BD diagnosis, present in all clinical cases of BD. A dysfunction of the HPA axis may be caused by an alteration the rate limiting step of cortisol metabolism. A mitochondrial membrane translocator protein (TSPO) is a key regulator in this pathway as it limits the translocation of cholesterol into the power house (Colasanti, Owen, & Grozeva, et al., 2013). An amino acid substitution polymorphism (rs 6971) in the gene encoding for this transporter protein greatly affects the affinity of TSPO to cholesterol. This altered affinity in the defective protein in turn impairs the metabolism of steroids including those of HPA axis. This study provides evidence of association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the TSPO gene and the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in a large scale case control study (Colasanti, Owen, & Grozeva, et al., 2013). However, the results of this study are suggestive as the findings did not reach genome wise significance; though they were reproducible. This nominal association suggests the possible existence of o ther confounding factors in the etiopathogenesis of bipolar disorder. A limitation of this study is in the use of imputation in the analysis for the rs6971 SNP in the TSPO gene. In conclusion, a bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by mood swings. There are several environmental and genetic etiologies to this condition, which can progress to severe forms such as psychosis. A study by Colasanti, Owen, and Grozeva, et al., suggests a possible genetically altered HPA axis function as a causative factor in BD. The genetic mutation in the mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) impairs the metabolism of neurosteroids, which in turn alters the HPA axis function (Colasanti, Owen, & Grozeva, et al., 2013). The deregulation in HPA axis has been reported in all BD cases suggesting a