Islam †Annotated Essay Essay Example for Free

Islam – Annotated Essay Essay The article explains the way Islam views life after death. It clearly describes the various tenets that this religion follows when it comes to life on earth and life after death. Islam believes that life on earth has no purpose except to prepare oneself for life after death. The life after death typically consists of three phases: Death, the intermediate and the phase of resurrection. Death is considered to be the first gateway to reach the Garden or Fire. Importance of the custom of singing various verses at the time of death and till the body is buried and the custom of proper ablutions before burial is given due space. The second phase is the most controversial phase for which lot of explanations exist. This is the period when the soul is separated from the body but is not yet resurrected. What the soul does in this in-between phase has many theories, most common being, the souls embarks on a journey similar to the journey made by Prophet Muhammad where He was taken through the seven layers of heaven and made to look down at the tortures of hell. Another commonly accepted theory is the visit of angels Munkar and Nakil, who question the souls about the Quranic verses and their faith. The third phase, that is, the day of Resurrection is believed to be quite spectacular with the destruction of the whole world and the souls entering either the garden or the fire according to their virtues. It is also believed that after resurrection and the destruction of the whole mankind, a new age will begin and justice and righteousness will return to the earth again with a new leader. The idea of punishments or rewards after death, like the author mentioned, do seem having lot of physical attributes. All that has been mentioned seems a bit too dramatic like the tree in hell, Zaqqam which has demons as flowers! It seems, to capture a proper picture of the horror of hell, physical attributes like fire, demons, swords, etc. have been used. This would probably make humans understand better the tortures that they are to undergo if they do not live a life of righteousness. The editor’s note also briefs about the various contributions Islam as a religion has made to the world like ban on liquor, gambling and other vices. It also mentions the equality that Muslim women are credited with in the religion. However, in this present world, they seem to be the most bounded ones. The images of burqa-clad women with no freedom tell quite a different story. The religion, which has beautiful and just tenets to its credit like equal property rights to women, no race and color discrimination, seems to be misunderstood and misinterpreted by the religious heads and the followers for short term benefits. Because of such acts, Islam today is demonized and its contributions to the society are being passed unnoticed. Finally, the article was a comprehensive note of the beliefs in Islam regarding death and after and gave a very brief yet informative idea about the various customs and views on important aspects like fate of non-believers and reincarnation. It did make me a lot wiser about this religion!

The Technological Feasibility of HIPAA Requirements :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Introduction The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, is a law designed â€Å"to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.†1 HIPAA mandates that covered entities must employ technological means to ensure the privacy of sensitive information. This white paper intends to study the requirements put forth by HIPAA by examining what is technically necessary for them to be implemented, the technological feasibility of this, and what commercial, off-the-shelf systems are currently available to implement these requirements. HIPAA Overview On July 21, 1996, Bill Clinton signed HIPAA into law. It was passed partly because of the failure of congress to pass comprehensive health insurance legislation earlier in the decade. The general goals of HIPAA are to: * Increase number of employees who have health insurance; * Reduce health care fraud and abuse; * Introduce/implement administrative simplifications in order to augment effectiveness of health care in the US; * Protect the health information of individuals against access without consent or authorization; * Give patients more rights over their private data; * Set better boundaries for the use of medical information; * Hold people accountable for misuse; * Encourage administrative simplification (in the form of digitalization of information) to help reduce costs. HIPAA affects covered entities which are defined as: – Health plans; – Health care clearinghouses; – Health care providers who transmit health information in electronic form for certain standard transactions. Even though HIPAA was singed into law over seven years ago, its effects are mostly being felt now. This is because of its schedule of compliance: * 10/16/2002 - Transactions and code sets * 4/14/2003 – Privacy Rule * 4/14/2003 – Business Associates * 4/20/2005 – Security Rule This delay stems from a provision in the original act stating that if Congress did not specify certain regulations by the end of 1999, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had to do it. Congress did not meet its deadline, so HHS had to write up the regulations and give companies a chance to implement them.

Narcotics †Research Paper Essay

Narcotics Thesis Statement: Narcotics have valuable medical uses, however, illegal and excessive use of narcotics can endanger people’s lives because of its damaging effects on the mind and body. I.Narcotics Education A.Narcotics B.Kinds of Narcotics C.Characteristics and Medical Uses II.Narcotics Abuse A.Causes of Abuse B.Tolerance and Withdrawal III.Effects of Narcotics Abuse A.Effects on the Person B.Effects on the Family C.Effects on the Community IV.Treatment of Drug Abuses INTRODUCTION Narcotics play a big role in the field of medicine. It has a capability to reduce pain that you are feeling and even helps you to avoid anxiousness. But these drugs should be use properly or else it can cause a big damage in your health. It is very important for us to know something about these things. The study and findings that I have done regarding narcotics is really an important thing because you will be able to know how bad it can affects you when too much used and you will know how to avoid and fight against it. BODY NARCOTICS EDUCATION There are many kinds of drugs, and narcotics are one of them. Narcotics don’t always have bad results in one’s health. In fact, it’s one of the drugs that help ill people to reduce tension, anxiety and aggression. They are also effective pain relievers, used in cough medicine preparation and can induce sleep. These effects are really helpful when it comes on therapeutic setting but when improperly used, narcotics have adverse effects that may lead to abuse, and it will have a big effect on health of an individual who is involve. It can endanger people’s lives because of its damaging effects on the mind and body. The effects of narcotics abuse is felt not only by the individual but by the family, community, and society as well. NARCOTICS The term â€Å"Narcotic† was derived from a Greek word which means â€Å"to make numb.† Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain and induce sleep by depressing the central nervous system. Narcotics, primarily analgesics, produce several affects that relieve pain and induces narcosis that causes sleep. Narcotics, if administered prior to an operation, can enhance sedation and reduce apprehension and anxiety. These drugs have a very high potential for abuse. KINDS OF NARCOTICS, CHARACTERISICS, AND THEIR MEDICINAL USES 1.OPIUM – It is extracted from the seedpod of the poppy. It produces a gummy resin that creates narcotic effect. It can relieve severe pain, induces sleep, relieve anxiety and depression. 2.MORPHINE – It is extracted from opium in 1805 and later synthesized in its pure form. It is sold as a white powder in the drug market which is also called Dreamer or Miss Emma. 3.CODEINE – This is produced from gum of opium and has much milder effects. The common street name for codeine is School Boy. 4.HEROIN – It is synthesized from morphine but more powerful. It is used to help people to overcome their addiction to morphine. It is commonly called Horse, Junk Smack, and Scag. CAUSES OF ABUSE According to the National Statistics Office (2005), about 56.35% of the cases of drug abuse had friends or peers as the primary source of drugs. The causes of drug abuse are: 1.Pressure from peers; 2.Form of escape from problems and woes; 3.Relief from chronic pain caused by cancer and other diseases; 4.Psychological disorders, such as depression or emotional distress; 5.Use as a way out from stress of family life, work, and other concerns; and 6.Thrill and enjoyment in seemingly routine life. NARCOTICS ABUSE Narcotics abuse is the nonmedical use of narcotics. Narcotics abuse is widespread among the young people and the adults, as well as the poor and wealthy. It is, indeed, harmful and even life-threatening. It can ruin one’s life and one’s family. It can break down a person’s character, thus leading to the commission of criminal acts and even suicide. TOLERANCE AND WITHDRAWAL Tolerance is the condition where the standard doses of narcotics produce less effect or a person develops a state of resistance to the effects if the drug. Because of tolerance, the effect of narcotics diminishes with their chronic use. Thus, to maintain the same level of narcotic effect, a person must take more of it. Withdrawal is the reaction of the body when the regular use of narcotics is stopped. The narcotics dependent person experiences a withdrawal syndrome. In general, the symptoms of withdrawal include cramp, defecation, vomiting, and an increase in systolic blood pressure. A person who is excessively dependent may experience convulsions, respiratory failure, and death. EFFECTS OF NARCOTICS ABUSE The effects of narcotics abuse are similar but they differ in the degree of intensity, rate of onset, and the development of dependence. A.EFFECTS ON THE PERSON 1.Drowsiness 2.Loss of appetite 3.Inability to sleep well 4.May develop diseases such as hepatitis, tetanus, AIDS. 5.Skin abscesses 6.Inflammation of the veins 7.Congestion of the lungs 8.Loss of enthusiasm for work or study 9.Loss of personal care and hygiene 10. Psychological and physical dependence upon the drug B.EFFECTS ON THE FAMILY 1.Neglected responsibilities 2.Difficulty in keeping a job 3.Financial difficulty 4.Shame and embarrassment to the other family members 5.Disorganized and unhappy family C.EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITY 1.Increased incidence of crime 2.Occurrence of different kinds of accidents, especially if the narcotic dependent is driving a vehicle. 3.Rampant stealing 4.Economic destabilization due to less manpower TREATMENT OF DRUG ABUSES Detoxification is the most common form of drug treatment. This is a process of eliminating a person’s dependent on drugs. Part of the detoxification process is to decrease the daily dose of drugs that the dependent person takes and thus gradually reduce withdrawal symptoms. Another method of dealing with drug dependent people is to form a support group of fellow drug dependents. They share their experiences and learn from one another. Together, they recover from their dependence and get better. 1 Agripino G. Darilag, Enjoy Life with P.E, and Health (Manila: SD Publications, Inc., 2009), pp.192 – 201.s BIBLIOGRAPHY Darilag, Agripino G. Enjoy Life with P.E. and Health. Manila: SD Publications, Inc., 2009.

The Typical Diet of a Polar Bear

Polar bears are often common in the mainstream media and get a lot of attention due to their threatened populations. In addition to questions about their habitat, you may wonder what they eat? Polar bears are one of the largest bear species (many sources say they are the largest). They can grow anywhere from 8 feet to 11 feet in height and about 8 feet in length. Polar bears weigh about 500 to 1,700 pounds, and they live the cold Arctic—in parts of Alaska, Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Norway, and Russia. They are large  marine mammals  with a varied appetite. Diet   The preferred prey for polar bears are seals—the species they prey upon most often are ringed seals and bearded seals, two species that are members of the group of seals known as ice seals. They are known as ice seals because they need ice for giving birth, nursing, resting, and finding prey. Ringed seals are one of the most common seal species in the Arctic. They are a small seal that grows to about 5 feet in length and about 150 pounds in weight. They live on top of, and underneath the ice, and use claws on their front flippers to dig breathing holes in the ice. A polar bear will patiently wait for the seal to surface to breathe or climb onto the ice, and then it will swat it with its claws or pounce on it. The polar bear feeds primarily on the seals skin and blubber, leaving the meat and carcass for scavengers. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, a polar bear may kill a ringed seal every two to six days. Bearded seals are larger, and grow from 7 feet to 8 feet in length. They weigh 575 to 800 pounds. Polar bears are their main predators. Unlike the more open breathing holes of ringed seals, the breathing holes of bearded seals are capped with ice, which may make them less easy to detect. If their preferred prey isnt available, polar bears will feed on walruses, whale carcasses, or even garbage if they live near humans. Polar bears have a strong sense of smell, which comes in handy for finding prey, even from long distances—and even in cold weather. Predators Do polar bears have predators? Polar bear predators include killer whales (orcas), possibly sharks  and humans. Polar bear cubs may be killed by smaller animals, such as wolves, and other polar bears. Sources Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Ringed Seal Species Profile.National Marine Mammal Laboratory. Bearded Seal.Neuberger, A., et. al. Animal Diversity Web. Bearded Seal.