The Problem Of Teenage Obesity Essay - 1177 Words

Teenage obesity is rising significantly not only in the New Zealand but all throughout the world. It is growing epidemic and it’s a terrible thing. Watching a teenager wobble around all day out of breath and struggling to manage the stairs at school something no one should ever witness but with 18%⠁ ´ of teenagers obese it’s becoming a more common site everyday. Obesity is a risk factor for several diseases and it can lead to more serious problem in the end and can be fatal that can cause even death. How have obesity numbers quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years? ¹ New Zealand s weight problem is gobbling up more than 4 per cent of what we spend on health care. $624 million, was estimated to have been spent on health care for the obese and overweight in 2006. The sum includes both private and government spending. With this much money being spent on the issue and obesity numbers still rising we must be doing something wrong. What is the extent of this worldwide epidemic? Obesity is steadily and inexorably becoming the greatest health problem in the developed world. It has recently been estimated that 237,600,000 teenagers ² are overfed and overweight, a number that rivals the number who are underfed and underweight. Overweight becomes the disease of obesity when excess fat has accumulated to the extent that it may adversely affect health. This point is most commonly deï ¬ ned by the body mass index (BMI). Although a BMI 25 can be associated with a reduced life expectancyShow MoreRelatedThe Growth Of Teenage Obesity Essay1309 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction The growth in teenage obesity in the course of recent decades, together with the related health issues and expenses, is growing serious concern among parents and health care professionals. This research paper begins by studying research on energy intake, energy expenditure, and â€Å"energy balance,† observing that teenagers who consume extra â€Å"empty calories† and spend fewer calories by performing physical activity are more liable to be obese than other teenagers. Most importantly changesRead MoreEssay on Teenage Drivers are an Accident Waiting to Happen578 Words   |  3 Pages Teenage drivers are an accident waiting to happen. They display only characteristics of being immature, having carelessness, and displaying irresponsibility. Teenage car accidents are the leading cause of death among all teens. This fact is surprising since you always hear about teen drug overdoses and teen suicides, but never teenage driving fatalities. A proposal to raise the use legal age of driving to 21 will save many lives, save money, and benefit the community as a whole. Many people don’tRead MoreThe Issue Of Teenage Obesity1231 Words   |  5 PagesTeenage obesity is one if the sternest topics viewed globally. The epidemic has severe outcomes and can sometimes be fatal. An obese child is any child or teen that is severely overweight and has a body mass index, or BMI, that is equal to or greater than the 85th percentile which equates to about 10 percentage points higher than the recommended body weight for their height and body type. Doctors claim that today about 1 in 3 kids are overweight or obese. A number of studies have shown how beingRead MoreTo Eat or Not to Eat: a Comparison of Anorexia and Obesity Essays1249 Words   |  5 Pagesthe primary cause of death for anorexics. Obesity is a condition in which the person’s natural energy reserve is drastically increased to the point that it creates a risk factor (when the body mass index is over 25% body fat in men and over 35% body fat in women) and leaves the body pervious to other health conditions. Complications comprise of cardiovascular problems such as congestive heart failure and pulmonary embolism, as well as respiratory problems like asthma and hypoventilation. Other complicationsRead MoreEffects of Soda On The Body Essay1436 Words   |  6 PagesUnfortunately for the United States, it’s one of the first countries to start drinking soft drinks. Soda can also be termed as soft drink, coke or fizzy drink and is consumed by all ages worldwide. (Khara) Soft drinks can cause tooth decay, dehydration, obesity and more, and also contain tons of preservatives and artificial sweeteners. It isn’t just parents giving their children soda, it’s also the school districts providing m ore unhealthy choices and minimal nutritional items, such as milk or water, andRead MoreChildhood Obesity: A Growing Problem795 Words   |  3 PagesChildhood obesity is a growing problem that needs to be resolved. Many people may say it is the Child’s fault, he is weak willed. This is just a common misconception; there are hundreds of different reasons for childhood obesity. I will just be scratching the surface of this paper. By the same token childhood obesity is a growing problem that needs to be resolved. We can achieve this by understanding some common misconceptions, understanding health problems, and understanding fitness. ThereforeRead MoreA Research Study On Childhood Obesity850 Words   |  4 Pagesis obesity. This draft outlines the symptoms, diagnosis, cure, and prevention for this very curable disease. Pueblo Colorado has two public health issues. First is childhood obesity, and second is teenage pregnancy. Both problems have been the main focus on the city for a number of years; however, the obesity problem seems to be the greater of the two. Although this community has been highlighted for having the highest childhood obesity rate amongst all of Colorado, I believe the problem originatesRead MoreObesity Is The Most Common Pediatric Chronic Disease Essay1740 Words   |  7 PagesAbout one-third of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be overweight or obese(NIH). Obesity has become the most common pediatric chronic disease in todays time.(TRINITY). An approach to this would be to make a dietary plan to help the youth overcome this sickness .Many illness that occurs in ob ese teenagers are a result of their eating habits, minimal excise time, and continual depression. Over eating can be a result of the teenagers not having enough activities to engage inRead MoreObesity Is A Common Problem1222 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the world, obesity is a common problem. This is especially true for the United States. About 22 million children were obese at the age of five in 2007 (Stern and Kazaks 1), and this trend keeps growing every year. Effects of obesity control quality of life from something as simple as ease of mobility to as serious as mental health issues regarding low self-esteem. The negative impact of obesity influences daily life from breaking down traditional family meals, the amount of physical activityRead MoreToday’s Teenage Nutrition Essay599 Words   |  3 PagesToday’s Teenage Nutrition Getting something to eat from a convenience store or a fast food restaurant is an everyday thing for most teenagers. For breakfast it’s a sugar covered donut, for lunch: a bacon cheeseburger from a fast food restaurant near the school, and for dinner: mom’s homemade 4 cheese casserole! A typical day for an unhealthy teen! Today’s teens are not getting enough nutrients; most teens rather not eat then have fruit or vegetables. Which is a very bad idea because it will have

Lean On Me Essay Example For Students

Lean On Me Essay East Side High School was labeled a cauldron of violence. After they were designated this harsh term, Joe Clark becomes the head principal and changes it all around or does he? Lean on Me is a story of hope, development, love, hate, and dependence. As a father figure and friend, Clarks strict disciplining and harsh attitude helps heal, strengthen, and bring to life a struggling high school in New Jersey. But is this plot just a story for the movie screen? Did the true story really happen like this and end like this?Lean on Me might be moving and powerful, but we must look deeper into the real personality of Joe Clark and how he treated others. Crazy Joe Clark does not get his name from out of the blue. He is violent, angry, and set in his own ways and beliefs. His wife that left him and the one friend that he has are all reflective signs of his horrendous behavior. He walks around the school with a baseball bat, rather than a clipboard or briefcase. The fear that he earns is more prevalent than the respect that the students and teachers have for him. He likes to be known as HNIC the head nigger in charge. His absurd manners are strongly disliked by his fellow colleagues. He insults teachers in front of students and fires them when they do not comply with his harsh rules. The first disturbing aspect of this movie is Joe Clarks personality; although he changes around the school, he does it in a bizarre and vicious manner. Another bizarre aspect of the movie is how the director, , portrays East Side High. After there is a time change from the 60s to the 80s, East Side transforms from a nice, well-kept, and clean school to a graffiti filled, prison-like, school that resembles an alleyway, not a high school. There are fights in the hallway and the bathrooms every time class lets out. Drug dealers are let in by other students to exchange money and drugs. East Side is portrayed as a rundown and scary to say the least learning institution. For one person, let alone a group of people, to turn it around in under a year, like Joe Clark does, is unimaginable and almost impossible. The school song is an important symbol throughout the movie. It is metaphoric of the change that East Side undergoes. As they tune up the song, they tune up the school. The song goes from a piece of garbage, to a song that is sung in harmony and tune by the students. Category: Miscellaneous

Role of Torres Strait Islander Health Worker-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Role of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker. Answer: Introduction: Health care can be considered as one of the greatest necessities which each and every individual should have an equal right to; however in case of the socially disadvantaged groups, the health care quality and accessibility still lags behind that of the mainstream society. It has to be mentioned that there have been many approaches taken to improve the health outcomes of the health outcomes and care experience of the aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders and the integration of an interdisciplinary team into the care scenario of these socially disadvantaged groups can be considered most impactful. One of the community targeted initiatives can be the Feltman tool for the diabetes prevention in the aboriginal communities (Browne et al., 2013 pp 321). This assignment will attempt to explore the key concepts associated with the practice scope of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker, how it contributes to the care outcomes of the indigenous patient population and the col laboration between the different members of the interdisciplinary team can be enhanced. Discussion: According to the Browne et al. (2013), the nursing professionals have worked with the aboriginal and Torres Strait islander workers ever since the role has been introduced in the late 1900s, and effective cooperation between the aboriginal health workers and the non-aboriginal health workforce had been crucial for enhancing health outcome for aboriginals. However, ever since there have been many issues in establishing collaborative harmony among the nurses and the aboriginal health workers. In the early stages of this designation being introduced in the Australian health care sector, the nursing professionals provided the training to the indigenous health workers. However, the role of an indigenous health worker has now expanded exponentially, and has bifurcated as a valid independent health care role, by the intervention by the state and territory authorities in the training purposes. In the policy eras of self determination and self management provided the perfect setting where the role of an aboriginal health worker was established as a prominent and irreplaceable sector. A multitude of caring responsibilities have shifted from the nursing professional to an indigenous health worker in the interdisciplinary care term for aboriginals and Torres Strait islander. Along with that, despite there still being a little confusion regarding the role of an Aboriginal health worker, the designation and its importance is consolidated now more than ever by the virtue of the NATSIHWA professional practice framework. These health care professionals shoulder the responsibility or providing the most of the primary care activities for individuals, families and communities groups. Their work responsibilities in a general care setting include providing general primary care, mental health care, outreach services, patient education, cultural liaison, drug and alcohol addiction support, environmental support, community support, vascular health care, maternal and perinatal health care, nutritional advice, ophthalmological care advice, and lastly pharmacy health care (Natsihwa .org.au., 2018). It has to be understood that apart from the aforementioned care activities that care carried out by the aboriginal health workers the most important contribution by this health care profession is by the means of cultural safety. It has to be understood that for the aboriginals, there have been many social disadvantages that have affected the quality and accessibility of the care provided to the aboriginals. Ever since the colonization in the Australian territories, the impact of racism, discrimination, lack of education, low employment status, impact of traditions on the understanding of health and illness imparts a significant effect on the health and welfare of different individuals belonging to the aboriginal communities. The aboriginal health workers do not just provide care across life span to the aboriginals, their role is to act like a cultural broker guiding a protecting the health care rights of the aboriginals (Drummond, 2014 pp 168). It has to be understood that during the period of European colonization, the aboriginals were removed from their traditional lands. Now it has to be understood that in case of aboriginal communities, health is not just concerned with physical aspects of health; it is associated with spiritual, emotional and cultural wellbeing as well. Hence the impact of the socio-economic factors has made a huge difference on the health and wellbeing of the aboriginal. The fear of discrimination and loss of cultural safety, the aboriginals often refrain from seeking out health care until the point of unavoidable need. As a result the, the aboriginals reach the health care services with more severe conditions and result into higher mortality rates when compared to the mainstream society. There are particular health disparities among the aboriginals and non-aboriginals, and it is linked to systematic and local factors, which reflect on to the care experience aborigianls face (Daws et al., 2014 pp 553). This is where the roles played by the aboriginal health workers come into the picture, it has to be understood that in case of the aboriginal health and welfare, providing them cultural safety is extremely important. If the care provided to the different indigenous individuals is not adjusted with the cultural norms and ideas of their tradition and culture is not taken into consideration, the optimal health outcomes cannot be reached. For the nursing individuals providing health care to the aboriginals it is very different for them to understand the intricate cultural norms and their traditional understanding of health and incorporate it into the care practices planned and executed. The aboriginal health workers act as the much needed liaison or bridge between the nurses and the aboriginal patients. It has to be understood that the level of understanding and knowledge among these professionals is much higher than the regular nurses or physicians. Hence they can better understand the concerns and grievances of the aboriginals and can help them attain a better health care experience (Ahcsa.org.au., 2018). Another very crucial role played by the aboriginal health workers is the language assistance provided to the nursing individuals. It has to be mentioned that there are close to 100 aboriginal languages practiced in the aboriginal communities and Torres Strait island dwellers. The lack of English proficiency is one of the key contributing factors behind the social disadvantages faced by these people and even in case of the health care services, the lack effective communication often lead to misdiagnosis, medical errors and reduced patient satisfaction which in turn contributed to reduced health outcomes for the aboriginals. With the primary care intervention by the aboriginal health workers the burden of lack of effective communication is reduced drastically and better care delivery is ensured for the aboriginal care settings (Healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au., 2018). Despite the strengths being brought forth by the aboriginal health workers in the interdisciplinary team there are a few limitations as well. It has to be understood that, the most of the aboriginal health workers are mostly recruited from the culturally diverse backgrounds so that they can have extensive understanding and knowledge about the aboriginal culture and traditional understanding of health and healing. Hence, they often have difficulties co-operating with the rest of the health care team belonging to the mainstream society. The discrimination and cultural difference accompanied by language barriers leads to a communication gap and disrupts the co-operative harmony of interdisciplinary team, and this unacceptable gap is facilitated by the myriad of health inequalities among the two societal groups (Wilson et al., 2015 pp 2739). An interdisciplinary team of health care providers are incomplete without aboriginal health workers. The diverse range of benefits provided by these health professionals cannot be ignored; along with reducing the work pressure of the nursing professionals in the aboriginal health care scenario, the aboriginal health workers provide assistance in effective communications and providing cultural safety and comfort to the aboriginals, an integral aspect of health and wellbeing when it comes to aboriginals. There is need for better communication and co-operation between the nurses and aboriginal health workers, so that a more targeted and culturally safe care can be provided to the aboriginals with the aid of aboriginal health workers (Daws et al., 2014 pp 555). It has to be understood in this context that alike different health care professionals, aboriginal health workers also have individual strengths and competences. Hence the work distribution must strategically utilize the strengths and skills of the aboriginal health workers based on their cultural safety training and competence (Downing, Kowal Paradies, 2011 pp 254). Conclusion: On a concluding note, it can be stated that one of the most important roles in the interdisciplinary care setting for the indigenous populations is the role of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker. It is very important for them to health acre team to connect with the aboriginals and their spiritual and emotional connection with their cultural norms and the traditional concepts of health as well. The aboriginal health workers along with reducing the workload of the nurses help to build the bridge that can reach the aboriginals and understand their preferences and grievances, and in turn help to derive a care plan that addresses their care needs without violating their cultural safety. References: Aboriginal Health Worker Role - Aboriginal Health Council. (2018).Aboriginal Health Council. Retrieved 15 March 2018, from https://ahcsa.org.au/our-programs/aboriginal-health-worker-role/ Browne, J., DAmico, E., Thorpe, S., Mitchell, C. (2014). Feltman: evaluating the acceptability of a diabetes education tool for Aboriginal health workers.Australian journal of primary health,20(4), 319-322. Browne, J., Thorpe, S., Tunny, N., Adams, K., Palermo, C. (2013). A qualitative evaluation of a mentoring program for Aboriginal health workers and allied health professionals.Australian and New Zealand journal of public health,37(5), 457-462. Cultural Safety Framework - National Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Association (2018).Natsihwa.org.au. Retrieved 15 March 2018, from https://www.natsihwa.org.au/sites/default/files/natsihwa-cultural_safety-framework_summary.pdf Daws, K., Punch, A., Winters, M., Posenelli, S., Willis, J., MacIsaac, A., ... Worrall-Carter, L. (2014). Implementing a working together model for Aboriginal patients with acute coronary syndrome: an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer and a specialist cardiac nurse working together to improve hospital care.Australian Health Review,38(5), 552-556. Drummond, A. (2014). Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and health practitioners.Yatdjuligin, 163. Downing, R., Kowal, E., Paradies, Y. (2011). Indigenous cultural training for health workers in Australia.International Journal for Quality in Health Care,23(3), 247-257. Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Health facts Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. (2018).Healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au. Retrieved 15 March 2018, from https://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/health-facts/summary Wilson, A. (2012). Addressing uncomfortable issues: The role of White health professionals in Aboriginal health.Adelaide, Flinders University. 25-35. Wilson, A., Magarey, A., Jones, M., O'Donnell, K., Kelly, J. (2015). Attitudes and characteristics of health professionals working in Aboriginal health.Rural Remote Health,15(1), 2739.

Internet Surfing Essays - Web Browsers, Humancomputer Interaction

Internet Surfing The internet can be a huge and scary informational jungle for a non-expert. Given the enormous amount of information that the internet contains, this is no surprise. There are things that one can do though, to make their quest for knowledge easier. When looking for a specific item in this cyberactive library it is easier to have a plan, and then focus on a particular subject. Most likely, using a search tool will be your first means of finding what it is that you need. When using a search tool for the first time it is best to develop a general understanding of it. First, get to know how it works, and the type of language used when dealing with it. For example, each search tool usually has its own unique criteria, thus making the search for information that much more difficult. Responses to a particular query can vary greatly from search tool to search tool. Also the same query sent by the same inspection tool may come up with various responses from day to day, because web pages are constantly being added, removed, and updated. You will find, if you consistently use the internet, that things will become much less difficult for you as your experience broadens. The very first time I used the internet I was very intimidated, and thought that anyone who could use such an elaborate thing must be a genius. The many search tools and the complexities of their use baffled me. Now, I zip around the information highway like a whiz kid, and I have come to view the whole thing as one huge library. To speed up your searches, bookmark your favorite search tools for future use. You can also bookmark certain helpful sites while you are searching, so that you can come back to them later without wasting time by searching for them again. By bookmarking sites you eliminate the risk of typing errors when the address or URL is long and complicated. When you are in a hurry and you come across long articles it is helpful to copy the article on the clipboard and then paste it to the word processing window to read or print at a later time. When you are not rushed you may come back to the article and decide which parts, if any, you wish to keep for future reference. Some, like my father, say that the internet is the doorway to the devil. Others say it is an impossible, confusing, and frustrating piece of trash, but I say that when used properly it is a great tool for learning. Many times it has been a lifesaver when I needed information quickly, and did not have the time to go to the library. Yes, it is confusing for people who do not understand it, but like learning to ride a bike the more you try the better you become. Suddenly the jungle can become your backyard, and the novice can become a wizard.

Editing Your Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay

Editing Your Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample EssayThe Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay (EDPS) is a report that is presented to a recipient of federal financial assistance, usually an individual who has applied for a loan. The EDPS report contains many different types of information that are relevant to determining whether the applicant has a history of discrimination in the work place.The Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay report contains many forms of evidence that an employer has reasonable grounds to believe may indicate the applicant has a pattern or practice of discrimination in the work place. It also contains numerous questions that can be used to evaluate the applicant's answers to the questions contained within the sample. These questions are meant to help an employer determine whether he has reason to suspect that the applicant has a pattern or practice of discrimination in the workplace.Of course, the m ore specific the questions are, the better the evidence that an employer will have to determine whether or not he should be suspicious of the applicant's responses. The best way to determine how to prepare an Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay for a specific recipient is to review all of the questions contained within the document in detail.There are two main areas that an employer will need to look at when preparing an Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay. First, an employer needs to consider whether or not the applicant provided a true and accurate response to the Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay. In other words, the applicant must have provided the proper answer in order to avoid being viewed as providing false information.Secondly, an employer needs to consider how specific or detailed the answers to the Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay are. For example, an employer may be intereste d in knowing the names of any current employers that the applicant has worked for in the past. However, the answers to questions such as this are not going to provide much solid evidence that the applicant engages in any type of discriminatory behavior.In the event that a standard Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay has been sent to a recipient of federal financial assistance in order to determine if the applicant may have engaged in discrimination in the past, an employer may be interested in requesting that the questions contained within be edited. Because of the legal restrictions that are placed on organizations that send out these types of reports, it is unlikely that these restrictions will allow for additional comments or questions.Fortunately, there are also a number of websites that offer services for editing of the questions contained within an Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay. In addition, these same websites also offer ser vices for answering any concerns or questions that employers may have regarding how to write an Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay.The best part about working with one of these editing services is that the employees of these editing services are not aware that the person who is editing the Employment Discrimination Pattern or Practice Sample Essay is an employee of the company that provides editing services. This means that the employee does not have any type of bias toward the company that is providing the editing service, so the questions and concerns of the employer will be addressed directly by the employee of the editing service.

Empress Wu Zetian of Tang and Zhou

Empress Wu Zetian of Tang and Zhou Like so many other strong female leaders, from Catherine the Great to the Empress Dowager Cixi, Chinas only female emperor has been reviled in legend and history.  Yet Wu Zetian was a highly intelligent and motivated lady, with a strong interest in government affairs and literature.  In 7th century China, and for centuries afterward, these were considered inappropriate topics for a woman, so she has been painted as a murderer who poisoned or strangled most of her own family, a sexual deviant, and a ruthless usurper of the imperial throne.  Who was Wu Zetian, really? Early Life The future Empress Wu was born in Lizhou, now in Sichuan Province, on February 16, 624.  Her birth name probably was Wu Zhao, or possibly Wu Mei.  The babys father, Wu Shihuo, was a wealthy timber merchant who would become a provincial governor under the new Tang Dynasty.  Her mother, Lady Yang, was from a politically important noble family.   Wu Zhao was a curious, active girl.  Her father encouraged her to read widely, which was quite unusual at the time, so she studied politics, government, the Confucian classics, literature, poetry, and music.  When she was about 13, the girl was dispatched to the palace to become a fifth rank concubine of the Emperor Taizong of Tang.  It seems that she likely did have sexual relations with the Emperor at least once, but she was not a favorite and spent most of her time working as a secretary or lady in waiting.  She did not bear him any children. In 649, when Consort Wu was 25 years old, Emperor Taizong died.  His youngest son, 21-year-old Li Zhi, became the new Emperor Gaozong of Tang.  Consort Wu, since she had not borne the late emperor a child, was sent to Ganye temple to become a Buddhist nun.   Return From the Convent Its not clear how she accomplished the feat, but the former Consort Wu escaped from the convent and became a concubine of Emperor Gaozong.  Legend holds that Gaozong went to the Ganye Temple on the anniversary of his fathers death to make an offering, spotted the Consort Wu there, and wept at her beauty.  His wife, Empress Wang, encouraged him to make Wu his own concubine, to distract him from her rival, Consort Xiao. Whatever actually happened, Wu soon found herself back in the palace.  Although it was considered incest for a mans concubine to then pair up with his son, Emperor Gaozong took Wu into his harem around 651.  With the new emperor, she was a much higher rank, being the highest of the second rank concubines.   Emperor Gaozong was a weak ruler and suffered an illness that frequently left him dizzy.  He soon became disenchanted with both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao and began to favor Consort Wu.  She bore him two sons in 652 and 653, but he had already named another child as his heir apparent.  In 654, Consort Wu had a daughter, but the infant soon died of smothering, strangulation, or possibly natural causes.   Wu accused Empress Wang of the babys murder since she had been the last to hold the child, but many people believed that Wu herself killed the baby in order to frame the Empress.  At this remove, it is impossible to say what really happened.  In any case, the Emperor believed that Wang murdered the little girl, and by the following summer, he had the empress and also Consort Xiao deposed and imprisoned.  Consort Wu became the new empress consort in 655. Empress Consort Wu In November of 655, Empress Wu allegedly ordered the execution of her former rivals, Empress Wang and Consort Xiao, to prevent Emperor Gaozong from changing his mind and pardoning them.  A blood-thirsty later version of the story says that Wu ordered the womens hands and feet chopped off, and then had them thrown into a large wine barrel.  She reportedly said, Those two witches can get drunk down to their bones.  This ghoulish story seems likely to be a later fabrication. By 656, Emperor Gaozong replaced his former heir apparent with Empress Wus eldest son, Li Hong.  The Empress soon began to arrange for the exile or execution of government officials who had opposed her rise to power, according to traditional stories.  In 660, the sickly Emperor began to suffer from severe headaches and loss of vision, possibly from hypertension or a stroke.  Some historians have accused the Empress Wu of having him slowly poisoned, though he had never been particularly healthy. He began to delegate decisions on some government matters to her; officials were impressed with her political knowledge and the wisdom of her rulings.  By 665, Empress Wu was more or less running the government. The Emperor soon began to resent Wus increasing power. He had a chancellor draft an edict deposing her from power, but she heard what was happening and rushed to his chambers.  Gaozong lost his nerve and ripped up the document.  From that time forward, Empress Wu always sat in on imperial councils, although she sat behind a curtain at the back of Emperor Gaozongs throne. In 675, Empress Wus eldest son and the heir apparent died mysteriously.  He had been agitating to have his mother step back from her position of power, and also wanted his half-sisters by Consort Xiao to be allowed to marry.  Of course, traditional accounts state that the Empress poisoned her son to death, and replaced him with the next brother, Li Xian.  However, within five years, Li Xian fell under suspicion of assassinating his mothers favorite sorcerer, so he was deposed and sent into exile.  Li Zhe, her third son, became the new heir apparent. Empress Regent Wu On December 27, 683, the Emperor Gaozong died after a series of strokes.  Li Zhe ascended the throne as Emperor Zhongzhong.  The 28-year-old soon started to assert his independence from his mother, who was given regency over him in his fathers will despite the fact that he was well into adulthood.  After just six weeks in office (January 3 - February 26, 684), Emperor Zhongzhong was deposed by his own mother, and placed under house arrest. Empress Wu next had her fourth son enthroned on February 27, 684, as the Emperor Ruizong.  A puppet of his mother, the 22-year-old emperor did not exert any actual authority.  His mother no longer hid behind the curtain during official audiences; she was the ruler, in appearance as well as fact.  After a reign of six and a half years, in which he was virtually a prisoner within the inner palace, Emperor Ruizong abdicated in favor of his mother.  Empress Wu became Huangdi, which is usually translated in English as emperor, although it is gender-neutral in Mandarin. Emperor Wu In 690, Emperor Wu announced that she was establishing a new dynastic line, called the Zhou Dynasty.  She reportedly used spies and secret police to root out political opponents and have them exiled or killed.  However, she was also a very capable emperor and surrounded herself with well-chosen officials.  She was instrumental in making the civil service examination a key part of the Chinese imperial bureaucratic system, which allowed only the most learned and talented men to rise to high positions in government. Emperor Wu carefully observed the rites of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, and made frequent offerings to curry favor with higher powers and retain the Mandate of Heaven.  She made Buddhism the official state religion, placing it above Daoism.  She also was the first female ruler to make offerings at the sacred Buddhist mountain of Wutaishan in the year 666.   Among the ordinary people, Emperor Wu was quite popular.  Her use of the civil service examination meant that bright but poor young men had a chance to become wealthy government officials.  She also redistributed land to ensure that peasant families all had enough to feed their families, and paid high salaries to government workers in the lower ranks. In 692, Emperor Wu had her greatest military success, when her army recaptured the four garrisons of the Western Regions (Xiyu) from the Tibetan Empire.  However, a spring offensive in 696 against the Tibetans (also known as Tufan) failed miserably, and the two leading generals were demoted to commoners as a result.  A few months later, the Khitan people rose up against the Zhou, and it took nearly a year plus some hefty tribute payments as bribes to quell the unrest. The imperial succession was a constant source of unease during Emperor Wus reign.  She had appointed her son, Li Dan (the former Emperor Ruizong), as the Crown Prince.  However, some courtiers urged her to choose a nephew or cousin from the Wu clan instead, to keep the throne in her own bloodline instead of that of her late husband.  Instead, Empress Wu recalled her third son Li Zhe (the former Emperor Zhongzong) from exile, promoted him to Crown Prince, and changed his name to Wu Xian. As Emperor Wu aged, she began to rely increasingly on two handsome brothers who were allegedly also her lovers, Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong.  By the year 700, when she was 75 years old, they were handling many of the affairs of state for the Emperor.  They had also been instrumental in getting Li Zhe to return and become Crown Prince in 698. In the winter of 704, the 79-year-old Emperor fell seriously ill.  She would see nobody except for the Zhang brothers, which fueled speculation that they were planning to seize the throne when she died.  Her chancellor recommended that she allow her sons to visit, but she would not.  She pulled through the illness, but the Zhang brothers were killed in a coup on February 20, 705, and their heads were hung from a bridge along with three of their other brothers.  The same day, Emperor Wu was forced to abdicate the throne to her son. The former Emperor was given the title of Empress Regnant Zetian Dasheng.  However, her dynasty was finished; Emperor Zhongzong restored the Tang Dynasty on March 3, 705.  Empress Regnant Wu died on December 16, 705, and remains to this day the only female to rule imperial China in her own name. Sources Dash, Mike.  The Demonization of Empress Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, August 10, 2012. Empress Wu Zetian: Tang Dynasty China (625 - 705 AD), Women in World History, accessed July 2014. Woo, X.L. Empress Wu the Great: Tang Dynasty China, New York: Algora Publishing, 2008.

Properties of the Basic Metals Element Group

Properties of the Basic Metals Element Group Several groups of elements can be termed metals. Here is look at the location of the metals on the periodic table and their common properties: Examples of Metals Most of the elements on the periodic table are metals, including gold, silver, platinum, mercury, uranium, aluminum, sodium, and calcium. Alloys, such as brass and bronze, also are metals. Location of Metals on the Periodic Table Metals are located on the left side and the middle of the periodic table. Group IA and Group IIA (the alkali metals) are the most active metals. The transition elements, groups IB to VIIIB, are also considered metals. The basic metals make up the element to the right of the transition metals. The bottom two rows of elements beneath the body of the periodic table are the lanthanides and actinides, which are also metals. Properties of Metals Metals, shiny solids, are room temperature (except mercury, which is a shiny liquid element), with characteristic high melting points and densities. Many of the properties of metals, including a large atomic radius, low ionization energy, and low electronegativity, are because the electrons in the valence shell of metal atoms can be removed easily. One characteristic of metals is their ability to be deformed without breaking. Malleability is the ability of a metal to be hammered into shapes. Ductility is the ability of a metal to be drawn into wire. Because the valence electrons can move freely, metals are good heat conductors and electrical conductors. Summary of Common Properties Shiny metallic appearanceSolids at room temperature (except mercury)High melting pointsHigh densitiesLarge atomic radiiLow ionization energiesLow electronegativitiesUsually, high deformationMalleableDuctileThermal conductorsElectrical conductors