Abba Kovner and Resistance in the Vilna Ghetto

Abba Kovner and Resistance in the Vilna Ghetto In the Vilna Ghetto and in the Rudninkai Forest (both in Lithuania), Abba Kovner, only 25 years old, led resistance fighters against the murderous Nazi enemy during the  Holocaust. Who Was Abba Kovner? Abba Kovner was born in 1918 in Sevastopol, Russia, but later moved to Vilna (now in Lithuania), where he attended a Hebrew secondary school. During these early years, Kovner became an active member in the Zionist youth movement, Ha-Shomer ha-Tsair. In September 1939, World War II began. Only two weeks later, on September 19, the Red Army entered Vilna and soon incorporated it into the Soviet Union. Kovner became active during this time, 1940 to 1941, with the underground. But life changed drastically for Kovner once the Germans invaded. The Germans Invade Vilna On June 24, 1941, two days after Germany launched its surprise attack against the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa), the Germans occupied Vilna. As the Germans were sweeping east toward Moscow, they instigated their ruthless oppression and murderous Aktionen in the communities they occupied. Vilna, with a Jewish population of approximately 55,000, was known as the Jerusalem of Lithuania for its flourishing Jewish culture and history. The Nazis soon changed that. As Kovner and 16 other members of the Ha-Shomer ha-Tsair hid in a convent of Dominican nuns a few miles outside of Vilna, the Nazis began to rid Vilna of its Jewish problem. The Killing Begins at Ponary Less than a month after the Germans occupied Vilna, they conducted their first Aktionen. Einsatzkommando 9 rounded up 5,000 Jewish men of Vilna and took them to Ponary (a location approximately six miles from Vilna that had pre-dug large pits, which the Nazis used as a mass extermination area for Jews from the Vilna area). The Nazis made the pretense that the men were to be sent to labor camps when they were really sent to Ponary and shot. The next major Aktion took place from August 31 to September 3. This Aktion was in pretense a retaliation for an attack against the Germans. Kovner, watching through a window, saw a woman dragged by the hair by two soldiers, a woman who was holding something in her arms. One of them directed a beam of light into her face, the other one dragged her by her hair and threw her on the pavement. Then the infant fell out of her arms. One of the two, the one with the flashlight, I believe, took the infant, raised him into the air, grabbed him by the leg. The woman crawled on the earth, took hold of his boot and pleaded for mercy. But the soldier took the boy and hit him with his head against the wall, once, twice, smashed him against the wall.1 Such scenes occurred frequently during this four-day Aktion - ending with 8,000 men and women taken to Ponary and shot. Life did not get better for the Jews of Vilna. From September 3 to 5, immediately following the last Aktion, the remaining Jews were forced into a small area of the city and fenced in. Kovner remembers, And when the troops herded the whole suffering, tortured, weeping mass of people into the narrow streets of the ghetto, into those seven narrow stinking streets, and locked the walls that had been built, behind them, everyone suddenly sighed with relief. They left behind them days of fear and horror; and ahead of them were deprivation, hunger and suffering - but now they felt more secure, less afraid. Almost no one believed that it would be possible to kill off all of them, all those thousands and tens of thousands, the Jews of Vilna, Kovno, Bialystok, and Warsaw - the millions, with their women and children.2 Though they had experienced terror and destruction, the Jews of Vilna were still not ready to believe the truth about Ponary. Even when a survivor of Ponary, a woman named Sonia, came back to Vilna and told of her experiences, no one wanted to believe. Well, a few did. And these few decided to resist. The Call to Resist In December 1941, there were several meetings between the activists in the ghetto. Once the activists had decided to resist, they needed to decide, and agree, on the best way to resist. One of the most urgent problems was whether they should stay in the ghetto, go to Bialystok or Warsaw (some thought there would be a better chance at successful resistance in these ghettos), or move to the forests. Coming to an agreement on this issue was not easy. Kovner, known by his nom de guerre of Uri, offered some of the main arguments for staying in Vilna and fighting. In the end, most decided to stay, but a few decided to leave. These activists wanted to instil a passion for fighting within the ghetto. To do this, the activists wanted to have a mass meeting with many different youth groups in attendance. But the Nazis were always watching, especially noticeable would be a large group. So, in order to disguise their mass meeting, they arranged it on December 31, New Years Eve, a day of many, many social gatherings. Kovner was responsible for writing a call to revolt. In front of the 150 attendees gathered together at 2 Straszuna Street in a public soup kitchen, Kovner read aloud: Jewish youth!Do not trust those who are trying to deceive you. Out of the eighty thousand Jews in the Jerusalem of Lithuania only twenty thousand are left. . . . Ponar [Ponary] is not a concentration camp. They have all been shot there. Hitler plans to destroy all the Jews of Europe, and the Jews of Lithuania have been chosen as the first in line.We will not be led like sheep to the slaughter!True, we are weak and defenseless, but the only reply to the murderer is revolt!Brothers! Better to fall as free fighters than to live by the mercy of the murderers.Arise! Arise with your last breath!3 At first, there was silence. Then the group broke out in spirited song.4 The Creation of the F.P.O. Now that the youth in the ghetto were enthused, the next problem was how to organize the resistance. A meeting was scheduled for three weeks later, January 21, 1942. At the home of Joseph Glazman, representatives from the major youth groups met together: Abba Kovner of Ha-Shomer ha-ZairJoseph Glazman of BetarYitzhak Wittenberg of the CommunistsChyena Borowska of the CommunistsNissan Reznik of Ha-Noar ha-Ziyyoni At this meeting something important happened - these groups agreed to work together. In other ghettos, this was a major stumbling block for many would-be resisters. Yitzhak Arad, in Ghetto in Flames, attributes the parleys by Kovner to the ability to hold a meeting with representatives of the four youth movements.5 It was at this meeting that these representatives decided to form a united fighting group called the Fareinikte Partisaner Organizatzie - F.P.O. (United Partisans Organization). The organization was formed to unite all the groups in the ghetto, prepare for mass armed resistance, perform acts of sabotage, fight with partisans, and try to get other ghettos to also fight. It was agreed at this meeting that the F.P.O. would be lead by a staff command made up of Kovner, Glazman, and Wittenberg with the chief commander being Wittenberg. Later, two more members were added to staff command - Abraham Chwojnik of the Bund and Nissan Reznik of the Ha-Noar ha-Ziyyoni - expanding the leadership to five. Now that they were organized it was time to prepare for the fight. The Preparation Having the idea to fight is one thing, but being prepared to fight is quite another. Shovels and hammers are no match to machine guns. Weapons needed to be found. Weapons were an extremely hard item to attain in the ghetto. Even harder to acquire was ammunition. There were two main sources from which the ghetto inhabitants could obtain guns and ammunition - partisans and the Germans. Neither wanted the Jews to be armed. Slowly collecting by buying or stealing, risking their lives every day for carrying or hiding, the members of the F.P.O. were able to collect a small stash of weapons. They were hidden all over the ghetto - in walls, underground, even under a false bottom of a water bucket. The resistance fighters were preparing to fight during the final liquidation of the Vilna Ghetto. No one knew when that was going to happen - it could be days, weeks, perhaps even months. So every day, the members of the F.P.O. practiced. One knock on a door - then two - then another single knock. That was the F.P.O.s secret password.6  They would take out the hidden weapons and learn how to hold it, how to shoot it, and how not to waste the precious ammunition. Everyone was to fight - no one was to head for the forest until all was lost. Preparation was ongoing. The ghetto had been peaceful - no Aktionen  since December 1941. But then, in July 1943, disaster struck the F.P.O. Resistance! At a meeting with the head of Vilnas Jewish council, Jacob Gens, on the night of July 15, 1943, Wittenberg was arrested. As he was taken out of the meeting, other F.P.O. members were alerted, attacked the policemen, and freed Wittenberg. Wittenberg then went into hiding. By the next morning, it was announced that if Wittenberg were not apprehended, the Germans would liquidate the entire ghetto - consisting of approximately 20,000 people. The ghetto residents were angry and began attacking F.P.O. members with stones. Wittenberg, knowing he was going to sure torture and death, turned himself in. Before he left, he appointed Kovner  as his successor. A month and a half later, the Germans decided to liquidate the ghetto. The F.P.O. tried to persuade the ghetto residents not to go for the deportation because they were being sent to their deaths. Jews! Defend yourselves with arms! The German and Lithuanian hangmen have arrived at the gates of the ghetto. They have come to murder us! . . . But we shall not go! We shall not stretch our necks like sheep for the slaughter! Jews! Defend yourself with arms!7 But the ghetto residents did not believe this, they believed they were being sent to work camps - and in this case, they were right. Most of these transports were being sent to labor camps in Estonia. On September 1, the first clash broke out between the F.P.O. and the Germans. As the F.P.O. fighters shot at the Germans, the Germans blew up their buildings. The Germans retreated at nightfall and let the Jewish police round up the remaining ghetto residents for the transports, at the insistence of Gens. The F.P.O. came to the realization that they would be alone in this fight. The ghetto population was not willing to rise up; instead, they were willing to try their chances at a labor camp rather than certain death in revolt. Thus, the F.P.O. decided to escape to the forests and become partisans. The Forest Since the Germans had the ghetto surrounded, the only way out was through the sewers. Once in the forests, the fighters created a partisan division and performed many acts of sabotage. They destroyed the power and water infrastructures, freed groups of prisoners from the Kalais labor camp, and even blew up some German military trains. I remember the first time I blew up a train. I went out with a small group, with Rachel Markevitch as our guest. It was New Years Eve; we were bringing the Germans a festival gift. The train appeared on the raised railway; a line of large, heavy-laden trucks rolled on toward Vilna. My heart suddenly stopped beating for joy and fear. I pulled the string with all my strength, and in that moment, before the thunder of the explosion echoed through the air, and twenty-one trucks full of troops hurtled down into the abyss, I heard Rachel cry: For Ponar! [Ponary]8 The End of the War Kovner survived to the end of the war. Though he had been instrumental in establishing a resistance group in Vilna and led a partisan group in the forests, Kovner did not stop his activities at the wars end. Kovner was one of the founders of the underground organization to smuggle Jews out of Europe called Beriha. Kovner was caught by the British near the end of 1945 and was jailed for a short time. Upon his release, he joined Kibbutz Ein ha-Horesh in Israel, with his wife, Vitka Kempner, who had also been a fighter in the F.P.O. Kovner kept his fighting spirit and was active in Israels War for Independence. After his fighting days, Kovner wrote two volumes of poetry for which he won the 1970 Israel Prize in Literature. Kovner died at age 69 in September 1987. Notes 1. Abba Kovner as quoted in Martin Gilbert, The Holocaust: A History of the Jews of Europe During the Second World War (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1985) 192.2. Abba Kovner, The Mission of the Survivors, The Catastrophe of European Jewry, Ed. Yisrael Gutman (New York: Ktav Publishing House, Inc., 1977) 675.3. Proclamation of the F.P.O as quoted in Michael Berenbaum, Witness to the Holocaust (New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 1997) 154.4. Abba Kovner, A First Attempt to Tell, The Holocaust as Historical Experience: Essays and a Discussion, Ed. Yehuda Bauer (New York: Holmes Meier Publishers, Inc., 1981) 81-82.5. Yitzhak Arad, Ghetto in Flames: The Struggle and Destruction of the Jews in Vilna in the Holocaust (Jerusalem: Ahva Cooperative Printing Press, 1980) 236.6. Kovner, First Attempt 84.7. F.P.O. Manifesto as quoted in Arad, Ghetto 411-412.8. Kovner, First Attempt 90. Bibliography Arad, Yitzhak. Ghetto in Flames: The Struggle and Destruction of the Jews in Vilna in the Holocaust. Jerusalem: Ahva Cooperative Printing Press, 1980. Berenbaum, Michael, ed. Witness to the Holocaust. New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 1997. Gilbert, Martin. The Holocaust: A History of the Jews of Europe During the Second World War. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1985. Gutman, Israel, ed. Encyclopedia of the Holocaust. New York: Macmillan Library Reference U.S.A., 1990. Kovner, Abba. A First Attempt to Tell. The Holocaust as Historical Experience: Essays and a Discussion. Ed. Yehuda Bauer. New York: Holmes Meier Publishers, Inc., 1981. Kovner, Abba. The Mission of the Survivors. The Catastrophe of European Jewry. Ed. Yisrael Gutman. New York: Ktav Publishing House, Inc., 1977.

buy custom Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome essay

buy custom Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome essay Munchausen syndrome by proxy, abbreviated as MSbP, is a term devised by a Professor of Pediatrics Roy Meadow in 1977, who named the syndrome after a German horse soldier Baron von Munchausen (1720-1797) that was famous for his widely stagy and feigned stories. Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP), also known in the United Kingdom as Fabricated or Induced Illness by Carers (FII), is a form of fictitious disorder of mental sickness in which a person behaves in a manner that suggests a need of another individual of being taken care of when there is no such a necessity in fact, and is explained by a mental or physical health condition of the first one (Parnell Day, 1998). The adult with MSbP unswervingly fabricates and imposes the illnesses on another person under his/her care, mostly a minor one under the age of the 6 years. This act is considered as a method of abuse by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Parents with MSbP usually have an inward desire for their children to be seen as sick or hurt. MSbP persons do this not in order to achieve any tangible benefit, as a financial gain, for example. They are willing to subject the patient or child to agonizing and risky examinations, or operations so that people could sympathize with them and treat with a special attention, which is usually given to the family, whose members are really sick (Parnell Day, 1998). Factitious ailments are classified into four major categories: (1) those with mostly psychological signs, (2) those with physical signs, (3) those with both the psychological and the physical signs, and (4) those that do not fit the situations of the above three types (Matthews, 2004). The forth category includes MSbP, which is, fortunately, very rare, as it happens with 2 out of 100,000 children. Keywords: Munchausen syndrome by proxy, fabricated or induced illness by carers, fictitious disorder, mental sickness, mental health condition, physical health condition Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome Literature Review MSbP is usually very difficult to diagnose, which makes it a reason why many children die before doctors comprehend what the child has been undergoing. Similarly, a treatment and a complete understanding of the causes of Munchausen Syndrome are limited. For this reasons, it is imperative to raise the awareness of MSbP among people, and to ensure that children will no more become victims of a fabricated illness and, consequently, death caused by their own parents or caregivers (Gregory, 2003). This syndrome is considered as a criminal offense of one of the forms of a child abuse, requiring the prompt actions of the child protection services. This syndrome can result in the severe short- or long-term consequences, including the persistent abuses of the child, multiple hospitalizations, and what is worse the fetal outcomes of the victims (Eminson Postlethwaite, 2000: Shannon, 2009). In some cases, a victim of a physical, psychological and emotional abuse may learn to associate the receiving of attention with a state of being sick, thus develops Munchausen syndrome himself or herself (Matthews, 2004). The purpose of this paper is to study and analyse the behavior and motivation of perpetrators suffering from MSbP/ FIIC, namely: why and how the disorder manifests through the symptoms; which characteristics has parents with the disorder; the legal issues associated with the disorder under the assistance of the criminal psychologists; the treatment and interventions that it requires (Allison Roberts, 1998). Who Perpetrates the MSbP/ FIIC? MSbP perpetrated by mothers. A bigger percentage of MSbP or FIIC is observed among mothers mostly, though, it may be experienced by fathers in isolated cases as well. The mothers purposely hurt their own children, or describe symptoms of the imaginary disease, so that they could get the attention which is majorly given to family members of a sick person. Someone who has MSbP mostly use the numerous hospitalizations instances as a method of gaining praises from the other people for their dedication to the care of the child. Finally, they tend to exploit the ill child in order to develop an affiliation with the doctors or other health care providers. The person suffering from MSbP ordinarily does not depart from the bedside of the patient, and deliberately feign the signs of a deep concern to prove that he or she is a good caregiver. Sometimes the signs may vanish while in hospital but may reappear when the caregiver is no longer alone with the patient (Roesler Jenny, 2009). Fabricated or induced illness by caregivers. Another case of MSbP is propagated by the caregivers, who fabricate or intrude the illness in children being under their guardianship. The major task for psychologists is to determine whether the caregivers who falsify the illness in children experience a disorder of a personality (Lasher and Sheridan 2004), and are able to validate the protective concerns about the child (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). The rate of fictional or induced sickness by carers usually varies from one country to another. For example, in the United States, an estimated number of two forms of MSbP involving a suffocation and non-accidental poisoning reported in 1996 is six hundred instances (Ayoub et al., 2002). Approximately eighteen cases are reported every year in New Zealand, about fifty instances registered in the UK, and twenty four more different countries monitor the accidences of the same syndrome (Pritchard 2004). How MSbP/ FIIC is Performed Individuals with MSbP are likely to fabricate or exaggerate the disease signs of the child in various ways. For example, they usually overstate or lie about symptoms, discrediting the reliability of the diagnostic tests by contaminating the urine or feces samples of the child in order to forge the medical records (Feurtado, 2004). Occasionally, the caregivers with MSbP may impose the symptoms of particular diseases through poisoning, starving, suffocating, or contaminating of the baby. In this case, the observed complications may signal about the behavioral or psychiatric disorders (Feurtado, 2004). It has also been discovered that the behaviour of the perpetrators sometimes involves a physical, psychological, and emotional harming of the child with the further transportation of the child to the hospital with an unexplained medical condition (Feurtado, 2004). The hospitals mostly fall victim to the fabrication whereby they pursue the unnecessary medical procedures. Pediatric study has also established that a number of the children admitted into hospital pediatric sections and emergency wards usually suffer from unexplained diseases that are consequently determined to have been instigated by their parents or caregivers through a physical, emotional, or psychological violence (Stirling, 2007: Roesler Jenny, 2009). Reasons for Engaging on MSbP or FIIC There are several theories researched to explain the causes of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy and why caregivers or mothers are engaged in it. According to Fish, Bromfield and Higgins (2005), mothers may feel that the presence of a sick child can be a factor to reunite them or bring them closer to their spouses. This reason indicates that mothers suffering from MSbP may have experienced an emotional deprivation and physical abuse from their spouses in the past (Allison Roberts, 1998). Such women in most cases feel depressedand insecure, thus direct their personal inadequacies through the offensive behavior towards the minors, which subsequently leads to a self-satisfaction and gratification of themselves. Some may also feel that invoking the illnesses in the child is a way of punishing their spouses who eventually pay the hospital bills whenever the child is hospitalized. The hospital environment also gives the mother or caregiver an opportunity to free themselves from parental responsibility at least for a while, when the medical personnel attend on the child, and gives the individuals with this disorder a chance to move around the hospital and share the experience with other parents. In this case, their sick children help them to create a connection with other mothers in the hospital, thus making them feel satisfied and full of a sense of belongingness. This reason is common for mothers who feel that they are overwhelmed by the demanding needs of their child. The caregivers, in their turn, feel that the parents of the child have neglected their parental duty, and overburden them with the responsibility. Such impression make the caregivers fabricate the illnesses of the child to get free time to relax. Schreier and Libow (1993) assert that long-awaited but absent fathers are also a major reason that lead to the manifestation of the disorder among wom en according to the clinical data in hospitals. The FIIC disorder may also develop when the mother notes that there is an increasing detachment among the father, the child, and the whole family, prompting the mother to resort to hurting her child to capture the attention of the father in order to reestablish cohesiveness in the family (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). In addition, an absent spouse also gives the mother an ample opportunity to inflict a harm on the child that she, however, would not do in the presence of her spouse (Matthews, 2004). Symptoms of MSbP MSbP is relatively one of the most challenging psychiatric disorders to be diagnosed. This makes approximately 9% of victims of FIIC abuse perish (Feldman, 1998). According to Feurtado (2004), the symptoms of a parent or caregiver that may be suffering from MSbP include, but do not exhaust the next signs such as (1) an inconsistency between the complaints and the results of the medical tests, (2) the symptoms presented by the child that do not respond to treatment as they are supposed to, (3) illnesses that only become severe in the presence of the caregiver or parent who is the perpetrator of the abuse, (4) disease symptoms that vanish when the perpetrators is absent, and resumes when the caretaker or parent is informed that the child is recuperating, or (5) when similar symptoms are also exhibited by the siblings or other family members of the victim (Lasher, 2004: Feldman, 1998). It is worth noting that it is impossible for doctors to diagnose Munchausen syndrome by proxy during t he first observation of the patient. Therefore it is vital that the medical personnel to consider the behavioral patterns related to the syndrome, and be very attentive to the actions and reactions of the individuals for some period of time. For example, having the same child suffering from various illnesses within a short duration together with a slow response to treatment is ordinarily an indicator of a possibility of the disorder (Artingstall, 1999). Victims of MSbP also commonly exhibit the accurate symptoms of illness together with the exaggerated ones. This usually complicates the diagnosis of MSbP owing to the fact that physicians have to distinguish the real illnesses from the fabricated. Another symptom of a possibility of the factitious disorder by proxy is a strong reaction of a caregiver or parent showing a righteous indignation trait when questioned by the physician about the fabricated medical history of their child. Such parents usually become defensive and may threaten to file a lawsuit against a malpractice, or in some occasions may instigate the child to become acutely ill to prove their point (Schreier Libow, 1993). Characteristics of Parents Engaged in MSbP According to Pritchard (2004), the fictitious or induced illness is commonly provoked by women, particularly mothers that form 95 per cent of the MSbP cases. However, there have been a few cases reported to be committed by fathers, adoptive parents, or other involving care givers (Artingstall, 1999). A big disparity proves the disproportionate number of women caring about children in comparison to men (Pritchard, 2004). The common characteristics exhibited by parents or caregivers who falsify or impose an illness on children sometimes are also similar to the characteristics naturally exhibited by many parents who are not suffering from the MSbP (Lasher Sheridan, 2004). Among other distinguished characteristics, perpetrators are ordinarily the principal caregiver of a child with an intention to manipulate the people around them, especially doctors, that are supposed to be more competent in this sphere, thus giving the offender a delightful feeling of controlling theme (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). In such a scenario, the absence of the caregiver results in a disappearance of the symptoms or illnesses. Parents with the MSbP may also have normal mental health evaluations, showing no previous engagement in the services of child protection, they may seem to be phobic, overprotective, or deluded, with an experience and deep knowledge of the health condition, and may seek publicity or consideration fr om a range of people (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). In most cases, the caregivers and parents with this syndrome do not stop the abusive behavior once being suspected but instead change the health establishment and deny the accusations even when there are overwhelming evidences against them. Moreover, they tend to accuse their prosecutors and shift the blames against the others (Lasher Sheridan, 2004). Most of these characteristics are similar to those that a regular parent would demonstrate, thus complicating the process of diagnosis MSbP (Shannon, 2009). Legal Issues and Court Trials with the Help of Criminal Psychology There are several legal pieces of a background information that children safety practitioners need to consider while dealing with a possible case of MSbP. The cases of care and protection measures in which a child is purported to be at risk of harm from their caregivers or parents can be presented before the court using the grounds of intervention through the legislation established in each state. The grounds used must match the individual evidences in a particular case, and the suggested danger those facts present to the victim who is the subject of the application (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). It is also imperative to differentiate the criminal trials from the child protection cases. The focus of a criminal trial is on a hearing of charges against the accused individual alleged to have committed a crime in order to prove the accusations that the person had perpetrated particular acts with a felonious intent. Child protection hearings, on the other hand, focus on determining whether the child is a victim of MSbP, and does require a protection from the perpetrator or not (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). In such cases, the purpose of the child protection services is to evidence that a parent or caregiver has done or failed to do certain acts that have consequently made the child suffer from any kind of harm. Standards of Proof The rules of evidence presentted in the child protection cases are less strict as compared to those applied in criminal trials. The reason for this is the diverse legal aims and different standards of proof needed for a particular case (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). To substantiate a criminal case, the prosecution must avail itself of the evidence that indicts the accused according to a standard referred as beyond reasonable doubt. On the contrary, the standard of proofs used in child protection cases, is based on the balance of probabilities (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). For example, in Australia, the courts trying a case on a child abuse by the employing of the lower standard of proofs may consider appropriate findings from the criminal proceedings if such are available in the court hearing. However, statements related to law on a criminal trial where MSbP is mentioned as an issue, may not be applicable child protection case (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). The criminal psychologists involved in this case must present a psychiatric report to determine if the perpetrator is truly suffering from the syndrome to validate the proof. Evidence The evidence needed to authenticate the necessity for protection according to Fish, Bromfield and Higgins (2005) are usually categorized into three wide groups: (1) direct proofs that involve what has been observed, heard and acquired, or treatment that has been felt through the intellectual analysis by the witness, (2) factual or bodily evidence that may comprise documents, videos, photographs, x rays, diaries, reports, and other relevant objects, and finally, (3) opinion evidence, which may involve a professional conclusion proceeding on the pertinent qualifications. Such individuals are the criminal psychologists and psychiatrists authorized to assess the level of disorder, and to conclude whether the child needs a protection from the authorities. Grounds for Intervention Legislation that lay grounds of the child care and protection trials in courts usually differs from state to state and from country to country. In Australian courts there are major similarities on the jurisdictions (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). The legal child protection authorities are plenipotentiary to respond in the case, when the acts of a caregiver or parent jeopardize the well-being of the child or cause the child either emotional, social, psychological or physical harm (Shannon, 2009). The harm may comprise such acts of physical abuse as an assault, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect (Bromfield and Higgins 2005). Such cases when caregivers expose children to fabricated or induced illness are usually brought to the courts and substantiated on a direct evidence stipulating the acts which support such charges, including the opinions of an appropriately qualified expert such as the criminal psychologist that are able to provide an interpretation of the stated acts and subsequent risks the child is subjected to (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005). Defense Mechanisms in Court The perpetrators of the MSbP usually defend themselves in court in several ways. One defense mechanism entails emphasizing on the accurate symptoms of illnesses that the victims of Munchausen syndrome by proxy exhibit. Considering the amount of the exaggeration of symptoms of illness, doctors in most instances confirm the presence of the disorder. This makes the perpetrators justify their claim of medical need to their children. Moreover, this may weaken the case against them, since such mother suffering from the disorder usually present herself to the court as a very protective and more caring person. This usually complicates the diagnosis of MSbP owing to the fact that it is relatively difficult for the physicians to distinguish the real illnesses from the fabricated one (Gregory, 2003). Some of the culprits also do not have any previous records made of an engagement with the child protection service (Fish, Bromfield Higgins, 2005).This gives them a defensive point in the courts to deny all the accusations claiming that the prosecution is malicious. Occasionally, some of the perpetrators presented in the court are experienced in the medical field, and may have a solid knowledge giving them the power to challenge any accusation made against them, and even seek publicity or consideration from a range of other doctors to interpret the symptoms that are manifested by the child. Similarly, the mothers or caregivers with this syndrome often do not change their behaviors when suspected, but change the professionals and consultants instead. Treatment of Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome MSbP is a very complicated disorder to treat, and often needs a long-period therapy and support that involve a social service, child protective service, law enforcement, and a teamwork of the physicians to improve a health state of the patient (Hanon, 1991). The first step to take is to safeguard and protect any real or potential victims by placing the child under the care of another person in order to avert the further maltreatment of the sufferer (Stirling, 2007). Successful treatment of individuals with this disorder usually proves to be difficult since such people often deny that there is a problem. Equally, the success of treatment is dependent on telling the truth, which MSbP individuals do not do, but instead become the accomplished liars. The known treatment involves an administering psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy aimed at helping the individual to detect the thoughts and feelings that are causing the behavior, and teaching to develop relationships not related with being ill (Stirling, 2007). Conclusion Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome is a disorder that is extremely difficult to diagnose since it is exhibited in various forms with accurate disease symptoms, making it complicated and uneasy to detect. It involves the parent or caregiver inducing illnesses, or inflicting injuries on their children or children under their care (Gregory, 2003). This disorder is difficult to believe especially when involving real mothers, owing to the fact that it is the responsibility of the mothers to protect and ensure that their children are safe from all kinds of harm. It is, therefore, important for the good of a society and a nation to study more the reasons for such a disaster. It seems to me that MSbP can result from a state of a personal unhappiness. The factors causing that may depend or do not depend on a personal choice. Nevertheless, I am in favor of making everything possible to direct things that totally are in our power in a right place. I believe, what can help to improve this difficult situation and to prevent such anomalies in a behavior is a proper education of children and adults in a matter of a personal relationship and social communication, namely, practical psychology. Not the less important is that the perpetrators suffering from MSbP should be treated as criminals in order to discourage people from being involved in such practices, especially after the confirmation of the characteristics with the help of a criminal psychologist. More research should also be conducted on the same topic to highlight and distinguish the causes and symptoms so that they can be addressed in good time, such as the use of family psychotherapy to improve cohesiveness and to minimize depression that have been identified as the causes of MSbP (Shannon, 2009). Buy custom Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome essay

THE ANALYZING AND INTERPRETATION OF MOVIES Essay

THE ANALYZING AND INTERPRETATION OF MOVIES - Essay Example Analyzing a movie is especially essential in writing a carefully planned review of it. Furthermore, the pleasure of analyzing a work of an expert and well-known moviemaker can help you take pleasure in a film to a different level on the whole. It’s all a matter of perception. Opportunely or inopportunely, skilled moviemakers do not frequently share the perception of the viewers. Hence, it is important that one appreciates the essence of another’s point of view. There are numerous things about a film which can be analyzed and interpreted to obtain the best idea about what a movie is all about. Movies can be analyzed and interpreted in innumerable ways, and each is acceptable. This essay will discuss what essentially has to be done. Suppose you were asked to write a film analysis for a local newspaper or as university homework. Even if you are a certified movie buff, you do not know anything about doing a film analysis and hence it may appear to be a difficult assignment. Nevertheless, making a movie analysis is not that hard as some people believe. Aside from proficiency in the English language, what a movie analyst needs is some fundamental knowledge about how to construct a film analysis (Rutsky & Geiger, 2005). First, it is important to conduct research work. Prior to watching the movie, it is especially vital to carry out research work (Rutsky & Geiger, 2005). Try to make sense of the movie’s context, such as the underlying plot, the main characters, filmmaker, script writer, and others. Try to determine if the story is a true or original story, sequel of another film, or adaptation of a work of fiction. Movie analyst should also explore earlier works of the actors and the filmmaker (Nelmes, 2003). This aids in identifying the meaning or content of the movie. Second step is watching the movie. In order to make an accurate

A comparison of Boeing & Airbus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

A comparison of Boeing & Airbus - Essay Example Here the researcher has discussed the operational management and strategies of two leading aircraft manufacturing companies. Therefore, researcher mainly stressed on five key aspects of operational performance objectives which are quality, speed, dependability, cost and flexibility. The various components of the operational management techniques have been discussed in details with emphasis on indispensable ingredients which can help the buyers. The quality assurance techniques need to be supervised and monitored in such a way so that the end results can be delivered in accordance with the proposed or assured quality. The speed is an important in the airlines industry. So, the researcher draws a comparison between the speeds of two companies. Finally, the flexibility, cost and dependability will discuss to highlight the operational efficiencies. Introduction In present corporate scenario, the international business management plays a crucial role to manage the business network (operat ion management) across the globe. So, most of the companies introduce innovative strategies to enhance the business network and reduce the competition. In this sense, strategic management is an integral part of international business management. ... Strategic management provides sustainability to a business entity in the competitive market. It gives a clear picture to the employees about their job culture and co-relates it with the organizational goals. Operational strategy helps in increasing the productivity of the firm and maximizes the skills of the employees by introducing new work cultures and providing new area of work. Thus, strategic management is beneficial to a firm in various important aspects. This study will throw light on the contribution of strategic operations management as well as the operational performance of two leading airlines company Boeing and Airbus (Owen and Maidment, 2009 p.142). Company overview Boeing Boeing is one of the largest aerospace companies in the World. The corporate office of the Boeing is established in Chicago. The company is specialised for manufacturing commercial jetliners and defence, space and security systems. This is the top exporter which attaches with the 150 countries’ allied governments and airlines companies. The product and service range of the company includes military and commercial aircraft, weapons, satellites, lunch system, defence and electronics system, communication and advanced information systems and performance based training and logistics. The aerospace company is traditionally specialised in innovation and leadership. The primary objective of the company is to meet the emerging customer needs through its continuous expansion of the product line. There are 170000 employees are connected with the business network throughout the world. The operational efficiency of Boeing shows the quality of the employee force. There are two customized business unit i.e. Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Boeing Defence, Space & Security. The company also has

Final Exam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Final Exam - Assignment Example A very good example of technological advancement is mobile phone. The type of mobile phone which we had in earlier times no longer exists now. There is a change in the demand of mobile phone users. This has resulted in the advancement of mobile phone technologies. The users of mobile phones demand functionality and simplicity. This has forced the manufacturers of mobile phone to develop smart phones which are computer minded, easily usable, having more functionality as compared to the mobile phones of past. Further, technological advancements have helped organizations and businesses to save cost of production and time which is an advantage to small business and have managed to use these advancements for gaining competitive advantage. A very good example is 3G/ 4G broadband. The advantage of this super fast internet has been taken by small business to reach the target market with lower cost of operation. However, there has been both positive and negative effect of technological advanc ement. ... Further, it has also increased the health risks as the technological users do less exercise. In the perspective of education, students are more dependent on computers and calculators for solving simple equations. They cannot train their brains for solving a simple task for which they become lame in class. A few technological advancements have changed the human lives in the following manner: Technological advancement has contributed a lot in health care and medicine. This has helped to save the lives of many innocent people. Further, it has improved health sciences and human medicine. The medical students and doctors use medical technological tools for carrying out extensive research on the challenges and problems related to human health. This extensive research has led to the development of treatments and new drugs which help to cure the challenging human diseases and saving the lives of many people and prolonging the lifespan of human being. For example: a smart phone ultrasound whi ch was provided by Microsoft can be used for integrating a USB based ultrasound probe with a Smart phone. This can be used to create a ultrasound device which is simple hand sized for enabling the doctors to image the bladder, liver, veins, eyes, arteries and kidney of a patient in remote areas which can detect any infection easily. This device can be used in many developing countries for saving the life of people. This mobile ultra sound can be used by the doctors without boundaries for helping the patients in remote areas. Certain other technologies in health care include use of nano-composite contact lenses for treating diabetes patients. Neuro-prosthetic chips are used for controlling artificial

Organisation of the Body: An Overview of Cell Types

Organisation of the Body: An Overview of Cell Types 1.1) Light microscopes can magnify an object to be seen 400-1000 times. Microscopes that allow electron can magnify up to two million times. This allows scientists to see things in more detail such as cells, this result has given doctors and scientists more understanding and function. Light microscopes use a visible light that bends and passes through the lens. Electron microscopes use a beam of electrons for light magnification. Electron microscopes allow higher magnification compared to a light microscope, this then allows a vision in internal structure. Electron is the particle having a negative charge and then orbiting the nucleus, the flow of electrons in the conductor of electricity. Resolution is in which a image can be recorded, or produced. This is often expressed in per unit. To calculate the length of an object that has been magnified. You find the length of the object equals the length of the object after it has been magnified then divide by the magnification. Electron mi croscopes can be very expensive. They need a constant supply of voltage, this then needs to be always stable, monitored and maintained throughout. This machine is man made and can make errors. Only skilled people may use it, without these pro cations the reading may not be accurate. 2.1) The cell wall is located in and around the plasma membranes of different types of cells. Cell wall function is to support protect and allow water, carbon dioxide to diffuse in and out of the cell. Plants have cell walls while animal cells do not. Cell walls are made up of carbohydrates, they give shape to the cell. They help plants keep there shape and allow them to stand straight. The cell wall provides protection against pathogens and other substances that maybe harmful to the cell.  Ã‚   The cell membrane is inside the cell wall. In a animal it is in the outer layer and supports and gives protection, also controls movement of materials in and out of the cell. It is also a barrier between the cell and the cells environment but also maintains homeostasis. The nucleus is located in all cells except prokayotes. The shape is large and oval. The nucleus contains one or sometimes more nucleoli and holds DNA. The nucleus controls the activities in the cell and also contains hereditary material located in the cell. The cytoplasm is located in all cells. It is a clear jelly material. The cytoplasm holds organelles in the cell in place. The cytoplasm has three components, the organelles, cytosol and cytoplasmic inclusions. The cytosol is in part of the cytoplasm, it contains cytoskeleton, molecules salt and water. Organelles are small in structure. They perform a variety of functions. Endoplasmic is in all cells except prukaryoles. It connects to the nuclear envelope and cell membrane. It also carries materials through the cell. This also helps to make proteins. Some of the functions of the endoplasmic are mechanical support, the transport and function of the synthesis, this is especially the transport of proteins. The ribosomes is contained in all cells. The ribosomes synthesizes proteins that will be used inside the cell. Ribosomes are found in the reticulum and can be found around in the cytoplasm. Ribosomes are responsible for making and assembling acids and proteins. Ribosomes will be found in the cytoplasm of the cell. The proteins they make will function in the cytosol, they are then moved outside the cell and included in the cells membranes. 3.1) Membrane structure is located in all cells. In plants it is inside the cell wall, in animals it is in the outer layer wall. Most of the cell membrane structure is made up of proteins and phospholipids. The cell membrane structure is not solid. The cell membrane structure gives support and a barrier between the cell and movement. The membrane structure holds everything in but also keeps any harmful things out. 3.2) Diffusion is the spreading of different particles of gas, substance or a solution. The act is the movement of particles, the higher the temperature the faster the particles will move, then the faster the diffusion will take place. Osmosis happens when two solutions are separated this is the movement of water from one area of high to an area of low water across a membrane (semi-permeable). Permeable membranes will let water through but other solution such as sugar cannot flow through freely. The active energy uses energy to move different substances in and out of cells. Active transport is important in the kidneys for keeping a hold of different substances needed by the body. These substances are glucose and ions. 4.1) There are four types of tissues in the human body, epithelial, connective, nervous, and muscle. 4.2) Epithelial tissue protects the human body from moisture loss, bacteria and internal injury. There are two types of epithelial tissue in the human body, one covers all the internal and the other external body surfaces and also the outer layer of your skin, the lymph vessels and digestive tract. Glandular epithelial also produces hormones and other products such as, sweat, saliva, stomach acid and milk. Connective tissue holds structures together, the loose connective tissue holds the outer layer of skin and the under layer of muscle tissue. This tissue is also found in lymph nodes, fat layers and red bone marrow. The nervous tissue forms the nervous system. This is responsible for all the movements of the body though its network of nerves. It can bring on the fight or flight response to the body. This response is a survival technique enabling people to react quickly to pain and other life threatening situations. The nervous system is the brain, spinal cord and sensory organs, the se nerves consist with these two parts of the body. Neurons are the structural unit of the nervous system. They communicate within the body by transporting signals. There are three types of neurons, afferent neurons are sensory neurons. They transport sensory signals to the sensory nervous system from other receptors in the human body. Efferent neurons are known as motor neurons and transmit signals from the muscles and glands. Inter neurons form within the central nervous system to relay information received from the afferent neurons and direct the function of the body through effect information, in other words they work together. Muscle tissue forms over the skeleton and is attached to bones and causes movement within the human body. Cardiac muscle is formed and located in the heart. Smooth muscle is located in the walls of the blood vessels, it is also located and found in the digestive and urogenital tracts. 5.1) Cells that join together are not identical but work together to accomplish different functions for the human body. All living things are made up of cells. One cell makes a form of tissue. Nerve cells will form nerve tissue, sweat glands form sweat gland tissue. Skin tissue is made of hair tissue oil and sweat tissue, they all have cells that form from this and are all working together to form the skin. The human body is made of cells, which then form tissue, which then form organs all working together because without this the body would not work. Word count: 1210 Claire Richardson Bibliography: la.a.2.2.1.4.1. (2001-2003). The making of an organ.  Available: www.beaconlearningcentre.com/1966. Last accessed 29 July 2014. BBC teachers. (aqa science). Tissues organs in animals.  Available: gcse bite size. Last accessed 29 July 2014. 1.1) Comparing light and electron microscopes. description usage Light microscope Uses radiation, in the form of light and electron beams. This forms a larger and more detailed image to the human eye. Can be used for looking at specimens. Immediate image. Lower resolution. Can measure living processes taking place, eg cell division. Magnification: x1000 to x 2000 image and quality.. Light microscopes are smaller and lighter and easier to move. Less expensive, wavelength 400-700nm. Wavelength 1nm. The light is via glass lenses. Images can be viewed directly. Eyepiece to use is projector lenses. Source used is light. Electron microscope Uses radiation, in the form of light or electron beams. Uses beams of electrons instead of rays of visible light. Forms highly magnified images of areas materials and biological specimens. Immediate image. Higher resolution in measuring smaller images. Not possible to view and living material due to a vacuum inside the electron microscope. Magnification: x 100,000 sem to tem x 250,000. Two types of electron microscope: transmission electron microscope, and scanning electron microscope. Form larger images used that the human eye would not see. Techniques used staining, mounting, and slicing. Cost is expensive to run. Use electromagnet(magnetic projector). Effective wavelength 1 nm. 2.1) Organelle Function of the organelle chromatin Is a combination of DNA and other proteins that make up the chrmosomes. Found in nuclear envelope of the eukaryotic cells. The chromosomes are made when there is cell division. Chromatin is in the nucleus of the cell. ribosome Located in the cytoplasm. Make proteins that is used in the cell. Others are found in the enoplasmic reticulum. Endoplasmic recticulum (rough) Endoplasmic reticulum is a membrane that is found in animal cells and plant cells but not in prokaryotic cells. Responsible for transporting proteins and carbohydrates to other organelles. The surface of rough endoplasmic reticulum is with the protein making ribosome, which gives the appearance of a rough surface. It is called rough because it is studded with ribosomes.. Endoplasmic recticulum (smooth) The smooth is a production of metaolism of fats, and steroid hormones. It is also connected with some slippery fats Lymosome Contains digestive enzymes, break down material that enters the cell. Break down components, bacteria and other materials. Enzymes are strong and can destrong cell function if released. Remain in the cell within lysosomes membrane to prevent this. Golgi apparatus This sorts out packaging of proteins for secretion, and also involved in the transport of lipids around the cell. Also the creation of lysosomes. Flagella The flagella is the censory of the organelle. Checks chemical balances and temperature outside the cell. Found in prokaryptic and eukaryotic cells. Mitrochondria Organelles that break down nutrients and creates energy for the cell. Creating cell energy, cellular respiration, similar to the digestive system. Mitochondria are small in size organelles. Nucleus The nucleus creates and regulates cell activity, controls enzymes that are in the cell. Nucleus is found in the eukaryotic cells, contains cells genetics, DNA molecules, in proteins to form chromosomes. 4.2) Red blood cells are found in bone marrow. All blood cells come from bone marrow and form stem cells. Stem cells are found to be imortal, which means they will never die. Not until the human body does. Erythrocytes are also called red blood cells. There function is to help move and transport oxygen in the blood. They are round in shape but are more like disks. Erythrocytes are flexible and have a membrane, this then allows them to move through capillaries. Erythrocytes contain hemoglobin to carry oxygen, they then loose nucleus and organelles, then develop in bone marrow. Ciliated epithelial are hairs that sit on top of tissue. They move back and forth and help move things such as mucleus. They are found in the lining of the respitory, where the lungs is. They are also found in the fallopian tubes in women. This tissue contains mucous to help your body act against and move bacteria such as a cold out of the body. Cililated epithelium has cells called goblet cells without this harmful bacteria would stay in the body and cause you to be very sick. A sperm cell looks like a tadpole. The tadpole has a head, tail and neck. The head provides information in the nucleus and the tail makes peopulsion. The head is flat and measures five micrometers long and three micrometres wide. The neck has two features nuceus and the actrosome. The head contains a mebrane that acts in penetrating the female egg. The sperm penetrates the female egg, and produces material that is genetic and reaches the ovum. The neck measures one micrometer in length and contains spermatozoon and also two of centrioles which are needed in cell division. 3.1) Composition is the ingredients in what is made up in the cell as a whole. The cell membrane or lipid bi-layer is the outer layer of a cell, all cells have a membrane and this separates a cell from the environment around them. The cell membrane acts as a guard to inspect what it allows in the cell and what leaves the cell. The cell internal structure is made up of proteins and lipids, depending where in the body the location of the cell is. Lipids help the cell in its flexibility and shape, proteins help in the cells transfer of molecules across the membrane. Receptor proteins in the cell help communicate with other things outside of the cell, this happens through neurotransmitters and hormones. 3.2) Diffusion is water molecules moving from one area of high water to areas of very low water. Osmosis is the movement of molecules through a membrane of high water to a low water of concentration. Active transport is the movement of molecules across the membrane into the high concentration, this is done by and assisted by enzymes and requires energy to do this Diffusion Osmosis Active transport Passive transport Water molecules moving from one area of high water to low water concentration. Moves molecules through a membrane of high water to a low water concentration. Moves molecules across the membrane into high concentration using enzymes and energy. The movement of chemicals across a cell membrane. Irons to a higher concentration to a lower concentration. Does not require energy to move molecules from one point to another point. Does not require energy to move molecules from one point to another point. Requires energy to move molecules from one point to another point. Does not require energy to move molecules from one point to another point. 4.1) The nervous tissue have two main cells neuroglia and neurons. The neuroglia have functions that support the nerve cells but they do not transmit pulses. Neurons are nerve cells and are very sensitive to heat and cold, dark and light. They transmit electric nerves and information around the body. Muscle tissue have three types of tissue, cardiac skeletal and smooth muscles. Muscle helps with posture, and support. Smooth muscle tissue controls movement in the human body and contracts with other tissue in the intestines and stomach. Skeletal tissue help in the movement of bones such as hips and wrists, this is enclosed in connective tissue(epimysium). The epithelial tissue covers the whole of the body. It is made of cells with one or more layers. It covers all external and internal layers. Types of tissue Structure and function of tissue Nerve tissue Have two cells neurolia and neurons. Have functions that support nerve cells but do not transmit pulses. Neurons sensitive to heat, and cold. Dark and light.transmit signals and information around the body. Muscle tissue Three types of tissue cardiac, skeletal and smooth. Helps with posture and support, controls movement, contracts with other tissues. Connective tissue Provides movement in bones that is present in connective tissue. Epithelial tissue Covers all the body, made up of cells that have one or more layers. Covers all internal and external layers. 5.1) The human body consists of the head and skull which also contains the brain. The pharynx is in the throat, the larynx is at the back of the mouth, the lympth nodes are in the neck, the heart is in the middle of the chest wall. The lungs are behind the ribs, there is arteries in the arms and there is muscle near the skeleton. The spleen is above the stomach, each organ is linked to another organ and they all work together for the human body to work. The brain sends signals to different parts of the body for them to work. Without these signals you could not function. If the brain is dead the rest of the body does not work. The human hand provide the body with support to move objects in many ways. Each hand has twenty seven different bones and ligaments. The hand join on to the wrist and provide flexible movement and wrist action. The hand is also coverd with skin. The nerves are extended into the palm. There are eight carpal bones in the wrist that are bound. The hand is used for movement and picture up abjects. The hand provides the body with a lot of support. Claire Richardson Word count: 2765 Bibliography: nner body. (1999-2013). Hand and wrist.  Available: page 1. Last accessed 30 july 2014. nner body. (1999-2013).  Hand and wrist.  Available: page 1. Last accessed 30 july 2014. microscope resolution. (2001-2003).human biology.Available: compound microscopes. Last accessed 29 july 2014.

Ligament Injuries Essay -- Health Injured Ligaments Essays

Ligament Injuries The volleyball match has been going on for over an hour. Both teams have been trading points and side-outs. The ball is set high outside so that the big outside hitter can put the ball away. She comes in hard, plants, leaps into the air and smashes the ball down the line in a twisting motion. As she lands on her right leg, a POP is heard and down she goes. What has just happened is occurring more and more often in athletics, the athlete has just torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). In this paper I will describe ACL, how it is injured and diagnosed, how it be repaired and what is being done to prevent ACL injuries. The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the two cruciate ligaments of the knee, the other being the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL). These ligaments are the stabilizers of the knee. The ACL is a strip of fibery tissue, which is located deep inside the knee joint. It runs from the posterior side of the femur (thigh bone) to the anterior side of the tibia (shin bone) deep inside of the knee. The ligament is a broad, thick cord the size of a person's index finger. It has long collagen strands woven together in a fashion that permits forces of up to 500 pounds to be exerted. The function of the ACL is to prevent the tibia from moving in front of the knee and femur. The ACL also prevents hyperextension (or extreme stretching of the knee backward) and helps to prevent rotation of the tibia. The amount of knee ligament injuries have been on the rise in recent years. Over the last 15 years, ankle sprains have decreased by 86% and tibia fractures by 88%, but knee ligament injuries have increased by 172%. The injury usually occurs in either a slow twisting fall, a sudden hyperextension, or a sudden hyperflexion as when landing from jumping. When the injury occurs the athlete usually hears a "pop" and they will have immediate swelling of the knee. When the person tries to put weight on the leg it will feel like the knee isn't underneath the athlete. With most injuries the type of movement will help to determine the injury: "I twisted to the right." etc. When ACL injuries occur there is a "popping" sound at the time of injury and swelling within six hours. An experienced clinician can diagnose an ACL tear with relative accuracy by a manual examination. X-ray examination and ... ...t of stress. A knee bend resistive exercise program done by The United States Ski Team has resulted in an 80% decline in serious knee injuries. The program uses a single stance one-third knee bend going from 30 to 80 degrees at a steady rate for three minutes, working up to five minutes on each leg. Sport band (elastic cord) can be used to increase resistance when initial levels are achieved. The anterior cruciate ligament is the main guide to knee stabilization. Fortunately injuries to the ACL are now much more treatable and athletes are returning to performance at a greater rate. All athletes need to be aware of the risk of ACL injuries but they also need to know if it does happen, it's not the end of their athletic career. Works Cited: Anterior Cruciate Ligament(ACL) Injury. http://www.familyinternet.com/peds/scr/001074cc.htm The Knee http://www.mednet.qc.ca/mednet/anglais/hermes_a/knee/knee_15.html Knee Injuries The Anterior Cruciate Ligament http://www.medseek.com/portfolios/reference/gallz.html Healther Knees, Please! - AHFMR May/June Article http://www.worldweb.com/ahfmr/may/knees.html ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURIES BY DAN KUKLOCK