Each thread must be not less than 500 words and support your assertions with at least 2 citations besides the course texts and the Bible.

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Each thread must be not less than 500 words and support your assertions with at least 2 citations besides the course texts and the Bible.

 

The last case of smallpox in the United States occurred in 1949. A worldwide campaign to find new cases followed. Case clusters persisted into the 1960s and 70s. The last case was finally diagnosed in Somalia in 1977. The disease was declared eradicated by the WHO 2 years later and by 1980 the routine administration of the vaccine ended throughout the world.

Polio has been targeted as the next viral disease to be eliminated; however, many challenges continue. In the 1940s and early 1950s, an average of more than 35,000 cases per year occurred in the United States. With the advent of the Salk, inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and the live Sabin, oral polio vaccine (OPV) naturally occurring paralytic polio cases rapidly diminished in the United States. The last outbreak occurred in the Midwest among the Amish community in 1979. The last imported case of wild-strain polio in the US was diagnosed in 1993. An additional 154 cases related to the use of the live OPV were seen between 1980 and 1999. Since 2000 the US has abandoned the use of OPV in favor of the inactivated vaccine (IPV) as a safer vaccine given the elimination of wild-virus disease in the US.

Globally the efforts to eradicate paralytic polio persist. The disease continues to be endemic in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria, and to cause periodic outbreaks in other countries in sub-Sahara Africa. In these areas, the live OPV is the vaccine of choice.

Unfortunately OPV still poses a small risk of vaccine-related polio, or of transmission of vaccine-derived polio virus infection (VDPV). In fact, several cases of imported VDPV have occurred in the US since 2005 despite the use of IPV.

 

  1. Why did OPV remain the vaccine of choice in endemic areas?
  2. Did the US make the right decision to switch from OPV to IPV?
  3. Why is VDPV being seen in the US?
  4. What should be the global policy for the use of polio vaccines?

 

Can the eradication of a disease-causing organism be justified scripturally? Cite Old and/or New Testament passages to support your position.

 

 

 

3. Topic: Dietary Laws

Each thread must be not less than 500 words and support your assertions with at least 2 citations besides the course texts and the Bible.

 

Infectious diseases, including many covered in the last 2 modules/weeks, can often be prevented through simple educational measures. Many of these diseases are related to food consumption. Some people believe the dietary laws of the Old Testament are merely a collection of restrictions based on crude human observations of disease causation prior to the discovery of the biology of parasitic diseases. Read Deuteronomy 14:3-21. Identify a disease associated with clean animals and a disease associated with unclean animals in the list. Before making a pledge to become a vegetarian, find a parasitic disease associated with vegetables.

Now, using the 3 diseases you have identified, create your own protocol to control spread of these diseases. Take full advantage of modern science as you make your recommendations but bear in mind not everyone has equal availability of all technologies.

Finally, render an opinion about the purpose of the dietary laws in Deuteronomy. Cite scripture to validate your opinion.

 

 

 

4.Topic: West Nile Encephalitis as an Emerging Disease

Each thread must be not less than 500 words and support your assertions with at least 2 citations besides the course texts and the Bible.

 

Since the appearance of HIV/AIDS as a disease entity in the last quarter of the 20th century a growing number of emerging infectious diseases have been identified. Some of these diseases are “new” and some are old nemeses returning with new epidemiologic features. For the purpose of discussion, consider West Nile Encephalitis.

 

  1. What are the environmental forces behind the emergence of West Nile Encephalitis in the United States?
  2. What are the social and behavioral factors of West Nile Encephalitis epidemiology?
  3. What types of control measures have been used to manage this disease?
  4. Are there any environmental or humanitarian concerns about any of the control measures?

 

What scriptural principles could be applied to the control of disease outbreaks? Provide references for your ideas.

 

The Effects of Zebra and Quagga Mussels Introduced into a Freshwater Lake

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In this lab, you will determine how an invasive species—the zebra and quagga mussel—affects other species in the freshwater lake. Use the animation to help you come up with an answer to the following:

  • Why do you see increases and decreases in the invasive species population?
  • What are the implications associated with these alterations to the ecosystem as a whole?

The Effects of Zebra and Quagga Mussels Introduced into a Freshwater Lake

As you have learned, population dynamics are caused by the biotic potential of the population and the effects of environmental resistance. When there is minimal environmental resistance impacting a population, it will exhibit a population explosion. One reason for minimal resistance could be factors that no longer regulate a population (e.g., predator decline or resource increases). Another reason for a population explosion is the introduction of an invasive species. Invasive species are species foreign to an ecosystem and are not immediately regulated by the environmental restraints of the particular ecosystem that they invade. This in turn allows their populations to grow seemingly uncontrolled and to displace other indigenous populations. Examples of such an invasive species into North America are dreissenid mussels, commonly known as zebra and quagga mussels. Their introduction into the Great Lakes has caused economic hardship and a reorganization of the ecosystem. This has led, in part, to pollution-causing effects that can be linked to an alga known as Cladophora.

Ecosystems are webs of intricately balanced interactions, what happens when a new species is introduced that uses a disproportionate share of the ecosystem’s resources?

Using the M.U.S.E. link, review the background information and animation to complete your report.

Use the Lab 5 worksheet for assignment instructions and data collection.

 

Hi Everyone,
For your lab report this week, you will investigate the impact and spread of invasive species.

One of these described in your MUSE lab activity is the Zebra Mussel.

Just as you have done for the previous assignments, you will first review the background information, then collect the data. Your study will involve measurements showing how the mussels have spread and how they have impacted native species in an aquatic environment.

You will find that the number of mussels increases for 13 years and then begins to decrease. You are asked to explain this in your report.

  • Why do you see increases and decreases in the invasive species population?
  • What are the implications associated with these alterations to the ecosystem as a whole?

Use the notes in the animation to review the food chain in this ecosystem. It will be very important to be able to describe which species are native and which are invasive. And to describe how even a native species, such as cladophora (algae) can result in ecological damage. Next, review Chapter 4 of your eBook and refresh your memory on how the members of an ecosystem interact and the upper limit of organisms that an ecosystem can support, known as the carrying capacity. As you collect your data consider how the cladophora  increases along with the mussels. This happens because the mussels filter the water making it clearer. More sunlight reaches into the water’s depths allowing for better growth of these autotrophs. At year 13 we see a peak in both populations. I expect you will find that the huge number of mussels and the high level of cladophora deplete the Great Lakes ecosystem of nutrients.

Note that after 13 years the numbers of these detrimental organisms decreases, allowing the native populations to rebound.

If you would like a little more background information on the Zebra Mussel, this site has a good description with clear pictures:

http://www.protectyourwaters.net/hitchhikers/mollusks_zebra_mussel.php

 

Please use this outline to help you craft your report:

 

Purpose

 

State the purpose of the lab. This will be a sentence or two about assessing the impact of zebra mussels on the native populations of species in the Great Lakes.

 

Introduction

 

Include information on zebra mussels; where they come from; how they got to the US; what effect they have on native species.

 

Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome

 

A hypothesis is an educated guess. It needs to be a single statement that can be shown to be true or false through the results gleaned from this investigation.

It could be that zebra mussels will grow out of control.

It could be that zebra mussels will grow until they reach the carrying capacity of the ecosystem and then their population will crash.

 

Methods

Imagine you are the investigator. You will have to go to the Great Lakes and take samples to determine the population of all the species for which data has been collected.

For zebra mussels, they actually go diving to count and collect mussels. For fish species, they would perform a catch and release survey. Microscopic organisms would be analyzed through determining concentrations spectroscopically, etc.

 

Results/Outcome

Include the table. No further analysis is necessary.

 

Discussion/Analysis

In this section,

1)       Summarize your results

2)       Relate your results back to your hypothesis, either accepting or rejecting your prediction with an explanation of why you did so.

3)       Explain the increase and decrease in population. Present an explanation of why the zebra mussels and cladophora increased and then suddenly decreased. Be sure to answer these questions:

Why do you see increases and decreases in the invasive species population?

What are the implications associated with these alterations to the ecosystem as a whole?

 

 

Deliverable Length:

1 page

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Date:

 

Instructor’s Name:

 

Assignment: SCIE211 Phase 5 Lab Report

 

Title: Identifying Environmental Hazards

 

Instructions: You will write a 1-page lab report using the scientific method to answer the following questions:

 

·         Why do you see increases and decreases in the invasive species population?

·         What are the implications associated with these alterations to the ecosystem as a whole?

 

When your lab report is complete, post it in Submitted Assignment files.

 

Part I: Using the lab animation, fill in the data table below to help you generate your hypothesis, outcomes, and analysis.

 

Years Zebra and Quagga Mussel (density/m2) Phytoplankton (µg/ml) Zooplankton (µg/ml) Cladophora Biomass (g/m2) Foraging Fish (kilotons) Lake Trout (kilotons)
0 100 3 2 10 150 15
4 1000 2.5 1 100 100 10
7 2500 2 0.5 200 80 8
10 7500 1.5 0.25 600 50 5
13 15,000 1 0.1 700 25 2.5
15 7500 1.5 0.2 243 40 4
20 5000 1.75 0.4 136 60 6

 

Part II: Write a 1-page lab report using the following scientific method sections:

  • Purpose
    • State the purpose of the lab.
  • Introduction
    • This is an investigation of what is currently known about the question being asked. Use background information from credible references to write a short summary about concepts in the lab. List and cite references in APA style.
  • Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome
    • A hypothesis is an educated guess. Based on what you have learned and written about in the Introduction, state what you expect to be the results of the lab procedures.
  • Methods
    • Summarize the procedures that you used in the lab. The Methods section should also state clearly how data (numbers) were collected during the lab; this will be reported in the Results/Outcome section.
  • Results/Outcome
    • Provide here any results or data that were generated while doing the lab procedure.
  • Discussion/Analysis
    • In this section, state clearly whether you obtained the expected results, and if the outcome was as expected.
    • Note: You can use the lab data to help you discuss the results and what you learned.

Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list and in-text citations for references used in the Introduction section.

Give your paper a title and number, and identify each section as specified above. Although the hypothesis will be a 1-sentence answer, the other sections will need to be paragraphs to adequately explain your experiment.

When your lab report is complete, post it in Submitted Assignment files.

Analyze each of these and explain how they affect the ecology of “distant lands” and how they affect the people who make or recycle the products that you use or grow the food that you eat.  

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1. Johnson & Johnson, a major health and beauty manufacturer, recently announced a commitment to eliminate forest destruction from its palm oil supply. (Points : 4)

True

False
Question 2.2. The authors of the HANDY model conclude that “if we continue to over-deplete nature, and if inequality continues such that the rich consume far more than the poor, the system eventually collapses.” (Points : 4)

True

False
Question 3.3. The most important behaviors of even very complex systems can often be explained in terms of feedback interactions between a relatively small number of key variables. (Points : 4)

True

False
Question 4.4. The overall conclusion of the HANDY model is that the collapse of civilization can be avoided and the human population can reach equilibrium if: (Points : 4)

mandatory birth control is required in all societies.

resources are distributed in a reasonably equitable fashion.

technological advances accelerate.

the per capita rate of depletion of nature is reduced to a sustainable level.

all of the above.

“b” and “d” above are true.

“c” and “d” above are true.
Question 5.5. Climate Change induced ocean acidity caused by CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels is dissolving the shells of important plankton in the Pacific. (Points : 4)

True

False

Question 6.6. Use this diagram (Dyball & Newell Figure 6.10; modified version Module 3, page 28 figures 6.10 a, b, and c) to explain Dyball and Newell’s concept of Convergence in your own words. In your essay, compare and contrast “a”, “b” and “c” as depicted in the diagram, and explain why the situation depicted in “b” is impossible. Which part of the diagram shows the greatest level of social justice?  Explain. Explain what must happen to achieve “c”? Which is the best human-ecological solution?  Why?

(Points : 20)

Question 7.7. Describe and explain, in your own words, a human-ecological problem in your community, region or state.

Who are the various stakeholders?

What are their positions?

Describe some common ground between the stakeholders, which even they may not be aware of!

What are the social justice issues involved in this conflict?

What are some possible solutions? (Points : 20)

Question 8.8. Explain, in your own words, why the Paradigm of Unlimited Growth is wrong.

Include a discussion of limits in nature.

Include a discussion of why unlimited economic growth is impossible.

Refer to the “Footprint Analysis” that you completed.

Relate the concept of social justice to the paradigm of unlimited economic growth.

How could this paradigm be changed? (Points : 20)

Question 9.9. List “Six Impossible Things” that you do during the day.

Analyze each of these and explain how they affect the ecology of “distant lands” and how they affect the people who make or recycle the products that you use or grow the food that you eat.

For each of these, what could you do to lessen your impact and promote more social justice and equity in the world? (Points : 20)

Environmental Issues and the Industrial Revolution

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Environmental Issues and the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the eighteenth century, has had an ongoing influence on society as well as the relationship between humans and their environment. With the onset of industrialization came the drastic increase in urbanization, setting up of factories in places which were once biomes, and the rapid development of land. All this occurred without assessing the long-term impact to the environment. Recognizing the importance of the Industrial Revolution era and the ongoing impact it has had on the environment is essential to learning how to help the environment and correct the damage of that era.

Using the readings for this module, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, complete the following:

  • Identify three of the most environmentally negative impacts of the Industrial Revolution and justify your choices. For example, the invention of the automobile revolutionized travel in a positive manner. However, this invention is causing some of the biggest environmental problems as a result of the extensive use of oil extracted from the earth.
  • Examine how these three negative impacts changed the environment; list the mechanisms through which this happened. For example, factories caused an increase in pollution through the release of toxic waste, which led to diminished and lost fish populations in rivers.
  • Explain the effect of the environmental movement on the process of industrialization in the United States during the 1970s.
  • Identify the laws passed to help ameliorate the environmental issues in the U.S. or around the world related to these three impacts. Have any laws been passed since this movement in the 1970s? If there have been laws implemented, summarize the spirit of the law and comment on the effectiveness of the law.
  • Based on your research, examine whether the state of the environment has become worse or has improved as a result of these laws. Suggest steps to improve the environmental situation.

Support your statements with appropriate examples and scholarly references. Be sure to include an additional page for references.

Write a 4–5-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M1_A3.doc. For example, if your name is John Smith, your document will be named SmithJ_M1_A3.doc.

By the due date assigned, deliver your assignment to the Submissions Area.

Assignment 3 Grading CriteriaMaximum PointsAdequately examined the impact of three of the most environmentally negative impacts of the industrial revolution.28Explained the effectiveness of the environmental movement in the U.S. and the laws that were created to combat the environmental problems created by the industrialization.28Suggested solutions to address these environmental problems.24Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.20Total:100