Invasive Species Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Invasive Species - Research Paper Example The Asian Tiger Mosquito The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the most highly invasive species from Southeast Asia that has found its way to the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Pacific. The main difference between this species from the other mosquitoes is that it serves as a vector of several species of virus and it does so through its unique genetic make-up as well as its excellent adaptation to the new environment. A discussion of the nature of the Asian tiger mosquito is essential in fostering awareness of a species that has a potential to be one of the most dangerous vectors of viral diseases in this planet. Awareness of a particular dangerous species brings with it the responsibility to help prevent its spread and cooperation with authorities in mitigating its harm. Findings The Asian tiger mosquito, or Aedes albopictus, is known as a vector of several emerging diseases that were once native to Southeast Asia, where the said mosquito originated, and its niche is a parasite. It is mainly an invasive species anywhere in the world except in Southeast Asia, where it is native and original (Roiz et al., 2011). The transportation of eggs mainly through used tires and Lucky Bamboo plants was the only way this insect could have spread to America, the Indo-Pacific regions, Europe and Africa. Since the first record of its presence in Italy in Genoa in 1990 during the late summer, the mosquito is believed to have spread to the rest of Italy and Europe (Roiz et al., 2011). The first discovery of the species in Europe was as early as 1979 in Albania but the country hardest hit by the invasion was Italy with around 200 cases alone in the summer of 2007. In the United States, the discovery of the mosquito was a few years later in Memphis, Tennessee in 1983 and in the next 25 years, 36 U.S. states have been invaded including several countries in Central and South America with Brazil experiencing its first Asian tiger mosquito bite in 1986. The Asian tiger mosquito is an ag gressive daytime biter and is called â€Å"tiger† because of its bright white stripes. As a native of Southeast Asia, it used to be a dominant insect in the natural reservoirs including tree holes, vases, pots, buckets and vegetation. Moreover, the millions of tires shipped each year between Japan and Germany and the United States because of the use of recaps and the strict rules governing wear and tear of these tires may actually contain water that could hold Asian tiger mosquito larvae and more importantly eggs that are drought-resistant and can survive a comfortable, sheltered journey until they reach their destination (Enserink, 2008). One change that the Asian tiger mosquito has brought to the native and invaded ecosystems was disease. The Asian tiger mosquito is responsible for dengue and chikungunya fever. The chikungunya virus was believed to have undergone a single-nucleotide genetic mutation in the Indian mutation outbreak order for it to be able to use the Asian ti ger mosquito as a vector (Enserink, 2008). However, although the species is less invasive than the Aedes aegypti in spreading dengue, the Asian tiger mosquito is becoming increasingly important because its global distribution is rapidly changing. Other outbreaks of diseases caused by the Asian tiger mosquito include the dengue outbreaks in Hawaii from 2001 to 2002, in China in 2004, in Madagascar in 2006, and in Gabon

Legal Rights of Students with Disabilities Term Paper

Legal Rights of Students with Disabilities - Term Paper Example IDEA incorporates six key components (Mash & Barkley, 2006). Firstly, IDEA provides that each disabled child have access to â€Å"Free and Appropriate Public Education† (FAPE), where the parent is not obliged to contribute financially. This ought to be in the normal public schools. However, the child can receive the care in other specialized schools or at home, due to the fragility of his health. Additionally, a child suspected to have a disability ought to undergo an appropriate evaluation by a team of trained personnel. Besides, the multi-disciplinary team ought to employ various relevant sources in the appraisal process. The child should not undergo unwarranted tests that have a racial and cultural bias. Additionally, the evaluators should gear their tests towards scheduling for the child’s suitable education (Mash & Barkley, 2006). The concerned personnel should be able to determine the child’s eligibility, once they conclude these tests. Evaluation is impera tive, since it helps in documentation of the child’s disability. Therefore, all children suspected of any disabilities ought to undergo the process despite the way it is apparent. The parent should also recognize the usefulness of the information. Moreover, after the evaluation, the child ought to receive personalized education, owing to their exceptional needs. As such, a team of experts places the child under â€Å"Individualized Education Program† (IEP). Besides, if a child is below 3, the multidisciplinary team as well as the parents arranges for an â€Å"Individualized Family Service Plan† (IFSP), where he or she receives exceptional care within their home settings. Additionally, the parents are equal constituent of the team, and they ought to be actively involved in all processes of the program. In addition, IDEA aims to ensure that the disabled child has a favorable environment for education, which should be free from restrictions. This improves the child ’s learning capacity, thereby reducing chances of being disadvantaged. Besides, experts recommend that children with disabilities should opt for normal school system as their first choice and interact with other children without disabilities. Moreover, IDEA advocates for LRE, where the child with disability learns together with others for the longest time possible. The act explicitly provides for all learning institutions to educate all children, disregarding their disabilities nature. It is unlawful to discriminate children with disability. Before IDEA implementation, children with disability encountered such discrimination that hampered their development. The fifth principle of IDEA implies that parents and the disabled student (where possible) should actively become involved in the formulation of decisions concerning the education plan of the student (Mash & Barkley, 2006). In addition, parents or caregivers ought to receive notice from these trained personnel in cases whe re teachers and other trained personnel change the education plan for the child. The parents and guardians have the obligation to play a part in all meetings and thereby contribute fully in all decision-making processes. The last principle champions for both the parents’, as well as the child’s rights in provision of care and education to the disabled

Scientists clone sheep Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Scientists clone sheep - Essay Example y that, but Dolly’s birth created a huge reaction all over the world as it led people to think of the possibility of human cloning (Rantala and Milgram 1). But still, Dolly’s birth remains a landmark achievement for both, the scientists who were responsible for it and for the world of science. Cloning can be defined as a â€Å"laboratory procedure in which the nucleus from the somatic(body) cell is transferred or transplanted into an egg cell from which the original nucleus has been removed† ( Saunders 131). In the process of cloning, the organisms that are genetically identical to each other and to ‘parent’ are obtained using asexual reproduction (Dale and Schantz 25). Even though clones are genetically identical, they are not identical in actual appearance and behavior as it the external factors like environment that influences their behavior (Dale and Schantz 25). In case of Dolly, as her cytoplasm came from a Scottish Blackface ewe, she was not an identical twin to her cell donor mother (Campbell 58). Scottish embryologist Ian Wilmut headed the team at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh which produced Dolly (Kunich 7). Dolly, the cloned sheep was born on July 5, 1996 (Kunich 7). Previously, the mammals had been cloned using early embryonic cell, but Dolly was the first to be cloned from fully differentiated adult somatic cells (Kunich 7). The birth of Dolly proved wrong the 100 year old dogma that â€Å"once cells are committed to adulthood, they cannot again be totipotent† (Wilmut, Campbell and Tudge 209). 3. The embryonic development is started by jump-starting the activation of the cell division cycle of egg with the new nucleus (Baldi 51). â€Å" The developing embryo can then be implanted into foster mother