How Long Does Methamphetamine (Meth) Stay in Your System

How Long Does Methamphetamine (Meth) Stay in Your System Addiction Drug Use Meth Print How Long Does Methamphetamine (Meth) Stay in Your System? Methamphetamine in Your Blood, Urine, Hair, Saliva By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 26, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 06, 2020 More in Addiction Drug Use Meth Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand Effects Duration Factors That Affect Detection Time Elimination Symptoms of Overdose Getting Help View All Back To Top Methamphetamine, also known under the brand name Desoxyn or street names meth, crank, crystal, glass, ice, and speed, is a stimulant drug that speeds up the  body’s systems. After marijuana, meth is the second most popular illicit drug in the world. Methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug in the United States, meaning that its considered a drug with a high potential for misuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.?? Though most often used illicitly as a recreational drug, it is also available in prescription form as Desoxyn, which is used for treating ADHD and the short-term treatment of obesity. Determining exactly how long methamphetamine is detectable in the body depends on many variables, including the type of test used, the method of use, and a persons unique physical characteristics. Methamphetamine can be detected for a shorter period of time with some tests but can be visible for up to three months in others. Verywell / Jessica Olah What to Know About Methamphetamine Use How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects? The effects of methamphetamine begin rapidly after intravenous use or when it is smoked. The primary effects last from four to eight hours, with residual effects lasting up to 12 hours. Amphetamine (a methamphetamine metabolite) is detectable in drug tests long after the person feels back to normal. The effects of methamphetamine vary widely between prescribed therapeutic doses compared to dosages usually used by people who misuse meth. Prescription doses of 10mg to 30mg  can improve reaction time, relieve fatigue, improve cognitive function testing, increase subjective feelings of alertness, increase time estimation, and increase euphoria. However, a larger dose of meth can cause the following effects: AgitationInattentionRestlessnessInability to focus attention on divided attention tasksMotor excitationIncreased reaction timeTime distortionDepressed reflexesPoor balance and coordinationInability to follow directions What It Feels Like to Get High on Meth Driving Concerns According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers who are under the influence of methamphetamine display a wide variety of behaviors including: SpeedingLane travelErratic drivingAccidentsNervousnessRapid and non-stop speechUnintelligible speechDisorientationAgitationStaggeringAwkward movementsIrrational or violent behavior, and unconsciousness?? In the 101 cases reviewed by NHTSA in which meth was the only drug detected, impairment was attributed to distraction, disorientation, motor excitation, hyperactive reflexes, general cognitive impairment, or withdrawal, fatigue, and hypersomnolence.?? How Long Does Methamphetamine Last? The half-life of methamphetamine is an average of 10 hours. This means it takes about 10 hours for half of the ingested dose to be metabolized and eliminated from the bloodstream.  When taken orally, concentrations of methamphetamine peak in the bloodstream between 2.6 and 3.6 hours, and the amphetamine metabolite peaks at 12 hours. If meth is taken intravenously, the elimination half-life is a little longer at about 12.2 hours.?? Methamphetamine is metabolized by a liver enzyme and is excreted by the kidneys in urine. It is metabolized (or broken down) into amphetamine, and 4-hydromethamphetamine. Various testing methods have different estimated ranges of times or detection windows, during which meth can be picked up after a person has taken the drug.?? Urine Meth is typically detectable in urine for one to four days but may be detectable for up to a week after heavy, chronic use. A urine test typically shows a higher concentration of meth than other drug tests because the drugs metabolites are eliminated through urine. Blood Blood tests can detect meth most quickly after its been used, typically one to three days after last use. Saliva Meth can be detected in saliva for one to four days after the last use. Hair A hair follicle test can detect meth in your system for up to 90 days. False Positive Testing While a useful, simple, and inexpensive tool, immunoassays (one of the most common types of urine drug screen) can give false-positive results. Taking metformin (sold as Fortamet, Glucophage, Glumteza, Glucophage XR, and Riomet), which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, can result in a positive test for methamphetamine. Ritalin (methylphenidate), which is used to treat ADHD, and Trandate (labetalol), which is an alpha- and beta-blocker used to control blood pressure, can also result in a false positive for meth. Antihistamines, nasal inhalers, and cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine and/or promethazine as well as antidepressants (such as bupropion, fluoxetine, trazodone, and selegiline) can also produce false positives. Last but not least, ephedra-containing products may cause false-positive methamphetamine results in urine drug screens. Testing to identify specific drugs, rather than classes of drugs, is needed to confirm a positive urine drug screen for methamphetamine. To ensure clinicians can accurately interpret your drug screen results, always disclose any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking. Many states have passed zero-tolerance laws for driving while under the influence of methamphetamine. In those states, if a blood test shows any amount of meth at all, you can be charged with driving under the influence.Because methamphetamine remains in the system long after the effects of the drug wear off, you might feel like you are OK to drive, but can still run the risk of being charged with drugged driving if any meth shows up in a blood or urine test. Factors That Affect Detection Time The timetable for detecting methamphetamine in the human body depends on the individuals health, metabolism, age, physical activity, and frequency of use, making it difficult to determine how long meth will show up on a drug test. Overall Health Your overall health, including liver and kidney function, can play a role in how quickly meth is processed and cleared from your body. Frequency of Use People who use amphetamine very frequently will have longer detection times than those who use the drug one time. Metabolic Rate People with a high metabolism tend to process and excrete amphetamine more quickly than those with a slower metabolism. Age, activity level, and overall health can all play a role in your metabolic rate. Smoking vs. Injecting Whether you take the drug orally or intravenously can impact detection time. Injecting the drug Smoking or snorting amphetamine smoke or snort meth, it will stay in the body for a shorter amount of time than if you inject the drug. If, on the other hand, youve been prescribed Adderall and take it as prescribed, the drug will likely remain in your bloodstream for longer periods of time. How to Get Methamphetamine Out of Your System There are plenty of false claims and myths when it comes to how to pass a drug test. For example, there are false that baking soda bombs, which is a mixture of water, bleach, and baking soda, mask the presence of methamphetamine in urine. There is no proven research that this works, and further, you take an enormous health risk when you ingest any amount of bleach. The only way to get meth out of your system is to stop using the drug and allowing your body time to metabolize and eliminate it.  Staying healthy by getting regular exercise and drinking plenty of water may also help you metabolize the substance more quickly. Symptoms of Overdose One of the main reasons to be aware of how long meth remains in the system is the risk of overdose.  Here are some symptoms of a meth overdose: Difficulty breathingChest painIrregular heartbeatHeart attackStrokeSeizuresSevere agitationParanoiaExtremely high body temperatureKidney damage or failure Some of these symptoms can be life-threatening, so it is important to seek professional medical help right away if you suspect that you or a loved one may be experiencing a methamphetamine overdose. Drug Overdose Signs and Treatment Meth and Alcohol Some believe that methamphetamine can reverse some of the impairment effects of alcohol. Thats because meth may restore alcohol-induced impairment in simple repetitive tasks of short duration. However, NHTSA research has uncovered no restoration of alcohol-induced deficits of balance and steadiness. Overall, research indicates that methamphetamine is more likely to increase the impairing effects of alcohol. The substances should not be used together. The combination can also increase the risk of alcohol poisoning since people do not realize how much they’ve had to drink. Why Meth and Alcohol Is a Deadly Combo Getting Help If youre concerned about having too much meth in your system or testing positive for the drug, its likely time to seek help or consult your doctor. If you use meth heavily and/or regularly, its best to detox from the drug under the guidance of a medical professional who can guide you safely through the withdrawal and treatment process. Twenty four hours after you stop using meth, you can expect to experience symptoms of withdrawal, which can range from mild to severe, depending on the frequency of use and dependency. Some common signs and symptoms of meth withdrawal include: AnxietyFatigue and sleepinessDepressionCravingsIncreased appetite What to Expect From Meth Withdrawal If you or someone you love wants to quit using meth, there are steps you can take to get through the withdrawal process and succeed in your recovery. Start by talking to your doctor for advice and assistance, or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-4357. They also have a free,  online tool  to find treatment options in your area. Symptoms of Stimulant Use Disorder

Online Dating Essay - 3636 Words

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Federal Reserve Should Raise The Federal Funds Rate

The discussion of whether the Federal Reserve should raise the federal funds rate is a highly contentious one. Members of the Federal Reserve (â€Å"Fed†) and academic economists disagree about what constitutes appropriate future macroeconomic policy for the Unites States. In the past, the Fed had been able to raise rates when the unemployment rate was under 5% and inflation was at a target of 2%. Enigmatically, since the Great Recession and despite a strengthening economy, year-over-year total inflation since 2008 has averaged only 1.4%—as measured by the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (â€Å"PCE†). Today, PCE inflation is at 1-1.5% and has continuously undershot the Fed’s inflation target of 2% three years in a row. (Evan 2015) In the six years since the bottom of the Great Recession the U.S. economy has made great strides in lowering the published unemployment rate from about 10% back down to about 5.5%. In light of this data, certain ind ividuals believe that the Federal Reserve should move to increase the federal funds rate in 2015 because unemployment is near 5% and inflation should bounce back on its own (Derby 2015). However, this recommendation is misguided. Overview The Federal Reserve should utilize a balanced approach to monetary policy. The current state of the economy—undershot employment and inflation goals—presents no conflict in achieving a neutral state. In fact any action that supports employment growth also moves inflation up toward our target (EvanShow MoreRelatedEssay about Eco/372 Final1144 Words   |  5 Pagesfull-time job 5) The Bureau of Economic Analysis is responsible for which of the following? C. Calculating U.S. gross domestic product] 6) The Federal Reserve provides which of the following data? A. Federal funds rate 7) Consider if the government instituted a 10 percent income tax surcharge. 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The federal reserve provides which of the following data a. federal funds rate XXX b. stock price of GE c. bond yields of corporation d. debt to GDP of Ireland 6. Consider if the government instituted a 10% income tax surcharge. In terms of the AS/AD model this change should have a. shifted the AD curve to the left XXX Read MoreThe Federal Reserve And Central Banking System1109 Words   |  5 PagesEdith Deras-Fraijo Mr. Lauer Economics November 9, 2015 The Federal Reserve The Federal Reserve is the main banking system in the United States. It has 12 regional banks around the nation, its headquarters being located in Washington DC. The Federal Reserve (better known as the Fed) was established in 1913 by Congress in order to â€Å"provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system† (federalreserve.gov). 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The One Thing to Do for Explanatory Essay Topics

The One Thing to Do for Explanatory Essay Topics There are dozens and dozens of compelling topics out there which can be meticulously explored, but choosing one that you're interested in would allow it to be a small bit easier and more fun. Explain what types of feelings you get. Do not enable the fancy words fool you it's possible that you've already written one without even being aware of it! As you read below, you will see a comprehensive template to assist you see what parts need to be present. Undoubtedly assignment writing is an extremely daunting job but if undertaken with the right planning. Make sure while writing you keep the circulation of information so the readers can easily earn a relation between the different bit of information used. Another concept is to pick a sphere which you were interested in for a very long time but had no opportunity to find out more about it. Write an adequate introduction and you're off to a fantastic start. The Argument About Ex planatory Essay Topics Explanatory paper should be easy and straight-forward. If this is the case, you could have an excellent beginning to your expository essay. Choose the one which you liek to compose an ideal expository essay! Each expository essay is going to have definite objective. The Basic Facts of Explanatory Essay Topics In an academic setting, but the paper ought to be formatted and organized in line with the corresponding standards without the usage of informal languages like slang or jargon. Your reader will observe all details throughout the prism of your ideology. The aim of an exploratory essay is to supply the reader with information concerning the issue, provide either side of the matter and explore preliminary conclusions or solutions for the matter. Look at a moral dilemma a character in a novel or other bit of literature must face. Who Else Wants to Learn About Explanatory Essay Topics? The intent of any expository writing is to reveal the characteristi cs of notions indicated in the subject. Focus on your language as it ought to be eerror-free Imagine your essay is a precious stone and produce all its faces shine using an easily readable and authentic language. A strong introduction must also capture the readers' interest. Don't be afraid to request skilled customized essay writing help in case you don't have time or desire in any respect. Explain why you especially delight in a specific teacher. Explain the reason it's essential for students to understand how to do math. At length, a student can provide short suggestions on how best to win the game. Even though it is intended to arouse curiosity, it should offer relevant details to a sensible level. An explanatory article is among the most popular academic requirements in school. Explain why it is you are interested in a specific career. By the time that students have reached college there's a great possibility they are going to have written a sizable number of essays based on various styles. Explanatory Essay Topics and Explanatory Essay Topics - The Perfect Combination All the next paragraphs are going to be in a clearly defined steps format, that will cause the last objective. The political sphere is among the most difficult from the viewpoint of the avoiding critics and viewpoints, therefore they're popular for educational purposes. Explanatory samples a re extremely simple to come by but if you're still curious about explanatory examples, here are some frequently asked questions on this issue. Thus, you are able to easily gather information and present various views on the discipline. Up in Arms About Explanatory Essay Topics? Then the next step is going to be to find out more about the expository essay structure. Should you need some help to locate a great topic for your expository essay assignment, you can utilize EssayTopicGenerator.com. Locate the trustworthy information for the essay topic you will work on. There are a lot of topics readily available today which form an excellent foundation for the upcoming informative essay. Descriptive essay always includes creative writing, even when topic appears to be dull and boring at first. Essentially, informative essay is about explaining a topic with amazing detail. Explanatory essay is, actually, a form of expository writing every time a student should explain several points of a certain subject. In a lot of ways, an expository essay is among the simplest essay styles. Regardless, it is to best to stick to the requirements mentioned in the prompt. Distinct forms of writing tasks have various requirements and the individual who would like to attain excellence in academic writing ought to know the difference between them. The length and essentials of your essay are especially critical in understanding how you should structure the job. No matter how you are feeling about them, it has to be noted they're remarkable and are rather similar in structure, design and destruction.

King Lear Play Essays - King Lear, British Films,

King Lear Play In the play King Lear written by William Shakespeare a collection of images are used to express different points Shakespeare is trying to relay to his audience. One reoccurring image that kept popping up was animal images. Shakespeare displays these animal images when King Lear and many of the other characters in the play talk about Goneril and Regan. The animals that Lear and the other characters compare the two sisters to are not very pretty. They are compared to the likes of tigers, serpents, and even monsters. These reoccurring images have an important idea behind them that Shakespeare hopes to communicate his readers. Shakespeare waste no time in comparing Goneril and Regan to animals. When Lear parts from Goneril at the end of Act I, after she has sneered at him and diminished the number of his retainers, he calls her a "Detested kite" (I. iv. 269.). He also compares her to "the sea-monster" (I. iv. 268.), by which he possibly means a mythological monster that would betray its own father. King Lear also comments on his daughters ingratitude using animal imagery when he said," How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child" (I. iv. 295-296.). Lear comments once more on his daughter's "monster ingratitude" (I. v. 40.). Lear is showing how he feels about how his daughters are treating him by comparing them to unpleasant animals. Lear in scene IV has a quarrel with his other daughter, Regan, where again he uses animal images to show how his daughters are sinking below manhood to animals. Lear seeks out his daughter, Regan, at Gloucester's castle, and finds out that her husband has put his faithful friend Kent in the stocks and that both husband and wife have retired to bed and do not wish to see him. When Regan finally comes down, she tells him "You should be ruled, and led by some discretion that discerns your state better than yourself" (II. iv. 147-149). Lear responds by saying"struck me with her tongue, most serpentlike, upon the very heart. (II. iv. 159-160). Lear here again is describing Regan to a serpent, which is a large poisonous snake. Both daughters seem to him now like unusually cruel animals. They show this when they shut him out into the stormy night. In the storm scene, Lear's hurt from his daughters affect his attitude to the mad Tom of Bedlam (Edgar). He thinks, on the analogy of his own suffering, that his daughters must have abused Poor Tom. Nothing else could have brought him to such a pathetic state. This reminds Lear of his own "pelican daughters" (III. iv. 75). This is an allusion to the medieval belief that pelican young fed on the blood of the parent bird. This analogy compares to how Lear's daughters are feeding on him giving them the control of the kingdom. Shakespeare uses these animal images throughout his play to describe Goneril and Regan. It will be noticed that most of the animals used in these comparisons are unpleasant (kite, serpent, tigers, pelicans, foxes, and even monsters). Shakespeare is showing that the sisters are sinking from the level of man, who stood between the angels and the animals, to the level of the animals. They have become like some of the most unpleasant birds and animals of prey. In their cruelty and unnaturalness they are less than human.

Critical Study of Nutrient Sensing and Root System Architecture (Arabidopsis Thaliana) The WritePass Journal

Critical Study of Nutrient Sensing and Root System Architecture (Arabidopsis Thaliana) 1. Introduction Critical Study of Nutrient Sensing and Root System Architecture (Arabidopsis Thaliana) 1. Introduction2. Problem Statement Root System Architecture   Arabidopsis ThalianaEZ-Rhizo3. Background Survey Development LanguageDrawing packagesJava 2DOpenGLFractal DimensionAlpha BlendingVisualization Uncertainty 4. Proposed ApproachBasic FunctionalityAdditional FunctionalityDesign MethodologyRisk Analysis5. Work Plan Background ResearchRequirements Capture Implementation of the Basic FunctionalityTesting of Basic FunctionalityDesign and Build PrototypesExperiments with PrototypesIntegrate desired Prototypes Testing of Additional FunctionalityComplete and Submit DissertationBibliography Related 1. Introduction In 2004, the United Nations published a report (United Nations, 2004) predicting that the world’s population would steadily increase, year on year, until at least 2050. Between 2004 and 2010 the world’s population increased by 5 million people (PRB, 2004 and PRB 2010), demonstrating the validity of this prediction. Last year, the United Nations (United Nations, 2010) published another report estimating that over 900 million people were still suffering from malnourishment, highlighting an insufficiency within the volume and distribution of food currently being produced.   As a consequence, it has recently been suggested that as the population grows the number of people facing food insecurity will also increase (Den Herder et al, 2010), unless the pressures affecting food production can be alleviated. To increase the volume of food being produced, scientists have advised that at least one of the following objectives has to be achieved (Godfray et al, 2010): Improve the quantity and quality of crop harvesting Identify or create more arable land (land that can be used for growing crops) By increasing the quantity of the food we produce we should theoretically be able to feed the growing population. In recent years the use of fertilizers and pesticides have been used to enhance the quality and quantity of the crops however use of this cannot be increased due to the risks to public health (Den Herder et al, 2010), and so other options must be explored. Scientists are investigating methods with which to promote a plant’s intake of nutrients and to increase their tolerance against hostile environmental conditions such as drought. Another area scientists have been exploring is that of how to convert land that would be considered unsuitable for plant growth (Den Herder et al, 2010). By finding more land on which to cultivate crops, we could generate more produce using our existing techniques. There is extensive research being conducted in both of these areas however this project will only be focussing on the work being contributed by the Plant Science Group.   This Group are part of the Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology within the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow.   The Plant Science Group consists of over 50 active scientists, of which Dr Anna Amtmann is currently a Research Group Leader, and their work covers a range of topics from plant nutrition to plants effect on human metabolism.   Within the Plant Science Group, Dr Amtmann’s Research Group is conducting research into the plant Arabidopsis Thaliana, with the aim of â€Å"understanding the molecular mechanisms involved within (Amtmann, 2011)†: Nutrient usage efficiency Salt and drought tolerance Interaction between abiotic and biotic stress To achieve this understanding experimental research is being conducted in a number of areas by her team, and this project aims to support the work within Nutrient Sensing and Root System Architecture. This research involves growing Arabidopsis Thaliana in controlled environmental conditions and analyzing the effect on the plants by monitoring their individual root structures. By comparing root system architectures that have developed in different environmental conditions, specific traits can identified which can lead to the understanding of how plants intake different nutrients and respond to specific stresses. Currently, the team grows hundreds of samples Arabidopsis Thaliana and records information about each of their root system architectures. This results in large volumes of data that require analysis and documentation. Currently the team create graphs to visualise and analyse this data but they have recently advised of the unsuitability of this approach.   This is predominantly due to the limited visualization options of graphs when considering root parameters and the fact that graphs can extremely time-consuming to construct. Therefore, this project aims to develop a system that will allow Dr Amtmann’s Research Group to visualise root system architectures of Arabidopsis Thaliana by using techniques that will manipulate the root structure architectural data into interesting and understandable representations. The following chapters of this proposal aim to document the proposed work that will be undertaken in a master project that will achieve this aim. 2. Problem Statement Due to the biological nature of this project, this section will define a number of key concepts required to understand the work undertaken by Dr Amtmann and her colleagues, and the issues they face, before discussing the intentions of this project. Root System Architecture Dr Amtmann’s team assesses the root system architectures of Arabidopsis Thaliana to understand how environmental conditions affect its development. The root system of a plant is responsible for the intake of water and nutrition (Malamy, 2005), among other essential functions, and so plays an important role within the development of any plant.   The root system normally consists of a main root with a number of lateral branches, which contain a number of root hairs that are responsible for the uptake of nutrients and water (Wikipedia, 2011). The way in which these underlying roots expand and branch is considered to be the root system architecture (RSA) (Figure 1). Depending on the environment in which a plant resides, changes occur to the RSA that can have a significant effect on the water or nutrient uptake of the plant(Armengaud et al, 2009). Therefore by understanding the environmental conditions that promote the growth of a successful RSA we can ensure the development of a healthy plant. Figure 1 – Root Structure Architecture (RSA) taken from â€Å"Root-System Development and Water-Extraction Model Considering Hydrotropism† by D. Tsutsumi et al.   Arabidopsis Thaliana Like many other research projects, Amtmann’s group uses the plant Arabidopsis Thaliana within their investigations. Arabidopsis Thaliana is considered to be a model species within plant science and biology as its genome was sequenced in 2000, meaning that its complete DNA sequence was determined (Wikipedia, 2011).   As the genome is relatively small it is easier to work with and analyse. It is also closely related to a large number of other plants such as (Somerville and Koorneef, 2002) meaning that any finding could be widely applicable. It can also be easily grown in laboratory conditions due to its small size and straightforward growth conditions. As a result of the Arabidopsis Thaliana sequenced genome, scientists can determine which genetic combinations are responsible for certain characteristics of the plant, such as the direction of root growth or number of lateral branches.   Figure 2 highlights some variation in roots of Arabidopsis Thaliana. Figure 2 Different Root Structure Architecture for Arabidopsis taken from unil.ch/dbmv/page36242_en.html Currently Dr Amtmann’s group grows multiple instances of Arabidopsis Thaliana in square agar plates that allow them to take two-dimensional images of the plant roots as it grows.   These images are then examined using a bespoke system called EZ-Rhizo, which was developed by Dr Amtmann’s Research Group, to determine the RSA of the plant. EZ-Rhizo EZ-Rhizo is freely available software that detects and measures the RSA of a plant quickly and accurately (Armengaud et al, 2009) when supplied with an image of a root system. It was developed by Dr Amtmann’s Research Group in conjunction with undergraduate students from l’Ecole Supà ©rieure dIngà ©nieurs en Electrotechnique et Electrique in 2008.   The main function of the system is to measure information about the main root and the lateral roots of a plant, and record this. All numerical values are stored in centimetres.   It then uses this data to derive further parameters such as the apical zone or straightness of the root. The key parameters that are captured by EZ-Rhizo in relation to this project are as follows: Apical Zone, which is the length of the root between the top of the main root and the oldest lateral root Length, which is the total length of the root from the origin of the main root to the tip of it.   (Note that as roots do not grow straight this value may be very large but the root may not have grown that far towards the ground) Vector Length, this is similar to the length however it calculate the shortest possible length of the root starting from the origin of the main root to the tip of it. Straightness, which is the Vector Length, divided by the Length. Angle, which is the degree between the Vector of the root and complete verticality. A full listing of all the parameter capture by EZ-Rhizo can located in the in that’s publication The system was developed for the Microsoft Windows operating system and stores data in a MySQL database. Queries can then be submitted to the database, which will retrieve all of the stored data for a specified root and output it into a Comma Separated Values (CSV) file (Armengaud et al, 2009). Project Objective As previously described, the main method used by Dr Amtmann’s Group to analyse and compare the plant root data, recorded by EZ-Rhizo, is to gather the required CSV files and generate the appropriate graphs in Microsoft Excel. The current methods used by this group can be extremely time consuming and could be subject to error if mislabelling on a graph occurs or if a value within a CSV file is misread. As the team work with large quantities of data there is a high probability of this occurring.   Also, the format of the results could also inhibit certain comparisons, as the visualization of the roots is limited to the graph format. Therefore the aim of this project is to design and implement a new system that will enable Dr Amtmann’s Research Group to overcome these difficulties. The proposed system will allow them to analyse and visualise their root data, collected from EZ-Rhizo, in a more flexible and reliable manner. The basic functionality of this system will be to create a realistic visualization of a root based on the supplied parameters. This will provide the foundation for developing alternative visualizations but it will also allow the researchers to understand the data that EZ-Rhizo is recording. As the system will re-create the root system architecture based on only the values provided by EZ-Rhizo, the re-creations will highlight which characterises of the root can be displayed. Therefore, once the visualizations have been created it may show that more root data is required to be captured by EZ-Rhizo in order to for the root system architecture to be properly documented.   This verification could not be achieved from a graph of the values or from viewing the original root structure image that is supplied to EZ-Rhizo. Once the basic functionality of this system is operational it can be enhanced, by the use of prototypes and experimentation, to find suitable techniques that allow for a meaningful representation of more than one root. For example, the average value of each parameter could be determined for a set of roots and the system could draw the average root. Alternatively given the parameters for a set of roots, the system may be able to estimate a root visualization that had all of those parameters altered by a set value and so produce a theoretical root.   Estimations of this nature would not be possible using the group’s current graphical techniques. In summary, the objective of this project is to implement a system that will create interesting and realistic visualizations of plants root system architectures that will be used by Dr Anna Amtmann and her Research Group in their experiments. 3. Background Survey Development Language One of the functional requirements that was supplied by Dr Anna Amtmann’s Research Group during the initial discussions of this project was that they require this system to be multi-platform, unlike EZ-Rhizo, which was specifically designed for Microsoft Windows Operating Systems. As a result of this requirement and the author’s previous development experience, the Java development language has been selected for this project.   As Java is a cross-platform language that be run anywhere, as long as the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is present, it meet the requirement set by the Research Group.   Also, as a main priority of this project is to develop and experiment with the greatest number of prototypes, it is advisable to reduce the learn curve that would be required in understanding a new language and so as Java is the developers strongest language it has been selected. Drawing packages Java 2D The Java 2D is a freely available drawing framework that allows for the construction of two-dimensional images (Wikipedia, 2011) and is part of the core Java Standard Edition Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) developed by Sun Microsystems, and now maintained by Oracle (Oracle, 2011).  Ã‚   The key strengths of this API are that it supports the drawing of basic shapes such as rectangles and ellipses but also basic lines, which is required for this project. Also, it will export any images created into well-known formats such as JPEG or GIF (Sun Developer Network, 2011).   As this is a JAVA API there is also a great deal of implementation support provided. OpenGL Open Graphics Language (OpenGL) is a mutli-platform API for creating two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphics (OpenGL, 2011) that is now considered to be an industry standard for graphical development. Currently OpenGL can be used with a number of development languages including Java (JOGL), Python, C++ and C.   As this project will be constructed in Java, JOGL would be the appropriate selection and since the release of Java Standard Edtion 6 in December 2006, JOGL and Java 2D can be used concurrently. However, one limitation of JOGL is that it will add complexity to a if the developers has no previous experience with this API as it currently has 250 different function calls for drawing one image (Wikipedia, 2011). JHotDraw Fractal Dimension One of the key elements of the root visualization is to get it to be as realistic as possible. Now it is likely that the root will be drawn out of straight lines how it will be essential that Alpha Blending Visualization Uncertainty 4. Proposed Approach The suggested approach for this project will involve designing and implementing a basic system that contains all of the functionality required to visualize one root based on the information provided from EZ-Rhizo. Upon successfully implementation of this initial system, a number of prototypes will be created around techniques, such as Alpha Blending, that will manipulate this functionality to draw clusters of roots or alter the initial visualization to provide a different perspective for the user. Any prototype functionality that is considered to be useful, interesting or successful will then be fully integrated into the main system as additional functionality. Basic Functionality It is likely that the new system will send requests directly to the database to retrieve this information rather than obtaining this from CSV files. However this functionality will be discussed with Dr Amtmann’s group during the design phase of the basic system alongside all other functional and non-functional requirements This system will only work with data from EZ-Rhizo at this time and it is assumed that the parameters will be from Arabidopsis Thaliana JAVA – it needs to be multi-platform unlike Ez-rhio   and JDBC Additional Functionality Currently at least two general prototypes have been envisioned with the following functionality Being able to represent average values for root parameters, such as length, and display them in a readable and understandable manner Being able to represent the lifecycle of a root based on the parameters recorded on the first day of growth to the last. It is likely that each of these general prototypes will have sub-prototypes that will evaluate techniques that display the information to achieve the objective. After the more successful techniques have been identified they will be developed and presented to the research group to confirm if they still wish this prototype to be included. Design Methodology To ensure the success of this project, the implementation of this project will follow an iterative software development methodology of design, implementation and testing.   This has been selected because one of the key components of this project is to build upon a basic system. It is therefore essential that this be successfully deployed before introducing any further functionality from desired prototypes. Due to this requirement the selected methodology will be The Spiral, which supports iterations and constant reviews and refinements as shown in Figure 3. It is also vital to review each prototype after it has been implemented to ensure that the original functionality has not been compromised. Figure 3 – Spiral Software Development Methodology taken from http://as.exeter.ac.uk/divisions/exeterit/iws/projects/ede/ Risk Analysis As with any software development project there is a certain element of risk in undertaking the assignment, and the key risks identified within this project are as follows: Terminology Due to biological terminology involved in the understanding of the system requirements there is a possibility that these may be interpreted wrongly. Therefore it is imperative that this be considered at every stage involving an element of design, and clarification will be sought if any ambiguity arises. Time Constraints As this project is due to be completed over a 15-week period there is potential for the project to overrun at any point and so continual review of the work plan is required. The stage with the highest potential for delay would be that of developing and testing prototypes.   Once the initial prototypes have been produced there is a possibility that revision will be required after discussions with Dr Amtmann’s Research Team.   Where possible all prototypes will be implemented to the highest standard however at a given point the further development of the prototypes will have to be discontinued. Regular discussions with Dr Rogers and Dr Amtmann regarding this should identify a suitable stopping point and prevent the project from suffering from delays. 5. Work Plan This chapter will detail the provisional work plan for this project and it has been estimated that work will begin on 20th June 2011.   Please note that weekly meetings will be scheduled with Dr Simon Rogers during this time and there will be a high level of communication between Dr Anna Amtmann’s Research Group and myself. Figure 4 – Gantt Chart Showing Estimated Project Timescale The following sections detail the work that will be done in each phase of the project as shown in the Gantt chart in Figure 4. Background Research During this time I will study the areas identified in section three in more depth and review this background research.   At this stage I will also investigate further techniques that could be used to develop additional prototypes that could be used to manipulate and display the root data in an interesting manner. Deliverables: Revised Background Section Critical Rating: Preferably Risk Factor: Low Requirements Capture This stage will involve identifying and creating a detailed list of the functional and non-functional requirements of the system.   During this time a requirements document containing the appropriate UML diagrams will be developed and will be approved by Dr Simon Rogers and Dr Anna Amtmann before any implementation begins. Deliverables: A clear requirements document Critical Rating: Important Risk Factor: Medium Implementation of the Basic Functionality After the basic requirements of the system have been determined they will be implemented in an application. At this stage, the system should at a minimum be able to use the data from EZ-Rhizo and create a visualization of at least one root. A test plan will also be created at this time. Deliverables: Implementation of Basic System and Test Plan Critical Rating: Fundamental Risk Factor:   Medium Testing of Basic Functionality This stage will ensure that the basic system is operational and that all of the functional requirements have been achieved.   This may involve getting feedback from the Plant Science Group depending on their availability and whether or not they wish to test the completed project. Deliverables: Critical Rating: Important Risk Factor: Low Design and Build Prototypes The next section will involve developing prototypes that manipulate and display the root data in various interesting manners.   Each prototype will involve a technique identified previously in section three or found within the further research conducted at the beginning of the project plan. Deliverables: A number of prototypes that modify the visualization of a basic root Critical Rating: Fundamental Risk Factor: Low Experiments with Prototypes At this time Dr Amtmann and her team will review the prototypes with a follow up discussion with Dr Rogers and myself to confirm that they capture useful information.   At this time, depending on time constraints, additional prototypes may be developed based on the discussions, however this will be reviewed at the time. Deliverables: A list of prototypes that are deemed to be visually interesting and useful Critical Rating: Preferable Risk Factor: Medium Integrate desired Prototypes Any prototypes that are deemed to be successful will then be integrated into the basic system.   This will be completed in iterations, with testing being conducted after each integration to ensure that the new prototype does not break the basic system. Deliverables: Critical Rating: Important Risk Factor: High Testing of Additional Functionality Once every prototype has been implemented successfully, further testing will be conducted to ensure that the original functionality still meets the initial criteria and that the prototype functionality is producing valid and interesting results.   At this stage a small user evaluation may be conducted to ensure that the user interface developed for the system is successful. Deliverables: Critical Rating: Important Risk Factor: Low Complete and Submit Dissertation Finally, a dissertation documenting the work that has been undertaken will be composed and will be approximately 60-70 pages long.   It will be submitted on the 6th September 2011.   During the project, work will be provisionally documented to ensure an easier transition from implementation to documentation. Deliverables: A complete dissertation documenting the progress and outcome of this project Critical Rating: Fundamental Risk Factor: Low Bibliography (Armengaud et al, 2009) Armengaud, P., Zambaux, K., Hills, A., Sulpice, R., Pattison, R. J., Blatt, M. R. and Amtmann, A. (2009), EZ-Rhizo: integrated software for the fast and accurate measurement of root system architecture. The Plant Journal, 57:  pp. 945–956. DOI:  10.1111/j.1365-313X.2008.03739.x (Den Herder et al, 2010) Den Herder, G., Van Isterdael, G., Beeckman, T. and De Smet, I. (2010), The roots of a new green revolution, Trends in Plant Science, Volume 15, Issue 11, November 2010, pp. 600-607. DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2010.08.009. (Godfray et al, 2010) Godfray, H.C., Beddington, J.R., Crute, I.R., Haddad, L., Lawrence, D, Muir, J.F., Pretty, J. Thomas, S.M. and Toulmin, C. (2010), The challenge of feeding 9 billion people. Science Magazine, 12th February 2010: 327 (5967), pp. 812-818. DOI: 10.1126/science.1185383 (Malamy, 2005) Malamy, J. E. (2005), Intrinsic and environmental response pathways that regulate root system architecture. Plant, Cell Environment, 28:  pp. 67–77. DOI:  10.1111/j.1365-3040.2005.01306.x (PRB, 2004) Population Reference Bureau, www.prb.org/pdf04/04worlddatasheet_eng.pdf, accessed 20th March 2011 (Population Reference Bureau, 2010) Population Reference Bureau, www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/2010/2010wpds.aspx, accessed 20th March 2011 (Somerville and Koorneef, 2002) Somerville, C. and Koornneef, M. (2002), A fortunate choice: the history of Arabidopsis as a model plant. Nature Reviews Genetics, 3:11, pp. 883 889 http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrg927 (United Nations, 2004) United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Population Division, un.org/esa/population/publications/longrange2/WorldPop2300final.pdf, accessed 2nd March 2011 (United Nations, 2010) Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, www.fao.org/hunger/en/, accessed 2nd March 2011 (Wikipedia, 2011) Wikipedia. Root Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia. Retrieved March 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root (Wikipedia, 2011) Wikipedia. Genome Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia. Retrieved March 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genome_sequence

Bahrain Geography, History, Culture, Economy

Bahrain Geography, History, Culture, Economy Population: 738,004 (July 2010 estimate)Capital: ManamaArea: 293 square miles (760 sq km)Coastline: 100 miles (161 km)Highest Point: Jabal ad Dukhan at 400 feet (122 m)Bahrain is a small country located in the Persian Gulf. It is considered a part of the Middle East and it is an archipelago that is made up of 33 islands. The largest island of Bahrain is Bahrain Island and as such it is where most of the countrys population and economy is based. Like many other Middle Eastern nations, Bahrain has recently been in the news due to increasing social unrest and violent anti-government protests. History of Bahrain Bahrain has a long history that dates back to at least 5,000 years ago, at which time the region served as a trading center between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. The civilization living in Bahrain at that time was the Dilmun civilization, however, when trade with India declined around 2,000 B.C.E, so too did their civilization. In 600 B.C.E, the region became a part of the Babylonian Empire. According to the U.S. Department of State, little is known about Bahrains history from this time until the arrival of Alexander the Great  in the 4th century B.C.E.During its early years, Bahrain was known as Tylos until the 7th century when it became an Islamic nation. Bahrain was then controlled by various forces until 1783 when the Al Khalifa family took control of the region from Persia.In the 1830s, Bahrain became a British Protectorate after the Al Khalifa family signed a treaty with the United Kingdom which guaranteed British protection in the event of a military conflict with Ottoma n Turkey. In 1935, Britain established its main military base in the Persian Gulf in Bahrain but in 1968, Britain announced the end of the treaty with Bahrain and other Persian Gulf sheikdoms. As a result, Bahrain joined the eight other sheikdoms to form a union of Arab emirates. However, by 1971, they had not officially unified and Bahrain declared itself independent on August 15, 1971.In 1973, Bahrain elected its first parliament and drafted a constitution but in 1975 the parliament was broken up when it tried to remove power from the Al Khalifa family which still forms the executive branch of Bahrains government. In the 1990s, Bahrain experienced some political instability and violence from the Shia majority and as a result, the government cabinet underwent some changes. These changes initially ended the violence but in 1996 several hotels and restaurants were bombed and the country has been unstable off and on since then. Government of Bahrain Today Bahrains government is considered a constitutional monarchy and it has a chief of state (the countrys king) and a prime minister for its executive branch. It also has a bicameral legislature that is made up of the Consultative Council and the Council of Representatives. Bahrains judicial branch consists of its High Civil Appeals Court. The country is divided into five governorates (Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, and Wasat) that is administered by an appointed governor. Economics and Land Use in Bahrain Bahrain has a diversified economy with many multinational firms. A large part of Bahrains economy depends on oil and petroleum production, however. Other industries in Bahrain include aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizer production, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing and tourism. Agriculture only represents about one percent of Bahrains economy but the main products are fruit, vegetables, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, and fish. Geography and Climate of Bahrain Bahrain is located in the Middle Easts Persian Gulf to the east of Saudi Arabia. It is a small nation with a total area of just 293 square miles (760 sq km) spread out over many different small islands. Bahrain has a relatively flat topography consisting of desert plain. The central part of Bahrains main island has a low elevation escarpment and the highest point in the country is Jabal ad Dukhan at 400 feet (122 m). The climate of Bahrain is arid and as such it has mild winters and very hot, humid summers. The countrys capital and largest city, Manama, has an average January low temperature of 57ËšF (14ËšC) and an average August high temperature of 100ËšF (38ËšC).​ References Central Intelligence Agency. (11 February 2011). CIA - The World Factbook - Bahrain. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ba.html Infoplease.com. (n.d.). Bahrain: History, Geography, Government, and Culture- Infoplease.com. Retrieved from: infoplease.com/ipa/A0107313.htmlUnited States Department of State. (20 January 2011). Bahrain. Retrieved from: state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/26414.htmWikipedia.com. (27 February 2011). Bahrain - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain