Conversation Between Primus Inter Pares and The Jamie Star Scenario

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  1. Firefox be king
  2. Quote Originally Posted by PiP
    Spartan III ~ "'Primus Inter Pares'... Is he/she EoFF's God/Goddess? Seems like some kind of religion here...to worship this member."
    You know if you do not know the sex of a person you should refer to them in the male form, 'he' et cetera. Just thought they might want to know to get rid of those silly '/' things.
  3. Would that be wise?
  4. your user notes were at 888 but I ruined it, take that!
  5. AGH!

    *falls out of boat*
  6. Americans?
  7. Angina is not a funny subject!
  8. English ATB #5

    The text “Re-Assemble Your Child” provides an interesting view of early education in children, to truly unlock the child’s potential, whether it works or not, is not up for discussion however. The concept of achieving intellectual prowess through early learning programs is not new, however sophisticated systems like this one seem to have come about very recently. I believe that there is much merit in this Concept of teaching babies skills that usually take years to acquire normally, it would greatly increase the potential for technological growth in humans, however this raises certain ethical issues as well.

    As I was reading this text, I could not help but wonder if this would be used for national prestige in any way, and I am reminded of the Chinese Olympic training programs where kids as young as three are drilled to become the next generation of Olympians, detracting completely from any social life they may have now, or in the future. I believe that social interaction is an important aspect of early childhood development and that any programs such as the one mentioned in the text should include social interaction to the same degree (or more) that “normal” children are provided with.

    This brings me to the point of social intelligence, if this program does not cater or provide any lessons or opportunity for social interaction in a healthy, non-derisive atmosphere, like certain similar programs before it, then it would be practically useless, if it was to adhere to ethical sentiments, if a baby is deprived of the joys of social interaction and other things provided in loving families the whole system won’t produce a generation of intelligent, productive adults, but a generation of social outcasts, who could use their intelligence for other purposes.

    One of the main things that make this program of early education something not mentioned is the interest factor, and the possible domino effect that would result from it. The teenagers today are generally not interested in the great works of philosophers such as Plato and D’escartes, if these programs do encourage interest in these aspects of literature, and others it could lead to a second “Renaissance” of flourishing culture and the opening of new lines of though, This leads me to Platos’ The Republic where a program of early child studies is proposed – first initiative by selective or rather a program of Eugenics, this sort of proposal is not unethical obviously meant to be ethical but the Utopian society Plato suggests has been copied over the years. More understanding of the flaws of certain texts would lead to history not repeating itself.

    While I support this idea I can recognize why others would oppose it and they would be similar to the questions I have raised about social development. And example of selective breeding gone wrong can be seen in Nazi Germany where people would selectively breed for the “fatherland”. After they were born, they were sent to Nurseries to be taken care of, the reason this program failed was because of the lack of social interaction provided for these children, which led to their deaths from “too little love”. It is now know that physical contact and interaction is essential for the survival of children.

    Some of the main arguments against the actual program, such as the usefulness of it are answered in the obviously biased article. “a four-year-old all-American kid reading and speaking Japanese. It is very difficult … to dismiss it all as “party tricks””. However the best case against this institute is the omission of certain things: “The institute, which have been in operation for thirty-one years” does give the impression that the long-term effects and successes on the most brain damaged children would be known. These details have been omitted, leading me to believe that the success of this particular program may have been low, and that the early success eventually wears off.

    While the success of this program and others can be challenged, the actual concept of early-childhood education has many merits in my view. If it is successful in creating a generation of “Renaissance Children” that when older, remain dedicated and intelligent it could greatly improve the world today, of course certain ethical issues must be tended to firstly but that should not detract from the benefits of such a program. I can see tat the argument against (possibly religious) holds some strong points that should be addressed before a program like this could go on a larger scale. A larger scale program that promotes intelligence and education in life is probably needed to sustain the exponential technological growth that is occurring today.

    This was written in class in 45 minutes, the things in bold are additions :P
  9. Wait a minute...
  10. Has anyone ever written a story in someones usernotes? How about an essay?

    Angina

    Definition: Chest pain that occurs secondary to the inadequate delivery of oxygen to the heart muscle. Often described as a heavy or squeesing pain in the midsternal area of the chest. The pain may also occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It may also feel like indigestion.

    Other Names for Angina

    Angina pectoris
    Stable or common angina
    Unstable angina
    Variant angina
    Prinzmetal's angina
    Coronary artery spasms
    Acute coronary syndrome

    Types of Angina

    There are 3 types of angina-stable, unstable, and variant (Prinzmetal's).

    Stable angina. Stable angina is the most common type. It occurs when the heart is working harder than usual.
    There is a regular pattern to stable angina.
    After several episodes, you learn to recognize the pattern and can predict when it will occur.
    The pain usually goes away in a few minutes when you rest or take your angina medicine.
    Stable angina is not a heart attack but makes it more likely that you will have a heart attack in the future.

    Unstable angina. Unstable angina is a very dangerous condition that requires emergency treatment. It is a sign that a heart attack could occur soon. Unlike stable angina, it does not follow a pattern. It can occur without physical exertion and is not relieved by rest or medicine.

    Variant angina. Variant angina is rare. It usually occurs at rest. The pain can be severe and usually occurs between midnight and early morning. It is relieved by medication. Variant angina is due to coronary artery spasm. About two-thirds of people with it have severe coronary atherosclerosis in at least one major vessel. The spasm usually occurs very close to the blockage.

    Not all chest pain or discomfort is angina. Chest pain or discomfort can be caused by a heart attack, lung problems (such as an infection or a blood clot), heartburn, or a panic attack. However all chest pain should be checked by a doctor.

    Causes

    Angina is caused by reduced blood flow to an area of the heart. This is most often due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Sometimes, other types of heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause angina.

    In CAD, the arteries in the heart muscle are narrowed due to the build-up of fatty deposits called plaque. This is called atherosclerosis. Some plaque is hard and stable and leads to narrowed and hardened arteries. Other plaque is soft and is more likely to break open and cause blood clots. The build-up of plaque on the inner walls of the arteries can cause angina in two ways:

    By narrowing the artery to the point where the flow of blood is greatly reduced
    By forming blood clots that partially or totally block the artery.




    Stable Angina

    Physical exertion is the most common cause of pain and discomfort from stable angina. Severely narrowed arteries may allow enough blood to reach the heart when the demand for oxygen is low (such as when you are sitting). But with exertion like walking up a hill or climbing stairs, the heart works harder and needs more oxygen. Other causes include:

    Emotional stress
    Exposure to very hot or cold temperature
    Heavy meals
    Smoking.

    Unstable Angina

    Unstable angina is caused by blood clots that partially or totally block an artery. If plaque in an artery ruptures or breaks open, blood clots may form. This creates a larger blockage. The clot may grow large enough to completely block the artery and cause a heart attack. Blood clots may form, partly dissolve, and later form again. Chest pain can occur each time a clot blocks an artery.

    Variant Angina

    Variant angina is caused by a spasm in a coronary artery. The spasm causes the walls of the artery to tighten. This narrows the artery, causing the blood flow to the heart to slow or stop. Variant angina may occur in persons with and without CAD. Other causes of spasms in the arteries that supply the heart with blood are:

    Exposure to cold
    Emotional stress
    Medications (vasoconstricting) that constrict or narrow blood vessels
    Cigarette smoking
    Cocaine use.

    Signs and Symptoms

    The pain or discomfort of angina:

    Is often described as pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness in the chest
    Usually starts in the chest behind the breastbone
    May also occur in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, throat, or back
    May feel like indigestion.
    Some people say that angina discomfort is hard to describe or that they can't tell exactly where the pain is coming from. Symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, light-headedness, or weakness may also occur.

    Symptoms vary based on the type of angina.

    Stable Angina

    The pain or discomfort:

    Occurs when the heart must work harder, usually during physical exertion
    Is expected, and episodes of pain tend to be alike
    Usually lasts a short time (5 minutes or less)
    Is relieved by rest or angina medicine
    May feel like gas or indigestion
    May feel like chest pain that spreads to the arms, back, or other areas.

    Unstable Angina

    The pain or discomfort:

    Often occurs at rest, while sleeping at night, or with little physical exertion
    Is unexpected
    Is more severe and lasts longer (as long as 30 minutes) than stable angina episodes
    Is usually not relieved with rest or angina medicine
    May get continuously worse
    May signal that a heart attack will happen soon.

    Variant Angina

    The pain or discomfort:

    Usually occurs at rest and during the night or early morning hours
    Tends to be severe
    Is relieved by angina medicine.

    Chest pain that lasts longer than a few minutes and is not relieved by rest or angina medicine may mean you are having-or are about to have-a heart attack.

    Diagnosis

    To find angina:

    Do a physical exam
    Ask about symptoms
    Ask about risk factors and your family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) or other heart disease.

    You diagnose angina by noting symptoms and how they occur.



    Test to Check for Angina:

    EKG or ECG (electrocardiogram). This test measures the rate and regularity of your heartbeat. Some people with angina have a normal EKG. Normal values are Heart rate: 50 to 100 beats per minute. Rhythm: consistent and even.


    Exercise stress test. This test shows how well your heart pumps at higher workloads when it needs more oxygen. EKG and blood pressure readings are taken before, during, and after exercise to see how your heart responds to exercise. The first EKG and blood pressure reading are done to get a baseline. Readings are then taken while you walk on an exercise treadmill, pedal a stationary bicycle, or receive medicine to make your heart beat faster. The test continues until you reach a heart rate set by your doctor. The exercise part is stopped if chest pain or a very sharp rise in blood pressure occurs. Monitoring continues for 10 to 15 minutes after exercise or until your heart rate returns to baseline.


    Chest x-ray. A chest x-ray takes a picture of the organs and structures inside your chest. These include your heart, lungs, and blood vessels.


    Nuclear heart scan. This test shows blood flow to the heart and any damage to the heart muscle. A radioactive dye (technetium or thallium) is injected into your bloodstream. A special camera can then see the dye and find areas where there is less blood flow. Nuclear heart scans are often taken while you are at rest and again after exercise. If you cannot exercise, a medication is given to increase the workload of the heart. The before-and-after exercise scans are compared.


    Echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart. The picture is more detailed than an x-ray image. The test shows how well your heart chambers fill with blood and pump it to the rest of the body. An echocardiogram also can help identify areas of poor blood flow to the heart, areas of heart muscle that are not contracting normally, and previous injury to the heart muscle caused by poor blood flow. An echocardiogram can also be used with a stress test.


    Cardiac catheterization. A thin flexible tube (catheter) is passed through an artery in the groin or arm to reach the coronary arteries. Your doctor can determine pressure and blood flow in the heart's chambers, collect blood samples from the heart, and examine the arteries of the heart by x-ray.


    Coronary angiography. This test is done during cardiac catheterization. A dye that can be seen by x-ray is injected through the catheter into the coronary arteries. Your doctor can see the flow of blood through the heart and see where there are blockages.

    Your doctor may also order blood tests, such as:

    A fasting lipoprotein profile to check your cholesterol levels.

    Fasting glucose test to check your blood sugar level.

    C-reactive protein (CRP) test. This blood test measures CRP, a protein in the blood that shows the presence of inflammation. Inflammation is the body's response to injury. High levels of CRP may be a risk factor for CAD. There is normally no CRP in the blood serum.

    A test to check for low haemoglobin in your blood. Haemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of your body.

    Treatment

    Treatment for angina includes lifestyle changes, medication, surgery, and rehabilitation.
    Lifestyle changes and medication may be the only treatments needed if symptoms are mild and are not getting worse. Unstable angina is an emergency condition that requires treatment in the hospital.

    Lifestyle Changes

    Change living habits to prevent angina. If angina comes on

    With exertion, slow down or take rest breaks.
    After a heavy meal, avoid large meals and rich foods that leave you feeling stuffed.
    With stress, try to avoid situations that make you upset or stressed. Learn techniques to handle stress that can't be avoided.

    Other changes that you need to make include:

    Eat a healthy diet to prevent or reduce high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, and obesity
    Quit smoking.
    Exercise as directed by your doctor.
    Lose weight if you are overweight.
    If you have diabetes, follow your doctor's orders and take all medications as directed.

    Medications

    Nitrates are the most commonly used medicines to treat angina. Fast-acting preparations are taken when angina occurs or is expected to occur. Nitrates relax and widen blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the heart while reducing its workload.

    You can use nitrates in different forms to:

    Relieve an episode that is occurring by using the medicine when the pain begins
    Prevent episodes from occurring by using the medicine just before pain or discomfort is expected to occur
    Reduce the number of episodes that occur by using the medicine regularly on a long-term basis.

    Nitro-glycerine is the most commonly used nitrate for angina. Nitro-glycerine that dissolves under your tongue or between your cheeks and gum is used to relieve an angina episode. Nitro-glycerine in the form of pills and skin patches is used to prevent attacks of angina. (Nitro-glycerine in these forms acts too slowly to relieve pain during an angina attack.)

    Other medicines used to treat angina include:

    Beta-blockers, which slow heart rate and lower blood pressure. They can delay or prevent the onset of angina.
    Calcium channel blockers, which relax blood vessels so that more blood flows to the heart, reducing pain from angina. Calcium channel blockers also lower blood pressure.
    ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure and reduce the strain on the heart. They also reduce the risk of a future heart attack and heart failure.

    Medicines that may also be used by people with angina include:

    Medicines to lower cholesterol levels:

    Statins
    Bile Acid Sequestrants
    Nicotinic Acid
    Fibrates
    HRT

    Medicines to lower high blood pressure:

    Diuretics
    Beta-blockers
    ACE inhibitors
    Angiotensin antagonists
    Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
    Alpha-blockers
    Alpha-beta-blockers
    Nervous system inhibitors
    Vasodilators

    Other Medicines:

    Oral antiplatelet (an-ty-PLAYT-lit) medicines (such as aspirin and clopidigrel) taken daily to stop platelets from clumping together to form blood clots. Antiplatelet medicines may not be appropriate for some people because they increase the risk of bleeding.
    Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors are potent antiplatelet medicines that prevent clots from forming in your arteries. They are given intravenously in hospitalized patients in the treatment of angina or during and after angioplasty.
    Anticoagulants (an-ty-ko-AG-u-lants) to prevent clots from forming in your arteries and blocking blood flow.

    Special (Invasive) Procedures

    When medicines and other treatments do not control angina, special procedures may be needed. Two commonly used procedures are:

    Angioplasty to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It can improve blood flow to your heart, relieve chest pain, and possibly prevent a heart attack. Sometimes a stent is placed in the artery to keep it propped open after the procedure.
    Coronary artery bypass surgery, which uses arteries or veins from other areas in your body to bypass your blocked coronary arteries. Bypass surgery improves blood flow to your heart, relieves chest pain, and can prevent a heart attack.

    Cardiac Rehabilitation (Rehab)

    Your doctor may prescribe cardiac rehab for angina or after bypass surgery, angioplasty, or a heart attack.

    The cardiac rehab team may include:

    Doctors
    Your family doctor
    A heart specialist
    A surgeon
    Nurses
    Exercise specialists
    Physical therapists and occupational therapists
    Dieticians
    Psychologists or other behaviour therapists.

    Rehab has two parts:

    Exercise training to help you learn how to exercise safely, strengthen your muscles, and improve your stamina. Your exercise plan will be based on your individual ability, needs, and interests.
    Education, counselling, and training to help you understand your heart condition and find ways to reduce your risk of future heart problems. The cardiac rehab team will help you learn how to cope with the stress of adjusting to a new lifestyle and to deal with your fears about the future.

    Prevention

    You can prevent or lower your risk for heart disease and angina by making lifestyle changes and getting treatment for related conditions.

    Make Lifestyle Changes

    You can lower your risk of heart disease and angina by making healthy lifestyle choices: see above lifestyle changes.

    Treat Related Conditions

    In addition to making lifestyle changes, you can help prevent heart disease and angina by treating related conditions, such as:

    High blood cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol, follow your doctor's advice about lowering it. Take medications to lower your cholesterol as directed.
    High blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, follow your doctor's advice about keeping your blood pressure under control. Take blood pressure medications as directed.
    High blood sugar (diabetes). If you have diabetes, follow your doctor's advice about keeping your blood sugar levels under control. Take medications as directed.
    Obesity. If you are overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about how to lose weight safely.
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