Functions and brain mechanisms of sleep

Functions and brain mechanisms of sleep Sleep, it is the state in which we spend much of our lives yet so little is known about it. It has long fascinated psychologists and many have sought to unravel its mysteries. Yet like all other behaviours sleep can be examined using the same biological, psychological and environmental methods that are so effective in other areas. Defined, sleep is a naturally recurring state which is characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. However this explains what is visible, over the years theorists tried to explain what is happening biologically during sleep. Up until the 1950s researchers believed that sleep occurred due to an overtaxing of the brain, that the constant sensory stimulation that bombards the brain during the day renders it unable to maintain a waking level of brain activity. They also believed that achieving this state was helped by the occurrence of the darkness and silence of night. Sleep at this time was also viewed as a homogeneous state and as a result of this many researchers viewed it as relatively uninteresting. This may be a reason why very little scientific attention was put on the topic for so long. In fact dream interpretation garnered far more attention at this time (Dement, 1998). This passive process theory was only dropped when experimenters recorded eye movement and muscle tension during sleep. This led to the groundbreaking discovery that there were in fact two different classes of sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement sleep(NREM) (Watson, Breedlove Rosenweig, 2010). In this essay sleep, both rapid-eye movement and slow-wave, will be explored. Also set out will be the main functions of sleep and what can happen when a person is deprived of sleep. Finally the sleep disorder narcolepsy will be discussed as it is an often misunderstood disorder which shows the mal effects when control over when to sleep is lost. Sleep can be divided into 5 stages, 4 of these stages are during NREM with the final stage being REM sleep. These stages are measurable by the patterns of electrical activity in the brain. When awake the brain shows patterns of beta waves. These have a high frequency and low amplitude. When in a state of relaxation the brain shows waves with lower frequencies, these are called alpha waves (Passer Smith, 2009) Stage 1 of NREM occurs just as the body drifts into sleep. At this stage the brain begins to demonstrate theta waves. These waves are slower again than those measured during a drowsy state and have irregular frequencies, the heart rate also slows and muscle tension is reduced. This stage normally lasts several minutes, giving way to stage 2. Here the brain shows short (1-2 seconds) periodic bursts of brain activity. These bursts are called sleep spindles. Interesting to note is that often people deny that they were even asleep if they are awakened during either the first or second stage. As the body drifts even deeper into slumber stage 3 is reached, here delta waves are the most dominant. These are of an extremely low frequency and have large amplitude. Stage 4 is very similar to stage 3 and shows further lowering of frequency and expansion of amplitude. Stages 3 and 4 are also sometimes referred to as slow-wave sleep (SWS) by some researchers. After reaching this stage the body the n cycles through the previous stages and generally after 60-70 minutes of falling asleep the body has gone through a cycle of stages 1-2-3-4-3-2. It is at this point that brain activity changes alarmingly and a brand new and unique stage of sleep emerges. This new stage is called rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep (Watson et al, 2010). This stage of sleep was discovered by Aserinky and Klietman in 1952 and is characterised by high brain arousal, rapid eye movement and frequent vivid dreaming. These researchers found that during this phase the sleeper showed bursts of muscular action which resulted in the persons eyes moving rapidly underneath the eye lid, this happened around every minute during REM sleep. People that were awakened during this stage frequently report having a dream, this is even true of people who before claimed to have never dreamed (Passer Smith, 2009). Brain activity increases to daytime levels and the body also becomes physiologically aroused, with more rapid breathing and a swifter heartbeat. Another characteristic of this stage of sleep is that the bodies of both men and women become aroused, regardless of dream content, with penile erections in men and vaginal lubrication in women. The brain also can send signals to the muscles of the arms legs and torso which make them become very relaxed, they occasionally twitch but movement is not possible at this time. This is sometimes referred to as sleep paralysis. After an average of 90 minutes the body begins the cycle of stages anew, however with each recurrence REM sleep lasts longer, eating into the time previously spent in stage 3 (Passer Smith, 2009). The brain controls the passage of the body through sleep however no single part of it is solely responsible for it. Various mechanisms in the brain control the different aspects of the sleeping body, areas on the base of the forebrain are connected with the act of falling asleep. Other sections in the brain active during sleep are certain areas in the brain stem which regulates REM sleep. Here neurons are contained which activate the other brain systems which are needed during REM such as those for the rapid-eye movement and muscular paralysis. Memories are accessed during REM sleep and this is also governed by these areas in the brain stem. This affects what is experienced during dreams(Watson et al, 2010). Having explored the biology behind sleep it is now worth looking at the benefits of sleep, both physiological and psychological. There are two major branches of thinking which explore the question of why do we sleep? These are the restoration models and the evolutionary/circadian models (Passer Smith, 2009). According to the evolutionary models sleep recharges run-down bodies, it allows us to recover from physical and mental fatigue. This is largely supported by research in sleep deprivation. A good example of one of these studies is the world record attempt by Randy Gardener in 1964. He stayed awake for 11 days as part of a school science fair project and he allowed sleep researchers to study him during this period. Over the first few days he was irritable, forgetful and nauseous, by the fifth day he began to experience periods of disorientation and had mild hallucinations and by the end he experienced slurred speech and finger tremors (Gulevich, Dement Johnson, 1966). This research clearly shows physiological and psychological problems that arise from sleep deprivation. However it has been proven that less sleep is needed as you age with older adults living healthy lives on only 5 or 6 hours sleep. In fact there is one example of a 70 year old woman who could survive on 1 hour of slee p a night. Many researchers also believe that a cellular waste chemical called adenosine has a role in the restorative functions of sleep. Adenosine is produced as cells produce energy. At high levels adenosine inhibits brain functionality and levels of it decrease during deep sleep (Passer Smith, 2009). Evolutionary/Circadian models state that the main function of sleep is prolonging a species survival relative to its environmental demands. It backs up its evidence based on the fact that prehistorically our ancestors had very little to gain by being active at night as food gathering etc was much more easily accomplished in the day. The model puts forward the idea that over the course of the evolution of a species a circadian sleep is developed. This is a wake pattern that becomes heredity due to certain factors such as its status in the predator prey relationship and its food requirements. Also researchers backing this model believe that sleep also evolved as a way of conserving energy, putting forward the fact that we use up to 25% less energy when asleep (Watson et al, 2010). A controversial theory on a benefit of sleep is one that links it to memory consolidation. The purpose of REM sleep remains unknown and some have put forward the idea that it is a tool that the brain uses to consolidate memories, a process in which the brain transfers information to the long term memory. This consolidation hypothesis is however contradicted by the fact that studies show that even when a person has little or no REM sleep due to a side effect of anti-depressant drugs they show no impairment of long term memory capacity. This has led some to state that REM sleep is necessary on a purely biological level. These theorists believe that the body uses REM sleep primarily to keep the brain from long periods of low arousal as they believe this could have damaging effects. The true purpose of REM sleep is still debated (Watson et al, 2010). An interesting study by Paller and Voss provided evidence that suggests that when memories are accessed during dreaming they can be subtly altered by the dream. This has is to do with memory consolidation. There study showed that the brain does use dreams, at least on a small scale, to aid in memory consolidation as has been previously known. However that the brain can alter these dreams is intriguing to say the least (Paller Voss, 2004). Whereas it has been discussed how too little sleep can impair the body, here, the sleep disorder narcolepsy will be explored, showing how a inability to stay awake can also cause problems to an individuals lifestyle. About 1 out of every 2000 people suffer from narcolepsy, those living with the disorder have to deal with daily bouts of sleepiness and uncontrollable sleep attacks where they can go into sudden sleep for less than a minute to a whole hour. Often these sleep attacks are accompanied by sleep paralysis or hypnagoic hallucinations. Some researchers believe that narcolepsy is a disorder involving an intrusion by REM sleep into waking life. It is believed that narcolepsy is cause because of a chemical imbalance in the hypothalamus. There is no cure but some ant-depressant drugs appear to be effective in reducing episodes, this could be due to their suppression of REM sleep. In conclusion, research around sleep has come a long way since its humble beginnings. We now know far more about the biology behind sleep and yet much of it, including REM sleep still confounds many researchers. This essay has also outlined the many benefits that sleep has, both physiological and psychological and has shown the difficulties that arise from a lack of it and has shed some light on the obscure and misunderstood sleep disorder narcolepsy. It is hoped that research will continue on in the future and hopefully the mysteries surrounding the state which we spend almost a third of our life in will be unravelled.

Lavendery Cafe Essay

Levendary Cafe was appointed with a new CEO in January 2011. Mia Foster is a first time CEO with no international management experience, faced with a major challenge at Levendary Cafe, a $10billion US-based fast chain. However, the Levendary Cafe already established in China market while departing CEO Howard Leventhal in the position. Strategically, many of the corporate staff have become concerned that the company’s major expansion into China is moving too far from Levendary’swell defined concepts of store design and menu. Besides that, Mia Foster is also found that Chinese subsidiary submitted all management and financial reports to Denver or likely known as headquarters of Levendary Cafe in its own format. Louis Chen is the president of Levendary China. He is capable of speak Mandarin Chinese and English and had long experience as retail property developer gave him intimate familiarity with neighborhoods in Shanghai and Beijing. Chen also had a network of contacts to help speed up the process of permitting, incorporating, and staffing stores. However, in order to overcome these challenges, Mia Foster had her first video conference meeting with Louis Chen. Since, Mia Foster is not satisfied with financial report format, she urged Louis Chen to make a change. Meanwhile, financial evidence shows that Chen’s efforts have produced strong results and suggests that he knows China far better than U.S headquarters does. Mia Foster wants to protect the integrity of reporting structure. Organizationally, Foster has been frustrated by the apparent unwillingness of Louis Chen to confirm to the company’s planning and reporting processes. Therefore, Chief Franchise officer Peter was flies to China conduct a comprehensive review on the 23 Levendary Cafe in the market. Hence he submitted the detailed description on the 23 Levendary Cafes in China to Mia Foster. Based on the detailed description submitted to the CEO, She found that several Levendary’s Cafe concept of store design and menu was customized without any standardized. Thus, Mia Foster had a second video conference meeting with Louis Chen. During the meeting, Chen response angrily to Foster, he was work hard to begin from zero until 23 Levendary Cafe today and explained the necessitates of differentiation and customization in the foreign market as well. Finally, Foster is aware of the  difficulties of localizing a chain restaurant concept in foreign market. As a result, Foster decided flies to China to meet with Chen personally and to make a decision that will determine the future of Levendary China. Problems When Levendary entered China, they gave Chen the full control over the operations there, although a well-developed detailed plan and a clear tactic of how to implement this plan is a must. However it is clearly this is not the case whereas everything had been handed to Chen from A to Z. The chain of Levendary Cafà © in USA are run by a strict set of rules and allowing modifications only after approval from the concept group regarding the â€Å"look and feel† of the firm. The Levendary Cafà © in China is following a business model which is completely different from that of the US operation model. Chen wanted this cafà © to adapt to the changing tastes of people from place to†¦ Observing the various critical situations mentioned above, the following are the various problems that are to be dealt. The first problem will be the differences in accounting techniques used by China and US. This is a major problem for the HQ of Levendary Cafà © because as it being a listed company it should be as transparent and uniform as possible while preparing its income statements which will be the translated into annual reports and they will be the face of the company in the public. So, translating the income reports from China into reports according to the GAAP principles used in USA is both time taking and increasing the costs. Furthermore, the outlet design standards and menu selection in China are different with US. There are non- standardized operations in China with US. The Levendary Cafà © in China is following a business model which is completely different from that of the US operation model. Chen wanted this cafà © to adapt to the changing tastes of people from place to place. Chen setting up stores according to the local needs rather than following the standardized model adapted by US outlets. He also tried to modify the â€Å"look and feel† of the cafà © according to the locality in which it is operating. For example, the branch at Shanghai’s historic Yu Garden area provided a  takeaway counter with no seating and the branch at North entrance to Beijing’s Forbidden City, replaced classic wooden framed upholstered chairs with aplastic framed alternative besides no salads on its menu which salad is a must on US menu. While the branch at Shanghai, all but one sandwich item had been removed from the menu & replaced by a variety of local. Chen was modifying Levendary’s signature menu items, outlet design standards and the overall cafà © environments without consulting U.S. management. Hence, newly appointed Levendary CEO Mia Foster was faced with a number of pressing matters ranging from how to link Chen and his management team to those in corporate headquarters, to the standardization of future Levendary Cafà © locations. Decision Analysis &Solutions Concluded of the case study, Levendary Cafà © has taught the person who reads particularly business player to concern and obey headquarter, yet disremembering the subordinate within doing business. Even somehow headquarter is not the centre of the truth without doing any respectable communication with the subordinate. The Levendary Cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s main person is Mia Foster, as a CEO and Louis Chen, an employee who runs and in charge of the Levendary business in China. By this case, Chen must be obviously maintain the communication and the concern of Levendary China situation to the Headquarter. The situation of Lavendary China must be monitored by consensus and Chinese Operation market. Mia Foster as a CEO, she might more understand the needs of Headquarter and Levendary China market. The operation of the Levendary China will follow the requirements and report by Louis Chen. Generally, the Levendary headquarter must be extra concern about the up-to-date and current issues of the subsidiary office. By the case study, the Levendary China is struggling into the market and competition, how to settle the business in China as well as trying hard to keep an eye on certain rule and regulations of headquarter, essentially those were not be working. Technically, the barrier was facing in Levendary China is about localized the market segmentation. The Levendary China must build the solid and tough team through leading by Chen. Actually, Louis Chen had brilliant idea to draw the excessive concept for Levendary China and would work out with that idea. The only things that Chen needs are reasonable endorsement from Mia Foster and headquarter.

The True Meaning of Essay Topics: the Plague by Albert Camus

The True Meaning of Essay Topics: the Plague by Albert Camus Things You Won't Like About Essay Topics : the Plague by Albert Camus and Things You Will Please note that in case the shipping address is incorrect and the order was shipped, based on the shipping option selected we might not be in a position to modify the shipping address until the order was returned. In the booklet are instructions on the best way to finish your membership application. Absolutely free Albert Camus the Plague essay samples can be found FreeEssayHelp with no payment or registration. Soon, the exact same cases appear in different corners of Oran. The particular two males get some type of short destroy to assist you move diving along with subsequently many get back so that it is possible to provide fantastic results. The play wasn't performed until 1. With these points considered, we have to comprehend the importance of the last assertion. Human nature is fallen and therefore it's not necessarily v ery good at all times. Essay Topics : the Plague by Albert Camus - Overview The cost of an essay is dependent upon the quantity of effort the writer has to exert. Citations and extracts from assorted sources have to be formatted properly. Still, every one of them would show up in the overall list. Includes quotes, extensive links and an extensive bibliography for more references. Top Essay Topics : the Plague by Albert Camus Secrets The Plague is an instance of an allegory. Albert Camus visited the USA in 1946. Death is almost always a collective catastrophe since it is humankind's collective fate. Oran's inhabitants are receiving restless. Soon the quantity of coffins is insufficient in addition to burial-places. Later the authorities decide to create use of the crematorium and streetcars that haven't been working since exile. And we already understand when would be the appropriate minute. What Is So Fascinating About Essay Topics : the Plague by Albert Camus? Qui te often life is apparently constantly shutting down our finest efforts. You cannot create experience. Find something which interests you and delight in that practice. How can the notion of engagement work within the notion of the absurd. He's often not able to relate with the majority of the members in his family owing to his knowledge of science and experiences. Concepts like cooperation, joint work and solidarity are of key value to Camus. An individual might argue that in the event that you're always dwelling in the now, then it's not possible to plan the future to achieve your targets. It's a significant opportunity we have. Essay Topics : the Plague by Albert Camus: No Longer a Mystery The English proverb suggests the notion that the variety of people on the earth equals the range of minds. You will need to make your own meaning in life. Also within this calendar year, Camus started to work for Paris-Soir magazine. Absurdists believe it is futile to analyze the significance of life, since live has no meaning. On a personal note the most crucial premise of the philosophy lies regarding anthesistic existentialism. This kind of mundane repetition that all of us are subjected to was an ideal illustration of the Absurd Camus wanted us to learn how to cope with. The idea of exile and loneliness appears irrelevant to the great energy that arrives from every line written by Albert Camus. Camus character is honest and won't ascribe to something he fails to believe in, including a belief in God or religion. I found Camus creative style to be somewhat interesting. Camus wrote about how in this type of a revolution, even the manner murder is conceived through the opinion of justice becomes morphed. Albert Camus was a man of several great prospective prospects. In addition, he shows the way the journalist's desire to generate the most suitable choice isn't always obvious. Now that Christianity is the vast majority opinion in america there is less of a demand for the kind of encouragement and reassurance The Beatitudes offer. It is normal to provide a very clear view of earth after accepting the concept that it has to be clear. Through his actions Tarrou became an instance of the goodness feasible for someone to attain. Essay Topics : the Plague by Albert Camus Options Eventually, Watson cannot manage the collective horrors he's witnessed. There are several popu lar novels he had created. The author writes about absurdity of earth and human lives without being absolutely certain that the readers are in a position to understand his ideas on account of the range of meanings which can be applied. Rieux in addition to her co-worker Doctor. There's a good deal of foreshadowing in the start of the plague. All fantastic deeds and all excellent thoughts have a ridiculous start. There's scholarly debate concerning the connection between the 2 books. There's scholarly debate about the connection between both books.

Addressing the Global Issue of Bullying - 1056 Words

Bullying is a worldwide issue and should be taken very seriously. Bullying may not always be noticeable, but if seen the person being bullied should be comforted. Let them know they’re not alone and there are people who care about them and they shouldn’t think about anything that could be life changing. Bullying is unwanted repeated aggression towards someone else. There are four major types of bullying, physical, verbal, cyber, and covert. Each type of bullying can hurt ones feelings and should be taken seriously. Every type of bullying is illegal in the United States. Bullying is bullying and no matter what should take action if seen. Physical bullying is a major problem. Some examples of physical bullying is hitting, pushing, damaging†¦show more content†¦Kinds of covert bullying is spreading rumors and lying about someone else. Just because covert bullying isn’t always noticeable doesn’t mean that nothing can’t be done to help (Four Kinds of Bullying). According to 11 facts about Bullying, 160,000 kids stay home from school to avoid bullying. They also say that suicide is the third leading death among young people, resulting in about 4,400 deaths a year. Now out of all the people in the world that may not seem like much but can you imagine must be going through their head when they think about killing themselves? At least half of suicides among young people are because of bullying (11 facts about Bullying). People need to stand up against bullying and the bullies because everyone out there is strong and deserves to be treated like everyone else. Bully victims often question â€Å"What’s wrong with me?† the answer is easy. Nothing is wrong with them. There are many reasons why people bully. The bullies could have a bad life at home or want to be noticed by other kids or even could have been bullied themselves (Why Do People Bully?) No matter what is going on in life, bullying is never okay. Imagine this; people have been being mean to you, people you used to be close with. You go to your locker and not a day goes by where you don’t hear them talking about you. Calling you a pig, gross, ugly and really nasty names. You know it hurts but you stay strong and act like it doesn’t bother you. You go onShow MoreRelatedforce have contributed to a dramatic shift in family eating habits. The traditional family dinner900 Words   |  4 Pagescommunication, H. Harbuck, January 22, 2013). Childhood obesity is becoming a major global challenge of the 21st century. About 110 million children worldwide are now classified as overweight or obese (Ogden, Carroll, Flegal, 2008). Even in some developing countries, where malnutrition was the traditional health concern, childhood obesity is becoming one of their major health concerns. 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