Radiation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Radiation - Research Paper Example UV radiation comprises only about 5% of total solar radiation but is biologically important, as exposure to this part of the spectrum might lead to damage of cellular DNA and thereby increase the risk for skin cancer. Descriptive epidemiological data strongly indicate a link between solar radiation and malignant melanoma. Studies of have suggested that the risk for melanoma is related to exposure to solar rays at the place of residence in early life. Some 5% of solar radiation is within the ultraviolet spectrum and may cause both malignant melanoma and non-melanocytic skin cancer; the latter is regarded as a benign disease and is accordingly not included in our estimation of avoidable cancers (Edmund Kennet Karuth, 2011). Ionizing radiation is classified as either particulate or electromagnetic. Charged particles such as electrons (beta minus particles), protons, alpha particles (helium nuclei) and heavy ions can ionize directly. Uncharged particles, notably neutrons, interact with the nuclei of the atoms through which they pass and give up their energy to produce recoil protons, alpha particles and heavier nuclear fragments, which go on to produce ionizations. The important characteristic of ionizing radiation is the local release of large amounts of energy, sufficient to break strong chemical bounds that are biologically important. Electromagnetic ionizing radiation consists of X and gamma rays, which give up part or all of their energy to the orbital electrons of the atoms through which they pass, producing fast recoil electrons that have sufficient energy to be ionizing. X and gamma radiation differ only in the way in which they are produced, gamma being produced by the decay of radioactive isoto pes and almost all X rays being made by electrical machines. For radiation initiated or formed, there is a process. To begin with, we classify radiation as either particulate or electromagnetic. Charged particles such as electrons (beta minus particles),

Social policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 5

Social policy - Essay Example Studies into the relationship between gender, health and human life cycle have taken a systematic approach in this unit. During my studies in this module, I found out that there is a positive correlation between gender, health and stages in the human life cycle (Hayward, 2003). From the point of determination of the sex of children, a difference in health trajectory begins to show between the two sexes. These differences vary in kind(Romans & Seaman, 2006). With ageing comes health complications. Ursula Lehr posits that old age is characterised by negative traits such as a decline in the capacities of individuals coupled with dysfunction or complete loss of the vital functions of the human body. In the social construction of old age, sociologists have shared that the current society is based on a ‘cult of youth’, where youthfulness, beauty, vigour and strength have immense value (Romans & Seaman, 2006). The society has a way of constructing a way of viewing issues that do not regard the law. I learned this alongside my colleagues last year in the unit ‘Introduction to Sociology’ where we were first introduced to the concept of social construction. Initially, during my First Year, I thought social constructs only existed in childhood. However, after further studies on the issue, I came to find out that the issue of social constructs can be applied in other issues such as gender, race, mental health and physical disability among others. I now understand that anything that results from shaping and forming by the society is of concern to sociologists and researchers. The number of aged people in Britain could rise to 12 million in the year 2021. This figure could grow further to 15.5 million aged people by the year 2030, according to figures provided by the Office of National Statistics. The number of people expected to be above the age of 80 by the year 2021 is 3 million, with further projected increase to 5.5 million people by the year